TEHRAN, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said here Saturday that his country supports any measure to stabilize global oil markets.

"Iran supports any measure in line with the stabilization of the oil market, fair prices and equitable quota for the producers," Rouhani said in a meeting with visiting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Rouhani urged OPEC and non-OPEC oil producers to work together to this end.

Rouhani also hailed the relations between Iran and Venezuela, saying the development of cooperation with Latin American countries has always been of high significance to Iran.

Earlier in the day, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that the decrease in global oil prices is leverage to exert pressure on independent countries by the United States, Press TV reported.

Khamenei urged "resistance and steadfastness along with prudence" to foil U.S. plots.

The Venezuelan president arrived in the capital Tehran on Saturday for a two-day visit to discuss issues of mutual interest, including energy cooperation, with senior Iranian officials.
LONDON, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- Private correspondence from the second-in-command officer on the ill-fated Titanic ocean liner was sold Saturday for more than 25,000 U.S. dollars.

Private archive of correspondence from Henry Wilde revealed his feelings about being transferred at the last minute to serve on what had been described as the unsinkable Titanic.

Auctioneers Henry Aldridge and Son's from Devizes in Wiltshire auctioned the unique archive of letters from Henry Wilde, chief officer and second in command on the Titanic which sank after hitting an iceberg in 1912.

Wilde famously wrote to his sister while on board the Titanic on its maiden voyage and posted when the ship called at Queenstown in Ireland, its last port of call before heading for New York.

Wilde, aged 38, wrote that he had misgivings about the Titanic, saying "I still don't like this ship... I have a queer feeling about it." Within days, on April 15, he was one of the 1,500 who perished when the ship sank.

The archive of letters covered the 20 years Wilde worked with the White Star Line, based in his home city of Liverpool.

Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge said: "The archive is of unparalleled importance to both collectors and historians alike as it gives an unprecedented snapshot into the professional life of the second most senior officer on board Titanic."

The archive was one of over 250 lots of Titanic, White Star and Ocean liner items sold at Saturday's auction. The collection, sold in four separate lots, was bought by collectors in Britain and overseas.
Zhang Yun (L), head of the China's Tibetan cultural delegation and also director of the Institute of History Studies of the China Tibetology Research Center talks to the researchers and students at the Oxford University in Britain on Oct. 20, 2016. The Chinese delegation on Saturday wrapped up its three-day trip to Britain where they visited universities and a media house to boost exchanges on Tibetan culture. (Xinhua/Han Yan)

LONDON, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese delegation on Saturday wrapped up its three-day trip to Britain where they visited universities and a media house to boost exchanges on Tibetan culture.

The delegation visited universities of Oxford, Westminster and Cambridge where they talked with researchers and students on issues ranging from Tibet's opening up and religious freedom, to the ancient culture in the area and the translation of the Tibetan Buddhism scriptures.

They also visited the headquarters of the Daily Telegraph and talked with senior editors on foreign affairs.

Zhang Yun, head of the delegation and also director of the Institute of History Studies of the China Tibetology Research Center, said he hopes to present the real Tibet to the Western world by breaking the myth and clearing up misunderstandings through the visit.

Dibyesh Anand, head of the department of Politics and International Relations at the University of Westminster, said the visit of the delegation provides a different perspective for his students to observe Tibet.

He said that Tibet has made huge achievements in its economic development over the past decades but also has challenges in governance.

Britain is the second leg of the delegation's three-nation visit. They will start visiting Ireland on Sunday.
by Juan Limachi

LIMA, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- Several politicians in Peru have been found to have taken benefits from the SIS healthcare system, created for poor families.

On Saturday morning, congressman Bienvenido Ramirez denounced Alexis Humala, brother of former president Ollanta Humala, for having benefited from the free SIS, despite it being meant only for the country's poorest people.

Writing on Twitter, Ramirez accused Humala of appearing in SIS archives, which was verified by Peruvian press. Peruvian daily Correo stated that Humala had been on SIS registers since Sept. 3, 2015.

Humala was also recently inculpated for having allegedly involved in soliciting illegal donations for Peruvian firefighters.

An inspection of SIS registrations also found on Thursday that three congressmen, Wilmer Aguilar, Gilmer Trujillo and Indira Huilca, were listed, as well as Gerardo Vinas Dioses, former regional president of the province of Tumbes and Manuel Zapata, a high-ranking municipal official in Lima.

These reports have sparked fury among Peruvians, who feel that these politicians, who enjoy substantial salaries and good benefits, have abused the infrastructure put in place for the poorest in the country.

Pressure from the public, media and their own parties led two of the three congressmen to explain how they became registered on the SIS and declared their immediate renunciation from the service. One of them, Huilca, said her family registered for SIS, prior to her being elected to Congress, due to having been left vulnerable after her father, union leader Pedro Huilca, was assassinated during the regime of former president Alberto Fujimori.

Vinas Dioses is already in prison on corruption charges which happened during his time in office.

The first revelation about potential abuses of SIS came when a surgeon, Pablo Machuca, said that well-known model, Sheyla Rojas, had enjoyed the free healthcare system.

The news was released amidst a broad corruption campaign by the government of President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, who has vowed to clean the country of this scourge.

On Wednesday, the president approved a new law, condemning public officials found guilty of corruption to "civil death," a term used to strip citizens of some of their civil rights. This would punish corrupt officials from holding any public office for periods ranging from six months to 20 years.

Kuczynski has not hesitated to denounce his former healthcare advisor, Carlos Moreno, who was found to be using SIS funds to carry out illegal activities.
HAVANA, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- Delegations from the Colombian government and the country's largest guerrilla group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), restarted negotiations here on Saturday for "a constructive dialogue," both parties announced.

The government's chief negotiator with the FARC and former Vice-President Humberto de la Calle published an image of the meeting on Twitter and wrote: "Meeting between delegates and advisors of the government and the FARC in Havana. Beginning a constructive dialogue."

FARC negotiator Ivan Marquez also wrote on Twitter that the two sides "are analyzing the views of different sectors of society about the peace agreement."

Another FARC negotiator Ricardo Tellez posted on Twitter that the meeting would analyze "proposals presented by diverse sectors of the No (camp)."

He was referring to the political sectors who opposed the peace agreement signed on Sept. 26 by both the government and the FARC to end their 52-year armed conflict. The agreement was narrowly rejected in an Oct. 2 plebiscite.

Government negotiators returned to Havana on Friday after meeting with the No camp and after President Juan Manuel Santos asked them to accelerate negotiations for a new peace agreement.

Related:

Spotlight: FARC willing to "enrich" peace deal but not renegotiate, says top leader

HAVANA, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) are willing to talk with different political sectors to enrich the final peace deal signed with president Juan Manuel Santos. However, they are not willing to renegotiate the agreement despite it being rejected by a small margin at the polls, explained the FARC's top leader, Rodrigo Londono, in an exclusive interview with Xinhua. Full story

Colombian president, FARC leader say ceasefire to remain in place

BOGOTA/HAVANA, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and Timoleon Jimenez, leader of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), promised Sunday that the ceasefire between both parties would remain in place. Full story

Colombia's Santos, Uribe to meet to discuss FARC peace process
SANAA, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- The UN envoy for Yemen called on Sunday for an extension of ceasefire as a truce just ended with air strikes and ground fighting raging in the Middle East country.

Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed urged all parties to extend the truce at least for another 72 hours to create conditions for reviving stalled peace talks and reaching a permanent ceasefire.

"The Yemeni people deserve to live in peace and get all their fundamental rights and all parties should bear responsibility to protect them," he said.

The current 72-hour truce expired at 23:59 local time (2059 GMT) Saturday.

"Despite reported violations from all parties since the truce took effect midnight last Wednesday, relief aid reached the affected areas and UN employees were able to move better in those areas which previously were inaccessible," Ould Cheikh said in a press release hours after the truce expired.

The just-ended three-day truce began on Wednesday midnight between the dominant Shiite Houthi rebels and exiled government of internationally recognized President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi backed by Saudi Arabia-led military coalition.

Houthis and their foes in the Hadi government traded accusations of breaching the truce in their media as ground fighting raged on largely all combat fronts throughout the days of truce.

Each side claimed their forces were repelling the other's attempts to advance towards their sites on fronts of several Yemeni cities and provinces.

Saudi Arabia, which backs the Hadi government, accused Houthi fighters of firing rockets into its border cities of Jazan and Najran, killing two civilians. Houthis said they retaliated Saudi-led air strikes on Saada province that they said killed several civilians.

The latest truce collapsed after a series of attempts that also failed to cease the hostilities in Yemen since 2014. The previous fragile truce began in April and ended last August after the peace talks hosted by Kuwait yielded no breakthrough.

The conflict in Yemen began after the 2011 Arab-spring style mass protests eventually forced former President Ali Abdullah Saleh to step down.

The Houthis, supported by Saleh, seized the Yemeni capital Sanaa and some other Yemeni cities in September 2014, forcing Hadi and his government into exile.

The Houthis and their ally forces loyal to Saleh have controlled most of Yemen's northern regions since then, while the Hadi government and its tribal allies have entrenched the southern provinces they recaptured from Houthi rebels.

The Saudi-led coalition began to intervene in Yemen's conflict in March 2015 with an air force campaign to restore Hadi to power and roll back Houthi gains.

The 19-month civil war in Yemen has killed more than 10,000 people, mostly civilians.
UN Special Envoy for Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed speaks as he arrives in Sanaa to seek an extension of the truce at the Sanaa Airport in Sanaa, Yemen, on Oct. 23, 2016. (Xinhua/Mohammed Mohammed)

UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- UN Special Envoy for Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed on Saturday urged all parties to the Yemeni conflict to extend a three-day humanitarian ceasefire for another 72 hours.

The three-day truce brokered by the United Nations went into effect on Wednesday midnight with an aim to facilitate humanitarian aid to the war-stricken cities.

"The ceasefire was largely holding despite reported violations from both sides in several areas," said Ould Cheikh Ahmed in a statement released here, adding that over the last days, UN personnel were able to reach areas that were inaccessible to deliver food and aid.

"We would like to build on this and we aim for a wider outreach in the next few days," he added.

The situation in Yemen has deteriorated since March 2015 when war broke out between the Shiite Houthi group, supported by former President Ali Abdullash Saleh, and the government backed by a Saudi-led Arab coalition.

Houthis and Saleh's forces hold most of Yemen's northern regions while government forces backed by Saudi-led military coalition control the rest of the country, including seven southern provinces.

The war has killed more than 10,000 people, half of them civilians, injured more than 35,000 others and displaced over 2 million, according to humanitarian agencies.

Related:

Yemen ceasefire ends as UN urges renewal
SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Facebook has decided to cut down on its censorship of graphic posts which might violate its community standards against nudity and violence, as long as these posts are deemed "newsworthy and significant."

"In the weeks ahead, we're going to begin allowing more items that people find newsworthy, significant or important to the public interest -- even if they might otherwise violate our standards," the company's PR officials said in a blog post on Friday.

The move came after the "napalm girl" controversy stirred outcry from some Facebook users, who complained about being prevented from posting or sharing the world-famous photograph. The image, which shows a naked 9-year-old girl fleeing a napalm attack during the Vietnamese war, was said to have violated Facebook's ban on images of naked children, according to the CNN.

The California-based online social network also came under attack this week for removing a breast cancer awareness video for being graphic. The video, released by Swedish cancer charity Cancerfonden, explains to women how to check for suspicious lumps with animated figures.
Afghan farmers display their agricultural products in an agriculture expo in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, March 21, 2016. (Xinhua/Rahmat Alizadah)

KABUL, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- "The quality and quantity of my crops this year has been better than in the past, but unfortunately a lack of buyers here and across the borders means that some of my fruit and vegetables are left to spoil," Hajji Amanullah, a farmer from the northern Takhar province, complained.

At a stall showcasing a variety of apples and grapes at a government-sponsored three-day Agricultural Exhibition here to find new buyers and markets for his products, the farmer lamented that he had harvested more fruit but had earned less money than last year due to lack of buyers.

Afghan farmers at the agricultural fair, including women, have been displaying their products including handicrafts at more than 230 stalls to attract customers.

When asked why he has been unable to shift the requisite amount of produce to meet his quota, Amanullah explained to Xinhua that a poor communication system, pitiable connectivity between villages and cities and, above all, increasing tariffs and custom duty imposed by the Pakistani government on Afghan truckers, have negatively impacted the volume of fruit and vegetable exports to Pakistan.

Afghan farmers wait for customers during an agriculture exhibition in Kabul, capital ofAfghanistan, Oct. 20, 2016. (Xinhua/Rahmat Alizadah)

"The main market for our fruits in the past was Pakistan but this year the Pakistani government has restricted measures for Afghan truckers to cross the border in the wake of brief exchanges of fire in June at Torkham, the border crossing point linking two countries," Amanullah said dejectedly.

Amanullah is just one of Afghanistan's population of 30 million people, 80 percent of whom rely on the agriculture and livestock industries to make a living.

To boost the sector in the foreign-aid dependent country, the government has, however, been encouraging Afghan and foreign companies to invest in both agricultural and livestock industries.

"The Ministry for Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock constructed new fruit plantations on 24,800 acres of land in spring and will continue to build more plantations on a further 8,000 acres of land in autumn," Afghan Minister for Agriculture Assadullah Zamir said in his opening remarks at the Agriculture Exhibition.

Along with highlighting the importance of modernizing theagriculture system in the country, officials including Zamir, also noted that the government is encouraging national and international companies to invest in the agriculture sector here, including fish farms.

Afghan people work in an onion field in Kabul, Afghanistan, Sept. 8, 2013. (Xinhua/Ahmad Massoud)

War-ravaged Afghanistan, according to Lutfullah Rashid, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, has made tremendous achievements and is close to achieving self-sufficiency, saying, "the country usually needed 5.575 million tons of wheat in the past years but fortunately this year we only need to import 1.3 million tons of wheat as the rest has been produced domestically."

According to the official, Afghanistan will become self-reliant in the next couple of years in producing fruit, wheat, rice and cereals.

Rashid told Xinhua that Afghanistan had exported fruit worth 230 million U.S. dollars last year and is hopeful of earning more capital this year through such exports.

"The majority of fruit grown here becomes spoiled each year due to a lack of buyers and a lack of cold storage facilities in the country," Mohammad Nabi, another farmer, reiterated.

According to the farmers, Afghan saffron, honey, fresh and dried fruits and vegetable have customers in India, Pakistan, central Asian states, Iran and the Gulf countries, if the government is able to open up markets there.

Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani has said that the government, by managing its water resources, modernizing the agricultural practices and overcoming gender stereotypes and encouraging the participation of both men and women in the field, would enable the country to become self-reliant and see the export of agricultural products boosted significantly.
TRINKOT, Afghanistan, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- A Taliban offensive against security checkpoints in the southern Uruzgan province has been repulsed, a local official said Sunday.

The attack occurred in the strategically important Chora district of the province, spokesman for the provincial government Dost Mohammad Nayab told Xinhua.

"The enemies launched offensives on security checkpoints around the center of Chora district Saturday morning ensuing heavy fighting," he said, adding that They had attempted to overrun the central bazaar in the besieged district.

The Uruzgan province with Trinkot as its capital 370 km southwest of Kabul has been the scene of Taliban-led increasing insurgency over the past several months.

Chora district, if captured by Taliban, would enable the militant group to threat the provincial capital.

Meanwhile, an official on the condition of anonymity claimed that the Taliban fighters have captured some security checkpoints and fighting has been continuing between security forces and militants in the area.

Taliban militants have yet to comment.
LAGOS, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- Government officials and lawyers in Nigeria have proposed tougher laws to curb frequent occurrence of kidnapping in the countryn with death penalty being suggested.

KIDNAPPING -- A SOCIAL PROBLEM IN NIGERIA

Kidnapping has become a social problem in Nigeria as criminal gangs in different parts of the West African nation are holding citizens hostage for ransom.

The Cameroon-based African Insurance Organization (AIO) said kidnapping has become a monster.

"Nigeria is now the kidnap capital of the world, accounting for a quarter of globally reported cases," the AIO said.

The NYA International, a United Kingdom-based global risk and crisis management consultancy, placed Nigeria on top among the five countries with the largest numbers of cases of kidnapping in the world between January and June 2015.

Another United Kingdom-based risk-control consultancy, which tracks kidnapping cases globally, said Nigeria has risen to the fifth position in the world in terms of kidnapping, just behind Mexico, India, Pakistan and Iraq.

The deadly Islamic insurgency in the North and militancy in the Niger Delta seem to have fueled this degeneracy.

In April 2014, Boko Haram terrorists captured 276 schoolgirls in the town of Chibok in the country's northeastern state of Borno.

A total of 57 girls managed to escape over the next few months after they were abducted and 21 were freed in October 2016, but nearly 200 girls are still in captivity.

With the recent suspension of the pipeline operation mostly in southwest Nigeria, the criminals no longer had access to the oil money and they resorted to terrorizing other citizens.

Abdullahi Chafe, the police chief in Kogi State, said kidnappers now target elderly people with well-to-do children outside the state and compel their children to pay ransom.

Crime rate has reduced by about 70 percent in the state as kidnapping and armed robbery no longer take place on highways but in individual homes, said Chafe.

The stop-and-search security measure and other security strategies introduced by police to improve security of the state has paid off handsomely, he said.

Medical doctors, for unknown reasons, are prime targets. Early this year, doctors reportedly embarked on a strike in southern Rivers State to protest against the incessant abduction of their members.

Public figures were also major victims of kidnapping in Nigeria with several cases reported in 2015 and 2016.

The latest case was Margaret Emefiele, wife of the Nigerian Central Bank Governor, who was kidnapped early this month with four others on Benin-Agbor road in southern Edo State.

In September 2015, Olu Falae, a former secretary to the Government of the Federation, was kidnapped in his farm in southern Ondo State.

In April 2016, Iyabo Anisulowo, a former senator, was kidnapped in her home state of Ogun, which is located in the southwestern part of Nigeria.

The two have since regained freedom after spending days in captivity, but the conditions under which they were released remained unclear.

While the police claimed to have rescued them, many victims and their families have been paying ransom without calling the police.

Security analysts believed that the situation requires radical and creative countervailing measures.

Akeem Gbadamosi, a security expert, said the Department of State Services needs to step up its intelligence activities on kidnapping.

TOUGHER LAWS PROPOSED AGAINST KIDNAPPERS

In a move to tackle repeated cases of kidnapping in Lagos, where about 20 million people live, a private member bill sponsored by the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, seeks death penalty for kidnappers.

Obasa condemned the trend of kidnapping in the state, saying that the kidnappers should be punishable by death penalty.

Those who engaged in the crime were not fit to live, said Obasa.

The bill comes after two cases of kidnapping in the state in which gunmen stormed schools and kidnapped school children.

The children in both cases have been released by their abductors.

The bill prescribes that any person, who kidnaps, abducts, detains or captures, or takes another person by any means, or tricks him or her with the intent to demand ransom, is liable on conviction to a death sentence.

Attempt to kidnap attracts life imprisonment, while false representation to release a kidnapped or abducted person, under Section 4, attracts seven years imprisonment, the bill stipulates.

The bill also provides that any person, who knowingly or willfully allows or permits his premises, building or a place belonging or occupied to which he has control of, to be used for the purposes of keeping a person kidnapped is guilty of an offence under the law.

Such a person can be sentenced to 14 years in prison without an option of fine, according to the bill.

States like Abia and Anambra, where kidnapping was once rife, adopted tough measures with laws imposing death penalty on kidnappers and mandatory demolition of the properties of kidnappers.

Richard Komolafe, a lawyer from the United Action for Change, commended the move for stiffer penalty for kidnappers, but said that death sentence was no longer fashionable all over the world.

Komolafe said hanging itself is inhuman by conventions as against life imprisonment.

Seri Sholebo, a Chief Magistrate in Lagos State, said it was fundamental to add conspiracy to kidnapping, as the ministry had not been able to convict offenders of conspiracy since 2011.
Israelis and foreign nationals participate in the Jerusalem March, an annual pro-Israel procession that takes place in the city during the Jewishholiday of Sukkot, October 20, 2016. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

JERUSALEM, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Israel's military said it closed off the Israeli-controlled West Bank and Gaza Strip overnight between Saturday and Sunday, ahead of a Jewish holiday, for the fourth time in a month.

A military spokesperson said in a statement that the closure was imposed on Saturday at 00:01 and will be lifted on Monday night, at the end of the "second holiday of Sukkot."

The holiday marks the conclusion of the annual cycle of the Torah reading (Torah is the first book of the Bible.)

"During the closure, only exceptional medical and humanitarian cases will be allowed to pass, subjected to approval by the government's coordinator of activities in the territories," the statement read.

Israel frequently seals the Palestinian territories during Jewish holidays, citing security reasons.

On October 2, Israel imposed a three-day closure for the Jewish New Year. The territories were sealed again on October 11-12 for Yom Kippur, or the "Day of Attornment," three days before another closure was imposed for the first holiday of Sukkot.

Also on Sunday, the military police said it opened an investigation into the killing of a 15-year-old Palestinian boy, who was shot dead by soldiers near the West Bank village of Beit Ommar, north of Hebron.

The military said that a group of Palestinians hurled stones at a military jeep on a road near the village. The youth was killed when soldiers stepped out of the vehicle and "began a procedure for arresting a suspect," the military said in a statement.

Local sources in the village said that the young man fell on the floor and was bleeding for a long time after the shot, while the soldiers prevented Palestinian ambulances from reaching his body.

Last year's high holiday season marked the beginning of a wave of violence between Israel and the Palestinians, which claimed the lives of at least 230 Palestinians, 36 Israelis, two U.S. citizens, and an Eritrean asylum seeker.
LANZHOU, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Workers are performing final checks on the chassis and railcars of a train that will depart next week from Lanzhou, capital of northwest China's Gansu Province, to Minsk in the Republic of Belarus.

The trip will mark the second chartered service via the 7,000 km rail line after cargo service began on September 23. The direct link connects the logistics hub of Lanzhou and the China-Belarus Industrial Park, which is under construction in Minsk.

The train service will become regular once the industrial park opens.

Statistics from the Gansu provincial government showed that 63 cargo trains made trips from Lanzhou to Europe and Central Asia during the first nine months of 2016, with goods totaling 108.463 million U.S. dollars in value. The goods for export include building materials, machinery equipment, home furnishings and drilling rig accessories.

Xia Hongmin, vice governor of Gansu, said that the international cargo trains have tightened connections between China and countries along the ancient Silk Road while deepening foreign trade.
Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks at the eighth BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) summit in the western Indian state of Goa, Oct. 16, 2016. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

BEIJING, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- China has always pursued a friendly and mutually beneficial relationship with its neighboring countries, which was recently witnessed by Chinese President Xi Jinping's South and Southeast Asia visits.

A week ago, Xi finished state visits to Cambodia and Bangladesh and an attendance at the eighth BRICS summit in India.

Fruitful results have been yielded with the signing of 31 cooperative documents on major projects between China and Cambodia, such as those under the auspices of the Belt and Road Initiative, the alignment of development strategies, production capacity investment, and the construction of the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi have said.

China-Bangladesh relationship has also been upgraded to a strategic cooperative partnership during Xi's visit, with the signing of more than 30 important cooperative treaties.

The visits have fulfilled the basic tenet of China's diplomacy with neighbors, which is to treat them as friends and partners, to make them feel safe and to help them develop.

The tenet was put forward by Xi at a conference on diplomatic work in Beijing in October 2013.

Friendship, suggested Xi, is a consistent principle of China's diplomacy with its neighbors and sincerity is the way to develop more friends and partners. Cooperation with neighbors should be based on mutual benefit and create a close network of common interests.

During the last three years, about half of Xi's foreign visits concentrated on neighboring countries. From Russia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan to India, Pakistan and Vietnam, the Chinese leader set foot on almost all the bordering countries' land.

In Goa, Xi said that China and India should constantly enrich their strategic cooperative partnership and chart the course of bilateral ties in line with the fundamental interests of their peoples.8 As to Moscow, Xi said during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Hangzhou on September, that the two countries should deepen pragmatic cooperation in infrastructure, energy, aviation, aerospace and advanced technology. He also called for stronger military and security cooperation.

In Islamabad, the two neighbors lifted their ties to an all-weather strategic cooperative partnership on April, 2015, when Xi paid a state visit to the country.

The trip to the South Asian country, the first leg of Xi's first overseas tour that year, testifies to the importance of the China-Pakistan relationship and marks a significant stroke of Beijing's neighborhood diplomacy and development of a community of common destiny.

The notion of a community of common destiny and common prosperity also have given birth to new mechanisms of China's diplomacy with its neighbors, including the Lancang-Mekong cooperation.

Rising on China's Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the Lancang -- known as the Mekong when it flows out of China -- meanders almost 5,000 km through China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam before emptying into the South China Sea.

Under the theme "Shared River, Shared Future," the first Lancang-Mekong Cooperation leaders' meeting was held in March in Sanya City of south China's Hainan Province. The meeting brought forth a number of new cooperative ventures.

During the meeting, China offered concessionary loans of 10 billion yuan (1.54 billion U.S. dollars) and up to 10 billion U.S. dollars in credit lines to fund improvements to infrastructure and connectivity in all six countries

Lancang-Mekong cooperation has already generated some tangible results. A road linking China and Thailand via Laos was completed in 2013; construction of a China-Thailand railway and a China-Laos railway got underway last year; and southwest China's Yunnan Province, which shares borders with Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam, is now linked with over 20 southeast and south Asian cities by air.

Efficient Lancang-Mekong cooperation will improve logistics and economies along the river, benefitting all of Southeast Asia.

As an old Chinese saying goes "A far-off relative is not as helpful as a close neighbor", China's neighborhood diplomacy featuring amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness will not only benefit its neighboring countries, but will also contribute to peace and prosperity of the region and the rest of the world.

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Xinhua Insight: China proposal points direction for enhancing BRICS cooperation

BEIJING, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- A five-point proposal laid out by President Xi Jinping during an annual BRICS summit in the western Indian state of Goa, which concluded Sunday, will help consolidate confidence and chart out the direction for future cooperation, observers said.
ANKARA, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- One policeman was killed and 20 others were injured by Kurdish Workers' Party ( PKK) bomb attack in southeastern Turkish province of Bingol on late Saturday, Dogan News Agency reported Sunday.

The remote controlled bomb targeting Turkish police vehicle exploded in Genc district of Bingol while a police armed vehicle passing by, killing 1 policeman and injuring 6 policemen along with 14 civilians, Bingol Governor Yavuz Selim told press.

The injured were sent to hospitals and Turkish security forces launched the operation to clear PKK militants in the region.

Meanwhile, the Turkish army hit 70 PKK and Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Unit (YPG) and Islamic State (IS) targets as part of Operation Euphrates Shield in northern Syria, Turkish General Staff stated on Oct. 22.

The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union and Turkey.

Turkish government claims the PYD enjoys close connections with the PKK including militant and ammunition support through underground tunnels.
Soldiers carry the coffin of army officer Murat Taylan Oncel, 33, killed after Kurdish rebels attacked his base with rocket launchers in Silvan, on October 11, 2016 in Ankara. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

ANKARA, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- One policeman was killed and 20 others were injured by Kurdish Workers' Party ( PKK) bomb attack in southeastern Turkish province of Bingol on late Saturday, Dogan News Agency reported Sunday.

The remote controlled bomb targeting Turkish police vehicle exploded in Genc district of Bingol while a police armed vehicle passing by, killing 1 policeman and injuring 6 policemen along with 14 civilians, Bingol Governor Yavuz Selim told press.

The injured were sent to hospitals and Turkish security forces launched the operation to clear PKK militants in the region.

Meanwhile, the Turkish army hit 70 PKK and Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Unit (YPG) and Islamic State (IS) targets as part of Operation Euphrates Shield in northern Syria, Turkish General Staff stated on Oct. 22.

The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union and Turkey.

Turkish government claims the PYD enjoys close connections with the PKK including militant and ammunition support through underground tunnels.
DAMASCUS, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Battles continued to rage on Sunday in Syria's Aleppo between the government forces and rebels, as well as infighting among other rebel groups in that key area, a monitor group and pan-Arab al-Mayadeen TV reported.

The Syrian army backed by Russian air force succeeded to take full control over the Air Defense Base in the southern countryside of Aleppo, following intense battles with an array of rebel groups, the reports said.

With the fresh progress, the Syrian forces have exposed the rebel-held towns of Talet Bazo, Rashideen and Braij, according to al-Mayadeen.

The fresh advance by the Syrian army comes a day after a three-day unilateral truce, declared by Russia and Syria, expired without achieving its goals.

The "humanitarian truce" aimed at helping evacuate the civilians and wounded from eastern Aleppo, as well as the rebels to either go to other rebel-held areas in the northwestern province of Idlib, or surrender to the Syrian army in exchange for a presidential pardon.

The Syrian and Russian side outlined six passages out of eastern Aleppo for the civilians and two for the rebels.

However, only seven rebels managed to leave during the three days, as the government accused the ultra-radical group of Jabhat Fateh al-Sham of forcefully preventing the civilians from leaving.

Al-Mayadeen said that the Syrian military forces are making a progress in the Salahuddien neighborhood, southwest of the rebel-held eastern Aleppo part.

Meanwhile, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said airstrikes targeted several rebel-held areas in the western countryside of Aleppo amid clashes in the old city of Aleppo between the Syrian army and the rebels.

The UK-based watchdog group also said that the rebels fired several mortar shells on government-controlled areas, following the end of the truce.

Meanwhile, military sources said the Syrian army was amassing forces in Aleppo to revive a wide-scale offensive to drive out the rebels from eastern Aleppo.

In the northern countryside, another battle has raged since Saturday between the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Turkey-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA).

A day earlier, twenty Turkish tanks entered northern Syria to support the FSA in their fight to capture towns under the control of SDF, amid condemnation and threats from the Syrian government.

The Turkish tanks crossed the border into the northern countryside of the northern city of Aleppo, in a bid to help the FSA capture the town of Tal Rifaat, close to the Turkish border, from SDF, which they have recently taken from the Islamic State (IS) group, according to al-Mayadeen TV.

The confrontation developed and escalated since Saturday, with the Turkish forces shelling 70 positions of the SDF in the northern countryside of Aleppo, according to the Observatory.

In return, the SDF carried out an attack after midnight on the countryside of the border town of Mare in northern Aleppo, targeting a number of Turkish soldiers, leaving many of them killed or wounded, the Observatory added.

The SDF also captured a Turkish armored vehicle during the attack.

The Turkey-backed FSA has been engaged in a battle dubbed the Euphrates Shield, which is primarily aiming at stripping the IS from key ground in northern Syria and fill the void, in order to put an end to the expansion of the SDF, something Ankara has been keen to achieve, due to its fear of a Kurdish influence near its borders.

At some point, a confrontation between the Turkey-backed rebels and the Kurdish-led ones seemed inevitable, due to Ankara's main aim to thwart the momentum of the Kurds.

It's worth mentioning that the United States backs both the FSA and the SDF, an example of the chaos resulted from the U.S. double standards in dealing with the Syrian crisis.

Observers believe that Aleppo is going to be the decisive battle ground among the fighting groups, and the winner will be the one dictating its conditions to resolve the crisis, as the province contain all the groups that are supported by regional and international powers, with the civilians paying the price for this proxy war. Enditem
Rebel fighters in Marea city shoot a weapon towards Syria Democratic Forces (SDF) controlled Tell Rifaat town, northern Aleppo province,Syria October 21, 2016. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

DAMASCUS, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Battles continued to rage on Sunday in Syria's Aleppo between the government forces and rebels, as well as infighting among other rebel groups in that key area, a monitor group and pan-Arab al-Mayadeen TV reported.

The Syrian army backed by Russian air force succeeded to take full control over the Air Defense Base in the southern countryside of Aleppo, following intense battles with an array of rebel groups, the reports said.

With the fresh progress, the Syrian forces have exposed the rebel-held towns of Talet Bazo, Rashideen and Braij, according to al-Mayadeen.

The fresh advance by the Syrian army comes a day after a three-day unilateral truce, declared by Russia and Syria, expired without achieving its goals.

The "humanitarian truce" aimed at helping evacuate the civilians and wounded from eastern Aleppo, as well as the rebels to either go to other rebel-held areas in the northwestern province of Idlib, or surrender to the Syrian army in exchange for a presidential pardon.

The Syrian and Russian side outlined six passages out of eastern Aleppo for the civilians and two for the rebels.

However, only seven rebels managed to leave during the three days, as the government accused the ultra-radical group of Jabhat Fateh al-Sham of forcefully preventing the civilians from leaving.

Al-Mayadeen said that the Syrian military forces are making a progress in the Salahuddien neighborhood, southwest of the rebel-held eastern Aleppo part.

Meanwhile, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said airstrikes targeted several rebel-held areas in the western countryside of Aleppo amid clashes in the old city of Aleppo between the Syrian army and the rebels.

The UK-based watchdog group also said that the rebels fired several mortar shells on government-controlled areas, following the end of the truce.

Meanwhile, military sources said the Syrian army was amassing forces in Aleppo to revive a wide-scale offensive to drive out the rebels from eastern Aleppo.

In the northern countryside, another battle has raged since Saturday between the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Turkey-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA).

A day earlier, twenty Turkish tanks entered northern Syria to support the FSA in their fight to capture towns under the control of SDF, amid condemnation and threats from the Syrian government.

The Turkish tanks crossed the border into the northern countryside of the northern city of Aleppo, in a bid to help the FSA capture the town of Tal Rifaat, close to the Turkish border, from SDF, which they have recently taken from the Islamic State (IS) group, according to al-Mayadeen TV.

The confrontation developed and escalated since Saturday, with the Turkish forces shelling 70 positions of the SDF in the northern countryside of Aleppo, according to the Observatory.

In return, the SDF carried out an attack after midnight on the countryside of the border town of Mare in northern Aleppo, targeting a number of Turkish soldiers, leaving many of them killed or wounded, the Observatory added.

The SDF also captured a Turkish armored vehicle during the attack.

The Turkey-backed FSA has been engaged in a battle dubbed the Euphrates Shield, which is primarily aiming at stripping the IS from key ground in northern Syria and fill the void, in order to put an end to the expansion of the SDF, something Ankara has been keen to achieve, due to its fear of a Kurdish influence near its borders.

At some point, a confrontation between the Turkey-backed rebels and the Kurdish-led ones seemed inevitable, due to Ankara's main aim to thwart the momentum of the Kurds.

It's worth mentioning that the United States backs both the FSA and the SDF, an example of the chaos resulted from the U.S. double standards in dealing with the Syrian crisis.

Observers believe that Aleppo is going to be the decisive battle ground among the fighting groups, and the winner will be the one dictating its conditions to resolve the crisis, as the province contain all the groups that are supported by regional and international powers, with the civilians paying the price for this proxy war.
HOHHOT, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region has launched a program to attract medical graduates to work in rural areas to tackle an acute shortage of health care workers.

The region is home to many people of Mongolian ethnicity as well as people from other ethnic minority groups who make their living through grazing and animal husbandry.

Rural medical services are insufficient, although a program in effect since 2013 has provided on-the-job training for 12,000 medical workers.

A notice issued by the regional health department on Sunday showed that only 9.3 percent of 20,633 health workers in service in rural areas are licensed medical practitioners.

Under the newly implemented policies, vocational-school medical students willing to work in rural areas after graduation will receive tuition waivers for all three years of their schooling and provided with subsidies for school accommodation.

The regional government hopes the program will help channel 10,000 assistant medical practitioners into village clinics over the next five years.

With 649,000 health centers across 589,000 villages, China is in desperate need of village doctors. But rural doctors are increasingly reluctant to stay at their jobs due to barriers such as low pay, a lack of prestige and little room for advancement.

In March, the State Council, China's cabinet, released a document calling for better treatment of village doctors. It ensures one doctor for every 1,000 rural residents, and stipulates that rural doctors are entitled to receive free extra training, better opportunities to further their education, preference in future promotions, along with higher pay and pensions.
HOUSTON, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Lynlee, a Texas baby girl, looks as healthy as other babies, but her birth in June was the second time she made an entrance into the world after surviving a life-saving surgery.

Lynlee's mom, Margaret Boemer, went for a routine ultrasound 16 weeks into her pregnancy and shockingly found that her child had something wrong.

"They saw something on the scan, and the doctor came in and told us that there was something seriously wrong with our baby and that she had a sacrococcygeal teratoma," Boemer said in an interview shared by Texas Children's Hospital.

"And it was very shocking and scary, because we didn't know what that long word meant or what diagnosis that would bring," she said.

Sacrococcygeal teratoma is a tumor that develops before birth and grows from a baby's tailbone, according to Texas Children's Hospital.

Found more often in girls than boys, it is a type of tumor commonly seen in newborns, but its occurrence is very rare, with only one in 35,000 births, the hospital said.

Some of these tumors can be tolerated during pregnancy and be removed after birth, Dr. Darrell Cass, co-director of Texas Children's Fetal Center and associate professor of surgery, pediatrics and obstetrics and gynecology at Baylor College Medicine, told the CNN. But Lynlee was not that lucky as her heart showed signs of failing, he added.

Cass told Boemer that fetal surgery is another possibility, but this option is risky both for the baby and the mom.

Boemer decided to take the surgery as it would still mean a glimmer of hope for her baby's survival. "We wanted to give her life," she said.

Cass performed the emergency fetal surgery in March when Boemer was about 24 weeks pregnant.

Cass and another pediatric surgeon made an incision in Boemer's uterus, pulled out the baby and removed the giant tumor from her small body. Then they placed the baby back inside her mom's womb.

Boemer remained in bed for three months till her full term of pregnancy and gave birth to Lynlee the second time on June 6 via C-section.

Lynlee, now 4 months old, is perfectly healthy as other babies, Cass said.

"It was very difficult," Boemer said, but "it was worth every pain."
BEIJING, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Outstanding loans by Chinese financial institutions to small and micro businesses stood at 19.92 trillion yuan (2.97 trillion U.S. dollars) by the end of September, up 15.9 percent year on year, according to the central bank.

With authorities encouraging loans to small and micro businesses to help shore up the economy, the growth rate of such loans exceeded the growth rate of loans to big- and mid-sized enterprises by 6.8 and 9.9 percentage points, respectively, said the People's Bank of China (PBOC).

Outstanding loans to small and micro businesses accounted for 31.4 percent of the total outstanding loans to enterprises at the end of September, up 1.6 percentage points year on year, according to the PBOC.

Chinese authorities have encouraged banks to support the development of small businesses, which have difficulty accessing bank loans.

The banking regulator has implemented differential regulatory policies to improve the coverage of loans for small businesses and reduce their financing costs.
SANAA, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Saudi-led military coalition fighting Shiite Houthi rebels resumed airstrikes on the Yemeni capital Sanaa Sunday morning, hours after a UN-mediated ceasefire expired, as the UN envoy is due in Sanaa within hours to seek an extension of the truce.

Houthi-controlled state Saba news agency cited a military official as saying that the planes launched nine air strikes on several residential areas in Sanaa in the morning.

"The planes fired various types of bunker buster missiles and bombs that jolted the whole city," the official was quoted as saying.

Residents told Xinhua that the warplanes hit al-Hafa mountainous military site in al-Sabeen district southeast of the capital five times.

The jets also waged two other strikes on adjacent military location in Mount Noqum, while the rest strikes struck al-Daylami air force base north of Sanaa, said the residents.

The airstrikes triggered an earthquake-like shake, causing huge damage to hundreds of residential houses, public and private properties, said the residents, adding that the fighter jets continued intensely flying over Sanaa.

Meanwhile, Houthi officials told reporters that the UN envoy to Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed has informed the leadership of Houthis and their allies of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh that he would arrive in Sanaa within next few hours to seek an extension of the truce.

Both sides, the dominant Shiite Houthi rebels and exiled government of internationally recognized President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, have traded accusations of breaching the truce as ground fighting raged on largely all combat fronts throughout the three-day truce.

Moreover, Saudi Arabia accused Houthi fighters of firing rockets into its border cities of Jazan and Najran while Houthis said they were retaliating Saudi-led airstrikes on the Yemeni cities.

The truce collapsed after a series of attempts failed to cease the hostilities in Yemen since 2014.

The conflict in Yemen began after the 2011 Arab-spring style mass protests eventually forced former President Ali Abdullah Saleh to step down.

Houthis, with the support of Saleh, seized capital Sanaa and some other Yemeni cities in September 2014, forcing Hadi and his government into exile.

The Saudi-led coalition intervened in Yemen's conflict in March 2015 with an air force campaign to restore Hadi to power and roll back Houthi gains.

The 19-month civil war in Yemen has killed more than 10,000 people, mostly civilians.
SINGAPORE, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Singapore's President Tony Tan Keng Yam will visit Bangkok on Monday to pay his respects to late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej at the Grand Palace, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in a statement released on Sunday.

The ministry said Tan will be accompanied by his wife Mary Tan and officials from MFA during his visit. During his absence, J Y Pillay, chairman of the Council of Presidential Advisers, will exercise the functions of the office of the President.

King Bhumibol passed away at the age of 88 on Oct. 13.
CHENGDU, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- The southwest China city of Chengdu will host a key general aviation exposition in late November with the participation of over 200 manufacturers of business and utility jets from around the world, organizers said Sunday.

The 2016 China International General Aviation Expo will be held at Xinjin Airport in Chengdu from Nov. 25 to 27 by the Civil Aviation Administration of China and the Chengdu Municipal Government.

Jet makers and equipment suppliers, including Raytheon, Conrad, and ANPC of the United States, Thales of France, and Lufthansa Technik of Germany are expected to showcase the latest innovations in the industry, the organizers said.

More than a hundred aircraft will be on display and some will be flown in an air show. The public is also invited to assemble models or try flight stimulation.

General aviation is considered a fledgling industry in China. The market is estimated to grow to 150 billion yuan (about 22 billion U.S. dollars) by 2020.

Bill Schultz, senior vice president of Textron Aviation's China operations, said that as business jets are relatively new in China, the company is confident about its market growth in the country.
NICOSIA, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon once again urged the leaders of the Greek and Turkish communities of Cyprus to try to secure a solution to the long-standing Cyprus problem by the end of the year, officials from both sides said on Sunday.

They said Ban had telephone conversations overnight on Saturday with Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, since he met them in person at the UN headquarters on September 25.

Officials said Ban told the two leaders that they can count on his personal assistance in their bid for a solution within the framework of the good services mission entrusted to him by the U.N. Security Council.

Ban has appointed a special emissary on Cyprus, former Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide, who is currently working on convening a series of negotiating sessions abroad early in November to tackle the sensitive issue of territorial adjustments.

Cypriot government spokesman Nicos Christodoulides said President Anastasiades told Ban that all parties involved in the effort must work through concrete actions so as to create the conditions necessary for a final agreement.

On the Turkish Cypriot side, officials said that Ban and Akinci repeated during their conversation that the target is still to reach a solution agreement by the end of 2016.

They also said that Ban said UN support towards a solution will be available from the highest level possible.

Anastasiades and Akinci have been negotiating a solution to reunify the eastern Mediterranean island since May 2015.

They have made progress on most of the issues involved but decisions are still pending by Turkey for the withdrawal of its troops that occupied more than one third of Cyprus's territory in 1974, reacting to a coup by the military rulers of Greece at the time.

Christodoulides has said that the two leaders will have a series of meetings abroad in November to tackle the issue of territorial adjustments.
DHAKA, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- British Department for International Development (DFID) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Sunday signed a grant agreement for a program titled "Strengthening the National Midwifery Programme (SNMP)" in Bangladesh.

The UK grant, through UNFPA, will support the Bangladeshi Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) to produce competent midwives in the country.

The program will improve the quality of midwifery education and create an enabling environment for the provision of a midwifery-led continuum of care for pregnant women and their babies in Bangladesh, said the UN agency in a statement.

Through this program, UNFPA will work closely with the Directorate of Nursing, MoHFW, and will contribute to achieving the agreed principles of quality, equity and efficiency of the up-coming 4th health sector program of the MoHFW, it said.
TOKYO, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told Self-Defense Forces (SDF) personnel Sunday at a parade review held near Tokyo to earnestly take their "responsibilities and missions" at home and abroad.

The instruction came after controversial security legislation was enacted in March, expanding the role of the SDF despite the inherent contradictions to Japan's own pacifist Constitution.

The Japanese prime minister told some 4,000 SDF personnel in attendance that under the new security laws, they should expect to undertake the new tasks in their upcoming roles.

Japan's security shift, in contravention of its own pacifist constitution, has put the nation under the international spotlight as the changes were made by way of an Abe-led unilateral cabinet decision and forced through parliament into law based on his party's ruling majority and against the public will.

Under the new legislation, Japan is now, in a limited manner, permitted to exercise the right to collective self-defense or can come to the aid of the United States and other friendly nations under armed attack, even if Japan itself is not attacked.

The ambiguous wording of the law has led to increased suspicion and vexation at Abe's loosely-veiled plans to remilitarize the country.

On Sunday, around 280 military vehicles took part in the parade review, including tanks and other armored transportation vehicles, and 50 aircraft were involved. The parade review also saw a flyover by U.S. military Osprey transportation aircraft.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- A commercial U.S. cargo ship carrying food, supplies and science experiments arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) on Sunday morning, U.S. space agency NASA said.

Using the space station's robotic arm, Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi and U.S. astronaut Kate Rubins successfully captured the unmanned Cygnus spacecraft, operated by NASA commercial provider Orbital ATK, at 7:28 a.m. EDT (1128 GMT), the space agency said.

The spacecraft will be installed to the orbiting lab's Unity module and stay there until Nov. 18.

This flight was Orbital ATK's sixth official mission to the ISS for NASA under a commercial resupply services contract.

Among the 5,290 pounds (2,400 kg) of cargo aboard Cygnus were numerous science experiments, including one that will study how flames grow in space. But the fire experiment will occur after Cygnus leaves the ISS and before it re-enters Earth's atmosphere.

Cygnus was launched on the company's upgraded Antares 230 rocket from Virginia's Wallops Flight Facility on Monday.

It marked the first flight of the rocket, and the first launch from Wallops since Antares' predecessor and the cargo ship it was carrying were lost seconds after liftoff in October 2014.

The Virginia-based Orbital ATK is one of two U.S. companies that provide ISS cargo services for NASA. The other company is California-based SpaceX.
TOKYO, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- A former Self-Defense Forces (SDF) official evidently committed suicide by blowing himself up with a suspected incendiary device in a popular park in the city of Utsonomiya where a festival was being held on Sunday, local police officials said.

According to the officials, a suicide note saying "I pay with my life" was found among the deceased man's clothing, with local reports also adding the note expressed the suspect, 72-year-old Toshikatsu Kurihara, had been experiencing family problems.

The explosion that killed Kurihara also severely injured three others.

Kurihara's house was also found to have been burned down on Sunday morning at around 11:00 a.m. local time. Investigators said they are currently trying to determine the links between the suicide blast, a second explosion in the vicinity of the park and three cars being burned in a nearby parking lot, one of which belonged to Kurihara.

Multiple explosions were initially reported to have occurred in the vicinity of the popular Utsunomiya Joshi Park during a local festival being held there, with an emergency call being made to the police at 11:40 a.m. local time saying that a series of blasts had been heard and a man was on the ground engulfed in flames.

One person was subsequently found to be lying on the ground in the park without vital signs when rescue officials arrived. His body was described by first responders as being "severely damaged" by the explosions and other reports confirmed that the body had been on fire.

At least one of those seriously injured in the blasts was rushed to a local hospital having been struck by shrapnel from one of the devices, local police also said, with rescue officials adding the person is receiving medical treatment.

Three cars were also reportedly on fire in a coin parking lot close to the park at 11:30 a.m. local time, although no injuries were reported as a result of an explosion there and the burning vehicles.

Witnesses at the scene, as quoted by local media, said the explosions sounded similar to that of a bomb being detonated, with televised reports from Japan's public broadcaster NHK in the area at the time capturing the audio of the explosions, which were both powerful and "thunderous" as described by another witness.

Plumes of black smoke were seen billowing into the sky from the area after the explosion and fires, and those in the vicinity reported smelling what they described as gunpowder, according to NHK.

Utsunomiya lies 100 km north of Tokyo and is an important cultural, political and economic hub in Japan and home to around 440,000 people.

Utsunomiya City Hall is located close to the parking lot, thought to be the site of at least one of the explosions and the park is also situated 500 meters from the Tobu Utsunomiya Station.

Due to its close proximity and ease of access from Tokyo by train, the city and broader region is a popular destination for day trips by Japanese as well as foreign visitors.
LASHKAR GAH, Afghanistan, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Fighting between Afghanistan's Taliban militants and government forces have gotten impetus as both sides have been doing their best to gain more grounds and consolidate positions ahead of the onset of chilly winter.

The government forces in a bid to evict militants from around Helmand's provincial capital Lashkar Gah are sparing no efforts and in the latest onslaught conducted air raids early Sunday and killed a dozen insurgents.

"A total of 12 rebels including two Taliban commanders Mohabat Haqqani and Jabbar Sheja were killed as aircrafts pounded enemies' positions in parts of 2nd Police District, Lashkar Gah city early Sunday," said a statement of provincial government released here.

Huge quantities of arms and ammunitions including three rocket propelled grenades of the rebels were also destroyed in the air strikes, the statement said.

Taliban who vacated parts of the 2nd police district of Lashkar Gah after losing nearly two dozen fighters on Saturday, are yet to make comment on the situation.

However, the armed insurgents who are in control of some districts in the poppy growing Helmand province launched a major offensive in the strategically important Chora district in the neighboring Uruzgan province on Saturday.

"The enemies launched offensives on security checkpoints around the center of Chora district Saturday morning ensuing heavy fighting," spokesman for provincial government Dost Mohammad Nayab told Xinhua.

Nevertheless, the official said that the Taliban offensive has been repulsed and the militants' attempt to overrun central bazaar of the besieged Chora district has been foiled.

If Chora district is captured by Taliban, the armed outfit could attack Uruzgan provincial capital TirinKot, according to local observers.

Meantime, Qari Yusuf Ahmadi who claims to speak for the Taliban outfit, in contact with media confirmed the clash in Chora district, claiming three security checkpoints have been captured in the fighting which is continuing.

Local analysts believe that both the government and Taliban militants have speeded up operations to gain ground before the onset of freezing winter that usually falls in mid November.

Meantime, Defense Ministry spokesman Dawlat Waziri said recently that the government forces would launch winter offensive against militants to diminish their fighting forces in the chilly weather.
TEHRAN, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Iran's oil minister said here Sunday that the country's oil industry needs an investment of 200 billion U.S. dollars in the next five years, semi-official Fars news agency reported.

"In the sixth Five-Year Economic Development Plan (2016-2021), the oil industry will need 200 billion U.S. dollars investment, of which 130 billion dollars would go to the upstream sector," Bijan Namdar Zangeneh told an energy seminar in Tehran.

The minister said investment in oil industry should be taken seriously as it is linked with the national economy.

Development of Iran Petroleum Contract (IPC) is the key strategy, which Tehran is still working on, to attract investment and upgrade the country's oil industry.

Iran's IPC, if implemented, would help the country attract finance from Asian and European investors. The new contracts are replacing traditional Iranian "buy-back" contracts which are no longer attractive to foreign companies.

Under the contracts, the National Iranian Oil Company will set up joint ventures for crude oil production with international companies which will be paid with a share of the output.

Iran and the world powers reached a nuclear deal last July, which was implemented in January and is expected to enable the country to re-engage with energy firms of the world to develop its oil and gas fields.
AMMAN, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Jordan on Sunday called on the UN to exert more efforts with donor countries to increase support to countries hosting Syrian refugees, the state-run Petra news agency reported.

"Jordan needs more support to face the challenges and meet the needs of Syrian refugees and communities hosting them," Jordan's Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh told a joint press conference with UNHCR High Commissioner Filippo Grandi.

He stressed the need that the UN exerts more efforts as well to support Jordan, noting that the responsibility of hosting the Syrian refugees does not only fall on Jordan's shoulders.

Judeh stressed that the only solution to the crisis in Syria is a political solution that enables the Syrian refugees to return to their homes.

Jordan is home to some 1.4 million Syrian refugees.

The UN official voiced appreciation to Jordan's support to the Syrian refugees, stressing the need to boost aid to the Kingdom.

Also Sunday, King Abdullah II of Jordan met with the UN official and discussed the impact on Jordan due to hosting a large number of Syrian refugees.
BEIJING, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang on Sunday exchanged views with U.S. Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew via telephone on issues related to the two countries' economic relations. Lew had requested the discussion.
AMMAN, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Jordan and the U.S. on Sunday signed four grant agreements under which the U.S. will provide the Arab kingdom with 786.8 million U.S. dollars for 2016, a minister told a press conference Sunday.

Imad Fakhoury, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, appreciated the aid as timely, and said it will help support Jordan's budget and reduce pressure caused by some 1.4 million Syrian refugees in Jordan displaced by war.

Around 100 million dollars will be dedicated to support the Red-Dead Canal project, a major water project that seeks to make available fresh water in Jordan and help protect the shrinking Dead Sea, said Fakhoury.

The grants will also be allocated to fund projects in the fields including health, education, environment, rule of law and governance.

Of the total grants, 479 million dollars will be transferred in cash to Jordan before the end of the year, Fakhoury said.

Moreover, the U.S. provided a 463 million dollars' military aid to Jordan this year, bringing the total of economic and military aid to over 1.2 billion dollars.

At the signing, Prime Minister Hani Mulki stressed on the strategic partnership between Jordan and the U.S. on all fronts.
AMMAN, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Jordan on Sunday voiced support for UN's efforts to restore stability in Yemen, the state-run Petra news agency reported.

At a meeting in Amman between UN Special Envoy for Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed and Jordan Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh, the two sides stressed on the importance of continued cooperation towards regional issues.

They also looked into the security and humanitarian conditions in Yemen and efforts to find a settlement to the political crisis in the country.

Judeh stressed on the need for implementing UN resolutions on Yemen including the 2216 resolution.

In the resolution, the Security Council demands that the Houthis withdraw from all areas seized during the latest conflict, relinquish arms seized from military and security institutions, cease all actions falling exclusively within the authority of the legitimate Yemeni Government and fully implement previous Council resolutions.

The UN official stressed on the key role Jordan plays in attaining regional security and stability.
Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski (Front) addresses the ceremony for the 195th anniversary of the creation of Peru's Navy and the 137th anniversary of Angamos Naval Combat, on the Grau Square, in Callao constitutional province, Peru, on Oct. 8, 2016. (Xinhua/Luis Camacho)

by Juan Limachi

LIMA, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- Several politicians in Peru have been found to have taken benefits from the SIS healthcare system, created for poor families.

On Saturday morning, congressman Bienvenido Ramirez denounced Alexis Humala, brother of former president Ollanta Humala, for having benefited from the free SIS, despite it being meant only for the country's poorest people.

Writing on Twitter, Ramirez accused Humala of appearing in SIS archives, which was verified by Peruvian press. Peruvian daily Correo stated that Humala had been on SIS registers since Sept. 3, 2015.

Humala was also recently inculpated for having allegedly involved in soliciting illegal donations for Peruvian firefighters.

An inspection of SIS registrations also found on Thursday that three congressmen, Wilmer Aguilar, Gilmer Trujillo and Indira Huilca, were listed, as well as Gerardo Vinas Dioses, former regional president of the province of Tumbes and Manuel Zapata, a high-ranking municipal official in Lima.

These reports have sparked fury among Peruvians, who feel that these politicians, who enjoy substantial salaries and good benefits, have abused the infrastructure put in place for the poorest in the country.

Pressure from the public, media and their own parties led two of the three congressmen to explain how they became registered on the SIS and declared their immediate renunciation from the service. One of them, Huilca, said her family registered for SIS, prior to her being elected to Congress, due to having been left vulnerable after her father, union leader Pedro Huilca, was assassinated during the regime of former president Alberto Fujimori.

Vinas Dioses is already in prison on corruption charges which happened during his time in office.

The first revelation about potential abuses of SIS came when a surgeon, Pablo Machuca, said that well-known model, Sheyla Rojas, had enjoyed the free healthcare system.

The news was released amidst a broad corruption campaign by the government of President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, who has vowed to clean the country of this scourge.

On Wednesday, the president approved a new law, condemning public officials found guilty of corruption to "civil death," a term used to strip citizens of some of their civil rights. This would punish corrupt officials from holding any public office for periods ranging from six months to 20 years.

Kuczynski has not hesitated to denounce his former healthcare advisor, Carlos Moreno, who was found to be using SIS funds to carry out illegal activities.
Image taken on Sept. 3, 2015 shows employees selecting Hass avocados in El Carmen, Chincha province, Ica department, Peru. (Xinhua/Luis Camacho)

LIMA, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- Fresh avocados worth 386.6 million U.S. dollars led non-traditional Peruvian agricultural exports in the first eight months, up 24.5 percent year-on-year, Peru's foreign trade bureau ComexPeru said on Saturday.

This rise in exports is linked to a higher demand for avocados around the world, which has caused prices to rise from 1.55 U.S. dollars a kg in January to 2.1 U.S. dollars in August.

Avocado exports received a boost in May 2015, when Peru was granted access to the Chinese market.

According to official reports, Peru exported 12,319 tons of avocados to China in 2015. The figure is expected to rise by 84 percent to 22,764 tons in 2016 and by a further 63 percent to 37,075 tons in 2017.

In its weekly report, ComexPeru said Peru is now the 10th largest exporter of fruits in the world, having exported 2.714 million U.S. dollars worth of fruits from January to August, a year-on-year increase of3.4 percent. Fruits also accounted for 12.4 percent of all Peruvian exports during the period.

In the first eight months of 2016, Peru also became the largest Latin American exporter of mandarins, whose exports in the period totalled 106.8 million U.S. dollars. The country's global exports of cranberries reached 41.3 million U.S. dollars, up 125.6 percent.

Peru still has broad potential to promote its agricultural exports even further, since the United States, the Netherlands and Spain currently account for 53 percent of its non-traditional fruit exports, said ComexPeru.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro addresses the opening ceremony of the 3rd United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development, or Habitat III, in Quito, capital of Ecuador, Oct. 17, 2016. (Xinhua/Venezuela's Presidency)

by Victoria Arguello

CARACAS, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- Venezuela's political and economic difficulties can be overcome by the ruling party with economic reform, and not by a change of government as demanded by the opposition, commented Venezuelan analyst Alexander Parra.

In an interview with Xinhua, the economist, who graduated from the Peoples' Friendship University in Russia, stated the current government had proven its high ability for "political maneuvering" by remaining in power, despite being faced with social unrest and tough economic conditions.

Furthermore, the possibility that the opposition Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) will be able to call a recall referendum against President Nicolas Maduro is looking dim, after the Electoral National Council (CNE) temporarily suspended the process.

"Venezuela is an interesting example of how to maneuver politically in an unfriendly environment. ... The social consequences are being accepted in an environment of almost submissive patience and with a high level of obedience," Parra told Xinhua.

However, the expert hoped that changes would rapidly come "from the high political spheres" to return stability to the country.

Parra said that this change should take the form of a "reform process", focused on the financial and economic conditions, in order to improve Venezuela's productivity.

A woman takes part in the preparation of bags with food to hand over to the residents during the day of food distribution house by house of the system of the Local Committees of Supplying and Production (CLAP, for its acronym in Spanish), in Caracas, capital of Venezuela, on June 18, 2016. (Xinhua/Boris Vergara)

Furthermore, he considered it necessary for Venezuela to unite its exchange rates as a mainstay of these reforms.

The country currently has two official rates linking the bolivar to the U.S. dollar, on top of a rampant black market exchange rate, which actually determines the price of most goods.

The preferred DIPRO exchange rate, which governs over priority sectors such as food, medicine and pensions, is fixed at 10 bolivars to one U.S. dollar, while the complementary, free-floating DICOM exchange rate is currently at 658 bolivars per U.S. dollar.

For Perra, the restoration of one exchange rate "must be accompanied by the opening-up of import and export policies, deregulating trade with other countries."

Parra pointed to the proposed 2017 budget, worth 8.479 billion U.S. dollars at the DIPRO rate, as presenting an opportunity to adjust the current unbalanced situation.

The economist warned that "there must be an (economic) reform without any delay", as the population's patience may wear thin if the country continues to deteriorate.
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XI'AN, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Italian relic experts will help their Chinese counterparts preserve fine wall paintings discovered at ancient tombs dated more than 1,000 years ago in northwest China, according to an agreement signed over the weekend.

The Sino-Italian cooperation will last three years and involves training, joint research, relic repair and protection, says the document signed between Rome's High Institute for Conservation and Restoration and Shaanxi History Museum in Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province.

Xi'an was the imperial seat of a dozen ancient Chinese dynasties and today holds one of the country's richest cultural relics. The focus of the latest cooperation is tomb wall paintings of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), a prime age in Chinese civilization with flourishing art cultures.

Shaanxi History Museum houses 640 Tang tomb wall paintings. Among them, 108 are considered top quality, offering historians good materials to study Tang Dynasty's arts, culture, religion, and social life.

The museum's senior official Qiang Yue said he hoped the Sino-Italian cooperation would provide vital experience for Chinese researchers to protect ancient wall paintings in general.

China started to preserve Tang wall paintings as early as in 1952, but some of the art pieces were difficult to retrieve due to the backward technology then, said Yang Wenzong, a senior researcher with the museum specialized in wall painting preservation.

As the technology advanced in the past decades, the conservation made huge progress. But Yang said some tough issues remain, like the dismemberment and discoloration of certain objects, which needs closer collaboration of the world's leading preservation experts.
BUJUMBURA, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Burundian police said they had arrested two journalists, including a United States national and a BBC's local employee, on Sunday morning.

Julia Steers, a U.S. citizen, and Gildas Ihundimpundu, a Burundian journalist working for the BBC were arrested at the 9th Avenue at Mutakura while taking pictures of a mass grave, Burundian police spokesman Pierre Nkurikiye said.

"They are accused of planning to destroy evidence that insurgents killed people and dumped them in that mass grave," Nkurikiye said.

Nkurikiye told Xinhua that the two journalists had not informed the local administration or the police of their visit at Mutakura in the north of the capital Bujumbura.

"Their goal is to destroy evidence that insurgents killed people and dumped them there," said Nkurikiye.

According to him, both journalists are being heard by investigators as well as representatives of the Burundian Media Council (CNC).

CNC Chairman Ramadhan Karenga told Xinhua that the U.S. journalist was later released after the CNC confirmed that she had an accreditation.

"The U.S. journalist has been released but the Burundian journalist is still in the hands of the police because he has not registered with the CNC," said Karenga.

On Aug. 25, Steve Irakoze Gisa, a dual Burundian-Rwandan journalist working for Burundi-based Buja FM was arrested and released after spending one week at the custody of the Burundi National Intelligence Service (SNR).

He was accused of posing a threat to Burundi's security after police agents browsed through his mobile phone and said it contained subversive information.
RIYADH, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabia on Sunday expressed its concern over the negative effects of the drop in oil prices on the petroleum investment, local media reported.

Saudi Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources Khalid al-Falih voiced the concern during a meeting of the Gulf countries' energy ministers in Riyadh, according to Al Eqtisadia news website.

He warned the reduction of oil-related investments may reduce future oil supplies that will have high implications on the world economy.

The member states of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) have been involved in negotiations to bring back the stability to the oil market, the minister said.

The meetings came as the Gulf countries are adopting extreme cost-cutting measures to deal with the dropping oil prices, as the prices have declined to 30 U.S. dollars per barrel in the beginning of 2016 from over 100 U.S. dollars per barrel in 2014.

However, the prices have recently gone up to 50 dollars per barrel.

Earlier, OPEC invited Russia and other countries to meet this month to discuss means to revive the oil prices.
TEHRAN, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Iran President Hassan Rouhani on Sunday criticized the U.S. presidential candidates for their "indecent" behavior and "lack of morality" in their debates, Tasnim news agency reported.

The lack of ethical standards in the United States was obvious in the presidential debates, Rouhani said addressing a gathering in Iran's central city of Arak on Sunday.

"We have seen the way the (U.S. presidential) candidates speak, accuse and mock (one another); and this is the American democracy and election," he was quoted as saying.

On Oct. 20, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei also criticized the U.S. presidential candidates for their rhetoric during their debates.

"The election campaigns in America and issues raised by the two candidates constitute a clear and evident example of the consequences of lack of spirituality and faith among those in power," Khamenei said according to Tasnim.

The U.S. presidential election is slated for November 8.
VILNIUS, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Lithuania is holding the second round of parliamentary election on Sunday to elect 68 members of the 141-member unicameral parliament or the Seimas.

More than one third of its eligible voters have cast ballots by 6 p.m. local time (1600 GMT) in the runoff election.

During the first round held on Oct. 9, 73 other members were elected.

According to Lithuania's Central Electoral Commission (CEC), 34.61 percent of voters, together with early votes, expressed their will in the second round of election by 6 p.m. local time (1600 GMT).

Gabrielius Landsbergis, leader of the Homeland Union - Lithuanian Christian Democrats (TS-LKD), the leading party after the first round of vote, told local media that negotiations on the new coalition may start as early as the night after Sunday's elections.

The current parliament's main conservative opposition party TS-LKD have won 21 seats in the parliament after the first voting, closely followed by the Peasants and Greens Union (LVZS) with 19 seats secured.

However, Ramunas Karbauskis, the leader of LVZS, said he did not intend to "negotiate at night."

"We don't think we are obliged to form a coalition in a night," Karbauskis was quoted as saying by local website delfi.lt.

The CEC must confirm the final voting results, both from the first round on Oct. 9 and the second this Sunday, by Oct. 30. The commission will announce the full list of new members of parliament by Oct. 30.

It is expected that the first meeting of the parliament will take place by November 14 at the latest.

On the same day when the new parliament has its first seating, the current government's power will expire, however, it will remain as a caretaker one until the new government is formed.

The second round of vote starts at 7:00 a.m. local time (0500 GMT), and lasts till 8:00 p.m. local time (1800 GMT).

Lithuania elects 71 members of the 141-seat Seimas in single-seat constituencies.The other 70 MPs are elected by proportional representation in a single nationwide multi-seat constituency. A party needs at least 5 percent of votes to enter the Seimas. For electoral coalitions, the threshold is 7 percent.

The first round of voting decides how elected parties share the 70 seats, while the second round finally shows the results in the 71 single-seat constituencies.
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- At least 11 people were killed after a tour bus and big rig collided in Southern California on Sunday morning, according to local media reports.

The tour bus had crashed into the big rig's trailer near Palm Springs, about 100 miles east of Los Angeles. Photos from the scene showed the front end of the bus had been demolished.

Rescuers continued to search the wreckage for more victims. Throughout the morning, more bodies were removed from the bus and placed along the road.

Multiple passengers also suffered injuries. The Desert Sun newspaper reported on its website that at least 25 bus passengers have been taken to local hospitals.

The big rig driver was unhurt.
TEHRAN, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Senior Iranian officials have urged oil producing countries outside the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to back the resolve of the oil cartel to stabilize oil market and boost the crude prices, local media reported on Sunday.

On the day, Iran's Minister of Petroleum, Bijan Zanganeh, said that he expects the non-OPEC producers to cooperate with OPEC to boost market stability, reported the semi-official Fars news agency.

Commenting on the meetings between Russian and Saudi energy officials, Zanganeh said that "we hope the two sides will reach agreements and the non-OPEC states and Russia will accompany members of the organization."

"We hope Russia and non-OPEC members will reach an agreement on the decision of the OPEC members to cut oil production," he said on the sidelines of an energy seminar in Tehran, referring to the Algeria accord framework.

Asked if Russia will attend a meeting of the OPEC member states on Nov. 30 in Vienna, Zanganeh said Sunday that "the regular session of OPEC in November will be attended by the oil and energy ministers of the organization in the permanent secretariat of the organization. Russia will not take part in the meeting."

On Saturday, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei also said that the decrease in global oil prices is leverage to exert pressure on independent countries by the United States, Press TV reported.

Khamenei urged "resistance and steadfastness along with prudence" to foil U.S. plots.

Also, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said on Saturday that his country supports any measure to stabilize global oil markets.

"Iran supports any measure in line with the stabilization of the oil market, fair prices and equitable quota for the producers," Rouhani said in a meeting with visiting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Rouhani urged OPEC and non-OPEC oil producers to work together to this end.

Rouhani also hailed the relations between Iran and Venezuela, saying the development of cooperation with Latin American countries has always been of high significance to Iran.

In a telephone conversation with Maduro on Oct. 3, Rouhani had emphasized that OPEC must hold "serious negotiations" with non-OPEC producers to increase and stabilize oil prices in international markets.

"All must make efforts so that the committee of experts would take decisions to clear the way for increasing global oil price in the OPEC meeting in November," Rouhani said.

The Venezuelan president visited Tehran on Saturday to discuss issues of mutual interest, including energy cooperation, with senior Iranian officials.

On the day, Maduro said that "we are trying to reach an accord between OPEC and countries that are not members of this organization."

On Sept. 28, OPEC members agreed during an impromptu meeting in Algeria to cut crude oil production by 750,000 barrels a day to raise crude oil prices.

OPEC nations reached a preliminary agreement for the first time since the global financial crisis eight years ago, in an effort to reduce a global glut of crude that has depressed oil prices for more than two years and weakened the economies of oil-producing nations. The preliminary deal has limited output of OPEC to between 32.5 million and 33 million barrels per day.

Related:

Saudi Arabia says drop in oil prices negatively affects petroleum investments

RIYADH, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabia on Sunday expressed its concern over the negative effects of the drop in oil prices on the petroleum investment, local media reported.

Saudi Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources Khalid al-Falih voiced the concern during a meeting of the Gulf countries' energy ministers in Riyadh, according to Al Eqtisadia news website. Full story

World Bank raises 2017 oil price forecast on OPEC's prepared production limit

WASHINGTON, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- World Bank on Thursday raised its forecast for the oil price in 2017, as the members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) prepare to limit their production.

In its latest quarterly Commodities Markets Outlook report, the Washington-based lender forecast the crude oil prices in 2017 to reach 55 U.S. dollars per barrel, up its forecast of 53 dollars in July. Full story
BEIRUT, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah confirmed Sunday that his party MPs will not boycott the upcoming presidential electoral session and that they will vote to elect Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) leader Michel Aoun as the president.

Nasrallah said in a televised speech marking a week since the death in Syria of Hezbollah commander Hatem Hamade.

"Our commitment to General Michel Aoun's nomination is final. The Loyalty to Resistance bloc will attend the session and all the members will vote for General Aoun," he said.

Aoun, a former army general and member of the Syrian and Iranian backed March 8 camp, has been a candidate since the end of the six-year term of former President Michel Suleiman on May 25, 2014.

But the Saudi and western backed camp opposed at the beginning the candidacy of Aoun, and backed the candidacy of the Lebanese Forces leader Samir Gegagea to the post, while the Centrist Democratic Gathering led by MP Walid Jumblatt announced the candidacy of its member MP Henri Helou to the post.

However, after a failed initiative last year by Al-Mustaqbal leader and former PM Saad Hariri to elect Al-Marada and March 8 leader MP Suleiman Franjieh, Geagea withdrew his candidacy and backed Aoun.

Hariri also announced Thursday that he is backing Aoun, saying "this decision stems from the need to protect Lebanon, the political system, the state and people."

Nasrallah also stressed that he is not opposed to the re-designation of Hariri as premier, describing the stance as a "very big sacrifice."
MOGADISHU, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- A suicide bomber killed at least two people in the Somali capital Mogadishu on Sunday evening, police said.
DUBAI, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Business executives in Dubai say the upcoming second Dubai Week in China will further promote the already booming business and trade relations between the Gulf Arab sheikdom and China.

"Dubai's trade relationship with China has gone from strength to strength in recent years," said Hamad Buamim, president of Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Dubai Chamber), a partner of the event, in an emailed interview with Xinhua.

The second Dubai Week in China will be held from Oct. 27 through Oct. 29 in China's economic hub Shanghai, an event that will see a delegation of 60 to 80 dignitaries, decision makers and professionals from various Dubai entities. The first Dubai Week was held in China's capital Beijing in May 2015.

"Non-oil trade between Dubai and China amounted to 47.9 billion U.S. dollars in 2015, surging 102 percent from 23.7 billion dollars in 2010," said Buamim.

Dubai Chamber recently set up a branch in Shanghai after a careful study of the Chinese market.

"Through our office in Shanghai, we can more effectively promote Dubai as an international business hub and strengthen economic ties with China," he said.

Meanwhile, Dubai Chamber has been running a partnership with China's business-to-business ecommerce platform Alibaba Group in Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province south of Shanghai, since May 2012.

Ibrahim Al-Janahi, chief commercial officer of Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), Dubai's second industrial free zone, said Jafza has enjoyed "extremely warm business ties" with China and "looks forward to augmenting them" through the event.

The free zone has over 230 Chinese state and private companies, he added.

In late September, China established a direct trading pair between Renminbi, or Chinese yuan, with the United Arab Emirates' (UAE) legal currency dirham.
Residents look at the wreckage of the suicide car in Mogadishu, capital of Somalia, Oct. 23, 2016. A suicide car bomber killed two people and injured four others on Sunday evening in the Somali capital Mogadishu, a local official said.(Xinhua/Faisal Isse)

MOGADISHU, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- A suicide car bomber killed two people and injured four others on Sunday evening in the Somali capital Mogadishu, a local official said.

Bondhere District Commissioner Qasim Abdullahi told reporters at the scene that the suicide bomber detonated his car outside an eatery near the Daljirka Dahsoon Monument in Bondhere district.

Daljirka Dahsoon is "a popular place for people in the evening", said Abdullahi.

Police and witnesses said there was a huge blast, sparking panic.

"We heard a heavy blast near Daljirka. Everybody was running around and we learned it was a car explosion," witness Hassan Shire told Xinhua.

No group has yet claimed responsibility, but Somalia-based Islamist group Al-Shabaab carries out frequent attacks in the country, many of them in Mogadishu.
Photo taken on Oct. 23, 2016 shows the construction site of Neelum-Jhelum hydropower project in Pakistan's northern part. Pakistan's first tunnel constructed by tunnel boring machines TBM welcomed its breakthrough on Sunday at the Neelum-Jhelum hydropower project built by China Gezhouba (Group) Corporation (CGGC). The hydropower plant is expected to have a total capacity of up to 969 megawatt and accounts for about 12 percent of Pakistan's hydropower output, with a financial revenue of 45 billion rupees (about 429.4 million U.S. dollars) brought to the country. (Xinhua/Liu Tian)

ISLAMABAD, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Pakistans first tunnel constructed by tunnel boring machines TBM welcomed its breakthrough on Sunday at the Neelum-Jhelum hydropower project built by China Gezhouba (Group) Corporation (CGGC) in the countrys northern part.

The breakthrough of the tunnel, the left one of two tunnels of the project, marked a major step toward the completion of the project. The two tunnels aim to divert water from rivers of Neelum and Jhelum to the projects generating sets.

The hydropower plant is expected to have a total capacity of up to 969 megawatt and accounts for about 12 percent of Pakistans hydropower output, with a financial revenue of 45 billion rupees (about 429.4 million U.S. dollars) brought to the country.

The tunnel was constructed since January 2013 with 10.43 kilometers in length. Another tunnel, or the right one, is also about to be completed.

Chairman of Pakistans Water and Power Development Authority Muzammil Hussain said during a ceremony that the tunnels breakthrough is a critical milestone since the Neelum-Jhelum project has been prioritized by the Pakistani government to relieve the countrys power shortage.
CAIRO, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Egypt's exports increased by one billion U.S. dollars since the beginning of this year while imports decreased by seven billion U.S. dollars, the country's trade and industry minister said in a statement on Sunday.

"The fields of construction materials, chemicals, fertilizers, food industries and furniture are on top of the sectors where exports have increased," said Trade and Industry Minister Tarek Kabil, referring to the period from January to September 2016 compared to the same period last year.

He added that the rising exports and declining imports over the past 10 months contributed to reducing the country's budget deficit by eight billion U.S. dollars.

Egypt's budget deficit has exceeded 35 billion dollars in the outgoing fiscal year 2015/2016, which led the country to resort to a 12 billion U.S. dollars loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) whose initial agreement has been reached in August.

The minister said the large decline in imports "represents a great chance for Egyptian industries to replace imported products with local ones."

Egypt's has recently seen a sharp decline in its main foreign currency resources including tourism, which led to a large hike in dollar price and a wide gap between its official and black market exchange rates, affecting many import-based businesses.

Economic reforms, the IMF loan, tourism recovery and rising exports are hopeful steps for the country's to revive its struggling economy.

"Exports represent one of the most important sources of foreign currencies, so raising our export rates requires improving the competitiveness of Egyptian products in the local and foreign markets," the trade and industry minister explained.

Kabil said that his ministry is currently preparing a new strategy to double exports within the next five years in cooperation with all export sectors in Egypt.
RABAT, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- At least eight people were killed and 20 others injured on Sunday after their vehicle was overthrown near the Moroccan city of Casablanca, a local security source said.

The accident took place when the vehicle was on its way to a weekly market in the city of Berrechid, the security source said.

Deadly traffic accidents are common in the North African country.

A total of 3,565 people were killed in the country last year, according to data from the Moroccan transport ministry.

The ministry has adopted a new strategy 2015-2025 vowing to reduce the victims of accidents by 50 percent.
SANTO DOMINGO, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- At least 172 prisoners broke out of a prison in west Haiti, leaving two people dead amid an exchange of gunfire, local media reported on Sunday.

Inmates mutinied Saturday afternoon at a prison in Arcahaie, a city northwest of the capital Port-au-Prince, in the country's West Department.

"The mutineers broke into an area used by the guards and seized at least five guns and other weapons," the daily Haiti Libre said.

The daily cited prison chief Heurtelou Paul Colson as saying 172 of the 266 prisoners escaped, while one inmate fell to his death while trying to scale a wall and a police officer was killed in the gunfight.

Another two police officers and two inmates were injured, he said.

Haiti's minister of justice, Camille Edouard Jr., identified one of the prisoners, a convicted kidnapper named Yvener Carelus, as being behind the mutiny.

Carelus, who was arrested, "planned the escape from the inside with some complicity," the minister said.

Carelus was formerly incarcerated at Croix-des-Bouquets, where some 200 inmates broke out in a similarly violent uprising in 2014.

Special units of Haiti's National Police (PNH) have launched a manhunt to capture the escapees, setting up road blocks around the facility.

However, inmates at the prison "do not wear uniforms, complicating the search," the daily added.
The Iraqi army and the Kurdish Peshmerga forces launch military operations in Khazar village, 35 kilometers south of Mosul, Iraq, on Oct. 18, 2016. Iraqi security forces on Tuesday recaptured more villages from the Islamic State (IS) militants, as part of a major offensive aimed at liberating the city of Mosul, the last major IS stronghold in Iraq, a security source said. (Xinhua/Jaser Jawad)

ANKARA, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- The reason Turkey insists on participating in the battle to free the Iraqi city Mosul from the Islamic State (IS) militants, in addition to Turkish president's declared nostalgia for the Ottoman dominion, is that the country has security concerns about the terror threats and mass migration it may face, local experts say.

The president's comments are not simply an "Ottoman nostalgia," but a reflection on the possible security outcomes of the Mosul operations in Iraq, Serhat Erkmen, an associate professor from 21st Century Turkey Institute told Xinhua.

"We will be in the field and at the table. Our preparations are underway," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Oct. 17, referring to the current Mosul battle.

He cited "Misaki Milli," a document adopted by the Turkish parliament in 1920 that claimed Mosul as part of modern Turkey. Mosul was once part of the Ottoman Empire.

Erkmen said Erdogan recalled Turkish "historical responsibility" in Mosul to raise public awareness about the battle and pursue international legitimacy for the country's participation in it.

"Turkey will not remain a spectator on issues that threaten its security," the president said on Saturday.

Turkish leaders are worrying about the power vacuum in its neighboring country and the possible influx of refugees during and after the battle in Mosul, said Erkmen.

Consequently, Turkey will be "at the table" in Mosul despite no invitation from the Iraqi government or the coalition forces, since the coalition forces cannot act in Iraq without the role of neighboring countries, he added.

Bilgay Duman, a Middle East expert from the Center for Middle Eastern Strategic Studies, agreed that who will rule the province after the battle is what worries Ankara.

Turkey is concerned that the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), the IS militants or other terror groups may take advantage of such power vacuum, the expert said.

Duman said the PKK took hold of Sinjar after the northern Iraqi town was cleared of IS militants in late 2015, due to the inability of the Iraqi government to control it.

Last week, the Iraqi army, backed by the U.S.-led coalition airstrikes, launched a much-anticipated military offensive to retake Mosul, which was overrun by the IS in 2014.

Related:

Iraqi PM says no deal with Turkey over participation in Mosul battle

BAGHDAD, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Saturday said there is no agreement with Turkey about its troops' participation in the battle to free the Iraqi city of Mosul from the Islamic State (IS). Full story

Turkey says ready to support operation against IS in Iraq's Mosul
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- At least 13 people were killed and 31 injured after a tour bus and big rig collided in Southern California on Sunday morning, local authorities said.

The tour bus had crashed into the big rig's trailer near Palm Springs, about 100 miles east of Los Angeles. Photos from the scene showed the front end of the bus had been demolished.

The tour bus was identified as a USA Holiday bus. The Los Angeles-based firm typically runs from LA to Southern California.

Firefighters were using ladders placed near the bus' windows to pull out victims. Rescuers continued to search the wreckage for more victims. Throughout the morning, more bodies were removed from the bus and placed along the road.

Authorities shut down the freeway following the crash. Details on the cause of the crash were unclear.
SANTIAGO, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Chile's President Michelle Bachelet on Sunday tried to counter voter apathy by urging citizens to the polls in local elections for mayors and city councilors.

After casting her ballot at a polling station in the capital Santiago, Bachelet, wearing a button that said "I vote," called on people "to go vote, because if you don't, others will make the decisions for you."

In the lead-up to the vote, surveys showed a significant number of eligible voters were uninterested in elections at the community level.

"These elections should matter to everyone, because our most concrete ideals and interests are at stake. That's why I am inviting you to vote, so that Chile can seem more like what citizens want," said Bachelet.

Addressing those who feel that abstention is a form of political statement, Bachelet said "I want them to know that to change things, there is more power in a vote than in staying at home and fuming."

Chile's more than 14.1 million eligible voters could vote for 346 mayors and 2,240 councilors.

In 2012, local elections saw a 60-percent abstention rate. Abstention was also high in presidential and legislative elections that followed in 2013.

Political observers said they expected only 35 percent of voters to go to the polls on Sunday.
VILNIUS, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- Lithuania's Peasant and Greens Union (LVZS) took the lead in the runoff of parliamentary elections on Sunday, the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) data shows early Monday morning local time.

Based on the data after counting all ballots in the 1,922 polling stations, the agrarian party is set to form the new Lithuania's government for the next four years term with 54 mandates in the Seimas, Lithuanian parliament.

"We can expect a big responsibility; we assume that and we are ready to take it," Ramunas Karbauskis, leader of LVZS was quoted as saying by local website 15min.lt.

He did not rule out negotiation both with the conservative Homeland Union - Lithuanian Christian Democrats (TS-LKD) and Social Democratic party (LSDP), which fall behind the agrarian party respectively as second and third.

"I believe we can agree about wide coalition, given the other political forces understand the need to work together," Karbauskis said in direct local broadcaster LRT's show after the election.

However, Karbauskis himself does not intend to become the new prime minister. Saulius Skvernelis, the leader of the agrarian's party electoral list, is being mentioned as a potential candidate for the office. Some political analysts see this move as a controversial choice as usually leader of the winning party becomes the head of government in Lithuania.

TS-LKD, the conservative political force which won the first round of the election, falls behind the agrarians in the runoff with 31 mandates secured after preliminary results were announced. Social democrats won 17 mandates, the preliminary data from CEC shows.

According to Karbauskis, separate negotiating groups will be formed on Monday for talks with both conservatives and social democrats.

The idea to separately negotiate with two competing parties was severely criticized by Gabrielius Landsbergis, leader of TS-LKD.

"The plan to form two negotiating groups, for two separate negotiations; my question would be, if this is a market place, we will buy bananas or oranges?" said Landsbergis in an interview with Lrt.lt.

"There are some principal values, such as transparency, responsibility and readiness to work; if these principles seem suitable to other forces, we are ready for talks," Landsbergis added.

Meanwhile, Karbauskis repeatedly said the government should be formed out of professionals.

He also said his party would not concede on some particular issues such as Lithuania's Visaginas nuclear plant project which, in the politician's words, should be "cancelled".

The leader of the agrarian party also insists on creating state-controlled alcohol selling monopoly in Lithuania. The idea is heavily questioned by nearly all other Lithuanian political forces.

Karbauskis is an agricultural millionaire aged 47 and famous for the initiative to hold alcohol-free family festivals in his native village Naisiai. He is also a writer and producer of TV series Naisiu Vasara (Summer in Naisiai), based on stories from the village.

Saulius Skvernelis, the leader of the agrarian party's list on the elections, earlier said he saw opportunities to work in coalition with all political forces.

The political leaders also commented on President Dalia Grybauskaite's role while forming the ruling coalition.

"I think her opinion is very important, however, people's choice goes first," Skvernelis said.

"The president's stance is important no doubt, we could see how she participated in forming governments before, in an intelligent way; we will see how it goes this year," Landsbergis, leader of conservatives, was quoted as saying by local media.

"In a democratic country we must first pay attention to what voters say," Landsbergis commented to reporters.

Meanwhile, the country's incumbent Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevicius repeatedly said on Sunday he saw his social democratic party to work in opposition.

Together with early votes, 37.85 percent of Lithuanian eligible voters casted their ballots in the Lithuanian parliamentary runoff election, CEC announced on its website.

The Seimas, the parliament of Lithuania, consists of 141 MPs. 71 of them are elected directly in single-member constituencies and 70 are elected in the multi-member constituency based on political parties' lists.

The latest data shows nine parties and one electoral coalition have entered the Seimas, together with four independent candidates.

Besides LVZS, TS-LKD and LSDP, the other parties are Liberal movement, 14 seats, Order and Justice, eight seats, Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania - Christian Families Alliance, eight seats, Labour party, two seats, Lithuanian Green party, one seat, and Political party "Lithuanian List", one seat. The anti-corruption coalition of Naglis Puteikis and Kristupas Krivickas, formed by Lithuanian Centre party and Lithuanian Pensioners' party, also has secured one seat.

The CEC must confirm the final voting results, both from the first round on October 9 and the second on Sunday, by October 30. The commission will announce the full list of new members of parliament by then.

It is expected that the first meeting of the parliament will take place by November 14 at the latest.

The same day when the new parliament has its first seating, the current government's powers will expire, however, it will remain as a caretaker government until the new government is formed.
A woman cries outside a prison after her son was arrested for walking on the street without identification, after 174 inmates had escaped the night before from the same prison after killing a guard and stealing firearms, in Arcahaie, Haiti, October 23, 2016. (REUTERS/Jeanty Junior Augustin)

SANTO DOMINGO, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- At least 172 prisoners broke out of a prison in west Haiti, leaving two people dead amid an exchange of gunfire, local media reported on Sunday.

Inmates mutinied Saturday afternoon at a prison in Arcahaie, a city northwest of the capital Port-au-Prince, in the country's West Department.

"The mutineers broke into an area used by the guards and seized at least five guns and other weapons," the daily Haiti Libre said.

The daily cited prison chief Heurtelou Paul Colson as saying 172 of the 266 prisoners escaped, while one inmate fell to his death while trying to scale a wall and a police officer was killed in the gunfight.

Another two police officers and two inmates were injured, he said.

A handcuffed man(L), one of 174 fugitive inmates who had escaped the night before from a prison after killing a guard and stealing firearms, sits handcuffed on the back of a pick-up truck after local police and members of MINUSTAH arrested him, in Arcahaie, Haiti, October 23, 2016. (REUTERS/Jeanty Junior Augustin)

Haiti's minister of justice, Camille Edouard Jr., identified one of the prisoners, a convicted kidnapper named Yvener Carelus, as being behind the mutiny.

Carelus, who was arrested, "planned the escape from the inside with some complicity," the minister said.

Carelus was formerly incarcerated at Croix-des-Bouquets, where some 200 inmates broke out in a similarly violent uprising in 2014.

Special units of Haiti's National Police (PNH) have launched a manhunt to capture the escapees, setting up road blocks around the facility.

However, inmates at the prison "do not wear uniforms, complicating the search," the daily added.
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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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News / National

by Stephen Jakes

Zanu PF UK chapter has congratulated Temba Mliswa for winning thew Norton by election against a Zanu PF candidate Ronald Chindedza."Congratulations to Mr Temba Mliswa for winning the Norton by-election. There are some lessons for Zanu PF and the nation to learn from this this by-election and we will just name a few," said the chapter."Opposition parties should learn to concede defeat just like Zanu PF has done in this election. There is no massaging of figures in Zimbabwean elections as clearly people freely expressed themselves and figures were transparently announced. Zanu PF cannot and should not take the electorate for granted."This defeat whilst very painful provides an opportunity for soul searching and introspection. Some of the themes in this process should include the quality of our candidates, the influence of factionalism in our processes and the conversion rate of rhetoric into reality. Lessons have to learnt."
Opinion / Columnist

Mugabe a pan African in words and a colonialist in political implementation programs. Mugabe a gukurahundist and an outstanding human rights violator, he is outstanding as an opinion leader especially to those whose facts are limited. This article would establish in close scrutiny of Mugabe's leadership since the early stages of his political career how ruthless he is.Mugabe has achieved nothing in his career except speaking good English. Some of you will agree with me that in Africa we make the mistake of equating speaking good English with education, thus why we are backward especially concerning issues of effective public political administration. Mugabe is praised largely for insulting the Western countries with sound political English and undertaking a racial and tribal political decisions the latest being the Fast Track Land Reform program.Mugabe has shown poor leadership since his initial stages of his political career. In 1963, he moved away from ZAPU on tribal bases to form ZANU . It is a known fact that Mugabe was taught politics by ZAPU but he will never subscribe to this due to his hatred of the Ndebele tribes, thus why recently he uttered frivolous and dubious comments about the Khalangas . In essence, the formation of ZANU was tribal and this would be clearly articulated in the narration of events up to today.In 1979 when they were promised political victory by the British whom they have turned to be the worst enemies in human history, Mugabe and his cronies crafted the 1979 grand plan which articulated on how they were going to destroy the Mthwakazi nation by killing many and making those left alive to suffer from economic genocide.Soon after the so called Zimbabwe independence our region lost a number of ZAPU politician in mysterious deaths and accidents. Mugabe also attempted several times to assassinate the late Joshua Nkomo. In his hunt for Nkomo he started the gukurahundi program of extending the killings to civilians which saw Mthwakazi loosing more that 25 000 innocent souls from political crimes. The gukurahundi program was designed to sweep away the Mthwakazi nation, unfortunately that goal was not entirely achieved .In around 1990s Mugabe and his government adopted the Economic Structural Adjustment Program, which was designed to clean up all Ndebele people who were left serving public services by the Smith regime. They achieved that and the public sector remained with more that 90 percent Shona people which is consistent with the 1979 grand plan. He also undertook the Murambasvina program to eliminate the Ndebeles from the private sector.Furthermore, to infiltrate the Bulawayo City Council which was dominated by the local people predominantly Ndebele. They started the Movement for Democratic Change led by their own Tsvangirai to give false political hope to the Ndebeles. In 2005 Tsvangirai demonstrated that, he was anti Ndebele when almost all Ndebeles were dropped from the national executive council of the party. In the last elections of 2013 Tsvangirai fielded 14 Shona councillors in Bulawayo out of a total of 29 wards and the Shonalisation and looting of the Bulawayo City Council started. That is why Tsvangirai and the ZANU PF government would not make the Shona councillors to account for millions looted because they were undertaking the ZANU PF national duty.All these are Mugabe's political achievement. Gullible Africans view him as the pan African judging by what he speak, but I invite all his followers to judge him by what he has done. Mthwakazi is one of the richest regions in Africa, but it's people are the most poorest, most of them now leaves outside the country because of the ruthless policies of Mugabe. A lot of people more than the ones killed by the British lost their blood during the terms of this ruthless leader in the history of humanity.As Mthwakazi Republic Party we are calling the world at large to assist us in dealing with this ZANU PF leader with the characteristics of a monster. We believe as a nation we also deserve justice and true peace in our life time.Sithi phansi ngeZimbabwe loMugabe kwelakoMthwakazi .COMPILED BY: HLONIPHANI NCUBEMRP SECRETARY GENERALmrpselfdetermination@gmail.com
For much of the year, Democrats viewed Jason Kander as a perfect Senate candidate running in the wrong state.



A charismatic former military intelligence officer and Missouris current secretary of state, Mr. Kander, 35, faced an entrenched Republican incumbent in a place where Donald J. Trump seemed destined to win.



Then Mr. Kander released a television ad last month in which he put an AR-15 assault rifle together blindfolded while reciting a script about gun rights, and started assailing his rival, Senator Roy D. Blunt, on his lobbyist ties.



Suddenly, it was game on. Mr. Kanders poll numbers soared. So did the panic among Republicans trying to save Mr. Blunt, and possibly their Senate majority.



Mr. Kanders ascent is the starkest demonstration of the volatile and at times confounding dynamics of the battle for control of the Senate, with at least six races in a statistical dead heat just over two weeks before Election Day.



Surprisingly, Democrats have improved their chances in places like Missouri and North Carolina, where they seemed to have no shot just six months ago, while they have all but given up in Ohio and pulled their money out of Florida, where prospects had seemed bright. Republicans continue to cling to hope in New Hampshire, Nevada and Pennsylvania, despite what looks like faltering support for Mr. Trump in those states.



With two weeks to go, control of the Senate is up for grabs, said Nathan Gonzales, editor of The Rothenberg & Gonzales Political Report. If Republicans can break even in the tossup states, they have a chance to maintain control. But if the landscape shifts just a couple of points against Republican candidates, Democrats will capture the majority.



In perhaps the oddest quirk of a decidedly erratic year, Mr. Kander may be benefiting from Mr. Trumps anti-establishment message. Mr. Blunt, who has served in Congress since 1997 and whose family is chockablock with lobbyists, is the archetypal boogeyman Mr. Trump has attacked in his assault on Washington insiders.



Mr. Kander often finds Trump and Clinton supporters at his campaign events  people who fight among themselves, he said, even as they share support for him.

In the Missouri Senate race the Democrat is someone who can field strip an AR-a5 and reassemble it blindfolded. The Republican is an old slug who made a fortune snuggling with lobbyists and who couldn't give a damn about the people in his state if they aren't making him richer. As a result, the race is tighter than normal.A very clear example of one of the many ways that Trump will drag the Republicans to a much deserved oblivion.
3 murders shatter families in Tobago, Diego, Tunapuna

At about 1.10 am yesterday in Diego Martin, 26-year-old Jahkim Valentine was liming in his yard on Ponderosa Drive with a group of friends when an unknown gunman entered the yard from the garage and fired several shots at them.

On hearing the loud explosions, a relative of Valentines ran outside to see the construction worker and father lying on the ground motionless with several gunshot wounds about the body.

Rondell Matthew, 15, of Mahogany Trace in Diego Martin, also part of the group of limers, was shot in his leg. He was taken to the Port-of- Spain General Hospital where he remains warded.

And a 28-year-old Tunapuna man who police said had a long rap sheet for larceny of vehicles and robberies was shot dead while standing outside his fathers home at the corner of St Vincent Street, Tunapuna, shortly after 4.30 pm yesterday. According to reports, Brad Williams was last seen alive standing in front of a vehicle when a silver AD wagon pulled up and several loud explosions were heard.

When relatives checked, they discovered Williams bullet-riddled body lying on the ground. A party of officers, led by Snr Supt Rajkumar and including Homicide and CSI officers went to the scene and the area was cordoned off.

In the case of Tobago, Zaki Lordes killing was the second murder to be recorded in the island for the year  both in the Lambeau area. In July, Tobago recorded its first murder in the same village, when Zaquius Daniel was fatally stabbed. One man from Toco in Trinidad has since been charged with that incident.

Lorde was shot in the head by two men while he was sitting outside the Livewire Bar around 10.20 on Friday night. The bar is just 30 metres from his home.

Passers-by at first thought the explosions to be the noise of firecrackers, but when Lorde slumped to the ground, they immediately realized it was gunshots. The two men then walked back into the direction from which they came after shooting Lord and left the scene in a white Tiida. Lorde, a father of four, worked as a sanitation worker with the Division of Infrastructure and Public Utilities.

Words were not enough to comfort Lordes parents, Hubert Lord and Claudia Phillips, who were visibly trying to come to terms with the news of their sons killing.

They were well supported by family members, friends and well-wishers.

Speaking with Sunday Newsday, his mother, Claudia Phillips said she remains in shock over her sons murder. He was my only child, she moaned yesterday. Zaki was very loving and this is something that, I dont know I cannot explain this loss. its unexplainable. I still cannot believe that when I walk up the road, it was my son that I saw lying there. To me, it was like I was in a dream and I would wake up soon. Its hard, right now, she said. I am hurt, so forgiveness is nowhere in my vocabulary. Maybe along the road whenever I come to accept his death probably, I may be in a position to forgive, but at this time, I dont know about forgiveness. I just want the perpetrators, whoever did this to my son.... I want justice. Lordes father, Hubert said he has come to the realization that in life, anything is possible.

The times in which we live, we have to realize that we have to expect anything at any time, especially based upon lifestyle and practices, the distraught father said. You read about it, you see it in the news but now it has come home to me and as a result, I have to cope with it. Assistant Commissioner of Police Tobago Garfield Moore confirmed that no one has been held in connection with the incident and a motive is yet to be established.
COP CUFF ME

Already grieving for her grandson, Daphne Gilbert yesterday said it pained her to know a policeman could treat a senior citizen so callously.

Daphne claims the policeman cuffed her in the right side of her chest after he chased Adelle, 34, into the family home at Carlton Lane, San Fernando, last Thursday.

I did nothing to deserve this and he looked at me and cuffed me in the chest and just continued running after my grandson, Daphne told Sunday Newsday. Adelle, said Daphne, was cornered in a bedroom as other officers stormed the house and pulled him outside.

During the melee, Gilbert was fatally shot with his family and eyewitnesses claiming he did not have a gun or any weapon and was unjustifiably killed.

Video footage of the incident went viral on social media, triggering an immediate response by acting Commissioner of Police Harold Phillip who assigned Acting Superintendent Yusuff Gaffar to lead an investigation of the police killing.

He is being assisted by a team from the Homicide Bureau and TTPS Professional Standards Bureau.

Sources yesterday said the officers involved in the incident remain on duty. They were asked to submit reports after the shooting on Thursday, and had a preliminary meeting with the investigating team but are reportedly asking to have their lawyers present during the official interrogation which is yet to take place.

However, investigators have been taking statements from eyewitnesses and persons who claimed they were assaulted by officers while protesting the fatal shooting.

One source said, people are cooperating. A policeman from San Fernando Police Station went to Daphnes home yesterday and recorded a statement from her, in which she also reported the alleged assault by an officer.

Daphne, who has 22 grandchildren, was comforted by relatives and friends after being discharged yesterday from hospital where she had been warded since Thursday.

The grandmother recalled standing in the living room of the house when police officers surrounded the premises. I had no idea what was happening, she said. I just saw all these police and then I saw Adelle running and police officers were chasing behind him. I did not know what was going on. She added, I was standing in the living room when a police officer shouted at me to get out of the (expletive) way then he cuffed me in my chest. When she was struck, Daphne said she could not breathe, and held her chest before collapsing on a chair.

I felt like I was getting a heart attack, the pain was so much, she recalled.

Relatives immediately took the elderly woman to the hospital where she was kept for observation and had several X-rays taken of her chest. She was discharged and given pain killers. Daphne said relatives had asked the policeman, whom she said struck her, how he felt hitting an old woman.

He looked at me before he left the house and said, he would be sleeping comfortably in his bed at night and hearing him say that knowing what he did to me, it pained me so much, Daphne said, holding back her tears. She said doctors advised her to take her medication and rest.

What they did to my grandson was not right, she said.

On Thursday, Gilberts common law wife, Alicia Richards, appeared before a San Fernando magistrate charged with assaulting a police officer in the execution of his lawful duties. She pleaded not guilty and was granted bail in the sum of $15,000. Up to late yesterday funeral arrangements were being made for Gilbert. Apart from the official police investigation, the fatal shooting is also being investigated by the Police Complaints Authority (PCA). Relatives said they had not yet contacted the PCA to make a report about Daphnes allegation of police assault.
Womens sexual harassment stories

Their target, the women of the country, especially the younger ones. This week, a young woman went as far to use her cell phone to videotape herself being sexually harassed by three men on the Brian Lara Promenade, Port-of-Spain after she finished exercising. Unfortunately, this type of behaviour has become all too common on the streets of Trinidad and Tobago.

Sunday Newsday asked a number of women to share their stories of sexual harassment and, in some cases, sexual assault in downtown Port-of-Spain in their own words: Rachael Espinet My worst experience...

there are too many to say as my worst. The most recent was when a bunch of men, some of them wearing Public Service Transportation Corporation (PTS C) shirts followed me down City Gate talking about my butt. I wasnt listening to them because I had my headphones in my ears deliberately to shield myself from hearing lascivious comments from them but they were close enough to me to hear.

Yes, I know people have a right to walk, wherever, but how they were moving, they were very predatory and I felt like I was being ganged up on.

Though it wasnt anything near physically dangerous I still felt threatened. For me its rarely about actually feeling like my life is physically in danger but more like they are trying to intimidate me. I eventually turned around and asked them what their problem was and this short, red, rasta with a piece of metal filling in one of his front teeth gave me a big smile and said: I was just telling my friends how much I admired you. Thats the most recent.

One that shook me really badly was when I was walking out of City Gate down Broadway, and this man started walking behind me saying Oh god baby, its pay day, I want to take you in the back and give you a massage. So he stalked me from City Gate to KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken outlet on Broadway in Port-of-Spain), told me he would give me money to touch me, and genuinely frightened me because he could have touched me at any time - thankfully he didnt.

After that incident, men who started following me, I started turning around and asking what they wanted. Another time this man started walking behind me saying yes baby wiggle it, walk and wine. I snapped and asked him what his f---ing problem was.

He laughed and continued to follow me.

Melanie (last name withheld) My worst experience of that occurred seven years-ago when I was 18-years-old.

My friend (also 18) and I were walking through Woodford Square and a much older Indo-Trinidadian man (maybe late 40s) started shouting at us if allyuh were mine, whole day allyuh lock up in the house and we making children all day! And he repeated it twice.

Most disgusting feeling ever.

Aurora* I was walking down Frederick Street from Duke Street corner.

The street had plenty of people walking in both directions. Everyone was minding their own business.

Then I passed by this tall slim Indian man who looked like he was just liming whilst leaning up on the wall of a store.

something about my looks and I ignored him. Then I realised he got annoyed by my indifference and proceeded to follow me.

I started to run. I ran straight into the mall where I met with some friends who were awaiting my arrival. He chased me straight up the stairs and into the food court and when he saw that I was with people I know and that I was relating my story he turned around and escaped.

(I never reported it to the police because) I told my friends and I wasnt hurt so I didnt bother. I was just a little shaken.

Vanessa* I was at my grandmothers store on Charlotte Street rearranging some display goods. A man stood in front of the store and yelled, slim, come let meh bite yuh___. I was 12 and in my school uniform. There could not have been any ambiguity that I was under aged.

Sandra* I was working on Maraval Road in 2014. I was 19-yearsold and went to run an errand at the Republic Bank down on Tragarete Road, and a car pulled up alongside me with four grown men. They were in a white Nissan Sentra. I was dressed in typical business attire and they proceeded to drive alongside me and yell through the open window nasty things about my body and what they wanted to do with/to it. Things about what they wanted to put where.

I was really scared and felt violated. I thought they would pull me in. It was so bad, because they even made a round of the block and I had to call my mother and explain so she could meet me halfway. I was so disturbed because I didnt feel safe at all walking a few hundred metres.

Martha* Once walking my daughter to pre-school a driver started hassling me. When I stopped and asked if he couldnt at least respect the fact that I was with my child, he started addressing me with all manner of vile obscenities- with my child still at my side.

Secondly on Ash Wednesday this year. I was on my way to work and dressed for it. Literally two seconds away from the building. A car with about three to four men pulls around the corner and they all start saying things like Reds, that bamcee needs some licks. I was legitimately afraid for my safety.

I ran into the building before they could stop and actually do something.

This has got to stop. I quake every time I think that this is the world my daughter has to grow up in.

Lucy* I was walking downtown and a man grabbed at my crotch - yes he actually held on - and vanished into the crowd. I felt so violated that up until now it makes me sick with anger and revulsion, that sense of male entitlement to do what they wish with womens bodies.

* Names changed upon request Activist Diana Mahabir-Wyatt told Sunday Newsday this type of harassment was nothing new.

It is a culture that has existed for the last 40 years and it has not stopped or gotten better, she added.

She said it happens to women ages of 14 to 60s and as long as they are female they are vulnerable. She also said that if the women answer the men back, which they are beginning to do, the harassment can turn to violence.

And it is upsetting, and as time goes on and violence rises in society it gets more scary.

In years gone by it was just a comment and if you looked the other way nothing happened.

Now these idiots seem to feel for some reason you are going to welcome that kind of harassment it is an insult to them, Mahabir-Wyatt explained.

She continued: What on earth would make you think if you insult a woman she would run into your arms. What are they thinking? Mahabir-Wyatt said that men do this to anger, annoy and insult. On how to change this culture she said one of the ways is to make parents understand that corporal punishment is not a way to bring up children.

Sooner or later they would want to retaliate against the ones that beat them when they grow up they want to beat women because of their mother or grandmother (beat them), she added.

She said the only way it can be changed is to start from parenthood training. The Office of the Prime Minister (Gender and Child Affairs) released a statement on the viral video stating that it encourages the public to recognize that women and girls should be treated with dignity and respect. They reported that harassment is unlawful under the Offences Against the Person Act.

To all women and girls who may feel threatened or who are being sexually harassed, or any bystander who may notice someone experiencing difficulty regarding this conduct, please contact the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service by dialling toll free - 999, the release stated.
Senator laments neglect of differently-abled

We all frequent the chamber in the service of the people. From the looks of things to me and for those who have unfettered eyes to see, it would seem to be in the service of some people and not all, Roach said in his contribution to the Budget debate. After three-odd years of being an Independent Senator, one would have thought that some proper physical arrangement would have been made by now for the differently-abled member or staff or visitors to be able to have unrestricted access to all areas in this chamber. But this is not so. Roach stressed that after three years as an Independent Senator, no amenities have been provided for him to access the area in which the Speaker of the House of Representatives and Senate President sit in the Chamber, if the need arose.

Mr Vice-President (Nigel De Freitas), if for one reason you were to be absent and the Leaders of Government Business absent and I am the coordinator (of the Independents), who will take your place, how will I get there? he asked. If you were to, for some reason, tomorrow, God forbid, be forced to be in a wheelchair, how will you get to that stand. You cant. Roach, who has been confined to a wheelchair for the past five years, said the absence of amenities for the differently-abled in the Parliament Chamber also restricted his access to simply venture across the room to members of opposing benches. He said: If I want to have a conversation with any member of Parliament on the other side, unless they indulge me in coming to me, I cannot go to them. Same thing to the Opposition. This is totally unsatisfactory in 2016. I am here three years and nothing has been done. Roach recalled that within the last year, he had invited members of the Senate to pretend as though they were wheelchair-bound.

It has been a full year since the last budget when I invited members of the last Parliament to come to work in a wheelchair and experience for themselves how challenging it is to go about their daily activities while being in such circumstances, he said. To date, I am yet to see anyone in such circumstances take up the challenge. It has not been done because it will be an inconvenience to all. If right here in this Parliament, this attitude of utter in difference is shown to the public, what can one expect to go on outside these sectors. In his contribution, Roach extended kudos to part-time grocery attendant Lillyan Williams, who made national headlines recently when she was photographed feeding a wheelchair-bound man in San Fernando. The man had been waiting to be picked up by the Elderly and Differently-abled Mobile (ELDAMO) bus service.

Who knows how long he was waiting for the bus service to go home after grocery shopping. The situation should not be satisfactory with any authority charged with making persons with disabilities more mobile and to have a higher quality of life, Roach said.

The Independent Senator said politicians should be hanging their heads in shame over the development.

The Government will have to make it a national policy, that all public modes of transportation be outfitted to accommodate the differently-abled members of the public, Roach said.
India, Bahrain working to strengthen counter-terrorism ties: Rajnath

India,National,Politics,Diplomacy, Sun, 23 Oct 2016 IANS

New Delhi, Oct 23 (IANS) India and Bahrain are working together to strengthen security and counter- terrorism cooperation between the two countries, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said here on Sunday.

"We are working together to further strengthen security and counter-terrorism cooperation between the two countries," Rajnath said before embarking on a three-day visit to Bahrain.

"India and Bahrain enjoy excellent bilateral relations characterised by broad-based political, economic and cultural contacts," he added.

During his visit, the Home Minister will have a bilateral meeting with Bahrain Interior Minister Lt Gen Sheikh Rashid Bin Abdulla Al Khalifa. He is also scheduled to interact with prominent members of the Indian community.

Rajnath will discuss with the top leadership of Bahrain the menace of cross-border terrorism faced by India and anti-terror cooperation.

Earlier on Friday, the President of the National Security Agency of Bahrain Sheikh Talal bin Mohammed bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa called on the Union Home Minister here.

--IANS

and/nir/bg
JNU students protest outside VC's house

Delhi,National,Politics,Crime/Disaster/Accident,Education, Sun, 23 Oct 2016 IANS

New Delhi, Oct 23 (IANS) JNU students on Sunday staged a noisy protest outside Vice Chancellor M. Jagadesh Kumar's house here demanding to know the whereabouts of a student who went missing nine days ago.

The students started their protest from the Administrative Block of the campus in the form of a human chain and proceeded to Kumar's house within the university.

The students want the university to play a more active role to trace Najeeb Ahmed and take appropriate action against alleged ABVP members who assaulted him before he disappeared on the night of October 14.

"We are protesting against the disingenuous stance adopted by the VC. He is not serious about the whole affair and hiding behind technicalities. Even the missing complaint was filed by Najeeb's parents," Birsa Ambedkar Phule Student Association (BAPSA) President Bhupali Magare told IANS.

"We want the VC to first bring to book the students who were part of the mob that attacked Najeeb," she added.

Ahmed went missing from a university hostel after a brawl with suspected ABVP students.

The findings of an inquiry launched by the JNU administration are likely to be revealed on Monday, Magare told IANS.

The Vice Chancellor took to Twitter to ask the students to call off their agitation.

"Tracing Najeeb is the job of Police. I will meet Police Commissioner tomorrow. Please stop this and come forward to find Najeeb," he tweeted.

Kumar said he was doing all he could to trace Najeeb.

--IANS

vn/nir/mr
Kaine hails Colombia-FARC cease-fire

United States,Politics,Diplomacy, Sun, 23 Oct 2016 IANS

Washington, Oct 23 (IANS) US vice presidential Democratic candidate Tim Kaine hailed the cease-fire now being maintained in Colombia between the government and the rebel FARC group and said peace is the "future" of the Andean country.

In an interview with Efe on Saturday, the Spanish-speaking senator said the US must "respect" the result of the referendum in which Colombians voted "No" on the peace accord reached between the government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) last October 2 but repeated that his country "will support the peace process to the end".

"We have to respect the referendum of the Colombian people, but we also support the peace process," said Kaine, who as a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has followed closely the peace talks held in Havana.

"In the future of a country, we all need peace, but Colombians particularly need it, and I'm very happy about the fact that after the negative result, the FARC and the government said they will maintain the cease-fire," Kaine said.

He noted the importance of both sides agreeing there will be "no return to the days of war" despite the setback of the referendum, and that peace is the country's only future.

"I congratulate President (Juan Manuel) Santos for his Nobel Peace Prize, a great honour for his efforts," the Democratic candidate said, adding that Colombia is a key ally of the US, not only in Latin America but also as a partner in promoting "exercises in peace" in other parts of the world.

--IANS

ss/vt
Bring pensions under one authority to boost coverage: Regulator (IANS Interview)

Delhi,National,Business/Economy, Sun, 23 Oct 2016 IANS

New Delhi, Oct 23 (IANS) Making a case for consolidating all the pension products under its umbrella, a top official of the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has said this would help bring at least 20 per cent of Indias population under its cover by 2021-22.

"Currently the pension coverage of all the schemes, including the Employees Pension Fund (EPF), is only 13-14 per cent of the country's population. We are hopeful that by 2021-22, we should be able to take it to 20 per cent, including EPF and other pension funds like the one for coal miners," PFRDA Chairman Hemant Contractor told IANS in an interview.

"Consolidation will open the roads for faster growth of subscribers for pension products. We have the infrastructure in place," he added.

Pension funds, including the National Pension Scheme (NPS) and the Atal Pension Yojana (APY) are regulated by PFRDA, but pension

schemes floated by insurance companies are regulated by IRDAI and the ones offered by mutual funds are regulated by SEBI.

Contractor also reiterated that bringing about tax parity between the NPS and the EPF scheme would provide a boost to the subscriber base of pension products.

"The stumbling block is tax, because EPF is tax free. In case of NPS, only 40 per cent is tax free. The suggestion to make NPS completely tax free has been made to the government," Contractor said.

Instead of making NPS tax free, the government had in the budget earlier this year announced that EPF would be partly taxed. This had led to an uproar from political parties and trade unions. The government was forced to rescind its decision within two weeks.

The PFRDA Act, 2013, states that the pension fund regulator will regulate all schemes other than the EPF and some other statutory funds like the Coal Mines Provident Fund Organisation.

The Finance Ministry has assured the regulator that a committee would be set up soon to study the issue.

"We have drawn the attention of the government and told them that all the pension schemes floated by mutual fund and insurance companies should be regulated by us. The government has said it will form a committee to look into it," Contractor said.

Saying that it was pursuing the matter "vigorously" with the government, Contractor said there would be some issues about the existing pension products of insurance companies and mutual funds, but the committee being set up would look into these.

The Chairman agreed it would be a challenge to get all the information about all the existing pension products and the quantum managed.

PFRDA, which alone manages Rs 147,000 crore in pension products held by 13.7 million subscribers, said its infrastructure and manpower are fully equipped to handle the increased amount after consolidation.

The pension fund regulator is looking to expand, with a branch in Mumbai in this fiscal and one or two more branches in other parts of the

country later, to better cater to the expected increase in the subscriber base, Contractor said.

"In terms of subscribers, we grew by 40 per cent last year. In quantum, we grew by 50 per cent in 2015-16. This year too we are looking at

a similar increase. We are on track. The bulk of the quantum comes towards the last two months of the year-end because of the tax benefits," he said.

(Meghna Mittal can be reached at meghna.m@ians.in)

--IANS

mm/vm/hs/sac/ky
Rafale equipment provider to set up facility in Goa

Goa,National,Technology,Business/Economy,Defence/Security, Sun, 23 Oct 2016 IANS

Panaji, Oct 23 (IANS) The France-based Safran group, which provides supplies to Rafale fighter jet manufacturers, has been asked to set up a facility in Goa to produce small components of the company's import requirement, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said on Sunday.

Speaking during the inauguration of a helicopter maintenance and repair centre in Sattari, set up following a joint venture between the Bengaluru-based Hindustan Aueronautics Ltd and the Safran Group, Parrikar said he hoped to see the Centre develop from a copter repair and maintenance operation to an helicopter engine manufacturing facility.

"Flacma, also a part of the Safran group, are 20-25 per cent suppliers to Rafale. So I told them why don't you come with a small component of your requirement of importing from India into Goa," Parrikar said.

He said that out of the total value of Rs 59,000 crore Rafale fighter jet deal, nearly Rs 30,000 crore dealt with procurement of equipment for the manufacture of the jets.

Parrikar said the helicopter maintenance and repair facility in Goa was vital as far as the military facilities in western India are concerned.

"In western region, engines could be directly sent here so that they do not have to struggle at the base depot. This is first phase," the Defence Minister said.

"From there it will slowly expand to make some parts and components and we wish we can go for engine manufacturing," he said.

"If HAL is to maintain engines, then they should tie up Safran and come out with Make in India for manufacturing of engines. We are going to require between 6,000 and 10,000 engines in next eight to 10 years, which is a big enough quantity and most of them are Safran engines," he said.

He added that the Goa government was willing to provide land to facilitate the project.

--IANS

maya/py/mr
President inaugurates two hospitals in Gujarat

Gujarat,National,Health/Medicine,Politics, Sun, 23 Oct 2016 IANS

Ankleshwar/Bharuch, Oct 23 (IANS) President Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday inaugurated a revamped version of the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Hospital and Heart Institute and a modern Sevashram Hospital in Gujarat's twin cities of Ankleshwar and Bharuch.

The President, who arrived in Gujarat on Saturday night, also threw open a Gandhi Smruti Bhawan at the location where Mahatma Gandhi had stayed during his Dandi Yatra in Bharuch.

Mukherjee unveiled statues of Mahatma Gandhi, Chandubhai Desai and Chhotubhai Purani.

The Sardar Patel Hospital, which has been developed by the Sardar Patel Trust with efforts of Congress Rajya Sabha MP Ahmed Patel, who hails from Bharuch district, will have all modern health care facilities otherwise not available in the district.

At present, heart patients in the area have to travel to Vadodara, Surat and Ahmedabad for treatment. The new hospital will offer them treatment within Bharuch.

It will have facilities like radial angiography and angioplasty, besides cathlab, Intra-aortic balloon pum (IABP), elos facial and eco cardiogram. The hospital will have 14 permanent and 20 visiting doctors.

The revamped hospital now has a 100-bed facility. It offers numerous medical facilities.

Besides Ahmed Patel, the President was accompanied by Gujarat Governor O.P. Kohli and Minister of State for Home Pradipsinh Jadeja.

--IANS

desai/mr
GST can be paid by debit, credit cards, says official

Madhya Pradesh,Business/Economy,Immigration/Law/Rights, Sun, 23 Oct 2016 IANS

Indore, Oct 23 (IANS) Under the proposed Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime, individuals and entities can pay taxes online using debit or credit cards, the government said on Sunday.

"With regard to payments, the best thing that will happen is all payments will have to be made online. You can use any mode of payment, electronic, NEFT, RTGS. You can do it through debit cards or credit cards of any bank," Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia said while addressing the Global Investors Summit here.

"You need not open an account in banks of government. Even if you have account in a private bank, you can transfer money and it will reach the government," Adhia said.

The top officer said GST will make it easier for traders and industry to access Input Tax Credit, as well as ease the compliance burden since the entire country will become a single market.

"I would ask the states to focus on the services sector because industry will come on its own once demand increases," he said.

The government, which proposes to implement the new pan-India indirect tax regime from the start of the next fiscal in April, has made registration, refunds, returns filing and payment processes online.

The GST regime will also ensure that the taxes deducted by sellers reach the government, Adhia added.

At its second meeting last month after its constitution, the GST Council chaired by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley approved five sets of draft rules relating to registration, payments, returns and refunds under GST.

These provide for online registration by residents within three days of submission of application.

Non-residents who will come under the purview of the GST will be required to electronically submit the application for registration at least five days prior to the commencement of business and shall also deposit full tax liability in advance.

The draft rules also provide that if a tax official fails to take action on registration application within a stipulated time frame, the application for grant of registration shall be deemed to have been approved.

An applicant seeking registration will have to submit PAN, mobile number, email address on the common portal or through a facilitation centre.

In case all documents are in order, the tax official will approve registration in three working days from the date of submission of application. The rules provide for suo moto registration of persons who are liable, but have failed to apply for registration.

The GST Council, however, has failed to decide on the big issue of GST rates in its three meetings held, and is likely to take a decision in its next meeting here slated for November 3 to 4.

--IANS

bc/ss/vt
MEA also contributed to 53% FDI growth: Sushma Swaraj

Madhya Pradesh,National,Politics,Business/Economy, Sun, 23 Oct 2016 IANS

Indore, Oct 23 (IANS) External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Sunday that the role of her ministry is undergoing transformation, as apart from diplomatic functions, now it is also acting as a catalyst to national development.

Addressing the closing ceremony of the two-day Global Investors' Summit here, Sushma Swaraj said it is also because of the changing role of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), among others, that there has been an increase of 53 per cent in the foreign direct investment (FDI) in the country.

"This is first time that the foreign ministry has taken upon itself the task to boost national development. Never ever in the past domestic development was part of the MEA agenda," he said.

"Previously, it used to be just a ministry for diplomatic purposes. But today, we are performing the diplomatic role, ensuring safety of the Indians in trouble abroad, and also generating funds for the development of the country," the minister said.

Sushma Swaraj said: "Compared to the last year, there's been a rise of 53 per cent in FDI, which is going to the states. With a view to ensure that investments reach the states, a dedicated division has been formed within the MEA. An officer under the MEA Joint Secretary guides the states in making the most of such funds."

The External Affairs Minister also called upon the investors to make greater investments in Madhya Pradesh.

She said her parliamentary constituency, Vidisha, falls within this state, and Budhni, the assembly constituency of state's Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, also falls within her constituency.

"So, those making investments here will avail special benefits...the ministry helps the investors going to other states, but those investing in Madhya Pradesh will get direct assistance from the foreign minister herself," she added.

--IANS

hindi-nir/vt
CM's prerogative, says Congress on sacking of 4 UP ministers

Delhi,National,Politics, Sun, 23 Oct 2016 IANS

New Delhi, Oct 23 (IANS) The Congress on Sunday maintained distance from the internal divide within the Samajwadi Party (SP) and said "it is prerogative of the state's Chief Minister to either sack or add ministers".

A few hours after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav sacked his uncle Shivpal Yadav and three other ministers from the cabinet, the state's ruling Samajwadi Party expelled prominent leader Ram Gopal Yadav from the party.

Ram Gopal was said to be close to the Chief Minister and his expulsion from the party was announced by Shivpal Yadav, who heads the Samajwadi Party's state unit. He was sacked from the cabinet on Sunday morning.

"This is purely an internal matter. Congress has the tradition of not interfering in the internal affairs of any party. In the interest of Uttar Pradesh, they should settle the fight within their own party," Congress spokesperson Tom Vadakkan told IANS.

"It is the prerogative of the chief minister to sack and add ministers. This is a matter which has to be decided internally. We hope that they set their house in order and conduct fair elections in the state," he added.

On being asked about Ram Gopal Yadav, who was expelled from the SP, Vadakkan said: "We are not taking sides. Let them settle the matter internally."

"It wouldn't be appropriate for any party to interfere. We'll speak if it affects the people of Uttar Pradesh," he said.

--IANS

sid/vgu/vt
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Tanzania, where King Mohammed VI is expected on Sunday afternoon, is the second leg in his tour in eastern Africa, a tour that mirrors Moroccos steadfast determination to build on economic diplomacy in order to foster political ties with English speaking African countries.

The delegation accompanying King Mohammed VI is made up of senior King Advisors, ministers and CEO of government and private sector companies as well as leading businessmen, a composition that is in line with Moroccos comprehensive approach to reinvigorate its Africas foreign policy on the basis of co-development and solidarity.

At the political level, the King appointed former Ambassador to Nairobi, Abdelilah Benryane, new ambassador to Tanzania as part of a larger reshuffle of Moroccos diplomatic representations in Africa with the appointment of several ambassadors in countries in which Morocco was diplomatically absent for decades.

The reinvigoration of Moroccos diplomacy in Africa was carried out in tandem with Moroccos submission of an official request to regain its natural place in Africas institutional family, a move that was met with satisfaction by Tanzanias Foreign Minister who welcomed Moroccos bid to return to the African Union.

On the eve of the sovereigns visit to Tanzania, Dar es-Salam hosted the first edition of the Moroccan-Tanzanian Forum on Trade and Investment.

During his visit to Tanzania, the Moroccan Monarch will hold talks with the Tanzanian President John Magufuli as well as with the President of the semi-autonomous archipelago of Zanzibar Ali Mohamed Shein.

As was the case with the visit to Rwanda, the Kings trip to Tanzania will wrap up with the signing of several cooperation agreements in the fields of finance, agriculture, tourism, training and investments.

Tanzania, with its 50 million inhabitants, offers tremendous opportunities to Moroccan investors. Being the most stable country in Eastern Africa, Tanzania has a propitious investment climate. Its GDP rate jumped from 17 billion in 2005 to 46.20 billion dollars in 2015. Tanzanias membership in the Eastern African Community will also open a market of 140 million inhabitants to Moroccan companies.

Morocco could also share with Tanzania its expertise in terms of electrification, as only 20% of Tanzania has access to electricity. The Green Morocco Plan which helped the Kingdom boost agricultural output is also on top of the agenda along with measures to promote and develop the tourist industry.

Through this visit, Morocco evidences its commitment to reach out to African countries through concrete economic cooperation underpinned by solidarity in tandem with its efforts to join the African Union and contribute to the development of the continent.
After Rabat, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Herve Ladsous flew to the southern city of Laayoune where he will meet local authorities and visit the headquarters of the UN mission in the Sahara, MINURSO.

In Rabat, Ladsous held talks with Charki Drais, Minister Delegate to the Interior. Talks focused on the security conditions in the southern provinces, notably on the borders with Mauritania as well as in the Sahel region in light of the surge in terrorist threats, Moroccan local media said.

Drais highlighted during the talks the efforts led by Morocco to promote stability and peace in the Maghreb and the Sahel despite the provocations and attempts to destabilize the region.

This represents a first visit by the UN peacekeeping operations chief since the crisis that broke out between Morocco and the MINURSO on grounds of the controversial visit of the UN Secretary General to the Tindouf camps last March. Ban Ki-moon had then described Moroccos retrieval of its southern provinces as an occupation, thus violating neutrality and sidelining with the separatist thesis.

In addition to Ban Ki-moon verbal blunders, MINURSO has accumulated deviations from its main cease-fire monitoring mission leading Morocco to expel the civilian component of the UN mission from the Sahara. Following negotiations, the Kingdom accepted back 75 civilian MINURSO staffers.

Last August, the UN announced that Christopher Ross is ready for a visit to the region in order to relaunch the negotiation process. This trip is still being examined, said the UN spokesperson, Stephan Dujarric.

For his part, Ban Ki-moon is expected in Marrakech to attend the Climate summit, COP22, slated for November 7-18.
Bitch I hope this is true. I need some new songs when I see her next month in Mexico City while rolling like a motherfucker

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I am SO JEALOUS of everyone going to corona capital bc The Killers will be there too 

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And air, pet shop boys, kraftwerk, Kevin Parker, breakbot, omg

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You are going to be there? D:

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honey, is that true?

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ha joanne era is coming!!

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i think this is accurate, however honeymoon was still amazing

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now y'all got me listening to her unreleased jams



serial killer, fake diamond, and tv in black & white are still my faves

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it's the only unreleased track of hers that I fuck with and it's SO GOOD

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 Never let me go

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FAKE DIAMOND IS AMAZING

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on our way <3



every man gets his wish, meet me in the pale moonlight, gramma (blue ribbon sparkler trailer), last girl on earth <3



idk i really like her unreleased stuff compared to some of the studio songs.

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if you haven't gotten into ANGELS FOREVER, FOREVER ANGELS you should immediately tbh

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"Its coming you little bitch"

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lol iconic

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lmao iconic

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I don't buy it cause Lana usually prepares a whole ensemble before releasing an album



but please, please go back to working with Rick Rubin :/

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She's a guilty pleasure. I can't relate to her sex kitten for dirty old men ever since her teens shtick, and I have moments when I wish I could even though I have no desire to attract dirty old men. Oop at me.

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i always wish i had a more troubled exciting life when i listen to her songs lol

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Lmaooo 

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Same lol

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Lol irl

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Mte when I bop to this is what makes us girls

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Aaaah yes please! It's been a treat to get Ultraviolence and then Honeymoon a year after.



It's great tho that we have hundreds of her leaked demos and unreleased songs to keep us company before she releases a new album lol.

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Haven't cared since she stopped putting effort into her videos

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i still can't believe how she wasted Freak with that bullshit video

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what do you mean by "wasted"? everything in that video is symbolic and the imagery is there for a reason.

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i still love her but wtf @ her recent videos. high by the beach was sooooooooo disappointing.

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tropico curse is real

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she better do the next Bond song

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I am ready for Elizabeth Woolridge!

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i still regularly listen to born to die lol

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One of my favorite albums of all time.



I dislike all of her other albums and it's a shame because BTD means so much to me and reminds me of a really special time in my life.

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same but i can't listen to the others.

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Who doesnt?

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I havent even listenes to honeymoon yet tbh



Im bitter because i used to have like 200 of her unreleased songs before my library corrupted most of it. :( and i cant even replace them bc idk how ~watched xfinity wifi is in my new town.

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Honeymoon is pretty good.

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Honeymoon is a grower, but it's honestly not as bad a people make it sound. Music to Watch Boys To, Salvatore, Blackest Day, Art Deco, Religion are all great songs.



Just don't listen to Honeymoon the song.

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oops @ me I really like the song Honeymoon.

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Tilda Swinton addresses the whitewashing controversy in Marvel's "Doctor Strange" | #DoctorStrangePremiere pic.twitter.com/2ZpQ5vVreH  Variety (@Variety) 21 October 2016

Celtic

Tilda Swinton says shes constantly harassing Kevin Feige to make an Ancient One spinoff movie: https://t.co/hIkDpZXHbZ pic.twitter.com/2Neqo8YoHK  ScreenCrush (@screencrushnews) 21 October 2016

Tilda Swinton attended the world premiere at the TCL Chinese Theatre on Thursday night and told critics:"They need to see the film to understand why Scott Derrickson and Kevin Feige decided to reimagine the Ancient One as a woman. People shouting loud and proud about needing more diversity in Hollywood cinema have got us right behind them."We need to talk about an AncientOne spinoff:"Im pretty confidently dropping hints in Kevin Feiges ear about a prequel, Im constantly harassing him about that. I dont know if itll get anywhere. ... Just leaving the odd hint. Writing the odd note and putting it in his pocket. Writing lipstick messages in his mirror. Just seeing how far we get."Writer Jon Spaihts on the casting choice:"Tilda is an instance of us taking a male role and putting a woman in it, which I think the film badly needed. The comic world of Doctor Strange is very male. So we were looking for opportunities to have not only ethnic diversity, but to have gender diversity in the film."Director Scott Derrickson on the "diversity choice":"I think diversity is the responsibility of directors and producers. In this case, the stereotype of [the Ancient One] had to be undone. I wanted it to be a woman, a middle-aged woman. Every iteration of that script played by an Asian woman felt like a Dragon Lady, Im very sensitive to the history of Dragon Lady representation and Anna May Wong films. I moved away from that. Whos the magical, mystical, woman with secrets that could work in this role? I thought Tilda Swinton."Benedict Wong on his stereotype-dispelling character Master Wong:"The idea of a man servant and tea-making sidekick isnt that appealing. Scott and Kevin said vehemently were not doing this. And I said, Fantastic because neither am I."
India is making the push to become greener through the use of solar panels. The nation is lagging behind other countries in terms of renewables and has finally begun taking the steps to change. Prime Minister Narendra Modis latest mission is to increase manufacturing of solar panels and expand capacity across the country.

The Prayas initiative, the plan to accomplish such tasks, is still in development but will set a goal to create five gigawatts of solar capacity by 2019. The more long-term goal is to have raised capacity to 100 gigawatts by 2022 from the current capacity level of 45 gigawatts. Modis vision is for India to be completely self-sufficient in mass production, hence the slogan Make in India. Less importing of solar panel parts from China could save India a significant amount and stimulate the economy. This initiative has sparked international interests in the country bringing investors to Indias doorstep. The government is also trying to get households involved, which would expand the industry domestically. Dozens of manufacturers are gearing themselves to provide solar panels to consumers who are looking to save and go green.

Most cells and modules used in manufacturing solar panels are imported from China. In the first half of 2016, India imported 18 percent of Chinas production, equivalent to $1.1 billion. Indias businesses lack the economies of scale necessary to effectively produce their own panels and the country altogether spends too much money investing in China. Modis plan also allows for the allocation of roughly 9 million rupees per megawatt manufactured, monetarily motivating companies. The state aid will be awarded to those who get selected via tender. With funding from the state and outside investments from other companies pouring in, India hopes manufacturers will finally be able to raise the capital resources needed to compete on this larger scale. Government officials hope that if India is able to ramp up solar energy production, they too could be exporters like their neighboring competitor. Related: Only Sentiment Matters: Why Oil Prices Are Heading Up Until November

The exchange rate between the two countries is currently 9.91 rupees for every Chinese Yuan. By capitalizing on solar manufacturing, India has the opportunity to steal Chinas market share and increase economic growth. Indian officials claim the Prayas initiative has the potential to create thousands of jobs. This combined with an international interest in the industry is also beneficial and directly challenges Chinas stake. Investors should buy rupees against the Chinese Yuan now before the Prayas initiative is officially released. The plan is to be discussed at the next finance ministry meeting next month.

Japanese SoftBank Group Corp. may be one of the companies manufacturing solar panels in India through a joint venture. The company already holds a $10 billion joint venture to manufacture panels in India with Foxconn Technology Group and Bharti Enterprises Pvt. but is considering dropping them for this project. Foxconn is public in Taiwan and Bharti has a subsidiary which is public in India named Bharti Airtel Limited. Both companies could suffer losses if SoftBank advances without them.

Manufacturers will surely benefit from the governments plan. Companies like Moser Baer, Indosolar, and Swelect Energy are all creating cells and modules that go into solar panels in India. With government funding and the increased opportunities for business, these firms are highly incentivized to help India in their endeavors. Its probable investors could stand to profit if they long shares in any of these companies.

By Michael McDonald of Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
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A new city law that will take effect on Oct. 28 prohibits panhandling on street medians narrower than five feet, or any highway ramp that might be dangerous for pedestrians. Panhandling itself is not illegal.

All 15 members of the council voted in favor of the measure, which the mayor signed into law Wednesday.

According to the ordinance, violators can be fined $50 to $200 plus court costs or imprisoned if unable to pay.

Faith Kohler, director of "30 Seconds Away: Breaking the Cycle," a documentary film about homelessness in Milwaukee, supports the ordinance because panhandling on medians and ramps is not safe for pedestrians and drivers, she said. Taking money out of a wallet or purse when a panhandler approaches also can be dangerous for people who want to help.

"Even if the (panhandler) is truly homeless and has no issues, you dont know that when you drive up and roll your window down. Someone could take your ring off your hand. They could take your finger off your hand to get your ring. They could take your wallet or your purse off the seat," Kohler said.

Tony Cruz, who was asking passing motorists for money on a Fond du Lac Avenue median at Walnut Street, said he will stop standing in medians or prohibited areas when the law takes effect. He lives in a rooming house near Teutonia and Villard with a friend, but might have to go into a shelter if he doesnt make enough money panhandling, he added. In pain from a degenerated hip, the aging Cruz said his disability benefits are not enough to make ends meet.

Despite the language in the ordinance, Kohler doesnt think that people who are homeless and cannot pay a fine will be imprisoned. Noting that her film was used as part of Municipal Courts staff training this year, she said the court has made a lot of progress toward understanding the complex issues of homelessness. Increasingly, the court is working with homeless people to find suitable diversionary programs that give them access to services and resources, Kohler said.

Alderman Tony Zielinski, of the 14th District, who posted the text of the ordinance on his Facebook page, agrees that violators will not be incarcerated.

"There isnt enough room in our jails to incarcerate people for this violation," he said.

Kohler said that panhandlers may not be homeless or without funds, and may be asking for money to support alcohol or drug addictions. She added that police and community outreach workers generally know the people who are truly in need.

According to Zielinski, if people want to help panhandlers, they should contribute to organizations that provide job training, AODA (alcohol and other drug abuse) counseling, mental health and other services to them. "Were trying to educate the public  and the panhandlers on the services that are out there so that they can get the help that they need."

Stephanie Roades, a community activist and Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) organizer, said the ordinance is unkind and not likely to deter people from panhandling or alleviate the serious issues many city residents are facing.

"There are actually people out there who are working and cannot afford their everyday needs. They may be able to pay their rent but not (buy) their medicines or food."

Noting that she sees people asking for donations on Facebook because they cant pay medical bills, she said that people are asking for money everywhere, all the time.

"This is really just about (pointing out) a very specific group of people that weve deemed unsightly and unworthy and (saying) that they cant ask for money," Roades said.

Roades said she thinks those who support the ordinance dont appreciate how many obstacles there are for people struggling with poverty, mental illness and addiction. For some, a few dollars is necessary for their daily survival, she said.

Kohler suggested that rather than calling police to ticket panhandlers, people should call a homeless outreach officer. Enforcing the ordinance should be the last resort, when panhandlers behavior becomes a nuisance, Kohler said.

Beth Weirick, CEO of Milwaukee Downtown (Business Improvement District #21), supports the new ordinance. Her organization is working on an initiative to discourage panhandling and encourage giving to organizations that work toward longer-term solutions for people who need financial and other assistance. She expects that program to launch in the spring.

Pointing to the generosity of the community, Weirick said, "You can go (seven days a week) for breakfast at the Gathering on 10th and Wisconsin. You can go for lunch and an afternoon snack at Open Door Cafe  and then you can go to St. Bens for dinner." There is no shortage of accessible free meals, she said.

Weirick added that she sees how panhandlers spend their money, and she believes most of it is used to buy alcohol and drugs. This contributes to unhealthy lives for them and a negative environment for everyone else, she said.

James Pinkin, 39, who regularly asks Marquette students and other passersby for spare change on Wisconsin Avenue just west of 16th Street, said he sometimes panhandles on medians. When he heard about the new ordinance, he said he will stop. Pinkin said he lives at the Milwaukee Rescue Mission, 830 N. 19th St., where he is given food on some days. Not many people give him money, he said, but some buy him food.

Asking pedestrians for money outside the Federal Office Building, 517 E. Wisconsin Ave., Mr. Ricks noted that he isnt able to access medians and highway ramps because he is in a wheelchair. Ricks, who declined to give his first name, said he is opposed to panhandling on medians because its too dangerous. He panhandles to supplement his Social Security disability income, which isnt enough to live on.

The new ordinance is part of a local effort to discourage panhandling. A campaign called "Keep the Change" encourages businesses to post signs asking would-be givers to donate to social service organizations rather than giving money to panhandlers.

Roades is working with a group that is organizing a boycott of businesses that support "Keep the Change."

"If (the Common Council) wants to talk about helping people, lets have a real conversation about the  root causes of all these problems," she said.


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I believe that big is dangerous. Too big is abnormal, unhealthy and an abomination against nature. We see dangerous bigness in freaks of nature, in corporations and in billionaires.

In nature freakishly huge creatures do not do well. They die young.

The rise of giant corporations is a relatively new phenomenon. It started several hundred years ago with the East Indies company, which was partly owned by the king of England.

Billionaires have been around for longer. If we include royalty-- kings and queens, emperors and empresses, emirs, shahs-- used to hold their power by claiming they were chosen by and represented god. That time is over.

The reality is, giant corporations and billionaires are incredibly dangerous for humanity, for the planet, for ecosystems and the future of life on this planet. We need to develop values, attitudes, policies and laws that reject them, that make them not only illegal to exist but an abomination to attempt to become.

Today, there are two news items that stand out as obscene threats because of their bigness.

First, AT&T aims to acquire Time Warner. AT&T is already too big. Merging with Time Warner is a very bad idea. A company that provides access to media-- via tens of millions of smart phones, tablets, and Dish TV should not also be in the content business. It's too easy to decide what people should and shouldn't watch, what stories should and should not be told. No company should be able to spend $80 billion to buy another company. There should be size limits on companies. If companies get that big they should be broken up into smaller companies. They should never be allowed to merge to create leviathans that reached new heights of power.

Next, we have the Las Vegas Review Journal, which was acquired late last year by Billionaire Sheldon Adelson. It's become the first major newspaper to endorse narcissist Sociopath Donald Trump for president. When I read the headline that a Las Vegas major newspaper had endorsed Trump, I was certain, before seeing the details, that it was Adelson's paper. Billionaires are extremely dangerous people, even the ones with good intentions. They have too much wealth, which gives them too much power and influence.

Newspapers should endorse based on the process most newspapers use. An editorial board composed of journalistic professionals talks to the major candidates and then issues endorsement based on the responses the candidates gave. How can anyone possibly trust a compromised newspaper like the Las Vegas Review Journal, or, for that matter, the Washington Post, which is now owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

I've based my beliefs about bigness on a set of bottom up values I've developed, through hundreds of conversations with people who have spent their lives working with bottom up ideas-- entrepreneurs, activists, politicians, whistleblowers, anthropologists, psychologists, indigenous peoples. For 99% of the time humans exists, bigness such as we see now was considered abnormal, unhealthy and insane. People who tried to accumulate wealth, like billionaires do would be considered insane and shunned by the band or tribe.

Unfortunately, now, there are billions of people who have been raised under the darkness of authoritarian religions and regimes so they have come to accept bigness and the domination that comes with it. They've actually learned to NEED authoritarian figures and social and cultural settings to feel safe. They run to escape situations where equality and lack of hierarchy are created.

We need to develop a new bottom up collection of values, a new value system that builds, from the bottom up, beliefs that see hierarchy as occasionally necessary, but also something very dangerous, that sees acceptance and embrace of authority and authoritarianism as a moral weakness, like alcoholism or addiction. We need to see striving to become extremely wealthy as a form of vice similar to addiction to heroin or sex.

The way we heal these pathologies must start, from the bottom up, in the cradle, with parents being given family leave time to properly raise children. With the right to have a child should come the responsibility to competently parent the child. Every parent should be required to learn what it takes to parent properly. When proper parenting, meaning parenting which produces healthy, well balanced children and adults who function optimally within society, does not happen, narcissistic, damaged, psychopathic or sociopathic or sociopathy tending children and adults are produced-- ones who embrace authoritarianism.

We need to stop allowing the creation of massive companies, stop allowing the existence of billionaires (I've written a whole series of articles on this,) and we need to start giving extended parental leave and requiring parenting training... and provide help to parents so children are raised in properly nurturing milieus. Those are some bigger goals. But today, we need to speak up to stop the AT&T acquisition of Time Warner, and we need to send a message to Sheldon Adelson that his newspaper endorsement isn't worth a penny.
The most critical questions in this election were pointedly never asked. Do the candidates see nuclear war as "winnable", as neocon think tanks now postulate (and the Rand Corporation has claimed) - and are they willing to use nuclear weapons, regardless of the consequences for humanity? Do they understand the consequences of demonizing Russia and its leader without producing any real evidence to support those charges, of replacing diplomatic relations with expanded economic sanctions and threats of attacks on Russia ? Do they seek a war with Russia in spite of the risk of global devastation ? If so, why?

The world knows Mrs. Clinton to be a war hawk with an atrocious record for failed regime change operations, for destroying societies and leaving the hapless citizens to fester in post-bombing chaos and filth. The devastation of Libya and the civil war in Ukraine, the coup in Honduras were all Hillary operations. (She was also instrumental in continuing the wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Somalia). The horrific consequences of these failures have given pause to Obama as the Washington foreign policy elite clamor for more wars across the planet (examined in depth in Pepe Escobar's book, Empire of Chaos). Mrs. Clinton now harps on - promises - a no-fly zone in Syria, which everybody understands means war with Russia and its ally China, both nuclear-armed powers. She appears to be willing to risk nuclear confrontation in order to overthrow the democratically elected leader of Syria and balkanize the nation for the benefit of both Israel and the Saudis. Syria is already shattered, with hundreds of thousands dead and displaced, a catastrophe almost entirely attributable to US intervention and support of terrorist factions. The release of DOS emails has given us all a sickening wake-up call. Not only is the public being duped and manipulated with lies and propaganda, but the amoral lust for unchallenged power and endless war seeps from every communication. How could any woman support another female who had such a dearth of empathy and human dignity that she could cackle with glee as she murdered and exiled millions of innocent civilians; as she overthrew a democratically elected leader in Honduras for the "crime" of raising the minimum wage; Who could vote to give this woman the power to initiate a global war ? Not me.

Throughout the Cold War 1950s and 1960s diplomats walked on eggs in negotiations with Russia, with contingency communication methods in place to avoid a Fail Safe mistake - and thank goodness. They understood what was at stake - the annihilation of the planet earth and all life on it. Since the fall of the Soviet Union the requisite fear of nuclear Armageddon seems to have been lost, while the collapse of dialogue between the White House and the Kremlin raises the risk of a lethal mistake.

In a Spectator essay Rod Liddle wrote , I was sentient only during the latter stages of the Cold War but from what I can remember, the two sides, them and us, behaved for the most part with a degree of rationality and common sense.... Today, when some deranged Tory MP clambers to his feet and demands we start shooting down Russian jets, it is evident to everyone that he is not joking, merely idiotic and dangerous. But it is a gung-ho idiocy which is catching. Every day sees a ratcheting up of the rhetoric against Russia.

Donald Trump has questioned the point of NATO in a post-Soviet world, the need for 800 US military bases abroad, the gross failures of US intervention in the Mideast and the Ukraine - and Russia expert Stephen Cohen agrees with his doubts. Instead of giving his arguments the serious consideration they merit, US MSM mocks him as a Putin lover. Admittedly Trump's understanding of foreign policy is muddled and founded in his personal biases. He thinks war is bad for business - but at least he thinks war is bad.

Russia: the "too big to fail" nation

In 2016 even Zbig Brzezinski understands a concept obvious to every other nation - the multi-polar world. i.e., that the US can no longer 'own' the planet earth, bomb countries at will or win a war against Russia. Even Mr. Brzezinski advises forging ties with Russia and China, implicitly admitting that his "grand chessboard" scheme was fatally flawed. Russia experts, notably Stephan Cohen, agree that taunting Russia with NATO (read US) missile bases pressed against Russia's borders is foolish in the extreme. Some have written that, compared to Mrs. Clinton, Obama is a 'peace-nik for his rejection of war against Russia. As for attacking Russian soil, have the Neocons learned nothing from Hitler and Napoleon? Have they never played the board game "Risk"? Do they not get that Russia, who lost 23 million soldiers and civilians fighting the Nazi invasion, is the original "too big to fail" nation, that it cannot and will not be conquered ? Hubris. Arrogance. What other words are there to describe US saber rattling and anti-Russian propaganda.

Robert Parry at Consortium News compiled a list of Cold War Warnings from former diplomats and Defense Secretaries :

George Kennan, the dean of U.S. diplomats during the Cold War, predicted in 1997 that NATO's reckless expansion could only lead to "a new Cold War, probably ending in a hot one, and the end of the effort to achieve a workable democracy in Russia."

Last year, former Secretary of Defense William Perry warned that we "are on the brink of a new nuclear arms race," with all the vast expense -- and dangers of a global holocaust -- of its Cold War predecessor.

And just this month, President Obama's own former Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel warned that NATO's plans to deploy four battalions to the Baltic States could result "very quickly in another Cold War buildup here, that really makes no sense for either side." If "we continue to build up the eastern flank of NATO, with more battalions, more exercises, and more ships and more platforms," he told an audience at the Atlantic Council, "the Russians will respond. I'm not sure where that takes you....Nobody knows where it takes us, and that's the problem. It could take us all too easily from small provocations to a series of escalations by each side to show they mean business. And given the trip-wire effect of nuclear weapons stored on NATO's soil, the danger of escalation to nuclear war is entirely real.

As foreign policy expert Jeffrey Taylor commented recently, "The Obama administration is setting the stage for endless confrontation, and possibly even war, with Russia, and with no public debate."

And this published this morning by Diana Johnstone, author of Queen of Chaos: The Misadventures of Hillary Clinton: It has become crystal clear. For the record, here it is. She has big ambitions, which she does not spell out for fear of frightening part of the electorate, but which are perfectly understood by her closest aides and biggest donors. She wants to achieve regime change in Russia... This ambition is backed by possession of nuclear weapons. I am by no means saying that this plan will succeed. But it is very clearly the plan. The electoral circus is a distraction from such crucially serious matters.

And this from Pepe Escobar's article, Hillary Queen of War : Tehran has myriad reasons to be on red alert if the Full Spectrum Dominatrix gets her hands on the nuclear codes (how's that not scarier than Trump?) She will act as a surefire faithful servant of the Saudi/Israeli alliance. The road map is ready. And neocons and neoliberalcons alike can hardly contain their excitement at seeing in action "a force that can flex across several different mission sets and prevail."

And this from Philip Giraldi, former CIA officer and executive director of the Council for the National Interest: Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton is calling Putin a new Hitler while the New York Times editorializes against "Vladimir Putin's Outlaw State." And the real danger is that the Russian people are watching this display with concern and might soon believe themselves to be backed into a corner by an implacable enemy.... The insistence on the part of the many in the West that Putin must be resisted by using force majeure if necessary is based on gross exaggeration of the actual threat coming from Moscow. That nuclear weapons are now apparently employable in the plans for deterrence on the part of NATO, as well as in the Russian plans for self-defense, should be a terrifying prospect for anyone who cares about what might come next.

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From Reader Supported News

Psssssst ... Hey, Trump supporters, the Never Trumpers have abandoned you. They are doing everything they can to stop your guy. I just have to ask, why should you remain loyal to them? Let's face it, they have ruined any chance your guy had to become president. Why don't you send them a message? Don't vote in the down-ballot races, and let them pay a price for their decision.

Okay, you're right: I have no sympathy for Donald Trump and I think he ruined his own campaign. I don't believe he believes any of his populist message. I think he is using your anger and desire for change. He says what he knows you want to hear. If you really want change and want to reform our politics, then throw the bums out! Here is a list of just the GOP members of Congress who are not voting a straight party line.

Paul Ryan said he will no longer have Trump's back. So don't have his back. Don't vote for him.

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen said she will write Jeb Bush's name in on the ballot in November. So you should write in someone else's name in her Congressional race.

Charlie Dent, a moderate Republican who represents southeastern Pennsylvania, said he doesn't intend to vote for Trump or Clinton. "I'm not planning to vote for either of the two major-party nominees." Vote third party in his race too.

Adam Kinzinger, who criticized Ted Cruz for not endorsing Trump at the convention in Cleveland, is now saying he can't vote for Trump. You shouldn't vote for Kinzinger either.

Mike Coffman said, "For the good of the country, and to give the Republicans a chance of defeating Hillary Clinton, Mr. Trump should step aside." Give him his walking papers.

Bob Dold said, "Whether it be Mr. Trump's comments about women, his comments about Muslims, his comments about Latinos, for me it was very personal his comments about POWs.... I want to make [sure] that I'm clear about this, I'm not going to support Hillary Clinton either. I would write someone in." Well, so should you in his Congressional race.

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Wahinkpe Topa (Four Arrows)

Fielding Graduate University



Protest against the Dakota Access Pipeline

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Over the past few decades universities have increasingly institutionalized the myth of objectivity. Standing up for positions on controversial public issues seldom comes from administrators on high. Worse, this unwillingness to do so has made its way into the hearts and minds of many faculty and students. The rationalization is that neutrality is an academic requirement. In his piece "Why the Revolution will not be Tweeted, Malcom Gladwell writes, "Where activists were once defined by their causes, they are now defined by their tools" (Gladwell, 2010). Although he was referring to social media, this applies equally to the focus on the "tools" offered in universities. As the title of Howard Zinn's autobiography states, however, we cannot be neutral on a moving train. If being so is the new mantra of fear-based, corporatized and consumer oriented schooling, we must leave the hard work of pro-social activism to those without college degrees it seems.

University silence on the Standing Rock Water Protection Movement in North Dakota is a case in point. As is happening elsewhere on the globe, Indigenous Peoples struggling to survive on their reservations are taking the lead in trying to make the world a better place for future generations. Representatives from higher education are strikingly absent. A Google search for "Universities and Standing Rock" and a variety of other related key word searches revealed only a large group of students at the University of San Francisco were gathering donations for the "water protectors;" the University of Colorado Law School is offering free legal services for those being arrested; 160 University of Toronto students, faculty and staff expressed support in their university newsletter; the California Faculty Association issued a strong statement of solidarity; and Stony Book faculty did so as well. One student at a town hall meeting at Souphanouvong University in Laos expressed support during Obama's visit (which led to Obama speaking out saying supportively that the Indian voice is being heard around the world and asking the corporation to voluntarily stop its action). A few Native American Student Associations on various campuses took a stand of course. Although all the Tribal College presidents have taken a position, I could not find another president that has done so.

I did come across an article in The Nation by Scott Sherman entitled, "University Presidents-Speak Out! (Where are their voices on the major issues of the day" (2013)? Sherman writes that the "timidity of presidents is particularly striking in the context of diminishing public funds for higher education." This says a lot about the corporatization and consumer orientation in higher education today I think. The article ends with a 1996 quote from Leon Botstein of Bard worth sharing:

A college president has an obligation to be more outspoken than the average citizen". Failure to be in a leadership role on matters of public policy"is an act of cowardice and an avoidance of responsibility. We need to teach our students that the civilized assertion of one's beliefs is an obligation, an honor, and a pleasure.

Sherman interviewed Botstein in 2013 for the article, asking him if he still felt the same way. Botstein replied "I would only strengthen the sentiment."

What does such silence in Higher Education mean specifically relating to the Standing Rock effort? How much do students know about this need to protect water against the steamrolling corporation infamously known for its corruption and bulldozing its way through and around permit processes and legislative or judicial bodies? Is it really best for higher education to avoid serious study and positioning of this topic to those outside the halls of ivory? Before commenting on this last question, I suggest we consider how many people outside of higher education are supporting Standing. For example, the Islamic Center of San Diego pledge its support as did Michael Curry, the Bishop of the Episcopal church. Many celebrities such as Joanie Mitchel, Neil Young, Johnny Dep, Leonardo DiCaprio, Susan Sarandon, Shaliene Woodley, have not only spoken out in support but many have been on the scene risking arrest. Robert Redford's support is articulated on Youtube and in a Time Magazine tweet where he writes:

Though not all of us are able to go to North Dakota and actually stand with Standing Rock, we can stand united. We can be a sea of people, rising up together to prevent the seas from rising and our history of mistreatment of Native Americas from repeating. The Sioux people of North Dakota aren't just fighting for their homes and their water. They're fighting for our homes and water, our families and futures, our children's chances for a habitable home. http://time.com/4501580/ dakota-access-pipeline- protest/

As for politicians and federal agencies, Bernie Sanders has taken a strong stand. (http://kfor.com/2016/10/14/ sen-bernie-sanders-asking- president-obama-to-halt-north- dakota-pipeline-for-full- review/) and Green Party candidate, Jill Stein, has as well, having herself been on the scene in North Dakota. Also federal agencies have ironically sided with the Indians in rhetoric at least. An early letter from the Department of Justice, for example. https://www.justice.gov/opa/ pr/joint-statement-department- justice-department-army-and- department-interior-regarding- standing . There are also letters from The Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Interior, and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation that boggle the mind as to why the pipeline continues. The letters severely criticize and question the Army Corps of Engineers lack of consultation with tribal nations about the pipeline project, a process required by federal law. (Online PDF versions of letters here: EPA, DOI, ACHP )

Of course, most of the environmental groups from Greenpeace to 360.org have taken strong stands. After all, unlike the U.S. Republic legislators (and most universities), they know that climate change is human caused and a serious threat to our world and that this pipeline and the effort to stop it could be the turning point for the big oil companies to final move into the alternative energy business.

In light of these individuals, groups and agencies taking a position about the importance of this struggle in North Dakota, I return to my question, "Is it really best for higher education to leave the issue to those outside the halls of ivory? I do not believe it does. A professor in a class has the academic freedom to take a position if it is relevant at all to the course being taught. Oil extraction and transfer is relevant to most if not all courses. Good professors know that they must encourage students to question their positions and offer researched challenges if there is disagreement. This is the hallmark for teaching critical thinking in higher education. If deans, presidents, provosts cannot take a position on something as important as what is happening in Standing Rock for all the reasons being touted by the religious groups, the celebrities, and others, then we must ask if the reasons are based in fear of losing a "customer" or two more than on safeguarding the myth of objectivity. Fear of personal or political pushback may largely be responsible for moving us to the edge of mass extinction. If we have to let higher education take a back seat to movie stars to get the word out, we are not likely to solve our problems. When even sustainability groups at universities are reluctant to take a stand in solidarity with the water protectors at Standing Rock so as to avoid confrontation or because they see the efforts there as militant, we know our universities whose curriculum like the current presidential debates too seldom engage such topics, it should give us all pause. The sacred, prayerful and courageous efforts of the Standing Rock water protectors have a role to play in maintaining a healthy world for future generations. So do those involved in higher education.

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THE PURPOSE OF EDUCATION

In terms of educational reform, charter schools will only make the present system of education more efficient in meeting the specific needs of a maladjusted society and an avaricious industry, as opposed to the human needs of the individual student.

Our present system of education, with its emphasis on "Standardized Testing," is both a glowing success and a colossal failure. The side one may come down on depends on what we may perceive the purpose of education to be. The current clamor calls not for reform but simply for ways to increase the efficiency of a system whose premise and purpose must be questioned. The success or failure of an honest reform of the present system may well decide the fate of the American experiment.

If viewed honestly, the purpose of the current system of education is primarily designed to assure that industry will be supplied with a competent work force and that society will be made up of a stable citizenry. The rewards for compliance are monetary gain and social acceptance. In this respect, there is no question but that our current system is a glowing success, and nothing could better serve this educational purpose than standardized testing. With its emphasis on retention rather than thought, it makes for an unquestioning employee and an acquiescent civilian. This, in turn, makes possible a consumer-driven economy and society in which both value and achievement are measured, most often, in material gain. What we have in place of education is indoctrination. Such a system may instruct us as to the best way to "make a living," but little in the ways in which we might live.

Standardized testing has become the mainstay of both "No Child Left Behind" of the Bush era and the more recent "Race to the Top" and "Core Curriculum." The strategy's dubious success in terms of student and public acceptance has the professionals scrambling for answers. What the public and the professionals cannot seem to come to grips with is the void in student gratification that comes from having little or no voice in the procedure. The pride and joy of learning are replaced with an award for retention of data. This, unfortunately, diminishes the desire to learn, and it is my contention that the best teacher in the world cannot teach a student who has little or no desire to learn, while the student with such a desire cannot be prevented from learning.

In weighing the arguments for or against, I would like to add just two specific failings of the current system that are too often overlooked and ways in which they might be overcome. It may be well at this point to turn for the first to Socrates, who said, "I cannot teach anybody anything. I can only make him think." It should be obvious, I should think, that the current system of instruction will, more than likely, actually discourage thinking and depress creativity. This approach stands in sharp contrast to the Socratic practice in which the teacher, by asking questions, guides students to discovery. Curiosity is another victim of the current system in which instruction becomes obstruction. Again, as Socrates reminds us, "Wonder is the beginning of wisdom." Here is a concluding admonition from this great mind that is well worth remembering: "The most important of all knowledge is how best to live."

How best to live is to live a full life. The full life I refer to is a life in which the individual has the opportunity to realize his or her innate and unique potential as a human being. To inhibit this potential is to deny it. The harmful effect of this inhibition for the individual student is incalculable. To paraphrase William Saroyan, it takes a lot of learning for a man to get to be himself. In the present system, this aspect of what it should mean to be educated and human is painfully ignored, and we should realize that the only true happiness one can know comes not from the acquisition of wealth but from the fulfillment of individual potential, whatever that may be. The objective of the system should be to help the individual student to find himself as something other than a lackey for industry and a sycophant for society.

Then, of course, there is the corruption born of a system that moves us from simple need to greed. It's not only the system that becomes corrupt, for ultimately it will pervade the entire society it ostensibly serves. It has been sufficiently shown time and again that standardized testing leads to an irresistible tendency to cheat. It begins with the student whose subsequent life may be colored by what he scores. Then we have the teacher whose very employment may depend on the scores of those students. The same can be said of administrators who supervise the teachers. But it must be noted that it doesn't stop there. An investigative report released in July of 2011 found that 44 out of 56 schools in Atlanta, Georgia cheated on the 2009 Criterion-Referenced Competency Test (CRCT). Guilty teachers and administrators all confessed to cheating and blamed "inordinate pressure" to meet targets set by district officials, saying that they faced severe consequences such as a negative evaluation or termination if they didn't.

Who can doubt that such a tendency will inevitably carry over into the society at large, and since cheating has become so widespread, can easily be seen as not only an acceptable practice but a mandatory one? Morality is undermined. Trust is lost, and with the loss of trust, humanity is lost. This is a dire picture indeed. Can there be any hope?

I cautiously suggest that there just may be. It will of course demand a reversal of societal values with nothing short of revolution. For those who may scorn the possibility, I would remind them that it was not so long ago that women could not even vote. It was not so long ago that racism was tolerated, schools were segregated, and everyone not a WASP was stigmatized in some fashion or other. Admittedly, no less than with the others, it will be a slow but inevitable process, but I fear that the only alternative is anarchy and a failed state. It will mean that the values of humanity, altruism and brotherhood must replace the greed of a capitalistic economy that has lost its way--a capitalistic society that has planted the seeds of its own destruction. We must adhere to the Socratic admonition, "Prefer knowledge to wealth, for one is transitory, the other perpetual."

As with any revolutionary change, it begins with education. To combat American exceptionalism, history must be revised to reveal the excesses of American imperialism. Geography must be reinstated to help us realize our global obligations. The sciences must be approached from a humanistic standpoint that allows for ethical considerations to keep pace with technology. The arts can no longer be considered a luxury relegated to the periphery. They are a necessity.

There is one last observation which I would like to make in this appeal. Since most of our current curricula are designed to meet the needs of industry and society, any meaningful reform will require an alteration of focus in which the intellectual and emotional needs of the individual student are paramount and properly addressed. In this regard, I would strongly suggest that the abhorrent standardized testing be replaced with aptitude testing beginning in pre-school. With the realization that each child has his or her own unique, innate potential, it would seem that unless that potential is recognized at an early stage, the child's chances for the joy of fulfillment as a human being become limited.

Such an approach will most certainly meet with powerful opposition not only from an industry for which our current system is, in reality, a training ground, but also from a society that is all too comfortable with having us all alike. Before we ask the question of how to increase the effectiveness of the present system, we had best address the question of just what the purpose of education should be.
From Robert Reich Blog

Donald Trump's warning that he might not accept the results of the presidential election exemplifies his approach to everything: Do whatever it takes to win, even if that means undermining the integrity of the entire system.

Trump isn't alone. The same approach underlies Senator John McCain's recent warning that Senate Republicans will unite against any Supreme Court nominee Hillary Clinton might put up, if she becomes president.

The Republican Party as a whole has embraced this philosophy for more than two decades. After Newt Gingrich took over as Speaker of the House in 1995, compromise was replaced by brinksmanship, and normal legislative maneuvering was supplanted by threats to close down the government -- which occurred at the end of that year.

Like Trump, Gingrich did whatever it took to win, regardless of the consequences. In 1996, during the debates over welfare reform, he racially stereotyped African-Americans. In 2010 he fueled the birther movement by saying President Obama exhibited "Kenyan, anticolonial behavior." Two years later, in his unsuccessful bid for the Republican presidential nomination, he called President Obama the "food stamp president."

As political observers Norman Ornstein of the American Enterprise Institute and Thomas Mann of Brookings have noted, "the forces Mr. Gingrich unleashed destroyed whatever comity existed across party lines." Gingrich's Republican Party became "ideologically extreme; scornful of compromise; unmoved by conventional understanding of facts, evidence and science; and dismissive of the legitimacy of its political opposition."

In truth, it's not just Republicans and not just relationships between the two major parties that have suffered from the prevailing ethos. During this year's Democratic primaries, former Democratic National Committee chair Debbie Wasserman-Schultz and her staff showed disdain for the integrity of the political process by discussing ways to derail Bernie Sanders's campaign, according to hacked emails.

The same ethos is taking over the private sector. When they pushed employees to open new accounts, Wells Fargo CEO John Strumpf and his management team chose to win regardless of the long-term consequences of their strategy. The scheme seemed to work, at least in the short term. Strumpf and his colleagues made a bundle.

Mylan Pharmaceuticals CEO Heather Bresch didn't worry about the larger consequences of jacking up the cost of life-saving EpiPens from $100 for a two-pack to $608, because it made her and her team lots of money.

Martin Shkreli, former CEO of Turin Pharmaceuticals, didn't worry about the consequences of price-gouging customers. Called before Congress to explain, he invoked the Fifth Amendment, then tweeted that the lawmakers who questioned his tactics were "imbeciles."

A decade ago, Wall Street's leading bankers didn't worry about the consequences of their actions for the integrity of the American financial system. They encouraged predatory mortgage lending by bundling risky mortgages with other securities and then selling them to unwary investors because it made them a boatload of money, and knew they were too big to fail.

Even when some of these trust-destroyers get nailed with fines or penalties, or public rebuke, they don't bear the larger costs of undermining public trust. So they continue racing to the bottom.

Some bankers who presided over the Wall Street debacle, such as Jamie Dimon of JPMorgan Chase, remain at the helm -- and are trying to water down regulations designed to stop them from putting the economy at risk again.

Meanwhile, according to the New York Times, Newt Gingrich is positioning himself to be the politician best able to mobilize Trump supporters going forward.

"I don't defend him [Trump] when he wanders off," Gingrich recently told ABC News. But "there's a big Trump and there's a little Trump," he said, explaining that the "big Trump" is the one who has created issues that make "the establishment" very uncomfortable. "The big Trump," he said, "is a historic figure."

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From Consortium News



Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speaking at an Atlantic Council event in 2013.

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As polls show Hillary Clinton closing in on victory, Official Washington's neoconservative (and liberal-hawk) foreign policy establishment is rubbing its hands in anticipation of more war and more strife, including a U.S. military escalation in Syria, a take-down of Iran, and a showdown with nuclear-armed Russia.

What is perhaps most alarming about this new "group think" is that there doesn't appear to be any significant resistance to the expectation that President Hillary Clinton will unleash these neocon/liberal-hawk forces of intervention that President Barack Obama has somewhat restrained.

Assuming Donald Trump's defeat -- increasingly seen as a foregone conclusion -- the Republican leadership would mostly be in sync with Clinton if she adopts a hawkish foreign policy similar to what was pursued by President George W. Bush. Meanwhile, most Democrats would be hesitant to challenge their party's new president.

The only potential option to constrain the hawkish Clinton would be the emergence of a "peace" wing of the Democratic Party, possibly aligned with Republican anti-interventionists. But that possibility remains problematic especially since those two political elements have major policy disagreements on a wide variety of other topics.

There also isn't an obvious individual for the peace factions to organize around. Sen. Bernie Sanders, who mildly criticized Clinton's advocacy of "regime change" operations during the primary campaign, is 75 years old and isn't particularly known for his stands on foreign policy issues.

If Trump loses, the bombastic real-estate mogul would likely be a spent political force, possibly retreating into the paranoid "alt-right" world of conspiracy theories. Even now, his dovish objection to confronting Russia has been undermined by his tendency to speak carelessly about other national security topics, such as torture, terrorism and nuclear weapons.

One potential leader of a peace movement would be Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, a 35-year-old military veteran who is one of the few members of Congress to offer an insightful and courageous critique of the dangers from an interventionist foreign policy. But Gabbard would be putting her promising political career at risk if she challenged a sitting Democratic president, especially early in Clinton's White House term.

Yet, without a modern-day Eugene McCarthy (the anti-Vietnam War Democrat who took on President Lyndon Johnson in 1968) to rally an anti-war movement from inside the Democratic Party, it is hard to imagine how significant political pressure could be put on a President Hillary Clinton. Virtually the entire mainstream U.S. media (and much of the progressive media) are onboard for a U.S. "regime change" operation in Syria and for getting tough with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Not Thought Through

These "group thinks" on Syria and Russia, like previous ones on Iraq and Libya, have not been thought through, but are driven instead by emotional appeals -- photos of wounded children in Syria and animosity toward Putin for not wearing a shirt and not bowing to U.S. global supremacy. As with Iraq in 2003 and Libya in 2011, there is little consideration about what might follow a successful "regime change" scenario in Syria or Russia.

In Syria, a "no-fly zone" destroying Syria's air force and air defenses could pave the way for a victory by Al Qaeda's recently renamed Nusra Front and/or Al Qaeda's spinoff, the Islamic State. How letting major terrorist groups control Damascus would be good for either the Syrian people or the United States gets barely mentioned.

The dreamy thinking is that somehow the hard-to-find "moderate" rebels -- sometimes called the "unicorns" -- would prevail, even though they have existed mostly as cut-outs and conduits so Al Qaeda and its allies can secure advanced U.S. weapons to use for killing Syrian soldiers.

Yet, even more dangerous is the already-launched destabilization campaign against nuclear-armed Russia, a policy that may feel-good because we're taught to despise Vladimir Putin. But this latest neocon/liberal-hawk "regime change" scheme -- even if it somehow were "successful" -- is not likely to install in the Kremlin one of the U.S.-favored "liberals" who would allow the resumption of the 1990s-era plundering of Russia's wealth.

Far more likely, an angry Russian population would go for a much-harder-line nationalist than Putin, someone who might see nuclear weapons as the only way to protect Mother Russia from another raping by the West. It's not the cold-blooded Putin who should scare Americans, but the hot-headed guy next in line.

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Final Presidential Debate

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The big story concerning the last presidential debate is, according to the mainstream media, the fact that Trump said that he might not accept the results of the presidential election on 9th November. This was supposed to be an unprecedented scandal.

But Trump would have to be a fool to vow to accept the reported results unconditionally. That would open the floodgates all manner of rigging that Hillary and her allies are capable of - with Trump pledged to ignore them. As Trump said in the debate there are millions registered to vote illegally and these are certainly going to be new entrants to the US who will fear a Trump immigration policy.



Earlier Hillary said all residents in the US, illegal or not, should be able to vote. This has not happened but it speaks to her methods

It is a matter of record that Al Gore was cheated out of the presidency by George W. Bush in 2000 by irregular maneuvering of the count. (And how different the world would be if Bush had not been elected.)

The indignant posture of the pundits shows how little the real world impacts on the media bubble they inhabit.

That "big story" is not a story at all but just another ploy designed to discredit Trump. But the American people are not fools. They understand exactly why Trump made that statement.

So why do I say Trump might still win?

To understand this fully you have to stand back and compare the two candidates as personalities with their own record and histories. If, as I have, you have watched the presidential debates they emerge as complete opposites personalities. I will discuss policies just briefly at the end of this piece.

But let's start with the polls which are showing Hillary a long way ahead and apparently pulling away. I predicted that the Conservatives would win the 2015 UK elections, five weeks before the event, when according to Nick Robinson, BBC, the day after the election,

"No pollsters, no pundits, no political leaders saw it coming. Even David Cameron, himself did not see it coming. This was a day no one expected. No one could take it in."

One of the reasons for all the commentators getting it wrong is that, despite a long history of polls being wrong, commentators still believe them. They ignore one simple fact. People don't tell the truth when they respond to pollsters' questions. They reserve their true opinion for the ballot box.

This is very much the case when one of the contestants presents what is in many ways an unacceptable profile. In 2015 people did not like to say they would vote for the Conservatives because of poor image of being on the side of the rich and the cabinet being made up of Old Etonians as well a few other PR problems.

It was the same with the Brexit vote, where Brexiteers had been presented as "fascists", "racists", "xenophobes", "ignorant", and so on by the mainstream media. These slurs prevent people answering honestly outside the ballot box.

So it is with Trump. He has been so vilified by the media that people cannot face justifying their true opinion to a pollster and so take the easy way out -- as is their right.

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Why Trump Might Still Win -- If the Vote is not Rigged Why might Trump still win? To understand this fully you have to stand back and compare the two candidates as personalities. This is far more important than the policy arguments. One of the reasons for commentators getting election predictions wrong so often is that, they still believe polls. But people don't tell the truth when they respond to pollsters' questions. They reserve their true opinion for the ballot box Saturday, October 22, 2016Why might Trump still win? To understand this fully you have to stand back and compare the two candidates as personalities. This is far more important than the policy arguments. One of the reasons for commentators getting election predictions wrong so often is that, they still believe polls. But people don't tell the truth when they respond to pollsters' questions. They reserve their true opinion for the ballot box

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How the Conservatives won the UK 2015 General Election In the political roundups of the year 2015, the event that kept coming up was the Tory win in the General Election. The mystery remains as to how it happened. In fact, it resulted from a deliberately engineered policy to divide the nation and leave a significant percentage of voters fearful of change. Monday, December 21, 2015In the political roundups of the year 2015, the event that kept coming up was the Tory win in the General Election. The mystery remains as to how it happened. In fact, it resulted from a deliberately engineered policy to divide the nation and leave a significant percentage of voters fearful of change.

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Syria: The Deadly Game of Ignorant Fools Hilary Benn, the Shadow (official opposition party) Foreign Secretary, made a much applauded speech to the British House of Commons on Wednesday, 2nd December 2015 on the motion to bomb ISIS . But Benn displayed no understanding of the nature of the situation in Syria/Iraq to which he referred. The simplifications he used to describe that situation pandered to the worst kind of knee jerk reaction possible. Monday, December 14, 2015Hilary Benn, the Shadow (official opposition party) Foreign Secretary, made a much applauded speech to the British House of Commons on Wednesday, 2nd December 2015 on the motion to bomb ISIS . But Benn displayed no understanding of the nature of the situation in Syria/Iraq to which he referred. The simplifications he used to describe that situation pandered to the worst kind of knee jerk reaction possible.

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Thatcher's Malign Long-Lasting Legacy There are those right now who think we should celebrate Thatcher's death popping champagne corks in street parties and sending Judy Garland's The Wicked Witch is Dead to number one in the iTunes charts. Such people are missing the point. She is far from dead. Thatcher herself may be gone but Thatcherism lives on with full force. This is why I want to catalogue the policies that directly sprang from her person during the 80s. Wednesday, April 17, 2013There are those right now who think we should celebrate Thatcher's death popping champagne corks in street parties and sending Judy Garland's The Wicked Witch is Dead to number one in the iTunes charts. Such people are missing the point. She is far from dead. Thatcher herself may be gone but Thatcherism lives on with full force. This is why I want to catalogue the policies that directly sprang from her person during the 80s.

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The Unspoken Truth about Cyprus In all the many words, spoken and written, concerning the Cyprus banking crisis there is one key concept that never comes up. A large part of the Cypriot economy is based on its being an important tax haven. Now tax havens are dodgy. They indulge in secretive practices and siphon off billions of tax revenues rightfully due to other countries. Monday, April 1, 2013In all the many words, spoken and written, concerning the Cyprus banking crisis there is one key concept that never comes up. A large part of the Cypriot economy is based on its being an important tax haven. Now tax havens are dodgy. They indulge in secretive practices and siphon off billions of tax revenues rightfully due to other countries.

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Weapons of Mass Financial Inequality "Bank rate-fixing scandals reveal the rotten heart of capitalism" So wrote respect British economist, Will Hutton, in an article in the Observer, December 23rd, 2012, But I doubt whether he made the mechanics and the enormity of the Libor scam clear to many. But how exactly did it work? What exactly are "derivatives" which Hutton mentions? Warren Buffet, famously called them "weapons of mass financial destruction". Friday, January 4, 2013"Bank rate-fixing scandals reveal the rotten heart of capitalism" So wrote respect British economist, Will Hutton, in an article in the Observer, December 23rd, 2012, But I doubt whether he made the mechanics and the enormity of the Libor scam clear to many. But how exactly did it work? What exactly are "derivatives" which Hutton mentions? Warren Buffet, famously called them "weapons of mass financial destruction".

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Major UK Press Inquiry Would Scrap First Amendment The Leveson Inquiry is a public inquiry into the British press following the News International phone hacking scandal , The Inquiry has just published its report Full marks are due to Prime Minister David Cameron who as a politician was able to home in directly on the flaw in Leveson -- the introduction of state control into press affairs. In the USA this would be of course unthinkable due to the First Amendment Sunday, December 2, 2012The Leveson Inquiry is a public inquiry into the British press following the News International phone hacking scandal , The Inquiry has just published its report Full marks are due to Prime Minister David Cameron who as a politician was able to home in directly on the flaw in Leveson -- the introduction of state control into press affairs. In the USA this would be of course unthinkable due to the First Amendment

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As Gaza Erupts We Need a New "Road Map" A federal Palestine could provide a "road map" for a permanent settlement of the problem of Israel and Palestine. Monday, November 26, 2012A federal Palestine could provide a "road map" for a permanent settlement of the problem of Israel and Palestine.

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British Student Loans -- The Giant Scam That Robs The Nation Many people think that the reason for students paying for their education is to avoid government debt. But this is not the real driver and never was. JP Morgan Director Tony Blair, expanded the student population and at the same time forced them all into debt. This was neither an educational programme nor a social mobility programme but part of the ongoing process of the "financialising" all of our citizens lives. Monday, October 8, 2012Many people think that the reason for students paying for their education is to avoid government debt. But this is not the real driver and never was. JP Morgan Director Tony Blair, expanded the student population and at the same time forced them all into debt. This was neither an educational programme nor a social mobility programme but part of the ongoing process of the "financialising" all of our citizens lives.

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Two US Marines Deaths Caused by British Royalist Propaganda Exercise Two US Marines died on Friday in a Taliban attack on the Camp Bastion base where Prince Harry was being stationed. There is absolutely no doubt that the marines died because Prince Harry was in the compound. By stationing Harry in Afghanistan, military lives are put at risk. Let's be clear. There can be no possible military use for the Prince in Afghanistan. Thursday, September 20, 2012Two US Marines died on Friday in a Taliban attack on the Camp Bastion base where Prince Harry was being stationed. There is absolutely no doubt that the marines died because Prince Harry was in the compound. By stationing Harry in Afghanistan, military lives are put at risk. Let's be clear. There can be no possible military use for the Prince in Afghanistan.

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The Royals and the Riots. Where Has That "Queen Mum Spirit" Gone? In the old days when the nation was in crisis someone from the royal family would be there to show sympathy and encouragement. But not any more. When the August riots came, they stayed away. But they form the head of state and you would think they would be concerned. It is like President Bush being slow to show interest in New Orleans after Katrina. Acting like this they deserve to be soon out of a job. Tuesday, August 23, 2011In the old days when the nation was in crisis someone from the royal family would be there to show sympathy and encouragement. But not any more. When the August riots came, they stayed away. But they form the head of state and you would think they would be concerned. It is like President Bush being slow to show interest in New Orleans after Katrina. Acting like this they deserve to be soon out of a job.
From Greg Swank, 12-4-2 You are about to read a list of 45 goals that found their way down the halls of our great Capitol back in 1963. As...
The mathematical (and other) thoughts of a (now retired) math teacher,
The European Biomass Conference and Exhibition (EUBCE) is a world class annual event which, since 1980, is held at different venues throughout Europe.

The EUBCE covers the entire value chain of biomass to conduct business, network, and to present and discuss the latest developments and innovations, the vision is to educate the biomass community and to accelerate growth.

The EUBCE will host a dynamic international Exhibition for companies and research labs to showcase their latest products and bringing scientists, technologists and key players together with leading Biomass industries and organizations.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
The best politicians are not defined by their party but by their work ethic. They focus on finding out what their constituents need and on the best ways to get it.

Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner, a Democrat now running for her second term in the 113th District, is one of those politicians for whom party is largely irrelevant. Its true that a lot of Republicans live in her district, so her middle-of-the-road approach is probably necessary to her continuance in office. But we dont see any subterfuge in Woerner. She is a hard-working public servant who wants to do right by her district.

She came to our meeting with a long list of legislation she has worked on this session, most of it hyper-local, such as A07166, which establishes the venison donation tax credit, and A08598, which relates to a sales tax exemption for fresh-cut evergreen trees and fresh-cut evergreen products intended for holiday celebrations.

Woerner gets into the nitty-gritty of the job.

She talked about state aid to schools, which she said underfunds schools in rural districts. The problem, she said, are variables in the community wealth index, which is part of the formula used for determining the aid. Because rural districts with farm economies, like much of Washington and Saratoga counties, are land-rich but cash-poor, they end up with less aid than they should.

She is working to have the property value part of the formula changed to a measure that more accurately reflects a communitys wealth, like the percentage of its students on free and reduced-price lunch.

She mentioned the industrial dichotomy in the 113th District between agriculture (dairy and horse farms) and high-tech (GlobalFoundries). But both industries require low-priced power, she pointed out, so she is promoting the use of anaerobic digesters, which can process the methane in manure and other organic farm waste for energy.

I cannot champion solutions that benefit one group at the expense of another, she said. Instead, she hunts for solutions that work for everyone.

Mr. Boyark, like Ms. Woerner, brings a small business background to his candidacy. He is from Mechanicville and has sat on the Saratoga County Republican Committee. His primary criticism of Woerners performance in her first term was her failure to stand up to Sheldon Silver or do much about cleaning up political corruption in Albany.

But as we said, it was not only Democrat Silver but state Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, a Republican, convicted of crimes during the past two years. The parade of corrupt Albany politicians has been marching down both sides of the aisle.

We would like Woerner and every other member of the Legislature to mobilize against corruption. But it is the party leaders and the governor, Andrew Cuomo, who determine the course of reform. Without approval from party leaders, Boyark would not be able to achieve any more in the way of reform than Woerner has.

Woerner has kept busy, however, with helping constituents and getting politically viable legislation written and passed. She is engaged, knowledgeable about her district and effective.

The Post-Star editorial board urges a vote for Democrat Carrie Woerner in the 113th Assembly District.

Local editorials represent the opinion of The Post-Star editorial board, which consists of Publisher Terry Coomes, Controller/Operations Director Brian Corcoran, Editor Ken Tingley, Projects Editor Will Doolittle and citizen representative Stuart Ginsburg.
Halloween is around the corner! I am sure everyone has noticed the costumes, candy and decorations all over every store. Halloween is an exciting time for children and adults, and can be a lot of fun for both.

However, Halloween can be one of the most expensive holidays we celebrate. Last Halloween, the average American family celebrating Halloween (three-quarters of households do) spent $145 on costumes, decorations, candy for trick-or-treaters and other holiday-related items, reports the International Council of Shopping Centers. Keeping that in mind, here are some tips on how to save money and still enjoy and have fun on Oct. 31.

Make your own costume or your childrens costume. For years, I made my childrens costumes. At the time, I didnt really do it to save money, I did it because I enjoyed the creativity aspect of it. They have both outgrown trick-or-treating, so I no longer need to. Making your childs costume or your own is a great way to save money. If you dont want to, or dont feel you are crafty enough, you could also do a costume swap. Find local families in your area or on social media that would be willing to swap costumes with you. Your child only wears the costume for a couple of hours one night. It should still be in new condition when you get home.

Save money on candy purchases. Candy is super expensive! Wait for candy to go on sale to stock up, or buy candy at a bulk store or in larger bags. Also, non-chocolate candies are less expensive than chocolate. A bag of 40 pieces of Reeses chocolates will set you back nearly $9, but a bag containing 40 individual packs of Sour Patch Kids and Swedish Fish costs approximately $6. Trick-or-treaters are happy to get any sugary item in their little bucket.

Halloween is a fun-filled time to spend with your family and friends. It is a time to build memories of trick-or-treating or going to parties. Dont end up spending too much money on this holiday when other, more expensive holidays are just around the corner.

In my monthly class at The Post-Star, I go into detail about using coupons, saving money, finding monthly deals and how it will benefit your family and your pocket book. There are free giveaways during the class as well. Please join me for my next class at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25. Feel free to call 742-3309 or go to poststar.com/couponclass.

Head over to my blog at Making Cent$ About Extreme Couponing to find some great deals around the region this week. Post your questions, comments and deals in the comments section.
GLENS FALLS  Kissed by Hawaiian chants at sunrise, Krisha Fairchild has tapped into her blessing later in life. And to meet her is to meet life head-on, as if she is whispering, Mahalo nui loa, mahina. (Gratitude to the moon).

The 65-year-old, who walked away from an acting career decades ago, is gaining international attention for her role in the film Krisha, written and directed by her nephew, Trey Edward Schults.

I am his aunt who was an actress. My having the opportunity at a time when I can stand strong for gender, stand strong for size and age, as an older woman, as a bigger woman, I feel empowered, she said. I am not a typical choice. Its time to look where the talent is, to find the person inside.

And on Friday, Krisha brought her light to the Adirondack Film Festival as she introduced the award-winning drama at the 190 Grille & Cinema. She laughs easily and her energy lingers long past her actual presence.

For nearly 15 years, Krisha raised her arms toward the Pacific shores in gratitude for her life. But two years ago, she traded her plumeria-scented days in Hawaii for San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. And when not traveling to international locations for the film, Krisha lives among blossoming lavender jacaranda trees and flaming crimson sunsets with her partner of two years and her dogs, Sadie Malia, Poncho and Baba.

In the film, a different Krisha emerges. Still beautiful, still someone you want to love. But her haunting desperation makes trusting her more difficult.

A pale Krisha draws viewers far inside her gold-speckled, nearly transparent green eyes, into a searing black hole of a stare that makes your heart want to believe, makes your heart want to scream, Live, dont do it, even if your mind whispers, No, its too late.

Cast into the role of an aging addict by her nephew, Krisha brings a taut honesty to the ripple effect of addiction on families. And the film examines the damage ghosts of addiction leave behind in the shadows, with few brave enough to bring them into the light.

In her role as a mother who chooses her drugs of choice over her son and family, Krisha takes viewers uneasily into her head as her addiction spirals into depths only addicts can really understand. And when she stabs a pair of slender silver scissors into a corked wine bottle, frantically trying to release its contents, you want to stop her. No!

Krisha slowly moves viewers so far inside Krishas eyes that the distorted and isolated visions of a woman desperately clinging to a desire to change become our own.

This movie brings pain out in the open, Krisha said in an interview at The Queensbury Hotel on Friday morning. There are millions of people walking around who have something they have not grieved.

The film, initially funded with $14,000 from a Kickstarter campaign (although more funds came in from friends and family) was shot in nine days at director Schults mothers Texas home. And his mother, Robyn, co-stars as Krishas sister and Schults plays Krishas estranged son.

With family members and family dogs cast in the majority of roles, Krisha was born out of a family tragedy. And despite its low budget and few professional actors, the film was an official selection of Critics Week at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival and has already received a host of awards, including the South by Southwest 2015 Film Festival Grand Jury Award and Audience Award for a narrative feature and this years John Cassavetes Independent Spirit Award.

It opens with Krisha showing up at her sisters home for Thanksgiving after a long absence. The reunion of sorts revolves around the pivotal holiday turkey Krisha insists on preparing by herself. And drop-by-drop shots  close-ups of Krisha pulling the gizzards from the turkeys cavity  are sprinkled with intimate moments of joy, tension, dark observations, typical family games, off-beat outbursts and a musical score that starkly cranks up the tension.

As the turkey roasts, the film sears. And the audience, much like her family, wants to believe Krisha when she shares that she is getting better. But each time she steals away from her feast preparations, she retreats to her room, unlocking a battered metal black box.

Tensions continue to mount as the turkey roasts. And in a private conversation with her brother-in-law on the back porch, Krisha tries to maintain a cool reserve.

You are heartbreak incarnate. You are a leaver. You think you can pop in and pop out, he said to her. You are malinformed. You make it sound like you are some college kid ... youre in your 60s, get your ducks in a row. You are like some wounded bird hitting the windshield.

And at some point, viewers may begin to wonder, is this Krishas real story, is she an addict?

But off-screen, Krisha barely imbibes. Im the type that might order a glass of wine and drink half, she said. I was the girded one in my family and I found the spiritual strength to not go through the rabbit hole.

The film, while not Krishas personal story, actually emerged from strands of reality.

Schults wrote the story right after Krishas niece, Nica, her sister Vickis oldest daughter, died of an overdose when she was 39.

Nica managed to keep giving the impression she was OK. And she had five years of solid sobriety, Krisha said, retelling the story of a holiday visit gone tragically wrong.

Krisha talks about the genetics of addiction and how her family on her mothers side has a long genetic lineage. We are genetically a family of addicts.

Her mother, she said, who is now in her 90s with dementia, is an alcoholic.

I didnt know my mother even drank at all. I believe she was a late onset drinker, Krisha said. She was a hummingbird, a high-energy woman. And after she had a hysterectomy her boss brought her a bottle of brandy while recuperating and she never put the bottle down.

Nonetheless, Krisha still sees her as the best mother on the planet.

In one poignant scene, the love the two women genuinely share is evident.

Thats Treys favorite scene, she said. And perhaps one of the most heart-wrenching moments of the film is when Krisha runs out of the dining room after an uncomfortable confrontation and her mother, who does not know they are making a movie, calls, Krisha, come back. Krisha, come back.

There is a dance that those who love addicts must dance, Krisha said. Those who love those with addictions have to dance a dance an arms length away, she said. Yet supporting, bolstering, until enough time has passed and you can trust them again.

And with her niece, Krisha said they were always so eager for time to pass, to trust again. She tells about a time her sister said, But she is so good in the mornings.

And so they tried to stretch the mornings, she said. We would stay in our pajamas all morning.

Nicas addiction began when she was 14 and in a goth phase. She was backstage at a concert when a man about 30 years old put a needle in her arm, Krisha said. Nica was brilliant, Mensa brilliant, she said. We were like, Whats going on?

There were times over the years when Nica was clean, on methadone. But her heroin addiction eventually led her to do things she couldnt control. And when her nieces three children were 8, 6 and 2, the family intervened and took over their care. The oldest, Israel, lived with Krishas sister Vicki, who is also in the film. But because Nica lived in the same area, they were afraid.

That was the time when parents were kidnapping children and she was pushing to take him back, Krisha said. We decided the safest place for him was an ocean away.

And thats how Krisha and Israel came to live together. She was living in Hawaii. She was 52 and he was 10. Israel lived with Krisha until he graduated from high school. When he came I said, I am going to be your aunt, and well be roommates, and we wrote a contract every year, she said. When he first came he said, This is the first time I ever had a room of my own.

Regarding her niece, Krisha said she finds closure in her belief that Nica is still around the family every day. Krisha talks about a circular energy in life.

Nicas at peace. She understands the damage she caused, Krisha said. We definitely have angels. Interestingly enough, our angels were our devils when they were alive ... we are proud of ourselves for putting our story out.
Brittany C. Costello, 26, was arrested after a 6:35 p.m. traffic stop on Route 67, according to the State Police public information website.

Records show she had two children younger than 17 with her, which resulted in a felony count of aggravated driving while intoxicated, misdemeanor counts of DWI and endangering the welfare of a child, the website showed. She was also charged with non-criminal unlawful possession of marijuana.
GLENS FALLS  Heavy rain and temperatures hovering around 38 degrees didnt slow the steady stream of film-goers at the Adirondack Film Festival late Saturday afternoon and early evening. With about nine films to go, screening venues were busy.

This is pretty awesome, Peter Stanistreet of Warrensburg said Saturday while in line at the 190 Grille & Cinema. This is a great thing for Glens Falls. Next year we will buy a two-day pass. Thats the way to go. 

And as the five venues  Crandall Public Library, The Queensbury Hotel, Wood Theater and 190 Grille & Cinema  remained busy into the final hours of the weekend festival, the scent of buttered popcorn lingered on Glen Street. And at all locations, festival goers appeared eager to check out the next offering on the schedule.

Event organizer Chad Rabinovitz said that you start with an idea and hope people will come. We built it and the demand was greater than we could have ever anticipated, he said, taking a moment from a packed schedule of keeping things flowing smoothly. We have people who flew in from Canada, someone who drove five hours from Philadelphia. Its an opportunity to see things they cant see in other places.

And the buzz around Glens Falls this weekend centered on the festival with filmmakers and actors remarking that people in shops were talking about the festival and their films. Stanistreet said they saw the film Krisha and they were stunned by her performance.

This inaugural festival was presented by the Adirondack Theatre Festival and supported by community donations of time, resources and cash.

Rabinovitz said they had budgeted to sell 50 day or VIP passes. And when he was deciding on how many lanyards he should buy to hold the passes, he said, OK lets get the bigger pack. But the bigger pack was not enough. Two more packs were still not enough, he said.

We sold 350 passes, he said. We continued to have packed houses and we filled the entire ballroom at The Queensbury Hotel for the Comedy Writers Panel. There was something for everyone.

It was nearly eight times the crowd they had budgeted for, and without all the volunteers, it would not have happened, he said. In fact, a friend of Rabinovitz arrived in Glens Falls late Saturday afternoon hoping to go to the festival. But Rabinovitz quickly recruited his friend to volunteer.

This has the feeling of a seasoned film festival, he said. And I loved hearing people say, I cannot believe this is happening in Glens Falls.

Next years festival is already scheduled, Rabinovitz said. Its Oct. 20 and 21, 2017.
EASTON  A fire destroyed a small shed behind a house on Hegeman Bridge Road on Friday night, claiming the life of four young turkeys inside, according to a State Police trooper who responded to the scene.

Firefighters told the trooper the fire appeared to be accidental, and there was conjecture that one of the animals may have knocked over a heat lamp, which then sparked the blaze.

The shed, described as about 10 feet by 10 feet, was on the property of 764 Hegeman Bridge Road, according to the Washington County Sheriff's Office.

Firefighters from Middle Falls, Greenwich, Schuylerville and Easton responded, as did Easton-Greenwich EMS personnel.
Candidates in the 21st Congressional District race will face off Monday in a third and final debate before the Nov. 8 election.

The debate will be televised at 9 p.m. Monday on Mountain Lake PBS in Plattsburgh and WMHT PBS in Troy.

It also will be streamed on the Mountain Lake PBS Facebook page.

Candidates are U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Willsboro; Democrat Mike Derrick, a retired Army colonel from Peru, in Clinton County; and Green Party candidate Matt Funiciello, a bread company owner and political activist from Hudson Falls.

Thom Hallock of Mountain Lake PBS will moderate the debate.

A panel of reporters will feature Joe LoTemplio of The Press Republican, Zack Hirsch of North Country Public Radio, and Matt Ryan, host of the WMHT politics show New York Now.

The candidates previously debated Oct. 3 on Time Warner News in Albany and Oct. 17 at SUNY Adirondack in Queensbury.

The Oct. 17 debate will be broadcast on Look TV of Saratoga Springs and Glens Falls at 8:30 p.m. Friday, 6:30 p.m. Saturday and 10 p.m. Sunday.
QUEENSBURY  As Planned Parenthood Mohawk Hudson plans to invest more than $1.2 million to renovate space for a new clinic, the nonprofit is also planning to expand the services available there.

We will expand our transgender programs there, said Emma Corbett, Planned Parenthoods communication director. Right now we offer those programs in Saratoga Springs, and we are getting ready to expand them to Utica, but next we will have them in Queensbury when the new center is open.

Planned Parenthood is about six weeks into construction of the new facility, which will see the group moved from an older house on Warren Street in Glens Falls to a renovated facility on Bay Road across from SUNY Adirondack.

She said the hope is to open the new facility in April.

You never know about construction with the weather conditions up here, but we are going full-steam ahead on this, Corbett said.

The new location will allow the clinic to see more patients for same-day and next-day appointments.

It will also allow for expansion of Planned Parenthoods sexual assault treatment center. It will give them more space, and it will allow them to be more comfortable and to be able to do their jobs better, she said.

The work is being done by local firms. Gary McCoola of Glens Falls is the architect, and V&H Construction Inc. of Fort Edward is the contractor.

The new office will have 5,000 square feet of space, about double what the Warren Street facility has. It will also have more parking. Corbett said the new location will help Planned Parenthood serve college students better.

There has not been a lot of movement on selling the Warren Street facility.

Our focus is getting the new center up and running, she said. We have had some inquiries, but that is not what we are focusing on right now.

Planned Parenthood Mohawk Hudson operates 10 health centers and has about 200 total employees.
SALEM  For the ninth consecutive year, community members in Salem and Shushan are banding together to help their neighbors with winter heating costs.

Local businesses, churches and residents have been supporting the fund since 2008.

Last winter, the fund provided local families with more than $30,000 worth of fuel to supplement their expenditures. Help is provided confidentially and is administered by Rev. Debbie Earthrowl, pastor at the Salem United Methodist Church.

Organizer Herb Perkins said many times the Home Energy Assistance Program funding is not enough and many families in need do not qualify for HEAP.

The biggest fundraiser for the fuel fund is the Fuel Fund FeastBenefit Dinner, which will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 3 at First Presbyterian Church of Salem and is co-sponsored by the Salem Rotary Club.

Sit down and takeout meals will be available. Local farms and restaurants are providing most of the food. The dinner will feature beef, roast pork, lamb, turkey, ham, baked potatoes, locally grown vegetables, pasta dishes, vegetarian lasagna and desserts. All proceeds will go to the fuel fund.

Those who want to find out if they are eligible for HEAP can call 7462236.

People who have exhausted their HEAP, do not qualify, or know of someone who needs help, can call 854-3203.
GLENS FALLS  Carrie Woerner calls her approach to working in the state Legislature as working in the middle.

Woerner, D-Round Lake, is running for a second term in the state Assembly, two years after defeating Steve Stallmer and four years after losing to Tony Jordan, who later resigned to become Washington County district attorney.

Her 113th District opponent is Chris Boyark, R-Mechanicville, who contends Woerner has not kept her promises on ethical reform and also espouses a bipartisan attitude.

During an interview with The Post-Star editorial board last week, Woerner said she feels she has learned a great deal about how to function within the state Legislature in her two years there.

I have been meticulous about making sure I have a majority sponsor to carry the bill in the Senate, said Woerner, who characterized her first term as pretty productive and effective. She has 18 pieces of legislation that passed both the Assembly and the Senate.

Woerner was able to work effectively with both state Sen. Elizabeth Little, R-Queensbury, and state Sen. Kathy Marchione, R-Halfmoon.

I am not going to advocate a solution that benefits one side at the extent of another, she said. We have to work for the solution where we say we are taking care of both parts of the equation.

School aid

A key topic for Woerner is school aid.

We need to make sure the funding formula has a better measurement of the wealth of a district, he said, explaining that she feels the current formula overestimates the value of land in rural districts.

Many farmers are land-rich and cash-poor, she said. I think we need a fairer formula, perhaps looking more at how many students receive reduced or free lunch.

Helping out

I also have constituents who need things done, said Woerner, who has offices in Saratoga Springs and Fort Edward.

She has focused on helping the 16 municipalities in her district with grants, including money for the Strand Theatre and old Washington County Courthouse in Hudson Falls and the Canal Street Market in Fort Edward. She is also working on getting money to help fund the conversion of General Electric Co. de-watering plant in Fort Edward into an industrial park.

She explained that she gets a fund of $1.5 million in member-driven grants, which replaced the old member items, which many people felt were abused.

She said there is a a much stronger vetting process in place for the money the members request, but she also said that other funds, such as the money from the Regional Development Councils and Downtown Revitalization Initiative, are more controlled from the Governors Office.

Defending decision

One of Boyarks main attacks against Woerner focuses on Woerner not immediately calling for the resignation of Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver when accusations, then federal charges, arose when she first entered the Assembly in 2014.

In the end, I think I made the right decision, Woerner said. Friday (the day the indictment came out) would have been too early and would not have had the impact. The story would have been all about me.

Instead, Woerner waited four days and said she was the first upstater and first woman to call for Silver to step down.

I helped create the space for the landslide that took him out of office, she said.

Ethics reforms

Ethical and openness issues have been one of Woerners main topics throughout her campaigns.

We need more visibility of economic impact of bills, she said. There should be fiscal notes on the impact of all bills.

She said committee meetings should be webcast, and the internet legislative tracker should include letters of support and opposition.

She said she is also in favor of closing the LLC Loophole, which would limit the amount limited liability corporations could donate to campaigns.

We were able to get pension forfeiture (a bill that would remove pensions for public officials convicted of corruption) through, but we did not get as much done as we had hoped, she said, noting she is also in favor of banning outside income.

Woerner suggested there should be spending limits on in-state campaign spending and on individual donations.

We should also keep people from building war chests, saving money from one campaign to another, she said.
The New York Roman Catholic archdiocese has announced it is willing to pay off the victims of pedophile priests in exchange for their silence.

Any records of such abuse and what the church did about it would also remain private.

Its an attempt by the church to again avoid accountability and responsibility for the abuse of children.

It should hit home in this community.

It should be an outrage here because of what Father Gary Mercure did in Queensbury and Glens Falls.

He served as priest at Our Lady of Annunciation in Queensbury from 1982 to 1991.

He was the campus minister at Adirondack Community College from 1982 to 1999.

He was the priest at St. Marys in Glens Falls from 1991 to 1995.

And he was convicted in a Pittsfield, Massachusetts, courtroom in 2011 of three counts of forcible rape on a child younger than 14.

The then-63-year-old was sentenced to up to 25 years in prison and the judge said he was no more than a common thug.

But it gets worse.

In 2013, 88 of the 563 pages of his secret church personnel file were unsealed as part of a lawsuit filed by one of his victims.

It has previously been reported that Mercure stole money from the church and used it to lavish young men and boys with cash and gifts while remaining active sexually. They also showed that the priest used his position to gain the trust of parents whose sons he raped and abused.

During the trial in Massachusetts, The Times-Union reported that the mother of one of the victims testified she found five pairs of her sons bloodied underwear stuffed inside a wall in his bedroom. The victim testified he hid the underwear after Mercure raped him.

A monster right here in our community.

And we have no way of knowing how many victims there were.

When accusations were first made against Mercure in the 1990s, his personnel file shows the diocese sent him away for therapy, but he was eventually returned to the ministry with no restrictions regarding children.

Mercure was never held accountable for any sins in New York.

Or for the alleged abuse of children in this community. Thats because New York has a statute of limitations. Adults victimized as children have until their 23rd birthday to bring a case. From what we know now about the trauma inflicted on these victims, it is an absurd standard.

The New York State Legislature had another chance to make it right this past spring when it considered the Child Victims Act. The law would have eliminated the statute of limitations and provided a one-year civil review of past crimes.

The New York Daily News, which took up the law as a cause this past year, reported last June that the Catholic Conference, led by Cardinal Timothy Dolan, had spent $2.1 million since 2007 to top lobbying firms across the state  including Behan Communications in Glens Falls  to block the proposed law.

They succeeded.

The law was not passed.

So lets connect the dots.

When I first wrote about the Child Victims Act last June, I received emails from both Heath Bromley of Queensbury and Pierre Lafond of Oswego. They both wanted to talk. They had both been victims.

Bromley said his abuse started at age 6. The word he used was terrorized.

Think about that for a second.

Lafond said his started at age 8.

Bromley, who is now 41, was one of the two victims who testified against Mercure in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.

After the archdiocese announced its offer on Oct. 6 to compensate New York victims if they agreed to keep the abuse and the churchs response secret, I contacted both men.

I wanted to know what they thought of the offer. I wanted to know what they thought about the Child Victims Act not passing in the Legislature.

Everything they do is about silence, said Lafond, who is now 63. He said he would not seek a settlement.

Just another tact to defer real law coming into place. They are protecting pedophiles. This is an admission of guilt, but the whole thing is backwards. We are going to the perpetrators and asking for a solution, said Bromley. It shows you the putrid nature of our politicians.

Bromley also said he would not seek a settlement.

Shortly after the legislative session ended in June, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he supported the removal of the statute of limitations, but that the Legislature must proceed carefully.

The bill will be introduced again.

Perhaps the archdiocese is worried more about what it will cost than making amends.

I do know of other victims of Gary Mercure, Bromley said. Its crazy how close to home this was.

They have never apologized to any of Gary Mercures victims, Bromley said.

The Pope says you have to take care of victims, yet they lobby against the victims, Lafond said of the archdiocese.

The Times-Union reported that Gary Mercure is still receiving his pension from the church.

Ken Tingley is the editor of The Post-Star and may be reached via email at tingley@poststar.com. His blog, The Front Page, discusses issues about newspapers and journalism. You can also follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/kentingley.

Correction

In an earlier version of this column, it was incorrectly reported that Gary Mercure was once the principal of St. Marys St. Alphonsus Regional Catholic School. According to the Diocese of Albany, he was never the principal of the school, but he was assigned to the church as a priest.
With her father in prison and her mother wrapped up in drugs and prostitution, LaTasha Armstead dropped out of sixth grade to take care of her little sister and grandmother.

Soon, her mom was back, promising to get clean if the 13-year-old could get her some money, Armstead said.

She and her boyfriend hatched a horrendous plan: Theyd strangle her grandmothers home health aide and steal her red Chevrolet. She watched as her boyfriend wrapped a phone cord around the womans neck.

Wisconsin Department of Corrections LaTasha Armstead in prison in 2003, and recently in 2016. At 13, she became the youngest person in Wisconsin to be charged as an adult with first-degree intentional homicide.

Wisconsin Department of Corrections LaTasha Armstead in prison in 2003, and recently in 2016. At 13, she became the youngest person in Wisconsin to be charged as an adult with first-degree intentional homicide.

Armstead, pregnant at the time of the murder in 1997, became the youngest person in Wisconsin to be charged as an adult with first-degree intentional homicide.

While her age and harrowing upbringing might have weighed in her favor in juvenile court, they seemed to work against her in adult court.

The prosecutor said Armsteads spousal-type relationship with her 17-year-old boyfriend showed maturity. Her monotone voice and frozen stare while testifying  a result of shock and confusion, her lawyers said  was interpreted by jurors and the media as a lack of remorse.

She was found guilty of being party to the crime and sentenced to life in prison.

Armstead is among 68 inmates in Wisconsin serving life sentences for crimes they committed at age 16 or younger. Juveniles as young as 10 are automatically charged in adult court when they are accused of first-degree intentional homicide in Wisconsin. While judges can move cases to juvenile court where sentences are shorter and resources for rehabilitation are more widely available, they rarely do.

In 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court banned mandatory life sentences without parole for juveniles, noting such sentences fail to consider dysfunctional upbringings or peer pressure that may have contributed to the crimes. Earlier this year, the court said its ruling should be applied retroactively, giving 2,000 inmates across the country the chance to be resentenced or get out of prison early.

Since the Supreme Court rulings, 19 states have outlawed life without parole for juveniles.

But there is little chance the rulings will make a difference for the 68 juvenile offenders serving life terms in Wisconsin. Since most will technically be eligible for parole, the Supreme Court decisions wont trigger a review of their sentences. And because parole is rarely granted in Wisconsin, release is unlikely.

Abuse and influence

Advocates for reform say treating young offenders as adults and subjecting them to life sentences ignores the growing scientific and judicial consensus: Juvenile brains arent fully formed and young people are more capable of rehabilitation than adults.

Its a position some find easy to dismiss given the heinous nature of many of the crimes. In Wisconsin, one boy killed his parents, hid their bodies in a barn and threw a party. Another smothered his high school girlfriend with leaves and mud.

The people were dealing with have something wrong in their brain that would enable them to do these behaviors, said Jody Robinson, president of the National Organization of Victims of Juvenile Murderers. Im not willing to gamble on somebody elses life.

Robinsons group, which has about 400 members, opposes revisiting life sentences for juveniles because it forces families to relive the original trauma and feels like justice has been lost for the victim.

While she believes some teenagers can be rehabilitated, Robinson said she is more concerned with preserving finality for grieving families.

In the Wisconsin cases, many of the terrible acts seemed to grow from outside influence. Two teenage boys were hired by a high school study hall monitor to shoot her estranged husband. One boy whose parents regularly beat him beat to death a high school classmate. He told a probation officer at the time that he lived like he was treated.

At least two dozen of the juvenile offenders had unusually traumatic childhoods or said they were coerced into committing the crime by someone older, a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel review of case files found.

The effects of a traumatic childhood are considerable. A national survey in 2012 found that nearly 80% of 2,500 juveniles sentenced to life had witnessed ongoing violence at home, and almost half were victims of abuse.

Wisconsin Department of Corrections Garland Hampton in 1995 and recently in 2013. He was 15 when he shot and killed a fellow gang member over $100.

Garland Hampton in 1995 and recently in 2013. He was 15 when he shot and killed a fellow gang member over $100.

Before he was old enough to drive, Garland Hampton witnessed the murders of at least four friends and family members  including his mother shooting his stepfather. His grandmother routinely threatened to shoot him for mistakes as trivial as returning from the grocery store with lettuce instead of cabbage, according to his lawyer, Robin Shellow.

Our family was the poster child for dysfunctional families, Hampton said in a telephone interview from Oakhill Correctional Institution.

He remembers a Milwaukee County worker telling him social services received more calls from his house than any other in the county.

Hampton joined a gang at age 11. In 1994, at 15, he shot and killed a fellow gang member over a missing $100. He was sentenced to life.

Wisconsin Department of Corrections Deng Yang in 1998 and recently in 2014. Yang was 15 when an older neighbor pressured him to shoot his wife in exchange for $25,000 and a truck.

Deng Yang in 1998 and recently in 2014. Yang was 15 when an older neighbor pressured him to shoot his wife in exchange for $25,000 and a truck.

Deng Yang was a 15-year-old with learning disabilities when an older neighbor pressured him to shoot his wife in exchange for $25,000 and a truck. The man handed Yang a silver handgun, gave him instructions and said that as the adult, hed take care of everything else.

At the time Yang was convicted in 1998, judges sentenced people under the assumption they would serve about a quarter of the sentence before being released on parole, given good behavior. Thus, Yang would be eligible for parole 13 years into his life sentence.

But the same year, the state enacted truth in sentencing, which eliminated parole and required anyone sentenced after the law went into effect to serve the entire length of their sentence. While the law wasnt supposed to affect inmates sentenced before 1999, inmates with the closest release dates are given priority for limited spots in courses and programs that are required for release.

Those sentenced under truth in sentencing provisions tend to be at the front of the line. As a result, inmates like Yang who were sentenced before the change end up serving more time than judges intended because they cant fulfill the requirements for release.

Parole bar difficult to clear

Dean Stensberg, chairman of the Wisconsin Parole Commission since May 2015, admits the bar to earn parole is set high.

Were trying to weigh and balance both the potential for risk reduction and redemption, and the risk that folks will pose to people once theyre released, he said. If I have to make a call as the parole chair, I am always going to defer to public safety before I take a chance on redemption.

The number of inmates released on parole has dropped from 2,325 in 2000 to 172 in 2014, the most recent figure available. Between 2011 and 2015, 44 inmates who were convicted of homicide were released on parole, according to corrections officials. That was less than half those released in the two previous five-year periods.

The Department of Corrections attributes this to the shrinking number of parole-eligible inmates; advocates of justice reform counter that theres no evidence the parole commission is seriously considering each inmates case.

Effectively, there is no parole in Wisconsin, said Jerry Hancock, a former Wisconsin Department of Justice administrator who now works with WISDOM, a faith-based group advocating for reforms to the states justice system.

Hancock said Gov. Scott Walkers administration, which has also declined to issue any pardons, has set the tone for the parole commission to parole as few people as possible.

Tom Evenson, a spokesman for Walker, said the parole commission makes its determinations based on the facts of each case. The commission operates independently of Walkers administration, but Walker and the state Senate appoint its chairman.

Yang said each of his three meetings with a member of the parole commission lasted less than 30 minutes. Records show each ended with the same conclusion: Despite his impressive behavior and high reviews at a full-time job making road signs at Stanley Correctional Institution, he has not served sufficient time for punishment.

Critics say inmates such as Yang are given an indication they can earn their way out, then denied a meaningful chance even after doing all the right things.

Yes, these people did terrible things, but are they still terrible people? Hancock asked. Thats a fair question that parole was designed to answer.

Marsha Levick, a national expert on juvenile law, thinks there ought to be more flexibility for those serving time for juvenile offenses.

Dassey case falls under different scenario The most well-known juvenile sentenced to life in Wisconsin may be released  but for reasons unrelated to fallout from the U.S. Supreme Court decisions.

In August, a federal judge overturned the conviction of Brendan Dassey, who was featured in the popular Netflix series Making a Murderer. Dassey was convicted, along with his uncle, Steven Avery, of the 2005 murder of Teresa Halbach.

U.S. Magistrate Judge William Duffin concluded investigators hadnt taken into account Dasseys young age  16  and his limited mental capacity when they interrogated him. The state appealed the decision in early September. His lawyers have asked the judge to release Dassey, now 26, while the appeal is pending. The judge hasnt yet decided on that request.

Dassey case falls under different scenario The most well-known juvenile sentenced to life in Wisconsin may be released  but for reasons unrelated to fallout from the U.S. Supreme Court decisions.

In August, a federal judge overturned the conviction of Brendan Dassey, who was featured in the popular Netflix series Making a Murderer. Dassey was convicted, along with his uncle, Steven Avery, of the 2005 murder of Teresa Halbach.

U.S. Magistrate Judge William Duffin concluded investigators hadnt taken into account Dasseys young age  16  and his limited mental capacity when they interrogated him. The state appealed the decision in early September. His lawyers have asked the judge to release Dassey, now 26, while the appeal is pending. The judge hasnt yet decided on that request.

Levick is chief counsel of the Juvenile Law Center, a nonprofit advocacy group. Parole boards, she said, tend to focus on things like employment history, family relationships and social ties when making their decisions. But people who went into prison as teenagers have little work experience and limited long-term social ties.

One would like to think that 35, 40 years out there are still family members available to serve as resources for them, but who knows, Levick said.

Hampton, who shot the fellow gang member as a teen, is now 37 and has served 21 years of his life sentence. He has been eligible for parole since July 2015. He never heard from his mother or grandmother after he entered prison, and lost touch with most of his eight siblings.

Hampton now has a job in the prisons career center helping inmates nearing release write letters to potential employers. He said it can be hard to watch others envision lives outside prison, but it keeps him sharp.

Im always planning and making sure that what little bit I can do for myself is solid for when that time does come, he said.

Changes afoot  or not

A few states have started to retool the parole process.

California now mandates that those charged as juveniles see the parole board 15 years into their sentences. Massachusetts Supreme Court simplified the process in its state so offenders convicted as juveniles have easier access to programs required for release.

Nothing of the sort has been suggested in Wisconsin.

Now, more states are focused on raising the age at which juveniles can be tried as adults. A movement to return 17-year-olds to the juvenile system has been gaining traction in Wisconsin but would exclude those who are charged with murder.

Armstead, now 33, has been in prison more than half her life. She says she regrets her part in the murder of her grandmothers aide, who had five children.

She didnt deserve it, Armstead wrote in a letter to the Journal Sentinel. It took taking her life for me to understand how truly precious life is. Hers, mine, everyones.
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He said: "Government is committed to constructing and completing the fish landing site under the two programmes. The World Bank programme and the China Development Bank programme . Under the the World Bank programme, the first phase of the landing site is to be constructed here in Anloga."

President Mahama also hinted of strictly enforcing laws governing the fisheries sector.

The president noted that the sector contributes significantly to the economy.

As such, the president announced that fishermen will be supported with MASLOC loans to improve their activities.

Outlining government interventions in the sector under his watch, the president noted that 1,6000 outboard motors of various capacities have been distributed at subsidised prices to fishermen across the country to facilitate their fishing expedition.
READ MORE: Nana Addo outlines policy interventions to restore macroeconomic stability

He heads to the Volta region to begin a five-day tour on Monday.

The NPP leader also promised to complete the second phase of the village which began under the Kufour regime.

Akufo-Addo said his vision for the village is like the Suame Magazine. Suame Magazine is the hub of artisans in the automobile industry.

He said, "I will also be proposing that all contracts especially public building should be given to local businesses like yours."

He told the artisans that he takes them serious because Jesus Christ during his time on earth started off as a carpenter.

In addition, the Akufo-Addo pledged to improve the road network leading to the village so as to facilitate their work.

The Sokoban wood village was inaugurated in 2008 by former president Kufour.

It was built for carpenters and wood sellers at Anloga and other parts of Kumasi.
"We are interacting with the public letting them know the do's and don't's. Though it might seem that we have not been fast on certain things, but going forward with the elections proper coming we are not going to relax at all," he said.

In August, National Elections and Security Task-force identified over 5,000 flash-points in the country.

Flashpoints or hotspots are areas notorious for acts of violence.

"Usually such places record violence, acts of vandalism, disturbances of public peace as a result of elections and other social activities. These are the places we have tagged as flashpoints," Director of Public Affairs of the Ghana Police Service, Superintendent Cephas Arthur, explained.

READ MORE: Police identifies 5000 flashpoints
The Chief of Staff and is team will also storm the region on Wednesday, October 26 to interact with the electorates in a bid to secure a second term mandate for president John Mahama.

Akufo-Addo's campaign will take the form of large rallies and courtesy calls on chiefs and opinion leaders.

Mr Debrah's involves meeting grassroots supporters, former DCEs and Ministers, cadres, CDRs, mobilization, members of June 4, Non Formal, former members of 31st December Womens Movement and other NDC groups.

Akufo-Addo's visit to the region follows John Mahama's five-day tour of the region. Monday's visit to the region is Akufo-Addo's second since he began active campaigning.

He will visit15 constituencies, including South Dayi, Kpando, Krachi East, Nkwanta North, Hohoe, Ho Central, North Tongu, amongst others.We will appeal for a decorous campaign because this is a battle of issues and not war. Were ready to face them in our stronghold and at the end of the campaign Voltarians will give their verdict.," the chief of staffs team say.
READ MORE: President Mahama denounces independent candidates

Trump, who is running for president in the USA, has accused the media of seeking to rig the election in favour of his rival, Hillary Clinton.

He is often quoted discrediting the the US media as corrupt and bias.

Casley Hayford, a known critic of the Mahama administration, slammed the president's statement, adding that the governing party controls the national media platform.

He was speaking on Citi FM news analysis show "The Big Issue" on Saturday.

When you make statements like this and you use these nefarious cabal, these nefarious group of people who are not inidentifiable then you are behaving like Jerry John Rawlings and you are behaving like a Donal Trump who is calling for a complete destruction of the world because we will be voting Hillary Clinton into authority," he said.
Addressing residents of Awutu Bawjiase in the company of the wife of the NPP flagbearer, Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo, Andah also slammed Ghana's Foriegn Minister Hanna Tetteh.

He is contesting with her for the Awutu Senya West seat.

President Mahama has done nothing to change our lives but he keeps on lying to Ghanaians that he is transforming lives. The MP has also not done anything and so it is time to show them the exit. We will uproot them like cassava he said.

On her party, Mrs Akufo-Addo urged the electorate to have faith in her husband.She said Nana Addo will fulfill all his promises to Ghanaians when voted into power.
I Want to assure you that despite all the propaganda the NDC will never abandon Ketu south and the Volta region," he said at a rally in the Ketu South Constituency as part of his five-day tour of the region.

His comments follow growing concerns among residents that he has abandoned them despite the wide support the party gets in the region.

President Mahama blamed the New Patriotic Party for spreading lies and propaganda in the region in an attempt to downplay the impact of his projects in the region.

This is not the first time the president has said he will not abandon the region.
The report added that one of the couple, an American getting married to his same-sex partner who happens to a Ghanaian petitioned the United States Embassy of the Pastors refusal.

Marriages are meant for man and woman, not man and man. I do not officiate such marriages, Archbishop Williams is alleged to have told the United States Embassy when contacted.

But the US embassy in Ghana said the report is a "complete fabrication."
Mannions first established himself as a cultural force through his work with the recording industry, documenting over twenty years of hip-hop music. Early in his career, when many in mainstream media were dismissing rap music as a passing fad, Mannion was hustling to create the cover art for Jay-Zs debut LP, Reasonable Doubt. It was the first of many iconic album covers with prominent MCs that quickly crowned Mannion as hip-hops premiere visual biographer.

Hennessy is excited to introduce Jonathan Mannion to Nigeria; projecting him as a perfect representation of a genre that has played an important role in the growth of the brand  Hip Hop. This October, as part of the celebrations of Hennessy Artistry, the legendary photographer will be in Lagos to showcase some of his most iconic works!

We are excited about bringing Jonathan Mannion to Nigeria. Both Hennessy and Jonathan have played a key role in the development and formation of the DNA of the Hip Hop Music & Culture. Art and Hip Hop Enthusiasts will be presented with an invaluable opportunity to explore some of Jonathan Mannions legendary body of work. For us, this is an initiative which remains true to Hennessy Artistry - celebrating Music, and in this case, rather creatively and hopefully, memorably" Lere Awokoya - Brand Manager for Hennessy Nigeria.
Nigerian star boy ( WizKid) won (3) awards with wins in the prestigious Best Male and Artist of the Year categories, and his featured performance on Best Collaboration. while Nigerian afropop /R&B artiste Yemi Alade walked away with the Best Female trophy. Patoranking won the Song of the Year category sponsored by Google for his chart-topping hit, My Woman, My Everything with Tekno Miles bagging the best breakthrough act award.

South African stars Cassper Nyovest and Emtee won for Best Live and Best Hip Hop respectively, with Shekhinah and Kyle Deutsch winning big in Best Pop/Alternative. South African jazz legend and Grammy award winner, Hugh Masekela, was rewarded for his contribution to the music industry with the Legend Award while the Africa Reimagined award, a category honouring individuals reshaping the narrative around Africa, was awarded to youth activists, Vivian Onano and Mary Taedzerwa, for their pro-social activism on the continent.Top Africa artists including Wizkid, Stonebwoy, Kwesta thrilled the crowd with there performances on stage. The world famous Soweto Gospel Choir was also on stage entertaining guests with there unique vocals and sound. US Hip Hop star and nominee Future shook the stage with hits like Wicked, Lowlife and Commas, while Canadian rapper, Drake won the trophy for the Best International Act.
ALSO READ: Police officers kill student while chasing Yahoo Boy

The Deputy Superintendent of Police and Police Spokesman for the Bayelsa Police Command, Mr Asinim Butswat, made the disclosure on Sunday, October 23 while speaking with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yenagoa.

He said that the circumstances surrounding the death of one of the three people shot in error on Saturday, October 22, who died after being rushed to a hospital, was being investigated, NAN reports.

Asinim said that the policeman who fired the shots was immediately identified and arrested.

On 22 October 2016, at about 1730 hours, policemen from the Special Anti-Robbery Squad responded to a distress call of cult attack at Ekeki village, Yenagoa. The policemen were ambushed by the cultists.

Consequently, a police sergeant fired a bullet, it ricocheted and injured three persons who were unfortunately not among the cultists.

ALSO READ: Police allegedly shoots blogger to death for smoking in PH

The victims were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa for treatment and one of them later died.

The serjeant who fired the shot has been detained. The investigation is ongoing, Buswat said.
The Enugu APC Publicity Secretary, Mrs Kate Ofor also said the judges should bring Ogbonnaya Onus name in the matter.

Justices John Inyang Okoro and Sylvester Ngwuta in separate statements, alleged that Amaechi asked them to influence the rulings of some election cases.

Ofor said I am outraged that instead of defending themselves, the Honourable Justices John Okoro and Slyvester Ngwuta are looking for people to drag along with them, hence the resort to afterthought. They should forthwith leave Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu and Rotimi Amechi alone.

Adding that The Honourable Justices going by the powers conferred on them by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, are aware that they have the power to call on the police or even their orderly to arrest anybody who is attempting to pervert the course of justice.

It is not enough to whisper to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, who luckily has not owned up to such frivolous allegation.

It is painful that corruption has penetrated the temple of justice, where Justice is for sale, to the extent that humongous amount in different currencies were found in the house of the justices like Bureau De Change dealers. This is why President Buhari lamented that if Nigerians did not kill corruption, corruption would kill Nigerians.

The APC Enugu spokesperson also commended the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for calling for the suspension of the embattled judges.

She also called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) to do the right thing and support NBAs call.

Ofor said If Nigerians do not join the fight and show enough commitment, then we are in soup. The Constitution never envisaged this level of unbridled corruption penetrating the temple of Justice.

In the past, there were instances where the NJC used kid gloves administratively in dealing with malcontent judges. The result is what we have in hand today.

As His Lordship, The Honourable Justice Samson O. Uwaifo (rtd) proclaimed, A corrupt judge is more harmful to the society than a man who runs amok with a dagger in his hand in a crowded street. He can be restrained physically of course, but a corrupt judge deliberately destroys the moral foundation of the society.'

In the past we have had forthright Judges like late Justice Anthony Aniagolu, who voluntarily declined to the position of Chief Justice of Nigeria after a military coup because he was 3rd in the hierarchy. He also declined a tribunal case because his legal son, Tony Mogboh (SAN) was the lawyer to the defendant.

Finally, let trial commence as all we need is enough evidence, not name calling. Therefore, leave Onu and Amechi alone.
Olomu said corrupt forces are trying to discredit the anti-corruption fight of the President.

He said If the former governor, Rotimi Amaechi,as claimed by Justice Okoro, had visited him in his residence and told him that the president of Nigeria and the APC sent him (Amaechi) to plead with the judge that they must win their election appeals in respect of Rivers State, Akwa Ibom State and Abia State at all costs, why didnt he file a report before the National Judicial Council (NJC) or report same to the Chief Justice of the Federation?

It is clear that the fold of corrupt force within and outside the Judiciary have decided and tutored the disgraced Justice on what to say and how to embark on the clear attacks on the anti-corruption drive of President Muhammadu Buhari. We call on Justice Okoro to focus on the charges against him and stop throwing muds in order to truncate prosecution and coming jail term.

We call on President Muhammadu Buhari not to be disturbed by the false allegation of Justice Okoro and his cohorts,but remained focus and resolute to ensure the anti-corruption drive of his administration remained on course. It is criminal that justice from the judiciary have become the property of the highest bidder. And those ordinary Nigerians unable to Pay end up in jail and their rights trampled upon.
Usman stated that the suspects were arrested in connection with alleged aiding and abetting of cattle rustling.

He said preliminary investigation and profiling of the suspects have commenced.

He noted that troops of Operation Lafiya Dole, in conjunction with other security agencies arrested the suspects as part of measures to stop the menace.

He added that the crime served as another means of funding Boko Haram terrorists activities.

He pointed out that such actions by these unpatriotic elements are likely to jeopardise our collective efforts of clearing the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists in our country.

Although investigations are ongoing, it is important to state that this is a warning to all those collaborators that aid and abet terrorism in the North East generally and Borno State in particular, to desist forthwith.

The Nigerian Army and indeed Operation Lafiya Dole will not tolerate such acts of sabotage from anybody.
The BBOG, earlier accused the Africa Support and Empowerment Initiative (AFRISEI), an organisation run by Buhari-Bello, of franchise infringement.

Buharis daughter reportedly received a cheque of N3.5 million from some stakeholders for the alleged empowerment of the Chibok girls.

A move the BBOG quickly condemned and issued a statement dissociating itself from the project.

Hajiya Bello-Buhari however issued a statement debunking the allegations of the BBOG, adding that their organisation had broader objectives beyond the Chibok girls.

In a new twist, the co-convener of the group, Oby Ezekwesili, on her Twitter timeline, said What's hard to understand? From the outset in 2014, @BBOG_Nigeria DECIDED that the Movement shall NEVER be mired in DONATIONS. Simple.

Adding that WE, @BBOG_Nigeria DON'T RAISE FUNDS. If your organization is RAISING FUNDS, don't call it "BBOG STAKEHOLDERS". ETHICS matter, not so?

Adding that For more than 905 days of advocacy, @BBOG_Nigeria maintained its non-fund raising stance. So, don't drag it into such. IT IS WRONG TO DO SO.
The Convener of the group, Mr Emmanuel Onwubiko, gave the advice on Sunday in Abuja in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

He said that the DSS should be restricted to enforcing operations strictly relating to national security matters.

He said that the statutory responsibility of the DSS relates primarily to national security matters, adding that deploying its operatives to anti-corruption enforcement operations would compromise and pollute its national security credentials.

Onwubiko said that though the president should be supported in his anti-corruption crusade, it should be seen to be driven by dispassionate commitment to national interest.

He described Citizens United Against Corruption, as an informal coalition of non-governmental individuals and sub-groups assisting the government in its fight against corruption.

He stressed the need for the government to have a credible platform in its fight against corruption devoid of sentiment and partisanship.

Onwubiko said: In the process of fighting corruption, there are a number of pitfalls which the government should address.

It is not just the government; the National Assembly has a lot to do in this respect by way of addressing the lapses that we find in agencies such as the EFCC and ICPC.

There is need for clarity regarding their statutory mandate.

There is also the need to have clear understanding of the roles of the DSS in the war against corruption because we are of the belief that the DSS is not the right body to tackle corruption per se.

Rather the DSS should restrict itself to tackling the issue of terrorism and other threats to internal security.

These are much more important to every Nigerian than deploying its operatives to chase those alleged to have collected bribes.

That is a matter for the police; that is a matter for the ICPC and EFCC.

So, we are saying, let there be a kind of support that has to be given to these agencies.

Onwubiko pledged that the coalition would remain apolitical to enable it deliver its mandate with credibility even as it seeks to galvanise resources to undertake its operation on a larger scale.
The application was granted by Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf of the FCT High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja on Friday, October 21, 2016.

According to the an EFCC statement obtained from their website, Dasuki (first defendant) alongside Shuaibu Salisu, a former Director, Finance and Administration, Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA; Aminu Babakusa, a former General Manager, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation; Acacia Holdings Limited and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited are being prosecuted by the EFCC, on a 19-count charge bordering on money laundering and criminal breach of trust to the tune of N13, 570,000, 000.00( Thirteen Billion, Five Hundred and Seventy Million Naira).

The statement also said Similarly, Dasuki alongside Bashir Yuguda, a former Minister of State for Finance; Attahiru Bafarawa, ex-governor of Sokoto State; his son, Sagir and their firm, Dalhatu Investment, are also being prosecuted for a N13billion fraud before Justice Afem.

At the last hearing on Wednesday, October 5, 2016, counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, moved an application for the consolidation of the two cases to allow for diligent prosecution.

Jacobs and Dasukis counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, then agreed before Justice Baba Yusuf to formally write the Chief Judge of the FCT High Court, Justice Ishaq Bello, to consolidate the two charges in the interest of Justice.

The two counsels also urged Justice Baba-Yusuf to adjourn the matter pending the time the Chief Judge would consider the application for consolidation.

Consequently, the matter was adjourned to October 21, 2016 to allow the two parties reach a consensus and present the outcome of their meeting with the Chief Judge.

ALSO READ:ECOWAS court orders FG to release Sambo Dasuki
The meeting which was earlier scheduled to hold on October 29, 2016, was moved to October 31, 2016.

This is coming as the Greenland Justice Mandate (GJM) asked President Buhari to call off his meeting with elders from the region.

GJM said it is not a wise decision to meet the same people who allegedly caused the problem in the Niger Delta.

However, the spokesman of MEND, Jomo Gbomo, issued a statement saying The forthcoming meeting vindicates MEND and Federal Governments continued insistence and belief ab initio that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari meant well for the sustainable peace and development of the hitherto neglected Niger Delta region.

MEND reiterates that we were the first and only militant group in the Niger Delta region who were meaningfully and constructively engaged in talks with the Federal Government with a view to resolving the Niger Delta crisis; as duly confirmed by no less a person than President Muhammadu Buhari sometime in July, 2016 in his farewell remarks to the outgoing German Ambassador, Mr. Michael Zinner.

Following the fruitful talks, several concessions were secured by both parties. For the federal government, the major concession they secured was that MEND pledged the groups firm commitment to work assiduously to get all aggrieved militant groups in the region to ceasefire and line up behind a single umbrella body.

MEND duly kept to the terms of the agreement by leveraging on its vast contacts to prevail on militant groups, criminal elements amongst others to ceasefire and recognized Chief Edwin Clark to lead the Niger Delta region in proposed talks with the federal government.

The federal government, Nigerians and the international community would certainly agree that, as part of these concerted patriotic efforts by MEND within the preceding six months of this year, relative peace has since returned to the Niger Delta region. The countrys oil and gas production capacity has also increased tremendously.

However, in spite of MEND efforts, the federal government is yet to keep to the terms of the agreement reached with the group. Indeed, one of the key concessions secured by MEND was that, the federal government would concede to the release of certain political prisoners, including but not limited to the Okah Brothers  Henry and Charles.

Nevertheless, with news of the forthcoming meeting between President Buhari and the Chief Clark-led PANDEF, we are confident that the concessions already secured by MEND shall be respected by the federal government.

Consequently, we urge members of the Chief Edwin Clark-led PANDEF to put aside personal interests and ambitions of primitive aggrandizement. Rather, we implore them to realize that the Niger Delta region is at a zebra crossing and, therefore, they must remain steadfast and focused on their core mandate, to wit: restoration of sustainable and permanent peace and development of the region.
Lt.-Cdr. Thomas Otuji, spokesman of the joint military force, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yenagoa

Otuji said that the suspects were arrested between Oct. 17 and 18 near some oil wellheads at Apala, off Nana Creeks in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta

Troops of Operations Base 2 in Delta State, while on anti-crude oil theft patrol on Oct. 17 and 18, intercepted pipeline vandals in a large Cotonou and speed boats.

Five suspected vandals were arrested and they confessed that they were planning to vandalise the wellheads. The two boats were recovered in the crackdown.

Similarly, troops of Operation Base 2 repelled a hijack of a vessel (MT VAJARA) by heavily armed bandits in Ramos River, around Agge area of Delta State.

The criminals were repelled after fierce exchange of fire with our troops of the maritime component, he said.

He recalled that the force recently responded to distress calls by some travellers who were attacked by sea pirates in Cross River and Rivers, killing the suspected pirates and rescuing the victims.

Otuji said that last week, other seven suspected pirates and militants were killed in a crossfire, during rescue operations, adding that the hostages were freed unhurt.

He said that the force was committed to making the entire Niger Delta and the waterways safe as Operation Delta Safe was working tirelessly to secure the region.

He said the force had intensified patrols and raids on the criminals hideouts and was poised to halt the renewed violence in the region and restore peace for legitimate businesses to thrive.

The spokesperson told NAN that the successes recorded in the ongoing military operation, raised the morale and commitment of the troops.

Otuji said that the timely and credible information from the coastal communities led to their success and commended them for cooperating with the force.
Buhari is slated to meet selected elders from the Niger Delta

The meeting was earlier scheduled to hold on October 29, 2016, but was moved because it is a Saturday.

According to GJM, it is not a wise decision to meet the same people who allegedly caused the problem in the Niger Delta.

The militant group also said the elders, led by Chief Edwin Clark, have no moral right to speak for the region.

A statement signed by its spokesman, Aldo Agbalaja, said We thought we should not continue to ignore the grand error being orchestrated by those who are responsible for the current parlous state of the Niger Delta region. These people seem to have succeeded in bewitching and railroading the Federal Government into settling for a dialogue with them in the name of the Niger Delta people.

The GJM also warned the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Shell not to start operations at the Trans Forcados pipeline in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta.

They said Trans Forcados crude is under force majeure from operator Shell since a militant attack on the subsea pipeline in February and it is due to resume operation this week following the completion of repair works and maintenance.

We do not have much to say to the oil companies than to just dare them to reopen the Trans-Forcados pipeline. We are aware that you are experts at testing wills, especially as you believe that you have a military shield. Please, go ahead to restart the facility and see what will happen.
Osinbajo said this in Lome, Togo, during the African Union Summit on Maritime Security and Safety and Development in Africa.

He said We are working hard to bring back all the girls who have been held in captivity by Boko Haram for so many years, and we will keep praying also that we will be able to bring every one of them back safely.

According to Punch, Mrs. Esther Yakubu, mother of one of the girls, who is still missing, has expressed hope that she will see her daughter soon.

She said I pray my daughter is among the next batch of girls to be released because I cant wait to hold her in my arms again. My advice to the government is that they should give them (Boko Haram) what they want so that they can release our girls to us.

I dont entertain any fear, I trust in God and I know that the negotiation will go on as planned and by Gods grace, there will be no problem, our daughters will be released to us soon.
In a statement issued to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja, Musa accused Lalong of imitating Gov. El-Rufai of Kaduna state in banning the activities of the movement without recourse to law.

It is perplexing that the premise upon which Plateau state governor has placed his own ban was simply because of the ban in Kaduna state.

No recourse to the dictates of the law, reason or logic.

He is merely copying Kaduna State without basis. This is awkward to say the least, Musa said.

He noted that the ban on the activities of the movement in Plateau, like in Kaduna State, strips the citizens of the two states of their inalienable rights to practice their faith without molestation.

We believe Gov. Lalong is fully aware of this and his limitation.

Musa said Plateau is the least state expected to copy Kaduna state in the infringement of the rights of its citizens.

He said: Of all the myriad of crises bedeviling the state, IMN has never been implicated in any.

It therefore beats imagination why the state would target IMN for persecution.

Governor Lalong only seems to be playing to the gallery in making this ill-advised illegal and illogical move.

We believe he (Lalong) should stand for justice, fairness and obedience to the rule of law."

We call on him to exercise his powers in ordering for the release of members of IMN in detention immediately, pay compensation to IMN members who lost properties in the state-sponsored terror attacks on IMN in his state.

We also expect him to prosecute those soldiers and thugs involved in the carnage during Ashura commemoration anniversary in Jos, Musa said.
Two judges, Justice Okoro Inyang and Justice Sylvester Ngwuta alleged that Amaechi spoke to them, on different occasions, to influence judgements of two different elections.

The judges were arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) for allegedly fraudulently enriching themselves.

The party also said there is a moral burden on President Buhari to prosecute those whose names were mentioned by the judges.

According to Daily Post, the Publicity Secretary of the PDP in Rivers state, Samuel Wanosike said We of the PDP in Rivers state have been vindicated. We are not surprised because we knew Amaechi was stingingly corrupt. Under his watch over three points, something close to trillion was misused.

President Mohammadu Buhari now the moral burden to let Nigerians know if he is truly fighting corruption.

If the President knows hes not shielding corrupt officials especially those who have embezzled fund meant for Rivers state.

We as a party are asking Amaechi to resign so that he can be properly investigated. We are asking President Mohammadu Buhari to please do the needful for Nigerians.

It will interest you to know that five people have so far accused Rotimi Amaechi of corruption.
Two judges, Justices Sylvester Ngwuta and Inyang Okoro had alleged that Amaechi offered them bribes to influence the ruling of some election cases.

The party also told Buhari to be courageous and show Nigerians that his fight against corruption is not selective.

The Ekiti PDP Publicity Secretary, Jackson Adebayo, said When judges of the highest court in the country are revealing how Amechi had tried to influence judgement by offering bribe which they rejected and the next thing was arrest and detention of the judges, the president should not pretend as if nothing is happening.

The Nigeria Judicial Council NJC should also come out with statements affirming or otherwise what the judges have said because they made Nigerian to believe that each time Amaechi made his clandestine approach it was reported to the CJN who is the chairman of NJC."

Adebayo added that These allegations can not be swept under the carpet not only because all what Amaechi was desiring to achieve was to upstage the PDP governors in Ekiti, Rivers and Aka Ibom States but because of precedence and to redeem the image of the so called Anti-curruption fight of the All progressives Congress government at the center.

We are not on the side of any judge found wanting in the dispensation of his job but whoever is accused therein should also be brought to book because what is good for geese is also good for gander, in view of this the minister that has been alleged along the lines should also face trial like the judges.
According to Punch, lawmakers have not received delivery of their office equipment due to the economic challenges.

Reports say despite the fact that the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara has given the go-ahead for the equipment to be supplied, the funds have not been released.

The Ministry of finance is yet to release funds for equipment worth about N350m and luxury cars that will cost N3.6b.

The delay in the disbursement of the funds has been attributed to the drop in the Federal Governments revenue, reports say.

One lawmaker who spoke on the issue said As we speak, not a single office pin has been supplied to us since June 2016. I dont have a television in my office, no stationery and computers. That is the condition we are expected to works.

Speaking on the late delivery of the cars, another legislator added that We dont have operational vehicles. It is over one year that the 8th Assembly was inaugurated.

Those who have personal cars bring them to work, but the operational vehicles have become a mirage. We are expected to depend on the same agencies we supervise to provide vehicles for oversight visits.
The event was organised by the Kaduna state chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ).

The commissioner also revealed that N500m was also spent, annually, on purchase of newspapers by the PDP administration.

He, however, stated that the All Progressives Congress-led administration had since decided to cut down on such expenses by channelling the funds to infrastructural development.

He noted that the adoption of the treasury single account and the zero base budget had assisted the state government in generating N38billion to an open balance of 2016 budget.

We are borrowing the larger percentage to fund the 2017 budget but it is to be channelled to infrastructural development," he added.

Abdulahi called on the media to help in educating the members of public on the break down of the 2017 budget so as to ensure its successful implementation.

Earlier, Zhiroh Jatau, Acting chairman of the NUJ in the state, said the discussion had provided an opportunity for members of the press and public to be better informed on what the administration was providing for the overall development of the state.
The PDP spokesman, Dayo Adeyeye said the duo set out to deal with the judges because of rulings that did not go in their favour.

Adeyeye, who quoted Buhari, said On the fight against corruption vis-a-vis the judiciary, Nigerians will be right to say that is my main headache for now.

In my first attempt in 2003, I ended up at the Supreme Court and for 13 months I was in court.

The second attempt in 2007, I was in court close to 20 months and in 2011, my third attempt, I was also in court for nine months.

All these cases went up to the Supreme Court until the fourth time in 2015, when God agreed that I will be President of Nigeria."

He said We are not surprised with the mention of President Buhari in the statement by Justice Ngwuta because President Buhari has left no stone unturned to confirm the fact that he detests the judiciary and the rule of law as seen in his body language and actions since he assumed office.
The governor described the pastor as a blessing to this generation during the birthday celebrations held in Ibiyeomie's honour at the Salvation Ministries headquarters in Port Harcourt.

Wike commended the cleric for his numerous contributions to the development of the state and the country.

He said that the state has been privileged to have a pastor like Ibiyeomie who he described as a strong pillar whose prayers has helped to stabilise Port Harcourt.

Wike added that celebrating the cleric was the right thing to do and would serve as encouragement to younger ones to live worthy lives.

I believe in celebrating achievers while they are still alive. Pastor David Ibiyeomie has lived a life worthy of celebration. In spite of the fact that we give him nothing , he has always continued to intercede for us.

At the time we were having challenges, he interceded for us. Today, the state is enjoying relative peace because of his prayers and spiritual support, he said.

ALSO READ: Pastor Paul Adefarasin is 53

Wike noted that Ibiyeomie had lived a life of legacies and has touched humanity in numerous ways.
Adeoye who replaced Mr Femi Oyeleye as the CP of the Osun State Police Command, made the disclosure while briefing journalists in Osogbo on Friday, October 21.

He stated that the police are working tirelessly to solve the mystery behind the disappearance of the pair identified as Samuel Eke and Robert Akinduro of the Computer Science Department of UNIOSUN.

The pair were getting set to defend their final-year projects when they reportedly went missing, Sunday Punch reports.

Adeoye said, The fact that the case is in the court does mean that we have closed investigation of the case. A missing person is regarded to be alive until after seven years. So, we believe that they are still alive and we are working on how to find them.
An exterior view of the UNLV Thomas & Mack Center and the Cox Pavilion buildings on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas is shown Jan. 16, 2008. (Mike Stotts/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas will host the final presidential debate before next years election, boosting the citys growing influence in a race that already has brought a long succession of candidates to Southern Nevada.

The school was notified by the Commission on Presidential Debates early Wednesday that its request to be one of four sites for a presidential debate and a vice-presidential debate was accepted. UNLV had partnered with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority in March to make the bid.

The debate is scheduled for Oct. 19, 2016, at the Thomas & Mack Center.

The Convention and Visitors Authority views Las Vegas selection as a debate site as validation that the city isnt just about gambling, nightclubs and having fun, but its also a viable location to conduct business.

The university got final approval for the event after a 20-minute meeting of the LVCVA board of directors, which voted unanimously to make $4 million available to cover expenses for the event. LVCVA officials expect to draw 3,500 journalists and 800 delegates, generating as much as $50 million in publicity for UNLV and Las Vegas.

Under terms of the financial agreement, the host city must pay a $1.95 million host fee and $2.05 million for program and production costs.

UNLV President Len Jessup, who will will co-chair a committee to organize the event along with LVCVA President Rossi Ralenkotter, said in a statement that the event will allow students to experience the political process first-hand.

Nevada is expected to be a swing state in next years election and it will play a key role during the 2016 election as the first Western state in the nomination process.

Las Vegas is already hosting debates for Democratic and Republican candidates later this year. The first of six presidential primary debates for Democratic candidates is scheduled Oct. 13 at Wynn Las Vegas. Front-runners Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders are expected to participate in the event sponsored by CNN.
MUSCATINE  Muscatine authorities are investigating the discovery of a body found Saturday at the Musser skate park.

A city employee found the body about 8:15 a.m. at the park, which is located in the 800 block of Oregon Street, according to a news release from the city's police department.

The name of the deceased has not been released pending notification of family.

Detectives in the department's criminal investigation division are following up on the incident, but there is no threat to the public, police said.

 Ed Tibbetts
Representatives of the Iowa Department of Education will hold a public meeting in Bettendorf from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday.

The meeting is to gather input as part of state planning to meet expectations of Every Student Succeeds Act, the replacement of the 2001 "No Child Left Behind" federal legislation.

The Bettendorf session is one of nine to be held across Iowa. Each meeting will begin with an overview of Every Student Succeeds and the department's goals for developing a statewide plan.

Tuesday's session will be at the Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency, Muscatine/Scott rooms, 729 21st St., Bettendorf.

Iowans can ask question and provide feedback by sending an email message to essa@iowa.gov.

 Deirdre Cox Baker
CEDAR RAPIDS  Hillary Clinton will make her first general election visit to Cedar Rapids on Friday to encourage early voting.

The Democratic presidential nominee, who last campaigned in Iowa on Sept. 29  the first day of early voting in the state  will have a campaign rally Friday to lay out whats at stake in the election.

With polls showing Clinton gaining support in swing states and even some traditionally red or Republican states, Clinton has expanded her travel plans hoping to score a victory that will be seen as a mandate for her presidency.

Shes also looking to support Democratic candidates in down-ballot races. Iowa 1st District challenger Monica Vernon, whose race against Republican Rep. Rod Blum is within the margin of error, would fits that bill.

To RSVP or the rally, go to https://www.hillaryclinton.com/events.
In a bid for a third term, U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-Ill., is facing something new this year.

In her first two times on the ballot, the Moline Democrats foe was Republican Bobby Schilling, the restaurant owner who won the 17th District seat in 2010.

Both contests were bitter, expensive fights. Both national parties targeted the district and poured lots of money into it.

Bustos ended up booting Schilling from office in 2012 and won the rematch two years ago.

He decided not to give it a third try. So this time, Bustos is facing an opponent who is altogether different. And so is the campaign.

Republican Patrick Harlan is a 36-year-old Galesburg man who has made his living as a truck driver but now is selling insurance. Hes the head of the local tea party and says it's time for a middle-class working man that has true faith and family values.

Harlan has raised little money, and nonpartisan analysts have written off this race. Even Bustos spending on the contest is a fraction of what it has been.

Neither of the national parties has spent anything on the race, not exactly the kind of thing residents of the district are used to.

Still, Harlan argues that he can win. I have faith, he said in a recent interview. And there are clear differences between the two.

Bustos sees herself as a results-oriented lawmaker. She says shes contributed to passage of long-term infrastructure and farm bills that will improve economic conditions in her district. She also doesnt hesitate to leverage the resources of the federal government to do what she thinks will make her constituents safer and more prosperous.

Two particular examples  the Quad-City passenger rail project and the controversy over high lead levels in Galesburgs water supply  have led to clashes with Harlan.

When the state of Illinois dragged its feet earlier this year on whether to recommit to passenger service between Chicago and Moline, Bustos publicly goaded Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner on the issue, saying the project would create jobs and provide a valuable service.

The federal government set aside $177 million in 2010 for the Amtrak connection, and local officials were worried earlier this year the money would be lost.

We stayed on top of that like a dog to a bone, Bustos said recently.

Harlan criticized Bustos on the issue. Investments in Amtrak, which operated at a loss last year, are a waste, he says. Theres no sense in spending federal money on Amtrak, he said.

Illinois eventually told the Obama administration it would go forward. And while its not clear what effect Bustos had, she says shes convinced the project would have died had she not stepped acted.

The two also clashed over Bustos role in dealing with high lead levels in Galesburgs water supply. This spring, she urged the city to access federal funds to replace older water lines. And while, at first, she clashed with some local officials about the extent of the problem and its effect on the towns image, the city is moving forward with the forgivable loan.

Bustos, who cites tests that showed a higher than average number of children with unacceptable levels of lead in their blood, says this is exactly what she was elected to do.

It is the job of any elected official to be problem-solvers for the people that we serve, she said.

Harlan says the incident is an example of an overbearing congresswoman and a federal government meddling where local officials could handle the problem.

Anytime you allow the federal government to give you anything or you accept anything from the federal government, there is a string attached to it, he said. "We do not want to accept that kind of help right now. We dont need it."

Harlan argues for a smaller federal government. He says he would eliminate the Department of Education and pare back the Internal Revenue Service. He also wants a flat tax.

Bustos, who has taken a more prominent role in the Democrats political arm, has spent a lot of time trying to get Democrats elected in other districts this campaign season. She says a Democratic majority would mean tackling long-festering issues, such as immigration reform, changes to paid family leave policies and pay equity.

So far, Bustos and Harlan have not met on the debate stage. The race also has been mostly invisible on the television airwaves. In fact, in the three-month period that ended Sept. 30, Bustos campaign had spent only about $200,000, roughly a fifth of what she spent two years ago when she was competing against Schilling.

Harlan, who is going door to door and traveling to party functions to spread his message, had spent less than $100.
The Scott County Sheriffs Office is another step closer to fully equipping its officers with body cameras.

Last week, the department received body cameras, which had been on back order, for patrol deputies, Maj. Thomas Gibbs said.

The cameras now must be inventoried, and the department will test how the cameras operate with the latest in-car video systems, Gibbs said.

Once that is complete, we will begin to schedule the retrofitting of our squads and roll out training to our staff, Gibbs said.

Supervisors in the jail have had body cameras for two years, and courthouse bailiffs have had them since July, Sheriff Dennis Conard said.

Following the officer-involved shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown in August 2014 in Ferguson, Mo., and a series of other officer-involved deaths, body cameras have been touted as a way to reduce the use of force and clear up questions about disputed encounters.

Some Quad-City communities, such as Bettendorf, LeClaire and Hampton, Illinois, already have body cameras.

The Davenport Police Department started looking at body cameras for its officers since the shooting in Ferguson, Lt. Mark Hanssen said.

Earlier this year, the City Council approved $180,000 for the project. That money became available July 1, Hanssen said.

Hanssen said the department put out a request for proposals to potential vendors and are in the process of evaluating the responses.

Hanssen said the department will then field test cameras and make a selection based on the results. He said the department hopes to select a vendor by the end of the year and proceed with training as soon as possible.

Hanssen said the department hopes to purchase more than 100 cameras.

The priority, Hanssen said, is to first equip patrol, traffic and NETS (Neighborhoods Energized to Succeed) officers who have the most frequent contacts with the public.

If we could buy 163 cameras with that ($180,000) and make that work, well do that, he said. If it comes back and its short, then we obviously wont, so well have to plan for that in the future.

Hanssen said the department started the summer before the fatal shooting in Ferguson.

It just kind of accelerated the process, and weve been looking at it for a long time, he said.

We knew it was coming, Hanssen said. Its kind of like car cameras were 15 or 20 years ago. They were new and people were nervous about it. Now, we dont want to go to work without it.

Body cameras are the same way. If youve done this job long enough, youve investigated complaints; you know that any type of video and audio is golden because it sheds neutral light on he said, she said, which is often what you get.

Hanssen said the department has been through some training and has worked with the sheriffs office, Bettendorf Police Department and Scott County Attorneys Office to create a universal policy for the cameras.

To craft the policy, the departments utilized a template policy through the International Association of Chiefs of Police, as well as guidelines from the Police Executive Research Forum.

We didnt want to start from scratch and reinvent the wheel, Hanssen said. We wanted to go with what the recognized best practices were, even though this area is still in its infancy. As an institution, were trying to figure it out.

Conard said his office stores recordings on routine matters for 45 days, while video related to a court case is kept for the duration of the case.

Some videos are kept forever, he said.

Specifically speaking of the jail, we get a lot of repeat clients, so we classify people by their behavior, he said. This helps later on down the road.

Deputy Rock Island Police Chief Jason Foy said the department has looked at several different models in conjunction with several other Illinois Quad-City departments over the past several months.

Foy said there are a lot of things to consider when purchasing body cameras, such as storage space, who maintains the videos within the department, upkeep and service contracts.

He said the department does not yet have a timeline on purchasing and implementing body cameras.

Scott Williams, public information officer for the Moline Police Department, said Chief Kim Hankins and his command staff are researching and trying to find the very best and most cost-efficient system and how it would be implemented in a timely and glitch-free fashion.

Williams said the department is contacting police agencies in surrounding areas to see how larger departments are dealing with the problems that are present.

Rock Island County Sheriff Gerry Bustos said last month that he hopes voters will pass a proposed half-cent public safety tax that he said is needed to buy body cameras and other vital equipment.
Doer. Fixer. Innovator. Problem-solver.

All words Monica Vernon uses to describe herself and her motivation for running for Congress.

Its certainly not the bucket list, Vernon says about her campaign to represent Iowas 1st District in the U.S. House.

For Vernon, who founded and owned Vernon Research for 28 years and served eight years on the Cedar Rapids City Council, its more like a to-do list of things she believes need to be addressed.

In no particular order, theres Social Security (protecting benefits and extending the life of the retirement program); investing in infrastructure (not just roads and bridges, but flood protection for northeast Iowa communities); reforming the tax system (to eliminate tax breaks for corporations that offshore jobs and offering incentives for businesses to create jobs here); raising the minimum wage and overturning the Citizens United court ruling that has opened the floodgate of special interest money (that Vernon says has contributed to gridlock in Washington).

She said shes undaunted by the list.

Im convinced thats a perfect match for me because I like to make friends with people and I can find common ground easily, she said. I can see myself working across the aisle, working with different factions. Ive done it on a local basis. Ive done that across the state.

Vernon has been running for Congress or lieutenant governor for nearly four years. She makes no apology for that. Instead, she believes it gives her more insight into the issues on voters minds.

Getting in early afforded me the time to meet people, to spend time with them and learn from them, Vernon said.

She sees parallels to her former jobs as a news reporter and market researcher.

There are a lot of individual stories, but if you pull them all together, you see the statistics that show the nation has recovered are averages, and there are a whole lot of people in northeast Iowa who are good people who are not quite back to where they want to be from the recession, Vernon said. Theyre struggling with a job situation or theyre not economically where they need to be. I hear that a lot  families one paycheck away from disaster, really teetering on the edge.

We dont know that because Iowans are so resourceful and so proud and so hardworking and sometimes they think its just them, Vernon said. I think a lot of this is making sure we build back this economy.

Vernon has a lengthy resume of community service: helping to build a women and childrens shelter in Cedar Rapids; involvement in the Chamber of Commerce and economic development before and during her tenure on the City Council, and advocating for civil and human rights, affordable housing, education and other quality-of-life issues.

However, it was the 2008 flood that caused her to set her sights on higher office. She made an unsuccessful run for the 1st District nomination in 2014. Days after her second-place finish in the Democratic primary, she became the partys lieutenant governor candidate.

The 2008 flood was one of the most shocking things in my life, she said about the physical, financial and personal toll on the communitys residents and businesses.

When you have thousands and thousands of people who are ruined ... and you are trying to make a difference, its incredible to go through that, Vernon said.

She also believes it showed what she can do and what she can get done. Along with other council members, Vernon spent months meeting with residents and business owners and lobbying for help from Congress, the Legislature, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the whole alphabet soup of federal and state agencies.

Its that doggedness that led John Crews, mayor of Cedar Fall for 30 years, to endorse her.

Working in local government as long as I have, you recognize who will actually roll up their sleeves and get things done, said Crews, who has known Vernon for years through local government and business relationships. Thats exactly what I know Monica will do in Congress.

Gary Dunham, a Cedar Rapids labor leader echoed that sentiment. Vernon was a driving force in leading recovery efforts after the 2008 flood, he said.

It might seem odd that the president of Teamsters Local 238 would endorse Vernon  a former Republican  but Dunham said she has stood strong with organized labor on a number of issues including her support for collective bargaining, project labor agreements and in opposing Congress giving the president fast-track trade promotion authority.

Despite the challenges facing the 20-county northeast Iowa district and all of the nation, Vernon is convinced people have not given up on America and the American dream.

It probably hasnt changed all that much, Vernon said. I think people want a place to call their own whether thats living on the fifth floor of some place close to a coffee shop downtown or thats having a yard with a stand-alone home.  to earn enough money to be able to take a vacation every year, to have a decent retirement  to maybe do a little better than your parents did. If they have children, they want them to be able to be successful, to have opportunities.

On a larger scale, Vernon said, Americans want to be safe, free from constant fear.

People are not letting go of where theyd like to be. For some people, it is becoming harder and harder. I dont see people giving up, she said.

She wont either, Vernon said.

I want to make a difference, she said. I squawk and I work and poke people. I try to do it as nicely, as sweetly, as politely persistently as possible. But I dont give up.
U.S. Rep. Rod Blum has been defying expectations since he was first sworn into office in January 2015.

His first vote was against then-House Speaker John Boehner, a fellow Republican who had campaigned for him.

He joined the House Freedom Caucus, a conservative group of Republicans, while also backing the agenda of No Labels, a bloc of elected officials who vow to reach across party lines.

He has voted as conservatively as GOP U.S. Rep. Steve King of northwest Iowa, according to one measure, but also backed several bipartisan measures and focused on reforming Congress.

Now, as Blum, 61, is seeking a second term as the Iowas 1st District representative, the Dubuque businessman points above all to his constituent services and focus on reforming Congress as the top reasons he deserves to continue.

I have  stood up to the political class in Washington, D.C., Blum said. I think Ive done an excellent job of standing up to Washington, D.C., in my own party when it needs to be stood up to, and then also compromising when its for the good of Eastern Iowa.

Those good-for-Iowa bills he points to are an education bill, a highway transportation bill and the 21st Century Cures Act that would boost funding for the National Institutes of Health, as well as his support for the agriculture industry, seniors, veterans and people who are disabled.

Blum also has co-sponsored or supported reform bills that call for term limits, ending the congressional pension program, banning lobbying by former members of Congress, banning first-class air travel and luxury car leases paid for by the public and tying congressional pay to that of average Americans.

Though he has been criticized for not holding public meetings with constituents, Blum has held fairs  on jobs, senior wellness and veterans  that have offered to help those groups with specific issues.

During the recent Lincoln Dinner hosted by the Republicans of Black Hawk County, Iowa Republican Party chairman Jeff Kaufmann acknowledged the work that Blum has done in Congress and in the district, and how it has had trickle-down impacts.

You dont know any other way to represent people than the way you do, and that is with your entire heart and soul and integrity, so on behalf of the Iowa Legislature and the people that are going to be better served by a Republican Senate, and maintaining a Republican House, thanks to both of you; you are helping, Kaufmann told Blum and U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa.

He said both have coattails that are helping down-ballot races.

In three polls in the 1st District, Blum led in all of them, though one from a Democrat-led group showed a tightening race. Indeed, a poll released Friday showed Vernon with a 1-point lead, The 1st District is race considered one of the most competitive in the country, as the first-term Republican has been labeled among the most vulnerable incumbents and represents a Democrat-leaning district.

But Blum believes he has had the right priorities that fit the district.

Blum has focused particularly on balancing the budget and reigniting the economy since he ran for the seat in 2014, and bested Democrat Pat Murphy by 2.2 percentage points. The seat was open in 2014 due to former U.S. Rep. Bruce Braleys unsuccessful bid for U.S. Senate.

Im a balanced budget guy, but obviously, we shouldnt balance the budget on the backs of senior citizens, veterans or, for sure, disabled people, Blum said.

His budget focus, however, has opened him up to attacks from Democrats in general and from opponent Monica Vernon in particular.

Because Blum has voted for non-binding budget bills that hasten balancing the budget with cuts, Democratic groups have singled out how those cuts would impact Iowans. Vernon, meanwhile, has focused on Blums support for a budget that would raise the retirement age for Social Security benefits.

Theres thousands of ideas in there. Does that mean I agree with them all? Of course not. Of course not. But theyre not binding anyway, Blum said. You get to vote yes or you get to vote no. You dont get to say, Well, I vote yes on these items and no on those. Its all or nothing, but in political season, its picked apart.

But Blum doesnt apologize for wanting to balance the budget. He has called the national debt immoral and leading to financial Armageddon.

Politicians, even Republicans, they come back to their districts, and they talk tough, but when they get to Washington, they dont vote tough, Blum said this past spring. Im so serious about this for our children and our grandchildren. Weve got to get this spending under control.

Blum said he generally doesnt believe the nation can grow the economy by cutting government. Instead, he said government should focus on policies that boost growth, like reducing regulations, lowering corporate tax rates while eliminating corporate welfare and simplifying personal income tax rates.

Thats how we get out of this budget mess, is restrained spending increases, at the top line, in total, . But then we just need to grow this economy, Blum said.

Though he acknowledges a Congress  and a country  that is divided, Blum said he wants to see lawmakers work together to get things done. He said gridlock is not caused by the members but by the handful of leaders who control what legislation moves.

Ive consistently said  as an example, Social Security and Medicare, we need to do something. It needs to be bipartisan, Blum said. Some of our ideas. Some of the Democrats ideas. Put it together, and lets solve this, keep these programs solvent for another 50 years. Now, Im willing to do that. Is the leadership?
1. Calling it home

Soon, you could call the former Kahl nursing home home. Reporter Alma Gaul took us on a grand tour of the work being done on the Kahl mansion last week, with beautiful updates occurring on apartments with a great view. Alma's story and the photo gallery done by Photo Editor Kevin E. Schmidt were very popular in print Tuesday and online through the week. Developer Chris Ales is wrapping up work on the mansion, and people could be moving in by the end of the year.

2. Guilty again

A Rock Island County jury took less than two hours to find Lamaree E. Wilson-Neuleib, 18, of Moline guilty in the shooting death of Zachary Phillips and the wounding of Erik Roberson in 2015. Wilson-Neuleib previously pleaded guilty to the crime, but he was allowed to take back the plea after prosecutors said he wasn't fully informed about the sentence he could face. Now, he faces 45 years to live on the murder charge and six to 30 years on an aggravated battery charge.

3. Niabi report

Late last month, we told you that Niabi Zoo was facing a crisis because half of the animal handlers had either left or were leaving. But last week, zoo Director Lee Jackson gave a more upbeat assessment with a report to the Rock Island County Board on his first 90 days on the job. Jackson said the vacant positions are being filled and the zoo is moving forward. Still, there are many issues that need to be fixed, and additional staff will be needed to bring more attractions to the Coal Valley attraction, he said. He's proposing a $3 parking fee to help pay for improvements.

4. Big money

Political reporter Ed Tibbetts brought us an interesting story about the Illinois House District 71 campaign involving incumbent Democrat Mike Smiddy and Republican challenger Tony McCombie. The race is attracting a lot of attention and even more cash. McCombie, the Savanna mayor, has raised nearly $1 million in contributions, transfers and in-kind donations, and $905,000 has come from the House Republican Organization. That's interesting because most of that group's money comes from Gov. Bruce Rauner. Smiddy also is bringing in large amounts, including hefty support from House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago.

5. Nuclear option

About 800 employees at the Exelon Quad-Cities Generating Station in Cordova are facing the loss of their jobs in 2018, and their eyes are on the Illinois Legislature's November veto session. Editorial Page Editor Jon Alexander and other members of our editorial board toured the plant recently, and Jon wrote about the legislative efforts in a column last week. It's not at all clear, however, that a plan to save the plant and another in Clinton, Illinois, will pass during the six-day session around the Thanksgiving holiday.

6. Bus ride

Davenport has struggled a bit recently with its CitiBus service and realigned routes in an effort to cut some losses. The initial go-round resulted in some complaints from riders, so the city tweaked the routes a couple of weeks ago. Now, Davenport is taking the first steps in what could result in a regional approach to bus service. The city is starting to work with MetroLINK in Rock Island County, which will provide some services. It could lead to a consolidated system.

7. Snow story

Bettendorf aldermen began a discussion about residential sidewalk snow removal at their committee-of-the-whole meeting Monday, but there were enough questions and issues with a proposed policy that they voted, 5-1, to table it. It didn't take long to take it off the table, however. By Tuesday night's regular council meeting, city staff had come up with changes that aldermen liked. The sticking point was how residents would be notified before the city cleans the sidewalks and charges the residents. The plan now is the city will put a door hanger at the residence giving 24-hour notice.

8. The topper

Genesis Health System celebrated a milestone on its major construction project at Genesis Medical Center-East Rusholme Street, Davenport. On Thursday, a "topping off" ceremony was held as the top beam, with the signatures of 2,000 employees, was placed on the new tower. The $150 million project is expected to be done by April, with patient rooms and the emergency room to open in May and June.

9. Lemon aid

We've brought you previous stories about the Combustible Lemons, a STEM team at Davenport West High School. Last week, education reporter Deirdre Cox Baker wrote about the students' summer vacation. The students traveled to Kenya to teach students about solar power and robotics and returned with great experiences and respect for their hosts.

10. Turning the page?

Two venerable Rock Island entities are in preliminary talks that could result in both finding new homes. The public library board is weighing options for its future, and how to best serve residents from its downtown location. The library, incidentally, was built in 1903. The Tri-City Jewish Center also is weighing its options. Since 1981, the congregation has worshipped in a modern building in a tree-filled residential neighborhood. But its board has concluded that the building is too large and that more of its members now live on the Iowa side of the river. So the centers leadership has approached the library about buying the property and relocating all or at least some of its services. For the moment, a decision is on hold pending the results of a study of the librarys options.
As an ardent supporter of innovative clean energy technology, it is very satisfying to see that Illinois, like my home state of Iowa, has grown its clean energy capacity by adding wind and solar into its energy mix.

That being said, many in the Illinois legislature have failed to acknowledge their state is one of the leading producers of clean energy  as they have yet to embrace nuclear energy as clean energy. And the proposed closures of the Quad Cities and Clinton Generation stations mark a step backwards for Illinois clean energy revolution.

After the first commercial nuclear power generation facility opened as part of President Dwight Eisenhowers Atoms for Peace program, opportunities for atomic research increased dramatically. Now, after almost 70 years, there are 104 nuclear reactors are harnessing the same atomic fission that now provides three times more electricity than wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, and all other non-hydropower renewable sources combined; while reliably meeting nearly one-fifth of our countrys commercial energy needs.

Due to our long history in this sector, the U.S. has a large competitive and technological advantage harnessing nuclear energy, and during my time working in the Obama Administration, as an official at the Department of Commerce, I took pride in promoting our civil nuclear technology as an export to enthusiastic customers around the world including in Eastern Europe, South East Asia and the Middle East.

When we export this U.S. technology to our partners, it has the potential to create thousands of American jobs and maintain our geopolitical balance of power. That said, it has been disheartening to see the dramatic halt in domestic construction of new nuclear power generating plants since the 1980s.

So why have nearly one-tenth of the active nuclear generation plants in the United States been slated for retirement since 2013?

Innovations in energy efficient homes, office buildings, and manufacturing plants are one factor; but, disproportionate tax incentives encouraging the construction of other clean energy infrastructure, combined with an unbalanced regulatory framework for the nuclear industry has created this downturn in construction.

While all renewable energy production should be encouraged, no single factor has transformed our domestic energy economy, and squeezed nuclear energy generation more than the fracking boom that has depressed energy prices.

Sadly, when Exelon, the largest U.S. generator of nuclear energy, scuttles two plants in Illinois as a direct result of competition from renewable energy and cheap natural gas, it will take with it $1.2 billion in annual economic activity and as many as 4,200 direct and indirect jobs. This trend should make advocates for manufacturing jobs and clean energy nervous as it may continue to populate unemployment lines while we are still climbing out of the Great Recession.

In Illinois, nuclear power accounts for 92 percent of its carbon-free energy production and almost half of its total energy production. When plants like Quad-Cities and Clinton close, that gap is not going to be filled by wind or solar, but rather, carbon-emitting energy sources. This marks a giant step backward for the progress the clean energy movement has made in Illinois over the past decade.

Running away from clean civil nuclear technology at this time is not the answer. Paving the way for the carbon-free energy grid of the future starts by embracing the clean energy technology we have harnessed and relied upon for decades.

That said, the Illinois Legislature and Gov. Bruce Rauner should take a page from the Clean Energy Standard developed by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, and move swiftly to embrace clean, carbon-free nuclear power in Illinois proposed Next Generation Energy Plan.

If Illinois is serious about maintaining and creating clean energy jobs and moving towards a net-zero carbon footprint and it should buck the trend of nuclear power generating plant closures and embrace nuclear power as one of the cleanest energy sources the United States has to offer.
Joseph Goebbels, Adolf Hitlers propaganda minister, was quoted as saying If you tell the same lie enough times, people will believe it; and the bigger the lie, the better.

The single biggest lie ever told to the American people is that the Democratic Party is for the working class and poor in this country. There is no place in this country under Democratic leadership that is prospering. Detroit, Chicago and the state of Illinois are just a few examples. Recent world rankings have our country 14th in cognitive skills, 24th in literacy, 27th in science, 34th in math, 44th in health care efficiency. We're also first in the amount of money spent per student, first in incarceration and second in general ignorance.

The reason this lie to is so easily sold to the American people is reflected in another Goebbels quote, Think of the press as a great keyboard on which the government can play or put another way in one of his quotes, not every item of news should be published. Rather must those who control the news policies endeavor to make every item of news serve a certain purpose.

When the Quad-City Times comes out with its endorsement of Hillary Clinton, keep that in mind.

Tom Taylor

Wilton
The editorial board attacked Rep. Smiddy by claiming a bogus vote and basically saying that he was a " Madigan soldier' since being elected in 2012. You closed by endorsing Smiddys opponent by acknowledging that it was clear that she is a Bruce Rauner bought and paid for candidate, but that you were more in favor of Rauner than Madigan in moving the state forward. In your attack on Smiddy pertaining to the arbitration bill, your inability to recognize the fact that the governor was bargaining in bad faith was validated by Republican Sen. Neil Anderson voting for the bill. The facts are this, when Smiddy decided to run in 2012, Madigan attempted to force him out by finding a primary opponent from Whiteside County. He also offered little help to Smiddy in 2014 in his re-election bid.
NATION

Obama heads west to help Democrats

President Barack Obama was looking to boost Hillary Clinton's prospects and help Democrats in their bid to retake Senate control, scheduling a campaign stop Sunday in tightly contested Nevada before headlining party fundraisers in California.

Obama's recent itinerary has focused on competitive White House states that also have close Senate races. In Nevada, the president is trying to help Democrats retain the seat of the Senate's top Democrat, Harry Reid, who is serving out his fifth term before retiring.

The president was scheduled to speak at a rally at a Las Vegas-area high school for Clinton and Senate candidate Catherine Cortez Masto, a former state attorney general whose opponent is GOP Rep. Joe Heck.

Search continues for teen in storm drain

New Hampshire police say they are continuing to search for a Nashua teenager who is believed to have fallen down a storm drain Friday night during heavy rain.

Nashua Police Chief Andrew Lavoie says a police helicopter in Tyngsborough, Massachusetts, may have located a body floating in the Merrimack River. He says retrieval of the possible body is underway and no identification has been made. A search of the Nashua and Merrimack Rivers as well as Nashua's sewer and drainage system is ongoing.

The parents of 16-year-old Jacob Goulet reported him missing Saturday, saying they had not seen him since the night before. Police received a citizen report Friday night about some personal items found near an open storm drain. Authorities believe Goulet fell down the storm drain.

WORLD

172 prisoners escape from Haitian prison

Police officers were searching cars and boats for escaped prisoners on Sunday after recapturing at least a dozen of the 172 inmates who overpowered guards and fled from a lockup in central Haiti, the prison's director said.

The prison break occurred Saturday in Arcahaie, a coastal town about 30 miles north of Haiti's capital. The community is far from the southwest area that was slammed by Hurricane Matthew's eye earlier this month.

One guard was reported killed and an inmate died following a bad fall while trying to scale a prison wall.

Haitian National Police officers set up numerous checkpoints along roads to search vehicles. Small boats in fishing towns around Arcahaie were also being checked.

Iraq forces near Mosul

Iraqi Kurdish forces pushed toward Mosul on Sunday, cordoning off eight villages and coming within 5 miles of the northern city held by the Islamic State group, which staged an attack in a western town hundreds of miles away in an apparent diversionary tactic.

The Kurdish forces, known as peshmerga, said the area they cordoned off measures around 100 square kilometers (38 square miles), and that they also secured a "significant stretch" of highway. The statement said eight car bombs were destroyed in the operation, including three by U.S.-led coalition aircraft, and "dozens" of militants were killed.

The offensive near the town of Bashiqa came nearly a week after Iraq announced the start of the long-awaited Mosul offensive. Iraqi and Kurdish forces are approaching from the north, east and south through a belt of mostly abandoned and heavily mined villages scattered across the Ninevah plain.

83 soldiers missing after attack

Some 83 Nigerian soldiers are missing in action since Boko Haram Islamic extremists attacked a remote military base in the northeast, senior army officers said Sunday.

The soldiers were unable to fight back and fled because Boko Haram had superior fire power, the officers told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to give information to reporters.

Morale also was low among the troops because they were being rationed to one meal a day and their allowances were being pilfered by their commanders, the officers said.

Army spokesman Col. Sani Kukasheka Usman reported last week that "some" soldiers were missing and 13 wounded when the insurgents on Oct. 17 attacked their base in Gashigar village, on the border with Niger. Usman has not responded to requests for the actual number.

Dozens of fleeing troops jumped into the Niger River and 22 were pulled from the water by soldiers from that neighboring country, officers said. Many soldiers are feared to have drowned, they said.
Interstate 90 motorists may have noticed a fair amount of dirt being moved at Exit 48 in Summerset, next to AMD Distributing Co.

Crews from Quinn Construction in Rapid City are clearing the way for a third Rapid City-area Fox Den Store-it facility, joining one on at 2811 Eglin St., and another, opened in August, at Mount Rushmore Road and Moon Meadows Drive in south Rapid City.

Owner Jeff Fox of Janesville, Wisc., said the 71,000-square-foot facility, to be located at 12192 Siouxland Road in Summerset, will offer more than 300 units, ranging in size from 50 square feet (10-by-5) to 600 square feet (12-by-50), with the most popular size being a 200-square-foot, or 10-by-20 unit, he said.

Fox said he hopes to have the headquarters office at Summerset enclosed by Thanksgiving, with an eye toward being ready for unit rentals by next summer, or earlier if the weather cooperates.

This will be the seventh storage facility for Janesville-based Fox Den, which includes locations in Kentucky as well as Wisconsin and South Dakota. Fox and his son, Justin, run the company.

Fox said his facilities put a high priority on security, with fences, gated entry and multiple cameras. A command center features 70-inch television monitors with rotating camera views.

Plans for the Summerset facility include 39 high-definition cameras, he said.

We have really good cameras and an awful lot of them. We take pictures when you come in and when you go out, he said.

A lot of people when they roll that garage door down on either their Harley or whatever their prized possession is, they want to come back six months later and know itll still be there, he said.

Self-storage rental facilities are doing a brisk business with families downsizing or needing extra space to house seasonal recreation gear, such as motorcycles and snowmobiles, or antiques and other valuables.

Theres more storage in Rapid than anyplace Ive seen, Fox said. It all seems to be filling up, so it seems to be working.

Oriental Market closed

Greg and Su Wilson closed their Oriental Market at 2330 West Main St. a couple weeks ago. The building is up for rent.

Greg said the business has been barely getting by for the past several years in spite of a loyal clientele that raved about Sus skills with Korean and Asian cuisine and the markets fresh stock of oriental foods.

But other big-name grocery stores have also been stocking the items they sold with their inherent advantage of volume buying power and lower shipping costs.

Its hard to compete with that, so we just decided to heck with it and shut it down, Greg Wilson said.

But there is good news. The Wilsons' Oriental Express food trailer is still offering Korean favorite dishes to walk-up customers at Ellsworth Air Force Base, in a large parking lot shared by the Base Exchange and the Base Commissary.

Oriental Expresss specialty is a Korean stir-fry dish called Bulgogi, which roughly translates as fire meat, more for how it is sauteed rather than the level of spiciness.

Their bulgogis come with either beef or pork. Su also serves fresh egg rolls and has added a chicken curry dish to the menu this year.

The G.I.s out here are used to that kind of food because theyve spent time in Korea, Greg Wilson said. She gets a captive audience.

Oriental Express got its start in the parking lot at Shotgun Willies on West Main Street, but then moved to Ellsworth when Shotgun Willies was sold and closed.

Wilson said the idea of shutting down the trailer was also on the table, but they decided to keep it going based on the popularity of the food Su is serving at the base.

There is some consideration of opening another Oriental Express in Rapid City perhaps next year, he said.

Funeral homes merge

Serenity Springs Funeral Chapel has merged with Behrens-Wilson Funeral Home as of Oct. 15, said Wade Wilson, owner/manager of Behrens-Wilson, one of Rapid Citys oldest existing businesses.

Serenity Springs Funeral Chapel at 3808 Sheridan Lake Road is closed and the building is for sale, he said.

Wilson said Behrens-Wilson will honor all pre-need funeral arrangements made with Serenity Springs prior to the merger.

We have agreed to honor anything that anybody had at Serenity Springs," Behrens-Wilson owner Wade Wilson said. Well have access to all of their files and information.

Call Behrens-Wilson at 605-343-0145 or 888-366-2800 for more information.

New outdoors store

Justin Stephens is an avid hiker and skier who hikes Black Elk Peak weekly. He spent his summer climbing the 178 USGS-named peaks in the Black Hills.

So It was only natural that Stephens combined his love of the outdoors and knack for business to open a second location for High Mountain Outfitters in the Black Hills on Sept. 22.

The store is located at 740 N. Main St., in Spearfish, joining another store at 308 Main St., in Lead.

Like the Lead location, the new shop offers a variety of rock climbing, fly fishing, camping, kayaking gear, mountain apparel and footwear, gifts and decor, according to a news release from the Spearfish Economic Development Corp.

The Stephens family also owns 18 drug stores/pharmacies and three grocery stores, as well as the two outdoor stores.

"We had a significant customer base from Spearfish," Stephens said in the news release. "And Spearfish definitely has the market to support an outdoor retailer. We're happy to fill that niche."

Stephens plans to open a full-line fly-fishing shop in the building next to the Spearfish High Mountain Outfitters by the end of the year.

The store is also bringing on fly-fishing and rock-climbing guides, and the manager is a former Devil's Tower climbing ranger and longtime climbing instructor, the release said.
Editor's note: As a public service, the South Dakota Newspaper Association, which represents daily and weekly newspapers across the state, asked former Sioux Falls Argus Leader editor Maricarrol Kueter to write a series of articles on the 10 statewide ballot measures that will be considered by voters in the Nov. 8 election.

As a service to our readers, and to help create a more informed electorate, the Rapid City Journal will publish the material over the coming days.

Two measures on the 2016 ballot would enact workplace changes in South Dakota.

Referred Law 20 asks voters to decide if a law setting a lower minimum wage for workers under 18 than for adults should go into effect.

Initiated Measure 23 would allow labor unions to charge fees to non-members for the work they provide in negotiating contracts and handling other services.

In November 2014, South Dakota voters approved raising the states minimum wage from $7.25 to $8.50 an hour.

A few months later, the Legislature voted to set a lower minimum wage  $7.50 an hour  for workers under 18. Opponents of that move petitioned to refer the matter to the states voters.

In approving the youth wage, some legislators argued that authorizing a separate wage scale would help small businesses by permitting them to offer a lower training wage to young workers who dont have extensive experience.

In addition, if all workers earned the same wage, employers would be more likely to hire adults, lessening the opportunities for teens to enter the workforce, they said.

But those behind the referral say the Legislature disrespected the will of voters in tinkering with the minimum wage.

Proposing and voting for a lower minimum wage undermines the will of voters and disrespects our states long-honored process of direct democracy, said Augustana College economics professor Reynold Nesiba in an email.

Nesiba said a higher minimum wage has not negatively affected the economy as some had warned. The labor market in South Dakota has continued to grow even with the minimum wage hike, he said.

INITITATED MEASURE 23: Giving certain organizations the right to charge fees

The words labor unions do not appear in the text of Initiated Measure 23. It says only that the proposed law would give certain organizations the right to charge fees.

But proponents, who are also labor union representatives, say the government should not be able to force any organization  including unions  to provide services for free.

Jason George, an official with the International Union of Operating Engineers, said currently people who work in a business that has a union contract can decide not to pay union dues or fees. They still get the benefits of the contract, under federal law.

Think about it this way, he said in an email. Many people belong to a health club where they pay a monthly fee to be a member of the club. If someone decides not to pay the fee, eventually, they are barred from using the services of the club. Thats the way commerce works. You get something, you have to pay for it.

Unions, he said, cant prevent someone from using their services.

South Dakota is a right-to-work state, meaning you cannot be required to join a union in order to be hired for a job.

But, George said, the initiated measure would allow unions to charge what are called fair-share fees, an amount less than the cost of a full union membership, to non-members who work in firms with union contracts. The amount of that fee would be determined by calculating the percentage of union members dues that are spent on the negotiation and enforcement of contracts.

I would hope that South Dakotans, even if they dont like unions, would agree that everyone should be treated fairly, said George.

Opponents say the initiated measure goes against the intent of the right-to-work provisions of the state constitution.

Right to work addresses being forced to join a union, said David Owen, president of the South Dakota Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in an email. The payment of a fee without a membership versus being required to join the union is a distinction without a difference.

Owen said unions could instead choose to negotiate contracts only for their members and leave non-members to negotiate their own wages and benefits.

In addition, the vague wording of the initiative is confusing and could end up in court challenges, he said.

People choose not to belong to unions for their own reasons. Forcing them to pay money to the unions hasnt been legal since the 70s and would render the right-to-work system meaningless, Owen said.

Ten questions are on the Nov. 8 general election ballot. You can learn more about the various ballot questions at the S.D. Secretary of States website.
On Monday alone, Butte County Auditor Elaine Jensen's office accepted 30 absentee ballots in what has become South Dakota's version of early voting.

Jensen tends to still call ballots cast before the Nov. 8 official election day "absentee ballots."

But the state law was dropped that required people to tell why they wanted ballots before election day.

Now the early voting began Sept. 23.

Jensen said the advantage of the early voting may be that the long list of state measures can be considered at home with a state-supplied pamphlet available in her office or online.

"We've had a lot of registrations, too," she said.

Since August 1, she said there had been 328 registrations or changes in registration. That includes new voters in the county, updates and cancellations if the voter moved or was deceased.

Registration closes at 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 24.

When it comes to early voting, Jensen said, "The one thing that I am noticing with people coming in to vote, when they see how large the ballot is, many are taking the ballot home with the booklet on pros and cons."

"They're taking their time to study the ballot," she said.

The auditor's office has been keeping busy planning and preparing for the election.

"It's my job to make certain that every person has that privilege to vote," Jensen said.

On election day there will be 16 precincts with three people on each precinct election board.

"I will probably have an absentee board to process those at the courthouse, and that needs to be a board of four."

She plans an election school for those poll workers about a week before the election.

"It's an expensive election," she said. "Ballots are bigger; we had to purchase bigger envelopes to fit those ballots and I've had to purchase ballot sleeves to fit those ballots."

Butte County has 6,648 active voters. There are ballots on hand for each precinct.

Although Belle Fourche has no contested county or legislative contests, the eastern part of Butte County falls into a legislative district with Meade County, and there is a state senate race.

That means the two legislative districts in the county have separate ballots.

The difference in this year's election is the long list of measures, Jensen said.

"I would definitely recommend to take the time to study the amendments and measures that were just published in the newspaper, along with the pamphlet," she said. "They are welcome to mark the sample ballot, and take that into the voting booth with them."

The ballots also will be published in the Butte County Post Nov. 2.

Jensen said she hopes to work with local assisted living centers and the nursing home to allow people there to vote.

Shut-ins can call her office to work their best method to vote: "Call me."

Polling places are Belle Fourche Community Hall, Nisland American Legion Hall, Castle Rock-Moreau River Hall and Newell Community Hall.
Food hub harvest season ending

The Black Hills Food Hub, hosted by Black Hills State University, is coming to the end of its first harvest season. The Hub combines produce from small farms in order to sell larger quantities to cafeterias that need to prepare up to thousands of meals per day. Through the Food Hub, 10 farms sold a total of 1,344 pounds of produce from late May to mid-September, including 262 bags of greens, 40 heads of lettuce, and other vegetables and herbs. The goal of the Food Hub is to expand the local food market to encourage more producers to farm in the region. The Food Hub launched from Black Hills State Universitys Spearfish Local program, an initiative to bring together local producers, distributors, purchasers, and consumers of local food and other locally sourced products. More information can be found at BHSU.edu/spearfishlocal.

BHSU student earns international internship

Rachel Williams, a Black Hills State University physical science and chemistry major from Spearfish, earned an international internship with the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Institute for Nuclear Physics. While at the Institute's section in Catania, Italy, she built a background detector for a dark matter project that is now the highest efficiency cosmic ray detector housed at the institute.

Scholarship created in memory of BHSU alum

A new scholarship at Black Hills State University has been established in memory of BHSU alum Elizabeth Fritz Ruff to support nontraditional students pursuing a degree in education. The first scholarship was awarded to Rockiel Akason, a special education major from Rapid City, and the $500 scholarship will be awarded annually to a full-time, nontraditional student seeking a degree in education. Ruff graduated from BHSU in 1972 after farming with her husband in the Nisland area. After the death of her husband, she pursued a degree in special education. Ruff taught children with special needs in Alliance, Neb., and in Pine Ridge before retiring in 1987.

Freshman Impact program marks 10th anniversary

The Freshman Impact program is announcing its 10th anniversary. The public is invited to the first fundraising Prime Rib Dinner/Auction at Crazy Horse Memorial on Oct. 29. South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley will be the speaker. The auction preview starts at 5 p.m. with buffet dinner at 5:30 p.m. Free admission to Crazy Horse is included with meal tickets, which can be purchased at freshmanimpact.com or by sending checks and donations to C.O.R.E., 22732 Rando Court, Box Elder, S.D., 57719. Cash, check or credit card accepted at auction. Freshman Impact is a one-day event that educates teenagers on the devastating effect of poor choices and immerses them in pre-planned crisis situations to equip them with the tools to make healthier decisions.
Quite appropriately for a Black Hills resident, Lisa Shannon of Hot Springs used a campaign to promote motorcycle safety as her platform during the recent Mrs. South Dakota International pageant on Oct. 16 at the Orpheum Theatre in Sioux Falls.

Her pageant platform turned out to be a winner for Shannon, 45, who returned to her hometown with the title and crown in hand.

Shannon said she chose the motorcycle safety platform because she and her husband, Jeff, experienced a severe accident a few years ago. If we had not been dressed appropriately we would not have survived, she said. I want to help raise awareness for riding safe.

Married women ages 21 to 56 may enter the competition.

The contestants were judged on their interviews, fitness and evening gowns. During the interviews, the five judges asked the contestants about their platforms and about their careers and family values. The interview counts 50 percent, fitness counts 25 percent, and evening gown counts 25 percent.

The pageant is family oriented and promotes todays married women and their commitment to marriage, Shannon said, adding that it involves husbands and families.

Now, Shannon will advance to a larger pageant which will include married women from around the country and the world.

The pageant showcases the importance of a healthy lifestyle. There are no talent or swimsuit competitions and no height or weight requirements. Special fitness wear is designed for the state pageants and then are also worn at the national pageant.

Each contestant chose a platform to promote.

Shannons was titled,  Ride Free, Ride Safe which promotes motorcycle safety. She received her own license in June. She said she chose this platform because she feels it is appropriate for the Black Hills and South Dakota, especially with the Sturgis Rally being held here. She researched the topic and contacted the motorcycle foundation for information. Black Hills Harley Davidson is one of her sponsors, along with the Battle Mountain Post 71 American Legion Riders, Sturdevants Auto Parts of Hot Springs and Golden West.

This is not the first time Shannon has entered a pageant. She started competing in Florida when she was four years old and continued until she was 21. During that time she won a number of titles.

Ive been asked for the last 10 years to enter the Mrs. South Dakota International Pageant, Shannon said. I kind of put it on the back burner.

However, this year was different. I truly believe things happen for a reason, she said. When I was asked again this year, it stuck with me.

When she picked up a newspaper at work, inside was an ad for the pageant so she decided to call the executive director. I have a good feeling about it, she said.

And as it turned out  she was right.

Included with the Mrs. South Dakota International pageant are competitions for Little Miss, ages 5 and 6; Young Miss ages 7 to 9; Junior Miss ages 10 to 12; Miss Teen ages 13 to 18 and Miss South Dakota women ages 19 to 30.
Mni Wiconi, the Lakota phrase for water is life, has become a rallying cry for thousands of people from across the nation who are united in protest against the Dakota Access oil pipeline being built in North Dakota.

But in South Dakota, those Lakota words have a more practical meaning beyond the spiritual weight they have taken on in recent months for the Native American-led protesters who call themselves protectors of the water.

Mni Wiconi is also the name of a massive, tribal-owned water system that provides millions of gallons of drinkable water from the Missouri River every day for tens of thousands of people  both Native and non-Native  in western South Dakota.

The Mni Wiconi Rural Water Supply System stretches across a 150-mile area, beginning at its intake point in the Oahe Reservoir and ending at the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, where it provides drinking water for an estimated 21,500 tribal members. Some non-reservation communities served by the water network include Fort Pierre, Murdo, Kadoka, Wall, Phillip, and Midland.

Concerns for the safety of that water supply is why Mark K. Tilsen Jr., of Pine Ridge, is camped along the banks of the Missouri River in Cannon Ball, N.D. For Tilsen and hundreds of other Native Americans from South Dakota gathered there, the Dakota Access pipeline being built by Texas-based Energy Transfer Partners is not an abstract or existential threat. The protest camp that formed in the spring has grown exponentially and now hosts thousands of people from across the country and the world.

In addition to the belief that the pipeline will destroy Native cultural and sacred sites, many protesters say they are fighting in a very real way to protect a precious source of water for themselves and, when all water systems on the Missouri River are taken into account, roughly a quarter of the state's population that uses the river for its water supply.

Its really insulting that they picked the word Dakota as the name of their pipeline, Tilsen said. Dakota, in Lakota means the allies, the good friends. In no way has this company acted in good faith, has acted as an ally, or a friend, to any of the tribes or any of the communities downriver on the Mni Wiconi pipeline who drink this water.

Frank Pope Means was the first program director of the Mni Wiconi water system. He, too, opposes the Dakota Access pipeline, seeing it as a threat to the massive rural water system that he helped build. Energy Transfer Partners, Means said, never consulted the managers of the Mni Wiconi system when they decided to route their oil pipeline beneath the Missouri River.

Im against any kind of pipeline or development thats going to disrupt our balance with Mother Nature, Means said. But Im just a little Indian down here. There are special interests out there that are pretty powerful. They just push people out of the way and do it whether we like it or not.

Owned, operated, and maintained by the Oglala Sioux Tribe, the 4,200 miles of Mni Wiconi pipeline in 2015 pumped 78.4 million gallons of drinkable water for an estimated 55,000 people in 11 counties West of the Missouri River. The treatment plant in Fort Pierre produces 6.5 million gallons of water a day for the Pine Ridge, Rosebud and Lower Brule Indian reservations, and many other non-tribal municipalities.

Protesters also worry that a pipeline break or oil spill affecting the Missouri River would devastate one of the most abundant sources of clean water for all of South Dakota. Besides Pine Ridge, Lower Brule and Rosebud, the Standing Rock, Cheyenne River, Crow Creek, Yankton, and Sisseton Sioux tribes all get their water from the Missouri River, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

But the importance of the Missiouri as a drinking water source goes much deeper. According to the South Dakota Association of Rural Water Systems, 18 rural water systems in the state pull water from the Missouri River.

All told, the river provides drinking water for more than 200,000 people in 113 communities and developments in South Dakota, according to the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the EPA, and the South Dakota Association of Rural Water Systems.

This is one reason that many protesters like Tilsen say that resistance to the Dakota Access pipeline is not a Native American thing. If the oil pipeline breaks and contaminates the Missouri River, they say, Native Americans will not be the only ones affected.

Some of us are wondering why the white communities havent showed up in support, Tilsen said. I dont think its out of racism. I think its lack of knowledge. I dont think they realize that their way of life is in danger and that their water is in danger. Weve seen more support from Indians thousands of miles away than weve seen from South Dakota white folks, from South Dakota ranchers and farmers. Were not mad. We just need them to know that this is whats at risk.

The Mni Wiconi system was created by a 1988 act of U.S. Congress written by former Oglala Sioux Tribal Attorney Mario Gonzalez. At the time, Gonzalez said, potable drinking water was scarce on the western edge of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Residents would have to travel to a water supply station in the town of Oglala and haul it more than 15 miles back to their homes in buckets and cans.

In 1986, Gonzalez learned about a meeting in Kadoka where a group of officials and lawmakers planned to discuss the creation of a massive water transporting network in Western South Dakota. Hoping to get the Oglala Sioux a seat at the table, Gonzalez convinced the tribal president to send tribal councilman Frank Pope Means to the meeting.

I spoke to President American Horse and said, Why are we always fighting with these non-Indian people? Gonzalez said. Why dont we see if we can work with them and connect it to the Pine Ridge Reservation?

The planners of the project welcomed the tribe aboard, and soon the Oglala Sioux were at the helm. Gonzalez started drafting legislation to secure federal funding and Means was named the first program director of what became known as the Mni Wiconi Rural Water Supply Project.

One of the most positive things about the Mni Wiconi Act is it brought the people of the different water projects together and broke down barriers, Gonzalez said. Everybody was getting along. To this day, the people still care about each other.

Construction began in 1992 and ended on March 30 this year. Funded with federal dollars, the Bureau of Reclamation estimates the total project cost $470 million.

Means and Gonzalez remain proud of what they, with the help of many others, accomplished.

Its been pretty damn hard work, Means said. It wasnt easy. To reflect back, it was quite the achievement though.

Gonzalez said the water system was a forward-thinking project.

The Lakota people have a sacred obligation to protect the next seven generations of our people, Gonzalez said. It differs from some of the non-Indian perspectives, like the corporations. They are looking for immediate gain, and they dont care about future generations. Make a dollar now, they think, and let future generations care about the negative effects of their decisions.

Means remembers how he felt when he first saw that activists like Tilsen were rallying behind the old Lakota words for water is life. The phrase has taken on new life. It is emblazoned across T-shirts and protest signs, is chanted at marches in Iowa and Washington D.C, is called out in the dark as night falls over the sea of tents and teepees in the Oceti Sakowin protest camp along the banks of the Missouri River in Cannon Ball.

I felt proud of it, Means said. I thought, Hey, thats the name of our water project.
Editor's note: As part of the Journal's ongoing coverage of the massive Dakota Access Pipeline protest in North Dakota, staff writer Mike Anderson has been camping in a tent near the protest site. He filed this dispatch from the scene on Saturday.

CANNON BALL, N.D. | A peaceful protest against the Dakota Access Pipeline ended in the arrests of 126 people in North Dakota on Saturday morning amid a chaotic scene in which police in riot gear used pepper spray to break up and subdue a group of 200 to 300 protesters.

It is the highest number of people arrested in a single day in North Dakota during the last several months of protest actions against the oil pipeline, bringing the total number of arrests up to 269.

Though the protesters behaved non-violently and cooperated with the police, North Dakota law enforcement officials described Saturdays events as a riot. Police have offered conflicting reports alleging that one protester either verbally threatened an officer, or tried to physically grab away a can of pepper spray, resulting in the protester and the officer both being pepper sprayed in the face.

Most, if not all, of those arrested after the 5-hour ordeal on Saturday will be charged with criminal trespass, a misdemeanor, according to Morton County Sheriff spokesperson Rob Keller. Other charges included assault on a peace officer, reckless endangerment, engaging in a riot, resisting arrest, and fleeing an officer on foot.

Its an unlawful activity, Keller said during phone interview on Saturday afternoon. The bottom line is its on private property. Its posted, No Criminal Trespass. Its like youre invading someones home. Consequently, there were arrests that were made.

The arrests occurred as the protesters were marching through wide-open prairie lands along the route of the Dakota Access Pipeline west of Highway 1806 outside Cannon Ball, N.D. They hoped to get to four fellow protesters who had locked themselves to a piece of construction equipment in the early morning hours at sites where the pipeline, which is planned to be buried beneath the Missouri River, is now under construction.

A police statement said the four were arrested after they were found, attached to the vehicle; two attached to the outside of the vehicle, one attached to the steering wheel and another whose body was outside the vehicle with his arm fed through a hole in the door and his hand was in a bucket of hardened concrete.

The call to action went through the main resistance camp around 5:20 a.m. while it was still dark and freezing cold. A man walked through the camp speaking through a megaphone.

Wake up relatives, he said. Wake up water protectors. Wake up land defenders. Time to wake up. Time to send our boys to the universe. Time to send our boys to the rising sun.

A convoy of vehicles formed in the camp, a prayer was held, and the assembled were instructed to behave peacefully and respectfully if they encountered police.

I know its hard on the front line, the prayer leader said in the dark. But do not cuss, do not holler. If you see someone getting out of hand, tell them to calm down.

Then the convoy moved out. Parking their vehicles along the highway, the protesters began hiking into the field as the sun rose a little before 8 a.m. Their path took them along a craggy dirt road near the route of the Dakota Access Pipeline on land that tribal members of the Hunkpapa Sioux of Standing Rock said is filled with sacred burial sites.

Some of the protesters remained behind as several hundred others carrying signs and banners began marching into the field, singing, praying, and burning bundles of ceremonial sage as they went.

They walked two to three miles inward when they encountered a line of more than 50 officers from multiple law enforcement agencies. Most of the officers wore riot gear, most held wooden truncheons, and some had shotguns, canisters of pepper spray, and tear gas grenade launchers in their hands. Two armored personnel carriers arrived later while a helicopter circled low overhead.

The protesters and police lines met in the middle of an open field. The protesters remained calm, playing drums and offering prayers in English and Lakota to the officers, who remained stone-faced and uncommunicative.

When the police line began to advance on the protesters, the leaders of the group instructed everyone to fall back and cooperate with the police. They were dispersing when an officer spoke over a loud-speaker from the turret of an armored vehicle.

His only words  and the only words police spoke to the protesters all morning  were, Youre all under arrest for trespassing.

The police continued to advance on the fleeing protesters, snatching some of the stragglers, throwing them behind their lines, and pepper-spraying several others in the face as they trod silently forward.

The police eventually surrounded the group, repeating that every one of the 200 to 300 people present would be placed under arrest. The protesters linked arms and tied bandanas to their faces as the officers pressed in, splitting the group and pressing many to the ground. Most, if not all of the men and women taken into custody, did not resist arrest.

A small group managed to retreat over the hill, a few pouring water into the eyes of friends who had been stung by pepper spray and guiding them by hand up the dirt road as they made their way back to camp.

It was all peaceful. And then the cops showed up," said Harmony Restoule, a young Ojibwe woman from Northern Ontario, Canada. It was really scary when the police kicked into action.

Restoule went to the demonstration with her cousin Paige, both of whom participated in mass protests during the Idle No More movement, a grassroots campaign organized in 2012 by the indigenous peoples of Canada against perceived legislative violations of their treaty rights.

The Canadian police never showed up in riot gear, Paige Restoule said.

A young man from California who identified himself only as Ahkua said his friend was among the people arrested, and that the police took him after he knelt to the ground to help someone else up.

There were a few officers who were excessively aggressive and got the others riled up, he said. Most cops are pretty chill.

Saturdays protest was one of several high profile demonstrations in the Cannon Ball area against the Dakota Access Pipeline in recent months. Police arrested celebrity Shailene Woodley along with more than 20 others on Oct. 10 along the route of the pipeline near St. Anthony, N.D. Police referred to the event as a riot and charged many people with either inciting or engaging in a riot. At the time, it was the highest total number of arrests made in a single day.

The protesters, who now number in the thousands at a main camp near Cannon Ball, want to stop the ongoing construction of the pipeline that will transport oil from the Bakken and Three Forks formations of North Dakota, through South Dakota and Iowa, into southern Illinois. The pipeline would carry 450,000 barrels per day initially and could reach 570,000 barrels a day. The total length of the pipeline across the four states would be 1,172 miles, with 271 miles in South Dakota. The companys estimated cost for the South Dakota segment is $820 million.

On Sept. 3, police and private security forces used pepper spray and dogs to drive protesters away from construction equipment.

Todays situation clearly illustrates what we have been saying for weeks, that this protest is not peaceful or lawful, Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier said in a press-release about Saturdays events. This protest was intentionally coordinated and planned by agitators with the specific intent to engage in illegal activities. I have repeatedly stressed that it is our job to provide safety and security for all involved in the situation at hand. This is not about the pipeline. This is not about the protesters. This is about the rule of law.

The protesters may have been peacefully dispersing on Saturday morning, Keller said, but that doesnt change the fact that they broke the law.

Thats the whole purpose of having a police line, to protect the (pipeline) property and their right to commerce, Keller said. We are protecting the protesters too, and the ranchers as well.

When asked if she felt protected by the police, Harmony Restoule said, No.
PIERRE | When Donald Trump called for term limits on Congress the other day the Republican presidential nominee got in step with South Dakota voters.

South Dakotans supported term limits 24 years ago. There were 205,074 "yes" votes and 117,702 "no" votes to amend South Dakotas Constitution in the 1992 election. The "yes" side won in all 66 counties.

But the piece of the constitutional amendment limiting South Dakotas members of Congress didnt take effect.

Thats because South Dakota voters couldnt put such a restriction on a federal elected office.

The U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision in 1995 ruling 5-4 that states and Congress couldnt place binding limits on Congress.

Despite that, the congressional limits remain in the state Constitution to this day.

South Dakota voters had the chance in 2006 to repeal them but rejected a 10-part constitutional amendment that the Legislature had proposed.

The tenth part would have repealed the congressional term limits.

The defeat for the 2006 package in whole was wide: 103,026 "yes" votes and 215,548 "no" votes.

What Trump now suggests would require an amendment to the U.S. Constitution. That would need support from a two-thirds majority in each chamber of Congress, followed by ratification in three-fourths of the state legislatures.

Trumps proposal calls for limiting a U.S. senator to two consecutive six-year terms, which is the same as the limit approved in South Dakota.

If that were in effect this year, it would have meant Republican incumbent John Thune would be retiring or running for some other office, rather than seeking a third Senate term against Democratic challenger Jay Williams.

Trumps proposal also calls for limiting a U.S. representative to three consecutive two-year terms. The limit approved in South Dakota allowed six consecutive House terms.

Again, if the Trump limit were in effect this year, Republican Kristi Noem would be running for something else or retiring, rather than seeking a fourth House term against Democratic challenger Paula Hawks.

The 1992 proposal in South Dakota came from then-state Rep. John Timmer, R-Sioux Falls. Passed over for a House committee chairmanship that he sought, he decided the system should change.

Thats how South Dakota put term limits on legislators. They can be elected to four consecutive terms in the House and to four consecutive terms in the Senate.

But partial terms, such as an appointment by the governor to a legislative vacancy, dont count. And legislators can swap between House and Senate to serve as long as voters let them.

The amendment put a limit of two consecutive four-year terms on attorney general, secretary of state, auditor, treasurer and commissioner of school and public lands.

But theres no limit on consecutive terms for members of the Public Utilities Commission. And the governor already was limited to two consecutive four-year terms.

Term limits shuffled the Legislature as intended. Theyve coincided with the Legislature increasingly determined to be independent of the governor.

Donald Trump proposed term limits as part of a broader ethics package. Its hard to tell serious ideas from sales pitches during this presidential election campaign. Either way hed find a lot of buyers in South Dakota.
What has allowed the United States to last for so long as a democracy, when so many other countries have failed? There are many factors, but none is more fundamental than this: When we hold elections, the losing party acknowledges the legitimacy of the winner, and the winner allows the loser to fight another day.

Now, for the first time in modern history, a major-party candidate rejects both sides of that equation. If he loses, Donald Trump says, it will be due to cheating that makes the result illegitimate. If he wins, he will imprison his defeated opponent.

Many Americans may not have given much thought to what a breathtaking departure this represents, because until now we have had the luxury of never having to think about such things. We have been able to take for granted the quadrennial peaceful transition of power. We watch from a distance when political parties in one foreign country or another take up arms after losing an election. We look, as at something that could never happen here, when a foreign leader sends an opponent to jail or into exile.This can happen in Zimbabwe, we think, or Russia, or Cambodia, but not in the United States.

The Republican nominee is saying that he will make it happen here. He tells Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee, that if he were president, "you'd be in jail." He nods approvingly and chimes in when his crowds chant, "Lock her up." He warns that a vast if fuzzily defined conspiracy of global bankers, media companies and election officials is gearing up to steal the election. "The election is rigged," he says. "It's rigged like you have never seen before. They're rigging the system."

You may disagree with Clinton about Obamacare, Russia policy or Planned Parenthood. She may, as president, take actions that deeply upset you. But you can be certain that if Republicans take issue with her, she will not order them jailed.

With Trump, if the candidate himself is to be believed, there is no such certainty. A voter's first obligation should be to preserve the republic which has been, for so long, the envy of the world.
PHOENIX, Ariz. | Robert J. "Bob" Schumacher passed away on Sept. 24, 2016, in Phoenix. He was born in Mitchell, SD, to Julius and Helen (Jacobsen) Schumacher.

When he was a baby, the family moved to Rapid City, SD, where he grew up and graduated from Rapid City High School in 1947. He graduated from the University of South Dakota Law School, served in the U.S. Army, and practiced law in Rapid City. He was a proud Republican and one of South Dakotas youngest State Representatives. He served on several special Governors commissions.

He married Carole Laws of Rapid City and they had three children. They moved to Arizona, where he retired from Bank One (Valley National Bank) as a Senior Trust Officer.

He is survived by his wife, Carole, his son, R.C. Schumacher, his daughters, Mary Ann (Mike) Walsh and Jane (Joe) Dolan, and his grandchildren, Max and Jackson Schumacher, Katie and Annie Dolan, all of Phoenix. He is also survived by his brother, Jim (Marilyn) of Hill City, SD.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; and his sisters, Betty Jean Penick, Mary Ann Schumacher and Juliette Phillips.

He loved his family with all his heart. He was a kind, gentle, generous and handsome man.

He will be resting in peace in his beloved South Dakota at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, SD.
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The Daly Mansion is bringing back the Haunted Hayrides with a shivery plot from the silver screen, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 28 and 29.

Mansion supporter Steve Fullerton wrote the plot.

Last year we heard it wasnt scary enough so weve upped the scary, Fullerton said. Were making the mansion grounds an abandoned movie studio back-lot, with the ghosts from those movies. Youll see classic and recent scary creatures from movies ranging from zombies and vampires to a scene from the movie Psycho.

Fullerton said there is even an area of creepy dolls.

We have quite a cast of characters for our Haunted Hollywood theme, said Suzanne Casteel, events coordinator for the mansion. Were excited to have these creepy characters. Some of the scariest abominations will be slinking off the silver screen and will show up right in front of you. Youll be threatened by creatures from the old classic monster movies and the new creepy madmen.

The actors are mansion volunteers and Hamilton High School choir students as the event is a fundraiser for both the Daly Mansion Preservation Trust and choirs trip to Carnegie Hall in New York.

The Haunted Hayrides are not for anyone under age six, the younger kids will get too spooked, Fullerton said. You get on the wagon and if youre lucky you arrive back where you started.

The hay wagons will take you around the mansion grounds, but some walking will be required.

The cost of the Haunted Hayrides is $5 per person. Cocoa, hot cider and popcorn balls will be for sale by Daly Mansion volunteers.

By the way, the screams are free, Casteel said.
If names be not correct, language will not be in accordance with the truth of things.

 Confucius

KALISPELL  A guy named Shakespeare famously asked, Whats in a name?

When someone proposes naming  or re-naming  a geographic feature in Montana, it is Gerry Daumillers job to answer that question.

Be it a mountain, river, island or lake  or slough, hill, reservoir, ravine, creek, coulee, butte, spring, spire, ridge, hollow, gulch or waterfall  Daumiller is the first stop in the process.

Hes the geographic names adviser with the Montana State Library in Helena, and is currently overseeing four such proposals, including one here in Flathead County. Kenneth and Sharon Ramsey want to name a small, 10-acre lake near their home Lone Coyote Lake.

The name would mimic that of a road near the lake, Lone Coyote Trail.

The little lake, which has no inlet or outlet and is filled from a ground source, has appeared on U.S. Geological Survey maps for almost six decades, Daumiller has determined.

But its just a blue spot. The maps have never labeled it.

Daumiller doesnt have the final say in name proposals, but he does have an important say.

As Montanas liaison to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names, he is responsible for giving the states official recommendation to the people on the federal board who do decide.

Im a little uncomfortable with the role, Daumiller admits, but If the name is a big deal, I reach out for more help or advice.

He regularly contacts county commissioners in the county where a name is proposed to ask for their feedback, as well as Indian tribes and federal, state or local agencies that might have concerns.

The public is also invited to weigh in, although Daumiller says that a lot of the time I go through a lot of effort to get public comment, and nobody cares.

In the case of the proposed Lone Coyote Lake, Flathead Valley residents or others who might either want to support or oppose the name can contact Daumiller at either gdaumiller@mt.gov, or 406-444-5358.

Daumiller has already determined that nowhere in Montana is there any other geological feature named Lone Coyote. Avoiding a duplication of names  especially if they are close to one another and/or the same type of feature  is a consideration.

There are 59 features in the state that contain the word coyote, many of them creeks spread across the state, Daumiller notes on the application. And, there is a Lone Lake in Flathead County, 14 miles from the body of water in question.

But Lone Coyote appears to be an original.

The Ramseys didnt set out to name the lake, the southwest portion of which lies within the boundaries of their property lines.

They just wanted to stock some fish in it.

Not even for fishing, Sharon Ramsey says. There are eagles, owls and hawks down there. The pond is full of ducks and geese. There are turtles everywhere. Deer and foxes go down for water.

Adding fish to the picture just seemed like a good thing to do.

But when they visited Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks offices in May to find out about having the lake stocked with fish from a state hatchery, they learned there was a roadblock.

Whats the name of the pond? Sharon says they were asked. The Ramseys knew of no name.

It has to have a name for us to stock it, she says they were told.

They checked with the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, which also could find no evidence that the pond had ever been named.

Someone pointed the Ramseys in the direction of Daumiller. He helped them fill out paperwork to get the ball rolling on a name.

Its always been the pond to the Ramseys, and their first choice for a name, Lone Coyote Pond, was shot down out of the gate. The pond turned out to be just a little too big to be considered a pond.

Theyd be naming a lake, Daumiller told them.

We could have named it Ramsey Lake,  Sharon says with a laugh, but this has always been about putting fish in the water, not putting their family name on a U.S. Geological Survey map.

So the couple who live on Lone Coyote Trail proposed Lone Coyote Lake.

Its a year-round body of water, the Ramseys say. There is a gravel pit on the side of the lake opposite their property, and the water is 25 to 30 feet deep at its deepest points. Its northwest of Kalispell  west of U.S. Highway 93 and north of Church Drive.

FWP officials told them they would likely stock it with rainbow and westslope cutthroat trout, if and when it gets a name, because the agency believes they would be best suited to the situation.

It can take up to a year before the U.S. Board on Geographic Names gives a thumbs-up or thumbs-down to a name proposal, Daumiller says.

In addition to Lone Coyote Lake, there are three other proposals pending in Montana. One would officially name an 18-mile stream in the extreme northeast corner of Montana Malcolm Creek, which locals have reportedly called it for decades anyway.

The other two proposals correct what are believed to be spelling errors. A small reservoir  not even as large as the Ramseys unnamed pond  in Toole County would go from Goedertz Lake to Goeddertz Lake. And in Sweet Grass County, a small stream would be changed from OHearn Creek to Ahern Creek.

While the majority of name proposals are eventually approved, there are no guarantees.

A request five years ago to name a slope near the Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge Cheatgrass Hill was shot down after the refuge project leader objected to naming it after a noxious and invasive weed that the refuge was spending $80,000 a year trying to eradicate.

He called it extremely discouraging to review a proposal that, if approved, would elevate the name of one of the exotic weed species.

Daumiller says he tried to contact homeowners on and near the hill to solicit their opinions, and the proponent of the name, a man in Stevensville, to suggest he gather local support, without luck.

Absent that, and also not hearing back from Ravalli County commissioners or a culture committee the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes forwarded the proposal to  Daumiller assumed the lack of response meant neither had an opinion  he went with the recommendation of the refuge project leader.

The state officially opposed the name, and the federal boards Domestic Names Committee voted 13-0 to reject Cheatgrass Hill.

While proposals often generate little feedback, thats not always the case.

Take the cliffs that tower above Bull Lake in the Cabinet Mountains of northwest Montana.

Rob Neils, a Spokane man, wanted to give them a name. His description of the cliffs in his proposal certainly made them seem worthy of one.

Neils described the area as a geological formation of gigantic castle-like pinnacles looking like magnificent stalagmites arranged cliff-like along a fault line where Mount Vernons eastern quarter split/slipped away, leaving castle-like rock towers.

Locals, he said, know where to stand on Bull Lake and shout to have the cliffs, more than 1,800 feet above where the spires themselves are almost 1,000 feet tall, deliver back a seven-fold echo.

The multitude of colors in the weather-cracked rocks which comprise the castles is, in early light, breath-taking, Neils wrote. He proposed naming them Castle Cliffs, which his family had called them when he was a boy.

Daumiller set out to find out if others had an opinion on the proposed name.

They most certainly did.

Both the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, and the U.S. Forest Service, told Daumiller that Bad Medicine was the name most often associated with the area.

That was apparently fine with Neils, who withdrew Castle Cliffs and submitted a new proposal, for Bad Medicine Spires.

Once again, Daumiller sought the publics opinion on the new name. He got 57 responses  and with them, suggestions for 23 other names.

Broke-Off Mountain was one. Mount Vernon Hoodoos was another.

The Cliffs at Bad Medicine, Castle Rocks, The Pinnacles and Bad Medicine Mountain were also offered up as alternatives, though no one formally applied to have any of the others considered.

Of the 57 responses, 21 liked Bad Medicine but 19 of them objected to the generic term spires being included. Another 18 preferred Bad Medicine Spires and three more  including a letter from the Lincoln County commissioners  said they were not opposed to the latter.

With more than 40 in various degrees of agreement on some form of Bad Medicine, Daumiller officially put the states backing behind Bad Medicine Spires. He noted that without the inclusion of the word spires, people unfamiliar with the area might assume Bad Medicine referred to an area rather than a specific thing if they saw the name on a map.

In 2013, the Domestic Names Committee approved the name on a 10-0 vote.

Daumiller has been Montanas geographic names adviser since 2009. He started at the end of a period where the word squaw was being removed from all geographic names, as directed by the 1999 state Legislature.

That led to competing proposals in some instances.

The Phillips County commissioners and 32 local residents proposed changing the name of a 17-mile tributary of Cow Creek, from Squaw Creek to Williams Creek, in honor of a woman who was born in the area in 1894 and became a local midwife who successfully delivered more than 50 babies.

The Fort Belknap Community Council and four other people wanted to rename it Kills At Night Creek, to honor Theresa Elizabeth (Chandler) White Weasel Walker Kills At Night Lamebull. Before her death at age 111 in 2007, she was the oldest living member of the Gros Ventre Tribe. At the age of 109, she had helped develop a Gros Ventre language dictionary.

In next-door Blaine County, where the tributary also flows, the commissioners backed Kills At Night.

Daumiller didnt have to choose which name the state would recommend. The community council had first proposed Kills At Night Creek in 2008 to a Squaw Name Change Committee set up by the legislature, which endorsed it.

State law requires state agencies to use names selected by the committee, and so the state recommended Kills At Night Creek over Williams Creek.

The Domestic Names Committee agreed by a 13-2 vote.

Nowadays, name proposals come in on an irregular basis, perhaps three to four times a year, according to Daumiller, who otherwise is a geographic information system programmer and analyst for the state library.

Most, like the Ramseys proposal for Lone Coyote Lake, seem pretty straightforward.

But there are stories behind them all. In the Ramseys case, they need a name to get some fish.
A Corvallis man has been charged with poaching a trophy white-tailed deer and letting a bear that he illegally killed rot in an unplugged freezer.

Justin Carl Cook, 37, posted a $15,000 bond while awaiting an initial appearance on felony and several misdemeanor counts.

The investigation into the alleged poaching began in May after someone called state game wardens to report a bad odor coming from a freezer at a cabin on Soft Rock Road, according to a charging affidavit.

The freezer apparently was unplugged after Cook was evicted from the property a few weeks earlier.

The wardens learned that Cook and a woman had been living at property for several years. With the property owners consent, the wardens looked inside the freezer and found a rolled-up deer and bear hide. Neither had any licenses or tags attached.

The freezer also contained wrapped and labeled bear and deer meat that had spoiled.

A check of the states automated licensing system found that Cook had purchased deer licenses in 2008, 2011 and 2014. He had never bought a black bear license or obtained a special mule deer permit.

Through a course of interviews with both Cook and the woman he was living with at the Soft Rock residence and subsequent searches of Cooks home and cell phone, the wardens learned that Cook allegedly killed a trophy white-tailed deer, a mule deer and bear without licenses to do so.

The affidavit said Cook killed the trophy whitetail in 2012 and used the license of another person to tag it.

Cook told the wardens that he killed the black bear after it got into his chicken coop and attacked his dog. The affidavit said Cook didnt report the attack, failed to surrender the carcass, had never purchased a black bear license or reported the harvest, which are all required by law.

A black bear paw was later found at Cooks new residence in Corvallis.

The affidavit also charged that Cook shot a mule deer buck in Hunting District 261 on or about Nov. 3, 2014. State records showed Cook didnt purchase a general deer license until Nov. 13, nine days after photographs of the dead deer were taken.

The mule deer was allegedly shot in a district that required a special permit. Cook did not have one.

Cook was cited in 2004 by the California Department of Fish and Game for spotlighting a buck out of season and discharging a weapon within 150 yards of a residence. Cook didnt appear on those charges and subsequently moved to Montana.

Cook faces a felony count of unlawful possession of illegally killed game animal for the trophy white-tailed buck. He was also charged with three counts of unlawful possession of a game animal, hunting without a license, waste of a game animal, hunting without a permit and unlawful possession of an antlered mule deer hide, all misdemeanors.

Cook is scheduled to appear before Ravalli County Justice Jim Bailey.
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Guwahati, October 22 : Veteran journalist of Assam Tilak Hazarika on Saturday has died following prolonged illness.

96-year old Hazarika was treated at GNRC hospital in Guwahati since September 19 and breathed his last at around 12-50 am last night.

Family sources said that, the veteran journalist was admitted at hospital following brain haemorrhage.

Tilak Hazarika was serving till his death as Chief Editor of Sadin, an assamese weekly.

He was earlier served as Associate Editor in Natun Asomiya, Editor in Asom Bani.

Hazarika won the Sahitya Akademi Translation Award in 1996 for his short story 'Phanishwar Nath Renur Shrestha Kahini'A.

Several journalist, artists, organizations had paid their last tribute to the veteran journalist.

Meanwhile Assam Governor Banwarilal Puruhit, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal expressed condolences over the death of veteran journalist.

In a condolence message the Assam Governor said that, Tilak Hazarika was a legend in Assamese journalism and his death would create a void in the journalistic world which would be hard to fill.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
Kathmandu,Nepal: CPN Maoist Center Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has directed the lawmakers of his party to support the impeachment motion filed against suspended Chief Commissioner at the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), Lokman Singh Karki.

During the Parliamentary Party meeting at Singhdurbar on Sunday Dahal, who is also the Prime Minister of the country, not only directed his partys lawmakers to support to the impeachment motion but also instructed even to take an utmost initiative to endorse the impeachment motion.

A meeting of the CPN Maoist Center had entrusted Dahal to take decision regarding the impeachment motion registered in the parliament. About 50 lawmakers had signed in the impeachment motion registered in the parliament on Wednesday.
Kathmandu, Nepal: The search operation of missing Israeli tourist, Amit Reichman, who went missing at Mardi Mountain region near Pokhara, since October 16 is intensified from different sectors.

The locals, police personnel and the Israeli rescuers have been searching the missing 42-year-old Israeli tourist, Reichman . Missing Israeli tourist is the engineer by profession.

It is said that Reichman was last seen October 16 near the Fishtail Guest House at the Mardi High Camp. He had left for a short hike with small bag leaving remaining belongings at the guest house.
WHEN LOVE COMES TO TOWN

U2 mixed the blues and the gospel - rock and roll and B. B. King - to create a genre-bending sound that honored tradition while creating something new. My sense is that the holy continues to break through our popular culture in startling but creative ways if we have eyes to see and ears to hear. John O'Donohue writes: "Beauty does not linger, it only visits. Yet beauty's visitation affects us and invites us into its rhythm, it call us to feel, think and act beautiful." More than ever before I sense that this era cries out for a spirituality of tenderness in small, real ways that touch our ordinary lives. Artist Anita Rolls gets it right with "Jesus on the Tube."
Ride for Compassion 2016

I woke up this morning a little sore but mostly feeling extremely satisfied as I reflect on the week that has just passed.

Every year since 2009 Ive cycled between Albany and Perth, a distance of over 500 kilometres. Last week I was out there again with around 20 other cyclists, supported by a wonderful support crew, riding 526.5 kilometres from Albany to Perth over six days. We arrived home, after a fantastic trip, yesterday afternoon.

As well as having an amazing time with an incredible group of people, we were raising funds for some children who are living in extreme poverty.

Ride for Compassion

Funds raised from this years ride will increase access to toilet facilities and services for 530 children and 300 adult beneficiaries through construction of 10 toilets at two Compassion centres in Tanzania. The project will raise awareness, skills and knowledge of registered children and parents/caregivers on good sanitation and hygiene practices.

The facilities will reduce the risks of disease outbreaks to 530 registered children, youth and other users in the centres.

In 2015, the World Health Organisation and UNICEF found that 663 million people worldwide still lack improved drinking water sources, while 2.4 billion people lack improved sanitation facilities. Inadequate access to safe water and proper sanitation has a devastating effect on peoples health, especially childrens. Around 760,000 children under five die of diarrhoea each year, mostly in developing countriesthats more than 2000 children every day. A 2005 UN study showed that, by providing improved sanitation and teaching simple behaviours like washing hands, we can reduce cases of diarrhoea by 35 per centand deaths caused by diarrhoea by 37 per cent.

That means that while we were out enjoying the richness of Australia, we were providing for other people who were unlikely to ever meet. What an absolute honour to serve others in that way.

Why Compassion?

If youve been reading my blog for any time youll know that I work for Compassion, but Im not supporting Compassion simply because its my job to do so.

I work for Compassion because I am convinced that there is no more effective organisation serving the worlds poor. I have seen no other method of working with those in poverty that even comes close to the way that Compassion is working.

Ive seen Compassions work first hand in Haiti, Dominican Republic, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Thailand and the Philippines. Every time I visit another church that is partnering with Compassion I am amazed at the change it is making in the lives of the most vulnerable members of our world, children.

If youd like to make a difference in the lives of children who desperately need your support, its not too late to visit my fundraising page.

I can assure you that your money will be well spent in releasing children from poverty in Jesus name.

Do you think some of your friends would enjoy reading Ride for Compassion 2016? Please use the buttons below to share the post. Thanks.
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The Daily Star 09 Oct 2016

Provision in NGO Bill: NGOs term it oppressive

Urge president not to give consent

[Photo: http://www.thedailystar.net/sites/default/files/styles/big_2/public/feature/images/ngo.jpg?itok=TgioomTb] TIB Chairperson Sultana Kamal speaks during yesterdays press conference at the Dhaka Reporters Unity. From left, Oxfam Bangladesh Country Director Snehal V Soneji, TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman, Nijera Kori Coordinator Khushi Kabir, Manusher Jonno Foundation Executive Director Shaheen Anam, Bela Chief Executive Syeda Rizwana Hasan and Federation of NGOs in Bangladesh Director Tajul Islam were also present. Photo: Star

Staff Correspondent

Local and foreign NGOs yesterday urged President Abdul Hamid not to consent to a recently passed bill on foreign-funded NGOs, saying one of its provisions violates peoples constitutional rights to freedom of speech, thought and organisation.

aWe seriously condemn it [the provision] and humbly request the president not to give consent to the bill,a eighteen leading NGOs said in a statement.

The Jatiya Sangsad on October 5 passed The Foreign Donations (Voluntary Activities) Regulation Bill 2016 with a provision (Section 14) that says it is an offence for foreign-funded NGOs to make "inimical" and "derogatory" remarks on the constitution and constitutional bodies.

The bill is likely to be sent to the president for consent in a day or two. He has the constitutional right to send it back to the House for reconsideration.

The NGOs demanded that the government discuss the bill with them again and make necessary amendments to Section 14 and other aundemocratic, risky and impractical provisionsa .

The statement, read out by human rights activist Sultana Kamal at a press conference, said remarks by a foreign-funded NGO can be misinterpreted and labelled as ainimicala and aderogatorya . And therefore, the provision is oppressive and contrary to democratic practices.

Such provision curbing the right to freedom of speech and thought doesnt exist in any similar law in any democratic country in the world, it reads.

It is totally unacceptable to the NGOs, which are contributing greatly to the countrys socio-economic development and establishment of good governance, Sultana Kamal said at the press conference at Dhaka Reporters Unity.

The provision says if any foreign-funded NGO engages in anti-state activities and finances or patronises extremism and terror activities, those would be considered as offences, and the NGO and its officials concerned would be tried under the countrys existing laws.

It also empowers the NGO Affairs Bureau to cancel or withhold the registration of a foreign-funded NGO or ban its activities for committing the offences.

If the bill remains unchanged, it will not be acceptable to the international community as well, said Sultana Kamal, also chairperson of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB).

If the bill is amended, recognising the right to freedom of speech and organisation, it would help the NGOs work more effectively and improve the image of the government, she said.

The government had set a good example by having consultations with the NGOs on the draft bill. It made them optimistic that the law would be more democratic than the ones framed by dictatorial regimes.

The optimism, however, was not reflected in the bill. The government actually wants to discourage voluntary initiatives and control the NGOs, especially by curbing freedom of speech, said Sultana Kamal.

aThis is very risky for the NGOs, especially for those working on human rights and good governance.a

Bela Chief Executive Syeda Rizwana Hasan said the punishment for the offences mentioned in the provision is already there in other laws, and there was no need for incorporating this in the bill.

The NGO Affairs Bureau would be responsible for implementing the law though it doesnt have any mandate to deal with terror issues, she told reporters.

The bill doesnt differentiate between an offence by an individual and that by an NGO. For example, 600 individuals can work in an NGO, but the involvement of an individual in a crime doesnt mean that the NGO is involved in it, Rizwana said.

TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said there are specific laws on money laundering and terrorism. Yet, these issues were included in the bill. This is irrational.

As a citizen of the country, one has the right to freedom of speech. If anyones comment constitutes an offence, the individual can be tried under law, not the organisation he works for, he noted.

International donor agencies have also voiced concern over the provision.

CARE Bangladesh Country Director Jamie Terzi expressed solidarity with the NGOs regarding the bill.

Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) Executive Director Shaheen Anam said no NGO can get foreign funds, bypassing the NGO Affairs Bureau. The Bureau carefully looks at the details of project plans before approving those.

aIf any NGO gets registered without proper verification, we cannot take blame for them,a she said.

Nijera Kori Coordinator Khushi Kabir said the government can take stern action against any NGO if it is found guilty of irregularities, but the government cannot violate the constitutional right to freedom of speech.

The press conference was organised by Ain O Salish Kendra, BRAC, Campaign for Popular Education (Campe), Nijera Kori, MJF, Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust, Federation of NGOs in Bangladesh, ADAB, Association for Land Reforms and Development, PRIP Trust, Bangladesh Nari Progoti Sangha, Action Aid, Concern Worldwide, Water Aid, Oxfam International, CARE International and the TIB.

o o o

Dhaka Tribune - October 11, 2016

Tribune Editorial

Restricting NGO freedom a slippery slope

Bangladesh faces many problems, but NGOs are not one of them.

Clamping down on NGOs would be massively counter-productive and is foolish in the extreme.

Bangladesh is tremendously indebted to NGOs for its development. Clamping down on their freedom, which includes the freedom to scrutinise and critique government activities, does not bode well for the country.

The legislation, to put it bluntly, smacks of authoritarianism.

Restricting the rights of NGOs is a slippery slope, and one we cannot afford to go down if we cherish the democratic and constitutionally guaranteed freedoms of this nation.

While monitoring and regulation are desirable, and even necessary, what the Foreign Donations Regulation Bill seeks is problematic on many fronts. For example, the billas provision to take action against amaliciousa or aderogatorya comments is too vague and open-ended.

Furthermore, it is not clear as to exactly what would constitute an offense that would be grounds for revoking an NGOas registration.

There is also the question of why this bill would apply only to NGOs relying on foreign donations, and not local ones.

No good can from this law, and it will only hamper Bangladeshas progress, and slow down our journey to becoming a middle-income nation anytime soon.

We urge the president to not sign off on this bill a Bangladesh can only succeed through empowered NGOs.

This bill would take us in the opposite direction.

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OMCT - 16 October 2016

Bangladesh: Parliament should withdraw Foreign Donations Regulation Bill 2015

Geneva-Paris, October 16, 2015. The Parliament of Bangladesh should withdraw the Foreign Donations (Voluntary Activities) Regulation Bill 2015, which if passed would severely restrict the legitimate activities of civil society and human rights defenders in Bangladesh, urged the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of OMCT and FIDH.

On September 1, 2015, the Foreign Donations (Voluntary Activities) Regulation Act 2015 was tabled before the Parliament of Bangladesh and is slated to be passed into law soon.

aThis new bill clearly aims at establishing a permanent Damocles sword hanging over human rights NGOs in Bangladesh, and in turn to silence victims of violations. Under this law, organisations documenting and reporting human rights violations would be denied funding clearance and would face possible de-registration. It is time for the international community to wake up and see the dramatic closing of democratic space in Bangladesh before it is too latea , stated Gerald Staberock, Secretary General of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT).

The new bill combines the 1978 Foreign Donations (Voluntary Activities) Regulation Ordinance and the 1982 Foreign Contributions (Regulation) Ordinance, and creates greater limitations to the work of civil society in Bangladesh. Section 3 of the Bill stipulates that non-governmental organisations (NGOs) will not be allowed to receive foreign donations or contributions without prior permission from the NGO Affairs Bureau (NGO-AB), which is under the direct supervision of the Prime Ministeras Office. NGOs will have to declare to the Government the source of foreign donations and how they will be used. In addition, they will have to be registered with the NGO-AB to undertake any activities funded by foreign contributions, and to renew their registration every 10 years. However, no time limit is specified for the registration process, leaving open the risk of undue delays by the authorities. It is also of concern that renewal of registration is conditioned to the fact that aactivities of the previous 10 years are found to be satisfactorya but without providing a definition for asatisfactorya activities, which may lead to arbitrary decision (Section 4).

Under the Act, the NGO-AB will also be empowered to inspect, monitor and assess the activities of NGOs that receive foreign funding, allowing direct control and surveillance over the activities of NGOs (Section 10). Moreover, the Bill provides for punitive measures for violations of the law by both organisations and individuals, which include fines, disciplinary action and cancellation or suspension of registration (Section 15).

aIf passed, this new legislation would severely undermine the crucial role that civil society organisations play in Bangladesh. We call on the National Parliament not to pass the Foreign Donations Regulation Bill 2015 into law, as it clearly violates international human rights standards that Bangladesh is bound to respect,a said Karim Lahidji, FIDH President.

The right of every individual to freedom of association is a fundamental and universal right enshrined in numerous international human rights instruments to which Bangladesh is a party, as well as by Articles 5 and 13 of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders and by Article 38 of the countryas Constitution.

The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders was created in 1997 by OMCT and FIDH. The overall objective of this programme is to strengthen the action of human rights defenders in defence of victims and to reduce their isolation and vulnerability. It is also based on the absolute necessity to establish a systematic response to the repression they face.

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Human Rights Watch - 19 October 2016

Bangladesh: New Law Will Choke Civil Society

Law Allows Arbitrary Closure, Denies Free Expression, Blocks Funding to NGOs

(New York) a The Bangladesh parliament should repeal a new law regulating civil society organizations accepting foreign funds, Human Rights Watch said today. The new law subjects non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to comprehensive and arbitrary government control over their activities, stifling freedom of expression and other rights. Bangladeshas international donors, who provide critical development assistance, should publicly call for the repeal of the law.

The law, known as the Foreign Donations (Voluntary Activities) Regulation Bill 2016 (FDRB), came into effect on October 13, 2016. The law requires all foreign-funded NGOs, a category that describes development, human rights, and many other organizations, to submit virtually all activities for approval to a bureau under the prime ministeras office, without clear criteria for grounds for rejection or a timeframe in which decisions should be rendered. Registration is similarly at the discretion of the bureau, and a last-minute addition to the law makes it an offense for NGOs to criticize the government.

aThe Foreign Donations Law is a shocking new initiative by a repressive government to make civil society toe the government line, or risk being arbitrarily shut down,a said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. aThe government claims it is committed to freedom of expression and pluralism, but then passes a law that would make an authoritarian regime proud.a

Human Rights Watch and Bangladeshi NGOs have long expressed concerns about earlier drafts of this law. Among other provisions, the new law:

Gives the NGO Affairs Bureau the authority to review proposed projects by NGOs and order them cancelled;

Requires prior governmental approval before anyone involved in voluntary activities travels out of the country for purposes connected with work on the project;

Requires groups receiving or planning to receive foreign funding to register with the NGO Affairs Bureau, submit to inspections and monthly coordination meetings with its representatives, and seek approval for all planned activities before receiving the grant; and

Imposes tough sanctions for non-compliance by both organizations and individuals, including fines, disciplinary action and cancellation of registration.

A new element added since the draft law was circulated in 2014 makes ainimicala or aderogatorya remarks against the constitution, the parliament and other governmental bodies an offense. These terms are undefined, and could be used to limit any criticism of the government whatsoever. Any NGO found by the NGO Affairs bureau to have engaged in ainimicala or aderogatorya remarks can have its registration cancelled. Such a law clearly abrogates the rights of free expression which Bangladesh, both through its own constitution and through its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, is obligated to protect.

The law is part of a sustained attack on civil society, particularly human rights organizations and other critics of the government. In an October 19 statement Suranjit Sengupta, a leader of the ruling Awami League party, reportedly said that non-governmental organizations have no right to freedom of expression.

The International Centre for Not-For-Profit Law (ICNL) has said previously that Bangladeshi procedures regulating NGOs are already plagued by delays, hurdles, non-transparency, and arbitrary decisions.

The law comes during a sustained campaign by the government against political, media, and civil society critics which has led to an effective clampdown on any dissent from within the country itself, Human Rights Watch said.

aThe Bangladeshi government should be trying to create a welcoming and encouraging legal environment for NGOs in a manner that accords with international best practices and does not interfere with fundamental rights,a said Adams. aInstead, it is treating NGOs like the enemy within. Requiring prior approval of projects, giving the state-wide discretion to deny projects and foreign funding, requiring approval for travel, and targeting critics are the hallmarks of an authoritarian state a not a democracy.a
Hindustan Times - October 21, 2016

by Samar Halarnkar

[ Photo: https://tinyurl.com/gq5t78w ]

(Left to Right) BJP MLA Sangeet Som addressing the crowd at Bisada with DM NP Singh, Union minister and Gautam Buddha Nagar MP Mahesh Sharma and SSP Dharmendra Singh.

aHumko iska badla chahiye and aur hum iska badla le kar rahenge. Hinduon ne chudiyan nahi pahan rakhi hain. In mullon ko jad se ukhaad phenke ge hum...We want revenge and we will achieve this vengeance. Hindus have not worn bangles. We will uproot these mullahs (Muslims) from the roots and throw them away.a

Nothing about this hate speech, its setting and what happened after Kapil Bhati delivered it is now unusual in India. In the video, recorded on October 5, Bhati, who seeks a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ticket, tried to rouse a quiet crowd gathered to honour Ravin Sisodia, a suspect in the lynching death of Mohammed Ikhlaq, a retired ironsmith of a village near Delhi. After dying from either chikungunya or dengue, Sisodiaas body lay in an air-conditioned coffin draped with the national flag: In a nation setting new normals, giving a murder suspect a farewell worthy of a soldier might soon be par for the course.

In normal times a it is hard to say today what such normality might be a Bhati would have been charged with incitement and detained. Instead, Mohammed Ali, a Hindu reporter who released Bhatias hate speech, got a call from a police inspector of Uttar Pradeshas cyber security cell. The inspector, Ali told me, asked him to delete the video. aI told them, file an FIR (first information report, against Bhati), send me a copy and then I will remove the video,a said Ali, who covers restive, western UP and is writing a biography of violence-torn Muzaffarnagar. No FIR was filed; the video remains on Alias twitter timeline.

When Ikhlaq a father of an Indian Air Force corporal a was killed a year ago, the local Samajwadi Party government and the BJP called it an aisolated incidenta , although it appeared clear that it was a particularly violent manifestation of Indiaas march towards a Hindu rashtra. Three years ago, I wrote that whether in Delhi or the states, driven by the Congress or BJP, secular India was gradually coming apart. The nation was being remade. After Ikhlaqas death and the justifications for it by the Hindu Right a the police have now said there was no evidence of cow slaughter, not that it justified his murder in any way a it was evident that the process of creating a Hindu mirror image of radical Islam was underway. With the BJP gaining confidence, its satellite organisations a the VHP, Bajrang Dal, Hindu Mahasabha (which for the first time has installed a commemorative bust of Mahatma Gandhias assassin, Nathuram Godse) a are accelerating that process.

Assiduously seeded with majoritarianism and regularly watered with prejudice, Indiaas social and political ground is ripe to be harvested by those who believe a to use Nelson Mandelaas words a athe oppression of one by anothera is the natural order of things. So it is that incidents worthy of front pages and prime time until a year ago are mostly ignored, flaring briefly on social media before fading into the spreading dark.

The fundamental characteristic of the emerging republic is a majoritarian tone and tenor. The justice system is learning to gloss over hate speech and violent assertions of Hinduism. That is evident nationwide, as police side with attackers, especially with self-proclaimed gau rakshaks (cow defenders) and victimise victims, almost all Muslim.

Others crafting the new republic use the majoritarian tone to make quiet, enabling changes or float ideas that can be translated into reality. So, Ajay Bhardwaj, a new member of the law commission a the governmentas adviser on legal reform a suggests that the colonial-era Indian Evidence Act should be changed. There is nothing inherently wrong with this suggestion, except that Bhardwaj a a self-declared RSS aswayamsevaka and the lawyer who defended the Hindu men who massacred 65 Muslims at Ahmedabadas Gulberg housing society in 2002 a suggests that reforms that draw on Hindu religious texts, the Vedas and shastras to ausher in an era of positivity in judiciarya .

While the process of attempting to Hinduise the underpinnings of secular India gains momentum, prejudice against minorities has crept into everyday life, as the attack on a Hindu woman and Muslim man travelling on a bus earlier this month in Karnataka illustrated. Hindu vigilante groups waylaid the bus after comrades alerted them. Was the couple eloping? No, they did not know each other; they only happened to board the bus from the same stop.

Nothing is more disturbing than the wilful undermining of the law to protect Hindus, particularly in the acow belta , the backward but electorally crucial states of the Hindi heartland. There are numerous instances of new normals in subverting the law, but I refer in particular to the contrasting fates of Minhaj Ansari in Jharkhand and Suresh Yadav in Madhya Pradesh.

Last week, Ansari was arrested on charges of incitement for an allegedly anti-Hindu WhatsApp message and died in police custody. The post-mortem report found that Ansari had been tortured. A sub inspector was suspended a after his death. Now consider what happened when police in Madhya Pradesh arrested RSS pracharak Suresh Yadav last month for similar incitement over WhatsApp, allegedly against Muslims in this case. A violent mob of the RSS and BJP workers, according to various media reports, attacked the police station and tried to grab the officers who arrested Yadav. Soon, a constable was forced to register an FIR against eight of his own colleagues, who are now suspended and charged with aattempt to murdera .

No action was taken against Yadav or the mob, listed as aunknown assailantsa . The eight suspended officers are in hiding, fearing for a more than their careers a their lives. The name of the inspector who led the team? Zia Ul Haq. As he remains in hiding, Haq will have time to contemplate his place in the new republic.

Samar Halarnkar is editor, Indiaspend.org, a data-driven, public-interest journalism non-profit

The views expressed are personal
Shirley Contreras lives in Orcutt and writes for the Santa Maria Valley Historical Society. She can be contacted at 623-8193 or at shirleycontreras2@yahoo.com. Her book, The Good Years, a selection of stories shes written for the Santa Maria Times since 1991, is on sale at the Santa Maria Valley Historical Society, 616 S. Broadway.
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Cloudy skies early, then off and on rain showers overnight. Thunder possible. Low around 60F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%..

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Cloudy skies early, then off and on rain showers overnight. Thunder possible. Low around 60F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%.
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October 23, 2016

Anyone eager to predict the exact results of Nebraska Referendum 426, the state's "Death Penalty Repeal Veto Referendum"?

Practically and politically, the most important vote this fall concerning the present and future of the death penalty will be taking place in California where voters will weigh in on competing initiatives offering to end or to mend capital punishment in the state. But as highlighted effectively by this recent Marshall Project article, there are notable death penalty ballot questions before voters in two other states. This article, headlined "Three States to Watch if You Care About the Death Penalty: Nebraska, Oklahoma, and California will test the prospects of abolition," provides an astute review of all the measures and it ends this way:

Pews national poll numbers aside, the death penalty for years now has been a regional punishment, not a national one, largely confined to the South and West, where skirmishes over its application will continue to play out the way we see it this election. A mixed verdict on the four measures wont change the national narrative reflected in the latest polls. But if the death penalty is restored in Nebraska, protected in Oklahoma, and expedited in California, well know there are clear popular limits to the abolitionist movement. And if voters choose to keep the death penalty dead in Nebraska, kill it in California and leave it be in Oklahoma, the latest poll numbers will look more like a trend. Either way, these local battles, and not some grand pronouncement from the Supreme Court in Washington, are how the future of capital punishment will be decided.

There has been a good bit of (not-so-clear) recent polling on the death penalty issues in California, and Kent Scheidegger at Crime & Consequence unpacks the latest polling in this new post speculating that the "mend-the-death-penalty" initiative might win in a landslide. Meanwhile, I cannot find any recent polling from Nebraska on its Referendum 426, the state's "Death Penalty Repeal Veto Referendum." That reality has prompted the question in the title of this post, along with this notable new local article from the Cornhusker state headlined "Catholic Church intensifies effort to abolish Nebraskas death penalty."

I am inclined to predict that Nebraska voters will end up reversing the repeal of the death penalty in the state. This prediction is based not only on Nebraska's status as a solid "red state," but also on the reality that pro-capital-punishment forces in the state have significant resources and a high-profile leader thanks to Gov. Pete Ricketts. (This recent article discusses some recent campaign funding realities under the headlined "Gov. Ricketts gives another $100,000  for a total of $300,000  to pro-death penalty group.")

For a variety of symbolic and practical reasons, I think the exact voting percentages on Referendum 426 could be nearly as important as which side prevails. If the vote end up reasonably close either way (e.g., if the winning side gets less than 60% of the vote), I suspect the losing side can and will suggest that it could have prevailed with more resources and more time to educate voters. But if one side wins big after this issue has been garnering attention in the state, I think the vote will be (perhaps rightly) viewed by national advocates as a very clear indication of what folks in the heartland think about the present and future of capital punishment.

Helpfully, some media in Nebraska are do their part seeking to educate voters as revealed by these links to special coverage:

October 23, 2016 at 11:10 AM | Permalink

Comments

Doug:

Nebraska Polling:

In the poll of 600 likely general election voters conducted Aug. 7-10, 47.8 percent said they would definitely vote to keep the death penalty and another 10.5 percent said they probably would vote to keep the death penalty, Nebraskans for the Death Penalty said.

Combined, those favoring a vote to repeal the bill outpaced voters in support of the bill eliminating the death penalty by a 58.3-30.3 percent margin. The poll's margin of error is 4 percent.

from

Poll: Likely voters support death penalty

LINCOLN JOURNAL STAR Aug 14, 2016

Posted by: Dudley Sharp | Oct 24, 2016 4:24:54 AM

I wish we could have more actual executions of murderers, (and also of terror plotters, regardless of whether or not their plot succeeded). Infinite appeals are stupid, and frankly the rules created by the Courts are subverting the will of the electorate. The ONLY issue in DP appeals should be actual innocence, which should be considered de novo, with the defendant allowed to introduce new evidence in the appeal. The rest is just fluff.

Posted by: William Jockusch | Oct 24, 2016 12:26:13 PM

Thanks, Dudley, for that poll data, though I do not consider it "recent" because it was before labor day, the traditional date in which voters are supposedly starting to really pay attention to an upcoming election. I suspect the campaigns have some internal polls that are more recent, but I am unaware of any public ones.

Posted by: Doug B. | Oct 24, 2016 9:19:11 PM

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On Sunday, October 23, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., a group of naked people covered in body paint gathered at the Ferry Building and paraded to Fisherman's Wharf, to scare and delight the tourists. Artists were on hand to paint peoples' bodies, and as the Facebook event explains, the theme is "Inner Beauty."

As Hoodline reports, this is the first time that Bodypainting Day has come to San Francisco after starting in New York in 2009. Artist Andy Golub tells the site that he and his models got kicked out of Times Square for wearing nothing but G-strings, and New York wouldn't formally condone the event until 2013.

74 people sid they were attending on the Facebook page, and Golub promises at least 50 people participating. The models have already been selected, though, so you can't just show up and strip down. [Update: The event has now passed, but you can look for photos from it here.]





Meanwhile, local nudist activist Gypsy Taub has been waging an internal war against fellow activist and sometime mayoral candidate George Davis, and she and her three children will be staging an emergency protest at Bodypainting Day, which Davis helped organize. "The reason for the protest," Taub tells us in a release, "is that... George Davis... has been widely exposed in the last 6 months for sexually harassing my 15-year-old daughter Inti Gonzalez. She was about 11 years old when the sexual harassment began." Taub claims that Davis has repeatedly tried to spend time alone with her daughter, and allegedly asked her to marry him when she was 11.

Taub and her three children, Inti, Nebo, and Daniel, plan to protest the event in the nude, with a megaphone. (Taub's children have frequently joined their mom in nude protests.)

As Golub tells Hoodline, though, Davis has decided not to attend the event "because he never wanted it to be a distraction from all that Bodypainting Day is about, which is free artistic expression and human connection through art."

While nudity was banned in San Francisco starting in 2013, it is still allowed at permitted events like this one.
You ever see a show that just seems like a bunch of random, disparate plot points, but then those random, disparate plot points all come together to form an unexpected, harrowing climax that you never saw coming? That is exactly what you get with The Last Tiger In Haiti, playing through November 27 at Berkeley Rep.

While this production makes great efforts to raise support and awareness for Hurricane Matthew relief efforts, its not a play about natural disasters. The Last Tiger In Haiti instead explores the human disaster of child slavery in Haiti, using the vehicle of the gather round the fire storytelling tradition to examine the everyday horrors of human trafficking in the Caribbean. The first act takes place in a strikingly realistic set of a Haitian shanty shack, where a gang of indentured foster kids unwind for a night of swapping stories with a stolen bottle of rum. The second act reunites these poor kids years later in an entirely different context. Both acts wallop you pretty good with suspense, blindsiding plot twists, and some sick but amusing gallows humor.





It is something of a stretch to see these fully-grown adult actors as teenagers, though Brittany Bellizeare pulls off a remarkable age transformation in the lead role of Rose. Each performer is a total standout  Andy Lucien is completely credible as the elder kid who takes on a paternal role, and Jasmine St. Claire delivers a gospel song called The Orange Tree that serves as the most memorable of this plays several spine-tingling moments. The Haitian dialects are entirely convincing, and the first act really does sweep you away to a place of abject poverty.

But The Last Tiger In Haiti is not a preachy social justice play, its a suspense thriller that just happens to be about young human trafficking victims and how they cope. The plays various machinations can seem rambling at times, but do eventually pay off with bombshell revelations. Both the first and second acts have major twists, though the first acts reveal hits far more powerfully. The second acts reveal lacks the same clarity, may require some mingling with the other patrons after the show to fully comprehend, and could kind of use a rewrite.

Still, it is admirable that The Last Tiger In Haiti takes on such difficult subject matter and brings attention to brutal, real topics that dont get enough attention in our cultural conversation. Even more admirably, the play is raising thousands of dollars in donations for the hurricane relief efforts of Restavek Freedom and the Lambi Fund of Haiti. The Last Tiger In Haiti doesnt just introduce American audiences to the tragic dirty little secrets of contemporary Haiti, it has a philanthropic component that tries to solve some of these problems.



'The Last Tiger In Haiti' plays through November 27 at Berkeley Rep. Tickets here




This website is intended for U.S. visitors only.
ORANGE CITY, Iowa | Northwestern College has announced the names of professors awarded research grants and sabbaticals for 2017-2018.

Dr. Laird Edman and Emily Stokes are recipients of $9,500 and $10,000 grants to support work in their fields of psychology and art. Dr. Diana Gonzalez and Dr. Valerie Stokes were awarded yearlong sabbaticals.

Edman, a professor of psychology, will use his grant money to support continuing research in the cognitive science of religion.

Emily Stokes' grant will support her work of creating pieces that feature contemporary iconography.

Gonzalez, who teaches Spanish, will spend her sabbatical as part of a research team in her home country of Argentina.

Valerie Stokes, a professor in the social work department, plans to open a private practice as a clinical mental health therapist.
LOS ANGELES | After doing a single-camera comedy like Episodes, Matt LeBlanc was eager to get back into the multi-camera format.

I have a family and the hours are shorter, the former Friends star explains. I like the sort of work week on a multi-cam. You rehearse all week and then you shoot in front of an audience, like a play. Its like being part of an ensemble theater company.

His ticket back: Man with a Plan, a traditional sitcom about a contractor who takes over household responsibilities when his wife goes back into the workforce.

The reality check: He doesnt realize how much work it can be. Looking after three children and tending to school responsibilities exhausts him. Im not your friend. Im your parent, he says in the pilot. Im the warden. Its my job to rehabilitate.

Like Tim Allen on Home Improvement, hes out of touch with part of his world and constantly striving to catch up.

The premise, according to creators Jackie and Jeff Filgo, is based on their lives. Before starting the series, they took a year off and "were with our kids for the first time ever, 24-7, and we got to see the real ins and outs of parenting, Jackie Filgo says. We were at dinner one night and our daughter just picked up a handful of mashed potatoes and started eating it like an ice cream cone. We realized some things had fallen through the cracks and we might have some work to do.

Adds Jeff: When youre only seeing your kids at the edges of the day, youre just getting the greatest hits. When youre with them all the time, youre getting the deep album cuts with a drum solo.

LeBlanc can relate. While shooting Episodes in London, I spent a lot of time on FaceTime with my daughter.

Liza Snyder, who plays LeBlancs wife, says theres a bit of magical thinking that goes on about household chores. The spouse who isnt doing the work believes the job magically gets done. Its just the way it always is.

Like LeBlanc, she likes the pace of a multi-camera series. A veteran of Yes, Dear, she says it took some time to get used to. My first scene of my first night was an absolute debacle of epic proportions. I got it togetherand it started to get more comfortable again. Now, theyre in a groove  one LeBlanc enjoyed for years on Friends.

The stage (on Man with a Plan) is little smaller, but its pretty much the same kind of thing, he says. You tell a chronological story and you have to hold for the laughs.

While Friends became an iconic series, it had the ability to make its actors life-long friends. Ten years in a building with no windows, with the door locked, we got to know each other pretty well.

Matthew Perry, who played Chandler on Friends, now works on The Odd Couple, one stage away.

I could not see him for five years and, then put me in a room with him, and it will be like I saw him yesterday, LeBlanc says. We still have this shorthand with one another.

With Man with a Plan, the new variable is children. They help reduce the pressure that may exist and remind LeBlanc all of this should be fun all the time.

When its that type of environment, it lends itself to funny and theres an innocence about them. Kids are brutally honest. Theyre not worried about, Is it working in the key demographic that it should be in? Theyre just like, I hope I dont spill my orange juice in front of the audience.

Man with a Plan airs at 7:30 p.m. Mondays on CBS.
SIOUX CITY | With multiple piercings and tattoos, Eva Nieto is used to people staring in her direction.

But the owner of Maya Body Modification and veteran tattoo artist had never been "checked out" at a library before.

"Each of my tattoos has a personal story attached to it," Nieto said Thursday at Briar Cliff University's Bishop Mueller Library. "So it makes sense that I'd become a part of a 'human library.'"

Simply put, a "human library" is where patrons can check out a person --- for 30 minutes at a time -- instead of a book.

"The 'human library' is a movement that's picking up steam around the country, and this is the first time Briar Cliff has sponsored it," said Angela Houk, research service director at the college's library.

In addition to Nieto, Houk said more than 30 people -- representing "human books" -- answered questions and engaged with students.

"We deliberately tried to attract a large spectrum of people with interesting stories to tell," Houk said, noting that recovering alcoholics, transgender people and domestic violence survivors were among those represented.

Mahamud Osman, a recent refugee from Somalia -- and one of the "human books" -- said communicating in English was difficult for him.

But the Northeast Community College business administration student thought sharing his life experience would help him gain more acceptance in the community.

"In the two years I've been in the United States, I've only lived in two places," Osman told Briar Cliff freshman students Grace Hanno and Tyler Waterbury. "I lived in Minneapolis but I never felt safe there. Now I live and go to school in South Sioux City and I feel completely safe."

On the other hand, Dorothy Westin has always been comfortable no matter where she was.

"Retinitis pigmentosa slowly robbed me of my sight but I'd never let myself be defined by blindness," she explained. "Instead, I embrace it because it allows me to see the world in a different way."

It certainly didn't keep Westin from enrolling in college in her mid-30s, nor did it keep her from continuing to work as a clinical social worker at the age of 75.

"I go to work two days a week," she told Briar Cliff freshmen Brian Fiedler and Michael Williams. "Even now, I find my job challenging."

Fiedler, a kinesiology major, smiled while listening to Westin.

"Dorothy certainly gives you a different perspective," he said.

Rachel De Moss was also looking for a different perspective when she "checked out" body modification expert Nieto.

"I wouldn't do it myself but I find tattoos to be pretty interesting," said the Briar Cliff computer science/graphic design freshman.

De Moss told Nieto about her late great-grandfather, who had both arms entirely covered with tattoos.

In the meantime, Nieto told De Moss about the tribulations she faced being a female tattoo artist in a male-dominated field.

This is exactly the type of interaction Houk was hoping would happen.

"Everyone has a story to tell," she said. "Perhaps sharing a story from someone from a different walk of life will bring a new perspective."
LE MARS, Iowa | Derek Kellen combines beans while answering his phone, which beeps or buzzes up to 20 times per day, callers asking if it's OK to walk around his residence on Plymouth County Road C-38 south of Le Mars.

That's what you get when your acreage contains 140 old cars and trucks, all hitting the auction block on Friday.

"People are stopping by and then calling me to ask if it's OK to walk through and look at the cars," says Kellen, who farms with his family and helps operate the Kellen Ponderosa. "People don't need me to call to walk through and look. They're welcome to do it."

The cars, trucks and other vehicles landed in Kellen's possession after his family purchased land offered for sale from the Fred Conley Estate of rural Washta, Iowa. Conley, Kellen said, farmed and ran an automotive shop at the farm. He left behind the grounds and these vehicles.

"If people didn't pay (for the auto work), the vehicle was left behind," Kellen says.

Kellen put several of the vehicles on eBay last year, one at a time. He took bids and agreed on prices in several cases, but couldn't get a final transaction made. This way of handling the bulk became too time-consuming.

"There were people who were bidding, but then weren't paying for them," he says. "Some of the bidders were from outside the U.S. and they didn't speak English. It kind of became a nightmare."

Kellen and his family members decided that maybe an auction would work. First, he had to decide which vehicles might sell. Plenty of those left behind just weren't in decent enough shape to attract even a hint of interest.

"A few of them had parts of trees growing right up through the car and bumper," he says.

He managed to load 135 vehicles on semis at the farm in Cherokee County and hauled them west to this spread 1 1/2 miles east of the intersection of Highway 75 and C-38, a site locals call "the NIPCO corner." Kellen and two other semi drivers hauled 10 vehicles per day this summer, doing much of the work during a hot spell when farm duties were a bit less pressing.

Kellen didn't place everything on the sale bill. A 1979 Ford Lincoln he set aside for himself. It's currently at Sioux Body in Sioux Center, Iowa, getting a paint job.

"The Ford Lincoln was up on the hoist when we bought the property," he says. "We think it might have been up on the hoist since the mid-1980s. The dash says it's got 25,000 miles on it. I plan on driving it."

One of the vehicles generating some buzz among enthusiasts is a rare Volkswagen three-door split-window pickup. The VW, posted as the lead photo on the Girard Auction sale bill, generated calls from Texas and California. One man flew from Sioux Falls to Le Mars to see it.

There's an old Remsen St. Mary's school bus; a truck for a Tony's Typewriter Service; a 1964 Olds Jet-Star 88 that drives; a 1972 GMC 2X4 pickup whose motor has been overhauled; and more.

Many, but not all, of the vehicles still have their titles.

Bids will be taken live during the auction and over the Girard Auctions website. The sale begins at 11 a.m. Friday.
NEW YORK  Call them knockoffs. Rock-smashing monkeys in Brazil make stone flakes that look a lot like tools made by our ancient ancestors.

Scientists watched as Capuchin monkeys in a national park pounded stones against each other, splitting off sharp-edged flakes that resemble cutting tools used by the forerunners of humans.

The monkeys ignored the flakes, focusing on the damaged stones instead. So they clearly weren't deliberately making them as tools. But if ancient monkeys did the same thing, their unintentional handiwork could be mistaken for deliberate tool-making by human ancestors, researchers said.

The scientists are not suggesting that any stone tools attributed so far to human forerunners were instead made by monkeys, said Tomos Proffitt of Oxford University in England. Those tools, which date back as far as 3.3 million years ago, are more complex than what the Brazilian monkeys make, he said in a telephone interview.

But as scientists look for earlier and earlier tools, their findings may begin to resemble the monkey flakes more strongly, said Proffitt, lead author of a study released Wednesday by the journal Nature. And the new work shows that such flakes are not exclusively the calling card of our ancient ancestors, called hominins, he said.

If somebody finds very old simple flakes, "you can't assume it is hominin. You have to say it might be produced by an extinct monkey or ape," Proffitt said.

Our African ancestors used sharp-edged stone flakes for butchering and skinning animal carcasses, as well as cutting up tough plant material. To show such flakes were human-made tools, scientists seek evidence like wear marks on the edges or nearby animal bones with marks from butchering.

Proffitt and his co-authors studied capuchin monkeys in the Serra da Capivara National Park. They examined the flakes and damaged rocks and compared them to artifacts from human ancestors. It's not clear why the monkeys smash rocks together, he said.

Scientists long thought tool-making was confined to our branch of the evolutionary family tree, the Homo group. But last year, scientists reported finding 3.3-millon-year-old tools much older than any known member of Homo. Maybe they were made by some smaller-brained forerunner hominin, like the creature best known for the skeleton nicknamed "Lucy."

Capuchin monkeys are not hominins, but "the first hominin tools could have looked like the ones produced by capuchins or even great apes," said Sonia Harmand, an anthropologist at Stony Brook University in New York, one of the scientists who reported the 3.3-million-year-old tools.

Harmand, who didn't participate in the capuchin study, said flakes could have been produced by accident during rock-pounding in ancient times, but that only hominins realized their usefulness and went on to make them deliberately.

Alison Brooks, an anthropology professor at George Washington University in St. Louis, said the finding underlines the idea that to identify ancient simple flakes as deliberately made tools, "we need to show that this was more than just a byproduct of pounding."
MENLO PARK, Calif.  When Pope Francis joined Instagram at age 79 in March, a thought crossed the mind of the tech firms chief operating officer. For Marne Levine, the moment made the companys value to the world even clearer.

Visitors from throughout the world often hand the pontiff a photograph as a way to bridge a language barrier. Images, Levine noted, are the fastest way to connect and communicate with another person. And Instagram is filled with images.

What Instagram has created is this new global language, Levine said during a tour of the companys new Menlo Park headquarters. When you go on Instagram, it really doesnt matter what your generation is, what country youre from or what language you speak.

Earlier this month, Instagram turned 6 years old, yet another milestone for a company that has been growing rapidly since Facebook purchased the photo-sharing app for $1 billion in 2012.

Instagram this year reached more than 500 million users worldwide, surpassing fellow social networks Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest and Snapchat. Three weeks ago, Instagram hit 500,000 advertisers, more than doubling the amount in six months.

This is a platform thats seeing a lot of usage, and its one that advertisers are very intrigued with, said Debra Aho Williamson, an analyst for eMarketer. What Instagram represents to advertisers is a fun, creative playground and a place to show off the best side of themselves.

Mobile ad revenue for the company is projected to grow worldwide from $1.86 billion this year to $6.84 billion in 2018, eMarketer estimates.

While the tech firm has a lot to celebrate this year, Instagram  which ditched its vintage camera logo for a more minimalist look  is still trying to prove it has evolved beyond just a place to share beautifully filtered photos and that it can drive sales for businesses. And as it focuses more on video, the company gets compared to its rival Snapchat, an ephemeral messaging app popular among teens.

I think one place where Snapchat is stealing the thunder is in video advertising, Williamson said.

Instagram released a feature this year called Stories, which allows users to post photos and videos that will disappear after 24 hours  similar to Snapchat. Much to the chagrin of some users, the company started sorting photos based on an algorithm instead of chronologically.

But Instagrams success has been undeniable, and new celebrities, such as rapper Kanye West and actor Tom Hiddleston, continue to sign up for the site every year. And as users and advertisers grow so has the companys workforce.

In Menlo Park, Instagram employees recently moved into their own three-story office space separate from Facebook, and the more than 65,000-square-foot building reflects a tech firm where design and simplicity matters. The company now has nearly 400 employees worldwide, most of whom work in the new Gensler-designed headquarters.

In the lobby, a large illuminated Instagram logo is displayed on a white wall along with a large feed that shows videos and photos posted on the site, from breakfast foods to outdoor adventures. Inside, employees and visitors snap photos behind a large cloud, a moon or flickering stars.

At Blue Bottle Coffee, a wall is filled with Polaroid selfies. Meeting rooms are named after popular hashtags, emojis or places such as Dogpatch or South Park, a reference to the companys humble beginnings.

Instagram co-founders Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger were working out of Dogpatch Labs in San Francisco when they launched the app in 2010. Initially, Instagram was a check-in app called Burbn, but pivoted into a tool to share photos.

While Facebook has helped fuel Instagrams growth, Levine said there are elements that make Instagrams workplace culture different from its owner.

Facebook has such a strong culture, but I think weve maintained the things that have made Instagram special from the beginning, said Levine, who joined Instagram from Facebook. That includes being community first, very visually oriented, focused on design, creativity and simplicity.

Instagram was a smart purchase for Facebook, analysts said, because it gave the social media giant an app with younger users, a more creative and artistic place for people to communicate, and another property to sell ads. When Facebook bought Instagram, the startup only had 13 employees.

And for Instagram, the journey is far from over. As the company unveils more ways for users to express themselves, Levine said she expects Instagram will have fuller and more complete global language in visual communication.

People are posting the highlights of their lives, but theres so many more moments that make up the human experience in between, Levine said. Those moments can feel really raw  unscripted  or it can be a story that youre telling that is more planned out.
SIOUX CITY | Woodbury County Auditor Pat Gill faces a challenge from Joanne Craig in the Nov. 8 election.

Gill, a Democrat, is seeking a sixth term, which would extend his tenure leading the auditor's office to 24 years. Craig is a first-time office seeker who became the Republican nominee after a special convention in June. She has a background in city management.

The auditor is the county's chief election official and handles a host of financial duties too.

Early voting is underway. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Nov. 8.

Here is a look at the two candidates.

PAT GILL

Party: Democratic

Age: 61

Residence: Sioux City

Occupation: Woodbury County Auditor

Electoral Experience: Elected to Iowa House District 2 in 1990 and 1992, first elected to auditor position in 1996, has won five terms of four years each.

Main issues for 2016:

1. Election integrity. I believe the most important duty for a county auditor in the State of Iowa is maintaining the integrity of elections on the local level. I have always focused on conducting elections in Woodbury County in a fair and impartial manner and will continue to do so.

2. Financial management. The second most important duty is to manage the budgets of the departments I oversee in a cost effective manner that balances limiting expenditures with providing great customer service. The citizens of Woodbury County expect their elected officials to do so and I have done so.

Why vote for me: "I have been on job for almost twenty years and I think that I have proven to the citizens of Woodbury County that when it comes to performing the duties of County Auditor and Recorder, I am someone who can be counted on to do the right thing when it is required and to perform those duties in a manner that meets or exceeds their expectations."

JOANNE CRAIG

Party: Republican

Age: 77

Residence: Sioux City

Occupation: Retired, worked as city manager in states of Illinois, Michigan and New Hampshire.

Electoral experience: Elected to City Council in Park Forest South, Illinois in 1972.

Main issues for 2016:

1. Experience. I can bring a fresh, experienced, and professional handling of these duties. I plan to conduct an intense comparison study of the current responsibilities of the auditor vs. those required by law and comparable positions in the state, taking into consideration duties designated to others.

2. Election integrity: I will establish policies for each aspect of an election. Department clerks shall date, initial, record, and place all ballots, both absentee and regular, in secured storage within the confines of the county building as prescribed by law. Affidavits of persons collecting absentee ballots within the auditors office and persons delivering same for others shall be required verifying the date, time, where and from whom collected.
WASHINGTON -- The case against Hillary Clinton could have been written before the recent WikiLeaks and FBI disclosures. But these documents do provide hard textual backup.

The most sensational disclosure was the proposed deal between the State Department and the FBI in which the FBI would declassify a Hillary Clinton email and State would give the FBI more slots in overseas stations. What made it sensational was the rare appearance in an official account of the phrase "quid pro quo," which is the currently agreed-upon dividing line between acceptable and unacceptable corruption.

This is nonetheless an odd choice for most egregious offense. First, it occurred several layers removed from the campaign and from Clinton. It involved a career State Department official (he occupied the same position under Condoleezza Rice) covering not just for Clinton but for his own department.

Second, it's not clear which side originally offered the bargain. Third, nothing tangible was supposed to exchange hands. There was no proposed personal enrichment -- a Rolex in return for your soul -- which tends to be our standard for punishable misconduct.

And finally, it never actually happened. The FBI turned down the declassification request.

In sum, a warm gun but nonsmoking. Indeed, if the phrase "quid pro quo" hadn't appeared, it would have received little attention. Moreover, it obscures the real scandal -- the bottomless cynicism of the campaign and of the candidate.

Among dozens of examples, the Qatari gambit. Qatar, one of the worst actors in the Middle East (having financially supported the Islamic State, for example), offered $1 million as a "birthday" gift to Bill Clinton in return for five minutes of his time. Who offers -- who takes -- $200,000 a minute? We don't know the "quid" here, but it's got to be big.

In the final debate, Clinton ran and hid when asked about pay-for-play at the Clinton Foundation. And for good reason. The emails reveal how foundation donors were first in line for favors and contracts.

A governance review by an outside law firm reported that some donors "may have an expectation of quid pro quo benefits in return for gifts." You need an outside law firm to tell you that? If your Sultanic heart bleeds for Haiti, why not give to Haiti directly? Because if you give through the Clintons, you have a claim on future favors.

The soullessness of this campaign -- all ambition and entitlement -- emerges almost poignantly in the emails, especially when aides keep asking what the campaign is about. In one largely overlooked passage, Clinton complains that her speechwriters have not given her any overall theme or rationale. Isn't that the candidate's job? Asked one of her aides, Joel Benenson: "Do we have any sense from her what she believes or wants her core message to be?"

It's that emptiness at the core that makes every policy and position negotiable and politically calculable. Hence the embarrassing about-face on the Trans-Pacific Partnership after the popular winds swung decisively against free trade.

So too with financial regulation, as in Dodd-Frank. As she told a Goldman Sachs gathering, after the financial collapse there was "a need to do something because, for political reasons ... you can't sit idly by and do nothing."

Giving the appearance that something had to be done. That's not why Elizabeth Warren supported Dodd-Frank. Which is the difference between a conviction politician like Warren and a calculating machine like Clinton.

Of course, we knew all this. But we hadn't seen it so clearly laid out. Illicit and illegal as is WikiLeaks, it is the camera in the sausage factory. And what it reveals is surpassingly unpretty.

I didn't need the Wiki files to oppose Hillary Clinton. As a conservative, I have long disagreed with her worldview and the policies that flow from it. As for character, I have watched her long enough to find her deeply flawed, to the point of unfitness. But for those heretofore unpersuaded, the recent disclosures should close the case.

A case so strong that, against any of a dozen possible GOP candidates, voting for her opponent would be a no-brainer. Against Donald Trump, however, it's a dilemma. I will not vote for Hillary Clinton. But, as I've explained in these columns, I could never vote for Donald Trump.

The only question is whose name I'm going to write in. With Albert Schweitzer doubly unavailable (noncitizen, dead), I'm down to Paul Ryan or Ben Sasse. Two weeks to decide.
http://www.jerusalemonline.com/blogs/shabnam-assadollahi/op-ed-pm-justin-trudeau-are-you-changing-the-face-of-canada-forever-23931

JOL Blogger | Shabnam Assadollahi

is a multi-award-winning human rights advocate, public speaker and freelance writer/ journalist. She is a Canadian of Iranian origin who is also passionate about her Persian heritage. She has masters degree in Social anthropology and has helped newcomers and refugees to resettle in Canada, worked as a radio broadcaster, and has spoken at many public events. Her public engagements have focused on issues affecting women, minority communities, and bringing to light human right abuses by dictatorial regimes.Shabnam was arrested and imprisoned at age 16 for 18 months in Iran's most notorious prison, Evin. After her release, and during Iran-Iraq war, at age 18, she moved to Turkey with her family where she attend university and obtained her degree. In the late 80's, Shabnam worked for the Turkish Ministry of Culture as a student researcher with a focus on minority and language rights. While at this post, she also assisted refugees with their cases and represented them at the office of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). For over 25 years she has worked in various Canadian government- funded multicultural programs, helping newcomers, particularly women, to overcome challenges of settlement and integration. Shabnam has also served as an active executive board member and the treasurer of the Immigrant and Visible Minority Women of British Columbia, sat on Collaborative Committees on Multiculturalism, Immigrant Integration Coordinating Committees, as well as Antiracism and Human Rights boards.She has worked in the world of radio broadcasting since 1992. At TransWorld Radio Canada, she produced over 200 international children and youth programs and translated 8 Christian children's books into Persian and broadcast them to Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan. From 2003-2011, she was the program producer and host of Ottawa's Multicultural radio's Persian Program Hamseda. During this time, she delivered speeches at numerous venues on human rights violation in Iran, discussed the role of social networking and the media in influencing democracy building in Iran and presented at a UN parallel conference.Shabnam has successfully demonstrated leadership by counseling new and prospective human rights activists from all over the world. Her name has been selected among 1000 most important women of the Middle East and The Arab world in a book published by Times Square Press in New York In 2011, Shabnam received a Hero Award " in the United States, presented by Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, in recognition of her human rights work. In 2012, she received " The Leading Women Building Communities Award " by The Honourable Laurel Broten, Ontario Minister Responsible for Women's Issues. The same year, she also received two Recognition Awards, given by MP, Royal Galipeau and Ottawa Deputy Mayor, Bob Monette,She is also the recipient of " 2012 TESL Ontario Sparks of Excellence Award " which recognized her outstanding educational experience in teaching and mentorship that went above and beyond the day to day duties of her job.Shabnam's selfless service and dedication to women's rights, equality and justice are emblematic of her compassionate activities and programs on behalf of women struggling for freedom and equality in Canada and around the world. She is a strong believer in education being the basic foundation for building a better, democratic and free society. This is the core principle that drives her work both as an educator and a human rights advocate. Having resettled in Canada herself from Iran, Shabnam understands the importance of compassion and understanding while adapting to another culture and language. Shabnam lives in Ottawa with her husband.
El Aaiun (Occupied Territories), October 23, 2016 (SPS)  The Moroccan forces intervened violently against Sahrawi demonstrators who took Saturday evening to Smara Street in the occupied city of El Aaiun, coincided with the visit of the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Herve Ladsous in the city, indicated a statement of the Ministry of the Occupied Territories and Diaspora.

The Moroccan authorities closed and besieged the streets leading to the venue of the demonstration, before intervening violently against the Sahrawi protesters and leaving many casualties after they were assaulted and dragged.

The Moroccan forces of occupation also resorted to besieging various Sahrawi houses in the city. (SPS)

062/090/TRA




Pacers put on quite a show Friday evening at Fraser Downs, as the British Columbia oval hosted the third leg of the Robert Millbank Memorial Breeders Stake for two-year-old pacing colts and geldings plus the third leg of the Mary Murphy Breeders Stake for three-year-old pacing fillies.

Mach Steady captured the lone division of the Robert Millbank Memorial Breeders Stake for the team of driver Serge Masse and trainer/co-owner Randy Rutledge. The son of Mach Three-Forever Holy whizzed past panels of :28.2, :58.4 and 1:28.1 before firing home in :28.3 to win by 1-1/4 lengths over race favourite Bakardi Gold in 1:56.4. Third best was Ima Dude.

The homebred gelding, who also races for Jennifer Dodsworth of Aldergrove, BC, made it back-to-back wins. The $10,000 payday lifted his lifetime earnings to $21,250.

In the first of two $15,000 divisions of the Mary Murphy Breeders Stake for three-year-old pacing fillies, Jet To The Beach brushed to the top past the quarter pole and rolled to an impressive victory in 1:56.2 for trainer/driver/co-owner Glenn White of Surrey, BC.

The daughter of Jeremes Jet-Midnight Jenny, who also races for Mike Morrison of Madeira Park, BC, went 1-for-7 last year. Shes stepped up her game this season as noted in the 7-for-8 record shes put together in 2016. Shes already stashed away more than $73,000 to date.

No Guarantees eked out a neck decision in the other division of Mary Murphy Breeders Stake. Paul Davies plugged the Debra Mc Carthy pupil into the two-hole, and the filly sat there until the late stages of the mile. She uncorked a :27.4 closing quarter, and that propelled her to the neck decision over Mysterious Lady. Bossy rounded out the top three finishers.

J J J Stables of Prince George, BC owns the six-time winner, who owns a 3-2-0 record from seven trips to the track this season. The $7,500 payday boosted his bankroll to $95,988.

Illwinifican was a handy winner on the undercard. The four-year-old son of Allamerican Native-Builttowin Hanover rallied to an impressive score in the $10,500 Open Pace.

The gelding got away sixth and held that position through first-half fractions of :27.2 and :57.3. She was third over on the way to the three-quarter pole, and when trainer/driver Dennis Johnston of Cultus Lake, BC pulled the trigger the gelding responded with a :28.2 closing kick. The margin of victory was 1-1/2 lengths over Premium Stock in 1:55. Pillage And Burn was next in line.

Sent off as the 6-5 favourite, Illwinifican broke into the win column for the first time this season. The nine-time winner, who notched seven of those wins last season, is owned in partnership by Ray Thomson of Surrey and Dennis Johnston of Cultus Lake of BC. Hes put away more than $120,000 in career earnings.

To view results for Friday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Friday Results  Fraser Downs.
Jim Morrill, Jr. was on fire at Batavia Downs Saturday night as he won seven of the 13 races carded and vaulted himself into the dash driving lead for the meet.

Morrill started early and was relentless as the night went on. He scored with Thunderbolt Jaxon ($4.80, 1:56.3), Outoftexas ($5.50, 1:55.3), Green Olives ($3.30, 1:56.2), Dodger Hanover ($2.80, 1:57.3), Littlebitaclass ($7.00, 1:54.2), Adversary Seelster ($3.50, 1:57.1) and Zipnthruthehall ($2.90, 1:57).

The current record for wins on one card at Batavia Downs is eight, set by Jim Morrill, Jr. in 2005 and matched by John Cummings, Jr. in 2006.

Beside his seven wins, Morrill also had three seconds and a third among his 12 drives for the night and that added up to a .750 UDR for the evening.

Morrill is currently ranked third in North America for UDR in 2016, sporting a gaudy .415 for the year. He has amassed 322 wins in 1,197 starts and earned $3,776,654 as a result to this point.

The fifth win of the night for Morrill was with Littlebitaclass who won the $10,000 Open pacing feature.

Claimed two weeks ago for $20,000 and victorious in each start since, Littlebitaclass left and out-legged China Dream (Shawn Gray) to the front shortly after they passed the quarter pole. From there, Morrill grabbed leather to settle the gelding until Knocking Around (Dave McNeight III) drew alongside approaching three-quarters.

When they tripped the timer in 1:25.2 at that station, Knocking Around took a half-length lead and appeared to have gotten the best of the leader. But Littlebitaclass gallantly fought back and regained a neck advantage by the head of the stretch. But Knocking Around would not go away and was joined in the fray by China Dream, who had gotten the trip and came up the passing lane. Flanked by adversaries on both sides, Littlebitaclass dug in hard and refused to lose, hitting the wire first by a mere head in 1:54.2.

It was the ninth win of the year for Littlebitaclass and it boosted his earnings to $52,201 for 2016. The five-year-old gelded son of Santana Blue Chip is owned by Mike Torcello and trained by Gerry Sarama.

Trainer Alex Giuliani sent three winners postward while fellow conditioners Gerry Sarama and Mihajlo Zdjelar, Jr. each doubled up.

As was previously mentioned, there is a new dash driving title leader at Batavia Downs in Jim Morrill. Jr., who now tops everyone with 73 wins. Kevin Cummings, who was not in action Saturday, is tied for second with Drew Monti with 68 wins and Ray Fisher, Jr. is a close fourth with 62.

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday with post time at 6:15 p.m.

(Batavia Downs)
Local police and fire officials say the answer to the countys trouble with the emergency dispatch system may lie in Clark Countys 911 center.

On Oct. 9, local police and fire chiefs asked the Cowlitz Comm Centers governing board to study consolidating with the Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency, known as CRESA. Officials here say CRESA is one of the best-rated 911 centers nationwide for its customer service for police, fire and other user agencies.

CRESA Director Dave Fuller said a feasibility study would evaluate whether consolidating would improve efficiency and dispatching.

Its got to be a win-win for both counties, Cowlitz County 911 Director Deanna Wells said.

Officials say a large part of the push toward CRESA was because of the difficulty connecting to Kalamas digital radio system to address agencies immediate needs and gaps in coverage.

Cowlitz 2 Fire Chief Dave LaFave said user agencies are frustrated with how little say they have over the running of the Comm Center, even though they help fund it through fees.

If you had a timeshare condo, would you be a customer or would you be a part-owner? My view is were part-owners, LaFave said. If I need something changed to meet the needs of our fire district, I should be able to request it.

By contrast, Clark County responding agency are satisfied with CRESA, officials said, and attributed it to its governance model: CRESA is governed by one board of nine agency representatives.

The governance is one of those things that allows us to be pretty responsive, Fuller said.

This is not the first time local responding agencies have sought consolidating with 911 centers in other counties. An assessment five years ago explored the idea of creating a regional 911 center that would include Cowlitz, Wahkiakum and Skamania counties, according to officials. And Wells said even after 2011, agencies have discussed merging with CRESA, but the idea fizzled away.

The Woodland Fire Department joined CRESA last year as part of fire agencies regional consolidation. Woodland Fire Chief Michael Jackson said it was a pragmatic move to join Clark County Fire & Rescue and had nothing to do with Cowlitz Countys 911 troubles.

User agency fees at the countys Comm Center are determined by call volumes, with Longview agencies having the highest user fees. Three large agencies moving to CRESA would significantly affect the rest of the users fees. So if Longview moves, others will be unable to pick up its share, Kalama Police Chief Randy Gibson said.

Thats a domino, Gibson said. Once it starts falling, other agencies could follow these bigger agencies out the door.

At the October E-Board meeting, Kelso City Manager Steve Taylor spoke out against the move. He requested a list from agencies about specific concerns that have not been addressed by the countys Comm Center. He said efforts should be spent on making the current system better.

Is this really a direction we need to go? Because its a major step, he said. I have not seen anything articulated from the complaints against the system beyond whats anecdotal. What I have seen is a response from the 911 center. It may not provide all the answers that the users want it to here, but the complaints and issues being put forward are being addressed.  I think were already on a patch to fix a lot of the issues.

Police and fire officials, however, were unanimous in approaching Clark County. And Wells agrees that consolidation with CRESA should be evaluated again. While she said much of the talk with CRESA has made dispatchers unsure of their future, its worth exploring.

I think first and foremost we should do whats best for our community and our taxpayers, Wells said. If a consolidation was the best thing for our community, if it was more efficient  and thats what this community wants, then I think were negligent not to look at that.

Contact Daily News reporter Hayat Norimine at 360-577-7828
Washington voters are deciding a statewide initiative that would prevent someone from owning or accessing guns if family, current and former household members, police or others believe the gun owner is a significant danger to himself or others.

Initiative 1491 has the backing of gun violence survivors, who argue that current law doesnt do enough to prevent violence. Theyve argued that mass shooters and people who commit suicide show signs of their intentions, and that the initiative could empower families to save lives.

Mental health advocates and law enforcement have both supported and opposed the initiative.

Opponents say it doesnt address the core issue of gaps in the mental health care system, stigmatizes people with mental health problems, infringes on Second Amendment Rights and taxes law enforcement with an unfunded mandate.

19th District legislators Sen. Dean Takko and Rep. Brian Blake, both Democrats, oppose the initiative, as do Cowlitz County Sheriff Mark Nelson and many gun owners.

The measure clearly violates a persons Second Amendment right, Nelson said. If approved by a Superior Court judge, the order would be in effect for a year, during which time a respondent could request a hearing and make a case for the order to be terminated. Authorities have to make a reasonable effort to contact a gun owner before a scheduled hearing (unless a petitioner asks for an ex parte order, essentially an immediate hearing).

Rob Mowell, range master of the Cowlitz County Public Shooting Range, called the law unnecessary and said it violated the Second Amendment and a persons right to due process. According to the initiative, the gun owner would have the burden of proving that he doesnt pose a danger to himself or others.

Youre guilty until youre proven innocent with this, he said.

Mowell and other gun owners said they worried their credibility would be damaged if a petition was filed falsely (this initiative makes that a gross misdemeanor).

Daniel Mulcahy of Tacoma, who was shooting Friday at the range, also opposed the measure. Theres no reason to circumvent someones due process, he said. Even if youre crazy, you should have due process.

Initiative advocate Joanna Paul argues, however, that the law would provide enough opportunity for gun owners to present their case.

It gives everyone a chance to be notified, said Paul, spokeswoman for the Alliance for Gun Responsibility, which is spearheading the initiative campaign.

Paul said the initiative was written narrowly enough that it doesnt violate Second Amendment rights.

Our mission is to balance rights and responsibilities, and this law is good at drawing that line, she said. This is very narrowly designed to help a family in crisis.

Nelson and Mowell said they worry that some judges might let their personal bias against guns cloud their judgment and would, as Mowell described, legislate from the bench. But Cowlitz County District Court Judge Ron Marshall, who presides over the countys mental health court, said he trusts that judges will be cautious about pulling gun rights.

I have a good deal of faith in the judiciary in this state, he said. My experience is that ... it would be rare for (a judge) to be other than conservative in making that kind of order.

Nelson said he believes the law already provides adequate avenues to deal with the problem Initiative 1491 tries to address.

Nelson said anyone concerned about anothers mental stability can call law enforcement for a welfare check. Nelson said law enforcement already can refer the person for treatment or refer them for involuntarily treatment. In addition, courts can order gun owners to surrender their arms as part of protection orders. Courts also can require gun owners to surrender guns if theyve used, displayed or threatened to use them in a felony; have committed other crimes such as fourth-degree assault, coercion or stalking; or have been found mentally incompetent.

It puts the onus onto law enforcement to enforce a law that we already have, Nelson said.

Nelson said its impossible to predict and legislate future behavior.

Already, the kinds of incidences that were talking about here are so few and far between, that really what youre going to end up doing is impacting a lot of people where nothing would happen in the first place, he said. Of all the firearms owners that are out there, theyre not the ones that anybodys concerned about. The ones you need to be concerned about are the ones you dont know about.

Were not trying to legislate every situation, Paul, spokeswoman for The Alliance, rebutted.

Paul added that Connecticut enacted a similar law in 1999, and a Duke University researcher estimate that the law had likely prevented 38 to 76 people from committing suicide by 2013. During that 14-year-span, the state had issued 762 risk warrants to people considered a significant risk of harm to themselves or others

Paul said the law is likely to be more effective in Washington because the state has a higher rate of firearm suicides and more gun owners.

The right people are having their firearms removed and getting necessary mental health or substance abuse treatment afterward under the Connecticut law, she said.

Longview Police Chief Jim Duscha is more receptive to the initiative than Sheriff Nelson.

Im not totally sold on this initiative. The part Im sold on is safety for people who need it. If this is all we have right now, Im not 100 percent in favor of it, but its probably better than nothing, Duscha said.

Like Nelson, Duscha criticized the initiative for being an unfunded mandate for police and local courts to enforce. Duscha said his officers dont have the equipment or space in their cars to store confiscated guns and neither does the departments three storage rooms, which already are nearing capacity and are staffed by one full-time employee.

Under the initiative, police would be responsible for serving gun owners with legal paperwork to confiscate firearms. If owners didnt turn over their guns voluntarily, police would have to serve a search warrant to take them by force.

Duscha said he doesnt believe the law would be effective.

A lot of these I would assume would be the typical crime-of-passion type of thing, where I am really mad and Im going to do something now. Its not typically a week later, two weeks later. Maybe, that can happen, but those ones that are going to happen right now, theres nothing were going to be able to do about that with these orders, Duscha said.

Peggy McCarthy, executive director of National Alliance on Mental Illness Southwest Washington, agreed with Duscha. While she ultimately supports the initiative, she said it could either prevent or precipitate violence, especially if a gun owner finds out about the petition before anything else can be done.

Ultimately, she said, it wont prevent someone from killing someone else if they really want to, by gun or by other means.

There is never going to be any foolproof way to prevent people who shouldnt have access to guns, have access to guns, she said.

In applying the potential law, Duscha said police might pick up on the fact that a family member worries about a loved ones mental health deteriorating and worries theyre becoming more violent.

If we talk to them and we get that same sense that this is not safe for this person to have these weapons, then I think that is a good idea to petition and try to get those, so the person will get the help they need and eventually get their weapons back, Duscha said.

Opponents have criticized the initiative for stigmatizing people with mental health problems.

Marshall and McCarthy disagree because the initiative also specifies domestic violence and substance abuse issues as examples of reasons to make a petition.

Nelson said the initiative does nothing to address mental health issues.

Thats where the money and the effort should be going, he said. This is just another piece of the puzzle to remove firearms from people and take their rights away.

Marshall said that protection orders, current ones included, are by nature not a good way to get people treatment because they lack enforcement and incentives for someone to seek treatment.

We have provisions in the statutes that deal with other protection orders that are kind of intended to make the protection order process an avenue to getting appropriate treatment. But it doesnt really work that way. Its not really what I would consider a viable avenue for folks who need treatment and are not getting it, Marshall said.

Duscha said he wants to see a requirement in the initiative that gun owners have to go through mental health treatment before getting their guns back.

If theres not a treatment component in there, I think that kind of defeats the purpose, he said.
The race for state Commissioner of Public Lands pits an anti-coal environmental lawyer against a retired U.S. Navy officer with ties to a group that backed the occupation of the Malheur Wildlife Refuge.

Democrat Hilary Franz and Republican Steve McLaughlin are vying to replace incumbent Peter Goldmark, who is stepping down.

The lands commissioner manages the state Department of Natural Resources and has a leading role in managing 5.6 million acres of state forest and aquatic lands. DNR also regulates logging and earns revenues for state and county governments. Despite the positions importance to Southwest Washington, neither candidate has made much of an appearance here during the campaign.

Steve McLaughlin

McLaughlins electoral bid has been partially overshadowed by his ties to a group that supported the occupation of the Malheur Wildlife Refuge in Oregon last winter.

McLaughlin, 60, supports the Hammond family, ranchers in Oregon found guilty of arson on public lands. He signed a statement of support for the ranchers in December by the Coalition of Western States.

The coalition backed efforts to overtake the refuge, but McLaughlin said he was never part of the group and condemned the occupation the day it started. That hasnt stopped his opponents from casting McLaughlin as an extremist.

McLaughlin, who served 25 years in the military, said he respects the rule of law.

As a Naval officer in Everett, McLaughlin said he managed thousands of staff members and oversaw 5,000 acres of timber and tidelands. He spent 10 years as a Federal Emergency Management Incident Command System Instructor, when he trained nearly 1,000 firefighters and public safety personnel. He said that will be vital as state lands commissioner, who is responsible for overseeing the states top firefighting department.

Hilary Franz

Franz, 46, is backed by one of the founders of Earth Day as well as a director at Patagonia, according to the Seattle Times. She stepped down as executive director of Futurewise, an environmental group, to run for office.

Franz is a third-generation farmer and small forest landowner. Her family still owns much of the ranch land her grandparents worked after they moved to Pierce County in the 1930s. She has served on multiple boards overseeing growth management, salmon recovery and economic development. She was also appointed by former Gov. Chris Gregoire to serve on the states Climate Action Team.

Shes spent her 20-year career traveling across the state working on various aquatic, agricultural and forestry projects.

Campaign finance

Franz has vowed not to accept campaign funding from industries she would oversee. McLaughlin has received backing from the timber industry, including $4,000 from Weyerhaeuser Co. A handful of Republican Cowlitz County groups also have donated to his campaign, and he is endorsed by the Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers, the union which represents workers at both major Longview mills.

So far his campaign has raised about $147,000, compared to Franzs $384,000.

Franz has received support from Peter Goldman, a wealthy environmentalist and head of the Washington Forest Law Center, which has brought conservation lawsuits against DNR.

Goldman is a big donor to Washington Conservation Voters Action Fund, which has spent more than $105,000 on negative ad campaigns against McLaughlin and an equal amount on supporting Franz, according to Public Disclosure Commission filings.

Fossil fuels and aquatic leases

Franz says its time to move away from fossil fuels and said she wouldnt support an aquatic lease for a coal terminal, such as the one Millennium Bulk Terminals wants to build at Longview.

Because coal is going to be, within 10 years, an outdated fuel source and it is a dirty fossil fuel that is leading to the most challenging economic and environmental crisis of our time, I would not support the leasing of our port facilities for an expansion of dirty fossil fuels, Franz said in an interview.

Millennium contends that its existing aquatic lands lease would be sufficient for its project, but DNR has said Millennium would need additional authorization to build the terminal on state-owned aquatic lands.

McLaughlin said he would be open to all commodities, including coal, as long as they comply with environmental regulations.

The commissioners job is to listen and allow any applicant to go through the process and then make a decision based on scientific study and a thorough risk assessment, he said.

Small timber lands

Both candidates agree that small forest landowners shouldnt have to face the same extensive logging regulations as bigger timber companies. McLaughlin said he would propose policies to ease the burden on smaller landowners, who face rules that sometimes prevent them from cutting logs on significant portions of their land.

A lot of small forest landowners have to comply with buffers on seasonal streams that probably dont even have salmon habitat, McLaughlin said. Im going to look at the entire set of rules and I will work to ensure that we apply new rules for the small forest landowner that best fits the situation at hand.

Franz, who herself owns a small amount of forest land, agrees that small woodlot owners shouldnt have to follow the same rules. She wants to boost funding for a program that would compensate forest landowners for efforts to protect the environment.

We need to recognize the importance and vital value they provide to the economy and how they are not in the same situation as larger industrial forest land owners, Franz said, adding that she would like to see more education programs for those landowners.

Economic development and school funding

State timber lands generate millions of dollars in revenue annualy for school construction and for rural counties. Wahkiakum County is especially dependent on state timber sales to finance its operating budget.

Both McLaughlin and Franz say state lands are important to stimulating the economies of rural areas.

I want to try to revitalize some of the industry in our rural areas that have been depressed for 25 years, McLaughlin said.

He said he would do so by increasing state timber harvest, which would provide more revenues for schools, too. It is not clear how he would do that, however, given restrictions for endangered species.

Franz said she wants each DNR region to analyze how to make public lands more productive. She also wants to invest in clean energy.

However, she said DNR is only part of the solution for funding construction of public schools. And she thinks the department should diversify its revenue streams for public schools, by taking a look at timber, clean energy and increased agricultural production.
Editors note: This is the third and final part of our series about troubles at the Cowlitz County 911 Communications Center. The entire series is available at TDN.com.

Among a forest of campaign signs at the corner of Cowlitz Way and Fifth Avenue, one bears an ominous message: Its bold letters read, KEEP 911 ALIVE.

Its a pitch for voters to approve a ballot measure for a countywide 0.1 percent sales tax  a penny on a $10 purchase. It would raise $1.2 million annually for the Cowlitz County 911 Communications Center to fund capital and operational improvements.

Without that money, officials say, the system will fail. Statewide money to support 911 centers has dried up. Police and fire agencies say they cant afford higher user fees to run the center. The center is understaffed, and its equipment is aging. Asking voters to approve a tax increase, 911 Director Deanna Wells said, was a last resort.

I just hope that the community understands the need and how critical this is, Wells said.

But the measure, which appears on the Nov. 8 general election ballot, has strong opposition from most of the police agencies that depend on it.

At a July 26 meeting, County Commissioners Mike Karnofski and Dennis Weber agreed to put the tax proposal on the ballot after an impassioned speech from Wells about the struggles of dispatchers. (Commissioner Joe Gardner was absent.) Several citizens spoke in favor of it.

For many officials, though, there are too many questions about the measure and the future of the 911 system itself. The county hasnt identified a new building for the center, leaving that cost open-ended. And some have a lack of trust in the leadership and governance of the center and wonder if the tax money would be spent as promised.

Karnofski said he no longer supports the tax. Five of the countys police chiefs on Aug. 10 sent a letter to the commissioners opposing it. Cowlitz County Sheriff Mark Nelson is the only head of the countys six law enforcement agencies who didnt sign the letter.

As a group and as individual administrators, we have serious concerns regarding the governance and current leadership at the center, the letter stated. We are not confident that equipment upgrades will appropriately address the problems our agencies are currently experiencing with the radio system.

Theres another reason some officials are hesitant to embrace the tax. Law and fire agencies have requested a study to merge Cowlitz County 911 operations with the Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency, a dispatch center in Vancouver. Nobody knows what that would mean for the Comm Center.

Fire agencies, however, sent the E-Board a letter in support of the tax in October. Longview Fire Chief Phil Jurmu said it was important to show the fire districts and Wells are on the same page.

Any time that we can have all public safety officials working together towards a common goal certainly paints a (better) picture, Jurmu said, adding that it was embarrassing that its come to the point where disagreements are being aired out in public.

But some disagreements have yet to be resolved, like whether the county or the 911 E-Board governs the center and makes final decisions on its purchases.

The commissioners in January wrote a letter to the E-Board stating that the county had final say over the 911 centers budget, which is a little more than $3 million. Kelso City Manager Steve Taylor, who is vice-chairman of the 911 E-Board vice chairman, said while its important the county and E-Board reach an agreement on the governance model, the 911 staff has made a a very strong case that the center needs new tax revenue. He said the funds from the 0.01 percent tax also would address many of the complaints the agencies have.

We know that the money is needed. The resources are needed, Taylor said. I think that plan addresses a lot of the need and frankly, it would address a lot of the complaints of the jurisdictions. ... I believe that 80 percent of the issues surrounding the 911 center can be alleviated with the passage of this sales tax.

New facility

Theres no immediate danger of the 911 center not dispatching emergency help. But its vulnerable to equipment failing to perform important functions. In a worst-case scenario, the 911 centers phone system could go down. Calls would go to Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency, and a couple minutes of delays with dispatching could make the difference between life or death. Officials want the Comm Center moved out of its cramped, flood-prone location in the basement of the Hall of Justice.

But finding money for a new facility and major equipment replacements is a challenge the Comm Center has faced for at least 18 years. A 1999 operations assessment shows the center has faced a similar shortage in staffing and capital improvement projects, and not much has changed.

We literally wait for equipment to break before it gets replaced. ... Its a terrible way to do business, Wells said. We operate on bare bones, and we have for years.

Starting in 2019, Wells plans to set aside $200,000 a year to pay for a new Communications Center, using some of the sales tax money if voters approve. But an alternative location for the Comm Center hasnt been identified. Without a plan in place, thats just a stab in the dark, Jurmu said, who has concerns about how the money will be spent despite his support of the tax.

Several ideas have been thrown around for the new location. On Tuesday, the county commissioners unanimously offered $250,000 to buy the building that currently houses the Love Overwhelming shelter on Cowlitz Way in Kelso.

If the space were to be used for the 911 center, the structure would need to be demolished and a new building erected at a cost of $1 million to $2 million, Karnofski said. The Emergency Management Department and the Sheriffs Office could both move with the Comm Center. The county may dip into its $4.5 million cash reserves to finance these moves, or it may shift its capital spending plans.

Commissioner Weber said a vacant Kelso parcel where the old Kelso High School was located atop Academy Street is another option. Jurmu, in the past year, proposed the center and a new fire station be at the same place on 30th and Ocean Beach Highway. But he said commissioners didnt want the Comm Center located in the flood plain.

Capital improvements

The center needs an estimated $2.1 million in capital improvements over the next 10 years to replace critical equipment, according to Wells plan for how she would spend the 911 sales tax money. Wells said she hopes to have an additional two radio tower sites, one in Bebe Mountain near Castle Rock and one in Woodland, up by next year.

The center is budgeted for 21 dispatchers, three more than it currently has, and it can take more than a year to train someone. Bringing staff levels up to having 22 dispatchers would cost $160,000 in 2018, and Wells long-term plan includes a 23rd dispatcher by 2025.

The plan also includes upgrading the Comm Centers radio system to a $600,000 federally recommended P25 digital radio system by 2020.

Then theres the phone system used for 911 calls. Bill Peters, deputy coordinator of the states Enhanced 911 system, said the system would vastly improve dispatchers ability to locate the origin of 911 calls. Peters said he requested an additional $1.5 million from the Legislature to support four counties transition to the Next Generation IP-based digital phone system. But the Legislature denied the request.

Wells said she is currently working on a five-year state lease that would provide a way for the state to gradually pay the cost, and to allow counties to upgrade its phone system by next year.

The voters  the brains of the 911 radio system  and the repeaters among seven tower sites must be replaced over the next two years. But Wells said they have already reached their end of life and waiting until 2018 to replace some of them is pushing it. The servers and computer-aided dispatch system also needs replacing.

I dont think you can kick it down the road anymore. If youre not replacing your repeaters ... youre going to have critical failure, Wells said at the Oct. 12 E-Board meeting. Those are things that have to be done, and weve already pushed the can down the road. Were past that.
Motorola has announced rocking Moto G4 and G4 Plus handsets have started acquiring the Android 7.0 Nougat update in India, ahead with the Moto Z which will be accepting the Android 7.0 Nougat update next month. Finally, Motorola validates to Droid Life that consumer can expect the arrival of Nougat on the Moto G4 and Moto G4 Plus.

Its useful saying that while the soak test was being transported in Brazil, the latest declaration with regard to Moto G4 and G4 Plus Nougat update has been made by Motorola on its India website. Soak examining is the series of action of releasing the update to a few end users, verifying and fixing any issues, and then rolling it out the general populace. It appears the soak test was successful, as the update has now started affluent general users in a phased manner.

Motorola doesnt provide any information regarding the Moto X series, the earlier generation Moto G, and the Moto E series as of now.

The company advising to users that the update should be downloaded and installed on when the phone is connected to a Wi-Fi network and only if the cell-Phone has more than 50% percent charge. If a customer has got a notification message for the update, they should then choose Yes, Im in, and once the update is downloaded, click on Install Now. Those who havent get a message should go to Settings > About Phone > System updates, and then if an update is available, follow the above process.

Android 7.0 Nougats pleasant new features include Multi-window , Quick Switch (switch to the previous app using the multitasking button), and VR support/ Daydream (for more powerful VR experience).

Additional notable features include beyond what Android 7.0 Nougat brings new mojos, enhanced file browser, a new Moto action called Swipe to shrink the screen, clear all, current apps, push notifications, Google Assistant enhanced Java 8 language support, smooth updates, and data saver, direct reply notifications, additional power competence.

Source: Motorola
The US space agency NASA has established a virtual institute for the development of small spacecraft systems. Scientists at NASA chose the Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, California, to setup the Small Spacecraft Systems Virtual Institute (S3VI) where they will innovate small spacecrafts, provide an efficient channel for communication about small spacecraft with industry, academia and government agencies.

NASA sees enormous benefits from investing in research and technology development in small spacecraft systems, such as propulsion, that will be essential in advancing the commercial space sector, said Steve Jurczyk, associate administrator for NASAs Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD). Over the past several years, NASA has increased the generation of new, innovative applications of small spacecraft, with several mission directorates using small spacecraft to meet their goals.

Small Spacecraft Technology Program was started by STMD back in 2011 with an aim of demonstrating the unique capabilities of small spacecraft to support science, exploration and space operations. The mission help in developing our understanding for several things including our environment; investigations of microgravity effects on organisms to enable the safe exploration of space; and robotic precursors to maximize the productive use of space. Ar present, The Science Mission Directorate (SMD) and the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate (HEOMD) each are using small spacecraft for a range of activities.

The S3VI will provide the first one-stop shop for technical knowledge in the rapidly burgeoning small spacecraft technology fields, said Jay Bookbinder, director of programs and projects at Ames. This will result in more efficient development efforts, and enable smaller vendors to compete more effectively in this market.

In addition, the size of small spacecraft can vary depending on the type of mission and its use. Scientists explained that a small spacecraft can be smaller than a stamp and can be as large as a refrigerator. Many recently launched NASA small spacecraft conform to the CubeSat standards  established by academia  in which a single cube (called a one-unit, or 1U) measures about 4 inches on each side, has an approximate volume of one quart, and weighs less than three pounds. The variety of sizes offers spacecraft capabilities tailored to specific science instruments, exploration sensors, or technology demonstrations.

Over the next year, the S3VI will establish both a physical and virtual presence within NASA and the small spacecraft community at large. Strategic direction and tactical focus for the Institute will result from a series of community activities and workshops. The S3VI will engage with the small spacecraft communities, including academia, industry, and other government agencies to:

Establish the Institute as the common portal into NASA for all small spacecraft activities. The Institute will capture information on small spacecraft activities and lessons learned; identify small spacecraft collaborative opportunities; and identify NASA points of contact for a variety of small spacecraft activities across the centers.

Engage subject matter experts from across the small spacecraft communities to define the technical scope, policy issues and direction for the Institute.

Host the Small Spacecraft Body of Knowledge (SSBK) as an online resource. This includes STMDs Small Spacecraft Technology State of the Art report, a small spacecraft lessons learned library, a systems test data repository, reliability practices, etc.

The S3VI portal will go live in early 2017, and is jointly sponsored by NASAs Space Technology Mission Directorate and the Science Mission Directorate. The S3VI is hosted at and managed by NASAs Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, California.
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Thailands government met with representatives from Internet giant Google, amid growing calls from Thai hardline royalists to bring those who insult the monarchy to justice, as many Thais look with uncertainty to a future without their revered king. King Bhumibol Adulyadejs death on Oct. 13 has thrown the country of 67 million into mourning. It has also led to the rise of ultra-royalist vigilante groups who say they will punish anyone perceived to have insulted the monarchy during a highly sensitive time for Thailand.

Deputy Prime Minister Prajin Juntong said he met with Google representatives in Bangkok on Friday. Google affirmed in the meeting that it would continue to help the government remove content from YouTube, a Google subsidiary, that it deemed offensive, he said. "If any website is inappropriate they said to get in touch with them and inform them of the URL and the time the content was found," Prajin told reporters.

That conforms with Google's practice around the world, Alphabet Inc's Google says. "We have always had clear and consistent policies for removal requests from governments around the world and we continue to operate in line with those policies," a Google spokesperson in California told Reuters on Friday. "When we are notified of content that is illegal through official processes, we will restrict it in the country where its illegal after a thorough review."

Named and Shamed

Thailand's military government said on Tuesday it was tracking people suspected of insulting the monarchy following the kings death and would ask other countries to extradite them. Some critics of the monarchy living abroad have been named and shamed in Thai language web forums. Outside the world of the web, some Thais who have chosen not to wear black, the official color of mourning, have been publicly jeered at.

Thailand's military government has tried to seek tighter censorship of social media from Facebook, Google and Japan-based instant messenger service LINE since it came to power in 2014 following a coup it said was necessary to restore peace to the country following months of unrest. Thailand's royal insult law, known as Article 112 in the criminal code, makes it a crime to insult the king, queen, heir or regent. Those who are found guilty face up to 15 years in prison.

The law has curtailed public discussion about the monarchy's role and its future following the death of King Bhumibol who ruled for seven decades and was seen as a unifying figure. Since taking power in 2014, the junta, known officially as the National Council for Peace and Order, has taken a tough stance on dissenters. It has come under strong criticism from the international community for lengthy and unprecedented prison sentences handed down by military courts against civilians for violating the lese-majeste law since the junta took power. The military government has repeatedly rejected accusations of rights violations.

Reuters
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A federal grand jury in California has indicted a Russian man for hacking computers belonging to LinkedIn Corp, Dropbox and Formspring, the U.S. Justice Department said on Friday. Yevgeniy Nikulin was arrested on Oct. 5 by officials in the Czech Republic and remains in custody in Prague, the Justice Department said in a news release.

LinkedIn said at the time of his arrest that it was related to a 2012 breach at the social networking company that may have compromised credentials of 100 million users, prompting a massive password reset operation. It was not immediately clear if U.S. officials had begun extradition proceedings to have Nikulin, who was indicted on Thursday by a federal grand jury in Oakland, California, brought to the United States to stand trial.

According to the DOJ, Nikulin is accused of accessing computers belonging to LinkedIn, Dropbox and Formspring and obtaining information from them. The U.S. attorneys office could not immediately be reached for further comment. It was not yet clear who would be representing Nikulin in the proceedings. He is also alleged to have used credentials of LinkedIn and Formspring employees in connection with the computer intrusions. Further, Nikulin is alleged to have engaged in a conspiracy with unnamed co-conspirators to traffic stolen Formspring user credentials.

The indictment charges Nikulin with three counts of computer intrusion, two counts of intentional transmission of information, code, or command causing damage to a protected computer; two counts of aggravated identity theft; one count of trafficking in unauthorized access devices; and one count of conspiracy.

Reuters
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At a time when India is poised to become a global manufacturing hub for mobile phones and components, Pankaj Mohindroo, National President, Indian Cellular Association (ICA), has asked Chinese companies to partner with Indian firms for setting up a manufacturing base in the country. "We are targeting 500 million mobile phones manufacturing by 2019, along with a robust component industry. Our Chinese partners will help us in achieving this," Mohindroo added.

Speaking at the second India-China Mobile Phones and Accessories Manufacturing Summit, organised here under the first edition of the three-day mobile fair, India Mobile Diwali (IMD), Mohindroo said there is a huge emerging opportunity in component manufacturing in India now. The event, aimed at strengthening the Indian mobile phone and component manufacturing ecosystem in sync with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make in India' and 'Digital India' initiatives, is held at a time when Indians are strongly opposing the use of "Made in China" products.

Urging Chinese companies to take advantage of the new investment and manufacturing opportunities in India, policy initiatives and increased ease of business, Aruna Sundarajan, Secretary Ministry of Electronics, IT, Government of India, said Indian talent and Chinese innovation can be a very potent fusion. She also pointed out that Chinese companies need to look at India as a partner in 'Make in India' programme and not only as a market destination for their products.

Lingyun Wu, Founder and CEO, Mobile World (Shoujibao), Shenzhen, said Chinese companies are excited to be part of the 'Make in India' campaign and establish mobile handset and component manufacturing facilities in India. "I'm sure that IMD will open ample opportunities to network and join hands and further strengthen investments in India," Lingyun added.

The three-day fair, organised by Mobile World (Shoujibao), China's leading Mobile Industry service platform in association with the Indian Cellular Association, the apex body representing the mobile handset Industry in India, saw participation from industry bigwigs like Peter Lee, COO Huawei, Josh Foulger, MD Foxconn, Keshav Bansal, Director, Intex, S.N. Rai, Co-founder and Director, Lava, and over 300 investment delegations and mobile phone companies and component manufacturers from China and India. A high-level Investment Delegation from China's mobile phone industry will be on a six-day India visit from October 21-26 to participate in India Mobile Diwali Expo.

IANS
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Images taken by a NASA Mars orbiter indicate that a missing European space probe was destroyed on impact after plummeting to the surface of the Red Planet from a height of 2-4 km (1.2 to 2.5 miles), the European Space Agency said on Friday. The disc-shaped, 577-kg (1,272 lb) Schiaparelli probe, part of the Russian-European ExoMars program to search for evidence of life on Mars, descended on Wednesday to test technologies for a rover that scientists hope to send to the surface of the planet in 2020.

But contact with the vehicle was lost around 50 seconds before the expected landing time, leaving its fate uncertain until the NASA images were received. "Schiaparelli reached the ground with a velocity that was much higher than it should have been, several hundred kilometers per hour, and was then unfortunately destroyed by the impact," ExoMars Flight Director Michel Denis told Reuters TV.

It was only the second European attempt to land a craft on Mars, after a failed mission by the British landing craft Beagle 2 in 2003. The U.S. space agency's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, which has been circling the planet for about 10 years, took low-resolution pictures that show a bright spot that ESA believes is the 12-metre parachute that Schiaparelli used to slow down.

They also show a fuzzy dark patch, around 15 by 40 meters in size, about 1 km north of the parachute, which scientists interpret as having been created by the impact of the lander following a longer-than-planned free fall. ESA said it was possible that Schiaparelli's landing was accompanied by an explosion, as its thrusters' fuel tanks were probably still full.

The primary part of the ExoMars mission has, however, been a success so far, as the Schiaparelli lander's mothership has been brought into orbit around Mars, from where it will try to sniff out methane and other gases that might indicate the presence of life. It will also act as a data relay station for the rover, which is due to follow in 2020.

Hostile Environment

Landing on Mars, Earth's neighbor and at its closest some 35 million miles (56 million km) away, is a notoriously difficult task that has thwarted most Russian efforts and given NASA trouble as well. That has not diminished its allure, with U.S. President Barack Obama recently highlighting his pledge to send people to the surface by the 2030s. Entrepreneur Elon Musk's SpaceX is developing a massive rocket and capsule to transport large numbers of people and cargo to Mars with the ultimate goal of colonizing the planet.

ESA scientists have been poring over data that the Schiaparelli lander transmitted before its signal was lost, to look for clues as to what happened. They found that a heat shield and parachute intended to slow the craft down from a speed of 21,000 km per hour deployed as expected. "But somehow the parachute was released a bit too early, and after that the engine functioned, but only for a few seconds, which was too little," ESA's Denis said.

The space agency said that NASA's orbiter would take pictures with its highest-resolution camera next week, which may provide further clues. ESA Director General Jan Woerner said earlier that the ExoMars mission had been "96 percent" successful so far, despite problems with the lander, as the orbiter was functioning well and the experience with Schiaparelli would still provide valuable lessons for future attempts to land on Mars.

Reuters
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Loan recovery poor

Public banks in trouble

Kazi Zahidul Hasan :

Poor loan recovery from big borrowers has badly affected on the solvency of public commercial banks forcing the central bank to issue directive on the banks for taking credit squeezing policy.

State-owned commercial banks - Sonali, Janata, Agrani and Rupali - have altogether fixed Tk 1,150 crore annual loan recovery target from top 20 defaulters.

But they recovered only Tk 221.69 crore (18.40 per cent) against the target till June 30 this year.

Sonali Bank recovered only Tk 5 crore in the first six months of 2016 against the annual target of Tk 440 crore, Janata Bank Tk 129 crore against Tk 270 crore, Agrani Bank Tk 1.69 crore against Tk 290 crore and Rupali Bank Tk 76 crore against Tk 150 crore.

Referring to the figure, Shuvankar Saha, spokesperson of Bangladesh Bank (BB) told The New Nation on Saturday that public banks are apparently struggling to recover loans from big borrowers. This has badly affected their financial solvency.

"Such a poor credit recovery indicating they are not sincere about the task. They are lagging far behind their target due to lack of proper initiative," he added.

He also said that not only loan recovery position, their other financial indicators are also declining leading them into deep crisis. "We are concerned over the deteriorating financial health of state-owned banks and asked them to intensify their loan recovery drive to improve their solvency," he said. The authorities of BB raised the issue at a meeting with the authorities of public commercial banks last week at its headquarters with governor of the bank in the chair. "Our governor asked the bank authorities to give a pause on disbursing large loans to reduce risks associated with such loans. He also asked the banks to concentrate more on disbursing SME loans rather than large ones to remain in safe side," he added.

According to the latest BB data, the capital shortfall of Sonali Bank stood at Tk 2,606 crore as on June 30, 2016, that of Janata Bank at Tk 664 crore, that of Agrani Bank Tk 200 crore and that of Rupali Bank at Tk 374 crore.

The BB asked the banks to take initiative to make up the capital shortfall by recovering non-performing loans.

The BB also asked the banks to reduce the number of loss-making branches as such type of branches of the SCBs increased significantly as of June 30, 2016.

The BB data showed that the number of loss-making branches of Sonali Bank stood at 290 as on June 30, 2016 from 124 as on December 31, 2015, that of Janata Bank 74 from 15, that of Agrani Bank 99 from 34 and that of Rupali Bank 126 from 10.
Hasina reelected AL President, Obaidul made General Secretary

UNB, Dhaka : Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was reelected president of the ruling Awami League unopposed for the eighth consecutive time, while Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader its general secretary for the first time.



The councillors of Awami League, one of the oldest political parties of the country, unanimously elected them in its 20th council as there were no other candidates for the two top party posts.



Earlier, Awami League leader Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury proposed Hasina`s name for the post of president, while Awami League leader Syed Ashraful Islam proposed Obaidul Quader`s name as general secretary. Awami League leader Jahangir Kabir Nanak seconded Ashraf`s proposal.



Sheikh Hasina was first made the Awami League President in its council in 1981.



Quader is a former president of Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student associate body of Awami League, and presidium member of the ruling party of its last committee.



Earlier, Dr Abdur Razzak, convener of constitution sub-committee of the council, presented amendments to the party constitution which was passed by the councilors.



As per the amendment, the size of national committee will be 180 in place of the existing 170. The committee will hold meeting once a year instead of every six months. But the meeting will be held more than once a year if the party President wishes.



According to the amendments, the number of presidium members will be increased to 19, including party president and general secretary, from the existing 15 while that of joint secretaries to 4 from the existing three. Besides, there will be eight organising secretaries in place of seven.



There will be a 19-member Local Government Nomination Board for party nomination in the local government bodies.




Over 35,000 suspects arrested in Turkey coup probe

A Turkish policeman stands guard at the Sur municipality building during a police operation

AFP, Ankara :

Turkey has arrested more than 35,000 people over alleged links to the group run by the US-based preacher Fethullah Gulen, who is blamed for the failed July coup, local media reported Sunday.

Turkish Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag said the suspects had been placed under arrest since the attempted putsch that fell apart within hours, quoted by NTV broadcaster.

Another 3,907 suspects were still being sought while nearly 26,000 people had been released into "judicial control", he said.

Some 82,000 individuals had been investigated in total since the coup bid, he told the audience on Saturday at a ruling Justice and Development Party conference in Afyonkarahisar, western Turkey.

Tens of thousands of people have been suspended, sacked or detained in the military, judiciary, police, education sector and media in connection with the July 15 attempted putsch blamed on Gulen and his Hizmet (Service) movement.

The unprecedented purge has come under heavy criticism from Turkey's Western allies, including the European Union. Brussels has urged Ankara to act within the rule of law, which Turkey insists it is. Ankara accuses Gulen of masterminding the coup, during which a rogue military faction tried to oust President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Gulen-who has lived in self-imposed exile since 1999 in Pennsylvania-strongly denies the charges.

Another report adds: Turkish-backed forces will press on to the Islamic State-held town of al-Bab in Syria, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday, emphasizing Ankara's drive to sweep militants and Syrian Kurdish fighters from territory near its border.

The Syrian military, however, said the presence of Turkish troops on Syrian soil was unacceptable and a "dangerous escalation and flagrant breach of Syria's sovereignty."

Backed by Turkish tanks, special forces and air strikes, a group of rebels fighting under the loose banner of the Free Syrian Army crossed into northern Syria in August and took the border town of Jarablus from Islamic State largely unopposed. The rebels have since extended those gains and now control an area of roughly 1,270 square km (490 square miles) in northern Syria. While Turkey's initial focus was on driving Islamic State from Jarablus, much of its efforts have been spent on stopping the advance of U.S.-backed Syrian Kurdish fighters.

"They say, 'Don't go to al-Bab'. We are obliged to, we will go there," Erdogan said in a speech at the opening of an education center in the northwest province of Bursa. "We have to prepare a region cleansed from terror."

Erdogan also said that Turkey would do what was necessary with its coalition partners in Syria's Raqqa, but would not work with the Syrian Kurdish fighters.
How kids perceptions on truth, lie change with age

Life Desk :

Children have no difficulty and can easily distinguish between truth and lies, regardless of age. However, as they age, they get confused around particular kinds of truths and lies, a study has found.

Younger children see things more starkly. For them, truths are good and lies are bad.

But, by the time the children are 10 to 12 years old, they become more aware that truth and lies are less binary. "Children get a lot of messages from their parents saying that lying is always bad, but at the same time they see their parents telling 'white' lies to make life easier. Depending on their age, this is likely to be a bit confusing for children," said Victoria Talwar from the McGill University in Quebec, Canada.

As children get older, their moral evaluations of both lies and truths increasingly gets influenced by whether they think this behaviour will cause harm to either others or themselves. Younger children saw false confessions to help someone else as being more negative than older ones did.

Younger children are less concerned by truth telling that had negative consequences for someone else, whereas older children were more conflicted about tattling.

"The older they are, the more interested children are in the consequences of these actions. They are also more able to start looking at the intentions behind the speech," added Shanna Mary Williams, doctoral student at the McGill University.

Further, the study showed that both young and old children had different views when it came to the skill of deciding which behaviours to reward or condemn.

While younger children may be reflecting what is taught by parents and caregivers when it comes to tattling (i.e. that honesty in all forms is virtuous), the older children may be less likely to reward tattling because they are concerned with how their peers will perceive this behaviour, the researchers observed.

In both cases, parents and teachers need to have a much more involved conversation about truth-telling or lie-telling with children starting as early as the age six, the researchers suggested.

For the study, the team assessed how a child's moral understanding develops. They studied the behaviour of close to 100 children, aged six to 12.

"Looking at how children see honesty and deceit is a way of gaining insight into different stages of moral and social development," Talwar said.

The study was published in the journal International Review of Pragmatics.

-IANS


Skilled midwives can reduce 30 percent maternal deaths

Department for International Development (DFID) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) on Sunday signed a grant agreement for a programme titled 'Strengthening the National Midwifery Programme (SNMP)'.

The UK grant, through UNFPA, will support the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of Bangladesh, to produce competent midwives in Bangladesh.

The objective of the programme is to improve the quality of midwifery education and create an enabling environment for the provision of a midwifery-led continuum of care for pregnant women and their babies in Bangladesh.

Through this programme UNFPA will work closely with the Directorate of Nursing, MoHFW, and will contribute to achieving the agreed principles of quality, equity and efficiency of the up-coming 4th health sector programme of the MoHFW.

With nearly 6,000 women still dying annually due to preventable, pregnancy related causes, the need for skilled midwives in Bangladesh is more important than ever.

The establishment of the midwifery profession in Bangladesh is rooted in the commitment made by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2010 as part of the UN Secretary General's Every Woman, Every Child Initiative.

In terms of maternal health, global evidence shows that midwives deliver the most cost-effective interventions and are able to avert at least 30% of maternal deaths. The Government of Bangladesh has therefore prioritized quality education and deployment of midwives to upazila and union level health facilities.

UNFPA representative Ms. Argentina Matavel Piccin described the programme as a turning point in the fight for reduction of maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity in Bangladesh.

"By the end of this programme, Bangladesh will have midwives educated and trained to international standards and posted in the areas with greatest needs where they will provide the highest quality professional care."

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every birth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled.
Saltgola-Ctg Airport connecting road soon : CMP

Chittagong Bureau :

Commissioner of Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) Iqbal Bahar said that a third lane would be added to the road from the city's Saltgola Crossing to Shah Amanat International Airport for easy movement of the airport passengers.

He said the new lane would be added to the existing two lanes of the road so that the airport passengers could reach their destinations within the shortest possible time.

CMP commissioner said this while addressing a rally of transport owners and workers held at Chittagong Press Club on Saturday. .Iqbal Bahar informed the rally that the works of the third lane would start soon.

Chittagong Chapter president of Nirapod Sarak Chai SM Abu Tayeb presided over by rally while vice chairman of Bangladesh Ship Handling Berth Operators Association AKM Shamsuzzaman Rasel, Executive president of Chittagong Metropolitan Transport Owners Group Iqbal Mohammad Monsurul Kabir, Eastern Zone president of Bangladesh National Road Transport Workers' Federation Siddiqur Rahman and General Secretary of Chittagong Prime Mover Trailers Workers' Union Humayun Kabir, among others, addressed it.


Syrians die, diplomats dine

Rayhan Ahmed Topader :

"This war is being decided on the battlefield not by negotiations: our priority now should be helping civilians"

Why has the international community failed to protect Syria's civilians? Syria have heightened attention to the humanitarian crisis in the country. But why have civilians in Syria not been protected by the international community? There is no hope, none at all," Abu Umar, a resident of the embattled city of Aleppo, asked these question Middle East Eye earlier. Between the atrocities of the Assad regime and Islamic State (IS), after almost five years of a devastating war and a never ending flow of images of destruction and human tragedy coming out of Syria, the nation's people continue to suffer. The tragedy of the Syrian Civil War is one that began with civilians who first staged peaceful demonstrations against the rule of President Bashar al-Assad in 2011, before a brutal crack down sparked an even more brutal war though amid all the fighting today, there is a story seldom told. A new study by the Syrian Centre for Policy Research found that 470,000 people have been either directly or indirectly killed by the war, significantly more than the 250,000 dead, the UN quoted before it stopped counting casualties 18 months ago.

The report estimates that 11.5% of Syria's population has been killed or injured since March 2011. The massive majority of the death toll in Syria are civilians," Haid of the Syrian NGO Badael tells The World Weekly. "The majority of air strikes are targeting civilians and facilities such as schools, hospitals, bakeries and markets. Even in besieged areas, where 1 million people have no access to basic needs, according to Siege Watch, the majority are civilians.

Russian and Syrian aircraft are pounding the rebel enclave of East Aleppo, which is besieged and isolated from the outside world. Some 250,000 to 275,000 civilians and 8,000 fighters are trapped there, with every likelihood that President Bashar al-Assad's forces will go on attacking until they win or the rebels leave. Hospitals and care centres are being systematically destroyed. UN aid convoys are being denied access by government forces. It is a moment to consider what can be done to stop the suffering and save those who have not already been killed or maimed by the rain of shells and bombs.

The emergency debate on Aleppo in the House of Commons last week did not provide many feasible ideas on how to do this but then such solutions are hard to find and may not exist. Other than as an expression of rage, talk of imposing a no-fly zone in which Russian and Syrian planes would be shot down is a silly diversion, since the US, Britain and their allies are not going to go to war against Russia or its Syrian ally.

The absence of a British policy was underlined by Boris Johnson's call for demonstrations outside the Russian embassy" as a protest against the bombing of civilian targets in Aleppo by Russian aircraft. But overall his approach was cautious and he distanced himself from calls for a no-fly zone over parts of Syria, saying: "We cannot commit to a no-fly zone unless we are prepared to confront and perhaps shoot down planes or helicopters that violate that zone.We need to think very carefully about the consequences."

News over the last few weeks of deaths by starvation in Madaya, once a popular resort town near the Syrian-Lebanese border now besieged by pro-government forces, and towns that have suffered a similar fate, has rekindled international attention to the humanitarian catastrophe that Syria is facing. An international aid conference in London received pledges of over $10 billion. "Never has the international community raised so much money on a single day for a single crisis," UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said at the end of the daylong conference in early February.

Despite this promised funding, and while many humanitarian actors are doing their utmost to provide aid, the colossal number of casualties demonstrates just how complete the failure to protect civilians has been. Tens of thousands of Syrians have fled fighting around Aleppo towards the Turkish border crossing Fatih "The main obstacle in securing civilian protection has been the lack of political will from the international community, Yasmine Nahlawi of the UK-based NGO Rethink Rebuild Society tells The World Weekly. She adds that the problem is not "a lack of legal instruments", pointing to a host of UN Security Council resolutions which ban the use of barrel bombs, chemical weapons, and starvation as weapons of war. Instead, she says: The problem lies in implementing these resolutions, and what we find time and time again is that words are not being backed by action.

"Denouncing russia as a pariah or calling for more sanctions does nothing to help bring the conflict under control"

"Ms. Wijninckx of the Siege Watch project concurs, saying that the division in the UN Security Council is the main obstacle. "The key world actors disagree on what should and can be done. We've got a Security Council member (Russia) bombing civilian neighbourhoods in support of the Assad regime," she tells The World Weekly.

The protrac ted war in Syria has meant that humanitarian operations in certain areas are often not possible at all, or, only, under immense risk. Just this week, air strikes targeted four different hospitals in northern Syria. The new MSF report said 63 facilities supported by the medical charity in Syria were hit in 2015, having been targeted by 94 aerial and shelling attacks. Mr.Haid of Badael sees another issue as being responsible for the lack of civilian protection.

"The most important problem was the absence of mechanisms to name the perpetrators committing crimes against civilians and hold them accountable for the atrocities they have committed," he says. The perpetrators in Syria,"after testing the waters", knew that no one was willing to stop them. Mr. Haid mainly sees the Syrian regime as responsible, pointing out that it escalated the kind of weaponry it used. They started with light arms, then they moved to tanks, and then artillery and airplanes, and then chemical weapons.?The truth is that there is no panacea for ending the war in Syria.

The intensity of the violence is too great. There are too many players with divergent interests inside and outside the country to agree to a general ceasefire. This was demonstrated by the failure of the week-long ceasefire negotiated by Russia and the US in September, in what was the most serious attempt to agree a truce in five years of fighting. In the event, it turned out that the Syrian government believes it is winning the war and does not want to stop it.

The armed opposition is dominated by Islamic State and Fatah al-Sham, formerly the al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria known as the al-Nusra Front, neither of which were included in the ceasefire and had no reason to abide by it.?It may be that, as super-powers, the US and Russia are not as super as they used to be, in the sense that neither side was able to force its allies to give full support for the ceasefire. It is not clear how far either Moscow or Washington really tried hard to do so.

There was always mystery over the real attitude to the ceasefire of Iran, which leads a powerful axis of Shia states and movements in the shape of Iraq and Hezbollah of Lebanon. The Shia in all these countries see the war in Syria as a struggle in which their very existence is at stake and which they have every intention of winning.

If there is going to be another ceasefire in Syria, then Russia and Iran will have to be part of it because they are such important participants in the conflict. Denouncing Russia as a pariah or calling for more sanctions against it may give rhetorical satisfaction to some, but it does nothing to help bring the conflict under control or mitigate the suffering of civilians. The most immediate priority should be how to save the people of East Aleppo. The UN says half of them want to leave.

The UN Special Envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura, has bravely offered to accompany them out of the city and suggested they relocate to the rebel-held Idlib province. But there are serious difficulties in arranging this because people in East Aleppo either do not want to go to Idlib or to deliver themselves to the mercies of the Syrian secret police. The extreme Islamists such as Fatah al-Sham do not want to give up East Aleppo tamely.

To do so would be to admit that the great Syrian rebellion has failed. Assad is increasing his control of Damascus, where he is eliminating rebel enclaves. If he captures all of Aleppo he will be unassailable, something which may be true already.

The teacher, quite a young woman, was neatly dressed in a long coat and skirt, with her hair covered by a plain, tightly wrapped white scarf. She doesn't want me to identify her because it could lead to trouble. She works at a school in Qaboun, a suburb of Damascus that is controlled by a rebel faction loyal to the Free Syrian Army.

I managed to cross from government-controlled Damascus to meet them last summer. Their commanders were bearded, pious Muslims who said they condemned the brutality of the jihadists.They said they were prepared to die to destroy President Bashar al-Assad and his regime, and wanted to build a state modelled on 21st Century Turkey, under a government with a distinct Islamist flavour. Playground deaths. I could see the teacher was working hard to keep her voice steady as she described what happened when two bombs hit her school last week during morning break. The 15 who died and the others who were horribly injured were all boys because it was their turn to go out to play in the warm autumn sun.

The teacher, a devout Muslim, was saying the prayer for those who are about to die as the smoke cleared and she saw the boys she had sent out for their break lying dead, dying or injured near the school entrance. After the first explosion, far enough away not to hurt them, they had been running to get inside as they had been taught. Innocent civilians are frequently caught in the crossfire around the Syrian capital. She had sent two 11-year-olds out of the class earlier that morning for being disruptive. They could not read or write because they had missed four years of school.

They lay dead on the playground together, and later that day were buried side by side. The teacher told me she still hadn't cried, although sometimes she shakes with cold." What have the children done to deserve this?" she said, in a voice that was never raised, but always full of anger.

"They don't have weapons. The rebels will not want to see themselves driven from their last urban strongholds and confined to the country side. They have always had an incentive to keep civilians with them as human shields. In some IS-held areas a five-storey apartment block may have three floors where families live, and two of which are occupied by fighters. Inability to distinguish civilians from fighters leads to massive destruction.

The Russian and Syrian air forces may be destroying East Aleppo but in Iraq the US-led air coalition largely demolished the city of Ramadi, which had been held by IS. The care taken to avoid civilian casualties may differ from air force to air force, but in general their tactics are similar. The next few months will tell if this is going to happen in Mosul, the one large city that is still held by IS.It may be that the evacuation of East Aleppo under the auspices of the UN would be seen as handing a victory to Assad.

But he is probably going to win there anyway. This is the current trend in the war, with Assad tightening his grip on Damascus, Homs and Aleppo, and becoming more confident by the day. These advances could be reversed by one or more outside powers upping their support for the opposition by supplying them with arms, ammunition and money, but this does not seem to be happening. For now the outcome for the war is being decided on the battlefield and not by diplomacy.
Corporal punishment : Oman follows Bangladesh

Sir Frank Peters :

Oman has joined the holy alliance of sane and civilised nations to ban corporal punishment to children in its schools.

The Sultanate of Oman Directorate of Education this week issued a circular to all education institutions banning all types of corporal punishment, effective immediately. The ministry said it was forced to make its position clear following a series of complaints on the issue from parents in the governorate.

The Ministry said under no circumstances would corporal punishment be accepted or tolerated by the authorities.

According to Unicef, Violent discipline can take two forms - physical (or corporal) punishment and psychological aggression; both types are violations of children's rights. Physical discipline and psychological aggression tend to overlap and frequently occur together, exacerbating the short and long-term harm they inflict. The consequences of violent discipline range from immediate effects to long-term damage that children carry well into adulthood. Moreover, research findings suggest that even mild forms of physical discipline are harmful to children.

In 2011, Bangladesh issued a similar edict that outlawed the senseless, ineffective and damaging practice of corporal punishment, but it has yet to take full effect.

Supreme court justices Md. Imman Ali and Md. Sheikh Hasan Arif declared it at the time to be "cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and a clear violation of a child's fundamental right to life, liberty and freedom". Unfortunately, there are still lawbreakers within the noble teaching profession, causing pain and suffering and, possibly, long-term damage to the very people they should be giving protection, and they need to be dismissed.

Where there's corporal punishment there's always the risk of damage to a child. In Laxmipur recently a teacher mercilessly beat Yeasin Arafat Jibon, 18, a student of class IX at Ramganj MU Government School.

It's reported that during an examination, assistant teacher of the school, Monir Hossen Mollah noticed Yeasin was talking to another examinee. The 'teacher' allegedly pulled Yeasin by his ear and later beat him mercilessly leaving him severely injured.

The madness continues unabated. In one of the most shocking incidents of corporal punishment in recent times, 11 students of classes IV and V in the Panchayat Union Siddle school at Pali near Ulundurpet, had a nightmarish experience when their 'teacher' (S Vaijayanthi Mala, 50), a native of Pali, lit camphor on their feet to 'discipline' them. Incredible! - But where there's corporal punishment you can expect the unexpected.

The government of Oman deserves a pat on the back for offering protecting to its most vulnerable citizens.



(Sir Frank Peters is a former newspaper and magazine publisher and editor and a foreign friend of Bangladesh.)
Hasina re-elected AL Chief, Quader new Gen Secy

Sagar Biswas :

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday was re-elected President of Bangladesh Awami League for the next three-year unanimously in the party's 20th Council.



Besides, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader was the newly elected General Secretary of the party.



AL Presidium member Syeda Sazeda Chowdhury proposed the name of Sheikh Hasina as party President in the yesterday's closing council session.



Election Commissioner Yusuf Hossain Humayun declared her as party President for the next term as there was no candidate for the post.



On the other hand, Syed Ashraful Islam proposed the name of Obaidul Quader as party's General Secretary while Zahangir Kabir Nanak supported the proposal. The Election Commission announced him General Secretary while no other candidate vied for the post.



Earlier in the morning session, the councillors urged Sheikh Hasina to continue for the next term as President of AL.



The first session of the second day's council began at 9:00 am on Sunday in the city's Institute of Engineers Bangladesh auditorium. In this session, presidents and general secretaries of different organizing districts raised demand to keep Hasina as lifelong party President.



At the same time, the councillors also demanded to give Sajeeb Wazed Joy an important post in the party as a successor of Bangabandhu family and representative of third generation.



Interestingly, Joy did not express any interest to get an important post in the party, though it was the key demand of grassroots level leaders in the yesterday's council.



"It will be not justifiable holding an important party post while I'm staying abroad. I want to work for the party and my country," Joy, who is also Prime Minister's IT adviser, told the newsmen at the party's research cell CRI [centre for research and information] at the Suhrawardy Udyan.Despite councillors' demand for giving Sajeeb Wazed Joy an important position in the party, Joy's mother Awami League President Sheikh Hasina said he is already holding an important position as her adviser.



Meanwhile, the councillors approved party's declaration and amended party Constitution in the council. The amended constitution was placed by convenor of party Constitution subcommittee Dr Abdur Razzak.



At that time PM Sheikh Hasina told the councillors that the party Constitution has been made "time befitting". If they are agree, they [councillors ] could raise their voice. All the councillors anonymously said "yes" and it was passed.



Earlier, the amended declaration paper was placed by concerned sub-committee's convenor Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim MP. It was also approved by the councillors anonymously through voice votes.



A total of 41 councillors delivered speeches in the two-day council. Of them, 35 made their statements at closed-door council session on Sunday while six others on Saturday afternoon session. About 6,570 councillors from across the country took part in the council.



Panchagarh District AL General Secretary Anwar Shahdat Samrat in his speech as councillor said: " We've full confidence on you [Hasina]. We want such a committee in which we can keep trust We don't want to see any Mirzafar [betrayer] in the party."



On the other hand, President of Dhaka District AL unit Benzir Ahmed said: "We don't want to see any 'brother group' [bhai group] in the party. You [Hasina] will run the party under your single leadership You know, who were beside you after 1/11 changing political episode."



Replying to the councillors, the PM said: "Find a new leader as long as I'm here. I want to make the country stronger with introducing a new party leader." But turning down her comment, all the councillors started shouting no, no. The councillors also demanded to stay Hasina as lifelong President of the party.


AL Council fails to yield positive results: BNP

Staff Reporter :

The BNP on Sunday criticised the ruling Awami League (AL) for the failure of its 20th council session to address how democracy and the people's voting rights would be restored.

At a discussion, BNP's secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir expressed his frustration at the outcome of the two-day AL council session concluded Sunday.

The BNP leader, however, congratulated prime minister Sheikh Hasina for her reelection as AL president and election of Obaidul Quader as its next general secretary.

Mirza Fakhrul, in his instant reaction, also reiterated the hope that the AL leadership would work for restoration of democracy in the country.

"The BNP hoped that the prime minister would come out with an outline at the council session as to how a consensus could be built with the opposition parties. Unfortunately, that didn't happen," he told a discussion on late filmmaker Chashi Nazrul Islam, organised by Jatiyatabadi Sangskritik Jote at Kochi-Kacha Building auditorium, in the city's Segunbagicha area.

The BNP secretary general observed that the political uncertainty which was prevailing in the country since a long might deterriorate in the coming days.

"The Awami League has turned the council session as a matter of celebration and made a record of decoration of the city with lightings... but nothing was spelt about public aspiration," he said.

UNB adds: The BNP leader said the people did not forget how the AL deceived the nation by holding the 5 January elections. He listed that their 1,000 leaders and activists were killed, 500 became victims of enforced disappearance, thousands maimed, and over 100,000 others are on the run facing 'false' cases for waging a movement for restoration of democracy. "This terror politics has established a true fascism in Bangladesh." The BNP secretary general urged the country's people to get united for getting back their all 'snatched' rights, including voting one.
Detained man killed in `gunfight` with police

Staff Reporter :

A man was killed in an alleged gunfight with the police in Ashulia on the outskirts of capital city hours after he was detained by the law enforcers from his Niribili Housing in Savar on Sunday

The deceased was identified as Rasel Dewan, 30, son Piar Ali Dewan.

Ashulia Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohsinul Kadir said, "The law enforcement arrested Rasel Dewan from Ashulia's Niribili Housing area in the early hours of Sunday morning. The police then went for a raid in the area to nab miscreants and recover arms. At on stage, a gunfight ensued as the miscreants opened fire on the

police at Charigram prompting the law enforcers to retaliate."

Rasel Dewan was wounded in the gunshots of his accomplices and was rushed to the Savar upazila health complex where on-doctors declared him dead, the police official said.

Police also recovered two pistols and some bullet shells from the spot.

Three of the police members were injured during the clash and they took first-aid treatment, the OC said. He claimed that Rasel was wanted in at least 14 cases. The body was sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy.
Writ against ad hoc bodies of schools, colleges

Staff Reporter :

A writ has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking abolition of provision of the law relating to govern private schools and colleges by ad hoc committee.

Younus Ali Akond, a senior advocate of Bangladesh Supreme Court, filed the writ petition on Sunday with the concern section of the High Court division.

The petitioner prayed to issue a rule that, why provision 39 of the Private Educational Institutions Regulation- 2009 should not be declared void. Alongside, he also prayed an order to conduct election of Viqarunnisa Noon School and College, Ideal School and College, and Willes Little Flower School and College within 30 days.

The education secretary, chairman of Dhaka Education Board, deputy commissioner and authorities of Viqarunnisa, Ideal and Willes Little schools are in defendant list.

According to the petition, both ad hoc and special committees are unelected. The High Court has already declared illegal provision 50 relating to special committee. Provision 39 will be declared illegal similarly. Both provisions are contradictory with Article 11 of the constitution and its preamble.

Article 11 of the Constitution ensures effective participation of the people through election process and preamble focuses on rule of law and democracy. Ad hoc committee is also contradictory with provisions 39(2) and 18(3) of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Ordinance- 1961. Because provision 39(2) has given power to education board and the government to form a regular governing committee.

Accordingly, the provision related to ad hoc committee was installed in the law of 2009. But, provision 39 of ad hoc committee is contradictory with the provision 39(2) of the ordinance of 1961. According to this provision, government or board has not given the ability to add to form a committee. That is why this provision sought to be abolished, the writ filing advocate said.
Holey Artisan attack report on Dec 5

Court Correspondent :

A Dhaka court on Sunday fixed December 5 for submission of the investigation report about Holey Artisan Bakery terror attack in the capital's Gulshan area on July 1.

Magistrate Sadbir Yasir Ahsan Chowdhury of the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court of Dhaka passed the order as the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) failed to submit it yesterday (Sunday).

Earlier, the court ordered for investigation into the case on October 6. The case was filed on July 4.

On July 1, armed militants attacked the Holey Artisan Bakery in Dhaka`s Gulshan area and killed 20 hostages- nine Italian, seven Japanese, two Bangladeshis, one Indian and one Bangladesh-born US citizen. Two police officers were also killed in the incident.
Trump says he`ll sue sexual misconduct accusers

CNN, Pennsylvania :

Donald Trump vowed Saturday to sue the women who have accused him of sexual misconduct in recent weeks.

"Every woman lied when they came forward to hurt my campaign," Trump said during remarks in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. "Total fabrication. The events never happened. Never. All of these liars will be sued after the election is over."

He added that a "simple phone call" to major news outlets "gets them wall-to-wall coverage with virtually no fact-checking ever." In the last two weeks, at least 10 women have come forward accusing Trump of inappropriately touching them. Their allegations came after a 2005 videotape surfaced of Trump bragging about being able to grope women and get away with it. Trump often threatens to file lawsuits without actually doing so. Earlier this month, he threatened to sue The New York Times when it published assault allegations against him, but nearly two weeks later, he has declined to follow through.

Trump went on to suggest Saturday that Hillary Clinton's campaign was behind the women's allegations.

"It was probably the (Democratic National Committee) and Hillary's campaign who put forward these liars with their fabricated stories," he said. "But we'll probably find out later through litigation, which we're so looking forward to."

Asked about Trump's claim, Clinton, speaking to reporters aboard her campaign plane Saturday night, simply said, "That's just not accurate."

Trump accusers respond

Lisa Bloom, who represents Jill Harth, who has accused Trump of making unwanted sexual advances on her on two separate occasions in the early 1990s, replied to Trump on Twitter Saturday afternoon.

"If Trump sues accusers we then have subpoena power to require not only Trump but all his enablers to appear for depositions. A field day," Bloom said as part of a series of tweets.

Cathy Heller, who alleged last week that Trump kissed her without her permission in Florida 20 years ago, told CNN, "I hope the threats do not deter others who have something to say."

Temple Taggart, who has also accused Trump of kissing her without her consent, told CNN she wasn't surprised by Trump's threat.

"Regardless, it's still disappointing to think that Mr. Trump lacks enough humility and decency to simply come clean and admit his part in all of this rather than attempt to conceal the truth and silence his accusers by threatening a lawsuit," Taggart said.

Gloria Allred, the women's rights attorney who is representing three of Trump's accusers, predicted Trump's threat wouldn't deter other women from coming forward.

"If Mr. Trump thought that such bullying tactics would silence his accusers and prevent other women from coming forward, he will be sorely disappointed. Women will not be intimidated into silence by Donald Trump," Allred said during a news conference in Los Angeles Saturday.
China now BD`s largest energy partner

Kazi Zahidul Hasan :

China has become Bangladesh's largest energy partner after signing investment deals for developing two coal-fired power plants in Bangladesh, officials said.



These are the 1,320 MW thermal power plant in Payra and the 1,320 MW thermal power plants in Banshkhali.



Bangladesh-China Power Company Private Limited (BCPCL) will develop the Payra coal-fired power plant with an estimated cost of $2 billion while a joint venture of Bangladesh's S Alam Group, and China's SEPCO-3 Electric Power Constitution Corporation and HTG Group will build the Banshkhali thermal power plant at a cost of $2.4 billion.



Earlier, the government moves to set up 25 coal-fired power plants by 2022 to generate 23,692 MW power to meet the country's rising electricity demand despite growing opposition among people and environmentalists.

Of the total, 16 will be built by the public sector and nine by the private sector.



Earlier, at least four people died and many were injured at Banshkhali in Chittagong when police opened fire at violent protests against the construction of Banshkhali power plant."After signing these deals, China have become the largest energy partner for Bangladesh," Nasrul Hamid Bipu, State Minister for the Ministry of Power and Energy Resources, told The New Nation on Sunday.



He added," We are going to develop Payra and Banshkhali thermal power plants with Chinese assistance. These power plants will be constructed as part of the government plan to generate more electricity from coal-fired power plants by 2022."



Regarding Bangladesh- China energy cooperation, Bipu said, "Dhaka and Beijing engaged in broad-based bilateral cooperation and setting up coal-based power plants with Chinese assistance indicated this cooperation."



The State Minister said that the government pushing to build mega coal-fired power plants across the country with a view to ensuring Bangladesh's long-term energy security.



"As part of this effort, the government has also initiated the construction of the 1,320MW Super Thermal Power Plant in Rampal," he added.


Ex-UP chairman killed in Savar road crash

UNB, Savar :

A former union parishad chairman was killed as a bus hit his motorcycle on Nabinagar-Chandra highway in Kabirpur area here on Sunday morning.

The deceased was identified as Abdul Kader, 55, former chairman of Baishkanda union of the upazila.

Family sources said, the speeding bus hit Kader's motorcycle while he was returning to Dhamrai, leaving him critically injured. He was rushed to Enam Medical College Hospital where doctors declared him dead.

Later, the body was sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy.
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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?

You voted:
The prisoners are caught in a legal no mans land. Most of them were sentenced and jailed by the peoples republic  established in May 2014 by armed separatists supported by Russia  which the Ukrainian court system does not recognise.The prisoners are forced to work by violence, and the profits from what they produce shared by the republics authorities, the report, published last week by the Eastern Human Rights Group (EHRG), says. ( Here in Russian .) The group emerged from trade unionorganising activity, and has campaigned for workers rights, both in Ukrainian-controlled territory and under the separatists rule.Prisoners who refuse to work are first placed in solitary confinement for 15 days, then denied visits and parcels from their families, and finally beaten and tortured.The EHRG report includes interviews with prisoners who, when they refused to work, were severely beaten by armed, masked men; kept in solitary confinement with no food or water for three days; and forced by the threat of beating to stand 8-10 hours in burning sun.In cases where prisoners have protested collectively, guards have called special detachments from the republics internal affairs ministry to attack them.The prisoners work in joinery and metalworking shops, food processing and other small production units. Some do odd jobs from repairs, kitchen work etc. Some are paid five cigarettes per day, most are paid nothing.The EHRG estimates, based on information from former prison officers and others, that revenues from products made by prisoners total about $3-500,000 per month. They are appropriated by the leaders of the peoples republic.The Ukrainian prison system was frightful enough before the Maidan events of 2013-14 that triggered the military conflict in the east. Torture and brutal treatment were common, badly-trained staff lorded it over prisoners and there were very high levels of AIDS and other diseases. On the other hand, work was paid, and there had been efforts at reform.Ukraine has 168 prisoners per 100,000 people, slightly more than the UK (England and Wales) with 146, but lagging way behind the world leaders, Russia with 450 and the USA with 693, according to the Institute for Criminal Policy Research It is war that has taken the Lugansk prisoners situation from bad to worse. Like another 8-9000 detainees in the Donetsk peoples republic, they have no way of knowing if or when they will be released (see report by a Russian journalist here ).The fact is that in the twenty-first century, in the part of the Lugansk region controlled by the socalled Lugansk Peoples Republic, slave labour is flourishing, the EHRG report concludes. About 5000 people work every day for nothing, in order to secure their life and health, to access visits from relatives and not to die from hunger.The context for slave labour is a war  ostensibly between eastern Ukrainian separatists and the Kyiv government, but in reality fuelled by huge quantities of weaponry and volunteers that have poured over the border from Russia  that has cheapened human life, and made torture, murder and forced disappearances the norm.The corrosive effect of terror and militarisation  which has continued this year, although the Ukraine conflict has disappeared from the headlines in other countries  has been detailed in recent weeks by, among others: Regular monitoring by the Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group  An Amnesty International report on arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances and torture carried out by the Ukrainian army, Ukrainian irregular forces and the Russian-backed separatists; A report by the International Partnership on Human Rights detailing seven murders, 15 enforced disappearances, 90 cases of illegal detention, 36 cases of torture and other mistreatment by the authorities in Crimea, which in 2014 was annexed by Russia. The report says that repression is directed particularly against the Crimean Tatar community, whose organisations largely opposed the annexation. A report on killings by all armed forces in the conflict by the UN Human Rights commissioner.While civil society activists in eastern Ukraine endeavour to expose torture, slave labour and other such separatist achievements, those in Kyiv face a government that does little to conceal its contempt for its citizens who have been displaced to other parts of Ukraine by the conflict.Internal affairs minister Arsen Avakov last week said that refugee-migrants from eastern regions to other parts of Ukraine was sharpening the criminality situation.A group of activists and human rights campaigners, including Vostok-SOS and others who are supporting people who have fled the conflict zone, shot back that Avakov had no evidence that criminality was worse among internally displaced people (IDPs)  of which there are now an estimated 1.7 million.Furthermore, calling people refugees in their own country was a sign of Avakovs lack of professionalism or ignorance, the activists statement said.They were putting it very politely. In my view, Avakov was trying to stir prejudices between western and eastern Ukrainians  whereas, as the activists pointed out, all the evidence about worsening crime statistics suggests that they are linked to Ukraines social and economic crisis. That in turn has been aggravated by Russian support for separatist militarism. Heres a thought for socialists elsewhere trying to follow the situation in Ukraine. In 2014, when the Yanukovich government was overthrown and Russia helped to turn the conflict in eastern Ukraine into a war, I published articles on this site disputing the idea that the separatists, and/or the Russian state and armed gangs that supported them, were somehow furthering anti-fascist or anti-imperialist ends. (For example here here and here .) Some people who made such ludicrous claims were less interested in what was actually happening in Ukraine, and more interested in feeding some sort of geo-political fantasy in their heads. They are probably off somewhere now talking about the fight against imperialism in Syria. Well, reality is harsh. What has been gained by the separatist actions in Ukraine, and the heavy weapons and other support provided from Russia, is clear: slave labour, torture and arbitrary violence. The activists trying to piece together civil society and the workers movement in Ukraine deal with this every day. The least people elsewhere can do is to try more honestly to understand whats going on.
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Hurricane Irma hits Cuba, causes millions of dollars worth of improvements to property and infrastructure

Climate study: extreme weather may be caused by unlicensed witches casting wrong spells in well-meaning effort to destroy Trump

Ex-president Obama declares Irma "Hurricane of Peace," urges not to jump to conclusions and succumb to stormophobia

CNN: Trump reverses Obama's executive order banning hurricanes

ISIS claims responsibility for a total solar eclipse over the lands of American crusaders and nonbelievers

When asked if they could point to North Korea on a map many college students didn't know what a map was

CNN: We must bring America into the 21st century by replacing the 18th century Constitution with 19th century poetry

Pelosi: 'We have to impeach the president in order to find out what we impeached him for'

BREAKING: As of Saturday July 8, 2017, all of Earth's ecosystems have shut down as per Prince Charles's super scientific pronouncement made 96 months ago. Everything is dead. All is lost. Life on Earth is no more.

DNC to pick new election slogan out of four finalists: 'Give us more government or everyone dies,' 'Vote for Democrats or everyone dies,' 'Impeach Trump or everyone dies,' 'Stop the fearmongering or everyone dies'

Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power" is humanity's last chance to save the Earth before it ends five years ago

Experts: The more we embrace diversity the more everything is the same

BOMBSHELL: TMZ offers Kathy Griffin $5 mil to keep any future sex tape private

DEVELOPING: CNN, WaPo, NYT anonymous sources say Vladimir Putin may have ties to Russia

BREAKING: Manning and Snowden have come out with strong condemnation of Donald Trump leaking classified information to Russia

Gun store goes into lockdown over report an "active university professor" roving the grounds

Dozens injured at Ralph Lauren & Louis Vuitton headquarters after Ivanka calls in missile strikes on rival fashion houses

BOMBSHELL: Evidence proves Donald Trump conspired with his campaign to defeat Hillary Clinton

University ranked "very intolerant of free speech" fights the accusation by banning the study and all involved

Concerned that Russians don't consume enough alcohol in the month of March, Russia's Orthodox Church makes St. Patrick's Day official holiday

Grassroots group calls for "The Million Regulators March" on Washington, supported by all who fear the loss of their betters telling them what to do

Experts: Starbucks CEO Schultz's hiring of 10,000 Muslim refugees likely to blow up in his face

Will the groundprog be frightened by its own shadow and hide - or will there be another season of insane protests?

Trump signs executive order making California and New York national monuments; residents have two days to vacate

Women's March against fascism completed with 400,000 fewer deaths than anticipated

Feminist historians uncover ghastly concentration camps where so-called "housewives" were forced to live inauthentic lives slaving away in kitchens

Dictionary of the future: Global Warming was a popular computer simulation game, where the only way to win was not to play

"Anti-fascist" groups violently protest misspelling of their original name, "aren't-we-fascists"

Post-inauguration blues: millions of democrats distraught as the reality of having to find real jobs sets in

"Journalism is the continuation of war by other means" is exposed as a fake quote by mainstream media journalists

Congressional Democrats: "We cannot just simply replace Obamacare with freedom because then millions of Americans will suddenly become free"

Schoolchildren jailed for building only white snowmen

Obama's reckless attacks on Russia serve as recruitment tool to create more Russian hackers

Hillary: "I lost, so I'm going to follow our democratic traditions, poison the wells, and scorch the earth"

Children in Venezuela cook and eat their Christmas toys

Hillary: "I can hack Russia from my bathroom"

Hillary suggests to counter "fake news" with government newspaper called "Truth" ("Pravda" for Russian speakers)

BREAKING: Millions of uncounted votes found on Hillary's private voting machine in her Chappaqua bathroom

New York Times: Fidel Castro world's sexiest corpse

After years of trial and error, CIA finally succeeds with the "waiting it out" technique on Fidel Castro

Post-election shopping tip: look for the PoliticsFree label at your local grocer to make sure you don't buy from companies that don't want your business anymore

In Hillary's America, email server scrubs you

Obama transfers his Nobel Peace Prize to anti-Trump rioters

Democrats blame Hillary's criminal e-mail server for her loss, demand it face prison

Afraid of "dangerous" Trump presidency, protesters pre-emptively burn America down to the ground

Clinton Foundation in foreclosure as foreign donors demand refunds

Hillary Clinton blames YouTube video for unexpected and spontaneous voter uprising that prevented her inevitable move into the White House

Sudden rise in sea levels explained by disproportionately large tears shed by climate scientists in the aftermath of Trump's electoral victory

FBI director Comey delighted after receiving Nobel Prize for Speed Reading (650,000 emails in one week)

U.N. deploys troops to American college campuses in order to combat staggeringly low rape rates

Responding to Trump's surging poll numbers, Obama preemptively pardons himself for treason

Following hurricane Matthew's failure to devastate Florida, activists flock to the Sunshine State and destroy Trump signs manually

Tim Kaine takes credit for interrupting hurricane Matthew while debating weather in Florida

Study: Many non-voters still undecided on how they're not going to vote

The Evolution of Dissent: on November 8th the nation is to decide whether dissent will stop being racist and become sexist - or it will once again be patriotic as it was for 8 years under George W. Bush

Venezuela solves starvation problem by making it mandatory to buy food

Breaking: the Clinton Foundation set to investigate the FBI

Obama captures rare Pokemon while visiting Hiroshima

Movie news: 'The Big Friendly Giant Government' flops at box office; audiences say "It's creepy"

Barack Obama: "If I had a son, he'd look like Micah Johnson"

White House edits Orlando 911 transcript to say shooter pledged allegiance to NRA and Republican Party

President George Washington: 'Redcoats do not represent British Empire; King George promotes a distorted version of British colonialism'

Following Obama's 'Okie-Doke' speech, stock of Okie-Doke soars; NASDAQ: 'Obama best Okie-Doke salesman'

Weaponized baby formula threatens Planned Parenthood office; ACLU demands federal investigation of Gerber

Experts: melting Antarctic glacier could cause sale levels to rise up to 80% off select items by this weekend

Travel advisory: airlines now offering flights to front of TSA line

As Obama instructs his administration to get ready for presidential transition, Trump preemptively purchases 'T' keys for White House keyboards

John Kasich self-identifies as GOP primary winner, demands access to White House bathroom

Upcoming Trump/Kelly interview on FoxNews sponsored by 'Let's Make a Deal' and 'The Price is Right'

News from 2017: once the evacuation of Lena Dunham and 90% of other Hollywood celebrities to Canada is confirmed, Trump resigns from presidency: "My work here is done"

Non-presidential candidate Paul Ryan pledges not to run for president in new non-presidential non-ad campaign

Trump suggests creating 'Muslim database'; Obama symbolically protests by shredding White House guest logs beginning 2009

National Enquirer: John Kasich's real dad was the milkman, not mailman

National Enquirer: Bound delegates from Colorado, Wyoming found in Ted Cruzs basement

Iran breaks its pinky-swear promise not to support terrorism; US State Department vows rock-paper-scissors strategic response

Women across the country cheer as racist Democrat president on $20 bill is replaced by black pro-gun Republican

Federal Reserve solves budget crisis by writing itself a 20-trillion-dollar check

Widows, orphans claim responsibility for Brussels airport bombing

Che Guevara's son hopes Cuba's communism will rub off on US, proposes a long list of people the government should execute first

Susan Sarandon: "I don't vote with my vagina." Voters in line behind her still suspicious, use hand sanitizer

Campaign memo typo causes Hillary to court 'New Black Panties' vote

New Hampshire votes for socialist Sanders, changes state motto to "Live FOR Free or Die"

Martin O'Malley drops out of race after Iowa Caucus; nation shocked with revelation he has been running for president

Statisticians: one out of three Bernie Sanders supporters is just as dumb as the other two

Hillary campaign denies accusations of smoking-gun evidence in her emails, claims they contain only smoking-circumstantial-gun evidence

Obama stops short of firing US Congress upon realizing the difficulty of assembling another group of such tractable yes-men

In effort to contol wild passions for violent jihad, White House urges gun owners to keep their firearms covered in gun burkas

TV horror live: A Charlie Brown Christmas gets shot up on air by Mohammed cartoons

Democrats vow to burn the country down over Ted Cruz statement, 'The overwhelming majority of violent criminals are Democrats'

Russia's trend to sign bombs dropped on ISIS with "This is for Paris" found response in Obama administration's trend to sign American bombs with "Return to sender"

University researchers of cultural appropriation quit upon discovery that their research is appropriation from a culture that created universities

Archeologists discover remains of what Barack Obama has described as unprecedented, un-American, and not-who-we-are immigration screening process in Ellis Island

Mizzou protests lead to declaring entire state a "safe space," changing Missouri motto to "The don't show me state"

Green energy fact: if we put all green energy subsidies together in one-dollar bills and burn them, we could generate more electricity than has been produced by subsidized green energy

State officials improve chances of healthcare payouts by replacing ObamaCare with state lottery

NASA's new mission to search for racism, sexism, and economic inequality in deep space suffers from race, gender, and class power struggles over multibillion-dollar budget

College progress enforcement squads issue schematic humor charts so students know if a joke may be spontaneously laughed at or if regulations require other action

ISIS opens suicide hotline for US teens depressed by climate change and other progressive doomsday scenarios

Virginia county to close schools after teacher asks students to write 'death to America' in Arabic

'Wear hijab to school day' ends with spontaneous female circumcision and stoning of a classmate during lunch break

ISIS releases new, even more barbaric video in an effort to regain mantle from Planned Parenthood

Impressed by Fox News stellar rating during GOP debates, CNN to use same formula on Democrat candidates asking tough, pointed questions about Republicans

Shocking new book explores pros and cons of socialism, discovers they are same people

Pope outraged by Planned Parenthood's "unfettered capitalism," demands equal redistribution of baby parts to each according to his need

John Kerry accepts Iran's "Golden Taquiyya" award, requests jalapenos on the side

Citizens of Pluto protest US government's surveillance of their planetoid and its moons with New Horizons space drone

John Kerry proposes 3-day waiting period for all terrorist nations trying to acquire nuclear weapons

Chicago Police trying to identify flag that caused nine murders and 53 injuries in the city this past weekend

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
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.

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I want to have more exciting sex than Im having now.

I want more variation in masturbation

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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.

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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.

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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

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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! ! !

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.
Dr. Lori Guyton, a board-certified neurologist in Herrin, recently attended the 32nd Congress of The European Committee for The Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis.

The event was in London, England, and more than 9,600 neurologists attended to discuss the latest research.

Guyton has been in practice for 20 years. Her office is at Neurology of Southern Illinois, 3301 Logan Drive in Herrin. The office number is 618-993-0444.

 The Southern
CARBONDALE  After all the ballots are cast and counted and the winners announced, what will be left in the wake of this scorched-earth campaign season playing out in Southern Illinois?

The presidential race  divisive as it is  does not account for the vast majority of negative commercials airing in this region.

Rather, the most extreme of the hit pieces are targeted at and created on behalf of candidates who call this region home, and people, as well as their supporters and detractors, who will continue to live within a short distance of each other after the election is over.

The thing I worry about is a campaign like this will have a residual impact on a community afterward, said David Yepsen, director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at SIU, during a recent election talk he gave at an event in Carbondale hosted by an association of retired university professors.

Yepsen said the majority of the hired guns creating these ads and serving as campaign shot-callers will return to Chicago after Nov. 8.

They leave town, Yepsen said. But here weve had this real battle, and there are a lot of hard feelings, and then we expect our legislators to work together. We expect our mayors and legislators to work together.

But the question should be pondered, Yepsen said, after the victory and concession speeches are over, Can they get past that and work together for the good of the community?

Plenty of Southern Illinois residents have suggested they are sick of the negative campaigning. But theres been little talk about what might be the long-term consequences of the millions of dollars in campaign cash flooding into this region from party leaders who live elsewhere.

Southern Illinois low and diminishing population count makes it all the more imperative that politicians band together across party lines to be the most effective in Springfield. Theres a long history of Republicans and Democrats from the rural southern reaches doing just that in Springfield to fight for the region.

But the amount of campaign spending in Southern Illinois this election cycle is unprecedented between the five state House and Senate seats in play. The campaign commercials started early in the cycle, and anyone who watches the evening news is hit with a barrage of them.

It raises the question: Just how deep will the wedge be driven by Nov. 8?

Attacks are 'deeply personal'

Glenn Poshard said the volume of negative campaigning and the nature of the attacks doesn't sit well with him.

You know, its fair game to run ads that have to do with a persons position on policy and the direction of the state and country, things like that, said Poshard, a retired longtime Democratic politician who is the former president of SIU and presently sits on the John A. Logan College board. But some of the ads are so deeply personal that its going to take a big person to get past it once the election is over.

Take for instance one of the overriding scorched-earth themes of this election cycle, which has seemingly unfolded as a game of one-upmanship.

The Democratic and Republican parties have paid for numerous fliers and television commercials that attempt to paint candidates of the opposite party as unsafe for children and sympathetic to child sex offenders over the safety of their communities.

This is an extreme narrative that stretches the truth in various ways. There has been no evidence presented to date that any of the state House and Senate candidates running for office in Southern Illinois  Democrats or Republicans  are unsafe for children in the manner suggested through the direct attacks and innuendos presented in the materials.

That said, negative campaign hit pieces arent aimed at the truth. Rather, they are scare tactics common in politics  generally built around a tiny grain of truth  and meant to plant a seed of doubt in the minds of undecided voters who dont personally know the candidates. All is fair in love and politics, some suggest, but others are asking whether the line of decency has been completely erased. It will be very hard to shake hands and move on after this campaign cycle, Poshard said.

Sex offenders in the spotlight

In the 117th House District race, incumbent John Bradley, a Democrat from Marion, as well as his Republican opponent Dave Severin of Benton, have been hit with these sex offender ads. One of the ads against Severin opens with a woman named Julie Yana speaking into the camera.

Ive worked with sex offenders for over 14 years. I dont feel a child ever recovers from being a victim of a sexual predator, she says as a picture flashes of a young girl comforting a younger child with a stuffed animal between them, both with sad looks on their faces. Then a picture of Dave Severins face flashes on the screen.

The sexual predator is very much a danger in everyones community, continues Yana. I would not feel safe for Dave Severin being a state representative for this area. Yana then goes on to explain her reason, that Severin is against funding to track sex offenders and owns a business that hired a sex offender.

Yana declined comment to the newspaper. According to the Department of Human Services website, Yana is an administrative assistant at Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center in Anna. She also is president of a local chapter of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the labor union representing most state workers.

In a recent telephone interview, Bradley said he stands by the contents of the ads hes running against Severin, while declaring those running against him as unfair. Bradley refused to answer a question about whether he believes there should be more restrictive laws passed prescribing where people convicted of sex crimes can work after serving their time, given that there has been no indication provided that Severin's employee is serving in a position he is not legally allowed to hold as a registered sex offender.

Severin said hes not opposed to funding to track sex offenders. He has said he would have voted against a multi-billion dollar House budget that Speaker Mike Madigan pushed during the budget impasse that Republicans claimed to be irresponsible because it was $7 billion out of balance.

That budget included money for the tracking of sex offenders, among hundreds of other line items. Stopgap budgets agreed to by both parties on the eve of the new fiscal year also contained funding to keep those programs operational.

In late September, Severin posted a response to the ad on his Facebook page. He acknowledged that one of his employees has a felony sex offense conviction on his record, and said he was approached after that man served his time about whether he might find a second chance for employment at Severin's business, All Stars-N-Stiches in Benton. In the letter, Severin states he serves a God of second chances and admonished Bradley for attempting to score political points by making personal attacks against someone who has acknowledged his wrongdoings and is trying to turn his life around.

In an interview, Severin said the employee follows all guidelines prescribed in law for a registered sex offender. Regardless, the point of the ad was not to start a policy discussion about how people with sex-related convictions should reintegrate in society and to what degree.

The real point of this ad, of course, is to disqualify my candidacy by throwing out there one of the most dirty and disgusting smear campaigns seen in Illinois politics in a long time, Severin wrote.

Republicans dish it back

Severin vowed to rise above the fray. But it wasnt long after his letter that an ad paid for by the Republican Party began airing on local networks against Bradley portraying him as sympathetic to sex offenders as well. A spokesman for Severin said the candidate wasn't wasn't aware that Republican Party officials had created that ad and asked that it be removed. But it continued to run for days after that.

As described in a column by Rich Miller, publisher of the Capitol Fax newsletter, that ad opens with footage of a Chicago anchorman saying, Federal prosecutors now accusing a former state representative of possession child pornography. A photo then flashes of former state Rep. Keith Farnham and a narrator says, Unspeakable abuse from a Springfield Democrat. In 2014, Farnham, of Elgin, resigned from office and pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography.

Footage of Rep. Bradley then appears on the screen and an announcer says, But as Madigans top lieutenant in Democrat leadership, John Bradley stood by as the predator committed heinous crimes on his state computer.

The sex assault victim was an infant, the anchorman says, and the commercial closes with the narrator saying that Bradley wrote a check to the predators campaign just to strengthen Madigans power. Cowardice so despicable you have to wonder, how does John Bradley sleep at night?

Among a multitude of contributions Bradley has made over the years, he did give $1,000 to Farnham, but that was three years before Farnhams arrest, according to Miller. Nobody had a clue what was going on with Farnham back then, Miller, a longtime observer of Illinois politics, wrote in his column.

The smear continues

Republican Party operatives have created similar ads attempting to tie Farnham to other Democratic candidates, including in this area, Marsha Griffin, a fourth-grade teacher from Jonesboro who has taken leave to challenge incumbent Republican Rep. Terri Bryant of Murphsyboro for the 115th House District seat.

One of the fliers by the Republican Party against Griffin states that Griffin has taken more than $90,000 from donors who spent over half a million dollars to elect a politician guilty of possessing child pornography. Why wont Marsha Griffin reject her dirty campaign money? We cant trust Marsha Griffin.

A similar television ad is running against Griffin attempting to tie her to Farnham. The Republican Party leadership also has led an attack against Griffin over a computer glitch that inadvertently caused her teachers license to lapse for a period of time until she discovered the error and fixed it.

Griffin took to her Facebook page this week to vent. Resting secure in who I am as a teacher, and who I am in God, she wrote. I am appalled at the level that Terri Bryant and her campaign has sunk to because she has failed to do her job  While they continue their negative spin trying to disparage my character, I will continue knocking on doors and connecting with people throughout the district.

But Griffin made no mention of the multitude of fliers paid for by the Democratic Party on her behalf with similar attacks that attempt to paint Bryant as soft on sex offenders as well.

One of those fliers shows a manipulated photo of Bryant and Gov. Bruce Rauner holding index fingers to their mouths  making the universal sign for shhhh. I have a secret. The flier reads, Terri Bryant refused to stand up to Bruce Rauner to keep families safe. Terri Bryant failed to protect our kids. She repeatedly sided with Bruce Rauner and opposed funding programs that track sex offenders, allowing dangerous and sexually violent criminals to wander our neighborhoods without our knowledge. Illinois' sex offender registry has remained operational and updated throughout the budget impasse.

The Democratic Party bases this claim on Bryant voting against the multi-billion dollar House budget pushed by Madigan that included funding for tracking sex offenders and for victims of sexual assault, among hundreds of other services. Bryant eventually voted in favor of the stopgap budgets that provided for these programs to remain operational.

Ads create chilling effect

In terms of political sway, theres a point of diminishing returns with the effectiveness of these types of ads, Yepsen said. Because of the volume of ads striking a similar chord against candidates of both parties, many people likely are tuning out when they come on.

But Poshard said the danger as he sees it as that this type of campaign season is likely to have a chilling effect on voter engagement in the political process at a time when its critical, especially among the younger generation turned off by the antics. He also said this is likely to further dissuade good, qualified people from considering seeking public office in the future because they dont want to see their character dragged through the mud.

I think were risking a lot here, Poshard said. Im very concerned about it. I think both sides are equally guilty.

A race to the bottom

State Sen. Dave Luechtefeld, a Republican from Okawville who is retiring this year after two decades of service, also said he believes this campaign cycle will make it more difficult to recruit candidates to run for public office.

"If youre honest, you dont get rich in politics," Luechtefeld said. "Its a lot of work and if theyre going to ruin your reputation falsely, why do it?"

He said another major problem he sees with this race-to-the-bottom style of campaigning is that an unintended consequence is it turns voters off, not just from one candidate or the other, but to all politicians and the political process. Thats particularly troublesome in Illinois where voter confidence and trust is in need of major repair if the state is ever going to make its way out of the deep financial mess it is in.

"It does seem that anything and everything goes anymore. Its really a shame and its sad said Luechtefeld, who earned a reputation in Springfield of being a politician firm in his convictions but gentlemanly in his expression of them.

We wonder why people think politicians are ugly and politicians spend much of their time and money trying to make the other person look ugly. We wonder why people have a very low attitude towards politicians and much of it comes from this I think.
A 17-hour notice and a vehicle bound for North Carolina was the only information that Darryl Moses of Herrin could confirm of his son's deployment after the state's Wing emergency services team for the Civil Air Patrol was activated last weekend.

Moses, a senior member of the Shawnee Composite Squadron CAP, said his son, Ben, is one of the eight members  two seniors and six cadets  from the squadron who were deployed Monday to assist with disaster relief in North Carolina after Hurricane Matthew.

Since 7 a.m. Monday morning  the time that Moses said he and his wife stood by as a van stuffed with equipment and their 17-year-old son headed to North Carolina  the couple have monitored the squadron's Facebook page for updates.

"I was told initially that they were going to Lumberton, but I havent been able to confirm that," Moses said. "Plans change on the way."

As a member of the CAP, Moses said responsibilities range from providing emergency services after a natural disaster to aiding a search for missing persons.

"Over a year ago, we had several airplanes involved with the search of a chiropractor from Carterville," he said. "And a couple of weeks ago, we were called up to look for an emergency locating transmitter. Theyre supposed to set off when a plane crashes and one got accidentally set off so we had to locate that."

Reflecting on the Monday deployment, Moses, who would have been deployed if it were not for other work-related engagements, said the job requires a significant amount of preparation with a limited amount of time.

"At my house, getting my son ready, going through his equipment  as in a backpack, and search and rescue gear  and also gathering up equipment such as a sleeping bag," he said. "Being deployed for a certain amount of time means having to supply gear (to sleep on because) when they get there, they may be sleeping on a concrete floor, or in an gym or a National Guard facility."

Along with a speedy departure, Moses, a former cadet himself, said the work can be quite difficult for younger members.

"When Hurricane Frederic hit Mobile (in August 1979), I was in the Birmingham (Alabama) area and our squadron was sent down for relief work," he said. "I was with the group of cadets and FEMA had us clear roads. We were there for a week and my only memories of it was cutting with chainsaws and eating sandwiches from the Red Cross and it was tough because it was hot and there was no electricity."

Paul Hertel, a public affairs officer for the Shawnee Composite Squadron, said members will aid those affected by the storm through a variety of tasks spearheaded by Federal Emergency Management Agency workers.

"Duties are assigned by FEMA so it can be a variety of things, such as food and water relief, clearing obstacles or searching for missing people," he said.

The squadron had seven deployed to Burlington, North Carolina, to manage the mission and 14 in Lumberton managing the distribution of aid supplies, Hertel told The Southern on Thursday.

Evan Youngblood, Shawnee Composite Squadron commander, said that the group was one of many in the state that responded to the North Carolina Wing's call.

"As of right now we have not planned to go back," he said, but the group's overall experience, taking part with both air and ground support collecting aerial shots of the site for FEMA and assisting with distributions, was worthwhile.
Francois Elysee, 34, of Mesa, Arizona, was killed in a fatal tractor-trailer accident at 6:10 a.m. Sunday on Interstate 57, according to a news release from the Illinois State Police, District 13. A passenger who police said Sunday was injured in the crash died Monday from his injuries.

Elysee was traveling northbound in a 2017 Freightliner on the interstate, when he ran off the roadway several times and over-corrected, rolling the semi-trailer onto its side in the tree line. The roadway was closed for approximately 30 minutes while the Life Flight helicopter landed and took off, according to the state police.

Elysee's passenger, Christopher Talbert, 43, of Orlando, Florida was flown to Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, Indiana with incapacitating injuries. An updated statement from ISP on Tuesday said Talbert died Monday as a result of the injuries he sustained in the crash. Elysee was pronounced dead on scene by Williamson County Coroner Junior Burke at 7:45 a.m.

The Illinois State Police were assisted by, Williamson County Sheriffs Office, Lake of Egypt Fire and Rescue and the IDOT.

No charges were issued.
Numerous residents told HUD they didnt want to move. Dont do this. Its wrong, man, one resident told them. You dont know what were going through because you're not from here, said another, noting he has lived in Cairo since the 1950s and doesnt intend to live elsewhere. Stop moving our people out of town. Build something new here.
WASHINGTON  The case against Hillary Clinton could have been written before the recent WikiLeaks and FBI disclosures. But these documents do provide hard textual backup.

The most sensational disclosure was the proposed deal between the State Department and the FBI in which the FBI would declassify a Hillary Clinton email and State would give the FBI more slots in overseas stations. What made it sensational was the rare appearance in an official account of the phrase "quid pro quo," which is the currently agreed-upon dividing line between acceptable and unacceptable corruption.

This is nonetheless an odd choice for most egregious offense. First, it occurred several layers removed from the campaign and from Clinton. It involved a career State Department official (he occupied the same position under Condoleezza Rice) covering not just for Clinton but for his own department.

Second, it's not clear which side originally offered the bargain. Third, nothing tangible was supposed to exchange hands. There was no proposed personal enrichment  a Rolex in return for your soul  which tends to be our standard for punishable misconduct.

And finally, it never actually happened. The FBI turned down the declassification request.

In sum, a warm gun but nonsmoking. Indeed, if the phrase "quid pro quo" hadn't appeared, it would have received little attention. Moreover, it obscures the real scandal  the bottomless cynicism of the campaign and of the candidate.

Among dozens of examples, the Qatari gambit. Qatar, one of the worst actors in the Middle East (having financially supported the Islamic State, for example), offered $1 million as a "birthday" gift to Bill Clinton in return for five minutes of his time. Who offers  who takes  $200,000 a minute? We don't know the "quid" here, but it's got to be big.

In the final debate, Clinton ran and hid when asked about pay-for-play at the Clinton Foundation. And for good reason. The emails reveal how foundation donors were first in line for favors and contracts.

A governance review by an outside law firm reported that some donors "may have an expectation of quid pro quo benefits in return for gifts." You need an outside law firm to tell you that? If your Sultanic heart bleeds for Haiti, why not give to Haiti directly? Because if you give through the Clintons, you have a claim on future favors.

The soullessness of this campaign  all ambition and entitlement  emerges almost poignantly in the emails, especially when aides keep asking what the campaign is about. In one largely overlooked passage, Clinton complains that her speechwriters have not given her any overall theme or rationale. Isn't that the candidate's job? Asked one of her aides, Joel Benenson: "Do we have any sense from her what she believes or wants her core message to be?"

It's that emptiness at the core that makes every policy and position negotiable and politically calculable. Hence the embarrassing about-face on the Trans-Pacific Partnership after the popular winds swung decisively against free trade.

So too with financial regulation, as in Dodd-Frank. As she told a Goldman Sachs gathering, after the financial collapse there was "a need to do something because, for political reasons ... you can't sit idly by and do nothing."

Giving the appearance that something had to be done. That's not why Elizabeth Warren supported Dodd-Frank. Which is the difference between a conviction politician like Warren and a calculating machine like Clinton.

Of course, we knew all this. But we hadn't seen it so clearly laid out. Illicit and illegal as is WikiLeaks, it is the camera in the sausage factory. And what it reveals is surpassingly unpretty.

I didn't need the Wiki files to oppose Hillary Clinton. As a conservative, I have long disagreed with her worldview and the policies that flow from it. As for character, I have watched her long enough to find her deeply flawed, to the point of unfitness. But for those heretofore unpersuaded, the recent disclosures should close the case.

A case so strong that, against any of a dozen possible GOP candidates, voting for her opponent would be a no-brainer. Against Donald Trump, however, it's a dilemma. I will not vote for Hillary Clinton. But, as I've explained in these columns, I could never vote for Donald Trump.

The only question is whose name I'm going to write in. With Albert Schweitzer doubly unavailable (noncitizen, dead), I'm down to Paul Ryan or Ben Sasse. Two weeks to decide.
Political pundits have characterized the 2016 presidential election as the lesser of two evils.

That may or may not be the case, but we do know one thing  there is one candidate with a lengthy resume of public service. The other candidate has damaged himself through controversial positions, poisonous rhetoric and, in the weeks leading up to the election, allegations of sexual misconduct.

Hillary Clinton is the most qualified to carry out the duties of president of the United States.

Although she is admittedly a polarizing figure with high unfavorables, Clintons experience in government, her understanding of the issues, her temperament and her ability to withstand the pressures of public life make her the choice in this election.

As Secretary of State, Clinton learned the subtle nature of diplomacy that is necessary to keep this earth from bursting into flames. As a two-term senator from New York, she is aware of the workings of the Congress and still has numerous friends on Capitol Hill.

Is she the perfect candidate? No.

There are troubling aspects with her candidacy. It would have been better for the country had she distanced herself from the Clinton Foundation. Her lack of media availability through the summer is problematic, as are allegations of her campaign unfairly acquiring a Democratic primary town hall question in advance, and Bill Clintons visit with Attorney General Loretta Lynch while Hillarys use of a private email server as Secretary of State was under investigation by the Justice Department.

But, by the same token, no candidate has been more scrutinized than Hillary Clinton. She has seemingly been under constant investigation by Republicans in the Congress for about a dozen years. Its difficult to imagine a candidate that has been more thoroughly vetted.

At this moment in our history, America needs a solid, careful leader. It is that trait that most clearly separates Clinton from Donald J. Trump.

Trump has proven that he does not have the temperament to be a viable candidate for president, even without recent sexual assault allegations against him.

He began his campaign by insulting Mexicans. They're bringing drugs. They're bringing crime. They're rapists. And some, I assume, are good people, was the opening statement of the Trump campaign. And, his obsession with building a wall along the Mexican border is both a simplistic and jingoistic approach to a real issue facing America.

His stance on a ban of Muslim immigration remains an affront to the very ideals this country was founded on.

As distasteful as these statements are, they are far from the most frightening.

Trumps recent comments that the election is rigged are particularly troubling. America has seen its way through far more difficult times than the nation is currently facing, but one of the nations proudest attributes has been the peaceful transition of power.

Attempting to delegitimize the election before the first vote is counted undermines one of the foundations of our democracy.

An equally troubling aspect of the Trump campaign is his threat to jail Clinton if elected. In America, we debate political opponents vigorously. We dont jail them. That is the work of dictators and despots.

The lengthy campaign season has proven one point  Trump is temperamentally unfit for the office. Trump can be baited by a tweet, and by political satire, as he demonstrated when he called for "Saturday Night Live" to retire after it featured skits mocking him.

His inability to absorb even the slightest criticism or provocation shows that he would be a danger to domestic tranquility and world peace.

All of these things make Trump unworthy of the office  without considering his threats to stifle the free press.

We understand that Southern Illinois is losing jobs and resources. We understand it is easy to feel left behind by a political system in which it seems like no one fights for our interests. The idea to vote for change and to vote for a political outsider like Trump is tempting.

We do get it, but Trump isnt that person.

We understand that our political system favors a war between two parties. Many of us feel we have to choose between two candidates who are roundly disliked. There are two other names that will be on the ballot  Jill Stein of the Green Party and Gary Johnson of the Libertarian Party. We would like to see third-, fourth-, and even fifth-party candidates gain more ground in the American political system. We believe there is a place at the table for representatives outside of the two prevailing parties that have shared power for generations.

However, neither Jill Stein nor Gary Johnson are our next president. Johnson would do away with vital federal departments, including Housing and Urban Development, which is currently helping to turn around the mess that was made of the Alexander County Housing Authority. He also was not familiar with Aleppo, a city that is going to often be on the lips of our next president. Stein has noble ideals, but no solid plan to achieve them in the real world.
NORWAY -- The new Family Dollar Store on Savannah Highway in Norway celebrated its grand opening.

Although Hurricane Matthew put a damper on the ceremony scheduled for Oct. 8, store manager Felicia Green-Walker adjusted the schedule.

On Oct. 6, the first 50 customers received a free Family Dollar shopping tote and on Oct. 7 they received a free package of cookies. Saturday's door prizes were to be a $5 shopping gift cards but, due to the storm, the cards were distributed on Oct. 11 instead.

Since opening on Sept. 28, the store has been quite busy.

We actually opened the doors  a day earlier than planned, and we have been busy ever since, Green-Walker said. Our first customer was Norway Mayor Ann Johnson. All of our customers have been pleasant and complimentary of the store and the clear aisles.

Many have said how much they appreciate the selection of goods and the beauty of the store. We have already seen some of the customers several times, but this is a small town and they say that it is a nice thing to be able to walk to a store that has such a variety at reasonable prices.

Some of them don't have transportation to other towns, so they appreciate having the store so close.

Contact the writer: speters@surrealestate.com.
Adia Bennon, 16, a native of Simpsonville is Miss Orangeburg County Teen 2017.

The daughter of Anthony and Kathy McMillian-Bennon of Simpsonville, Adia is excited for the opportunity to compete this June and she looks forward to the opportunity to be an advocate for the Orangeburg community as she is no stranger to this area.

Adia is the granddaughter of Dwight and Margie McMillan, Sr.

I'm very honored to be crowned the 2017 Miss Orangeburg County Teen. This has been a great experience and I look forward to competing in the Miss SC Teen pageant.

"Flawed Yet Beautiful is a concept I created two years ago. It was conceived to help other teens become more aware of their talents, potential and the endless opportunities.

Imagine what would happen if we as teens began speaking positive beliefs into our life? Through my platform and blog, Flawed Yet Beautiful, I combine different avenues for young girls to make their dreams, fears, desires heard giving them a chance to talk about healthy living, making active lifestyle choices and being involved in the community.

"My immediate family as well as my extended family is what I call the "Village of Influence. This group of people my parents introduced into my life and the lives of my two sisters have been a nurturing force. Flawed Yet Beautiful allows me to share the knowledge and mistakes of my village that have been shared with me. These stories and experiences have helped me grow as a young woman, sister and friend," says Bennon.

Adia and her sister queen Diamond Tyler, Miss Orangeburg County 2017 have begun the process of getting ready for next summer.

Tyler, a 21 year old native of Orangeburg, is the new Miss Orangeburg County 2017. A senior at Claflin University, Diamond is the daughter of Ricky Tyler and Sharon Tucker of Orangeburg.

I was ecstatic and Oct. 1, was truly a dream come true. I look forward to serving my community with passion, humbleness and leaving a legacy that defines my love for Orangeburg, South Carolina, Tyler said.

Tyler also looks forward to being an advocate for her community focus for the Orangeburg community through her personal platform, Me and my shadow, supporting after school programs in the arts.

Research shows students that participate in after school programs are three times more likely to graduate. Having after school programs is priceless and truly pivotal. By supporting children academically,

financially and emotionally, we make an investment in each of them that ensures our kids futures.

"When children are a part of the creative process no matter what it is, it ultimately results in them being successful.

Painting, Drama, Chorus, Dance and others arts programs encourage children to give back to our communities. The arts can help to cultivate within children the belief that they could be the next inventor of a cure for cancer or sickle cell or the next major influence the world to advance through technology," says

Tyler.

Both ladies will compete in the Miss South Carolina and Miss South Carolina Teen pageants held June this upcoming summer in Columbia.
South Carolina has more than enough land suitable to generate the large amounts of solar power that would be needed to meet goals calling for all energy to come from renewable sources by 2050, according to new research at Clemson University.

Industrial engineering major Amanda Farthing led the study, working on it for two years as an undergraduate research project.

Farthing and the team at the universitys Center for Geospatial Technologies created maps showing which lands in South Carolina would be most suitable for generating solar energy at utility scale. One map shows lands suitable for five-megawatt developments, and one map shows lands for one-megawatt developments.

The big takeaway is that solar presents a great opportunity in South Carolina and that it can be developed in a way that considers both environmental and social preferences, Farthing said.

The research could help South Carolina continue its explosive growth in generating solar energy, while minimizing conflicts that could arise over land use. Installed solar capacity in the state grew 303 percent in the past year, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association.

Suitable lands for one- and five-megawatt developments are peppered across the state, but the highest concentration is in a swath that runs from the North Carolina state line around Marlboro, Dillon and Horry counties to the Lake Marion area.

From this initial study, weve seen there are plenty of suitable land areas for the development of solar energy, co-author Michael Carbajales-Dale said. Regardless of policy, its very physically feasible.

The research was published by the journal BioPhysical Economics and Resource Quality. It applies to utility-scale solar power only, Farthing said.

Farthing focused on South Carolina for her map study, but the model the team created could do the same analysis for other states, she said.

The Clemson team ranked South Carolinas lands on a scale from 0-100, with the higher numbers more suitable for development. The available solar resource was calculated for lands with values of at least 50, 70 and 90.

Farthing and her team found that about 1,256 square miles, or 4.2 percent of state land area, had a suitability value of at least 70 for five-megawatt developments.

For one-megawatt developments, about 2,340 square miles had suitability value of at least 70. Thats slightly smaller than the size of Delaware and would be enough to install 69.6 gigawatts of capacity, researchers found.

It would be enough to power more than 7 million homes and would far exceed the 6.7 gigawatts that Stanford University researchers suggested the state generate in solar energy. Researchers in the Stanford study, which was separate from the Clemson research, provided roadmaps for all 50 states to convert energy systems to 100 percent wind, water and sunlight by 2050.

In the Clemson research, lands had to be about 44.5 acres for five-megawatt developments and about 8.9 acres for one-megawatt developments.

The team eliminated unsuitable lands, including urban areas, airports, national forests, parks, national wildlife refuges, wilderness areas, and protected marine environments.

Researchers also considered slope and aspect. The best place to install the photovoltaic panels that soak up the suns rays are in flat areas, Farthing said. When there is a slope, it should face south to get the most exposure to the sun, she said.

The Pee Dee and inland areas of the Lowcountry came out as the best places in the state for utility-scale solar generation.

A diagonal swath also runs from the southern Upstate and northern Midlands at the Georgia border northeast to the North Carolina border around Spartanburg, Cherokee and York counties.

The least-suitable lands were along the coast.

Wetlands have a lot of environmental benefits, and the wet ground is not a good place to install photovoltaic panels, Farthing said.

Farthing, a senior who is from Indialantic, Florida, did her work in part to meet the hands-on project or research experience component of the Grand Challenges Scholars Program. The program is tailored to create students ready to meet the 21st century grand challenges identified by the National Academy of Engineering.

Carbajales-Dale said its unique for students to have research published as undergraduates.

Amanda came to me in her second year and said, I want to work on a project, and I want to make it specific to South Carolina. I want to use my skills to benefit people here, he said. Ever since weve been working together, she has performed amazingly, even with all her other commitments.

Co-authors on the study were Michael Carbajales-Dale, an assistant professor of environmental engineering and Earth sciences; Scott Mason, the Fluor Endowed Chair in Supply Chain Optimization and Logistics; Patricia Carbajales-Dale, co-director of Clemsons Center for Geospatial Technologies; and Palak Matta, the centers GIS manager.

The title of the paper is, Utility-Scale Solar PV in South Carolina: Analysis of Suitable Lands and Geographical Potential.

For more on solar energys potential, go to http://www.seia.org/policy/solar-technology/photovoltaic-solar-electric/whats-megawatt
South Carolinians all along the coast and in inland areas of the Lowcountry, the T&D Region and the Pee Dee have been very busy in recovery mode from Hurricane Matthew. There is much to be done, meaning that for many individuals there has been little time to consider what happened in other places.

Florida made headlines as the state first targeted by Matthew, with Georgia being hit but missing the brunt of the storm as it remained offshore. South Carolina sustained a major hit, followed by the weakening storm causing severe flooding in North Carolina.

The damage in terms of dollars is massive, with estimates of property damage in the United States at about $10 billion. Estimates for Orangeburg County alone exceed $8 million in damage to public infrastructure, primarily in the form of utility losses with downed poles and power lines. Private damage includes 17 homes destroyed and more than 200 others damaged.

Statewide, the storm initially left more than 800,000 people without power, closed 500 roads and bridges, caused nearly two dozen dams to breach and resulted in more than 6,000 people taking to shelters.

-----

Gov. Nikki Haley

The Bamberg County native made an earlier call than other governors on evacuating the coast, and it was a good one. Count her and South Carolinas emergency system  along with cell phone service -- among the winners from Matthew.

The experience was a testing one for Haley. She told The State newspaper of Columbia that the decision to evacuate and how it would be accomplished, particularly the reversal of lanes on Interstate 26, was a pit-in-my-stomach moment, adding she kept thinking, How in the world are we going to get half-a-million people out?

In the end, the evacuation got 350,000 people away from the storm  an accomplishment that Haley said could not have been achieved without law enforcement and they job it did during Matthew.

As to problems, Haley acknowledged some miscommunication in allowing evacuees access back to the coast, but she made no apologies to critics who claimed I-26 lanes should have been reversed for the return to Charleston. Haley said her priority was getting people to safety, not getting them home in record time.

-----

Many others to thank

We previously wrote about the remarkable job done by utility workers in restoring power. As much as that was warranted, there are many more due thanks. That is the case here, around South Carolina and in other states. Consider the stories you have read about local heroes and the thanks, then note there are thousands of similar stories elsewhere. The words of an editorial from The Florida Times-Union apply here as much as in Jacksonville:

 First responders come through: The devoted service shown by first responders, utility workers and emergency volunteers  who kept huge numbers of residents safe and out of harm's way while clearly risking their ability to remain either. That's their job, of course, and they train year round for this. nevertheless, they are in harm's way while the rest of us flee.

 Devoted retailers: The retail workers, big-business owners and small entrepreneurs  made personal sacrifices to allow others to buy items, make preparations or simply cling to some reeds of normal life amid the scary uncertainty of a potential natural catastrophe. Citizens who forget that last item often desperately looked for any store that still was open. What a relief when they found one. And what appreciation for the retail workers who stayed on the job.

 Good Samaritans: The inspiring spirit of countless citizens  whether in residential neighborhoods or apartment complexes, in gas-station lines and congested store aisles, on busy commercial streets or remote roads  who embraced selflessness over selfishness during Hurricane Matthew. They checked on older neighbors, assisted total strangers, used chain saws to clear streets blocked by fallen limbs, offered extra supplies to those unable to properly prepare and exuded a sense of we're all in this together calm that was unshakable even as the rain and wind became heavier and harsher. In short, these citizens never stopped looking out for each other rather than taking the easier path of simply looking out for themselves.

 Goodness triumphs: The fact that while Hurricane Matthew left numerous homes and areas battered, flooded and otherwise in need of all manner of physical, tangible repair, it did nothing to destroy the deep intangibles that are precious and invaluable for keeping both our state, region and city strong.

A sense of community. A sense of humanity. A sense of unity to confront a common threat we have no power to control or even truly predict, but must find a way to overcome  together.

The winds, rain and force of Hurricane Matthew were fearsome.

But let's celebrate the fact that the bonds that make us proud of who are  were just as formidable.
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Azerbaijan Defense Ministry has said the Armenian propaganda encourages further provocation.





"Armenia's propaganda aimed at escalating tension on the front line as well as reports spread by some local and foreign media serves certain purposes, the Ministry said in a statement.





"Under Supreme Commander, President Ilham Aliyev's leadership, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces strictly obey all the agreements reached at the initiative of the mediators. Azerbaijan stands for resolution of the conflict in accordance with the norms and principles of international law. Armenia's disinformation about the recent situation on the frontline stems from the internal military and political tensions in Armenia and aims to violate the negotiation process, and encourages further provocation."





"We declare that the units of our armed forces strictly obey the ceasefire regime, controls any activities of the enemy, and is fully ready to take all measures in order to prevent provocations," the Ministry said.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a letter of congratulation to his Hungarian counterpart Pal Schmitt on the country's public holiday.

Dear Mr. President,





On behalf of the people of Azerbaijan and on my own behalf, I cordially congratulate you on the occasion of the national holiday of Hungary.





I believe that the development and expansion of the relations of friendship and cooperation between Azerbaijan and Hungary will further contribute to the well-being of our nations.





On this remarkable day, I wish you robust health, success in your activities and the friendly people of Hungary lasting peace and prosperity.





Sincerely,





Ilham Aliyev





President of the Republic of Azerbaijan





Baku, October 20, 2016
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Al Ruwayeh & Partners (Asar), a leading corporate law firm in Kuwait and one of the regions top tier firms, said it has been awarded the prestigious "National Law Firm of the Year Award - being constituted by the International Financial Law Review (IFLR), a leading financial market guide for financial law firms worldwide - for the eighth consecutive year.

The firm operates across an extensive list of practices including banking and finance, capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, privatisations, corporate and commercial transactions, energy, real estate, restructuring, private equity, shipping, construction and government projects.

The awards ceremony was held last week at Burj Al Arab hotel, Dubai, which was attended by partners and representatives from other leading GCC and international law firms.



In addition to winning the above award, Asar was also nominated for its role in five other major transactions namely, for debt and equity-linked deal of the year  the Burgan Bank Tier 2 bond issuance, for project finance deal of the year  Orpic Liwa Plastics transaction, 2 nominations under the restructuring deal of the year  the National Industries Euro Sukuk restructuring and the Wataniya Airways restructuring, and for the domestic deal of the year  the National Industries Group bond issuance.



Sam Habbas, the senior partner at Asar, said: "It was a successful evening for the firm at this years IFLR Middle East Awards ceremony. We are delighted to have won the highly coveted National Law Firm of the Year Award for 2016 and to also have been nominated in so many other categories."



"We feel that this is a testament to the strength of our position as market leaders in Kuwait and in Bahrain. It is a reflection of our consistent diligence and commitment in providing quality legal services of the highest caliber. Always putting our clients first is a non-negotiable principle of our firm; their success is our success. We intend to keep it that way," he noted.



With dedicated offices in Kuwait and Bahrain coupled with its associated offices and relationships, Asar provides clients across an extensive range of industry sectors with comprehensive legal advice and support for their business activities in Kuwait, Bahrain, across the GCC and beyond.



Ahmed Barakat, the managing partner, said: "The IFLR award and nominations recognise our expertise across a whole range of legal areas and highlight the nature and extent to which we continue to forge ahead in leading the market. These awards reflect the strength and depth of our practice and the extraordinary efforts of all of our lawyers in Kuwait and in Bahrain.



The firm has been consistently rated as the leading corporate and commercial law firm in Kuwait by legal guides such as the Chambers Global Guide, International Financial Law Review and the Legal 500.-TradeArabia News Service
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) won in nine awards the Ideas America international competition, which took place recently in the US state of Georgia.



Dewa won two golden awards in the Best Communication Excellence category and Best Evaluator of the Year category. It won three silver awards in the Idea of the Year, the Best Program Administrator and Best Executive Leadership. It also scooped up two bronze awards in the Team Idea of the Year category. Dewa also won the Advocate of the Year Award, and the Kudos Award for Safety Idea of the Year- Honourable Mention Award.



Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dewa said the awards demonstrate Dewas position as an international pioneer to shine light on its employees and their outstanding efforts that have made the UAE proud on many international occasions.



Al Tayer congratulated the winners, as well as everybody that played a part in achieving these awards.



Dewa continues its journey of excellence and continuous achievements. Not a week passes by without us receiving a new award or success to add to our long list of accomplishments on a local, regional and global scale, said Al Tayer. One of our most prominent achievements this year was winning the most number of awards at the 9th Dubai Government Excellence Program.



The previous year in 2015, Dewa had won four awards at Ideas America for its suggestions from its Power and Water Planning, Power Distribution, and Power Transmission divisions.  TradeArabia News Service


The TransGriot is available for speaking engagements, college lectures, panel discussions, media interviews, conferences or Trans 101 education efforts for your school, business or professional organizations.



For local Houston area, Texas or national events, you can e-mail me at transgriot@yahoo.com



For events outside the Houston metro area, I ask that my travel and lodging expenses be covered.



This is separate from my speaking fee.



If you are interested in having me appear as a speaker or panelist, you can e-mail me with the date and details of your proposed event.

Please book as early as possible because my speaking and event calendar slots during the year rapidly fill up.
Energy regulation and climate change have failed to dominate this presidential election cycle, with controversies over emails and lewd remarks overshadowing policy issues.

Yet the next presidents energy policy is key to the direction of the Wyoming economy.

Oil, gas and coal provide the state with the bulk of its cash and have swelled a rainy day account with savings meant for lean years. Those industries have also built Wyoming schools and employ thousands of Wyoming workers.

However, dependency on oil, gas and coal has made the last few years difficult, as prices in all three markets plummeted and state and local governments quickly shaved budgets to survive.

All of this makes the decision on Nov. 8 extremely important for Wyoming and particularly its coal industry, which has experienced intense pressure from natural gas competition, 30-year price lows and potential regulations that could hinder the markets rebound.

A closer look at the two candidates position on energy shows two paths for Wyoming coal. In one scenario, the state slowly deviates from the traditional fuel source. In the other, regulations that have added pressure to the market could be rolled back.

The two candidates

Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton has promised to continue many Obama administration policies that seek to reduce emissions and move toward more renewable energy sources in the countrys future.

Republican nominee Donald Trumps energy platform is primarily about deregulation, including a promise to kill the Clean Power Plan, which is under consideration by the courts.

Under the Clean Power Plan, production of coal from Western states could fall by 155 million tons between 2015 and 2040, according to the Energy Information Administration. Two-thirds of Western coal comes from the Powder River Basin in northern Wyoming and Montana.

But all candidates offer promises. Experts interpret what they mean.

Where influence matters

Both candidates will have extensive influence, from executive orders to setting policy for U.S. agencies, said Rob Godby, director of the Energy Economics and Policies Center at the University of Wyoming.

It is not so much what Trump would do as what he would undo that affects the coal industry.

Trump would have the ability to move back on regulations, including regulations on federal lands like the coal lease moratorium or water standards that affect mining, Godby said.

The effect of deregulation could incentivize the building of power plants that use coal and be a boon in years to come, said Sen. Michael Von Flatern, R-Gillette.

The possibility of regulations on coal has made the electricity market think in terms of natural gas in its long-term plans, he said.

What if for the next eight years the [Environmental Protection Agencys] regulations were all thrown out the window? Von Flatern said. You want to build a coal-fired power plant  the plans that have been shelved, you could say Hey, lets pull them out. We can get permits now. We can build now. We dont have to worry about our CO2 emissions.

That would offer a market for coal for years to come, he said.

That is the difference [Trump] would make, he said.

Without a doubt, a vote for Hillary will be to unemploy a good share of my constituency. The goal of Sec. Clinton is to go to renewables only  thats her eventual goal. By voting for her, you are basically agreeing that in the future we will be all renewables. Thats 20, 30, 40 years out, but you are basically starting the process today.

There is consensus on Clintons plan. Clinton would be business as usual, Godby said.

And that means continuing in the direction of regulations that affect energy production.

Clinton will likely continue the move from traditional energy sources by setting the agenda for federal agencies, supporting the Paris climate agreement and continuing to push for the Clean Power Plan. In the short term, her presidency could be a boon for natural gas, further pressuring the coal sector  natural gas main competitor. Eventually, Clinton has promised investment in renewables.

What they cant promise

Both candidates have made claims that would require more than the word of the next president to keep.

Trump has made a number of promises in regard to revitalizing the market. He has promised more jobs, more production in all markets. But that is not how the market functions, Godby said.

You cant bring back coal jobs and gas jobs. Its been natural gas thats hurt coal, he said. Those sorts of dynamics havent been fully spelled out, other than he says he would eliminate regulations that actually work against these sectors. Then of course on the manufacturing side its going to be a trade argument that causes all these jobs to re-emerge.

Von Flatern echoed those sentiments. Trump cannot fix the downturn. Even the coal lease moratorium means little right now, because there are no buyers for coal reserves, he said.

Clinton, on the other hand, has said she would offer federal assistance to communities transitioning away from coal, largely by offering federal dollars for retraining workers. Shes also promised a program for schools in those communities, where federal money would make up the difference from diminished industry revenue.

Those promises are problematic, as they would require congressional budgetary approval for her to make good on her word, Godby pointed out.

It is likely that the Senate and House will be divided, so no promise depending on congressional support is going to be a shoo-in, he said.

For coal communities, Clintons promise of help is more insult than assurance.

What coal communities hear is a promise to end their mining, Von Flatern said.

Party loyalty trumps issues

Yet the presidential platforms, even on issues of supreme importance locally, arent as relevant as some would believe, said Andrew Garner, a political science professor at the University of Wyoming.

Garner studies voting habits, elections and comparative politics.

What we know about polarization is that party identification is the single best predictor of how people vote, he said. Its the single best predictor of how people view the candidates and the issues themselves. Issues actually matter a lot less than most people think they do.

People are more likely to adjust their views on an issue than on their party or political identity, he said.

Other factors, like Wyomings economic troubles of late, generally dont change that rule, he said.

Its likely to affect the voting pattern by making voters more polarized, blaming the states economy on decisions and actions of a liberal White House, he said.

The reverse would be true as well if liberals were under a conservative administration.

But party lines are relevant in this election for another reason: the open Supreme Court seat, said Godby.

Right now weve had a lot of split decisions on environmental issues that affect energy production, and under a Clinton administration I think youd expect that the current vacancy would be filled by a liberal, he said. Youd probably have a majority  more often have a majority  on issues pertaining to climate or energy regulation that would be in favor of expanded regulation.

Whats next for Wyoming?

The race has narrowed as Nov. 8 approaches, with many polls suggesting a Clinton victory, though a number of states are wavering.

If Clinton makes it to the White House, Wyoming will face changes even decades from now.

The projection says there will be a slow decline in the coal market for Wyomings revenue in the next few decades, said Sen. Chris Rothfuss, D-Laramie.

We absolutely need to be doing more to diversify and use the coal for value added purpose, he said. We need to look at totally non-energy markets like information technology, biotechnology and manufacturing, the kind of things that dont necessarily rely on coal, oil and gas.

Von Flatern pointed to investment in projects like the Integrated Test Center in Gillette as a way to continue using carbon in alternative ways.

However, nothing will fully replace what the industry has been for Wyoming, he said.

It will take a review of our taxing structure before we mature, grow up and face reality, Von Flatern said. We need to re-look at our taxing structure, to be like other states that have an income stream that is relatively steady.
Monday support meetings

Alcoholics Anonymous: 6:30 a.m., 917 N. Beech; 8:30 a.m., 500 S. Wolcott; 10 a.m., 328 E. A St.; noon, 500 S. Wolcott; 2 p.m., 917 N. Beech; 5:30 p.m., 1124 Elma, Imitate the Image Church; 5:30 p.m., 328 E. A; 6 p.m., 500 S. Wolcott, Ste. 200; 7 p.m., 917 N. Beech; 8 p.m., 328 E. A. 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: Noon, 701 S. Wolcott, St. Marks Church.

Narcotics Anonymous: Noon, 500 S. Wolcott, 12-24 Club; 7 p.m., 302 E. 2nd, Methodist Church; 8 p.m., 4700 S. Poplar (church basement). Web site: http://www.urmrna.org.

NAMI: 7 p.m., 133 W. Sixth St. Info: 234-0440.

Teen Addiction Anonymous: 3:30-4:30 p.m., Boys & Girls Club Teen Center. Info: 258-7439.

Adult Children of Alcoholics: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., 12-24 Club, 500 S. Wolcott St., Suite 200.

TOPS Weight Loss: 5:30 p.m., Weight Loss Support Group TOPS #246, Wyoming Oil & Gas Building, 2211 King Blvd. Use NE door entry. Info: 265-1486.

Pumpkins with a purpose

Come Join Meals On Wheels for our second annual pumpkin patch. Pumpkin sales continue through October 31. All pumpkins are grown in Wyoming. Hours of operation will be Monday through Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Thursday and Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Meals On Wheels Building, 1760 East 12th Street. For more information or questions please call the office at 265-8659 or visit us on the web at www.mealswheels.com . Find us on Facebook under Natrona County Meals On Wheels.

Free depression screening at CWCC

Central Wyoming Counseling Center offers information about depression and other mood disorders during the month of October from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, in its main lobby, 1430 Wilkins Circle.

What is a depression screening like? Guests will learn about depression and complete a confidential written screening. Finally, each participant will discuss the results of their screening with one of CWCCs mental health professionals. Attendees will receive educational materials on depression and other mood disorders.

Senior dancing Mondays

Free to Seniors 60 or older. Join the tap dancing group of Joyces Senior Stompers. It is fun easy clogging, the exercise for both mind and body. It helps to keep flexible, coordination and build strength. Exercise is important to increase lung capacity, burn calories, relieve stress, and it is fun. The more you challenge yourself, the more fun it is. We meet on Monday morning at 10:50 a.m. for beginners and 11:15 a.m. for intermediate at the Casper Senior Center. Call Joyce Sisk 237-4908 for more info.

Roosevelt tours, ribbon cutting

The public is invited to the Roosevelt High School ribbon cutting ceremony at 3000 Independence Ct., near CY Middle School off Wyoming Blvd. Building tours begin at 4 p.m., and the ribbon cutting and dedication takes place at 6 p.m.

Tween Monday:

My Pet Ghost

The Natrona County Library will host a Halloween craft activity for students in grades 4-6 at 4 p.m. Tweens will make their very own pet ghosts in a jar. All supplies provided. Call 577-READ ext. 5 for more information.

Pumpkin Patch open at FCC

The Pumpkin Patch at First Christian Church, 520 CY Ave., is open 4 to 7 p.m. FCC has chosen Central Wyoming Hospice to receive 60 percent of its net proceeds from the patch this year.

Trail Life recruitment for boys

Trail Life Recruitment Night for Troop WY-1613. Be a part of something exciting for boys ages 5-11. Bring your son at 6 p.m., to Hilltop Baptist Church. Contact Rob or Josiah for more information at 265-6540.

Wrestling club registration

Casper Wrestling Club registration is 6 to 8 p.m., at Hose & Rubber Supply, 240 Nichols St. Fee is $125, ages 4 through 18, must be 4 in 2016. Please bring a copy of the birth certificate. For more information, email casperwrestlingclub@hotmail.com or call Clyde 267-4645; Chad 251-7850; Matt 337-7116; Erika 267-9439; Gene 258-1231; or Wanda 259-4004.

Mended Hearts

The October support meeting of Mended Hearts will hear a presentation from Ashley Bowland, D.D.S., covering the correlation between dental and heart health. As usual the meeting will be held in the Board Room of the Wyoming Medical Center, Support Services Building. We meet at 7 p.m. for about an hour, with refreshments following the meeting. To access the meeting, please go to the second floor lobby off the parking garage. Turn right at the first hallway, through the double doors then to your left. For more details, you can call Roger at 234-2525. This will be our last regular meeting of the year, as we do not meet in November, but will have our Christmas party in early December, at the Silver Fox for members. We will resume our regular schedule on the fourth Monday night at 7 p.m. in January.

Audition for family Christmas play

Stage III Community Theatre will hold auditions for its December production of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, at 6:30 p.m., on Monday, Oct. 24, at the theatre, 900 North Center Street. There are roles available for four men, six women, eight boys and nine girls. Childrens roles range from age 5 up through early teens. Auditions are open to everyone  no special preparation or prior experience necessary.

The show is directed by Kristina Young and tells the story of a couple who is putting on a church Christmas pageant. Theyre faced with casting the Herdmans  probably the most inventively awful kids in history. Theres mayhem and fun in equal doses as the Herdmans collide with the Christmas story head on! A copy of the script is available for review at the reference desk of the Natrona County Public Library.

Most rehearsal times for children will be scheduled early, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Parents and children are encouraged to participate together, and parents are welcome at rehearsals. There are also lots of backstage positions available that wed love to have parents (and others) help out with. For more information about Stage III, please visit www.stageiiitheatre.org.

County Commissioners Forum

Natrona County Board of Commissioners candidates will participate in a public forum at 6:30 p.m. in the Natrona County Library Crawford Room. The forum will be moderated, with candidates having opportunities to respond to questions and concerns raised by citizens. Submit questions in-person the night of the forum, or in advance by emailing reference@natronacountylibrary.org. Please use County Commissioner Forum in the subject line. The forum is free and open to all ages, sponsored by the Natrona County Library and League of Women Voters of Casper. Call 577-READ ext. 2 or email reference@natronacountylibrary.org for more information.

Puppy kindergarten starts

An obedience class just for puppies is being offered through the Casper College Community Education Department on Monday nights from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Oct. 24 through Dec. 5.

Puppy Kindergarten (CMSV 2110 80) is specifically designed for puppies ages 6 months to 1 year and their owners.

Instruction will include socialization, house training, mouthing, good nutrition, come when called, good manners, the importance of vet care, and more, according to instructors Jana Oler and Dawn Miller. Owners are asked not to bring their puppy to the first session, and will be asked to sign a liability release form and provide proof of rabies vacation for each puppy, according to Oler.

Registration is currently underway for Puppy Kindergarten at Casper College. For more information or to register, contact Laura Ryan, community education specialist, at 268-3399 or lburnett@caspercollege.edu.
A mountain lion was spotted recently in a residential area in the Wind River Mountain foothills near Lander. Game and Fish was not called in, but a department spokesman says the large cats are on the hunt.

Large carnivore biologist Justin Clapp of the Lander office says mountain lions are usually elusive and dont typically attack humans, but are curious, like most cats, and may wander into populated areas following a food source, such as deer. For that reason, he warns everyone to always be on the watch, and if a lion is seen in the distance, he recommends backing slowly out of the area.

If the animal approaches or acts aggressively and comes closer, he recommended making noise.

We certainly promote being loud, but we certainly dont want people to turn around and run, which would instigate a chase instinct, he said.

The animals are found in mountainous areas across the state and have been managed by his department since the mid-1970s, when they were reclassified from predator to trophy animals, he said. Trophy game status gives the state Game and Fish department the authority to manage the species.

Under a predator status, there isnt much regulation on the take of those animals, he said. So predators would be considered things like coyotes, raccoons, red fox, feral cats, things like that. A trophy game animal is something that the state actively manages for populations like black bears, mountain lions, and even some that we dont currently manage, like wolves and grizzly bears.

Just how many mountain lions prowl the state is unknown.

Right now, we dont actually estimate an overall population of mountain lions, he said. Our management plan is brought together assessing population trend. So it takes a lot of time and effort and is extremely expensive to try and accurately go out and estimate how many animals we have, especially with Wyoming being as big as it is.

Officials keep an eye on the population to see if its stable or changing by the information collected by game officials, hunters and harvests, and they do, occasionally gather information by collaring the animals.

We always try to improve our monitoring strategies, Clapp said. So besides harvest data, and age, sex composition and some of that information we can get from animals that are harvested, we do continue monitoring efforts by occasionally capturing and collaring, to monitor movement rates and habitat use and things like that. But, its certainly not something that is applied across the entire state.

In general, he said, Wyomings mountain lion population continues to thrive, so much so, that theyve had to harvest more animals in areas of extreme density and the lions are expanding eastward. He said there have been continued sightings and reports in other states to the east, in particular, where mountain lions are becoming more common.
Editor:

Wyomings economy is struggling. Things began to unravel several years ago when energy and commodity prices fell. The result: businesses large and small cut back. Layoffs began, houses were losing value and families began to move out of state.

As communities across Wyoming, and state and local lawmakers brace for less revenue to fund governmental services, it is incumbent on Wyoming voters to consider options to stay the course as best as possible. Fortunately, Wyoming voters have a very good option this November -- vote FOR to pass Constitutional Amendment A.

The amendment will allow Wyoming to do more with existing tax dollars without raising taxes. That is about opportune as it gets. It would achieve this by allowing the state to transition a portion of the General Agency Pool and Tobacco Settlement Fund investments away from bonds and into equities.

The change would give the state an important diversification tool that can be used to improve the returns on state revenues. Having this tool is particularly important now, at a time when bond yields are trending toward zero and even going negative.

Understand this. If the states General Agency Pool had been invested in the same fashion as the states permanent funds over the past 10 years, Wyoming could have earned $500 million more from our money than we were able to earn by investing in bonds alone. Thats real money that could be put to good use in softening the tough times we face today.

Not only will passing the amendment stretch every Wyoming taxpayer's dollar farther by modernizing the way the state manages existing revenues, it will do so safely and prudently.

By requiring overwhelming legislative approval of any equity investment (two-thirds support from both the House and Senate chambers), Amendment A ensures that Wyoming dollars will remain intact but also allows every dollar to be stretched to maximize taxpayer value.

Constitutional Amendment A is a smart and thoughtful policy change that can help to maximize the value of Wyoming tax dollars without raising taxes.

On Nov. 8, I encourage you to join me in voting FOR Constitutional Amendment A.
MANILA, Philippines  President Rodrigo Duterte said Sunday that Filipino fishermen may be able to return to the Chinese-held Scarborough Shoal in a few days after he discussed the territorial rift with Chinese leaders, but he did not say whether China imposed conditions.

Duterte said that in talks in Beijing this past week, he insisted that the shoal off his countrys northwestern coast  which China effectively took control of in 2012 following a standoff with the Philippines  belonged to his country, but added that the Chinese also asserted their claim of ownership.

If Filipinos are allowed to sail back to Scarborough, a traditional fishing ground and storm shelter, Duterte said they would be prohibited from fishing inside a sprawling lagoon that is a fish spawning ground that should be protected.

Well just wait for a few more days. We may be able to return to Scarborough Shoal, the fishing by our countrymen, Duterte said in a speech in the northern city of Tuguegarao, making a visit after the region was lashed by a typhoon.

In another speech Sunday in the typhoon-hit province of Isabela, Duterte said a Chinese official insisted on Chinas ownership of virtually the entire contested sea on historical grounds, citing the official as saying, We will not give in on this.

Duterte said he replied that the Philippines wont budge because we won in the court. In a landmark ruling in July, an international tribunal in The Hague invalidated Chinas historic claims in the South China Sea and ruled that the Chinese government violated the Filipinos right to fish in Scarborough.
KHAZER, Iraq  Iraqi Kurdish forces pushed toward Mosul on Sunday, cordoning off eight villages and coming within 5 miles of the northern city held by the Islamic State, which staged an attack in a western town hundreds of miles away in an apparent diversionary tactic.

The Kurdish forces, known as peshmerga, said the area they cordoned off measures about 38 square miles, and that they also secured a significant stretch of highway. The statement said eight car bombs were destroyed in the operation, including three by U.S.-led coalition aircraft, and that dozens of militants were killed.

The offensive near the town of Bashiqa came nearly a week after Iraq announced the start of the long-awaited Mosul offensive. Iraqi and Kurdish forces are approaching from the north, east and south through a belt of mostly abandoned and heavily mined villages scattered across the Ninevah plain.

Maj. Gen. Haider Fadhi of Iraqs special forces said they also took part in the operation, and that Bashiqa was completely encircled.

IS has put up stiff resistance in many areas and has carried out attacks further afield that appear aimed at diverting attention from the Mosul operation.

IS militants stormed into the town of Rutba, in far western Iraq, unleashing three suicide car bombs that were blown up before hitting their targets, according to the spokesman for the Joint Military Command, Brig. Gen. Yahya Rasool.

He said some militants were killed, without giving an exact figure, and declined to say whether any civilians or Iraqi forces were killed.

He said the militants did not seize any government buildings and that the situation is under control.

The IS-run Aamaq news agency had earlier said militants stormed Rutba from several directions.

Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, confirmed there had been a complex attack in Rutba and said he expects more such diversionary attacks as Iraqi forces close in on Mosul.

The IS carried out a large assault on the northern city of Kirkuk on Friday, in which more than 50 militants stormed government compounds and other targets, setting off more than 24 hours of heavy fighting and killing at least 80 people, mainly security forces.
The Tucson-based Arizona Optics Industry Association has merged into the Arizona Technology Council in a move to advance the states $3 billion optics industry.

We want to make Arizona ground zero for all things optics around the world, said Alex Rodriguez, Southern Arizona vice president for the council.

The 300-member Tucson optics group signed a collaboration agreement in mid-August that essentially merged the cluster into the statewide council.

An Arizona Optics Industry Committee has been formed within the Tech Council, including former members of the optics association board, to advocate for and promote the interests of the industry with optics-focused events and to help to influence legislative policy.

The council also plans to commission a new economic impact study of the states optics industry and craft a road map to move the industry forward, said Rodriguez.

The merger has the blessing of the clusters 1992 founder, Tucson optics-industry guru Bob Breault.

Breault, founder and president of Breault Research Organization, says the time has come for both him and the Arizona Optics Industry Association to open new chapters. A pioneer in the industry cluster movement who has helped set up more than 50 optics clusters worldwide, Breault is retiring, at age 75.

Today, optics-based technologies are embedded in everything from biotech instruments to cell phones to automotive systems, he said.

Rodriguez said the purpose of the merger is to catalyze, convene and connect companies and others.

Were shooting for stronger alignment, for better optics outcomes in Arizona, he said.

Rodriguez said the Tech Council will use its reach and its skills at creating collaborative events to convene stakeholders in the optics industry statewide, noting that the council will have held about 170 events by the end of the year, including 70 in Tucson, ranging from networking mixers to a tech expo held here recently.

We know how to bring people together, he said.

The council also will bring its political clout to bear on issues important to the optics industry, Rodriquez said.

He noted that the council joined with optics officials during the last legislative session to help defeat a bill that would have expanded the use of electronic billboards, which create glare that affects astronomical observation.

Rodriguez said the council is still finalizing the scope of the economic-impact report and optics road-map study and working to identify funding sources.

The road map will likely include a so-called SWOT analysis of the industrys strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.

The group has been in discussions with the University of Arizona, which conducted an economic study of the optics industry in 2008, Rodriguez said.

Marty Valente, president of Arizona Optical Systems and an associate board member of the former optics cluster, sees the merger as an opportunity to partner with companies statewide to offer potential customers a complete, integrated array of goods and services.

I think its something that will end up being very positive for us, said Valente, who was director of optical engineering and fabrication at the University of Arizonas College of Optical Sciences for nearly 19 years before co-founding Arizona Optical Systems in 2009.

While some collaboration has happened under the Tucson cluster, Valente says the Tech Councils broader reach should bring a higher profile to the industry and result in more opportunities for businesses to work together.

As a whole theres so much we can do, so if the Tech Council can raise that awareness of what each of the other companies is capable of, and then have some general oversight of what kind of partnerships make sense, that can do nothing but help us, he said.

Valente served three terms on the academic board of the optics cluster in Rochester, New York  long a rival with Tucson for the title of the nations biggest optics tech center.

He noted that the Rochester area earlier this year won $500 million in state economic-development funding, much of it earmarked for optics business development.

Something like that here could really bring us forward and create a huge industrial base, he said.

Breault said hell keep only an advisory role with the Tech Council optics committee and plans to retire soon from the helm of his company, which provides light-analysis software and related technology.

He looks forward to retirement, but doesnt plan to stop his cluster work entirely.

Through his work with TCI Network, a nonprofit industry cluster resource group based in Spain, he plans to work on a program to bring cluster development to underdeveloped countries in Africa.
If the pattern holds, the 2018 race for Arizona Corporation Commission will be about who was trying to influence this years race.

Thats because this years campaign is all about the last one, in 2014. And this year, its different players who are spending big money to try to stack the commission in their favor.

Two Democratic challengers and a Republican incumbent are pushing to take a majority of seats on the five-member commission. If they win, theyll undoubtedly use their votes to force the states biggest electric utility, Arizona Public Service, to disclose all its past spending and efforts to stack the commission in their favor.

You may recall that two dark-money groups spent $3.2 million in 2014 to help elect Republicans Tom Forese and Doug Little and defeat their pro-rooftop-solar opponents. Where did they get their money from? Probably Arizona Public Service.

The commission has the power to force APS to disclose whether it donated that money, something APS has not denied. But the current membership of the commission hasnt really shown the will. Republican Bob Burns, who is running for re-election, has singlehandedly issued subpoenas to APS and could use a couple of friendly commissioners to join him if they really want to force the companys hand.

Im very concerned about the integrity of the commission and the potential undue influence of the utility if they are allowed to continue to contribute in secret, Burns told me Friday. They have the right to contribute, but they need to report at the time they spend.

The two Democrats, Tom Chabin and Bill Mundell, are eager to join him in chasing down APS, which has resisted Burns subpoena with an argument that it is legally permitted to contribute anonymously.

Thats the question: Where are the three votes to open up the books at APS? Chabin asked at the candidates debate Oct. 11. This commission needs to establish a rule that is clear: If you are a government-created monopoly, you must reveal every single political contribution.

That seems like a simple declaration, but it contains more than it seems.

Thats because there are others playing in this years campaign whose business in Arizona could succeed or fail depending on who wins the three seats on the commission.

Notice the difference in how incumbent Andy Tobin, appointed earlier this year by Gov. Doug Ducey, phrased his position at that debate: I came out from the very beginning and said anybody who is regulated or unregulated, anyone with business at the commission, they shouldnt be spending any money on commission campaigns.

Tobins phrasing includes the rooftop solar industry, led by solar-panel leasing company Solar City, which has also contributed millions to political campaigns for the commission, including this and past years.

Save Our AZ Solar, which is supported by Solar City, spent $688,642 supporting Burns in August and September. On Oct. 12, it reported spending $532,580 more in favor of him and Democrat Mundell. All of that money has been disclosed so far, but Solar City has also acknowledged supporting a dark-money group, the Checks and Balances Project, that tried to tie outgoing commissioner Bob Stump to utility interests.

I think its great that theyre disclosing it, said utility consultant and lobbyist Paul Walker. But I dont think the voters necessarily understand that when you look at net metering, demand charges, that those decisions will affect the business future of those (solar) companies in Arizona, just as much as the regulated utilities.

The difference between the solar firms and the utilities is that the utilities are state-created monopolies. If you want electricity in their service area, you must become a customer of theirs. In return they are regulated by the commission  even their profits are determined in advance as part of a rate case. Thats what makes influencing the commissions decisions so crucial.

A 1 percentage point shift in the return on equity the commission allows for a utility like Tucson Electric Power can mean a $16 million difference in profits. For APS, that shift would make a $50 million difference.

When the commission imposes changes that the utilities want  increasing the cost of rooftop solar via demand charges, net-metering changes and the like  that too helps the utilities and hurts the solar firms.

It would seem a simple solution to treat the rooftop solar companies more like utilities to even out their treatment. But thats been attempted and failed.

In 2009-2010, the commission considered regulating Solar City as a public service corporation like a utility. The staff and an administrative law judge recommended that the commission do so, but the commissions members decided not to. At the time, the commission was chaired by Kris Mayes. She, in turn, now runs Save Our AZ Solar, which still has more money to spend on this years race.

So, its tempting to vote in the reformers who will take on APS frontally and force them to reveal their contributions, and I plan to do so. I think the CEO of APS, Don Brandt, who made more than $9 million in total compensation last year, has earned that sort of inquisition by spending ratepayers money to try to buy his own regulators.

But I wont be surprised if were looking for a new sort of reformers, ones who dig into the financial influence of the rooftop-solar companies, in 2018.
Reports from Pima Community Colleges internal auditor are a sign to some that the schools overseers are following through on their pledge to increase transparency.

The reports, which go back several years but were released to the public last week, detail some of the worst moments in an era of administrative upheaval.

In PCCs aviation program, for example, some faculty members routinely went dumpster-diving in the trash bins of local aviation firms for tools and other items to use in class, a 2014 audit found.

Their actions put the school at risk of significant fines from the Federal Aviation Administration, loss of FAA program accreditation and safety incidents from using unapproved equipment for aircraft repairs, the audit said.

At PCCs international student center, problems with homeland security implications went uncorrected for years, audits dating to 2012 show.

The college had no written procedures to ensure that foreign students met visa requirements. And at least twice last year, foreigners successfully applied to the school as domestic students, the audits found.

Some of the faulty practices the auditor identified, such as trash-picking by aviation center faculty, have ended. Others continue years later, and members of the schools Governing Board want to know why.

Chancellor Lee Lambert, who has long known about the problems because the internal auditor reports to him directly, was on the hot seat Monday when the board opted to discuss the auditors findings in public.

Demion Clinco, the boards newest member, asked Lambert to explain why so many problems the auditor finds take so long to fix.

Two years is a long time for some of these issues to not be corrected, Clinco said of the aviation findings.

Lambert said employees are working hard to improve timeliness and are moving in the right direction. He blamed past delays in follow-through on heavy workloads, high turnover and the mountain of problems he faced when he started work at PCC three years ago.

What all of this reflects is that so many parts of the college have been fractured, the chancellor said. Its monumental. Were trying our best with what we have to work with to get things done.

The mass release of internal audits comes one month after PCCs accreditor sent a review team to Tucson to see if the school is meeting quality standards. College officials are not aware of the reviewers requesting any of the internal audit reports, PCC spokeswoman Libby Howell said.

HONOR SYSTEM

At the aviation center, high-priced tools and equipment purchased with public funds received little theft protection, the 2014 audit found.

Inventory control was on the honor system, and keeping track was impossible because the last known inventory list was a decade old, the report found. Items often were borrowed and taken off campus by faculty or local businesses, with nothing in writing to show what was taken or when it would be returned.

Conflict of interest violations also were common, the audit found. For example, some faculty members ran aviation-related businesses or had side-jobs with aviation firms but failed to disclose such activities in writing as required by state law.

The inventory control issues were still uncorrected when the auditor last checked in May. The Governing Board wants all remaining problems fixed by years end.

CYBERSECURITY FLAWS

PCCs information technology department, which was without permanent leadership for nearly two years until a recent hire, has critical cybersecurity planning issues, an April audit found.

The school is unprepared to deal with a major hacking incident, it said.

The lack of a data breach plan places the college at increased risk for reputation damage, potential credit-monitoring costs for individuals impacted by a breach, and monetary penalties, the audit said.

One of the best ways to prevent data breaches is through in-depth training for all employees, but such training does not exist at the college, the audit found.

Work has begun to correct those problems, but the department is understaffed and has high turnover, complicating the effort, the audit said.

SEX DISCRIMINATION

An audit in June of this year found the college in conflict with Title IX, the federal law that prohibits sex discrimination at schools that receive financial aid.

Sexual harassment and sexual violence are forms of discrimination under the law, and schools are required to aid victims, protect them from retaliation and educate students and employees.

PCC falls short in several areas, the audit found. For example, schools must provide clear information on what constitutes sexual harassment or violence, how to report it and where to find help. The audit said the college has very few information resources available.

The law also requires schools to promote prevention and awareness  for example, by providing information in student handbooks and brochures. That also isnt happening, the audit found.

SIGN OF PROGRESS?

While the audit contents were unflattering, some see the public disclosure as a big step forward for a school thats often been criticized for secrecy.

Board member Martha Durkin, who was appointed last year and is running for election to the boards District 5 seat, mentioned the release of audit reports at a campaign appearance last week as evidence of the colleges commitment to openness.

When problems occur, its better to put it out there, she told the Democrats of Greater Tucson.

Luis A. Gonzales, who is running against Durkin, said the audit results are an indictment of PCCs leadership and questioned why the school waited so long to make the findings public.

Board member Clinco said the release of audits was a pivotal moment that left him feeling positive about PCCs future.

We are moving toward a culture of identifying problems and fixing them, he said.

Its going to take time, but I am optimistic.
The Tip Top Mine was one of the best-producing silver operations in Yavapai County.

It is located in the Tip Top Mining District in the southern foothills of the Bradshaw Mountains, about 40 miles northwest of downtown Phoenix.

Named for its tip-top location , the deposit was discovered by John Corning and Jack Moore in 1875. They brought in $80,000 in silver production the first year of operation.

They made their first shipment of ore from the mine to San Francisco at $10,000 per ton.

The mine was then known as the Conqueror. It was later sold to Haggin, Head and Hearst of San Francisco. Early equipment included a roasting plant and pan amalgamators.

Silver was found in narrow veins and short ore shoots. In some places, a tungsten vein replaced the silver vein. It was left in place in the stopes because at the time it was thought of as zinc.

The main shaft followed the vein at an angle of 68 degrees to a depth of 830 feet.

The mine operation supported several general stores, a grade school, six saloons, a Chinese laundry, blacksmith shop, a courthouse overseen by Joe Walker, a brothel and a stage line to Prescott. Faro and high-ball poker were popular in the town of Tip Top.

Grapevine Springs served as its water supply. Situated along Cottonwood Creek, the town was well-armed against Indian incursion.

Tip Tops post office opened in 1880 and lasted 15 years. Prior to its opening, town residents relied on the neighboring town of Gillette, 9 miles away, for mail. Gillette also served as the mines milling site on the Agua Fria River. That lasted until the St. Louis Yavapai Mining & Milling Co. moved the 10-stamp Gillette Mill, built by California investors Lloyd Tevis and James B. Haggin, to the Tip Top Mine in 1886.

Ore from the Tip Top was transported by pack animal and later by wagon.

Between 1875 and 1883, the mine and its surrounding dumps containing oxidized ore produced $2 million in silver.

About half of the more than 1,000 residents were chloriders, small-time operators who worked multiple claims around the area. Those included the Joker and Keystone claims, and the Gold Coin and Swilling mines. The rest were employed by the Tip Top Mining Co.

The camp proved amenable to a visiting preacher from Phoenix. Lacking a church, the miners attended services under cottonwood trees.

While the preacher gave his sermon, the miners became inebriated from a supply of beer, which helped encourage their donations to the preacher after the sermon.

Frank E. Wager maintained an assay office at the Tip Top camp from 1887 to 1922, collecting ore samples from the mine. Equipment at the mine included a steam hoist, a mill containing two small gas crushers, a 7-ton capacity Denver Roller Mill, Callow Cone, Richards Cassifier, Wilfley Table and Deister Slimer.

The mill was powered by a Fairbanks Morse 16 horsepower engine along with a 10 kilowatt Westinghouse direct-current generator for lighting.

The demonetization of silver in 1893 caused the mine to close, and Tip Top became a ghost town several years later.

A later assessment concluded that several hundred ounces of silver might remain in the 40,000 tons of surrounding mine dumps.

Some tungsten in the form of ferberite and wolframite was recovered and shipped from the mines dumps during World War I.

Later attempts to reopen the mine proved unsuccessful, including one undertaken in the early 1980s by the Santa Fe Minerals Co. Bad ground prevented further development of the shaft.

Additional challenges included clouded property titles.

Today, the mine and ghost town encompass nearly 58 acres, and three patented mining claims are for sale for $695,000.

The area is a destination for off-road enthusiasts. The mine site is about four miles north of the New River, south of Black Canyon City.
OPINION: "Dickens' famous passage about an earlier fraught time captures this knife-edge moment: 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us...'" writes Tucsonan Brent Harold.
Beavers came back, too

The release of water also has brought back the Colorado River Delta's long-lost beavers.

"Scientific data is scant, but locals say beavers were nearly completely gone from the region during the dry times that came with the closure of Glen Canyon Dam and the diversion of the rivers entire flow. But on the few occasions that the delta flooded, the beavers would reappear, perhaps following the flow down from refuges upstream," wrote John Fleck, in his new book about the Colorado River, "Water is for Fighting Over."

In the spring of 2014, a small flow of excess agricultural water flowed past willows through a human-built environmental restoration site, Fleck wrote.

"As soon as the water arrived . . . beavers materialized out of the ecological mists, damming the little channel. They had found their way back," Fleck wrote.

Beavers are now fairly common in the Laguna Grande restoration area run by the Sonoran Institute, said Karen Schlatter, an institute scientist. They're been seen and photographed regularly and they've established two beaver dams, she said.

Karl Flessa, co-director of the Delta restoration's scientific monitoring effort, said he has personally seen a beaver dam, munch marks and tracks, including "the tail drag."
It was like something out of a movie, says Jane Turner.

Turner is about as far away from Kath and Kims Fountain Lakes visiting the most unlikeliest of destinations for Who Do You Think You Are? -the Demilitarised Zone on the border of North Korea.

Its like youre on a different planet looking into the place. They had a whole town set up that was non-existent. It was just a facade to pretend there was something going on there. Its bizarre, she says.

The DMZ is pretty much American-based on the South side with marines and protocol to follow, a lot of briefings on what we were allowed to do. It was very formal and serious. When we got onto the building overlooking the wall you werent allow to bend down and tie your shoe. Dont do any sudden movements, dont alarm anybody.

Theres a building that straddles the DMZ and the border and to step across the line is to go into North Korea, so we werent allowed in there.

In a time where you can just Google anything you want to still have a place that is pretty unknown to everyone is extraordinary.

Jane Turners father, who died in 2005, was a fighter pilot in the Korean War but the family knew little about the missions he undertook. Having declined offers to participate in the SBS genealogy series in the past, she felt the time was right to learn more.

I didnt really know a lot of detail. I didnt even know hed flown this extraordinary number of missions until the funeral when his mate did the eulogy, she recalls.

Dad would never talk about that sort of stuff. I knew hed lost friends while flying but I didnt know the detail of some of the things he had to do like napalming. That was all a bit of a shocking revelation. I think that was why he didnt like talking about it.

Hed mentioned line-bombing but I didnt know what that meant. Later in life he wrote some funny stories about the missions, but always in a light-hearted manner, sending himself up.

Mum didnt know a lot about it either, to be honest. Not the detail anyway.

Turner also heads west to discover one ancestor was one of Western Australias pioneering British settlers, with a suitable hint of humour in the outcome.

Filming 10 months ago and armed with her passport, Turner was kept in the dark on where she would travel for the series. With cameras there to capture every reaction, she insists she didnt turn on the tears just for the sake of it.

I wasnt going to pretend. If something is going to move me, then it will move me, she explains.

But in the end they were good stories, with the happy ending for my great, great grandfather. They were details that made me glad. But there was sadness around my fathers childhood. So that made me a bit teary, but I didnt bung anything on.

So secretive was her involvement that she is yet to share much of her experience with members of her family, who will see it all unfold this week.

I havent really told them anything yet, because Im waiting for them to see the episode, she adds.

I think theyre really looking forward to seeing it. Because its their story too.

Who Do You Think You Are? 7:30pm Tuesday on SBS.
Help India!

By IANS,

New Delhi : Petrol prices are expected to increase by Rs.2.71 per litre and those of diesel by Rs.2.55 per litre from midnight Friday following Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjees budget that restored basic duty on petrol, diesel and crude petroleum as well as raised central excise duty by Re.1.

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In his 2010-11 budget speech11, Mukherjee said that with oil prices rising alarmingly to about $112 per barrel last year the government had exempted fuel from basic customs duty to give relief to oil marketing companies.

But, with global prices comparatively lower right now, the government had taken the step to improve the fiscal position by restoring basic duty and increasing excise duty.

In view of the pressing need to move back to a fiscal consolidation path, I propose to restore the basic duty of 5 percent on crude petroleum; 7.5 percent on diesel and petrol and 10 percent on other refined products. I also propose to enhance the Central Excise duty on petrol and diesel by Re.1 per litre each, said Mukherjee.

According to ministry sources, this translates into an increase of Rs.2.71 per litre for petrol and Rs.2.55 percent per litre for diesel.

A notification is expected soon to formally mark the upward revision of the prices. Sources pointed out that the implementation of revision of indirect taxes is usually done from midnight. So, it is likely that the prices could rise from midnight. We are waiting for the notification, said an official.

The fuel price increase provoked angry opposition MPs to walk out of the Lok Sabha, possibly the first time during a budget speech.

The duty of five percent on crude petroleum would be a major hit for refiners like Reliance, who have been instrumental in making India a refining hub in the region.

Mukherjee made a special mention of the Kirit Parikh committee, which had submitted its report recently on a viable and sustainable system of pricing of petroleum products.

It had recommended price deregulation of petrol and diesel, as well as a sharp decrease in subsidy of cooking gas and kerosene. However, expecting a political fallout, the government had so far dithered on implementing the recommendations.

Decision on these recommendations will be taken by my colleague, the minister of petroleum and natural gas, in due course, said Mukherjee.

The total under-recoveries of the oil marketing companies are expected to reach Rs.40,000 crore this year, with the government not willing to go by the earlier formula of providing oil bonds. Instead, the finance ministry has only given Rs.12,000 crore in cash so far.

I have made a conscious effort to avoid issuing bonds to oil and fertiliser companies. I would like to continue with this practice of extending government subsidy in cash, thereby bringing all subsidy related liabilities into our fiscal accounting, Mukherjee said.


Help India!

By IANS,

Bangalore : Intensifying the demand for Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappas resignation over land scandals, the Congress and Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) members Thursday walked out of the assembly and staged a sit-in outside.

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The opposition members walked out protesting an assembly panel report that has recommended suspension of 15 opposition legislators for their unruly behaviour in the house in October last when Yeddyurappa sought a trust vote.

The panel, set up by Speaker K.G. Bopaiah, wants eight of these legislators suspended for one year and seven for six months. They are also to be denied entry to the legislature and many facilities enjoyed by a legislator.

Calling the recommendation of suspension murder of democracy by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, the Congress and JD-S said they would take the battle against Yeddyurappas government to the streets.

Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah of Congress led his party and JD-S members out of the house. All of them stated a dharna (sit-in protest) outside the state secretariat, Vidhana Soudha, that houses the legislature.

Earlier as soon as the house met, the Congress and JD-S members tried to stall the proceedings insisting on their adjournment motion to discuss land scam charges against Yeddyurappa and alleged illegal mining by mining magnates and ministers, the Reddy brothers. Among the brothers, the younger G. Janardhana Reddy is the tourism minister and the elder G. Karunakara Reddy holds the revenue portfolio.

Bopaiah, who has rejected accepting the adjournment motion, conducted the days proceedings amid slogan shouting by Congress and JD-S members.

The opposition wants the motion to be allowed under rule 60 of the assembly business procedure. Under this rule regular business is suspended and discussion taken up on any urgent matter of public importance. It entails voting on the motion at the end of the discussions.

Thursday was the fourth straight day of disruption in the assembly. The 10-day session began Jan 6.
Help India!

By IANS,

Chennai : Telugu actors Ram Charan Teja, son of actor-turned-politician Chiranjeevi, and his cousin Allu Arjun chipped in Rs.10 lakh each towards the Uttarakhand disaster relief fund.

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Earlier, actor Pawan Kalyan, younger brother of Chiranjeevi, donated Rs. 24 Lakh for the same cause.

Confirming the news, Allu Sirish, younger brother of Arjun posted on his Twitter page: Charan and Bunny (Arjun) gave Rs.10 lakh each, (while) Kalyan garu gave Rs 24 lakh.

Members from Chiranjeevis fan club have tuned in up to Rs.25 lakh for the victims.

Im very proud that our mega fans (megastar Chiranjeevis fans) community came forward and pooled in Rs.25 lakh towards Uttarakhand relief fund, Sirish posted further.

Members from Chiranjeevis family were among the first in Telugu industry to donate for the noble cause.


Help India!

By IANS,

Hong Kong : Hong Kong police Thursday evacuated residents from an area where a suspected World War II bomb was found by construction workers while digging an underground hotel structure.

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Police told Xinhua that they believe the bomb was dropped by the US armed forces when they were bombing Japanese military facilities during World War II.

Police said a bomb disposal squad had been called to the site near Queens Road East where the Emperor Group is building a new hotel.

The construction site and its neighbouring area have been cordoned off and more than six firefighters are present at the site.

A witness said that part of the bomb, about one metre long, has been unearthed and its diameter was about the length of an adults two arms.

The bomb was found plunged vertically into the ground and it is presumed to be an aerial bomb, sources said.

According to police, residents within 500 metres of the bomb have been asked to stay away from the area.

Japanese invaders occupied Hong Kong from 1941 to August 1945 and World War II bombs have been regularly discovered there since the end of the war.


Help India!

By TwoCircles.net, Staff reporter,

Aligarh: The Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) student union have threatened to start an agitation at Delhi against Delhi Police if they fail to find Najeeb Ahmed, a JNU student who has been missing since October 15.

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The AMU Student took out a protest rally on Friday, October 21, inside the campus against Delhi police and union government to trace the missing JNU student and submitted a memorandum to the Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh and Lt, Governor, Delhi, Najeeb Jung through local administration for persuading the Delhi Police to expedite the search for the missing JNU student Najeeb Ahmed.

With placards reading AMU stands with Najeeb, the students raised slogans against JNU administration.

Najeeb Ahmad, a JNU student has reportedly gone missing since Saturday, 15 October following a brawl with ABVP cadres in the campus during the campaigning for hostel elections.

Ahmed, a 27-year-old resident of Badayun, Uttar Pradesh, was in his room in the Mahi-Mandvi hostel when a few members of ABVP came for campaigning for the hostel elections. A scuffle broke out between Ahmad and the students and the ABVP students beat up Ahmad, who had moved into the hostel only a few weeks ago.

The office bearers of AMU students union have urged the home ministry to persuade Delhi Police to search the missing JNU Student.

Indirectly terming ABVP becoming menace, the same organization was behind the killing of Rohit Vemula of Hyderabad University.

The union also expressed its concern on the attack over innocent students and claimed that they were attacked in the name of belonging to a particular section of society.

The union have also asked Vice Chancellor of JNU and its administration to tender their resignation as they have been accused of being incapable to handle the cases.

Further, the Union have also demanded central government of taking immediate action against the culprits who are involved in the case.
Many men lack knowledge about male infertility, and this may have consequences for their reproductive and general health. Men may prefer to seek health information online, but these sources of information vary in quality.

The objective of this study is to determine if online sources of information regarding male infertility are readable, suitable, and of appropriate quality for Internet users in the general population.

This study used a cross-sectional design to evaluate online sources resulting from search engine queries. The following categories of websites were considered: (1) Canadian fertility clinics, (2) North American organizations related to fertility, and (3) the first 20 results of Google searches using the terms "male infertility" and "male fertility preservation" set to the search locations worldwide, English Canada, and French Canada. Websites that met inclusion criteria (N=85) were assessed using readability indices, the Suitability Assessment of Materials (SAM), and the DISCERN tool. The associations between website affiliation (government, university/medical, non-profit organization, commercial/corporate, private practice) and Google placement to readability, suitability, and quality were also examined.

None of the sampled websites met recommended levels of readability. Across all websites, the mean SAM score for suitability was 45.37% (SD 11.21), or "adequate", while the DISCERN mean score for quality was 43.19 (SD 10.46) or "fair". Websites that placed higher in Google obtained a higher overall score for quality with an r (58) value of -.328 and a P value of .012, but this position was not related to readability or suitability. In addition, 20% of fertility clinic websites did not include fertility information for men.

There is a lack of high quality online sources of information on male fertility. Many websites target their information to women, or fail to meet established readability criteria for the general population. Since men may prefer to seek health information online, it is important that health care professionals develop high quality sources of information on male fertility for the general population.

Interactive journal of medical research. 2016 Oct 21*** epublish ***

Stephanie Robins, Helena J Barr, Rachel Idelson, Sylvie Lambert, Phyllis Zelkowitz

Jewish General Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Montreal, QC, Canada.

PubMed http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27769954
8 countries vow to protect cultural relics at Palace Museum meet Updated: 2016-10-23 10:33 By Wang Kaihao(chinadaily.com.cn)

About 50 officials and scholars from eight countries issued a declaration at Beijing's Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City, on Oct 20 on enhancing protection of the world's cultural relics.

The Declaration of Supreme Harmony, which is named after the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Forbidden City, acknowledges that cultural relics today face destruction brought about by war and globalization.

It also pledges the countries' efforts to promote mutual understanding and cultural inclusiveness through more dialogue.

The declaration was drafted following the first two-day ancient civilization forum held at the Palace Museum.

The eight countries which issued the joint declaration are China, Egypt, Greece, India, Iran, Iraq, Italy and Mexico.

Delegates from international organizations also attended the forum.

According to Shan Jixiang, the director of the Palace Museum, the forum is scheduled to be held annually from now on, and will cover more countries.

Related:

At Palace Museum, the world mulls heritage protection
There are three distinct and special celebrations at the end of Sukkot. The first of them, Hoshana Rabbah, is today.

Hoshana Rabbah -- "The Great 'Save-Us!'" -- is the seventh day of Sukkot and a minor holiday in its own right. On this day, traditionally, we make seven circuits of our sanctuaries with our lulavim and our Torah scrolls while reciting prayers called Hoshanot which ask God to bring healing and salvation. Seven is a number with spiritual significance in Judaism: seven days of the week, the seven "lower" (accessible) sefirot (aspects of God), the seven ancestral figures (some invite seven men and seven women) welcomed into the Sukkah as ushpizin (holy guests) -- and now on the seventh day of this festival we circumnambulate our sanctuaries seven times, singing and praying. There's also a very old custom of taking the willow branches from our lulavim and beating them against the ground; the falling willow leaves are an embodied prayer for rain. (For more on that: The Ritual of Beating the Willow.)

Even if you're not dancing or processing around a sanctuary with branches and Torah scrolls, reading some hoshanot and reflecting on their meaning is a lovely observance of Hoshana Rabbah. I like the ones written by my teacher Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, which online here at the Reb Zalman Legacy Project blog, and also here at the Shalom Center (with commentary from Rabbi Arthur Waskow below the hoshanot themselves.) And here's a brief excerpt from a translated hoshana, provided by Rabbi David Seidenberg of NeoHasid.org.

Shemini Atzeret -- "The Pausing of the Eighth Day" -- is the eighth day of Sukkot. Yes, Sukkot is a seven-day holiday, but tradition tells us that on the eighth day, God (Who has been so enjoying spending time with us in our sukkot) says "awww, do you really have to go? Can't you linger a little longer?" So we stay in our sukkot for one more day, one more chance to engage in intimate connection with Shekhinah, the immanent and indwelling Presence of God. This is a day for spaciousness, a day of pausing, a day to celebrate the white space which cradles and contains all of the texts and teachings and observances of the holiday season now ending. The Days of Awe and Sukkot are a dense and busy time, full of obligations and sermons and teachings; Shemini Atzeret is a chance to pause, to take a breath, to receive the blessings of stillness.

This day is a hinge-point in our liturgical year between the summer season and the winter season. On Shemini Atzeret, we recite special prayers for rain, and we enter into the liturgical winter-season when our Amidah contains a one-line prayer for rain every day instead of the summertime one-line prayer for dew. I've written a contemporary prayer for rain which can be read / davened on this day, which you can find in the VR archives here; you might also enjoy my Sestina for Shemini Atzeret, which I wrote last year and which I still really like. Shemini Atzeret is the 22nd of Tishrei, which begins tonight at sundown and lasts through tomorrow (Monday).

Simchat Torah -- "Rejoicing in the Torah" -- is the culmination of all of our celebrations during this holy season. We read the very end of the Torah scroll, then read the beginning again, celebrating the neverending nature of our collective story. We dance around the room with Torah scrolls singing songs. Here's the poem I wrote some years ago for this festival, Mobius, which is also available in 70 faces, my collection of Torah poems (Phoenicia, 2011.)

So when is Simchat Torah? Well, it depends on who you ask. In Israel, Sukkot lasts for seven days; the seventh day is Hoshana Rabbah; and the 8th day is both Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah. Reform communities outside of the land of Israel also operate on this calendar. (I'm not sure about Reconstructionist communities; Jewish Renewal communities' practices vary.) In Diaspora, Orthodox and Conservative Jews move from 7 days of Sukkot (the final one being Hoshana Rabbah) to two days of Shemini Atzeret, the second of which is Simchat Torah, making the whole shebang a 9-day observance insted of an 8-day one. (In my local community we'll celebrate Simchat Torah on Monday night, in conjunction with the local college Jewish student group.)

It's possible to experience a kind of holiday fatigue at this moment in the year. Tisha b'Av, then the month of Elul, then Rosh Hashanah, the Ten Days of Teshuvah, Yom Kippur, a week of Sukkot...! But there's beauty and meaning in each of these three final days of this holiday season. I offer this blessing: may each of us find a point of access into the beauty and wisdom of Hoshana Rabbah, Shemini Atzeret, and Simchat Torah. May we connect with the gift of being able to ask for help in healing our world, the gift of holy pausing and sacred rest, and the gift of Torah, the story which never ends.
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Noodles made for many years in a village in Bac Giang Province are very special.

They taste different to other noodles and people enjoy them.

They are made in a very special way and from very special rice.

When the sun is not out, it can be difficult to produce these noodles because they need to be dried.

So many people want to buy them that the village is hoping to get drying machines for cloudy days.

By Hong Van

Residents of Thu Duong Village have to score a century in rice noodles every day.

So they get up very early, no matter what the weather, and start working at 4.30am to prepare about 100 kilograms of a special rice noodle that the village has become famous for.

The small village, about 60km away from Ha Noi in Bac Giang Province, began making the My Chu (chu rice noodles) about six decades ago.

Their skilled hands and the desire to preserve the traditional vocation have made My Chu a popular product in the province and beyond.

The arresting sight of numerous white rice noodle sheets being sundried on wooden panels greets those arriving in Thu Duong. Learning its history makes the place even more interesting.

This rice noodle gets its name from the Chu Market, where a man called Ca Tong began selling them all those years ago. A native of neighbouring Hai Duong Province, Ca Tong was brought to Bac Giang by a Chinese man whod adopted him when he was very small.

It was his foster father who taught Ca Tong the basic steps of making rice noodles, said 38-year-old Tran uc Phuoc, Tongs great grandson.

Because it had a distinct taste and was only sold in that market, people began calling it My Chu, a name that has stuck to this day.

Another thing that the villages have stuck to is the old way of making rice noodles, with almost all steps done by hand.

The first step is to wash and remove all the dirt from the rice. It is then softened by soaking in water for up to three hours and later transferred to a grinder after adding fresh water.

Chu noodles are made purely with rice, a bit of water and oil, so choosing the right rice variety is very important, said Nguyen Thi Sam, a 41-year-old woman whose family has been doing it for generations.

Phuoc nodded in agreement. In the old days, they used the bao thai hong variety, which was grown in the Chu hill area. This variety of rice was very famous for its unique aroma, texture and stickiness, and perfectly suited to making good noodles, he said.

Nowadays, as production of bao thai hong rice declines and the number of households making the rice noodles increase, it has become difficult to use the original rice. The villages now use the 203 variety that can be found locally or in the provinces of Thai Binh and Nam inh.

The quality of rice we use now must be as good as bao thai hong rice, Phuoc said, adding, using good quality rice will not only make the noodles tastier and chewier, but will also increase the quantity.

By late afternoon the rice has become white flour and the villagers leave it until next morning, when the water stands clear from the rice.

Sam stressed that "besides rice, the water used is an important factor that decides the quality of My Chu".

We are so grateful for the natural water sources in the region. From the very beginning we have used well water, which is fresh, free from chemicals and has a lightly sweet taste, she said.

After removing the water from the rice flour mixture, the flour has to be spread out with meticulous care to avoid any lumps.

In the past, a ladle was used to spread the flour on a cloth stretched over boiling water, but this step has been taken over by a machine that creates the rice noodle sheets.

Flat rice sheets are then spread out on mats to dry in the sun until they are totally dry and transparent.

To make it easier to cut the noodle sheets into smaller strips, the rice sheets are softened with a bit of warm water and oil.

Previously, lard was used at this stage, but it has been replaced with vegetable oil because it is more popular and convenient, Phuoc said.

Once the noodles are cut, they are dried in the sun again before being packed.

Since it can be used for many different dishes, the strips are of various sizes.

This noodle is made purely from rice and is free of any preservatives, so it is more nutritious and healthy than other instant noodles, said Nam.

My Chu has been granted a safe food certificate by the Bac Giangs Department of Industry and Trade. It was recognised as a symbolic industrial product of the northern region in 2014, and as one of the most trusted products nationwide in 2013.

Crossing borders

My Chus fame has since spread beyond the countrys borders, with exports to several overseas markets including South Korea, mainland China, Taiwan and the UK.

It is a pity that we sometimes fail to get deals with big customers because there is not enough sunlight to dry the noodles, said Nguyen Van Nam, director of the Rice Noodle Co-operative.

Inclement weather is not just a major challenge standing in the way of the noodle makers expanding their markets, it can also hurt them.

At times, some households have had to dispose of several dozen tonnes of noodles because they could not dry them, said Nam.

The village has proposed to provincial authorities that they help import modern drying equipment so that villagers could make noodles on rainy days, too, increasing productivity as well as income.

Out of 333 households in the village, 287 are engaged in making rice noodles. Each household makes an average of nearly 100kg of noodles every sunny day.

The My Chu making tradition has played an important role in reducing poverty in the village," Nam said.

A villager can earn about VN5million (US$220) on average a month, and the villagers are hoping to increase this to VN6million ($270) next year.

With more than a hint of pride, Nam added: As villagers have a stable job making rice noodles, theyve refused to work in the areas industrial zones. VNS

GLOSSARY

Residents of Thu Duong Village have to score a century in rice noodles every day.

A century means a hundred.

The small village, about 60km away from Ha Noi in Bac Giang Province, began making the My Chu (chu rice noodles) about six decades ago.

A decade is a period of ten years.

Their skilled hands and the desire to preserve the traditional vocation have made My Chu a popular product in the province and beyond.

Skilled, in this case, means being able to put something you have learned to do to good use.

Desire is the noun form of the verb to desire, which means to want. Your desires are your wants.

The arresting sight of numerous white rice noodle sheets being sundried on wooden panels greets those arriving in Thu Duong. Learning its history makes the place even more interesting.

An arresting sight is a sight that catches your eye. In other words you cannot help but see it and notice it.

Numerous means many.

A native of neighbouring Hai Duong Province, Ca Tong was brought to Bac Giang by a Chinese man whod adopted him when he was very small.

A native of Hai Duong Province is someone from that province.

Hai Duong Province and Bac Giang Province are neighbouring provinces because they are next to one another.

To adopt a child means to take one on as your own if he, or she, is not one you have biologically produced.

It was his foster father who taught Ca Tong the basic steps of making rice noodles, said 38-year-old Tran uc Phuoc, Tongs great grandson.

A foster father is a man who has adopted a child.

Because it had a distinct taste and was only sold in that market, people began calling it My Chu, a name that has stuck to this day.

A distinct case is a clear taste that makes you able to tell it comes from that market.

It is then softened by soaking in water for up to three hours and later transferred to a grinder after adding fresh water.

To transfer something means to move it from one place to another place.

A grinder is a device used in the making of noodles.

Chu noodles are made purely with rice, a bit of water and oil, so choosing the right rice variety is very important, said Nguyen Thi Sam, a 41-year-old woman whose family has been doing it for generations.

There are many different types of rice. Each type is a variety.

This variety of rice was very famous for its unique aroma, texture and stickiness, and perfectly suited to making good noodles, he said.

If something is unique there is only one of it in the world.

An aroma is a special type of pleasant smell.

A texture is a feel that something has to it when you touch it.

Nowadays, as production of bao thai hong rice declines and the number of households making the rice noodles increase, it has become difficult to use the original rice.

Declines means becomes less.

The quality of rice we use now must be as good as bao thai hong rice, Phuoc said, adding, using good quality rice will not only make the noodles tastier and chewier, but will also increase the quantity.

Quantity is amount.

Sam stressed that "besides rice, the water used is an important factor that decides the quality of My Chu".

A factor that decides the quality is something that plays a part in the quality of the My Chu.

The quality of My Chu means its standard. In other words how good it is.

We are so grateful for the natural water sources in the region. From the very beginning we have used well water, which is fresh, free from chemicals and has a lightly sweet taste, she said.

To be grateful means to be thankful.

Natural water sources are natural places where water comes from, like rivers and springs rather than from tanks and reservoirs.

After removing the water from the rice flour mixture, the flour has to be spread out with meticulous care to avoid any lumps.

Meticulous means paying attention to detail.

In the past, a ladle was used to spread the flour on a cloth stretched over boiling water, but this step has been taken over by a machine that creates the rice noodle sheets.

A ladle is a type of spoon that is often used to serve soup.

Flat rice sheets are then spread out on mats to dry in the sun until they are totally dry and transparent

If something is transparent, you can see through it.

Previously, lard was used at this stage, but it has been replaced with vegetable oil because it is more popular and convenient, Phuoc said.

Previously means in the past.

Lard is a type of animal fat.

Convenient means fitting in easily with your plans and not causing you to have to go to lots of trouble to get something done.

This noodle is made purely from rice and is free of any preservatives, so it is more nutritious and healthy than other instant noodles, said Nam.

Preservatives are substances that are put into food to stop them from rotting.

If food is nutritious it is full of the good things your body needs.

Instant noodles are noodles that can be made immediately and without much preparation, usually by just boiling them.

Inclement weather is not just a major challenge standing in the way of the noodle makers expanding their markets, it can also hurt them.

Inclement weather is weather that is harsh and wet.

At times, some households have had to dispose of several dozen tonnes of noodles because they could not dry them, said Nam.

To dispose of something means to get rid of it.

The village has proposed to provincial authorities that they help import modern drying equipment so that villagers could make noodles on rainy days, too, increasing productivity as well as income.

To import means to buy from another country.

Out of 333 households in the village, 287 are engaged in making rice noodles.

To be engaged with making rice noodles means to be busy doing so.

WORKSHEET

State whether the following sentences are true, or false:

People in the United Kingdom want to buy My Chu noodles. Unfinished noodles are sometimes thrown away when they do not dry in time. Noodle makers once used vegetable oil. Now they use lard. My Chu noodles gets its name from the Chu Market. Different dishes use different sizes of My Chu noodles.

ANSWERS:

 Duncan Guy/Learn the News/ Viet Nam News 2016

1. True; 2. True; 3. False; 4. True; 5. True.
Colourful bamboo dragonflies perched on thin, pointed bamboo sticks are not just cute souvenir toys, they reflect the agricultural traditions and craftmanship of Vietnamese farmers. It is the simplest of toys to play with, but great care goes into making them, from choosing the most pliable material to crafting each stage with enormous patience, Le Huong discovers on a visit to a quiet village in Ha Noi.

Here and there in souvenir shops on downtown streets are colourful bamboo dragonflies perching on bamboo pillars.

The toys can be given as presents to both children and adults, being a special gift displaying agricultural culture and skillful farmers.

The toys may remind elders of their childhoods, when losing themselves while catching dragonflies in the countryside.

A "kingdom" of bamboo dragonflies can be found just 35km west of the capital centre  in a quiet village near ancient Tay Phuong Pagoda, in Thach Xa Commune, Thach That District.

Just at the entrance to the brick steps leading to the pagoda on top of a hill, one can find many vendors offering bamboo toys, such as dragonflies, birds and tortoises.

Busy bee: On average, a family in the village produces 7,000 toys every month for domestic and foreign markets. VNS Photo Tran Hoang Nam

Also inside is the motherland of the toys just at the foot of the hill.

The house of Nguyen Van Tai, who has made toys for the past 16 years, is located in a nearby lane, where visitors can see many bamboo branches drying in the sun.

Tais products are famed for their beauty, durability, variety in genres and reasonable prices.

I started to specialise in making bamboo toys in 2000, Tai told Viet Nam News, Before that, I had other jobs, in building and farming.

I did not learn from anyone how to make toys from bamboo. I just imitated some models I found at that time. Then, the more I work, the more experience I had to make the products more beautiful and interesting to play with.

There are many stages in the toy making process, including choosing proper bamboo, carving, and decorating the toys.

Every stage requires great patience, hard work and care, Tai said. It looks so simple, but the bamboo toy would lose it balance and would not have a good shape if the craftsman performed a single stage in a hurry.





According to Tai the most difficult stage is carving the toys form, so that it is beautiful and balanced, because the most important feature of the toy is for the dragonflies or birds to perch on any small place, such as the top of a finger or a chopstick, as they do in nature.

Tai often sells all of these products, offering them wholesale to partners throughout the country and overseas.

Foreign customers have stricter demands, he said. The bamboo we use should not be treated in chemicals, so that the products are not harmful.

Tai stressed that the bamboo selected cannot be too young or too old.

It must reach a mature level so that it is strong, soft, easy-to-carve and free of termites or other insects, and have a shiny surface. He always chooses bamboo from forests in the Northern provinces of Ha Giang, Hoa Binh and Vinh Phuc.

The bamboos outer skin is then removed, and dried for 4-5 weeks before being cut into small pieces for carving parts of dragonflies, butterflies or tortoises.

His most popular toys are dragonflies. Though many households in the area make the same products, Tais dragonflies are considered the most beautiful, as he takes great care in the details.

Tai explained that he could not create any part of the toy with a machine, because bamboo is easily broken.

The selling of toys has created a stable income for Tais family and hundreds of people in the area.

On average, a family produces 7,000 toys every month for domestic and foreign markets.

This business can employ many family members, from children to elders, Tai said.

Nguyen Nhu Quynh, a worker from Tais workshop, said she hoped to earn a long-term and stable living through her job.

More importantly, it helps maintain folk toys in these modern times, Tai said.

As a young worker, I hope to find new ways to open foreign markets, rather than having to go through middle people," she said.

Tai has co-ordinated with the childrens protection organization Cenforchil, under the Viet Nam Union of Science and Technology Associations and MyHanoi organisation, in projects for researching and preserving Vietnamese traditional toys.  VNS
Chalmers again refuses to rule out future changes to stage three tax cuts Treasurer Jim Chalmers has given another indication his government could consider changes to the stage three tax cuts only weeks after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese ruled it out.

Family reveals more tragic news about children injured in crash that killed mother-of-six The heartbroken father of six children who survived a crash that killed their mother has provided an update on two of the more seriously injured kids.

Hollywood power couple spotted trick-or-treating in famous Sydney suburb The A-list couple kept a low profile with interesting Halloween outfits as they walked hand-in-hand with their two daughters going from house-to-house to collect lollies in Sydney's eastern suburbs on Monday evening.

Looming red tsunami on November 8 spells the beginning of the end for Joe Biden If the Republicans claim a resounding victory in a week's time, all of the Democrats' grand plans for the January 6 committee, Biden's Federal Court picks and future bills will be in jeopardy - and that may force a change in leadership.
CEDAR FALLS  Flooding has threatened to wipe out downtown Cedar Falls twice in the past decade. But levee improvements to protect downtown are still awaiting federal regulatory approvals even though the state approved funding 2 1/2 years ago.

Federal officials say the review process  established a few months after Cedar Falls secured its funding  is designed to protect lives and make sure the levee improvements dont fail.

This is probably the most bureaucracy Ive ever run into, Cedar Falls City Administrator Ron Gaines said. Hes worked with the city 10 years as an engineer and administrator.

Weve got a plan to review our plan, Gaines said. The essence is to raise the downtown flood levee by 3 feet. The city has secured the funding. We just cant get approvals.

Those improvements were proposed in response to the record flood of 2008.

It may be next year, at the earliest, before construction begins.

The state approved some $6.6 million for the project in March 2014. But the project, like others, is undergoing a federal review process established July 31, 2014.

City officials said a year ago they hoped work would start in 2016. It hasnt.

Gaines noted the city and its consulting engineer, AECOM of Waterloo, made some headway with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials two weeks ago.

That was the week after another round of near-record flooding prompted a massive volunteer sandbagging effort.

The situation caught the attention of U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley last week.

I respectfully request that this permit be expedited and approved as promptly as possible, Grassley wrote in a letter to Army and Corps of Engineers officials.

The citizens of Cedar Falls are frustrated and do not understand why they continue to be faced with the threat of flooding when the city has the funds to construct the additional flood protection, Grassley wrote. They also do not understand why this permit process has to take numerous years to complete and why the city has to spend money on emergency preventive measures when they could build the permanent protection.

I understand these frustrations as I find the permit process to be very bureaucratic and lengthy, too, said Grassley, who farms near flood-prone New Hartford just west of Cedar Falls. It would be much wiser to get this permit approved and the permanent protection constructed as soon as possible so additional money is not spent on temporary measures.

Grassleys letter went to Jo Ellen Darcy, Army undersecretary for civic works, and Lt. Gen. Todd T. Semonite, commanding general and chief of engineers for the Corps of Engineers.

Grassleys staff said the senator facilitated communication between the Corps and the city earlier in the process.

City staff reported reviews and approvals should be obtained so a contract can be let in May and construction can begin in the 2017-18 fiscal year.

Thats a best-case scenario, Gaines said. Weve been waiting. We submitted a plan to the Corps of Engineers to review our document, but it must be reviewed at the district, regional and national levels  at Rock Island, Ill., Vicksburg, Miss., and Washington, D.C.

Getting the plan to review the plan is whats taken so long, Gaines said.

We as a city, who has a staff of licensed engineers that are working on this project, hired AECOM, who has a staff of licensed engineers that specialize in hydrology, and submit it to the Corps of Engineers, who have licensed engineers who specialize in this type of stuff, Gaines said. The (Corps of Engineers) also made us hire Stanley Consultants (of Muscatine) as an independent review. So we had to hire a check-the-checker.

Grassleys staff said such an independent review is not out of line to confirm the findings of engineering work for improvements designed in response to a significant life safety risk.

Paul St. Louis, who coordinates the review process for the Corps of Engineers in Rock Island, said Gaines projection of construction in 2017-18 is realistic.

Our main focus is life safety, so we can make sure, once constructed, the levee is not going to fail, St. Louis said.

Regarding the recent flooding, St. Louis said, From our perspective, thats always on our minds, the risk of flooding. And we take that very seriously. Our goal on all of the projects is to move them forward as quickly as possible.

Almost a year ago, the city moved ahead with easements and property acquisitions with the Western Home Communities for property along East 11th Street in preparation for the work.

State law established a Sales Tax Increment Fund, which receives deposits of increased sales tax revenues from flood-impacted areas, as calculated by the Iowa Department of Revenue. A state flood mitigation panel approved funding for Cedar Falls in March 2014. The city is receiving that money in installments.

City officials also made U.S. Rep. Rod Blum aware of the situation when he toured the city Sept. 24 after the most recent flood crested.

At a recent City Council meeting, Cedar Falls Mayor Jim Brown, while praising the communitys response to the recent flooding, noted, There are conversations that need to be held on increasing the capacity of the levee that have been slowed by bureaucracy at higher levels of government.
WATERLOO -- Adolescent dinosaurs are apparently a little like puppies.

The trio of raptors that appeared Saturday at the National Cattle Congress as part of Jurassic Quest played with a ball and obeyed the commands of a handler -- sometimes. They also ran right up to barriers lined with spectators and stuck their heads into the crowds, as if to get a close-up look at who was there.

Their playfulness didn't make Weston Long any less wary. The preschooler from Burlington shrunk away from one of the nosy dinosaurs -- which were operated by people whose legs were visible as they moved.

"Sometimes they're nice, sometimes they're not nice," he said.

"Are they scary?" asked his mother, Liz.

"Yep," said Weston. He added, "They're just costumes."

Walking Dinosaurs was one of the attractions at the traveling show featuring more than 80 life-size animatronic dinosaurs. It continues from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. today at the Cattle Congress grounds, 257 Ansborough Ave.

Tickets cost $20 to $29 per person, depending on age and type of ticket. Children under 2 are free. Tickets and more information are available online at JurassicQuest.com. Tickets also can be purchased at the door.

Dinosaurs, some with tree trunk-like swinging tails, were spread across the exhibition hall. Arms moved, heads turned and jaws locked and unlocked as they emitted low growls or roars.

Many were scaly and others had feathers. Massive creatures like Tyrannosaurus Rex, and much smaller ones like Coelophysis, were included in the displays. Texas-based Jurassic Quest bills itself as the largest exhibit of life-size moving museum-quality dinosaurs in North America.

"He loves dinosaurs right now," Liz Long said of her son. "So we decided it would be a fun trip." Weston's grandmother and aunt were also at the event.

Among the other attractions and activities were dinosaur rides complete with seats and handles and dinosaur babies. Similar to the walking dinosaurs, human operators brought the baby creatures to life as they interacted with the audience.

People could also test their knowledge of dinosaurs with a quiz at the science station, see a real fossil display or dig replica fossils out of blocks of baked clay.

Kheshav Ram, 9, and his 5-year-old brother, Krishna, of Cedar Rapids spent some time digging fossils out of the blocks of clay, watched over by their parents.

"So far, it's like the clam shells," Kheshav said, holding up a plastic bag with one of the small fossils in it. The boys dug using sharpened wooden dowels and little brushes.

Krishna said his favorite part of the show was getting a design painted on one of his cheeks. Both boys said the T-Rex was their favorite dinosaur.

Back at the walking dinosaurs, one of the raptors was unusually interested in 15-year-old Madi Yates of Cedar Rapids. She was wearing a pair of cat ears on top of her blue-dyed hair. The dinosaur, mouth open, came toward Yates several times as if to snatch the ears off her head until interrupted by the handler.

"It was really cool that it came to me," she said. "It kind of scared me at first."

Yates was there with a group of family members, including 10-year-old Mari Jacobs. She was excited about getting up close to the raptors and interested in seeing the rest of the exhibit.

"I want to know everything I can about dinosaurs," she said. "I love dinosaurs."
WATERLOO  The Northeast Iowa Food Bank will host its annual Cedar Valley Sack Lunch delivery Nov. 3-4. The lunches will be delivered to Cedar Valley businesses between 9 and 11:30 a.m.

The event serves as an opportunity for Cedar Valley businesses and employees to purchase a homemade meal, prepared by Food Bank staff and volunteers, and have it delivered to their workplace. For $7, community members who purchase lunches from the Northeast Iowa Food Bank will receive a shredded pork sandwich, a fruit cup, pasta salad, chips, a cookie and a bottle of water.

For each lunch sold we will then be able to provide 28 meals to people in need, said Barbara Prather, food bank executive director.

Major sponsors are Cedar Valley Sack Lunch delivery event are Tyson, Wal-Mart, Martin Bros. Distribution, Randalls, Sara Lee, Frito Lay and Rabo AgriFinance.

They ask that a minimum of eight lunches per location be ordered with a central contact person. Call 235-0507 to learn more or go to www.northeastiowafoodbank.org to find a printable sign-up sheet for your business.
CEDAR FALLS -- U.S. Rep. Rod Blum, R-1st District, has been defying expectations since he was sworn into office in January 2015.

His first vote was against then-House Speaker John Boehner, a fellow Republican.

He joined the House Freedom Caucus, a group of conservative Republicans, while also backing the No Labels agenda. He has voted as conservatively as U.S. Rep. Steve King, R-4th District, according to one measure, but he also backed several bipartisan measures and focused on reforming Congress.

Now as Blum, 61, seeks a second term, the Dubuque businessman points above all to his constituent services and his focus on reforming Congress as the top reasons he deserves to continue to represent the 1st District.

I have  stood up to the political class in Washington, D.C., Blum told The Courier recently. I think Ive done an excellent job of standing up to Washington, D.C., in my own party when it needs to be stood up to, and then also compromising when its for the good of eastern Iowa.

He points to his support for bills on education, highway transportation and the 21st Century Cures Act that would boost funding for the National Institutes of Health, as well as his support for agriculture, seniors, veterans and people with disabilities.

Blum also has cosponsored or supported bills that call for term limits, ending the congressional pension program, banning lobbying by former members of Congress, banning first-class air travel and luxury car leases paid for by taxpayers and tying congressional pay to that of average Americans.

Though he has been criticized for not holding public meetings, Blum has held unique fairs -- on jobs, seniors' wellness and veterans -- that offered to help with specific issues.

During the recent Black Hawk County Republicans' Lincoln Dinner, Jeff Kaufmann, state party chairman, acknowledged Blum's work in Congress has had trickle-down impacts.

You dont know any other way to represent people than the way you do, and that is with your entire heart and soul and integrity, so on behalf of the Iowa Legislature and the people that are going to be better served by a Republican Senate and maintaining a Republican House, thanks to both of you; you are helping, Kaufmann told Blum and U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa.

He said both have coattails helping the down-ballot races.

Blum led in three recent 1st District polls, though a recent poll from a Democratic group shows a tightening race. The 1st District race is considered one of the most competitive in the country. Blum has been labeled among the most vulnerable incumbents and represents a Democrat-leaning district.

But Blum believes hes had the right priorities.

He has focused on balancing the budget and the economy since won his seat in 2014, besting Democrat Pat Murphy, also of Dubuque, by 2.2 percentage points. The seat was open because former Waterloo U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley ran for U.S. Senate, which he lost to Joni Ernst.

Im a balanced-budget guy, but obviously we shouldnt balance the budget on the backs of senior citizens, veterans or, for sure, disabled people, Blum said.

His budget focus, however, has opened him up to attacks from Democrats.

Blum has voted for non-binding budget bills that hasten balancing the budget with cuts, and Democrats have emphasized how those cuts would impact Iowans. Vernon has focused on Blums support for a budget that would raise the retirement age for Social Security benefits.

Theres thousands of ideas in there. Does that mean I agree with them all? Of course not. Of course not. But theyre not binding anyway, Blum said. You get to vote yes or you get to vote no. You dont get to say, Well, I vote yes on these items and no on those. Its all or nothing, but in political season, its picked apart.

But Blum doesnt apologize for wanting to balance the budget. He has called the national debt immoral.

Politicians, even Republicans, they come back to their districts, and they talk tough, but when they get to Washington they dont vote tough, Blum said this past spring. Im so serious about this for our children and our grandchildren. Weve got to get this spending under control.

Blum said he doesnt believe the nation can grow the economy by cutting government. Instead, he said, government should focus on boosting growth -- reducing regulations, cutting corporate taxes, eliminating corporate welfare and simplifying personal income taxes.

Thats how we get out of this budget mess, is restrained spending increases. ... But then we just need to grow this economy, Blum said.

Though he acknowledges the country is divided, Blum said he wants lawmakers to work together to get things done. He said gridlock is not caused by the members but by the handful of leaders who control what legislation moves.

Ive consistently said  as an example, Social Security and Medicare, we need to do something. It needs to be bipartisan, Blum said. Some of our ideas. Some of the Democrats ideas. Put it together, and lets solve this, keep these programs solvent for another 50 years. Now, Im willing to do that. Is the leadership?
DES MOINES  Whether control of state government remains split for the next two years operating or Republicans take control depends largely on the outcomes of a handful of legislative races on this falls ballot.

Going into the election, Republicans control the Iowa House and Democrats the Iowa Senate.

For the past six years, that split control has forced Republicans and Democrats to agree on legislation  including the state budget  before it becomes law.

Democrats hold a slim majority in the Senate. If Republicans win enough races to take the Senate, the GOP would control the Senate, House and governors office for at least the next two years.

Going into the election, the 50-seat Senate has 25 Democrats, 23 Republicans and one independent senator, a former Republican who changed party affiliation in protest of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.

There also is one vacant since the death of Sen. Joe Seng, a Democrat from Davenport. A special election for that seat, in a heavily Democratic district, will be held just after Christmas.

Assuming that seat stays in Democrats hands, Republicans will have to hold their seats and flip three Democratic seats in order to achieve a majority.

The following Senate races are most likely to be competitive.

Both parties have reason to be encouraged. In each district where the Democrat is the incumbent, there are more active registered Republicans than Democrats as of Oct. 1, according to the Iowa Secretary of State.

However, Democratic president Barack Obama won all of those districts the last time they were on the ballot, according to election results compiled by Daily Kos.

DISTRICT 46

Counties: Muscatine, Scott.

Incumbent: Democrat Chris Brase, Muscatine.

Challenger: Republican Mark Lofgren, Muscatine.

DISTRICT 26

Counties: Cerro Gordo, Chickasaw, Floyd, Howard, Mitchell, Winneshiek, Worth.

Incumbent: Democrat Mary Jo Wilhelm, Cresco.

Challenger: Republican Waylon Brown, St. Ansgar.

DISTRICT 32

Counties: Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Fayette.

Incumbent: Democrat Brian Schoenjahn, Arlington.

Challenger: Republican Craig Johnson, Independence.

DISTRICT 34

Counties: Linn.

Incumbent: Democrat Liz Mathis, Cedar Rapids.

Challenger: Republican Rene Gadelha, Marion.

DISTRICT 36

Counties: Black Hawk, Marshall, Tama.

Incumbent: Democrat Steve Sodders, State Center.

Challenger: Republican Jeff Edler, State Center.

DISTRICT 8

Counties: Pottawattamie.

Incumbent: Democrat Mike Gronstal, Council Bluffs.

Challenger: Republican Dan Dawson, Council Bluffs.

DISTRICT 28

Counties: Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette, Winneshiek.

Incumbent: Republican Michael Breitbach, Strawberry Point.

Challengers: Democrat Jan Heikes, Decorah; Libertarian Troy Hageman, Calmar.
<&underline>BREMER</&underline>Satellite voting at Wartburg

WAVERLY  Wartburg College will host a satellite voting location in McCaskey Lyceum in the Saemann Student Center on Tuesday.

The location, open from 10 a.m to 4 p.m., can be used by all students, faculty, staff and community members registered to vote in Bremer County.

Voter registration also will be available that day.<&underline>FAYETTE</&underline>

Hospital holds

open house

OELWEIN  Mercy Hospital will host an open house to celebrate the completion of a $1.5 million renovation of its Emergency Department on Oct. 30 from 2 to 4 p.m.

It will feature guided tours of the facility.

The project was funded entirely by capital funds from Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare-Iowa, and contributions from the community of Oelwein, Mercy auxiliary and Mercy Hospital associates.

The renovation provides an expanded emergency department with five private emergency rooms, renovated nurses station, new private registration offices and new reception area. A secure ambulance facility will house two ambulances and provide climate-controlled patient delivery to the emergency department.
WATERLOO  The Grout Museum District will host Strolling with the Spirits from 3:30 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 29 at Elmwood Cemetery.

People can meet at the Grout Museum 15 minutes prior to show time and ride a bus, provided by EPI, to Elmwood Cemetery and spend the evening strolling down the paths of Cedar Valleys past as actors bring residents back to life through live historical interpretation.

The event is designed for the entire family. If coming to the 7 p.m. tour, bring a flashlight.

Each program will last approximately 90 minutes, which includes transportation to and from the Grout.

This years cast of characters includes Henry Allen, Fred Kimball, Henry Nauman, William Galloway, Minnie Crippen and Jesse Cosby.

Cost is $8 for members and $10 for nonmembers. Prior registration is required. To sign up, go to www.gmdistrict.org/calendar.
How many times have you heard someone say, I am so tired of politicians talking like politicians? Since this is a common complaint, why then dont at least a few running for office start telling us up front what they think and believe?

Iowa politics has given us a clear case that helps to explain why politicians talk the way they do. Anything of substance they say will be spun into a negative and will be transformed into proof positive the person is too extreme, too corrupt and just too evil to be elected.

This tactic not only shows a disrespect for the public, it makes it difficult to solve problems.

The debate about Social Security will serve as our example.

Social Security was designed to force people to save for retirement. There are better ways this could have been done, but it has now been with us since Roosevelts attempt to socialize America in 1935, and whether we like it not it is what we have.

Predictively, the system is broke. It is being run like a Ponzi scheme. The money coming in from current workers is being sent out to current recipients. Unless changes are made, those now paying are guaranteed to not be full recipients in the future.

Our government has not been honest with the American people, but even the government admits this structure will have to be declared insolvent by 2031.

It would be nice then for someone running for office to tell us what they plan to do about it, but they dont dare.

In 2014, Joni Ernst ran for the Senate. Her opponents ads said in part. Ernst would privatize Social Security. ... Palin, Ernst: Too extreme for Iowa. But Ernst never said any such thing, she simply said she was open to that discussion.

In this election cycle, Democrat Monica Vernon and the Democratic Campaign Committee have gone on the attack against Republican Rod Blum, claiming he wants to raise the retirement age to 70 and has voted to slash benefits.

Vernon is quoted as saying, If Blum gets his way and raises the retirement age, Iowans will be left with less of what theyve earned. Vernon has stated Blum is bad news for seniors and Hes been trying to distract Iowans from his repeated attacks on the Social Security and Medicare Iowa families and seniors have earned and rely on.

The full retirement age was raised in 1983, so such proposals are nothing new. Besides, Blum named this idea among a longer list of possible solutions. If we do nothing, benefits will get cut 35 percent, Blum said recently.  We need to debate and discuss these ideas.

The lesson is obvious. Keep your mouth shut about potential solutions to problems. If a problem must be addressed, simply promise more gifts from Santa Claus. President Obama, Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton have proposed expansions of Social Security.

To do this, Social Security as we know it would have to be scrapped and turned into another welfare program. Since the entire government also is broke this would be a radical solution, and would necessitate even more discussion that could not take place during an election.
Some of the cliches Ive heard people use when explaining why theyre voting for Donald Trump for president are puzzling to me. For example, Im voting for the lessor of two evils. Describing the candidates as evil is pretty strong stuff. While Trump is clearly unqualified to be president and would do a bad job, I doubt he is evil. Trump supporters hate Hillary Clinton for the Benghazi tragedy (which was handled by people on the ground there and not her) and the mishandled emails which she admits were a mistake (but fortunately did not cause a security breach), but no reasonable person would describe her as evil.

I realize the phrase is probably used to refer to two bad options, but nonetheless the word should not be used. Evil implies a clear intent to do something harmful. Trumps ignorance of political discourse convention and breathtaking lack of understanding of foreign affairs may signal incompetence, but it doesnt mean hes evil. A Trump presidency might be bad for the country on many levels, but I seriously doubt he wants to harm America. Hes just not right for the job, as millions of Americans recognize.

Further, Im not convinced we have two bad choices. Clinton has all of the positive attributes Trump lacks. She is compassionate, kind and caring. Even her negative comments about Trump do not sink to the level of his mean-spirited nastiness. She has a life history of governmental and social involvement that speaks volumes of the good she has done. She is experienced in government, having served in the U.S. Senate and as secretary of state. She has championed not only womens rights but human rights and worked all her life to improve the well-being of children. As much as anything else, she serves as an outstanding role model for our daughters. How does any of this make her a bad option? And I cant imagine any thinking person calling her evil.

Then theres this one: Im not voting for Trump, Im voting against Hillary. Im pretty familiar with ballots, and I dont recall ever seeing a box after a candidates name that says Against. Sorry, it doesnt work that way. When you check the candidates box, no matter what rationalization you use, youre voting for them. Period. That means you support what they are. Of course, its doubtful we agree with everything our candidates believe, but we usually side with them on most things or they wouldnt get our vote. So if you vote for Trump thinking youre voting against Clinton, youre supporting a candidate who is anti-immigrant, possibly racist and certainly denigrating of women among other things. Is that what you want?

When you head to the polls, if youre voting for the lesser of two evils or voting against someone, I have a suggestion: Dont vote for president. Sounds like heresy, but remember this: While you have the right to vote, you dont really have to. Leave the president spot blank and move on down the ballot to the races that are probably more important anyway, senator, representative and state and local elections. Youll do a whole lot better.
Newspapers have played a prominent role in the ideological arguments that shaped this nation from its very founding.

They were the megaphones used to mold public opinion as politicians cobbled together the U.S. Constitution and formed the foundation of the nation. The Founding Fathers were not a like-minded genial bunch. Their heated arguments played out in print.

The noisiest were often the most brilliant, which President George Washington recognized in his cabinet, choosing archrivals Alexander Hamilton as his secretary of the treasury and Thomas Jefferson as secretary of state.

Both Hamilton and Jefferson used newspapers as fronts to make their cases while in office without mincing words on hot-button issues, often in language and twisted truths not far removed from current rhetoric.

Hamilton, a New Yorker and former aide to Washington during the war, argued in favor of a strong federal government and banking system, higher taxes (income tax was a 20th century innovation), trade ties with Britain and emancipating slaves.

Jefferson, a Virginia farmer who once served as a diplomat in France, was a proponent of states rights, agrarian policies (loathing bankers), trade policies favoring France over Britain, and opposed higher taxes. He favored emancipating slaves, but deporting them.

Their followers dutifully established newspapers based on what became two party lines. In the run-up to the Civil War and thereafter, they often bore names like Republican and Democrat, leaving little doubt about endorsements.

Other newspapers, including this one, have historically chosen to assess the candidates stands on the issues without conferring a blessing.

According to an Oct. 16 tally of the top 100 newspapers by the University of California at Santa Barbaras American Presidency Project, 43 had endorsed Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, three supported Libertarian Gary Johnson, and none backed Republican Donald Trump.

Among the traditional Republican newspapers breaking ranks to back Clinton were the Houston Chronicle, Dallas Morning News, Arizona Republic and San Diego Union (now owned by the left-leaning Los Angeles Times, part of the Chicago Tribune company).

The Tribune, a diehard Republican operation, opted for foreign-policy-challenged Johnson, a former New Mexico governor, whose running mate, former Massachusetts Gov. William Weld, has better bona fides. The Detroit News and Richmond Times-Dispatch also supported Johnson.

Two smaller papers  the Santa Barbara (Calif.) News Press and St. Joseph (Mo.) News-Press  endorsed Trump.

USA Today, which does not endorse, pronounced Trump unfit, but didnt support Clinton.

We do not find any candidate inspiring, capable of healing divisions, offering much vision or providing leadership.

Clinton was preordained by party regulars, but then was nearly derailed by Sen. Bernie Sanders, a registered independent. Trump, meanwhile, has generated a civil war in the Republican Party, due largely to his uncivil rhetoric, tweets and behavior.

While Trump rails against big government and the debt, analyses of his economic plan indicate the red ink would significantly increase with proposals that favor tax cuts for the wealthy and more trickle-down economics. We saw this movie during the second Bush administration, and the outcome wasnt pretty.

His business record is littered with too many failures, lawsuits and bankruptcies. His temperament is lacking.

Unlike her husband, Clinton hasnt said, The era of big government is over, as spending runs amok. Instead, she would increase taxes on the wealthy to fund ambitious programs, including free tuition for public four-year and community colleges.

We feel the pain of students carrying huge debt burdens, but were wary of colleges producing students earning degrees for callings where no calling exists  with tax subsidies. Some targeting to fill existing employment gaps is needed.

As a senator, Clinton boasted about creating jobs, but didnt  although she was a Democrat during a Republican administration. As secretary of state, her initiative in Haiti to support construction of an industrial park after its devastating earthquake was both an economic and ecological disaster.

Trump is not well versed in foreign affairs and frequently makes reckless comments. While Clinton is knowledgeable, she supported initiatives in Iraq and Libya but failed to follow up, with adverse consequences ensuing.

Trumps comments about women are absolutely abhorrent and cannot be defended, but we recall the need to take a shower after Bill Clinton left the White House. It is difficult to give his wife a free pass when revisiting former Clinton press secretary George Stephanopoulos book, All Too Human, and Hillary Clintons role. Her reaction to Connie Hamzys allegation the president had propositioned her: We have to destroy her story.

On a positive note, both candidates support the need to invest heavily in our decaying infrastructure, which is long overdue.

We dont endorse, but we do worry. Our fear is governing will be even more difficult with both political parties more desperate than ever after this fiasco without any lessons learned and leadership lacking at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
My wife, our children and I lived in Yemen from 1981 to 1985. Ten months ago, our State Department approved the sale of $1.29 billion in munitions to the Saudis, part of a $60 billion sale. In December, Saudi bombs destroyed Sanaa International School where our children went to school. The Saudis are bombing their neighbors in Yemen using our weapons, training and intelligence.

The current war began when the Shiite rebels known as Houthis based in the north seized the capital, Sanaa, according to The Associated Press. In March 2015, Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies launched a campaign of airstrikes against the rebels. More than 4,000 civilians have been killed in airstrikes or in ground fighting between the rebels and fighters backing the internationally recognized president.

F. Gregory Gause III summarized the chaos in his article, The Future of U.S.-Saudi Relations, in the July/August issue of Foreign Affairs: The Saudis fixation on Iran also explains their intervention in Yemen. The Saudis see the Houthi rebels in Yemen as part of an Iranian effort to dominate the Arab world and surround their kingdom.

Yemen was part of the Ottoman Empire until its 1918 independence. In 1967, the Peoples Democratic Republic of Yemen separated from the Yemen Arab Republic and veered radically left, hosting terrorists into the 1980s. The countries were a Cold War front line. The war between PDRY and YAR was hot until it ended in 1985. The presidents made peace; reunification followed.

Yemens history is ancient. According to local legend, Sanaa was founded by Shem, the oldest son of Noah. The Marib region, scene of some of todays fiercest fighting, was once ruled by the Queen of Sheba, who visited King Solomon.

Yemen is defined by geography, kinship and sect. Villages remain isolated, underserved by roads, electricity and schools. Clan is the infrastructure, with changing loyalties. Insults are unresolved for generations, with outbreaks of violence.

Attending a wedding, I joined men at the grooms home, my wife the women at the brides home. We men, carrying torches and singing, walked to the brides home. The women responded with song. The gate opened. The groom took his bride.

A year ago, the Saudis sent one of our 500 pound laser-guided bombs into such a wedding party, killing more than 130 innocents. At least 140 people were killed and more than 500 wounded in several air strikes on a funeral reception in Sanaa this month.

Yemens population is 24.5 million, with 8 million in famine. A student from the city of Taiz came to Wartburg College in 2012. I remembered the city. We had driven on a breath-taking mountain road to quaint Taiz, which features vestiges of Ottoman rule. Today, Taiz is a frontline city in the civil war, ruined by Saudi bombing.

Saudi Arabia bombs hospitals, factories, schools and homes, most recently in the Marib region. In August, 10 school children died in a bombing. Saudis bombed a hospital operated by Doctors Without Borders. Finally, the U.S. condemned such attacks. But in recent days the U.S. has launched missile attack of its own on rebel installations.

Late Wednesday night, a 72-hour cease-fire went into effect, a welcome first step, although it was quickly breached by the Houthis, according to the AP. The truce was desperately needed to allow urgent humanitarian assistance to reach large parts of the population that have been suffering drastic shortages.

A long-term solution is needed.

The U.S., our allies and the Gulf Cooperation Council must enforce a truce. Yemen has no capability to attack other nations. It needs help to manage water resources and improve education and food production. We can be part of the solution. On Aug. 9, the Pentagon advised Congress of the sale to the Saudis of $1.8 billion more in armaments. Is that all we can deliver to these desperate people?
Islamophobia, a prejudice against Muslims, is a concept we need to rebuke since 3.3 million Muslims are our American neighbors. Xenophobia, the hatred of foreigners, is equally important to debunk, especially since America started becoming diversified around 1492.

Sadly, both Islamophobia and xenopohobia were exemplified the night of Oct. 14 by vandalism of the Cedar Valleys Masjid Al-Noor Islamic Center.

The cowardly act by ignorant individuals was an attack on religious freedom.

The vandalism was a hate crime.

But the Cedar Valley has great citizens who understand the shock this insidious act caused not only to the Muslim community, but its reverberating effect on Iowans of Christian (77 percent), Jewish (1 percent), Buddhist (1 percent), Hindu (1 percent) and other faiths (2 percent) who want to exercise their religious right.

An anonymous group of concerned citizens, unaffiliated with the Islamic Center, voluntarily removed the spray-painted graffiti from the buildings brick structure without knowledge of the Islamic Center leaders.

On the afternoon of Oct.16 about 100 parishioners from various Cedar Valley churches visited the Islamic Center as a sign of interfaith support. For those afflicted with Islamophobia, therapy, guidance and counseling might be worthy. Taking a course in government and reading the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights also is advisable.

For those who hate foreigners, lets examine the hotly debated immigration issue. Indeed, 11 million people are living in our country illegally and 40 percent of unauthorized immigrants living in the U.S. (4.4 million) have overstayed their legally issued visas.

However, legal immigration is essential for Americas prosperity for these reasons:

Immigrants are more than twice as likely to start a business than non-immigrants.

25 percent of all technology-based startups have an immigrant founder.

4.7 million Americans are employed by immigrant-owned small businesses.

Neighborhoods with a greater concentration of immigrants have lower rates of crime and violence than comparable non-immigrant neighborhoods.

Social Securitys trustees report regulated immigration would increase funding for Social Security by $4.6 trillion over the next 75 years.

Obviously, xenophobes dont understand we are a nation of immigrants. Since 14,742 of Iowas 3.1 million are indigenous Native Americans, the rest of us are, technically, immigrants. How ironic xenophobic Iowans question the benefits of immigration for the country, even though 99.55 percent of Iowans are descendants of an immigrant family.

On a personal note, Im eternally grateful Nicholas Corbin immigrated from England to America in 1671 and established Corbins Mill in Baltimore, Md. Iowas motto, Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain, is important to me.

With the election only 16 days away, now is the time for citizens to vote for candidates who understand Islamophobia and xenophobia have no place in the Cedar Valley let alone the United States of America.
Have U.S. taxpayers been deceived regarding our governments policy of providing funding, training and armaments to the good rebels warring against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and the Syrian army?

In the second presidential debate, the matter of U.S. foreign policy in Syria was addressed. The statements of each candidate were revealing. It was no surprise Hillary Clinton supports the current U.S. policy of using the CIA to train and arm the so-called good rebel groups (Fursan al-Haq, Ahrar al-Sham and Jaysh al-Islam et al) that are fighting Assad. But at this point Donald Trump raised a pertinent issue. He cautioned this policy may be unwise because we (the U.S. State Department) do not know who these rebel groups are and what their real purpose is. His statement is validated by recent documentation from Syria.

According to a graphic video released on the internet by the Syrian rebels and verified by William Murray, chairman of the Religious Freedom Coalition, these good rebel groups are in fact jihadists who have morphed into Islamic State fighters. The documentation reveals these groups, whose weapons and training are provided by U.S. taxpayer dollars, are directing their attacks against Christian communities in the Siba district of Homs Province and other areas in Syria and Iraq. They are committing heinous atrocities with the goal of totally annihilating Christianity from this region.

Because these reports are almost too gruesome to believe, I contacted a representative of the Maronite Catholic Church, one of the larger groups of Christians in the Levant (Lebanon and Syria), to check the veracity of these reports and to determine how Christians in that region view Assad.

The Maronite priest whom I contacted verified the report a number of rebel groups fighting against the Assad regime are also leagued with ISIS in carrying out the genocide against Christians in Syria and Iraq. He reports these rebel groups are killing, torturing, beheading and deporting Christians and enslaving their women and children. He emphasized President Assad is viewed by many Christians in Syria and Lebanon as a benevolent dictator who is protective of minorities including Christians and various Muslim sects and opposes ISIS and other radical Sunni organizations.

The burning question in light of this revelation is, why is our government supporting the Sunni rebels who are slaughtering Christians and attempting to defeat Assad?

Could it be, as Trump suggested, the U.S. government does not understand this Syrian situation is at root a conflict between the Wahhabi Sunni led by Saudi Arabia and the Shiites led by Assad? Or has the United States been forced into supporting the wrong side in this intra-Muslim conflict due to the financial hammerlock the Saudis hold on the U.S. because of the billions they have loaned us to cover our federal debt?

It seems one immediate action we American taxpayers must take is to contact our senators and representatives in Washington and our president and urge them to stop funding, training and arming the so called good rebels who are perpetrating the genocide of Christians in Syria. Secondly, we must urge our government to reconsider its foreign policy in Syria with regard to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his government.

It makes sense to work together with both Assad and the Russians rather than go to war against them because we have a common cause, namely, to defeat ISIS. Yes, cooperation with Russia rather than war with Russia seems the wise way to go.
WATERLOO -- Remember, watching the snow fall outside the classroom windows and then getting excited about playing in the snow at recess? Oh, what joy! Did you know if children do not have all the necessary winter clothing, they must stay on the blacktop area while the other children play in the snow? That is difficult to do when everyone else is having so much fun. A principal wrote, In addition to helping families meet the needs of children, it also allows students to fully participate in recess. We believe recess is an essential aspect of the school day and work to have each child participate. Providing warm coats helps accomplish this goal.
Vote for Sadler

CEDAR FALLS -- Recently, I saw a mail piece from Jeff Danielson accusing Bonnie Sadler of being an executive of a private health-care company and saying she would put profits before people. This mail piece was disgusting, and I call on Danielson to disavow it. Bonnie Sadler is a partner in NuCara Pharmacies, a local health-care company right here in the Cedar Valley that takes care of thousands of Iowa patients and provides good jobs to more than 100 Iowans so they can take care of their families and invest in our communities. NuCara helps patients with cancer, disabilities and in-home care. This attack is the very worst of politics.
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Chris Hedges in Films For Action:

Noam Chomsky is Americas greatest intellectual. His massive body of work, which includes nearly 100 books, has for decades deflated and exposed the lies of the power elite and the myths they perpetrate. Chomsky has done this despite being blacklisted by the commercial media, turned into a pariah by the academy and, by his own admission, being a pedantic and at times slightly boring speaker. He combines moral autonomy with rigorous scholarship, a remarkable grasp of detail and a searing intellect. He curtly dismisses our two-party system as a mirage orchestrated by the corporate state, excoriates the liberal intelligentsia for being fops and courtiers and describes the drivel of the commercial media as a form of brainwashing. And as our nations most prescient critic of unregulated capitalism, globalization and the poison of empire, he enters his 81st year warning us that we have little time left to save our anemic democracy.

It is very similar to late Weimar Germany, Chomsky told me when I called him at his office in Cambridge, Mass. The parallels are striking. There was also tremendous disillusionment with the parliamentary system. The most striking fact about Weimar was not that the Nazis managed to destroy the Social Democrats and the Communists but that the traditional parties, the Conservative and Liberal parties, were hated and disappeared. It left a vacuum which the Nazis very cleverly and intelligently managed to take over.

More here.
Summit Carbon files lawsuits against Brown, Edmunds counties

Two South Dakota counties are facing federal lawsuits from one of the companies planning a carbon capture and sequestration pipeline.
A roundup of recent expansions, additions, new services and other news from firms across the country.

ARIZONA

Henry+Horne, Tempe, has undergone a rebranding and unveiled a new look and communication style, including a new logo, a new tagline -- Offering You More  and a new Web site that will launch next week at www.hhcpa.com.

COLORADO

For the eight consecutive year, EKS&H, Denver, was again named one of the best midsized workplaces in the United States in the Great Place to Work List published by Fortune Magazine.

KENTUCKY

Dean Dorton Technology, Lexington, was named to Cisco Systems Winners Circle of top-performing commercial partners.



NEW YORK

AccountingDepartment.com received a Gold Stevie Award for Employer of the Year.  EisnerAmper LLP, New York, has launched a redesigned Web site at www.eisneramper.com. The new site features responsive design; new, more personable partner biographies; new practice and service line landing pages; a single, unified EisnerAmper blog with frequently updated content; and streamlined navigation.  CohnReznick Advisory, part of CohnReznick LLP, has been named to ALMs Consulting Magazines Fastest Growing Firms for 2016, which ranks global consulting firms by their rate of revenue growth between 2012 and 2015. Over that period, CohnReznick Advisory experienced growth of 79 percent.  Marks Paneth LLP has launched a health care practice, spearheaded by new partner Jacob Beniawski and new principal Joseph Frohlinger.

NORTH CAROLINA

Dixon Hughes Goodman, Charlotte, has earned the Great Place to Work credential from Great Place to Work.

OHIO

Skoda Minotti, Cleveland, has been named to the Weatherhead 100, which recognizes Northeast Ohios fastest-growing companies, for the ninth time and for the third consecutive year.  McCrate, DeLaet & Co., Sidney, has joined the CPAsNet network of accounting firms.



RHODE ISLAND

The Rhode Island Society of CPAs will be a sponsor for the first time of the three-day New Metrics '16 Conference on sustainable value for companies in Boston Nov. 14-16.

Send your firm announcements to AcToday@SourceMedia.com.
Kosh Oats has four variants: Kosh Instant Oats, Kosh Broken Oats, Kosh Oats Atta and Kosh Wheat + Oats Atta

Future Consumer Ltd (FCL), a part of Future Group, launched Indias much awaited third staple Oats brand, Kosh in the city today. Kosh oats has been introduced with the objective of making India adopt Oats as the 3rd grain post staple rice and wheat. With Kosh, India will soon witness a change in the way oats is consumed and sold in the country.

Launched by FCL, Kosh oats have four product variants  Kosh Instant Oats, Kosh Broken Oats, Kosh Oats Atta and Kosh Wheat + Oats Atta. Kosh oats is different from any other brand of oats. Unlike any other brand, Kosh views the consumer through the lens of Indian-ness and accordingly presents a range of products that delivers Indian Food.

Speaking on the occasion, Kishore Biyani, Group CEO at Future Group, said At Future Group, we believe in evolving with the changing consumption patterns. The launch of Kosh Oats is such an attempt to set a trend in the food space by introducing it as the third grain of India. Oats has always been introduced as a breakfast item. With Kosh, we strive to change that and make it Indias third grain that can be used in every meal right from starters to the desserts.

Grown and sourced from Australia, Kosh is processed at state of the art processing & packing facility at Srilanka. Future Consumer has made a significant investment in oats processing plant called Aussie Oats Milling Pvt Ltd. This is a fully automated facility and has minimum human intervention / contact & thus maintains highest levels of hygiene & quality.

Kosh will be distributed extensively through various modern retail stores across India. It will also be distributed through general trade in 12 key cities to begin with and go national in the coming months. The advertising campaign of Kosh has been designed with Piyush Pandey and his team at Ogilvy & Mather. The campaign is largely focused on making people aware about Oats as a grain and taking it to the centre of the plate.

Piyush Pandey, Executive Chairman & Creative Director, O&M India and South Asia commented on the campaign saying, "We always believe that something which is healthy may not be very tasty and something which is tasty may not be very healthy. When I actually ate various dishes made out of Kosh, I myself could not believe that oats could be so tasty. Kosh means treasure and this Kosh is the treasure of good health. That is why when we designed the communication for Kosh it was all about its health benefits, its versatility and range. The campaign breaks in print, electronic and digital media from today.

The unveiling of Kosh was followed by a panel discussion with experts from the food industry discussing the various importance of oats. The panel, moderated by Rajeshree Naik, Co-founder at PING Network, consisted of Kishore Biyani  Group CEO at Future Group, Milind Sarwate - Founder & CEO at Increate Value Advisors LLP, Celebrity Chef Vicky Ratnani and Nutritionist Kavita Devgan.

KOSH Oats product details

KOSHTM INSTANT OATS are made out of rolled oats dried and pressed into thin flakes. Kosh Instant Oats is 100% natural product just like rice poha. The consumers are currently acquainted with oats in this form. Kosh Instant oats is easy & fast to cook  takes only 3-4 mins. The array of delicacies made out of Kosh Instant Oats are Ladoo, Idli, Upma, Poha, Chivda, Dahi Vada, Barfi, Halwa and much more. It is a good resource of Fibre especially Beta-Clucan, which helps is keeping tummy healthy. With shelf life of 12 months the variant comes in two packagings; 500g Pouch priced at Rs.89, 1kg Pouch priced at Rs.170

KOSHTM BROKEN OATS are whole oat grains simply cut into smaller tukdas/pieces for a full, hearty texture & rich nutty taste. The process is called steel cut oats. . Kosh Broken Oats is 100% Natural product just like tukda rice grain. This is the closest to selling Oats as a grain and cooks in exactly the same time as regular rice grain. Kosh Broken oats can be cooked in about 20-25 mins. One can make palatable Khichdi, Bissibele bhat, Biryani, Phirni, Kheer, Payasam and can be incorporated in all rice based dishes. Kosh Broken Oats is a good resource of Fibre especially Beta-Clucan, which helps is keeping tummy healthy. With shelf life of 12 months the variant comes in two packagings; 500g Pouch priced at Rs.89, 1kg Pouch priced at Rs.170

KOSHTM OATS ATTA is 100% pure oats  ground into fine flour. Kosh Oats Atta is 100% Natural product just like any other grain atta. Oats Atta can be added to fortify any grain flour or batter to prepare various dishes to get benefits of oats in it. Oats aata can be added to wheat atta in 1:3 ratio to make Rotis. Dishes you can make by adding Oats Atta to existing recipes are Roti, Cheela, Bhakri, Dosa, Paratha, Dhokla and many more. Shelf life of this atta is 6 months and comes in two packaging; 500g Pouch priced at Rs.89, 1kg Pouch Rs.170

KOSHTM WHEAT+OATS ATTA is a blend of MP Sharbati wheat atta with KOSH Oats Atta. This format will play in the multigrain atta segment. The blend is made with Wheat Atta (90%): Oats Atta (10%) ratio. This has benefits of wheat & oats and can be used daily. The cooking time for this atta remains the same as any other multigrain atta. It can be used to make yummy Rotis, Parathas & a variety of Indian breads, and also sweet dishes like laddoo, can be given as pre-natal food to pregnant / lactating mothers. Shelf life: 4 months; packaging of 1kg Pouch priced at Rs.62 and 5kg Pouch priced at Rs.270.
Mumbai based film production company Passion Film was awarded the winner at the 2016 edition of Cannes Corporate Media & TV Awards, the Cannes festival dedicated to corporate and brand films, for their Product Film B. L. Agro Oils - The Story of Liquid Gold in the Marketing Communication category.

B. L. Agro, the Bareilly based Oil Company is in the business of Refining and Marketing of branded Mustard and other Edible Oils.

This is the second time in a row that Passion Film has received this prestigious award after being the first ever-Indian company to win the Cannes Dolphin for their Brand Film on Shakti Bhog Foods in the year 2015.

The winning team of producer Ricky Singh Bedi and directors Ranadeep Bhattacharyya & Judhajit Bagchi were awarded with the prestigious Cannes Dolphin trophy along with special diplomas at the special Awards Ceremony today at the Palm Beach Cannes. The international jury declared Passion Film as a winner in this highly competitive creative competition that received over 1000 top entries from across the globe.

The same film has also been declared as the winner of a Gold Stevie Award at the 13th Annual International Business Awards, the Worlds premier business awards programme receiving entries from more than 60 nations, to be held on October 21, 2016 in Rome, Italy. Its is again the only Indian film to win this prestigious award this year being felicitated in Toronto last year for their previous corporate image film on Shakti Bhog.

The jury commented on this 5-minute film that showcases the amazingly turbulent journey of edible oils processed by BL Agro as being the most beautiful film on mustard oil with gorgeous cinematography and being somewhat poetic.

Ecstatic after their win, the director duo said, It was challenging to work on a humble Desi oil brand from Bareilly and yet create a mark in the international arena with stiff competition from the best creative minds from across the globe. This would not have possible without the trust and unmatched support from our producer Ricky Singh Bedi. We are delighted with this recognition at Cannes for the second time.

It is such a great honour to win a Cannes Dolphin, and this being twice in a row is a major accomplishment for our agency. Despite having limitations we have never compromised on quality & our passion which drives our work to be nothing less than the best remarks founder producer of the agency Ricky Singh Bedi.

The winning team also includes Sylvester Fonseca and Varun Sud who are behind the exemplary cinematography for the film with soundtrack by Hollywood music composer Aron Latina. Filmfare award winning sound designer Anil K. has mixed the films track along with styling for the ad done by Goldwin Fonseca.
The leaders of the worlds most powerful political party gather in Beijing on Monday for a conclave that could change the course of Chinese history.

In meetings at the exclusive Jinxi Hotel, safe from the publics prying eyes, nearly 400 top members of the Chinese Communist Party will confer for four days, discussing changes to how the giant party will be managed.

The meeting, according to the official Xinhua News service, will focus on the issue of party discipline.

The dry rhetoric hides what may be a ferocious, high-stakes battle for control over the worlds second largest economy.

The Sixth Plenum, as the meeting is known, comes as the party  which has more than 88 million members  faces a period of tectonic change.

Since taking its helm in 2012, General Secretary Xi Jinping has sought to bend it to his will, and taken control of more levers of power than any leader since Mao Zedong.

And his anti-corruption campaign has laid waste to the partys organisational chart, felling seemingly invincible bastions of power such as former security czar Zhou Yongkang, and paralysing lesser bureaucrats across the nation with fear.

Xi has described the party as a magic weapon that can be used to implement reforms necessary to achieve his goal of the Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, an idea that he frequently describes as the Chinese dream.

But attempts to rein in sclerotic state-owned enterprises  which control strategic sectors of the economy and are sources of patronage for powerful politicians  have met stiff resistance from entrenched interests.

These reforms have really gone nowhere over the last three years, said Anthony Saich, an expert on Chinese politics at Harvard University.

Clearly, Xi sees the party as the only vehicle that can push ahead with reforms. He does not trust society or the state to move ahead with the reforms he wants.

At the meeting, he added, there will be jockeying between those who enjoy Xis support and those who are negatively affected by the campaign against corruption and by the potential for further reforms of the state-owned sector.

For Xi, improving party discipline means more than simply reducing cadres bad behaviour.

He has been very ambitious in grabbing power, in arrogating powers to himself, said Willy Lam, a China expert at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

The major motivation of any new rules passed during the plenum will be to consolidate (Xis) position as the big boss, he said.
[dropcap]C[/dropcap]hina directed that India is using the fight against terror for political gains in what appears to be a reference to New Delhis high-profile Pakistan-centric anti-terrorism campaign. Without naming either India or Pakistan, vice-foreign minister Li Baodong said that no country should have double standards on terrorism or use it for political gains. China never trusted India and always shielded Pakistan and poked its nose in South Asian countries affairs. Their comments come at a time, when it is getting suspicious about our friendship with the United States, closeness to Japan, and naval cooperation in the East and South China Seas with these countries. It is India that has room for grave suspicion about Chinas closeness to Pakistan. India cannot afford to overlook this as long as this unholy nexus continues, while shaping its policy towards China. Eternal vigilance over the activities of these two friends should be from our side on the borders.

If there is a second reprobate state in the Far East, it is China. It claims all the South China Sea to itself. It is creating artificial islands and is militarizing them. It has disputes with all its neighbours including Japan, South Korea, Vietnam and Philippines due to its greedy territorial claims. It is claiming fishing rights on Indonesian waters thousands of kilometres away whereas Indian fishermen are taken prisoners by Sri Lankan Navy every day on the pretext that they have crossed the MBL by a few hundred metres. Now, it has blocked notification on notorious terrorist Masood Azhar.

India should not forget its 1962 war because history has the notoriety of repeating itself. We cannot ignore Chinas friendship with Pakistan, providing nukes for test detonation, fighter jets, CPEC crossing PoK and many more to provoke India. India did well by allying with USA. In future, USA may move for manufacturing goods from China to India. Chinas biggest threat is India, which has millions of cheap labour which could replace Chinese manufacturing capability in future.

Every sovereign country pursues its national interest and India is emerging as a great power in the world. It is the brightest spot in beleaguered world economy now. It is not like Nepal which is dependent on other countries. Both India and China are having a mutually beneficial relationship  which has a potential for further strengthening  and stand their own grounds. With recalibration of the policy towards further cementing of the bilateral relations and dispelling the misgivings from both sides, China can come around to accept Indias claim for NSG. China cannot treat itself as a super power. With the backing of US and other majority of member countries in NSG, membership is within reach of India especially when India has already got a onetime waiver from NSG for its nuclear deal with US in 2005.

As a nation, we must internalise such an approach. This does not call for being blindly venturesome, courting risk and conflict with China, but more boldness and deftness in safeguarding the Indian interest through well-thought-out and nuanced steps to build even closer relations with like-minded democracies like the United States and Japan, while consolidating internal strength and resilience. Steps to further enhance strategic and defence cooperation with these countries, as also fulfilling the promise and potential of the India-US civilian nuclear cooperation agreement in an expeditious manner, should be a part of this process. At the same time, existing dialogue mechanisms and trade and economic linkages with China should continue to be maintained at an even pace.

After amid tension between India and Pakistan, where former is insisting on action against the latter which is supplier of terrorists, Chinese mercilessly stalling NSG membership for India and avoiding banning global terrorist Masood Azhar just because we are supporting Dalai Lama is not good. Dalai Lama fled his country due to the oppressive Chinese rule in Tibet. He has not been politically or militarily active from India, whereas Masood Azhar, a terrorist is working from the Pakistan to kill innocent people. China shouldnt be lecturing others on adhering to international law or pursuing political gains in the name of counter-terrorism.

Given the residual bitterness of the past, this is the default option. There are already manifestations of this in the public space. The Prime Minister speaks of multi-alignment, of dexterity in transacting foreign relations. During the reign of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, Indo-China relations were revived and developed despite the border dispute and conflicts, because India pursued a pragmatic policy of Non-Alignment  diplomatically as well as militarily. However, Modi government, the golden boy of Western powers (Global Times China) has decidedly turned West-Aligned/USs major defence partner. Our effort to become a member of the NSG may not have been immediately successful. However, it has certainly exposed China as having few friends in the world and without a single other nation in the NSG group of 48 on its side. Within days of the Seoul meet, the Chief negotiator of China has been replaced while the US has warned that a single country cannot prevent consensus. However, our experts and media behave as it was our failure. Let us not forget that more than 100 countries voted against India at the UN General Assembly in 1971 while only six supported our position on Bangladesh. That did not deter Indira Gandhi in the least. Fear of failure cannot be the basis of our foreign policy. Sooner or later, full membership in the NSG is inevitable.

(Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us on feedback@afternoonvoice.com)
He had already sneaked out from the country on October 5 before police could nab him.

Sagar alias Shaggy Thakkar has already fled from the country in the early hours of October 5, when Thane Police was raiding his call centres. According to sources he might have left for Dubai. The teams of Crime Branch of Thane had already conducted raids at fake call centre after the call centre scam surfaced. They had raided seven call centres in Mira Road in the multi-crore scam involving cheating of US citizens posing as officials of US Tax Department. Sagars name was disclosed during the interrogations when about 70 directors and key persons along with 700 employees of those call centres were detained in connection with the case.

The police had raided the call centres on the night of October 4-5. A LOC (Look Out Circular) was already issued by the police against Shaggy on October 7, two days after his escape. They learnt about Sagar alias Shaggy after interrogating arrested directors. However, Shaggy had already left the country on October 5 before police could nab him.

His elder sister Reema another prime accused  also fled the country from New Delhi on October 8. The police are currently trying to investigate how both the key accused fled the country and have approached immigration authorities in this regard.

Shaggy has been living a lavish lifestyle as he was regularly spotted partying late night in Mumbai. He was fond of high-end cars and was usually accompanied by around a dozen bouncers. Shaggy was mentored by Jagdish Kanani at the age of 16. He received training from Kanani who had worked at various call centres abroad. Thus Shaggy started making fake calls to US citizens and also cheated them.

Police are now trying to obtain information from immigration authorities about how both the key accused fled the country. Police suspect that Shaggy and his sister have collected millions by cheating US nationals, in their personal accounts.

Meanwhile, investigators told a court in Thane that they have identified transactions worth Rs 25-30 crore in the call centre scam till now and that it will take a long time for them to arrive at the actual figure given the magnitude of the scandal.
More than 300 volunteers comprising employees of Kalpataru Group, Thanes flagship Mall KORUM and its patrons, and residents of Siddhachal and Tarangan societies participated in the Majhe Sunder Thane (My City Clean Thane) initiative organized by Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) yesterday morning.

These volunteers participated in the cleanup of the service road outside KORUM Mall and the vicinity of Siddhachal and Tarangan societies, Thane.

Majhe Sunder Thane organized by the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) involved the community coming together to clean public spaces across the city such as roads, railway stations, malls, community recreation areas, residential and commercial complexes, among others. Thousands of enthusiastic participants from all over Thane participated in the hugely successful drive.

Kalpataru Group has a strong community outreach programme spanning Education, Preventive Healthcare and Environment Conservation. The companys employee volunteering programme Sparsh provides a platform for employees to contribute their time, skills and resources towards identified community outreach activities. The company is also actively involved with the Rashtriya Netra Yagna intervention which seeks to reduce avoidable blindness.

Kalpataru Group recently sponsored the creative makeover of 4 railway stations on the Central and Western suburban lines in Mumbai, which included Thane, Mulund, Santacruz and Goregaon, under the Hamara Station Hamari Shaan initiative. Employees from Kalpataru along with other volunteers cleaned and painted booking windows, platform entrances, railings and foot over-bridges to transform the look and feel of these stations.
Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday poked fun at the meeting called by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadanavis to resolve the imbroglio over the release of Karan Johars Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, which was facing threat by MNS over the casting of Pakistani actor Fawad Khan.

I have not got details about the meeting. But I have news that all three (Fadnavis, Johar and Raj Thackeray) have decided to produce a movie. The name has also been finalised. It is titled Yeh to Hona hi Tha, Thackeray said.

On Saturday, Fadanavis mediated a meeting between MNS chief Raj Thackarey and the makers of the film, at his residence Varsha in Mumbai to cool tempers and facilitate the smooth release of the movie after MNS called off its agitation.

MNS had been vehemently protesting against the screening of movies featuring Pakistani actors and artists post the Uri terror attacks, which claimed the lives of 19 soldiers.

Responding to a question, Thackeray said Shiv Sena did not participate in the protests alongside MNS as they (Sena) were gauging the situation.

We decided to keep aloof and see who takes what stand on this issue, Thackeray said refusing to answer any further question on the controversy.

Sometimes it is better not to answer a few questions, he said, adding people are wise enough to judge the situation.

Johars Ae Dil Hai Mushkil had been embroiled in a controversy over the past few weeks after the MNS raised a flag against it, thus putting a question mark on the fate of the movie, slated for a Diwali release on October 28.

Veteran actress Shabana Azmi has criticised Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, saying he brokered deal with Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) instead of enforcing law and order, amid the row around the release of Karan Johars Ae Dil Hai Mushkil.

What a sorry state of affairs! CM brokers deal and buys patriotism for 5 crores! After Home minister had promised peaceful passage for #ADHM, Azmi, 66, posted on Twitter.

Sangh Parivar speaks in different voices most blatant expression is CM MHRSTA brokering deal with MNS instead of enforcing law and order for ADHM release.

Further slamming MNS, Azmi said that the party of noone to decide peoples patriotism.

MNS will decide whether I am patriotic or not? I bow to the Indian Constitution, Raj Thackeray does not. Whose patriotism needs questioning?
Video Shows Assyrian, Iraqi Troops in Liberated Assyrian Village

FRANCE 24 brings you an exclusive report from the newly liberated Christian city of Bartella, located close to Mosul in Iraq. The Golden Brigade, Iraq's anti-terrorist division, recaptured the town from the Islamic State (IS) group on Thursday. The brigade's first action after the liberation was to place a cross on the dome of the town's church, which had been destroyed by the IS group. Bartella, once home to thousands of Assyrian Christians, emptied in August 2014 when IS group seized the town as part of a lightning blitz across large swathes of Iraq and Syria. The IS group issued an ultimatum to the Christians of the town: pay a tax, convert to Islam, or die by the sword. The town's residents fled. In the wake of this invasion, locals from the town and surrounding Mosul region formed a militia known as the Forces of the Plain of Nineveh. "Our aim is to defend our land. We must never re-live what we have just been through with Daesh [the Arabic acronym for the Islamic State group]. Our people are scattered, our children are dead, we had to live in tents. Now I want to send a message to my people: Bartella is liberated," one of the fighters told FRANCE 24. Iraq launched a long-awaited operation on Monday aimed at retaking Mosul, its second largest city, which fell to the IS group in 2014. It is the largest operation undertaken by Iraqi forces since the 2003 US-led invasion and is expected to take weeks, if not months. For the liberators of Bartella, this means waiting for the Islamic State group to be completely driven out of the region before bringing their families safely home.
October 23, 2016

CAIRO  Egypt has witnessed a severe crisis in its relations with Saudi Arabia, the most potent ally of the Egyptian political regime that came to power following the June 30, 2013, popular protests that led to the fall of the Muslim Brotherhoods regime. The crisis was prompted by Egypt's voting in a UN Security Council session Oct. 10 to support Russias draft resolution concerning the situation in Syria.

The Russian draft resolution called for bringing humanitarian aid into besieged areas, urging all parties to halt offensive operations and stressing that moderate Syrian opposition forces must separate from Jabhat Fatah al-Sham  formerly known as Jabhat al-Nusra. The draft was unacceptable to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which seeks to depose the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and which viewed Egypts vote for the resolution as a deviation from the Arab position.

Abdullah al-Mouallami, Saudi Arabia's representative to the United Nations, launched the kingdoms first open attack on Egypt, describing the Egyptian representatives vote in the Security Council for the Russian draft resolution concerning the Syrian situation as painful. He said, It was painful that the stances taken by Senegal and Malaysia were much closer to the agreed-upon Arab decision than the stance of an Arab delegate  the Egyptian one. Though this is a dark day for the Syrian people, they do not know the meaning of darkness or despair and, God Almighty permitting, will prevail.

These aggressive statements made by the kingdoms representative drove the Egyptian Foreign Ministry to respond. Ambassador Ahmed Abu Zaid, a ministry spokesman, said the Saudi accusations against Egypt of deviating from the Arab consensus on the Syrian issue by voting for the Russian draft proposal were not accurate and did not reflect reality. He stressed that Egypt had voted in favor of the content of the resolution, not the state that sponsored the draft, and that Egypt could never stand against a draft resolution that called for a cease-fire, bringing in humanitarian aid and fighting the terrorism confronting the brotherly Syrian people.

The day following the Egyptian vote, Hamda Abd al-Aziz, the official spokesman for the Saudi Oil Ministry, said that the Saudi company Aramco  the largest oil company in the world  had informed the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation orally that it would not be exporting to Egypt petrol products ranging from diesel to gasoline that had been set monthly at 700,000 tons as part of an agreement between Egypt and the kingdom for a period of five years.

Abd al-Aziz added, Aramco informed us that it would be halting the set shipments to Egypt throughout the month of October without mentioning any reasons. We do not know whether this decision stems from technical reasons, commercial reasons or other reasons.

Tweeting under the hashtag #Halting_Oil_Supplies_To_Egypt, Saudi writer Abd al-Rahman Saud discussed the decision to halt supplying Egypt with petrol shipments on his personal Twitter account. In his words, seeking to awaken political and cultural elites of the time lost is less painful than the loss of billions of riyals, which our compatriots are in need of. Many Egyptian journalists began to embark on a brutal battle with the Saudi kingdom over the overt pressure it was exerting on the Egyptian regime as well as the harsh criticisms it was leveling at Cairo.

And so on Oct. 12, media figure Ahmad Moussa, known for his close ties to the ruling regime in Egypt, launched a blistering attack on Saudi Arabia on his TV program "Suda al-Balad," saying, No one can pressure Egypt with flour, or petrol, or gas, or weapons or even dollars. Egypts decision-making ability is independent, and no one may interfere in it. We dont want help or aid from anyone, and no interventions either. We reject all of it. Any state can stop to aid us if it wishes; there are plenty of others. He concluded, If Egypt wasnt around, you wouldnt be around.  Egypts survival means the Arab worlds survival.

Ibrahim Issa also attacked Saudi Arabia on the show "Al-Qahirah Wan-Nass," saying, What youre seeing is states like Libya, Yemen, Iraq, Syria in civil wars because of Wahhabi policies in the region. Every crisis that happens in Arab countries is because of those policies. They caused the destruction that were living through now in our Arab society.

On Oct. 13, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi spoke about the crisis in relations between Egypt and Saudi Arabia at an educational seminar organized by the Department of Morale Affairs for the Armed Forces, saying, Egypt has adopted an independent policy seeking to secure Arab national security through adopting a national vision. Our position toward the Syrian crisis is fixed and will not change. It relies upon finding a political solution to the present crisis, maintaining the unity of Syrian territories and respecting the will of the Syrian people. Furthermore, armed groups must be disarmed and Syria must be rebuilt.

He concluded his remarks by saying that Egypt bows to no one but God alone, in a veiled reference to the pressures being brought to bear by the kingdom.

Prominent journalist and writer Alaa Abd al-Hadi told Al-Monitor, There is certainly a crisis between Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Denying it helps no one. However, we must identify the limits of this crisis and [emphasize] our ability to move past it. Both Egyptian and Saudi media must cease inflaming it further, casting blame at the other side. It is very unfortunate that the media, whether Egyptian or Saudi, have played such a fundamental role in igniting the crisis between the two sides and further aggravating it.

He added, In my estimation, the main reason for the existence of a crisis between the two countries is a combination of two main issues: Yemen and Syria. Each country has adopted a different approach to both the Yemeni and Syrian crises. In Yemen, Egypt has taken a clear direction in rejecting any ground intervention. Everyone knows about Egypts [negative] experience in intervening in Yemen during the era of President Gamal Abdel Nasser; however, the kingdom of Saudi Arabia supports a ground intervention in Yemen. As for the Syrian situation, both sides agree on the importance of ending the crisis and staunching the Syrians bleeding. But there is a fundamental difference between the two sides pertaining to the mechanism for bringing about the end of the crisis. Saudi Arabia believes that Assads regime must be ousted from power, while Egypt believes in purging the opposition [of bad actors], halting the Syrians bleeding and waging counterterrorism to solve the Syrian crisis. This crisis will not end unless every country understands that the other side is justified in establishing its own foreign policy in accordance with its independent interests and vision.
October 20, 2016

Mohammed Dahlan, the former Palestinian security head, is preparing for his moment of return. A Palestinian official close to Dahlan told Al-Monitor that the Palestinian general was very dismayed with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas decision to partake in former President Shimon Peres funeral on Sept. 30. Thus, he intends to use the public tumult around Abbas cooperation with Israel, including on security cooperation, to possibly return in the foreseeable future to the West Bank and to Palestinian politics, eyeing for the top.

Israeli officials are intrigued by Dahlan and his political prospects. There is a similar interest within the Palestinian Authority about the possible re-entry of retired Gen. Ehud Barak into Israeli politics. Both men are seen by the opposite side as a possible hope for more pragmatic policies.

A senior PLO official who spoke to Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity said that former Prime Minister Barak is a well-known figure to Palestinians. We like him about as much as he likes us, he said ironically. Our experience with him is bitter. He is a narrow-minded occupation general, who, as prime minister, fooled late [PLO] President Yasser Arafat and US President Bill Clinton about having moderate proposals on the issues of borders and East Jerusalem; while, in reality, his positions were extremely hawkish. He was looking to blame Arafat for the failure of the talks in Camp David in the year 2000, he argued.

On the other hand, the official praised Barak for having said that if he were Palestinian, he would have been a terrorist. He added that, given the Netanyahu governments annexation policies, any more pragmatic alternative must be looked at with interest.

The Palestinians do more than just observe the Israeli political scene; they actively gather information about it from a multitude of political and media sources. They are very critical of Barak for a multitude of reasons. They estimate that he considers the use of force as a solution to political problems and that he is distrustful of everybody, especially of Palestinians, toward whom he is very condescending. His policy proposals do not come close to what the Palestinians perceive as realistic compromise positions on the issues of borders and security.

On the other side, the PLO official recognized some advantages from a Palestinian point of view, should Barak one day replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He said that the Palestinians know that Barak is a fervent believer in a two-state solution and that he considers the settlements to be a burden for Israels security. According to Palestinian estimation, the fact that Barak attributes great importance to US-Israel relations could drive him to work closely with the US administration on a two-state solution. His main advantage, concluded the Palestinian official, is that he is not Netanyahu.

In Israel, there is a similar sense of ambiguity toward the possibility of Dahlan returning to the West Bank. He is well-known to many in Israels defense establishment and to former negotiators with the Palestinians. Dahlan played a major role in the Oslo process and its aftermath. He advised Arafat and took pragmatic positions in the security portfolio of the negotiations.

A senior Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs official, who spoke to Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, said that Egypt is pressuring Abbas to allow the entry of Dahlan into the West Bank. There are, in the Israeli view, pros and cons to Dahlan re-entering the ranks of Palestinian leadership.

On the negative side, said the Israeli source, while Dahlan believes in a two-state solution, he does not rule out violence as a way of making Israelis pay a price for the political stalemate. He has the nature of a tyrant, does not tolerate opposition and will use the Palestinian intelligence to quell it. The source added that Dahlan is unpopular among most Palestinians, mainly due to his alleged corruption. He is very rich and uses his wealth to bolster his position in the West Bank. Most Palestinians do not want a Dahlan dictatorship. The source estimates that despite being opposed to Hamas, Dahlan may opt for a partnership with it, as he has roots and family in Gaza.

On the other side, said the source, Dahlan has made many friends in Israel, especially in the defense establishment. He has a common language of force and pragmatism with people like former Shin Bet Chief Yuval Diskin and former Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi.

Indeed, Dahlan knows Israel, knows Israelis and is fluent in Hebrew, which could help the Palestinians renew a dialogue with the Israelis. Dahlan is a ruthless former general who could quell violence in and from the West Bank. His positions on a two-state solution are based on the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative and on a willingness to establish a Palestinian state based on pragmatic security positions. Should he decide to move in the future toward a peace process, he is both pragmatic and a deal-maker.

Not only that  he has the backing of the pragmatic Arab states such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Egypt especially could persuade him to take a pragmatic path.

With Barak and Dahlan possibly appearing again on Israeli and Palestinian political arenas, one should take into account the following: the political leaderships on both sides have failed in recent years to advance a peace process. It may be time to give the generals a chance.
October 21, 2016

Watching news coverage of the Oct. 19 presidential debate leaves the impression that Donald Trump is dead set on challenging next months election if it doesnt go his way.

What Im saying is that I will tell you at the time, Trump told moderator Chris Wallace of Fox News. Ill keep you in suspense. OK?

The backlash has been brutal.

Newspapers around the country called him a threat to US democracy. High-ranking Republicans continued to distance themselves from their sinking presidential nominee. Pundits predictably piled on.

Trump, true to self, doubled down the following day with a coy promise to accept the election results if I win.

But what is Trump actually saying?

Remember that in the first presidential debate on Sept. 26, the billionaire businessman flatly told moderator Lester Holt of NBC News that If she wins, I will absolutely support her. But when Wallace asked him to basically concede in advance without caveats, Trump refused.

In effect, Im being asked to waive centuries of legal precedent designed to protect voters, Trump elaborated at a rally in Ohio on Oct. 20. Of course I would accept a clear election result, but I would also reserve my right to contest or file a legal challenge in the case of a questionable result.

To be fair, the only reason Trump is receiving so much criticism  indeed the only reason Wallace asked the question in the first place  is because of his dire warnings that the election is rigged. During the debate, Trump only mentioned what he calls biased media coverage, but in other contexts he has accused Democrats of trying to steal the vote, to the dismay of election officials around the country.

On the flip side, it has always been fair game to challenge election results when they are in doubt, for whatever reason.

Remember that in 2000, sitting Vice President Al Gore refused to concede to George W. Bush for 36 days while Florida proceeded with its frantic recount. Only on Dec. 12, 2000, did the Supreme Court vote 5-4 to overturn the Florida Supreme Court ruling that had ordered the recount, in effect giving Bush the presidency by 537 Florida votes.

"While I strongly disagree with the court's position, I accept it," Gore said at the time.

Trump now trails Clinton by 6.3 percentage points (48.5% Clinton to 42.2% Trump), according to the latest RealClearPolitics polling average. One of the few pieces of good news for Trumps campaign is that Clinton is almost as disliked as he is, with just over 61% of voters disliking him versus 53% for Clinton.

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"I will follow and abide by all the rules and traditions of all of the many candidates who came before me, always, Trump said Oct. 20.

In the unlikely event that he loses by a razor-thin margin come Election Day, that could mean challenging the results. Americas founding fathers wouldnt have wanted it any other way.
October 21, 2016

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip  Gaza is getting ready to launch its first film studies major in the Palestinian territories in January 2017. The university program will be implemented in universities, as hundreds of students wishing to major in cinematography and film studies are unable to travel abroad to pursue their studies given the closure of crossings in the Gaza Strip, namely the Rafah crossing.

Although launching the program could be a bumpy ride given the lack of the necessary equipment, such as school curricula and other work equipment, the program organizers, a group of people who hold university degrees from art faculties in Egypt, are seeking to bring in some material from abroad or tap into the available modest tools in Gaza after having obtained preliminary approval by the Ministry of Culture in early October.

Mai Nayef, an academic and one of the people in charge of the program, told Al-Monitor, The main reason behind this initiative is the lack of any film and cinematography major in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, despite the large number of students who wish to pursue this career.

She added, Gaza, in particular, is a fertile ground for the success and growth of such an initiative. The drama works and art projects that are produced every year, which culminate during the month of Ramadan through TV series and programs, are further proof of Gazas ability to thrive in this domain."

Nayef noted that the produced works by Gazan directors, filmmakers and photographers are made on an ad hoc basis and are drawn from their own personal experience without having acquired any scientific or academic expertise. Therefore, many Gazan artists and workers in the cinema industry will seek to enhance their skills through this new academic specialization. She also said that her group has been contacted by several directors, cinematographers and scriptwriters inquiring about the programs schedule and admission dates.

She added that the needed textbooks will be brought in from Egypt given the scarcity of the necessary teaching material in Gazas libraries, stressing that her group is seeking to conclude an agreement with the Academy of Arts in Egypt for the procurement of the textbooks. This is in addition to contracting with some Egyptian academics to give lectures through video conferences and Skype calls.

Mohammed al-Bayoumi, a holder of a doctorate degree in cinematography from Egypts Academy of Arts and one of the programs creators, expects the program to have a high turnout of students who are interested in cinema studies.

He stressed that the programs administrators will focus on both theory and practice during the studies to ensure that the students will acquire the necessary experience to engage in the labor market.

Bayoumi told Al-Monitor that the program will be focusing on acting, script writing, film directing and cinematography. He expects that after completion of the two-year program, students will be able to engage in the labor market and participate in big film festivals in Gaza and abroad.

He stressed that several conditions were implemented for selecting educators, saying that applicants must hold a university degree in film studies, have experience in this domain and have won some awards for their productions and works.

Palestinian director Abdullah al-Ghoul told Al-Monitor, This program is a great opportunity for many directors, actors and cinematographers in Gaza. Although they have acquired experience through work, they seek to obtain a degree in this domain.

He noted that the many social, political and economic events and developments in Gaza can be shown to the world through short films and even TV series. Ghoul expressed hope that such a step would shift the attention back to the Palestinian cinema industry that burgeoned in the 1930s.

Gaza used to have 10 film theaters, first of which was al-Samer Cinema, established in 1944 in central Gaza. However, all of them are out of service. Some theaters were demolished, some were completely shut down, while other theaters were turned into public facilities. Gazas cinemas used to play Arab and Western movies brought in from abroad.

Lina Bukhari, the head of the cinema department at the Palestinian Ministry of Culture, told Al-Monitor that the ministry supports such initiatives to promote the Palestinian cinema industry, stressing that this domain is highly advanced in the Gaza Strip in comparison with the West Bank.

She also stressed that concerted efforts between Gaza University, which will be launching the film studies program, and the Ministry of Culture along with other institutions could lead to a new strong infrastructure to serve as a launch pad for the program. This is especially true in terms of providing necessary academic equipment, material and references.

Photographer Alaa Suleiman, who is eagerly waiting to enroll in the program, told Al-Monitor that she is seeking to be admitted to the film studies program as she aspires to become a filmmaker. She said that she has been working as a photographer at a TV station because university majors in Gaza are limited to audiovisual and printed media.

Aspiring students must be holders of a high school diploma to be able to enroll in this new program.

Suleiman also said that she is expecting some difficulties down this path, as the film industry is seen as reserved for men only. She noted that she has faced some hardships when she first started working at Al-Aqsa TV three years ago, but she shrugged off all criticism.

Nuhad Abu Saleh, a Palestinian high school student, told Al-Monitor that he was considering stopping the enrollment procedures in the Fine Arts Faculty at Al-Aqsa University and will wait to apply for the new program at Gaza University that is scheduled to start in the beginning of 2017.

Saleh said he is passionate about acting, especially since he has taken part in many successful experiences during his school years. He sees the program as a way to develop his skills through scientific study so as to gain more experience and academic credentials.

Eventually it all boils down to the efforts of the trailblazers and their ability to attract students and to overcome the anticipated obstacles, such as acquiring the necessary materials, curricula and staff.
October 20, 2016

Palestinians are proud of the Arab public support for their cause, which can be detected in the intermittent protests that take to the streets in solidarity with them. In October 2015, protests were staged in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Morocco to support the wave of Palestinian attacks on Israelis, which broke out early October of that year. Protests also took place in Arab countries to support Palestinians during the 2014 Israeli war on the Gaza Strip.

Public sympathy, however, outweighs the interest of the official regimes, which have been distracted from the Palestinian cause. Palestinians are worried that their cause might be losing momentum on the agendas of Arab politicians.

On Oct. 6, the Palestinian Ministry of Higher Education called on several of its Arab counterparts to recall textbooks with which Arab students in Jordan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain study because they offend the Palestinian people. The ministry demanded holding the people in charge of adopting the books accountable, because they contradict Palestinian religious and national values and describe resistance as terrorism.

Al-Monitor tried to contact officials from the Ministry of Higher Education in Ramallah to find out more about the ministry's call to education ministries in some Arab countries such as Jordan, Bahrain and the UAE.

But the officials refused to add anything to the published statements, out of fear of giving a misinterpretation, which would push the Palestinian Authority (PA) into a political crisis with other Arab states.

The Palestinian ministry's accusations were targeted at educational institutions affiliated with the International School of Choueifat (SABIS), which is based in Lebanon and has several branches across Arab countries. It includes a group of international schools in the Middle East and was first established in Lebanon in 1886; it then expanded its horizons to the Arab Gulf and the Middle East.

The said errors figured on several pages, including page 166 of the history book written by British writer Aaron Wilkes from Oxford University. He said that Palestinians were committing suicide operations and claiming that Israeli territories are their land. The book also said that Palestinians are terrorists who carry explosive material that are hidden on the bodies of the attacker.

Ayman al-Yazouri, the deputy undersecretary of the Ministry of Higher Education in Gaza, expressed to Al-Monitor his fears that there are "Arab political inclinations to promote the Israeli side of the story in school curricula. There are international schools in several Arab countries that might leak wrong information about the Palestinian cause and highlight the Israeli narrative.

As soon as the Palestinian demand to recall the textbooks was voiced, SABIS schools in Qatar, Jordan, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the UAE were warned by the ministries of education in these countries that the judiciary in those countries may take legal measures against them if they do not withdraw the books from all their branches. The school expressed its resolve to sue the British Oxford University Press that supplied the book and not to tolerate this error.

Abdel Rahman al-Jamal, the head of the Education Committee at the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), told Al-Monitor, "Palestinians are concerned about a possible intellectual and political invasion of Arab curricula on the Palestinian cause. They believe it is an attempt to make it forgotten and absent in the minds of future generations. Besides, the recurrence of such behavior in Arab curricula proves that this was not a spontaneous mistake. Academic experts committed this error deliberately, following Arab politicians' orders, to cave to pressure from Western and Israeli parties and steer clear of transmitting national values to students in Arab schools."

Arab activists recently expressed their distress on social media outlets because of the book's content. They shared a photo of an English-language book that is taught at SABIS and that includes the following sentence: "Suicide bomb explosives are attached to the bomber's body. They approach their target and detonate the bomb. Palestinian terrorists are well-known for this."

Qatari journalist Adnan Abu Hleil told Al-Monitor, "The private and international schools' policy in Arab countries aims at promoting the Israeli side of the Palestinian conflict narrative. This has been seen in several courses like English and social studies. It is not a whimsical mistake because Arab political circles market this Israeli narrative of the Palestinian cause. As a result, Arab ministries of education have to monitor what is taught in their educational institutions."

Arab schools did not only offend Palestinians in their curricula. On Sept. 27, Qatar warned the British Doha College after the school raised the Israeli flag in its playground at the onset of the school year and ignored the Palestinian flag.

On Sept. 17, a school in Kairouwan province in Tunisia forbade a student from entering his class because he insisted on wearing the Palestinian keffiyeh. On Sept. 16, Algeria witnessed a wave of anger after labeling Israel instead of Palestine on the map of Arab nations. As a result, the public demanded dismissing Minister of National Education Nouria Benghabrit. But despite the Algerian parliament's demand on Sept. 19 to dismiss Benghabrit, she remains in her position.

In early September, the Jordanian government amended the school curricula to include paragraphs of normalization with Israel. This sparked anger among Jordanians.

A former Palestinian minister of higher education told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, "It is perplexing that Arab states monitor all publications that enter their territories, especially books with political content. It is likely that these states are aware of the content of their curricula and overlooked the erroneous concepts. But  facing Palestinian calls  those states had to review the curricula against their will. Some of the states that offended the Palestinian cause have good relations with Israel, like Jordan and some Gulf countries."

Perhaps this is the first time that schools in Arab states promote the Israeli side of the Palestinian conflict narrative, amid increasing rapprochement between Israel and several Arab states such as Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, as well as the Gulf Cooperation Council and Maghreb countries in the past few months.

Abdel Moti Agha, a curriculum professor at the Islamic University of Gaza, told Al-Monitor, "The Arab education ministries have the authority to monitor school curricula in all their aspects, including the book cover, and ensure that the content does not contradict the state's policy. Political, historical and national publications are especially delicate and supervised. Therefore, I think there was implicit, undeclared agreement from the Arab governments on the content of the textbooks."

Some Palestinians fear that the declining official Arab interest in their cause might be a prelude to a setback in public interaction with them through schools and educational curricula. The Arab ministries of education are decreasing the educational content related to the Palestinian cause in Arabic textbooks. They might even be promoting the Israeli narrative of the Palestinian conflict at the expense of the Palestinian one. And Palestinians are unhappy with this situation.
October 23, 2016

Erdogan offers to help eject Jabhat Fatah al-Sham from Aleppo

Turkish jets launched a massive assault on Peoples Protection Units (YPG) forces in northern Syria on Oct. 20 to prevent the Syrian Kurdish group from taking the strategic town of al-Bab in northwestern Syria.

If the YPG, which is linked to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), seizes al-Bab, there would be a corridor connecting Syrian Kurdish regions east and west of the Euphrates River  something Turkey has vowed not to let happen.

Amberin Zaman reported that the strikes mark the second time Turkey has attacked the YPG from the air, raising interesting questions about Ankaras relations with Russia and with the Syrian regime. YPG sources who spoke to Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity said Turkey is unlikely to have initiated the strikes without informing Russia, whose planes effectively control the skies over northwestern Syria. Russia and Turkey are on opposite sides of the Syrian conflict, but Ankaras fears of the emergence of a PKK-run Kurdish entity along its borders appear to have surpassed its desire to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad. This is one of the main reasons Turkey was so keen to patch up ties with Russia, and some claim with Damascus, after downing a Russian jet over the Syrian border last year.

Zaman added that Russia will not, however, allow Turkish-backed rebel forces to seize al-Bab, as this could threaten the Syrian governments efforts to retake Aleppo.

YPG sources speculate that Moscow gave the green light for Turkish airstrikes to prevent their forces from moving on to al-Bab. In exchange, [Turkish President Recep Tayyip] Erdogan assured Russian President Vladimir Putin in an Oct. 19 telephone conversation that he would help eject Jabhat Fatah al-Sham, the jihadist group formerly known as Jabhat al-Nusra, from Aleppo. Whether he will, or even can, remains unclear, Zaman wrote.

The removal of Jabhat Fatah al-Sham forces from Aleppo is an interest shared by both Russia and the United States, and its a key element of the UN proposal for Aleppo. This column reported Oct. 9 that UN special envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura had said that he would be willing to personally escort the 1,000 Jabhat Fatah al-Sham fighters out of Aleppo, as they were holding the besieged city hostage. For some reason, the al-Qaeda-linked groups role is left out of many op-eds and Western press accounts of the battle for Aleppo. In addition to the withdrawal of Jabhat Fatah al-Sham fighters, the UN Aleppo proposal seeks a cessation of the bombing by Syrian and Russian forces, an end to shelling of western Aleppo by Jabhat Fatah al-Sham and other armed groups, unimpeded humanitarian access to the city and respect for existing independent local administration.

Erdogans red lines in Mosul

Although Turkish troops have so far stayed out of the battle for Mosul, Erdogan has not backed off on Turkeys claims and red lines for Iraqs second-largest city.

Metin Gurcan reported that since the beginning of the Mosul operation, no one has asked to use any Turkish base for the air attacks, no Turkish air elements have been involved and there has been no artillery fire from Bashiqa. It is clear that Ankara is considerably annoyed by not even taking part in the air operations against Mosul.

Fehim Tastekin added, Turkey has been saying its ground forces have been invited to Iraq by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and Turkmens. But no such request came from either camp. KRG leader Massoud Barzani knows that to consolidate his control of the disputed areas, he needs Baghdad's partnership. That is why he is saying, probably much to Ankaras disappointment, There must be a way to reconcile Ankara and Baghdad about the presence of Turkish soldiers. We dont think a force should participate in the operation without Baghdad's consent. He is simply not playing Ankaras game. In return for his crucial contribution to the operation, Barzani wants to control the area east of the Tigris River that divides the city and to make his de facto rule of Kirkuk a permanent one.



What Ankara wants most, Gurcan reported, is active participation of the Ninevah Guards, which comprise about 3,000 Sunni Arab militias, Turkmens and Kurds under the leadership of Atheel al-Nujaifi, the former governor of Ninevah province. Ankara, by having the Ninevah Guards, which it sees as a balancing force of the Mosul operation in the offensive from the north, wants Baghdad and Tehran to recognize Turkeys role.

Erdogan has conveyed to the United States that his country expects no role in the operation by the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), either as part of some larger peshmerga force or via the Yazidi Sinjar Resistance Units, which is linked to the PKK.

Gurcan explained, The political knot of the operation is what kind of governance there will be in Mosul after the operation. Every power in the region has a different goal: Barzani's KRG wants to control north of Mosul; the PKK dreams of a canton at Sinjar; Nujaifi wants to recover his lost leadership of Mosul; and Shiite Arabs see control of Mosul as part of their regional power struggle that will enable them to dominate the city with US support. Ankaras red lines are summarized as: no mass refugee wave, no entry of Shiite militias into Mosuls center or oppression of the people, and not allowing the PKK to sneak in under the banner of the Sinjar Resistance Units.

Laura Rozen reported that the United States expects as many as a million people to be displaced as a result of the fighting in Mosul.

Preparations have been underway since February for the Mosul campaign, and the United Nations said it had shelters prepared to house 60,000 people, while construction of additional sites to accommodate up to 250,000 people is taking place. But with Iraq already housing 3.3 million internally displaced people before the Mosul operation began, the UN had received only approximately 58% of its 2016 Iraq funding request of $861 million, Rozen wrote.
October 21, 2016

They are the cliches of any campaign: Turnout Matters, The Only Poll That Counts Is the One on Election Day, It All Comes Down to Turnout, Your Vote Counts.

But for Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, who faced off in their last presidential debate Oct. 19, these cliches have come into sharp focus as their attention turns to get-out-the-vote efforts.

And one key weapon in this battle is early voting, particularly for Democrats, who have outpaced Republicans in this regard in every election since 2002.

Thirty-seven states offer some kind of early voting  in person, absentee or by mail  without an excuse needed.

Michael McDonald, an associate professor of political science at the University of Florida and founder of the Elections Project, which tracks turnout, notes that many of those states are battleground states and he predicts high turnout in them.

There are states that have very expansive early voting. In some of the key battleground states were going to see early voting at 50%, two-thirds or maybe even higher. And those states would be places like Florida, North Carolina, and Ohio, Iowa, Colorado and Nevada, he told RealClearPolitics In the Arena podcast.

But there is one key state that doesnt allow for easy early voting  Pennsylvania.

They only have excuse-required absentee voting, so were going to see a low, single-digit usage of early voting in Pennsylvania, so Election Day will matter much more in Pennsylvania than it will in some of these other states, McDonald said.

Clinton has sent an army of surrogates onto the campaign trail to tout her candidacy and urge voters to cast their ballots early.

President Barack Obama was in Miami on Oct. 20, ahead of Floridas early voting, to hammer home that message.

You can vote early.  You can find out where to vote at iwillvote.com.  You can go to the polls, and when you vote early, its not crowded. When you vote early, there are no lines. When you vote early, you can kind of do it on your lunch break. You can do it at your own leisure. You can take your time, he said.

And Obama is headed back to Florida on Oct. 28 to campaign for Clinton in Orlando.

Chelsea Clinton will be in the Buckeye State on Oct. 26, Hillary Clintons birthday, to tell Ohioans that the best birthday gift they can get her mom is a plan to vote early, and to encourage their friends and family to vote early, the Clinton campaign announced.

Michelle Obama has also raised the voting battle cry.

Its not enough to just come to a rally, post a selfie. Elections are still about rolling up your sleeves. Its not enough to just get angry and speak about the change we need. We all need to take action, she said a rally in Charlotte, North Carolina, earlier this month.

We need you to leave here with all the energy and get yourself and everyone you know registered to vote today. And were fortunate because the Clinton campaign is highly organized, so there are a number of volunteers here today who can help.

Team Clinton also has an all-star musical lineup headed to the battleground states to encourage turnout: Katy Perry was in Las Vegas on Oct. 22 and will be in Philadelphia on Nov. 5. Jon Bon Jovi will be in Pittsburgh on Oct. 27 and Tampa on Nov. 5. Jennifer Lopez will be in Miami on Oct. 29, and Miley Cyrus was in Virginia on Oct. 22.

Labor unions are a huge potential boost for Democrats when it comes to early turnout, getting voters registered and getting them out to vote. RealClearPolitics Alexis Simendinger accompanied workers in Philadelphia this past weekend as they encouraged people to register and support Clinton.

More than 3.3 million Americans have already voted, CNN reported as part of its partnership with Catalist, a data company that tracks early voting. And that data shows Democrats have improved their position in North Carolina, Nevada, Arizona and even Utah compared to this point in 2012.

Trump has mentioned early voting on the stump. But his speeches tend to focus on criticism of Clinton, Democrats, the media, fellow Republicans or whomever is in his target zone that day.

At a campaign rally in Delaware, Ohio, on Thursday, the GOP nominee made just one mention of the early voting underway in this critical state for his campaign: Early voting is underway, so make sure to mail in your ballot or vote in person.

In fact, that speech was mostly noteworthy for Trump doubling down on his debate comment that he may not accept the election results. Ironically, such comments can hurt Republican candidates down the ballot and affect early voting.

Here are the states that have early voting and their start dates:
October 21, 2016

Since he was elected as Turkeys president in August 2014, Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been hoping to redesign the Turkish Constitution to introduce an executive presidential system. The July 15 failed coup put that discussion aside for a moment, but not for long. Last week, the leader of the opposition Nationalist Action Party, Devlet Bahceli, who has lately emerged as a political ally of Erdogan, announced that his party could help the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) take the presidential system to a referendum. As a result, political observers began to expect a referendum in early 2017. In fact, government spokesman Hayati Yazici made the plan clear by noting that a constitutional amendment may come to the parliament in January and that a referendum could be held in April.

Given Erdogans popularity, which was only boosted with the public reaction to the coup attempt, the referendum would very likely get a yes vote. This would be followed by an election to choose the new president, a second ballot that Erdogan could easily win. Erdogan, in other words, may well be the first leader of the second Turkish Republic whose political system will revolve around an executive presidency.

What kind of presidency would this be? An answer to this question came from Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag, an Erdogan confidant, last week. [Mustafa Kemal] Ataturks era was presidential system in action, he said, asking, Can you name any prime minister of that era with the exception of [Ismet] Inonu? You cant. This reference to Ataturk surprised some observers, because the conservative/Islamic political camp that Erdogan and his party comes from has traditionally not been a fan of Ataturk and his staunchly secularist era. Turkish-American academic Timur Kuran noted the irony here, tweeting: Turkish Islamists have treated Ataturk's regime as a destructive dictatorship. Now AKP uses Ataturk to justify its own monopoly of power.

In fact, references to Ataturk are not new in the latter-day AKP. When Erdogan launched his election campaign in 2014, he initiated it in Samsun, the city where Ataturk had famously launched Turkeys War of Liberation (1919-1922). Since then, Erdogan has defined his political struggle as Turkeys Second War of Liberation, a claim he repeated with more emphasis in the aftermath of the failed coup. In August 2014, right after being elected president, Erdogan wrote that the gap that emerged between the Turkish people and their president after Ataturks death had been closed only with Erdogan's election.

These positive references about Ataturk by Erdogan and his supporters are not surprising because although Erdogans ideology is very different from that of Ataturk, he is embarking on a similar historical role: Ataturk was an undisputed savior-founder who ruled Turkey single-handedly for decades. Erdogan, too, is now gradually becoming an undisputed savior-founder who may rule Turkey single-handedly for decades.

These parallels can be also seen in the cult of personalities created around Erdogan and Ataturk, which are quite similar. The term baskomutan, or commander in chief, was a common word for Ataturk and is now becoming a common word for Erdogan in the media. Similarly, the word reis (chief), which has become a common title for Erdogan among supporters, is as powerful as ata (father), which traditionally has been used for Ataturk. Fine arts are also used to mobilize the masses for the leader, as the newly produced Erdogan March is very similar to the Ataturk March of the past. A 2014 book had even called Erdogan The Sun of the Age, mimicking a term used for Ataturk throughout the 20th century.

To repeat, none of this means that Erdogan and Ataturk represent the same ideology. Quite the contrary  their worldviews are almost opposite. Ataturk was a secular nationalist who aimed to Westernize the Turks with a revolutionary break from the Ottoman past. Erdogan is an Islamist and Ottomanist who wants to undo some of the Westernizing of the past century. But despite their different ideologies, the two leaders seem to share similar personalities and political ambitions. They both have wanted to lead their nation with a strong hand, without nuisances such as separation of powers and limited government, toward what they see as the ideal.

That should explain why Erdogan is interested in not only guiding Turks politics, but also redefining their history, erasing their bad habits such as alcohol and tobacco and even their right type of bread to eat. One of his main goals is to raise pious generations, just as Ataturk wanted to raise secular generations  not individuals who will decide on their own ways. Just like Ataturk, Erdogan is also interested in reshaping Turkeys universities, which, just like the judiciary, now opens the academic year with a ceremony at Erdogans presidential palace. That palace, also called Bestepe because of its location, is becoming the heart of the nation, just like Cankaya, or Ataturks presidential palace, was. Erdogan also has vowed to cleanse the universities of the professors engaged in high treason, which often simply means inappropriate ideology, in a way very similar to the university reform Ataturk introduced in 1933 in order to purge backward-minded academics.

All this proves is that the centurylong critique of the Ataturk model, or Kemalism, by Turkeys religious conservatives was quite different from the liberal critique of Kemalism, although the two sometimes converged. Liberals have typically opposed Kemalism for being an inherently authoritarian political model. Religious conservatives, however, were apparently only troubled by the content of that authoritarian model. When they found the right content under the right leader, all their troubles with an overbearing state came to an end.

This also means that we should expect more from Erdogan if he stays in power at least for one more decade, which seems quite possible with the presidential system that he may achieve in the next year. Just like Ataturk, he is not interested only in governing the affairs of a nation, but also in refashioning it in his own image. And just like Ataturk famously said after winning the War of Liberation, he may be beginning just now.
On one of the darkest days of her life, Wilsania Rodriguez stood at a sink next to another mom. They scrubbed their hands as tears rolled down their cheeks. Both women were about to visit their premature babies in the neonatal intensive care unit at the University of South Alabama Children's and Women's Hospital in Mobile.

Finally, they locked eyes and said, at the same time, "I'm sorry," not knowing each other's circumstances.

They must have sensed each other's grief. As it turned out, both had been pregnant with twins, and had lost one of them, leaving the other twin in peril.

Since that day, when she was so overwhelmed with emotions - the joy that one daughter, Annalise, had survived, mixed with the uncertainty about Annalise's health, as well as the terrible pain of losing her other daughter, Adriana - Wilsania has grown stronger every day. Annalise is expected to be released from the NICU soon, after spending the first 163 days and counting of her life in the hospital.

Every day, Annalise is bottle-fed the breast milk her mother has diligently pumped since she was born, despite her busy schedule as an internist at Mostellar Medical Clinic in Bayou La Batre. And every morning, her father, Dayanne Grullon, visits the NICU, holding the baby and singing to her before he picks up the couple's toddler, 21/2-year-old Abigail, from Mother's Day Out.

"He's keeping the family together," Wilsania said of her husband, Dayanne - an engineer who is staying at home right now to take care of their children.

On Sunday afternoon from 1 to 3 p.m., USA Children's and Women's Hospital is holding its annual reunion for babies who were treated in its acclaimed NICU. Wilsania and Dayanne look forward to participating in the future. "We'll be coming to these reunions every year," Wilsania said. "We belong here now."

'Not the way it was supposed to be'

After a perfect pregnancy and delivery with their first daughter, Wilsania conceived again with no problem. "We were so excited," she said - and then they learned, at the first ultrasound, that they were expecting twins. "There was joy, but we were also very scared," she said.

She continued to work, but then a routine screening test at 19 weeks came back with an abnormal result, indicating the identical twins might have Down's syndrome. In addition, Wilsania's cervix was short, giving her a greater chance of delivering the babies prematurely. She was put on bed rest.

Her doctor hoped she could hold out until at least 27 or 28 weeks of gestation. Instead, when she was 22 weeks and four days - just 19 days after learning there could be a problem with her babies, and right at the minimum age a baby can survive outside the womb - she went in for her regular checkup with her high-rish OB/GYN. Her cervix was "gone," she said, so she was rushed to USA Children's and Women's, where, six hours later, the twins were delivered via C-section.

Adriana, weighing just 14 ounces, was born first. She didn't cry. Annalise, who weighed 15.5 ounces, did cry, but both tiny babies were in "very bad shape," Wilsania said.

"This was not the way it was supposed to be," she said through her tears in a recent interview at the hospital, as Dayanne gently patted her back.

On the day after she was born, Adriana had a massive brain hemorrhage and died, leaving her parents "so broken," said Wilsania.

"But she left something for Annalise," she said. "To fight."

She believes that Adriana "talked to her sister. She said, 'You can't leave Mama alone. She can't survive losing us both.'"

Annalise was so small that she could fit in the palm of her father's hand. Her head was the size of an egg, her ears weren't completely formed yet, her eyes were closed, her skin translucent.

'She made it'

But she has survived. Annalise now weighs five pounds, six ounces. She has won the hearts of the medical staff at the NICU, where her little corner is always decorated with handmade cards and signs.

"She made it, all because of this wonderful team," Wilsania said. "Annalise has been here so long that she's had three primary nurses. They've been second mamas to my baby. It's been amazing. We are blessed."

Originally from the Dominican Republic, where she and Dayanne met and married, Wilsania completed her residency in Chicago, before moving to Mobile to take a job four years ago. "I know why we ended up in Alabama: because of the NICU," she said. "Annalise was supposed to be born here. This was God's plan, as hard as it's been."

Annalise is expected to be released from the hospital soon - they don't like to use the phrase "going home," said Courtney Thomson, a registered nurse and patient educator. They prefer to call it "going to Disney World." From the beginning, she warned Wilsania and Dayanne that they could expect a roller-coaster ride - and that's what their journey has been.

"It's been a scary one, with so many ups and downs," she said.

Over the past five-and-a-half months, Annalise has undergone four operations on her gastrointestinal tract, her mother said. Meanwhile, Wilsania has experienced most of the stages of grief, including a lot of anger, she said. She has questioned her faith in God. "I lost hope so many times," she admitted.

But over and over, her faith and hope have been restored. Annalise is "normal to me, perfect to me," her mother says.

Wilsania hopes her family's story will inspire others and let them know that a "22-weeker" can beat the odds, especially at a place like USA Children's and Women's. "Hope gets you out of bed every day," she said. "It's what keeps us alive, gives us strength to keep going, keep moving."

For more information about USA Children's and Women's annual NICU reunion, call the hospital at (251) 415-1000.
Little River Canyon fire

(Courtesy of Alabama Park Rangers)

The National Park Service is asking drivers to avoid a section of Highway 35 Sunday morning due to a fire at Little River Canyon National Preserve.

The roadway will be closed from Little River Falls at Highway 176 to Blanche at Highway 273, beginning at 10 a.m. for approximately two hours.

Officials from Little River Canyon National Preserve are battling the fire, which has already consumed over 100 acres in the Martha's Falls area near Highway 35.

Park Rangers said heavy smoke is expected in the area, and motorists should drive slowly and use their headlights.

Drivers should also expect traffic from emergency vehicles.

Alabama Forestry Commission bulldozers, air tanker drops, and helicopter drops are being used to combat the flames. The National Park Service team from Natchez Trace is en route.
A man who fled the scene of a fatal accident on Thursday has been captured by Alabama State Troopers.

Tomas Hugo, 25, was arrested and charged with felony leaving the scene of an accident.

Hugo was taken to the Walker County Jail on a $100,000 bond.

The accident happened around 2 p.m. Thursday on Highway 69 northbound. The incident involved Hugo's vehicle and a 1995 Honda Nighthawk motorcycle.

A 9-year-old Jasper boy, who was a passenger on the motorcycle, was pronounced dead on the scene. The motorcycle driver, 23-year-old Jason Key, was taken to UAB Hospital.

Troopers did not give any updates on Key's condition.
A large Saturday afternoon apartment fire in Huntsville displaced nine people and injured a firefighter.

Eight units of the apartment complex located on Laurelwood Lane were damaged by fire, smoke and water, WHNT reported. Six of the units were occupied by eight adults and one child.

A firefighter was injured by a falling beam and was treated for minor injuries at Huntsville Hospital.

A resident reported he was cooking dinner when he "saw smoke and a flash," the news station reported. He then saw his couch was on fire.
Sitting in the northeast corner of the state, Jackson County is ground zero for Alabama's drought that's now consumed the entire state. While dry conditions and sparse rain have spread from the Shoals to the coast, Jackson County has suffered longer and harder than any other region.

"It's an agricultural disaster," said Jackson County farmer Phillip Thompson.

"It's epic. It's really bad," said Themika Sims, Jackson County coordinator of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.

What does a harsh drought look like at ground zero?

Crop yields are only about one-third of what they usually are for this year, Thompson said.

The lack of rain has killed grazing areas, which has forced farmers to begin feed hay to their cattle six months earlier than normal. And that creates concern for having enough hay to last the winter.

With no income because of no crops to sell, farmers can't spend money, which undermines the local economy.

Hundreds of wildfires have scorched the rural county, Scottsboro fire chief Gene Necklaus said.

Jackson County predominantly has a shallow soil base, Sims said, which means it could be vulnerable to damaging erosion once the rain returns.

"We just visited a farm this week and the farmer, he was 85 years old, and he said he's been farming all his life and he said it's the worst he's ever seen," Sims said.

Thompson raises soybeans, corn, cattle and cuts hay on his 500-acre farm near Woodville.

"I'm not going to make any money at all this year," Thompson said. "I've been a farmer for 45 years. Probably three years out of 45 that I've failed to make any income. But I didn't really necessarily go backward. This year, I'm looking to be behind the eight-ball. I'm going to be going backward."

This is what it looks like at ground zero of Alabama's drought.

The drought truly began in May in Alabama, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. The drought monitor's alarming shades of orange, eventually giving way to red and eventually a menacing shade of dark red all began in Jackson County before filtering down to surrounding counties, then the central part of the state and finally all the way to Mobile.

The latest update from the drought monitor last week declared that 98.48 percent of the state was suffering from some type of drought.

For Jackson County, it's been exceptional drought - the drought monitor's highest level - for two weeks now and, before that, extreme drought since July.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture in July declared a drought disaster for Jackson and neighboring DeKalb County. It allows farmers in those counties - as well as contiguous counties Madison, Cherokee, Etowah and Marshall - to receive federal assistance.

But those funds won't be available until next year, Thompson said.

The county top agricultural crops are soybeans and corn. Thompson, president of the Jackson County Farmers Federation, said that those crops were little better than a complete loss this year.

"With low commodity prices and low yields, it's an ugly picture," he said. "It's bad."

Sims said corn production was "pretty much wiped out" and "yields are going to be low on the soybeans."

The cattle industry is suffering as well. Feeding hay out of season costs money and Sims said that may force some cattlemen to consider selling older cattle rather than paying to feed them through the winter.

"Right now, even selling, the prices are low," Sims said. "You can sell and you don't want to have to take them through the winter, but when you sell them, you're not going to get much of a profit."

Then there is the anticipation of a hay shortage. The Alabama Extension office has established a website to provide farmers drought-related resources and even a link to shop for hay online.

Most of the hay listings, though, are in the Black Belt region or near the coast. Thompson said there is a hay broker in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee that is much closer for Jackson County farmers than south Alabama. Much of that hay, Thompson said, is arriving from New Mexico, Colorado, Oklahoma and northern Texas.

It's also, Thompson said, not cheap to buy hay in Tennessee that has come from that far away.

"When I don't have money to spend, like other people, I don't buy anything," he said. "And that, in turn, affects our local economy because we buy local from our local merchants. It's going to be a trickle-down effect.

"As I told some people this morning, we're not going to get out of this easy and it's not going to go away any time soon. It's going to have a lasting effect. It may take a year; it may take two years before we get back to normal."

Indeed, this is a problem that can't be washed away with a heavy downpour or two. The National Weather Service forecast office in Huntsville last week said that outlooks indicate the drought will only get worse by the end of the year.

"We're 8-9 inches of rain in the deficit," Sims said. "It's going to take until about December or January, if it rains like it traditionally does, for it to rebound.

"And even when we rebound, you have to take into consideration, when it rains, if you don't have any plant material there to hold your soil in place, then lots of rain creates erosion. So who knows? If they don't get some kind of ground cover down, you could have eroding soils because of too much rain."

It's a maddening scenario. The ground is thirsting for rain but too much rain on drought-damaged soil could create an entirely new set of problems.

"It's the worst year I've ever experienced," Thompson said. "By far."

Bad as it's been, it could have been worse. Necklaus said that while there have been hundreds of wildfires in Jackson County because of the drought - scorching hundreds, if not thousands, of acres - the wildfire threat hasn't been fully realized.

Necklaus said the city of Scottsboro stopped issuing burn permits about a week before Gov. Robert Bentley declared a drought emergency Oct. 12 that prohibited outdoor burning. He also pointed to well-publicized concerns about outdoor burning and a wildfire near Bucks Pocket State Park that burned about 100 acres spotlighted the hazards of burning during the drought.

The spotty rain on Thursday, however, did virtually nothing to undo the burn concerns, he said.

"People see a downpour like that in their neighborhood and they think it's OK now," Necklaus said. "It's obviously going to take a significant amount of precipitation to get us out of this situation.

"(The threat is) still there and ever present just as much as it was before."

As relentless as the drought has been in Jackson County, though, Thompson said farmers are even more relentless.

"Farmers are resilient," he said. "We're tough. We'll survive this. There may be a few of us weeded out but I think the majority of us will still be around at the end."
In 1975, Linda Spalla was "divorced, jobless and homeless."

It wasn't living in a tent under I-565 homeless, but the proud former pastor's wife had only her car, her then 3-year-old son and some potted plants, and thankfully, a friend in Huntsville who offered her a place to stay.

She found a job as a secretary at WHNT Channel 19, then headquartered on Monte Sano, and over a 25-year career, worked her way up to become the station's general manager.

She retired in 2000, and wrote a book on leadership, "Leading Ladies," and another book called "Catch Your Breath: Tender Meditations for Caregivers," inspired by her own experience helping her mother through a terminal illness.

By the time she met Bernie 12 years ago, she'd survived two divorces, single parenting and a hectic but successful career. Those who know her saw the polished and prim veneer, but in her own words, she was "pretty much a mess emotionally."

So when Bernie, a native Frenchman and retired Huntsville engineer, asked her to go to Paris with him after just a couple of months of dating, she was taken aback.

After friends told her she'd be crazy it turn down a trip to the City of Love, she agreed, and that trip turned into a yearly routine - two months each summer in Paris, in a rented apartment, slowly soaking in all the world's most romantic city has to offer.

During those summer vacations, she kept a meticulous blog of experiences and pictures. Those blog posts, slowly crafted over three years, became "Bernie's Paris: Travel Stories with Love."

"I write it and then we attach and include in the blog all of Bernie's photos of that day," Spalla said. "That became the fodder for the book. We had about 11 years of stuff, and I knew I wanted to do something with it."

"Bernie's Paris" is part autobiography, part love story and part travelogue. After 12 consecutive years of long Paris stays, Spalla has plenty of tips: what to see, where to eat, experiences to seek out.

"Don't go the Paris and do it all high-end. Just be an average middle-class person," Spalla said. "We never take a taxi except going to and from the airport. We take the metro. We don't stay at the Ritz. We have a very middle road apartment."

Yes, they go to expensive dinners on occasion, but "most of the time, because friends and family have paid for it," she said. "We have two bedrooms and bath. You give people a place to stay and they'll take you to dinner."

Though a dedicated couple, Spalla and Bernie don't live together at home in Huntsville, only during those two months each summer in Paris. Even the most loving couple can get on each other's nerves while being inseparable, so she even has a chapter called "How to argue in Paris."

But it's not just about the travel tips. Spalla, who was 58 when her Paris adventures with Bernie began and will be 70 on her next birthday, the theme of the book is, "it's never too late."

"It's never too late to find a significant relationship and it's never too late to grab that person you love the most and go to Paris," she said.

The book is available on Amazon, or directly from and in local bookstores like Shaver's Books, Lawren's gift shop, Josie's at Burritt on the Mountain, at Sterling Travel and the Huntsville Museum of Art. It would be great if it became a best-seller, Spalla said, but she's not holding her breath.

"Bernie's Paris" is dedicated to Spalla's four grandchildren.

"If one of them, just one of them, were to grab this book and put it in their suitcase one day and take it to Paris with the person they love and think about their grandmother, that will be all the reward that I need."

Haskins takes a weekly look at points of pride statewide. Email your suggestions to shaskins@al.com, or tweet them to @Shelly_Haskins using #AlabamaProud
Faced with increased cyber attacks, US government is balancing attack on and defense from hackers and cyber criminals.

Mesa, Arizona  To enter the Arizona Cyber Warfare range (AZCWR), a person must have a signed waiver, the consent from the strict private security firm that guards the facilities, and the fortitude to withstand the salty language and messy environment created by the hackers inside.

This is the only place in the world where the good guys can learn to hack from good guys who really know how to hack, Brett Scott, one of the founders of the AZCWR, told Al Jazeera inside their hacking headquarters.

The organisation is housed inside a complex that began as a research facility for top-secret military technology in the 1980s. The group has three missions: to educate the public on the merits of hacking by offering free courses, to change the realm of cyber-security for both the public and private sectors to gather, and to handle the enemies of the United States.

Right now, the enemy at the top of that list is the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS), which controls a dwindling swath of land in Iraq and Syria.

AZCWR uses bots, or computer programs that take advantage of thousands of computers across the planet, to lodge complaints against ISIL Twitter pages.

Our net effect is taking down 1,000 accounts a day, Scott said. When asked how his cadre of hackers, none of whom speak Arabic, are able to find the accounts, Scott responded that the AZCWR is given tips from intelligence agencies across the globe.

If a housewife in France who lived through an attack wants to do something but doesnt know how she can download our bot. Then well use her computer to kick [ISIL] out of our world  the internet.

A matter of survival

The AZCWR has been open to the public for two years, though it has been in operation for longer. It currently teaches roughly 2,000 active users on its website and at the physical location in ranges whose difficulty levels go from Beginner to Jedi in reference to the sci-fi film series, Star Wars.

World War III is already here, and it's happening on the internet. by Brett Scott, co-founder of AZCWR

There is an assortment of tasks, from the aforementioned take-down of an ISIL account to attacking, with consent, the cyber security systems of businesses.

Also, when a foreign adversary is not paying enough attention to the AZCWR for the group to gather intel, the hackers will poke the bear, Scott said.

Scott has worked for various government agencies, and his experience with has left a bad impression. The US has a very backwards idea towards hackers. Russia, China, and even  countries like Iran are offering them huge amounts of money, luxurious cars, and nice flats.

In the US, Scott explained, hackers still face witch-hunts and harsh penalties when the government should offer employment. AZCWR is there to force decision-makers to re-evaluate their stance on technologically-capable but legally questionable computer users.

World War III is already here, and its happening on the internet, the hacker said.

RELATED: Syrias online battlefield

The new domain of warfare

While the assertion that WWIII is happening on the internet sounds hyperbolic, there are those in the US government who agree with the sentiment.

Representative Mac Thornberry, the Chairman of the US House Armed Services Committee (HASC) which is responsible for oversight and funding of the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Armed Forces, has stated repeatedly that US cyber capabilities need more attention.

At a June meeting with the DoD and US Cyber Commands Deputy Commander Lieutenant General James K McLaughlin on cyber attacks, Thornberry said that just as the military has an air campaign [against ISIL], we want to have a cyber campaign.

Al Jazeera spoke to an HASC aid on condition of anonymity on the subject. The aid said that while work could be done to enhance US cyber capabilities, the nation is at the same level as anyone else  but were also as vulnerable to attack as anyone else.

While The government wants a cyber campaign against ISIL and others who attack the state, they dont want to encourage cyber militias to mount attacks against enemies. This opens them to hack backs, or retaliatory measures, the aid said.

Thornberry and the defence establishment are concerned by recent hack attacks on high-level politicians such as the revelation of emails from the Democratic National Committee and former Secretary of State Colin Powell.

These attacks have revealed embarrassing details from behind the scenes of the US political theatre that has undermined an already contentious election season, and Issues of cyber security, especially recruitment of hackers to work with the government, are still a struggle, but public-private partnerships are something about which weve been very supportive, the aid concluded.

RELATED: Jaime Blasco  This is the new Cold War

Troubling decisions

While US agencies may be struggling with the hacking war abroad, digital rights group, Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), fears its citizens are losing the war at home.

Mark Rumold, a senior staff attorney at EFF who focuses on government secrecy and has successfully worked to make public tens of thousands of previously classified government documents, told Al Jazeera that recent court rulings on a controversial case are troubling.

The FBIs investigation surrounding Playpen, a website on the Dark Web network, which can only be accessed through the Tor network, and displayed thousands of images of child pornography is one such case.

The Tor network runs a users internet protocol (IP) address, which is a unique signature given to a device, through thousands of relays to pre-empt surveillance and facilitate anonymity.

However, the FBI hacked and reconfigured the site to collect true IP addresses for use in cases against those who visited the site. Due to the wide range of visitors to the site, courts all over the US have been obliged to weigh in on the legality of the practice.





In June, a federal court in the FBIs home district decided that the US Constitutions Fourth Amendment, which guarantees the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, does not apply to home computers.

In a post on EFFs website, Rumold wrote the decision is the latest in, and perhaps the culmination of, a series of troubling decisions surrounding the Playpen investigation.

Every single thing they could have gotten wrong, they did, Rumold told Al Jazeera in an interview. Its the equivalent of law enforcement coming into your house and taking things out without a warrant.

While this one decision doesnt mean the Fourth Amendment no longer applies in any such case, Rumold explains that judges often show deference to rulings made by other district judges.

In an increasingly surveilled society, this could have serious consequences. Theres no question that technology has made our lives far more transparent than ever before, and that law enforcement is taking advantage, Rumold continued.

While there are plenty of laws governing hacker activity, as well as law enforcements use of technology, the ever-changing digital landscape leaves a grey space in which troubling decisions can be made, the digital rights advocate concluded.

Back at the AZCWR, Scott said that the EFF is right nearly 100 percent of the time, and that his band of hackers operate inside the law. Its not our job to determine what the limits are. Its our job to push them.
As Iraqi forces look to regain control of Mosul, both sides are choosing their tactics with an eye to the future.

Conventional military doctrine cautions against urban operations. Typically they require huge numbers of troops, are painstakingly slow and result in high levels of casualties particularly among the civilian population.

Yet, the Iraqi government is not fighting a conventional war and, as it prepares to wrest back control of Mosul from ISIL, it will be engaged in a battle where the tactics of each side will be determined by their long-term strategies.





For the Iraqi security forces (ISF) not only do they need to dislodge a brutal and  at times  literally suicidal opponent, but they need to retake the city in a way that facilitates Baghdads future rule over the Sunni minority population and the encroaching ambitions of the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG).

Whereas ISIL needs to secure the few advantages available in a battle it cannot win. This means ensuring the survival of key personnel while ceding control of a city in such a way that deters future attacks.

Assault on Mosul

The assault on Mosul is the latest  and biggest  stage in a three-part campaign put together by the Iraqi and US governments in the aftermath of the citys capture in June 2014.

OPINION: The day after the battle for Mosul

This has seen ISILs advance stopped primarily through air strikes, the retraining and equipping of Iraqs security forces (ISF) and then finally their deployment, along with allied Shia militias, to sequentially take back lost ground.

To a large extent, the campaign has succeeded, and swaths of Iraq once under ISIL control, including former strongholds along the Euphrates river valley, are now back under the control of Baghdad.

Yet, it has also done little to ease sectarian tensions with widespread claims that Shia militias carried out atrocities during and after the recapture of key Sunni cities, such as Ramadi and Fallujah.

It is to prevent the reoccurrence of such incidents and to counter previous accusations of sectarian misrule that Baghdad has seemingly ordered the Shia Popular Mobilisation Forces not to enter Mosul itself.

A similar ruling also applies to the Kurdish Peshmerga, although this is driven primarily by concerns of creeping KRG influence over parts of northern Iraq. As such, Iraqs official security forces will have sole responsibility for the fighting in the city itself.

If Iraq's military are choosing their troop dispositions with an eye to governing Mosul, then for ISIL their tactical decisions are evidence of a bleaker future. by

If Iraqs military are choosing their troop dispositions with an eye to governing Mosul, then for ISIL their tactical decisions are evidence of a bleaker future.

Given the forces arrayed against them and Baghdads determination to seize back control of the city, ISIL knows it cannot hold Mosul indefinitely.

Yet with their long-term survival at stake, they both need to extract key personnel while still inflicting enough casualties on their opponents to propagate a moral victory and delay future encroachments on their remaining territories.

Tactical flexibility

To that end, it is likely that ISIL will combine the tactical flexibility and brutality that they have become renowned for.

Even though they have promised a fight to the death in the streets of Mosul, the need to preserve leadership and manpower means this honour is likely to fall predominately on foreign fighters  who are harder to exfiltrate from the city.

KRG: Mosul victory depends on ISIL fighters morale

In addition to those fighters who remain in place, ISIL will also rely heavily on their technical expertise to inflict significant casualties on the attacking forces. This will include numerous Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), such as those initiated by pressure pads triggered by the advancing ISF, as well as innovations such as the exploding drone that was recently lethally used against Kurdish and French forces.

Similarly, given their effectiveness there is likely to be the widespread use of suicide attacks (according to 2015 US State Department figures, these attacks are 4.6 times as lethal as non-suicide attacks).

Typically, these are conducted both by those seeking martyrdom and other more vulnerable individuals co-opted into such attacks  such as children and the mentally ill.

Attacks in other areas of Iraq are also more likely as ISIL seeks to exploit the vulnerabilities offered by the redeployment of so many troops to the Mosul area. US officials have likened countering ISIL as to playing whack-a-mole in that they withdraw in front of an offensive only to pop up elsewhere.

Baghdads impotence

ISIL will look to conduct such attacks both to highlight Baghdads impotence to secure the territory under its control and to relieve some of the pressure on the defenders inside Mosul letting them extract more men and equipment before the real battle gets under way. This may have been the motive for this weekends attack on Kirkuk during which ISIL attackers took over three districts and killed dozens of people.

Finally, as in the past when forced to give up territory, ISIL are likely to launch a wave of car bombings and suicide attacks in heavily populated Shia areas or the government district in Baghdad. Such attacks would generate huge amounts of publicity that would distract from the impending loss of Mosul, highlight weaknesses in the countrys security systems and serve as a warning against further government offensives.

For ISIL, the loss of Mosul will pose as much of an existential threat as its fall did to the Iraqi government in July 2014. The difference being that ISIL are now surrounded on all sides and have no allies to come to their aid.

They know that once they have lost Mosul, their opponents will turn on their capital, Raqqa, and once that has fallen it will be the end. It is this that determines their choice of tactics now even if the battle is ultimately fruitless.

Crispian Cuss is a former British Army officer who lives and works in Southeast Asia. He currently acts as a defence and security consultant.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
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.

In 2009, Muammar Gaddafi made a plea for a new state called Isratine, one state inclusive of both Israel and Palestine. Even though that state remains far away, the Libyan dictator made a good case for it.

Today, there may be another kind of merger between Middle Eastern states underway, an undeclared one to be sure, another indicator of the kaleidoscopic disintegration of Sykes Picot and the dissolution of borders. That fusion may be between Lebanon and what is tragically called useful Syria, the geography that encompasses Aleppo, Damascus, the Mediterranean coast and Damascus airport.





It is the part still under the control of Syrias President Bashar al-Assad, and it wraps around Lebanon like a large belt, and that is not a coincidence: it represents one security zone, effectively controlled by Iran and its leading local actor, Hezbollah.

What makes the blur between these two entities even more real is also the untold numbers of Syrian refugees in Lebanon today.

Blending of two nations

Their presence ironically achieves what political parties calling for a formal Syrian-Lebanese union could not, the blending of the two nations.

These refugees are not going home anytime soon; the reconstruction of cities and towns for them to do so will be neither available nor affordable. The inevitable ethnic cleansing of war also means they may no longer be welcome in the areas where they once came from.

OPINION: Lebanese oligarchy preserves its interests once again

Of course, officially, there will still be a Lebanon and a Syria. There will be no official integration as Gaddafi called for in Isratine, but there will an unnamed, unofficial controller in this space, and that is Iran now stretching its might from Tehran to the Mediterranean.

Whether by 

hands.]

On the level of political froth, Saad al-Hariris nomination of Michel Aoun, effectively Hezbollahs candidate, as president of Lebanon puts the stamp on that reality.

Why not the Russians? Russia does have power and influence but it does not have the vast and detailed presence, nor wield the numerous militias  a kind of Shia internationale  networks of intelligence, land purchases and cultural influence that Tehran does have.

In Lebanon today, Hezbollah is calling the shots. Whether through clever manipulation, veiled or less-veiled threat, its considerable military might and the more considerable disorganisation of its opponents, the political future of the country has fallen into its hands.

Implicit division

Assads current campaign in Aleppo will permit him to declare a kind of victory and reclaim his status as an unmovable reality.

Meanwhile, the reality in Syria is of an implicit division, useful Syria, Kurdish Syria and the disaggregated remainder. The relationship between these parts is likely to be a disorganised and shifting array of conflict, talks, deals and infrequent humanitarian assistance.

Iran stands like a shadow behind both, Hezbollah-controlled Lebanon and the Assad-controlled part of Syria. It is likely to be clever and play this zone with deftness, maintaining the minorities sense of security, and even Beiruts multicultural and financial glitz and glitter.

OPINION: Lebanon and the land of Karagoz

There is no reason to become oppressive as long as what matters, security control and the material benefits that come with it, is maintained.

However, with all that will also come cultural change. As Lebanese Shias have already taken on greater cultural dimensions of Iran via Hezbollah, so Lebanon will morph.

It will slowly become less Levantine, more desert than sea. Some will see in this a return to a natural hinterland, but the political obstacles remain considerable.

The large majority of Syrian refugees in Lebanon are Sunnis, ironically displacing the sectarian problems arising out of the war of Syria into Lebanon.

Ticking time bomb

When combined with the existing Sunni-Shia rift in Lebanon, this can spell trouble over time for the effective Iranian control. This is a ticking time bomb in the north of Lebanon, in Tripoli, Akkar, and possibly in other areas of the country.

As Gaddafi argued, the merger of states and populations can, in theory, be salutory, even necessary. However, the intermediate realities may also be quite harsh.

If it does not soon let go soon of the West Bank and East Jerusalem, Israel will be staring a Palestinian majority in the face over the coming decades. This will be the one state that Gaddafi called for, but with Jewish Israeli rule over an angry population. So also in Lebanon and useful Syria, effective Shia control over Sunnis will remain a difficult and problematic concept.

As much as the dissolution of borders may ultimately herald a more organic Middle East, healed from the amputations of its colonial borders, such political entities wont function well as long as any hegemony imposes its will on a recalcitrant population, whether that is Israel over the Palestinians or Iran/Hezbollah and Assad over Sunnis. Thats a lesson that still seems far away in almost every single part of the Middle East.

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.
Figures from government and UNODC show 10 percent increase in poppy cultivation and 91 percent decrease in eradication.

Estimated opium production in Afghanistan has risen by 43 percent to 4,800 metric tonnes in 2016 compared with 2015 levels, according to the latest Afghanistan Opium Survey figures released by the Afghan Ministry of Counter Narcotics and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

Survey: #Afghan opium production up 43%. Western & Southern regions cultivate 84% of the total opium poppy in Aghan.https://t.co/q6QRFPV7TD pic.twitter.com/CRyZYjpEJ7  UN Office on Drugs & Crime (@UNODC) October 23, 2016

The survey, released on Sunday, showed that the total area under cultivation in Afghanistan at an estimated 201,000 hectares in 2016, a 10 percent increase from the 183,000 hectares in 2015.

The report also showed a 91 percent decrease in eradication this year.

No eradication has taken place in provinces with high levels of opium poppy cultivation due to the extremely poor security situation in those areas, as well as logistical and financial challenges, the report said.

READ MORE: Afghanistans floundering billion-dollar drug war

Overall, potential opium production in Afghanistan has increased 43 percent, with 4,800 tonnes this year compared to 3,300 tonnes in 2015.

Yury Fedotov, UNODC executive director, said in a statement on Sunday that the new report shows a worrying reversal in efforts to combat the persistent problem of illicit drugs and their impact on development, health and security.

Fedotov urged the international community to lend their support to achieving the sustainable development goals in Afghanistan  including vital work on a peaceful and inclusive society, health, poverty, peace, and gender, among many others.

IN PICTURES: Afghanistans war on drugs

Poppy farmers are often taxed by the Taliban, who use the cash to help fund their fight against government forces.

Afghanistan grows about 80 percent of the worlds opium, which is used to produce highly addictive heroin.

The poppies, which provide huge profits in one of the worlds poorest countries, play a large part in the corruption that plagues Afghan life at every level.
Analysis: What happens in Mosul could determine the future direction of the country.

The battle for Mosul is intensifying as Iraqi government forces and Kurdish troops edge closer towards the countrys second-largest city. According to the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) interior ministry, the Iraqi army is only five kilometres from Mosul  and they could be even closer.

Several towns and villages have recently been cleared, including the predominantly Christian towns of Bartellah and Qaraqoush, southeast of Mosul. Fierce battles are raging on multiple fronts.

But fighters of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) are hitting back hard. ISIL fighters have slowed down the advancing forces by waging waves of coordinated suicide car-bomb attacks, deploying tens of snipers and relying on a network of trenches and tunnels.

ISIL is also manoeuvring and relying on old tactics seen in previous battlefields in Iraq.

READ MORE: Mosul battle could cause a human catastrophe

Another key question is what is next after the government presumably declares victory over ISIL? Many people in Iraq fear that the seeds for other extremist groups are already planted.

On Saturday, a group of suicide attackers and fighters launched an early-morning raid on a government building and a power plant in the ethnically mixed, Kurdish-dominated city of Kirkuk, which is southeast of Mosul.

The attack killed more than a dozen people. ISILs aim was to distract and confuse Iraqi government forces and Kurdish Peshmerga fighters, to open new fronts and to grab international media headlines.

Similar tactics were employed during the battles to retake the cities of Tikrit, Ramadi and Fallujah.

The Iraqi government and Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi appear determined to recapture ISILs stronghold of Mosul. Abadi had previously said that ISIL in Iraq would be defeated by the end of 2016.

It could be a matter of time before this plan succeeds, however. ISIL is outnumbered and outgunned, but there are growing fears over the human costs of this campaign.

US-led coalition warplanes have been pounding targets in Mosul for months. They have stated that the targets were ISIL positions, but reports from inside the city suggest that civilians are also being killed.

Mosul has a population of more than two million people. It is not clear how many have left since ISIL captured the city back in June 2014.





Some residents have fled, but the vast majority remain trapped at the mercy of ISIL, the coalition air strikes, Iraqi army forces, Peshmerga fighters and Shia militias. The stakes for Mosul are high. What happens there could determine the future of Iraq, and the direction in which the country will head.

Another key question is what is next after the government presumably declares victory over ISIL? Many people in Iraq fear that the seeds for other extremist groups have already been planted.

A quick flashback to 2003 reminds us that ISIL had its origins in al-Qaeda in Iraq, led by Jordanian Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. Zarqawi galvanised many fighters, transformed the group and introduced new insurgency tactics.

After his death in a US military raid in 2006, the group became known as the Islamic State of Iraq, led by Abu Omar al-Baghdadi. Baghdadi was killed by Iraqi and US forces in 2010, and the group got yet another leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, a former inmate held in a US prison in southern Iraq in 2004 and set free four years later.

He ultimately led the group to fight in Syrias war in 2012 and formed what is the present-day ISIL. Many Iraqis argue that the main reason that such groups exist is the injustice inflicted on Iraqs Sunni Arabs since 2003.

ANALYSIS: Can Iraq defeat ISIL without destroying Mosul?

The Iraqi government has a huge responsibility. It needs to end the perceived marginalisation of Sunnis and end arbitrary arrests, torture and humiliation. Some analysts cite the need for a real and effective reconciliation process to create jobs and implement real power-sharing.

The implications for not doing so are dire, not only for Mosul but for the rest of Iraq. There are genuine fears that the post-ISIL generation will be more brutal. Such assumptions are based on the fact that Osama Bin Ladens al-Qaeda was seen as extreme when it surfaced, but when Zarqawi showed up in Iraq, al-Qaedas attacks and tactics seemed less brutal in comparison.

With ISIL, the brutality turned into blatant savagery. Another important factor to watch out for this time is the rising power and the spread of extreme Shia militias fighting ISIL. The Popular Mobilisation Units  Shia paramilitaries funded and armed by Iran  are a growing force in Iraq.

There are more than 40 of these groups operating in the country. Many of them are very powerful in terms of weapons, intelligence and unshaken loyalty to Irans supreme leader, Ali Khamenei.

Abadi has said that he, as commander in chief, maintains control over these militias. In reality, he does not: According to human rights groups, Sunni politicians and witnesses, these militias have been involved in war crimes, revenge attacks, ethnic cleansing, torture, abuse and executions against members of the Sunni population.

They are accused of changing the demographics in areas that used to be under ISILs control in the provinces of Diyala, Salaheldin, Anbar and areas known as the Belt of Baghdad that surround the Iraqi capital. The US military is providing support and air power not only to Iraqi forces, but also to Shia militias involved in alleged war crimes.

The Americans deny it, but this is what happened during the battles of Tikrit, Baji, Ramadi and Fallujah. In a nutshell, all of these factors will only fuel the anger towards the US and the Shia-led government in Baghdad  and that is the best breeding ground for new groups to garner support and find endless recruits in Iraq and beyond.

Omar Al Saleh is a former Al Jazeera correspondent and an analyst on Middle East affairs.
Kurdish soldiers seek to seize Bashiqa, where Turkish troops are stationed, amid talks over a Turkish role in operation.

Tension is high in the Iraqi town of Bashiqa, near Mosul, as Peshmerga soldiers from Iraqs Kurdistan Regional Government begin an offensive to recapture it as part of a major operation to clear ISIL fighters from the country.

Turkey has at least 500 troops stationed in a camp near Bashiqa, only 15 kms away from the latest offensive, training thousands of Kurdish and Iraqi soldiers for the battle to recapture Iraqs second largest city from ISIL, or the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant group, which started on October 17.

Turkey wants to take part in the battle, but Iraq has repeatedly declined the offer and called for the withdrawal of the Turkish soldiers from Bashiqa.

At approx 0630hrs, Peshmerga Forces began an offensive from two fronts near Bashiqa, North East of Mosul, following recent gains. #FreeMosul  Peshmerga Command (@GCPFKurdistan) October 23, 2016

I know the Turks want to participate. We tell them: Thank you, this is something the Iraqis will handle, Haider al-Abadi, Iraqi prime minister, said on Saturday after a meeting with Ashton Carter, the US defence secretary, in Baghdad.

ANALYSIS: What is Turkey trying to achieve in Iraq?

Earlier, Carter said he was confident Turkey would take part in the operation.

I think there is agreement in principle, he said after a visit to Turkey. Iraq understands that Turkey, as a member of the counter-ISIL coalition, will play a role in counter-ISIL operations in Iraq.

Secondly, Turkey, since it neighbours the region of Mosul, has an interest [in] the ultimate outcome in Mosul. Im confident that we can work things out.

Binali Yildirim, Turkeys prime minister, criticised Iraqs leadership, saying it was being provocative with recent comments and said his country will continue to have a presence in Iraq.

In recent days, there have been warnings from Iraq. We will not listen to this, nobody can tell us to not be concerned about the region, Yildirim told a conference of the ruling AK Party, being in the western Turkish province of Afyon.

The Iraqi leadership is being provocative. Turkey does not bow to anyones threats. Turkey will continue to be present there.

READ MORE: Erdogan  We have a historical responsibility in Iraq

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has given warnings of sectarian bloodshed if the Iraqi army relies on Shia fighters to retake the largely Sunni city of Mosul.

Mosul is about five times the size of any other city ISIL has held, and the push to capture it is expected to become the biggest battle in Iraq since the 2003 US-led invasion.

Mosul was once part of the Ottoman Empire and is still seen by Turkey as firmly within its sphere of influence.

A senior US defence official indicated that Turkey could provide medical or humanitarian support, or train Iraqi forces.

Turkey fears the operation to retake Mosul could be spearheaded by Shia and Kurdish armed groups that are vehemently opposed by Turkey.
PM confirms Turkish military involvement after Peshmerga requests help in battle for Iraqs second largest city.

Turkey has confirmed its troops have fired at positions held by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in a town near Mosul after receiving a request by Kurdish Peshmerga fighters for assistance.

Turkeys Prime Minister Binali Yildirim announced on Sunday Turkeys involvement in the military offensive near Bashiqa, a town east of Mosul. He said that the Kurdish Peshmerga requested Turkeys assistance.

ISIL, also known as ISIS, took control of Mosul, Iraqs second largest city, in 2014. A major drive to remove the hardline group from Mosul began last Monday.

Kurdish Peshmerga fighters are advancing on Bashiqa having launched a new operation on Sunday.

The Peshmerga have mobilised to cleanse the Bashiqa region from Daesh [ISIL]. They asked for help from our soldiers at the Bashiqa base. So we are helping the tanks with our artillery there, Yildirim said.

Turkey has troops at the base in Bashiqa, north of Mosul, where they have been helping to train Iraqi Kurdish Peshmerga and Sunni fighters.

ANALYSIS: What is Turkey trying to achieve in Iraq?

Relations between Ankara and Baghdad have been strained after Turkey sent hundreds of troops to the Bashiqa region to train anti-ISIL fighters. Baghdad labels the move a violation of its sovereignty and demands Turkish withdrawal, a call which Ankara ignores.

Turkey claims the use of Shia militias to liberate Mosul will displace its largely Sunni population, and has demanded the Sunni fighters it has trained also play a role in the Mosul campaign.

Al Jazeeras Stefanie Dekker, reporting from Erbil, said Turkeys latest moves were hugely controversial.

This is something that the federal government in Baghdad does not want  they have made this very clear, Dekker said.

In fact, the US Secretary of Defence Ash Carter was in Baghdad yesterday. He put it to Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi whether the Turks should have some involvement, and Abadi said No thank you, we will leave this up to the Iraqis.

Tens of thousands of fighters, including Iraqi federal troops and Kurdish Peshmerga, are taking part in the assault.

Ankara wants to get involved. Turkey says it is their responsibility to ensure that Mosul doesnt fall in the hands of any Shia or Kurdish militia, said our correspondent.

Meanwhile, Iraqi special forces are pushing into the district of Hamdaniya, from the south.

Hamdaniya, considered to be the gateway to Mosul, was a densely populated area housing more than 60,000 people before the ISIL takeover.

The Iraqi troops are now in Hamdaniya, fighting their way towards the city centre, said Al Jazeeras Zeina Khodr, reporting from the outskirts of Hamdiniya.

But it is proving to be a very difficult fight because ISIL still have snipers in the area. And they are still using suicide car bombs.

Some 1.5 million residents remain trapped in Mosul and worst-case scenario forecasts see up to a million being uprooted, according to the United Nations. UN aid agencies said the fighting has so far forced about 6,000 to flee their homes.
Syrian rebels warn of collateral damage and call on civilians in war-torn city to stay away from government positions.

Fighting has intensified in Syrias divided city of Aleppo, a day after a humanitarian pause announced by Russia ended, a monitoring group and rebels said.

Unidentified jets bombarded rebel-held areas in the south-western part of Aleppo on Sunday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Lebanese Al-Manar TV, run by the Syria-aligned armed group Hezbollah, broadcast footage of tanks and fighters advancing under heavy fire along a ridge reportedly in the Aleppo countryside.

OPINION: Aleppo and the myth of Syrias sovereignty

Rebels have also confirmed the bombardments on the opposition-held areas of the city.

The activist-run Shahba Press reported that government artillery shelled the strategically important village of Khan Touman, which overlooks the highway connecting Aleppo and government-held cities in the center of the country.

But a commander from the rebel Syrian Free Army, speaking on condition of anonymity, said opposition fighters had repulsed the attack and inflicted big losses on the regime forces.

His report could not be independently verified.

Meanwhile, opposition rebels have also launched counter-attacks, shelling the regime-held southern district of al-Hamadaniyah. No casualties have been reported so far.

A leading northern Syrian rebel coalition warned civilians in Aleppo to stay away from government positions around the city, as rebels and pro-government forces clashed along the citys outskirts.

Yasser al-Yousef, a spokesman for the Nour el-Din al-Zinki rebel faction in Aleppo said an operation to break the governments siege of the rebel-held eastern districts of Aleppo was coming.

Collateral damage

Yousef said rebels would not target civilians in government-held districts, but warned of collateral damage from the anticipated operations.

On Thursday, Russia, a key military ally of Syria, had announced an 11-hour ceasefire to allow civilians, rebel fighters and injured people to leave opposition-controlled eastern Aleppo, promising them safe passage.





It later extended the ceasefire for another two days. Rebels, however, rejected the offer.

The Syrian opposition said there were no guarantees that wounded evacuees would not be arrested by government forces and no provision for supplying humanitarian aid to those remaining in the enclave.

The fighting between Syrian government forces and rebels ran in parallel with renewed clashes further away from the city between Turkish-backed opposition forces and Syrian Kurdish forces, over territory formerly held by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group.

The activist-run Aleppo Media Center said Turkish forces struck over 50 Kurdish positions on Sunday alone.

The US has backed both the Turkish-backed forces and the Syrian Kurdish forces in the area, though it has clarified that it does not support the Syrian Kurdish forces that have come under Turkish attack in the Aleppo countryside.

The Turkish military intervened in the Syrian war in August this year under orders from Ankara to clear the border area of Islamic State fighters and U.S.-backed Syrian Kurdish forces linked to Turkeys own outlawed Kurdish insurgency. The Turkish government considers both to be terrorist groups.

Some 250,000 to 300,000 civilians are thought to be trapped in eastern Aleppo, with dwindling food supplies and extremely limited medical care in underground hospitals that have been hit repeatedly by air strikes.
Tear gas fired at angry refugees, including minors, day before so-called jungle camp is due to be demolished in France.

Residents of the so-called jungle in Calais, a French refugee camp, clashed with police as the government prepared to close the sprawling settlement in northern France.

Dozens of people could be seen throwing rocks at police in images broadcast on Sunday by the French BFMTV station. Authorities responded with tear gas.

Al Jazeeras David Chater, reporting from Calais, said frustrated refugees were protesting against the camps demolition.

READ MORE: UK rejects call for dental checks on child refugees

There are frustrated young men here who took so much time and effort trying to reach here and are now realising that the police will be here to clear them up, so they might get violent, Chater said.

French officials are moving around the camp distributing about 10,000 leaflets to the people, telling them exactly what is going to happen to them and when its going to happen. In reaction, some of those leaflets have been torn in to pieces by the refugees.

The closure of the camp is due to begin on Monday.

Most refugees are are trying to get to Britian. French authorities said the refugees will be settled in other centres across France.

Teenagers arrive in UK

The first group of unaccompanied teenagers from the camp arrived in Britain on Sunday.

They are the first minors to be brought from Calais without relatives or family in the UK. Dozens more are expected in the coming days.

They are entitled to move under EU asylum laws. Britain has been under pressure step up efforts to help the refugees, ahead of the camps closure.

READ MORE: UK vows to accept child refugees

Al Jazeeras Emma Hayward, reporting from London, said what makes the group of children who have arrived in London different is that they do not have ties to the UK nor any relatives in the country.

These children are are seen as vulnerable. There are some reports of children arriving yesterday but we are not sure what will happen to them in the long-term and whether or not they will be placed in foster care, Hayward said.

The number of residents in the camp is believed to be more than 10,000 with more than 1,179 children, the vast majority of whom are unaccompanied.

French President Francois Hollande has described the situation in Calais as unacceptable.

READ MORE: Obama at UNGA  Refugee crisis a test of our humanity

A French court this week dismissed a legal challenge by charities who had sought more time to find the refugees alternative housing.

Following the closure, refugees will have to present themselves at a giant hangar where they will be separated into families, adults, unaccompanied minors and vulnerable individuals, including elderly people and single women.

They will then travel on buses to a network of 450 reception centres across the country, where they will receive medical checks and, if they have not already done so, decide whether to apply for asylum.
After seeking asylum in the UK from Eritrea 15 years ago, Amani Teklahaimanot now helps refugees on their way to Europe.

Catania, Sicily  Amani Teklahaimanot is a unique shipmate.

A volunteer-rescuer trying to make African refugees safer, Teklahaimanot understands his passengers better than most.

Fifteen years ago, Teklahaimanot was in the same situation as those he is trying to help.

I came through the same journey, and I really know how these people face a lot of hardship in their journey, he told Al Jazeera. Its really a good opportunity to help these helpless people, because I was in the same situation.

Amani escaped poverty and repression in Eritrea in 2001.

His journey took him through Sudan and the Libyan desert before he tried to cross the Mediterranean on a rubber dinghy to reach Europe.

The dinghy he travelled on failed, however, and he had to return to Libya. Then, in another dangerous journey on a wooden boat, Amani was able to finally reach Italy along with dozens of other Eritrean asylum seekers.

Extremely risky journey

He now remembers with a smile what was back then a difficult situation.

So we just got on any train in Italy, he said. They [conductors] asked us for a ticket but nobody had a tickets, so we had to get off the train and wait for another one. Anyway, after hours of travelling we reached Rome. For about a month, we just lived on the streets.

WATCH: Europe vs Africa  The refugee double standard

Teklahaimanot is a British citizen now. He lives and works in Sweden with his family and is preparing for a university degree.

As a volunteer, he mediates and translates between refugees and rescuers.

I really feel sorry to see these people risk their lives, but I can understand them, he said. As an Eritrean, I would take the risk because in my country, there is no future at all. I took a risk when I chose between whether to die or have a good future.

So far this year, at least 3,654 refugees have died while trying to reach Europe on perilous journeys. In the same period last year, 3,138 refugees died en route to Europe.

My message is to tell refugees that its an extremely risky journey. A lot of lives are lost in the Sahara desert and Mediterranean sea. They must be aware how risky it is and to try to seek other ways, said Teklahaimanot.

As European countries tighten restrictions on refugees, Teklahaimanot feels sad that the welcome he had during his asylum process 15 years ago may not be awaiting new arrivals.
NEW ORLEANS, MOBILE, AND CHATTANOOGA RAILROAD, 1871

Th New Orleans, Mobile, and Chattanooga Railroad (NOM&C) was the first to serve the City of New Orleans and the Central Gulf Coast. Chartered to build a railway linking the three cities in their name, the initial intent was to build to a link from the coast with the planned Alabama and Chattanooga Railroad at Elyton, Alabama. Once the line was complete between New Orleans and Mobile, service began along that section in 1871.

Not long after the start, the company decided to go west instead of east, changing its name to New Orleans, Mobile, and Texas Railroad (NOM&T). In the mid-1870s, the NOM&T made an agreement with the Louisville and Nashville Railroad (L&N) to expand its own service into the Ohio Valley while giving L&N access to the Gulf Coast. L&N bought out the NOM&T in 1880, the same year it gained a controlling interest in the Nashville, Chattanooga, and St. Louis Railway (NC&StL).

CHATTANOOGA WESTERN RAILWAY, 1882

This railway was an enterprise launched by C.E. James. Chartered in 1880, survey work was completed and work begun by 1882. The plan was to build a bridge over the Tennessee River at Chattanooga from Tannery Flats near the Roane Iron Works west of Cameron Hill to Moccasin Point. The rail line was intended to go from there to the foot of Waldens Ridge, then along that to the mouth of Suck Creek, to Kellys Ferry, past the mouth of Mullens Cove, then to Copenhagen (modern Richard City), bypassing Jasper by at least a mile, where it would cross the stateline. How much of the railroad was actually built is anyones guess, but it never came to fruition, possibly because of legal battles against the East Tennessee, Virginia, and Georgia Railroad, which planned a similar route over much of the same ground.

Chuck Hamilton

<natty4bumpo@gmail.com>
Street protests are expected to continue on Monday, when some women also planning a strike, boycotting jobs and classes.

Polish women have taken to the streets across the country, launching another round of protests against efforts by the nations conservative leaders to tighten already restrictive abortion law.

A large group gathered on Sunday outside the parliament building in Warsaw, chanting: We have had enough!

The latest round of demonstrations, held under the slogan We are not putting our umbrellas away, was organised in response to a new proposal that would fall short of a total ban, but outlaw abortions in cases where foetuses are unviable or badly damaged.

READ MORE: Defying Polands restrictive abortion law

Polish media reported that similar protests were happening in cities and towns across the country.

The street protests are expected to continue on Monday, when some women are also planning a strike, and boycotting jobs and classes.

Similar protests took place earlier this month against a proposal for a total ban on abortion.

But politicians rejected that proposal after massive crowds of women dressed in black staged street protests under their umbrellas in the rain.

Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the head of the ruling Law and Justice party, said recently he wants the law to ensure that women carry their foetuses to term even in cases of Down Syndrome, or when there is no chance of survival. The move would allow for baptisms and burials, Kaczynski said.





His socially conservative party won parliamentary and presidential elections last year with the support of Polands powerful Roman Catholic church, Catholic media outlets and religious voters.

Many observers see the attempts to further restrict abortion as a way for the party to repay its debt to its religious base.

However, the proposals have proven too restrictive for many Poles, including some who voted for the party.

Abortion was legal and easily available under communism in Poland, but after its fall the country re-embraced many of its Catholic traditions.

The current law, passed in 1993, bans most abortions, with exceptions made only in cases of rape, if the mothers life or health is at risk, or if the foetus is irreparably damaged.

Official statistics show there were 1,040 legal abortions in Poland last year, although many more abortions are known to take place, with women or travelling to neighbouring countries for the procedure or ordering abortion-inducing pills online.
More than 170 inmates escape from facility in town north of Port-au-Prince after killing guard and stealing weapons.

More than 170 inmates of a northern Haitian prison have escaped after killing a guard and stealing firearms, according to authorities engaged in a manhunt with support from UN peacekeepers.

Judge Henry Claude Louis-Jean said the jail break occurred on Saturday in Arcahaie, a coastal town about 50km north of Haitis capital Port-au-Prince.

Police in the Caribbean nation have set up checkpoints on roads leading from the jail and detained several people without identity cards.

However, the 266 inmates of Arcahaie prison do not wear uniforms, making it easier for the escapees to hide from authorities.

Eleven inmates were caught during the jail break, which happened when some prisoners were released in to a relatively less secure area for bathing.

INSIDE STORY: Protecting Haitis homeless

The inmates broke into an area used by the guards, stealing at least five rifles among other weapons.

One guard was shot to death.

Camille Edouard Junior, Haitis justice minister, said one inmate also died during the jail break after falling off a wall and hitting his head.

One guard was killed during the incident, Edouard Junior told Reuters news agency. Three prisoners were wounded, including one who died as a consequence of his wounds.

In the aftermath of the escape, videos circulating online showed the guards bloodied body lying on the floor surrounded by escapees discarded sandals.

The government condemned what it called a mutiny provoked by heavily armed individuals, according to a statement quoted by the news website Vant Bef.

Police asked residents of the coastal area to follow authorities instructions as a manhunt intensified.

REPORTERS NOTEBOOK: Haitis tragedy repeats itself

It was not clear if any of the inmates had been recaptured by Saturday evening.

Haiti experienced another major jail break only two years ago when a gang attacked the Croix-des-Bouquets prison and freed hundreds of inmates.

Earlier this month, the country was devastated by Hurricane Matthew.

More than 1,000 people were killed when Matthew crashed ashore on October 4 as a Category 4 storm, carrying winds of 230km per hour.

According to the UN, 1.4 million people are in urgent need of help in Haiti.

Haitis Civil Protection Department says more than 500 people are also infected with cholera.
African Union forces abandon Halgan town in the Hiran region, allowing al-Qaeda-affiliated fighters to enter soon after.

Fighters from al-Shabab have seized control of yet another town in central Somalia after it was abandoned by African Union peacekeepers, according to a spokesman for the group and a local official.

It was the third time this month that the al-Qaeda-affiliated group moved into a town in the region after the withdrawal of Ethiopian forces.

On Sunday, an Ethiopian contingent abandoned the town of Halgan in the Hiran region, allowing the groups fighters to enter soon after, Abdiasis Abu Musab, al-Shababs spokesman on military operations, said.

A military offensive launched in 2014 by African Union forces and the Somali army pushed out al-Shabbab of major strategic centres, but the fighters, who once held sway over much of the Horn of Africa country, still control some settlements and rural areas.

INTERACTIVE: Mapping al-Shabab attacks in Somalia

The fall of Halgan was confirmed by Dahir Amin Jesow, a member of parliament from the region, who said residents are being subjected to reprisals at the hands of the fighters.

Each day, civilians are being beheaded over suspicion that they are government supporters, he told the Reuters news agency. We do not have a government that is effective enough to protect our civilians.

The reason for the peacekeepers withdrawal was not clear. Officials in Ethiopia were not immediately available for comment.

Somalia has been embroiled in conflict and lawlessness since the early 1990s following the toppling of military dictator Mohamed Siad Barre.

Propped up by the African Union-mandated force known as AMISOM, Somalias military and central government have strengthened their grip on the country but a relentless campaign of violence by al-Shabab persists.

The group regularly attacks AMISOMs troops, which is made up of about 22,000 soldiers and police from African nations supporting Somalias government and army.

Al-Shabab aims to drive out the peacekeepers, topple Somalias Western-backed government and impose a strict version of Islam.
Vote paves way to the formation of a minority government headed by conservative party of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy.

Spains embattled Socialists have voted to lift a long-standing veto that has prevented the conservatives from forming a minority government, in what should finally end a ten-month political impasse.

The policy-setting federal committee of the deeply-divided Socialists (PSOE) voted 139 to 96 to abstain, instead of block, the formation of a new government headed by ruling centre-right Popular Party (PP) of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy.

Rajoys party won elections in December 2015 and again in June this year but without enough seats to rule alone.

OPINION: Spain: Is this the end of the Socialists?

The PP therefore needs the main opposition Socialists to either support its government or abstain in a parliamentary confidence vote.

The Socialist vote capped a high-risk meeting that followed weeks of in-fighting within the PSOE, Spains second largest party.

The grouping has been weakened by dismal election results and internal strategy disagreements amid Spains efforts to form a government after the two inconclusive general elections.

The divisions came to a head earlier this month when high-ranking Socialists amenable to a conservative government  so as to avoid a third election  forced party leader Pedro Sanchez to resign.

Weak government

Sanchez had long opposed Rajoy, who came to power in 2011 and whose four-year term was marked by a series of corruption scandals.

With Sanchez out of the way and the party run by an interim executive, many of the delegates at Sundays meeting supported an abstention.

Most Spaniards, more than 65 percent, dont want to go back to the ballot box and its the same among Socialist voters, said lawmaker Ignacio Urquizu.

Now that the Socialists have decided to abstain from another parliamentary confidence vote, Rajoy  who lost one in September  could submit himself to another one next week, with some confidence of victory.

By the beginning of November, Spain should finally get a government at a sensitive time as the country recovers from a devastating economic crisis.

But with only 137 of the 350 seats in parliament, the PPs government would be weak.





It would face opposition not only from the Socialists but also two upstart parties  the far-left Unidos Podemos and centrist Ciudadanos.

Their participation in the last two elections put an end to Spains traditional two-party system.

The Socialists, meanwhile, run the risk of alienating grassroots members staunchly opposed to the corruption-tainted PP.

In a weekend interview with online daily El Espanol, Socialist lawmaker Susana Sumelzo said the party would undoubtedly do badly in future elections and had lost credibility among voters.

I predict that in the medium and long-term, it will be very complicated. We will have to work a huge amount to get our credibility back.
Government official plays down significance of release of drone video which purportedly shows Taliban attack in Helmand.

The Afghan Taliban has uploaded a drone footage showing a suicide bomber driving into a police base and blowing it up in the southern Helmand province.

The fighters say the footage proves that they can now deploy drones as an addition to their sophisticated possessions of advanced technologies.

The 23-minute-long video, which begins with a self-proclaimed suicide bomber speaking in front of an explosives-rigged Humvee, was released on Saturday and appears to be authentic, according to the Afghan defence ministry.

The remote-controlled drones to capture footage of their [Taliban] fighters conducting attacks is nothing but to instill fear among people and to indicate how far they can get in defeating us, but in fact using a drone is not something they can call an achievement, Dawlat Waziri, spokesman for the defence ministry, told Al Jazeera by telephone.

You can get a drone anywhere, in any shop. They found or bought one, and used it.

However, using camera drones near sensitive government sites was banned by the Afghan government in June.

In the video, the purported suicide bomber, dressed in a black turban and white tunic says: I am telling the Afghan stooge forces to repent and join the Taliban or we will use this equipment the foreigners gave them, against them and they cant do anything about it.

A drone-mounted camera then films the Humvee speeding towards a compound and detonating in flames, blowing up the entire building.

This proves that we are well ahead in sending our messages to the people of Afghanistan in many sophisticated ways. Anything that helps us in destroying our enemies [Afghan and US forces] will be used with full force, Zabiullah Mujahid, Taliban spokesman, told Al Jazeera.

This video has proved to be very influential and we have many people supporting us.

Mujahid said the video was of an attack on October 3, when the fighters overran parts of Helmand province.

Reuters says a government official in Helmand also confirmed the attack in which the district police chief and several other officials were killed.

Helmand is strategically important for the Taliban as it is the main source of the countrys opium output, worth an estimated $4bn a year, much of which funds the war.

Provincial officials say the Taliban now controls 85 percent of the province, while only a year ago the government controlled 80 percent.
At least 19 people wounded besides the dead in car bombing in southeastern Bingol province where the PKK is active.

Two police officers have been killed and 19 people wounded after a car bomb exploded near a passing police vehicle in the eastern Turkish province of Bingol, according to security sources.

The bomb, believed to be planted by fighters from the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), was detonated near the district governors office, the security sources told Reuters news agency.

Six police officers were among the injured, Turkeys state-run Anadolu news agency reported.

The explosion also damaged several offices and residences, Anadolu said.

Hours before the bombing, PKK fighters had attempted an overnight attack on the district governors home, using long-range rifles and rocket launchers,Turkeys private Dogan news agency reported.

INTERACTIVE: Timeline of attacks in Turkey

Two fighters made it to the door of the house, but fled when police returned fire, it said.

Turkeys largely Kurdish southeast has been hit by waves of violence since the collapse of a ceasefire between the state and the PKK last year.

The PKK is considered a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the US and Europe.

More than 40,000 people, most of them Kurds, have died in violence since the PKK first took up arms against the state three decades ago.
President Nicolas Maduros government committed a coup detat by blocking a referendum on removing him from power, Venezuelas opposition-majority parliament accused.

Furious over the electoral authorities decision to suspend the process of organising a recall vote, opposition MPs on Sunday passed a resolution declaring the breakdown of constitutional order and a coup detat committed by the Nicolas Maduro regime.

In an emergency session on the economic and political crisis gripping the South American oil giant, MPs called on Venezuelans to actively defend the constitution by protesting. They also promised to request the international community to activate mechanisms to restore democracy.

A continual coup detat has been perpetrated in Venezuela, culminating in the decision to rob us of a recall referendum. Were here to officially declare the regrettable and painful rupture of the constitution, said majority leader Julio Borges of the centre-right opposition coalition, the Democratic Unity Roundtable.

Pro-Maduro politicians accused the opposition itself of seeking to stage a coup.

Dont try to take advantage of these hard times to finish off our nation, deputy Earle Herrera said.

Opposition politicians stopped short of voting to put Maduro on trial, as they had earlier threatened.

The session briefly descended into chaos when Maduro supporters forced their way past security guards and burst into the National Assembly, a moment which put proceedings on hold for 45 minutes.

Largely symbolic

Despite harsh rhetoric, the legislatures resolution is largely symbolic.

The Supreme Court has declared the legislative majority in contempt of court for defying it by swearing in three politicians at the centre of an electoral fraud investigation.

The opposition, which says the accusations are trumped up, condemns the high court as a Maduro lapdog.

The court has slapped down every bill passed by the legislature since the opposition took control in January.

Venezuelas crisis hit a new low on Thursday when the National Electoral Council indefinitely suspended the recall referendum process after criminal courts in five states ruled that the opposition had committed fraud in an initial petition drive.

Holding a recall referendum  a right guaranteed under Venezuelas constitution  was the oppositions main strategy to get rid of the man they accuse of driving the once-booming country to the brink of collapse.

The opposition had been gearing up for the last hurdle in the complex process: a three-day drive starting on Wednesday to collect signatures from four million voters demanding a recall vote.

Now that the authorities have stymied that bid, furious opposition leaders have promised the start of a new wave of nationwide protests on Wednesday.
The case against Assange is as political as it is legal; where does it go from here? Plus, Kenyas election influencers.










English News China will never allow US to run amok in South China Sea: Peoples Daily

Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 23 Octobre 2016



Over the past years, in a bid to cement its maritime hegemony, the US has been destabilizing regional peace and stability by meddling in the South China Sea, challenging China and alienating ties between China and the Philippines.

Zhongsheng, Peoples Daily China will never allow the US to run amok in South China Sea waters, the Peoples Daily asserted in a commentary on Sunday after a US Navy guided-missile destroyer, the USS Decatur, sailed through the waters of the Xisha Islands on Friday without the Chinese approval.



What the US did, driven by its hegemonic mentality, cannot increase its influence in Asia-Pacific region, the article said, adding that such acts to stir up enmity and make troubles will only result in the accelerated decline of its global influence.



The Chinese government resolutely opposes such provocative behavior and takes a series of effective counter-measures, added the commentary under the byline of "Zhongsheng".



The following is the translation of the article:



A US Navy guided-missile destroyer, the USS Decatur, sailed through Xisha Island waters, part of the South China Sea as Chinese territorial waters on Friday without the approval of Chinese authorities. The Chinese government resolutely opposes such provocative behavior and will take a series of effective counter-measures.



In the statement of the Chinese government on the territorial sea baseline issued in May 1996, China clarified the baseline of the Xisha Islands. The Law of the People's Republic of China on the Territorial Sea and the Contiguous Zone and other international laws also stipulates that all foreign warships need to gain approval from the Chinese government before entering Chinese waters.



The illegal entry of US warships into Chinese waters without permission seriously violates Chinas sovereignty and security interests, breaches both Chinese and international laws as well, and poses threats to peace, security as well as order in the relevant waters.



What the US did aims to encroach upon the sovereignty, security and maritime interests of regional countries in the so-called name of a freedom-of-navigation operation. But such provocative acts once again expose the negative energy of its Rebalance to Asia strategy, and at the same time verify the US role as a real trouble-maker in the South China Sea.



The so-called patrol launched by the US this time came just as China and the Philippines, a country immediately concerned with the South China Sea issue, were restoring their ties. During Philippine President Rodrigo Dutertes state visit to China, the two countries inked a series of cooperation agreements.



This US provocation in Chinese territorial waters, at a time when the improvement of ties between China and relevant countries is pulling the South China Sea issue to a encouraging solution, proves that the US has been destabilizing the South China Sea by playing up tensions.



By launching the so-called patrols, the superpower is telling the world that it can tolerate neither a tranquil South China Sea, nor a peaceful and stable Asia-Pacific. Since it cannot find a puppet troublemaker any longer, the exasperated Washington has to create a disturbance by itself.



President Duterte pointed out in a speech that the US feels a little anxious over Chinas sound ties with the Philippines, and his remarks revealed the complicated psychology of the US. Its peremptory provocation, as a matter of fact, can be regarded as a way to release its depression and an inertia to maintain its hegemony.



Washington has to realize that it is rightly this hegemonic mentality that has resulted in its declining global influence and inability to provide public goods with positive energy. It also has to admit that the era when one country can dominate an alliance network by creating tensions with lies will never come back.



No one wants to weaken the US influence in the Asia-Pacific region, but such influence must be based on a positive dedication to common development of the whole region. Its outdated hegemonic mentality is by no means accepted by regional countries who aspire for peace, cooperation and shared progress.



It is well-known that freedom-of-navigation, often cited by the US as a pretext, is actually a falsehood to allow the country to pursue absolute freedom of its own security. But the US should bear in mind the ultimate consequences of seeking absolute security as the country has paid enough bitter prices for its arrogance and ignorance.



The arbitrary decision will certainly bring the country to deadlock, and such a stubborn country may obtain some hard power, but never soft power and smart power.



If the US really wants to be a world power, it can never resort to guns, firearms, separation or fishing in troubled waters. Efforts to expand interests can be shared by all countries. Highfalutin words but obstinate and aggressive deeds will win no respect and trust from other countries.



Over the past years, in a bid to cement its maritime hegemony, the US has been destabilizing regional peace and stability by meddling in the South China Sea, challenging China and alienating ties between China and the Philippines.



Washington has not realized that those tricks cannot overturn the regional trend of peaceful development. As the Philippines once appealed, We can't be US' 'little brown brother' forever. Its choice to adjust diplomatic policies and reinforce cooperation with China also proves that an unjust cause committed to by the US finds little support.



Whats more, the US should not bear any fantasy in terms of the South China Sea issue as this is not its first head-to-head game with China. China has a rock-solid determination to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity. China will not ask for anything not belonging to itself, but it will fight for every inch of its territory within its sovereignty.



Chinese President Xi Jinping, at the gathering commemorating the 80th anniversary of the conclusion of the Long March (1934-36), urged the entire military to remain vigilant and be aware of its responsibilities, stressing that the modernization of national defense and armed forces must advance in a bid to safeguard the country's national sovereignty, security and development interests.



The US consolidation of hegemony with military actions will only highlight Chinas necessity to strengthen defense, and activate Chinas resolution to improve its capability to safeguard its own interests.



The Chinese army will definitely safeguard Chinas national sovereignty and security by stepping up patrols based on demand and optimizing its defensive capabilities. China will never allow the US to run amok in the South China Sea, an issue concerning principles. (Peoples Daily)



Dans la meme rubrique : < > More robots entering people's daily life China sees accelerated development of express delivery sector in rural areas China's FAST discovers largest atomic cloud in universe Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena)
A former director at Pinnacle Financial Partners in Nashville, Tenn., has pled guilty to insider trading.

James Cope entered into an agreement with the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee to plead guilty to one count of insider trading; he will serve a two-year probationary sentence, according to court documents. During the first nine months of the sentence, he will be subject to home confinement.

He will also pay a $55,000 fine.

The maximum penalty would have been 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $5 million fine.

Cope is a lawyer "with an impeccable reputation" who "made a mistake in judgment," said Aubrey Harwell Jr., a lawyer at Neal & Harwell and represented the former bank director. "He is accepting responsibility for what has transpired."

The Securities and Exchange Commission is also pursuing a case against Cope. During a Jan. 5 executive committee meeting, Cope learned about the potential acquisition of Avenue Financial Holdings in Nashville, according to court documents. He allegedly used the information to buy roughly 10,000 Avenue shares.

Cope reaped more than $56,000 from buying the shares after Avenue agreed to sell itself to Pinnacle, the SEC claimed in its complaint.

Cope, who lives in Murfreesboro, Tenn., resigned from the Pinnacle's board in April. Pinnacle later disclosed the potential insider trading in a regulatory filing.

The $11 billion-asset Pinnacle completed its acquisition of Avenue on July 1.
Romanian Oscar submission Sieranevada took top prizes at the 52nd Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) on Friday night.

The awards were presented at a reception and ceremony at the Festival's host venue, AMC River East.

Sieranevada, a Romanian drama, won the Gold Hugo for Best Film in the Festival's International Feature Competition. Director of the film, Cristi Puiu, received the Silver Hugo Best Director award.

"This film is an incredible cinematic achievement and fully immerses the audience in a family gathering and makes us aware of them not only on a personal level but also embodies the spirit of the times we live in," the juries announced.

Jury President Geraldine Chaplin presented the Festival's Jury Prize to Asghar Farhadi's "the Salesman," an Iranian film that focus on "the problems that arise from a case of sexual assault and the way an Arabic society deals with it."

Juho Kuosmanen from Finland won the Gold Hugo in the New Directors Competition for his film "the Happiest Day in the Life of Olli Maki," the film "mimics a vintage black-and-white," telling the story about a Finnish boxer, Olli Maki, fighting an undefeated American champion in the ring.

"Samuel in the Clouds", a joint production between Belgium and Netherlands, won the Gold Hugo for Best Documentary, which had its world premiere at the Festival.

Adrian Titien won Silver Hugo Best Actor for his performance in "Graduation", and Rebecca Hall won Silver Hugo Best Actress for her performance in "Christine".

Silver Plaque Best Screenplay went to Cristian Mungiu for "Graduation". Silver Plaque Best Cinematography went to Kacper Fertacz for "the Last Family", and Silver Plaque Best Art Direction went to Jagna Janicka for "the Last Family".

Michael Kutza, founder and artistic director of the Festival, presented the Founder's Award to director Andrei Konchalovsky for his "Paradise" (Germany/Russia).

Kutza said the film captures the spirit of the CIFF for its unique and innovative approach to the art of the moving image.

Other categories of awards included Roger Ebert Award, recognizing emerging talents, Q Hugo Awards and Short Film Awards.

The Festival will last until October 27.
Aleppo, Syria, has lately been the focus of much world attention, with some people even hearing in it the first rumblings of WW3. It is not really possible to sort out the wheat from the chaff in the torrents of information and opinions pouring daily through every conceivable communication channel, without asking the locals for their insights.

Dr. Nabil Antaki is one of the brave hearts that chose to remain in Aleppo despite the tragic loss of his brother, killed by 'rebels', to care for the war-wounded, mostly without charging a fee. He is also a member of a small, homegrown Christian charity - Aleppos Blue Marists- which provides housing, food, educational and recreational activities to Syrians of all denominations who are displaced within their own country. He was therefore uniquely placed to walk me through the maze and shed light on what is really going on in Aleppo.

1- Nabil, first of all, Id like to thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to speak to me about the situation in Syria. I am going to start right off the bat with the burning topic of the day. There is much talk these days among world leaders about the need to impose a no-fly zone over Aleppo. What do you think of that idea?

I disagree with it. A no-fly zone would mainly benefit armed groups such as Daech [ISIS] and Al-Nosra, and leave the city and its inhabitants exposed to their attacks.

2- Humanitarian organizations, however, insist that such a flying ban is needed to bring relief to beleaguered civilians. Is it not your opinion? What do you think, in this regard, of reports by Amnesty International and Doctors Without Borders, describing Aleppos devastation, allegedly caused by the Syrian Army barrel bombing?

My issue with Doctors Without Borders [Medecins Sans Frontieres - MSF] is that their reports are biased. They only report on the suffering in one part of town, the part held by rebels, never in the part under government control. Large hospitals in the western part of Aleppo were destroyed by terrorists, yet never mentioned by Doctors Without Borders. For example, in December 2013, the destruction of Al-Kindi hospital by shelling, then arson, at the hands of Al-Nusra Front, never made headlines in the corporate media. The focus is on the destruction of hospitals allegedly located in the rebel zone and whose numbers fluctuate according to the needs of the propaganda war, or which only exist in MSF's imagination. Likewise, casualties among civilians living in the western district of Aleppo have never interested those NGOs.

But first, let me explain for the benefit of your readersAleppo is divided into two parts. The eastern part with 250,000 inhabitants at most, is in the hands of rebels/ terrorist armed groups, who keep them hostage, while the western part with 1.5 to 2 million ihabitants, is under the control of the Syrian state.

In western Aleppo, we are bombarded daily by the 'rebels' and many hospitals have been destroyed, burned down or damaged by them without anybody mentioning it. To understand the situation, one also has to know that Doctors Without Borders is a totally misguided NGO that sided as of 2011 with armed groups the likes of Al-Nosra. Several of these large NGOs like Doctors Without Borders or the White Helmets are sponsored and financed by EU governments. They illegally enter Syria and then only go to areas where the rebels have embedded themselves. Meanwhile, you have more than 8 million Syrians who have fled towards areas under the Assad governments

control -- because Syrians in their vast majority remained attached to their government and regrouped in provinces under its protection -- and they are attacked by those 'rebels' daily without receiving any attention, as I said. It is therefore important to stress that by acting on Syrian soil without the agreement of the government and in total violation of Syrian sovereignty, Doctors without Borders are, in the eyes of the Syrian people, complicit in the terror committed by those armed groups.

However, things are happily starting to change -- perhaps under the pressure of public opinion? For a fortnight or so, those same journalists who had so far only interviewed rebel sources such as MSF or the SOHR [the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights] - have been flooding me with phone calls. Could they be trying to distance themselves from the disinformation of the past?

Now, regarding the so-called barrel bombs -- which, by the way, are nothing more and nothing less than cheaper, more rudimentary bombs -- I am not in a position to assert that bombs fired by the Syrian army at rebel positions in eastern Aleppo have never inadvertently hit a hospital, but even if they have, it was certainly not intentional. After all, we are in a war situation. The US and allies have themselves often missed their targets and caused collateral damage, even with their supposedly highly sophisticated, precision weapons, havent they?

3- Why, in your opinion, do the Western media tend to believe sources that you deem unreliable?

Journalists who speak to locals always focus on the humanitarian aspects and shun the rest. Nevertheless, we have been trying to get the truth out. In all my writings, I make clear that we are constantly bombarded by rebel armed groups with mortars, rockets and gas cylinders filled with explosives and nails.

Ever since 2011, Syrians have known that what was taking place on their soil was not a revolution to bring more democracy and respect for human rights, or less corruption. They knew from the start that the Arab Spring was another name for Condoleezza Rices Constructive Chaos or for the Bush Administrations New Middle East, and that the so-called Spring was a misnomer that would either lead to the destruction of Syria, or to its falling under an Islamic States rule. Unfortunately, these two projects may well be on the way to succeeding.

Now, to return to your specific question about why Western media coverage is so unbalanced, one reason is that journalists tend to rely heavily on a single source of information, the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights -- actually a one-man show. Despite its credible name, it is in fact a disinformation outlet financed by the Muslim Brotherhood.

To give you another example, the White Helmets -- which the Western press portrays as selfless rescuers of civilians, worthy of a Nobel Prize nomination -- well, they are certainly no angels. They are actually affiliated to Al-Nosra, which, I remind you, is another name for Al-Qaeda, and this is amply documented. Many of their rescue operations are staged affairs meant to manipulate public opinion into endorsing a given agenda, be it a bombing campaign, troops on the ground, additional waves of refugees or a no-fly zone.

Think of it, why dont they ever rescue civilians in the western part of Aleppo, by far the most populated? Their exclusive presence in the rebel-held, much smaller eastern part of town, is yet more proof of their cooperation with Al-Nosra.

4- Why arent local Christians more vocal? Wouldnt their testimonials contribute to a better understanding of their situation and, more generally, that of Syrians?

You are right when you say that we generally tend to put the emphasis on the experiential aspect of our tragedy, and refrain from being too analytical. We do this for several reasons:

First, to have a chance to be heard. Western public opinion has been so misinformed that political statements which go against the grain of conventional thinking will simply not be heard, understood or taken into account. So, we use the suffering of Aleppans and Syrians as an entry point, and then work our way up to deliver the message that the armed rebel groups are the ones responsible for that suffering.

How many Western good friends have I not lost in the early days of the events in Syria because I was trying to speak the truth! Their reaction was invariably: You guys in the Middle-East, see conspiracies everywhere! So I adjusted my methodology -- I no longer speak of a plot or preordained plan but instead, I lay out the facts. I describe the devastation, the deaths, the pain, and then I throw a comment in the mix that all of this did not originate spontaneously or grow organically; and this kind of talk gets accepted.

Second, it is a credibility thing, because Christians have often been accused of unconditional support of Assad in return for his protection. And Assad, conversely, of protecting Christians to remain in power. This, of course, is ludicrous. Christians used to represent 8% of the total population, much less now that they have been driven out of their homeland and mainly into neighboring Lebanon. How could they possibly affect Assads popularity ratings in any meaningful way? As a matter of fact, large numbers of Sunni Muslims are behind Assad and, conversely, not all Christians are big fans of him. The truth of the matter is that the Syrian state was and is still a secular state protecting all faiths and minorities. But if the world didnt want to hear it, would it have made a difference if Christians had engaged in blaming and shaming?

Last but not least, people are afraid for their lives and are therefore reluctant to get too political and designate culprits for their misfortunes. Those who chose to remain are trying to get on with their lives as best they can, and they pray that God may inspire world leaders to desist from their evil plans.

But keeping a low profile does not mean that we have to remain idle. As a matter of fact, Ive sent an joint appeal to Pope Francis in May 2015, together with Aleppos Marist Brothers, imploring him to use his moral authority and undeniable prestige to bring pressure to bear on world leaders, so that they would stop arming and financing armed groups, fight ISIS in a meaningful way and stem the influx of terrorists through Syrias northern border with Turkey. We told him we trusted that he, alone, could do something to stop the destruction of our beautiful country, stop the killings of hundreds of thousands of human beings and allow Syrian Christians to remain in or return to their homeland.
The late Andrew Breitbart said that politics is downstream from culture. Essentially, political battles are won or lost based on the culture from which voters derive their values. For conservatives, this has meant appealing to an American culture deeply rooted in family and religious values, and for years, this was a successful strategy. However, in todays increasingly secular America, these same appeals are no longer popular with most of the electorate, making it an uphill battle for conservatives to find strong support. If there is going to be a voice for small government in the future, something needs to change.

Some commentators are saying that this election is an example of what politics could look like in a post-Christian nation: a populist-nationalist candidate on one side and a far-left progressive on the other, much in the way parties are divided in Europe. If true, this leaves supporters of small government with few good options going forward. Both sides will grow government to a great degree; the only choice is in where you want that growth to occur.

However, this potential realignment of government-grower versus government-grower, authoritarian versus authoritarian, is certainly not set in stone. Donald Trump was nominated with the lowest percentage of popular support in the Republican primaries in 48 years. Hillary Clinton only won with the entire weight of the establishment behind her - and the corruption that accompanied it - against a 73-year-old socialist. The weak support of the two candidates is reflected in the polls, in which both have struggled to near 50 percent. Most importantly, both candidates are doing horrendously among young people, the drivers of American culture.

If what Breitbart said was true, then the candidates have weak support because they dont reflect the culture as it currently stands. They are both post-Christian politicians, but as baby boomers, they have their strongest appeal with the oldest among us and not much else. There is a clear void that needs to be filled to properly represent the culture, and supporters of small government are already laying the groundwork for such a solution.

The answer? Classical liberalism - the philosophy that uses reason alone to determine that mankind was born free and that protecting this freedom is the best way to advance society. Arising in the Enlightenment period of 17th century Europe, classical liberalism inspired the founders to declare independence from Great Britain, and it has been a part of the fabric of this nation ever since.

For instance, many Americans take for granted that all men are created equal or that we have certain rights like freedom of speech and the right to privacy. This is a truly unique phenomenon in the scope of human history. The principles and values of classical liberalism are enshrined in American culture because they are what the nation was founded upon, unlike any other country on Earth.

Three of Americas mainstream ideologies have stemmed from a classical liberal culture: conservatism, libertarianism, and liberalism. Their own spin on the ideology of their roots follows as a result of the primary goal of each - preserving the social order, preserving liberty, and solving social problems, respectively. While these goals have put the competing ideologies at odds with each other over the past several decades, they must unite lest they let the fascists and Marxists gaining in power bring about the end of the liberal consensus (in the classical sense) these three ideologies have forged, which Ross Douthat identifies as a possibility.

A coalition of conservatives, libertarians, and reasonable liberals can emerge by returning to the classical liberal tradition of their roots. Conservatives would have to drop their tendency to bring religion into politics. Libertarians would have to drop their tendency to see no legitimate role for government at all. Liberals would have to drop their tendency to use the government as a vehicle for social change. If done properly, this could create a governing majority that wants to reduce the size and power of government in a secularized America.

Leading figures are already at work trying to make this coalition emerge. Milo Yiannopoulos, though not a traditional conservative by any means, wants such a coalition to arise in opposition to the authoritarians, in particular the social-justice-warrior left, but also the religious right. He believes that a Donald Trump presidency would blow up the system so much that a natural political realignment of libertarian versus authoritarian, rather than left versus right, would occur.

Outside of the conservative movement, Austin Petersen, who was a presidential candidate during the primaries for the Libertarian Party, is attempting to bridge the gap between libertarians and tea-party conservatives. Dave Rubin, a liberal show host, has made an enemy of the regressive left and now describes himself as a classical liberal.

The three figures are most similar in their avid defense for free speech. While there may be disagreement as to specific policies, all conservatives, libertarians, and liberals should be able to agree that any differences should be worked out through well-reasoned debate and that the truth can be discovered in such a fashion. This makes them diametrically opposed to the authoritarians who will use whatever means necessary to achieve the end of a better government for their particular base, disregarding the rest of the country. A classical liberal coalition would seek to create a smaller government that is for no one and therefore is for everyone.

A radical center, socially liberal, fiscally conservative coalition could make the revolutionary change that this country desperately needs to happen today. The alternative - a perpetuation of a populist-nationalist, far-left progressive political dichotomy - will destroy this country as founded. Conservatives, libertarians, and liberals must overcome their differences to take on the most pressing threat of an overbearing, tyrannical state. If this election cycle is any indication, they're not going to defeat it on their own.

Trevor Louis is the founder of youngwhigs.com, a conservative blog featuring young writers. He attends Gonzaga College High School in Washington, DC.
Many politicians have a skeleton in their closet. Hillary Clinton has a cemetery, with a sign reading Waco.

The 1993 Waco showdown began when federal authorities rushed the communal home of a religious group, killing six of them, and losing four agents in return. The FBI then besieged the place with tanks and other armored vehicles, and ended up with the armored vehicles punching holes in the building, and injecting massive quantities of CS tear gas. When that didnt work, the tanks began to demolish the building, eventually smashing about a quarter of it and damaging the remainder. A fire broke out and 74 people died in the flames, including twenty-one children. It was the deadliest law enforcement operation in American history.

After the tragic debacle, the Clinton administration claimed that Attorney General Janet Reno had been solely responsible for the final assault. There had been no White House input during the siege, and at the end, President Clinton only acquiesced in a decision Reno had made.

Twenty-three years later, there are substantial reasons to doubt the truth of these claims. The evidence is strong that the Clinton White House was calling the shots, and that Hillary played a prominent role.

The first evidence of this came when Vincent Foster, Deputy Counsel to the president and close friend of both Clintons, was found dead in Fort Marcy Park, outside D.C. The cause was attributed to suicide. When the FBI asked Mrs. Foster what might have most stressed her husband, she cited the travel office scandal and Waco. The FBI 302 report noted LISA FOSTER believes that FOSTER was horrified when the Branch Davidian complex burned. FOSTER believed that everything was his fault.

But why would Foster have felt guilty -- let alone to the point of despair -- over a decision Janet Reno had made without White House input? How could he have thought everything was his fault?

A second piece of information surfaced after a FOIA lawsuit forced release of a videotape made during the siege. In it, an FBI supervisor tells his men that critical decisions are being made in the White House, and passed through that guy Hubbell, Hummel, whatever his name is.

Webster Webb Hubbell had been Hillary Clintons law partner back in Arkansas. Bill Clinton had just appointed him Associate Attorney General, the number three man at Justice. But the FBI supervisor is quite specific: Hubbell is not calling the shots, but relaying decisions made in the White House. Who in the White House was giving Hubbell his marching orders?

Linda Tripp, White House secretary and Foster associate, described the real Waco chain of command in an on Larry King Live: [Vincent] Foster, Mrs. Clinton, Webb Hubbell, Janet Reno  and she described their reaction to the fire and the fiery deaths of 21 children:

L. TRIPP: [A] special bulletin came on [CNN] showing the atrocity at Waco and the children. And his face, his whole body slumped, and his face turned white, and he was absolutely crushed knowing, knowing the part he had played. And he had played the part at Mrs. Clinton's direction. Her reaction, on the other hand, was heartless. And I can only tell you what I saw.

Foster had a special Waco file. Deborah Gorham, his personal secretary, said that he had a cabinet reserved for his most sensitive files: There were two. One was Sean Hadden [a White House staffer], and the other was Waco.

After his death, Fosters Waco file somehow vanished. Secret Service Agent Henry ONeil later testified before a Congressional committee that on the night of Fosters death he encountered Maggie Williams leaving Fosters office with two handfuls of folders. Williams denied removing any files, and when called upon to explain her presence in Fosters office that night, claimed she had gone in the irrational hope that she would find her colleague still alive there.

Did Hillary call the shots at Waco? If she did, it would explain another great mystery.

By his second term, Clinton had absolutely no use for Janet Reno. Journalist Taylor Branch wrote that Clinton fairly howled when describing Renos actions, and said he had not been able to trust her for four years. (Clintons primary upsets were Renos appointment of independent counsel to investigate his administrations many scandals -- the firing and framing of the White House travel office staff, the Whitewater investment scandal, the death of Vincent Foster, the abuse of FBI files, Waco, and Clintons sexual affair with Monica Lewinski. It would never occur to Clinton to blame himself for creating the scandals, rather than Reno for dealing with them.). Yet Clinton said he felt stuck with Reno, despite his resentments

Stuck with her? He was the president, and just re-elected. One phone call could have removed her. Presidents commonly change cabinet members, especially at the end of a first term. In his eight years, Clinton had two Secretaries of State, three Secretaries of the Treasury and of Defense, and four Secretaries of Commerce.

But the cabinet official Clinton most resented and distrusted became the longest-serving Attorney General in 150 years. (She is topped only by William Wirt, who served 1817-1829.)

Dick Morris, then Bill Clintons advisor, felt that Reno had kept her job by threatening to tell the truth about Waco. But who could the truth then have damaged? By Clintons second term, Foster was dead and Hubbell in prison for fraud. Of the chain of command Ms. Tripp described, only one person was left, and vulnerable:

Hillary Clinton.

David T. Hardy is an attorney who blogs at www.armsandthelaw.com. He and the late Mike McNulty played major roles in reopening the Waco controversy in 2000.
Let us give credit where it is due: She is polished, refined, well-rehearsed, and expert at hitting all of the focus group-tested notes. Her performance in the third debate was a masterful culmination of forty years of preparation for such a time as this.

We conservatives and Alt-Right deplorables are acutely aware of the appalling corruption of the Clintons, from the pay-to-play Clinton Foundation money laundering scheme to the tens of thousands of deleted emails, and from the anti-Islam video as pretext for a riot in Benghazi, Libya to the trail of mysterious deaths of dozens of people who ran afoul of the Clintons.

But the most effective lies in Hillary's arsenal, the ones that could get her over the top and into the White House, may be the most conventional ones that are hiding in plain sight, the ones that are not criminally prosecutable; the platitudes and pejoratives that simply capitalize on the economic ignorance of the American people, thanks to fifty or more years of progressive dominance of our education system, and the transformation of our society away from business ownership and toward corporate or government employment. Put another way: What she just said may not technically be a "lie," but seriously, do people really/still believe that?

Following are a few of the worst offenders during the Las Vegas debate:

"[W]e need a Supreme Court that will  stand up and say no to Citizens United, a decision that has undermined the election system in our country because of the way it permits dark, unaccountable money to come into our electoral system."

Next time liberals tell you about "dark money," ask them if they think the NAACP should have been compelled to turn over its member and donor lists to the state of Alabama when it was organizing for civil rights for blacks in the deep South in the 1950s. If Hillary wants to talk about "dark money" and outsized influence by wealthy people, she should look no further than her own cronies like George Soros and Michael Bloomberg and her own foundation.

"I support the Second Amendment." Clinton has praised countries like Australia that have implemented gun confiscations. The policies she advocates, which are steaming full ahead in California, do nothing to disarm criminals or terrorists, and everything to disarm law-abiding citizens and to criminalize those who take their civil rights under the Second Amendment seriously. They do so at a time when Democrat politicians are releasing actual violent criminals onto our streets before their sentences have been served.

"Roe v. Wade very clearly sets out that there can be regulations on abortion so long as the life and the health of the mother are taken into account." The Roe v. Wade decision was written, and has been upheld to mean, a virtually unlimited "right" to abort babies. The "taking into account of the health of the mother" includes such vague and malleable terms as "emotional health." The fact is that over 90 percent of abortions are elective. Democrats always seize upon the most rare cases (like rape or incest) to justify their support for the unlimited cases, which they don't talk about. Hillary says she doesn't want government interference in the most personal decisions, but they insist that government, i.e. taxpayers, must pay for other womens elective abortions whether they like it or not.

"[Trump] used undocumented labor to build the Trump tower." That may or may not be true, but note the deviousness: Democrats foster a society in which illegal immigrants comprise a substantial proportion of the workforce. They create an economy in which no one may compete or survive without taking illegal labor into account. Indeed, they confer de facto "rights" upon illegals to the point where the term loses its meaning. And then they selectively criticize or prosecute Republicans who hire illegals.

"What is really important about WikiLeaks is that the Russian government has engaged in espionage against Americans [blah blah blah blah.]" No, Hillary, what's really important about Wikileaks is whether what it reveals about the depths of corruption in your campaign, your party and your foundation are true.

"I want us to have the biggest jobs program since World War II." Was WWII a "jobs program"? No, it was a war. What she is really referring to are the New Deal programs of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's never-ending Great Depression.

Hillary has never created a single job in her entire life. Donald has personally created thousands. Hillary talks of "investing in the American people," by which she means taxing any economic activity that moves in order that government may redirect the resources to where Hillary prefers; but the only actual investing that Hillary is noted for is buying $1,000 worth of cattle futures and then selling them at a profit of $100,000 a short time later, with the help of a creative broker crony.

"New jobs in clean energycreate new opportunities and new businesseshelp small businessraise the national minimum wage make sure women get equal paymake college debt-freehave the wealthy pay their fair share." Score her credit for honesty about her intentions. But you have to believe in Santa Claus to think that she can conjure the wealth to pay for all of this without exploding the national debt and destroying economic growth and employment.

Any company that thinks they can pay women 75% of what they pay men can increase their profits 20% simply by firing all their male employees and replacing them with women. Why don't they do that?

"Because it [Trump's economic plan] truly will be Trickle Down economics on steroids." There is no such thing as "Trickle Down economics" except as a leftist pejorative for free-market (and perhaps "Supply-side" as opposed to demand-side or Keynesian) capitalism.

"[W]hen you inherit the level of economic catastrophe that President Obama inherited..." Slander. The crash of 2008 was caused by undue long-running government intervention in the mortgage lending market through the Community Reinvestment Act, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, the Fed, and the alternately cozy and coercive relationship between all of the above and the destined-to-be-too-big-to-fail crony socialist banks -- all of which was set in motion before Bush ever set foot in the White House.

"He went after Mr. And Mrs. Khan, the parents of a young man who died serving our country, a gold star family because of their religion." Mr. And Mrs. Khan's son died honorably serving his country. Mr. Khan is a pro-Islamic Sharia activist who attacked Trump for sounding the alarm about allowing in thousands of un-vettable Muslim immigrants.

Clinton's answer on Syria strategy was relatively long, detailed and somewhat plausible, except that one may fairly ask, why haven't all of your smarts added up to a better outcome in the last eight years?

"I will stand up for families against powerful interests, against corporations." Hillary, you OWN the corporations.

"Everything I did as secretary of state was in furtherance of our country's interests and our values." Grand prize.

Howard Hyde is author of the book "Escape from Berkeley: An EX liberal progressive socialist embraces America (and doesn't apologize)" He edits the website www.CitizenEcon.com.
In a small rural area of Santa Clara County California lies a geographically unique area of land called San Martin, close to, but not of, Silicon Valley.

In 1981 the Board of Supervisors established the San Martin Planning Advisory Committee (SMPAC), the only entity of its kind in the county, to give local residents and land owners a voice in decisions affecting San Martin. Members were appointed by the Board of Supervisors to review interim land use policies, the San Martin Water Quality Study, and to make recommendation to the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors on land use matters of interest to the San Martin Community.

Special care was taken to protect these unique rural agricultural areas, rich in important resources, agriculture, mineral deposits, forests, and wildlife. Two years later the Board adopted Special Area Plans to its General Plan. These policies limited overall growth and development in rural areas limiting them to non-urban low-density uses that supported the needs of the local community. The Plan sought to minimize the demand for public services (i.e. roads, Sheriff, postal, crime, graffiti control, etc.) and the cost to the general public for providing and maintaining these undeveloped rural areas.

In 2006, the South Valley Islamic Center proposed to build Cordoba Center (Cordoba) in the San Martin planning area. In 2011 Cordobas project description proposed a 5,000 sq. ft. mosque, 5,000 sq. ft. multipurpose hall, 1-2 covered patios for group picnic, bathrooms for picnic/retreat area.

The tight knit community of San Martin rallied together rejecting the project. They commented at numerous public meetings how the project was too large; unsustainable environmentally; uncharacteristic to San Martin; and that it violated the longtime Local-Serving ordinances implemented decades earlier. Traditional Muslim beliefs forbid non-Muslims from being buried in their cemeteries and since less than 1/10th of 1% of the local residents are Muslim, Cordoba wasnt considered to be of a Local-Serving nature to the community.

Cordobas documents were scrutinized. Previous owners of Cordobas parcels had abandoned building permits due to failed percolation tests. Decades of observations by residents attested to flooding on the property and reported reverse direction of water flow, contradicting reports in Cordobas documents.

Cordobas application was on the heels of the San Martin perchlorate contamination. The Olin Corp. had improperly dumped toxic chemicals into the soil polluting hundreds of San Martin wells, forcing residents to rely on bottled water for years, some still doing so. This made the safety of the residents drinking water a priority when questioning Cordobas septic system and proposed green cemetery. Almost all of San Martin residents rely on well water as their only source of drinking water. With no city water company or piped in water available, understandably, water is a major concern.

Muslim custom is to bury their dead directly into the ground without caskets or embalming. Green or natural cemeteries started popping up in the U.S. in 2007. A fairly recent addition, and with all neighboring entities to current green cemeteries having piped in city water available to them, there arent any studies on the effects of green burials (i.e, decaying bodies directly exposed to the soil) on nearby wells. Understandably, San Martin residents, demanded studies showing Cordobas proposed cemetery would be safe to their drinking water. To date, no studies have been provided.

In 2012, the County somehow excused Cordoba from obtaining an Environmental Impact Report (E.I.R.), allowing them to go forward with only a Mitigated Negative Declaration. A Negative Declaration is a document that states upon completion of an initial study that there is no substantial evidence that the project may have a significant effect on the environment. In contrast, an E.I.R. is an informational document that informs the public agency/public of significant environmental effects of a project, possible ways to minimize them and reasonable alternatives.

Local residents, noting the Countys willful desertion of its duty to protect and enforce the ordinances enacted to preserve their Special Area, filed a lawsuit against the County and Cordoba. The lawsuit resulted in Cordoba withdrawing its application, and executing a settlement agreement mandating it obtain an E.I.R. if they refiled.

Cordoba, apparently not willing to build anywhere else; i.e. in an urban area of the County devoid of numerous Special Area ordinances or other restrictions on noise, traffic, septic, building design, etc., instead threatened to sue the County for violating federal RLUIPA law (Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act). In 2000, Congress unanimously passed RLIUPA to prevent governments from placing an excessive burden on religious organizations in zoning and land marking laws. RLUIPA ensures religious institutions must be treated as well as comparable secular institutions. (Note that the County website for the proposed zoning changes includes a link to RLUIPA.)

County Planning Staff was asked to identify the substantial burden that was placed on Cordoba. Staffs response was This language (i.e. Local Serving) may impose a burden on the practice of religion for uses that are subject to the Local Serving policies.

May impose? The ordinances in question have existed for over three decades since the 1980 General Plan. They have been applied equally to every applicant, religious and non-religious.

The sudden changes to remove language that may violate RLUIPA but definitely will disenfranchise an entire community poses the question: What is motivating such radical changes to accommodate this one project?

Lets follow the money. According to a document submitted to County Planning by South Valley Islamic Center The cost of the proposed Cordoba Center project will be 100% paid for through a combination of donations by the SVIC membership and a generous grant from the Islamic Society of North America.

Dr. Michael Waller, Annenberg Professor of International Communication at the Institute of World Politics and expert on the political warfare of terrorist groups, testified before the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Technology and Homeland Security on October 14, 2003. Dr. Waller stated An organ of ISNA, the North American Islamic Trust (NAIT) has physical control of most mosques in the United States. NAIT finances, owns, and otherwise subsidizes the construction of mosques and is reported to own between 50 and 79 percent of the mosques on the North American continent.

(NAIT) was founded in 1973 by the Muslim Students Association of the United States and Canada (MSA) and backed by the Muslim Brotherhood. Both NAIT and ISNA were named unindicted co-conspirators in the 2007-2008 Holy Land Foundation trial.

At trial, the evidence showed ISNA diverted funds from the accounts it held with NAIT to institutions linked to Hamas and to Mousa Abu Marzook, (a Hamas leader). Other evidence presented established that ISNA and NAIT were among those organizations created by the U.S.-Muslim Brotherhood. Prosecutors presented copies of checks made out for hundreds of thousands of dollars and drawn from ISNAs account and deposited in the Holy Land Foundations account with NAIT made payable to the Palestinian Mujahadeen, the original name for Hamas military wing.

Now that weve established this isnt just your local religious organization desiring to build a little mosque in small town San Martin, but instead a once proposed project of 8,250 sq. ft. that has transformed into a 105,456 sq. ft. monstrosity funded by unindicted co-conspirators of terrorism, ISNA and NAIT, and friends of the Muslim Brotherhood. (see chart below)

PROJECT DESCRIPTION (12-03-2010) PROJECT DESCRIPTION (01-04-16) Religious Prayer Hall (Mosque 5,000 sq. ft.) Mosque Two Story 8,938 sq. ft. (+ 3,938 sq. ft.) Multi-purpose Hall (5,000 sq. ft.) (revised 8-2-12 to 2,800 sq. ft.) Community Bldg: Two story 14,548 sq. ft. (+ 11,748 sq. ft.) 1-2 covered patios Plaza: 15,000 sq. ft. Bathrooms for the picnic area (revised 8-2-12 to 2 bldgs. Total = 450 sq. ft.) Outdoor bathhouses: two (2) @ 390 sq. ft. ea (+330 sq. ft.) Cemetery: 2-acre Cemetery: 3.55 acre (4,260 graves) Parking Lot: (revised 8-2-12 total of 41 spaces) Parking Lot: 90 spaces (+ 50 spaces) Maintenance Bldg: 2,454 sq. ft. Caretakers Dwelling: 3,380 sq. ft. single-family dwelling Youth Camp: 16,500 sq. ft. (0.38 acre) Playfield and Playground 20,520 sq. ft. Orchard: 0.6-acre area 26,136 sq. ft. Total = 8,250 sq. ft. Total = 105,456 sq. ft. (+97,456 sq. ft.)

At the October 4, 2016 Board of Supervisors meeting, the Board postponed voting to adopt the one-year status report relating to implementation of the local-serving amendments, sending them back to Planning Staff for additional work. Residents presented the Board with a petition containing 474 signatures once again opposing the Local-Serving changes.

Unlike most local neighborhood churches, Cordoba by its own admission, restricts participation in most of its activities to Muslims. Non-Muslims are restricted from burial in Cordobas proposed cemetery. How ironic is it that Cordoba demands the community comply with its restrictions on limited use of its facilities, yet as it bulldozes its way into the small rural village of San Martin, Cordoba demands the County and its residents abolish the decades-long existing ordinances limiting growth & development to the needs of the local community in order to accommodate Cordoba?

The proposed changes to the Local-Serving Ordinances accommodate one project, Cordoba. The ramifications, however, affect an entire community and the entire unincorporated area of Santa Clara County. The once protected area of San Martin, where families relied on Special Plans and ordinances to preserve the investments they made generations ago are now gone. Their agricultural country style of living off the land in an undeveloped quiet rural area is gone because of one project, Cordoba. Cordoba abolished local-serving zoning ordinances and at the same time abolished an entire communitys lifestyle. Its no wonder that according to a recent study at Chapman University that almost half of the respondents said they would be uncomfortable with a mosque being built in their neighborhood.
As the election nears, the media hype, designed to affect the results, demoralize and demonize Trump and his supporters and confirm the bias of its elite coastal consumers, continues. Saturdays opinion-posing-as-news lead in the Washington Post says the end is near for Trump -- the polls have him down everywhere and he was booed for crass attacks at the Al Smith dinner in New York. What do you expect from media whose reporters are literally in bed with the administration?

Not only are reporters feeding debate questions to the Clinton campaign, we have a video of one of them, Andrea Mitchell, seemingly being fed what to ask by Hillarys traveling press secretary.

Extensive evidence from Wikileaks, FOIA responses, and human sources of the incestuous and improper coordination between the media and the Democrats have been detailed by Sharyl Attkisson. She concludes:

It can be argued that some individual accounts can be rationalized and are not serious breaches of ethics. But taken as a whole, its easy to see how we as journalists have done a poor job protecting ourselves from being co-opted by organized interests, often ones that are paid and politically-motivated. Whether we realize it or not, theyve figured out how to exploit the media and use us to publish their propaganda. It implies a broad and growing trend that has seriously undermined the credibility of the news industry. Opinion reporters and those who work for obviously ideological news groups are entitled to publish party propaganda. Its one matter to provide viewpoint journalism. But its quite another for us to act as a tool of any interest, publishing narratives or talking points upon suggestion or demand, without disclosing weve done just that.

Wikileaks promises to unleash even more insider accounts of the Clinton campaign and DNC shenanigans this coming week and has said it has even more current information -- material respecting serious wrongdoing by the DNC head Donna Brazile and Clintons vice-presidential running mate Timothy Kaine coming up next. James OKeefe of Project Veritas says that on Monday he is releasing a video of Robert Creamer, shown as a vote fixer in previous videos, coordinating with Clinton and Brazile. Anything happens to me, there's a deadman's switch on Part III, which will be released Monday. @HillaryClinton and @donnabrazile implicated.

The media has hardly reported these disclosures and when it has it has downplayed them, but it is no longer a gatekeeper deciding what we are allowed to know, although it tries hard to hide Hillarys obvious physical disabilities from the public eye.

As for the polls, Democrat pollster Pat Caddell says we may be in for a shock election night:

All of the tracking polls keep holding at Trump being ahead, he continued. And then all of these other polls that are one-off polls, or whatever I dont know how theyre doing some of these university polls. You just put the name of some university and apparently it becomes credible, whether they know what theyre doing, or not. Caddell was pointing out the discrepancy between the different types of polls. But in any event, polling is all over the place. Something isnt adding up, said Caddell. Something is going to happen here, I just sense it, he concluded. Either Hillary will glide into the White House, or were headed for one of the greatest shocks in American politics. I think its a very close call. I think the shock potential is enormous.

Our own Jared E. Peterson fleshes out Caddells point:

Here are some of the numbers available Friday, October 21, 2016: Goebbels/Pravda: (with NBC and CBS as reported by RCP on the afternoon of Friday, October 21, 2016): ABC/Washington Post: 47-43, Clinton NBC: 51-43, Clinton CBS: 51-40, Clinton Non-Propaganda Machine-affiliated: (as reported on the afternoon of Friday October 21, 2016): IBT/TIPP: 41-40, Trump LA Times/USC Tracking: 44.5-43.8, Trump Rasmussen: 43-41, Trump To say theres a huge difference between the current state of the race as depicted by Goebbels/Pravda versus that shown by major independent polling organizations, would be risible understatement. The propaganda arm of the Democratic Party is showing a runaway race, while the independents present an extremely tight one, with Trump frequently leading by a nose.

We know that at least one -- the NBC/WSJ poll which early showed Clinton with an improbable 11-point lead -- was a barely disguised effort intended to manipulate public opinion using a small pool of voters, improbably weighted and produced by a firm with extensive ties to the Clinton camp.

As for the media account of the Al Smith dinner, it seems like the fake accounts of Trump encouraging violence at his rallies, its not a true account. Joe Concha reports that you werent being told that Hillary got just as mean and personal as Trump did and also received some boos even from such an elite Democrat supporting party -- and Concha who quotes from their remarks is joined in this assessment by Piers Morgan.

Its hard to disagree with Conchas conclusion:

Who would think the 2016 Al Smith Dinner would encapsulate the prism our media sees this campaign in so perfectly? A prism where only one candidate exists. Because as we're seeing on television and in print today, it just somehow did.

The dinner itself reflects how even the Catholic Archdiocese, which sponsors this dinner for the benefit of Catholic Charities, has been coopted by the left and vast sums of federal money. It looks as if it has lost its way. Catholic Charities receives hundreds of millions of dollars from the federal treasury as a refugee resettlement contractor. They accept thousands of unvetted Syrian Moslems and place them in communities already struggling to provide basic services, get them signed up for welfare benefits for which taxpayers then have to foot the bill and then lobby Congress for more funds to repeat this operation.

Catholic Charities/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops: These nominally Catholic organizations are the largest VOLAGs [voluntary organizations], with hundreds of offices spread throughout the country. They are prominent members of the open borders/amnesty movement. The Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) is the domestic anti-poverty program of the U.S. Catholic Bishops and a grant-making vehicle of the USCCB. It was founded in Chicago in 1969 with the help of radical organizer Saul Alinsky, specifically to fund Alinskys Industrial Areas Foundation. CCHD has been a radical leftist funding vehicle ever since, giving millions to ACORN, the radical training school Midwest Academy, and others. The Industrial Areas Foundation, where a young Barack Obama was trained in community organizing with financial support from the Chicago Archdiocese, receives the largest percentage of CCHD grants of any CCHD grantee. President Obama had this to say about CCHD: I got my start as a community organizer working with mostly Catholic parishes on the Southside of Chicago that were struggling because the steel plants had closed. The Campaign for Human Development helped fund the project and so, very early on, my career was intertwined with the belief in social justice that is so strong in the Church. USCCB founded the Catholic Legal Immigration Network Inc., a $7 million subsidiary which assists illegal aliens based on the Gospel value of welcoming the stranger. It aggressively promotes amnesty, believing that all goods of the earth belong to all people. When persons cannot find employment in their country of origin to support themselves and their families, they have a right to find work elsewhere in order to survive. Sovereign nations should provide ways to accommodate this right. USCCB has 270 field offices in 47 states. Board members include Donald D. Taylor, president of the extreme-left union UNITE HERE!

Catholics are not alone in this three-card Monte game -- there are nine other such nominally faith-based organization receiving vast sums to bring refugees here, pushing for amnesty and more money for their operations which are disrupting American communities and transforming them.

Most if not all started out as private charitable institutions providing financial and other aid out of their own funds for this work. Iowahawk describes the transformation of so many of our once fine institutions as these:

Take a respected institution. Kill it. Gut it. Wear its carcass as a skin suit. And demand respect.

I dont recall Catholic Charities or any of the voluntary resettlement contractors lobbying on the hill for better vetting of refugees or for a change in the UN processing of them abroad to include truly persecuted groups like Christian refugees. (They may have; I just havent seen it.) Its a scandal -- your money funds these nominally Christian and Jewish groups to bring in ever more inassimilable, low educated, unskilled, and sometimes very ill and dangerous hordes to transform us from a Christian-Judeo nation which believes in religious tolerance into one in which a growing minority of immigrants which a supremacist fantasy encourages demands for special privileges and the right to live off our bounty as they undermine what has created it.

The more refugee cases a volag is assigned, the more money the federal government hands over to the private agency. In some ways, the model resembles those charities that spend inordinately on fund raising and administration instead of on actually helping needy people. Clearly, refugee resettlement policy and programs, from top to bottom, are overdue for congressional scrutiny and reform. Those organizations, including religious ones, receiving federal monies deserve close assessment. It is morally incumbent on religious refugee bureaus to examine their own hearts. As Christ said, it is impossible to serve both God and money (Luke 16:13). Their efforts would be a lot more honest and effective and a lot less harmful to their fellow countrymen and communities if they returned to reliance on private funding alone.

Hundreds of Catholic institutions are involved, including Catholic Charities of NY. The $177.2 million in federal grants to Catholic charities in 2015 are from a single charity organization. -- the Catholic Charities of Chicago. So its fair to assume that the NY branch (for whom the Al Smith dinner is the beneficiary) itself garnered at least that much that year.

But the Al Smith dinner reflects more than its being a cover for leftist money-grubbing at our expense -- it reveals a shocking disregard for Catholic sensibilities to curry favor with New Yorks leftist elites and Hillary.

Recent history reveals the shift. Writing in the NC Register, Thomas Mcardle questions whether this dinner for the glitterati has passed its expiration date.

The overall message the Al Smith Dinner now sends to Americans, Catholic and non-Catholic alike, is that Catholic teachings on human life and marriage cant be allowed to muss relations between the Church and an increasingly anti-Catholic state. But in both 1996 and 2004, the abortion-friendly position of first Bill Clinton and then Catholic Democrat nominee John Kerry led to both parties candidates not being invited by the Archdiocese of New York.

The decision to invite Hillary is even more inexplicable when the Archbishop had the same week demanded an apology from Hillary for the anti-Catholic material within her campaign disclosed by Wikileaks, and hasnt received one.

Emails released last week by WikiLeaks showed Clinton Campaign Chairman John Podesta and Director of Communications Jennifer Palmieri, both Catholics, in conversations with activists from two left-wing organizations. In the emails, Catholics were debased, with their beliefs being called severely backwards. Conservative Catholics also were accused of an amazing bastardization of the faith, and Rupert Murdoch was mocked for baptizing his children as Catholics in the River Jordan. The U.S. Churchs bishops were slammed in the emails as well, referred to as a middle ages dictatorship. Palmieri said in one of the emails she thought conservatives that had come to Catholicism did so because they think it is the most socially acceptable politically conservative religion, and that their rich friends wouldn't understand if they became evangelicals. Podesta admitted to helping launch a progressive infiltration of the Church in another email, and he took an active role in attempting to incite a liberal Catholic revolt against the U.S. bishops. We created Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good to organize for a moment like this, Podesta wrote. But I think it lacks the leadership to do so now. Likewise Catholics United. Like most Spring movements, I think this one will have to be bottom up. The Catholic Spring Podesta referred to had been broached in the email by Center for Progress president Sandy Newman, who had pondered how one would "plant the seeds of the revolution," or who would plant them.

With even more damaging Wikileaks and Project Veritas disclosures coming, the Clinton camp is now trying to question their credibility, source, and organizer. So far, the claims seem unpersuasive. Donna Brazile whose head seems to be moving next under the Wikileakd guillotine has suggested the emails were tampered with. (You might remember that in 1988 she was fired from the DNC and Dukakis apologized for her conduct when she spread a lie that George H.W. Bush had a mistress.) Cryptographers debunk that.

Hillary has claimed that U.S. Security agencies told her the hacks were Russian, suggesting Putin is trying to influence our election. Like everything else she says, this, too, is false. Rumors smearing Assange as a pedophile have been spread -- doubtless by the trolls within the Clinton network. Reddit sleuths trace them to the address of an intelligence agency that seems to share an address with an outfit on whose board sit Larry Summers and Neera Tanden, both major players in the Clinton shadow government Center for American Progress.

Whether this will pan out on further investigation, remains to be seen, but given what we know of how the Clintons operate Id consider it a distinct possibility.

Former UK foreign minister Craig Murray hints the Wikileaks come from inside the Clinton camp itself.

I can tell you with 100% certainty that it is not any Russian state actor or proxy that gave the Democratic National Committee and Podesta material to WikiLeaks. The claim is nonsense. Journalists are also publishing that these were obtained by hacking with no evidence that this was the method used to obtain them. [snip] But the key point is that WikiLeaks is a publisher. It is a vehicle for publishing leaks, and is much more of a vehicle for whistleblowers than for hackers. It does not originate the material. I have often seen comments such as Why has WikiLeaks not published material on Israel/Putin/Trump? The answer is that they have not been given any. They publish good, verifiable material that they are given by whistleblowers.

It would warm my cold heart to think there is an honest person or two somewhere on the vast Clinton payroll.
In the current election environment, in which the media have determined that boorish behavior toward women in the past is the principle issue facing the Republic, attention inevitably goes to Bill Clinton, who was, after all impeached in the wake of a sexual scandal in which he perjured himself.

Kerry Pickett of The Daily Caller has an illuminating piece, in which she explains how tens of thousands of pages of impeachment documents, the contents of voluminous investigations under oath, are hidden away from the pubic eye. She then quotes from a radio interview on American Family Radios Sandy Rios show Friday with Thomas Shippers, the Democrat who was appointed chief investigative counsel for the House Judiciary Committee. I recommend reading the entire piece, but here is one important excerpt:

When they announced they had all the materials in the room, I put my staff together and said, Alright-look, if this is nothing but Monica Lewinskyif this is nothing but sex, well be out of here in a couple of weeks. Heres what were gonna do. Were gonna look at everything. Were gonna listen to everything. Were gonna read every word. Each one of us is going to do it. He added, There were some 60,000 documents in there plus telephone callsall kinds of stuff. (snip) Schippers says that after two weeks he sat his team of investigators down and asked each one for their reaction to what they read. And one by one they said, Hes gotta go. The mans a perjurer. Hes been after women. Hes been doing everything in his power to shut everybody up. The man should be impeached. So, I went to Henry Hyde and I said, Theyre going to recommend an impeachment inquiry, Schippers said.

Oh, and by the way, Schippers makes it clear that the Senate trial of Bill Clinton was fixed.
Nearly a decade ago at the height of the Iraq War, the California National Guard found itself coming up short in enlistments. To remedy the situation, they began offer a $15,000 bonus for some new recruits.

Now, after a federal audit, it was discovered that up to 10,000 Guard vets were improperly given a bonus. The feds want that money repaid.

CBS Los Angeles:

The way to fix it if the law needs to be changed, says McVey, thats what elected officials are for. They should fix the problem not lay it off on what in fact are turning into the victims. The money was given to the soldiers upfront, similar to an athlete getting a signing bonus. According to the LA Time, the bonus money was supposed to be limited to soldiers who were taken on high-demand assignments. A federal investigation uncovered thousands of bonuses and student loan payments that were given to California Guard soldiers who didnt qualify under the high-demand assignment criteria. Fajardo also spoke to retired US Army Chief Warrant Officer Warren Finch who also served in the Guard. She asked him if he believed the money should be returned? I dont think so. he said, I think they took the bonus honestly believing thats what they were authorized. To be perfectly honest I think the people that did it, promised them the bonus should be the ones paying it back. Finch says as the military works to sort out accusations of fraud and mismanagement, its the soldiers who are paying the price.

It also could discourage people from joining the military and that hurts especially when you have an all-volunteer army, says Finch. The LA Times said this give it back policy would affect 10,000 current and retired soldiers. A Guard spokesperson said the figure would actually be much lower. The California National Guard believe it is under fire and it also looking for legislative help. A spokesperson wrote, The California National Guard does not have the authority to unilaterally waive these debts., However, the California National Guard welcomes any law passed by Congress to waive these debts. The ranking member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee is from the Inland Empire. Fajardo reached Rep Mark Takano by phone  be declined to talk and referred her to his chief of staff.

No doubt a lot of those enlistment bonuses were given by over eager recruiting officers who wanted to meet their goals for the month. That's certainly no excuse, but it might explain why so many recruits were improperly given a bonus. The recruit may have, indeed, signed up for a "high demand" assignment but was later found to be unqualified. Because the bonus was paid immediately after the recruit signed on the dotted line, it is likely that most of these improper bonuses were honest mistakes.

Most of that bonus money is long gone, spent by enlistees. Should Congress offer these veterans relief and forgive the debt? These are men and women who answered the call when their country and state needed them. It's difficult to see how Congress can now ask them to repay a debt that they had no idea they were taking on when they signed up.
 Flash

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's visit to China shows the two countries have resumed friendly relations for win-win, which are also conducive to regional peace and stability, global observers and analysts told Xinhua.

The visit is significant in that it is not only Duterte's first visit outside the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), but also came ahead of his visit to the the Philippines' traditional allies, the United States and Japan, said Earl Parreno, a political analyst at the Institute of Political and Electoral Reforms in the Philippines.

"This visit could mean more investments coming into the country, more opportunities for businessmen and more employment for Filipinos. It could also mean markets for Philippine products like bananas and pineapples," said Parreno.

Ngeow Chow Bing, deputy director of the Institute of China Studies at the University of Malaya, also spoke highly of Duterte's visit to China, saying that the China-Philippine relationship going back on track is conducive to regional peace and stability.

The relationship between China and the Southeast Asian countries is comprehensive and complex, which involves not just military or security issues, but also trade, cultural and tourism opportunities, the Malaysian expert said.

Soukthavy Keola, a former counselor at the Lao Embassy in China, said the result of Duterte's visit is of strategic importance to the region.

The development of cooperation between the two countries will have a positive influence on cooperation between China and ASEAN countries, said Keola.

Li Mingjiang, an associate professor at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies of Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, said Duterte's visit is an obvious adjustment of Philippine foreign policy, especially about its relations with major world countries.

Different from his predecessor Benigno Aquino III, who largely depended on the United States in his foreign policy, Duterte has adopted a policy of diversifying friendly relations with major world countries and his visit to China reflects this policy, said Li.

"It is expected that in the next few years, China-Philippine relations will return to the normal track, and cooperation in many areas will be strengthened," he said.

Pierre Picquart, an expert in Geopolitics and China at the University of Paris VIII, told Xinhua that Duterte has chosen the path of reason "rather than promoting geopolitical, economic and territorial tensions about the South China Sea, and unlike his predecessor Benigno Aquino."

"This is a peaceful way, with bilateral negotiations and path of economic growth in partnership with Beijing for win-win partnerships in the region," Picquart said, hailing that the "former American colony now seems to break his ancestral chains."

Bambang Purwanto, director of international department at Indonesia's Antara News Agency, said Duterte has made a good start on relations with China and the two countries should strike for positive results from the current visit to create a good atmosphere.

"I am sure that the visit will ease the tension in the South China Sea, and start the process to make the two peoples know each other, to know that cooperation is the right way to develop bilateral ties," said Purwanto.

Duterte arrived in Beijing Tuesday night for a four-day state visit to China, the first country he has visited outside ASEAN since taking office in June.

The visit came against a backdrop of deteriorating China-Philippines ties due to the South China Sea arbitration case unilaterally initiated against China by his predecessor Benigno Aquino III.
Its recently been rumored that Samsung announced at the end of last week, that it is to set up a compensation program that will allow customers of the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 who exchanged the device for the Samsung Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 Edge device to upgrade to next years Samsung Galaxy S8 without paying much. The new Samsung Galaxy S8 is potentially going to be released in March 2017 and the amount that the Galaxy Note 7 owners will pay is reckoned to depend on if the Galaxy Note 7 was replaced with the Galaxy S7 device on either the first or second recall. A Samsung spokesperson said: The new compensation program is designed to make it easier for those who exchange their Galaxy Note 7 with existing Samsung smartphones, to shift into our next model coming in next year.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 was originally unveiled in August. Within a few weeks of the device going on sale, customers started complaining that the device was catching fire or exploding when on charge. Samsung investigated the issue and arranged for the device to be recalled and replaced with a newly made Galaxy Note 7. Because this is the first Note smartphone with an embedded, non-user replaceable battery, Samsung had to manufacture new smartphones and ship these out to customers. Unfortunately, only a few days after the replaced Galaxy Note 7 phones were in the hands of customers, reports started coming in that the replacement Galaxy Note 7 devices were also catching fire. Samsung conceded that there was a serious problem with the battery used in the handset, recalled all devices and either issued full or partial refunds together with a replacement Samsung device for customers.

Samsung is already subsidizing its existing devices  in effect, paying customers, as the Galaxy Note 7 was Samsungs most expensive device  in order to encourage them to stick with a Samsung device after the Galaxy Note 7 was removed from sale. The South Korean conglomerate is keen to reassure consumers that its devices are safe and that the problems with the Samsung Galaxy Note 7s battery were isolated to this particular model. However, the company has not provided details of how the upgrade or replacement scheme is going to work. We will have to wait and see how customers will react as the Galaxy Note family of devices is considered to be subtly different to the Galaxy S line of devices.




When Two Worlds Collide (2016) / Matthew Orzel, Heidi Brandenburg Sierralta

T he film title explains the plot before one is presented by the documented reality on screen. Since, the dawn of time, two ideas always existed and from time to time, each has collided with one another to destroy and create new ideas. But how far can we justify the collision, when river of blood flows across the land.



Debut directors Orzel and Sierralta, document the collision between the indigenous Amazonian tribes of Peru with that of the ruling government led by Alan Garcia. The issue begins when the government signs Free Trade Agreement with United States of America and opens its door to the oil companies to exploit the rich resources of the land. The land belongs to the tribes who have been living in cordial harmony with the nature and worshipped the land.



The film reminded me of the fictitious James Cameron film Avatar. But here nobody was a hero. It was a collision of two worlds belonging to the same land. Between the world of money and power versus the world of savages and wilderness.



In any film, the Director-DP-VFX Supervisor-Production Designer quartet plans the film's look in advance. A look is the visual design that generates the required emotion in the mind of the viewer. The generated emotion is also known as the feel .



Filmmakers decide the look by controlling precise factors - the contrast ratio among the fore, middle and backgrounds, the hardness of the shadow, the color and direction of light, whether light is coming from high or low angle, the texture on the subject and the background, the color pallet sustained through the color of light, make up, costume and color of set properties.

The look is buttressed by the sound. Sometimes, everything works at the same time across the moving frame, in real time. Sometimes, the spectator's mind mixes all these post process. Eisenstein called these overtonal montage and intellectual montage respectively.



How to show two worlds colliding, visually? Surely, the collision of culture can be represented culturally on the screen? Each culture has different color pallets and sound pallets. Add color association and sound association to this. Jared Diamond has shown in copious number of examples, in Guns, Germs and Steel (1997), how competing cultures go through ideological competition too . They do that through validating their respective cultural tropes - religious rites, language, non-linguistic sign-systems, absolute Truth, color codes, music and dance, group dynamics and tribal relationship. The invading culture wants to show its divinity through this.



Exactly that takes place in Orzel and Sierralta's film.



To know more, catch the film in the ongoing MFF. You can register here



The film documents the governments urge to strive development through exploiting every natural resource for oil, steel and timbre. At the same time, the tribal people are not consented before putting up their land for sale to the oil companies.



The film is a constant reminder on how the struggle for existence and development will always clash till the time there is nothing else to die for.





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On the Silver Globe (1989) / Andrzej Zuawski

Anthropologist Sir James Frazer published a mammoth study of the world's mythologies and religion, The Golden Bough, in 1890. There, the observations led to an unanimous conclusion that the history of the humanity is totally uniform, obeying the laws of physics. The natural laws lead to the biological laws in a more specific, organic setting. The biological laws, interacting with the phenomenal matter as well as the noumenal mind, leads to an abstract, but in no way non-existent, entity called culture. Mythologies and religion are two earliest symptoms of culture. These are the ways through which the human cultures propagate themselves.



If the cultures can be traced back, in quite a detailed way, to the laws of physical sciences, then it is easy to see why any human culture would resemble any other under the similar beginning (geological) situation and similar response to similar physical changes by similar human mind, over time. The result would be a deterministic history, where the free will is actually subject to fate (AKA determinism).



Darwinism brought the idea of such a deterministic model of human history. Marxism took it forward, in popular cognition.



In Science Fiction, Asimov plotted the same thought in the Foundation series (1942-1993), on a galactic empire at a date far in future. The basic assumption in all these is that one can predict future for a society if one knows all the parameters in the beginning. This is further based on the assumption that the human mind, brought up in a particular cultural style, would always react in the same way to the similar change in situation.



There are exceptions of course. Such individual exceptions are called abnormal personalities (Gandhi, for example, was one. Abnormal does not mean low or bad. It means beyond the average, outside the norm). Such societies are known to be peculiar .



On the Silver Globe began as a formal study of the humanity in another planet where the new born children, bereft of their cultural legacy, would reinvent myths and religion in exactly the same way as the original humanity.



There would be similar gods, similar battles between the God and the Satanic forces - where the roles of God and Satan would interchange infinitely. There would be Prophets and the Christ, and their would be Crucifixion.



Such ideas about deterministic history are forged out of flawed readings of Marxist literature. Such a film from Poland was quite likely, in the late 1970s, in the aftermath of the Soviet empiricism in Poland.





This film is legally available on the Youtube . MAMI should be thanked for presenting a restored version of this classic piece on the observation of human cultural forces.



We shall post a pithy technical review of this film here, after the Mumbai Film Festival ends. So, stay tuned!



This film has a repeat screening at the MFF. To register for the festival, please click here .



Readers, please feel free to share your views/opinions in the comment box below. As always your feedback is highly appreciated!






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Sean Duffy and Mary Hoeft differ over what can be done to boost the nations economy, how to handle the threat of the Islamic State in Syria and the merits of the presidential candidates of their respective parties.

Voters will get to decide which stands on the issue they prefer in the Nov. 8 election for Seventh District Congressional seat.

Duffy, a Republican, was elected in 2010 and has been re-elected since as representative of the sprawling district, that spans from just north of Chippewa Falls to Superior, and from Hudson to near Wausau.

Hoeft, a Democrat, was a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Barron for 45 years before retiring Aug. 9. She has served two terms on the Rice Lake School Board.

Sean Duffy

Busineses in the 7th District compete globally, but new rules are driving up their cost of business, said Duffy, chairman of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.

For example, pressures on businesss mount if you start raise the cost of energy by 30 percent, which Duffy said is being done with environmental standards. "You have these small businesses hurt at every different break," he said.

If you regulated increases in the cost of energy, government then controles facets of the economy, he said. "When that happens, you don't grow the middle class, ever."

There are a lot of jobs, including in the trucking industry, that go unfilled because businesses can't find trained workers, he said.

Duffy said he talked with one of the largest employers in the district, who said it costs the business $15,000 to $18,000 per employee to comply with regulations. it's about the same price range for health care for each worker, he said.

About the civil war in Syria, Duffy said the bombing and information war conducted by the U.S. has not been successful. "My concern is this threat comes home," he said of the threat posed by the militant Islamic State, also known as ISIS.

He said it will take air and ground action by the U.S., along with good intelligence, to get rid of ISIS.

"To think we can removed from this and not be engaged, I think is naive," he said.

Duffy, who spoke at the national Republican convention, said he's incredibly disappointed by an audio tape of Republican nominee Donald J. Trump of how Trump approaches women. "That's not the way I or my friends talk about women," he said.

But Duffy said he's concerned by the missing government emails of Democratic nominee and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. And he said he's concerned about allegations of sexual misconduct leveled against her husband, former President Bill Clinton.

Looking a policy, he said, Trump will do a better job than Hillary Clinton in growing the economy, securing the nation's border and defeating ISIS.

Mary Hoeft

Hoeft said Trump openly demeans and denigrates women. She said Duffy should break from his support of Trump. "I think he knows how low Donald Trump's opinion of women really is," she said.

Hoeft said she supports Clinton and said Republicans have conducted a campaign to paint her as a liar. "Name one lie of hers," she said.

About Syria, she said the situation is complex. "Do we want to back a dictator who is also backed by (President of the Russian Federation Valdimir) Putin?" she asked.

She supports an increase in the U.S. intelligence services in the area so the U.S. can isolate and identify the whereabouts of the Islamic State.

Hoeft calls for moving over three years the national minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 an hour. She favors federal subsidies to small businesses so they can absorb the higher rate.

She also wants everyone to have two years of either technical college or community college experience. "That will be funded by putting a tax on each speculative transaction on Wall Street," she said, adding the plan will not hurt four-year colleges and universities.

Hoeft supports going with a single payer health care system, where one agency would coordinate health care financing. The care itself under the system would stay in private hands.

She said she also would work to overturn the U.S. Supreme Court's Citizens United decision, which political contributions are a form of freedom of speech.

Duffy and Hoeft are scheduled to have two debates. The first will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3 at the Northcetral Technical College in Wausau, and the other at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4 at Hayward Community High School in Hayward.
It is the nature of extreme partisanship to turn honest disagreements into alternative realities. The representatives of our own ideological team must always be good and beautiful, strong and surging. Admission of facts inconsistent with this premise is taken as disloyalty.

The third presidential debate was a perfect test of this tendency. Republicans who contend that Donald Trump was the winner are on their fourth Kool-Aid martini. For the first half hour, Trump  appearing alternately sedate and sedated  managed (briefly) to sound like a Republican by asserting basic conservative policies and principles. It was jarring to be reminded that Hillary Clinton strongly supports the legality of late-term abortions, a real streak of extremism. It was useful to be reminded that gun control in Chicago has hardly been a smashing success.

But the 30-minute mark was the limit of Trumps strategy, patience, knowledge, responsibility and stability. The remainder was a rout. Clintons debate performance was a reminder that she must have been a formidable lawyer while in practice. She built her anti-Trump case calmly and systematically, using Trumps own words and views as jabs before tough punches of accusation. Vladimir Putin would rather have a puppet as president of the United States. And: Theres only one of us on this stage whos actually shipped jobs to Mexico. And: Donald thinks belittling women makes him bigger.

The most ironic moment of the evening was when Trump said, This has been such an incredible education for me. As far as I can tell, Trump displays no growth in skills or knowledge compared to early GOP primary debates. His responses to attacks  No puppet! No puppet! Youre the puppet!  are still of schoolyard quality. His judgment of others is still shaped by a bottomless neediness. When the topic of Putin was raised, Trumps initial reaction was not to criticize Russias external aggression or internal oppression. It was: He said nice things about me. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg did not say such nice things, making her the enemy.

At this late stage, it is worth stating bluntly: When it comes to the issues any American president would face, Trump is a shockingly ignorant man. He can state a position on the Second Amendment or Obamacare, but he is unprepared to make actual arguments. He bluffs through questions on campaign finance or foreign policy (Mosul is so sad) as though the dog really did eat his homework. What explains his pervasive shallowness? Laziness? Lack of curiosity? Who knows? But I have honestly met precocious high school students with more civic and policy knowledge than Trump displayed during the final presidential debate. The justification that he is not a career politician does not excuse an inability to learn.

The Las Vegas debate sharpened an important distinction  the gap between disagreement and disqualification. I disagree strongly with Clinton on tax policy and Iran policy. But it is disqualifying for a presidential nominee to brag about his techniques of sexual assault, and then have several credible victims describe how he allegedly carried this method into practice. Trump dismissed these accusations as largely debunked, but saying it doesnt make it so.

It is disqualifying to dismiss or downplay Russian espionage directed toward influencing a presidential election, especially when you are the one it is designed to help. How in the world did Trumps revival of American nationalism become a common cause with Russian hackers and Julian Assange?

And it is disqualifying for a presidential candidate to encourage distrust of our electoral system as an electoral strategy, while refusing to pledge acceptance of a democratic verdict. Trumps joke on this topic  Ill keep you in suspense  is symbolic of his superficiality. Belief in the fairness of our electoral system was hard-won, through a long history of strife and courage. But Trump cannot feel the weight of a history he does not seem to know.

With the final debate over, two points are particularly evident. First, a serious GOP candidate would probably be winning this election, which was forfeited the moment Trump became the nominee. And second, an authoritarian populist with serious abilities might have a disturbingly large audience in 21st-century America. Imagine a Trump-like figure with the political skills of Bill Clinton or Tony Blair, feeding and riding the backlash against rapid economic and social change. It is the first time in my political lifetime that I have seen fragility at the heart of American democracy. And that glimpse should shock us back to a more civil and responsible politics.

It is the first time in my political lifetime that I have seen fragility at the heart of American democracy. And that glimpse should shock us back to a more civil and responsible politics.
Vatican City (AsiaNews)  "Today is time of courage" said Pope Francis today, World Mission Day, before 80,000 people gathered in St Peters Square for the recitation of the Angelus. In his address, the pontiff called for prayers for those suffering from violence in Iraq, in particular the many children killed in Mosul.

"The second reading in today's liturgy. he said, presents us the exhortation of Saint Paul to Timothy, his associate, in which he thinks back to his life as an apostle wholly consecrated to the mission (cf. 2 Tm, 4:6-8,16-18). Aware that his earthly journey was nearing its end, he describes it in reference to three seasons: the present, the past, the future. He interprets the present with the metaphor of sacrifice: For I am already being poured out like a libation (see 6). As for the past, Paul points to his past life through the images of the "good fight" and the "race" of a man who was consistent with his commitments and responsibilities (cf. see 7); consequently, he is confident for the future in the recognition from God, who is a "just judge" (see 8). But Paul's mission was effective, just and true only thanks to the closeness and strength of the Lord, who made him a preacher of the Gospel to all peoples. Here is his expression: the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the proclamation might be completed and all the Gentiles might hear it (see 17) ".

"In Saint Pauls autobiographical account, the Church reflects itself, especially today, World Mission Sunday, whose theme is the missionary Church, a witness of mercy. The Christian community found in Paul its model in the belief that the presence of the Lord makes the apostolic work and the work of evangelisation effective. The experience of the Apostle to the Gentiles reminds us that we must engage in pastoral and missionary activities, on the one hand, as if the results depended on our efforts, with the spirit of sacrifice of the athlete who does not stop even in the face of defeats; on the other, however, knowing that the true success of our mission is a gift of grace: it is the Holy Spirit that makes the Church's mission effective in the world."

"Today is a time of mission and a time of courage! Courage to strengthen the tottering steps, to get a taste of working for the Gospel, to regain confidence in the strength that mission brings. It is a time of courage, even though courage is no guarantee of success. We are asked to have the courage to fight, not necessarily to win; to proclaim, not necessarily to convert. We are asked to have the courage to be alternative to the world without ever becoming argumentative or aggressive. We are asked to have the courage to be open to everyone without ever belittling the absoluteness and uniqueness of Christ, the one Saviour of all. We are asked to have courage to stand up to unbelief without becoming arrogant. We are also asked to have the courage today of the Gospel publican who humbly dares not even lift his eyes heavenward, but beat his breast, saying, 'O God, be merciful to me a sinner'. Today is a time of courage, today it takes courage!"

After the Marian prayer, the pope called for prayers for Iraq. "At such a tragic time, he said, we are close to the people of Iraq as a whole, especially to the people of the city of Mosul. Our hearts are shocked by the heinous acts of violence that have been committed for far too long against innocent citizens, be they Muslim, Christian or members of other ethnic groups and religions. I was saddened to hear news of the cold-blooded killing of many people of that beloved land, including many children. Such cruelty makes us weep, leaving us speechless. To the word of solidarity, I add the assurance that I shall remember in prayer so that Iraq, whilst suffering, may be both strong and firm in the hope of moving towards a future of security, reconciliation and peace. Hence, I call on all of you to join me in prayer."
Canadian University Students Publish List Of Offensive Halloween Costumes

Trending News: Whatever You Do, Don't Wear These Offensive Halloween Costumes

Why Is This Important?

Because Halloween is supposed to be sexy and scary  not offensive.

Long Story Short

A Canadian university has published a nifty guide for its students to decide whether the costume they want to wear for Halloween is offensive or not. Included on the list are blackface, geishas, Day of the Dead makeup and Native American costume.

Long Story

If you were planning on dressing up as Pocahontas or painting your face black to be a sexually abusing Bill Cosby this Halloween, please stay home. That's the message from the Brock University Students' Union who published a guide for knowing if your costume is too offensive.

"The Halloween Costume Vetting Protocol is a way of communicating to students on what is not acceptable, encourage students to be mindful of their costume choices and prevent offensive representations of our friends, family members and co-workers from permeating our spaces in an oppressive and offensive way," writes the student union. "Vetting Halloween costumes isnt a matter of telling people what to wear. Its a matter of paying respect to the stories and experiences of marginalized groups who are depicted in these costumes: their culture, history and lives should never be desecrated, but understood and celebrated. BUSU stands in solidarity by prioritizing that cultures are not costumes."

If the students do wear an offensive costume, they'll be denied entry to the party on campus and "will be escorted to a space where they can change or remove the offending item."

Over at the student union's website is a nifty infographic to help you decide whether your costume is offensive or not, but here are some examples:

No Caitlyn Jenner

No Geishas

No Thobes (traditional ankle-length white Muslim robes)

No hijabs, burqas (nor burkinis) or turbans

No Day of the Dead makeup

No Native American anything

No Indian saris or bindis

No blackface (Oprah, Bill Cosby, Trayvon Martin etc.)

I'll add a few from our own list written last year:

No Jared Fogle

No Syrian refugees

No shooting victims

No ISIS members

No Robin Williams :(

And one more:

No killer clowns

A student union rep added that Donald Trump masks won't be banned, but "they will most certainly be pulled aside to get a better idea of their intent, given Trumps controversial remarks about groping women," according to the National Post.

Halloween is a time to be funny, sexy, and, yes, terrifying (here are some great options for guys). But if you're going for something because it's offensive just for the shock value  you're just being a dick and might be opening yourself up to getting clocked in the face. Consider yourself warned.

Own The Conversation

Ask The Big Question

Why does the media have to do these reminders every year, yet there are always people who still go out in blackface?

Disrupt Your Feed

Dressing up like ISIS might not only get you clocked, but you'd definitely be put on the CIA's watch list.

Drop This Fact

Activists in a different part of Canada recently went to a costume shop and put warning stickers on offensive costumes.
Hi There,

I'm very new to this so I apologize in advance for anything out of place, I have looked through some similar forum posts but would appreciate any advice more specific to our case.



I am an Aussie Citizen and My Fiancee is Peruvian, we've been in a relationship for around 2 years now and are engaged and planning to be married in the next few months. We have had to spend some time apart in the past but I have also lived in Peru with her for 9 months. When I returned to Aus a few months ago she came with me for a 3 week holiday on a tourist visa before returning to Peru.



I consulted 2 migration agencies in relation to our next step, Both advised us to get another tourist visa for her to return to Aus. in order to apply for an onshore partner visa. Both were confident that her next tourist visa would be approved as she is well travel and has Visa's for USA, Europe, Canada and here in Aus and never had any problems. They also advised it best to not mention me as her partner on the tourist visa as it could be seen as a reason to stay and not return home hence rejection.



We just recently received confirmation that her tourist visa was rejected, on the grounds that she doesn't have enough ties in Peru. (dependant family or possessions). I feel that the reason was probably because she applied again so soon after recently visiting Aus in July.



If we apply again will it be a waste of time?

and could it harm our future chances of a Partner Visa?



I will probably go back to peru and get married as we had planned and lodge a partner visa from there offshore, but am also worried that because she never mentioned me in her tourist visa application this will appear suspicious and will hurt us. We are genuine loving couple and have only followed the advice others.



Please any help or information would be greatly appreciated

Thank you
Its a measure of the respect his former colleagues had for the late Gene Neitge that some of them took part in a nearly 75-mile procession from Chippewa Falls to Neitges burial site in Spooner this past week.

A former Chippewa Falls police officer, Neitge died Oct. 11. He worked for the police department from February 1979 until retiring in December 2009. He also worked several years with the West Central Drug Task Force, including a stint as its supervisor.

Neitge, who grew up in Spooner, retired as a sergeant with the police department. He was only 62 years old. ...

Wastewater work underway

There is good news coming out of Stanley this week. Work has started on renovations and an addition on the citys wastewater treatment plant that is costing $6.5 million.

Miron Construction is doing the work on the project, which is expected to be done in August 2017.

Pantry donation

Also, hungry kids going to the Stanley-Boyd School District are getting help from an insurance companys workers. Security Health Plans employees are donating $1,000 to the Stanley-Boyd Food Pantry.

The money is going for the Weekend Kids Meals program that gives kids two lunches, two breakfasts and a snack for district students to eat during the weekend. The program helps 97 children every week.

A recent United Way study concluded nearly 70 percent of the households in Stanley are struggling to meet lifes necessities. So donations to the food pantry are needed and welcome.

If you want to help donate money or non-perishable food items  or have questions about the food pantrys work  call Deb Mai at 715-456-7540. ...

Micon expanding

Micon Cinema, which has theaters in Chippewa Falls and Eau Claire, is considering expanding to Wausau.

The USA Today Network-Wisconsin reported Micon is one of two bidders for the site of a former Sears store. Micon is working with Hoeft Builders on the proposed project for a 10-theater cinema. ...

Raid in India slows scam

The top scam reported to the Wisconsin Better Business Bureau is the tax scam (also known as the IRS scam). It has accounted for about 1 in every 4 reports to BBB Scam Tracker during its first year of operation.

However, those reports  which numbered 200 in a typical week  have dropped dramatically since police in Mumbai, India, raided a call center this month.

The scam had call center con artists posing as IRS agents, threatening financial penalties, lawsuits and even arrest if they dont pay back taxes they supposedly owe.

News reports stated 770 employees were working at the Mumbai call center when the midnight raid was conducted, with 70 charged with fraud and other crimes.
Kaffee said: This is from the document checklist:



Two copies of Form 888Statutory declaration by a supporting witness in relation to a Partner or a Prospective Marriage visa application (84 kB PDF) (to be completed by two Australian citizens or permanent residents who have personal knowledge of your partner relationship). Click to expand...

ampk said: The Australian Citizens/Permanent Residents do not have to had meet your fiance in person.



If this does not help you, you need to contact a Registered Migration Agent. It will come across as very strange if NO Australian can verify you are planning to get married to someone you have been in a relationship with for 7 years, to be honest the alarm bell that rings is Marriage for a visa.



You need to remove that doubt from a Case Officer. Click to expand...

From form 888 :If the visa applicant is outside Australia and is unable to have an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident complete this form, any person who knows the applicant and their partner or fiance may also complete this form.I've moved from Sydney to Brisbane 1.5 years ago.I have friends in Sydney but all of them either are citizen nor PR. I know it's strange but I am completely alone by myself in Australia the whole time, by the time I got my citizenship and started to live in Australia permanently. Furthermore, my support group are only people who are from my ethnicity,and all of them either are citizen nor PR. None of my family is Australian or PR. I am really reclusive and to be honest I don't have any friends in Brisbane.I study at uni at the moment and It would be weird if I told people at uni ( who I know from group work) about my relationship status. Even I don't know their relationship status.
A helicopter crash in northern Russia has killed 19 of 22 people aboard. The Mi-8 was carrying oil workers when it crashed 28 miles northeast of Staryi Urengoi in the Yamalo-Nenets region on Friday afternoon. Photos from the crash scene show the aircraft largely intact with no indication of a post-crash fire but 16 passengers and all three crew died. It appears the emergency response time might have been a factor as it took seven hours for rescuers to reach the scene and the occupants were trapped the whole time. Col. Dmitry Alexandrov, a local government official, told Russian media the helicopter fell on its right side and the victims could not get out.

The Mi-8 is one of the most ubiquitous helicopters in the world. More than 12,000 civilian and military versions have been built and are operating in more than 100 countries. They carry up to 32 passengers. There have been several high-casualty accidents involving the Mi-8 in recent years, the most recent in Igarka, Siberia, last November when 15 of 25 aboard were killed.
23 October 2016 10:20 (UTC+04:00)

Azerbaijan Defense Ministry has said the Armenian propaganda encourages further provocation.

"Armenia's propaganda aimed at escalating tension on the front line as well as reports spread by some local and foreign media serves certain purposes, the Ministry said in a statement.

"Under Supreme Commander, President Ilham Aliyev's leadership, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces strictly obey all the agreements reached at the initiative of the mediators. Azerbaijan stands for resolution of the conflict in accordance with the norms and principles of international law. Armenia's disinformation about the recent situation on the frontline stems from the internal military and political tensions in Armenia and aims to violate the negotiation process, and encourages further provocation."

"We declare that the units of our armed forces strictly obey the ceasefire regime, controls any activities of the enemy, and is fully ready to take all measures in order to prevent provocations," the Ministry said.

--

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
23 October 2016 09:58 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

Over the past 24 hours, Armenias armed forces have 16 times violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops using large-calibre weapons, Azerbaijans Defense Ministry said on Oct. 23.

The Azerbaijani army positions located in Kamarli, Gizilhajili villages of Gazakh district and nameless hills in Gadabay district were shot at from the Armenian army positions located in Dovekh, Barekamavan villages of Noyemberian district and nameless hills in Krasnoselsk district.

Azerbaijani positions were also shelled from the occupied Chilaburt village of Tartar district, Bash Garvand, Shikhlar, Shuraabad villages of Aghdam district, Horadiz village of Fuzuli district, as well as, nameless hills in Goygol district.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.

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23 October 2016 13:01 (UTC+04:00)

Cooperation in the spheres of economy, health, customs, standardization, transit and transportation has been an important element of the bilateral relations between Iran and Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic in last two years, Iran`s consul general in Nakhchivan Mansour Ayrim told journalists.

The consul general said that Nakhchivan was ready to put into operation the Nakhchivan-Mashhad railway, and added that once Iran was ready the railway would be launched increasing the passenger transportation between the two countries.

--

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23 October 2016 13:32 (UTC+04:00)

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has signed into law the Agreement on Construction and Exploitation of Hydroelectric Power Stations in the cities of Ordubad and Marazad between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The agreement was signed during the official visit of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to Iran in April 2014.

The agreement was approved by the Iranian Islamic Consultative Assembly (parliament) this August. It was also approved by the Guardian Council, which is charged with ensuring the compatibility of the legislation passed by the Islamic Consultative Assembly with the criteria of Islam and the Constitution.

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23 October 2016 14:32 (UTC+04:00)

Chairman of Azerbaijan Railways Javid Gurbanov has visited Iran to attend a meeting of heads of railways of Azerbaijan, Iran, Georgia, as well as representatives of Deutsche Bahn company.

The meeting discussed prospects of development of the South-West international transportation corridor, and exchanged views over transportation of goods from India and Persian Gulf states to Europe and vice-versa. The parties stressed the importance of the corridor for transportation of goods in this direction.

The sides also exchanged views over participation of the Deutsche Bahn company in the transportation through the corridor. The German representatives said that they were interested in use of the corridor.

The parties heard technical information about sending a test container train with the participation of the Deutsche Bahn company, and adopted a decision on realization of the issue in late November.

On the sidelines of the visit, Mr. Gurbanov met with general director of Iranian Railways Mohsen Pour Seyed Aghaie.

The sides exchanged views over the issues of mutual interest.

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23 October 2016 15:23 (UTC+04:00)

The 47th meeting of the special working group for drafting a convention on the legal status of the Caspian Sea at the level of deputy foreign ministers of the Caspian-littoral countries started today in Tehran.

Addressing the event, minister of foreign affairs of Iran Mohammad Javad Zarif described the discussions over the legal status of the Caspian Sea as in the condition of mutual understanding. The Minister noted that the parties demonstrated constructive position during the discussions.

Azerbaijan`s deputy foreign minister Khalaf Khalafov noted that the negotiations on the determination of the legal status of the Caspian Sea were constructive, and added that the decisions adopted during the meeting of the heads of states made contribution to a process of agreement of the main principles of the Convention about the legal status of the Caspian Sea.

Speaking to the event, representatives of Iran, Russia and Turkmenistan noted the importance of discussions over the all issues between the Caspian-littoral states.

Azerbaijan`s ambassador to Iran Bunyad Huseynov attended the event.

The meeting will end on October 24.

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23 October 2016 10:30 (UTC+04:00)

World-famous German photographer Theo Allofs Africa  Untamed solo exhibition has been launched at the Heydar Aliyev Center.

Theo Allof made a speech at the event.

The exhibition consists of Theos 31 photos in Africa displaying the abundance of flora and fauna of this continent over the past 20 years.

The exhibition shows Theo's love and passion for Africas untamed wilderness.

While he has extensively travelled and photographed in Southern Africa, especially in the Namib Desert and the Okavango Delta in Botswana he recently extended his projects to Eastern Africa with a main focus on the Rift Valley lakes.

Six years ago Theo learned flying with a powered paraglider. Since then he has been using this flying machine for aerial photography. All aerial images in this exhibition have been taken from his powered paraglider.

Theo Allofs has been a full-time professional photographer for over 30 years. Since 1995 he has specialized in nature photography (wildlife and landscapes). During his career he has received many international awards including eleven prizes in the renowned BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition. His work has been published worldwide in books, calendars, newspapers and magazines including, National Geographic, New York Times, Newsweek, Time Magazine, GEO, Der Spiegel, Focus, Smithsonian, BBC Wildlife Magazine, Terre Sauvage and Australia Geographic. Theo has written numerous articles on photography in Outdoor Photographer, FOTO/Sweden, Australian Foto, PhotoLife/Canada. Foto Magazin/Germany praised him recently as being one of the worlds best nature photographers.

As a founding member of the ILCP (International League of Conservation Photographers) much of his work deals with endangered species and conservation issues.

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home World Museum no longer allows visitors to kick Virgin Mary display

The new National Museum of Estonia will no longer allow its visitors to shatter a holographic image of Virgin Mary by kicking the base of the display case.

The museum, which opened in the town of Tartu, unveiled the exhibit as part of its celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. When users kick the plate at the base of the display, a holographic image of the Virgin Mary shatters and is replaced with the word "Reformation."

The display provoked the outrage of several religious leaders including Archibishop Urmas Viilma of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church.

According to LifeSiteNews, the image of the Virgin Mary still shatters at scheduled intervals but it is no longer activated by the kick.

Varro Vooglaind, head of the Estonia Foundation for Family and Tradition, acknowledged the museum's decision.

"Of course we want the exhibit removed entirely," he told LifeSiteNews. "But we welcome this change. It is an outrage, really very brutal and banal to allow people to kick an image of Our Lady," he added.

Vooglaid said that a public relations officer for the museum, Kaarel Tarand, publicly admitted that the display was intended as a mockery.

"He basically admitted it was a way of insulting religion. He said it shows that Estonia is a secular society, where it is allowed to mock religion. But when the national museum does it, it is insulting religion in the name of the Estonian state," said Vooglaid.

Archbishop Viilma said the exhibit not only offends Lutherans but also Catholics and Orthodox Christians. He added that Estonia was dedicated to the Virgin Mary 300 years before the Protestant Reformation and that the country is popularly known as the "Land of Mary."

Mart Helme, leader of the Conservative Party, said that the display could illicit negative reactions from the Russian-speaking community who are passionate about their religion.

"The image should be removed as soon as possible because the virtual destruction the authors offer insults the feelings of religious Russian-speaking residents and hinders their integration," Helme said in a statement, as quoted by Catholic Herald.
23 October 2016 10:15 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated his call for a terror-free zone in the northern part of war-torn Syria on Saturday, Anadolu reported.

Now, do not go to Al-Bab they say. We have to; we will go. Why? Because we need to prepare a terror-free zone there, Erdogan said, referring to Turkeys ongoing military operation called Euphrates Shield.

This operation -- launched in August -- has seen Free Syrian Army fighters backed by the Turkish military rid large parts of north Syria of Daesh. Al-Bab is a Daesh-held northern Syrian city.

The Turkish presidents comments came during an inauguration ceremony for an education facility in the northwestern province of Bursa.

If the coalition forces are ready to move together, we will do what is necessary against Daesh in Raqqa too. But not together with the PYD or YPG.

Erdogan said Turkey would not take terror organizations along with us.

The PKK and its Syrian offshoot the PYD are both listed as terrorist groups by Turkey although the U.S. and EU only view the PKK as a terrorist organization.

On Friday, U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter met Turkish leaders, reaffirmed the countries alliance and congratulated Turkey on successes against Daesh in Syria.

Carter thanked Erdogan for Turkey's resolve in the fight against terrorism and Turkeys critical support for the counter-ISIL campaign in Syria and Iraq, the Pentagon said in a statement which used an alternative acronym for Daesh.

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23 October 2016 17:55 (UTC+04:00)

Iran has reached agreement with four Central Asian countries of Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan on the transit of cargos from/to these countries via its territory.

Through this agreement, the transit of six kinds of goods via Iran will increase, Hossein Ashuri, Islamic Republic Railways deputy, told Mehr news agency.

The goods under agreement will include fertilizers, sulfur, wheat, steel, and aluminum ingots, he said.

Ashuri noted that although Iran used to have trade agreements with the countries in the past, the recent pact includes tariff reduction and reduction of transit time.

Uzbekistan last Iranian fiscal year (which ended March 20) shipped 300,000 tons of cotton to the Persian Gulf via Iran. The number is expected to hit 350,000 this year.

Since the beginning of the current Iranian year, Tajikistan also shipped some 15 thousand tons of aluminum via Iran. The number is expected to hit 50 thousand this year.

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Jeremy Adams teaches government at Bakersfield High School and Cal State Bakersfield. He is the author of The Secrets of Timeless Teachers. This article was originally published in The Huffington Post.
The Nicoya Robusto Fuerte is one of two blends launched by new company Nicoya Cigars in 2016. Nicoya Cigars was founded by Australian Gerard Hayes. While Nicoya is the name of the large peninsula located on the Pacific Ocean side of Costa Rica, it is also a name that refers to the people who live in the neighboring country of Nicaragua. With the Nicoya brand, it pays homage to the people of Nicaragua. To make his cigar brand, Hayes teamed up with Tabacalera Fernandez  the factory owned by A.J. Fernandez. Over the past few years, Fernandez has worked on releases for other new boutique brands such as Southern Draw Cigars, Senor Rio Cigars, and Nomad Cigar Company. In each of those cases, Fernandez has worked with the brand to produce a quality release. With Nicoya Cigars, it appears another winner is in the works. I found the Nicoya Robusto Fuerte to be an excellent cigar offering and one of the revelations of 2016.

There are two blends in the Nicoya Cigars line  with both currently only offered in a Robusto format. The Nicoya Robusto Fuerte is the stronger of the two blends. The other blend is the Nicoya Robusto Medio. Both lines are currently being offered to retailers in the U.S. market.

Without further ado, lets break down the Nicoya Robusto Fuerte and see what this cigar brings to the table.

Blend Profile

The Nicoya Robusto Fuerte features an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and filler.

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano

Binder: Nicaraguan

Filler: Nicaraguan

Country of Origin: Nicaragua (Tabacalera Fernandez)

Vitolas Available

The Nicoya Robusto Fuerte is available in one size  a 5 x 52 Robusto. This is the same size as the Nicoya Robusto Medio. Both cigars are available in 20 count boxes.

Appearance

The Ecuadorian Habano wrapper of the Nicoya Robusto Fuerte has almost a mahogany color. Upon closer examination some darker marbling can be seen on the surface. The wrapper itself is smooth with a light coat of oil on it. There are some visible veins and thin visible wrapper seams. The cigar itself was well-packed.

The band features three purple circles on a silver background. The circles on the left and right sides have white lion images on it. The center circle has large white N on it. Above the center circle is the text NICOYA CIGARS etched on it. Below the center circle is the text ESTELI NICARAGUA etched on it. The sides of the band have a silver and gray aeronautical styled wing design.

Preparation for the Cigar Experience

As I normally do, I started the cigar experience of the Nicoya Robusto Fuerte with a straight cut. After successfully clipping the cap, I moved on to the pre-light draw phase. The dry draw provided a mix of blackberry, natural tobacco, and a slight cedar note. Overall I considered this to be a very good pre-light draw. At this point, I was ready to light up my Nicoya Robusto Fuerte and commence the smoking phase.

Flavor Profile

The start to the Nicoya Robusto Fuerte continued to deliver more of the blackberry and natural tobacco notes that I detected on the pre-light draw. There was a slight woody note in the background. I also detected a combination of white and red pepper in the background. This pepper combination produced an additional layer of spice on the retro-hale. At the same time, this pepper combination had some sharpness on the retro-hale.

During the first half of the Nicoya Robusto Fuerte, the natural tobacco and blackberry notes alternated in intensity in the forefront. The pepper notes slightly subsided a little further into the background. The woody notes were also present in the background and from time to time found their way into the retro-hale.

During the second third, the wood notes joined the natural tobacco as primary notes. The blackberry notes subsided into the background and joined the pepper notes. I also detected some earth notes in the background.

By the last third of the Nicoya Robusto Fuerte, the wood and natural tobacco notes remained primary notes. The earth notes from time to time could also be detected in the forefront. It was also during this phase where pepper notes increased back to the level of the first third. The blackberry sweetness remained in the background. This is the way the cigar experience of the Nicoya Robusto Fuerte came to a close. The resulting nub was firm to the touch and cool in temperature.

Burn and Draw

The Nicoya Robusto Fuerte was a well-constructed cigar and this reflected nicely on the burn and draw. The burn line remained relatively straight from start to finish. The cigar also maintained a straight burn path throughout the smoking experience. One sample had more of a white colored ash while the other sample had more of a salt and pepper ash. I also found one sample (the white colored ash) to be firmer than the other sample (the salt and pepper ash). The burn rate and burn temperature remained ideal throughout the smoking experience.

The draw to the Nicoya Robusto Fuerte had a touch of resistance to it  which is something I like. I could infer this was from the cigars tighter pack. Overall this cigar was still a low maintenance cigar to derive flavor from.

Strength and Body

In terms of the name Fuerte, I definitely found the Nicoya Robusto Fuerte earned this name. I found this cigar to be a medium to full strength cigar. During the last third of this cigar, I found the strength came close to approaching the full level. In terms of body, there was a lot of depth and boldness to the flavors. With the retro-hale factored in, this was a full-bodied smoke from start to finish.

In terms of strength versus body, I found the body had a slight edge throughout the smoking experience.

Final Thoughts

The Nicoya Robusto Fuerte is quite an impressive offering for Hayes. Right out of the gate this cigar commanded my attention and held my interest. It delivered a nice balance of sweetness and spice along the way. The boldness of this cigar was signature A.J. Fernandez. At the same time, the sweetness I derived from this cigar was very different than anything I had smoked out of Tabacalera Fernandez in the past. The price point was a little higher ($10 to $12), but this cigar does deliver a quality smoke. Overall given this is a stronger and bolder cigar, its one I would probably steer to someone who is a little more experienced. As for myself, this is a cigar I would smoke again  and its certainly worthy of a box split.

Summary

Burn: Excellent

Draw: Excellent

Complexity: Medium

Strength: Medium to Full

Body: Full

Assessment: 3.5-Box Split

Score: 92

References

News: n/a

Price: $10.00 to $12.00

Source: Gifted

Stogie Geeks Podcast: n/a

Stogie Feed: n/a

Brand Reference: Nicoya
Democrats are increasingly buzzing that Donald Trump could hurt Republicans so badly that he could lead to the GOP losing the House. Thats hard to imagine since the GOP has a 60 seat majority, more than the Democrats had when they lost the House in 1994.

Even though Florida is the third largest state, the Democrats dont have many chances to take House seats, even with the latest round of redistricting helping their chances. The GOP is heavily favored to take the seat currently held by Gwen Graham in North Florida. Val Demings should easily take the seat currently held by Dan Webster who scooted up north after redistricting.

Of course, there are other opportunities for the Democrats in Florida. Charlie Crist gives Democrats a chance to flip a seat as he runs against David Jolly. Joe Garcia also has a chance to beat Carlos Curbelo in a rematch in South Florida. But Democrats also have to defend the seat currently held by Patrick Murphy in a competitive race.

Looking for other opportunities, Democrats and their allies are increasingly looking at seeing if they knock off John Mica. Certainly Mica is in a far more competitive district than what he has faced before and Democrats are making inroads in that part of Central Florida.

Democrats might need a major wave to catch Mica but there are signs that they are making gains against him even though he has easily held them off over the years. The Democrats have a solid candidate in businesswoman and Rollins College professor Stephanie Murphy who used to work for the Defense Department. The DCCC is starting to really get behind Murphy as are allied PACs.

Roll Call doubled down on their position on Tuesday , ranking Mica as the fifth most vulnerable congressional incumbent in the nation. Jolly tops the list while Curbelo is ranked seventh.

This 12-term Republican hasnt faced a serious election in decades, and Democrats didnt even have a competitive challenger against him until late June, Roll Call noted about Mica. But with Stephanie Murphy now in the race, Mica finds himself on this list for the first time because hes facing re-election in a heavily redistricted seat thats more Democratic and at least 40 percent new to him. Republicans are concerned that he hasnt invested the time or resources to introduce himself to new voters, while Democrats are treating this like a top pickup opportunity.

Thats not wholly accurate. Back in 2012, Mica was pitted against Sandy Adams in a rare battle of two incumbents pitted against each other in a congressional primary. Mica beat her by a surprisingly large margin, taking 61 percent of the vote.

Of course, a general election is different than a primary but Mica has been tested in recent years and isnt a sitting duck by any means. Still, this wasnt a seat the GOP was expecting to be in play at the start of the summer.
Gulf Boulevard on Madeira Beach was shut down Sunday morning. It was taken over by dozens of local residents, all showing off their dance moves.

Flash mob popped up in Madeira Beach Sunday

The performance brought together dozens of residents

Dancers hoped to showcase Madeira's fun vibe



As part of an effort to spread smiles and showcase the region, members of different communities came together for a flash mob performance.

"It's wonderful, it's gorgeous, it's paradise," Clearwater resident Pepper Conrad said.

Resident Mandy Trapka was the brain behind the flash mob performance that brought people of all ages together to show off the area they love.

"Back in 2011, St. Petersburg was voted by Men's Health magazine as the saddest city in America so we're challenging that because we live in paradise and this is something to be excited about," Trapka said.

"There's so many bad things happening right now I just thought it'd be something nice for a change," said Jeanene Capone, also of Clearwater.

The flash mob stopped traffic as tourists took pictures of the unique effort to put their beach town in the spotlight. They hope the performance will showcase all of the beauty and local businesses Madeira Beach has to offer.

"There's a lot of the mom-and-pop shops here, a lot of small town feel that still exists in St. Pete and Madeira Beach and we all come together and definitely have a sense of community," Madeira Beach resident Sarah Tapia said.

The group is hoping to take their performance national and plan on sending video of the performance to the Ellen Degeneres show.
MOSI in Tampa hosted a very special guest Sunday -- Dr. Adriana Ocampo, best known for her advancement of the theory that the extinction of the dinosaurs was caused by an asteroid strike.

Ocampo and her colleagues discovered crater from strike in 1988

Evidence upended prevailing theory on dinosaur extinction

Ocampo now leads NASA's Planetary Science Division

Ocampo shared some of her experiences with an audience at MOSI: how in 1988 she and her team discovered a massive crater buried beneath Mexicos Yucatan peninsula. She and her team concluded an asteroid hit the earth 66 million years ago, causing the crater and eventually the extinction of the dinosaurs.



"Theres nothing like viewing something for the first time and getting an insight, that perhaps it wasnt known before," said Ocampo. "That second of discovery was an extraordinary experience."



She said when she and her team presented their findings and conclusions, lots of people doubted her.



Because of the controversy, nobody, the science community didnt really want to accept that an impact had caused a mass extinction and the extinction of the dinosaurs. The main theory of the time was climate change, said Ocampo.



After several trips to the peninsula, however, her team was able to prove with irrefutable evidence that it did in fact happen. Those efforts have lead. Shes now a planetary geologist and Lead Program Executive for NASAs Planetary Science Division.



Ocampo was born in Barranquilla, Colombia and raised in Argentina. It wasnt until she moved with her family to California as a teenager that she was able to pursue her dream of space exploration.



This year, MOSI awarded Ocampo the National Hispanic Scientist of the Year award. She called the award an honor and a surprise, and hopes to see more diversity in the field.



I hope to inspire the next generation of scientists, especially young women, Dr. Ocampo said.


Native American Cultural Events held its inaugural Native American Inter-Tribal PowWow held Saturday at the Civic Center in Beaumont. Music, dancing, food, and vendor's booths offering a number of items reflecting Native American culture rounded out the day-long event, which was held in honor of all veterans.
The last time this newspaper endorsed a Democrat for president was in 1996, when we backed a man named Clinton over a Republican named Dole. Twenty years later, we are endorsing another Democrat named Clinton.

We have no illusions about Hillary Clinton's imperfections. The problems with her use of a private email server while she was secretary of state are well-documented. She took certain positions before Bernie Sanders challenged her in the primary - on the Pacific trade pact, for example - and then changed them to outlast him. Most voters, including many Democrats, choose the word "untrustworthy" to describe her. She is often calculating instead of authentic.

Despite those flaws, however, she has a few things to recommend her. She is smart and persistent, willing to press on in pursuit of a goal. When she was a senator from New York, she worked successfully with Republicans on important issues. She has a solid background in domestic politics and family issues - dating to her days as first lady of Arkansas - which complements her knowledge of foreign affairs.

Above all, Clinton must be judged against the other major-party candidate, Donald Trump. While she may be partially untrustworthy, he is completely unsuitable.

We won't bother to list the people or groups he has insulted; it's too long. Ditto for the many glaring lies he has told. No, with Trump it comes down to a five-letter word: unfit. The man is morally, temperamentally and intellectually unfit to hold the most important job on earth. Even a great many prominent Republicans believe this. Count among them the first family of Texas politics - the Bushes - and former GOP presidential candidates John McCain and Mitt Romney.

Trump knows little about major issues and peddles laughable conspiracy theories. He's a thin-skinned narcissist who fires off Tweets like a teenager. His speeches are filled with generalities and boasts but few details about what he would do if elected. He is the first major candidate in 40 years who refuses to release his tax returns - likely because he's hiding something such as fewer charitable donations than the "millions" he has claimed. The words that came out of his mouth on that "Access Hollywood" tape should send a chill down the spine of any thoughtful voter.

It's worth noting that Trump has received virtually no endorsements from major newspapers, including some like the Dallas Morning News that have endorsed Republicans reliably for decades - or all of their existence. They see how unsavory he is and just can't bear the thought of him in the Oval Office.

Some voters are thinking about other candidates like Libertarian Gary Johnson since they really don't like Clinton or Trump. That's understandable. But in the real world, only Trump or Clinton will be elected. Hillary Clinton is unquestionably the only rational choice. Let's hope she exceeds our modest expectations.

We realize that some readers will disagree with our opinion, and we welcome letters by email at opinions@beaumontenterprise.com. Limit them to 200 words. Letters containing claims that can't be verified won't be published. Email them to us by Monday, Oct. 31.
In many local elections voters have dismal choices - where candidates basically disqualify themselves from consideration - or no choices at all. In the case of important Jefferson County races for sheriff and two judges' seats, all six candidates are qualified. Their interest and commitment in pursuing offices with a direct impact on Southeast Texans is commendable. We have interviewed all the candidates and weighed their qualifications and the issues.

Our endorsements:

-- The sheriff is probably the single most important elected official in the county, with the possible exception of the county judge, and even then the judge is only one of five votes on the commissioners court. The sheriff's office represents a full third of the county budget and has the most employees - 440. Jefferson County needs a dynamic leader in that job. Democrat Zena Stephens is the best choice.

For 11 years she was the chief of law enforcement for the sheriff's office, essentially No. 2 in the department, and now she is chief of the Prairie View A&M University Police Department. With experience like that, she knows how to make calls about managing people and resources, which is what this job requires. She also has worked as a cop on the beat, starting out in the Beaumont Police Department and then later moving to the warrant division of the sheriff's office.

Republican Ray Beck is a solid contender too, a retired lieutenant from the Beaumont Police Department with vast experience But Stephens has a stronger management background, and she can be an agent of positive change.

--For judge of the 136th District Court, we support Republican Dana Timaeus over Democrat Baylor Wortham.

Wortham is an impressive young attorney, with service as a prosecutor in the county District Attorney's office and U.S. Attorney's office. He's taken on and won some tough cases.

But Timaeus offers much more to voters in this election. He has a long and distinguished background in private practice, handling a variety of complex cases. He's also board-certified in personal injury law and capable of following in the well-regarded ways of the retired Judge Milton Shuffield.

Wortham is also the son of the district attorney, and some criminal cases from that office could be moved into this civil court, where his son wants to sit as judge. While that might be legally permissible, we - and many voters, we would think - aren't entirely comfortable with that situation.

-- In the race for County Court at Law No. 2, Democrat Terrence L. Holmes is running against Republican Luke Nichols. Holmes has a broad range of legal experience, and as a result, we have endorsed him in other races.

But Nichols has a solid background too as a trial prosecutor for the county's District Attorney, trying over a hundred felony and misdemeanor cases. Trial experience like that - on many big-time cases - will serve him well on the bench. Nichols shows a zest for working hard, trying cases and keeping his docket moving. The courthouse needs more judges like that, and justice suffers when they take their foot off the gas pedal.
ORLANDO, Florida  Roughly half a billion video views later, its easy to see why Procter & Gambles Like A Girl narrative for Always feminine products has been a big hit. Its hard to disagree that the creative debunkingmainly via video impressions both purchased and earnedof how girls run or throw a ball Was good for the business and good for society, according to Marc Pritchard, P&Gs Chief Brand Officer.

Pritchard showcased the Always campaign along with other P&G efforts for brands like Ariel and Pepto-Bismol during a presentation titled Raising the Bar on Creativity at the Masters of Marketing Conference of the Association of National Advertisers.

In a subsequent interview with Beet.TV, having arduously defended advertising in his presentation amid so much industry talk about content, Pritchard observes that, There are so many ways we can reach people and there are so many messages that our brands can actually provide while still looking like your brand.

Whats most important is that It has to be a great idea, Pritchard says. An idea thats not that meaningful, you can buy and push and whatever all you want and it wont make a difference.

His presentation cited the Ariel laundry detergent that P&G with a beautifully crafted film created to show men in India that its not just women who should shoulder certain types of housework. It makes Ariel meaningful, notes Pritchard.

In the case of the Always campaign, which began four years ago, P&G linked the concepts of feminine protection and the confidence so that women could confront demeaning phrases like like a girl, and be able to make like a girl mean amazing things, Pritchard says.

So not only are they talking about the performance of Always, theyre also able to express their point of view about an issue that is meaningful to women and girls around the world, he adds. And thats good. Thats good for the business and thats good for society.

The video-centric Always messagingwhich has generated 550 million views and 25 billion impressionsis on its fourth installment. While it garners its share of organic awareness, P&G also pays to deliver it at key moments.

We put a 60-second version on the Super Bowl of Always Like a Girl the same time we had it online and then actually broke it up into different pieces, Pritchard says. We had a Snapchat version that was six seconds.

But it all started with an idea so powerful people want to view it, they want to talk about, they want to write about it and then theyre taking action on it as well, says Pritchard.

We interviewed him at the ANA Masters of Marketing annual meeting in Orlando. This video is part of a series produced at the conference. Beets coverage is sponsored by Cadent. For more videos from the series, please visit this page.
Frantic diplomatic efforts to save the proposed EU-Canada trade pact continued with the president of the European Parliament attempting to prevent the collapse of the deal

Canada's international trade minister walked out of talks aimed at keeping the deal alive on Friday, labelling the situation "impossible" and casting doubt on the bloc's ability to operate effectively after the proposals were blocked by a regional administration in Belgium.

The parliament in Wallonia is holding up the deal, but the region's leader suggested the standoff could be resolved within days.

"I think it's worth taking a little more time," Walloon leader Paul Magnette said after crisis talks with European Parliament president Martin Schulz aimed at breaking the deadlock over the deal, which has taken years to thrash out with Ottawa.

Mr Schulz told reporters: "To my eyes, there is no problem we cannot resolve."

Supporters of Brexit have long highlighted the glacial pace of EU trade negotiations as a reason to leave, claiming that bilateral deals between the UK and other countries would be far simpler to sign.

But those in favour of retaining close trade links with Europe warned that the problems being experienced by Canada could be an omen for the tortuous negotiations the UK will face in thrashing out a post-Brexit agreement with Brussels.

Tory MP Andrew Murrison, who campaigned for Brexit, said: "T his is precisely why the EU as a trade bloc will fail and why UK is right to leave."

His fellow backbencher James Cleverley said: " The population of the EU is 500 million people, Canada has 36 million and the governments of both wanted a trade deal. It has been seven years in the making but was scuppered by Wallonia regional government in Belgium. Wallonia has a population of 3.6 million people.

"This collapse goes to the heart of the EU's problem."

He suggested that post-Brexit the UK could pick up the basis of the proposed Canadian deal, known as CETA, and the similarly troubled TTIP agreement with the USA and "sign them off".

Conservative MEP Daniel Hannan said: "H ow odd that the EU's inability to agree a trade deal with Canada is used as an argument against Brexit. We can now have a bilateral FTA (free trade agreement)."

But Labour MP Ian Austin said: "The EU-Canada trade deal is in crisis and the Canadians have walked out, which shows how tough these things are."

His Labour colleague Steve Reed tweeted: " Belgian province blocks EU-Canada trade deal, any tiny EU country can do same to UK thx to Brexit."

The Walloons have concerns that the Ceta deal would undermine labour, environment and consumer standards and allow multinationals to crush local firms.

Mr Magnette said there were still "some small difficulties" over the pact that would create the world's biggest trading bloc and had been thought to be a done deal, expected to be signed at an EU-Canada summit planned for Thursday.

Canada's international trade minister Chrystia Freeland walked away from the talks Friday on the verge of tears, saying: " I think it's impossible."

The pact needs unanimous support within the EU, and Belgium in turn needs unanimity among its regions.

"It seems that for me, and for Canada, that the EU is not capable now to have an international deal, even with a nation with such European values like Canada," Ms Freeland said.

Prime Minister Theresa May has backed the proposed CETA deal but insisted that the UK was not seeking an agreement along the same lines after Brexit.

At her first European Council summit in Brussels on Friday, Mrs May said: "On CETA, obviously, as you're aware, the Walloon Parliament has been looking at this particular issue.

"I understand that discussions are continuing and negotiations are continuing. I think that it's important that the EU is able to sign this trade deal with Canada."

But she added: "From the UK's point of view, we're not looking to replicate a model that another country has. We're not looking to adopt another model that somebody else has in relation to their trade with the European Union.

"What we want is to develop what is a new relationship for the UK when we're outside the EU. What we want is to ensure that we have the right deal for the United Kingdom.

"And I'm optimistic about that. Obviously, we've got negotiations ahead of ourselves. Those negotiations will take time, as I say, there will be some difficult moments.

"It will need some give and take. But I'm optimistic that we can achieve a deal that is right for the UK because I actually think the deal that's right for the UK will also be right for the European Union."
SCHUYLER  Colfax County will officially be named a "Livestock Friendly County" on Tuesday, and officials there are hoping the designation leads to a boost in agriculture-related business.

The program administered by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture recognizes counties that support expansion of the livestock industry. Counties must apply for the designation, with applications approved by the Department of Agriculture.

Colfax will be the 41st county to receive the "Livestock Friendly" designation, which can be used to spur growth among current livestock operations and attract new business.

It helps to advertise Colfax County, said Colfax County Commissioner Gil Wigington. It may get our name out and possibly help us with some economic growth.

Colfax County commissioners decided to apply for the program after a group of livestock producers advocated on its behalf. Their hope is it will add Colfax to a list of counties open to expanded livestock production or packing operations.

Wigington said the designation could help livestock businesses avoid a common snafu  when a livestock project such as a hog barn or packing plant is announced, the community protests and sometimes shuts down the plan.

They know what the rules are theyre working with, he said. They know thats been adopted throughout the county and theyre not going to see an expense of research and development go to waste.

A study released in September by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Oklahoma State University found that, on average, Livestock Friendly counties gained more cattle farms and lost fewer hog operations than counties without the designation.

However, Nebraska Farmers Union President John Hansen said the study and designation don't say anything about the economic health of livestock production in a county or the financial success of its producers.

The Livestock Friendly designation, especially in counties that already have a lot of livestock, doesnt have anything to do with the amount of livestock in that county, said Hansen. It sounds nice, but if its a pro-livestock county before, its going to be a pro-livestock county whether or not it has a (designation).

He also doesnt believe the label encourages the kind of economic development that helps family farms. Instead, he said it promotes more corporate-owned facilities, to the extent of possibly undermining local control.

Colfax County Commissioner Michael Dvorak said he doesn't feel the designation binds the county to any one policy.

Im all for local control, said Dvorak. I dont feel like weve gotten into something at a later date we cant get out of because theres nothing binding.

Our guidelines protect ag and agland, so if someone wants to build a new feedlot theres steps they have to go through, he said. We didnt have to change a single thing.

He also said attracting a large producer would help the county.

Colfax needs this kind of economic development, Dvorak said. Its very important to us.

As for whether the designation will attract new livestock production, Wigington and Dvorak said that is the hope, but not a guarantee.

The official Livestock Friendly announcement will occur 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Colfax County Courthouse.
Thirty-six republicans who received "comfort letters" from the Government after their statuses were changed from wanted to not wanted are linked to 136 incidents, police said.

On The Runs (OTRs) were suspects fleeing potential imprisonment for murders and other serious offences during the Northern Ireland conflict.

A special unit established by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) is reviewing the cases of 228 considered under the scheme.

Chief constable George Hamilton said: "These individuals are linked to many serious crimes throughout the period of the Troubles.

"The focus of the team is on 36 individuals, referenced within the report of Lady Justice Hallett, whose status had previously been changed from wanted to not wanted.

"The team has reviewed 136 incidents linked to those 36 individuals."

Lady Justice Hallett, who examined the OTRs scheme for the Government, noted that a comparatively high number of suspects had their statuses changed to not wanted between February 1 2007 and October 20 2008.

The contentious process, agreed between Sinn Fein and the last Labour government, saw letters sent to republicans informing them they were not being sought by the authorities in the UK.

Police were asked to review the evidence to assess if they were either wanted or not at that particular point in time.

Those who were not being actively pursued due to a lack of sufficient evidence received a letter from the Government informing them.

Sinn Fein said the concession was necessary to restore confidence in the Government's commitment to deal with OTRs to ensure the success of arms decommissioning, Lady Hallett reported. The Government said it was a statement of fact carrying no future guarantees.

Police have since revealed that OTRs who received letters were linked to hundreds of murders.

Some unionists claimed it was equivalent to a get out of jail free card, something the Government has denied.

Ulster Unionist Fermanagh and South Tyrone MP Tom Elliott said: "Were these reassurances letters sent out because of security measures? Or were they issued due to a political deal, that happened to coincide with the return of devolution to Northern Ireland?

"In the space of 20 months, 36 OTRs had their status changed from wanted, to not wanted. Explanations need to be forthcoming from the British Government and the PSNI."

Details of the scheme, which followed the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, emerged after the collapse of a case against a man accused of the IRA's Hyde Park bomb in 1982 - an attack that killed four soldiers - after he received a letter in error.

Following the controversy, the PSNI is reviewing its initial assessment of all 228 individuals to see if any other mistakes were made or if fresh evidence has emerged.

The chief constable, in a response to the Policing Board in Belfast, said he could not estimate when the probe would be completed.

He said: "This is primarily because of the potential volume of incidents that will need to be examined by the PSNI in order to establish whether there are credible opportunities to bring any of these offenders to justice."

Lady Justice Hallett said the change in status under the scheme may be because evidence no longer existed and/or in part because the police's Operation Rapid team doing the investigation in 2007/08 may have applied a higher threshold to categorise someone as wanted than previously.
A Northern Ireland family doctor has confessed to stealing a 15,000 print of Hollywood legend Steve McQueen "in a moment of madness" from Belfast's new Bullitt Hotel.

CCTV footage of Dr Jill Purce carrying the huge 6ft 4in print down a street in Belfast last week went viral online.

The print was left on the street after they were unable to fit it into a car.

Dr Purce tearfully confessed to the Sunday Life newspaper that it was her, and revealed her accomplice has gone to the police to hand the pair in.

She added she now feels too ashamed of herself to leave her house.

The PSNI are investigating the incident, and the picture has now been secured to a wall in the Bullitt Hotel to prevent a repeat.

Read the full story in today's Sunday Life
No other European country would tolerate the prison regime in Northern Ireland that separates paramilitary inmates from other convicted offenders, an Assembly member has claimed.

Ulster Unionist Doug Beattie called for an end to the special status afforded to loyalist and republican paramilitaries at HMP Maghaberry ahead of an Assembly debate on the controversial issue on Monday.

Mr Beattie, who is tabling the debate at Parliament Buildings, said the Department of Justice should aim for a fully integrated system within Northern Ireland's only high security prison by 2026.

"A key question is, that 22 years on from the ceasefires and 18 years on from the Belfast Agreement, should we still be perpetuating the type of prison regime that existed during the Troubles," he said.

"It is quite clear that there are some in our society who are not willing to accept that the people of Northern Ireland want to live in a normalised society and they do not want to see guns on our streets.

"Whether you package them as paramilitaries, drug dealers or organised crime gangs, the truth is they are nothing more than criminals and must be treated as such.

"It is time to get serious and show that we as an Assembly and a society mean business."

Mr Beattie, the UUP's justice spokesman, added: "The longer we perpetuate the separated regime, the more credibility we give these gangsters and murderers.

"No other country in Europe would tolerate this situation and that is why on Monday I shall be asking the Assembly to call on the Justice Minister to move to a fully integrated regime by 2026."

Justice Minister Claire Sugden said: "I absolutely recognise the challenges of operating a separated regime in Maghaberry Prison. Generally prisoners in Northern Ireland are expected to live in integrated conditions and the Prison Service continues to believe that this is the best way to run prisons as it provides the greatest safety.

"However, whilst integration is ideal it is clear that there are prisoners who will not integrate and equally clear that if they are forced to do so, that can have a serious and disruptive impact effect on good order, discipline and security of the prison as a whole."
l Rebecca Maguire and Colin Neill, CEO Hospitality Ulster toast the announcement of the shortlist for Hospitality Ulsters Pub of the Year Awards 2016 fast approaches. A total of 46 venues and individuals will battle it out for the 13 Awards, which have been designed to highlight the very best that the hospitality industry are up for grabs. For further information and to see the full shortlist, visit www.nipuboftheyear.org

The short list for the hotly contested Hospitality Ulster's Pub of the Year awards has been revealed.

Following a record number of entries from pubs, hotels and restaurants, a total of 46 shortlisted premises and individuals from right across Northern Ireland will now go head to head to be named the toast of the trade at the top industry Awards next month.

Winners of the 13 Awards will be revealed at a special gala awards night hosted by U105 presenter, Frank Mitchell, at the Ramada Plaza on Wednesday November 16, 2016.

New for 2016, Hospitality Ulster has introduced a Food & Beverage Manager of the Year Award which is open to entrants from pubs, restaurants and hotels.

Three individual Pub of the Year Awards will recognise the best pubs and bars in rural, urban and city locations across Northern Ireland and this years Awards will once again recognise the growing importance of locally sourced food, through three Commitment to Local Food Awards for pubs, restaurants and hotels (in partnership with Food NI).

A Commitment to the Community Award will recognise the immense contribution hospitality businesses make within their local communities and in the Hotel Bar of the Year category, there will be two Awards: Hotel Bar of the Year (1* - 3*) and Hotel Bar of the Year (4* - 5*).

One Award category invited nominations from the general public, with the public nominating their favourite barperson through The Sunday Life, which is joining forces with Hospitality Ulster once again to search for Northern Irelands Barperson of the Year.

The Awards will also recognise the industrys rising stars and those that have played a vital role in shaping the sector with two new Awards: Hospitality Ulsters Rising Star (in partnership with Ulster University) and the Industry Legend Award (in partnership with Hospitality Review), the winners of which will be announced at the Gala Awards night next month.

The full short list for Hospitality Ulsters Pub of the Year Awards 2016 is as follows:

Pub of the Year (Urban)

Front Page Bar, Ballymena, Co. Antrim

Kiwi's Brew Bar, Portrush, Co. Antrim

Shenanigans Venue, Portstewart, Co. Derry~Londonderry

The Hole in the Wall Bar, Keady, Co. Armagh

The Taphouse, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh

Pub of the Year (Rural)

Matties Meeting House, Cairncastle, Larne, Co. Antrim

The Corner House Bar, Lurgan, Co. Armagh

The Lobster Pot Bar/Restaurant, Strangford, Co. Down

The Riverside Bar, Garrison, Co. Fermanagh

The Speckled Hen, Lisburn, Co. Antrim

Pub of the Year (City)

Ryan's Bar and Restaurant, Belfast, Co. Antrim

The National & Sixty6, Belfast, Co. Antrim

The Perch, Belfast, Co. Antrim

The River Inn, Shipquay St, Derry~Londonderry

White's Tavern, Belfast, Co. Antrim

Hotel Bar of the Year 1*-3*

Adair Arms Hotel, Ballymena, Co. Antrim

Armagh City Hotel, Armagh, Co. Armagh

Dunsilly Hotel, Antrim, Co. Antrim

Ivanhoe Inn & Hotel, Carryduff, Co. Down

Hotel Bar of the Year 4*-5*

Canal Court Hotel & Spa, Newry, Co. Down

Galgorm Resort & Spa, Ballymena, Co. Antrim

Hastings Everglades Hotel, Derry~Londonderry

Malmaison, Belfast, Co. Antrim

Commitment to the Community

Bushmills Inn Hotel, Bushmills, Co. Antrim

Dunsilly Hotel, Antrim, Co. Antrim

Front Page Bar, Ballymena, Co. Antrim

The Hatfield House, Belfast, Co. Antrim

The Hillside, Hillsborough, Co. Down

Commitment to Local Food (Restaurant) in partnership with Food NI/Taste of Ulster

Native by Yellow Door, MAC, Belfast, Co. Antrim

Ocho Tapas Bistro, Portrush, Co. Antrim

Pier 59, Strand Rd, Derry, Derry~Londonderry

The Hillside, Hillsborough, Co. Down

The Yellow Heifer, Camlough, Co. Down

Commitment to Local Food (Pub) in partnership with Food NI/Taste of Ulster

Friel's Bar and Restaurant, Swatragh, Maghera, Co. Derry~Londonderry

The Corner House Bar, Lurgan, Co. Armagh

The Morning Star, Belfast, Co. Antrim

The Parlour Bar, Newtownards, Co. Down

The Taphouse, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh

Commitment to Local Food (Hotel) in partnership with Food NI/Taste of Ulster

Bushmills Inn Hotel, Bushmills, Co. Antrim

Canal Court Hotel & Spa, Newry, Co. Down

Dunsilly Hotel, Antrim, Co. Antrim

Slieve Donard Resort & Spa, Newcastle, Co. Down

Food and Beverage Manger of the Year

Anna Marie Mc Ferran, The Old Thatch Inn, Magherafelt, Co. Derry~Londonderry

Breandan Kerr, Ivanhoe Inn and Hotel, Carryduff, Co. Down

Chris Bell, Shenanigans Venue, Portstewart, Co. Derry~Londonderry

Morgan Watson, Horatio Todds, Belfast, Co. Antrim

Barperson of the Year (in association with Sunday Life)

Feargal Shannon, Crowes Nest, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh

Melony Connor, Fitzwilliam Hotel, Belfast, Co. Antrim

Paul Rocks, Aether & Echo, Belfast, Co. Antrim

Sarah Hamilton Front Page Bar, Ballymena, Co. Antrim

Sinead Keenan Dan's Bar & Off Sales (The Orient Bar), Belfast, Co. Antrim

Tim Mcllreavy, Kiwi's Brew Bar, Portrush, Co. Antrim

Hospitality Ulster Rising Star (in partnership with Ulster University)

To be announced on the night

Industry Legend (in partnership with Hospitality Review NI)

To be announced on the night

All shortlisted entrants have been vetted and judged by an independent judging panel comprised of industry experts and will now be mystery shopped to ensure they meet industry standards and best practice guidelines.

Commenting on the announcement of the shortlist, Olga Walls, Chair of Hospitality Ulster said: These Awards provide a valuable opportunity to recognise the significant contribution Northern Irelands hospitality venues make, not only within their own communities, but to the hospitality sector as a whole.

We have fantastic, world class hospitality venues on our doorstep and Hospitality Ulster is proud to recognise and reward those businesses that are setting industry standards with their customer offering, service and innovations.

The competition for this years Awards is very high, which is a real indication of the standards being set across the sector. I would like to congratulate all of the shortlisted individuals, pubs, restaurants and hotels and wish them the very best of luck at next months Pub of the Year Awards.

The Pub of the Year Awards moves to a new venue for 2016. On Wednesday 16th November, hundreds of publicans and restaurateurs from across Northern Ireland will gather in the Ramada Plaza at Shaws Bridge, Belfast to toast Northern Irelands hospitality industry.

The Pub of the Year Awards are the only industry recognised awards. This years Awards are supported by Britvic, Coca-Cola, Diageo, Dillon Bass, Drinks Inc., Henderson Foods, Molson Coors, Richmond Marketing, Tennents NI, United Wine Merchants, and media partners, Sunday Life, Hospitality Review NI and U105.

For further information about the Pub of the Year Awards and to enter online, visit www.nipuboftheyear.org

Keep up to date with all the Pub of the Year Awards 2016 news on the Hospitality Ulster Twitter @HospUlster and Facebook using the hashtag, #NIPubAwards.
Detectives from the Major Investigation Team revisit the home of Joe Reilly in the early hours of Sunday morning in Glenwood Court where he was murdered earlier this week. October 23rd 2016, Northern Ireland (Photo by Kevin Scott / Presseye)

Detectives from the Major Investigation Team revisit the home of Joe Reilly in the early hours of Sunday morning in Glenwood Court where he was murdered earlier this week. October 23rd 2016, Northern Ireland (Photo by Kevin Scott / Presseye)

Detectives from the Major Investigation Team revisit the home of Joe Reilly in the early hours of Sunday morning in Glenwood Court where he was murdered earlier this week. October 23rd 2016, Northern Ireland (Photo by Kevin Scott / Presseye)

Detectives from the Major Investigation Team revisit the home of Joe Reilly in the early hours of Sunday morning in Glenwood Court where he was murdered earlier this week. October 23rd 2016, Northern Ireland (Photo by Kevin Scott / Presseye)

Detectives from the Major Investigation Team revisit the home of Joe Reilly in the early hours of Sunday morning in Glenwood Court where he was murdered earlier this week. October 23rd 2016, Northern Ireland (Photo by Kevin Scott / Presseye)

Detectives from the Major Investigation Team revisit the home of Joe Reilly in the early hours of Sunday morning in Glenwood Court where he was murdered earlier this week. October 23rd 2016, Northern Ireland (Photo by Kevin Scott / Presseye)

Detectives from the Major Investigation Team revisit the home of Joe Reilly in the early hours of Sunday morning in Glenwood Court where he was murdered earlier this week. October 23rd 2016, Northern Ireland (Photo by Kevin Scott / Presseye)

Detectives from the PSNI's Major Investigation Team have revisited the west Belfast home where Joe Reilly was shot dead as the investigation to find his killers goes on.

Mr Reilly (43) had been at his Glenwood Court home in Poleglass on Thursday evening when a number of men stormed into his house and shot him dead.

Two people in the house were subsequently ordered into the kitchen and made to lie on the floor while Mr Reilly was kept in the living room.

Read More

He was shot a number of times and died at the scene.

Detective Chief Inspector Peter Montgomery - who is leading the murder probe - said it was a "cold-blooded, summary execution of a man in his own house".

Read More

The gunmen have been described as being about six ft tall, wearing dark coats and dark trousers. One was wearing dark rimmed glasses and a Celtic scarf.

Detectives revisited the scene in the early hours of Sunday morning along with crime scene officers in a hunt for clues.
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has urged a halt to the bloodshed in Syria

The use of chemical weapons underlines the "cruel barbarity" of Bashar Assad's rule in Syria, Boris Johnson said as he urged the regime and its Russian backers to halt the bloodshed.

The Foreign Secretary said the chemical attacks were "horrific" and in breach of international law after an investigation found evidence of a third incident using chlorine gas.

The team from the United Nations and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons found there was "sufficient evidence" to conclude that Syrian forces were responsible for one of the attacks in Qmenas in the Idlib region on March 16, 2015.

It said a device, dropped from a high altitude, "hit the ground and released the toxic substance that affected the population." Witnesses and hospital staff identified the smell and symptoms of chlorine gas.

An earlier report from the panel in August had previously blamed president Assad's government for using chlorine gas in two attacks and Islamic State, also known as Daesh, had used mustard gas in one incident.

Mr Johnson said: "This independent investigation has concluded that the Assad regime has used chemical weapons against the Syrian people on at least three occasions, and that Daesh has used such weapons at least once."

He said the attacks in Qmenas, along with the incidents in Talmenes and Sarmin," demonstrate the cruel barbarity of the Assad regime in this conflict".

The use of chemical weapons by IS in Marea "shows their complete disregard for human rights, and international norms and values".

Mr Johnson said: " This report makes clear that the Assad regime has consistently failed to co-operate with the investigation.

"The use of chemical weapons is horrific, and a breach of international law and UN Security Council resolutions. It is crucial to hold those responsible to account.

"The regime and its backers, notably Russia, are inflicting the worst bombardment seen yet on Aleppo, and other towns and areas in Syria, causing severe humanitarian suffering. We are seeing heartbreaking scenes.

"The UK will continue to work with the international community to pursue an end to the regime's indiscriminate bombing campaign, full and sustained humanitarian access, an immediate and lasting ceasefire, and a return to the negotiating table."

The United States, Britain and France want the UN Security Council to impose sanctions on the Assad regime for using chemical weapons.

But Russia is expected to veto sanctions against Syria, whose forces have been supported by Vladimir Putin.

The Security Council is expected to discuss the new report on Thursday.
Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy looks likely to be able to lead a minority Government in Spain

The Socialist party has voted to stop blocking the conservative Popular Party from forming a minority government, setting the stage to end Spain's nearly 10-month political impasse.

Members of the Socialists' federal committee said they would abstain from voting against acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy during a confidence vote in Parliament.

The committee voted 139 to 96 in favour of the abstention, a decision that should prevent a third election.

Two inconclusive elections since last December have left Mr Rajoy in charge of a caretaker government. His Popular Party won both elections, but not enough seats to form a majority in Parliament.

He has the support of 170 lawmakers in the 350-seat national parliament - 137 of them from his own party - but he needs other parties' votes, or abstentions, to form a government.

He needs 11 abstentions from the socialists to reach the threshold.

Javier Fernandez took over as temporary Socialist leader following the resignation of Pedro Sanchez.

He said the party would "show its total rejection for Popular Party policies" by first voting no during the confidence vote, but would abstain on the second tally, allowing Mr Rajoy to govern.

Spain has been led for decades by either the conservatives or the socialists and has never had a coalition government.

The Socialist party remained bitterly divided on the issue. Supporters of the abstention claimed a third election could be disastrous for the party, which suffered its worst-ever results in June's poll.

Detractors of the abstention said the decision would further alienate the party's supporters. P rotesters defied the rain to gather outside its headquarters, saying they felt betrayed by the federal committee's decision.

Miquel Iceta, the leader of the party's Catalan faction, has said its seven deputies will vote against Mr Rajoy despite the committee's plans.

The newcomer leftist Podemos party has said it hopes to profit from the Socialists' surrender to become the leading opposition party.

AP
Children join demonstrators outside the gates of Downing Street during a protest to highlight the high numbers of children killed in bombings in Syria

A leading northern Syrian rebel coalition has warned civilians in Aleppo to stay away from government positions around the contested city as rebels and pro-government forces clashed along the city's outskirts.

Fighting broke out after a ceasefire to allow rebels and civilians to evacuate the city's eastern quarters expired on Saturday night.

No evacuations were seen during the three-day window arranged by the Russian and Syrian military commands.

Government artillery shelled the strategically important village of Khan Touman, which overlooks the road connecting Aleppo and government-held cities in the centre of the country, the activist-run Shahba Press reported.

Rebels led by al Qaida-linked militants took the town from government forces in a surprising advance last May, dealing a setback to the joint Russian-Syrian campaign to expel rebels from Aleppo.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group reported incremental advances for pro-government forces against al Qaida-linked Fatah al-Sham Front militants in the city's southern countryside.

Al-Manar TV, run by the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, broadcast footage of tanks and fighters advancing under heavy fire along a ridge reportedly in the Aleppo countryside. Hezbollah is fighting alongside Syrian President Bashar Assad's military.

A spokesman for the Nour el-Din al-Zinki rebel faction in Aleppo said an operation to break the government's siege of the rebel-held eastern districts of Aleppo was "coming".

Yasser al-Yousef clarified rebels would not target civilians in Aleppo's government-held districts, but warned of collateral damage from the anticipated operations.

The fighting ran in parallel with renewed clashes further away from the city between Turkish-backed opposition forces and Syrian Kurdish forces over territory formerly held by the Islamic State (IS) group.

The activist-run Aleppo Media Centre said Turkish forces struck over 50 Kurdish positions on Sunday alone.

The US has supported both the Turkish-backed forces and the Syrian Kurdish forces in the area, though it has clarified that it does not support the Syrian Kurdish forces that have come under Turkish attack in the Aleppo countryside.

The Turkish military intervened in the Syrian war in August under orders from Ankara to clear the border area of IS fighters and US-backed Syrian Kurdish forces linked to Turkey's own outlawed Kurdish insurgency. The Turkish government considers both to be terrorist groups.

AP
According to state law, fines, penalties, and license money shall be appropriated exclusively to the use and support of the common schools ... . An exception is fines for overloaded vehicles. Seventy-five percent of those funds go to state highways; 25 percent go to the county general fund where the fine or penalty is paid. Fifty percent of money forfeited or seized in enforcing drug laws goes to counties for drug enforcement. Vehicles seized in drug law cases may be used by law enforcement agencies or sold with the proceeds going to schools.

County Court

Traffic Sentences

Daniel Merrick, 26, Fairmont, truck route violation, $100 fine and $49 court costs.

Christina Schable, 31, Dakota City, no operator's license, $75 fine and $49 court costs.

Juan Gutierrez, 19, Schulyer, no operator's license and traffic signal violation, $150 fine and $49 court costs.

Ricky Youngbear, 52, Schuyler, disorderly conduct, $25 fine and $49 court costs.

Austin Kocina, 24, Platte Center, excessive torque, $10 fine and $49 court costs.

Maria Perez, 38, 1409 Eighth St., child passenger restraint violation, $50 fine and $49 court costs.

Angel Luis Tano, 52, 2215 14th St., speeding, 64 mph in a 45 mph zone, $125 fine and $49 court costs.

Kay Miller, 76, 3555 25th Ave., failure to yield right of way, $25 fine and $49 court costs.

Hannah Montgomery, 19, 4115 16th St., failure to yield right of way, $25 fine and $48 court costs.

Dinia Duron Reina, 28, 3888 E. 21st Ave., No. 6, speeding, 65 mph in a 55 mph zone, and no operator's license, $100 fines and $49 court costs.

Eric Alarcon,20, 3054 45th Ave., speeding, 75 mph in a 65 mph zone, $25 fine and $48 court costs.

Adam Mittelstaedt, 38, Norfolk, speeding, 73 mph in a 65 mph zone, and no seat belt, $50 fines and $49 court costs.

Jan Metlenko, 21, 1354 27th Ave., window view obstruction violation, $25 fine and $49 court costs.

Jordan Mather, 19, 127 So. Rose Lane, careless driving, $100 fine and $49 court costs.

Criminal Sentences

Kasey Foulk, 35, 954 28th Ave., theft-shoplifting $0-$500, seven days in jail and $49 court costs.

Raquel Lopez, 21, 322 27th St., driving under the influence, six months probation, $500 fine, $950 restitution, operator's license revoked for 60 days and $49 court costs.

Luis Vazquez, 23, 4507 17th St., G-2, disturbing the peace, $50 fine and $49 court costs.

Nereida Davalos, 21, 858 33rd Ave., A-8, selling tobacco to a minor, $75 fine and $49 court costs.

Alan Smith, 58, 2405 Sixth St., selling tobacco to a minor, $75 fine and $49 court costs.

Jackson Bemis, 22, Lincoln, theft-unlawful taking $0-$500, $150 fine and $49 court costs.

Spencer Smith, 26, Rising City, driving under suspension, $75 fine and $49 court costs.

Rockey Aldredge, 59, 1416 10th St., disturbing the peace, $150 fine and $49 court costs.

Gregoria Fuentes Jr., 30, Schuyler, third-degree assault, four months probation, $150 fine and $49 court costs.

Christopher Helmick, 42, Duncan, theft-shoplifting $0-$500, $250 fine and $49 court costs; criminal mischief $0-$500, $250 fine and $49 court costs.

Nathan Hubert, 45, 3723 17th St., No. 5, second-offense driving under the influence, 10 days in jail, credit for one day already served, nine months probation, $500 fine, operator's license revoked for 18 months and $49 court costs.

Alejandro Sanchez-Aguirre, 45, 4314 15th St., destruction of property by an animal, $25 fine and $49 court costs.

Seth Davies, 27, Shelby, driving under the influence, six months probation, $500 fine, operator's license revoked for 60 days and $49 court costs.

Bradley Miller, 30, Norfolk, willful reckless driving and leaving the scene of an accident, 30 days in jail, credit for 39 days already served, operator's license revoked for 45 days and $49 court costs.

Alain Oropeza, 24, 654 Fourth Ave., second-offense driving under the influence, 45 days in jail, $500 fine, operator's license revoked for 18 months and $49 court costs.

Tyler Weber, 30, 466 20th Ave., attempted possession of a controlled substance, 12 months probation and $49 court costs; second-offense theft-shoplifting $0-$500, $150 fine and $49 court costs.

Janella Bell, 51, Lincoln, second-offense theft-shoplifting $0-$500, six days in jail, credit for seven days already served, and $49 court costs.

Ricardo Alvarez, 18, 858 33rd Ave., B-7, obstruction a police officer and refusal to submit to a pretest, 60 days in jail, $100 fine and $49 court costs.
Moncks Corner, SC (29461)

Today

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 64F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 64F. Winds light and variable.
Update 5.29pm: Around 500 people gathered in Cork today to call on the Government to take action to investigate and convict those responsible for animal abuse, according to organisers.

The Animal Rights Action Network (ARAN) rally also protested the ongoing trade in puppy farms, hare coursing, animals in circuses and other areas.

To see this post on Facebook, click here.

Earlier:

Organisers are expecting hundreds of people to gather for rally in Cork today to protest the lack of convictions relating to animal cruelty.

Just two such convictions have been secured so far this year according to a question put forward by Maureen OSullivan TD to Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald.

The rally will call on the Minister for Justice and the wider justice system to do more to investigate and convict those responsible for animal abuse.

The rally will also highlight the ongoing trade in puppy farms, hare coursing, animals in circuses and other areas.

The event will begin at Grand Parade Plaza in Cork City at 2pm, before marching to the city centre.

The protest is being organised by the Animal Rights Action Network (ARAN). Various other animal rescue groups are also expected to attend.

Are we going to hear the same worn-out justifications and excuses that weve been hearing for literally decades? said ARANs John Carmody.

What will it take for Government to have the backbone to stamp out Irelands most egregious abuses such as hare coursing, puppy farms, animal-act circuses and fox hunting?

Will we continue to see animal abusers get off with a slap on the wrist and the Animal Health and Welfare Act just gather dust whilst Ireland stays a haven for those wanting to exploit the hell out of innocent, vulnerable and defenceless animals who want nothing but to be just left alone.
Gardai are making a special anniversary appeal for anyone with information on the disappearance of schoolboy Philip Cairns to come forward.

It is now 30 years to the day since the then-13-year-old vanished on his way to school in Rathfarnham in Dublin.

A recently formed community group is staging a petition and rally this lunchtime to commemorate his disappearance.

The "innocence of an entire community was stolen" is how one local person described the disappearance of Phillip.

The Justice for Philip group describe themselves as a people-powered group who are planning a peaceful protest, petition and march at 1pm today.

They will be meeting in the car park of the Ballyroan Community Centre, before walking to leave flowers at the lane where Philip's schoolbag was found. They will continue on to Rathfarnham Garda Station to register their concerns.

Gardai are also marking today's anniversary - with a new appeal for information.

An earlier appeal in 2011 led to several members of the public coming forward and gardai say these people have been liaising with the investigating team on an on-going basis.

They say a number of lines of inquiry are being investigated.

Garda Superintendent Peter Duff says he believes there are people who were young at the time who may have information in relation to Philips school bag.

He has reassured anyone who comes forward that they will be treated sensitively and discreetly by investigating Gardai.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Rathfarnham Garda station on 01 666 6500, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.
In Dublin, the Coast Guard have located a missing jet-skier and his submerged craft, north off Ireland's Eye.

Howth lifeboat brought him back to shore where an ambulance was waiting, however the casualty was wearing a life jacket and didn't have any serious injuries.
A leading northern Syrian rebel coalition has warned civilians in Aleppo to stay away from government positions around the contested city as rebels and pro-government forces clashed along the city's outskirts.

Fighting broke out after a ceasefire to allow rebels and civilians to evacuate the city's eastern quarters expired on Saturday night.

No evacuations were seen during the three-day window arranged by the Russian and Syrian military commands.

Government artillery shelled the strategically important village of Khan Touman, which overlooks the road connecting Aleppo and government-held cities in the centre of the country, the activist-run Shahba Press reported.

Rebels led by al Qaida-linked militants took the town from government forces in a surprising advance last May, dealing a setback to the joint Russian-Syrian campaign to expel rebels from Aleppo.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group reported incremental advances for pro-government forces against al Qaida-linked Fatah al-Sham Front militants in the city's southern countryside.

Al-Manar TV, run by the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, broadcast footage of tanks and fighters advancing under heavy fire along a ridge reportedly in the Aleppo countryside. Hezbollah is fighting alongside Syrian President Bashar Assad's military.

A spokesman for the Nour el-Din al-Zinki rebel faction in Aleppo said an operation to break the government's siege of the rebel-held eastern districts of Aleppo was "coming".

Yasser al-Yousef clarified rebels would not target civilians in Aleppo's government-held districts, but warned of collateral damage from the anticipated operations.

The fighting ran in parallel with renewed clashes further away from the city between Turkish-backed opposition forces and Syrian Kurdish forces over territory formerly held by the so-called 'Islamic State' (IS) group.

The activist-run Aleppo Media Centre said Turkish forces struck over 50 Kurdish positions on Sunday alone.

The US has supported both the Turkish-backed forces and the Syrian Kurdish forces in the area, though it has clarified that it does not support the Syrian Kurdish forces that have come under Turkish attack in the Aleppo countryside.

The Turkish military intervened in the Syrian war in August under orders from Ankara to clear the border area of 'IS' fighters and US-backed Syrian Kurdish forces linked to Turkey's own outlawed Kurdish insurgency.

The Turkish government considers both to be terrorist groups.
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Qld ALP Senators spread not so far and wide; One Nation gathers at the Waterfront

One Nation supporters, seeking to make face-to-face representations to their Senators, will have to toil to the big end of town, to Level 36 of Waterfront Place in Eagle St in Brisbane's CBD.

It was believed a section of ceiling fell on federal departmental staff, but not near where politicians were meeting. Credit:Robert Rough

This is the location of the electorate offices of Senators Hanson and Roberts, according to the Senate website. Just down the road from the Stock Exchange, and adjacent to the upmarket eateries of Eagle St Pier.

How does the One Nation constituency, the dispossessed, the disenchanted, the disillusioned and the disappointed, feel about pleading their cause in a venue described by its owners as "an iconic building in Brisbane's premier riverside business precinct, arguably Brisbane's most iconic and desirable business address"?
John F. Simmons, Kambah Disarm Donald The populist reaction to a Trump loss should be of more concern now than a market reaction to a Trump win: (Trump win shock 'bigger than Brexit", p20, October 19). Mr Trump has already made calls for supporters to use violence to stop Hillary Clinton appointing judges whom, he claims, will take away their cherished guns. His personal stability must now be doubted. How will he cope with the looming rejection he will suffer in the real poll? It is not impossible he will call for armed insurrection.

Given the lunatic attitude to guns this will be the reaction that hurts. Mr Trump is leading the willing to the non-existent utopia of his delusions. Warwick Davis, Isaacs Congestion indeed 'How the north was won' (October 19) raises some interesting questions.

It quotes the President of the Gungahlin Community Council as saying that 'Congestion was the top issue'. It then quotes labour leaning independent, David Pollard, as saying that 'Every person leaving Gungahlin in the morning experiences congestion, so if we can get any of those people onto light rail, or those roads duplicated, everybody's going to benefit'. The fundamental reason for the congestion is that, whereas elsewhere in Canberra the roads were built first and then the population was brought in, the process was reversed in Gungahlin. The Labor government built the Gungahlin Drive Extension in single lanes. It took a massive public campaign to get that fixed. It has taken a lot of public pressure to start duplicating Gundaroo Drive.

The Labor government has continued to grow Gungahlin for years without providing the infrastructure to handle it. If the people of Gungahlin are annoyed about congestion they have the present government to blame. So they voted for the tram to remove congestion. I look forward to the election in 2024 when it dawns on them that they have gotten the tram and increased congestion as well. Stan Marks, Hawker

Gas inquiry needed David Osmond (Letters, October 12) deserves maximum support for his call for a wide-ranging inquiry into the export of natural gas from Australia, the industry's total failure to deliver any tax benefits, and its contribution to the phoney shortages and high prices of natural gas for domestic consumption. That inquiry should also look at the apparent failure of the Australian Energy Regulator to control domestic gas prices. The Commonwealth Government, under the provisions of the constitution, has the authority to control all Australia's exports, including natural gas, and to tax its export if it wishes. States play a lesser role within their own boundaries.

Malcolm Turnbull's government is apparently looking around for something useful to do. Mr Shorten's opposition could only give their maximum support. Let's have a fair dinkum and prompt inquiry with real action on the recommendations by the start of 2017. If that fails we should call on the ghost of former Whitlam government energy minister Rex Connor to begin haunting Parliament House singing: "I warned you 40 years ago that this would happen". Roger Clement, Queanbeyan Submissions ignored

Families and Friends for Drug Law Reform made a submission to the inquiry into youth suicide, pointing out illicit drug users are many times more likely to commit suicide than the general population. Polydrug users are a fearful 16 to 17 times more likely to do so. The inquiry's report completely ignored our submission. Its Labor chair wrote pleading the short time available to the committee but added, obscurely, that our offer to appear was not taken up because of "the nature of" our submission. In the light of the Labor/Greens victory last Saturday, may I suggest this appalling omission of a key factor in suicide be remedied by giving effect to two of its election commitments: firstly, Labor's plan to boost mental health services , and, secondly, the announced willingness of the Chief Minister and Shane Rattenbury to consider "further decriminalising drugs for personal use in the ACT".

Our drug laws marginalise drug users as criminals, driving a wedge between them, their families and society. Our drug policies are stressors that trigger depression and other mental health conditions. Bill Bush, Turner Rates fine if you're rich It would have been nice if more articles like "Canberra rates pricing people out of their homes" (CT 21/10) had appeared before the election.

John Lieber's comment that "if you're a well-paid public servant, you're fine" summed up the election result perfectly. With many of Canberra's dual income households being on well over $200,000 per annum, they're doing fine. The ACT government's response is basically "when we've made you poor enough, then we'll consider giving you concessions, and instead of whining about it you should be very grateful because these concessions set taxpayers back millions per year". Many people who are on the age pension have lived in the same modest home for 50 years, since before their suburb became fashionable. Their rates, even after concessions, consume about 10per cent of their income, but leaving their home would cause them extreme stress.

Many self-funded retirees who are not yet poor enough to qualify for concessions don't want to leave their homes and the neighbourhoods where their friends are, so they tighten their belts. The ACT government changed its revenue policy to "eventually" phase out stamp duty in favour of increased rates. However, since 2012 rates have doubled for most people, but stamp duty on a $500,000 home has fallen only from $18,050 to$13,460. The number of $500,000 homes has risen significantly due to the house price bubble. D.Zivkovic, Aranda Terror from the skies

The Snow Foundation are to be congratulated for the valuable support they have given to a wide range of important community groups over the past quarter century. This was made possible by "the family fortunes earned from the Canberra Airport and other developments" ("25 years of the Snow Foundation", CT 14 Oct, page 8). It remains deeply disappointing, however, that notwithstanding the very welcome new ACT government ads at Canberra Airport, the airport management has expressed no interest in foregoing advertising revenue from the weapons industry. While philanthropy is always commendable, there is a very strong disconnect between, on the one hand, helping build up community groups and, on the other, promoting an industry whose products are designed todestroy. A Lockheed Martin fighter jet might look innocent enough on a glossy panel at the airport, but to those on the receiving end in, say, Yemen, they are terrifying.

Canberrans are fortunate not to live with the ever-present threat of drone warfare and its frequent targeting errors, but for many civilians in the Middle East and elsewhere, terror in the skies is a daily reality. Congratulations, Snow Foundation, on your good works, but please reconsider Canberra Airport's promotions of products that bring fear, death and destruction to millions ofpeople. Dr Sue Wareham, Cook Transports of delight I didn't want four more years of Labor/Greens deals in Canberra, ballistic rate notices, or a tram that is barely an "even money bet" to ever reach so many of the southern and western zone residents who will be funding it for years to come.

Opposition to that tram was a key reason for my vote. Alas, Barr won. It seems that many of my fellow Canberrans want the tram, or want Barr, or didn't want Hanson; it's difficult to say. There will be a tram  or at least the early stages of it. The people faced the hyperbole, vitriol, and vested interests. The people have spoken, and perhaps because I saw the process, and participated in the process, I am adjusting surprisingly well. I'm even looking for the bright side of the new reality. There is, I think, a powerful implication in this anecdote for the political opponents of a gay marriage plebiscite.

A popular vote may briefly  for a few months  visit us with a few bruises. But the democratic process can be important for bringing acceptance and healing to those who have traditional positions even as they likely yield to progress in the final reckoning. Ross Kelly, Murrumbidgee Drilling for damage It is good to see major new petroleum developments such as the Great Australian Bight shelved despite Professor Neville Exon's opinion that "the very slight risk is worth taking". ("Blighted hopes as BP retreats from drilling in Bight", October 19, p17.) Global warming warriors tend to forget the range of fossil fuels our technologies depend on. Coal may be the least of the problems.

Geophysical damage from fracking, being highly localised and almost immediate has been recognised together with the high leakage rate of methane, an active greenhouse pollutant. Wider, long-term geophysical damage from deep drilling for petroleum and gas has yet to be publicly addressed. Global acceleration of the frequency of major earthquakes over the last century has been tabulated but not publicly discussed. Even Professor Exon acknowledges in his ANU biography that two of the 46 marine expeditions he has participated in since 1969 were "to geologically map poorly known areas in order to address tectonic problems". I doubt the problems relate merely to tectonic plate theory. Gary J.Wilson, Macgregor

Taking up the tax Yet another story of how tying rates to property values produces hardship. If the government wants to tax the increased value of property, why not take a percentage of sale values, instead of taxing value each year which hasn't been realised? Keep rates fair! Chris Mobbs, Torrens TO THE POINT PROTECTION WAS GOOD

Reserve Bank governor, Philip Lowe, is against protectionism, but ought to recognise that, if Australia hadn't lowered tariffs over decades, it would still have a self-sufficient manufacturing sector, much higher prices on imported goods and still have foreign buyers of our agricultural, mineral and energy resources. We may have to rely on tourism. Rod Matthews, Fairfield WELFARE NEEDS These are predictable responses (Rob Westcott and N. Argy, Letters, October 19) in ignoring the government's obligation to welfare issues at the expense of massive infrastructure projects, despite the non-government sector being unable to cope. I simply refuse to encourage ACT Labor to avoid its full social responsibility.

Greg Cornwell, Yarralumla ANIMAL CAPERS Swift's yahoo (Letters, October 14) is well known. Not so is the later use of the word in Australia to describe some unknown animal, which is discussed at length in my 2014 book. Graham Joyner, Waramanga $1B COMEDY SHOW

Will it be worth $1 billion plus for the fun as we chuckle and see the likes of Barr and Rattenbury trying to explain budget blow-outs and the lack of tram patronage by Gungahlin residents who "apparently" voted it in? Time to double their rates now! Brian Hale, Wanniassa SERVING COMMUNITY It can only be assumed that A. Gibbs (Community Bank, Letters, October21) already banks with one of the 'community banks'. Otherwise his observations are a bit self-serving. A Brown, Fadden

ABBOTT A STAR For a party that dislikes the ABC with the same intensity it has for Labor, Tony Abbott's performance on 7.30 on Wednesday was a sterling effort worthy of acknowledgement. It wouldn't have done his quest for a return to the top job any harm. D. J. Fraser, Currumbin MONOCHROME RULES I have recently acquired my new Master Card. It is a light grey colour with bold black numbers. Very easy to read. Thank you, Commonwealth Bank.

Evelyn Bean, Ainslie BARR'S MANDATE Headline, Canberra Times, October 20: "Shane Rattenbury and Andrew Barr have first post-election meeting". Andrew, Andrew, what about your mandate and governing in your own right? Michael Attwell, Dunlop Email: letters.editor@canberratimes.com.au. Send from the message eld, not as an attached le. Fax: 6280 2282. Mail: Letters to the Editor, The Canberra Times, PO Box 7155, Canberra Mail Centre, ACT 2610.
Salma Hayek has joined the chorus of women speaking out about being harassed by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.

Speaking on a Spanish-language radio program in the US, the Mexican-American actress revealed that she refused to go on a date with Trump years ago when she had a boyfriend, but he continued to pursue her  and claimed he even planted a story with celebrity gossip magazine National Enquirer.

"When I told him I wouldn't go out with him even if I didn't have a boyfriend, [which he took as disrespectful], he called  well, he wouldn't say he called, but someone told the National Enquirer," she said.

Hayek claims Trump leaked a false story to the magazine, suggesting it was he who refused to date her because she was "too short".
Thousands of field workers who rescued the 2016 Census after the online meltdown debacle are still owed up to $30 million in wages and out-of-pocket expenses.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics has told told workers, many of whom are unemployed or are pensioners, that they will just have to wait for their money.

The bureau has been in damage control since its website crashed on Census night in August, destroying its plans for a move to a predominantly digital rather than paper-based census that had been intended to save $100 million.

About 15,000 casual "field officers" then had to pick up the pieces, distributing and collecting millions of old-fashioned paper Census forms in an effort that eventually gott the survey's completion rate up above 95 per cent.
The voices of the St Mary's Cathedral choir soared but the mood was sombre on Sunday as a prayer was offered "for those who have died in tragic circumstances".

To the left of the altar sat a small white board adorned with pink flowers and bearing photographs of Maria Claudia Lutz and her smiling children, Martin and Elisa.

Social worker Isabella Almendrades with the tribute in St Mary's Cathedral. Credit:Michele Mossop

The tribute to the 43-year old mother, who was found dead in her Davidson home along with her young children and husband, Fernando Manrique, was placed there by Sydney social worker Isabella Almendrades.

Ms Almendrades, from Brighton-Le-Sands, met Mrs Lutz and her husband when they moved to Sydney from Colombia a decade ago.
The state's transport minister says he wasn't warned about an impending rail crisis until the night before more than 100 train cancellations caused major headaches for south-east Queensland commuters.

Queensland Rail knew about the problems on Thursday afternoon but commuters weren't told until the Translink website and social media accounts were updated on Friday morning.

Rail disruptions are expected to continue for a fortnight. Credit:Glenn Hunt

On Monday, Stirling Hinchliffe defended the efforts to warn travellers, telling ABC Radio it wasn't until Thursday that he was told regular service cancellations had become a "more fundamental problem".

"I made it very clear that this lack of performance was unacceptable," Mr Hinchliffe told ABC radio on Monday.
Police have described fan behaviour at this year's Gold Coast 600 as "fantastic".

Inspector Bruce Kuhn, from the Major Events Group on the Gold Coast, said in previous years, the Supercars event was seen as a "big party on the Gold Coast".

James Moffat drives the #34 Wilson Security Racing GRM Volvo S60 during race 22 of the Supercars Gold Coast 600 at Surfers Paradise. Credit:Daniel Kalisz/ Getty Images

"I'm not sure if that's the case now," Inspector Kuhn said on Sunday.

"I think people are just getting used to, it's a car race, people want to come and see the car race.
A furious Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has said heads could roll over the Queensland Rail debacle that led to more than 100 services being cancelled on Friday.

Disruption to services across the CityTrain network is expected to continue for weeks as the understaffed service trains enough drivers to cope with the opening of the Moreton Bay Rail Link.

New train timetable to be introduced on Tuesday to cope with a lack of Queensland Rail drivers. Credit:Glenn Hunt

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she was absolutely furious about the debacle.

"I don't blame commuters for being furious as well," Ms Palaszczuk said.
Oh spring, where have you been?

Melburnians still trapped in the dome of eternal winter will have to wait a little longer for spring to smash through and offer some genuine warmth.

According to the weather bureau - despite some drier conditions later this week - the city's malfunctioning spring of 2016 is not over.

"Temperatures this week are expected to go up," said Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Richard Carlyon. But not by much and not for long.
Greens support has surged across both sides of the Yarra River in Victoria's weekend council elections, according to early voting patterns.

Moreland Council Mayor Samantha Ratnam's vote has more than doubled since the 2012 elections, with the high-profile candidate getting 5499 votes, a 55.37 per cent share.

Moreland Council Mayor Samantha Ratnam is leading the Greens' success story in the Victorian council elections. Credit:Twitter

And Banyule might have its first Green councillor with Peter Castaldo leading in the Griffin Ward, but it will come down to how the other preferences flow.

In Port Phillip, three new Greens councillors are leading the early vote, while in Yarra, three Greens also look set to be re-elected. The Greens are also claiming the possibility of a fourth win in Yarra, but that result hinges on preferences.
That's it for Melbourne Express for today. Thanks for reading. We will be back on deck tomorrow.

Expect more on the plan to build a new stand at Flemington racecourse

The temperature has barely shifted from two hours ago and still hovering at 11.7 degrees. Expect a top of 18 today.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and Victoria Police would not comment on specific cases.

Premier Daniel Andrews said anyone who felt they had been mistreated by police should file a complaint. Credit:Penny Stephens

The number of complaints made by young offenders increased because they are now asked about their treatment under changes to the interview and assessment process, Victoria Police confirmed.

However, Mr Andrews said anyone who felt they had been badly treated by police should file a complaint.

"Every case should be dealt with on its merits, every case should be properly and fully investigated, but it is a matter of fact that we've changed some of the standard operating procedures," the Premier said on Sunday.

"If there is anyone doing the wrong thing, there should be an investigation."

Police are working with the youth justice system and Department of Health and Human Services to ensure accurate reporting and investigation of complaints, a spokeswoman said.

"We know that many young offenders are vulnerable and at high risk of being victims of crime themselves," she said.
A much-loved Australian social media satirist and tech pioneer, who was struck down and killed in an alleged hit-and-run crash in the United States, has been remembered as an "engineering genius".

Leslie Nassar, 43, was walking with two of his daughters in Nampa, Idaho, about 7.30am on Saturday when he was hit by a Ford pick-up truck, police said.

He was taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The girls, aged eight and three, were injured, but have been released from hospital.
Beijing: Speculation that Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, is looking to extend his rule beyond the conventional 10-year period is growing as Communist Party chiefs attend a key meeting on Monday.

Almost 400 senior officials will attend a four-day Beijing conference purportedly to discuss ideology and long-term policy objectives.

But behind the dry, political rhetoric that state media will be reporting throughout the week, analysts expect that senior leaders will be engaged in bitter in-fighting over Mr Xi's succession.

The meeting, which is officially called the Sixth Plenum of the 18th Central Committee of the Communist Party, is expected to draw up the agenda for next year's 19th party congress, when Mr Xi could announce his successor.
Tokyo: A 72 year-old retired soldier blew himself up in a park in the Japanese city of Utsunomiya, killing himself and injuring three other people in an apparent suicide, state broadcaster NHK reported.

A second explosion, separate from the blast that killed the former Self Defence Force member, caused a fire in a nearby car park, while the man's home eight kilometres from the park burnt to the ground, the report said.

Firefighters investigate the scene of one of the explosions in Utsunomiya, north of Tokyo. Credit:AP

The police in the city, which is about 100 kilometres north of Tokyo, said they had discovered a suicide note written by the man and were investigating the three incidents, but did not give further details.

Images broadcast by NHK showed two burnt out cars, one of which belonged to the dead man, about 200 metres from the park and a charred broken bench at the edge of the park, where a folk art festival was under way.
WASHINGTON: They're mopping up. The risk of pitfalls and pratfalls is acknowledged in cursory fashion, as an emboldened Hillary Clinton changes gears - with the presidency seemingly in the bag, the Democratic candidate is decidedly more presidential, talking about bringing the country together and working to lift the chances of her down-ticket congressional colleagues.

Clinton campaign manager Robby Mook told CNN on Sunday: "These battleground states are called that for a reason - they are going to be incredibly close. We don't want to get ahead of our skis here - we are just as focused on Ohio, Iowa, Florida as we have ever been."

Clinton still leads in the national polls by an average of 6 per cent. And on Sunday a new ABC News tracking poll gave her a 12-point lead over Republican candidate Donald Trump, who languished in the high 30s.

With most of the polls ticking upwards as Clinton has been seen to have won all three candidates' debates, her campaign and significant elements of the GOP campaign machine have clearly written off Trump.
Democrats saw a surge in new voters in Pennsylvania as midterms near
World Series Game 3 postponed due to rain in Philly

Rain is moving into Philadelphia and it could impact Game 3 of the World Series
Pan Bahar, which has been embroiled in a row with over his promotion of a breath freshener in India has insisted that it has not breached the contract it signed with the former James Bond star. Brosnan has said that Pan Bahar grossly manipulated media outlets to falsely present him as a brand ambassador for their entire line of products.
Iconic British luxury car brand is eyeing good growth in the domestic market and plans to launch a new product every nine months, a top company official said.

has been selling cars under the brands Vantage, Rapide and Vanquish in India, as well as the recently launched DB11.

"The market has been fairly stagnant due to harsher economic conditions. However, with the new products coming, we expect real growth in India," President, Middle East and North Africa, Neil Slade told PTI.

The company recently launched its latest luxury brand DB11, successor to the DB9 launched in 2003.

"The DB11 showcases a fresh and distinctive design language, pioneering aerodynamics, and is powered by a potent in-house designed 5.2 litre turbocharged V12 engine," he said.

"The Aston Martin DB11 is a fine balance of beauty and performance. We at Aston Martin are proud to showcase this powerhouse to our discerning clientele in India," he said.

To a query on the sales target for the next two years, he declined to divulge any figures, but said that "with the new products we expect good growth".

"We will be launching our new products every nine months from now in India," he said.

The company has been selling between 3,500 - 4,000 units over the last few years. "We expect our stability (in sales) to continue," he said.

"Our second Century plan is an exciting time for Aston Martin, starting with a complete line up to be released in the coming five years," he said.

Asked about the growth of premium luxury car segment in India over the last two years, he said, "The market has been fairly stagnant due to harsher economic conditions."

On import duty for cars not manufactured in India, he said it was punitive and had an impact on sales.

"This is punitive. Of course, it impacts sales potential," he said.

On the launch of DB11 in the market, which already has stiff competition with the presence of Ferrari and Lamborghini, he said, "No doubt our new products are revolutionary."

He said their cars have groundbreaking technology and beautiful design. "We are an everyday luxury vehicle with emphasis on comfort and style," he said.

Asked about the target customers for DB11 in India, he said it will be existing high luxury car owners.

"Typically, it may be businessmen in their late 40s or early 50s with children in their late teens, who also enjoy the car. There are also others in their early 20s and some in the late 60s who buy our cars for the absolute thrill of owning them," he said.

On projected sales in India, he said, "It is a small market, but we view it as having great potential in future." Majority of sales in India is from metros, he added.
Despite the massive discounts and advertising push by e-commerce portals, many brick-and-mortar retailers are seeing a 30-50 per cent jump in pre- sales.



Were seeing very good numbers, which are better than last years. Customers have realised that physical stores offer better deals than online stores, said Rakesh Biyani, joint managing director, Future Retail.



Although Biyani did not comment on numbers, a company source said it witnessed 40 per cent growth in pre- sales over the weekend. Biyani said the home, general merchandise and electronics segments witnessed good business. Notably, Future Groups electronics chain, eZone, has a 20 per cent cashback offer on purchases.



Vasant Kumar, executive director at the Landmark groups fashion chain, Max, said there had been 15 per cent growth in pre- sales. But, 10 days up to Diwali will make good for this. We expect a 50 per cent jump in sales.



According to Kumar, pre-Diwali sales have been truncated to 10 days in the past couple of years. We are better when it comes to latest collection, designs and styles.



Ritesh Ghosal, chief marketing officer of Infiniti Retail, which runs electronics and durables chain Croma, said it has seen a 30 per cent growth during pre-Diwali sales so far. Vis-a-vis last year, we have seen a six per cent increase in footfall.



Malls are also seeing good growth in footfall and consumption.



Pushpa Bector, executive vice-president and head of malls at DLF, said the company expects the trading per square foot and sales to increase by 20-25 per cent. From four months of festive season, we expect around Rs 500 crore and a total of Rs 1,400-crore sales. While on an average the monthly footfall is 1.3 million, during the festive season it increases to 1.8 million.



Rajendra Kalkar, president (west region) at Phoenix Mills, which owns malls in Mumbai, Pune, and Bengaluru said, We are high-strung this Diwali. Were expecting a minimum 30-40 per cent growth in both consumption and footfall. Last year, we saw growth of 20 per cent.



According to Kalkar, with many international fashion brands entering the country, people have a lot of options to choose from.



Additionally, the good monsoon and the Seventh Pay Commission will definitely fuel growth this festive season. The per-capita customer spends this festive season are expected to go up substantially.



Mukesh Kumar, senior vice-president at Infinity Malls, is of the opinion that e-commerce has dented brick-n-mortar sales initially. Pre-Diwali sales are picking up slowly, he noted.



He said the footfall at the Lower Parel mall has grew 40 per cent y-o-y over the weekend. A spokesman for Inorbit Malls said the footfalls grew nine per cent over the pre-diwali weekend.


Cellular Operators' Association of India (COAI) has expressed disappointment over the Rs 3,050 crore penalty recommended by Trai on incumbent operators Airtel, Vodafone and Idea for allegedly denying interconnectivity to newcomer Reliance Jio.

But the association - which at one point, had led cellular operators from the front in their battle with the new entrant over call connectivity - said it will not get involved as interconnect issue was a matter involving individual operators and bilateral agreements.

"We are disappointed when large penalties are recommended or imposed on the ...It is not a trivial amount...It seems that Trai has imposed maximum penalty of Rs 50 crore (per circle)," Director General Rajan Mathews told PTI.

However, Department of Telecom (DOT) will decide whether the same is appropriate or not, he said.

"The matter is between individual operators and Trai. We were not privy to the showcase notice by Trai or subsequent responses. We were not involved with details of the matter...It is bilateral...We will wait to see DOT's response on the matter...DOT will have to review and decide," he added.

Asked if the association will chalk out a future course of action to represent the stance of the incumbent telcos on the issue of interconnect and penalty, Mathews emphasised that operators will decide on how they want to respond.

In a setback to incumbent telecom operators, the telecom regulator on Friday suggested a penalty of about Rs 1,050 crore each for Airtel and Vodafone, and Rs 950 crore in case of Idea Cellular.

Trai in its recommendation to DOT, said it has found the trio to be non-compliant with licence conditions and service quality norms given the high rate of call failures and congestion at interconnect points for RJio.

It also noted that denial of interconnection by these operators to RJio "appears to be with the ulterior motive to stifle competition and is anti-consumer".

The regulator stopped short of recommending cancellation of their licences saying it may lead to "significant consumer inconvenience". The recommendation came on a complaint by Reliance Jio that over 75 per cent of the calls on its network are failing as incumbents were not giving sufficient points of interconnect that would help complete calls.
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Mumbai's peak power demand is expected to increase to 4,108 Mw in 2019-20, from 3,760 Mw now. Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) has, therefore, asked the two leading distribution companies, Tata Power and Reliance Infrastructure (R-Infra), to explore alternatives such as medium-term and long-term power purchase, through competitive bids, not continue to only tie-up with their respective group generation .
Australian telecom major Telstra, which has been outsourcing technology work to for nearly a decade, is planning to set up a captive offshore centre in India. Notably, will help Telstra set up the captive centre with around 200 people to begin with, as the telco looks to work on emerging technology areas at lower costs, people familiar with the development said.

Telstra is always reviewing opportunities to find new ways to improve customer experience across all areas of our business, a Telstra spokesperson said in an e-mail response. No decision has been made as to whether an offshore captive centre will be part of that plan.



When contacted, an spokesperson declined to comment.

Infosys is among the largest technology vendors for Telstra. Telstras move to set up a captive centre in India, analysts say, is in line with what they call a second wave of captives in the country.

We cannot call this a trend yet, but were observing that many are getting or planning to get their work back in-house, said Pareekh Jain, research vice-president (engineering services) at HfS Research. For example, AstraZeneca started this a couple of years back in India and opened its captive centre in Chennai. Today, this centre has about 1,500 professionals.



In April, Indias software lobby National Association of Software and Services (Nasscom) said global in-house centres, as it calls captives, have become an integral component of the fast-growing Indian information technology-business process management (IT-BPM) sector and contribute a 20 per cent share or $22 billion in IT-BPM exports from India. The country has about 1,050 captives employing 790,000 professionals.

Indias software and back office exports stood at $108 billion in the last financial year, said Nasscom.

Last week, British liquor major Diageo said it would hire 1,000 professionals at its newly opened captive back office in Bengaluru by 2017.

Global in-house centres, or captives, operate in India across all service lines  IT services, BPM, engineering services, and product development.

Banking, financial services and insurance; software; telecom; and semi-conductor are the key industry verticals with a growing focus in aerospace, health care, retail, and automotive, Nasscom said in April. They are also playing a diversified role for the global enterprise across and are viewed as cost centres, centres of excellence, programme management offices and an innovation hotbed for emerging markets, it said. Analysts say that global firms are struggling in their shift to adapt newer technologies and business models and look at working on smaller models in closed units before they implement across organisations.

Such moves can be the next operational strategy for improving the effectiveness of IT and business processes or can be a part of future-proofing customers operations. Customers are facing tremendous disruption in their core industries with the new-age and would like to have some technology capability in-house, especially in newer areas such as digital, which can help them navigate digital disruption, said Jain of HfS Research. He added Indias traditional advantage of the large base of English-speaking and higher-educated talent pool continues to be an attraction for global firms. India is becoming a hotspot for talent in newer technologies for the same reason the country was popular for traditional IT services.



CAPTIVE AUDIENCE
In a setback to incumbent mobile operators, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has proposed a penalty of about Rs 3,050 crore on three telcos  Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and Idea Cellular  for failing to provide sufficient interconnect points to Reliance Jio, leading to massive call failures.
Adanis $21.7-billion coal mine project in Australia was being targeted by a foreign funded, highly orchestrated group that influenced the traditional land owners and legal environmental challenges to stop it, a set of emails released by WikiLeaks have revealed.

In a series of emails, it has been disclosed that the US-based Sandler Foundation funded Australia-based environmentalist group, the Sunrise Project, which offered Wangan and Jagalingou people financial support and scholarships if they opposed Adanis mine project and also boasted of its attempts to hide its funding sources from Australian parliament, according to a report published in The Australian newspaper.

The previously secret briefings, as part of Hillary Clintons campaign chairman John Podestas emails, said Sunrise tailored its advice to indigenous communities in northern Queensland, and that the whole Galilee Basin fossil fuel industrial complex is in its death throes.

It was also disclosed that an associated group, Human Rights Watch, offered to help Sunrise Project by keep its tax-exempt charity status because the mining seem to own the Liberals (in Australia) and they play very dirty.

Human Rights Watch chief executive Ken Roth further disclosed that his group received charitable status by special parliamentary bill in the waning days of the Labor government.

In an email to Sandler Foundation last August, after a decision against the mine, Sunrise Project director John Hepburn, who is said to be the author of the strategy to block the mine, thanked the Foundation for its support and wrote without your support none of this would have happened.

He wrote that he was going to buy a few bottles of bubbly for a celebration with our colleagues at GetUp!!!!, Greenpeace, 350.org, Australian Youth Climate Coalition, Mackay Conservation Group, Market Forces and the brilliant and tireless Sunrise team.

Hepburns email to the Foundation also mocked the coal industry for the claim there is some kind of foreign-funded and tightly orchestrated conspiracy to systemically destroy the Australian coal industry. Reacting to the latest disclosure, Australia chief executive Jeyakumar Janakaraj said the leaked emails were evidence that these are broader well-funded activist campaigns as part of a wider anti-coal campaign that is being financially backed and influenced a long way from workers in Australia and those suffering energy poverty in India.

The leaks show, however, that the anti-coal campaign is not about the merits of the approval process at all; its about activists motivated to stop jobs and investment, he added. The latest disclosure came days after the Queensland development minister Anthony Lynham announced that the state government had invoked special powers to ensure the controversial Carmichael coal and rail project starts next year. The project is now in its seventh year of the environmental approval process.
Even as the ruling Samajwadi Party (SP) in Uttar Pradesh is preparing to celebrate its silver jubilee on November 5 in Lucknow, indications are the party might split before the event with the warring factions hardening their stand.
On Saturday, Air vice-marshal (retd) in the Indian Air Force, Manmohan Bahadur, tweeted, Why should the Armed Forces be made part of this extortion? By accepting this money, they would become a 'receiver' of tainted money @adgpi.
jawan Gurnam Singh, who was injured in yesterday's attack by Pakistani forces at the international border in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir, succumbed to his injuries tonight.

26-year-old Singh, who was undergoing treatment at the Government Medical College and Hospital here, died at around 11.45 pm, police said.

He was injured when Pakistani snipers targeted him as he was instrumental in foiling a major infiltration bid along the international border in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir.

Seven personnel of Pakistani Rangers, the border force of Pakistan, and a terrorist were killed when retaliated against a ceasefire violation in which Gurnam was injured.
On Friday, the Narendra Modi government unveiled its most ambitious scheme of taking flights to Indias smaller towns by making it affordable. Jayant Sinha, minister of state for civil aviation, talks to Arindam Majumder about the economics behind the scheme and the steps that he thinks will kick-start the regional aviation market. Edited excerpts:



There are many sceptics who question the viability of the regional connectivity scheme. What steps have you taken to enable the regional aviation market?



If we look at the national aviation scenario, most of the traffic is between large airports. So, how do we connect Bikaner, Udaipur, Kota to Jaipur or Meerut, Moradabad, Varanasi to Lucknow? It was not possible because the regional aviation market was not doing well. What we have done through the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) scheme is to strengthen the regional aviation market. It is a first-of-its-kind scheme, where you bid on a per-seat basis.
Meghalaya and Tripura top in terms of the labour participation rate and the employment rate. At over 60%, Meghalaya has the highest LPR

A healthy debate: The case for and against interest rate hike Sajjid Chinoy

Having raised policy rates to about 6 per cent, does India's Monetary Policy Committee need to do more? And, if so, is more front-loading ...
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the state received investment proposals worth Rs 6 lakh-crore at the fifth Global Investors Summit at Indore. He was addressing the concluding day of the two-day biennial summit.
Major airlines from the Gulf countries have shown interest to invest in Indias regional aviation market. This coincides with the government announcing a new policy to kickstart regional airlines in the country through sops and subsidies.

Minister of State for Civil Aviation told Business Standard that many foreign airlines, including major carriers from West Asia, have held negotiations with the government to fly on regional routes connecting the countrys major cities to tier-II and tier-III cities.

We have had large airlines like IndiGo, SpiceJet, Jet Airways expressing interest. Then we have people in the UK and the US engaged in regional aviation showing interest some large global airlines from the Gulf have expressed interest to run regional airlines in India, said in an interview to Business Standard. He, however, declined to name the airlines.

The investment could be in the form of a stake in an existing airline or opening a new regional airline in the country. With the recent changes in FDI (foreign direct investment) rules, India now has liberal and open policy in the world. Naturally, they will be interested, the minister said.

In June, the government increased the FDI limit in domestic airlines to 100 per cent. But FDI is on automatic route only up to 49 per cent. The rules, however, state that the principal place of business must be in India. According to industry sources, India being a significant market for the Gulf majors, they would want to have a feeder airline, which brings West Asia-bound traffic from tier-II and tier-III cities to the metro airports. A significant traffic to the Gulf comes from the smaller cities. Take, for instance, passengers from Chandigarh, who, until recently, had to fly to Delhi to take flights abroad. Similarly, there are cities like Indore, Vizag and Surat, which feed to the Gulf traffic. Having a joint venture with a regional carrier like Air Costa or TrueJet can be captured as a thoroughfare product, explained an executive of a major domestic carrier.

Over the past few years, the three major Gulf carriers  Emirates, Etihad and Qatar  have taken up a bulk share of the international traffic of India. Etihad, Emirates and Qatar Airways did not respond to queries on the subject.

Abu Dhabi-based Etihad, which owns 24 per cent of Indian carrier Jet Airways, became the first foreign airline in 2013 to invest in an Indian carrier. Qatar Airways chief executive officer (CEO) Akbar Al Baker said in March that the airline was willing to pick up a stake in IndiGo.

Experts warned that the investment makes sense for the Gulf carriers, but they might face opposition from Indian carriers. India is a key market for Arab airlines, not just because of the big population that is employed with Gulf countries but also due to international traffic that connects via hubs like Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi. While the plan proposed by the Gulf carriers looks good, the litmus test is whether the government will allow this to happen and whether opposition from the likes of Air India and others will thwart this idea, said Saj Ahmad, chief analyst, StrategicAero Research.

Some analysts were of the view the investment proposal should not be linked to enhanced bilateral entitlements because that might hurt the Indian carrier. As long as the interest to invest is on merit and not bilateral enhancements, it should be welcome. Capacity enhancement is a core issue for those carriers and needs to be dealt with, based on Indias connectivity needs, said Kapil Kaul, CEO South Asia at Sydney-based consultant CAPA-Centre for Aviation. Gulf carriers have been demanding more seats, as the existing quota has been used up. Since 2000, there has been an FDI inflow of $288.6 billion in India  in sectors such as trading, pharmaceuticals, broadcasting, air transport, retail and defence. Of this, only $931 million has been in air transport.

THE GULF WIDENS

Emirates

Etihad

Qatar Airways

Market share of the big 3 Gulf airlines in India(2015-16)Source: DGCA
More than the votes, which may or may not come, the Congress lost the political legacy of Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna when his daughter, Rita Bahuguna Joshi, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) last Thursday, after spending 24 years in the older party. Joshi, who once taught history at the University of Allahabad, started her political journey in 1995 when she managed to win a mayoral poll, with a little help from the Samajwadi Party, leveraging upon a clean image. She held the post from 1995 to 2000 and used it as a springboard for a more active political career.
Prime Minister will visit Mahoba in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh on Monday to launch the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (irrigation scheme) in the parched Bundelkhand region. This will be his 11th visit to the state in 10 months, covering 13 destinations. He is also scheduled to visit his Lok Sabha constituency, Varanasi, to launch a railway project. The next day, he will visit Agra to distribute District Urban Development Agency-built homes to the poor. The PM is likely to address eight rallies across the state in November and December.
Using the analogy of surgical strikes, Prime Minister on Saturday wondered what would have happened if the government had adopted a similar strategy in the recent campaign against blackmoney, which unearthed Rs 65,000 crore.



We gave some time to those who had generated black money (to declare it). You will be happy to know that Rs 65,000 crore in black money came into mainstream with payment of tax and penalty.
The Union petroleum ministry signed an agreement on Sunday with the Madhya Pradesh government, at the global investor summit here, to set up a 2,700 Mw solar energy unit, for an investment of Rs 20,700 crore.
The central government on Friday unveiled final guidelines on its ambitious regional connectivity scheme, aimed at bringing down the cost of flying to and from smaller cities. Concerns, however, remained that the policy of cross-subsidising might get legally challenged by airlines.

While a levy to fund the corpus for the scheme was not announced, Civil Aviation Secretary Rajiv Nayan Choubey said the government would frame rules in this regard by the end of this month. The government aims to have an annual corpus of Rs 500 crore for this purpose.

In the hallmark style of the Narendra Modi government, the scheme has been named UDAN  Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik  and aims to cap fares at Rs 2,500 for a 500-km flight of up to 30 minutes. The auction is expected to begin within days and will follow a reverse bidding process, implying that an airline which bids the lowest fare and provides more seats will win the bid for a particular route. The scheme aims to encourage airlines to provide low-cost flying by providing subsidies like viability gap funding (VGF), zero landing charges by airport operators and reduction of excise duty on jet fuel.

The ministry had announced the draft guidelines of the scheme, following which consultation with stakeholders took place. In the final guidelines, the ministry has increased the VGF amount for participating airlines. Stakeholders said the draft VGF was not enough to bridge the cost of operation of flying on these routes, said Choubey.

While major scheduled operators said they were still weighing pros and cons of participating in the scheme, Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju said he was cautiously optimistic. As we gather experience, we will learn about it, the minister said, adding that the first flight under the scheme would take off by January from one of the 16 underserved airports. There are more than 25 ghost airports in India.

Asked about the scheme, SpiceJet Chairman Ajay Singh said his airline was looking forward to take part in the scheme but infrastructure bottlenecks would play a hurdle. It is a good proposal by the government to reduce cost of flying and SpiceJet already has a large amount of operations on regional routes but the shortage of slots at large airports and trained manpower for smaller aircraft will be a hurdle, Singh said. He refused to comment whether the airline lobby was going to approach the court but said there should be an alternative for funding the scheme rather than putting a levy on existing routes.

Air India Chairman and Managing Director Ashwani Lohani said the carrier would be a pioneer in participating in the scheme, as the airline was already focusing to get large revenue from Tier-II and Tier-III cities. According to an earlier report, the scheduled operators were contemplating legal action against the levy to fund the scheme but Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha said the concept of cross subsidy was prevalent in sectors like telecom. This will kick-start the regional aviation market of India, he added.
Since last month, Uttar Pradeshs drawing rooms have seen interest plummet in TV serials. Many are instead tuning to news channels for the latest on the widening rift in the states first family, the Yadav clan. Now in the open, it has all the ingredients of a silver screen drama, with a sprinkling of suspense, conspiracy, jealousy, fightbacks, factionalism, et al.
The Ministry has asked various agencies, including RBI, which are looking into the largest banking security breach involving over 32 lakh debit cards, to submit their report in 10 days.
Expectations from the Asian Ministerial Conference for Disaster Risk Reduction to be held in New Delhi next month

The Government of India is hosting the first Asian Ministerial Conference for Disaster Risk Reduction (AMCDRR) after the advent of the Sendai Framework for DRR (SFDRR).

The SFDRR (2015-2030) was adopted by at the Third World Conference on DRR at Sendai in Japan in March, 2015. It is the first major agreement of the post-2015 development agenda and identifies targets and priority action areas towards reducing disaster risk - 'reducing the damage caused by natural hazards like earthquakes, floods, droughts and cyclones, through an ethic of prevention'. While listing governments as primary stakeholders, it also calls for shared responsibility with others including local governments and the private sector. The AMCDRR, scheduled to be held from November 3-5, 2016, at the Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi will pave the way towards implementation of this Framework in the Asian region. It will also devise a mechanism for monitoring its progress. Participating stakeholders, including governments, Non-Governmental Organisations, academia, civil society, volunteers, among others, would make actionable commitments arrived at through collaboration, consultation and partnership amongst all. The Conference will adopt the Asian Regional Plan for Implementation of the Sendai Framework. Taking the Sendai Framework forward, which clarifies the What that needs to be done at all levels to reduce disaster risk, this Plan will focus on the How to at national and local levels. It will devise a longer term roadmap of cooperation and collaboration, spanning the 15-year horizon of the Sendai Framework, as well as a two-year action plan to further disaster risk reduction with specific, actionable activities. Other outcomes will include the New Delhi Declaration, which will spell out the commitment of participating governments towards preventing and reducing disaster risk, and strengthening the resilience of communities, nations and the Asian region. Besides these, stakeholder groups will also come up with action statements aimed towards a shared responsibility approach in implementation of the SFDRR. Established in 2005, the AMCDRR is a biennial conference jointly organized by different Asian countries and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR).

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Peoples messages to make this Diwali special for Armed Forces

PM Modi urges citizens to send their messages to jawans

The great respect and admiration that the nation has for our Armed Forces, will find expression this festive season, through a unique campaign being led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The #Sandesh2Soldiers campaign gives every citizen an opportunity to spread happiness and cheer among the Indian Armed Forces, who are guarding our nations frontiers, far from their loved ones on Diwali. A holistic campaign has been launched to urge and invite people to send letters and messages to the Armed Forces. Leading this effort, the Prime Minister shared through social media, a special video, featuring his appeal to the people to send messages to our brave Armed Forces personnel. Within hours, the video has generated tremendous interest on platforms such as Twitter and Facebook. People can send messages to soldiers on the Narendra Modi App, through MyGov.in, and also through All India Radio. Doordarshan shall also be mounting a programme to share peoples emotions with the Armed Forces. A special module has been launched on the Narendra Modi App, which enables people to send greetings or their hand-written messages to the Armed Forces. The #Sandesh2Soldiers campaign is expected to generate increased interaction between the people and the Armed Forces. Earlier this month, at an event in Bhopal, the Prime Minister had focused on the human element of our brave jawans. His appeal to people to applaud jawans when they meet them, has also created a buzz on social media. Since becoming Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has spent both Diwalis with the Armed Forces.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
President Inaugurates Sevashram Hospital and Sardar Patel Hospital & Heart Institute in Gujarat

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated Sevashram Hospital at Bharuch and Sardar Patel Hospital and Heart Institute at Ankleshwar, Gujarat today (October 23, 2016).

Speaking at the Sardar Patel Hospital and Heart Institute, the President said that it was indeed a matter of great pleasure for him to be inaugurating the multi speciality Sardar Patel Hospital and Heart Institute. He said that today, he had the opportunity to visit both sides of the Narmada river. In Bharuch, he had visited the Sevashram Hospital, which is a living testimony to Gandhiji's ideology of service to mankind. The President said that both Sevasharam Hospital and the Sardar Patel Hospital are driven by similar ethos, a desire to serve humanity and take care of the health of people. He commended all those associated with both the hospitals. The President said that it is essential that people of the region should have access to modern health care system. There is a need for good health, education and livelihood for all. Only then will our country occupy its rightful place in the comity of nations. The idea of equitable and accessible healthcare is integral to Gandhian vision and the function was a celebration of contributing to this vision. He thanked Shri Ahmed Patel and other office bearers of the Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel Rotary General Hospital Trust for inviting him on the occasion. Later in the day, the President graced a function at Bapu Gujarat Knowledge Village and Samarpan Education and Research Campus.

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President of India addressed students and faculty of Bapu Gujarat Knowledge Village and Samarpan College

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee addressed the students and faculty of Bapu Gujarat Knowledge Village and Samarpan College in Gujarat today (October 23, 2016).

Speaking on the occasion, the President said that education is the basis of advanced society. India is a nation with significant young population. In some years from now, India would have the possibility of having a demographic dividend with a large young working force. However, this opportunity could turn into a liability if we cannot provide the necessary skills and training to our youth as per requirements of the job market.The President said that it is essential that students realize that they have an obligation towards the society to which they belong. The objective of education is to build citizens who can contribute to the well-being of society. The responsibility of socio-economic transformation lies on the shoulders of our youth. Therefore, it is essential for our youth to have a sense of equality, equity and propriety.

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Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh begins three-day visit to Bahrain

The Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh has said that India and Bahrain are working together to further strengthen security and counter-terrorism cooperation between both the countries. Embarking on a three-day visit to Bahrain today, Shri Rajnath Singh said that he looks forward to the visit to Bahrain on the invitation of Minister of Interior Lt. Gen Sheikh Rashid Bin Abdulla Al Khalifa. India and Bahrain enjoy excellent bilateral relations characterised by broad based political, economic and cultural contacts, he added.

On Friday, the Union Home Minister had said the signing of the agreement on Cooperation in combating international terrorism, transnational organized crime and trafficking in illicit, drugs, narcotic and psychotropic substances and precursors chemicals during the visit of the Bahrain Interior Minister to New Delhi in December last year has laid strong foundation for security and counter-terrorism cooperation between the two countries. Shri Rajnath Singh made these comments during his meeting with the President of National Security Agency of Bahrain, Sheikh Talal bin Mohammed bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa who called on the Union Home Minister in New Delhi on October 21, 2016.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
US President-elect had announced in October the plans for his first 100 days in office. Trumps address at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, which he termed Contract with the American Voter, touched upon a range of steps  from declaring China a currency manipulator to cancelling payments to the United Nations for combating climate change and renegotiating the North Atlantic Free Trade Agreement (Nafta).
Vulnerable internet-connected devices such as cameras and digital video recorders may be to blame for the attack that took down some of the worlds most popular websites on Friday. Malware that targets the internet of things, a new breed of small gadgets that are connected to the internet, may have powered the global attack, according to Brian Krebs, a well-known journalist covering computer security. Poorly secured devices may have been compromised and turned into a botnet that powered the attack, he wrote. Millions of internet users lost ...
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II faces massive losses on her royal estate following the country's vote to leave the European Union (EU), a media report claimed on Sunday.

Sandringham Estate, the British monarch's country retreat in Norfolk, will lose close to 700,000 pounds a year when EU farming subsidies end while the farms near Windsor Castle will be around 300,000 pounds down, the Sunday Telegraph reported.

The estates of Prince Charles, the heir to the throne, are also facing a funding cut from of 100,000 pounds a year while the Crown Estate - which manages Royal land - will also be hit, taking the total to an estimated million pounds.

The losses will mirror those of estates and country houses across Britain as well as many farmers, who benefit from Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) payments - the EU's system of rural support.

The billions of pounds of subsidies will end when Britain leaves the EU, which on current timescales will be by 2019.

Analysis by the Telegraph has revealed the full extent to which royal estates benefit from the subsidies, totalling more than 1 million pounds last year.

In 2015, Sandringham received 665,000 pounds, the Royal Farms in Windsor got 298,000 pounds, the Duchy of Cornwall was given 129,000 pounds and the Crown Estate got 350,000 pounds.

A source familiar with royal finances told the newspaper the loss of funding had caused concern before and after the EU referendum.

"I don't think it was a budget-busting concern, it wasn't something people were losing sleep over. But it was something people were conscious of as a post-referendum impact," the source said.

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said "Subsidies are open to all farmers; and like others with agricultural interests, subsidies are received on TheQueen's private estates. We would not comment beyond the detail that is already in the public domain as a matter of record".
British Prime Minister Theresa May is to meet with the first ministers from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to plot the path towards Brexit, her office said today.

May will host the first meeting of the Joint Ministerial Committee (JMC) since December 2014 on Monday.

They will "discuss how the administrations can work together to get the best deal for the UK and seize the opportunities that exiting the EU will bring", her Downing Street office said.

She will call on the devolved administrations to commit to working fully with the British government in a bid to enhance prosperity and security, Downing Street said in a statement.

May will meet with Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Welsh FM Carwyn Jones and Northern Irish FM Arlene Foster and her deputy Martin McGuinness.

While a majority in England and Wales voted for Britain to leave the European Union in the June referendum, a majority in Scotland and Northern Ireland voted for Britain's continued membership.

May wants to build "a new industrial strategy for the whole of the UK, to spread wealth, jobs and opportunity more evenly", Downing Street said.

"The UK government is resolute in its commitment to strengthening the union further and making a success of the opportunities ahead."

Downing Street said the committee, if it agrees, would meet at least once every 12 months and FMs would be invited to help build an industrial strategy that would spread wealth and jobs more evenly around the UK.

"Far more than mere geography brings us together  and we are much more than the sum of our parts," said May.

"As we move into this new chapter, we must seize the opportunities ahead, as we will achieve far more together than we could ever do apart.

"I want Monday's meeting to be the start of a new grown up relationship between the devolved administrations and the UK government  one in which we all work together to forge the future for everyone in the United Kingdom."

May intends to trigger Article 50, which sets a two-year clock ticking on Britain's departure from the EU, between the New Year and the end of March.

Heading into the JMC, the Scottish government's spokesman said Edinburgh should be treated as an equal partner in the EU exit negotiations.

"We have yet to see a proposal from the UK government on how the views of people in Scotland will be taken into account," he said.

Sturgeon's left-wing secessionist Scottish National Party, which runs a minority devolved government in Scotland, has drawn up draft legislation for a second referendum on independence.

Scots voted to stay in the UK in 2014 but the Sturgeon suggests Scots should have the option to reconsider the issue in light of the vote.
Julie Levan, 64, a grand mother of five and great grand mother of six, now living on social security, is angry and agitated.

With no increase in her social security for the past two years, she wants a government in Washington DC which would improve the country's economy good enough for her to move from the mobile home she and her family is living to a permanent house.

Before retiring to this small town some 23 kilometers north of Columbus, the 15th largest city of the United States, Levan worked as a hygienist with two Indian-American doctors for 12 years in Chicago - the home town of the outgoing US President Barack Obama.

" has to win," Levan told PTI, as she rued that the mobile home residential areas she lives in has been experiencing spates of break-ins, which she alleged is being done by illegal immigrants.

"We have to build the wall (across the Mexico border)," she said referring to one of the controversial proposals of the Republican presidential nominee.

"Building the wall is the best thing," she said.

"It is refreshing to see this man (Trump). Only he can bring the country out of this mess," Levan said as her voices were echoed by Maria Amato, a banking executive, and Carla LoPresti, who lives around Cleveland, another city in this battleground State of Ohio.

"Safety and security is of utmost importance to us. We used to be a safe country," LoPresti said after attending a Trump rally in Cleveland.

Amato listed out Trump's strong policy against terrorism and his immigration policy as the reason for supporting the Republican presidential nominee.

Both LoPresti and Amato refused to believe the allegations of sexual harassment that Trump has been facing now from as many as 11 women as a result of which his poll numbers have plummeted.

"I am very saddened by the way in which the mainstream media is spreading lies and helping Clinton in this election," Amato said.

"We do not believe in the media now," jumped in LoPresti.

Unemployed Sherman Hornbeck, who is now searching for job, had a similar feeling about the media.

" will win. Media bias here is obvious. I was listening to the debate. I did not like the way the media misconstrued his statements during the debate," Hornbeck in late 50s said.

For him refugees and border issue is top on the agenda.

A strong supporter of second amendment, John Hickman, is a

truck driver, and strongly believes that it is time for the United States to elect a President like Trump.

"He made a lot of big buildings. He made billions of dollars," said Hickman who lives in Central Ohio.

Acknowledging that Trump is trailing behind in national polls, an angry Hickman blamed the media for spreading the negative image about the Republican presidential nominee.

"Look at the media here. They report only negative stuff about Trump. And it is all positive image about Clinton. But people here do not believe that Clinton is going to win," he said.

Ohio is a key battle ground State.

The State is ruled by a Republican Governor John Kasich, a former Republican presidential nominee, who has refused to endorse Trump.

According to latest poll, Trump and Clinton are in a dead heat in this State.

For Trump to be elected as the president, winning Ohio is a must.

Both Trump and his vice-presidential nominee Mike Pence have been campaigning intensively in Ohio.
Britain could slash corporation tax to 10 per cent if the refuses to agree a post-Brexit free trade deal or blocks UK-based banks from accessing its market, the Sunday Times reported, citing an unidentified source.
The White House condemned the Assad regime's "defiance" of norms after United Nations experts found the Syrian army had conducted three chemical weapons attacks against its own people in 2014 and 2015.

Of the nine alleged chemical attacks it is considering in its ongoing probe, the UN-led joint investigative mechanism has now attributed three to the Syrian government and one to the Islamic State group.

"We condemn in the strongest possible terms the Assad regime's defiance of the longstanding global norm against chemical weapons use and Syria's abrogation of its responsibilities under the Chemical Weapons Convention, which it joined in 2013," National Security Council spokesman Ned Price said in a statement.

"The Syrian regime has violated the Chemical Weapons Convention and UN Security Council Resolution 2118 by using industrial chlorine as a weapon against its own people."



He warned the United States was continuing to work with its allies to hold those responsible to account.

"We strongly urge all UN member states and parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention, including Russia and Iran, which continue to conduct military operations on behalf of the Assad regime, to unequivocally support these efforts and sustain our shared commitment to the standard against chemical weapons use."



Washington and Moscow are in the midst of a major diplomatic spat over Russian support for the Assad regime, with relations reaching a new low not seen since the Cold War.

"Russian military and economic support to Syria enables the Assad regime to continue its military campaign against its own people, which it has done in violation of law as demonstrated by the findings of this report," Price said.

"Together, we must send a strong signal that the use of weapons of mass destruction will not be tolerated by the international community.
US Republican presidential candidate in Pennsylvania reiterated that he will build a wall on the Mexican border which would be financed by the US and "reimbursed" by Mexico.

The New York billionaire also emphasised that he will suspend immigration from regions known for terrorism, Efe news reported.

As the business magnate had put forward his plans for the first 100 days of his presidency during a speech at Gettysburg town on Saturday, he confirmed that his law to put an end to illegal immigration would include financing for the wall, with the complete understanding that Mexico would "reimburse" the US.

Trump also referred to his controversial idea of banning immigration from regions known for terrorism, but he gave no details about how this ruling would be applied.

Gettysburg is a place in American history where Abraham Lincoln in 1863 gave one of his most famous speeches during the Civil War.

Trump noted that he will cancel the "billions" of dollars being paid to the UN for climate-change programmes.

Most of his proposals echoed previous announcements, such as his intention to withdraw the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

He also criticised the excessive number of regulations, particularly in matters of climate change, imposed by the Obama government.

He attacked his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton by charging her with defending the same old Washington policies.

"Clinton is not running against me," Trump said. "She's running against change and she's running against all of the American people and all of the voters."

As the US electoral campaign enters its final stage before the November 8 election, Trump seeks to gain back some of the ground he has lost in the polls following the scandals dogging him in recent weeks.
Ireland is facing another tax battle with the European Union and this time it will have to fight its own corner. Less than two months after the European Union ordered Ireland to claw back a record Euro 13 billion ($14.2 billion) from Apple, saying the nation illegally allowed the iPhone maker to reduce its tax rate, the European Commission will propose legislation for a Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base on October 25. A 2011 initiative failed to muster the unanimity needed largely because of opposition by Ireland and the UK. With Britain preparing to quit the ...
Foreign investors have pulled out nearly Rs 7,500 crore from the Indian market this month so far, after pumping in a staggering amount in September.

Most of the funds have been withdrawn from debt during the period under review.

"The recent rate cut by RBI is one of the factors for the outflow from debt . With downward pressure on bond yields, debt does not seem attractive," SAS Online Chief Operating Officer (COO) Siddhant Jain said.

"Besides, new RBI Governor's dovish stance and flexibility to cut rates further if needed has helped in the debt outflow," he added.

On October 4, the Reserve Bank slashed policy rate by 0.25 per cent to 6.25 per cent, a 6-year low.

According to depositors' data, net withdrawal by stood at Rs 6,929 crore from the debt during October 3-21, while it pulled out a net sum of Rs 566 crore from the equities during the period under review, translating into total outflow of Rs 7,495 crore.

The outflow comes following a net inflow of Rs 20,232 crore in the preceding month (September).

The outflow in equities could be attributed to a below-forecast reading on Chinese data that fanned fresh concerns about its economy. What clouded sentiment further was US Fed chief Janet Yellen's commentary on the US economy, indicating the need for aggressive steps to reboot it.

So far this year, have pulled out a net sum of Rs 4,487 crore from the debt markets, while they have pumped in Rs 50,727 crore in equities, resulting in a net inflow of Rs 46,240 crore.
Aamir Khan recently enlightened the audience about why he "spits" on a lady's hand.

The 51-year-old star, who is usually a prankster on the sets of his films, was sharing a stage with his 'Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar' co-stars at the 'Jio MAMI 18th Mumbai Film Festival' when Farah Khan recalled one such moment, reports Pinkvilla.

Farah said, "Aamir used to do this to everyone and he still doing this ...he is like 'Let me read your hand'. And then he would spit on it..."

Quick to retort, the 'PK' star light-heartedly replied, "Maine jis heroine ke haath par thukha hai wo number one ban gayi"

Pooja Bedi, who was also taking part in the conversation joint in to say, "I'll tell my daughter Aalia that you have to go and meet Aamir uncle he needs to spit on your hand."

The reunion of 1992's 'JJWS' also saw Deepak Tijori, Ayesha Jhulka, Mamik Singh and Imran Khan among others.

Interestingly and much to the delight of the audience, Aamir continued to talk about all that has changed during this period of 24 years.

"24 years mein bahut kuch change ho gaya hai- my marriage was broken, I have remarried. What else?" he humoured.

The 'Ghajini' actor will be seen next in Nitesh Tiwari's upcoming 'Dangal' that releases on December 23 this year.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chairperson Swati Maliwal has called a meeting of all Districts Magistrates (DMs) of the Capital Territory (NCT) for implementation of the Supreme Court's order on acid sale regulation and recommendations of the commission in this regard.

"The DCW Chairperson wishes to convene a meeting with all District Magistrates/ Deputy Commissioners of Delhi (eleven in all) along with at least one Sub-Divisional Magistrate from each district to discuss the implementation of the orders of the Supreme Court regarding acid sale and also to discuss the recommendations of DCW to regulate the acid sale in Delhi," said Rajesh Kumar, PA to DCW Chairperson.

"The meeting will be held on November 3 at 4 p.m. in the DCW Conference Room at Vikas Bhawan, IP Estate, New Delhi," he added.

The meeting has been called in the backdrop of unregulated acid sale, which is a major cause for continued acid attack against women in India.

According to Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data for 2014, Delhi, with 20 incidents of acid attacks figures as the third highest states after West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh.

The apex court had on July 18, 2013 passed an order in the case of Laxmi vs Union of India that placed stringent restrictions on the acid sale and mandated the maintenance of acid buyers among others.

In pursuance of the SC order, the DCW had directed all DMs in Delhi to furnish information regarding acid sales in their respective jurisdictions, including details of retailers, action taken to regulate acid sales, action taken in adherence to the apex court order as well as details of fines that were collected upon violations for the past two years.

"Based on the data submitted to the DCW by district magistrates, we have found that steps need to be taken to regulate acid sale in Delhi. In this regard the Commission has made recommendations to the Delhi Government regarding the control acid sales in Delhi. The Commission has called a meeting of all DMs in this regard to hold consultations for devising stringent regulation of acid sale in Delhi," said a statement issued by the commission.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Condemning Film and Television Producers Guild of India president Mukesh Bhatt's move to agree to donate Rs. five crore into the Indian Army's welfare fund, filmmaker and social activist Ashoke Pandit on Sunday said the former does not have the right to commit this on the behalf of all producers of Bollywood.

"The IMPA had put a ban on Pakistani artistes 15 days back. Our Chief Minister yesterday called a meeting, which was attended by Raj Thackeray, Mukesh Bhatt and some other people of the Producers' Guild. Raj Thackeray puts forth some conditions. The strange condition is to donate Rs. five crore to the army welfare fund," he told ANI.

Pandit said the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) threatened the producers and tried to take the law and order in its own hands.

"Even we had demanded of not allowing Pakistani performers to work in India. But you keep a condition and the Chief Minister agrees to that. It is wrong. Which law is passed that if you are a producer and if you have cast any Pakistani artistes in a film then you will have to donate?" he asked.

Equating the donation demand with 'extortion', Pandit said allowing this is a matter of embarrassment.

"As a citizen of the country, I feel confidence is being shattered and I believe many people of the industry and also the common people are upset with this. We on the behalf of IMPA condemn this. We also condemn the fact that Mukesh Bhatt has accepted the donation part. Mukesh Bhatt does not have the right to commit this on the behalf of producers of the film industry," he added.

The MNS yesterday allowed the release of filmmaker Karan Johar's 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' after imposing certain conditions, which included making producers pay a handsome contribution to the army welfare fund and showing film slides paying tribute to the brave Indian soldiers before the start of their films in theatres.

The MNS' decision followed Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's direct intervention into the matter. This came a day after Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh visited Mumbai and two days after he met the representatives of Bollywood.

The snag over the film erupted when the debate about allowing Pakistani artistes to continue working in India was sparked off following the September 18 Uri terror strike in which 19 Indian soldiers were killed.

The attack was followed by surgical strikes that India conducted across the Line of Control.

The film starring Ranbir Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Anushka Sharma in lead roles will release on October 28.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
With Border Security Force Jawan (BSF) Gurnam Singh succumbing to his injuries last night after he was shot in cross-border firing, the distraught and crushed family of the slain soldier asserted that he would have been alive if provided with better medical facilities.

The 26 year old soldier was being treated at the Government Medical College and Hospital in Jammu.

Kulbir Singh, father of Gurnam said that had there been a separate hospital for BSF soldiers in RS Pura, proper treatment could have been given to him.

"There is only one government hospital here in Bakshinagar. That is why we demand that there should be separate health care system for BSF soldiers. Had it been installed he could have been given proper treatment," Singh told ANI.

"We all are proud of my brother's sacrifice", said Gurnam's sister Gurjeet Kaur.

Distraught by the loss, the family has demanded from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to construct a special hospital for all the BSF soldiers so that similar case does not repeat in the near future.

"I am proud of my brother's sacrifice. Not only me but my all relatives are proud of him. We all prayed for his recovery but it did not happen. We have only one request to Modi government that a proper health care system be installed for the BSF soldiers like my brother, who was just lying there with his injuries without any attention," said sister of Gurnam Singh.

Gurnam Singh, succumbed to his injuries last night, after he was critically injured in an attack by Pakistani forces at border area in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday.

The family of Gurnam Singh, on Saturday demanded that the government take him abroad for better medical treatment to ensure his survival.

The family of Gurnam Singh, on Saturday had demanded that the government take him abroad for better medical treatment to ensure his survival.

"Why is the government is still keeping him in the same hospital? Is there no other hospital in the country? The government can even send him to foreign (country), or a foreign doctor can be called. If ministers can go abroad for their treatment, then why can't army men?" asked Singh's sister, Gurjeet Kaur.

Still unaware about the actual condition of her brother, Kaur said that they had only got a call about the incident on afternoon Friday.

Dr Rajinder Thappa, chief medical officer at the Government Medical College said that the jawan had breathed his last on Saturday night 11: 30 p.m.

"His parents wanted him to be shifted to AIIMS for better treatment. We were about to do that yesterday but unfortunately he passed away," Thapa told ANI.

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has offered his condolences to the heartbroken family of Gurnam Singh.

"I am saddened by the demise of Gurnam Singh. He has given an example of bravery on the border and gave his life for the nation. I laud the sheer bravery and sacrifice of Gurnam Singh and offer my condolences to his grieving family," Rajnath said in a series of tweets.

Gurnam received a bullet injury to his head on Friday when a Pakistani Ranger fired on his outpost in the Hiranagar area of Jammu.

The BSF launched an aggressive offensive, killing a militant and seven Pakistani Rangers in retaliation.

Gurnam was evacuated immediately to the Jammu Government Medical College where his condition remained critical.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has urged the councillors of Awami League to elect a new leadership and relieve her from duty.

"I want to elect a new leader and strengthen the party in my lifetime," the Dhaka Tribune quoted Hasina as saying to the councillors, who gathered in Dhaka for the party's 20th national council meeting.

She was speaking on the second day of the council at the Institution of Engineers building in the city's Ramna area on Sunday.

However, the councillors were seen shouting "No! No!" Amid the din, some were even heard saying that they would boycott the vote if Hasina did not stay.

Hasina, who has been carrying the mantle of Awami League's presidency for 35 years, said, "Awami League is my family. I have given Awami League more time than I have my children. I am over 70 now. It is time for new leaders."

The party president calming down the protesting councillors said, "Please sit down. Let's see what happens in the election. Nevertheless, I want you to elect a new leadership."

Pacifying her party leaders, Hasina said that she would continue to work with them even if she leaves her position.

Hasina said that as long as she is alive, she will be working for the party.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Sacked Samajwadi Party (SP) general secretary Ramgopal Yadav is "disheartened" by the allegations that "he has joined hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)", said Abu Azmi after meeting him here on Sunday, adding that several people left the party because of Amar Singh.

When asked whether Ramgopal was sacked due to Amar Singh, he said, "If this is due to Amar Singh versus Ramgopalji, then Ramgopalji is a sorted man. There are several people who left the party because of Amar Singh. Raj Babbar, Rama Kant Yadav and many more have expelled and left the party because of him, and thus, Netaji needs to rethink about Ramgopalji rather than thinking about Amar Singh."

"Ramgopalji is being insulted. I met Ramgopalji; he told me that he has written a letter that he did not want to talk to the media. He would not speak to the media as whatever he wanted to express had expressed in his two letters," he told reporter outside Hotel Holiday Inn here.

"He told me what he had written in the letter; apart from that he did not say anything," said Azami.

"Ramgopal Yadav has come here for a parliamentary committee meeting and he will be returning to Delhi tomorrow evening," Azmi added

"The party is strong; there are some problems that will be solved soon, "said Azmi.

Earlier, in a letter, Ramgopal Yadav stated that he was not sad by expulsion, but was hurt by the false allegations levelled against him by state party president Shivpal Yadav.

Defending himself, he said it is not a crime to meet leaders from any other political party in a democracy.

"Whether I am in the Samajwadi Party or not, I will continue to extend my support to Akhilesh Yadav till he becomes Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh," he said.

Commenting on party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav, he said Mulayam Singh is not just his elder brother but also a political 'guru' who is currently surrounded by evil powers.

Earlier today, Samajwadi Party state president Shivapal Yadav expelled Ramgopal from his position and the party for next six years while accusing him of being part of a conspiracy against the party.

"Ramgopal is involved with the BJP; he met BJP leaders thrice in the last few days. He is doing such things because his son Akshay Yadav and daughter-in-law are involved in a scam. To protect himself and his son they are planning conspiracy as per the direction of BJP," Shivpal told a press conference here.

He said that Ramgopal is making the party weak, adding that Akhilesh is not understanding the facts that who is with him and who is against him.

Earlier today, Akhilesh in an unexpected move sacked four ministers, including his uncle Shivpal, from the Cabinet.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Scientists from the University of Basel discovered a fundamental new mechanism that helped in explaining the inadequate immune defense against chronic viral infection.

The results may open up new avenues for vaccine development.

In the course of an infection or upon vaccination, specialized cells of our immune system, so-called B cells, produce antibodies that bind viruses and inactivate them.

In the context of chronic viral infections such as HIV or hepatitis C virus, however, antibody production by B cells is quantitatively inadequate and starts too late.

A team of scientists headed by Daniel Pinschewer reported that the inadequate antibody response to chronic viral diseases is due to the strong inflammatory reaction upon infection.

While most pronounced at the onset of an infection, inflammation can persist for decades, especially in HIV/AIDS.

Hasty immune response lasts short-term:

Under the influence of inflammatory messengers, so called interferons, B cells produce as many antibodies as they possibly can.

Unfortunately, this hasty response occurs at the expense of sustainability.

B cells that turn on antibody production too quickly lose their potential to proliferate and die shortly thereafter.

As a consequence, the immune response takes an impetuous start but subsides rapidly.

The scientists assume that this panic reaction of B cells reflects a mechanism ensuring an optimized response to acute life threatening infections.

In the context of chronic infections, however, the battle is not decided within a matter of days but rather only after months or years.

Under these circumstances, the hasty reaction of our body seems inappropriate and may actually favor the virus.

Cornerstone for new vaccines: For viral diseases such as HIV or hepatitis C protective vaccines remain unavailable.

The scientists are hopeful that the discovery of this fundamental mechanism may provide a basis to improve vaccination strategies against chronic viral diseases.

The study was published in Immunol.1 journal.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Jammu Kashmir National Students Federation president Sardar Talhah has highlighted the atrocities committed by the Pakistani Army on the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

"In 1947, just months after partition, Pakistani forces, assisted by tribals, attacked the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir and indulged in plunder and the killing of innocents on an unprecedented level," he said.

The Pakistani Army, on October 22, 1947, some of them disguised as tribal invaders, attacked Jammu and Kashmir, killing thousands of people.

Kashmiris across PoK are observing the day by demanding immediate withdrawal of the Pakistani forces from their territory.

The tribals, known as Kabailies, were employed by Pakistan with a conspiracy to change the demography of Jammu and Kashmir by executing genocide on the people. It was an attack by Pakistani Pathans on the Kashmiri people.

"Thousands of people were killed, women were raped, young women were abducted and their whereabouts are still not known. To mark the day, a series of demonstrations and seminars are being held across PoK and other parts of the world," he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The ISIS killed 284 men and boys as Iraqi-led coalition forces closed in on Mosul, the terror group's last major stronghold in Iraq.

According to an Iraqi intelligence source, those killed Thursday and Friday were used as human shields against attacks forcing the ISIS out of southern parts of Mosul, reports the CNN.

The terror group then dumped the corpses in a mass grave at the defunct College of Agriculture in northern Mosul.

The Iraqi military launched a large offensive early Saturday to retake Hamdaniya, also known as Qaraqosh, from the ISIS.

The city is about 15 kilometers southeast of Mosul.

Reportedly, the Iraqi troops entered the al-Askary neighborhood and liberated the mayor's building and the main hospital, raising the Iraqi flag over those buildings.

The Iraqi Joint Operations Command said on Saturday that the Iraqi troops are also advancing toward Tal Kayf and plan on storming the Chaldean town. Tal Kayf is about 10 kilometers north of Mosul.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Expelled Samajwadi Party leader on Sunday said he is not sad by getting expelled from the party, but was hurt by the false allegations levelled against him by state party president Shivpal Yadav.

"I am not sad that I have been expelled from the party, but I am hurt because of the false allegations levelled against me," Ram Gopal said in a statement.

Defending himself, Ram Gopal said it is not a crime to meet leaders from any other political party in a democracy.

"Whether I am in the Samajwadi Party or not, I will continue to extend my support to Akhilesh Yadav till he becomes Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh," he said.

Commenting on party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav, he said Mulayam Singh is not just his elder brother but also a political 'guru' who is currently surrounded by evil powers.

Earlier today, Samajwadi Party state president Shivapal Yadav expelled party general secretary from his position and the party for next six years while accusing him of being part of a conspiracy against the party.

"Ramgopal is involved with the BJP; he met BJP leaders thrice in the last few days. He is doing such things because his son Akshay Yadav and daughter-in-law are involved in a scam. To protect himself and his son they are planning conspiracy as per the direction of BJP," Shivpal told a press conference here.

He said that Ram Gopal is making the party weak, adding Akhilesh is not understanding the facts that who is with him and who is against him.

Earlier today, Akhilesh in an unexpected move sacked four ministers including his uncle Shivpal from the Cabinet.

Narad Rai, Saiyyada Shadab Fatima and O.P. Singh are the other three leaders, who have been shown the door by the Chief Minister post the meeting called by him today.
A Border Security Force jawan Gurnam Singh, succumbed to his injuries last night, after he was critically injured in an attack by Pakistani forces at border area in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday.

The 26 year old jawan was being treated at the Government Medical College and Hospital in Jammu.

The family of Gurnam Singh, on Saturday demanded that the government take him abroad for better medical treatment to ensure his survival.

"Why is the government is still keeping him in the same hospital? Is there no other hospital in the country? The government can even send him to foreign (country), or a foreign doctor can be called. If ministers can go abroad for their treatment, then why can't army men?" asked Singh's sister, Gurjeet Kaur.

Still unaware about the actual condition of her brother, Kaur said that they had only got a call about the incident on afternoon Friday.

Dr. Rajinder Thappa, Chief Medical Officer at the Government Medical College said that the jawan had breathed his last on Saturday night 11: 30 p.m.

"His parents wanted him to be shifted to AIIMS for better treatment. We were about to do that yesterday but unfortunately he passed away," Thapa told ANI.

Meanwhile, the kin of Gurnam Singh are distraught and heartbroken at the loss, but have asserted that they are proud of their son's sacrifice.

"He was brave. Our son has sacrificed his life for the nation. nobody is sad..in fact we're all happy," Kulbir Singh, father of Gurnam told ANI.

Constable Gurnam Singh received a bullet injury to his head on Friday when a Pakistani Ranger fired on his outpost in the Hiranagar area of Jammu.

The BSF launched an aggressive offensive, killing a militant and seven Pakistani Rangers in retaliation.

Gurnam was evacuated immediately to the Jammu Government Medical College where his condition remained critical.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday offered his condolences to the heartbroken family of Border Security Force (BSF) jawan Gurnam Singh, who succumbed to his injuries last night after he was shot in cross-border firing, and asserted that the slain soldier had given a shining example of sheer bravery.

"I am saddened by the demise of BSF jawan Gurnam Singh. He has given an example of bravery on the border and gave his life for the nation. I laud the sheer bravery and sacrifice of Gurnam Singh and offer my condolences to his grieving family," Rajnath said in a series of tweets.

Gurnam Singh, succumbed to his injuries last night, after he was critically injured in an attack by Pakistani forces at border area in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday.

The 26 year old jawan was being treated at the Government Medical College and Hospital in Jammu.

The family of Gurnam Singh, on Saturday had demanded that the government take him abroad for better medical treatment to ensure his survival.

"Why is the government is still keeping him in the same hospital? Is there no other hospital in the country? The government can even send him to foreign (country), or a foreign doctor can be called. If ministers can go abroad for their treatment, then why can't army men?" asked Singh's sister, Gurjeet Kaur.

Still unaware about the actual condition of her brother, Kaur said that they had only got a call about the incident on afternoon Friday.

Dr. Rajinder Thappa, Chief Medical Officer at the Government Medical College said that the jawan had breathed his last on Saturday night 11: 30 p.m.

"His parents wanted him to be shifted to AIIMS for better treatment. We were about to do that yesterday but unfortunately he passed away," Thapa told ANI.

Meanwhile, the kin of Gurnam Singh are distraught and heartbroken at the loss, but have asserted that they are proud of their son's sacrifice.

"He was brave. Our son has sacrificed his life for the nation. nobody is sad..in fact we're all happy," Kulbir Singh, father of Gurnam told ANI.

Gurnam received a bullet injury to his head on Friday when a Pakistani Ranger fired on his outpost in the Hiranagar area of Jammu.

The BSF launched an aggressive offensive, killing a militant and seven Pakistani Rangers in retaliation.

Gurnam was evacuated immediately to the Jammu Government Medical College where his condition remained critical.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Key Taliban commander and close aide to former Taliban founder and leader Mullah Omar, Syed Mohammad Tayyab Agha, has asked the group's present chief Mawlavi Haibatullah Akhundzada to stop killing aide and construction workers working towards development of the country.

Agha, reportedly in a letter asked Akhundzada to, "Stop killing people under suspicion traveling on roads. Stop bombing bridges, roads, and other similar places. Stop killing aid and construction workers who are helping our nation and building our homeland", reports the Khaama Press.

"All the mujahedin fighters should be ordered to cease killing our opponents inside mosques and stop killing prisoners," the letter added.

In the letter, Questioning the Taliban's current strategy, which mainly relies on overrunning rural territories and complex urban attacks that often result in a high number of civilian casualties, Agha also urged Akhundzada, "You should give up using violence and intimidation to force people to pledge their allegiance to you as the commander of the faithful until you can meet all the requirements [outlined in Islamic Shari'a law]."

He also asked the Taliban chief to cut all ties with Pakistan saying "How can the Taliban leadership, now camped in Pakistan, demand that people in Afghanistan or elsewhere pledge allegiance to them?"

"A reliance on media propaganda and forming [shadow] government institutions, control of rural territories, and most of the movement's leadership being in a foreign country [Pakistan] doesn't amount to a [legitimate] government in our country," he wrote.

Agha, who relinquished his position as head of the Taliban's political office in Qatar last year, has sharply questioned key Taliban ideological tenets.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
After coming under national fire on charges of sexual misconduct, Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump has vowed to sue all the women who have accused him of inappropriate behaviour.

"Every woman lied when they came forward to hurt my campaign. Total fabrication. The events never happened. Never. All of these liars will be sued after the election is over," Trump said at a rally inin Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Asserting that all the women who had accused him were getting major media attention with a simple phone call and no fact-checking, Trump stated that all the charges against him were blatant lies, CNN reports.

In the last two weeks, at least 10 women have come forward accusing Trump of inappropriately touching them. Their allegations came after a 2005 videotape surfaced of Trump bragging about being able to grope women and get away with it.

Trump further went on to suggest that Hillary Clinton's campaign was behind the women's allegations.

"It was probably the (Democratic National Committee) and Hillary's campaign who put forward these liars with their fabricated stories, but we'll probably find out later through litigation, which we're so looking forward to," he said.

Cathy Heller, who alleged last week that Trump kissed her without her permission in Florida 20 years ago, told CNN, "I hope the threats do not deter others who have something to say."

Temple Taggart, who has also accused Trump of kissing her without her consent, told CNN she wasn't surprised by Trump's threat.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Creating a vibrant ecosystem for institutional arbitration is one of the foremost priorities of the government, which is committed to providing ease of doing business, Prime Minister said here on Sunday.

"Creation of a vibrant ecosystem for institutional arbitration is one of the foremost priorities of our government. It has recently introduced major amendments to the Arbitration and Conciliation Act to ensure that the arbitration process is easy, timely and hassle-free," Modi said at the closing session of a three-day international conference on National Initiative Towards Strengthening Arbitration and Enforcement in India.

"These amendments have brought our arbitration process in tune with global best practices. This has given us an opportunity to emerge as a leading arbitration jurisdiction," he said.

Modi said that India should be promoted globally as an arbitration hub.

"India also has a large number of retired judges, engineers, and scientists who can function as competent arbitrators in various fields... There is need to develop specialised arbitration bar associations. We also need professionally run arbitral institutions which can deliver international standards of services at reasonable costs to businesses in India," he said.

Modi pointed out the challenges, which include availability of good quality, globally recognised arbitrators, observance of professional conduct, ensuring neutrality and timely completion of proceedings and cost effectiveness.

He said the availability of quality arbitration mechanisms is an integral component of ease of doing business.

"Hong Kong and Singapore have emerged as preferred arbitration destinations. As popular business hubs, they also rank high in the levels of ease of doing business. Thus, availability of quality arbitration mechanisms is an integral component of ease of doing business, to which our government is committed," he said.

He stressed the need to "simultaneously facilitate an ecosystem for alternate dispute resolution", including arbitration, mediation and conciliation.

"An enabling alternate dispute resolution ecosystem is a national priority for India," Modi said, adding that such resolution of disputes "preserve personal and business relationships that might otherwise be damaged by the adversarial process".

"This will provide additional comfort to investors and businesses. More importantly, it will also ease the case-load on Indian courts," he said.

Modi said there should be deliberations on ways and means to supplement the efforts of the judiciary and arbitration mechanisms.

"Mediation is one such mechanism, the potential of which has not been utilised much in the country," Modi said.
With falling bank deposit rates hitting time deposits hard, people are turning to financial instruments like shares, mutual funds, debentures, currency and tax-free bonds for higher returns, says the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

Stakeholders feel the trend would continue and the bankers would be up against more competition from relatively high-yielding financial instruments in garnering deposits as long as the low-deposit-rates regime persists.

"Time deposits were muted by the moderation in deposit rates (both nominal and real). Large issuances of long-term tax-free bonds by various public sector units contributed to the deceleration in deposits, besides the higher returns on small savings which are not subject to tax deduction at source (TDS).

"As a result, scheduled commercial banks' (SCBs') deposits decelerated to 9.3 per cent in 2015-16, the lowest since 1963-64," said RBI's latest Annual Report.

Despite the downslide, the ratio of the households' net saving to gross national disposable income increased in the last fiscal because of the savers' appetite for other financial assets.

According to the RBI report, the household net financial savings rate increased to 7.7 per cent of gross national disposable income (GNDI) in 2015-16 from 7.5 per cent in 2014-15 and 7.4 per cent in 2013-14.

"The improvement reflected a higher rate of increase in gross financial assets in relation to that in financial liabilities (loans etc). The increase in gross financial assets was driven primarily by a turnaround in small savings and increases in investment in equities and mutual funds, tax-free bonds by public sector units and currency holdings even as the growth in bank deposits held by the households moderated," the report said.

The growth of deposits has been a challenge for the banking system in the recent past, with other alternatives providing higher returns.

"The moderation in systemic deposit growth (like recurring and fixed deposits) can also be partly attributed to the slowdown in credit off-takes. Many of them (banks) have sharply reduced their bulk or high cost deposits over the last year as they attempted to protect their profitability," ICRA Ltd's Senior VP, Financial Sector Rating, Karthik Srinivasan, told IANS.

But bankers say muted deposit growth is not a "worrying factor" unless and until credit flows increase.

"Moderation in deposit growth would not be a worrying factor for banks until credit growth picks up. If credit demand increases, banks would require more resources and only then could they consider increasing the deposit rates. At present bankers are looking to push up credit growth," Bandhan Bank Managing Director and CEO Chandra Shekhar Ghosh told IANS.

According to RBI data, households' financial assets as bank deposits grew only 3.8 percent in 2015-16 over the previous year. In contrast, households' assets in currency increased by 49.54 percent in the last fiscal. In shares and debentures, such assets soared by a whopping 72.25 percent in 2015-16 over the year-ago period.

According to the Association of Mutual Funds in India, the mutual fund industry's asset under management (AUM) has more than doubled in the last four years from Rs 5.87 trillion as on March 31, 2012, to Rs 12.33 trillion as on March 31, 2016.

Further, market capitalisation has grown manifold.

"The market has around 13 crore investors and has grown multiple times in the last 10 years. Of late, the market has got a few products which are well researched, small ticket and retail savvy," a National Stock Exchange spokesperson told IANS.

So long as the deposit rates remain low, alternative instruments like mutual funds, pension funds, insurance, bonds and equities will breathe down the banks' neck in resource mobilisation.

"Over the medium term, the banking system would face greater competition from alternate channels in mobilising deposits," Srinivasan said.

But experts said India being a bank-driven economy, the slowdown in the growth of deposits is a concern as access of funds to productive sectors could get curtailed.

However, banks are still perceived to be a safe avenue to park excess funds and consequently, if banks were to increase the deposit rates, the inflows would go up, he said.

(Baapaditya Chatterjee can be contacted at baapaditya.c@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.)
Researchers from the University of Kansas have found the earliest evidence for right-handedness in the fossil record by examining striations on teeth of a Homo habilis fossil.

The scientists studied the 1.8 million year-old fossil teeth, analysing the small cut marks or labial striations, which are on the lip side of the anterior teeth in an intact upper jaw fossil, known as OH-65, which was found in Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania.

"We think that tells us something further about lateralisation of the brain. We already know that Homo habilis had brain lateralisation and was more like us than like apes. This extends it to handedness, which is key," said David Frayer, Professor Emeritus at the University of Kansas, US.

Frayer, in the study published in the Journal of Human Evolution said among the network of deep striations found only on the lip face of the upper front teeth, most cut marks veered from left down to the right.

According to the study, the marks makes it likely that they came from when OH-65 used a tool with its right hand to cut food it was holding in its mouth while pulling with the left hand.

"Experimental work has shown these scratches were most likely produced when a stone tool was used to process material gripped between the anterior teeth and the tool occasionally struck the labial face leaving a permanent mark on the tooth's surface," Frayer added.

Based on the direction of the marks, the researchers said that it's evident the Homo habilis was right-handed.

"Handedness and language are controlled by different genetic systems, but there is a weak relationship between the two because both functions originate on the left side of the brain," the author added.

If the researchers' conclusion is right, that makes OH-65 the first potential evidence of a dominant-handed pre-Neanderthal, beating out previous fossil discoveries that showed right-handedness in individuals who lived around 500,000 years ago.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Lissy, who is out on parole from Thursday till November 19, is all set to release her book 'Kuttavaliyil ninnu Ezhuthukariyileykku' (From Convict to Writer)written in Malayalam, next month.

Lissy is really excited to be out of jail and thanked almighty for giving her the writing skills, she told IANS.

"I have studied only till Class 10, but I always had the urge to write and it was not until I met journalist-turned PR professional Subin Mananthavady that my life turned for the best, when he came to interview me in the jail," Lissy said.

"It was he who inspired me to pen my thoughts down The book that's coming out is just because he helped me to write," Lissy told IANS.

Hailing from Kerala's hilly district of Wayanad, Lissy had to drop out of school despite being a bright student after her father died in 1988.

Lizzy's marriage with her friend also ended soon as he died suddenly. This forced to return to her home town near Sultan Battery near here.

Lissy, out on parole from Kannur prison, is undergoing a 25-year jail term for being a drugs carrier.

Since July 2010 following her arrest in Kochi for carrying a packet containing drugs, she has been freed on parole for the first time after the Jail Advisory Committee in April this year recommended it.

Lissy claimed that she was carrying the drugs packet without knowing the contents inside and just to earn some money for the treatment of sister, who had suffered burn injuries.

"I am not a habitual offender. People around my village know me and they are giving me all the help and support," said Lissy.

She said but for her chance meeting with Subin, who first encouraged her to write, she would not have written 14 poems and eight stories which feature in the new book.

"All of these will be featured in the book that has been written by Subin. He has done everything, including finding the publisher. Before I return to jail on November 19, I wish it gets released in the capital city," said Lissy.

Ever since Subin gave Lissy all the motivation, she has started writing while being in the prison and that is how the book materialised.

"The jail officials also gave me all the support and help. After my work in the cleaning department, I write. I have now completed half a novel and the officials have encouraged me to finish it. I feel all the more motivated now that I am at home with my aged mother," said Lissy.

She has been convicted in two cases and the total term she has to spend in both these cases is 25 years.

"I have filed an appeal and it's to come up soon," added Lissy.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The CPI-M on Sunday denounced Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for allegedly facilitating the extortion of money from Bollywood producers.

"Instead of upholding the rule of the law to stop those threatening film makers, (he) has actually facilitated extortion of a reported sum of Rs 5 crore invoking the armed forces," the CPI-M said in a statement.

"This is a gross insult to the courage, valour and the role being played by the armed forces in defence of India.

"The Chief Minister is under oath to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law. By this action, he has negated the constitutional mandate. This also creates an environment of fear to stifle freedom of expression.

"The Chief Minister and the government of Maharashtra should employ the

instruments of the State to uphold the rule of law.

"The failure to do so should be taken serious note of by the Central government in accordance with the constitutional provisions," the Communist Party of India-Marxist added.

The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) had called upon producers who made films with Pakistani actors to cough up money for the defence forces. The announcement has come under widespread criticism.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The manufacture of mines counter measure vessels at the Defence Ministry operated Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) will begin by next year, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said on Sunday.

"The technology acquisition parameter is in the final stage, then there will be a final negotiation of price and the next year, actual construction of mines counter measure vessel will start," Parrikar said while inaugurating a helicopter maintenance and repair centre in Sattari, located 40 kms from Panaji.

The centre is a joint venture between the Bengaluru-based Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and the French Safran Group, which manufactures equipment for the Rafale fighter jets.

Last year, the Goa-based shipyard had been awarded a contract to manufacture 12 MCMVs at a cost of around Rs 30,000 crore by the Defence Ministry.

"We hope it will create employment on a big scale in ship building industry and defence industry," the former Goa Chief Minister said, adding that Goans should not just hanker after government jobs but also take the opportunity to upgrade their technical skills to target private sector employment, in this case at the helicopter maintenance and repair centre.

"(In the) engineering industry, we do have technical manpower. Sometimes they require some training. If you check, you will find Goans in hi-tech jobs across India. A lot of talent is available locally also," the Defence Minister said.

Parrikar said that 50 per cent of the Rafale deal comes with an offset clause and that efforts could be made to channelise around Rs 1,000 crore-Rs 2,000 crore worth of manufacturing of Rafale parts to Goa.

"I am not a very greedy person. We have a Rs 30,000 crore offset deal. Maybe a Rs 1,000-2,000 (crore) can come Goa's way. If that can happen, Goa can be satisfied with a small requirement, but will also provide the technological support that is required for such kind of activity," he said.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Supermodel Miranda Kerr and Snapchat founder Evan Spiegel will marry next year.

Kerr, who has a five-year-old son, Flynn, with former husband Orlando Bloom, got engaged to Spiegel in June after dating him for over a year. She says their wedding plans are already underway, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

Asked if the couple has set a wedding date, Kerr told Paris Match magazine: "It'll be next year. I can't wait."

Though Kerr, 33, was overwhelmed with happiness when Spiegel asked her to marry, she wasn't expecting him to propose.

"(Was I expecting it?) Absolutely not. He said to me, 'Miranda, I'm telling you now, this is the first and last time I'm going to kneel down in front of you.' I was terribly nervous and emotional, trembling with happiness," she said.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Congress leader Anand Sharma on Sunday cautioned Prime Minister and his cabinet colleagues over their remarks regarding security.

"It's sad that both the Prime Minister and the Defence Minister have deliberately made misleading statements giving an impression that this was the first time the Indian Army had taken action against cross-border terror attack in three decades," Sharma told reporters here.

He said such a claim was an insult to the Indian Army, which had firmly retaliated against all such attacks in the past.

Coming out in support of the previous Congress-led UPA, he said: "The armed forces always had the freedom to effectively respond when required and had the support of the previous government to do so."

Former union minister Sharma, who belongs to this town, said the UPA government in its wisdom decided not to claim political ownership and make loud announcements.

"Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar's statement, therefore, is an insult to the martyrs of the army, including the Kargil heroes," he said.

Urging the Prime Minister and the government to stop politicising the action of armed forces for narrow political gains, Sharma said the government was indulging in this propaganda to divert the attention of the people from its failures.

"The weak GDP in the first quarter of the current financial year raises serious concern over the state of the Indian economy, despite government efforts at inflating figures," he said.

On foreign direct investment (FDI) in the country, Sharma said: "The government itself informed Parliament on July 20, 2016, that India received FDI of $40 billion in 2015-16.

"The highest FDI India received was $46.56 billion in 2011," Sharma said.

"It is equally a matter of concern that only 24 of the FDI received in the last two years has been in manufacturing whereas service share of the FDI is 78 per cent," he said.
A member of the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland (Unification) was killed in a gun battle with the Assam Rifles on Sunday in Nagaland on Sunday.

According to informed sources, the incident happened around 5.30 a.m. near Okotso village in Wokha district.

The NSCN (Unification), like the NSCN (Reformation) and the NSCN (Isak-Muivah), has signed a ceasefire pact with the Indian government.

In 2014, the NSCN (Khaplang) had abrogated the 14-year-long ceasefire.

A leader of the NSCN (Unification) told IANS: "Ask the Indian Army which abrogated the ceasefire this morning. Yes, there was a heavy exchange of gun fire near Okotso village."

The ceasefire agreement between New Delhi and the NSCN (Unification) and NSCN (Reformation) is renewed every year in April.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister on Sunday ruled out any move to split the Samajwadi Party even as he called himself the rightful successor to his father and party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav.

The 43-year-old Chief Minister reportedly became emotional when he told his supporters that he would also be attending a meeting called on Monday by his father.

"Netaji is not only the leader of the party but also my father and I will always serve him," he said.

Akhilesh Yadav, however, openly targeted Rajya Sabha member Amar Singh for the first time, calling him a "dalal" who is out to break his family as well as the Samajwadi Party.

Legislators who attended the meeting said accused Amar Singh of acting at the behest of the BJP.

"Anybody who is close to Amar Singh or bats for him cannot be in my cabinet," he told the legislators gathered at his official residence while justifying his decision to sack Shivpal Yadav and three other ministers.

The sacked ministers are known to be ardent supporters of Shivpal Yadav, who is also the state Samajwadi Party chief and known to be close to Mulayam Singh.

Soon after he was shown the door, a second time in a little over a month, Shivpal Yadav dumped his government vehicle and started using his private car, an official said.

Shivpal Yadav then went to meet his elder brother, Mulayam Singh.

Shivpal Yadav is reported to be very livid over his sacking and has told Mulayam Singh that the "immaturity and arrogance" of cannot be tolerated any longer.

This is the second time in a month that Shivpal Yadav has been sacked by his nephew.

On the first occasion, he was shown the door on September 13 but was taken back after the party chief asked Akhilesh Yadav to revoke his decision.

Akhilesh Yadav, however, retained the PWD portfolio that Shivpal Yadav held earlier.

Soon after the four ministers were sacked on Sunday, senior party leaders rushed to meet both Mulayam Singh and Akhilesh Yadav.

Independent MLA and controversial minister Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias Raja Bhaiyya met the Chief Minister and later told reporters that people will have to accept the decision of Akhilesh Yadav.

He also urged party leaders and workers to refrain from making public comments against anyone.

In a related development, Transport Minister Gayatri Prajapati, known to be another bone of contention between the two camps, met Akhilesh Yadav twice in two hours.

A source told IANS that Mulayam Singh was cut up with his cousin and Rajya Sabha member Ram Gopal Yadav, who in a letter on Sunday morning stoked the fire in the family even further.

In his hand-written letter, timed 6 a.m. and datelined Mumbai, Ram Gopal Yadav has urged party workers to support Akhilesh Yadav as he was the one who would lead them to victory.

"Jahan Akhilesh hai, wahan vijay hai," he wrote.

Those who are opposing the Chief Minister were greedy, corrupt and characterless people and they would not even be able to see the Vidhan Sabha again, he wrote.

This is being seen as an attack on Mulayam Singh and Shivpal Yadav.

Ram Gopal also urged the Chief Minister to embark on his 'yatra' from November 3.
At least one person was killed and three others were injured as multiple explosions hit a popular park in Tochigi prefecture in Japan on Sunday, police said.

The explosions in Utsunomiya city were heard in the vicinity of the Utsunomiya Castle ruins park during a popular festival where many people had gathered, Xinhua news agency reported.

The injured were taken to a hospital, an official said.

Cars also reportedly caught fire in a parking lot close to the park following the second explosion a minute later. No injuries have yet been reported as a result of the second blast.

According to the police, the first explosion took place at 11.30 a.m.

A third explosion was also reported almost immediately after the second, although this remains to be confirmed by police officials who have also yet to determine the cause of the explosions.

Witnesses at the scene said the second explosion sounded smaller than the first, with the first being described by one witness as a "tremendous explosion similar to a bomb".

Others reported plumes of black smoke billowing into the sky from the parking lot after the explosions. While the police confirmed there were two explosions, some witnesses reported hearing as many as four or five loud blasts in quick succession, Japan's public broadcaster NHK said.

Utsunomiya lies 100 km north of Tokyo and is an important cultural, political and economic hub in Japan and home to around 440,000 people.

Due to its close proximity and ease of access from Tokyo by Shinkansen bullet train, the city and broader region are a popular destination for day trips by Japanese as well as foreign visitors.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
President Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday inaugurated a revamped version of the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Hospital and Heart Institute and a modern Sevashram Hospital in Gujarat's twin cities of Ankleshwar and Bharuch.

The President, who arrived in Gujarat on Saturday night, also threw open a Gandhi Smruti Bhawan at the location where Mahatma Gandhi had stayed during his Dandi Yatra in Bharuch.

Mukherjee unveiled statues of Mahatma Gandhi, Chandubhai Desai and Chhotubhai Purani.

The Sardar Patel Hospital, which has been developed by the Sardar Patel Trust with efforts of Congress Rajya Sabha MP Ahmed Patel, who hails from Bharuch district, will have all modern health care facilities otherwise not available in the district.

At present, heart patients in the area have to travel to Vadodara, Surat and Ahmedabad for treatment. The new hospital will offer them treatment within Bharuch.

It will have facilities like radial angiography and angioplasty, besides cathlab, Intra-aortic balloon pum (IABP), elos facial and eco cardiogram. The hospital will have 14 permanent and 20 visiting doctors.

The revamped hospital now has a 100-bed facility. It offers numerous medical facilities.

Besides Ahmed Patel, the President was accompanied by Gujarat Governor O.P. Kohli and Minister of State for Home Pradipsinh Jadeja.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Sao Paulo defeated Ponte Preta to keep their hopes alive of qualifying for next year's Copa Libertadores.

Peruvian midfielder Christian Cueva opened the scoring in the 11th minute at Morumbi stadium here before David Neres added a second for the hosts eight minutes from time on Saturday, reports Xinhua.

The result left Sao Paulo 11th in Brazil's Serie A standings with 42 points, six points shy of qualifying for the Copa Libertadores with six matches remaining this season.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The respect and admiration that Indians have for the armed forces, will be expressed this festive season through a campaign led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The #Sandesh2Soldiers campaign has been launched to invite people to send letters and messages to the armed forces, an official statement said here on Sunday.

"The campaign gives every citizen an opportunity to spread happiness among the Indian Armed Forces, who are guarding our nation's frontiers, far from their loved ones on Diwali," it said.

Leading this effort, the Prime Minister shared through social media, a special video featuring his appeal to the people to send messages to our brave armed forces personnel.

People can send messages to soldiers on the Narendra Modi App through MyGov.in, and also through All India Radio.

Doordarshan is also going to mount a programme to share people's emotions with the armed forces.

A special module has been launched on the Narendra Modi App to enable people to send greetings or their hand-written messages to the armed forces.

The #Sandesh2Soldiers campaign is expected to generate increased interaction between people and the army.

--IANS

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Uttar Pradesh's ruling Samajwadi Party on Sunday appeared headed for a split as Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav ousted uncle Shivpal Yadav and three others from the government while the party brass sacked his backer and MP Ram Gopal Yadav from the party in an intensifying dynastic power struggle ahead of next year's election.

The dramatic decision by the estranged Chief Minister followed the earlier dismissal from the party of Akhilesh supporters on Saturday by Shivpal Yadav, the new state in charge of the Samajwadi Party and brother of party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav.

On Sunday evening, Mulayam Singh -- facing the worst crisis of his political career -- called an emergency meeting of senior party leaders.

Besides Shivpal Yadav, the other ministers thrown out were Narad Rai, Om Prakash and Shadab Fatima. Jaya Prada, an actress-turned-politician, was also expelled from the Uttar Pradesh Film Development Council.

All of them were said to be close to Amar Singh, a businessman-turned-politician who was sacked from the party in 2010 along with Jaya Prada. He returned to the party last year and became a Rajya Sabha member.

Legislators who attended a morning meeting with the Chief Minister said Akhilesh Yadav made it clear that anyone close to Amar Singh cannot find a place in his government.

Hours later, the Samajwadi Party expelled national General Secretary and spokesman Ram Gopal for six years from all party posts.

Announcing the decision by Mulayam Singh, Shivpal Yadav said Ram Gopal had connived with "communal forces" to destabilize and weaken the Samajwadi Party -- which has a brute majority in the 403-member assembly.

"He met a senior BJP leader thrice and is trying to save his son Akshay and daughter-in-law from the CBI," Shivpal Yadav said, linking the two family members with a tainted chief engineer of Noida Authority. Ram Gopal Yadav denied the charge.

Ram Gopal Yadav triggered a controversy earlier in the morning when he released a letter saying only Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav can lead the party to victory in the coming assembly poll.

He said people opposing the Chief Minister were corrupt and without character.

Akhilesh Yadav, 43, describing himself as the political successor to his father Mulayam Singh, denied that his decision to oust Shivpal Yadav would split the Samajwadi Party. The party, he said, belonged to "Netaji" - as Mulayam Singh is popularly known.

The Chief Minister also said he would attend the party's Silver Jubilee function on November 5.

The legislators who attended the Chief Minister's meeting told the media that Akhilesh Yadav became emotional while talking about his relations with his father and said anyone coming between them would not be spared.

Soon after the meeting ended, the legislators shouted slogans hailing Akhilesh Yadav and denouncing Amar Singh as a "dalal" (broker).

An insider said all efforts to bring peace in the Samajwadi Party were effectively over now and that the party may he headed for a vertical split between the two generations.

Sunday's developments came a day before Mulayam Singh meets party legislators in Lucknow.

Akhilesh Yadav had earlier refused to attend party meetings called by Shivpal Yadav on Friday and Saturday. Instead, he met the district party chiefs separately.

On Saturday, Shivpal Yadav expelled Udayveer Singh, an MLC considered close to Akhilesh Yadav, from the party for six years for asking Mulayam Singh to step down and hand over the party baton to his son.

Shivpal Yadav also filled up the vacancies of presidents in the party's frontal wings with men known to be his followers.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Delhi Police has arrested three men for burglaries in the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Housing Complex here, police said on Sunday.

The accused identified as Gaurav, 26, a resident of Karehda village in Ghaziabad, Karan Yadav, 26, a resident of Madhu Vihar in Dwarka and Mohit Kumar, 18, of Palam Colony in Delhi, were arrested late Saturday night, police said.

"We have arrested the three burglars following a tip off. They were arrested by our teams when they arrived in Dwarka," Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Ishwar Singh told IANS.

An investigation is being conducted to verify the role of Vikram Munna, another associate of the accused, Singh said.

According to police, six laptops, an I-pod, eight mobile phones, a Kindle e-book reader, a DVD writer, a motorcycle, a dummy pistol, seven gold sets and seven gold chains were among the items recovered from them.

On interrogation, the trio revealed that they had committed many burglaries, including in the JNU Housing Complex.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A suicide car bomber killed two person and injured four others on Sunday evening in the Somali capital Mogadishu, a local official said.

Xinhua news agency quoted Bondhere District Commissioner Qasim Abdullahi as saying that the suicide bomber detonated his explosive-laden car outside an eatery near the Daljirka Dahsoon Monument in Bondhere district.

Daljirka Dahsoon is "a popular place for people in the evening", said Abdullahi.

Police and witnesses said there was a huge blast, sparking panic.

"We heard a heavy blast near Daljirka. Everybody was running around and we learned it was a car explosion," witness Hassan Shire told Xinhua news agency.

No group has yet claimed responsibility, but Somalia-based Islamist group Al-Shabaab carries out frequent attacks in the country, many of them in Mogadishu.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
United Nations, Oct 23 (IANS/Xinhua) The UN Special Envoy for Yemen has urged all parties to the Yemeni conflict to extend a three-day humanitarian ceasefire for another 72 hours, authorities said.

The three-day truce brokered by the United Nations went into effect on Wednesday midnight with an aim to facilitate humanitarian aid to the war-stricken cities. The truce expired on Saturday midnight.

"The ceasefire was largely holding despite reported violations from both sides in several areas," said Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed in a statement.

He added that UN personnel were able to reach areas that were inaccessible to deliver food and aid because of the truce.

"We would like to build on this and we aim for a wider outreach in the next few days," he added.

However, it was not known immediately if the warring parties have agreed to extend the truce.

The situation in Yemen has deteriorated since March 2015 when war broke out between the Shia Houthi group, supported by former President Ali Abdullash Saleh, and the government backed by a Saudi-led Arab coalition.

Houthis and Saleh's forces hold most of Yemen's northern regions while forces backed by Saudi-led military coalition control the rest of the country, including seven southern provinces.

The war has killed more than 10,000 people, half of them civilians, injured more than 35,000 others and displaced over two million, according to humanitarian agencies.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Subir Roys column, Why merge public sector banks? (October 19), says the Banks Board Bureau (BBB) has got an expanded mandate. Its new job is to advise the government in extension, termination and design of the structure at board and senior management level of public sector banks (PSB).
Apropos Shekhar Guptas column, Soft power, hard battles (October 22), why hasnt there been even a tiny reduction in Pakistans hatred towards India in 70 years? Why have Pakistani artistes, who condemned the Paris terror attacks on social media, never issued a statement criticising the several terror attacks on India? Why dont they use their soft power to deliver the message at home to stop the hostility?
Designing a logo can sometimes be a tricky affair. The Ministry of Civil Aviation found that out the hard way during the much-hyped launch of UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik)  the governments ambitious plan to make flying affordable so that a even a hawaichappalwala can board a hawaijahaz (aeroplane). The logo sported a Boeing 747 jet, a wide-body aircraft that flies long-haul routes, in conflict with the basic idea of getting smaller aircraft to fly short routes. Aviation enthusiasts soon took to Twitter to point out the goof-up. Civil aviation ministry officials maintained it was a symbolic thing and a very small part of a grand scheme.
The data breach that has led to an estimated 3.2 million debit cards getting compromised is only a small manifestation of a larger malaise called cyber crime. The breach occurred due to an introduction of malware in the network of a third-party payment processor.
Emboldened by its successful campaign against Bollywood film 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil', now wants traders to "sacrifice" their business with Pakistan for the sake of the "nation" even as cotton exporters on Sunday, observed that the Raj Thackeray-led outfit's stand will affect the industry.

The stir by against release of the Karan Johar film for featuring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan blew over yesterday following mediation by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in a tripartite meeting among Thackeray, Johar, and Producers' Guild president Mukesh Bhatt at the CM's residence here.

Exploiting the controversy to the hilt ahead of the Mumbai municipal corporation polls next year, Thackeray yesterday asked the filmmakers who had worked with Pakistani actors to contribute Rs 5 crore as "prayaschit" (penance) money to the Army Welfare Fund.

spokesperson Shalini Thackeray on Sunday demanded that the traders should sacrifice business for the sake of nation.

"Nation should be first. If jawans are sacrificing their lives (at border), why can't traders sacrifice their trade? Money making should be the secondary priority in case of Pakistan," she said here on Sunday.

"Pakistan has already violated the clauses of MFN status given by India. Now, it's high time that India isolate Pakistan, not only on cultural issues but on trade (front) as well. Banning the film (ADHM) was only to set an example that India has started to isolate Pak...Next comes trade," she told PTI.

The senior leader said MNS will definitely play its role in ensuring that all kinds of trade with Pakistan are stopped. "However, the government will have to play a major role as far as trade is concerned," she said.

Meanwhile, concerned over rising tensions between the two countries after the Uri attack coupled with aggressive posturing by MNS, the cotton traders said they are afraid of losing business to the tune of Rs 5,500 crore with Pakistan.

Maharashtra is a major contributor in cotton manufacturing states, followed by Gujarat.

According to Sharadram Sejpal, spokesperson of Power Loom Association, India had placed an order to import 20,000 bales cotton from Pakistan in June as there was low production in the domestic market.

"Generally, we export cotton to Pakistan. But June period was bad. At a time when we are expecting a record breaking production (of cotton), MNS's stand against Pakistani actors has affected the cotton industry as well and powerloom industry will ultimately have to suffer," Sejpal said.

He demanded that the Raj Thackeray-led party should keep away from trade.

Reacting to this, Shalini said, "Cotton associations should themselves come up and stop exporting to Pak, instead of them banning our imports.
Home Minister will raise the issue of Pakistan's continuous support to cross-border terrorism with the top leadership of Bahrain and seek their cooperation in tackling international terrorism during his three-day visit to the Gulf country beginning on Sunday.

Singh, who left for Manama on Sunday, will meet Bahrain King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Prime Minister Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and Interior Minister Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa and will discuss with them various bilateral issues.

Pakistan's continuous support to cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir is expected to be raised by the Home Minister in his meetings with the top leadership of Bahrain.

Singh is also likely to tell them that India cannot take at face any of the assurances that Pakistan provides in regard to stopping terrorism.

In a statement before his departure, Singh said India and Bahrain are working together to further strengthen security and counter-terrorism cooperation between the two countries.

The Home Minister said India and Bahrain enjoy excellent bilateral relations characterised by broad-based political, economic and cultural contacts.

There will be extensive discussions on how to enhance bilateral cooperation with regard to tackling international terrorism, organised crime and each other's fugitives at the meeting between Singh and his Bahrain counterpart Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, sources said.

Bahrain is a key member of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) in which Pakistan is also a member.

Singh will also address the Indian community in Bahrain during his trip.

On Friday, President of Security Agency of Bahrain, Sheikh Talal bin Mohammed bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa, had called on the Home Minister here.

Singh then told him that his three-day visit to Bahrain will enhance bilateral ties with the Gulf nation and it grows from strength to strength.

The Home Minister had hoped for an expeditious and successful negotiation of the bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Defence Cooperation which is under active consideration of the Bahraini side.

Referring to the buildup of ISIS in the West Asia-Gulf region and the rise of religious extremism, the Home Minister said its negative impact on the Muslim population around the world is of serious concern for India too.

On relations with Pakistan, Singh had said since there was no change in Pakistan's approach of sponsoring terrorism, "we cannot take at face any of the assurances that Pakistan provides in regard to stopping terrorism".

In December 2015, the Interior Minister of Bahrain had visited India during which both the countries had signed an agreement on cooperation in combating international terrorism, transnational organised crime and trafficking in illicit, drugs, narcotic and psychotropic substances and precursors chemicals.

India and Bahrain have close and friendly relations, characterised by shared interests, mutual trust and excellent people-to-people contacts.

Over 4,00,000 Indian nationals work and contribute to the development of Bahrain.

Their positive and well-appreciated contribution in the development of Bahrain has been an important pillar of excellent bilateral engagement.

The visit is expected to provide fresh impetus to our excellent bilateral ties, officials said.
In a suspected case of human trafficking, a man and a woman, posing as a couple, were apprehended at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) after their plan to travel to Toronto allegedly by using fake papers was unsuccessful.

The incident was reported at about 3 AM by a foreign airline counter at terminal-III who informed the CISF security personnel that two Toronto-bound passengers went missing after handing over their check-in baggage but without taking their boarding passes. The ticket manager had raised some queries about their passports.

The Central Industrial Security Force teams on ground and on the CCTV monitoring task at the IGIA were immediately activated.

A search was initiated and footage from 3,000 cameras was scanned following which the two were seen coming out from a toilet after changing their clothes and subsequently boarding a flight to Pune. They had apparently sensed that they would not be able to travel to Toronto.

They said CISF sleuths tried to get the passengers deboarded from the Pune-bound plane but by then the flight had already hit the runway. The CISF then alerted their Pune unit who intercepted them as soon as they landed.

Meanwhile, a bomb squad was called in at IGIA to scan the two baggages that the two, booked as Amit R Chavan and Sheetal A Chavan, had left at the airline counter.

Officials said they disclosed to CISF personnel at Pune that they were not married and were allegedly trying to emigrate to Toronto using fake passports whose authenticity was doubted by the airlines staff.

Sensing trouble they slipped into the domestic terminal and got flight tickets to Pune.

"The two were later identified as Ahmedabad based K Patel and M Patel and they were handed over to immigration authorities in Delhi. It looks to be a suspected case of human trafficking," they said.

It was later disclosed that an agent who had allegedly helped the duo in preparing fake international travel papers was present in the terminal area on the pretext of taking a flight but later got himself offloaded citing health issues.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Three men have been arrested for stealing electronic gadgets and jewellery worth lakhs of rupees from JNU Housing Complex in south Delhi, police said today.

The accused have been identified as Karan Yadav (26), the mastermind, Rajender Prasad (26) and Mohit Kumar (18), they added.

"With the arrest of the three, stolen electronic gadgets and gold and silver jewellery worth lakhs of rupees have been recovered and 30 cases of burglaries have been solved," said DCP (South) Ishwar Singh, adding that instruments used in house-breaking were also seized from the trio.

Recently, the residents of the housing complex had complained to the police regarding theft of laptops, mobile phones, iPods, cameras, LCD, LED TV and jewellery, the officer said.

Police analysed the modus operandi and found out that the burglaries were committed during the day by breaking the locks of main doors, he said, adding that accordingly, a team was formed to nab the culprits.

Acting on a tip-off, the police team arrested the trio from Madhu Vihar in Dwarka last night, Singh said, adding that Karan's aunt used to work as a domestic help in the locality and hence, he knew the area and its residents.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Three more painted storks died today at the zoo here, taking the number of birds suspected to have been killed by a new sub-type of bird flu to 18.

Three more birds are critical and may soon succumb, an official said.

With at least two samples of the 15 painted storks that died earlier this week testing positive for the subtype H5N8 at the Bhopal-based Animal Disease Laboratory recently, the state government has sounded an alert across the state, directing all 51 districts to immediately report any fowl mortality.

"We have sounded alert across the state. However, no fowl death has been reported from any part of state. Officers concerned are keeping a close watch," Madhya Pradesh Animal Husbandry Director Dr RK Rokde said.

Seeking to allay concerns over a possible bird flu outbreak, the officer said, "There is no need to panic as the death (of painted storks) due to H5N8 virus has taken place in the wild (zoo)."



Meanwhile, Gwalior Municipal Commissioner Anay Dwivedi told PTI that with today's deaths, only six painted storks were left in the zoo enclosure and three of them are in critical condition.

Citing veterinarians, he said the storks may die soon. "The rest (three storks) too appear to be sick and may succumb tomorrow," he said.

To a query on culling the birds, Dwivedi said they will take the call in this regard tomorrow, depending upon the situation.

The commissioner said they were burning the dead fowls and burring them deep underground.

"Three falcons which were in the enclosure along with the painted storks, have been quarantined and they will be closely monitored for a month. These falcons are healthy," the commissioner added.

On reopening the zoo, closed since the death of 15 painted storks, the officer said, "Possibly, we won't open it for this entire month (October)."



According to 2012 census, MP had a population of 119 lakh domestic fowls.

He said the state has 400-odd private poultry farms and nine government ones.

According to Rokde, a hen had died of bird flu in Burhanpur district of state in February this year.

Sources said that around 9,000 fowls had been culled in the radius of one km from the area where the hen had died.

Recently, the National Zoological Park in Delhi was shut down temporarily amid a bird flu scare following the death of some fowls.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Six persons have been arrested for pelting stones at police personnel in northwest Delhi's Shakurpur Basti area.

The wall of a gas stove making factory collapsed yesterday in the area leaving one person injured, police said.

Following the incident, a rumour spread that the wall collapse was triggered by a gas cylinder blast and many labourers were trapped under the debris, said a senior police officer.

When the police went to the area, some locals allegedly indulged in stone-pelting and accused them of trying to hush up the matter, he added.

The situation was subsequently brought under control and six men were arrested, he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
After using the poll plank of regularising unauthorised colonies in Delhi where it swept the assembly elections, the AAP today came out with a similar promise in poll-bound Punjab.

AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal today released its manifesto for trade industry and transport sectors in which he proposed regularisation of unauthorised colonies.

"Unauthorised colonies will be regularised and they will be provided all basic facilities, including sewerage within a mandated period. Real Estate sector will be revived by a series of incentives, review of stamp duty, EDC (External Development Charges), CLU (Change of Land Use) and other charges," the manifesto said.

The AAP had used a similar promise during Delhi elections when they proposed regularisation of the unauthorised colonies among the key proposals in the party's manifesto. It had bagged 67 out of 70 seats in the Delhi Assembly.

The party had said that it will regularise unauthorised colonies within "one year" of coming to power. Before that as an "immediate measure" it will provide registration rights to the residents of those colonies paving the way for electricity and sewer lines.

To confer freehold rights to residents of resettlement colonies, the party's manifesto had proposed a simplified mechanism wherein original allottees will receive ownership of their plots for Rs 10,000.

In Punjab, the AAP promised a comprehensive real estate policy that will review distortion of master plans and revive the housing sector in consultation with all stakeholders.

Reaching out to truckers, he said that business will be freed from alleged "corruption and harassment" by DTOs and police through "unnecessary" checking of vehicles will cease within two weeks of forming the government, it said adding "control of politicians in truck unions will be ended."



"Heavy toll tax" charged by private companies in alleged "collusion with Akali-BJP, Congress politicians will be investigated, reviewed and rationalised and no toll plazas on roads other than highways will be allowed," the manifesto said.

If AAP forms the next government in Punjab it will press for removal of all toll plazas of NHAI on Jalandhar-Amritsar and Ropar-Anandpur Sahib section due to their status as holy cities in accordance with the Centre's policy to remove selective toll plazas, it said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
: AIADMK legislators and workers today took out a procession with milk vessels on their heads and offered prayers at a temple for recovery of party supremo and hospitalised Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa.

AIADMK legislature party leader A Anbalagan and his colleagues in Assembly A Baskar and K A U Asana, the secretary of Puducherry state unit of AIADMK P Purushotham were among those who participated in the procession.

Most party workers also carried portraits of Jayalalithaa and special 'abishegams' were performed at a temple later, party sources said.

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The AIIMS diamond jubilee exhibition, chronicling its journey of 60 eventful years through rare monochrome images and archival documents, will now be on view till this month end.

Based on "overwhelming response" of the visitors, the authorities have extended the last date of the exhibition to October 31.

Rare black-and-white photographs of the premier institute which was established in 1956, and documents sourced from various institutions and private collection of alumni have been put on display at its premises here.

The exhibition was opened on the AIIMS' Institute Day on September 26 by Union Health Minister J P Nadda. It was scheduled to close early this month.

Among the rare images include photographs of the visit of Queen Elizabeth II on the grand opening of the premier campus in 1961 and arrival of Jacqueline Kennedy at AIIMS in 1962. Incidentally, these images are available in colour, a rarity at that time.

The institute's buildings were formally opened by the British monarch on January 27, 1961 at an impressive ceremony attended by the then President Rajendra Prasad.

The Queen, now 90, had also planted a Gulmohar tree in the lawns, but it was eaten up by termites, following which four bottle brush trees were planted at that spot, eight more would be planted in the outer circle around it.

"We have included rarest of images from our archives on Queen's visit along with Prince Philip and planting of the Gulmohar tree by her have been included among the exhibits," AIIMS Director Dr M C Misra said.

The exhibition also extols the contribution made by Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, who was instrumental in founding of the institution. Old pictures of her mansion 'Manorville' in Shimla, which she gifted to AIIMS for use as a holiday home for doctors and nurses are also on display.

The text of the speech delivered by her in Parliament on the establishment of the AIIMS, images of the first convocation, and old photographs showing the under- construction phase of the AIIMS main buildings are also on display.

The institution owes its origin in the Bhore Committee which in 1946 had recommended establishment of a national medical centre which would concentrate on meeting the need for highly qualified manpower to look after the nation's expanding health care activities.

New Zealand granted pounds 1 million to AIIMS under the Colombo Plan and the foundation stone of the All India Medical Sciences was laid in 1952.

The AIIMS was finally created in 1956 as an autonomous institution through an Act of Parliament to serve as a nucleus for nurturing excellence in all aspects of health care.

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Two doctors each from the AIIMS and the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital (SGRH) here have been selected for the prestigious Dr B C Roy Award for excellence in the field of medicine.

Randeep Guleria, Head of Pulmonology, and C S Yadav of department of orthopaedics, from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences have been chosen for the award.

Chairman of Board of Management at SGRH D S Rana and Arvind Kumar have also been chosen for the coveted award.

"Dr Rana in the category of recognising the best talents in encouraging the development of specialities in different branches in medicine and Dr Kumar for the 'Eminent Medical Person' category," a senior official of SGRH said today.

The awards will be given by the President of India next year.

The Bidhan Chandra Roy Award was instituted in 1976 in the memory of renowned physician and freedom fighter B C Roy by Medical Council of India.

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As fissures in Samajwadi Party deepened, BJP today demanded that Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav prove his majority in the Assembly or resign, labelling the party as "a sinking ship" which has failed on every front.

"CM Akhilesh Yadav should resign or prove his majority on the floor of the Assembly," UP BJP chief Keshav Prasad Maurya told reporters in Lucknow hours after Akhilesh sacked four pro-Amar Singh ministers, including his uncle Shivpal Yadav, from his government.

Seeking to fish in troubled waters, Maurya said Governor Ram Naik should ask Akhilesh to prove his majority on the floor of the Assembly and till he did so, he should not take any policy decision.

"A government reduced to minority should not take any policy decision," he said.

In New Delhi, BJP national secretary Shrikant Sharma said the fast-paced developments within the Mulayam Singh Yadav-led party has "exposed" Akhilesh as he exuded confidence that the people of the poll-bound state will now evince faith in the NDA major as "change is inevitable" there.

"The ongoing theatrics within SP is an exercise of shrouding their sins. The party has become a sinking ship which has failed on every front. Mafia raj prevailed during Akhilesh's tenure. He could not keep promises of providing roads, electricity, drinking water. Even healthcare is in doldrums," Sharma said.

He said that the people elected Akhilesh with a "lot of hopes" after witnessing "rampant" corruption and lawlessness during the previous BSP regime.

"But now he stands exposed, impelling them to engage in such theatrics. However, change is inevitable in Uttar Pradesh. The people of the state are set to evince trust in the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah in the forthcoming polls," Sharma said.

Rita Bahuguna Joshi, who recently joined BJP after quitting Congress, said the Samajwadi Party was on the verge of a split as in the coming days the differences would widen and there would be no bridging among leaders of the ruling party.

The crisis within SP deepened after Akhilesh sacked Shivpal Yadav, Narad Rai and Om Prakash Singh (Cabinet ministers) and Minister of State (Independent Charge) Sayeda Shadab Fatima.

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A lady flier from the United States of America has been apprehended at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) here for allegedly carrying a live bullet in her baggage.

Officials said the incident was reported at about 10:30 PM on October 21 when on-duty CISF officials detected the live bullet of 9mm caliber gun in the lady's bag, when she was undergoing security check before taking a flight to New York.

They said the lady has been identified as M Posey and she was travelling with her husband to the US.

"The lady along with her husband were handed over to Delhi Police for further action. Carrying of firearms and bullets in aircraft is prohibited under the Indian aviation laws," the officials added.

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is setting up Europe's largest greenfield plant in Hungary with an investment of 475 million euros to produce nearly 62 lakh tyres for passenger cars and heavy commercial vehicles per annum.

The facility at Gyongyoshalasz, located less than 100 km from here, will start production early next year and it will produce tyres to cater to the entire European market.

"Construction of Apollo Tyres' first European greenfield plant at Gyongyoshalasz has started on April 10, 2015 and we will start production in early 2017. It will be Europe's largest greenfield tyres plant," (Hungary) KFT, Head - Project Controller, Amitabh Arya told PTI.

The Hungarian facility will be a state-of-the-art plant and once completed it will have a capacity to produce 5.5 million (55 lakh) passenger car and light truck (PCLT) tyres and 6,75,000 heavy commercial vehicle (HCV) tyres per annum.

The total investment in the facility will be 475 million euro (about Rs 3,460 crore) and the Hungarian government was very excited about the investment from a leading Indian company.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, at a joint press conference with visiting Indian Vice President Hamid Ansari last week, had specifically mentioned about the plant saying it was one of the largest foreign investments in Hungary.

The Gyongyoshalasz facility will produce both Apollo and Vredestein branded tyres and will cater to the entire European market.

Apollo Vredestein B.V. Is part of Apollo Tyres Ltd and has its head office in Enschede, the Netherlands. It designs, manufactures and sells high-quality tyres under the Apollo and Vredestein brands in Europe and North America.

Onkar S Kanwar headed Apollo Tyres Ltd, with its corporate headquarters in Gurgaon, is in the business of manufacture and sale of tyres since its inception in 1972.

The company has grown manifold, establishing its footprint across the globe. It has manufacturing units in India and The Netherlands.

The company markets its products under its two global brands - Apollo and Vredestein, and its products are available in over 100 countries through a vast network of branded, exclusive and multi-product outlets.

At the end of its financial year on March 31, 2016, Apollo Tyres had clocked a turnover of USD 1.8 billion, backed by a global workforce of around 16,000 employees.
A postcard was delivered to its destination in Australia 50 years after it was sent, prompting the country's postal service to tender an apology.

The 'slightly faded' postcard, dated 1966, was found by an Adelaide couple, Tim and Claire Duffy, in their letterbox last Monday.

The card, which depicted a waterfront in Tahiti, had a stamp worth 13 Francs and was found by Tim Duffy underneath a water bill while he was going through his mails at his Wattle Park residence in Adelaide, local media reported.

The postcard was sent by a person named 'Chris' from Papeete, located on the French Polynesian island of Tahiti, in 1966 to an Adelaide resident Robert Giorgio and described how Chris was enjoying himself greatly despite very humid weather.

Expressing regret over the late delivery of the postcard, an Australian Post spokesman said, "It is clear something went wrong 50 years ago after the postcard was posted in French Polynesia, and we apologise for the inconvenience."



Tim and Claire Duffy, who bought the home in 2015, believe that it was built by an Italian Robert Giorgio in 1963 and the card was addressed to him.

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As buyers struggle to get their flats registered due to non-payment of dues and delays by builders, the Noida, Greater Noida and Yamuna Expressway authorities have proposed a fast-track scheme for grant of NOCs for finished units even if the entire project is yet to be completed - a move that may benefit at least 50,000 buyers.

Under the proposal, which would come into effect after approval by the UP government, the NOC (No Objection Certificate) for registry of these flats would be granted after payment of proportionate dues and a 10 per cent surcharge by the builder.

In Greater Noida alone, up to 20,000 flat buyers may benefit immediately from the scheme, while the number is even higher in Noida where a large number of flats have been completed but are yet to be registered due to lack of NOC from the authorities. The number of such flats is relatively smaller in the Yamuna Expressway area, but the total number would exceed 50,000 flats across the three areas.

In many cases, the buyers have already started living in these flats and are awaiting registration of the flats.

"The Boards of all three authorities -- Noida Authority, Greater Noida Authority and the Yamuna Expressway Authority -- have approved the proposal and it will be now sent to the UP government. It (the scheme) will come into effect after the UP Government approves it," the Greater Noida Authority CEO Deepak Agarwal told PTI.

He said that 17,000-20,000 flat-buyers can immediately benefit under this scheme as these flats are already completed.

Under the proposal, the builder will have to pay the proportionate dues -- total dues for the entire project divided by the number of completed flats -- and a 10 per cent additional charge to get the NOC.

Under current rules, NOCs are granted only after payment of all dues, including for the land and other charges for the entire project.

However, the proposed scheme may allow grant of NOC even for a single flat after payment of the proportionate dues and the additional 10 per cent charge.

A number of builders in the region are facing the heat of the buyers and the general public in the wake of years of delay in grant of possession.

While many builders have begun giving possession for the completed units, even if the entire project is not completed, the registration of flats is not happening in those cases.

This is causing difficulties for flat-buyers in getting benefits like electricity and water connections and they have to manage with alternatives like water tankers and generators.

As per a new survey by industry body Assocham, the demand



for new projects across the country is currently low while new launches have come to a trickle, marked by lack of consumer confidence and cash deficit of the builders.

The demand for new launches has come down by over 50-60 per cent in Delhi-NCR and Mumbai while it is lesser by about 40-45 per cent in Hyderabad and Chennai.

In Bengaluru, the activity has come to a total standstill, first by the demolition drive and then by Cauvery dispute agitation, the survey found.

"Customers are preferably looking for ready to move in property rather than going for under construction property but not many properties fall in this category," Assocham said.

The unsold inventory pressure in NCR is the highest in comparison to other cities. The region's residential market still has an estimated 1,70,000 units of unsold inventory which is approximately 30 per cent of the units under construction, adds the survey.

The ticket price for 3-bedroom, 2 BHK and single room flats has seen a correction by 30 per cent in Noida, 25 per cent in Gurgaon and 15 per cent in some key areas of Delhi, yet the demand stays subdued.
Hours after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav removed senior minister Shivpal Yadav and four other ministers from his Cabinet, Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan today blamed "one single outsider" for the "unfortunate" developments.

"It is happening due to one single outsider who has penetrated into the ruling party's family and I have been apprising my colleagues about his detrimental presence in the party. Had a serious and severe action been taken, the damage could have been averted," he said.

The SP national general secretary termed the stern action taken by chief minister "late but inevitable".

Known for his controversial remarks in the past, Azam Khan had been maintaining a silence over the recent developments in the party.

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Most of the leading banks based in the UK could begin to pull-out of the country early next year because of uncertainty about Britain's exit from the EU and increasing fears over the impending Brexit negotiations, a top banking association has warned.

British Bankers' Association chief Anthony Browne's dramatic claim was made in an article published today in the 'Observer' newspaper. Browne said smaller banks could also move operations overseas by next year.

"Their hands are quivering over the relocate button. Many smaller banks plan to start relocations before Christmas; bigger banks are expected to start in the first quarter of next year," he wrote.

He added: "Banking is probably more affected by Brexit than any other sector of the economy, both in the degree of impact and the scale of the implications.

"It is the UK's biggest export industry by far and is more internationally mobile than most. But it also gets its rules and legal rights to serve its customers cross-border from the EU.

"For banks, Brexit does not simply mean additional tariffs being imposed on trade - as is likely to be the case with other sectors. It is about whether banks have the legal right to provide services."



Banks, which had overwhelming campaigned for Britain to remain in the European Union (EU) in the June 23 referendum, want to see the continuation of the EU's "passporting" system, allowing UK-based financial services to operate across Europe without needing separate authorisation.

They have called for transition arrangements to be put in place after the UK leaves the EU, following a vote in favour of Brexit.

"The problem comes - as seems increasingly likely, judging by the rhetoric - when national governments try to use the EU exit negotiations to build walls across the Channel to split Europe's integrated financial market in two, in order to force jobs from London," Browne says.

"From a European perspective, this would be cutting off its nose to spite its face. It might lead to a few jobs moving to Paris or Frankfurt but it will make it more expensive for companies in France and Germany to raise money for investment, slowing the wider economy," he adds.

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Welcoming the end of protest by MNS against the release of Karan Johar's movie "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" featuring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan, director Madhur Bhandarkar says all films shot before the Uri attacks should get released.

"I am happy that the problem has now been resolved. I have always said that all those films with Pakistani artistes, which were shot before the recent attack, should be released without any problem," Bhandarkar told reporters here.

He was in Kolkata to inaugurate a charity exhibition organised by Jagriti Art Initiative and FICCI Ladies Organisation.

He congratulated the producers of the film and Producers' Guild president Mukesh Bhatt who together sorted out the issue with Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena yesterday.

When asked about his next film, the National Award-winning director said he will soon start shooting for 'Indu Sarkar' which is based during the Emergency period.

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With an increasing number of Indians opting for visa friendly destinations, Bhutan seems to be on top of people's checklist, recording a 136.18 per cent increase in travel searches, according to a new study.

The survey by Skyscanner has taken into account the travel queries made by over 50 million monthly visitors to reveal the visa-friendly destinations favoured by Indian passport holders in the first half of 2016.

According to it, destinations like Thailand, Indonesia, Mauritius, Maldives and Seychelles in the Asian and Indian Ocean neighbourhood have benefited from "drastic increases" in flight searches when compared with the same period in 2015.

"Neighbouring Bhutan has witnessed a whopping increase of 136 per cent in travel searches since last year owing to its no prior visa policy for citizens of India.

"Long-time favourite, Thailand takes the lion's share of Indian searches in the first half of 2016 with 38 per cent of Indian travellers looking for a visa-friendly getaway opting for Thailand," the study said.

Seychelles - where Indian travellers are granted a visa-on-arrival - recorded a 23 per cent soar in searches year over year, the largest increase among Indian Ocean destinations.

Flight searches to Mauritius and Maldives, which both allow Indian travellers a 90-day visa free stay, have jumped 19 per cent and 13 per cent respectively.

"In a short span of time, the repertoire of countries providing visa-friendly travel to Indians has grown immensely, giving more options to people to explore international destinations. It comes as no surprise we are seeing visa-friendly destinations grow in popularity," Reshmi Roy, Growth Manager at Skyscanner said.

Indonesia is also one of the popular alternatives with a 16 per cent spike in searches.

"Our data shows flight searches for Indonesia from across Indian have soared, thanks to its recently relaxed visa policy that now allows Indian passport holders a visa-free stay of 30 days," the study said.

Another destination that is a trending city for Indian travellers is Macau which has out-performed the all-time favourite Hong Kong.

"Perhaps benefiting from the 'James Bond' effect or a 30-day visa-exemption, Macau has witnessed an increase of 17 per cent in travel searches," the survey said.

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Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today lashed out at the BJP over his Maharashtra counterpart Devendra Fadnavis' role in mediating talks between the MNS and fimmakers in ensuring release of'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' featuring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan.

"BJP will ruin the country," Kejriwal tweeted, agreeing to another post that described the solutions arrived at as "extortionist".

MNS chief Raj Thackeray has faced flak from various quarters, including the Army, over his conditions that filmmakers who worked with Pakistani actors have to comply with including a contribution of Rs 5 crore to the Army welfare fund.

Fadnavis has also been facing criticism from the Opposition parties for "bowing" to the highhanded tactics of the MNS and "failing" to ensure rule of law in Maharashtra.

Under pressure from political and other outfits, Bollywood film producers had yesterday announced that they will not engage with Pakistani artistes, clearing decks for the smooth release of Karan Johar's "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil".

MNS had threatened to disrupt the screening of the film asit features Pakistani actor Fawad Khan.

Johar has agreed to put a special mention in the beginning of the film paying homage to martyrs, a move to assuage sentiments in the country triggered by the terror attack on an army base in Uri that claimed the lives of 19 security personnel.

Thackeray said MNS laid down three conditions that filmmakers who worked with Pakistani actors have to comply with. These include a contribution of Rs 5 crore to the Army welfare fund.

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Queen guitarist Brian May has cancelled his Christmas Candlelight Tour dates with West End star Kerry Ellis.

The 69-year-old guitarist was scheduled to perform 11 dates across the UK, but has been forced to pull out due to a "persistent illness", which he says is "destroying my energy and my will," reported Contactmusic.

In a statement on his official website, May said, "This is a decision I've agonized over, but in the end it has become inevitable. I managed to complete the recent Queen and Adam Lambert dates in Asia but I have been increasingly battling with a persistent illness which is destroying my energy and my will."



"I am now at the point where I don't feel confident to perform the scheduled shows to the standard we all expect. I've been strongly advised to rest and heal, rather than go out and risk 'falling down on the job' out there, which would be a real tragedy."



Ellis and May are due to release new studio album "Anthems II" in March.

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Surprised by the huge response to its 'by India, for India' bike Navi launched this April, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) is planning to double its production to around 1 lakh units soon.

The Japanese two-wheeler major, which is inching closer to unseating the decades-old market leader Hero MotoCorp, had unveiled the Navi at the Delhi Auto Expo in February at price of under Rs 40,000. It was rolled out commercially in April.

Testing the market for a very stripped-down model with the Navi, which was fully planned, designed, and produced for the local market, Honda had expected to sell only round 2,000 units a month in the first year.

But it has already got huge backlog, and therefore, the plan to double the output.

"We have been really surprised by the humongous response to the Navi. It's really exceeded our expectations. We have, therefore, decided to almost double our capacity to 90,000 to 1 lakh units soon," the company's Senior Vice-President for Sales and Marketing Yadvinder Singh Guleria told PTI.

At the launch, the company had said it would be happy if it could sell 2,000 units a month and had an installed capacity of 50,000 per annum.

But Guleria said even though Navi was developed only for India, which became the largest market for Honda globally in June this year, overtaking Indonesia, they are shipping the bike to Nepal now.

"Last month alone we shipped as many as 500 units to the Himalayan nation," Guleria said, adding, "going forward, the company may look at exporting the bike to other Saarc markets like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka as well."



Asked about investment for the additional capacity for Navi, which is being manufactured at the 1.2 million units per annum Tapukara plant in Rajasthan, he said no additional investment is needed as they have a flexible assembly line.

With the Navi or 'New additional value for India,' Honda has truly disrupted the domestic two-wheeler market as it has created an entirely new segment of fun riding, he said.

Navi is powered by a 110-cc Honda HET engine with automatic transmission and is the first 100 per cent Honda India R&D -- from concept development to commercial production.

On the impact of GST on the two-wheeler industry, Guleria



said if the peak rate is fixed at 18 per cent, it will lead to huge savings for both companies and customers. Currently, the cumulative taxes on two-wheelers is close to 27 per cent.

"If GST comes at 18-20 per cent, then it can offset the cost we had to incur on implementing the BS-IV emission norms," Guleria said.

Asked about the revenue this year on the back of record sales -- HMSI has been averaging at 20-25 per cent this year so far and has become the leader in 13 markets with nearly 45 per cent volume share in them -- he said it hopes to close FY17 with an over Rs 22,000 crore revenue, up from Rs 18,600 crore in FY16.

Parent Honda has invested over Rs 8,800 crore in the country since it parted ways with Hero early this decade. Out of this, in the last two years alone it has invested Rs 2,700 crore.

HMSI operates four plants -- Manesar in Haryana, Tapukara in Rajasthan, Narsapura in Karnataka and Vithalapur in Gujarat -- with an installed capacity of 5.8 million.

On whether HMSI is looking at new capacity addition, having already reached the peak levels at all its plants, including the latest scooters-only plant in Gujarat, Guleria said it will be adding 0.6 million capacity by mid next year at the Karnataka facility.

Once completed, the 1.8 million Narsapura plant near Bengaluru will become the world's largest two-wheeler facility with 2.4 million units capacity. It will also jack up HMSI's total output to 6.4 million.

He said the new 6-lakh assembly line will see an investment of Rs 350 crore and will be commissioned in the second half of next year.

On dealership expansion, Guleria said HMSI will add 500 more this year to take its total network to 5,300 by the end of March.

Out of the 4,800 dealerships now, only 900 are direct dealers, he said, adding last year it added 800 and so far this year 300 dealers have been added. On dealer financing, he said SBI has become the largest lender to HMSI dealers.

On export performance, he said it jumped 34 per cent so far this year, much higher than domestic sales, which as been hovering between 20-25 per cent. Exports contribute 4.8 per cent of total sales for the company.
When the teams of Crime Branch of Thane Police were busy in raids at fake call centre in connection with the call centre scam, its mastermind Sagar alias Shaggy Thakkar was on his way to flee the country in early hours of October 5, officials said.

Crime branch teams raided seven call centres at Mira Road in adjoining Thane district, in the multi-crore scam involving cheating of US citizens by posing as officials of US Tax Department.

Police raids were conducted on the night of October 4-5. About 70 directors and key persons of these call centres were arrested and 700 employees were detained.

During the interrogation of arrested directors, police got the name of Sagar alias Shaggy. However, by that time, Shaggy had left the country on October 5 before police could catch him.

Police issued a LOC (Look Out Circular) against Shaggy on October 7, two days after his escape, officials told PTI.

He is suspected to have fled to Dubai.

As the investigation started, a key accused and Shaggy's elder sister, Reema, fled the country from Delhi on October 8.

Police are now trying to get information from immigration authorities about how both the key accused fled the country.

Police suspect that Shaggy and his sister have massive amount collected by cheating US nationals, in their personal accounts.

Shaggy led a lavish lifestyle and was accompanied by around a dozen bouncers, sources said. He was a regular at posh late night parties in Mumbai and was also fond of high-end cars.

Investigators say Shaggy began working at the age of 16 with his mentor Jagdish Kanani, who had worked in the call centres in abroad.

Kanani trained him to cheat US citizens by starting fake call centres, they said.

Meanwhile, investigators on Thursday told a court in Thane that they have identified transactions worth Rs 25-30 crore in the call centre scam till now and that it will take a long time for them to arrive at the actual figure given the magnitude of the scandal.

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In a bid to woo voters, the BJP-led Central government is mulling developing the places related to freedom movement in the poll-bound Uttar Pradesh.

"Tourism Ministry is planning to develop the areas which were associated with the freedom fighters and the country's Independence movement from 1857 to 1947 in Uttar Pradesh," a Ministry source said.

The ministry is preparing a list of these sites, which would be over 20 in number, the source said, adding the ministry would also allocate funds for the development of these regions.

The decision in this regard was based on the view of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had said freedom fighters must be given their due recognition in the country which attained independence after a long struggle.

The source said the places that could be developed under the programme include Bithoor town in Kanpur district which is known as the centre of Revolt of 1857 as Nana Sahib, a popular freedom fighter, was based there.

Bithoor would be developed as tourist destination with facilities such as light and sound and an tourist interpretation centre.

Kakori town in Lucknow, which became popular for train robbery by people involved in the Indian independence movement in August 1925, is also to be developed, the sources said.

Development plans for Meerut Cantonment areas could also be included in the programme as the region was associated with the Revolt of 1857 with many Indian soldiers stationed there actively participated in the rebellion, the source said.

The initiative come in the background of BJP-led Central government observing 'Yaad Karo Kurbani' celebrations with Central ministers visiting about 150 places associated with the freedom movement across the country to mark 70 years of Independence and 74 years of Quit India Movement.

Modi kicked off the 15-day exercise by visiting revolutionary leader Chandrashekhar Azad's birth place Bhabhra in Madhya Pradesh.

BJP president Amit Shah had gone to Kakori, while Home Minister Rajnath Singh had visited the birthplace of Birsa Munda in Jharkhand and Asfaqullah Khan in Uttar Pradesh as part of the celebrations.

The BJP government is trying to raise the patriotic fervour among the people which may lead to favourable outcome in the assembly election scheduled for next year.

The government may also approach the politically crucial UP electors highlighting the decision of government to carry out surgical strikes carried out by the Army across the LoC.

Meanwhile, the recent visit of Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma to Ayodhya for inspecting the site for Ramayana Museum had fueled the demand for construction of Ram temple, once a main poll plank of the saffron party.

Though the saffron party has been insisting that Ram temple will not be an electoral plank in the UP polls to be held early next year, the proposed Ramayana museum and related activities are being seen as an attempt to keep pro-Hindutva elements in good humour.

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On the eve of a key meeting of the ruling Communist Party, speculated to amend the decades-old rule stipulating collective leadership, party's official publication said China needs a strong leader like Mao Zedong and President Xi Jinping "fits the bill".

The four-day meeting of the plenum of Communist Party of China (CPC) kicks off China's political season which will culminate in changes at the top leaders except Xi and Premier Li Keqiang in the autumn next year when the party convenes its 19th Congress during which a new Politburo Standing Committee will be appointed.

Xi, 63, currently heads a seven member Standing Committee of the CPC which virtually rules China.

Since he took over the leadership in November 2012, Xi has emerged as the most powerful leader of China in recent times starting his ten year tenure as head of the Party and powerful military, besides the Presidency.

While the Standing Committee in the past represented collective leadership principle enunciated over three decades ago, critics sayXi's emergence as a powerful leader has overshadowed other six members of the Committee including Li.

By next year a new Standing Committee would be appointed for which jockeying has reportedly started.

During the plenum, the party leadership will deliver work report of the party rule under Xi, official media reported.

The meeting would review key issues concerning the strict management of the Party and conduct revision of intra-Party supervision regulations, according to announcement by the party in July this year.

Speculation is rife that the meeting would amend the collective leadership rule.

Since he was elected as General Secretary of the party in November, 2012, Xi systematically consolidated power both in the party and the military by carrying out a massive anti- corruption drive breaking established norms like not prosecute retired leaders and officials.

As he consolidated his power emerging as a rare leader controlling the party, military and the presidency, Xi now looks to amend the party structure to continue beyond the 10 year period stipulated by the party.

His tenure is set to end in 2022.

Ahead of tomorrow's meeting, Peoples' Tribune, which is affiliated with party's official organ People's Daily said, "China needs a leader like Mao and Xi fits the bill."



Analysts said the call to make Xi a strongman leader was an attempt to raise Xi's status to the equivalent of "Great Leader", the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported.

The article, published on October 18 called for Xi to be



named "the core" of the party leadership - a term that carries strong political meaning, the Post report said.

The Tribune said that modern China needed a strong leader, and that President Xi had the qualities to make one.

"China needed a strongman politician so the nation could again rise to greatness amid a time of strategic challenges and risks," it said.

Xi, as party general secretary, was widely regarded by officials and the public as such a leader, it said.

The call by Tribune also stirred up voices of dissent.

"There is no longer such salutation as 'leader' after Mao," Chen Daoyin, a political scientist at Shanghai University of Political Science and Law, told the Post.

Mao's brief successor Hua Guofeng was once called "Wise Leader", but no one used "leader" to address Deng Xiaoping, Jiang Zemin or Hu Jintao, Chen said.

The salutation "core of the leadership" often represented the power of final approval or veto, Chen said.

Xi's predecessor Hu failed to win this status as party general secretary.

He acted as "first among equals", he said.

Nearly 20 provincial party bosses publicly called Xi "the core" before the annual sessions of the National People's Congress in March this year.

But for reasons unknown to outsiders, the call died down during the gatherings.
Members of President Pranab Mukherjee's entourage, including Leader of Opposition in Gujarat Assembly Shankersinh Vaghela, today escaped unhurt when the helicopter ferrying them made an emergency landing at Vadodra after developing a technical problem.

The incident was reported at about 4:00 PM after the three Mi-17 choppers took off from Ankleshwar to Ahmedabad after the President inaugurated a super-speciality hospital there.

However, only the chopper carrying the President and another one landed here.

Officials said the third chopper in the fleet developed a technical glitch mid-air and it made an emergency landing at Vadodara, about 90 kms from Ankleshwar. Vaghela and other members of the Presidential entourage were onboard the helicopter.

"All the occupants of the chopper that made an emergency landing in Vadodara are safe. They will take a replacement chopper to reach Ahmedabad," a senior official said.

The last event of the day where the President was supposed to meet the students of 'Bapu Gujarat Knowledge Village and Samarpan Education and Research Campus' was also "rescheduled" and timed for an hour later due to this development.

The President is on a two-day tour to Gujarat. He had arrived in Gandhinagar yesterday.

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Later, during the event, the President expressed "regret" for reaching late and said a helicopter in his fleet had developed a "technical problem".

The helicopter caused some problems and we could not reach in time. I sincerely regret that, he said.
A helicopter, part of President Pranab Mukherjee's entourage and ferrying Congress leaders Shankersinh Vaghela and Bharatsinh Solanki, made an emergency landing at the Vadodara airport due to a technical glitch today but all on-board the chopper were safe.

The chopper was among three VIP helicopters which took off from Ankleshwar in Bharuch district, where the President inaugurated a hospital, and was headed to Gandhinagar. But only the chopper carrying the President and another one arrived here.

"A VIP helicopter made an emergency landing at Vadodara airport this afternoon due to some technical snag," an airport official said.

According to Vaghela, one of the two engines of the helicopter developed a technical problem after it took off from Ankleshwar.

Apart from Vaghela, the Leader of Opposition in Gujarat Assembly, Solanki who is the state Congress President, was also in the snag-hit helicopter, a Mi-17.

"It is mandatory for VIP helicopters to have two engines for safety reasons. Our helicopter had to make an emergency landing at Vadodara Airport (90 km from Ankleshwar) after we left Ankleshwar to reach Gandhinagar. We then reached Gandhinagar after another chopper was arranged," Vaghela said at his education institute after his arrival.

"All the occupants of the chopper that made an emergency landing in Vadodara were safe," a senior official said.

On his Gujarat visit, the President inaugurated two hospitals in Bharuch and Ankleshwar and addressed students at Bapu Gujarat Knowledge Village, an educational institute run by Vaghela at Vasan village near the state capital.

Vaghela directly reached the institute in the chopper arranged for him, while Mukherjee, who was on schedule, went to Raj Bhavan first and then reached Vasan by road.

The function at Vasan, which was supposed to start at 3:30 PM, began almost two-and-half hours behind schedule.

In his introductory speech ahead of the President's address, Vaghela, a former Chief Minister, explained the reason for delay at start of the event and informed the audience about the emergency landing.

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Dismissing BJP's claim that several Congress MLAs are in talks to join the party, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today hit back at the opposition party, accusing it of spreading lies.

"They have been saying such lies several times. No Congress MLA will join BJP ... They will not even place their heads or face towards BJP," he told reporters in Mysuru.

Terming it as state BJP chief B S Yeddyurappa's strategy, he said the party was under the impression that they would be able to derive political benefit by spreading such lies.

Calling Congress a 'sinking ship', Yeddyurappa had earlier said in Raichur that many political leaders, including those from the ruling Congress, are in talks with the BJP.

"At a time when elections are nearing, several Congress MLAs are contacting us, wanting to join BJP. Shortly several senior political leaders will be joining the party," he said.

Leaders of other parties are expected to join BJP in the presence of its National President Amit Shah during his visit to Karnataka for a backward communities event next month.

Dissidence within ruling Congress has continued ever since Siddaramaiah, in a major revamp, sacked 14 ministers and inducted 13 members into his Council of Ministers on June 20.

Several disgruntled ministerial aspirants and those dropped from the ministry have been speaking out openly against the Chief Minister and his leadership.

One such senior state Congress leader V Srinivas Prasad had resigned as Member of the Legislative Assembly on October 17, miffed over being dropped from the ministry.

Prasad, who had also declared his decision to quit the Congress, has not spoken about his next political move, though both BJP and JD(S) are in touch with him.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
BJP today accused the previous Congress regimes for "not doing anything" to increase job opportunities for Dalits instead they robbed the scheduled caste youths of the existing jobs opportunities by freezing recruitments under the garb of austerity measures.

"The scheduled caste and tribes have been cheated by the Congress, Communists and other parties like BSP claiming to champion their cause.

"It is a sad reflection that Congress-led UPA government not only did nothing to increase job opportunities for the Dalits but in fact robbed them of existing job opportunities by freezing their recruitment under the garb of austerity measures," BJP National Vice President Shyam Jaju said.

Addressing a Scheduled Caste 'Yuva Sammelan' at Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium here today, Union minister Arjun Meghwal, apprised youths of improved vocational, professional and business opportunities being provided for scheduled caste (SC) youths by the Narendra Modi government.

Thousands of Scheduled Caste youths aged between 18 to 35 years joined the Delhi BJP's SC 'Yuva Sammelan'.

Meghwal said "even as the benefits of social welfare schemes are fast reaching the society, the PM himself stands committed to better the lives of SC youths, specially women."



He thanked the Prime Minister for extending Venture Capital Scheme (VCS) benefits for SC youth in specific.

"Under this scheme youths are getting loans of Rs 50 lakh to Rs 15 crore and Modi government itself is standing guarantee for 80 per cent of the loan amount. All Banks have been told that one scheduled caste must benefit from this in every branch. Soon we will see a force of over 2.5 lakh scheduled caste entrepreneurs extending jobs for their brothers," the party statement said.

Apart from Jaju and Meghwal, Delhi BJP President Satish Upadhyay, Organisational General Secretary Sidharthan, party MPs Ramesh Bidhuri, Meenakshi Lekhi, MLA and Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly Vijender Gupta, BJP SC Morcha National President Dushyant Gautam also addressed the Sammelan presided over by Delhi SC Morcha President Ramesh Kumar.

Gupta said while PM Modi pledges that Dalits have first right to government resources in Delhi, the Arvind Kejriwal government is all out to deny the benefits to them.

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Meanwhile, Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said BJP will soon hold an awareness camp in Delhi to help entrepreneurs from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes to obtain loans under the various schemes of the Centre.

"We will hold an awareness camp, somewhere in the first week of November after Diwali in which the selected 200-400 young businessmen and entrepreneurs can take part," he said adressing the gathering.

"We will tell them about the various schemes of the government, counsel them and help them with forms and other formalities. If we are able to provide loans to even 100 such youngsters it would be a huge achievement," the Minister of State for Finance said.

Meghwal said the Narendra Modi government had taken several initiatives, including launching schemes like the MUDRA to change the Indian youth "from job-seekers to job-givers".
Congress today hit out at Devendra Fadnavis for "brokering" a truce with MNS chief Raj Thackeray over the release of 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil', saying the Maharashtra Chief Minister would now be the country's "new Censor Board".

"CMFadnavis has demeaned his office & disregarded Constitution by playing vendor to diktats of MNS. Democracy shrugged for a BMC election deal," party's chief spokesman Randeep Surjewala said in a series of tweets.

He alleged that "Self styled goons, compliant film makers bartering freedom of expression brokered by BJP's Mah. CM would now be India's new Censor Board."



Earlier, he had wondered on the micro-blogging site as to "Why would our proud IndianArmy accept donations forced by MNS goons from subservient filmmakers with profit motive?"



Under pressure from political and other outfits, Bollywood film producers had yesterday announced that they would not engage with Pakistani artistes, clearing decks for the smooth release of Karan Johar's "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" as MNS withdrew its threat to stall the screening.

The movie had been embroiled in a controversy over the past few weeks after the MNS opposed the screening of movies featuring Pakistani actors after the Uri terror attack, putting a question mark on the fate of movie, slated for Diwali release on October 28.

The movie features Pakistani actor Fawad Khan.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The organizers of Dharamshala International Film Festival (DIFF) today held a special screening of a movie in the District Jail here.

"When Hari Got Married" was screened for the prisoners and the staff members of the jail. The film is based on the life of a local taxi driver Hari and highlights the local culture.

The film's main protagonist and DIFF organizers Natasha, Deepti and Matthew were present during the screening along with the jail superintendent Susheel.

DIFF, which will be held from November 3 to 6 at the Tibetan Children's Village, is presented by White Crane Arts & Media, a trust founded by veteran filmmakers Ritu Sarin and Tenzing Sonam to promote contemporary cinema, art and independent media practices in the Himalayan regions of India.

The opening night film of the festival is Raam Reddy's critically acclaimed "Thithi", while Vetrimaran's compelling Tamil drama "Visaranai" is the closing movie.

Other highlights of the festival include docu features "A Syrian Love Story" by British director Sean McAllister and Iranian director Rokhsareh Ghaem Maghami's much-lauded "Sonita".

Fiction features -Thailand's first female director, Pimpaka Towira's "The Island Funeral", South Korean director Jeon Soo-il's "A Korean in Paris", Rajeev Ravi's Malayalam film "Kammatipaadam" and Mangesh Joshi's Marathi film "Lathe Joshi" will be screened this year.

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Two directors of achit fundcompanywere arrested from Maharashtra for allegedlyduping investors in Chhattisgarh's Rajnandgaon district, police said today.

Directors of Anmol India Agro Herbal Farming and Dairies Care Company Ltd -- Mohammad Khalid Memon (39) and his brother Mohammad Junaid (34) were apprehended from Nagpur yesterday for duping people to the tune of around Rs 44 crore, Rajnandgaon Additional SP Sashimohan Singh said.

The accused are residents of Nagpur in Maharashtra, around 220 km from here.

Satwant Singh Bhatia (62), a native of Chhuriya village here had complained that the company which was set up in 2008 at Rajandgaon town, had embezzled around Rs 8 lakh which he had deposited in the firm in installments, Singh said.

According to the complaint, the company had assured the investors to either provide land at cheaper rate or double their money in six months. But none of the benefits were provided to Bhatia, he said.

In 2014, the company wound up their operations and escaped from Rajnandgaon, the ASP said.

Later during investigation, many other investors who had deposited their money in the company were found, Singh said adding as per preliminary information the company had duped the investors of around Rs 44 crore.

Subsequently, a case was registered against the company officials and employees and a special joint team of the Crime Branch and Basantpur police station was constituted to trace them, he said.

Details regarding assets and bank accounts of all the accused are being collected, he added.

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After riding high in July and August, domestic cotton prices are expected to ease in the coming months due to arrival of new crop coupled with lower consumption and exports in the current season, says a report.

Cotton prices in futures market have been trending down since last month. They are however still on the higher side at Rs 19,650 per bale.

The prices are 25 per cent higher as compared to last year for the same period.

"The major factors which will decide cotton prices in coming months are exports and domestic mill demand for Indian cotton," Angel Broking Agri Commodities Analyst Ritesh Kumar Sahu said in a report.

"As per the Cotton Association of India (CAI), the cotton supply in the domestic market will be sufficient as the export and consumption will be lower during the current cotton season," he said.

Cotton harvest has also started and new kapas has arrived in the market.

It will still be time before peak arrivals start after Diwali, during December and January, due to late harvest expected in Gujarat and Maharashtra.

Total availability of cotton in the country is pegged at 398 lakh bales versus estimated consumption of 309 lakh bales.

The export will decline by 40 per cent in 2016-17 to 849,000 tons compared to 12.55 lakh tonnes last year.

MCX-Cotton and NCDEX-Kapas future prices fell 2.7 per cent and 4.13 per cent in last one month on lower demand from the industrial users like ginners, cotton mills and textile units.

Moreover, due to prospects of higher crop production in the country, the prices of cotton have been falling during the last 2 months of August and September of the cotton season.

"We expect MCX cotton prices to ease a bit towards Rs 18,500 from the current market price of Rs 19,640/bale, while NCDEX Kapas from market price of Rs 870/20 kg can move lower towards Rs 800 during the peak arrival season in November and December," said the Angel report.

Earlier, cotton prices have touched three years high during July and August on reports of lower cotton acreage in Punjab and Haryana.

With increase in the cotton prices, acreage in the country recovered during August-September on above normal and well distributed rains in cotton-growing states.

As per officials of the Nagpur-based Central Institute for Cotton Research (CICR), the yield forecasts for cotton will increase by 10 per cent due to sudden spell of heavy rains in cotton growing regions of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana and Karnataka during last weeks of September but there are every chance of delay in arrivals, the report said.

As per latest estimates by government, cotton is harvested in 102.55 lakh hectares (LH) in the country this year, down by 11.6 per cent against 116 LH last year as on September against normal acreage of 120.3 LH.

The area under cotton is lower this year because farmers have sown other crops like maize and pulses due to lower profits, increasing vulnerability to pest attacks, and declining groundwater levels due to two years of drought in the country, especially in the northwest, it added.

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Director Shoojit Sircar feels if any political party has a problem with films, they should discuss it freely with the filmmakers instead of "burning cinema halls".

Filmmaker Karan Johar's upcoming venture "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" was facing the ire of MNS, which had even threatened to stall the release of the film owing to the presence of Pakistani actor Fawad Khan in the romantic drama.

The issue was resolved yesterday when Johar, accompanied by Producers' Guild President Mukesh Bhatt, met Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and assured him that filmmakers would not work with Pakistani artistes given the people's sentiments in India post Uri terror attack.

Shoojit, who was speaking at a panel discussion at the 18th Jio MAMI Mumbai International film festival with Star, feels audience should be allowed to watch a movie freely.

Asked if he had to request one thing to the government what it would be, Shoojit told reporters,"Allow us to make the kind of films we want to make. If someone has any objection with it, come at a platform like this (film festival), discuss it,but don't burn down halls.

"Don't stop the audience, the film lovers, from going to the hall. If you have any problem, talk to us. We are ready to talk," he added.

While Filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj said he hopes the government can do away with censor board, director Zoya Akhtar said it would be great if it looked into the excessive tax the film industry pays.

Zoya, however, stressed on the issue of piracy and said strict measures need to be taken to stop it. "People have to do something about it. It is a bailable offence, there is too much money on piracy. So, till the law doesn't change what can we do. It is stealing. We are losing a lot of money."



To which, Bhardwaj said,"If it (movie) comes out before (its release on Fridays) than it is a problem, otherwise we are used to for years for it to come out on Saturdays.

"In countries like France, if you do torrent twice (sic), they will leave you, the third time you will be arrested. Here, the government has so many other work that 'ye toh baad ki baat hai' (not on priority list)," the "Haider" director said.

The three filmmakers were joined by directors Gauri Shinde and Rohit Shetty for the panel discussion about how they are on their film set.

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With the death of two more children, the toll in Japanese Encephalitis outbreak today mounted to 63 in over six weeks in Odisha's tribal-dominated Malkangiri district.

Two girls died while undergoing treatment at the district headquarters hospital here, taking the toll to 63, Chief District Medical Officer Dr U S Mishra said.

The deceased were a four-year-old girl from Korkonda block and a two-year-old from Khairput, another official said.

Unconfirmed reports, however, put the toll due to the vector-borne disease at 67, which has affected around 100 villages spread over six of the seven blocks in the district.

At present, four affected children are being treated at the district headquarter hospital and two of them are in the ICU, a senior district official said.

Meanwhile, two of the six-member central team of doctors which visited the affected areas of the district to review the situation, are still camping in Malkangiri to assist health officials in tackling the disease.

The team examined the circumstances that led to spread of the disease and to suggest measures to check it.

The team members visited the district headquarters hospital here and held discussion with doctors and staff to assess the situation.

The disease, which originates from pigs and spreads to humans, mostly children, through mosquitoes, had surfaced in the district around 44 days ago.

A large number of pigs have been isolated and shifted to over 140 specially-prepared enclosures set up away from human habitations, while fogging and spraying of mosquito repellents have been intensified in more than 100 villages, the CDMO said.

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Shapoorji Pallonji Group firm Eureka Forbes, which is aiming to become a USD 1 billion company by 2020, is expanding its presence in Europe as well as North and South America, besides other geographies.

The company will also be launching new-age products in categories such as water and air purifiers, security systems and lifestyle automation solutions in the domestic market.

"The other potential markets for expansion and segmental growth include North America and South America. In addition to these, the company is also looking at expanding the business to parts of Europe where it is not present - like Poland, Turkey and Russia," Eureka Forbes CEO - Direct Sales and Senior VP, Marketing, Marzin R Shroff told PTI.

He further said: "The primary product segments that the company is competing in are cleaning systems, water purification and air purification to the B2C (via direct sales, retail and e-commerce) and B2B segments".

Eureka Forbes, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Lux International, operates in over 48 countries in Europe, North and South America, and Australia. In several Asian markets, it operates as Eureka Forbes.

Shroff had earlier told PTI that Eureka Forbes aims to become a USD 1 billion company by 2020.

Last year, the Eureka Forbes Group had a turnover of Rs 3,300 crore in which international markets accounted for approximately a third of its business.

"The ratio of international and domestic business would remain almost same in the coming years as Indian market is also growing rapidly," he added.

The home appliance maker had posted an annual growth of 14 per cent last year, Shroff added.

The company, which presently enjoys a leadership position in water and air purifiers, would retain its position in the segment, although several new players are competing with it.

"We are presently having around 40 per cent market share in air purifier segments and would retain it in the coming years," he added.

However, he declined to quantify the air purifier units it sold this year.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Congress today demanded the dismissal of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over the 'Ae Dil hai Mushkil' row, alleging that he hadhelped in "extortion" from the film industry.

The party's reaction came after Bollywood film producers announced that they will not engage with Pakistani artistes and will contribute Rs 5 crore to the Army welfare fund as demanded by Raj Thackeray-led MNS following a meeting with Fadnavis that cleared the decks for the smooth release of Karan Johar's film.

MNS had earlier threatened to disrupt the screening of the film as it had Pakistani artistes.

Terming the development as shocking, Congress spokesman Tom Vadakkan told reporters that whether such "extortion" can be done by "blackmailing" the film industry.

"The Chief Minister, who should protect the film industry, himself presided over a meeting with the MNS chief in which the controversial deal was struck.

"What kind of Chief Minister he is. Is rule of law relevant in Maharashtra? Where is rule of law in the country? The Cinematography Act should be burnt," he said angrily.

He warned that "today such a thing has happened in Mumbai, tomorrow it could take place in Chennai and then in Kerala".

Taking a swipe at the Prime Minister, he said Narendra Modi "talks much about surgical strikes and so he should do surgery on Fadnavis by dismissing him".

Party's chief spokesman Randeep Surjewala also hit out Fadnavis.

"CM Fadnavis has demeaned his office & disregarded Constitution by playing vendor to diktats of MNS. Democracy shrugged for a BMC election deal," he said in a series of tweets.

He alleged that "self styled goons, compliant film makers bartering freedom of expression brokered by BJP's Mah. CM would now be India's new Censor Board."



Earlier, he had wondered on the micro-blogging site as to "Why would our proud Indian Army accept donations forced by MNS goons from subservient filmmakers with profit motive?"



The movie had been embroiled in a controversy over the past few weeks after the MNS opposed the screening of movies featuring Pakistani actors after the Uri terror attack, putting a question mark on the fate of movie, slated for Diwali release on October 28.

The movie features Pakistani actor Fawad Khan.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
CPI(M) today accused Devendra Fadnavis of "facilitating extortion" after a Bollywood film starring a Pakistani actor was allowed to be released when its producers agreed to pay Rs 5 crore to army welfare fund at a meeting mediated by the Maharashtra Chief Minister.

Describing the episode as a "gross insult" to the valour of armed forces, CPI(M) asked Centre to take "serious" note of Fadnavis' alleged failure in upholding the rule of law by acting against MNS, which had threatened to disrupt screening of the film 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil', featuring Fawad Khan.

Slated to release on October 28, the film has Ranbir Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Anushka Sharma in lead roles.

"The Politburo strongly condemns role of the Chief Minister who instead of upholding rule of the law to stop those threatening film-makers has actually facilitated extortion of a reported sum of Rs 5 crore, invoking the armed forces.

"This is a gross insult to the courage, valour and the role being played by the armed forces in defence of India," CPI(M) said in a statement.

Party general secretary Sitaram Yechury tweeted, "The failure of Maha govt should be taken serious note of by the Central govt in accordance with the constitutional provisions. #PB."



The Left party further charged Fadnavis with "negating" Constitutional mandate, which it said, creates an "environment of fear" and stifles freedom of expression.

Director of the film, Karan Johar, and other producers yesterday met the Chief Minister at his official residence 'Varsha' in Mumbai, where Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray was also present.

Thackeray said MNS laid down three conditions that filmmakers who worked with Pakistani actors have to comply with including contribution of Rs 5 crore to the army fund and putting a special mention paying homage to martyrs at the beginning of the film.

The demands were agreed to by the Producers' Guild.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Clashes and air strikes shook the Syrian city of Aleppo, a monitor said today, as heavy fighting resumed after the end of three-day truce declared by government ally Russia.

The unilateral truce ended without any evacuations by the UN, which had hoped to bring wounded civilians out of the rebel-held east and deliver aid after weeks of government bombardment and a three-month siege.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported heavy clashes overnight in several areas along the front line that divides the government-held west from the east.

The Britain-based monitor also reported the first air strikes since Moscow announced a temporary halt in the Syrian army's Russian-backed offensive to recapture the east of the city.

It said at least three people were wounded in artillery fire on the east of the city, while rebels fired a barrage of rockets and mortar shells on the government-held neighbourhood of Hamdaniyeh.

By this morning, the city was quiet, but it was unclear if there would be any renewal of the truce, which Moscow and Damascus said was intended to allow civilians and rebels to leave the east.

The army had opened eight corridors from the east, but only a handful of civilians were reported to have crossed through a single passage, with the rest remaining deserted.

Russian officials and Syrian state media accused rebels of preventing people from leaving and using civilians as "human shields".

Nearly 500 people have been killed and more then 2,000 wounded since the Syrian army launched a September 22 operation to recapture eastern Aleppo.

The UN had hoped to use the "humanitarian pause" to evacuate seriously wounded people and possibly deliver aid.

But a UN official said yesterday that the requisite security guarantees had once again not been received.

"You have various parties to the conflict and those with influence and they all have to be on the same page on this and they are not," said David Swanson, a spokesman for the UN humanitarian office.

The UN had drawn up a four-day plan that was to start with two days of medical evacuations to west Aleppo, rebel-held Idlib province, and Turkey, and continue with more evacuations as well as aid deliveries.

No aid has entered Aleppo since July 7 and UN chief Ban Ki-moon has warned food rations will run out by the end of the month.

The UN had asked Moscow to consider extending the pause until tomorrow evening, but there was no indication from Russia that it would.

Russia is a key ally of Syria's government and began a military intervention in support of President Bashar al-Assad last September.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview aired yesterday that the intervention was meant to "liberate" Syria and keep Assad in power.

"Either Assad is in Damascus, or Al-Nusra is," he said, referring to former Al-Qaeda affiliate the Fateh al-Sham Front. "There is no third option here."



In the hours before the truce expired, the Observatory said both sides appeared to be reinforcing their positions in preparation for renewed clashes.

"The regime and the rebels are both bolstering their forces, which raises fears of a massive military operation if the ceasefire fails," Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman said.

Elsewhere at least two people were wounded today when a bomb strapped to a motorbike exploded in Hasakeh, the Observatory said.

The blast in a Kurdish-controlled district is one of a series to have hit the northeastern city, most of them claimed by the Islamic State group.

More than 300,000 people have been killed in Syria since the conflict began in March 2011 with anti-government protests.

The White House condemned yesterday the regime's "defiance" of international law after UN experts said the army was responsible for a chemical weapons attack in March 2015.

It was the third chemical weapons attack the UN panel has attributed to government forces.

"We condemn in the strongest possible terms the Assad regime's defiance of the longstanding global norm against chemical weapons use," said National Security Council spokesman Ned Price.

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Customs officials today detained a passenger at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport here for allegedly smuggling 1.3 kg gold worth nearly Rs 41 lakh concealed in his body cavities.

The Air Intelligence Unit of the Customs checked the passenger on-board a flight when he was travelling from Muscat to Chennai via Hyderabad.

"The passenger was travelling by a flight from Muscat to Chennai, which arrived in Hyderabad at 07.00 hrs today. He was found carrying 7 gold bars total weighing 1,349 grams valued at Rs 40,85,000," a senior customs official said.

The gold bars were concealed in body cavities and the passenger was subsequently deboarded and detained for questioning, he said.

Further probe is underway.

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Former Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy today visited the Apollo Hospital here, discussed the health status of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa with doctors and said she is progressing well.

"We are getting positive reports from the hospital on the health of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa. I met the doctors and they explained everything to me. According to them, she is progressing very well...She will recover in a very short time," Chandy told reporters here and wished Jayalalithaa a speedy recovery



A Singapore official Joshua and Tamil actress Latha were among the several persons who visited the hospital today to enquire about the health of Jayalalithaa.

AIADMK spokesperson C R Saraswathy said Jayalalithaa is progressing very well and would be home very soon.

She said prayers by the people, cutting across caste and religious barriers, was also helping in the recovery of the Chief Minister.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Donald Trump may now consider Hillary Clinton to be a "nasty woman" but in 2008 the business tycoon had hailed her as a "great woman" and described Bill Clinton as a "great president".

Both Clinton and Trump have made no holds barred attacks at each other through out the campaign and during the third and final presidential debate last week Trump broke into one of Clinton's responses to call her "such a nasty woman."



The remark sparked a backlash with many coming to Clinton's defence. Trump has called his Democratic rival 'Crooked Hillary' throughout the campaign and also made many personal attacks.

However, in an 2008 interview with NY1 reviewed by CNN, Trump had praised Clinton and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, for their time in elected office.

Asked about Hillary Clinton's legacy, Trump said, "Well, I think her history is far from being over. I'd like to answer that question in another 15 years from now. I think she is going to go down at a minimum as a great senator. I think she is a great wife to a president. And I think Bill Clinton was a great president."



"You know you look at the country then. The economy was doing great. Look at what happened during the Clinton years. I mean, we had no war, the economy was doing great, everybody was happy. A lot of people hated him because they were jealous as hell. You know people get jealous and they hate you," Trump was quoted as saying.

While Trump and Clinton are now taking sharp digs at each other, he had nothing but nice things to say about her and Bill Clinton eight years ago.

"Bill Clinton was a great president. Hillary Clinton is a great woman and a good woman," he had said in the interview.

Trump wrote about the interview in a blog post at the time, saying, "Hillary is smart, tough and a very nice person, and so is her husband. Bill Clinton was a great President. They are fine people. Hillary was roughed up by the media, and it was a tough campaign for her, but she's a great trouper. Her history is far from being over."



Trump had also echoed those same sentiments in an interview with CNN a year earlier, in March 2007, saying, "I think she's a very, very brilliant person, and as a senator in New York, she has done a great job. Everybody loves her. She just won an election with a tremendous majority and she really -- she's become very, very popular in New York. And it wasn't easy."



Trump has been attacking Clinton for her record as a senator in recent weeks, and going after her and Bill for the former president's sexual misconduct while in office and alleged misconduct before he became president.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Amid growing strain in Indo-Pak ties, government is planning to fast-track four projects in Indus river basin to increase irrigation area in Jammu and Kashmir by nearly 2.05 lakh acres, weeks after India decided to "exploit to the maximum" the water of Pakistan-controlled rivers, including Jhelum, as per Indus Water Treaty (IWT).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had last month chaired a meeting to review the 56-year-old IWT in the aftermath of the Uri attack, asserting that "blood and water cannot flow together."



Of these four projects, three --Tral Irrigation Project in Pulwama, Prakachik Khows Canal in Kargil and restoration and modernisation of main Ravi Canal in Jammu's Sambha and Kathua-- are expected to be completed by this fiscal. The fourth project of Rajpora Lift Irrigation is planned to be completed by December 2019.

While the first three projects will help irrigate around 1.45 lakh acres of land. The Rajpora Lift Irrigation is expected to help irrigat around 59,305 acres of land.

All these works are expected to cost Rs 117 crore for which money will be raised by National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).

"Until now, as per the J&K records, seven lakh acres of land is irrigated in the state. This is a very small number. So, the government is trying to complete work on these projects to increase the size of total irrigated area in the state," sources said.

The sources said technically India can irrigate up to 13 lakh acres of land in Jammu and Kashmir. This target, they said, can be achieved when optimum storage capacity is achieved in the state.

"The projects are being developed well within rights of India and in no way will affect flow of water to Pakistan," they said.

Taking a tough stand in the aftermath of Uri attack by Pakistan-based terrorists, the government had on September 27 decided to "exploit to the maximum" water of Pakistan- controlled three Western rivers -- Indus, Chenab and Jhelum -- as per the IWT at the review meeting headed by Modi.

It was also decided to set up an inter-ministerial task forces to go into the details and working of the Treaty with a "sense of urgency" apart from agreeing to review the "unilateral suspension" of 1987 Tulbul navigation project in 2007 by India.

However, sources maintained that the projects were part of government's efforts to irrigate larger swaths across the country by completing small/medium 99 irrigation projects under ambitious Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKYS) and Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) and have nothing to do with the Uri incident and aggression along LoC.

"These (projects) were already worked out. But we do want to bring optimum land under irrigated area as per the deadlines worked out," they said.

Asked if the tense situation in the state, especially



after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani and ensuing protests, has affected pace of the works, the sources said, "The deadline may vary here and there a little. But the government hopes to complete the project works on time."



The Union Government had launched the PMKYS last year with an aim to enhance physical access to water on farm and expand cultivable area under assured irrigation, improve on-farm water use efficiency, introduce sustainable water conservation practices, etc through major and minor irrigation projects.

The AIBP was launched in 1996-97 to provide central assistance to major/minor irrigation projects in the country with an objective to accelerate implementation of such programmes. Since its inception, 143 projects have been completed under AIBP.
Government is looking to reduce the time by half to 50-60 days for granting forest and environment clearances to industrial projects, Union Environment and Forest Minister Anil Madhav Dave said today.

"Earlier, it used to take 300 days to pass a file related with these clearances and people used to talk about imposing different taxes. Now, it is taking 120 days and I would like to reduce it to 50-60 days. Two months' time should be there for forest and environment clearances," he said at the Global Investors Summit here.

Assuring investors of faster clearances, the minister said, "No tax will be imposed, no file will take 300 days. Within 120 days, you will get your file (done) and if you face any (problem), call me directly. I don't have PA (personal aide), I pick my phone myself."



The minister also assured the industry of rendering full support of his ministry, even as he urged it to protect the environment and also focus on R&D activities.

Talking about the negotiations on Montreal Protocol, he said that all focus was there on HFC 22.

Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) is the gas used in refrigerators.

He said that only 2 American companies have the patents for these gases and the the reason is that industry is not focusing on R&D.

Dave suggested that like CSR, a certain amount of turnover or net profit could be used on R&D activities as that will help India become patent holder.

Speaking on the occasion, Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu said Madhya Pradesh has potential to attract both domestic and global investments.

"It is not Madhya Pradesh, it's 'Mukhya Pradesh'...The state is an ideal destination for investment. It has friendly and conducive business environment. I appeal all investors to come here... It is not in the BIMARU list today," he said.

Naidu also mentioned some of the Centre's schemes such as Smart City, Swacch Bharat and Housing for All and said the government is taking several initiatives to boost the country's economic growth.

During the last one year, the government has approved "13.7 lakh houses... With investments of Rs 60,000 crore have been sanctioned...," he said, adding if the country has to prosper, states will have to develop.

The Urban Development Minister further said the entire world is facing slowdown but India has become the preferred destination for FDI.

"Thousands of crores of investments are planned in MP. So, I appeal to investors to feel here and invest," he said.

Talking about the Prime Minister, he said MODI means "making of developed India" and it is a movement and the industry should join this.

On the government's commitment to root out corruption, Naidu said that some people complain that Narendra Modi "khate nai, kisi ko khane dete nai".

He was referring to one of the Prime Minister's speeches in which he had said that "Na khaunga, na khane dunga (neither will I indulge in corruption, nor allow anyone else to indulge in it).

Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot asked the industry to set up units in the country to manufacture modern prosthetic legs and hands.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Commerce Ministry arm DGAD has recommended anti-dumping duty of 5-20 per cent on jute and jute products to protect the domestic industry.

The recommendations of the Directorate General of Anti-Dumping and Allied Duties (DGAD) would require Finance Ministry's nod before the anti-dumping duty is imposed.

The DGAD had last year initiated anti-dumping investigation against imports of products comprising jute yarn/twine, hessian fabrics, jute sacking bags from Nepal and Bangladesh on the request of Indian Jute Mills Association (IJMA).

IJMA said that dumping of products was causing huge financial losses to the country's jute sector.

West Bengal is a major player in the jute industry, with 3.5-4 lakh people employed in the sector.

"Almost 16-18 jute mills have shut, rendering job losses to the tune of 30,000 and industry production is down by 20 per cent due to rampant imports at subsidised rates from Nepal and Bangladesh," IJMA Chairman Raghav Gupta said.

"We are happy with the recommendation of anti-dumping duty by the Commerce Ministry and the impact of additional duty will range around 5 to 20 per cent on the imported goods depending on products.

"The level of protection is adequate to prevent our jute industry," former IJMA chairman and jute veteran Sanjay Kajaria told PTI today.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The government is all set to observe October 31 as 'National Unity Day' to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in a befitting manner across the country by organising various programmes, including the 'Run for Unity'.

October 31 is also the death anniversary of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

In a communication to Chief Ministers and Union Ministers, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said October 31 is being observed all over the country as a day of special occasion to foster and reinforce the dedication to preserve and strengthen unity, integrity and security of the nation by celebrating it as 'Rashtriya Ekta Diwas' (National Unity Day).

"The occasion provides us an opportunity to reaffirm the inherent strength and resilience of our nation to withstand the actual and potential threats to the unity, integrity and security of the country.

"I, therefore, request you to give appropriate directions and guidance to all concerned so that Rashtriya Ekta Diwas could be organised and celebrated in a befitting manner," he said in the letter.

The Home Minister also suggested that a 'Run for Unity' should also be organised at the state/district headquarters involving people from all sections of the society, so that a message of national unity permeates to every part of the nation and the society.

The NDA government had in the past celebrated Sardar Patel's birth anniversary as National Unity Day with Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagging off the 'Run for Unity' campaign here.

Unlike the previous Congress-led UPA government which used to commemorate Gandhi's death anniversary with wide media publicity and events, the NDA government has instead chosen to celebrate Patel's birth anniversary on October 31.

Congress had termed as "disgusting" and "petty-minded" the way the Modi government marked the death anniversary of Indira Gandhi in the past.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Government today said it is planning to further relax the visa regime "shortly" to attract more tourists and businesses to the country.

"We plan to further liberalise our visa regime for tourism, business as well as other areas shortly," External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said at the valedictory session of the Global Investors Meet here.

She said visa was one of the areas of concern for foreigners and Indians living abroad.

The minister said the government has already taken steps to address these concerns.

In November 2014, government launched the e-visa scheme for over 100 countries. It was extended to 37 more countries this year, taking the total number to 150.

"With the launch of the e-visa scheme, tourist arrivals in India has steadily increased," she said, adding the 25 million strong Indian diaspora, comprising NRIs and PIOs, are a significant force for promoting India's interests abroad.

Realising this, she said the government has unveiled initiatives for roping them in India's mission of transforming the country.

The minister said that OCI and PIO cards have been merged and a system has been put in place for welfare and protection of Indian immigrant workers.

A portal has been launched to redress their grievances in a time-bound manner.

Talking about investments, she said FDI policy has been made more liberal, making India one of the most open countries in the world.

She informed the investors that the government has passed bankruptcy law and a clear cut roadmap for lowering corporate tax from 30 per cent to 25 per cent over the next four years has been laid down.

GST Act has been passed and so far 23 states have ratified it, she added.

Reform efforts and initiatives such as Make in India, Digital India, Start up India and Smart City Mission are all aimed at preparing India for the 21st century, she said.

She added that 100 per cent electrification of all villages, financial inclusion programme and LPG gas initiatives are all aimed at inclusive growth.

The jump in India's position across several indices like ease of doing business underlines the country's economic recovery, the minister, said adding FDI reached USD 55.5 billion in 2015-16, an increase of 53 per cent.

Further, Swaraj said that the NDA government has completed



about two-and-a-half years and during this time, India's foreign policy has touched new frontiers of scale and engagement.

The Prime Minister has made more than 40 visits and interacted with more than 125 world leaders and "I myself visited more than 40 countries," she said.

"In the coming months, we should be able to complete our mapping of the world," she added.

She also said that every country, no matter how small or big, is important for India and "we are determined to keep our 'sampark aur samvad' (engagement) ... With them".

She said that India has strong diplomatic and economic partnership with the partner countries of this meet, including Japan, Korea, UAE and the UK.

Further, she said over the last two years, government has emphasised on ease of doing business and has taken series of administrative reforms, including simplification of approval processes, online approvals through e-biz portal and streamlining of environmental clearance procedures. These have significantly improved India's business environment, she added.

She also invited people to participate in the next Pravasi Bharatiya Divas function in Bengaluru in January.

"At a time when global economic growth is facing increasing downside risks, the IMF predicts that India will be the fastest growing major economy in 2016 -17 with an estimated GDP growth of 7.5 percent," she added.

The minister invited the investors to invest in Madhya Pradesh and particularly in Vidisha, which is her Lok Sabha constituency.
Faced with a barrage of criticism from various quarters over his statements on cross-LoC strikes by the Army, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, on Sunday, said he has stopped using the word "strike".

The minister had faced flak from the Opposition for a flurry of remarks over the surgical strikes carried out by the Army in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in September.

"I will prefer to address the gathering in local language. I hardly get an opportunity to address in local language. But I promise you I will not touch any controversial issue. I have already stopped using the word strike," Parrikar, who was in his home state of Goa, said during the inauguration of a helicopter engines maintenance unit in Sattari tehsil.

"You brought the term (strike) in your speech referring to labour issues," he said on a lighter note after the speech by Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar during the event.

On October 17, Parrikar had appeared to give credit to "RSS teaching" for the decision to launch cross-LoC surgical strikes even as he slammed those seeking proof for the Army's anti-terror operation.

The minister had also trashed claims of such operations under the UPA, provoking a counter offensive from the Congress, which accused him of "blatant politicisation" of the issue.

Condemning Parrikar for rejecting its claim of surgical strikes having been undertaken by the Army under UPA, Congress had demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi tame his "belligerent" minister and BJP chief Amit Shah, and apologise to the armed forces.

The surgical strikes were carried out on seven terror launch pads across the LoC with the Army inflicting "significant casualties" on terrorists preparing to infiltrate from PoK. The strikes on the intervening night of September 28 and 29 came days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned that the Uri attack, which left 19 Indian soldiers dead, would not go unpunished.
Country's fourth largest IT services firm HCL Technologies is aggressively looking at acquisition opportunities in areas like engineering and R&D services as well as digital technologies to drive growth.

In the past few months, it has announced acquisition of companies like Geometric (for USD 200 million) and Butler America Aerospace (USD 85 million).

"In certain areas like engineering and R&D services, there are opportunities to consolidate," the newly appointed CEO of HCL Technologies, C Vijayakumar, told PTI.

"So, wherever there are niche providers, which is adding to our strategy or helping us to further our strategy, we will be very open, we announced Geometric, we announced Butler. Potentially, we could be looking at others as well," he said.

The company also sees opportunities in the infrastructure services space, he added.

"On the digital and new age technologies, we will continue to look at small capability-led acquisitions," he said.

Vijayakumar, who took over as the chief on Friday, exuded confidence in the company's ability to get business at a time when its larger rivals, TCS and Infosys have given a cautious outlook for demand in IT services.

The companies cited macro economic challenges softness in client spending, especially in sectors like banking and financial services and slower ramp-ups as reasons for the muted outlook.

Infosys reduced its yearly guidance for the second time this year and said it now expects revenue to grow by 8-9 per cent on constant currency basis.

HCL, on the other hand, has maintained its outlook for 2016-17 at 12-14 per cent on constant currency basis.

However, this does not include the earnings from the two acquisitions. If the deals close within this fiscal, the growth could be higher than the stated outlook.

Vijayakumar said that while spending on traditional IT services may be affected clients are also enhancing their "discretionary" budgets on disruptive technologies to boost business and stay ahead of competitors.

"If you kind of focus on that (discretionary spending), you will find the business going down... If you focus on disruptive technologies, I think there is enough business. I think that's where you will see little bit of duality in the conversations with some of the other providers and us," he said.

HCL Technologies is "very sharply focussed" on how it can address this "disruptive transformation spend", he added.

"...So, that's a way we are able to maintain a positive commentary and I am optimistic about what we can do," he said.

Vijayakumar said: "I think my biggest focus is on



re-articulate our strategy -- the Mode 1-2-3 strategy -- and execute onto that growth strategy, that's my biggest focus apart from people overall."



He added that another area of focus would be on converting the deal pipeline which looks good currently into deals and execute them.

"The third area of focus would be that we have made a lot of investments, inorganic, IP and partnerships. How can we get the best value out of them, those investments is what we would look at," he said.

Asked about the challenges he sees, Vijayakumar said employee engagement is an area where the company is lagging.

"We have done well in the last 4 years. We were a very employee first culture-led company. So I want to make sure we are able to connect with people more. I think that's probably is an area where maybe we are falling short a little bit," he said.

Vijayakumar added that he plans to re-initiate meeting with employees to enthuse them and play a bigger part in the company's overall strategy execution.
The blind 3rd century poet Ossian - dubbed the 'Homer of the North' - may have never actually existed, as scientists have found that his tales were merely 18th-century copies of Irish folklore, putting an end to the 250-year-old literary controversy.

Poems by the Scottish bard Ossain are considered to be some of the most important literary works ever to have emerged from Britain or Ireland, given their influence over the Romantic period in literature and the arts.

Figures from German Johannes Brahms to to English poet William Wordsworth reacted enthusiastically. French military leader Napoleon Bonaparte took a copy on his military campaigns and US President Thomas Jefferson believed that Ossian was the greatest poet to have ever existed.

However, since James Macpherson published what he claimed were translations of ancient Scottish Gaelic poetry by Ossian, scholars have questioned the authenticity of the works, which were heralded as the Scottish equivalent to Homer at the time.

Researchers including those from University of Oxford in the UK, showed that the structures of the social networks underlying the Ossian's works and their similarities to Irish mythology.

The researchers mapped the characters at the heart of the works and the relationships between them to compare the social networks found in the Scottish epics with classical Greek literature and Irish mythology.

The study showed that the networks in the Scottish poems bore no resemblance to epics by Homer, but strongly resembled those in mythological stories from Ireland.

The poems launched the romantic portrayal of the Scottish Highlands which persists, in many forms, to the present day and inspired Romantic nationalism all across Europe.

"By working together, it shows how science can open up new avenues of research in the humanities. The opposite also applies, as social structures discovered in Ossian inspire new questions in mathematics," said Ralph Kenna, a statistical physicist based at Coventry University in the UK.

"From a humanities point of view, while it cannot fully resolve the debate about Ossian, this scientific analysis does reveal an insightful statistical picture: close similarity to the Irish texts which Macpherson explicitly rejected, and distance from the Greek sources which he sought to emulate," said Justin Tonra, from the National University of Ireland.

The study was published in the journal Advances in Complex Systems.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Scientists have found the earliest known evidence for right-handedness in 1.8-million-year-old fossils of the prehistoric human ancestors, Homo habilis.

"We already know that Homo habilis had brain lateralisation and was more like us than like apes. This extends it to handedness, which is key," said lead author David Frayer, professor at University of Kansas in the US.

The researchers made the discovery after analysing small cut marks, or labial striations, which are the lip side of the anterior teeth in an intact upper jaw fossil, known as OH-65, found in a stream channel of the Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania.

Frayer said among the network of deep striations found only on the lip face of the upper front teeth most cut marks veered from left down to the right.

Analysis of the marks makes it likely they came from when OH-65 used a tool with its right hand to cut food it was holding in its mouth while pulling with the left hand.

The scratches can be seen with the naked eye, but a microscope was used to determine their alignment and to quantify their angulation.

"Experimental work has shown these scratches were most likely produced when a stone tool was used to process material gripped between the anterior teeth and the tool occasionally struck the labial face leaving a permanent mark on the tooth's surface," Frayer said.

Based on the direction of the marks, it is evident the Homo habilis was right-handed. It is a sample of one, but because this is the first potential evidence of a dominant handed pre-Neanderthal, Frayer said, the study could lead to a search for the marks in other early Homo fossils.

"Handedness and language are controlled by different genetic systems, but there is a weak relationship between the two because both functions originate on the left side of the brain," Frayer said.

"One specimen does not make an incontrovertible case, but as more research is done and more discoveries are made, we predict that right-handedness, cortical reorganisation and language capacity will be shown to be important components in the origin of our genus," he said.

Multiple lines of research point to the likelihood that brain reorganisation, the use of tools and use of a dominant hand occurred early in the human lineage.

Today, researchers estimate that 90 per cent of humans are right-handed, and this differs from apes which are closer to a 50-50 ratio.

Until now, no one looked for directionality of striations in the earliest specimens representing our evolutionary lineage.

"We think we have the evidence for brain lateralisation, handedness and possibly language, so maybe it all fits together in one picture," Frayer said.

The study was published in the Journal of Human Evolution.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Ahead of Diwali, Delhi Police today busted an illegal casino running in south Delhi's posh Sainik Farms area and arrested 36 people, including businessmen, while seizing gambling chips of Rs 1.36 crore.

This is the biggest arrest in recent times. As many as 36 businessmen have been arrested, a senior police officer said.

"Many of the arrested persons belong to reputed business families of Gurgaon, Faridabad and Delhi," he said, adding that among those held include players, table attendants and proprietors.

Two separate cases under the Delhi Gambling Act and Delhi Excise Act have been registered at Neb Sarai police station here.

A joint police team of Neb Sarai and Malviya Nagar here has conducted a raid at J-255, Sainik Farms in the wee hours today after they got a tip-off.

Almost two dozen people were found playing casino in the premises, the official said, adding that around "eleven luxury vehicles, 23 bottles of foreign made liquor and gambling chips worth Rs 1,36,45,000 have been seized".

"We have also seized 250 packets of playing cards, wheel, spinning ball and other tools used in casino," he added.

As per the police, they will take steps to seal the property under the provisions of Delhi Gambling Act.

Police have also sought assistance from the intelligence department to collect information about places where gambling is organised during Diwali.

The ACPs and SHOs of all the police stations here have been instructed to keep a tight vigil since Diwali is the time when gambling sees a spurt.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Indian-American Congressman from Silicon Valley Ami Bera has been endorsed by a prestigious newspaper for the third consecutive term, the elections for which would be held on November 8, 2016.

"Bera is a hardworking and thoughtful member of Congress who has shown that he is willing to find common ground with Republicans, to the extent possible in these partisan times. We recommend voters return the Elk Grove Democrat to Washington for a third term," Sacramento Bee wrote in its editorial section.

51-year-old Bera is the only Indian-American in the current Congress and is third ever elected to the House of Representatives after Dalip Singh Saund in 1950 and Bobby Jindal in 2000s.

If re-elected for the third term, Bera would equal the record of Dalip Singh Saund, who was elected to the House of Representatives from the 29th Congressional District of California from January 1957 to January 1963.

Jindal, who later went on to become the two-term Governor of Louisiana, was elected to the US House of Representatives twice in 2004 and 2006.

The Sacramento Bee in its editorial also pointed to Bera's record and expertise, given the problems officials will have to tackle in the next Congress.

"I am honoured to be endorsed by the Sacramento Bee. As a doctor, I have lived a life committed to service and would be honoured to continue serving the people of Sacramento County in Congress for another two years," Bera, who is contesting from the seventh Congressional District of California, said.

According to the daily, Bera can help focus attention on health care threats, including the spread of the Zika virus. He has also served as an associate dean for admissions at UC Davis medical school, and intends to engage in efforts to curb the rising cost of college.

"Bera, the only member of Congress who is the son of immigrants from India, sits on the Foreign Affairs Committee, where he has focused on trade, which benefits the Central Valley," Sacramento Bee noted.

Bera is pitted against Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones for the upcoming elections.

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Subahani Haja Moideen, an Indian alleged to be an ISIS operative, knew the terrorists who carried out the attack inside a theatre in Paris last November killing over 100 people but has feigned ignorance about the deadly plot, it has emerged from investigations.

Moideen was arrested from Tamil Nadu in a crackdown by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) with the help of central security agencies and other state police, foiling designs of ISIS operatives to target few judges of Kerala and foreign tourists visiting the coastal state.

The accused, picked up from Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu, was radicalised and recruited in ISIS through social media platforms and he had left India for Istanbul from Chennai in April last year on the pretext of performing 'Umrah', official sources said.

After reaching Istanbul, he crossed over along with other people who hailed from Pakistan and Afghanistan to Iraqi territory under control of ISIS.

That is the period during which Moideen claimed that he had met Paris bombers including Abdelhamid Abaaoud and Salah Abdeslam, the sources said.

While Abaaoud was killed in retaliatory fire during the Paris theatre attack in November last year, Abdelslam is in the custody of French police.

Moideen had returned to India in November and he said he came to know about the Paris attack through and remembered his meetings with the accused in ISIS controlled Iraq and Syria, the sources said.

The NIA has informed the French security officials and contacted its Embassy here, the sources said, adding this was done in case it would lend any help in their investigation.

They said that French officials could question him as well after getting the requisite court order.

According to the multi-country investigation into the French terror strikes, the accused involved in the gruesome killings were in ISIS-controlled areas at the same time when Moideen was there.

31-year-old Moideen was in Iraq from April 8, 2015 from where he was taken to Mosul and underwent detailed 'religious training' followed by combat training which included a course in automated weapons. After this, he was deputed to fight war for almost two weeks.

During the war, he told interrogators that he was paid USD 100 per month as an allowance by ISIS besides accommodation and food.

However, he told interrogators that he could not withstand the violence and war misery in Mosul and decided to leave especially after he saw two of his friends getting charred.

He was jailed by ISIS and produced before an Islamic judge who sent him to Syria. He claimed that he was allowed to cross over to Turkey from where he contacted his family with the help of the Indian consulate at Istanbul.

He arrived in Mumbai after a gap of six months in September last year on an emergency certificate and returned to his ancestral place where he was staying with his wife. He later managed to get a job at a jewellery shop at Kadayanallur in Tamil Nadu.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
INS Viraat, the world's oldest aircraft carrier, was accorded a grand send-off from the port city here on Sunday, after over five decades of its service to the Navy.

The ship, which underwent a decommissioning refit, is being towed back by three tugs to Mumbai for the decommissioning ceremony, a Navy official said here.

The final journey of the carrier began with Navy officials led by the Chief of Staff, Southern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Nadkarni bidding farewell to the carrier at Ernakulam Wharf of Cochin Port Trust this morning.

Viraat is expected to be decommissioned by end of this year, after 55 years of service, including 27 years with the Royal Navy (British Navy).

The Navy has agreed to hand over to Andhra Pradesh government after its decommissioning.

The AP government had shown a keen interest in getting INS Viraat, the oldest aircraft carrier operated by Indian Navy, to berth in Vizag for promotion of tourism after its decommissioning.
Apple is battling to gain a foothold in Indonesia after nationalistic regulations hit the US tech giant's efforts to compete in the booming emerging market against Samsung and other rivals.

The iPhone 6S and 7 are yet to be released in Southeast Asia's top economy as Apple struggles to fulfil requirements that phone makers must have 20 per cent "local content" for 4G handsets sold in the country.

South Korea's Samsung has been able to meet the demands and gain a share of the market in Indonesia -- a country of 255 million people, with an army of young consumers -- more than 25 times bigger than Apple.

Officials say the regulations that came into force this year are aimed at supporting the growth of the local manufacturing industry, which lags behind its Asian peers, and plan to raise the local content requirement to 30 per cent at the start of next year.

But to critics, it is just the latest example of misguided nationalistic rules that hamper rather than help business in Indonesia, which is ranked 109th on the World Bank's ease of doing business index.

The new rules "force companies to rethink the entire supply chain and that is expensive for them to do," Sudev Bangah of International Data Corporation (IDC), a consumer technology market research firm, told AFP.

Apple has encountered problems in other emerging markets, notably India where the Silicon Valley giant is facing roadblocks in its quest to open stores instead of selling products through third-party retailers.

The Indian government reportedly refused in May to exempt Apple from rules stating foreign single-brand retailers must buy at least 30 per cent of their parts locally to open their own outlets.

In Indonesia meeting the local content rules has been easier for Samsung, as it already had factories in the country, and has added assembly lines to the plants to carry out the final stages of production.

Other competitors, including Asus, Lenovo, Oppo and Blackberry -- which used to dominate in Indonesia but has seen its market share obliterated -- have also taken steps to fulfil the government's demands.

However officials admit that so far the rules are not boosting Indonesia's phone manufacturing industry as they had hoped. Firms have met the demands by getting local vendors to supply simple parts, such as boxes, manuals and chargers, and hi-tech components are still being imported.

But Apple, which makes most of its handsets in China, has not yet met the requirements. Its iPhone 6S was never released in Indonesia while the 7, currently being rolled out globally, seems unlikely to hit the country's shops any time soon.

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Iraqi forces battled today through booby-traps, sniper fire and suicide car bombs to tighten the noose around Mosul, while also hunting Islamic State group jihadists behind attacks elsewhere in the country.

Kurdish forces announced a new push at dawn today on Bashiqa northeast of Mosul where some 10,000 fighters are engaged in a huge assault to take the IS-held town.

The push came with US Secretary of Defence Ashton Carter in Iraq's autonomous region of Kurdistan to support the unprecedented offensive, which a US-led coalition is backing with air and ground support.

Launched last Monday, the assault aims to reclaim the last major Iraqi city under IS control, dealing another setback to the jihadists' self-declared "caliphate" in Iraq and neighbouring Syria.

The jihadists hit back on Friday with a surprise assault on the Kurdish-controlled city of Kirkuk and two days later security forces were still tracking down fighters involved in the attack.

The dozens of attackers, including several suicide bombers, failed to seize control of key government buildings but sowed chaos in Kirkuk, a large oil-rich and ethnically mixed city.

At least 51 of the jihadists had been killed, including three more today, local security officials said.

Sporadic clashes continued, a senior security official said, with forces besieging IS gunmen in Kirkuk's Nidaa neighbourhood.

At least 46 people, most of them members of the security forces, were killed in the raid and ensuing clashes.

Kurdish and other forces were also tracking down jihadists believed to have fled Kirkuk yesterday to rural areas east of the city.

IS jihadists also attacked Rutba, a remote town near the Jordanian border in the western province of Anbar, with five suicide car bombs, the area's top army commander said today.

The attackers briefly seized the mayor's office but security forces quickly regained the upper hand, he said.

The spectacular attack in Kirkuk, of a type observers warned could happen more often as IS loses territory and reverts to a traditional insurgency, temporarily drew attention away from Mosul.

But there was no sign it had any significant impact on the offensive to retake the city, Iraq's largest military operation in years.

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Israel has arrested 19 people and temporarily closed the Palestinian territories as it prepares for the last of a month of Jewish holiday commemorations, authorities said today.

Palestinians will be barred from entering from the West Bank and Gaza Strip as the Sukkot festival wraps up with the Simchat Torah holiday, which begins at sundown today and ends the next evening.

The closure, a frequent measure for major Jewish holidays, will remain in place throughout Sunday and Monday, with only emergency cases allowed through, the Israeli army said.

Israeli police also announced they had arrested 19 Palestinians in various areas of annexed east Jerusalem in connection with recent clashes with security forces.

Police said the clashes took place over the Yom Kippur holiday earlier in October and the arrests were "based on intelligence and operations".

The week-long Sukkot festival is the last of three successive Jewish holidays that have led to tensions with the Palestinians in the past.

Earlier in October, Jews marked Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah, or New Year.

A Palestinian gun attack in Jerusalem on October 9 that killed two people raised fears of further violence and Israel has boosted security.

Last year's holiday period led to clashes and marked the start of an upsurge in Palestinian gun, knife and car-ramming attacks.

Thousands of Jews visit the Western Wall in east Jerusalem's Old City during the holiday period, while a smaller number go to the nearby Al-Aqsa mosque compound.

The compound is holy to both Muslims and Jews, who refer to it as the Temple Mount.

The site is central to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with Palestinians fearing Israel may one day seek to assert further control over it.

Violence since October 2015 has killed 235 Palestinians, 36 Israelis, two Americans, one Jordanian, an Eritrean and a Sudanese national, according to an AFP count.

Most of the Palestinians killed were carrying out knife, gun or car-ramming attacks, according to Israeli authorities.

Others were shot dead during protests or clashes, while some were killed in Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip.

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Italian officials say that 14 bodies have been recovered in a two-day period on smugglers' boats packed with migrants making the perilous journey across the Mediterranean.

The Italian Coast Guard says the dead included a 25-year-old pregnant woman. In all 5,700 migrants were rescued from dozens of small boats and rubber dinghies between Friday and yesterday.

Premier Matteo Renzi appealed to his European partners to come up with a fundamental solution to the migrant issue during a visit to Sicily yesterday, saying "we cannot go on this way."



He called for financial penalties for eastern European countries that refuse to take in migrants. The International Organization for Migrants says at least 3,650 migrants have died crossing the Mediterranean this year.

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Japanese government aid agency JICA has increased focus on funding water and sanitation facilities in India, aligning its lending with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's flagship programme 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan'.

"Funding for water (projects) has become second most priority sector after transportation in India for Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in the last 10 years," Takema Sakamoto, Chief Representative of JICA India Office, told PTI in an interview.

He said India remains the biggest open defecation country in the world but at the same time, is the second fastest growing economy. The sanitation and hygiene situation is bad and there is much room for improvement, he added.

"Water is an important sector for us because of Swachh Bharat. Our support is based on our very solid fundamental policy which says help self-effort. We need solid alignment with the Indian government policy. We are watching so many important policies under Narendra Modi's administration and one of them is Swachh Bharat Abhiyan," Sakamoto said.

JICA's support to India in transport (55 per cent), water (16 per cent), energy (13 per cent), agriculture and forestry (7 per cent) and others (9 per cent) stood at Japanese Yen 2,340 billion (more than Rs 1.5 lakh crore) during 2006-07 to 2015-16.

Keen on Swachh Bharat campaign, JICA is targeting the water sector as the second important area, he added.

The open defecation population in the world is 104 crore, of which 62 crore belong to India.

"The infectious diseases due to open defecation is very serious in India. Diarrhoeal diseases and its complications account for 17 per cent of the cause of death of children under five...," Sakamoto said further.

He said there are serious security and health issues for women due to lack of toilets.

India aims to become open defecation free by 2019.

"India is one of the main countries which is utilising our support every year in a continuous and progressive way. For development, poverty alleviation is the biggest challenge. And of course, Narendra Modi administration is very keen to step-up the bottom line of the livelihood," Sakamoto added.

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The first woman to climb Mount Everest didn't stop there. Japanese mountaineer Junko Tabei, who died Thursday at 77, devoted her adult life to scaling peaks, climbing the tallest mountains in more than 70 countries.

Her philosophy was to live life to the fullest. "I want to climb even more mountains," she said in a 1991 interview with The Associated Press, 16 years after conquering Everest. "To think, 'It was great,' and then die."



To do so required defying stereotypes, and a supportive husband, in a country that thought a woman's place was in the home. She founded the Ladies Climbing Club in 1969 with the slogan "Let's go on an overseas expedition by ourselves," and reached the summit of Everest on May 16, 1975, as the leader of the climbing party of an all-female Japanese team.

"Most Japanese men of my generation would expect the woman to stay at home and clean house," the mother of two said in the 1991 interview.

In 1992, she became the first woman to complete the "Seven Summits," reaching the highest peaks of the seven continents.

Tabei died of cancer at a hospital outside of Tokyo, Japanese media reported today.

She was born in 1939 in Miharu, a hilly farming town in Fukushima prefecture about 230 kilometers (140 miles) north of Tokyo. Her first summit was nearby Mount Nasu with her teacher in the fourth grade.

Later in life, she became concerned about the degradation of Everest, completing master's studies in 2000 at Kyushu University in southern Japan on the garbage problem as the famous mountain was opened to more climbers.

"Everest has become too crowded. It needs a rest now," she said at a 2003 parade in Nepal to mark the 50th anniversary of the first successful ascent of the peak by Sir Edmund Hillary.

She kept climbing even after being diagnosed with cancer four years ago, Japanese public broadcaster NHK said. Her goal was to climb the tallest mountain in all of the more than 190 countries of the world. She fell short, but ticked off four more as recently as 2015, according to her website, in Niger, Luxembourg, Belgium and Oman.

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Japanese mountaineer Junko Tabei's successful summit of Mount Everest, the first by a woman, was an important milestone in women empowerment, Nepal's trekking community today said in its condolence message on her death.

Junko, 77, died on Thursday while undergoing treatment for cancer in abdomen, that was detected four years ago.

Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) said it has been deeply shocked and saddened by Junko's demise.

Her Everest summit of May 1975 inspired many women across the world, including Nepali women, who are now actively involved with mountaineering sector, TAAN said in a statement.

"Before Tabei's successful summit, the mountaineering sector was regarded as a domain of men," it said and called her achievement "an important milestone in women empowerment."



"After her successful summit, Tabei actively involved in environment conservation and socio-economic development of remote mountain areas in different parts of Nepal.

"She was a real ambassador of the Nepali tourism industry, always encouraging others to visit Nepal. She always supported programmes and activities organised by the mountaineering fraternity of Nepal," the association said.

Junko had visited Nepal last year for an event related to mountaineering.

Born in 1939 in Miharu, she became the first woman to complete the "Seven Summits," reaching the highest peaks of the seven continents in 1992.

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Former Supreme Court judge Markandey Katju today said he would appear before the apex court on November 11 in the Soumya rape case, as directed by it.

In a Facebook post, he said "I will be appearing before the Supreme Court in the Soumya case on 11th November at 2 PM to explain why the judgement requires review and the death sentence be imposed on the accused Govindachamy."



He said he had received the notice given by the Supreme Court.

On October 17, the apex court had issued notice to Katju, asking him to appear in person before it on November 11 and participate in the proceedings as to whether the judgement andorder passed by the bench 'suffers from any fundamental flaw so as to require exercise of the review jurisdiction'.

Justice Katju had in a Facebook post had stated that the court's Sept 15 order needs to be reviewed in an open court hearing.

"Such a view coming from a retired Judge of this Court needs to be treated with the greatest of respect and consideration. Office to register a suo motu review petition," the bench had said in its order.

Justice Katju had last month stated that the Supreme Court had 'grievously erred by law' in the Soumya case, in which the death sentence of the accused Govindachamy was commuted.

The apex court had last month quashed Govindachamy's death penalty, but upheld life imprisonment for raping 23-year-old Soumya on February 1, 2011.

The death penalty had been imposed by a Fast Track Court in Thrissur,which was later upheld by Kerala High Court.

A review petition filed by the Kerala government and Soumya's mother is pending before the Apex Court.

Meanwhile, after her recent meeting with Justice Katju became controversial, Additional Director General of Police today said her visit had nothing to do with the Soumya case.

Advocate General C P Sudhakara Prasad had also expressed displeasure over the meeting.

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National-level Kabaddi player Rohit Kumar, arrested in connection with the alleged suicide by his wife Lalita who had accused him and her in-laws of harassment, was today remanded in two days police custody by a Delhi court.

Rohit was produced before a duty magistrate who allowed the police to interrogate him till October 25.

The accused, who is in the navy, was arrested by a Delhi Police team in Mumbai on October 21. The kabaddi player was brought to Delhi yesterday night.

On October 21, Rohit's father, Vijay Singh was produced before a link magistrate who remanded him in judicial custody till November 4 after the police did not seek his custodial interrogation.

Vijay was arrested after he surrendered at Nangloi Police Station in West Delhi. He was a sub-inspector in Delhi Police and had been dismissed from service, police said.

Lalita had allegedly committed suicide on October 17 at her parents' house in Nangloi. In her suicide note as well as audio and video clips left behind, she had alleged that her in-laws "harassed" her for minor issues and Rohit asked her to go away from his life.

A case was registered against Rohit and his father and two Delhi Police teams were formed to arrest Rohit and his father, who had also gone into hiding after Lalita committed suicide.

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A man in the US, who had won a storage unit at an auction, has found over 40 frozen dead cats stacked on top of the other, some on aluminium trays and others wrapped in plastic bags inside the two freezers.

The man had paid USD 150 for the unit he won at the auction in Long Island City of New York earlier this week.

He had gone to the sale held by American Self-Storage Facility for abandoned storage lockers. But when he went to check over his purchases he found the dead cats.

In one freezer, the cats were stacked on top of the other. In the second, police found them individually wrapped in paper and plastic bags. One cat was found skinned, resting on a catering platter, the New York Daily reported.

The New York Police Department's animal cruelty unit arrived, and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals took the cats into its custody for necropsies - autopsies for pets.

Officers had to change their clothing and shower because the "stench was stuck to their clothes," the report said.

The unit had no noticeable stench with the freezers closed, but once it was opened, a police source described a "horrendous death smell, rotting."



Local reports claimed the unit was rented out two years ago by a 66-year-old woman paying month-to-month who stopped paying in July.

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A man allegedly shot dead his mother-in-law during a tiff in Bharat Nagar area of north west Delhi, police said today.

Nisha Mahendra (56) was shot dead last night around 11.30 PM when her son-in-law Raman Beniwal fired from his licenced weapon during a dispute at the victim's flat at Rana Pratap Bagh in Bharat Nagar area, a police official said.

Raman, a resident of Ashok Vihar, had been married to Chandni for 12 years and they had two daughters. He was apparently an alcoholic and the couple used to have frequent fights over the issue, he said.

After one such fight, Chandni left for her parents' house yesterday following which he went there to persuade her, he added.

Nisha, who runs a boutique, was resting after dinner when the accused reached at her place. He forced Chandni to go with him and started fighting when she refused, he said.

Nisha tried to intervene but the accused took out his licensed pistol, aiming at his wife, but his mother-in-law was hit by the bullet instead, he said.

Raman fled from the spot after the incident. Family members rushed the victim to a nearby hospital where doctors declared her dead.

A case of murder has been registered and teams have been formed to arrest the accused, the officer added.

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A Naga underground cadre was killed while another sustained bullet injuries in an encounter with Assam Rifles personnel in Wokha district of Kohima today, an Assam Rifles spokesman said.

However, it was yet to ascertained which group the cadres belonged to.

The spokesman said six weapons, including two AK series rifles were recovered from the encounter site.

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Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy today termed as "baseless" the opposition AIADMK's charge that he had violated model code of conduct, which is in force for the November 19 Nellithope assembly by-poll, from where he is contesting.

AIADMK legislature party leader A Anbalagan had recently charged Narayanasamy with violating model code by meeting voters in his office and cabinet room to decide certain welfare schemes.

Anbalagan had alleged that officials of Puducherry government were also present at the meeting.

Talking to reporters Naarayanasamy described the allegation "baseless."



"I never had such a meeting with voters of Nellithope in my office", he said



69-year-old Narayanasamy, who had served as Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office in the second UPA government and as MoS Parliamentary Affairs in UPA-I, did not contest the May 16 Assembly polls.

A John Kumar of the Congress had vacated the seat to enable Narayanasamy contest a by-election before December 6 deadline for getting elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly.

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President Pranab Mukherjee today said it was essential for India to have a modern healthcare system for all its citizens to enable it occupy its rightful place in the world and merely having high GDP figures is not enough.

"We need to have and ensure access for all to the modern and scientific healthcare system.

"Without an able body, an able mind cannot work. This is absolutely necessary in order to ensure our rightful place in the comity of nations," he said after inaugurating the Sardar Patel multi-specialty and heart hospital here in Bharuch district of Gujarat.

The hospital has been built by a board of trustees and donors led by founder trustee, Congress MP and political secretary to Congress President Sonia Gandhi -- Ahmed Patel.

The President said a country with diseased and ill people cannot compete in the global arena.

"If we are sick, diseased, hungry and are not skilled ... then even good figures of GDP and other statistical data will only look like a satisfaction but will not reflect the true picture," he said.

He said the country has to ensure jobs and livelihood for all its citizens which requires a "collective participation" of the people.

He urged the trustees and doctors of the hospital to ensure good healthcare for the people of the region who, for the first time, have got a super-speciality hospital in their region.

Mukherjee said the often quoted talisman of Mahatma Gandhi to always think from the point of view of the poorest of poor before taking a new step, should be kept in mind.

Before this event, the President also visited the renovated 'Sevashram'hospital in Bharuch and unveiled statues of Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

He lauded these two great sons of India and Gujarat for not only ensuring the country's independence but also placing strong foundation for its future.

He also praised the initiative of Ahmed Patel for making the dream of the first super-specialty hospital in Bharuch come true as he called this work "noble".

Mukherjee quipped that he can claim himself to be a Gujarati from heart as he been a Rajya Sabha member from the state in the past.

The President is on a two-day tour to Gujarat after he arrived in Gandhinagar yesterday.

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An impeachment motion was today tabled in the Nepalese parliament against the chief of the country's anti-corruption commission, four days after he was suspended amid accusations by lawmakers that he abused his position.

The discussion on the motion against Lokman Singh Karki was expected to begin on Tuesday.

Karki headed the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) since 2013. But his installation remained controversial from the beginning as he had himself been the subject of graft inquiries, although he was never convicted.

In a meeting of House, Speaker Onsari Gharti Magar said the discussion on the motion would commence on Tuesday. After the deliberations in the House, the impeachment motion would be sent to the Impeachment Recommendation Committee (IRC).

As per the constitutional provision, the House would then put the motion to vote if IRC recommended further proceedings.

The impeachment motion against Karki was registered by 157 lawmakers from the main opposition CPN-UML and the ruling CPN (Maoist Centre) of Prime Minister Prachanda on Wednesday.

A parliamentary party meeting of CPN (Maoist Centre) today made the decision to this effect and its leader Agni Sapkota said party chairman Prachanda urged for a logical conclusion of the issue.

Nepali Congress, the largest party in the parliament, is yet to come up with its official position on the motion. The party would give its decision regarding the motion on Monday, according to the party sources.

Meanwhile, the acting chief CIAA Deep Basnyat said the constitutional body would not deviate from its duty. He said the commission would accept parliament's decision over the impeachment motion registered against Karki.

"The acting chief said there would not be any deviation in the effectiveness of its performance regarding the constitutional responsibilities due to a specific incident," CIAA spokesperson Ganesh Raj Karki said in a statement.

The motion states that Karki "seriously violated the constitution and laws and has not sincerely performed the duties of his position", reports said.

According to the motion, Karki used his role in the CIAA to put pressure on the national medical council to help a private medical college owned by his relatives, they said.

The commission has denied the allegations.

Corruption is rife in Nepal. Watchdog Transparency International's global corruption perception index ranked Nepal 130th out of 168 countries.

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Acting tough against developers failing to adhere to contract timelines, NHAI has scrapped a Rs 912-crore contract awarded to Transstroy Ltd for a highway project in Madhya Pradesh.

"NHAI has terminated a contract given to Transstroy Ltd for four-laning of Obedullaganj-Betul section on NH-69 in Madhya Pradesh for which it had executed a contract with the company in April 2012, due to extremely slow pace of work on the project," an official told PTI.

The Rs 912-crore contract was to be executed on build operate transfer (toll) basis on design, build, finance, operate and transfer pattern under the government's flagship road building programme NHDP.

The decision to terminate the contract to four-lane 121.36 km stretch on NH 69 was taken after serving several warning notices to the developer which failed to expedite work, the official informed.

The project was scheduled to be completed in August 2016 but the physical progress was barely "1.34 per cent", the official said.

The Hyderabad-based firm which had formed a special purpose vehicle (SPV) Transstroy Obedullaganj-Betul Tollways Private Ltd could not be contacted.

The authority has started terminating contracts where developers failed to execute projects despite warnings.

Earlier, the NHAI got a bizarre bid of just Rs 1,500 from KMC Constructions for a project worth Rs 1,858 crore, while Tata Group firm Tata Realty and Infrastructure Ltd (TRIL) had withdrawn bids for two other projects, prompting earnest money forfeiture in all three cases.

The three projects were worth over Rs 4,000 crore were located in Odisha, Rajasthan and Gujarat, while the earnest money deposit forfeited by NHAI was about Rs 30 crore.

NHAI Chairman Raghav Chandra has said that the authority had to take such decision as such bids amounted to delays in highway projects, besides causing uncalled for complications.

TRIL had bid for two projects worth Rs 2,272 crore for widening of different sections of Kishangarh-Udaipur-Ahmedabad highway but later after emerging as the lowest bidder for both the projects, the firm said that it had miscalculated the bidding cost and therefore would like to withdraw from bidding.

KMC Constructions Ltd, in response to a bid for Rs 1,858 crore Angul-Sambalpur highway project in Odisha, had quoted "only Rs 1,500 crore" and later "cited system error as the reason. However, the NHAI had said that investigations of NHAI revealed that the builder was lying and their bid was rejected.

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Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today took stock of the preparations for celebrations of 350th birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh Maharaj and gave necessary directions to the officials for timely completion of all the preparations.

Kumar today visited various places linked to 350th 'Prakash Utsav', the birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh Maharaj and inspected the preparations personally, giving necessary directions to the officials concerned, a government release said.

The CM visited Takht Shri Harminder Saheb, Kangan Ghat, Leela Gurudwara, Patna Saheb station, Patna Ghat railway station along with top officials including Chief Secretary Anjani Kumar Singh, Development Commissioner Shishir Sinha, Director General of Police P K Thakur.

Kumar offered prayers at Takht Shri Harminder Saheb, Leela Gurudwara and Guru ka Bagh, the release said adding that Gurudwara Prabhandak Committee also offered 'Saropa' and a sword to the CM.

The CM inspected the Bypass Road and Guru Gobind Singh Path and asked the officials concerned to solve the issue of waterlogging in the adjoining areas. Besides, he also inspected Harminder Gali and Baare ki Gali near Takht Shri Harminder Saheb and asked officials to fill the potholes in the streets.

The CM also directed the officials to streamline untidy wires of the area.

Kumar, who inspected the construction work being undertaken at Kangan Ghat, further inquired in detail about the 'langar' to be organised at the Ghat for pilgrims.

He directed the officials to install to two solar pumps at a pond located at Guru Ka Bagh and also drain out pond water, the release said.

Chief Minister also inspected a place near Mahadev Asthan on Bypass road where tents would come up for arrival of pilgrims to participate in Prakash Utsav.

Besides, he also visited the area earmarked for parking.

Kumar also took first hand account of the construction



work being undertaken at Patna Saheb railway station and gave necessary directions to the railway officials to keep the station neat and cleanl besides increasing civic amenities and other facilities for pilgrims coming to the occasion.

The CM also asked the rail officials to complete works- like laying tracks, construction of shade for passengers etc- on time, the release said.

Other senior officials who accompanied the CM during his inspection visit included Principal Secretaries of various departments included Public Relations, Urban Development, Energy, Tourism Patna Divisional Commissioner, DM, IG, DIG and others.
Opposition Congress and BJP today demanded action against government officials whose alleged negligence sparked a major fire at the Sum Hospital that claimed 24 lives, even as the hospital owner Manoj Ranjan Nayak returned to jail on completion of 2-day police remand.

Nayak, who was arrested after he surrendered before police on Thursday, today filed a petition in the Khurdha District and Sessions court seeking bail.

The hearing is slated to be held on Tuesday, said Nayak's advocate S N Das.

Police produced Nayak in the SDJM court which sent him back to the jail. The court, however, asked the jail authorities to conduct health checkup of Nayak.

"We had approached the court to consider Nayak's health condition before sending him to the jail again," advocate Das said.

During his police remand, police have grilled Nayak on various aspects including functioning of the hospital even after the expiry of registration as per the clinical establishment act. "We have received vital information for investigation," said Y B Khurania, the Commissioner of police.

Besides Nayak, four others have so far been arrested and sent to jail.

Police, which have been interrogating other functionaries of Sum Hospital, said it would issue notice to Saswati Das, a trustee member of Sikshya O Anusandhan Charitable Trust that runs Sum Hospital.

"The LOC (lookout circular) is still in force. Saswati Das, wife of Manoj Ranjan Nayak, hasn't appeared before the police yet. Investigation is progressing and appropriate action will be initiated at proper time," Khurania had said yesterday.

(Reopens CAL3)



Senior BJP leader Bijay Mohapatra said, "Senior officials of health, fire services, Bhubaneswar Development Authority and district administration should also be brought under the purview of the probe and their role behind negligence need to be scrutinised."



Former OPCC President and senior Congress leader Niranjan Patnaik said, "We welcome the arrest of hospital owner. But, the hospital authorities were not alone responsible for violation of fire safety and other norms. The officials should also be booked."



Chief Minister's Office sources said it has asked the Health, Urban Development and Home department to find out the officials directly or indirectly responsible for granting conditional permission to run the hospital without meeting the guidelines and norms.
Three Pakistani men, alleged to be 'spies' of India's external intelligence agency R&AW, have been acquitted by an anti-terrorism court here citing lack of evidence in five cases relating to carrying explosives and illegal weapons, media reported today.

Tahir, alias Lamba, Junaid Khan and Imtiaz have been booked for allegedly carrying explosive materials and unlicensed weapons in a Malir locality in April last year, Dawn reported.

Police had alleged that the men belonged to Muttahida Qaumi Movement - a Karachi-based political party claiming to represent Mohajirs (Urdu-speaking people of Sindh province) - and were trained by the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW).

MQM is the single-largest party in Karachi and has dominated its political landscape for years, but since a "clean-up" operation began on the orders of the federal government, the political party has come under pressure.

Judge Abdul Naeem Memon of Anti-Terrorism Court-VI, who conducted the trial inside the central prison, exonerated the accused, saying the prosecution was unable to establish their cases against the accused beyond any shadow of the doubt, the report said.

There were glaring contradictions in the documentary evidence and in the testimonies of the prosecution witnesses, the court said adding that the police also conducted faulty investigations.

According to the prosecution, initially police arrested Tahir and Junaid and allegedly found explosives, weapons and hand-grenades in their custody.

They disclosed that Imtiaz, who was arrested by Rangers at MQM headquarters Nine-Zero in March 2015, had provided the explosives and asked them to keep them, it added. Later, Imtiaz was also shown arrested in the main case of explosive material. Three explosives and two illicit weapons cases were registered against them.

The court directed the jail authorities to release the three men if they were not wanted in any other criminal case.

After the arrest of the accused, SSP-Malir Rao Anwar had claimed that they were MQM men and had been trained by R&AW in India to carry out terrorist activities in the city.

The officer had also urged the federal government to ban the MQM and termed it an "anti-state" organisation.

Police had not registered any case of anti-state offences against them.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Parents, take note! What you share about your children on social media platforms presents new and often unanticipated risks, a new study has warned.

Researchers from the University of Florida in the US said pediatricians should provide parents healthy rules of thumb about online disclosures related to their children.

Parents often create their children's first digital footprints. Previous research has shown that 92 per cent of two-year-olds in the US have an online presence, and about one-third make their first appearance on social media sites within their first 24 hours of life.

"The amount of information placed in the digital universe about our children in just a few short years is staggering," said Bahareh Keith, assistant professor from Florida.

"Parents often consider how to best protect children while the child is using the internet. However, parents initially do not always consider how their own use of social media may affect their children's well-being," said Keith.

Social media offers many benefits to families, Keith said, including giving parents a voice as they struggle through difficult child-rearing experiences, building community and celebrating the joys of their lives.

"But when we share on social media, we must all consider how our online actions affects our children's well-being, both today and long into the future," she said.

Pediatricians can advocate for increased awareness among parents to protect a child's online identity, researchers said.

"We need to encourage responsible and thoughtful sharing and address a dearth of discussion on the topic that leaves even the most well-meaning parents with few resources to thoroughly appreciate the issue before pressing 'share' on their digital devices," said Stacey Steinberg, law professor at Florida.

Steinberg cautions that information shared can be stolen or repeatedly re-shared, unbeknownst to parents, potentially ending in the hands of paedophiles or identify thieves.

"Even more likely, the child might one day want to have some privacy and control over his or her digital identity," Steinberg said, noting that the first "children of social media" are just now entering adulthood, college and the job market.

"Untangling the parent's right to share his or her own story and the child's right to enter adulthood free to create his or her own digital footprint is a daunting task," Steinberg said.

Researchers advise never to share pictures that show their children in any state of undress or share their child's actual location in a post.

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The Police today arrested Subir Saha, the patient accused of assaulting three nurses of a city nursing home, from a relative's place in Burdwan district's Mangolkote.

According to a senior Kolkata Police official, the team which was looking for Saha, a dengue-patient, with the help of the district police, arrested him from a relative's residence from the same town.

Saha allegedly assaulted three nurses of All Asia Medical Institute in the Gariahat Police Station limits where he was admitted with dengue with the metal stand used for IV drops suspension and fled the spot.

Two nurses - Victoria and Shipra Mondal - were still undergoing treatment while the third one was recovering from the trauma of the incident.

Saha was remanded to police custody till Friday when he would be produced at a court.

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Petronet LNG Ltd, India's largest liquefied natural gas importer, is seeking at least 10 per cent cut in price of LNG it plans to buy from Australia's Gorgon project.

Petronet LNG, a private firm whose chairman is the oil secretary, had in August 2009 signed a 20-year deal to buy 1.44 million tonnes per annum of liquefied natural gas (LNG) at a price equivalent to 14.5 per cent of the prevailing oil rates.

The indexation agreed was one of the highest in the world.

"The world has changed since then and LNG deals are being done at much lower indexation," an official said.

Petronet had late last year renegotiated price of the long-term deal to import 7.5 million tonnes per year of LNG from Qatar, helping save Rs 8,000 crore. At that time it had also signed a contract to buy an additional 1 million tonne per annum till 2028.

"That deal for an additional 1 million tonne was at 13.05 per cent of the ruling Brent price. So naturally, the expectation is that the Gorgon should lower the indexation to a minimum 13 per cent," the official said.

Petronet has written to Exxon Mobil, the seller of Gorgon LNG, for reworking the price. "Negotiations are on," he said.

LNG in spot or current market is available at USD 5-6 per million British thermal unit where as Gorgon LNG at current formula will cost USD 7.25 per mmBtu at an oil price of USD 50 per barrel.

After adding 5 per cent customs duty, shipping cost and that of converting liquid gas back into its gaseous state, the landed price of the Australian gas will be close to USD 9.5 at the Kochi port where it is supposed to be delivered.

State-owned gas utility GAIL India, one of the four PSU promoters of Petronet, had way back in 2013 sought review of the Gorgon LNG price formula.

Its the then Director (marketing) Prabhat Singh, who now is the Managing Director and CEO of Petronet LNG, had in June 2013 written a letter seeking reduction in price of Gorgon LNG.

Sources said the case of renegotiating the Gorgon deal has strengthened after Petronet last year got RasGas of Qatar to lower the rate for 7.5 million tons per annum LNG it supplies under a 25-year long term contract since 2004.

The price of imported LNG under this agreement had been linked to crude oil (Japanese Customs Cleared Crude or JCC) and had a concept of floor and ceiling indexed to last 5-year average. The rate thus arrived was higher than spot LNG.

Petronet sought renegotiation of the deal and RasGas agreed to modify the pricing formula to link it with last 3- month average rate of Brent crude oil, they said.

GAIL, Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum and Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) hold 12.5 per cent each in Petronet.

Petronet was to get Gorgon LNG by the end of 2015, but supplies have been deferred to 2017.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit his Lok Sabha constituency tomorrow where he is set to launch a number of ambitious projects including a 1500-km-long gas pipeline costing Rs 51,000 crore and doubling of railway tracks on a busy route.

On his eighth visit here since becoming Prime Minister, Modi will launch "Urja Ganga", the gas pipeline project which promises to provide piped cooking gas to residents of Varanasi within two years and, in another year thereafter, cater to millions of people in states like Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Odisha.

Modi is also scheduled to flag off projects like doubling of railway tracks on the busy Allahabad-Varanasi section and expansion of the Diesel Locomotive Works (DLW) here besides laying foundation stone for a fully air-conditioned perishable cargo centre.

He will also release a stamp dedicated to the ancient temple town, which is believed to be among the oldest surviving ones in the world.

Besides, he will lay the foundation stone for widening of a road passing through the city's crowded Cantonment area.

Tight security arrangements are in place across the city where the Special Protection Group (SPG) has been camping since Friday to oversee preparations for the Prime Minister's visit.

The sprawling DLW premises, where the PM is likely to reach by a helicopter, has been declared a "no fly zone" until his departure tomorrow evening.

The city has been abuzz with activity for the past few days during which a number of Union Ministers like Piyush Goyal (Power), Dharmendra Pradhan (Petroleum) and Manoj Sinha (Railways) have visited the venue of the function and supervised preparations for the Prime Minister's tour of his parliamentary constituency, which comes close to six months after his previous trip on May 1 this year.

Local unit of the BJP, on its part, has launched a cleanliness drive across the city besides putting up posters at various places highlighting the various welfare schemes launched since Modi assumed power.

Recently, the party's Uttar Pradesh unit had also issued a statement welcoming the Prime Minister on his "first visit to Varanasi after the surgical strikes".

Modi's visit to the city comes at a time when assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh are just a few months away and political temperatures are soaring.

His arrival in Varanasi will immediately follow a rally, earlier in the day, at Mahoba district in the state's impoverished Bundelkhand region.

The Mahoba rally is said to be the first in a series of



eight public meetings that the Prime Minister is scheduled to address in various parts of the state, in the run-up to the assembly elections wherein the BJP hopes for a revival in UP after having suffered a decade-long slump.

Although it was the top political party in UP in the 1990s, the BJP suffered a sharp decline in the decade that followed when the state's political scene came to be dominated by regional satraps Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mayawati.

The party, however, made a dramatic comeback in the Lok Sabha elections of 2014, when it put up its best-ever performance and bagged 71 seats out of the 78 it had contested in the state.

Its stupendous performance in the most populous state of the country has been acknowledged by BJP president Amit Shah as one factor that enabled the party to get an absolute majority, for the first time, in the Lok Sabha.

Among the many factors which were said to have led to the BJP's spectacular show in UP, was Modi's decision to step out of his home state of Gujarat and fight from this eastern UP seat.

Upon winning the seat by a resounding margin of 3.71 lakh votes, Modi retained Varanasi and gave up Vadodara even though the margin of victory was higher there (5.7 lakh votes).
Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan today nudged the states to agree on bringing all petroleum products under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime.

Speaking at the Global Investors Meet here, he said petroleum is currently under 'state list' for the the purpose of taxation under GST.

"GST Council will decide on this (taxation of petroleum products). On behalf of the industry, I would request the states to allow petroleum products to be brought under GST taxation," he said.

As per the GST Constitutional Amendment Bill, petroleum products like LPG, kerosene and naptha would attract GST.

However, other products -- crude oil, natural gas, petrol, diesel, high speed diesel and aviation turbine fuel -- have been excluded from GST for initial years. Hence, these products will continue to be taxed in the hands of the states as they are being taxed at present.

The GST Council, which consist of Union Finance Minister and state counterparts, will decide on the date of inclusion of these products in the GST basket and rates thereon.

Pradhan also asked Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to support bringing all petroleum products under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime.

"In the last 3-4 years, there is a healthy growth of petroleum products in Madhya Pradesh. I will request the Chief Minister that he should agree to (petro items coming under) GST. There would be no loss to the state on account of taxation of petroleum products," he said.

With two different kinds of taxation structure, in the new regime the oil and gas industry would have to comply with both the current tax regime as well as GST.

According to experts, GST would have a negative impact on the oil and gas industry due to compliance with dual taxation regime and non-creditable tax costs.

Pradhan said petrol consumption in rural areas is growing by 10 per cent every year.

On the occasion, there were total seven MOUs signed today for setting up solar power plants and oil marketing and infrastructure facility in the state.

Neyveli Lignite Corp (NLC) and Madhya Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Department (MPNRED) signed an MoU to set up 1,000 MW solar power plant, followed by an agreement between IOC, OIL India and Madhya Pradesh Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd (MPUVN) for 500 MW solar facility, NTPC and MPNRED for 500 MW solar power plant, PTC and MPNRED for 500 MW facility and NHDC Ltd and MPNRED for 140 MW solar project.

Besides five MoUs on solar projects, there were two agreements signed for oil marketing and infrastructure facilities. One MoU was signed between BPCL and MPNRED for setting up an ethanol plant and the other by IOC and MP Trade and Investment Facilitation Corporation (TRIFAC) for developing oil marketing infrastructure in the state.

State-run companies like NTPC, Neyveli Lignite will work towards making the state a solar power hub.

Pradhan said there are 1.65 lakh houses in the state and 56 lakh family had LPG connection till 2014.

"In the last two years, we have added 30 lakh more, and in the coming two years in MP, 50 lakh more LPG connections will come," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
President Pranab Mukherjee today called upon former Gujarat chief minister and his "old friend" Madhavsinh Solanki at latter's residence here, during which the duo remembered their old days in Congress.

Solanki (89) had served as Union External Affairs Minister and worked closely with Mukherjee during the past Congress rule.

Mukherjee reached Solanki's residence in state capital here after delivering his speech at an education institute, on the last day of his two-day visit to Gujarat.

Mukherjee, a veteran Congressman, was received warmly by Solanki upon his arrival.

The President was accompanied by Gujarat Governor O P Kohli and Solanki's son Bharatsinh Solanki, president of state Congress unit.

"Our President spent some time with my father and remembered their past days when they used to work together for the party. Our President also inquired about my father's health. It was truly a great moment for us," said Bharatsinh after the meeting.

State Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi said it was the meeting of two old friends.

"Both of them are old friends. There was a time when Mukherjee almost left Congress due to his differences with then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. But, it was Solanki who became a mediator and convinced Mukherjee to come back to the party.

"Few months back, Solanki fell ill due to his age. Since Pranab-da was visiting Gandhinagar today, he expressed his desire to meet his old friend and inquire about his health," added Doshi.

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will be a "force multiplier" for Congress in Rahul Gandhi's "forceful" campaign in Uttar Pradesh and people will reject any attempt by BJP to use army's surgical strikes across the LoC for political gains, Congress' Chief Ministerial candidate Sheila Dikshit has said.

The Congress veteran, who has been on a whirlwind tour of Uttar Pradesh where assembly polls are scheduled for early next year, also attacked the BJP for "trying to polarise" Uttar Pradesh on communal lines by raking up the contentious issue of Uniform Civil Code.

78-year-old Dikshit said Rahul, the Congress vice president, has managed to enthuse party workers to a great extent through his Kisan Yatra and, if Priyanka decides to participate actively, it will work wonders for the party which is out of power in the politically crucial state for as many as 27 years.

Talking about Congress' preparations, she said the party was planning to have region-specific manifestos for the polls as different regions have different problems, adding there were signs of "clear revival" of the party across the state.

Claiming that no party will get an absolute majority in the polls, Dikshit said Congress will play a key role in formation of the next government and hinted that the party may not be averse to forging a post-poll alliance with either BSP or Samajwadi Party.

"We will take a call depending on the situation after the polls. But I am very confident that Congress will play a decisive role in formation of the next government," she said.

The three-time Delhi Chief Minister accused the BJP of "conspiring" to "polarise" the state on communal lines, asserting Congress will forcefully "expose such evil designs".

She also slammed BJP for planning to highlight the surgical strike during the campaign, saying never ever in India's history the valour of armed forces was used for political gains.

"Exploiting political gains out of (a) sensitive issue is very, very unfortunate. It reflects deterioration of our democratic culture. Army was never used for . This is reprehensible," she told PTI.



Dikshit claimed Rahul's Kisan Yatra was a "huge success" and if Priyanka hits the campaign trail, it will strengthen the party's position.

"People are yearning for Congress' comeback to power. Every section of the society there is fed up with successive governments. People of UP now want change," said Dikshit, adding Congress was trying to reach out to all communities including Dalits and Muslims.
Shiv Sena and the Dogra front activists today protested against Pakistan here for continuously violating the ceasefire on civilian areas along the Line of Control and the International Border.

The activists burned effigies of Jamaat-ud-Dawah and Jaish-e-Mohammed chiefs -- Hafiz Saeed, Masood Azhar respectively and also the head of Hizbul Mujahideen Sayeed Salahudeen for planning and plotting of terrorist activities in India.

The activists also burned the flag of Pakistan during the protest.

"Since the Indian Surgical strike, Pakistan has been baffled and is resorting to unlawful firing and shelling in the civilian areas. Pakistan has continuously violated ceasefire since the surgical strike and their forces have been targeting the civilian areas around the border to cause maximum causality to the innocent people," the outfit's chief Ashok Gupta said.

He said while the three terrorist leaders were financing aiding and abetting terrorism in India by recruiting and training youth, Pakistan was providing them security and aiding them in cross the border.

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Swaraj India founder Prashant Bhushan on Saturday said the 'Rafale deal' will prove to be another 'Bofors' for the Modi government.

Accusing the Prime Minister of inaction into the Scorpion submarine leaks despite having received entire information from American whistle blower C Edmonds Allen he said the Modi government was lacking political will to fight corruption.

Talking to media persons here, Bhushan said instead of blacklisting the Company, the government was entering into another deal with the same company, allegedly involved in the submarine leaks, for aircrafts, and that too at a "much higher cost."

The Bofors scandal broke in 1987 and several people, including former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, were accused of receiving kickbacks for the purchase of Bofors howitzer guns. The scandal contributed to the defeat of Gandhi-led Congress in 1989 general elections.

Referring to BJP MP Varun Gandhi's outburst on the 'honey trapping allegations' in the submarine leaks, the Supreme Court lawyer said the matter needs investigation.

Bhushan was in Shimla for a meeting of Swaraj Campaign for chalking out the strategy for expanding the activities of his organisation in Himachal Pradesh.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today "advised" French firm SAFRAN to set up a facility in his home state of Goa to manufacture small parts for the fighter aircraft Rafale, for which India recently signed a deal with France.

"I would also advice you to take advantage of the off-set in Rafale deal. From my side I will put a word. You (SAFRAN) are supplying engines for Rafale. The off-set of Rafale deal is around Rs 30,000 crore. If you are interested in setting up a manufacturing facility of some small parts then you can do it in Goa," Parrikar said during the inauguration of a joint venture between HAL and French firm SAFRAN in North Goa.

He said Rs 1,000-1,500 crore of the total offset deal can be invested in Goa.

"If that happens, Goa will provide technical support which is required for such activity," he said.

The Defence Minister also appealed state Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar for setting up courses for skill development in aeronautical engineering.

Parrikar said Goa requires engineering industry.

"Goans are in high tech jobs across India. Also a lot of talent is available locally," he added.

The Defence Minister also suggested that HAL should tie up with SAFRAN and get into manufacturing of engines.

"We are going to require 6,000-10,000 engines in next ten years and most of them are SAFRAN engines," he said.

Parrikar said the Goa government is ready to provide land and other facilities required to set up an engine manufacturing plant.

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Nalini Sriharan, one of the convicts serving life term in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, has written to the Commission for Women, seeking its intervention in securing an early release for her.

"She is the longest serving woman prisoner. She has written to the NCW. Had the Tamil Nadu government used constitutional provisions, she could have been released earlier. However, they are relying on Criminal Procedure Code provisions," Nalini's advocate P Pugazhenthi told PTI.

He said Nalini's death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment in 2000 only after the intervention and efforts of the Commission for Women.

Nalini, in her letter, said she has been in prison for 25 long years and is the longest serving woman prisoner. "No day passes without tears," she said, adding she has not been able to live her life as an ordinary woman.

Referring to the release of "hundreds of women prisoners from prison on important days like Anna's (former Chief Minister and DMK founder) birth anniversary," she said, "I have almost become depressed."

"I have all along been eligible to be released from prison under various premature release schemes in Tamil Nadu. Unfortunately, I am yet to be released. I have almost lost all hopes of my release from prison," she said in her letter dated on Saturday.

Her husband Sriharan, alias Murugan, is also serving life sentence in the case.

Nalini said her "only longing" was whether she would be able to see her daughter, who is abroad (UK) and whether "I will be able to arrange her marriage during my lifetime."

Nalini was arrested on June 14, 1991, in connection with the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in May that year at nearby Sriperumbudur.

In 1998, a special court for bomb blast cases at Poonamallee here convicted Nalini and 25 others and sentenced them to death. Her sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment by the Tamil Nadu Governor in 2000.
South African bank FirstRand (FRB) has decided to scale down its Indian retail banking operations, but will continue to service its clients' needs in the country.

The bank announced that a strategic review had shown that although the medium-term operations had been limited by India's regulatory environment, but it remained confident that its retail and commercial franchises should be in a position to compete in the longer term.

FRB Chief Executive Alan Pullinger said the bank would now focus its strategies on growing its businesses in South Africa and the rest of the African continent, which had huge untapped retail banking opportunities.

FRB had initiated its retail operation in India in 2012 with the intent of targeting the millions of unbanked citizens, following on its success in the preceding three years in corporate and investment banking amid the growing trade between India and South Africa.

"That (extension to retail banking) was off the back of a large population, a dynamic country with good growth prospects," Pullinger told the weekly Sunday Times.

"We had a sense that there were opportunities for us to get into retail banking. But the India operations contributed just 4 per cent to the group's profit before tax in the year ended June 2016," he added.

FRB had planned to secure growth through online banking and e-wallet services in India, but this had not materialised.

Pullinger explained that India's banking regulations, which allowed foreign banks to hold only a 5 per cent stake in local banks and permitted foreign banks to operate only one retail branch did not make business sense for FRB.

"FirstRand remains fully committed to those business lines that remain as part of the India branch, particularly the corporate and investment banking," Pullinger confirmed as he expressed the hope that the Indian banking regulatory environment in the longer term would be more conducive to growth.

Bradley Preston, chief investment officer at Mergence Investment Managers, told the weekly that FRB's strategy to focus more attention on Africa was related to the size of the market.

"While there is a large unbanked market in India, the same is true for Africa. What is key is the level of competition and the ability to realistically build market share and maintain attractive returns on equity," Preston said.

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At least 80 people were evacuated from a neighbourhood in the British capital by armed Scotland Yard officers today after a stand-off with a man believed to have stockpiled petrol and other combustible material.

The Metropolitan Police said they were "treating seriously" reports that the man has "quantities of petrol and combustible material" at his home in Northolt in north-west London.

Armed officers have been outside since the early hours of Friday over concerns about his mental health.

Around 80 residents have been forced out of their homes and a 200-metre cordon has been in place around the property on Wood End Lane since Friday.

"Whilst it is not known exactly what the man has inside the property police are treating seriously reports that the items appeared hazardous and dangerous, as they are said to include quantities of petrol and combustible material. It has also been reported that attempts have been made to prevent access to the property. Police believe that the man is alone inside the address," a Met Police spokesperson said.

"Due to concerns for the safety of the man at the address, local residents and the responding officers, police did not attempt to access the property on arrival," the police said in a statement.

Police negotiators and armed police remain at the location.

Police are concerned for the man's well-being and believe he may currently be experiencing mental health issues, which could be exacerbated by police action or may make his behaviour unpredictable.

Chief Superintendent Paul Martin, in charge of policing the area, said: "Our aim is to bring this to a safe conclusion for everyone. I know that our operation has been ongoing for some time now and that it is causing disruption and inconvenience to local residentsand the community of Northolt.

"I would like to thank them for their continued patience and cooperation. I can understand why people may be feeling frustrated or concerned. Their local officers are out on duty today to speak to local people, keep them updated and understand any concerns that they may have.

"The operation will continue for as long as is necessary and I would like to stress that we are doing all we can - using all our tactics - to end this incident safely."



The police stressed that there is no suggestion that this incident is terrorist related, nor is it linked to any other ongoing police operation or investigation.

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Shiv Sena will launch its manifesto for the upcoming Goa polls after Diwali during which seat sharing with RSS rebel Subhash Velingkar-led Goa Suraksha Manch will also be finalised.

Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray who is currently in Goa to launch the campaign said he would be visiting the coastal state again after Diwali to discuss seat-sharing with GSM.

"It is not fair to talk about election manifesto at this juncture when talks for an alliance are underway. We will be back to talk about election issues," he told reporters today.

Soft paddling on the issue of migration in Goa, Thackeray said it is the failure of the respective state governments to provide employment which forces people to move to other states.

Thackeray refused that migration in Goa would be an election issue but promised thatif his party is voted to power, they will ensure that the people don't have to leave the coastal state in search of jobs.

He said that Sena will connect to the Catholic population in the state during the upcoming polls.

"There is no denial that we are a party with Hindutva ideology. But that does not mean we hate other religions. Our principle of Hindutva is surrounding the person who is patriotic in his views and act. The communal harmony existing in Goa will continue even in future," he said.

Responding to a question, he said Sena's alliance with BJP in Maharashtra should not be a detrimental factor for the party to forge alliance with non-BJP parties outside the state of Maharashtra.

"Outside Maharashtra we are free to align with any like-minded party. The issues outside Maharashtra are different," he said.

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Veteran actress Shabana Azmi has criticised Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, saying he "brokered deal" with Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) instead of enforcing law and order, amid the row around the release of Karan Johar's "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil".

Johar accompanied by Producers' Guild President Mukesh Bhatt met Fadnavis yesterday along with MNS chief Raj Thackeray, whose party had been opposing the release of the film, which features Pakistani actor Fawad Khan.

In the meeting, it was decided that Bollywood film producers would not engage with Pakistani artistes in future and Johar will have to to put a special mention in the beginning of the film paying homage to martyrs of the Uri attacks.

"What a sorry state of affairs! CM brokers deal and buys patriotism for 5 crores! After Home minister had promised peaceful passage for #ADHM," Azmi, 66, posted on Twitter.

"Sangh Parivar speaks in different voices most blatant expression is CM MHRSTA brokering deal with MNS instead of enforcing law and order for ADHM release."



Further slamming MNS, Azmi said that the party of noone to decide people's patriotism.

"MNS will decide whether I am patriotic or not? I bow to the Indian Constitution, Raj Thackeray does not. Whose patriotism needs questioning?"



Before the meeting with the CM, Bhatt and a representative from Dharma Productions, which has produced "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil", had met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who had assured a smooth release of the film.

"CM Fadnavis shows scant respect for Home Ministers assurance of safe passage for #ADHM. BJP better haul him up and demand explanation."



"Ae Dil Hai Mushkil", starring Ranbir Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Anushka Sharma in lead roles, will released on October 28.

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Drinking a herbal concoction for diabetes to prove its efficacy to the public proved fatal for a 'siddha' doctor and three of his patients who he gave it to today as all of them collapsed and died at a village in the district, police said.

They said Muthupandi was running a clinic at Tenkasi for diabetes and blood pressure patients. He also used to visit patients at nearby Azhagapuram village.

Today he visited the village, but people there expressed doubts about the efficacy of his concoction. To clear their doubts, the doctor first drank it himself and then gave it to four patients, police said.

All of them fainted and were rushed to the government hospital at Tenkasi.

Muthupandi and three others died en route to the hospital, while the other patient was hospitalised and is reportedly in a critical condition, police said.

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Music mogul Simon Cowell has reportedly banned former One Direction member Niall Horan from performing his solo work on "The X Factor".

Cowell, 57, who discovered the Irish signer when he put up together the boy band, is upset over him for rejecting his solo record deal and signing with Universal, reported Mirror.

According to a source there is 'zero chance' he will be invited onto one of the live shows to perform his track "This Town," while Liam Payne is also said to be blacklisted after he chose to sign with a rival label.

"Simon really thought the 1D boys would show loyalty after he mentored them on the show and made them the huge global success they are. Instead they went behind his back.

"He's not going to be doing them any favours. He knows artists love performing on the show as there are eight million viewers to promote their songs to," the source added.

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Godrej Locking Solutions and Systems expects small towns to account for 5-10 per cent of its sales this fiscal and believes the share can double by 2020.

"I see an opportunity in tier III and tier IV cities for business development and therefore we are already pushing hard in those cities. Tier III and IV would deliver between 5-10 per cent of our revenues this year.

"By 2020, they have to significantly contribute. I see that 5-10 per cent becoming 15-20 per cent easily by 2020. The share of tier-III and tier-IV will increase," Godrej Locking Solutions and Systems Executive Vice President and Business Head Shyam Motwani told PTI.

The firm, part of Godrej & Boyce Manufacturing Company, has over 700 stock keeping units (SKUs) and is eyeing a turnover of over Rs 700 crore for this fiscal.

The locks market was estimated to be around Rs 4,000 crore in 2014, with the organised sector constituting 40 per cent of the industry.

Godrej Locking Solutions and Systems has a market share of 35 per cent within the organised segment.

Motwani expects the market share to increase significantly over the next five years with increasing urbanisation, rising disposable incomes and government initiatives like 'Smart Cities'.

The domestic locks market has been sluggish over the last 12-18 months due to the slowdown in the real estate industry, he said.

"There has been a slowdown in real estate over last 12-18 months and that certainly has had its impact on the building material industry. We are also in the same industry that supplies a lot of building materials, so the pace has slowed down a bit.

"The rate at which we wanted to grow and the rate at which we grew two years back, last year and this year, we have seen the pace has gone down a little bit," Motwani said.

"From a double digit growth we were at single digit... Our aspiration is to grow anywhere between 22-24 per cent a year. We were doing very well until FY15.

"FY16 and the current year FY17, the pace of growth has slowed down to single digit... My sense is, we will end at 9-12 per cent growth for this fiscal," he said.

The company, which largely operates in premium and masstige segment, is also tapping the online route and is making separate products for e-commerce.

"We are already working on products which are specifically designed for online and which are not available in normal traditional trade at all. We are looking at some of the main door locks for online today," he said.

Godrej Locking Solutions and Systems, which currently exports to Middle East, Africa and Asia, is planning to enter South America and North America as well.

Exports account for 3 per cent of its revenues and the company is expecting the share to increase to 4-5 per cent this fiscal.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ambitious South Asian satellite project, announced two years ago, is likely to miss the December deadline as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch GSLV Mark III that month.

"ISRO has been launching at least one satellite every month, so our calender is perennially packed and at this point of time it looks difficult to launch the South Asian satellite in December. It could get delayed by a month," a senior official said.

Launching of GSLV Mark III will be a crucial development in the country's space history. The Launch Vehicle is likely to be sent in the space by December end.

"Work on GSLV Mark III is in progress, but the date for the launch is yet to be arrived at. The project will help ISRO launch satellites weighing around four tonnes," ISRO chairman and Department of Space Secretary A S Kirankumar told PTI.

ISRO currently has the capability of launching satellites weighing up to 2.2 tonnes.

It has launched two satellites in September, and it is expected that October will also see launch of two more satellites. On August 28, it conducted the first experimental mission of Scramjet Engine.

The delay in the South Asian satellite also comes at a time when the regional grouping's annual summit in Islamabad has been called off following escalation of tension between India and Pakistan, in the wake of the Uri terror attack.

"We are working on the South Asian satellite project, but no date for launch has been finalised," Kirankumar said.

Modi, during the regional bloc's 2014 Summit in Kathmandu, had announced launching of a SAARC Satellite as a 'gift' to its neighbours in order to expand information sharing and connectivity within the region.

SAARC had come into being on December 8, 1985 and the initial plan was to operationalise the satellite in December this year.

However, Pakistan opposed the move and demanded that the satellite be brought under the ambit of the grouping. This was unacceptable to India. The name was later changed to South Asian Satellite.

Barring Afghanistan and Pakistan, all other SAARC countries have given their go-ahead to the project.

Even as the political leadership of Afghanistan has given



an in-principle nod to the project, there are some technical issues involved which are preventing Kabul to give its final consent and the "technical teams of two countries are sorting it out".

The delay in launching the project may also help bring Afghanistan on board, sources said.

Another reason for the delay in launching the South Asian satellite, was cancellation of SAARC Summit in Islamabad which was scheduled next month, a source said.

This has given ISRO the time to focus on GSLV Mark III launcher.

Sources said that once GSLV Mark III is launched, India will not have to depend on others for sending its heavy satellites in space, which it currently does from Guiana Space Centre near Kourou in French Guiana.

A good amount of money earned from the launch of light-weight foreign satellites with its Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) goes into hiring the launchpad in Kourou.
Ahead of the Assembly polls, ruling Samajwadi Party appeared to be headed for a split, with Chief Minister and his party supremo and father Mulayam Singh engaging in a face-off by sacking each other's loyalists Shivpal Yadav and Ramgopal Yadav.

On Monday, Samajwadi Party patriarch headed a crucial party meet at party office in Lucknow at 10 am. Television channels quoting sources said Mulayam may take some tough decisions to stave off an imminent split in Uttar Pradeshs ruling party.

On a day of fast-paced developments, Akhilesh first sacked Shivpal, his uncle and party's state unit chief, along with three other "pro-Amar Singh" ministers from his Cabinet. Mulayam, in a tit-for-tat action, expelled Ramgopal, pro-CM cousin and SP's general secretary, from the party for six years.

ALSO READ: SP faces spectre of split ahead of its silver jubilee

Mulayam, who remained silent during the day, told reporters in the evening that "Whatever I have to say, I will say tomorrow." He made the remarks after a meeting with Shivpal, Om Prakash Singh, senior minister and spokeperson Ambika Chaudhary, and MLC Ashu Malik, and some others.

(From L to R) Senior SP leader Shivpal Singh Yadav, SP Chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister .

Those who attended the meeting claimed that 183 of 229 SP MLAs attended it and there were demands for cracking the whip against supporters of Amar Singh, whose re-induction in the party two months ago had triggered a fight in the family.

After the meeting, the Chief Minister recommended to Governor Ram Naik that Shivpal, Narad Rai and Om Prakash Singh (all Cabinet ministers) and Sayeda Shadab Fatima (MoS - Independent charge) be sacked from his ministry. This was accepted immediately.

ALSO READ: How the Yadav vs Yadav family drama unfolded in Samajwadi Party

While the meeting was underway, hundreds of Akhilesh's supporters were raising slogans in his favour outside.

Significantly, before Akhilesh announced the sacking of Shivpal and three other ministers, Ramgopal issued a letter written to party workers, expressing support to the Chief Minister and warning those opposing him.

"Those who oppose Akhilesh won't be able to show their faces in the legislative assembly. Where Akhilesh is, victory follows," he said in the letter.

After his sacking, Shivpal met Mulayam at his residence, which is just nearby that of the CM's bungalow.

Hours later, he announced that the SP chief had expelled Ramgopal from the party for six years.

Shivpal told mediapersons that Ramgopal was colluding with BJP and had thrice met a senior leader of the saffron party to save himself and his son from a CBI probe in the Yadav Singh Noida scam.

He said he was not worried about being dropped from the government and declared that the state Assembly elections would be fought under leadership of Mulayam.

As the confrontation between the Akhilesh camp and the Mulayam camp appeared to be reaching a point of no return, reports were already doing the rounds that the Chief Minister could launch a new party named ' Samajwadi Party' or 'Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party' with motorcycle as its symbol.

Interestingly, according to some media reports, Ramgopal had met officials of the Election Commission in New Delhi a few days back, which was seen as an exercise aimed at exploring a new symbol and party name if Akhilesh dumps SP.
Ruling Samajwadi Party appeared to be headed for a split today as Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and his party supremo and father Mulayam Singh were engaged in an open face-off, sacking each other's loyalists Shivpal Yadav and Ramgopal Yadav.

While Akhilesh sacked Shivpal, his uncle and party's state unit chief, along with three other "pro-Amar Singh" ministers from his Cabinet, his father hit back by dismissing Ramgopal, pro-CM cousin and SP's national general secretary, from the party for six years.

The fast-paced developments unfolded this morning when Akhilesh held a meeting of party legislators, a day ahead of a mega meeting of party MPs, MLAs, MLCs and ministers called by Mulayam where some more tough decisions were likely to be taken.

After the meeting, the Chief Minister recommended to Governor Ram Naik that Shivpal, Narad Rai and Om Prakash Singh (all Cabinet ministers) and Sayeda Shadab Fatima (MoS - Independent charge) be sacked from his ministry. This was accepted immediately.

While the meeting was underway, hundreds of Akhilesh's supporters collected outside his residence, raising slogans in his favour.

Significantly, before Akhilesh announced the sacking of Shivpal and three other ministers, Ramgopal issued a letter written to party workers, expressing support to the Chief Minister and warning those opposing him.

"Those who oppose Akhilesh won't be able to show their faces in the legislative assembly. Where Akhilesh is, victory follows," he said in the letter.

After his sacking, Shivpal met Mulayam at his residence, which is just nearby that of the CM's bungalow.

Hours later, he announced that the SP chief had expelled Ramgopal from the party for six years.

Shivpal told mediapersons that Ramgopal was colluding with BJP and had thrice met a senior leader of the saffron party to save himself and his son from a CBI probe in connection with alleged involvement in the Yadav Singh Noida scam probe.

He said he was not worried about being dropped from the government and declared that the state Assembly elections would be fought under leadership of Mulayam.

Launching a scathing attack on Ramgopal, Shivpal said he was tarnishing the image of SP by dabbling in corruption, colluding with BJP and weakening Mulayam's leadership.

"On Mulayam's directive, Ramgopal is being stripped of his posts of party spokesman and national general secretary and is being expelled from the party for six years," Shivpal said, giving rise to intense speculation about an imminent split.

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A stylish black Afghan canine in Australia has become an Internet sensation after a photo of hers went viral on social media, landing her a job as the "spokesdog" of a luxury dog food brand, a media report said today.

Tea, the five-year-old black Afghan hound dog, has more online fans than most internet celebrities with a few advertising companies approaching its owner to use it as the official face of their brands.

Tea enjoyed a successful career as a show dog but, since her formal show retirement, her popularity has grown.

Dog's owner Luke Kavanagh of Oyster Bay area said his family is lapping up the dog's celebrity status, dailytelegraph.Com.Au reported.

"We always thought that she was far too pretty to keep at home. Even our weekend walks draw a crowd. She pretends she does not need the attention, but she definitely loves it, just like any supermodel," he was quoted as saying by the daily.

A photo of hers was shared over a million times online, with blog sites, Twitter accounts and companies using the image, which her owner termed "nothing special".

"I guess people were mostly drawn to it because of her silky coat coupled with that dignified look that Tea has, but that is just her being her," Kavanagh said.

A few advertising companies even approached Kavanagh to use Tea as the official face of their brands, which sparked her second career as an animal actor, the report said.

Tea has now appeared in an online and TV campaign for Harriot and Hounds' dog perfume and is the "spokesdog" for Royal Canine, the luxury dog food brand, it said.

While the family has been riding the wave of Tea's new-found fame, Kavanagh said he is happy she is officially retired, with no plans of taking Hollywood by storm in the near future, the report added.

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The Indian Language School here, one of the few CBSE-accredited schools outside the country, has not only been a unique centre of learning in this far off West African land but also a place where one can see national integration at its best.

Established in April 1982, the school is of the Indian community, by the Indian community and for the Indian community.

It began with just 90 students in 1982, and in recent years, the strength has been over 2,000. It has classes from LKG to XII and has been holding CBSE Board Examinations for Grades X and XII, since the late 1980s.

"Students who have grown up in ILS are confident, and proud of their Indian heritage. At the same time, they grow to respect and understand Nigeria's culture and language. They also develop a great fondness for Nigerians - a people who are, optimistic and friendly and full of humour," says the school's principal Elizabeth Mathew.

"Our students' interaction with Nigerian schools, for music, sport, drama, debate and art, have helped them develop friendships and they grow to love Nigeria. In fact, at least a few hundred of our alumni, have chosen to come back to stay and work in Nigeria," Mathew told PTI.

According to her, the presence of this Indian school in Nigeria has, to a great extent, helped strengthen bonds between the two countries - a bond that has already existed from the 1950s, when Indian businessmen and teachers came into Nigeria.

The school at Oba Nle Aro Avenue in Ilupeju comes under the umbrella of the High Commission of India to Nigeria and is managed by a Board of Trustees comprising eminent industrialists and businessmen.

"Over the years, we have had students and teachers from every part of India - from Tripura to Rajasthan, from Kashmir to Kerala...Understanding and appreciation for the myriad shades of India's cultural diversity, broaden and enrich the outlook of our students. I personally, have learnt so much more about India, during my years in ILS, than I have ever learnt in India," says Mathew.

Among some challenges she faced as the principal over the past three years, she says were textbooks delay, petrol shortage, unexpected closure of schools due to unrest, and once, even Ebola - 17 cases - when all schools in the country had to remain closed for over a month.

She says students passing out from the school have been pursuing a variety of careers including law, music, films, medicine, engineering, defence and fine arts and many of them are very well placed.

"A few of our alumni are even officers in the Indian Army and Air Force," she says.

Suman Kanwar joined the school in 1986 and went on to



become the principal in 1990.

Today, 23 years later, I am older and wiser. I know that to be the Principal of ILS, beside academics, one must know building construction, be proficient at filing affidavits in court, keep an eye on the health of the banking industry and the oil sector.

"Coming from a family of academicians, I was not a novice to the way educational institutions are run. However, running an Indian school in a foreign land has its own distinctive challenges. To begin with, we sometimes faced the problem of non-availability of trained and qualified teachers, especially after the Senior Secondary divisions were established. We managed.

"As all text books came from India, they did not always reach Lagos in time at the beginning of an academic year. We managed. I remember in one particular year, some science and computer science textbooks arrived only at the start of the second term. We still managed to get fairly good results. However, the 90 per cent mark which was elusive till 1991, was later achieved and the impossible was made possible. Our public exam aggregates rose into the 90s and we have never looked back since then," Kanwar says.

During her 23-year stint as principal, there were trials and tribulations in the mid 90s when "riots were the order of the day and Nigeria came to a standstill due to political turmoil".

The school remained shut for days on end and its authorities had to struggle to keep up with the academics.

"Worksheets were sent home like handbills. Many times the local crisis forced us to close school half way through the day and disperse students to nearby Indian houses, till evening, when it would be safe for them to drive home. To steer the school during such times of turbulence was a daunting, yet enlightening and strengthening experience for me," she recalls.

Things at the administration front too were not rosy, she says.

"hat was the time when communication was at a premium. Internet was non-existent and circulars from CBSE about the change in syllabi would reach us after the examinations were over. There were times when question papers had to be faxed by the CBSE to the High Commission.
Two near-simultaneous blasts in a Japanese park today injured at least three people, with one of them in critical condition, the local fire department said.

The explosions occurred at a park in Utsunomiya, some 100 kilometres (60 miles) north of Tokyo, shortly after 11:30 am (0230 GMT), a fire department spokesman said. It was not immediately clear what caused the blasts.

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Three teenage girls were killed and two other women injured after a heap of earth fell on them while digging in Singhia village in Bihar's Samastipur district.

The incident occurred when the three girls with two other women of Singhia village had gone to dig earth in order to smear their mud house with clay on the occasion of Diwali, Superintendent of Police Nawal Kishore Singh said.

The women, who sustained injuries, however, managed to come out of the heap of earth which fell on them while the three teenage girls were asphyxiated, he added.

Those who died in the incident have been identified as Mira Kumari (15), Puja Kumari (16) and Sunita Kumari (18), Singh said, adding that the seriously injured woman Sunita Devi (34) has been referred to Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), SP said.

The other woman, who sustained minor injury, was admitted to a local primary health centre, the SP added.

The identity of the other woman has not been ascertained yet, he said.

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A meeting of Cabinet is likely to be chaired on Monday by Finance Minister O Panneerselvam to take stock of some key issues concerning the state.

Panneerselvam, who is taking care of key portfolios held previously by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa is likely to hold the deliberations tomorrow, sources told PTI.

Last week, Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao had allotted the portfolios including Home, held by Jayalalithaa to Panneerselvam, till the time she returned to resume official duties.

The likely Cabinet meeting comes against the background of a similar meeting held four days ago and it was chaired by Panneerselvam for the first time.

At a time when the main Opposition DMK has called for an all party meeting to discuss the Cauvery issue on October 25, the likely Cabinet meet assumes significance.

The last Cabinet meeting held by Panneerselvam deliberated key issues related to like the Cauvery.

The last Cabinet meeting presided by Jayalalithaa was in July to discuss the annual budget.

68-year-old Jayalalithaa was admitted to the Apollo hospital on September 22 after she complained of fever and dehydration.
Training of informal health providers, a major component of primary care, can help fill the gap in the rural healthcare system due to huge shortage of medical professionals, a study has suggested.

The study was led by Abhijit Banerjee, professor of Economics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the US and co-founder J-PAL (Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab), along with partners from Liver Foundation, the World Bank and Yale University.

"A rigorous evaluation of a training programme for informal medical practitioners in West Bengal found that contrary to popular perception, the training led to substantial improvements in both knowledge and practice among informal providers," the study says.

The nine-month programme for rural informal practitioners, designed and implemented by Liver Foundation in Birbhum, is aimed at improving the practices of informal providers along the various dimensions of services offered by them.

"Over the 72 classroom sessions, taught by certified medical doctors, the structured curriculum covered topics such as physiology, drug use and abuse, emergency medical care, childcare and antenatal care, as well as public health programmes," a senior official at J-PAL South Asia said.

The researchers believe that training these informal providers can help fill the gap in the healthcare system due to shortage of medical professionals.

J-PAL said it was an intervention programme to analyse the impact of providing training to the informal health providers, and that the study found evidence that training them "did not worsen care, as has been argued by representatives of the Indian Medical Association."



"On the contrary, it found that those offered the training were more likely to correctly manage a case, as well as complete recommended checklists of history questions and examinations. In fact, the training closed half the gap in correct case management relative to the public sector," it said.

The Indian Medical Association's stand has been that it is against any attempt to provide training to informal health providers or 'quacks', saying that they legitimise an illegal activity and dilute standards.

The senior official of the research centre also said that based on the outcome of the study, "the West Bengal government is now in the process of scaling up the training programming to other parts of the state".

The results of this study have been published in the October, 2016, issue of the journal 'Science'.

Informal health providers with no formal medical training are the mainstay of India's primary care system, reportedly providing more than 70 per cent of primary care, the study says.

"The study provides robust evidence on this ongoing debate and shows that medical training can be an effective strategy for improving the quality of care provided by informal providers," Banerjee said.

Informal practitioners, who operate without formal



medical training, form a majority of India's rural healthcare workforce, addressing patients' healthcare needs where government sources may be less accessible.

They treat patients with conditions that can be managed in a primary care setting, refer patients with serious conditions to higher level care, and diagnose and manage patients with chronic conditions.

However, it is contentious whether these practitioners should be integrated with the health system, and if so, what might be the best way.

The study, meanwhile, also suggests that training informal health providers can also help address the manpower shortage in the health sector.

"The low costs of training imply that permanently hiring 11 additional fully trained MBBS providers into the public sector would be as costly as training 360 informal providers every year through this programme," it says.

The study used a randomised evaluation methodology, by selecting 152 of the 304 informal providers from 203 villages in Birbhum to participate in the training programme.

"Using unannounced standardised patients ('mystery' patients) and clinical observations, researchers assessed the impact of the training on informal providers' clinical practice. Further, researchers benchmarked these practices with those of public health providers in the same area," the J-PAL said.

The West Bengal government has issued an order to train the first batch of 2,000 practitioners over a six-month period, which is in the process of being rolled out across 35 centres. Rural healthcare providers will be trained in batches of 50 by nurses teaching at nursing training centres across the state, J-PAL South Asia said.

"This study is not only relevant for West Bengal but for other states too, such as Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh; as the structure of the informal provider market is often found to be similar -- both in terms of their widespread presence in the community and the knowledge gaps they face," Banerjee said.

However, the training "did not lead to a decline" in the use of unnecessary medicines, antibiotics or injections among providers who were trained. Nonetheless, both trained and untrained informal providers were less likely to give unnecessary medicines and antibiotics relative to doctors in the public sector, the study further said.

"Finally, the training increased the patient load of the provider, and it is estimated that the resultant increase in revenue would allow the informal practitioners to recover the cost of the training in anywhere between 66 and 210 days," it added.
Turkish artillery has hit jihadist positions in the northern Iraqi town of Bashiqa near Mosul after Kurdish Peshmerga forces asked for support, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said in televised comments today.

"They (Peshmerga) asked for help from our soldiers at Bashiqa base. We are providing support with artillery, tanks and howitzers," Yildirim told reporters in western Turkey.

At the base, Ankara says some 700 Turkish soldiers are training Iraqi fighters to help remove the Islamic State group from the country.

It has been a week since Iraqi forces and Kurdish Peshmerga supported by the US-led coalition began a major offensive to recapture Mosul, Iraq's second biggest city, from IS.

Meanwhile, Turkey's presence in the country has caused a war of words between Ankara and Baghdad. Earlier this month President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi to "know your place".

Tensions heightened after the Iraqi government referred to the Turkish soldiers as an "occupying force" in the first week of October and have continued to escalate. Abadi said yesterday that Baghdad did not need help from Turkey to liberate Mosul.

Yildirim said Tuesday that Turkish jets joined in the coalition's air operations during the long-awaited offensive. Erdogan has insisted that it is "out of the question" for Turkey not to be involved in the Mosul operation in some way.

Mosul was captured by IS in 2014 and is the last major jihadist stronghold in the country. Losing Mosul would leave Raqa, the jihadists' de facto capital in Syria, as the only major city under its control.

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Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray today poked fun at the meeting called by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadanavis to resolve the imbroglio over the release of Karan Johar's "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil", which was facing threat by MNS over the casting of Pakistani actor Fawad Khan.

"I have not got details about the meeting. But I have that all three (Fadnavis, Johar and Raj Thackeray) have decided to produce a movie. The name has also been finalised. It is titled 'Yeh to Hona hi Tha'," Thackeray told reporters here.

Yesterday, Fadanavis mediated a meeting between MNS chief Raj Thackarey and the makers of the film, at his residence 'Varsha' in Mumbai to cool tempers and facilitate the smooth release of the movie after MNS called off its agitation.

MNS had been vehemently protesting against the screening of movies featuring Pakistani actors and artists post the Uri terror attacks, which claimed the lives of 19 soldiers.

Responding to a question, Thackeray said Shiv Sena did not participate in the protests alongside MNS as they (Sena) were gauging the situation.

"We decided to keep aloof and see who takes what stand on this issue," Thackeray said refusing to answer any further question on the controversy.

"Sometimes it is better not to answer a few questions," he said, adding "people are wise enough to judge the situation."



Johar's "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" had been embroiled in a controversy over the past few weeks after the MNS raised a flag against it, thus putting a question mark on the fate of the movie, slated for a Diwali release on October 28.

The film starring Ranbir Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Anushka Sharma in lead roles will, however, release as per schedule after a truce was clinched. The producers gave some assurances such as that they would not work with Pakistani artists and technicians in their future projects, given the people's sentiments in the wake of the Pathankot and Uri terror strikes.

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The UN special envoy for urged the warring parties in the Arab country to extend a temporary cease-fire for at least another renewable 72 hours.

The current 72-hour truce expired at 11:59 PM (local time) yesterday. There was no immediate word on whether the combatants would agree to extend the cease-fire.

"The ceasefire was largely holding despite reported violations from both sides in several areas," Special Envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed said in a statement released by the UN spokesperson.

Ahmed noted that the cease-fire over the last days had enabled UN personnel to deliver food and humanitarian supplies to several areas that were previously inaccessible.

"We would like to build on this and we aim for a wider outreach in the next few days," Ahmed said.

He expressed the hope that if the warring parties agree to extend the cease-fire "it will lead to a permanent and lasting end to the conflict."



The war in began in 2014 when Shiite rebels known as Houthis based in the north seized the capital, Sanaa, and later swept across much of the poor Arabian Peninsula country.

In March 2015, Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies launched a campaign of air strikes against the rebels.
Thousands of women marched in Caracas against leftist President Nicolas Maduro's decision to block opposition-led efforts for a recall referendum.

The escalating standoff between the unpopular government and the powerful but fractured opposition is destabilizing the oil-rich South American state, stricken by food shortages and violent crime.

The authorities on Thursday quashed the opposition's plan to remove Maduro through a referendum by annulling a key stage in the process. The government also banned opposition leaders from leaving Venezuela.

The following day, Henrique Capriles, a leading figure with the opposition MUD coalition, said the move violates Venezuela's constitution, accusing the Socialist government of staging "a coup d'etat."



The coalition called for nationwide demonstrations starting next Wednesday.

Former National Assembly speaker Diosdado Cabello, the second most powerful government figure after Maduro, told a conference yesterday that the protests are linked to plans for a coup d'etat.

He pointed to an unspecified plan "of subversive character" found on the mobile phone of opposition councilman Jose Vicente Garcia, who was arrested for possessing two grenades and two tear gas canisters, according to the government.

That could give the authorities legal reasons to arrest opposition leaders, Cabello said. "Under no circumstance are we going to let ourselves be toppled," he said.

Nevertheless, he added that the government was ready to talk with international mediators currently in Caracas, even though the referendum against Maduro was not "in negotiation."



Opposition leaders have also agreed to meet with the team of mediators, led by former Spanish prime minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero.

In Washington, Organization of American States chief Luis Almagro yesterday blasted Maduro's move as undemocratic.

"Only dictatorships deprive their citizens of rights, ignore the legislature and hold political prisoners," he wrote in a statement.

Maduro has lost "all of his legitimacy... After leaving the people of Venezuela without electoral rights," he said.

He urged using mediators that have "the trust of everyone" to help resolve the crisis.

Fearing mass chaos, 12 OAS members issued a statement urging Venezuela to work toward peacefully overcoming the crisis.

The countries -- including Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Canada and the United States -- expressed "deep concern" over Maduro's decisions in a joint statement issued by Argentina's foreign ministry.

The measures affect the chances that talks would lead to "a peaceful exit to the critical situation" in Venezuela, the statement read.

It called on "all political actors" in Venezuela to engage in negotiations aimed at reaching "long-lasting solutions in favor of democracy and social stability," urging the "full respect for human rights.

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Bicycle thieves beware! A new bicycle lock has been developed by a US firm that thwarts burglars by making them vomit uncontrollably when they try to cut through it.

San Francisco native Daniel Idzkowski, one of the inventors of 'SkunkLock', was fed up with having his bike stolen, so he set out to create a new kind of bicycle lock, one that would not just act as a deterrent but would actually stop would-be thieves in their tracks.

With his co-inventor, Yves Perrenoud, Idzkowski created a U-shaped lock of carbon and steel with a hollow chamber to hold one of three pressurised gases of their own concoction, including one called 'formula D_1'. When someone cuts about 30 per cent of the way into the lock, Idzkowski said, the gas erupts in the direction of the gash.

The company claims its "noxious chemical" is so disgusting it "induces vomit in the majority of cases."



Even better, the company claims, the gas causes "shortness of breathing" and impaired eyesight.

"It's pretty effective," said Idzkowski, who has exposed himself to each of the company's three proprietary formulas.

"The first time we exposed ourselves to it, we essentially started running away...It was far worse than we expected," he was quoted as saying by East Bay Times.

Idzkowski said the effects are temporary - lasting between 20 minutes to several hours -- depending on the person and their level of exposure.

The non-toxic spray uses a mix of thiols -- a naturally occurring sulfur compound characterised by its foul smell -- and acids.

Some of the formulas also contain capsaicin, the chemical used in pepper spray. None of the formulas fall into any existing regulatory category, Idzkowski said, though he admitted the product may spur lawmakers to create one.

"Our formula irreversibly ruins the clothes worn by the thief or any of the protection they may be wearing," the company claims on its crowdfunding page.

SkunkLock is also already looking at selling the product in countries with high rates of bike theft -- including the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Denmark, Finland, Belgium, Sweden, and Japan, media reports said.

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With deals over $12 billion in kitty this month, including leasing of a second nuclear submarine, hopes to bag more projects as it termed itself as not just a business partner but an "ally" who stood by India in its "darkest hours".

is eying the multi-billion dollar deal for P75-I project of India under which six conventional submarines are to be built with Air Independent Propulsion systems and the next aircraft carrier project besides the deal to jointly develop a fifth generation fighter aircraft.

Asserting that there is no limit to what India and can do together, a top Russian defense official claimed the US and Europeans can never give what Moscow can and has offered.

"We are ready not just to deliver most serious weapons, most important weapons but continue to give our state of art technology," Sergei Chemezov, CEO of Rostec State Corporation, an umbrella organisation of 700 hi-tech civilian and military firms, told PTI.

"Russia is a friend, an ally and not a business partner. Russia stood by India during its darkest hours. Next year willmark 70 years of our relationship. It is a long time," he said and noted that Russia had stood by India when it faced sanctions after the 1998 nuclear tests.

"Not so in the recent past, when India was under sanctions, we were pretty much the only partner for India.

"Russia has been a partner not only in every day military supplies but also most sensitive and most important supplies including a nuclear submarine which was rented to India for you to use," said Chemezov who is also a close aide of Russian President Vladmir Putin.

"Come to think about it, I would not imagine any other country to do that, he said. Not in the past or in the future. I cannot imagine US or Europe giving India such a strategic asset," he said when asked about the tough competition that US and Europe are giving to Russia in the Indian defence market.

Not only did Russia lease out a nuclear powered



submarine, it actively helped in the building India's first indigenous nuclear weapon carrying capable submarine INS Arihant which has been inducted into the Indian Navy.

Chemezov said "it is a very special year for us and will be marked by major projects and things are starting already."



He, however, admitted that from a third person's point of view, there might have been some decline in some areas of defense between the two countries. US and some European countries have managed to strike mega deals with India which the Russians were also competing for.

"It is not a linear sort of relationship. We feel that ties are definitely developing and increasing," he said.

Giving example of the deadly BrahMos missile, Chemezov said that not only has Russia delivered high value equipment but has also collaborated with India on developing strategic assets.

He pointed out that in late 1990s, Russia had transferred technology for Su30 MKI, India's frontline fighter aircraft.

"At that point of time, it was our most modern equipment, our most modern plane. When we had actually signed that agreement, Russia did not even equip its army with this.

"This was basically our newest highest technology. That shows and speaks about our relationship with India," he said.

He also gave the example of T90 tanks, saying they are "not in anyway less but in many way, modern than any advanced US or European technologies".

He said there is scope for cooperation in the P75-I and the aircraft carrier project.

"There is definitely scope for both of those. There is pretty much no limit to what we could do together. Anything that is within our realm of things and possibilities, means it is the same with India," he said.

Chemezov said that Russia has already submitted its proposals for both projects.
The body of a 28-year-old woman was today found hanging in her house in south Delhi's Katwariya Sarai area, with her family members alleging that she was murdered by her in-laws, police said.

Anita Kataria, was found hanging in her room around 5.20 AM by her husband Ricky Kataria, they said.

Anita's family alleged that she used to be "mentally and physically tortured" by her husband following which he killed her and is now trying to pass off her death as suicide, a senior police officer said.

Police is awaiting the autopsy report of Anita.

Anita's father-in-law is posted as a superintendent in Tihar Jail while her husband owns a taxi stand. Anita and Ricky were married for seven years and have two children, they said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The pro-government Arab coalition today stepped up air strikes on Iran-backed rebels in Yemen and clashes raged on the ground as warring parties ignored a UN call to renew a fragile ceasefire.

The 72-hour ceasefire took effect just before midnight Wednesday to allow aid deliveries in Yemen, whose war has killed thousands of people and left millions homeless and hungry. It officially ended at midnight yesterday.

UN special envoy to Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, had appealed for a renewal of the ceasefire, saying humanitarian aid had during the truce reached areas that were earlier inaccessible.

But Yemeni Foreign Minister Abdulmalek al-Mekhlafi shrugged off the call as "useless", accusing the rebels of ignoring the ceasefire.

The truce was the sixth attempt since the Saudi-led coalition intervened in March last year to support the government of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi after Huthi rebels and their allies overran much of the impoverished country.

Ahmed urged "all parties to agree to its extension for at least another renewable 72 hours", in a statement posted on the envoy's Facebook page shortly before it expired.

The ceasefire was "largely holding despite reported violations from both sides in several areas", he said.

"We noted over the last days that food and humanitarian supplies were provided to several affected neighbourhoods and that UN personnel were able to reach areas that were previously inaccessible. We would like to build on this and we aim for a wider outreach in the next few days," he added.

But shortly after the appeal, coalition warplanes today pounded positions in Sanaa of the Shiite rebels and their allies, renegade troops loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, military officials and rebel media said.

Rebel-controlled sabanews.Net website counted nine air strikes on the capital today.

The dawn raids also hit positions in Marib, east of the rebel-held capital, and the southwestern province of Taez, the officials said.

The intensity of air raids by the Saudi-led coalition had eased during the ceasefire.

"An extension (of the truce) would be useless, because even if we accept it, the other party does not make any commitment to respect the ceasefire," Mekhlafi told AFP.

"We respect the UN envoy's call for an extension, but in effect, there was no truce due to the violations" by the rebels, the foreign minister said.

Fighting on the ground was showing no signs of abating.

Fierce clashes raged in northern regions along the borders with Saudi Arabia over the weekend, killing at least 10 rebels and four Yemeni soldiers, military officials said.

Saudi civil defence also reported cross-border bombing which wounded a Yemeni resident of the southwestern city if Najran.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
: A 27 year-old man, who was attacked by some miscreants when he was out on a morning walk at nearby Asaigoli, succumbed to injuries at a hospital today.

Karthik, son of a BJP leader in Pajir near here, had suffered serious injuries in the attack by an unidentified gang yesterday.

Police said they had formed five teams to probe the the case.

BJP workers, who gathered at the hospital, gave an ultimatum to the police to arrest the culprits within a day.

State Food Minister U T Khader visited the hospital yesterday.

BJP's Dakshina Kannada MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, who visited the hospital, said he had spoken to the police commissioner and requested him to take immediate action to nab the criminals.

BJP Mangaluru assembly constituency president Santhosh Kumar Rai Boliyaru alleged that attacks on Hindu youths were increasing and police should take stern action to check this.

The party's next course of action would be decided tomorrow, he told reporters.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Indian Navy will not be deploying a second Russian nuclear attack submarine in addition to the INS Chakra  a sub surface nuclear (SSN) vessel leased from Russia for 10 years, from 2012-2022.
Income tax mop-up from the metropolis remained flat during the first half of this fiscal at Rs 98,683 crore, primarily due to poor show by banking and pharma sectors as well as higher refunds.

Income tax mop-up had stood at Rs 97,499 crore in the year-ago period.

At the national level, the direct tax kitty swelled by close to 9 per cent to Rs 3.27 trillion during the first six months of the current financial year.

While the total refunds jumped by 27 per cent nationally to Rs 86,491 crore, the Mumbai zone saw refunds of Rs 36,690 crore, from Rs 28,395 crore a year ago, indicating a growth of 29.2 per cent.

The tepid collection from the megapolis, which saw only 1.21 per cent growth, was due to the fact that the Mumbai zone, which accounts for 35 per cent of the overall direct tax collection, saw huge refunds, according to tax department officials.

The Income Tax Department now has to make refunds to assessees within three months of an order issued by authorities like a court or the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal.

Still, the department is hopeful of meeting the tax mop-up target for the entire fiscal.

"Our net revenue collection rose just 1.21 per cent to Rs 98,683 crore as of end September from Rs 97,499 crore a year ago, as sectors like banking and pharma have not done well during the period," the newly-appointed Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax in Mumbai, S K Anand told PTI.

Speaking about the huge refunds, Anand said the zone has seen a 29.2 per cent increase in refunds at Rs 36,690 crore during the reporting period from Rs 28,395 crore a year ago.

He, however, sounded confident of meeting the overall target, saying, "We are still quite hopeful of achieving the target of Rs 2.79 trillion for the entire fiscal.

"Excluding refunds, the department has collected gross revenue of Rs 1.35 trillion during the reporting period, up from Rs 1.26 trillion a year ago, which shows a growth of 7.27 per cent.

"Revenue collection from corporates in the form of advance tax stood at Rs 63,058 crore, a growth of 9 per cent from Rs 57,818 a year ago," he said.



When it comes to TDS (tax deducted at source), the Mumbai zone grew 12.1 per cent to Rs 45,418 crore from Rs 40,517 crore.

"We have adopted a multi-pronged strategy to achieve the collection target during the remaining part of the fiscal," he said.

Regarding the Dispute Resolution Scheme (DRS), which came into force since June 1 but gathered momentum only from October 1 on culmination of the Income Disclosure Scheme (IDS), he said, "We have started getting good response on this now", but did not elaborate.

The DRS scheme is meant for those taxpayers whose cases are pending with the appellate authority as of February 29, 2016.

There are around 2 lakh such cases across the country.

There is a provision of tax payment plus penalty of 25 per cent under DRS which will end on December 31.

Direct tax collections from the entire country in September went up 9 per cent to Rs 3.27 trillion. In the year ago period, it was Rs 3 trillion.

It was despite the fact that the department paid refunds to the tune of Rs 86,491 crore in the month, up 27 per cent over the Rs 68,106 crore a year ago.

Nationwide TDS collections, which is the second largest component of the direct tax kitty, grew 12.12 per cent to Rs 1.72 trillion in the reporting period, from Rs 1.48 trillion a year ago.
"If somebody tells you they've been sexually assaulted, it's not so hard to tell them that it's not their fault. That seems like the biggest challenge we have as a society, to give the simplest messages to people, but if we're all able to respond like that a lot of the shame and stigma attached to sexual assault would dissipate."
"We didn't hit it off in the beginning. I found him very difficult to understand. He had a very strong French accent and I didn't speaking French. I couldn't figure out if he liked working with me or not. And with Giles, there was always a lot of girls ... there might be four, five, six girls on your shoot, so you know, it's not all about you," Macpherson said.
Our Promise: Welcome to Care2, the world's largest community for good. Here, you'll find over 45 million like-minded people working towards progress, kindness, and lasting impact.

Care2 Stands Against: bigots, racists, bullies, science deniers, misogynists, gun lobbyists, xenophobes, the willfully ignorant, animal abusers, frackers, and other mean people. If you find yourself aligning with any of those folks, you can move along, nothing to see here.

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You are our people. You Care. We Care2.
DS Automobiles is preparing the arrival of a new premium SUV in 2017, which will take the battle to the Mercedes-Benz GLC, BMW X3 and Audi Q5.



Confirmed to AutoExpress by PSAs Europe Director Maxime Picat, the vehicle is just the first in a long string to come from the French brand, and it will be followed by a DS 3-based crossover, in 2018, expected to turn to the Wild Rubis Concept, shown in Shanghai three years ago, for inspiration.

Additionally, DS is set to become the first brand in the PSA Group to go for a zero-emissions car, but unlike the competition, which offers specific EV models, the French will allow their customers to choose between different powertrains, from 2019 forwards.

We will push plug-in hybrid in higher segments and electric in smaller segments, like the B-segment or B-SUV, Picat said. There will be no specific car fully electric or fully hybrid; you will always have a choice of solution.

This means that DSs Audi Q5 rival will get a plug-in hybrid option, while the smaller DS 3-based crossover will gain an electric powertrain.

On top of these, the car company is also looking to roll out a new generation of the DS 3 in late 2017, which will serve as a basis for the aforementioned crossover. Rumor has it that it will gain an improved chassis and a striking exterior design.

A DS 4 hatch is seen in the automakers lineup further down the road, in 2019, inspired by the 2014 Divine Concept, and joined, at the turn of the decade, by the Luxury GT, previewed by the Numero 9 study shown four years ago. The latter will be aimed primarily at the Chinese market and will be the final one to arrive.

Note: DS Wild Rubis Concept pictured

PHOTO GALLERY
Photo: Contributed - http://www.drugabuse.gov/

The RCMP Federal Serious and Organized Crime (FSOC), along with Canada Border Services Agency, will be holding a joint news conference in Kelowna Thursday morning to announce the recent seizure of a significant amount of Bath Salts.

The seizure apparently took place somewhere in the Central Okanagan.

Bath Salts, also known as the Zombie Drug, are described as a relatively new type of drug in BC.

Police are providing no further details as to the size or location of the bust or how many people were involved.

According to WebMD, Bath Salts ". . . contain synthetic chemicals that are similar to amphetamines. Some, but not all, of the chemicals used to make them are illegal."

"The effects can include agitation, paranoia, hallucinations, chest pain, increased pulse, high blood pressure, and suicidal thinking/behavior."

The drug was originally linked to an incident in Miami a year ago when a man was shot by police after he was found eating the face of a homeless man.

The press conference will be aired live on Castanet at 11:30 a.m. Thursday.
Photo: Getty Images

By Rae Stonehouse

Have you ever heard this said? Our next speaker needs no introduction  Well, if thats true mister/madam emcee, then why do we need you?

As a master of ceremonies, your role is to build excitement about each speaker or presenter on your agenda.

While developing and honing my speaking skills at countless Toastmasters meetings and introducing hundreds of speakers over the years, I have developed an appreciation for the value of an effective introduction.

Whether you are introducing a speaker/presenter, presenting an award or introducing a person who will be taking on a role in the program, a professionally written and delivered introduction can exponentially increase the effectiveness of the person that you are introducing.

As the master of ceremonies, you are the warm-up act. Your role is to build excitement so your audience cant wait to hear what the person you are introducing has to say.

Here are some tips and techniques to ensure your next speaker introductions are delivered professionally.

Preparation is the key to success

If you are introducing professional or very experienced speakers, they may provide you with a script in advance that they want you to deliver word for word  nothing more, nothing less.

They will also likely provide you with details or instructions on how to deliver the introduction. You may be told to read it quickly with an increasing tempo or perhaps slow and whimsical.

It all depends on what they are trying to achieve in their presentation.

If you can memorize some of it without having to read your notes word for word, all the better.

As an emcee, I have often met the speaker just moments before he goes on stage with him passing me the introduction and only having a quick view of what I will be reading.

If you can contact your speaker in advance to work out the details of their introduction, do so.

But what about the nonprofessional speaker who, when asked for an introduction of their presentation, replies with Oh, you know me. Just make something up! What will you do then?

Using the six questions of who, what, why, when, where and how that every story requires, you would start by gathering answers to each of those vital questions.

This information gathering leads to the next step of the process that I call creating promotional copy. That is a term borrowed from the direct marketing industry to promote and sell products or services.

Selling the speaker to the audience

The most important factor we have to address from the audiences perspective is whats in it for me? Those who are awake and not texting on their smart phone that is.

Each audience member is asking the same questions: Why should I listen to this person? Where is their credibility? What promises are they making me?

If the person I am introducing is speaking on a topic that has been chosen for them and they have been chosen to speak because they have expertise on the subject, I would build that into my introduction.

I would mention any academic achievements or honorary awards if it adds to their credibility. I would do my best to highlight their accomplishments and promote what wisdom they will likely share with us.

Your introduction serves as the warm up act in helping your speaker to a strong start.

Sometimes as an emcee you will encounter a speaker who is lacklustre, some may call them plain vanilla. That probably poses the question why are they speaking if that is true?

Your challenge as a promotional copy writer is to work with them and dig a little to find those personal details that will sell the speaker.

Have you ever wondered how athletes or celebrities become motivational speakers? Their stardom enables them to springboard into other topics that brings their credibility with them. Your job is to find that hidden nugget and shine it  but review it with the speaker before presenting it live.

Your introduction should be crafted as any other speech. It should include an opening, body and conclusion. The slight difference in telling a story is that you are building the excitement as part of the speakers story and it is up to them to finish it.

Pitfalls to avoid:

You dont want to create a promotional introduction that might embarrass the speaker.

Avoid making statements that the speaker couldnt possibly live up to. Example: You are going to absolutely love this speaker. He is the funniest man alive. He makes Robin Williams look like Richard Nixon! If it is true  go for it! If not  dont use it.

Do not steal the speakers thunder. Perhaps you have heard the speakers presentation before. Mentioning the content or paraphrasing their lines can take away the impact of the material when the speaker is presenting it. I would suggest confirming with the speaker.

Dont wing it. Practice, practice, practice. Despite how the cliche goes, practice does not make perfect. Practice with constructive feedback and acting upon the suggestions, leads to excellence. Rehearse your introductions out loud and have a partner provide you with feedback.

aToastmasters clubs are excellent places to practise these skills and receive constructive feedback.

Rae Stonehouse is an Okanagan-based author, speaker and Toastmaster. Contact: 250-451-6564 or i[email protected].

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.
Photo: Contributed

A matinee screening of the new health and nutrition documentary, Eating You Alive, has been added in Penticton.

The pre-release Canadian debut of the film, taking place at the Shatford Centre Wednesday, Oct. 26, sold out quickly the 300 seats available for the 6:30 p.m. event.

We are so thrilled about the quick sell out that weve added a 1 p.m. matinee, in order to permit as many people to be the first in Canada to see the movie, prior to its wider theatrical release later in the year or early in the new year," said Cpl. Dan Moskaluk, a stage IV kidney cancer survivor who is featured in the film. "Its truly a unique opportunity for us here Penticton."

The film also features several celebrities leading a whole food, plant-based (WFPB) lifestyle and the top medical experts and researchers in the field of human nutrition, including Dr. T. Colin Campbell, Dr. Neal Barnard and Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn.

The film Eating You Alive, and cast members Dan and Sheannes Moskaluks WFPB advocacy efforts, also recently received an endorsement from local physician Dr. Wendy Ross, the lead physician of the Penticton Cancer Clinic and founder of the preventative medicine practice complete health management.

"I would strongly encourage all my cancer patients and their families and friends to come and see this film, for a comprehensive overview of the many benefits of a whole food plant-based lifestyle," she said. "I also recommend that my colleagues attend this screening, to further open the dialogue amongst medical practitioners about the importance of WFPB nutrition."

Ross is a fervent advocate of the lifestyle for optimal health, disease prevention, management and reversal of chronic diseases including cancer, diabetes and heart disease.

The matinee is at 1 p.m. and tickets are now available online at eatingyoualive.com.
Photo: Contributed

In honor of World Polio Day, on Oct. 24, The Rotary Club of Penticton-Okanagan and The Rotary Club of Penticton will be raising awareness of the End Polio Now initiative.

Rotarians will be hoisting their End Polio Now signs on the highway near the South Okanagan Events Centre on Monday between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m.

The initiative is part of Rotary's 27-year mission to eradicate the crippling childhood disease.

Since 1985, Rotary has contributed nearly $1.2 billion and countless volunteer hours to the protection of more than two billion children in 122 countries.

Locally, Rotarians donate personally to the End Polio Now campaign through The Rotary Foundation. The disease remains endemic in three countries -- Afghanistan, Nigeria, and Pakistan -- although other countries remain at risk for imported cases.

A highly infectious disease, polio causes paralysis and is sometimes fatal. As there is no cure, the best protection is prevention.

For as little as 60 cents U.S. worth of vaccine, a child can be protected against the disease for life.

Rotary initiated the campaign and has since partnered with The World Health Organization, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) and The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to eradicate this disease.
Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

People gathered on the banks of the Okanagan River in Penticton on Saturday to learn more about the return of sockeye salmon coming home after a 6,000 kilometre journey to the ocean and back.

The event was one of two Celebrate the Salmon open houses hosted by the Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Alliance and the Okanagan Nation Alliance.

After spending last Saturday in Oliver, this weekend they set up shop at the Okanagan River Restoration Initiative spawning beds just below Okanagan Lake.

"Today we are celebrating the return of the sockeye as they return for the third year in a row to their historical spawning grounds after an absence of 50 years," said Lee McFadyen, public relations coordinator for the restoration initiative. This year is also a really good year for salmon.

Theres been adequate water flows and moderate temperatures, so its expected that over 100,000 sockeye will spawn."

It has been a busy time for the organizers, holding the open houses and also talking with South Okanagan schoolchildren.

On Saturday, McFadyen discussed the effort with visitors as she stood in front of posters showing the work that has been done.

Among the topics covered were the flood control initiative during the 1950s which involved channelization of most of the river from Okanagan Lake to Osoyoos Lake and the work of the initiative in more recent years returning sections of the river back to more natural, complex and diverse conditions.

"This river is of primary importance to sockeye salmon," she said. "In the Columbia River system it is the only remaining river in B.C. in the system that supports the spawning as the sockeye were on the brink of extirpation, meaning being extinct in a certain area."

On the other side of the river, Valerie Blow, an interpreter with the conservation alliance, shared information about the life cycle of the sockeye.

"Salmon, fish in general, are a really important part of the environment," she said. "And teaching kids to be aware and understand their environment is really important as well."

As the two led the open house, people walked along the river to view and take pictures of the fish.

"The salmon are an integral part of the Syilx way of life," said Alison Reigh, an aboriginal support worker with School District 67. "And it's encouraging to see the initiatives that are bringing the salmon back to the area for the health of the people and the health of the land."
Photo: Jon Manchester

The Vernon Fire Department has been inundated with calls about heavy smoke in the hills east of Vernon, but fire officials say it's nothing to worry about.

A new development on Galiano Road has a burning permit for a large slash pile - the cause of the smokey concern.

The heavy smoke can be seen from all over Vernon, prompting multiple calls to the fire department Saturday.

As it stands now, though, everything is under control.
Photo: The Canadian Press

A toddler who died in a house fire was found with his dog and teddy bear next to him and authorities believe the dog tried to protect the boy, a spokesman for Spokane's fire department said Saturday.

The dog, a terrier mixed breed, also died in the fire that broke out at about 11:30 p.m. Friday, said the spokesman, Brian Schaeffer.

Three other children and two adults escaped from blaze in Spokane's Hillyard neighbourhood, he said.

The dog stayed behind in an attempt to protect the boy, firefighters believe, and the fire was so intense that it melted the metal on the frame of the boy's bed, Schaeffer said.

Jerry Atabelo, who lives across the street, told The Spokesman-Review he saw the flames and heard screaming as he was getting ready for bed. He yelled for his wife to call 911 and ran outside to hook up his 150 foot water hose.

As people screamed that a child was still in the house, neighbours dragged the hose across the street and sprayed water through a window to try to put out the fire, Atabelo said.

The battery in the house's smoke detector had been removed and it was not working, Schaeffer said.

The cause of the fire is under investigation and police are investigating the child's death.
Photo: Getty Images

The District of Summerland will be holding two information sessions on the planned water shutoff for March 2017.

The same information will be presented at each session, which will begin at 7 p.m., Oct. 25 and 7 p.m., Oct. 27 at the Centre Stage Theatre, 9518 Main Street.

Details about the shutoff along with tips and suggestions will be presented.

Water in Summerland is scheduled to be shut off from 7 p.m., March 3 to 7 a.m., March 6, 2017, to complete critical maintenance work on the district's water system.

Additional public meetings in a variety of formats will take place in the months to come.

Information will also be available in the district's monthly newsletter and on their Facebook and website pages.
Photo: Contributed

Colombia's flagship airline briefly grounded all flights to Caracas after a Venezuela air force plane flew close to a passenger jet, but the company said Saturday it was resuming service following clarifications from the two governments.

An Avianca Boeing 787 on a flight from Madrid to Bogota with some 200 passengers aboard was cruising at high altitude near Venezuela's western border with Colombia Friday evening when a Venezuelan military plane was spotted on radar flying a short distance away, the Colombian Defence Ministry said in a statement.

The Avianca pilot immediately notified Colombian aviation authorities and sharply diverted from the flight path. Four minutes later, the military aircraft split away and the jetliner resumed its course, the ministry said.

More than 90 minutes after the flight landed safely in Bogota, Venezuela's air defence authorities told their Colombian counterparts that the military aircraft was on a routine patrol.

Avianca said it was halting flights to Venezuela and would reroute several flights to Europe to avoid Venezuelan air space. But on Saturday, the airline issued a statement saying it would resume flights to Venezuela on Sunday "following clarifications between the governments of Colombia and Venezuela."

Venezuelan officials had not commented publicly on the incident, which comes amid a tension-filled standoff between President Nicolas Maduro and his opponents over the decision to suspend a recall referendum against the embattled socialist leader.

Maduro frequently accuses neighbouring Colombia of plotting with his critics to undermine his rule. Relations between the two nations have been hit by a number of crises over the past decade as Venezuela's role as Latin America's leftist stalwart has clashed with Colombia's traditionally staunch support for the United States.

The two countries' foreign ministers spoke to each other and Maduro, who is on a multi-nation tour of the Middle East, personally ordered an investigation, the Colombian Defence Ministry said.

Defence Minister Luis Carlos Villegas and his Venezuelan counterpart, Gen. Vladimir Padrino, also spoke and agreed to strengthen their early warning communications systems, the ministry added.

Colombians across the political spectrum expressed alarm, attributing political overtones to the incident.

"These manoeuvrs put in serious risk the lives of the passengers on the plane," said Rodrigo Lara, president of the government-aligned Radical Change party. "It's more evidence of the unpredictability of Nicolas Maduro's government."

Avianca is one of the few foreign airlines still serving Caracas after a number of carriers slashed service or stopped selling tickets to Venezuelans because Maduro's government, facing a severe cash crunch triggered by low oil prices, hasn't allowed them to repatriate some $3.8 billion in funds held in the country.
Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

Hundreds of people of all ages showed up Saturday night for a Penticton event organizers describe as the fall beer festival.

All the merriment was part of Penticton Oktoberfest, held by the Oktoberfest Society and JCI Penticton, at the trade and convention centre.

"It's just a great event for the community, to bring people out in the shoulder season," said Brent Fitzgerald, one of the organizers. "And I personally like to see the older fellows still ripping it up on the dance floor at the end of the night."

Highlights of Saturday night's festivities were German style food, beer from Cannery Brewing, imported beer from Germany and Austria and wine from Wild Goose Vineyards in Okanagan Falls.

Men clad in lederhosen and women in dirndls lined up for beverages and danced to the music of The BeerBarrels and the Alpine Plattlers.

Susie and Will Schlackl from Penticton were just in Germany and Austria for the month of August for a family reunion, so they wanted to come out to Oktoberfest to celebrate their heritage.

While Natalie Alexander and her husband heard about it through word of mouth.

"We both like beer and it seems like a fun event, so we decided to come with our friends," she said.

The local Oktoberfest isn't just a fun celebration, proceeds from each year's event go to support local charities.
Photo: Facebook

UPDATE 3:32 P.M.

An official statement from Historic O'Keefe Ranch chairperson Max Russmann and general manager Glen Taylor condemn the acts of violence committed against volunteers at the ranch's Field of Screams corn maze and vows to punish the culprits to the fullest extent possible under the law.

It is with great disappointment, and considerable upset and anger that we issue this statement regarding the attacks of Oct. 22, 2016 at O'Keefe Ranch's haunted corn maze event.

The statement goes on to say, the ranch would like to assure the public that we will be working closely with the RCMP and with the Crown, and will be bringing all available resources to bear in finding those responsible and ensuring that they are held accountable for their actions.

Ranch officials will be taking additional steps to ensure our staff, our volunteers, and our patrons are safe while at O'Keefe Ranch, but did not elaborate.

We are a nonprofit society, and depend upon events such as this one to remain operational. While this appears to be an isolated event, the safety of all of the members of our community while they are at the Ranch is paramount, and it is something that we treat with the utmost seriousness and importance at all times.

Finally, we would like to openly and forcefully decry this kind of behaviour. Such actions are not acceptable at the ranch, in our community, or in our society. They will not be tolerated, and again, in addition to taking further steps to ensure everyone's safety, we will be seeking to ensure that those responsible are held accountable to the fullest extent possible under the law.

ORIGINAL: 8:30 A.M.

Vernon residents are on a witch-hunt and this time its for the people that hurt the witch.

According to multiple reports, one group of about eight young men and one other group of young adults tore through the OKeefe Ranch Field of Screams Saturday night causing serious damage to both the props and the actual actors.

Multiple volunteer actors are reporting on two local Vernon Facebook pages that props were damaged, corn was thrown at them, they were hit and one woman even had her hand crushed by an assailant.

Kimberly writes that a man in crutches purposely crushed her hand, breaking a finger and a knuckle and causing extensive bruising.

He wasn't even scared he just smashed my hand with his crutches. Broke one finger in two separate places. He laughed and thought it was funny. He hit me three times before I could get my hand back thru the hole in the wall, wrote Kimberly.

Fellow actor Jennifer Blake wrote that throughout the evening actors were punched, pushed, kicked and hit.

I hope any of you losers who have been doing this realize that each and every one of these actors are volunteers, many of which are teenagers and kids that you are hurting. Including a horrifying story I heard about our 10-year-old actor getting kicked, she wrote.

I can't believe some of this disgraceful behaviour. A lot of us actors are legitimately scared for our safety now.

One mother wrote in to Castanet confirming reports of the assault. She said her 16-year-old daughter was repeatedly pushed, punched, kicked and threatened.

Multiple posts have been put online in hopes of identifying the assailants whom the actors described as drunk, disorderly and aggressive.

While many online are saying this year is the best show the Ranch has ever put on, some actors are saying they may not be going back as they fear for their safety.

The RCMP are reportedly involved in the investigation.

Castanet has calls in to the Vernon RCMP and OKeefe Ranch and will update this story with more information as it becomes available.

Send news tips, photos and video to [email protected]
Photo: Contributed

The Penticton fire department responded to the incident with a truck and a boat. The Okanagan Falls Fire Department also responded.

The lone occupant of the vehicle was under the care of paramedics when fire crews arrived.

There is no word on the cause of the accident.

Emergency personnel are rushing to the scene of a reported car in the lake near Penticton.

According to a witness, the car went off East Side Road into Skaha Lake somewhere between Penticton and Okanagan Falls.

It is unknown what caused the car to go in to the lake, but Good Samaritans could be seen assisting the driver out of the water.

Castanet will have more information as soon as it becomes available.

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Shelly Goettelmann waits at John Wayne Airport to board a plane to Pittsburgh while her children catch a nap. An India-based airline has added a child-free zone for people who want a quiet flight. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

Parents who don't control their noisy children top the list of most annoying violators of airline etiquette  and now there is another air carrier that is doing something about that.

IndiGo, a low-cost airline based in Haryana, India, has added "quiet zones" to its domestic and international flights where seats are not sold to travelers 12 years and younger in rows 1-4 and 11-14.

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"These zones have been created for business travelers, who prefer to use the quiet time to do their work," IndiGo spokeswoman Sakshi Batra said.

Passengers who book seats in the quiet zone must pay an extra fee ranging from $6 to $20, depending on the flight.

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The new seating option follows similar moves from Scoot, a low-cost airline from Singapore; AirAsia X, a low-cost carrier from Malaysia; and Malaysia Airlines.

Though no American-based airlines have proposed the idea, a child-free zone might have support in the U.S.

A survey of 1,001 Americans by the travel site Expedia found that 41% of those who were questioned said annoying children and their parents were the worst airplane etiquette violators.

Also, 49% of Americans surveyed said they would pay extra to be seated in a designated "quiet zone," free of screaming children, the survey found.

The reaction on Indian social media seems mixed.

A woman who goes by the Twitter handle Ms Jaybe told IndiGo on Twitter: "Yes, kids make noise but I shouldn't be forced to listen to it. They're yours."

Another traveler with the Twitter handle Raghav Nirwani told IndiGo that the "quiet zone" policy "just confirms that @indigo6e is child unfriendly. Can't make anything else of it."

hugo.martin@latimes.com

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To read more about the travel and tourism industries, follow @hugomartin on Twitter.
A 22-year-old man who pulled a gun on police was shot by officers Sunday morning during a traffic stop in Englewood.

He and two others were arrested after the incident, which happened in the 300 block of West 59th Place in the city's Englewood neighborhood, according to chief Chicago police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi.

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The incident happened at about 10 a.m. after officers stopped a vehicle that had stolen license plates. As officers approached it, three people got out of the vehicle and ran off, police said.

When officers gave chase, one of the three "confronted an officer with a weapon,'' causing an officer to shoot his weapon, hitting the gunman several times in the lower extremities, police said in a statement.

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The gunman, 22, was taken to Stroger Hospital, police said. His condition was not known.

The three suspects are in custody and charges are pending.

Two guns were recovered from the scene and the police officers involved will be placed on routine administrative duties for 30 days, the statement said.

The incident is under investigation by the Independent Police Review Authority.
A look at factors driving Chicago violence as the city sees dramatic increases in the number of shooting victims and homicides. (Jemal R. Brinson / Chicago Tribune) (Tribune graphics/Chicago Tribune)

Updated Oct. 25, 2016  Two men were killed and at least 10 other people have been wounded in shootings since Sunday morning, officials said.

The first fatal shooting occurred in the Chicago's Little Village neighborhood about 5 a.m. Sunday.

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A 29-year-old man was found with several gunshot wounds to the head and torso in the 2800 block of South Pulaski Road and was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition.

He was identified as Jason Balboa, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office, which said he was pronounced dead at 9:28 a.m.

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About 7:05 p.m. Sunday, a 23-year-old man was shot in the face, chest, back and right hand while in the 1900 block of North Karlov Avenue, in the Hermosa neighborhood. Officers were responded a call of a person shot and found him unresponsive. He was taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in critical condition and was pronounced dead early Monday morning, according to police and the Cook County medical examiner's office. That office identified him as Samuel Williams of the 1900 block of North Kedvale.

In nonfatal shootings:

About 7:45 p.m., a 16-year-old boy was shot twice in the buttocks in the 1500 block of West 81st Street in Gresham, said Officer Kevin Quaid, a police spokesman. He told police he was outside when two unknown attackers on foot began shooting at him, Quaid said. The boy was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where his condition has stabilized, Quaid said.

About 6:50 p.m., a 23-year-old man was shot in the 8000 block of South Sacramento Avenue in the Wrightwood neighborhood. The man had just gotten out of a vehicle when a light gray SUV pulled alongside him and an unknown gunman began firing before the SUV fled south on Sacramento. The 23-year-old was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in critical condition, Quaid said.

About 6:15 p.m., a 33-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman who were "unintended targets" were shot in the Englewood neighborhood in the 7000 block of South Racine Avenue, Quaid said.

The woman was grazed in the right shoulder and the man was shot twice in the abdomen when gunfire was exchanged between two groups on the block, Quaid said. The woman declined to be taken to a hospital, but the man was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in critical condition.

Englewood District officers responded to several calls of loud reports and saw an 18-year-old man running with a gun. Officers gave chase, placing the 18-year-old in custody, Quaid said. Charges are pending for the 18-year-old, who was taken to St. Bernard Hospital for an injury he suffered to his hand while running, Quaid said.

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About 4:50 p.m., a 59-year-old man was shot in Lawndale. He was in the 1500 block of South Kolin Avenue when he heard gunfire and realized he was shot in the right leg. He was taken to Stroger Hospital in good condition. He was being uncooperative with the investigation, police said.

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About 5:10 a.m., 29-year-old man was shot during an argument in the 2200 block of North Ashland Avenue in Logan Square. The man was arguing with a "known male,'' who fired shots at him, hitting him in the leg, said Officer Ana Pacheco, a police spokeswoman. He was taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, where his condition has stabilized, Pacheco said. The attacker jumped into a vehicle and fled after the shooting.

About 5 a.m., a 17-year-old boy was injured during another attack in the 2100 block of South Western Avenue in Little Village, Pacheco said. The teen told police he was walking when he heard shots and felt pain, Pacheco said. An acquaintance took the teen to Mount Sinai Hospital with a gunshot wound to the knee. His condition has stabilized, Pacheco said.

About 4:20 a.m., a 39-year-old man was driving in the 5100 block of West North Avenue in the North Austin neighborhood when he heard shots fired and felt pain in his shoulder, Pacheco said. He stopped and switched seats with a passenger, who drove him to West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park, where he was being treated for a gunshot wound to the upper left back area. His condition has stabilized, Pacheco said.

About 4:15 a.m., a 29-year-old man was sitting in a vehicle in the 300 block of North Pine Avenue in the Austin neighborhood when a gunman approached and fired shots at him, hitting him in the abdomen, Pacheco said. He got himself to West Suburban Medical Center, where he became uncooperative and left the hospital, refusing medical attention, Pacheco said.

About 4 a.m. in the 3700 block of West Roosevelt Road in the Homan Square neighborhood, a 28-year-old man was shot in the leg. He got himself to West Suburban Medical Center, where he was in good condition, Pacheco said.

In addition, a 17-year-old boy got himself to Mount Sinai Hospital on Sunday and said he had been shot Saturday, police said. He said he was attacked about 3 a.m. Saturday in the 3700 block of West 25th Street in Little Village. He got himself to the hospital with a gunshot wound to the hand and was listed in good condition.
Chicago radio legend Herb Kent, the longest-running DJ in the history of radio and a fixture on local airwaves for more than 70 years, died Saturday. He was 88.

Kent's death was announced Sunday by executives at V103, where Kent worked for the past three decades. Also known as "The Cool Gent," "King of the Dusties" and the "Mayor of Bronzeville," Kent did his final radio broadcast Saturday morning.

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"No words can express our great sense of loss," Matt Scarano, region president of iHeartMedia Chicago, said in a statement. "Herb was an iconic talent, who for nearly 70 years entertained millions of listeners in Chicagoland and around the world. His passion for radio and work ethic was second to none as Herb worked to the very end, by hosting what unexpectedly was his final V103 broadcast on Saturday morning.

"We are so thankful for the privilege of working alongside such an historic figure as Herb Kent for the past 27 years. Our thoughts and prayers are with Herb's family, friends and loved ones."

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Herbert Rogers Kent was born Oct. 5, 1928, at Cook County Hospital, now Stroger Hospital. Kent noted in his memoir that he arrived the same year as poet Maya Angelou, singer Fats Domino, actors Adam West and Shirley Temple, as well as Mickey Mouse, Rice Krispies, Louisiana Hot Sauce and penicillin.

"Some people joke that 'in the beginning, God created Herb Kent,' but hey, I'm not that old," Kent wrote.

Kent grew up an only child in the Ida B. Wells housing project in Bronzeville and showed an early fascination with radio, building makeshift devices out of toilet paper inserts, crystals, wires and earphones, he said in a 2015 interview with the Soul Train website.

Kent got his start in radio while still a student at Hyde Park High School. In 1944, at 16, he hosted a classical music program for WBEZ, according to a profile in the National Radio Hall of Fame, into which he was inducted in 1995.

Early on, he often recalled, a white professor told him he had a great voice but never would succeed in the business "because you're a Negro."

"That was my signal to make a difference and from that day forward, I pushed harder and eventually landed an on-air paid job," he told SoulTrain.com.

He spun records at WGRY in Gary, making $35 a week, while also acting in radio dramas for NBC affiliate WMAQ.

Through the 1950s, Kent worked at WGES, Chicago's largest black radio station, then at WBEE where he coined the phrase "dusty records" or "dusties."

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He then worked at WJOB in Hammond and WHFC in Chicago, according to the profile.

Kent spent several years at WVON-AM 1690 as one of the station's original DJs, which he called the "apex" of his career. The station, whose name originally stood for "Voice of the Negro," enjoyed enormous popularity in the broadcasting world and became a fixture in Chicago's black community. Kent, alongside Franklin McCarthy, E. Rodney Jones, Wesley South and Pervis Spann, comprised the first core group of WVON personalities, known as "The Good Guys."

He often is credited for helping launch the careers of The Temptations, Smokey Robinson, Curtis Mayfield and Minnie Riperton. He mentored "Soul Train" host Don Cornelius when the television personality first got started in broadcasting.

WVON celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2013. Kent told the Tribune about how the station grew beyond music to become an influential resource in black politics and social issues in Chicago.

"So in the confusion and everything, I think the talk radio thing was born here at WVON," Kent said. "We needed a black talk-radio station, because they got into all kinds of things. Race riots, racism, food stamps, poverty, civil rights  from a black point of view, which we never had before. Just absolutely phenomenal. Because the white radio stations never gave us that much time. I'm sure they were fair, but it was always a white talk show, not completely black like this.

"It meant everything: a way to air your views. Politics. Helped different black politicians get elected. Really an educational outlet for black people, and also an educational outlet for white people, to let them know what black people are like. I'm sure this will go down as one of the great black talk stations of all time, just as it was one of the great music stations. Without it, we wouldn't have hardly any voice at all."

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Kent joined V103, then known as WVAZ, in 1988. In all, he worked as a DJ for 11 different stations, amassing high ratings the entire way.

"I think my success has had much to do with the way I appeal to my listeners as well as how I tap into the vein of what I call Cool School music," he wrote in his book. "It doesn't matter if it's old school or new school  there's a certain quality to some music that just makes it good, makes it timeless, makes it ... Cool School."

Cool he was, with a fondness for Cadillacs and rocking his trademark mustache and cowboy hat.

"I'm so cool, I'm froze in my clothes!" he was often quoted as saying.

In the mid-1990s, Kent briefly hosted his own dance show on ABC 7 called "Steppin' at Club 7."

He released his no-holds-barred autobiography in 2009, titled: "The Cool Gent: The Nine Lives of Radio Legend Herb Kent." Former Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley wrote the foreword.

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The subtitle, Kent wrote, was owing to his fast and colorful lifestyle of drugs, alcohol, women and wild parties. Not to mention the more blase experiences of visiting soul legend James Brown in prison, shadow boxing with Muhammad Ali and sleeping in an empty casket  "an overrated experience" he recalled.

"And you don't live for more than eighty years without almost getting close to meeting your Maker at least a few times, I think," he wrote. "Some of my nine lives have been rather funny, some mystical, some dark and anguished. And the fact is, by all accounts, I could just as easily be dead right now as sitting in a radio booth still broadcasting or writing a book."

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Kent was inducted into the national Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame in August, in a class that also included Prince, Smokey Robinson, The Supremes, Dionne Warwick and Jimi Hendrix. He also taught broadcasting and communications at Chicago State University on the Far South Side.

"Herb was our radio superhero," said Derrick Brown, director of urban programming iHeartMedia Chicago. "While I'm incredibly sad, I hold so much joy remembering the fun times we've had with him and the smiles he brought to our faces. Herb will hold an eternal place in our hearts."

Kent celebrated his 88th birthday earlier this month and posted a message to his blog commemorating the occasion.

"Thank you to all my fans for the birthday wishes, each of you made my day special. I can dig it!"

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Information on services and survivors was not immediately available.

drhodes@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @rhodes_dawn
The wreckage of a fatal car crash is seen along the northbound lanes of Lake Shore Drive just south of Belmont Avenue in Chicago on Oct. 23, 2016. The force of the crash split a Honda into three pieces. (Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune)

A man was in a fatal crash after his vehicle crashed into a tree just off of Lake Shore Drive, police officials said Sunday morning.

At 3:53 a.m., the 26-year-old Lincolnwood man was driving a 2002 Honda along the northbound lanes of Lake Shore Drive away from the Loop when he lost control and veered, hitting a tree, said Officer Ana Pacheco, a Chicago police spokeswoman. He was the only person in the vehicle and he was pronounced dead on the scene at 4:24 a.m., according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

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The incident appeared to be alcohol-related, Pacheco said. Officials did not say where the man was traveling from.

At the site of the crash, the headlights of a police vehicle shone on the car, which was smashed into three pieces. The Honda landed in a ditch near the Belmont Avenue off-ramp. A few police vehicles were parked along the side of Lake Shore Drive and a flatbed tow truck later arrived to clear the debris.

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Authorities are investigating. The Cook County medical examiner's office hadn't contacted next of kin as of 2:30 p.m.
Protesters chant Saturday night in front of the Tribune Tower as part of a protest march against police brutality. (Chicago Tribune)

Four protesters were arrested during a police brutality protest and march, including during a confrontation over whether protesters could march in the street Saturday on the Magnificent Mile, a protest spokesman said Saturday.

Police confirmed that four people were taken into custody about 2 p.m. in the 700 block of North Michigan Avenue and charges against them were pending but did not immediately have more details Saturday night.

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Organizers said in a release that police did not allow people who were part of the National Day of Protest to Stop Police Brutality to march in the roadway of Michigan Avenue from the Chicago Water Tower, 806 N. Michigan Ave., despite a permit allowing them to do so.

At the start of the march, "police viciously attacked marchers, ripped a banner out of their hands, threw several to the ground, slammed their bicycles into others, piled up on top of some and arrested at least four people," according to the release.

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The permit, however, also gave police the authority to "limit the available portion of the public way" if one lane of traffic or the sidewalk were enough to accommodate all protesters, according to a copy of the permit supplied by organizers.

Video from the protest posted on Instagram on Saturday showed a short confrontation with police before demonstrators began marching south on Michigan Avenue. At one point, the video showed protesters blocked traffic on Wacker Drive at Michigan for a time.

Check back for updates.
Short of troops to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan a decade ago, the California National Guard enticed thousands of soldiers with bonuses. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Reporting from Washington  Short of troops to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan a decade ago, the California National Guard enticed thousands of soldiers with bonuses of $15,000 or more to reenlist and go to war.

Now the Pentagon is demanding the money back.

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Nearly 10,000 soldiers, many of whom served multiple combat tours, have been ordered to repay large enlistment bonuses  and slapped with interest charges, wage garnishments and tax liens if they refuse  after audits revealed widespread overpayments by the California Guard at the height of the wars last decade.

Investigations have determined that lack of oversight allowed for widespread fraud and mismanagement by California Guard officials under pressure to meet enlistment targets.

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But soldiers say the military is reneging on 10-year-old agreements and imposing severe financial hardship on veterans whose only mistake was to accept bonuses offered when the Pentagon needed to fill the ranks.

"These bonuses were used to keep people in," said Christopher Van Meter, a 42-year-old former Army captain and Iraq veteran from Manteca, Calif., who says he refinanced his home mortgage to repay $25,000 in reenlistment bonuses and $21,000 in student loan repayments that the Army says he should not have received. "People like me just got screwed."

In Iraq, Van Meter was thrown from an armored vehicle turret  and later awarded a Purple Heart for his combat injuries  after the vehicle detonated a buried roadside bomb.

People like me just got screwed.  Christopher Van Meter, former Army captain

Susan Haley, a Los Angeles native and former Army master sergeant who deployed to Afghanistan in 2008, said she sends the Pentagon $650 a month  a quarter of her family's income  to pay down $20,500 in bonuses that the Guard says were given to her improperly.

"I feel totally betrayed," said Haley, 47, who served 26 years in the Army along with her husband and oldest son, a medic who lost a leg in combat in Afghanistan.

Haley, who now lives in Kempner, Texas, worries they may have to sell their house to repay the bonuses. "They'll get their money, but I want those years back," she said, referring to her six-year reenlistment.

The problem offers a dark perspective on the Pentagon's use of hefty cash incentives to fill its all-volunteer force during the longest era of warfare in the nation's history.

Even Guard officials concede that taking back the money from military veterans is distasteful.

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"At the end of the day, the soldiers ended up paying the largest price," said Maj. Gen. Matthew Beevers, deputy commander of the California Guard. "We'd be more than happy to absolve these people of their debts. We just can't do it. We'd be breaking the law."

Facing enlistment shortfalls and two major wars with no end in sight, the Pentagon began offering the most generous incentives in its history to retain soldiers in the mid-2000s.

It also began paying the money up front, like the signing bonuses that some businesses pay in the civilian sector.

Theyll get their money, but I want those years back.  Susan Haley, former Army master sergeant

"It was a real sea change in how business was done," said Col. Michael S. Piazzoni, a California Guard official in Sacramento who oversaw the audits. "The system paid everybody up front, and then we spent the next five years figuring out if they were eligible."

The bonuses were supposed to be limited to soldiers in high-demand assignments like intelligence and civil affairs or to noncommissioned officers badly needed in units due to deploy to Iraq or Afghanistan.

The National Guard Bureau, the Pentagon agency that oversees state Guard organizations, has acknowledged that bonus overpayments occurred in every state at the height of the two wars.

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But the money was handed out far more liberally in the California Guard, which has about 17,000 soldiers and is one of the largest state Guard organizations.

In 2010, after reports surfaced of improper payments, a federal investigation found that thousands of bonuses and student loan payments were given to California Guard soldiers who did not qualify for them, or were approved despite paperwork errors.

Army Master Sgt. Toni Jaffe, the California Guard's incentive manager, pleaded guilty in 2011 to filing false claims of $15.2 million and was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison. Three officers also pleaded guilty to fraud and were put on probation after paying restitution.

Soldiers from the California Army National Guard have been ordered to return enlistment bonuses they received a decade ago when the Pentagon needed troops for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. (California Army National Guard)

Instead of forgiving the improper bonuses, the California Guard assigned 42 auditors to comb through paperwork for bonuses and other incentive payments given to 14,000 soldiers, a process that was finally completed last month.

Roughly 9,700 current and retired soldiers have been told by the California Guard to repay some or all of their bonuses and the recoupment effort has recovered more than $22 million so far.

Because of protests, appeals and refusal by some to comply, the recovery effort is likely to continue for years.

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In interviews, current and former California Guard members described being ordered to attend mass meetings in 2006 and 2007 in California where officials signed up soldiers in assembly-line fashion after outlining the generous terms available for six-year reenlistments.

Robert Richmond, an Army sergeant first class then living in Huntington Beach, said he reenlisted after being told he qualified for a $15,000 bonus as a special forces soldier.

The money gave him "breathing room," said Richmond, who had gone through a divorce after a deployment to Afghanistan in 2002 and 2003.

In 2007, his special forces company was sent to the Iraqi town of Hillah, 60 miles south of Baghdad in an area known as the "Triangle of Death" because of the intense fighting.

Richmond conducted hundreds of missions against insurgents over the next year. In one, a roadside bomb exploded by his vehicle, knocking him out and leaving him with permanent back and brain injuries.

He was stunned to receive a letter from California Guard headquarters in 2014 telling him to repay the $15,000 and warning he faced "debt collection action" if he failed to comply.

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I signed a contract that I literally risked my life to fulfill.  Robert Richmond, former Army sergeant first class

Richmond should not have received the money, they argued, because he already had served 20 years in the Army in 2006, making him ineligible.

Richmond, 48, has refused to repay the bonus. He says he only had served 15 years when he reenlisted, due to several breaks in his Army service.

He has filed appeal after appeal, even after receiving a collection letter from the Treasury Department in March warning that his "unpaid delinquent debt" had risen to $19,694.62 including interest and penalties.

After quitting the California Guard so the money wouldn't be taken from his paycheck, he moved to Nebraska to work as a railroad conductor, but was laid off.

He then moved to Texas to work for a construction company, leaving his wife and children in Nebraska. With $15,000 debt on his credit report, he has been unable to qualify for a home loan.

"I signed a contract that I literally risked my life to fulfill," Richmond said bitterly. "We want somebody in the government, anybody, to say this is wrong and we'll stop going after this money."

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Though they cannot waive the debts, California Guard officials say they are helping soldiers and veterans file appeals with the National Guard Bureau and the Army Board for Correction of Military Records, which can wipe out the debts.

But soldiers say it is a long, frustrating process, with no guarantee of success.

Robert D'Andrea, a retired Army major and Iraq veteran, was told to return a $20,000 bonus he received in 2008 because auditors could not find a copy of the contract he says he signed.

Now D'Andrea, a financial crimes investigator with the Santa Monica Police Department, says he is close to exhausting all his appeals.

"Everything takes months of work, and there is no way to get your day in court," he said. "Some benefit of the doubt has to be given to the soldier."

Bryan Strother, a sergeant first class from Oroville north of Sacramento, spent four years fighting Guard claims that he owed $25,010.32 for mistaken bonuses and student loans.

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Guard officials told Strother he had voided his enlistment contract by failing to remain a radio operator, his assigned job, during and after a 2007-08 deployment to Iraq.

Strother filed a class-action lawsuit in February in federal district court in Sacramento on behalf of all soldiers who got bonuses, claiming the California Guard "conned" them into reenlisting.

The suit asked the court to order the recovered money to be returned to the soldiers and to issue an injunction against the government barring further collection.

In August, Strother received a letter from the Pentagon waiving repayment of his bonus.

"We believe he acted in good faith in accepting the $15,000," a claims adjudicator from the Pentagon's Defense Legal Services Agency wrote in the letter. He still owed $5,000 in student loan repayments, it said.

Within weeks, lawyers for U.S. Atty. Phillip A. Talbert in Sacramento petitioned the court to dismiss Strother's lawsuit, arguing that it was moot since most of his debt had been waived. A federal judge is supposed to rule on the government's motion by January.

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"It's a legal foot-dragging process to wear people out and make people go away," said Strother. "It's overwhelming for most soldiers."

Indeed, some have just given up, repaying the money even before exhausting their appeals.

"It was tearing me up, the stress, the headaches," said Van Meter, the former Army captain from Manteca who paid off his $46,000 debt by refinancing his mortgage. "I couldn't take it anymore. The amount of stress it put us through financially and emotionally was something we wanted to move past."

david.cloud@latimes.com

Twitter: @davidcloudLAT
AMMAN, Jordan  Syrian militias armed by different parts of the U.S. war machine have begun to fight each other on the plains between the besieged city of Aleppo and the Turkish border, highlighting how little control U.S. intelligence officers and military planners have over the groups they have financed and trained in the bitter 5-year-old civil war.

The fighting has intensified over the past two months, as CIA-armed units and Pentagon-armed ones have repeatedly shot at each other as they have maneuvered through contested territory on the northern outskirts of Aleppo, U.S. officials and rebel leaders have confirmed.

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In mid-February, a CIA-armed militia called Fursan al Haq, or Knights of Righteousness, was run out of the town of Marea, about 20 miles north of Aleppo, by Pentagon-backed Syrian Democratic Forces moving in from Kurdish-controlled areas to the east.

"Any faction that attacks us, regardless from where it gets its support, we will fight it," said Maj. Fares Bayoush, a leader of Fursan al Haq.

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Rebel fighters described similar clashes in the town of Azaz, a key transit point for fighters and supplies between Aleppo and the Turkish border, and March 3 in the Aleppo neighborhood of Sheikh Maqsud.

The attacks come amid continued heavy fighting in Syria and illustrate the difficulty facing U.S. efforts to coordinate among dozens of armed groups that are trying to overthrow the government of President Bashar Assad, fight the Islamic State militant group and battle one another all at the same time.

"It is an enormous challenge," said Rep. Adam Schiff of California, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, who described the clashes between U.S.-supported groups as "a fairly new phenomenon."

"It is part of the three-dimensional chess that is the Syrian battlefield," he said.

The area in northern Syria around Aleppo, the country's second-largest city, features not only a war between the Assad government and its opponents, but also periodic battles against Islamic State militants, who control much of eastern Syria and also some territory to the northwest of the city, and long-standing tensions among the ethnic groups that inhabit the area, Arabs, Kurds and Turkmen.

Once they cross the border into Syria, you lose a substantial amount of control or ability to control their actions.  Jeffrey White, former Defense Intelligence Agency official

"This is a complicated, multisided war where our options are severely limited," said a U.S. official, who wasn't authorized to speak publicly on the matter. "We know we need a partner on the ground. We can't defeat ISIL without that part of the equation, so we keep trying to forge those relationships." ISIL is an acronym for the Islamic State.

President Barack Obama recently authorized a new Pentagon plan to train and arm Syrian rebel fighters, relaunching a program that was suspended in the fall after a string of embarrassing setbacks, which included recruits being ambushed and handing over much of their U.S.-issued ammunition and trucks to an al-Qaida affiliate.

Amid the setbacks, the Pentagon late last year deployed about 50 special operations forces to Kurdish-held areas in northeastern Syria to better coordinate with local militias and help ensure U.S.-backed rebel groups aren't fighting one another.

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But such skirmishes have become routine.

Last year, the Pentagon helped create a new military coalition, the Syrian Democratic Forces. The goal was to arm the group and prepare it to take territory away from Islamic State in eastern Syria and to provide information for U.S. airstrikes.

The group is dominated by Kurdish outfits known as the People's Protection Units, or YPG. A few Arab units have joined the force in order to prevent it from looking like an invading Kurdish army, and it has received airdrops of weapons and supplies and assistance from U.S. Special Forces.

Gen. Joseph Votel, now commander of U.S. Special Operations Command and the incoming head of Central Command, said this month that about 80 percent of the fighters in the Syrian Democratic Forces were Kurdish.

The U.S. backing for a heavily Kurdish armed force has been a point of tension with the Turkish government, which has a long history of crushing Kurdish rebellions and doesn't want to see Kurdish units control more of its southern border.

The CIA, meanwhile, has its own operations center inside Turkey from which it has been directing aid to rebel groups in Syria, providing them with TOW antitank missiles from Saudi Arabian weapons stockpiles.

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While the Pentagon's actions are part of an overt effort by the U.S. and its allies against the Islamic State, the CIA's backing of militias is part of a separate covert U.S. effort aimed at keeping pressure on the Assad government in hopes of prodding the Syrian leader to the negotiating table.

At first, the two different sets of fighters were primarily operating in widely separated areas of Syria  the Pentagon-backed Syrian Democratic Forces in the northeastern part of the country and the CIA-backed groups further west.

But, over the past several months, Russian airstrikes against anti-Assad fighters in northwestern Syria have weakened them.

That created an opening that allowed the Kurdish-led groups to expand their zone of control to the outskirts of Aleppo, bringing them into more frequent conflict with the CIA-backed outfits.

We'll fight all who aim to divide Syria or harm its people.  Suqour Al-Jabal Brigade fighter

"Fighting over territory in Aleppo demonstrates how difficult it is for the U.S. to manage these really localized and, in some cases, entrenched conflicts," said Nicholas Heras, an expert on the Syrian civil war at the Center for a New American Security, a think tank in Washington. "Preventing clashes is one of the constant topics in the joint operations room with Turkey."

Over the course of the Syrian civil war, the town of Marea has been on the front line of the Islamic State's attempts to advance across Aleppo province toward the rest of northern Syria.

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On Feb. 18, the Syrian Democratic Forces attacked the town.

A fighter with the Suqour Al-Jabal Brigade, a group with links to the CIA, said intelligence officers of the U.S.-led coalition fighting the Islamic State know their group has clashed with the Pentagon-trained militias.

"The MOM knows we fight them," he said, referring to the joint operations center in southern Turkey, which is known as MOM from the acronym of its name in Turkish, Musterek Operasyon Merkezi.

"We'll fight all who aim to divide Syria or harm its people," said the fighter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Marea is home to many of the original Islamist fighters who took up arms against Assad during the Arab Spring in 2011. It has long been a critical way station for supplies and fighters coming from Turkey into Aleppo.

"Attempts by Syrian Democratic Forces to take Marea was a great betrayal and was viewed as a further example of a Kurdish conspiracy to force them from Arab and Turkmen lands," Heras said.

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The clashes brought the U.S. and Turkish officials to "loggerheads," he added.

After diplomatic pressure from the U.S., the militia withdrew to the outskirts of the town as a sign of good faith, he said.

But continued fighting among different U.S.-backed groups may be inevitable, experts on the region said.

"Once they cross the border into Syria, you lose a substantial amount of control or ability to control their actions," said Jeffrey White, a former Defense Intelligence Agency official. "You certainly have the potential for it becoming a larger problem as people fight for territory and control of the northern border area in Aleppo."

W.J. Hennigan and Brian Bennett reported from Washington and special correspondent Nabih Bulos from Amman.

william.hennigan@latimes.com

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brian.bennett@latimes.com
Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and her running mate Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., wave at supporters during a campaign event at the Taylor Allderdice High School, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016, in Pittsburgh. (Mary Altaffer / AP)

PITTSBURGH  Hillary Clinton turned her attention to a critical down-ballot contest that could help determine control of the Senate, sharply criticizing the incumbent Republican senator for failing to distance himself from Donald Trump.

It was the first time Clinton has devoted a substantial portion of her stump speech to not only boosting the Democratic candidate, in this case Katie McGinty, but also attacking her Republican opponent, Sen. Pat Toomey. And it marks a shift in the campaign's focus toward helping Democrats regain control of the Senate, as they grow more confident in her prospects at the top of the ticket.

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"He still refuses to stand up to Donald Trump," Clinton said of Toomey. "Pat Toomey heard Donald attack a grieving lone star family who lost a son in Iraq. He heard Donald call Mexican immigrants rapists. He heard him say terrible things about women. He heard him spread the lie that our first black president wasn't really born in America."

"Now, how much more does Pat Toomey need to hear?" Clinton asked.

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For most of the campaign, Clinton has sought to characterize Trump as a candidate who is not a typical Republican, as part of an effort to attract more support from disaffected Republican or Independent voters.

But increasingly, as Trump has been mired in controversy, Democrats are hoping to use it as a weapon in down-ballot fights - especially in competitive races like McGinty's. Toomey and McGinty are locked in a virtual tie, according to aggregators of recent polling in that race.

Clinton referred to Trump and Toomey as a pair in her riffs against the Republican presidential nominee's tax plan, even while she noted that McGinty, like the Democratic presidential ticket, "believes our economy should work for everyone not just those at the top."

But Clinton still threaded a needle on Saturday, noting that while Toomey has not stood up against Trump, other Republicans have.

"A lot of Republicans have," stood up to Trump, Clinton said. "They have had the grit and the guts to stand up and say he does not represent me."

"If he doesn't have the courage to stand up to Donald Trump after all of this, then can you be sure that he'll stand up for you when it counts?" Clinton said of Toomey.

In a statement, a spokesman for Toomey painted the Republican as an "independent" voice in the Senate.

"Today is just further proof that hyper-partisan, ethically challenged Katie McGinty will be a rubber stamp for everything Hillary Clinton wants to do in Washington," said spokesman Ted Kwong. "Pat Toomey has been, and will continue to be, an independent leader in the Senate on issues ranging from gun safety to ending Wall Street bailouts."

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Clinton will appear with McGinty later on Saturday in Philadelphia. She urged the crowd of roughly 1,800 packed into a gymnasium at Taylor Allderdice High School to send McGinty to the Senate to help advance her agenda, if elected.

"We have got to get things done for the people of Pennsylvania and America, and Katie will help us break through the gridlock, actually make a difference in people's lives," Clinton said.
Diwali, an observance that reflects the rich culture of India that embraces the light of knowledge and drives away spiritual darkness, was celebrated in Aurora Saturday night.

The Indian American Community Outreach Advisory Board of Aurora hosted its third-annual Diwali Festival at Waubonsie Valley High School.

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Diwali is India's largest annual festival recognized by people throughout India, Nepal and other South Asian countries. It is also known as the festival of lights that marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year, and is as symbolic as the Christmas season is to Christians, organizers said.

"Light signifies triumph over darkness and good over evil," said Gautam Bhatia, chairman of Aurora's Indian American Community Outreach Advisory Board. "It is customary for many of us to burn oil lamps at our homes."

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Hemi Shaha, 11, of Aurora, prepares for a performance at the Diwali Festival Saturday in Aurora with a dance troupe from the Tarana Kathak Academy there. (Linda Girardi / The Beacon-News)

Bhatia said the origin of Diwali comes from various ancient Hindu tales involving Lord Rama's return from exile and Goddess Durga's triumph over an evil demon.

The evening featured the diversity of India's music and dance with a variety of performances by youth groups as well cuisine representative of the southern and northern regions of India.

Bhatia said the purpose of the festival is to share their culture with others and pass the traditions on to the next generation. He said their mission as a municipally sponsored board is to encourage civic involvement and participation.

Members of the Indian American Community Outreach Advisory Board honored Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner, now in his final days in office. Weisner announced in August that he would step down Oct. 30, about six months before the end of his third term. The mayor was joined on stage by members of the Aurora City Council and other elected officials, including U.S. Rep. Bill Foster, D-Naperville and state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego.

"I am proud to say, within one month of creating the advisory board, Aurora had its first Diwali celebration," Weisner told the crowd.

Anupama Mangalavede of India performs a theatrical art form of dance at the Diwali Festival Saturday in Aurora. (Linda Girardi / The Beacon-News)

"The Indian American community has an important role in our city. As I leave you as your mayor, I know that our city will do well in the future in part because of all that the Indian American community contributes to the city," the mayor said.

Organizers thanked the mayor for making Aurora safer and for all of the beautification improvements. Others said that Weisner opened the door to embracing the city's diversity.

Oakbrook Mayor Gopal Lalmalani praised Weisner's work.

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"Diwali reminds us of our service," Lalmalani said. "We know the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. Mayor Weisner has lost himself through his service to the city of Aurora."

The mayor's administration established the Hispanic American and African American outreach advisory boards.

Asha Acharya Adiga said it is important to carry the traditions on to the next generation.

"Our children are far from India and miss the experience of the Diwali festival because they are in school this time of year," she said. "I remember my family gatherings."

Christi Blockton of Aurora is of non-Indian descent, but embraces the Hindu culture through her passion for dance.

"I love the music, rhythm and form," she said. "Spiritually I feel peace when I dance. It is very much like the form of yoga in dance."

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Linda Girardi is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
Opulent gardens surround the Cuneo Mansion in Vernon Hills, though some of it was inaccessible Saturday due to renovations at the mansion. (Michael Joyce / Lake County News-Sun)

For a limited time this fall, Loyola University has reopened the doors of the Cuneo Mansion in Vernon Hills to the public.

The opening saw many interested visitors, with the large granite lobby seeing more people than it has in quite a while.

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The mansion itself was built between 1914 and 1916 for Samuel Insull, the founder of Commonwealth Edison. It was built in the Italian Villa style, with elements of this architectural style present throughout the mansion.

Unfortunately for Insull, he lost the home in the Great Depression and it sat empty for five years until John Cuneo, Sr. purchased the mansion in 1937. His family lived there until 1990. The house reopened as a museum the following year.

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While initially operated by the Cuneo Foundation, the property was eventually handed over to Loyola University in 2010.

Cuneo property manager Lisa Cushing-Davis says the mansion had to undergo a series of renovations to bring it up to contemporary codes.

"We're open on a limited basis this fall after being closed for two years because the mansion came to Loyola with a good deal of deferred maintenance," Cushing-Davis said. "We've been dealing with projects like replacing the original boiler, which was 100 years old, replacing the knob and tube wiring, and more. We had begun repair on the roof when the engineer advised us we'd be better off to focus on the foundation. These are things that we've done that you can't see."

Cushing-Davis said it was important to Loyola officials that they open and show the public that they give their role as mansion caretakers their full attention..

"The point is to bring the public in this fall and reassure them that Loyola does take their stewardship of the mansion very seriously," she said. "We want to assure the public that once we are finished with all our restoration projects, the mansion will be good for another 100 years."

Cushing-Davis said that it was like walking a tightrope balancing the preservation of the mansion's historical aesthetic while ensuring it meets contemporary housing guidelines. She added that officials will look to the public for ideas on how to move forward with their stewardship of the mansion.

"We would like to see the Cuneo property become an important gathering place for the community," she said. "We want them to develop a sense of ownership, and we're going to take some of our cues for some of our programming going forward from the public. Our mission is not just to interpret the mansion and its history. It's also to serve the public. That's what public history is all about."

Michael Joyce is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.
Gubernatorial candidate John Gregg promised Gary's religious community Saturday that between now and Nov. 8  and beyond  Lake County is going to think he and running mate Christina Hale "have moved up here."

In Lake County for another campaign junket Saturday, Gregg joined more than 50 ministers for breakfast during a Get Out the Vote rally at the Genesis Center. The Democratic candidate told the group that while his mother is disappointed he didn't become a minister, his wife, Lisa, helped him realize how solemn the position he is seeking actually is.

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"At the start of 2014, I was debating whether I wanted to run again and deal with a solid two years of campaigning every single day when Lisa asked me one question: Do you want to be governor or do you want to serve as governor," Gregg said. "(She said) if it's truly about serving and having a servant's heart, then you need to get back in there with both feet. I'm rarely speechless, but I was at that moment."

Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Gregg started his day early at a Saturday prayer breakfast with area ministers and dignitaries at the Genesis Convention Center in Gary. (Mark Davis / Post-Tribune)

Gregg said he remembered when Northwest Indiana led the rest of the state in everything, and he said he believes it remains important to Indiana. With 17 days left before the election, his campaign remains strong, as do his coffers, he said.

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"This time, we've raised $14 million  twice the money in the last campaign. And if it weren't for people like Claude Johnson, we wouldn't be here today," he said, relaying the story of an elderly man from Crawfordsville who donated $10 each month until he gave $500 to Gregg's campaign.

He also reminded the crowd there's currently a GOP supermajority in the General Assembly, and if Northwest Indiana can get just five Democratic candidates elected, it would be a big help.

Gregg is running against Republican Eric Holcomb. Both men hope to succeed Mike Pence, who is now presidential candidate Donald Trump's running mate.

Gary Mayor Karen Freeman Wilson said that although there's a separation of church and state, that doesn't give churches a reason to not care about the state of the state.

John Gregg speaks to Paster Marlon Mack, who led the morning prayer, at a breakfast Gregg had with area ministers and dignitaries at the Genesis Convention Center in Gary. (Mark Davis / Post-Tribune)

"Over the last 12 year, we've had lawmakers who say they care about the things we do, but whose actions on education, reasonable gun laws and the budget say differently," she said. "John Gregg is a person who understands the law and is committed to people."

He's also committed to the repeal of Senate Bill 101, known as the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 2015.

"Along with repealing it, we will need to craft a hate crimes bill for the state as well," he said. "These are civil rights protections and an issue of respect."

Michelle L. Quinn is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
On a recent flight to Africa, I sat next to two Chinese ladies. After exchanging a few pleasantries, I learned they are both from Shaanxi Province, and they were travelling to join their partners in West Africa - one operating a Chinese restaurant, the other prospecting for gold.

There is an emerging Chinese "merchant migrant" population in Africa; my two fellow passengers were part of this trend, and an increasingly important element in Sino-African relations.

Africa has been hosting Chinese citizens for decades. However, earlier generations of Chinese nationals normally went to Africa on government-sponsored projects, leaving after these were completed.

Recent Chinese arrivals are unique for two main reasons. First, most enter as private citizens; second, they promote private business ventures. In fact, they are gradually taking the place of Lebanese and Indian merchant migrants of previous generations in Africa.

By some estimates, there are now more than a million Chinese citizens in Africa, which can be attributed to several "push and pull" factors.

Firstly, changes in Chinese emigration policies make it relatively easy for Chinese nationals to undertake private travel. Secondly, lack of well-paying jobs in rural China makes foreign ventures an attractive option. Hence, most new migrants are from rural areas and usually with relatively low education.

Then, there are the "pull factors." Most sub-Saharan African countries have ineffective immigration policies as well as endemic government corruption ministries. This results in high levels of illegal immigration and unlawful entry into the labor markets.

Finally, for most Chinese merchant migrants, the start-up business costs are relatively low, and actually require little education. The standard practice is to go into the retail or wholesale fields handling of low-cost Chinese goods, Chinese restaurants or Chinese traditional medicine clinics.

Chinese merchant migrants in Africa have a unique advantage over earlier European, American, Indian and Lebanese migrants. Being mostly from rural areas, they have proved highly adaptable in Africa, displaying abilities to live and do business sometimes in remote, rough and inhospitable conditions.

Paradoxically, this is also their greatest disadvantage. Being able to adapt, merchant migrants frequently find themselves clashing with local merchants who often cannot compete with the "China shops" with direct access to Chinese manufacturers. This has led to increased anti-Chinese sentiments, even violent crimes against them.

As more Chinese merchant migrants succeed, some have also become very adept in exploiting the high levels of corruption that are all too common in African countries.

Across sub-Saharan Africa, some Chinese merchant migrants have been accused of maintaining poor and unsafe labor standards, environmental vandalism, dispossessing powerless landholders and flouting local laws through bribes to local officials. This has led to significant backlash against them.

In 2011, for instance, the "Chinese question" became an issue in the Zambian elections. In 2013, Ghana expelled 4,500 Chinese for illegal mining. In more recent times, there have been protests against Chinese businesses in Tanzania, Malawi, Namibia and Senegal.

Between 2001 and 2010, the Export-Import Bank of China extended $67.2 billion in loans to sub-Saharan Africa. This figure was $12.5 billion more than that offered by the World Bank. In December 2015, President Xi Jinping offered a staggering $60 billion loan and aid package to Africa.

In spite of the clear significance to recipient countries, that is not what the ordinary person sees on the streets in sub-Saharan Africa. To the ordinary African, China is an enigma. They find it hard to understand what the Chinese migrants want.

In the process, most Africans do not associate China with the significant loans and impressive infrastructure aid programs. They associate China with the merchant migrants who live and trade in their communities. Hence, Chinese merchant migrants have unwittingly become unofficial ambassadors for China in Africa, and they have an excellent potential to enhance Sino-African relations.

However, the reality of international "human relations" is that people's perceptions of foreign countries very often reflects dealings with their nationals, unrelated to official programs. The result is that in the case of Africa, tensions between Chinese merchant migrants and local communities have the potential to overshadow the positive impact of Chinese official programs.

Chinese merchant migrants bring important benefits to both Africa and China. They have shown that they can reach and touch Africa beyond the official aid programs.

For China to build on its impressive programs in Africa, it might help to do a commercial and political risk assessment of the rise of Chinese merchant migration to Africa with a view to harnessing its potential benefits for Sino-African relations.

Professor Sam Blay is a senior Australian law academic. He is currently Professor and Deputy Principal, Top Education Institute in Sydney and Professor at the Sydney City School of Law. He is a member of the South China International Economic Arbitration and Trade.

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.
Tourists gather before sunrise to visit the Great Temple of Abu Simbel during the Sun Festival in Aswan, Egypt, Oct. 22, 2016. During the Sun Festival, crowds gather before sunrise to observe sunlight gradually enlightening the sculptures of King Ramses II, Re-Harakhty and Amun. [Xinhua]
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One person was found dead in Utsunomiya in Tochigi Prefecture, north of Tokyo, as a result of two explosion that occurred on Sunday, local police officials said.

In Utsunomiya, the capital of Tochigi Prefecture, police officials said that at least three people were injured in a park when an explosion went off during a festival, and one was found to be without vital signs when rescue officials arrived.

Cars were also reportedly on fire in a car park just before noon local time, although the cause of the fires has yet to be determined, local police said.

Following the two explosions, eye witnesses reported smelling what they described as gunpowder, according to Japan's public broadcaster NHK.
Zhang Jing, 29, who works at a research institute in Shenzhen, has been using a Samsung Galaxy Note 3 smartphone for two years. Its exquisite design and high-megapixel camera made her a big fan of the South Korean tech giant. Zhang had planned to upgrade to a Note 7.

But the love affair came to an end after explosions of the newly launched Note 7 were reported. Samsung said earlier this month it would recall about 190,000 Note 7 phones in China to avoid further battery explosions.

"It is a matter of trust. I don't think I will buy Samsung smartphones any more. Local brands are good alternatives," she said.

Zhang was not alone. The ongoing Note 7 recall crisis is drawing more consumers away from Samsung to local players, analysts said, highlighting broader problems foreign smartphone vendors face in China as homegrown brands Huawei and Oppo quickly catch up.

Of 57,000 Chinese netizens polled by research institute Penguin Intelligence in September, 7.2 percent said they planned to buy a Samsung smartphone while 38 percent of them chose Huawei as their top choice for the next handset. "We already have noticed a fall in the sales of Samsung's full product lineup, including both its premium handsets and low-to-middle-end devices," said Jin Di, research manager at International Data Corp China.

The South Korean firm, with a market share of less than 7 percent in China in the second quarter of this year, is likely to see a further decline in shipments, she added.

As Chinese smartphone vendors make steady improvements in hardware and software, foreign firms are losing their shine, said Nicole Peng, research director at Shanghai-based consultancy Canalys.

Domestic players account for 85 percent of China's smartphone market, and the figure is likely to reach 90 percent within a year, she said.

Samsung's foreign peer Apple, for instance, is also wrestling with a drop in sales. Its latest model, iPhone 7, failed to inspire the enthusiasm seen among local consumers when earlier versions were released.

Over 70 percent of the 57,000 Chinese consumers polled said they would not buy iPhone 7, citing limited improvements and the high price tag as major reasons.

Wu Wenjun, who has been selling phones and accessories in Beijing's Chaoyang district for two years, said that in the past, consumers would come in and grab an iPhone or Samsung handset without shopping around. Now, however, Wu says more want to try out local models.

"I use the Huawei P9. Previously, I would remove the 'Sent from my Huawei' signature at the bottom of the email app because Chinese brands often were associated with inferior design and systems," Wu said.

"But now, everybody knows Huawei, and many of them have become fans."

In the second quarter, Huawei, Oppo and Vivo were the top three brands in China, with a combined share of 47 percent of the market, according to IDC.

Samsung barely registered in market rankings in China in that quarter, and Apple was fifth. That marks a drastic change from several years ago, when the two firms dominated the world's largest smartphone market.

Though Apple and Samsung still have a big presence in the above-3,000 yuan ($445) handset market, local players are eroding their share, said James Yan, research director at Counterpoint Technology Market Research.

"It is Chinese vendors, not foreign firms, that are actively experimenting with new technologies that resonate with local consumers, such as wireless charging, bigger storage and phones that support multiple carriers," he said.

Apple, for instance, did not offer dual cameras until the iPhone 7 Plus, which was unveiled last month, about half a year later than Huawei's P9, which comes with Leica dual lenses.

In smaller cities, Oppo and Vivo have seen big sales jumps after hiring celebrity endorsers and creating a large network of brick-and-mortar partner stores to sell their phones.

"Since the Chinese smartphone market is reaching saturation and is driven chiefly by replacement users, consumers in third-tier to fifth-tier cities also are demanding high-quality handsets, and most of them have chosen local brands," said Peng from Canalys.

Contact the writers at fanfeifei@chinadaily.com.cn
A Chinese student consult an educational agent at an international educational fair in Suzhou on Mar 22, 2014. [Photo/IC]

BEIJING -- Chinese students studying abroad have become younger in age structure, according to a report released in a national education portal site Saturday.

Graduate students plunged to 42 percent of total Chinese students studying in the United States last year, compared with about 80 percent 10 years ago, said the report in Education Online (www.eol.cn).

Meanwhile, the number of Chinese high school students studying in the United States maintained double-digit growth, accounting for 52 percent of Chinese students in the United States, the report said.

The report said the number of Chinese students for overseas study has increased steadily. In 2015, over 520,000 students studied overseas, and the number is expected to keep growing in 2016.

The United States is the main destination for Chinese students studying abroad, hitting 323,000 so far in 2016, according to the report.


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Screen capture of the video showing a man was standing in front of the hotel door and started following the woman. [Photo/IC]

The Beijing Police have released an investigation report on the alleged attack on a woman in Beijing's Heyi Hotel earlier this year. The incident generated much commotion in China.

The man in question, surnamed Li, has been charged with pandering, after Beijing Chaoyang District Court formally accepted the case earlier this week.

The local procuratorate announced that the 25-year-old from Henan province only received his junior middle school education and was unemployed at the time of the crime.

Li admitted that he belongs to a prostitution ring and he was acting as a procurer on the night of the attack.

He was also charged with another offence of procuring a 28-year-old prostitute surnamed E with two clients in the Heyi Hotel this March.

Li informed the police about an accomplice, a 30-year-old man surnamed Liu, who is now under investigation over engaging in prostitution and extortion by blackmail.

The hotel attack happened when Li approached a young woman looking for her room card at Heyi Hotel, the flagship of the Homeinns Hotel Group in early April.

He asked the woman which room she was staying in and then attempted to drag her away. Believing she was a trouble-maker sent by competitors he called his associates for help, but the woman fought back and Li quickly escaped scene.

She then posted her story along with the security footage of the incident on Weibo. Her posts sparked heated discussion among Chinese netizens.

In response to the case, Chinese hotel group Homeinns have issued a formal statement online apologizing for the inadequate management over the assault against the young woman.

The hotel chain also pledged to investigate the case thoroughly with the police.
File photo shows geishas teach tourists how to perform traditional Taiko drum during an event on July 13, 2011 in Awara city, Fukui prefecture, Japan. [Photo/VCG]

Japan's tourism authority said that the average spendings of Chinese tourists in the country dropped to 102,000 yen ($980 dollars) in the third quarter.

The number is down some 19 percent compared to the same season of 2015, the first year-on drop over the past five years.

The Chinese spending in Japan has also been on a decreasing trend since this Q1, according to official statistics.

However, the number of Chinese visitors to Japan has kept growing, with 7 million trips expected to make for the whole year, said China National Tourism Administration.

A report from the Guangzhou Daily is suggesting the so-called bagukai or "explosive shopping" spree may have come to an end.

The Japan Tourism Agency is also saying that Chinese visitors' shopping haibits have changed.

Instead of brand products and appliances, they are starting to focus on recreational activities, cosmetics and food.

The Guangzhou Daily quoted someone from a Matsuzakaya department store saying "Chinese costumers are no longer after luxury goods like last year. They now prefer Made-in-Japan products."

Chinese bagukai has been under the spotlight since 2015, when the spending peaked at 170,000 yen (about $1,600) in Q1, according to data released by the Japan Tourism Agency.

The average spendings of a Chinese tourist in the second season of 2015 was around 232,900 yen (about $2,300), ranked first among inbound tourism spending in Japan.

The newspaper also attributed higher tariff when going through Chinese customs and the appreciation of the Japanese yen to the decrease in spending.
A total of 19 projects, with investment reaching 25.97 billion yuan ($3.84 billion), broke ground in Hefei Economic & Technological Development Area of Hefei, capital city of East China's Anhui province, on Sunday.

Among the plans is a 3.5 billion yuan new energy vehicle plant of the Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Co, or JAC. Upon completion, the factory will produce 100,000 new energy vehicles annually, with expected annual output value hitting 30 billion yuan, according to local authorities.

German carmaker Volkswagen AG and JAC reached a memorandum of understanding in Germany earlier to set up a 50:50 joint venture on new energy vehicles, although it's not clear whether the to-be-built new plant is related to that deal.

Other projects include a two billion yuan robotics hub of the Harbin Institute of Technology Robots Group (HRG), a leading robot developer in China.

It will be HRG's biggest robotics hub in eastern China and will include HRG's eastern China headquarters, a robot manufacturing plant and a R&D center for robotics technologies, said Han Jiecai, vice-president of HRG, at the contract-signing ceremony for the project in July.

Another project is a 1 billion yuan new plant for Lenovo's tablet personal computers.
A delegation from China was in the UK last week to spread the word about Tibetan culture and the region's developmental achievements.

The group was headed by Zhang Yun, director and research fellow at the Institute for History Studies at the China Tibetology Research Center. Jiangyangkezhu, vice-president of the Garze Buddhist Association and the vice-chairman of Litang County People's Congress, also led the group, alongside Xu Baiqing, assistant director of Tibetan Plateau Research at the China Academy of Sciences.

Observers said the visit, from Oct 20 to Oct 22, demonstrated the Tibetan delegation's readiness to strengthen ties with UK academics. The tour included meetings with representatives from the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, and the University of Westminster. They also met with senior management at the Daily Telegraph.

Zhang said the group wanted to ensure British people were up to date with developments in Tibet.

"As academia in the UK is well respected by the media and general public, I believe there is a huge significance to enhance communications with them and let them know how Tibet has rapidly developed in the last decade," Zhang said.

The delegation took part in Developments in Tibet: Perspectives from China, a seminar at the University of Westminster on Friday evening. It offered a platform for British people to exchange views with delegates on various issues. Topics included history, development, the environment, literature, religion and society.

During the seminar, Zhang gave a comprehensive introduction to the development of Tibetan culture in modern China by showing images he took in Tibet.

"I believe the transformation made in Tibet is self-evident, as shown in the images," he said. "People in the region are truly benefitting from the support given by the central government."

Tibet is the only region that offers 15 years of compulsory education. Most other regions offer nine.

"This is a clear indication that the government's commitment to help Tibet develop is not just on paper," Zhang said.

Professor Dibyesh Anand, head of the department of politics and international relations at the University of Westminster, who chaired the seminar, noted that for a comprehensive understanding of any issue, it is important to be aware of different, even competing, perspectives.

He said he hoped students would learn from members of the delegation and that delegates would also take new ideas away with them.

To contact the reporter: wangmingjie@mail.chinadailyuk.com
About 50 officials and scholars from eight countries issued a declaration at Beijing's Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City, on Oct 20 on enhancing protection of the world's cultural relics.

The Declaration of Supreme Harmony, which is named after the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Forbidden City, acknowledges that cultural relics today face destruction brought about by war and globalization.

It also pledges the countries' efforts to promote mutual understanding and cultural inclusiveness through more dialogue.

The declaration was drafted following the first two-day ancient civilization forum held at the Palace Museum.

The eight countries which issued the joint declaration are China, Egypt, Greece, India, Iran, Iraq, Italy and Mexico.

Delegates from international organizations also attended the forum.

According to Shan Jixiang, the director of the Palace Museum, the forum is scheduled to be held annually from now on, and will cover more countries.

Related:

At Palace Museum, the world mulls heritage protection
The first Low Carbon Tech Expo will be held on Nov 28 to 29 in Zhenjiang, in East China's Jiangsu province, to explore how to create a low-carbon city in China.

The expo invites companies, experts, scholars and entrepreneurs in low carbon industries to hold forums and summits, share clean technologies on cutting the emission of greenhouse gases and discuss how to build a low carbon economy.

Zhu Xiaoming, the mayor of Zhenjiang, said at a news conference in Beijing on Oct 18 that the low carbon expo aims to offer a platform to showcase low carbon technologies and products in China.

The expo will include forums, summits, exhibitions and roadshows focusing on low carbon technology and a clean economy.

As of now, more than 70 companies from home and abroad, including Aliyun and GE, have registered to attend the expo.

A typical industrial city, Zhenjiang was picked as one of the 42 pilot cities to promote a low carbon economy in 2012.

Since then, the city has implemented nearly 100 low-carbon projects every year and operated an online platform to control the emission of greenhouse gases, according to the mayor.

Due to its success in controlling emissions, Zhenjiang was the only Chinese city invited to attend the United Nations' climate change meet in Paris in December to share its experience in cutting the emission of greenhouse gases.

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Cambodia is working to develop more facilities for Chinese tourists, including an accreditation system for tourism establishments, as part of its "China-Ready" strategy announced in May, local media reported Friday.

Tourism Ministry spokesman Tith Chantha said that Chinese tourists present a huge opportunity for Cambodia's tourism industry as the Asian giant's population and income levels continue to rise.

Speaking at the opening of the CamFood and CamHotel exhibitions in Phnom Penh on Thursday, he said about 130 million Chinese go abroad each year and this number was expected to reach 200 million by 2020.

The goal of the Kingdom's China-Ready strategy is for Cambodia to attract 2 million of these Chinese tourists a year by 2020.

"It is vital for Cambodia to act on the opportunity and potential of Chinese tourism and we have prepared our China-Ready strategy in order to attract Chinese to visit our country," he was quoted as saying by the Phnom Penh Post.

"We are now trying to build the capacity of our hospitality services," he said.

Cambodia received 3.7 million international tourist arrivals during the first nine months of the year and expects to receive 5 million tourists this year.

Last year, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Cambodia grew 14 percent to 700,000. This year the figure is expected to be closer to one million, according to Chantha.

He said the China-Ready strategy, which is managed by its own department in the Tourism Ministry, is looking to improve facilities for this fast-growing segment.

"China-Ready will insure that all services in the tourism sector have Chinese-language facilities, such as Chinese speakers on site or menus in Chinese, and (establishments that provide these services) will have a sign that the facility is accredited as China-Ready to provide comfort and convenience to Chinese visitors," the newspaper quoted him as saying.

He added that the name of the tourism establishment should also be translated into Chinese on its signage in order to attract Chinese tourists.

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Visitors tour an exhibition about the Nanjing Massacre, in which 300,000 died in 1937, at the Memorial de Caen museum in France. LONG JIANWU / CHINA NEWS AGENCY

Daniel Renouf was born in August 1937, days after Japanese troops sparked full-scale war with China with an attack at the Marco Polo Bridge outside Beijing. This was only a few months before the Nanjing Massacre, when more than 300,000 people were slaughtered by Japanese troops.

The retired engineer  whose infancy coincided with many historic events  and his wife joined hundreds of visitors on Saturday at an exhibition about one of the single most brutal crimes associated with Japan's invasion of China.

At the time of the massacre, Nanjing was the capital of the Republic of China.

The pair, with Renouf's wife holding a cane, carefully examined many of the 270 historical photos, diaries, letters and other documents from Western diplomats, professors, doctors and reporters from the 1930s. The exhibition at the Memorial de Caen museum in France runs until Dec 15.

Renouf said the exhibition has helped refresh his childhood memories of war.

"The year 1937 is very special for us, and we had such very sad historical memories in our minds as we grew," said Renouf, who was one of the last to leave the exhibition, which opened on Saturday afternoon.

"We knew something about the Nanjing Massacre."

Renouf, a resident of Caen, a city about 200 kilometers from Paris, said the exhibition taught him more about the "horrifying pages" of Japanese aggression against China.

"These equal the Nazi crimes in Europe," said Renouf.

Japanese troops killed more than 300,000 civilians and unarmed soldiers within six weeks as they rampaged through Nanjing in 1937. Thousands of women were raped.

The Memorial de Caen museum, which opened in 1988, is dedicated to the history of conflict in the 20th century. It is considered the only European museum to recount and explain World War II from a global perspective.

"You can see that this war started in China, due to Japanese aggression. It was not only in Europe but also in Asia, mainly in China," said Stephane Grimaldi, the museum director. "We want to clarify these historic truths for the public."

Grimaldi said it is "a pity" that China's sacrifice and suffering has not been given sufficient weight in French history books.

"We must cooperate with China to help our next generations remember that it is easy for human beings to make severe mistakes," said Grimaldi, who was invited to attend the National Memorial Day events this year in China.

Grimaldi's suggestion was echoed by Zhang Jianjun, curator of the Memorial Hall for the Victims of the Nanjing Massacre in Nanjing. The memorial hall and Grimaldi's museum organized the French exhibition.

"It is very important for our young generations to remember history, and we can deepen cooperation in organizing exhibitions, history education and joint research," said Zhang, who signed an agreement on cooperation with Grimaldi prior to the exhibition's opening.

Zhai Jun, Chinese ambassador to France, who inaugurated the exhibition, said, "We aim to stop relaying hatred by remembering history."

Also Saturday, a museum dedicated to women used as sex slaves during the war opened in Shanghai. The museum, located at Shanghai Normal University, has displays of items such as condoms belonging to Japanese soldiers during WWII, which researchers obtained when surveying "comfort women" sites created by the Japanese military.
(Photo : the National Museum of Transylvanian History ) The controversial 250,000 year old piece of alien aluminum found in Romania.

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It seems intelligent extraterrestrials did visit the Earth thousands of years ago and brought aluminum with them based on an astounding recent announcement a piece of aluminum found in Romania was scientifically dated as being 250,000 years old.



That's significant and a tough piece of pro-alien evidence to debunk since mankind only began producing aluminum 200 years ago.



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The fragment in question is a mysterious piece of metal found in 1973 buried over 10 meters deep along with two bones on the shores of the Mures River not far from the central Romanian town of Aiud. The discovery of the fragment in then communist Romania was not made public by the communist government.



Scientists had no problem in concluding the two bones were from a large extinct mammal that died between 10,000 and 80,000 years ago.



What did get their attention was discovering that the grayish-colored, rectangular metal block was a piece of very lightweight metal that appeared to have been manufactured. Equally intriguing are two holes adjacent to each other.



Subsequent scientific tests conducted in Romania and Switzerland found this fragment to be an alloy containing 12 metals and 90 per cent aluminum.



The initial results from Romania estimating the age of the fragment as 250,000 years-old were later confirmed by a laboratory in Lausanne, Switzerland, according to central European media.



UFO-logists have seized on this finding as incontrovertible proof intelligent extraterrestrial civilizations do exist and did visit the Earth in the distant past.



One of these true believers is Gheorghe Cohal, Deputy Director of the Romanian Ufologists Association.



"Lab tests concluded it is an old UFO fragment given that the substances it comprises cannot be combined with technology available on Earth," he said.



The metal object is now on display in the National Museum of Transylvanian History in the city of Cluj-Napoca in Romania along with its full history. Museum officials added a sign that says "Origin Still Unknown."



A YouTube video of this piece of alien aluminum can be seen here.



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Tagsintelligent aliens, Romania, piece of aluminum, Mures River, 250000 years-old, aliminum
(Photo : US Navy) A Landing Craft Air Cushion departs a U.S. Navy amphibious assault ship.



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The United States Marine Corps has organized a special task force to upgrade and make more effective its existing amphibious assault doctrine that has remained practically unchanged for decades.



The Ship to Shore Maneuver Exploration and Experimentation (S2ME2) Task Force will find ways to better integrate the technological advances that pushed air and ground operations into the 21st century: robotics, unmanned vehicles, data sharing and exploiting the electromagnetic spectrum.



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It was established August 24, and last week released a special notice to solicit ideas from defense industry, commercial industry, academia, government labs and warfare centers, among others.



The first exercise that will test these new tactics and innovations will be held April 15-27, 2017 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in San Diego, California.



The exercise will provide warfighters the opportunity to assess the operational utility of emerging technologies and engineering innovations that enhance the Marines' 21st Century Maneuver Warfare Amphibious Assault concept of operations.



Based on the results of the technical and operational assessments from the April exercise, selected participants will be invited to participate in future S2ME2 17 exercises which will progress through more complex scenarios and environments.



Reviewing Marine amphibious landing operations over the past years, Marine Corps Combat Development Command commanding general and Deputy Commandant for Combat Development and Integration Lt. Gen. Robert Walsh said "you take a look at that picture and you go, hmm, it doesn't look a whole lot different. Tactics, techniques and procedures, a lot of it remains today."



The S2ME2 Task Force is one of a series of Advanced Naval Technology Exercises that will engage with industry, academia, and government research and development organizations interested in demonstrating emerging technologies and engineering innovations that address high-priority Navy and Marine Corps missions.



In November, the S2ME2 Task Force effort will hold a workshop where innovators can pitch their ideas for new concepts and technologies. In December, submissions will be chosen to advance to the experimentation phase where operational Marines will get hands-on time with selected concepts and technologies in early 2017.



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TagsU.S Marines, U.S. Navy, amphibious assault, Ship to Shore Maneuver Exploration and Experimentation (S2ME2) Task Force, Lt. Gen. Robert Walsh
(Photo : FBI) Chinese military hackers wanted by the US since 2014.

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It's been revealed that China's most notorious group of state-sponsored cyber criminals tried and failed to gain access to the classified information aboard the U.S. Navy nuclear aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) as this was patrolling the disputed South China Sea last July.



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The cyberattack on the computer system of the Reagan occurred July 11, the day before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled as illegal China's nine-dash line and, hence, China's claim to own most of the South China Sea.



The Chinese hackers sent an infected document resembling an official message to foreign government officials visiting the Reagan. The message contained the Enfal malware designed to penetrate security systems and collect information on U.S. Navy maneuvers and policies. This type of malware can also download additional viruses.



The U.S. Navy said that the hackers were unsuccessful and that Reagan's classified information wasn't compromised by the attack.



Western analysts believe a complicated hack of this type on a moving U.S. Navy warship hundreds of kilometers from mainland China could only have been carried out by a Chinese government state-sponsored hacking group with access to military communications.



Suspicion at once fell on PLA Unit 61398, the cover name for a People's Liberation Army (PLA) advanced persistent threat unit based in Shanghai that's been the center of Chinese computer hacking attacks against the U.S. government and military.



PLA Unit 61398 operates under the 2nd Bureau of the People's Liberation Army General Staff Department Third Department.



On May 19, 2014, the U.S. government indicted five PLA officers of PLA Unit 61398 on charges of theft of confidential business information and intellectual property from U.S. commercial firms and of planting malware on their computers.



The five are Huang Zhenyu; Wen Xinyu; Sun Kailiang; Gu Chunhui and Wang Dong.



FireEye, a US cyber security business, claims the China-based group behind the attack in the past tried to compromise other U.S. and Vietnamese defense systems.



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TagsUSS Ronald Reagan, china, state-sponsored hackers, Permanent Court of Arbitration, South China Sea, PLA Unit 61398, People's Liberation Army
(Photo : https://pixabay.com/en/new-york-buildings-tall-top-view-472392/) However, in order to avoid the risk of bubble burst, Chinese banking regulators are seeking to watch the sector more closely.

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China's real estate sector is booming. However, to avoid the risk of bubble burst, Chinese banking regulators are seeking to watch the sector more closely.



The main focus is currently on managing risks from off-balance-sheet credit channels. China seeks to control the credit flow to the real estate sector to manage the risk of overheating of the market.



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The China Banking Regulatory Commission said in a statement that it aims to boost the supervision of real estate trusts for managing the flow of credit to the sector.



The commission also seeks to oversee various wealth management products offered by the banks. It also asked for the comprehensive strengthening of risk control measures to avert the chances of systematic financial risk.



It is believed that China's property market is due for a possible correction, after booming for an extended period of time.



Real estate sector accounts for 15 percent of the country's gross domestic product. Recently, major property markets such as Beijing, Nanjing and Shanghai saw their governments enacting new laws restricting home purchases. These markets have seen property prices zooming at alarmingly high speed.



According to a report released by the National Bureau of Statistics on Friday, the property prices in China grew at the fastest speed in September. By the end of the month, the country recorded $2.65 trillion worth of outstanding mortgage loans to individuals.



The China Banking Regulatory Commission has asked banks to be extra vigilant about the credit extended to industries with capacity glut. It was noted that banks are required to manage their credit risk cautiously and offer control and support measures.



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Tagschina, China Banking Regulatory Commission, National Bureau of Statistics
(Photo : Getty Images) China's President Xi says he has accepted President Duterte's invitation to visit the Philippines "at a convenient time."

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Chinese President Xi Jinping has said that he is looking forward to visiting the Philippines after accepting Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's invitation.



A joint statement released by both countries during the conclusion of Duterte's four-day state visit to China on Friday said that President Xi had accepted Duterte's invitation to visit the Philippines "at a convenient time."



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"President Xi Jinping accepted the invitation with pleasure," the joint statement said.



State visit



Duterte extended the invitation to Xi to visit the Philippines during his first official state visit to China where he was given full military honors and a red carpet welcome.



Analysts said Beijing reciprocated Duterte's decision not to raise the South China Sea issue during their talks with a bonanza of private and government deals worth US$24 billion.



More than 400 business executives accompanied Duterte on his trip hoping to China.



Business deals



Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said the deals were in the form of investments, soft loans, and credit facilities to finance infrastructure projects. The amount is spread across the country's different industries such as tourism, agriculture, energy, construction, commerce, among others.



Lopez said the multi-billion dollar package would generate two million jobs for the Filipino people with the figure expected to increase in five years.



Out of the $US24 billion worth of deals Duterte took home to Manila, US$15 billion came from Chinese private companies while the US$9 billion were in the form of soft loans and credit facilities from Chinese banks.



Future bilateral talks



Meanwhile, Beijing and Manila have agreed to engage in future bilateral talks to settle their dispute over the South China Sea.



Duterte said that he did not raise the South China Sea dispute during his talks with President Xi saying it was not the "proper time" to do so.



The Philippine leader said that his visit to China was meant to improve ties between Manila and Beijing and seek investments to boost his country's economy.



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TagsPresident Xi Jinping, President Rodrigo Duterte, Duterte's China visit, full military honors, red carpet welcome, President Xi Manila visit, State Visit
(Photo : getty images.) To give a huge boost to Make in India initiative, Indian government is giving all the way to woo Chinese Smartphone component manufacturers.

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To give a huge boost to the "Make in India" initiative, India is not leaving any stone unturned to woo Chinese investors.



At the second India-China Mobile Phone and Accessories Manufacturing Summit, the Indian government again opened its arms for the Chinese smart phone and electronic manufacturers.



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Speaking at the summit, Aruna Sundarajan, secretary of IT and electronics ministry, said "Investing here is welcome, because it has spin off benefits such as jobs, creating value and increasing our manufacturing base, which is very different from dumping Chinese products here."



"we want Chinese companies to partner with Indian companies to make locally," she added.



The Indian diplomat further noted that there is already a huge amount of engagement between Chinese and Indian companies and an unprecedented opportunity for partnership exists.



Talking about the Make In India Initiative, Aruna said that the initiative aims to promote India as a manufacturing hub and not merely as a consumer market where foreign made products are sold.



Aruna claimed that the Indian government was fully backing the "Make In India" Initiative.



"We want more investors to come and make for the world, so we will make sure there are less disadvantages, she said.



At the summit, Indian states such as Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Telangana and among others reportedly pitched their states to Chinese component manufacturers.



India is trying to woo Chinese investors amid the call to boycott Chinese products ahead of the festive season. The movement against Chinese goods is being spearheaded by several Indian leaders, who are miffed by China's continued support to Pakistan in the wake of the recent Uri attack.



Most experts say that the on-going movement is pitched on patriotic and jingoistic fervour and is likely to only have short-term impact on the sale of Chinese products.



Meanwhile, it is worth noting the Chinese smartphone manufacturers like Huawei, Xiaomi and Foxconn have already committed billions of dollars for the "Make in India: project.



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TagsIndia and China, china, Make in India, Indian Economy, Indian Economy vs Chinese Economy
(Photo : https://pixabay.com/en/australia-australian-flag-sky-flag-1606849/) The group consists of more than 200 delegates.

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Australia has sent a private trade delegation to China to boost their bilateral ties.



The group, consisting of more than 200 delegates composed of exporters, agricultural producers and state ministers from Queensland, will be in Shanghai to solidify trade relationships with the country.



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The delegation known as "AccessChina" departed from Wellacamp Airport, which is the facility's first overseas passenger mission.



Among various members of the delegation is Qantas Airways Ltd., which is planning to boost its freight capacity in Asia.



Qantas Freight will also be holding a networking dinner. Ben Lyons, the leader of the group, said the dinner will give them an opportunity to provide more information about their businesses to the Shanghai business community.



The agribusiness units of Australia and New Zealand Bank and National Australia Bank also form part of the group.



Australia is pushing to become the food basket of Asia, as it aims to take advantage of its favorable weather conditions to sell agricultural produce to the Asian countries.



Apart from agriculture, the delegation also has representatives from other industries, such as education, health, tourism and aged care.



The delegation will visit various sites, including the Shanghai Electric, Yangshan Deepwater port and Hangzhou Campus of Alibaba Group Holding.



The delegation comes at a time when the trade relation between China and Australia are mildly strained. China recently held 18 employees of an Australian casino firm in Macau. It was reported, though, that no charges have been pressed against the detainees so far.



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TagsAustralia, Qantas, AccessChina
(Photo : Royal Navy) Royal Navy Dreadnought-class submarine (concept drawing).

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The United Kingdom has bestowed the fearsome name "HMS Dreadnought" on the first submarine of its new Dreadnought-class ballistic missile submarines (SSBN), which will be the largest submarines ever built for the Royal Navy.



The HMS Dreadnought, the first of four Dreadnought-class boats, will be delivered to the Royal Navy in 2028. This class was formerly called the Successor-class.



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Sir Michael Fallon, Secretary of State for Defense for the United Kingdom announced the bestowal of this history-laden name on the first of three submarines in this class, which will be most powerful British submarines ever built. The Ministry of Defense (MoD) received approval for the name from Her Majesty the Queen.



The remaining three submarines in the Dreadnought-class will also receive names with "historical resonance," said the MoD.



"Every day our ballistic missile submarines are used to deter the most extreme threats to Britain's security," said Fallon.



"We cannot know what dangers we might face in the 2030s, 2040s and 2050s, so we are building the new Dreadnought class. Along with increasing the defense budget to buy new ships, more planes, and armored vehicles, this commitment shows we will never gamble with our security."



Nine Royal Navy warships were previously named HMS Dreadnought. These include the sixth HMS Dreadnought, which was the most powerful battleship in the world when she was launched in 1906. Her combination of massive firepower and unrivaled speed made battleships of all other nations obsolete.



Her entry into service was such a paradigm shift in naval technology her name has since been associated with an entire generation of battleships, the dreadnoughts, that ruled the waves prior to the Second World War.



The United Kingdom approved an initial outlay of $1.6 billion to produce its new Dreadnought-class SSBNs that are far stealthier than the Royal Navy's current SSBN and also have superior crew accommodations.



The four boats in the Dreadnought-class will replace the Vanguard-class that entered service with the Royal Navy in the 1990s. Replacing the Vanguards is necessary if the Royal Navy is to maintain a "continuous at-sea deterrent" (CASD), the principle of operation behind the Trident ballistic nuclear missile system.



The new boats will displace 16,000 metric tons and will be 153 meters in length. The Dreadnoughts, however, will mount 12 missile tubes rather than the 16 on the Vanguards.



The huge SSBNs, also referred to in submariner lingo as boomers, are expected to enter Royal Navy in the 2030s. They will be armed with 12 nuclear missile tubes loaded with UGM-133A Trident II, or Trident D5 submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM) built by Lockheed Martin Space Systems.



Trident II is an improved SLBM with greater accuracy, payload and range than the Trident C-4.Trident II's increased payload allows nuclear deterrence to be accomplished with fewer submarines.



Its high accuracy (a circular error probability of only 90 meters after traveling 12,000 km) approaches that of land-based missiles and allows it to be used as a first strike weapon.



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TagsRoyal Navy, HMS Dreadnought, Dreadnought-class ballistic missile submarines, SSBN, Sir Michael Fallon, United Kingdom
(Photo : getty images.) Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte expressed hope on Sunday that Filipino fishermen would be allowed to return to the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea in the next few days.

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Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte expressed hope on Sunday that China will allow Filipino fishermen to access the disputed Scarborough Shoal in South China Sea in the next few days.



If Duterte's wish is fulfilled, this means that China's move of blocking the Filipino fisherfolks for fours years now will finally see how tit is ending.



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"Let us just wait for a few more days, maybe we could return to Scarborough Shoal," Duterte said in a speech in Tuguegarao City, located north of the capital city of Manila.



Duterte, on the other had, was equally cautious about Chinese commitment, adding that "I'm not sure if they will fulfill (what was discussed)."



The sensitive issue of Scarborough Shoal was reportedly discussed during Duterte's historic four-day visit to China last week.



Two Chinese sources told Reuters that China may consider giving Philippine fishermen conditional access to the disputed shoal. The decision was reportedly reached after the Presidents of both countries held an hour long meeting behind the close doors.



China captured the Scarborough Shoal in 2012, and since then has denied Philippine fishermen access to its fishing territory.



Interestingly, Philippines included seizure of Scarborough Shoal in the case it filed in the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague in 2013. The arbitration court's verdict that was delivered earlier this year severely strained diplomatic ties between Beijing and Manila. The verdict had dismissed Beijing's historical claim over the disputed maritime territory.



Amid this, the Philippine President ignored festering tension following the verdict and chose to engage with China. His decision to mend ties with China apparently at the price of one time close ally US has surprised many.



Duterte's bold decision is seen as a bold attempt to change Philippines traditional foreign policy visa via China and US. Traditionally, Manila maintained cordial ties with US to receive diplomatic and military support for control China's aggression in disputed South China Sea.



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TagsRodrigo Duterte, South China Sea Dispute, Scarborough Shoal, Philippines And China
(Photo : NASA) Probe talking to the Earth using a laser.

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NASA is turning to a little known field called "photonics" to solve the vexing problem of how to dramatically speed-up communications with spacecraft, especially manned spacecraft on long space voyages such as those planned for Mars in the late 2020s.



Photonics explores the many applications of generating, detecting and manipulating photons, or particles of light that make up laser beams.



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One major NASA priority is to use lasers to make space communications for both near-Earth and deep-space missions more efficient. NASA's communications systems have matured over the decades, but they still use the same radio-frequency (RF) system developed in the 1950s.



After more than 50 years of using solely RF, NASA is investing in new ways to increase data rates while also finding more efficient communications systems.



Photonics may provide the solution.



Several centers across NASA are experimenting with laser communications, which has the potential to provide data rates at least 10 to 100 times better than RF. These higher speeds will support increasingly sophisticated instruments and the transmission of live video from anywhere in the solar system.



They'll also increase the bandwidth for communications from human exploration missions in deep space, such as those associated with travel to Mars.



NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland launched the first laser communications pathfinder mission in 2013. The Lunar Laser Communications Demonstration (LLCD) proved that a space-based laser communications system was viable and that the system could survive both launch and the space environment.



The mission was short-lived by design, as the host payload crashed into the lunar surface in a planned maneuver a few months after launch.



The Goddard team is now planning a follow-on mission called the Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) to prove the proposed system's longevity. It will also provide engineers more opportunity to learn the best way to operate it for near-Earth missions.



"We have been using RF since the beginning, 50 to 60 years, so we've learned a lot about how it works in different weather conditions and all the little things to allow us to make the most out of the technology, but we don't have that experience with laser comm," said Dave Israel, Exploration and Space Communications architect at Goddard and principal investigator on LCRD.



"LCRD will allow us to test the performance over all different weather conditions and times of day and learn how to make the most of laser comm."



Scheduled to launch in 2019, LCRD will simulate real communications support, practicing for two years with a test payload on the International Space Station and two dedicated ground stations in California and Hawaii.



The mission could be the last hurdle to implementing a constellation of laser communications relay satellites similar to the Space Network's Tracking and Data Relay Satellites.



Missions to deep space impose special communication challenges because of their distance from Earth. The data return on these missions slowly trickles back to the ground a little at a time using radio frequency.



Laser communications could significantly improve data rates in all space regions, from low-Earth orbit to interplanetary.



JPL's concept called Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC), focuses on laser communications' benefits to data rates and to space and power constraints on missions.



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TagsPhotonics, laser communications, NASA, space communications, radio-frequency, Lunar Laser Communications Demonstration, Laser Communications Relay Demonstration
3 Ancient Prayers That Will Help You Encounter God In A New Way

"To clasp the hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising against the disorder of the world," theologian Karl Barth once said. Prayer is a tried and trusted way of encountering God and of being in communion with him, and it's a vital part of the Christian faith.

Sometimes, though, it can be hard to find the words to say. Here are three ancient prayers to help refresh your prayer life.

The Jesus Prayer

There are various versions of this one, but they all go something like:

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

It's based on the way that Jesus taught his disciples to pray, and the essence of the Jesus Prayer, asking for God's mercy, is related to one of the earliest prayers of the Church  the Kyrie Eleison, which literally means 'Lord have mercy'.

The Jesus prayer began in Eastern Christianity, and is believed to have been developed by the Desert Fathers and Mothers.

A prayer of Saint Augustine

Saint Augustine lived between 354 and 430 AD, and taught extensively on the subject of prayer, urging Christians to back up their prayers with actions that express their faith. He wrote the following prayer, which speaks of God's love and perfect goodness:

Look upon us, O Lord,

and let all the darkness of our souls

vanish before the beams of thy brightness.

Fill us with holy love,

and open to us the treasures of thy wisdom.

All our desire is known unto thee,

therefore perfect what thou hast begun,

and what thy Spirit has awakened us to ask in prayer.

We seek thy face,

turn thy face unto us and show us thy glory.

Then shall our longing be satisfied,

and our peace shall be perfect.

The Lord's Prayer

Many of us will have grown up reciting the Lord's Prayer  taught by Jesus to his disciples in Matthew 6. Because of its familiarity, it's easy for it to become stale, and for us to say the words without thinking about what they mean.

Author Sheridan Voysey has some brilliant thoughts on how to pray through the Lord's Prayer in a new way, to help you get the most out of the words first said by Jesus himself.

Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins

as we forgive those who sin against us.

Lead us not into temptation

but deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power,

and the glory are yours

now and for ever.

Amen.
Archbishops and UK minister visit project against sexual violence in Congo

The Archbishop of Canterbury was joined on Wednesday by the Archbishop of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the UK's Minister for Africa in a visit to Heal Africa, a UK-funded charity that partners with communities on health and development initiatives.

Heal Africa is working to put an end to sexual violence and receives funding from the UK Government's Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative.

The charity is part of Tearfund's 'Silent No More' project, which is being implemented in the DRC in partnership with the Anglican Church of DRC.

It uses various programmes and initiatives to tackle the issue of sexual violence and work towards the protection and support of victims, including training faith leaders to promote gender justice.

The three men met with representatives to discuss the devastating impact of sexual violence in the DRC, which is particularly prevalent in areas of conflict in the eastern regions.

Minister Mark Simmonds praised the work of faith groups in fighting sexual violence, saying he felt "honoured" to witness the work of the groundbreaking projects.

"We cannot succeed in stopping rape and other abuses without local people working at the heart of communities to develop a shared commitment to end this devastating crime," he said.

"I am encouraged by the important work they are doing...together we will do everything we can to ensure that sexual violence is no longer a feature of conflict in the 21st century," he assured.

He and the Archbishops heard more about planned campaigns to develop safe communities and mobilise positive male role models for young men in the DRC. Co-founder of Heal Africa, Dr Jo Lusi underlined the importance of making sure that men are educated in how to treat women.

"Although men are most often the perpetrators, they are also a crucial part of prevention and of the solution," she said.

Speaking about the visit, Archbishop Welby stressed that the suffering in eastern DRC is a "global tragedy", and reiterated the importance of protecting those most vulnerable to sexual violence in the region.

He applauded Heal Africa for its "notable contribution, setting a wonderful example of holistic care, best practice, and deep Christian compassion in partnership with the Anglican Church".

"The FCO programme against sexual violence is of huge significance, and a foundation of reconciliation," he concluded.

The Archbishop of DRC, the Most Reverend Henri Isingoma, also welcomed the partnership, noting his hope that "other churches and Christian organisations as well as civil society will actively take part in more vibrant and concrete advocacy to end the hostilities that have lasted for so long".

Eliminating sexual violence is "a priority issue for my church and for me personally," he said, noting that "ending the conflict in the region is also crucial".

The UK is to host a global Summit on Sexual Violence in Conflict this June, and Mr Simmonds noted that he is looking forward to working with the DRC Special Representative on Sexual Violence in particular "on this critical agenda".
'Better Call Saul' season 3 spoilers: Bryan Cranston drops hints about another 'Breaking Bad' character

As Saul Goodman's (Bob Odenkirk) story continues in "Better Call Saul" season 3, so do the appearances of the notable people he interacted with in the parent series, "Breaking Bad."

While doing a book tour for his memoir, "A Life in Parts," actor Bryan Cranston, who appeared in the original as the infamous Walter White, dropped a tease.

Cranston said that "Better Call Saul" season 3 will feature "another new character coming on the show that you will recognize," as quoted by Uproxx.

The actor emphasized that he was not talking about Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul) or even Gus Fring (Giancarlo Esposito). It also does not look like he was not referring to his "Breaking Bad" character either.

After clarifying that, Cranston left the mystery for fans to uncover. That being said, they might have to wait for the premiere of "Better Call Saul" season 3 next year to find out.

It is important to note, however, that the new season will somehow feel the presence of Gus Fring. There is no word if he will be there physically, but for now, he will be working from behind the scenes as he did in "Breaking Bad."

With regards to Cranston reprising his role in "Better Call Saul" season 3 or in a future season, he said that he will not think twice about bringing Walter White back again.

"I'll do whatever they want because I know how careful they are and proprietary they are with those characters and storylines and it wouldn't be something, 'Oh, isn't that kind of a stunt casting kind of thing.' It would be something kind of unique and obscure and creative, and I'm all in," Cranston told Rich Eisen at "The Rich Eisen Show."

He also said that he was asked to direct an episode of "Better Call Saul," but he is still unsure about accepting the gig since, being a big fan, it would mean knowing where the story goes beforehand.

"Better Call Saul" season 3 is currently in production in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It will premiere in spring next year on AMC.
Exorcist Sees Possessed Woman Vomiting Metal Pins, Says ISIS Is Proof That Devil Is Real

No doubt about it: The devil is real, and is everywhere.

The view is shared by Father Vincenzo Taraborelli, a 79-year-old priest from Rome who has been performing exorcisms for the past 27 years, The Christian Post reported.

He said the clearest proof that the devil is alive is the existence of the Islamic State (ISIS) terror group, which has committed numerous atrocities that could only be the work of the devil himself.

The Catholic priest said the devil's existence is written in the Gospel. He said "you only need to see how the world is nowadays" to realise that the devil is not a make-believe character.

"It has never been this bad. These violent acts [by ISIS] are not human. So terrible," he added.

Taraborelli said he personally get to see the devil face to face during the exorcism rites he performs.

One time, he told the BBC, he was asked to exorcise a woman who fell under a spell from a Satanist after she refused his advances.

He said the woman went into a trace as he started to pray for her. "She would blurt out insults, blasphemies. I quickly understood she was possessed," he said.

"As the rite continued, she started feeling worse and worse. So when I told the devil: 'In the name of Jesus, I order you to go away,' she started to vomit little metal pins, five at a time.

"Aside from pins she would also vomit hair braids, little stones, pieces of wood. It sounds like something from another world, right? Instead, it's something from this world."

Taraborelli said the task that exorcists perform is too much to take for young priests. "I told the bishop that I can't find anyone willing to do this. Many of them are scared. Even priests can be scared. It's a difficult life," he said.

He said even at his advanced age, he often performs as many as 30 exorcisms a day.

A fellow exorcist, Father Gabriele Amorth, who claimed to have performed as many as 160,000 exorcisms, died in September at the age of 91 in Rome.
Massacre In Mosul As Civilians Used As Human Shields

Islamic State is reported to have massacred hundreds of men and boys in Mosul as it faces a final assault on the city. According to CNN, the jihadists shot 284 men and boys before dumping their bodies in a mass grave.

The broadcaster said they were lined up and shot on the grounds of a former agricultural college.

The atrocity took place after the UN said 550 families had been seized last week from nearby villages and marched into the city.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad al Hussein said in a statement: "We are gravely worred by reports that Isil is using civilians in and around Mosul as human shields as the Iraqi forces advance, keeping civilians close to their offices or places where fighters are located, which may result in civilian casualties."

Iraqi army troops on Saturday stormed into a Christian region that has been under Islamic State control since 2014 as part of operations to clear the entrances to Mosul, the militants' last major city stronghold in Iraq.

The advance took place as US Defence Secretary Ash Carter met Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi in Baghdad to evaluate the campaign that began on Monday with air and ground support from the US-led coalition.

A military statement said Iraqi units entered the center of Qaraqosh, a mainly Christian town about 20 km (13 miles) southeast of Mosul, and were carrying out mop-up operations across the town.

Further action was under way to seize a neighbouring Christian village, Karamless, also known as Karemlash in the Syriac language. The region's population fled in the summer of 2014, when Islamic State swept in.

Earlier this week, Iraqi special units also captured Bartella, a Christian village north of Qaraqosh.

The offensive on Mosul is expected to become the biggest battle fought in Iraq since the US-led invasion in 2003 and it could require a massive humanitarian relief operation.

Some 1.5 million residents remain in the city and worst-case scenario forecasts see up to a million being uprooted, according to the United Nations. UN aid agencies said the fighting has so far forced about 6,000 to flee their homes.

The army is trying to advance from the south and the east while Kurdish Peshmerga fighters are holding fronts in the east and north.

Iraqi forces have advanced to five km (three miles) from Mosul and there are signs of revolt against the group, the interior minister of the Kurdish regional government, Karim Sinjar, said in an interview on Saturday in Erbil.

On the southern front, nearly 1,000 people were treated for breathing problems linked to toxic fumes from a sulphur plant that Islamic State militants are suspected to have set on fire on Thursday, said sources at the hospital of Qayyara, reporting no deaths at the medical facility itself.

A cloud of white smoke blanketed the region to the north, where the factory is located, mingling with black fumes from oil wells that the militants torched to cover their moves.

The Iraqi army's media office said about 50 villages had been taken from the militants since Monday in operations to prepare the main thrust into Mosul itself, where 5,000 to 6,000 IS fighters are dug in, according to Iraqi estimates.

The warring parties are not announcing casualties, with each claiming to have killed hundreds of enemy fighters since Monday.

Islamic State is relying mainly on suicide car bombs, roadside bombs, mines, sniper and mortar fire to counter the charge of the Iraqi units trained by the United States to deal specifically with this kind of warfare.

Carter signaled during a visit to Ankara on Friday his support for a possible Turkish role and said there was an agreement in principle between Baghdad and Ankara  potentially ending a source of tension.

"I know that the Turks want to participate, we tell them thank you, this is something the Iraqis will handle," Abadi said after meeting with Carter. "If help is needed, we will ask for it from Turkey or from other regional countries."

Oil-rich Kirkuk city secured

The militants retaliated to the advance of the Iraqi forces and the Kurdish fighters in Mosul by attacking Kirkuk on Friday, an oil city that lies east Hawija, a pocket they continue to control between Baghdad and Mosul.

Authorities in Kirkuk regained control of the city on Saturday and partially lifted a curfew declared after the militants stormed police stations and other buildings. The region's oil producing facilities were not damaged.

At least 50 people have been killed and 80 others wounded in clashes between security forces and the militants in Kirkuk, according to a hospital sources. Four Iranians doing maintenance work at a power station were among the dead, they said.

A senior US official estimated the number of the militants who attacked Kirkuk at about 80, nearly all of whom were killed or captured. They were mostly foreign fighters trained as commandos who may have received help from sleeper cells inside the city, he said.

Additional reporting by Reuters.
North Korean Woman Reveals How They Were Taught to Hate Christians

A North Korean woman has bravely started a secret Christian church in a prison camp and won over new believers for Jesus Christ despite being in a religiously repressive regime.

The woman, named Hae Woo, revealed that they were taught to hate Christians, saying the stories they were told about people of faith were terrifying.

"Christians were not capable of 'revolutionary acts' and so were enemies," she told the National Catholic Register through the charity called Open Doors. "Every form of religion, and especially Christianity, was like opium: addictive and destructive. I heard stories about Christians who went to hospitals, enticed people into cellars, killed them there and sucked the blood out of their bodies so that they could sell it. The thought of it was horrifying to me."

But when she encountered real Christians, Hae Woo was surprised that they are unlike any of the scary people North Koreans envisioned them to be. In fact, she was so amazed by their goodness that she converted to Christianity herself.

Despite the challenges faced by Christians in North Korea, Hae Wood said she remained faithful. She said she felt blessed as God helped her survive. "Even more: He gave me a desire to evangelise among the other prisoners!" she said. "But I told God that I was too scared to do so. If I were caught, I would certainly be executed."

Thankfully, Open Doors helped Hae Woo escape to South Korea before her Christian faith lands her in trouble. She is now enjoying her newfound freedom, and she said she feels as if she's in her "honeymoon period."

"Of course, there are lots of things wrong here and some people think that South Korea is too materialistic, but what do they know about freedom? For that matter, what does anyone know about freedom? I learned what freedom is in the camp," she said.
Power Women: The Villagers Standing Up Against Sierra Leone's Rapists

Sierra Leone has had enough disasters in the past decades. First a civil war that killed over 50,000 and finished in 2002, followed by the Ebola crisis that left more than 4,000 dead and ended just earlier this year. Now, as the country recovers from the aftermath of the deadly virus, sexual assault cases have reached a new peak. This, however, is due to change in one of the villages in Bo district, where a group of 17 women have declared their intention to chase down rape perpetrators and bring them to justice.

Itasu and her friends don't look at all intimidating at a first glance, but when they get to business, they certainly are. Itasu, a mother of three in her 40s, wears a silver necklace bearing the word "success"  and she is definitely having that.

The group of 17 all live in the same village about an hour's drive from the district capital, Bo. Nestled among Sierra Leone's lush palm trees and deep green bushes, it contrasts with the rich red of the earthy roads and feels a peaceful place. Children play with sticks and tyres and students return from school in blue uniforms, carrying books in plastic bags. Although the 1991-2002 civil war has passed and the country has gone through a complex but successful reconciliation process, remnants of the conflict can still be seen everywhere. Next to the newly-built huts are ruins of burnt houses, now overgrown with white flowers and a children's playground. "I watched my mother get killed by rebels with machetes here," one of the villagers recalls. His name is James and his family has built a new home, right next to the remains of the old one.

When Ebola struck in 2014, the village was badly hit. Hundreds of people got infected and died, many of them children. "Ebola came with lots of problems. It messed up our culture," Itasu explains. "We used to visit sick people and went to funerals to grieve with our friends. But when the virus came, we were forced to stay away and we couldn't offer much support. This goes against our culture, and many didn't follow through at first."

Many parents and caregivers died and a large number of survivors lost their jobs, which made providing food and bare essentials like clothes difficult. After the peak of the crisis, rape cases rose dramatically across the country, including in Itasu's village. While there are no official statistics - resulting in part from the fact that many women won't admit to being raped out of shame - Itasu estimates that a third of the girls in her village aged between 15 and 20 have been assaulted or raped.

While there are clear laws in Sierra Leone that condemn rape and punish it with both a prison sentence and a fine, many girls don't speak out immediately and once they do, the men have already disappeared. A joint report published by UNICEF, Plan International, World Vision and Save the Children indicates that sexual violence against girls has increased in all districts and every child interviewed for the report could think of at least someone who had been raped.

"Young girls have become desperate and with no food on the table or money to purchase school supplies, they have fallen prey to men offering them exactly that. Men lure them into their houses by promising a meal or money and once a girl has entered, she gets attacked and assaulted," she explains. "As a mother myself, I knew this had to stop."

Itasu recalls how she discussed the issue with other women in her village, who together decided to take action.

Today, the group is composed of 17 mothers who come together on a weekly basis and are supported by international aid agency World Vision. The women are constantly on call, working together with local authorities and within their community. "News spread quickly in our village and as soon as we hear about a rape case, it's go time for us!" she says. "The perpetrators try to get away fast, but in the last month, we were faster several times and brought three men behind bars. Having these men locked away in prison is one of our main goals. We do whatever we can to chase them, sometimes on foot and other times on a motorbike, if we have one available. It's all about being proactive and acting fast. We won't stop until we reach justice."

For the women, it is not only a matter of justice, but also of making their community stronger and helping girls reach their full potential. Both World Vision and local authorities support the women by offering up their office space and help with supplies. "We are all mothers ourselves and want the best for our children," says Dorcas, who has three girls at home and thinks she's in her mid 50s, although she doesn't know for sure. She recalls a recent incident in the village when a 12-year-old girl, Lilly*, was raped by a 45 year-old man: "We know who it is, but he is on the run."

As Dorcas explains, the man tried to lure Lilly into his home when she wandered by two weeks ago, offering her money and a warm meal (a desirable prospect for many hungry young children). Once the girl was inside his house, he told her to undress. She refused and started screaming, but he pushed a piece of cloth in her mouth to silence her, and then raped her. Immediately afterwards, the man tried to bribe her, offering gifts and money in exchange for silence. But it didn't work - Lilly's parents took her to hospital where the rape was confirmed. "It's tragic," says Dorcas. "She is at home now, but doesn't leave her house and stopped going to school because she is so ashamed. Rape comes with an attached stigma here and it's hard to get past it."

Dorcas has joined the group in an effort to combat exactly that. Rape cases emerge almost daily in the village, with the average age of victims around 15. Often, family members don't get involved when their daughter or sister has been assaulted, as they too feel ashamed. Many families instead just carry on, while the girls are left to deal with their trauma individually.

"That's why we're here," Dorcas says. "We want our children to grow strong and become educated, so we first have to be strong for them. Besides chasing after the perpetrators, we also try to help rape victims regain their lives. We talk to them, encourage them and offer whatever we can."

With the Ebola crisis wiping out so many parents, Sierra Leone's orphan rates have risen drastically. "We try to take care of as many orphans as possible, offering them practical help and food," says Dorcas, who explains the funds come from the pockets of the women themselves. Most of the 17 work at a nearby market and are able to stash a few of their coins away to help the cause. They contribute the equivalent of a couple of pence a week, though this goes a long way in Sierra Leone.

Both Dorcas' and Itasu's immediate family were spared during the Ebola crisis, but many of the other 15 women have lost husbands, parents or children. "We're here to encourage each other, make our village safe and try to combat rape completely," says Itasu. She is pleased with the success of their work  and is not alone in this.

"Even my husband is proud of us and reminds me every week to attend our meeting," she says. "Whenever we hear of a rape and need to run out immediately, he supports me as much as he can. Our country has recently lived through a war and a deadly virus. We are resilient and want to empower the next generation to be just like that: strong, fighting for what is right, and unwilling to give up  ever!"

*name changed to protect the child's identity
'Selective Reduction': Norway Allows Women to Legally Abort One of Their Twins Even If Baby Is Healthy

Norway has opened its doors to both local and foreign women who are pregnant with twin babies and who want to undergo "selective reduction" abortion, a process where one of the twins is legally killed even if the baby is perfectly healthy.

Claiming that women have the right to decide which of their twin babies will live or die, the Norwegian health ministry issued a new ruling last week offering the services of the country's doctors to perform abortion on both local and foreign pregnant women who want to reduce the number of children in their wombs.

This new ruling is in response to several calls received by the Norwegian health ministry from pregnant women from other European countries, particularly Sweden and Denmark, where selective reduction abortion is still banned.

"All women, regardless of whether they are Norwegian or foreign women residing in Norway have the same right to abortion and fetal reduction," Torunn Janbu from Norway's Directorate of Health told NRK, a Norwegian news outlet, as quoted by Life Site News.

However, some members of the medical community in Norway remain unconvinced that the country should open its doors to women with multiple pregnancies to allow them to kill their own children in their womb.

Dr. Birgitte Heiberg Kahrs, a specialist in foetal medicine at St. Olav's Hospital in Oslo, for instance, believes that selective reduction abortion has no "medical benefit" at all. In fact, she maintained that this kind of procedure has medical risks.

"On the contrary, it exposes the second child in the womb to danger as the abortion risk increases," Kahrs told Life Site News.

Norway also may soon become a go-to place for foreign women who intend to undergo abortion procedures because they cannot do so in their home countries, according to the pro-life online news source.

This ruling on selective reduction abortion came at a time when multiple pregnancies are no longer uncommon among women due to the invasive in-vitro fertilisation procedures, which also have ethical issues.
Two men were shot in a southeast Houston on Saturday as they played dice, KHOU Channel 11 reported.

Police were called to the scene of the shooting near Rosalie at Scott Street about 6:30 p.m., the television station said. Both men were taken to a hospital where they were reported to be in stable condition.
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GALVESTON - A minor weather disturbance midway between Africa and the Caribbean gained enough strength on Sept. 1, 2008, to be deemed a tropical storm and given a name: Ike. The storm, moving at about 16 mph, would grow to a monstrous size before its center careened up the Houston Ship Channel on Sept. 13 - one of the most destructive storms ever to hit the Galveston-Houston area.

Ike was one of 16 tropical storms in 2008, five of which grew into major hurricanes in one of the decade's worst hurricane seasons. Six consecutive storms struck the United States, including Hurricane Dolly, which ravaged South Texas more than two months earlier.

By Sept. 9, Ike had grown into a hurricane and forecasters were warning that it could come ashore anywhere from Mexico to Louisiana. The Houston area already had dodged two storms in previous weeks, with Tropical Storm Edouard turning north at the last moment and Hurricane Gustav curving into Louisiana.

Ike toppled buildings in the Bahamas and killed 61 people in Haiti and four in Cuba as it churned toward Texas, where it would be even deadlier.

More Information Galveston Hurricanes and tropical storms since 1871 Tropical storm-to-hurricane ratio: 23/30 Longest gap between storms: 16 years, 1915-1932 How often does this area get affected? Every 2.71 years (brushed or hit) Average between direct hurricane hits (with hurricane-force winds for at least a few hours): 9 years Average strength of hurricane hits (based on sustained winds, not gusts): 106 mph Likely hit from next storm (based on statistical average, not a prediction): 4 years overdue Source: Hurricane City website See More Collapse

Houston-area officials held off on issuing evacuation orders as Ike kept changing direction, first heading for Corpus Christi, then up the coast. A flurry of evacuation orders went out two days before the storm, but Galveston officials hesitated. The memory was still fresh of Galveston residents caught for as long as 30 hours or more in a massive traffic jam caused by evacuation orders in 2005 for Hurricane Rita.

Galveston officials also were hoping that Ike would strike farther west, but it kept moving up the coast and a mandatory evacuation order was issued on the evening of Sept. 11. Residents had only a day to leave before the high winds and tides from the massive storm slapped the island.

The National Weather Service warned that coastal residents outside the protection of a seawall "face certain death."

Alice Mellot, then 52, was in her Galveston loft when she got a text message early Sept. 12 from Houston friends.

"They told me it was really coming and they would come and get me if I didn't get out," Mellot recalled.

Streets in Galveston were already flooding and winds were buffeting the island as Mellot crossed the Galveston Causeway and headed for College Station and refuge at a house owned by friends.

About 20,000 Galveston residents failed to evacuate, and about 140,000 remained in the most dangerous areas of the storm's path. Some would pay with their lives.

Ike made landfall at about 2:10 a.m. Sept. 13, its center crossing the tip of Galveston Island at the entrance to the Houston Ship Channel.

The storm was nearly 300 miles wide with sustained winds of 110 mph, just shy of becoming a Category 3 hurricane. A storm surge of 13 feet and higher swamped Galveston, damaging about 75 percent of all structures on the island.

But Galveston was lucky in being west of the storm's eye. Hurricanes rotate counterclockwise, so the worst damage is always on the side of the storm facing the wind, which was slowed after it hit land and circled to hit Galveston from behind.

The Bolivar Peninsula was not so lucky. It was on the "dirty" side of the storm, where winds were fiercest and the storm surge was more than 20 feet in some places. The surge scoured the communities of Gilchrist and Caplen from the map, ripping concrete slabs from underneath houses.

Delores Brookshire, then 72, who lived with her disabled son, Charles Allen Garrett, 42, telephoned her cousin as the rising water surrounded her small wooden house on the Bolivar Peninsula a few blocks from the Gulf of Mexico: "I just called to tell you bye and I love you  I'm going to die. Me and Charles Allen are going to drown." They were among 74 people killed by the storm, most of them in Harris and Galveston counties.

As Ike surged up the Houston Ship Channel, it pushed 20-foot-plus walls of water into communities along Galveston Bay like Kemah and Seabrook. Stormwater sloshed over the 17-foot high Galveston seawall and pounded its two fishing piers into rubble. The seawall, built on the Gulf side of the island after the Great Storm of 1900, offered no protection from the surge that came in from the bay side.

Winds smashed out windows in Houston high-rise office buildings, including the 75-story J.P. Morgan Chase Tower, as sheets of glass crashed down onto downtown streets. Reliant Stadium (now NRG Stadium) lost part of its roof, and thousands of trees were felled, many onto rooftops. Vast areas of the city went dark, and some residents were without power for a month.

The storm was so wide that it caused damage along the Gulf Coast all the way to Louisiana.

Ike rampaged through 26 Texas counties, causing near $30 billion in damage before turning north. The storm's winds then damaged homes in St. Louis, Mo., and parts of Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Ike's rain caused flooding in Chicago.

In its aftermath, nearly 16,000 Texans were living in shelters. Galveston was without water, gas or electricity and for a day was cut off from the mainland because the causeway was jammed with debris, including a number of large boats.

The full effect of the 2008 economic crash hit two days later, and national attention was diverted from the suffering of Texans.

Congress appropriated about $3 billion in disaster aid, nearly two-thirds of it to rebuild low-income to moderate housing destroyed by Ike.

Recovery has taken years. As recently as 2015, 2,000 Texans were still waiting for their homes to be repaired or rebuilt; that number was down to a few dozen, most of them in Houston, in 2016. The Galveston wastewater treatment plant ruined by the storm took eight years to rebuild at a cost of $85 million and was to reopen in the fall of 2016.

The battered island has made a spectacular comeback. Real estate prices have rebounded, and tourism, one of the island's most important industries, is booming. The largest employer on the island, the University of Texas Medical Branch, laid off nearly 2,000 employees after the storm but has bounced back, opening a new hospital on the mainland and acquiring a hospital in Brazoria County.

The snail-like pace of rebuilding after Ike led to calls for changes, including ways to slice through regulations, a new housing design and local advance planning assisted by state-supplied experts. Those changes are expected to be addressed in the next legislative session, which also will look at reports from a special panel created to look at protecting the coast from another Ike. A six-county panel has recommended building an $11.5 billion storm surge protection system, dubbed the Ike Dike, to protect populated areas of the coast from Orange County to Brazoria County. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is doing a study required to get federal funding for the project.

Like many storm victims, Mellot spent weeks in federally sponsored housing before returning to Galveston. Ike destroyed her real estate business, and the bank foreclosed on her rental home and her loft. Mellot joined 10,000 other Galveston residents who left or never returned. She now is a successful communications consultant in Atlanta.

"It took a huge psychological toll," Mellot said, adding that like many, she overcame the stress and financial loss and survived.
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The scene at Tilman Fertitta's home late Saturday afternoon was truly a sight behold.

As if the cavalcade of flashing flights, patrol vehicles, and uniformed officers didn't give it away, the Bayou City's resident billionaire and Houston Police Foundation chairman hosted the ninth annual True Blue gala at his River Oaks manse - er, compound.

In fact, CNBC cameras documented the ordeal for the Landry's Inc. chairman and CEO's newest venture: a reality television show aptly named "Billion Dollar Buyer." Guests entering the "blue jeans encouraged" soiree signed filming waivers before promptly being offered the evening's signature cocktail, Moscow mules served in copper mugs engraved with the Houston Police Foundation's crest.

READ MORE: Tilman Fertitta: Houston's big money booster

Nearby, live painter Taft McWhorter was already furiously working his magic on a blank canvas while his wife Dana McWhorter greeted familiar arrivals.

Also on duty, Fertitta's wife, Paige Fertitta, welcomed supporters, including neighbor Alice Mosing, and gave final instructions to onsite vendors. Decor extraordinaire Richard Flowers needed no said direction. With the smattering of tables already beautifully festooned with red rose centerpieces of every imaginable height, his only remaining task was to snap iPhone evidence of his handiwork.

READ MORE: University of Houston names basketball arena after Fertitta

Off in the distance, where the Fertittas helicopter has been known to land, HPD's elite squads - SWAT, bomb, special response, and mounted patrol - set up for their upcoming demonstrations.

Docile K9s lounged elsewhere on a lawn. Chefs busily warmed lobster tail and other delicacies.

Once all 700 denim-clad guests were accounted for, husband-and-wife master of ceremonies and event chair, respectively, Laura and Dave Ward kicked off the wildly entertaining festivities. HPD's Air Support began by picking off "zombie" herds that roamed through the crowd as a Michael Jackson impersonator and backup dancers performed "Thriller" on a makeshift stage.

High risk drills, Taser demonstrations and Red-man simulations continued throughout the evening as party-goers hit crab cake, short rib, and gelato stations scattered across the sprawling property.

For the grand finale, a helicopter flyover and elaborate fireworks display capped the soiree which raised $700,000 towards HPD equipment and training.
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A Katy man may lose his finger after he contracted flesh-eating bacteria during a trip to Matagorda Bay.

The problems started after Rex Rand cut his hand while taking crabs out of a trap, his children told KTRK.

The simple cut quickly developed into something much worse.

"His whole arm from here was three times the size, and you could see just like, red rash and what looked like bruises," his daughter Kari Rand said.

READ MORE: Lake Jackson man latest flesh-eating bacteria victim

A doctor diagnosed the oozing infection as vibrio vulnificus, a virulent flesh-eating bacteria that lives in marine water.

Vibrio is most common in warm saltwater, where infections set in after the bacteria enters the body through open wounds - like the one on Rand's hand.

Even as the infection spread, Rand resisted going to the hospital.

READ MORE: Victim of flesh-eating bacteria released from Houston hospital

"He's a very tough guy, so he was just going to sleep it off," his daughter said. "Basically, I had to force him to go."

Doctors pumped him full of strong antibiotics and waited to see whether he'd be able to keep his finger.

His family is just happy things didn't turn out worse.

"He could have at least lost his arm or his life," his daughter said.

READ MORE: Beach communities try to calm nerves about flesh-eating bacteria

A number of visitors to the Texas coast fell victim to flesh-eating bacteria last summer.

In June, Vince Chappell contracted vibrio after wading into the water at Aransas Pass, while a Jacinto City man had his leg amputated after he caught the infection while swimming on Galveston Island.

Last year, Texas saw 102 cases of vibrio infection.
Two Texas parents landed in jail after their infant son was found with multiple "non-accidental" fractures that they ignored for weeks, according to police.

George Jones and Amanda Camilla Wright-Jones of McGregor near Waco were collared Thursday after police alleged they took their 5-month-old to McLane Children's Hospital with fractured arms and legs, according to the Waco Tribune.

With days-old injuries, the 24-year-old parents finally brought their son in for medical treatment in early October after his aunt noticed his side was red and swollen.

The infant had fractures in his left tibia, right distal femur, proximal left humerus and right distal humerus, an examination found.

"The conclusion was the injuries were of a non-accidental nature and the injuries to the tibia and humerus had occurred approximately 10 to 14 days prior to being examined," according to the arrest affidavit.

"The injuries to the distal femurs were less than 10 days old at the time of the diagnosis."

Wright-Jones reluctantly told investigators that she and her husband had hoisted the child up by his arms to try to get his to stand, the affidavit notes.

She did not explain why she waited so long to seek medical care.

Jones told police he'd accidentally tried pulling the child out of a car seat without realizing he was still strapped in.

He jerked the boy "pretty hard" and "heard a 'pop'" - but didn't bother bringing the infant to a doctor, investigators said.

The young parents were taken into custody after McGregor police handed the case over to Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.

They were both hit with injury to a child charges and sent to jail on $25,000 bond.
U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, a Houston Democrat, took to the airwaves on MSNBC recently to express support for presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and then denounce Russia and Wikipedia for recent email leaks that have painted Clinton in a negative light.

"I'm going to first of all denounce the utilization of this intrusion by Wikipedia through the Russian intrusion," she told MSNBC. "This is what it's about. Espionage just like what was said over these last couple of days. We need to be concerned about the intrusion of Russia and Putin in these elections."
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As a mall in Hong Kong began to flood, one man had a cup of coffee to finish.

Lovingly called "Uncle" by commenters, a photo of a man sitting, totally chill, in a Starbucks as water gathers around him has gone viral after TV Most, a local TV station in Hong Kong's Chai Wan district, posted the image Wednesday.

RELATED: Mexican TV reporter gets carried through flood by residents, becomes meme-worthy, unemployed

BBC talked to the 23-year-old woman who took the photo, who didn't think it would garner more than 2,000 shares and hundreds of comments.

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Kristy Chan told BBC she took the photo to show her family how bad the flooding had gotten.

"Of course I didn't expect it would go viral," Chan said. "It was quite funny. Maybe he already has that many life experiences so the flood didn't bother him at all."

RELATED: San Antonio native's perfect response to Internet meme featuring Trinity athlete wearing turban

Since Wednesday, the image of the man has been photo-shopped into the final scenes of the Titanic, and someone added a shark to the water as the man remains calm, among others.

Click through the slideshow to see the memes.

Later, another man joins in, sipping coffee as Starbucks staff look on.

Hong Kong experienced rainstorms and flash floods Wednesday and are preparing for Typhoon Haima Thursday, the South China Morning Post reported. At least seven people died in the Philippines over the past two days due to the Typhoon, the Associated Press reported. Although experts believe the typhoon is weakening, it is expected to head toward China.

kbradshaw@express-news.net

Twitter: @kbrad5
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Spain's conservative leader Mariano Rajoy was on course to secure a second term in power for his People's Party (PP) on Sunday after his Socialist rivals agreed to abstain in a looming confidence vote, ending 10 months of political deadlock.



Spain has been stuck in political limbo following national elections in December and June which left no single party with a majority, paralysing institutions and threatening to derail an economic recovery.

With a third ballot on the cards the centre-left Socialists, traditional opponents of the PP, ceded ground on Sunday in an extraordinary, internal party meeting to choose between a third general election or allowing Rajoy to govern.

Senior party members voted by 139 to 96 in favour of abstaining in a parliamentary confidence vote to be held this week.

Rajoy's minority government will have to contend with a hostile, deeply fragmented parliament over the next four years, opening up a fresh source of political instability for Spain.

His prime task will be to keep on track an economic rebound after years of recession, while cutting costs to meet stringent deficit targets.

December's election broke the stable two-party system that has ruled Spain since the death of dictator Francisco Franco in the 1970s, and a re-run in June delivered a similar result as new parties grabbed millions of votes in the wake of a deep recession.

Rajoy's PP beat the Socialists in both elections, followed by the upstart Podemos ("We Can") and Ciudadanos ("Ciudadanos") parties, which together secured close to a third of parliamentary seats.

To govern, Rajoy needed sufficient support or an abstention by his rivals in a confidence vote. That two-stage ballot will now take place this week, with the second vote due on Saturday or Sunday.
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
Report details family's care for Santulli

Danny Santulli's family has created a hospital room for him in the living room of their Eden Prairie, Minnesota, home, his dad wrote in a report.
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When you have to feel the best effects for gaming, video or visual graphics, it boils down to the option of choosing the best Graphics card. Right now, the competition is neck-to-neck between upcoming graphic cards of new era. We try to compare AMD Radeon RX 490 vs NVIDIA GTX 1080 Ti and leave a choice for you to pick the best one.

First of all, both AMD and NVidia have not yet announced the launch dates for the above graphic card. However, PC world tipped that NVidia may release it as it preparing for final touches, while AMD may release Radeon RX 490 on early 2017.

As per Enstarz, AMD Radeon RX 490 and NVIDIA GTX 1080 are only the two such devices in the world market Ti which possesses high FPS with extreme Graphics Processing Unit (GPU). They are also having similar performance on various tests though NVidia emerged as the coolest one.

Both have powerful memory architecture but with a difference. AMD Radeon RX 490 has the GCN 1.3 Greenland XT, while NVIDIA has the Pascal P104-400-A1. But, AMD Radeon RX 490 enjoys 96 Texture Mapping Units more than that of the NVidia GTX 1080 Ti. However, the clock speed of NVidia GTX 1080 Ti is more powerful with 557 MHz more than the AMD Radeon RX 490.

The memory bandwidth of Radeon RX 490 is higher than GTX 1080. Higher bandwidth gives more memory load performance. AMD Radeon RX 490 has the 8192-bit memory interface with GPU 8GB frame buffer of Second Generation HBM, while its memory Clock Operates at 500MHz. NVIDIA GTX 1080 Ti has 256-bit memory interface with an 8GB frame buffer of Second Gen GDDR5X and the memory clock operates at 1251MHz.

Nvidia has recently launched 1050 Ti under $140. So, technically 1080 Ti is a powerful Graphics card and critics recommend this though it will be costing a little more than 1050 Ti. According to Mobipicker, NVidia GTRX 1080 Ti is more affordable than AMD Radeon RX 490.

See Now: What Republicans Don't Want You To Know About Obamacare
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No, we didn't make this guy up.

Why You Might Meet Him Anyway:

After being sentenced to a mental institution in Uzbekistan and escaping once, the government decided that less than 10 years of rehabilitation was enough for this serial killer and simply let him go.

So Where Is He Now?

Very little is known of Dzhumagaliev's current whereabouts, though he is said to be living with his relatives in Eastern Europe. However, being a free man and all, he can travel anywhere he pleases. Perhaps a place where almost no one has heard of him. Like your town, for example.

It could be your neighbor.

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Nikolai has always been described as a very charming and well-spoken man, and one not bad to look at to boot (which only helped him lure more women into his fridge). The Jaws teeth are, thankfully, a dead give away. But hey, he could totally blend in at a James Bond convention. Unless he keeps his mouth closed, in which case he could blend in anywhere at all. Your basement, for instance.
In the 1950s, one of the largest incidents of mass poisoning on record was due to a specific orange food coloring used in the manufacturing of candy. After eating popcorn balls containing Orange Dye No. 1, many children came down with rashes and diarrhea, prompting a major investigation and an enduring urban legend. Investigators discovered that the dye, which was produced from the byproducts of processed coal, was indeed the culprit. Something the candy companies clearly knew, as the orange substance was so toxic that their factory workers kept coming down with the same skin rashes -- as seen in the documentary Charlie And The Chocolate Factory.

rudchenko/iStock

"There was an accident at the factory, sir. I'm afraid your wife has been Oompa-Loompa'ed."

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You would think we'd move beyond "accidental factory poisonings" in the 21st Century, but in 2006, public health officials on the West Coast discovered that basically the entire Mexican candy industry was allowing tons of lead to creep into their treats. So many children were being negatively affected by their lead-covered candies that it was considered the worst case of mass lead poisoning in the past three decades, which mathematically coincides with the former orange dye poisonings as well.

Worse yet, unlike those pumpkin spice lattes, mass candy poisonings are a year-round treat. In fact, there is lead in the chocolate in your pantry right now. A California-based consumer advocacy group has performed several studies which found "trace amounts" in almost all chocolate products, with half of the products tested exceeding the safe limits set by California. Now, according to the Centers for Disease Control, there is "no safe level of lead for children," as it can immediately start impacting their kidneys and brain. However, on a federal level, the FDA allows lead in food, as long as "there are no observable effects" -- which is their way of saying "Come back when people are legitimately going nuts."
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Health care and education have long been significant sectors of the local economy, with senior services also growing into a major employer as the population ages.

And few places have seen the growth of these sectors like the stretch of Park Avenue where Easton, Fairfield, Bridgeport and Trumbull meet.

Mostly residential just a decade ago, the stretch of road where the four communities converge has undergone a significant transformation within the last few years, thanks in large part to new construction projects for educational, senior and medical services, several which were completed this year.

Ive seen that change since I was a kid, said Trumbull First Selectman Tim Herbst, whose grandparents lived in the area when he was a child. It has been positive.

Herbst in May welcomed the Park Avenue Medical Center, Yale New Haven Healths new 3-story, 100,000-square-foot center at 5520 Park Ave., which combines services by Bridgeport Hospital, Smilow Cancer Hospital, Yale New Haven Childrens Hospital and Northeast Medical Group.

The following month, just across the border in Bridgeport, Jewish Senior Services completed its move into its newly constructed 372,000-square-foot building at 4200 Park Ave.

But its Sacred Heart University that has been the most transformative entity due to its extensive expansion over the last five years, with further plans to add to its footprint in Fairfield and Bridgeport.

Ive seen Sacred Heart University go from a community school to being a real top college in the tri-state area, Herbst said.

Spurring growth

Michael Kinney, senior vice president for finance and administration at Sacred Heart, estimates the university has invested more than $100 million in Bridgeport and a similar amount in Fairfield to expand its campus.

In the last three years, SHU has built a wellness center, created the Frank and Marisa Martire Business & Communications Center and, this August, opened an 87,000-square-foot, 216-bed residence hall on the corner of Jefferson Street and Park Avenue.

The university also built a Georgian-style residence for the school president in Bridgeport and took over the former Fitness 4000 building at 4000 Park Ave., where a Center for Health Education is under construction. When completed next May, the building will combine the schools of health professions and nursing.

Kinney said the universitys expansion  it now houses roughly half of its 4,800 undergraduate population on campus  has changed the neighborhood.

Ten years ago on Park Avenue, it looked like a very nice middle-class neighborhood, he said.

Over the years, the university has not always been in the neighborhoods good graces due to the behavior of some of its off-campus students. But Kinney said regular meetings have helped assuage many concerns, and the universitys addition to its housing stock has also brought more off-campus students onto school grounds.

The university plans to construct enough housing for up to 650 additional students on the former Jewish Home property, once owned by Jewish Senior Services, in the coming years. The first phase will consist of 176 beds.

Kinney noted there are frequent discussions about future growth, with other local agencies also looking at future expansion.

I think the commitment from all of the local agencies to continue to grow and expand ... is ultimately a commitment to the community, said Andrew Banoff, president and CEO of Jewish Senior Services.

He said although it is a benefit to have the university and medical campus nearby, as well as the neighboring Discovery Magnet School and Discovery Museum, the location for its new campus was not chosen for those reasons.

The location is a little bit happenstance  its not like we all got together and said lets build on Park Avenue  but the opportunities were there, he said. The three of us collectively are doing good work in the area. Collectively, we help feed each other.

A destination in the region

For hospital officials, however, the location was key to its decision.

For us in health care, we look at growth in our outpatient and ambulatory services and its very important that we set up locations that are convenient, said Gina Calder, vice president of ambulatory services for Bridgeport Hospital.

She said that the convenience of being at the crossroads of four communities  the medical centers main building is in Trumbull and its parking garage in Bridgeport  was a determining factor in choosing to build there.

She also noted it is just off exit 47 of the Merritt Parkway.

The location was ideal for us, she said. It also works well for our physicians and staff. Many of our physicians are practicing in different towns. In the first year, hospital officials estimate they will receive about 26,000 visits.

Their proximity and shared goals have led the organizations to form partnerships and relationships.

Calder said the staff at Park Avenue Medical Center provide support and assistance to Jewish Senior Services, and Stephen Baumann, executive director of the Discovery Museum, said the facility has seen increasing numbers of Sacred Heart students volunteer.

The museum, which has undergone extensive exterior renovations recently, as well, has enjoyed increased attendance and membership over the last two years.

Baumann said the only concern he has with the changes along Park Avenue is the speed at which cars travel on the busy roadway. Its just a situation that is not optimal, he said, noting that the museum, the Discovery school and the adventure park in the woods behind the buildings lack sufficient parking, so visitors often park on the street.

The increased traffic is a sign that the neighborhood is no longer only a middle-class neighborhood. North Park Avenue is clearly a great destination now, Banoff said.

ktorres@hearstmediact.com; 203-330-6227
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In their first and only U.S. Senate debate, Democratic incumbent Richard Blumenthal and GOP challenger Dan Carter tangled Sunday over gun control, the Affordable Care Act and job creation.

Both candidates took turns as the aggressor in the hour-long forum televised by WFSB-TV Channel 3 on the Hartford CBS affiliates political talk show, Face the State.

Blumenthal, 70, criticized Carters 2013 vote in the Legislature against a gun control package crafted in response to the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre, as well as the state representatives opposition to a 2016 law confiscating guns from alleged domestic abusers served with a temporary restraining order.

I think the NRA already has enough friends and defenders in Washington, Blumenthal said. I was at the Sandy Hook firehouse and then at the church that night with the families. This is a public health emergency, a crisis for our country. These common sense measures must be passed.

Carter, 49, a three-term legislator from Bethel, responded that Democrats have been grandstanding on the issue and have done nothing to address illegal gun trafficking.

That bill that I voted against in 2013 would have done nothing to prevent Sandy Hook from happening, Carter said.

Opportunities have been few and far between for Carter to contrast himself side-by-side with Blumenthal, a prohibitive favorite who was first elected to the Senate in 2010 after 20 years as the states attorney general. The Air Force veteran let that frustration show during the face-off with Blumenthal at the stations Rocky Hill studios.

My gosh, even Trump gave three debates, Carter said. People dont trust Washington.

Carter spent a significant portion of his time trying to cast Blumenthal as a career politician who is beholden to special interests, as well as trying to tie the incumbent to unpopular Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy.

Senator, youve made a career out of fighting for the little guy, but most of the time I feel like youre fighting us, the little guy, Carter said.

Blumenthal, who is one of the Senates wealthiest members and is from Greenwich, accused Carter of distorting his record on helping veterans. He took credit with Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., for crafting the 2015 Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act, as well as co-sponsoring legislation to hold the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs accountable by withholding managerial bonuses from poor performers.

I have a special affinity for this problem, said Blumenthal, who mention that he has one son currently serving in the military and another who served in Afghanistan.

Obamacare fueled another flare-up between the candidates, with Carter saying that the 2010 law hasnt brought down the cost of health insurance.

Weve watched small businesses and families deductibles go through the roof, as well as their premiums, Carter said.

Blumenthal acknowledged that improvements need to be made to President Barack Obamas signature initiative, but said it would be a disservice to roll back insurance coverage guarantees for people with pre-existing medical conditions.

Im not willing to throw those people out of health insurance, Blumenthal said.

The collegial tenor of the debate was a stark contrast to the three presidential tilts between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, with Carter and Blumenthal shaking hands before the forum and avoiding interruptions. Still, each took the opportunity to whack the other partys presidential nominee.

Racism certainly is a plausible label to be attached to him, Blumenthal, a Yale Law School classmate of Clinton, said of Trump.

Carter said Clinton has lied about her email scandal.

I think shes dishonest, yes, Carter said.

neil.vigdor@scni.com; 203-625-4436; twitter.com/gettinviggy
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STAMFORD  The University of Connecticuts first satellite dorm will do more than provide housing for nearly 300 students in Stamford: It stands to elevate the reputation of the states flagship public university, which has been working for more than a decade to raise its academic profile nationwide.

University officials expect there to be healthy interest in on-campus housing from students who up until now have commuted to classes in Stamford from across Fairfield County.

Its a real game-changer for the campus, not just because we anticipate having higher enrollment, but because it allows us to attract a different type of student, said UConn-Stamford Director Terrence Cheng, who started in February after a 12-year career with the City University of New York, most recently as an associate provost at Brooklyn College.

There are students within the state as well as outside that might not have thought about UConn-Stamford as an option, Cheng said. Now, we will become an option. And not just because of the fact that the building is new and nice. Its because you will have an environment similar to the traditional college environment where you can live, learn and also have a social and cultural life.

Debuting next fall, the UConn dorm will occupy the residential portion of a six-story, mixed-use building on Washington Boulevard developed by Stamford-based RMS Companies.

In addition to its main campus in Storrs, UConn has regional campuses in Avery Point, Hartford, Stamford, Torrington and Waterbury  none of which offer on-campus housing.

More Information Signing up Total enrollment 31,624 Regional enrollment 4,581 UConn-Stamford enrollment 1,564 Stamford target dorm capacity 280 See More Collapse

UConn-Stamfords student body of nearly 1,600 represents just 5 percent of the universitys total enrollment of 32,000.

In 2015, the Stamford campus enrolled 370 freshmen, more than it will be able to accommodate in 116 dorm apartments, which will be available to undergraduate and graduate students.

If were lucky, the problem we have is that there will be much more interest in housing than we have capacity for, Cheng said. That would be a great problem to have.

With next years admissions and housing assignments yet to be finalized, UConn President Susan Herbst said its unknown how quickly the dorms will fill up and when their impact will be felt.

(The dorms) will change the kind of destination Stamford is, she said. Right now, its an excellent campus. Its a commuter campus.

Urban campus

With its own housing, Herbst and Cheng envision UConn-Stamford serving as an in-state study-abroad for students who want to pursue an internship in Stamford or New York City.

Suppose you are an actuarial science major or an accounting major in Storrs and you want to do a semester-long internship, Herbst said. You need some security and a place to live thats affordable.

Stamford is also a draw for students who want to be in an urban environment that is less intense than New York or Boston.

These are kids who see places like NYU or George Washington that are completely of the city and they like that vibe, Herbst said.

Adding to its appeal, UConn-Stamford has forged relationships with local employers like NBC Universal and Indeed that have provided students with internships  and jobs.

The Stamford campus also offers majors that reflect industries that are thriving in the city. In 2013, the university launched a digital media and design program that is exclusive to Stamford. Next year, UConn-Stamford will offer a four-year computer science major that students can complete without transferring to Storrs.

But about half of the undergraduate majors offered in Stamford require students to complete their studies at the universitys main campus more than two hours away.

Many majors, such as the sciences, demand it, so we will give them a great general education and prerequisite experience and allow them to move on to Storrs, Cheng said.

Flagship

While UConn-Stamford has existed for decades  with a downtown location since 1998  Cheng said hes committed to weaving the university into the fabric of the city.

Folks look to UConn as the flagship of the state, and they want us here in Stamford to be that flagship as well, Cheng said. So in that vein, weve been advancing more high-profile activity on a cultural level.

Last week, the Stamford campus held a panel discussion ahead of a viewing party for the presidential debate that was open to the public. On Monday night, the UConn symphony orchestra will perform a free concert for the public at the Palace Theatre.

The university also recently drew attention  some negative  for hosting a controversial art exhibit called Race and Revolution.

Stamford, to me, is all the good of living in a city, Cheng said. Its small enough you can know people and see and feel their work in a very tangible way.

eskalka@scni.com
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BRIDGEPORTThousands of people defied an icy drizzle Saturday morning to walk and run through puffs of orange, green and purple dust in a low-key 5k in and around Seaside Park.

It was awesome, said Coral Freeman who ran with fellow Quinnipiac University Senior Alexi Mangili, who wore fluffy unicorn-horn hats covered in a full-color spectrum of dust, and messages on their shirts in support of a disabled boy and LGBT rights, respectively.

University students darted ahead of hundreds families and children who enjoyed walking in the event, but few participants were keeping score.

I have no idea what my time was, actually, said Daniel Archer, 17, a Bridgeport University freshmen who registered for the run through the YMCA as part of a fraternity pledge.

The nationally franchised events are organized by The Color Run, LLC, which is a for-profit, not a charity like many 5k runs.

However, organizers partner with local NGOs, paying them to organize volunteer labor for the event.

The charity partnership motivated dozens of volunteers to turn out in the biting weather to work at hydration stations and to spray participants with colored powders that are the signature of the event.

Around eight volunteers with Save Our Youth clutched their sweaters against the cold as they waited to shower runners with green dust, a chilly departure from in-door service efforts that include playing bingo with seniors and reading to children in day care.

We wanted to help them with the fundraiser because we thought it would only be right as a part of our community, said Jaden Cullen, 12, simultaneously upbeat and shivering.

Last year, the Bridgeport event brought in around $8,000 for the YMCA, a feat that YMCA District Executive Director Tim Bartlett expect to repeat despite significantly lower number of registrations (down about half from last years event in better weather).

Basically, the Y is responsible for (recruiting) with the volunteers that you saw, he said .

While the numbers hadnt quite come in for Saturdays fundraising, Bartlett said that the lions share of the money around$7,000will go to the organization for the 200-odd volunteers they attracted to the event.

Around $1,000 more could come through online donations on the Color Run website and registration commissions.

For every runner like Archer who signed up through the YMCA, the organization gets $5, according to YMCA volunteer Sheila Scholz, of Bridgeport, was moved to help out this year and last year to support the health benefit of the walk and a community association like the YMCA.

Nearly all of the money will go to child care scholarship funds, Bartlett said.
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MILFORD  As with many legislative races across Connecticut, the Senate contest in the 14th District is being cast by the Republican challenger, Pat Libero, as a way to put a stop to Democratic Gov. Dannel Malloy.

But Gayle Slossberg, the Democratic incumbent, is quick to point out that she doesnt always see eye-to-eye with Gov. Dannel Malloy, also a Democrat.

The governor proposed severe cuts to hospitals  cuts that would have closed Milford Hospital, Slossberg said. And I fought hard to keep it open.

Libero said she threw my hat in the ring to make changes. Businesses are leaving and retirees are leaving Connecticut because they cant afford to live here.

But Slossberg said although Republicans are quick to paint a gloom-and-doom backdrop, the figures in the 14th reveal a different picture.

Certainly weve had our challenges, and I am keenly focused on getting out economy growing in the state so that we have a bright future for our children and our grandchildren, she said. Our number one priority has been and will continue to be the economy. In Milford alone, we saw 388 new businesses last year.

Libero disagrees. Were losing two ends of spectrum  the youth is leaving because they cant get jobs and the retirees are leaving, too. People are ready for a change because of the taxes here.

Slossberg said that even though the 2016 session was remembered as one of the most difficult in anyones memory, she was able to secure additional revenue-sharing funds in her district, which includes Milford, Orange and about half of West Haven.

More Information 14th State Senatorial District Candidates: Incumbent Gayle Slossberg (D) and Pat Libero (R) District: Includes all of Milford and Orange, about of West Haven and a small portion of Woodbridge. Polling places: Milford: Harborside Middle School Orange Avenue school Foran High School Meadowside School Margret Egan Center West Shore Recreation Center John F. Kennedy School Orange: Mary L Tracy School High Plains Community Center West Haven Surfside Senior Center Washington School Mackrille School Seth Haley School Pagels School Woodbridge Center Building See More Collapse

For both Milford and West Haven that amounted to a half-mill decrease, she said. And I was able to increase the school construction reimbursement rate, which will mean an additional $4 million for Milford over the next couple of years.

First elected to represent the 14th in 2004, Slossberg is the senate chairwoman of the Human Services Committee, vice chairwoman of the Public Health Committee and vice chairwoman of the Veterans Affairs Committee.

She also sat on the Milford Board of Aldermen from 2001 to 2004.

Slossberg received her bachelors degree from Cornell University in 1987 and her law degree from New York University School of Law in 1990. Although she worked for a time as an attorney, she no longer practices law.

Libero, a retired educator, has served on the West Haven Board of Education since 2011.

She taught for 27 years as a special education teacher and later she was a vice-principal at Harry M. Bailey Elementary School and West Haven High School, and principal at the May V. Carrigan Intermediate School and the Edith E. Mackrille Elementary School.

She received her degrees from Southern Connecticut State University.

jburgeson@ctpost.com
Im sure it wasnt personal, but the television images from Theresa Mays first EU summit left little room for doubt about the size of the Brexit task that faces her. At the mere mention of her name, the reaction of EU Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker was a totally contemptuous and discourteous: Pfff!

Even Angela Merkel  who unlike Mr Juncker is not subject to drinking-cognac-for-breakfast claims, or known for emotional displays at any time of the day  said the Brexit talks would be rough going for Britain.

Far from giving Mrs May a warm embrace on her first 100 days in office, the 27 other EU nations gave her the collective cold shoulder. She was given five minutes at 1am to set out her Brexit stall and was heard in silence.

At the mere mention of Theresa May's name, the reaction of EU Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker (right) was a totally contemptuous and discourteous: Pfff!

Yes, five minutes at 1am. And lets be honest, we shouldnt be surprised.

Weve been slagging off the EU for decades and now weve gone and voted to leave. And if anyone thinks they are going to offer us some great trade deal as we walk away, they are living in la la land.

Look at what they have done to the poor Canadians. Few have a bad word to say about Canada, but their trade minister Chrystia Freeland left Brussels in tears after their trade deal with the EU was wrecked by Wallonia, a small region of Belgium, because the Walloons objected to the small print in the deal. A dejected Ms Freeland said: The EU is incapable of reaching an international agreement even with a country like Canada that has European values and patience. We have decided to return home. Its a very sad day.

As Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat observed: If there are all these problems to have a trade agreement with Canada, imagine an agreement with the UK. Precisely. Imagine it.

Its the stuff of madness to think the EU needs us more than we need them, and they could not have made it clearer to Mrs May at the summit.

My worst fears about the huge problems in Britain getting a good post-Brexit deal with the EU were borne out when I visited Rolls-Royce in Derby on Friday. I met brilliant young apprentices and highly skilled local workers making the finest jet engines in the world.

Rolls-Royce is deeply worried by Brexit. Engine components move between the UK and other EU countries free of tariffs and red tape before coming back to Derby. Our aerospace industry is a British success story which relies on Airbus  a collaboration with other EU countries. Rolls-Royce employs 23,000 workers in Britain, with thousands more in the supply chain, meaning it accounts for one in every 250 UK jobs.

It needs its British workers to move freely throughout the EU. Not surprisingly, it has raised concerns with the Chancellor, Philip Hammond. Thankfully, Hammond is one powerful voice of reason in the Cabinet.

Unlike some Ministers, full of Brexit zeal who seem to know little of the realities of business life, Hammond has a highly successful background in the private sector. He is calm, clear-headed and clever, and is making the case in Government that we must be realistic in our approach to Brexit and not rely on blind faith.

Judging from the hostile briefings against him in the media, it seems that No 10 is out to isolate or intimidate him.

Rolls-Royce is deeply worried by Brexit. Engine components move between the UK and other EU countries free of tariffs and red tape before coming back to Derby

I was shocked to learn that he was not informed in advance of Mrs Mays Conservative Party conference speech in which she criticised the governor of the Bank of England. Hammond has a right to be treated better than that. His exclusion from crucial Downing Street meetings is similarly worrying.

Instead of turning their attack dogs on our business-minded Chancellor, No 10 needs to put him at the heart of the Brexit negotiations, reject ideology, and put our countrys economy first.

Representatives of our manufacturing sector tell me that, in private discussions, Brexit Ministers are all too ready to wave away their concerns, insisting everything is going to be fine when we leave the EU. Well it isnt. As EU leaders made clear to Mrs May, when she triggers Article 50, guaranteeing we leave the EU two years afterwards, not only will we be out of the EU with no way back, it is increasingly clear it will be on their terms, not ours.

For all the brave talk of Brexiteers that the EU needs us more than we need them, the reality is that they hold all the cards and they are going to punish us for leaving.
Another sordid political week. Allegations of a sexual assault cover up. Racism. Homophobia. Violent intimidation of political opponents. This all sounds like the latest act in the Circus Grotesque that is the 2016 US presidential election. But it is not. Its simply a reflection of the past seven days in the Circus Grotesque that is Jeremy Corbyns Labour Party.

On Monday, Corbyn found himself condemned by his own supporters for attending a rally organised by the hard Left fanatics of the Socialist Workers Party (SWP), an organisation that had infamously attempted to excuse a series of brutal sexual assaults within its ranks.

In a letter signed by 100 Corbynites, they called on their hero to apologise to survivors of SWP abuse. On the same day, the cross-party Home Affairs select committee published its report into anti-Semitism. Jeremy Corbyn had created a safe space within the Labour Party for anti-Semites, it declared.

The Labour leader has done anything but confront the problem of anti-Semitism in the opposition party

Far from confronting anti-Semitism, Labours leader didnt even appreciate what anti-Semitism was. The independent report that he had commissioned into Labour anti-Semitism had been fatally compromised, it concluded.

Two days later Labours ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) delivered a separate report into allegations of abuse during the Labour leadership contest. Angela Eagle, who had announced her intention to stand against Jeremy Corbyn, had been subjected to homophobic abuse, it confirmed. A brick attack had been launched on her constituency office in response to her leadership challenge. Eagle, her staff and her constituency supporters had all been subject to abuse and intimidation.

And that was it. Corbyn shrugged, and agreed to meet some of his SWP critics. One of his supportive commentators accused the Jewish community of engaging in competitive victimhood. Some platitudes were issued towards Eagle and her staff. Then everyone moved on.

Theresa May was off to Europe. A Russian aircraft carrier was limping through the Channel. Some child migrants had arrived with suspiciously long facial hair.

Labours political decline has been under way for some time.

If the polls are any guide, Jeremy Corbyn still has a long way to fall electorally. But Labours spiritual collapse is now complete. In the space of seven days the leader of Her Majestys Opposition has been condemned for sharing a platform with rape apologists. He has been found guilty by an influential House of Commons committee of helping foster racism at the heart of his party. His supporters stand accused  by his own NEC  of violent and homophobic abuse and intimidation of his own Members of Parliament, and their staff.

And nothing has happened. Labour MPs and Labour activists simply stretched back, like frogs luxuriating in the water that is slowly boiling them alive, and closed their eyes.

MPs waiting for their chance to launch 'Never Corbyn' strategy

Last week I was chatting to a senior Labour backbencher who was telling me about how he and his colleagues were making plans for what to do if Theresa May called a snap election. They would cut Corbyn loose, he said, in the way many senior Republicans have done to Donald Trump.

Corbyn would not appear on their leaflets. On the doorstep, if asked, they would disown him.

In America this has become known as the Never Trump strategy.

Labour MPs cannot wait for Theresa May to call an election before they launch their Never Corbyn strategy. The idea they could save their party died with Owen Smiths leadership ambitions.

But they can still save their souls. And maybe even save one or two seats into the bargain.

Those MPs who have not slunk back into the Shadow Cabinet with their tails between their legs need to make full use of their independence.

They must declare openly that while they support the aims and objectives of their party, they do not support their leader.

That a vote for them is for them as an individual Member of Parliament, not Jeremy Corbyn. And if re-elected they will follow their consciences, not the Labour whip.

Of course, many are fearful of the internal political ramifications. But the threat of de-selection is fast becoming irrelevant. Theresa May enjoys an 18 point opinion poll lead. If Labour MPs dont act, the voters will ensure they are deselected anyway.

And in any case, the politics has become secondary. This is about Labour MPs self-respect. Standing behind a leader who is guiding their party to defeat is one thing. Standing behind a man who stands proudly alongside rape apologists, allows the cancer of racism to consume his party, and sits back while his supporters abuse and physically assault his opponents is something else.

Labour MPs need to say Never Corbyn. And they need to say it now.

SNP Whip Turing tempest

Ministers are furious at what they see as SNP attempts to hijack the so-called Turing Bill, aimed at providing a formal pardon to gay men convicted on indecency charges before homosexuality was legalised.

On Friday, East Dumbartonshire MP John Nicholsons Private Members Bill on the same issue was talked out after fears it would provide a blanket pardon to people convicted of genuine crimes.

Nicola Sturgeon took to Twitter in a rage to declare shame on the Tories, but her party refused to agree a compromise

SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon took to Twitter to rage shame on the Tories. But Im told the SNP snubbed attempts to reach a compromise. We sat down with John Nicholson and attempted to find a way that would pardon innocent men but protect the victims of genuine crimes. We even offered to let him table a new Bill, with our support, says a Government insider. But he was more interested in making the Tories look bad.

One Tory not impressed by the SNPs shenanigans is Ruth Davidson, gay leader of the Scottish Tories. This is because the SNP love a grievance, any grievance, she fumed to me. The SNP could have introduced their own Turing Bill up here in Scotland, but they havent.

Im told Ministers are bracing themselves for more trickery from the SNP as the row over a fresh independence referendum develops.

A new Prescott joins teams up with Labour leader

News that Dave Prescott, son of former Labour deputy leader John Prescott, has been appointed Jeremy Corbyns new speechwriter has raised eyebrows across Westminster. But theres no doubting Prescott Jnr has a way with words.

Take, for example, this assessment of his new boss penned in his blog last July. We wouldnt stand a chance with him (Jeremy Corbyn) as leader but he is the soul of the party. Hes not the messiah or a very naughty boy. Hes John the Baptist, a not-for-prophet. Not exactly what youd call on message.

More strikes to come - if union could only find the fax machine

Negotiations between the Department for Transport and the RMT over the Southern rail dispute temporarily hit the buffers last week after the union delivered a bizarre ultimatum.

They phoned and told us they wanted to send details of a fresh strike ballot, says a DoT insider.

But they said they would only let us have them if they could fax them. A hiatus ensued as civil servants hunted around trying to find an old fax machine that could receive the missive.

This tells you all you need to know about the RMTs attitude to modernisation, says my source.

Colleagues of Labours Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, Debbie Abrahams, listened sympathetically this week as she defended her decision to send her daughters to grammar school. It was in the 1990s and there were no good comprehensive schools in Bury back then, she said.
The sight of youngsters arriving in Britain from the squalid Jungle camp in Calais should be a matter of satisfaction, not bitterness. Surely it is our duty to help genuine refugees displaced by war.

But as the television footage has made startlingly clear, not all of them are the defenceless children we believed we were welcoming.

It turns out we are far from certain who they are, or where they come from, let alone how old they are.

This spectacle brings the whole asylum system into disrepute. It fuels an impression that our borders are too porous, that immigration is out of control.

I speak as a man who believes that controlled migration is good for this country. Yet it is also essential that Britain control its borders (File photo)

And as an immigration judge of 16 years standing, sorting the deserving from the cheats and the chancers, I have to tell you this is precisely the case.

I speak as a man who believes that controlled migration is good for this country. Yet it is also essential that Britain control its borders.

The scale of the problem is overwhelming. The latest statistics show that 282,000 migrants from outside the EU arrived on our shores in the single year to March 2016. Our immigration courts are not a soft touch, as some claim, but they are not geared up to cope with the increased workload.

In fact, some 40,000 people were denied permission to remain in this country last year alone. Yet the devastating truth is this: the vast majority of those the courts have decided to remove are still here.

The row over the Calais children is in many ways a microcosm of the dilemmas we face. Migration is overshadowed not just by human suffering, but by organised crime, fear and deception. There is a huge industry out there of people-smugglers, agents and bent legal advisers.

So dishonesty and deception, some of it comical, are all too frequent  as I saw time and time again.

An African woman who claimed to be at risk in her home country appeared before me. When it was pointed out to her by the Home Office barrister that her statements supported a venal dictator instead of the opposition  she had got her story wrong  she screamed and appeared to have an epileptic fit before falling unconscious.

A paramedic said he would apply the bolt test. This involved placing the thumb firmly on a specific part of the back. If she was genuinely unconscious nothing would happen; if she was faking she would sit bolt upright. Needless to say, she sat bolt upright.

I approached the lady and said: Madam, I am informed you are faking. So I would like to proceed with your appeal if you do not mind. She ran out of court.

A Nigerian man before me submitted a wanted poster of himself that he had clearly mocked up on a computer.

A Sri Lankan man claiming to be a Tamil fleeing persecution in his homeland said he had escaped by boat before finding his way to the UK via Italy.

And as an immigration judge of 16 years standing, sorting the deserving from the cheats and the chancers, I have to tell you this is precisely the case, writes James Hanratty (pictured)

He said the vessel was about the length of the courtroom and had six containers on it. I declared that I was a former naval officer and could safely conclude that any ship of 40ft with six containers on it would go straight to the bottom of the harbour.

It later emerged he had flown club class from Sri Lanka to Paris and then came over on Eurostar with false documents and a false story.

Identifying false claimants is one thing. The most difficult problem, however, is our failure to remove those whom the courts decide have no right to be here. It is seldom easy.

If somebody is to be removed from Britain, he or she will be interviewed by his claimed country of nationality before a travel document is issued. The temptation to make up false details is obvious.

The foreign embassy will then, with relief, refuse to take him back. Others deliberately destroy their travel documents.

I recognise the UK Border Agency is overwhelmed, but that cannot excuse incompetence.

In 2006 a junior Home Office official opened a rusty lock in one of its warehouses to find 450,000 files  a decades worth of applications that had found themselves in the too-difficult in-tray at the Home Office. When officials began to wade through these files, they found people had either disappeared or were settled here.

A recent report by the chief inspector of borders found the Home Office had lost more than 12,000 failed asylum seekers and a further 30,000 failed asylum seekers had not been removed over two years after all appeal rights had been exhausted.

My feeling is that these figures are an underestimate.

Some of the most satisfying moments of my career have been when I have been able to help those in genuine need  even if that has meant challenging Home Office decisions. It is a small example, but when a HIV-sufferer was freezing in court, I was happy to give him my jacket  to general astonishment. Judges should be human too.

We as a nation should allow genuine unaccompanied minors in the Jungle in Calais to enter provided they really are unaccompanied and they have relatives with a right to remain in the UK. Huge care should also be taken before we return young women who have failed in their immigration applications to countries where they may be at risk of genital mutilation.

I believe that immigration especially of hardworking and skilled people  is vital for our economy, especially the National Health Service. But the system is not working. Yes, much of the problem is global. The world is in turmoil. It has been estimated that 59 million people worldwide have been forcibly displaced.

I recognise the UK Border Agency is overwhelmed, but that cannot excuse incompetence (File photo)

There are measures, however, we can take at home. First of all, our sometimes bewildering immigration law must be simplified. We need linguistic tests so that, for example, we can identify Syrian speakers of Arabic from those who originate in Tunisia.

I agree with Prime Minister Theresa May that we must make a distinction between foreign students on academic courses and those at rather more dubious establishments.

And while we must have regard to the European Convention on Human Rights, that does not mean it must be slavishly followed. The right to a family life is too often used to overturn perfectly legitimate decisions by the Home Office.

The decisions of British courts MUST be enforced, which means putting significant resources into our border force.

Do all this and we might have an immigration system that is fit for purpose. Where the genuinely persecuted are believed and made welcome, while the liars and chancers are swiftly sent back whence they came.
I confess I was rather looking forward to the arrival of the alleged children from the Calais migrant camp.

Leftists have an oily habit of stretching the definition of this emotional word. It helps them make the exaggerated claims of suffering, by which they so often achieve their political aims.

I fully expected to see square-jawed, muscled, hairy young men of military age, and I have greatly enjoyed the embarrassment of the soppy idiots who spread and believed the propaganda about them.

Computer analysis of photographs of the 'child migrants' who arrived in London from the Jungle camp this week suggests many could be in their 20s and 30s

Of course its possible that they are all really 12, and have been terribly hardened by war and suffering. But if that is so, how come they are in a crime-ridden camp in France, which exists purely to besiege our borders and launch illegal attempts to cross them?

Nobody ever asks how the inhabitants of this camp got there, because the answer in almost all cases is that they were trafficked there by well-paid crooks. What responsible parent would put an actual child in the hands of such people, notorious worldwide for their ruthlessness?

And why are we supposed to be so tear-stained that these people are stuck in France? France, the last time I looked, was one of the most civilised countries in the world. It is not a war zone. Nobody starves there. There are schools. Many fashionable British liberals own houses there. The quality of the coffee has gone down a bit in recent years, but that is no reason to stow away in a lorry or climb a 15ft fence so you can move to Tottenham or Slough.

So what are these enormous, prematurely aged children fleeing from? Why must they come here?

And then, while the self-righteous pro-migrant faction are failing to answer these questions (they cannot), along comes somebody to compare these events with the 1938-1940 Kindertransport trains which carried Jewish children out of the reach of Hitler. Baloney. The comparison is false and, in my view, disgraceful because it diminishes the horror of the past to make a cheap propaganda point about the present.

After the highly public Kristallnacht pogrom of November 1938, in which Jews under Nazi rule were lawlessly murdered, beaten, robbed and dragged off to prison camps without trial because they were Jews, nobody had any excuse for not helping Jews to leave the Third Reich. Mass murder was plainly the next step. These were real refugees from actual persecution (and it remains our shame that we allowed only the children in, leaving their parents behind to be slaughtered).

Look at the pictures from this era. The children involved have been torn from families, in many cases seen their homes defiled or torched, their parents obscenely humiliated in front of them. Yet somehow they remained children. Pity and mercy are precious things, qualities given to us to keep us human. Those who seek to exploit these emotions for political ends, to play upon real feelings for fake purposes, have much to answer for.

This is NOT justice - it's a witch hunt

The Great Child Abuse Inquiry continues to devour itself, in a storm of rumour and whispers. There is some justice in this.

The whole idea that this country is waist-deep in unprosecuted abuse scandals has always been based on allegations that cannot be objectively proved. Now this industry is the target of its own methods.

The whole country has become a vast kangaroo court, in which guilty and innocent alike are accused, and in many cases we can never find the truth.

A claim of sexual abuse was made against Bishop of Chichester George Bell, who died in 1958

For a year, I have been fighting the case of the late Bishop George Bell, whose courage and principle I have long admired, who was suddenly accused of long-ago child abuse by a solitary complainant, 57 years after his death. No other accusers have come forward.

To begin with, his own church, aided by several newspapers, the BBC and the police, acted disgracefully as if his guilt was proven. The police even said they would have arrested him if he hadnt been dead, an absurd and meaningless statement which persuaded many he was guilty.

Now, thanks to relentless pressure by many good people, plus me, the BBC have honourably retreated, the police have softened their line, and the Church themselves have published a booklet about Chichester Cathedral in which they admit that the charges against Bishop Bell have never been tested in any court and are just plausible, a feeble word given that the accusation, if true, would strip away his good name for ever.

Its not enough. But it took all the running we could do just to stay in the same place, returning to the old English custom that all are presumed innocent until guilt is proven. If the Prime Minister and the Home Secretary could grasp this point, their hopeless inquiry could be shut down before it soaks up the entire national budget and we could go back to proper British justice.

The best summary of what is wrong with our selection-by-wealth comprehensive school system comes from a campaigner against Kents excellent if oversubscribed surviving grammar schools.

One of her children didnt pass the test. Her reaction? This wasnt supposed to happen to someone like me. We shopped at Waitrose.

Don't panic! They're just sad old wrecks

How we love to frighten ourselves about those wicked Russians.

There was a sort of frenzy on Friday as portions of Moscows museum-piece fleet slogged past the White Cliffs of Dover, as if the Spanish Armada were at our gates.

Actually the Channel is an international waterway, and we dont own it. Russia (whose Gross Domestic Product is smaller than Italys) is quite entitled to send her ships through it. And Russia is in no fit state to invade anything much larger than Rutland.

There was a sort of frenzy on Friday as portions of Moscows museum-piece fleet slogged past the White Cliffs of Dover, as if the Spanish Armada were at our gates (pictured)

The Russian ships are handsome, but doddery. The ancient Soviet-era carrier, Admiral Kuznetsov, started life in a Ukrainian shipyard and was then named after the decrepit Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev.

She left a shocking trail of black smoke as if she was burning coal.

Her main escort, the outwardly majestic Peter The Great (originally named after the KGB chief Yuri Andropov), recently spent two years rusting gently, tied up at Severomorsk.

No wonder, given that most of her class are unusable thanks to wonky nuclear reactors.

The really sad thing is that, having madly scrapped our own carriers and sold off the Harriers that flew from them, not to mention axeing a huge number of destroyers and frigates, we have reduced our own naval power to a pathetic level. Is it perhaps envy that makes us so fretful?

If Russia is now better at projecting power in the Middle East than we are, it is because we are weak by choice, not because Moscow is strong.
Patients with coughs and colds calling 111 are being urged to go to the chemist to ease pressure on the NHS  the traditional British winter warning. So as I succumbed to a second hacking cough in as many months, I did my civic duty and trooped to the pharmacy for paracetamol and throat lozenges.

Ironically, at the same time as I went down with the lurgy, my horse, Grace, cut her leg and needed attention too.

Within a few hours, I was able to get the vet out to dress the wound and administer drugs for a mild infection, for which I paid just under 150.

Patients with coughs and colds calling 111 are being urged to go to the chemist to ease pressure on the NHS

As I coughed and snivelled in the cold stable yard, watching the vet work, it crossed my mind that I would happily pay 150 to see a doctor promptly. But, of course, that would make me an NHS denier, a traitor buying her way out of the sainted system.

As a matter of fact, I cancelled my Bupa policy at the beginning of the year  not out of loyalty to the NHS, but because the cost of the premium spiralled.

Besides, I reasoned, why should I fork out rocketing subscriptions for private healthcare when Im paying tax? I decided to make a fresh effort to get something for my national insurance contributions.

But what am I getting, really, when I trot meekly to the chemist with a persistent cough that might need checking? Surely 15 minutes of routine care from my GP in South London, if only to put my mind at rest, ought to be the least I can expect? If I left it to NHS guidance, I would never see a doctor, presumably, until it was too late.

What sort of healthcare system issues warnings to people, telling them to stay away from the services they have paid for?

The answer, I suppose, is that our Health Service can only function if a large number of us do not use it.

Its the same with public transport. If all the people who currently drive got out of their cars and used trains and buses instead  as the Left is always asking them to  the entire network would grind to a halt.

Similarly, the NHS only works because a) most of us are hard-wearing and uncomplaining, and b) many people resort to private healthcare.

Certainly, I didnt expect much when I did finally decide to visit my GP  and just as well.

It is tempting to seek private treatment to make me feel better

I found myself standing in front of the receptionist in the crowded waiting room as she searched her computer system exhaustively before announcing that the next available appointment was in two weeks.

I guess that will be useful if I get another cough in November. So I took it. Hell, if I have to show the doctor a random mole to get something for my tax, I will.

But as I left, I looked at the posters on the walls offering translation services and asking Do you need a chaperone?  and the thought crossed my mind that I was in a madhouse.

AT WHAT point are devotees of the NHS going to admit what is staring us all in the face: the reason it needs millions of us to stop using it is that it is no longer a national health service. What we have now is a WHS  a world health service, a completely unsustainable concept.

Earlier this month it emerged that the maternity unit at my local hospital  St Georges in Tooting  was used by so many pregnant non-EU health tourists last year that they accounted for a fifth of all births there.

A further random survey found that a staggering 19 out of 20 patients referred by GPs to St Georges were not eligible for free care.

And yet when I complained about my experiences at St Georges a few years back, the chief executive issued a statement attacking me for running down the NHS.

St Georges Hospital, London where a staggering 19 out of 20 patients referred were not eligible for care

Instead of telling me I am irresponsible for questioning poor service, the political class should face up to why they are having to send sick people to the chemist.

An assessment by independent think-tanks suggests that use of the NHS by patients not resident in this country costs several billion pounds a year.

Vast sums are spent by health authorities on interpreters to help foreign-born patients communicate with doctors.

This is something quite different from the system Aneurin Bevan envisaged.

Critics are painted as immoral, uncaring. But I think not caring for your own people is the truly callous and irresponsible thing.

Celebrities insulated by wealth, such as Lily Allen, may call for Britain to let in any number of refugees. But do they not realise these people will get coughs and flu? They will want to take their kids to A&E if they have a raging temperature.

Im not surprised a Syrian doctor has angrily complained that he would rather return to Aleppo than live here any longer. If we were animals, someone would be prosecuted for packing more and more of us into the same space in worsening conditions. Sadly, people do not seem to warrant the same consideration given to animals.
A celebrity stylist who launched a makeup brand from her Essex bedroom has become one of the world's most sought-after makeup artists and counts the Kardashians as fans of her products.

Jade Elliott, 31, launched Iconic London in her bedroom in 2015 because she wanted to create a 'fun and rebellious' range of makeup.

Fast-forward a year and she counts the Kardashians, Chrissy Teigen and Little Mix as her biggest fans.

Jade Elliott, 31, launched Iconic London in her bedroom in Essex and now the Kardashians and Little Mix rave love her strobing products

Jade set out to create on-trend makeup at an affordable price point and her range has since been snapped up by Harvey Nichols, Fortnum & Mason and is about to launch on QVC.

Despite their hefty bank balances, the Kardashians love her brand, which starts from 11.

Earlier this year, Kim's makeup artist, Ariel Tejada, created a look on Kim using Jade's 20 strobing stick and it sold out overnight as a result.

Jade has just snapped up Chloe Lloyd - who is dating Union J's Josh - to front her latest campaign.

Kim's makeup artist, Ariel Tejada, created a look on Kim using Jade's 20 strobing stick and it sold out overnight as a result

Jade has forged friendships with plenty of celebrities - including Peter Andre - through her job as a makeup artist

Jade launched Iconic London in her bedroom in 2015 because she wanted to create a 'fun and rebellious' range of makeup and now Chrissy Teigen, left, and Little Mix's Perrie Edwards, right, are fans of her range

I am so thrilled with the success of Iconic London - a homegrown British brand which started from my bedroom in Essex,' Jade told FEMAIL.

'To see my product in Harvey Nichols and Fortnum & Mason stores really is a dream come true!

'The year 2016 has proved to be an incredible year  were still growing and moving forward every day to even bigger things.

'Whats next? World domination of course; one contour palette at a time!

I am so thrilled with the success of Iconic London - a homegrown British brand which started from my bedroom in Essex,' Jade told FEMAIL
She says she is happy to provide the immune-boosting milk for others

Ms Brinkworth tells the Daily Mail she expresses for 30 minutes each day

She, like others, arranges donations via Facebook communities online

She has donated to a friend in Sydney, as well as a premature baby

The mum-of-two from Canberra produces around two litres each week

Steph Brinkworth, 24, is one of thousands donating her breast milk

In 2016, many people know just how important breast milk is.

As well as feeding and nurturing newborn babies, it also protects and has been described as 'liquid gold' by doctors and other medical professionals.

One person who knows the value of breast milk more than most is 24-year-old mother, Steph Brinkworth, from Canberra.

The young mum of two produces around two litres of breast milk each week, much of which she then donates via Facebook to other mothers who need it.

Donations: Mum of two, Steph Brinkworth, from Canberra (pictured), produces around two litres of breast milk each week, much of which she donates via Facebook to other mums

Community: She learned about the practice of donating breast milk via the Facebook group, Human Milk 4 Human Babies, which has outlets globally (pictured: Ms Brinkworth's children)

'I first learned about private milk sharing through Facebook pages such as Human Milk 4 Human Babies,' Ms Brinkworth told Daily Mail Australia.

'My eldest, Billie, was just a few months old at the time and even though I was finding it a struggle to fight exhaustion and all of the postnatal changes, I told myself once things had settled down I'd look into it.

'I knew I was fortunate enough to have a plentiful supply.'

Stash: Ms Brinkworth currently spends around 30 minutes expressing, cleaning pumps and freezing her breast milk (pictured) each day - she then posts on the Facebook group

Plentiful supply: Ms Brinkworth says that she loves helping others: 'Why not help provide the best possible nutrition for another child if I know I'm easily capable of doing so?,' she said

However, it wasn't until the birth of her second daughter, Margot, that the busy Ms Brinkworth, who holds down a full-time job as well as being a mum, was able to get around to properly researching donating her excess breast milk.

I was determined to pump any milk I produced excess to my needs so that I could donate, rather than encouraging my supply to meet only the demands of my own two children

'Breast milk supply meets demand for most women,' she said.

'But others are not so fortunate and so are forced to supplement with formula or donor milk.

'I've witnessed first-hand friends battling with low supply, and the heartache and guilt they felt over the need to supplement.

'When I had Margot, I was determined to pump any milk I produced excess to my needs so that I could donate, rather than encouraging my supply to meet only the demands of my own two children.'

Difficult: She explained that she has witnessed first hand other mothers who cannot express milk for their baby and says: 'I don't want to see my milk being wasted'

BREAST MILK - A FEW FACTS * The World Health Organisation recommends exclusive breastfeeding for babies to six months of age, and for breastfeeding to continue alongside suitable solid foods for up to two years and beyond. * Statistics from the 2010 Australian National Infant Feeding Survey indicate that 96 per cent of mothers initiate breastfeeding. * However, just 39 per cent of babies are still being exclusively breastfed to three months and less than one quarter to five months. * Thousands of women around Australia and the world use websites such as Human Milk 4 Human Babies in order to share their breast milk. * On average, a newborn baby needs around 750ml of breast milk per day between the ages of one month and six months. * Different babies need different amounts, however - a typical range is between 570 and 900ml per day. Advertisement

These days, the selfless mum produces around two litres of breast milk each week, which she then freezes and gives to other mums.

'I don't want to see my milk being wasted,' she said.

'Why not help provide the best possible nutrition for another child if I know I'm easily capable of doing so?'.

She posts on her local Human Milk 4 Human Babies Facebook page in Canberra, and then donates to whoever gets back in touch.

'So far, I've donated to a friend who is living in Sydney and who travels down regularly for around three hours there and back to collect my milk.

'I've also donated to a premature baby which was amazing. There are only five milk banks in Australia, none of which are in Canberra.

'Breast milk is a life-saving substance and is so sought after and appreciated by recipients as it's hard to come by.

'Some people are scared off by the risk that the donor could have HIV or other blood-related diseases, but all women have their blood screened for these conditions during pregnancy and most donors will happily supply a copy of their results.'

History: As well as donating to a friend in Sydney, and several other mums, Ms Brinkworth (pictured) has also donated breast milk to a premature baby, which she said was amazing

When it comes to the logistics of producing excess breast milk, Ms Brinkworth says that the practice doesn't occupy too much of her time:

I'm proud to be able to contribute to providing healthy, immune-boosting human milk to another child

'I'm currently spending about 30 minutes a day expressing, cleaning bottles and pump parts, as well as storing my milk.

'For that small amount of effort, I'm producing around two litres of milk each week, which is a pretty decent amount.'

She says that she isn't interested in selling milk, and adds that it is illegal in Australia for good reason, but maintains: 'I'm proud to be able to contribute to providing healthy, immune-boosting human milk to another child.'

Boom: Breast milk-sharing websites have exploded in recent years, with thousands of women around the world using the groups to get in touch with donors and trade breast milk

Luckily for Ms Brinkworth, in the past five or six years, breast-milk sharing websites have boomed.

Today, thousands of women in Australia and around the world utilise the groups on a daily basis in order to get in touch with donors and meet up and trade breast milk.

The Human Milk 4 Human Babies Facebook group started up in October 2010, has more than 75,000 followers of its global network and more within its smaller, area-based groups.
A young girl, 13, has written a poem to the 'dragon called cancer' almost a year after losing her best friend.

Gerica Mendelson had shaved her head in comradery with best friend Christina Lagogiannis, who died in November last year to osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer.

Almost a year after her death, Gerica has told cancer she hates its 'fire-breathing guts' at an open mic night at Dan O'Connell hotel in Carlton, Melbourne, Herald Sun reported.

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Christina Lagogiannis (pictured) died when she was 12-years-old last November

Christina is pictured with actor Nicole Kidman and singer/ songwriter Keither Urban

Christina was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer, and died 22-months later

'Confidence is not the only thing you took from her,' Gerica's poem, Dragon Called Cancer, read.

'You took away more, so much more. Her smile, self-esteem, stability, will to live. She will never get married.

'Because it was you who caught her strength, mental health and the light that once lived behind her eyes. You stole her own body from her.

'You are a thief.'

Christina's mother, Nayree, wrote on Facebook page Christina's Fight for Survival, the poem by her daughter's 'dearest friend' was 'absolutely beautiful and very heartwarming'.

Christina's best friend Gerica Mendelson said they 'liked to put on pounds of blue eye shadow, the brightest pink lipstick available and wear anything with glitter' (Christina pictured)

Christina is pictured before she tragically passed away in November last year

Nayree said the family was 'doing well' but was 'very emotional as it's heading up to one year [since] our beautiful girl's passing'.

Christina had met Gerica at Valkstone Primary School in Bentleigh East. Gerica is now a Year 8 student at Cheltenham Secondary College.

The 13-year-old said she tries to remember Christina before she was sick.

'We liked to put on pounds of blue eye shadow, the brightest pink lipstick available and wear anything with glitter,' she said, Herald Sun reported.

Christina was just 12-years-old when she passed away in November last year, 22-months after she was diagnosed.

Standard treatment had failed, and more than $100,000 was then raised for the family so she could receive less conventional therapies in Germany. However, they also failed.

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Gerica.

Christina had met Gerica at Valkstone Primary School in Bentleigh East. Gerica is now a Year 8 student at Cheltenham Secondary College

Christina is pictured having a vitamin c infusion, just one month before her death
Ivanka spent Thursday afternoon campaigning for her father Donald in Wisconsin following the presidential

Sunday mornings are the best time for cuddles - and no one knows that better than Ivanka Trump and her brood.

In the 34-year-old mom's latest adorable Instagram post, her sons Joseph, three, and Theodore, six months, are seen snuggling close in the sweetest way.

The shot sees the two boys on a couch, with Theo in a comfy-looking blue outfit and Joseph in a crisp white shirt.

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Sweet boys: Ivanka Trump shared this sweet image of her sons Joseph, three, and Theodore, six months, cuddling together

Joseph is leaning with his face in close to his baby brother, nudging Theo's nose with a big grin across his face.

'#SundayMorning,' Ivanka wrote in the captions, along with a heart emoji.

On Friday, Ivanka kicked off the weekend with a relaxing breakfast with her three children after a long day of campaigning for her father Donald in Wisconsin.

The 34-year-old was in a white bathrobe and holding her six-month-old son Theodore as she sat down at a small children's table with Arabella, five, and Joseph, three, on Friday morning.

In the image posted to Ivanka's Instagram page, the family is enjoying a healthy breakfast of fruit and honey while Theodore happily drinks from his bottle.

Bon appetit! Ivanka enjoyed breakfast with her children Arabella, five, Joseph, three, and Theodore, six-months, on Friday morning

Campaign trail: The 34-year-old showed off her stylish outfit on the tarmac when she landed in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, on Thursday

'Delicious breakfast courtesy of Arabella!' she captioned the image, which sees them in the children's play room at their Park Avenue apartment.

Arabella, who loves to bake and cook with her mother, is striking a pose in her seat, while Joseph is standing and sweetly resting his head on his mom's shoulder.

Ivanka spent Wednesday evening in Las Vegas to support her father at the third presidential debate, and she took to Instagram early the next morning to share a sweet photo of Theodore modeling some new clothes.

'Cozy in his fall gear,' she captioned the image, which sees the tot sitting in a dining room chair wearing a red shirt with navy and white stripes, navy pants, and a matching Ralph Lauren coat.

'Leaving Las Vegas': Ivanka, who was in Nevada for Wednesday night's final presidential debate, filmed herself flying to Milwaukee and then Eau Claire

The little boy is also sporting a darling pair of navy baby moccasins, even though he presumably wasn't leaving his New York City apartment.

And while the snapshot was shared first thing this morning, it is unclear when the it was taken or who actually took it as Ivanka was still in Las Vegas.

Later that day she documented her flight from Nevada to Wisconsin, announcing that she is 'leaving Las Vegas' in one of the short clips.

The mother-of-three then flew from Milwaukee to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, where she showed off her stylish outfit on the tarmac.

Ivanka looked every bit the potential First Daughter in a patriotic navy pencil skirt featuring red and white stripes worn with a taupe mock turtleneck, and paired with a navy coat with gold buttons.

Meet and greet: Ivanka posed for photos with guests while making a campaign stop for her father in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, on Thursday

Supporting her dad: Ivanka is pictured greeting a young fan during the campaign stop

Making her voice heard: Ivanka looked relaxed as she addressed her father's supporters

The doting daughter also stopped in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, to campaign for her father, signing posters and greeting supporters along the way. And while Ivanka has had a tough couple of days, you wouldn't know it from her Instagram page.

Just one day after she vehemently denied Buzzfeed CEO Jonah Peretti's claims that she once told him she had 'never seen a mulatto c**k', the mom was back on social media, as if nothing had happened.

After Ivanka spoke about her father's 'offensive' comments towards women at Fortune's Most Powerful Women Summit on Wednesday, Peretti tweeted that she shared her dad's capacity for lewdness.

'Surprised Ivanka would be shocked by lewd language,' he tweeted today. 'I met her once & she casually said: 'I've never seen a mulatto c**k, but I'd like to!'

Try to clear the air: On Wednesday before the debate, Ivanka vehemently denied Buzzfeed CEO Jonah Peretti's claims that she once told him she had 'never seen a mulatto c**k'

Tweet: After she spoke about her dad's 'offensive' comments towards women at Fortune's Most Powerful Women Summit, Peretti revealed she shares her father's capacity for lewdness

But Ivanka hit back at the claims, calling them a 'total lie.'

'I am not sure if this was meant to be a joke, but in case there is any ambiguity, this is a complete and total lie,' she told the DailyMail.com.

Peretti said he had written the tweet after reading about the businesswoman's statement a t the summit.

Ivanka had been asked about her father's comments in the now infamous 2005 video where Donald Trump was recorded telling Access Hollywood host Billy Bush that stars could do anything they like, even grabbing women 'by the p***y.'

His daughter told interviewers at the event that she had found the r ecording 'jarring' and called her father's remarks 'clearly inappropriate and offensive'.

Bad omen? Ivanka and her family were in Las Vegas on Wednesday night to cheer on Donald at his final presidential debate, where she and her stepmother Melania, 46, wore all black

Bouncing back: Ivanka took to Instagram on Thursday morning to share a photo of her Theodore after denying claims that she once made lewd comments

But Peretti told Buzzfeed he had been surprised by her reaction to the language, after his encounter with Ivanka at a Manhattan dive bar called Tropical 128 about a decade ago.

He said their conversation had taken place in front of five other people including his wife Andrea Harner, who confirmed she had overheard the comments.

The claims are at odds with Ivanka's statement at the summit, where she said she had found her father's lewd comments 'offensive'.

'That's not language consistent with any conversation I've ever had with him, certainly, or any conversation I've overheard. So it was a bit jarring for me to hear.'
When your husband of more than 20 years announces, out of the blue, that he wants to be with someone else and so needs a divorce, its a physical shock that reverberates through your bones.

At age 50, living in a rented flat after our house was sold, and equipped with half of our marital possessions, I descended over several months into openly self-destructive behaviour.

There were the daytime vodka-tonics to take the edge off griefs sharp corners; there was ice cream direct from the tub while sitting with the blinds down, crying over property programmes - the whole Bridget Jones scenario.

Stella Grey's husband of more than 20 years announced out of the blue that he wanted to be with someone else and so needed a divorce (stock image)

But self-pity gets boring eventually, and one day I had a radical thought. As I was alone, the future was entirely in my hands.

Was this how I wanted my life to be? It wasnt an instant cure for the sadness, but the idea started to take hold. I needed to show a bit of fight, walk tall and do something.

So I bought a new frock, had my hair cut, bought some inspiring books and decided to get my new life started. But how to go about it?

As a part of believing in the future, what I wanted was something that seemed impossible: to fall in love again. Theres nothing wrong with being a radiant spinster, too busy with her fulfilling life to miss having a partner, but it just wasnt what I wanted.

I tried meeting someone in real life, as my mother suggested. Striking up conversations in the town square - or its modern equivalent, M&S - proved humiliating. I tried chatting to men standing in front of the Meals for One.

At age 50, she was living in a rented flat after their house was sold and resorted to daytime vodka-tonics and ice cream direct from the tub while crying over property programmes

They looked at me as if I was mad. I tried talking to a man in a bookshop who humoured me but then made his escape. I sat in cafes glancing over the top of novels at possible boyfriends and got nowhere.

A friend suggested online dating. Shed had a go, so I thought I would too.

Full of self-doubt, I considered the woman in the mirror. She was tall, no longer slender, and time and sadness had taken their gentle toll, although on the plus side she had knockout wrists and ankles.

It wasnt just the outcome that worried me but the psychological toughness Id need. Id been with my ex since university, long before the world of dating sites; would I survive the competitive online catalogue?

I was looking for a bright, intellectually curious man in addition to kindness and good humour, and being bookish and into art further narrowed the field.

Starting online dating was like getting into a space rocket and being sent to a whole other planet. I set up dating profiles - at one point 14 of them, from eHarmony to Plenty of Fish

Starting online dating was like getting into a space rocket and being sent to a whole other planet. I set up dating profiles - at one point 14 of them, from eHarmony to Plenty of Fish, because I was determined not to fail.

Its hard not to sound full of yourself, but its also easy to opt out of saying who you really are and be bland, which gets you nowhere. Everyone loves country walks, a DVD and a bottle of wine, and thats all some people say.

I posted an ad for myself and waited for the onset of joy. Instead, what I got was a steep learning curve.

There were men who didnt answer my messages at all or who told me I was too old, too heavy, too used, too entitled and that I should give up because Id never find anyone.

Stella tried meeting men in real life, but said they all looked at her 'as if I was mad' - so she signed up to 14 dating sites, including Plenty Of Fish and eHarmony

There was: Not wanting to sound ungallant but there are lots of pretty girls here. There was: I had a look at your pictures and Im not going to do that again. Ever. There was: Id never go out with a woman who describes herself as independent or ambitious.

Even a male friend said: You are going to need to lose some weight, wear red and grow your hair if you want the silver foxes to see you. But I wasnt interested in a man who wanted to know my vital statistics before meeting, so rejection by those people didnt hurt at all.

There were men who were still married, doing online dating from the shed (watch out for separated because often the wife doesnt realise shes about to be).

There were also friendly lunchtime coffees, after which the mutual decision was that one date was enough, but not many of those. I met a man in a pub one night and, civilities over, there was genuinely nothing to talk about. As we left, he said, I dont think so, do you? which was a relief.

I avoided people who talked about sex in their profile or used corny pick-up lines or asserted their dominance, with long lists of what their woman should look like

I had coffee with another man whose profile picture was so out of date I didnt recognise him. He got his own Americano and left me to get mine and talked for 20 minutes about the many times hed seen U2 in concert. Out on the pavement, he said: It was good to meet you; good luck with it. We smiled and parted.

I avoided people who talked about sex in their profile or used corny pick-up lines or asserted their dominance, with long lists of what their woman should look like, and I steered clear of the ones entirely focused on themselves (she should find me funny, and put up with my being untidy, and she should be an asset on my arm).

I looked for people who had a relaxed, self-deprecating, intelligent way about them, who were witty and who werent afraid to be quirky.

I was attracted to men who were sturdy and looked as if theyd lived life, who enjoyed their jobs, who were greying and had a bit of world-weariness about them. I didnt go for the really handsome ones.

Good-looking middle-aged men can have high expectations of the woman they want. I came across more than one case in which the main reason for their divorce seemed to be that their wife had made the mistake of ageing.

Stella said: 'I had whole Sundays in my pyjamas, trawling one site after another determined to find someone kind-looking and interesting to talk to'

Youre looking for someone you think could be a friend, someone youd be grateful for in your lifeboat.

I had whole Sundays in my pyjamas, trawling one site after another determined to find someone kind-looking and interesting to talk to. The hours would go by and Id find it was tea-time and the dog desperate.

Ocassionally, Id fend off approaches from the leg-over merchants who hadnt even introduced themselves but sent out how about it darlin, you have sexy eyes; I bet you have squeezable thighs type of messages.

Some think they can order women like pizza: If I give you my address, catch a cab and come to me. Skip the underwear. They werent the norm - but its best to be prepared for the sleazies.

Some just wanted the romantic connection of a daily electronic letter from someone as lonely as they were, but didnt want to spoil it by meeting. I did some of this myself.

Over the two years, I sent out hundreds of messages, had dozens of conversations and went on 56 dates. And throughout the process, I kept a dating diary which became the basis for the book Ive written.

So what did I learn? That a middle-aged woman often has a hard time at online dating, judged insufficiently attractive by men with beer guts and multiple chins.

I learned that its easy to get into a totally self-deluding state, when you communicate too much in the safe zone of anonymity. This is a dangerous approach. If you talk yourselves into being infatuated with one another before meeting (as happened twice to me), the first date can be a disaster.

There were men who were still married, doing online dating from the shed (watch out for separated because often the wife doesnt realise shes about to be)

Take the hint if he says how great it was to meet you, then drives off and disappears. That took me completely by surprise. Hed been so attentive over email. Hed invited me to lunch at his for the second date, to meet his adult daughter, even before our first date was finalised, but as he explained - belatedly - afterwards, he had certain physical criteria.

There was Jim, who delayed our date so he could squeeze in another first. As the clock neared 11pm I gave up, took off my dress, heels and jewellery, and got into bed, at which point he texted to say hed had a glorious snog at the bus stop (and did I fancy a second?).

There was a man in Morocco who invited me for the weekend and got his sister to assure me her brother was sincere. And there was Martin, with whom I had an inspiring email relationship, to the point that he was talking about us growing old together.

Theres no point in improving your photos with filters or using ones a decade old. The man for you will see past your love handles and greying hair

We never met. He went cold and then admitted he was only just separated. Hed been persuaded to consider reuniting with his wife and was sorry to have wasted my time. I took this at face value, but over the weekend saw he was chatting up someone new.

I learned theres no point in giving the impression that youre someone different to the person you are. You want someone wholl love the real you, the everyday you and your early morning face.

Theres no point in improving your photos with filters or using ones a decade old. The man for you will see past your love handles and greying hair. He will see something in your eyes and in the way you express yourself - at least, the people worth having will.

I learned you have to get into sleeves-rolled-up and thick-skinned mode, with sufficient self-belief (and perhaps low-enough expectations) to take rejection in your stride.

Accept, and suggest, as many coffee and cake meetings as you can with people who look and sound interesting. If you are single and lonely, then try it, because all the obstacles are worth it. Just when I was about to give up, after two years of disappointment, I fell in love.

After two years she met Edward, a 52-year-old, who she is now living with (stock image)

Most of the time I was listed on websites I was anxious, earnest, afraid of being judged not good enough. But when I met Edward and we hit it off, when I relaxed and was myself, the whole thing turned into a miracle.

I wasnt sure about him at first. We met on a site where almost all the men were looking for casual sex. I liked the sound of him - also 52 - a tall, broad-shouldered engineering project manager with kind, deep-set eyes and a high forehead.

I didnt think he was sure about me. After the second date, which was so stiff I felt it must have been a mercy date, or that he was too well-brought-up to be able to deliver the blow, he went quiet for more than a week.

I was offended, but then, looking back over our texts, had a revelation. Edward thought that I wasnt interested.

Fearing rejection, Id sabotaged myself. After the first date Id said, with fatal politeness, that Id had a nice time. After the second Id said, it was lovely to meet you, a self-protective phrase that reeks of non-keenness.

Weve got out of the habit of looking back. We look forwards, and life seems full of possibility again, and theres no better antidote to heartbreak than that

I was fearful hed misinterpreted that. So I decided to use a deadlock-breaking phrase. I texted, saying Id understand if he didnt want to meet again, but that Id like to.

We met a third time and I was more myself because there was nothing to lose. On the way home (it was a cold night), when I couldnt find my gloves, he removed one of his, took my hand in his, squeezed my fingers lightly and said: Thats better.

We stood at my doorway, saying an awkward goodnight, and he asked if he could cook for me the following evening... and then he leant down and he kissed me.

Essentially, we were still strangers, but something happened the next day that accelerated us out of our formality.

I went into my bathroom that morning and found it awash with water from a failed pipe joint. Edward came to my aid, on his bike with his toolbag, and suddenly we were laughing and at ease with one another. He stayed all day and we found (after wed kissed a second time) that we had become a couple. Ill always be grateful to that toilet inlet pipe.

And now, many dates and adventures later, we live together, and are planning our old age.

Edward knows Ive written the book, but has no curiosity about reading it. Hes heard some of the stories, and says it all has little to do with who we are now.

Weve got out of the habit of looking back. We look forwards, and life seems full of possibility again, and theres no better antidote to heartbreak than that.
In an article of September 14 comparing the lives of teenage girls in Middlesbrough and Surrey, it was mistakenly suggested that Molly Ryan suffers regular sexual harassment from men in the streets of Middlesbrough, worries about her personal safety and looks forward to leaving.

In fact Ms Ryan says she is proud to live in the town and will leave it only to study at university or if her career takes her abroad.

We are happy to set the record straight.
As the dark mornings close in, the Capital FM Breakfast host reveals how she looks rested  no matter what time her alarm clock rings.

What time does your alarm go off? 4.30am.

As The Show is now filmed, how do you look perky so early?When it comes to concealing tiredness, LOreal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Foundation (1, 9.99, boots.com) always saves the day. I apply it before I leave the house, then add mascara and Urban Decay Beached Bronzer in Sun-Kissed (2, 20, urbandecay.co.uk) during production meetings. My co-hosts Dave Berry and George Shelley are used to it now, but it doesnt always go to plan. On my first day, I only had mascara on one of my eyes!

1; 2

New discovery? Bobbi Brown Perfectly Defined Long-Wear Brow Pencil in Saddle (3, 30, bobbibrown.co.uk). I am growing out my fringe, so filling in my brows is now a must.

Your energy-boosting scent? I love Burberry My Burberry (4, 47, burberry.com). Whenever I wear it people always comment on it.

Last thing you do at night? Set out my clothes for the next day. Wardrobe crises at 4.30am are not funny!

3; 4

Dont let winter steal your tan. Try Fake Bakes new Flawless Coconut Tanning Serum For Face & Body (29.95, fakebake.co.uk) and feel yourself gaining back that summertime confidence with every buff and polish.

The Hero Project is a new British brand thats on a mission to save the beauty market from disappointing products. It asks you, the consumer, to divulge what you love about the industrys existing hero products  then makes them even better. Super-advanced science meets witty messaging and formulations that deliver on their promises for skin that has seen some action. As for my beauty champion  try the Glow Drops (24, theheroproject.co.uk).
What the Duchess of Cambridge wears today, we all rush to buy tomorrow. Designer JET SHENKMAN tells Amy E Williams how the Kate Effect has put her small, bespoke dressmaking business Eponine firmly on the fashion map

The Kate Effect  those seismic sartorial aftershocks that follow whenever the Duchess of Cambridge appears in a new label, be it high street or designer, recycled or couture  is a sales-boosting phenomenon pored over by the press (guilty as charged) and coveted by fashion brands around the globe.

The Duchess of Cambridge in the skirt suit that catapulted Eponine into the spotlight

While it helps LK Bennett sell nude wedges, Reiss to open a few more stores Stateside and Jenny Packham to shift sequins, the real megawatt power of the Kate Effect is in catapulting under-the-radar brands into the international spotlight. The moment of fame may be fleeting, but for founders of small fashion businesses it has the potential to make fairy tales come true.

Started two years ago, Eponine, a bespoke dressmaking business, was, until March this year, virtually unheard of by anyone in or outside the fashion world. Run from a family home in Kensington, West London, by Jet Shenkman  a 55-year-old former personal fashion stylist and part-time bereavement counsellor  the label had relied largely upon word of mouth to attract clients until Kate, and/or her team of secret squirrel assistants, somehow happened upon it.

Kate then wore a Jackie O-style skirt suit by Eponine to visit a youth-mentoring project in East London and suddenly  somewhere between the duchess emerging from her car and disappearing into a building  all eyes and camera lenses were trained on this tiny British brand.

Seeing Kate in my designs was a shock. I didnt know she had bought anything

One moment everything is normal, the next the phone is ringing every five seconds, says Jet, still wide-eyed at the memory and the tidal wave of interest that ensued. I was shocked. I had no idea Kate had bought anything. I rang my PR about ten minutes after it had happened [the phones started ringing even before Jet had seen the images of Kate online] saying, Come over! I cant cope!

The tools of Jets trade

We had one woman from Texas who kept calling and calling, we were getting emails by the hundreds and Twitter was going mad. She still isnt sure how Kate knew of Eponine: Word of mouth, I think  it is just amazing.

Princess Eugenie in the Eponine dress she wore to the Queens 90th birthday service at St Pauls Cathedral

And this is completely plausible, first because Jet lives (with her husband and three of her four grown-up children) near the duchesss Kensington Palace home, and many of her clients are local and very well connected, but also because Jets designs  in particular her dresses, in colourful African prints  are the sort of thing you might cross the room at a party to enquire after. (Something I experienced when I wore a gold and green Eponine outfit to Royal Ascot this year and was chased by fellow race-goers wanting to know where it was from.)

In June, Princess Eugenie wore a red Eponine dress for the Queens 90th birthday service at St Pauls Cathedral, stealing Kates fashion thunder. Royal style wars, declared MailOnline at the time  Eugenie had out-dressed Kate, who was playing it safe in Catherine Walker, and, it was deemed, had been outshone only by up-and-coming fashion darling Lady Amelia Windsor in black Chanel.

We are discussing the Kate Effect but evidently, I say to Jet, there is something of an Eponine effect, too. You are too kind, she says. When I watched the news and saw Eugenie in that dress it was another jumping-up-and-down-in-front-of-the-telly moment. One of the most wonderful things about Kate and Eugenie wearing my pieces is that I am now getting a more diverse age of customer, which was always my hope.

Her dresses are, on the whole, ageless: most take that classic nipped-in 50s shape, which looks good on all and rarely, if ever, goes out of fashion. The idea has never been to be on trend, it is to be colourful and distinctive, different and exclusive, says Jet. Its not following a certain style. If it is anything at all, its just me!

Jet at her Kensington home

Jets personal style has always been sought after. Before launching Eponine, shed worked as a personal stylist in Tokyo, where the family lived for two long stints in the 80s and 90s, returning to London in between, and also in Hong Kong during the early noughties.

The most ageing thing you can do is be too matchy with your style

Originally from Holland, Jet was working as a secretary for the Dutch Embassy in London when, at 21, she was transferred to Tokyo. Within months she had met her British husband, Greg, who was working as an investment banker there. The day after he proposed I resigned, she says, lifting her hands in mock shame. It doesnt sound like something many women would get away with today. I know! Its funny, but I hated my job so much and I was probably the worlds worst secretary, so I said, Thats it, I am no longer working.

From left: Kate in Beulah, Barbara Casasola and Saloni

Instead Jet carved out a niche for herself by advising wealthy Japanese women what to wear. I was called a Western style specialist  Ive no idea where that name came from, she says. It is hilarious, looking back  my clients would take me to fashion shows and Id advise them on what to buy. It was a bit Trinny and Susannah. I would teach them that you dont have to buy a whole look from Gucci or Dior, instead you can mix things up to create your own distinct style.

This has always been Jets fashion mantra. To me, the most ageing thing you can do is be too matchy, she says. Im not afraid of colour clashing, or mixing smart with casual, old with new. I just look at my wardrobe and wear what I want to wear.

In addition to wearing colourful patterned dresses most days, which she teams with vintage cashmere cardigans (I darent say where I buy them as the secret will be out!) and an artfully tied headscarf (They hide my hair, which, since I started getting hot flushes, has got thinner), Jet nearly always wears trainers. I first started wearing Converse All Stars 20 years ago when very few women were buying them, but now everybody is! Its the same with Stan Smiths, so I had to find something else. When we meet she is in a green suede pair by Golden Goose, but her current favourites are from a collaboration between Rihanna and Puma.

Our job when we fit a dress, says Jet, is to understand a womans shape and listen to her concerns

She may be in her mid-50s but she is far from middle-aged. Rihanna trainers are a case in point, but so is the fact that she launched a business at an age when many others start dreaming of retirement. I think age should be wiped away, it isnt relevant, she says forcefully.

For me, it was the right time. I had to mature. Working on a collection is very personal and when you are older you have the strength to think, Well, if someone doesnt like it, thats OK. I think many women my age have untapped talents, she says. After your children grow up there is this What now? feeling, and if I can inspire just one other person to do what I have done then Id take huge pleasure from that.

Kate in Preen (left) and Sentaler (right)

She started Eponine, which she and her children named after the character in Les Miserables (She is great  fearless but sensitive), on the encouragement of friends, after people regularly admired her colourful, youthful style and the vintage gems shed find at Londons Portobello Road. Like many people brave enough to launch a business, Jet has had invaluable support from her family, whom she is very close to.

It was the loss of her brother-in-laws daughter to depression aged just 21 that led to Jet training as a bereavement counsellor, something she continues to do alongside Eponine. The fashion side can sometimes seem fluffy; its good to balance it with more serious stuff, she says of her twin careers. I also believe that when something bad happens like that, you have to find something good to come out of it.

People say, 'I don't have

a waist' - well, we can

find you a waist

Her husband Greg helped Jet with an initial investment to buy materials and hire a trained fashion designer to assist with the technical aspect of dressmaking  though she sources fabrics and develops ideas for styles, she is not a trained seamstress, so a small team of skilled employees has been essential.

Her children  Emma, 28, Nina, 26, both actresses, Josephine, 24, a talent agent, and Christopher, 22, who is at university  are now well used to the living room being taken over by rails of dresses, and the basement becoming sewing studios for her team. The home is a large townhouse on a very smart street, but running a business from home does change the domestic dynamics. Eponine has invaded everyones space. No one can come downstairs in their pyjamas any more in case I have clients. But they want this to work for me, so they put up with it.

THE LATEST LABELS KITTING KATE BEULAH Run by Natasha Rufus Isaacs, a good friend of Kates, Beulah is glamorous yet ladylike  skirts cut to the knee, chiffon sleeves beautifully buttoned at the wrist  and perfectly suited for royal duties. The duchess has worn Beulah dresses on two Asia tours, most recently this 745 red gown featuring poppies, the national flower of Bhutan. beulahlondon.com BARBARA CASASOLA Based in London but from Brazil, Casasola is a favourite among Hollywoods bright young set, with stars including Alicia Vikander choosing her slinky, feminine designs for the red carpet. It was a departure for a more conservative Kate, who wore this white showstopping off-the-shoulder dress for a do at the National History Museum this summer. barbaracasasola.com SALONI With brilliant flair for fashion diplomacy, Kate wore this full-length blue Saloni dress when she hosted a reception for Indian students at Kensington Palace. A British brand with Indian roots (designer Saloni Lodha was born in India and trained in Mumbai and Hong Kong), it was previously little known outside fashion circles, but is stocked on Net-a-Porter and is certainly one to watch. salonilondon.com PREEN Firmly established on the British fashion scene, Preen is a go-to label for smart, fashion-forward dresses that err on the right side of sexy. Kate wore the stunning 1,000 red dress shown above left to a reception in Canada last month.preenbythorntonbregazzi.com SENTALER Kates dressed-down looks also grab attention. The knitted coatigan she wore during her tour in British Columbia was made by Toronto-based brand Sentaler. It costs around 700 but has sold out until March next year. sentaler.com Advertisement

The intimate, made-to-measure and quite literally in-house service that Jet provides is the antithesis of popping into Zara in the nearby Westfield shopping centre and grabbing a dress without even trying it on. All Eponine pieces are made-to-order, though not all are made-to-measure (which means not all customers will meet Jet to be fitted  hence the duchess avoiding detection). But the couture element, acting as a traditional dressmaker in an otherwise fast-fashion world, is what gives Eponine an edge, even over more high-end competitors.

Our job when we fit a dress is to understand a womans shape and listen to her concerns. People say, I dont have a waist  well, we can find you a waist, she says. Im very much against the big sack look. And sometimes I feel the whole concept of femininity is disappearing, so we try to make dressing easier. For example, in the summer we can make dresses longer for when people dont like showing too much leg. Or we can cover arms carefully  lots of women hate that part of their body.

There is, of course, a price tag to all this bespoke attention  the made-to-measure service starts at 595, while couture dresses, for which you ideally need to visit Jet for measuring and fitting, cost upwards of 1,100. And you can guess that Jets compassionate, counsellor side will manifest itself in her fitting sessions with clients  You do get to know people very well, she acknowledges  and in a nice touch, a little metal medal sewn on to offcuts of fabric is included with every dress. It is just a little thing I thought up. Its known by Catholics as the Miraculous Medal and it promises protection and blessings to anyone who wears it. One of my clients emailed me and said she had put it in her bag and it will be there for ever.

I wonder what Kate did with hers? Jet laughs. Do you know the nicest thing to come out of all this? That it will be a wonderful story to tell my grandchildren. I think, Goodness, how amazing will that be?
PETA will write to state governments and the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), regarding unhygienic conditions of

Outbreak of avian flu in Delhi has alerted the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) to pull up Indias poultry farming industry for maintaining low hygeine levels in the farms.

The animal welfare group will write to the state governments and the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), citing its research done in 2008 regarding battery cages of the birds.

The research points that the packing chickens in battery cages - where they are bred, fed and defecate lifelong - creates cesspools of pathogens and helps viruses like H5N1 to spread.

The Ghazipur murgi mandi has not seen a clean-up drive for several years

Poultry is one of the fastest growing sectors in India, with Andhra Pradesh and Telangana being the largest producers.

India is the worlds fifth largest egg producer and 18th largest producer of broilers.

But, neither the Centre nor state governments nor municipalities are bothered to regulate it.

Nikunj Sharma, spokesperson and the government liaison officer for PETA in India, told Mail Today: We had warned about this phenomenon even in 2008. There is enough research to prove unhygienic conditions of poultry farms make a perfect breeding ground for several diseases.

Scientists also raised questions on disposal of in-consumable chicken parts like its heads and intestines, and also the carcasses of dead ones, which are thrown near the farms and landfills

Even the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), USA, says that battery cages, which are basically the size of A4 sheets, are unhealthy for the birds.

The cages are never cleaned and the chickens are crammed inside it. Their feather and faeces keep accumulating, and exuding harmful ammonia fumes. This originates zoonotic diseases - a variety that transfers diseases animals and birds to humans, he said.

Scientists also raised questions on disposal of in-consumable chicken parts like its heads and intestines, and also the carcasses of dead ones, which are thrown near the farms to be scavenged by dogs and cats.

These also attract birds like the Cattle Egret, crows, Common Myna and Pied Myna, raising the danger of spread of avian flu.

The Ghazipur murgi mandi is rotting filthy

NG Jayasimha of the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), says, Leave alone Andhra, when you look at Delhi, the situation is horrible. The Ghazipur murgi mandi is rotting filthy; it is not cleaned in ages.

Plus, there is the huge Ghazipur landfill in the backyards, which is always buzzing with flies. There are no veterinarians to check the health of the chickens, no proper bio-security measures and the litter is thrown anywhere.

The poultry industry is worth millions of rupees and a few politicians have stake in it. But, the guidelines issued by the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the National Green Tribunal (NGT) are not adhered to. All runs on Gods will, rued Jayasimha.

Centre forms panel to keep tabs on bird flu in Capital

The central government on Saturday formed a three-member committee to keep a close watch on the bird flu situation in the Capital, where 24 birds have died so far.

Union Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave said in a series of tweets: A constant vigil is being observed by the government agencies in and around National Zoological Park to monitor and contain H5 Avian Influenza in coordination with state agencies. @moefcc has constituted a three-member committee to keep a close watch over the developments.

The Delhi government had on Friday shut the Hauz Khas Deer Park amid the bird flu scare.

Health worker sprays pesticides near the pond of Pelican birds in the wake of Bird Flu scare at a closed Delhi Zoo

It has also cancelled leaves of officials of the Animal Husbandry department.

However, it has ruled out any threat to humans due to the bird flu as the strain of the virus is less infective.

Meanwhile, an analysis of samples collected from two of the around 15 painted storks that died in the zoological park in Gwalior, revealed the avians were infected with a new bird flu virus subtype, H5N8, a top official said on Saturday.

Around 15 painted storks in the zoo died in the last few days, prompting the authorities concerned to send their samples for testing for bird flu virus.

District collector Sanjay Goyal said the civic agencies, forest department and Central Zoo Authority officials are holding talks to curb spread of the virus.
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday skipped the inauguration of the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology (RGIPT) in his constituency Amethi citing busy schedule and maintaining that he was informed too late.

While Gandhi remained absent, Central ministers Smriti Irani, Prakash Javadekar and Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated the RGIPT and distributed gas connections to 5,000 beneficiaries under the central governments PM Ujjwala scheme.

The institute has been built at a cost of Rs 431 crore. The previous UPA government at the Centre had allocated Rs 129 crore and the current NDA government sanctioned a further Rs 302 crore for the institute.

Sources say Congress V-P Rahul Gandhi thanked Union miniter Dharmedra Pradhan for Amethi invitation and also reminded him that it was a project started by the UPA government

Dharmendra Pradhan said: The present central government has come up with many schemes for improving the standard of education in the country and it was our priority to start the RGIPT at the earliest.

I assure that the government and private petroleum companies will come here for placements and the youths of Amethi will get accolades in the near future,

Union petroleum and natural gas min mindevelopment faculty here and it will help over 70 per cent youths to get employment, he added.

According to sources, the Congress vice-president had thanked Pradhan for the invitation, but also reminded him that it was a project started by the UPA government.

While Gandhi remained absent, Central ministers Smriti Irani, Prakash Javadekar and Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated the RGIPT

At the event Pradhan said nearly 90 lakh LPG connections have been released under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana in a short span of five-and-a-half months after it was launched in Balia, Uttar Pradesh.

He also said that the petroleum ministry is hoping to provide LPG connections to every household across Uttar Pradesh.

Meanwhile, in a recorded voice message, Rahul reached out to farmers of Punjab and promised to waive their agriculture debt, if Congress comes to power in the state after the 2017 elections.

Rahuls message, which was reportedly conceptualised by poll strategist Prashant Kishor, is part of the partys mega farmer outreach programme Karza Kurki Khatam-Fasal Di Poori Rakam (Finish debt and loan, reap the profit of your produce).

Pradhan said that he had sent an invitation to Amethi MP Rahul Gandhi but he refused saying that he was too busy.
Two engineering students of Raisoni Engineering College were arrested by the Pune police on Friday, for allegedly raping an 18-year-old girl, who is also the student of the same college.

Another youth was arrested on charges of sending lewd messages to the victim.

The girl said in her complaint that two students of the college raped her for two consecutive days in the college hostel.

Karan Ghuge (left), Avinash Shelke (top) and Mahesh Khorde were arrested by the police on rape charges and will be produced before a judge

The third accused, who does not study in the college, stalked and threatened her by sending obscene messages, she said.

All three were nabbed by the Pune police from Raisoni Engineering College on Friday, a day after the alleged victim and her friends had registered the FIR.

According to the complaint, after finishing the first exam of the first semester on October 18, the girl was walking towards her hostel when Karan Ghuge, a third-year student of the same college approached her.

The girl was initially too traumatized and frightened to tell her parents as she feared they would discontinue her studies. (Picture for representation)

He reportedly offered to help the girl with her project submission. When she agreed to take help from Ghuge, he asked her to come to his hostel room, giving an excuse that all the relevant project files were in the room.

Ghuge allegedly forced himself upon her, in the room and eventually raped her, said the complainant.

The girl, initially was so traumatized and frightened that she did not tell her parents as she feared they would discontinue her studies.

She chose to remain silent and gave her exam on the second day as well.

But her ordeal wasn't over yet. While she was going to give her exam, she noticed that the Ghurge, who had allegedly raped her, was keeping an eye on her.

She then received a text message from another student Mahesh Korde, which said that he knew what had happened to her.

Korde allegedly offered to help her in getting the accused arrested, police said.

The girl told the police that Korde comforted her and asked her to meet him in the college after the exam.

Korde allegedly asked her to narrate the entire story and also show him the room where she was allegedly raped as it would help in making her case stronger.

The girl started explaining everything and when they reached the hostel room where she was allegedly raped earlier, Korde suddenly closed the door and allegedly started misbehaving with her.

He raped her in the same room on October 19 where she was raped the day earlier, the complaint said.

The girl broke down in front of her roommates and her elder sister.

On October 20, she mustered courage to tell the entire incident to her class teacher and later complained to the Vishakha Committee on sexual harassment.

According to her roommates, no action was taken by the college management, initially.

By this time, another youth, Avinash Shelke, allegedly started sending her obscene text messages and asked the girl to meet him at his house.

After this, the girl and her friends approached the Lonikand police station and filed an FIR against the three.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said green airfields were the future as he inaugurated Vadodara airport, the second environment- friendly facility in the country.

I am happy that two airports in India have joined the green movement in Kochi and Vadodara, he said, lauding the project in which construction has been carried out using fly ash bricks.

The Prime Minister said such facilities will encourage people to use similar construction materials.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said green airfields were the future as he inaugurated Vadodara airport, the second environment- friendly facility in the country

The Vadodara airport, located in an area of 17,500 sq mt, has been built at a cost of Rs 160 crore.

It can handle 700 passengers per hour and cater to international flights with 18 check-in counters.

The airport has a runway length of 8,100m which can handle single aisle aircraft like Airbus 320 and Boeing 737s which most of the domestic carriers fly.

The foundation for the airport was laid in 2009 by the then civil aviation minister Praful Patel.

The government has taken a very important decision whose impact will be felt for nearly 100 years. And the decision is that countrys first railway university will be constructed in Vadodara, Modi said in his address after the inauguration.

The PM also lashed out at the previous government for having no vision for the aviation sector.

He said his government on the contrary was on a mission mode and came out with the new aviation policy to attract investment and growth.

He emphasised on the need to expand infrastructure in tier-2 and tier-3 cities where he saw potential for growth.

He said the governments regional connectivity project was aimed at this aspect and wants to forward the sector in next five to 10 years.

After the new NDA government came to power, for the first time since the Independence, it formulated a new aviation policy for the country, he said.

It is estimated that within five years, the situation in India would be such that the airports in the country would have as much footfall in a year as Americas total population, the PM said.

Modi lamented that earlier airports were set up, planes would fly but the country did not have an aviation policy.

How to take the sector forward in next five or 10 years and take care of its and passengers' needs, what should be done for common people, there was no vision in place earlier. It was just moving, he said.

Modi also said his government did two things soon after assuming office in 2014.
Earlier this month I spent some time at the Medanta hospital in Gurugram. I wasnt admitted there myself - a loved one was, but the experience brought home the simple fact we all know but forget to reflect on: that human life hangs by a slender thread.

The business of daily life makes us not remember a vital truth - that to wake up healthy everyday is nothing short of a miracle.

When one walks into a hospital for an emergency operation, even in the role of an attendant accompanying the patient, one steps outside of life for a brief while.

The business of daily life makes us not remember a vital truth - that to wake up healthy everyday is nothing short of a miracle. (Picture for representation)

Several metaphors come to mind. One gets off the running train and lets the train pass. One takes stock of the new surroundings.

Perspective

One hovers in the sky, like a plane on take-off, and looks down at the city below, a city one is abruptly not a part of anymore but of which one was a bona fide citizen, just a few hours ago.

Or maybe its akin to leaving your sentry position in the pouring rain of everyday life and stepping into a warm dry well-lit room.

For the period you are confined to this room, you itch to be back in the rain, the same rain that seemed too much to bear when you were actually standing in it.

Modern hospitals like Medanta create a successful illusion that you are not in a hospital.

There is no smell of disinfectant hanging in the corridors, no dim white tube lights.

Modern hospitals like Medanta create a successful illusion that you are not in a hospital. (Picture for representation)

The lobby or reception area resembles a shopping mall or an airport. You eat a pizza from the Pizza Hut counter, sip on a Costa Coffee.

For a second, you are suspicious. This new city that you have landed in seems even nicer than the one you left behind.

Reality descends on you as you begin ascending the floors in the hospital lift. The higher you go the more sombre it gets.

When you walk into the ICU you realise for the first time: Im in a hospital, not on a vacation.

By now the outside world has begun to sink into total irrelevance. So many things that make up the traffic of our conscious and subconscious minds - all these self-driving Tesla cars - drive themselves to the horizon and fall off the cliff.

Ego, envy, competition, click-bait headlines, Facebook likes, WhatsApp groups cease to matter in an instant. You are on a table-top mountain.

You are sitting across the table from the doctor, Dr Praveen Chandra, stent man extraordinaire, who explains the condition and the solution.

Saving human lives has to be the most valuable service you can provide to humanity. (Picture for representation)

I nod my head and absorb the information that hes giving us: the jumble of pipes that is the human body and how he intends to fix what is essentially a plumbing defect.

Spending some time with a surgeon or an intervention specialist and watching what she does puts human professions and vocations in perspective.

As Robert Louis Stevenson writes in the Preface to Underwoods: There are classes of men that stand above the common herd: the soldier, the sailor, and the shepherd not infrequently; the artist rarely; rarelier still, the clergyman; the physician almost as a rule. He is the flower (such as it is) of our civilisation.

Script

Saving human lives has to be the most valuable service you can provide to humanity.

Compared to this, writing is the most useless. But then there is also fashion design and installation art; that thought somehow always makes me feel better.

But hold on; there is a link between literature and medicine.

In mythology, Apollo was the god of poetry and medicine; Pallas Athene was the goddess of poetry and healing.

Historically, theres been a long tradition of writer, physicians or writer-surgeons.

One explanation is that no one has experience of human life up-close as much as the doctors do.

The list of writer-doctors is too long to mention here but it can be divided into two broad categories: those who have written about their experiences as doctors as non-fiction - like Oliver Sacks and Atul Gawande, and those who have applied their human experience of practising medicine less directly to poetry and fiction.

The Czech poet Miroslav Holub, the American poet William Carlos Williams and the Russian short-story writer Anton Chekov didnt necessarily write about medicine, but it would be fair to say that their writing wouldnt be what it is if they werent doctors.

The clinical gaze, it has been said, has much in common with the writers eye.

Responsibility

Meanwhile, in the hospital lobby, far from the spotlight of the operating table, the patients relatives are talking among themselves not so much about the philosophical aspect of death as the practical ones.

A young man, who looks to be in his twenties, tells me that in the Indian middle class one child is usually settled abroad and is absolved of all responsibilities.

This person, he tells me, then makes up for the guilt by becoming the familys ATM. There is talk of responsibility in the elevator too.

By now everyone has become familiar with the voluble mother-son couple who have decided to deal with the stress by shouting loud insinuations at each other.

The peasant mother grumbles loudly in Punjabi: cooked for you, paid your fees, nursed your fevers you nalayak (worthless) ingrate son.

The son looks heavenwards and says: So Im here, pushing your wheel chair. What are you complaining about, mother?
The rift between two stubbornly divided factions in poll-bound Uttar Pradeshs ruling party has claimed more victims as the war within the Yadav family threatens to break-up the entire Samajwadi Party.

While chief minister Akhilesh Yadav once again axed his uncle Shivpal Yadav, as well as three of his close aides from the cabinet, party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav threw out cousin Ramgopal Yadav, a trusted adviser to the CM, for "colluding with the BJP".

The crisis in the party deepened when Akhilesh held a meeting of its legislators in state capital Lucknow and recommended to governor Ram Naik that cabinet ministers Shivpal, Narad Rai and Om Prakash Singh as well as minister of state Sayeda Shadab Fatima, be sacked.

The rift between two stubbornly divided factions in poll-bound Uttar Pradeshs ruling party has claimed more victims as the war within the Yadav family threatens to break-up the Samajwadi Party.

According to sources, the CM openly attacked Amar Singh - whom Mulayam appointed as a national general secretary recently, years after throwing him out of the party - and accused of him of trying to split the SP and create divisions between 'father and son'.

"It is the chief minister's prerogative whom to keep in the cabinet," said senior party leader Azam Khan.

Hours later, Mulayam hit back by dismissing Ramgopal from the party for six years.

The developments came a day after a close aide of the CM, MLC Udayveer Singh, was expelled from the Samajwadi Party.

Ramgopal Yadav, a trusted adviser to the CM, was fired for 'colluding with the BJP'.

Udayveer was sacked a few days after he shot off a stinging letter to Mulayam accusing his second wife of hatching a conspiracy against the chief minister.

The letter also accused Akhileshs stepmother of using black magic against him.

Udayveer had this week announced that he along with other Akhilesh loyalists would boycott the SPs silver jubilee celebrations in protest over the expulsion of many of their colleagues by Mulayam and Shivpal.

The political chasm between father and son owes much to Shivpal, who is Mulayam Singhs brother and not Akhilesh Yadavs favourite uncle.

Ramgopal Yadav is Shivpals long-time rival and has been championing Akhilesh as the true and most popular leader of the party.

The chief ministers supporters have also blamed Amar Singh for the rift.

Shivpal told the media that Ramgopal was colluding with the BJP and had thrice met a senior leader of the party in power at the Centre to save himself and his son from a CBI probe in connection with their alleged involvement in a corruption case.

Next years assembly elections would be fought under Mulayams leadership, he added.

Both camps went into a huddle on Sunday. Mulayam has also called a meeting of his MLAs and MLCs at his residence on Monday.

I will not give any reaction today, he told the press. You are all invited tomorrow (Monday) after the meeting, and I will not disappoint you".

Battle lines

Shivpal in recent months took a slew of controversial decisions that Akhilesh objected to, only to be overruled by his father.

While the CM resisted his uncles move to tie up with a fledgling party headed by a former gangster, Mulayam finally allowed it.

Last month, Akhilesh was replaced by Shivpal as the party chief in Uttar Pradesh.

The chief ministers supporters have blamed Amar Singh for the rift

As the battle rages on, reports have emerged that the chief minister could launch a new party - National Samajwadi Party or Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party - with the motorcycle as its symbol to take on the SPs bicycle.

The opposition BJP attempted to fish in troubled waters, saying the governor should ask Akhilesh to prove his majority on the floor of the Assembly and until he does so, he should not take any policy decision.

"The party has become a sinking ship which has failed on every front. Mafia raj prevailed during Akhilesh's tenure.

He could not keep promises of providing roads, electricity and drinking water. Even healthcare is in doldrums, said BJP national secretary Shrikant Sharma in Delhi.
It is all but impossible to feel sympathy for Philip Green, whose wealth is in such stark contrast to the uncertainty and unemployment now faced by the thousands who worked for BHS under his ownership.

So I must agree with MPs that he is no longer fit to hold a knighthood  whatever good he has achieved in business has been permanently tarnished.

But it is a great pity that reports of the debate in Parliament were so dominated by the group mugging of Green rather than the underlying issues that the case raises and the serious problems British business and pensions face. It is only right MPs recount in the House of Commons the real cost that the BHS disaster represents for their constituents  and perhaps it is a public service that anger is vented so clearly.

Scrutiny: Philip Green gave evidence to ministers on the collapse of BHS in June. Last week MPs debated whether he should be stripped of his knighthood

But behind the specifics of the BHS case lies the looming issue of pension deficits in many of our 6,000 company schemes and to be fair to MPs, many used the occasion to raise these issues.

They were, however, largely lost in the clamour for Green to lose his gong. As one MP said, these deficits are estimated to stand at almost 1 trillion. There are many questions to be asked about what can be done to help improve this precarious situation.

The Pensions Regulator clearly needs stronger powers to intervene during a takeover to safeguard the interests of pension members. And perhaps companies should be flatly barred from paying dividends while there is a deficit in their pension fund, for example  a question raised by Richard Fuller MP.

Even so, regulatory changes would need to be carefully considered in their detail and their timing. Tough solutions might be needed in the long run, but forcing companies to close pension deficits faster might have dire side-effects if imposed during a period of economic uncertainty.

But what I most fear is that while the BHS affair is a national disgrace and Green is wholly deserving of public opprobrium, the particulars of this case must not fool anyone into thinking that stripping Green of his knighthood is any more than a gesture.

Satisfying? Definitely. Entirely appropriate? Oh yes. A necessary signal to business leaders of what honour means? Quite so. But a solution to the underlying problems in our pensions and the failure of our system of regulation? Not in the least.

Optimistically, I dont suppose most MPs think it is either. But real work needs to be done on this issue. In this regard Labours Clive Lewis made one of the most perceptive points in last weeks debate.
Nearly 10,000 California National Guard soldiers have been ordered to repay huge enlistment bonuses a decade after signing up to serve in Iraq and Afghanistan, it was reported this week.

The Pentagon demanded the money back after audits revealed overpayments by the California Guard under pressure to fill ranks and hit enlistment goals.

If soldiers refuse, they could face interest charges, wage garnishments and tax liens, the Los Angeles Times said.

Retired Army major and Iraq veteran Robert D'Andrea (pictured) said he was told to repay his $20,000 because auditors could not find a copy of the contract he says he signed

Faced with a shortage of troops at the height of the two wars, California Guard officials offered bonuses of $15,000 or more for soldiers to reenlist.

A federal investigation in 2010 found thousands of bonuses and student loan payments were improperly doled out to California Guard soldiers.

About 9,700 current and retired soldiers received notices to repay some or all of their bonuses with more than $22million recovered so far.

Soldiers said they feel betrayed at having to repay the money.

'These bonuses were used to keep people in,' said Christopher Van Meter, a 42-year-old former Army captain and Iraq veteran who was awarded a Purple Heart. 'People like me just got screwed.'

Van Meter said he refinanced his home mortgage to repay $25,000 in reenlistment bonuses and $21,000 in student loan repayments that the military says was improperly given to him.

The California Guard said it has to follow the law and collect the money.

Nearly 10,000 California National Guard soldiers have been ordered to repay huge enlistment bonuses a decade after signing up to serve in Iraq and Afghanistan (file)

'At the end of the day, the soldiers ended up paying the largest price,' Maj. Gen. Matthew Beevers, deputy commander of the California Guard told the Times.

'We'd be more than happy to absolve these people of their debts. We just can't do it. We'd be breaking the law.'

The Pentagon agency that oversees state Guard groups has said that bonus overpayments occurred in every state, but more so in California, which has 17,000 soldiers.

California Guard officials said they are helping soldiers and veterans file appeals with agencies that can erase the debts.

But soldiers said it's a long process and there's no guarantee they'll win.

Retired Army major and Iraq veteran Robert D'Andrea said he was told to repay his $20,000 because auditors could not find a copy of the contract he says he signed.

D'Andrea appealed and is running out of options.
The author of the discredited Rolling Stone magazine article about a woman's claim of being gang-raped at a University of Virginia fraternity party says she was 'startled' when the accuser seemed to retract her story following its publication.

The writer, Sabrina Rubin Erdely, continued her testimony Saturday in a court case over the article.

University administrator and associate dean Nicole Eramo has sued the magazine for $7.8 million, claiming the article made her its 'chief villain' and was defamatory.

The story, 'A Rape on Campus,' was published on November 19, 2014 and told the harrowing story of a woman identified only as 'Jackie', who claimed she was gang-raped by seven men at the University of Virginia.

A police investigation later found no evidence to back up Jackie's claims and Rolling Stone was ultimately forced to retract the story for which it is now being sued.

Because the judge ruled Eramo should be considered a public figure, her attorneys have to prove that Rolling Stone knew what they were writing about Eramo was false or at least should have known it wasn't true.

Sabrina Rubin Erdely defended her decision to use the story of an alleged rape victim in her since discredited 2014 Rolling Stone article 'A Rape on Campus,' in court

The Washington Post reports Erdely testified that she reached out to Jackie on the morning of December 5, 2014 and asked her if she had gone to the police to report the crime following the story's publication. Jackie told her it wasn't the right time, she said.

Nicole Eramo claims she was painted as the story's 'chief villain' and is suing the magazine and Erdely for $7.8million

'I was a little surprised,' Erdely testified. 'A couple of other things struck me as odd... I was getting a little hinky feeling.'

Erdely testified that for the first time, Jackie expressed doubt about whether her alleged assailant was in Phi Psi, the fraternity she had said he belonged to.

'I was just so startled... Here she was saying in such a casual way, "Oh yeah, maybe he wasn't in Phi Psi".'

Erdely said that together they tried to look up additional information about her alleged attacker online but were unable to find anything.

'When I got off the phone, I felt like the ground had shifted from under my feet,' Erdely testified.

She added: 'I felt that she didn't have credibility anymore, which meant that we couldn't stand behind anything that she had given me.'

Erdely then composed an email to her editors telling them she believed the story should be retracted. The subject line: 'Our worst nightmare.'

The magazine told about an alleged rape victim named Jackie who claimed she had been assaulted by several men in a frat house. Her story has since been discredited

Jackie and Erdely appear to have quickly developed a close bond, with Erdely sharing in Jackie's excitement over her new boyfriend and trying to convince Jackie to seek treatment over her possible post-traumatic stress disorder.

'I felt as though we really had developed a trusting and caring relationship,' Erdely said.

Erdely, of Philadelphia, noted how Jackie spoke with great detail, like when she recounted the nightmares she had in the wake of the attack and described one of the other women she claimed had been assaulted at the fraternity as having a raspy voice, small nose and serious demeanor.

'It seemed impossible to imagine that she was not describing a real person,' Erdely said.

It was also revealed this week that Erdely was working under a $300,000 two-year contract with Rolling Stone. The rape article was the first of seven articles stipulated in the contract, but after the incident the contract was severed.

The trial, which started on Monday, is supposed to extend through next week. Eramo's lawsuit is one of three filed against the magazine over the story.
A mother-of-one claims she was forced off a rollercoaster because her breasts were too large to fit in the harness.

Tanya Willis, 22, said she was forced to walk past hundreds of people queuing for Colossus at Thorpe Park when she was told she couldn't go on it.

The amply-proportioned mother told The Mirror: 'They should realise that not everyone has a B cup. Some of us are bigger than that.

Tanya Willis, 22, claims she was forced off a rollercoaster because her breasts were too large to fit in the harness

Colossus, at Thorpe Park in Surrey, is a rollercoaster with two corkscrew loops and five heartline rolls. Riders sit in a cab with an overhead safety harness

'Im not fat but the safety bars and seats are not designed for large-breasted women.

'It was really embarrassing having to be chucked off a ride and do a walk of shame past everyone. It ruined my day and I wasnt even offered a refund.'

She then watched on as her family enjoyed the ride.

The London woman, who wears a size 36L bra, then tried to get onto Rush but had the same problem.

Thorpe Park, in Chertsey, Surrey, asked Ms Willis to get in touch with them.

The spokesman for the park said: ' If our restraints do not click into safe mode, we will not allow a guest on the ride for their own safety.

A park spokesman said no guest can ride any of the park's rollercoasters if the restraint is not in safe mode. Pictured: Colossus

'It will not start unless all restraints are locked. We have restriction boards at each attraction.'

Colossus was built in 2002 and was the park's first major attraction. It features 10 inversions, including two corkscrew and five heartline loops.
A man has lost control of his $10 million fortune after losing a legal dispute with his daughter's who claimed his new wife was taking 'advantage' of his dementia.

The 70-year-old man, from the Gold Coast, inherited the sum from the sale of his family's food company in 2012, which was an iconic Australian brand, the Courier Mail reported.

However, the man's daughters have launched guardianship proceedings against him and his wife, who he married in secret at the end of 2012 without his adult children present, at the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

A man, 70, who inherited $10million from the sale of his family's food company must ask permission from the Public Trustee to use his money (stock image)

The daughters claim she is taking advantage of his dementia by emotionally abusing and isolating him from friends and family.



They have also shown court images of signs around their father's home telling him to contact his wife if his daughters rang or visited.

One daughter said: 'I was very worried that she was exerting a huge amount of influence over Dad and controlling his life.'

The tribunal found the wife was taking advantage of her husband's elderly condition and the man must ask for permission from the Public Trustee to use his money.

His daughter's launched legal action against their father and his wife at the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (pictured left)

But the wife claims he does not have dementia and that not being able to use his own money is an abuse of his human rights.

'He's worth $10 million and he can't even spend 10 cents without going cap in hand. It's an abuse of human rights,' the man's wife told the Courier Mail.

She accepted he was an alcoholic with short-term memory loss but argued there were no 'negative medical reports' indicating he did not have the capacity to run his life'.

The woman also disputed his family's claims that he did not want to marry her, saying that she and the 70-year-old man had known each other for two decades and had decided to wed after he stopped drinking in 2012, according to the Courier Mail.
Advertisement

A graduating group of veterinary students have decided to raise money for their graduation ball in a daring photoshoot.

The James Cook University veterinary science class of 2017 have taken a more relaxed approach to raising money for their graduation ball and have stripped down to pose 'all out'.

The cheeky raw photo shoot, shot by Vicki Miller from Vicki Miller Photography, shows the vets enjoying each others company in their work environment - including on top of tractors and working with animals - with little more than hats covering their parts.

Besides the attempt to raise money to cap off five-hard-years of university, the vets have also used the calendar to raise money for Tie Up The Black Dog foundation.

The foundation helps support those suffering from mental health issues in rural areas and raises awareness on the issue in Queensland, so 10 per cent of the profit from the calendar will go directly to the charity.

The foundation is close to the emerging vets' hearts with a recent Victorian Coroners Prevention Unit report finding vets have one of the highest mental illness and suicide rates of any profession.

Scroll down to see some of the best from Vets Uncovered 2017 and lets hope by bearing all the JCU class of 2017 raise enough money to wear some clothes at their ball.

The calendars can be bought online at www.vetsuncovered.com for $20, worldwide postage is available or local pick up from Townsville.

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The cheeky raw photo shoot, shot by Vicki Miller from Vicki Miller Photography, can be purchased as a calendar

The James Cook University veterinary science class of 2017 have taken a more relaxed approach to raising money for their graduation ball and have posed 'all out'

The cheeky raw photo shoot shows the vets enjoying each others company in their work environment - including on top of tractors and working with animals - with little more than hats covering their parts

The photo shoot took many months of planning and hard work from the students and Vicki Miller the photographer

The students have spent five or more years at university and want to raise money for their graduation ball

Rather than a sausage sizzle they opted to go 'all out' and pose for a calendar, which took months to organise

The vets have also used the calendar to raise money for Tie Up The Black Dog foundation

The Tie Up The Black Dog foundation helps support those suffering from mental health issues in rural areas and raises awareness on the issue in Queensland, so 10 per cent of the profit from the calendar will go directly to the charity

The veterinary science students posed half naked in their work environment seemingly having lots of fun

The students even posed on massive trucks and tractors in their rural work environment to help raise money for their graduation ball and a Queensland charity

The calendars can be bought online at www.vetsuncovered.com for $20, worldwide postage is available or local pick up from Townsville




Rescuers dug with their hands to save an opal miner whose tunnel collapsed on top of him, but he died before they could reach him.

Emergency crews scrambled after 62-year-old Sidney Cuddy was reported missing at 4pm on Saturday by a friend who came to the private mine site to visit him.

The man allegedly found Mr Cuddy's car crushed by rocks inside the Arch mine in Opalton, southwest Queensland, with a shallow trench collapsed and no sign of him.

Rescuers dug with their hands to save an opal miner whose tunnel collapsed on top of him in the remote mining town of Opalton in central Queensland

Emergency crews scrambled after the 62-year-old was reported missing at 4pm on Saturday by a friend who came to the private mine site to visit him

It took police and firefighters six hours to reach the remote site that is only accessible by 4WD, and used their hands to dig through two metres of rubble to retrieve his body.

Winton Shire mayor Butch Lenton, who went to school with Mr Cuddy said he was was well-liked, and was the victim of a rare accident

'He was a knockabout and kind-hearted bloke, who has just been out there trying his luck,' he said.

'There hasn't been too many accidents out in the opal fields but unfortunately something has gone wrong here and Sid's lost his life, the poor bugger.'

The cause of the collapse was unknown but police said there were no suspicious circumstances.

It took police and firefighters six hours to reach the remote site that is only accessible by 4WD

Workplace Health and Safety and the Department of Mines and Energy will be advised and police will prepare a report for the coroner.

Opalton is a historic opal mining town founded in the late 1800s that at its peak had 600 residents but has now dwindled to about 25.

It is renowned for having one of the biggest opal fields in Queensland and for the quality of its opals.

The biggest opal gem ever found was uncovered in Opalton in 1899, more than three metres long, as thick as a man's thigh and needing four people to carry.
Rapper Perm (pictured left), the son of Dean Whyte, a close friend of British boxing heavyweight Dillian Whyte (pictured inset below), was gunned down in Brixton, south London, last night following a car chase. The pursuit ended in the death of delivery driver Guilherme Messias Da Silva (pictured right), who was riding his scooter (pictured inset above) to his final delivery of the night when he was struck by a vehicle containing the rapper. According to the police, the drill star then jumped out and tried to outrun his gun-wielding pursuer, but was shot down. The killer escaped the scene and has yet to be found by police - sparking a manhunt. Today boxing manager Dean - who often refers to Dillian as his brother - announced the news on Instagram. In an emotional post Dean, who has become famous in his own right for helping to promote Dillian's fights, wrote: 'R.I.P my boy. Daddy loves u. Life has changed forever'. The heavyweight boxer, 34, this morning shared the Instagram story with his own, adding a number of broken heart emojis. It comes after colleagues of Deliveroo driver Guilherme claimed he was just minutes away from finishing his shift when he was killed in Sunday's shooting. They paid tribute to Guilherme, who is believed to have lived in the UK for the last two years, having moved from his hometown of Petrolina de Goias, near the Brazilian capital Brasilia. Fellow driver Paulo Silva, 42, described him as a 'good boy' and said he had been planning to go back to Brazil in December. He said: 'He was a very nice guy. It is so sad. He had planned to return to Brazil soon but it will not happen now.'
A gay retired NRL referee says he would have had 'no chance' of a career if he had revealed he is HIV positive.

Although the rugby community was accepting of his sexuality, Michael Jones said he believes his 100-game career would have come to a halt if his fellow referees and officials knew he was battling the virus.

'I reckon I would have been no chance. I was worried about them finding out because I would be ostracised,' Mr Jones told The Sydney Morning Herald.

I believe if I'd divulged my HIV-positive status, my career would have ended then and there,' he added.

Michael Jones (pictured), a gay 48-year-old retired NRL referee from Sydney, said although he was open about his sexuality during his 100-game career, he chose not to reveal his HIV positive status

The 48-year-old from Sydney, who was diagnosed in 1998, said he worried his co-workers would be fearful they would contract HIV, although it is highly unlikely.

Mr Jones said when he learned about his status, his partner, Stephen, was battling HIV/AIDS-related cancer and later died.

Mr Jones, who retired in 2008, said Stephen's death and his own status pushed him to reach his goal of becoming one of the top referees in the NRL but it wasn't easy.

'The training was sometimes very tough: anti-retrovirals can leave lactic acid in your muscles for up to 72 hours, whereas it's up to 36 hours clearance for HIV uninfected people,' he said.

Although the rugby community was accepting of his sexuality, Mr Jones (pictured) said his career would have ended immediately and he would have been 'ostracised' if his fellow referees knew he had been diagnosed

'So that was painful. There was a lot of vomiting and pain and fatigue that went on.'

Almost a decade after his retirement, Mr Jones said he decided to go public with his status now to show being diagnosed doesn't mean the end.

'I thought if I could actually tell my story, link it into an elite sporting level, and show how resilient and disciplined I needed to be to push myself,' he said.

It was even more of a win, because I was living with a condition at a time when people were dying. It was about not allowing HIV to take away my dreams.'

Mr Jones said he hopes to educate more people and help reduce the shame and stigma that surrounds the illness.
Britain's biggest banks will begin a large withdrawal of their presence within Britain as fears grow of a hard Brexit.

If the UK decides to leave the single market and the customs union in order to restrict the freedom of people coming into the country, lenders could move their headquarters out of London's financial district.

According to the Observer huge companies, including Goldman Sachs could make the move by early next year, but smaller groups could depart even sooner.

The chief executive of the British Bankers Association, Anthony Browne said: 'Most international banks now have project teams working out which operations they need to move to ensure they can continue serving customers, the date by which this must happen, and how best to do it.

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If the UK decides to leave the single market and the customs union in order to restrict the freedom of people coming into the country, lenders could move their headquarters out of London's financial district

The warning comes from the chief executive of the British Bankers Association, Anthony Browne said

'Their hands are quivering over the relocate button. Many smaller banks plan to start relocations before Christmas; bigger banks are expected to start in the first quarter of next year.'

Being part of the single market allows financial trade without financial impediments, and leaving would mean firms uprooting to other thriving cities within the EU.

It is just two days since Mr Browne said the French ambassador to the UK was stepping up a charm offensive to woo the Capital's giants.

He claimed evidence was growing of a concerted lobbying effort by Paris to steal the Citys crown.

Banks are braced for the loss of the prized passporting regime that allows them to offer their products in any foreign country within the single market.

Warning: Evidence is growing of a concerted lobbying effort by Paris to steal the Citys crown

But European Union rules grant some access if outsider countries can show that their rules are as stringent as the blocs own.

Some experts argue that since Britain has been governed by EU law for decades, this equivalence is beyond doubt and could be relied upon once the nation has quit.

But Browne warned that although the French accepted this would hold true to begin with, they would immediately look for ways to break ties.
A young woman is dead and a man seriously injured after they fell 10 metres off an apartment block in Melbourne.

The 35-year-old man was rushed to the Alfred Hospital in a critical condition with head and upper body injuries, but has since improved to stable.

Paramedics worked on him for about half an hour before loading him into the ambulance 'visibly bleeding' but the woman aged in her 20s was pronounced dead at the scene.

A woman is dead and a man seriously injured after they fell 10 metres of an apartment block in Melbourne

The man was rushed to the Alfred Hospital in a critical condition with head and upper body injuries

The pair were found on the floor of a car park inside the apartment block on Smith Street in Collingwood at 11.30am on Saturday.

They were believed to have fallen off a second-storey balcony but there were no witnesses and no one heard screams as they fell.

A neighbour in the four-storey building told the Herald Sun he heard a commotion at 3.30am, eight hours before the pair were found.

Another said there were previously concerns about raised voices coming from an apartment he believed the woman lived in.

The pair were found at a building on Smith Street in Collingwood at 11.30am on Saturday

The case has baffled police and the coroner made the unusual step of visiting the site himself to piece together what may have happened.

Homicide detectives were called in and police were hoping the man would recover enough to be questioned about what happened.

'Local police and detectives are on scene and the exact circumstances surrounding the incident, including whether the matter is suspicious, are yet to be determined,' police said.
He's the conspiracy theorist whose own death is proving to be as mysterious as the supposed cover-ups he sought to expose.

Max Spiers  who had apparently become mixed up with a dark Satanic cult  was found dead at the home of his girlfriend Monika Duval in Poland after vomiting black liquid.

Police insist he died of natural causes but his mother Vanessa Bates believes the evidence suggests something more sinister.

Vanessa Bates, the mother of Max Spiers, who died 'vomiting black liquid. Police cited natural causes as the cause of death, but Mrs Spiers does not accept their explanation

Now the mystery has deepened after she told how his computer had been wiped clean of emails and documents before it was returned to her. It means she has no way of knowing what Max was working on during his final days  something she believes could offer a hint about why he died.

Meanwhile, members of the group that he had started mingling with claimed to her that his phone had been dropped in the bath and could not be used. Mrs Bates is speaking out because the Polish authorities are poised to close the case. They are demanding that she pay 1,000 if they are to continue the investigation.

But the 63-year-old English teacher from Canterbury cannot afford the sum and says: There are all these jigsaw pieces which dont quite fit together, pieces which form a big question mark.

What happened? You dont write down natural causes to explain the death of a fit and healthy 39-year-old man.

I wish hed never gone to Poland. It feels to me that he got sucked into something there very quickly and the group he was meeting there were into darker things than anything hed been involved with before.

Mrs Bates says her son had been a brilliant and popular pupil at the 10,000-a-year St Edmunds school in Canterbury. He played with numbers for fun, and was always reading.

When she separated from Maxs father, she and her son moved to Los Angeles in the mid-1990s. It was where she had spent much of her childhood while her actor father, Percy Herbert, worked in Hollywood. Maxs suspicions about the world grew in America, watching the government system, she says.

He was influenced by David Icke [the ex-TV presenter who believes the world is controlled by shape-shifting reptiles] and found other people with similar beliefs who were intelligent. Amazingly, he began making money.

Max believed some politicians and celebrities, including Donald Trump and Prince Charles, were part-reptile, and that a new world order led by neo-Nazis was creating hordes of super soldiers using mind-control techniques.

His theories earned him huge audiences around the world.

But in an experience in 2008 which profoundly shaped the rest of his life, Max claimed he woke up from the mind control hed been put under by a neo-Nazi new world order. He felt hed travelled to some other dimension and been tortured, Mrs Bates explains. He questioned everything that went on around him all the time.

Max Spiers with a former girlfriend, Sarah Adams. The conspiracy theorist, 39, from Canterbury, in Kent, was found dead on a friend's sofa in Poland

The pair returned to England five years ago and Max  who had two sons from two different relationships  was starting to make a name for himself.

In March, he met Stewart Swerdlow, a US-born spiritualist who claims he had been experimented upon by the US government.

I had a flick through his books and theyre disturbing  sacrifices and strange, sexual stuff, Mrs Bates says.

Swerdlow invited Max to his Polish conference in April. It was such a success that Max returned to Poland in July to meet contacts through Swerdlows group.

Max rang me and said, Mum, your boys in trouble. There are people here who are not good. He said to investigate if something happened to him.

Two days later, Vanessa received a text from one of Maxs contacts which simply said: Max is dead. Mrs Bates adds: Monika rang me and said hed vomited two litres of black fluid that morning, that it was all over her carpet Why didnt she take him to hospital?

Mrs Bates is now fighting for answers and is waiting to hear whether the coroner will order an inquest. The results of toxicology tests ordered by the Kent coroner are still unknown.

There have been claims Max was killed by a stomach ulcer, and his mother is hoping that part of the story, at least, might be true.
Any such adornment  including diamante clips  will be frowned upon

dogs to shows there can be no more bling

For some dog lovers, theres nothing more delightful than seeing their prized pet sporting a pretty bow at shows.

But shih tzu owners in Britain have now been told that any such adornment  including diamante clips  will be frowned upon by the judges.

Rule changes will mean that any adornment of the Shih Tzu will be frowned upon by show judges int he UK

The rule change follows a complaint from the five shih tzu societies in Britain.

They feared the practice, which is popular elsewhere in the world, was creeping into the UK. They want to stick to the tradition of using plain elastic bands to keep hair out of the dogs eyes.

The Kennel Club has said that tying the unique hair back is fine, but that any item used to do this should not be 'prettifyng'

Kennel Club secretary Caroline Kisko said: We want to make sure hair is tied back from the eyes for welfare reasons and we dont want prettifying for the showring.
Courtney Keady has a tumour in the centre of her brain and for the past year, it has disrupted her vision, caused non-stop nausea and painful headaches.

At first, the 26-year-old from Crookwell, New South Wales, thought the symptoms were caused by the stress of studying to complete a masters degree at university.

But after her final exam in June, an MRI revealed a 12 millimetre brain tumour - called a Pineocytoma - on her Pineal Gland, in the centre of her brain.

Since then, life has been 'pretty challenging' for Ms Keady, who said she struggled day-to-day.

Courtney Keady, 26, has a 12 millimetre brain tumour located on her Pineal Gland

Ms Keady(pictured middle) initally attributed the symptoms to stress from studying for her masters at university but was later diagnosed with the rare tumour

The effects of the tumour were so bad that most days she was stuck in bed, couldn't work and had to move back into her parents' home.

'I've been seeing multiple specialists since June about my symptoms (nausea, headaches, tiredness, vision problems, my memory and cognition is shot and I'm having electric brain shocks).

'I'm not able to drive at the moment... My focus and memory, my cognition has declined a lot. I repeat myself a lot, I'm tired

'I've also been diagnosed with depression in conjunction with this and have been struggling day to day.'

The New South Wales woman has been bedridden by the tumour, which has caused near-constant nausea, blurred vision, headaches and reduced cognition

Eventually, she went to see a neurosurgeon but she was told it was too complicated for an operation

Eventually, she went to see a neurosurgeon but she was told it was too complicated for an operation, Mamamia reported.

But after continuing to suffer debilitating symptoms and seeing numerous specialists, she recently sent her scans to internationally recognised brain surgeon Professor Charlie Teo.

Staff for Prof. Teo, who has pioneered keyhole surgery techniques for brain cancer treatment, contacted Ms Keady less than two days later to discuss operating.

She said he was one of only four surgeons who would undertake such an operation.

Professor Charlie Teo

'It's one of the riskiest surgeries to be performed because this little sucker is right in the middle of my head,' she wrote on a Go Fund Me page.

Ms Keady said she is yet to sit down and discuss the risk of the surgery with Prof. Teo but believes the talented surgeon will be able to overcome the odds.

'I'm very nervous, more nervous that it's my brain that will be operated on as it controls my whole body,' she told Daily Mail Australia.

'But I trust in my journey and my journey has been brought me to Charlie.

'I have full trust in him ... as scared as I am I just have to keep being positive.'

However, the surgery in Sydney would come at a cost - $110,000, with $50,000 required up front.

In a bid to cover the costs, a fundraising campaign has been set up before her appointment in mid-November, when the operation is expected to be carried out.

On Sunday, after only four days, more than $26,000 had been donated by 327 people willing to help Ms Keady out.

WHO IS DOCTOR CHARLIE TEO? Charles (Charlie) Teo was born in Sydney and educated at Scotts College Studied at the University of New South Wales medical school Began a career in paediatric surgery and then neurosurgery Eventually, he specialised in paediatric neurosurgery Worked in the USA for a decade where he was Associate Professor of Neurosurgery and Chief of Paediatric Neurosurgery at the Arkansas Children's Hospital Returned to Sydney, Australia and is now Director of Sydney's Centre for Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery He's married to wife Genevieve with whom he has four children Was awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship for contribution to International Health and Welfare in 2007 In 2008 he received the Humanitarian Service Award by Rotary International Gave the 2012 Australia Day speech Has faced criticism and controversy for being radical but is also internationally renowned for his work Advertisement
A disabled woman has been evicted from her home in a rent row with her landlord - who won 148million on the lottery.

Kym Mills was the best friend of Adrian and Gillian Bayford, who scooped the huge lottery win in 2012.

After their big win, the Bayfords became Ms Mills' landlords, owning the home she shared with daughter Keera.

But the friendship has turned sour as Mr Bayford, who split from his wife in 2013, hiked up the rent by 250.

Kym Mills (pictured with her daughter, Keera), who was the best friend of Adrian and Gillian Bayford, has been evicted from her home in a rent row with her landlord - who won 148million on the lottery

Gillian and Adrian Bayford won the enormous sum of money on the Euromillions in 2012 and used it to help friend Kym Mills. Pictured: the couple after their win

But their relationship broke down and they blamed the stress of the win. Mrs Bayford, above left, broke off her marriage to Mr Bayford, right, 15 months after they won the jackpot

Ms Mills told the Sunday Mirror: 'Im just hurt  they were my best friends. And at the end of the day theyve got it all and Ive lost everything. I wish none of this had ever happened.

'This money split my friends up and ruined the relationship we had. Ive got stuck in the middle of it and its not fair.'

Ms Mills, 54, met the Bayfords when the couple ran a shop next to hers in a town near Cambridge.

The mother, who has a spine condition and epilepsy, claims she and Mrs Bayford became firm friends and helped each other out over the years.

The two women were still friends when they got the amazing windfall, and Ms Bayford offered Ms Mills a home in one of the outbuildings on their enormous estate and threw in a cleaning job.

When the Bayfords broke up, Mr Bayford honoured his agreement and Ms Mills became close to his new partner and worked in the couple's farm shop.

According to the Sunday Mirror, the problems developed when Ms Mills helped Mr Bayford sell some items when they moved the shop and stock and she was accused of 'giving things away'.

She soon received a letter telling her the rent on her home would be going up by 50 per cent, from 500 a month to 750.

Mr Bayford has now given Ms Mills an eviction notice after she said she couldn't afford a 250 a month increase in the rent she pays on the home he owns

Ms Mills claims when the Bayford broke up, she became friends with Samantha Burbidge, above, Mr Bayford's new fiance

Her daughter Keera, 23, said Mr Bayford knew she couldn't afford it.

She said: 'He knows Mum cant afford 750 a month  hes the one paying her.

'If it had been a gradual increase we might have been able to prepare for it, but all of a sudden he wanted 50 per cent more.

'We tried to challenge it, but next thing we knew he sent us an eviction notice.'

Mr Bayford told the paper: 'Some people dont realise how lucky they are. They had three years of very cheap rent.

'When I first came here that house was rented for 1,500 a month. They had it for 500. I was subsidising their rent.

'Of course rent goes up  but its still half of what it would have been. It costs money to run an estate like this.

'Ive got 45 people working for me and it costs money. Im not a charity.'

Earlier this year, Mrs Bayford said landing the jackpot has made her life a misery and triggered a irreconcilable rift with her family.

She claims her greedy parents took a 20million slice of her fortune and then disowned her but still expect her to bail them out when they need money.

Mr Bayford  who actually bought the winning EuroMillions ticket  told the Mail at the time of the split from his wife: Gillian and I have split. When you win the lottery its so stressful. Things happen. Sometimes in life you have to move on. Were all happy now and life goes on.

Just 15 months after they won the incredible amount, they divorced blaming the stress of winning the lottery.

Not long afterwards, Mr Bayford met Samantha Burbidge, a former horse groom 16 years his junior, in a pub and later proposed.

He then moved her into his 6million Grade II-listed country mansion which had been bought with some of the proceeds of the win.

Mr Bayford has made some lavish purchases, such as the 2million he spent on horses and stables for his new fiancee.
A heroic young boy's testimony has led to a Coffs Coast man being found guilty of bestiality and child sex offences.

Police hailed the young boy a hero after a jury found Allan Kenneth Brookes, 55, guilty of 17 charges including multiple counts of aggravated indecency against a victim younger than 16, aggravated sexual assault and aggravated indecent assault.

The young boy's testimony was pivotal and Coffs Harbour Child Abuse Squad Detective Sergeant, Matthew Zimmer, said the young boy's actions were nothing short of courageous, according to Sunshine Coast Daily.

A court found Allan Kenneth Brookes guilty of bestiality and child sex offences (Stock image)

'I praise the courage of the young boy to come forward and speak to police,' he told the Sunshine Coast Daily.

'If you have ever been abused, no matter what the circumstances and no matter how long ago it occurred, please contact the police.

'If an adult entrusted with your care took advantage of you, they deserve to be arrested, charged and put before the court.

'We would encourage any person who has ever been a victim of sexual or indecent assault to come forward.'

Brookes pleaded guilty in Sydney District Court this month to a bestiality charge (Stock Image)

Brookes faced allegations he pressured a young boy to engage in sex with the cow and repeatedly sexually abused him, according to the Coffs Coast Advocate.

Brookes was found guilty by a jury of the bestiality charge and 16 other charges including multiple counts of aggravated indecency against a victim aged younger than 16, aggravated sexual assault and aggravated indecent assault.

He was first arrested in 2014 outside of his Coffs Harbour workplace and an earlier suppression order meant the 55-year-old was unable to be named.

Brookes was refused bail and is due back in court on November 25 for sentencing.

Anyone with information or needs help could call Crime Stoppers on 1800333000 or the Child Protection Helpline on 132111.
New recruits to the police will no longer be rejected if they have bad eyesight after strict rules were secretly relaxed.

Forces have for many years had to turn down aspiring PCs if they could not see properly without glasses or contact lenses.

It was feared that short-sighted officers would be at risk if their spectacles were knocked off during scuffles or riots  and that their evidence could be discredited in court cases.

But now the 'unaided eyesight standard' is being quietly scrapped, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

Forces have for many years had to turn down aspiring PCs if they could not see properly without glasses or contact lenses

Documents seen by this newspaper show that the College of Policing, the professional body set up by the then Home Secretary Theresa May, has concluded it is no longer needed.

Last night Steve White, chairman of the Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file officers, said: 'We welcome the decision to remove the eyesight standard, and anything which helps potential police officers with visual impairments not to be penalised.

'This means more career opportunities for people wishing to join the force who previously thought they were restricted due to visual impairment.'

The decision to remove the standard came after a review by the College of Policing, completed in June and obtained by this newspaper under Freedom of Information laws, found there were no known cases of frontline police officers being injured after losing their glasses, or of having evidence rejected in court.

Steve White (pictured), chairman of the Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file officers, said: 'We welcome the decision to remove the eyesight standard'

'There is little justifiable need for the continual inclusion of the unaided eyesight standard,' the report stated. 'Forces are already demonstrating the ability to meaningfully deploy officers with glasses and contact lenses in the full range of operations and specialist posts.

'No evidence of specific injury to officers due to visual impairment following their loss of contact lenses or glasses has been identified as part of this review.'
An SAS sergeant at the centre of a Ministry of Defence investigation into alleged mercy killings has claimed that the execution of enemy casualties is a standard practice in Britains Special Forces.

Last week, The Mail on Sunday revealed that Colin Maclachlan, 42, was being investigated after he claimed he was part of an SAS team that killed two or three mortally wounded Iraqi soldiers in 2003.

Now we can reveal that he and other former SAS men have claimed that so-called mercy killing happens regularly in combat. One former soldier described mercy killing as part of our job  even though the practice is forbidden under British military law and the Geneva Convention.

Last week, The Mail on Sunday revealed that Colin Maclachlan (pictured), 42, was being investigated after he claimed he was part of an SAS team that killed two or three mortally wounded Iraqi soldiers in 2003

In a taped interview with The Mail on Sunday, Mr Maclachlan, who starred in Channel 4s reality series Who Dares Wins, was asked whether mercy killings were commonplace.

He replied: Are you looking for confirmation? Of course they are. You would do the same. If I put you in that position and I gave you a gun, I put you through a battle so you were in that mindset  mud, blood, and you see someone like that, you know you cant save them and theyre pleading you for it, youd pull the trigger yourself.

Theres nothing in military life that touches that, in terms of training. And theres nothing on that white card [carried by soldiers with guidance on legal principles of war] or in the Geneva Convention that says when you see someone dying and in agony you watch it.

But theres no law that says you can finish him off. None. You have no legal stature. Its murder. But were human beings, we have compassion. We know how we would want to be treated in that place.

Last night, other SAS veterans confirmed Mr Maclachlans assertion about mercy killings on secretive missions far behind enemy lines, saying such operations cannot be abandoned in order to airlift an enemy casualty to hospital, in particular when he is so close to death he may not survive the journey.

One soldier, who left the SAS just months ago, spoke to The Mail on Sunday on condition of anonymity. He said: These things are usually kept in-house. But I can say mercy killings are part of the job and role and are an unwritten rule.

Now we can reveal that he and other former SAS men have claimed that so-called mercy killing happens regularly in combat

We have all been there. He [Maclachlan] has opened up Pandoras Box now. This is just the start of it. There are lots of other SAS operations under investigation.

Another former SAS soldier suggested that injured enemy personnel were dealt with according to the requirements of the mission rather than the rulebook.

He said: SAS troops dont need to be told in an official briefing what to do with an enemy combatant who is badly wounded, it is ingrained in them. Do you think SAS soldiers fighting Islamic State are risking their lives to treat wounded jihadists? Theyll be finished off.

Last week, The Mail on Sunday revealed how a military police war crimes investigation has been launched into claims that SAS troops killed three wounded Iraqi soldiers on a top-secret mission behind enemy lines in March 2003.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed last night that the investigation was ongoing. A source said Mr Maclachlan will be among the last to be interviewed by detectives about the incident. Police may also travel to the Middle East to try to identify the victims and contact witnesses.

Since The Mail on Sundays expose, Mr Maclachlan has been accused of exaggerating his SAS career, with other soldiers describing him as a Walter Mitty  a claim he reportedly rejected in a text message sent to another newspaper.

Mr Maclachlan is also said to have denied shooting the wounded soldiers himself. But he insisted the incident did happen  a claim which will see other soldiers dragged into the controversy.

He also reportedly claimed not to have read a ghostwritten chapter in which the mercy killing is described.

But in an earlier recorded interview with The Mail on Sunday, in which the key passages were read to him, Maclachlan clearly stated he was responsible for the shooting and explained how he and his comrades convinced Iraqis fighting alongside them that it was the right thing to do.

He told the MoS: I give the full story in the book. I dont just say I did it and this is why I did it, the end, I explain how the Iraqis, who had very strong religious views, were convinced over such a short space of time.

HOW MOD CLEARED SAS HERO'S STORY OF KIDNAP AND TORTURE Sergeant Maclachlan was last week accused of lying about being taken hostage and tortured while working on an undercover SAS mission in Basra in September 2005. Last year, the soldier described his involvement in the infamous siege in interviews for TV channels and newspapers, including The Mail on Sunday. To comply with strict rules about what can and cant be said regarding SAS missions, we sent our article at the time to the Ministry of Defence for approval before printing it. We removed some tactical details at their request but the MoD otherwise gave the green light. However, last week other SAS men claimed Mr Maclachlan had invented the story, with reports that he was actually taken hostage in Iraq in 2004 but changed the dates in media interviews. Following those claims, the MoD confirmed he had left the Army four months before the 2005 incident. Mr Maclachlan hit back by reportedly texting a newspaper, insisting he was there. But he was unavailable for comment last night. Advertisement

The Iraqis point of view was changed after seeing what we did. These are people with a strong religious perspective on life. Initially they had objected to the mercy killings saying it wasnt Gods will. But they did a complete turnaround.

When asked how many enemies were involved, he said: This wasnt a line them up and top them off situation, were not talking about genocide. But there were two or three who were just horrifically injured and would have been dead in anything from a minute to an hour at the maximum.

Mr Maclachlan also said that he had endured worse experiences as a soldier than killing a wounded person, suggesting that shooting dead 13-year-old soldiers during an SAS mission to free Royal Irish Regiment soldiers in Sierra Leone in 2000 had been more harrowing.

He said: We were praying these boy soldiers would throw their weapons down and put their hands up. The worst thing they could do was hold their rifles out of fear because they would end up dead.

Military police were tipped off about his mercy killing claims by MoD officials who received a copy of his book for approval prior to publication. In the controversial passage, he describes an ambush on an Iraqi convoy, telling how SAS troops fired rockets into vehicles travelling along a highway in western Iraq near the Syrian border.

The attack caused many deaths and six or seven serious casualties. Of these, three were apparently on the brink of death  two had been disembowelled while another enemy soldier had lost multiple limbs.

Mr Maclachlan said he had to decide whether to leave the casualties writhing in agony or to put them out of their misery and is quoted in the book saying: I didnt enjoy killing those soldiers at the checkpoint but I had to. I didnt want them to suffer any more.

The incendiary account they tried to censor

The probe into Colin Maclachlan was sparked by the book SAS Who Dares Wins: Leadership Secrets From The Special Forces, which he wrote with other ex-soldiers from TVs Who Dares Wins. This passage by Maclachlan, an edited version of which we print here, was sent to the MoD for approval  but they ordered it to be deleted and tipped off police.

Sometimes in the Special Forces we are called upon to execute an unpleasant task, one that makes us feel uncomfortable, even though we know it is imperative for the greater good.

The same occurs in life outside the military too. All of us have probably been tasked with doing something wed rather not do. It could be that weve had to sack somebody or break some bad news to a client.

The probe into Colin Maclachlan was sparked by the book SAS Who Dares Wins: Leadership Secrets From The Special Forces

These decisions havent been made without thought: they have to be implemented. Theyre for the greater good. How we deal with working through those moments is what defines us as leaders.

Weirdly, those types of decisions are easier to make when you are in a conflict because we can wrap up the consequences in a fairy tale: doing something nasty can save hundreds, maybe thousands of lives in the future. Thats what we tell ourselves when we suffer collateral damage or kill one or more enemy targets.

So, for example, in 2000, during a hostage rescue raid in Sierra Leone called Operation Barras, I was part of a team that rescued all the captives but lost a man along the way. That was bad news, but overall the mission had been a success; we captured the ringleader responsible.

It doesnt make life easy, however. Ive made decisions in the past that have killed people I knew well. Decision-making is far more brutal in a conflict when lives are at stake, and one such occasion was when I was operating in Iraq, just after the second Coalition invasion, and I had to liaise with Iraqi spies and informants in tactical hotspots.

One of these agents had been covertly gathering information and whenever he stopped off to release the latest details we would often talk. I liked him, we laughed a lot and we soon formed a friendship.

One day, he came to us with news that a local militia group had booby-trapped a nearby building and were planning to kill a large number of our forces. The plan was to lure squadrons of Marines inside the building before detonating a string of IEDs, which had been attached to all the fire extinguishers inside. It would have been a massacre.

When my source gave me the info, he knew we would have to move in quickly and begged me to warn him in advance of the exact time. I told him that I would, but I didnt  I couldnt. I also knew that if I were to tip him off, he might let something slip which could, potentially, jeopardise our entire mission.

When it came to the assault, a large team of Marines formed a cordon around the building and a bomb was dropped on it, killing everyone inside, including my informant. Not one British soldier was hurt.

Had I let it be known when the attack was set to take place, it was highly likely we would have suffered heavy casualties. I wouldnt have been able to live with that. For days afterwards, I reassured myself that my decision and his death had been for the greater good.

At times, a leader might have to implement unpleasant procedures In business, this could include making staff cuts that will save the company thousands of pounds and secure the future of the remaining personnel.

These decisions usually produce emotion and uproar, even though far-reaching gains are rewarding. Psychologically, we have to accept the costs and move forward positively.

In a military context our perspective on painful gains is very similar. During that same period in Iraq, the British Special Forces fought alongside a group of Iraqis who had decided to ally themselves with us.

The official badge of the Special Air Service

We were using them to instruct the locals to quit fighting. The word they were spreading was that Saddam was bad but the West was good, and this propaganda was designed to draw out the militia groups who were still antagonistic towards us. We knew they would attack us once theyd learned of our location.

We would set up dummy checkpoints. The Iraqi [allies] would set up position there and when they were attacked, the Special Forces would pop up to mallet the enemy.

The first time we used this technique the militia swept in and we hit them  hard. Once the bullets had stopped, we moved down to the carnage to gather intel and capture prisoners. When we got there, I could see there were a number of seriously injured soldiers. Many of them had lost limbs.

One or two had been disembowelled, but were still alive. The Special Forces operatives quickly put them out of their misery, rather than leaving them to die slowly and in agony.

This move understandably upset the Iraqi soldiers as they saw it as assisted suicide, against Islamic teaching.

I wanted to respect their beliefs so after the next checkpoint assault we visited the scene afterwards with medical kits. However, our supplies were limited, which meant hard decisions: Do I use this piece of kit here, and run the risk of losing my life, or the life of my buddy later on because I didnt have enough medical equipment?

It was awful. The Iraqis could see our struggle as we tried to help soldiers who were screaming, bleeding out and dying slowly.

By the time of the third attack, our Iraqis allies told us they understood the dilemma; they realised our mercy killings were for the greater good. You can go down there first, said their captain. Well come down half an hour later. By the time they arrived, our job had been done.

None of us are equipped to deal with the emotional consequences of our unpleasant decisions. Were human. We have feelings. In the case of my contact I had essentially sent a man to his death.

But I had to take comfort in the fact that withholding information from him probably saved 500 people. I didnt enjoy killing those soldiers at the checkpoint either, but I had to put them out of their misery. I didnt want them to suffer any more.
The leading lawyer Ben Emmerson QC who dramatically quit the troubled national child abuse probe last month is still being paid 1,700 a day in taxpayers cash

The leading lawyer who dramatically quit the troubled national child abuse probe last month is still being paid 1,700 a day in taxpayers cash.

Ben Emmerson QC had been suspended from the inquiry after serious concerns were raised about his leadership.

It then emerged his deputy Elizabeth Prochaska had secretly quit two weeks earlier, sparking rumours they clashed.

But Mr Emmerson was allowed to resign the next day with a glowing tribute from new inquiry chairman Alexis Jay under a secret deal.

Now it can be revealed he will carry on working on the 100 million investigation until the end of November  two months after he officially quit. If paid for every weekday from resignation to his contracts end, Mr Emmerson would receive 74,800.

He is not even working from the Westminster headquarters of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA).

Officially, he is working on a handover to his successor as counsel to the inquiry  but they have not yet been chosen.

Prof Jay told MPs last week: He was continuing to be instructed for a short period to conclude the work. I believe it was two months. It wont have yet, but it must be concluding shortly.

Asked if he was still instructed by the inquiry, she admitted: Yes, indeed, but he does not work from the office.

Mr Emmerson is estimated to have received 700,000 in two years at the helm of the inquiry, which has had three chairmen quit but is still yet to hear any evidence into decades of abuse and Establishment cover-ups.

He was cleared of earlier accusations of bullying campaigners and survivors.

Ben Emmerson QC had been suspended from the inquiry after serious concerns were raised about his leadership. It then emerged his deputy Elizabeth Prochaska (pictured) had secretly quit two weeks earlier, sparking rumours they clashed

And he combined inquiry work with high-profile roles representing the widow of poisoned Russian dissident Alexander Litvinenko and writing reports for the United Nations on counter-terror laws. On Friday he was at a UN meeting in New York.

Last night the IICSA refused to give details of Mr Emmersons working arrangements, where he was based or how many days he had been paid for since resigning.

It confirmed only that he was instructed until the end of November.

David Burrowes MP, who sits on the Home Affairs Select Committee that is investigating the probe, said there were still questions hanging over the inquiry as senior figures had refused to tell the committee what sparked Mr Emmersons departure.
One Georgia woman went to the hospital with what she believed were kidney stones, and left with a newborn baby.

Stephanie Jaegers got the surprise of her life when doctors at Piedmont Henry Hospital in Stockridge informed her she was 38 weeks pregnant.

And, they added, the baby was coming - in 30 minutes.

Stephanie Jaegers got the surprise of her life when she went to the hospital with abdominal pains and left with a baby boy named Shaun (pictured), not knowing she was pregnant

Stephanie and her husband Michael Jaegers were especially shocked because there had been no morning sickness or weight gain. She hadn't even missed a single period

Stephanie, who had been suffering from abdominal pains, had immediately said no when doctors first asked her if there was a chance she was pregnant.

There had been no morning sickness, no weight gain. Earlier that year, Stephanie had been diagnosed with pre-menopause. She hadn't missed a single period.

The doctors began preparing Stephanie for a CAT scan, but when one examined her stomach he ordered an ultrasound instead.

'It wasn't until we heard the heartbeat that reality set in,' Stephanie's husband Michael Jaegers told WXIA.

'There are no words to describe the range of feelings associated with being told that you're having a baby - in 30 minutes.'

But the parents, who already had three children back home, didn't have much time the news sink in. Shaun Jude Jaegers was ready to arrive into the world.

The healthy baby boy was delivered at 3.50am on Wednesday at 7 pounds 3 oz and 19 inches long.

Doctors later told the parents that Shaun had been a breech baby throughout the entire pregnancy, meaning he was delivered feet-first rather than head-first.

The doctors began preparing Stephanie for a CAT scan, but when one examined her stomach he ordered an ultrasound instead and the parents heard Shaun's heartbeat

The healthy boy was delivered at 3.50am on Wednesday at 7 pounds 3 oz and 19 inches long

The parents said their two older sons, aged 16 and 11, have been happy to help with the newest addition to the family - but their two-year-old daughter is sad she is no longer the youngest

The position limited Shaun's ability to move and is also the reason why Stephanie didn't 'show' during her pregnancy.

Michael revealed on Facebook that the hospital also explained that, although a menstrual cycle is rare during pregnancy, 'it can happen'.

Stephanie had also broken her ankle just a couple weeks before, limiting her movement as she allowed the injury to heal.

And the mother had been told nearly three years ago that she would likely be unable to have another child after requiring a blood transfusion during the birth of her daughter.

'All of this together ruled out in our minds even the remote possibility of a pregnancy,' Michael wrote.

Both parents admit they were at first overwhelmed when they found out that a newborn would be joining their sons, aged 16 and 11, and two-year-old daughter back home.

'I went from googling kidney stone treatments to a panic attack over the fact that not only were we pregnant, but the baby was coming within the hour,' Michael wrote.

'Most parents have a good nine months to plan for such a blessing, we had 30 minutes notice.'

'I cried and I was scared,' Stephanie told Inside Edition. 'We didn't know what to do.'

Michael said he had a 'panic attack' when he first found out. 'Most parents have a good nine months to plan for such a blessing, we had 30 minutes notice,' he wrote

Stephanie (pictured left and right leaving the hospital) said she was scared and 'cried at first', but friends and relatives have rallied around the family of six to help with Shaun

'We had started getting rid of baby stuff.'

But there was a car seat in the attic, and the family had kept plenty of their sons' old baby clothes.

And the boys were more than excited to help out with their new baby brother, although their little sister was having trouble adjusting to no longer being the youngest in the family.

Stephanie and Shaun left the hospital on Friday morning and have already received tremendous support from their family, friends and community.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help the family while Stephanie's ankle continues to heal as she takes care of both Sadie and Shaun at home.

And now that the shock of the surprise has finally worn off, the family is happily getting to know their newest bundle of joy.

'I do believe everything is meant to be,' Stephanie said.

'We are grateful he is here and he is a sweet little baby.'
A set of private letters written by the Titanic's number two officer reveals haunting misgivings about the vessel even before its maiden voyage.

Henry Wilde wrote to Captain Edward Smith over a period of 20 years, encompassing his entire career with the White Star Line, from junior officer to transfer to the Titanic.

The highlight of the collection is the final letter Wilde, who was chief officer, wrote while on board the Olympic before he left for the Titanic.

In letters between Henry Wilde and his Captain Edward Smith, the no2 reveals his dissatisfaction at the move, which ultimately cost him his life

Written on the March 31, 1912, Wilde describes how he was to be given command of the Cymric but is disappointed not be taking it and is being transferred to the Titanic.

He says he is 'awfully disappointed to find the arrangements for my taking command of the Cymric have altered. I am now going to join the Titanic until some other ship turns up for me'.

Henry Wilde pictured top left onboard the Titanic with the other officers. This picture was taken the day she left Belfast

The letters, which went under the hammer at an auction house in Wiltshire, were written to the Captain over a 20 year period, covering Wilde's career

In late March 1912, Wilde may have been expecting to remain as chief officer on the Olympic under her new skipper Captain Herbert James Haddock, but instead he was posted to Southampton to await orders.

Wilde only signed onto the Titanic on April 9, and reported for duty at 6am the following morning - the day of sailing.

In a letter to his sister, written onboard Titanic and posted at Queenstown, Wilde gave some indication that he had misgivings about the new ship.

'I still don't like this ship... I have a queer feeling about it,' he wrote.

The chilling letters went under the hammer at an auction in Wiltshire this week and according to the Telegraph, they fetched 22,000.

The maiden crossing went smoothly until the Titanic struck an iceberg on the evening of April 14, killing 1,500 crew and passengers, including Wilde.

After the collision, Wilde spoke to bosun Albert Haines and lamp trimmer Samuel Hemmings - who said they could hear air escaping from the tank and that water was getting in, but that the storeroom was dry.

Wilde went up to report this to the bridge and then joined Captain Smith and Thomas Andrews on a brief inspection to see the extent of the damage.

Wilde took charge of the even numbered lifeboats and oversaw their loading and lowering into the water.

Wilde said he had a strange feeling about the Titanic, and reality proved his haunting letters to be correct as many lost their lives when the vessel sank

The Titanic was said to be unsinkable. Passengers and crew ignored many signals on the ship's maiden voyage

Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge, of Henry Aldridge and Son, said: 'It is without doubt one of the finest Titanic-related letters, written by one of the liner's most senior officers on Olympic stationery.

'This lot reveals previously unknown details and shows Wilde's obvious disappointment in being transferred to Titanic.

'Wilde is mentioned in survivor recollections of the sinking, but his activities remain something of a mystery.

'What is certain is that he worked diligently to load the boats once the seriousness of the situation was clear to him.

'The archive itself is of unparalleled important to both collectors and historians alike as it gives an unprecedented snapshot into the professional life of the second most senior officer onboard Titanic.

'It also includes his thoughts on Titanic's sister Olympic, whom he describes as a 'Fine Ship'.'

The collection also covers Olympic's collision with HMS Hawke.

In a letter written on board the Olympic shortly afterwards, he describes the collision as 'unfortunate' and mentions how they will be going to Belfast after making temporary repairs.
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The tragic lives of the Dionne sisters, the world's first quintuplets, has been laid bare by one of the surviving sisters who now lives in a meagre care home after being robbed of all her money by one of her children.

Cecile Dionne, now 82, was torn from her parents along with her four sisters after their birth in 1934 and placed in to the care of doctors and nurses in Ontario, Canada.

They were returned to their biological parents when they were nine and subjected to years of sexual abuse by their father and torment from his five other children.

In 1998, Cecile and her sisters Annette and Yvonne, were awarded a settlement from the government of Ontario in compensation for their circus-like upbringing.

Cecile (right) and Annette (left) are the only surviving Dionne sisters. They and their siblings Yvonne, Marie and Emilie, were known as the world's first surviving quintuplets (seen together in an old photograph)

Their other sisters, Emilie and Marie, had already died.

But after entrusting her portion (around $735,000 after lawyers fees) to her son Bertrand, Cecile has been left destitute and forced to rely on a meager pension.

He disappeared with her money after shipping her to an old person's home in Montreal four years ago having sold the home she lived in. He has not been traced since.

Speaking publicly for the first time in decades, Cecile told The Montreal Gazette how she had been taken advantage of by her own son.

In a stern warning to other elderly people considering handing control of their finances over to a family member, she said: 'Make sure you know them well. And its difficult to know them.'

The Dionne sisters were born on May 28, 1934. Their mother, Elzire, was 25 at the time. They are seen shortly afterwards, wrapped in owels

The girls were moved into the Dafoe Hospital and Nursery when they were four. They are seen above in 1936, aged two

In a seasonal photograph to ring in the New Year during their time at the nursery. From left to right: Annette, Yvonne, Emilie, Cecile and Marie

The girls, at the age of four, are pictured in their pajamas on Christmas Eve holding candles

Cecile and Annette have been living reclusively for years, desperate to escape their haunting childhood.

'I never say my family name. When I'm asked what my name is, I give my married one,' she told The Montreal Journal.

The sisters became a tourist attraction for the Ontario government when, at four months old, they were taken from their parents, Oliva and Elzire.

Despite their parents' protestations and the state's brutal exploitation of them, Cecile said they were happy in the care of the nurses and doctors who looked after them at Dafoe Hospital and Nursery, their purpose-built asylum that became known as Quintland.

'Contrary to what people think, it wasn't bad there. We were young and care-free.'

The girls' father, Oliva, fought tirelessly to have them returned to his care and in 1943, when they were nine, he succeeded.

He had been running a souvenir shop next to Quintland while they lived there. Thousands flocked to watched the girls as they played outdoors.

Some time after being released back into the care of their family when they were nine, the girls were given two bicycles to share between them by their father (above)

The sisters celebrate their 14th birthday with a five-tiered cake. They had moved back into their parents care and lived in a mansion bought with their own earnings

In 1950, the then 15-year-old Dionne sisters perform at the Alfred. E Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner during their first visit to New York

The sisters appeared in St Paul, Minnesota, when they were 17 to speak at their first formal American press conference

When they returned to their biological family, the girls were treated inhumanely.

'Nine is not an appropriate age to be adopted. We weren't prepared and neither was the family.'

They were picked on by their other siblings, who had been turned against them by their parents, and sexually abused by their father.

The mansion they moved into was paid for with money they had earned, but were unaware of, at the nursery and they continued to be paraded across the country by their parents to perform.

Heartbreakingly, Cecile told how in the deep depression of her adolescence, when she was still being treated as a tourist attraction, she longed to have her own children to care for.

'I realized when I was very young that I wasn't happy. I always wanted to have a girl, like me.

In 1995, Yvonne (left), Annette (center) and Cecile (right) pose with a copy of a book written about their lives

The sisters successfully sued the Ontario government in 1998 for compensation and were awarded $2.8million

'It's tough to go on living when you feel that your family doesn't love you. It's difficult to live without love. It's like a plant without water,' she said.

Annette echoed her sentiments. 'I used to tell myself: 'Keep going, Annette. One day you will have your family. You will have them, your children.'

Cecile trained as a nurse and had a quietly successful career in Montreal and later married. Annette and Marie married too.

Emilie died at the age of 20 from a seizure. Yvonne devoted her life to becoming a nun.

Cecile had five children including twins Bertrand and Bruno. Bruno died in his infancy. In 1998, after finding themselves the subjects of films and novels, the remaining sisters sued the Ontario government, seeking damages for their warped upbringing.

They reached a settlement of four million Canadian dollars ($2.8million USD) and split it equally, one portion going to their late sister Marie's children.

Cecile told in her first interview of almost two decades how she was now forced to live in a care home

Now 82, she entrusted her share of her settlement to her son who has disappeared with the rest of her money

Cecile and her son Bertrand moved to a duplex but in 2005 he sold it. Cecile was moved in to a private care home and paid for it monthly out of the money in her bank account.

In 2012, the payments stopped going through. She discovered she had no more money left and her son, who had processed the sale of her house, could not be found.

She was declared incapacitated by the government, relinquishing her of any say over where she lived because she no longer had the funds to pay privately for care.

Now, she survives on little more than $1,000 a month. Annette, unable to support her financially and too frail herself to care for her.

'When you're old, you're not wort anything anymore. When you no longer have any money, you become worthless.
One of the last tweets shared by the missing 21-year-old daughter of a member of the Utah-based music group The Piano Guys indicates she had possibly gone hiking before her disappearance.

Anna Schmidt, known to loved ones as Annie, tweeted several times on October 16 - the last day she was seen by her roommate.

One of those tweets included a scenic view of rough terrain filled with what appears to be a small body of water.

She captioned the photo 'FILL your life with GOOD VIBES' and posted it around 2.25pm.

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Anna 'Annie' Schmidt, 21, (pictured left and right), the daughter of The Piano Guys' Jon Schmidt, was last seen on Sunday, Portland police said

One of the last posts on her Twitter account showed a scenic view with the caption, 'FILL your life with GOOD VIBES'

In her final tweet that day, she shared a link to a song on Soundcloud.

The twitter account belonging to Annie, who is the daughter of The Piano Guys' Jon Schmidt, has since been taken over by her roommate who appealed to the public for help in locating Annie.

The nature-loving woman had also tweeted that she was planning a backpacking trip across Asia and India.

Annie was last seen by her roommate on Sunday in Portland, where she had recently relocated to from Utah, Portland police Sgt. Pete Simpson said.

The twitter account belonging to Annie has since been taken over by her roommate who appealed to the public for help in locating Annie (shown above)

She was reported missing on Wednesday, and her car was found a day later near Bonneville Dam with her cell phone and camping gear still inside.

At this time, she is believed to have gotten injured or lost on a hike in the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon, authorities said.

On Saturday, nearly 200 volunteers and 50 search and rescue crews descended on Toothrock Trailhead in the second full day of searching for Annie, KGW reported.

Annie pictured on one of her adventurous trips. She was reported missing on Wednesday, and her car was found a day later near Bonneville Dam

A plane and drones were deployed to scan hard the more treacherous areas.

Crews are estimated to have covered more than 100 miles of trail by nightfall.

Annie's mother, Michelle Schmidt from Salt Lake City, Utah, told the station the trails have been really well searched.

The mother told KOIN-TV she had arrived in Portland this week to go on a camping trip with Annie.

After flying in, she learned Annie had not been seen since Sunday.

Annie, who enjoyed hiking, had recently bought a new tent and backpack.

Crews were searching the area surrounding the Toothrock Trailhead on Saturday morning

Her father said she might have attempted to set up the tent she had just received.

The Portland transplant, said to be adventurous and a risk taker, could have also gone off trail while hiking, according to her mother.

Michelle also said the battery in her daughter's cell phone dies quickly and added that it could have died when she arrived at the Columbia River Gorge.

Previously, the mother said she did not believe her daughter meant to go overnight by herself.

'She wasn't prepared. She hadn't taken any of her equipment,' Michelle Schmidt told KOIN.

Annie's parents Michelle and Jon Schmidt are pictured above as they joined in the search for their daughter on Friday

Annie's family joined search crews in Oregon. Her mother fears she could have gone off trail

Search and rescue pictured in Oregon above. Authorities said there are no signs of foul play

'We're not sure what happened to her but we think that she's either injured or lost.'

Authorities at this time said there are no signs of foul play.

'I have to face the reality she may not still be alive,' Michelle previously told Fox 13.

In the meantime, the mother said the hardest part for her and the family is waiting.

'I called my daughter last night, who's my youngest, and sat on the phone and cried and cried and cried and cried,' she told KGW.

'But we have to be logical and do all we can.'

Annie's father joined her mother in Oregon at the search command post on Friday.

Jon Schmidt (pictured left and right) is a member of the Utah-based music group The Piano Guys

The Piano Guys is made up of four members including (from left to right): Al van der Beek, Schmidt, Steven Sharp Nelson and Paul Anderson

'If anyone was up here hiking Sunday afternoon, please take a look at the picture,' Jon said.

'If you know anyone who was hiking here, have them take a look at her picture, see if you recognize her.'

Jon serves as a pianist and songwriter in the four-member music group, The Piano Guys.

After gaining a big following through YouTube, the group signed with Sony.

On Friday, a post on The Piano Guys' Facebook page made a plea for help in finding Annie.

On Friday, a post on The Piano Guys' Facebook page made a plea for help in finding Annie

'We need everyone's prayers,' it said in addition to describing where she was last seen and wearing.

Annie moved to Portland from Salt Lake City in July for a new job.

She was last seen wearing a gray or green beanie, and is said to be 5-foot-4, 125 pounds and has brown hair and brown eyes.
Police have launched a desperate search to find a schoolboy who has been missing for three days.

The 13-year-old boy was last seen walking along Greenwattle street, in Toowoomba west of Brisbane.

A Queensland police spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia he was walking nearby the Sunset Superbowl ten pin bowling alley at about 3pm on Friday.

A 13-year-old boy from Toowoomba has been missing for three days. He has not made contact since he vanished on Friday afternoon

He has not made contact with anyone since and police are concerned for his welfare.

The boy was seen wearing a blue shirt, black shorts, with red and black sport shoes.

He is described as 140cm tall, of a slim build and with wavy brown hair.

Anyone who may have seen him or can assist in the matter is asked to call Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000.
She backed out of Marrakesh event amid a human rights storm after Abedin wrote: 'She created this mess and she knows it'

Abedin revealed: 'The condition upon which the Moroccans agreed to host the meeting was her participation.'

Emial from Huma Abedin revealed how Clinton got King of Morocco to underwrite $12m Clinton Foundation summit

Democratic nominee was responding to a question posed by DailyMail.com during a question and answer session on her plane

'I have nothing to say about Wikileaks, other than I think we should all be concerned about what the Russians are trying to do to our election'

A stone-faced Hillary Clinton refused to comment on an email a top aide sent calling a Clinton Foundation quid pro qou a 'mess' of the former secretary of state's own making.

'I have nothing to say about Wikileaks, other than I think we should all be concerned about what the Russians are trying to do to our election and using Wikileaks very blatantly to try to influence the outcome of the election,' Clinton said on Saturday.

The Democratic nominee was responding to a question posed by DailyMail.com during a media avail with reporters riding on her campaign plane.

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Hillary Clinton refused to comment tonight on an email a top aide sent calling a Clinton Foundation quid pro qou a 'mess' of the former secretary of state's own making

'I have nothing to say about Wikileaks, other than I think we should all be concerned about what the Russians are trying to do to our election and using Wikileaks very blatantly to try to influence the outcome of the election,' Clinton said

Hacked emails revealed an internal disagreement among Clinton's aides about her desire to hold a conference in Marrakech, Morocco.

The country's king made a $12 million pledge to fund the Clinton Global Initiative conference - but only if the the likely presidential candidate attended.

Top confidante Huma Abedin bluntly wrote in a January 2015 email that 'if HRC was not part of it, meeting was a non-starter.'

Then she warned: 'She created this mess and she knows it.'

It was an uncharacteristic remark from Abedin, who is known for her abiding loyalty to Clinton over the years.

Donald Trump castigated Clinton on Friday for the 'pay for play' arrangement.

'Now from WikiLeaks, we just learned she tried to get $12 million from the Kingdom of Morocco for an appearance,' Trump said during a rally in western North Carolina.

'More pay for play!' he boomed as a crowd of thousands booed and yelled, 'Lock her up!'

'That's why I'm proposing a path of ethics reforms to make our government honest again,' the Republican presidential nominee said.

Trump said, 'It's time to drain the swamp in Washington, D.C.'

He exclaimed later, 'Boy, we love WikiLeaks!'

Revelation: Huma Abedin's frank email emerged in Wikileaks and shows her disclosing that her boss Hillary Clinton was entirely responsible for the Marrakesh mess

Donald Trump castigated Clinton on Friday for the 'pay for play' arrangement

Lock her up: The crowd chanted the slogan as Trump said it was time to 'drain the swamp'

The hacked email, stolen from an account belonging to Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta, was among more than 4,000 posted Thursday on the website of the Wikileaks organization.

Clinton was no longer serving as secretary of state at the time of the meeting in Marrakech and did not end up attending.

Abedin told Podesta and current Clinton campaign manager Robby Mook in the leaked email that the lavish May 2015 meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative was based on a $12 million pledge from Moroccan King Mohammed VI to host the event.

'The King has personally committed approx. $12 million both for the endowment and to support the meeting,' Abedin wrote.

Clinton Foundation records do not show any direct pledge of funding from the king or government of Morocco to the charity, however.

Commitments to the charity's 'global initiative' program are agreements to fund the program's international projects.

$12 million get-together: Bill Clinton was the star turn at the Clinton Foundation's Clinton Global Initiative summit in Marrakesh in May 2015. It was his wife who solicited the cash from the country's king using her own presence as a quid-pro-quo, then did not go herself

Existing relationship: Hillary Clinton had met King Mohammed VI of Morocco a number of times, including in December 2013. The next year appears to be when she solicited the money from him

In her message, Abedin said that Clinton's personal appearance at the planned meeting was a key element in the Moroccan decision to host the event.

'The condition upon which the Moroccans agreed to host the meeting was her participation,' Abedin wrote.

She added that 'CGI also wasn't pushing for a meeting in Morocco and it wasn't their first choice.'

Clinton's decision not to attend came despite a November 2014 email in which Abedin insisted 'no matter what happens, she will be in Morocco hosting CGI on May 5-7, 2015. Her presence was a condition for the Moroccans to proceed so there is no going back on this.'

The Clinton Foundation announced just before the conference that it was tightening its policy on donations from foreign governments, agreeing to allow financial gifts only from six nations that had previously supported the foundation's health, poverty and climate change programs.

Those nations were Australia, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and the United Kingdom.

Politico had reported a week before that the CGI meeting was partly supported by a pledge of at least $1 million from OCP, a Moroccan phosphate export firm whose directors at the time included several top Moroccan government ministers, including the heads of the nation's foreign affairs and interior ministries.

In August, former President Bill Clinton said that if his wife is elected, the family's foundation would no longer accept any donations from foreign governments or corporations, or from U.S. companies.

Royal audience: The wealthy scion of a powerful dynasty met Princess Lalla Salma, wife of the queen of Morocco at the royal palace in Marrakesh

Big donor: King Mohammad VI personally gave $12 million to host the event. The State Department's latest Report on Human Rights Practices says his country imprisons 'persons for political activities or beliefs under the cover of criminal charges'

Hillary Clinton has sharply criticized Trump, the Republican nominee, for using the stolen emails to attack her and for encouraging hackers to leak thousands of emails she deleted from a now-infamous homebrew server.

Trump on Friday told his supporters he'd have 'lots of options' to punish her for erasing the server but urged them to hold their fire for now.

'Let's do this,' he said. 'If we win, we have lots of options. But we've got to win. What a waste of time if we don't pull this off!'

The Republican said at the second presidential debate that he'd appoint a special prosecutor to look into her emails and told Clinton she'd 'be in jail' if he were in the White House now.

'Every time Donald Trump says he wants to jail his opponent, meaning me, I think to myself, you know, we don't do that in America,' Clinton said Saturday at her Pittsburgh rally. 'We actually have laws and courts and an independent judiciary.'

She said later she's not worried that Donald Trump will make good on his threat to 'jail' her if he wins, though.
An adorable and rare baby monkey has been welcomed into the Adelaide zoo's primate family.

The baby Golden Lion Tamarin, a small orange-yellow monkey originating from the coast of Brazil, was born on October 13 and is the seventh offspring for the zoo's adult pair, mother Aurora and father Rio.

Sophie Miller, the primate keeper at the zoo estimated the infant weighed around 100g and about 10cm in length.

Adelaide zoo has welcomed its seventh infant Golden Lion Tamarin monkey. The infant's gender won't be known for a few months as it clings tightly onto its mum

'The baby is just starting to open its eyes, and is clinging tightly to mum's back,' she said.

Ms Miller added the infant's gender will not be known for a few months because it clings tightly onto mum, The Advertiser reported.

'In the future the whole family will help take care of the little one, by taking their turn to baby sit,' she added.

The baby's name has not yet been decided but is likely to be of South American origin.

The baby's name has not been decided, but is likely to be of South American origin

Ms Miller also said the baby is a welcomed addition to the zoo's Golden Lion Tamarin international breeding program.

'Adelaide Zoo plays a crucial role in the long-term survival of this species as a partner of the international breeding program, which aims to safeguard this species from extinction,' Ms Miller said.
A Utah father was arrested after he was caught on surveillance video abandoning his five-year-old daughter on a college campus in near-freezing temperatures.

Adrian Justin Sanchez, 41, is facing a felony charge of child abuse by abandonment after leaving daughter Acelynn outside with just a few blankets.

Authorities said he took Acelynn to the Ogden Weber Applied Technology College around 5am and then walked away. Temperatures were around 39 degrees.

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Adrian Justin Sanchez, 41, was caught on camera (pictured) leaving his daughter alone at a college campus in Ogden, Utah on October 8

Authorities said he took Acelynn to the Ogden Weber Applied Technology College around 5am and then walked away. Temperatures were around 39 degrees

Acelynn was found by a security guard at 7.30am and reunited with her mother Gena Weaver.

'She told me she didn't think anybody was ever going to find her and that she was never going to see me again,' Weaver, 36, told Inside Edition.

Sanchez, who has visitation rights, had called Weaver on October 8 and said he wanted Acelynn to spend the night at the house he shares with his mother in Ogden.

Sanchez is facing a felony charge of child abuse by abandonment

But that night he allegedly wanted to bring his little girl to a nearby house where he planned to do drugs.

When Sanchez's mother refused to let him go, he 'tore up' her room, Weaver said.

'When she woke up that morning, she noticed he and Acelynn were gone.'

Acelynn told her mother that Sanchez woke her up in the middle of the night and attempted to break into two separate homes, Weaver told KUTV.

' She said he was trying to open up doors and kicking them, Weaver added.

When that didn't work, Sanchez allegedly took Acelynn to his aunt's house and dumped her belongings in the front yard.

Sanchez told his daughter she had to sleep on the lawn, but Acelynn refused, Weaver said.

They then went to the college, just a few blocks from Sanchez's home.

The surveillance footage shows Acelynn, who was just wearing pajama leggings, a shirt and shoes, making a makeshift bed with her blankets before briefly falling asleep.

He allegedly took Acelynn to the campus when his mother wouldn't let him take her to a neaby house where he planned to do drugs

Acelynn told her mother that Sanchez woke her up in the middle of the night and attempted to break into two separate homes before taking her to the college

At other points she can be seen looking around for someone and trying the door handle of a nearby building to see if it was unlocked.

A campus security guard found her in tears, just after she had fallen and scratched her knee, officials said.

Acelynn told the guard that she and her father had been out looking for their dog and he had 'passed out' so she spent the night at the school, according to the Ogden Weber Applied Technology College's incident report.

Weaver said she believes Sanchez told the same story to his own daughter so that she would 'stay put'.

'He said he's watching her and to not follow him,' Weaver added.

Authorities said officers arrested Sanchez on Friday, two weeks after the incident.

Officers arrived at his mother's home and found him trying to hide in the bedroom before he surrendered to police.

Ogden Lt. Tim Scott said that Sanchez had refused to divulge any information while he was in custody.

The surveillance footage shows Acelynn, who was just wearing pajama leggings, a shirt and shoes, making a makeshift bed with her blankets before briefly falling asleep

Gena Weaver said her daughter (pictured) 'told me she didn't think anybody was ever going to find her and that she was never going to see me again'

'We would have liked to ask...why (he) left a five-year-old at the campus, unattended, without a parent, in the early morning hours,' Scott told Fox 13.

'He wasn't able to provide that for us. He wasn't cooperative with investigations.'

Weaver said she was also angry to hear that Sanchez was already out on bail, adding that he was 'grown man' who 'needs to take responsibilities for himself'.

The mother added that Acelynn has been traumatized by the incident.

'She's very strong and brave, she holds a smile when she's around other people, but when she's home, she breaks down,' Weaver said.

'She doesn't want to be in any room by herself. Before, she was sleeping in her own bed in her own room. Now, she sleeps in my bed every night.'

The mother added that Acelynn has been traumatized by the incident and can no longer sleep by herself in her own room

Weaver is pursuing a protective order against Sanchez and hopes his parental rights will be taken away

Weaver said Acelynn wakes up every night and feels 'to make sure I'm still there'.

Now the mother said she is pursuing a protective order against Sanchez and hopes his parental rights will be taken away.

'I'm not letting her go there ever again, and I want him to be charged with every single thing possible,' she said.

'I don't want him to get a slap on the hand. She could've been killed. She had to lie on the cold ground that night. She was left in the dark.'
Donald Trump likes to boast that he has more 'stamina' that his White House rival Hillary Clinton.

Tonight Clinton's running mate, Tim Kaine, flipped the script and mocked the Republican presidential nominee's fortitude.

'Donald Trump had been talking a lot about Hillary's stamina, but at the end of the three debates, we saw who had the stamina,' Kaine said, 'and we saw who looked like he needed a lamp post to lean up against.'

Hillary Clinton's running mate Tim Kaine flipped the script on Donald Trump tonight and mocked the Republican presidential nominee's fortitude

'Donald Trump had been talking a lot about Hillary's stamina, but at the end of the three debates, we saw who had the stamina,' Kaine said at an outdoor rally in Philadelphia, 'and we saw who looked like he needed a lamp post to lean up against'

SAY CHEESE: Clinton joined Kaine at the Philadelphia rally, where he said she 'showed us stamina, back bone, guts, courage, preparation, knowledge, experience, judgement' and 'grace' at the last debate

Introducing Clinton at an outdoor rally in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Kaine said the Democratic nominee for president 'showed us stamina, back bone, guts, courage, preparation, knowledge, experience, judgement' as well as the 'the grace and the temperament' the country needs in a leader in those debates.

'At the end of the last debate, Hillary looked like' she could do 'four, five more debates,' he stated.

Trump 'looked like he just had to get back to start tweeting out more insults,' Kaine quipped.

Continuing to knock the Republican presidential candidate, Kaine said he's spent the last year and change 'insulting one group after the next.'

'He got to the end of the campaign and it was like he had nobody left to insult,' Kaine contended. 'And now he's going around saying, of course if he doesn't win...it's because it's all rigged against him'

The audience booed. 'That poor guy. It's so hard, it's so hard to be Donald Trump and have everything rigged against me,' Kaine said, mocking him.

Kaine joked at a Pittsburgh rally earlier in the evening that Trump looked 'like he was on the ropes' after the final debate.

'If you even watched those debates with the sound off you still would have known there's only one person on this stage that we we want to be President of the United States,' he said, eliciting laughter.

Kaine made his maiden voyage on Clinton's campaign plane this evening. They talked to reporters before taking off to Philadelphia

STAMINA: 'At the end of the last debate, Hillary looked like' she could do 'four, five more debates,' Kaine stated. Clinton is pictured sitting during his address in Pittsburgh earlier in the evening

Kaine ripped Trump for the controversies he's generated and said it's almost like the businessman intentionally 'insulted every group he could.'

'Mexican Americans, immigrants, African-Americans, Muslims, women, POWs, for God's sake, Gold Star families...Who's left to insult?'

'What he's decided is, why don't I insult the pillars of American democracy?' Kaine added, 'We cannot let this guy be president.'

The Virginia senator was making reference to Trump's claims that the election is being 'rigged' to keep him from winning.

'He's losing and he knows it, and he's not a guy who would ever accept responsibility and say, "Oh, I lost the election because I ran the most divisive campaign in American history,' Kaine said. 'So it's gotta be somebody else's fault.'

Just like it was someone else's fault that The Apprentice didn't win an Emmy when he was the host, he said, lifting a dig from Clinton that she used in the Las Vegas debate.
A six-month-old boy was left fighting for his life and his father was killed after they were shot during a triple shooting in New Orleans while sitting inside a vehicle.

Shocking photos from the scene in Algiers showed the baby boy identified as Kelvin Moses being attended to by paramedics after he was pulled from the car.

The infant was reportedly shot in the hip on Thursday night as he sat in the lap of his 26-year-old father, Lenord Moses.

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Six-month-old Kelvin Moses (pictured at the scene) was left fighting for his life and his father was killed after they were shot during a triple shooting in New Orleans on Thursday night

Kelvin pictured left and with his father, 26-year-old Lenord Moses. The child was reportedly shot in the hip while his father was struck in the head

Two bullet fragments also struck Kelvin's head and on Saturday he remained recovering in hospital, according to relatives.

His father was struck in the head and died at the scene, The Times-Picayune reported.

Another 26-year-old man, who was sat in the passenger seat, was shot more than once but was believed to be in stable condition.

At the time of the shooting, the three victims were inside Lenord's car when at least one person approached and began firing, investigators said.

The car was stopped outside the entrance of the Cypress Run apartment complex, where Moses and the baby's mother used to live, when shots were fired.

A neighbor told WDSU that the passenger had an argument with the shooters at a store nearby as Lenord was taking him home to the apartment complex.

Kelvin pictured being treated at the scene by emergency responders following the shooting in Algiers on Thursday night

At the time of the shooting, the three victims were inside Lenord's car when at least one person approached and began firing, investigators said

The car was stopped outside the entrance of the Cypress Run apartment complex, where Moses and the baby's mother used to live, when shots were fired

A witness told the station that following the shooting, a woman pulled the child from the car as others tried to help.

While the group waited for paramedics and officers to arrive, the baby reportedly kept going in and out of consciousness.

They had to use a flashlight to keep him awake until emergency responders could get there.

The infant was then taken to the University Medical Center and was in surgery 'fighting for their life,' NOPD Superintendent Michael Harrison said.

Kelvin and Lenord pictured. The baby's father was pronounced dead at the scene

On Friday, the baby's grandmother, Terry Butler, told The Times Picayune that doctors at the medical center were trying to keep his vital signs stable so he could be transported to Children's Hospital.

He was moved to Children's Hospital where he was in fair condition as of Friday, according to WWLTV. His mother was with him at the hospital.

The shooting has since rocked the community.

Brandon Simms, who was friends with Lenord, said he is taking the shooting hard.

'It was sad. It really hurt me because the baby got shot, and by me having a daughter it was hard,' Simms told WDSU.

'It's a sad reality,' Cypress Run resident and Mardi Gras Indian Chief only identified by his first name, Kevin, told The Times Picayune of the shooting.

The apartment complex where the shooting took place shown above. A motive has not yet been determined and police are still investigating the shooting

'We just had a Night Out (Against Crime). We pray and we march. But it feels like all we're doing is wearing out our shoes.'

Ramon Francis, a cab driver who lives at the complex, was also emotional after learning of the incident.

'What could that baby have done to deserve that? I'm emotional just talking about it because I love kids,' he told WDSU.

A motive has not yet been determined and police are still investigating the shooting.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111.
A dog so skinny its bones protrude through her skin has been returned to its owners after they paid a small fee.

The female Staffordshire bull terrier, who had just given birth three weeks before, was impounded on October 17 and released back to its owners on two days later by the Mackay Animal Management Centre for a fee as low as $50.

RSPCA regional inspector Natalie Aitken is working with the Mackay Regional council to further investigate and that it was unusual for a dog to lose a substantial amount of weight after birth, the Sunshine Coast Daily reported.

Pictures of a female Staffordshire bull terrier appearing distressed and undernourished have concernedanimal owners in Mackay. She was returned to her owners after they paid a small fee

Images of the dog appearing distressed and undernourished have caused concern among animal owners in the area.

On the Mackay Pet Central Facebook page one woman wrote: 'geez, don't know if I'm happy or sad for her.'

Debbie Hudson from Mackay said: 'if the animal's neglected, it should not go back to the owner. It should be confiscated.'

Ali Bradley, who runs the Mackay Pet Central Facebook page told Daily Mail Australia that a recent visitor to the pound said to her that the dog was checked by a vet.

Ms Bradley added that the dog was allowed to go home with her owners and given a pack of dog food to bulk her back up.

RSPCA regional inspector Natalie Aitken is working with the Mackay Regional council to further investigate. She added that it was unusual for a dog to lose a substantial amount of weight after giving birth

Craig Shepherd the health and regulatory services manager at the Animal Management Centre in Mackay said about 92 per cent of dogs are re-homed.
Fifty years and at least 7,200 kilometres later, a postcard has arrived at its destination.

In 1966, 'Chris' decided to send a card from Papeete, Tahiti to Robert Giorgio in Adelaide describing how he was enjoying himself in the humid weather - and said he'd be in touch once he reached England.

Last Monday, Tim Duffy checked the mail at his Wattle Park home and found the postcard underneath a water bill, complete with a 13-franc stamp, The Advertiser reported.

This postcard, sent in 1966, arrived in Tim Duffy's Adelaide letterbox last week

The card was delivered 50 years late but was in surprisingly good condition given its age

Mr Duffy posted this message on social media along with images of the postcard

Slightly faded with a few blotchy marks, it is still in remarkably good condition.

Mr Duffy, who bought the home in 2015 with wife Claire, said: 'It took a while to realise it was an old one.

'There's no way it could have been stored in there (the home's original letterbox) that long; I would say the postman has put it in there.'

The arrival of the card prompted a response from Australia Post.

A spokesman said: 'It is clear something went wrong 50 years ago after the postcard was posted in French Polynesia, and we apologise for the inconvenience,' The Advertiser reported.

Mr Duffy believed his home had been built in 1963 by an Italian man, to whom the card was addressed.

It was thought the card had been printed in the 1950s and showed an idyllic waterfront scene with bush surrounding colonial-era buildings.

The delivery of the postcard and Mr Duffy's comments prompted a response from Australia Post
A Texas billboard just off a busy Interstate in Austin is raising eyebrows and causing controversy among a number of the city's residents.

The advertisement situated along Interstate 35 speaks directly to undocumented immigrants and suggests they visit a sugar daddy website called ArrangementFinders.

On the billboard is a stock image of a frustrated-looking woman sitting with what appears to be a Mexican flag behind her.

The sign reads, 'Undocumented Immigrant? Before You Get Deported, Get a Sugar Daddy.'

It was just posted last Friday and is expected to stay up for four weeks.

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A controversial message on a billboard in Austin is encouraging undocumented immigrants to sign up for a Sugar Daddy dating service

Jacob Webster who is involved in running the site told CBS Austin that he wanted to run the ad 'in response to Donald Trump's promise to deport all 11 million of the nation's undocumented immigrants.'

'ArrangementFinders.com skews heavily towards Hispanic women, with that demo making up over 31 per cent of all the females on our site nationally and over 53 per cent in Austin,' said Webster.

But others disagree and believe the advert to be a blatant attempt to circumvent the nation's strict immigration laws.

'On a billboard they're encouraging people to commit a federal felony. It's rare that you see a billboard that says, 'Commit a felony,' Senior Immigration specialist Thomas Esparza, Jr. told Fox7.

Although there is no doubt the billboard is provocative, some also believe the advert could be perceived as racist.

Men on ArrangementFinders.com pay a monthly fee to be on the site while women sign up for free.

The two can then link up privately to determine what kind of relationship they would like to have.

Video courtesy of Fox 7 Austin

'How could we speak to this growing demographic for this site in a way where we could get the max effect?' said Webster to Fox 7.

He also explained that it wasn't easy to secure a location for the billboard.

'We had a couple approvals, but we got a lot more denials. All the major markets in terms of Los Angeles, San Diego, Phoenix and Dallas denied us,' Webster recalled.

Ruby Life, ArrangementFinders.com's parent company, said they've asked for the billboard to be removed.

'The billboard was created independently by an affiliate; is completely unacceptable and does not reflect the views or vision of our company, so we have requested that they take it down immediately,' said Debra Quinn, a spokeswoman for Ruby Life, in an email Friday to MySA.com.
She's got long dark locks, dignified poise and a withering look - all the ingredients for a social media superstar.

But Tea is not an Instagram bikini model, she's a five-year-old black Afghan hound whose photogenic silky coat made her an overnight sensation.

The 'supermodel' pup is a highly decorated Sydney show dog but struck true fame after her recent retirement when a photo of her was shared more than a million times.

It captured her sitting on a bench with her extraordinarily long hair splayed out wide completely obscuring the wood while she stared into the distance.

Tea the black Afghan hound became a social media superstar when this photo of her was shared more than a million times online

Owner Luke Kavanagh didn't expect her to light up social media, but wasn't surprised that she struck a chord as she was 'far too pretty to keep at home'.

'Even our weekend walks draw a crowd. She pretends she doesnt need the attention, but she definitely loves it, just like any supermodel,' he told NewsLocal.

'I guess people were mostly drawn to [the photo] because of her silky coat coupled with that dignified look that Tea has, but thats just her being her.'

Tea's successful career and new-found online fame has earned her a 'spokesdog' gig for luxury dog food brand Royal Canine and an ad campaign for Harriot and Hounds dog perfume.

The 'supermodel' pup is a highly decorated Sydney show dog who, while now retired, has a photogenic silky coat that made her an overnight sensation

The father-of-two said she turned out to be a 'natural' as an animal actor and numerous companies had approached him to use the now-famous image.

But other than a few extra dollars on the side, he said Tea was enjoying retirement since the preparation time became too much to keep up with.

'Her retirement is due to no other reason than I reached a point where showing (grooming and show day) was taking me away from spending time with my family and I want to prioritise them over campaigning my dog,' he said in August.

'I have such a special bond with Tea & we have shared a lifetime of wonderful moments together.

Owner Luke Kavanagh (pictured) didn't expect her to light up social media, but wasn't surprised that she struck a chord as she was 'far too pretty to keep at home'

'On show day she exemplifies Afghan hound, she is dignified, aloof and most certainly displays a keen fierceness. At home she is such a character and really loving her retirement.

'Whether she's naked or draped in the finest of silk gowns, Tea will always be my queen.'
More than 80 people were arrested at a protest against an oil pipe line which some residents say could damage scared tribe land.

The demonstrators clashed with police after storming a construction site for the project in Morton County near Bismarck, North Dakota.

They fear the 1,100-mile pipeline, that is being built by a group of companies, will interfere with water supplies and sacred sites.

Morton County Police arrested 83 of the 300 protesters who descended on private land on Saturday after riots.

Police arrested 83 protesters near Bismarck in North Dakota when they began protesting near the construction site of a proposed oil pipeline

They used pepper spray to control some of the crowds, they said.

'Todays situation clearly illustrates what we have been saying for weeks, that this protest is not peaceful or lawful,' sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier said in a statement.

'It was obvious to our officers who responded that the protesters engaged in escalated unlawful tactics and behavior during this event.

'This protest was intentionally coordinated and planned by agitators with the specific intent to engage in illegal activities.'

The Standing Rock Sioux tribe and environmental activists have been protesting construction of the 1,100-mile (1,886-km) pipeline in North Dakota for several months, saying it threatens the water supply and sacred sites.

The protesters descended on the construction site on Saturday morning in two groups

The first group of protesters attached themselves to an SUV on private property (above)

After the first group were arrested, 300 more protesters descended on the site, said police

Native American tribes in the area have been protesting the construction of the pipeline for months. Above, they gathered at a separate demonstration in September

Numerous protesters have been arrested near the pipeline.

It was unclear who organized and led the protest. A spokesman for the Standing Rock Sioux could not immediately be reached for comment.

The pipeline, being built by a group of companies led by Energy Transfer Partners LP, would be the first to bring Bakken shale from North Dakota directly to refineries on the U.S. Gulf Coast

Supporters say it would provide a safer and more cost-effective way to transport Bakken shale to the U.S. Gulf than by road or rail.
She was given the code name 'Energiser' by the Clintons' security

Hillary Clinton's inner circle was rattled by a Daily Mail article about her husband Bill and his relationship with a woman dubbed the 'Energizer'.

In emails posted by Wikileaks, Cheryl Mills, who was Bill Clinton's lawyer while he was president and saw him through his impeachment trial, sent Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta a link to the article.

Written in July 2014 by Daily Mail journalist Tom Leonard, it named Julie McMahon as the blonde socialite Clinton was alleged to have been having an affair with.

Her codename, chosen by the secret service agents who ushered her in and out of the Clintons' Westchester home when Hillary was away, was 'Energiser'.

A 2014 Daily Mail article about Bill Clinton's relationship with his alleged mistress Julie McMahon (right) sparked concern among Hillary's top aides, it was revealed Saturday

In emails posted by Wikileaks, Hillary Clinton's top aides shared the story on July 25, 2014, when it was published

After being shown the article on the same day it was published, Podesta replied to Mills: 'Well, they sure managed to get every name into one story. I guess you got to give them credit for that.'

The pair then scheduled a phone call with other aides to discuss the matter further.

In December, they shared more concerns on the subject. An email with the subject line 'Julie' was sent by Mills to Podesta on December 28.

The email was sent by Podesta to Mills, and is subject-lined Julie.

Saw her pic in this or last weeks Enquirer, wrote Podesta. Probably need to revisit Whitehaven conversation.

Mills responded, k.

In the months leading up to the emails, the National Enquirer and other outlets had reported on Clintons supposed fling with Tauber McMahon. Whitehaven is the name of the Clintons house in Washington, D.C.  indicating that close aides previously huddled to discuss the alleged affair.

According to Ron Kesslers 2014 book The First Family Detail: Secret Service Agents Reveal the Hidden Lives of Presidents, Secret Service agents nicknamed McMahon The Energizer because of how Bill Clinton appeared to be reinvigorated by her visits.

McMahon has denied the affair and said she is a family friend of the Clintons.

Bill Clinton reportedly struck up a relationship with McMahon, a Chappaqua, New York neighbor, after leaving the White House. In 2010, the Clinton Global Initiative helped steer a $2 million commitment to a firm co-owned by McMahon.

Clinton has stood by his wife throughout her presidential campaign (above together after the third debate)

McMahon visited the Clintons' home often and was given the codename the 'Energiser'

Whitehaven: The Clintons residence in Washington, DC

Cheryl Mills and John Podesta's emails were revealed by Wikileaks this week

Bill Clinton has previously admitted to extramarital affairs with White House intern Monica Lewinsky and former model Gennifer Flowers, and a number of other women have claimed they had sexual relationships with him while he was married.

The former president has also been accused by several women of sexual assault and harassment. In 1998, he paid $850,000 to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit brought by former Arkansas state employee Paula Jones, who claimed Clinton exposed himself to her in a hotel room.

A former White House volunteer, Kathleen Willey, accused Clinton of sexually assaulting her during a meeting in the Oval Office. Juanita Broaddrick, a former nursing home administrator from Arkansas, said she was raped by Clinton in 1978 during a meeting in an Arkansas hotel room.




He is currently in Gold Coast University

The man, 22, was trapped for 30 minutes while paramedics worked on him

to have been left with its handbrake not

A Gold Coast man is lucky to be alive after a unoccupied car rolled down a hill and pinned him to a wall.

The 22-year-old was trapped against the wall on Pecan Drive in Upper Coomera on Sunday for more than 30 minutes after the runaway car sandwiched him against the wall.

It is believed that the cars handbrake had not been engaged.

A Gold Coast man was trapped against a wall on Pecan Drive in Upper Coomera on the Gold Coast on Sunday after an unoccupied car rolled down a hill and sandwiched him

An ambulance was called by concerned residents who tried to keep the man calm.

Paramedics worked on releasing the man for 30 minutes before finally freeing him and treated him for injuries to his leg, back and hand before taking him to hospital.

The man was rushed to Gold Coast University hospital where he is in a stable condition.
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Halloween went to the dogs this weekend as hundreds of pets and their owners dressed up for New York's 26th annual pet parade.

Hundreds of spectators gathered as the city's four-legged friends strutted their stuff around a stage in Tompkins Square Park in Manhattan's East Village.

Despite the fun and games, the pet owners are serious when it comes to the competition with many of them preparing for weeks before the contest.

This year, a number of dogs focused on the feisty election campaign. One dog was dressed as Donald Trump with his signature hairdo. Another played upon Hillary Clinton's 'basket of deplorables' comment by showcasing a 'basket of adorables'.

Plenty of money is spent on hiring stylists and costume designers to dress their canine companions.

A whole host of breeds were paraded one by one before the judges in the hopes of a Best in Show Award at the annual affair which helps to raise money for the park's dog run.

It's hard to pick a favorite when they're all furtastic.

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Dogs were dressed up as Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump for the annual halloween dog parade at Manhattan's Tompkins Square Park

A reveler carries her dog which has been made to look like Donald Trump, complete with a revised version of his now infamous quote

Sylvia Reutens and her son Ben make a great soldier and Queen along with their Corgi Harry as they march in the Dog Parade

Macaroon, a Terrier mix, poses as a 'Basket of Adorables' in a very topical Halloween parade

It's easy to spot Waldo and her companion in their distinctive red and white stripes

Looks like Scooby Doo is driving the Mystery Machine minibus along the parade route

Esther went along to the parade dressed as the Wonder Woman dog

Dog Mia was dressed as a Fire Chief and looked ready to put out any furry fires

A dog dressed as Fox News channel was an original yet simple costume

A dog dressed as Fox News channel, complete with pictures of Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump

One of the pooches was looking particularly holy in a Pope-like costume complete with a bed of roses

Costumed confections! These dogs look particularly sweet as candies, though licking one may leave you with a bit of fur in the mouth!

If Neptune's wife, Salacia, had a dog then it would probably look a little like this

Dressed up a creatures of the night, this dog and owner appear ready to take on the Halloween crowds

Dogs dressed up like the rock band Kiss take part during the annual halloween dog parade

A dog dressed as a pinata made quite the impression crossing busy Second Avenue in New York City

Try telling these two about the birds and the bees, or the ladybirds in this case!

Nine-year-old 'Mr Pug' looks very professional, even wearing a tie on the weekend to this annual parade

A dog with which has its face covered with a mask is pictured riding a skateboard at the dog parade in New York City

Kathy Lee and her Yorkie Freddy pose as Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump

A dog dressed as an alien has an eye in the back of his head to keep special watch on everything that's happening around him

Who knew that the three bears ended up having a pet dog as well?

This pooch could get a job at the palace any day with his scarlet clothing and busby hat

Dogs dressed as minions arrive in style in their own chauffeured limousine
The final presidential debate was a gold mine for Alec Baldwin and Kate McKinnon, who brought back their portrayals of Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump to SNL.

Baldwin and McKinnon have won rave reviews for their impressions of the candidates, but Baldwin made sure to hit out at one recent vocal critic.

Speaking to host Tom Hanks, who played moderator Chris Wallace, Baldwin's Trump began to boast about all the 'heavy hitters' supporting him.

'I've got Sarah Palin, I've got Chachi,' he said, referring to Scott Baio's character from Happy Days. 'And I've even got the best Baldwin brother - Stephen Baldwin.'

Baldwin's youngest brother said after the debate on Wednesday that he found Alec's impression to be 'not very funny' and 'a little too nasty right now'.

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The final presidential debate was a goldmine for Alec Baldwin and Kate McKinnon, who brought back their portrayals of Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump to Saturday Night Live

Tom Hanks, the episode's host, gave his best impression of Fox News anchor Chris Wallace, who moderated the debate

But that didn't stop Baldwin and McKinnon from getting major laughs from the audience - and praise on Twitter - for their performance during Saturday's episode.

Hanks kicks off the cold open by comparing the debate to the third Lord of the Rings movie.

'You don't really want to watch, but hey, you've come this far,' he says.

McKinnon then takes the podium, saying: 'In the first debate, I set the table. In the second debate, I fired up the grill. And tonight, I feast.'

She then hungrily holds up two knives, as Baldwin's Trump promises he will be 'sweet little baby Trump' for the next hour and a half.

The skit came not long after Trump in real life threatened to sue the women who have accused him of sexual assault.

Their number rose to 11 on Saturday, when adult film actress Jessica Drake said grabbed her and two other women in a tight hug and kissed them without their permission.

In Saturday's episode, Hanks' Wallace begins the debate, saying the first question will be about reproductive rights.

'They're ripping babies out of vaginas!' Baldwin screams, as McKinnon's Clinton jokes his face 'is birth control'.

As the conversation moves on to immigration, Baldwin references one of his most hashtagged phrases from the night - 'bad hombres'.

'Oh, bingo, bingo, I got bingo!' McKinnon suddenly screams, 'I've been playing all year and I got it.'

McKinnon's Hillary started off the sketch: 'In the first debate, I set the table. In the second debate, I fired up the grill. And tonight, I feast,' she said, hungrily holding up two knives

Hanks' Wallace then begins the debate, saying the first question will be about reproductive rights - causing Trump to scream: 'They're ripping babies out of vaginas!'

She then holds up a large Bingo card, with squares reading 'Bad hombres, rapists, miss piggy, they're all living in hell, if she wasn't my daughter' circled in red.

Trump then argues that he has a 'fantastic relationship' with the Mexican president, whose name he forgets.

'I think it was something like Mr Guacamole,' he says 'I'm sorry, excuse me. Senor guacamole. I also met his beautiful wife taquito. And their twin children chips and salsa.'

Hanks' Wallace then tries to get Clinton to ask about the campaign emails recently been leaked by Wikileaks.

'Thank you for bringing up my emails, Chris,' she begins. 'And I'm very happy to clarify what was in some of them. Sorry, what, Carol? What?'

'I'm sorry, I thought I heard my friend Carol,' she continues. 'Anyway, back to your question about the way Donald treats women.'

As the audience bursts into laughter McKinnon does a little dance move before adding victoriously: 'And that is how you pivot.'

'So you're just never going to answer a question about your emails,' Wallace asks.

'No, but it was very cute to watch you try,' she replies.

As the conversation moves on to immigration, Baldwin references the now infamous 'bad hombres' phrase, with Clinton revealing it was the last one she needed for 'Trump Bingo'

Baldwin, who brought plenty of sniffs for the night, also gave a shout out to his brother Stephen - who recently criticized his portrayal of Trump - and called him 'the best Baldwin'

Stephen Baldwin (above) criticized his brother Alec's Donald Trump impersonation after Wednesday night's debate in Las Vegas

Wallace then move the question on to the 11 women who have accused the GOP candidate of sexual assault.

'Chris, I'm completely innocent,' he replies. 'I've said this before and I'll say it again. Nobody has more respect for women than I do.'

The set then cuts to scenes of people hysterically laughing in audiences around the world, before its just a picture of the earth from space - with the entire world cackling.

'All right, all right, settle down entire planet, settle down,' Hanks' Wallace tells the audience.

Real-life Trump has also denied the accusations of sexual assault against him, while more women have made allegations of misconduct against the GOP nominee.

Adult film actress Drake, 42, also said Trump had offered her $10,000 to spend the night with him one year after marrying his current wife Melania.

Trump denied Drake's account and said he would have 'no interest in knowing her'.

In Saturday's skit, Baldwin's Trump then repeats the Donald's favorite claim that Clinton has done nothing in her last 30 years working in politics.

'Donald, no,' Hanks' Wallace begins to plead, 'No, Donald, don't set her up.'

McKinnon's Clinton then happily exclaims, 'I'd be happy to talk about the last 30 years!'

'Oh no, not again,' Wallace goes.

Baldwin also quoted the line that got the biggest laugh at the debate, the moment Trump said: Nobody has more respect for women than I do'

The set then cut to scenes of people hysterically laughing in audiences around the world

'All right, all right, settle down entire planet, settle down,' Hanks' Wallace tells the audience

She references the children's defense fund, September 11, and then brags: 'And I don't know if you're heard this before but I was instrumental in taking down a man by the name of....Osama! Bin! Laden!'

As Wallace tries to turn the conversation to Clinton's tax programs, Baldwin's Trump suddenly declares: 'Such a nasty woman'.

'Mr Trump that was incredibly rude to secretary Clinton,' Wallace says.

'Thank you, Chris,' she says. 'That's exactly the kind of language that has poisoned and debased this election. And if you agree, go to HillaryClinton.com and buy a limited edition Nasty Woman mug.'

And it wouldn't be a debate sketch without the most talked about line from the entire night - Trump revealing he may contest the election results.

'Frankly this whole thing is rigged,' Baldwin's Trump says. 'Even the media. Every day I turn on the news and all of the newscasters are making me look so bad.'

One of the funniest moments of the sketch was when Trump once again claimed Clinton had done nothing for the last 30 years, causing her to sing about Osama! Bin! Laden!

The skit also referenced the moment Trump called Clinton a 'Nasty Woman', with McKinnon holding up a cup she told her supporters they could buy at HillaryClinton.com

'And how are we doing that?' Wallace asks.

'By taking all of things I say and all of the things I do and putting them on TV,' Trump responds to uproarious laughter.

'Donald, listen, I'm trying to help you,' Wallace says, trying to get Trump to say he will promise to accept the results.

'I, the best-ever Donald Trump promise to accept the results of the election,' Baldwin says, before adding, "If I win."

'Got you, loser! Trademark.'

'Listen America, Donald Trump cannot be president,' Clinton tells the audience.

'He would be a disaster. A failure. A complete 'F'. And America, you deserve better than an 'F''.

'So on November 8, vote for me and I promise to be a stone-cold 'B'".

During his monologue Hanks - 'America's dad' - had a talk with the country about the rough year, advising it to vote with its head and heart

Hanks then pointed to his crotch and told Americans: 'and not so much from here'

'Then on November 9, make sure to check out Trump TV,' Baldwin interjects. 'You're going to hate it.'

The rest of Saturday Night Live veered away from the political, but not before 'America's dad' sat down and had a 'talk' with the country.

Hanks, who was hosting the legendary NBC show for the ninth time, adorably put on a cardigan for his chat with the country about its 'rough year'.

' Feeling anxious and conflicted, youre scared about whats going to happen next. Well youre going to be fine,' he reassures America. 'Youre just growing up and youre in an awkward phase.

Hanks then refers to America's 'changing' complexion.

'You're getting a little darker,' he says. 'Also, you're a lot gayer than you used to be,' Hank then adds to cheers from the audience.

'All I came here to say is you're great. People don't understand how hard it is to be you, you've got a summer birthday and that's always tough.'

'I know you're gonna make the right choice,' he adds, referring to the election.

'As long as you think from here and here,' he says, pointing to his head and heart, before circling his crotch and adding: 'And not so much from here'.
Jacob Goulet, 16, disappeared after he left a friend's house to walk to his home in Nashua, New Hampshire on Friday during a storm

Police have pulled the body of a young man from a Massachusetts river and say it is likely that of a teen who is believed to have fallen down a storm drain.

New Hampshire police said officials there, along with Tyngsboro, Massachusetts, authorities recovered the body from the Merrimack River at around noon Sunday.

Officials say based on an initial investigation, clothing description and the condition of the body, they believe it is 16-year old Jacob Goulet, of Nashua, New Hampshire, who was reported missing Saturday.

Nashua police said confirmation of the victim's identity will be completed by the Massachusetts Medical Examiner's office.

'Our thoughts and prayers are with Jacob's family, friends, classmates, and the entire Nashua community at the probable tragic loss of Jacob Goulet,' the department tweeted.

Authorities fear Goulet may have swept into this storm drain (pictured), which was open at the time of the torrential downpour

Nashua Police Department officers began searching the Nashua River, the Merrimack River and the city's storm drain system

Authorities had been searching the Nashua and Merrimack rivers, as well as Nashua's sewer system since Goulet was reported missing by his parents after he did not return home from a friend's house Friday night.

Police say they received a citizen report Friday night about personal items - including a hat - found near an open storm drain, leading authorities to believe Goulet fell inside it.

Video surveillance confirmed Goulet was carrying the same personal items and had been walking in the area of the drain.

Video surveillance confirmed Goulet was walking around in the area (pictured in a file photo) where the drain was located

A flash flood warning was in effect at the time.

Goulet's parents said they had searched for him throughout the night when he didn't return home, but couldn't find him.

A Massachusetts State Police spotter plane noticed the body Sunday morning as it was helping Nashua police in the search.
It might have been a cloudy day but Queen Letizia did not let the weather dampen her style.

The Spanish royal looked radiant in a vibrant fuchsia coat as she and husband King Felipe VI greeted villagers in the northern Asturian region.

Braving the mountain mist, the couple met with artisans in Los Oscos, a rural area with a population of just 1,300.

Splash of colour: Queen Letizia was greeted by dozens of well-wishers in Los Oscos, Spain

Personal touch: The Spanish royal was affectionately welcomed by elderly villagers, right

Relaxed: Letizia and husband King Felipe VI were happy to spend time chatting to locals

Dozens of well-wishers lined the streets of one village as they waited to welcome their king and queen.

Letizia, 44, opted for a tried and true combination of grey straight-leg trousers with a simple black top, finishing the look with a pair of black boots.

The mother-of-two wore her hair in soft waves, pulling back the front section in a feminine half up-do.

The queen added a splash of colour to the ensemble with her bold felt coat, believed to be by Spanish designer Marcos Luengo.

King Felipe VI, 48, looked smart in black trousers and white shirt, paired with a green jacket.

The couple were in the area to name Los Oscos as winner of the best Asturian village on behalf of the Princess of Asturias Foundation, named in honour of their 11-year-old daughter, Leonor Princess of Asturias, who is heir to the throne.

Local industry: Queen Letizia was seen holding knitwear alongside knitters from the village

Proud: The Spanish king and queen, pictured, were giving the village a regional prize

Chilly: Letizia took the opportunity to warm her hands as she spoke to a local artisan

The king and queen met dozens of well-wishers, including a number of elderly villagers who greeted Letizia with a kiss on the hand.

They also met with a blacksmith and seamstresses, taking time to hear about the local craftsmanship.

Princess Leonor and her sister Infanta Sofia of Spain, nine, did not join their parents on the trip.

But the family, who are famously close, have made several public outings together in recent months.

Intricate design: The queen was given a handful of wrought metal flowers during the visit

Skilled: The king and queen looked on with interest as a seamstress went to work

Last week they stepped out in force for Spain's National Day in Madrid where they watched some 3,000 troops and Civil Guard officers, plus military vehicles and planes, take part in the parade

The hard-working royal also chaired a meeting at CSME (Spain's Mental Health Confederation) earlier this week.
The parents of a 14-year-old girl are taking legal action to challenge their local authority's backing for their daughter to transition into a boy.

The girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is believed to want to change her gender and has received the support of her local authority.

However, the girl's parents object to the process, and believe their daughter is too young to take such a dramatic decision.

Social workers are backing the 14-year-old girl's attempts to transition to a boy, file photo

Andrea Williams of the Christian Legal Centre said the parent's rights are being ignored by the local authority and social workers in favour of the 'transgender cultural movement'

The parents will meet with teachers and social workers next month to decide whether the girl should be known in school by a boy's name rather than the one she was given as a baby.

According to the Sunday Times, the parents' solicitor, Michael Phillips of Andrew Storch solicitors said if the family failed to follow the guidance of social workers, the girl could be taken into care.

This follows the case of a young boy who has been taken from his mother's care because she tried to raise him 'entirely as a girl'.

The seven-year-old boy was even registered at his GP's surgery as a girl and was referred to in official documentation as a girl.

However, the boy's father and some officials expressed concern as the youngster did not view himself as a girl.

Mr Justice Hayden in the Family Court ruled: 'This is not a case about gender dysphoria, rather it is about a mother who has developed a belief structure which she has imposed upon her child.

'I am bound to say that had the concerns [of school staff] been given the weight that they plainly should have, it is difficult to resist the conclusion the boy could have been spared a great deal of emotional harm.'

The High Court, pictured, recently ruled that a seven-year-old boy should be taken from his mother's care and given to his father after she tried to raise the youngster as a girl

He added: 'Transgender equality has received a great deal of attention in recent times. I believe that in this case the profile and sensitivity of the matters raised by the mother blinded a number of professionals from applying their training, skill, and, it has to be said, common sense.

'They failed properly to investigate the mothers assertions, in part I suspect, because they did not wish to appear to be challenging an emerging orthodoxy in such a high-profile issue.'

In this latest case, the 14-year-old girl's mother told the Sunday Times: 'The rights of parents in the UK are being eroded, especially those who have traditional Christian values. It is leaving parents to feel fearful, vulnerable and intimidated.

'We were told by the psychiatrist that Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services said that if the name change does not happen then she would be a high suicide risk.'

The girl's parents are devout Christians and do not accept the daughter's decision.

Social workers claim he girl has a close 'heterosexual' relationship with a 13-year-old girl.
Victoria's Minister for Children promises to address staffing shortages

Teenage criminals smashed windows, destroyed fittings and climbed on the roof during more than three hours of chaos at a Victorian juvenile detention centre.

Makeshift weapons were also brandished during the fracas at the Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre near Bendigo, north-west of Melbourne.

The riot involving 10 youths started at 7.30pm on Saturday night and continued until 11pm, Victorian police have confirmed.

Teenage detainees (pictured) at Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre rioted for three hours

Detainees (pictured) at Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre went on a Saturday night rampage

One detention centre source said the Saturday night riot at the purpose-built Deakin unit was a regular occurrence.

'The situation is that its out of control,' he told the Herald-Sun.

'These kids know once theyve got control they can just go on a rampage.'

Windows were smashed, fittings were destroyed and makeshift weapons were deployed, the report said.

Local police attended but staff from the Department of Health and Human Services' Youth Justice Safety Emergency Response Team had resolved the mayhem.

Detectives will investigate the damage, which is expected to run into the thousands of dollars.

Teenagers (pictured) on the roof of the Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre on Saturday

The Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre was the scene (pictured) of a three-hour stand-off

Minister for Families and Children Jenny Mikakos said the Victorian government would aim to address staffing shortages.

'We have implemented a rolling recruitment pipeline to ensure vacancies are filled as soon as possible,' she said in a statement.

'Up to 60 new staff are expected to commence work across youth justice by December, with 23 being inducted this month.'

Former Victoria Police chief commissioner Neil Comrie had been compiling a report on previous rampages at the troubled centre, the Herald-Sun said.

The grounds of the Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre (pictured) where riots are regular
A paralysed man who has two full-time carers and is not expected to live another five-years has been cut off from welfare and asked to prove he has a disability.

Josh, 21, is confined to a wheelchair with muscular dystrophy, a degenerative disease which causes weakness and wasting of muscles, causing paralysis.

But the Melbourne man has been suspended from receiving his Centrelink disability support pension (DSP), The Age reported.

His parents, Rick and Tanya, had missed the deadline for a medical review asking for proof he was disabled.

Josh (pictured), 21, is paralysed with muscular dystrophy. His Centrelink payment was suspended when he was asked to prove he has a disability

The eligibility of 90,000 DSP recipients is being reviewed following welfare changes announced in the federal budget. 30,000 recipients are undergoing medical assessment.

Josh's father said his son should never have been targeted by the review.

'The only parts of his body that he can move are his hands, fingers and [he] can turn his head when supported with a head rest. He was born with his condition and it will end his life within a few years,' Rick told The Age.

'How can they possibly consider Josh as a borderline recipient of the DSP?'

Federal Labor MP Julian Hill told Daily Mail Australia said the government's review of recipients was 'causing hurt and distress to seriously disabled people and their carers'.

He said people were given a two-week deadline to 'scare the cr** out of them'. He claimed a mother had been forced to pay hundreds of dollars in order to get medical proof her son was disabled.

Mr Hill said he believed the review was 'not a sensible use of public resources'.

His parents, Rick and Tanya, had missed the deadline for a medical review asking for proof he was disabled (the request for medical proof of disability is pictured)

Josh's payments were suspended (letter notifying payment suspension is pictured). The eligibility of 90,000 DSP recipients is being reviewed following welfare changes announced in the federal budget. 30,000 recipients are undergoing medical assessment

The Coalition's Human Services Minister, Alan Tudge, told Daily Mail Australia the review of DSP recipients was to ensure the welfare was 'provided to those who need it, but not to those who don't.

He said the recipients selected to be reviewed were the least likely to still be eligible.

Mr Tudge said Josh's record did not show a 'manifest disability' and a letter sent to him to confirm his disability had gone ignored.

Josh's pension was reinstated once evidence was provided, Mr Tudge confirmed.

'Now that [Josh] has a manifest indicator on his record he will not be subject to further medical eligibility reviews,' Mr Tudge said.

The 2016 Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) poverty report said people with disabilities were more likely to be living in poverty.

Over the last year, about 40,000 people have been moved from the DSP onto the Newstart payment, known as the 'dole', which is $269 less a fortnight.

'When taking into account the additional costs associated with disability  a drop of this magnitude has a significant impact on quality of life,' ACOSS said in its report.

A public inquiry into the reporting and monitoring of the DSP was launched this week by the joint parliamentary committee of public accounts and audit.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mr Hill for comment.

Public submissions to the public inquiry close on Monday, November 7.
Australian senator Derryn Hinch has named and shamed a man who he says hit and injured a policeman in Victoria, and didn't receive adequate punishment.

The media personality, who is renown for highlighting perceived holes in the justice system, posted the spiel to the Derryn Hinch's Justice Party Facebook page on Saturday morning.

In the post, he recounted how he had bumped into a policeman at a cafe in Canberra who told him about the incident where a police officer was injured when he was hit by a car outside McDonalds in Heatherton, a suburb in Melbourne.

Australian senator Derryn Hinch has named and shamed (pictured) a man who he says hit and injured a policeman in Victoria, and didn't receive adequate punishment

The senator (pictured) posted the spiel to the Derryn Hinch's Justice Party Facebook page on Saturday morning, suggesting the man should be deported back to Afghanistan for what he had done

He expressed his anger that the man responsible for the incident, 28-year-old Fawad Raoofi, walked free from court and only had his license suspended for two days.

The senator said Mr Raoofi's excuse was that he was high on ice and couldn't remember being involved in the incident.

He said Mr Raoofi was only suspended from driving for two days, telling the court that he needed his license as he was the sole carer for his mother.

Mr Hinch called for the man to be deported back to his native country of Afghanistan, and said he shouldn't receive any compassion for being a refugee.

Facebook users who commented on the senator's post were outraged and jumped to support him, calling for a royal commission into the conduct of magistrates and questioning how this could have happened.

One person wrote: 'We need a royal commission into magistrates. Are they being bribed, are they being blackmailed or are they mentally unfit to be in that position?'

Mr Hinch said Fawad Raoofi, 28, of Mentone walked free from Dandenong District Court (pictured) after being suspended from driving for two days. Mr Raoofi told the court he needed his license because he is the sole carer for his mother

Another person suggested the man should be deported from Australia, while one man said 'Go Derryn! Keep saying what most of us think.'

One post said that judges were out of touch, while another said 'And they wonder why crimes on the increase! Absolutely pathetic!'
Defiant migrants in Calais have told MailOnline how they will never stop trying to reach Britain even after the sprawling Jungle camp is demolished.

Speaking just hours before the major police operation to clear the sprawling shanty town by the ferry port, the men from Africa, Asia and the Middle East said they would defy the French authorities and continue to clamber on board lorries and trains crossing the Channel.

Afghan Yakbal, 25, told MailOnline: I will not stop trying to get to England even when the Jungle is taken down.

'We will not stop': Afghan migrants Hodjamohel and Yakbal say they will not stop trying to cross into England, even after the sprawling migrant Jungle camp in Calais is demolished

Migrants stare out to the fencing around the Calais Jungle, ahead of its demolition tomorrow

I will not stay in France. I want to go to England, we all want to go to England.

Yakbal, from Kapisa, in Afghanistan is one of a large proportion of residents of the squalid encampment who refuse to believe they must give up their dream of getting to England and claim asylum in France.

If they refuse to ask for sanctuary they risk arrest, detention and deportation, French authorities claim.

However many fear they will be returned to the first safe country Italy or Greece where they were first registered and their finger-prints were taken.

I cannot ask for asylum in France, Yakbal explained. They will not accept me. I have many problems with the French. I have been fighting with the police.

So I will stay in Calais even after the jungle is finished. I will find somewhere. I dont mind.

His friend Hodjamohel added: England very good. France not good, France bad. I love England.

Meanwhile officials in Calais began handing out leaflets to migrants in the Jungle urging them to claim asylum in France tomorrow, ahead of the police operation to clear the camp on Monday.

Another Afghan Niebullah, 19, from Kunduz said he had travelled too far to give up on his dream of reach the UK now.

A French police operation starting on Monday plans to clear the slum conditions of the Jungle

It was very difficult to get to Calais. I went through many countries and I am so close to England now, why would I give up.

I have problem because my finger prints were taken. I dont want to go back to Italy. Italy has no jobs, no houses, no future. England is good, I want to go to England.

Some say they have family living in England and refuse to give up their dream of be reunited with them.

Mary, 23, from Eritrea, told MailOnline: My husband is in England. I want to be with him. I dont want to live in France. I want to live in England with my husband, I love him.

I have been living in the jungle for eight months. It is very bad, but it is the only way to reach England. So I must stay in the jungle until I can get to England.

Others are relying on their young age to be accepted into the UK under the Dubs ruling, championed by the former Jewish child refugee Lord Dubs, which allows unaccompanied minors in Calais to claim asylum in Britain.

Migrants living in the Jungle have been handed leaflets about claiming asylum in France

Zaith, 16, from Sudan, broadly displays unaccompanied minor card  known as a bambino card in the slang language of the Jungle - issued by the French authorities.

He told MailOnline: I am a bambino [unaccompanied minor]. I am 16. I have right to go to England. I will go on the bus to England.

However his friend Daoud, also from Sudan but aged over 18, has resigned himself to having to claim asylum in France.
An Egyptian woman weighing half a tonne is thought to be the fattest woman alive.

Iman Ahmad Abdulati, 36, has not left her home in Alexandria for 25 years and is unable to move from her bed or even roll over because of her enormous size.

She relies on her mother and sister Chaymaa Abdulati to help her perform everyday tasks like eating, changing clothes, cleaning and relieving herself.

Iman Ahmad Abdulati, 36, hasn't left her bed in 25 years and weighs 500 kilograms - making her the fattest woman alive

According to El Arabiya, Iman was born weighing a staggering five kilograms.

She was diagnosed with elephantiasis - a parasitic infection that causes extreme swelling in a person's limbs and arms.

Physicians have also described Iman's condition as a 'disruption of the glands', meaning her body stores and retains more water than it should.

Unable to move properly as a baby, Iman learned to get around using her hands.

By the age of 11 she was too heavy to support her weight standing up, and resorted to crawling around the house on her knees.

She was diagnosed with a condition that causes her limbs to swell, and has been unable to stand up since a cerebral stroke at the age of 11 left her bedridden

Around the same time she dropped out of primary school, tragically suffering a cerebral stroke which left her bedridden and exacerbated her conditions.

Since then, she has remained in her room - totally immobile and unable to do anything but lie in desparation as her weight continued to balloon.

Now, with her weight tipping 500 kilograms, her family has posted a desperate plea online to Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi asking for medical assistance.

They fear that she may die without radical medical treatment at Maadi Military Hospital, in the country's capital city Cairo.
Ukip was warned it faced an 'existential crisis' today as the rivals to succeed Nigel Farage exchanged vicious barbs in competing TV interviews.

Suzanne Evans joined the race to lead Ukip by branding front-runner Raheem Kassam 'toxic' and accused of wanting to push the party to the 'far right'.

Mr Kassam, who has been endorsed by the party's biggest donor Arron Banks, hit back to claim he was the only contender who was not a 'PC robot'.

Paul Nuttall, the former party chairman and deputy leader, also joined the race today to claim he was the 'unity candidate' and the only man capable of ensuring Ukip does not go out of business altogether.

Interim leader Nigel Farage, who resumed the leadership when Diane James quit earlier this month after just 18 days, weighed into the debate to slam Ms Evans and warn: 'I won't be voting for her'.

Suzanne Evans, pictured on today's Andrew Marr programme, has entered the race to be Ukip leader declaring her main rival backs the 'far right' and is 'toxic'

In another interview, Raheem Kassam defended his politics and said he was not a 'PC robot' and the best person to take Ukip forward

Ukip has been plunged into crisis since Ms James' shock resignation. Former front runner Steven Woolfe quit the race and the party after getting into a fight with party colleague Mike Hookem that left him in hospital.

As he walked out on Ukip, weeks after admitting he considered defecting to Theresa May's Conservatives, Mr Woolfe warned Ukip was in a 'death spiral' without Nigel Farage.

Ms Evans, the author of Ukip's 2015 general election manifesto, was barred from the summer contest to replace Mr Farage after she was repeatedly sacked and suspended from the party over a series of bitter internal rows with Mr Farage.

Ms Evans told the BBC Andrew Marr programme: 'Our future as a political party in Britain does not lie in the far right wing. I don't see a groundswell of opinion in this country for more far-right wing policies.'

Asked if Mr Kassam supported those 'far right' policies, she added: 'Yes - I don't think there is any doubt about that. Our members don't want that.

'We have taken a lot of stick in Ukip because we have had a slightly more toxic image than we should have had.

'Our members out doing the campaigning have felt the brunt of that in terms of being abused, physically and verbally assaulted on the street. They don't want to have a fresh injection of toxicity.

'I don't share his beliefs. The members, ultimately, will make their decision.'

Ms Evans wrote Ukip's 2015 election manifesto and today insisted the party's future lies in a 'tough centre ground'

Mr Kassam said Ms Evans had not thought him 'far right' when she asked for help writing the 2015 election manifesto

Mr Kassam insisted he had no quarrel with Ms Evans and told Sky News: 'She never considered me far right when she asked for my help in writing Ukip's manifesto in 2015.

'This is just politics - I want to get away from that and talk about what the future of the party should be and what the future of the country should be.

'Let's come as people who believe in Britain and come up with the right solution.'

Mr Kassam said his rival 'can' be an asset to the party but warned: 'When she does things like this it undermines, it undermines her campaign, and it's an attack on party members.'

Challenged on his own politics and his expletive-ridden social media, Mr Kassam insisted: 'Ive been a journalist, Ive been a think-tanker, Ive been a comms director, Ive worked for Nigel Farage.

'You move on, and you can be different people in your life. I havent sat here my whole life and gone I want to aspire to be a politician and therefore Im going to carry myself like a PC robot. Ive been a normal human being.'

Challenged to rule out former EDL leader Tommy Robinson joining Ukip under his leadership, Mr Kassam said: 'My policy has been very, very clear.

'Its that if you want to pay for your own CRB check, your own disbarment service check, then the party can sit you in front of a panel and you can make your case to them.

'But let me ask you this question how many members of the far-right do you think are going to join a party led by Raheem Kassam?'

Raheem Kassam, left with ex-leader Nigel Farage, is seen by some as the front runner after he won the support of Ukip's biggest donor

Asked if she was divisive, Ms Evans said: 'Nothing breeds unity like success. With me at the helm, I am absolutely confident we will be able to reach out to voters on the left and right of politics.'

Ms Evans said she came from a traditional Labour background but had served as a Tory councillor - and insisted she was well placed to drive Ukip forward.

She said: 'Our future lies in being the common sense centre, not a wishy washy Lib Dem centre, but a tough centre that controls borders, spends more on defence, cuts the foreign aid budget, slashes energy bills.

'At times there has been a bit too much testosterone in Ukip and that's another reason I can help pour oil on troubled waters.'

Ms Evans said Ukip headquarters had been 'besieged' by motions of support for her leadership bid and insisted: 'I would not be doing this if I did not have the support of members.'

Nigel Farage today slammed Ms Evans' intervention on Mr Kassam, insisting he would not be voting for her in the leadership contest

Mr Farage dismissed the criticisms and claimed Ms Evans had made similar allegations about him last year

Mr Banks said he was backing Mr Kassam for the leadership 'despite Paul Nuttall running' for the job.

Mr Farage today slammed Ms Evans for her intervention on the race told ITV's Peston on Sunday he would rule out voting for her.

He said: 'The last leadership election we had a few weeks ago... I didn't endorse anybody, I didn't criticise anybody, I didn't get involved. I intended not to get involved this time.

'But for her to talk about the party being toxic, for her to already declare one of the candidates Raheem Kassam as being far right, I don't view this as being a very good start.

'I have to say they are the sorts of things she said to me after the general election.

'She has been in the wrong place ever since. She may think that herself - but that is not how Ukip members and voters feel.'

Insurance tycoon Arron Banks has given 1million to Ukip and has declared Mr Kassam the 'candidate to beat'

Mr Kassam, an ex-chief of staff to Mr Farage, welcomed the support offered by Mr Banks, the co-founder of the Leave.EU Brexit campaign.

He said: 'This is a major endorsement from someone who has been one of the driving forces behind Ukip in recent years.

'Mr Banks ploughed his personal time and money into the referendum campaign and the party, and for those wondering whether he still stood with Ukip, this is a very clear sign: he does, under a Kassam leadership.

'I'd like to thank Arron for the brave and important support, and I look forward to working with him to make Ukip great again.'

Mr Banks said on Twitter: 'I've been very impressed with Raheem's ideas, despite Paul Nuttall running I think he's the candidate to beat. He's got my support.'

Ukip deputy leader Paul Nuttall said he was the 'unity' candidate in the race to replace Mr Farage, warning the party faced an 'existential crisis'

Mr Nuttall admitted to the BBC's Andrew Neil today the party had 'changed' and needed his experience to bring it back together

Launching his own bid to be leader, Mr Nuttall warned Ukip was facing an 'existential crisis' and warned: 'We need a strong Ukip to make sure Brexit really does mean Brexit.'

Mr Nuttall admitted he had changed his mind about running for leader because the other candidates lacked his experience - which included being party chairman and deputy leader for six years.

He said: 'Maybe it's time for me to step in and bring the party together.'

He added: 'I want to make sure the party is on the pitch and able to kick the ball into the back of the net.

'I am the go to man to bring the party together.'
A man who was beaten up as he walked home from work says two men attacked him simply because he was wearing a pink shirt.

Kent Morgan from Blenheim, New Zealand, was left cut and bloodied after being jumped at random as he made his way home following a shift at a local Irish Bar last Friday.

The 32-year-old was waking past a dark alleyway when he was called a 'pink shirt wearing homo' by the two men.

Despite Mr Morgan putting his head down and ignoring the pair as they continued to harass him about the colour of his clothing, he said they were seemingly determined to create a fight no matter what he did.

Kent Morgan (pictured) was attacked as he walked home from work down a New Zealand street because he was wearing a pink shirt

Mr Morgan, 32, said he was called a 'pink shirt wearing homo' and had ignored the jibes of the two men, but was attacked regardless. He was left bloodied and cut (pictured) by the attack but said ont he whole he was OK

'It was after midnight and I came past a side street and these two guys called me a "pink shirt wearing homo",' Mr Morgan told Daily Mail Australia.

'I just carried on walking because I thought theres no point answering back because it sounded like they'd had a few beers.

'But they seemingly wanted a blue because they yelled out, "Dont f*****g ignore me mate", but I did and just carried on walking.'

After walking some 30 metres further down the road, Mr Morgan said he heard footsteps approaching him at pace.

Instantly knowing he was going to be attacked, he braced and prepared to face the pair.

While they initially had the jump on him it wasn't long before the father-of-one got the upper hand, fighting back against the two in self defence.

'I heard sprinting behind me and knew it wasn't going to go too well,' he said.

'One guy had me in a body hold and the other guy was hitting me in the eye, but I managed to turn myself to the side and slip out of the hold and wiggle my way free.

The father-of-one said he was making a strong recovery but had still promised his wife he wouldn't walk home from walk for the next few weeks after the incident

Mr Morgan said pink was his favourite colour and he was disappointed to have to throw out the bloodied shirt

'I hit the guy in front of me three or four times and then the one behind me was still holding onto me, so I grabbed him by the ears and bit into his cheek.

'He squealed and just ran off, but they kept yelling at me about my pink shirt.

'Ive never gone out looking for a fight and I hope it never happens again, but I know how to look after myself.'

Mr Morgan said he had made a trip to hospital upon the insistence of his wife, while he'd also promised not to walk home from work anymore.

Mr Morgan said he was dissapointed by the anti-homosexual motive for the attack: 'I've got no issues with homosexuals and I've got mates who are gay,' he said

While on the whole he's feeling fine, Mr Morgan said the anti-homosexual motive for the attack didn't sit well with him.

'I've got no issues with homosexuals and I've got mates who are gay, so its clearly a blight in the way these guys have been brought up,' he said.

'Maybe my pink shirt was just an excuse to find a scrap, I don't know, but I'm disappointed because pink's my favourite colour.
A thug launches a cowardly and sustained attack on a young mother when she asks him to not smoke in the lift they are sharing.

CCTV captured the shocking attack on the mother, known only as Ms Li, in a lift in Langfang, China.

As he goes to enter the lift she calmly asks him to put his cigarette out because she is sharing the confined space with her toddler daughter.

Ms Li asked the man not to smoke in the lift she was sharing with her toddler daughter (pictured)

Suddenly he lunges at Ms Li, repeatedly punching her in the face and head (pictured)

He is seen grabbing her hair to hold her still and hitting her in the face while she tries to fight him off (pictured)

The attack goes on for more than 30 seconds and the man only stops his assault to push the floor button

Suddenly, he lunges at Ms Li, repeatedly punching her in the face and head.

He stops briefly to press the button for the floor he needs before attacking her again.

She attempts to fight back and even uses her bag at as a weapon while he furiously punches her.

When the lift hits the bottom floor he flees and she runs after him but, in the rush she forgets her young daughter is still in the lift.

CCTV captures the doors closing on the confused toddler as she watches her mother chase the attacker.

She attempts to fight back and use her bag at as a weapon while he furiously punches her

The mother also attempts to keep her attacker away from the corner of the lift where her daughter is standing

CCTV captures the doors closing on the confused toddler as she watches her mother chase the attacker

CCTV footage shows the man calmly leaving the building after the brutal assault (pictured)

During an interview with Chinese television Ms Li said her attacker told her: 'Why is this any of your business? Why can't I smoke?'

She added: 'He is a thug without humanity. I've never met someone so savage.'
' war on drugs has claimed one of its youngest victims, a seven-year-old girl in Manila

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The 'war on drugs' sweeping the Philippines may have claimed its youngest victim - a seven-year-old girl.

Streets littered with dead bodies have become common place since President Rodrigo Duterte waged the war against drug trafficking on June 30.

The drug war - Duterte's signature policy and a popular one among Filipinos who elected him in May by a huge margin - has seen more than 3,600 people killed since it began.

But on Saturday night their was no escaping President Duterte's reasoning behind the war, as two parents mourned the loss of their innocent daughter at the alleged hands of a drug user.

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A father wails inconsolably after being told of the death of his seven-year-old daughter in the Philippines, the latest casualty of the 'war on drugs'

The mother of the young girl had to comfort her distraught husband after being told of their loss. Philippines' President Rodrigo Duterte waged the war in June, after it was one of his major policies at the May election

Seemingly in disbelief, the husband and wife sit in shock after hearing the news that their daughter had been murdered

Moving images captured the devastating moment the pair were told about their child's death at Tugatog public cemetery, in Manila.

The young girl's distraught father had to be comforted by his wife as he wailed inconsolably.

In a moving moment, the woman placed a hand on her husband's shoulder, who could do nothing but put his head in his hands.

According to local media, a registered drug user known to the police was detained as a suspect involved in the killing.

It comes as numerous international powers voice their concerns about what's happening on the streets of the Philippines' capital.

The United Nations, the European Union, the United States and international human rights groups have all queried the alleged extrajudicial killings.

The streets of the Manila have been littered with dead bodies since President Duterte waged the war on June 30

Inmates, overflowing from their holding cell, watch on as drug suspects are processed inside a Manila police station

Investigators inspect the body of an alleged drug dealer as he lies in the gutter of a Manila street in early October

But Duterte, who is known as 'The Punisher', is rating well with Filipinos, according to two recent opinion polls.

The firebrand President, not content with just stamping out hard drugs, has also recently introduced a nationwide smoking ban.

The national restrictions will be along the same lines as those set in Duterte's old municipality of Davao - no smoking in public places, either indoor or outdoor.

Blood poors from the wrist of a man killed in a shootout with police on the streets of Manila in early October

An alleged drug dealer and one of many execution victims from the 'war on drugs' is examined by police after his death
Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood show off perfect versions of cakes that are produced during the technical challenge - but they do not actually make them

The Great British Bake Off judges do not actually make the model cakes they show off as examples to contestants, it has been revealed.

Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood bring out perfect versions of cakes that are produced during the technical challenge.

But these are not baked by the presenters, who are too busy getting their make-up done, but by expert bakers hired by producers Love Productions.

'Mary and Paul might explain how the finished result is achieved, but they have had no hand in it,' an insider told The Sun On Sunday.

However, the duo do not seem to make any effort to hide their lack of involvement - with Hollywood even discussing what 'we' have done when he discusses the examples.

Fans of the show reacted with outrage to the news on social media.

Twitter user 'blue eyes' wrote: 'Just heard that Mary Berry & Paul Hollywood DON'T bake the technical challenge bakes. Shocked!! #thearchers bakers will be horrified.'

Another said: 'Paul and Mary don't even make the examples that they show off for the technical challenge, I feel betrayed. Bake Off? More like fake off.'

Expert producers hired by Love Productions bake the cakes while the presenters are busy getting their make-up done

Some fans of the show reacted with outrage at the news on social media. Twitter user Tom Sutton mocked the reaction

But Tom Sutton mocked the outrage, tweeting: 'Did you know Mary Berry DOESNT bake the cakes on TV herself!!! In other news the world is not flat.'

Love Productions confirmed that the presenters do not make the cakes.

The Bake Off final on Wednesday is expected to attract 15 million viewers.

It will be the last ever episode in which Mary Berry, Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins host the main series.

All three have bowed out of moving with the show - and judge Paul Hollywood - to Channel 4 in 2018, which will see the programme having a year off in 2017.

The duo do not seem to make any effort to hide their lack of involvement - with Hollywood even discussing what 'we' have done when he presents the examples

The realisation struck a chord with ardent Bake Off fans, who took to social media to express their grief.

A Mary Berry parody account tweeted: 'When you realise there's only one more episode after this of #GBBO left with Mel and Sue.'

And Rachel Jay @therachyjay wrote: 'Saved #GBBO for after the #Debate2016 - so I could have hope again.
A well-loved tech and media personality best known for his work with ABC show Q&A has been killed in an alleged hit-run by a suspected drunk driver as he walked his two daughters who were both injured in the crash.

Leslie Nassar, 43, has been identified by social media as the man killed in a car crash in Nampa, Idaho, where he had moved to from Australia.

His two daughters, aged three and eight, were injured in the crash about 7.30am local time on Saturday but have since been released from hospital, Nampa Police confirmed to Daily Mail Australia.

Leslie Nassar, 43, has been identified by social media as the man killed in a car crash in Nampa, Idaho, where he had moved from Australia

Local man Tristian Myers, 20, was charged over the crash.

He had allegedly fled the scene of the crash but was tracked down after making a suspicious phone call to police.

Mr Myers then admitted to hitting the 43-year-old with his white 1992 Ford and fleeing, police said.

He has been charged with leaving the scene of an injury crash and is being held at Canyon County Jail.

Police reportedly suspect he had been drink-driving. Investigations are continuing.

Mr Nassar was known for his satirical column at Crikey, Department of Australia, and for impersonating a former Labor Senator and minister on Twitter handle @fakeStephenConroy.

Mr Nassar was known for his satirical column at Crikey, Department of Australia, and for impersonating a former Labor Senator and minister on Twitter handle @fakeStephenConroy

The tech expert had founded and managed TweeVee TV, which integrated tweets into the live broadcast of Q&A.

He had built the system by himself from scratch, friend and writer Dan Nolan said.

Local man Tristian Myers, 20, (pictured) was charged over the crash

Mr Nassar had also helped build ABC's podcasting platform.

Tributes have been flooding social media for the 'biting, cynical, important' voice.

'The man was a prodigious inventor and someone who could not just see what technology could do but was constantly trying to push it to the edges of the realms of the possible,' Nolan wrote in a tribute on Facebook.

'He was a towering intellect and a truly, truly good man.'

Mr Nassar began trending on Twitter in Australia, which many joked he would have hated.

A spokesperson for Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade told Daily Mail Australia consular assistance was being provided to the family of an Australian man who died in the United States.

The executive producer of ABC program QandA called Mr Nassar a 'genius'
A grandmother who fell ill on a 'holiday of a lifetime' faces a 5,000 medical bill despite taking out holiday insurance as she had been removed from her GP surgery list for being a 'ghost' patient.

Lee Dean, 57, was struck down with cystitis - an inflammation of the bladder - three days into a week-long holiday in Lanzarote with her husband Gary.

It was the couple's first holiday in 25 years. They had booked the trip to celebrate the renewal of their wedding vows.

Lee Dean, 57, was struck down with cystitis - an inflammation of the bladder - three days into a week-long holiday in Lanzarote with her husband Gary, 54

Mrs Dean, a cleaner, had to spent four days in a private hospital but thought she would be covered because the couple had taken out a joint 45 joint insurance policy before the holiday.

However she was told the policy was not valid as she had been de-registered from her doctors - Newington Health Care in Hull - as she had not needed its services for a few years.

In July NHS England introduced a scheme whereby patients faced being struck off their GP lists if they did not contact their doctor for five years as part of a drive to save money.

They claimed the scheme would save the NHS around 100 for each patient removed.

Her insurers, White House Insurance Ireland Limited, said the person must be registered with a UK doctor so medical records could be scrutinised in the event of a claim.

Now the couple are frustrated they may have to pay for the 5,000 bill.

Mr Dean, 54, said: 'They told me they wouldn't pay out because Lee doesn't have a doctor.

'She hasn't needed to go to the doctor's for four or five years but she's been going to that surgery for over 40 years.

'How many people can find 5,000 just like that? People need to make sure they are registered with their GP before they take out any kind of health or travel insurance.

'We want people to learn from what happened to us.'

Mrs Dean, a cleaner, had to spent four days in a private hospital but thought she would be covered because the couple had taken out a joint 5 joint insurance policy before the holiday

GHOST PATIENTS In July NHS England introduced a scheme where patients who have not visited their GP for five years face being axed from their doctor's surgery. Under the initiative, those who have not seen their GP for five years will be sent two letters asking them to respond. If they cannot be contacted to say they still wish to be registered with their doctor, they will be removed from the practice list. GPs are paid for every patient on their list - on average, they receive funding of about 136 per registered patient. Critics have warned that 'ghost patients' are being removed inappropriately. Pulse magazine, which published details of the plan, carried out its own investigation which suggests thousands of 'ghost patients' have been inappropriately removed from practice lists in recent years. The British Medical Association has also said people could be unfairly penalised as they might not respond to the letters and should 'not be punished for being well'. Advertisement

As part of the cost-cutting measure, NHS England said those who had been out of touch with their surgery for a number of years would receive two letters and, if they did not respond, would be taken off their GP's list.

However Mr and Mrs Dean are adamant there was no communication from the surgery.

They will now be left with a large bill after Mrs Dean required urgent medical attention in the Spanish island resort.

Mr Dean, a long-distance truck driver, said: 'I decided that Lee really needed to go to hospital. She was quickly diagnosed with cystitis and was put on a drip.

'After a couple of days the bill stood at 2,500 Euros.

'They initially wanted a 2,000 Euro deposit before they would issue us with a 'fit to fly' certificate but, in the end, we just paid an 85 Euro insurance excess.'

To make matters worse, the couple missed their flight back to the UK and, despite contacting their holiday provider, Thomas Cook, had to ask their family to find them cheap flights home.

Mr Dean said: 'Our holiday was ruined. For us, this was a holiday of a lifetime.

'We both work hard but hadn't been abroad for nearly 25 years.

'We'd renewed our wedding vows four years ago and this break was meant to have been a bit of a celebration of that.'

He added: 'Now we're just left waiting for the bill and we're expecting it to be at least 5,000.'

The couple will now be left with a large bill after Mrs Dean required urgent medical attention in the Spanish island resort (pictured)

A spokeswoman for White Horse Insurance Ireland Limited said they had been unable to access Mrs Dean's medical records to enable them to make a fully informed decision.

She said: 'Regrettably, as Mrs Dean is not registered with a GP, we could not access the medical records required under the terms and conditions of her policy to make a fully informed decision.

'As a result, we advised the couple that they would have pay the hospital bill, but that they could make a claim once they got home. This would allow us to trace Mrs Dean's medical records through the Central Repository.

'Our claims team has already sent them a claims form for completion, which we will process as soon as receive it.'

Newington Health Care Centre declined to comment citing patient confidentiality.

A spokesman for the Association Of British Insurers told MailOnline: 'Travel insurance is there to pay out for emergency treatment when people fall ill or have accidents overseas, and insurers pay out an average of 1 million a day in claims.
Students studying for their HSC exams are taking so many prescription drugs to them concentrate, they are resorting to using more drugs to sleep at night.

Year 12 students are reportedly using prescription drugs such as Ritalin and Modafinal before exams, then taking melatonin tablets at night to reorientate their body clocks.

Dr Chris Seton, a paediatric and adolescent sleep physician at the Woolcock Institute and Westmead Children's Hospital, told the Sydney Morning Herald the students he had seen were 'in crisis'.

Students studying for their HSC exams are taking so many prescription drugs to them concentrate, they are resorting to using more drugs to sleep at night (stock image)

Year 12 students are reportedly using prescription drugs such as Ritalin (pictured) and Modafinal before exams, then taking melatonin tablets at night to get to sleep

He said this time of year was the most common to see students struggling with sleeping problems, and many were taking prescription drugs.

Dr Seton has urged parents to seek early help for children who are having difficulty sleeping, before the HSC starts.

Ritalin is used to treat attention deficit disorders, such as ADD and ADHD and Modafinil is used for sleep disorders such as narcolepsy.

Both drugs are reportedly used as 'smart drugs' in Australia and the US to help with concentration while studying.

Melatonin, which is a hormone naturally released in the body when it becomes dark, is now being taken by students when they need to get to sleep.

Dr Chris Seton, a paediatric and adolescent sleep physician at the Woolcock Institute and Westmead Children's Hospital, said the students he had seen were 'in crisis' (stock image)

NSW Board of Studies president Tom Alegenouris argued that prescription drugs work against students.

'You are not at your best, you are not at your clearest, you are not going to be able to show what you can do under artificial influences,' he said.
Expert help in determining the ages of child refugees seeking to come to the UK from Calais was rejected by the Home Office in August, according to claims

Expert help in determining the ages of child refugees seeking to come to the UK from Calais was rejected by the Home Office in August, according to claims.

Councils say they offered to send specialist social workers to the so-called Jungle camp to help with the processing of applications.

However, it has been suggested that officials only started asking for expert help on Friday, as some MPs raised concerns about the age of the migrants arriving in Britain.

David Simmonds, chairman of the LGA's asylum, refugee and migration taskforce told The Telegraph: 'We made the offer in August and the Home Office didn't take it up at the time.

'They only started asking for social workers with age assessment experience on Friday.'

He added: 'The offer was not taken up quickly enough. I understand that on Friday the Home Office started asking Kent for social workers with experience in age assessment.

'But we offered our help three months ago. I am aware they were trying to talk to people on Friday to get help after all.'

A Home Office source claimed the support had not been needed when it was offered in August.

The first arrival of child refugees from Calais this week caused controversy after it was suggested that some appeared to look older than typical teenagers.

Tory MP David Davies suggested using dental checks to establish how old they are.

Councils say they offered specialist social workers to help prepare for the arrival of refugees from the so-called Calais Jungle. Pictured is the makeshift facility being used by the Home Office to process applications from children to come the UK

Screens have since been put up at the immigration centre in Croydon, south London, to keep the refugees hidden from public view.

Dozens of young migrants have arrived in the UK in recent days, including the first group of vulnerable children without links to Britain to be brought in under the landmark Dubs agreement.

Previously, all young refugees who have arrived in Britain have been brought under the Dublin regulations, which require the children with family links in the UK.

The first arrival of child refugees from Calais this week caused controversy after it was suggested that some appeared to look older than typical teenagers

Many have raised concerns the children may be adults posing as youngsters to get to Britain

Bishop Jonathan Clark, spokesman for Citizens UK, said 'the most vulnerable' were 'at last being transferred to Britain under the provisions of the Dubs amendment, including many young girls'.

Demolition teams are preparing to move into the Jungle on Monday to clear the estimated 6,500 inhabitants who will be relocated to reception centres across France.

British activists from the protest group No Borders are expected to try to block the demolition of the camp.

In January, British anarchists were among those reported to be stirring up trouble in Calais when migrants and protesters stormed the port and boarded a ferry.

Tory MP David Davies suggested using dental checks to establish how old they are
The race was held up for 20 minutes and reduced to 10 laps

British rider John McPhee was rushed to hospital after the incident

Four bikes were involved in a scary

A British Moto3 rider has been rushed to hospital after a horror four-bike crash.

John McPhee was taken from the circuit in an ambulance after he was involved the incident that stopped the 23-lap race with 18 laps to go.

The 22-year-old lost control of his bike in a tightly-packed field coming down Lukey Heights and was struck by one of the three bikes that became involved.

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A horror four-bike crash in Sunday's Moto3 at Phillip Island has resulted in British rider John Mcphee being rushed to hospital

He was reported to have regained consciousness before he was taken to hospital.

Just 24 of the 34 riders on the original starting grid rejoined the race, which was reduced to 10 laps, when it was restarted after a 20-minute break.

Enea Bastiannini was one of the riders taken down and was hit at the bottom of the hill by Andrea Migno.

Jorge Navarro was the other entrant down in the chaos.

The shortened race was eventually won by newly crowned Moto3 world champion Brad Binder.

Three other incidents caused multiple retirements in the opening four laps.

John McPhee was taken from the circuit in an ambulance after he was involved in a crash on Sunday

The 22-year-old lost control of his bike and was struck another rider

McPhee was reported to have regained consciousness before he was taken to hospital.
Armed police have detained a man without incident after a three day stand-off with a man who was feared to have barricaded himself inside his flat with petrol bombs.

The man, named locally as Jason Matthews, 46, was detained at the property in Northolt, north-west London after police broke down the door.

Specialist police officers, backed up by firefighters, entered the property at 8.10pm.

Earlier he was said to be holed up with 'hazardous items' including petrol and combustible material at the property in Wood End Lane.

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Armed police officers moved in tonight after surrounding the property in Northolt, north London (pictured)

The man, who was understood to suffer from mental health issues, was inside the house with his four rottweiler dogs.

Chief Superintendent Paul Martin, said: 'I am really pleased that this incident has now ended, and importantly ended without anyone coming to harm.

'Our key priority throughout this was to get the man out of the address safely as we had growing concerns about his well-being and believed him to be in crisis.

Officers on the scene earlier, during the third day of the stand-off with the man

'After attempts to negotiate over a number of days did not work we used specialist officers to work out how we could gain entry to the address as safely as we could.They did that this evening.

'I would like to thank all the local residents, especially those who were hugely disrupted by not being able to return to their homes, for their patience and cooperation.We are continuing to search the property in Wood End Lane, which we are doing as quickly as can to make sure people get home.'

Around 80 residents were evacuated from nearby homes and a police cordon was in place 200m around the house. They are now able to return to their homes.

Photographs taken today show heavily armed officers at the scene of the stand off

Alex Irons, a radio presenter who lives close to the scene, said he noticed a police van blocking the road on Saturday, but didn't think much of it at the time.

'I got home from work at 6am, as I was walking home I saw police had closed off Whitton Avenue West at Petts Hill Roundabout,' he told MailOnline.

'I thought maybe someone had crashed their car or had an accident but didn't think any more of it.'

Some 80 residents were evacuated from nearby homes

Police said the incident was not terrorist-related and the man had been 'in crisis'

Mr Irons, 25, said: 'It's all rather exciting. Apart from reports of knife crime nothing happens in Northolt, ever.'

One neighbour, who didn't want to be named, described the evacuation.

The neighbour said: 'We got evacuated on Friday morning. My mother had passed away on the Thursday evening and I didn't get from the hospital until early hours of the morning and then was woken by a loud bang on the doors.

'We had police telling us 'there's a bomb nearby' but after a few hours we were given the all clear but still told to stay indoors.'

Officers were called shortly before 1am on Friday, by a caller expressing concern for the occupants of a house. Pictured, the scene earlier today

Steve Carroll, 42, told Get West London armed police had blocked off the leisure centre car park, telling visitors that there was an ongoing 'emergency.'

He said: 'We got there around 8.20am for kids swimming lessons.

'When we arrived there was one car outside with lights on. By the time we parked in the leisure centre car park and walked round to the entrance there was 3 cars and 3 vans.

'When we were coming out about 9:45am the car park was blocked off by police and there was police cars and vans everywhere. Armed police there too.'

Earlier Councillor Julian Bell, leader of Ealing Council, said: 'We are working closely with our colleagues in the police as they continue to deal with the ongoing incident in Northolt.

'I've been kept appraised by the police throughout the incident and we have offered help to those residents who have had to leave their homes.
Melbourne shivered its way through the coldest mid-October weekend in over three decades and Sydney battled wintry conditions of its own with gusty winds and low temperatures.

The bad news is that forecasters expect Australia's icy spring to carry on through to November, with predictions of lower than average temperatures and heavy rainfall.

Sydneysiders can expect an ease in rain for the next few days, with temperatures averaging in the mid-20s through till Wednesday, before a cold front is expected to swing across the state of NSW on Friday which should last the weekend.

Victorians can look forward to a warmer week than the one just experienced, with isolated showers expected on Wednesday and Thursday but fine and sunny forecast for the weekend. Tuesday will be the pick of the bunch with 24C forecast.

Icy spring: Sydney (pictured, George river) is expected to be hit with another cold front on Friday, bringing rain and chilly temperatures

After shivering its way through the coldest mid-October weekend in over three decades, Melbourne is set to warm up this week with temperatures in the mid 20s

Forecasters expect Australia's icy spring to carry on through to November (pictured, BOM temperature graph of the nation on Sunday)

Melbourne's freezing conditions at the moment can be put down to a large mass of cold air which has travelled up from the Southern Ocean.

'Days below 14C are relatively rare particularly in the second half of October,' bureau senior forecaster Rod Dickson told AAP.

'These sort of temperatures are more normal in June and July. They are winter-time temperatures more than late Spring.'

FIVE-DAY WEATHER FORECAST IN CAPITAL CITIES Sydney Monday: Min 11 max 21, sunny Tuesday: Min 12 max 26, mostly sunny Wednesday: Min 16, max 29, partly cloudy Thursday: Min 17, max 25, showers Friday: Min 14, max 21, showers Melbourne Monday: Min 8, max 18, cloudy Tuesday: Min 11, max 24, possible showers Wednesday: Min 13, max 20, shower or two Thursday: Min 10, max 17, cloudy Friday: Min 8, max 20, mostly sunny Brisbane Monday: Min 14, max 25, cloudy Tuesday: Min 14, max 28, sunny Wednesday: Min 16, max 30, sunny Thursday: Min 16, max 31, cloudy and chance of showers Friday: Min 17, max 31, cloudy and chance of showers Perth Monday: Min 11, max 21, cloudy Tuesday: Min 9, max 21, cloudy Wednesday: Min 9, max 23, sunny Thursday: Min 10, max 23, sunny Friday: Min 10, max 23, cloudy Advertisement

Melbourne's (pictured) freezing conditions at the moment can be put down to a large mass of cold air which has travelled up from the Southern Ocean

Brisbane will stay toasty early in the week with average temperatures in the mid-20s, but that warmth will be short-lived due to another cold front arriving mid-week.

Showers are likely to hit parts of the state of Queensland on Thursday and should stay through the weekend, but temperatures are set to stay high, with a maximum forecast of 31C on Thursday.

South Australians should escape the rain on the weekend, while residents of Perth in Western Australia can look forward to a warm week and a beautiful weekend.

At the tip of the country in Darwin, temperatures will be stable in the high-20s to low-30s throughout the week, but a trough in the northwest is triggering showers and possible thunderstorms.

Revellers at the Cox Plate on Saturday were forced to duck for cover as they experienced the coldest race day since 1970 at Moonee Valley
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Iraqi-led forces are fighting to tighten the noose around Mosul, as coalition forces announced they had seized a nearby town.

Kurdish fighters numbering around 10,000 moved on Bashiqa, ten miles north of the Isis-held city, at dawn. A spokesman said they had entered the town around 2pm.

It comes as Iraqi forces hunt Islamic State jihadists behind attacks on government buildings in Kirkuk, 90 miles south.

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An Iraqi counter terrorism soldier makes safe a suicide bomb during the offensive to recapture the city of Mosul from Islamic State militants

After defusing the bomb, the skilled Iraqi soldier holds up the detonators in the midst of a battle that they are finally winning, advancing through various villages in their quest to recapture Mosul

Huge parts of the city have been destroyed by the battle and here and Iraqi soldier holds his rifle aimed at an empty building, partially ruined during the offensive advances

The forces are toppling various ISIS strongholds on the way to Mosul and her, in Bartella, just five miles from the city, tanks drive past a ruined statue of the Virgin Mary

In the village of al-Khuwayn, south of Mosul, Iraqi soldiers wave to civilians after toppling the small town's ISIS rulers and freeing the people from its brutal regime

In the town of Safayah, another stronghold now freed from ISIS in the march towards Mosul, soldiers advance towards Islamic State positions to continue the offensive

Bullet casings litter the ground in Bartila, two days after its liberation, some 20 miles east of Mosul, as the battle continues to rage in nearby Qarqosh, Bashika, and other towns being freed from ISIS control

Coalition forces are fighting to tighten the noose around Isis-held Mosul, as the Kurdish peshmerga (pictured) announced they had seized a nearby town

Peshmerga forces are preparing for an attack on the Isis-held villages of Imam Reza and Tizxirab in Bashiqa district

Iraqi soldiers fly unmanned drones before a reconnaissance mission over an Islamic State position outside the town of Safayah near Mosul

US Defence Secretary Ash Carter visited northern Iraq today to meet with Kurdish fighters. Carter said he wants to see military operations to isolate IS fighters in Raqqa, Syria, to begin 'as soon as possible'

He said there will be simultaneous operations in Mosul and Raqqa, and that the United States would coordinate in Raqqa with its partners. Pictured are Peshmerga forces near Mosul

A Kurdish peshmerga fighter shoots on Isis positions during an operation to attack the terrorists in Naweran

Smoke rises at Islamic State militants' positions in the town of Naweran, near Mosul. Iraqi and Kurdish forces have been supported by US-led airstrikes

Fighters numbering around 10,000 moved on Bashiqa, ten miles north of Mosul, at dawn. Pictured are Kurdish fighters near Naweran

A spokesman said they had entered the town around 2pm. Pictured are peshmerga fighters resting during an operation near Naweran

Dozens of attackers, including several suicide bombers, failed to seize control of the buildings, but succeeded in sowing chaos in the oil-rich and ethnically mixed city.

POPE: SUFFERING 'LEAVES US WITHOUT WORDS' Pope Francis told 50,000 faithful gathered in the Vatican City he was pained by the 'murder in cold blood' of Iraqis. He spoke of his sympathy for people who had been suffering, adding: 'Our souls are shaken by the brutal acts of violence that are being committed for too long against innocent citizens, whether Muslims or Christians.' Advertisement

At least 51 of the jihadists were killed, including three more on today, local security officials said.

Some 46 people, most of them members of the security forces, died in the raid and ensuing clashes.

Kurdish and other forces were tracking down militants believed to have fled Kirkuk on Saturday to rural areas east of the city.

Sporadic clashes continued, a senior security official said, with forces besieging IS gunmen in Kirkuk's Nidaa neighbourhood.

The Mosul offensive, which was launched last Monday, aims to reclaim the last major Iraqi city under IS control.

There is deep concern for an estimated 1.2 million civilians still believed to be in the city.

Iraqi forces are hunting Islamic State jihadists behind attacks on government buildings in Kirkuk, 90 miles south. Pictured are Kurdish fighters near Mosul

At least 51 of the jihadists were killed in Kirkuk, including three more on today , local security officials said. Here, a peshmerga fighter fires on Isis positions near Naweran

The Mosul offensive, which was launched last Monday, aims to reclaim the last major Iraqi city under IS control. It includes Kurdish fighters (pictured; left, right) as well as Iraqi forces

On Saturday, terrorists executed 284 men and boys in Mosul. They had previously been used as human shields to defend against advancing forces

Some of the 550 families taken hostage by Islamic State were able to return home while others will continue to be used as human shields by retreating jihadis

Families have been waving the white flag in vain as terrorists round up villagers in an attempt to hold off advancing coalition forces in the battle for Mosul in Iraq

The United Nations said more than 5,000 people have already been displaced and are in need of humanitarian assistance

The peshmerga are advancing toward Mosul from the north in long columns of armored vehicles and other trucks

On Saturday, terrorists executed 284 men and boys, having used them as human shields to defend against advancing forces.

Some of the 550 families taken hostage by Islamic State were able to return home while others will continue to be used as human shields by retreating jihadis.

Families have been waving the white flag in vain as terrorists round up villagers in an attempt to hold off advancing coalition forces in the battle for Mosul in Iraq.

The United Nations said more than 5,000 people have already been displaced and are in need of humanitarian assistance.

More than 100 US special operations forces are embedded with the Kurds and Iraqi military commandos

US military officials say the peshmerga will stop their advance about 20 miles outside of Mosul and hold that territory to ensure the militants don't regroup. Pictured are Peshmerga fighters near Mosul

A man displaced by the fighting complains about the lack of food supplies outside a processing centre as smoke from burning oil refinery blanketed Qayyara, south of Mosul

The United Nations received reports that the jihadists forced an estimated 200 families to walk from the nearby Samalia village to Mosul last week. Pictured are displaced people from Mosul on the outskirts of Erbil

The UN said forced displacements were consistent with IS's 'apparent policy of preventing civilians from escaping to areas controlled by the Iraqi security forces'
Gained popularity thanks to an ad about gun control released last month

Recent poll has Kander two points ahead of Blunt in upcoming election

A Democratic Senate hopeful could pull off an unlikely victory thanks to his gun skills.

Jason Kander, 35, is challenging incumbent Republican senator Roy Blunt, 66, in the race for Missouri. Kander had trailed behind Blunt for most of the race - until a 32-second video ad turned the tables.

The clip shows Kander, a former Army captain, wearing a blindfold while effortlessly assembling an AR-15 assault rifle.

At the same time, Kander explains why he is in favor of background checks - so that terrorists 'can't get their hands on one of these', he says before tilting the near-finished AR-15 upright.

'I approve this message,' Kander says defiantly after putting the gun together, removing his blindfold, 'because I'd like to see Senator Blunt do this.'

Democratic Senate hopeful Jason Kander has gained popularity thanks to a video ad (pictured) in which he assembles a rifle blindfolded in just 32 seconds

Kander, who served in Afghanistan, says on his campaign website that he felt a calling to join the military after 9/11. He is pictured in uniform

After serving in the military, Kander became Missouri's Secretary of State in 2012. He now lives in Columbia with his wife Diana and their three-year-old son True (pictured with him)

The ad has now gathered 1,115,329 views - 19 times more than Kander's second most-watched clip, released at the same time, in which he talks about his support for veterans.

A poll by Emerson College, unveiled in September, showed Kander two points ahead of Blunt in the Missouri Senate race.

Kander had fallen behind Blunt in most polls before and has trailed him again since then, but the ad has given him more visibility - and challenged Blunt in unexpected ways.

Missouri has some of the most lenient gun laws in the United States. Democrats like Kander are not expected to show off their skills with guns.

Blunt took three draft deferments when he was a college student during the Vietnam War, the Kansas City Star reported- a fact that contrasts sharply with Kander's recent experience in the military.

The campaign ad brings up Kander's past in the military (he is pictured in uniform), while Blunt took three draft deferments when he was a college student during the Vietnam War

Kander (pictured with his son True) had fallen behind Blunt in most polls before and has trailed him again since then, but the ad has given him more visibility

Kander had trailed behind Blunt for most of the race - until the 32-second video ad (pictured) turned the tables. A recent poll had Kander two points ahead of Blunt

While he puts together the rifle, Kander (pictured left and right in the ad), a former Army captain, explains why he is in favor of background checks

'Kander has been successful at establishing himself as something different from the typical Democrat as we see the presidential and the gubernatorial race moving in the opposite direction,' director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute Patrick Murray told the Wall Street Journal.

Kander, who lives in Columbia with his wife Diana and their three-year-old son True, says on his campaign website that he felt a calling to join the military after 9/11.

He served in Afghanistan, then became Missouri's Secretary of State in 2012.

But Republican leaders believe Blunt can still win the November 8 election.

'We have always known that Mr Kander had a good ad agency, that he is a veteran with a commendable record, that he is young and handsome,' chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee Senator Roger Wicker told the Wall Street Journal.

'Now it turns out he can put a gun together and supposedly take it apart blindfolded. I daresay he might stay on a rodeo bull longer than Senator Blunt. He can undoubtedly do a lot of push-ups. None of that has anything to do with representing a right-of-center state in the United States Senate.'
Gable Tostee wrote a bizarre post on a bodybuilding blog which claimed his Tinder date attacked him before she fell 14 floors to her death.

The 30-year-old Australian wrote the 2,300-word defence just months after Warriena Wright plunged from his Glod Coast balcony in August 2014.

His named the post 'regarding the balcony tragedy' and published it on an online bodybuilding forum - but it was never heard by the Brisbane Supreme Court jury.

Nor did the trial hear from Tostee himself, who exercised his right to not give evidence.

But in October 2014, the carpet layer recounted the moment his date plunged from his balcony, and even attempted to explain why he recorded audio of their date.

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Gable Totsee wrote a bizarre 2,300-word defence just months after his Tinder date, Warriena Wright, fell to her death

His blog post, called 'regarding the balcony tragedy' and posted in a forum on a body building website, was never heard by the Brisbane Supreme Court jury

Tostee was acquitted of her murder and manslaughter last Thursday in the Brisbane Supreme Court.

In the blog post, Tostee said he 'regularly made audio recordings of my drunk nights on the town in case something happened'.

'I kept them for myself but didn't need to listen to them 99 per cent of the time. It's so easy to do using a smartphone and comes at such a small cost, and sometimes the recordings have been invaluable.'

He described seeing Warriena disappear out of view from his balcony railing after he locked her out.

'After shutting the door I turned my back and retreated, and literally about 10 seconds later when I turned around and looked through the glass I only briefly for a fraction of a second saw Warriena on the other side of the railing before she disappeared out of view,' Tostee said.

In October 2014, the carpet layer, 30, recounted the moment Warriena Wright plunged from his 14th floor Gold Coast balcony that August

Tostee claimed the date had gone downhill when Ms Wright became 'aggressive'

'At the time I couldn't tell if she had fallen or climbed down to another floor. All I knew was that she was no longer there.'

He said the 26-year-old had not tried to bang on the door to get back in or cry out for help.

The date had gone downhill, he claimed, when Ms Wright became 'aggressive'.

'At first we got along great but as the night continued, her behaviour became strange and she became increasingly aggressive,' Tostee wrote in the blog post two-years-ago.

'I'm not sure whether she found it amusing but it was getting out of hand. She kept hitting me, taunting me, throwing my stuff around and trashing my apartment.

'For the last couple of hours with her most of my efforts were spent trying to placate her in the hope that she would come down.

Tostee is pictured standing on his 14th floor balcony, where Ms Wright fell from

He described the balcony as 'not small or claustrophobic, nor was it inherently dangerous'

Tostee even posted pictures of his apartment in the blog post

Tostee claimed he had tried to make her leave, when she grabbed a 'metal object' and tried to swing it at him.

'This is where the alleged 'choking' sounds began. I never deliberately choked her or put my hands around her neck, all I did was try to remove the weapon from her,' he said.

'If I wanted to choke her out then it probably wouldn't have been hard, but I did not do that as I did not want to hurt her. A less forgiving man could have quite conceivably exercised less restraint and retaliated violently. I did what I did to prevent further physical conflict and de-escalate the situation as best as I could.'

Audio recording reveals Warriena had asked to leave, which Tostee replied with: 'I would, but you've been a bad girl.'

His response was him 'frustratingly trying to tell her that I already tried to make her leave in response to her claiming she wanted to go home', he said.

Tostee claimed he had put her on the balcony to separate them, but allowing him to 'keep an eye on her through the glass doors until she either calmed down or I called someone like security or police to take her away'.

Tostee said it pained him 'to think of the loss and suffering' Warriena's family must be experiencing

Audio recording shows Warriena had screamed 'no' 33 times in the moments before she fell to her death.

Tostee described the balcony as 'not small or claustrophobic, nor was it inherently dangerous'.

He even posted pictures of his apartment in the blog post.

'Never in my wildest imagination did I expect what happened next.'

He said he 'quickly realised that it would be extremely foolish to go back out on the balcony in case she had indeed fallen and someone saw me standing near the edge'.

'I did not 'flee' the scene,' Tostee said. 'I went downstairs to see if I could find out what happened. When I reached the lobby I saw flashing emergency lights coming from outside. At this point it dawned on me that something serious had happened. I was terrified, exhausted, intoxicated, and quite disorientated and all I wanted to do was get advice. I knew if I walked into police I could have been held under suspicion without legal representation, a situation nobody would want to be in. I resorted to leaving the building and calling my Dad.

Gable Tostee, 30, was acquitted last Thursday for the murder and manslaughter of Warriena Wright (pictured after the verdict was delivered)

A policewoman recreates Ms Wright's death ahead of the trial

'While I was waiting to meet my Dad I bought a slice of pizza to curb my hunger and anxiety.'

Audio recording shows Tostee called his father one hour after Warriena's death. He had ordered and eaten pizza shortly before phoning his father.

The 30-year-old called his date's death 'the most tragic and distressing event I have ever experienced'.

'Knowing I was the last person to be with her, it has left me permanently scarred and not a day passes that I don't wish I could go back in time and prevent it.'

He said he spent 'at least a week after it happened' so overwhelmed he was unable to laugh 'or even crack a smile'.

Ms Wright fell from his 14th floor balcony at his Gold Coast apartment (pictured)

'I broke down in tears several times a day, or whenever I saw her picture in the news. I never expected I would ever experience something like this, nor did I have any idea how much it would affect me. Even though I had only known her for a night I was horrified that this had happened to her. I would never wish for it to happen to anybody.'

He said it pained him 'to think of the loss and suffering' Warriena's family must be experiencing.

Tostee claimed media had attempted to make him appear 'an evil monster', a portrayal he said 'could not be further from the truth'.
The father of an eight-year-old girl with a terminal disorder says medical cannibis is the only way to ensure she has a decent quality of life.

Steve Peek from the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, began using cannabis oil on his daughter Suli to reduce the number of daily seizures - often more than 100 - caused by her regressive neurological disorder.

Mr Peek said he turned to the oil to aid Suli's discomfort when medication she was prescribed made her even sicker.

However the cannabis-based product cannot be used inside hospitals, meaning that when the youngster is at her sickest, it's essentially a death sentence, the Sunshine Coast Daily reports.

Suli Peek (pictured) suffers from a regressive neurological disorder, a terminal condition that saw her have more than 100 seizures a day. However her quality of life improved greatly when her parents began using cannabis oil to treat her condition

Now her father Steve Peek wants to be granted an amnesty to use the medical cannabis inside a hospital, a move he says will save the life of his bubbly eight-year-old daughter (pictured)

'She is dying, but there's no time frame or anything because there's no way of telling whether it will be one day or a few years,' he said.

'When a child is in palliative care, there aren't any choices left.

'Our daughter has been using medicinal cannabis for 18 months with no side effects. Who are we hurting?'

Suli's previous epilepsy medication saw her need to be resuscitated twice.

But so successful has the use of cannabis oil been in helping his daughter, Mr Peek is now fighting to be granted an amnesty to use it on his daughter inside hospitals.

A petition tabled to the Queensland Legislative Assembly has received backing from the member for Buderim, Steve Dickson.

Mr Peek has launched a petition in an effort to be granted the amnesty. So far his movement has received more than 1,800 signatures and support from parliament

He says it's ridiculous that Mr Peek hasn't been granted the amnesty to help his daughter.

'This little girl can't defend herself and her dad is doing everything he can for her,' he said.

'What parent in his position wouldn't?

More than 1,800 people have signed the petition since it was launched in early October.
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Two beachfront properties south-east of Melbourne have sold for a combined value of more than $4 million in the same week.

The houses at Frankston, on the eastern side of Port Phillip Bay, were sold before auction, setting property price records for the area.

Both water-view homes sold for a combined $4.23 million during the same week of October, with selling agent Harcourts Frankston describing the results as a record for the area.

This corner block home at 2 Beach Street in Frankston (pictured) sold for $2.43 million setting a record for the street

This double-storey home at 2 Beach Street (pictured) was sold in October without having to go to a scheduled auction

'This is a massive result for a Frankston property and I cant think of a similar result in the area,' director Darren Dowel told News Corp Australia.

A double-storey home at 2 Beach St, on a corner block, set a new street benchmark when it fetched $2.43 million before auction, Harcourts Frankston said.

It had earlier attracted a $2 million bid from an offshore buyer.

Another home four doors away at 126 Gould St sold for $1.8 million in the first week of October

A local buyer will renovate the house and use it as a holiday home, the newspaper report said.

Mr Dowell said the results were likely to encourage further sales in the area.

'Some owners in the area are now thinking of selling after those prices were achieved,' he said.

'We have also been seeing more quality homes sold in Frankston for above $900,000.'

Another nearby beachfront home at 126 Gould Street in Frankston sold for $1.8 million before going to a scheduled auction
Students at a California university were given a handout that shows non-inclusive words that are considered inappropriate to use.

California State University Fullerton told students on the handout about gender-inclusive language such as 'administrative assistant' instead of using 'secretary'.

The initiative is a part of the school's Inclusive Language Program and encourages students to let the university know what words or phrases 'you want people to eliminate', FOX News reported.

Other words or phrases that students are encouraged not to use include, 'mankind', 'hey guys', 'workmanship' and 'Mrs' or 'Miss'.

Students are California State University Fullerton (pictured) were given a handout that shows non-inclusive words that are considered inappropriate to use. They were encouraged to use words like 'administrative assistant' instead of 'secretary'

Inclusive words are defined by the university as words that do not 'label someone by gender' but are 'gender fluid'.

Students are encouraged to use these gender-fluid words instead: 'hey everyone', 'spokesperson', 'salesperson', 'chairperson' and the list goes on.

Spokesperson for CSU Fullerton, Jeffrey Cook, told Fox News participation in the language program is voluntary.

'The views of the presenter in no way demonstrate a mandatory personnel policy or a student conduct policy of Cal State Fullerton, and any person at our campus is free to disagree with those views,' said Cook, who is the university's chief communication officer.

'Cal State Fullerton does not police language on our campus and fully supports the rights of free speech and expression.'

The university has joined several other schools such as the University of Northern Colorado, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and others that have created similar initiatives.

As part of the Inclusive Language Program, students are encouraged to use these gender-fluid words: 'hey everyone', 'spokesperson', 'salesperson', 'chairperson'. But a spokesperson for the university (pictured) said the initiative is voluntary for students

Earlier this year, staff at Princeton University were ordered to stop using 'gendered words' in order to make the workplace more inclusive.

In a memo issued by the HR department at the Ivy League school, staff were instructed to stop using the generic term 'man' and all job titles involving the word.

Rather than referring to 'foremen' and 'man hours', employees were expected to use 'fore people' and 'person hours' instead.

'Gendered pronouns' such as 'him and her' were replaced with the plural 'they'.

The new guidelines covered all written communication by HR staff, including job postings.
The coroner that cracked the case of murdered Sunshine Coast teenager Daniel Morcombe has joined the search for missing toddler William Tyrrell.

NSW State Coroner Michael Barnes confirmed to the Herald Sun he was working 'closely' with homicide detectives on William's case.

Mr Barnes, known by colleagues as 'Cold Case Barnes' for his influential work in unsolved murders, was instrumental in tracking down Daniel Morcombe's killer.

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The coroner that cracked the case of murdered Sunshine Coast teenager Daniel Morcombe (left) has joined the search for missing toddler William Tyrrell (right)

NSW State Coroner Michael Barnes confirmed that he was working 'closely' with homicide detectives on William's case

William was just three years old when he vanished from his grandmother's backyard in Kendall, NSW, on September 12, 2014

William was just three years old when he vanished from his grandmother's backyard in Kendall, NSW, on September 12, 2014. He would be seven years old now.

Mr Barnes, who was appointed NSW State Coroner in 2014 after a decade of service with the same title for Queensland, said an inquest into William's death was not in motion yet.

He has been keeping up to date with the baffling case of William's disappearance, reportedly receiving regular updates from detectives.

His involvement in the case is part of a new strategy aimed at speeding up the involvement of the coroner's office in unsolved murders.

Concerned family and friends are rightly overjoyed at the news of Mr Barnes stepping in to offer his expertise in the case of missing toddler William.

Police have reportedly interviewed five people of interest in the William Tyrrell case, including accused paedophiles Tony Jones and William Spedding.

There is also a record $1 million reward on offer for information on William's whereabouts.

Police have reportedly interviewed five people of interest in the William Tyrrell case, including accused paedophiles Tony Jones (right) and William Spedding (left)

Mr Barnes has been keeping up to date with the baffling case of William's disappearance

Daniel Morcombe was just 13 years old when he was abducted from a Queensland bus stop in December, 2003.

After five-and-a-half years of investigations came up dry, Daniel's parents called for a coronial inquest with the hope of finding answers to their son's abduction and murder.

Held by Mr Barnes, the inquest was held beginning in October 2010 and concluding in April 2011 and called various 'peoples of interest' to give information.

It led to the arrest of paedophile Brett Cowan, who was jailed for life for murdering Daniel Morcombe.

He is serving a life sentence in the Wolston Correctional Centre in Queensland, and has been left permanently disfigured after an inmate allegedly attacked him with boiling water.
Theresa May has warned Nicola Sturgeon she wants a 'grown up' approach to tackling Brexit in the interests in the whole of the UK.

Ahead of a meeting with the First Ministers of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the Prime Minister has signalled she wants stronger ties between the four nations as she plots Britain's route out of the EU.

But tomorrow's meeting in London comes against a backdrop of Ms Sturgeon's threat to call a second independence referendum before 2019 if the Brexit deal looks to work against Scotland's specific interests.

Downing Street said the talks at the Joint Ministerial Council would discuss how the administrations in Westminster, Holyrood, Cardiff Bay and Stormont could work together to secure the best Brexit deal.

Theresa May, pictured at last week's EU summit, has warned the devolved adminstrations she wants a 'grown up' response to Brexit

No 10 has insisted that the Holyrood government has no mandate for a second referendum after independence was rejected in 2014 and the issue could cast a shadow over the talks on Monday.

Mrs May insisted that the UK will 'achieve far more together than we ever could do apart' as she called for a mature relationship between the different administrations.

'When I stood upon the steps of Downing Street I made clear the importance of our great Union,' she said.

'Far more than mere geography brings us together - and we are much more than the sum of our parts. As we move into this new chapter, we must seize the opportunities ahead, as we will achieve far more together than we could ever do apart.

'I want Monday's meeting to be the start of a new grown up relationship between the devolved administrations and the UK Government - one in which we all work together to forge the future for everyone in the United Kingdom.'

The Scottish Government has demanded to be treated as an 'equal partner' in the Brexit negotiations.

Ahead of the talks, the lead Scottish minister involved in the process warned that the Government in Edinburgh was becoming increasingly concerned about the prospect of a 'hard Brexit' and called for a new approach from Mrs May.

Nicola Sturgeon set out a consultation on legislation for a second independence referendum on Thursday in Glasgow, pictured

Michael Russell, the Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland's Place in Europe, said: 'The UK Government needs to understand there is a triple mandate to maintain Scotland's relationship with, and place in, Europe.

'The clearly expressed views of the people of Scotland, the democratically elected Scottish Government and the Scottish Parliament all need to be respected.

'But four months on from the referendum, we have yet to see a proposal from the UK Government on how the views of people in Scotland will be taken into account.

'The Scottish Government is becoming increasingly concerned that the UK is heading for a hard Brexit with all the damage that will bring to the Scottish and UK economies.

'The Prime Minister has set the clock ticking and the UK Government must use the time before triggering Article 50 to engage properly with all the devolved administrations and show that they are willing and able to treat Scotland as an equal partner.'

Mrs May and Ms Sturgeon had a cordial first meeting in Edinburgh in July but the pair's public comments have hardened as Mrs May's Brexit strategy has emerged

Nicola Sturgeon's administration has drawn up draft legislation for a second referendum on independence, with the First Minister suggesting Scots should have the ability to reconsider the issue in light of the vote for Brexit.

Ms Sturgeon, Northern Ireland's First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness will be at the London talks along with Welsh leader Carwyn Jones.

Mrs May will use the meeting to propose strengthening the JMC, which has not been held since December 2014, making it an annual occurrence hosted by each of the four governments on a revolving basis.

She will invite the leaders of the devolved administrations to take up a key role in building the UK's new industrial strategy in an effort to spread jobs and growth across the country.
Thailand's Crown Prince led the mourners at an event commemorating the death of his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

The late king's body is now lying in one of the palaces within the Royal Plaza in Bangkok and will remain there while royal funeral ceremonies continue. No date has been set for cremation, which will likely take place after a year.

On Saturday, tens of thousands of black-clad Thais converged on Bangkok's Grand Palace to sing the royal anthem in a striking display of devotion to the recently deceased king, who reigned for seven decades.

Paying respects: Thailand's Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn attended an event at the Royal Plaza in Bangkok commemorating the death of his father, the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej

King Chulalongkorn, known as King Rama V, died on October 13 aged 88 following ill health

The 64-year-old Crown Prince has asked to delay being crowned king to grieve with the nation

The royal anthem, known as Sansoen Phra Barami, is played before the screening of every cinema show in Thailand, when the audience stands to honour the king as pictures of his life and work are shown on the screen.

Saturday's singing was recorded for use in cinemas, organisers said.

'Since he went to heaven we want all Thais to demonstrate their love and sing this song to show before film screenings,' Prince Chatri Chalerm Yukol, a movie director in charge of the filming of the singing, told reporters.

The monarch, who died on October 13 aged 88 following years of poor health, was seen as a moral icon and rare figure of unity in a kingdom dogged by corruption and political turmoil.

His death has plunged the nation into grief, with the government declaring a one-year mourning period and urging the public to don black and dial down all festivities for at least 30 days.

Tens of thousands of black-clad Thais converged at the Grand Palace to sing the royal anthem

The Prime Minister of Malaysia Najib Razak and his wife Rosmah Mansor pay their respects

The international dignataries present also included Prime Minister of Cambodia Hun Sen

Crowds have been massing outside his glittering Bangkok palace for the past week, with many journeying from far away provinces to pay respects to a man celebrated as the father of the nation.

Some have pitched tents on a large grassy field outside the royal compound, while others have slept on simple bamboo mats.

Many of the mourners held up portraits or bank notes bearing Bhumibol's face as they sang, some through tears.

A woman and her daughter hold up a portrait of the late Thai king Bhumibol Adulyadej

This woman was among the 150,000-strong crowd paying their respects to the deceased king

People travelled for miles and braved the rain to join fellow mourners gathered in Bangkok

'The atmosphere is amazing,' said Sethabutra Biraseranee, who like most was dressed in all black despite Bangkok's sweltering midday sun.

'As you can see, all these people here came just to pay their respects to him, which shows how great he was.'

Public displays of mass devotion have been encouraged by Thailand's arch-royalist military rulers, who grabbed power in a 2014 coup many believe was staged to ensure a smooth succession.

Bhumibol served as an anchor of stability during his 70-year reign and his passing thrusts the kingdom into an uncertain future.

Little is known about what the heir, Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, will do with a crown that is granted few legal powers, but became a position of vast influence under Bhumibol's charismatic reign.

In a move that surprised many, the 64-year-old asked to delay his proclamation as king in order to grieve with the nation, according to junta chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha, who has presided over the transition.

The regime has not provided a clear timeline for when the prince will formally ascend the throne.

Thai Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn pays his respect to a Buddha image on Saturday

Bhumibol charmed Thais with his reputation as a hard-working monarch who eschewed a lavish lifestyle and dedicated himself to rural development projects, tromping up mountains and through jungles to meet his subjects and listen to their concerns.

The crown prince, who has been attending to Buddhist funeral rights along with his siblings, is known for a flashier lifestyle and has spent much of his life overseas.

While the outpouring of grief over Bhumibol's death has been overwhelmingly sober and dignified, it has also unleashed small pockets of ultra-monarchist forces that have shamed, mobbed and in some cases beaten Thais seen as criticising the monarchy.

The Thai Crown Prince embraced older sister Princess Ubolratana Rajankaya at the ceremony

The government has condemned this vigilantism but stepped up its own surveillance of royal defamation - a crime that carries 15 years in jail per offence under the kingdom's lese majeste law.

The legislation has seen scores of Thais thrown behind bars - sometimes for decades - for perceived slights against the monarchy.

All media based inside the country must heavily self-censor to avoid violating the law, which has been wielded with renewed vigour by the junta.
Local councillors said they were 'shocked and sickened' by the abuse

Authorities in Germany have expressed their 'shame and disgust' after neo-Nazi neighbours of a refugee home goaded a depressed migrant into jumping to his death.

The 17-year-old Somalian youth perched on the window of his accommodation centre in the town of Schmoelln was filmed, jeered and encouraged to 'end it all now!' by the right-wingers celebrated his doom.

When police officers arrived at the scene on Friday afternoon the youngster was in tears and close to the edge of the windowsill outside his fifth floor room.

A gang of German neo Nazis goaded a Somali asylum seeker to jump to his death from this tower block in Schmoelln, eastern Germany despite police trying to talk him down safely

A number of racists filmed the youngster as he plunged to his death from the window's ledge

For an hour negotiators tried to coax him back inside. But all the while neo-Nazi neighbours were booing, catcalling and encouraging him to jump 'One less parasite then!' yelled one racist. 'Go on, jump!' yelled others as the boy shivered in fear.

All attempts to get him back in failed and he jumped to his death with the mobile phone cameras of the racists filming his descent.

'We are totally shocked and disgusted by the events and cannot believe what happened,' said the deputy leader of the council Matthias Bergmann.

Soon after his death the photos of his suicide appeared on social networking sites.

Firemen had spread a safety mattress beneath his window but the boy managed to avoid it and land on the pavement where he died instantly from massive internal injuries.

He had come to Germany in March this year after fleeing from Somalia to Sudan and then crossing the Mediterranean on a people smuggling boat.

He was categorized as having mental problems as a result of the ordeal he had undergone in his homeland and in the journey to get to Europe.

The youngster, who had been receiving psychiatric treatment was threatening to kill himself after going on a rampage at the centre for unaccompanied minors in Schmoelln, pictured

Police were called to the centre for unaccompanied minors after he went on a vandalism rampage on Friday, but he was already on the windowsill and threatening to kill himself by the time they arrived.

Sven Schrade, the local mayor, said he heard that people had shouted for the youngster to jump. 'One can only condemn such sentiments,' he said. 'Before he was a refugee or a Somalian, he was a human being.'

Other town officials spoke of their 'shame and disgust' and the local public prosecutor has opened an official enquiry into the neighbours who encouraged him to die.
Clarence Henderson was hailed as a hero nearly 60 years ago when, as a young black man, he participated in a sit-in at a segregated North Carolina lunch counter.

In 2016, he is again taking a risky stand: he is supporting Donald Trump.

And he isn't shy about it. Last month, he gave the invocation at a Trump rally in High Point, North Carolina, smiling as he shook the Republican candidate's hand.

'Donald Trump is certainly not a politician, and politicians are a dime a dozen, but leaders are priceless,' Henderson said in an interview.

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Clarence Henderson (above, speaking at a Trump rally in North Carolina last month) who was hailed as a hero nearly 60 years ago when he participated in a sit-in at a segregated North Carolina lunch counter, has been slammed for backing Donald Trump

Trump is deeply unpopular in the black community.

But he has called on black voters to vote for him because 'what the hell do you have to lose?' His support among blacks is less than the margin of error in some polls.

Henderson, 74, has been criticized for his stance, with many taking to Twitter to accuse him of abandoning the principles he fought so hard for more than half a century ago.

Henderson shrugged off the criticism, saying he isn't paying any attention to it.

And he has gotten some support from one of his fellow activists.

Jabreel Khazan was one of the first four protesters to sit down at the Woolworth's lunch counter.

Clarence Henderson (far right) was one of the North Carolina A&T College students to occupy lunch counter seats at a Greensboro Woolworths in 1960

And though he supports Hillary Clinton, he said he had no problem with Henderson's choice.

'God bless him and all of those who have a second opinion,' said Khazan, whose name was Ezell Blair at the time of the protest. 'We should not be a one-minded people.'

Henderson attended North Carolina A&T State University, when, as an 18-year-old, he joined the original four lunch counter protesters on the second day of their protest in 1960.

He could no longer live under the official segregation known as Jim Crow, he said.

'I did it because it was the right thing to do,' he said.

Angry whites jeered at them, and he wondered if he and his fellow protesters would be brought out in handcuffs or on stretchers.

They were arrested, but their actions inspired similar protests throughout the south that led to the desegregation of lunch counters and other nonviolent protests against racist policies.

For a civil rights hero, he later ended up on a more unconventional political path that he credits to his father, a lifelong Republican.

Pallbearers, including Paul Moss, Clarence Henderson, John Murphy III, Leeland Jones, Freddie Howard, Bob Matthews, Marvin Davis and Edward Smith, carrying the casket of Carl Murphy, civil rights activist and editor of the Afro American Newspaper, on March 1, 1967

'My dad, with a third-grade education, said to me, 'Well, son, you don't know what the Democratic party has done as far as blacks are concerned,'' Henderson said.

He discovered the Democrats had created and enforced Jim Crow and the Republican Party was behind the constitutional amendments that abolished slavery, granted equal protection to freed slaves and gave blacks the right to vote.

He cast his first vote for a Republican presidential candidate for George W. Bush.

Henderson, who ran a financial services business for more than 25 years before retiring a decade ago, said he respected Bush's business background.

He continued voting for Republicans, even when Barack Obama stood poised to become the first black president.

'I never thought I would see a black person become the president of the United States,' Henderson said.

'His ideologies were different from mine. After looking at his past history, I didn't see him as a viable candidate.'

This year, Trump was not Henderson's first choice for the GOP nomination. He supported Senator Ted Cruz.

But now that Trump has the nomination, Henderson said he respects his business experience, even as he acknowledges the candidate's off-the-cuff speaking style can be a problem.

'He has proved to be a leader in the business field. Has he done everything right? No, certainly not. But I think that he has more at stake than Hillary does,' he said.

In his invocation at the Trump rally last month, Henderson nodded to his past.

'I stand before you as one that knows what America's all about - the good, the bad and the ugly. I would not live in any other country except America that put Jim Crow on trial and found him guilty of trying to separate the races. So I stand before you to say that we are unified,' he said.

Henderson said regardless of criticism, he will vote his conscience.
The two construction workers who drowned in a Boston trench after a pipe line burst have been identified.

Kelvin Mattocks, 53, and Robert Higgins, 47, died after becoming trapped as water filled the approximately 15-foot deep hole on Friday.

Workers frantically called for help, but it took just seconds for the trench on Dartmouth Street to fill with water after the pipe line burst.

Firefighters arrived just moments after the line burst, but it was already too late to save the men.

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Robert Higgins (left) and Kelvin Mattocks (right) drowned in a Boston trench after a pipe line burst on Friday

The agony of one man attempting to rescue his fellow construction workers was caught as the muddied water rushed down the road.

Now, Mattocks and Higgins family and friends have paid tribute, describing them as generous and kind men.

He was just a genuinely nice guy, Greg Stevens said of Mattocks, of Brockton.

I know its a cliche that hed give you the shirt off his back but he would truly do that for you, he told CBS Boston.

Higgins aunt Marilyn Hewitt said: He was just a kind person. He was an average, gentle kind person, always there to help you out.

It wasn't until late into Friday night that emergency personnel, working on their hands and knees, were able to remove the bodies from the trench.

Two construction workers were killed after a water pipe line burst on Dartmouth Street (pictured) in Boston, flooding a trench in a matter of seconds

Workers frantically called for help, saying two men were down in the trench and had become trapped as water filled the approximately 15-foot deep hole

As they did so local and federal authorities launched an investigation to determine why the line didn't hold.

Samantha Betti, who was in a nearby home when the pipe flooded the South End street, told the Boston Globe: 'It went from nothing to a flood.'

In the moments it took for first responders to arrive, the entire street was under brown, murky water.

Two additional men who had been working down in the trench at the time of the explosion were able to escape.

Boston Police Commissioner William B. Evans told the Globe the pipe bursting was an accident.

Video courtesy WBZ

It wasn't until late into Friday night that emergency personnel, working on their hands and knees, were able to remove the bodies from the trench

Boston Police Commissioner William B. Evans told the Globe the pipe bursting was an accident

'It looks like somehow a pipe must have broke, and unfortunately they weren't able to get themselves out of the hole,' Evans told the paper.

But an investigation has been launched to determine whether Atlantic Drain Service Co., the company working on the private construction project at the time, took the necessary safety precautions.

A resident had called the company to conduct underground work.

The company has a history of 'serious safety violations', according to the Globe.

Atlantic Drain Service Co. was the company working on the private construction project

Local and federal authorities have launched an investigation to determine why the line didn't hold, but it is believed there was no foul play

In 2007, it was first reported that Atlantic Drain employees were working a job with no cave-in protection  and the company has been cited numerous times for safety violations.

These included a serious violation where workers were in possible danger of a head injury and another violation that they werent protected from cave-ins in 2012.

And safety experts are questioning how a company with so many violations and outstanding fines was able to obtain a permit for a job.

Theres enough of a history that this should not have happened, Marcy Golstein-Gelb, the executive director of the Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health, told CBS Boston.
High school students seeking health advice have been directed to websites with explicit information about anal intercourse, gay saunas and cruising for sex online.

The federally-funded Student Wellbeing Hub website is under review after posting links to Sydney-based HIV and gay health group, ACON, The Australian reports.

The site was recently relaunched to offer age-appropriate material for teenagers about health and wellbeing issues.

Details about gay sex featured on links to the ACON site, which have since been removed

Federal Education Minister Simon Birmingham has demanded an urgent inquiry into the Student Wellbeing Hub site after being alerted to the ACON links.

ACON, formerly known as the AIDS Council of New South Wales, runs workshops for same-sex attracted and bisexual men on safe sex.

The group, which has offices across the state, also gives advice about gay saunas, also known as sex on premises venues.

Links to the ACON website were removed on Sunday after The Australian sought a response from Senator Birmingham.

The Student Wellbeing Hub website was designed to help teenagers deal with health issues

'The Student Wellbeing Hub is meant to offer age-appropriate materials for students and their parents and educators to ensure children feel safe and supported at school,' he told the newspaper.

'I have directed my department to review all third-party links to ensure only websites and materials that are age-appropriate are linked from the Student Wellbeing Hub.'

The setback with the federally-funded site follows controversy earlier this year about the Safe Schools Coalition Program, which encouraged teenagers to engage in role playing to understand same-sex attraction.

The Student Wellbeing Hub was initially known as the Safe Schools Hub when launched by the Gillard government in 2012.

The name was changed during a relaunch earlier this month to avoid confusion with the controversial Safe Schools Coalition program.

Education Services Australia developed the new Student Wellbeing Hub program for the federal Department of Education and Training.

The previous Labor government had set aside $4 million for the Safe Schools Hub, The Australian said.
And Corbyn has refused to say he would always defend a Nato ally against a Russian invasion

Corbyn's spokesman claimed focus on Russian atrocities in Syria were distracting attention from Western action against ISIS in the country

The remarks come despite Corbyn's controversial support for Russia

Nia Griffith said Russia was a 'very major strategic threat' to Britain

Labour's shadow defence secretary today endorsed Britain unilaterally imposing additional sanctions on Russia over atrocities in Syria.

Nia Griffith, who was appointed to her brief in Mr Corbyn's recent reshuffle, warned the Kremlin was a 'major strategic threat' to Britain.

Her comments come despite the Labour leader's apparent continued support for Russia.

Mr Corbyn's spokesman Seumas Milne provoked outrage last week by claiming focus on Russian bombing in Syria was distracting attention from Western military action against ISIS terrorists in the country.

Nia Griffith (pictured on the BBC today), who was appointed to her brief in Mr Corbyn's recent reshuffle, warned the Kremlin was a 'major strategic threat' to Britain

During this summer's leadership campaign, Mr Corbyn refused to say he would go to the aid of a Nato ally were it to be invaded by Russia.

Ms Griffith today told the BBC Sunday Politics: 'It (Russia) is certainly a very major strategic threat to us.,

'We have to work, obviously, with our Nato allies very closely and make sure that we respond and do not let things pass.

'So for example, we now should be calling out Russia for the way that it's been bombing humanitarian aid, we should be taking them to the international court over this. But we should also be strengthening sanctions...

'The Italians chose not to participate in a European initiative, but that doesn't stop individual countries. I think Britain should certainly step up the sanctions.'

Mr Corbyn has faced calls to take a harder line against Russia, including through an open letter signed by more than 70 of his supporters who demanded he 'condemn clearly and specifically' the bombing of civilians in Syria.

Ms Griffith's comments on the BBC today come despite the Labour leader's apparent continued support for Russia

Ms Griffith also insisted Labour would go into the 2020 election backing the renewal of Trident  despite Mr Corbyn's long standing support for unilateral disarmament and a policy review commissioned by her predecessor Emily Thornberry.

Ms Griffith said: 'There has, as I say, been a process of review on a fair number of issues related to defence... But we're not changing the commitment to Trident.

'That's a firm commitment and we honour that commitment to our coalition allies and to our industrial partners.

'That was a vote that was taken democratically and repeatedly has been reaffirmed by Labour conference and we are a democratic party...

'Jeremy is very much in favour of democracy in our party. He understands the situation we are in, but we also want to push for the UK to play a much bigger role on the international stage on multilateral disarmament talks.'
McDonald's CEO Steve Easterbrook (seen above in this undated photo) is credited with leading the company to recovery

McDonald's is surging  and it can thank its Japanese and British customers.

The American fast food colossus reported better-than-expected earnings per share on Friday, CNN reported.

Mickey Dees reported profits and revenue that beat Wall Street forecasts for the third quarter.

While the company continues to struggle regaining its footing in the American market, customers have been flocking to its restaurants in Japan and the United Kingdom.

McDonald's reported that its sales at stores in franchises that have been open at least a year increased by 3.5 percent worldwide.

The company's earnings per share jumped by 16 percent compared to a year ago, according to CNN.

In the US, however, same-store sales rose by just 1.3 percent, as more consumers are staying home and eating in.

Americans are preferring the relatively low cost of groceries that is being driven by the drop in the price of vegetables and other agricultural commodities, according to CNN.

McDonald's reported a 16-percent increase in the company's earnings per share for the third quarter on Friday. Diners are seen at a McDonald's in New York in December 2014 (above)

McDonald's is also facing stiff competition from domestic competitors, including Burger King, Domino's Pizza, and Papa John's.

Financial observers say much of the credit is due to the stewardship of McDonald's new CEO, Steve Easterbrook.

Since Easterbrook was named chief executive in January 2015, company shares are up over 25 percent.

While its sales have sagged in the United States, McDonald's restaurants reported an increase in sales in Japan and the United Kingdom

Wall Street analysts say Easterbrook has steered the company in new directions by diversifying the menu and offering more customized sandwiches.

McDonald's has also added the all-day breakfast option while also giving consumers healthier choices like wraps, fruits, salads, and even kale.

'Customers today are more informed and demand greater choice and variety when they dine out. That's why we're evolving the McDonald's experience to provide more high quality, affordable food and beverage options,' Easterbrook said in a press release.

McDonald's has caught up to other fast food chains like Shake Shack, Five Guys, and Umami Burger, all of whom have scaled back the use of chemicals and growth hormones.
A disgraced teacher will not fight the decision to ban her from the classroom despite insisting she was innocent.

Married Isabelle Graham, 27, was banned from her profession in August after a disciplinary panel heard she spent the night in a budget hotel with a 17-year-old boy.

Miss Graham, a devout Christian, was judged unfit to teach by a panel that heard allegations that in June 2014 she spent three hours in bed with the schoolboy at a Travelodge in Edinburgh, drinking alcohol and repeatedly engaging in sexual activity.

A photo shared online appeared to show her lying in his hotel bed while he stood in the doorway clutching a bottle of champagne.

Miss Graham resigned from her post at Whitburn Academy, West Lothian, after the allegations surfaced and has relocated to Aldershot.

Married Isabelle Graham, 27, was banned from her profession in August after a disciplinary panel heard she spent the night in a budget hotel with a 17-year-old boy

The former French teacher, pictured on her wedding day, had been expected to fight the decision in court - but decided against doing so

The 27-year-old former French teacher, who gave birth to a son in August, had been expected to challenge the decision to ban her in court.

The former teacher claimed her drink had been spiked and that she had no recollection of the night.

But she has not taken the chance to try and clear her name.

A source explained: 'Her name is now removed from the teaching register, that's the end of it. Graham had the option to seek a judicial review at the Court of Session in Edinburgh.

'But despite her protestations of innocence, no papers have been lodged within the timescale allowed to raise an appeal.'

Since relocating to England, she and her husband have been working with Soldiers' and Airmen's Scripture Readers Association, which aims to spread Christianity among troops

An investigation into Miss Graham's behaviour was launched after the photograph emerged on social media.

The image was captioned by one student with the words: 'Poor show from Miss Graham. I had higher respect for my teacher than this. Disgusting.'

Police did not pursue criminal charges but she was charged by the General Teaching Council for Scotland [GTCS].

The GTCS case presenter, Carla Roth, said Miss Graham's actions left pupils 'uncomfortable' and 'somewhat shocked' and told the panel: 'You would have to question what sort of role model was provided in this instance.'

Miss Graham denied the allegations.

Her husband, Andrew Wilkie, also 27, who is training to enter the clergy, acted as her representative at the procedural hearing.

In a statement to the panel, he said: 'In all the time I have known her, she has always put her Christian faith above all other things.

'I have never had any doubt that the allegations made against her were false.'

Her husband, Andrew Wilkie, also 27, who is training to enter the clergy, acted as her representative at the procedural hearing

Since relocating to England, she and her husband have been working with Soldiers' and Airmen's Scripture Readers Association, which aims to spread Christianity among troops.

Mr Wilkie is still employed as a support worker.

It is understood that his wife, who now goes by the name Shona Wilkie, has been on maternity leave.

A spokesman for the Court of Session confirmed no paperwork had been lodged by Miss Graham, while the GTCS said it could not comment on individual cases.

Last night, Miss Graham could not be contacted for comment.
An animal lover has certainly shown that this cat is her precious - after turning him from Gollum into a true king.

The two-year-old cat, Smeagol, was named for his likeness to the Lord of the Rings character after he was found emaciated and bloodied on a Belize highway.

But rescuer Melissa, who did not wish to give her surname, nursed him back to full health and transformed him into a princely pet.

Two-year-old cat Smeagol was named for his likeness to the Lord of the Rings character after he was found emaciated and bloodied on a Belize highway

His rescuer Melissa nursed Smeagol back to full health and transformed him into a princely pet

Melissa, from Belize City, said: 'It was heart wrenching when I found him.

'I was driving, and I saw something on the edge of the highway.

'I realized it was a kitten sitting there, as a motorcycle sped right by him. But he didn't run away, so I figured something must wrong with it.

'Then I drove up right behind him, and got out the car and scooped him up in a little towel. He didn't run or fight, he had already given up.

'When I put him in the car, he started purring very loudly.'

Melissa rushed Smeagol to a vet with a broken jaw and a bone sticking out of his cheek.

The wound was also infected, and the vet did not think the kitten would pull through.

Melissa has said: 'It was heart wrenching when I found him. I was driving, and I saw something on the edge of the highway'

Melissa rushed Smeagol to a vet with a broken jaw and a bone sticking out of his cheek

The wound was also infected, and the vet did not think the kitten would pull through. Smeagol the feline is pictured side-by-side with the character as seen in the Lord of the Rings movie trilogy

Melissa recalled: 'He hadn't been able to feed himself out on the streets and he was just skin and bones, not even 1lb'

She said: 'It was bad news when we got to the vet. It seemed to have been broken for many days, because it was terribly infected and smelled horrible.

'He couldn't close his mouth.

'He hadn't been able to feed himself out on the streets and he was just skin and bones, not even 1lb.'

Smeagol's size meant that the vet could not operate on him. They could not pin his jaw back in place as there they did not have a pin small enough.

The vet suggested to Melissa that they put Smeagol down.

The vet suggested to Melissa that they put Smeagol down, but she was unable to. It was decided that Smeagol would just be given antibiotics

But Melissa could not do it. She said: 'I asked what would happen if we just left it to heal on its own, and the vet said, "Well how will he eat like that?"

'I don't know why I had a tin of cat food in my purse, but we opened it for him.

'He just shoved his entire head into the gravy and showed us all that he could very well eat.

'So we decided to just give him antibiotics and see what happens.'

In the short period of time, Melissa had fallen in love with Smeagol. She took him home to join her family of two dachshunds and four cats.

She began to see an improvement in his condition straight away.

A sickly Smeagol is seen chowing down on some food in this image

Melissa took home the feline join her family of two dachshunds and four cats. He is seen looking much healthier in these photographs

Melissa said: 'As soon as we got home from the vet, he was meowing and his eyes were huge and bright.

'And that's how he got his name, because he had those big eyes like Smeagol from Lord of the Rings.

'He was on antibiotics for about two months, and his gum ended up growing over the bone and healed itself.

Melissa explained: 'As soon as we got home from the vet, he was meowing and his eyes were huge and bright. And that's how he got his name, because he had those big eyes like Smeagol from Lord of the Rings'

'Although it is a little crooked, hence his snaggletooth.'

Now, nearly two years later, Smeagol is a happy member of the family.

Melissa said: 'He loves eating, and trying to trick humans into feeding him..

'He also likes carrots and other strange things no other cat I've had would ever eat.

'He also likes playing with his new kitten brother Fry Jack. I fostered the kitten and Smeagol just loved him so I ended up keeping him.'
Originally 29 crew members, but three died after being taken hostage

Sailors are in hands of authorities and will be returned to home countries

Naham 3 crew were taken hostage in March 2012, south of the Seychelles

Somali pirates have freed 26 sailors who have been held captive for more than four years.

The crew on board the Naham 3 were taken hostage after their fishing vessel was hijacked in March 2012, south of the Seychelles.

The sailors, who were kept captive in a small fishing village, will now be returned to their home countries.

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Somali pirates have freed 26 sailors who have been held captive for more than four years

Some of the freed were overcome by emotion when they arrived at Nairobi airport in Kenya, before boarding planes back to their various home countries

The crew on board the Naham 3 were taken hostage after their fishing vessel was hijacked in March 2012, south of the Seychelles

There were originally 29 crew members, but one sailor died during the hijacking and another two died due to illness while in captivity.

The crew, the second longest-held hostages by Somali pirates, consists of sailors from Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.

John Steed, who helped negotiate their release, said in a statement: 'We are very pleased to announce the release of the Naham 3 crew early this morning.

'They have spent over four and a half years in deplorable conditions away from their families.'

A ransom is believed to have been paid and international mediators said it 'represents the end of captivity for the last remaining seafarers taken hostage during the height of Somali piracy'

The sailors, the second longest-held hostages by Somali pirates, will now be returned to their home countries

The Naham 3 (pictured astern to the MV Albedo) was originally tethered to another hijacked vessel, the MV Albedo, which was seized in November 2010

He said they were in the hands of authorities in Galmudug, in central Somalia, and would be repatriated on a United Nations humanitarian flight before being sent back to their home countries.

The Naham 3 was originally tethered to another hijacked vessel, the MV Albedo, which was seized in November 2010 and released by the HSP in 2014.

When the MV Albedo began to sink, sailors from the Naham 3 reportedly jumped into the waters and rescued the drowning crew.

The sailors were held in Dabagala near the town of Harardheere, Somalia, about 250 miles northeast of the capital Mogadishu.

The Oceans Beyond Piracy group said the crew were brought ashore by pirates when their ship sank more than a year after it was hijacked.

The crew members are from Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam
A 27,000 handbag nestled in the crook of her arm, Tina Green was not afraid to flaunt her wealth as she boarded a private helicopter in Monaco this week.

The 67-year-old wife of Topshop tycoon Sir Philip was seen hopping on the 8million aircraft for the 13-mile jaunt from Monte Carlo to Nice on Tuesday.

She was pictured as her husband appealed to the British public for sympathy, describing the 'horrible' time he and his family have endured following the collapse of BHS.

Living the high life: Lady Tina Green was spotted boarding a private helicopter in Monaco

Flaunting her wealth: The billionairess wore an enormous diamond ring and 27,000 bag

Luxury lifestyle: Lady Green is based in Monaco, which is a tax haven for the mega rich

Jaunt to France: The billionairess boarded the helicopter and reportedly flew to France, above

But any hardship seemed far from Lady Green's mind as she waited on the helipad for her luxury ride, chatting on her mobile phone to pass the time.

She opted for a casual look for the journey, pairing black trousers with a dark green animal print jumper and black embellished boots.

The billionairess finished the look with tens of thousands of pounds in accessories.

Her black snakeskin bag is believed to be a Chanel number worth 27,000. On her wedding finger she wore an enormous diamond ring.

Lady Green lives in an apartment in Monaco, a tax haven for the mega-rich.

She spends much of her time on one of the superyachts she owns with her husband.

Lady Green was spotted as Sir Philip talked for the first time about how events have affected him and his family, describing the past year as 'horrible'.

Dripping in jewels: Lady Green wore an enormous diamond ring on her wedding finger

High-end accessories: Lady Green was seen standing on the heliport in a subdued ensemble

In the ITV interview, Sir Philip said: 'I am sad. I am very, very, very sorry.'

Green also said he now thinks the BHS sale was a mistake.

'But we made that decision,' he said, 'and, you know, for the last year, and on a daily basis, I, and my family, have got to live with this horrid decision, and trust me, these are not fun days.'

This week the retail magnate was branded a 'billionaire spiv' in a remarkable three-hour character assassination in the Commons.

MPs accused the self-proclaimed King of Retail of beating BHS 'black and blue' and taking 'the rings from its fingers'.

Top of the line: The helicopter, left, is understood to have taken Lady Green to nearby Nice

The tycoon was compared to Napoleon and crooked magnate Robert Maxwell, accused of 'shaming British capitalism' and likened to a rat deserting a sinking ship.

In a sign of how toxic Green's reputation has become, not a single MP was prepared to speak up in support of a man who has spent decades being fawned over by politicians.
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump blamed President Barack Obama for the prison sentence handed down by Iranian authorities against two dual US-Iranian citizens earlier this week who were accused of espionage.

Iran on Tuesday sentenced a dual Iranian-American national and his 80-year-old father to 10 years in prison for allegedly spying for the United States, the Islamic republic's state media reported.

Siamak Namazi, a businessman in his mid-40s with dual US-Iranian citizenship, was detained by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in October 2015 during a visit to relatives in the capital of Tehran.

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Iranian-American Baquer Namazi (left) and his son, Siamak Namazi (right), were sentenced to 10 years in prison on Tuesday for allegedly spying and cooperating with the US government

This past February, the IRGC arrested his father, Baquer Namazi, a former Iranian provincial governor and former UNICEF official who also has dual citizenship.

Both men were sentenced to 10 years in prison for spying and cooperating with the US government, said Tehran prosecutor Abbas Jafari Dolatabadi, according to the Fars news website, without specifying when exactly the sentences had been handed down.

'Well, Iran has done it again,' Trump tweeted on Sunday. 'Taken two of our people and asking for a fortune for their release.'

'This doesn't happen if I'm president!'

The US State Department's deputy spokesman, Mark Toner, said on Tuesday that the father and son had been 'unjustly detained' in Iran, and called for their immediate release.

The sentences were the latest against dual nationals directed by hardliners who are powerful in Iran's judiciary and security forces, in the aftermath of Iran's historic nuclear deal with the United States and other world powers last year.

Donald Trump (seen left during the debate in Las Vegas on Wednesday) has been a frequent critic of Obama's policy towards Iran (whose president, Hassan Rouhani, is pictured right)

'This doesn't happen if I'm president,' Trump tweeted on Sunday in reaction to Iran's sentencing of two dual US-Iranian citizens to prison for alleged espionage

Trump has been a frequent critic of the Obama administration's policies toward Iran.

He accused the administration of paying a 'ransom' to the Iranian government in exchange for the release of four US citizens in January.

Trump also vowed that if elected president, he would order the military to 'shoot out of the water' any Iranian vessels that threaten US ships in the Persian Gulf, Politico reported.

The Republican candidate was reacting to reports that Iranian ships were harassing American sailors in international waters.

Washington and Tehran have not had formal diplomatic relations since the 1979 revolution where the United States-backed Pahlavi dynasty under Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi was overthrown.

The US State Department's deputy spokesman, Mark Toner, said the father and son (pictured in this undated photo) had been 'unjustly detained,' and called for their immediate release

Earlier this year, the Obama administration lifted most of its sanctions against Iran after a UN watchdog reported that Tehran had complied with a nuclear weapons deal.

Iran has been under strict international sanctions since October 2007, although the Untied States has had some form of economic restrictions on Tehran since 1979.

However, a report by the International Atomic Energy Agency said Tehran had fulfilled its commitments under a nuclear deal to prevent weapons development.

Trump told The Washington Post that the nuclear deal agreed to by the administration and Iran was 'disastrous.'

If he is elected president, Trump has vowed to 'renegotiate' the agreement.

Meanwhile on Sunday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani told some of his countrymen that the behavior by Trump and his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, during the presidential debates is more proof as to why Iran should shun American-style democracy.

'Did you see the debate and the way of their speaking, accusing and mocking each other?' Rouhani told a crowd in the central Iranian city of Arak. 'Do we want such a democracy and election in our country?'

'You see the United States that claims it has had democracy for more than 200 years. Look at the country, what the situation is where morality has no place.'

Rouhani's statements were reported by ITV News.

The comments were also broadcast in Iran by state media.

When asked which candidate he would prefer to be elected, Rouhani made it clear he is not enamored by either of them.
Despite being accepted, Bartneck says he will not fly to Atlanta to speak

Author profile is made up, while name, Iris Pear, is a play on 'Siri Apple'

Professor Christopher Bartneck never believed his research paper, written by Apple's iOS autocomplete, would be accepted for a nuclear physics conference

An academic who jokingly wrote a research paper written entirely by Apple's iOS autocomplete - and was subsequently filled with nonsense - has been accepted to present his findings at a nuclear physics conference.

Christopher Bartneck, an associate professor at the University of Canterbury's Human Interface Technology laboratory in New Zealand, was stunned to discover he had been successful in securing a place at the conference, which takes place in America next month.

'I started a sentence with 'Atomic' or 'Nuclear' and then randomly hit the autocomplete suggestions,' wrote Bartneck in a blog post on Thursday. 'The text really does not make any sense.'

Bartneck's mischievous side was fired up after receiving an invitation from the International Conference on Atomic and Nuclear Physics, which will be held in Atlanta in November.

'Since I have practically no knowledge of Nuclear Physics I resorted to iOS auto-complete function to help me," explained Bartneck.

The resulting paper is complete gobbledygook.

'Nuclear weapons will not have to come out the same day after a long time of the year,' it states.

'The atoms of a better universe will have the right for the same as you,' it adds, before continuing: 'Physics are great but the way it does it makes you want a good book.'

In case that hasn't baffled readers enough, the paper concludes: 'Power is not a great place for a good time.'

The paper's title is also the brainchild of Apple iOS, with the incomprehensible: 'Atomic Energy will have been made available to a single source.'

Nonsense: The research paper, authored by 'Iris Pear' makes little sense about nuclear physics

Bartneck added the first picture he came across on Wikipedia to illustrate nuclear physics and created a not-so-subtle fake name, Iris Pear - a play on Siri Apple.

Not thinking anyone could possibly take him seriously, he even made up 'Umbria Polytech University' located in 'Infinite Loop' in Cupertino, California.

But within just three hours he received an acceptance email in his inbox.

'I know that iOS is a pretty good software, but reaching tenure has never been this close,' he wrote.

The mysteries of the universe, nuclear physics and particle acceleration at the CERN lab will remain a mystery to readers of Christopher Bartneck's nonsense research paper

However, Bartneck drew a line under his prank when he was asked to register for the conference at a cost of $1,099 (898).

Speaking to The Guardian Australia, he said: 'My university would certainly object to me wasting money this way. My impression is that this is not a particularly good conference.'
An inquest into the mysterious death of a young mother who was found lifeless next to her two-year-old son could finally reveal details about her last moments alive.

Police found Maddison Murphy-West's dead body at her Pakenham unit, on the fringe of Melbourne, exactly three years ago on October 23, 2013.

Her violent meth-using boyfriend at the time, then-24-year-old Troy Boothey, told police he had found his 20-year-old partner-of-four years hanging from the door.

But homicide detectives believe that Maddison's body could have been disguised as self-harm, which is what her family have believed to be the case all along.

Police now believe Maddison was murdered - with the killer manipulating the scene to make it appear a suicide.

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An inquest into the mysterious death of 20-year-old Melbourne mother Maddison Murphy-West, who left behind a two-year-old son, could reveal details about her last moments alive

Police believe Maddison was murdered, and her violent meth-using ex-boyfriend Troy Boothey (pictured together with son Noah) is the main suspect

Justice for Mummy: Maddison's son Noah, who is raised by his grandmother Paula and is now four years old, does not know how his mother died - in fact, neither do police

Homicide detectives believe that Maddison's body could have been disguised as self-harm

Mr Boothey, who went to jail a month after Maddison's death for a road-rage attack while on an ice-bender and is facing further jail time for a string of theft and drug offences, remains the main police suspect but has never been charged.

According to the Herald Sun, investigators involved in the three-year-old case have sent evidence to the Victoria State Coroner, which means the case could go before an inquest.

Maddison's mother Paula has long believed that Mr Boothey is the man responsible for killing her daughter and leaving her to raise Noah, who is now four years old.

She also suspects that a second person may have been involved in covering up her death, and hopes the inquest will bring out new information to freshen the case.

Mr Boothey went to jail a month after Maddison's death for a road-rage attack while on an ice-bender and is facing further jail time for a string of theft and drug offences

Maddison's brother Brydon (who she never met) and her son Noah are pictured at her tombstone

Alarmingly, the young mother had been treated in hospital for an assault 13-months before her death and her family believe she was often in fear for her life.

Paula said that in 2012 marks were found on Maddison's neck but the young mother dismissed someone had tried to choke her and claimed it was play-fighting.

A family-run Facebook page named 'Justice For Maddy' has provided updates over the years as the Murphy-Wests search for answers.

'How can this filth ever do this to Maddy and live with it, why isn't he asking who killed Maddy himself?,' a post in July showing Noah at Maddison's grave reads.

'Why isn't he screaming from the rooftops that his innocent?'

'I know that if l was being accused of murder l wouldn't just shug my shoulders and say "l'v got things to do ya know".'

'We all know he did it! And it will be proven eventually!
Michael Lohan's estranged wife Kate Major (above) has been arrested for drunkenly assaulting a police officer

Lindsay Lohans stepmother has been arrested for allegedly drunkenly assaulting a police officer.

Kate Major, 33, the estranged wife of Michael Lohan, had dropped her children off at his home in Florida on Saturday before going to a neighbors house, TMZ reports.

She emerged drunk and wanted to drive home, sources told the site.

However, Lohan reportedly refused to hand over her car keys, leading Major to call police.

When authorities arrived at the scene, they attempted to arrest Major for drunk and disorderly conduct in public.

Thats when she allegedly lashed out and attacked a police officer.

Major, of Delray Beach, remains in custody at the Palm Beach Detention Center.

Major (above, with Lohan in 2010) married Lindsay Lohans 56-year-old father in 2014 and has two children with him

She was booked into jail in the early hours of Sunday morning on a $3,000 bond, charged with battery on an officer and disorderly intoxication.

Major, who married Lindsay Lohans 56-year-old father in 2014, has two children with him: one-year-old Logan and Landon, three.

Major, of Delray Beach, could face jail time as she is currently on probation for assault.

She was ordered to go to rehab last year after being thrown off an airplane for drunken and belligerent behavior.

Major was arrested for drunkenly attacking Lohan in front of their children in April last year

She was arrested in November after causing a commotion on a JetBlue flight, which allegedly included threatening to slash a womans throat.

That incident came shortly after the couple lost custody of their two young sons after authorities obtained a video of them having an extreme argument in front of the boys.
Former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey has accepted he deserves criticism for his handling of allegations about a bishop convicted of sexual assault

Former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey has accepted he deserves criticism for his handling of allegations about a bishop convicted of sexual assault.

Lord Carey accepted he did not live up to his 'pastoral duties' towards the victims of Peter Ball, a source close to him told The Telegraph.

'He knows he will be criticised and he knows he will be criticised rightly,' the source was reported to have said.

Yesterday, in a separate development, it emerged the former archbishop's son, Mark Carey, had been arrested over allegations of historic child abuse.

He was detained at his home after claims that he abused a girl, who is now in her 30s, when he was in his late teens.

Lord Carey was warned that he could face 'explicit criticism' over how he dealt with Peter Ball by Alexis Jay, the head of the national child abuse inquiry.

Speaking to the Telegraph, the source said Lord Carey had been 'naive' to trust Ball, who was a friend.

The source added: 'Clearly the Church didn't handle it well'.

The former Bishop of Gloucester and Lewes was jailed last year for sex offences and misconduct in public office.

Lord Carey accepted he did not live up to his 'pastoral duties' towards the victims of Peter Ball (pictured)

Separately, Rev Mark Carey, 51, was arrested on Wednesday at his home which is owned by the church.

The alleged victim of Rev Carey claimed that she was assaulted by the priest when he was in his late teens, the Sun reported. The complainant is now in her 30s.

The incident is alleged to have occurred while Lord Carey was a priest in the North East of England.

Rev Carey has been released on bail and has been suspended by the Church of England while inquiries take place.

Mark Carey was detained at his home after claims that he abused a girl in the 1980s

A father of three, Rev Carey has not been seen since the arrest. He followed his father into the church in 1995.

Lord Carey was Archbishop of Canterbury between 1991 and 2002.

His son Mark was ordained in 1995 at Wakefield Cathedral and was witnessed by his father.

He was previously the curate of Christ Church in Ossett, West Yorkshire, before he went on to become a parish priest in Sheffield.

He later moved to Harrogate in 2007.

Yesterday, Rev Carey was joined at his family home in North Yorkshire by his father and mother Eileen.

A source told the Sun that the family had been left reeling by the allegations of historic child sex abuse, which date back to the 1980s.

His wife Penny, 53, who he has been married to for nearly three decades after their marriage in 1988, refused to comment.
Britain may need a transitional arrangement with the EU because Brexit will take so long, Hilary Benn warned today.

The chairman of the powerful new Brexit committee of MPs said there was a lot of negotiating to do to complete Brexit and a new trading relationship within two years.

Mr Benn also demanded a Commons vote on Theresa May's negotiating strategy - but conceded a bitter fight over the triggering of Article 50, the EU treaty clause which will initiate the process.

Hilary Benn, pictured on today's Andrew Marr programme, warned Britain may need a transitional arrangement with the EU because Brexit will take so long

Mr Benn told the BBC's Andrew Marr: 'The withdrawal process may be only two years because, as you know, 27 other member states have to agree to prolong it.

'But I think the importance of a transitional arrangement is it would offer some confidence to business and thats very important pending the Government finally being able to negotiate a new arrangement with the rest of the European Union on trade and market access.'

Mr Benn said it would be crucial for the Government to make clear at an early stage if the Brexit negotiations were likely to take longer than expected.

Mrs May has announced she will invoke Article 50 no later than the end of March - meaning Brexit should take place by the end of March 2019.

Mr Benn said: 'It is going to be very important for the Government to indicate that if it is not possible within the two years provided for by Article 50 to negotiate both our withdrawal agreement and a new trading relationship  market access, including for services, 80 per cent of our economy, a million jobs in financial services.

'It should tell the House of Commons that it will seek a transitional arrangement with the European Union.'

Mr Benn said it would be crucial for the Government to make clear at an early stage if the Brexit negotiations were likely to take longer than expected

Mr Benn said it was crucial to be open about the negotiating objectives to ensure transparency and broad support.

He said: 'The Government might need to come back and say ''alright, weve had a think about it and were going to change this or do that''.

'It seems to me perfectly reasonable that the Government should share with Parliament because its going to share it with Europe, its going to share it with the European Parliament.

'The Government should share with the British Parliament what its negotiating objectives are because there are a lot of very practical questions, as well as free movement, as well as the future trading relationships, are we going to remain part of Europol, the European Arrest Warrant, cooperation and so on.'

The Prime Minister, pictured at last week's EU summit, has said she will begin Brexit talks before the end of March next year

Mr Benn said voting on negotiating objectives was not the same as a Commons division on Article 50 and the act of Brexit itself.

He said: 'Theyre two different things. I think Parliament will want to express a view on the Governments negotiating plan, but that is not the same as having a vote on Article 50.

'This is very important, because there are those who have said ah, well, what Parliament might try and do is to in some way try to undermine or reverse the referendum decision.
ISIS will launch terror attacks on Britain once the jihadis are forced from their stronghold in Mosul in Iraq, a government minister has warned.

International Development minister Rory Stewart said it was 'overwhelmingly likely' that Iraqi forces, backed by allied air power, will force the jihadis out of Mosul.

Many of the foreign fighters are believed to be planning to return to their home countries such as Britain, among the estimated one million people who could flee the city.

International Development Secretary Rory Stewart, pictured, claimed British ISIS terrorists could return to the UK after the fall of Mosul to continue their murderous jihad

Several thousand jihadis are thought to remain in Mosul and are being pounded by US-led coalition aircraft and Iraqi ground troops in a major co-ordinated operation to retake the city

The city and surrounding towns and villages have been surrounded by Iraqi government troops and Kurdish peshmerga fighters in advance of the final march on the city

But he warned that as pressure ratchets up on ISIS in Iraq, they may seek revenge by launching terror attacks in the UK and Europe.

He told BBC One's Sunday Politics: 'This is a group that has proved over the last five years very unpredictable.

'It changes very quickly. Often it does unexpected things. For example, when in 2009 its predecessor had been largely wiped out in Iraq, it attached into Syria. When it was under pressure in Syria it came back into Iraq.

'In the past it didn't hold territory. Now it holds territory. It is clear that that's something that they are focused on.

'So we also have, along with all the stuff within the region, a big, big focus on counter-terrorism, security and making sure that we keep the United Kingdom and Europe safe.'

His comments came as Iraqi and Kurdish forces continue their push against ISIS terrorists in Mosul.

Government troops have a major advantage in terms of men and munitions, but ISIS has had months to prepare its defences against the current attack

Mr Stewart fears the operation to retake the city could lead to more than 1 million people to flee the besieged city, with jihadi fighters hiding among the innocent civilians

Iraqi troops are using unmanned drones to reconnoiter ISIS positions in villages surrounding Mosul to allow for accurate fire support from artillery and attack jets

The fight to regain the city, ISIS's last stronghold in Iraq, has taken longer than some commentators expected it to last.

But Mr Stewart said victory is likely as 30,000 troops are taking on just a few thousand ISIS terrorists in the city.

He said: 'So I would say it is overwhelmingly likely that this battle for Mosul will be won by the Iraqi army.'

It is estimated that up to one million people will flee the city, sparking fears the humanitarian crisis will overwhelm refugee camps set up in the region.

But Mr Stewart sought to calm these fears and said humanitarian and medical staff are in the area ready to provide support.

He said: 'A lot of the investment has gone into creating a network of camps, these are refugee camps with tents and medical supplies and food, around the edge of Mosul.'

He said that while Britain has put tens of millions of pounds into the UN relief effort there has been a 'lag' in getting money from some other donors.

But he insisted 'we do have the support structures in place for those refugees around'.

His comments come as International Development Secretary Priti Patel announced Britain will donate 14 million to provide shelter, vital equipment and medical teams for up to 66,000 people displaced by the military offensive.

The money is part of the 40 million pledge made last month at the UN General Assembly.

Ms Patel said: 'Liberating Mosul will be a great blow to ISIS's hold on northern Iraq.

'However, with up to one and a half million people still living in the city there is little doubt that we could soon see a mass movement of people out of the city. Their protection is a paramount concern.

'Preparing ahead of this crisis is vital. With our support, the residents of Mosul will get the shelter, supplies and medical care they need in the immediate aftermath of this crisis.
The chief strategist for Hillary Clinton's campaign insisted that Democrats are not to blame for election violence at Donald Trump's campaign rallies.

Joel Benenson told George Stephanopoulos on ABC's This Week that 'day after day' Trump was 'inciting people'.

Benenson who blames Trump for the violence at his rallies, said: 'We have video of Donald Trump saying, "punch him in the mouth. I want him carried out on a stretcher."'

The conversation between Benenson and Stephanopoulos stemmed from a video released by conservative activist James O'Keefe.

Joel Benenson (left) told George Stephanopoulos (right) on ABC's This Week that 'day after day' Trump was 'inciting people' and not the Democrats. The conversation between Benenson and Stephanopoulos stemmed from a video released by conservative activist James O'Keefe

In the secretly recorded video (pictured), which was posted to YouTube as part of O'Keefe's Project Veritas Action, shows a Democratic operative, Scott Foval, who appears to boast about sending protesters to disrupt Trump rallies

In the secretly recorded video, which was posted to YouTube as part of O'Keefe's Project Veritas Action, shows a Democratic operative, Scott Foval, who appears to boast about sending protesters to disrupt Trump rallies.

Benenson said those two individuals associated with the video have resigned, adding that he's 'pretty confident' there aren't any others engaged in smilar activities.

While referring to O'Keefe, Benenson said: 'We're talking about a guy who has a track record of doctoring videos.'

Benenson added that if the Trump campaign wants to talk about O'Keefe instead of the Republican candidate, 'it's showing a sign of desperation' in the last weeks before the election.

In the latest ABC News presidential opinion poll, Trump is trailing Clinton by 12 points.

The news organizations previous poll, taken 10 days ago on the heels of the 'p****' tape release, had Trump down by four points.

Benenson (pictured) said those two individuals associated with the video have resigned, adding that he's 'pretty confident' there aren't any others engaged in smilar activities

Trump's numbers have deteriorated because of his stance on two issues that have come up frequently in the last few weeks of this election: his treatment of women and his refusal to say that the election process is legitimate, instead of calling it 'rigged'.

In a four-way race Clinton now receives 50 per cent support from likely voters, while he receives 38 per cent, with Libertarian Gary Johnson getting 5 per cent and Green Party hopeful Jill Stein scoring 2 per cent.

But Benenson said 'I don't think it's over until the people vote'.
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Thousands of people are being treated for the effects of toxic gases after ISIS attacked a chemical factory releasing poisonous sulphur into the atmosphere.

The murderous organisation set ablaze the sulphur plant at nearby al-Mishraq, south of their stronghold of Mosul, on Wednesday as they retreated from pro-government forces.

Plumes of deadly noxious smoke are still wafting through parts of northern Iraq.

Nine people have reportedly died while another 1,000 people are being treated for breathing problems.

Iraqi forces wear gas masks for protection as smoke billows in the background after ISIS torched Mishraq sulphur factory, near the Qayyarah base

Iraqi soldiers wear gas masks after ISIS attacked a chemical factory releasing poisonous sulphur into the atmosphere

Plumes of deadly noxious smoke are still wafting through parts of northern Iraq after ISIS set a chemical plant on fire

Chemical experts have reportedly been sent to the chemical plant and fire fighters are still trying to tackle the blaze.

Ahmed Younis, 29, a medical assistant in the nearby town of Qayyarah, told the WorldPost: 'There was a big cloud [of smoke] even here. We couldn't breathe well.'

Every assault unit in Iraq, including militias as well as British, Australian, American and French troops, have assembled at the huge Qayyarah military base.

Sulphur dioxide gas is toxic when inhaled or when the skin or eyes are open.

It can lead to vomiting and stomach pain, while skin contact can cause stinging pains and, in severe cases, blindness.

US soldiers at a base near Mosul wore protective masks yesterday as wind blew smoke towards them.

Gregory Koblentz, associate professor and director of the Biodefense Graduate Program at George Mason University, said: 'It's a risk that people instinctively react to with a high degree of fear and panic because it is invisible, insidious, and indiscriminate.

'Even if they only kill a few, they will terrify large numbers.'

Toxic fumes released when jihadists torched a sulphur plant near Mosul has reportedly left nine dead

Up to 1,000 people are being treated in hospital after inhaling toxic fumes - it has forced troops to wear gas masks

The Mosul offensive, which was launched last Monday, aims to reclaim the last major Iraqi city under IS control.

The jihadists overran Iraq's second-biggest city, and surrounding areas in June 2014 and terrorised its 1.5 million residents, abducting young boys to recruit as fighters and girls to be their sex slaves.

The Iraq Army, which collapsed and fled in the face of an IS onslaught back in 2014, has re-formed and been re-trained by American, British and other forces, including elite units specialising in search-and-destroy tactics, street by street fighting, and the use of drones for intelligence-gathering.

Coalition forces today announced they had seized the nearby town of Bashiqa, ten miles north of the ISIS-held city, at dawn.

A spokesman said they had entered the town around 2pm.

The fumes make breathing difficult, with people saying they are suffering from coughing, headaches and nosebleeds from as far as 18 miles away

There is great concern for the estimated 1.2 million civilians believed to be trapped in Mosul.

On Saturday terrorists executed 284 men and boys, having used them as human shields to defend against advancing forces.

Some of the 550 families taken hostage by ISIS were able to return home while others will continue to be used as human shields by retreating jihadis.

Their village of Kafer, 18 miles from the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, has been under the control of the Islamist fanatics since 2014

Coalition forces are fighting to tighten the noose around Isis-held Mosul, as the Kurdish peshmerga (pictured) announced they had seized a nearby town

Smoke rises at Islamic State militants' positions in the town of Naweran, near Mosul. Iraqi and Kurdish forces have been supported by US-led airstrikes

Despite the advance by Iraqi and Kurdish forces, ISIS appear determined to fight back.

On Friday they attacked a gas station, government buildings and a police HQ in the oil city of Kirkuk.

In that offensive, they killed more than 80, most of whom were security forces.

Kurdish and other forces were tracking down militants believed to have fled Kirkuk on Saturday to rural areas east of the city.

The offensive is expected to take weeks, if not months, to drive ISIS out of the city.

Between 4,000 and 8,000 ISIS fighters have rigged the city with explosives, built oil-filled moats, dug tunnels, and trenches and are ready to use civilians as human shields.
Secrets photographs and documents which shed light on the famous Cabinet War Rooms where Winston Churchill directed the war, have been released for the first time.

The files, in the archives of the Imperial War Museum, have helped author Jonathan Asbury to paint a picture of the wartime Prime Minister's love/hate relationship with the underground bunker where he plotted Hitler's downfall.

The Cabinet War Rooms, directly beneath Whitehall, were built in 1939 and abandoned after Japan's surrender in the summer of 1945.

This photograph of the Map Room is believed to have been taken in 1942. When the war ended three years later it was abandoned, even the stash of sugar lumps in a desk draw left by Wing Commander John Heagerty (second from the right)

Forty years later they were opened to the public, all be it protected by glass, and have been a popular tourist attraction ever since.

But Asbury's book, The Secrets of Churchill's War Rooms, explains the workings of the Map Room, where officers from the Army, RAF and Royal Navy gathered intelligence and recorded dreadful toll of casualties in chalk on a blackboard.

Asbury, 45, tells the Daily Telegraph: 'The thing that really struck me is the parallels between Churchill's character and the War Rooms themselves, and this general idea of improvisation.

Churchill disliked being underground and rarely slept a night in this bed

'There was a real can-do attitude and these people were remarkably efficient at getting things done. The people there braving the bombs and sleeping with the rats and bugs were an incredible part of this history. And Churchill provided this animating energy for the entire place.'

The Cabinet War Rooms contains four main rooms - Churchill's bedroom and study, the telephone room, the Map Room and the Cabinet Room.

In May 1940 Churchill, having just succeeded Neville Chamberlain as prime minister, strode in and declared: 'This is the room from which I'll direct the war'.

The Map Room, not surprisingly, contained maps showing the progress of the conflict in all of the major theatres of war - North Africa, Asia, the Eastern Front and, later, Italy, France and eventually Germany itself

A chair in the Cabinet Room still has the marks on the left arm of a chair from where Churchill's fingernails would scratch at the wood and gouges from where he would bang down his signet ring in anger.

The Cabinet Room was where Churchill and the top generals, admirals and wing commanders would have robust discussions about the direction of the war.

Asbury writes: 'The heads of the Army, Navy and Air Force would be face-to-face with Churchill and they would battle it out between them as to what happened.'

The Cabinet War Rooms were buried deep beneath offices in Whitehall (pictured, left) so they could withstand the worst of the Blitz. The phones (right) were at the time state-of-the-art

Unlike Hitler, Churchill would listen to his military experts before deciding the course of the war, which may partially explain why Britain and her allies won the war.

But Churchill hated being underground and, apart from the odd afternoon nap, he rarely slept in the bunker's bedroom.

The Daily Mirror reports that Asbury says in the book: 'Churchill had a love-hate relationship with the War Rooms.

Churchill left his study virtually untouched when the war ended. He died 20 years later

'He liked being able to show them off to visiting generals. He'd like nothing more than showing the Map Room to them, which really showed Britain had its finger on the pulse, and then taking them next door to his study for a drink.

'He found out when he became PM if there was a direct hit on the War Rooms everyone would be dead, so he ordered all sorts of extra building work to be done and inspect it himself each night, getting concrete over his shoes.

'However, when there was a bombing raid he'd much rather climb up on to the roof, which he frequently did, and watch the raid himself.'

Churchill spent hundreds of hours in his study (left) pouring over maps and reports, including May 1945 when the allied armies entered Berlin (right) and Hitler committed suicide

But the war in the Pacific dragged on for another three months until atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki (pictured) finally led to Japan's surrender

For nearly four decades the Cabinet War Rooms, with their multi-coloured telephones, were closed down and almost forgotten
The married father-of-two began working at the University Of Maine in 2000

Was in Antarctica to study the role of ice and glaciers in the climate system

A University of Maine professor has died while conducting research in Antarctica.

Gordon Hamilton, 50, died Saturday when the snowmobile he was riding hit a crevasse and he fell 100 feet.

He had been in Antarctica doing research for the National Science Foundation. His work focused on the role of ice and glaciers in the climate system.

Hamilton, who had a wife and two children, began working at the University of Maine's Climate Change Institute in 2000.

He served as an assistant research professor, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses. Hamilton also worked with a statewide initiative on science, technology, engineering and math programs for high school students.

Researcher Gordon Hamilton (pictured), 50, died Saturday when the snowmobile he was riding hit a crevasse and he fell 100 feet

University Of Maine provost Jeffery Hecker released a statement calling Hamilton a 'quintessential scientist and educator' and a 'pioneer researcher' who touched and changed many lives.

'The University of Maine has lost one of its leading scientists,' University Of Maine President Susan J Hunter said in a statement according to WGME.

'Gordon's glaciology research around the world  from Antarctica to Greenland  was second to none. He leaves a legacy as an outstanding scientist, and a caring mentor and well-known teacher to undergraduate and graduate students.

'He was an engaged, gregarious and beloved member of the UMaine and Orono communities that now mourn his loss. Our heart-felt thoughts and prayers go to his wife, Fiona, and their two children, Martin and Calum, and his friends and colleagues around the world.'

Hamilton (pictured), who had a wife and two children, focused on the role of ice and glaciers in the climate system and taught at the University Of Maine
Goldman Sachs CEO Llooyd Blankfein has admitted he is backing Hillary Clinton in the race for the White House.

The Wall Street financier, who is worth $1.1billion, praised the Democrat on Sunday - despite his assertion earlier this year that he would not say who he was backing, Bloomberg reported.

'I'm supportive of Hillary Clinton,' Blankfein told CNN host Fareed Zakaria on Sunday. 'Yes, so flat out, yes, I do.'

Lloyd Blankfein (pictured left at an October 18, 2016, conference in California) said he was supportive of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton (right) on Sunday

'That doesn't say that I agree with all of her policies. I don't. And that doesn't say that I adopt everything that she's done in her political career or has suggested that she might do going forward.'

Clinton's ties to Goldman Sachs have been the subject of criticism from both the left-wing flank of the Democratic Party as well as Republicans who say she is too beholden to special interests.

Just months after Clinton stepped down as secretary of state, she received $675,000 for three speeches that she gave to the investment firm.

Purported transcripts of those speeches were recently released by WikiLeaks.

Clinton (left) was heavily criticized for her ties to Goldman Sachs and other Wall Street investment firms by her opponent in the Democratic primaries, Bernie Sanders (right)

While neither Clinton nor Goldman Sachs has confirmed the authenticity, the text does appear to be genuine.

The former secretary of state had refused to release the transcripts, a move that caused significant problems in her primary battle against Bernie Sanders, who accused her of being too cozy with Wall Street.

The WikiLeaks releases showed how apparently at-ease the Democrat is in front of bankers.

She displayed pragmatism and called for compromise, a stance that's less antagonistic than her public positions toward Wall Street.

In another address to a real estate group in April 2013, she said 'politics is like sausage being made' and 'you need both a public and a private position.' She compared it to Abraham Lincoln's political maneuvering in trying to pass the 13th Amendment which abolished slavery.

Blankfein, whose interview with CNN was recorded before the WikiLeaks revelations were made public, denied that Clinton said anything 'untoward' in those speeches.

The Goldman CEO, whose net worth is estimated to be $1.1billion, said that Clinton's ability to work with Republicans was the main reason that he was supporting her.

'She could cross the aisle and engage other people to get things done,' Blankfein, 62, said on CNN.

'That willingness to engage is a scarcer commodity these days.'

The CEO brushed off suggestions that Clinton's prior relationship with his bank means that she cannot be trusted to regulate Goldman as well as other Wall Street investment firms who have been accused of wielding excessive influence on Washington.

'We're one of the larger banks,' Blankfein said. 'We have influence in the financial system. Of course we engage.'

Blankfein said that it's common for Goldman and other firms to reach out to political figures and leaders in order to exchange views.

'I go out and I meet with editors of newspapers,' he said. 'I meet with Republican leaders. It's necessary for us to do that.'

Blankfein said that the government already has sufficient regulatory mechanisms in place whether Clinton does or does not win the White House.
Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus tried to parse Donald Trump's words on 'Face the Nation' Sunday, after the Republican nominee said 'I will keep you in suspense' when asked about accepting the outcome of the election.

CBS' John Dickerson asked Priebus if he thought there was any real danger of the election being stolen.

'No, wait a minute, that's not quite what he's saying,' the RNC chairman said back. 'What he is saying is he wants to reserve all options.'

'He is not  he does  he is not willing to not concede if he loses and there's no fraud,' Priebus explained.

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Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus appeared on 'Face the Nation' today and tried to explain what Donald Trump was saying about election 'rigging' in recent days

On Wednesday night at the Las Vegas debate, Trump surprised the political world by so boldly sowing seeds of doubt on the legitimacy of the election outcome by saying, 'I will tell you at the time.'

Priebus, playing the role of the Trump whisperer, said the nominee meant that 'if there is grounds for a recount, I will exercise my options.'

The RNC chairman argued that the media was wrong to ask Trump, three weeks out from the election, if he plans to concede if he loses  though most national and swing state polls suggest he's on track for a loss.

'But what I think the media's missing here is that to ask a candidate three weeks before the election, "if they lose, are they going to concede?" asking for a concession speech,' Priebus said. 'No one does that.'

'And I think if it's a close election  look if you lose by 200 votes in Florida, are you going to concede on election night if you're at 260 electoral votes,' Priebus continued.

Dickerson argued that that's not what Trump was saying, but instead saying the election is 'being stolen at this moment. The only way I'll lose is if it's stolen.'

'That's really different,' the CBS newsman pointed out.

Dickerson also pointed to quote Trump made about Pennsylvania, a state Republicans haven't won since 1988.

Trump suggested if he lost the Keystone State, it would be because of cheating, not because the state has trended blue for almost 30 years.

'I don't think that's where he's at,' Priebus said, pushing back on Dickerson's Pennsylvania observation. 'That's not where I'm at.'

The newsman also pointed to South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who first endorsed Florida Sen. Marco Rubio in the Republican primary, and who called Trump 'irresponsible' for his election rigging comments.

Dickerson asked Priebus to pick between the two on who is right.

'I think they're two different people  two people saying two different things,' Priebus answered.

The RNC chairman suggested that Trump has had to deal with 'the barrage and the media implosion on every single thing this guy does,' while watching his rival get 'away with ... this email scandal.'

'Listen. But I'm trying to put you in the mind of a person who's running for president, sees this unbelievable world around him. And then you do hear about fraud at the ballot box. And you say, "You know what? I'm going to reserve all option,"' Priebus said.

Dickerson countered that 'reserving options' is different than telling your supporters that you expect that the election is going to be stolen from you.

'The problem is the difference between what you say and what he says,' Dickerson continued. 'As the Republican Party chair ... make the distinction clear? Because otherwise, what you're going to do is incite your followers to think that this election's being stolen from them and that's dangerous.'

Priebus argued that Trump did do that.
A couple's 40,000 Greek island wedding was turned into a nightmare when an overnight bag containing the groom's passport was stolen from their 600-a-night villa.

Steve and Olga Kershaw had married on Santorini in a dream wedding they had been planning for nine months, after a week of making final preparations on the island.

But it was 'destroyed' when they got back to the cliff-side villa to find Mr Kershaw's overnight bag, containing his phone and his passport, had been stolen.

Steve and Olga Kershaw had married on Santorini in a dream wedding they had been planning for nine months but it was ruined when their bag was stolen

They had been staying at the same hotel as family and friends until the wedding on September 24, and left after the reception at around midnight

Mr Kershaw was then forced to spend the majority of the rest of their time on the island dealing with the 'awful' police and arranging a temporary passport.

On their wedding night, they had to leave the villa and go to the hotel where their friends and family were staying, and slept in a room with twin beds.

Olga, 30, said: 'It just destroyed us. We thought it was going to be be a dream day that would complete our fairytale romance but it turned into a nightmare.

'We are positive people and acted as a team but we could not relax - we couldn't have a drink because we had to drive and couldn't enjoy our time together.

'The next day we wanted to stay in bed together but couldn't relax because Steve had to speak to the police and get a passport.

'There were so many photos on the phone and they are gone forever. It is not about the things we lost, it's the memories that are gone now and we can never get back.'

They went to their wedding car - which was supposed to contain the overnight bag

Mr Kershaw, 32, said: 'We will never have a proper wedding night now and after coming off such a high after getting married, it just wrecked us emotionally.'

He added: 'On any other day it would be just one of those silly things but on your wedding night, it just destroys you.'

Mr Kershaw, from Wareham, Dorset, filed a report with the local police the next day but claims they would not give him a translator to read it before he signed.

He then returned to the hotel and asked one of the staff to read it for him, at which point he discovered the report said that that the couple had lost the bag, he claims.

'Maybe they were trying to keep the crime statistics down but whatever the reason, the police were awful and I had to keep going back there,' he said.

He claims that he returned to the police station four times in the remaining few days, but the officers refused to change the report.

The discrepancy between his claims and the police report also means that he cannot claim for items including his phone and changing the flights on his insurance.

'I would have to get a lawyer to get them to change the report and the cost of that would end up being more than the 500 or 600 I am claiming,' he said.

When they arrived, the overnight bag was gone, and it dawned on them that Mr Kershaw's passport had gone, which would mean a trip to the British consulate

They had been staying at the same hotel as family and friends until the wedding on September 24, and left after the reception at around midnight.

They went to their wedding car - which was supposed to contain the overnight bag -via taxi, but it had been driven to the villa due to a misunderstanding.

The couple, who are now enjoying a weekend away in Munich, are now moving on from the nightmare and enjoying their life together

When they arrived, the overnight bag was gone, and it dawned on them that Mr Kershaw's passport was inside, which would mean a trip to the British consulate.

He had to arrange transport to Crete, an island to the south, to arrange a temporary passport for Mr Kerhsaw, who works all over the world.

'When I got there and explained what had happened with the police, the lady there seemed to know before I even opened my mouth,' he said.

'Arranging the trip to Crete, going back and forth to the police station - that is all time we should have spent together, sunning ourselves on the beach,' he added.

However, the couple, who are now enjoying a weekend away in Munich, where Mr Kershaw is working, are now moving on from the nightmare and enjoying their life together.

Olga, who works in banking in Moscow, said: 'We both worked as a team when it happened because that is what we have always done.

'I had never thought about getting married and family life until I met Steven, when everything completely changed, so I am lucky.
Said Trump would 'blow up the system' and voters would 'participate'

Donald Trump supporters are furious at Michael Moore for branding them 'legal terrorists'.

The filmmaker used the term in an interview with Rolling Stone published Friday, saying that Trump would 'blow up the system' and his voters would 'participate in the detonation'.

Moore also compared Trump to a pedophile, saying voters had to protect America from the GOP nominee the way children should be protected from molesters.

His movie 'Michael Moore In Trumpland', which Moore has called his October surprise, came out earlier this week after just 11 days of development.

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Michael Moore (left) has come under fire after branding all of Donald Trump supporters 'legal terrorists', saying they would help the GOP nominee (right) 'blow up the system'

Moore, once a fervent Bernie Sanders supporter who has now endorsed Hillary Clinton, told the LA Times he hoped the film would convince 'the depressed Hillary voter' to cast a ballot on November 8.

'Michael Moore In Trumpland' is based on a one-man show that Moore performed earlier this month in Wilmington, Ohio. The show revolves mostly around Moore's support of Clinton - but he denied having written it in the hopes of converting devoted Trump supporters.

'I did not want the racists or the crazies in there or we would have never gotten the show done,' he told Rolling Stone.

Instead, Moore said, he wanted to strike a chord with voters who typically support Democrats but where thinking of casting their ballot for Trump.

'I want them to think about the damage they could do by being a legal terrorist on November 8th,' Moore said.

Rolling Stone asked if the words 'legal terrorist referred to any Trump voter or to anyone in particular. Moore replied: 'Any.'

'Legally, you have a right to vote on November 8th. You can go in there and even though you're not necessarily in favor of Trump and you don't like him that much and you know he's a little crazy, you also know he's going to blow up the system,' Moore added.

'The system that took your job and house away from you. You get to get back at the system now and blow it up and this is the only day you can do it legally.

'He's told everybody that's what he's going to do. He's the outsider who is going to ride into town and blow up the old way.

Watch the latest video at <a href="http://video.foxnews.com">video.foxnews.com</a>

'So you, as a voter, get to participate in the detonation. He's going to get a lot of votes from people who actually just want to sit back and watch the thing blow up.'

Moore later called the GOP nominee a 'sociopath' and said Trump had a mental illness - to the point where Moore didn't feel comfortable 'picking on' Trump anymore and wanted him to get help.

'At the same time, you have to protect the population from him like you do with a pedophile,' Moore said.

'A pedophile doesn't need to be in prison; they're sick. They have to be separated from us so they don't hurt children. But you have to treat it that way.'

Furious Trump voters blasted Moore's comments on Twitter. One called Moore a 'pathetic thing', another accused him of being 'terrified', and a third tweeted a story about Moore with the words 'IDIOT ALERT'.

User Merle Patterson wondered: 'So, Americans have #rightofchoice, unless it's #Trump?'

Another Twitter user, Dan Foster, wrote: 'like Michael Moore would know anything about patriotism or reality.'

Real estate broker Greg Bennett compared Moore to a 'butt itch', adding: 'it's there but you can't scratch it, just annoying.'
Tracey Curtis-Taylor has been stripped of a prestigious flying award following claims she wasnt flying solo

The self-styled Bird in a Biplane Tracey Curtis-Taylor has been stripped of a prestigious flying award following claims she wasnt flying solo.

The decision by The Light Aircraft Association came amid allegations she had a co-pilot on her epic flights.

It plunges her career flying vintage planes around the globe into a tail spin and will cause huge embarrassment to the personal friend of Prince Michael of Kent.

The respected Light Aircraft Association has rescinded its coveted Bill Woodhams Trophy which it awarded to her in 2015 for flying from Cape Town to Britain.

It was awarded to her for navigational and flying skill.

It is thought to be the first time such an award has been rescinded.

She was unceremoniously stripped of the trophy at an angry meeting at which LAA members claimed she had mislead the public over her exploits.

Members of the LAA voted to rescind the trophy at its Annual General Meeting at Sywell Aerodrome in Northamptonshire on Saturday.

An overwhelming majority of 123 members voted for her to be stripped with just 65 in favour of her keeping the trophy.

Curtis-Taylor, 54, who attended the AGM in a bid to head off the motion, has been mired in controversy after flight instructor Ewald Gritsch revealed he occupied the forward cockpit of her vintage bi-plane for most of the legs of her famous journeys.

She was awarded the coveted Bill Woodhams Trophy which it awarded to her in 2015 for flying from Cape Town to Britain (she is pictured here embarking on a flight to Australia)

An overwhelming majority of 123 members voted for her to be stripped with just 65 in favour of her keeping the trophy

Her former logistics manager Sam Rutherford also said Curtis-Taylor had been guilty of embellishing the truth and had only flown four of the 36 legs from Cape Town to Goodwood solo.

Veteran member of the Light Aircraft Association Barry Tempest, who proposed her award be withdrawn in the light of the revelations, said: I am delighted the award has been rescinded and her name will removed from the annals of the Light Aircraft Association.

I have the greatest of respect for women pilots but I think Tracey Curtis-Taylor has not done a lot the further their case.

I think she is a boastful lady who needs bringing down a peg or two.

She made these claims about flying solo, or at least that is what we were lead to believe, and now it has come out that they were not that at all. Far from it.

I believe the integrity of the LAA has been restored.

She was unceremoniously stripped of the trophy at an angry meeting at which LAA members claimed she had mislead the public over her exploits

On the surface the former waitresss trips in her 1942 Boeing Stearman mirrored some of historys greatest exploits by solo female flyers.

The trip from Cape Town to Goodwood, West Sussex was first completed solo by Lady Mary Heath in 1928.

Curtis-Taylor completed the 36-leg, 10,000-mile-flight in 2013 and in 2015 received the award from the Light Aircraft Association for the feat.

Mr Gritsch was also on board for parts of her trip from Farnborough to Sydney, where she arrived in January after a flight covering 23 countries in 50 legs, recreating the 1930 journey of the intrepid Amy Johnson.

When she crashed in Arizona earlier this year (2016) on the third leg of her round-the-world flights Austrian co-pilot Gritsch was seen scrambling from the wreckage and his presence triggered a storm of outrage on respected flight forums Flyer and Pprune.

More details emerged about Curtis-Taylors vintage plane being equipped with GPS navigational equipment and the presence a support plane.

She completed the 36-leg, 10,000-mile-flight in 2013 and in 2015 received the award from the Light Aircraft Association for the feat

More details emerged about Curtis-Taylors vintage plane being equipped with GPS navigational equipment and the presence a support plane

She faced more awkward questions about why Gritsch appears to have been edited out of a BBC documentary about her first big flight from Cape Town to Goodwood.

The Light Aircraft Association said it would respect the vote of its members.

In recent months Curtis-Taylor has sought to defuse the growing controversy by stating that she never claimed to be flying solo.

But he claims fell on deaf ears at Saturdays meeting and the the vote seems certain trigger new scrutiny of her other exploits.

The Honourable Company of Air Pilots also awarded her its Masters Medal for 2016 for the flight but it is understood there has also been concern within its circles about her claims.

LAA Chief executive officer Steve Slater said: This issue has divided opinion but it is not for me to decide.

I am happy the members feel able to air their views and its down to the members to decide.

The award was made in good faith but in the light of what has emerged since we made the award it is fair to say maybe we would have made a different decision.
Former Arizona governor Jan Brewer said that Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has been the victim of 'waterboarding' by the 11 women who have accused him of unwanted sexual advances.

The Republican politician and Trump supporter made the remarks Sunday during a roundtable discussion alongside pundits on CNN.

The panel was commenting on Trump's speech from historic Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, the first 15 minutes of which he devoted to threatening lawsuits against the women who have come forward claiming that he groped and harassed them.

'He's really been waterboarded by these issues,' Brewer said, drawing incredulous groans from her fellow panelists.

The CNN panel from left: Dana Loesch, Bakari Sellers (unseen), former senator Bob Kerrey, and former governor Jan Brewer talk with anchor Jake Tapper

Brewer has been a fervent supporter of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, appearing at rallies to support him in his race against Hillary Clinton

Her comments were reported on by the Mediaite web site.

'It seems like it's been somewhat of a put up oppression of Donald Trump from all of these [women] lining up' and making the allegations, the former governor said.

'Anyone that's been under those kind of assaults I think' would respond the same way, she said.

'It's just unbelievable.'

Brewer, an avowed Trump supporter who has been known as one of America's most conservative politicians, praised the candidate as 'authentic'.

'He tells it like it is,' she said. 'He went out and he told the public exactly what he's going to deliver when he's going to be president of the United States.'

During the first 15 minutes of his speech, the Republican denied the sexual assault allegations.

Trump also repeated his refrain that the political system was 'rigged' against him, the media was 'corrupt,' and his opponent, Hillary Clinton, should have been legally barred from running for president.

The real estate mogul said that the electoral system was 'totally rigged and broken' because Clinton was permitted to run for president despite violating 'so many laws on so many different occasions.'

Trump also lashed out at the 'dishonest' media.

'They're corrupt,' he said of the press.

Brewer (left) denounced the women accusing Trump of sexual wrongdoing (like Jessica Drake, seen right), likening the allegations to 'waterboarding'

'They lie and fabricate stories to make a candidate that is not their preferred choice look as bad, and even dangerous, as possible,' Trump said.

'At my rallies, they never show or talk about the massive crowd size and try to diminish all of our events. On the other hand, they don't show the small size of Hillary's crowds but, in fact, talk about how people are there  very small crowds, you know it, they know it, everybody knows it.'

In addressing the 11 women who have alleged to be the victims of Trump's unwanted sexual advances, The Donald said legal action would be forthcoming.

'Every woman lied when they came forward to hurt my campaign,' Trump said.

Trump (left) listens to park ranger Caitlin Kostic (center) as campaign CEO Steve Bannon (right) looks on at Gettysburg National Military Park

'Total fabrication. The events never happened. Never. All of these liars will be sued after the election is over.'

Trump did list a number of overarching themes that he says will guide his presidency if he wins on November 8.

Touting 'the kind of change that only arrives once in a lifetime,' Trump told an audience of about 300 invited guests that he will 'drain the swamp' in Washington, replacing the current government 'with a new government of, by and for the people.'

He summed up the substance of his campaign in a 'Contract With The American Voter'  a point-by-point set of initiatives that track with the themes he has focused on for 16 months.

'It is a contract between myself and the American voter, and begins with restoring honesty, accountability and change to Washington,' Trump said.

Included are six anti-corruption pledges, seven actions related to jobs and trade and five on immigration and the 'rule of law.'
Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama will appear side-by-side for the first time this election at a rally Thursday in North Carolina.

The first ladies will team up in Winston-Salem, Brian Fallon, national spokesman for Clintons presidential campaign, said Sunday.

Mrs. Obama has delivered some of the most stinging attacks on Donald Trump in the general election.

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Hillary Clinton, a former first lady herself, will be appearing alongside one of her most powerful surrogates, first lady Michelle Obama, at a rally on Thursday

Michelle Obama (left) and Hillary Clinton (right) will campaign together in North Carolina. Here they're seen attending a State Department function in 2012

It was the first lady who humiliated Trump in September after he claimed he did the country a favor when he pressured the president to release his long-form birth certificate as proof that hes a natural-born U.S. citizen.

Her passion-filled critique of Trumps 2005 claim that he has the right to grab women by the genitals because hes a celebrity has been lauded as one of the most effective speeches of the 2016 campaign.

Obama said the lewd remarks have 'shaken me to my core in a way that I couldn't have predicted....I feel it so personally.'

'This is disgraceful. It is intolerable. And it doesn't matter what party you belong to - Democrat, Republican, Independent. No woman deserves to be treated this way. None of us deserves this kind of abuse.'

So angered was Trump by the rebuke that he complained at a Friday rally in North Carolina, 'All she wants to do is campaign.'

'But wasn't she the one that originally started the statement, "If you can't take care of your home  right  you cant take care of the White House or the country"?'

Trump said, 'She's the one that started that.' He declared himself above that kind of talk. 'I said, "We cant say that, its too vicious.'

What Obama said in 2008 was, 'If you cant run your own house, you certainly cant run the White House.'

It was interpreted at the time as a slap at Bill and Hillary Clinton. Mrs. Obama says it wasn't.

The White House had previously cautioned Trump not to make the first lady the subject of an attack.

'I cant think of a bolder way for Donald Trump to lose even more standing than he already has by engaging the first lady,' said Eric Schultz, a spokesman for the White House.

The first lady has not been especially active in partisan politics during her husbands White House tenure.

A signature quip of the term-limited president at his fundraisers is that hes run his last campaign much to the delight of his wife.

Yet she has become a frequent surrogate for Clinton - even more so than the Democratic presidential nominee's staff expected, stumping for her in Arizona last week and headlining rallies in New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Virginia since mid-September.

Her response to her husband's critics at the Democratic National Convention and later to Trumps birther comments, When they go low, we go high, has become a mantra for Clinton and her campaign.

The former first lady whose husband infamously cheated on her with a White House intern and lied about it has invoked the phrase on numerous occasions in her speeches as she side-stepped Trump's hits on her marriage.
A robbery suspect claims a Pennsylvania police officer kicked him in the head, gave him a broken jaw, and left him requiring three days worth of hospital treatment.

Hector Medina-Pena claims Allentown Officer Joseph M. Ianetta used excessive force when he was being detained for a suspected robbery in May 2015, the Morning Call reported.

Media-Pena is now suing Iannetta, his fellow officer Patrick Bull, the ex-police chief Joel Fitzgerald Jr, and the Allentown mayor and city.

Robbery suspect Hector Medina-Pena is seen getting out of an SUV in May 2015

Medina-Pena appears to show him checking his waistband

In May 2015, a man seemed to show a gun in his waistband, demanded money from a worker at a strip club called Platinum Plus, and received almost $1600 before fleeing in a SUV with three men, the Morning Call reported.

Police pursued the vehicle and a bag with cash was thrown from a window.

The lawsuit, according to the newspaper, says the SUV was stopped by police and Medina-Pena exited the vehicle.

He followed Ianetta's instructions and went down on all fours in front of Iannetta's patrol car.

The suit reportedly says: 'Horrifically, while [Medina-Pena] was positioned on all fours, and defenseless, defendant Iannetta approached [Medina-Pena] with his gun drawn and performed what can only be described as a "WWE" style kick with his booted foot to [Medina-Pena's] right side of his head and face.'

Medina-Pena is seen on the ground with other men who got out of the vehicle

Medina-Pena alleges that when he was arrested, officer Joseph M Ianetta kicked him in the head which gave him a broken jaw and he spent three days in the hospital

The lawsuit says Iannetta 'performed what can only be described as a "WWE" style kick with his booted foot to [Medina-Pena's] right side of his head and face'

Iannetta allegedly also later kicked the back of Medina-Pena's head, the Morning Call's report said.

Medina-Pena's lawyer Joshua Karoly told the newspaper: 'The video speaks louder than I ever could.'

The suit says Medina-Pena - who claims he was hospitalized for a broken jaw and three missing teeth - wasn't found to have weapons, according to the report.

Medina-Pena would later plead guilty to robbery.

Allentown Police Chief Keith Morris said in a statement: 'Hector Medina-Pena exited the vehicle, and while walking in the direction of Officer Iannetta, reached towards his waistband.

'Hector Medina-Pena repeatedly refused to comply with Officer Iannetta's commands throughout the course of the encounter, repeatedly reaching into the area of his waistband where he was wearing a fanny-pack.

'Concerned about this suspect, who was reported by the victims to be armed, Officer Iannetta took action to protect himself, his fellow officers, and the public and take this later-convicted robber into custody by using the minimal amount of force necessary to overcome the threat.'

Allentown City Solicitor Susan Wild says 'The actions of Officer Iannetta have been thoroughly reviewed by command staff and the Solicitor's Office and found to be appropriate under the circumstances'

Morris continued: 'Medina-Pena subsequently pled guilty to Robbery in Lehigh County Court and was sentenced to 4  to 10 years in state prison.

'In today's society, where officers are routinely being criticized for their use of firearms in encounters with suspects, this is an incident where an officer (based on his training) used a reasonable amount of force in response to the report of an armed suspect and necessitated by Mr. Medina-Pena's criminal actions, and took a felon into custody with minimal risk and injury to all involved.'

Allentown City Solicitor Susan Wild said in a statement: 'Officer Iannetta is a 14 1/2 year veteran of the APD.

'He has training far above and beyond the required training, is highly decorated for merit and bravery, and is himself an instructor and field training officer at the Police Academy and Commander of the Emergency Response Team.

'The actions of Officer Iannetta have been thoroughly reviewed by command staff and the Solicitor's Office and found to be appropriate under the circumstances.
Cops say a gray 2005 Ford F-150 and a white 2016 Ford Mustang could be key in finding out what happened Verk

disappearance, although he was reportedly not cooperating with the investigation

Police say that her boyfriend is a person of interest in the

Missing: An all-out search Zuzu Renee Verk (above) has been launched by authorities in Texas after her family said she disappeared more than a week ago before going on a date

Police in Texas are intensifying the search for the student at Sul Ross State University who vanished from Alpine nearly two weeks ago.

Investigators say a gray 2005 Ford F-150 and a white 2016 Ford Mustang could be key in finding out what happened to Zuzu R. Verk, who was last seen in Alpine on October 12.

The Alpine Police Department on Sunday asked locals to help with any information about the whereabouts of both vehicles on the morning Verk disappeared. Two other vehicles have been cited as possibly related to this case: a grey 2006 Jeep Liberty and a black 2004 Mazda Miata.

The truck has a magnetic 'U Construction' decal, although cops say that could've been removed during the morning in question.

Police have zeroed in on Verk's boyfriend as a person of interest in the case, but he's reportedly not be cooperating.

Investigators say this gray 2005 Ford F-150 could be key in finding out what happened to Zuzu R. Verk, who was last seen in Alpine, Texas, on October 12

The truck has a magnetic 'U Construction' decal, although cops say that could've been removed during the morning in question

Investigators say this white 2016 Ford Mustang could be key in finding out what happened to Zuzu R. Verk, who was last seen in Alpine on October 12

The Alpine Police Department asked locals to help with any information about the whereabouts or both vehicles on the morning Verk disappeared

'Unfortunately we have one individual who has refused to come in and talk to us, he has retained an attorney,' said a police spokesman at a press conference on Friday.

'This individual happens to know her better than anyone else. Investigators are waiting to talk to him.'

Verk's father, Glenn Verk, said his 22-year-old daughter was absent from school, where she is studying conservation biology, and also missed work later that day.

'We're all special but there's something exceptional about this young woman. She's vibrant and she's full of excitement and life,' her father told CBS11.

'I'm just very proud of her and I want to see her again,' he said while choking back tears.

Verk left her parents' home in Keller to go on a date to the movies back in Alpine with her on-again, off-again boyfriend on the night of October 11, Fox News reported.

In addition, she had planned to go on a camping trip with friends on Friday.

Verk left her parents' home on October 11 to go on a date to the movies later that evening. Her parents reported her missing after she missed classes and work the next day

The Texas Rangers and the FBI are assisting in the search for Verk, which was expanded outside of Alpine, which is around 100 miles from the Mexican border.

As the search intensifies, her family is hoping for her safe return and is asking any who may have information to call police.

'The community has reached out to an amazing degree putting together huge search parties,' her father said.

'If they have any connection to anything that might've happened her in Alpine, the smallest inclining of a suspicion. Nothing is being overlooked.'

The Alpine Police Department is also looking for two vehicles possibly related to her disappearance: a grey 2006 Jeep Liberty and a 2004 Mazda Miata convertible with a beige colored top.

Both of those vehicles were spotted in the area between 12am and 10am on October 12, police say.

Verk, a student at Sul Ross State University (pictured) in Alpine, was last heard from during the early morning hours of October 12

The Alpine Police Department is looking for two vehicles possibly related to her disappearance: a grey 2006 Jeep Liberty (left) and a 2004 Mazda Miata (right) convertible with a beige colored top.

Authorities are asking ranchers in Brewster County to inspect their property for 'any suspicious signs of disturbed earth, personal items on the ground, anything that might raise your suspicions that it may need to be investigated further,' the Dallas Morning News reported.

Verk is described as 5 feet tall, weighing 110 pounds with blonde hair and hazel eyes.

A $100,000 reward is offered for information leading to the whereabouts or the safe return of the young woman.
Hayley Youngman was caught smuggling mobile phones into a Category A jail so she could sext a convicted murderer

With her blonde hair and blue eyes, this aspiring policewoman looks the picture of innocence.

But prison officer Hayley Youngman today finds herself with a criminal record after she was caught smuggling mobile phones into a Category A jail so she could sext a convicted murderer.

The 21-year-old became infatuated with killer Lerone Boye - serving 28 years for stabbing a teenager to death - when she began working nightshifts at Whitemoor Prison, Cambridgeshire.

The pair began exchanging love letters and then sexual text messages when Youngman - then just 20 - began smuggling contraband into the prison.

She had earlier been told by another prisoner she was too pretty for the job.

Just months after assuming her role in September last year, Youngman was taking Boye mobile phones, SIM cards and the then-legal high Spice - a synthetic cannabis known to induce hallucinations and even psychotic episodes.

Once she had smuggled in one item, Boye began to manipulate Youngman and threatened to cut her head off if she did not do as he said, Cambridge Crown Court heard.

But when other prison staff became suspicious, they watched Youngman on CCTV approaching a specially-adapted sterile bin to drop off items.

When she was arrested on February 25, officers found a love letter from Boye hidden in a sock in her car.

Later analysis of her mobile showed the pair had sent each other around 500 messages - some of which contained torrid sexual content.

Lerone Boye is serving a 28-year sentence for stabbing a 17-year-old to death at a birthday party in Ilford, London

After pleading guilty to two counts of misconduct in a public office, conveying prohibited articles into a prison and possession of cannabis, Youngman wept as she was handed a 12-month jail sentence, suspended for two years.

Acknowledging that she was lucky not to be going to prison, Judge Jonathan Howarth also ordered her to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work.

The court heard that Youngman, who lives with her parents in their 460,000 detached home in Ely, Cambridgeshire, took up the role after only eight weeks of training to gain more experience in the hope of joining the police.

But she soon fell for Boye, who was jailed in 2011 for stabbing a 17-year-old boy to death at a birthday party in Ilford, London.

He later escaped from a psychiatric unit and described his time on the run as the best three months of my life.

Prosecutor Hugh Vass told the court that while her phone was in possession of the police it received numerous messages from Boye, a prisoner who she appeared to have a relationship with.

Mr Vass added: All previous messages between her and this prisoner had been deleted from her phone but some were recovered.

There are texts in relation to bringing SIM cards into the prison, bringing Spice in.

She became infatuated with killer Lerone Boye - serving 28 years for stabbing a teenager to death - when she began working nightshifts at Whitemoor Prison, Cambridgeshire

She also made several requests for him to give her a letter back that was in relation to a torrid sexual content that she had said to him at the start of her relationship.

A prisoner had earlier been captured on CCTV double-lining a bin bag to make it a sterile place to store items.

Boys was then spotted opening the inner bag, putting it in his pocket and putting the bag containing rubbish back in the bin.

The court heard how a familiar threat often goes around prisons nearing the end of Ramadan that someone is going to get their head chopped off.

But immature Youngman believed the threat was aimed at her.

Defending, Jennifer Dempster said: She said I was told that I was the one who had been identified. I was told that it may be me who will be beheaded.

And that was something she would take back home and tell her mother at the time.

Cambridge Crown Court heard heard that once she had smuggled in one item, Boye began to manipulate Youngman and threatened to cut her head off if she did not do as he said

Miss Dempster added that a number of the texts Youngman received were threatening when things didnt go the way he [Boye] wanted.

One message she received said: I do not know what the f**k you are playing at, just make sure you meet the guy tomorrow.

She is now said to be hoping to begin work as a dental nurse at her local practice.

Sentencing, Judge Howarth said: You were seen to have visited the prisoners cell and passed notes into the cell to the prisoner.

The texts that were recovered spoke of you bringing legal highs into the prison and keeping the phone and its SIM card locked up.

There were what I can describe as torrid sexual letters to you and from you. The part of which this happened was at the end of 2015 and the beginning of 2016.

Looking at your position at the time and now I can consider suspending the immediate prison sentence.

Considering your age and inexperience at the time, considering the position in which you found yourself working alone on a Category A wing at night.

The prisoner who delivered that threat was an expert at it.
An 18-year-old charged in a double homicide wants to marry her boyfriend, who pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the case and was sentenced to 25 years in prison.

Anastasia Roberts of Conway wrote to the Faulkner County Circuit Clerk's office asking if it's possible to marry 18-year-old Connor Atchley.

The letter obtained by the Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette starts off with Roberts asking ' if it were at all possible for me to marry my fiance.

Anastasia Roberts (left), who has been charged in a double homicide, penned a letter asking if it's possible to marry 18-year-old Connor Atchley (right) who pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the case and was sentenced to 25 years in prison

Roberts and Atchley were arrested and charged in the deaths of Robert and Patricia Cogdell. She wrote: 'It is very important to us (that) we get married soon so that we do not have to wait his entire sentence to be wed'

'It is very important to us (that) we get married soon so that we do not have to wait his entire sentence to be wed.

'Me and him have been together for nearly four years, two of which we have been engaged, so this is no spontaneous act we will regret later,' she wrote.

Roberts is jailed in Conway awaiting trial on the same charges as her boyfriend.

Atchley and 15-year-old Justin Staton pleaded guilty in the deaths of 66-year-olds Robert and Patricia Cogdell, who had raised Staton as their grandson.

Another teen, Hunter Drexler, 19, was also charged in the deaths of the couple, but he's still awaiting trial on capital-murder and other charges.

Investigators said the teens robbed and shot the couple, then dumped their bodies in a wooded area behind their home.

Investigators said the teens robbed and shot the couple (pictured), then dumped their bodies in a wooded area behind their home

Court documents say Staton told officers that he complained to Drexler about his grandparents and that his friend suggested that he shoot them.

Atchley, who was present during the attack, told officers the plan had been conceived while he, Staton and Drexler were in juvenile detention together, according to the documents.

Police found the Cogdells' bodies after a co-worker of Robert Cogdell's from the city of Maumelle's Public Works Department became concerned that he had not come to work.

'Anastasia advised that there was a plan to shoot and kill' the Cogdells. 'She and [Connor] planned to run away and were promised a BMW to use on their run,' an affidavit obtained by the Gazette said.

Police said Patricia Cogdell was sitting in the BMW when someone shot her through a window.

Staton was sentenced to 35 years in prison. He had faced up to life in prison for the charges.

The Arkansas Department of Correction says marriage requests must be sent to a chaplain and be approved by a warden.
Federal agents spent more than two hours snapping photos of two siblings who visited seven banks, stopping at each one to make cash deposits just under $10,000.

Alejandra Salgado and her little brother Francisco look like ordinary tourists strolling the streets of midtown Manhattan.

He carries a shopping bag. She wears a white dress, a necklace and a leather tote slung over one shoulder. But the outings were hardly innocent.

Prosecutors say the flurry of modest deposits - all from piles of drug money stashed in their bags - was one of the many schemes hatched by Mexican crime cartels trying to bring billions of dollars in drug proceeds back from the US without attracting scrutiny from banking regulators.

Federal agents spent more than two hours snapping photos of two siblings, Alejandra Salgado and her little brother Francisco (pictured), who visited seven banks, stopping at each one to make cash deposits just under $10,000

The cartels collect much of their cash proceeds from the U.S. market much the way the cocaine and other drugs come in, by sneaking it across the border.

But using regular banks remains in the mix, said James Hunt, head of the Drug Enforcement Administration's New York City office.

The trick is keeping deposits small, because banks are required to report cash deposits of $10,000 or more to the government.

The benefit, he said, is that if investigators do catch onto such a scheme, less cash gets confiscated. The bagmen also often face less jail time.

'It's a little more time-intensive but it's not as heavy a hit if you get caught,' Hunt said.

Before they went to prison late last month, the Salgados were paid to launder up to $1 million a month collected from drug wholesalers doing business with the notorious Sinaloa cartel, prosecutors said.

Bridget G. Brennan, the Special Narcotics Prosecutor (left) said her office prosecuted the case. James Hunt (right) head of the Drug Enforcement Administration's NYC office said the trick is keeping deposits small, because banks have to report cash deposits of $10,000

Investigators say Alejandra Salgado, 59, who has a Mexico City address and was in the U.S. on an expired visa, was supervised by a high-ranking member of the cartel.

Agents began watching her in New York after her name came up in an investigation of money-laundering cells in southern California, Michigan and Arizona being conducted by investigators from the DEA Drug Enforcement Task Force, Department of Homeland Security, the IRS and local agencies.

Details from the case files of federal agents and narcotics prosecutors provided to the AP offer a look inside how the Salgados operated.

At one point she had been a courier who would drive drug money over the border.

But later, she was assigned by cartel leaders to deposit funds into multiple bank accounts held under fake names, then write checks to a produce company in San Diego controlled by the cartel.

An undercover investigator wearing a wire recorded her calling the assignment a 'hassle,' but safer than her previous gig.

After her handler told her there was 'a lot of work' for her in New York, she and her brother, a legal resident with an Alaska address, set up shop at a Manhattan hotel in the summer of 2013.

She preferred to collect payments from local drug dealers in midtown, rather than in their home territories in the Bronx or Washington Heights, for security reasons.

Before the Salgados went to prison last month, they were paid to launder up to $1 million a month collected from drug wholesalers doing business with the notorious Sinaloa cartel, prosecutors said. Detainees (pictured) are members of the Sinaloa cartel

Alejandra Salgado will be deported to Mexico once she serves her time of up to four years. Mexican drug lord Hector 'El Guero' Palma (center), one of the founders of the Sinaloa cartel, is escorted by security officials in Mexico City. He was returned to Mexico from the US in June

'Like a friend of mine said: 'This is a business for tough people,'' she said in a conversation with the undercover agent. 'And it's all based in trust.'

While under investigation, the siblings made at least two dozen deposits in amounts ranging from about $8,100 to $9,600 at banks located from the Upper West Side to Canal Street.

Following the money trail was worthwhile to 'gain insight into the practices' of the cartels, said Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennan, whose office prosecuted the case.

At Francisco Salgado's sentencing, his lawyer, Jeffrey Taub, portrayed him as a small fish in 'an unfortunate situation'.

The penalties for the launderers can be lighter than in bigger federal conspiracy cases. The brother and sister took plea deals resulting in sentences of one to four years.

Alejandra Salgado's attorney, Robert W Georges, said it's certain his client will be deported once she serves her time  a fate she's accepted.

'She's remorseful and looking forward to getting on with her life in Mexico,' Georges said.

Prison and deportation probably wasn't what Salgado had in mind when she told an undercover agent, in a recorded call, that being a money courier was a nice way to make a living in a treacherous drug world.
As Iraqi Army troops and their Kurdish allies advance on the city of Mosul the first pictures have emerged of the labyrinth of tunnels ISIS has built in the area.

The network may explain the slow progress of the Mosul offensive as ISIS fighters vanish underground to pop up elsewhere.

Refugees streaming out of the city say every street has a secret entrance to the catacombs, which are ideal hiding places for machine gunners, grenade throwers and suicide bombers.

A Kurdish fighter at the site of one of the ISIS tunnels at Khorsabad, near Mosul

Fox News reported that Kurdish peshmerga fighters said villagers had been paid $2 a day to build the tunnels, using a jackhammer to dig deep into the bedrock.

ISIS appear to be seeking to copy the success of the Vietcong, who outwitted the Americans and their South Vietnamese allies by building a warren of tunnels.

At its peak the Cu Chi tunnel network covered almost 200 miles, from the Cambodian border to the outskirts of Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City).

The Vietcong resorted to guerrilla warfare when faced with greater firepower, and it seems that ISIS are planning similar tactics.

This tunnel dug by ISIS was found in a house in Bartella, near Mosul, by the Kurdish fighters advancing on the city

It is not clear how extensive the network of ISIS tunnels is, but there are fears it might allow ISIS fighters and even their leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, to wriggle free from the noose which is being slowly closed around Iraq's second city.

It is not clear whether Baghdadi, who is the head of the so-called 'caliphate' in northern Iraq and Syria, will risk death or capture in the fight for Mosul, which is home to more than 1.5 million people, most of them Sunni Muslims.

Kurdish defence minister Karim Sinjari said: 'According to unconfirmed reports Abu Bakr was in Mosul three days ago. People saw him visiting fighters and encouraging them. We are not sure he was present, but this is the information.'

A Kurdish peshmerga fighter points towards the entrance to one of the tunnels, which was obscured by soil

Sinjari also said the jihadists, who he referred to as Daesh, contained many former officers from Saddam Hussein's army, who had experience of building tunnels.

He said they had also dug a trench around Mosul which they intended filled with oil and set on fire when the attacking forces gets closer to the city.

Another Islamist group, Hamas, have built a network of tunnels under the border between Egypt and the Gaza strip to defy an Israeli blockade.

But Sinjari also said there were reports of insurrections being planned inside Mosul.

Tunnels are being found every day. Jackhammers were needed to break through the rock

He said: 'There are many reports that there are elements that have agreed to kill members of Daesh. Some members of Daesh were killed in the street.

'They don't want Daesh. Some were killed and some left. These are people who have weapons, who carry out attacks in specific areas at night and slip away.'

A Fox News reporter found a secret hole in a back alley leading to a 25-foot shaft, which needed a hoist to access it.

The tunnels are used as storerooms, sleeping quarters and bomb shelters and inside were tea mugs, books, mattresses and even a lady's handbag.
A police officer in Washington, DC, was arrested Sunday morning for allegedly driving drunk while on duty.

Officer Arthur Thompson, of the Metropolitan Police Department, was arrested about 2:20am Sunday because of a citizen's complaint, the Washington Post reported.

The citizen discovered Thompson, a four-year-veteran on the force, impaired and contacted cops.

His colleagues sent a police supervisor to check on him, FOX 5 reported.

Officer Arthur Thompson, of the Metropolitan Police Department, was arrested about 2:20am Sunday for allegedly driving under the influence while on duty (file picture)

'During the investigation, the supervisor detected the odor of alcohol,' police said in a statement.

'Field sobriety tests were conducted which confirmed the officer was under the influence.'

He was arrested on the 1400 block of 18th Street and charged with DUI, the Post reported.

Thompson had had been with the Metropolitan PD for four years.

He lost his police powers while the incident remains under investigation by internal affairs.
A four-wheel-drive has become airborne before ending up on its roof after it was hit by another car running a red light.

The 4WD and Honda Civic were two of four cars involved in a spectacular crash in Wantirna, in Melbourne's east, about 9.15pm on Sunday.

The Honda Civic allegedly ran a red light before hitting the 4WD which rolled over the bonnet of another car before hitting a fourth car and came to rest on its roof.

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A four-wheel-drive has become airborne before ending up on its roof after it was hit by another car running a red light

The 4WD (pictured) and Honda Civic were two of four cars involved in a spectacular crash in Wantirna, in Melbourne's east, about 9.15pm on Sunday

A witness to the crash told 7News it was like something out of an action movie.

Luckily the driver of the 4WD walked away uninjured and the passenger suffered minor injuries.

Nobody else was injured in the crash and police say it was fortunate no-one was killed.

'Amazingly we have had minor injuries and police are still investigating what actually happened,' Senior Constable Travis Forrest told 9News.

'This highlights the need for safety on our roads and always to be aware of your surroundings.

'Tonight we're lucky no one was injured or killed in that matter.'
More than 100 MPs will today urge President Obama not to extradite Aspergers sufferer Lauri Love (pictured) on charges of hacking US government systems

More than 100 MPs will today urge President Obama not to extradite Aspergers sufferer Lauri Love on charges of hacking US government systems.

The vulnerable and mentally unwell vicars son is facing a 99-year prison sentence in the US, but his parents have warned that he will not survive the American justice system.

His case is described as almost identical to fellow Aspergers computer hacker Gary McKinnon who was spared extradition following a Mail campaign.

Today, campaigners will send a letter to President Obama signed by 105 MPs urging him to withdraw the extradition warrant due to Mr Loves risk of suicide.

In the letter, shown exclusively to the Mail, they say they are writing to him with deep concern for his safety after the 31-year-olds parents warned that he would take his own life rather than go to a US jail.

Describing him as a vulnerable and mentally unwell person, the MPs call for President Obama to have compassion and withdraw the extradition warrant in the final days of his premiership.

There is significant concern that Mr Loves physical and mental well-being would deteriorate and become unmanageable if he were extradited, they write.

We have no doubt in mind that there will be potentially fatal consequences if the United States chooses to pursue this extradition and prohibit Mr Love from facing a full prosecution in his home country.

University student Mr Love is alleged to have stolen huge amounts of data from US agencies including the Federal Reserve, the US Army, the Department of Defence, Nasa and the FBI using his home computer.

But the US government are yet to produce any evidence against him, despite requesting his arrest which was carried out in 2013. Since then, the Aspergers sufferer has faced a three-year legal battle against extradition.

Last month, a judge agreed that Mr Love should be extradited. It is expected that Home Secretary Amber Rudd will rubber-stamp the agreement imminently. But his legal team plan to appeal the decision.

His case has also attracted the support of MPs who object to what they see as a one-sided extradition treaty.

Today, campaigners will send a letter to President Obama signed by 105 MPs urging him to withdraw the extradition warrant due to Mr Loves risk of suicide (File photo)

They urge the President to prosecute Mr Love, from Stradishall, Suffolk, in the UK rather than extradite him to the US where he faces a life sentence.

They also point out that at least 12 other British computer hackers who have targeted US systems have been successfully prosecuted in the UK.

In conclusion, they write to the President: We would ask you to intervene in this case by withdrawing the extradition order and allow his case to be heard in the criminal justice system in the UK.

You would be acting to prevent this vulnerable and mentally unwell man from being placed in a situation where he will most probably take his own life.

Mr Love should face prosecution for any crimes committed in his own country where his suicide-risk is exponentially reduced.

We urge you to carry out an act of compassion in your final days as President by withdrawing Mr Loves extradition warrant.

Barry Sheerman MP, chair of the Parliamentary Commission on Autism, said that Mr Love provided a public service.

America has been heavy-handed and Im rather surprised by this reaction, he said.

If a person on the autistic spectrum can access these files, then theres something wrong with their encryption. It is a public service.

The vulnerable and mentally unwell vicars son is facing a 99-year prison sentence in the US, but his parents Alexander and Sirkka (pictured) have warned that he will not survive the American justice system

Mr Loves plight has also attracted the support of Mr McKinnons MP David Burrowes who raised the issue at Prime Ministers Questions earlier this month.

Mr Burrowes, who campaigned on Mr McKinnons behalf, said that transferring Mr Love to the US and away from his family could prove fatal.

The medical evidence makes clear that Lauri Love is highly unlikely to make it to the US due to his suicidal risk, he said.

His medical needs require close links to his family, which will be cut if he goes to the US and it may well be fatal.

Mr Loves case is strikingly similar to that of Mr McKinnon, a fellow Aspergers sufferer and hacker whose extradition was blocked due to the risk of him ending his life.

Then home secretary Theresa May intervened in the case following a campaign by the Mail.

At the time, she said: I have concluded that Mr McKinnons extradition would give rise to such a high risk of him ending his life that a decision to extradite would be incompatible with Mr McKinnons human rights.
A Mexican model who was missing in New York for a week has been found after a tipster told police she was spotted undergoing evaluation at a psych ward.

Geraldine Mendez, 20, who had traveled to the city to star in a number of fashion shows, was last seen Saturday October 15 when she left her Brooklyn apartment.

It is believed she went for a stroll through Prospect Park, although other sources say she went to a party in Bushwick.

Geraldine Mendez, a Mexican model who traveled to New York to star in a number of fashion shows, was missing for almost a week

Her distraught mother shared an emotional plea on social media for anyone who had seen her daughter to come forward, and her father flew to New York from Mexico in the hopes of finding his daughter.

'Any extra information that you know, whatever it is please let me know,' her mother Julieta Martinez wrote. 'I ask you to join us in prayer at this moment... Please pray a lot!'

On Sunday, CBS New York reported the 20-year-old had been found after someone informed police she was seen at Bellevue Hospital in a psych ward.

The NYPD took her to a hospital for evaluation but she appeared to be unharmed.

According to her roommates, Mendez was struggling to adjust to live in New York after moving there six months ago.

Mendez was last seen leaving her apartment in Brooklyn last Saturday. She was heading out for a walk through Prospect Park

The 20-year-old's (pictured) distraught mother shared an emotional plea on social media for anyone who had seen her daughter to come forward

'She had a really negative impression of the city, everythings fake, everythings artificial, and it seemed she was taking it very, very much to heart,' roommate Karina said told CBS.

Mendez's social media accounts are filled with pictures of her enjoying life in New York City, while also jet-setting around the world to other famous locations.

She also posed for pictures in Madrid, in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, and outside the Colosseum in Rome.

Any extra information that you know, whatever it is please let me know,' Julieta Martinez (left) wrote
Hillary Clinton made a surprise stop at a polling place in North Carolina on Sunday afternoon, sending a group of early voters gathered outside into a frenzy.

Adding to the excitement was an appearance by Orange Is the New Black star Uzo Aduba  aka Crazy Eyes.

Aduba was on site in Raleigh for a previously advised Souls to the Polls Rally put on by Clinton campaign at the Chavis Community Center, an early voting location. Clinton had an afternoon rally at the nearby Saint Augustines University.

The Emmy Award winning celebrity posted a photo of her and Clinton from the stop to her Twitter with the caption: 'Saving my REALLY happy face for November 8. #ImWithHer #NCVotesEarly #TurnNCBlue'

Pop stars Katy Perry and Miley Cyrus knocked dorm-room doors for Clinton on Saturday in Las Vegas, Perry, and Fairfax, Virginia, Cyrus.

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Hillary Clinton made a surprise stop at a polling place in North Carolina on Sunday afternoon, sending a group of early voters gathered outside into a frenzy. Adding to the excitement was an appearance by Orange Is the New Black star Uzo Aduba  aka Crazy Eyes'

Clinton and Aduba were not scheduled to campaign together, either. despite their proximity.

An aide to Clinton said the timing worked out for them to meet up briefly outside the community center, where the candidate was careful to stay a legally required 50 feet from the building.

Aduba, wearing a white and black sheath dress with a cross-hatch pattern and black stilettos, posed for a photo with Clinton before the Democratic nominee for president departed for the airport.

Clinton took selfies with a mob of supporters, as well. Get everybody out to vote, she said.

I dont want to get anybody in trouble, Ive got to go, Clinton told them after several minutes of photo taking.

Aduba made three stops for Clinton in North Carolina on Saturday in Goldsboro, Greenville and Cary and two on Sunday in Durham and Raleigh

Getting into a van to leave, she said, Thanks, everybody.

Aduba made three stops for Clinton in North Carolina on Saturday in Goldsboro, Greenville and Cary and two on Sunday in Durham and Raleigh.

Clinton arrived late Saturday night after an evening of campaigning in Pennsylvania. She attended a service at Union Baptist Church in Durham before the Raleigh rally at Saint Augustines.
A Republican political consultant does not see a viable path to victory for Donald Trump, pointing to crucial battle states where he is trailing behind in poll numbers.

Karl Rove appeared on Fox News Sunday, pointing out that while Trump can comfortably win 186 electoral votes, the odds are stacked against him to pick up enough swing states to make it to the necessary 270 to win.

Rove, who famously refused to acknowledge that President Obama beat Republican nominee Mitt Romney in Ohio during the 2012 elections, appears to have given up early this time around.

Karl Rove does not see a viable path to victory for Donald Trump (pictured at a campaign rally in Naples, Florida, on Sunday)

Rove appeared on Fox News Sunday (right), pointing out that while Trump can comfortably win 186 electoral votes, the odds are stacked against him to pick up enough swing states to make it to the necessary 270 to win. Host Chris Wallace (left) appeared taken aback when Rove concluded a loss for Trump

Answering host Chris Wallace's questions about Trump's path to victory, Rove said: 'Well, if he plays an inside straight, he could get it, but I doubt that he's going to be able to play it.'

Rove's suggestion is that Trump is struggling to lock down the necessary states to win, since an inside straight describes an incomplete hand in poker.

Rove explained that poll numbers give Trump a comfortable 186 electoral votes.

Even if he wins Ohio, where he holds a one point edge over Hillary Clinton, and Florida, where his lead is under four points, he would still only have 243.

Rove went on to say that Trump trailed too far behind in the rest of the swing states to pick up two more states necessary to push him over 270.

He said, 'I don't see it happening' - an admission that seemed to take Wallace aback.

Rove continued: 'I don't see it happening. Maybe it could, but I doubt that in the just over two weeks that we've got left, conducting the kind of campaign he is conducting, that he's going to be able to swing one out of every, you know, 10 voters...in a state, and convert them.'

The latest ABC News presidential opinion poll shows Trump trailing Clinton by 12 points overall.

Admission: Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway said her candidate is behind Hillary

Trump's campaign bluntly acknowledged Sunday that the real estate mogul is trailing Clinton as the presidential race hurtles toward a close, but insisted he still has a viable path to win the White House.

Trump's team said 'the race is not over' and pledged to keep campaigning hard - even in states like Virginia and Pennsylvania that polls show are now trending Clinton's way.

Speaking on NBC's meet The Press with Chuck Todd, Trump's campaign manager Kellyanne Conway laid out a path to the requisite 270 electoral votes that goes through make-or-break states Florida, Iowa, North Carolina and Ohio.

'We are behind. She has some advantages,' Conway said Sunday. Yet she argued that Clinton's advantages - like a slew of bold-name Democrats campaigning for her - belied her lack of true support.

'The current president and first lady, vice president, all are much more popular than she can hope to be.'

Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus added: 'We expect to win.'

Rove, whose super-PAC American Crossroads spent millions trying to elect Romney in 2012, had a famous meltdown on election night when Fox news called Ohio for Obama.
A third of Bupa care homes are either inadequate or require improvement, the Mail can reveal today.

The healthcare giant  which markets itself as a leading provider of elderly care  has been told it must take urgent action to bring 90 of its 238 UK homes up to scratch.

In the most serious cases, the homes  which can cost 1,000 a week to stay in  have been found to be dangerously understaffed, putting clients at risk of injuries, neglect and malnutrition.

The revelations come after several deaths of vulnerable residents following poor care at Bupa homes.

The company is facing possible criminal charges after it emerged earlier this month that unsafe practices allegedly led to the death of 86-year-old Kenneth Ibbetson from legionnaires' disease.

Bupa is facing possible criminal charges after it emerged earlier this month that unsafe practices allegedly led to the death of 86-year-old Kenneth Ibbetson (pictured)

Elaine Ward,Valerie Manning and Caroline Peters are the daughters of suspected Legionnaires' disease victim Mr Ibbetson

A 98-year-old was also said to have died of 'inanition'  the medical term for starvation  just days after she was forced to leave a failing Bupa home that was being shut down.

And a judge has previously branded the company 'disgraceful' following the case of dementia sufferer Joyce Farrow, who died after neglect at an understaffed Bupa home.

Evidence of failures at Bupa homes  seen by many as the gold standard of elderly care  emerged in inspections by the healthcare watchdog. The damning reports reveal that:

Bupa's 'focus' has been on 'filling beds' with 'little recognition' of the dangers of understaffing;

Elderly residents are being left in bed all day because there are not enough staff to get them dressed;

Residents are being left malnourished and dehydrated, with some given just a few mouthfuls of water per day;

One elderly resident suffered a fracture which was left untreated for a week.

Some families are worried their relatives are not safe  telling inspectors, 'I'm just waiting for the day when something serious happens'.

Bupa, founded in 1947, is one of the world's largest private medical healthcare groups, employing 84,000 staff who serve 32million people in 190 countries. It claims to offer 'the very best' in elderly care, boasting a 'person-centred approach' in its care homes, which 'means you'll be respected as an individual and treated with dignity'.

But an inquest last month heard how Bupa failed to take proper action over warnings about the risk posed by Legionella at the Bupa home where Mr Ibbetson later died of Legionnaires' disease.

It was warned twice in two years that the lack of training being given to staff at the home about the deadly bacteria was putting residents at risk, but Bupa failed to act. At the inquest into the death of Mr Ibbetson, the manager of the care home said the 'sheer work load' she was grappling with meant she did not feel able to take time to do Legionella training.

The Mail has examined recent inspection reports which suggest the company is leaving many homes dangerously understaffed  with some guilty of multiple breaches of the law. A third of the Bupa's 238 UK care homes are now considered either 'inadequate' or 'require improvement' by the Care Quality Commission. Of these, 78 were categorised as 'requiring improvement', which means they are 'not performing as well as they should' and have been ordered to improve. Twelve homes were given the lowest possible rating of 'inadequate'  meaning the regulator has had to take action.

Bupa was founded in 1947 and has become one of the world's largest private medical healthcare groups

The Gallions View home in Thamesmead, London (pictured), was judged to be inadequate because of understaffing

In some cases inspectors found Bupa homes so understaffed that elderly people were left filthy, malnourished, dehydrated and suffering pain and distress. Although most Bupa staff were found to be caring, the reports found there were simply not enough of them to keep residents safe.

One was found to be so short-staffed that residents were left in bed all day because there were not enough carers to get them up and dressed.

Disturbingly, the residents at Chilton Meadows Residential and Nursing Home in Suffolk were discovered to have suffered 110 falls in just five months  with one suffering a fracture which went unnoticed and untreated for a week. Some staff were even claimed to have mocked residents. One resident told inspectors: 'It's terrible, I hate every minute of it.'

At another unsafe home  Monmouth Court Nursing home in Ipswich  a resident went missing for half an hour without anyone noticing, while another had fallen 59 times in a ten month period.

At a third, one resident was found to not have been given a drink for an entire 24 hour period. Other residents at Carnavon Care Home in Clacton-on-Sea were discovered to be filthy, with 'finger nails ingrained with dirt'. Another home  Broomcroft House care home in Sheffield  was found to be unsafe and understaffed, with residents poorly cared for. Some were being given as little as 100ml of fluid to drink per day  about two mouthfuls of water.

Inspectors at a fifth home  which was rated inadequate last year  told how it had been left understaffed for two years. The filthy conditions at Anglesea Heights Nursing Home in Ipswich were found to be putting people 'at risk of infection'.

Joan Elliott, acting general manager of Bupa UK Care Services said: 'We're absolutely committed to providing all our residents with high quality care.

'Any allegations are immediately investigated, and we take swift action where there are failings. Most of our care homes in England are rated positively by the Care Quality Commission. We have strict staffing standards in all our homes and if we are short staffed it is standard practice to cover shifts by bringing in additional nurses or carers. Access to high quality nurses is a continuing challenge across the care sector, so we are working with the Government to tackle this.'

The spokesman added the company had 'fully apologised to Mrs Farrow's family' but that allegations of failings in other cases  including that of Kenneth Ibbetson  'had not been upheld'.

The Health and Safety Executive has brought seven prosecutions of Bupa's care homes business since 2004 and is now understood to be considering the possibility of criminal charges over the death of Mr Ibbetson.

They turned to Bupa because they believed the trusted brand signalled the best possible care.

But these families have told how they felt betrayed after their loved ones died amid shocking failures at care homes run by the company.

DIED FROM LEGIONNAIRES' DESPITE RISK WARNINGS

A grandfather died from Legionnaires' disease in a Bupa care home after bosses failed to act on warnings about the deadly bacteria.

Kenneth Ibbetson, 86, moved to the 1,000-a-week Hutton Village home in March last year, after being 'worn down by loneliness' following the death of his wife Marjorie.

Risk assessments for Legionnaires' had been carried out that year and in February 2014, leading to warnings there was a risk of it developing at the property in Brentwood, Essex.

Both pointed out that the home's manager and maintenance man lacked proper training about the risks. However Bupa failed to insist that the manager complete a course on how to properly monitor the water supply, where Legionella bacteria grow.

Just three months later, Mr Ibbetson suddenly became unwell  and was admitted to hospital where he was diagnosed with bronchial pneumonia and given antibiotics.

But the aggressive lung infection, caused by Legionella, proved too much for the retired businessman and he died three days later.

His daughter Caroline Peters, 52, said: 'His death wasn't right, it didn't feel like his time.They [Bupa] are a company that trade on their reputation  but there were failings to such a degree that it resulted in death.'

The family chose Hutton Village because it was near the family home. Mr Ibbetson put his life savings towards the fees.

'It's never going to be ideal when a parent goes into a care home,' his daughter Valerie Manning, 58, said. 'But you are looking for the best option. We put our trust in [Bupa] and have been let down.' Mr Ibbetson also has a third daughter Elaine Ward, 52.

An inquest into Mr Ibbetson's death this month concluded that it was accidental.

The Health and Safety Executive, which looked into the incident, is considering whether to bring criminal charges against the home.

A spokesman for Bupa said: 'As soon as bacteria was detected in our water supply, we took immediate action. Our risk assessments did flag that key people had not been trained but this was not escalated as it should have been. We now have a new system in place.'

400,000 FINE OVER LACK OF BED RAILS

Frail dementia patient Josephine Millard died after shocking failings by care workers.

Mrs Millard, 91, was found dead beside her unsecured bed at a scandal-hit Bupa care home. The failings that led to her death only came to light after police launched a separate investigation into the home, following claims that carers were abusing residents.

As well as uncovering the abuse, officers found there had been insufficient training and Mrs Millard's bed at Beacon Edge care home in Penrith, Cumbria, lacked safety rails.

This prompted the Health and Safety Executive to prosecute, and Bupa was fined 400,000 earlier this year after admitting two charges of failing to ensure Mrs Millard's safety and not providing its staff with adequate safety training.

Mrs Millard, who was deaf, was moved into the home when her family began struggling to look after her. Attracted by Bupa's reputation, they believed the firm would offer a higher standard of care.

Although a post-mortem examination found that Mrs Millard died because of deep vein thrombosis, Carlisle magistrates' court heard that the fall may have been a contributory factor.

Speaking after the trial, her daughter Kate Lilley, 62, said: 'My mother was a gentle person who had no voice. We turned to Bupa to give her support in her last months. But we have been let down.'

Separately, three carers at the home were jailed after officers discovered that they waged a campaign of terror on vulnerable residents. The trio were jailed in 2014 after admitting to numerous charges of abuse at the home.

They subjected elderly residents to 'deplorable' abuse over several months in 2013, pulling their hair and falsely tormenting them that they were going to be evicted.

Mrs Millard's family were told by police that she could have been a victim, but she did not form part of the case. The most recent inspection in 2015 found the home was 'good', but still understaffed.

A spokesman for Bupa said: 'The post mortem showed that Mrs Millard died from natural causes. After the incident we appointed a strong management team, who worked hard to make necessary changes.

'The home is now rated 'good', and Care Quality Commission inspectors found that staff treated people with kindness and respect.'

UNSAFE, UNDERSTAFFED AND DIRTY: THE INSPECTORS' VERDICT Chilton Meadows Residential and Nursing Home, Suffolk: Inspected May 2016  rated inadequate. Residents left in bed all day, signs of malnourishment and dehydration, and 'no effective oversight' from BUPA. Crawford's Walk Nursing home, Chester: Inspected August 2016  inadequate. Staff 'abrupt and dismissive'. Residents ignored when they complained they were cold, and left in their own urine and faeces. Monmouth Court Nursing Home, Ipswich: Inspected December 2015  inadequate. Resident went missing for half an hour without anyone noticing, and people were held down to have blood tests done against their will. Carnarvon Care Home, Clacton-on-Sea: Inspected August 2016  inadequate. Insufficient staff at all times. Residents at 'serious risk of harm', suffering dehydration and poor nutrition. Cleveland house care home, Huddersfield: Inspected May 2016  inadequate. Residents 'socially isolated' and injuries not investigated. Hatfield Peverel Lodge Care Home, Chelmsford: Inspected June 2016  inadequate. Staff called residents 'the feeds'. Home was dirty and medicine not stored safely. Gallions View, Thamesmead, London: Inspected July 2016  inadequate. Understaffing meant residents left in rooms pleading for attention for hours. One told inspectors 'I keep calling for help but nobody comes.' St Nicholas nursing home, Liverpool: Inspected February 2016  inadequate. Residents at risk because medicines weren't administered properly. Wentworth Croft, Peterborough: Inspected April 2016  inadequate. Not enough staff and people who had fallen over ignored. West Ridings Residential and nursing Home: Inspected June 2016  inadequate. Staffing 'not sufficient', with not enough nurses. Cold Springs Park Care Home, Penrith: Inspected May 2016  inadequate. Resident had a 'Do Not Resuscitate' order placed on them without the proper permission. Broomfield House care home, Sheffield: Inspected March 2016  inadequate. Some people given just 100mls to drink a day  about 5 per cent of what they should have. Staff overworked. Anglesea Heights nursing home, Ipswich: Inspected November 2015 and June 2016  requires improvement. Left understaffed for two years by Bupa despite repeated warnings from watchdog. BUPA's focus was on 'filling beds' with little recognition of the serious staffing problems. Advertisement

FAMILY 'HORRIFIED' BY EX-NURSE'S CARE

The family of dementia sufferer Minnie Shaw (pictured) were 'horrified' by how she was treated

The family of dementia sufferer Minnie Shaw believed they were paying for the best when they moved her to a Bupa nursing home.

But they say they were 'horrified' by how the 85-year-old was treated at Broomcroft House in Sheffield.

They say Mrs Shaw  a retired psychiatric nurse  was subjected to poor care before her death in June last year, and have criticised Bupa for failing to act on their concerns.

Just weeks after moving in, the pensioner had to be admitted to hospital with a broken pelvis following a fall that staff did not see. She was also suffering from dehydration and a chest infection.

Two months later she returned to the home, but suffered another fall out of a wheelchair which was allegedly unsecured.

Mrs Shaw was admitted to hospital once again in May last year with dehydration, pneumonia, low blood pressure and sepsis. She died at the Northern General Hospital, Sheffield, on June 19.

Bupa deny she was neglected  but her family claim there were a number of care failures, such as gaps in the records staff should have kept about her food and liquid consumption.

Mrs Shaw's daughter Sarah Gray, an NHS social worker, said she was persuaded to move her mother to the home by the firm's good reputation, as she had already been neglected at a previous home.

But she said she now believes the company were 'complacent' about 'inadequate care'. Concerns about standards had already been raised by Care Quality Commission inspectors two months before Mrs Shaw's death. Officials highlighted issues with understaffing. The home has since been placed in special measures after an inspection this year found it 'unsafe'.

Despite the criticisms, a coroner concluded that neither Broomcroft nor Mrs Shaw's former care home were to blame for the death, and instead raised concerns about social services.

Mrs Shaw's other daughter Linda Hunt, 65, said questions should be asked about why Broomcroft was given a clean bill of health at the inquest but placed in special measures shortly after.

She added: 'The homes are just money making machines. It's shocking what you pay for the Bupa name. You think you're getting quality but it is not better than anywhere else.'

A spokesman for Bupa said: 'Mrs Shaw's death was thoroughly investigated both by Bupa and the police. The coroner had no concerns about her care.

'Broomcroft House was placed into special measures one year later for totally unrelated reasons, which are now being resolved.'

FORCED TO LEAVE FAILING HOME

The family of a grandmother who died shortly after being forced to move out of a Bupa care home said they blamed the firm for her death.

Ada Proctor, 98, died six days after the Bupa-run nursing unit where she lived was abruptly shut down by horrified inspectors from the Care Quality Commission.

Her cause of death was given as 'inanition'  the clinical term for exhaustion caused by lack of nourishment  and 'grand old age'.

The inspectors had decided to close the home after finding that crippling staff shortages were putting residents at serious risk.

Her family claim she had not been fed properly at the Saltshouse Haven home in Hull, which they say was so understaffed that employees could spend only ten minutes with each resident at mealtimes. The elderly dementia sufferer  who had endured several strokes  required substantial help when eating.

Ada Proctor (pictured), 98, died six days after the Bupa-run nursing unit where she lived was abruptly shut down

Her family say the idea that she could have been fed in ten minutes was 'ridiculous'  and claim the lack of support to eat ultimately led to Mrs Proctor's death. They said they had to make regular visits to the home just to keep Mrs Proctor alive before her death in September.

Her granddaughter Lauren Hirst, who is as a care worker herself, said: 'Ten minutes is a ridiculous amount of time to give my nan. It took 45 minutes just to give her a cup of tea.

'One day I found her dehydrated because she had not had a drink for hours. Other times I found food stuck to her chest.'

Miss Hirst, 23, said she had tried to complain about her grandmother's care but Bupa 'tried to fob me off.'

Mrs Proctor's daughter Pauline Hirst, 65, said: 'We would not want anyone to go through what we have.Her hair was dirty and she had not had her eye drops. She was not able to tell us what the matter was. I know she was old, but she was a human being.'

Miss Hirst said that her grandmother, who had lived in the home for 15 years, had previously had good care  but a management change in the months before her death saw a decline in standards.

Bupa bosses announced the closure of the unit on August 31 following a damning CQC inspection, giving residents just 48 hours to find new accommodation. Mrs Proctor was moved to another home  owned by a different provider  where she died just six days later.

A spokesman for Bupa said their care records suggested that Mrs Proctor was not undernourished while in Bupa's care.

The spokesman added: 'We have launched an investigation, and our senior managers have spoken with the family. We would never support limiting the amount of time our people spend with residents.'
David Cameron sent a gloating text message to Boris Johnson after his Tory leadership bid was scuppered by Michael Gove, it emerged yesterday.

On the day Mr Johnson's ambitions were thwarted, the then Prime Minister texted him saying: 'You should have stuck with me, mate.'

The message was sent hours after Mr Gove made his bombshell announcement on the morning of June 30 he did not believe the former London Mayor could provide the leadership needed after the vote in favour of Brexit which led to Mr Cameron's resignation.

Old Etonian rivals: Boris Johnson (left) stabbed David Cameron in the back over Brexit, only to see Michael Gove then stab him in the back

Mr Gove had been supporting Mr Johnson's campaign to be Tory leader before deciding to stand himself. Mr Johnson shocked Westminster by withdrawing from the race at lunchtime on June 30.

Now a book about the aftermath of the EU referendum vote on June 23 has revealed that Mr Cameron revelled in his fall.

Angry at the fact that Mr Johnson had decided to back the Leave side, Mr Cameron took his revenge by sending the text.

Michael Gove, sporting a beard, was cast out into the wilderness by Theresa May after his failed leadership bid

He also made a rare appearance in the House of Commons tea room that day looking 'the happiest I have seen him in a long time', according to a member of his Cabinet.

The book also reveals Mr Gove was warned by aides not to betray Mr Johnson because it would make Theresa May prime minister and leave him looking like Ed Miliband, who knifed his own brother David to take the Labour leadership.

The book, All Out War by Sunday Times political editor Tim Shipman, reveals that on the morning of his announcement that he was standing for election as Tory leader Mr Gove was warned not to do it by two of his closest advisers.

At 7am the then Justice Secretary held a conference call with his team to confirm his decision to run against Mr Johnson.

His media advisers, Henry de Zoete and Paul Stephenson, both told him the betrayal would not end well.

Mr Stephenson said: 'This will be Ed Miliband times 100.'

Mr de Zoete said: 'Theresa May will be prime minister if you do this.'

But Mr Gove went ahead with his plan, announcing it at 9am.

Mr Johnson's first reaction was disbelief, saying: 'Well, that's it. I can't go on. I can't run.'

One ally said he was 'shell-shocked'.
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump will '100 per cent' accept the results of the U.S. election if it is fair, his son Eric Trump said on Sunday.

'I think what my father is saying is, "I want a fair election,"' Eric Trump said on ABC's This Week.

'If it's a fair outcome, he will absolutely accept it. There's no question about that.'

At last week's debate with rival Hillary Clinton, Trump challenged a cornerstone of American democracy by refusing to commit to honoring the result of the U.S. election.

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Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump will '100 per cent' accept the results of the U.S. election if it is fair, his son Eric Trump said on Sunday on ABC's This Week

As the polling gap has widened, Trump (pictured in Ohio on Saturday) has repeatedly said the election is being 'rigged' against him

The younger Trump on Sunday cited several statistics including that there are 'one in eight [voters in the country] that are mis-registered (sic) to vote, meaning information is inaccurate.'

'You have two million people on the voter rolls right now that are dead. This is Pew Research. This came out last week,' he said.

He added there are 'three million people in this country right now that are registered in multiple states; 14 per cent of all non-citizens in this country are registered to vote.'

ABC's George Stephanopoulos noted 'there's scant evidence that that has actually affected any elections.'

Eric Trump went on to explain his father is just saying he wants a fair election.

On Sunday, Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway acknowledged that Trump trails Clinton in national and key battle ground state opinion polls.

'We are behind,' she said on NBC's Meet the Press, adding that Clinton had 'tremendous advantages,' including a larger campaign war chest that she can use to buy television commercials.

On Sunday, Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway acknowledged on NBC's Meet the Press that Trump trails rival Hillary Clinton in national and key battle ground state opinion polls

At last week's presidential debate with Clinton (pictured), Trump challenged a cornerstone of American democracy by refusing to commit to honoring the result of the U.S. election

The latest Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Friday has Trump trailing Clinton by four percentage points.

The latest Reuters/Ipsos States of the Nation project found Clinton with a 95 per cent chance of winning the needed 270 Electoral College votes.

An ABC News poll released on Sunday morning had Clinton leading with 50 per cent of likely support, compared to Trump at 38 per cent.

The poll found a that the number of Republicans said they were likely to vote fell seven per cent from mid-October.

Conway also was pressed on Sunday on CNN's State of the Union on whether Trump would accept the election results.

'The system is rigged, especially against the little guy,' Conway said without directly responding to the question.

She spoke of any challenges to the election results as 'hypothetical.'

As the polling gap has widened, Trump has repeatedly said the election is being 'rigged' against him.

He has not offered evidence and numerous studies have shown that the U.S. election system, which is decentralized and run by the states, is sound.

Trump generated countless headlines, and condemnation from Democrats, for saying in Wednesday's final presidential debate that he would take a wait-and-see approach to accepting the election result doesn't go his way.

'What I'm saying is that I will tell you at the time. I'll keep you in suspense. OK?' Trump said.

In the aftermath of the debate, he said he would accept the election outcome 'if I win' during a speech at a campaign rally in a suburb of Columbus, Ohio last Thursday.

A crowd at Trump's Delaware, Ohio, rally last week was ecstatic as he refused to back down on election results and said: 'We want fairness'

'I would like to promise and pledge to all my voters and supporters, and to all the people of the United States, that I will totally accept the results of this great and historic presidential election  if I win,' he said to the audience.

Applause rang out as Trump fans let out a sigh of relief at the sound of their hero sticking to his guns.

On Thursday, he alsoclaimed fraud could run rampant and insisted he would decide later whether to put up a fight if the election .

'Of course I would accept a clear election result,' Trump said, 'but I would also reserve my right to contest or file a legal challenge in the case of a questionable result.'

'We want fairness in the election,' he boomed, citing Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta saying in a hacked and leaked email that illegal immigrants can vote as long as they have drivers licenses.'

'What I'm saying,' Trump added, thinking out loud in a suddenly hushed voice, 'is, "Don't be naive, folks. Don't be naive".'

President Obama blasted Trump's comments at a rally for Hillary Clinton in Miami hours after Trump doubled fueled the fiery opposition with his latest comments.

'That is dangerous,' President Obama said of Trump's comments about a rigged election

'This is just more than the usual standard lie,' Obama said, speaking at length about Trump's escalating comments about a rigged election and fraud.

'I want everyone to pay attention here. That is dangerous,' Obama said.

'When you try to sew the seeds of doubt in peoples minds  that undermines our democracy,' he said.

Obama also mocked Trump's claims of voter fraud, citing an academic study showing minimal actual fraud over a period of 14 years.

'You are much likelier to get struck by lighting than to have somebody next to you commit voter fraud,' Obama said. ;Youd [sooner] win the power ball' Obama said.

'Here in America, we believe in democracy and we accept the will of the people,' Obama told the crowd.

Arizona Sen. John McCain, a Trump critic who was the Republican Party's presidential nominee eight years ago, also lit into Trump over his reluctance to concede defeat if he comes up short.

Not impressed: Arizona Sen. John McCain, the GOP's 2008 presidential nominee who immediately conceded his loss to Barack obama, blasted Trump for not following suit

I won't back down: On Thursday Trump claimed fraud could run rampant and insisted he would decide later whether to put up a fight if the election doesn't shake out his way

'I didnt like the outcome of the 2008 election. But I had a duty to concede, and I did so without reluctance,' McCain in a statement.

'A concession isnt just an exercise in graciousness. It is an act of respect for the will of the American people, a respect that is every American leaders first responsibility.'

McCain's words tracked slightly with Trump's claims about voter fraud, saying there have been 'irregularities' in previous elections.

But he insisted no results have been changed because of them.

'I don't know whos going to win the presidential election. I do know that in every previous election, the loser congratulates the winner and calls them, "my president",' McCain jabbed.

'Thats not just the Republican way or the Democratic way. Its the American way.'

Trump, however, suggested during Wednesday's debate that the principle of 'one person, one vote' is equally American  and declared that the U.S. voting system is broken.

He cited statistics from the Pew Research Center showing 24 million voter registrations in the United States that are questionable, including those of deceased Americans whose names haven't been removed from the voter rolls.

'1.8 million people are dead but they're registered to vote,' Trump told about 1,200 Ohioans, 'some of whom vote even though they're dead.'

'Which is really a hard thing to do! But it's easy if fraud is involved.'

'One was a Republican,' he said, 'and after death became a Democrat. It's true.'

Trump also cited numbers showing that '2.8 million people are registered in more than one state' and '14 per cent of noncitizens are registered to vote.'

'You understand where I'm coming from, right?' he asked.

The efforts by members of Trump's inner circle to downplay his remarks about the integrity of the election indicate he would come under significant pressure to accept the result if he were to lose.

Republican Party Chairman Reince Priebus said that by asking Trump to agree to concede, the media was making an extraordinary request.

Debate moment: Chris Wallace, the debate moderator on Wednesday night, asked Trump to promise to accept the outcome of the election. But he declined saying: 'I will look at it at the time'

He said Trump would only fight if the election were close and is not trying to dispute a fair election.

'That's not quite what he's saying. What he's saying is he wants to reserve all options and if there is ground for a recount I'll reserve all options,' Priebus said on CBS's Face The Nation.

Challenging a presidential election would be a difficult feat unless one or two states' vote tallies were split evenly enough to be contested with recounts and court cases.

That's what happened in 2000 when Democrat Al Gore refused to accept a loss in Florida, the state that ultimately put Republican George W. Bush in the White House.

After an automatic recount, triggered by a near-50-50 result, Gore appealed to the state Supreme Court, which sided with him and declared that additional recounting should continue.

The Bush camp filed an emergency request with the U.S. Supreme Court, which ultimately sided with the Republican and overruled Florida's high court.

On election night, Gore famously called Bush to congratulate him before making a second call to take it back.

'Horrifying': Hillary Clinton pounced on the Republican's position on the election results as he dropped the bombshell at the debate

And he never conceded that he lost Florida  only that the U.S. Supreme Court's decision was final.

This time around, Trump could stall the appointment of presidential electors  the people who actually cast the final votes reflecting the way their state elections ended up  until state-level elections are certified by election officials.

If enough states' results are in question after polls close, the process could drag out for days or weeks. And lawyers from both parties would descend on the affected states like locusts, poring through ballots to search for advantages.

However, if Trump or Clinton has an Electoral College lead large enough that swinging razor-thin margins in one or two states wouldn't change who wins the White House, there would be no point in fighting the inevitable.

SWING STATES WHERE VOTE COULD END UP IN COURT FLORIDA Why? 2000 crisis over hanging chads ended up in Supreme Court - and it could happen again. NEW MEXICO Why? 2000 voting margin was even tighter than in Florida, and this time a close race could put make its electoral college votes key. NEVADA, COLORADO, UTAH Why? Illegal immigrants here can get driver licenses. If an illegal then used it as proof of ID to vote, that could be used to challenge the outcome. PENNSYLVANIA Why? Aging voting machines are already a concern. A close margin could see their decrepitude used to sue. OHIO Why? John Kerry in 2004 said the state had voting problems with machines not working properly. His claims could be used to challenge a close result. Advertisement

In 2000 the voting margin in New Mexico was even narrower than in Florida. Gore won the state's five electoral votes, but they wouldn't have been enough to give either candidate the magic number of 270. So the nation's attention focused on the Sunshine State instead.

But even if Trump lost by a sizable number of electoral votes, his campaign could still pull the trigger on an unusual long-shot approach: arguing that some state laws governing elections are flawed or unconstitutional.

Issues on the table might include the lack of voter ID laws in some states, although it would be a tough hill to climb. In August the Supreme Court struck down a North Carolina law that required IDs to vote, agreeing with the U.S. Justice Department's claim that it put minorities at a disadvantage.

Voters must show IDs to vote in more than 30 states. Their laws weren't affected by the August ruling. But results in even some of those states could be questioned if it can be shown that non-citizens with driver's licenses slipped through the cracks and cast ballots.

Twelve states and the District of Columbia currently allow illegal immigrants to get licenses if they can show a foreign birth certificate or passport. They include Nevada and Colorado, two key battleground states where close voting margins could lead to a new kind of constitutional fight.

With Utah in play for the first time in decades, the Beehive State's loose driver's licensing standards could also be challenged.

Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta wrote in 2015 that illegal immigrants who come to polling places in 'voter ID' states and lie about their citizenship could easily vote.

'If you show up on Election Day with a drivers license with a picture, attest that you are a citizen, you have a right to vote in Federal elections,' he wrote to campaign adviser Joel Benenson in an email published this week by WikiLeaks.

Trump's decision to only accept a victory as valid has led to his aides citing Al Gore's example. He conceded the presidency on December 13 - after losing at the Supreme Court

Words could come back to haunt him: Leaked emails sent by John Podesta, Clinton's campaign chairman, could be used by the Trump campaign in litigation

Thousands of emails were hacked from Podesta's account in a coordinated action the Clinton campaign says was orchestrated by Russian intelligence operators.

Fighting illegal immigration has been one of Trump's consistent campaign themes. Clinton has sided with so-called 'dreamers' and other unlawful border-crossers, hinting at a path to citizenship if she becomes president.

Trump's lawyers could challenge vote totals in touch-screen machines if they had evidence that they were unreliable.

In Pennsylvania, the machines are aging relics. A race in the Keystone State that's declared too close to call could remain that way for weeks as every one of them is examined, data-dumped and given a clean  or dirty  bill of health.

Clinton and Trump will campaign on Sunday in the key swing states of Florida and North Carolina, where the latest polls show they are within only a few points of each other.

On Sunday, Trump picked up his first endorsement of the general election from a major newspaper when the Las Vegas Review backed his candidacy.

The newspaper is owned by Republican mega-donor Sheldon Adelson, who has been reluctant to donate to Trump.
Banks and Tory MPs last night dismissed as nonsense dire warnings that financiers will move their business abroad due to Brexit.

Anthony Browne, head of the British Bankers Association, sparked fury yesterday by saying smaller banks could react to the uncertainty by moving operations overseas within weeks.

He predicted that larger financial institutions would follow in the first few months of next year, saying: Their hands are quivering over the relocate button.

The panic in the City of London (pictured) which followed the Brexit vote has ebbed away

But the gloom-laden claims were undermined by the fact that a number of High Street banks said leaving the EU would make little difference to their business.

Santander pointed out their Spanish owners were happy to have operations located outside the EU.

One bank told the Daily Mail the BBAs warnings were nonsense, while another insisted: Brexit is a bit of a non-issue for us.

Last night John Redwood, Tory MP for Wokingham, also pointed out that foreign banks are currently investing in Britain.

We have seen ING move more of its traders into London recently, and Wells Fargo announced a new 300million headquarters  after the Brexit vote, he said.

Benn's single market demand Hilary Benn is the chairman of the House of Commons' new Brexit committee Labour was accused of trying to water down Brexit yesterday after a senior MP demanded transitional arrangements after Britain negotiates a deal with the EU. Hilary Benn, chairman of the powerful new Brexit committee in the Commons, said businesses must continue to have access to the single market if a trade deal is not reached by March 2019. Speaking on the BBCs Andrew Marr Show, he said: I think the importance of a transitional arrangement is it would offer some confidence to business. But Tory MP Jacob Rees-Mogg said: We dont have transitional arrangements. Thats the point of departure. Its like missing a train and jumping on the tracks. Mr Benn also said MPs should get a vote on the UKs negotiating strategy. But Mr Rees-Mogg added: Parliament is there to scrutinise, not be there to replace the executive. Advertisement

So far the actual responses from the banks themselves have been positive not negative, so I find what the BBA is warning to be quite difficult to believe.

Conservative MP Peter Bone added: This is nothing more than a continuation of Project Fear. These people simply have not accepted the referendum result.

Mr Browne  a former journalist for the BBC and The Times  said fears that EU leaders will want to erect trade barriers to weaken the City of London during Brexit negotiations were to blame for the banks supposed move.

Writing in The Observer, he said: Banking is probably more affected by Brexit than any other sector of the economy.

It is the UKs biggest export industry by far  but it also gets its legal rights to serve its customers cross-border from the EU.

For banks, Brexit does not simply mean additional tariffs. It is about whether banks have the legal right to provide services.

The BBA chief added: Banks might hope for the best but have to plan for the worst. Most international banks now have project teams working out which operations they need to move to ensure they can continue serving customers, and how best to do it.

Many smaller banks plan to start relocations before Christmas  bigger banks are expected to start in the first quarter of next year.

After his career in journalism, Mr Browne entered the world of banking himself by taking a position at Morgan Stanley.

He has previously written eurosceptic pieces, but has always argued that Britain should stay in the European Union.

But a spokesman for Santander told the Mail last night: We are one of the most British banks there is, we just happen to be owned by a Spanish bank.

But they have operations all over the world so they are comfortable with having a business which is not in an EU country.

A source at another major High Street bank said: Im surprised by the comments really, and theyre inconsistent with what weve been saying so far. Brexit is a bit of a non-issue for us.

Another major High Street bank said: We are not sure that Mr Browne was really talking about the likes of us. It feels more like this is about global investment banks rather than us.

The comments didnt resonate. It doesnt make sense for us  were headquartered in the UK and we have a clear strategy for the UK.

Richard Tice, co-chairman of anti-EU pressure group Leave Means Leave, said: Similar apocalyptic predictions were made when the UK took the sensible decision to not join the Euro.

Andrew Bridgen, Tory MP for North West Leicestershire, added: Weve heard all this before. It would be unusual for banks to jump ship before the terms of our exit are known  indeed, before negotiations have even started.

And if any banks do leave, I hope they repay the British taxpayer for all the bailouts they have received.

Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Tory MP for North East Somerset, said: The BBA has gone from being a lobbyist for British banks to a lobbyist for the European Union.

It worships at the shrine of the EU and does not believe anything can work outside it. It is not doing a good job of representing the British financial industry.

Meanwhile Nigel Farage told LBC Radio he had nothing but contempt for the banks who are wedded to the concept of the European Union.
The system for allocating taxpayers money to flood defence schemes favours protecting wealthy families and those in the South East, analysis suggests.

The Government has said it applies a strict economic formula to deciding where money should be spent.

But an investigation has shown the methods to determine where cash goes focuses on the value of assets protected  which could tilt the system towards richer households and those in parts of the country where house prices are higher.

It has prompted calls for a fairer system to prevent the poor being worst hit by floods.

Berkshire fire and rescue help get a family out of their home in February 2014's floods. New analysis indicates that flood funding favours the rich and the south east

To secure funding, a flood protection scheme has to demonstrate that it delivers more in benefits than it costs to implement and maintain the defences  by calculating the economic losses avoided through protecting property and infrastructure.

The calculation looks at direct damages for homes and other buildings and their contents, clean-up costs, loss of agricultural production and commercial stock as well as indirect damages such as disruption to transport, water, electricity or access to amenities.

To calculate losses from homes, properties are divided into 28 standard categories based on age, size and type, according to the Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management manual, which along with an online handbook advises appraisers on how to assess flood defence schemes.

Figures from the government show that those in the South East had a higher amount spent on their defences than people in London, the North East and the West Midlands

The costs of a given level of flooding for larger properties  for example a detached Victorian house  are considered to be up to several times greater than for smaller homes such as a 1970s semi. People who are in a higher social class, such as upper middle or middle class, in professional or managerial roles, are considered to have better quality household items than working class families, so losses from their properties are greater.

Treasury guidelines also require appraisers to cap or limit the value of the damages expected so they do not exceed the market value of the property  which is likely to be much higher in London and the South East than other parts of the country.

This means the losses from properties in the South East could be calculated as higher than elsewhere, making a flood defence scheme that protects those homes look more attractive.

The system does have measures to level the playing field, with a greater ratio of funding from Government for schemes that reduce flood risk for homes in deprived areas than in wealthier areas and ways in the appraisal to look at vulnerable households.

Flooding in February 2014 in Datchet, England. Between 2010 and 2015, the south east received the highest amount of money for flood alleviation projects than any other region

The South East received the most Government money for flood defences in recent years. Between 2010 and 2015, the region received more than 263million for flood alleviation projects and in the last financial year was given almost 59million  the highest of any region for both periods.

The West Midlands received the lowest amount, with Government spend on the region totalling more than 27million in the last Parliament and just under 9million last year.

Green Party MP Caroline Lucas said it seemed the funding formula was not fit for purpose.

Whether you are rich or poor having your home damaged by flooding is devastating  and a postcode lottery to decide who gets protection simply isnt fair. Its simply wrong for richer areas to get more protection than poorer ones.
The couple had disagreed over how to raise their kids and grown apart

Ms Lutz has been described as a devoted mother and inspirational friend

A woman found dead alongside her two severely autistic children was 'inspirational' and had devoted her life to understanding their every need.

Maria Claudia Lutz is believed to have been gassed inside her family home on Sydney's Northern Beaches last Monday- with the bodies of her husband Fernando Manrique and two children Elisa, 11, and Martin, 10, found alongside her.

Ms Lutz had reportedly been struggling to cope with the challenges of raising two non-verbal children, but close friend Lina Gomez said the 43-year-old's strength appeared unwavering and has told of how she inspired her to be a better mother.

'I met her kids as newborn babies and witnessed how much love, care, dedication and happiness she showered them with,' Ms Gomez told Woman's Day.

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Lina Gomez (right) said her friend Maria Claudia Lutz (left) inspired her to be a better mother and had devoted her life to her two autistic children

Ms Lutz (left), her husband Fernando Manrique (middle right), daughter Elisa (right) and son Martin (middle left) are believed to have been gassed inside their family home in Sydney

'The last thing I wrote to her was that she was a super mum. I told her I admired her so much,' she added.

Ms Gomez said she met Ms Lutz around 15 years ago. Both leaving their families in Colombia - the pair started to lean on each other for support.

She described the 43-year-old as a 'hands-on-mum' who happily gave up her career as a lawyer to dedicate her time to enriching her children's lives.

But despite the demands of looking after her two autistic children, Ms Lutz was the first to offer Ms Gomez advice and support when she learned she too was going to become a mother.

The 43-year-old has been described as a 'hands-on-mum' who happily gave up her career as a lawyer to dedicate her time to enriching her children's lives

Despite the demands of looking after her two autistic children, Ms Lutz was the first to offer Ms Gomez advice and support when she learned that she too was going to become a mother

Bouquet of flowers and card from mourning neighbours now line the fence of the home where the family-of-four were found dead

WHAT IS NONVERBAL AUTISM? Nonverbal autism is described as having the ability to speak but not the language skills to do so in a meaningful way. Others cannot verbally communicate, but instead use typed language or sign language to communicate, as well as nonverbal cues like facial expressions and body postures. It is suggested speech therapy, music therapy and using tools like picture cards and sign language can help build language skills. Source: Very Well and Autism Speaks Advertisement

'Whenever I was having a hard time as a mum, she would always come into my mind because she was such an example of how to be patient and caring, and show love and respect in any situation while raising her kids,' she told Woman's Day.

Ms Gomez said she checked up on her during her pregnancy and was always the first to give her advice when she started to feel overwhelmed.

The mother-of-two said Ms Lutz found a love of cooking after having Elisa and Martin, and would take pleasure in designing elaborate cakes to surprise them for their birthday.

She said they were 'absolutely loved and adored' every day of their short lives.

'Her kids, in their short lives, were absolutely loved and adored by their mum,' Ms Gomez said

Ms Gomez and her husband shared holidays with Ms Lutz and Mr Manrique, who was seen tinkering with pipes in the roof only days before the family-of-four's bodies were found.

It is believed he set up an elaborate system of pipes to pump odourless carbon monoxide gas into the house, which resulted in his family's deaths.

Gas bottles were found inside the kitchen and police said they were not seeking any other suspects in the deaths.

Ms Lutz was discovered in a room with one of her children, while her other child was found in a separate room. Mr Manrique was in a different room on his own.

Friends said the couple had grown apart, with Ms Lutz desperate to return to her native Colombia so her family could help raise the two kids as Mr Manrique often travelled for work.

The family of four is pictured during an outing, years before they were all found dead in their home

St Lucy's School in Wahroonga raised the alarm about 11.20am on Monday when Mrs Manrique did not show up to work at the canteen and the children did not arrive for school

The couple had grown apart, with Ms Lutz desperate to return to her native Colombia so her family could help raise the two kids as Mr Manrique (pictured) often travelled for work

'Maria was doing everything alone. How she found the time to keep the house spotless with everything else she was doing was beyond me,' a friend told The Daily Telegraph.

The friend also revealed Ms Lutz was calling family services 'nine times a day' and was only supported by the government about five hours every week.

'Maria was so anxious and depressed that if [the Family of Community and Services] called to change an appointment or cancel [then] it threw her,' the friend said.

'She would ring them sometimes nine times a day to confirm they had cancelled or changed things - or to ask for extra help.

'She felt completely alone and was a broken woman and depressed.'

Police on Tuesday said 'extensive forensic testing' would be carried out on the bodies during post-mortem examinations, to establish exactly what killed the family of four.

It is understood the Colombian Consulate is making arrangements with relatives to fly to Sydney to identify the bodies and make funeral arrangements.
Foreign aid to Sri Lanka was significantly increased after a businessman from the country oversaw donations of more than 1 million to the Conservative Party, the Daily Mail reveals today.

David Cameron announced last November that 6.6 million was being set aside for Sri Lanka over three years, including help for Tamils forced from their homes during the civil war.

In the year before the announcement, the Tory Party registered donations of more than 1million from Tamil businessman Subaskaran Allirajah and his controversial telecoms firm Lycamobile.

Subaskaran Allirajah, founder of Lycamobile, with David Cameron at the Tory's Black and White Ball last year

There are now questions about what has happened to the money, with UK aid money since going to the area in northern Sri Lanka where Mr Allirajah grew up.

Mr Allirajah, 44, is the founder and chairman of Lycamobile, a firm that sells pre-paid phone cards. He grew up in Mullaitivu, a Tamil area in the north of Sri Lanka. He is now worth 160million and is reportedly the 640th wealthiest person in Britain.

The revelations come after Mr Allirajah faced scrutiny over claims of tax fraud and money laundering at his firm.

In 2009, the UK ceased aid to Sri Lanka for all but humanitarian emergencies after the end of the civil war in the country.

But after Lycamobile started donating to the Tory Party two years later, funds were allocated to the country from the conflict pool  a pot set aside for tackling instability overseas.

In 2011, the Tories reported donations of 176,000 from Lycamobile. This rose to 250,000 in 2012. In that time, total UK aid to Sri Lanka jumped by more than two thirds to 5.5 million, with 1.3 million coming from the conflict pool. By 2013, total aid to Sri Lanka was 10.2 million, almost 3 million more than given to Iraq that year.

In November 2013, then-prime minister Mr Cameron became the first foreign leader to visit the north of Sri Lanka since it became independent in 1948. He called on the non-Tamil president to set up an independent inquiry into alleged war crimes against Tamil people. And he pledged 2.1 million over two years for a de-mining programme in three districts, including Mullaitivu.

In March 2014, Foreign Office minister Hugo Swire expressed concerns at the arrests of two human rights activists in Sri Lanka, who had been trying to secure the release of a Tamil mother and daughter.

Just 13 days later, the Tories registered donations of 105,000 from Lycamobile, followed by 15,000 three days after that.

In the year before Mr Cameron announced the 6.6 million to Sri Lanka, the Conservatives reported donations of 967,000 from Lycamobile and a personal donation of 100,000 from Mr Allirajah.

In the year before Mr Cameron announced the 6.6m to Sri Lanka, the Conservatives reported donations of 967,000 from Lycamobile and a personal donation of 100k from Mr Allirajah

Less than two months before the 2015 general election, Mr Cameron met Sri Lankan president Maithripala Sirisena, who promised to identify land to return to the Tamils. Six days later, the Tories registered donations of 370,000 from Lycamobile.

In March 2015, Mr Allirajah attended the Tory black and white ball in Mayfair, central London. He got the loudest cheer of the night after pledging 210,000 for a small bronze statue of Margaret Thatcher.

When the Tories made the 6.6 million announcement last November, it said the money would be spent over the next three years on reconciliation, military reform and to help people who were forced from their towns and villages during the civil war.

The Mail has for more than a month been asking the Foreign Office to disclose exactly how much of the money has been spent and where it has gone, but a spokesman refused.

Lycamobile has donated a total of 2,209,712 to the Tory Party since 2011.

Some 569,300 of this has come in 2016, even though the firm has during this time faced a police investigation after three of its workers were filmed dropping off rucksacks stuffed with cash at post offices in London.

In June, 19 people connected to Lycamobile were arrested in a raid in France amid allegations of VAT fraud and money laundering of at least 13.4million.

Lycamobile has previously denied financial malpractice. The firm and Mr Allirajah, who lives in a 3 million mansion with his wife in Chigwell, Essex, did not respond to requests for comment.
Britain could threaten to halve corporation tax if Brussels is unwilling to offer a good Brexit deal, it emerged yesterday.

Downing Street has discussed the plan to cut the rate from 20 per cent to 10 per cent as a nuclear option if the EU blocks a free trade deal or refuses to give UK financial services firms access to the European market.

The drastic move  which has been talked about in Number 10, but not agreed on  would encourage firms to stay and make the UK a magnet for new companies, as Ireland and Singapore have become.

It came as a think-tank said EU firms would lose out more than those in Britain if no free trade deal is reached.

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Chris Grayling (pictured) yesterday insisted the EU will agree a tariff-free trade deal with Britain and he said it was in a different category to the Canadian pact

Civitas said firms on the continent will face tariff costs of almost 13billion a year on exports to the UK, while British companies will face a 5.2billion bill for sales to the other 27 states under hard Brexit.

The analysis concludes that Theresa May could use the balance of trade to her advantage in talks with the remaining 27 EU leaders.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling yesterday insisted the EU will agree a tariff-free trade deal with the UK, and that negotiations will not run into the same difficulties faced by the troubled Canadian pact with Brussels.

Japanese car maker set to back post-Brexit Britain The Nissan Qashqai is made in Sunderland and now a new SUV model will be manufactured there too Nissan will produce a new model of one of its most popular cars in Britain  despite previous threats to shift investment abroad after Brexit. The Japanese firms Sunderland plant, which employs nearly 7,000 people, will begin making the new Qashqai SUV in 2018 or 2019. It comes after the Remain camp highlighted threats that it could quit the UK if tariffs on car exports rise. Last night Tory MP Peter Bone said: This announcement shows Project Fear for what it was. Advertisement

The amount of trade done between the UK and EU puts it in a different category to that deal, which has been blocked by the Belgian regional parliament in Wallonia, he claimed.

Mr Grayling told BBC Ones Andrew Marr Show: We buy a whole load of produce from Walloon farmers, so therefore it is not going to be in their interests to see tariffs imposed.

This is why I have always been convinced that we will have tariff-free trade, we will have sensible trading arrangements, because it is in both of our interests that should happen.

The corporation tax plan has been floated by Mrs Mays closest advisers amid growing fears that the other 27 member states are taking an increasingly hard line against doing a deal that is in Britains interests.

The UK already has one of the lowest business tax rates in the EU, but those planning strategy on Brexit believe the threat of a further cut is a card that the UK can play.

It would be used to persuade the EU to grant passporting rights for the financial services industry to continue operating across the EU and carrying out transactions in euros.

A government source said: People say we have not got any cards. We have some quite good cards we can play if they start getting difficult with us. If theyre saying no passporting and high trade tariffs, we can cut corporation tax to 10 per cent.

Ireland currently has the lowest corporation tax rate in the EU, at 12.5 per cent  a policy which has lured firms from other states.

The EU has sought to bully Dublin to increase this, but it cannot force the country to do so.

The tax rate is 33.3 per cent in France, 31.4 per cent in Italy and 29.72 per cent in Germany.

Opposition closer to home could also throw a spanner into the works as Mrs Mays Government attempts to strike a deal with the EU.

The Prime Minister has called for a grown-up approach in the relationship with the devolved administrations in the UK.

The Scottish Government has demanded to be treated as an equal partner in the talks ahead of a meeting in London today between Mrs May and the leaders of the devolved administrations.

Mrs May will tell the first ministers of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland that they will have a hotline to David Davis, the Brexit Secretary, to discuss their concerns.

Mrs May will tell the first ministers that leaving the EU was not a question simply of hard Brexit and soft Brexit.
Bible scripture states 'seek, and you will find', but the head of baby Jesus on a religious statue in Canada has proven that sometimes all it takes is going viral.

The statue of Mother Mary and baby Jesus in the yard of Sainte Anne Des Pins Roman Church in Sudbury, Ontario has been vandalized for years.

But the statue received international attention last week when a local artist replaced baby Jesus' missing head with an especially devilish looking terracotta substitute.

News of the new head quickly went viral, inspiring one woman to return the original head to Father Gerard Lajeunesse on Friday after seeing the statue on social media.

The missing head of baby Jesus from this religious statue in Ontario, Canada has been returned after its devilish terracotta replacement went viral this week

A woman returned the original head (pictured) to Father Gerard Lajeunesse on Friday after seeing the statue on social media.

The woman told Lajeunesse that the person who stole the baby Jesus head had been suffering from personal problems, according to CBC.

Lajeunesse said he was simply happy the head had been returned and had no plans to file a complaint over the theft.

He presented the statue's head to the congregation during Mass on Sunday before putting it back in its rightful place.

It was a happy ending for the statue, which had been vandalized for years by thieves in the area who enjoyed beheading baby Jesus.

The head was often left on the ground for Lajeunesse to reattach the next morning, but it went missing for good last year on Devil's Night, the day before Halloween.

Lajeunesse (pictured putting the head back on) said he was simply happy the head had been returned and had no plans to file a complaint over the theft

Local artist Heather Wise had been walking through the church grounds that winter when she saw the headless baby Jesus, and knew she had to do something about it.

'I was so sad,' she told Sudbury.com. 'My feelings were hurt when I saw it, because I thought "Who would do that?" It's just not a positive feeling to see that.'

'I said, "I'm an artist, I would like to fix it.'"

Wise went straight to Lajeunesse's door and told him she wanted to make a replacement head for the statue.

It seemed like divine intervention. Businesses had already refused to create the replacement, which needed to be custom-made, for the church.

The replacement statue was subject to widespread ridicule last week after pictures of the clay substitute popped up on news site and grabbed the attention of the Twittersphere

And a brand new statue would have cost the church upwards of $10,000.

Wise had learned how to sculpt in college, but she had never worked with stone. So instead she fashioned a temporary head out of clay.

But parishioners were immediately upset when the replacement was unveiled this week, and even Lajeunesse admitted the new head was 'shocking to the eyes' due to the 'big contrast in color' of the clay against the stone.

And as pictures of the temporary baby Jesus head made their way online, people from all over the world couldn't help but poke fun at it.

'When you're baby Jesus but you're also a demonic hedgehog,' joked Emily Gordon on Twitter as she posted a photo of the statue on Twitter.

The temporary baby Jesus head even got its own Instagram page, where it was photoshopped on the likes of E.T. and Maggie from The Simpsons

'It pretty much sums up how 2016 is going,' added Tommy Tighe.

'Wow #GodHelpUp,' wrote Sister Julia Walsh.

The temporary baby Jesus head even got its own Instagram page, where it was photoshopped on the likes of Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump, E.T. and Maggie from The Simpsons.

Wise had planned to replace the clay head, which was already being worn away by the rain, with one made in stone next spring.

But thanks to an act of kindness, baby Jesus' head has risen once again.
British scientists have made a breakthrough in the search for a male contraceptive pill  which could transform the sex lives of millions of couples.

For decades, researchers have tried to produce a reliable alternative to condoms or a vasectomy, but there has been little progress.

Now UK scientists have found the secret of making men temporarily infertile  by switching off sperms ability to swim.

They have made tiny designer compounds which smuggle themselves into sperm, and stop their tails from wiggling. If a sperm cant swim, it has no chance of naturally fertilising a womans egg.

The breakthrough made by British scientists could be the key to rendering men temporarily infertile. It might become possible for them to pop a pill that stops their sperm from swimming

The key advance raises the prospect of a fast-acting pill or a nasal spray that a man could take hours or perhaps just minutes before sex. Researchers believe its effects would wear off within days, meaning he would again be fertile. By contrast, women are typically advised to stop taking the Pill weeks or even months before trying to conceive.

Last night, family planning experts said a reversible male contraceptive could benefit millions of couples where the woman cannot take the Pill for medical reasons.

And it would save men from being trapped into having children they did not want, they added. With global sales of contraceptives topping 13 billion a year, the market for a reversible male contraceptive could be huge, but some cast doubt on the idea of a male pill, doubting women will trust men to take it.

Lead researcher Professor John Howl, of Wolverhampton University, last night described how effective their sperm-stopping agent had been in lab tests.

He said: The results are startling  and almost instant. When you take healthy sperm and add our compound, within a few minutes the sperm basically cannot move.

Male infertility is often the result of poorly moving sperm, called low motility. Using this, the Wolverhampton team, together with Portuguese researchers, made a compound called a cell-penetrating peptide, which gets inside sperm and brings them to a standstill. Prof Howl said: This is a totally unique approach  nobody else has ever done this before.

Peptides are short chains of amino acids that can influence how human cells work. They occur naturally but biochemists can make synthetic versions. Prof Howl and colleague Dr Sarah Jones first demonstrated that certain cell-penetrating peptides could smuggle themselves inside sperm cells, like a Trojan horse.

Then they joined forces with IVF experts at Aveiro University in Portugal, who had identified the crucial protein responsible for putting the wiggle into sperm tails.

The two universities created a bespoke peptide which turns that protein off. They tested the approach in the petri dish on bovine and human sperm, with similarly impressive results, and will soon publish their results.

If sperm can't swim (left) it has no chance of naturally fertilising a woman's egg (right)

Prof Howl said they hoped to start live animal tests in two to three years, thanks in part to a 175,000 Portuguese grant. It typically takes three to five years to bring a new drug to market after animal trials, so the final product could be available as early as 2021.

Prof Howl said it was too early to say if the end result would be a pill, a nasal spray or a sub-skin implant, but they were all possibilities.

John Guillebaud, emeritus professor of family planning and reproductive health at University College, London, said a reversible male contraceptive would be of enormous benefit to many couples, such as those where the woman cannot take the Pill for medical reasons  for instance due to migraine with aura or an increased risk of blood clots.

He added: It would also help men who want to have control over their own fertility  for example, to ensure they do not get trapped into having a child by a woman who says she is on the Pill, but isnt.

An Anglia Ruskin University study found half of 134 women questioned were concerned their partner would forget to take a contraceptive, but Prof Guillebaud, who is behind another male pill venture, said this was a widely held myth. He cited a bigger survey of 1,894 women, conducted in Scotland, China and South Africa, which found only 2 per cent would not trust their partner.
The television presenter is eagerly awaiting the birth of her first child.

And Phoebe Burgess has told The Sunday Telegraph that being 'pregnant and emotional' has really made one particular local charity hit home.

Unable to fathom having to watch her future child suffer, the 27-year-old has joined her husband, NRL star Sam Burgess, in supporting Save Our Sons - a charity founded by Sydney father Elie Eid, after his son Emilio had been diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).

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Motherly instincts: Phoebe Burgess is lending her support to Save Our Sons, with the 'pregnant and emotional' personality admitting the local charity, founded by a Sydney father after his son was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, hit close to home

'The thing that got me, obviously being pregnant and emotional, was when I was reading about the fact he  Elie  wanted to tell his son that there was a solution for DMD and that there was hope for him,' Phoebe recounted.

The expectant mother also revealed just how close to home the cause is, after her father-in-law, Mark Burgess, died in 2007 following a battle with a similar degenerative disorder, motor neurone disease.

'So obviously hearing all the stories and knowing what the Burgess brothers went through with a similar disease with their dad really rocked me,' she admitted.

Close to home: The 27-year-old also revealed just how close to home the cause is, after her husband Sam Burgess's (pictured) dad Mark Burgess, died in 2007 following a battle with a similar degenerative disorder, motor neurone disease

Although she never met Mark, she knows they would have gotten along well, with Sam often telling her he wanted 'just 10 more minutes with his dad Mark so he could introduce us.'

'I know Mark had an awesome sense of humour so I think we would have gotten on like a house on fire,' she said.

Save Our Sons works to fund scientific trials and treatments to cure or lessen the effects of the condition, which are reviewed by a scientific panel before money is given to the project.

Bumping along nicely! The expectant mother, who is expecting her first child with Sam, couldn't fathom having to watch her future child suffer with such a debilitating disease and wants to help those in need

It also provides useful medical equipment, such as stand up scooters and ventilators to ease the burden for patients.

South Sydney Rabbitohs star Sam and his brothers Luke, George and Thomas all became involved with the charity after losing their father to a similar debilitating disease.

Sydney Markets Summer Fruit Auction fundraiser for Save Our Sons will run from 7am-9am on Wednesday, October 26.
It prides itself on being Londons most exclusive club and counts Hollywood royalty, rock stars, billionaire tycoons and supermodels among its members.

But some of the great and the good who relax at Mayfairs plush 5 Hertford Street  home to legendary basement nightclub Loulous  are now counting the cost after being targeted by computer hackers.

The private members venue in Mayfair, owned by nightclub tycoon Robin Birley, was attacked by cyber criminals last week and now Scotland Yard has been called in to investigate the so-called phishing scam.

Mayfairs plush 5 Hertford Street  home to legendary basement nightclub Loulous  are now counting the cost after being targeted by computer hackers

After infiltrating the computer system, the scammers then emailed members in a bid to elicit their credit card details.

Hackers are believed to have used the iCloud account of staff member Lewis Wilkinson to gain access to the mailing list, and then posed as another staff member called Ileana from the accounts department to send emails saying: Please see attached invoice Please confirm the amount and respond, or we will proceed to debit the credit card details we have on file.

The clubs membership list is closely guarded, but George and Amal Clooney, Sir Mick Jagger and Sir Richard Branson are all reportedly members, and I have twice spotted Leonardo DiCaprio on its famously opulent smoking patio.

Financier Ben Goldsmith sits on the committee but he told me he did not fall for the scam, and instead deleted the message straight away. However, several club members did reply to the phishing email, which used a real club document for authenticity.

Those who fell for the ruse provided hackers with their club membership password, which in turn led the criminals to the payment details saved on the computer system. When members rang the club to complain about being targeted by the hackers, officials admitted that data had been stolen and advised deleting the messages immediately.

One member told me that he found the incident deeply concerning, adding: Given the number of high-net-worth individuals who could now be taken to the cleaners, the hackers couldnt have picked a better target.

The clubs membership list is closely guarded, but George and Amal Clooney (left) and Leonardo DiCaprio are believed to be members

This isnt some working mens club  its a place for billionaires and megastars.

Another source tells me: Most of the younger members saw right through it, but the average age at Hertford Street is high and many of the older people were fooled.

5 Hertford Street favours aristocratic clients over fleeting pop stars. It costs 1,200 to join the club and the annual membership fee is 1,500, but despite the high cost there are 3,000 names on the waiting list. The club made a profit of more than 100,000 last year.

A club spokesman said last night: As soon as we were made aware of these attacks, we spoke with our providers and cyber-security team to carry out additional security checks of all our systems.
Angelina Jolie is looking to escape the fallout of her high-profile split from husband Brad Pitt in Twickenham.

I hear that the Hollywood superstar hopes to become the ultimate scrummy mummy by renting a mansion in the leafy South-West London suburb  the home of English rugby.

Aides are liaising with a top London fixer who specialises in providing luxury properties to celebrities.

Angelina Jolie is looking to escape the fallout of her high-profile split from husband Brad Pit in Twickenham, south west London

Mother of six Angelina, right, wants a house with more than six bedrooms, and is ready to move in before Christmas. Her staff have said shes looking for a property. It has to be super-private, says a source.

While Twickenham is a world apart from the Hollywood luxury the family are used to, a base in Britain is seen as ideal for Angelina to further her humanitarian and charity work.

The 41-year-old Tomb Raider actress is a UN ambassador and is working with former Foreign Secretary William Hague to raise awareness of sexual conflict in war zones.

Angelina and her brood are no strangers to Britain. Earlier this year they lived in a 14,500 a month mansion in Surrey while Brad, 52, filmed a sequel to zombie blockbuster World War Z. And in 2012 they rented an estate in Richmond.

The Hollywood superstar mother hopes to become the ultimate scrummy mummy by renting a mansion in the leafy South-West London suburb  the home of English rugby (pictured, Twickenham Stadium)

The Duchess of Cornwall is keen to follow in the footsteps of Princess Michael of Kent and write a novel, but shes paranoid her manuscript would get stolen.

When I met Camilla at Fortnum & Mason on Tuesday, she told me she secretly harbours a dream of becoming an author, if only it wasnt for her pesky fame getting in the way.

Id love to write a book of my own, she said at the Queens grocer in Piccadilly, where her son Tom was signing copies of his new cookbook. But Id be too frightened that it would be stolen and end up in the newspapers!
She revealed plans for a Parisian popcorn shop earlier this week.

And on Saturday Scarlett Johansson saw a dream of hers come true as she held the soft opening for new popcorn shop Yummy Pop in Paris, France.

The 31-year-old looked elated as she flashed a wide grin while serving popcorn to the mob of customers that had lined up for the big day.

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Elated: Scarlett Johansson looked thrilled as she served popcorn for the opening of her and husband Romain Dauriac's popcorn shop Yummy Pop in Paris, France on Saturday

Not afraid to get her hands dirty! The Avengers star posed alongside fans as she scooped popcorn during the shop's soft opening

Scarlett wore a long-sleeved, navy blue and white striped T-shirt, which she covered with a white and blue Yummy Pop apron.

She wore her short, blonde tresses styled straight, and brushed back and out of her face as she got to work.

The mother-of-one kept her make-up natural for the soft opening, sporting a bit of light pink lipstick.

She was joined by her husband Romain Dauriac, with whom she shares the venture.

Pop til you drop! Scarlett beamed as she held a playfully decorated red, white, and blue Yummy Pop bag

Gang's all here! Scarlett posed alongside husband Romain and Victoria Chevalier at the opening

Blissful: The blonde beauty threw her head back in laughter as she was presented with a bouquet of corn

He also sported stripes for the opening, though he opted for a black and white pattern, coupling them with black jeans.

A massive crowd could be seen waiting outside of the new popcorn shop, as they opened for business on Saturday.

The shop is situated in the Parisian district of Marais, and Scarlett and Romain have shared that if it does well, they plan to open more locations.

That's one way to celebrate: Scarlett couldn't hide her smile throughout the shop's big opening

Fan friendly: The mother-of-one smiled as she posed with a fan at the shop's soft opening

Getting down to business! Scarlett had no problem getting her hands dirty as she served customers her gourmet popcorn

'It has been a dream of mine and my family for several years to bring our favorite American snack to our favorite European City!' Scarlett had shared of the shop, in a statement.

'I am so excited to introduce Yummy Pop, a labor of love and Epicurean enthusiasm. My hope is for Yummy Pop to become a Parisian snacking staple and a symbol of friendship between my two most beloved cities, Paris and New York,' she added.

Scarlett's spokeperson told The Guardian that she planned to serve customers herself, touting the truffle, Parmesan, and sage as her favorite gourmet flavor.

Quite a line! There looked to be quite the wait to get into Scarlett's little shop

Not a bad soft opening! Perhaps Romain and Scarlett will open more locations, as Saturday's opening certainly looked to be a success

Success! A massive crowd lingered outside of Yummy Pop, looking to get a glimpse of the star and her gourmet goods

The shop will cook and mix the popcorn fresh on their premises with seasonal ingredients, serving up flavors such as 'real Vermont cheddar.'

The couple collaborated on their menu with chef Will Horowitz of Ducks Eatery and Harry and Idas in New York.
She rarely misses an opportunity to get glammed up for a a night on the town.

And Kym Marsh did exactly that on Saturday night when she headed to Rosso for a bite to eat with her mum in Manchester.

The 40-year-old Coronation Street actress turned heads in a striped mini dress that showed off her toned and golden legs which were elongated by some pointed heels.

Stunner: The 40-year-old Coronation Street actress turned heads in a striped mini dress that showed off her toned and golden legs which were elongated by some pointed heels

Letting her hair flow over her shoulders, Kym kept the autumn chill at bay with a leather jacket, accessorising with a black clutch.

The star let her natural beauty shine through with a touch of make up, including blue eye shadow.

Kym was all smiles as she posed for photos with her mum Pauline as the two headed into the restaurant.

Pauline also opted for a black ensemble, with a sheer top complementing her zebra print dress.

Say cheese: Kym was all smiles as she posed for photos with her mum Pauline as the two headed into the restaurant

On Wednesday Kym was heading out of Manchester's Key 103 Radio studios, where she had been a guest presenter on the breakfast show, and seemed to be en route to the gym.

Showing off her shapely pins, the Coronation Street star teamed cropped black leggings with colourful trainers on the outing.

She added some more colour with a cornflower blue top whilst she layered up with a grey hoodie.

Gym bunny: Kym Marsh revealed she was keeping up the hard work as she showed off her incredible figure in skintight workout gear in Manchester on Wednesday

Injecting some glamour to her otherwise low-key ensemble, she clutched a Stella McCartney black handbag with silver chain detailing.

Meanwhile, Kym - who plays Michelle Connor on the soap - was recently forced to deny claims she was thinking of quitting Corrie, calling the reports 'ridiculous' and 'sensationalised'.

Her denial came after she told Daily Star Sunday that she had considered leaving the show earlier in the year, confessing: 'I thought about it for a long time. It was obviously a huge decision.'

Kym's contract is up for renewal in June, and she admitted that every year she worries about whether she'll be asked to stay on.

She said: 'Its always something that when you are at the end of a contract, you are thinking Are they going to want me to stay? What do I do?

'Thats always something that people think. Having been on the show for 10 years, you do sit there and go, Would I want to? Would I like to?'
After a year-long battle with ovarian cancer, Cecilia Hart has died.

The 68-year-old actress passed away on Sunday with her death confirmed by the local Connecticut paper WestportNow.

Cecilia was married to James Earl Jones for 34 years and shared one son, Flynn.

Sad passing: Actress Cecilia Hart, wife of James Earl Jones, died Sunday aged 68 (pictured together in 2015)

The late actress met her Star Wars star husband on the set on the 1979 Steven Bochco series Paris in which they both played police officers.

Hollywood love story: Cecilia - who died after a year-long battle with ovarian cancer, was married to James Earl Jones for 34 years and shared one son, Flynn. She is pictured 2012

The couple would marry in 1982, which was the second marriage for both the late star and her now 85-year-old husband.

The pair went on to act together on a number of occasions including in William Shakespeares Othello on Broadway to their wedding.

Cecilia has a number of Broadway credits to her name including Tom Stoppard's Dirty Linen for which she was nominated for a Drama Desk Award in 1977.

The actress also appeared on television shows such as Law & Order, Charles in Charge, Emergency!, Threes Company, Quincy M.E. and MacGyver.

The couple made their last public appearance together just a few months ago for the Tony Awards, which were held in June.

According to WestportNow the family has requested that donations in Cecilia's name be made to The Actors Fund or Hudson Valley Hospice.
He's been busy promoting his new film Loving.

And on Friday, Australian actor Joel Edgerton once again stepped out for the flick, this time at the Film Independent forum in Los Angeles.

The 42-year-old cut a casual figure, arriving in a denim jacket and trousers as he helped celebrate the opening night premiere of the flick.

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He's got the blues: Australian actor Joel Edgerton once again stepped out to promote his new film Loving, this time at the Film Independent forum in Los Angeles on Friday, wearing a trendy denim jacket

Joel looked edgy wearing his jacket collar up and having the buttons closed, with a white T-shirt underneath.

His trousers were light grey and he wore the look with brown suede boots.

The star - who hails from Sydney's Blacktown - showcased a five o'clock shadow and had his hair unstyled.

Relaxed: The star - who hails from Sydney's Blacktown - showcased a five o'clock shadow and had his hair unstyled

Stylish: Joel looked edgy wearing his jacket collar up and having the buttons closed, with a white T-shirt underneath

At the event, Joel was joined by Loving co-star Ruth Negga and director Jeff Nichols.

Ruth showed off her toned stomach in a green and white crop top and high-waisted denim jeans and red heels.

Joel posed up with Ruth at the event, putting his arm around her.

Three's a crowd: At the event, Joel was joined by Loving co-star Ruth Negga and director Jeff Nichols

In the film, set in America in the 1950s, the pair play a married interracial couple whose love is considered illegal.

Based on the US Supreme Court landmark case in 1967, Loving tells the true story of an interracial couple whose marriage sees them exiled from Virginia.

Richard Loving (Joel) and his partner Mildred (Ruth Negga) were sentenced to prison in 1958 because their marriage violated the state's anti-miscegenation laws.

They later sued the state of Virginia which led to laws prohibiting interracial marriage being declared unconstitutional.

Close: In the film that is set in America in the 1950s, the pair play a married interracial couple whose love is considered illegal

Life of an actor: Meanwhile, Joel was left disappointed after missing an Oscar nomination in 2015 and admits he should not have listened to industry rumours

'It's very much relevant today,' Joel told Variety on the red carpet.

'It's very timely in terms of racial tension and very much timely in terms of marriage equality, in particular from my parts.

'As an Australian, we're not quite there yet with marriage equality for same-sex couples.'

Meanwhile, Joel was left disappointed after missing an Oscar nomination in 2015 and admits he should not have listened to industry rumours.

But the Exodus star recently told GQ he remains optimistic about being recognised for his critically-acclaimed lead role in Loving.

An Australian release date is yet to be announced, but the film will hit cinemas in the US on November 4.
She has graced the cover of more than a dozen of the fashion bible issues.

But Gigi Hadid declared that her latest feature in the December issue of Vogue Japan is her number one.

'One of my favorite cover stories!' the 21-year-old supermodel captioned a photo of herself flashing a pair of skimpy panties.

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Thank you @luigiandiango & @anna_dello_russo for one of my favorite cover stories!!!!!!  @voguejapan A photo posted by Gigi Hadid (@gigihadid) on Oct 20, 2016 at 5:47pm PDT

In an issue entitled 'Princess Gigi' the genetically-gifted stunner smouldered in several stunning color, and black and white images.

She posed seductively in the low-cut black lace underwear which revealed her bare midriff.

Another look Gigi slipped into was a sheer plunging that showed off her ample decolletage.

A photo posted by Anna Dello Russo (@anna_dello_russo) on Oct 21, 2016 at 10:45am PDT

A video posted by VOGUE JAPAN (@voguejapan) on Oct 20, 2016 at 6:39pm PDT

A photo posted by VOGUE JAPAN (@voguejapan) on Oct 20, 2016 at 6:32pm PDT

A photo posted by Luigi and Iango (@luigiandiango) on Oct 21, 2016 at 5:06am PDT

A photo posted by Gigi Hadid (@gigihadid) on Oct 20, 2016 at 5:45pm PDT

Her long, golden tresses fell in relaxed waves past her shoulders and swept to one side, highlighting her exquisite facial features.

The publication also created a video of the statuesque beauty that they posted to their Instagram account which has already received nearly 32,000 views.

'Don't miss the special movie of the fashion story PRINCESS GIGI from our December issue,' they wrote alongside the black and white clip.

A photo posted by Luigi and Iango (@luigiandiango) on Oct 21, 2016 at 4:12am PDT

A photo posted by Gigi Hadid (@gigihadid) on Oct 20, 2016 at 5:43pm PDT

A photo posted by Gigi Hadid (@gigihadid) on Oct 20, 2016 at 5:44pm PDT

A photo posted by Gigi Hadid (@gigihadid) on Oct 20, 2016 at 5:45pm PDT

A photo posted by Gigi Hadid (@gigihadid) on Oct 20, 2016 at 5:42pm PDT

Flawless! Gigi's cover story in the December issue of Vogue Japan will be out in stores on October 28

And while Gigi proclaimed Vogue Japan was her top cover story, it was likely a difficult choice as she's stunned on of all her others including the U.S., Spain, Australia, Brazil, the Netherlands, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, China, as well as Teen Vogue.

The older sister of model Bella Hadid also made sure to thank the publication, with styling by Anna Dello Russo, along with celebrity fashion photography duo Luigi and Iango.

Gigi's flawless cover story in the December issue of Vogue Japan will be out in stores on October 28.

Trip to the store: Gigi was pictured out in Beverly Hills on Saturday buying some flowers

Cute and casual: The model was seen in a white-t-shirt and jeans

Catching up: Gigi chatted with a pal outside Bristol Farms as they sipped on smoothies

Checking out one of your spreads? The ladies looked at magazines together

Here comes dad: Later on that evening, Gigi's father Mohamed was seen enjoying an evning out with his fiancee Shiva Safai

Steppin' out: The 67-year-old real estate mogul and his 30-year-old bride-to-be were enjoying a meal at Catch in LA
More details have emerged of Taylor Swift's counter suit against a radio DJ she accused of groping her.

On Friday, the 26-year-old pop star's legal team succeeded in having a judge seal a photo that allegedly shows radio DJ David Mueller groping her underneath her skirt.

New information: A judge has permitted the release of Taylor Swift's testimony against a radio DJ she accuses of groping her

The same judge however rejected a similar request that a transcript of Swift's testimony be sealed as well, meaning it is has now been made public.

According to the testimony obtained by Billboard, Swift said the assault happened during a photo op.

'Right as the moment came for us to pose for the photo, he took his hand and put it up my dress and grabbed onto my ass cheek and no matter how much I scooted over it was still there. It was completely intentional, I've never been so sure of anything in my life.'

She then added how the alleged incident had affected her mentally.

'I remember being frantic, distressed, feeling violated in a way I had never experienced before,' she stated, before describing her shock that it happened at her concert of all places.

'A meet-and-greet is supposed to be a situation where you're thanking people for coming, you're supposed to be welcoming people into your home, which is the arena for that day, and for someone to violate that hospitality in that way, I was completely stunned.'

Though Swift's team lost the battle for the transcript release, her lawyers also filed a motion for summary judgment, claiming that the initial suit by Mueller was unfounded as she never was in a position to get him fired. A motion for a summary judgement is a bid to win the case before going to trial.

Shock jock: According to her testimony, Swift apparently didn't know what to make of the alleged groping, as it happened during a photo op with country radio DJ David Mueller (pictured) and his girlfriend

The original suit brought in September of 2015 by DJ Mueller accused Swift of allegedly getting the former Denver radio DJ fired after he was accused of 'grabbing her derriere' according to TMZ.

The groping incident apparently happened back in 2013 at a concert in Denver, Colorado.

In his lawsuit, Mueller recounts that upon being invited backstage, he and his girlfriend were granted a picture with the 1989 star and then left the backstage area to enjoy the show.

The plaintiff then details how a co-worker of his, DJ Eddie Haskell, also at the concert bragged to him about taking a photo with the music phenom and 'grabbing her butt,' TMZ reported.

Troubling testimony: 'A meet-and-greet is supposed to be a situation where you're thanking people for coming, you're supposed to be welcoming people into your home, which is the arena for that day, and for someone to violate that hospitality in that way, I was completely stunned,' she told the court (pictured with fans in April 2014)

Flashpoint: The original suit brought in September of 2015 by DJ Mueller accused Swift of allegedly getting the former Denver radio DJ fired after he was accused of 'grabbing her derriere' (Swift pictured here performing a month before the suit was filed)

Before he knew it, Mueller was approached by a member of Swift's security staff at the venue and accused of groping the pop sensation before being kicked out of the concert.

Because of the nature of the incident, when word got back to Mueller's place of work about what had transpired, he says he was fired immediately, as TMZ reported.

In response to Muller's claims, Swift filed a counter suit, which stated: 'Ms. Swift knows exactly who committed the assault  it was Mueller  and she is not confused in the slightest about whether her long-term business acquaintance, Mr. Haskell, was the culprit.'

On the road: The groping incident apparently happened back in 2013 at a concert in Denver, Colorado (pictured at a concert in 2015)

'Resolution of this Counterclaim will demonstrate that Mueller alone was the perpetrator of the humiliating and wrongful conduct targeted against Ms. Swift, and will serve as an example to other women who may resist publicly reliving similar outrageous and humiliating acts.'

The documents get even uglier as the papers allege that Mueller and his girlfriend were participating in the event when he: 'Intentionally reached under her skirt, and groped with his hand an intimate part of her body in an inappropriate manner, against her will, and without her permission.'

'Mueller did not merely brush his hand against Ms. Swift while posing for the photograph,' according to the documents. 'He lifted her skirt and groped her.'
After starting X Factor's 'diva week' with a bang, she was most certainly going to be packing a punch while closing the show.

Changing out of her glittering silver dress, Nicole Scherzinger once again looked sartorially savvy in an edgy two-piece as she left Fountain studios on Saturday night.

The 38-year-old talent show judge couldn't help but flaunt her gym-honed washboard abs in a trendy two-piece which hugged every inch of her sensational frame.

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Quick change! Changing out of her glittering silver dress, Nicole Scherzinger, 38, once again looked sartorially savvy in an edgy two-piece as she left Fountain studios on Saturday night

The long-sleeved tiger print top fell just under her ample assets, giving way to her tanned tum before the matching skin-tight trousers took over.

The high-waisted number exhibited her toned stems to perfection, which were further accentuated by a pair of towering strappy heels.

However, the animal inspired garment didn't provide enough warmth for the former Pussycat Doll, so she opted to drape a chunky colourful knit on her shoulders.

The bubbly beauty sported the same hair and make-up look from the show - outrageously teased and curled locks which framed her dramatic smokey eyes and deep mauve pout.

Stylish: The talent show judge couldn't help but flaunt her gym-honed washboard abs in a trendy two-piece which hugged every inch of her sensational frame

Animalistic: The long-sleeved tiger print top fell just under her ample assets, giving way to her tanned tum before the matching skin-tight trousers took over

Wrapping up: The garment didn't provide enough warmth for the former Pussycat Doll, so she opted to drape a chunky colourful knit on her shoulders

Enviable frame: The high-waisted number exhibited her toned stems to perfection

Still in high spirits from the live telecast - which saw her showing the contestants how it's done with a dazzling mash-up of classics at the beginning of the show - Nicole playfully twirled her locks as she headed to her ride.

Hot on her heels was Sharon Osbourne who oozed opulence with a thick snakeskin style robe.

The nightwear number made a statement as it skimmed her trim frame and cinched in her waist as she carried out a large bag full of essentials.

Stunner! The bubbly singer sported the same hair and make-up look from the show - outrageously teased and curled locks which framed her dramatic smokey eyes and deep mauve pout

Glam: Hot on her heels was Sharon Osbourne who oozed opulence with a thick snakeskin style robe

Ready for bed? The nightwear number made a statement as it skimmed her trim frame and cinched in her waist as she carried out a large bag full of essentials

Beauty: There wasn't a strand out of place from her fiery red mane and her eyes still sported sultry purple eye-shadow

Heading home: It wasn't long before Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh also emerged in similar outfits

There wasn't a strand out of place from her fiery red mane and her eyes still sported sultry purple eye-shadow.

It wasn't long before Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh also emerged in similar outfits.

Simon took his time to poke fun at Louis who played along with the banter as they headed home.

Having a joke: Simon took his time to poke fun at Louis who played along with the banter as they headed home

Mane attraction: Louis couldn't contain his giggle as Simon pulled at his hair

Surprising: And while the show's spearhead appeared his usual sarcastic self, it was a different story on the show which saw him praise controversial contestant Honey G

And while the show's spearhead appeared his usual sarcastic self, it was a different story on the show which saw him praise controversial contestant Honey G.

'I got chills', the music mogul confessed to the pleased rapped who had been trying her best to win him over for the past three weeks.

John Legend, Busted and American star Shawn Mendes will be performing on Sunday night's results show, where another contestant will be given the boot.

Giving it her all: Honey G, 35, finally managed to impress no-nonsense Simon with her entertaining mash-up of Vanilla Ice's Ice Ice Baby and Queen's Under Pressure during X-Factor's 'diva week'

He's a fan! Despite likening the anticipation of her performance to a horror movie, the talent show judge admitted that the rapper left him with 'chills' and was converting him into a fan




Daisy Lowe danced her way into fourth place on Saturday night's Strictly as she impressed the judges with her quirky Charlston.

The 27-year-old model was delighted - if a little exhausted - at the end of her energetic performance, which saw her better last week and score a healthy 32 points.

Her partner Alijaz Skorjanec cleverly choreographed their fun-filled offbeat routine to Happy Feet by Manhattan Rhythm Kings.

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Happy days: The model scored eight from each judge to give her highest score of the competition so far - 32 points

The pair began in darkness so that only their white gloves and shoes were visible.

But then the lights came on, revealing a beaming smile on Daisy's face as he relished her week five dance, exuding chemistry with Alijaz.

The audience loved Daisy's performance and judges were also impressed with her offering.

Darcey Bussell said: 'Heavenly style, it really suited you, very revealing of the technique and you tired towards the end so it lacked crispness'. Len Goodman added 'wonderful, well done'.

Spooky: The pair began in darkness so that only their white gloves and shoes were visible

Teamwork: Her partner Alijaz Skorjanec cleverly choreographed their fun-filled offbeat routine to Happy Feet by Manhattan Rhythm Kings

Well done: The audience loved Daisy's performance and judges were also impressed with her offering

Bruno Tonioli lauded the star, saying: 'Clever concept, full of joy, like watching Betty Boop come back to life'. Craig Revel Horwood added simply: 'Brilliant, loved it'.

But Daisy's efforts fell short of Ore Oduba's who topped the leaderboard once again after waltzing to Claudia Streza's version of I Will Always Love You by Dolly Parton.

Craig had high praise, saying: 'You're just incredible' while Darcey called it 'calm, controlled and elegant.'

Len described the dance as 'quiet and sophisticated,' while Bruno said 'you have outstanding connection and chemistry'.

Ore scored 9 from each judge, to top the board with 36 points.

Improving: Daisy Lowe and Aljaz also impressed with a Charleston to Happy Feet by Manhattan Rhythm Kings




There are three hunky men still vying for Georgia Love's heart on The Bachelorette Australia.

And despite speculation, an eerily accurate fan theory could prove the winner of the show.

According to Mamamia, the theory suggests for both The Bachelor and Bachelorette franchises, the winning contestant shares a smooch with the leading lady or gent to the same romantic music.

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Could this tell the winner? A fan theory reportedly suggests that for both The Bachelor and Bachelorette franchises, the winning contestant shares a smooch with the leading lady or gent to the same romantic music (seen is Georgia Love)

Past winner Sasha Mielczarek shared a passionate kiss with Bachelorette Sam Frost, to the same music Sam Wood and Snezana Markoski kissed to.

Richie Strahan and Alex Nation also kissed to the same tune.

However according to Mamamia, the tune has yet to be heard throughout Georgia Love's season.

A familiar tune: Past winner Sasha Mielczarek shared a passionate kiss with Bachelorette Sam Frost (L) to the same music Sam Wood and Snezana Markoski kissed to (R)

But fans think Lee could win after he kissed Georgia with music that hadn't been heard before on any season.

Currently vying for the former journalist's affections are Lee, 35, Matty J, 29, and Jake, 30.

According to New Idea magazine, Matty and Lee were seen filming the upcoming finale in Singapore with Georgia.

A giveaway? Richie Strahan and Alex Nation also kissed to the same tune

Who will win? Currently vying for the former journalist's affections are (from L to R) Matty J, Lee and Jake

Georgia was reportedly seen kissing both men during filming before the rose ceremony.

Matty - a fan favourite - also recently told OK! Magazine that he and Georgia have been talking about baby names.

'I asked if she liked the name Moon, and she was like "No!" and then I threw a couple of others out there like Phoenix, River and Xavier and she kept shaking her head,' Matty said.

'She told me she like more traditional names like Charlotte ... I tried to move that conversation on very quickly,' he added.
Earlier on Saturday model Irina Shayk posted a booty snap that looked suspiciously similar to one Kim Kardashian had posted in the past.

And perhaps that's what inspired Emily Ratajkowski to post several of her own bum shots later in the day.

On Saturday evening, the 25-year-old stunner posted two snaps to her Instagram of her own behind in eye-catching swimsuit bottoms.

Showing off? Emily Ratajkowski, 25, posted several pictures of her bum on Saturday afternoon

Her amazingly pert posterior is on full display in the picture, while her famous assets, and just a glimpse of sideboob, can be seen just below the top of the frame.

What appears to be a gold body chain is also visible around her waist.

She kneels in the sand on a beach, which she confirmed in her caption to be Malibu.

'In the 'bu with my boo,' she added to the eye-popping image as she presumably hung out with boyfriend Jeff Magid.

Round two: The only caption was a sparkle emoji, and the image again showcased Emily's shapely behind, as well as her amazingly toned legs

Veteran: Emily has never been shy when it comes to flashing the flesh (pictured on Wednesday in Los Angeles)

About an hour later, the Blurred Lines beauty posted another snap from her beach day.

The only caption was a sparkle emoji, and the image again showcased Emily's shapely behind, as well as her amazingly toned legs.

This time she also opted to shield her eyes with a woven sun hat.

Since Kim Kardashian has been shunning publicity in the wake of her traumatic Paris heist, she seems to have left a gap in the posterior-picture marketplace, which others are rushing to fill.

Open season: On Saturday morning, Irina Shayk tried her hand at the 'belfie' as she snapped a picture of her rear in the mirror, while wearing a black bathing suit

On Saturday morning, Irina Shayk tried her hand at the 'belfie' as she snapped a picture of her rear in the mirror, while wearing a black bathing suit.

In the image the 30-year-old holds her phone in her hand, with the flash obscuring her face.

Instead, her behind takes centre stage, with the image reminiscent of the Kueen of Instagram Kim's much-copied 'belfie'.
There was a moment of dead silence on-air during Today Extra's interview with Kourtney Kardashian on Thursday.

While it seemed the 37-year-old wouldn't initially answer David Campbell's question about her sister Kim's Paris robbery, Sonia Kruger says it was not as it seemed.

Revealing what really happened behind-the-scenes during the live cross from Sydney to Los Angeles, 51-year-old Sonia told KIIS FM's drive-time radio duo Hughesy and Kate: 'One of her people barged in when that question was asked'.

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Explanation: Today Extra host Sonia Kruger has explained what exactly happened behind-the-scenes on Thursday when Kourtney Kardashian didn't initially answer a question about sister Kim

Interrupted: Speaking to KIIS FM 's drive-time radio duo Hughesy and Kate, 51-year-old Sonia revealed: 'One of her people barged in when that question was asked'

'I think someone in our Channel Nine bureau [in Los Angeles] actually tried to stop this person from barging into the room because it was a live interview,' the mother-of-one continued.

'But this woman made it past and poor old Kourtney, she wasnt happy.'

She also added that the on-air mishap will have an affect on the employment future of a studio member, saying: 'I get the feeling that someones going to be fired as a result because there was a little bit of argy-bargy in the studio'.

Sonia explained that she and David were not told to steer clear from a particular line of questioning, as 'when that interview was set up, no question was off limits'.

Not impressed: Today Extra's David Campbell lost his temper on Thursday's Today Extra after Kourtney appeared to ignore his question about her sister Kim's Paris robbery

'It wasnt like they came to us and said, "whatever you do, do not ask a question about Kim and how Kims doing after the Paris ordeal",' Sonia told the radio stars.

The former Big Brother Australia host hinted Kourtney wasn't thrilled with the interruption, and even made a phone call after the connection fell through.

Sonia said: 'She was on the phone saying, "These people just barged in and stopped this live interview. This is going to go everywhere. I need to go back and answer the question"'.

Not happy: David hit out: 'She could just say her sister is fine! I think we just said that you know we're very concerned and we were onside and we hoped that everyone's fine which I still do'

'So she stayed there and she came back to us [after the commercial break] which was really great of her to do that.'

On Thursday morning David Campbell lost his temper on the show after Kourtney appeared to ignore his question about her sister's well-documented incident.

The 43-year-old co-host hit out at the reality TV star after the interview suddenly came to an end, which turned out to be a technical glitch.

Blank faced: During the Today Extra's outburst, Kourtney glared blankly at the camera as she responded to people in the background

After asking the 37-year-old, 'how is Kim going?', Kourtney began talking to staff behind-the-scenes, ignoring the Australian TV personality.

'Hello Kourtney have we lost you?' David asked, as his co-host Sonia Kruger added: 'Alright. It looks like Kourtney doesn't really want to go there with that question'.

He was less than impressed by the loss of communication, saying: 'I think she's totally blanking me on that question!'.

Sonia attempted to stand by Kourtney, explaining it may have been a PR issue behind -the-scenes, before David hit out: 'She could just say her sister is fine!'.

Fresh start: After returning from a break, David apologised on-air to the mother-of-three who was still on the other end of the line, in their LA studio, before continuing with the interview

'I mean I think we just said that you know we're very concerned and we were onside and we hoped that everyone's fine which I still do,' he continued.

Despite the interview cutting short, the Today Extra hosts still plugged her Manuka Doctor skin care range.

After returning from a television break, David apologised on-air to the mother-of-three who was still on the other end of the line, in their LA studio, before continuing with the interview.

'Something happened in the studio and we sort of lost contact with Kourtney. We are happy to say she's still here,' he explained, a little red-faced.

Opening up: The Keeping Up With The Kardashian's star continued to speak out her sister, Kim, admitting she's 'not doing great'

'I'm sorry about what just happened there. Can we ask, first of all, is everything OK where you are right now?'

Kourtney went on to explain she had experienced a 'bad connection'.

The Keeping Up With The Kardashian's star continued to speak out her sister, Kim, saying she's 'not doing great'.

'I think we're all really still shaken up and I just - you know, I think she has a big supportive family and I know that, like, all of the traumatic things that we've been through, we get through them together as a family,' she continued.

Kim was robbed of $11 million worth of jewellery while staying in a luxury hotel in Paris on October 3.
Empire Of The Sun truly began making waves in America earlier this year when their 2008 synth-pop single, Walking on a Dream, was featured on a Honda ad.

And, now the Australian duo have the possibility of harnessing the recent U.S success when their third album drops this Friday.

Speaking to The Daily Telegraph Luke Steele revealed how the pair worked with members of David Bowies Blackstar band, and other famed musicians such as Fleetwood Mac and Prince, to create the record.

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Star-studded comeback! Empire Of The Sun's Luke Steele revealed how the pair worked with members of David Bowies Blackstar band, and other famed musicians, to create their third album

After three years of not releasing new music together, Luke and Empire Of The Sun partner Nick Littlemore headed to the famed Henson Recording Studios in Hollywood to produce their third album, Two Vines.

Luke revealed in the interview it began with a chance encounter with Prince and the Revolution band member Wendy Melvoin, who assisted with a new track Ride.

The musicians then approached Fleetwood Mac guitarist Lindsey Buckingham to collaborate on the Two Vines album, who to their disbelief agreed.

Fleetwood Mac have been a huge inspiration to the band, with Nick recalling he called their sound a mixture between Fleetwood and Daft Punk when starting out.

Inspiration: Fleetwood Mac have been a huge inspiration to the band since their first record and approached Fleetwood Mac guitarist Lindsey Buckingham to collaborate on the Two Vines album, which he agreed to

Chance encounter: They bumped into Prince and the Revolution band member Wendy Melvoin, who then assisted with a new track on the album

'Lindsey would hear a lot of compliments (in our music) I would imagine because Fleetwood Mac was the first show I ever went to... and weve never tried to hide the fact we were massively influenced by them,' Nick said.

Adding to the star power of collaborations were former David Bowie band members, pianist Henry Hey and bassist Tim Lefebvre, who worked with the duo on their first single High And Low.

However, despite the legendary musicians donating their talents willingly to the album, the duo were modest saying they did it because they were nice people.

Lending their talents: Adding to the star power of collaborations were former David Bowie band members, pianist Henry Hey and bassist Tim Lefebvre, who worked with the duo on their first single High And Low

'I think they did it out of the kindness and generosity of their hearts. I do. I think (Wendy and Lindsey) are both still so fascinated by music. They still love it,' he said.

And the famous encounters didn't stop there either, with Luke bumping into Sir Paul McCartney at the recording studio.

He recalls passing him a vinyl of Walking On A Dream, for Paul to respond with 'Wow, you got me the vinyl. All the best with the record.'

More famous encounters! Luke also bumped into Sir Paul McCartney at the recording studio. He recalls passing him a vinyl of Walking On A Dream, for Paul to respond with 'Wow, you got me the vinyl. All the best with the record.'

Their sound has been praised by musical influences, such as Elton John and Jay-Z, since their debut record eight years ago.

Walking On A Dream skyrocketed up the U.S Billboard chart earlier this year after its use in a car commercial for Honda.

The success of the old track even resulted in the pair appearing on the Ellen DeGeneres show in April.

Empire Of the Sun have booked gigs for the FOMO Festival in Sydney and Brisbane in January but only Luke will be attending.

Empire Of The Sun's Two Vines album will be released on Friday.
She clearly has a knack for turning heads.

But Karrueche Tran may have outdone herself as she attended the Environmental Media Association Awards in Los Angeles on Saturday night in an outfit that was practically slipping off of her.

The 28-year-old sizzled as in a plunging white dress that featured a thigh-high slit and was glammed up with a gold body chain necklace.

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Super sexy! Karrueche Tran sizzled in her plunging dress that featured a thigh-high slit and was glammed up with a gold body chain necklace as she attended the Environmental Media Association Awards in Los Angeles on Saturday

Making the look even more impressive the dress, from Australian label Meshki, costs just $76.

Ever the style chameleon, Karrueche rocked a significantly shorter hairdo - one which very well may have been a wig.

The star's raven black locks were parted at the side and featured thick bangs that swept across her face.

Karrueche looked completely radiant with her perfectly polished makeup as well, with the star's super long lashes, blush, and bold red lipstick making her look even more glam.

Legs eleven! Tran grinned as her seductive frock - from label Meshki - flashed the flesh

The fashionista carried a small black purse while finishing off the look with pointed black heels and several bracelets.

Karrueche's style reign comes after she hit back at those who believe her current celebrity status is derived from her famous ex, Chris Brown.

In a recent interview with Kode magazine, the actress responded: 'I have nothing to say to anyone who has anything negative to say.'

Karrueche, who has over five million followers on Instagram, also described her 'love/hate relationship' with sites such as Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat.

The mane attraction! Ever the style chameleon, the 28-year-old rocked a significantly shorter hairdo - one which very well may have been a wig

'I have a love/ hate relationship with social media,' she said.

'I love it because it's built a platform for many people and many businesses. It's a new day and age in society,' she began, before describing its downfalls.

'There is a dark side which is negative and hateful. I think it's awesome to have social media as a platform to progress and build. Of course using it in the most positive and genuine way,' she concluded.
Australian actress and radio personality Kate Ritchie decided to take a trip down memory lane on Sunday.

The 38-year-old former Home And Away star shared a photo of herself from a childhood dance performance.

In the photo, a young Kate is seen wearing a a red leotard and feathery headpiece, as she poses in the front row on the far left of the frame.

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Blast from the past: Kate Ritchie (front row, far left) decided to take a trip down memory lane on Sunday, sharing this a photo of herself from a childhood dance performance

'It's the traumatic stress caused by costumes like these throughout my youth that have always made turning down #dancingwiththestars a very quick and painless decision! (sic),' she captioned the image.

She also went on to add a number of hash-tags, including: 'Mary Easton Dance Studio', 'retirement dinner', 'thanks for the memories', 'puberty is cruel' and 'showgirls'.

Kate's reminiscent photo comes after she visited her old dance teacher Mary Easton over the weekend.

On Sunday she shared a photo of the pair at Mary's special retirement dinner, held in Liverpool, Sydney.

Special: Kate's reminiscent photo comes after she visited her old dance teacher Mary Easton over the weekend

'A wonderful evening spent celebrating this woman and her incredible career,' Kate began the caption next to the lovely snap.

'It's only now as a grown woman myself that I can begin to see the enormity of her achievements. She was not purely my cranky #notcranky dance teacher Miss Easton she was a mother, wife, friend, successful business owner and mentor who taught us all much more than a mean #kickballchange (sic).'

She concluded: 'Last night also proved that her most cherished role seems to be the relatively new one of Grandma.. Thanks for the memories, Mary. What good days they were'.

Little Orphan Annie! Last year Kate shared this photo of herself (front row, right) in a Campbell town Theatre group production of Annie from her childhood days

Growing up fast! Kate went on to have an on-screen career, starring as Sally Fletcher on Home and Away

The Gold Logie winner has always been proud to remember her roots and often speaks of her connection to growing up in Sydney's West.

Ahead of returning to her high school, Hurlstone Agricultural, for their annual fair in 2014, Kate told the Campbelltown McArthur Advertiser : 'I wasn't treated like a celebrity,

'Everyone had their own interests, whether it be footy or music  I just worked on Home and Away,' she said.

Now a mother to her own little girl, two-year-old daughter Mae, perhaps the acting bug will be passed down to the next generation.
She was just featured in the Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2 poster released on Tuesday.

And Zoe Saldana was the epitome of sparkling movie star on Saturday when she strutted down the red carpet of the Two x Two AIDS and Art benefit in Dallas, Texas.

The 38-year-old Avatar star turned heads in a glittering, multilayered black gown on the red carpet.

All smiles: Zoe Saldana was definitely sparkling like a star on Saturday when she strutted down the red carpet of the Two x Two AIDS and Art benefit in Dallas, Texas

The garment featured some interesting sheer detailing along the v-shaped bust line, which also afforded a glimpse of her decolletage.

A wide black leather belt with an ornate silver buckle added an interesting detail to the chic dress.

Bling included a bejeweled bracelet, several rings on each hand and some large pendant earrings.

She parted her raven tresses in the middle and scraped them back into a tight bun.

Just a peek: The garment featured some interesting sheer detailing along the v-shaped bust line, which also afforded a glimpse of her decolletage

Having fun: Some bright crimson lipstick provided a burst of colour, while some light blush and subtle fuchsia eye shadow ensured she was ready for her close-up

Some bright crimson lipstick provided a burst of colour, while some light blush and subtle fuchsia eye shadow ensured she was ready for her close-up.

Of course the beauty didn't come alone, and was also joined on the red carpet by husband Marco Perego, aged 37.

The Italian artist looked dapper in a classic three piece suit that even included a vintage-style gold watch chain.

Dapper duo: Of course the beauty didn't come alone, and was also joined on the red carpet by husband Marco Perego, aged 37

He had parted his blonde locks for the occasion, and groomed his normally unkempt facial hair.

Zoe and Marco began dating in March 2013 and secretly wed just three months later in June.

The couple tied the knot in an intimate ceremony attended by just a few close friends and relatives in London.

The actress and the Italian artist welcomed their twin boys - Cy Aridio and Bowie Ezio - the following year in November 2014.
Demi Lovato may have given up drink and drugs, but she still enjoys a Saturday night out in an exciting city.

This weekend, the songstress was spotted heading to the upscale West Hollywood rooftop restaurant Catch LA, which has also played host to such celebrities as Paris Hilton this week.

The 24-year-old sauntered over to the New York establishment's California outpost in a high-cut leopard print miniskirt, complete with a small slit.

Fresh evening air: On Saturday night, Demi Lovato was spotted heading to the West Hollywood rooftop restaurant Catch LA

Her outfit showed off her tanned legs, which she made appear a bit longer via a pair of simply chic black stilettos.

Letting her long and newly darkened hair flow free, she'd matched the skirt with a leopard print jacket she'd flung over a black top.

She carried a black clutch featuring metallic studs speckled along the edge of its flap, and her nails were painted white.

Wild weekend: The 24-year-old paired her leopard-print miniskirt with a matching jacket

Emphasis: She lengthened the look of her tanned legs with a pair of simply chic black stilettos

Earlier this month, she revealed in an interview with Glamour that when she does go out of an evening, 'I dont like to go out to clubs, because I find myself seeing remnants of drugs in the bathroom.'

Having had to go to rehab for addiction, she's still upset by 'Seeing cocaine in movies. Ive never watched The Wolf Of Wall Street. I cant.'

Inasmuch as she's also had multiple eating disorders, 'I did the Victoria's Secret Swim Special, and being surrounded by supermodels bodies was triggering to me.'

She used to level the inquiry: '"How do you maintain your figure?" Some said, "I really have to work at it." Others said, "Its genetics." It was interesting to hear that it wasnt through unhealthy [behaviours].'

Coordinating: She matched her simple black top with a black clutch that featured metallic studs along the edge of its flap
Caitlyn Jenner and Kelly Osbourne are known for their support in the transgender community.

So the 66-year-old I Am Cait star and the former E! Fashion Police host were the perfect choice to judge the 15th annual TransNation Queen USA Pageant on Saturday.

The Olympic gold medalist dazzled in a sequinned mini dress while the British beauty stunned in a metallic off-the-shoulder number.

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All glammed up: Caitlyn Jenner and Kelly Osbourne glittered for the 15th annual TransNation Queen USA Pageant

On the panel: The duo served as judges at the event held in Los Angeles on Saturday

Shining stars! The Olympic gold medalist dazzled in a sequinned number while the British beauty stunned in a metallic off-the-shoulder dress

Caitlyn flaunted her long legs in a short black floral frock which included several rosy shades.

She paired the embellished garb with pointed stilettos and a chic fitted blazer which further highlighted her svelte figure.

Her sandy blonde locks cascaded in medium-barreled waves past her shoulders and she opted for minimal makeup as to let the dress take centre stage.

Va-va-voom: Kelly, 31, showed off some cleavage in the dramatic gown

Standing out from the crowd: Kelly's edgy lilac mohawk was immaculately styled for the event

The daughter of A-listers Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne looked pretty in a low-cut silver and black piece.

She wore a pair of dainty dropped silver earrings, purple smokey eye shadow and mauve lip.

Kelly filmed a PSA for the TransNation Festival in August where she stood revealed some staggering statistics regarding transgender issues and promoted the event.

Having fun with it! Kelly appeared to have a fit of the giggles on stage

Statuesque: Caitlyn's BFF Candis Cayne glowed in white

Forever friends: The pals embraced on stage during the special night

'Transgender people have always existed throughout history,' she began. 'But have often lived hidden in plain sight.'

Kelly continued: 'The transgender movement is making headlines and in the past couple of years we have seen an increasing number of trans people be the center of pop culture.'

'But despite the surge and attention around the trans community we're still not addressing the social barriers such as the lack of access to health care, employment, discrimination, and the growing number of trans-related hate crimes,' she revealed.

'In fact, 47 percent of transgender people in Los Angeles have reportedly been victims of physical assault.'

Kelly - who is known for her charitable work and activism - referred viewers to St. John's Well Child & Family Center, which she described as 'one of the largest transgender health centers in the U.S.'

Making strides: The TV personality flashed some leg in the sheer gown

The British born star posed alongside the winner Hailie Sahar
The Carter/Dean wedding has been a ray of hope for the embattled residents of Albert Square.

But while Lee Carter has been doing everything possible to repair his fractured relationship with fiancee Whitney, he still has more things to hide.

Having done his best to win Whitney back and get the wedding on track, Lee is going to have to work hard to keep brother Johnny on-side, as he discovers his shameful secret.

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Do as you're told! While Lee Carter has been doing everything possible to repair his fractured relationship with fiancee Whitney, he still has more things to hide

With the big day fast approaching, the Carter family is gearing up for the party of the year - while fans have been anticipating drama.

Their relationship has been marred by philandering, chlamydia and a miscarriage, but it seems Johnny has discovered another skeleton in Lee's closet.

In scenes due to air next month, the two brothers can be seen having a tense confrontation in the Queen Vic's barrel room.

Do it foe me? Having done his best to win Whitney back, Lee is going to have to work hard to keep brother Johnny on-side, as he discovers his shameful secret

While Johnny (Ted Reilly) looks calm and collected, if a little stern, Lee (Danny-Boy Hatchard) looks to be about to blow a gasket.

Facing off in the most secluded part of The Vic, there looks to be little love lost between the two brothers as they have a heated debate.

As Lee poses and posture in an indignant and irate way, his younger brother looks severely unimpressed.

Unhappy times: Their relationship has been marred by philandering, chlamydia and a miscarriage, but it seems Johnny has discovered another skeleton in Lee's closet

Though it's not yet known what terrible secret Johnny has stumbled upon, it's obvious that Lee is trying to convince him to keep quiet when it comes to Whitney (Shona McGarty).

But from the looks of it Lee is going to have to work hard to get his younger brother on side.

The scenes are set to be broadcast on Thursday 3 November, but fans can catch up with the latest in Walford at 8:00pm on Monday.
She made her explosive TV debut on Ex On The Beach's fifth season ten weeks ago.

And Charlotte Dawson is ensuring her star is continuing to burn bright as she made a stunning appearance at London's Cafe De Paris nightclub to ring in her 24th birthday with a bevvy of reality pals on Saturday evening.

The daughter of comedy legend Les Dawson left very little to the imagination in her totally sheer gold gown under which she went braless alongside sporting a tiny thong - making for an eye-popping look.

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Hold on tight! Charlotte Dawson is ensuring her star is continuing to burn bright as she made a stunning appearance at London's Cafe De Paris nightclub to ring in her 24th birthday with a bevvy of reality pals on Saturday evening

Charlotte looked stunning in her handmade gown which featured a one-shoulder detail with a perilous slash extending the entire length of her thigh and giving a glimpse at her knickers underneath.

Far from being content with her leggy and busty display, the dress was also entirely sheer and flashed her braless chest and tiny black thong.

She made sure she upped the glam to full with the gown boasting a train atop a racy lace-up detail along the length of the one long sleeve on the dress, while she accessorised with a matching choker.

Not content with an entire gold leaf gown, she added further glamour with her dazzling Christian Louboutin heels which featured a staggering heel and a totally diamante encrusted body.

Eek! The daughter of comedy legend Les Dawson left very little to the imagination in her totally sheer gold gown under which she went braless alongside sporting a tiny thong - making for an eye-popping look

Cheeky! Charlotte looked stunning in her handmade gown which featured a one-shoulder detail with a perilous slash extending the entire length of her thigh and giving a glimpse at her knickers underneath

Her make-up was naturally heavy-handed as she sported lashings of foundation and bronzer to achieve a super-tanned look while also outlining her dazzling eyes with thick black liner.

Charlotte wore her reddish brown tresses in loose waves cascading over her shoulder and boosted no doubt with reality starlets' beloved extensions.

She added even more glitz to the look as she rocked eye-popping diamond earrings which tied in perfectly with the shimmering ensemble.

The festivities were undoubtedly reality star studded with glamorous arrivals coming from all walks of the TV world.

Strutting her stuff: Far from being content with her leggy and busty display, the dress was also entirely sheer and flashed her braless chest and tiny black thong

Pals: Her make-up was naturally heavy-handed as she sported lashings of foundation and bronzer to achieve a super-tanned look while also outlining her dazzling eyes with thick black liner

Best pals: Naturally joining Charlotte was her best pal and Celebrity Big Brother star Sam Giffen, who she is seldom seen without. The handsome star looked suave in a black blazer with a pocket square and matching tie

Pretty pink: Former TOWIE star Abi Clarke joined Charlotte in the less-is-more approach as she wore an extremely revealing pink coord comprising of wide leg trousers and a bandeau top

Smoking hot: The stunning star flashed the spoils of her newly forged career as a nutritionist, as she showed off her extremely slender physique

Naturally joining Charlotte was her best pal and Celebrity Big Brother star Sam Giffen, who she is seldom seen without. The handsome star looked suave in a black blazer with a pocket square and matching tie.

Former TOWIE star Abi Clarke joined Charlotte in the less-is-more approach as she wore an extremely revealing pink coord comprising of wide leg trousers and a bandeau top.

The stunning star flashed the spoils of her newly forged career as a nutritionist, as she showed off her extremely slender physique.

Stepping out fresh from the headlines was Jacqui Ryland who has been caught in the midst of the Pete Wicks sexting scandal in which he messaged other girls behind his girlfriend Megan McKenna's back.

Hold me close! Charlotte greeted Abi fondly proving the reality world truly falls into one

Defiant: Stepping out fresh from the headlines was Jacqui Ryland who has been caught in the midst of the Pete Wicks sexting scandal in which he messaged other girls behind his girlfriend Megan McKenna's back

Cheeky! The mother-of-three wowed in an entirely sheer gown with perilous splits extending the length of her legs up to her bikini line

Upsetting stuff: Just days before Charlotte's birthday festivities, Jacqui told MailOnline she received death threats in the wake of the scandal, with cruel trolls lashing out at her and insisting she does not deserve to have children

The mother-of-three wowed in an entirely sheer gown with perilous splits extending the length of her legs up to her bikini line.

Just days before Charlotte's birthday festivities, Jacqui told MailOnline she received death threats in the wake of the scandal, with cruel trolls lashing out at her and insisting she does not deserve to have children.

Another superstar arrival at the bash was Calum Best who departed the party with a stunning mystery brunette who appeared keen not to be recognised.

Hunky: Another superstar arrival at the bash was Calum Best who departed the party with a stunning mystery brunette who appeared keen not to be recognised

Peace out! Calum's date for the night was keen not to be seen
He recently revealed he was to become a father for the second time.

And Benedict Cumberbatch has now been confirmed as the host for Saturday Night Live alongside Solange Knowles.

The Sherlock actor, 40, will present the variety show on November 5th alongside the 30-year-old songstress.

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Busy man: Benedict Cumberbatch has been confirmed as the host for Saturday Night Live alongside Solange Knowles

SNL will be taking the last week of October off, having just completed a rare run of four consecutive episodes as opposed to their usual two- or three-week stretches.

And the sister of Beyonce, mother-of-one Solange, will be joining the Doctor Strange star.

This will be the duo's first appearance on the show.

Glam duo: The Sherlock actor, 40, will present the variety show on November 5th alongside the 30-year-old songstress

Meanwhile Benedict looked dapper a he appeared at the glitzy Hollywood premiere for his new Marvel superhero movie Doctor Strange last week.

But on Friday Benedict Cumberbatch was much more low-key as he arrived solo at a charity fundraiser at LA's Pacific Design Center.

The British actor was without his gorgeous wife Sophie Hunter who had been on his arm 24 hours earlier as the couple confirmed they're expecting their second child together.

Father figure: Benedict walked the red carpet solo at a charity fundraiser in West Hollywood on Friday night 24 hours after confirming he's going to be a dad again

The Sherlock star was dapper in a bespoke three-piece suit and open-neck white shirt.

He showcased a hint of designer stubble at the gala benefiting the GEANCO Foundation that helps those in need in Africa.

Despite his hectic schedule, Benedict seemed relaxed although no doubt his mind was on his pregnant wife at home with their 16-month old son Christopher.

For a good cause: The English thespian was dapper in a bespoke three-piece suit with an open-neck white short at the benefit raising money for those in need in Africa

Plenty to celebrate: The delighted star, who has been busy promoiting his new movie Doctor Strange in Los Angeles this week, is already dad to 16-month-old son Christopher

Benedict and Sophie, 38, were married on Valentine's Day 2015, just four months before the birth of their first child.

Benedict has previously said he hoped to add to his brood, joking he might 'go for a (Cumber)batch of boys.'

And it looks like he's on his way to making his wish a reality as Sophie is expecting again.

Expecting: On Thursday, his gorgeous wife Sophie, 38, had been at his side for the glitzy Hollywood premiere of Doctor Strange, masking her baby bump in a strapless black ball gown

Doctor Strange is something of a departure for the thespian who's played Hamlet on stage in London and is often cast in more cerebral roles such as codebreaker Alan Turing in the Imitation Game.

Benedict stars in the comic books movie as brilliant surgeon Stephen Strange who is injured in an accident.

He is then trained by the Ancient One, played by Tilda Swinton, in the magical arts which he then uses to take on the evil Kaecilius, who is played by Hannibal star Mads Mikkelsen.

In an interview with The Guardian Benedict admitted that Doctor Strange wasn't a comic book hero he'd been familiar with before he took on the movie.

'I wasnt familiar with Doctor Strangeas a child, not at all,' he told the newspaper.

Before explaining: 'So its been a fast catch-up. But like all comics in their origination, theyre very much tied into the era that they were born in, and so, you know, this one came about in an era of psychedelics and experimental drugs.'
She made headlines following the revelation that Pete Wicks had been sexting her behind Megan McKenna's back.

And further controversy could be on the cards amid claims the busty brunette is poised to join the cast of The Only Way Is Essex.

Jacqui, 30, is hotly tipped to become the latest addition to the long-running show following her recent sexting scandal with the tattooed lothario.

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Sheer sass: Jacqui Ryland put all the drama behind her on Saturday night, as she headed for a wild night out in London

A source told The Sun Online: ' ITV bosses are keen to get Jacqui on the show after the sexting drama proved a hit with viewers and saw its highest rated episode for over three series.

'Bosses are keen to tap into the continued interest in the story line, its real raw emotion and lives involved that has had viewers on the edges of their seats and Towie fans want more.'

However, a TOWIE a spokesperson has since dismissed the claim, telling MailOnline: 'There are absolutely no plans for her to appear.'

Cheeky: Ensuring that everyone was talking about her dress, and not THOSE texts, the 30-year-old hit up Cafe de Paris in a seriously skimpy sheer dress

Jacqui put all the drama behind her on Saturday night as she headed for a wild night out in London.

Ensuring that everyone was talking about her dress, and not THOSE texts, the brunette up Cafe de Paris in a seriously skimpy sheer dress.

Jacqui, who previously enjoyed a relationship with TOWIE hunk Pete, was in high spirits as she left the famous cabaret club in Soho.

Opting for a racy approach to her wardrobe for the evening, the model chose to flaunt her figure to the max in a barely there dress.

Choosing a sheer sparkling number from Oh Polly, which featured symmetrical thigh-high slashes and a low-cut neckline, she certainly ensured all eyes would be on her.

Daring to bare: Opting for a racy approach to her wardrobe for the evening, the model chose to flaunt her figure to the max in a barely there dress

Thigh's the limit: She chose a sheer sparkling number from Oh Polly, which featured symmetrical thigh-high slashes and a low-cut neckline

Keeping her modesty in-tact, the raven-haired professional poser wore a black bra and matching high-waisted knickers.

She rounded off her look with a pair of strappy black Kurt Geiger heels, which only served to accentuate her exposed legs.

Making sure she didn't detract from her overall look, Jacqui only chose to accessorise her look with a Yves Saint Laurent handbag.

Wearing her long black hair loose, she allowed her long black tresses to tumble down her back.

Clearly having a grand time, Jacqui and a pal played up outside the club - with their horseplay resulting in the model flashing her pert derriere.

Tough times: Jacqui's fun night out came just 24 hours after Megan McKenna admitted she was struggling with the fall out from her split

Her fun night out came just 24 hours after Megan admitted she was struggling with the fall out from her split.

The 24-year-old appears to be struggling in the aftermath of her split from Pete after the tattooed reality star sent saucy texts to his ex behind her back.

The starlet posted a number of Snapchat posts on Friday night in which she looked emotional and claimed she was unable to sleep.

Addressing her fans, a forlorn looking Megan said: 'F***ing hell. I need to go to bed, but I just can't sleep lately.

'No joke, I haven't been able to sleep until 4am, and then I literally wake up and feel jet-lagged where I have had no sleep.

'I don't know whether to get something for it. I feel like I need to go to the shop and buy some Kalms.'

Feeling better? Megan has since posed for a picture looking glamorous in a billowing black robe

Reality star: Megan's love-life troubles are being played out for all to see on TOWIE

Megan appeared to be sitting alone in a dimly-lit room while watching TV.

She continued her monologue, adding: 'I don't know why, but I'm actually feeling my messy side fringe right now. I'm just gonna bore you guys with a million Snapchats in a monotone voice and the same look

'I actually genuinely feel sick from where I'm so f***ing tired, but I just don't know what it is at the moment I just cant f***ing sleep.'

The 24-year-old beauty recently 're-grammed' three videos chronicling her rage row in Celebrity Big Brother over a lack of food supplied to the house before looking back on her shock fight with EastEnders star John Partridge.

Sleepy: Megan appeared to be sitting alone in a dimly-lit room while watching TV

Casting her mind back to her rage was perhaps a reflection of her current emotional state after her boyfriend Pete's texting antics.

Megan was the fourth housemate to depart the 17th series of the fly-on-the-wall Channel 5 show and during her stint she received a formal warning from bosses over her aggressive behaviour.

After calling fellow housemate Tiffany Pollard a 'ghetto c**t' she was accused of racism leading to a now-infamous snapshot of her face contorted with rage in the diary room going viral.

Two of the clips shared by the raging star saw her relive her spectacular kick-off when she ranted and raved in extraordinary fashion about being served up a basic meal of Smash and Spam.
They've been married for 14 years and Dame Joan Collins and her husband Percy Gibson looked very loved up when they headed out on a date night on Saturday.

Joan, 83, looked the epitome of Hollywood glamour as she wore a little black dress and keeping warm with a fur jacket.

She wore a stunning pair of black court shoes which had a glittering embellishment on the front.

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Holding hands: Dame Joan Collins, 83, puts on a romantic display on her way to Chiltern Firehouse with her husband Percy Gibson, 50, on Saturday night

And she added some colour to her ensemble, opting for a slick of her trademark ruby red lipstick.

Percy, 50, looked rather dashing in his checked blue suit which he wore under a camel coat.

He teamed it with a matching scarf and smart shoes as he smiled broadly while leading Joan down the street.

Still got it: She put on a magical display wearing a black fur jacket over a classic LBD for the night out

The outing comes after Joan did her bit to raise money for a leading children's charity.

The actress and author gave more than 150 pieces from her wardrobe to the Shooting Star Chase charity shop in Guildford, with prices ranging from 5 to 1,000.

The hospice's patron generous contributions include a prized Chanel bag, Manolo Blahnik shoes and an Alexander McQueen bracelet - and are expected to raise a staggering 10,000.

Karen Sugarman, Director of Fundraising at Shooting Star Chase, said:

'It was a pleasure to welcome Dame Joan to Christopher's and such a thrill to see the delight on the families' faces as they enjoyed a meal with a Hollywood superstar.

'Dame Joan has been a fantastic supporter of Shooting Star Chase for many years now and is always keen to show her support.
She was left devastated to discover his heartbreaking betrayal.

Yet Megan McKenna looks as though she may be on the path to forgiveness as she was spotted arriving at Champneys Health Resort with her estranged boyfriend Pete Wicks on Friday.

The 23-year-old TOWIE stunner appears to be weakening her resolve as the tattooed hunk, 27, pleads with her to move on from the sexting scandal which saw him messaging a bevvy of women behind her back.

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Get together: Megan McKenna looks as though she may be on the path to forgiveness as she was spotted arriving at Champneys health spa with her estranged boyfriend Pete Wicks on Friday

Both Megan and Pete looked downcast as they arrived at the luxury health spa seemingly ready to take a break and reassess the intricacies of their fractious relationship.

Potentially aiming to show the hunk what he's missing, the stunner wore a baby blue coat with a chic white jumper underneath - looking stunning for the meet.

She clutched a Celine handbag while her hair and make-up were perfectly styled with her tresses pulled into a half beehive while the rest cascaded over her shoulders.

Brooding Pete awaited his girlfriend's arrival anxiously as he sat in front of a fountain looking handsome in an aviator jacket with sunglasses in place.

Regrets? The 23-year-old TOWIE stunner appears to be weakening her resolve as the tattooed hunk, 27, pleads with her to move on from the sexting scandal which saw him messaging a bevvy of women behind her back

Nervous: She clutched a Celine handbag while her hair and make-up were perfectly styled with her tresses pulled into a half beehive while the rest cascaded over her shoulders

Cross words? Potentially aiming to show the hunk what he's missing, the stunner wore a baby blue coat with a chic white jumper underneath - looking stunning for the meet

The couple's convoluted love story has been at the centre of TOWIE's 18th series.

And Pete's bid for his ex-girlfriend's forgiveness continues to play out on Sunday night's episode of the ITVBe show as he seeks out the stunner during her pampering session at co-star Chloe Sims' beauty salon.

He left her heartbroken when he was caught texting a bevvy of other women including his ex-girlfriend Jacqui Ryland behind Megan's back - leading to their catastrophic split.

Saddened: The couple's convoluted love story has been at the centre of TOWIE's 18th series

Forgive me please? Pete's bid for his ex-girlfriend's forgiveness continues to play out on Sunday night's episode of the ITVBe show as he seeks out the stunner during her pampering session at co-star Chloe Sims' beauty salon

During TOWIE's annual pilgrimage to Marbella earlier in the series, Megan made the heartbreaking discovery that her boyfriend had been sending lewd messages to his former flames.

Following an almighty showdown on a Spanish beach, the reality beauty returned to her native county and has been an emotional state ever since, after Pete was seen begging for her forgiveness once again.

After the tattooed hunk headed to seek advice and forgiveness from Megan's mum, her entire family have been dragged into the action and heavily featured on the show.

Not fair: He left her heartbroken when he was caught texting a bevvy of other women including his ex-girlfriend Jacqui Ryland behind Megan's back - leading to their catastrophic split

Support: After the tattooed hunk headed to seek advice and forgiveness from Megan's mum, her entire family have been dragged into the action and heavily featured on the show

Proving how tight knit the group are, on Sunday night Megan is seen seeking advice from mum Tanya as well as her dad Dave and sister Milly.

Peeking out from beneath her post-breakup new fringe, the former Ex On The Beach appears desperate for guidance over the romance which remains in a state of limbo while Pete urges her for forgiveness.

Later in the show as Megan chats away to Chloe in her beauty bar, Pete makes a surprise entry where he prepares to make a declaration to her - which appears to go down well as she gives her first smile in days.

Considering things: Peeking out from beneath her post-breakup new fringe, the former Ex On The Beach appears desperate for guidance over the romance which remains in a state of limbo while Pete urges her for forgiveness
She won the hearts of the nation after appearing on The Bachelor earlier this year.

And on Sunday, Nikki Gogan happily put her TV past behind her as she returned to the horse racing track.

In a snap posted to Instagram, the 28-year-old beamed with happiness as she stunned in a baby pink dress, which featured a plunging neckline.

Putting her past behind her: Nikki Gogan beamed with happiness on Sunday as she dressed in a baby pink plunging ensemble during a day out at the local horse races

The flattering ensemble hugged tightly around the beauty's torso before flaring outwards towards the knees.

She wore her blonde locks in an up-do while accessorising with a mesh headpiece, which covered a portion of her nude makeup face.

Nikki captioned the photo: 'THIS excited for #northamcupday #springracing #giddyup'.

Precious: The 28-year-old also shared an image of herself cuddling up to her sister Dani and father while out at the races

Moments later, she shared an image of herself cuddling up to her sister Dani and father.

'My team #fullheart #family,' she simply wrote alongside the family portrait.

Days earlier, Nikki again proved her BFF credentials in a heart-warming snap with her friend's daughter Frankie during a recent trip to Tasmania.

The beauty was a vision of motherhood as she held her best pal's baby in her arms while feeding her a bottle and smiling for the camera.

'Proud aunty': Days earlier, Nikki again proved her BFF credentials in a heart-warming snap with her friend's daughter Frankie during a recent trip to Tasmania

The blonde beauty appeared in happy spirits for the Instagram photo, which she captioned: 'Missing this little poppet and her gorgeous Mumma.'

Nikki added: 'And her Daddy and the rest of the Tassie crew! How lucky I am to have so many little people that I adore so so much both near and far.'

The Bachelor runner-up also added the hash tags, 'Proud aunty', 'Baby whisperer', and 'Frankie Rose'.

In the comments, her friend Kelly responded: 'We are the lucky ones! Heart bursting with love for this.'

Rise to the top: Nikki rose to prominence after her appearance in season four of the Bachelor, where she competed against 25 other girls to win Richie Strahan's heart

Nikki rose to prominence after her appearance in season four of the Bachelor, where she competed against 25 other girls to win Richie Strahan's heart.

The Perth real estate agent was sadly rejected after making it to the final two when Richie chose single mother Alex Nation to be his girlfriend.

Nikki made a teary exit from the Bachelor admitting last month that she was 'still raw' from the experience - although appears to be making strides to move on.
They've been the picture of young love's dream since late 2010.

And Pixie Lott continued to look loved up as she enjoyed a date night with her model boyfriend Oliver Cheshire on Saturday.

The stunning songstress, 25, arrived at Albert's nightclub with her beau of six years, 28, wearing a racy sheer top.

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Going strong: Pixie Lott continued to look loved up as she enjoyed a date night with her model boyfriend Oliver Cheshire on Saturday, flashing a hint of her bra

Showcasing her long lean legs in a pair of tight leather-effect leggings, she showed off her bra under a transparent navy top with frill sleeves.

Elongating her frame in red sandals, the blonde beauty wore her bob in a stylish crimped style.

And workng bold brows and statement eyeliner, she showed off her natural beauty.

Loved-up: The stunning songstress, 25, arrived at Albert's nightclub with her beau of six years, 28, wearing a racy sheer top

Oliver looked dashing in checked trousers, a blazer coat and a black poloneck.

Smiling at cameras as they left the venue to get into their waiting car, the duo put on a cheery appearance.

On Thursday night Pixie and Oliver looked every inch the power couple as they attended the Tatler Little Black Book party for Polo Ralph Lauren at Restaurant Ours.

Date night! Smiling at cameras as they left the venue to get into their waiting car, the duo put on a cheery appearance

Flaunting their stylish ensembles, Pixie, wowed the fashion police in her leg flashing tuxedo inspired playsuit that perfectly displayed her natural golden glow.

Not shy flaunting her toned hourglass figure, the Mama 'Do hitmaker sizzled in the plunging number that highlighted her ample cleavage and teased at a touch of sideboob.

Boasting wide lapels and a neckline slashed to under her bust, the blonde bombshell paraded her honed pins in the thigh-grazing romper which feature stylish pockets.

The fashionista injected some height into her already statuesque frame with a pair of strappy black velvet heels that hinted at her kooky neon green pedicure.

Style stars: Pixie and Oliver complemented each other in matching black looks the Tatler Little Black Book party with Polo Ralph Lauren on Thursday night

Keeping her look demure, Pixie opted to draped a short gold chained handbag over her shoulder as she placed simple diamond studs in her ears.

Styling her golden locks in a centre parting, Pixie teased her glossy tresses into a bouncy curl as her hazel coloured peepers commanded attention as she worked a dramatic smokey eye.

The fashion darling appeared loved-up more than ever with her model beau as they posed for a number of pictures with Oliver's arm draped across her.

Cutting a dapper figure, Oliver looked suave in a pinstriped three-piece black suit beside his leading lady.

Adding to his sharp look, the London native paired his look with a crisp white shirt, pocket square and patent leather Chelsea boot.

Oliver exhibited his chiseled jawline to the fullest as he perfectly coiffed his sandy locks over to one side.

Recently returning from their break away in Ibiza earlier this month, the two exuded a healthy complexion as they stepped out for the glitzy event before hitting up exclusive members club Albert's after the bash.

Pixie and Oliver have been dating since late 2010, but the pair have no plans to take their relationship to the next level yet.

All smiles: Recently returning from their break away in Ibiza, the two exuded a healthy complexion as they stepped out for the glitzy event.

Speaking to Notion magazine last year, she said: 'Honestly, people are obsessed with it! I don't know, I always get asked "when are you getting married?"

'As soon as I started going out with Oliver I was asked it, and I still get asked in it every interview.

'I don't know why that is, maybe it's just something that people want to hear about, I don't know. I think male celebrities probably don't get asked it as much.'
They jetted to Disneyland in California last week, just days after announcing their engagement.

And on Sunday, AFL star Kieren Jack arrived in New York City with his new fiancee Charlotte Goodlet.

To mark their arrival in the Big Apple, the sportsman posed in the centre of Times Square, alongside the famous 'naked cowboy'.

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Holiday time: AFL star Kieren Jack posed in the centre of Times Square, alongside the famous 'naked cowboy' on Sunday as he and his new fiancee Charlotte Goodlet arrived in New York

In a picture posted to Instagram, the 29-year-old showed off a wide smile as he rugged up in a trendy grey trench coat and faded denim jeans.

Charlotte wrote alongside the stereotypical post: 'My handsome as hell fiancee and a naked cowboy #ooft #timessquare #nyc #newyork.'

Two days earlier, the pair relived their childhoods as they visited Disneyland.

On the move: Two days earlier, the pair relived their childhoods as they visited Disneyland

The newly-engaged couple wrapped their arms tightly around each other as they posed for a photo in front of the iconic princess castle.

While Kieren opted for a casual outfit of shorts and T-shirt, Charlotte slipped into a black and white dress as she accessorised with a pair of Mini Mouse ears.

Before heading to the 'happiest place on earth' the Channel Nine producer showed off her love towards food as she tucked down a box of 'sushi nachos' from her hotel bed.

What IS that? Before heading to the 'happiest place on earth', Charlotte showed off her love towards food as she tucked down a box of 'sushi nachos' from her hotel bed

Dressed in a robe and sitting on the white sheets, the blonde beauty beamed down at her strange evening cuisine, which appeared to consist of corn chips and raw fish.

'Sushi nachos in bed. God bless America,' she captioned the image.

The former beauty queen's delight comes after what appeared to be a very luxurious flight, where the pair enjoyed champagne in first class.

The couple were engaged in Sydney's Centennial Park, and it is believed the couple's bulldog Nelson was involved in the process.

Flying high! The couple jetted off to the United States last Tuesday for what Charlotte jokingly dubbed an 'engagementmoon'

Kieren and Charlotte both shared happy photos from their social media accounts of themselves and Nelson.

The engagement comes in the middle of what is reported to be an ongoing feud between Kieren and his parents over his relationship with the former model.

It is understood the disagreement became public when free accommodation and tickets for Kieren's 200th AFL game were offered to Charlotte's parents instead of his own.
She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer around the same time her daughter Georgia Love was approached to star on The Bachelorette.

And in a sad turn of events, Belinda Love has now been admitted to palliative care, just days before season two of the reality series is set to wrap up.

Network Ten told The Daily Telegraph in a statement: 'Georgia and her family are going through a very difficult time with seriously family health issues.'

'They're going through a very difficult time:' Georgia Love's mother Belinda has been admitted to palliative care for pancreatic cancer just days before The Bachelorette finale

It's currently unclear whether or not Georgia, 28, will continue with previously scheduled media commitments for The Bachelorette finale as she supports her mother's battle against the 'aggressive' cancer.

Belinda appeared on the first episode of the dating competition in a touching scene that saw Georgia discussing her journey to find love.

Georgia - who gave up her journalism job for the show - said to Belinda how she wanted to find a love like her mother and father share.

Unclear: It's unclear whether or not Georgia will continue with previously scheduled media commitments for the finale as she supports her mother's battle against the 'aggressive' cancer

'I'm doing this because I realise that family and love is what is important at the end of the day,' Georgia said to the camera.

She then said to her mother: 'I think, especially with everything you're going through at the moment, and have been going through, I've seen what it's like to be, you know, loved.'

'Seeing how Dad has been with you has made me realise how important family is, and having loved ones, that that's what I want.'

On camera: Belinda appeared on the season premiere of The Bachelorette, where her battle with cancer was briefly mentioned

Health battle: Her mother went to the doctor suffering abdominal pain and a 'massive tumour' was discovered

Belinda was receiving chemotherapy while Georgia filmed season two of the popular reality series.

Speaking to the Herald Sun in September, Georgia said: 'It has been particularly hard for me, having been away filming, to then come back and see her 10 weeks into chemo, but she is being very positive.'

Her mother went to the doctor suffering abdominal pain and a 'massive tumour' was discovered.

Her motivation: Georgia previously revealed to TV Week that her mother's cancer battle inspired her to go on the show

She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at the same time Georgia was approached to be The Bachelorette.

'The fact it was all happening at the same time made me decide "yes, I want to do this"... It puts it into perspective how important family and love are.'

The Bachelorette finale will air Thursday 7:30pm on Channel Ten.
He's the father of two of America's top models, Bella and Gigi Hadid.

And Mohamed Hadid continued to be in good company as he stepped out with Shiva Safai in Hollywood on Saturday.

The millionaire real estate developer, 67, looked in good spirits as he arrived at seafood hotspot Catch LA with his 30-year-old fiancee who flaunted her eye-catching diamond ring.

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Loved up: Mohamed Hadid continued to be in good company as he stepped out with Shiva Safai in Hollywood on Saturday, as she showed off her engagement ring

The beauty company founder showed off her blinging piece of jewellery, as she stepped out in an elegant black shift dress.

Cinched in at the waist to showcase her slender midriff, the LBD featured a wrap skirt which showcased her toned and tanned pins.

Teaming it with a pair of lace courts shoes and carrying a black clutch, she oozed understated elegance.

Blinging! The millionaire real estate developer, 67, looked in good spirits as he arrived at seafood hotspot Catch LA with his 30-year-old fiancee who flaunted her eye-catching diamond ring

Eye-catching: The beauty company founder showed off her blinging piece of jewellery, as she stepped out in an elegant black shift dress

With her glossy chestnut mane perfectly blow-dried, the Iranian-born beauty added a touch of highlighter and eyeshadow to accentuate her pretty face.

Mohamed looked stylish in a leather blazer and white T-shirt.

Completing his ensemble with chinos, loafers and black rimmed glasses, the Palestinian-American businessman looked quite the silver fox.

Understated: With her glossy chestnut mane perfectly blow-dried, the Iranian-born beauty added a touch of highlighter and eyeshadow to accentuate her pretty face

Mohamed was married to Gigi and Bella's mother Yolanda Foster from 1994 to 2000, but they remained on good terms following their divorce, with the property tycoon introducing the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star to current husband David Foster.

Meanwhile Gigi Hadid has declared that her latest feature in the December issue of Vogue Japan is her number one.

'One of my favorite cover stories!' the 21-year-old supermodel captioned a photo of herself flashing a pair of skimpy briefs.

The publication also created a video of the statuesque beauty that they posted to their Instagram account which has already received nearly 32,000 views.

'Don't miss the special movie of the fashion story PRINCESS GIGI from our December issue,' they wrote alongside the black and white clip.

Silver fox: Mohamed looked stylish in a leather blazer and white T-shirt and completed his ensemble with chinos, loafers and black rimmed glasses

Flawless! Gigi's cover story in the December issue of Vogue Japan will be out in stores on October 28

And while Gigi proclaimed Vogue Japan was her top cover story, it was likely a difficult choice as she's stunned on of all her others including the U.S., Spain, Australia, Brazil, the Netherlands, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, China, as well as Teen Vogue.

The older sister of model Bella Hadid also made sure to thank the publication, with styling by Anna Dello Russo, along with celebrity fashion photography duo Luigi and Iango.

Gigi's flawless cover in the December issue of Vogue Japan will be out in stores on October 28.
The international model launched a successful wine brand in late 2014 with her designer husband Dan Single.

And Bambi Northwood-Blyth bared a lot of skin when she teased a playsuit from the high profile couple's new pyjama range.

The black cotton outfit featured a plunging neckline and a very short bottom half, leaving much of the model's bronzed skin exposed.

Alien! Bambi posted a sultry selfie to Instagram on Sunday to flaunt a playsuit from her and her husband Dan Single's new pyjama range

Bambi's cleavage was left exposed by the Boudoir Playsuit, which was worn loosely as the model pottered around the house.

Her honeycomb locks fell in messy waves down to her shoulders, and the 25-year-old rocked a smokey eye for the sultry selfie.

The outfit is described as 'easy to get out of when needed' on the label's website.

Cheers! The model was not shy about baring some skin to promote her PJame range. She wore a Boudoir playsuit, which retails for $169

The 25-year-old appeared to have played around with filtering effects for the photo, as a strange ethereal light surrounded the model and blurred part of her arm.

She captioned the image: 'Sunday nights in "p_jame post movie date... Cafe Society I wanna find you'.

It's the second business venture for Bambi and Dan, who launched their second bottle in their wine range late last year.

Not just pretty faces! The pyjama range is the second business venture from Bambi and her husband Dan Single - the pair also have a successful wine range

They launched the brand with a bottle of rose, and moved to a sparkling wine in November.

At the Bondi launch for their second bottle, Bambi told the Daily Telegraph the couple weren't finished with the brand yet.

'We're going to fulfil the family. It's creating our ultimate flavour  this is our ultimate sparkling, that was our ultimate rose. Next is an ultimate white and an ultimate red,' she said.
He's spending their 17th wedding anniversary in prison.

But despite being behind bars, Joe Giudice managed to mark the special day on Sunday.

Wife Teresa was utterly surprised on Sunday when she received two bouquets of flowers from Joe. The businessman is currently in the midst of his nearly three-and-a-half year prison sentence for committing fraud.

'Pretty Amazing!': Teresa Giudice, 44, was utterly surprised on Sunday when she received two bouquets of flowers from husband Joe

In an Instagram snap, a large bouquet, featuring an estimate of two dozen roses, sat in vase on an entrance table.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey star couldn't contain her joy as she gushed over her husband's sweet gesture.

'What a surprise got these beautiful roses from Joe for our Anniversary today October 23, 1999,' began the reality star.

'I spent 17 years married with man that I know my whole life pretty amazing adore and love him.  '

Happy wife: The Real Housewives of New Jersey star couldn't contain her joy as she gushed over her husband's sweet gesture. She is pictured on October 15 in Conneticut

'I also just got more flowers': Joe gifted his wife a smaller, more intimate bouquet which Teresa shared in a separate Instagram post

But Joe wasn't done yet.

The 44-year-old gifted his wife a smaller, more intimate bouquet of flowers, which Teresa shared in a separate Instagram post.

Aside from their wedding anniversary over the weekend, the reality mum had another reason to celebrate.

Daughter Gabriella turned twelve. The pre-teen had a birthday party with a balloon display of her name and two cakes marking her age.

Festivities: Aside from their wedding anniversary over the weekend, the reality mum had another reason to celebrate

'love you': Daughter Gabriella turned twelve. The pre-teen had a birthday party with a balloon display of her name and two cakes marking her age

Despite being away at the Federal Correction Institution in Fort Dix, Joe still managed to celebrate his wedding vows and make his wife's day.

Prior to his incarceration, Teresa herself served a nearly one year sentence for her involvement in the couples' 41 charges of fraud.

In an interview with Us Weekly, Teresa acknowledged her family's visitation with her husband, as well as an update on his well-being.

'We try to see him every weekend,' she said, and noted that he is 'doing well.'
Lesley Joseph has been voted off Strictly Come Dancing after losing to Daisy Lowe in the dreaded dance off.

The 71-year-old actress found herself in the bottom two after scoring a lowly 24 points for her Tango to Whatever Lola Wants with Anton Du Beke.

But it was a surprise that she faced model Daisy - who had scored a healthy 32 points on Saturday's show - proving the public vote can be cruel.

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Gone: Lesley Joseph has been voted off Strictly Come Dancing after losing to Daisy Lowe in the dreaded dance off

After Daisy, 27, and Aljaz Skorjanec danced their Charleston to Happy Feet by Manhattan Rhythm Kings, the judges unanimously voted to save her.

Craig Revel Horwood explained his choice: 'I love both couples for completely different reasons. But for me tonight, for precision, for an improved performance in this particular Dance Off, and finishing on time, the couple I would like to save is Daisy and Aljaz.'

Unlucky: Lesley Joseph failed to impress the judges with her Tango to the Gotan Project version of Whatever Lola Wants

Happy days: Model Daisy Lowe made it through to the next round

Improving: Daisy Lowe and Aljaz impressed with a Charleston to Happy Feet by Manhattan Rhythm Kings

Spooky: The pair began in darkness so that only their white gloves and shoes were visible

Darcey Bussell made the same choice: 'Again this is very difficult, I wouldn't want these two couples here at all, and to choose between them is very difficult. But the couple I would like to save on their cleanness and the quality of their dance that stood out to me is Daisy and Aljaz.'

Bruno Tonolini said: 'Well I love both of these girls for many different reasons. They're gorgeous look at them. But I have to really choose the stronger dance on every aspect  technique and performance. And for that reason I am choosing to save Daisy and Aljaz.'

And Head Judge Len Goodman agreed with his colleagues, saying: 'I did agree. I would have saved Daisy and Aljaz.'

Seeing red: Lesley was in bottom two and looked very disappointed when it was announced

Joy: Danny Mac made it though to the next round and was delighted

Disbelief: Anastacia was given a new lease of life with her new partner Gorka

Delight: Louise Redknapp - who used to be a judge on the BBC's So You Think You Can Dance - was chuffed to make it through

How have we done that? Greg couldn't believe he got through after his poor performance

Relief: Ore Oduba was very grateful to be heading to next week

When asked by Tess what her highlight had been, Lesley said; 'Learning a new dance every week has just been lovely, working with him (Anton) has been an absolute joy and we've laughed a lot. And yeah it's been just a lovely lovely lovely journey and it's come to an end and that's absolutely fine. We've loved it.

An emotional Anton said: 'I would just like to say thank you very much, you enriched my whole Strictly experience this year. Dancing with you has been an absolute joy. You pushed me, I don't know about me pushing you, you pushed me to try and be more creative and make the numbers better and that's just down to you and you're just an absolute joy. And I love you dearly.'

Larking around: Head judge Len got involved in the opening dance

Frantic: The opening dance got the audience in the mood

Having a blast! The professional dancers were out in full force to open the show

Up she goes: It was a rather impressive routine that the pro dancers had prepared

In character: Craig Revel Horwood played appeared to play himself in the 1920s-themed dance

Sneering: He jokingly turned his nose up at the dancer scrubbing his shoes

Fun and games: Tess and Claudia joined in with the fun at the start of the show

Sunday's Results show also featured a performance from LeAnn Rimes singing her new song How To Kiss A Boy.

Next week spiders, witches, broomsticks and ghosts return to the Strictly ballroom for the Fright Night Halloween special - the spookiest event in the Strictly Come Dancing calendar.

The remaining ten couples will take to the dancefloor once more next week when Strictly Come Dancing returns on Saturday 29 October at 6.45pm with the results show on Sunday 30 October at 7.15pm on BBC One.

Proving their worth: Even the judges had the chance to let their hair down

Saved: Ed Balls was voted through to the next round despite coming bottom of the leaderboard

Look away Yvette! Ed embraced his dance partner Katya when they found out they were through

Scared about next week: Ed was scared by his partner who wore a scary mask in the back of his car

Impressive: Sunday's Results show also featured a performance from LeAnn Rimes singing her new song How To Kiss A Boy
They're the gorgeous couple with a picture-perfect family.

But according to Woman's Day, 33-year-old Chris Hemsworth's marriage to Spanish actress Elsa Pataky is on the verge of breakdown, with the pair spending time apart.

'They've decided they need space, and they've been taking a little break from each other,' claimed the magazine's source.

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Say it isn't so! Woman's Day magazine has claimed Chris Hemsworth and his wife Elsa Pataky are 'taking a little break from each other' amidst marriage troubles

Elsa, 40, jetted off to her native Spain last month along with the couple's children - India, four, and two-year-old twins Tristan and Sasha - to spend time with friends while Chris was in Brisbane and the Gold Coast filming his new Thor movie.

But the trip raised eyebrows with the pair's friends, with the source adding: 'He's [Chris] away again in November, so you might think Elsa would want to be there to spend every moment with him, not go away without him.'

The report adds that Elsa's absence during Chris' recent outing at the AFL grand final game with his brother Liam and their parents Craig and Leonie fueled speculation of trouble in paradise.

Time out: Elsa, 40, was recently spotted enjoying a break in her native Spain without her husband, fuelling the magazine's reports of trouble in paradise

Boys' day out: Chris meanwhile, was spotted partying with his brother Liam and friends at the recent AFL grand final, where his wife was absent

Meanwhile, the Fast & Furious actress has been leaning on her brother Cristian Prieto for support.

The petite blonde recently shared a sibling snap via Instagram, captioning it: 'I smile because you are my BROTHER, I laugh because there is nothing you can do about it!'

Furthermore, Woman's Day's source adds Chris' rushed decision to settle down and marry when he was 27 could be part of the reason for the couple's 'issues'.

The Thor star wasted no time putting the rumours to rest, sharing a snap of the happy couple along with a tongue-in-cheek statement.

Spring break! The Fast & Furious actress appeared to have a wonderful time visiting friends back in her home town

Family support: According to the magazine, Elsa has been leaning on her brother Cristian Prieto during the tough time

'Looking for a new wife according to @womansdayaus and other misleading outlets! Honey you still love me right?! @elsapatakyconfidential #thanksfortheheadsup (sic),' Chris shared alongside a photo of him and Elsa enjoying a cruise on Monday.

Also, a glance at the couple's social media accounts show there's nothing but love between the genetically-blessed couple.

Elsa and Chris recently spent a kids-free break away at Hamilton Island's exclusive Qualia resort, where they flaunted their romance in postcard-worthy Instagram photos.

The actress melted hearts when she shared a snap of her handsome husband falling asleep during a flight with two of their children in his arms.

What split? Meanwhile, all other evidence suggests Chris and Elsa's marriage is rock solid, with the couple still gushing about each other on Instagram

'Nothing better than sleeping in papa's arms!' Elsa wrote alongside the sweet family photo.

Chris and Elsa met in early 2010 and married shortly after in December that year.

They welcomed their daughter India in 2012 and their twin sons later in 2014.

The family now live in Byron Bay on the New South Wales North Coast after relocating from Los Angeles.

Family man: Elsa recently melted hearts after sharing a photo of her handsome husband falling asleep on the plane with their children in his arms
James Packer's ex-fiancee Kate Fischer has posed for a lingerie photo shoot in the latest issue of New Idea magazine.

The 42-year-old former model was proud to show of her plus-size figure in response to unflattering images published by Woman's Day recently.

Kate, now living in Melbourne as Tziporah Malkah, also revealed she wanted to 'inspire other women' by flaunting her curves.

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Read all about it! James Packer's ex-fiancee Kate Fischer, now living as Tziporah Malkah, has posed for a lingerie photo shoot in New Idea. Pictured: bottom right

T'ziporah's shoot was inspired by plus-size women posing in a vintage Vogue Italia that she shared on Facebook recently.

'I'd posted them to remind followers how beautiful a plus-sized woman can be,' T'ziporah said, adding she wasn't 'condoning being overly fat' or 'underweight' and that people should strive to be healthy.

The media personality - who now works in aged care as a therapist- also spoke about moving to Los Angeles for 15 years after splitting with James in 1998, after five years together.

'James cast a long shadow, even from that distance,' T'ziporah said.

Confident: Now living in Melbourne, she revealed she wanted to 'inspire other women' by flaunting her curves (seen recently near her home)

'He cast a long shadow': The brunette also spoke about moving to Los Angeles for 15 years after splitting with James in 1998, after five years together (seen in March 1998)

Her side of the story: She clarified James gifted her a few hundred thousand dollars after their split and she kept the $2 million property they once shared before selling it (seen in 2006)

The brunette - who also told the publication she is single - said she had to deal with 'false rumours' about her and their relationship break down for years.

'Once I was at the supermarket when someone yelled out "nice job, getting 10 million bucks for lying on your back, Kate!"

She clarified James gifted her a few hundred thousand dollars after their split and she kept the $2 million property they once shared before selling it.

But she said the money didn't go far in the US thanks to the weak Australian dollar.

She said she wants to eventually move to Israel to live and finds life 'more rewarding now.'

A new chapter: She said she wants to eventually move to Israel to live and finds life 'more rewarding now'

New perspective: She said she wants to eventually move to Israel to live and finds life 'more rewarding now' (seen L in 2006 and R, recently)

Earlier this month, she mocked recent articles on Facebook that spoke about her and James' relationship and joked James is an 'attention wh**e' and will do anything to be associated with her and stay in the press.

'James Packer will do ANYTHING to continue to be associated with me!,' T'ziporah wrote.

'And who can blame him? The whole world knows that I'm the most interesting thing that had and will ever happen to him.

'Attention wh**e that he is,' she concluded.

Speaking up! Earlier this month, she mocked recent articles on Facebook that spoke about her and James' relationship and joked James is an 'attention wh**e'

Change of lifestyle: The comments come after T'zipora exclusively told Daily Mail Australia that she's happy with the new life she leads, one that is completely out of the spotlight (seen in 2000)

'I know I'm overweight but I'm comfortable with that': The former model - who admitted to putting on weight in recent years - is also happy with her new figure

The comments come after T'zipora exclusively told Daily Mail Australia that she's happy with the new life she leads, one that is completely out of the spotlight.

The former model - who admitted to putting on weight in recent years - is also happy with her new figure, saying: 'I know I'm overweight but I'm comfortable with that.'

T'ziporah cut a very casual figure in black baggy clothes as she was spotted recently outside her Melbourne home in the wealthy suburb of Toorak.

The actress however looked barely recognisable from her days in the spotlight, where she was known for her glamorous lifestyle and for being the arm candy of billionaire James.

Back in the day: The actress however looked barely recognisable from her days in the spotlight, where she was known for her glamorous lifestyle (seen with Portia De Rossi and Elle Macpherson in 1994)

She now works as a therapist and has embraced orthodox Judaism.

T'ziporah also recently shared a Facebook post talking about her new life as T'ziporah.

She said she wants people to stop calling her Kate and that news of her weight gain in recent years was getting 'old.'

'Kate got fat! Kate got fat! Kate got fat is older news than Moses,' she said, before adding: 'And anyway that's not my legal name anymore.'

James is now engaged to American singer Mariah Carey.
Here Comes Honey Boo Boo's Kaitlyn Cardwell has had surgery to remove an extra thumb from her right hand.

TMZ reported Saturday that four-year-old Kaitlyn Cardwell is recovering and healthy following the procedure.

Kaitlyn's mother Anna Cardwell, who is the daughter of June Shannon, explained to the website that the surgery was done to preventing teasing and to avoid a future medical issue.

Recovering: Kaitlyn Cardwell, four, has had surgery to remove an extra thumb from her right hand

The website added that Kaitlyn will now wear a cast for the next six months.

Kaitlyn's mother Anna previously revealed that her daughter would be entering surgery on October 18.

The reality star wrote in a Facebook post: 'Well today is this the day my baby girls surgery for her thumb in less than 4 and half hours we have to be at the hospital and me to go in mommy mode and stress worrying if everything is going to be okay which I know it will just everyone pray everything goes smooth.'

Kaitlyn's thumb was addressed on her family's now-cancelled reality show, Here Comes Honey Boo Boo.

Close look: On a 2014 episode of Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, Kaitlyn's second thumb was seen in an X-ray

Protective: Kaitlyn's mother Anna Cardwell, pictured in 2014, told her Facebook followers on October 18 that she would be entering 'mommy mode' as she took her daughter to the hospital for surgery

In an episode that aired in 2014, Mama June accompanied Anna and Kaitlyn to a doctor's appointment as they discussed surgically removing the thumb.

Anna decided not to take the doctor's advice to have the thumb removed right away.

'I want to wait a year first,' she said, citing concerns about paralysis and problems with anesthesia.

Weighing their options: In an episode that aired in 2014, Mama June accompanied Anna and Kaitlyn to a doctor's appointment as they discussed removing the thumbg

The decision did not come easily for the teenager.

'Its hard being a mother,' she sobbed as she weighed up her options.

'I'm worried people are gonna start picking on her if I dont get it removed,' she said.

Anna welcomed her second child, daughter Kylee Madison, last year.

The child was her first with her husband Michael Cardwell, who she married in Georgia in 2014.

Proud grandma: June Shannon, pictured in New York in 2013, is Kaitlyn's grandmother
He broke the hearts of Poldark fans everywhere when he was recently spotted kissing a brunette beauty from Sweden.

And now Aidan Turner appears to have found a strikingly similar new love interest.

The 33-year-old hunk was recently spotted enjoying a lunch with a glamorous mystery brunette, who is thought to be a British artist who has worked with Banksy, dated Sienna Miller's ex and was previously linked to Robert Pattinson.

Heartbreaker: Aidan Turner appears to have found a new love interest

It is believed the mystery woman is 28-year-old pencil artist Nettie Wakefield, who has worked alongside top artists such as Banksy and Damian Hirst.

The stunning Londoner previously dated Tom Sturridge - a British actor who has a daughter with Sienna Miller - and has also been linked to Twilight star Robert Pattinson.

Earlier this month, she posted a picture of Turner in her studio, sitting over one of her pieces of work, with the caption: 'Arrived at my studio today to find a strange man correcting my mistakes #creep.'

Smooching away! The couple appeared enamoured at a lunch in London

Sweet nothings: The woman appeared to whisper in Aidan's ear as he held his cigarette

Weeks later, the 33-year-old actor spotted enjoying a boozy lunch at a club in Mayfair, London, where he spent time drinking wine, smoking and slow dancing on the pavement with a woman believed to be Ms Wakefield.

A fellow diner at the club said they were 'all over each other'.

'They didn't order a bottle but were downing white wine by the glass. They seemed to be besotted with each other,' they said.

Aidan could not keep his hands off the beauty as they drank white wine and smoked outside an club in west London.

Nettie Wakefield (left and right) is believed to be the mystery brunette who was spotted kissing Aidan Turner outside a London club

The artist posted a picture of him earlier this month which showed him pretending to work on one of her sketches, with the caption: 'Arrived at my studio to find a strange man correcting my mistakes'

Keeping things casual in black jeans and a T shirt combined with leather boots, Aidan looked smitten as the woman perched on his lap.

She, too, opted for a relaxed ensemble, donning tights and a skirt as she let her long locks flow over her shoulders, accessorising with earrings and a dangling necklace.

It comes after the Irishman was last month spotted kissing Swedish advertising executive Tara Derakshan while out in the West End.

Aidan and his latest flame spent all afternoon and went on into the evening smoking, drinking, and kissing and slow dancing on the pavement outside the club.

Love's a game: The 33-year-old hunk was recently spotted enjoying a lunch with a glamorous mystery brunette

A fellow diner at the club said: 'I couldn't believe it was him. They didn't have much to eat, just a starter.

'They were all over each other in the restaurant. They didn't order a bottle but were downing white wine by the glass. They seemed to be besotted with each other.'

Aidan, who was in a relationship with actress Sarah Greene for five years, recently hinted he would like to go out with someone outside the acting world, saying dating someone in the same profession can be 'dull and taxing'.

Touchy-feely: Aidan could not keep his hands off the beauty as they drank white wine and smoked outside an club in west London

Relaxed: He kept things casual in black jeans and a T shirt combined with leather boots

Chilled: She opted for a relaxed ensemble, donning tights and a skirt as she let her long locks flow over her shoulders

Passionate: The mystery brunette closed her eyes as she smooched

New love: Aidan had his hands all over the woman, as he caressed her hips

Sunday night's episode of Poldark caused a stir as the BBC came under fire for what some campaigners viewed as a rape scene.

Ross Poldark turns up unannounced at the house of his former fiancee Elizabeth, played by Heida Reed.

He kicks in the door and demands that she cancels her wedding to his enemy George Warleggan.

She ignores what he says and instead asks him to leave, prompting him to take her face in his hands and forcefully kiss her.

Close: The pair were right up against one another as they enjoyed a tender moment

Don't mind if you do: Aidan was happy to let the brunette perch on his lap as he gazed into her eyes

Happy man: Aidan appeared delighted as he smiled wile holding his new love

When she pushes him away and insists she loves George, he forces another kiss on her before looking at the bed.

Elizabeth tells Poldark: 'You will not dare. You will not dare.' He replies: 'I would Elizabeth. I would and so will you.'

The lead character then pushes her on to the bed and she appears to finally give in to him.

The BBC insists that the scene shows consensual sex  but it has angered rape campaigners, legal experts and MPs.

Smitten: The beauty accessorised with earrings and a dangling necklace as she brushed Aidan's lips

Back in September: Aidan Turner was kissing Tara Derakshan in London on September 2

Prominent anti-rape campaigner Julie Bindel said there was no doubt in her mind that the scene depicted a rape. Ms Bindel, who has served as a Home Office expert, said: 'We are seeing rape. It's wholly irresponsible.'

And leading criminal barrister Matthew Scott said: 'It is rape. If I saw that in evidence on CCTV from a hotel room I would convict him.'

Sarah Green, co-director at charity End Violence Against Women, said: 'It is definitely portrayed very much as a rape.

'The female character says 'no' and there are also non-verbal signs. She is moving away from him and pulling away from him. There is lots of stuff that is ambiguous.'

Controversy: Sunday night's episode of Poldark caused a stir as the BBC came under fire for what some campaigners viewed as a rape scene
Poldark

Rating:

One question left millions of viewers aghast and horrified, as the credits rolled on BBC1s Sunday night costume drama, Poldark  was that rape?

The answer is Yes: what else could it be called?

The small screens most popular romantic hero in years, Captain Ross Poldark (Aidan Turner), has squandered the adoration of countless fans as he committed the one crime we never thought him capable of doing.

Murder, yes  weve seen that in his eyes. Violent assaults, smuggling, perjury are commonplace to him. Poldark is a man of uncontrolled passions, and that is much of his attraction.

The BBC has created anger among Poldark fans who say the scene shown above, where Poldark goes to Elizabeth, is rape

Elizabeth refuses his advances three times before the pair have sex. Aidan Turner insisted the scene shows consensual sex

But rape... to most people it is the most repellent and unforgivable of all crimes, and today more than ever the emphasis is on consent before sexual intercourse.

Nobody who watched the brutal encounter in Elizabeth Poldarks bedroom could have been under the illusion that she consented to sex with her dead husbands cousin. She goaded him, she provoked him, but she never gave the smallest sign of permission.

More pertinently, the scene was shown in such unflinching and provocative detail that many viewers will be left wondering whether the BBC deliberately chose to sex up the action. Incensed by the news that widow Elizabeth (Heida Reid) was to marry George Warleggan, his mortal enemy, Ross had galloped by moonlight to her mansion. He hammered on the oak doors and bellowed her name  all typical behaviour for our hot-headed Captain.

Even as he kicked the door down and took the stairs three at a time, no viewer could have foreseen what followed... unless, of course, they had read the saga by Winston Graham that inspired the series.

Hints weeks ago from inside the production suggested that the scene, taken from 1953s fourth Poldark book Warleggan, had been watered down. Heida Reid said she had demanded changes, to ensure Ross seduced her character without compelling her into sex.

Aidan Turner was emphatic: It is consensual, he said.

In fact, the scene broadcast last night did differ from the book. It was more graphic and violent than anything the author depicted, and went on much longer, in more explicit sexual detail.

Christopher Stevens insists the scene, above, is far more graphic than the novel it is taken from depicts it

Although she begins with refusal, the scene ends with her appearing to be content in the moment, with the only defence for Poldark being 'he understood her wishes'

Bosses at the BBC will find it difficult to refute the charge that they deliberately infused a violent sexual attack with erotic overtones, making rape look raunchy.

The scene begins with a furious row: Ross barges into Elizabeths bedroom and accuses her of planning to marry for money. The implication is that she is prepared to prostitute herself. Elizabeth angrily retorts that she is marrying to protect her young son, and then stares mockingly into his face. Can you offer me anything else? she taunts.

Seizing her head, Ross forces her to kiss him. She struggles for several seconds before managing to push him away. He kisses her again, gripping her arms behind her back, to demonstrate that she cannot stop him. Ross! she exclaims. Hateful! Horrible! I detest you! You would not dare!

Oh I would, Elizabeth, he snarls, and so would you. In the book, the scene continues, He lifted her in his arms and carried her to the bed. And there the chapter ends.

On screen, the action continues for another 20 seconds, as Ross pushes her on to the four-poster bed and pins her down. Elizabeths hands claw at his sides as he pulls up her dress. Then her body language begins to change: she clutches at his head and responds to his kisses, before starting to moan as his lips touch her neck.

In the last moments of the scene, her eyes are closed, her head flung back, her neck arched in ecstasy.

The only interpretation that allows the Captain to retain any claim to decency is that Elizabeth desired to be ravished, and that he understood her wishes even though her words were telling him the opposite.

She wanted it really: that would be the weakest defence possible in court. Hardly any better would be his plea that she had been flirting with him for months. You dont have to be a feminist firebrand to feel that a little teasing over the dinner table is not an automatic invitation to aggressive sex.

However different morals were 220 years ago, never in history has it been acceptable for a man to kick his way into the bedroom of a female friend who trusts him, and physically impel her into sex. The BBC has taken a scene from a book that had at least a wisp of ambiguity, and turned it beyond any shadow of doubt into shameless rape.
US expects record Latino vote, but will it be decisive?

Record numbers of Latinos have registered to vote this year, giving them unprecedented power to influence the US presidential election on November 8. But will they actually vote?

Pundits have long described the Latino vote as a "sleeping giant" because turnout in the community has historically been low.

With the polarizing figure of Donald Trump on the ballot this year, however, that may finally change.

Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton (L) and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump shake hands after speaking during the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner at Waldorf Astoria October 20, 2016 in New York, New York Brendan Smialowski (AFP)

The Republican presidential candidate opened his campaign denigrating Mexican immigrants as drug dealers, criminals and rapists, allowing that only "some, I assume, are good people."

He later vowed to deport the 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the country -- overwhelmingly of Latino origin -- and build a wall on the US border with Mexico.

In his final televised debate with his rival on Wednesday, Democrat Hillary Clinton, he warned about "some bad hombres here," unleashing a flood of Internet outrage and mocking memes.

Still, Trump does have some Latino support. In a recent Pew Research Center survey, 19 percent of respondents said they plan to vote for bombastic real estate billionaire. Clinton has the lion's share of support, however, with 58 percent.

"This year, we will have a record number of Hispanic voters -- there are four million new voters," Pew's director of Hispanic research, Mark Hugo Lopez, said.

"But will there be a 'Trump effect,' in that more voters will cast ballots against the candidate?" he added. "We don't know yet."

- Taco trucks on 'every corner' -

Latino voters have a strong presence in three of the seven swing states in this election cycle: Arizona (22 percent), Florida (18 percent) and Nevada (17 percent).

But more than half -- 52 percent -- live in solidly Democratic states such as California and New York, or solidly Republican states like Texas.

Therefore "it's not probable that the Latino vote will be decisive," Lopez said.

Among the minority of Trump supporters, Marco Gutierrez -- founder of the Latinos For Trump group -- enjoyed his 15 minutes of fame when he warned in a TV interview that without Trump's border wall, there will be "taco trucks on every corner."

The resulting firestorm and online mockery led the Trump campaign to ask him to not make his support official, the 42 year-old Mexican American activist told AFP, speaking from his California home.

In the New York City neighborhood of Jackson Heights, where the aroma of tortillas, cilantro and roast meat wafts onto the sidewalks, taco vendors are humored and thrilled by the idea.

"A taco truck on every corner? I sure hope for it!" said Delfino Sanchez, 58, who works at the Taqueria Coatzingo.

Mexican-born Araceli Dacoepien Damian, who sells tacos from a street cart, believes Trump is clueless.

"Trump doesn't have any idea how much Mexicans suffer in our country, with no work and miserable pay," said Damian, 23.

"Here, we work 12, 14 hours to survive, just to maintain the family that we left behind," said Araceli, mother of an infant boy.

- Which Latinos support Trump? -

Latino Trump supporters are most likely to be US-born men who speak English, have some college education and are Protestant Evangelicals, according to the Pew poll.

Many approve of the former reality TV star's hard line against the leftist regimes in Cuba and Venezuela.

"I'm not a racist," Gutierrez said. "Immigrants can come, but legally. I support Trump because of the experience he has that would help the economy."

The irony is that Gutierrez was an undocumented immigrant himself before he became a US citizen in 2003.

Another Trump supporter, Denise Galvez -- a Miami-born Cuban-American who co-founded the group "Latinas for Trump" -- says she likes what she sees as the candidate's independent streak.

"He's not a politician, he hasn't been bought," said Galvez, 41, who describes herself on Twitter as a "PR and marketing gal."

Trump is "a businessman, and they know how to use common sense more than politicians to make difficult decisions," she said.

Her support has withstood Trump's history of lewd remarks, boasts about groping women, and accusations against him of sexual assault.

"The way to keep the good immigrants who want to work, you first have to kick out the criminals," she said.

Barbara Cueto, co-founder of the Facebook group "Hispanic Christians 4 Trump," believes there is racism against Trump "because he's white."

Trump "is the only pro-life candidate," said Cueto, who lives in the border city of El Paso, Texas. "And we don't want open borders. First of all, we're Americans."

Such support for Trump, Pew's Lopez believes, reflects the Latino community's diversity.

"Not everyone is an immigrant and not everyone is Mexican."

Among the minority of Trump supporters, Marco Gutierrez -- founder of the Latinos For Trump group -- enjoyed his 15 minutes of fame when he warned in a TV interview that without Trump's border wall, there will be "taco trucks on every corner" Laura Bonilla Cal (AFP/File)
Pentagon chief urges 'isolation operation' for IS-held Raqa

US defence chief Ashton Carter said Sunday that an operation to isolate the Islamic State group in Syria's Raqa should begin in conjunction with the assault on the jihadists' Iraqi bastion Mosul.

"We want to see an isolation operation begin around Raqa as soon as possible," Carter said during a visit to Iraq's autonomous region of Kurdistan to review an ongoing offensive to retake Mosul from IS.

"We are working with our partners there (in Syria) to do that," the US secretary of defence said, adding: "There will be some simultaneity to these two operations."

US Secretary of Defence Ashton Carter (C) said the idea of simultaneous operations against Mosul and Raqa "has been part of our planning for quite a while" Adem Altan (AFP/File)

Iraqi forces launched a huge operation last week to retake Mosul, the last major city in Iraq under IS control.

The United States leads a 60-nation coalition that has provided key support in the form of thousands of air strikes, training to Iraqi forces and advisers on the ground.

The loss of Mosul would leave Raqa -- the de facto capital of the jihadists' self-declared "caliphate" -- the only major city still under IS control.

Carter said the idea of simultaneous operations against Mosul and Raqa "has been part of our planning for quite a while".

He also said that destroying IS's external operations capabilities was "our highest priority".

"We are getting better and better and better at that.

"Mosul will help us with that, even as all the other territories we have taken."

The gathering of more intelligence information would also provide "new opportunities to attack external plotters", Carter said.

In Iraq, the coalition is allied with both federal forces and Kurdish peshmerga fighters in the Mosul battle.

But in Syria, the issue of which ground forces would be involved in an operation to retake Raqa would be far more complicated.

The United States has given support to Syrian rebels and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces who have battled IS.

But President Bashar al-Assad's forces, backed by Russia and Iran, are also fighting the jihadists.
Burundi police arrest US reporter, local journalist

Burundi police said Sunday they had briefly arrested an American freelance journalist along with a local reporter working with her, who was still being held.

Police spokesman Pierre Nkurikiye said on his Twitter timeline that journalist Julia Steers and Gildas Yihundimpundu were arrested on suspicion of "trying to destroy evidence of crimes by insurgents."

Steers, who had official accreditation, was released, but her colleague was still being interrogated and her driver detained.

Burundi's government has silenced independent journalists at home and regularly lashes out at the international media, accusing the press of being part of a "conspiracy" to overthrow it

"Many thanks for concerns -- I'm safe but remain extremely concerned for my Burundian colleague Gildas Yihundimpundu and our driver Pascal," Steers tweeted after her release.

The pair are the latest in a long line of journalists arrested by Burundi authorities in a crackdown on the media since a crisis prompted by President Pierre Nkurunziza's disputed run for a third term in office in April 2015.

Marked by assassinations on both sides, attacks against the police and summary executions, the violence has left more than 500 people dead and forced more than 270,000 Burundians to flee the country, according to the UN.

Burundi's government has silenced independent journalists at home and regularly lashes out at the international media, accusing the press of being part of a "conspiracy" to overthrow it.

The US-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) estimates 100 journalists have been forced into exile since the violence erupted.

The CPJ this week urged Burundi's national intelligence service to release radio journalist Salvador Nahimana, detained since October 2.
Turkey PM says its artillery hits IS positions in Iraq's Bashiqa

Turkish artillery has hit jihadist positions in the northern Iraqi town of Bashiqa near Mosul after Kurdish Peshmerga forces asked for support, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said in televised comments Sunday.

"They (Peshmerga) asked for help from our soldiers at Bashiqa base. We are providing support with artillery, tanks and howitzers," Yildirim told reporters in western Turkey.

At the base, Ankara says some 700 Turkish soldiers are training Iraqi fighters to help remove the Islamic State group from the country.

Smoke billows from an area near the Iraqi town of Bashiqa, some 25 kilometres north east of Mosul, during a Kurdish operation against the Islamic State (IS) on October 20, 2016, three days before Turkish forces say they hit IS targets nearby Safin Hamed (AFP/File)

It has been a week since Iraqi forces and Kurdish Peshmerga, supported by the US-led coalition, began a major offensive to recapture Mosul, Iraq's second biggest city, from IS.

Meanwhile, Turkey's presence in the country has caused a war of words between Ankara and Baghdad. Earlier this month President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi to "know your place".

Tensions heightened after the Iraqi government referred to the Turkish soldiers as an "occupying force" in the first week of October and have continued to escalate. Abadi said Saturday that Baghdad did not need help from Turkey to liberate Mosul.

Yildirim said Tuesday that Turkish jets joined in the coalition's air operations during the long-awaited offensive. Erdogan has insisted that it is "out of the question" for Turkey not to be involved in the Mosul operation in some way.
Iraq booze ban sparks political backlash

Secular Iraqis woke up feeling hungover on Sunday, after a surprise parliament vote they claim is unconstitutional and shows that dominant religious parties have their priorities wrong.

An article banning the sale, import and production of alcohol was slipped into a draft on municipalities and caught the anti-ban camp flat-footed on Saturday.

The scores of small alcohol shops in central Baghdad were already closed because of the holy Muslim month of Muharram, and now their owners and employees are fuming.

Iraqi parliament voted to ban the sale of alcohol, which could leave some liquor stores like this one permanently closed and their operators worried about jobs Sabah Arar (AFP)

"We don't have another job -- our families will lose their income," said Maytham, who owns a shop selling all kinds of locally produced and imported beers, wines and spirits in Baghdad's central Karrada district.

"We don't know if they will allow us to open our shops. How will these families live?" he asked, standing next to his small store's closed metal door.

Saturday's vote also angered several politicians who claim that the law violates an article in the constitution that guarantees the freedom of religious minorities.

The vote's supporters say that the very same constitution prevents any law contradicting Islam, however.

With Iraq involved in an offensive to retake the city of Mosul from the Islamic State jihadist group, its biggest military operation in years, one politician argued that the law sent the wrong message.

"This is a victory for the ideology of Daesh (IS)," said Haidar al-Mullah, a politician from the Al-Arabiya alliance.

"At a time when all the efforts of the Iraqi people are focused on fighting Daesh terrorists, a team of Islamist politicians in parliament gifted Daesh a victory," he said.

"They are suppressing other beliefs, violating the freedom to practise other traditions and turning their backs on the constitution," Mullah told AFP.

- Black market -

Alcohol is rarely offered in restaurants and hotels in Iraq, but consumption is relatively widespread, especially in Baghdad.

Iraq also has companies that produce various types of alcohol, such as Farida beer or Asriya arak (a regional anise-flavoured spirit).

Yonadam Kanna, a leading Christian politician, was furious after the vote on Saturday and went on television to condemn it and also to vow to challenge it in a federal court.

Many Iraqis also took to social media to ridicule their lawmakers.

On his Facebook page, Hussein al-Ameri replied to Mahmud al-Hassan, one of the MPs who took credit for the passing of the law, and "congratulated" him.

"Yes, that was one of the most important laws to focus on after eradicating unemployment, terrorism, corruption and terrorism," he wrote.

In a jab at parliament, which has a reputation for being one of the hubs of corruption in the country, another Facebook user, Hammoudi Mohammed asked: "Drinking is un-Islamic but stealing is OK?"

In Baghdad's Bataween neighbourhood, one of the capital's oldest districts now best known for prostitution and crime, Saad Amir shook his head as he rested against the cart from which he sells food on the street.

"Drinking is better than turning to drugs... There seems to be a decision to wreck this country. Parliament should review this decision," he said.

Kanna also predicted that a ban on alcohol, if enforced, would lead to a rise in drug abuse, which is already a growing problem in areas such as Basra, where alcohol is harder to find than in Baghdad.

Maysoun al-Damaluji, another member of parliament, was appalled.

"What bankruptcy! Not only was this law passed without a proper vote count, the article was sneaked into a law on another issue and the only people it will serve are those running the black market," she said.
French foreign minister calls for end to Aleppo 'massacre'

France's foreign minister urged the international community to "do everything" to end the "massacre" in the Syrian city of Aleppo on Sunday after fighting resumed following a 72-hour truce declared by Damascus ally Russia.

Speaking in the southeastern province of Gaziantep, Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said: "We're 150 km (93 miles) -- perhaps no further -- from Aleppo. And right now bombing, artillery continue to destroy this city and massacre the population."

For Syrian refugees to have the chance to return to their country, "we must do everything to stop this massacre" and resume negotiations to reach a political agreement.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault (C) met with Syrian refugees in southeastern Turkey, during a trip in which he indirectly warned Russia against vetoing a UN resolution condeming the use of chemical weapons in Syria Ozan Kose (AFP)

"We cannot come to a negotiation under the bombs... The total war solution is not a solution," Ayrault added as the city was again hit by air strikes and heavy clashes overnight, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Ayrault said the urgency must be to stop the bombing and provide access to humanitarian aid for the first time since July 7.

Outgoing UN chief Ban Ki-moon has said food rations will run out by the end of the month in Aleppo, where 500 people have been killed since the regime last month launched an operation to recapture eastern Aleppo.

During a visit later to a refugee camp in Nizip, southeastern Turkey, the minister reiterated a demand for a UN Security Council resolution condemning the use of chemical weapons in Syria and "sanctions" against the perpetrators.

"We hope that this resolution is not hampered by the use of the veto. If that were the case, it would be a form of complicity with what is happening ... in Syria," he said, indirectly addressing Russia.

Ayrault had called for a UN resolution on Saturday after UN experts said in a report that the Syrian army had attacked a village with chemical weapons last year.

Moscow is one of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's strongest backers, providing military support to the regime.

The French minister will meet with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu in the capital Ankara on Monday to discuss both Syria and the battle against the Islamic State (IS) group, French officials told AFP.

He will also discuss migration and Iraq, where a major offensive began last week to clear IS from Mosul, the country's second biggest city.
Pictures have emerged of coffins containing the bodies of migrants being unloaded from an oil platform supply ship in the Sicilian harbour of Palermo.

The bodies of 17 migrants who had died from suffocation, dehydration, hypothermia or simple exhaustion were unloaded from the Siem Pilot on Monday.

The Siem Pilot, a vessel built as an oil platform supply ship but now used by the EU border force Frontex in its Mediterranean rescue operations, was part of an operation that saw 1,000 migrants rescued from the coast of Libya, including traumatized children and toddlers.

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A coffin containing the body of a migrant is disembarked from the Norwegian vessel Siem Pilot in the Sicilian harbour of Palermo

A doctor holds a baby as they disembark from the Siem Pilot

The Siem Pilot is a vessel built as an oil platform supply ship but is now used by the EU border force Frontex in its Mediterranean rescue operations

A small child disembarks from the Siem Pilot, clutching a cuddly toy

A young migrant clutching a toy giraffe walks down Siem Pilot's gangplank

Pal Erik Teigen, a Norwegian police officer in command of operations on the Siem Pilot, said that the night's operation was complicated by the arrival of aggressive people smugglers determined to recover their dinghies.

He told AFP: 'For us, when we do the rescue, the most important thing is to rescue the people first. And then we could try to catch or take hold of the facilitators (smugglers). Their boat headed away once we began sailing for Palermo with 1,093 people on board.

'To have so many people on the boat is difficult. But those on the boat are taken good care of. They get blankets, they get food and they get water. We have a doctor and nurses and we have a medical room to use when necessary.'

Staff members prepare coffins to be used to contain the bodies of the dead migrants

Pal Erik Teigen, a Norwegian police officer in command of operations on the Siem Pilot, said that the night's operation was complicated by the arrival of aggressive people smugglers determined to recover their dinghies

During the night, a baby boy was also born, prematurely at 1.25 kg (2.75 pounds), and later taken ashore on the Italian island of Lampedusa.

'That was the first time we have had a baby born on the Siem Pilot,' said Teigen.

Teigen explained that he had had to make a tough call on Saturday  to sail away from desperate migrants in the water in order to safeguard the lives of others.

The drama began at around 8 pm, 20 nautical miles off Libya, as rescuers were transferring migrants onto the Siem Pilot.

The migrants were being transferred from a tanker with over 900 people on board, said Teigen.

At around 3 am, the crew spotted a number of dark rubber boats coming towards the Siem Pilot.

'We followed them with the search lights and as the sun rose, we saw a total of 12 rubber boats,' he said.

The Norwegian military ship Siem Pilot, shown in 2015, brought more than 1,000 rescued migrants from 20 nautical miles off the coast of Libya to Palermo, Italy

Some of the more distant migrants were rescued by other military or civilian boats, including medical charity Doctors Without Borders' Dignity 1, whose crew could do nothing for some 10 people who fell into the sea before it arrived.

'We had four (rubber dinghies) close to the Siem Pilot. We transferred some of (the people on) them to the Siem Pilot until we reached the limit of capacity,' Teigen said, adding that everyone was given a life vest and that if anybody had been in imminent danger they could have been taken on board immediately.

But then one of the dinghies began to motor towards the Siem Pilot.

Following instructions from the crew, the boat stopped a little way off, but then the people on board began jumping into the water.

It was then that Teigen took the decision to sail away, confident that 'everybody had their life vest, so we knew they would float'.

'The main reason to move the Siem Pilot was to keep the other people inside the boat,' said Teigen, adding that this also gave room for other small craft to go to the migrants' rescue.

'The small (rescue) boats picked up the 24 (people) that had jumped into the water and took them over to the tanker. We stabilised the situation and everything was quiet after that and nobody drowned,' he said.

The rescue came as Belgium's Queen Mathilde arrived in Jordan to begin a humanitarian visit.

The rescue came as Belgium's Queen Mathilde (pictured) arrived in Jordan to begin a humanitarian visit

The monarch, 43, began her trip to the Middle East by visiting Jordan's biggest refugee camp Al Zaatari in Mafraq near the Syrian border, which is home to 80,000 people.

Mathilde smiled warmly as an elderly woman attempted to kiss her hand, despite wearing an oxygen mask as she spoke to patients at the UNICEF Makani Centre.

She arrived in the Middle East last night, and told a journalist on her flight that she was expecting the next seven days to be 'emotional and intense'.

The royal is a UN Special Advocate for the Sustainable Development Goals and today's visit coincided with United Nations Day.
Top ANC official calls for S.Africa's Zuma to resign

A senior official of South Africa's ruling party on Sunday urged its leadership to resign, including President Jacob Zuma, following divisions over charges faced by finance minister Pravin Gordhan.

Jackson Mthembu who is the African National Congress (ANC) chief whip in parliament said the party's poor performance in August local polls, factionalism and the recent fraud charges against Gordhan had motivated his decision.

"When I said the entire ANC leadership... I meant everybody, myself included, (and) President Zuma," Mthembu told eNCA television news channel.

South African President Jacob Zuma, shown in September 2016, is among the leaders of the African National Congress who chief parliamental whip Jackson Mthembu called "worse than the apartheid regime" Rodger Bosch (AFP/File)

Mthembu condemned Gordhan's prosecution, claiming the charges were politically motivated and raised questions about the direction in which the former liberation party was headed.

"In my view a minister is being pursued for political reasons and then charged with fraud," he said.

Gordhan will appear in court on November 2.

The charges against him date back to his time as head of the country's tax collection body.

He stands accused of acting corruptly in authorising the early retirement of one of his senior employees who was later reinstated in his job.

Gordhan has on several occasions spoken out against corruption in government, and also stood up to Zuma and alleged corrupt associates linked to the presidency.

Mthembu accused the ANC leadership of being "worse than the apartheid regime" saying "the apartheid regime never pursued its ministers the way we are pursuing Pravin Gordhan".

Gordhan's plight has sparked division among the ANC with top leaders such as deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa as well as several other ministers voicing support for him.
Clinton turns focus to down-ballot candidates in final days

PHILADELPHIA (AP)  Hillary Clinton is expanding her focus in the final days of the presidential race, seeking to help down-ballot congressional candidates.

In Pittsburgh on Saturday, Clinton assailed incumbent Republican Sen. Pat Toomey, saying he had failed to "stand up" to Donald Trump in the face of his comments about Mexican immigrants and a Muslim-American military family. She also noted that Trump had "said terrible things about women" and "spread the lie that our first black president wasn't born in America."

"If he doesn't have the courage to stand up to Donald Trump after all of this, then can you be sure that he will stand up for you when it counts?" Clinton said of Toomey.

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and vice presidential candidate Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va. arrive at a campaign event at Dunning-Cohen Champions Field, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Toomey is locked in a tight race with Democratic challenger Katie McGinty. Clinton called McGinty "exactly the kind of senator that Pittsburgh and western Pennsylvania needs."

The attacks on Toomey were a new effort from the presidential nominee, who has largely focused her fire on Trump. Clinton did note that some Republicans have had the "grits and the guts" to push back against Trump.

Toomey spokesman Ted Kwong said the Clinton comments show how McGinty would not be an independent voice in the Senate.

"Today is just further proof that hyper-partisan, ethically challenged Katie McGinty will be a rubber stamp for everything Hillary Clinton wants to do in Washington," he said. "Pat Toomey has been, and will continue to be, an independent leader in the Senate on issues ranging from gun safety to ending Wall Street bailouts."
Namaste: Women defend wearing yoga pants in peaceful parade

BARRINGTON, R.I. (AP)  Hundreds of women, girls and other supporters proudly donned their yoga pants Sunday as they peacefully paraded around the Rhode Island neighborhood of a man who derided the attire as tacky and ridiculous.

Alan Sorrentino said the response to his letter to the editor, printed in The Barrington Times on Wednesday, has been "vicious" and that he's received death threats. He maintained the letter was meant to be humorous.

But organizers said even if Sorrentino's letter was meant to be a joke, the message is clear.

People march for "yoga pants parade" in Barrington, R.I., Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. Hundreds of women, girls and other supporters proudly donned their yoga pants Sunday afternoon as they peacefully paraded around the Rhode Island neighborhood of a man who derided the attire as tacky and ridiculous. (Kris Craig/Providence Journal via AP)

"Women are fed up with the notion that we have to dress for people's visual pleasure," said Jamie Burke, parade organizer.

The so-called yoga pants parade wasn't a protest against Sorrentino specifically but part of a bigger movement against misogyny and men dictating how women should dress, organizers said.

More than 300 people  many of them women and young girls  came out for the social media-driven event in the affluent, coastal town of Barrington, wearing yoga pants of different styles and colors.

Some held up signs that said "Peaceful Pants Party" and "I've Got Passion For My Pants."

Participants also collected personal hygiene items for the Sojourner House, a local domestic violence organization. Marchers ended with a group yoga session.

Sorrentino, in his letter, described yoga pants as the worst thing in women's fashion since the miniskirt. He argued that they belong in the yoga studio and that women over age 20 shouldn't wear them in public.

One parade-walker, clad in bright red yoga pants, held a sign that read: "I'm 53."

Sorrentino told WPRO-AM the letter was meant to be a humorous break from the current political campaign rhetoric and that he doesn't really have an issue with yoga pants. He says he even owns a pair.

Sorrentino likened the death threats and expletive-laden voicemails he says he's received to what he's experienced for years as an openly gay man.

"It's vicious and intimidating," he said Saturday on WPRO-AM. "The fact that this is seen as an appropriate reaction to something I wrote in the paper is really disgusting."

On Sunday, a police detail was posted in front of Sorrentino's home, which had a hand-written banner saying "Free Speech" hanging over it. Burke said she advised participants to respect a quiet zone by his home. A call to Sorrentino on Sunday went unanswered.
Dean Mumm cited for foul play after Bledisloe Cup test

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP)  Australia backrower Dean Mumm will face a judicial hearing after being cited for striking New Zealand lock Brodie Retallick in an off-the-ball incident in Saturday's Bledisloe Cup test.

The citing commissioner found the incident, which was not seen by referee Nigel Owens, met the red card threshold necessary for further disciplinary action.
Little known group says it's behind Egypt officer's killing

CAIRO (AP)  A little known Egyptian group has claimed responsibility for the killing of a senior Egyptian army officer outside his suburban Cairo home.

The claim came in a statement by the "Banner of the Revolution" posted late Saturday on social media accounts known to be sympathetic to militant groups. The claim's authenticity could not be immediately verified.

Brig-Gen. Adel Ragai was the commander of the army 9th armored division headquartered in the sprawling military base of Dahshour west of Cairo. He had recently served in the northern part of the Sinai Peninsula, where security forces have been fighting Islamic militants for years.

The statement said Ragai's driver and security guard were injured in the Saturday attack, which Egyptian media reported had been carried out by three masked gunmen.

The statement claimed the attack was in part in revenge for the killing earlier this month by security forces of Mohammed Kamal, a senior official of the now-banned Muslim Brotherhood.

The only other attack for which Banner of the Revolution claimed responsibility was an August shooting at a checkpoint in Menoufiya province north of Cairo which left two policemen dead and wounded three policemen and two civilians.

Hours after the attack on Ragai, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi conferred with his prime minister, the defense and interior ministers and intelligence chief to review the security situation, according to a presidential statement. It said el-Sissi urged authorities to beef up security at vital installations, but gave no details.

Before the statement, suspicion fell on the local affiliate of the extremist Islamic State group leading the fight against security forces in Sinai and Hasm, or "Decisiveness," a shadowy group suspected of links to the Muslim Brotherhood. Hasm has claimed responsibility in recent weeks for attacks in Cairo, including a shooting against the country's former mufti, or chief Muslim theologian, and a car bomb against the chief prosecutor's deputy. Both escaped unhurt.
Space station accepts 1st Virginia delivery in 2 years

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP)  The International Space Station received its first shipment from Virginia in more than two years Sunday following a sensational nighttime launch observed 250 miles up and down the East Coast.

Orbital ATK's cargo ship pulled up at the space station bearing 5,000 pounds of food, equipment and research.

"What a beautiful vehicle," said Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi, who used the station's big robot arm to grab the vessel. The capture occurred as the spacecraft soared 250 miles above Kyrgyzstan; Onishi likened it to the last 195 meters of a marathon.

This photo provided by NASA TV shows the Cygnus resupply ship, above, slowly approaching the International Space Station before the Canadarm2 reaches out and grapples it, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. Once the Cygnus is unloaded, it will be filled with trash and set loose to burn up in the atmosphere in mid-November. (NASA TV via AP)

Last Monday's liftoff from Wallops Island was the first by an Antares rocket since a 2014 launch explosion. Orbital ATK redesigned its Antares rocket and rebuilt the pad. While the Antares was grounded, Virginia-based Orbital ATK kept the NASA supply chain open with deliveries from Cape Canaveral, Florida, using another company's rocket.

NASA is paying Orbital ATK and SpaceX to stock the station, but now SpaceX is grounded. The California company is investigating why one of its Falcon rockets exploded in a massive fireball during launch pad testing on Sept. 1.

Following liftoff, Orbital ATK's Cygnus capsule orbited solo for twice the usual amount of time. NASA wanted the Cygnus  named after the swan constellation  to wait for three astronauts to launch from Kazakhstan. They arrived Friday, doubling the size of the crew. Besides Onishi, the crew includes two Americans and three Russians.

Helping Onishi with the Cygnus on Sunday morning was NASA astronaut Kate Rubins. Their four-month mission will end next weekend.

This particular Cygnus, meanwhile, is officially known as the S.S. Alan Poindexter. Orbital ATK named it after a former space shuttle commander who helped to build the station. He was killed in a jet ski accident in 2012.

Once the Cygnus is unloaded, it will be filled with trash and set loose to burn up in the atmosphere in mid-November.

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Posting a ballot selfie? Better check your state laws first

TRENTON, N.J. (AP)  You probably already know whether you'll vote for Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton on Election Day, leaving one important question to consider when you walk into your polling place: Is it OK to take a picture of your ballot?

While secrecy in the voting booth has become a thing of the past for those ready to share their views and daily lives on social media, laws nationwide are mixed on whether voters are allowed to take pictures of themselves in the act or of their ballots  "ballot selfies".

Federal judges have struck down bans on selfies in New Hampshire and Indiana, and rules have been changed in places like California and Rhode Island, but in many states it's still a violation that carries potential fines or jail terms.

In this Oct. 20, 2008, photo provided by Nikola Halycyone Jordan, Jordan poses with her election ballot in Omaha, Neb. Jordan believes the selfies are a great way not only to share her views on the issues, but also to stress the importance of voting and being civically active. A Nebraska lawmaker added a provision to state election law in 2016 to allow ballot selfies. (Mari Zaporowski/Courtesy of Nikola Halycyone Jordan via AP)

There are laws against sharing any photo of your ballot in 18 states, while six other states bar photography in polling places but do allow photos of mail-in ballots, according to a review by The Associated Press.

Critics say such regulations have not kept up with technology and are confusing for voters and election workers. Some states that ban ballot selfies or have moved to block them cite concerns the photos could harm the integrity of the voting process by encouraging vote-buying or coercion, though some acknowledge there's no evidence to support those fears.

Nikola Jordan, 33, of Omaha, Nebraska, has been taking such photos for about 10 years and believes they are a great way not only to share her views on the issues, but also to stress the importance of voting and being civically active. A Nebraska lawmaker added a provision to state election law this year to allow ballot selfies.

"I was doing this for years before I learned it was technically illegal," Jordan said with a laugh. "It's all about encouraging other people to get involved in the process, to show it can be fun and exciting to make your voice heard (at the polls). Don't think of voting as some boring thing ... It's your chance to make a difference."

The 1st Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston last month upheld a decision that New Hampshire's ban on ballot selfies was unconstitutional, saying it suppressed a large swath of political speech and there was no evidence to support the state's concerns.

"It goes to the core of democracy," said Gilles Bissonnette, legal director for the American Civil Liberties Union of New Hampshire, which brought the suit on behalf of three people investigated for violating the statute.

Among those filing briefs in support of ballot selfies was Snapchat, which argued they are the latest way voters, especially young adults, get involved in the political process and express support for or against a cause or a candidate.

"We had a failure to recognize the importance of online political speech, especially to the younger generation," Bissonnette said. "The First Amendment needs to be guarded rigorously. These old laws cannot and should not be applied to the modern technology."

California Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill last month that repeals a 125-year-old law barring voters from showing people their marked ballots. It goes into effect after the November election, but legislative analysists have found no occasion of the ban being enforced  and it hasn't stopped people from sharing photos of their 2016 ballots.

Colorado started mailing ballots this week in the all-mail presidential election, and some ballot selfies started popping up on social media. In response, Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey on Thursday issued a reminder that publicizing completed ballots is a misdemeanor in the state.

The ACLU criticized his statement as potential voter intimidation. Morrissey's spokeswoman told reporters he had no plans to comb social media looking for folks posting ballot selfies, saying authorities investigate only in response to a complaint.

Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring issued a formal opinion last month that nothing in Virginia law prohibits voters from taking pictures of themselves, fellow voters or their ballot within the polling place.

"This is a product of the times we live in," said Democratic New Jersey Assemblyman Raj Mukherji, who has sponsored a measure to allow ballot selfies. "If voters want to express their pride in participating in our democracy by voting or tout their political preferences on social media, they should be entitled to do so."

Clarissa Livingstone, 26, of Toms River, said she doesn't understand concerns raised over ballot selfies. She doesn't believe people would be influenced by seeing ballot photos that she or anyone else might post.

"People are so rigid in their political beliefs these days," Livingstone said, "they're not going to change their votes once they see how some Jersey girl voted."

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Contributing to this report were Associated Press writers Josh Cornfield in Trenton, Alanna Durkin Richer in Richmond, Virginia, and Kristen Wyatt in Denver.

In this Feb. 9, 2016, photo, provided by Bill Phillips, of Nashua, N.H., Phillips takes a selfie with his marked election ballot. The secrecy of the voting booth may soon be a thing of the past. Ballot selfies, where people use smartphones to photograph and share their marked ballots online, are becoming more common, as voters young and old look to share their views with family, friends and the world. But what they don't realize is they may be breaking the law, depending on where they live. (Bill Phillips via AP)
Black judges in voting dispute recall civil rights fight

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP)  In Ohio's decade-old voting lawsuit, federal appeals Judge Damon Keith said he was "deeply saddened and distraught" with a majority opinion last month and filled 11 pages with photographs of those slain in the fight for civil rights.

Black and white faces of men, women and children  activists, students, a minister, a housewife  stare out from the pages in a rarely seen visual statement in court opinions.

"I will not forget," wrote Keith, who is 94. "I cannot forget  indeed America cannot forget  the pain, suffering, and sorrow of those who died for equal protection and for this precious right to vote."

FILE  In this Oct. 31, 2005, file photo, U.S. Circuit Judge Damon Keith, right, and television host and producer Oprah Winfrey, left, listen to speeches during a memorial service for civil rights activist Rosa Parks at the Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church in Washington. U.S. Circuit Judge Damon Keith and other black judges have emotionally recalled the civil rights era in opinions they've filed in Ohio's longest-running voting rights lawsuit. (AP Photo/Ron Thomas, File)

Keith is one of several black judges involved in the state's longest-running voting lawsuit who have voiced powerful reminders of the struggles of the civil rights movement. Their filings, often contrary to the court's majority opinion, have gotten little attention as lawyers, journalists and election officials focus on the legal technicalities of each new decision.

With days before another presidential election, advocates for the homeless and the Ohio Democratic Party are weighing an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court after the 6th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals sided with Republican Secretary of State Jon Husted on Oct. 6 and declined to revisit a three-judge panel decision before all 15 circuit judges. Keith had been the lone dissenter on the panel.

Majorities at the 6th Circuit have found Ohioans have ample opportunities to vote early by mail and in person and that most of the new voting requirements don't present an undue burden on voters. Among judges on that side of the argument is Alice Batchelder, whose husband was speaker of the Ohio House when the disputed legislation, which he supported, was passed. She declined to excuse herself from participating in decisions on the case.

The current fight focuses on election rules that disqualify thousands of absentee and provisional ballots in the battleground state because of minor mistakes or omissions.

U.S. District Judge Algenon Marbley, in Columbus, who is also black, had found in favor of Democrats and the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless in June. Marbley found the disputed election rules disproportionately impacted black voters, but no evidence the state's Republican-controlled, predominantly white Legislature intentionally discriminated.

"If the dog whistles in the General Assembly continue to get louder, courts considering future challenges to voting restrictions in Ohio may very well find that intentional discrimination is afoot," he wrote. He included a photo of a potentially intimidating "Voter Fraud Is A Felony!" billboard in his opinion that had popped up in Ohio black and Latino neighborhoods in 2012.

In September, the three-judge panel overturned large portions of Marbley's ruling. Keith argued in his dissent that the court's decision would "gut the factual findings of the district court" and "shut the most vulnerable out of the political process."

"The murders of countless men and women who struggled for the right to vote and equal protection cannot be overlooked," he wrote. "The utter brutality of white supremacy in its efforts to disenfranchise persons of color is the foundation for the tragedy that is the Majority's effort to roll back the progress of history."

He tucked the sometimes grainy, black-and-white photos of civil rights era "martyrs" into the opinion under a footnote, noting they represented "a mere fraction" of the "assaults, rapes, murders, lynching, and utter travesty of the struggle for equality."

In the October decision, another pair of black judges, Chief Judge Guy Cole and Judge Bernice Donald, entered powerfully worded dissents to their fellow judges who voted against granting the full-court review of the case.

Cole argued the majority's analysis misinterpreted or ignored the intent of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the "voluminous evidence" reviewed by Marbley during a 12-day bench trial.

"To require plaintiffs to provide precise proof in cases brought under the Voting Rights Act is to ignore the reality that such proof is virtually impossible to come by," Cole wrote, calling plaintiffs in Voting Rights Act cases "the most vulnerable members of society."

Donald wrote: "The majority must not pretend to write on a clean slate while ignoring the bloody and shameful history of denial." She said literacy tests, poll taxes, physical attacks and arrests aimed at preventing blacks from voting may be gone, but more "subtle, creative ways"  like "needless" paperwork requirements  are still being used to suppress the minority vote.
The Latest: Obama works for Democrats in tight Nevada races

WASHINGTON (AP)  The Latest on 2016 presidential race (all times EDT):

8 p.m.

President Barack Obama is telling Nevadans they've got the winning hand when it comes to this year's election.

President Barack Obama and Democratic Senate candidate Catherine Cortez Masto wave to the crowd during an event at Cheyenne High School in North Las Vegas, Nev., Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. Obama is in Nevada to boost Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign and help Democrats in their bid to retake control of the Senate. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

The president is campaigning for presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and Senate candidate Catherine Cortez Masto at a Las Vegas high school. "You've got black jack," Obama says of the Democratic candidates.

Masto, a former state attorney general, and Republican Rep. Joe Heck are vying to replace Democratic Sen. Harry Reid, who is retiring after serving out his fifth term.

Polls indicate that the presidential and Senate races in Nevada are extremely tight. Reid's seat is considered the only one Republicans could reasonably flip to their side this election. Outside groups have spent tens of millions of dollars trying to influence the outcome.

Obama is encouraging Nevadans to vote, saying "We can't afford the other guy."

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7:25 p.m.

Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Kaine says Puerto Rico would have a strong ally in the White House if Hillary Clinton wins on Election Day.

Speaking to supporters in Orlando, Florida, Kaine said Sunday he and Clinton take seriously Puerto Rico's financial problems and difficulties dealing with the Zika virus.

Tens of thousands of Puerto Ricans have moved from the island to Central Florida, and the Clinton campaign has made a concerted effort to shore up support among them.

Kaine has been a key part of the Clinton campaign's outreach to Hispanic Americans and delivered part of his remarks Sunday in Spanish.

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7:10 p.m.

Donald Trump is accusing the United States of "abandoning our friends" across Latin America as he campaigns in southwestern Florida.

The GOP nominee has embraced an "America First" approach to foreign policy and denounced nation building.

But at a rally in Naples, Florida, on Sunday evening, Trump is advocating for "standing up against the oppression of the Castro regime in Cuba and standing in solidarity with freedom-loving people in Venezuela."

He says that, "all across Latina America people are living in oppression" and claims the "Obama-Clinton administration has abandoned our friends in Latin America and delivered only poverty and joblessness for Hispanic Americans right here at home."

Trump had first expressed support for Obama's efforts to normalize relations with Cuba but has since threatened to rip up the deal unless certain conditions are met.

Trump is currently trailing Clinton by large margins with Hispanic voters.

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7 p.m.

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton is citing hit musical "Hamilton" in making a pitch for working with Republicans on issues.

Speaking at a rally in Charlotte, North Carolina, Sunday, Clinton noted that she had seen the show about the first Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton three times. She said it was a good reminder of how the founding fathers didn't always get along.

Clinton says, "Our founding fathers were not all friends. But they also finally got in a room and made decisions."

Clinton says that Washington is currently in gridlock, and "we need to get back in the room and we need to listen to each other."

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6:45 p.m.

Democratic vice-presidential candidate Tim Kaine says data from early voting states suggest he and running mate Hillary Clinton are headed toward a "very big and historic win" on Election Day.

Kaine made the remarks in Orlando, Florida, where he is encouraging supporters to vote early.

Virginia's senator and former governor says doing so helps the Clinton campaign better gauge how it's doing.

Kaine held two rallies in Florida and is set to continue campaigning there Monday, when early voting starts in some parts of the Sunshine State.

Republican Donald Trump is also is campaigning in Florida on Sunday.

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6:30 p.m.

Hillary Clinton is chalking up her lengthy list of policy proposals to her penchant for planning.

At a rally in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Sunday, Clinton joked, "Maybe it's kind of a woman thing. We make lists. We make our lists, then we try to figure out what we're going to get done and cross it off."

Earlier in the day, at a church in Durham, Clinton said: "I've got plans for everything. You know how we women are."

Clinton likes to note that she's put all her plans in a book. She says it's called "Stronger Together" and she penned it with running mate Tim Kaine.

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6 p.m.

Donald Trump says Hillary Clinton's campaign chairman, John Podesta, is a "nasty guy."

Trump is criticizing Podesta following the disclosure by WikiLeaks of thousands of Podesta's personal emails that were hacked. Clinton's campaign has accused Russia of stealing the emails.

Trump's comment during the third debate that Clinton was a "nasty woman" went viral on social media. Women's rights groups called it an example of misogyny.

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5:55 p.m.

Donald Trump says he believes he's doing better among female voters than with male voters.

Trump is speaking at a rally in Naples, Florida. He says he believes polls showing him struggling among women are "very inaccurate."

Trump says he wants to "set records" with his support from women. He says, "I hate to tell the men this, but if I could swap you out, I'd swap you out so fast."

The Republican nominee has struggled to win over female voters, particularly since audio emerged of him boasting about predatory behavior and a slew of women accused him of sexual assault. Trump has denied the allegations and has promised to sue the women.

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4:45 p.m.

AT&T's $85.4 billion proposed purchase of Time Warner is facing skepticism from all sides in the presidential race.

Hillary Clinton's running mate, Tim Kaine, says he shares concerns about higher costs, fewer choices and worse service. He says more competition and less consolidation is generally helpful in the media industry.

Clinton spokesman Brian Fallon says Clinton believes that regulators should scrutinize the deal closely.

Donald Trump says he'd block the deal if elected. His campaign says in a statement Sunday that "new media conglomerate oligopolies" have too much control, intrude on Americans' personal lives and unduly influence politics.

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4:05 p.m.

Hillary Clinton has a busy few weeks ahead. But she still wants to find time to watch the World Series.

Spokesman Brian Fallon says the Democratic presidential nominee  who grew up in the Chicago suburbs  has asked staff to make time for her to watch the Chicago Cubs play in the World Series.

Over the years, Clinton, who also served as a senator for New York, has expressed allegiance to the Cubs and the New York Yankees.

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3:50 p.m.

Hillary Clinton is visiting an early voting location in North Carolina.

Clinton stopped outside Chavis Community Center in Raleigh Sunday afternoon where she posed for selfies with supporters and chatted briefly with them.

"Get everybody out to vote!" Clinton told people as they clapped and cheered.

Clinton was joined by actress Uzo Aduba, who appears on the television show "Orange is the New Black."

Early voting started in North Carolina on Thursday.

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2:35 p.m.

Hillary Clinton is promoting down-ballot Democratic candidates in North Carolina.

Speaking at a rally in Raleigh, Clinton touted Deborah Ross, who is locked in a tight race with the state's incumbent Republican Sen. Richard Burr. She then took a shot at Burr, saying that "unlike her opponent, Deborah has never been afraid to stand up to Donald Trump."

Clinton has said she plans to spend the closing days of the race campaigning for Democrats in down-ballot races.

In Pennsylvania Saturday, she assailed Republican Sen. Pat Toomey, saying he too has refused to "stand up" to Trump.

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2:10 p.m.

Hillary Clinton will campaign this week with First Lady Michelle Obama.

Campaign spokesman Brian Fallon says Clinton and Obama will appear together at a rally in Winston Salem, North Carolina, on Thursday.

Obama has become one of Clinton's most powerful surrogates. Fallon called Michelle Obama an "absolute rock star" on the campaign trail.

This will be their first joint appearance at a campaign rally.

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1:15 p.m.

President Barack Obama is heading to Nevada to boost Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign and help Democrats in their bid to retake control of the Senate.

Some of the president's recent trips have focused on competitive states with close Senate races. The Senate's top Democrat, Harry Reid, is retiring after serving out a fifth term, and Obama is trying to keep it in party hands.

He'll speak at a rally for Clinton and Senate candidate Catherine Cortez Masto at a Las Vegas-area high school. Her Senate opponent is Joe Heck, a congressman.

Obama has been trying to tie Republican candidates to GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump at every opportunity.

Heck says he can't support Trump; Democrats say that's just a political calculation.

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1:05 p.m.

Tim Kaine is shrugging off any possibility that he could be embarrassed by leaked emails.

WikiLeaks has been taunting the Democratic vice presidential nominee on Twitter, saying it has a "surprise" in store for Kaine.

The group, which has been posting stolen emails from Hillary Clinton's campaign manager John Podesta, posted taunting tweets directed at Kaine on Thursday and again on Sunday.

Kaine has questioned the authenticity of WikiLeaks' releases and said the emails were hacked as are part of an effort by the Russian government to influence the presidential campaign.

In a recent interview with The Associated Press, Kaine said there's nothing in his life or emails he'd be "overly embarrassed about" and said he's determined not to be distracted.

___

1 p.m.

Hillary Clinton says the "love they neighbor" commandment in the Bible can be tough to follow sometimes. Speaking in North Carolina, a battleground state, Clinton noted her policy plans and pledged to "actually start interacting again with people we don't agree with."

Clinton was speaking to several hundred people gathered at Union Baptist Church in Durham. She was joined by a group of mothers who have lost children to gun violence or through contact with the police, including Sybrina Fulton, the mother of Trayvon Martin.

Stressing her commitment to combat systemic racism, Clinton pledged to reform the criminal justice system, create jobs and provide better educational opportunities. She said that Donald Trump does not see the "vibrancy" in the black community.

Clinton had more campaign stops planned in North Carolina on Sunday.

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11:45 a.m.

Tim Kaine has a new picture to hang up at the Naval Observatory if he and Hillary Clinton win on Election Day.

Pastor Marshall Mitchell of Salem Baptist Church of Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, gave Kaine a picture of Martin Luther King Jr.

In the picture, King is speaking from the same pulpit that Kaine used to address the congregation Sunday. Mitchell said he had taken the picture off his wall and wanted Kaine to hang it up at the Naval Observatory, the vice president's official residence.

Kaine appeared visibly touched by the gift. The Democratic vice presidential nominee, a Catholic, urged the congregation to vote and spoke about Clinton's long-held Christian faith.

The African-American church outside Philadelphia has previously hosted several civil rights leaders.

Democratic vice presidential candidate Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va. listens as Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks during a campaign event at the Taylor Allderdice High School, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016, in Pittsburgh, Pa. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016, in Naples, Fla. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci)

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci)

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks during a campaign event at The Quad, Saint Augustine's University, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016, in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton greet poses for a photo with early voters near Chavis community center, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016, in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Democratic vice presidential candidate Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., speaks to The Associated Press during an interview in Boston, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016. (AP Photo/Josh Reynolds)
Ex-state attorney general hopes to avoid jail for perjury

PHILADELPHIA (AP)  A once-rising star in Pennsylvania politics will learn Monday whether she is heading to prison over a feud that led the state attorney general to leak grand jury materials to the press and lie about it under oath.

Democrat Kathleen Kane, 50, argues that the loss of her career, law license and reputation is punishment enough. She has asked a judge in suburban Philadelphia to sentence her to probation or house arrest so she can be home to raise her two teenage sons.

However, prosecutors call her crimes "egregious" and will push for jail time. They say a paranoid Kane demeaned the 800-person office and threw the state's law enforcement community into turmoil through a calculated scheme to embarrass a rival prosecutor who had left the office.

FILE  In this April 12, 2012, file photo, Kathleen Kane, left, a Democratic candidate for Pennsylvania attorney general, waves with former President Bill Clinton after he endorsed her in a speech at Upper Moreland High School in Willow Grove, Pa. Former Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane, convicted of leaking grand jury documents to embarrass a rival and then lying about it under oath, is scheduled to be sentenced Monday, Oct. 24, 2016, in Montgomery County, the same county where Clinton campaigned for her in 2012. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

Kane "repeatedly misused her official authority to advance her personal vendettas," Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele, a fellow Democrat, wrote in a sentencing memo last week.

Kane's fate will unfold in the same county where former President Bill Clinton had stumped for her in 2012, four years after Kane helped with Hillary Clinton's first presidential bid.

Kane enjoyed mostly good press early on as she supported gay marriage, ramped up a child predator unit run by her twin sister and questioned her predecessor's handling of the Penn State sex-assault case.

But turmoil inside the office became apparent as top deputies and career prosecutors headed for the doors. Kane's feud with one of them, Frank Fina, who had helped run the Penn State probe and other sensitive investigations, led to the leak.

Kane, taking aim at him, had her political consultant pass confidential files to a reporter about a corruption case Fina had declined to charge before he left the office. She then tried to frame someone else for the crime, former aides testified at the perjury and obstruction trial.

Kane did not testify at the August trial, when the jury convicted her on all nine counts before taking a meal break. Common Pleas Judge Wendy Demchick-Alloy sharply warned Kane afterward that she would put her in jail if she tried to retaliate against anyone. The sentence could range from probation to a maximum 12 to 24 years in prison.

Kane overcame a difficult childhood in Scranton, Pennsylvania, to put herself through college and law school. She worked as an assistant county prosecutor before a stint as a stay-at-home mother and community volunteer. She then used $2.25 million of her husband's trucking fortune to run for attorney general. They are now divorcing. Kane expects to get $6 million in the divorce, and receives nearly $350,000 a year in alimony and child support while living in the family's sprawling home in Clarks Summit, Lackawanna County, according to local news reports that cite court filings.

Aside from the conviction, Kane's political career will be remembered for her investigation of pornography that she said was being traded on state computers by judges, lawyers and other public employees. Two state Supreme Court justices resigned amid the fallout.
Amid opposition's whistles, Hungary leader hails 1956 revolt

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP)  Jeering protesters with referee whistles disturbed the Hungarian government's commemorations of the 60th anniversary of the anti-Soviet revolution of 1956 on Sunday, as supporters of Prime Minister Viktor Orban tried to stifle them, sometimes violently.

Kossuth Square was heavily guarded by police and private security guards for the anniversary events, where small scuffles broke out and several journalists and a noted historian were among those hit or harassed.

Orban said the whistling protesters embodied the return of the Soviet-style communism that had been "taken away by the devil" thanks in part to the events in 1956.

Supporters of various opposition parties of the Hungarian government hold a banner that reads 'You are protecting criminals!' during a demonstration in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. Today the country marks the 60th anniversary of the outbreak of the 1956 Hungarian revolution and freedom fight against communism and Soviet rule. (Janos Marjai/MTI via AP)

"The course of history took a turn in Hungary," a visibly tense Orban said, as the whistling grew more intense. "Instead of the predicted global communist revolution, there was a revolution against the communist world."

The disruptive protest as Orban spoke was organized by Egyutt (Together), a small opposition party which distributed hundreds of whistles and symbolic red cards for supporters to sound and wave at the gathering.

While the jeering could be heard during the live broadcast of the speech on state television, the channel largely ignored the protesters and the scuffles in the crowd.

Opposition politicians say Orban's deal with Russia to build new reactors for Hungary's only nuclear power plant in the city of Paks went against the spirit of the anti-Soviet revolution.

"Viktor Orban's policies are exactly the kind Hungarians rebelled against in 1956," Peter Juhasz, a Together vice president, said. "Back then, Hungarians stood up to Soviet domination, while today Orban has committed Hungary to Russia for decades."

Orban's critics also accuse him of weakening Hungary's system of democratic checks and balances, limiting press freedoms and working to turn Hungary into an "illiberal state."

Orban, a fierce critic of European Union migration policies, said that while Europe was dominated by complacency and lethargy, Hungary had chosen to be brave and confront modern challenges. Last year, the government built razor-wire fences on Hungary's southern border to stop migrants coming north through the Balkans.

"We Hungarians have started on the more difficult road," Orban said. "We have chosen our own children instead of immigrants, work instead of speculation and aid, standing on our own feet instead of enslaving debts, and border defense instead of raised hands."

Orban also criticized the concept of a "United States of Europe," which would theoretically diminish the influence of individual countries. He likened EU bureaucrats in Brussels to the Soviet Union, a recurring theme in his speeches.

"The freedom-loving peoples of Europe have the task of preventing the Sovietization of Brussels," Orban said.

The brief but bloody 1956 uprising began on the afternoon of Oct. 23 with a student march in Budapest in solidarity with reforms in Poland. By the evening, secret police had killed demonstrators who rushed the headquarters of Hungarian radio to have their list of 16 demands  including the withdrawal of Soviet troops  read on the air.

After days of street battles, Soviet troops withdrew on Oct. 30. The Red Army, however, returned on Nov. 4 with over 100,000 troops and as many as 4,500 tanks, effectively ending the revolution.

Over 2,500 Hungarians and 700 Soviet troops were killed and 200,000 Hungarian refugees fled the country, most toward Austria. Hundreds of revolutionaries, including Prime Minister Imre Nagy, were executed in the wake of the uprising and the establishment of a Soviet-backed government led by Janos Kadar.

Supporters of various opposition parties of the Hungarian government blow whistles during a demonstration in downtown Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. Today the country marks the 60th anniversary of the outbreak of the 1956 Hungarian revolution and freedom fight against communism and Soviet rule. (Janos Marjai/MTI via AP)

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban delivers his address during the state commemoration ceremony of the 1956 Hungarian revolution and freedom fight against communism and Soviet rule in front of the Parliament building in downtown Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016, on the 60th anniversary of the outbreak of the uprising. Banner erads: The Year if Hungarian Freedom. (Zsolt Szigetvary/MTI via AP)

Hungarian opposition party Egyutt (Together) distributes whistles and symbolic red cards meant to disrupt Prime Minister Viktor Orbans speech at commemorations of Hungarys 1956 anti-Soviet revolution in Budapest, Sunday Oct. 23, 2016. Polish President Andrzej Duda is a guest of the governments memorial event, while opposition groups are protesting Orbans autocratic tendencies. (AP Photo/Pablo Gorondi)

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban steps on the podium to deliver his address during the state commemoration ceremony of the 1956 Hungarian revolution and freedom fight against communism and Soviet rule in front of the Parliament building in downtown Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016, on the 60th anniversary of the outbreak of the uprising. (Zsolt Szigetvary/MTI via AP)

Supporters of various opposition parties of the Hungarian government argue during the commemorative events to mark the 60th anniversary of the outbreak of the 1956 Hungarian revolution and freedom fight against communism and Soviet rule in downtown Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (Janos Marjai/MTI via AP)

Polish President Andrzej Duda, left, is welcomed by his Hungarian counterpart Janos Ader on the podium during the state commemoration ceremony of the 1956 Hungarian revolution and freedom fight against communism and Soviet rule in front of the Parliament building in downtown Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016, on the 60th anniversary of the outbreak of the uprising. (Zsolt Szigetvary/MTI via AP)
Democratic hopeful aims to unseat Hawaii's only GOP senator

HONOLULU (AP)  Stanley Chang hiked up a ridge in an affluent neighborhood overlooking the Pacific Ocean, his crisp white shirt deflecting the hot Hawaii sun.

"Aloha," he called as he eagerly knocked on the door of any voter who could help the 34-year-old Democrat win the only state Senate seat in Hawaii that's held by a Republican.

If Chang succeeds at ousting Sam Slom, 74, who's represented the district for 20 years, Hawaii could become the first state in the nation to have a one-party legislative body in decades.

In this Oct. 5, 2016 photo, Stanley Chang, a Democrat running for Hawaii state Senate, canvasses Kahala, a neighborhood that's sent a Republican to the Hawaii Senate for the last 20 years, in Honolulu. If Chang wins the race and defeats the state Senate's only Republican, Hawaii could become the first state in the nation to have a one-party state legislative body in decades. (AP Photo/Cathy Bussewitz)

"That would be great, wouldn't it?" said Eric Meguro, a 61-year-old retiree and Democrat who enthusiastically shook Chang's hand as the candidate canvassed his neighborhood. "Then we can get a lot of things done."

Hawaii has long been a Democratic stronghold, with Democratic voters outnumbering Republicans 2-to-1 in the last presidential election.

The party has dominated island politics since around the 1950s, when laborers on sugar plantations  largely immigrants from Asia  unionized to fight for better treatment from the predominantly white, Republican plantation owners who controlled politics during territorial times.

Chang, the son of immigrants from China, said his goal wasn't to create an all-Democrat Senate in the uphill battle to unseat Slom.

"I didn't try to pick a seat. This is my community," Chang said. "This is where I've always lived, and this is why I'm fighting for it."

The last time a party held all the seats in any state Legislature was 1980, when state Senates in Alabama and Louisiana were completely Democratic, said Daniel Diorio, policy specialist at the National Conference of State Legislatures.

As the sole Republican in the Hawaii state Senate, Slom has a tight schedule serving on every legislative committee.

He's widely viewed as a fiscal watchdog and has never taken a penny of the $13,268 annual legislative allowance he could tap for incidentals such as office supplies and food for guests  the only senator with that distinction, according to Carol Taniguchi, chief clerk of the Senate.

His office helped create a website for members of the public to learn about the state budget.

If he loses his seat, "the taxpayers would be robbed of having questions asked and answers required as to where money has gone," Slom said, "because what we've seen in the past is, everybody gloms on to a particular project, but they don't ask the fiscal questions."

Pat Saiki, former chairwoman of the Hawaii Republican Party, wishes there "were about 10 of him so that he could have some company, but at this stage, he is the last one standing."

"We need an opposition voice. We need representation from another party," Saiki said.

Slom's long tenure doesn't guarantee that his district will remain a Republican stronghold. In the 2012 presidential election, two out of three voters in Slom's district chose President Barack Obama, a Democrat born in Honolulu, over Republican Mitt Romney. Even so, Slom was re-elected that year, capturing 55 percent of the vote while his Democratic challenger got 36 percent.

A reliable breakdown of Democrats and Republicans in the district is not available because voters do not choose political parties when they register to vote in Hawaii. But the wealthy district and its neighboring precincts are known for successfully sending the state's few Republicans to office.

"It hardly makes a difference, one Republican ... but since he's the only opposition, I keep voting for him," said Sandy Delmonte, 73, a retired teacher who lives in Kahala.

Welcoming the strong challenge from Chang, Slom has campaigned at neighborhood meetings while staying busy at the Legislature, keeping his office door open so that anyone  whether or not they vote in his district  can walk in and talk to him.

"I'm not a typical politician. I don't like fundraisers," Slom said. "Oftentimes, I have talked people out of giving me a check or giving me money, instead telling them to take their family out for dinner or do something for themselves."

The outcome in the district could be different this year, with Chang, a Harvard-educated lawyer and former city councilman, using a mobile app to track every house he's visited and making canvassing his full-time job.

"There's no shortcut," according to Chang, who said he had visited more than 15,300 homes by Oct. 21.

The Democratic Party is hoping that the interest in the presidential election and Chang's hard work will secure a Democratic victory, state party chairman Tim Vandeveer said.

Republicans are worried.

"They've never had a candidate who has had the stature of Stanley Chang run for that seat ... he is a formidable opponent," said Fritz Rohlfing, chairman of the Hawaii Republican Party.

___

This story's headline has been corrected to show that Sam Slom is the only GOP state senator, not the only GOP lawmaker.

In this Oct. 6, 2016 photo, Sen. Sam Slom, the lone Republican in the Hawaii Senate, talks about his challenging race to hold onto his seat outside a luncheon of the Oahu League of Republican Women at the Waialae Country Club in Honolulu. If Slom loses, Hawaii could become the first state in the nation to have a one-party state legislative body in decades. (AP Photo/Cathy Bussewitz)

In this Oct. 5, 2016 photo, Stanley Chang, a Democrat running for Hawaii state Senate, canvasses an East Honolulu neighborhood called Kahala that's sent a Republican to the Hawaii Senate for the last 20 years. If Chang wins the race and defeats the state Senate's only Republican, Hawaii could become the first state in the nation to have a one-party state legislative body in decades. AP Photo/Cathy Bussewitz)

In this Oct. 5, 2016 photo, Stanley Chang, a Democrat running for Hawaii state Senate, canvasses an East Honolulu neighborhood called Kahala that's sent a Republican to the Hawaii Senate for the last 20 years. If Chang wins the race and defeats the state Senate's only Republican, Hawaii could become the first state in the nation to have a one-party state legislative body in decades. AP Photo/Cathy Bussewitz)
Boston police officer released from hospital after shooting

BOSTON (AP)  A Boston police officer shot while responding to a dispute between roommates has been released from the hospital.

Officer Matthew Morris left Massachusetts General Hospital on Saturday after spending more than a week recovering from his injuries in the firefight, the police department announced on Twitter. Morris has been transferred to a rehabilitation facility where he'll continue his recovery.

Police Commissioner William B. Evans said in a tweet that it was "great to see Matt getting better" and thanked supporters for their prayers.
The Latest: Aid convoy reaches Damascus suburb

BEIRUT (AP)  The Latest on the conflict in Syria (all times local):

9 p.m.

Syrian state media says a 24-truck convoy has arrived at the formerly besieged town of Moadamiyeh, in the suburbs of Damascus, to deliver food, winter clothes, lamps, and medical supplies.

The convoy Sunday is the first to reach Moadamiyeh since a deal was made to restore the government's authority over the former bastion of rebel strength and support.

The government recently granted safe passage out to some 2,000 rebels and civilians.

Local resident Mahmoud, who did not give his name out of security concerns, said the materials would be distributed Monday.

He said locals have been able to move freely in and out of Moadamiyeh for the first time in years.

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5:30 p.m.

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah says that Turkish involvement in Syria is a thinly veiled land grab designed to establish Turkish dominance over both the IS-held Iraqi city of Mosul and the divided Syrian city of Aleppo.

Nasrallah, in a Sunday afternoon speech, said, "After all the Iraqis fighting for Mosul, in comes Turkey and says ... 'Mosul is Turkish and must go back to Turkey.'"

Nasrallah added: "Same thing in Aleppo. They say, 'It's ours, not Syria's.' Look, this is being revealed every day."

Turkey has soldiers on the ground in northern Iraq, training militia fighters, and has insisted that its forces must play a role in the battle to retake Mosul from IS.

Turkish tanks and artillery are also deployed inside Syria, battling both IS and a powerful Syrian Kurdish-led militia that Ankara claims is a wing of its own outlawed Kurdish independence movement.

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5 p.m.

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah says that the insurgency against Syrian President Bashar Assad is facade for a a larger geopolitical game designed to make "changes to the map" and weaken the region's Shiite Muslim power structure.

Nasrallah in a speech Sunday afternoon said the Syrian rebellion is "not about the fall of the regime, but about targeting the axis of resistance," a reference to the Iran-Syria-Hezbollah alliance. Assad, whose Alawite sect is on offshoot of Shiite Islam, has long provided a corridor for Iranian weapons shipments to the Lebanese Shiite militant group. Thousands of Hezbollah fighters are on the ground in Syria in defense of the government and senior commanders in Iran's powerful Republican Guard are in advisory positions.

Nasrallah said the insurgency is designed to break that axis by ousting Assad. It is, he said, aimed at achieving demographic change, existential changes."

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2:30 p.m.

A leading northern Syrian rebel coalition warned civilians in Aleppo to stay away from government positions around the contested city early Sunday as rebels and pro-government forces clashed along the city's outskirts.

Fighting broke out along the city's southern neighborhoods and countryside and its central districts after a cease-fire to allow rebels and civilians to evacuate the city's eastern quarters expired Saturday night. No evacuations were seen during the three-day window arranged by the Russian and Syrian military commands.

Government artillery shelled the strategically important village of Khan Touman, which overlooks the highway connecting Aleppo and government-held cities in the center of the country, the activist-run Shahba Press reported Sunday. Rebels led by al-Qaida-linked militants took the town from government forces in a surprising advance last May, dealing a setback to the joint Russian-Syrian campaign to expel rebels from Aleppo.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group reported incremental advances for pro-government forces against al-Qaida-linked Fatah al-Sham Front militants in the city's southern countryside.

Al-Manar TV, run by the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, broadcast footage of tanks and fighters advancing under heavy fire along a ridge reportedly in the Aleppo countryside. Hezbollah is fighting alongside Syrian President Bashar Assad's military.

A spokesman for the Nour el-Din al-Zinki rebel faction in Aleppo said an operation to break the government's siege of the rebel-held eastern districts of Aleppo was "coming."

Yasser al-Yousef clarified rebels would not target civilians in Aleppo's government-held districts, but warned of collateral damage from the anticipated operations.

The fighting ran in parallel with renewed clashes further away from the city between Turkish-backed opposition forces and Syrian Kurdish forces over territory formerly held by the Islamic State group. The activist-run Aleppo Media Center said Turkish forces struck over 50 Kurdish positions on Sunday alone. The U.S. has backed both the Turkish-backed forces and the Syrian Kurdish forces in the area, though it has clarified that it does not support the Syrian Kurdish forces that have come under Turkish attack in the Aleppo countryside.
Haitian authorities recapture a dozen of 172 escaped inmates

ARCAHAIE, Haiti (AP)  Police officers were searching cars and boats for escaped prisoners on Sunday after recapturing at least a dozen of the 172 inmates who overpowered guards and fled from a lockup in central Haiti, the prison's director said.

The prison break occurred Saturday in Arcahaie, a coastal town about 30 miles north of Haiti's capital. The community is far from the southwest area that was slammed by Hurricane Matthew's eye earlier this month.

One guard was reported killed and an inmate died following a bad fall while trying to scale a prison wall.

A prison cell is empty after inmates escaped from the Civil Prison in the coastal town of Arcahaiea, Haiti, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016. Over 100 inmates escaped after they overpowered guards who were escorting them to a bathing area. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)

Haitian National Police officers set up numerous checkpoints along roads to search vehicles. Small boats in fishing towns around Arcahaie were also being checked.

Heurtelou Paul Colson, director of the Arcahaie Prison, said the lockup housed 266 inmates.

Justice Minister Camille Edward Junior told Haiti's biggest newspaper, The Nouvelliste, that the alleged mastermind of the escape, convicted kidnapper Yvener Carelus, was among the men captured after the prison break.

"He planned the escape from the inside with a few accomplices," the minister was quoted as saying.

Prime Minister Enex Jean-Charles said the interim government has given clear instructions to the justice minister to "take all necessary measures to remedy this unacceptable situation."

Judge Henry Claude Louis-Jean said Saturday that the escapees stole an unknown number of weapons and some exchanged gunfire with police during the chaotic breakout.

The inmates attacked after they were released from a crammed holding pen to bathe, according to provincial authorities.

After the escape, the body of the dead corrections officer was sprawled on the ground and bullet holes marked the prison's main door. Inside, the wrought iron cell doors had been thrown open and sandals and clothing were scattered about. Authorities held a prisoner who tried to flee.

Haitian prisons are notoriously overcrowded and many inmates spend years in pre-trial detention. It wasn't immediately clear how many of the escaped inmates in Arcahaie were convicted of serious crimes and how many were awaiting trial.

Police asked jittery residents of the coastal area to follow authorities' instructions during the manhunt.

The U.S. Embassy advised all American citizens to avoid the area.

___

Associated Press photographer Dieu Nalio Chery reported from Arcahaie. AP writer David McFadden contributed from Port-au-Prince.

A guard lies dead inside the Civil Prison after a jail break in the coastal town of Arcahaiea, Haiti, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016. Over 100 inmates escaped after they overpowered guards who were escorting them to a bathing area. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)

Police gather at the Civil Prison after some inmates escaped in the coastal town of Arcahaiea, Haiti, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016. Over 100 inmates escaped after they overpowered guards who were escorting them to a bathing area. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)

A police officer stands outside a room of inmates after a prison break at the Civil Prison in the coastal town of Arcahaiea, Haiti, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016. Over 100 inmates escaped after they overpowered guards who were escorting them to a bathing area. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)

Inmates' sandals lay at the main gate of the Civil Prison in the coastal town of Arcahaiea, Haiti, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016. Over 100 inmates escaped after they overpowered guards who were escorting them to a bathing area. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)

Bullet holes pierce the main gate of the Civil Prison after a jail break in the coastal town of Arcahaiea, Haiti, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016. Over 100 inmates escaped after they overpowered guards who were escorting them to a bathing area. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)

A prison guard's gun lays among barbed wire on the roof of the Civil Prison after a jail break in the coastal town of Arcahaiea, Haiti, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016. Over 100 inmates escaped after they overpowered guards who were escorting them to a bathing area. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)

Two prison guards, center, are release by authorities after their weapons were taken by prisoners who locked them into a cell at the Civil Prison in the coastal town of Arcahaiea, Haiti, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016. Over 100 inmates escaped after they overpowered guards who were escorting them to a bathing area. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)
Younger, diverse voters are reshaping California politics

LOS ANGELES (AP)  Come Election Day, California could legalize pot. Its new U.S. senator will be black or Hispanic  a first for the state. And voters could end the death penalty and revive bilingual education in schools.

The outcome of voting on Nov. 8 is likely to reflect long-term trends that have seen the nation's most populous state become increasingly diverse and firmly Democratic in its politics.

A new wave of voters  many young, Hispanic or both  are poised to contribute to generational, demographic and cultural shifts that are reshaping California. Over half of new voter registrations this year are millennials  younger people who tend to be more liberal than older Californians.

FILE - In this Oct. 5, 2016 file photo, Democratic California U.S. Senate candidate California Attorney General Kamala Harris speaks during a debate against Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, not shown, in Los Angeles. Come Election Day, California could legalize pot smoking. The state's new U.S. senator will be black or Hispanic, a first. Voters could end the death penalty, and revive bilingual education in schools. Behind it all, a wave of new voters - many younger, Hispanic, or both - is contributing to generational, demographic and cultural shifts that are being witnessed on the Nov. 8 ballot. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

The election also could strengthen the argument that California is becoming a one-party state. Most of the new voters are registering as Democrats or independents. And the number of voters aligned with no party is on track to eclipse Republicans, whose registration numbers are in freefall.

A key indicator of the change is the race to replace U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer, who was first elected in 1992. The contest is a matchup between two Democratic women, Attorney General Kamala Harris, whose father is black and mother is from India, and Rep. Loretta Sanchez, the daughter of Mexican immigrants.

"I think that says a lot about where we are moving," said political scientist Larry Gerston, professor emeritus at California State University, San Jose.

In addition, policies from past decades, when the state electorate was overwhelmingly white, could be recast or reversed. Voters are being asked to repeal the death penalty, which was reinstated in the 1970s but has not been carried out since 2006.

They could also dial back a 1998 voter-passed law that largely dismantled bilingual education at a time when illegal immigration was surging.

Through mid-October, more than 4 million people registered, or reregistered, to vote in California. Half signed up as Democrats, a meager 19 percent as Republicans and the rest primarily as independents, according to an analysis by nonpartisan research firm Political Data Inc.

Millennials represented over half of the new registrations. Latino registration, barely out of single digits a generation ago, represented nearly 30 percent of new voters, the data showed.

Democratic pollster Ben Tulchin, who worked for Bernie Sanders in the presidential campaign, said the influence of the new voters is being felt in competitive congressional races, where Republicans in a handful of once-safe districts are being threatened.

For Republicans, the rising influence of Hispanic voters is especially troubling in a year when their presidential nominee is Donald Trump, who has vowed to deport millions of people living in the country illegally.

The GOP's troubles with Hispanic voters in California can be traced to 1994, when voters, with encouragement from Republican Gov. Pete Wilson, approved Proposition 187, which prohibited immigrants in the country illegally from receiving public health care, education or other social services.

The law was overturned, but it left lingering resentment with many Hispanics at a time when the Latino population was becoming increasingly important in elections. It's also played a role in the prominent Democratic tilt to a state that sent Republicans Ronald Reagan and Richard Nixon to the White House but now doesn't have a single Republican elected to a statewide office.

State figures released earlier this month showed the percentage of voters registered as Democrats had increased by 2 percentage points since the 2012 presidential election, while those aligned with the GOP dropped over 3 points. The share of independents, who tend to vote like Democrats, also increased.

The shift can be seen in places such as Riverside County, where Democrats now hold a thin registration edge in what once was Republican turf.

"You can track the progress Democrats have made in registration, and you can quantify the impact," Tulchin said.

Republicans shuddered after the U.S. Senate primary in June. None of the party's little-known candidates broke out of single digits in the vote count, allowing two Democrats to claim the two runoff spots in November, a first in the modern era.

In the late 1960s, most Californians wanted tougher laws against marijuana use or strict enforcement of the rules on the books. Over time, those views softened.

Pollsters say millennials are far more likely than other age groups to support passage of the proposal to legalize pot. Most Democrats and independents favor legalization, while Republicans are divided.

Nearly two decades ago, when the state was facing an influx of immigrants who entered the U.S. illegally and couldn't speak English, Californians voted to dismantle most bilingual education programs in schools. Supporters said the initiative would help newcomers assimilate by forcing them to learn English.

This year, with scant visible opposition, voters are expected to repeal much of the law.

"California is always one of the leading indicators of social and demographic change, and this year seems to be a prime example," said Darrell M. West, director of governance studies at The Brookings Institution and author of recently published "Megatrend," which foresees rapid, dramatic political and social shifts in the 21st century.
Cherokee Nation donates to North Dakota pipeline fight

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. (AP)  The Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma has donated $10,000 to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in North Dakota to support its fight against the Dakota Access Pipeline.

The Cherokees say they presented a check last week in addition to providing three truckloads of firewood for those camping out to protest construction of the pipeline.

The Standing Rock Sioux want construction to stop on the $3.8 billion pipeline, saying it could contaminate the water supply and encroach on tribal burial sites. Protests supporting the tribe have been going on for months and have drawn thousands of people to the area where Texas-based Energy Transfer Partners is trying to finish building the 1,200-mile pipeline.
Officers: 83 Nigerian soldiers missing in Boko Haram attack

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (AP)  Some 83 Nigerian soldiers are missing in action since Boko Haram Islamic extremists attacked a remote military base in the northeast, senior army officers said Sunday.

The soldiers were unable to fight back and fled because Boko Haram had superior fire power, the officers told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to give information to reporters.

Morale also was low among the troops because they were being rationed to one meal a day and their allowances were being pilfered by their commanders, the officers said.

Army spokesman Col. Sani Kukasheka Usman reported last week that "some" soldiers were missing and 13 wounded when the insurgents on Oct. 17 attacked their base in Gashigar village, on the border with Niger. Usman has not responded to requests for the actual number.

Dozens of fleeing troops jumped into the Niger River and 22 were pulled from the water by soldiers from that neighboring country, officers said. Many soldiers are feared to have drowned, they said.

In a separate development, hunters killed seven Boko Haram fighters who were burning buildings and huts in northeastern Makwaa village, the hunters and villagers confirmed Sunday. "We engaged them in a fierce battle for close to three hours, we overpowered them, resulting in the killing of seven," hunter Aisha Gombi said of Saturday night's firefight. "One was caught alive with gun wounds and others escaped into the bush."

President Muhammadu Buhari promised to better arm Nigeria's military when he was elected in March 2015, blaming corruption for the deaths of thousands including soldiers in the 7-year-old Islamic insurgency that has killed more than 20,000 people.

Billions of dollars meant to buy arms were stolen or diverted to the presidential campaign of former President Goodluck Jonathan, according to ongoing court cases.

Military officers also are currently facing courts-martial for allegedly selling arms and ammunition to Boko Haram, indicating the corruption bedeviling the country's fight against the Islamic extremists continues despite government efforts to halt graft.

Still, the military in the past year has succeeded in dislodging the insurgents from most towns and villages where they had set up an Islamic caliphate. But the extremists continue to attack remote villages and main roads that they have mined. Nigeria's army has reported thwarting and killing several suicide bombers in the past month.

The United Nations has warned that tens of thousands among the 2.6 million people forced from their homes by the insurgency are facing famine-like conditions that already are killing children.

___
Somali extremists retake town in central Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP)  Islamic extremist rebels recaptured a town in central Somalia after African Union and Somali troops pulled out Sunday, according to residents.

Heavily armed al-Shabab fighters retook Halgan town soon after troops left, said a town elder, Ahmed Sabriye.

The militants raised their black banner over the town which lies on a major highway between Beledweyne, the provincial capital of Hiran region, and Buloburte town, he said.

Halgan is the second town in the region to be recaptured by al-Shabab after African Union troops have withdrawn.

In June, militants launched an attack on the African Union army base in the town. Dozens of soldiers and militants were killed in the attack.

Despite being ousted from major strongholds across Somalia, al-Shabab, which is allied to al-Qaida, has recently been attacking military positions of Somali and African Union troops bolstering Somalia's government.
Palestinians aim to promote local cinema with new award

RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP)  A Palestinian film organization has launched a new cinema award in an attempt to stimulate the local filmmaking industry and promote cinema culture in the Palestinian territories.

Filmlab, a local nonprofit backed by European partners, hopes the "Sunbird Prize" will grow to become the Palestinian version of the Oscars. A jury of four Palestinians and two European cinema experts chose Thursday night's winners.

The jury awarded prizes, named after a local bird, to one short and one feature length film out of 80 total entries. A large number of local VIPs, including the Palestinian culture minister, attended the event.

In this Thursday Oct. 20, 2016 photo, Palestinian producer May Odeh, holds the Sunbird Short Film Award trophy for the film entitled Izriqaq (Blued), during the Days Of Cinema awards ceremony, in the West Bank city of Ramallah. Filmlab, a Palestinian nonprofit backed by European partners, has launched a new cinema prize in an attempt to encourage the local filmmaking industry and cinema culture in the Palestinian territories. The film organization hopes the Sunbird Prize will become the Palestinian version of the Oscars. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)

Reflecting the immediate concerns of Palestinians, both of Thursday's winners dealt with the conflict with Israel.

The short, entitled "Izriqaq (Blued)," tells the story of a man who kills his father, then leaves the body next to an Israeli checkpoint. Local villagers, believing the father was killed by Israeli troops, venerate him as a "martyr," and his son gets away with the crime.

"We have been living in a circle of violence. The Israeli occupation created this cycle of violence, and a new generation was born violent because of that," said May Odeh, the film's producer. "The real story is about a man who is violent as a result of the circle of violence around himself and the society," she said.

A second prize was given to "Ambulance," a documentary about an ambulance driver in the Gaza Strip during the 2012 conflict between Israel and Hamas militants.

The prize capped the week-long Days of Cinema festival, which screened dozens of Palestinian and foreign movies in five cities across the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

"Most of the cinema houses in the Palestinian territories have been closed for either political or economic reasons," said Hanna Atallah, Filmlab's artistic director. "We are trying to bring the movies to people in cultural centers for free to enable them to see them and slowly get back to cinema culture."

Days of Cinema screened 80 films, 20 of them by Palestinians.

Khulood Badawi, a spokeswoman for the project, said thousands of people attended the festival.

Movie theaters were popular in the Palestinian territories from the 1960s to 1980s, but shut down after the first uprising against Israeli rule erupted in 1987. Only a few reopened after the uprising ended, and most of those went out of business.

One of the few surviving movie houses in the West Bank, located in the northern city of Jenin, is slated to close later this month. The cinema's spokeswoman, Maisa al-Aseer, said the owners are demolishing the building and selling the land.

"Closing a cinema is similar to closing a school. I have urged the government to buy it because it's the only cinema and theater for the city of almost 250,000 people," she said.

But with the property valued at about $1.7 million, she said prospects for conserving it were dim. "We only have 10 days to rescue this cultural place and unfortunately no one has moved to save it," she said.

Like the local cinema scene, the Palestinian filmmaking industry has largely struggled. Two films, "Paradise Now" (2005) and "Omar" (2013), both by director Hany Abu-Assad, received Oscar nominations for best foreign language film. Several others, including documentaries and shorts, have also received attention at prestigious international festivals.

But these movies often rely on foreign funding and are usually made by Palestinian filmmakers living abroad, sometimes even working with Israeli partners. Most locally-produced movies typically suffer from low budgets, poor acting and weak plotlines.

Atallah said Palestinian cinema production, however, has been slowly improving, moving beyond the exhausted "hero-victim" trope to stories with subtle and controversial plots.

"Palestinian cinema started with documenting the misery of the Palestinians resulting from the Israeli occupation, and the picture of the Palestinian in those movies was either as a hero fighting the occupation or a victim of this occupation," he said.

He noted that a number of the festival's films tackled sensitive social and political issues, such as the rift between the rival Fatah and Hamas governments in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, respectively, Palestinians fleeing the conflict and seeking better opportunities abroad, and crime in the Palestinian territories.

One of the more popular movies screened this week, "Love, Stealing and Other Things," traces a young Palestinian man who dreams of moving abroad, but turns to stealing cars in Israel and selling them in the West Bank to make a living.

The festival opened with a foreign film, "Our Last Tango," a love story about a famous Argentinian dance couple.

"We opened the event with this movie because it celebrates life and love. We want to promote life and love and culture in our society," Atallah said.
Spokesman: Kenya's ICC withdrawal to be decided by cabinet

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP)  The spokesman for Kenya's president says Kenya's cabinet has yet to make a decision on whether the country should withdraw from the International Criminal Court.

Manoah Esipisu said Sunday that parliament has twice before issued resolutions calling for Kenya's withdrawal from the tribunal, first in 2010 and again in 2013.

Esipisu says the ultimate decision on whether Kenya pulls out is subject to cabinet deliberation.

Some African countries are pushing to withdraw from the court because it indicted Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on charges of crimes against humanity for 2007 post-election violence in which more than 1,000 died.

The ICC prosecutor said threats to witnesses, bribery and lack of cooperation by Kenya's government led to the case's collapse.
SC woman killed inside home as family gathered for funeral

GASTONIA, N.C. (AP)  Police say a South Carolina woman was fatally shot as she gathered with family inside a home the night before her sister-in-law's funeral.

Media outlets report 37-year-old Jacobia Lane of Sumter, South Carolina, was sitting on a couch in her brother's Gastonia home, about 23 miles west of Charlotte, about 12:30 a.m. Saturday when someone outside fired about 30 bullets. Lane was hit in the back of her head.

Family spokesman Christopher Dennis of Charlotte tells The Charlotte Observer (http://bit.ly/2eux3vx ) about 30 people had gathered at the home before attending a funeral Saturday of a family member who died of cancer. Lane made the trip with her husband and their two children.

One bullet struck a pillow where Lane's husband was sleeping, but he wasn't hurt.
South Africa's Sundowns win African Champions League

ALEXANDRIA, Egypt (AP)  South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns won the African Champions League on Sunday by surviving waves of second-half attacks from Egypt's Zamalek to hold on for a 3-1 aggregate victory in the two-leg final.

Zamalek won the second leg in Alexandria, Egypt, 1-0 with Nigerian striker Stanley Ohawuchi's long-range goal in the 64th minute. But Sundowns' triumph was ultimately decided by their 3-0 win in the first leg at home a week ago.

Sundowns, based in the capital Pretoria, is only the second South African team to win the continent's top club title and the first in 21 years. The win also earned Sundowns a place at FIFA's Club World Cup in Japan in December.

Al Zamalek's Ahmed Tawfik, left, fights for the ball during the CAF Champions League Final second leg soccer match between Al Zamalek and Mamelodi Sundowns, at the Borg El Arab Stadium in Alexandria, Egypt, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Ahmed Gamil)

The second leg in the northern city of Alexandria was played in front of a big crowd, a rarity in Egypt after five years of political turmoil and violence that has sometimes spilled over onto the soccer field. The 86,000-seat Borg el-Arab Stadium, Egypt's biggest, was full for the game, and there was a strong security presence. Riot police formed a line around the field in the closing minutes but, although flares were regularly let off by fans during the match, there was no sign of trouble inside the stadium.

After an even first half, Sundowns went into defensive mode in the second 45 to protect their lead and the tactics worked despite some close shaves.

In the last 10 minutes, Sundowns defender Asavela Mbekile made a crucial clearance when Zamalek's Bassin Morsi looked like scoring. Zamalek substitute Emmanuel Mayuka had a header scrambled off the goal-line.

It could have been far tougher for Sundowns if Ohawuchi had taken an early opportunity. He burst onto a pass in the 12th and found himself clear on goal, but poked a shot wide of the post as Sundowns goalkeeper Denis Onyango rushed out to close him down.

Sundowns lost Onyango to a first-half injury but kept their cool in a fierce atmosphere, and Zamalek missed chances to pile the pressure on the visitors.

Captain Ahmed Tawfik had a close-range shot saved at the near-post by substitute 'keeper Wayne Sandilands in another clear chance for the Egyptians.

Sundowns also had opportunities in the first half, the best a deflected shot by Khama Billiat that bounced off the top of the crossbar.

After halftime it was all Zamalek as Sundowns backpedaled and chose to defend.

Ohawuchi's low drive slipped under Sandilands' left hand and into the bottom corner to raise Zamalek's hopes  and the volume at the Borg el-Arab  with 25 minutes to go. The five-time African champions, who were last Champions League winners in 2002, couldn't beat the Sundowns defense again.

The South African Premier Soccer League is often considered one of the strongest in Africa but Sundowns and Orlando Pirates, who won in 1995, are the only South African clubs to be crowned the continent's best.

Al Zamalek's Ahmed Tawfik, right, fights for the ball against Mamelodi Sundowns player Samuel Mabunda, left, during the CAF Champions League Final second leg soccer match at the Borg El Arab Stadium in Alexandria, Egypt, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Ahmed Gamil)

Al Zamalek's Stanley Nka Ohawuchi, center, fights for the ball against Mamelodi Sundowns player Tebogo Langerman, right, during the CAF Champions League Final second leg soccer match at the Borg El Arab Stadium in Alexandria, Egypt, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Ahmed Gamil)

Al Zamalek's Stanley Nka Ohawuchi, center, fights for the ball during the CAF Champions League Final second leg soccer match between Al Zamalek and Mamelodi Sundowns, at the Borg El Arab Stadium in Alexandria, Egypt, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Ahmed Gamil)

Al Zamalek's Ayman Hefny, left, fights for the ball against Mamelodi Sundowns player Hlompho Aphenus Kekana, right, during the CAF Champions League Final second leg soccer match at the Borg El Arab Stadium in Alexandria, Egypt, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Ahmed Gamil)

Al Zamalek fans cheer before the CAF Champions League Final second leg soccer match between Al Zamalek and Mamelodi Sundowns at the Borg El Arab Stadium in Alexandria, Egypt, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Ahmed Gamil)

Al Zamalek fans cheer before the CAF Champions League Final second leg soccer match between Al Zamalek and Mamelodi Sundowns at the Borg El Arab Stadium in Alexandria, Egypt, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Ahmed Gamil)

Al Zamalek fans cheer and hold flags before the CAF Champions League Final second leg soccer match between Al Zamalek and Mamelodi Sundowns at the Borg El Arab Stadium in Alexandria, Egypt, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Ahmed Gamil)

Al Zamalek fans cheer before the CAF Champions League Final second leg soccer match between Al Zamalek and Mamelodi Sundowns at the Borg El Arab Stadium in Alexandria, Egypt, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Ahmed Gamil)

Al Zamalek fans cheer before the CAF Champions League Final second leg soccer match between Al Zamalek and Mamelodi Sundowns at the Borg El Arab Stadium in Alexandria, Egypt, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Ahmed Gamil)
A man was fatally shot by police after he ignored an order to put down his rifle during a domestic call, Kentucky State Police say.

Trooper Billy Gregory said that 38-year-old Kenny Tomblin of Edmonton was shot by troopers just after 1am on Sunday.

Gregory says a woman told Metcalfe County dispatchers that she and Tomblin had been involved in a physical altercation.

Kenny Tomblin, 38, (pictured) was fatally shot by police after he ignored an order to put down his rifle during a domestic call

The woman said Tomblin was 'outside shooting a gun into the air' and called 9-1-1 from a neighbor's home.

The dispatcher was able to hear gunshots over the phone, police said.

A sheriff's deputy encountered Tomblin, who went into his residence, brought out the rifle and approached troopers who had arrived.

A woman told Metcalfe County dispatchers that she and Tomblin had been involved in a physical altercation

The woman said Tomblin was 'outside shooting a gun into the air' and called 9-1-1 from a neighbor's home. When police arrived, Tomblin allegedly fired into the air

Gregory says Tomblin refused to put the rifle down and discharged the weapon. Troopers returned fire, striking him.

No one else was injured.

Metcalfe County Police are investigating the shooting.

Edmonton is about 115 miles south of Louisville.
Mumm banned 1 test for foul play in loss to New Zealand

SYDNEY (AP)  Australia backrower Dean Mumm will miss the Nov. 5 test against Wales after being banned for one match for foul play in the weekend loss to New Zealand.

In a statement Monday, match Judicial officer Robert Stelzner said Mumm pleaded guilty to striking All Blacks lock Brode Retallick during the 37-10 loss at Eden Park, Auckland.

Mumm used his elbow to make contact after he was held back by Retallick. Referee Nigel Owens missed the incident.

Stelzner settled on one match because Mumm "acted instinctively in retaliation to his being illegally held back by his opponent upon trying to rejoin play" and Ratallick was able to play on.
Surfer is third Australian shark attack victim in a month

SYDNEY (AP)  A surfer sustained teeth wounds to his thigh on Monday in the third shark attack off New South Wales state north of Sydney in a month, police said.

The man, aged in his 30s, was attacked at Byron Bay, 36 kilometers (22 miles) north of Ballina, where a 25-year-old man sustained minor leg injuries while surfing with friends on Oct. 12, a police statement said.

On Sept. 26, a 17-year-old surfer required stiches to close a leg wound after he was bitten by a shark off Ballina, 600 kilometers (350 miles) north of Sydney.

A 41-year-old Japanese surfer was killed by a shark off Ballina last year.

After the latest attack, a friend drove the victim to the Byron Bay hospital. The puncture wounds to his upper-left thigh were not life-threatening, police said.

A surfer who administered first aid at the scene, Geoffrey Knapp, said the victim had been lying on his board when the shark attacked. The fiberglass board took the brunt of the bite, Knapp said.

The victim "clearly saw the tail and he got the impression that the shark was trying to knock him off his surfboard and roll him over," Knapp told Australian Broadcasting Corp.

Hundreds of protesters gathered at Ballina on Sunday to demonstrate against government plans to place anti-shark nets along beaches around Ballina.

The nets, which are suspended from floats and run parallel to the coast, are not complete barriers to sharks and kill a wide variety of marine life. Environmentalists oppose them.
UK troops to join Nato Kosovo Force in 2017

A team of British troops will be sent to join the Nato effort in Kosovo, Sir Michael Fallon has announced.

The Defence Secretary said almost 30 troops will travel early next year to join the Nato Kosovo Force (KFOR) on a 12-month deployment.

Sir Michael said "significant security and stability challenges" remained in the western Balkans.

Sir Michael Fallon has announced that UK troops are to support Nato's efforts in Kosovo next year

The UK's contribution to the mission will focus on supporting KFOR's ability to carry out intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations. T he personnel will be based at KFOR's headquarters in Kosovo's capital Pristina.

Sir Michael said: "There are significant security and stability challenges in western Balkans.

"Nato remains a cornerstone of our defence. By continuing to defend the security of Europe, Britain's security is strengthened at home."

KFOR began as a peacekeeping force in the late 1990s following the war which saw Kosovo break away from Slobodan Milosevic's Yugoslavia.
Second independence referendum unlikely 'any time soon', says Alistair Darling

Alistair Darling has said he does not believe that Nicola Sturgeon will hold a second independence referendum "any time soon" because she does not think she would win.

Mr Darling, who led the Better Together campaign in the 2014 referendum, said talking about the constitution was a "smokescreen" distracting from everything else that is going on.

The Scottish Government has launched a consultation on a new draft Referendum Bill, with Ms Sturgeon insisting voters north of the border should be given the chance to consider the issue afresh after the Brexit vote.

Alistair Darling does not believe Nicola Sturgeon will hold a second independence referendum in the near future

While the UK narrowly voted to leave the EU, almost two-thirds of Scots who took part in the ballot wanted to remain part of the bloc.

Downing Street has insisted that the Holyrood government has no mandate for a second referendum after independence was rejected in 2014.

Ms Sturgeon has said Scots should have the ability to reconsider the independence issue in light of the vote for Brexit, and to do so before the UK leaves the EU.

However, Mr Darling said he does not believe Ms Sturgeon will trigger a second independence vote soon.

The former chancellor told Scotland on Sunday: "I think everybody knows that if she thought she could win a referendum now she would hold a referendum tomorrow.

"Talking about the constitution is a great smokescreen for everything else going on.

"I don't think she will hold a referendum any time soon because she doesn't think she can win it. So why not get on with what she was elected to do and govern Scotland?"

He added: "I am very clear that we were told this was a once-in-a-generation decision two years ago, so it is.

"Remember, the decision was far more decisive than the European referendum if you look at the margins. It is time people said to the SNP, 'It is quite clear you don't think you can win'. People don't want another referendum."

Prime Minister Theresa May will host the leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland tomorrow to discuss the Brexit process and her Government's economic plans.

The Joint Ministerial Committee (JMC) will meet for the first time since the European Union referendum and Downing Street said the talks would discuss how the administrations in Westminster, Holyrood, Cardiff Bay and Stormont could work together to secure the best Brexit deal.

The Scottish First Minister wants her Government to take charge of migration, as well as being allowed to strike its own international deals, and she has warned Theresa May that if her demands are not met and the UK pursues a so-called ''hard Brexit'', she will call a second independence referendum.

Former First Minister Alex Salmond told the Sunday Herald: "Unless Theresa May is prepared to listen and to accept the plan that Nicola Sturgeon is putting forward there will be another independence referendum in about two years' time. If I was Theresa May I'd tell my ministers to listen more to Scotland."

Angus Robertson MP, SNP leader at Westminster, said: "It is clear that Alistair Darling is out of step with the majority of Scottish people as support for the SNP is at historically high levels and every opinion poll since the independence referendum in 2014 shows support for independence higher than the Yes vote.

"The First Minister could not be clearer - Scotland's voice must be heard when it comes to the EU and the SNP Scottish Government is committed to doing everything possible to protect Scotland's place in the EU.
Dozens of demonstrators arrested at North Dakota pipeline

Oct 22 (Reuters) - More than 80 protesters were arrested on Saturday after clashing with police near a pipeline construction site in North Dakota, according to the local sheriff's department, which said pepper spray was used on some demonstrators.

The 83 protesters were arrested near the site of the Dakota Access pipeline on numerous charges ranging from assault on a peace officer to rioting and criminal trespass, the Morton County Sheriff's department said in a statement.

Law enforcement was alerted early Saturday morning to an SUV on private property near the pipeline construction site and found that four men had attached themselves to the vehicle, according to the sheriff's department. Police removed the men from the SUV before arresting them.

Later, around 300 protesters marched toward pipeline construction equipment and tried to breach a police line keeping them from the equipment, the sheriff's department said.

Some were pepper sprayed by law enforcement. One protester attempted to grab a can of pepper spray from an officer, resulting in the officer being sprayed.

The demonstration closed a section of a local highway, but it was reopened on Saturday afternoon.

"Today's situation clearly illustrates what we have been saying for weeks, that this protest is not peaceful or lawful," sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier said in a statement.

"It was obvious to our officers who responded that the protesters engaged in escalated unlawful tactics and behavior during this event. This protest was intentionally coordinated and planned by agitators with the specific intent to engage in illegal activities."

The Standing Rock Sioux tribe and environmental activists have been protesting construction of the 1,100-mile (1,886-km) pipeline in North Dakota for several months, saying it threatens the water supply and sacred sites. Numerous protesters have been arrested near the pipeline.

It was unclear who organized and led the protest. A spokesman for the Standing Rock Sioux could not immediately be reached for comment.

The pipeline, being built by a group of companies led by Energy Transfer Partners LP, would be the first to bring Bakken shale from North Dakota directly to refineries on the U.S. Gulf Coast.

Supporters say it would provide a safer and more cost-effective way to transport Bakken shale to the U.S. Gulf than by road or rail.
England need two wickets, Bangladesh 33 runs to win test

Oct 23 (Reuters) - England need two more wickets on the final day to keep their all-winning record in tests against Bangladesh intact with the hosts 33 runs away from a famous victory in the closely-contested opening test at Chittagong.

Chasing 286 for their first win in nine tests against England, Bangladesh reached 253 for eight when bad light ended play on the fourth day on Sunday. Debutant Sabbir Rahman (59) and Taijul Islam (11) were at the crease.

England batted for some 20 minutes in the morning, adding 12 runs to their overnight second-innings total of 228 for nine before they were bundled out for 240.

Bangladesh left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan finished with 5-85.

Openers Tamim Iqbal (nine) and Imrul Kayes (43) gave Bangladesh a decent start on a Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium pitch that offered plenty of turn and bounce for the spinners.

England captain Alastair Cook started with spin from both ends but did not see any success until the 10th over when Tamim was out to a bat-pad catch off Moeen Ali.

Kayes was the more attacking of the pair and he continued batting positively, adding 46 for the second wicket with Mominul, who was dropped on four by wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow off Moeen.

The left-handed Kayes was not afraid to hit the ball in the air against the spinners and also employed sweep shots, both conventional and reverse, to good effect to find six boundaries in his 61-ball knock.

However, he was out shortly before the lunch break trying to sweep leg-spinner Adil Rashid, the ball hitting his glove and looping to Joe Root at slip for a simple catch.

Mominul Haque (27) and Mahmudullah (17) both fell leg before to Gareth Batty, who is playing his first test after a gap of 11 years, shortly after the lunch break.

Shakib (24) then added 32 for the fifth wicket with Mushfiqur before edging Moeen behind to Bairstow.

Captain Mushfiqur Rahim (39) and Sabbir were the last recognised batting pair for the hosts and added 87 for the sixth wicket, putting the pressure back on England.

Batty returned for a spell and finally sent back Mushfiqur, caught at short leg with a delivery that spun sharply and bounced awkwardly for the batsmen to handle.

England thought they had the match in the bag when Stuart Broad, who saw Sabbir dropped on 34 by Bairstow off his bowling, dismissed debutants Mehedi Hasan and Kamrul Islam in quick succession.
Sanaa air raids resume as Yemen truce expires-residents

SANAA, Oct 23 (Reuters) - Warplanes from a Saudi-led coalition attacked targets in Sanaa at dawn on Sunday, hours after a three-day truce in Yemen's war expired, residents in the capital said.

The ceasefire, agreed in order to allow an increased flow of much-needed humanitarian aid, ended without renewal after a day of heavy fighting between the Saudi-led Arab alliance and the Iran-allied Houthi movement.

Each side accused the other of repeatedly violating the truce and U.N. attempts to extend it before it lapsed appeared to have failed.

Air strikes were reported over some military sites in Sanaa in the Hafa camp to the east and in the Nahdein area in the South. Radar positions were also targeted in the Houthi-controlled city of Hodeida, residents reported.

The strikes happened hours before the arrival in Sanaa of U.N. envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, who is expected to discuss options for a political solution with Houthi representatives.

The United Nations and diplomats had hoped a pause in the conflict would pave the way for talks to end a 19-month-old war which has killed at least 10,000 people in the Arabian Peninsula's poorest country.
Brilliant Thomas defends CIMB Classic title

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 23 (Reuters) - Justin Thomas fired a final round eight-under-par 64 to overturn a four-shot deficit at the start of the day and successfully defend his CIMB Classic title in Malaysia on Sunday.

The 23-year-old American capitalised on overnight leader Anirban Lahiri's quadruple bogey nine on the par-five third hole to retake a lead he had held over the first two days before easing clear to win by three shots with a 23-under total.

"This is what you play for, to get into these situations and handle them well, like I did, and it's just a great start to the year," Thomas said in a greenside interview after sealing victory in the second event on the 2017 PGA Tour calendar.

Lahiri was searching for a maiden PGA Tour win at the TPC Kuala Lumpur course but the five-shot swing after he lodged his tee shot in a tree left the Indian with too much to do and he had to settle for a tie for third, four strokes back.

Japan's Hideki Matsuyama birdied the last two holes to sign for a 66 and claim second place on 20-under, with Lahiri (72) and American first round co-leader Derek Fathauer (67) rounding out the top four a further shot adrift.

After looking imperious in the first two rounds, Thomas suffered a mid-round meltdown on Saturday when he dropped four shots in three holes before a run of five consecutive birdies from the 14th kept him in touch with a surging Lahiri.

STRIKING DISTANCE

Thomas maintained his hot streak on Sunday with four birdies on his opening five holes to forge a two-shot lead over his faltering Indian playing partner and the American felt the closing stretch the previous day had set up his victory charge.

"I felt like maybe that was the biggest five holes I had played in my life because it gave me a chance," he added. "If I am going into today eight or nine back then I have no chance, so it gave me a lot of momentum and kept me in striking distance."

Thomas managed to keep his challengers at bay with some solid scrambling after the turn before an exquisite approach from 108 yards set up birdie on 16. He moved four clear of the field when he sank a monster putt on the next.

"I had little stretch there yesterday where I played pretty poorly but (caddy) Jimmy (Johnson) did an unbelievable job this week keeping me calm when it got tough ... I made some key up and downs on 12 and 13 and it feels great," Thomas added.

Australia's Marc Leishman fired a six-under 66 to finish alone in fifth place on 17-under, one ahead of American Keegan Bradley (68), who wilted on the back nine after climbing into contention going out.
Duterte hopes Philippine fishermen can return to China-controlled shoal

MANILA, Oct 23 (Reuters) - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte expressed hope on Sunday that fishermen would be able to return to the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea in the next few days.

Duterte confirmed on Saturday that the Scarborough Shoal was discussed during his four-day trip to China which was aimed at paving the way for what he calls a new commercial alliance as relations with longtime ally the United States deteriorate.

"Let us just wait for a few more days, maybe we could return to Scarborough Shoal," Duterte said in a speech in Tuguegarao City, north of the capital, where he helped deliver aid to victims of a recent typhoon.

It was not immediately clear if that meant China had given an indication it would end its four-year blockade of the shoal.

"I'm not sure if they will fulfil (what was discussed)," Duterte said.

Two Chinese sources with ties to the leadership told Reuters last week China would consider giving Philippine fishermen conditional access to disputed waters in the South China Sea after a meeting between the presidents of the two countries.

China seized the Scarborough Shoal in 2012, denying Philippine fishermen access to its fishing grounds.

The seizure formed part of a case the Philippines took to the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague, which in July rejected China's territorial claims over much of the South China Sea, including its assertion of a 200-mile (320 km) exclusive economic zone around the disputed Spratly Islands.

China immediately declared the ruling "null and void" but said it was time for talks again between the countries directly involved in the territorial disputes to reach a peaceful resolution.

"China said it is theirs. I also told them it is ours," Duterte said.

China claims most of the South China Sea, through which about $5 trillion in trade passes every year. Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims to parts of it.

Duterte's efforts to engage China mark a reversal in Philippine foreign policy since he took office on June 30.

While building China ties, Duterte has denounced the United States, apparently after being infuriated by U.S. criticism of his bloody war on drugs.

He has called U.S. President Barack Obama a "son of a bitch", told him to "go to hell" and thrown long-standing military ties into question.

On Thursday, while in China, Duterte provoked fresh diplomatic alarm by announcing his "separation" from the United States. He struck a more conciliatory tone as he arrived home on Friday.
EU sets Belgium Monday deadline to back Canada trade deal

By Alastair Macdonald and Philip Blenkinsop

BRUSSELS, Oct 23 (Reuters) - The European Union has given Belgium until late on Monday to overcome opposition to a free trade deal with Canada from its French-speaking region or a summit to sign the pact that could boost both economies is off, EU sources said on Sunday.

EU trade negotiators are rushing to assuage the Walloon government's concerns before the Monday deadline set by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to decide whether to fly to Brussels, according sources familiar with the matter.

"The Commission has been working 24/7 to find a solution," EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom tweeted on Sunday. "We now hope that Belgium will bring this matter to a successful close."

Canada, the EU's 12th-largest trading partner, says it is ready to sign the pact as planned on Thursday and years-long negotiations were over, with trade minister Chrystia Freeland saying "the ball is in the EU court."

All 28 EU governments back the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which supporters say could increase trade by 20 percent, but Belgium cannot give assent without backing from its five sub-federal administrations.

French-speaking Wallonia has steadfastly opposed it, saying the deal is bad for Europe's farmers and gives too much power to global corporate interests.

Walloon premier Paul Magnette has said the summit should be delayed to allow more time to deliberate. "An ultimatum is not compatible with the exercise of democracy," he was cited by Belgian public broadcaster RTBF as saying on Sunday.

Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel will meet with the country's regions on Monday afternoon, RTBF reported.

In a last ditch bid to secure Walloon backing, EU trade officials are offering to tweak a political declaration appended to the treaty, an EU source said.

A source with the European Commission, which is apparently keen to avoid issuing a deadline that could irk Walloon leaders, said the EU executive "understands that Belgium needs a bit of time".

DOMESTIC POLITICS

Many EU leaders suspect the local government in Namur is using its devolved powers to play domestic politics. "This is first of all an inner-Belgian matter," an EU source said.

Walloon Socialist leader Elio Di Rupo, one of the most vocal opponents of the deal, cast doubt a deal could be reached next week.

"They took years to negotiate #CETA and we are refused a few weeks," Di Rupo, a former Belgian prime minister, tweeted on Sunday. "Will we reach a solution? All depends on the contents. If it doesn't change enough, we will maintain our opposition."

European Council President Donald Tusk, who chairs the collective body of the EU's leaders, will speak to Michel by late on Monday, EU sources said, before informing Trudeau's government of the state of play.

"If Michel says he is not in a position to confirm that Belgium will be able to sign on Thursday, then we won't have the summit," a source said.

If postponed, no new summit date will be set, although the source said neither the EU nor Canada is willing to give up on a free trade pact that has been years in the making.

Deadlock over what would be the EU's first with a Group of Seven country, overshadows prospects of completing similar deals with the United States or Japan and undermines a bloc already battered by Britain's vote to leave.

German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel blamed the deadlock on a failure by the EU executive and Belgian federal government to allay the fears of some regions.

"Canada, Germany, and France had sought more contact with the Walloon government than those supposedly responsible in Brussels," he told Handelsblatt newspaper. "The reasons for the Walloon protest lie in Brussels and not in Berlin."
Italy's front line in fight to save banks: a storage room

By Valentina Za

MILAN, Oct 23 (Reuters) - Storage rooms crammed with loan documents have emerged as a hidden front line in Italy's battle to save its banks from the threat of financial crisis.

Dozens of analysts have been toiling in back offices of the nation's third-largest lender, Monte dei Paschi di Siena , in the first stage of a campaign to sell or recover much of Italy's 360 billion euros ($395 billion) worth of problem loans.

The analysts, engineers from a loan data firm, have worked for almost a year with the bank's officials to comb through ageing files, copies of which are kept in binders tied together with string and stacked in cupboards, in order to help prepare a 28 billion euro bad loan sale.

"Ours is a painstaking job," said Luca Mazzoni, chief executive of Protos, which has been hired by Monte dei Paschi.

"Documents associated with a single loan can take up an entire cupboard. In one case I remember half a room filled with papers related to just one loan."

Monte dei Paschi, Italy's weakest major lender, is under pressure from the European Central Bank to resolve its bad debt problem by the end of the year, but foreign investors have so far shown little enthusiasm in supporting its rescue plan.

The arduous work of Protos' engineers shows how the patchy state of loan records at Italian banks is likely to hamper sales of bad debts for some time, despite a regulatory push.

Experts say Italian banks may struggle to meet deadlines set by the Bank of Italy to periodically provide very detailed information about bad loans above 100,000 euros.

"Banks are getting hit from all sides: they don't have the time ... They may be stretched in terms of resources and they can't fix things like their IT system overnight," said Joe Giannamore, head of AnaCap Financial Partners which owns a gross 9 billion euros worth of Italian bad loans.

"If they don't have information captured centrally in one place, banks face a long, manual and very labour-intensive job."

Lenders failed to keep records up to date as Italian bad loans quadrupled following the onset of the financial crisis in 2007. When they came under pressure to sell, they realised their databases lacked much of the information that buyers demanded.

DATABASES

Protos analysts have what they call their "war rooms", where they take the information dug out from piles of documents and build easy-to-consult databases.

High-quality information can improve the selling price of a loan portfolio by up to 10 percent, according to Mazzoni.

"One important lesson learnt in the disposal is (that) if you have a good database, the price is higher," BPER CEO Alessandro Vandelli said after the bank sold 450 million euros in bad loans in July.

This is key as banks normally offload bad debts at a loss. Monte dei Paschi's ambitious recapitalisation would be an even tougher challenge if a lower selling price for its loans had blown a bigger hole in its accounts.

To shed the bad debts, Monte dei Paschi is relying on a guarantee provided by the state and a major investment by Atlante, a state-sponsored bailout fund financed by leading Italian financial institutions.

Encouragingly, after delving into Monte dei Paschi's bad loans, Atlante last week said the loan quality matched its estimates. Atlante offered in July to pay 1.6 billion euros, or about 27 cents in every euro of face value, for a tranche of the bank's bad loans repackaged as securities.

Monte dei Paschi is now awaiting the outcome of a similar review by JPMorgan, which has pledged to provide a 5 billion euro bridge loan to buy time to arrange the state guarantee.

OUT-OF-COURT

Strong local ties can make Italian banks reluctant to aggressively call in debts, especially small personal loans taken out to buy a car or a washing machine.

"Banks tread lightly because they don't want to hurt their image or undermine traditionally close ties with the local community," said Carmine Evangelista, CEO of AZ Holding, which specializes in recovering unsecured loans.

"When we get a new portfolio we make a first round of calls to let people know their creditor is no longer the bank. This alone normally prompts some repayments," Evangelista added.

Banks have managed to sell unsecured loans despite poor data because they have standard market prices.

But roughly half of Italy's 200 billion euros in loans to insolvent borrowers is secured against real estate, according to accountancy firm PwC.

To sell or recover those loans, accurate data are essential. For example, the bank or the loan's new owners may find it necessary to relaunch an unfinished property development on land that was pledged as collateral.

That can be a big decision, given a 15 percent drop in Italian house prices over the past four years.

The least efficient way to recover bad loans in Italy is to take borrowers to court where, on average, bankruptcy proceedings drag on for 7.8 years.

"It's vital to seek out-of-court deals with borrowers ... Banks don't do that enough," Riccardo Serrini, CEO of bad loan manager Prelios Credit Servicing, said.

($1 = 0.9096 euros)
Turkey PM: Our artillery helping Kurdish fighters in Iraq -CNN Turk

ANKARA, Oct 23 (Reuters) - Turkish artillery is lending support to Kurdish Peshmerga fighters battling Islamic State militants near the Bashiqa camp in Iraq, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim was quoted as saying by CNN Turk and other media outlets on Sunday.

"The Peshmerga have mobilised to cleanse the Bashiqa region from Daesh. They asked for help from our soldiers at the Bashiqa base. So we are helping the tanks with our artillery there," CNN Turk quoted him as saying.

Kurdish fighters said they had taken the town of Bashiqa near Mosul from Islamic State on Sunday as coalition forces pressed their offensive against the jihadists' last stronghold in Iraq.
Hungary's Orban rejects "Sovietisation" by Brussels, defends nation state

By Marton Dunai

BUDAPEST, Oct 23 (Reuters) - At a commemoration of a 1956 anti-Communist uprising, Hungary's right-wing leader Viktor Orban said his country must stand up to Europe's "Sovietisation" and defend its borders against mass migration.

Orban, a critic of the European Union and an early opponent of the recent migration wave into the continent, said freedom in Europe depended on the nation state and Christian traditions.

"People who love their freedom must save Brussels from Sovietisation, from people who want to tell us who we should live with in our countries," the prime minister said to cheers from a crowd of several thousand.

"We want to be a European nation not a nationality within Europe," he said.

A few hundred opposition protesters whistled loudly as Orban spoke, and brawls broke out in the crowd between his supporters and opponents.

"We cannot create freedom while this despicable leftist opposition exists," said Laszlo Barta, an Orban supporter with a Hungarian flag flung across his shoulders.

Along with other ex-Communist countries in eastern Europe, Hungary opposes a policy that would require all EU states to take in some of the hundreds of thousands of mainly Muslim migrants seeking asylum in the bloc after arriving last year.

Orban has led resistance to the stance taken by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who has said EU states have an obligation to share the burden of taking in refugees.

He responded to the influx last year by sealing Hungary's southern borders with a razor-wire fence and deploying thousands of soldiers and police.

"As heirs to 1956 we cannot allow Europe to cut the roots that made it great and helped us survive the Soviet suppression. There is no free Europe without nation states and thousands of years of wisdom from Christianity," he said on Sunday.

"We must close the border to stop the mass migration that flows from the south."

Polish President Andrzej Duda, the guest of honour at the commemoration, assured Hungarians of support from Warsaw.
Battle for Mosul can shape or break Iraq further

By Samia Nakhoul, Michael Georgy and Stephen Kalin

ERBIL, Oct 23 (Reuters) - It has taken two years of training a demoralised army, backed up by the air cover and special forces of the world's greatest powers, for Iraq to mount an offensive to recapture Mosul from Islamic State.

Almost week into the U.S.-led onslaught, many of those running the campaign say the battle to retake the city could be long and hard. But they have also identified what they think is a chink in the jihadists' armour.

If local fighters in Mosul can be persuaded to drop their allegiance to Islamic State, there is a chance that the battle can be brought to a more speedy conclusion, and that could have major implications for the future of Iraq.

Against a background of splits and rebellions in the Islamic State ranks in Mosul, some opposing commanders believe that a successful attempt to win over those local fighters could mean the battle lasts only weeks rather than months.

Mosul, Iraq's second biggest city, is where IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared his Sunni caliphate in 2014, after his alliance between millenarian Islamists and veteran officers from the disbanded army of Saddam Hussein roared back into Iraq from bases they set up in the mayhem of Syria's war. Five Iraqi army divisions melted away before jihadis numbered in hundreds.

Now the battle to retake Mosul pits an unwieldy coalition of a 30,000-strong Iraqi regular force backed by the US and Europeans, alongside Kurdish and Shi'ite militias, against jihadis who have exploited the Sunni community's sense of dispossession in Iraq and betrayal in Syria.

Not just its outcome but the political sensitivity with which this battle is handled could determine the future of Islamic State and Sunni extremism, as well as the shape of this part of the Middle East, which is being shattered into sectarian fragments.

Islamic State fighters, estimated at between 4,000 and 8,000, have rigged the city with explosives, mined and booby-trapped roads, built oil-filled moats they can set alight, dug tunnels, and trenches and have shown every willingness to use Mosul's up to 1.5 million civilians as human shields.

Islamic State would seem to have a plentiful supply of suicide bombers, launching them in scores of explosives-laden trucks against Kurdish peshmerga fighters converging on Mosul from the east and northeast, and Iraqi forces, spearheaded by counter-terrorism units, advancing from the south and southwest.

"Mosul will be a multi-month endeavour. This is going to take a long time," a senior U.S. official said in Iraq.

CALIPHATE

Karim Sinjari, Interior Minister in the self-governing Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) of northern Iraq, said IS would put up a fierce fight because of Mosul's symbolic value as capital of its self-proclaimed Islamic caliphate.

"If Mosul is finished the caliphate they announced is finished. If they lose in Mosul, they will have no place, just Raqqa (in Syria)," Sinjari said.

Adept at exploiting divisions among its enemies, last Friday's dawn assault by IS on Kirkuk, for example, was not just an attempt to divert Iraqi and Kurdish forces and relieve pressure on the main front.

It was also intended to galvanise Sunni Arab opinion against the Kurds, whose Iraqi peshmerga and Syrian Kurdish militia have fielded the most effective ground forces against IS.

That is why many of those invested in the battle for Mosul stress the need to break the cohesion of IS and the allegiance it has won or coerced among alienated Sunni, in Mosul and beyond.

The opportunity is there, they say.

They believe that while foreign jihadis will fight to the finish to protect their last stronghold in Iraq, the Iraqi fighters, many from Mosul itself, may lay down their arms.

"Most of the (IS) fighters now are local tribal fighters. They have some foreign fighters, they have some people from other parts of Iraq and Syria, but the majority are local fighters," says a senior Kurdish military intelligence chief.

"If we can take this away from them, the liberation of Mosul is a job of a week or two weeks."

FISSURES

Fissures are widening inside the IS camp, with Iraqi, Kurdish and Western sources reporting resistance in Mosul and a spate of attacks on its leaders.

Sinjari, also the KRG acting defence minister, says there is growing resentment against the group's brutality.

"There is information that many people are revolting and carrying out attacks against IS. A number of Daesh members were killed on the streets at night," Sinjari said. This was confirmed by the U.S. official but could not be independently verified.

It fits with accounts of a recent abortive uprising against IS, led by a former aide to Baghdadi, that ended with the execution of 58 Daesh dissidents.

Crucially, more than half IS's fighting strength comes from Sunni tribes initially relieved they were being freed from sectarian persecution by a Shi'ite dominated government in Baghdad and a corrupt and brutal army.

Some strategists believe those tribes could turn against the brutality of IS rule - just as the Sunni tribal fighters of the Sahwa or Awakening turned against al-Qaeda in Iraq a decade ago - if Baghdad guarantees their lives and livelihoods.

In Mosul, there are Iraqi tribal people in IS who pledged allegiance when the group arrived, a Kurdish intelligence chief said.

"If the Iraqis send a message and reassure these Sunni Iraqis that they will be given a second chance I think it is wise to do so, because if they put their weapons down you are definitely taking out 60 percent of their (IS) fighting force".

The official emphasised the need for the US-led coalition's close involvement in Mosul, especially after the experience of the recapture of Falluja, Ramadi and Tikrit, IS-held cities where refugees and local Sunnis suffered at the hands of Shi'ite militias.

In the battle for Mosul, it has supposedly been agreed that neither Shi'ite fighters nor Kurdish peshmerga will enter the city when it falls to avoid stoking a sectarian backlash.

While the anti-IS coalition has gained momentum, military strategists and intelligence officials say the closer the Iraqi forces get to Mosul, the harder it will be.

"If they decide to defend the city then it will be more difficult and the process will slow down," the intelligence chief said.

Once inside Mosul, Iraqi special forces would have to go from street to street to clear explosives and booby traps set up by Islamic State.

"The roads are very narrow. You can't use vehicles or tanks, so it will be a fight, person by person," Sinjari said.

VILLAGES

Until now, it has been easy for the coalition to hit IS positions in deserted villages around Mosul but the air strikes will slow down once Iraqi forces get into the city.

Islamic State, Iraqi commanders say, have succeeded in the past in blocking army troops from moving against them by staging suicide attacks and rigging explosives.

But they say that would no longer be an obstacle in Mosul as the Iraqi army has recently received an effective guided missile system that destroys explosives-packed vehicles.

The Iraqi commanders say their tactic now would be to cut Islamic State fighters off from the hinterland of supporting villages then split the city into different neighbourhoods.

Brigadier Haider Abdul Muhsin al-Darraji, from the army 10th division, said military units would launch simultaneous attacks from multiple fronts on Mosul, divide the city into sectors to isolate IS fighters. And with coalition air strikes the jihadis will have little chance of getting reinforcements from the western side, which has been left open to encourage their departure towards Syria.

The difficulty is how to hit IS targets inside Mosul without causing massive civilian casualties.

"Its just like a tough surgery to remove a brain tumour," Darraji said.

Colonel Mahdi Ameer from the 9th Iraqi army division fighting south of Mosul said Islamic State had "deliberately blocked residents from leaving the city to use them as human shields and prolong the battle".

Islamic State's enemies do not underestimate the group's strength, which depends on experienced former senior Baathist officers and Islamist radicals willing to blow themselves up to defend their Sunni heartland.

"They are much more organised than the peshmerga and others. They have good administration, a good support system and enough weapons and ammunitions," said the Kurdish counter-terrorism official.

The Mosul offensive will be the most important battle fought in Iraq since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003. What happens next will shape or break an already fractured Iraq.

"There are growing concerns about fixing the political peace the day after liberating Mosul," said Hoshyar Zebari, a top Iraqi politician and former finance minister.

"How will this multi-ethnic, multi-sectarian city ... be governed and run without communal conflict, without revenge killing, without a large displacement of people? That needs some political planning on how the city will be governed. It should have a strong representative governance in the city."

But the battle against radical Islamists in the region will not end with the liberation of Mosul.
Venezuela congress presses for Maduro trial in rowdy session

By Alexandra Ulmer and Deisy Buitrago

CARACAS, Oct 23 (Reuters) - Venezuela's opposition-led National Assembly in a rowdy session on Sunday pressed to put Nicolas Maduro on trial for violating democracy, days after authorities nixed a recall referendum against the unpopular leftist president.

The measure is unlikely to get traction as the government and the Supreme Court have systematically undermined the legislature on grounds it is illegitimate until it removes three lawmakers accused of vote-buying. But it marked a further escalation of political tensions in the crisis-hit OPEC nation.

"It is a political and legal trial against President Nicolas Maduro to see what responsibility he has in the constitutional rupture that has broken democracy, human rights, and the future of the country," said opposition majority leader Julio Borges during a special congressional meeting.

The session was briefly interrupted when around 100 apparently pro-government protesters stormed in, brandishing Socialist Party signs and shouting "The Assembly will fall!" before officials herded them out.

Opposition lawmakers said there were injuries and tweeted photos of two men receiving care after alleged blows to the head. There were also reports some journalists had been robbed of their camera and flak jackets.

"The Socialist Party is showing what it has left. There are no ideas or arguments, only violence!" said opposition leader and two-time presidential candidate Henrique Capriles.

The opposition coalition, seeking to end 17 years of socialism in the South American nation, says Thursday's suspension of its drive for a plebiscite against Maduro shows Venezuela has abandoned democracy.

Ruling party officials accuse the opposition of fraud in their signature drive and say the coalition is seeking a coup to gain control of Venezuela's vast crude reserves, the world's largest.

Despite that oil wealth, Venezuela has plunged into an unprecedented economic crisis, with many people skipping meals due to shortages and soaring prices.

Many Venezuelans fear preventing the referendum increases chances of social unrest in the already volatile and violent country.

The opposition coalition has called for a major peaceful protest on Wednesday, dubbed "The takeover of Venezuela".

'PEOPLE ARE HUNGRY!'

In Sunday's raucous session, lawmakers also traded barbs, with ruling party politicians showing photos of late leader Hugo Chavez while opposition congressmen chanted "The people are hungry and want a recall!"

Likening Maduro to former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet and Peru's authoritarian ex-president Alberto Fujimori, opposition lawmakers also vowed to replace deans at the electoral council and judges on the Supreme Court, though that too is unlikely to see the light of day.

Congress concluded the session by declaring that Maduro's government had staged a coup by axing the referendum. And lawmakers unearthed an old accusation, that Maduro was actually Colombian and so is ineligible to be president, though they had yet to offer any proof.

"Stop being ridiculous," said ruling party lawmaker Hector Rodriguez, slamming the session as a "bad circus".

"What you want to do is stage a coup, like in Paraguay, like in Honduras, and like in Brazil. We're not Honduras, nor Paraguay, nor Brazil."

It was not immediately clear how Congress, which will hold another special session on Tuesday, might seek to put Maduro on trial.

The opposition had indeed largely rejoiced when the senate of neighboring Brazil ousted leftist leader Dilma Rousseff last month. Recent shifts to the right in Argentina and Peru have also given the opposition hope of piling regional pressure on Maduro.

Maduro, a former bus driver and union leader, is currently on a four-day foreign trip to seek consensus on supporting oil prices. He has seen his popularity tumble as the recession worsens three years on from the death of his mentor Chavez.

Even former 'Chavista' strongholds in the slums have turned against Maduro, and the opposition frequently claims discontent runs deep among some in the top brass.
Fate of child migrants uncertain before France demolishes Jungle camp

By Matthias Blamont

CALAIS, France, Oct 23 (Reuters) - Aid workers accused France and Britain on Sunday of failing more than 1,300 unaccompanied child migrants whose future remained uncertain just a day before the French government begins dismantling the filthy camp where they are holed up.

Charities operating in the makeshift camp dubbed the "Jungle" near Calais have criticised the slow pace at which British and French officials have processed the papers of children fleeing countries such as Syria, Afghanistan and Eritrea. [ID:far-right lawmaker

The U.K. government has prioritised children and youths who can claim family ties in Britain and on Friday a French Interior Ministry official said they were still negotiating over hundreds more with no such connections.

"All this should have been done a long time ago," Francois Guennoc from the charity Auberge des Migrants told Reuters.

Allaodil, a Sudanese boy who says he is 14, was wandering on Sunday through the Jungle's garbage-strewn mud alleyways, shivering underneath a blanket.

"My brother has been in the United Kingdom, in Glasgow, for three years and has a job there," said Allaodil in faltering English, adding that he wanted to join his elder sibling.

He said the British authorities were aware of his case but still did not know whether he would be granted asylum in Britain or forced to relocate in France.

With its makeshift shacks and poor sanitation, the Jungle has become a symbol of Europe's failure to solve the migration crisis and a sore point in relations between Britain and France.

France's Socialist government will begin demolishing the camp on Monday on humanitarian grounds, it says. Most migrants in the camp want to cross the narrow stretch of sea to Britain.

The Jungle and immigration more broadly are a divisive theme in campaigning before France's presidential election in April, with leading conservative candidates pledging to move the border with Britain from Calais to southern England.

Some conservative politicians say Britain should take in all the Jungle's 6,500 inhabitants.

"This is an insult for those (French people) ... who live here below the poverty line," said far-right lawmaker Marion Marechal-Le Pen, a niece of the National Front leader Marine Le Pen, speaking in a rural town in southeastern France.

Aid workers say hundreds of migrants may refuse France's plan to resettle them in reception centres across the country while their asylum requests are considered. France says those who refuse to move on from the Jungle face arrest.
Clinton calls Trump a 'sore loser'

By Luciana Lopez and Emily Stephenson

CHARLOTTE, N.C./NAPLES, Fla., Oct 23 (Reuters) - Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton called Donald Trump a "sore loser" on Sunday because of his refusal at their debate last week to commit to accepting the results of the Nov. 8 election.

Clinton, a former secretary of state, said Trump's comments were more consistent with what dictators in non-democratic countries might say about their opponents.

"To say you won't respect the results of the election, that is a direct threat to our democracy," Clinton told a rally at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. "The peaceful transfer of power is one of the things that makes America America."

"And look, some people are sore losers, and we just got to keep going," she added.

Earlier on Sunday, Kellyanne Conway, a top Trump adviser, acknowledged that the Republican presidential candidate was lagging behind Clinton ahead of the election.

Conway said Clinton had "tremendous advantages," including a large campaign war chest that had allowed her to spend millions on television ads.

"We are behind," Conway said on NBC's "Meet the Press." But she added the Trump campaign was looking to sway undecided voters not ready to support Clinton.

As the polling gap has widened, Trump has said repeatedly the election is being "rigged" against him. He has not offered evidence and numerous studies have shown that the U.S. election system, which is decentralized and run by the states, is sound.

At last week's debate with Clinton in Las Vegas, Trump was asked if he would honor the result of the U.S. election.

"What I'm saying is that I will tell you at the time. I'll keep you in suspense. OK?" Trump said.

EARLY VOTING

As she visited North Carolina, Clinton urged her supporters to participate in early voting.

"From now until Nov. 5, you can vote early at any voting location in your county. And you know, this is a big deal," Clinton said at a campaign event in Raleigh.

Campaigning in Naples, Florida, on Sunday, Trump also encouraged voters to go to the polls to vote both for him and Republicans running for Congress and other offices.

"You have 16 days to make this happen, but you have to get out and vote, and that includes helping me re-elect Republicans all over the place."

"I hope they help me too. Be nice if they help us too, right?" said Trump, who has sparred with many prominent members of his party, including U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan, the country's top elected Republican.

The latest Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Friday had Clinton leading Trump by 4 percentage points, and the most recent State of the Nation project showed Clinton with a 95 percent chance of winning the 270 Electoral College votes needed to secure the presidency.

An ABC News poll released on Sunday morning had Clinton leading with 50 percent of likely support, compared with Trump's 38 percent. The poll found that the number of Republicans who said they were likely to vote fell 7 percentage points from mid-October.

As Trump battled to win over undecided voters, advisers and members of his inner circle sought to downplay his remarks about the integrity of the election, in an indication he would come under significant pressure to accept the election results if he were to lose.

Republican Party Chairman Reince Priebus said that by asking Trump to agree to concede, the media were making an extraordinary request. He said Trump would only fight if the election were close and was not trying to dispute a fair election.

"That's not quite what he's saying. What he's saying is he wants to reserve all options and if there is ground for a recount, I'll reserve all options," Priebus said on CBS's "Face The Nation."

Trump's son Eric said on Sunday that Trump would "100 percent" accept the results of the election if the outcome is "fair."

"I think what my father is saying is, 'I want a fair election,'" Eric Trump said on ABC's "This Week." "If it's a fair outcome, he will absolutely accept it. There's no question about that."

On Sunday, Trump picked up his first endorsement of the general election from a major newspaper when the Las Vegas Review-Journal backed his candidacy. The newspaper is owned by Republican mega-donor Sheldon Adelson, who has been reluctant to donate to Trump. In 2012, Adelson spent about $150 million trying to help elect Republican Mitt Romney.
U.N. chief mulls future in South Korea where he tops presidential polls

By Jean Yoon and Michelle Nichols

UNITED NATIONS, Oct 21 (Reuters) - United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Friday he will return to South Korea in January after heading the world body for a decade to consider what role he can play in the future of his country amid a push for him to run for president.

"I understand that there are naturally some expectations from many people in Korea that I should make myself available for a better future of Korea that I am conscious of," Ban, 72, who will step down at the end of 2016, told Reuters in an interview.

Ban said it was the first time he had spoken publicly about his future beyond the United Nations. The U.N. General Assembly last week appointed Ban's successor, former Portuguese prime minister Antonio Guterres, who will start on Jan. 1.

Ban is the only potential candidate for South Korea's presidential election in December 2017 with consistently more than 20 percent support in opinion polls. Ban, who served two five-year terms as U.N. chief, said he plans to return to South Korea in mid-January.

"Then after that I will have to discuss with some of my friends, my senior people who can give me good advice, what kind of role I can play for the future of Korea," he said during his first interview since the appointment of his successor.

If he runs, Ban is expected to join the conservative Saenuri Party of current President Park Geun-hye. He would join a small field of potential candidates who have struggled to gain much public support.

Ban said his "options are still open" and "let me just ponder seriously what will be the best way for me to use my time, my experience as secretary-general."

He said for now he was still focused on his job as U.N. secretary-general and it was "not the right time for me to speculate anything."

Throughout Ban's second term the war in Syria has worsened and prospects for peace anytime soon appear dim. More than 400,000 people have been killed and half the country's 22 million people have been uprooted over nearly six years.

"I deeply regret that the Syrian issue has not been resolved," Ban said. "I am ready to receive all this blame, criticism but sometimes you should know the secretary-general is blamed for what is beyond my own control."

NORTH KOREA 'GREAT CONCERN, WORRY'

A top issue for Ban, a former South Korean foreign minister, has been how to deal with increasing tensions on the Korean Peninsula following two nuclear tests and a string of ballistic missile launches by North Korea this year in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions.

"Never in the past have we seen such heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula, that is a source of my great concern and worry," Ban told Reuters during the interview in his 38th floor office at the United Nations in New York.

Since North Korea's fifth and largest nuclear test in September, the United States and China, a close ally of Pyongyang, have been negotiating a new draft Security Council resolution. In March, the 15-member council imposed tough new sanctions following its fourth nuclear test in January.

"Sometimes the Security Council has been taking unnecessarily long time in expressing their positions and that kind of sense of lack of unity gives some good excuse for the member states like North Korea not to abide by this resolution," Ban said.

Ban said he had met with senior North Korean authorities in New York and elsewhere, on the margins of international conferences, and advised them to address the issue "through a harmonious and reconciliatory way." He had made attempts to visit Pyongyang but they were canceled by North Korea.

Ban is generally well-regarded in South Korea, often called "the president of the world" in the media there and seen as a role model by students and parents. Stores carry a range of books on Ban's life and U.N. tenure, as well as self-help volumes on how to become a world figure and even how to speak like him.

Upon his return to South Korea, Ban said he planned to tell the people of South Korea about what he has achieved in the past decade, such as a U.N. agenda for the world's 2030 sustainable development and a global agreement to combat climate change, which comes into force next month.

"I'm determined to sprint to the finish line as secretary-general," Ban said. "It's important for me to finish my job as secretary-general until the very last moment of my mandate."
The Public Utilities Commission is set to introduce a set of new laws which will allow the public to seek compensation from the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) in instances of inefficient power distribution.

Speaking at an event in Kegalle, Minister of Power and Energy Ranjith Siyambalapitiya the laws would ensure the CEB discharged its duties responsibly.

The minister claimed that despite the Public Utilities Commission being formed 7 years ago, no laws and regulations were introduced for anything related to power and energy.

The ministry is to enforce laws which will hold the CEB responsible to the general public.
Sri Lankas twofold bid to build economic momentum and improve investor sentiment on the back of a US $ 1.5 billion funding pledge from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will be analysed in a report by the global publishing firm Oxford Business Group (OBG).



The IMF expects Sri Lankas economy to expand by 5 percent in 2016, which would represent a three-year high. The Report: Sri Lanka 2017 highlights the economic sectors that are expected to generate new growth, including tourism, ICT and transport. The publication also shines a spotlight on Sri Lankas construction industry, which is poised for a period of heightened activity.



In addition, OBGs report provides detailed coverage of the challenges Sri Lanka faces, led by the knock-on effects of a cooling in the Chinese economy, the slow pace of global recovery and pressure to keep fiscal reforms on track.



OBG has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC), which will result in the chamber representatives once again partnering with OBG to compile and produce The Report: Sri Lanka 2017.



Under the MoU, the CCC, which is the premier business chamber in Sri Lanka, will act as an official research partner of OBG, when compiling The Report: Sri Lanka 2017.

CCC Chairman Samantha Ranatunga said he expected the partnership to chart Sri Lankas plans for boosting both foreign direct investment (FDI) and exports with added value.

Sri Lanka is in the midst of transition, with major policy changes and new initiatives aimed at broadening the countrys economic base gathering momentum, he said.



I look forward to partnering with Oxford Business Group once again to explore the new openings emerging for investors as Sri Lankas development progresses.

OBG Country Director for Sri Lanka Andrea Tsiachtsiri welcomed the opportunity to continue working with the chambers representatives, noting that the synergy resulting from the partnership had given OBGs 2016 report an added dimension.
The Meteorology Department warned that several parts of the country will experience heavy rains due to the development of a depression 1,400 km Northeast of Sri Lanka at the center of the Bay of Bengal.

Even though, Sri Lanka was not directly affected by the developing weather heavy showers between 100 -150 mm could be expected in the South-Western part of the country, the Central hills and the Northern Province.

Thundershowers would occur at time in the Northern, Western, Central, Sabaragamuwa and North-Western provinces and in the Galle and Matara districts, the Department said.

Naval and fishing communities are requested to be vigilant in this regard.
Business magnate Dhammika Perera said that he will be investing in two technological platforms to help boost the countrys health sector as a part of his charity work.



Right now, its very expensive for a patient to get a second opinion. So I will be bringing IBM Watson to Sri Lanka so that doctors can give a second opinion, the countrys richest individual said during the 37th National Conference of Chartered Accountants held last week.



IBM Watson, which was initially developed to answer questions on the American television game show Jeopardy! is now being used for a wide array of applications, including healthcare, weather forecasting, biotechnology and brand management.

Doctors in the western world are using IBM Watsons ability to learn and create hypotheses using its massive database to get second opinions on cancer patients by inputting many variables, as well as to get opinions on treatment options.

Perera also said that he would be creating a live medical doctor phone consultation system, which also has been widely adopted across the globe.

We will develop it and donate it to the public health sector, he said. While telephone consultations have been used to solve the gap between the supply and the demand of medical professionalsa problem Sri Lanka is now facingthere has also been some criticism of doctors at times misdiagnosing illnesses. Perera did not mention how much he would be investing to implement the two programmes.



His comments come at a time when two of the countrys largest telecommunication companies have invested heavily to create technology platforms for the health sector. (CW)
As a former Ambassador to the EU (I had two postings in Brussels) I could state without fear of being contradicted that the withdrawal of the GSP Plus was an unfair punishment and a cheap political act unbecoming of the EU; for the EU could most definitely have achieved its goal of having our government deliver on its undelivered international commitments without damaging our economy and bringing hardship on our people. I am certain that since the political climate has changed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will not return

empty handed.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe meet EU President Donald Tusk at his recent visit



GSP+ is a special incentive arrangement for sustainable development and good governance which is one of three non-reciprocal, preferential import regimes for developing countries under the EUs Generalised System of Preferences (GSP). Under the GSP+ the EU provides additional preferences  beyond standard GSP treatment  to economically vulnerable developing countries which have ratified and effectively implemented international conventions in the fields of human and labour rights, sustainable development and good governance and which voluntarily apply for GSP+ benefits and accept the associated conditions. Fourteen other Developing Countries did have the facility extended to them..

The decision to withdraw GSP + benefits from Sri Lanka has been taken in line with the proposal of the European Commission of December 2009.

Does not this date itself tell a story? This suspension of GSP + was just three months after the LTTE was defeated. In my eight years in Brussels on two tours of duty, there were over fifty resolutions against Sri Lanka (the originals were all watered down and amended thanks to the British Conservatives in the EU Parliament) all of them filed by the British Labour Party politicians at the instance of the Tamil Diaspora in the UK. The suspension of GSP was without doubt at the instigation of the British Socialists who were well looked after by the Diaspora; incidentally the UK Parliament held five meetings in Parliament to chastise and condemn Sri Lanka during and after the war against the LTTE. EU Member States decided to withdraw preferential tariff benefits to Sri Lanka under a special incentive arrangement for sustainable development and good governance, known as GSP+. This decision follows a so called investigation by the European Commission, which is said to have identified shortcomings in respect of Sri Lankas

implementation of three UN human rights conventions relevant for benefits under the scheme. Any suspension should only take effect in six months time, giving the identified country extra time to address the problems identified.

" Does not this date itself tell a story? This suspension of GSP + was just three months after the LTTE was defeated"

Though the last government was reaching out to the Tamils and addressing their grievances and was making headway this was ignored by the EU as they were under pressure from Britain, which in turn had the Tamil Diaspora on its back. No concessions were made to Sri Lanka at all though recognizable progress had been made. The EU did not reverse its decision of December 2009. Sri Lanka was a major beneficiary of the trading opportunities offered by GSP+. EU imports from Sri Lanka under GSP+ amounted to billions of Euros. The most important import products benefiting from these trade preferences were t-shirts and other clothing items, as well as fisheries products.

This withdrawal of GSP + would never have happened had Britain had their plantations and any other interests in our country; the LTTE and the Tamil Diaspora would not have been able to penalize the country in the manner it did if we had got our house in order. We, for our part need to do much more to restore the relationship between our people to what it was before 1956; there can be no solution to our problem until the minorities and particularly the Tamil people feel that this is also their country, where they are treated as equals, live in dignity with absolute security and have a say in the management of the whole country which is also theirs.
Former Minister Mervyn Silva commenting on the deaths of the youths who died recently in Jaffna, after they were shot at by the police allegedly for disobeying orders to stop their motorcycle when ordered to do so, today said the authorities had acted too hastily to take action against the police personnel who were involved in the shooting.



While expressing shock and disbelief at the speed in which the authorities had reached their decision to take legal action taken against the police personnel involved in the incident, he said a proper inquiry should have been launched to ascertain what exactly took place before resorting to this action.

I too stop my vehicle at road blocks when ordered by the police to do so and help them to fulfil their duties. The police personnel who were interdicted and remanded did not have hatred enough to kill thee youths. They only tried to fulfill their duties. The relevant authorities should not have acted so quickly to punish the police personnel, involved in the incident he said.



He said even though many people are not aware of this, the Jaffna Police had done a praiseworthy job in eradicating social menaces in the district such as drugs, murders, rapes and robberies.

Video by Buddhi
President Maithripala Sirisena is to visit Iran in December to strengthen relations with the Islamic Republic, Iranian media reported.

According to the Iran Islamic Republic News Agency, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani visited Southeast Asia last month where he met with his Sri Lankan counterpart on the sidelines of the Asia Corporation Dialogue summit in Bangkok.

They exchanged views about many international and regional issues. President Sirisena visited Iran in December 2006, it was reported.
By Chandeepa Wettasinghe

One of the countrys leading economists said that future operations of the national carrier SriLankan Airlines will be hindered due to the decision to merge it with the bankrupt budget airline Mihin Air in the coming months.



One of the glaring mistakes we have done in the recent past is the amalgamation of the Mihin Air budget airline with SriLankan Airlines. Of course, the people who dont know about the two airlines will think this is a good policy, former Central Bank Deputy Governor W. A. Wijewardena said.

Delivering the keynote address at the Sri Lanka Economic Association Annual Sessions, Wijewardena, who has consistently been pointing out poor government decision making, said that the merger will further handicap SriLankan.



Both institutions are sick institutions. What we have done is we have married one sick woman to another sick man. And those two sick people cannot produce good children. The children will also be sick. Instead of closing down Mihin Air, we have added it to another sickness, he said.

The problems in SriLankan are not just financial mismanagement and corruption, with the Weliamuna Report which was commissioned by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe also pointing out various scandals which had taken place involving the airline.

Current SriLankan Chairman Ajith Dias however had downplayed the relevance of the report earlier this month, while the portfolio minister Kabir Hashim since said that the allegations of the report have to be further investigated.



Mihin Air, one of the many projects started under the previous regime that bears the namesake of Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, was founded in 2007, and has operated since then without making any profit, accumulating losses of up to Rs. 17 billion by the end of the 2016 financial year. SriLankan, which has accumulated losses exceeding Rs. 100 billion from 2010-2015, improved its position in 2016, adding just Rs. 11.59 billion to the losses due to a windfall from cheap fuel prices, compared to a Rs. 16.33 billion loss in 2015. Cabinet approval was given this April to clear all liabilities of SriLankan totalling US$ 3.2 billion, of which US$450 million was in interest bearing liabilities.



Wijewardena noted that wide sections of Sri Lankan society are against the closing down of loss-making state corporations. Many are also against privatization of such institutes. So the state enterprise losses have been a drain on government resources, and what we have done is, without getting approval of parliament, without having a public discussion, secretly, losses of these state enterprises have been recouped by the Treasury by taking in debt with government bonds. Which again have to be repaid by the taxpayers over the period, he said.

According to the government, the previous regime had taken over Rs. 1 trillion in debt through state-owned enterprises. Mihin Airs flights will be absorbed into SriLankan Airlines at the start of November, with changes to the budget pricing to reflect the change in service quality SriLankan will bring. Only a very limited number of Mihin Air flights which operated to saturated markets where SriLankan also operated will be cancelled.



SriLankan is currently on a restructuring drive also to become a regional airline. The Mihin Air company will be liquidated in December, and almost all of its 300 staff will be transferred to SriLankan.



Tourism Development, Land and Christian Affairs Deputy Minister Arundika Fernando, a former Rajapaksa loyalist, had also opposed the merger last week, saying that Mihin Air has its own brand and has drawn interest from investors.
tate Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development, Dilip Wedarachchi returned recently to Sri Lanka after a seven day tour of South Korea. During the tour, Sri Lankan representatives met South Korean Fishery Co-operatives Chairman Kim Im Kweon, officials from the Korean Oceans and Fisheries Ministry and a group

of businessmen.

As a result of their discussions, Sri Lanka will receive the Korean Governments support to develop the Sri Lankan Fishing industry.

The State Minister stated that the Korean government had agreed to support the fishing community in Sri Lanka.



Q Why was the decision taken to visit Korea? And what are the benefits on offer?

They (The South Koreans) agreed to support us on several projects in developing our fishing industry. Firstly, they agreed to help us build four multi-purpose fishery complexes in Udappuwa, Chalai, Delft

and Madagal.

Those will be made with five meters of depth to facilitate entering large vessels. These complexes will include seafood restaurants, underwater restaurants, boutiques and hotels, diving facilities and passenger submarines, horse tracks and sport fishing, commercial trading, shopping malls and other facilities.

The feasibility reports of building multi-purpose harbors are free of charge from the Korean government.

They are funding us with loans at 0.25% interest. These fishing complexes are to use natural resources such as wind power and wave energy. Drinking and all other water supplies for the Delft harbor complex are expected to be made from sea water by desalination. Injecting CO2 into deep sea is said to create oil deposits in long term and we will be trying that in the future. The proposed blue city is mostly an environment friendly project.



Q Why Delft harbor?

The Delft fishing harbour is the focus as it is the first Blue City under the Blue Economy concept. This blue economy is a practice of countries, which have great ocean resources. We have excellent potential in our ocean which is eight times larger than our land.

At the moment there is only a small harbour in the north of the island. The proposed harbor is a multi- billion dollar project comprising countless successful business ventures. We expect to permit the proposed first blue city for foreign investors as this project is economically feasible.



Q What are the other projects they are supporting?

The Korean government is supporting a housing project of 100 houses to be built in every fishing village and Rs. 550,000 is budgeted for each house.

The Korean government promised us to make two technical colleges, one in the north and one in the south to train the fishing community. These projects will be operated under the sponsorship of the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives of Korea.

Many Sri Lankans travel to Korea for fishing employments but, many of them work in other occupations. Apparently 600 people have left their fishery related employments in Korea. According to them, the reason for this is the Sri Lankan employees are mostly not fishermen, but they pose as fishermen.

Therefore the Korean government asked us to stop this as it had caused serious problems in Korea. They are willing to give our fishing community a methodical training. We are having discussions with Thalatha Athukorala, the Minister of Foreign Employment, to send genuine fishermen to work in Korea.

Training centers are for meant for genuine members of the fishing community but anyone interested can apply for the training as well.

"The Delft fishery harbour is the focus as it is the first Blue City under the Blue Economy concept. This blue economy is a practice of countries, which have great ocean resources. We have excellent potential in our ocean which is eight times larger than our land."



Q The ban from the European Community Fisheries Council had caused a major downfall in our fish exports. After lifting the ban, what are the steps taken to further our fishing industry vis-a-vis the European Union?

Actually, our endeavors have worked at last regarding removing the ban to export fish to EU. The President, the Prime Minister, the Minister of External Affairs, Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and the officials in Fisheries Ministry and Department were all dedicated and worked hard to get the ban lifted.

EU removed the ban only after thoroughly checking and observing fishing practices, and touring around our country. The representatives were delighted on the situation here.

There is a great necessity to introduce laws and methods to prevent illegal fishing where the world fish resources run the risk of extinction. Therefore, according to the duties, I was delegated to review fishing methods adopted in developed countries and I have decided to directly engage the fishing community in this task along with NARA and other government institutions.

The European Union imposed the ban on Sri Lanka, due to Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing practices. The IUU fishing resulted in legal fishermen being in difficulties, at the same time destroying the sustainability of the

fish harvest.

The United Kingdom is the most important tuna importer for Sri Lanka, followed by France, Italy, the Netherlands and Germany. Following the EU imposition of ban Sri Lankas fishing industry tumbled as European countries are the main importers of our fish.



Q Have you ensured that no bans would be imposed on us in the future by the EU?

We are in a process to ensure that in the future. Under the 100-Days Program we have already provided VMS (Vessel Monitoring System) facility to all fishing ships and most of the ships have set VMS facility by now.

By adding this facility to fishing boats, all fishermen are able to find the exact location of their boats and they wont drift into illegal waters.

At first, we faced difficulties finding funds for setting VMS for all fishing ships, but we used the fishing net subsidies for VMS temporarily, and the fishing nets will be looked into after VMS facility reaches everyone. We have banned the use of dynamite and the use of prohibited nets for catching fish now.

"Those will be made with five metres of depth to facilitate entering large vessels. These complexes will include seafood restaurants, underwater restaurants, boutiques and hotels, diving facilities and passenger submarines, horse tracks and sport fishing, commercial trading, shopping malls and other facilities. "



Q What have you done to reinforce fisheries industry in SL?

First of all, we have to generate new standards within the fishing community because the new generation is rejecting their traditional heritage, resulting in a decreasing fishing community workforce. Therefore, to protect the fishing industry in Sri Lanka, we have to raise their living standards and protect their profession by supporting and solving their problems to keep them engaged in their traditional profession.

Their ancestral knowledge and experience is incomparable as they know how to harvest fish, while not harming the potential of future fish harvest and the environment.

When the international quota system becomes operational, fishing will be challenging in future. After introducing large scale fishing boats to fishing unions discussions are in progress with the Korean Fishery Federation on using large scale fishing boats by the fishing community in Sri Lanka.



Q What do you think of the importance on putting suitable people in positions of authority?

Speaking about my own experience, I am a son of a successful fisherman, who lived in the south and began fishing as a business around coastal areas in Sri Lanka. As a kid, Ive traveled seas with my father, gathering practical experience of the fishing community, which is important in making decisions regarding fishermen and their industry. But I lack the authority to use my knowledge in ways which will benefit our fishing community.



Q What is the rumoured conflict between you and Minister Amaraweera?

In fact, there is no conflict. It just was a misunderstanding. Now everything is sorted out and going well. Minister Amaraweera has supported us on these projects.



Q What are the other projects to be started here?

Even though we are living in an island, we are not making proper use of marine resources. We have been talking about a ferry service from Colombo to Tuticorin (Thoothukudi) in India as a means of Indo-Lanka goods and passenger transport.

These services are expected to operate between northern and southern Sri Lanka as well. With the four fishing complex projects, we are going to start a harbour in Tangalle as well. Two foreign investors from Italy and India recently visited Sri Lanka, held discussions and agreed to support the developing of fishing related tourism.

"When the international quota system becomes operational, fishing will be challenging in future. After introducing large scale fishing boats to fishing unions discussions are in progress with the Korean Fishery Federation on using large scale fishing boats by the fishing community in Sri Lanka. "
he US presidential election will be held in November this year. There are major differences between the US presidential election and elections held in most other countries.

In SL the president can call for an election at any time in his 5-year term. He can call a snap election before his period of office is completed if he feels that an impending down-turn in events could dampen his chances of re-election.

In the US date of each presidential election is fixed and has to take place in the first week of November.

Otherwise the forthcoming US presidential elections will not differ from elections held elsewhere, albeit much more costly. During the 2012 US presidential election, the Democratic and Republican parties used up a sum of around $1,325.4 million in contribution funds -the Democrats $722.4 million and the Republicans $598.3 million.

To put this massive sum in context, while Sri Lankas total expenditure and net lending in its 2015 budget was Rs.2, 990 billion or around a mere US $ 26 billion, the two candidates at the US presidential election used up a sum of around $1,325.4 billion!

In other words when President Obama stepped into the Oval Office in the White House, after the last election he owed at the least US $ 722.4 million in favours to those who contributed to his campaign funds. It is not surprising, as rt.com puts it, that after Obamas victory in 2008, since Goldman Sachs was never prosecuted for its part in the financial crash as it was Obamas largest single contributor.

Today the US still is the worlds leading economic and military power. Therefore whatever happens in the US has an impact on the rest of the world.

So, how will the election of either the Democrat nominee Ms Hilary Clinton (ex Secretary of State and wife of former president Bill Clinton), or Donald Trump (A billionaire, also known to constantly brag about the size of his organs) if elected, affect countries outside of the US?

For the people of South Asia, Africa and the Middle East the election of a new US president will not bring about earth-shaking change. The bombings and numbers of civilian deaths and injuries from US interventions from Afghanistan to Pakistan to Iraq, Libya and Syria will continue and perhaps increase.

The war in Afghanistan will not come to an end. Despite being one of the main planks of President Obamas election platform to bring back all troops from Afghanistan, this has not happened. In fact the reverse is seen to be happening. After reducing the numbers of troops in Afghanistan, president Obama has once again sent more troops back into that country.

Though President George Bush famously declared mission accomplished in Iraq, the intervention in that country has only given birth to one of the most ruthless terrorist organizations the world has ever seen the Islamic State (IS). Today the IS, which has spread its tentacles into all countries around the world including Asia, the US and Europe.

We are therefore likely to see a spate in the number of terrorist attacks in the US and Europe and the resultant counter-attacks will only lead to more loss of life.

The refugee crisis a direct result of US regime change intervention in the Middle East- still continues.

With calls within the US for greater involvement in the affairs in these countries, the changeover of US presidents will not make any major difference to the victims the people of these regions. More innocents will be blown up via drone strikes, aerial bombings, suicide attacks and continued ground fighting.

We can expect to see US stirring up problems in Taiwan, Hong Kong and in the South China Sea where the US regularly sends its battleships and aircraft into sea and airspaces claimed by China, though the ASEAN nations themselves have called for talks rather than confrontation to settle the disputes.

Unfortunately all US presidents are in the end controlled by diverse power brokers and lobbyists like the US gun lobby, giant oil companies, banks and other vested interests, that invest heavily in both the Democratic as well as the Republican parties.

In the end what the world will see is name change, not foreign policy changes or peace in the region. The world waited in hope and bated breath when president Obama was elected. Sadly nothing really changed; the killing of civilians did not stop. All US troops were not withdrawn from Afghanistan and Iraq. Poor Mr. Obama could not even close down the Guantanamo Bay facility or control even the US National Rifle Association.
The delay in executing the law has made people lose faith in the judicial system. This is a common problem found worldwide, where similar judicial systems prevail. The causes for the delays are many and varied. It is not uncommon to come across a land case taking 20 to 30 years to be concluded, when, by that time most of the litigants are no longer alive.The Daily Mirror in a quest to find the reasons behind such delays spoke to some concerned parties.

Mounting Number Of cases



When we mentioned the complaints made by victims that there was no particular time limit specified for the conclusion of a law suit, Attorney M.C.M. Muneer said, I believe that any judge can go through the facts of any case within half an hour to one hour to decide in favour of one of the parties to the case and on his or her ruling. Yet, some cases drag on for decades and even pass on to the next generation. But even in such cases you can appeal.

"Greedy lawyers were against conciliation boards"

"Delays due to judges, lawyers, litigants and other parties absent "

" A girl was abducted and raped at the age of 16 and judgment was delivered when she was 32 "



This can take another five to six years and ultimately it will end up in the Supreme Court and drag on for decades.

He said the courts were incapable of handling the mounting number of cases. Certain cases are heard only once a year because courts cannot accommodate them twice, Mr. Muneer said. Cases are postponed when judges, litigants, the lawyers or some other party or parties to the case are absent. A litigant in a land encroachment case which is continuing since 2007 told us that the case was mostly delayed because the judge was changed or was absent.

Court cases have turned out to be a great hassle. Half of our working day is wasted and to make matters worse are always postponed, he said.

Mr. Muneer told us that there was no mechanism in place to hear cases by another judge in the absence of the one who normally heard the case. This happens because of the shortage of judges or because there is no provision in our judicial system by the Judicial Services Commission, he said. There is a large backlog in the magistrate courts. Minor cases may drag on till 5.00 p.m. However, if there was a good rapport with the judges and lawyers the case can be concluded much faster, a senior state counsel attached to the law enforcement authority said adding that Judges are overburdened with work.

There is a shortage of courthouses, and almost all the criminal cases come to Colombo. It is humanly impossible to handle all the cases. When a case comes from the outstation, we find that some of the cases are outdated or that they have no substance. We are duty-bound to read all the cases that come to us and in some of the cases it is a waste of time when at the end we find them to be obsolete. The decision could have been made by the judge prior to sending the cases to Colombo. This can reduce the backlog by some 50%.



Deliberate Delay

There have been instances where parties to the case deliberately delayed because it could be advantageous to those concerned. For instance, the the party in default in a tenancy case can remain in possession of the house by prolonging the case unnecessarily, Mr. Muneer said. A manager of a jewellery shop said that he had to settle a tenancy case out of courts by paying two million rupees to the tenant of the house that rightfully belonged to his wife.

This case was dragging on since the time of my father-in-law who was the landlord. As far as I remember the case was taken up for trial in 1981 and a judgement in our favour was delivered in 1983. Yet the tenant did not vacate the house and we had to go to courts again, he said. When dates are fixed for future trials the judge, counsels from two opposing parties agree on a date that is convenient to all of them. But when the case was called one of the three parties was absent most of the time. They did not give us valid reasons for postponing the case. We were sorely disappointed and were forced to arrive at a settlement out of courts.

Meanwhile, the manager had to live in a rented house with the amount his family received as rent from the tenant was meagre and inadequate. We are the rightful owners and yet we end up being the victims. We regained possession of the house in 2007 after paying two million rupees to the tenant. By that time my father-in-law had passed away with never having the opportunity of occupying the house even for a single day, the jewellery shop manager said.

Mr. Muneer said one party deliberately delays the cases as a means of frustrating the other. Some people drag the cases to save face in the belief that arriving at a compromise is a sign of weakness.



Lawyers Are To Be Blamed

A State counsel who did not wish to be named said, Lawyers should take 90% of the blame for the delays that occur in our courts. They drag the cases on mainly for two reasons; one being the financial factor with their days fees increasing with the case being postponed and the fact that most lawyers do not come prepared for the cases in which they appear.

We are public servants but I have encountered that on many occasions we have to fight with the lawyer to take the matter to trial. In such instances it is also the role of the judge to pressuris the counsel to take the case to trial, he said.



Preferential treatment

The State Counsel said, This is a huge problem faced by our judicial system. For example, if a farmer had a five-year long land dispute which was handled by a junior lawyer and if a doctor (recently) files a similar case which was handled by a top lawyer from Colombo, the doctors case would be heard first though it was a fresh case. Courts should not give preferential treatment according to the reputation and status of an individual as it delays the court process and furthermore it is unfair.



Rape cases

A rape victim told us that her case was dragged on for 14 years. She had been abducted and raped in 2001 when she was 16 years old. She had made the complaint as soon as she escaped from her abductors. Her indictment had been filed in 2007 in Kandy and the case was transferred to Nuwara Eliya in 2010. The legal coordinator of the Kandy Human Rights Office, Lucille Abeykoon, told us that the Kandy Human Rights Office had noted down everything in the order of the events that took place. It was sent to the AHRC (Asian Human Rights Commission) which documented it and sent it to the Nuwara Eliya High Court Judge. The High Court Judge at the time took the matter seriously which was why the case was concluded in December 2015.

The defence counsel was keen to drag the case by postponing it. At times the judge was absent and on a few occasions the State Counsel was absent as well. On several occasions, the JMO was absent resulting in the case being postponed, the rape victim who is now 33-years old said.

We asked the state counsel why serious cases such as rapes were dragged on, especially when they could have an adverse psychological impact on the victim, he said, Rape cases depend on the evidence. There is a huge misconception that the victim is also tagged along with the case. However, in 90% of rape cases the evidence from the victim is taken in a day. The case may drag on, but the victim does not have to step into courts. The victim is generally called again to courts only when the judge sentences the perpetrator.



Compensation cases

A torture victim told us that his compensation case was dragging on. Indictment was filed in 2007 and after a long delay the case was concluded last year. We filed a compensation case in 2007 but the trial has not even started yet, he said.

Another victim who was tortured in 2005 said, I have asked for compensation because I was brutally tortured. The police officers broke my leg in several places. I had to undergo six surgeries and was hospitalized for a long-time.

No Delay In Analysts reports; Justice minister

According to Justice Minister Wijeydasa Rajapakshe there is no longer any delay in respect of obtaining the Government Analysts reports especially in criminal trials. In criminal cases, etc., the foremost issue was the delay in receiving the government analysts report. Now we have upgraded the governments analysiss system with the report being released within a month. There is no longer any delay at all from that end, he said.



Political Interference

At the moment there are some 21,000 cases countrywide referred to the Attorney Generals Department. The department is struggling because there arent sufficient staff cadre. Earlier we had problems with the administration because of political influence and interference. Now they are quite free and independent. Were restructuring the department as well, the minister said. Were also expecting to introduce new laws just to shorten the procedure in respect of both civil and criminal cases.



Directives issued to expedite cases

The Judicial Services Commission has issued directives to expedite cases. They will be effective from November 1. Thus cases pending for more than 10 years in the District Courts and five years in Magistrates courts would be given priority and are expected to be disposed of within one year.



Are conciliation boards better than mediation boards to mitigate laws delay?

The minister explained how the existing mediation boards contributed to reduce the laws delay. We have amended the mediation board law. Previously the monetary value was Rs.250,000. If there was a case below this monetary value you had to go to mediation boards. Now we have increased it up to Rs.500,000. Annually there are around 200,000 cases sent to the mediation boards. We hope that there will be a reduction of at least 100,000 of cases. This allows courts to attend to important matters, he said.

"Now they are quite free and independent. Were restructuring the department as well"

"We have amended the mediation board law"

Greedy lawyers wanted to scrap conciliation boards

-Lionel Senanayake PC

A senior counsel we spoke to suggested that conciliation boards were better than mediation boards to mitigate the laws delay. Lionel Senanayake PC and current president of the Sri Lanka Chapter of Asia Crime Prevention Foundation (ACPF) said, The late M.W.H. De Silva who was a Supreme Court Judge thought that people should be helped to reach a settlement, rather than being adjudicated on. He felt that this would be far better for the community and would reduce court delays.

Mr. De Silva introduced the Conciliation Board Act (Samagi Mandalaya) where attempt in this respect was mandatory, but settlement was voluntary. It applied largely to minor offences in criminal law and civil cases of a certain value. Authoritative figures in the village appear on the board rather than lawyers. They were also given certain powers by the statute and the board representatives were appointed by the minister of justice. They could not use force or incorrect ways of persuasion, they simply helped the parties to reach a settlement. If the case is not settled the conciliation board will give a certificate where it would state that, though they came before us, we could not settle the matter, Mr. Senanayake said. This system was sailing smoothly for some time; however, as expected there was constant opposition from the traditional lawyers. These lawyers are interested in making money and thus were adversely affected. They gave various invalid reasons to scrap the conciliation boards. The statistics showed, however that without using any force at all, more than 50% of the cases which had gone before them had been settled.

The mediation and conciliation boards are similar in many respects. But in contrast to the conciliation board, in the mediation board the main predicament is whether the case is settled or not, any of the parties could disregard the settlement. The mediation board thus became futile, because it had no binding legal force like the conciliation board, Mr. Senanayake said.

Speaking on the shift of the conciliation board to the mediation board he said, When S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike was assassinated in 1959 and the then government lost the elections with the UNP coming to power, the lawyers got the upper hand because the UNP bigwigs were all traditional lawyers. Thereafter the conciliation boards deteriorated, because politics got in, he said. As rewards for helping a political party, the MP of the area suggests names of his supporters to be included in the conciliation boards. Hence, the conciliation board became a failure, because unsuitable people were appointed. However, without correcting this trivial error, the government did away with the conciliation board and introduced the mediation board (Samatha Mandalaya), he said.

Laymen also voiced their opinion in regards to laws delay

Our case has been continuing for two years

-Subramanium

We spoke to an electrician Subramanium (43), whose son Suresh Subramanum (22) has been arrested on charges of possessing cannabis,The case was supposed to be held on September 14, however, it has been postponed to September 20. The magistrate was expected to be in court at 9am, but I have been sitting here in the hot sun all afternoon, outside courts, and now it is 2:30 p.m. he said

Our case has been continuing for two years. There are too many cases for the courts to handle, I believe. They are always in a rush and they do not finish the court case properly.

Pic by Nisal Baduge

If the administration was organised, this problem would not be there

We came here today for a civil case in relation to a car. We want to get the ownership of that vehicle. If the administration was a bit more organized I believe, this problem would not be there. They should allocate a specific time limit for each and every case, a litigant who did not wish to be named said.

The prosecution is still going on...

-Lucille Abeykoon

Lucille Abeykoon, the legal coordinator of the Kandy Human Rights Office related a torture case which has been going on for several years.

He was just a 13-year old boy when he was tortured by the police OIC in the Saliyaweva Police Station in Puttalam. This was in 2003. The child made a complaint and one indictment was filed against the police officer in 2004. This case is still pending in the Puttalam High Court. Sometimes the judge is absent and at times the state counsel is absent. The defence lawyer sends a junior lawyer when the case is heard and gets the trial postponed by asking for a date. The prosecution is still going on and witnesses are being called, she said.
Two youths, both 17, were killed when their motorcycle skidded off the road in Sathuru Kondan, Batticaloa on the Eravur-Batticaloa main road last night.

Police said the victims were identified as Vajidaran Radikan and Kandasami Vidushan residents of Kudirippu. They had succumbed to their injuries after being admitted to the Batticaloa Hospital.
New breed of bureaucrats are obedient servants because they owe their appointments to Politicians. Public services need to be delivered with integrity, centred around citizens, and responsive to the needs, particularly the needs of the most vulnerable.

Over the last several decades, due to excessive political interference, the quality of public service and the public servants had come down drastically. How? The framers of the 1972 Constitution introduced provisions to abolish the independent Public Services Commission (PSC) (1947). This constitutional modification gradually paved the way for the demolition of the public sector which had an excellent reputation for honesty, integrity, vision, fidelity and honour.

Minister Vajira Abeywardene



n 1978, once again, when the JRJ Government introduced another Constitution, there had been widespread consensus that the PSC should be re-established, in line with the model in Soulbury Constitution (1947), which had been then given complete independent status in order to create an impartial, effective and efficient public service shielded from political interferences. They however re-created the same version. Article 55(2)provided that appointments, promotions, transfers, disciplinary control and dismissal of all Heads of Departments be assigned to the Cabinet of Ministers. In effect, under both these Constitutions, (1972 and 1978) they had incorporated the necessary provisions to legitimize political control and interference over the public service.

The 17th Amendment was passed with multi-party consensus in Parliament. The aim had been to curtail excessive powers of the Executive President and to depoliticise the public sector by introducing the much needed checks and balances into the system of governance.

Under the 17th Amendment, the term of office of the first PSC expired on 1st December, 2005. The then government of the former President Mahinda Rajapaksa did not take steps to nominate members to the PSC and hence PSC had been defunct during the period 2nd December, 2005 to 17th April, 2006. The second PSC was appointed on 10th April, 2006 by presidential decree without observing the constitutional requirements.

The question of unconstitutional appointments to the PSC and the Police Commission were challenged before the Court of Appeal. The court thereafter held that the Presidents action could not be challenged in a court of law.

This was another unique instance where the Executive President had failed to perform the legitimate constitutional functions without considering the seriousness and the outcomes. The Unity Government too had misinterpreted the concept of NATIONAL GOVERNMENT to go beyond the constitutional restrictions and increased the number of Cabinet, State and Deputy Ministers. Isnt it sufficient proof that they are also concerned about rewards, perks and benefits. If they truly support GOOD GOVERNANCE, would they have disrespected constitutional requirements for political expediency? Shouldnt the good governance team lead by example?

Kofi Annan on Preventing War and Disaster had said  In practice, good governance involves promoting rule of law, tolerance of minority and opposition groups, transparent political processes, an independent judiciary, an impartial police force, a military that is strictly subject to civilian control, a free press, and vibrant civil society institutions, as well as meaningful elections. Above all, good governance means respect for human rights.

"The Unity Government too had misinterpreted the concept of NATIONAL GOVERNMENT to go beyond the constitutional restrictions and increased the number of Cabinet, State and Deputy Ministers"



The 18th Amendment which was enacted during the second term of the former President gave unlimited powers back to the President to appoint all important officials, judges of the Supreme Court, Appeal Court and High Court at his discretion.

The Sri Lanka Governance Report 2012/13 says  The Attorney General who is the Chief Law Officer of the government was expected to act independently,  was brought directly under the President so that he (AG) can no longer use his independent judgement but must carry out the wishes of the President. So, when deciding whether to file criminal cases against an accused or not, the AG had to forego his right to make his own judgement on the basis of the law and evidence and instead, carry out the orders of the President in cases where he personally or for reasons of state policy gives instructions. These orders and instructions are not given in writing, as they should be in any democratic governance procedure, but only orally. Democratic governance should be based on written decisions and written records should be kept of them. This practice in democratic governance procedures is to ensure that decision making is in accordance with the law and good judgement and not arbitrary or influenced by extraneous considerations. It is also to hold government officials accountable to the law.

The above extract shows clearly how the executive interfered with the public sector. It is unfortunate that due to callous disregard for the rule of law and good governance, politicians, their family members and henchmen openly flouted law with impunity in this country. A provincial Council Member for example forced a teacher to kneel because she had censured his daughter for wearing a short uniform. The police has no freedom to enforce the law against perpetrators of crime if they have the support of the government in power. According to the Report of the International Bar Association, the Attorney General had not prosecuted those who had committed crimes and who had access to those politicians in power.

After the 1970s, at the highest level, most of the senior posts were filled by politically connected personnel. These new breed of bureaucrats became obedient servants of the politicians to whom they owed their appointments. The politically neutral public service and the bureaucracy became so cheap that they started accepting bribes and commissions and even carried out illegal orders to satisfy the political bosses. The grassroots assessment of the public service has therefore become irreparably low.

The institutions that have been designed to be close and accessible to the citizens have become ineffective, detached and unresponsive. The institutions, National, Provincial or Local, in the minds of citizens has become synonymous

with corruption.

The public service now had risen to around 1.5 million employees. It gobbles up considerable portion of the tax revenue. Public money had been misused for unyielding, irregular, unauthorised and wasteful projects, which have curtailed on investments such as education, health, aged-care and many more.What a wickedness?

The President and the PM should tell their party-men that national prosperity encompasses a variety of aspects such as financial discipline, accountability, transparency, economic development, social well being, environmental protection and peaceful co-existence etc.

A world Bank team in 1969, had proposed the need to establish a separate ministry to look after the affairs of public administration. We have to-date failed to understand the value of human resource development. The main functions according to the TOR of the relevant ministry are the administration and management of personnel in all Island services of Administrative, Accountants, Planning, Engineering, Scientific, Agricultural, Technological and the Combined services and functions under the Establishment Code, formulation of policies and programmes to enhance national productivity, promotion of good governance in the public sector to fulfill anticipated development targets, introduction of novel good governance concepts, formulation and implementation of policies aimed at creating a public service giving pride of place to peoples aspirations and the supervision of the institutions coming under the purview.

Minister Vajira Abeywardene, made a highly contentious inexpert statement and held that FCID cannot intervene with the public work forces. What a claptrap? If so, how can he promote novel good governance concepts. Furthermore, Public Administration and Home Affairs are two different Ministries under the present government. This has naturally created obstacles in promoting good governance in the Public Sector. Could they therefore create a public service giving pride of place to peoples aspirations?

It is also relevant that both Ministers namely Vajira Abeywardene and Ranjith Madduma Bandara are absolute greenhorns in running these two vital ministries. Do they possess the capacity, ability, experience and the know-how to fulfil the responsibilities of formulation and implementation of creating a

public service giving pride of place to peoples aspirations?

In Sri Lanka, we have not given due weight-age to HRD in the public sector. Numerous proposals towards reforms had also not been effectively carried out in the interest of the country. It is the most opportune time to introduce necessary reforms by playing a supportive and proactive role to take the country forward to achieve sustainable growth and development through good governance. Prime Minister recently stated on the floor of the House that 43 percent live on less than Rs. 200/= a day.

Furthermore, it is our common knowledge, that the government provides certain collective goods and services such as defence, law and order, environment protection, education, health, transport etc. How do they provide these facilities in developed countries? Why have we experienced deterioration in these areas year after year? Why do we always complain about poor services rendered to the public by the relevant agencies? Shouldnt we emphasize that politicization should be stopped.

Due to obvious reasons, particularly owing to large scale corruption, the culture of impunity, lack of good governance and the absence of the rule of law, politicians have overlooked the need to look at the public sector heuristically. They had also used the government as a source of providing employment, with a view to winning the next election. It is unfortunate we were short of statesmen who could plan things for the benefit of the next generation.

"They however re-created the same version. Article 55(2)provided that appointments, promotions, transfers, disciplinary control and dismissal of all Heads of Departments be assigned to the Cabinet

of Ministers"



Do you know that there had been a public servant for every 18 persons in Sri Lanka in 1990s? This rose up by 2012 and there was a public servant for every 16 persons. The number of employees and government expenditure in countries such as India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Malaysia, Nepal are much less in comparison to ours. Continuous recruitment based on short term political benefits and cadre increases have ruined the public sector, despite the fact that billions had been invested for IT, computerization programmes and massive privatization of public undertakings.

We have increased the number of ministries, departments etc. without any consideration to financial constraints, which had thereby caused untold hardships to the poor citizens by creating a top heavy government.This is the reason why the government requires increased revenue to cover excessive expenditure. Usually, it is through taxation that the government finds more and more revenue to finance the over-bloated public sector.

According to an Expert  Public services need to be delivered with integrity, centred around citizens, and responsive to the needs, particularly the needs of the most vulnerable. Promoting greater transparency and enabling ordinary citizens to assess the quality, adequacy and effectiveness of basic services, to voice their need and preferences and to become involved in innovation offers an opportunity to enable better use of public funds and improve service delivery.

Public services account for a large percentage of government budget. However, increased expenditure has not often been matched by necessary improvements and outcomes, which had eventually reduced the funds allocated to education, health and other vital areas.

We need a paradigm shift in our approach to take progressive policy decisions in designing public policies for development. Good policy now refers to investment in people. The rule of law and human rights and institutional development are the priority areas that need to be addressed. The concept of humane governance coupled with good enough governance will be of relevance to us. Accordingly, good governance is good political, good economic and good civic governance which promotes human development.
On October 19, 24-hour news channels repeatedly flashed a video showing a Union minister of state being assaulted by alleged cattle smugglers and TMC supporters in Asansol, Bengal.

This is probably the first occasion when a politician faced the ire of alleged cattle smugglers. And I hope the incident will sensitise politicians about what BSF troops face day and night while deployed to guard the India-Bangladesh border.

Cattle smuggling on the border is estimated to be worth $500 million annually. Every night, when troops go out to patrol the borders in groups of three-four, they are faced with hundreds of cattle smugglers armed with sharp-edged weapons like "dah" and "bhala", and country-made firearms, pushing thousands of cattle to Bangladesh through the riverine border.

Heavily outnumbered, the troops face lethal attack if they try to prevent them. Similar scenes are replete on fenced borders where groups of smugglers attempt to cut the fence at several places and the BSF patrols along but is not able to prevent all such attempts in spite of best efforts.

Smugglers attack and lynch troops with impunity, whereas the troops are compelled to operate with one-hand tied as they are discouraged from opening fire to prevent the smuggling.

The new mantra is "use of non-lethal strategy" to prevent smuggling. The troops who are trained with the philosophy of "ek goli, ek dushman" have for the last few years been operating with pump action guns, stun grenades and chilli grenades.

The result is that smugglers have become emboldened and injuries and causalities to BSF troops have seen continuous rise over the last few years; whereas the same for smugglers, both Bangladeshi and Indian, has seen a sharp decline.

Cattle seized by the BSF during operations is handed over to customs for auction. Only smugglers purchase these cattle and the very next night, again attempt to send them across.

Cattle seized by the BSF during operations is handed over to customs for auction. (Photo credit: India Today)

The entire system is well organised. Criminals on both sides are continuously in touch and keep tracking the movement of BSF patrols. On the Bangladeshi side, smuggled cattle is taken directly to Bangladesh Border Guards (BGB) who register them and allow entry after taking a specified amount as tax.

The India-Bangladesh border is thus a dangerous place for ordinary people. Having attended several DG-level and IG-level conferences with BGB, I have realised that the deaths of Bangladeshi criminals whom they prefer to call "cattle traders" is the sourest point with them. Even the "Land Boundary Agreement" implemented in 2015 or the proposed Teesta water agreement pales into insignificance when compared to this.

Implementation of non-lethal methodology was encouraged keeping the sensitivities of Bangladesh in mind and in pursuance of government policy of improving relations with the country.

Bangladeshi economy to a great extent is dependent on meat and leather exports which are mainly dependent on the cattle brought in from India illegally. The cattle population of Bangladesh is not enough to sustain demand of their industry.

On other hand, India is a cattle surplus nation. According to estimates, India has the second largest cattle population in the world after Brazil. However, we do not export cattle. Therefore, the simple principle of demand and supply applies and cattle from as far as Haryana, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar is brought for smuggling.

Cattle is cheaper in these states and owners get good money - an old cow costing Rs 500 in the hinterland can fetch ten times the price in the border areas of Bengal, from where smuggling takes place.

Taking a pragmatic view of the matter and perhaps permitting export of cattle will therefore be a win-win situation for everyone.

Firstly, crime at the borders will reduce drastically and they will be much safer. It will also provide border residents with legal employment opportunities to organise cattle trade, something they do illegally right now.

The most significant outcome would be improvement in relations with Bangladesh. Cattle smuggling will stop and casualties of Bangladeshi nationals on the borders will be eliminated. Moreover, with cattle from India being critical to Bangladesh's economy - they will be ever grateful to India for the gesture which will be economically beneficial to us as well.

Thirdly, India doesnt have enough grazing fields for its cattle population. Further, with modernisation of farming, a lot of surplus cattle is an economic burden on farmers.

Plain reading of the Directive Principles in Article 48 indicates that the state is required to enact laws to prevent "slaughter" of cattle. Export is neither banned nor recommended to be banned. States except Bengal and Kerala have enacted laws to ban slaughter. In spite of the laws, India is the biggest exporter of beef in the world since 2013 and is the fifth-largest consumer.
Enough is enough! It's time we citizens speak up. This country and its law-abiding citizens can't be held to ransom any more by goons of MNS (and the like) - who hide behind political affiliations and political protests.

Its time the law of the land firmly catches up with these hooligans and timely decisive action is taken by law enforcement authorities to bring them to justice and deny them any sort of legitimacy.

Peaceful political protest is a matter of right in any constitutional democracy but no right is absolute. Yes, liberty of political protest is granted by our Constitution but this right is not absolute. Reasonable restrictions in law disallow any disturbance to public order or harmony, or any violent act or intimidation of citizens with fear for their life or bodily injury or damage to their property or economic loss or any trampling of rights.

Extra-constitutional methods and criminal behaviour to gain political legitimacy and space are absolutely UNACCEPTABLE in any civilised democratic society/polity - governed by rule of law. In our constitutional scheme, no one has the right to take the law or the role of law enforcement authorities in its hands or to even act as the moral police. It is only the government of the day which has the mandate to enforce law or to frame public policy in national interest.

The time has come that these thugs and crackpots - who have scant regard for law of the land, who have little respect for rights of silent citizens, who have utter disregard for the liberty of others, who care the least about national interest or about public order over their self-interest and who keep daring and testing the government's patience and restraint - must now be firmly taken to task as per law.

Without sounding repetitive here, these goons must be booked and brought to justice for their anti-constitutional methods such as criminal intimidation and threat to cause grievous injury or death or for disturbing peace and public order, or for instigating violence or causing arson or damaging public property, threatening internal security or violating rights of citizens in the bargain - as the case may be.

Moreover, their crooked narrative of democratic protest underlined by violence, arson and criminal intimidation must be condemned, opposed, dismissed and lawfully outsmarted by civil society with all the power and resources at its command.

MNS chief Raj Thackeray. (Photo credit: India Today)

The government of the day must gather enough political will so as to take firm lawful action to bring the thugs of MNS to justice and to ensure equality of all before law. At the same time, the government must ensure protection and safety of life, liberty and property of citizens besides instilling confidence and adequate sense of safety and security.

It is, henceforth, critical that the government proclaims there will be zero tolerance towards political hooliganism or violence or threats of violence or disorder being perpetrated under the veil of political protests by goons and thugs. The government must act appropriately and must be seen in such light so as to assure safety to its citizens besides sending a stern message to the MNS.

Also, the role of national and local media in preventing this menace from spreading further cant be over-emphasised here. Media coverage to these violent political protests and intimidation by goons serves as oxygen for such unlawful acts. Space in media emboldens these goons who thrive on publicity.

Lets not give airtime and space that these thugs do not deserve. Anchors and editors need to exercise discretion and self-restraint in choosing public interest over giving in to TRP-led impulses. The media must seize on this important opportunity of doing a great public service by shunning these hooligans, their narrative and their violent ways.

Finally, it's time that these goons of MNS (and their like) learn a lesson that this nation is governed by law. A stern message must go out from the government to these hooligans that their threats, intimidations, violent and extra-constitutional ways will not be tolerated and the law will take them to task, no matter what.
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Bhd., Unilin ApS, Unilin Arauco Pisos Ltda., Unilin BVBA, Unilin Beheer BV, Unilin Distribution Ltd., Unilin Distribution Ukraine LLC, Unilin Finland OY, Unilin Flooring India Private Limited, Unilin Flooring SAS, Unilin GmbH, Unilin Holding BVBA, Unilin Insulation BV, Unilin Insulation SAS, Unilin Insulation Sury SAS, Unilin Italia S.R.L., Unilin North America LLC, Unilin Norway AS, Unilin OOO, Unilin Panels SAS, Unilin Poland Sp.Z.o.o., Unilin SAS, Unilin Spain SL, Unilin Swiss GmbH, Unilin s.r.o., World International Inc., Xtratherm, Xtratherm Limited, Xtratherm S.A., and Xtratherm UK Limited.

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Harley-Davidson, Inc. manufactures and sells motorcycles. The company operates in two segments, Motorcycles and Related Products and Financial Services. The Motorcycles and Related Products segment designs, manufactures, and sells Harley-Davidson motorcycles, including cruiser, touring, standard, sportbike, and dual models, as well as motorcycle parts, accessories, apparel, and related services. This segment sells its products to retail customers through a network of independent dealers, as well as e-commerce channels in the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific. The Financial Services segment provides wholesale financing services, such as floorplan and open account financing of motorcycles, and parts and accessories; and retail financing services, including installment lending for the purchase of new and used Harley-Davidson motorcycles, as well as point-of-sale protection products comprising motorcycle insurance, extended service contracts, and motorcycle maintenance protection. This segment also licenses third-party financial institutions that issue credit cards bearing the Harley-Davidson brand. Harley-Davidson, Inc. was founded in 1903 and is based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
National Bank Holdings Corporation operates as the bank holding company for NBH Bank that provides various banking products and financial services to commercial, business, and consumer clients in the United States. It offers deposit products, including checking, savings, money market, and other deposit accounts, including fixed-rate and fixed maturity time deposits. The company also provides commercial and industrial loans and leases, such as working capital loans, equipment loans, lender finance loans, food and agriculture loans, government and non-profit loans, owner occupied commercial real estate loans, and other commercial loans and leases; non-owner occupied commercial real estate loans consisting of loans on commercial properties, such as office buildings, warehouse/distribution buildings, multi-family, hospitality, and retail buildings; small business administration loans to support manufacturers, distributors, and service providers; term loans, line of credits, and real estate secured loans; residential real estate loans; and consumer loans. In addition, it offers treasury management solutions comprising online and mobile banking, commercial credit card, wire transfer, automated clearing house, electronic bill payment, lock box, remote deposit capture, merchant processing, cash vault, controlled disbursements, and fraud prevention services, as well as other auxiliary services, including account reconciliation, collections, repurchase accounts, zero balance accounts, and sweep accounts. As of January 20, 2022, the company operated through a network of 81 banking centers located in Colorado, the greater Kansas City region, New Mexico, Utah, and Texas. It also operates 121 ATMs. The company was formerly known as NBH Holdings Corp. and changed its name to National Bank Holdings Corporation in March 2012. National Bank Holdings Corporation was incorporated in 2009 and is headquartered in Greenwood Village, Colorado.
The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. operates as a diversified financial services company in the United States. The company's Retail Banking segment offers checking, savings, and money market accounts, as well as certificates of deposit; residential mortgages, home equity loans and lines of credit, auto loans, credit cards, education loans, and personal and small business loans and lines of credit; and brokerage, insurance, and investment and cash management services. This segment serves consumer and small business customers through a network of branches, ATMs, call centers, and online and mobile banking channels. Its Corporate & Institutional Banking segment provides secured and unsecured loans, letters of credit, and equipment leases; cash and investment management services, receivables and disbursement management services, funds transfer services, international payment services, and access to online/mobile information management and reporting; foreign exchange, derivatives, fixed income, securities underwriting, loan syndications, and mergers and acquisitions and equity capital markets advisory related services; and commercial loan servicing and technology solutions. It serves mid-sized and large corporations, and government and not-for-profit entities. The company's Asset Management Group segment offers investment and retirement planning, customized investment management, credit and cash management solutions, and trust management and administration services for high net worth and ultra high net worth individuals, and their families; and multi-generational family planning services for ultra high net worth individuals and their families. It also provides outsourced chief investment officer, custody, private real estate, cash and fixed income client solutions, and fiduciary retirement advisory services for institutional clients. The company has 2,591 branches and 9,502 ATMs. The company was founded in 1852 and is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The following companies are subsidiares of Johnson & Johnson: 3Dintegrated ApS, ALZA Corporation, AMO (Hangzhou) Co. Ltd., AMO (Shanghai) Medical Devices Trading Co. Ltd Beijing Branch, AMO (Shanghai) Medical Devices Trading Co. Ltd Guangzhou Branch, AMO (Shanghai) Medical Devices Trading Co. Ltd., AMO ASIA LIMITED, AMO Asia Limited (Korea Branch), AMO Asia Limited Taiwan Branch (Hong Kong), AMO Australia Pty Limited, AMO Australia Pty Limited (New Zealand Branch), AMO Canada Company, AMO Denmark ApS, AMO Development LLC, AMO France, AMO Germany GmbH, AMO Groningen B.V., AMO International Holdings Unlimited Company, AMO Ireland, AMO Ireland Ireland Branch, AMO Italy SRL, AMO Japan K.K., AMO Manufacturing USA LLC, AMO Netherlands BV, AMO Nominee Holdings LLC, AMO Norway AS, AMO Puerto Rico Manufacturing Inc., AMO Sales and Service Inc., AMO Singapore Pte. Ltd., AMO Spain Holdings LLC, AMO Switzerland GmbH, AMO U.K. Holdings LLC, AMO United Kingdom Ltd., AMO Uppsala AB, AUB Holdings LLC, Abott Medical Optics, Acclarent Inc., Actelion Ltd, Actelion Pharmaceuticals, Actelion Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Actelion Pharmaceuticals Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Actelion Pharmaceuticals US Inc., Actelion Treasury Unlimited Company, Akros Medical Inc., Albany Street LLC, Alios BioPharma, Alza Land Management Inc., Anakuria Therapeutics Inc., Animas Diabetes Care LLC, Animas LLC, Animas Technologies LLC, AorTx Inc., Apsis, Aragon Pharmaceuticals, Aragon Pharmaceuticals Inc., Asia Pacific Holdings LLC, Atrionix Inc., Auris Health, Auris Health Inc., Backsvalan 2 Aktiebolag, Backsvalan 6 Handelsbolag, Beijing Dabao Cosmetics Co. Ltd., BeneVir BioPharm Inc., Berna Rhein B.V., BioMedical Enterprises Inc., Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd., Biosense Webster Inc., Branch of Johnson & Johnson LLC (RU) in Kazakhstan, C Consumer Products Denmark ApS, CSATS Inc., Calibra Medical LLC, Campus-Foyer Apotheke GmbH, Carlo Erba OTC S.r.l., Centocor Biologics LLC, Centocor Research & Development Inc., Cerenovus Inc., ChromaGenics B.V., Ci:Labo Customer Marketing Co. Ltd., Ci:Labo USA Inc., Ci:z Holdings, Ci:z. Labo Co. Ltd., Cilag AG, Cilag GmbH International, Cilag Holding AG, Cilag Holding Treasury Unlimited Company, Cilag-Biotech S.L., CoTherix Inc., Coherex Medical Inc., ColBar LifeScience Ltd., Company Store.com Inc., Conor MedSystems, Cordis International Corporation, Cordis de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Corimmun GmbH, DePuy Hellas SA, DePuy International Limited, DePuy Ireland Unlimited Company, DePuy Mexico S.A. de C.V., DePuy Mitek LLC, DePuy Orthopaedics Inc., DePuy Products Inc., DePuy Spine LLC, DePuy Synthes Gorgan Limited, DePuy Synthes Inc., DePuy Synthes Institute LLC, DePuy Synthes Leto SARL, DePuy Synthes Products Inc., DePuy Synthes Sales Inc., Debs-Vogue Corporation (Proprietary) Limited, Dutch Holding LLC, ECL7 LLC, EES Holdings de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., EES S.A. de C.V., EIT Emerging Implant Technologies GmbH, Ethicon Endo-Surgery (Europe) GmbH, Ethicon Endo-Surgery Inc., Ethicon Endo-Surgery LLC, Ethicon Inc., Ethicon LLC, Ethicon PR Holdings Unlimited Company, Ethicon Sarl, Ethicon US LLC, Ethicon Women's Health & Urology Sarl, Ethnor (Proprietary) Limited, Ethnor Farmaceutica S.A., Ethnor del Istmo S.A., FMS Future Medical System SA, Finsbury (Development) Limited, Finsbury (Instruments) Limited, Finsbury Medical Limited, Finsbury Orthopaedics International Limited, Finsbury Orthopaedics Limited, GH Biotech Holdings Limited, GMED Healthcare BV, GMED Healthcare BV (Branch), Global Investment Participation B.V., Guangzhou Bioseal Biotech Co. Ltd., Hansen Medical Deutschland GmbH, Hansen Medical Inc., Hansen Medical International Inc., Hansen Medical UK Limited, Healthcare Services (Shanghai) Ltd., Hickory Merger Sub Inc., I.D. Acquisition Corp., Innomedic Gesellschaft fur innovative Medizintechnik und Informatik mbH, Innovative Surgical Solutions LLC, J & J Company West Africa Limited, J&J Pension Trustees Limited, J-C Health Care Ltd., J.C. General Services BV, JJ Surgical Vision Spain S.L., JJC Acquisition Company B.V., JJHC LLC, JJSV Belgium BV, JJSV Manufacturing Malaysia SDN. BHD., JJSV Norden AB, JJSV Produtos Oticos Ltda., JNJ Global Business Services s.r.o., JNJ Holding EMEA B.V., JNJ International Investment LLC, JOM Pharmaceutical Services Inc., Janssen Alzheimer Immunotherapy (Holding) Limited, Janssen BioPharma LLC, Janssen Biologics (Ireland) Limited, Janssen Biologics B.V., Janssen Biotech Inc., Janssen Cilag C.A., Janssen Cilag Farmaceutica S.A., Janssen Cilag S.p.A., Janssen Cilag SPA, Janssen Development Finance Unlimited Company, Janssen Diagnostics LLC, Janssen Egypt LLC, Janssen Farmaceutica Portugal Lda, Janssen Global Services LLC, Janssen Holding GmbH, Janssen Inc., Janssen Irish Finance Unlimited Company, Janssen Korea Ltd., Janssen Oncology Inc., Janssen Ortho LLC, Janssen Pharmaceutica (Proprietary) Limited, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Janssen Pharmaceutica S.A., Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K., Janssen Pharmaceutical Sciences Unlimited Company, Janssen Pharmaceutical Unlimited Company, Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc., Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc. Japan Branch, Janssen Products LP, Janssen R&D Ireland Unlimited Company, Janssen Research & Development LLC, Janssen Sciences Ireland Unlimited Company, Janssen Scientific Affairs LLC, Janssen Supply Group LLC, Janssen Vaccines & Prevention B.V., Janssen Vaccines Branch of Cilag GmbH International, Janssen Vaccines Corp., Janssen-Cilag, Janssen-Cilag (New Zealand) Limited, Janssen-Cilag A/S, Janssen-Cilag AG, Janssen-Cilag AS, Janssen-Cilag Aktiebolag, Janssen-Cilag B.V., Janssen-Cilag Farmaceutica Lda., Janssen-Cilag Farmaceutica Ltda., Janssen-Cilag GmbH, Janssen-Cilag International NV, Janssen-Cilag Kft., Janssen-Cilag Kft. Branch Office, Janssen-Cilag Limited, Janssen-Cilag Manufacturing LLC, Janssen-Cilag NV, Janssen-Cilag OY, Janssen-Cilag Pharma GmbH, Janssen-Cilag Pharmaceutical S.A.C.I., Janssen-Cilag Polska Sp. z o.o., Janssen-Cilag Pty Ltd, Janssen-Cilag Pty Ltd (Branch), Janssen-Cilag S.A., Janssen-Cilag S.A., Janssen-Cilag S.A. de C.V., Janssen-Cilag de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Janssen-Cilag s.r.o., Janssen-Pharma S.L., Jevco Holding Inc., Johnson & Johnson, Johnson & Johnson (Angola) Limitada, Johnson & Johnson (China) Investment Ltd., Johnson & Johnson (China) Investment Ltd. Beijing Branch, Johnson & Johnson (Egypt) S.A.E., Johnson & Johnson (Hong Kong) Limited, Johnson & Johnson (Ireland) Limited, Johnson & Johnson (Jamaica) Limited, Johnson & Johnson (Kenya) Limited, Johnson & Johnson (Middle East) Inc., Johnson & Johnson (Middle East) Inc. (DHCC Branch), Johnson & Johnson (Middle East) Inc. (JAFZA Branch), Johnson & Johnson (Middle East) Inc. Service Center (DAFZA Branch), Johnson & Johnson (Mozambique) Limitada, Johnson & Johnson (Namibia) (Proprietary) Limited, Johnson & Johnson (New Zealand) Limited, Johnson & Johnson (Philippines) Inc., Johnson & Johnson (Private) Limited, Johnson & Johnson (Thailand) Ltd., Johnson & Johnson (Trinidad) Limited, Johnson & Johnson (Vietnam) Co. Ltd, Johnson & Johnson - Societa' Per Azioni, Johnson & Johnson AB, Johnson & Johnson AB Eesti filiaal (Branch), Johnson & Johnson AG, Johnson & Johnson AG (Zuchwil Branch), Johnson & Johnson Belgium Finance Company BV, Johnson & Johnson Bulgaria EOOD, Johnson & Johnson China Ltd., Johnson & Johnson Consumer (Hong Kong) Limited, Johnson & Johnson Consumer (Thailand) Limited, Johnson & Johnson Consumer B.V., Johnson & Johnson Consumer Health Care Switzerland Branch of Janssen-Cilag AG, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Holdings France, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc., Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. (Dominican Republic Branch), Johnson & Johnson Consumer NV, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Saudi Arabia Limited, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Services EAME Ltd., Johnson & Johnson Del Paraguay S.A., Johnson & Johnson Dominicana S.A.S., Johnson & Johnson Enterprise Innovation Inc., Johnson & Johnson European Treasury Unlimited Company, Johnson & Johnson Finance Corporation, Johnson & Johnson Finance Limited, Johnson & Johnson Financial Services GmbH, Johnson & Johnson Financial Services GmbH (Branch Office), Johnson & Johnson Gateway LLC, Johnson & Johnson Gesellschaft m.b.H., Johnson & Johnson GmbH, Johnson & Johnson Guatemala S.A., Johnson & Johnson Health Care Systems Inc., Johnson & Johnson Health and Wellness Solutions Inc., Johnson & Johnson Hellas Commercial and Industrial S.A., Johnson & Johnson Hellas Consumer Products Commercial Societe Anonyme, Johnson & Johnson Hemisferica S.A., Johnson & Johnson Holding GmbH, Johnson & Johnson Inc., Johnson & Johnson Industrial Ltda., Johnson & Johnson Innovation - JJDC Inc., Johnson & Johnson Innovation LLC, Johnson & Johnson Innovation Limited, Johnson & Johnson International, Johnson & Johnson International (Belgian Branch) (European Logistics Center), Johnson & Johnson International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Johnson & Johnson International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. (Branch), Johnson & Johnson International Financial Services Unlimited Company, Johnson & Johnson K.K., Johnson & Johnson Kft., Johnson & Johnson Korea Ltd., Johnson & Johnson Korea Selling & Distribution LLC, Johnson & Johnson LLC, Johnson & Johnson Lda, Johnson & Johnson Limited, Johnson & Johnson Limited (Sri Lanka Branch), Johnson & Johnson Luxembourg Finance Company Sarl, Johnson & Johnson Management Limited, Johnson & Johnson Medical (China) Ltd., Johnson & Johnson Medical (Proprietary) Ltd, Johnson & Johnson Medical (Shanghai) Ltd., Johnson & Johnson Medical (Shanghai) Ltd. Beijing Branch, Johnson & Johnson Medical (Suzhou) Ltd., Johnson & Johnson Medical B.V., Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices & Diagnostics Group - Latin America L.L.C., Johnson & Johnson Medical GmbH, Johnson & Johnson Medical Korea Ltd., Johnson & Johnson Medical Limited, Johnson & Johnson Medical Mexico S.A. de C.V., Johnson & Johnson Medical NV, Johnson & Johnson Medical Products GmbH, Johnson & Johnson Medical Pty Ltd, Johnson & Johnson Medical S.A., Johnson & Johnson Medical S.C.S., Johnson & Johnson Medical S.p.A., Johnson & Johnson Medical SAS, Johnson & Johnson Medical Saudi Arabia Limited, Johnson & Johnson Medical Taiwan Ltd., Johnson & Johnson Medikal Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Johnson & Johnson Medikal Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi (Ankara Branch), Johnson & Johnson Medikal Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi (Izmir Branch), Johnson & Johnson Middle East - Scientific Office, Johnson & Johnson Middle East FZ - LLC (Lebanese Branch), Johnson & Johnson Middle East FZ-LLC, Johnson & Johnson Middle East FZ-LLC (Ghana Branch), Johnson & Johnson Middle East FZ-LLC (Kenya Branch), Johnson & Johnson Middle East FZ-LLC Branch (TSO) (Saudi Arabia Branch), Johnson & Johnson Morocco Societe Anonyme, Johnson & Johnson NCB (Belgian Branch), Johnson & Johnson Nordic AB, Johnson & Johnson Pacific Pty Limited, Johnson & Johnson Pakistan (Private) Limited, Johnson & Johnson Panama S.A., Johnson & Johnson Personal Care (Chile) S.A., Johnson & Johnson Poland Sp. z o.o., Johnson & Johnson Poland sp. z o.o. oddzial w Warszawie "Consumer", Johnson & Johnson Private Limited, Johnson & Johnson Pte. Ltd., Johnson & Johnson Pte. Ltd. Korea Branch, Johnson & Johnson Pty. Limited, Johnson & Johnson Romania S.R.L., Johnson & Johnson S.A., Johnson & Johnson S.A. de C.V., Johnson & Johnson S.E. Inc., Johnson & Johnson S.E. d.o.o., Johnson & Johnson SDN. BHD., Johnson & Johnson Sante Beaute France, Johnson & Johnson Services Inc., Johnson & Johnson Surgical Vision Inc., Johnson & Johnson Surgical Vision India Private Limited, Johnson & Johnson Taiwan Ltd., Johnson & Johnson UK Treasury Company Limited, Johnson & Johnson Ukraine LLC, Johnson & Johnson Urban Renewal Associates, Johnson & Johnson Vision Care (Shanghai) Ltd., Johnson & Johnson Vision Care Inc., Johnson & Johnson Vision Care Ireland Unlimited Company, Johnson & Johnson d.o.o., Johnson & Johnson de Argentina S.A.C. e. I., Johnson & Johnson de Chile Limitada, Johnson & Johnson de Chile S.A., Johnson & Johnson de Colombia S.A., Johnson & Johnson de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Johnson & Johnson de Uruguay S.A., Johnson & Johnson de Venezuela S.A., Johnson & Johnson del Ecuador S.A., Johnson & Johnson del Peru S.A., Johnson & Johnson do Brasil Industria E Comercio de Produtos Para Saude Ltda., Johnson & Johnson for Export and Import LLC, Johnson & Johnson s.r.o., Johnson Y Johnson de Costa Rica S.A., Johnson and Johnson (Proprietary) Limited, Johnson and Johnson Sihhi Malzeme Sanayi Ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, LTL Management LLC, La Concha Land Investment Corporation, Latam International Investment Company Unlimited Company, Legal Entity Name, MDS Co. Ltd., McNEIL MMP LLC, McNeil AB, McNeil Consumer Pharmaceuticals Co., McNeil Denmark ApS, McNeil Healthcare (Ireland) Limited, McNeil Healthcare (UK) Limited, McNeil Healthcare LLC, McNeil Iberica S.L.U., McNeil LA LLC, McNeil Nutritionals LLC, McNeil Panama LLC, McNeil Products Limited, McNeil Sweden AB, Medical Device Business Services Inc., Medical Devices & Diagnostics Global Services LLC, Medical Devices International LLC, Medos International Sarl, Medos International Sarl succursale de Neuchatel (Branch), Medos Sarl, MegaDyne Medical Products Inc., Menlo Care De Mexico S.A. de C.V., Mentor B.V., Mentor Deutschland GmbH, Mentor Medical Systems B.V., Mentor Partnership Holding Company I LLC, Mentor Texas GP LLC, Mentor Texas L.P., Mentor Worldwide LLC, Micrus Endovascular LLC, Middlesex Assurance Company Limited, Momenta Ireland Limited, Momenta Pharmaceuticals, Momenta Pharmaceuticals Inc., NeoStrata Company Inc., NeoStrata UG (haftungsbeschrankt), Netherlands Holding Company, NeuWave Medical Inc., Neuravi Limited, Novira Therapeutics, Novira Therapeutics LLC, NuVera Medical Inc., OBTECH Medical Sarl, OGX Beauty Limited, OMJ Holding GmbH, OMJ Ireland Unlimited Company, OMJ Pharmaceuticals Inc., Obtech Medical Mexico S.A. de C.V., Omrix Biopharmaceuticals Inc., Omrix Biopharmaceuticals Ltd., Omrix Biopharmaceuticals NV, Ortho Biologics LLC, Ortho Biotech Holding LLC, Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical LLC, Orthospin Ltd., Orthotaxy, PT Integrated Healthcare Indonesia, PT. Johnson & Johnson Indonesia, Patriot Pharmaceuticals LLC, Peninsula Pharmaceuticals LLC, Pharmadirect Ltd., Pharmedica Laboratories (Proprietary) Limited, Princeton Laboratories Inc., Productos de Cuidado Personal y de La Salud de Bolivia S.R.L., Proleader S.A., Pulsar Vascular Inc., Regency Urban Renewal Associates, RespiVert Ltd., RoC International, Royalty A&M LLC, Rutan Realty LLC, SYNTHES Medical Immobilien GmbH, Scios LLC, Sedona Singapore International Pte. Ltd., Sedona Thai International Co. Ltd., Serhum S.A. de C.V., Shanghai Elsker For Mother & Baby Co. Ltd, Shanghai Elsker Mother & Baby Co. Ltd Minghang Branch, Shanghai Johnson & Johnson Ltd., Shanghai Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Sightbox LLC, Sodiac ESV, Spectrum Vision Limited Liability Company, Spectrum Vision Limited Liability Partnership, SterilMed, SterilMed Inc., Surgical Process Institute Deutschland GmbH, Synthes Costa Rica S.C.R. Limitada, Synthes GmbH, Synthes Holding AG, Synthes Holding Limited, Synthes Inc., Synthes Medical Surgical Equipment & Instruments Trading LLC, Synthes Produktions GmbH, Synthes Proprietary Limited, Synthes S.M.P. S. de R.L. de C.V., Synthes Tuttlingen GmbH, Synthes USA LLC, Synthes USA Products LLC, TARIS Biomedical, TARIS Biomedical LLC, TearScience Inc., The Anspach Effort LLC, The Vision Care Institute LLC, Tibotec LLC, Torax Medical Inc., UAB "Johnson & Johnson", UAB Johnson & Johnson Eesti Filiaal (Estonian Branch), Vania Expansion, Verb Surgical, Verb Surgical Inc., Vision Care Finance Unlimited Company, Vogue International, Vogue International LLC, Vogue International Trading Inc., WH4110 Development Company L.L.C., XO1, XO1 Limited, Xian Janssen Pharmaceutical Ltd., Xian-Janssen Pharmaceutical Ltd. Beijing Branch Office, Xian-Janssen Pharmaceutical Ltd. Shanghai Branch Office, Zarbee's Inc., and Zarbee's Naturals.

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Community Bank System, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for Community Bank, N.A. that provides various banking and other financial services to retail, commercial, and municipal customers. It operates through three segments: Banking, Employee Benefit Services, and All Other. The company offers various deposits products, such as checking, savings, and money market deposit accounts, as well as time deposits. It also provides loans, including consumer mortgages; general purpose commercial and industrial loans, and mortgages on commercial properties; paycheck protection program loans; installment loans that are originated through selected dealerships and are secured by automobiles, marine, and other recreational vehicles; personal installment loans and lines of credit for consumers; and home equity products. In addition, the company offers broker-dealer and investment advisory; cash management, investment, and treasury services; asset management; and employee benefit services, as well as operates as a full-service insurance agency that offers personal and commercial lines of insurance, and other risk management products and services. Further, it provides contribution plan administration, employee benefit trust, collective investment fund, retirement plan administration, fund administration, transfer agency, actuarial and benefit consulting, VEBA/HRA, and health and welfare consulting services. Additionally, the company offers wealth management, retirement planning, higher educational planning, fiduciary, risk management, trust, and personal financial planning services; and investment alternatives, including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and advisory products, as well as master recordkeeping services. As of January 24, 2022, it operated approximately 215 customer facilities across Upstate New York, Northeastern Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Western Massachusetts. Community Bank System, Inc. was founded in 1866 and is headquartered in DeWitt, New York.
Official reports released recently reveal that black people accounted for nearly 80 percent of those stopped by Charlottesville police so far this year.

Given the high percentage of investigative detentions of black people, which often dont result in an immediate arrest, officials say they will continue to review the stops.

Although the information shows city police continue to detain and, in many cases, search, black people more often than white people, Chief Al Thomas said the data should not be used to divide the community. But he acknowledged that the data need to be carefully scrutinized.

In a presentation to the City Council on Monday, Thomas, who succeeded Chief Timothy J. Longo in May, said that, as of Oct. 13, there had been 65 incidents that resulted in an investigative detention. Of those 65 incidents, only 15 resulted in an arrest or a court summons.

What I propose is we really focus on these investigative detentions that dont lead to an arrest  We need to scrutinize these reports very thoroughly when theres no arrest made, Thomas said Monday.

On Wednesday, results of a Freedom of Information request revealed that there have been 97 stops this year  as of Oct. 15. Of those stops, 74 involved individuals who were black, while 22 involved people who were white. One individuals race was listed as unknown.

Last year, black people accounted for 68 percent of all individuals who were subject to an investigative detention. So far this year, that figure has climbed to 76 percent.

We know African-Americans represent roughly 19 percent of the total population in the city of Charlottesville. That shows a large disproportional representation of black people being stopped by police, said Councilor Wes Bellamy.

In 2015, police made 110 stops, 74 of those involving African-Americans, on suspicion of criminal activity. In the same year, 870 black adult individuals were arrested on a total of 2,126 offenses. A similar number of white people, 816, were arrested, but on a total of 1,623 offenses.

According to a report compiled in response to the Freedom of Information request, filed by attorney Jeff Fogel, 16 of the 74 black people were arrested, issued a summons or given a warning as a result of the stop that year. Eleven of the 35 white people stopped were issued a warning or a summons and one was listed as having a warrant for probation violation.

The statistics come as many across the nation continue to question whether African-Americans are unfairly targeted by police officers in stop-and-frisk searches.

Thomas said nearly two-thirds of the incidents so far this year in Charlottesville involving black people that did not result in an arrest or court summons were initiated after a citizen summoned the police.

* * *

In his presentation Monday, Thomas said 36 of the 45 stops that did not result in an arrest or summons involved an African-American. Thirteen of those stops were initiated by an officer who reported seeing something suspicious. The 23 other stops happened after officers responded to a call for service.

Fogel questioned whether officers are immediately initiating stops when responding to dispatched calls, even when theres little evidence of wrongdoing at the scene.

An officer has to make a determination in each instance to whether there are reasonable grounds to suspect criminal activity, Fogel said.

My great concern is that there may be people in this community who will call and say there are three black men in hoodies on the corner who arent from this neighborhood and I think they are suspicious, Fogel said.

Lt. Steve Upman, the department spokesman, said officers have some discretion when responding to calls for service.

Officers utilize the totality of information given to them through the dispatched call, as well as what they observe when they arrive on scene, to determine if they have reasonable suspicion to conduct an investigative detention, Upman said.

In his presentation Monday, Thomas noted that, in 2012, Longo started requiring officers to report each stop and explain why there was reasonable suspicion. If the officers are in violation of our policy or someones rights, Thomas said, thats addressed  and corrective action is taken.

Thomas acknowledged that the statistics regarding investigative detentions may not help how people perceive local authorities.

The numbers are important, and its important that we report accurate information, Thomas said. But Ive told you whats more important  and that is we are treating people with respect and dignity.

Thomas said there had been fewer than 10 incidents in 2016 where a supervisor had to issue a corrective or disciplinary action against an officer, whether for reasons of legality or simple protocol.

Fogel, however, is concerned that internal supervision and management of those records could lead to officials suppressing police reports that show a citizens constitutional rights may have been violated.

* * *

Last year, Fogel filed a lawsuit to compel the disclosure of the narrative reports officers are required to write for each investigative detention. A Charlottesville Circuit Court judge ruled those reports can be exempted from Freedom of Information requests because they are considered investigative files.

This year, city officials also declined to disclose the narratives per Fogels request for 2016 data, citing the exemptions that are permitted by the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.

At Mondays council meeting, Fogel alleged that city officials attempted to hurriedly present the investigative detention data to the public before they were required to respond to his Oct. 3 information request.

It is apparent the city did not want anybody to know about these statistics to challenge the report that is going to be presented to you tonight by the chief, he said.

According to City Manager Maurice Jones, Thomas presentation was placed on the meeting agenda on Oct. 14, three days after the council clerk published online the agenda for Mondays meeting. Later in the week, Jones said the presentation wasnt on the agenda immediately because the data and the memo were not ready on Oct. 11.

Jones said the presentation Monday included elements of Fogels request but that on Wednesday he would receive the rest of the information he had requested.

Initially, Fogel said he was encouraged by what Thomas told the council on Monday but that he was still suspicious of why the city had requested an extension on the time needed to respond to the request. He said officials had responded to his previous requests for the data within five business days.

By Wednesday, however, Fogels attitude had soured.

Responding to his request, officials provided a report titled Investigative Detention Reports WITHOUT Arrest or Summons by Race, Origin and Neighborhood.

Fogel replied shortly after that report was submitted, arguing that his original request had not been met.

* * *

Per an email shared with The Daily Progress, Fogel on Oct. 3 requested: Stop and frisk data, including location, race of person detained, whether a frisk or other search was conducted, whether any action was taken as a result of the stop (e.g. warning, summons, arrest).

Later in the day Wednesday, officials provided a spreadsheet that included the rest of the data that had been requested. The spreadsheet included data on each individual stopped, rather than just incidents of an investigative detention.

In an email to Fogel, Assistant City Attorney Andrew Gore wrote: Although CPD has not compiled the statistics in such a way as to align exactly with your request, I have attached a spreadsheet that includes all of the information that you requested.

Noting that officials were able to quickly provide additional documentation after he argued that the initial response was inadequate, Fogel said Wednesday that the quick turnaround on the second report supports my claim (though it may not prove it) that CPD has this information in a database that only requires the choosing of fields to produce a report.

City spokeswoman Miriam Dickler said Thursday that the initial report given to Fogel was something staff already had been working on, per a request from Councilor Kristin Szakos. Dickler said officials created the spreadsheet Wednesday after Fogel asked why his request hadnt been fulfilled completely.

Dickler said the city, per the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, is only required to provide available internal documents when responding to FOIA requests.

She said the city requested an extension on providing a response to Fogels request because they needed additional time to vet the preliminary report that was provided.

It was unclear to those on staff responding to this request that the record being requested was the spreadsheet that was ultimately provided, Dickler said. Once that was clear, staff made sure to get it to the requestor as soon as possible.

Fogel said hes also perturbed that the report on individuals who were stopped reveals that black people continue to average more than 70 percent of all investigative detentions. Adding to that frustration is his feeling that Thomas and city officials may have attempted to mislead the public.

Apparently no progress has been achieved, and my encouragement upon hearing the chiefs words has now [been] extinguished, Fogel said. And the praise heaped on the chief by council members of his excellent work to reduce the historical numbers was unwarranted.

Thomas said Monday that his department, as well as the community, needs to continue to work to prevent criminal activity.

Why are we still seeing violence in certain communities and neighborhoods? We need to do something about that, he said. We do that as a community. Thats not a police problem, thats a community problem.

In the near future, Thomas said the department will provide the council with even more policing data and statistics, adding that using data could help shape crime prevention strategies.

Race has nothing to do with crime, he said. We have to look at poverty and other socioeconomic concerns  We have to work together.

In an email Friday, Dickler said Thomas has agreed to meet with Fogel this week.
VIRGINIA BEACH  GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump, asserting that Virginia remains very much in play, made a particular appeal to evangelicals and military personnel Saturday during a rally at Regent University.

In 17 days, we are going to win Virginia, Trump told a boisterous crowd of several thousand gathered in an outdoor plaza.

Speaking at the Virginia Beach school founded by religious broadcaster Pat Robertson, Trump lavished praise on evangelical Christians.

One of the greatest privileges of my journey has been the time Ive spent with the evangelical community and the people of faith across our nation, the business mogul said.

There are no more decent, devoted and selfless people than our Christian brothers and sisters here in the United States, Trump said, noting hes a Presbyterian.

Trump stressed that if he is elected president, he will sign legislation to repeal the Johnson Amendment, a portion of the federal tax code named for then-U.S. Sen. Lyndon B. Johnson, D-Texas, that prevents tax-exempt organizations, such as churches, from endorsing political candidates.

In a nod to the regional military stronghold, Trump said Hampton Roads will benefit as he rebuilds what he termed a depleted military and expands the Navy fleet to 350 ships.

Were going to start with the Navy right here in Virginia Beach, Trump said. Little Creek and Naval Station Oceana are going to be a lot busier when Im president  get ready.

Norfolk Naval Shipyard is, too, he added. Theyre going to be right at the center of the action in building new ships.

Trump, who took the stage more than an hour behind schedule, had come from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where on Saturday morning he delivered what the campaign called a major address.

In Virginia Beach, Trump made a brief reference to the Gettysburg speech, in which he had outlined his Contract with the American Voter, a pledge to pursue more than two dozen policy actions in his first 100 days as president.

Speaking of his call for ethics reforms and term limits for members of Congress, Trump said: If I am elected president, were going to drain the swamp in Washington, D.C.

Trump trails Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in Virginia by 12 percentage points in a poll Christopher Newport University released Friday.

But Trumps supporters at Regent  many decked out in patriotic garb including shirts, caps and scarves featuring the American flag  were buoyant.

They cheered Build that Wall! when he spoke of improving border security.

When Trump called Clinton crooked over her use of private email as Secretary of State, many in the crowd chanted Lock her up! and Hillary for prison!

Trump supporters in the crowd cited a number of issues that are key to their support of Trump, such as border security, national security and economic security.

Debbie Accardi, a caterer from Smithfield, said her brother ran a restaurant but recently sold it because the taxes were eating him up alive.

She faults Clintons support for a $15 minimum wage, saying it would crush small businesses.

Nobody can afford $15, Accardi said. If they have not employed anybody, then they dont know what theyre talking about.

Barry and Judy Christopher, of Mechanicsville, said they believe Trump will appoint conservative Supreme Court justices, support Israel, back religious freedom and protect gun rights, all issues they consider important.

We cant support Planned Parenthood, added Barry Christopher, who runs an executive sedan service. If we have a choice, thats not what we want to do. We are against abortions.

Barry Christopher said nobody has all the answers, but Trump has got a history of surrounding himself with the right people.

Trumps stop at Regent might have been meant, in part, to shore up support with evangelical voters following the release of a 2005 tape in which he bragged about groping women and subsequent allegations by women who said he had made unwanted sexual advances.

Trumps Virginia campaign has been whipsawed in recent weeks, but continues to fight for what has been a key swing state.

Trumps national campaign fired his Virginia chairman, Corey Stewart, after Stewart held an unauthorized protest outside the Republican National Committee.

Then the Virginia campaign dealt with reports that Trumps national team was shifting some of its Virginia staff to North Carolina, at least temporarily.

But Trump and his running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, keep making campaign stops in Virginia, continuing to fight for its 13 electoral votes.

Trumps campaign also is launching a $2 million ad buy in Virginia in the campaigns closing weeks.

As his campaign indicated a few days ago, he doesnt want to give up on a state where he owns property or businesses, said Quentin Kidd, a political analyst at Christopher Newport. Secondly, I think to a certain extent his campaign believes that Virginia is not as far gone as the polling suggests it is.

Trumps campaign believes polls are systematically under-surveying Trump supporters and over-surveying Clinton supporters, Kidd said.

In response to Trumps rally at Regent, the Clinton campaign issued a quote from retired Air Force Col. Dave Belote. He criticized Trump for refusing during the third presidential debate to pledge that he would accept the result of the election if he does not prevail.

Trumps stance at the debate was an affront to the sacrifice of myself and all veterans and current servicemen and women throughout the armed forces, Belote said.

The rally at the University Library Plaza was Trumps second visit to Regent this year. In February, he took part in the schools presidential candidate forum series ahead of Virginias GOP primary, which Trump won on March 1.

Regent founder Pat Robertson, now 86, has been a figure in state and national presidential politics for decades. He sought the Republican presidential nomination in 1988.

Robertson said recently that he was not troubled by the 2005 tape in which Trump spoke lewdly about women. Robertson referred to it as a conversation in Hollywood in which Trump was trying to look like hes macho.

At Regent on Saturday, Robertson was among a series of speakers  including Virginia GOP hopefuls and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani  who gave brief remarks ahead of Trump.

Robertson said he has a warning for bookies in Las Vegas: If you bet against Donald Trump, youre going to lose your shirt.
What do Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, Turkeys President Recep Erdogan, and Egypts President Abdel el-Sisi share in their foreign policies?

They are in the process of distancing their countries from the United States after many decades of close coordination with Washington. And all three leaders resent American officials lecturing them on poor human rights records.

A fourth ally, Saudi Arabia, pursues an independent policy in its war with neighboring Yemen, especially its bombing of civilian targets, because it fears Iran's involvement

 The Philippines. Mr. Duterte, who was elected president in May, soon declared his intention to turn his policy away from close cooperation with long-time ally the United States, and to seek better relations with China. Last week, Duterte was welcomed on a state visit to Beijing, where he met Chinas top leaders. Earlier he announced that his navy would no longer participate in exercises with U.S. naval forces in the South China Sea, the strategic international waterway that China covets as its zone of influence.

Duterte seems determined to reject 60 years of close political and military collaboration with the United States in protecting Southeast Asia from Chinese and Russian encroachments. Born in 1945, he doesnt seem to remember that his country was liberated from Japanese occupation that year by U.S. military forces.

 Turkey. In 1946, President Harry Truman saved Turkish independence by providing aid to Greece and Turkey to resist Russian pressure to gain control over the strategic Dardanelles waterway linking the Black Sea with the Mediterranean. The so-called Truman Doctrine provided a guarantee that America would resist Russian pressure in this vital area at a time when Stalin tried to take advantage of the Soviet success in defeating Hitlers Germany. The United States was largely responsible for bringing Turkey into NATO in 1952 and protecting it against Russias continuing threats on its independence.

Now President Erdogan is reluctant to rely on the United States as a strategic partner and recently visited Moscow to confer with Vladimir Putin and seek closer ties. Last week, Ankara announced an agreement to complete the stalled Turkish Stream gas pipeline that transports Russian fuel through Turkey to southern Europe. This supports Putin's plan to put pressure on Ukraines economy.

 Egypt. In 1972, a new president, Anwar Sadat, turned Egyptian foreign policy against close association with the Soviet Union and instead turned to the United States for economic and military assistance. He also made peace with Israel, for which he was denounced by the Muslim Brotherhood Party. Since then, Egypt has been a staunch U.S. ally.

But in 2011, Sadats successor as president, Hosni Mubarak, was ousted in a popular revolution that was supported by the Obama administration. The Muslim Brotherhood then won a general election and governed for a year before it was ousted by another popular revolt supported by the military. The armys commander, Gen. Sisi, emerged as the new president.

Although President Sisi retains good military relations with the U.S. military and gets substantial U.S. assistance, his authoritarian domestic policies are deplored by human rights organizations.

The military command that supports Sisi is deeply skeptical of U.S. policy because President Obama acquiesced in President Mubaraks ouster in 2011. Commanders question whether Washington will stand by the current government in another crisis.

In August, Sisi visited Moscow for talks with Vladimir Putin and other Russian officials. Cairo reported that the visit would boost strategic relations between Egypt and Russia.

What should we conclude from these developments? An obvious conclusion is this: Three, possibly four, long-time U.S. allies are moving away from close policy coordination with Washington and balancing their relations with the regional power closest to them geographically. Their leaders have concluded that Barack Obama shows weakness in dealing with China, Russia, and Iran.

The fundamental factor is President Obamas reluctance to employ even small military actions to reassure allies of U.S. steadfastness. He favors diplomacy as a better way to resolve conflicts with China, Russia, and Iran.

Secretary of State John Kerry has what many believe is a thankless job of pursing endless diplomatic negotiations while Russia and China employ their forces to achieve strategic goals.

Donald Nuechterlein is a political scientist and author who lives near Charlottesville. Contact him at nuechtd@cstone.net.
In the early morning of July 16, 1945, a daystar of hellfire brilliance appeared on Earth for the first time.

At 45 seconds after 5:45 a.m., in the New Mexico desert, the first atomic bomb detonated. The blast force was equivalent to 20,000 tons of TNT, sending a fireball mushroom roiling 40,000 feet into the sky.

Within a few weeks, two of these unearthly flashes ignited the air above Japan, bringing World War II to an end. The leveling of Hiroshima and Nagasakiand the extinguishing of more than 200,000 livesprovided sobering evidence that a single bomb could obliterate a large metropolitan city.

Four years later, the Soviet Union had the bomb, and the nuclear club would grow from there. This proliferation of nuclear weapons led to the implementation of the military doctrine of mutual assured destruction, or MAD.

This means that, in the event of a full-scale nuclear exchange, both attacker and defender would be annihilated. To ensure that any nuclear attack on the United States would result in a Pyrrhic victory for the aggressor, construction of Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota got underway in May 1956.

A map study of the U.S. shows that the base is strategically located roughly in the middle of the nation and about 50 miles from the Canadian border. The base became the home for the 5th Bomb Wing of the Global Strike Command.

The airfields and squadrons of bombers are easily detected. Not nearly as obvious are the underground missile silos and launch control centers of the 91st Strategic Missile Wing.

Clustered in three fields at three different compass points outside the base are approximately 150 Minuteman III nuclear missiles. During every moment of every day, in launch control centers 50 feet beneath the surface, two members of the Air Force await the unthinkable order to launch the missiles theyre responsible for. This has been the case since June 1963.

James Greenlaw was among the first missileers to arrive at the Minot base that summer. He recently traveled to Charlottesville from Monroe, La., to attend a reunion of former airmen, who, like Greenlaw, once had their fingers on the nuclear trigger.

Im 83 years old, so it was a big commitment for me to make it to this reunion, said Greenlaw, who, after a 20-year career in the Air Force, taught for 21 years at the University of Louisiana. But I wouldnt have it any other way.

As far as Im concerned, the people we were involved with at Minot were a special type. I cant say enough about the quality of people we had, and I would bet my life on them.

The Air Force did a very good job of vetting us, because it worked out beautifully.

Keswick resident Michael Halseth arranged the reunion, which attracted about 45 people from around the country. A Minot missileer from 1967 to 1971, he retired from the University of Virginia, where he had served as the chief operations officer for its hospital.

I didnt know we had all these missiles in the northern United States when I started the training, said Halseth, who grew up in Fresno, Calif. I had a military obligation and decided to join the Air Force and go to officer training school after I finished college.

After I got my commission and was assigned the career field of missiles, I had no idea what that meant. To qualify for the job, you needed a top-secret crypto-security clearance that requires an FBI background investigation.

At some point, we were all asked, Would you launch these missiles if ordered to do so? Everyone had to say yes or they would not be in that role.

Being a person directly contributing to the end of the world as we know it is about as serious as life gets. The motivation for pushing the proverbial nuclear button would have to be more important than ones life.

Preserving the nation and the Constitution of the United States of America reaches that towering standard. Still, being put in the position of possibly causing the deaths of countless innocent people is a lot to shoulder.

We talked about that amongst ourselves from time to time, Halseth said. But our military was always in the position of defending our country.

And defending our country would mean that we would not be launching those missiles unless someone first was launching against us. If that would occur, we had the devastating power to destroy a massive amount of the worldcertainly our targeted areas.

That was intended to beand, I think, successfullya deterrent to any enemy to never consider launching against us, because the retaliation would be so overwhelming.

To launch or not would be a question every missileer would have to answer honestly for himself. It could not be a maybe or an Im pretty sure.

The fact is, this country has the best defense and a very good offense, Greenlaw said. We were part of that offense, and if we were to break down and not do the job we were asked to do, that would weaken the offense.

I always looked at it as a team effort, and thats what carried me through. I will say there were a number of times I thought about what would be going on with our families back at the base if we did launch the missiles.

It probably would cause World War IIIand total devastation. I did think of that, but it did not deter me. I would not have hesitated should the president send us a message that he wanted those missiles launched. And the president is the only one who can give that order.

The two men said their training was ongoing and excellent. The training included routinely spending time in a launch simulator where they would go through the procedure of firing the missiles.

Even pretending to launch nuclear warheads was so nerve-wracking that, on rare occasions, a missileer would crack under the strain. Halseth saw it happen a few times.

People would get so involved in the simulation that they would back away and say they couldnt do it, Halseth said. The few that I saw eliminated initiated it themselves, stating to the Air Force that they could no longer do this job.

The other concern is that we were 50 feet underground in a small launch control center that was on shock absorbers. If somebody had a problem, it would likely be claustrophobia, because we were down there for 24 hours at a time, totally sealed in behind 8-ton blast doors.

We could not go anywhere, and some people couldnt handle it.

The procedure to launch the missiles has to be fast and precise. A checklist would be followed to the letter, right up to the second the missile fuel ignited and the warhead started on its irretrievable flight.

Each launch control center has a two-man crew consisting of a commander and deputy commander. Individual centers are usually in control of 10 missiles.

The deputy and the commander were about 15 feet apart at two different monitors, Halseth said. Each missile had a toggle switch that had to be flipped for it to be launched.

We each had a key that would be inserted into a container. We would have to simultaneously turn those two keys at the same time after first arming the missiles.

When we turned the keys, that would put a vote into the system for those missiles. It took two votes to launch the missiles, so another launch control center interconnected with us would also have to put in a vote.

Once you have two votes in the system for those armed missiles, they would launch within the prescribed timeframe.

The only thing painted red in the launch control center was the safe that contained the launch codes. The safe contained two locks, one of which had to be opened by the commander and the other by the deputy.

Underscoring the seriousness of this is that each person is armed with a loaded pistol. The men were never told what the pistols were for, but it was implied that deadly force was authorized if it ever came to that.

The only thing they would tell us was to load the pistol before we went into the launch control center, Greenlaw said. And to keep it loaded the whole time we were out there, and not to unload it until we got back.

Remember, nobody could get to us because we had to open the blast door from our side. If someone went wacko and wanted to end it for everybody in the world, there would be the other guy with his pistol.

All the training and preparation was directly linked to launching the missiles. What would follow was another matter.

The plan after we launched was never as clearly articulated as the plan to launch, Halseth said. We were told it would take a pretty direct nuclear warhead hit on our launch control center to blow it up, but it certainly could be done.

Im not aware of any thought given to whats next after we do our job.

It would be next to impossible for all 15 of the launch centers to be taken out of commission, so there would be survivors, at least for a time.

The designers of the system did provide a back door of sorts out of the center, if the necessity arose.

When they constructed these silos, they also created a 3-foot-in-diameter tunnel that went from the launch control center to the outside, Greenlaw said. The tunnel was filled with a special kind of dirt that would slide out if we opened the door that held it in.

Once the dirt came out, we would be able to get to the surface. And there were survival supplies under the floor.

But the escape route wasnt really emphasized. What was emphasized was to do our job as quickly and as efficiently as possible.

The trust the nation put in each of the missileers to do his job was a tremendous source of pride for each of them. Its a pride that hasnt flagged during the passing decades.

The missileers were a tight-knit bunch, like family, Halseth said. I think we all learned about loyalty, teamwork and discipline.

We were down there alone, two men, for 24 hours, with no way to get to us. There is a tremendous amount of trust and responsibility put into that two-man crew to execute their job if needed.

There [are] teams down there right now.
I was in the middle of an vvemail to an old friend this week, and had written a sentence about a mutual acquaintance that was more than 50 percent positive but contained a snarky word or two. I paused. Is that necessary? I thought to myself.

No, it wasnt. So I deleted the sentence.

Maybe it was the Neera Tanden effect. But I think it was really the Henry Blodget effect.

Blodgets emails were made public in 2002 by former New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer. A year later the Securities and Exchange Commission hit young Henry with a $4 million fine and a permanent ban from the securities industry. The issue was that, although the emails contained honest commentary on the dot-com companies Blodget was following as an analyst for Merrill Lynch, his published research reports did not.

So in that case the emails themselves were actually a lot less embarrassing than what Blodget had been saying in public. But I do remember taking the lesson from the whole affair that nothing one writes in an email is entirely private.

Since then, email revelation after email revelation has only reinforced that view. Sometimes, as with Blodget, the emails are obtained by a prosecutor. Sometimes they are unthinkingly forwarded by an acquaintance. Sometimes they are cut and pasted and sent to a newspaper by somebody who doesnt like you. And sometimes they are acquired and handed over to Wikileaks by Russian hackers who break into the account of somebody you send lots of emails to.

That last is what happened to Tanden, the president and chief executive officer of the Center for American Progress, a Democratic think tank. She communicates frequently with her predecessor at CAP, John Podesta, who happens to be Hillary Clintons presidential campaign chairman. In March, Podesta fell for a phishing scam most likely run by Russian spies. And for the past few weeks, Wikileaks has been sharing the resulting bounty with the world.

The Tanden message that has gotten the most attention was a less-than-friendly description of Harvard law professor and former presidential candidate Larry Lessig. On his blog, Lessig reacted magnanimously, writing:

We all deserve privacy. The burdens of public service are insane enough without the perpetual threat that every thought shared with a friend becomes Twitter fodder.

Yes, we all deserve privacy! But by this point we should all be aware that we dont quite have it with emails. They are just too easily copied and forwarded and hacked and searched. And while you can do things to fight the hackinglike using two-factor identification, which everyone should do, or becoming an amateur encryption expertit still seems that, on the continuum between private and public, emails will always be well to the public side of letters, phone calls and in-person conversations.

Email is also really useful in organizing our lives and work, of course. And having all that organizing laid out in public can be excruciating even if it is totally innocent. As Tanden told BuzzFeeds Ben Smith Thursday:

Its been a tough experience. My kids names are in those emails. Id like to make a joke about it, but its honestly been a pretty terrible experience.

Im not going to say people should use code names for their kids in emails (although that might be kind of fun). And Wikileaks willingness to make emails like that public without blocking out the names is pretty reprehensible.

Still, please rememberespecially if youre a public figurethat anything you write in an email could find its way into public view. And if you cant say something nice, maybe just pick up the phone.
Chinese police officers demonstrate standard execution procedures

A Chinese man who killed a village chief who arranged for his house to be demolished will be executed in the coming days. The ruling against 30-year-old Jia Jinglong was delivered to his lawyer on Tuesday.





Jia is from Shijiazhuang, the capital of Hebei Province in northern China. After his house was demolished in 2013, he killed the chief in February 2015 with a modified nail gun.





His lawyer Wei Rujiu told US-backed Radio Free Asia that he received the verdict from the Supreme People's Court. It said that Jia's execution would take place within a few days, and that there was no chance of the decision being reversed.





According to US-backed news Voice of America, Jia was renovating the house in preparation for his wedding but the relationship ended as a result of a forced demolition by village chief He Jianhua.





The death penalty was approved by the Supreme Court in Henan on August 31, reported RFA.





William Nee, researcher at Amnesty International, told HKFP that Jia's sentence is seen by many experts as harsh by Chinese legal standards.





"Given the fact that China currently has the policy of "killing fewer, killing cautiously", this case seems shocking," he wrote in an email.





He said that the short time period of 7 days between ratifying the sentence and execution is stipulated by law in China.





"Many scholars have identified this short period as problematic if China were ever to come into compliance with international law on the death penalty, since under international law a person who has been given a death sentence should be given the chance to apply for pardon or have the sentence commuted. But China doesn't have this sort of mechanism," he said.





Nationalistic tabloid the Global Times reported on Friday that several Chinese law experts had voiced their opposition to the immediate execution order. Zhang Qianfan, a law professor at Peking University, told the tabloid that the affair was also an institutional failure. "Any ordinary person could resort to the same means as Jia when facing unfair treatment," he said.





'Extremely cruel murder'





The tabloid cited a copy of the verdict it received as saying that the method of the murder was extremely cruel and caused severe social impact, and that the conviction was appropriate and accurate.





Wei told RFA that over 200 mainland citizens signed a petition on WeChat requesting that the death penalty be commuted. He said there were 3 reasons for the petition: one was that Jia was himself a victim of ill-treatment from He Jianhua; the 2nd reason was that Jia had turned himself in, and the 3rd reason was that he did not hurt innocent people while committing his crime. If Jia is executed, other desperate people may not consider sparing innocent bystanders, and other criminals may think that turning themselves in is unsafe, said Wei.





Although no recent reports of the case by mainland media could be found apart from the Global Times report, several posts about Jia's story were uploaded on WeChat by bloggers.





Nee adds: "the fact that the local newspapers have not reported the death penalty ratification also shows how the authorities sometimes manipulate public opinion about the death penalty by widely publicising the most horrific cases, while staying silent or even censoring news about potentially controversial cases."





Source: hongkongfp.com, October 22, 2016

Man facing death penalty becomes defiant symbol of China's injustice

In May of 2013, Jia Jinglong had nearly finalized preparations for his wedding. He wanted to hold it at his family's home, a spacious and bright place where he had hung the ceremony decorations and prepared a place to live with his bride.





Mr. Jia's village had different plans. It had slated his home for demolition to make way for new development, and wanted Mr. Jia gone. 18 days before the wedding, a wrecking crew came to the house and started to tear it down while Mr. Jia was still inside. He leaped out from a 2nd-storey window and thugs beat him, leaving him homeless and injured. His fiancee left him.





In the battle between poor homeowner and China's mighty development machine, another man had lost, a story repeated countless times over the past few decades.





But Mr. Jia fought back - and now, facing the death penalty for the murderous retribution he exacted, he has become a symbol of the injustices faced by China's lower classes, at home and in the country's courts.





2 years after his home was demolished, Mr. Jia used a nail gun to kill the local village chief, whom he blamed for ordering the forcible demolition. A Chinese court found Mr. Jia guilty of murder, and sentenced him to death. Last Tuesday, the Supreme People's Court approved the ruling, concluding a process that is conducted in secret and cannot be appealed.





Mr. Jia, however, has not silently vanished. Instead, his family and lawyers have made him the subject of a furious and unusually open fight against capital punishment.





As the clock ticked toward Mr. Jia's expected death, some of China's most prominent legal advocates called for authorities to show mercy and spare the life of a man who has become, in the span of a few short days, the newest symbol of the country's judicial shortcomings.





The situation has come to "a critical juncture of life or death, and though things look desperate, [I am] still here calling for the Supreme Court to make an exception," wrote Xu Xin, a law professor at the Beijing Institute of Technology, on his public WeChat social media account Monday.





Before killing the village chief, Mr. Jia had prepared a social-media message saying he would exact payback and then surrender. He never sent it, but he did travel in the direction of a police station after the killing. His willingness to admit guilt, and the fact he appears to have been wronged by a village chief behind the legally questionable demolition of his home, should have been mitigating factors, his defenders say.





Their appeal for leniency has only a slim chance of success. Mr. Jia killed a Chinese authority, a serious offence, and the decision of the Supreme People's Court is final. "The facts are clear, and the evidence sufficient," a lower court wrote.





"Death penalties have mostly been carried out against ordinary

people on the bottom rung of society."

But his family had not yet been notified of his death by Monday evening, lawyer Liu Hong said in an interview. Instead, Supreme Court judges "spent a long time talking with his sister, Jia Jingyuan, today," Ms. Liu said. "That's a good sign." It's not yet clear whether the Supreme Court has issued an execution enforcement order, which would begin a 7-day countdown for Mr. Jia to die, likely through lethal injection.





Even if he is executed, Mr. Jia's story may resonate beyond the grave, as he becomes the latest figure to galvanize public opinion against a justice system often seen as unjust.





In China, "everyone can see themselves as Jia Jinglong," a man driven to desperation against an unyielding state, said Michelle Miao, an assistant law professor at The Chinese University of Hong Kong who is an expert on the death penalty in China.





By opening a window into the capital-punishment system, Mr. Jia has also provided "an opportunity for the public to finally see what is happening within the courtrooms," Prof. Miao said. "Only these high-profile cases can shine some light into the actual implementation of the machinery of justice in China."





And those angered by his case don't like what they see. "Corrupt officials who have done so much damage to society were not killed, so why him?" asked one person on Chinese social media, where Mr. Jia's story was widely shared, after it was also reported by state media.





"Why keep giving such serious punishment to citizens who just want to protect their private rights?" asked another. "Kill him - the attitude among public servants. Don't kill him - the attitude among ordinary people," commented another.





China is believed to execute more people than all other countries combined, but the country does not publish statistics. Human-rights advocates have long raised China's death penalty as a black mark on its judicial system, with procedures that violate international norms.





"The Chinese government continues to give the public the impression that the death penalty is only strictly applied in a limited amount of horrific cases - such as in the recent spate of cases in which people have killed hospital staff," said William Nee, China researcher for Amnesty International. Cases such as Mr. Jia's challenge that line, suggesting China uses execution as a deterrence tool to maintain social order.





When people find out, they are often unhappy, Mr. Nee said. "They think there are better ways to tackle the underlying social conflicts," he said.





Chinese legal officials have pledged to limit executions, officially declaring policies such as "when there is the choice to kill or not to kill, always choose not to kill." But courts have tended to show greater restraint in cases of wealthy and powerful officials.





The result has been that "death penalties have mostly been carried out against ordinary people on the bottom rung of society," said Si Weijiang, a lawyer who has helped with Mr. Jia's case. "The public can see a sharp contrast," he added.





The reliance by Chinese courts on evidence supplied by police who rush to achieve results, sometimes using torture, has created further problems. It is only in the past few years that such issues have seized public attention, after a series of high-profile wrongful conviction cases.





Chinese state media have celebrated them as the country's leaders argue that courts are improving.





In September, the Chinese government released a white paper that claimed "new progress has been made in human rights protection in the field of justice."





It said courts respect the presumption of innocence, and acquitted 3,369 defendants between 2012 and 2015. That pales next to the 1.2 million people found guilty last year alone, for a conviction rate of 99.92 %.





Legal experts say China's claims of strengthened legal protections have brought only modest change in court, where suspects are still commonly treated as if they are presumed guilty.





In Mr. Jia's case, his father had signed paperwork allowing the village to demolish the home. But he signed only after officials threatened to cut off retirement benefits for him and other relatives if he refused, the family testified in court.





Ms. Liu, the lawyer, acknowledged "it's not so likely" the court will reverse its decision. But, she said, Mr. Jia's case has underscored broader problems.





"There is too little transparency with execution procedures," she said. "And very few guarantees of the defendant's rights."





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Source: theglobeandmail.com, October 25, 2016
The NTPC Group, including its joint ventures and other subsidiaries, will have over 50,000 MW of installed power generation capacity by the end of this fiscal.

New Delhi: State-owned NTPC Group is gearing up to cross the milestone of over 50,000 MW installed power generation capacity by March-end 2017 with expected addition of over 4,630 MW.

"The NTPC Group, including its joint ventures and other subsidiaries, will have over 50,000 MW of installed power generation capacity by the end of this fiscal," a senior power ministry official told PTI.

The NTPC Group has an installed power generation capacity of 47,228 MW, which includes 800 MW of hydro and 360 MW of solar energy. The official said, "Even if there is some slippage in capacity addition, the NTPC Group as a whole will cross the milestone of 50,000 MW by March-end 2017."

The company is expected to commission 550 MW of solar power project at Mandsaur, Ananthapuram and Badhla. Besides, thermal power generation capacities at Kudgi (1600 MW), Bogaigaon (250 MW), Mauda (660 MW), Solapur (660 MW), Nabinagar (250 MW JV) and Meja (660 MW JV) are in line for commissioning by March-end next year.

Various projects with an aggregate capacity of around 24,000 MW are under implementation at 23 locations across the country. This includes 4,050 MW being undertaken by joint ventures and subsidiary companies.

Out of the total capacity under implementation, 1,329 MW is based on diversified sources of renewable energy. The company is quickly moving towards its ambition of achieving a solar portfolio of 10 GW out of the 100 GW target of the government by 2022. Over 1,700 MW renewable energy projects of the company are under execution.
Indore: Individuals and entities can pay taxes online using debit or credit cards once the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is rolled out, Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia said on October 24.

The government proposes to roll out the new indirect tax regime from April 1 next year and has made registration, refunds, returns filing and payment processes online.

"With regard to payments, the best thing that will happen is all payments will have to be made online. You can use any mode of payment, electronic, NEFT, RTGS. You can do it through debit cards or credit cards of any bank. "You need not open account in banks of government. Even if you have account in a private bank you can transfer money and it will reach the government," Adhia said while addressing the Global Investors Summit here.

He said GST will make it easier for traders and industry to access Input Tax Credit and also ease compliance burden as the entire country will become a single market.

"I would ask the states to focus on the services sector because industry will come on its own once demand increases," Adhia said.

He said India is now taking several reform measures and GST is the biggest tax reform since Independence. Adhia added that GST will also ensure that the taxes deducted by sellers reach the government.

Asked what will happen to excise duty benefits currently enjoyed by units in Jammu and Kashmir as well as Northeastern and hilly states, Adhia said they will be protected in a similar manner.

"Instead of giving direct exemptions, we will take it through the Government of Indias budgetary route," he said.
The first nine months of the current year witnessed 735 PE deals worth USD 8,400 million as against 765 such transactions worth USD 12,408 million in the same period last year.

New Delhi: Private equity investments declined 53 per cent to touch USD 2.5 billion during July-September this year, lowest in the last nine quarters, largely owing to absence of big ticket deals, says a report.

According to advisory firm Grant Thornton India LLP, there were 241 PE transactions worth USD 2,538 million in the September quarter this year, while there were 303 deals worth USD 5,446 million in the corresponding period last year.

The decline in PE activity is due to the reduced investment in the new economy companies in comparison to the previous year when such investments were in full swing, according to Harish HV Partner Grant Thornton India.

In the January-September period, PE investment declined by 32 per cent as compared to the same period last year in terms of value while deals in number terms declined marginally, indicative of reducing average deal size. The first nine months of the current year witnessed 735 PE deals worth USD 8,400 million as against 765 such transactions worth USD 12,408 million in the same period last year.

"With all other factors being lucrative and favourable, PE will perhaps be visualised as an alternative means of financing consolidation for large and select corporates, and this shall result in the long-awaited big ticket transactions in the PE space," Prashant Mehra Partner at Grant Thornton India said.

Mehra further added that "the sector trend should continue towards core sectors along with considerable activity in the retail/consumer sector in next few quarters". Hike messaging app's deal to raise USD 175 million from Tencent Holdings, Foxconn Technology Group, Tiger Global, Bharti Enterprises and Softbank Holdings Pte was the biggest investment pact of the September quarter.

Sectors such as manufacturing, banking and financial services and transportation witnessed big ticket deals in the third quarter this year, valued over USD 100 million as compared to e-commerce, telecom, startup and real estate sectors that witnessed biggest investment pacts in the same period last year, the report said.
New Delhi: The Finance Ministry has asked various agencies, including RBI, which are looking into the largest banking security breach involving over 32 lakh debit cards, to submit their report in 10 days.

"We expect result of the technical enquiry in the next 8-10 days. This will give us exact picture of the entire incidence. It will give us lead as to where hacking or compromise took place," Finance Ministry sources said.

Earlier this week, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had said the government asked RBI and banks to provide details of the data breach and also banks' preparedness to deal with cyber crimes. As many as 32.14 lakh debit cards of various public and private sector banks are feared to have been 'compromised' by cyber malware attack in some ATM systems.

Several banks, including state-owned SBI, have recalled a number of cards while many others blocked the ones suspected to have been compromised and asked their customers to change PIN (personal identification number) before use.

Fraudulent withdrawals have been reported from 19 banks so far while complaints have been received from a few banks that their customers' cards were used fraudulently abroad, mainly in China and the US while the customers were in India.

According to the National Payments Corporation of India, as many as 641 customers across 19 banks have been duped of Rs 1.3 crore using stolen debit card data.

The government asked regulator Reserve Bank of India (RBI) as well as banks to provide details of the data breach and also preparedness to deal with cyber crimes.

There are around 60 crore debit cards operational in India, of which 19 crore are indigenously developed by RuPay while the rest are Visa- and Master Card-enabled. Of the debit cards affected, about 26.5 lakh are on Visa and MasterCard platforms while 6,00,000 are on RuPay.

The breach reportedly involved some 90 ATMs. While Visa and MasterCard, in separate statements, have stated that their own networks had not been compromised, Hitachi subsidiary Hitachi Payment Services, which manages some of the ATM network processing, was investigating the matter, including whether there was a malware problem.

The Hitachi ATMs deployed by many white label ATM players and Yes Bank were impacted by the malware while usage at other ATMs were completely secured.

While Visa and MasterCard, in separate statements, have stated that their own networks had not been compromised, Hitachi subsidiary Hitachi Payment Services, which manages some of the ATM network processing, was investigating the matter, including whether there was a malware problem.
Blog Hinangai

While there is much discussion in Guam about the economic benefits of increasing the islands military presence, the damages/dangers that they represent are rarely mentioned. This blog, a supplement to the Peace and Justice for Guam Petition, is meant to counter that by providing information about the US military in Guam, with the hopes of steering policy away from a dangerous unilateralist course to more sustainable notions of regional development and a strengthening international solidarity.
TRAI in its recommendation to DOT, said it has found the trio to be non-compliant with licence conditions and service quality norms given the high rate of call failures and congestion at interconnect points for RJio.

New Delhi: Cellular operators' association COAI has expressed disappointment over the Rs 3,050 crore penalty recommended by TRAI on incumbent operators Airtel, Vodafone and Idea for allegedly denying interconnectivity to newcomer Reliance Jio.

But the association - which at one point, had led cellular operators from the front in their battle with the new entrant over call connectivity - said it will not get involved as interconnect issue was a matter involving individual operators and bilateral agreements.

"We are disappointed when large penalties are recommended or imposed on the industry...it is not a trivial amount...it seems that TRAI has imposed maximum penalty of Rs 50 crore (per circle)," COAI Director General Rajan Mathews told PTI.

However, Department of Telecom (DOT) will decide whether the same is appropriate or not, he said.

"The matter is between individual operators and TRAI. We were not privy to the showcase notice by TRAI or subsequent responses. We were not involved with details of the matter...it is bilateral...we will wait to see DOT's response on the matter...DOT will have to review and decide," he added.

Asked if the association will chalk out a future course of action to represent the stance of the incumbent telcos on the issue of interconnect and penalty, Mathews emphasised that operators will decide on how they want to respond.

In a setback to incumbent telecom operators, the telecom regulator on Friday suggested a penalty of about Rs 1,050 crore each for Airtel and Vodafone, and Rs 950 crore in case of Idea Cellular.

TRAI in its recommendation to DOT, said it has found the trio to be non-compliant with licence conditions and service quality norms given the high rate of call failures and congestion at interconnect points for RJio.

It also noted that denial of interconnection by these operators to RJio "appears to be with the ulterior motive to stifle competition and is anti-consumer".

The regulator stopped short of recommending cancellation of their licences saying it may lead to "significant consumer inconvenience".

The recommendation came on a complaint by Reliance Jio that over 75 per cent of the calls on its network are failing as incumbents were not giving sufficient points of interconnect that would help complete calls.
Shoojit's production 'Pink' was amongst the best films this year.

Mumbai: Director Shoojit Sircar feels if any political party has a problem with films, they should discuss it freely with the filmmakers instead of "burning cinema halls".

Filmmaker Karan Johar's upcoming venture Ae Dil Hai Mushkil was facing the ire of MNS, which had even threatened to stall the release of the film owing to the presence of Pakistani actor Fawad Khan in the romantic drama.

The issue was resolved yesterday when Johar, accompanied by Producers' Guild President Mukesh Bhatt, met Maharashtra

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and assured him that filmmakers would not work with Pakistani artistes given the people's sentiments in India post Uri terror attack.

Shoojit, who was speaking at a panel discussion at the 18th Jio MAMI Mumbai International film festival with Star, feels audience should be allowed to watch a movie freely.

Asked if he had to request one thing to the government what it would be, Shoojit told reporters, "Allow us to make the kind of films we want to make. If someone has any objection with it, come at a platform like this (film festival), discuss it, but don't burn down halls.

"Don't stop the audience, the film lovers, from going to the hall. If you have any problem, talk to us. We are ready to talk," he added.

While Filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj said he hopes the government can do away with censor board, director Zoya Akhtar said it would be great if it looked into the excessive tax the film industry pays.

Zoya, however, stressed on the issue of piracy and said strict measures need to be taken to stop it. "People have to do something about it. It is a bailable offence; there is too much money on piracy. So, till the law doesn't change what can we do. It is stealing. We are losing a lot of money."

To which, Bhardwaj said, "If it (movie) comes out before

(Its release on Fridays) than it is a problem, otherwise we are used to for years for it to come out on Saturdays.

"In countries like France, if you do torrent twice (sic), they will leave you, the third time you will be arrested. Here, the government has so many other work that 'ye toh baad ki baat hai' (not on priority list)," the Haider director said.

The three filmmakers were joined by directors Gauri Shinde and Rohit Shetty for the panel discussion about how they are on their film set.
Mumbai: Karan Johars last full-fledged directorial, Student of the Year released in 2012 and his upcoming film Ae Dil Hai Mushkil releases after a gap of four years. This might make people think that the filmmaker was working on the film for a considerable amount of time, especially on the script, which takes several filmmakers months or even years.

However, Karan didnt have to work too hard on the script and finished writing the script in merely nine days while he was in New York. I just took nine days to write the film. I was in New York and while walking around the streets, I was thinking about the pain a person goes through when one-sided love happens. I have gone through that pain. The story of Ae Dil Hai Mushkil talks about this side of a love story, Karan said while addressing media at the JIO MAMI Film Festival.

Ranbir Kapoor is seen delivering lines about one-sided love in the trailer and the the film traces his relationship Anushka Sharma. Amid their story, Ranbirs moments with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Anushkas with Fawad Khan forms the plot of the film.

Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, after facing uncertainty over its release due to controversy surrounding a Pakistani actor is finally all set to release on 28 October.
Pahlaj Nihalani has always been in the news for the functioning of the CBFC.

Mumbai: CBFC chief Pahlaj Nihalani says that it is wrong to demand a proof of someone's patriotism.

Director Karan Johar recently made a video appeal to those protesting the release of his directorial venture because it has a Pakistani actor Fawad Khan. He said that he was a patriot and wouldn't cast Pakistani artistes in future.

Raj Thackeray-led MNS had threatened to stall the movie's release on October 28.

While Nihalani didn't make any direct reference to Johar, when asked about the demand for a ban on Pakistani artistes, he said this environment was created by some, who wanted to gain mileage and that no one needs to reiterate his or her patriotism.

"Not only Pakistani actors, there should be no import or export. Even the films we send are via Dubai. Our films are illegally exported there...

"This environment was created by certain people to gain mileage. In this, our film association body IMPPA was also there whose committee members don't make films but to gain mileage they said 'we will ban Pakistani actors'.

"The exhibitor association said 'we will ban too'. I believe nobody is required to give a certificate of their patriotism. Every citizen of this country is patriotic. Nobody needs to give any certificate or fight. People who ask for it are wrong," he said.

Nihalani was speaking during a session at Aaj Tak's conclave 'Manthan'.

'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' is now set for a worldwide release as per schedule with MNS ending its protest against it. Nihalani, who has spoken in favour of the film earlier, said that a ban on its release would have only resulted in loss for Indians.

"If Karan Johar's film loses money, the Pakistani artist has taken his money, and he also contributed through arts and culture in bridging the gap between the two countries, when the two nations were trying to come together. He fulfilled his duty. It will be our loss," he said.

MNS has asked Johar to donate Rs 5 crore to Uri martyrs.

Nihalani said that had this discussion happened earlier, the film wouldn't have faced this problem.

"If they would've earlier said, 'give certain section of your earnings to soldiers, victims,' the problem would've been solved earlier."

Superstar Shah Rukh Khan's 'Raees' has been another film which faced the ire of many sections for its casting of Pakistani actress Mahira Khan.

Nihalani said that the censor board will certify the film regardless of Mahira's presence, if its release has government's approval.

"I'll give certificate to the film. The issue of Pakistani actors being there or not being there is not my concern. If it has legal permission, I will give, if it doesn't, then I won't."
If a fetus is exposed to air pollution, she has change in her genes (Photo: AFP)

New Delhi: Adverse effects of air pollution, described as the worlds biggest environmental risk by the WHO, may linger on in Delhi for generations to come, experts warn.

New studies in this area, indicating that its impact may be trans-generational, have unsettled pollution experts and doctors here.

T K Joshi, Director, Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, said that a study by the US-based National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) has uncovered this fact.

"New research that has shaken all of us says that if a fetus is exposed to air pollution, she has change in her genes, and these changes are such that they dont remain confined to her only.

"The impact is trans-generational. That means her children and her grand children will be affected. And you cannot undo a change in gene. If we dont control this then we are creating lot of diseases to which we do not have any cure, like asthma, cancer, stroke," Joshi said.

While the phenomenon holds true for people cutting across the world, it will be more so for residents of cities like Delhi, known for notoriously high levels of pollution.

It also turn on its head the conventional wisdom that pollution affects only certain vulnerable categories such as children, the elderly, people with respiratory diseases and expecting mothers.

Joshi rued that indoor air pollution was an area that has seen the "least amount" of work. Its potential impact on health is a riddle that needs to be solved.

"That is what is sorely needed, to find its short and long term impact, serious or mild effects. Itching of eyes, sneezing are mild effects, but if you say cancer its very serious. So the riddle is yet to be solved," Joshi said.

Echoing these views, Prof Mukesh Khare of IIT Delhi said the latest findings make indoor air pollution more significant, as people, especially expecting mothers, spend more time inside.

"Urban indoor air quality is an area that is not well- researched. The Central Pollution Control Board had put a draft of indoor air quality monitoring guidelines on its website in 2014 but there has no forward movement since. We need to have prescribed standards like for outdoor air," he said.

Air pollution is killing nearly eight lakh people annually in the South East Asian Region with India alone accounting for over 75 per cent of the casualties caused by cardiovascular diseases and lung cancer, according to WHO.

Delhi also happens to be the 11th most polluted city in the world (based on data collected between 2008-13), according to the latest rankings released by the UN agency, while four other Indian cities - Gwalior (2), Allahabad (3), Patna (6) and Raipur (7) - figure in the top seven.
Some people are more vulnerable to the harmful effects of cannabis than others (Photo: AFP)

Washington: A new study adds to accumulating evidence that high-potency cannabis in associated with an increased risk of users becoming dependent on cannabis.

Estimates suggest around 182 million people worldwide use cannabis each year, a number that could rise as legalisation of recreational use and/or medical use increases. Roughly nine percent of people who try cannabis will become dependent on it at some point in their lifetime. People who are dependent on cannabis are often unable to cut down or quit, despite experiencing persistent negative effects from the drug.

Some people are more vulnerable to the harmful effects of cannabis than others. A number of factors may increase the risks of becoming dependent, such as being younger, male, and mixing tobacco with cannabis.

Another possible factor is cannabis potency. The cannabis plant produces over 100 unique chemicals, and the two most abundant of these (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol or 'THC', and cannabidiol or 'CBD') can cause opposite effects on the brain and behaviour.

In the last decade, the illicit cannabis market has become dominated by high-potency cannabis, which contains high THC and no CBD. This may explain why the number of people receiving professional treatment for cannabis problems has continued to rise.

Researcher Tom Freeman presented new data from a sample of over 400 young cannabis users in the UK.

The samples were aged 16-23 years and 70 percent were male. 43 percent of those who preferred high-potency cannabis were dependent compared to 22 percent of those who did not. High-potency cannabis was associated with a two-fold greater risk of dependence (odds ratio 2.2) after adjusting for several confounders including age, gender, cannabis and tobacco use, biological markers of cannabis exposure (THC metabolites in urine, and THC and CBD in hair), and THC and CBD content in cannabis.

Freeman continued, "The illicit cannabis market is dominated by high-potency cannabis containing high THC and no CBD. Our findings suggest that people who prefer this type cannabis are around twice as likely to show problematic use."

"The best way for people to reduce risk is to quit or cut down their use. If this is not possible, they should be encouraged to switch to low-potency cannabis," he added. This new data is presented at this year's International Early Psychosis Association (IEPA) meeting in Milan, Italy
Breast cancer cases are more in younger women in India than in the West. Studies show that breast cancer in women younger than 35 years is seen in 1-2 per cent of the population in the West whereas in India it is 5-11 per cent. Fifty per cent of the patients consult a doctor at stage 3 and 4 of breast cancer and despite aggressive treatment the outcome is not good. For this reason, medical professionals are insisting on early diagnosis either by self-examination or regular screening so that the disease can be picked up at an early stage and treated properly wherein survival and quality of life are much better than in later stages.

Dr T Subramanyeshwar Rao, medical director and chief surgical oncologist at Basavatarakam Indo American Cancer Hospital and Research Centre explains the present challenges faced in India:

Q. What is the reason for the increasing incidents of breast cancer in young Indian women  especially among the 30-40 years old?

One important reason for higher numbers of younger patients is our major population comprises of the younger people and in them we are finding that early menarche and obesity is on an alarming rise in urban India. Patients of Indian descent residing in the West have the highest incidence of triple-negative breast cancer. In a study of 2,100 cases, Indian patients had higher incidence of triple negative disease than African-Americans, followed by Hispanic, Non- Hispanic White and Chinese patients. The reason for the high incidence of triple negative disease among early onset breast cancer patients of Indian descent remains unknown, but this disparity has been observed in different studies. From a public health point of view, these studies suggest that early onset of breast cancer must be considered as a diagnostic possibility in Indian patients presenting with palpable masses in the mammary glands. Thus, better education and wellness for patients and their families for breast self-examination and clinical breast exam at routine health checkups should be warranted. Additionally, medical attention should be immediately encouraged or sought upon discovery of a breast mass.

Q. When these young patients consult a doctor is there a stress on saving the organ so that the patient does not suffer from psychological problems? Is it possible to save the organ in at least 50 per cent of the cases?

The stress on saving both breasts and life is much higher among patients in young age groups. Unfortunately, young age breast cancers are associated with family history and have a genetic predisposition indicated by BRCA 1and 2 gene mutations. They are generally rapidly progressive, multifocal and less often amenable for breast conservation. It has been found that in some hospitals the practice of saving the breasts is followed in 80 per cent of the cases while in some it is as low as 1 per cent. This variability needs to be addressed by training Surgeons in all aspects of breast surgery across the country.

Q. It is being said that in breast cancer self-diagnoses is the best? Are there cases where women have self-diagnosed and found a problem and come forward? How many of them are cancer cases or mere lumps in the breast that are non-malignant in nature?

In a population of our magnitude breast awareness is indeed the best form of screening. It is simple and involves no expenditure. Lots of patients with lumps detected on self examination come to the centre and most of them are non-cancerous.

Q. Are patients now coming early (in stage 1 or stage 2) with so much of awareness being created or is there still a need to do more?

There is an upward trend but not to a desirable extent in comparison to the West. Out of every 100 women with breast cancer in the United States, 89 women are likely to survive for at least 5 years. In India this figure is not even 60 per cent. The reason is that even today more than 50 per cent patients of breast cancer consult a doctor at stages 3 and 4, and outcome is not as good as earlier stages, however aggressive the treatment may be. If you need to achieve this we need to diagnose early .The medical professionals should convince themselves that breast cancer is not necessarily a disease of old age and have to be alert to investigate any woman with a relevant symptom.
Chennai: Chennai-based animal keeper K. Chelliah, is the most sought after man in Udaipur Sajjangarh Zoo. Chelliah is now training animal keepers in Rajasthan on the nuances of Tamil words, used to command white tigers that are bred here in Tamil Nadu.

Five-year-old Rama, donated to Rajasthan zoo from Chennai understands only Tamil. The local animal keepers are worried as they don't know Tamil and efforts to communicate with Rama in Hindi is not helping, recalls Chelliah. During my short stay in Udaipur last month, I have taught a few basic Tamil words like Vaa (come) and Po (go) to the park animal keepers, now handling Rama, recalls the animal keeper, who nurtured Rama into a sub-adult.

With a heavy heart, I had a brief chat with Rama before leaving Rajasthan. As a sub-adult, he is aggressive after sighting a Royal Bengal tiger in an adjacent enclosure and has stopped adhering to any command. I am in regular touch with my counterparts there in Rajasthan insisting them to talk to the feline in Tamil, says Chelliah. I heard that the white tiger is now feeling better with park authorities moving the other big cat away from Rama, he adds.

Meanwhile, the celebrity tiger Rama has evoked heated debates in social media and online news portals. Don't force the Tiger to learn Hindi. That is not good, read an online comment by Manickam Parameswaram. Responding to the trending debate another comment read, He is a Tamil tiger, now he is posted in Rajasthan.... but Famed Citizen of India.

With 11 white tigers available in TN and a few of them ready for exchange, animal keepers from TN are all set to teach Tamil commands for other zoo staffers shortly, says wildlife enthusiast N. Balaji of The Nature Trust. For instance, mahouts from Kerala teach Malayalam for elephant handlers in south India, when the elephant calves are trained to learn their commands at captive elephant ca-mps, he adds.
The survey by Skyscanner has taken into account the travel queries made by over 50 million monthly visitors (Photo: AFP)

New Delhi: With an increasing number of Indians opting for visa friendly destinations, Bhutan seems to be on top of people's checklist, recording a 136.18 per cent increase in travel searches, according to a new study.

The survey by Skyscanner has taken into account the travel queries made by over 50 million monthly visitors to reveal the visa-friendly destinations favoured by Indian passport holders in the first half of 2016.

According to it, destinations like Thailand, Indonesia, Mauritius, Maldives and Seychelles in the Asian and Indian Ocean neighbourhood have benefited from "drastic increases" in flight searches when compared with the same period in 2015.

"Neighbouring Bhutan has witnessed a whopping increase of 136 per cent in travel searches since last year owing to its no prior visa policy for citizens of India.

"Long-time favourite, Thailand takes the lion's share of Indian searches in the first half of 2016 with 38 per cent of Indian travellers looking for a visa-friendly getaway opting for Thailand," the study said.

Seychelles - where Indian travellers are granted a visa-on-arrival - recorded a 23 per cent soar in searches year over year, the largest increase among Indian Ocean destinations.

Flight searches to Mauritius and Maldives, which both allow Indian travellers a 90-day visa free stay, have jumped 19 per cent and 13 per cent respectively.

"In a short span of time, the repertoire of countries providing visa-friendly travel to Indians has grown immensely, giving more options to people to explore international destinations. It comes as no surprise we are seeing visa-friendly destinations grow in popularity," Reshmi Roy, Growth Manager at Skyscanner said.

Indonesia is also one of the popular alternatives with a 16 per cent spike in searches.

"Our data shows flight searches for Indonesia from across Indian have soared, thanks to its recently relaxed visa policy that now allows Indian passport holders a visa-free stay of 30 days," the study said.

Another destination that is a trending city for Indian travellers is Macau which has out-performed the all-time favourite Hong Kong.

"Perhaps benefiting from the 'James Bond' effect or a 30-day visa-exemption, Macau has witnessed an increase of 17 per cent in travel searches," the survey said.
Poulami Kundu

Our stay in Japan was a peek-a-boo into its rich culture and heritage. We lived in a miniscule apartment for a year near the Ojima area of Tokyo in 2014. Even though we have lived in different parts of the world, this was particularly a unique experience in terms of culture, logistics and gastronomy. Japan is the land of Mystics, Manga (Japanese comics) and Matsuri (festivals). Here is a brief account of two unique festivals from the land of rising sun.

Hanami (flower viewing) is amongst the most anticipated Matsuri of the year, when the famed Sakura (Cherry Blossoms) across the country are in full bloom. There are a few priceless experiences in an expensive city like Tokyo; fortunately the most beautiful visuals of Hanami come with no price tag. In Tokyo, it usually starts off mid-March and lasts till early May. With the Sakura season setting in, winter wear is shelved off and the crowd starts engaging in out-doorsy activities.

There are local fairs organised around the blossom sites that typically evolve into a hotspot of cultural milieu with Kimono (traditional dress) clad dainty Bishoujo (young girls), interesting street food and loads of local beer. These are some of the recommended cherry blossom spots in Tokyo: Chidorigafuchi: Its near Kudanshita Station on Shinjuku/Hanzomon line, and by far the best in the city. Sakura trees line up the moats of castle around Kitanomaru Park. As you walk across the station, you can see Yasukuni (Shinto shrine), the carnival area is adjacent to the shrine. If you are an Indian, do not miss the festival at the Indian embassy close by.

Ueno Park: Step out of Ueno Station, and there are beautiful parks bordering a lake, dotted with beautiful shades of pink. This is a perfect location for a picnic on a bright day.

Sumida Park: This spot along the river Sumida near Asakusa Station has a view of the Tokyo Sky tree. It is even more picturesque in the evening with the trees lit up with traditional lanterns. Other popular sites are Shinjuku Goyen, Yoyogi Park, Asukayama Park and Meguro Canal.

Most cultures around the world commemorate a day to ancestral spirits, be it All Saints Day or Mahalaya Amavasya. As a Bengali, we have a popular practise of lighting 14 candles to honour our 14 ancestors during Diwali. I would have never given a serious thought to this tradition if I had not witnessed the expanse of the Obon Festival in Japan, and started relating it to my own roots. Obon or Bon Festival is a Japanese tradition honouring ancestors and is celebrated between 15 July to 15 August.

The festival starts in the evening, and lasts till late at night involving Bon Odori (traditional dancing), fireworks, floating lanterns in waterbodies, and much more.

Each Danchi (community/colony) arranges their own festival, ceremoniously dressed folks would form a huge circle to dance their heart out in well-co- ordinated steps to ritualistic music and drum beats.

The atmosphere is lively with Oriental lanterns, continuous drum rolls, an array of stalls around the dancing premises serving local delicacies and drinks. We were happy to witness a different culture with such a sense of familiarity.

 The writer is a blogger, avid traveller and pharma strategy consultant.
The social media has emerged as a platform for people to interact beyond the boundaries of nationality, religion, race and economic background. While awareness campaigns have been able to start productive debates through social media, people have also been abused and trolls have often hijacked discussions.

Facebook is the major space for interaction between people but also has faced flak in the past for pulling down breast cancer awareness videos and for pulling down sketches against the establishment. But it recently landed itself in a controversy when it translated an Indian cuss word to Muslim.

Facebook offers to translate sentences typed in regional languages to English for the convenience of users, but when a user typed Maro Mada*c**d in devanagri script, Facebook translated it to Die Muslim.

The same word in different sentences was translated to 'Muslim' (Photo: Facebook)

While expletives are often used to abuse people on the basis of their religion, the word Mada*c**d translates to Mother****er but the error on part of Facebook is a very disastrous one given the state of communal tensions in India.

Here the word used for members of a party was translated to 'Muslims' (Photo: Facebook)

The issue sparked off an outrage on social media and Facebook released a statement saying that it was a bug which gave incorrect translations of cuss words. They added that the translation has been corrected and the said word is now translated as Idiot, while the team is working on ways to avoid such unfortunate situations.
Twitter users also called out the party on such hooliganism (Photo: PTI/Twitter)

The tensions between India and Pakistan have been a major concern in the region the aftermath of the terrorist attacks in Uri and the surgical strikes by Indian army that followed. But Bollywood personalities and artistes on both sides have been soft targets in this controversy, as certain groups are trying to intimidate filmmakers whose movies have Pakistani actors.

While Karan Johar posted a video saying he wont cast Pakistani actors in response to pressure from MNS, the party chief Raj Thackeray was adamant and called on the producer to pay Rs 5 crore as compensation for families of army men.

But even as the home ministry has promised a swift release of the film, a voice from among army men has something to say. Former Air Vice Marshal Manmohan Bahadur lashed out at Thackeray in a series of tweets describing his demand as extortion and stating that army doesnt need tainted money.

I served four decades in uniform- and never did I live on extorted money. What's this happening in my country???? @PMOIndia @manoharparrikar https://t.co/tB2wj4Kxqw  Manmohan Bahadur (@BahadurManmohan) October 22, 2016

Why should the Armed Forces be made a part of this extortion? By accepting this money they would become a 'receiver' of tainted money @adgpi https://t.co/tB2wj4Kxqw  Manmohan Bahadur (@BahadurManmohan) October 22, 2016

Indian Armed Forces cannot, and SHUD NOT, become crutches 4pol ambitions. Unfortunately, this is the trend seen in recent past. Stay away pl https://t.co/BBkujRETja  Manmohan Bahadur (@BahadurManmohan) October 22, 2016

Army never doubts the love n sentiment of countrymen behind contributions to its welfare fund. From now on...? #RajThackeray 's extortion.  Manmohan Bahadur (@BahadurManmohan) October 22, 2016

Is Raj Thackeray the Government or a .....? Lets b clear. As @ShekharGupta has twted, its constitutional breakdown- taking a Mr Nobody's ok https://t.co/KzANTwIFVM  Manmohan Bahadur (@BahadurManmohan) October 22, 2016

Following his statements on Twitter, other users also followed suit and slammed the political partys stance without mincing words.

MNS: 1 crore do nahi to sar fod dunga.

Fadnavis: this is extortion.

MNS: voluntarily 1 crore de nahi to sar fod dunga.

Fadnavis: ab theek h  Surgical Maithun (@Being_Humor) October 22, 2016

This is extortion. Plain and simple. What's the difference between Raj Thackeray and an underworld gangster? Nothing. https://t.co/xUmRQNBoBL  Rohan (@mojorojo) October 22, 2016

We just saw the mahurat shot today of #Sarkar3, courtesy #ADHM " settlement".  Sanjay Jha (@JhaSanjay) October 22, 2016

5Cr one, 5Cr two, 5Cr three.

And the nationalism badge is sold to Karan Johar by Raj Thakare via Devendra Fadanvis#ADHM  Kay P Aar (@RudrakeKP) October 22, 2016

If you ask these pseudo deshbakhts to go and fight for the nation on borders they will be the first to run away  Retarded Writer (@retardedwriter) October 20, 2016

MNS has been leading a campaign of intimidation against Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and Raees for inclusion of Pakistani actors among their cast. It also went after actor Salman Khan for his comments in support of Pakistani artistes.
If hundreds of hours of grainy footage, accumulated over the years, is to be believed, we are not the only ones walking properly erect. The abominable snowman, or the Yeti, or Bigfoot, has this habit of making an appearance that almost serves as a regular reminder that we still have a lot of looking to do. The elusive creature has been caught on camera across North America, Asia, near a Spanish ski resort and most recently, a bunch of hikers spotted one near a waterfall in the jungles of Indonesia.

Almost all the photos and the videos show the same thing  a hulking form disappearing into foliage. Also, the evidence is always grainy, shot from a distance and on shaky cam. Sceptics then, have dismissed each one of these recordings as hoaxes and the 21st Century humans have arrived at the conclusion that we are  at least in the department of two legs and an erect spine  alone.

However, that doesnt mean we havent tried looking. One of the first scientific studies into the creature dates back to 1973. But researcher John Napier ended up with this: I am convinced that Sasquatch (thats yet another name for Bigfoot) exists, but whether it is all it is cracked up to be is another matter altogether. There must be something in north-west America that needs explaining, and that something leaves man-like footprints.

Others were annoyingly persistent. In 2013, after the finish of a five-year study, American Melba Ketchum claimed she had discovered a crucial human relative. Her study noted that the Sasquatch is a human relative that arose 15,000 years ago as a hybrid cross of Homo sapiens with an unknown primate species. She said her study had its foundations in hair samples.

Ketchum even campaigned for the creatures rights. Government must recognise them as an indigenous people and protect their constitutional rights against those who would see in their cultural differences a licence to hunt, trap, or kill them, she said at the time.

Scientists distanced themselves from Ketchum. And unable to find a publication willing to publish her findings, Ketchum went to the extent of creating the DeNovo Journal of Science  a publication she had herself registered just nine days prior to the big reveal. Hers was the only piece on the journals website and there was a fee of $30 to access it.

Such attempts to mainstream the Bigfoot have wiped off serious debate on the subject. And thats unfortunate considering how just a bunch of hoaxers and desperate researchers have been responsible for this historically-documented creature turning into a mere supposition.

For example, sightings of the Yeti  Nepals version of the Bigfoot  go as far back as 1921 when Charles Howard-Bury, leading an expedition up Mount Everest spotted large footprints. He was then told by local guides about the metoh-kangmi, or the man-bear snow-man.

When Howard-Bury returned, he was asked by journalists about the discovery and he used the word abominable. The adjective stuck and nearly a 100 years later, we find it being thrown around  threatening scientific curiosity and leaving us with the question: Should we stop looking?
The victim said her husband and mother-in-law caught hold of her while her father-in-law poured kerosene and set her on fire. (Photo: Representational Image)

Faridabad: A woman suffered severe burn injuries after she was allegedly set on fire by her husband and in-laws over dowry demands in Heerapur village in Faridabad, police said on Sunday.

The victim, Jyoti, has alleged that her husband Jai Prakash, mother-in-law Hemlata and father-in-law Suraj Prakash set her on fire on Saturday morning for not giving a dowry of Rs 1 lakh, they added.

She was admitted to a hospital where her condition was stated to be critical, police said.

The victim said her husband and mother-in-law caught hold of her while her father-in-law poured kerosene and set her on fire, police added.

The accused have been booked under relevant sections of the IPC and a probe has been initiated against them, police added.
Kanpur: A man has been sentenced to two years in jail by a local court for harassing a minor girl and uploading her morphed, obscene images on social media.



Additional District Judge Vipin Kumar yesterday held Deepak Gaud guilty of harassing the teenage girl and also imposed a fine of Rs 35,000.



In March 2015, Gaud had sent a friend request to the girl on Facebook under a fake name -- Lakshya Gaud. When she refused to accept his request, he started sending messages to the girl which were again ignored by her.



After this, he uploaded some photographs from the girl's Facebook account and morphed them. He sent these images to girl's inbox and managed to get her phone number from somewhere.



On March 17-18, he called the girl to threaten her that if she does not befriend him, he will upload the photos on social media. When she still did not respond, he uploaded her morphed pictures under a fake account.



When the girl came to know about this, she narrated the whole ordeal to her mother who registered a complaint at Nawabganj police station. A case was lodged against the accused under IT Act and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO).



During investigation, police traced Gaud's address in Nawabganj and arrested him on April 1, 2015. He was sent to jail and was under custody since then.
The accused, who is in the navy, was arrested by a Delhi Police team in Mumbai on October 21. The kabaddi player was brought to Delhi yesterday night. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: National-level Kabaddi player Rohit Kumar, arrested in connection with the alleged suicide by his wife Lalita who had accused him and her in-laws of harassment, was on Sunday remanded in two days police custody by a Delhi court.

Rohit was produced before a duty magistrate who allowed the police to interrogate him till October 25.

The accused, who is in the navy, was arrested by a Delhi Police team in Mumbai on October 21. The kabaddi player was brought to Delhi yesterday night.

On October 21, Rohit's father, Vijay Singh was produced before a link magistrate who remanded him in judicial custody till November 4 after the police did not seek his custodial interrogation.

Vijay was arrested after he surrendered at Nangloi Police Station in West Delhi. He was a sub-inspector in Delhi Police and had been dismissed from service, police said.

Lalita had allegedly committed suicide on October 17 at her parents' house in Nangloi. In her suicide note as well as audio and video clips left behind, she had alleged that her in-laws "harassed" her for minor issues and Rohit asked her to go away from his life.

A case was registered against Rohit and his father and two Delhi Police teams were formed to arrest Rohit and his father, who had also gone into hiding after Lalita committed suicide.
Kollam: Two dalits were taken into custody and allegedly tortured by the police here for five days suspecting their involvement in a theft case. However, they were released on Friday without charging any case against them. The police also forcibly discharged them on Saturday from the district hospital here where they had sought treatment.

Rajeev, 31, and his uncle Shibu, 40, from Amboothazhathu, Kanjiramkuzhi of Thrikkaruva were taken into custody on October 16 and kept in the lockups of Anjalumoodu and Kollam west police stations.

Rajeev was held from a restaurant at Kanjiramkuzhi, where he was working, around 9 p.m. on Sunday. He was taken to Anjalumoodu police station and the policemen, who were not in uniform, allegedly undressed him and beat him up. Only then he came to know that he was nabbed in connection with the missing of money at a concrete ring manufacturing unit nearby where he had worked as a mason earlier. His uncle Shibu, who is a TB patient, was also held later and beaten up.

They suffered injuries in their private parts and on their fingers which were hit with a bamboo stick. They were given food only on Wednesday at the west police station where they were taken on Monday. On Thursday, they were again taken back to Anjalumoodu police station.

Their families, who contacted the police, were not allowed to see them. However, they were set free on Friday after the police found that they were not involved in the theft case. The families filed a petition before the Human Rights Commission and also plan to approach the Chief Minister and the police complaints authority on the incident.
BTP had booked as many as 1,538 cases of drink and drive between September 25 and October 1. (Representational image)

Bengaluru: In a constant effort to keep the city roads safe and keeping drunken drivers at bay, the Bengaluru traffic police officials on Saturday booked as many as 853 cases of drunken driving.

In the last two months, the city has witnessed a rise in the number of such cases, which also includes booking cases against police officials, medical superintendents, ambulance drivers and school bus drivers, who were caught driving in an inebriated condition while on duty.

Though the city traffic police are not leaving any stone unturned to curb the menace, according to the statistics available at Bengaluru traffic police official site, BTP had booked as many as 1,538 cases of drink and drive between September 25 and October 1.

According to the statistics there has been a spurt in drunk-driving cases in the city this year as compared to last two years. While in July 2014, the authorities had booked 4,572, cases in July 2015 as many as 5,336 cases; the number shot up to 5,571 in July 2016. Similarly, for the month of August and September, BTP registered 3,831 and 5,608 cases in 2015, against 6,194 in August and 6,239 in September 2016.

The police have stepped up the drive against drunk driving and have a considerably higher enforcement which has led to a rise in cases. Police will continue the special drives to send a strong message to the motorists who indulge in drunken driving, said a police official.

While in the year 2014, the city had recorded a total number of 55,138 cases, in the corresponding year, BTP registered a total number of 62, 576 number of cases in 2015. This year the BTP officials have already booked 41, 538 cases by the end of September.

Bengaluru ranks third in road accidents in the country, with drunk-driving accounting for as much as 40 per cent cases. Most of the offenders are aged between 25 and 40 years, while as many as 20 people die every month in road accidents caused by drunk-driving.
Conveying their "apprehensions" to the EC, the Congress leaders called for immediate imposition of the Code of Conduct to bring the "deteriorating" political situation in the state under some control. (Representational Image)

Chandigarh: AAP and Congress leaders on Sunday separately met the visiting team of Election Commission in Chandigarh and expressed apprehension about misuse of state machinery in Punjab Assembly polls, with Congress seeking immediate imposition of model code to ensure a free and fair election.

A delegation of the state unit of Congress, led by vice president Amar Singh, met the nine-member EC team, headed by Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi, which arrived in Chandigarh on Sunday on a three-day visit to review election preparations.

They urged EC to immediately impose the Code of Conduct in Punjab to ensure a free and fair election, citing "total politicisation of the state's administrative and law and order machinery".

Conveying their "apprehensions" to the EC, the Congress leaders called for immediate imposition of the Code of Conduct to bring the "deteriorating" political situation in the state under some control.

The model code of conduct comes into force immediately with the announcement of election.

The delegation also asked the EC to take measures to ensure there is no "misuse" of the state machinery by the Akali leadership.

They also demanded an independent third-party review and scrutiny of the voter lists, which had been prepared and revised by Anganwadi workers and were "replete with bogus voter names".

The Congress leaders also highlighted to the EC the issue of "politicisation of the media".

Meanwhile, a delegation of AAP led by its legal cell head Himmat Singh Shergill met the EC team, alleging rampant use of money and muscle power during elections.

"It is a track record in Punjab elections that there is a rampant use of money and muscle power to win elections. And the government machinery is also misused for the distribution of cash to voters near elections," Shergill alleged.

"We have urged the Commission to deploy paramilitary forces in strength before elections in the state in order to stop this illegal practice for ensuring free and fair polls," he said.

AAP, which is eyeing to wrest power from SAD-BJP regime, urged the EC not to allot an election symbol to any party which is similar to its own symbol -- 'broom'.

"We have sought that any symbol which looks similar to our symbol 'broom' like a torch and others should not be issued to any party," he said.

The EC team will tomorrow have a meeting with Deputy Commissioners, SSPs, and nodal officers of narcotic control bureau, state narcotic control bureau, income tax and excise and taxation department.

On the last day of its visit on October 25, the team will meet Chief Secretary, Director General of Police Punjab and other senior officials and is expected to hold media interaction later that day.

AAP is making its electoral debut in Punjab making the polls a triangular contest with Congress and BJP-SAD alliance already locked in a tight battle for political supremacy.
Lucknow: Deepening the crisis in SP, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday sacked four pro-Amar Singh ministers including his uncle Shivpal Yadav, almost pushing the ruling party to the brink of a split.

The trouble in SP hit a new low on Sunday morning with the chief minister convening a meeting of party legislators and recommending to Governor Ram Naik that Shivpal, Narad Rai and Om Prakash Singh (all Cabinet ministers) and Sayeda Shadab Fatima (MoS - Independent charge) be sacked from his ministry.

A Raj Bhawan communique said the recommendation was accepted with immediate effect.

Read: SP feud: UP CM Akhilesh Yadav sacks uncle Shivpal, 3 others from Cabinet

Sunday's actions stirred the political circles ahead of the Assembly polls in the state early next year as the tense stand-off between Akhilesh and Shivpal gave rise to intense speculation about a possible split in SP.

Read: Simultaneous polls in UP, 4 other states in Feb-Mar

Some SP leaders even suggested that a new party named National Samajwadi Party or Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party with motorcycle as its symbol could be launched by the Chief Minister.

Following the extreme action against supporters of Rajya Sabha MP Amar Singh, the Mulayam-camp followers got into a huddle at the residence of the SP supremo at a stone's throw distance from the CM's bungalow to decide the next course of action.

The fast-paced developments came a day ahead of a mega meeting of party MPs, MLAs, MLCs and ministers convened by Mulayam where some tough decisions are likely to be taken.
Jammu: The Border Security Force (BSF) will recommend the name of its jawan Gurnam Singh, who was instrumental in repulsing a major infiltration bid along the International Border in Kathua sector of Jammu and Kashmir, for the highest gallantry award posthumously.

26-year-old Gurnam, who was injured in a sniping attack from across the border on Friday and was undergoing treatment at Government Medical College and Hospital Jammu, succumbed to his injuries late last night.

Asked if Gurnam's name would be recommended for the highest gallantry award, Additional Director General (ADG) BSF Western Command, Arun Kumar told reporters, "Absolutely the gallantry award would be a lesser possible award for him as he deserves much more ...but we will be recommending for that".

Ashok Chakra is the highest peacetime gallantry award.

"Gurnam was instrumental in foiling a major infiltration bid by the heavily armed terrorists. He was made a target the next day. With his supreme sacrifice he has made not only the BSF but the whole nation proud," Kumar said on the sidelines of a wreath laying ceremony.

Singh was given an emotional adieu by the BSF on Sunday during a wreath laying ceremony held at the BSF frontier headquarters in Jammu, in which several senior officers of the BSF and the local police paid homage.

Senior BJP leaders were also present on the occasion.

The last rites of the deceased jawan would be held on Monday as per the wishes of his family.
New Delhi: The Congress on Sunday latched on to the remarks made by business leader Ratan Tata, who had expressed concerns over "intolerance" in the country, with party leaders saying that doyens of India Inc were realizing the source of this curse.

"Intolerance stymies civilsational advance. Doyens of India Inc finally realize the source of 'curse of intolerance'," Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala tweeted in a veiled attack on the Modi Government.

In another tweet, senior party leader Digvijaya Singh also referred to Tata's remarks and endorsed them. "Spot on Mr Ratan Tata. Well spoken," Singh said in a tweet.

On Saturday, Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons, Ratan Tata, expressed concern over the alleged growing intolerance in the country, dubbing it "a curse we are seeing of late".

"I think everybody knows where the intolerance is coming from, what it is. Like many thousands, millions of Indians, one wants to see a country without intolerance," Tata told reporters late last night in Gwalior.

Minutes before, he had spoken against the alleged growing intolerance in his address at the 119th foundation day function of Scindia School in Delhi, endorsing Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia's views on the issue.

"The Maharaja (Jyotiraditya) talked about intolerance. It is a curse we are seeing of late," the eminent industrialist had said in his address.

"We want to live in an environment where we love our fellow men. We don't shoot them, we don't kill them. We don't hold them hostages but give a bit of ourselves and we give and take," Tata added.
New Delhi: The Delhi government will soon submit an action plan to tackle rising air pollution and garbage issues in the Supreme Court, with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal directing his ministers to treat the court's order on the matter as a "blessing in disguise" to solve the problem.

Sources said the Delhi Chief Minister has also asked his Cabinet colleagues to flag "bottlenecks" in the plan as there are multiple agencies in the capital to deal with such issues.

In a meeting with ministers, Kejriwal said that "positive steps" like odd-even scheme to curb air pollution can only be successful if supportive measures are taken before.

"The CM has directed his ministers to treat the SC's observation about air pollution and garbage issues as an opportunity and a blessing in disguise to solve these problems.

"He has told his Cabinet colleagues that a practical plan be prepared to deal with rising air pollution and solid waste management at the earliest for the implementation," the sources said.

They also said that though the Chief Minister stated that maintaining cleanliness is a mandatory function of municipal corporations, the government should be ready to present an action plan to the court and also bottlenecks if any.

"There are some issues between MCD and DDA. Municipal corporations often say that DDA is not providing land for new landfill sites in Delhi.

"Government wants permanent solutions between multiple agencies so that people don't have to face any problem," they further said.

Terming Delhi's garbage problem as alarming, the Supreme Court on Friday asked all authorities concerned, including the AAP government, to devise a scheme for its timely disposal.
Chennai: Toeing the protocol put in place by President Pranab Mukherjee, Tamil Nadu Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao on Sunday said only the word "Honourable" should be prefixed to his name and not "His Excellency."

"Ch Vidyasagar Rao, the Governor of Tamil Nadu, has directed that henceforth on all ceremonial occasions and in official and other communications, the words Honourable Governor or its Tamil equivalent Maanbumigu Aalunar, may be used," a Raj Bhavan release said in Chennai.

In a departure from the British era practise of addressing Governors as "His Excellency," Rao directed that "the present practise of using the salutation His Excellency the Governor, or the Tamil equivalent Methagu Aalunar, may be discontinued."

However, the salutation "His Excellency" will continue to be used in interaction with foreign dignitaries, the release said.

In 2012, President Pranab Mukherjee had introduced a new protocol for greeting Constitutional heads, the President and state Governors.

According to it, the salutation "His Excellency" was replaced with "Honourable President" and "Honourable Governor."

Preceding the name of the dignitaries would be the Indian greeting "Shri" or "Smt." The reference "His Excellency" was, however, retained for occasions involving interactions with foreign dignitaries in line with international practise.

After taking over as Governor of Kerala in 2014, former Chief Justice of India, P Sathasivam too had dispensed with the practise of using the words "His Excellency."
Indore: Government is looking to reduce the time by half to 50-60 days for granting forest and environment clearances to industrial projects, Union Environment and Forest Minister Anil Madhav Dave said on Sunday.

"Earlier, it used to take 300 days to pass a file related with these clearances and people used to talk about imposing different taxes. Now, it is taking 120 days and I would like to reduce it to 50-60 days. Two months' time should be there for forest and environment clearances," he said at the Global Investors Summit in Indore.

Assuring investors of faster clearances, the minister said, "No tax will be imposed, no file will take 300 days.

Within 120 days, you will get your file (done) and if you face any (problem), call me directly. I don't have PA (personal aide), I pick my phone myself."

The minister also assured the industry of rendering full support of his ministry, even as he urged it to protect the environment and also focus on R&D activities.

Talking about the negotiations on Montreal Protocol, he said that all focus was there on HFC 22. Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) is the gas used in refrigerators.

He said that only 2 American companies have the patents for these gases and the the reason is that industry is not focusing on R&D.

Dave suggested that like CSR, a certain amount of turnover or net profit could be used on R&D activities as that will help India become patent holder.

Speaking on the occasion, Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu said Madhya Pradesh has potential to attract both domestic and global investments.

"It is not Madhya Pradesh, it's 'Mukhya Pradesh'...the state is an ideal destination for investment. It has friendly and conducive business environment. I appeal all investors to come here... It is not in the BIMARU list today," he said.

Naidu also mentioned some of the Centre's schemes such as Smart City, Swacch Bharat and Housing for All and said the government is taking several initiatives to boost the country's economic growth.

During the last one year, the government has approved "13.7 lakh houses... with investments of Rs 60,000 crore have been sanctioned...," he said, adding if the country has to prosper, states will have to develop.

The Urban Development Minister further said the entire world is facing slowdown but India has become the preferred destination for FDI.

"Thousands of crores of investments are planned in MP. So, I appeal to investors to feel here and invest," he said.

Talking about the Prime Minister, he said MODI means "making of developed India" and it is a movement and the industry should join this.

On the government's commitment to root out corruption, Naidu said that some people complain that Narendra Modi "khate nai, kisi ko khane dete nai".

He was referring to one of the Prime Minister's speeches in which he had said that "Na khaunga, na khane dunga (neither will I indulge in corruption, nor allow anyone else to indulge in it).

Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot asked the industry to set up units in the country to manufacture modern prosthetic legs and hands.
New Delhi: An HRD Ministry panel has claimed that Teesta Setalvad and her Sabrang trust tried to "mix religion with politics" and spread disharmony while creating curricular material for the erstwhile UPA government which had given a grant of about Rs 1.4 crore.

The Committee's finding that a prima facie case exists against her under section 153A and 153B of IPC for promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion etc and imputations, assertions prejudicial to national-integration, has found favour with a top law officer.

"The report of the inquiry committee is exhaustive and deals with every aspect of the matter and that action as suggested in the said report may be undertaken in terms of fixing liabilities/lapses, action for inciting disharmony and hatred and also for recovery of the money as is stipulated in the scheme itself," the opinion of the law officer, stated to have been received by the HRD Ministry, said.

He gave the opinion after going through the report of a three-member panel, set up by Ministry of Human Resources Development (HRD), which examined disbursal and utilisation of funds received by Setalvad for her project 'Khoj' under the scheme of 'National Policy on Education'.

The three-member committee comprising Supreme Court lawyer Abhijit Bhattacharjee, Gujarat Central University Vice Chancellor S A Bari and a Ministry official Gaya Prasad set up by the Ministry examined the allegations levelled by Setalvad's former close aide Rais Khan Pathan.

Pathan in his complaint has alleged that Sabrang Trust's publications "spread dissatisfaction among the minorities in the country and project India in a poor light" and indulging in anti-national activities.

The finding assumes significance as Setalvad has moved the Supreme Court as an intervenor in ongoing hearing in which the seven-judge constitution bench is revisiting two-decade-old judgement holding that Hindutva is a "way of life" by seeking a direction for de-linking of politics from religion.

Holding that education has never been the agenda of the 'Sabrang Trust' in any of its documents, the report said Setalvad and her trust "appear to be trying to mix religion with politics in the classroom of young children most of whom do not appear to be from well-to-do background.
New Delhi: Subahani Haja Moideen, an Indian alleged to be an ISIS operative, knew the terrorists who carried out the attack inside a theatre in Paris last November killing over 100 people but has feigned ignorance about the deadly plot, it has emerged from investigations.

Moideen was arrested from Tamil Nadu in a crackdown by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) with the help of central security agencies and other state police, foiling designs of ISIS operatives to target a few judges of Kerala and foreign tourists visiting the coastal state.

The accused, picked up from Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu, was radicalised and recruited in ISIS through social media platforms and he had left India for Istanbul from Chennai in April last year on the pretext of performing 'Umrah', official sources said.

After reaching Istanbul, he crossed over along with other people who hailed from Pakistan and Afghanistan to Iraqi territory under control of ISIS.

That is the period during which Moideen claimed that he had met Paris bombers including Abdelhamid Abaaoud and Salah Abdeslam, the sources said.

While Abaaoud was killed in retaliatory fire during the Paris theatre attack in November last year, Abdelslam is in the custody of French police.

Moideen had returned to India in November and he said he came to know about the Paris attack through news and remembered his meetings with the accused in ISIS controlled Iraq and Syria, the sources said.

The NIA has informed the French security officials and contacted its Embassy here, the sources said, adding this was done in case it would lend any help in their investigation.

They said that French officials could question him as well after getting the requisite court order.

According to the multi-country investigation into the French terror strikes, the accused involved in the gruesome killings were in ISIS-controlled areas at the same time when Moideen was there.

31-year-old Moideen was in Iraq from April 8, 2015 from where he was taken to Mosul and underwent detailed 'religious training' followed by combat training which included a course in automated weapons. After this, he was deputed to fight war for almost two weeks.

During the war, he told interrogators that he was paid USD 100 per month as an allowance by ISIS besides accommodation and food.

However, he told interrogators that he could not withstand the violence and war misery in Mosul and decided to leave especially after he saw two of his friends getting charred.

He was jailed by ISIS and produced before an Islamic judge who sent him to Syria. He claimed that he was allowed to cross over to Turkey from where he contacted his family with the help of the Indian consulate at Istanbul.

He arrived in Mumbai after a gap of six months in September last year on an emergency certificate and returned to his ancestral place where he was staying with his wife. He later managed to get a job at a jewellery shop at Kadayanallur in Tamil Nadu.
Kochi: INS Viraat, the world's oldest aircraft carrier, was accorded a grand send-off from the port city in Kochi on Sunday, after over five decades of its service to the Navy.

The ship, which underwent a decommissioning refit, is being towed back by three tugs to Mumbai for the decommissioning ceremony, a Navy official said in Kochi.

The final journey of the carrier began with Navy officials led by the Chief of Staff, Southern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Nadkarni bidding farewell to the carrier at Ernakulam Wharf of Cochin Port Trust this morning.

Viraat is expected to be decommissioned by end of this year, after 55 years of service, including 27 years with the Royal Navy (British Navy).

The Navy has agreed to hand over INS Viraat to Andhra Pradesh government after its decommissioning.

The AP government had shown a keen interest in getting INS Viraat, the oldest aircraft carrier operated by Indian Navy, to berth in Vizag for promotion of tourism after its decommissioning.
Bengaluru: Dismissing BJP's claim that several Congress MLAs are in talks to join the party, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday hit back at the opposition party, accusing it of spreading lies.

"They have been saying such lies several times. No Congress MLA will join BJP ... they will not even place their heads or face towards BJP," he told reporters in Mysuru.

Terming it as state BJP chief B S Yeddyurappa's strategy, he said the party was under the impression that they would be able to derive political benefit by spreading such lies.

Calling Congress a 'sinking ship', Yeddyurappa had earlier said in Raichur that many political leaders, including those from the ruling Congress, are in talks with the BJP.

"At a time when elections are nearing, several Congress MLAs are contacting us, wanting to join BJP. Shortly several senior political leaders will be joining the party," he said.

Leaders of other parties are expected to join BJP in the presence of its National President Amit Shah during his visit to Karnataka for a backward communities event next month.

Dissidence within ruling Congress has continued ever since Siddaramaiah, in a major revamp, sacked 14 ministers and inducted 13 members into his Council of Ministers on June 20.

Several disgruntled ministerial aspirants and those dropped from the ministry have been speaking out openly against the Chief Minister and his leadership.

One such senior state Congress leader V Srinivas Prasad had resigned as Member of the Legislative Assembly on October 17, miffed over being dropped from the ministry.

Prasad, who had also declared his decision to quit the Congress, has not spoken about his next political move, though both BJP and JD(S) are in touch with him.
Someday, Angie Whitcomb would like to finish her license work to become a full-time teacher, but thats not in the cards right now.

So in the meantime, the 38-year-old Corvallis resident substitutes as a classroom assistant, where her services are in constant demand.

I have been working pretty much full time since the school year started, Whitcomb said, adding that it was normal to get multiple offers for the same day.

Currently, she is working a six-week job at Sunrise Elementary School in Albany but continued to receive last-minute calls even after accepting.

Other districts call, too. Ive been asked for my number because we always need good subs, she said.

School districts say the rebounding economy, coupled with a shortage of licensed teachers following years of layoffs, is taking a toll on districts statewide, siphoning off would-be educators to other jobs and causing districts to struggle to fill positions from classroom teachers to substitutes to bus drivers.

The Oregon Department of Educations 2014-15 report card shows Oregon cut about 3,600 teaching jobs, a drop of about 11 percent, between the school years of 2008-09 and 2012-13 as the recession took full effect.

Students worrying about finding jobs after graduation and repaying student loans began turning away from teaching as a career option.

Were starting to come out of the worst teacher market in a generation, where for four or five or six years, fewer than half of the teachers that graduated from Oregon educator preparation programs were able to secure gainful employment as educators in our state, said Mark Girod, dean of the College of Education at Western Oregon University in Monmouth, one of the largest teaching preparation programs in Oregon.

We went through a period where we had more unemployed licensed teachers in the state than we had employed licensed teachers, and thats kind of a tough spot to be in.

Karla Rockhold, academic adviser for the College of Education at Oregon State University, said a generation of students are gun shy about going into education.

So many of them saw teachers they loved being laid off left and right, she said. It made them wary of the field in general.

The situation is improving. Lawmakers gave the education budget a 9 percent increase in state funding this year. Most of it was meant to cover all-day kindergarten, but some districts received enough to start adding back to their ranks.

In 2014-15, the total number of full-time equivalent school employees went up by 5.34 percent to more than 63,000, according to the Oregon Department of Education. Each employee group increased in size, including counselors, library staff and educational assistants.

Oregons total labor force grew by 7,185 jobs in September, according to the state Employment Department. Of those, 3,300 came from the government sector, and most were in the category of local education.

Students are taking notice. Enrollment in OSUs licensure programs, which had dropped from an average of 80 students to 30, is back up to prerecession levels and is expected to grow to 90 or perhaps 100 next year, Rockhold said. The same is true at WOU, which was down to half its usual enrollment but saw its program double last year.

But training takes time, and it may be a couple more years before the number of available licensed teachers back to what it was before the Great Recession of 2008. And in the meantime, waves of teachers with multiple years of experience continue to retire, a phenomenon some call the Silver Tsunami, Rockhold quipped.

Its sort of a perfect storm, where we dont have enough to fill the need, and the need is huge, she said.

Substitute pool

Fewer unemployed teachers means fewer people in the substitute pool.

In Albany, the demand for classified substitutes, specifically classroom aides, is particularly strong right now, said Randy Lary, director of human resources for Greater Albany Public Schools. That makes people like Whitcomb extremely valuable.

Lary is also worried about the spring, when teachers themselves tend to be in shorter supply. Everyones more worn down by spring and thats when the illnesses tend to hit the hardest  right when testing and activities are revving up to breakneck speed.

Julie Buchert, who teaches band at Memorial Middle School, said her school experienced a period this past February where so few substitutes were available that teachers were having to cover classes for their colleagues during their prep periods.

I've been lucky enough to be able to find someone every time, but the subs I find are often pulled to cover for someone who didn't get a sub for part of the day, she said. This wreaks havoc in a classroom where you have to have someone supervising the kids and they can't leave their assigned students to cover someone else's students.

Last year in the spring it was the worst I had seen for teachers and classified, agreed Lary, who has been human resources director for eight years and served in middle school administration for a decade before that. We are bracing ourselves.

The district is going out of its way to attend extra job fairs, working on developing relationships with universities that have teacher prep programs and sending people to talk to candidates at OSU, WOU, and even as far away as Fresno State.

We have also had ongoing discussions with our own classified employees about how we can help support them in their quest to gain a teaching license, especially in hard-to-fill areas, he said.

On Sept. 13, Greater Albany welcomed close to two dozen people to a substitute orientation meeting, passing around information on background checks and payroll paperwork and a handbook on general procedures.

With roughly 1,100 people to teach, drive, assist, keep records, maintain buildings and otherwise support more than 9,000 students, Greater Albany is the third-largest employer in Linn County, Lary told the applicants.

Every day, 100 or more of those employees might not be able to make it to work for one reason or another  illnesses, emergencies, training needs  but unlike a factory, theres no way of slowing down production.

Every morning, those kids show up there, he said. I will say it again: Thank you, thank you, thank you for being here. We need you, desperately.

Shortage strategies

The Teacher Standards and Practices Commission, the licensing agency for all Oregon educators, has made some changes to help districts cope with the educator shortage.

Substitute teachers must have a commission-issued substitute teacher license. Previously licensed teachers are eligible for an Unrestricted Substitute Teacher License. For a Restricted Substitute Teacher License, assuming a district is willing to sponsor the licensee, all thats needed are a bachelors degree, a successful background check and passage of the states Civil Rights test, along with miscellaneous fees and filed paperwork.

Last year, the commission adopted a temporary rule allowing restricted subs who have been sponsored by one district to sub in any other district as well, provided the assignment doesnt last more than 10 days. Also, while limiting the first such license to one year, the agency changed renewals to a three-year term.

The change appears to be helping. Current numbers state Oregon has 4,150 substitute teachers licensed through the commission, said Trent J. Danowski, the agencys deputy director.

The overall trend in licensure data suggests an upward trend in the number of licensed substitute teachers in the state from 2015 to 2016, he said, adding that its important to remember that certified teachers also can sub, which means even more people are available.

Districts used to use restricted subs only for the hardest slots to fill, such as special education or language classes. Lately, Lary said in his experience, theyve had to be tapped for just about anything.

Lary said the commission also seems to have been more willing lately to approve restricted sub licenses, although the agency was not immediately available to confirm. Albany has just a couple of subs on restricted licenses who dont have a background in education, although thats never the preference, he said.

Thats a tough way to go. These are people who didnt have the coursework in teaching and pedagogy and classroom management, and also didnt have the guided practice through student teaching experiences, he said. Just dumping one of these people into a classroom without much support is a tough road. Its not really the best way for us to fill our openings.

Angie Whitcomb agrees thats the way it should be. She has plenty of classroom time, having subbed as an assistant in California as well as Oregon, and said that time is critical to a good experience, both for the students and the sub.

Classroom management is tough, and knowing some of the tricks of the trade can make all the difference, she said. Good subs know how to follow a lesson plan and communicate with various ages and abilities.

Flexibility is also important as a sub because sometimes things dont go as theyre supposed to, Whitcomb said. You kinda need to have Plan B in your back pocket.

That said, Whitcomb said shed like to see the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission make it even easier to get emergency credentials, so people like herself  ones who want to be teachers and have already dedicated themselves to the profession in various ways  can hold down a classroom full time.

Long-term solutions

Nobody is expecting a permanent solution to the educator shortage, however.

Teaching has never been an easy profession even in the best of times, and longtime educators say they see it getting tougher. Some potential teachers size up the challenges and simply change directions.

Jolene Hinrichsen of North Albany, who taught for 33 years and plans to substitute now that she's retired, said expectations are far higher than when she started.

"We not only educate kids and manage all that entails  create lessons, set up labs, make models and samples at a variety of levels in order to differentiate instruction for the wide range of talents and needs kids bring into the classroom, confer with colleagues, parents, and counselors, create scoring guides to assess our lessons, attend in-services to learn what standards our Legislature has passed that we must teach, and manage classrooms of 30 to 36 students who bring challenges of all sorts with them  we also provide for their personal and emotional needs, from buying them school supplies to making and taking them to eye appointments because their families are unable to do so," she said.

"I don't think everyone understands that there is both a science and an art to teaching. Perhaps, any adult can master the science behind a well-constructed lesson plan but the art is a way of finessing the moment-to-moment circumstances with a group of 30-plus little humans."

Even for educators who take the plunge, things simply change too fast  in terms of the economy, peoples perceptions and the education profession itself  to guarantee permanent stability in the workforce, WOUs Girod said.

Jobs are available now, but everything from the coming election to the increasing costs of the Public Employees Retirement System could change the dynamics, he said.

We could be in a situation where were laying off teachers again in this state, he said. Unfortunately, the children of Oregon are the pawns in this system.
"This Diwali, let us remember our courageous armed forces who constantly protect our Nation. Jai Hind," he said. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: Amid heightened tension on theborder, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched a campaign through which people can send their Diwali greetings and messages to soldiers guarding the nation's frontiers to boost their morale.

People can send messages under the #Sandesh2Soldiers campaign on the Narendra Modi App, through MyGov.in, and also through All India Radio. Doordarshan shall also be mounting a programme to share people's emotions with the Armed Forces.

The Prime Minister, who is leading the campaign, said in a tweet, "I sent my #Sandesh2Soldiers. You could also do the same. Your wishes will certainly make our forces very happy.

"This Diwali, let us remember our courageous armed forces who constantly protect our Nation. Jai Hind," he said.

"When 1.25 crore people stand with the soldiers, their power increases by 1.25 crore times," the Prime Minister said.

As part of the campaign, the Prime Minister has shared through social media, a special video, featuring his appeal to the people to send messages to the brave Armed Forces personnel.

Within hours, the video has generated tremendous interest on platforms such as Twitter and Facebook. The great respect and admiration that the nation has for our Armed Forces, will

find expression this festive season, through the campaign being led by the Prime Minister, the PMO said in a release.

A special module has been launched on the Narendra Modi App, which enables people to send greetings or their hand-written messages to the Armed Forces.

The #Sandesh2Soldiers campaign is expected to generate increased interaction between the people and the Armed Forces.

The campaign comes against the backdrop of the surgical strikes carried out by the Army on terror launch pads in PoK and the heightened border tension.

Earlier this month, at an event in Bhopal, the Prime Minister had focused on the human element of the jawans. His appeal to people to applaud jawans when they meet them, has also created a buzz on social media.

This is not the first time that Modi is focusing on the armed forces. He spent his last two Diwalis as the Prime Minister with the Army.
School children travel back in a bullock cart to their village near the India-Pakistan International border after schools were shut down following firing in RS Pura sector of Jammu on Saturday. (Photo: PTI)

Kathua: Following the unprovoked firing and ceasefire violation by the Pakistan Rangers in Hiranagar sector of Jammu and Kashmir, the people residing in the border areas have been forced to migrate yet again to safer places.

The district administration has been put on alert to ensure the safety of the locals in Kathua.

"We are facing many difficulties. Examinations are going on but the students cannot sit for it. Sometimes, just a movement of our door makes us feel scared thinking that there is some firing going on. We face difficulties every year due to ceasefire violations. We need a permanent solution as we have to migrate every now and then," said Ajit Kumar, a local.

He urged the government to provide them with a permanent solution to this prevailing problem.

Bullet proof vehicles and civil vehicles have been sent to evacuate the residents of Bobiya, Patti, Ladwal, Karole Krishana, Chack Changa and Chandery chowk in Hiranagar.

"We are extremely scared. We are going to Hiranagar now. The schools have been closed," said another local Atish.

In the wake of the escalating tension at the border, the locals in Kathua are finding it tough to sustain a decent living.

The elderly, children, women and patients are in particular finding it tough due to regular migration.

Looking forward to a one time solution to their woes, they would be urging the government to give them five marlas plot in safer places.
Kakinada: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has compared his political Opposition to Pakistani terrorists and Maoists because they criticised his development and welfare activities.

Participating in a procession for Arogya Andhra Pradesh and War on Mosquitoes and a public meeting afterwards, here on Saturday, he said that there was threat from Pakistan and terrorists are creating unrest in India.

On the same lines, internally the Opposition in Andhra Pradesh wants to create hurdles for development activities taken up by the ruling TD.

He said that Lord Sri Venkateswara of Tirumala saved him from a Maoist blast when he was going to offer gold ornaments during his earlier tenure.

It was Lord Venkateswaras wish that I should come back to serve the people of Andhra Pradesh. Therefore, people should give me full support so that i can take forward the development of the state for the welfare of the people," he said.

I am willing to spend all my time and work hard for your sake. But you must support me to the full and inspire me to do more work, he said, adding that otherwise, he may suffer a lot. In this context, some of the people were opposing all development activities, the CM said.
New Delhi: Home Minister Rajnath Singh will raise the issue of Pakistan's continuous support to cross border terrorism with the top leadership of Bahrain and seek their cooperation in tackling international terrorism during his three-day visit to the Gulf country beginning on Sunday.

Singh, who left for Manama today, will meet Bahrain King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Prime Minister Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and Interior Minister Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa

and will discuss with them various bilateral issues.

Pakistan's continuous support to cross border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir is expected to be raised by the Home Minister in his meetings with the top leadership of Bahrain.

Singh is also likely to tell them that India cannot take at face any of the assurances that Pakistan provides in regard to stopping terrorism.

In a statement before his departure, Singh said India and Bahrain are working together to further strengthen security and counter terrorism cooperation between the two countries.

The Home Minister said India and Bahrain enjoy excellent bilateral relations characterised by broad-based political, economic and cultural contacts.

There will be extensive discussions on how to enhance bilateral cooperation with regard to tackling international terrorism, organised crime and each other's fugitives at the meeting between Singh and his Bahrain counterpart Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, sources said.

Bahrain is a key member of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) in which Pakistan is also a member.

Singh will also address the Indian community in Bahrain during his trip.

On Friday, President of National Security Agency of Bahrain, Sheikh Talal bin Mohammed bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa, had called on the Home Minister here.

Singh then told him that his three-day visit to Bahrain will enhance bilateral ties with the Gulf nation and it grows from strength to strength.

The Home Minister had hoped for an expeditious and successful negotiation of the bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Defence Cooperation which is under active consideration of the Bahraini side.

Referrring to the buildup of ISIS in the West Asia-Gulf region and the rise of religious extremism, the Home Minister said its negative impact on the Muslim population around the world is of serious concern for India too.

On relations with Pakistan, Singh had said since there was no change in Pakistan's approach of sponsoring terrorism, "we cannot take at face any of the assurances that Pakistan provides in regard to stopping terrorism".
37-year-old Phoolan Devi, then a Samajwadi Party lawmaker from Mirzapur constituency in Uttar Pradesh, was shot dead from a close range by three masked gunmen.

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has granted bail to Sher Singh Rana, the lone convict in the sensational murder of bandit-turned-Lok Sabha member Phoolan Devi in Delhi in 2001.

A division bench of Justice Gita Mittal and Justice PS Teji granted bail to Rana on Friday, who was awarded life imprisonment, on a personal bond of Rs. 50,000 and two sureties of same amount.

Rana, who has undergone close to 13 years' imprisonment, was also directed by the court to not interact with the family of deceased and any witnesses.

He shall disclose the address at which he would remain available as well as his mobile number which he would be using.

Among other conditions, the court in its order also asked Mr Rana to report to Superintendent of Police (SP) of Roorkee, Uttarakhand on the second Saturday of June and December every year from December 10, 2016.

The trial court had on August 8, 2014 convicted Mr Rana while acquitting the 10 other co-accused in the case.

Mr Rana, who was awarded life term on August 14, 2014, was held guilty of offences under sections 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder) and 34 (common intention) under IPC in the case.

37-year-old Phoolan Devi, then a Samajwadi Party lawmaker from Mirzapur constituency in Uttar Pradesh, was shot dead from a close range by three masked gunmen in front of her Ashoka Road residence in the heart of the capital's VIP area when she returned home for lunch after attending Lok Sabha session on July 25, 2001.

Delhi Police had chargesheeted 11 men accusing them of eliminating Phoolan Devi to avenge the 1981 Behmai massacre in which she had allegedly killed a number of Thakurs.

Mr Rana had challenged his conviction and sentencing order in the high court.
Mumbai: When the teams of Crime Branch of Thane Police were busy in raids at fake call centre in connection with the call centre scam, its mastermind Sagar alias Shaggy Thakkar was on his way to flee the country in early hours of October 5, officials said.

Crime branch teams raided seven call centres at Mira Road in adjoining Thane district, in the multi-crore scam involving cheating of US citizens by posing as officials of US Tax Department.

Police raids were conducted on the night of October 4-5. About 70 directors and key persons of these call centres were arrested and 700 employees were detained.

Read: Thane call centre scam: Transactions worth Rs 30 crore identified

During the interrogation of arrested directors, police got the name of Sagar alias Shaggy. However, by that time, Shaggy had left the country on October 5 before police could catch him.

Police issued a LOC (Look Out Circular) against Shaggy on October 7, two days after his escape, officials told PTI. He is suspected to have fled to Dubai.

As the investigation started, a key accused and Shaggy's elder sister, Reema, fled the country from Delhi on October 8.

Police are now trying to get information from immigration authorities about how both the key accused fled the country.

Police suspect that Shaggy and his sister have massive amount collected by cheating US nationals, in their personal accounts.

Shaggy led a lavish lifestyle and was accompanied by around a dozen bouncers, sources said. He was a regular at posh late night parties in Mumbai and was also fond of high-end cars.

Investigators say Shaggy began working at the age of 16 with his mentor Jagdish Kanani, who had worked in the call centres in abroad.

Kanani trained him to cheat US citizens by starting fake call centres, they said.

Meanwhile, investigators on Thursday told a court in Thane that they have identified transactions worth Rs 25-30 crore in the call centre scam till now and that it will take a long time for them to arrive at the actual figure given the magnitude of the scandal.
Responding to a question, Thackeray said Shiv Sena did not participate in the protests alongside MNS as they (Sena) were gauging the situation. (Photo: File)

Panaji: Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday poked fun at the meeting called by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to resolve the imbroglio over the release of Karan Johar's "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil", which was facing threat by MNS over the casting of Pakistani actor Fawad Khan.

"I have not got details about the meeting. But I have news that all three (Fadnavis, Johar and Raj Thackeray) have decided to produce a movie. The name has also been finalised. It is titled 'Yeh to Hona hi Tha'," Thackeray told reporters in Panaji.

On Saturday, Fadnavis mediated a meeting between MNS chief Raj Thackeray and the makers of the film, at his residence 'Varsha' in Mumbai to cool tempers and facilitate the smooth release of the movie after MNS called off its agitation.

MNS had been vehemently protesting against the screening of movies featuring Pakistani actors and artists post the Uri terror attacks, which claimed the lives of 19 soldiers.

Responding to a question, Thackeray said Shiv Sena did not participate in the protests alongside MNS as they (Sena) were gauging the situation.

"We decided to keep aloof and see who takes what stand on this issue," Thackeray said refusing to answer any further question on the controversy.

"Sometimes it is better not to answer a few questions," he said, adding "people are wise enough to judge the situation."

Johar's "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" had been embroiled in a controversy over the past few weeks after the MNS raised a flag against it, thus putting a question mark on the fate of the movie, slated for a Diwali release on October 28.

The film starring Ranbir Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Anushka Sharma in lead roles will, however, release as per schedule after a truce was clinched. The producers gave some assurances such as that they would not work with Pakistani artists and technicians in their future projects, given the people's sentiments in the wake of the Pathankot and Uri terror strikes.
Hyderabad: Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Sunday promised to build a Brahmin Sadan  a multi-purpose building to serve the needs of the Brahmin community  on 12 acres in the city. Mr Rao said the building would serve as a centre for the development and welfare of the Brahmin community.

The CM constituted an adhoc committee with nine members to monitor the construction of the building. Former AP chief secretary and cha-irman of AP Brahmin Corporation I.Y.R. Krishna Rao and former AP director-general of police are special invitees.

Mr Krishna Rao praised the CM as a great visionary who ahd conceptualised Mission Bhagiratha, irrigation projects, reorganisation of districts. The CM said the government had allotted Rs100 crore to the Brahmin Corporation in the Budget and would constitute a Brahmin Trust to utilise these funds for community.

The CM said he and his family had a bond with the Brahmin community for decades. He said that as MLA of Siddipet in 1985, he had built the first community hall for Brahmins.
The excise department in its reply said that it was the responsibility of the purchaser to register the vehicle in his name. (Representational image)

Hyderabad: Next time when you buy a vehicle being auctioned by a government agency, particularly law enforcement departments like excise, police and central enforcement agencies, ensure that it has a genuineness certificate.

Mr V. Veeresham, a tailor and resident of Kattarampur, Karimnagar, had paid Rs 1.37 lakh in November 2014 and bought a Maruti Alto auctioned by the excise department. It was used to transport liquor by an accused. The Road Transport Authority refused to register it saying that its chassis numbers and other particulars didnt match as the engine had been changed. The excise department said it cant return the money paid for purchase of the vehicle.

The buyer got relief from the Karimnagar District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum. The excise department in its reply said that it was the responsibility of the purchaser to register the vehicle in his name. The forum observed that a circular of the RTA said: The auctioning authorities are requested not to auction vehicles seized by them unless the genuineness certificate is obtained from Regional Transport Authority and so on.

Citing the circular, the forum said there was negligence and deficiency in service on part of excise officials and ordered refund of the Rs 1.37 lakh to Mr Veeresham and payment of Rs 5,000 towards costs.
Hyderabad: Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Sunday called on Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan at Raj Bhavan with a request to allot the AP Secretariat, Legislative Assembly and Council buildings to Telangana state.

He handed over a copy of the resolution approved by the Cabinet in this regard two days ago to the Governor.

Mr Rao said that since these buildings were lying vacant after AP shifting its administration to Amaravati, the TS government should be allowed to utilise them. Though Mr Narasimhan is the authority under Section 8 of the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014 to allot buildings in the common capital, he reportedly informed Mr Rao that he needed to send the request to the AP government for a formal approval.

CMO sources said Mr Rao offered the Manoranjan Complex beside the Exhi-bition Grounds in Nampally to the AP government in lieu of its Secretariat blocks.

Sources said that the Governor informed Mr Rao about his recent meeting with AP Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu in Vijayawada, where he had brought up the Secretariat issue. Mr Naidu apparently told him that his government would take a decision after discussing it in the Cabinet.

The Governor is learnt to have told Mr Rao that Mr Naidu had no major objections to hand over the AP Secretariat blocks. Mr Rao also informed the Governor about his government's plans to shift the TS Secretariat in the last week of November to BRK Bhavan and other government buildings and start construction of the new Secretariat from December and ensure its completion within a year.
HARRISBURG  The city of Harrisburg will bury a time capsule Sunday, but visiting its museum on its 150th birthday was like wandering around inside one.

The capsule burial caps a two-day celebration for the city, founded in 1866, just a year after the conclusion of the American Civil War. The relics on display in the Harrisburg Area Museum's many exhibit rooms stood as monuments to the past, while others came to life, reminding us that history is not a static point, but a continuing arc of events.

A group of local men worked to hook a hay baler up to a 1916 Case steam tractor for a demonstration, as others demonstrated yarn looms, while contemporary residents armed with iPhones zapped digital images, beaming them into space and onto social media sites. The steam tractor, state of the art for its time, hissed at idle, running perfectly after 100 years.

Meanwhile, a 1904 Chandler & Price printing press, well-greased and still working, churned out flyers next to a display of past editions of the Harrisburg Bulletin newspaper, which ran from 1901 until 1985. Running the press was Leo Giles, whose family ran the Bulletin beginning in 1955. While working, he talked about reading past issues of the paper and discovering how little has changed.

"People weren't that different then than they are now," he said. "They had trysts and fights and they murdered each other, just like today."

While Giles spoke, local farmer Dan Cersovsky offered more insight into the heritage of the community, which has also gone by the names Prairie Precinct, Crow's Nest, Mud Flats and Thurston.

"When this was the riverboat terminal, it was a wild town," he said.

Looking through the Bulletin, a front-page story from July 7, 1966, displays a photo of the 1902 Case 15-horsepower steam tractor that sits in the museum today. That year, however, it ran in the parade, as did the 1916 model. The hulking machine sits among more than a dozen other tractors: There's a 1949 Ford, just like the one my grandfather had in Redmond, Wash., and a 1935 Case. The room has that musty smell of wood, hay and axle grease that resonates with anyone whose ever spent time around farm tools. It's a familiar smell, and a timeless one.

And around every corner was another piece of the past that made the city's heritage that much more vivid. A .38-caliber Flintlock rifle made in 1800 rests in a case, billed as having been brought across the plains to Oregon in 1845. It's worn, with baling wire shoring up part of the stock. A sign next to it reads, "Caution: This gun is loaded with ball & powder  do not touch."

How's that for preserved history?

Along with the artifacts, visitors got to enjoy such period favorites as corn doll crafts, an anniversary parade, a polka band performance, horse-and-trolley rides, a rug loom, quilting and spinner demonstrations, and a scarecrow contest. The day rounded off with a traditional Mennonite dinner. The festivities continue today at various locations.

But the town is not so much observing the past as it is celebrating the future, which is illustrated with the time capsule installation. Of course, the person who brought the flintlock rifle to Oregon in 1845 could not have imagined that people in 2016 would be holding mysterious rectangular devices to it, zapping photos and reading about its history on little screens made of light. And with that in mind, imagine how people will deal with the time capsule, maybe 150 years from today?

Let's just hope the steam tractor is still running then.
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh sarsangchalak Mohan Bhagwat and his deputy Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi address a gathering during the three-day annual national executive meet at Sri Vidya Vihar High School at Annoji-guda, near Ghatkesar, on the outskirts of Hyderabad on Sunday. (Photo: DC)

Hyderabad: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh on Sunday upped the ante against Communist parties in Kerala and the Trinamul government in West Bengal. The RSS accused the Communist parties of committing political murders of RSS cadre in Kerala.

Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the three-day national-level meeting of the executive council members from 42 divisions of RSS across the country here, RSS joint general secretary Bagaiah said a resolution would be passed on political murders of Sangh members and destruction of their property due to the intolerance of CPM cadres in Kerala. RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat, too, is participating in the deliberations.

Mr Bagaiah accused the Trinamul government in West Bengal of minority appeasement politics and gave the recent example of restrictions placed by the government on Durga Puja idol immersions ahead of Muharram, which the Calcutta High Court lifted.

Sangh to ensure SCs, STs get their rights

RSS joint general secretary Bagaiah said that there had been attacks on RSS karyakartas in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, which would be discussed during the three-day meeting. He accused the West Bengal government of not taking any action on increasing attacks on Dalits in the state.

He said that the second resolution to be passed at the meeting would be on the ongoing centenary year celebrations of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay. It would focus on two themes  developing social equality to reduce hatred among people and on keeping tabs on the exploitation of natural resources and working towards sustainable development.

Mr Bagaiah said the RSS had been working on social equality and it would form an important part of discussions during the three-day meeting. He said in a social survey conducted across 489 villages in Nalgonda and Mahbubnagar districts, it was found that 431 had common access to temples, 475 had common access to water and 299 had common burial grounds.

He said that in the villages where there were social differences, RSS volunteers were working to decrease them. RSS cadres were working with other organisations towards ensuring that constitutional rights of people from SC and ST communities in TS and AP were implemented, like the SC/ST sub plan, he said.
Ankleshwar: President Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday said he feels he is a "Gujarati at heart", though he may not speak the local language.

Mukherjee, who is on a two-day visit to the state, said he has been a Rajya Sabha member from the state in the past. "I am not new to Gujarat in the sense that I had the privilege ... they (political leaders) helped me to get elected from Gujarat to Rajya Sabha for full six years... in that way I can claim to be a Gujarati but unfortunately I cannot speak (the language).... "I am not claiming it, but still at heart I am a Gujarati," he quipped after inaugurating the Sardar Patel multi-specialty and heart hospital here in Bharuch district.

Earlier, he also visited the renovated 'Sevashram' hospital in Bharuch and unveiled statues of Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

The President lauded "the two great sons of India and Gujarat" for not only ensuring the country's independence but also placing strong foundation for its future.

He also praised the initiative of Congress MP Ahmed Patel for making the dream of the first super-specialty hospital in Bharuch come true as he called this work "noble".
KOLLAM: Radhika Rajeev, the 11-year-old daughter of Rajeev, the Dalit youth who was tortured in police custody, has not attended school for the last one week while her father was in the lockup. She says she cant continue her studies as she fears her classmates will call her the daughter of a thief. The family me-mbers of the bright student are clueless about how to console her. A Class VI student at the Government HSS, Kavila, she is the only daughter of Mr Rajeev and Sathi of Ambooth-azhathil, Kanjiramkuzhy, in Injavila.

Since the day her father was taken into custody, she has not gone to school. She did not even eat properly and was weeping all the time. The only daughter and her father were so affectionate to each other, Meenu, Rajeevs niece, said. She had to wait until Wednesday to meet her father at the lockup in Anjalumoodu police station, at the mercy of a policeman. Rajeevs elder brother, persuaded by the girls laments, took her there. My daughter studies well and is one among the bright students in the class, Mr Rajeev, who is undergoing treatment at the district hospital here, told this newspaper.

She burst into tears seeing my plight inside the lockup. We were trapped by the police knowing that there would be no one to ask even if something happened to us. Police took Rajeev (31) and his uncle Shibu (40) into custody on false theft charges on Sunday and were brutally tortured for five days at Anjalumoodu and Kollam West police stations before they were set free on Friday, acknowledging their innocence.
The three-time Delhi Chief Minister accused the BJP of "conspiring" to "polarise" the state on communal lines, asserting Congress will forcefully "expose such evil designs". (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: Priyanka Gandhi will be a "force multiplier" for Congress in Rahul Gandhi's "forceful" campaign in Uttar Pradesh and people will reject any attempt by BJP to use army's surgical strikes across the LoC for political gains, Congress' Chief Ministerial candidate Sheila Dikshit has said.

The Congress veteran, who has been on a whirlwind tour of Uttar Pradesh where assembly polls are scheduled for early next year, also attacked the BJP for "trying to polarise" Uttar Pradesh on communal lines by raking up the contentious issue of Uniform Civil Code.

78-year-old Dikshit said Rahul, the Congress vice president, has managed to enthuse party workers to a great extent through his Kisan Yatra and, if Priyanka decides to participate actively, it will work wonders for the party which is out of power in the politically crucial state for as many as 27 years.

Talking about Congress' preparations, she said the party was planning to have region-specific manifestos for the polls as different regions have different problems, adding there were signs of "clear revival" of the party across the state.

Claiming that no party will get an absolute majority in the polls, Dikshit said Congress will play a key role in formation of the next government and hinted that the party may not be averse to forging a post-poll alliance with either BSP or Samajwadi Party.

"We will take a call depending on the situation after the polls. But I am very confident that Congress will play a decisive role in formation of the next government," she said.

The three-time Delhi Chief Minister accused the BJP of "conspiring" to "polarise" the state on communal lines, asserting Congress will forcefully "expose such evil designs".

She also slammed BJP for planning to highlight the surgical strike during the campaign, saying never ever in India's history the valour of armed forces was used for political gains.

"Exploiting political gains out of (a) sensitive issue is very, very unfortunate. It reflects deterioration of our democratic culture. Army was never used for politics. This is reprehensible," she said.

Dikshit claimed Rahul's Kisan Yatra was a "huge success" and if Priyanka hits the campaign trail, it will strengthen the party's position.

"People are yearning for Congress' comeback to power. Every section of the society there is fed up with successive governments. People of UP now want change," said Dikshit, adding Congress was trying to reach out to all communities including Dalits and Muslims.
Lucknow: The rift in Samajwadi Party seems to have widened as Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday sacked four ministers including his uncle Shivpal Yadav from the state cabinet.

The chief minister took the decision at a meeting of MLAs and MLCs, however, legislators considered too close to state party chief Shivpal Yadav were allegedly not invited for the de-facto legislature party meeting.

CM said in the meeting that whoever is close to Amar Singh cannot be in my cabinet, said Raju Yadav, the MLA from Mainpuri. According to sources the CM may drop more ministers who are said to be close to Amar Singh.

Barabanki MLC Rajesh Yadav, who attended today's meeting, lashed out at party leader Amar Singh for attempting to create friction in the Samajwadi Party.

"The party belongs to Netaji. He assigned the Chief Minister's job to Akhilesh Yadav, who managed it extremely well. He looked at both the party and family in a very efficient manner. Our fight is against those trying to create friction in the party and the one person who is doing this is Amar Singh," he told the media.

Akhilesh had earlier divested Shivpal 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 Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav.

Disagreements between Akhilesh and his uncle have been reported on several occasions, including on the choice of official to appointed as the state's chief secretary after Alok Ranjan's term ended and the postponement of Quami Ekta Dal's merger with the Samajwadi Party.

The move comes at a time when the state is gearing up for assembly elections which is scheduled to take place next year.
With around 32 lakh debit cards of several banks being compromised at one banks ATMs, India may be facing its biggest cyber bank fraud. Experts feel this debit card breach, which may have occurred a few months ago, has been contained and its impact is minor as only 641 people complained of unauthorised sums being charged to their accounts, that adds up to over Rs 1.3 crore. But the scale of the breach should be a warning of how the banks data infrastructure can be compromised and stolen. There are reports that Pakistani cyber criminals may target Indian banks, perhaps even with official blessing given the current climate.

No one knows whose card details have been stolen and cloned, therefore millions of Indians (given that there are 7.12 crore debit cards issued in India) are worried, particularly as it is possible in this country to use one banks card in the ATMs of different banks. It would be wise for everyone to change the PIN on their cards. There are other precautions to take, like linking a card to a mobile number to get alerts in case of every transaction, that all Indians dont do. Everyone is not a cyber security expert, but all must follow a series of instructions and precautions on how to use ATMs and be able to spot the vulnerable ones, particularly in remote locations, that may be more open to skimming frauds by criminals.

The Reserve Bank expects all banks to have a more robust cyber security policy framework. So far, what we have is a system copied from the West, which reacts well after the event, though it must be said that the Indian method of a pre-transaction/pre-sale two-step verification process is twice as safe as it is abroad. In facing such scams of stealing or leaking of data, users must be aware that the thief has to get lucky just once, while the system has to be lucky every time. To stay one step ahead of criminals and scamsters who sell card data internationally is a huge challenge. Is there a way to bring the two-step authentication into ATM transactions?

Malwares sneaking into ATMs can be damaging enough, but what master criminals really aim at is point-of-sale machines where millions of credit and debit cards are used by shoppers buying goods and using services. The need for standard forensic audits in banks right through the year has been stressed by experts as a basic firewall to put up against fraud. Not only banks, but everyone who collects data in the course of business, must be made accountable for the safety of their infrastructure as well as the data itself. This is a huge task if we are to move towards becoming a cashless society.
It is hard not to recall the great relief the country felt when news came around September 29 midday that the Indian Army had sent its commandos across the Line of Control (LoC) to take out launchpads where terrorists had been assembled for crossing over into Kashmir. This relief was mingled with some pride in our Army. But a month down the line, troubling questions arise. Therefore, the question is: if there were no election, and one as crucial as UP, would there have been a surgical strike? Just about everything that has happened since the cross-LoC raid points that way. Ram and Ravan hoardings were put up by the BJP all across UP, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi portrayed as Ram and Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif as Ravan. Breaking from tradition, Mr Modi, as PM, made his Ramlila address not from the nations capital but in Lucknow, the capital of UP, where the crucial polls are due.

He didnt say a word about the September 29 strike in his speech, but took up from the stage the slogan Jai Shri Ram; Jai, Jai Shri Ram!, a Hindu battle cry and the RSS and BJPs mobilising motif before the destruction of the Babri Masjid in December 1992. (In Hindi, the chant of the devotee  unlike the strident cry  is: Siyawar Ramchandra ki Jai.) The meaning was not lost on anyone. It seemed clear that Mr Modi was going for broke, leaving nothing to chance, and the military action was to be handily exploited. Defence minister Manohar Parrikar made his own egregious  and false and communal  contribution. He first said it was the BJP government that had made the Army realise its strength. This was an insult to the Army. At another forum he noted it was the RSS training that Mr Modi and he both had made the surgical strike happen. This gave the Armys action a communal colour. Not a word from the defence minister about the Armys quietly stellar role that night. And to rub the point in, the defence minister falsely averred that cross-LoC action had not been done before by the Army, as if Operation Ginger  larger in scale than the September 29 action  of the Manmohan Singh years didnt exist.

How refreshingly different things were after the Kargil conflict. With an unerring eye for low-grade publicity, the BJP put up hoardings with the images of our armed forces chiefs. Gen. V.P. Malik, the then Army Chief, informs us that he told Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee that this amounted to politicising the military. The propaganda material was promptly withdrawn. And, after the massive military victory over Pakistan in 1971, which led to the creation of Bangladesh, the Indira Gandhi government did not put up any credit-grabbing posters. In fact, it was the Jan Sangh (BJPs precursor) leader in Parliament then, none other than Mr.Vajpayee, who hailed Indira as Durga. We must ask Lt. Gen. Ranbir Singh, director-general of military operations, a question that he must ponder before answering: Where did the expression surgical strike, that he used while breaking the news of September 29 to the country, come from?

Was it a suggestion from political or bureaucratic quarters? Or did the Army really think that what had been achieved was indeed a surgical strike, an evocative and seductive term that bespeaks spectacular military prowess and lends itself to political misuse. The question is pertinent as this expression has never been used by our armed forces before. Also, the operation carried out in the small hours of September 29 was not a surgical strike by any accepted military definition. At the very least, a surgical strike stuns and incapacitates the adversary for a while. But nothing of the sort happened. A string of Army camps was attacked by terrorists in J&K within days of September 29. Lt. Gen. Satish Dua, head of the Srinagar-based 15 Corps, had observed last week that terrorists were massed in strength on the LoC in spite of the surgical strike, preparing to infiltrate.

The field manual of the US Special Forces derives the meaning of surgical strike from the Army Doctrine Publication ADP3-05 (Special Operations), and this is the prevalent internationally followed definition, including in India. According to it, a surgical strike is a primarily unilateral application of force (while ours came in response to a succession of terrorist attacks, culminating in Uri) employed in counter-terrorism... against designated targets, and other specialised tasks of strategic importance. High payoff targets are to be hit. A surgical strike shapes the environment, and is used to degrade effectiveness of adversaries. Which of these objectives was achieved on September 29? The launchpads destroyed were little more than cowsheds. If a surgical strike is devalued to mean any successful commando strike, then what the Pakistani terrorists attained at Uri might also qualify. Is that the equivalence we are looking for?
A global treaty on climate warming should generally be welcomed. So when the 197 countries that are party to the Montreal Protocol reached a compromise agreement in Kigali, Rwanda, last week to phase down climate-impacting refrigerant gases, it seemed like a forward step. The Montreal Protocol was proposed in 1987 and its final resolution after nearly three decades of tortuous negotiations indicates just how fraught with competing vested interests international treaties, specially on climate control, have now become. The first thing to note is the really small gains in tackling greenhouse gases which the treaty represents. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and other gases that damage the ozone layer over the Earths atmosphere are used for airconditioning and refrigeration, and their waste being released into the atmosphere is a matter of real concern.

However, they represent only a small portion of the greenhouse gases represented by industrialised societies, and the far more vital negotiations necessary to prevent global warming getting out of control have been blocked for decades. Ever since there has been a growing scientific consensus on climate change and the effects of global warming, the worlds governments have been unsuccessfully trying to negotiate binding treaties. The main factor that separates the positions of India, China and the rest of the developing world from industrialised countries has been the responsibility of the West, which had industrialised before the rest of the world, to take into account its historical emissions.

The latest attempt to forge a consensus was at the Paris climate conference of December 2015, which aimed to restrict the rise of global temperatures to below 2 degrees Celsius (current indications show that global warming is likely to be much higher) compared to the pre-industrial era. The Paris Agreement comes into force in a few weeks, in early November, with 55 countries, representing at least 55 per cent of global emissions, having ratified it, including India, the United States and China. In 1992, the governments had met in Rio de Janeiro and agreed to take action to avoid dangerous climate change, but did not specify what action to take. What followed was years of argument, that led in 1997 to the Kyoto Protocol, which required emission cuts with each country being given a target.

Then came the Bali conference of 2007, and an action plan that set the world on the course to a new agreement. This was followed by the Copenhagen conference of 2009 and Paris in 2015. What happens at each conference is that the advanced economies try and bully the rest into accepting an equal share of emission cuts. This ploy is to ensure that the economies in Europe and North America do not face energy emission targets that would constrain their growth. Even though the move to reduce these gases used in refrigeration are seen as low hanging fruit as their elimination is relatively easy, fossil fuels such as coal and oil, which make up over four-fifths of greenhouse gases, are more difficult on which an agreement can be reached. There are other sides to the deal on CFCs. The new gases to replace them will cost up to twenty times as much, the advanced countries would have a monopoly on their manufacture, and their use would involve a considerable transfer of income to these companies as the processes would be patented.

Another aspect is that the use of CFC gases contributes much less to global warming than does the manufacture of metals, especially aluminium, that go into the making and running of the machines which use them. Home ACs, for instance, emit around 800 kg of carbon dioxide a year if they are used for a few hours every day. The energy that is needed to make aluminium is around 25 MW hours per ton of the metal, emitting around 20 tons of carbon dioxide per ton of aluminium. There is the further question of the path of development that we take. We have to concentrate our resources to take electricity to every village home and not concentrate its use in airconditioning for malls and offices as is being done now. A path that encourages the concentration of electricity by people using airconditioners rather than by diversifying its use into villages will focus on HFCs rather than changing the patterns of energy use.

Global warming is already upon us and is visibly felt in the storms that rip through the planet, the warmer temperatures recorded and felt by many of us, and the changing climate experienced by us all. We are already near the threshold of the 2-degrees-Celsius rise in temperature, which is the limit beyond which the world can only go at its peril. The mountain glaciers are retreating in the Indian subcontinent. Low-lying areas like the Sunderbans are already feeling the risk of rising seas, and rainfall is becoming more intense even as the number of rainy days declines. Another effect on global warming is the bleaching of corals that could lead to their death. The first recorded event happened in 1998 when 16 per cent of all corals worldwide were affected.

This years bleaching event is the longest and most widespread in history, and has left coral reefs in 38 countries and island groups ghost white. These include the Laskhadweep and Andaman Islands in India and the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Australia. A large portion of the corals may be permanently lost as they are sensitive to climate change. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) calculates the total global asset of reefs at $800 billion, with around 850 million people dependent on reef-based ecosystems for food security and livelihood. This will be the first ecosystem which will face destruction, with many others to follow soon. It calls for a serious effort, and not the kind of tinkering with treaties that the CFCs accord indicates.
Lenovo recently announced that the Moto G4 and Moto G4 Plus have started receiving the Android 7.0 Nougat update in India.

Lenovo recently announced that its flagship devices namely the Moto G4 and Moto G4 Plus have started receiving the recently-announced Android 7.0 Nougat update in India.

This announced was made on their official website wherein the company also informs the users that the update should be downloaded and installed when it is connected to a secure Wi-Fi network and has more than 50 per cent charge.

The instructions read:

If you have received a notification message for this update:

1. Select "Yes, Im in".

2. After the software is downloaded, select "Install now".

3. After the software is installed, your phone will re-start automatically.

4. Your phone is now updated.

If you have not received a notification message for this update, follow the steps below to manually update your phone:

1. Select the Settings icon in the apps menu.

2. Select "About phone".

3. Select "System updates".

4. Select "Yes, Im in". After the software is downloaded, select "Install now".

5. After the software is installed, your phone will re-start automatically.

6. Your phone is now updated.

According to Lenovo, the upcoming changes in the latest Android 7.0 Nougat update includes new multitasking features, more efficient notification controls and improved data saver and battery features.

Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter.
A Russian man has been charged with hacking and stealing information from computers at LinkedIn and other San Francisco Bay Area companies.

A Russian man has been charged with hacking and stealing information from computers at LinkedIn and other San Francisco Bay Area companies, federal prosecutors announced Friday.

A grand jury indicted Yevgeniy Aleksandrovich Nikulin, 29, of Moscow on Thursday on charges including computer intrusion and aggravated identity theft, the U.S. Attorney's Office in San Francisco said.

Nikulin sent a program to a LinkedIn employee's computer, stole the employee's username and password, and used them to access the company's computers in 2012, according to prosecutors.

Nikulin is also accused of hacking two other companies, Dropbox and Formspring, and conspiring to sell stolen user names, passwords and email addresses of Formspring customers.

He was arrested on Oct. 5 by officials in the Czech Republic and remains there, according to prosecutors. Russian officials have said they are working to prevent his extradition to the United States.

LinkedIn has suggested that Nikulin's arrest was tied to a 2012 breach of member information. In May, LinkedIn said the 2012 breach resulted in more than 100 million of its users' passwords being compromised  vastly more than previously thought.

Abraham Simmons, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office, declined to comment on whether the charges against Nikulin relate to that breach.

Simmons said he did not know the name of Nikulin's attorney.

LinkedIn said in a statement it appreciated the FBI's ongoing work to "pursue those responsible for the 2012 breach of LinkedIn member information."

The indictment alleges three unnamed co-conspirators, one of whom offered to sell the stolen Formspring user information to another for 5,500 euros, or about $6,000 in current U.S. currency.

The U.S. has accused Russia of coordinating the theft and disclosure of emails from the Democratic National Committee and other institutions and individuals in the U.S. to influence the outcome of the election. Russia has denied that.

There was no indication the LinkedIn case was connected to that accusation.

Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter.
See .NET Core Documentation for the latest information on ServiceStack's .NET Core support.

ServiceStack now available on .NET Core! #

We're super excited to announce support for .NET Core which was both the ServiceStack's Community and ours most anticipated feature request of all time! We're especially pleased with ServiceStack's near entire feature-set and level of integration we've been able to bring to .NET Core, all maintained within a single code-base offering high source-code compatibility to maximize existing knowledge and code-reuse and reducing portability efforts, all without breaking changes to existing .NET 4.5 Customers - realizing our primary goal.

.NET Core - the future of .NET on Linux #

Whilst the development and tooling experience is still in a transitionary period we believe .NET Core puts .NET Web and Server App development on the cusp of an exciting future - the kind .NET hasn't seen before. The existing Windows hosting and VS.NET restraints have been freed, now anyone can develop using .NET's productive expertly-designed and statically-typed mainstream C#/F# languages in their preferred editor and host it on the most popular server Operating Systems, in either an all-Linux, all-Windows or mixed ecosystem. Not only does this flexibility increase the value of existing .NET investments but it also makes .NET appeal to the wider and highly productive developer ecosystem who've previously disregarded .NET as an option.

As one of the first high-level .NET Web Frameworks to run cross-platform on Windows, OSX and Linux, the allure of developing cross-platform .NET Web Apps on OSX/Windows and hosting on Linux was something we've dedicated a lot of effort in supporting, but ultimately never came to pass. The inherent performance and instability issues with Mono's HTTP Stack under heavy loads and few resources dedicated to supporting ASP.NET on Mono meant we couldn't recommend it for production workloads - resulting in a weak developer ecosystem with relatively few installations running ASP.NET Mono in production.

This changes with .NET Core which offers significant performance and stability improvements over Mono that's derived from a shared cross-platform code-base and supported by a well-resourced, active and responsive team. If you're currently running ServiceStack on Mono, we strongly recommend upgrading to .NET Core to take advantage of its superior performance, stability and its top-to-bottom supported Technology Stack.

and with that let's jump into seeing some ServiceStack Live Demos running on .NET Core in Linux...

ServiceStack .NET Core Apps running in Docker! #

Hosting .NET Core Apps immediately exposes us to the benefits of .NET Core. We've ported the Live Demos using the most productive IDE and tooling combination we've found for us - which is still VS.NET with ReSharper. But for deployments and hosting we now have an array of options at our disposal, including joining the thriving state-of-the-art ecosystem around building Linux Docker images and deploying them to the cloud.

For .NET Core Live Demos we've settled on the popular power combo of:

Using travis-ci.org (free for OSS projects) for running CI scripts to rebuild Docker App Images on every check-in

Using AWS EC2 Container Service for managing Docker images and instance deployments

Using nginx-proxy setting up an nginx reverse proxy and automatically bind virtual hosts to Docker Instances

We've published a step-by-step guide around our AWS ECS deployment story where ultimately packaging .NET Core Apps inside Docker images enables a higher-level of abstraction letting you define your entire App Server Instance with a repeatable recipe that lets you treat and deploy instances like opaque self-contained units.

With our .NET 4.5 Windows Live Demos we're effectively mutating a static Windows Server VM that required pre-configuring with IIS Virtual Hosts. Any infrastructure Servers each Live Demo needs, are set up out-of-band and to minimize the System administration burden, all Demos share the same Redis server instance.

Repeatable, Isolated, no-touch automated Deployments #

But for our .NET Core Docker deployments we have proper isolation and repeatable no-touch deployments where any infrastructure services each App needs are declared in configuration and deployed in a separate Docker container along side each App to an ECS cluster - decoupling your deployments from static EC2 instances. This lets you treat your server infrastructure and deployment automation story like code, where it's checked-in with your Repo and run with your CI who packages it in a Docker Container, publishes it as an opaque Image and deploys it to the AWS EC2 Container Service.

Linux Cost Savings #

In addition to the thriving ecosystem and superior automation, another benefit of hosting .NET Core Apps on Linux is the considerable cost savings of hosting on a Linux infrastructure. Docker instances enable isolation with considerably more efficiency than VM's allowing you to pack them with greater density. For .NET Core Live Demos the single T2 medium instance ($25 /month) is hosting 15 Docker Images whilst running at ~50% Memory Utilization and <1% CPU Utilization in its current idle state.

.NET Core Live Demos! #

To showcase ServiceStack features running on .NET Core we've forked several of our existing Live Demos and ported them to .NET Core and listed them side-by-side with their original ASP.NET 4.5 code-bases so they can be easily compared.

The Live Demos cover a broad spectrum of ServiceStack features including:

Exceptional Code reuse #

We're especially pleased with how little effort was required to port existing ServiceStack code-bases where essentially all Service implementations were able to be reused as-is.

The primary changes required were due to supporting .NET Core's new project structure, conventions and bootstrapping, primarily:

Most of the changes ended up resulting from .NET Core's new convention of hosting Websites from the /wwwroot WebRoot Folder, requiring copying all servable static resources in /wwwroot and fixing all affected path references.

.NET Core ServiceStack packages #

We've extended the .NET Core support of the Redis and Service Clients in our last release to now include OrmLite (SQL Server, Sqlite, PostgreSQL), ServiceStack, MVC Integration with Razor Pages, Swagger API, AutoQuery, AutoQuery Viewer, Stripe, AWS Integration with PocoDynamo and SQS, RedisMq, RabbitMq, ProtoBuf and Wire formats:

ServiceStack.Text.Core

ServiceStack.Interfaces.Core

ServiceStack.Client.Core

ServiceStack.HttpClient.Core

ServiceStack.Common.Core

ServiceStack.Redis.Core

ServiceStack.OrmLite.Core

ServiceStack.OrmLite.Sqlite.Core

ServiceStack.OrmLite.SqlServer.Core

ServiceStack.OrmLite.PostgreSQL.Core

ServiceStack.Core

ServiceStack.Mvc.Core

ServiceStack.Server.Core

ServiceStack.ProtoBuf.Core

ServiceStack.Wire.Core

ServiceStack.Aws.Core

ServiceStack.RabbitMq.Core

ServiceStack.Stripe.Core

ServiceStack.Admin.Core

ServiceStack.Api.Swagger.Core

ServiceStack.Kestrel

ServiceStack features that won't be supported in .NET Core #

Whilst we were able to make most of ServiceStack's features available in .NET Core there are a number of features that we're not able to support, these include:

HttpListener inc. all .NET 4.5 Self Host AppHosts - replaced with .NET Core's Kestrel

inc. all .NET 4.5 Self Host AppHosts - replaced with .NET Core's Kestrel SOAP Support inc. WSDLs, XSDs - missing WCF implementations in .NET Core

inc. WSDLs, XSDs - missing WCF implementations in .NET Core Mini Profiler - tightly coupled to System.Web

- tightly coupled to System.Web Markdown Razor - CodeDom not available in .NET Core (vanilla Markdown still supported)

- CodeDom not available in .NET Core (vanilla Markdown still supported) ServiceStack.Authentication.OAuth2 - DotNetOpenAuth dependency not available in .NET Core

- DotNetOpenAuth dependency not available in .NET Core ServiceStack.Authentication.OpenId - DotNetOpenAuth dependency not available in .NET Core

- DotNetOpenAuth dependency not available in .NET Core MVC FluentValidation Validators - tightly coupled to old System.Web MVC

- tightly coupled to old System.Web MVC ServiceStack.Logging - proxying to .NET Core logging abstractions instead

- proxying to .NET Core logging abstractions instead ServiceStack.Razor inc all existing Html.* helpers - tightly coupled to System.Web Razor

Whilst we lost our beloved ServiceStack.Razor support we developed a completely new implementation backed by .NET Core MVC where we were able to implement most of ServiceStack.Razor user-facing features so porting should still be relatively straightforward with some minor syntax and configuration changes needed. This new implementation is available in ServiceStack.Mvc.Core package and can be seen in action in the Razor Rockstars .NET Core demo.

Referencing .NET Core Packages #

After this release we'll be bringing any remaining .NET Core compatible packages as well as focusing on profiling and performance whilst resolving any issues reported by Customers running on .NET Core. In the meantime the .NET Core packages are kept isolated from .NET 4.5 packages with a *.Core suffix which enables us to make frequent .NET Core releases during the next release cycle without affecting existing .NET 4.5 Customers.

As we expect our latest version to be the best version of .NET Core available we recommend referencing ServiceStack packages using the 1.0.* wildcard scheme, e.g:

"dependencies" : { "Microsoft.NETCore.App" : { "version" : "1.0.1" , "type" : "platform" } , "ServiceStack.Core" : "1.0.*" , "ServiceStack.Redis.Core" : "1.0.*" , "ServiceStack.Common.Core" : "1.0.*" , "ServiceStack.Client.Core" : "1.0.*" , "ServiceStack.Interfaces.Core" : "1.0.*" , "ServiceStack.Text.Core" : "1.0.*" } , }

This will allow your next dotnet restore to fetch the latest version of ServiceStack without config changes.

Merging into main NuGet packages #

Once we're satisfied ServiceStack .NET Core has been battle-tested in the wild we'll merge the .Core packages back into the main NuGet packages and convert them to use NuGet v3 .nuspec format and bump the major version to v5.0.0.

ServiceStack.Kestrel is a new NuGet package which encapsulates .NET Core's Kestrel HTTP Server dependency behind a source-compatible AppSelfHostBase which can be used to create source-compatible Self Hosted Apps. This is especially valuable for creating Self Host Integration Tests that can run on both .NET 4.5 and .NET Core platforms. E.g. the stand-alone CustomerRestExample on ServiceStack's Project Home Page is run as-is on both .NET 4.5 and .NET Core without modification.

AppHostBase .NET Core Module #

Whilst AppSelfHostBase enables the same development experience for developing Self-Hosted ServiceStack Solutions, when developing .NET Core-only Web Apps we instead recommend inheriting from AppHostBase and registering ServiceStack as a .NET Core module in order to remain consistent with all other .NET Core solutions.

In ASP.NET 4.5, AppHostBase is used to create an ASP.NET ServiceStack Host, but in .NET Core all Web Apps are Console Apps, AppHostBase in this case just refers to a normal ServiceStack AppHost you'll use to idiomatically register your ServiceStack AppHost into .NET Core's IApplicationBuilder pipeline as a standard .NET Core Module.

Binding to .NET Core #

To see how ServiceStack integrates with .NET Core we'll walk through porting the stand-alone Todos Live Demo which contains the entire implementation of a functional Todos Web App back-end in a single Startup.cs that we created using the ASP.NET Core Web Application (.NET Core) Empty VS.NET Template.

The Program class remains unchanged from the template and defines the entry-point for your Console Application that just Configures and Starts a Kestrel HTTP Server behind an IIS Reverse Proxy via the AspNetCoreModule HTTP Handler configured in your web.config:

public class Program { public static void Main ( string [ ] args ) { var host = new WebHostBuilder ( ) . UseKestrel ( ) . UseContentRoot ( Directory . GetCurrentDirectory ( ) ) . UseIISIntegration ( ) . UseStartup < Startup > ( ) . Build ( ) ; host . Run ( ) ; } }

.NET Core Startup #

The Startup class is what you'll use to configure your .NET App. The only difference from the default VS.NET Template is the single line to Register your ServiceStack AppHost in .NET Core's IApplicationBuilder pipeline:

public class Startup { public void ConfigureServices ( IServiceCollection services ) { } public void Configure ( IApplicationBuilder app , IHostingEnvironment env , ILoggerFactory loggerFactory ) { loggerFactory . AddConsole ( ) ; if ( env . IsDevelopment ( ) ) { app . UseDeveloperExceptionPage ( ) ; } app . UseServiceStack ( new AppHost ( ) ) ; app . Run ( async ( context ) => { await context . Response . WriteAsync ( "Hello World!" ) ; } ) ; } }

This shows the minimum code required to configure ServiceStack to run in .NET Core. It works similarly to the Wildcard HttpHandler configuration in your ASP.NET Web.config telling ASP.NET to route all requests to ServiceStack. The difference here is that ServiceStack is registered in a pipeline and only receives requests that weren't handled in any of the preceding modules. Likewise ServiceStack will just call the next Module in the pipeline for any Requests that it's not configured to handle, this is in contrast to ASP.NET 4.5 where ServiceStack was designed to handle all requests it receives, so it instead returns a NotFoundHandler and responds with a 404 Response.

In the above configuration any Request that ServiceStack doesn't handle gets passed on to the next module registered, which in this case will return a Hello World! plain text response.

.NET Core AppHost Integration #

Once inside your AppHost you're back in ServiceStack-land where it's business as usual and your AppHost configuration remains the same as before. The only differences from .NET 4.5 Todos AppHost is that .NET Framework introduced source-incompatible breaking changes to its Reflection APIs where instead of resolving a Types Assembly with typeof(TodoService).Assembly you're instead required to call typeof(TodoService).GetTypeInfo().Assembly .

To combat this unfortunate design decision we've added Platform Extension Methods providing unified Reflection APIs like Type.GetAssembly() allowing you to configure source-compatible AppHost's that can be used in both .NET 4.5 and .NET Core platforms, e.g:

public class AppHost : AppHostBase { public AppHost ( ) : base ( "Backbone.js TODO" , typeof ( TodoService ) . GetAssembly ( ) ) { } public override void Configure ( Container container ) { container . Register < IRedisClientsManager > ( new BasicRedisClientManager ( "localhost" ) ) ; } }

This minor change was all it took to port the Todos back-end Services to run on .NET Core which was able to reuse the entire existing Service implementation as-is.

The other change needed outside the Todos ServiceStack implementation was to match .NET Core's default convention of serving static files from the WebRootPath which just required moving all static resources into the /wwwroot folder.

And with that the Todos port was complete, which you can view from the deployed locations below:

http://todos.netcore.io - Linux / Docker / nginx / .NET Core

http://todos.netcore.io - Windows / IIS / .NET 4.5 / ASP.NET

Seamless Integration with .NET Core #

In addition to running flawlessly on .NET Core we're also actively striving to find how we can best integrate with and leverage the surrounding .NET Core ecosystem and have made several changes to that end:

The JSON and JSV Text serializers are following .NET Core's default convention to use camelCase properties by default. This can be reverted back to PascalCase with:

SetConfig ( new HostConfig { UseCamelCase = false } )

We also agree with this default, .NET Core seems to be centered around embracing the surrounding developer ecosystem where .NET's default PascalCase protrudes in a sea of camelCase and snake_case JSON APIs. This won't have an impact on .NET Service Clients or Text Serialization which supports case-insensitive properties, however Ajax and JS clients will need to be updated to use matching properties. You can use ss-utils normalize() methods to help with handling both conventions by recursively normalizing and converting all properties to lowercase.

.NET Core Container Adapter #

Like ServiceStack, .NET Core now has a built-in IOC where you can register any dependencies you need in your Startup ConfigureServices() , e.g:

public class Startup { public void ConfigureServices ( IServiceCollection services ) { services . AddTransient < IFoo , Foo > ( ) . AddScoped < IScoped , Scoped > ( ) . AddSingleton < IBar > ( c => new Bar { Name = "bar" } ) ; } }

In .NET Core ServiceStack is pre-configured to use a NetCoreContainerAdapter where it will also resolve any dependencies declared in your .NET Core Startup using app.ApplicationServices . One side-effect of this is that when resolving Scoped dependencies it resolves them in a Singleton scope instead of the Request Scope had they instead been resolved from context.RequestServices.GetService<T>() .

If you need to resolve Request Scoped .NET Core dependencies you can resolve them from IRequest , e.g:

public object Any ( MyRequest request ) { var requestScope = base . Request . TryResolve < IScoped > ( ) ; }

Alternatively you can just register the dependencies in ServiceStack's IOC instead, e.g:

public override void Configure ( Container container ) { services . RegisterAutoWiredAs < Scoped , IScoped > ( ) . ReusedWithin ( ReuseScope . Request ) ; }

Note: any dependencies registered .NET Core Startup are also available to ServiceStack but dependencies registered in ServiceStack's IOC are only visible to ServiceStack.

Consistent Registration APIs #

To retain the same nomenclature that .NET Core uses to register dependencies we've added several Overloads to ServiceStack's IOC letting you use a single consistent API to register dependencies in both ServiceStack and .NET Core IOC's making it easy to move registrations between the two, e.g:

public void Configure ( Container container ) { container . AddTransient < IFoo , Foo > ( ) . AddScoped < IScoped , Scoped > ( ) . AddSingleton < IBar > ( c => new Bar { Name = "bar" } ) ; }

ServiceStack's Container also implements .NET Core's IServiceProvider interface giving it access to .NET Core's conveneince extension methods for resolving dependencies, e.g:

var foo = container . GetService < IFoo > ( ) ;

Logging is an example of an abstraction which didn't make sense to maintain a separate implementation as any adapter would only be able to support logging within ServiceStack. With logging you'll want to configure it one place and have it apply to your whole application, so we've instead pre-configured ServiceStack.Logging to proxy all messages to .NET Core's logging abstraction where you'll only need to configure logging once in Startup and have it handle all logging solution-wide.

WebRootPath and ContentRootPath #

Classic ASP.NET serves static resources from your Host project's folder but in .NET Core this has been moved to your App's /wwwroot folder, separated from your App's non-public assets which remain in your projects root folder.

To match this convention we've configured the read-only VirtualFileSources to point to the /wwwroot WebRootPath whilst the read/write IVirtualFiles is configured to your projects ContentRootPath folder.

As ServiceStack can be hosted in variety of different platforms encompassing several AppHost's, we've added a new IAppHost.MapProjectPath() API that can be used to consistently resolve an absolute file path using a virtualPath from your Host Project root folder, e.g:

var filePath = appHost . MapProjectPath ( "~/path/to/settings.txt" ) ;

ASP.NET Web Applications let you resolve the IRequest of the current executing HTTP Request with:

IRequest req = HostContext.TryGetCurrentRequest();

Which is a wrapper over accessing the HttpContext.Current singleton but as there's no equivalent in HttpListener self hosts this returns null . .NET Core also doesn't enable singleton access to the current HttpRequest by default but can be enabled by registering:

services . AddSingleton < IHttpContextAccessor , HttpContextAccessor > ( ) ;

Although this should only be registered if needed as it has non-trivial performance costs.

OrmLite LIKE Queries #

One of our primary goals with ServiceStack providers is compatibility which lets you easily switch providers without having to change any call-site logic using the abstraction.

One case where this has an impact on performance is in OrmLite LIKE queries where some RDBMS providers will perform case-sensitive LIKE queries so in order to retain consistent behavior across all RDBMS providers OrmLite generates queries using UPPER(Field) to ensure case-insensitive searches.

However given .NET Core's strong focus on performance we've removed this feature and reverted to the behavior of the underlying RDBMS so it no longer invalidates any DB Indexes on Fields. A more efficient alternative to get case-insensitive LIKE queries (where it's not the default) is to use a case-insensitive collation.

This behavior also applies to AutoQuery LIKE queries and can be reverted with:

OrmLiteConfig . StripUpperInLike = false ;

Register ServiceStack HttpHandlers as .NET Core Modules #

Under the hood ServiceStack's functionality is split into different HTTP Handlers that implements ASP.NET's IHttpAsyncHandler and is also adapted to support HttpListener self-hosts behind ServiceStack's IRequest abstractions.

We're happy to report that ServiceStack's HTTP Handlers can also be registered as a .NET Core module in the IApplicationBuilder pipeline. This lets you for instance return the same information as ServiceStack's ?debug=requestinfo route for any unhandled requests by registering the RequestInfoHandler as the last module in .NET Core's IApplicationBuilder pipeline, e.g:

public class Startup { public void Configure ( IApplicationBuilder app , IHostingEnvironment env , ILoggerFactory loggerFactory ) { loggerFactory . AddConsole ( ) ; if ( env . IsDevelopment ( ) ) { app . UseDeveloperExceptionPage ( ) ; } app . UseServiceStack ( new AppHost ( ) ) ; app . Use ( new RequestInfoHandler ( ) ) ; } }

Some other examples of HTTP Handlers you could use is returning an image by registering a StaticFileHandler configured with the virtualPath of the image (from ContentRootPath):

app . Use ( new StaticFileHandler ( "wwwroot/img/404.png" ) ) ;

Or you can even render an MVC Razor View by returning it in a RazorHandler , e.g:

app . Use ( new RazorHandler ( "/login" ) ) ;

Which will render the /wwwroot/login.cshtml Razor Page using our new MVC-Based Smart Razor Pages support...

Driven by our preference for API-first style of Web Development we never saw value in the boilerplate required in MVC's forced Controller and Action pattern so we instead developed our own ServiceStack Razor Pages which let you develop dynamic Web Pages using Razor to generate the HTML view of your existing Services - saving you from maintaining a parallel Controller implementation that's limited to just Web Pages. The benefits of an API-first approach is that you'll naturally get a well-defined servicified interface which can be consumed by all consumers including Web, Native Mobile and Desktop Apps whilst also enabling simplified B2B Integrations, Automation, Integration testing, etc.

In a lot of cases where you're not developing Web Forms accepting User Input (e.g. generating a dynamic page using simple page-specific db queries) you won't need a Controller or Service at all. For this scenario we developed Controller-less Razor Pages, where if you specify a Typed @model , ServiceStack automatically populates it from the HTTP Request Params and when no @model exists ServiceStack instead populates the Request params in a ViewDataDictionary - in both cases letting you access any Request Params using @Model.Name notation.

Razor Pages also lets you layout your Razor Views in whatever structure you want under /wwwroot which it will let you call using Pretty URLs by default so you're not led into following the MVC-specific {Controller}/{Action} pattern or made to define Custom Routes.

.NET Core Razor Pages implementation also lets you structure your Razor Pages under /Views/Pages as an alternative to maintaining them under /wwwroot .

MVC Razor Pages #

Unfortunately in .NET Core we weren't able to reuse any of our existing ServiceStack.Razor implementation, but as we found the development model and end-user experience of Razor without MVC Controllers and Actions much more productive we investigated how it could best be implemented in .NET Core. Unfortunately .NET Core's Razor support is tightly coupled to MVC's implementation, but fortunately for us MVC also provided the necessary APIs where we could re-implement ServiceStack.Razor's user-facing features using just MVC Razor Views.

In many ways this turned out to be a blessing in disguise as by using MVC's implementation we also get access to new MVC .NET Core features and its surrounding ecosystem like Tag Helpers. MVC also takes care of live-reloading Razor Views behind-the-scenes so we're also able to get the same iterative development experience we're used to. By using MVC Views we also naturally get good tooling support which can be a dark art in .NET 4.5 which was tightly coupled to Web.config configuration and therefore poorly supported in Self-Hosting Console Apps.

Currently ReSharper's tooling has issues with Razor Views inheriting Custom base classes - which can be resolved by installing the latest EAP or disabling its ASP.NET Razor support.

Overall we're ecstatic with the end-result, we retain our Controller-free development model whilst Razor under .NET Core executes noticeably quicker than ASP.NET and significantly faster on Linux vs using Mono.

RazorFormat Usage #

You can find .NET Core Razor features documented in razor.netcore.io which is maintained in our MVC NuGet package that can be installed with:

PM> Install-Package ServiceStack.Mvc.Core

Then to enable, register the RazorFormat plugin:

public override void Configure ( Container container ) { Plugins . Add ( new RazorFormat ( ) ) ; }

Feedback Welcome #

That wraps up the introduction to ServiceStack on .NET Core. We're currently on Standby keen to help any Customers moving to .NET Core. Please report any issues you find in our Issue Tracker or if you have any general questions about porting your existing code-base to .NET Core please drop us a line in the Customer Forums, or even just to let us know if your ServiceStack Apps are running smoothly on .NET Core - we'd love to hear from you 

New Docs Website! #

After that delayed introduction, we'd like to welcome you to our new Documentation website!

We're using Github's new Publish Your Documentation with GitHub Pages feature to statically generate this website from our Markdown documentation which is now being maintained in the github.com/ServiceStack/docs repo. With this feature we're able to treat documentation like source code where we can accept contributions via pull-requests and have them automatically show up on the Website.

Whilst this initial release is primarily a port of our old Wiki, having a dedicated website with direct control over the JavaScript and CSS allows us to provide a more optimized browsing experience which we intend on taking advantage of in the future.

New fast Wire binary format #

Wire is a new fast Binary Serializer from the Akka Team with comparable performance to ProtoBuf but like MsgPack doesn't require your POCO's to be annotated with [DataContract] attributes making it more suitable for code-first POCO DTOs.

Wire can be installed from NuGet with:

PM> Install-Package ServiceStack.Wire

And registered in your AppHost with:

Plugins . Add ( new WireFormat ( ) ) ;

Which like other formats can be consumed using the WireServiceClient generic Typed Service Client, e.g:

var client = new WireServiceClient ( baseUrl ) ; var response = client . Send ( request ) ;

Special thanks to Scott Mackay for contributing ServiceStack's WireFormat.

The MongoDbAuthRepository has been upgraded to use the latest v2.3.0 of the mongocsharpdriver. It was also upgraded to implement IManageApiKeys so it can now also be used as the persistent back-end for the API Key AuthProvider.

Special thanks to @ivanfioravanti for contributing the upgrade.

Kotlin Add ServiceStack Reference was upgraded to support the latest v1.04 release of Kotlin.

TypeScript classes are now being generated in dependency order where any dependent classes are generated first. We've also removed ExportAsTypes as an inline config option. When preferred you can generate ambient Type declarations from the VS.NET Add TypeScript Reference Dialog.

All Add ServiceStack Reference Providers now lets you control which Types you want to export with the static FilterTypes function, e.g:

TypeScriptGenerator . FilterTypes = types => types . Where ( x => x . Name != "ExcludeType" ) . OrderBy ( x => x . Name ) . ToList ( ) ;

Facebook AuthProvider upgraded to 2.8 #

The FacebookAuthProvider has been upgraded to use the Facebook's latest v2.8 APIs.

Please note Facebook will be deprecating their older v2.1 API on October 30.

Other ServiceStack Changes #

API Documentation added to RequestContext , Service , and ServiceStackHost by @joelharkes

, , and by @joelharkes New MailRuAuthProvider available by @Virab

available by @Virab The JS Minifier was updated to the latest version by @RobSchoenaker

ServiceStack.Logging.Elmah now supports logging in Self-Hosts by @RobSchoenaker

IRequest is now available in ValidationResult

is now available in GetBaseUrl() is now overridable in AppHost

is now overridable in MultiAppSettings now writes-thru to all AppSettings providers

now writes-thru to all AppSettings providers ExecuteMessage() and ServiceController were added to IAppHost

and were added to New Convenience httpRes.WriteError() and httpRes.WriteErrorBody() extension methods

and extension methods StartedAt added to ?debug=requestinfo

added to VirtualPath added to StaticFileHandler(virtualPath) constructor

added to constructor Verb interface markers added to client Auth Request DTOs

HttpUtils.UseEncoding can be used to override Text Encoding used in HTTP Utils

can be used to override Text Encoding used in HTTP Utils Config.AllowSessionCookies=false now suppresses X-UAId Cookie

now suppresses Cookie Server Events no longer uses the UserName for the Display Name when UserName is a number (Facebook)

Potential Breaking Changes #

The Container property for testing was removed from all IRequest implementations, can instead be injected with req.Resolver = container

property for testing was removed from all implementations, can instead be injected with New IResolver argument added to ITypeFactory.CreateInstance()

argument added to All string comparisons replaced to use Ordinal* comparisons so it's compatible with .NET Core

DELETE FROM Table JOIN #

OrmLite added support for deleting rows by querying from a joined table using a Typed SqlExpression, e.g:

var q = db . From < Person > ( ) . Join < PersonJoin > ( ( x , y ) => x . Id == y . PersonId ) . Where < PersonJoin > ( x => x . Id == 2 ) ; db . Delete ( q ) ;

Not supported in MySql

Case-insensitive field filters #

The insertFields and updateFields for limiting which fields should Inserted or Updated are now case-insensitive to match the behavior of SELECT custom fields.

v4.5.4 Recovery Release #

v4.5.4 is just a quick-fix release to fix to some NuGet packages so they reference the same dependency version.
Thailands government met with representatives from Internet giant Google to bring those who insult the monarchy to justice.

Thailands government met with representatives from Internet giant Google, amid growing calls from Thai hardline royalists to bring those who insult the monarchy to justice, as many Thais look with uncertainty to a future without their revered king.

King Bhumibol Adulyadejs death on Oct. 13 has thrown the country of 67 million into mourning. It has also led to the rise of ultra-royalist vigilante groups who say they will punish anyone perceived to have insulted the monarchy during a highly sensitive time for Thailand.

Deputy Prime Minister Prajin Juntong said he met with Google representatives in Bangkok on Friday. Google affirmed in the meeting that it would continue to help the government remove content from YouTube, a Google subsidiary, that it deemed offensive, he said.

"If any website is inappropriate they said to get in touch with them and inform them of the URL and the time the content was found," Prajin told reporters.

That conforms with Google's practice around the world, Alphabet Inc's Google says.

"We have always had clear and consistent policies for removal requests from governments around the world and we continue to operate in line with those policies," a Google spokesperson in California told Reuters on Friday.

"When we are notified of content that is illegal through official processes, we will restrict it in the country where its illegal after a thorough review."

NAMED AND SHAMED

Thailand's military government said on Tuesday it was tracking people suspected of insulting the monarchy following the kings death and would ask other countries to extradite them.

Some critics of the monarchy living abroad have been named and shamed in Thai language web forums. Outside the world of the web, some Thais who have chosen not to wear black, the official color of mourning, have been publicly jeered at.

Thailand's military government has tried to seek tighter censorship of social media from Facebook, Google and Japan-based instant messenger service LINE since it came to power in 2014 following a coup it said was necessary to restore peace to the country following months of unrest.

Thailand's royal insult law, known as Article 112 in the criminal code, makes it a crime to insult the king, queen, heir or regent. Those who are found guilty face up to 15 years in prison.

The law has curtailed public discussion about the monarchy's role and its future following the death of King Bhumibol who ruled for seven decades and was seen as a unifying figure.

Since taking power in 2014, the junta, known officially as the National Council for Peace and Order, has taken a tough stance on dissenters.

It has come under strong criticism from the international community for lengthy and unprecedented prison sentences handed down by military courts against civilians for violating the lese-majeste law since the junta took power.

The military government has repeatedly rejected accusations of rights violations.

Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter.
We continue to urge Pakistan to take action to combat and delegitimise all terrorist groups operating on its soil, said Mark Toner. (Representational Image, Photo: AP)

Washington: The US has told Pakistan to go after those terrorists who seek and "sometimes find safe haven" in the country and delegitimise all terror groups operating on its soil.

"We continue to urge Pakistan to take action to combat and delegitimise all terrorist groups operating on its soil," State Department Deputy Spokesman Mark Toner told reporters at his daily news conference.

"Obviously Pakistan has suffered greatly at the hands of terrorists and violent extremists. We want to help Pakistan confront this terrorist threat, but we also want Pakistan also to go after those terrorists who seek and sometimes find safe haven on Pakistan territory," he said in response to a question yesterday.

His remarks come amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following the Uri terror attack in which 19 Indian soldiers were killed and India's surgical strikes on seven terror launch pads across the LoC on the intervening night of September 28 and 29.

Earlier this week, in a clear indication of its support for India's surgical strikes in PoK, the US said it empathises with the Indian position that it needs to respond militarily to terror threats and dubbed the Uri attack as a "clear case of cross-border terrorism".

The US had also called for greater cooperation and dialogue between India and Pakistan to bring down the recent tensions and said that they should adopt a "conciliatory approach" to resolve their "contentious issues".
A man in California, the United States, was sentenced to 1,503 years in prison for raping his teenage daughter. (Photo: AP/Representational)

Fresno: A man in California, the United States, was sentenced to 1,503 years in prison for raping his teenage daughter over a four-year period.

The 41-year-old was sentenced on Friday to the longest-known prison sentence in Fresno Superior Court history, the Fresno Bee reported.

The Associated Press is not naming the man because it could identify his daughter.

In announcing the punishment, Judge Edward Sarkisian Jr. told the man he is a "serious danger to society" and noted that he had never shown remorse and has blamed his daughter for his predicament.

The man's daughter was first sexually abused by a family friend but instead of protecting her, he turned her into "a piece of property," prosecutor Nicole Galstan said.

The victim was raped two to three times a week from May 2009 to May 2013, when the girl got the courage to leave him, Galstan said.

A jury in September found him guilty of 186 felony counts of sexual assault, including dozens of counts of rape of a minor.

"When my father abused me, I was young. I had no power, no voice. I was defenseless," said the daughter, who now is 23 years old. She also told the judge that her father has never shown remorse for her pain and suffering.

The man turned down two plea deals. Before his preliminary hearing, if he had admitted his guilt, prosecutors would have recommended 13 years in prison. He rejected the offer. Then before his trial, he was offered 22 years in prison if he admitted his guilt. He declined that offer, saying he should be released from jail for the time he already had served, Sarkisian said before announcing the sentence.

"He ruined her teenage years and made her feel like it was her fault," Galstan said in arguing for the maximum sentence.

The sentencing is in stark contrast to a recent case in Montana, where a man who raped his 12-year-old daughter was not sent to prison. Instead the judge handed down a 30-year suspended sentence after the man pleaded guilty to incest and ordered him to spend 60 days in jail, giving him credit for 17 days already served.
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton shake hands during the presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead on Monday. (Photo: AP)

Cleveland, Ohio: Hillary Clinton has managed a whopping 12-percentage point lead over rival Donald Trump in the US presidential race just weeks ahead of the Election Day, according to a new poll today which said that support for the Democratic nominee has touched 50 per cent for the first time.

ABC News/Washington Post poll said it was the highest for Clinton and the lowest for Trump since their campaigns began.

"Clinton leads Trump by 12 percentage points among likely voters, 50 to 38 per cent, in the national survey," it said.

Trump has a high disapproval rating with 69 per cent of the likely voters disapproving of his response to accusations about his treatment of women, found the poll conducted by Langer Research Associates from Thursday to Saturday among 1,391 adults, including 874 likely voters. The other two presidential candidate Gary Johnson has 5 per cent support, Jill Stein 2 per cent.

The poll came at a time when an adult film star accused the 70-year-old real-estate tycoon of unwanted sexual contact. The accusation by Jessica Drake, 42, that Trump touched and kissed her in 2006 was at least the 11th time a woman has come out in public against Trump's behaviour towards women since a 2005 "Access Hollywood" tape surfaced in which he was seen bragging about being able to grope and kiss women.

Trump campaign has refuted all such allegations.

Further, the polls said more than half - 59 per cent -reject Trump's claim that the election was rigged against him and 65 per cent disapprove of his comments that he may not accept the results of the November 8 election.

And Clinton, 68, has said she does not want to respond to the remarks of Trump anymore and called his refusal to accept the results of the election unacceptable.

"We know in our country the difference between leadership and dictatorship, right? The peaceful transition of power is one of those things that sets us apart. And whether you support me or you support my opponent, together we must show that we support American democracy," she has said.

According to the poll, Clinton leads Trump by 20 percentage points among women, 55-35 per cent.

She's gained 12 points (and Trump lost 16) from mid-October among non-college-educated white women, some of whom initially seemed to rally to Trump after disclosure of the videotape.

The former secretary of state has doubled her lead to 32 points, 62-30 per cent, among college-educated white women, a group that's particularly critical of his response to questions about his sexual conduct, it said.

On Trump's claim of a "rigged" election, 23 per cent of Republican likely voters say he's trying to make excuses in case he loses, rather than raising a legitimate concern; this view swells to 57 per cent among independents and 91 per cent among Democrats, the poll result said.

That said, 74 per cent of Republicans, and 84 per cent of Trump supporters, say it's a legitimate issue, it added.
Washington: Donald Trump may now consider Hillary Clinton to be a "nasty woman" but in 2008 the business tycoon had hailed her as a "great woman" and described Bill Clinton as a "great president".

Both Clinton and Trump have made no holds barred attacks at each other through out the campaign and during the third and final presidential debate last week Trump broke into one of Clinton's responses to call her "such a nasty woman."

The remark sparked a backlash with many coming to Clinton's defence. Trump has called his Democratic rival 'Crooked Hillary' throughout the campaign and also made many personal attacks.

However, in an 2008 interview with NY1 reviewed by CNN, Trump had praised Clinton and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, for their time in elected office.

Asked about Hillary Clinton's legacy, Trump said, "Well, I think her history is far from being over. I'd like to answer that question in another 15 years from now. I think she is going to go down at a minimum as a great senator. I think she is a great wife to a president. And I think Bill Clinton was a great president."

"You know you look at the country then. The economy was doing great. Look at what happened during the Clinton years. I mean, we had no war, the economy was doing great, everybody was happy. A lot of people hated him because they were jealous

as hell. You know people get jealous and they hate you," Trump was quoted as saying.

While Trump and Clinton are now taking sharp digs at each other, he had nothing but nice things to say about her and Bill Clinton eight years ago.

"Bill Clinton was a great president. Hillary Clinton is a great woman and a good woman," he had said in the interview.

Trump wrote about the interview in a blog post at the time, saying, "Hillary is smart, tough and a very nice person, and so is her husband. Bill Clinton was a great President.

They are fine people. Hillary was roughed up by the media, and it was a tough campaign for her, but she's a great trouper. Her history is far from being over."

Trump had also echoed those same sentiments in an interview with CNN a year earlier, in March 2007, saying, "I think she's a very, very brilliant person, and as a senator in New York, she has done a great job. Everybody loves her. She just won an election with a tremendous majority and she really- she's become very, very popular in New York. And it wasn't easy."

Trump has been attacking Clinton for her record as a senator in recent weeks, and going after her and Bill for the former president's sexual misconduct while in office and alleged misconduct before he became president.
Washington: Actress Salma Hayek has claimed that Donald Trump asked her out repeatedly when she had a boyfriend and when she turned him down he leaked a tabloid story about her. Hayek, 50, said the Republican presidential nominee was so scorned by her rejection of him that he planted a magazine story which claimed he would never date her because she was too short, the Daily Mail reported.

According to Buzzfeed, the Oscar-nominated actress, speaking in a Spanish radio programme El Show del Mandril on Saturday, said, When I met that man, I had a boyfriend and he tried to get his friend to get my home telephone number. He got my number and he would call me to invite me out.

When I told him I wouldnt go out with him even if I didn't have a boyfriend, [which he took as disrespectful], he called  well, he wouldnt say he called, but someone told the National Enquirer, she continued. Someone told the National Enquirer  Im not going to say who, because you know that whatever he wants to come out comes out in the National Enquirer. It said he wouldnt go out with me because I was too short. She claims Mr Trump contacted her after the story was printed to dismiss it, in an attempt to lure her into a date to prove the magazine wrong. Meanwhile, an 11th woman has come forward to claim she was the victim of Mr Trump's sexual misconduct, the Mail reported.
NGO's funding came under increased scrutiny of the Modi government, according to emails released by the Wikileaks. (Photo: PTI)

Washington: Environmental groups like Greenpeace and other international NGOs working in India had sought US government intervention after their funding came under increased scrutiny of the Modi government, according to emails released by the Wikileaks.

The emails hacked from the email account of John Podesta, who is the chairman of the Clinton Campaign also indicates the global funding links of these NGOs, including those environmental groups opposing a massive mining project in Australia being undertaken by the Adani Group.

"Adani is very close to (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi -- so this will be a delicate diplomatic challenge," Sergio Knaebel, grant director of the Sandler Foundation, wrote in an email to Podesta on May 27, 2015, months after he left the White House to be the Chairman of the Clinton Foundation.

Based out of San Francisco, the Sandler Foundation till 2015 had charitable grants of more than USD 750 million to various NGOs globally working in areas like environmental protection, labour, education, and human rights.

The Sandler Foundation among other things have funded the Sunrise Project, which is opposing Adani's USD 21.7 billion mine project in Australia.

"The situation for NGOs in Australia is also getting pretty serious. The Abbot government has set its sights on organisations fighting the expansion of coal and for protecting the reef -- and is looking to withdraw charitable status and out foreign donours in an effort to cast the NGO's work as foreign intervention.

"Same playbook as India (and Canada)," Knaebel wrote in an email to Podesta.

Podesta did not make any commitment, but forwarded to Knaebel a series of email exchanges he had with Karen Sack from Ocean Unite, another environmental group.

Sack is currently the managing director of Washington-based Ocean Unite.

Before joining Ocean Unite, she was senior director for International Oceans at The Pew Charitable Trusts where she helped initiate the Global Ocean Commission.

Before that, she was the Head of Greenpeace International's Political and Business Unit and the Head of their international oceans campaign.

"What's going on in India is concerning. There are some interesting linkages between the coal industry there and in Australia," Sack wrote on May 27, 2015.

"Adani the coal billionaire from India is the person who plans to invest in building a coal port just near the Great Barrier Reef which has people up in arms down under.

"The fascinating thing is that some of the big banks are refusing to invest in the port development project because of the potential risks to investors from the uncertainty," she told Podesta in the email.
The United States has warned Pakistan that it will not hesitate to act alone, when necessary, to disrupt and destroy terror networks operating in the country. (Photo: AFP/Representational)

Washington: Asserting that Pakistan's powerful spy agency ISI is not taking action against all terror groups, the United States has warned Pakistan that it will not hesitate to act alone, when necessary, to disrupt and destroy terror networks operating in the country.

"The problem is that there are forces within the Pakistani government  specifically in Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence or ISI  that refuse to take similar steps against all the terrorist groups active in Pakistan, tolerating some groups  or even worse," Adam Szubin, Acting Under Secretary on Countering the Financing of Terrorism, told a Washington audience.

"We continue to urge our partners in Pakistan to go after all terrorist networks operating in their country. We stand ready to help them. But there should be no doubt that while we remain committed to working with Pakistan to confront ongoing terrorist financing and operations, the US will not hesitate to act alone, when necessary, to disrupt and destroy these networks," Szubin warned.

In his remarks at the Paul H Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, Mr Szubin said at the same time, Pakistan has been  and remains  a critical counterterrorism partner in many respects.

"Of course, Pakistanis are themselves often the victims of brutal terrorist attacks on schools, markets, and mosques, and the list unfortunately goes on. And in the face of such violence, Pakistan has in some ways pushed back," Mr Szubin said.

"Pakistan has achieved success in its ongoing operations against traditional terrorist safe havens in northwest Pakistan. It has officially designated ISIL as a terrorist organisation. And it has gone after the funding and operational capabilities of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP," he said.

But the ISI problem of supporting terrorist groups continues, he said.

"This is a distinction we cannot stand for," Mr Szubin asserted.
Melbourne: A court in Australia ordered a woman, accused of sexually abusing a boy in 1990s, to get her lower abdomen photographed to verify his claim that she has a scar there.

According to a report in The Age Katrina Arredondo, 49, was a youth officer at Melbourne Juvenile Justice Centre in Parkville when she allegedly sexually abused the boy, a detainee at the centre in 1990s.

The victim, who is now in his 30s, had alleged that Arredondo sexually abused him when he was a detainee at the juvenile centre and also after he was released  between 1994 and 1995. He was 15 years old at time of the alleged sexual abuse and Arredondo was aged 27.

He first reported the alleged abuse in 1996 to a Department of Human Services worker. The victim also told the worker that Arredondo had a scar in her pelvic region, which he assumed was from an appendix operation. But, as he was not sure about the scar, the case was not pursued.

However, he made a police statement in January this year, claiming Arredondo had a mark on one of her breasts. Police then charged her with sexual penetration of a minor and engaging in oral sex.

Police submitted an application before a magistrate court seeking permission to photograph her breast and also her lower abdomen to verify the victims claims.

Magistrate court judge Johanna Metcalf gave the police permission to get a photograph of the accused's pelvic region, but not of the breasts, stating the victim's description of the mark was too vague.

She has asked forensic medical officer to photograph Arredondo's lower abdomen, which would be "less invasive" than photographing her breasts.

Arredondos lawyer Jacqueline Kennedy had earlier said the scar in her lower abdomen was from a laparoscopy, which was done five years after the alleged sexual assault took place.

However, Metcalf has ordered Arredondo to agree to get photographed within 14 days and if she fails to agree, "reasonable force" could be used to get the photograph.
Young migrants get off a bus as they arrive at Lunar House, which houses the headquarters of UK Visas and Immigration, in Croydon. (Photo: AP)

London: A foster mother who offered shelter to a 12-year-old Afghan refugee was shocked to discover that the minor boy she helped was in fact a 21-year-old jihadi.

According to a report in The Sun, Rosie, the carer, thought that Jamal, the minor boy in her care, was a child refugee who had fled Afghanistan. However, he was almost a decade older than what she had been told he was.

Rosie had allowed Jamal into her family after social workers told her that he was an orphan.

Rosie discovered Jamal's real age only when she took him to the dentist for a check up, where the doctor said that the boy was much older than he claimed, following which an investigation was launched.

During investigation, police found out that Jamal had stored Taliban and child abuse material on his mobile phone.

Rosie told police that she had always been suspicious about Jamal's growing facial hair and gun proficiency.

"Ill kill you and I know where your children are," were Jamal's last words to Rosie before he was taken away by the police.

This incident comes in the wake of recent security lapses where migrants claiming to be children entered UK from Calais camps.

Recently, a Conservative party MP suggested that dental checks must be used to determine the age of migrants entering the UK from France under a new agreement reached between the two countries over refugee children.

Monmouth MP David Davies said mandatory teeth checks would reassure people that the unaccompanied migrants coming into the UK to join relatives were indeed children.

Voicing her opinion on dental checks, Rosie said, "Adults are playing the system. Its putting families like mine and society as a whole at risk."

"I dont see anything wrong with dental and bone density checks. Some say they are intrusive and degrading. But having a man in your home whos pretending to be a child is far more intrusive," she added.
I am going to do something now I never do, which is publish something from one of the Party's internal documents, specifically the NF Organizational Letter o f Orglet #59 dated October 15th, 2016. Since like everybody else NF people seem to have brought everything in their lives to a halt while we wait to see who or what is going to win the horse race, I figured I'd spend almost the whole October issue in crystal ball gazing, which we all like so much.

I would normally put out the Fall Building Campaign this month, but with whats going on in the country and everybody staring at the election like a train wreck they cant look away from, I think we need to wait and see whats going to happen. For once that makes sense: we have an election going on that offers some actual significant possibility for genuine change in this country, although most likely not constructive change. The alternatives seem to be same-old same-old on one hand, and free fall on the other. But the fact is that the Trump vs. Hildebeest drama has captured the imagination of White people, and theres no point in trying to move on to anything serious until we know whats going to happen.

If The Hildebeest Wins

I still think that at this point in time, the most likely outcome is that the Lady of the Flies will win, if that is the word. My main rationale for that conviction is that I simply cannot see a genuine outsider like Donald Trump being allowed into 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, at all, under any circumstances. He is a precent "they" cannot allow to be ser. "They" must do something to stop him.

The existing power elite is comprised of a worldwide billionaires club which is mostly White and male and devoid of soul, but which also now contains immensely powerful Jews like George Soros and non-Whites like Carlos Slim. They cannot allow Trump to happen. They have reached a consensus that the world will be globalized and mongrelized (except for their own tiny elite, of course) and they will do something to stop Trump-unless their own grasp on power and the mechanisms of the Deep State has slipped to such a degree that they can no longer rig an election or arrange for an assassination, which will be an interesting development, if true.

I think the Hildebeest will win through the infamous Five Fs of the Democratic party-Foreigners, Feminists, Faggots, Felons and Fraud. She will win by relying on the Democrats massive teeming numbers of blacks and illegals in the six or seven battleground states of the electoral college. It is an open secret that illegal aliens are unlawfully voting already in certain key states such as California, New York, Illinois, etc.

I might add that this is the last election where Texas is expected to show as a red state, due to the influx across the now-open southern border. With the other top four electoral college states in the hands of Democrats as the White retirees of Florida die out, this effectively means a one-party regime, at least on the federal level, and no White heterosexual male will ever sit in the Oval Office ever again. In coming elections the system will be so rigged and the White vote so outnumbered and attenuated everywhere it counts that any hope of any recovery of government by any kind of outsider, Trump-ish or not, will be over. You all need to wrap your minds around something: Hillary on November 8th is forever.

If the Hildebeest wins then several things will almost certainly happen, and happen quickly.

The left-loons, I believe, will immediately take action to silence the alt.right as well as all opposition on the internet and in electronic media. I know that even as powerful as they are, it will be impossible for even them ever to drive all dissent completely off the internet. The objective will be to re-establish their level of control of more or less all public electronic media as it existed in 2008, when Barry was first immaculated, and before it got so badly out of control due to DJT charging all over the political landscape like a bull in a china shop. In other words, the Hillarian regime will seek to confine us once again to a few small and obscure spaces with audiences that can be counted on the fingers, where no one will hear us as they have during the Trump episode.

This campaign against dissent will include:

*The cancellation of hundreds if not thousands of pro-Trump and anti-Hillary Twitter accounts and the banning from social media of a number of people, possibly including myself, if they think Im important enough;

*A full-court press offensive against dissident websites such as Infowars and Breitbart and Daily Stormer, combining both legal and regulatory assaults by the FCC, IRS, etc. with a view toward shutting those sites down;

*A major attack by the FCC to silence the Matt Drudge Report by forcing Drudge to pay royalties to the sites he links to (this avenue of attack on Drudge has been attempted in the past);

*A reinstatement of the so-called Fairness Doctrine. Prior to 1987 this policy prevented talk radio hosts like Rush Limbaugh, the neo-con Jews Michael Medved and Michael Savage, and the lunatic Glenn Beck from syndicating and breaking out of local markets at WHIX in Hawg Waller, Tennessee, etc. Whatever you may think of Drudge and Limbaugh and Alex Jones and Breitbart-and I am aware of their problematic qualities; there is no perfection to be found anywhere in the modern Movement-they have their uses, and the loss of this genuine mass media will be a serious setback.

*One of the e-mails the Beest sent to her aide John Podesta, and which was leaked by Wikileaks this week, indicates that the she is considering an executive order on guns in order to do an end run around the Second Amendment. It is not clear from the leaked e-mail exactly what this end run would consist of; my guess is she would at least attempt to set up a nationwide database of who owns what guns, by serial number, which would include some kind of mandatory address on the physical location of each weapon. No kind of effective gun seizure program could be instituted unless the dictatorship first knows who has what guns, and where.

*The enforced establishment of a single-payer health care system to replace the hideous shambles of Obamacare. This may simply consist of putting everybody on Medicare, or they may erect a British NHS-style edifice from the ground up. Either way, all of you guys will come to know the joy I have been experiencing for the past several years of getting my health care from a massive federal bureaucracy.

Eventually this will also entail the seizure of roughly one-sixth of the American national economy by the federal government, the largest transfer of wealth in human history. It will lead to the creation of an intrusive bureaucratic, administrative and economic juggernaut which will devour the land and force its way into all our lives in one way or the other. Just as the National Health Service in the U.K. has always been the staunchest and most powerful support of Labour governments, the more left-wing the better, here in the U.S. the new socialized medical establishment will become the thin edge of the wedge which will allow the dictatorship to enter every home and workplace, make policy and give orders as to how we must all live our lives. All in the name of public health, of course.

First on the Hillary/Soros agenda, all those nasty fossil fuels and right-wing oil companies who support Republicans will have to go, of coursecant have all those nasty fumes poisoning the air and causing global warming. (The new Democratic national healthcare colossus will work hand in glove with the monstrous, fraudulent behemoth of climate change in order to create the Great Nanny State which controls everything for everybody from cradle to grave, an abomination which will make socialist Britain and Sweden look benign by comparison. But we must be saved from ourselves, nest-ce pas?)

And that in turn means all these private automobiles will have to go-their emissions cause climate change, and besides, private cars are racist. White people use them to escape from diversity to the suburbs and exurbs, and to avoid riding public transportation where they will be forced into personal, physical contact with all the wonderful minorities in enclosed spaces with no escape if the animal becomes aggressive. (This is in fact true, of course.)

*Guns will have to go, of course, although this project will take a while and probably outlast Hillarys time. But thanks to Ammon and Ryan Bundy, the dictators servants know that well wave guns in the air and talk shit, but none of us will actually point a weapon and pull the trigger and fire a single shot in our defense-and so they know for certain theyre safe and the process can begin. I dont think they were quite sure before the Oregon clown show. Probably this process will be kicked off with that national gun database I mentioned above, instituted with the stroke of a dictators pen.

*The last vestige of the southern border of the United States will be dismantled, and the Border Patrol will either be disbanded or assigned to other duties, like running shelters and welcome centers for the invaders along the old border and giving them lifts into the interior. What Obama did unofficially, the Hildebeest will formalize. America will follow Germany, Sweden, and Great Britain as a nation without borders existing as anything other than a geographic description of longitude and latitude.

*Finally, I believe the first Hillary Clinton administration will see a full-court press begin on something else that Barry Soetoro started, but which for some years has gotten surprisingly little coverage in our media, and none at all in the MSM: open housing so that no childs future will be limited by his zip code. (Their own slogan.) Basically, the end of White suburbs and neighborhoods, not only to bring the joys of diversity to us all but to break up Republican voting districts.

Back during the summer it leaked to the media that the central government was threatening to withhold federal money, to which state and local governments are addicted like crack cocaine, from about 1200 metropolitan suburb and larger towns around the country. This threat was directed against zoning ordinances prohibiting the construction of multi-unit housing in neighborhoods zoned for single-family dwellings, i.e. what used to be White peoples houses.

In other words, the regime intends to begin erecting affordable housing units, i.e. projects, for niggaz and beanerz and other Third World New Democrats, smack dab in the Whitest suburbs and towns they can find. The final stage of integration will begin under Hillary Clinton, the forced insertion of niggaz into every neighborhood so us honkies cant get into any mischief without some brothuhs around to keep us frightened and cowed. Theyve already begun this process in certain major city suburbs, rolling in and block-busting with low-income apartment blocks assigned to blacks and immigrants, but this process still accomplishes not integration and di-voice-i-tay but only more White flight. White people still will not voluntarily live around blacks and browns. The program will need major expansion to destroy safe spaces where White people can flee to.

What If Trump Wins?

I still think its going to be the Beest in November-but I could be wrong. It could well be that the empowered elite really has slipped to the point where they can no longer rig an election, at least not on a national scale, or arrange for some strange little man at the right time and place to do the old Arthur Bremer trick and step out of the crowd with a pistol in his hand. Or something could come out about the Sea Hag in the next batch of Wiki-leaked e-mails that is so horrific that it makes even the present power structure realize that a Hillary Clinton presidency simply wont wash. Or aliens land on the White House lawn and proclaim Trump president. Or whatever. Anyway, lets assume for the sake of argument that on the morning of November 9th we wake up to a miracle.

If that epochal event, the overthrow of this system by an outsider-any outsider-really does take place, then I will have a lot to say. I promise you I will unlimber my rhetorical A game for that, and sure a right pleasure it will be. But what are the practical implications of a November Miracle? What will actually happen if DJT wins? I mean, really ? I have always said The trouble with Donald Trump for president is that we dont know what were getting. The trouble with Hillary Clinton is that we do. Once the Hildebeest is gone, were stuck with The Donald.

The first thing I think I can assert without too much fear of contradiction is that the Democrats and civil rights industry and the Salonistas and all the putrid panopoly of political correctness will not take it lying down. I will give liberal left-loons one thing: they are as persistent as leeches. Unlike us, liberals never give up. When we win one, we congratulate ourselves on a job well done, kick off our shoes and flop down on the sofa, crack the top on a cold one, and pick up the remote to see whats on the Toob. When left-loons lose one, they immediately begin circling around like sharks, looking to attack, re-visit and revive the issue again from another angle, and then another until they get what they want. In this case what they will want is no Donald Trump in the White House, and they wont give up until they get it.

The power structure may attempt some kind of immediate impeachment proceeding, and with all the Republicans in Congress who hate Trumps guts, it is likely they could get bipartisan support for such a move, possibly even under the present Congress before Trump takes office in January. What charges they would bring, or how that would work, I wont speculate. Youd think theyd at least wait a couple of years to try and catch Trump doing something really illegal or unconstitutional, and given his 13-year-old personality in a 70-year-old body they might could do that, but I dont think the inside elite wants to risk letting Trump have so much as a day behind that desk in the White House.

And maybe theyre right. There is a distinct risk of out of the frying pan and into the fire here. Maybe if the power structure can in fact find some way to see off Trump after (let me repeat dat!) only after he has seen off Hillary and removed the threat she poses to all humanity, then maybe we shouldnt be too exercised over it. This guy may see himself as a modern-day Teddy Roosevelt, but when he gets in that Oval Office hes going to be more like a kid on a sugar rush. Remember, if and when Trump can dispose of the threat of a Hillary Clinton presidency and break the two-party system for good, he will have served his turn in history. All praise be to him for that, for eternity. But that will still leave him at least four years in office to play with all his new toys.

Those will include a lot of lovely GI Joes and action figures with real guns and a lot of nifty stuff that goes bang and boom and KA-BLOOEY! And Im worried the Donald will want to play with his new toys the minute he gets into office, like leaping into a war with Russia, or at least some ill-considered third (or fourth, or fifth) return to Iraq, this time to clean up the ISIS mess Hillary and Barry and Jug-Ears before them created.

Look, this we dont need right now. What we need frankly is at least a few more years of stability so we, the Movement, the alt.right, whatever you want to call us, can finally get our act together. Because right now, no way in hell is the NF or anybody else in any shape to take advantage of a for-real window of opportunity.

Yes, I am familiar with history and I know about how revolution springs from war, but I confess that I have just enough residual patriotism, and unlike most I have experienced just enough of the real thing, so that what I want to see is change, not Mad Max-style catastrophe. When your home has rats and termites and bedbugs and ants and rattlesnakes nesting in the basement, you bring in an exterminator. You dont burn the whole house to the ground.

Freedom !

Harold A. Covington




Along with Anello, police have also detained an army colonel who was an active member of the Renewal of the Holy Spirit Catholic community. (Photo: AP/ Representational Image)

Palermo, Sicily: An Italian priest was arrested on the suspicion of sexually abusing a 12-year-old girl while performing an exorcism.

According to a report in the Daily Mail, Father Salvatore Anello, 59, from Palermo, Sicily was held on sex abuse charges and is suspected of molesting four women apart from the minor girl.

Police said that Anello abused the girl under the pretext of helping her recover from an illness with his spiritual 'healing prayers'.

He also promised to liberate people from the possession of devil.

Along with Anello, police have also detained an army colonel who was an active member of the Renewal of the Holy Spirit Catholic community. He has also been accused of sexually assaulting women and girls seeking spiritual help.

An investigation has been launched by police who are probing victims' claims and ascertaining if there are more women and girls who have faced similar attacks.

Both the accused remain in police custody until further investigations and await trial.
Young migrants get off a bus as they arrive at Lunar House, which houses the headquarters of UK Visas and Immigration, in Croydon. (Photo: AP)

London: The first group of children from the French "Jungle" migrant camp with no connection to Britain have arrived in the country, the Home Office said Sunday, ahead of the camp's planned demolition.

They were among around 70 young people who were taken to London from the camp in the northeastern French port town of Calais, the closest point to Britain on continental Europe.

The "Jungle" is home to around 5,700 people, according to official figures. Its demolition is set to begin on Monday.

Last week Britain began taking in children from the "Jungle" who had a family connection in Britain -- though some newspapers with photographs of the immigrants questioned whether they were actually minors at all.

They were brought in under the Dublin rules, which require the children to have family resident in Britain.

Under a new legal amendment, a limited number of vulnerable child refugees can also enter Britain, even if they do not have family ties.

"We initially prioritised the transfer of children with family links to the UK, under the Dublin Regulation, and have now started the process of taking in those children without close family links," said a spokesman for the Home Office interior ministry.

"We are working... to make sure we bring all eligible children to the UK as soon as possible."

Bishop Jonathan Clark, a spokesman for Citizens UK, a giant agglomeration of largely faith-based groups that has worked to bring the children to Britain, welcomed the transfer.

"Of course this is just a very small proportion of the unaccompanied children out there and less than one percent of the total number of people in the Calais camp now, the vast majority of whom will be claiming asylum in France, as they should," he said.

Meanwhile The Sunday Times newspaper reported that British members of the anti-capitalist protest group No Borders would attempt to block the demolition of the Jungle.

At a meeting in London last Sunday, one activist told the broadsheet that "lots of us will be going down" and warned people not to join in unless they "understood the risks".
A police officer was killed and 10 people were wounded in a bomb blast in Turkish province of Bingol on Sunday. (Photo: AFP/Representational)

Bingol: A police officer was killed and 10 people were wounded when a car bomb exploded near a passing police vehicle in the eastern Turkish province of Bingol on Sunday, security sources said.

The bomb, planted by militants from the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), was detonated near the district governor's office, the security sources said.

Six police officers were among the injured, they said.

Turkey's largely Kurdish southeast has been hit by waves of violence since the collapse of a 2-1/2-year ceasefire between the state and the PKK last year.

The autonomy-seeking PKK is considered a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and Europe. More than 40,000 people, most of them Kurds, have died in violence since the PKK first took up arms against the state three decades ago.
The woman, identified only as Abida, was fired in January 2015 from a job she had held for six years, after she began wearing the Muslim headscarf, it reported. (Representational Image)

Geneva: A Swiss court has ruled against a company that fired a longtime employee after she began wearing the Muslim headscarf, marking one of the first such rulings in Switzerland, media reported on Sunday.

A regional court in Bern ruled last month that a 29-year-old Serbian woman was fired without just cause from a dry cleaning business, and ordered the company to dish out back-pay and damages to her, the Le Matin Dimanche weekly reported.

The woman, identified only as Abida, was fired in January 2015 from a job she had held for six years, after she began wearing the Muslim headscarf, it reported.

Her employer in Bern had told her the headscarf violated hygiene rules, and told her to remove it or be let go.

She reportedly offered to wash her headscarf daily or wear disposable headscarves, but her employer refused.

The Bern court ruled that the company had violated her constitutional right to freedom of expression, according to the paper.

It said wearing a headscarf can only be grounds for termination in cases where it makes it impossible to carry out duties described in the employment contract or if it "substantially affects" the working environment.

The case is one of the first of its kind in Switzerland, Le Matin Dimanche said, pointing to only one other known case dating back to 1990, when a machine manufacturer in the east of the country was also faulted for firing a woman for wearing a headscarf.

The ruling was hailed by several Muslim groups.

"It shouldn't matter if a woman wears a headscarf or a man wears the Jewish kippa. At work, competence should be the criteria and not the clothes that you wear," Onder Gunes of the Federation of Islamic Organisations in Switzerland told the paper.
Under the condition of anonymity, the accused pleaded guilty to raping the minor boy at least 15 times and three counts of sexual touching. (Representational image)

Blackpool, Lancashire: An 11-year-old boy from UK who became one of the youngest convicted rapists after confessing to sexually assaulting a nine-year-boy at the victim's home, had searched for 'gay porn' and 'gay rape porn' online.

According to a report in the Daily Mail, during investigation, police came across a computer and upon accessing it, they discovered that the accused had searched for 'gay porn' and 'gay rape porn'.

The accused was held after the victim's mother saw him on baby monitor while he was abusing the boy. The victim's mother said that she heard some whispering from her son's bedroom.

When she got suspicious, she checked the baby monitor that she had installed in her son's bedroom and caught the accused red-handed.

Under the condition of anonymity, the accused pleaded guilty to raping the minor boy at least 15 times and three counts of sexual touching.

He has also been accused of sexually assaulting a seven-year-old boy once. The 11-year-old will be put on the sex offenders list, the court ruled.

In a similar incident, a minor boy was arrested for sexually assaulting his 9-year-old sister at their family home in Plymouth, a city in England. The accused was believed to have ejaculated during one of the sexual encounters.

While the case was under trial at a court, the judge told the accused that if he were older, he would have be awarded with a prison sentence for a longer term. However, since the accused too was a minor, he was given referral order.
The source said those killed on Thursday and Friday were used as human shields against attacks forcing ISIS out of southern parts of Mosul.

Baghdad: The Islamic State killed 284 men and boys as Iraqi-led coalition forces closed in on Mosul, the groups last major stronghold in Iraq, an Iraqi intelligence source told CNN. The source said those killed on Thursday and Friday were used as human shields against attacks forcing ISIS out of southern parts of Mosul.

ISIS then dumped the corpses in a mass grave at the defunct College of Agriculture in northern Mosul, the intelligence source said. The victims  including children  were all shot, said the source. While some Syrian civilians returned to their villages around Mosul after they were liberated from ISIS control, around 550 families were taken hostage by the terror group.

The Daily Mail said some of the 550 families taken hostage by ISIS were able to return home while others will continue to be used as human shields. Families have been waving the white flag in vain as terrorists round up villagers in an attempt to hold off advancing coalition forces in the battle for Mosul in Iraq. Meanwhile, hundreds of wounded civilians were stranded in rebel-held areas of Syrias Aleppo on Saturday as the UN said security concerns were preventing evacuations.
She also said that she had to even drop out of school due to her increasing weight and had to remain confined to her bed. (Photo: Facebook)

Alexandria: A 36-year-old Egyptian woman who weighs around half a tonne (500 kg) is believed to be the fattest woman in the world.

According to a report in the El Arabiya, Iman Ahmad Abdulati said that she hasn't left her home in the Egyptian city of Alexandria since the past 25 years.

Due to her weight, Abdulati said that she is unable to move from her bed. Her enormous size also prevents her from rolling on the bed.

Abdulati also said that she has to take help of her mother and her sister for her daily chores including eating, changing clothes, cleaning as well as relieving herself.

Speaking on her condition and her weight, Abdulati said that she was diagnosed with elephantiasis -- a condition in which a parasite infection causes extreme swelling of a person's arms and limbs.

She also said that she had to even drop out of school due to her increasing weight and had to remain confined to her bed.

Medics have described Abdulati's condition as 'disruption of the glands' which means that her body stores as well as retains more amount of water than required for a normal human being.
Quetta: The 43 Baloch Republican Army (BRA) fighters, who surrendered on Tuesday, blamed Baloch Republican Party (BRP) chief Brahamdagh Bugti of misleading them as they oppose his application for seeking asylum in India.

The seven commanders and other insurgents, who had earlier handed over their weapons to authorities and renounced violence, said this while meeting media representatives at the Sibi Scouts headquarters, reports the Express Tribune.

Former commander of the banned outfit Lal Khan Bugti said that he and his colleagues supported Brahamdagh but, "when he [Brahamdagh] applied for political asylum in India, we decided to part ways with him. We are loyal to Pakistan and will remain loyal till our last breath."

Another commander, Qaiser Khan Bugti, said that they remained loyal to Brahamdagh for 10 years and carried out subversion activities including bomb blasts, target killing and attacks on security forces in Dear Bugti, Chatter, Phulaji and others areas of the province.

"The main reason to disassociate with Brahamdagh is his application to the Indian government seeking political asylum," he said.

They added that after they announced their decision, militants loyal to BRA attacked their houses in Chatter and Phulaji.

MNA Mir Dostain Khan Domki said that the government would not abandon the ones, who were renouncing violence.

"The government will provide all facilities including education, health, water to the families and children of the militants who have surrendered," he said.

Self-exiled Baloch leader Brahamdagh Bugti has been staying in Afghanistan and Europe ever since his grandfather Nawab Akbar Bugti was killed in a military raid nine years ago for leading a guerrilla resistance.

Bugti and other Baloch leaders and activists have regularly voiced their criticism against Pakistan for carrying out extensive human rights violation in Balochistan.
Tahir, alias Lamba, Junaid Khan and Imtiaz have been booked for allegedly carrying explosive materials and unlicensed weapons in a Malir locality in April last year, Dawn reported. (Representational image)

Karachi: Three Pakistani men, alleged to be 'spies' of India's external intelligence agency R&AW, have been acquitted by an anti-terrorism court in Karachi citing lack of evidence in five cases relating to carrying explosives and illegal weapons, media reported today.

Tahir, alias Lamba, Junaid Khan and Imtiaz have been booked for allegedly carrying explosive materials and unlicensed weapons in a Malir locality in April last year, Dawn reported.

Police had alleged that the men belonged to Muttahida Qaumi Movement - a Karachi-based political party claiming to represent Mohajirs (Urdu-speaking people of Sindh province) - and were trained by the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW).

MQM is the single-largest party in Karachi and has dominated its political landscape for years, but since a "clean-up" operation began on the orders of the federal government, the political party has come under pressure.

Judge Abdul Naeem Memon of Anti-Terrorism Court-VI, who conducted the trial inside the central prison, exonerated the accused, saying the prosecution was unable to establish their cases against the accused beyond any shadow of the doubt, the report said.

There were glaring contradictions in the documentary evidence and in the testimonies of the prosecution witnesses; the court said adding that the police also conducted faulty investigations.

According to the prosecution, initially police arrested Tahir and Junaid and allegedly found explosives, weapons and hand-grenades in their custody.

They disclosed that Imtiaz, who was arrested by Rangers at MQM headquarters Nine-Zero in March 2015, had provided the explosives and asked them to keep them, it added. Later, Imtiaz was also shown arrested in the main case of explosive material. Three explosives and two illicit weapons cases were registered against them.

The court directed the jail authorities to release the three men if they were not wanted in any other criminal case.

After the arrest of the accused, SSP-Malir Rao Anwar had claimed that they were MQM men and had been trained by R&AW in India to carry out terrorist activities in the city.

The officer had also urged the federal government to ban the MQM and termed it an "anti-state" organisation. Police had not registered any case of anti-state offences against them.
As the body of BSF brave heart Gurnam Singh wrapped in the tricolour arrived at his home, his mother Jaswant Kaur kept the promise made to her son not to cry over his martyrdom.





The family is proud of the sacrifice made by the 26-year-old in the line of duty but demanded a specialised hospital in his name for the border guards and troops injured on IB and LoC to help save their lives.



The jawan's father also asked the Prime Minister to give a befitting reply to Pakistan. Gurnam Singh succumbed to injures at a hospital in Jammu last night after he was injured in a sniping incident on the International Border in Kathua sector on Friday.



A pall of gloom descended on Gurnam's native village Bhalesar Magowali in R S Pura tehsil, which is close to the Indo-Pakistan border as the body of the jawan arrived.



Holding back her tears, Gurnam's mother said, "I will not cry. I have promised this to my son. Gurnam once said mummy, don't cry if I sacrifice my life for the nation. I said I won't...he made us proud. We are proud of his martyrdom".



As the news of his death spread last night, people thronged his house and raised slogans such as "Gurnam Amar Rahe". The jawan's mother requested the Modi government to set up a separate BSF hospital.



"We want a specialised hospital for border guards to save their lives.Only demand from Modi Government is fora separate BSF hospital. We are worried about all our sons (border guards on IB).They should get good treatment", Kaur said.



Gurnam's father Kulbir Singh said, "We are proud of the martyrdom of our son. He laid down life for the country. He was brave-heart soldier.But our demand is that a good hospital be set up here, where all critical care medicare and facilities are available so that our sons (border guards) can be saved in such situations".



Kulbir Singh made a fervent appeal to PM Narendra Modi to ensure a hospital for BSF troopers and urged him to give a befitting reply to Pakistan. "I urge Modiji to give a befitting reply to Pakistan and teach them a lesson so that they do not dare it again.If it means a war let it be so", he said.



Gurnam's sister Gurjeet Kaur also demanded that a specialised critical care hospital be set up in the name of his brother.



"I have only one demand from Modi government that a hospital for BSF troops be set up in the name of my brother so that we can take care of such troopers of BSF. My brother has given sacrifice. Now it is time to take care of rest", Gurjeet said.



Singh was given an emotional adieu by the BSF at a wreath laying ceremony held at the BSF frontier headquarters in Jammu, in which several senior officers of the force and the local police paid homage.



The last rites of the deceased jawan would be held tomorrow as per the wishes of his family. The people of the native hamlet say they are proud of his sacrifice.



"We are proud of his sacrifice.He repulsed an infiltration bid by six militants. He is proud son of the soil", villager Amarjeet Singh said. Another villager Hakum Chand recalled that Gurnam always wanted to join the forces.



IG BSF D K Upadhayaya said, "BSF constable Gurnam Singh, who sustained head injury by bullets fired from Pakistan on the morning of 21st of October, achieved martyrdom at Govt Medical College Jammu and made a supreme sacrifice of his life for the safety and security of the country.



"Martyr took his last breath on 22nd October at 2315 hours. He was instrumental in repulsing forced infiltration by terrorists on intervening night of 19/20 Oct 2016", IG said.



"He was targeted by Pakistanis on 21st October. Brave soldier struggled hard but could not win over the war of life and attained highest sacrifice on the path of service to the nation in BSF on the first line of defence", he said.
Patrick Murphy... with Little Chucky Schmucky



not contributing to progressives' campaigns. The Democratic Establishment is panicking progressives into voting for unspeakably corrupt conservative candidates, warning them that Trump is under the bed and that if they don't vote for Democrats up and down the ticket, he will kill and eat everyone-- and not necessarily in that order. In recent days, we've been warning you about how the DCCC has orchestrated a return of the Blue Dogs. Blue Dogs and New Dems-- the Republican wing of the Democratic Party-- are getting millions of dollars in support for their campaigns from the DCCC and Pelosi's illegally coordinated House Majority PAC, while progressives have been almost entirely left to fend for themselves, often after the DCCC badgered donors intocontributing to progressives' campaigns.





New Republic ran a piece, This week, theran a piece, Will 2016 Mark the Return of the Blue Dog Democrat? which throws around the term "Blue Dog Democrat" very loosely. Blue Dog Democrats fill out an application and there are membership dues and a secret handshake. It's not a randomly hideous state of mind; it's a defined group one joins. The Blue Dogs have turned people down who applied for membership-- literally-- for not being right-wing and corrupt enough. So... unless someone can show you the secret handshake, they're not really a Blue Dog. A conservaDem, on the other hand, that's a better description of Missouri Senate candidate Jason Kander.





Xander is running against one of the most egregiously corrupt Senate Republicans, Roy Blunt, whose wife is one of the "top corporate lobbyists in Washington" and whose 4 children are all K Street lobbyists as well. Kander is an anti-corruption reformer. But... the writers have bought into the old Beltway conservaDem conventional wisdom that only reactionaries can win in states like Missouri. They're incorrect and it's a fatal flaw of establishment Democratic strategy.

But should Kander win this Senate fight, he would be the most prominent member of a new crop of white, young, male Democrats emerging in the Southpoliticians who would have fit neatly into a Democratic Party with an influential conservative wing, but are somewhat anachronistic in a party that has grown more liberal, urban, and diverse in the Obama era. This is the irony of Kanders candidacy: If the Democratic Party wants to start winning in the South, it may have to reach towards its Blue Dog past, rather than its multi-ethnic present and future. Twenty years ago, Missouri was a remnant of the solid South, a bulwark of conservative Democrats who were for guns and against abortion.

Kander, better than Blunt

Kander's approach is smart and is based on an assumption "that Missourians have grown tired of career politicians like Roy Blunt who have been grandfathered into political power. 'He is Washington through and through,' said his communications director, Chris Hayden. 'Jason believes that its time for a new generation of leadership.'" Not a word of policy there-- just process. Nothing inspiring or about how Kander can help Missouri families make a better life. Ethics reform is good and it's a strength Kander is making the most of... but progressive policy is missing from his pitch. His "biographical campaign grounded in character, not ideology" is not enough for anything other than-- at best-- a step up the careerist ladder. When he gets into pushing policy, it's to show how anti-Obama he is.

He was the first Democrat to come out against the Iran deal. In an election season that has partly been defined by establishment vs. anti-establishment politics, Kander falls squarely in the latter camp. Not only is he running against Republican elites, but is also keeping his distance from Hillary Clinton. He appeared with Clinton at an early campaign rally, but hasnt been seen with her for months and sat out the Democratic National Convention in July.



Kanders twist is that he doesnt belong to the main anti-establishment wing of the Democratic Party-- the Bernie Sanders wing. When we asked Hayden which senators Kander most admired and would want to work with in Congress, he listed Iowas Joni Ernst and Arkansass Tom Cotton, two fiercely conservative Republicans who, like Kander, are also veterans.

It gets worse. The authors, Alex Shephard and Laura Reston, then ballyhoo a Democrat so bad-- an "ex"-Republican, spoiled rich-kid with ZERO accomplishments and a loyalty to Wall Street and a wealthy and powerful Saudi family who's helped finance his career-- Patrick Murphy, literally the worst Democrat the part is running in 2016. "Kander," they wrote, "isnt the only young, white Democrat to run for office in the South, drumming up national media attention as the Next Big Thing in the region. Patrick Murphy, the Democratic Senate candidate in Florida, fits a similar mold. Hes moderate and charismatic, a rising star in state politics." He isn't "moderate." He's conservative, nor is he charismatic; he's drunk. If he's a rising star in state politics, Florida is further up shit's creek with no paddle. They describe Murphy's (and Kander's) policies as "so bland, indeed, that they rely heavily on their youth to manufacture enthusiasm among voters. At the heart of their strategies is the idea that old order is corrupt and decrepit." Youth doesn't last forever; Bernie still has his policies at 75 years old. As far as ethics... maybe Kander can do what few politicians ever do and stay straight. Murphy is already one of the most corrupt Washington politicians, a veritable case study in what voters find disgusting and reprehensible about politics. I suspect Shephard and Reston didn't do enough homework on Murphy before writing their piece to get a passing grade from a high school civics teacher.





Queens County boss and former New Dem head, Joe Crowley, is one of the most corrupt men to have ever served in Congress. Democratic members in Congress are being told that the next leader after Pelosi and Hoyer are gone will be either Crowley or Wasserman Schultz, also a New Dem and who may be even more corrupt than he is! If this is the best the Democrats can do for leadership, the party doesn't deserve to run Congress. Nor can Americans afford to let them. That's why so many millions of Americans just want to blow up the whole system and are willing to vote for a fascist pig like Trump.





They almost seemed more eager to get out the (DSCC) party line than giving their readers any insights into the face of the Republican wing of the Democratic Party. "Even running neck-in-neck with Blunt," they assert, "Kander has shown that Democrats have a shot in the South if they rise above partisanship and engage in anti-establishment politics. His performance in Missouri will likely be seen as a blueprint for Democrats in the region and other conservative areas." But then they did get into the crux of the problem.

The problem for the Democratic Party is that, if these candidates begin to win, it will introduce new tensions to a congressional coalition that has grown accustomed to being more uniformly liberal. Kander is a throwback from the conservative wing of the Democratic Partythe so-called Blue Dogs who were all but flushed out of Congress in the revanchist backlash to President Barack Obama that began in the 2010 midterms. Their influence has been supplanted by the coalition Obama cobbled together: women, African-Americans, Latinos, and young voters, who together constitute the future of the Democratic Party at the national level.



Blue Dog Democrats often frustrated the national party-- to say nothing of the left-- by refusing to tow the party line: Think of the unseemly deal-making that the Democrats had to undergo to get a single vote for Obamacare from Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson (which ended up being unnecessary anyway). Kanders opposition to the Iran deal, to say nothing of his desire to work with far-right senators like Ernst and Cotton, suggest that he wouldnt exactly be a rubber stamp for a Clinton White House. Of course, Kander is preferable to Blunt, just as Joe Manchin is preferable to any West Virginia Republican. The question is whether the Democrats, who have turned left over the last eight years, are capable of putting together a stable and coherent governing coalition, particularly in an institution like the Senate, which tilts power toward rural, conservative areas.



But having a conflicted, raucous coalition may be preferable to the alternative. The Republican Party in the past decade has gone through a series of purges that have resulted in a homogenous, shrinking party obsessed with the purity of its members. And look where the GOP is now.

Patrick Murphy doesn't understand why cutting Social Security and Medicare is wrong; he's too dumb to understand

I often hear naive Democrats talk about how even a fake Democrat as reactionary and corrupt as Patrick Murphy is "better than a Republican" or, in this case, "better than Rubio." He will, after all, vote with the Democrats to confirm judges which Rubio will not do and he'll vote with the Democrats on other things as well. But, a Senator Murphy would mean that inside the Democratic party there is another force tugging it to the right, pushing Wall Street's agenda, closing down possibilities of serious progressive solutions to problems. Rubio, a Republican, isn't capable of impacting the Democratic Party that way. Blue Dog and New Dems (Murphy is a New Dem), drag the party brand into the toilet with him and make it more difficult for voters to see the difference between the two parties-- because the difference blurs for the sake of the politicians' own careers. American families get lost in the shuffle. I'd never vote for Patrick Murphy, even if it meant Rubio getting another term. As George Orwell famously said, "A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves and traitors are not victims... but accomplices."

No Blue Dogs on this list:
Subahani Haja Moideen, an Indian alleged to be an ISIS operative, knew the terrorists who carried out the attack inside a theatre in Paris last November killing over 100 people but has feigned ignorance about the deadly plot, it has emerged from investigations.





Moideen was arrested from Tamil Nadu in a crackdown by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) with the help of central security agencies and other state police, foiling designs of ISIS operatives to target few judges of Kerala and foreign tourists visiting the coastal state.



The accused, picked up from Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu, was radicalised and recruited in ISIS through social media platforms and he had left India for Istanbul from Chennai in April last year on the pretext of performing 'Umrah', official sources said.



After reaching Istanbul, he crossed over along with other people who hailed from Pakistan and Afghanistan to Iraqi territory under control of ISIS. That is the period during which Moideen claimed that he had met Paris bombers including Abdelhamid Abaaoud and Salah Abdeslam, the sources said.



While Abaaoud was killed in retaliatory fire during the Paris theatre attack in November last year, Abdelslam is in the custody of French police.



Moideen had returned to India in November and he said he came to know about the Paris attack through news and remembered his meetings with the accused in ISIS controlled Iraq and Syria, the sources said.



The NIA has informed the French security officials and contacted its Embassy here, the sources said, adding this was done in case it would lend any help in their investigation.



They said that French officials could question him as well after getting the requisite court order.



According to the multi-country investigation into the French terror strikes, the accused involved in the gruesome killings were in ISIS-controlled areas at the same time when Moideen was there.



31-year-old Moideen was in Iraq from April 8, 2015 from where he was taken to Mosul and underwent detailed 'religious training' followed by combat training which included a course in automated weapons. After this, he was deputed to fight war for almost two weeks.



During the war, he told interrogators that he was paid USD 100 per month as an allowance by ISIS besides accommodation and food.



However, he told interrogators that he could not withstand the violence and war misery in Mosul and decided to leave especially after he saw two of his friends getting charred.



He was jailed by ISIS and produced before an Islamic judge who sent him to Syria. He claimed that he was allowed to cross over to Turkey from where he contacted his family with the help of the Indian consulate at Istanbul.



He arrived in Mumbai after a gap of six months in September last year on an emergency certificate and returned to his ancestral place where he was staying with his wife. He later managed to get a job at a jewellery shop at Kadayanallur in Tamil Nadu.
The AAP government on Saturday decided to extend its promise of free water scheme of 20,000 litre per month to households in areas under the New Delhi Municipal Council as well.





Barring the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) areas, the rest of the Delhi has been availing the benefit of free water scheme since March 1, 2015.



Under the scheme, If an household's consumption of water exceeds 20,000 litre a month, it has to pay the bill for the entire usage.



"The free water scheme will be applicable to the NDMC areas from the date at which it was implemented in the rest of Delhi. Bills paid by the residents will be refunded to them,'" said Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.



"The Delhi government will give money to NDMC to give subsidy to its residents," he added.



The Delhi government also decided to form a task force to tackle air pollution and ensure proper disposal of garbage in Delhi.



3-member task force



"A three-member ministerial task force will be formed to tackle air pollution

and garbage disposal mechanism in Delhi. This task force will be headed by Health Minister Satyendar Jain. Water Minister Kapil Mishra and Environment Minister Imran Hussain will be its members," said Kejriwal.



"The task force will hold regular meetings with all stakeholders including the three municipal corporations and will submit its report to the Supreme Court by November 10 on how the issue of garbage disposal can be tackled in the national capital," he

afded.



"The task force will also inform the Supreme Court in case it faces any hurdle in solid waste management.



The task force will consider solutions to tackle air pollution at the earliest and will start implementing concrete measures as soon as possible."



The Delhi government has also directed departments concerned  PWD, DSIIDC, Irrigation and Flood Control - to make elaborate arrangements for the Chhath Puja.

The puja is performed at 180 ghats across Delhi.



The Cabinet has planned to make the Irrigation and Flood Control department as the nodal agency for carrying out a survey at these ghats.



The Chief Minister has also directed the health minister to convene a meeting with other ministers to identify land available with the Delhi government to set up mohalla clinics there.




With deals over USD 12 billion in kitty this month, including leasing of a second nuclear submarine, Russia hopes to bag more projects as it termed itself as not just a business partner but an "ally" who stood by India in its "darkest hours".





Russia is eying the multi-billion dollar deal for P75-I project of India under which six conventional submarines are to be built with Air Independent Propulsion systems and the next aircraft carrier project besides the deal to jointly develop a fifth generation fighter aircraft.



Asserting that there is no limit to what India and Russia can do together, a top Russian defense official claimed the US and Europeans can never give what Moscow can and has offered.



"We are ready not just to deliver most serious weapons, most important weapons but continue to give our state of art technology," Sergei Chemezov, CEO of Rostec State Corporation, an umbrella organisation of 700 hi-tech civilian and military firms, told PTI.



"Russia is a friend, an ally and not a business partner. Russia stood by India during its darkest hours. Next year will mark 70 years of our relationship. It is a long time," he said and noted that Russia had stood by India when it faced sanctions after the 1998 nuclear tests.



"Not so in the recent past, when India was under sanctions, we were pretty much the only partner for India.



"Russia has been a partner not only in every day military supplies but also most sensitive and most important supplies including a nuclear submarine which was rented to India for you to use," said Chemezov who is also a close aide of Russian President Vladmir Putin.



"Come to think about it, I would not imagine any other country to do that, he said. Not in the past or in the future. I cannot imagine US or Europe giving India such a strategic asset," he said when asked about the tough competition that US and Europe are giving to Russia in the Indian defence market.



Not only did Russia lease out a nuclear powered submarine, it actively helped in the building India's first indigenous nuclear weapon carrying capable submarine INS Arihant which has been inducted into the Indian Navy.



Chemezov said "it is a very special year for us and will be marked by major projects and things are starting already."



He, however, admitted that from a third person's point of view, there might have been some decline in some areas of defense between the two countries. US and some European countries have managed to strike mega deals with India which the Russians were also competing for.



"It is not a linear sort of relationship. We feel that ties are definitely developing and increasing," he said.



Giving example of the deadly BrahMos missile, Chemezov said that not only has Russia delivered high value equipment but has also collaborated with India on developing strategic assets.



He pointed out that in late 1990s, Russia had transferred technology for Su30 MKI, India's frontline fighter aircraft.



"At that point of time, it was our most modern equipment, our most modern plane. When we had actually signed that agreement, Russia did not even equip its army with this.



"This was basically our newest highest technology. That shows and speaks about our relationship with India," he said.



He also gave the example of T90 tanks, saying they are "not in anyway less but in many way, modern than any advanced US or European technologies".



He said there is scope for cooperation in the P75-I and the aircraft carrier project."There is definitely scope for both of those. There is pretty much no limit to what we could do together. Anything that is within our realm of things and possibilities, means it is the same with India," he said.



Chemezov said that Russia has already submitted its proposals for both projects.
RJD President Lalu Prasad today accused "right-wing" elements of trying to use surgical strikes for "votes" and "money" and asked them not to "drag the army in "cheap politics".





Prasad, who had accused BJP of trying to reap political dividends on surgical strike, said, "Koi army ke naam pe vote maang raha hai to koi note (Someone is seeking votes while some others are seeking money in the name of Army).



"Dakshinpanthiyon, sharm karo sharm. Gai aur Ram se pet nahi bhara kya? Sena ko to bakhsh do. (Shame on you right wings...shame. You people are not content with cow and Ram. At least, spare the Army," Prasad said in his tweet.



Prasad's tweet talked about Ram and cow, the issues which BJP, RSS and its affiliates have been raising while Raj-Thackeray led MNS has been criticised for asking film producers who have employed Pakistani artistes to donate to army welfare fund.



"Rightist gang is hell-bent on destroying Highly Disciplined, Courageous & Apolitical credentials of Army. Don't drag Army in ur cheap politics (sic)," Prasad said in another tweet.



Earlier, he had hailed the army for its surgical strikes but mocked the NDA-led Central government for "trying to take credit" for it.



"The Army is known for its valour and it has given befitting reply to Pakistan's attempts to push terrorists into the country and would do so in future as well. I am sure if the need arises, our brave Army would do a major surgery like this in future also," the RJD supremo had stated.
The government today said it is planning to further relax the visa regime shortly to attract more tourists and businesses to the country.





We plan to further liberalise our visa regime for tourism, business as well as other areas shortly, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said at the valedictory session of the Global Investors Meet here.



She said that visa was one of the areas of concern for foreigners and Indians living abroad. The minister said the government has already taken steps to address these concerns.



In November 2014, the government launched the e-visa scheme for over 100 countries. It was extended to 37 more countries this year, taking the total number to 150.



With the launch of the e-visa scheme, tourist arrivals in India have steadily increased, she said, adding the 25 million strong Indian diaspora, comprising NRIs and PIOs, are a significant force for promoting Indias interests abroad.



Realising this, she said the government has unveiled initiatives for roping them in Indias mission of transforming the country. The minister said that OCI and PIO cards have been merged and a system has been put in place for the welfare and protection of Indian immigrant workers. A portal has been launched to redress their grievances in a time-bound manner.



Talking about investments, she said that the FDI policy has been made more liberal, making India one of the most open countries in the world.



She informed investors that the government has passed bankruptcy law and a clear cut roadmap for lowering corporate tax from 30% to 25% over the next four years has been laid down. GST Act has been passed and so far 23 states have ratified it, she added.



Reform efforts and initiatives such as Make in India, Digital India, Start up India and Smart City Mission are all aimed at preparing India for the 21st century, she said.



The jump in Indias position across several indices underlines the countrys economic recovery, the minister said.
Emboldened by its successful campaign against Bollywood film 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil', MNS now wants traders to "sacrifice" their business with Pakistan for the sake of the "nation" even as cotton exporters today observed that the Raj Thackeray-led outfit's stand will affect the industry.



The stir by MNS against release of the Karan Johar film for featuring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan blew over yesterday following mediation by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in a tripartite meeting among Thackeray, Johar, and Producers' Guild president Mukesh Bhatt at the CM's residence here.



Exploiting the controversy to the hilt ahead of the Mumbai municipal corporation polls next year, Thackeray yesterday asked the filmmakers who had worked with Pakistani actors to contribute Rs 5 crore as "prayaschit" (penance) money to the Army Welfare Fund.



MNS spokesperson Shalini Thackeray today demanded that the traders should sacrifice business for the sake of nation.



"Nation should be first. If jawans are sacrificing their lives (at border), why can't traders sacrifice their trade? Money making should be the secondary priority in case of Pakistan," she said here today.



"Pakistan has already violated the clauses of MFN status given by India. Now, it's high time that India isolate Pakistan, not only on cultural issues but on trade (front) as well. Banning the film (ADHM) was only to set an example that India has started to isolate Pak...next comes trade," she told PTI.



The senior leader said MNS will definitely play its role in ensuring that all kinds of trade with Pakistan are stopped. "However, the government will have to play a major role as far as trade is concerned," she said.



Meanwhile, concerned over rising tensions between the two countries after the Uri attack coupled with aggressive posturing by MNS, the cotton traders said they are afraid of losing business to the tune of Rs 5,500 crore with Pakistan.

Maharashtra is a major contributor in cotton manufacturing states, followed by Gujarat.



According to Sharadram Sejpal, spokesperson of Power Loom Association, India had placed an order to import 20,000 bales cotton from Pakistan in June as there was low production in the domestic market.



"Generally, we export cotton to Pakistan. But June period was bad. At a time when we are expecting a record breaking production (of cotton), MNS's stand against Pakistani actors has affected the cotton industry as well and powerloom industry will ultimately have to suffer," Sejpal said.



He demanded that the Raj Thackeray-led party should keep politics away from trade.



Reacting to this, Shalini said, "Cotton associations should themselves come up and stop exporting to Pak, instead of them banning our imports."

According to Pradeep Jain, who operates a ginning mill in Jalgaon, Maharashtra will record a bumper production of cotton this year as monsoon has been very good.



"We will produce around 1 crore cotton bales (1 bale equals to 170 kg) this year and if exports are stuck due to sentiments of patriotism after Uri attack by Pakistan, it will have a negative impact on the cotton industry, specifically on cotton growing farmers," he said today.



Jain said that Pakistan, Bangladesh, Vietnam and China are the major importers of Indian cotton.



"Pakistan starts import of cotton from September every year. It consumes an average of 20 to 25 lakh bales whereas Bangladesh consumes 20 lakh bales from Indian cotton exporters," Jain said.



Out of the total cotton production, an average 65 lakh bales of cotton are exported from India alone.
I was posted at one of our operational airbases in Jammu and Kashmir during 1984-87. I was involved as senior air traffic control officer in providing air umbrella to our ground troops fighting the pitched battle for regaining the Siachen heights. While Pakistan was at the receiving end, the pro-Pakistan activists in the Valley were only involved in passing information on takeoffs of our air missions.



There was never a gun shot in the Valley or the anti-India frenzy as it exists now. It was the unholy alliance between the Congress and the National Conference led by Rajiv Gandhi and Farooq Abdullah, respectively, and the reported rigging of elections in 1987 that turned the table in favour of Pakistan to exploit the Kashmiri opinion and fuel militancy in the Valley. Militancy did not grow because of the release of terrorist Masood Azhar (which was much later), as stated to the press by Congress leader Kapil Sibal.



I was keenly following the events after the surgical strikes on terrorist camps across the Line of Control (LoC) by India on Sept 28-29, in response to the Uri attack. The BRICS, BIMSTEC and Saarc summits were on the anvil.



Our government made diplomatic efforts to tell the world community that the Indian strategic restraint has been tested to its limit and that India has exercised its right to self defence against the terrorist attacks emanating from the neighbour. Most of the European nations and Russia responded with positive statements and backed India. New Delhi has been highly successful in garnering support from the Saarc nations. This was also echoed by BIMSTEC in Panaji.



Russias calculated stance even after inking arms deal of over Rs 60,000 crore to maintain cautious neutrality is a stark reality in the changed globalised world equation. Russian President Vladimir Putin has found a new market for his arms and for exploiting anti-American sentiments in Pakistan.



As an old friend of India, he pacified Modi by stating that his militarys joint exercise with the Pakistan army is not aimed at India and was not held in PoK.



Interestingly, the US is still playing a diplomatic double game with India keeping its interests in Afghanistan and wanting to checkmate Iran and Chinese bonhomie in Pakistan. The US state department stopped the online signature campaign (over five lakh) to declare Pakistan a terrorist state and issued only a warning to Pak. It has been after Iran with great concern to control and contain their nuclear programme.



In contrast, not a single effort was made to contain and control the Pakistani nuclear bluff. Washington wants the Indian market (including arms) but fears the growing Indian dominance in the region and is scared of the over-invested corporations in China. It is not going to lend its shoulders in our crisis even if we try to lean on it.



Chinese President Xi Jinpings visit to Pakistan in July 2015, signing of 51 agreements, promising over $46 bn in aid to build road/rail links, power plants and many other developmental projects, were done keeping in mind the development of a short-distance economic corridor through Pakistan to Kashgar. This is a great turning point for India.



China owns the African market and resources for its starved manufacturing industry, sea route is long and hostile through Malacca Strait and it is desperate to operationalise the Gwadar port and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).



This economic corridor is the backbone of a sinking Chinese economy and, therefore, Beijing is backing its all-weather friend. China is not only doing business with Pakistan with almost 20% of its GDP, but as many say, is virtually running Pakistan and its security.



China has an interest to keep Kashmir burning through Pakistan. Prime Minister Narendra Modis Balochistan slogan and the stand on PoK is threatening the CPEC. The Goa Declaration and the Chinese foreign office statement the next day defending Pakistan by saying that Beijing is against linking any country or religion with terror and asking world community to recognise the sacrifices made by Pakistan, are a testimony in this regard.



International relations and friendships are dictated by, how can I benefit by allying? What terrible thing a guy can do to me if I dont ally? Therefore, are we in a position to do a terrible thing to any country if they dont ally with us? Presently not. So, continue to grow stronger economically, diplomatically and militarily.



Integrate all agencies



To fight terrorism, we have to integrate all the international agencies, state police and paramilitary forces and build impregnable security apparatus with bureaucratic accountability. Get the army in only for special operations. Build opinions, unite people and create undeniable single voice within the nation.



Kashmir needs to be brought back to the mainstream through concerted efforts. Isolate, watch and control separatists. Keep opportunistic politics at bay. Concentrate on time-bound implementation of developmental programmes. Keep rampant corruption under check and create job opportunity for the youth.



Employ genuine educationists to guide and encourage Kashmiri youth to know the progressive Indian developments by comparing with the kind of regressive environment prevalent in Pakistan and bring back normalcy as early as possible.



Talks can never be dispensed with; at best, they may be curtailed or put on hold for a period of time, to drive home a point or as part of a diplomatic strategy. India must review its strategy so as to ensure that it enters the dialogue framework from a position of strength, after calling Pakistans bluff.



Until then, we must exhibit controlled aggression on curbing terrorist attacks both militarily and diplomatically. This must be brought to bear not only on Pakistan but also on the anti-India brigade in the Valley to ensure that New Delhi resumes dialogue from a position of strength at an opportune time in future with all stakeholders to end this terrible mess.


Dalit leaders have objected to the police permitting Kanaka Nade to be held on Sri Krishna temple premises on Sunday.





Jayan Malpe and Shyamraj Birthi demanded immediate arrest of Yuva Brigade leader Chakravarthy Sulibele and prohibiting him from entering the district. Addressing an emergency meeting at the office of the superintendent of police, they accused the Kanaka Nade organisers of violating the law. The letter issued by the deputy commissioner did not let any cleaning works to be taken up on the temple premises. The Pejawar mutt seer Sri Vishwesha Theertha Swami threw the materials to honour the civic workers, which accounts to practice of untouchability. Birthi demanded that the seer should be charged under Dalit Atrocity act. It is humiliation for the Swabhimani Nade activists. Sulibele has clearly mentioned in his FB account status that the Kanaka Nade is a cleansing programme against the pollution done by the Udupi Chalo activists.



CPI (M) leader Balakrishna Shetty said that the cleaning process is not held as per the law. He demanded that police should file suo-motu case against the organisers. Dalit leader Sunder Kappettu said, two of the honoured civic workers were minors. Hence, the offence against the Child Labour Act was committed. The deputy commissioner will be approached on Monday, demanding justice, they said.



Garlanding statue



The Dalit leaders asked for permission to garland Kanakadasas statue near the temple. Police Superintendent K T Balakrishna had assured full security to do so , but not today.



Balakrishna told reporters that the deputy commissioner had said that the programme should not be held on public property. The Swabhimani Nade activists have appealed against the violation of law. The DC will consider the appeal and take action after the video footages are verified. The case will also be registered as per the court order.



There were nearly 19 CCTV cameras put on the Car Street to capture the programme.


The Opposition parties demanded dismissal of the Akhilesh Yadav government in Uttar Pradesh, claiming that it no longer enjoyed a majority in the Assembly.



Soon after Akhilesh sacked Shivpal and three other ministers, the Opposition parties claimed that the government had lost majority support in the House and should not be allowed to take any policy decisions.



A special session of the Assembly should be convened immediately and Akhilesh should be asked to prove his majority on the floor of the House, said UP BJP president Keshav Prasad Maurya, adding that there was a virtual split in the SP and many MLAs had switched loyalty.



BSP general-secretary Satish Chandra Mishra also echoed similar sentiments. The SP government will fall very soon, Mishra said, adding that the governor could dismiss the government if it lost majority support in the Assembly.



The Opposition parties urged Governor Ram Naik to direct the chief minister to seek a fresh vote of confidence in the House. The demand from the Opposition came after reports that around 30-35 SP MLAs and a dozen ministers did not attend the meeting convened by Akhilesh on Sunday morning.



The Opposition parties also felt that supporters of Mulayam and Shivpal would not support Akhilesh any longer.



Though it was not immediately clear if the governor was contemplating issuing any such direction to the government, sources said that the Opposition leaders might meet him in the next couple of days and hand over a memorandum to this effect.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday said the state government has launched a social media campaign to clear negative ideas on the steel flyover project and educate the people on the benefits of having the flyover.





We will explain the facts about the project and advantages of the bridge through social media, Siddaramaiah told reporters at Mysore Airport in Mandakalli near here. Siddaramaiah said the state government had gathered peoples opinion in June and 73% of them had supported construction of the bridge.



Bengaluru Development Minister K J George has held a meeting with Union Minister D V Sadananda Gowda and BJP MLAs in this regard, he added.
A gang of six men hacked a rowdy to death over a financial dispute in Subramanyapura on Sunday morning. The deceased is Ganesh, 38, a resident of Harinagar, who was involved in 12 cases, including murders, attempts to murder and assaults, in Subramanyapura.





The murder took place near Vinayaka theatre around 9 am when Ganesh had gone there to meet a friend. Ganesh stepped out of Shivashakthi Recreation Club and was heading to a supermarket when the assailants followed him in an autorickshaw and a bike. Police said they accosted Ganesh near the theatre and attacked him with lethal weapons.



Ganesh tried to flee and ran into an open site but could not go any further as the site was fenced. The suspects surrounded him and hacked him to death. Police said Ganesh died on the spot from massive injuries.



Police said Ganesh had recently reformed by giving up all anti-social activities and had ventured into real estate and cable TV business. However, a month ago, he had a fight with a few local boys over a financial matter which, the police suspect, could have triggered the attack on him. Police said the CCTV cameras in the area have captured images of the assailants which would help them arrest the culprits soon.
The police have arrested three men, including an accomplice of forest brigand Veerappan, in a murder case. The arrested are Basavanmani, 59, his son Pandiraja, 27, both natives of Pennagaram village in Tamil Nadu, and Ramachandra, 29, from Hosur in Tamil Nadu. Raman, 29, a resident of Hosur at Ballur village in Attibele taluk in Bengaluru Urban district, was murdered on October 1 and the killers were absconding since then.





Basavanmani was involved in the murder of three forest officials in Tamil Nadu in 1999, besides other cases. He was sent to prison, but had come out on bail. Raman, a friend of Pandiraja, was involved in two murders.



Raman and Pandiraja had fought over a petty issue about a month ago. Basavanmani thought that Raman might murder his son and hence plotted Ramans murder, said the police.



As per the plan, Basavanmani invited Raman to a bar. After the two consumed liquor, Basavanmani took Raman to a desolate area and picked an argument with him. Basavanmani claimed that he was Veerappans close associate and did not hesitate to murder anyone. He called up Pandiraja and Ramachandra and asked them to come to the spot. They arrived there and hacked Raman to death.



Two men had overheard the argument between Basavanmani and Raman and they provided the clues to the police. A special police team was sent to Tamil Nadu to collect details about Veerappans associates. The police received a tip-off that the trio were hiding in a house between Anekal and Attibele. They raided the house and arrested the suspects.


The Kota police have arrested four persons from Sulebail for sexually assaulting a 17-year-old pre-university student from Kolar.





Amjad, Yusuf, Parveen Banu and Mubarak are the arrested. Amjad has been charged with rape, while the others have been arrested on charges of keeping the girl confined.



Two others accused of rape, autorickshaw driver Sharukh and his friend Taufiq, are absconding.

The victim is a resident of Bengaluru and is studying in a pre-university college in Kolar. She had no interest in studies and was depressed. On September 7, she boarded a train and arrived in Shivamogga.



Autorickshaw driver Sharukh, along with his friends Taufiq and Amjad, took her to Sakrebail on the pretext of helping her. The trio then raped the girl and kept her confined in the house of a couple Yusuf and Parveen Banu in Sulebail. The girl was rescued after the case came to light on Saturday.




Former Supreme Court judge Justice Markandey Katju on Sunday expressed readiness to appear before the apex court to explain why the judgement setting aside death penalty in the Soumya rape and murder case must be reviewed.





I will be appearing before the Supreme Court on November 11 at 2 pm to explain why... the death sentence be imposed on accused Govindachamy, Justice Katju said in a blog.



The apex court had on October 17 issued a notice to Justice Katju for personal appearance over his remarks that the court had grievously erred in its judgement of September 15. The court had then decided to convert Justice Katjus blog into a suo motu petition.



Notably, Article 124(7) of the Constitution states that no person who has held office as a judge of the Supreme Court shall plead or act in any court or before any authority within the territory of India.



Katju had on September 16 sought an open court review of the judgement, saying it was regrettable that the court has not read Section 300 (murder) of the IPC carefully.



On September 15, the apex court had sentenced Govindachamy to life imprisonment for rape. It had quashed the death penalty awarded to him in a 2011 case, in which 23-year-old Soumya died after being sexually assaulted in Kerala. The bench had said it has not been proved that Govindachamy threw the woman out of a moving train or inflicted fatal injuries during the sexual assault, which led to her death.


State BJP president B S Yeddyurappa on Sunday promised that members of the Valmiki community would be given 7.5% reservation if the BJP came to power after the next Assembly elections.





He said that the quota would be provided within the framework of the Constitution.

The former chief minister was speaking after inaugurating the Maharshi Valmiki convention organised by the state ST morcha of the BJP.



Yeddyurappa announced that a separate commission would be formed to study

the conditions of the scheduled tribes (STs) in the state, if the party was elected to power.

He criticised the Congress government in the state for not taking pro-people measures. Probity and development had taken a backseat in the present dispensation, the former chief minister said.



Muralidhar Rao, the incharge of the party affairs in the state, said that the BJP should be brought to power in the next Assembly elections, if the development works undertaken by the central government had to reach every village in the state. K S Eshwarappa, leader of the Opposition in the Council, said that the Congress government had cheated the dalits, backward classes and the minorities, after coming to power in their name.



Jagadish Shettar, leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, said that the Siddaramaiah government was on its way out. Former deputy chief minister R Ashoka charged Siddaramaiah with allowing his ministers to loot the exchequer. MLA C T Ravi opposed the governments move to celebrate Tipu Jayanti. A huge procession was taken out on the streets of the town prior to the convention.


Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and KPCC president G Parameshwara are scheduled to meet the Congress chief Sonia Gandhi in Delhi on Monday to finalise names for nominating members to the Legislative Council and appointing heads to various boards and corporations.





Sources in the state party said the leaders have prepared a list of probable candidates for the nomination. There are three vacancies to be filled under the nomination category in the Upper House of the legislature, while the ruling party can nominate heads to about 72 boards and corporations of the government.



KPCC working president Dinesh Gundu Rao will also accompany the leaders in their Delhi visit. The leaders are scheduled to hold a meeting with AICC general secretary incharge of Karnataka Digvijaya Singh before meeting Sonia Gandhi. The leaders will also meet Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, the sources added.



Names of noted writers Baraguru Ramachandrappa and K Marulasiddappa, C M Lingappa, G C Chandrashekar and K P Nanjundi, are making the rounds for nomination to Upper House of the Legislature.



The ruling party can nominate members who have served in the field of art and culture, literature, education and social service to the Council.



Sources said Siddaramaiah is likely to recommend names of a dozen party MLAs for the nomination to boards and corporations.



The move is aimed at pacifying the legislators who are unhappy with the party for not making them ministers. But a section of leaders in the state Congress, including Parameshwara, is against the move.



They are arguing that loyal party workers should be rewarded by making them heads of boards and corporations.



This apart, the leaders are likely to discuss on the byelection to the Nanjangud Assembly constituency following resignation of V Srinivas Prasad as Congress MLA recently.



The chief minister is learnt to be keen on fielding Minister for Public Works Department H C Mahadevappas son Sunil Bose as the party candidate in the bypoll, the sources added.




Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched a special campaign through which people can send Diwali messages to the soldiers guarding the borders.



I sent my #Sandesh2Soldiers. You could also do the same. Your wishes will certainly make our forces very happy, the prime minister tweeted. This Diwali, let us remember our courageous armed forces who constantly protect our Nation. Jai Hind.



When 1.25 crore people stand with the soldiers, their power increases 1.25 crore times, the prime minister said.



The public can send their messages under the #Sandesh2Soldiers campaign on the Narendra Modi App through MyGov.in, and also through All India Radio, a government statement read.

Doordarshan will also be mounting a programme to share peoples emotions with the armed forces.



The campaign was launched a day after the armed forces were dragged into a political controversy by MNS leader Raj Thackeray, who had asked filmmaker Karan Johar to make a contribution of Rs five crore to the armys welfare fund before releasing his film Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, which stars Pakistani actor Fawad Khan.



The move attracted sharp criticism from veterans in the armed forces.

Govt to fast track irrigation projects



Amid the growing strain in Indo-Pak ties, the government is planning to fast track four projects in the Indus river basin to increase irrigation area in Jammu and Kashmir by nearly 2.05 lakh acres, weeks after India decided to exploit to the maximum the water of Pakistan-controlled rivers, including Jhelum, as per the Indus Water Treaty (IWT), PTI reports from Jammu. Sources maintained that the projects were part of the governments efforts to irrigate larger swaths across the country by completing small/medium 99 irrigation projects under the ambitious Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana and Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme, and have nothing to do with the Uri incident and aggression along the LoC.
The Centres plan to curb abuse of antibiotics and psychotopic medicines has faced opposition from a section of the pharmaceutical industry that felt the changes suggested by the government will confuse the patients and sellers.



The Union health ministry in August came out with a draft notification asking the industry to print a red vertical line on the packs of 13 types of prescription medicines, including antibiotics. The vertical line, 5 mm in width, will also carry the words Scheduled Drugs.





The purpose is to inform the chemists not to sell or buy these drugs without a prescription. The notification has been opposed by the Indian Drug Manufacturers Association, which said the red line would mislead the consumers besides increasing the medicine cost.



Besides the antimicrobials, 12 other types of medicines are to carry the red line on their packs. They are narcotics, analgesics, hypnotics, sedatives, tranquillisers, corticosteroids, hormones, hypoglycemic, antiepileptics, antidepressants, anticoagulants and anticancer drugs.



Other drugs mentioned in the Schedule G, H, H1 and X of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940medicines that should be sold only with a doctors prescription will have to carry the red line.



As the red line proposed is not less than 5 mm in width, almost all blisters, strips, packs, foils, vials etc will have less space for printing the legal text matter. Hence there will be need to increase the dimension of the blister strips and packs for the same content of tablets and capsule, which will increase the packing material and labeling cost, IDMA wrote to the ministry.



The notification comes in the wake of an order from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), which asked the pharmaceutical companies to print the red line on the packs of antibiotics.



The draft notification not only expands the scope of the DCGI order by bringing in more types of medicines under its purview, but would also seek to subsume the executive order once the final notification is gazetted. Moreover, to decrease the abuse of narcotic and psychotropic medicines, the notification made it mandatory for the pharmaceutical companies to print Nrx on the pack. This proposal, too, has been opposed by the IDMA.



The industry body claimed printing the Nrx would be misleading for the stockists, distributors and chemists. Also a common symbol should not be used for narcotic and psychotropic drugs, and controlled substances.



Adding more information on the label, the IDMA argued, would lead to confusion rather than clarity.
The launch of the new benchmark index on Monday feels like the start of a merger between the country's two main exchanges.

The new combined VNX Allshare aims to restructure Vietnam's stock exchanges as it seeks to upgrade the countrys stocks status from frontier" to emerging.

With the mission of reflecting the price movements of all stocks on the market, the index is expected to prime the pump to get more offerings and trading going in Vietnam and draw mutual guidelines and regulations to match competition from other Southeast Asian bourses.

By launching the index, the government intends to attract more overseas investors. In the first half of this year, foreign traders poured $722 million into Vietnamese stocks, three times higher than the same period in 2015.

The birth of the VNX Allshare is a milestone for Vietnams security market, said Vu Bang, chairman of the State Securities Commission.

The VNX Allshare, the country's third bourse after the VN-Index in Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange and the HNX-Index in Hanoi, will officially launch on October 24 with 451 listed stocks, representing 90 percent of the combined market capitalization.

One step closer to international practices

Two stock exchanges are currently trading in Vietnam at the moment -- the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE) and the Hanoi Stock Exchange (HNX).

While the HoSE is considered a trading platform for relatively large corporations, the HNX appears to be a better place for small and medium sized firms. Considering the trading value, the HNX seems to be the underdog, accounting for just 16 percent of the total. In the first half of this year, some large-cap companies listed on the HNX switched to the HoSE, whose benchmark VN-Index rose by nearly 20 percent during the first six months and was one of the best performers in Southeast Asia.

Investors tend to follow trends they see on HoSE and take the HNX influence for granted, Hung Do, a broker at FPT Securities, told VnExpress International. It seems the two exchanges with two major indices trading at the same time is somehow holding back investors. The Vietnamese market is in need of a more attractive joint index rather than two operating in isolation, Hung added.

Following the global trend, exchanges worldwide are feeling the urge to merge. Heres why: If you are a broker with two sets of connectivity and two sets of relationships with two separate exchanges and cross trading is not allowed, removing one set will make your life cheaper and easier.

Recently, the London Stock Exchange and Germanys Deutsche Borse announced their merger, which would, if successful, create Europes biggest exchange. In 2013, two Japanese bourses merged to form the worlds third biggest exchange. Vietnam is not an exception. Sooner or later, with the aim of becoming a part of the MSCI, market capitalization and liquidity both have to be upgraded, so a merger is inevitable.

Last year, the government announced that it would restructure and merge the two existing bourses. Since then, no specific plans have been revealed; the intention of launching the VNX Allshare may or may not be related to such a merger. However, whether or not the launch of the VNX Allshare is a premise, kindling the merger of two existing exchanges remains to be seen. The Vietnamese market needs to be of a certain size and offer unique service in order not to be left behind by global development, said Nguyen Thi Thuy Linh, director at the research department at VP Bank Securities. The merger will follow the governments divestment plans from state-owned institutions.

90 percent of the market

The VNX Allshare will cover nearly 90 percent of the combined market capitalization, and stocks will need to meet three screening qualifications.

Firstly, the stocks must have been listed for at least six months without violating market rules. Secondly, they must have a return ratio of shares of at least 0.02 percent to ensure the company is qualified for trading. And thirdly, the minimum free-float rate must be no less than five percent.

In comparison to the VN-Index, the free-float rate and minimum return ratio have been set at lower levels. Choosing a mutual screening criteria for the VNX Allshare is the most difficult task because the business structures of listed companies on the two exchanges are different from each other, said Nguyen Thi Viet Ha, director of research and development at the HoSE. At this early stage, the screening criteria will start with lower standards so that more stocks on the two bourses can meet the liquidity and investment requirements. But in the near future, the screening criteria will be elevated to meet international standards, Ha added.

What can investors expect?

The launch of the VNX Allshare could have stamped out its predecessors if it had not been for its starting value. It has been a decade since the last time a newly launched index had a base value of 1,000, said an official from the State Securities Commission.

According to international practices, base values are usually set at 100, 1,000 or 5,000. Most indices on Vietnamese stock exchanges start from 100 points at the moment.

Speaking of this revolution, Ha said that compared to the lower base value, starting at 1,000 points allows investors to have a better insight into the smallest fluctuations on the market.

With this concrete start, the VNX Allshare appears to be a reliable underlying asset for derivatives and financial products. Analysts have put their faith in its capability of being a solid fundamental to facilitate the development of the upcoming derivatives market, which will officially open in the first quarter of 2017, as well as exchange-traded funds.

However, from an investor's point of view, the first two available derivatives products - stock index futures and government bond futures - are too safe and not appealing enough, so they doubt whether the VNX Allshare can replace VN-Index to become an outstanding lying asset.

Hung Do, a broker at FPT Securities, also expressed his concerns about year-end trading, when investors tend to focus on certain shares to earn money so it is unlikely this new index will attract them. Travel back in time seven years when the VN30 was first launched, it was expected to make the market boom with the 30 largest shares by market liquidity. However, time and time again investors are returning to the too outstanding VN-Index. At this early point, the VNX Allshare is probably more suitable for corporate investors rather than individuals, and it will have to overcome the big shadow cast by the VN-Index.

With its debut in late October this year, the VNX Allshare may not have an immediate or direct effect on the securities market, but it should impact the derivatives market. How it bolsters or drags on the market will be revealed no later than the first quarter of 2017 the when derivatives market officially opens.

Related news:

> Vietnam to launch combined stock index this month

> Vietnam's stock market outperforms ASEAN rivals

> Vietnam to launch derivatives market in 2017
Ten more ducks died in Deer Park Lake complex on Sunday even as multi-vitamins and garlic were being fed to birds and ducks to improve their immunity.





Seventeen ducks were found dead in the lake a day earlier.



Development Minister Gopal Rai, who reviewed the preventive measures, said the situation in the lake area was a matter of concern.



The minister constituted a 10-member squad for spraying Mycrodacyn spray on all the birds in the Deer Park Lake complex as a preventive step against the H5 avian influenza which, so far, is being considered as non-harmful to humans, a statement said.



With the latest deaths in the lake complex, the avian deaths in the national capital climbed to over 50.



Rai said a sample of the lakes water has been sent to a Bhopal lab for examination.



A meeting of the coordination committee has also been called at Delhi Secretariat on Monday, said an aide of the minister.



The lake complex is maintained by the DDA and its officials have been advised to bury deep the carcasses of dead birds, said the statement.



Along with disinfection process at the Deer Park Lake, steps are also being taken at the zoo and Ghazipur poultry market, said the statement.



The city government on Saturday widened its scan ambit by collecting samples from the Ghazipur market, which has not yet been hit by the flu.



One dead birds sample collected from the Hauz Khas park was sent to lab, eight samples were drawn from the Ghazipur poultry market from live birds. Seven carcasses of birds collected from across Delhi were sent separately, the statement said.
The Betty Ford Center has signed a lease to open a new outpatient addiction treatment facility in Del Mar Heights, according to a press release.

The treatment center will start taking patients mid-December. The Betty Ford Center is part of the renowned national nonprofit Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, which will now have 17 sites across the country.

This expansion will enable us to provide people with the world-class care they need, right where they are, and when they need it, said Janelle Wesloh, who is serving as Interim Executive Director of the new facility. She noted the new facility will offer a full continuum of outpatient substance use disorder and co-occurring mental health services, including a teens/young adults program and the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundations Comprehensive Opioid Response with Twelve Steps (COR-12) protocol.

The Betty Ford Center, which has an acclaimed residential treatment facility in Rancho Mirage, now will have two outpatient facilities in Southern California. The other, in West Los Angeles, opened last year. As with all locations in the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundations national system of care, insurance options are available, and financial case managers will work to ensure that individuals and families seeking treatment are able to leverage their insurance benefits.

Our new San Diego facility will offer our state-of-the-art treatment and resources for individuals and families, and will serve as a neighborhood hub for recovery support and community education, said Wesloh, who said the new location will host a public open house on Jan. 11. The chronic disease of addiction demands multiple levels of care and accessible treatment that works. While our world-class, residential treatment will continue as the best option for those patients who need the highest level of care, there is a pressing demand for additional treatment options that encompass the full continuum of care. We are excited to offer proven, high-quality treatment services to the residents of San Diego and surrounding communities.

Learn more at HazeldenBettyFord.org and on Twitter @hazldnbettyford.
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Jody Sleppy, 53, of Bethel, AK, passed away suddenly on November 10, 2016, with his family by his side, in Anchorage, AK.

Jody Greg Sleppy was born on August 12, 1963, in Denver Colorado to John and JoAnn Sleppy. His parents were missionaries and moved the family to Alaska in 1969. He attended and graduated from Bethel Regional High School in 1981. Jody majored in Music at Pacific Coast Baptist Bible College in San Dimas, California. He graduated from PCBBC in 1985. It was at bible college that Jody met the love of his life, Sheri Johnston. They were married on August 15, 1987, in Oregon.

Jody held many titles, including pastor, son, brother, husband, father, and friend. The things that interested him most were reading, traveling, spending time with his family, singing, and helping those in need.

Jody is preceded in death by his dad, John Sleppy and grandparents, Jerome and Ruby Sleppy, and John and Anna Strausz.

Jody is survived by his wife, Sheri; children, Karissa, Lauren, Michael, and Caleb; sisters, Joni Tingue, Jonda Sleppy and Joyce Sleppy; and mother, JoAnn.

Memorial service for Jody was on Saturday November 26, 2016 at Gladys Jung Elementary School. The family of Jody wishes to extend their sincere thanks to all of those who have given of their heartfelt time, words, and gifts.

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Celebrate our Native identity, our relationship with our homelands, and living our Ways of Life.

Our identity as indigenous peoples is informed by our deep connection to our lands and waters, no matter where we live and no matter which indigenous cultures we are blessed to be part of. Our 2017 FAI Elder & Youth Conference theme Part Land, Part Water  Always Native, recognizes that Alaska always was  and always will be  a Native place. The keynote speakers for the 34th Annual FAI Elders & Youth Conference live and work in that truth.

Elder Keynote

Denaina Athabascan Elder Clare Swan of the Kenaitze Indian Tribe was born and raised on the Kenai Peninsula. Clare has been married to her husband, Van, for 67 years, and they have four grown children, eleven grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

She has long worked to preserve and protect the Native fishing rights of the Kenaitze. Clare spent two decades immersed in research and litigation, culminating in the Kenaitze Indian Tribe receiving state regulations and rights on the eve of open fishing in June 1989. Clare also worked to establish the Cook Inlet Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse. She was Chair of the Kenaitze Indian Tribe from 1980 to 1995, and was instrumental in establishing the Denaina Health Clinic and youth and community agricultural programs. She served on the CIRI Board of Directors from 1991 to 2006, and the Board of Directors of Cook Inlet Tribal Council (CITC) starting in 1998, leading as Board Chair since 2000.

Her contributions to the Alaska Native community has long been appreciated and recognized. In 2009, Clare was honored with the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) Presidents Award for Elder of the Year, and she was inducted into the Alaska Womens Hall of Fame in 2011. CIRI presented her with the 2013 Shareholder of the Year Award for over 40 years of community work. This year, she was honored by CITC with the naming of the Clare Swan Early Head Start Child Care Center. She is a bundle of energy and a lighting force for our peoples. Clares values are based in the strength of family, service to community, and the belief in achieving the greatest potential for our peoples.

Youth Keynote

Siberian Yupik youth Chris Agragiiq Apassingok is from Gambell, a village located on St. Lawrence Island. At 16 years old, he loves hunting, whaling and practices Siberian Yupik language every day. Chris is a student at Gambell School and loves playing basketball. Chris parents are Susan and Daniel Apassingok. His paternal grandparents are Anders and late Luceen Apassingok, and maternal grandparents are Mike and Debbie Apatiki. Chris grandfathers were successful whaling captains in their time as captains. His father, Daniel, landed three whales with Chris serving as a striker and co-captain.

Chris started hunting seals with his father as a toddler, and by the age of five he was on his dads crew for walrus hunting and whaling. Chris struck and killed a whale at the age of 11 and struck another at the age of 16. In addition to whale and walrus, Chris hunts seals, birds, polar bear and reindeer. He brings food to his Elders and has great respect for them. In 2016 he was honored with the Young Providers Award by Bering Straits Native Corporation for contributing to the health and well-being of his community on a daily basis.

One morning, Chris had breakfast with his mom before going whaling and she advised, Always pray while youre out there and God will hear you. Chriss response was, Mom, I pray and ask God to finish my story of hunting every day.

Additional Conference Highlights

The annual Elders & Youth Conference is a one-of-a-kind convening that works to lift up the faces of our peoples while connecting youth to our Elders. We engage in critical dialogues on issues to amplify the voice of our Elders and our youth. Through presentations, discussions, and hands-on activities, we encourage positive change and cultural action within our Alaska Native community. We focus on building relationships, sharing and strengthening our knowledge, and celebrating who we are as culturally distinct, diverse and beautiful Alaska Native peoples.

The 34th annual statewide conference starts with a special Warming of the Hands Pre-session and Welcome Dinner. The next two days are filled with interactive, hands-on cultural workshop sessions to celebrate who we are as Native peoples and utilize that knowledge to enhance our engagement in all other offerings of the conference. Activities, such as weaving, beading, working on hides, making drums, and the like, promote and strengthen our ways of life through transference of knowledge between Elders and youth. Relevant community issues-based and content-themed workshops take place in leadership and education, culture, values and language, health, wellness and safety, and land, law and policy. Mens and Womens Houses honor our peoples ways of sharing through dialogue, creating healing spaces, and utilizes our peoples rites of passage knowledge.

Throughout our conference there are cultural performances, as well as an opportunity to showcase the talents of our participants during the 6th Annual Chinan Night taking place on Monday, October 16th from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM at the Denaina Center. Tickets will be sold at registration and at the door for $5 a ticket. Chinan is a public event. On Tuesday night, a special private event for our registered participants is a dance concert featuring A Tribe Called Red, an incredible First Nations DJ group made up DJ NDN, Bear Witness, and 2oolman  who use electronic music to blend instrumental hip hop, reggae, moombahton and dubstep-influenced dance music with elements of indigenous peoples music, particularly vocal chanting and drumming. They also utilize their platform to advance a strength-based social justice message using their music, imagery, and Native dancing to create a thriving, dynamic sound that brings everyone to the dance floor.

We could not put on the conference without the love and support of our community, of our volunteers, and of our sponsors! We thank everyone for working with us in partnership to help bring the most important people in our community together  our Elders and our youth!

Broadcast and Webcast

Those not able to attend in person are invited to watch the conference live on GCI channel 1, 360North, and via our website: www.firstalaskans.org.

Registration

Registration is available online until October 16th at www.firstalaskans.org and onsite registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. on Monday, October 16th at the Denaina Center. The registration fee is $45.00 for youth, chaperones, and other adult participants, while the fee is waived for Elders.

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Thank you for finding our loved ones

To the Search & Rescue Volunteers of Alakanuk, Emmonak, Kotlik, and Mountain Village

Thank you so much for volunteering your time and resources to help search for our daughters, Patience and Haley, last month. Your willingness to help on short notice is much appreciated and helped contribute to their safe return and a positive outcome. We could not have found them without you. Special thanks goes to Jason Fancyboy and Jeff Unok of Kotlik who found them, fed them, made sure they were warm, and delivered them home safely. God bless all of you that helped with their safe return! Thank you so much, the Alstrom and Moses families.

Audrey Alstrom

Anchorage, AK

A GREAT BIG Bethel THANK YOU!

The 2017 Bras n Bros fundraiser event sponsored by the VFW Auxiliary Post 10041 at the end of January was a success due to the involvement of several state, city and local agencies and businesses PLUS the selfless contributions of time from many individuals.

THANK YOU to the Robert V. Lindsey VFW Post 10041, YKHC and YKHC Injury Prevention, Lynden Air Frieght, Bethel Police Department, Bethel Fire Department, Immaculate Conception Church, the Magic Man, Mike Calvetti, Gold Rush Liquor and Swansons Store.

With everyones support, the VFW Auxiliary raised over $8,000.00 for scholarships, funeral and medical assistance, Americanism, Veterans recognition and Veterans family support.

LaTesia M. Guinn

VFW Auxiliary Bras n Bros Chairperson

Post 10041, Bethel AK

Lets stand as one, not as divided tribes

It has been a while since I last wrote. To my displeasure of some leaders of this region, I dont need to name names as you know who you are. There are a select few of us without getting compensated are trying our best to help this region.

I personally have spent countless hours of phone conversations with some respected and tireless elders and real leaders that affect our economically depressed region. I applaud those that had the courage to attend last weeks first YK Delta Intertribal Conference. Alcohol was the main topic first day and many of the attendees were affected by this very hard topic.

From my perspective it was a good turnout.

Many spoke out mostly because there already have been many preventable and premature deaths. Young and old have died from alcohol since the liquor store opened. I would like for the City of Bethel to reconsider their position with the two that are open now. The AC and BNCs licenses to operate. Needless to say the BNCs store has not been operating after the leaders of that corporation advocated publically that it is time. Time for the younger generation to learn how to drink moderation and what not.

One old man from Bethel testified when the Wild Goose was open back in the late 70s which was heartbreaking. As for the AC liquor store, what has it brought to our delta? Are they going to send food, attention, comfort, and especially LOVE to those children that are being neglected? The money that AC liquor store earns is only benefitting a Canadian company. I can only imagine if they earned 2.7 million last quarter to date this delta contributed over 5 million dollars by now.

It is time that we stand as one not as divided tribes. These organizations that you tribes erected have their own agendas. We tried and cried wolf but never got heard but turned the other way. With that being said I hope you tribes can come together. We can all agree to disagree as united tribes and great people of this Yupik, Cupik, Cupig, and Athabaskans of this great region.

Steven M Alexie

Napaskiak, AK

You, Womens History, and the Power of Social Security

March is Womens History Month  a time to focus not just on the past, but also on the challenges women continue to face. Nearly 60 percent of the people receiving Social Security benefits are women, and in the 21st century, more women work, pay Social Security taxes, and earn credit toward monthly retirement income than at any other time in our nations history. Knowing this, you can be the author of your own rich and independent history, with a little preparation.

Social Security has served a vital role in the lives of women for over 80 years. With longer life expectancies than men, women tend to live more years in retirement and have a greater chance of exhausting other sources of income. With the national average life expectancy for women in the United States rising, many women will have decades to enjoy retirement. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, a female born today can expect to live more than 80 years. As a result, experts generally agree that if women want to ensure that their retirement years are comfortable, they need to plan early and wisely.

You can start with a visit to Social Securitys Retirement Estimator. It gives you a personalized estimate of your retirement benefits. Plug in different retirement ages and projected earnings to get an idea of how such things might change your future benefit amounts. You can use this valuable tool at www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator.

You should also visit Social Securitys financial planning website at www.socialsecurity.gov/planners. It provides detailed information about how marriage, widowhood, divorce, self-employment, government service, and other life or career events can affect your Social Security.

Your benefit is determined based on your earnings. You can create your personal my Social Security account to verify that your earnings are correct. Your account also can provide estimates of future retirement, disability, and survivors benefits.

If you want more information about how Social Security supports women through lifes journey, Social Security has a booklet that you may find useful. It is Social Security: What Every Woman Should Know. You can find it online at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10127.html.

Robin Schmidt

Social Security Administration

Alaska Public Affairs Specialist

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Police are deployed to maintain order on the streets and to track down the fleeing drug addicts in Xuan Loc District, Dong Nai Province. Photo by VnExpress

A majority of them remain at large.

More than 500 inmates in a drug rehabilitation center in the southern province of Dong Nai, around 100 kilometers (62 miles) to the northeast of Ho Chi Minh City, struck down its gates and escaped Sunday. A majority of them have remained at large.

Ho Van Loc, the deputy director of Dong Nais social affairs department, said over 500 inmates broke through the Dong Nai centers gates in Xuan Loc District at around 11 p.m. Sunday. They then flocked to the National Route 1A, the trans-Vietnam highway, blocking traffic, Loc said.

There have been no reports of clashes between the inmates and the centers security guards as well as police deployed to maintain order on the streets. But according to eyewitnesses, the inmates threatened bystanders with sticks or machetes to extract their money. They were screaming so loudly, scaring people, an eyewitness said.

Many others broke into people's houses and vandalized their properties.

According to Dong Nais police department, the police were able to arrest dozens of inmates as of 1 a.m. Monday. Authorities said they were scrambling to track down the rest.

The Dong Nai center is currently housing nearly 1,500 inmates, doubling its designed capacity.

Several large escapes have been reported across Vietnam in recent years following a government order to increase the period of mandatory rehab treatment from one to two years.

Vietnam currently has around 180,000 addicts, many of them intravenous drug users.

Over 500 drug addicts escape from rehabilitation center in southern Vietnam Over 500 drug addicts escape from rehabilitation center in southern Vietnam

Related news:

> Vietnam drug kingpin, 8 henchmen get death sentence for heroin smuggling

> Vietnamese cop shot during drug raid at Laos border
Part of the Vung Ang Economic Zone in Ha Tinh Province. Photo by VnExpress/Duc Hung

The loss of 549 meters of underground electrical cables from the Vung Ang Economic Zone has disrupted its operations.

Unidentified thieves stole VND186 million ($8,200) worth of electrical cable from the Vung Ang Economic Zone, which hosts the Taiwanese steel plant Formosa, the culprit behind central Vietnam's massive fish die-off last April.

The loss of the 7km of cable disrupted a quarter of the lighting system at the Vung Ang Economic Zone, dealing a blow to businesses there.

Police are investigating the alleged theft, which was first reported on October 4.

In the meantime, the provincial authorities plan to allocate funds for the loss.

The multi-billion dollar Formosa Ha Tinh Steel Plant hit the headlines recently for causing one of the biggest environmental disasters in Vietnamese history.

The company admitted to having discharged a toxic cocktail into the sea that caused a fish kill that stretched four provinces and caused untold losses to the region's cottage fishing industry.

Formosa has officially apologized to the Vietnamese people and paid $500 million in compensation that has yet to be fully disbursed.

Related news:

> Formosa's fish kill robs Vietnams tourism of millions of dollars: officials

> Provincial court rejects lawsuits filed against Taiwanese fish killer Formosa

> Vietnam to dole out compensation to citizens hit by Formosa's toxic spill
These were the movements in some of the most widely-followed 10-year sovereign bond yields:

US: 1.74% (-2bp)

UK: 1.09% (+1bp)

Germany: 0.01% (0bp)

France: 0.29% (+1bp)

Italy: 1.37% (+1bp)

Spain: 1.12% (+1bp)

Japan: -0.05% (+1bp)

Portugal: 3.19% (-2bp)

Greece: 8.44% (+0bp)

Prices on longer-term Gilts were slightly lower at the tail-end of the week, underperforming similarly-dated US and German debt by a small margin.

To take note of, German 10-year bunds posted their first weekly advance in October following what markets took as hints from European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi that quantitative easing in the Eurozone would be extended next year.

"The European Central Banks enormous stimulus has strengthened eurozone financial markets resiliency, but it has also made them dependent on ongoing stimulus to maintain stability. Weaning markets off easy monetary policy will be a delicate exercise for the ECB and is a topic we think will gain prominence next year  and one that reinforces our long-term caution about investing in the eurozone," Andrew Bosomworth, PIMCO Managing Director and Portfolio Manager, said in a research report sent to clients.

Significantly, Canadian ratings agency DBRS reaffirmed its BBB (low) rating on Portugals long-term sovereign debt.

For the moment, that insures that the ECB will be able to continue buying debt issued by Lisbon as DBRS is the only remaining agency which still rates debt from the country as investment grade.

Fitch Ratings on the other hand lowered the outlook on Italys long-term debt rating from 'stable' to 'negative'.

On the other side of the world, yields on 10-year Chinese bonds slipped by as much as two basis points to 2.635% - a record low.

In her first EU summit as prime minister in Brussels, Prime Minister May said: "I recognise the scale of the challenge ahead. I am sure there will be difficult moments - it will require some give and take.

"But I firmly believe that if we approach this in a constructive spirit, as I am, then we can deliver a smooth departure and build a powerful new relationship that works both for the UK and for the countries of the EU, looking for opportunities, not problems."

She said until Britain formally leaves the EU, she expected the nation to continue to have a say in the blocs decisions.

In other UK events, data from the Office for National Statistics showed Britains public finances had a bigger-than-expected deficit in September of 10bn, up 14.5% from the deficit in the same month a year ago. Economists had expected a deficit of 8.5bn.

The data was published ahead of Chancellor Philip Hammonds Autumn Statement next month.

Speaking to reporters on Friday afternoon, the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, John Williams, reportedly said "this year would be good" for a rate rise.

He did not disagree with recent remarks from Fed chair Janet Yellen that allowing the economy to run a little hot might help undo some of the damage from the past financial crisis.

Nevertheless, allowing the rate of unemployment from 5% to 4% might force too quick a shift on rates by the Fed at some point down the road, with potentially troublesome consequences for the economy, he added.

In 2017, he reportedly said it would make sense for the central bank to tighten rates a few more times.

As of the close of trading in New York, Fed funds futures were still pricing in a 69.5% probability of a 25 basis point rate hike in the States come the 14 December US Federal Reserve policy meeting.
Why national Republicans are pinning hopes on Ohio Senate race

While the GOP deals with unpredictable races in states such as Pennsylvania, Republicans hope Ohio will show up for Senate candidate J.D. Vance.
Hundreds of police officers are hunting for the gunmen who fled the scene.

Three forestry workers were shot dead and 15 others were injured following a shotgun attack in the Central Highlands province of Dak Nong on Sunday morning.

The police suspect there were four attackers, all from the southern Binh Phuoc Province. The authorities say they have illegally acquired forestland in the area, which spurred a land dispute with Long Son Limited Company.

Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh has called for an urgent investigation into the incident.

The employees of Long Son were using earth movers to clear a site in the 1538 subzone of Tuy Duc District when a group of people came and started insulting and preventing the workers from their work. The site was reportedly occupied illegally by a local household.

Clash between the workers and the group happened.

Suddenly four more strange people appeared and started opening fire at the workers, killing three and injuring 15 others.

The surviving workers, three of them in critical condition, are being treated for their injuries at a district hospital.

Hundreds of police officers are urgently searching for the gunmen who fled the scene.

One of the 15 injured workers at the local hospital. Photo by VnExpress/Thien Nhan

Dak Ngo Commune Party Secretary Le Van Minh said illegal logging and land disputes have been going on in the area for years.

"Most of the disputed forest land had previously been encroached by locals. After the authorities reclaimed the land and assigned it to forestry companies, the locals became angry," Minh said.

Related news:

> PM orders closure of natural forests in strategic Central Highlands
A hydropower dam discharges water in Quang Nam Province in central Vietnam. Photo by VnExpress/Tri Tin

Experts bin hundreds of small proposed hydropower dams while approving hundreds more.

Vietnam concluded a three-year audit that ended hundreds of hydropower projects and green-lighted hundreds more.

A recent government report said 471 small hydropower projects designed to produce less than 30 megawatts (MW) have been scrapped after determining the minor grid gains weren't worth the environmental costs.

Government auditors determined the minor economic benefits weren't worth the impact on rural communities and forest resources; 59 other small projects remain under review.

According to the report, the country has licensed a total of 475 hydropower projects and is currently building 355, many of which will yield less than 30MW.

The country currently operates 306 hydropower plants that produce a total of 15,474 MW or about 40 percent of the country's total power output. Experts agree there's very little potential left to tap.

According to a Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development's report, Vietnam cleared 37,000 hectares of forest to make way for hydropower plants and roads between 2010 and 2014.

Related news:

> Deadly floods blamed on hydropower power plants in central Vietnam

> Power-hungry Vietnam may now look to disastrous Lao dam projects
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India on Friday proposed a combined fine of Rs3,050 crore on incumbent telecom lobby  Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and Idea Cellular  for deliberately blocking calls from new entrant Reliance Jio by not providing sufficient connectivity points. In a letter to the telecom department, the telecom watchdog has proposed a fine of Rs50 crore a circle each on Bharti Airtel's 21 circles, Vodafone India's 21circles and Idea Cellular's 19 circles, in a bid to end their three-month long tussle with the new entrant Reliance Jio. In all these circles, Trai has found ''points of interconnect (PoI) congestion exceeded the permissible limit of 0.5 per cent. If the telecom ministry accepts Trai's proposal, the three operators will have to pay a cumulative fine of Rs3,050 crore. It is the first time that the telecom regulator recommends action against the three leading service providers for trying to stifle competition by blocking connectivity points. Reliance Jio has seen 80 per cent call drops ever since it started commercial operations and the company blames the three incumbent players for not providing it with enough interconnection points. Points of interconnection are ports that would allow Reliance Jio users to make calls terminating on any other telecom operator's network. All telecom operators are obligated under the licence conditions to provide interconnection ensuring quality of service  a condition that is built into the licensing agreement to ensure service quality for customers. The three incumbent operators, however, accuse Jio of unfairly exploiting the interconnect charge framework and improperly launching commercial operations. Trai, headed by former information technology secretary Ram Sevak Sharma, meanwhile, accused Reliance Jio of being the slowest in the 4G network. At the same time, the regulator has acknowledged that insufficient connectivity points between operators can lead to dropped calls when a Jio subscriber tries to call an Airtel or Vodafone number. The regulator also accuses Airtel, Vodafone and Idea of ''creating two separate trunk groups for outgoing and incoming calls from Reliance Jio''. This, Trai says, was done to ''circumvent the Standards of Quality of Service of Basic Telephone Service (Wireline) and Cellular Mobile Telephone Service Regulations, 2009.'' ''This was done despite the fact that the interconnect agreement between Reliance Jio and Airtel clearly spells out the process of converting total E1s existing at the PoIs into one way E1s for outgoing traffic of each party will take place at the end of two years,'' the letter says. Trai had, on 20 September, sought congestion data from the top three operators to check whether attempts were being made to block calls from Jio users. Based on the data, Trai found that the call failure rate was around 80 per cent, which is "unacceptable". Trai regulations limit dropped calls on interconnection points to five in every 1,000 calls, or 0.5 per cent. Operators are bound by licensing agreement to ensure this. The three companies blame Jio's "free" calls as the reason for the traffic congestion and asymmetry, because of which they were bearing higher costs. Jio is offering free phone call and 4G mobile broadband service till 31 December. Reliance Jio on Thursday said that over 75 per cent of calls on its network were still failing because of the insufficient interconnection facility. "Indian public have not been able to enjoy Jio's free voice offer as a result of such anticompetitive behaviour of incumbent operators in breach of licence conditions," Jio had said in a statement.








Would a tax break be enough to change your shopping habits? One Scandinavian country is hoping to test that theory, and possibly permanently reshape consumers' attitudes, when it comes to many common household goods.

Brian Beatty of Zen Cog Bicycle Company in Jacksonville, Florida, repairs a bike. (Photo by Jax REcycle via Flickr)

It's not a new idea. Taxes have been used for, well, forever to try to encourage or discourage certain behaviors.

That's why we have sin taxes on things most of us agree are not good, like smoking.

And that's why we get tax benefits for actions perceived as beneficial, such as saving for retirement.

Taxes by any other name: Government levies to dissuade certain actions are known as Pigovian taxes.

As for tax rewards for taking what are seen as more positive actions, Swedish finance official Per Bolund calls it "nudging."

And he and his fellow Swedish leaders are hoping to implement both Pigovian taxes and some gentle tax pushes to when it comes to the purchase and replacement of many common consumer products.

Basically, Sweden wants to get away from a disposable mindset and get its citizens to consider repairing products instead of replacing them.

Tax breaks for repairs: To do that, the ruling Social Democrat and Green parties in that Scandinavian country have proposed slashing value added taxes (VAT) by more than 50 percent on repairs to bicycles, clothes and shoes, along with providing a tax break for expensive repairs to fridges, dishwashers and washing machines.

Meanwhile, buying new large appliances and computers would become more expensive, thanks to a so-called chemical tax that would be added to those produces to cover the environmental cost of substances used in them and which are hard to recycle.

Boland, Sweden's Minister for Financial Markets and Consumer Affairs, supports the consumption tax break/tax punishment approach as a way to solve the problems of sustainability and the environment.

"From my point of view, it's not necessarily about consuming less, but more looking at what we consume and how," Boland told The Local.

Tax costs, benefits: The proposed legislation would cut the tax on repairs of bikes, clothes and shoes from 25 percent to 12 percent.

Swedes also would be able to claim half the labor cost of appliance repairs from their income tax. Even better, they wouldn't have to do any extra tax computations.

There's no need to save the receipt for, say, the cost of having a refrigerator repairman's work done on your old appliance and then using it when you file your Swedish return. "It's even simpler," says Bolund. "It's deducted from the bill directly when you pay for the labor."

These two tax cuts would cost Sweden a combined $54 million a year.

But, say tax advocates, that lost revenue would be more than offset by the estimated $233 million expected to be raised by the new chemical tax.

Some of that added money would go toward a publicity campaign to encourage people to repair their things more often.

U.S. tax long-shot: Such an approach would have a tough time here in America, and not just because of our general antipathy toward taxes.

The U.S. economy relies heavily on consumers always wanting the newest and shiniest products on the shelves.

It also would be harder to implement here, since we don't have a national sales tax analogous to Europe's VAT, although during the Republican presidential primary season, Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas and Ron Paul of Kentucky suggested some type of VAT in their tax proposals. In the interim, we could perhaps look at an excise tax on major appliances.

But it could help on the jobs front. A fix-don't-replace system would mean more jobs for the technicians who would be refurbishing our broken products.

Because of the skill and training involved, those jobs likely would pay more than the standard big box sales associate salaries. And the Mr. and Ms. Fix-It's earnings would mean more income taxes for the IRS to collect.

Getting any new taxes through the U.S. Congress, however, is always tough, even on those rare occasions when most folks agree they serve valuable purposes.

It will be interesting to see if Sweden can push this tax package through (it's expected to part of the budget proposal presented in December) and how it turns out (if approved, it would become law on Jan. 1, 2017) in practical application.

You also might find these items of interest:
Farmers drying vermicelli along a road in the outskirts of Hanoi. Vietnam's top leaders have warned that widespread nepotism has chipped away at public confidence. Photo by AFP

The government investigates how family connections might sway politics.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has instructed the Ministry of Home Affairs and local leaders across the country to dismiss any bureaucrats whose appointments were influenced by nepotism.

Phuc issued the statement last weekend following an investigation by the ministry into allegations of nepotism that have grabbed national headlines over the past months.

Anyone found flouting the rules in this regard would be punished, the statement said. It also asked the Ministry of Home Affairs to submit a report on its handling of the issue by February 28.

Phuc, who ordered the investigation last October, said at the time that offering key positions based on family connections would erode public confidence in the public service.

He did not single out any case in particular. But in September, Trieu Tai Vinh, the top leader of the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang, was thrust into the spotlight after internet posts pointed out that eight of his relatives, including his wife and brothers, had come to hold key positions in his administration.

Vinh later told local media that there were family members working for him, but he dismissed the nepotism allegations. All the appointments were merit-based, he said.

These squabbles have emerged with increasing frequency. In recent years, several legislators have publicly accused bureaucrats of diverting ill-gotten gains -- houses, land, or cars -- to family members.

"Such goings-on have continued and are becoming increasingly sophisticated," Le Nhu Tien, an outspoken lawmaker who retired in 2016, lamented several years ago.

Despite the familiar rhetoric, Vietnam has made little headway in tacking systematic nepotism and corruption.

In 2014, Transparency Internationals Corruption Perceptions Index, an international standard gauge of government malfeasance, ranked Vietnam 119 out of 175 countries and territories; the country was ranked 116 in 2013 and 123 a year earlier. Its position has barely budged, moving to just 112 in 2015.

Vietnams most recent Governance and Public Administration Performance Index confirmed that personal relationships and informal payments still play an important role for those who wish to pursue public sector careers.

According to the index, over the past five years, nepotism and corruption in public sector employment have become a systemic problem. The index, considered the largest national governance and public administration performance monitoring tool in Vietnam, has surveyed nearly 75,000 citizens annually since 2009.

At a regular cabinet meeting in July, Prime Minister Phuc underscored that the government must seek talents, not relatives.

That same month, Nguyen Thien Nhan, the chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, an umbrella organization of all political and social groups in the country, told the legislative National Assembly that widespread nepotism has chipped away at public confidence.

In 2015, the appointment of Le Phuoc Hoai Bao to head the Department of Planning and Investment in the central province of Quang Nam grabbed national headlines and raised widespread eyebrows. Bao, then 30, was the youngest provincial department head in the country. His appointment drew public scrutiny because his father once served as the top leader in the province and he was considered inexperienced.

Even though inspectors from the Ministry of Home Affairs later announced that they'd found nothing amiss in his appointment, the public remained skeptical.

Following the public furor, seasoned diplomat Ton Nu Thi Ninh was quoted by Vietnam News as saying that if she had been offered Bao's position at the age of 30, she would have rejected it. Bao had served as the vice director of the department for only six months prior to being promoted.

"Six months working as the vice director of a department isn't enough," Vietnam News quoted Ninh as saying. "Why does one have to hurry? To be in such an important seat, you've got to have real abilities and good experience."

Few Vietnamese analysts see anything inherently objectionable about giving key positions to the children of senior officials, so long as they are capable.

They will have to go the extra mile to prove themselves, said Nguyen Minh Thuyet, an outspoken lawmaker who retired in 2011, more so than other young leaders who do not have such famous fathers.

The public would warmly welcome leaders who exhibit a genuine, proven commitment to transparency and responsive government, but the people also have the right to remain skeptical and they will be watching, Thuyet said.

Related news:

> Vietnam plans wage raise for public sector after corruption linked to income

> Vietnam leader slams corruption, eroding morality in Communist Party
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Forest rangers found elongated tortoises and yellow-headed temple turtles wrapped in packing tape.

Forest rangers in Tay Ninh Province seized 66 wild turtles and tortoises from a passenger bus traveling from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City, on Friday.

The animals, weighing around 50 kilograms, were discovered packed into three tight boxes in the luggage compartment; some were covered in packing tape.

The smuggled shipment included endangered elongated tortoises and yellow-headed temple turtles.

The bus driver failed to produce any papers for the reptiles.

He said a Cambodian national had paid him VND600,000 ($25) to deliver them to a vendor in Ho Chi Minh City.

Mang Van Thoi, deputy head of the Tay Ninh forest management department, said his agency would monitor the animals for any signs of illness before returning them to their natural habitat.

Related news:

> Endangered sea turtle rescued after street auction

> Rare sea turtle rescued from the mouths of fishermen
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Its not uncommon to get pushback if you compare Donald Trump to Adolf Hitler. Youll be accused of hyperbole or of going full Godwin. But, I have to say, after an email I received from his campaign on Friday, I no longer think its hyperbole at all.

The email was titled Were Being Overrun and it gets right to the point regarding immigrants:

The tidal wave has been coming for a while, and no one in Washington has been able to stop it. The truly shocking part? They turn away and hide from the problem thats contaminating our country, and refuse to acknowledge, let alone take the steps to fix it.

The email goes on to say, We cant afford to be so politically correct that it paralyzes our nations safety. Friend, this election comes down to a simple question  do I stand by and watch my country continued to be destroyed, or do I take my country back?

The Nazis of the Third Reich had an actual name for this sort of contamination: Rassenschande which means racial shame, racial defilement, or racial pollution. They also used the word Blutschande or blood defilement.

Some people may reject the comparison between Trump and Hitler but I no longer do. And neither do many Europeans, particularly Jewish Europeans, who watched Hitlers ascent to power. He, too, was seen as a crackpot early in his career. However, he used the idea of contamination of the German race and German country as a rallying point to sway people to his side.

The world is watching. America must stop this man.

Its fundraising week at Eclectablog and today is the final day after a quiet week with very few donations. Other than working with our progressive partners, we no longer run network ads on Eclectablog (the ads in the comment section are part of the Disqus commenting system.) We have shifted our emphasis to building a community of readers and supporters who ensure that we can continue to grow and expand and continue to pay our writers.

We cant do that without your financial support.

There are two ways to help. First, you can use the handy PayPal forms at the top of the right sidebar to make a one-time donation via Paypal or to set up a monthly donation. Second, you can send a check (which avoids Paypal taking out a percentage of your donation) to Chris Savage, P.O. Box 32, Dexter, MI 48130. Please make the check payable to Eclectablog.

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Ho Thi Minh, 30, is lying on a mattress at her family house in Quang Tri Province, Vietnam. She has been infected by Agent Orange while her mother was pregnant. Photo by VnExpress/Xavier Bourgois

Monsanto continues to dodge culpability as its victims suffer in silence.

Lying on a simple mat, Ho Thi Minh looks to be waiting for something in the darkness. She stares, silently, at the ceiling until a visitor enters the room. Her head slowly turns, casting large dark eyes.

Her delicate body isn't strong enough to rise. She looks to be eight or nine years old, but this year, she will "celebrate" her 31st birthday.

Next door, her brother Ho Phuoc Hoa, 46, lies in the same position. He doesnt speak either. When his mother comes up to wash him with a damp rag, he struggles to raise his arms, and then returns to his prone position.

Portrait of Ho Phuoc Hoa, 46, the first son of Phan Thi Nao infected by Agent orange. Photo by VnExpress/Xavier Bourgois

Phan Thi Nao, 66, cares for her son Ho Phuoc Hoa, 46, who's infected by Agent Orange. Photo by VnExpress/Xavier Bourgois

At the age of 66, Phan Thi Nao does what she can to care for her children and husband, Ho Phuoc Ha. He sits by the door of the house, most days, and also has difficulty moving.

Doctors are not 100 percent sure that he's a victim of dioxin -- a toxic substance found in the chemical defoliant Agent Orange, which U.S. forces sprayed indiscriminately during the Vietnam War. For Nao's children on the other hand, the diagnosis is beyond doubt: they suffer from the effects of the abominable chemical weapon and are the collateral victims of a war that ended before they were born.

The old woman still remembers hiding as planes sprayed the defoliant on her while she was still pregnant.

I was exposed to Agent Orange during my time fighting in the local resistance force between 1972 and 1975, she said.

Poison raining from the sky

In Quang Tri Province, the scars of the Vietnam War, which ended in 1975, are visible everywhere. This piece of land that once divided the country was the principle front line during a war that saw fierce battles and endless bombings.

The Agent Orange Record, a website maintained by the Washington D.C.-based non-governmental association Legacies of War describes the extent of Agent Orange's application here.

Some 12 million gallons of this supercharged weed killer were sprayed across 66,000 square miles of southern Vietnam during the war, the site says. However, two-thirds of these herbicides were contaminated with TCDD, a form of dioxin -- a highly toxic substance linked to at least 15 types of cancer and other medical conditions, as well as several birth defects. Its devastating effects could continue for generations.

Agent Orange rarely makes international news, but in Vietnam, it is closely associated with the name of a firm that still makes headlines: Monsanto.

This month, groups of civil society organizations held a symbolic trial in The Hague, the Netherlands that charged the company with violating human rights, crimes against humanity and the yet unrecognized crime of ecocide.

Judges at the Monsanto Tribunal hope to gather and assess evidence against the company and forward recommendations to the International Court of Justice by December 10, according to Francois Tulkens, a judge at the tribunal who currently serves as vice president of the European Court of Human Rights.

We wont deliver a sentence. We will deliver a consultation recommendation, Tulkens told Le Monde. We will verify whether Monsantos activities conform with the tenets of international law, essentially of the U.N. This is an educational trial, and I hope it will () enable the opening of a window for victims.

The hearings followed news in September that Monsanto was being bought by the German pharmaceutical and chemical giant Bayer, which notably conducted medical experiments on death camp inmates during World War II.

Monsanto has faced a slew of litigations, all over the world, with mixed results.

In 1984, a group of seven companies, including Monsanto, paid $180 million to a compensation fund.

The settlement ended years of federal litigations brought mainly by American veterans. Even then, Monsanto and others maintained that Agent Orange was not a plausible cause of ill health experienced by some veterans and their families.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs pays for the coverage of 14 conditions and diseases it associates with Agent Orange exposure in its own veterans. The agency also offers special health benefits to the children of veterans who exhibit at least 18 birth defects. But the U.S. State Department has refused to acknowledge the same impact on the Vietnamese population, citing a lack of evidence.

These days, Vietnam looks highly uninterested in putting Monsanto on trial.

In 2014, the company obtained a license to cultivate three different varieties of genetically modified corn for a pilot program in Vietnam. The arrangement proved a bitter pill for those who continue to believe the firm should compensate the victims of Agent Orange, like Phan Thi Nao and her family.

Nowhere to go

Portrait of Ho Phuoc Ha, the father. Doctors are not 100 percent sure that he is a victim of the chemical that was sprayed indiscriminately on the region by the U.S. during the war. Photo by VnExpress/Xavier Bourgois

Ho Phuoc Hoa and his parents remain miles away from these decisions.

They have nowhere to go and they dont expect anything from the leaders of the ever-expanding corporation that manufactured Agent Orange.

It is impossible to put an accurate figure on the number of Agent Orange victims in Vietnam, particularly since the poison continues to claim lives and destroy families.

According to an estimate published in 2003 by the International Journal of Epidemiology, 2.1 to 4.8 million Vietnamese people like Phan Thi Nao were exposed to the toxin between 1961 and 1971. This figure is probably not representative of the real number of victims, since the damage done by dioxin continues to pass from generation to generation.

Occasionally, several state-sponsored delegations visit their home.

They give us gifts and money," said Ha, the father. "Local authorities also help; they give about VND3.6 million a month ($160), just enough for food and transportation, the old man said, watching the rain falling outside.

Related news:

> American advocate of Vietnam's Agent Orange victims accused of fraud, embezzlement

> No welcome mat for Monsanto: Vietnam must draw the line

> Vietnam's never-ending war: into the trenches with the bomb disposal squad
Anton Muscatelli , vice-chancellor and principal, University of Glasgow , is heading an academic delegation to India early November. I will lead Glasgows largest-ever academic delegation to India which will showcase our research and teaching in areas as diverse as life sciences, innovation and technology, engineering, physics, business, economics, education and law, said Muscatelli.



He further added, Its important to us that our engagement in India is not led by student recruitment. To this end, we will be prioritising the development of mutually beneficial, productive partnerships with the university community, corporate sector as well as government bodies in India. Also, we would like to continue to engage positively with our alumni community across India, who through their positive contribution to society will inspire future generations of Glasgow graduates.



Scotlands First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon has appointed Muscatelli to chair a group of experts to advise the government on securing Scotlands relationship with the EU. Commenting on the Brexit referendum, in which more than 60% of voters in Scotland wanted to stay in the EU, Muscatelli said, This is not the result that I had personally hoped for, but nothing will change overnight. There will be many months of negotiations under the EU treaties, and there is no clarity yet on when negotiations will begin. There will be significant opportunities for the university to seek assurances and influence future policy, both as an institution in our own right and as a member of organisations such as the Russell Group, Universities UK and Universities Scotland.
Ireland is aiming at countries such as India to grow its international education sector to 2.1 billion euros over the next five years. In a bid to achieve this growth, its minister for education and skills, Richard Bruton , recently launched an international education strategy.



India, along with countries such as the US, China, Brazil and Malaysia and the Gulf region, has been identified as a key target market for promotional and marketing campaign funding under the strategy. The focus on high potential market opportunities in countries such as Canada, South Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia, Mexico, Chile, Argentina and Nigeria will increase.



The plan, Irish Educated, Globally Connected - An International Education Strategy for Ireland, 2016-2020, represents a key element of Irelands growth strategy for the next five years and a step as part of the countrys Action Plan for Education.

Speaking at the launch, Bruton said, There will be strong opportunities for Ireland in the area of international education when Ireland becomes the only English-speaking member of the EU . Through the implementation of our plan, we will increase the number of international higher education students and English language students coming to Ireland by over 37,000 by 2020. If the strategy achieves this target, the total number of international higher education and English language students in the country will go up to over 176,000.

The strategys other aims include:

 Attract outstanding researchers to the countrys institutions, build research capacity and commercialise research

 Build world-class networks of learning and innovation that can receive funding from outside the Irish education system

 Have more Irish students integrate an overseas experience into their study through maximising mobility opportunities for all

 Enhance international alumni networks to build global connections for greater social and economic outcomes for Ireland at home and abroad



Sharing his views on the new strategy, Giles O'Neill, head of Education in Ireland, which is managed by Enterprise Ireland, says, There are around 2,000 Indians studying in Ireland's higher education system. Indians represent the fastest growing cohort of non-EU students in Ireland. As part of the new strategy, we will seek an overall increase of 33% of international students in the higher education system in Ireland by 2020 and we hope Indians will be a significant part of this growth.

The strategy identifies four strategic priorities -- a supportive national framework; internationally-oriented, globally competitive higher education institutions (HEIs); sustainable growth in the English language training (ELT) sector; and succeeding abroad.

Juliette Hussey, vice president for global relations at Trinity College Dublin, says, A supportive national framework means that various bodies of the state, along with our HEIs, will be working even more closely together in ensuring the experience of incoming Indian students is as good as possible  both in terms of the process of coming to Ireland, and the outcomes and future prospects of Indians graduating from our universities. We expect this to result in the immigration process becoming even more streamlined, as well as in an increase in the retention of international graduates in Irish jobs. She adds, Internationally-oriented, globally competitive HEIs means the government has committed to ensuring and building on the renowned quality of our HEIs. The increased funding of HEIs that also comes as a result of this strategy will ensure that the already strong support services enjoyed by students in Ireland will be maintained and upgraded in the coming years.
A Scottish university offers an LLM International Law & Sustainable Development designed for graduates who wish to work in the international development sector in management, planning or policy-related areas. The University of Strathclydes course is supposed to give students a grounding in the structures, rules and principles of aspects of public international law affecting sustainable development.



Take your pick

Students can select elective classes from other Masters programmes in law as well as related programmes across the university. There are three compulsory classes which all students on the international law and sustainable development pathway have to take. These include: first, legal research, which is offered in distance mode across both semesters. The aim of the module is to help postgraduate students enhance their research abilities and skills with a view to improving their performance in the courses. The second class, world trading systems, which is about law and policy, provides students with advanced instruction in the law of the World Trade Organization (WTO). The third is about international environmental law.



One of the main features of the programme is the possibility for students to undertake a field dissertation. This enables students to spend up to three months working for a local organisation (NGO, local government, trade association, etc) in a developing country. Students can gain first-hand experience, which feeds into their final dissertation. In the past, students have worked with organisations such as Oxfam in Cambodia. The field dissertation is organised and supported by Challenges Worldwide, a social enterprise working in international development.



This course is of specific interest for students from or interested in the global south -- those who are interested in gaining a better understanding of how international law has a role to play in finding a balance between conservation and use of natural resources in a sustainable, just and equitable manner for current and future generations," says Saskia Vermeylen, co-programme leader at the university.



The degree is particularly for those who want to work as lawyers, advisers, lobbyists and consultants in international sustainable development in government, non-government and not-for profit organisations in diverse fields such as water, forestry, biodiversity, agriculture, (renewable) energy, and climate change.



Fee: 13,000



Duration: 12 months



Eligibility: The applicant must have a first- or second-class honours degree, or equivalent, in a related discipline (some law content recommended). Entry may be possible with other qualifications, especially where the work experience is relevant to the course. As regards English language requirements, the university requires a minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5 (no individual test score below 6.0), or equivalent, for postgraduate studies. Tests are valid for two years. Pre-sessional courses in English are available. Also on offer is a pre-Masters programme for international students (non-EU/UK) who do not meet the entry requirements for a Masters degree



Website: www.strath.ac.uk/courses/postgraduatetaught/internationallawsustainabledevelopment/
October 23, 2016 | 09:00 am PT

CAMA ATK

After a particularly hysterical, summertime hiatus, professional stand-up comedy returns to make you laugh your socks off and split your sides on Thursday 27 October @CAMA ATK, Hanoi. Headlining the latest incarnation of laughter, laughter and more laughter will be Newfoundland native and maple leaf wearing former English teacher, Brian Aylward.



First stepping on stage at a rowdy expat bar in Anyang, South Korea, Aylward went on to pioneer the local English stand-up comedy scene, officially establishing Stand Up Seoul in 2007 and turning the country into a legitimate destination on the international circuit.



Since his salad days, the Canadian has caused hysterics at hundreds of shows across Asia, taking his own brand of acerbic humour to the likes of Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia, Hong Kong, China, Indonesia, Thailand and even Myanmar. Upon returning to that country north of the American border in 2010, Brian was twice a finalist in SiriusXM Radios Canadas Next Top Comic and became a regular fixture in Canadas Yuk Yuks comedy clubs.



Entrance fee: VND200,000 ($9) (a glass of Pasteur Street IPA included).
Flowers from as far as Sa Pa and Da Lat also find their way here. The market, which opens at midnight, is at its busiest at around 3-4 a.m.
Just last month, Facebook was criticized for censoring the historical Vietnam War photo of the Napalm Girl.

Facebook on Friday said that it will begin allowing more graphic or potentially disturbing newsworthy posts to be shared at the leading online social network.

"We're going to begin allowing more items that people find newsworthy, significant, or important to public interest -- even if they might otherwise violate our standards," Facebook vice presidents Joel Kaplan and Justin Osofsky said in a blog post.

They explained that they were working with the social network's community and partners on how exactly to recalibrate standards regarding which posts are deemed too offensive to allow.

"Our intent is to allow more images and stories without posing safety risks or showing graphic images to minors and others who do not want to see them," Kaplan and Osofsky said.

Facebook has become a major platform for sharing news stories, and that has come with criticism for censoring some content despite it having historical or editorial value.

The California-based social network on Friday apologized for taking down a breast cancer awareness video because the images were flagged as offensive, saying the move was "an error".

Swedish cancer charity Cancerfonden had put out word that its video explaining to women how to check for suspicious lumps, featuring animated figures of women with circle-shaped breasts, had been removed from Facebook

"We find it incomprehensible and strange how one can perceive medical information as offensive," Cancerfonden communications director Lena Biornstad told AFP.

"This is information that saves lives."

Facebook faced outrage in September for repeatedly deleting a historic Vietnam War photo included in a post by Norway's Prime Minister Erna Solberg.

It said the iconic photo of a naked Vietnamese girl fleeing a napalm bombing violated its rules, but it later backtracked on the decision.

Facebook has a ban on posts that contain nudity, with some exceptions, such as images of works of art and women breastfeeding, or educational content. The social network also bans posts inciting violence or hate.

The Wall Street Journal on Friday reported that some Facebook employees lobbied at the social network to have some posts by U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump - such as those calling for a ban on Muslim immigration - branded hate speech and removed.

Chief executive Mark Zuckerberg rejected the request on the grounds it would amount to censoring a political candidate, according to the Journal.

Facebook boasts having some 1.7 billion users around the world.

Related news:

> Facebook says will learn from mistake over Vietnam photo

> Facebook, Twitter join network to tackle fake news
Market sentiment, rather than data, motivated Pound Sterling, Euro and US Dollar exchange rates movement at the end of the week.

The Pound to Euro exchange rate today: -0.55pct at 1.11832, best rate of 30 days was 1.1606.

The Pound to Dollar exchange rate today: -0.29% at 1.21908

Pound, Euro, US Dollar Exchange Rate News: GBP mixed after PM attends European Council meeting

GBP mixed after PM attends European Council meeting EUR Softens after ECB Comments: Door left open for December easing

Door left open for December easing US Strong on Fed Bets: Odds of monetary tightening increase to 74%

Odds of monetary tightening increase to 74% Pound to Euro Exchange Rate Forecast: Q3 GDP to finally see data influence return to GBP?

The British Pound dropped against both the Euro and the US Dollar on Tuesday afternoon as foreign currency investors were rattled by new expectations of further quantitative easing from the Bank of England (BofE).

Comments from UK Chancellor Philip Hammond indicated that the government would not interfere with further quantitative easing from the BoE. Hammond also confirmed what had been speculated for a long time, that the Pounds low value had affected inflation and would continue to do so.

Demand for the Pound has remained limited ahead of BoE Governor Mark Carneys appearance before the House of Lords Economic Committee.

Markets are anticipating some indication as to Carneys intentions to serve out his current term as Governor or to extend it further, with any suggestions of an early exit unlikely to go down well with investors.

GBP continued to fluctuate within a relatively narrow range against the Euro and US Dollar rates throughout Monday trade, as the Euro struggled to capitalise on the days Eurozone data.

Sterling was also able to hold its ground against a sturdy US Dollar, despite Mondays US data coming in above expectations. Markits preliminary October Manufacturing PMI improved from 51.5 to 53.2, boosting hopes for stronger US economic activity in October

Demand for the Pound Sterling exchange rates has remained limited on Monday morning, with the latest data from the CBI proving too mixed to significantly move investor sentiment.

Although the latest raft of Eurozone PMIs pointed towards greater robustness within the domestic economy this failed to particularly boost the Euro, leaving the GBP/EUR exchange rate on a narrow downtrend.

A cold reception for Theresa May at her first European Council meeting worried investors, causing the Pound Sterling to US Dollar exchange rate to weaken recently.

The British Pound managed the make gains versus the Euro, however, as investors were still perturbed by suggestions of further monetary policy loosening from the European Central Bank (ECB).

Meanwhile, the US Dollar was boosted by the fact Federal Reserve rate hike bets had increased even further, with combined odds of some form of monetary tightening reaching 74%.

Before the news continues, heres a look at todays Pound Sterling exchange rates

On Tuesday the Euro to British Pound exchange rate (EUR/GBP) converts at 0.861

The live inter-bank GBP-EUR spot rate is quoted as 1.162 today.

The GBP to USD exchange rate converts at 1.15 today.

Please note: the FX rates above, updated 1st Nov 2022, will have a commission applied by your typical high street bank. Currency brokers specialise in these type of foreign currency transactions and can save you up to 5% on international payments compared to the banks.

While the Pound Sterling has been anything but data dependent recently, upcoming GDP figures could give investors an idea of the Brexit impact.

Third-quarter GDP figures this week will finally give a big-picture view of the immediate economic impact of Brexit, which could see Pound Sterling return to being a data-dependent currency.

According to Societe Generale;

The GBP/USD should settle at a new equilibrium. The already discounted gloomy UK outlook both prevents a new bold depreciation and a much stronger currency. The technical picture suggests a new turbulent range between 1.21 and 1.28, with a real risk to see short-lived spikes in liquidity air pockets below 1.20.

A busy data calendar in the coming week could see significant volatility for Euro exchange rates.

Monday kicks off with a slew of PMIs, including manufacturing services and composite indices for Germany and the Eurozone.

The German IFO business climate, current assessment and expectations scores for October will be released on Tuesday, with the GfK consumer confidence survey for November following on Wednesday.

The highlight of the week will be Fridays German consumer price index, which could cause significant Eurozone volatility if it deviates from previous figures.

Key US Data Releases could Vacillate Fed Hike Bets

As well as speeches from Federal Reserve officials, the coming week holds several key US ecostats that could significantly alter expectations of December policy action from the Fed.

Consumer confidence on Tuesday and the Wednesday advance goods trade balance are likely to see hike bets ease due to the forecast weakening in both instances.

However, odds of tightening are likely to rise again on an accelerated pace of durable goods orders growth and a surge in annualised third-quarter GDP from 1.4% to 2.1% if forecasts are to be believed.
I work for an international firm, and my reason for working in Dubai is because the firm's office in my country is very small, and the team I work in (IT consulting) does all kinds of IT consulting assignments (because it's so small). I wanted to concentrate on my specialisation (cybersecurity) which is the reason why I decided to relocate to our ME head office which is in Dubai. It's quite big and has a cybersecurity team, and that's basically the main reason. The pay is not much, and honestly it was much easier and comfortable to live back home, but sacrificing it all for my career goals. I'm also going for certifications in my field, and we don't have a lot of learning facilities for them back home, but they're available here. I feel like it's worth it though, in the long run anyway.
Hi,

We have two friends who were both naturalised Britains that had a boy born last year. They were also worried about his nationality and made enquiries before his birth. They found that it was going to be better for him to be born in the U.K. - so the wife stayed in the UK for the last few months and gave birth there. It was also easier to arrange his birth certificate and passport in the U.K.

Cheers

Steve
The hostages are from Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.

Somali pirates have freed 26 Asian hostages held for nearly five years after the hijacking of their fishing vessel, the last commercial ship seized at the height of the country's piracy scourge, negotiators said Saturday.

The crew of the Naham 3, the second longest held hostage by Somali pirates, were taken captive when their Omani-flagged vessel was seized in March 2012 south of the Seychelles.

"We are very pleased to announce the release of the Naham 3 crew early this morning," said John Steed, coordinator of the Hostage Support Partners (HSP) who helped negotiate their release.

Steed, a retired British army colonel who has made it his mission to save "forgotten hostages" told AFP the mission to return the crew to their families still held one obstacle: extracting them from the city of Galkayo, where fighting was raging between forces from the rival regional states of Puntland and Galmudug.

"There is fighting in Galkayo so it is very dangerous at the moment, they are exchanging artillery tonight. We will go in early tomorrow morning if the fighting stops and bring them back to Nairobi for medicals and a clean-up."

Clashes in Galkayo have left at least 11 dead and over 50,000 displaced this month, the U.N. humanitarian agency said last week.

Once extracted, the crew, from Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam, will be returned to their home countries and families.

"They have spent over four and a half years in deplorable conditions away from their families," said Steed.

He said the crew was malnourished and one of the hostages had a bullet wound in his foot, another had had a stroke and another was suffering from diabetes.

Pirates initially took 29 crew hostage, but one person died during the hijacking, and two more "succumbed to illness" during their captivity, said a statement from Oceans Beyond Piracy (OBP).

Peril and heroism

Steed said negotiations -- which took 18 months -- involved mediation with community, tribal and religious leaders.

He declined to comment on the exact details but said the road to the hostages being freed was filled with peril and "heroism".

The Naham 3 was originally tethered to another hijacked vessel, the MV Albedo, which was seized in November 2010 and released by the HSP in 2014.

When the MV Albedo began to sink "these guys jumped into the waters and rescued the drowning crew", Steed said.

He said when the Naham 3 sank, a year after its capture, "these guys were then taken ashore where they have been ever since with pirates making increasingly irrational demands."

"The release of the Naham 3 crew represents the end of captivity for the last remaining seafarers taken hostage during the height of Somali piracy," he said.

Poor fishermen left for years

Only a crew of Thai fishermen, released in February last year after nearly five years in captivity, spent longer held by Somali pirates.

Many of the hostages left languishing in the hands of pirates are poor fishermen.

"If you don't have insurance or you are a poor little ship no-one is going to help get you out," said Steed.

The first major commercial vessel was hijacked by Somali pirates in 2005 and the industry flourished in a country wracked by years of civil war and with few jobs and no central government.

Piracy became a major threat to international shipping and prompted interventions by the United Nations, European Union and NATO, while commercial vessels hired private armed guards aboard their vessels.

In 2012 Somali piracy cost the global economy between $5.7 and $6.1 billion (5.6 million euros) and at the peak in January 2011, Somali pirates held 736 hostages and 32 boats.

According to the OBP, while overall numbers are down in the Western Indian Ocean, pirates in the region in 2015 attacked at least 306 seafarers.

While there has not been a successful attack on a commercial vessel since 2012, there have been several on fishing boats and there are still 10 Iranian hostages taken in 2015 and three Kenyan kidnap victims -- one a very ill, paralysed woman -- in the hands of the pirates, said Steed.
Saturday, October 22, 2016

Its now official! The eBook versions of KICKING THE BUCKET LIST: 100 Downsizing and Organizing Things to Do Before You Die are now available in Kindle form at Amazon.com and on iTunes for Apple, both at $7.99. The paperback retails for $15.95.

In KICKING THE BUCKET LIST, death educator Gail Rubin brings a light touch to cleaning out those dark recesses of your home and organizing for end-of-life issues. In these pages, youll learn how to:

Tackle downsizing without being overwhelmed by the job;

Evaluate what to keep, toss, donate and recycle;

Creatively remove excess goods from your home;

Manage your finances for today and tomorrow;

Organize your funeral and create your legacy.

Author Gail Rubin, CT, will be speaking and signing books at these upcoming events:

OCTOBER 24 & 25: National Funeral Directors Association Convention and Expo, 4:00 p.m. at Funeral Business Advisor Magazines booth, 2837, Philadelphia Convention Center, Philadelphia, PA

OCTOBER 28: New Mexico Book Coop meeting, 11:00 a.m. at Golden Corral at 5207 San Mateo Blvd NE, Albuquerque

OCTOBER 30: Bookworks, 3:00 p.m. 4022 Rio Grande Blvd. NW, Albuquerque (Its also Create a Great Funeral Day)

NOVEMBER 7: OASIS Albuquerque Downsizing and Organizing talk, 10:30 a.m. to noon, 3301 Menaul Blvd NE #18, Albuquerque ($8  class full)

NOVEMBER 21: Professional Organizers of New Mexico talk, 3:00 p.m. in Albuquerque (private event)

DECEMBER 4: Page One Books, 3:30 p.m., 5850 Eubank Suite B-41, Albuquerque

DECEMBER 10: Treasure House Books, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., Old Town Plaza, Albuquerque
A new website created by frequent world traveler Jesse Slome was launched to make consumers aware of various discounts and travel programs available.

"I love traveling and I like to save money so why not combine the two," shared Jesse Slome, a former travel and food writer who now directs several national insurance trade organizations. "People who know of my passions often email me requesting tips and advice am I am more than happy to share."

Slome has visited every continent with the exception of Antarctica. "I take one or two major international trips each year," Slome explains. "Some of the trips I plan on my own and others I take advantage of tour companies and let them do the planning for me."

The inveterate traveler's newest website blog focuses on tours taken by Slome with two leading travel companies. "Of the many tour companies I have used, my clear favorite is Overseas Adventure Travel," Slome reports. "I have not found a better value and the small group experience is far and away superior to what I call the big-bus tours that typically are available." Overseas Adventure Travel is owned by parent company Grand Circle Travel. Both companies are based in Cambridge, MA.

The first posts on the new website share how readers can access discounts for overseas adventure travel tours including those available for land tours and cruises available from Grand Circle Travel. "I am glad to share tips for the various tours I have taken as well as share some of the better ways to save money," Slome concludes.

Slome's next overseas trips include visits to India, Nepal and Croatia. "I look forward to sharing information about these trips following my return," he adds.

The national expert on insurance and financial products and services is an award-winning marketing executive who has received numerous national awards for campaigns conceived and initiated on behalf of leading U.S. companies.
As shale drilling continues to sweep across the state, Texas mineral owners expect to face off against the oil and gas industry over property rights in the 2017 legislative session.

At issue is a seemingly obscure struggle over whether and how companies can drill horizontal wells that reach across different lease lines  the kind of conflict that has become a big issue only in the past decade with the shale drilling boom.

Thats going to be a big fight this session, Billy Phenix, director of government affairs for the Texas Land & Mineral Owners Association, told an audience at the groups membership meeting in San Antonio at the Pearl Stable last week.

The battle is between oil and gas attorneys who disagree over whether so-called allocation wells are a way to force mineral owners into a pooling agreement thats not authorized by a typical oil and gas lease.

On small tracts of land, companies have historically pooled adjoining leases, then drilled a common underground reservoir of oil and gas. But they need the permission from mineral owners to do it, and many Texas mineral leases forbid pooling.

Allocation wells are a way to pool leases without requiring permission from the mineral rights holders, according to mineral rights groups.

The most prominent example was an EOG Resources well in DeWitt County, a case in which the company asked state regulators for a permit to drill a well on 80 acres  40 of which came from one lease and 40 from another. EOG owned both mineral rights leases but didnt have permission to pool oil.

After a hearing, examiners for the Texas Railroad Commission, the states oil and gas regulator, recommended denying the application. But the three elected railroad commissioners allowed the permit.

The commission has issued permits for around 1,800 allocation wells.

Attorneys who represent land and mineral owners see allocation wells as something that tramples property rights and upends negotiated contracts. Its a gross violation of our private property rights, Phenix said.

Attorneys who represent oil companies generally argue that allocation wells would be a way to speed up the production of oil and gas, minimize the number of wells that would have to be drilled at the surface and produce hydrocarbons that might otherwise be left underground. They note that regulators have broad authority to prevent waste, which the commission defines as producing as much oil and gas as possible.

In the 2015 legislative session, a bill that would have allowed allocation wells died in committee. University Lands, which manages 2.1 million acres and 9,000 oil and gas wells that benefit the University of Texas and Texas A&M systems, said the legislation would have devastating effects on its revenue. The General Land Office, which manages state lands and mineral rights totaling 13 million acres, had a similar view.

Mark Havens, general counsel to Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush, said the GLO estimated that the 2015 allocation bill as it was written would have cost the state around $95 million in lost bonus payments, which are paid when leases are negotiated, and around $499 million in lost royalties over five years.

Though the bill didnt make it out of committee, the allocation language did pop up again later in the session when it got attached to  and ultimately removed from  other, unrelated bills.

Voter Guide: What to know for the midterm election Your guide to the Texas and San Antonio races and candidates on the Nov. 8 ballot.

Havens told members of the TLMOA that he expects a similar bill to be introduced for the 2017 session and that it will be a big fight between powerful lobbies representing land and mineral owners and industry.

This is Goliath versus Goliath, Havens said.

Theres no draft bill yet.

Cory Pomeroy, vice president and general counsel for the Texas Oil & Gas Association, said by email that Texas is a leading oil and gas state thanks in large part to long lateral drilling.

Shale wells combine the drilling of long horizontal reaches with hydraulic fracturing, the process of pumping water and chemicals at high pressure to break tight rock. Sand gets added to hold open the fissures, letting oil and gas flow out.

Companies first used the technique to find new sources of natural gas around Fort Worth and in Pennsylvania, but around 2009, they figured out that oil could be tapped as well. Since then, the United States has added 5 million additional barrels of oil per day to the market, much of it from two Texas oil fields, the Eagle Ford Shale and the Permian Basin.

We are continuing to study the issue of allocation to find the best solution that benefits operators of oil and natural gas wells and private mineral owners, Pomeroy said. Clarity on this issue is key to our nations energy security and our states continued dominance in safe and responsible oil and natural gas production.

jhiller@express-news.net

Twitter: @Jennifer_Hiller
If pythons and crocodiles werent enough, a new troublesome creature has taken up residence in South Florida  the screwworm.

Gory photos of screwworms eating wild deer alive have made the rounds on the internet, turning stomachs and stoking fears that the insect might spread beyond Florida and harm livestock in Texas and other states.

While screwworms once were a scourge to cattle in Texas, the odds of them turning up again in the Lone Star State seem remote for now. Many decades ago, the worms were responsible for killing thousands of cattle in this state.

The current infestation has been confined to a small population of endangered deer that live on one of Floridas remote southern Keys, which has enabled wildlife officials to establish an effective blockade.

Also, Florida officials are using an eradication method that has had a proven track record. It involves releasing sterile male screwworm flies, which mate with females that then lay infertile eggs.

Still, its understandable why federal and state agriculture officials are on alert for the pest, which was last seen in the United States in 1982.

Screwworms caused devastating livestock losses up until the early 1950s, when scientists discovered that releasing sterile male flies would stop the spread of screwworms. For example, in 1935, Texas counties reported more than 180,000 livestock deaths because of screwworms.

What makes screwworms so unique  and deadly  is that they feast on live animal flesh, unlike other blowflies that consume carrion, or rotting meat. Female screwworm flies are attracted to open wounds and lay hundreds of eggs inside them. Then the larvae hatch and begin eating their host alive.

Voter Guide: What to know for the midterm election Your guide to the Texas and San Antonio races and candidates on the Nov. 8 ballot.

Its definitely not something you want to Google, Sonja Swiger, a Texas A&M entomologist based in Stephenville, said of pictures of animals with screwworm infestations.

Swiger said that while theres no reason to worry about screwworms in Texas, ranchers should familiarize themselves with the pest, which is hard to miss, given its habits.

Think about it. If screwworms returned, it could be the end of part-time ranching, Swiger said. Except for the dead of winter, stockmen would have to constantly watch their stock for wormies. And white-tailed deer, which give birth in warm weather, and bucks in velvet with blood-engorged antlers, I expect would be easy targets as well.
(Laura Ikels) wrote to you (Oct. 2) saying that her (great-grandfather) had a blacksmith shop off Nogalitos Street. My dad, Morris Key, opened a small sheet-metal shop, Texas Sheet Metal and Corrugated Tank Co., at 116 Nogalitos St. in 1946. The building was located next door to the Texaco gas station, which was known as The Triangle back in those days. Anyway, in the rear corner of the building was a forge and all the makings of a blacksmith shop, and the side street is named Keller  same name as Lauras great-grandfather. It may be a coincidence, but Ill bet that the building was his blacksmith shop.

The Triangle garage is a story in itself. In the 1940s and 50s, there were no ATM machines and no banks on every corner, so Simon, the owner of The Triangle, served as a neighborhood bank. People would be lined up out the door, waiting to cash their checks, and kids from the neighborhood would be streaming into St. Henrys School  very busy back then.

I was only 6 in 1946, but I remember my dad making me sweep the dirt floor. I cant remember how long my dad had the shop in that location, but it was not many years before he outgrew it and moved across the street to 117 Nogalitos in the old Fest cotton gin building, which was owned by Albert Pickard. We relocated the business again in the late 60s to our present location on West Cevallos while changing our name to Texas Sheet Metal and Stainless Steel Fabricators. Who would have ever thought that Cevallos Street would ever amount to anything, but look at it now: New town houses near La Tuna and Blue Star on one end and a new school (KIPP Academy, Cevallos Campus) behind Eddies Taco House on the other. And there are rumors of more apartments in between.

- Ron Key

Thanks for the glimpse of the neighborhood, past and present! You are right: The Keller blacksmith shop was at 116 Nogalitos St., according to a story about Martin Keller and his custom-made branding irons in the San Antonio Express, May 30, 1941.

The Oct. 2 column was about a German school in a photograph that turned out to depict one in San Antonio, Argentina, but there was a Keller family connection with St. Henrys School. First known as St. Henrys Academy when the school and St. Henrys Catholic Church, a parish for German-speaking Catholics, were founded in 1892, it opened in Fests Hall, 1423 S. Flores St., a neighborhood meeting place for at least three decades and related to the Fest Ginning Co., whose building you remember.

Say their names

Columns published Oct. 9 and Oct. 16 detailed the disrupted burial of Bernardo Trevino, who died at age 10 from complications of injuries from a hit-and-run accident. His nephew, Frank Trevino, is trying to find out where Bernardos remains are now, after decades of upheaval, seemingly casual reburial and relaxed record-keeping.

Bernardo, who died July 27, 1932, in Robert B. Green Hospital  probably because his respiratory system was paralyzed by ether administered during wound care  was buried the next day in San Jose Cemetery, a city-owned facility with sections dedicated to pauper burials. Bernardos brother Francisco, now 92, remembers the original grave site near Stinson Municipal Airport, close enough to the San Antonio River to fetch water for plants the family tended. There was no record of a funeral in the burial books of either Catholic parish the family attended, and that might be because indigent burials were too hastily accomplished to permit such arrangements.

People who were buried near the growing airport were not allowed to rest in peace, much less dignity. While this might not have been the case in 1932, by the late 1940s, indigent burials  carried out by contracted funeral homes  were done with a mind-boggling lack of respect. As covered in both daily newspapers, it was common for the remains of those buried as paupers to be dumped in a common trench. While graves were supposed to be dug to 4 feet deep for an adult and 3 feet for a child, contractors cut corners and stopped at 18 inches or 2 feet at best. Neighbors reported that the procedure took no more than 10 minutes. Flies were a problem. Dog tracks were observed among the fresh graves. Contractors heads rolled. New contractors started using caskets in indigent burials.

As if sloppy burials werent bad enough, these were unquiet graves. Besides a mass removal of burials to build a runway for military use during World War II, there were other relocations. In 1959, the remains of about 125 people identified as paupers were taken from an unmarked burial plot between the airport and the Stinson Homes  World War II-era temporary barracks turned into a city housing project  and transferred to a common grave in the northeast part of San Jose Cemetery. A story in the Express, Nov. 15, 1959, says that one of them was a childs grave, marked by an uninscribed small piece of granite originally fashioned for some other purpose.

A reader who prefers to remain anonymous was a subcontractor for two buildings constructed in the 1970s on 99th Street on the northeast side of the airfield. These buildings were built over paupers graves, as skeletons were found during foundation work, says the reader, who heard about it from some of the foundation labor. One man on the crew was a longtime friend, he says. The story was that they had a hard time keeping him working on the site after the trencher started throwing out bones.

The foundations, he says, were dug 2 feet deep around the outside and 18 inches in the interior  the same depth as the sleazy burials of a few decades earlier. And yes, They knew that they were dealing with old pauper graves. The discovery didnt halt the work: By the time construction started, a lot of time and money had been spent to get the building to that point.

Since 1950, Bexar County has been responsible for indigent burials, currently averaging about 500 a year, according to spokeswoman Laura Jesse. The Bexar County Pauper Burial Program operates in compliance with state regulations. Burials are three adults to a plot at the First Memorial park in Von Ormy, with infants and children in individual plots. The county pays for a two-hour viewing time, which can include a religious service, and a grave marker. Cremation is also an option.

Do you know of a relative whose grave site in a local paupers cemetery has been lost? If so, send their names and something about their lives and resting place to this column, to be published Oct. 30.

historycolumn@yahoo.com

Twitter: @sahistorycolumn

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LAREDO  A few days before school began here in 2007, district administrators called an emergency staff meeting.

The Texas Education Agency had determined they had too many students in special education, the administrators announced, and had come up with a plan: Remove as many kids as possible.

The staffers did as they were told, and during the school year, the Laredo Independent School District purged its rolls, discharging nearly a third of its special education students, district data show. More than 700 children were forced out of special education and moved back into regular education. Only 78 new students entered the program.

We basically just picked kids and weeded them out, said Maricela Gonzalez, an elementary school speech therapist. We thought it was unfair, but we did it.

Gonzalezs account, confirmed by two co-workers and district documents, illustrates how some schools across Texas have ousted disabled children from needed services in order to comply with an agency decree that no more than 8.5 percent of students should get specialized education.

School districts seeking to meet the arbitrary benchmark havent only made services harder to get but have resorted to removing hundreds and hundreds of kids.

In San Felipe Del Rio CISD, officials several years ago stopped serving some children with autism.

In Brazosport ISD, employees were instructed in 2009 to end tutoring for students with severe dyslexia.

In Northwest ISD, near Fort Worth, administrators told parents they no longer gave speech therapy to high schoolers who stutter.

And in Alief ISD, two staffers recalled being directed to falsely suggest to parents that their kids somehow had been cured of serious disabilities.

I was told to go into all these meetings with parents of kids with different disabilities and tell them, Oh, Johnny is doing so much better. So we want to try him in general education, and of course well give him support, said Christine Damiani, who served as Alief Middle Schools special education chair before retiring last year. None of it was true.

Overall, Texas special education students now are 55 percent more likely to be returned to general education than the national average, according to data collected by the U.S. Education Department.

They are five times more likely to be expelled to a disciplinary school, the statistics show.

Its OK for a child to be moved from special ed to general education if they truly no longer need the services, former Deputy Secretary of Education Frank Holleman said, noting federal law encourages schools to re-evaluate special ed students every three years. But if a child is moved just to meet some arbitrary number, thats the type of thing that can affect a childs entire educational career and entire life. That needs to stop immediately.

The purges explain part of how school districts have dramatically reduced their special education rates in the decade since the TEA created the 8.5 percent enrollment benchmark as part of a district monitoring system.

The percentage of students in special education has plunged from near the national average of 13 percent to exactly 8.5 percent, by far the lowest of any state.

Hearst Newspapers disclosed the benchmark last month and reported the TEA quietly implemented it while facing a $1.1 billion state budget cut without consulting state lawmakers, the federal government or any research.

Federal law obligates public schools to provide special education to all eligible children with disabilities.

In response to the newspaper investigation, the U.S. Education Department on Oct. 3 ordered the TEA to end the target unless it can prove that no kids have been deprived of services.

The department also directed state officials to report on how many districts may have denied services to students with disabilities and how they plan to remedy the effect of such past practices.

The TEA has said it doesnt think anybody has been deprived, although it has said it will review its policies. Prior to the investigation, the agency attributed the decline in special education students to new teaching techniques that it said had lowered the number of kids with learning disabilities, such as dyslexia.

Agency officials also have said the 8.5 percent number is only an indicator of district performance and that districts arent seriously penalized for serving too many kids.

Documents show, however, that the TEA came down hard on Laredo ISD in 2007 in part for exactly that reason.

The agency sent a team of regulators to Laredo and ultimately made the district hire consultants to fix several issues, including potential over-identification, because it was providing special education to 11 percent of students  well below the national average but above the state benchmark.

The districts special education director at the time, Tracy Cartas, declined comment. The current director, Raul Gomez, a 24-year district veteran, said he did not recall any purges. Laredo reduced its numbers, he said, by improving its evaluation process.

But dozens of other current and former Laredo staffers said they felt tremendous pressure to reduce enrollment at all costs.

TEA required us to do this, said GeorgeAnne Reuthinger, who replaced Cartas as director while the purges still were going on. There was no wiggle room.

A lonely fight

Every day, Joseph Espinozas parents send him to school without knowing if he will come home.

The 17-year-old, who was abused as a child and shuffled between foster homes before being adopted six years ago, has been diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia  and every day is a struggle.

But its now a struggle his family fights alone.

For years, Joseph received counseling, tutoring and extra supports from College Station ISD, school records show. But in spring 2015, after the services helped him earn all passing grades for the first time, the district said those grades were evidence he no longer qualified for special education.

The district moved him into Section 504, a program for kids with disabilities who qualify for classroom accommodations but not services. The primary accommodation that Joseph got was a private room for tests.

They said he would be just as successful in 504, and they would monitor him closely, said Josephs mother, Lisa Espinoza. They didnt do any of that, of course.

Without any help, Joseph again failed his classes, records show. He also fell into a deep depression and decided to stop taking his medication.

Last month, after he started having frequent hallucinations, he ended up spending 12 days in a state psychiatric hospital.

College Station ISD declined to comment on Espinoza, whosback in school now  still not receiving services and still failing.

His parents are trying to get him back in.

Targeting the disabled

When the Texas Education Agency introduced its monitoring system in 2004, nearly 1,100 of the states 1,200 school districts were giving special education to more than 8.5 percent of students, state statistics show. More than 96 percent of those districts have since lowered their rates.

The districts that have purged their special education rolls have targeted a variety of children, according to interviews with educators, advocates and parents as well as a newspaper review of Corrective Action Plans submitted to the state by districts cited for over-identification.

In Alief ISD, the focus was on Asian students with autism.

Damiani, the former special education chairwoman, said she was repeatedly told Alief ISD was under TEA sanctions for having too many special education kids. Then, one day she was handed a paper with the names of a dozen of her students, she said.

Someone somewhere had decided that we had too many Asians in our self-contained autism class, said Damiani, whose account was confirmed by a colleague. I was supposed to call the parents to schedule a (meeting) to move the children into another program or out of special ed altogether.

Damiani said she did it, even though it felt illegal and immoral. She lost sleep for weeks afterward, she said, and eventually the incident helped drive her to retire after 21 years with the district.

Craigh Eichhorn, a spokesman for Alief ISD, said no teacher ever has been ordered to remove students from special education.

Several other districts also concentrated on children with autism, a spectrum of deficits including behavioral symptoms ranging from relatively mild social impairment to profoundly anti-social behavior that makes education highly challenging.

In San Felipe Del Rio CISD, officials used the 2013 update of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to dismiss students with Asperger syndrome, said Kerry Steiner, who worked with the district as part of a federally funded parent training project.

The update eliminated the diagnosis of Asperger syndrome as a distinct disorder  but placed it on the autism spectrum.

Still, the district used the change to say that children with that diagnosis no longer had a disability, Steiner said.

The law requires that schools base their special ed decisions on need, not opinion, or space availability, or money, or teacher training or other subjective positions, Steiner said. It was heartbreaking to see schools not do that.

A spokeswoman for San Felipe Del Rio CISD denied Steiners story. She said the decline in students with autism most likely was due to families coming and going from a nearby military base.

Several parents and advocates shared stories about districts that provide special education services through Preschool Programs for Children with Disabilities but now remove services once children enter kindergarten.

One of those policies affected Michael Crighton, who was born weighing 1.6 pounds just 25 weeks into his mothers pregnancy. In preschool in Pearland ISD, he was in an autism program and got occupational and speech therapy, records show. But when he got to kindergarten in 2010, his parents said they were told he had been cured of autism.

Michaels school put him in Section 504, which allowed him to sit close to the teacher, records show.

It was a disaster. A complete disaster, said his mother, Lisa Odom. The seating was a joke because he usually hid under his desk, and he often was sent to the principals office because they felt him to be disruptive.  I was called to the school every single day. And then the last two weeks of school, they just told me to keep him home.

Michael got back into special education but not until 2013. The three years out of services have left him extremely behind academically and emotionally, his parents said.

Pearland ISD declined comment.

At least a dozen school districts, including Bellville ISD and Brenham ISD, have promised the TEA in Corrective Action Plans that they will closely scrutinize special education students who transfer into the district to see whether they can manage without services, records show.

Records of transfer students will be thoroughly reviewed, Morgan ISD vowed in a 2009 Corrective Action Plan, which included a blunt promise: The number of students eligible for special education services at Morgan ISD will decline.

Evanston, Ill., vs. Austin

When a job change led Steven Smiths parents to move to Texas, they chose to send him to Austin ISD because they heard good things about its special education department.

Their 11-year-old son was born without functional hands and had been diagnosed with both autism and scoliosis, medical records show. He had gotten a classroom aide, social skills classes and other special education services when the family members lived in Evanston, Ill.

But when they arrived in 2014, Austin ISD told them Steven no longer qualified for special education.

I showed them all of the paperwork from Illinois, said Stevens mother, Anna Smith. But I was told that from (Austin ISDs) eyes, he didnt have any need for special ed.

Steven struggled immediately, his mother said. He failed assignments, lost confidence and began to hate school. One day, he told his parents that he wanted to kill himself, leading them to pull him out of school.

Austin ISD declined comment.

The family has since moved to nearby Leander ISD, seeking a fresh start.

Laredos purge

Then theres Laredo ISD, an impoverished school system on the border where 98 percent of students receive free or reduced-price lunch and 60 percent do not speak English as their native language.

The Laredo schools provide a unique window into how the Texas Education Agency enforces its special education enrollment benchmark.

For months, the TEA has refused to release any records or correspondence about the enforcement efforts other than some Corrective Action Plans submitted by some school districts in the past few years. Agency lawyers have argued that all other records are exempt because they were part of audits, and Attorney General Ken Paxtons office has agreed.

The agencys efforts in Laredo also are a good illustration of monitoring efforts across the state, according to three of the five TEA employees on the team that visited the district.

The documents show that the district caught the TEAs attention because it scored poorly on the monitoring protocol, called the Performance-Based Monitoring Analysis System (PBMAS).

As a result, the agency in March 2007 sent the five employees to spend nearly a week in Laredo, according to a letter summarizing the visit.

The regulators identified four systemic issues/trends: low participation and passing rates on state tests; a lack of inclusive practices; insufficient monitoring of student progress; and potential over-identification, particularly among non-English-speakers.

TEA officials ordered 12 different corrective actions, including the hiring of consultants.

Over the past two months, Laredo ISD has ignored multiple requests for public records related to its response to the sanctions. But dozens of current and former staffers said the penalties set off a special ed crackdown.

Teresita Gutierrez, a longtime district staffer who was a vice principal at the time, recalled meetings in which she was ordered to make it hard to get into special education.

Because of the districts poverty, the schools have historically had to teach parents about special ed, Gutierrez said. Suddenly, she said, schools were ordered not to tell parents that they can test children to see if they qualify for services.

We just had to watch them fail, Gutierrez said.

Catherine Rodriguez, who taught fourth grade in the district for 37 years before retiring last year, said the district began requiring teachers to go through several different cycles of interventions before requesting a child be evaluated for special ed.

It was ridiculous because the whole year would go by, and youd have to start it all again the next year, she said.

Officials also ordered purges.

Even strong Laredo ISD supporters acknowledged the district responded to TEA pressure by re-examining special ed students.

Criselda Alvarez, a consultant hired by the district, said she and others focused on testing non-English-speakers to see if they actually had disabilities or had struggled in school only because of language barriers.

We really had to look at that and exit some of those kids because at one point the numbers were really high, Alvarez said.

In Laredo ISD in the mid-2000s, so-called English Language Learners did receive special ed services at a higher rate than English-speakers  a situation that was not the case in the rest of the state. But their special education percentage was only slightly higher than the national average of 13 percent.

The number of English Language Learners in services in Laredo ISD has plummeted since then, state statistics show. Today, only 6.8 percent of those kids get services, far below the district, state and national averages.

The federal government has said its especially concerned about the denial of special education services to English Language Learners in Texas.

Districtwide, the special education percentage has dropped from 11 percent to 7.8 percent. There have been steep dips in kids with learning disabilities (down 56 percent since 2004), visual impairments (down 46 percent) and mental illnesses (down 29 percent), but no drop has been more dramatic than in the speech-impairment category, which plummeted 74.3 percent.

Just one in every 300 students in Laredo ISD now receives speech therapy services  seven times below the national average.

Numerous staffers said the district decided to provide services only to students who could not pass state tests. Since tests are written, not oral, kids with problems with pronunciation, stuttering and swallowing were deemed to no longer qualify.

Rossana Venecia, a former supervisor in the districts speech-therapy department, defended that decision, saying special ed is not meant to help kids talk.

If they are making As or Bs, they dont have an educational need for special education, Venecia said. Were not just here to teach them rs and shs.

But speech-therapy experts in Texas and across the nation said kids with pronunciation, stuttering and swallowing disorders do have educational needs. They often cant communicate with their teachers, are afraid to speak in class and have few friends and low self-esteem, the experts said.

It is impossible to know what has happened to the discharged students because Texas does not meaningfully track children who leave special education.

The PBMAS system monitors the percentage of students who pass state tests in the year after they exit services, but that metric is flawed because it does not require schools to say how many kids took modified tests or did not participate at all.

Laredo ISD does not give state tests to most children who exit special education, data show.

In the 2008-09 school year  the year after more than 700 students left special ed  only 78 kids in grades 3-8 took the state math test, the TEA reported. Forty-five passed.

Only 15 children took the state social studies test. Eight passed.

Maricela Gonzalez, the speech therapist, said she is certain many of the students have suffered academically, socially and emotionally.

She and the other therapists tried to find time to check in with the purged children in regular classes, she said, but a very, very, very high percentage of kids fell through the cracks.

Gonzalez does not work with Laredo ISD anymore. In 2008, she left to join a private company that provides for-fee pediatric therapy services.

Shes still haunted by the times that she wrote Discharge at the top of files of children with disabilities who still desperately needed help. She often wonders what happened to them.
Guided-missile destroyer USS Decatur (DDG 73) operates in the South China Sea as part of the Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) in the South China Sea. Diana Quinlan/U.S. Navy/Handout via Reuters

The latest U.S. announcemnt comes on the heels of more 'troubling rhetoric' from the new president of the Philippines.

Analysts say Friday's U.S. naval patrol past islands claimed by China reflect the insignifcance of Filipino Rodrigo Duerte's recent posturing in Beijing.

That same day, a Pentagon spokesperson told AFP it had dispatched the USS Decatur past the Paracel Islands without ever entereing the 12 nautical mile zone international law defines as territorial waters.

The ships transited the area in a routine, lawful manner without ship escorts and without incident, a spokesman said. China slammed the patrol in typical rhetoric, describing it as a deliberately provocative and serious illegal" act.

Fridays patrol was the first such incursion since the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague ruled, this summer, that there was no legal basis for Chinas claims to nearly all of the sea  a verdict Beijing vehemently dismissed.

[The U.S.] is showing that its Freedom of Navigation Operations (FONOP) program is continuing, especially after the arbitration ruling, because after July 16 there was a kind of silence despite expectations. People were wondering when the next FONOP would be, so I think this is a demonstration that they are still doing it, Professor Jay Batongbacal, director of the UP Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea at the University of the Philippines, told VnExpress in an email.

The recent patrol through waters the U.S. describes as "international" challenges Chinas territorial claims over the region, according to Batongbacal.

In 1974, China took the archipelago following a brief but bloody battle with the naval forces of the U.S.-backed Republic of Vietnam. Vietnam never relinquished its claim to the Paracels, despite China's illegal occupation.

Jamie Metzl, a senior fellow at U.S. think tank Atlantic Council, agreed that the latest U.S. patrol signals a refusal to abandon its policy.

"This is part of the ongoing process, he said.

The last U.S. freedom-of-navigation operation, held in May, sailed within 12 miles of Fiery Cross reef in the Spratly Islands; China scrambled fighter jets in response.

Friday's operation followed Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte's murky "separation" from Washington and realignment with Beijing.

The Philippines served as a key ally of the United States and territorial rival of Beijing in the South China Sea (which Vietnam calls the East Sea), until Duterte took office in June.

Duterte's announcement on Thursday represented a complete policy reversal for the island nation, whose previous administration petitioned The Hague to rule on China's maritime claim to nearly all of the islands and territories to its south.

The U.S. Embassy in Manila blasted Duterte's comments as "creating unnecessary uncertainty," CNN reported Saturday.

"We've seen a lot of this sort of troubling rhetoric recently, which is inexplicably at odds with the warm relationship that exists between the Filipino and American people and the record of important cooperation between our two governments," embassy spokeswoman Molly Koscina said in a statement.

The United States will honor its alliance commitments and treaty obligations, and expects the Philippines to do the same, she added.

Shortly after arriving home late Friday night from his four-day state visit to China, Duerte said "separation" with the United States would not mean severing diplomatic ties, as this would not be good for Filipinos, according to the Saturday edition of the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Duerte said his words should be taken in the context of what he has been saying all along. When he mentioned separation, during an address he gave during his China trip, what he was saying was separation of a foreign policy, he said.

Duterte came home late Friday night from his state visit to China, which he described as productive.

Related news:

> Vietnam walks a thin line as American, Chinese warships make landmark port calls

> Amid South China Sea uncertainty, Indonesia stages a show of force

> China urges Australia to be 'cautious' on South China Sea
The 4th Court of Appeals will appoint a mediator for sessions it ordered between the city and the San Antonio Professional Firefighters Association.

The justices will decide on a mediator because the city and fire union failed to agree on their own. Ordering mediation amid a city appeal on a lawsuit it lost in district court, the 4th Court of Appeals gave the two sides a week to select one.

The two could not agree on a mediator, prompting the appellate court to act.

The city sued the fire union over a clause in its collective-bargaining agreement that keeps the contract in force for up to a decade, absent a new deal, arguing in court that the evergreen clause violates the Texas Constitution and public policy. A district court judge disagreed, and the city appealed.

City officials suggested that the two sides use the same mediator who worked with the city and the San Antonio Police Officers Association this summer to reach an agreement for their new collective-bargaining agreement. The fire union rejected that proposal.

After an exchange of proposed mediators with the union, the union communicated that they would not agree to anyone not on their initial list, a news release from the city said. In an effort to reach a compromise, the city tried to speak directly with the fire unions attorney but could not get a response.

Chris Steele, president of the fire union, said in a prepared statement that his membership believes that a mediator with experience as a judge is important.

The city proposed three mediators that we felt did not have the prerequisite experience to mediate on this particular case, which could have repercussions for firefighters all over the state of Texas.

jbaugh@express-news.net

Twitter: @jbaugh
(Bloomberg) -- Vulnerable internet-connected devices such as cameras and digital video recorders may be to blame for the attack that took down some of the worlds most popular websites on Friday.

Malware that targets the internet of things, a new breed of small gadgets that are connected to the internet, may have powered the global attack, according to Brian Krebs, a well-known journalist covering computer security. Poorly secured devices may have been compromised and turned into a botnet that powered the attack, he wrote.

Millions of internet users lost access to some of the worlds most popular websites on Friday as hackers hammered servers along the U.S. East Coast with phony traffic until they crashed, then moved westward. The attackers hit Dyn Inc., a provider of Domain Name System services, taking down sites including Twitter, Spotify, Reddit, CNN, Etsy and the New York Times for long stretches of time. By Friday evening, Dyn said it had stopped the hacks.

As you can imagine it has been a crazy day, Dyn spokesman Adam Coughlin wrote in an e-mail. At this moment (knock on wood) service has been restored.

Security professionals have been anticipating more attacks from malware that targets the internet of things since a hacker released software code that powers such malware, called Mirai, several weeks ago. Kyle York, chief strategy officer of Dyn, said the hackers launched a so-called distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack using tens of millions of malware-infected devices connected to the internet.

Gillian M. Christensen, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, said the agency and the FBI is aware of the incidents and investigating all potential causes.

Internet Havoc

Dyn first reported site outages relating to the DDoS attack around 7:10 a.m. New York time on Friday. The company restored service two hours later, but was offline again around noon, as another attack appeared to be underway, this time affecting the West Coast as well.

While DDoS attacks dont steal anything, they create havoc across the internet -- and are on the increase in volume and power.

Sites were affected as far away as Australia by a second wave of attacks that began at around 1 a.m. Sydney time on Saturday and lasted about five hours, said Dave Anderson, a London-based vice president of marketing at Dynatrace LLC, which monitors the performance of websites. At the peak of the attack, average DNS connect times for 2,000 websites monitored by Dynatrace went to about 16 seconds from 500 milliseconds normally.

Vulnerable World

I have never seen severity this big, impacting so many sites and lasting over such a prolonged period of time, Anderson said in a telephone interview. It just shows how vulnerable and interconnected the world is, and when something happens in one region, it impacts every other region.

Dynatraces analytics arent able to trace the source of the attacks, Anderson said.

Earlier Friday in the U.S., Krebs wrote that the timing of the attacks corresponded with the release of research conducted by Dyns director of internet analysis. Dyn highlighted potential connections between firms that offer to protect against DDoS attacks, and the hackers who conduct them. Krebss own website faced an extremely large and unusual DDoS attack after he published a story based on the same research, he said.

We cant confirm or even speculate on anyones motivation or relation to that research, said Dave Allen, Dyns general counsel.

Common Warfare

With attacks on the internets Domain Name System, hackers compromise the underlying technology that governs how the web functions, making the hack far more powerful and widespread.

The DNS translates website names into the Internet Protocol addresses that computers use to look up and access sites. But it has a design flaw: Sending a routine data request to a DNS server from one computer, the hacker can trick the system into sending a monster file of IP addresses back to the intended target. Multiply that by tens of thousands of computers under the hackers control, and the wall of data that flooded back is enormous. A small server may be capable of handling hundreds of simultaneous requests, but thousands every minute cause overload and ultimately shut down, taking the websites it hosts offline with it.

The practice often is employed by groups of hackers. In 2012, a DDoS attack forced offline the websites of Bank of America Corp., JPMorgan Chase & Co., Citigroup Inc., Wells Fargo & Co., U.S. Bancorp and PNC Financial Services Group Inc.

Zombie Machines

A DDoS can be achieved in a number of ways but commonly involves a distributed network of so-called zombie machines, referred to as botnets. A botnet is formed with computers and other connected devices in homes or offices infected with malicious code which, upon the request of a hacker, can flood a web server with data. One or two machines wouldnt be an issue, but if tens or hundreds of thousands fire such data simultaneously, it can cripple even the most sophisticated web servers.

In the case of the Dyn incident, the computers targeted were DNS servers. Without a DNS server, large numbers of websites are inaccessible by users across a country or even the world. In other words, taking away the DNS servers is like taking away all the road signs on a countrys highway system. So-called authoritative DNS providers like Dyn are notoriously hard to secure. Carl Herberger, vice president for security solutions at Radware, an Israeli-based internet security company, likens authoritative DNS providers to hospitals, which must admit anyone who shows up at the emergency room. Dyn must consider traffic going to a website as initially legitimate. In the event of a DDoS, Dyn must work quickly to sort out the bad traffic from the good, which takes time and resources, and creates outages that ripple across the internet, as was the case Friday.

Dave Palmer, director of technology at U.K. cybersecurity company Darktrace, said the most recent DDoS attacks have been linked to internet-of-things devices, in particular web cams.

No Joke

The joke about the internet of things was that you were going to get people hijacking peoples connected fridges to conduct these attacks, but in these recent cases the culprit seems to be webcams, Palmer said. We will probably see, when this is investigated, that it is a botnet of the internet of things.

To avoid massive outages, companies ramp up their capacity to try to absorb the deluge of traffic and reroute it, often with the help of a major telecommunications carrier or cloud-services provider like Akamai Technologies Inc. or CloudFlare Inc. But the only way to really prevent denial-of-service attacks may be to increase the overall security level of consumers around the world, Palmer said, a task that is getting harder as more and more devices are connected to the internet.

This is exactly what happens when tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of devices are left unprotected, Palmer said.

--With assistance from Elliott Snyder Scott Moritz Michael Riley Paul Barbagallo and Jason Gale To contact the reporters on this story: Nate Lanxon in London at nlanxon@bloomberg.net, Jeremy Kahn in London at jkahn21@bloomberg.net, Joshua Brustein in New York at jbrustein@bloomberg.net. To contact the editors responsible for this story: Jillian Ward at jward56@bloomberg.net, Stephen West, Bernard Kohn

2016 Bloomberg L.P.
It was her youngest daughters third birthday when Phelicia Salas had what she called a little epiphany.

After 10 years of caring for her children and with no educational degree, Salas decided to go back to school.

We had a death in the family, and I was thinking, what if something happened to my husband? Or what if we werent together anymore?  said Salas, 29, resting her elbow on a decorative table at The Neighborhood Place on the West Side. I dont have anything  I dont have no education, no training for jobs, I dont have nothing. So thats when I decided to go back to school.

She and a handful of other families attended a luncheon Saturday celebrating their participation in or completion of the Department of Human Services Training for Job Success program. Though the program is at least 17 years old, the event celebrating its clients was a first.

We felt like going through the program takes an incredible amount of hard work and it takes a commitment. We wanted to celebrate that they started in poverty, took a look at their situation and decided to get out of it, said Minerva Hernandez, the family support coordinator of the department who oversees the program.

Training for Job Success helps low-income clients attain gainful employment in high-demand jobs such as nursing, computer systems analysis and welding. The program offers financial assistance as well as transportation, child care and referrals to other resources for up to two years, typically. Caseworkers make contact with their clients at least twice a month to keep updated with their life situation and adjust their support services accordingly.

The clients must be at or below 125 percent of the federal poverty guideline, which is $14,850 annual income for one person. The average income for the programs clients this year was $11,152, Hernandez said.

The program takes applications on a rolling basis. While currently at The Neighborhood Place, which also houses San Antonios Family Service Association, the program is set to move to the Claude W. Black Community Center on the East Side in January.

By the end of the year, Training for Job Success will have spent more than $250,000 in direct assistance to its clients, Hernandez said. As of this month, she said, the clients total combined income has increased from $256,518 to over $1 million since January. She said 36 clients are expected to have transitioned out of poverty this year.

We identify the barriers and try to work around them as much as we can. Its not just about going to school, its about what their family, home or work life is and trying to make it work, Hernandez said.

Salas was born and raised on the South Side, and for a while, she thought she would spend the rest of her life taking care of her children  now she has four. She started taking classes at San Antonio College three years ago and could barely afford it. She had no job skills, and her husband worked, and still does, at Pizza Hut.

I wanted to make something of myself. I never really thought about the future, what I was focusing on was the present, and how everything was going until that day, until that night, after the birthday, Salas said.

Since Salas signed up last fall, the program has at times helped her pay for rent, utilities, tuition and textbooks. Her caseworker has connected her to internships with the city and last year helped her apply for Habitat for Humanity, which she was accepted into last October. In May this year, her family got to move into a house that she and the Habitat volunteers built.

At the lunch, a client named Ivan Cantu gave a speech about his path from poverty to now being an occupational therapy assistant. His daughter rushed over at the end to give him a hug, shortly followed by his caseworker, who teared up during his speech.

At the event, a video of the programs clients was projected, including Salas. Caseworkers spoke of the programs benefits. They encouraged people to let others in need know about the services they could receive.

This thing has led me to so many different opportunities. It took me out of my shell; the old me wouldnt have done that video, said Salas, who will phase out of the program just around the time when shes set to graduate in the spring. But to see that they want me to succeed, thats what makes me keep on doing it.

sfosterfrau@express-news.net
AUSTIN  Defense lawyer Scott Walker says sharing a name with Wisconsins nationally known governor helped his bid for the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, but it was Gods guidance that pushed him over the line to secure the Republican nomination.

What made the difference had nothing to do with campaigning, said Walker, who practices in Fort Worth and Dallas.

If elected, he will get his first judicial experience as a member of the Texas high court that has power over life and death in criminal cases.

I believe strongly that God led me to run for this office. He has been behind me. I prayed about the election daily, Walker said in an interview with the San Antonio Express-News. I really feel that I was unbelievably blessed in this election, and God has just done what he planned to do all along.

Walkers Democratic opponent, lawyer Betsy Johnson of San Antonio, offers little alternative for that rare voter who has begun paying attention to the race and might look for more extensive experience as the general election nears.

Johnson also has no judicial experience  its not required for a seat on either of the states highest courts  and she was removed more than five years ago from Bexar Countys list of lawyers who can represent indigent defendants in felony cases.

According to the presiding judge at the time, Johnson didnt want to represent clients if they wanted to go to trial instead of entering a plea.

As a result, Walker has reaped general-election endorsements from a number of newspapers. The Dallas Morning News called a vote for Johnson reckless and said it has warmed to Walkers background and approach.

Ive been a criminal defense attorney my entire career, Walker said. I certainly will bring to the court the side that is going to be interested in constitutional rights. I certainly am a strong believer in individual liberties. Im a constitutional conservative.

Under voters radar

Their race for Place 5 on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals is illustrative of a state system in which judges are picked through sparsely funded partisan campaigns that mostly fly under voters radar. Still, efforts for big changes have fallen flat.

There is not enough money available to be raised to even begin to inform the electorate of your qualifications, or your opponents lack thereof in a Court of Criminal Appeals race, said former Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas Phillips, who while on the bench unsuccessfully pushed for merit selection of judges.

In such a system, judges are first appointed and then subject to retention elections. Its an approach thats also favored by current Chief Justice Nathan Hecht.

Phillips effort, one of a number that have failed over the years, faltered in the Legislature in 2003 as much because of political consultants as any other group, the former chief justice said, with some fearing theyd lose business through the change.

Some would like to combine the Court of Criminal Appeals, the highest court for criminal cases including murders punished by the death penalty, and the Texas Supreme Court, which oversees civil cases.

Among them are Hecht and Texas Supreme Court Justice Don Willett. The latter criticized the current juris-imprudent design of the system in a dissenting opinion in a case that he said should have gone to the criminal court. Willett added to the Express-News, Oklahoma is the only other state with dual high courts, which seems reason enough to change.

Those who disagree cite issues including the large workload that combining cases would make for a single court, and the difference in expertise required for criminal vs. civil law.

In an effort to force a different sort of change, Latino voters have filed a lawsuit challenging statewide elections for the high courts, saying single-member-district elections would give a better chance to minorities choices. Such a system would allow creation of majority-minority districts.

Absent a court order, dramatic changes that would require amending the Texas Constitution would be difficult, since that takes a two-thirds vote of the Legislature and voter approval on a statewide ballot.

I dont sense the appetite for it, Phillips said of merit selection. Our time is better spent working around the margins and making the current system we have better.

So some are pushing for changes that could be done without a constitutional amendment, such as restoring a requirement for high court judges to gather petition signatures statewide.

That requirement was repealed in a provision added last year to a bill that addressed a different judicial topic. The repeal didnt draw attention, the bill was signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott, and then people got concerned.

Sen. Judith Zaffirini, a Laredo Democrat who carried the overall bill, said the repeal provision was added in the House. She said she is working with members of the judiciary and plans to file a measure to restore the petition requirement.

That idea, and more, drew support from Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, the Republican who presides over the Senate, and House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio. Abbotts office had no comment.

Ive heard a lot of concern in San Antonio about the fact that petition signatures are no longer required for judicial candidates, and I hope we will re-examine that decision when the Legislature meets again, Straus said. I also remain concerned that voters have little information about candidates seeking important judicial positions, which is why I want to take a broader look at the issue of judicial qualifications and selection.

Patrick, whose son is a district court judge, long has opposed straight-party voting for judges and also supports reinstatement of the petition requirement, said his consultant, Allen Blakemore.

The petition process requires judicial candidates to demonstrate some support and limits their ability to mount 11th hour political challenges, Blakemore said.

Phillips also said the petition signature requirement helped weed out less serious contenders, but Glen Maxey of the Texas Democratic Party called it a ridiculous requirement that didnt keep unqualified candidates from running but only made work for solid candidates.

The Walker-Johnson race

The lack of a petition requirement smoothed the way for both nominees for Place 5, which is a rare seat without an incumbent whos running. The other five seats that are on the ballot  three are up on each nine-member court  have incumbents as candidates.

Walker, who ended up securing the nomination in a runoff after getting more than 41 percent of the vote in a four-way primary competition, said the lack of a petition requirement made a difference for him because he didnt get on the ballot until the very last day.

I didnt really come even close to making my decision until the last week or so before the last day to sign up. So theres no way I could have ran if I had to get the petition signatures, he said.

Walker supports the system of electing judges, saying theres too much politics in an appointment system, but he would like to see the qualifications increased to require appellate experience, as he has.

Current qualifications for either of the states highest courts only call for a person to be a citizen of the United States and Texas; age 35-74; and a practicing lawyer, or a lawyer and judge combined, for at least 10 years.

Johnson filed in the last hour of the last day to put her name in contention, the Texas Democratic Party confirmed.

State District Judge Sid Harle of Bexar County  who lost a bid for the GOP nod for the Place 5 seat  said he met Johnson after she was dropped from the appointment list for indigent defendants facing felony charges in 2011.

He said other criminal court judges pressed for the action. Since he was the presiding judge, she came to his office to dispute it.

I hear this clomping outside my door and she comes storming into my office in, of course, combat boots, Harle said.

He said he advised Johnson to work as second chair without pay in a couple of trials to prove to the judges she could try a case, but she refused with an expletive.

Johnson, whos described as partial to unconventional attire such as the combat boots noted by Harle, couldnt be reached for this report.

She didnt respond to an email inquiry, and there was no answer at the phone number she has listed with the State Bar of Texas.

Bexar County Democratic Party Chairman Manuel Medina said he hasnt met Johnson, but hed like to see her elected.

What I hear is that shes bright and level-headed and shed be great judge, Medina said. I support all our Democrats up and down the ballot.

Unlike Patrick, Medina supports straight-ticket voting, calling it a help when candidates arent well-known because you are voting on values. Are you going to have judges that send people straight to jail, or look at the situation and give people a second chance?

The presence of little-known candidates on high court ballots is a long-standing phenomenon, Professor Geary Reamey of St. Marys University School of Law pointed out.

Everyone is little-known. When has there ever been a person nominated who is well-known? Reamey said, adding of the Walker-Johnson race: Although I teach criminal law and procedure  I know almost nothing about either of these candidates.

Reamey would favor changes including a system in which judges picked by a bipartisan panel would be appointed and subject to retention elections.

He would like to bar straight-ticket voting on judges and would prefer nonpartisan judicial elections, disagreeing with the idea that the party label at least gives information about a candidate.

If people know little about court candidates other than their party affiliation, Reamey suggested there are worse things than not casting a ballot in that race

I think if they dont know anything about the candidates, they shouldnt vote in that race, Reamey said. Theyre not required to vote, and they should not.

pfikac@express-news.net

Twitter: @pfikac
In October, the United States Agency for International Development, or USAID, and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, or COMESA, launched a five-year Regional Development Objectives Grant Agreement at the 19th COMESA Summit, held this year in Madagascar. The agreement, announced in Nairobi, Kenya, provides for USAID to contribute approximately $77 million dollars to strengthen the collaborative partnership between the two organizations and implement regional trade, investment, and agriculture development programs that contribute to their common goals.

U.S. Ambassador to Zambia and Special Representative to COMESA Eric Schultz, USAID Deputy Mission Director for Kenya and East Africa Candace Buzzard, and the COMESA Secretary General Ambassador Sindiso Ngwenya signed a memorandum of understanding to affirm the agreement.

Ambassador Schultz pointed to the continued momentum toward achieving common economic development goals by renewing the partnership. Through economic diversification, attracting more foreign investment, and reducing existing trade barriers, we can build upon our successes to date. I am confident that the new Agreement will help us bolster growth and unlock economic potential among the COMESA member states.

Under this agreement, COMESA and USAID will work together to achieve shared development priorities to promote sustainable regional economic integration; reinforce institutional governance and accountability by supporting the coordination of regional trade, investment, and agricultural policies; and strengthen COMESAs organizational leadership.

The new agreement is not the first for USAID and COMESA, a regional economic community under the African Union with 19 member states. They have partnered since 2003 to create sustainable and integrated markets, increase the productivity of staple crops and farm productivity, promote trade and reduce trade barriers in regional markets, and support the free movement of goods and services in the region. Under a previous agreement, USAID provided $115 million dollars to support the organization in delivering its mandate.

The United States is proud to work with its partner, COMESA, to promote the prosperity of Africa and the world.
Shropshire

A Full-Time position is available for an assistant herdsperson on a family dairy farm in mid Shropshire. We have a 250 dairy herd rearing own replacements together with a b...
It's that time of year again, fireworks will soon light up the night sky as Bonfire Night looms.

But it is often a time of anxiety and stress some.

Many farmers and rural organisations are calling on the public to have a happy  but lantern-free and considerate  bonfire night this November.

Speaking ahead of bonfires and fireworks being lit around the country on 5 November, the UK farming unions would welcome dangerous sky lanterns, known also as Chinese lanterns, being banned for both personal use, and from being part of any display.

Unions have written to councils across the UK asking for a ban on sky lanterns

The unions are also urging those setting off fireworks to give some consideration to any livestock that may be in fields or sheds nearby.

The lanterns, which are constructed from paper with a wire or wooden frame and contain a lighted candle, are a proven fire risk and can be a danger to animals.

They pose a fire hazard to stacks of hay and straw, woodland and farm buildings. If they land within crops grown to feed livestock, the frames risk being ingested causing great harm to livestock.

29 councils in England, 8 councils in Scotland, 13 councils in Wales and 2 in Northern Ireland have already banned sky lanterns.

Enjoy - but be considerate

NFU Scotlands Animal Health and Welfare Policy Manager, Penny Johnston said: Bonfire night and fireworks are a long established part of celebrations at this time of year.

We believe people can have a great evening while taking the needs of those who live and work in the countryside into consideration.

Sky lanterns are seemingly innocent devices, and are beautiful to look at, but they can cause untold damage as there is no control over where these burning structures of paper, metal and wood decide to land.

Across the UK, there have been many reports now of fires started by lanterns and harm to the health of livestock when lanterns have landed in farmers fields and been eaten.

There is a further risk to stock when grass is cut and ensiled for winter feed, and the wire is chopped up and subsequently contained in hay or silage.

We applaud the action already taken against sky lanterns by eight local authorities in Scotland and we urge other councils to take their responsibilities as seriously. We also ask members of the public to avoid the use of lanterns, and to understand the risks that these can pose.

Given the noise and bright lights, it is unsurprising that each bonfire night also brings a few reports of cattle, sheep, horses and dogs being scared and traumatised when fireworks are set off irresponsibly.

Although winter is approaching, the fantastic autumn weather means that many livestock can still be found in the fields around the UK's cities, towns and villages.

Taking the time to inform their keepers of any planned or private firework displays may prevent any unnecessary suffering for animals.

Similarly, where livestock have been housed for the winter in sheds that are close to public places, consideration should be given to the wellbeing of the animals before any fireworks are set off nearby.

Taking the time to consider the impact of any display  planned or otherwise  will ensure that all can enjoy this traditional, colourful but noisy time of year, concluded Miss Johnston.
A new action plan to grow exports and bring a 2.9 billion boost to the UK economy has been launched today by Environment Secretary Andrea Leadsom at the worlds largest food trade fair in Paris.

The new International Action Plan for Food and Drink will see the government and industry working together to boost food and drink exports over the next five years.

The plan, launched today at SIAL, the worlds leading food and drink trade fair, identifies nine markets across 18 countries with the best potential for growth.

SIAL is the worlds leading food and drink trade fair

It sets out new ways to tap into these markets, including targeting an extra 185 million in exports to Japan through demand for classic British products like tea, jam and biscuits and new opportunities for British beef.

An additional 293 million of exports to Australia and New Zealand, where theres a growing thirst for British beer and cider.

And a 215 million export boost in Mexico and Latin America through growing demand for a wide range of British products, including whisky and gin.

"The government has put trade at the heart of its agenda," said International Trade Minister, Mark Garnier

'We are open for Business'

Speaking today at SIAL, the Environment Secretary said: "With over 10 billion worth of food and drink sold overseas in the last seven months and exports up almost six per cent compared to 2015, there is no doubt we are open for business and ready to trade.

"Our food and drink is renowned for having the very best standards of animal welfare, quality and safety and I want even more of the world to enjoy what we have to offer.

"Scottish salmon, Welsh beef, Northern Irish whiskey and English cheese are already well-known globally and I want us to build on this success by helping even more companies send their top quality food and drink abroad.

Together over the next five years the government and industry will help exporters sell more overseas.

'Trade at the heart of the agenda'

International Trade Minister, Mark Garnier, said: "The government has put trade at the heart of its agenda with the creation of the Department for International Trade and we are working hard to help UK companies take advantage of the global demand for British goods and services.

"This ambitious new plan shows the strength of our commitment to boosting UK food and drink exports around the world.

"Whether its helping our businesses to understand target markets, providing access to trade missions or advice on export finance, we are committed to helping budding exporters realise their dreams of building a global business.

The plan will target additional markets including India, USA and Canada, China and the Gulf. Across these countries work is underway to secure new access  notably, market access for beef and poultry to Japan, lamb and beef to the USA, and pork to China.

The Great British Food Unit which was launched earlier this year to promote exports, support inward investment and champion the excellence of British food and drink at home and abroad will support industry to achieve the targets set out in the plan.
Celebrity farmer Jimmy Doherty has been announced as the NFU Mutual's small farms ambassador to promote a support package for small farmers.

In his new role, Jimmy will be sharing his experiences of turning a piece of run-down Suffolk land into a successful farm and visitor attraction with new entrants to farming and those who have worked the land for generations.

"We need small farms to look after the land, keep rare breeds going and to hold the fabric of the countryside together," said Mr Doherty.

"Small farmers have a great story to tell  but are so busy working that they don't get the chance to talk about the great work they're doing so I hope to be able to use this role to spread the message and support farmers - from those who have just started out to families who have been working the land for generations.

"Farming today isn't just about riding on a tractor; you have to be the vet, you have to be the engineer, you even have to now be the shopkeeper with a farm shop. To protect a dynamic farm business you need an insurer with farming expertise and local people to grow the business with you  and that's why I'm with NFU Mutual."

Gina Fusco, NFU Mutual Strategy and Marketing Director, added: "Jimmy is a brilliant communicator whose TV programmes captured the hearts of viewers by showing how his passion for farming helped him meet the challenges small farmers face.

"As the insurer of three quarters of the nation's farms, we understand the intense pressure small farms are under and are determined to help them survive and thrive for the benefit of present and future generations."
In the first half of 2016 the Scotch Whisky Association reported that Scottish whisky exports by volume returned to growth for the first time since 2013.

For the malting barley industry this was of course very welcome news and yet more could be on the way with competitiveness further boosted thanks to the recent fall in the value of the pound, writes AHDB Cereals and Oilseeds.

Yet this season Scotland is estimated to have produced the smallest spring barley crop for 18 years at 1.27Mt, down 17% year-on-year. On the surface this is alarming given the growth coming back into whisky export volumes.

In the ten years to 2015 Scotland has produced, on average, close to 1.5Mt of spring barley per year and production in 2013, 14 and 15 was above the ten year average.

The upshot of these previously big production years for Scottish spring barley has been accumulation of stocks.

2017 looks likely to present a backdrop of whisky export growth and reduced stock levels

Due to the highly integrated nature of the UK grain markets, Scotland-specific data isnt available.

However, trends in UK stock levels give an indication of the Scottish trends given the significant role that Scotland plays in UK production.

UK barley stocks at the end of June 2016 were estimated at almost 1.4Mt, similar to the previous three years.

Typically the UK tends to see stocks below the 1Mt level. For Scotland, barley stocks will play a key role in balancing the lower production of 2016 and the key question is, what does this mean for harvest 2017?

With the possibility of depleted stocks, the supply chain in 2017/18 will be more reliant on the outcome of the 2017 harvest.

The lower production of 2016 was in part due to a 7% decline in the spring barley area planted  the lowest since 2007.

With maltsters and distillers dealing with burdensome levels of stock and a waning whiskey export demand there were limited contracts available for farmers growing barley.

Now though the picture is rather different, 2017 looks likely to present a backdrop of whisky export growth and reduced stock levels.

The material impact of this on contract availability for the 2017 crop remains to be seen, but it does give grounds for some optimism for the skilled malting barley growers of Scotland.
Septoria resistance breakthrough may reduce future losses in wheat yields, according to scientists.

A new paper from scientists at the John Innes Centre in Norwich explains why plant breeders have found it difficult to produce wheat varieties which combine high yield and good resistance to Septoria, a disease in wheat which can cut yield losses by up to 50%.

It traces the problem back to decisions made nearly sixty years ago.

Septoria is the most destructive disease affecting wheat in the UK. As the fungus has become insensitive to most fungicides, demand for new Septoria resistant wheat varieties has risen sharply.

Septoria emerged as a serious threat to wheat in the 1970s. Since then, progress in breeding new varieties which combine high yield with resistance to Septoria has been slow.

Professor James Brown and his colleague Dr Lia Arraiano analysed resistance and susceptibility to Septoria in wheat varieties grown in the UK between 1860 and 2000.

Using a technique called association genetics, they found that the gene with the biggest effect on increasing susceptibility to Septoria is very closely linked to one that increases yield and grain size.

Heines Peko

Septoria are pycnidia-producing fungi that causes numerous leaf spot diseases on field crops, forages and many vegetables

Professor Brown said: As we studied a historical set of varieties covering more than a century of wheat breeding, we discovered where the small region of the genome that increases both Septoria and yield came from.

We traced it back to a variety called Heines Peko, which was used to breed for yield and rust resistance in the late 1950s.

Heines Peko was crossed with Cappelle Desprez, the major wheat variety in Britain at the time. This cross was so influential that all modern wheats bred in Britain are descended from it.

Professor Brown suggests that as wheat breeders selected ever more strongly for higher yield, susceptibility to Septoria hitch-hiked along with it.

My group is now trying to find out if the connection between the two traits can be broken he added.

Breeders appreciate that increased yield is the main driver of the market for new varieties.

Professor Brown points out that although Septoria resistance has improved in recommended varieties over the last ten years, the lack of knowledge about the relationship between yield and susceptibility to Septoria has hindered progress.

Its surprising, he adds, that a decision made so long ago has had such a long-lasting effect.

'Combining yield and Septoria resistance'

Dr Arraiano and Professor Browns research points to a way of rising to the challenge of combining yield and Septoria resistance.

They found ten other genes scattered throughout the genome with smaller effects on Septoria.

They also found that nearly half the variation in Septoria was controlled by genes with effects that were too small to identify individually.

We know the genes are there, said Professor Brown, but we dont know where they are.

Professor Brown is confident that breeders can make durable advances in Septoria resistance with this knowledge.

When breeders make crosses between diverse varieties, they produce new combinations of genes with small effects, he explains.

Then if they run field trials at sites where Septoria is really rampant, they can spot the most resistant lines to commercialise and to use in the next generation of breeding.

He believes this approach will enable breeders to improve Septoria resistance, while minimising undesirable side-effects, such as reductions in yield.

Professor Brown concluded: With the pressures of restrictions on pesticide use added to Septoria becoming insensitive to most fungicides, farmers need varieties which combine yield and quality with resistance to Septoria and other diseases. Our breakthrough should accelerate progress in developing these new varieties.
What does a more efficient Caleb Love look like for the Tar Heels?
Judd Apatow has paid tribute to Kevin Meaney, who has died aged 60.

Kevin Meaney (Twitter)

The 'Uncle Buck' star and stand-up comedian known for the catchphrase "That's not right" passed away at his home in New York on Friday (21.10.16) and has been described as someone who could "make you lose your mind lauging" by the 'Trainwreck' director.

Judd tweeted: "Kevin Meaney was as funny as they get and the nicest man. He could make you lose your mind laughing. A very special person."

Meaney was due to perform on Saturday night in Rhode Island and his cause of death is not yet known, however, his agent confirmed the news in a statement to CNN on Saturday and tributes have flooded in for the star on Twitter as the news has spread.

'Ratatouille' star and comedian Patton Oswalt described Meaney as: "A true, and rare, comedy legend. And one of the nicest guys you could ever hope to meet as well."

While Bobcat Goldthwait said: "Kevin Meaney was sweet, hilarious and courageous. A silly, wonderful, man. The best. My heart goes out to his fans, friends and family."

Meaney found fame on 'The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson' and went on to appear in 1988 movie 'Big' alongside Tom Hanks and play the title role in the sitcom version of John Candy comedy 'Uncle Buck' in 1990.

Most recently, the star had roles in '2 Broke Girls', 'Space Ghost Coast to Coast' and 'Dr. Katz Professional Therapist.'
Ghostbusters director Paul Feig has pleaded with Shane Richie to give a contestant on 'Decimate' his deserved winnings.

Paul Feig

The 54-year-old filmmaker tweeted the British TV host on behalf of game show hopeful John after he lost out on 2000 for supposedly getting the answer to "who played Dr Erin Gilbert in Paul's reboot of the classic film?" wrong.

John correctly answered Kristen Wig but was told by Shane it was her co-star Melissa McCarthy and eagle eyed viewers at home quickly alerted the director to the blunder through Twitter.

Keen to use the power of social media to rectify the injustice, Paul wrote on the social blogging site today (22.10.16): "Dear whatever game show this is, the guy got the answer right. Kristen played Dr. Erin Gilbert. Give them the win! (sic)"

He added: "Dear @BBC & @realshanerichie, a grave injustice has been done. A right answer to a Ghostbusters question was ruled wrong. Please correct! (sic)"

Shane - who is also an actor - was delighted to be contacted by the Hollywood heavyweight and joked it was a deliberate ruse to get a role in a 'Ghostbusters' sequel.

He said: "Dear @paulfeig I actually did it on purpose NOW I've got your attention I'm ready to be a ghostbuster in the hopefully soon to be follow up...

"bloody yrs been trying to get attention of a Hollywood director.touring plays,Tv dramas auditions etc .1 f**k up on afternoon game show (sic)"
Ed Balls slumped to the bottom of the 'Strictly Come Dancing' scoreboard tonight (22.10.16) after he nearly dropped his partner Katya Jones.

Ed Balls

The 49-year-old politician donned a rucksack and a new spray tan for his quickstep to 'Is This The Way To Amarillo' but even they couldn't disguise his lack of skills on the dancefloor after the over ambitious lift went wrong and judges Len Goodman, Darcey Bussell and Craig Revel Horwood gave him the lowest scores of the evening.

However, he won favour with viewers who flocked to Twitter to share their amusement.

One retweeted a clip of the performance and captioned it: "I'm sorry but every time I see it I have to retweet it. Oh @edballs I love you! (sic)"

Another said: "Don't like politicians in general but @edballs is actually likeable on @bbcstrictly like @GBTrainJourneys Michael Portillo outside politics.(sic)"

And one added: "He obviously doesn't know the way to Amarillo @edballs #Strictly (sic)"

Ore Oduba waltzed to the top of leaderboard for a second week running but was just one point ahead of Danny Mac, who was seemingly Len's favourite.

The veteran judge showered praise on the 28-year-old actor and described his romantic performance with partner Otile Mabuse to a slow version of Whitney Houston's 'How Will I Know' as "a very masculine Rumba."

Elsewhere, Anastacia thrived without her professional partner Brendan Cole, who was replaced by Gorka Marquez after he was struck down with a serious chest infection.

And Darcey gave special praise to Claudia Fragpane declaring her "a natural performer" after her energetic dance with AJ Pritchard to Candi Staton's 1976 hit 'Young Hearts Run Free'.

Meanwhile, the 'Strictly' curse hit again this week as six professionals were struck down by a mystery virus and it was announced earlier today that Laura Whitmore would not be performing due to an ankle injury.

The Irish beauty said she was "devastated" to miss out on dancing the foxtrot but was forced to take the advice of the show's medical team.

She wrote on Twitter: ""Absolutely Devastated... It was a decision taken out of my hands. If it was my choice, I'd be on the dance floor doing my jive with Gio. This was by far my favourite dance. We all train really hard. All of us dancing, have aches and pains and I didn't realise the severity of my injury until it was too late. I'm sorry to let you all down."
'Strictly Come Dancing' bosses have held secret talks with a little-known TV star about replacing Len Goodman.

Len Goodman is poised to leave Strictly

Carolyn Smith, who is best known as a judge on the Italian version of the BBC show, is being eyed as a potential replacement for the long-serving head judge, and Carloyn is upbeat about her chances of landing the role.

She shared: "It's looking positive and I'm ready to return.

"The Italian 'Strictly' has the same rules and I've done 83 shows. If I succeed in replacing Len I can give a female point of view and on 'Strictly' there are no other experts on ballroom dancing.

"Why should it always be from a man's point of view. I still teach world class couples, something Len doesn't do, and I have 6 world titles amongst my students.

"I have a fiery Scottish temperament and I've become known for my strong constructive comments to VIPs."

Carolyn has claimed she can help to give the popular programme even more "credibility" if she is afforded the chance.

She told the Sunday Mirror newspaper: "I always give ways of improving and never criticise in an insulting way. I really care that VIPs learn and leave the show loving dance, not like Len's approach where he made comments to Will Young that to my mind were unacceptable and pretty damn dreadful.

"Frankly with all my experience I can give more credibility to 'Strictly'."

She claimed that talks are ongoing and that her own successes as a dancer are central to her hopes.

Carolyn said: "Discussions are going well. It's important is that I've been dancing since I was 4, all forms of dance, and have become the dance expert in every home in Italy, with a huge following. I need to fulfil this dream.

"I think it's going to happen but right now I can't say too much."
Renowned Hollywood actress Tilda Swinton, who will be seen as 'Ancient One' in the upcoming movie Doctor Strange,said that she enjoyed learning martial arts while shooting for the film.

Swinton added that she learned her action stunts and hand movements from the likes of Julian Daniels and other renowned martial artists.

"It was like being at a most delicious school. We were learning all these things that we would never otherwise have learned." Swinton said.

"You want to do something that draws on certain disciplines or certain traditions but at the same time you want to do something that's never been done before," the actress added.

"You want to make it original and the fight directors have done a phenomenal job of creating a particular style of fighting that only people who have studied under The Ancient One in Kamar-Taj will know," Swinton continued.

Tilda Swinton, who also praised the cast and crew of the Marvel movie, said,

"To be honest, I think we are just lucky to be the next band on the roster and it is a great band to be a part of. They're all great and we're all so psyched to be a part of making this film. That makes such a difference, to feel like a team of lucky people grateful together." She concluded.
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.
ADELAIDE, Australia, October 23, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

The first Australian World Routes will take place in Adelaide following the city's successful bid to host the event in 2019.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150730/250177LOGO )

World Routes brings together over 3,000 delegates from airlines, airports and tourism authorities to discuss new air services. The largest conference and meeting forum in the aviation industry, World Routes moves to a new location every year to showcase different destinations to the airline network planning community.

The 25th annual World Routes Development Forum will be hosted by South Australian Tourism Commission, Tourism Australia and Adelaide Airport. The event will bring South Australia to the attention of the world's leading airlines and provide a unique opportunity to negotiate new services.

Last year visitors injected a record AUD$5.95 billion into South Australia's visitor economy, as the State continued to attract a record number of international and interstate guests. An estimated 422,000 international travellers contributed a record AUD$944 million, up 9.5 percent from the previous year. South Australia appeals to visitors as a one stop destination for world class wine, unbeatable produce and unique native wildlife.

Tourists can cuddle a koala at Cleland Wildlife Park, swim with dolphins at the beachside suburb of Glenelg and cage dive with great white sharks on the Eyre Peninsula. Murray River, Kangaroo Island, the mountains of Flinders Ranges and 30km of unbroken white sand beaches are also popular.

World Routes will support South Australia's aim to achieve an AUD$8 billion tourism industry by 2020 through the growth of Adelaide's air services. The event itself will have an estimated impact of AUD$21 million on the local visitor economy.

Adelaide is Australia's fastest growing capital city airport. It was redeveloped in 2005 at a cost of AUD$260million and AUD$1 billion is currently being spent on projects to further expand its capacity. Passenger numbers have grown steadily in the last decade to over 7.7 million and aircraft movements are expected to grow by 3% annually over the next 20 years.

The new routes added to Adelaide's international network this year include Qatar Airways' service to Doha and China Southern Airlines' service to Guangzhou (due to start in December).

UBM organises Routes events. Michael Duck, executive vice president of UBM Asia, said: "The first Australian World Routes will be an exciting event for our business. Adelaide is growing in popularity as a destination and it is a gateway to South Australia's many attractions. We look forward to working with the Adelaide team in the coming years."

South Australian, Minister for Tourism, Leon Bignell said: "Securing World Routes 2019 is a huge coup for South Australia. We beat the rest of the world to bring this massive convention to Adelaide.

"It is the world's biggest trade conference and will help deepen our connections with aviation leaders as well as see more than $20 million pumped into our visitor economy. The redeveloped Riverbank Precinct, together with the State's growing list of international airlines flying direct into Adelaide such as Qatar and China Southern, helped Adelaide secure World Routes. We are increasingly becoming internationally renowned as a world-class destination for major business events.

"We know South Australia is a great place to live, and now more people from interstate and overseas are discovering what our State has to offer. Our visitor economy is at a record $5.95 billion, as our State continues to attract record numbers of interstate and international visitors.

"That is why the State Government sees tourism and major events as an important part of the transformation of South Australia's economy.

"Our investments in recent years in our vibrant city and magnificent regions and our efforts to attract new major events to South Australia are delivering immediate results.

"The State Government's strong partnership with Adelaide Airport Limited, Tourism Australia and the Adelaide Convention Bureau has also been instrumental in securing World Routes 2019 and I would like to thank them for their support and contribution," Minister Bignell said.

More information about World Routes can be found at routesonline.com

World Routes 2019, Autumn 2019, Adelaide Convention Centre, Adelaide, Australia.

Notes to Editors

About Routes

Routes events are unique forums dedicated to the development of new air services. Five 'regional' route development forums are held between February and July in the Americas, Asia , Europe and Africa . The flagship World Routes event takes place in September. http://www.routesonline.com



, and . The flagship World Routes event takes place in September. http://www.routesonline.com The events revolve around pre-scheduled meetings and an exhibition and conference which are delivered in partnership with host stakeholders. Hosts tend to be a collaboration between airports, tourism authorities and investment partners (the bidding process takes place two to three years before the event takes place).



Routes is part of the EMEA division of UBM plc.

For further information contact:



Karen Reeves

Communications & Content Marketing Manager

Routes, UBM EMEA

T: +44(0)161-234-2721

M: +44(0)796-6405-105

E: Karen.Reeves@ubm.com


Google (GOOG) has acquired FameBit, a tech platform for creators and brands to find and work with each other through sponsorships and paid promotion.

The amount of the deal was not disclosed.

The acquisition will allow Google to increase the number of branded content opportunities available, bringing more revenue into the online video community.

FameBits marketplace will allow creators of all sizes to directly connect with brands, as well as provide a technology solution for companies like MCNs and agencies to find matches for their creators and brand partners.

FinSMEs

23/10/2016
Relink, a Copenhagen, Denmark-based provider of a job-matching software, raised venture capital funding from SEED Capital.

The amount of the deal was not disclosed.

The company intends to use the funds to continue to develop the technology and expand operations.

Co-founded by Stale Fredlund Husby, Sigurd Gran and Anders Bakke, Relink has developed a machine learning and big data powered software tool which helps recruiters source candidates by recognizing patterns and thereby predicting when a relevant candidate is most inclined to change jobs.

FinSMEs

23/10/2016
The second day at the 18th Mumbai Film Festival garnered a collective reaction from everyone  that the ticket booking system needs to be punched in the face.

Now, this is the biggest problem that the festival faces, and one with a sort of a conundrum. Until two years ago there was no online booking system for tickets and everyone used to camp overnight in tents in 5 km-long lines to be able to watch the films. While it was kind of fun for hard-boiled movie buffs to indulge in such fraternal bonding and exercising ones yearning for the wonder drug that is cinema, it was never a comfortable way of attending a film festival. People standing in two-hour-long lines often missed other films that they also wanted to watch.

With the online booking system, the two-hour-long wait in the multiplex was cut down to two minutes spent in the comfort of your home on your laptop. This is an excellent change, until you realise that everyone and their nanny wants in on the action, and the tickets disappear within minutes. This is naturally frustrating and even more infuriating when you find out the booking portal Bookmyshow runs slower than the IRCTC website during the big race to get tickets. Luckily MAMI has furnished a percentage of seats that can be reserved only offline, that is at the venue, so those without internet connections and the ticketless film geeks on standby also have a chance.

The complaints from people are understandable, but theres little more MAMI can do at this point to rectify this problem. Unless there are more screens and more venues, there will always be a crunch for seating. It would be interesting to see how MAMI addresses this issue next year. Theyre doing a pretty good job as of now, and I havent seen logistics being handled so smoothly at any other previous edition of the fest. Bookmyshow, on the other hand, needs to pull up their socks and buy servers which run on operating systems more advanced than Windows 95.

Day 2 began with The Land of the Enlightened, an interesting, gorgeous looking but hollow documentary that follows a gang of children in a Soviet outpost of Afghanistan who collect opium, smuggle items and even run guns. The film is a strange hybrid of a documentary and fictional storytelling that often breaks off into philosophical mumbo jumbo voiceover, juxtaposed to slow motion shots of Afghanistan. As a montage of pretty and haunting scenery it works well, but it doesnt really get any emotional response from you, mostly because you realise most of what the scenes between the people on the screen are staged. What is happening in Afghanistan, and most of the Middle East is devastating, and props to director Pieter-Jan De Pue for finding a new way to address the problems, but the film could have benefitted from less dramatisation of the events, given real life depicted in the film is powerful enough to be moved by. De Pues background as a photographer could be an indication as to how he stitched together amazing images to attempt a coherent story.

The next film to watch was Asghar Farhadis The Salesman, and there was predictably a line that resembled the first show of a Bhai movie on Eid. People who were fortunate enough to have booked the tickets grinned from ear to ear, smugly standing in the 'reserved tickets' line. Those who didnt have tickets stood in the labyrinthine 'stand by' line looking as destitute as the Jews in Schindlers List. Some people went nuts when the stand by line began moving forward, pushing and shoving to the point of shouting. Some of them began arguing with the festival interns to let them through, while a couple, who had gone out for a smokes, was disgruntled by the fact that someone in the line didnt keep their place and they werent let back in to the front of the line. One classy woman waved her bright red purse threateningly to an intern, reminding him that she knows people in high places incharge of the festival and could not only get a ticket but also get the intern fired for 'having the guts' to not let her through. I dont know whether she managed to get in, but I doff my hat to the intern for maintaining his composure through such trying times. For all this struggle, ironically, the film turned out to be Farhadis weakest to date  so it was merely a 'really good film' instead of an all time classic or a masterpiece that he generally produces.

Personal Shopper, the new film from Oliver Assayas was the biggest letdown of the fest so far. A corny ghost story disguised as an auteur driver high-brow drama thriller, the film branches out into a variety of arbitrary subplots that struggle to string together and ultimately fails to make any coherent point. Assayas muse Kristen Stewart once again plays the angsty assistant to a rich celebrity, pining for her lifestyle. In that way this is quite literally a spiritual sequel to Clouds of Sils Maria as Stewarts character tries to make contact with her dead brother. As long as the film doesnt show the ghost it works very well, drifting into a more psychological zone, but it quickly falls into a Ramsay brothers territory when the spooks show up in bad CGI and begin making thumping noises in the dark. There are three subplots within the film that dont really add anything to the protagonists journey and seem like they belong in different films of their own. Best to leave the horror genre to the experts.
There has been some worrying news on the side of the economy which has remained confined to the business newspapers. It concerns India's large information technology and software industry and companies like Infosys, TCS and Wipro. These firms, which were expanding quickly for the last two decades, have all slowed down.

They are now growing at single digits annually and even that is a struggle. This has caused speculation that the industry is in a death spiral in India. One reason for this slowing down is that automation is replacing human capital. This affects the services being offered by these companies and their hundreds of thousands of employees.

The former Infosys leader TV Mohandas Pai wrote a fine explanation of the issue and put it in perspective. He says that though there is a change in the offing, it is still three to five years away and that India's IT companies are in a good position to address it. He says:

Let us take stock of the situation today. The Indian software export industry is about $110 billion. It employs around 4.25 million people. It has a 60 percent market share of global outsourcing and is globally dominant. Of the 10 top software service companies globally ranked by market cap, five are Indian. Of the top five, three are Indian. All of them have a massive presence in India. Of the total number of employees, amounting to nearly 2 million, in these top 10 companies, about 70 percent are based in India or travel out of India. The Indian offshore software industry dominates the software services world and has no parallel.

The big Indian companies have experience of being global leaders and also have exceptionally talented management so we should all expect that they will counter the change in the best way they can. However, it is also the case that many think that the change is structural and disruptive.

I was speaking at a seminar in Hyderabad a few weeks ago. The man who was in charge of the IBM artificial intelligence program Watson, Manoj Saxena, also spoke at the event and what he said was quite alarming. Saxena explained the changes in technology coming in the next decade. He thought our IT companies were not geared to transformation of the sort that was required while continuing to focus on their multi-billion dollar existing businesses. It was like changing the tyres on a car moving at a hundred miles an hour, he said.

Automation is coming upon us more rapidly that most of us imagine. In an interview to the PTI in July, Mohandas Pai said: "There are today lots of people (middle-level managers) earning between Rs 30 lakh and Rs 70 lakh per year. Half of them will lose their jobs in the next ten years."

According to him, middle-level managers account for 10 percent  or 4,50,000 people  of IT industry in India. And of these, 2,25,000 would lose jobs over the next one decade as their work would get automated. This is grim news for many reasons. First, this means that even if India's IT companies are able to retain their market share of software work, it is going to be automated, meaning requiring less employees.

Second, manufacturing jobs are already in decline world over because of automation and in fact robotics technology has made it possible for some manufacturing jobs to return to the west. Third, the IT sector's transformation comes at a time when India has been struggling to create jobs. All the numbers on job creation are alarming.

Fourth, there is already unrest in large sections of the population on the issue of jobs. The dominant communities in three of our most industrialised states, Gujarat, Haryana and Maharashtra, are agitating on this issue already. Patidars, Jats and Marathas feel they need state assistance for employment. They are not urban communities to any large extent. The IT industry, which is based in Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad and Gurgaon, employs the urban upper castes.

This class has been anti-reservation because access to English education and service sector jobs has been easy for it. The rapid changes coming to the world through technology mean that this may no longer be the case. This is not an issue for the government in my opinion, but it is necessary that Indians be aware of these fundamental changes that are on their way and how they will affect our lives.
By Anuradha Nagaraj

BENGALURU (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - They are not easy to spot. Working in vegetable patches and on millet fields in Karnataka, farm labourers caught in debt bondage suffer mainly in silence. But Gopal V has lived with this silence for long enough. Now 44, the son of bonded labourers is on a mission to identify workers trapped in debt bondage - and to make sure they get justice."My parents worked endless hours not for money, just food," Gopal said. "They worked for a landlord in my village, whose house I still can't enter. He paid them back with a little food, and my father died in bondage."Now, he travels across villages around Anekal, near the city of Bengaluru, looking for people like his parents. There is an urgency to his search, he says, because he wants to "get them out before they die".India banned the practice of bonded labour in 1976, but the country is still home to 11.7 million bonded labourers, according to the International Labour Organisation (ILO). The labourers may be working to pay off a loan from their employer, or a debt inherited from a relative.Jeevika, a non-profit organisation that works to eradicate bonded labour in the southern state, said it identified 12,811 bonded labourers in Karnataka between 2012 and 2015. Most of them are still waiting for state authorities to give them release certificates and compensation money, it said.Its founder, Kiran Kamal Prasad, estimates that there are up to 200,000 bonded labourers across Karnataka."It is a perennial problem that persists in the agriculture sector," said Druthi Lakshmi of the state's rural development department."We know they are really poor, illiterate people who often go back to the same landlord for work after they are rescued because the rehabilitation money is not enough."

The government is in the process of undertaking a more comprehensive survey to identify people in bondage, she added.Gopal and others like him who work in partnership with Jeevika use their childhood memories of suffering and debt bondage to encourage others to find a way out of it."The fear of the landlord still exists in our (lower-caste) Dalit communities and people refuse to acknowledge they are in bondage," said Ramakrishna V, also the son of a bonded labourer."It takes a lot of talking before they break down and admit they are paying off a loan they took many, many years ago," said Ramakrisha, now a lawyer fighting for workers' rights in court.

THREATS

Activists say most people trapped in bonded labour are unaware of the fact they might have paid off their initial loan 10 times over. In addition, the 1976 Abolition of Bonded Labour Act cancels any dues that may be pending when a worker is rescued from bondage, they said.Jayaboraiah, 47, recalled how he was studying in his room when the landlord of his hostel came knocking."He said my father had disappeared without repaying the 800 rupees ($12) loan he had taken to start a sericulture (silk production) business. I dropped out of school and spent eight years working in his home and field to pay off that loan," Jayaboraiah said.But a glance at a report on bonded labour in a newspaper one morning led him to a government office to ask for help.

"Now I know the law and am able to explain to families in debt bondage that they have repaid their dues and should now be demanding minimum wages," he said.All three men said their personal experience of growing up in the shadow of debt bondage helps them to start a conversation about the issue in villages where traditionally lower-caste people still find it "almost impossible to leave the clutches of a landlord".Gopal said: "We are constantly threatened and so are workers, but we keep going to villages and areas where Dalits live and we lived until recently. "It takes a lot of probing before anyone admits to having taken a loan and working to repay it. It takes us months to build trust," he said.Gopal's three daughters have documented the lives of their grandfather and uncles who worked as bonded labourers."I tell them about it because it is the reality from which they have emerged, and it makes them sensitive to the fact that many more still need help," Gopal said.($ 1=66.7827 Indian rupees) (Reporting by Anuradha Nagaraj, Editing by Jo Griffin and Ros Russell; Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, women's rights, trafficking and climate change. Visit www.trust.org)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
By Julia Edwards and Diane Bartz

| WASHINGTON

WASHINGTON The telecom-media giant that would be formed if federal regulators approve AT&T Inc's (T.N) $85.4 billion purchase of Time Warner Inc (TWX.N) raises antitrust issues, Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Kaine and several U.S. lawmakers said on Sunday.Kaine said lawmakers and regulators would have to review the deal and "get to the bottom" of questions over whether the merger would decrease competition."I'm pro-competition," Kaine said on NBC's "Meet the Press." "Less concentration, I think, is generally helpful especially in the media."Kaine, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton's running mate, said he had not had a chance to review the details of the deal. The Clinton campaign did not respond to a request for comment. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said at a rally on Saturday after the deal was announced that he would block it if he wins the Nov. 8 election against Democrat Hillary Clinton."It's too much concentration of power in the hands of too few," said Trump, who has accused the media of being biased against him and his campaign. The U.S. Justice Department, not the president, has the power to reject such a deal if it violates antitrust laws. AT&T said it is unclear if the Federal Communications Commission will have jurisdiction to review the deal.A spokesman for the Justice Department declined to comment on the deal on Sunday and an AT&T spokesman also declined to comment on lawmaker criticism.

The biggest deal in the world this year will, if approved by regulators, give AT&T control of cable TV channels HBO and CNN, film studio Warner Bros and other coveted media assets. It raises concerns that AT&T might try to limit distribution of Time Warner material.AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson told reporters on Saturday night he believes regulators will approve the deal. The government typically in a vertical merger deals with concerns "by remedies, concessions if you will, and conditions imposed on a combination."Stephenson said there is "no competitive harm that is being rendered by putting these two companies together, so any concerns by the regulators, we believe, will be adequately addressed by conditions."CONGRESSIONAL SCRUTINY

Senators Mike Lee, the Republican chair of the Senate subcommittee on antitrust, and Amy Klobuchar, the committee's ranking Democrat, said on Sunday the committee would carefully scrutinize the merger."We have carefully examined consolidation in the cable and video content industries to ensure that it does not harm consumers," they said in a joint statement. "An acquisition of Time Warner by AT&T would potentially raise significant antitrust issues, which the subcommittee would carefully examine."Lawmakers may pursue inquiries into the merger and build support for or against it, but it is ultimately up to the Justice Department to approve, block or place conditions on the deal. AT&T will pay $107.50 per Time Warner share - half in cash and half in stock - worth $85.4 billion overall, according to a company statement. AT&T said it expected to close the deal by the end of 2017.

Dallas-based AT&T said the Justice Department would review the deal and said the Federal Communications Commission may also have to approve the deal. Two of the biggest congressional critics of the mega-mergers among media companies and elsewhere in the U.S. economy said late on Saturday that they would take a hard look at this deal. Senator Richard Blumenthal, who is on the Senate Judiciary Committee, noted the proposed acquisition would combine a wireless company, a pay-TV provider and a studio. "I will be looking closely at what this merger means for consumers and their pocketbooks and whether it stands up to the rigorous review standards set by the Department of Justice's antitrust division in the last few years," he said. Senator Al Franken, who is also on the Judiciary Committee, said that the deal raised "immediate flags." "I'm skeptical of huge media mergers because they can lead to higher costs, fewer choices, and even worse service for consumers," he said. "And regulators often agree, like when Comcast unsuccessfully tried to buy Time Warner Cable, a deal that I fiercely opposed."Despite their concern, a handful of antitrust experts said AT&T's bid for Time Warner would likely win U.S. antitrust approval and two thought there may not even be conditions put on it."(The Justice Department) will look at it but they won't stop it," said Darren Bush, who teaches antitrust at the University of Houston's law school.Andre Barlow, an antitrust expert with the law firm Doyle, Barlow and Mazard PLLC, who noted that the government may worry about whether other cable and internet companies would continue to have access to Time Warner content like HBO and CNN."It's a smaller version of the Comcast/NBCU deal but it raises the same types of concerns," he said. (Additional reporting by David Shepardson in Washington; Editing by Bill Trott)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
A lot has changed in Kashmir over the last five weeks, and even more over the past week. Somebody in power  probably the National Security Advisor  seems to be finally trying to pull its act together. As our TV screens relentlessly show, it is too late to avoid a war-like situation, but at least several defensive moves are taking shape.

Changes have occurred at various levels  most visibly in the deployment of armed forces in the Kashmir Valley.

But there's one more significant change taking place that is less visible: Judging by straws in the wind and the grapevine, the political class appears to have been persuaded to come together.

Soon after National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah returned from a long sojourn in London, he convened a meeting of various parties, including the Congress, in the state. There are signs that some of the most powerful in the land have got him and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti to work together.

Conveniently, his son Omar Abdullah has gone abroad, instead. While his father was abroad and Omar held the reins, there was much talk of the agitations being an opportunity for the NC to get back on the People's Democratic Party for the flames its cadres had fanned in 2010, when Omar was the chief minister. In several places, NC cadre are said to have been active in July, in the weeks following militant commander Burhan Wanis death.

One of the more unhappy trends in the first couple of months, after Wani was killed on 8 July, was that activists of most political parties fanned the protests seeking local benefits. They got no local benefit, but they did damage the national cause  arguably, the local cause too  just as a war-like situation loomed.

It appears that the decision to sack government employees and policemen who were playing both sides was implemented only after the new political cohesion was achieved.

Although the National Conference has reacted, it has chosen to target a particular minister in the state government  one who the NC older generation leadership hate so much that he was shunted to inconsequential posts; in fact a disciplinary action was taken against him when Farooq Abdullah was the chief minister in the late 1990s.

The NC could have more sharply targeted the government overall and the leadership of the BJP (also the ruling party at the Centre) instead of attacking one long-hated minister.

Indeed, the targeting of particular leaders could reflect the inner dynamics of the new political churning. While the two top leaders of the Valleys most important parties may have been persuaded to keep the larger picture in mind, there must be factions within both parties which are deeply upset. Surely, the most unhappy leaders would be those who have personally resented the other leadership the most over the years.

In this context, it is worth nothing that the only leading politician to have raised a shindig against the sacking of government employees was the volatile Rashid Ahmed, independent MLA from Langate. That has become predictable. (Rashid had taken on beef vigilantism most strongly in 2015 by hosting an illegal beef party in the Srinagar MLAs hostel. He was consequently slapped by BJP MLAs in the house. Ink was thrown at him at the Press Club of India. That is the sort of low-brow tamasha that set the stage for the mass youth anger across the Valley.)

Judging by what is available on Google, most of those who were photographed prominently with Farooq Abdullah at his recent press conference, have held their peace  even those who have made a career out of speeches on workers rights.

The political detente that portends out of this should be strongly appreciated. At a time when war clouds loom around J&K, this is the least that can be expected of any responsible politician.
The government has finally acted strongly against the crux of the problem in Kashmir. Nine government employees were sacked summarily on Thursday. That was followed up by the suspension of several policemen in the Valley, for not resisting the loot of their weapons by militants.

Recalcitrant government employees are in fact a much bigger problem than Hurriyat Conference and other separatist leaders who have little choice but to follow orders from Rawalpindi. Government employees take salaries to uphold the constitutional system  openly so, not covertly  but, by and large, they not only abuse their authority, they actively undermine the system.

Generally, their greed, nepotism and systematic corruption, all in the name of 'India', alienates the rest of the people. They seem to face no moral crisis in taking Indian salaries to run a government in an Indian state. In fact, arguments in defence of duplicity from those who promote secession in word or deed can be amazing.

At times of rebellion, as over the past 15 weeks (indeed, the past three decades), Kashmiri government employees promote shutdowns. Its a win-win for them: they get their salaries (and the promise of pensions) to stay at home. Meanwhile, they and their children create an environment to ensure that daily-wagers and others dependent on working in order to eat, cannot.

On 11 July, the Monday after Burhan Wani was killed, large numbers of migrant labourers were standing at such central points of Srinagar as Rambagh bridge, waiting for contractors to give them work. But government employees from the top down did not go to work.

Their plea was insecurity, although the Indian taxpayer spends billions on their security, and several shopkeepers, who have no security at all, opened their shops that Monday. In the light of this, the threat of government employees to strike work following the sack orders is bizarre  not to say shameless.

Pendulum swings

Although it was right to act, the government deserves censure for inconsistency. Its stands  and lack of stands  have left many in the Valley confused, and many of them fuming.

Most people had a wait-and-watch attitude during those first few days after Burhan was killed, while bands of teenagers took charge of ensuring a shutdown, and a polarised media projected a two-dimensional reality that was at best partially true. Wait-and-watch means people were waiting for the government to take action, and watching out for which side would emerge with the upper hand.

For too long, the clueless government did nothing: they hoped during those crucial early weeks that things would 'settle down' without their having to show their hand. That gave the wrong signal to the vast number who were watchfully waiting.

At the end of August, the chief secretary even made a statement that the chief minister had been kind enough to release salaries to even those who had not worked, since she was aware that they had to celebrate Eid! That kind of statement is not only objectionable for presuming that government salaries are like a sultans beneficence. It also signals that playing truant from work is fine as long as the sultan is in a forgiving mood.

Swinging to the other extreme with orders to sack was a sudden jolt  not the way governance should be done. But then, it was similar to what happened with policing. After abandoning the streets and byways to stone-pelting mobs of boys in a place like Tral for too long, the police suddenly turned up with overwhelming numbers of paramilitary and army soldiers after Eid-ul Adha and rounded up hundreds of boys.

This sort of pendulum-like behaviour does not suit governments. As with all things, moderation is best.

Now that sack orders have been issued to a dozen employees, and several policemen have been suspended over the weekend, the government should stick to its stand, rather than use this order as a bargaining chip.
As the Jawaharlal Nehru University campus heats up following the disappearance of Najeeb Ahmed a week ago, university Vice Chancellor M Jagadesh Kumar, on Sunday, urged the agitating students to co-operate with the investigation, and termed a protest gathering outside his residence "unfortunate".

The incident has led the campus to be on boil, yet again, with agitating students keeping Kumar and other senior officials under siege for over 20 hours alleging inaction on the administration's part.

In a series of tweets, Kumar said the blockade outside his house will not help the search for Najeeb and urged the students to share any information they have regarding the missing student with the administration and the police.

Kumar also urged the JNU community to unite against politicising the case.

Appeal to JNU community made on 23 October 2016. pic.twitter.com/gJYCb7d97O  M. Jagadesh Kumar (@mamidala90) October 23, 2016

Appeal to JNU Student Union made on 23 October 2016. pic.twitter.com/YR5BGuQ6om  M. Jagadesh Kumar (@mamidala90) October 23, 2016

We are doing all we can to trace the missing JNU student Najeeb Ahmed. Now, agitating students have blocked entrance to my residence.  M. Jagadesh Kumar (@mamidala90) October 23, 2016

Agitating students.. please understand, by shouting slogans and blocking entrance to my residence, we cannot trace Najeeb.  M. Jagadesh Kumar (@mamidala90) October 23, 2016

I am meeting the Delhi police commissioner tomorrow with regard to JNU missing student. Please stop this agitation and help find Najeeb.  M. Jagadesh Kumar (@mamidala90) October 23, 2016

Repeated appeals to cooperate and not agitate have fallen on deaf ears of student agitators. This is unfortunate.  M. Jagadesh Kumar (@mamidala90) October 23, 2016

You can see the blockade to my JNU residence by agitating students. This will not take us anywhere. pic.twitter.com/o8tM8c7sKS  M. Jagadesh Kumar (@mamidala90) October 23, 2016

By holding a huge gathering and shouting slogans in front of JNU VC residence, can Najeeb be found? We are doing our best to trace him.  M. Jagadesh Kumar (@mamidala90) October 23, 2016

Earlier, a fellow student who was present during the brawl between Najeeb and few ABVP supporters, claimed that attempts were made to kill Najeeb.

Najeeb, a student of School of Biotechnology at the university, went missing on 15 October allegedly following a brawl on the campus with members of ABVP on 14 October.

An FIR for kidnapping and wrongfully confining a person was lodged at Vasant Kunj North police station after the police received a complaint from the student's guardians.

"I heard some noises from the first floor. When I rushed down I saw Najeeb was bleeding from the mouth and nose. We called the warden and took Najeeb to help him wash himself in the bathroom.

"But few students came and thrashed Najeeb inside the bathroom. They were shouting that he should not be spared," said Shahid Raza Khan, an M Phil student at JNU's School of International Studies (SIS).

The ABVP, however, rubbished the allegations as baseless.

"If he was beaten up that badly, why did not the warden get a medical test conducted. Where are the reports? There are none because he wasn't attacked," Alok Singh, President of JNU's ABVP unit said.

Following protests by students, Home Minister Rajnath Singh had directed Delhi Police to set up a Special Investigating Team (SIT) to trace the missing student.

Meanwhile, the left affiliated All India Students Association (AISA) which is running a campaign, "Bring back Najeeb", staged a protest at Delhi University on Saturday.

"From Muzaffarnagar to Dadri and now JNU we are witnessing a clear pattern in the intimidation, violence, and the creation of a vicious atmosphere followed by displacement and disappearances of Muslims throughout the country. This has to be resisted tooth and nail," said AISA leader Kawalpreet Kaur.

With inputs from PTI
Varanasi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit his parliamentary constituency Varanasi on 24 October and lay foundation stone for the 'Urja Ganga' project, aimed at providing piped natural gas (PNG) to all the households in the city.

He is also scheduled to lay the foundation stone for the doubling of Varanasi-Allahabad rail track and electrification of the Varanasi-Allahabad rail section and will dedicate to the nation a dual rail engine that runs on both electricity as well as diesel. The special engine has been manufactured in Diesel Locomotives Works (DLW), Varanasi, BJP functionaries said here.

Meanwhile, BJP workers have launched a cleanliness drive in the city ahead of Modi's visit even as Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha and Union Minister of State for Human Resource and Development Mahendra Nath Pandey have set camp here to oversee preparations for the PM's visit.

Officials of Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL), who flanked Pradhan, said Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav have been invited for the foundation laying ceremony of 'Urja Ganga' project.

Modi may also release a special stamp, dedicated to this ancient city of Varanasi during his visit.

According to ADM (Protocol), Vidya Sagar Singh, Prime Minister Modi will fly from Mahoba by a special Indian Army helicopter on 24 October, which will land at the Dereka helipad around 3.55 pm. From there he will head straightway to the main venue at Dereka Inter college ground to lay the foundation stone for the various projects.

High security has been put in place ahead of the PM's visit, he said.

After attending the function, Modi will leave for the airport by road the same day from the venue at around 5:20 PM after spending nearly over two hours in the city.

He will leave for Delhi by a special aircraft from the Lal Bahadur Shastri International airport at Babatpur here.

BJP workers have launched a cleanliness drive in the city ahead of the PM's visit and special arrangements have been made at the venue, where a large number of party workers along with local public will participate in the function, said Sanjay Bhardwaj, BJP's Varanasi as well as eastern UP Media in charge.
Mumbai: CBFC chief Pahlaj Nihalani says it is wrong to demand a proof of someone's patriotism.

Director Karan Johar recently made a video appeal to those protesting the release of his directorial venture because it has Pakistani actor Fawad Khan. He said he was a patriot and wouldn't cast Pakistani artistes in future.

Raj Thackeray-led MNS had threatened to stall the movie's release on 28 October.

While Nihalani didn't make any direct reference to Johar, when asked about the demand for a ban on Pakistani artistes, he said this environment was created by some, who wanted to gain mileage and no one needs to reiterate his or her patriotism.

"Not only Pakistani actors, there should be no import or export. Even the films we send are via Dubai. Our films are illegally exported there...

"This environment was created by certain people to gain mileage. In this, our film association body IMPPA was also there whose committee members don't make films but to gain mileage they said 'we will ban Pakistani actors'.

"The exhibitor association said 'we will ban too'. I believe nobody is required to give a certificate of their patriotism. Every citizen of this country is patriotic. Nobody needs to give any certificate or fight. People who ask for it are wrong," he said.

Nihalani was speaking during a session at Aaj Tak's conclave 'Manthan'.

"Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" is now set for a worldwide release as per schedule with MNS ending its protest against it. Nihalani, who has spoken in favour of the film earlier, said a ban on its release would have only resulted into loss of Indians.

"If Karan Johar's film loses money, the Pakistani artist has taken his money, and he also contributed through arts and culture in bridging the gap between the two countries, when the two nations were trying to come together. He fulfilled his duty. It will be our loss," he said.

MNS has asked Johar to donate Rs 5 crore to Uri martyrs. Nihalani said had this discussion happened earlier, the film wouldn't have faced this problem.

"If they would've earlier said give certain section of your earnings to soldiers, victims, the problem would've been solved earlier."

Superstar Shah Rukh Khan's "Raees" has been another film which faced ire of many sections for its casting of Pakistani actress Mahira Khan.

Nihalani said the censor board will certify the film regardless of Mahira's presence, if its release has government's approval.

"I'll give certificate to the film. The issue of Pakistani actors being there or not bring there is not my concern. If it has legal permission, I will give, if it doesn't, then I won't."
Does an image have the power to bring about change for the better?

Cynics might say no, but noted photojournalist Selvaprakash Lakshmanan isn't among them.

It is his belief in the power of the image that has promoted Selva to spend the last eight years documenting the terrible effects of climate change, industrial pollution and other natural and man-made crises on the coastline of India.

His photo series, called Life In Troubled Waters, had its seeds back in 2008 when Selva visited Rameswaram, following up a story about Indian fishermen who had crossed into Sri Lankan waters.

As he delved into the issue, the outline of a larger problem began to emerge. At the same time, he was also selected for a coastal environmental programme at the Swedish institute, Fojo. The course focused on fishermens, environmental and coastal issues; it was very intense, says Selva, crediting it with giving him a broader perspective that informed his approach to Life In Troubled Waters as well.

The project had its milestone in 2010, when Selva received a National Foundation For India Fellowship. The grant brought him welcome financial support (Troubled Waters had been a self funded project thus far). More importantly, it gave him a timeline for his project. Selva began to travel to coastal areas he had identified nearly every alternate week  with the approval of his editors at Time Out, where he was employed as a photographer. The financial and organisational support were both very important, making it possible for me to produce a lot of work, says Selva, who has extensively covered the coastlines of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and even Maharashtra and Goa as part of his project.

Eight years is a long time, and during this period Selvas project and the areas, communities he was documenting, underwent a fair bit of change. Once the NFI Fellowship ended (around 2012), Selva found himself revisiting image and places he hadn't been able to focus on too much because of previous constraints.

One such revisit was to Dhanushkodi, the town in Tamil Nadu that was among the worst hit during the 1964 cyclone. During an earlier visit, Selva had captured just one image here, of a man digging for drinking water. When he returned, he found there was an entire story to narrate, of the people who lived in this reportedly uninhabitable town.

Dhanushkodi is called a ghost town and the government has declared it unfit to live, says Selva. But nearly 400 fishermen families do live there. There's no water or electricity, but they have a few solar panels now the idea of a place being unfit to live is when the groundwater or air pollution (goes beyond a certain point). But by 2025, by some estimates, Bengaluru will be unfit to live in. Whereas at Dhanushkodi, if you dig a few feet, you get sweet groundwater.

If the story of Dhanushkodi is interesting, then even more so is that of the Ghoramara Island. Selva visited this disappearing island in West Bengal in collaboration with the NGO Development Research Communication Services Centre (DRCSC). There, Selva  who speaks no Bengali and only a smattering of Hindi  stayed with the fishermen in their homes and attempted to frame the ecological crisis they are living with, in his images. One particularly striking image is that of a woman in a yellow sari, who stands on shore with her back to the camera, looking out over the sea that threatens to swallow the island entirely.

From his stay at Ghoramara, Selva recounts another incident: I was shooting one day when I came across a few men, and one of them used 2-3 Tamil words when talking to me! It turned out that he had worked in a construction company near Cuddalore!

DRCSC is one of the organisations doing good work to reverse the adverse effects of climate change and pollution in coastal areas, says Selva. But a lot more  buttressed by proper research and a scientific solution  needs to be done, he adds. Climate change is definitely a factor, yes, (that has played havoc in coastal areas) but there are also man-made reasons, and we can at least deal with those, he points out.

What makes coastal areas such sensitive markers for studying the effects of climate change, pollution etc? For Selva, the answer lies in the contrast: When you think of a beach, you visualise a beautiful, clean place. But when you see a thermal plant on a beach, it has an impact Climate change affects all places, but in coastal areas it's a lot more visible. You can see the sea level rising, the erosion, he says.

And that brings us to whether or not Selva is driven by a moral impulse in his photography  does he believe he has a duty to capture images that are not just aesthetically arresting, but also offer a social comment?

There are people who say a photo can't bring about change, says Selva. But I have a question  if a photo cannot really change anything, then why does the advertising industry pour so much money into creating certain imagery? I believe photography can make an impact, but it depends on who sees it, and what they see in it.

Selva mentions a time when he had stopped working on the Life In Troubled Waters series for a while; he found himself questioning how his own behaviour as a consumer was contributing to the conditions he was documenting: The consumer has a direct relation with climate change The industries that pollute, who are they making things for? Us. Power plants, garbage... Well, whose garbage is it? Consumer culture has created this.

The reason for climate change is the way we live.

Follow Life In Troubled Waters on Instagram.
You are from good families right? You will not get boys home? See you can have friends but not boyfriends No loud music or boys. And no parties You are single girls. We dont want nuisance. You work late nights? So you will come home late? Why are you unmarried and living alone?

Why? What? When? Where? Who? How?

Women in India dont have to be journalists to know about the 5Ws and 1H rule, especially single women living alone in cosmopolitan cities like Mumbai. When I moved to Mumbai eleven months ago, armed with strength to face adversities, I still found it difficult to find an apartment. Landlords and housing brokers were not only interested in my caste and food habits but were significantly more interested in my marital status, my work timings, when I would get home, if I had a boyfriend, if I would bring boys home.

I was a bachelor girl after all.

Shikha Makans documentary, Bachelor Girls hits a familiar chord. When I met her at a busy coffee shop in a plush suburb of Mumbai, I poured my own woes about apartment hunting to Makan and she didnt flinch, nor was she surprised. Its amazing to see how many people have come forward after just the release of the trailer. Ive had a similar experience.' This is not just in Mumbai, Kolkata, it's there even in Hyderabad, she said.

As I looked around the setting, I wondered how many women in there, sitting behind laptop screens or the many mirthful faces, sharing cups of coffee with friends, had their own stories to tell.

A psychology graduate from Delhi University, former radio jockey and theatre artiste, Makan herself had a harrowing experience when she had moved to Mumbai to become a filmmaker. When I first came to Mumbai, I had strange experiences when I tried to find an apartment...I was very gung-ho, when you leave your home, you come out to claim your independence, she says. Makans understanding of the city as cosmopolitan, migrant friendly and where people come to make something of themselves  a city of opportunities was put to the test. I thought what I was experiencing was unique, something odd and that I was merely unlucky, she says. She was pulled up by the chairman of her building society for coming home at 2 am with a male colleague. It was a messy situation. He said that he would take me to the cops and that he (Makans colleague) was my client and I felt helpless, I was crying and naive. The chairman then asked me to get out in 24 hours! she recalls. The chairman changed his tune after her father came into the picture. Association with a respectable man turned the slut into sanskaari beti overnight; but the harassment continued for Makan.

Makan decided to move out, but house hunting wasnt easy with housing brokers singing, Aap bachelor girls ho, aapko compromise karna padega (You are single girls, you will have to compromise). Your choices start shrinking as a bachelor girl, you either have to take up residence in a sub-par building or you have to be so rich that you can afford a penthouse in a gated community... she says before adding, Well...even there you would have problems because Kalki Koechlin has had similar experiences.

The common refrain found in most girls sharing their stories of finding apartments agitated Makan enough to make Bachelor Girls. I needed to use my tools to make a change, she quips. Makans first attempt at documentary filmmaking was challenging but cathartic. Makan made a conscious attempt to look at stories outside of her own industry (film and media). I was surprised and yet not surprised that this is how society looks at women, the essential feminist struggle of being looked at in a certain way, of being judged.

Makans pool of interviewees come from upwardly mobile, English speaking women who have come to Mumbai from various small towns. Voiced through testimonies from bankers, students, a former UN employee, someone who works at the French consulate, Bachelor Girls perfectly encapsulates the lived experience of the life in a city for women. And that is the struggle, no matter how many deals you close, how many promotions you earn, your worth is as good how you fare against societal expectations. Women in Indias workforce

The subtext of my film is that in India the feminist struggle now three or four decades old and we have this whole dialogue on women empowerment, beti bachao, beti padhao and there is so much of emphasis on arriving at a version of a woman who is educated, financially independent and can live on her own. But when this version of a woman comes to your doorstep, we want to shut the door on her face and say that we dont want you.

Dialogues on empowerment arent fashionable terms that look good in campaigns and fliers, they have to make an impact in the lived experience for women. We are always living in spaces where people tell us that its not safe, we have to wear 'decent' clothes, we have to work doubly hard to be taken half as seriously at work and then landlords tend to literally lord over us. Reclaiming independence in ones own living space should be in the order of business too. Most of the time, we aren't allowed the privilege of making choices and when we do shatter that myth and make choices, we are judged for it. "The fact that you 'chose' to be single or unmarried is unacceptable to Indian society. That is the reason why I feel that the subject of my film has touched a chord with so many women out there. Because we are all wanting to make our choices without being judged," says Makan.

Makans film is bound to resonate with women, young and old, living in cities alone. The film has been picked up at the International Film festival in Vancouver and Madurai. Makan is currently travelling with her movies and screening them in different cities across India. Makan hopes to release the film on a broader platform so many more people can watch it and further the much needed debate.
Letters have always held great eminence in the social and political life of India. From poets to politicians, particularly in North India, a khat  the Urdu word for letter  usually connotes a missive that contains an extremely important message for the recipient.

A positive fallout of the fracas at Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav's household is that it has revived the dying tradition of communicating in politics through letter-writing.

Take for instance the manner in which Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadavs mentor and uncle, Ram Gopal Yadav, wrote a letter to party workers and dispatched it early in the morning; 6 am on Sunday.

It can be safely assumed that Ram Gopal would have spent nearly the whole night brooding over the text of the message and its subsequent political implication before dispatching the letter to the world via social media.

Is this act not indicative of a great transition in the politics of the Chambal ravines of Etawah, where a gun is favoured over the pen as a tool of communication. Ram Gopal, a teacher by profession, must be credited for breaking the jinx in Mulayam's Saifai village  that lies in the heart of the erstwhile dacoit-infested ravines.

Significantly, Ram Gopals letter is not an "intellectual exercise" in isolation. His letter was preceded by letters from party legislators, like Udayveer Singh and Ashu Malik, who traded charges and counter-charges in the faction-ridden party.

Under normal circumstances, the Samajwadi Party legislators are seen more at ease with flexing muscles and endorsing violence to express themselves, rather than using the pen. Recall the 2 June, 1995, attack on Mayawati at Lucknows Meerabai state guest house and the involvement of Mulayams close lieutenants in it. But now, letters are being used to express differences instead. Again, this is a welcome aberration!

But, can this be seen as the revival of "intellectualism" in UP politics? Perhaps, nothing would be better for the countrys most populous state than the revival of the tradition of political and social communication, instead of resorting to violence for expression.

But those who know the state can vouch for the fact that the ongoing letter war is a transient phase in the family feud within Mulayam's household. And that it is confined to verbal fracas only because of his domineering presence.

There is little doubt that Mulayam still commands an overweening influence, not only within his own party but also among the party workers. In spite of the fact that Akhilesh has run the government in UP for nearly five years now, he is still rather a pale shadow of his father when it comes to dealing with the organisation.

Similarly, in terms of guile and muscle-power, there is no match for Mulayam across the political spectrum. Given the fact that Akhilesh is the favourite son, while Shivpal Yadav is a dearest brother, Mulayams ambiguous position on the fractious fight is the primary force keeping the ongoing verbal spats within the boundaries of civility. A free-for-all may ensue only after Mulayam clarifies his position on the matter.

Curiously enough, Mulayam belongs to an era in which political differences were often expressed through letter-writing. Though he rarely put pen to paper to express himself, he was a prime witness to copious writing bequeathed to history by his political mentors  like Ram Manohar Lohia and Chaudhary Charan Singh.

Just before the post-emergency elections in 1977, Jagjivan Ram and Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna defected to the Janata Party and the former expressed his political differences with Indira Gandhi through a letter.

The whole episode recounts an interesting anecdote. Indira had called for a cabinet meeting and was waiting on her Defence Minister Jagjivan Ram. But instead of Ram, his letter arrived. Indira wrote a quick response to Ram, addressing him as "Dear Babuji".

But those who know the state can vouch for the fact that the ongoing letter war is a transient phase in the family feud within Mulayam's household.

More recently, in 1998, when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was to take over as the prime minister, AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa kept him on tenterhooks by denying him a letter of support. Finally, when she sent the letter, a smiling Vajpayee declared at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, in his characteristic elan, "chitthi aayi hai".

Mulayam is well-versed with the importance of a letter war in politics. And as long as the chosen medium for expression is the pen, the fractious family feud would be confined to the dialogic domain. Though the possibility that it may spiral out of control cannot be ignored, it is true that it can be contained by only one man (read Mulayam), who is in the eye of the storm.

In the present political context, it will indeed be a refreshing change if UP in general and Lucknow in particular can remain under the spell of khato-khitabat (letter writing). In essence, a letter responded to by another letter would relive Mirza Ghalibs summarisation of such a situation: "Quasid ke aate aate hi khat ek aur likh rakhoon, main janata hu vo jo likhenge jawab mein (let me write a letter before my messenger arrives, I know what she would have written in response)".

To see such an unending stream of letters would be a far favourable situation than the muscle-flexing that is prevalent on the streets of Lucknow.
It was a politically-charged Sunday for the ruling Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh. At one point, there were too many crucial updates coming in, that the news channels conceded and told viewers that it was too hard to keep pace with the news pouring in from Lucknow.

Two big guns from the party were fired  one by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and the other by party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav. The interesting thing to note was both who got fired were part of the first family. The CM sacked Mulayam's favourite brother and party president Shivpal Yadav from his cabinet. Hours later, Mulayam retaliated and fired party general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav, who is also a trusted advisor to Akhilesh, from the party as well as the cabinet.

Even as these two news updates stunned political and media circles and it became clearer as the day progressed that the ruling SP in Uttar Pradesh is divided on many issues, the party spokesperson kept a stoic front and maintained that all is well in the party. "The chief minister and Shivpalji are inseparable  like you cannot separate flower from its fragrance," one of the spokesperson said on a popular TV news channel.

Let's start from the beginning.

As early as 6 am on Sunday, Ram Gopal addressed SP party workers in a one-paged-letter giving a fresh twist to the ongoing power tussle in the party.

The letter addressed to "pyare saathiyon" (dear colleagues) said Ram Gopal's aim was to ensure that a state government was formed in the leadership of his nephew Akhilesh. The Rajya Sabha member who was hitherto considered the think tank of the party has now thrown his lot behind Akhilesh and virtually crossed daggers with his cousins Mulayam Singh Yadav and Shivpal Singh Yadav. In his letter Ram Gopal said that people with Akhilesh were those who have spilled blood for the party and made great sacrifices whereas those who "minted crores and misused power" were on the other side.

The national party general secretary also said while their thinking was positive, others were of negative mindset.

While no names were taken, the political overtone in the letter suggest that he was alluring to the other side led by Mulayam Singh Yadav. The timing of the letter was spot on as well. It came hours before a crucial meeting of party legislators called by Akhilesh at his official residence, where many feel, he could come out with his vision of the road ahead.

Vision of the road ahead: Sack Shivpal

As Akhilesh's meeting began and news started trickling in, the scene outside 5, Kalidas Marg, Akhilesh's official residence was clearly split in two factions  Mulayam-camp and Akhilesh-camp. And soon after, the first big news of the day was received, Akhilesh had fired Shivpal from his council of ministers. The chief minister had also sacked three others who were supposed to be Shivpal loyalists. It couldn't get more clearer. In the past one month, this was the second time that Akhilesh axed Shivpal  last time Shivpal was stripped off all his portfolios  but this time around it was different.

Soon, the chief minister recommended to Governor Ram Naik that Shivpal, Narad Rai and Om Prakash Singh (all Cabinet ministers) and Sayeda Shadab Fatima (MoS -Independent charge) be sacked from his ministry. This was accepted immediately.

Political observers and senior journalists noted that Akhilesh's move was nothing that has been seen in SP until now. Axing a family member for the second time was meant to send out a message to Shivpal supporters on who is the boss. Akhilesh in clear terms sent out the message that you maybe family, but you are not above the chief minister. As the news of Shivpal's sacking came in, pro-Akhilesh legislators, who were gathered outside, chanted: "Akhilesh bhaiyya, aage badho. Hum tumhare saath hain (move ahead Akhilesh, we got your back)."

Interestingly, Mulayam and Akhilesh had a meeting just before the chief minister met with the party legislators and sacked Shivpal. Initially, it was speculated that Mulayam was in on the Shivpal-sacking plan, but as reports started coming in, according to sources Shivpal's-sacking came as a big shock for Mulayam. Claiming that they had exclusive details, CNN-News18 reported that Mulayam, Shivpal and three other senior SP leaders saw it on TV that the chief minister had sacked the party president.

By the time reports began surfacing on TV news channels, Mulayam was livid. It was even reported that Mulayam was mulling removing Akhilesh as the chief minister and annoint himself as the chief ministerial candidate for the 2017 UP Assembly Election. Mulayam, as reported by CNN-News18, cannot stand the fact that his party is divided in two halves. Akhilesh, on the other hand, wants to be the sole leader of the party.

TV reports quoted sources and said that Mulayam had strictly told Akhilesh not to precipitate a situation where the party stands divided. Akhilesh, who has been very clear on his stand towards Shivpal and his closeness to Amar Singh, told Mulayam that he needs to take some tough decisions as the leader of the party. Akhilesh had made it clear to his father and SP chief Mulayam that he wanted to purge his cabinet of Amar Singh's followers.

Akhilesh threw in the towel and was of the view that only his complete sway over the party decisions could alter the situation and salvage the SP's image, specially before the forthcoming state assembly polls which are just a few months away.

Akhilesh vows allegiance to Mulayam

Soon after that news channels started airing headlines like "Split in SP?". Akhilesh Yadav, however, said that no one will come between him and his father  even as the news of Shivpal's sacking (Mulayam's favourite brother)  did not stop flashing on the screens. Akhilesh, speaking to Network18, also added that he will not let the party split. However, the chief minister was unwavering when it came to Amar Singh, who was recently been brought into the SP fold.

#EXCLUSIVE Details of Akhilesh-Mulayam meet: I am the CM, I'll have the final say in party and govt, says Akhilesh to Mulayam #YadavVsYadav  News18 (@CNNnews18) October 23, 2016

#EXCLUSIVE Details of Akhilesh-Mulayam meet: Won't accept any compromise of any sort, says Akhilesh to Mulayam #YadavVsYadav  News18 (@CNNnews18) October 23, 2016

#EXCLUSIVE Details of Akhilesh-Mulayam meet: Amar Singh must be removed within one week, says Akhilesh to Mulayam #YadavVsYadav  News18 (@CNNnews18) October 23, 2016

#EXCLUSIVE | Will not break the party at any cost. I will not spare anyone who is close to Amar Singh: UP CM Akhilesh Yadav to Network18  News18 (@CNNnews18) October 23, 2016

Ghost of yesterday: Udayveer's expulsion may have led to Shivpal's sacking

On Saturday, Mulayam Singh Yadav had expelled MLC Udayveer Singh, one of the closest aides of Akhilesh, from the party for "undignified" conduct, days after he wrote to Mulayam suggesting to him to elevate the UP CM as the party's national president.

In the four-page letter to the party supremo earlier this week, Udayveer had said, "SP state president Shivpal Yadav and other members of his family have misled you (Mulayam) and hatched a conspiracy against CM Akhilesh, who should be made party national president and given all the powers." Udayveer, whose association with Akhilesh is over three decades old, with both studying in school together, had reportedly also made some comments about Mulayam's second wife and Chief Minister's step mother, which angered the SP's first family.

Reacting to the development, Udayveer had said he had only put before Mulayam his thoughts about the "conspiracy" against the Chief Minister. Gaurav Bhatia, SP spokesman, had said Singh had crossed the "Lakshman rekha" in choosing the words he wrote in his letter to Mulayam. "Questioning the leadership of Mulayam Singh Yadav, who is an elected president of the party, was wrong. An MLC cannot dictate who the party president will be. Anybody committing an act of indiscipline has to be punished and this is what has happened," he had said.

Speaking with CNN-News18, Akhilesh on Sunday said that his aides shouldn't be targeted.

#EXCLUSIVE Details of Akhilesh-Mulayam meet: Have full faith in you, but my aides cannot be targeted, says Akhilesh to Mulayam #YadavVsYadav  News18 (@CNNnews18) October 23, 2016

Sacking does not bother me one bit: Shivpal Yadav

But, just when we thought that the drama was over, sacked minister Shivpal decided to address party workers and told them that SP would fight the upcoming assembly election under the leadership of netaji. Interestingly, all the senior members of the party (Akhilesh, Shivpal and Ram Gopal) made no qualms about hiding their differences in public. It was dirty linen everywhere. Even Shivpal, in his first address after Akhilesh sacked him, left no room for any doubts when he openly hailed Mulayam as his boss and said that he did not care about the sacking.

Seedha aarop laga diya gaya hai, chunav ka waqt hai, janta ke saath chalenge: Shivpal Yadav pic.twitter.com/KfnFlH0qq8  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) October 23, 2016

Seedha aarop laga diya gaya hai, chunav ka waqt hai, janta ke saath chalenge: Shivpal Yadav pic.twitter.com/KfnFlH0qq8  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) October 23, 2016

Shivpal retaliates: Ram Gopal Yadav is sacked

Minutes after addressing SP workers, Shivpal called for a press conference, this time as the party president and read out a statement: "Ram Gopal is involved with BJP, he met BJP leaders three times in the last few days which UP chief minister is not understanding. Akhilesh Yadav must understand who is with him and who is not. He (Ram Gopal) has been conspiring against me and he has been involved with BJP to save his son. They have created a group of goons who trouble people and create every kind of nuisance in the state. Ram Gopal is therefore expelled from the Samajwadi party and the general secretary position for six years."

He is involved with corrupt ppl, Ram Gopal has always misused name of Netaji; had raised this issue at various party forums: Shivpal Yadav pic.twitter.com/znivaE91nK  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) October 23, 2016

Ram Gopal betrayed us to save his son and daughter-in-law from a CBI case, he tried to tarnish party's image: Shivpal Singh Yadav, SP pic.twitter.com/YzT1JoPlYq  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) October 23, 2016

When a reporter asked what about Ram Gopal's son, Shivpal smirked and said, "This is enough for now." Ram Gopal, however, rubbished all charges and said that everyone meets leaders from other parties and the meeting was not political in nature. In fact, in a letter to Mulayam, Ram Gopal told the chief that he was surrounded by evil forces.

Who stands where

There is no two-way about the fact that this open war between father son will cost the Samajwadi Party heavily in 2017 UP Assembly Election. With just two months for the election to start, the Yadavs are betting heavily on their good luck, which eventually might not pay off.

With allegations of Amar Singh and Shivpal conspiring against Akhilesh and the other camp berating Ram Gopal for going against Mulayam, the worst affected will be the party, which has left itself open to criticism from all the corners. Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav is planning to address SP workers and give a decisive word on what exactly is happening in the party.

Today's plot suggests that the 24-year-old Samajwadi Party is not far placed from a split with Akhilesh and Mulayam as rival leaders even as the chief minister suggested he would not force a break. Speculations will merely take you in a circle about Samajwadi Party's future and in the upcoming elections, but it is safe to say that this tussle, which is solely a power-based fight, won't end without casualties. It will be either Akhilesh or Shivpal  whether Mulayam will choose party, or, try and seal a victory in the upcoming ekection.

Things are expected to get clearer on Monday as Mulayam Singh told ANI post a meeting with senior party leaders at his residence: "Jo puchna hai kal puchiyega (Whatever you want to know, ask tomorrow)."

Like this piece in Firstpost argues: In a state like UP, in a family-owned organisation, the one who controls the purse-strings and project tenders lords over the party. Vested with the power to oblige workers, industrialists and contractors, Shivpal emerged as the man who had most of the controls under his thumb. The presence of a minister with super powers and a CM with just the administrative headache was bound to lead to a turf war.
Lucknow: Ahead of the Assembly polls, ruling Samajwadi Party today appeared to be headed for a split, with chief minister Akhilesh Yadav and his party supremo and father Mulayam Singh engaging in a face-off by sacking each other's loyalists Shivpal Yadav and Ram Gopal Yadav.

On a day of fast-paced developments, Akhilesh first sacked Shivpal, his uncle and party's state unit chief, along with three other "pro-Amar Singh" ministers from his Cabinet. Mulayam, in a tit-for-tat action, expelled Ram Gopal, pro-CM cousin and SP's national general secretary, from the party for six years.

Mulayam, who remained silent during the day, told reporters in the evening that "Whatever I have to say, I will say tomorrow." He made the remarks after a meeting with

Shivpal, Om Prakash Singh, senior minister and spokeperson Ambika Chaudhary, and MLC Ashu Malik, and some others.

The crisis in the first family of Uttar Pradesh unfolded in the morning when Akhilesh held a meeting of party legislators, a day ahead of a mega meeting of party MPs, MLAs, MLCs and ministers called by Mulayam where some more tough decisions were likely to be taken.

Those who attended the meeting claimed that 183 of 229 SP MLAs attended it and there were demands for cracking the whip against supporters of Amar Singh, whose re-induction in the party two months ago had triggered a fight in the family.

After the meeting, the Chief Minister recommended to Governor Ram Naik that Shivpal, Narad Rai and Om Prakash Singh (all Cabinet ministers) and Sayeda Shadab Fatima (MoS - Independent charge) be sacked from his ministry. This was accepted immediately.

While the meeting was underway, hundreds of Akhilesh's supporters were raising slogans in his favour outside.

Significantly, before Akhilesh announced the sacking of Shivpal and three other ministers, Ram Gopal issued a letter written to party workers, expressing support to the Chief Minister and warning those opposing him.

"Those who oppose Akhilesh won't be able to show their faces in the legislative assembly. Where Akhilesh is, victory follows," he said in the letter.

After his sacking, Shivpal met Mulayam at his residence, which is just nearby that of the CM's bungalow.

Hours later, he announced that the SP chief had expelled Ram Gopal from the party for six years.

Shivpal told mediapersons that Ram Gopal was colluding with BJP and had thrice met a senior leader of the saffron party to save himself and his son from a CBI probe in the Yadav Singh Noida scam.

He said he was not worried about being dropped from the government and declared that the state Assembly elections would be fought under leadership of Mulayam.

As the confrontation between the Akhilesh camp and the Mulayam camp appeared to be reaching a point of no return, reports were already doing the rounds that the Chief Minister could launch a new party named 'National Samajwadi Party' or 'Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party' with motorcycle as its symbol.

Interestingly, according to some media reports, Ram Gopal had met officials of the Election Commission in New Delhi a few days back, which was seen as an exercise aimed at exploring a new symbol and party name if Akhilesh dumps SP.

Launching a scathing attack on Ram Gopal, Shivpal said he was tarnishing the image of SP by dabbling in corruption, colluding with BJP and weakening Mulayam's leadership.

"On Mulayam's directive, Ram Gopal is being stripped of his posts of party spokesman and national general secretary and is being expelled from the party for six years," Shivpal said, giving rise to intense speculation about an imminent split.

Ram Gopal then issued a statement, saying whether he remained in the party or not, he will always be with Akhilesh in the "holy war" even though Mulayam is his "guru" in

politics and will remain so.

He said he had no grievances over his expulsion from the party but the "cheap allegations levelled against me have defintely hurt me deeply."

Ram Gopal, who was expelled for "colluding" with BJP, asserted that it was no crime to meet leaders of other parties.

"Whether I am in Samajwadi Party or not, in this 'dharma-yudh (holy war)', I shall always be with Akhilesh Yadav," he said, adding that he would continue to side with

him till he is re-elected as the chief minister.

He appealed to SP cadres to stand by Akhilesh so that the "political power brokers", an apparent reference to Amar Singh, do not succeed in their designs against him.

For the time being it appears that Mulayam has been surrounded "evil spirits", but whenever he would be "free from those powers, he would realise the truth", the former

national general secretary said.

"I will continue to respect (Mulayam) throughout my life," he said in the statement.

The developments came a day after Akhilesh skipped an important strategy meeting of SP district and city unit presidents called by Shivpal. The CM instead separately met the delegates later at his official residence.

SP old-timers Beni Prasad Verma and Reoti Raman Singh tried to mediate a thaw to the ongoing crisis, but their efforts did not yield any positive result.

The tussle in the party began last month when Mulayam replaced 43-year-old Akhilesh with his 61-year-old uncle Shivpal to the post of UP party chief, and also expelled several youth leaders seen as close to Akhilesh.

Shivpal's sacking came a day after a close aide of Akhilesh Yadav, MLC Udayveer Singh was expelled from the Samajwadi Party. Udayveer was sacked a few days after he shot off a stinging letter to Mulayam accusing his second wife of hatching a conspiracy against the Chief Minister.

The letter also mentions the use of black magic against Akhilesh by his step-mother.

While asking Mulayam to clarify on his political successor, Udayveer also demanded that Akhilesh be made the party's national president so that there was no room for

speculation or doubt.

Udayveer had earlier this week announced that he along with other Akhilesh loyalists would boycott the SP's silver jubilee celebrations in protest protest the expulsion of many of their colleagues by Mulayam and Shivpal.

Shivpal yesterday announced the new top office-bearers of the party's front organisations  the Yuvajan Sabha, minority wing, Mulyam Singh Youth brigade and Lohia Vahini.
As the first of the two most crucial days in the fast-moving saga of developments related to the Samajwadi Party dawned, signs of what lies beneath emerged at 6 am: partys national general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav wrote a letter to all party legislators, throwing his weight behind Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav in no uncertain terms.

In a practice that implies putting all differences on to the public domain through social media and news groups, Ram Gopal Yadav wrote the letter, datelined Mumbai and prominently mentioned 6 am at the top right corner. The letter did not name anyone, but said that "they" want Akhilesh Yadav to lose under all circumstances, whereas "we" want that a Samajwadi government should be formed in Uttar Pradesh under the leadership of Akhilesh. The letter went on to elaborate that "our approach is positive, theirs is negative. With the Chief Minister are people who have shed their blood for the party, faced insults whereas on the other side are those people who have earned thousands of crores of rupees, indulged in immoral acts and misused power. Some people indulge in mediation to fool the public and issue statements".

The letter ends by saying, "There is no need to be misguided. The Rath Yatra is thorn in the opponents neck, we need to make it more sharp. Those opposing Akhilesh will not see the face of the Vidhan Sabha. Dont be afraid, dont be upset. Victory is where Akhilesh is".

On a day when a meeting of all legislators has been convened by Akhilesh Yadav in Lucknow, the letter aims at appealing to most legislators to rally behind Akhilesh, indicating that he alone  or the faction of the party that he would lead  can ensure victory for the Samajwadi Party.

The meeting has been convened at Akhileshs residence and it is expected that those supporting Akhileshs uncle Shivpal Yadav, may not attend the meeting. There are 228 MLAs and MLCs of Samajwadi Party in the state.

Interestingly, party president Mulayam Singh Yadav has also called a meeting of party legislatures on Monday.

A day earlier on Saturday, a member of the Legislative Council, Udayveer Singh, considered among the confidants of Akhilesh Yadav, was expelled from the party after he aired his views favouring Akhilesh. The action taken by the state party president Shivpal Singh Yadav was followed by the announcement of a new team to head the youth wings of the party. The previous team had been changed about a month ago in the wake of pro-Akhilesh and anti-Mulayam demonstrations held by youth wing leaders and supporters.

Udayveer Singh had on Friday written a letter to partys national president Mulayam Singh Yadav, levelling serious allegations against Shivpal Yadav and also against Mulayams wife, claiming that she was responsible for the problems within the family.

Shivpal had addressed a meeting of the state executive comprising all district party presidents and other special invitees in Lucknow, at which he announced that only Akhilesh would be the Chief Minister, in case the Samajwadi Party won the 2017 Assembly election. Shivpal Yadav also said that he would be part of the Vikas Yatra planned by Akhilesh Yadav from 3 November, and asserted that there would be no compromise with party discipline. The action against Udayveer followed shortly afterwards.

Later in the afternoon, senior SP leaders went to meet Akhilesh Yadav at his residence. These leaders included Mata Prasad Pandey, Beni Prasad Verma, Kiranmoy Nanda, Reoti Raman Singh, Naresh Agrawal and Aashu Malik. Incidentally, all these are considered close to Mulayam Singh Yadav and although none of them talked to the media either before or after the meeting, it is learnt that the meeting was a part of the effort to bridge the differences between father and son over several issues.
With the warring father and son continuing to force the issue once and for all in Samajwadi politics, its time we look ahead and gauge the popular mood four months before the crucial elections in this beleaguered state: If the father and the son fight the elections together under the banner of a united Samajwadi Party, chances are that they may not win more than 75 seats in the 404 member UP Assembly. The overall stock of the war-torn party has plummeted too low by now.

If Akhilesh Yadav fights the elections alone, breaking away from his fathers party, he might get more than 125 seats. In public perception, he stands taller than his father. Mind you, the son has been carrying the tag of a bechara chief minister for too long. This bechara tag gives him a huge advantage over all his intra-party adversaries. Already, he has earned a lot of sympathy, cutting across caste and communal lines. Its all too true to be wished away.

And if the chief ministers new political outfit enters into a mahagathbandhan with the Congress, Rashtriya Lok Dal, Janata Dal (United) and one or two smaller parties, chances are that UP would witness Bihar-type results, drowning the BJP and, maybe, even the BSP. Needless to say that Mulayam Singh Yadavs original Samajwadi Party would suffer the most in this scenario.

The above assessment is, in fact, based on conversations with some district-level journalists and active political workers in the countryside. Believe it or not, compared to our psephologists, they ususally dont go wrong. They do know which way the wind is blowing.

But what would happen if, failing to find alliance partners, Akhilesh battles it out all alone? And who would be his main challenger? Obviously, it would be Mayawati in a five-cornered contest. And the BSP might reach the near majority mark in this scenario with Akhilesh forming the main Opposition in the new House in 2017.

Lets leave the hypothesis aside for a moment and, instead, focus on the developments on the day. Party general secretary, Ramgopal Yadav has lobbed yet another letter bomb this morning making the life of those in the anti-Akhilesh camp even more miserable. Addressing pyare saathiyon, Ramgopal said in his letter: Those who are supporting Akhilesh Yadav are those who have spilled blood for the party, and those who are opposing him are those who have been busy minting money and misusing power.

Do you still nurture doubts over the future of the Samajwadi party? All attempts by some old party loyalists to forge unity between the warring factions failed last night. Quite predictably. And today on his birthday, Akhilesh is holding a meeting of party legislators. What makes this meeting even more significant is the fact that Chacha Shivpal Yadav and some of those who dont see eye to eye with the chief minister have not been invited in todays conclave.

Things have gone too far, the point of no-return having been reached. Already, a formal announcement of a vertical split is awaited. What else?

Recurrence of splits in Samajwadi politics has been a norm rather than an exception in India. All you need to do to recall past splits is to remember some of the names: Congress Socialist Party (CSP), Praja Socialist Party (PSP), Samyukta Socialist Party (SSP), Bharatiya Kranti Dal (BKD), Bharatiya Lok Dal (BLD), Dalit Mazdoor Kissan Party (DMKP), Lok Dal, Lok Dal (A), Lok Dal (B), Lok Dal (C), Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Janata Dal United (JD-U) and Samajwadi Party (SP). And so on and so forth.

What remains to be seen is whether the SP now breaks into SP (Mulayam) and SP (Akhilesh). And how soon?

Meanwhile, newer developments continue to take place by the hour. Almost unendingly. See these two latest headlines in the Firstpost that make things clearer:

1. Samajwadi Party LIVE: Akhilesh shows hes boss, sacks Shivpal Yadav from UP Government.

2. Akhilesh Yadav convenes SP meet as rift widens

The state Governor, Ram Naik, is keeping a close watch on the developments. You never know, he may have to intervene. Sooner rather than later.

The next 48 hours are crucial. And the birthday boy, Akhilesh, appears to be at his smiling best.
Lucknow: Political temperatures soared here on Saturday with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav calling in a meeting of Samajwadi Party (SP) legislators on Sunday.

The meeting has been called at the chief minister's official 5, Kalidas Marg residence, a day before SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav meets the party legislators at the state headquarters on Vikramaditya Marg.

The political rift between Akhilesh Yadav and Samajwadi Party (SP) state unit chief Shivpal Singh Yadav seems to have widened further with former not attending party meeting despite being invited by the latter.

Akhilesh skipped a meeting of district SP chiefs convened in the state capital on Friday and Saturday and chose to meet them at the chief minister's residence separately.

Shivpal Singh Yadav had called meeting of the party's executive committee and invited the chief minister.

There has been a political tussle between Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and his uncle Shivpal Singh Yadav over various issues in the party.

Also, there has been differences between Mulayam Singh and Akhilesh Yadav on party issues. The state goes to assembly polls early next year.

Sources said Sunday's meeting is to be watched for as the meeting could witness Akhilesh spelling out his future course of action in the turf war which has erupted between him and his father Mulayam Singh Yadav and uncle Shivpal Singh Yadav.

Party veterans met Mulayam Singh Yadav on Saturday to find some solution in what is now becoming an unending feud in the party's top leadership.

But insiders said they failed to pacify Mulayam Singh Yadav who is "extremely hurt" at the rebellion of his son Akhilesh and "crude protests" by his supporters.

Leaders who met Mulayam on Saturday -- Beni Prasad Verma, Reoti Raman Singh and Naresh Agarwal, later told mediapersons that any disrespect shown towards Mulayam will not be tolerated at any cost.

Hours later, Udayveer Singh, an MLC considered very close to Akhilesh Yadav was shown the door and expelled from the party for six years.

Singh had written a terse letter to the SP chief asking him to step down as SP's national president and make way for his son.

This further aggravated the situation as most leaders close to Akhilesh have been thrown out of the party now.

In the evening, Shivpal also filled up the vacancies of presidents in party's frontal wings and filled it with men known to be his followers.

Sources say chances of any peace were become remote with every passing moment.

For now, all eyes are on 5, Kalidas Marg on the proposed meeting of legislators convened by the chief minister, who seems to be in no mood to backtrack from his stated position.
Lucknow: In a fresh twist in the ongoing dispute in the ruling Samajwadi Party, general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav on Sunday wrote a one-page letter to party workers saying the future of the SP lay in Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.

The letter addressed to "pyare saathiyon" (dear colleagues) said Ram Gopal's aim was to ensure that a state government was formed in the leadership of his nephew Akhilesh.

The Rajya Sabha member who was hitherto considered the think tank of the party has now thrown his lot behind Akhilesh and virtually crossed daggers with his cousins Mulayam Singh Yadav and Shivpal Singh Yadav.

In his letter Ram Gopal said that people with Akhilesh were those who have spilled blood for the party and made great sacrifices whereas those who "minted crores and misused power" were on the other side.

The national party general secretary said while their thinking was positive, others were of negative mindset.

The letter was released around 6.30 in the morning. He is understood to have written from Mumbai.

While no names have been taken, the political overtones in the letter suggest that he was alluring to the other side led by his elder brother Mulayam Singh Yadav.

The letter comes hours before a crucial meeting of party legislators called by Akhilesh at his official residence, where many feel, he could come out with his vision of the road ahead.

Speculation is rife here that the Chief Minister has thrown in the towel and now of the view that only his complete sway over the party decisions could alter the situation and salvage the SP's image, specially before the forthcoming state assembly polls which are just a few months away.

Party veterans led by Rajya Sabha members Reoti Raman Singh, Beni Prasad Verma, Naresh Agarawal and Kironmoy Nanda, who tried to broker truce between the warring father and son on Saturday, will meet the SP chief on Sunday around 11.

At the same time, the Chief Minister is going to meet the party legislators at his official 5, Kalidas Marg residence.

According to sources, neither Shivpal Singh Yadav, who is an MLA from Jaswantnagar, has been invited for the meeting nor many of the legislators who support him.

The sources said there was no official word in this regard. Shivpal, however, said he is going to attend the meeting if called.

Shivpal had personally gone to invite Akhilesh for the two-day district presidents' meet of the party which the Chief Minister chose to skip and instead called some of them to his official residence for a chat.

Political observers here feel that the infighting in the party has come to a situation of no return and that days to come would be turbulent, both for the party and the state.
By Lisa Barrington

| BEIRUT

BEIRUT Fierce fighting and air strikes broke the third day of a four-day unilateral Russian ceasefire in the divided Syrian city of Aleppo on Saturday, a monitor said.The first Syrian or Russian air strikes on Aleppo since Russia began the pause in hostilities on Thursday hit a key front line in the city's southwest, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.Clashes and shelling which had continued throughout the day on front lines intensified late in the day, a witness and the Observatory said.Air strikes had continued to target areas outside the city throughout the ceasefire.Russia has been announcing daily that it will abide by the next day of the series of daytime ceasefires, which it said it called to allow civilians and rebels to leave the besieged city, but no announcement was made on Saturday.There have been night-time clashes as each day of the ceasefire has ended, but Saturday saw much fiercer fighting plus the first air strikes. Aleppo was Syria's most populous city before the war, but is now divided into government- and rebel-held areas. Intense bombardment has reduced the rebel-held east of the city to ruins.Once again, no medical evacuations or aid deliveries to rebel-held areas were possible on Saturday, the United Nations said.Rebels did not accept the ceasefire, which they say does nothing to alleviate the situation of those who choose to remain in rebel-held eastern Aleppo, and believe it is part of a government policy to purge cities of political opponents.

The Syrian army and Russia had called on residents and rebels in eastern Aleppo to leave through designated corridors and depart for other insurgent-held districts under a promise of safe travel, but very few rebels or civilians appeared to have left."Nobody has left through the corridors. The small number of people which who tried to leave were faced with shelling around the (corridor area) and could not leave," said Zakaria Malahifji, a rebel official with the Fastaqim group, which is present in the city.Syrian state media says rebels have been preventing civilians from leaving east Aleppo. Pro-government channels broadcast footage of ambulances and green buses parked at empty reception points in government-held Aleppo, said to be waiting for civilians and fighters from the city's east. Besieged east Aleppo has not received United Nations assistance since early July and rebel groups have said they are preparing an attack to try to break through the government siege.

The United Nations had hoped that the ceasefires would allow medical evacuations and aid deliveries, but said a lack of security guarantees had prevented aid workers from taking advantage of the pause in bombing."The U.N. remains hopeful that parties will provide all necessary guarantees and is actively working to that end," U.N. humanitarian spokesman Jens Laerke said. He said humanitarian workers were ready to proceed as soon as conditions allowed. "The situation on the ground remains volatile as exchanges of fire and clashes continue. Just today bullets struck the hotel where the U.N. hub is based and critically injured one hotel staff," Laerke said. Sporadic clashes between insurgents and Syrian government and allied forces had been reported earlier on Saturday along frontlines, with some shells falling on both the government-held western side of the city and the rebel-held east, the Observatory said. Aleppo has been a major battleground in the Syrian conflict, now in its sixth year. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, backed by the Russian military, Iran's Revolutionary Guards and an array of Shi'ite Muslim militias, wants to take full control of the city.

Syrian and Russian forces say they are targeting fighters linked to al-Qaeda from Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, formerly known as the Nusra Front, in eastern Aleppo. Insurgents say Syria and Russia are indiscriminately targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure to take over rebel-held eastern Aleppo. Diplomatic negotiations between Russia and the United States have in recent weeks focussed on whether there is a way to separate al Qaeda-linked fighters in eastern Aleppo from more moderate rebels, thereby depriving Syrian and Russian forces of their main targets.Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Saturday Russia remains committed to removing what it calls terrorist organisations from Syria and preventing the disintegration of the country."We need to liberate and do everything possible to prevent the division of the country," Peskov said in a television interview, adding that he did not see an end to the Syria conflict in the foreseeable future.Asked if further extensions of the Aleppo pause were under discussion, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov was quoted by RIA news agency earlier on Saturday as saying it depends on the actions of other parties. "We'll see how today goes. At the highest level it's already been said that (extending the pause) depends not on our possibilities but it largely depends on whether there is a proper movement from the opposite direction," he said. (Additional reporting by Maria Kiselyova in Moscow and Stephanie Nebehay in Geneva; Editing by Angus MacSwan and Adrian Croft)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
London: British charities and lawmakers have urged French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve to ensure the safety of children in the "Jungle" Calais migrant camp during its demolition set for Monday.

The signatories said in a letter dated Friday they had "very serious worries concerning the security and well-being of unaccompanied minors and vulnerable adults".

Cazeneuve has pledged that all remaining migrants at the site, currently occupied by around 5,700 people according to official figures, would be given "dignified" shelter after the camp is cleared.

"We fear that the resources currently being deployed and the proposed responses are insufficient to ensure the effective protection of the most vulnerable, notably unaccompanied children," the letter said.

The signatories, which included Save the Children, the Refugee Council, Safe Passage UK-Citizens UK and the International Rescue Committee UK, said tensions had risen in the camp since its demolition was announced, due to a lack of clear information from the authorities about the future of its inhabitants.

They said a poorly-organised clearance would put already fragile people into an even more precarious situation.

The letter asked for all unaccompanied minors to be found shelter before the demolition begins, for a designated "safe zone" in the camp during the dismantlement and, that everyone eligible to join family in Britain be identified.

They also called for independent rights observers to be present during the demolition.

The signatories included 60 of the 650 MPs, two bishops and several members of parliament's upper House of Lords, including Paddy Ashdown, the former international high representative for Bosnia.

But at the "Jungle" camp in the northern French port of Calais on Saturday, migrants seemed prepared for the move to various locations around France.

'We've been waiting'

"Monday I take the bus!" declared a smiling Sudanese named Kali, living in a tent marked with graffiti saying "London Hotel".

"Everyone has had their bags packed for a week already because they told us it could be on the 17th [of October] and since then we've been waiting," said Mohammed, also from Sudan.

The 43-year-old former computer engineer says he's given up trying to get to Britain, which was the goal of most of the 6,000 to 8,000 migrants in the Calais camp. Some claimed to have family links there and many believed they would have a better chance of finding work.

"Some people don't want to be forced to move," Mohammed added.

Volunteers with the British association Care 4 Calais walked from tent to tent to inform the migrants about the plans and give them emergency contact phone numbers.

Police could be seen maintaining a discreet presence near the temporary welcome centre where interviews were to take place for unaccompanied minors hoping to join relatives in the UK.

After 100 youngsters left on Saturday, another 40 were set to leave Calais for Britain on Sunday morning, said Pierre Henry, head of the France Terre d'Asile charity.

Among the Afghans who run food shops in the camp, one owner with the sign "Do not destroy the Jungle" has his doubts about whether the dismantlement will actually happen.

"We'll see on Monday, I don't believe it," he said.

Another Afghan shopkeeper, when asked what he would do after the camp was torn down, just said, "I will go to the next Jungle."
By Robert Muller

| PRAGUE

PRAGUE Czech President Milos Zeman has denied that his decision not to award a medal to a Holocaust survivor was because the man's nephew, a Czech government minister, had angered China by meeting the Dalai Lama.Culture Minister Daniel Herman met the exiled Tibetan leader this week against the wishes of Beijing and Zeman, who has strongly pushed for a closer economic relationship with China.The drive for Chinese investment has met opposition in a country whose post-communist policies strongly promoted human rights. Once a dissident and then president, the late Vaclav Havel was a friend of the Tibetan Buddhist monk and Nobel Peace Prize laureate.President Zeman acknowledged that plans to award a state medal to George Brady, 88, had been dropped, Finance Minister Andrej Babis was quoted as saying on Saturday.But Zeman denied the change of plan had anything to do with Brady's nephew, Culture Minister Daniel Herman, meeting the Dalai Lama.

"Mr President says it has nothing to do with the Dalai Lama, but he confirms that he had asked Mr.Herman not to meet Mr.Dalai Lama," Babis was quoted by www.idnes.cz news website as saying.Herman's uncle Brady had been listed to receive the honour for his lifelong campaign for Holocaust remembrance at an annual celebration at Prague Castle, the seat of the president, next Friday on Czech state day.Brady survived Nazi persecution, including the death camp at Auschwitz in Poland, where his sister and parents perished.

"My uncle informed me he had been contacted by the president's office with information that his award was being prepared. Now there is news that this has been postponed for this year," Herman told Reuters. Asked if he was given an ultimatum not to meet the Dalai Lama in connection with the award, he said: "Yes.""The president directly told me that if I meet the Dalai Lama, my uncle will be taken out of the list (for awards), and that is what happened," Herman told Czech public television. He said the conversation took place in front of witnesses at a banquet in Prague.

A spokesman for Zeman said on Friday the president had completed the list of nominees "some time ago", and had not subsequently dropped anyone.The office never releases the names of the recipients of the state medals before the traditional ceremony.George Brady moved to Canada after the war. In 2000, a suitcase with his sister Hana's name surfaced in a Tokyo Holocaust Museum, whose director discovered her relation to George. Hana's suitcase later inspired a book, theatre play and a film. (Editing by Richard Balmforth and G Crosse)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Gettysburg: Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump on Saturday announced plans for his first 100 days in office if elected president, which included steps like declaring China a currency manipulator, cancelling payments to UN for combating climate change and renegotiating Nafta.

"I'm not a politician, and have never wanted to be one. But when I saw the trouble our country was in, I knew I couldn't stand by and watch any longer. Our country has been so good to me, I love our country, I felt I had to act," Trump said in his address in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

"Change has to come from outside this broken system. The fact that the Washington establishment has tried so hard to stop our campaign is only more proof that our campaign represents the kind of change that only arrives once in a lifetime," he said while releasing details of his plans which he described as a 'Contract with the American voter'.

He urged the American people to "rise above the noise and the clutter of broken politics" and to embrace faith and optimism that has always been the central ingredient in the American character.

"I am asking you to dream big," the 70-year-old business tycoon asserted.

"What follows is my 100-day action plan to Make America Great Again. It is a contract between Donald J Trump and the American voter  and begins with restoring honesty, accountability and change to Washington," Trump said.

Among his other first 100 days measures included a lifetime ban on White House officials to lobby on behalf of foreign governments, a requirement that for every new federal regulation, two existing regulations must be eliminated, a five year-ban on White House and Congressional officials becoming lobbyists after they leave government service and a complete ban on foreign lobbyists raising money for American elections.

This, he said, would clean up the corrupt system.

Trump said on his first day, he would announce his intention to renegotiate North American Free Trade Agreement (Nafta) or withdraw from the deal under Article 2205.

"I will announce our withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership. I will direct my Secretary of the Treasury to label China a currency manipulator. I will direct the Secretary of Commerce and US Trade Representative to identify all foreign trading abuses that unfairly impact American workers and direct them to use every tool under American and international law to end those abuses immediately," he said.

"I will lift the restrictions on the production of $50 trillion dollars' worth of job-producing American energy reserves, including shale, oil, natural gas and clean coal. I will lift the Obama-Clinton roadblocks and allow vital energy infrastructure projects, like the Keystone Pipeline, to move forward and I will cancel billions in payments to UN climate change programs and use the money to fix America's water and environmental infrastructure," Trump said.
Manila: Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte expressed hope on Sunday that fishermen would be able to return to the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea in the next few days.

Duterte confirmed on Saturday that the Scarborough Shoal was discussed during his four-day trip to China which was aimed at paving the way for what he calls a new commercial alliance as relations with longtime ally the United States deteriorate.

"Let us just wait for a few more days, maybe we could return to Scarborough Shoal," Duterte said in a speech in Tuguegarao City, north of the capital, where he helped deliver aid to victims of a recent typhoon.

It was not immediately clear if that meant China had given an indication it would end its four-year blockade of the shoal. "I'm not sure if they will fulfill (what was discussed)," Duterte said.

Two Chinese sources with ties to the leadership told Reuters last week China would consider giving Philippines fishermen conditional access to disputed waters in the South China Sea after a meeting between the presidents of the two countries. China seized the Scarborough Shoal in 2012, denying Philippine fishermen access to its fishing grounds.

The seizure formed part of a case the Philippines took to the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague, which in July rejected China's territorial claims over much of the South China Sea, including its assertion of a 200-mile (320 km) exclusive economic zone around the disputed Spratly Islands. China immediately declared the ruling "null and void" but said it was time for talks again between the countries directly involved in the territorial disputes to reach a peaceful resolution. "China said it is theirs. I also told them it is ours," Duterte said. China claims most of the South China Sea, through which about $5 trillion in trade passes every year. Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims to parts of it.

Duterte's efforts to engage China mark a reversal in Philippine foreign policy since he took office on 30 June. While building China ties, Duterte has denounced the United States, apparently after being infuriated by US criticism of his bloody war on drugs. He has called US President Barack Obama a "son of a b****", told him to "go to hell" and thrown long-standing military ties into question.

On Thursday, while in China, Duterte provoked fresh diplomatic alarm by announcing his "separation" from the United States. He struck a more conciliatory tone as he arrived home on Friday.
By Phil Stewart and Tuvan Gumrukcu

| BAGHDAD/ANKARA

BAGHDAD/ANKARA Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declined on Saturday an offer from Turkey to take part in the battle to drive Islamic State militants from Mosul, a decision that could rile Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan.Mosul was once part of the Ottoman empire and Turkey sees the city as firmly within its sphere of influence. Ankara is in a dispute with Iraq's central government over the presence of Turkish troops at the Bashiqa camp near Mosul. "I know that the Turks want to participate, we tell them thank you, this is something the Iraqis will handle," Abadi told reporters after meeting U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter in Baghdad on Saturday."If help is needed, we will ask for it from Turkey or from other regional countries," he said.During a visit to Turkey on Friday, Carter signaled conditional support for a possible Turkish role in the campaign and said there was an agreement in principle that could allow for eventual Turkish participation.The details, however, were still subject to negotiation, Carter and other officials acknowledged at the time, and Iraq would need to agree.By the tone of Abadi's comments on Saturday, that appeared unlikely anytime soon.Abadi said that five days prior, an official delegation from Turkey had visited Baghdad and made some recommendations.

"The reality is we didn't see it as enough as it relates (to) withdrawing the Turkish troops from Iraq and respecting Iraqi sovereignty," he told reporters. "The Turkish side assured the respect for Iraqi sovereignty and we want to hear from the Turkish side, in the military, in the public, more remarks in terms of respecting Iraqi sovereignty."Erdogan has warned of sectarian bloodshed if the Iraqi army relies on Shi'ite militia fighters to retake the largely Sunni Muslim city of Mosul.'WEIGH ON OUR HEARTS'

In a speech on Saturday, Erdogan said Turkey respects every nation's geographical boundaries, even if it "weighs on our hearts", in what appeared to be a reference to Mosul.

"Some ignorant people come and say, 'What relation could you have with Iraq?' Those geographies that we talk about now are part of our soul," he said. "Even if it weighs on our hearts, we respect every nation's geographical borders."Before Abadi's announcement, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim had already criticised what he said were "provocative" comments from the Iraqi leadership, without elaborating. He said Turkey would continue to have a presence in Iraq.Yildirim later said Turkey was prepared to "take measures" in Iraq because it was not satisfied by promises that Kurdish militants and Shi'ite militias would not take part in the fighting. "We have made every preparation to take our measures because the promises given by the United States and Iraq about the PKK and Shi'ite militias not being part of operations has not satisfied us yet," he told a group of reporters, referring to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which is outlawed in Turkey.

WASHINGTON UPBEAT

Carter, while acknowledging the sensitive nature of the topic, was upbeat about his meeting with Abadi when speaking to reporters shortly before leaving Baghdad.He expressed confidence the United States could play a constructive role on the issue but repeatedly stressed that Washington respected Iraqi sovereignty.A senior U.S. defense official on Friday said the United States recognised that Turkey had legitimate security concerns over the outcome of the Mosul campaign. The push to capture it is expected to become the biggest battle in Iraq since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion. Mosul is about five times bigger than any other city held by Islamic State. (Additional reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu in Ankara; Writing by Maher Chmaytelli and David Dolan; Editing by Helen Popper and Grant McCool)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
TOKYO A 72 year-old retired soldier blew himself up in a park in the Japanese city of Utsunomiya, killing himself and injuring three other people in an apparent suicide, state broadcaster NHK reported.A second explosion, separate from the blast that killed the former Self Defence Force member, caused a fire in a nearby parking lot, while the man's home 8 km (5 miles) from the park burnt to the ground, the report said. The police in the city, which is about 100 km (62 miles)north of Tokyo, said they had discovered a suicide note written by the man and were investigating the three incidents, but did not give further details. Images broadcast by NHK showed two burnt out cars, one of which belonged to the dead man, about 200 metres (650 feet) from the park and a charred broken bench at the edge of the park, where a folk art festival was underway.

The explosion in the park injured two men aged 64 and 58, who were being treated for shrapnel wounds. The third victim was a 14 year-old school boy, NHK said.Witnesses told the broadcaster they heard a series of loud explosions.

Suicide rates have declined in Japan in recent years, but remain among the highest in the world, with around 30,000 people a year taking their own lives. Experts have pointed to the financial stress of surviving on small pensions for pushing some retired people to end their lives.

In 2015, a 71 year-old man set himself on fire on a bullet train in an incident that also claimed the life of a 52 year-old woman traveling in the same carriage. (Reporting by Tim Kelly; Editing by Richard Pullin)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
By Samia Nakhoul and Michael Georgy

| ERBIL, Iraq

ERBIL, Iraq Iraqi forces have advanced to 5 km (3 miles) from Mosul in an offensive against Islamic State's last major Iraq stronghold and there are signs of revolt against the group, the interior minister of the Kurdish regional government said on Saturday.But he added that the battle is not expected to end soon.Karim Sinjari, who is also acting defence minister in the area, told Reuters in an interview that Islamic State fighters - believed to number between 4,000 and 8,000 - will put up a fierce fight because of Mosul's symbolic value for the hardline Sunni jihadis."If they resist in the city, especially in old Mosul, it will be a big fight ... The roads are very thin, very narrow. You cant have vehicles, you cant have tanks. So it will be a fight, person by person," he said. Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared a caliphate and himself the leader of the world's Muslims at a Mosul mosque after seizing Iraq's second largest city in 2014."If Mosul is finished the caliphate they announced is finished. If they lose in Mosul, they will have no place, just Raqqa," Sinjari told Reuters in an interview.The Syrian city of Raqqa is Islamic State's other major stronghold. "They will have to go to Syria. They will be surrounded in one area." The much-heralded battle to capture Mosul began last week and is expected to be the most important battle fought in Iraq since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003.Iraq has come a long way since June 2014 when five Iraqi army divisions crumbled as Islamic State swept into Mosul. Islamic State has been dislodged from other major cities such as Falluja. That campaign lasted just over one month.

With air and ground support from the U.S.-led coalition, an Iraqi force of about 30,000, joined by U.S. special forces and under U.S., French and British air cover, is ready to push into Mosul after recapturing Falluja and Ramadi, west of Baghdad, and seizing the Sunni stronghold of Tikrit in central Iraq. I think it (the fight for Mosul) will be longer than Falluja and Tikrit, Mosul is a big city," Sinjari said.So far, Kurdish forces have seized 20 villages and the Iraqi army have taken 10, he said.BAGHDADI

It is not clear whether Baghdadi, an Iraqi who spent time in a U.S. military jail in Iraq, will risk death or capture and join his fighters in the battle for predominantly Sunni Muslim Mosul, home to more than 1.5 million people."According to unconfirmed reports Abu Bakr was in Mosul three days ago. People saw him visiting fighters and encouraging them. We are not sure he was present, this is information," said Sinjari.Iraqi forces would not be able to defeat Islamic State without help from the inside, such as informers or spies and cooperation from Sunni tribal groups, said Sinjari.He said the jihadi group, which comprises former Sunni officers from Saddam Hussein's army, have built underground tunnels and dug a trench around Mosul which they filled with oil to set on fire when the offensive gets closer to the city."There are many reports that there are elements that have agreed to kill members of Daesh. Some members of Daesh were killed in the street," he said, using the Arabic acronym for Islamic State, which rose from the ashes of al-Qaeda in Iraq.

"They dont want Daesh. Some were killed and some left. These are people who have weapons, who carry out attacks in specific areas at night and slip away."Reuters could not independently verify these accounts. "There are a lot of people who withdrew from the fight. They executed them," said Sinjari. The plan, Sinjari said, is to surround Mosul from all sides.The pressure may prompt Islamic State to become more ruthless, as previous military campaigns against the group suggest.People who escaped from the jihadists in the town of Hawija paid a heavy price when they were caught on a road, said Sinjari."They killed 118 of them," he said. "We expect them to take (people for a) human shield, everything is expected from Daesh, he said. (Editing by Jeremy Gaunt)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
San Francisco: Silicon Valley, the hub of the US tech industry, is traditionally a Democratic political stronghold.

But that has perhaps never more been more true than in this election year, with a presidential contest featuring a Republican nominee seen here as more interested in returning to the past than building the future.

It is no understatement to say Donald Trump is unpopular among California's tech titans.

Along with overwhelmingly donating their dollars to Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, many are openly campaigning for Trump's defeat.

Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, Twitter co-founder Ev Williams and Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales were among more than 100 people who recently signed an open letter from the tech industry taking a stand against the real estate tycoon.

"We have listened to Donald Trump over the past year and we have concluded: Trump would be a disaster for innovation," the letter read.

"His vision stands against the open exchange of ideas, free movement of people, and productive engagement with the outside world that is critical to our economy."

Trump has railed against immigrants, proposed "shutting down" part of the internet as a security move, criticized Apple for making its products abroad and accused online retail giant Amazon of "getting away with murder, tax-wise."

Geoffrey Skelley at the University of Virginia's Center for Politics said the tech sector is also fearful that Trump could start a trade war that would hurt firms with global ambitions.

Instead of focusing on the future and technology, Trump appears to his detractors to be bent on resurrecting manufacturing jobs from a bygone era.

"Trump is pretty anathema to the things that Silicon Valley wants," said Melinda Jackson, an associate professor of political science at San Jose State University.

"He seems to be backward-looking  to make things like they were before," Jackson told AFP. "And Silicon Valley is about new innovation and the next big thing."

Deep Clinton roots

While Google has laid out a mission of making the world's information freely available and Facebook is striving to connect everyone on the planet, Trump has branded the media an enemy and vowed to build a wall along the border with Mexico to keep people out.

Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg shot down the idea of a Mexico wall at a developers conference in San Francisco earlier this year.

Careful not to make a direct link to Trump's rhetoric, Zuckerberg nonetheless urged those tailoring software for the social network to "choose hope over fear" and to help people build bridges instead of walls.

Another Facebook co-founder, Dustin Moskovitz, and his wife committed $20 million to Democratic causes and backed Clinton in the first-ever political endorsement of a candidate by the power couple.

"It is clear that if Secretary Clinton wins the election, America will advance much further toward the world we hope to see," Moskovitz and his wife said in an online post.

"Donald Trump wins, the country will fall backward, and become more isolated from the global community," they said.

Fundraising events for Clinton in Silicon Valley have included one hosted by Apple chief executive Tim Cook  reportedly once touted as a possible Clinton vice-presidential pick  and another by the widow of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs.

"The Clintons, and Hillary's roots in particular, go deep here," Jackson said. "She is a known quantity. They trust her for the most part and feel they would at least know what to expect."

Mirror opposite

Apple skipped providing funding or support for the Republican national presidential convention this year citing Trump's comments about immigrants, minorities and women.

"Trump represents the mirror opposite of everything they believe (in Silicon Valley); welcoming immigrants, a cosmopolitan global world order," said Gregory Ferenstein, author of The Age of Optimists, about how technology transforms lives and politics.

LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman has been an outspoken Trump opponent, promising to donate $5 million to veterans' charities if the Republican candidate releases his tax returns, which he has so far refused to do.

Trump has also been engaged in a nasty feud with Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, accusing him of using The Washington Post, which Bezos bought for $250 million three years ago, as a weapon against him.

"He's using that as a tool for political power against me and against other people, and I'll tell you what, we can't let him get away with it," Trump told Sean Hannity of Fox News.

Trump went on to say that Bezos is "using The Washington Post for power so that the politicians in Washington don't tax Amazon like they should be taxed."

Trump's backers

Trump is not completely without support in Silicon Valley.

High-profile PayPal founder-turned-venture-capitalist Peter Thiel, an early investor in Facebook, delivered a keynote speech at the Republican convention and has donated significant sums to Trump's campaign.

That prompted former Reddit chief Ellen Pao to sever ties between Project Include, which is devoted to promoting diversity in the tech industry, and Y Combinator, a startup incubator Thiel is involved with.

"We are completely outraged to read about Thiel donating $1.25 million to Trump," Pao wrote in an online post. "While all of us believe in the ideas of free speech and open platforms, we draw a line here.

"Giving more power to someone whose ascension and behavior strike fear into so many people is unacceptable," she said.
Cleveland (US): Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump asserted that he will win the general elections even as the mainstream media and political pundits predicted very little chances of him making it to the White House.

Trump's rival Hillary Clinton, 68, the Democratic presidential nominee, is leading him by more than seven points in most of the key battleground States but an unperturbed Trump, 70, said that he is on his "way to the White House."

"We are going to win the 8 November elections. There is no chance for the others to win," Trump said at the Cleveland rally in the presence of over 10,000 people. He was also accompanied by his vice-presidential nominee Mike Pence and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

However, his speech was interrupted by a group of protester whom he alleged to have been paid by Clinton. He asked the protesters to leave who were escorted out of the arena.

"The entire purpose of her is to keep the system rigged," he alleged.

"We are not going to have four more years of Obama. She has been there for 30 years and has not fixed anything," he

said and alleged that Clinton's catastrophic failure has unleashed ISIS in the Middle East.

"They are now in 32 countries. Why did she let it start. When will she take responsibility for the all the death and destruction she caused all over the world?" he said.

"In 17 days, everything is going to change," Trump said.

Clinton, he alleged, has taken billions of dollars from companies that ship jobs overseas.

"Hillary Clinton is the most corrupt person to ever run for the presidential candidate for the US. Her campaign even mocks Catholics and evangelic," he said.

"She eagerly takes millions of dollars from countries that oppress women, gay and religious minorities. We would defend the religious liberties and rights of individuals," the Republican presidential nominee said.

"It is a rigged system. It is a rigged election. There are 34 million voters in the US which are inaccurate. There are 1.8 million dead people that are registered to vote. There are 2.8 million people who are registered in more than one States.

May be they are voting for Trump. I do not mind," he said, adding 40 per cent of the non-citizens are registered to votes.

He complained media of being dishonest which has so far indulged in fabricating stories in order to make him "look as bad and dangerous as possible."

"We will beat the system in Washington and make America Great Again. You watch!" Trump said.

He also reached out to the African-American community during his speech and promised them of a better future if elected to power.

"To the African-American community and Hispanic-American community, I say what do you have to lose. Vote for Donald Trump. I will fix it," he said, adding "we are going to be a rich nation again. To be a rich nation, we also need to be a safe nation."

Trump promised of having a strong policy against Islamic terrorism and stop illegal immigration pouring into the US.

"If I am elected as the president, I am going to keep radical Islamic terrorism the hell out of the country," he said.

Amidst cheering from thousand of his supporters, his vice-presidential nominee Mike Pence said, "Trump literally embodies the spirit of America" and is going to "make its way to the White House."

Alleging Mexico of making a fortune of the United States and Clinton's support for open border with the country, he said, "We are having a massive trade deficit with Mexico. We are going to build the wall. Anyone who supports open border, should never be allowed to become the president of the United States."

The presidential elections, he said, is a choice between two futures. "It is a choice for a stronger and prosperous America."
Attention seniors, it's that time of the year again -- open enrollment for Medicare Part D, also known as the prescription drug plan portion of Medicare, is under way, as it is every year between Oct. 15 and Dec. 7. During this period, eligible Medicare enrollees have the opportunity to shop around and compare prescription drug plans for the upcoming year under original Medicare. This is also when enrollees can peruse alternative options with a Medicare Advantage plan, which combines all aspects of Medicare, including drug coverage, into one plan.

Big prescription drug increases are headed seniors' way

Choosing a prescription drug plan is particularly important for seniors since they tend to be more prone to expensive illnesses compared to younger adults. According to a study from the Kaiser Family Foundation, seniors taking drugs to treat hepatitis C, multiple sclerosis, or cancer can spend anywhere from $4,000 to $12,000 per year out-of-pocket just to take a single drug -- and this includes what a Medicare prescription drug plan would cover.

Another recent AARP study, Rx Price Watch, found that average annual prescription drug costs have ballooned from $4,140 in 2005 to $11,341 as of 2013 for elderly Americans.

Long story short, picking out the right prescription drug plan is critical to ensuring that seniors get the most out of their plan.

So what are seniors looking at as we head into open enrollment period? According to the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), prescription drug plan (PDP) premiums are rising by an average of 9% in 2017 to $42.17, based on the weighted average of 2016 plan enrollment. KFF's estimate includes premiums for basic and enhanced prescriptions plans, and makes the assumption that enrollees stick with their current plan, which may not always be the case.

As KFF also points out, costs continue to vary greatly for Medicare Part D plans. Among the 10-most enrolled plans in 2016, the average monthly premiums in 2017 range from a low of $16.81 a month for the Humana Wal-Mart Rx plan, which works out to just over $200 a year, to $71.66 monthly for the AARP Medicare Rx Preferred plan, which works out to about $860 annually. Similar differences, though perhaps not to the extreme of the low-end and high-end differing by a factor of four, are seen in individual states, with some seniors looking at cheaper coverage options than others.

How to get the best Medicare drug plan

With rising prescription drug costs looking like a near-certainty moving forward, seniors need to be diligent in their efforts to pick out a PDP that suits their needs best. Here are a few tricks to ensuring you get the best possible value for your Part D plan.

The first step is to shop around. The worst possible thing you can do is to simply allow yourself to be reenrolled in the same plan as last year. Though some seniors will find benefits from reenrolling, this isn't always the case. Part D plans may be contracted through Medicare, but they are offered by private insurance companies that have the ability to alter their coverage from year to year. Just because the drugs you take were covered by your 2016 PDP doesn't mean they'll be covered under the same plan, or at the same rate, in 2017. Taking the time to shop around with Medicare.gov's Plan Finder is a smart move you really should make. Also keep in mind that your window-shopping period should include a look at alternative Medicaid Advantage plans, too, to see if they offer you a better bang for your buck.

Secondly, it's important that you understand the difference between co-pays and co-insurance, especially with more PDPs pushing co-insurance as drug prices soar. Co-payments are flat fees that you pay for each prescription you fill. Co-pays could differ based on the tier of drug you're paying for, but they're otherwise consistent across a tier. Co-insurance, on the other hand, requires the Medicare member to pay a percentage of the total prescription cost. If the drug you're paying for is in one of the higher cost tiers, you could be looking at a lot of money out of pocket -- and don't forget, there are no annual out-of-pocket limits with Medicare. If you can, target plans with a focus on co-pays, or at the very least pay attention to what the co-insurance would be on your medications and seek out the plan(s) with the lowest co-insurance.

Third, ask your doctor if generic options are a possibility. According to the IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics, 88% of prescriptions written today are for generic drugs. By 2020, this figure is expected to rise to between 91% and 92%. If you can find a substitute for your brand-name medication that works just as well, you may be able to save in excess of 80% on your out-of-pocket drug costs.

Fourth, take note of what tier the drugs you take fall into. Most PDPs use a five-tier system for prescription drugs, with a higher tier signifying a more specialized and costly drug that'll cost you more out of pocket. Drug tiers can be somewhat variable from one plan to the next, and they can also change from year to year, which can mean a dramatic increase or decrease in out-of-pocket costs. Drugs can be removed from an insurer's approved formulary, too. This is all the more reason to take the time to really compare plans around this time of year.

Finally, don't be late! Forgetting to enroll in a PDP during the defined period (Oct. 15 through Dec. 7) can be costly, with penalties attached that follow you around for the remainder of your enrollment in Medicare (essentially the rest of your life).
Saudi Arabia's Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said on Sunday he had invited his Russian counterpart Alexander Novak to meet Gulf Arab energy ministers in Riyadh as part of efforts to cooperate with non-OPEC members to stabilize the oil market.

"Russia is one of the world's biggest oil producers ... and is one of the influential parties in the stability of the oil market," Falih said at the opening session of the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Falih said Novak had welcomed the invitation, "as a clear indication of sincere desire to continue cooperation and coordination with the oil producing and exporting countries for more stability in the market."

Novak had said on Friday he would take "some" proposals to the meeting in Riyadh.

Last month in Algiers, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries agreed modest oil output cuts. The goal is to cut production to a range of 32.50-33.0 million barrels per day (bpd).

"The Algeria meeting last month was successful in pushing the path of cooperation between oil producing and consuming countries and included important talks between experts from OPEC countries and outside of OPEC about oil markets," Falih said calling on his Gulf energy counterparts to work together as a bloc.

Falih also said that the low oil price environment had led to a decrease in investments which could lead to a shortage in supply in the future and have a negative effect on the global economy.

(Reporting By Rania El Gamal and Reem Shamseddine; Writing By Maha El Dahan. Editing by Jane Merriman)
Image source: Getty Images.

In a search for high-yielding dividend stocks, many investors might have noticed Nokia's (NYSE: NOK) 5.8% yield. That yield is based on the $0.29-per-share annual dividend that was paid in July, whichincluded an ordinary dividend of 0.10 euros and a special dividend of 0.16 euros per share.

That yield looks tempting, but does it make Nokia a good income play? Let's examine its dividend history, payout ratios, and growth forecasts to find out.

Image source: Nokia.

Nokia's rocky dividend history

Nokia has had a very inconsistent track record with raising dividends. During the late 1990s and early 2000s, payments were consistently raised as Nokia dominated the mobile market.

But that heyday ended in 2007, when Apple released the iPhone. Declining sales and earnings resulted in lower dividend payments, although its yield skewed higher for several years as its stock price plummeted.

Data source:YCharts.

Nokia didn't pay a dividend in2013, but then paid about $0.51 per share in 2014, afterMicrosoft acquired its ailing handset business for over $7 billion. That payout then dropped to $0.16 per share in 2015 before being raised to $0.29 this year with the aforementioned special dividend.

Since Nokia sets its dividend every year at its annual meeting (usually in May or June) and pays it shortly afterwards, we won't know what the yield will look like until next year. Therefore, income investors looking for reliable dividend hikes year after year should probably avoid Nokia.

Is Nokia's dividend sustainable?

The easiest way to tell if a dividend is sustainable is by seeing if a company's dividend payments exceed its free cash flow (FCF). If its FCF payout ratio (the percentage of the FCF spent on dividends) exceeds 100%, then the dividend will likely be cut.

Data source:YCharts.

A comparison between Nokia's FCF and dividend payments over the past 12 months reveals a serious problem -- its FCF payout ratio is a whopping 132%. To make matters worse, its FCF is in decline, indicating that the company will likely propose a much lower dividend next year. By comparison, Nokia's rival Ericssonspent 94% of its FCF on dividends over the past 12 months.

Weak earnings equal weak dividends

After selling its handset business to Microsoft, wireless infrastructure equipment becameNokia's biggest business, accounting for over 90% of its top line last quarter. To scale up that business, itacquired Alcatel-Lucent for around $17 billion.

That big purchase, which has weighed down its free cash flow, made Nokia the third-largest wireless infrastructure company in the world after Huawei and Ericsson. Nokia also secured big infrastructure deals with China Mobile andChina Telecom to widen its moat in China.

Unfortunately, the wireless infrastructure market has been a brutal one. Many telcos have been postponing infrastructure upgrades in favor of digital expansion efforts in streaming video and advertising. Enterprise spending remains sluggish, and competition from cheaper rivals like Huawei has been tough on Nokia's top and bottom lines. Last quarter, Nokia Networks' revenue fell 11% annually as its operating profit plunged 39%. That pressure, exacerbated by the costs of integrating Alcatel's businesses, is expected to cause Nokia's earnings to fall50% this year.

These income plays are better than Nokia

Nokia is a textbook example of a dividend trap. It has a well-known brand and a high yield, but it falls apart quickly when we examine its dividend history, payout ratio, and industry headwinds. Therefore, investors who want to invest in a more connected, mobile world with a solid dividend should stick with telecom giants AT&T (NYSE: T) and Verizon (NYSE: VZ) instead.

AT&T and Verizon respectively pay forward yields of 4.9% and 4.6%. AT&T has hiked its dividend for over 30 years and Verizon has done the same for almost a decade. Both companies have wide competitive moats, and aren't as vulnerable to competition or enterprise slowdowns as wireless infrastructure equipment vendors like Nokia.

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Leo Sun owns shares of AT and T. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Apple. The Motley Fool owns shares of Microsoft and has the following options: long January 2018 $90 calls on Apple and short January 2018 $95 calls on Apple. The Motley Fool recommends China Mobile and Verizon Communications. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Image source: Getty Images.

Elections aside, the marijuana industry has had an incredible run over the past two decades.

Prior to the 1996 approval of a compassionate use medical cannabis law in California, marijuana was illegal in all aspects (medical and recreational), and public support for nationwide legalization stood at just 25% per Gallup. Fast-forward to today and 25 states have legalized medical cannabis, with four states, as well as Washington D.C., legalizing the purchase of recreational marijuana for adults ages 21 and up. It's worth noting that the two most recent states to legalize medical marijuana -- Pennsylvania and Ohio -- did so entirely through the legislative process. Furthermore, public support for nationwide legalization tied an all-time high in Gallup's 2015 poll at 58%.

This marked shift in public opinion has translated into rapid growth for the legal marijuana industry. According to Cowen & Co., legal marijuana sales currently total about $6 billion annually. However, based on organic growth and expansion opportunities, the industry could be worth $50 billion by 2026.

Here's what the latest polls suggests in these nine states

The next step in that expansionary process is just over two weeks away, with residents in nine states set to vote on whether or not to legalize recreational or medical marijuana.

The following five states are voting on recreational marijuana laws:

California

Nevada

Maine

Massachusetts

Arizona

And the following four states will be deciding whether or not to legalize medical marijuana:

Florida

Arkansas

Montana

North Dakota

Let's take a closer look, based on the latest polls, at how voting could shake out in these nine states.

Image source: Pixabay.

California

The crown jewel for the marijuana industry is California, which is on its own the eighth-largest economy in the world by GDP. If marijuana is legalized for recreational use, California could be looking at an additional $1 billion in annual tax revenue, and the marijuana industry would have a new pathway to rapid growth. Ironically, though, some of the biggest opposition within the state has come from cannabis growers.

Thus far, things are swaying toward approval for Prop 64. A late September poll from KPIX 5/Survey USA found that 52% of respondents favored Prop 64, compared to 41% who opposed the measure. A similar poll released on Sept. 12 from USC Dornsife/Los Angeles Times found 58% support for the measure.

Nevada

California might be the crown jewel of the marijuana movement, but Nevada was actually the first state to put marijuana on its 2016 ballot. Considering that Nevada has long-standing medical cannabis infrastructure in place, legalization seems to be more of a possibility than not -- and the latest polls would seem to concur.

A mid-September poll from KTNV and Rasmussen Reports shows that 53% of Nevadans supported the state's recreational marijuana law compared to just 39% who opposed it.

Image source: Pixabay.

Maine

While not as quick in getting a cannabis measure on its ballot, Maine met the number of signatures required to get a marijuana initiative in front of voters with plenty of time to spare. Having legalized medical cannabis back in 1999, Maine regulators have a good understanding of the infrastructure of the marijuana industry, and the state seems like a good candidate to legalize recreational pot next month.

Based on the latest poll from the Portland Press Herald, 53% of respondents favored Question 1 compared to 38% who opposed the measure. As expected, younger adults demonstrated stronger favorability toward the measure, with 58% of seniors over age 65 opposing it.

Massachusetts

Whereas California, Nevada, and Maine have looked like strong candidates to legalize recreational marijuana, Massachusetts has been a battleground state for months. Should it become legal, residents would pay a 10% retail sales tax and could face up to a 2% additional local sales tax, depending on the city or county.

So where does recreational marijuana stand in Massachusetts? A Sept. 7-10 survey from WBUR/MassINC Polling Group found that 50% of respondents favored legalizing recreational cannabis and 45% opposed it. Considering that the poll had a margin of error of 4.4%, and previous polls have actually shown the opposition in the lead, Massachusetts is nothing more than a coin flip at this point.

Image source: Pixabay.

Arizona

Another recreational cannabis battleground state is Arizona. Though Prop 205 got more than 250,000 signatures, landing it a spot on the November ballot, its passage is not a guarantee. If Prop 205 does pass, consumers can expect to pay a 15% tax at the retail level.

According to a poll released from Phoenix-based Data Orbital last week, 45% of Arizonans are against the passage of Prop 205, 44% are for the measure, and 5% are still undecided (the figures don't add to 100% due to rounding). Arizona has traditionally been a Republican-voting state, and Republicans tend to oppose the expansion of recreational marijuana, so the Nov. 8 vote could deliver a big surprise or stick to historic norms.

Florida

Supporters of Amendment 2 in Florida will be looking to put a narrow defeat from 2014 firmly in the rearview mirror. Unlike most states where the majority rules, legalizing medical cannabis in Florida requires amending the state's constitution. This means a 60% yes vote from the public is required instead of just 50%. A similar measure received 58% support in 2014, narrowly falling short of passing.

The latest polls suggest approval is more likely this time around. A brand-new poll released by WESH 2 and Public Policy Polling last week found that 69% of respondents favored Amendment 2 compared to just 24% who said they'd oppose it.Recently, FloridaPolitics.com also noted that eight polls since Jan. 2015 have all ended with support for a medical marijuana measure of over 60%.

Image source: Pixabay.

Arkansas

Unlike Florida, which seems to have a good shot of passing medical pot this November, Arkansas is a full-fledged battleground state. What makes things more confusing for voters is that there are two separate medical cannabis measures on the ballot: the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment and the Arkansas Medical Cannabis Act. The former would limit the number of state dispensaries to 40, while the latter would also limit the number of dispensaries and allow patients living more than 20 miles from a dispensary to grow up to 10 cannabis plants.

Just to make things as confusing as possible, the latest poll from Talk Business & Politics/Hendrix College found that 49% favored the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment compared to 43% against and 8% undecided, whereas 53% opposed the Arkansas Medical Cannabis Act compared to 36% for it and 11% who remain undecided.

Montana

Montana is an interesting case as well given that voters in 2004 already approved a medical cannabis initiative. However, the addition of tight restrictions in recent years has effectively nullified the state's law. Initiative 182 would aim to roll back those restrictions so medical marijuana patients once again have access to the drug.

Because Montana isn't all too populous, polling in the state is a bit sparse. However, a recently conducted informal poll from the Lewistown News-Argus found 54% in favor of I-182 compared to 46% who opposed it. That is, however, a close enough margin that Montana could be very much a toss-up this election season.

Image source: Pixabay.

North Dakota

Finally, residents of North Dakota will be heading to the polls to decide if they want to legalize the use of medical cannabis in their state. Similar to the medical cannabis law in Arkansas, it would allow residents to grow cannabis plants (up to eight in North Dakota) if they live a certain amount of miles (40) away from the nearest dispensary.

Like Arkansas and Montana, a coin flip may tell the tale. Making matters even tougher is that no official polling on medical marijuana has been conducted in the state in two years! The last official poll came from Forum Communications Co., which commissioned the University of North Dakota College of Business and Public Administration to conduct the survey. Back then, 47% of residents supported legalizing medical cannabis and 41% opposed it, but those who strongly opposed it slightly outnumbered those who strongly favored the idea.

It's looking as if the voting in a few states could truly come down to the wire.

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Sean Williamshas no material interest in any companies mentioned in this article. You can follow him on CAPS under the screen nameTMFUltraLong, and check him out on Twitter, where he goes by the handle@TMFUltraLong.

The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter servicesfree for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe thatconsidering a diverse range of insightsmakes us better investors. The Motley Fool has adisclosure policy.
Hundreds of London protesters, including actress Carey Mulligan, have left teddy bears outside the prime minister's office as they demanded a larger British role in ending attacks on civilians in Syria's Aleppo.

Demonstrators backed by Amnesty International and other activist groups gathered Saturday at the gates of Downing Street. They said the teddy bears represented thousands of children trapped in rebel-held areas of Aleppo targeted by Syrian government forces and their Russian allies.

Mulligan said the British government must "take a really strong stance and come up with robust measures to deal with this."

Calls for action ranged from tougher sanctions on Russia to the enforcement of a no-fly zone.

British officials stress the need for diplomatic pressure on Russia but have shown little appetite for military action.
Leonardo DiCaprio is all about extreme experiences.

The 41-year-old actor has a new documentary on climate change, "Before the Flood," and the film's director, Fisher Stevens, recently told the story of how DiCaprio almost died in 2010 before work on the doc even began.

"The second time we properly hung out together was in 2010 when I was invited to film [oceanographer] Sylvia Earle for a TED conference expedition to the Galapagos. Leo was on the expedition," Stevens recalls to GQ. "I was filming Sylvia and I had this little easy camera to shoot underwater, and he was Sylvia's diving buddy, so I said, 'Would you film Sylvia?' And he said, 'Yeah I love it man, I love it.'"

WATCH: EXCLUSIVE: Supermodel Nina Agdal Reveals the Downside of Being Leonardo DiCaprio's Girlfriend

Only, things went horribly wrong when DiCaprio's oxygen tank began to leak.

"I was diving buddies with Edward Norton. So we go down and we see 300 Eagle Rays and Spotted Rays and it was an amazing dive," Stevens continues. "Leo bolts away with Sylvia, and Edward goes in front of me and the next thing I know after twenty minutes, I'd lost them all. Then, I see Leo barely breathing, because Leo's tank was leaking oxygen, and Edward had to save him!"

"It was pretty crazy," he admits. "But he actually did get some film for me and it was good for a second, and then it got pretty shaky when he couldn't breathe. But, we really bonded on that trip."

This, of course, isn't the first time DiCaprio has faced a near-death experience. A great white shark once jumped into his cage in South Africa, which DiCaprio told Wired he was told hadn't happened to anyone in 30 years. He also shared that during a flight to Russia, an engine "blew up" before his eyes, forcing the plane to do an emergency landing. In January, he went into great detail about his terrifying experience skydiving to Ellen DeGeneres.

"When both of your parachutes don't open, you tend to not want to repeat something like that," he joked. "I jumped out of the airplane and my first [parachute] didn't open. It's tandem, so somebody's on your back, and they cut that line. We started free falling towards earth. And that's when you get the 8x10 glossies of your whole life flashing before your eyes."

"Then the second one was tangled as well, and I saw all of my friends sort of popping off with their parachutes, and I'm still plummeting toward planet Earth," he continued. "And then that was tangled for about a good, I don't know, 20, 30 seconds. Then he untangled it and he told me, 'Oh, you're probably going to break your legs now because we're going too fast.' So it was one of the worst experiences of my life and I'll never do it again."

WATCH: EXCLUSIVE: Jonah Hill Says He Was 'Scared S**tless' by Leonardo DiCaprio's Crazed Fan Prank

The Oscar-winning actor also memorably suffered for his art in 2015's "The Revenant."

"[I was] enduring freezing cold and possible hypothermia constantly," DiCaprio recalled to Yahoo! Movies. "I certainly don't eat raw bison liver on a regular basis."

"I can name 30 or 40 sequences that were some of the most difficult things I've ever had to do," he added. "Whether it's going in and out of frozen rivers, or sleeping in animal carcasses, or what I ate on set."
Michael Moore saw Hillary Clintons basket of deplorables and he raised her a legal terrorist.

The controversy-seeking filmmaker used the phrase during a Rolling Stone interview published Friday to describe any supporters of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. Moores metaphor came on the heels of Democrat presidential nominee Clinton saying some Trump supporters fit in a basket of deplorables, a comment for which she later apologized.

[Voters] can go in there and, even though you're not necessarily in favor of Trump and you don't like him that much and you know he's a little crazy, you also know he's going to blow up the system, Moore said when asked about the turn of phrase. The system that took your job and house away from you. You get to get back at the system now and blow it up and this is the only day you can do it legally.

Though Moore was a prominent backer of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders during the Democrat primary, it didnt take him long to switch allegiance to Clinton, the Democrat presidential nominee. Moores new film, Michael Moore in Trumpland, is less an excoriation of Trump than a love song for Clinton, as the director tells it.

I wrote a chapter in my very first book 20 years ago called My Forbidden Love for Hillary, Moore said. There's nothing to come around on. I was for Hillary before Hillary was for Hillary.

CRITICS: MICHAEL MOORE'S 'TRUMPLAND' ALL ABOUT HILLARY

As if legal terrorist wasnt a provocative-enough description, Moore also compared Trump to a child molester.

You have to protect the population from him like you do with a pedophile, Moore said. A pedophile doesnt need to be in prison; theyre sick. They have to be separated from us so they dont hurt children. But you have to treat it that way.
A new mobile app being dubbed as Uber for yoga allows users to request a yoga teacher at their whim, hailing one who will come to their home or office whenever they want to practice.

Fox LA reported Ruben Dua, co-founder of Easypose, came up with the idea after doing yoga at his former job.

I kinda said to myself, There should be an app for that, Dua told the news station.

Easypose user Raychel Espiritu learned about the app from her boss. Within minutes of requesting a teacher on Easypose, her office at Village Workspaces transformed into a yoga studio.

"The convenience of on-demand apps is really changing the way we work, Espiritu told Fox LA. In general, especially younger companies, we want a better work-life balance.

More than 1,000 teachers can find work through the app.

For Dua, EasyPose is all about helping people practice yoga easier.

Thats what yoga is supposed to be stress-free, Dua told the news station.
Longtime Clinton confidant Sidney Blumenthal was "merely a conduit" and did not write the numerous memos about Libya he forwarded to then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the chairman of the House panel investigating the deadly 2012 Benghazi attacks said Tuesday.

Blumenthal was forwarding information from someone who may have had business interests in Libya, Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C. told Fox News Megyn Kelly after Blumenthal spent nearly nine hours at the Capitol as Gowdys committee met in closed session. Gowdy later named former high-ranking CIA official Tyler Drumheller as the man behind the information.

Gowdy said that Blumenthal has never been to Libya, is not an expert on the country and therefore has no idea as to the validity of the information he was sending to Clinton, now a Democratic presidential candidate.

Not only was [Blumenthal] providing unvetted, uncorroborated, unsubstantiated intelligence to our top diplomat, he was just simply forwarding on intelligence that somebody by the name of Tyler Drumheller was sending him, Gowdy said.

Gowdy did not specify the author's business interest. But the original report in The New York Times on Blumenthal's memos said the information was coming from "business associates" Blumenthal was advising -- including Drumheller -- who reportedly were trying to win contracts from the transitional government, including to create floating hospitals and temporary housing. They were not successful.

[Blumenthal] didnt know if the sources were legitimate, he didnt know whether or not the information had been corroborated. He was merely a conduit between somebody who may have had a financial interest in Libya and our nations top diplomat, Gowdy said.

Blumenthal was not a member of the Obama administration at the time. When Megyn Kelly posed Clintons claim that she has many friends emailing her, Gowdy responded: Her other friends are not emailing her about Libya. He is.

Gowdy also took issue with Clintons claim that the information from Blumenthal was unsolicited.

Secondarily, she used the word unsolicited, Gowdy said. Megyn, when these emails are released, I want you to count the number of times she says keep em coming this is great, useful information. I dont know what her definition of unsolicited is, but it is very strikingly different from my own.

Both Gowdy and Blumenthal agreed that Blumenthal shed little light on the Benghazi attack, but Gowdy called the all-day session interrupted by lunch and floor votes "productive" and informative. Blumenthal, however, said his appearance "was for one reason and one reason only, and that reason is politics," The Associated Press reported.

Blumenthal, meeting with reporters after his testimony ended, said the memos were written by a former high-ranking CIA official, adding that he passed them on to Clinton as a friend. Blumenthal declined to name the source of the information.

The evening after the September 2012 Benghazi attack, Blumenthal forwarded to Clinton an analysis of the situation from Drumheller which purported to contain information from "sources with direct access to the Libyan National Transitional Council as well as the highest levels of European governments as well as Western intelligence and security services."

The memo said a top Libyan official, Mohamed Yousef el-Magariaf, had told close associates that the Benghazi attack was carried out by the militant group Ansar al-Sharia and that Libyan security officials believed the group "took advantage of cover provided by" demonstrations against an Internet video seen as insulting to the Prophet Mohammed to conduct it.

Blumenthal said he "explained the facts" about his correspondence with Clinton to the committee and "dispelled some myths recklessly disseminated" by some committee members.

"I answered every question," Blumenthal said, adding that he "shed no light on events in Benghazi" because he has no firsthand knowledge and never worked for the Obama administration.

Earlier Tuesday it was revealed that dozens of emails handed over to Congress from Blumenthal were not part of the trove of emails originally submitted by the State Department, raising questions over why those emails were apparently withheld.

One source told Fox News the newly submitted emails from Blumenthal show a "significant gap" in the record.

Blumenthal's role in sending the near-monthly missives emerged when nearly 350 pages of emails about the 2012 attacks on the U.S. diplomatic post in Benghazi were publicly released last month.

Fox News learned that Blumenthal's attorney handed over 60 emails, totaling nearly 180 pages.

Those documents, though, were never made available by the State Department.

It was unclear whether the State Department withheld them, or whether they were never provided by Hillary Clinton to the department for review.

"Clearly, the committee should have gotten this information sooner," Gowdy told reporters before the session.

Fox News was told the documents show Blumenthal providing policy advice to Clinton on Libya, and acting as a de facto intelligence operative for her, especially in 2011 before Libyan dictator Muammar Qaddafi was forced from office and killed.

However, committee Democrats called the delay understandable after Gowdy and majority Republicans expanded the panel's scope from a probe of the September 2012 attacks that killed four Americans, including the U.S. ambassador, to a broader examination of U.S. policy toward Libya.

Democrats cited a May 29 letter from Gowdy to Blumenthal seeking "any and all documents and communications" sent to or received by Blumenthal related to Libya, "but not limited to Benghazi and Tripoli." The letter also asks for information on weapons found in, imported to or removed from Libya. Gowdy made similar, broad requests in a March subpoena issued to the State Department.

Blumenthals testimony came days after Clinton formally kicked off her presidential campaign on Saturday.

State Department spokesman Alec Gerlach said the department has worked to make public all emails received from Clinton.

"Secretary (John) Kerry has been clear that the State Department will be both transparent and thorough in its obligations to the public on this matter," Gerlach said.

However, Gowdy told Megyn Kelly that Kerry has not yet handed over the documents that the committee has requested from the State Department. Gowdy says that he wants those emails before he can arrange a time for Clinton to appear in front of the committee.

I dont have a police force, I cant send somebody over to the State Department to seize these documents, Gowdy said. [Kerry] is the one person standing between me and Secretary Clinton having our, as she put it, single conversation."

Fox News Catherine Herridge and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz, along with 17 other Republican lawmakers, on Friday called on President Obama to fire the embattled officials whose agency fell victim to a massive hack exposing federal employee data and security clearance information.

Echoing statements he recently made at a House hearing, Chaffetz and the other lawmakers blamed Katherine Archuleta, director of the Office of Personnel Management, for the breach thats been described as one of the worst in U.S. history. Chief Information Officer Donna Seymour should also be dismissed, a letter to Obama states.

Simply put, the recent breach was entirely foreseeable, and Director Archuleta and CIO Donna Seymour failed to take steps to prevent it from happening despite repeated warnings, the two-page letter states.

Officials are still exploring the extent of the breach. Though it was initially reported that about 4 million people were affected, lawmakers have since been told a pair of hacks are expected to affect at least 18 million -- and as many as 30 million.

According to the Inspector Generals FY 2014 audit, 11 out of 47 major information systems at OPM lacked proper security authorization. Five of those systems were under Seymour.

Ms. Seymour acknowledged in the hearing the risks inherent in operating systems without valid authorizations, yet continued to defend her decision to ignore the Inspector General and operate important systems without authorizations in place, the letter stated. That decision alone is, in our opinion, disqualifying.

At a recent House hearing, Chaffetz, R-Utah, told Archuleta he had no confidence in her ability to lead the agency.

I think you are part of the problem, Chaffetz said. That hurricane has come and blown this building down, and I dont want to hear about putting boards up on windows (now). Its time for you to go.
Iran has reportedly found an unexpectedly high reserve of uranium, following assessments that the country is running low on the nuclear raw material and just days after President Obama essentially secured an international nuclear deal with the country's leaders.

The discovery was reported first by Reuters and based on comments made by Iranian nuclear chief Ali Akbar Salehi to the state news agency IRNA.

"I cannot announce (the level of) Iran's uranium mine reserves," Salehi was quoted as saying. "The important thing is that before aerial prospecting for uranium ores we were not too optimistic, but the new discoveries have made us confident about our reserves."

The international deal with Iran, largely brokered by the Obama administration, slows the countrys nuclear development for nearly a decade in exchange for the lifting of billions of dollars worth of crippling economic sanctions.

World leaders think Iran is trying to develop a nuclear weapon, despite Tehrans denial.

However, Iran under the deal will still be able to pursue a nuclear-development program, for which the uranium could be used.

The remarks by Salehi, head of Irans Atomic Energy Organization, could not be found Saturday morning on the IRNA website. But another story had him as saying the deal -- reached in July and officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action -- will not slow the pace of Irans nuclear program.

The official said the restrictions which the JCPOA entails are by no means the ones which would restrict Iran in its nuclear activities, reads one line in the story.

Several other news-gathering agencies have either picked up the Reuters story or cited it in their own version.

That Obama would win congressional approval of the deal became apparent in recent weeks, but not without a fight from the GOP-controlled Congress and other critics including conservative groups and pro-Israel organizations.

However, the president worked all summer to garner support from Senate Democrat, who on Thursday block chamber Republicans from disapproving of the deal and from forcing Obama to resort to a presidential veto to win approval for what will likely be considered his biggest foreign policy achievement.

Salehi reportedly said uranium exploration had covered almost two-thirds of Iran and would be complete in the next four years.

Uranium can be used for energy production and scientific purposes but is also a key ingredient in nuclear weapons.

Some Western analysts have previously said that Iran was close to exhausting its supply of yellowcake -- or raw uranium -- and that mining it domestically was not cost-efficient, according to Reuters.

A report published in 2013 by U.S. think-tanks Carnegie Endowment and the Federation of American Scientists said the scarcity and low quality of Iran's uranium resources compelled it "to rely on external sources of natural and processed uranium, the wire service also reported.

Iran has repeatedly denied overseas media reports that it has tried to import uranium from countries like Kazakhstan and Zimbabwe.
A defiant Hillary Clinton defended her policy flip-flops and downplayed her personal email scandal while sparring sharply with her primary rivals at the first Democratic presidential debate, where the front-runner played the role of nimble-footed goalie to a field taking shots at her long record in public life.

In comparison with the Donald Trump-dominated GOP debates, the lead-off showdown in Las Vegas Tuesday night was a relatively cordial affair for the Democrats, with the lively disputes centering on policy differences and not personal put-downs. But Clinton was the clear lightning rod, challenged early and often on her shifting positions  while also hitting back and trying to position herself as a practical progressive with every bit as much credibility with the base as candidates like Sen. Bernie Sanders.

Im not taking a backseat to anybody on my values, my principles and the results that I get, Clinton said, describing herself as a progressive who likes to get things done.

The front-runner, who has faced an insurgent challenge from her left in Sanders campaign, was visibly ready to tangle Tuesday with him and the three other candidates on stage at the CNN-Facebook debate.

While Sanders railed against a casino capitalist process, Clinton warned against abandoning the system that built Americas middle class. And Clinton sparred with Sanders and others as they questioned her call for a no-fly zone in Syria, and criticized her 2002 support, as a senator, for use of force in Iraq, a decision shes since called a mistake.

Former Rhode Island Sen. Lincoln Chafee called it a poor decision and said he did his homework when he opposed that measure.

Clinton, in her defense, noted that President Obama asked her to be secretary of state because he valued my judgment.

When former Maryland Gov. Martin OMalley suggested lawmakers were overtaken by war fever, Clinton quipped: I am in the middle here  lots of things coming from all directions. She then tweaked OMalley by thanking him for endorsing her in 2008.

Whether Clintons performance Tuesday night will help her recover slipping support in the polls remains to be seen, as Sanders draws big crowds and catches up to her in recent fundraising. The two Democrats each gave little ground at the debate  though the Vermont senator mostly avoided aggressively attacking Clinton on stage.

When Clinton was pressed on her personal email scandal, Sanders even jumped to her defense.

In one of the more memorable moments of the night, Sanders said: I think the secretary is right. ... The American people are sick and tired of hearing about your damn emails.

Clinton said, Me too. She thanked him and shook his hand.

Chafee, though, added that "credibility is an issue."

The exchange came after Clinton responded to a question on the email scandal by saying shes taken responsibility for it and acknowledged it was a mistake.

She quickly pivoted to challenging the work of the congressional Benghazi committee, calling it basically an arm of the Republican National Committee.

The former secretary of state was also challenged on her policy flips by moderator Anderson Cooper, who asked if she will say anything to get elected.

Ive been very consistent over the course of my entire life, Clinton responded. But she said like most human beings, she has absorbed new information.

Clinton was specifically challenged for opposing the Pacific-nation trade deal she once supported as secretary of state. Though she once called it the gold standard, she said Tuesday the deal didnt meet my standard. She said she couldnt tell voters it would raise their wages.

Clinton, though, tried to turn the tables on her rivals, and took a crack at Sanders record on gun control.

Asked if the Vermont senator is tough enough on gun violence, Clinton said, No, not at all and urged the country to stand up against the NRA.

She criticized him for voting for a 2005 bill giving gun manufacturers immunity from lawsuits. After Sanders described that bill as complicated, she said, It wasnt that complicated to me.

Sanders responded, All the shouting in the world is not going to end the violence. He said the country needs to reach a consensus, and stressed that rural states view gun laws differently than other states.

The Democratic presidential candidates otherwise tried to focus their message on the economy and lifting the middle class.

Sanders drew some of the loudest applause from the audience, as he called for reviving a disappearing middle class. He blasted the Citizens United campaign finance decision which he said is letting millionaires and billionaires fund candidates who only look out for them.

Clinton said, At the center of my campaign is how were going to raise wages.

Throughout the debate, former Virginia Sen. Jim Webb, the fifth candidate on stage, struggled to elbow his way into the conversation. He stressed his military experience and push for criminal justice reform and other issues while in the Senate.

Toward the end of the debate, Webb challenged Sanders for his big-spending proposals

Bernie, I dont think the revolutions gonna come, he said, adding he doesnt think Congress would pay for a lot of his plans.

Webb, Chafee and OMalley are all averaging at or below 1 percent in the polls nationally, according to RealClearPolitics. So far, it is Sanders who poses the biggest challenge to Clinton in the polls.

Clinton faced a dual task, though, Tuesday night  to not only outperform primary rivals cutting into her lead but keep her biggest potential challenger, Vice President Biden, on the sidelines.

Biden still is mulling a bid and did not make Tuesdays showdown. According to a White House official, Biden planned to watch the debate at the Naval Observatory residence.

While Clinton remains the front-runner, a new Fox News poll underscored her potential vulnerability in a general election  and showed Biden faring better than her against would-be GOP rivals.

In hypothetical 2016 matchups, Clinton trailed all the Republicans tested, including Ben Carson by 11 points and Donald Trump by 5 points. By comparison, Biden was leading Trump by 13 points and Carson by 4 points.

The poll was based on interviews with 1,004 registered voters nationwide. The poll had a margin of error of 4 percentage points for the head-to-head match-ups.
Vice President Biden on Tuesday seemed to contradict Hillary Clinton's account of the 2011 raid that killed Usama bin Laden, while also changing his own account of the advice he gave President Obama before the commander-in-chief approved the risky, and ultimately successful, mission.

Biden spoke about the raid at a forum honoring former Vice President Walter Mondale. Without naming Clinton, he effectively contradicted her claim that she firmly backed the raid from the beginning. In his remarks, he said that only then-CIA chief Leon Panetta was in favor.

There were only two people who were definitive and were absolutely certain. Leon Panetta said go, [Defense Secretary] Bob Gates  said dont go. Others were at 59-41, Biden said.

Clinton, the Democratic presidential front-runner and former secretary of state, has claimed she recommended to Obama that he "go ahead," while his advisers "were split."

The VP comments come as Biden weighs whether to enter the 2016 Democratic presidential race. It's unclear whether Biden intentionally challenged Clinton's account, or simply offered an inadvertently flawed retelling of events.

Biden on Tuesday also contradicted his past recollections of the deliberations, telling the forum that while he privately supported the raid, he didnt want to say so in front of everyone else as it risked "undercutting" his relationship with Obama if the president decided against the raid.

Biden said he only advised Obama to go ahead when the two were alone -- after advising in a Cabinet meeting that there should be another pass with a surveillance drone to make sure bin Laden really was at the compound.

"As we walked out of the room and walked up the stairs, I told him my opinion that I thought he should go but to follow his own instincts, Biden said. I never, on a difficult issue, never say what I think finally until I go up in the Oval with him alone.

However, Biden previously described himself as on the fence on the bin Laden raid decision.

In 2012, Biden told House Democrats he had cautioned Obama against going forward with the raid, and he said in a television interview that year that he'd advised waiting until the military could better determine whether bin Laden was truly in the compound at Abbottabad, Pakistan, but made no mention of telling Obama privately to go ahead with the mission.

In May 2011, Biden said at a Democratic fundraiser in New Hampshire that he was one of those who hedged their bets.

Ladies and gentlemen, I said wait another seven days for the following information, Biden said, but made no reference to the alleged private conversation.

Biden's office declined to comment publicly, but Bill Daley, who was Obama's chief of staff during the raid, told reporters at the Mondale event that Biden's depiction of the Situation Room meeting was accurate. Daley wasn't present for any side conversation between Obama and Biden.

White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest was asked multiple times Tuesday about what advice the president was given by his vice president, but Earnest refused to be drawn into the controversy despite multiple questions on the subject.

The apparent story change comes amid reports that Biden is poised to enter the race for the 2016 Democratic nomination for the White House.

If he runs, Biden's recollection of what played out behind the scenes of the bin Laden raid would likely face additional scrutiny -- particularly from Clinton, who has touted her support for the raid as an example of Obama trusting her judgment on national security.

Fox News Kelly Chernenkoff and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The Clinton and Trump campaigns on Sunday agreed -- at least publicly -- on one issue, that their 2016 presidential contest remains close with 16 days before Election Day, as Clinton goes to a deep, star-studded bench for closing arguments.

We're not giving up. We know we can win this, Donald Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway told Fox News Sunday, though she also acknowledged the majority of polls showing Democratic rival Hillary Clinton leading.

"We are behind," Conway said on NBCs Meet the Press, at about the same time an ABC News tracking poll showed Clinton leading by 12 percentage points.

The Clinton campaign insisted Sunday that the race remains very close and that it has not shifted focus to competing in traditionally Republican-leaning states to rout Trump and help fellow Democrats win the Senate.

Secretary Clinton at the beginning of the campaign said she wanted to help all Democrats, up and down the ballot, Clinton campaign manager Robby Mook told Fox News Sunday. This is not over yet. Battleground states are called battleground states for a reason.

Still, Clinton stumped hard the previous day in battleground Pennsylvania for the Democratic challenger in the states U.S Senate race and amid early indications that registered Democrats are outnumbering registered Republicans in early voting.

And on Sunday, Clinton was in North Carolina, touting fellow Democrat Deborah Ross, who is in a tight race with the incumbent Republican Sen. Richard Burr.

Unlike her opponent, Deborah has never been afraid to stand up to Donald Trump," Clinton said at a rally in Raleigh.

The former secretary of state will get help on the campaign trail this week from President Obama, who is also trying to help fellow Democrats retake control of the Senate.

They need to win five seats from Republicans in roughly 10 competitive races.

Obama will hold a rally Sunday in tightly contested Nevada before headlining party fundraisers in California.

Obama's recent itinerary has focused on competitive White House states that also have close Senate races. In Nevada, the president is trying to help his party retain the seat of the chambers top Democrat, Sen. Harry Reid, who is retiring.

The president is scheduled to speak at a rally in the Las Vegas area for Clinton and Senate candidate Catherine Cortez Masto, a former state attorney general whose opponent is GOP Rep. Joe Heck.

Hell then travels to San Diego to speak at an event for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which leads the partys efforts to elect and reelect Democrats to the House.

Polls indicate that the presidential and Senate races in Nevada are extremely tight. Reid's seat is considered the only one Republicans could reasonably flip to their side this election.

First lady Michelle Obama will join Clinton later this week on the campaign trail -- at a rally Thursday in battleground North Carolina.

Clinton press secretary Brian Fallon, in announcing the first lady and Clintons first joint campaign appearance, called Obama an "absolute rock star" on the trail.

Democratic vice-presidential nominee Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, like Mook, said Sunday that the campaign is taking nothing for granted, despite good poll and early-voting numbers.

Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, will hold a rally late Sunday in Naples, Florida.

As of Saturday, more than 5.3 million early votes had been cast, far ahead of the pace at this time in 2012.

Balloting is underway in 34 out of 37 early-voting states, both in person and by mail.

More than 46 million people are expected to vote before Election Day -- or as much as 40 percent of all votes cast.

Kaine on Sunday also shrugged off the possibility of being embarrassed by leaked emails, amid WikiLeaks saying on Twitter that the group has a "surprise" in store for him.

The group, which has been posting stolen emails from Clinton campaign manager John Podesta, posted the Kaine taunts on Thursday and again on Sunday.

Kaine has questioned the authenticity of WikiLeaks' releases and said the emails were hacked as part of an effort by the Russian government to influence the presidential campaign.

On Sunday, he also raised concerns about an AT&T-Time Warner merger, like Trump did on Saturday.

I share those concerns and questions, Kaine said on NBCs Meet the Press.

He also said that pro-competition and less concentration are generally helpful, but that details about the estimated $85 billion deal are still emerging.

Conway also told Fox News Sunday that the campaign is just starting to increase some of our investments on the air, despite Clinton leading in several battleground states.

Conway argued each are within several points and that Clinton has failed to cross the key 50-percent threshold in any of them while outspending the Trump campaign by millions.

Clinton -- who has been the frontrunner for the entire race against Trump, the unpredictable first-time candidate -- leads in such battlegrounds states as Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Trump leads in Georgia Iowa, Missouri and Ohio.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The campaigns for Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton on Saturday hunkered down in the handful of states that will likely decide their presidential race -- with Trump again improvising in Pennsylvania ahead of Clintons swing through the states two big Democratic strongholds.

The Trump campaign billed the speech in historic Gettysburg as Trumps vision for his first 100 days in office, if elected.

Trump called for term limits in Congress and even vowed to stop the AT&T-Time Warner merger because, he argued, the deal and other similar ones result in "too much concentration of power. But first he vowed to sue the women who have accused him in the media of inappropriate behavior -- a situation he says has rigged the election against him.

Every woman lied when they came forward to hurt my campaign -- total fabrication, Trump told the crowd. The events never happened. Never. All of these liars will be sued after the election is over.

Trump made two stops in Pennsylvania before heading to Virginia and Ohio, while Clinton and running mate Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine held late Saturday rallies in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.

There are no more devoted, selfless people than our Christian brothers in the United States, Trump said at Regent University, a private Christian college in Virginia Beach, in an effort to keep Republicans dependable Evangelical vote.

The Hillary for America Campaign said about Trumps comments in Gettysburg: In what was billed as a major closing argument speech, Trumps major new policy was to promise political and legal retribution against the women who have accused him of groping them.

The race for the White House has, like in most modern-day presidential cycles, come down to which candidate will win the battleground states -- or those in which voters could swing either way.

With early voting already underway in several states, and with Election Day just 17 days away, Clinton leads Trump by 6 percentage points, according to the RealClearPolitics averaging of national polls.

As of Saturday, more than 5.3 million early votes have been cast, far ahead of the pace at this time in 2012.

Balloting is underway in 34 out of 37 early-voting states, both in person and by mail.

More than 46 million people are expected to vote before Election Day -- or as much as 40 percent of all votes cast.

Clinton has been the Democratic frontrunner for the entire race against Trump, the Republican Partys unpredictable nominee.

She has leads in battleground states including Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and Virginia, while Trump leads in Georgia, Iowa, Missouri and Ohio.

"I have a special place in my heart for Pittsburg," Clinton said Saturday in Pennsylvania. "I know we have work to do in Washington, but I think I can do it."

In Ohio, Trump running mate Indiana Gov. Mike Pence attended a pumpkin show in Circleville where he climbed atop a flatbed trailer to examine prize-winning 1,500-pound pumpkins.

Circleville is reliable Republican territory. Mitt Romney won 58 percent in surrounding Pickaway County four years ago. Trump is trying to maximize his advantage outside Ohio's largest cities in hopes of flipping a state President Obama won twice.

Pence started his day on the campaign trail in his home state, at the Future Farmers of America convention, in Indianapolis, where he praised agriculture as an economic and cultural pillar of the United States. He later joined Trump at a rally in Cleveland.

While many Americans see Clinton as better prepared to be commander in chief than Trump, she's consistently viewed unfavorably by more than half of potential voters. Most also consider her dishonest.

In Gettysburg, where Republican President Abraham Lincoln gave his famous address in November 1863 in an attempt to unite Americans amid the Civil War, Trump also called for new congressional term limits. And he said that hed deport without delay immigrants who were imprisoned for violent crimes.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Archaeologists say they've found evidence of a battlefield from the Roman emperor Titus' siege of Jerusalem in A.D. 70.

Recent excavations revealed a section of the so-called "Third Wall" of Jerusalem that Titus' army breached on its way to conquering the city, according to the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA).

TWO NEW CAVITIES DETECTED IN EGYPT'S GREAT PYRAMID



Outside the wall, the archaeologists found that the ground was littered with large ballista stones (stones used as projectiles with a type of crossbow) and sling stones, suggesting that this area had been under heavy fire from Roman siege engines.

SKELETON FOUND IN CASTLE MAY BE DOOMED LOVER

These archaeological remains were unearthed last winter at the site where the campus of the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design is to be built, in an area of the city that is known today as the Russian Compound, IAA officials said.

"This is a fascinating testimony of the intensive bombardment by the Roman army, led by Titus, on their way to conquering the city and destroying the Second Temple," the excavation directors, Rina Avner and Kfir Arbib, said in a statement from the IAA. "The bombardment was intended to attack the sentries guarding the wall and provide cover for the Roman forces so they could approach the wall with battering rams and thereby breach the city's defenses."

An eyewitness to the war, historian Flavius Josephus, wrote the seminal account of the Roman siege of Jerusalem, which included key details about the Third Wall.

Josephus said the wall was built to protect a neighborhood called Beit Zeita, which was built outside the city's boundaries at the time. The construction was started by Agrippa I, King of Judea, and was finished two decades later to help fortify the city as Jewish rebels prepared to revolt against Rome in A.D. 66.

Ultimately, the uprising against Rome was unsuccessful, and in A.D. 70, the Romans took back Jerusalem and destroyed much of the city, including the Second Temple.

The newly uncovered section of the wall is 6.2 feet (1.9 meters) wide. Pottery discovered at the site suggests that this battlefield dates back to Roman times, the archaeologists said. They also discovered the remains of a watchtower along the wall.

The new findings could help settle some debate about the exact location of the Third Wall, which has been going on ever since archaeologist Edward Robinson claimed to have found a portion of the wall in 1838. The discoveries will be presented next week at the New Studies in the Archaeology of Jerusalem and its Region conference.

Original article on LiveScience.
Federal prosecutors say a North Carolina judge has been convicted of bribery after he offered Bud Light and cash to an officer in exchange for text messages from his wife's cellphone because he suspected she was cheating on him.

The U.S. Attorney's office said Friday that a jury deliberated for 33 minutes before finding Superior Court Judge Arnold Ogden Jones II guilty of paying a bribe and other charges.

Prosecutors say Jones asked a Wayne County deputy, who is also a member of an FBI gang task force, to get him copies of the text messages in October 2015, even though the law prevents him from receiving them.

Jones offered a couple of cases of beer to the officer but ultimately agreed to hand over $100 instead, according to the indictment.

The jurys verdict affirms a bedrock principle of the rule of law, John Bruce, the acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, responded.

An attorney for Jones told The News & Observer of Raleigh that his client remains on the November ballot and plans to appeal the verdict.

He and his family appreciate all the support he has had, defense attorney Geoff Hulse said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
AT&T Inc. reached an agreement to buy Time Warner Inc. for $85.4 billion in a deal that would transform the phone company into a media giant.

The wireless carrier agreed to pay $107.50 a share, it said in a press release Saturday night. The deal is half cash and half stock.

AT&T Chief Executive Randall Stephenson will head the new company and Time Warner Chief Executive Jeff Bewkes will leave after an interim period following the deal, a person familiar with matter said.

The acquisition will put telecom veteran Mr. Stephenson, 56 years old, atop a business that combines the carriers millions of wireless and pay-television subscribers with Time Warners deep media lineup including networks such as CNN, TNT, the prized HBO channel and Warner Bros. film and TV studio.

For Time Warner, the deal represents a victory for Mr. Bewkes, 64, who took some heat from investors for rebuffing a takeover bid two years ago from 21st Century Fox at $85 a share. (21st Century Fox and Wall Street Journal-owner News Corp share common ownership.)

Time Warner has agreed to pay a $1.7 billion breakup fee if another company outbids AT&Ts offer, a different person familiar with the plans said. AT&T meanwhile would pay $500 million if the deal gets blocked, this person said.

AT&T will tap $40 billion in bridge loans, a person said, with $25 billion coming from J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. and $25 billion from Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

Click for more from the Wall Street Journal.
A horrific crash Sunday morning in California left 13 people dead and dozens more injured after a tour bus collided with a semi-truck.

#breaking #news I-10 mass casualty accident 21 people transported to local hospitals in the area 3 confirmed fatals pic.twitter.com/UrM8fGdO5h  Chris Tarpening (@Tarp1969) October 23, 2016

The accident occurred at 5:17 a.m. in the westbound lanes of the 10 Freeway at Indian Canyon in the Desert Hot Springs area. The big rig driver, hauling food products, had only moderate injuries and police said he reported feeling "a thump in the back, but that's all he really knew."

"The speed of the bus was so significant that when it hit the back of the big-rig trailer, the trailer itself entered about 15 feet into the bus," California Highway Patrol Border Division Chief Jim Abele said during a Sunday afternoon news conference. "So you can see there was a substantial impact."

All 44 people on board the bus were believed to be adults, said Abele, who wouldn't say if officials expected the death toll to rise.

"By the grace of God nobody else will pass away," he said.

The tour bus was identified as a 1996 USA Holiday bus. The Los Angeles-based company typically ferries people from LA to nearby casinos. The bus driver, who also owns the company and has not been identified, was killed in the crash.

Abele said the bus had been inspected in 2014, 2015 and April 2016 with no mechanical deficiencies reported. Records from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration showed the bus had no prior crashes.

Authorities shut down the freeway in the aftermath of the incident. Police expected it to re-open at 4 p.m. local time.

Survivors told authorities that all passengers aboard the bus were believed to be asleep at the time of the crash. None of the passengers had been identified; however, Abele said police had been in contact with consulates from Mexico, Australia and Japan.

No cause of the crash was immediately identified, but Abele said many modern buses had "some kind of black box" that might aid authorities. Any influence of drugs, alcohol or driver fatigue had not been ruled out.

Firefighters on the scene had to use ladders placed near the bus' windows to pull out victims. It took nearly two hours to separate the vehicles, Fox News reported.

The Palm Springs hospital treated 14 patients, five in critical condition, three in serious condition and six with minor injuries. Palm Springs houses the valley's only trauma center, The Desert Sun Reported. All patients were adults.

Desert Regional director of marketing Rich Ramhoff said it was the most victims he'd seen from a single incident.

Eleven people with minor injuries were sent to Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, spokesperson Lee Rice said. JFK Medical Center received five patients, all with minor injuries, chief development officer Linda Evans said.

The NTSB launched a "go team" to assist with the investigation.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A Boston police officer shot while responding to a dispute between roommates has been released from the hospital.

Officer Matthew Morris left Massachusetts General Hospital on Saturday after spending more than a week recovering from his injuries in the firefight, the police department announced on Twitter. Morris has been transferred to a rehabilitation facility where he'll continue his recovery.

Police Commissioner William B. Evans said in a tweet that it was "great to see Matt getting better" and thanked supporters for their prayers.

Morris and fellow officer Richard Cintolo were shot multiple times as they responded to a domestic disturbance in East Boston on Oct. 12. Both officers underwent several surgeries. Cintolo was discharged Wednesday. The man who shot them, 33-year-old Kirk Figueroa, was killed by police.
A historical marker placed at the site where Emmett Till's body was found in a Mississippi river has been riddled with dozens of bullet holes, activists say.

Till, a 14-year-old black boy from Chicago, was visiting relatives in the South when he was kidnapped and lynched for whistling at a white woman on Aug. 28, 1955. his body was pulled from the Tallahatchie River three days later.

Two half-brothers were acquitted of the killing by an all-white jury, but confessed in a magazine interview months later. The case is now considered to be a galvanizing moment in the civil rights movement.

A photo of the vandalized marker was posted on Facebook last week by Kevin Wilson Jr.

"That marker was just evidence that there are people who are still living in those areas who still hold those ideologies dear to their heart, he told WJTV. "Ideology that were trying to get away from."

The station reported that the marker has been vandalized several times dating back to at least 2008. No one has ever been arrested in connection with the damage.

The Emmett Till Interpretive Center, based across the street from the courthouse where the Till murder trial took place, has raised more than $15,000 to replace the sign.
Surviving members of the Rhoden family in Ohio are getting $22,500 in state money for funeral expenses, the Columbus Dispatch reported.

Eight members of the extended family were shot and killed April 22 and six months later investigators have not made any arrests.

The Ohio Attorney Generals victim compensation fund has approved maximum $7,500 grants to help pay for funeral costs for Hanna Rhoden, 19, and her brothers, 16-year-old Christopher Rhoden and 20-year-old Frankie Rhoden, the paper reported Saturday.

NO ANSWERS OR ARRESTS 6 MONTHS AFTER 8 RELATIVES KILLED IN OHIO

A claim is still pending for their father, Christopher Rhoden Sr., 40.

The state already paid about $7,300 to help cover the funder costs of 20-year-old Hannah Gilley, Frankies fiancee.

The paper reported that crime victim advocates werent sure if surviving relatives would be eligible for any crime victim assistance after authorities announced shortly after the murders that they had uncovered a large-scale marijuana-growing operation at two of the four crime scenes.

STATE RELEASES REDACTED AUTOPSIES FOR 8 OHIO SLAYING VICTIMS

The paper named David Dickerson, the victims advocate with the Pike County prosecutors office, as one of those worried the Rhoden family wouldnt get help with the bills.

I know it doesnt take the familys pain away, but maybe it helps to at least ease a financial burden, Dickerson told the paper.

Click for more from The Columbus Dispatch.
The Pentagon is seeking to recover decade-old reenlistment bonuses paid to thousands of California Army National Guard soldiers to go fight in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Los Angeles Times reported Saturday.

The paper reported that nearly 10,000 soldiers, many of whom risked their lives during multiple combat tours, have been ordered to repay the cash bonuses after audits revealed widespread overpayments by California Guard officials under pressure to meet enlistment targets at the height of the wars 10 years ago.

But soldiers say the military is reneging on old agreements and imposing severe financial hardship on those whose only mistake was to accept the bonuses, which amounted to $15,000 or more.

The Army asked wounded Iraq veteran and former Army captain Christopher Van Meter, 42, to repay a $25,000 reenlistment bonus it said he was ineligible to receive. He was also asked to repay $21,000 in student loan repayments.

Van Meter told the paper that rather than fight the Army he paid back the money after refinancing his home.

These bonuses were used to keep people in, Van Meter said. People like me just got screwed.

The Times reported that 48-year-old Army sergeant Robert Richmond, who suffered permanent injuries in an Iraq roadside bomb attack, is refusing to repay his $15,000 cash bonus. The Army contends he was ineligible to receive the bonus in 2006 because he had already served 20 years in the Army.

I signed a contract that I literally risked my life to fulfill, Richmond told the paper. We want somebody in the government, anybody, to say this is wrong and well stop going after his money.

Investigations determined that fraud and mismanagement due to poor oversight contributed to the California Guard bonus overpayments, according to the Times.

California Guard officials conceded to the paper that taking back the money from military veterans is distasteful.

At the end of the day, the soldiers ended up paying the largest price, Maj. Gen. Matthew Beevers, deputy commander of the California Guard, said. Wed be more than happy to absolve these people of their debts. We just cant do it. Wed be breaking the law.

On Sunday, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said in a statement the Department of Defense should "waive these repayments," and that the House "will investigate these reports to ensure our soldiers are fully honored for their service.

"It is disgraceful that the men and women who answered their country's call to duty following September 11 are now facing forced repayments of bonuses offered to them. Our military heroes should not shoulder the burden of military recruiters' faults from over a decade ago," he said. "They should not owe for what was promised during a difficult time in our country. Rather, we are the ones who owe a debt for the great sacrifices our heroes have made - some of whom unfortunately paid the ultimate sacrifice.."

Click for more from the Los Angeles Times.
Police pulled the body of a young man from a Massachusetts river on Sunday, and say it's likely that of a teen who apparently fell down a storm drain in New Hampshire.

New Hampshire police said officials there, along with Tyngsboro, Massachusetts, authorities recovered the body from the Merrimack River at around noon.

Based on an initial investigation, clothing description and the condition of the body, officials believe it belongs to 16-year old Jacob Goulet, of Nashua, New Hampshire, who was reported missing Saturday.

Nashua police said confirmation of the victim's identity will be completed by the Massachusetts Medical Examiner's office.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Jacob's family, friends, classmates, and the entire Nashua community at the probable tragic loss of Jacob Goulet," the department tweeted on Sunday.

Authorities had been searching the Nashua and Merrimack rivers, as well as Nashua's sewer system since Goulet was reported missing by his parents after he did not return home from a friend's house Friday night.

Jacob was described as white, 5 feet 8 inches tall and 200 pounds with black hair cut short on the sides and long along the top of his head. He was last seen wearing a denim vest with metal studs on it, a gray T-shirt, black shorts and black Converse All Star sneakers.

WMUR-TV reported that Goulet's uncle and cousin were yelling his name into storm drains across the city in the hope that he would respond.

"I just hope that maybe he might have fallen in and hes just hanging on and maybe hes too cold to yell. Maybe well see him, well hear him. Just cant stop trying, you know?" Goulet's uncle, Darren Blouin, told the station.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Click for more from WMUR.com.
A judge in Fresno, Calif., sentenced a man who raped his teenage daughter over a four-year period to 1,503 years in prison -- marking a sharp contrast to the 60-day sentence a Montana judge handed down for incest.

PETITION: IMPEACH JUDGE WHO ISSUED 60-DAY INCEST SENTENCE

The 41-year-old California man was sentenced Friday to the longest-known prison sentence in Fresno Superior Court history, the Fresno Bee reported.

The Associated Press is not naming the man because it could identify his daughter. The AP does not name victims of sexual abuse.

The judge in Montana handed down a 30-year suspended sentence after the man admitted he raped his 12-year-old daughter. The judge ordered the man to spend 60 days in jail, giving him credit for 17 days already served.

Montana law allows judges to dole out less sentences of less than 25 years if an evaluator determines that ordering sex offender treatment outside prison would rehabilitate the offender and protect the victim and society. A commission studying Montana's sentencing laws is recommending the legislature eliminate the loophole that allowed for the lesser punishment in this case.

ROLLING STONE REPORTER ADMITS ERRORS IN RETRACTED GANG RAPE STORY

The California judge, Edward Sarkisian Jr., told the man he is a "serious danger to society" and noted that he had never shown remorse and has blamed his daughter for his predicament.

The man's daughter was first sexually abused by a family friend but instead of protecting her, he turned her into "a piece of property," prosecutor Nicole Galstan said.

The victim was raped two to three times a week from May 2009 to May 2013, when the girl got the courage to leave him, Galstan said.

A jury in September found him guilty of 186 felony counts of sexual assault, including dozens of counts of rape of a minor.

"When my father abused me, I was young. I had no power, no voice. I was defenseless," said the daughter, who now is 23 years old. She also told the judge that her father never has shown remorse for her pain and suffering.

The man turned down two plea deals. Before his preliminary hearing, if he had admitted his guilt, prosecutors would have recommended 13 years in prison. He rejected the offer. Then before his trial, he was offered 22 years in prison if he admitted his guilt. He declined that offer, saying he should be released from jail for the time he already had served, Sarkisian said before announcing the sentence.

"He ruined her teenage years and made her feel like it was her fault," Galstan said in arguing for the maximum sentence.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The author of the discredited Rolling Stone magazine article about a woman's claim of being gang-raped at a University of Virginia fraternity says she was "startled" when the woman seemed to back off her story following its publication.

The writer, Sabrina Rubin Erdely, continued her testimony Saturday in a court case over the article. University administrator Nicole Eramo has sued the magazine for $7.8 million, claiming the article made her its "chief villain" and was defamatory.

The story, "A Rape on Campus," was published on Nov. 19, 2014 and tells the story of a woman identified only as "Jackie," who claimed she was gang-raped by seven men. A police investigation later found no evidence to back up Jackie's claims. Rolling Stone ultimately retracted its story.

The Washington Post reports Erdely testified that she reached out to Jackie on the morning of Dec. 5, 2014 and asked her if she had gone to the police to report the crime following the story's publication. Jackie told her it wasn't the right time, she said.

"I was a little surprised," Erdely testified. "A couple of other things struck me as odd. ... I was getting a little hinky feeling."

Erdely testified that for the first time, Jackie expressed doubt about whether her alleged assailant was in Phi Psi, the fraternity she had said he belonged to.

"I was just so startled. ... Here she was saying in such a casual way, 'Oh yeah, maybe he wasn't in Phi Psi.'"

Erdely said that together they tried to look up additional information about her alleged attacker online but were unable to find anything.

"When I got off the phone, I felt like the ground had shifted from under my feet," Erdely testified.

She added: "I felt that she didn't have credibility anymore, which meant that we couldn't stand behind anything that she had given me."

Erdely then composed an email to her editors telling them she believed the story should be retracted. The subject line: "Our worst nightmare."
As ISIS loses its grip in its stronghold of Mosul, the black-clad jihadist army is plumbing the depths of brutality, taking civilians off the streets of Iraqs second-largest city and forcing them onto the front lines.

ISIS BURNS SULFUR STOCKS NEAR MOSUL, CREATING HAZARD FOR TROOPS, LOCALS



According to sources within the high ranks of the Yazidi Brigade, which operates under the Kurdish military known as Peshmerga, ISIS - which continues to control the nearby town of Tel Afar  on Friday tricked residents into believing they had liberated" Kirkuk. The false claim ISIS had seized full control of the oil -rich city came as news of heavy fighting in the region wafted out.

Tel Afar has long held a strong support base for the terrorist outfit, and is considered one of the top places for ISIS recruitment. Much of the ISIS training happens in the Sunni-dominated city, as well as weapon and bomb construction.

"When people from the town heard that Kirkuk had been taken over by ISIS, many came out to the streets to celebrate," a prominent intel source told FoxNews.com on Saturday afternoon from the the Yazidi-controlled front line of Sino, the closest front line to Tel Afar. "With all the families out on the street, ISIS members then executed their scheme and had trucks ready, they filled them with young boys and imported them to the front line Friday night."

DEFENSE SECRETARY CARTER VISITS IRAQ TO ASSESS OPERATION TO RETAKE MOSUL

ISIS is said to have used two tanker trucks, two pickup trucks and two armored vehicles to scoop up the minors, aged from 8 to 16.

"ISIS has used all sorts of tactics and human shields many times before," Amer, 43, a lieutenant colonel in the Yazidi Forces, told FoxNews.com. "But this way we just saw last night, this is new."

The boys are apparently being used in three ways on the battle front with Iraqi national forces, Kurdish fighters and coalition troops. They serve as fighters, human shields and suicide bombers. At around 5.30 a.m. Saturday, as the first rays of light rose over the Iraqi desert, a suicide vehicle came toward the Sino front from the Tel Afar line. According to one soldier, who showed FoxNews.com video of the remnants and charred truck, the three inside were minor boys, believed to have been part of the group taken from the Tel Afar streets less than a day earlier.

Two Yazidi soldiers were wounded in the suicide attack and they are bracing for similar attempts in coming days. The two opposing front lines are currently 1.6 miles apart, and the Sino front is about 12 miles from the still deeply rooted ISIS city center of Tel Afar.

By using children as shields, according to one Kurdish official who requested anonymity, ISIS fighters are able to push forward with greater ease, as it puts their opposition on the defensive.

"The Yazidi-Peshmerga tries to snipe behind the shields, but that's very hard," the official noted. "But if the shields open fire first, they have no choice but to shoot back. Otherwise, more and more of our soldiers will get killed."

Col. Marwan Sabri, 35, who oversees the Yazidi Brigade, said the development comes as no surprise.

"ISIS does not follow any international laws, they used banned weapons and children shields," he told FoxNews.com. "This is a group without any morals."

However, the notion of using young boys, who may or may not be radicalized, in the front line fight is one that hits hard for the Yazidi community. According to Sabri, based on their intelligence, Yazidis were likely specifically brainwashed and groomed for the very purpose of being strategically placed on the front lines to fight their own.

Thousands of Yazidis were captured on that apocalyptic Aug. 3, 2014, day when the jihadists invaded their ancestral home on and around Mount Sinjar. Scores of girls and women were kidnapped and sold into sex slavery for the fighters while the boys were forced into jihadist training camps and radicalized to kill their own.

"The use of the children is making things very difficult for us. We don't know who those children are, or if they are one of ours," Amer said, glancing wistfully over at his 18-year-old son, Rayan, also a Yazidi soldier. The men were unflinching amid the sounds of outgoing rockets and mortar rounds blasting from a nearby defense post.

Amer and his family were all living in Germany, known to have a prominent Yazidi diaspora, when their homeland was attacked over two years ago. Almost immediately, he and his wife, along with their six children aged between 6 and 22, returned to help support and protect the embattled region that they left in 2008.

Amer and his two eldest sons joined the Yazidi Brigade, made up of around 8,800 men from the heavily persecuted ethnically Kurdish minority. The brigade was formed last year after Sinjar was overrun by the barbaric Islamist group who declared them "devil worshippers."

His eldest son, Aqeed, was severely injured by an ISIS mortar round three months ago.

"This is a genocide," Amer, who now lives in the decimated once ISIS-occupied city of Sinjar, commonly referred to as Shengal by Yazidis and Kurds. "We have no water, no electricity. But this is our home. We will never leave it again."
Suspected Islamic militants on Saturday gunned down a senior Egyptian army officer near his home in an eastern Cairo suburb, according to two security officials.

EGYPT'S FIGHT AGAINST ISLAMIC MILITANCY MAKES ENEMIES

The officials identified the victim as Brig-Gen. Adel Ragai, commander of the army's 9th armored division, which is headquartered in the sprawling military base of Dahshour west of Cairo. They said Ragai recently served in the restive north of the Sinai Peninsula, for years now the theater of operations in what has effectively become a war of attrition between security forces and Islamic militants.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

SYRIA'S ASSAD SEEKS EGYPT'S HELP IN FIGHTING 'TERRORISM'

The cabinet denounced the attack in a statement, quoting Prime Minister Sherif Ismail as saying such attacks only strengthened the resolve of security forces to defeat the militants. The statement did not name the victim.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the killing, but the attack bore the hallmarks of the militant Islamic groups fighting security forces in the Sinai Peninsula. It was not immediately clear why Ragai in particular was targeted, but the militants have in the past killed army and police officers.

Hasm, or "Decisiveness," a shadowy group suspected of links to the now-banned Muslim Brotherhood, has claimed responsibility in recent weeks for a series of attacks in Cairo, including a shooting against the country's former mufti, or chief Muslim theologian, and a car bomb against the chief prosecutor's deputy. Both escaped unhurt.

Ragai's home is in the relatively quiet El-Obour suburb that straddles the road between Cairo and the Suez Canal city of Ismailia. The location would have allowed the assailants a better chance of getting away than in the capital's traffic-choked streets.

Saturday's shooting came amid a spike in violence in the turbulent northern part of Sinai, including airstrikes and raids targeting suspected militants' hideouts.

President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, himself a career army officer, said in a recent interview that he expected the war in Sinai to continue for a long time and that both sides in the conflict were getting better at fighting each other.

Security forces have fought militants in Sinai for years, but the insurgency grew deadlier after el-Sissi led the military's 2013 ouster of an elected but divisive Islamist president, Mohammed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood.

The insurgency is now led by a local affiliate of the extremist Islamic State group.
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Townspeople and farmers in Warngau, south of Munich, have donned traditional costumes for their annual procession in horse-drawn carriages to a local church in honor of St. Leonard, considered the patron saint of horses and livestock.

The "Leonhardi pilgrimage," which was revived in Warngau in 1983 after an 80-year break, takes place ever year on the fourth Sunday in October.

An open-air service is held on the meadow outside the All Saints' church, with priests blessing the participants. Similar processions are held in several other southern German towns.
A Somali pirate said Saturday that 26 Asian sailors held hostage for more than four years have been released after a ransom was paid, and international mediators said it "represents the end of captivity for the last remaining seafarers taken hostage during the height of Somali piracy."

THREE AL-JAZEERA JOURNALISTS ARRESTED IN SOMALIA

The crew from Vietnam, Taiwan, Cambodia, Indonesia, China and the Philippines had been among the few hostages still in the hands of Somali pirates.

The pirate, Bile Hussein, said the sailors were the crew of the FV Naham 3, a Taiwan-owned fishing vessel seized in March 2012. The ship later sank.

Hussein said $1.5 million in ransom was paid for the sailors' release. That claim could not be independently verified.

SOMALIA SHUTS DOWN NEWSPAPER, ARRESTS EDITOR

The 26 sailors "are currently in the safe hands of the Galmudug authorities and will be repatriated using a U.N. humanitarian flight shortly and then on to their home countries," John Steed, the coordinator of the Hostage Support Partners for the U.S.-based organization Oceans Beyond Piracy, said in a statement.

The statement included a photo, stamped Aug. 14, showing the thin, grim crewmen standing or squatting together as proof they remained alive.

Steed said only one other group of hostages had been held longer than this one, which spent 1,672 days in captivity.

"They are reported to be in reasonable condition, considering their ordeal. They are all malnourished. Four are currently receiving medical treatment by a doctor in Galkayo. They have spent over four and a half years in deplorable conditions away from their families," Steed said.

He said another member of the crew died in the hijacking and two died of illnesses in captivity.

Piracy off Somalia's coast was once a serious threat to the global shipping industry, but attacks have dropped dramatically in recent years after ships began carrying armed guards and European Union naval forces increased patrols.

No commercial vessel has been successfully attacked since 2012, but the threat of piracy remains, Steed said.

The majority of hostages held by Somali pirates have been sailors on merchant ships, though European families also have been kidnapped from their yachts while traveling in the dangerous Indian Ocean coastal waters.
Its been six days since the offensive to retake Mosul began, and the going has been slow as ISIS fighters and snipers, seemingly immune to airstrikes, continue to pop up in towns and villages surrounding Iraqs second-largest city and already thought liberated.

REELING ISIS TRICKS BOYS AS YOUNG AS 8 INTO MANNING FRONT LINES

As they are pushed slowly back, the reason is becoming clear: An extensive network of tunnels crisscrosses this land and allows the Islamist armys fighters to move unseen from one location to the next.

Fox News was given exclusive access to one of these tunnels hours after it was discovered by Kurdish Pehsmerga fighters.

IRAQI FORCES LAUNCH NEW ATTACK NORTHEAST OF MOSUL

Inside was a warren of different tunnels and shafts, each leading to different houses in the village. Two entrances followed carved staircases up into buildings  another rose to a secret hole in a back alley, and yet another, where the whole project had begun  at the bottom of a 25-foot shaft, accessed via a hoist.

Excavated dirt from the tunnel had been piled up in every room of the house, floor to ceiling, so the entrance couldnt be identified from the air.

These tunnels are storerooms, dormitories, bomb shelters and living quarters. They are covered with recent signs of life  tea mugs, books, mattresses and, strangely - or perhaps worryingly - a ladys handbag.

The Kurdish Peshmerga fighters told us how local villagers had been paid $2 a day to build it  starting by using a jackhammer to dig deep into the bedrock before snaking along  sometimes for hundreds of yards.

Most of the tunnels which have been discovered follow a similar design, and its been reported that ISIS had a team of tunnel builders instructing the fighters over the last two years. There have also been suggestions that some had been connected to Hamas  so similar are the designs to subterranean passageways that cover the Gaza strip.

Its hard enough to detect these tunnels in small villages in the desert. It will be almost impossible to detect them in the dense urban city of Mosul, when forces finally reach their target.

Refugees who spoke to Fox News said the ground beneath Mosul is riddled by them  almost every street and every building seems to have an entrance, and ISIS has stocked them all in anticipation of its last stand.

Peshmerga fighters expect the battle ahead to be hard fought, with suicide bombers and snipers emerging out of nowhere. This is a battle that will be won street by street, house by house and tunnel by tunnel.
Iraqi and Kurdish forces have launched a new offensive on a town near Mosul as part of a massive operation aimed at retaking the country's second largest city from the Islamic State (ISIS) group.



The Kurdish forces, known as peshmerga, said they launched a dawn offensive Sunday on two fronts to the northeast of Mosul, near the town of Bashiqa.



Maj. Gen. Haider Fadhil, of Iraq's special forces, said they had also launched an assault on Bashiqa, surrounding it and seizing parts of the town. He said the Kurds had captured two villages near Bashiqa and a small Shiite shrine in the area.



Over the last week, Iraqi and Kurdish forces have been battling ISIS in a belt of mostly uninhabited towns and villages around Mosul, contending with roadside bombs, snipers and suicide truck bombs.



The Mosul offensive involves more than 25,000 Iraqi ground forces as well as U.S.-led coalition aircraft and advisers. It is expected to take weeks, if not months, to drive ISIS from Mosul, which is home to more than a million civilians.



Bashiqa is close to a military base of the same name where some 500 Turkish troops are training Sunni and Kurdish fighters for the Mosul offensive.

The presence of the Turkish troops has angered Iraq, which says it never gave them permission to enter the country and has called on them to withdraw. Turkey has refused the demand, insisting that it play a role in retaking Mosul from ISIS.



U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter has visited both countries in recent days, and arrived in the Kurdish regional capital Irbil on Sunday, where he was expected to discuss the issue with Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani.



After meeting with Turkey's leaders, Carter had announced an "agreement in principle" for Turkey to have a role in the operation.



But Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi appeared to bat that idea down when he met with Carter on Saturday, insisting that Mosul was an "Iraqi battle."



"I know that the Turks want to participate, we tell them thank you, this is something the Iraqis will handle and the Iraqis will liberate Mosul and the rest of the territories," he said.



The forces taking part in the Mosul offensive include Iraqi troops, the peshmerga, Sunni tribal fighters and state-sanctioned Shiite militias. Many fear the operation could heighten tensions between Iraq's different communities, which are allied against ISIS but divided over a host of other issues, including the fate of territories near mostly Sunni Mosul that are claimed by the largely autonomous Kurdish region and the central government.
Senior military officers say 83 soldiers are missing after Boko Haram Islamic extremists attacked a remote base in northeastern Nigeria.

Officers said the soldiers were unable to fight back because they were poorly equipped. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to give information to reporters.

Army spokesman Col. Sani Kukasheka Usman said last week that some soldiers were missing and 13 wounded when the insurgents on Oct. 17 attacked their base in Gashigar village, on the border with Niger. Usman has not responded to requests for comment about the actual number.

Officers say dozens of fleeing troops jumped into the Niger River and 22 were pulled from the water by soldiers from the neighboring country. They say many may have drowned.
One person was killed and three others were injured Sunday after at least two explosions rocked a Japanese city, authorities said.

Japanese media reports suggest that the victim, believed to be a 72-year-old former military officer, may have set his house on fire, blown up his car in a public parking lot and then blown himself up in a nearby park in Utsunomiya.

A note found in the clothing of the badly burned victim included the name of the former officer, Japanese broadcaster NHK and other media reported. The name was not disclosed. One of the cars destroyed in a fiery blaze in the parking lot belonged to the retired military man, and his house burned to the ground earlier on Sunday, the reports said.

The back-to-back loud bangs in the park and parking lot shocked bystanders, many heading to a festival at the park on a sunny autumn day. The apparent blasts occurred around 11:30 a.m. within about 200 yards of each other. The festival was canceled after the incidents.

The explosions occurred in a span of approximately one minute and 15 seconds.

A man who was in the park at the time of the blasts told NHK that he heard a loud noise and smelled gunpowder. The witness added that he saw three people on the ground.

Utsunomiya, the capital of Tochigi prefecture, is a city of some 500,000 people about 60 miles north of Tokyo. It is near the popular tourist destination of Nikko.



The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Click for more from NHK.
The pope says the cruelty of the fighting in the Iraqi city of Mosul "makes us cry, leaves us without words."

Pope Francis told some 50,000 faithful gathered Sunday for the Angelus blessing that he was "pained by the murder in cold blood of numerous sons of this beloved land, among them many children."

He expressed his closeness to the people of Iraq "in these dramatic hours," saying "our souls are shaken by the brutal acts of violence that are being committed for too long against innocent citizens, whether Muslims or Christians."

Iraqi forces and their allies have launched a major offensive this week to retake Mosul, the country's second-largest city, from the Islamic State group. The United Nations says more than 4,000 people have fled the area.
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Thousands of Cameroonians have been flooding hospitals in the capital, Yaounde, and the largest city, Douala, looking for corpses and survivors after an overloaded train derailed Friday, killing more than 70 people and injuring 600.

Most of the injured by Sunday were receiving treatment in hospitals in Yaounde and Douala. The accident happened in Eseka, about 125 kilometers (75 miles) west of Yaounde, which doesn't have adequate facilities and is difficult to access.

Teacher Rigobert Nlend, 42, said he had to search for his brother's body. He first searched Douala, and finally found his brother's corpse at the Yaounde Military Hospital mortuary. He said his brother's life could have been saved if rescue workers arrived earlier.

Cameroon President Paul Biya has declared Monday, Oct. 24 a national day of mourning.
VIRGINIA BEACHGOP presidential nominee Donald Trump, asserting that Virginia remains very much in play, made a particular appeal to evangelicals and military personnel Saturday during a rally at Regent University.

In 17 days, we are going to win Virginia, Trump told a boisterous crowd of several thousand gathered in an outdoor plaza.

Speaking at the Virginia Beach school founded by religious broadcaster Pat Robertson, Trump lavished praise on evangelical Christians.

One of the greatest privileges of my journey has been the time Ive spent with the evangelical community and the people of faith across our nation, the business mogul said.

There are no more decent, devoted and selfless people than our Christian brothers and sisters here in the United States, Trump said, noting hes a Presbyterian.

Trump stressed that if he is elected president, he will sign legislation to repeal the Johnson Amendment, a portion of the federal tax code named for then-U.S. Sen. Lyndon B. Johnson, D-Texas, that prevents tax-exempt organizations, such as churches, from endorsing political candidates.

In a nod to the regional military stronghold, Trump said Hampton Roads will benefit as he rebuilds what he termed a depleted military and expands the Navy fleet to 350 ships.

Were going to start with the Navy right here in Virginia Beach, Trump said. Little Creek and Naval Station Oceana are going to be a lot busier when Im presidentget ready.

Norfolk Naval Shipyard is, too, he added. Theyre going to be right at the center of the action in building new ships.

Trump, who took the stage more than an hour behind schedule, had come from Gettysburg, Pa., where on Saturday morning he delivered what the campaign called a major address.

In Virginia Beach, Trump made a brief reference to the Gettysburg speech, in which he had outlined his Contract with the American Voter, a pledge to pursue more than two dozen policy actions in his first 100 days as president.

Speaking of his call for ethics reforms and term limits for members of Congress, Trump said: If I am elected president, were going to drain the swamp in Washington, D.C.

Trump trails Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in Virginia by 12 percentage points in a poll Christopher Newport University released Friday.

But Trumps supporters at Regentmany decked out in patriotic garb including shirts, caps and scarves featuring the American flagwere buoyant.

They cheered Build that Wall! when he spoke of improving border security.

When Trump called Clinton crooked over her use of private email as Secretary of State, many in the crowd chanted Lock her up! and Hillary for prison!

Trump supporters in the crowd cited a number of issues that are key to their support of Trump, such as border security, national security and economic security.

Debbie Accardi, a caterer from Smithfield, said her brother ran a restaurant but recently sold it because the taxes were eating him up alive.

She faults Clintons support for a $15 minimum wage, saying it would crush small businesses.

Nobody can afford $15, Accardi said. If they have not employed anybody, then they dont know what theyre talking about.

Barry and Judy Christopher, of Mechanicsville, said they believe Trump will appoint conservative Supreme Court justices, support Israel, back religious freedom and protect gun rights, all issues they consider important.

We cant support Planned Parenthood, added Barry Christopher, who runs an executive sedan service. If we have a choice, thats not what we want to do. We are against abortions.

Barry Christopher said nobody has all the answers, but Trump has got a history of surrounding himself with the right people.

Trumps stop at Regent might have been meant, in part, to shore up support with evangelical voters following the release of a 2005 tape in which he bragged about groping women and subsequent allegations by women who said he had made unwanted sexual advances.

Trumps Virginia campaign has been whipsawed in recent weeks, but continues to fight for what has been a key swing state.

Trumps national campaign fired his Virginia chairman, Corey Stewart, after Stewart held an unauthorized protest outside the Republican National Committee.

Then the Virginia campaign dealt with reports that Trumps national team was shifting some of its Virginia staff to North Carolina, at least temporarily.

But Trump and his running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, keep making campaign stops in Virginia, continuing to fight for its 13 electoral votes.

Trumps campaign also is launching a $2 million ad buy in Virginia in the campaigns closing weeks.

As his campaign indicated a few days ago, he doesnt want to give up on a state where he owns property or businesses, said Quentin Kidd, a political analyst at Christopher Newport. Secondly, I think to a certain extent his campaign believes that Virginia is not as far gone as the polling suggests it is.

Trumps campaign believes polls are systematically under-surveying Trump supporters and over-surveying Clinton supporters, Kidd said.

In response to Trumps rally at Regent, the Clinton campaign issued a quote from retired Air Force Col. Dave Belote. He criticized Trump for refusing during the third presidential debate to pledge that he would accept the result of the election if he does not prevail.

Trumps stance at the debate was an affront to the sacrifice of myself and all veterans and current servicemen and women throughout the armed forces, Belote said.

The rally at the University Library Plaza was Trumps second visit to Regent this year. In February, he took part in the schools presidential candidate forum series ahead of Virginias GOP primary, which Trump won on March 1.

Regent founder Pat Robertson, now 86, has been a figure in state and national presidential politics for decades. He sought the Republican presidential nomination in 1988.

Robertson said recently that he was not troubled by the 2005 tape in which Trump spoke lewdly about women. Robertson referred to it as a conversation in Hollywood in which Trump was trying to look like hes macho.

At Regent on Saturday, Robertson was among a series of speakersincluding Virginia GOP hopefuls and former New York Mayor Rudy Giulianiwho gave brief remarks ahead of Trump.

Robertson said he has a warning for bookies in Las Vegas: If you bet against Donald Trump, youre going to lose your shirt.
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Mark Edge heads Monsantos partnership in a water-efficient maize project that aims to help farmers in Africa live sustainably. Farmers Weekly caught up with him on a recent trip to London.

What is your brief at Monsanto?

I represent Monsanto in a public/private partnership called the Water Efficient Maize for Africa (WEMA) partnership, which began in 2008.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Howard G Buffett Foundation and USAID fund it. Our aim is to develop drought-tolerant maize for smallholder farmers in Africa to reduce crop failure and alleviate hunger and poverty.

See also: Bayer and Monsanto join forces in $66bn deal

What is Monsantos role in the project?

Monsanto has donated elite genetics, plus two biotech traits  an insect-resistant trait and a drought-resistant trait  and made them available royalty-free.

Therefore, smallholder farmers can access this new technology without having to pay extra. It doesnt mean that the seed is free. It means seed companies can access this technology, license it and make it available to farmers without having to pay Monsanto anything.

How many hybrids have been introduced and how have farmers found them?

It is a concerted effort to help seed companies deliver quality hybrid seed to smallholder farmers for maize in Africa. We are putting it into the marketplace through multiple seed companies under a brand called DroughtTEGO.

We have released more than 70 hybrids to 250,000 farmers across five African countries. Farmers who have used them have seen a doubling of their yields, compared with the national average.

What advantages does hybrid maize have over conventional varieties?

Average yields in Africa now are only about 1.5t/ha, which is similar to what my grandfather was getting growing conventional, open-pollinated varieties in Iowa in the 1930s.

Now, the average yield in the USA is more than 10t/ha. This is not just because of hybrids, but because of the system  agronomic practices and biotechnology.

The potential is there in Africa. I have seen fields that will yield 7-10t/ha. But it takes a whole system to be able to deliver that. Seed is just one piece of the puzzle.

What is the perception of Monsanto like in Africa?

My experience is that people are very open-minded. In Africa, 70% to 80% of the population is still farming. A high percentage of people understand what it takes to grow a crop and know the challenges they face.

They are very pragmatic and realistic about needing improvements. If you have ever spent a day out in the hot sun weeding, it doesnt take you long to realise its not a lot of fun. Its not very productive.

I find its easier in Africa to have that conversation. When it comes to the GMO debate, they are extremely nervous and afraid because of all the misinformation, which has mostly been coming from Europe.

Has the WEMA project released any biotech maize products yet?

No. To date, the WEMA project has released only conventional products. There are biotech traits in the pipeline for the future, including the drought-tolerant and insect-protective traits we have in the USA. But they have not been released yet. They are purely conventional lines, so far.

Is the drought-tolerant trait being trialled in Africa?

Yes, it is. The trials in Africa are showing better results than in the USA. We are seeing about a 5% yield advantage and there are huge water savings. We have submitted an application for its approval in South Africa. But its a long road to be able to get this from idea into the farmers hands.

Can drought-tolerant varieties solve food security problems in Africa?

Farmers want hope and they want to reduce the possibility of crop failure. Drought-tolerant varieties do this. It doesnt mean that you can make a cactus that is going to be able to grow no matter what.

In a drought situation, the drought plant will maybe allow your crop to live for an extra two weeks, if you dont get rain.

If the conventional plant dies in week 15 of the growing season and your plant lives until week 16 when the rain comes, suddenly you see a huge difference in yield  you get something rather than nothing.

How critical is this whole project in allowing Africa to be more self-sufficient in food?

I believe it is critical. Its not going to change the world overnight, but its a step in the right direction.

It is creating a catalyst to help drive technology and innovation in agriculture, which is what Africa needs.

One technology will not solve all the problems. Its about an attitude and an understanding of investing and delivering value to farmers so that they can gradually make improvements.

We are just at the beginning of this opportunity in Africa, creating a path for growth.

What is the vision for agriculture in Africa by 2030?

We want African farmers to move away from vulnerability, which sees them living hand to mouth and season to season.

We must empower smallholder farmers to be making decisions for themselves. Its all about the development of a dynamic market that engages smallholder farmers to be part of the system.

Hopefully, they will have access to global markets to deliver and bring value back to them. They need resilience in their lives to have enough confidence to take a risk or make changes to enable them to move off this baseline of existence towards a more developed life.
The Iraqi's are trying to take their city back, but the Islamic State fights back. Last October 17, 2016, Haider al-Abadi, the Prime Minister of Iraq, declared at the start of the operation to reclaim the last major fort of the militant group, Mosul, that the civilians from the said city will be liberated from the brutality and terrorism that ISIS gave.

He also claimed that at the end of the war, everyone will celebrate for the freedom that they will achieve. The Islamic State had conquered the city of Mosul since 2014 and they established a government of their own there. Then after several months they began to take towns and cities from Syria and Iraq to expand their territory.

The Iraqi forces advanced to recapture the town of Bartella which is 15 km east of Mosul. And since the nearest town has been reclaimed, it will give the Iraq's counter-terrorism forces the advantage to retake Mosul. BBC News reported that the response of the Islamic State to the resistance is suicide car bombs. They also left the city to waste as they set fire to a chemical plant in Mosul as they retreated from the advancing counter-terrorist troops.

Separately on Thursday, it was declared by the US that an American soldier has been killed due to a roadside bomb attack happened in northern Iraq. Gen Townsend speaking from an artillery position said, "This is a brutal opponent that has to be stopped!"

There are still about 1.5 million civilians in the city and they have been struggling because of the war. There are those who are forced to flee from the city because of the fighting. According to The Atlantic, it was estimated by an Iraqi Kurdish general that it could take two months to reclaim the city of Mosul. They are careful with their planning since the IS might have laid several traps for them. Not to mention, the militant group possess improvised explosives and a possibility of chemical weapons.

There may be about 5, 000 IS fighters still in the city and there have been unconfirmed reports of the militants' leaders fleeing the Mosul. There is also no news about the whereabouts of the Islamic State's leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.




He said Vietnam was an important trade partner to Mercosur, which comprises five members (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela) and six associate members (Bolivia, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador and Suriname).

The second visit to Vietnam by South American diplomats and enterprises aims to boost trade between Mercosur members and Vietnam by building a bridge for businesses on both sides, Caffaro told the Vietnam News Agency.

Along with meetings with the representatives of major Vietnamese firms, the delegation would work with leaders of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry to discuss the organisation of a visit of ASEAN businesses to Mercosur member countries, he revealed.

Regarding the impact of the establishment of the ASEAN Community on Mercosur, Caffaro said that it was a very positive development for Mercosur, especially in terms of investment.

According to Caffaro, the liberalisation of trade, investment and services, as well as the simplification of administrative procedures among ASEAN members, will create favourable conditions for South American firms in Southeast Asia, helping them save time and money.

He praised the ASEAN Community as an extraordinary model of regional integration that still preserves each members diversity and achieves an even level of integration.

Trade between Mercosur and ASEAN had yet to match its huge potential, he said, asserting that this meant there was room for both sides to bolster their partnership.

Founded in 1991, Mercosur is considered a huge economic bloc with a total population of 275 million, or 70% of the South American region, and a combined GDP of USD4.58 trillion, accounting for 82.3% of the regions GDP.

The MercosurASEAN Chamber of Commerce was set up in December 2013 and is headquartered in Montevideo, Uruguay. It has set up representative offices in Hanoi, Jakarta, Manila, Asuncion and Buenos Aires./.
Xiao Mi Note 2 Price, Release Date, Latest News & Updates: The Latest From Xiao Mi; Out On October 25 In Beijing!

It is already becoming quite evident that the technology brand "Xiao Mi" is starting to make its name in the industry. Sure, it is not as expensive as the technology giants, but its features and specifications do not pale in comparison.

One of the latest releases from the brand "Xiao Mi" is the "Xiao Mi Note 2." In a previous report by The Indian Express, "Xiao Mi" has just recently shared a teaser for "Xiao Mi Note 2."

The teaser was an image of "Xiao Mi Note 2" which was uploaded in its Twitter account with a caption "Curved to impress." Seen in the said trailer is a mobile phone that will have a dual-curved display.

According to Android Authority's, the Chinese manufacturer already confirmed a release date for the highly anticipated gadget. "Xiao Mi Note 2" will be made available in Beijing on October 25. Now, it is more exciting to know what is unique with the gadget.

As for the features, it was reported that it will have an Iris scanner, 4, 100 mAh battery with quick charge, Snapdragon 821 chipset with Adreno 530 GPU, Dual 23 MP/ 12 MP rear-facing cameras and 8 MP front facing camera, NFC, and a 5.7-inch QHD Super AMOLED display with Force Touch technology. "Xiao Mi Note 2" is in 4GB RAM/64FB ROM and 6GB RAM/128GB ROM variants.

Reports also suggest that the "Xiao Mi Note 2" 6GB will cost $445 and the 4GB RAM will cost $415 in its US equivalent. The patronizers of "Xiao Mi" product should really dwell on their need of memory space as these only have a slight difference.

With barely 3 days away from the release of "Xiao Mi Note 2," the technology-oriented are, for sure, can no longer wait to get a hold of the latest product from the trusted brand "Xiao Mi."
It has been more than a hundred years ago since the shipwreck of Titanic, but people will never forget how it became part of the cruise industry a legacy.

Third-class steward Samuel Francis Sedunary or known as Sidney owned the locker key. He was from Berkshire, England and was one of the casualties of the shipwreck.

In an interview with BBC News, Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge said, "Without a doubt [he saved lives]. Here's a man who sacrificed his life to save others." He also added that the amount the key finally sold for "reflected its importance and unique nature".

Sidney Sedunary was born in June 1887 with six known siblings. He left school when he was 14 years old and worked as an errand boy for a grocer. He later signed-on to Titanic as a steward, and died in the shipwreck.

The locker key was one of the 200 items from the ship sold in Devizes market town in Wiltshire, England, and was sold for 85,000. It also included letters from Chief Officer Henry Wilde. In one of the letters to his sister, he pointed out in the letter that he has queer feelings about the ship'. The letters he wrote cost 5, 000 at the auction.

Chief Officer Henry Wilde was second in command on the vessel under Captain Edward Smith. His body was never recovered, but his name is marked on a family tombstone that reads, "Also Captain [sic] Henry T. Wilde, RNR Acting Chief Officer Who Met His Death in the SS Titanic Disaster 15th April 1912 aged 38 years. One of Britain's Heroes'".

Among all 200 items sold also included a postcard from John George "Jack" Phillips who was then 25 years old from Farncombe, England and the senior wireless operator. He was described by a survivor as "the man who saved us all".

RMS Titanic was a British passenger line owned by White Star Line en route to New York City from Southampton when it collided with an iceberg at 11:40 PM on April 14, 2012 and sank two hours and 40 minutes later. In 1997, producer and director James Cameron created the film "Titanic"; a fictionalized account of the wreckage starred by Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet.
'Prison Break' Season 5 Air Date, Spoilers, News & Update: Will Sarah Die To Save Michael?Sarah And Michael Together Again?

"Prison Break" Season 5 is as of now affirmed to return. It is said that Sara Tancredi (Sarah Wayne Callies) will die while helping the group in attempting to free Michael Scofield (Wentworth Miller) from jail. There is likewise bits of gossip that a probable Season 6 may happen.

As indicated in some reports, "Prison Break" Season 5 may be the last season for Sara on the grounds that she may pass away due to attempting to help Michael escape. It is presumed that Sara and Michael won't get back together again.

It can be reviewed that Sara and Michael were a couple in the past seasons. Sadly, they got separated when Michael was presumed to be dead in "Prison Break" Season 4. Sara was pregnant and in the end, she was discovered living in Costa Rica with their child.

Mensaje inspirador de Wenworth Miller ('Prison Break') a los jovenes LGTB https://t.co/Vf9oWGJIKo pic.twitter.com/Q5NM6vvrIO  Vertele (@Vertele) October 13, 2016

In a report from MNR Daily, it is pointed out that there is no particular date for "Prison Break" Season 5 yet. Truth be told, Wentworth Miller imparts that the upcoming season comes back with the big bounce from the past seasons.

season 5 will mend my prison break heart pic.twitter.com/ncrrmrz3ya  Prison Break (@PrisonBReact) October 20, 2016

The Christian Times reports that "Prison Break" Season 5 has a bright future since fans are as of now hungry to witness the breaking- away again in the little screens. This time around, Scofield is the one who needs help to get out of jail.

Lincoln Burrows (Dominic Purcell) must look for the assistance of Sara and the other colleagues to help him in preparing the escape for Michael. "Prison Break" Season 5 will be a big test for the team since they do not just need to take Michael out from jail yet they likewise need to escape Yemen as well.
Microsoft Surface Book 2 Release Date, News & Update: New Laptop Arriving October 2016; Stunning New Specs, Features Expected for 'Ultimate Laptop'

With the Windows 10 event in October, it's likely that Microsoft will be launching the highly anticipated Microsoft Surface Book 2 to follow its "ultimate laptop," the Surface Book hybrid launched in October 2015. As Microsoft users wait with bated breath on its release, here's the roundup of everything to expect from the upcoming Microsoft Surface Book 2: specs, features, price details, and more.

Specifications and hardware

The Microsoft Surface Book 2 is largely expected to come with the new Intel Kaby Lake processor, which would power up a higher-definition 13.5-inch screen. It's expected to pack a 3,000 by 2,000 resolution, amped up by an Intel HD Graphics 520. The installation of the Intel Kaby Lake processors on the Microsoft Surface Book 2, however, might include support for 4K video playback and 3D graphics. It will also be able to support USB 3.1 Type-C and Thunderbolt 3 to improve CPU and GPU performance.

The Microsoft Surface Book 2, which is currently being marketed more as a laptop than a tablet, is also reported to sport a 16GB RAM, with a 1 TB internal memory variant. This would go well with its new 4K video support and features.

Other expected upgrades

Part of the expected upgrades from the Microsoft Surface Book 2 is of course a refresh in the design. While its predecessor, the Microsoft Surface Book, has been largely well-received by the general public, its Dynamic Fulcrum Hinge easily attracts dirt and grit.

According to TechRadar, there are two ways the tech giant can go for the Microsoft Surface Book 2: either a fully detachable screen from the keyboard, or a fully closeable laptop that wouldn't accumulate dirt. The first one is more likely, since the Dynamic Fulcrum Hinge has become an iconic look on the Surface Book series.

The Microsoft Surface Book 2 might also upgrade its battery life. Tests run by TechRadar, for example, showed that the laptop run from a range of four to eight hours. With the Microsoft Surface Book 2 4K video playback support as well as to power the new rechargeable Surface Pen, it's likely to amp up its power.

All of these, however, remain speculations until Microsoft's even this October. Watch out for more updates on the new Microsoft Surface Book 2.
UN peacekeeping mission in Majdal Shams village in the Israel-Syria border on September 13th (Photo: AFP/VNA)



At a debate on peacekeeping operations held on October 20th-21th as part of the 71st session of the UN Special Political and Decolonisation Committee, Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga stressed that amidst current complicated developments in the world, the UN should uphold basic principles including respecting independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity; not interfering into internal affairs of states; ensuring impartiality; and not using force except for the purpose of self-defence and safeguarding operation of the missions.

The ambassador also highlighted the close links of peace maintenance and building, while praising the intermediary and conflict prevention role of the UN as well as cooperation between the UN and regional and sub-regional organisations for the mobilisation of necessary resources for peacekeeping work.

At the same time, she called on the UN Security Council to strengthen coordination and consultations with the UN Secretariat and the Peacebuilding Commission as well as countries sending their military and police officials during the planning and decision-making process regarding peacekeeping missions.

Ambassador Nga took the occasion to reiterate Vietnam s commitments to making active and responsible contribution to the maintenance of world peace and international security.

She noted that Vietnam began to send its liaison officers to participate in UN peacekeeping operations in 2014 and is to dispatch more medical and sapper officers in the coming time.

At the debate, Deputy UN Under-Secretary for Peacekeeping Operations Herve Ladsous noted that the UN is currently running 17 peacekeeping missions with 142,000 members from 123 countries.

He underscored that in order to optimise the peacekeeping operations, member countries should enhance their commitments in making contributions to the force and improving the capacity, equipment and adaptation ability of the missions in different conditions and environment.

Participants at the events also shared their viewpoints on the role and contributions of peacekeeping operations, while raising concern about challenges facing the activities.

They held that it is necessary to increase the effectiveness of the operations through ensuring resources and building capacity for the missions, along with modernizing technology and equipment and designing long-term plans for peacekeeping and sustainable development./.
Coalition Strikes Continue to Hit ISIL Terrorists in Iraq, Syria

From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Oct. 22, 2016  U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Iraq and Syria 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 six strikes in Syria:

-- Near Abu Kamal, a strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle.

-- Near Shadaddi, a strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit.

-- Near Ayn Isa, three strikes engaged two ISIL-held buildings and destroyed two fighting positions.

-- Near Washiyah, a strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle.

Strikes in Iraq

Attack, bomber, fighter, remotely piloted and rotary wing aircraft and rocket artillery conducted 12 strikes in Iraq, coordinated with and in support of Iraq's government:

-- Near Huwayjah, a strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed three vehicles.

-- Near Qaim, a strike destroyed an ISIL anti-air artillery system.

-- Near Bashir, two strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units and destroyed a weapons cache.

-- Near Mosul, five strikes engaged an ISIL tactical unit, 14 mortar systems, an artillery system, a rocket system and two staging areas; destroyed 17 fighting positions, 10 vehicles, eight tunnel entrances, six mortar systems, five vehicle bombs, three heavy machine guns, two command and control nodes, two artillery systems, two assembly areas, an ISIL-held building, a vehicle bomb facility, a weapons cache and a training camp; and damaged a fighting position.

-- Near Sinjar, a strike engaged an ISIL fighting position.

-- Near Sultan Abdallah, two strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units and destroyed three vehicles.

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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Sailing of US warship near Xisha illegal and provocative: China

People's Daily Online

(CRI Online) 11:33, October 22, 2016

Chinese authorities are once again giving warnings to the US navy after a U.S. destroyer sailed near Xisha islands in the South China Sea on Friday.

The Chinese defense ministry says the move was both illegal and provocative.

The ministry also says the act is clear evidence that the US is the real trouble-maker in the South China Sea, at a time when the overall situation in the region is embracing positive development.

The ministry warns that Chinese military will strengthen its surveillance and defense power in the region if needed, in a move to firmly protect China's national interests.

In the meantime, the Chinese foreign ministry describes the move as irresponsible and an act of provocation.

The foreign ministry urges the US navy to stop actions which go against China's sovereignty and maritime interests.

The guided-missile destroyer USS Decatur sailed within Chinese territorial waters on Friday.

The crossing drew a warning from Chinese warships to leave the area.

According to Chinese law, foreign warships need to gain approval from the Chinese government prior to entering Chinese waters.

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Egypt court confirms 20-year prison sentence for ex-president Morsi

Iran Press TV

Sat Oct 22, 2016 1:59PM

An appeals court in Egypt has upheld a 20-year prison sentence for former president Mohamed Morsi, the first final verdict against the ousted leader.

On Saturday, the Court of Cassation, Egypt's highest appeals court, rejected Morsi's appeal, rendering the sentence final.

Morsi, Egypt's first democratically elected president, received the prison sentence in April 2015 on charges of inciting violence near the presidential palace in Cairo during the 2012 protests.

The Court of Cassation also upheld sentences against eight of Morsi's codefendants, including seven who received the same prison term and one who was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Morsi has already been sentenced in three separate trials to death and a life term on charge of spying for Qatar.

In May 2015, Morsi and 105 others were sentenced to death for a mass prison break in 2011, during the country's popular uprising that led to the overthrow of long-time dictator Hosni Mubarak.

The Egyptian government has been cracking down on opposition since Morsi was ousted in a military coup led by former army chief and current President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in July 2013.

Rights groups say the army's crackdown on the supporters of Morsi has led to the deaths of over 1,400 people and the arrest of 22,000 others, including some 200 people who have been sentenced to death in mass trials.

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Russia baffled by talk of US troop deployment to neighboring Norway

Iran Press TV

Sat Oct 22, 2016 7:14AM

Russia has expressed surprise over the controversial deployment of US troops in neighboring Norway amid growing tensions between the US-led NATO alliance and Moscow over the Ukraine conflict and the Syrian war.

"Taking into account multiple statements made by Norwegian officials about the absence of threat from Russia to Norway, we would like to understand why Norway is so much willing to increase its military potential, in particular through the stationing of American forces in Vaernes," said the spokesperson for the Russian embassy in Norway's capital of Oslo, Maxime Gourov.

"The policy of non-stationing (of foreign troops), which even withstood the test of the Cold War, has always been an advantage for Norway as a partner over other NATO countries," Gourov added.

Vaernes lies nearly 1,000 kilometers from the Russian-Norwegian border.

The development came after the Norwegian Defense Ministry announced on October 10 that it was holding preliminary discussions about the possibility of such a deployment as well as "additional training and storage."

"It may be something that is carried out on a rotational basis... [but] there is no question of permanent deployment," said the ministry's spokesperson Ann Kristin Salbuvik.

This is while Norwegian media also reported earlier this month that the US military plans to station 300 US Marines at Vaernes and that the deployment will take place next January.

According to reports, the US possesses massive amounts of military hardware pre-positioned in Norway, notably in tunnels dug into mountains.

"Having a rotational presence in Norway enhances the collective ability of our two forces to work together," said the US general in charge of the country's Marine Corps in Europe and Africa, Niel Nelson.

Moreover, NATO announced in July that it would deploy, also on a rotational basis, four multinational battalions to Poland and to Baltic states to deter what it referred to as "any Russian incursion."

Prior to joining NATO in 1949, Norway allayed Russian fears by pledging not to open its territory to foreign combat troops so long as Norway was not attacked or threatened with attack.

The pledge, however, was later amended to allow foreign troops to conduct war games in Norway.

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Scuffles Mar Moldovan Unification March In Romanian Capital

RFE/RL October 22, 2016

A march in support of unification with Moldova turned violent in the Romanian capital after several people broke through riot police lines trying to reach a symbolic downtown site.

A police spokesman told local television that five people were detained in the scuffles, which took place outside the main government building in Bucharest on October 22.

There were no immediate reports of injuries, though local media reported that bottles and sticks were thrown at police.

The march, attended by an estimated 2,000 people, had been authorized by Romanian officials and proceeded largely without incident until a group of people broke away from the main crowd and tried to reach University Square, a site with powerful symbolic value.

A march organizer, George Simion, was reportedly among those detained, though a police spokesman declined to confirm that.

Simion, a Romanian citizen, had twice been expelled from Moldova for his activities, but each time Chisinau lifted the order barring him entry.

Local television stations reported that the five detained were fined 3,000 lei ($725) each for disturbing public order and released.

A small crowd waving Romanian and Moldovan flags later regrouped in University Square as darkness fell.

The square was the site of anticommunist protests in December 1989, and thousands held a months-long protest in 1990, which was later quashed in a violent attack by miners called in by the government of then-President Ion Iliescu.

Many of those marching earlier were Moldovans who study in Romania, but some were also believed to be older Moldovan citizens who traveled from the Moldovan capital, Chisinau.

Alina Ieremciuc, another organizer of the event, told Romanian media that the march was largely peaceful, and he condemned the violence.

The issue of unifying Moldova with Romania is deeply controversial, particularly in Moldova where a sizable part of the population is Russian-speaking. Most of present-day Moldova was part of Romania before World War II.

During the breakup of the Soviet Union, Moldova's mainly Russian-speaking region of Transdniester broke away following a short war that killed some 1,000 and was eventually quashed by Russian troops.

Russia still keeps a contingent of troops ostensibly as peacekeepers in Transdniester, whose status remains a flashpoint, both for Moldovan nationalists as well as Russia.

The pro-unification march comes just more than one week ahead of a presidential election in Moldova, where a pro-Moscow candidate is currently leading in polls.

In recent years, Moldova -- one of Europe's poorest countries -- has struggled over the question of whether to deepen its economic and trade ties with the European Union. Russia opposes that, which has led to fears of a full-blown conflict erupting, similar to what happened in Ukraine in 2014.

Based on reporting by Digi24TV and B1TV

Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/scuffles- mar-moldovan-unification-march-in- bucharest/28069402.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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US Navy Patrol in S China Sea Amid Duterte's Visit to Beijing is a 'Provocation'

Sputnik News

21:43 22.10.2016(updated 21:49 22.10.2016)

Chinese authorities have again given warnings to the US Navy after a US destroyer sailed near Xisha/Paracel islands in the South China Sea on Friday. The Chinese defense ministry called the move both "illegal" and "provocative."

As part of its efforts to challenge China's "excessive maritime claims," the USS Decatur guided-missile destroyer sailed near the Paracel Islands, where Beijing has constructed a series of artificial landmasses.

This was the fourth such operation in the past year and the Decatur was shadowed by three Chinese ships. According to China's Ministry of National Defense, a guided-missile destroyer and a guided-missile frigate were dispatched to identify and expel the US vessel.

"All Western media have noted that the US maneuver was conducted during Philippines President Duterte's state visit to China in which bilateral relations have been restored with the signing of a series of cooperative agreements," online newspaper Global Times reported.

According to the publication this was a provocation by the US, deliberately sending a message to the world that "it doesn't want to see peace in the South China Sea and that it wants waves there. If no one helps it, it will make them itself."

The ministry also said the act is clear evidence that the US is the real troublemaker in the South China Sea, at a time when the general situation in the region is seeing a positive development.

The ministry warns that the Chinese military will reinforce its surveillance and defense power in the region in order to resolutely protect China's national interests.

"The foreign ministry urges the US Navy to stop actions which go against China's sovereignty and maritime interests," online newspaper People's Daily reported.

The South China Sea is a highly-contested region through which roughly $5 trillion in international trade passes annually. Most of it is claimed by China, but there are overlapping claims by Brunei, Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia.

The United States has no claims in the region, but it has pressured regional allies to help stymie China's growth.

Recently, however, the Philippines have begun to move away from its partnership with the US. Newly-elected President Rodrigo Duterte has taken steps to become closer with China.

 Sputnik

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Turkey Once Again 'Ignores' German MP's Request to Visit Incirlik Airbase

Sputnik News

21:34 22.10.2016(updated 21:35 22.10.2016)

The Turkish government seems to be once again blocking the visit of a Bundestag member to the NATO military base in Incirlik.

According to German newspaper "Welt am Sonntag", the foreign policy spokesman of the Left Party, Jan van Aken, informed the Turkish Federal Foreign Office about his plans to visit the Turkish base and talk to 250 Bundeswehr soldiers stationed there.

However, so far, the Turkish authorities have not responded to his request.

"There has been no reply to the request I've sent on Wednesday to the Federal Foreign Office," van Aken told the newspaper.

The politician demanded that the Bundestag should not adopt the upcoming extension of the Incirlik mandate in November if Turkey bans German MPs from visiting the military base again.

In June, Ankara restricted a delegation of German lawmakers' access to the airbase after the German parliament adopted a resolution recognizing the early 20th century massacre of ethnic Armenians by the Ottoman Empire as genocide.

Earlier, a representative of the Turkish parliamentary committee on defense warned members of the German Bundestag against raising the Armenian issue again, a statement that clearly sounded like a kind of threat, the politician noted.

On October 5, German lawmakers finally managed to visit the Bundeswehr servicemen at the Turkish Incirlik Airbase, although some of them claimed that their visit didn't seem to be very welcome.

 Sputnik

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US Soldiers at Military Base Near Mosul Put on Gas Masks Over Toxic Smoke

Sputnik News

15:56 22.10.2016(updated 15:57 22.10.2016)

US soldiers deployed at a military base near the northern Iraqi city of Mosul put on protective masks on Saturday because of a fire at a nearby sulphur plant.

MOSCOW (Sputnik)  The precautionary measure was taken when the wind started to blow toxic smoke to the Qayyarah airbase, BBC reported.

The sulphur plant in Mishraq located south of Mosul was reportedly set ablaze by Daesh terrorists two days ago.

A similar fire at the Mishraq plant lasted for weeks in 2003 and caused respiratory problems for local residents as well as damages for the environment.

On October 17, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi announced the start of the military operation to retake Mosul from Daesh. According to local media, about 30,000 Iraqi soldiers and 4,000 Kurdish Peshmerga fighters are taking part in the operation, backed by airstrikes carried out by the US-led international coalition.

 Sputnik

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Azerbaijan's Aliyev Ready to Meet Armenia's Sargsyan to Aid Karabakh Settlement

Sputnik News

11:54 22.10.2016

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev expressed readiness to meet his Armenian counterpart Serzh Sargsyan in the framework of the Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict resolution, US co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, Ambassador James Warlick said Saturday at a press-conference.

BAKU (Sputnik)  According to the US diplomat, Aliyev was committed to the peace process of the Karabakh conflict settlement and expressed his readiness to conduct a meeting with Sargsyan in the framework of this process.

Earlier in the day, Warlick said that the co-chairs would meet with the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan to continue the discussion, which started in Vienna and Saint-Petersburg, on the details of the settlement.

Warlick also expressed his hope that the presidents would hold the meeting as soon as possible, although the exact date or place had not been set yet.

Azerbaijan's Armenian-dominated breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh proclaimed its independence in 1991. After the military conflict ended in 1994, Azerbaijan lost control over the region. Violence erupted in Nagorno-Karabakh on April 2, 2016 and led to multiple casualties. The parties to the conflict signed a Russian-brokered ceasefire on April 5, but mutual accusations have not stopped so far.

On May 16, Sargsyan and Aliyev met in Vienna to discuss the conflict. The sides reiterated there could be no military solution to the conflict and reaffirmed their commitment to 1994 and 1995 peace agreements. The presidents also agreed to finalize the OSCE investigative mechanism as soon as possible to reduce the risk of further violence.

On June 20, the presidents of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia met in St. Petersburg where they reaffirmed their commitment to achieve steady progress in political settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and agreed to increase the number of OSCE monitors working in the conflict zone.

 Sputnik

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Philippine President Denies Severing Ties With US

Sputnik News

07:12 22.10.2016

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said his country was not severing ties with the United States.

BEIJING (Sputnik)  Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said his country was not severing ties with the United States but shifting its foreign policy in a different direction.

"It is not severance of ties. You say severance of ties, you cut the diplomatic relations. I cannot do that. Why? It is in the best interest of my country that we maintain that relationship. Why? Because there are many Filipinos in the United States. Well, Americans of Filipino ancestry. Why? Because the people of my country [are] not ready to accept. I said separation  what I was really saying was separation of a foreign policy," Duterte was quoted as saying by CNN during a press conference in the country's Davao City.

On Thursday, Duterte said during a visit to Beijing that his country was separating from the United States in order to realign with China.

White House deputy press secretary Eric Schultz said the United States had not received any official request to change the nature of its relationship with the Philippines.

 Sputnik

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Afghan Taliban Political Envoys in Pakistan for Serious Talks

By Ayaz Gul October 22, 2016

An Afghan Taliban delegation has traveled to Pakistan from Qatar for talks with officials to raise various issues, including "arrests" of some insurgent leaders, shutting down of some religious seminaries for Afghan refugees and "increasing problems" facing the displaced community in the neighboring country.

A senior Taliban official requesting anonymity told VOA the three-member-delegation has been dispatched to Islamabad from its political headquarters in Doha, the capital of the Gulf state, to convey concerns and seek information on what prompted the arrests of Taliban members.

The main spokesman for the Islamist insurgency, Zabihullah Mujahid, while confirming to VOA the arrival of the Taliban delegation in Pakistan, said the group routinely interacts with countries with which Afghanistan enjoys diplomatic ties.

"The delegation from Qatar has gone to Pakistan to take up with officials there problems facing Afghan refugees, their arrests, forceful evictions and deportations," Mujahid insisted. He said no political issues or discussions on prospects of any peace talks with the Afghan government will be on the table.

The spokesman rejected reports as unfounded the visit is meant to brief Pakistani authorities on recent secret meetings between Taliban and Afghan officials in Doha.

The delegation consists of two former ministers in the deposed Taliban government, Mullah Jan Muhammad Madani and Mullah Abdul Salam, and a former ambassador to Pakistan, Maulvi Shahabuddin Dilawar. All three are considered highly influential and respected within the Afghan insurgency.

Pakistani officials have not yet commented on the visit.

Afghan Ambassador to Islamabad Hazrat Omer Zakhilwal told VOA he "was aware of their (Taliban) visit," without discussing further details.

Speaking in Kabul, Afghan Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmad Shakeb Mustaghani criticized the visit.

"This visit is not related to Afghanistan, and travel bans placed on members of the delegation by U.N. sanctions should be taken into account. However, if the visit is related to peace activities, it needs to be fully explained," said Mustaghani, without elaborating. He was referring to U.N. travel restrictions on Taliban officials based in Qatar.

The Taliban visit comes after a senior Afghan official requesting anonymity told VOA earlier this week that Afghan intelligence chief Muhammad Masoom Stanekzai held two secret meetings with Taliban political envoys in Qatar in September and early October to discuss ways to resume the peace and reconciliation talks.

But Taliban spokesman Mujahid swiftly denied those reports as Kabul's propaganda, saying none of its officials met with Stanekzai or any other representative of the Afghan government. He also refuted reports of any future meetings with Afghan interlocutors in Saudi Arabia.

Pakistani intelligence sources have confirmed to VOA arrests of several top Taliban leaders in parts of the southwestern Baluchistan province, including its capital, Quetta. Senior members of the so-called Quetta Shura, or leadership council, Mullah Ahmadullah Nani and Mullah Sammad Sani are among the detainees.

In his comments Saturday, Mujahid said that there are religious seminaries or madrassas for Afghan refugees, but lately Pakistani authorities have started closing down some of these facilities, undermining education opportunities for refugee children.

The Pakistan government denies Afghan allegations it is covertly supporting the Taliban-led insurgency in Afghanistan. Senior government officials in background interviews told VOA on condition of anonymity that fugitive Taliban members have been given a "clear message" and are being pressured to engage in peace talks with the Afghan government or relocate to Afghanistan along with their families.

Speaking Friday to an unofficial Afghan delegation of parliamentarians, former officials and civil society activists, Pakistani foreign policy chief Sartaj Aziz said Pakistan's message to all the combatants in Afghanistan is "loud and clear: nobody can capture Afghanistan on its own, and the key to peace lies in talks.

"We desire that both the NUG (National Unity Government) and the Taliban sort out issues among themselves and we will stand by them for any support we can lend to the process. He also welcomed unanimity of approach on the peace process within Kabul and hoped it would encourage all parties to join the process," a statement quoted Aziz as saying.

The advisor vowed that Pakistan is doing whatever it can to persuade all Taliban factions to become part of the peace process and "indications are that many of them are now interested in joining the process."

Islamabad insists insurgents are part of nearly three million Afghan refugees living legally and illegally in Pakistan. Authorities have lately stepped up pressure on the refugee population to go back to Afghanistan, saying their localities are being used by anti-state elements for terrorist attacks on both sides of the border.

Pakistan brokered and hosted the first direct peace negotiations between the Taliban and President Ashraf Ghani's government in July last year in a bid to end the 15-year conflict in Afghanistan. Those preliminary discussions were directly monitored by U.S. and Chinese diplomats.

But a scheduled second round was scuttled after it was revealed Taliban founder and longtime leader Mullah Omar had been dead for two years. Relations have since deteriorated between Pakistan and Afghanistan, with Kabul accusing Islamabad of not preventing the insurgents from using its soil for plotting attacks on the other side of the border; charges Pakistani officials reject as unfounded.

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US Draws Condemnation From China for Navy Ship's Passing Through South China Sea

By VOA News October 22, 2016

A U.S. Navy warship has passed through waters claimed by China near disputed islands in the South China Sea to counter what Washington says is Beijing's attempt to limit freedom of navigation.

China condemned the action late Friday, calling it a "provocation" and a "gravely illegal act."

A U.S. Defense Department spokesman said the destroyer USS Decatur passed near the Paracel Islands in a "routine, lawful manner" Friday, challenging China's "excessive maritime claims." He said the warship did not come within the 12-nautical-mile (22.22 kilometers) international law territorial limit of the islands, which are controlled by China but also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan.

China does not recognize the territorial limit, and accused the U.S. of being a "troublemaker" in the region. The destroyer's action drew a warning from Chinese warships shadowing the Decatur, ordering it to leave the area.

The U.S. Navy has now conducted four "freedom of navigation" operations in the past year in various parts of the South China Sea.

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MANILA -- The Philippine foreign secretary said on Saturday that the "little brown brother image" has thwarted the Philippines' growth and development, adding that separation from the United States is demanded in pursuing an independent foreign policy.

"It implies breaking away from the debilitating mindset of dependency and subservience - economically and militarily - that have perpetuated our 'little brown brother' image to America, which has stunted our growth and advancement," Perfecto Yasay wrote on his Facebook page.

He parroted the explanation made earlier by President Rodrigo Duterte that Philippines' separation from the U.S. economically and military does not mean severance of relationship or terminating the special bond between the two nations.

Indeed, he said that breaking away from "our closest friend, only military ally and strategic partner would not be in our best national interest" as declared unmistakably by Duterte on his arrival in Davao City from his successful trip to China early Saturday.

"Dismantling this old paradigm to give way to new stronger structures and methods in promoting better understanding and mutually beneficial relationships does not signify destroying alliances, making enemies or creating new barriers towards working together," Yasay explained.

The top Philippine diplomat added, "It simply means letting go of the disguised chains that continue to hold us captive to foreign interests in order to enable our people and duly elected leaders to address our urgent problems and needs in the light of our priorities, experiences and values without undue outside interference."

The separation means enabling the Philippines as a sovereign equal with all nations "in securing world peace not war, forging stronger friendships and not enmity and making our planet a better and safer place for everyone," Yasay said.
Fighting Rages on Yemen-Saudi Border Despite Truce

By VOA News October 22, 2016

Fighting in Yemen, with government forces and their Saudi-led allies battling Houthi rebels backed by Iran, raged from Friday into Saturday on the Saudi-Yemen border, despite a 72-hour cease-fire that ended late Saturday.

Witnesses reported Saudi-led coalition airstrikes on Houthi missile launchers east of the capital, Sana'a.

All parties had agreed to honor the U.N.-backed truce as a means to allow critically needed supplies to reach civilians cut off from outside help.

U.N. special envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed had described the truce as "largely holding" on Saturday and was seeking to extend it, but there was no information available on whether combatants would agree to such a move.

Ahmed described the cease-fire as an opportunity to establish a foundation for talks to end nearly two years of civil war in Yemen, which borders Saudi Arabia on the south. Monitors say nearly 7,000 people, at least half of them civilians, have died since the uprising began.

Late Friday, Ahmed met in the Saudi capital with exiled Yemen Vice President Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, and said afterward that Yemeni government forces were "exercising restraint" in the face of what he said were more than 400 truce violations by Shi'ite rebel fighters.

The cease-fire was the sixth formal attempt to end the fighting since the Saudi-led Sunni coalition of Gulf states intervened early last year to support the internationally recognized Sunni government of President Abd Rabu Mansour Hadi.

Houthis launched their rebellion in 2014, after years of accusing the Sunni-led Sana'a government of widespread discrimination.

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Philippines to Keep US Ties, but Will Not Be 'Subservient'

By VOA News October 22, 2016

The Philippines foreign affairs secretary is clarifying his country's relationship with the United States, two days after President Rodrigo Duterte announced his "separation" from Washington during a visit to Beijing.

While calling the United States the "closest friend" of the Philippines, foreign affairs secretary Perfecto Yasay said that the country must separate from its "former colonial master" in order to advance its growth and international relations.

Since he was elected in May, President Duterte has carried through on pledges for a nationwide crackdown on drugs, earning criticism from human rights groups and nations including the United States. In response, he has ended joint military drills with U.S. forces and embraced closer relations with Beijing.

During his a speech before Chinese business leaders this past week, Duterte said, "America has lost now. I've realigned myself in your ideological flow."

He later said that he did not mean Manila would cut diplomatic ties with the United States, which Yasay echoed in a Facebook post Saturday.

"Indeed, breaking away from our closest friend, only military ally and strategic partner would not be in our best national interest," Yasay.

"And yet, separation from our former colonial master is demanded in pursuing our independent foreign policy. It implies breaking away from the debilitating mindset of dependency and subservience - economically and militarily - that have perpetuated our "little brown brother" image to America, which has stunted our growth and advancement."

The post, titled "letting go as interdependent brothers," went on to explain Duterte's "new course" of trade and economic relations with other Asian countries - particularly China.

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S. Africa Opposition to Legally Challenge Government's ICC Withdrawal Decision

By Peter Clottey October 22, 2016

South Africa's opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA) plans to petition the Constitutional Court Monday to challenge the government's decision to withdraw the country's membership to the Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC). This, after Justice Minister Michael Musutha said the government will present a motion to parliament for legislators to repeal the country's signatory to the Rome Statute that established the ICC.

On Friday, South Africa officially notified the United Nations that it wants to withdraw from the ICC.

But parliamentarian James Selfe, a leading member of the DA's legal affairs group says President Jacob Zuma's government constitutionally erred in its approach to the United Nations before seeking approval from the South African parliament.

"The Democratic Alliance is disgusted at this decision. We think it sends out an entirely incorrect message around our commitment to human rights and our abhorrence of human rights abuses and of genocide, and we believe that it would set back our foreign policy and the way in which South Africa is viewed in a very fundamental way," said Selfe.

"We also believe that the decision itself has been taken in a way which is unconstitutional, unlawful accordingly, we will we will be lodging papers in the constitutional court on Monday morning seeking the court's ruling seeking that it reviews and sets aside this decision by the South African government.

"You cannot inform the U.N. Secretary General that you are withdrawing before you have consulted the South African parliament who has ratified the treaty. That's putting the cart before the horse. You first consult the South African parliament, you get parliament's approval and then you communicate with the Secretary General. But we all know why this is so, the South African government wants to come to parliament for the fait accompli, and say that unless members of parliament support that motion, we would be embarrassing the South African government in its dealings with the United Nations," Selfe added.

The decision of South Africa to begin the process to withdraw from the ICC comes days after the Burundian parliament approved Bujumbura's proposed motion to withdraw from the Hague-based court.

The African Union - the continental body - has been critical of the ICC. It says the court targets Africans despite human rights abuses and crimes against humanity committed elsewhere around the world.

The AU cited various instances, including the ICC issuing arrest warrants against Sudan's President Omar Hassan al-Bashir after accusing him of rights abuses and crimes against humanity in the Darfur region. The successful prosecution of Pierre Bemba, former vice president of the Democratic Republic of Congo; the trial of Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto - among others - the AU says are proof the courts mainly target Africans.

Supporters of the government says the administration in Pretoria is following signals from the AU, which has called on members not to cooperate with the ICC.

"There are several states that also disagree with that. For example Botswana has made it very clear that they are committed to remaining members of the ICC notwithstanding the resolution of the African Union," said Selfe.

"We believe the resolution of the African Union is spurious anyway, because it was based on the perception it was simply African heads of state and African rulers that were the subjects of ICC complaints, investigations and trials, but that is obviously not true. But even it were the perception, then the duty lies on the African Union to engage the ICC to point out in what respect it believes that there haven't been complete even-handedness on the part of the ICC and to invite the ICC to take retroactive actions on those regard."

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Malawi President Says He Prolonged US Visit Because of 'Rheumatism' Flare-up

By Lameck Masina October 22, 2016

Malawi President Peter Mutharika has refuted speculation that his extended stay in the United States following the United Nations General Assembly last month was because he was ill. Mutharika, who arrived in Malawi on Sunday, said during a press conference on Friday in the capital Lilongwe that he delayed his return because he was attending to other official duties.

Mutharika entered a press conference Friday in a jovial mood.

He waved, using both hands, to supporters of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party in attendance. They outnumbered the more than 30 journalists at the news conference.

Upon his return to the country from the United States on Sunday, however, he was seen greeting people with just his left hand.

Speculation was growing that Mutharika's unexplained extended stay in the U.S. was because he was ill.

Amid cheers from his supporters, Mutharika told reporters that he is well.

"I am very fine," he said. "I am told by the doctors that my heart, everything else, kidneys, whatever, is about the quality of 30-year-old [person]."

However, the 76-year-old Mutharika said he has a minor health problem that limited his use of one hand on his return from the U.S.

"I only have one problem, a slight one. That's slight rheumatism which I have in a shoulder for many years. Last week, we decided to put some injection, so my arm became numb and that's why at the airport I was advised not to shake hands with people," said Mutharika.

Rheumatism is a condition, often chronic, that can affect a person's joints and muscles.

While stretching his troubled left hand, Mutharika said his hand was about 80 percent functional, and he expected to be fully recovered in about two weeks.

Mutharika said it would have been illogical for him to leave the U.S. while ill.

"I was in America, probably the best country in terms of medical facility. I have my doctors there, I have my households there, I have my medical insurance there," said Mutharika. "I would have been crazy to leave the United States ... to come back here."

Commentators have blamed those close to Mutharika for failing to inform Malawians on the president's state of health.

"Those responsible for giving out the information to the country could have told the true about the health status of the president," said Vincent Kondowe, a political analyst and social commentator. "If they personalized the health status of the head of state to an individual level rather than a national issue, one can easily conclude that the people that are surrounding the president are incompetent in the performance of their duties."

Mutharika said he, not those close to him, is to blame for the lack of information on his health.

"Don't blame my people. If you want to blame anybody, blame me," said Mutharika. "All my staff was sent back, therefore, I did not have enough staff to communicate to and I did not give them all the details of where I was. So, if you want to blame me, blame me."

Mutharika, who was in the U.S. for nearly a month, said he had extended his stay for important meetings.

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Military Strikes Target ISIL Terrorists in Iraq, Syria

From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Oct. 23, 2016  U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Iraq and Syria 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, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft conducted five strikes in Syria:

-- Near Abu Kamal, two strikes engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two oil wellheads and a vehicle.

-- Near Shadaddi, two strikes engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed six fighting positions.

-- Near Mara, a strike destroyed an ISIL artillery system.

Strikes in Iraq

Attack, bomber, fighter, remotely piloted and rotary wing aircraft and rocket artillery conducted 10 strikes in Iraq, coordinated with and in support of Iraq's government:

-- Near Qaim, a strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and a vehicle.

-- Near Kisik, a strike damaged an ISIL tunnel.

-- Near Mosul, four strikes engaged five ISIL tactical units, 12 staging areas, six mortar systems, a rocket position and a heavy machine gun; destroyed 21 fighting positions, 10 mortar systems, eight vehicles, eight command and control nodes, seven ISIL-held buildings, five bunkers, four anti-aircraft guns, four artillery systems, three tunnels, three vehicle bombs, two supply caches, two heavy machine guns, a vehicle bomb facility and a front-end loader; and damaged three vehicle bombs, two tunnels, a fighting position, a repeater tower and a vehicle.

-- Near Rawah, two strikes destroyed two ISIL tunnels and a bunker.

-- Near Sultan Abdallah, two strikes engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed seven vehicles, an ISIL-held building and a checkpoint, and damaged 16 vehicles.

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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83 Nigerian soldiers still missing week after Boko Harm attack

Iran Press TV

Sun Oct 23, 2016 6:22PM

Eighty-three Nigerian troops are still missing in action almost a week after the Boko Haram Takfiri terrorists carried out a deadly ambush on a military outpost in the country's northeastern volatile state of Borno, officials say.

The embattled troops failed to fight back as the militants had superior firing power, some senior army officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the Associated Press on Sunday, adding that the morale was also low among the soldiers because they were being fed once a day and their allowances were being pilfered by their superiors.

The soldiers had been stationed at an outpost in the village of Gashigar, on the border with Niger, when the Boko Haram militants equipped with heavy guns and rocket-propelled grenades launched a surprise attack against the remote base on October 17, forcing the troops to abandon their positions.

Dozens of the soldiers, unable to withstand the militants' heavy fire, fled the battle and jumped into the Niger River. Twenty-two soldiers were pulled out from the river by Nigerien troops, while many others are feared to have drowned. Several other soldiers also sustained fatal injuries in the incident.

Boko Haram, in a statement released in the wake of the attack, claimed that it had killed at least 20 soldiers and wounded dozens of others, a toll that has not yet been confirmed by Nigerian authorities.

Many Nigerian soldiers ran away during a blitz by Boko Haram in 2014, allowing the group to seize control of a large swath of land northeast of the country. The soldiers said that the militants were better armed and equipped during the battle.

Boko Haram started its campaign in 2009 with the aim of toppling the Nigerian government. The terror group later expanded its activities to the neighboring countries of Cameroon, Chad and Niger. These countries have in return stepped up counter-offensives in the form of unilateral operations or contributing to a multinational force against the militant group.

The group has also pledged allegiance to Daesh, another Takfiri terrorist group, which is 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.

Boko Haram terrorists have so far killed more than 20,000 people and forced over 2.7 million others from their homes. Nigeria says its army has so far managed to recapture most of the territories Boko Haram once took in the northeastern parts of the country, adding, however, that the militant group resorted instead to attacking remote villages.

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Pakistan 'Squeezing' Fugitive Taliban Leaders to Leave or Engage in Afghan Peace Process

By Ayaz Gul October 23, 2016

Fugitive Afghan Taliban leaders are being increasingly pressured to relocate from Pakistan along with their families and businesses for refusing to join peace talks with Kabul, officials and insurgent sources told VOA in background interviews.

"The squeeze is continuing on them [the Taliban] and some have already left, or [are] leaving the country," says a senior Pakistani official directly involved in matters related to the Afghan policy.

He did not want to be named because publicly the government has not yet acknowledged the crackdown, which is part of the policy to seek an early repatriation from Pakistan of nearly three million registered and undocumented Afghan refugees.

International pressure

Pakistan has been under pressure from international partners, particularly the U.S. to deny space to the Taliban and other groups waging the violent insurgency in Afghanistan. The country denies charges its spy agency's covertly supports the Taliban and its ally, the Haqqani Network, enabling them to prolong the Afghan war and expand influence of the insurgents after withdrawal of U.S.-led international combat forces.

The spike in violence has undermined efforts to improve bilateral relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has repeatedly accused Islamabad of not taking action against fugitive Taliban leaders. In turn, Pakistan alleges Afghan intelligence operatives are sheltering and supporting fugitives linked to the anti-state Pakistani Taliban.

Pakistani authorities earlier this month arrested several key Taliban leaders from areas in and around Quetta, the capital of the southwestern Baluchistan province, which borders Afghanistan. The detainees also include Ahmadullah Muti, commonly known as Mullah Nanai, Suleman Agha and Mullah Samad Sani.

All three held key positions in the insurgency and were arrested after they ignored requests to hold peace and reconciliation talks with the Afghan government, according to Pakistani and insurgent officials. Authorities have also raided and shut down some Islamic seminaries, or madrassas, for refugee children that are suspected of sheltering Taliban insurgents.

Taliban concerns

The crackdown has prompted the Taliban to send a high-level delegation to Islamabad from its Qatar-based political office to take up the issue with Pakistani officials.

Taliban delegates also plan to convey concerns over the way Afghan refugees are being treated, including their forceful eviction and deportations from Pakistan, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told VOA.

But he dismissed reports as "misleading" that Taliban political envoys have traveled to Pakistan to brief authorities there on the insurgent group's recent secret meetings with Afghan officials in Qatar. He said neither such meeting has taken place.

Islamabad Foreign Ministry officials have expressed ignorance about the Taliban visit.

But a Pakistani security official, requesting anonymity, has confirmed to VOA the presence of the Taliban delegation in the country, insisting they have come on their own, without any invitation. Kabul has objected to the visit, citing U.N. sanctions that bar Taliban leaders from undertaking foreign travel.

Some Afghan officials and politicians assert Pakistani authorities arrest or take action only against those Taliban leaders who want to negotiate peace directly with Kabul without any Pakistani influence.

"The allegations are that we are not doing anything against the Taliban in the province of Baluchistan. And if you do and you try to apprehend some individuals over there, if it is the case in present scenario, then we are accused that you are sabotaging the peace process," complained Anwar-ul Haq, spokesman for the provincial government.

Speaking to VOA, he also rejected assertions Taliban insurgents are using Baluchistan as a training and launching paid for attacks in Afghanistan.

"The Taliban probably do not need a space or territory outside Afghanistan to receive training, to plan and maneuver their attacks. The entire rural Afghanistan is, at least during the nights, is in their control. So, maligning Pakistan as we are complicit as a state for all those activities would be bit of exaggeration. Yes, there are movements between the borders, which is understandable when you have such a huge Afghan populous as refugees, they [militants] come and they mix up in that population," said Haq.

Calls for dialogue

Pakistani authorities point to critical challenges facing Pakistan to plug the nearly 2,600 kilometer mountainous Afghan border, saying the work is underway to secure it, but the country has not yet attained the stage to easily identify suspected cross-border movements.

But despite prevailing bilateral tensions some politicians in Afghanistan, like lawmaker Elay Ershad, believe in working together with Pakistan to build trust to bring an end to the Afghan conflict. She echoed Pakistani calls for a sustained dialogue to address mutual concerns, rather than conducting official policy through media and traditional rhetoric.

"I say, let us start it again. Let us work on that mistrust and why would we blame each other for what happened in the past. Let us start a new beginning let us solve the problem and we are neighbor countries we cannot solve over problems by fighting with each other. We have to negotiate. We have to convince our people and we have to convince our media and people who make irresponsible comments," Ershad said.

Pakistan hosted a first round of peace talks between Taliban and Afghan government officials last year, but a scheduled second round was scuttled after it was revealed the insurgent group's founder and longtime leader, Mullah Omar, had been dead for two years. His successor, Mullah Akhtar Mansoor, was killed in U.S. drone strike in May this year in Baluchistan.

But the Taliban has intensified attacks and expanded influence to more Afghan province since its new chief Mullah Hibatulla Akhundzada has taken control, fueling concerns of more bloodshed in the years to come and prompting calls for renewing efforts to resume peace talks.

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Women March Against Maduro's Government in Venezuela

By VOA News October 23, 2016

Several thousand women marched on the streets of Caracas, Venezuela Saturday to protest against the suspension of a referendum effort that could have led to the ouster of President Nicolas Maduro.

The protesters, led by Lilian Tintori and Patricia Gutierrez  wives of jailed political leaders and well-known voices against the current government  closed a lane of a major highway to show their dissatisfaction the administration of Maduro.

"We're here to demand respect for the constitution, for Venezuelans to have elections to escape dictatorship," human resource worker Nayiber Bracho said.

Venezuela's electoral officials put a stop to the referendum effort Thursday after nearly a year of opposition campaigning.

Officials alleged fraud had taken place in the signature-gathering process for a referendum on the socialist leader.

"We can't handle this anymore, there is no food, there is no medicine, there is no future for my grandchildren nor for any Venezuelans," 65-year-old Maria de Guevara said.

"Of course, they have the right to request for the referendum, but they are also forced to comply with the constitution and the law. And we have the right to defend brother Nicolas Maduro, because I voted for Maduro, and I want Maduro to finish his term," said Diosdado Cabello, a lawmaker with the United Socialist Party of Venezuela.

The official announcement came as a shock to referendum supporters who called the decision unconstitutional. The order came hours after Maduro left Venezuela on a multi-nation tour of the Middle East.

Former Venezuelan presidential candidate Henrique Capriles said he and seven opposition leaders have received a court order blocking them from leaving the country.

Capriles posted the document on Twitter and wrote "Once again they are wasting their time."

"What we saw yesterday [Thursday] was a coup," Capriles told reporters. "We'll remain peaceful but we will not be taken for fools."

Public opinion polls indicate that at least 80 percent of Venezuelans want Maduro out of office.

The electoral council said the decision to stop the referendum was based on Thursday's court ruling that found fraud in the initial steps of the petition drive.

Recalling Maduro would push the Socialist Party out of power and trigger an early presidential election.

"Under no circumstance are we going to let them overthrow the government," Socialist Party second-in-command Diosdado Cabello said during a news conference on Saturday.

The recall effort had run into opposition from the election board, which imposed restrictions early on and argued that it would take until 2017 to put the proper conditions in place.

The Democratic Unity coalition urged daily protests against "anti-constitutional" conditions by the board.

But Thursday's ruling was followed by another decision after the electoral council suspended for 6 months gubernatorial elections that were scheduled for later this year.

The socialist party decided to put off elections indefinitely.

"The recall referendum has to be in 2016, the country's conditions demand it," opposition supporter Joaquin Mendoza, a 68-year-old publicist, said earlier.

"Otherwise there will be more dead in the street, more hunger," he added, citing Venezuela's high murder rate.

Venezuelan officials blame the opposition for the timing, saying the coalition took three months to reach a consensus on the referendum and that fraud was committed in a preliminary signature drive.

Countries like the United States, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, Chile and Uruguay released statements expressing concerns over the government blocking the referendum and placing travel restrictions on opposition leaders.

These countries urged Venezuela to respect human rights, find measures to assure a peaceful dialogue, and aimed the Venezuelan government to reach for "long-standing solutions in favor of democracy and social stability.

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Cyberattack Spreads Across US, Parts of Europe

By VOA News October 22, 2016

Eleven hours after a cyberattack first hit the United States Friday, the internet traffic company Dyn said the issue had been resolved.

The disruptions began in the United States, then spread into parts of Western Europe, causing an internet outage that affected several popular websites, including the social network Twitter, money transfer service PayPal, music-streamer Spotify and the discussion site Reddit.

Dyn, a New Hampshire company (in the northeastern U.S.) that manages crucial parts of the internet's infrastructure, said it was under attack around 1100 UTC.

Dyn, whose servers reroute internet traffic by hosting the Domain Name System (DNS), said it had resolved the first attack, only to face a second one around 1700 UTC. After fending off that second attack, Dyn said it was again experiencing problems Friday evening. At the time, the company said it was investigating "several attacks."

Those were reported to be "resolved" around 2200 UTC.

Internet users affected by the outage experienced sluggish surfing.

The attack, called a distributed denial of service (DDOS) attack, occurs when hackers flood particular servers with internet traffic until they cannot handle the load and shut down.

Such attacks are relatively common, but the unprecedented scale of the latest one indicates that they are becoming more powerful and sophisticated.

Dyn chief strategy officer Kyle York said that some of the traffic which caused the attack was from devices such as baby monitors, webcams, home routers, and other devices which can connect to the internet. Security experts have long warned that the increasing number of devices which have internet access, or "The Internet of Things" will lead to new and challenging security risks.

None of the websites which became slow or inaccessible were affected themselves. Targeting host companies such as Dyn can cause more damage and on a larger scale than attacking single websites.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said it is investigating "all possible causes" of the outage.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest called the attack malicious, but said he had no information about who could be behind it.

The attack also affected Airbnb, Netflix, Etsy, SoundCloud and The New York Times.

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Advanced Space Surveillance Telescope Has Critical Military Applications

By Cheryl Pellerin DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Oct. 22, 2016  The most sophisticated space surveillance telescope ever developed is ready to begin tracking thousands of space objects as small as a softball. It's a boon to space surveillance and science and a new military capability important to the nation and the globe, an Air Force general says.

"It's not often we get an opportunity to witness the beginning of an entirely new military capability," Air Force Maj. Gen. Nina Armagno said at the transfer event, "but that's exactly what we're doing here today."

The telescope, developed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, was turned over to the Air Force Oct. 18 at the Space Surveillance Telescope site atop North Oscura Peak on the northern part of the Army's 3,200-square-mile White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.

Armagno, the director of strategic plans, programs, requirements and analysis for Air Force Space Command headquarters at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado, was one of several speakers at the event, which was attended by officials, scientists and engineers from DARPA, MIT Lincoln Laboratory, L3 Communications, media and others.

The formal transition of the SST from a DARPA-led design and construction program to ownership by the Air Force begins the telescope's operational phase. The Air Force will move the SST to Harold E. Holt Naval Communication Station in Western Australia, operating and maintaining the telescope jointly with the Royal Australian Air Force.

The SST also will be a dedicated sensor in the U.S. Space Surveillance Network, operated by the Air Force Space Command.

According to DARPA, SST represents breakthroughs in telescope design, camera technology and image analysis software, and allows much faster discovery and tracking of previously unseen or hard-to-find small space objects.

The Threat Has Changed

SST has increased space situational awareness from a narrow view of a few large objects at a time to a widescreen view of 10,000 objects as small as softballs, DARPA says. The telescope also can search an area larger than the continental United States in seconds and survey the entire geosynchronous belt in its field of view -- a quarter of the sky -- multiple times in a night.

"From a military perspective, any one of those objects could put satellites at risk," Armagno said. "That's why this capability is so important to us in Air Force Space Command."

The world and the threat have changed, she noted, adding, "We no longer have the luxury of assuming that we operate in a benign environment [or] that conflict will only be on land or at sea or in the air. Now we must concern ourselves with a conflict that may extend into space."

The space domain is filled with many actors, some with competing interests that may be at odds with those of the United States and its allies, the general said.

"Others around the world have taken notice of the advantages that we and our allies gain through space technologies, and they have focused their military efforts on countering that capability," Armagno told the audience.

Specifically, she added, "Russia and China, by the year 2025, will be able to hold at risk every one of our satellites in any orbit. So if the United States and our allies are to deter adversaries from taking action against our interests, we must do it from a position of strength."

Defending Space Assets

To be prepared for war in the space domain -- and so to lessen the possibility of war ever occurring there, the general said -- "we must be able to see aggressive behavior when it unfolds [and] be prepared to act decisively to defend our own assets and to hold others accountable for their actions. We need to be able to attribute those actions and then react on tactically relevant timelines."

These requirements call for an in-depth understanding of what's going on in space, she added -- what objects are there, what they are doing, what their intentions are and what they will do next.

SST will provide such information to the United States and its allies, Armagno said, characterizing it as "the ability to better understand the space domain in order to identify and predict the actions of others. In turn this knowledge will help us deter others from reckless behavior, and [allow us] to posture ourselves to react if needed."

No one wants a war in space because it doesn't impact a single region but the entire globe, she added, and it's up to the United States and its allies to demonstrate leadership in the responsible use of space.

Giant Leap Forward

SST is a giant leap forward in space cooperation between the United States and Australia, Armagno noted.

"It  benefits each of our respective nations [and] anyone who uses space across the globe. The United States simply can't do anything that we do in space without our allies, and the value of these partnerships will only continue to grow in the future," the general said.

Developed by DARPA, with optical expertise from the federally funded research and development center MIT Lincoln Lab, operated by Australian personnel and feeding information into the U.S. Space Surveillance Network -- "SST  takes advantage of the unique capabilities of each partner. In fact," she added, "the United States can't maintain space superiority like we need to without our allies."

U.S. allies bring to the table space capabilities that provide space situational awareness, bolster intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance efforts, monitor the environmental [and] increase communication bandwidth and in times of crisis these capabilities need to come together to create a synergy across the entire space enterprise, the general said.

"SST is and will be part of our space situational awareness system," she added. "It allows us to discern our adversaries' intent early on, and we have the strategic warning necessary to support stringent timelines required for us to respond to any kind of attack in space with confidence.

As a nation, she added, "we have the national will and determination to face our adversaries head on. When the United States and our allies have difficult problems to solve we find a way to prevail together. Capabilities such as the Space Surveillance Telescope are changing the very nature of how we operate in space and how we will operate in the future."

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SHANGHAI -- A comfort women museum in Shanghai opened to the public on Saturday, displaying various items donated by researchers and survivors to expose the notorious crimes of Japanese troops during World War II (WWII).

The museum, located at Shanghai Normal University, has displayed items such as the condoms belonging to Japanese soldiers during WWII, which researchers obtained when surveying the sites of comfort women stations of Japanese troops.

The items also include photos, testimonies of victims, passports of victims who went to Japan to file lawsuits, and the indictments from the first group of victims from the Chinese mainland to ask for compensation from Japan.

Chen Liancun, a 90-year-old victim from south China's Hainan province, and an 88-year-old survivor from the Republic of Korea (ROK) attended the opening of the museum.

Chen was raped by three Japanese soldiers when she, then 13 years old, was tending cattle on a hill. Three years later, she was captured along with other girls in nearby villages by Japanese troops to serve as comfort women in Baoting County, Hainan.

"I will not forget the atrocity committed by Japanese soldiers. I hope justice shall be served and demand an apology and compensation from Japan," she said.

"The oral testimonies and abundant historical materials and evidence all prove that the comfort women system was a national crime committed by Japan during wartime and was anti-humanitarian," said Su Zhiliang, director of the comfort women research center at the university.

Some 400,000 women in Asia were forced to serve as comfort women for the Japanese army during WWII, nearly half of whom were Chinese, according to Su.

Su said there are only 19 surviving comfort women on the Chinese mainland.

NGOs from countries including China, the ROK and Indonesia are working together to nominate documentation about comfort women for inclusion on the Memory of the World Register, established by UNESCO in the 1990s to preserve the world's most important documents.
Xi hails Long March as "epic," calling for realization of "centenary goals"

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 09:32, October 22, 2016

Chinese President Xi Jinping hailed the Long March as an "epic, human miracle," and called for efforts to realize the "two centenary goals" and the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation in "a new Long March."

Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), made the remarks at a gathering on Friday to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Long March.

Li Keqiang, Zhang Dejiang, Yu Zhengsheng, Liu Yunshan, Wang Qishan and Zhang Gaoli, all members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, also attended the event.

During his speech, Xi led a moment of silence to remember those who lost their lives in the Long March and the revolutionary wars.

Around 3,000 people, including Red Army veterans, servicemen, senior Party and government officials, representatives of non-communist parties and those with no party affiliation and the public, were present at the gathering.

LONG MARCH

From October 1934 to October 1936, the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army soldiers left their bases and marched through raging rivers, frigid mountains and arid grassland to break the siege of the Kuomintang (Nationalist Party) forces and continue to fight the Japanese aggressors. Some of them marched as far as 12,500 kilometers.

With their strong will, Red Army officers and soldiers were pushed to the extremes of their physical limits, this dramatic episode in world military history is no less than a "glorious human miracle", Xi said.

"I will never forget the Long March, the route was littered with the bodies of our fallen comrades. But we soldiered on and finished the march as we all believed in, and were motivated by, the revolutionary ideal and the CPC's leadership," said Li Kaiyou, 102, a Red Army veteran.

Xi also called the Long March a "stately monument" in the history of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

The Long March was a remarkable turning point for the CPC and China's revolutionary cause, it sowed the seeds of confidence that the struggle for national independence and the liberation of the people were achievable, Xi said.

Describing the Long March as a "great expedition to seek ideal and faith, test truth, and break new ground," Xi said its victory signifies the strength of the Chinese Communists' ideals, faith, orientation and path.

Following the Long March, the CPC realized that the fundamental principles of Marxism-Leninism must be combined with the real conditions of China's revolution, enabling the Party to solve major problems in the revolution independently, and lead the revolutionary cause to victory, Xi said.

He summarized "the Long March spirit" as seeking truth from the facts, strict self-discipline, acknowledgement of the overall interests of the people, solidarity, and involving people from all walks of life.

NEW LONG MARCH

The president called for carrying forth the spirit of the Long March to move forward on "a new long march."

The Long March is an ongoing process, Xi said.

"No matter which stage our undertaking has developed to and how great the achievements we've made, we should carry forth the Long March spirit and advance in 'a new long march,'" he added.

Each generation has its own "long march," and they should proceed in their own way, according to Xi.

"Today, our 'long march' is to realize the 'two centenary goals' and the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation," Xi added.

The country has set two goals of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects by the time the CPC celebrates its centenary in 2021 and turning the nation into a modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced and harmonious in time for the People's Republic of China to mark its centennial in 2049.

While addressing the gathering, Premier Li Keqiang said that the spirit of the Long March should be interwoven into all work. "By doing so, the Party, the state and the military will be more successful in their work," Li said.

Yu Xiaochuan, a researcher who has participated in China's manned space missions, said the spirit of the Long March was undeniably present in the country's manned space program.

"The program requires dedication. Our work is underpinned by placing the nation's interests in the center stage, and we must explore unceasingly, regardless of difficulties," said Yu.

In his speech, Xi also highlighted the significance of development, reform and innovation.

Stressing the decisive role of development in socialism with Chinese characteristics, Xi said the country would focus on economic construction, guiding the nation through the "new normal" with bespoke measures, while tackling any difficulties and cultivating advantages.

"Reform will decide the fate of modern China," Xi said.

CONFIDENCE IN PATH

To carry forth the Long March spirit and advance in "a new long march," people must solidify their confidence in the path, theory, system and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics, Xi said.

"While we stress confidence in the path, theory, system and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics, we should by no means rest on our laurels and stop making progress," Xi said. "We must constantly discover, invent, create and march forward, so as to keep socialism with Chinese characteristics permanently invigorated."

Xi emphasized that all improvements and progress should head toward a designated direction, rather than a change in direction, or even "abandoning the very foundation where our Party, the country and the people are rooted."

During the Long March, the Red Army not only transcended the barriers of "thousands of mountains and waters," but also climbed over the barriers of the mind, Xi said, referring to overcoming the dogmatic belief that Marxism is immutable.

The most important message from the Long March is that China must combine the fundamental principles of Marxism with the real conditions of China, and march along the path of revolution, construction and reform as suitable to China's conditions.

STRONG ARMY

The president urged building a solid national defense and strong armed forces that are commensurate with the country's international status, national security and development interests.

"To build a strong country requires efforts to build a strong army, and only with a strong army can the country's security be guaranteed," Xi said.

He called for efforts to foster a new generation of Chinese servicemen who are "soldiers with soul, high caliber, gut and virtue," and to build rock-solid troops with "iron-like belief, conviction, discipline and commitment."

"The Long March is the glory of the people's army, and the honorable people's army must always carry forward the great spirit and fine tradition of the Red Army in the Long March," Xi said.

He called on the armed forces to adhere to the CPC's absolute leadership, maintain their nature and uphold their principles as the people's army, and be the heir to the Red Army.

Moreover, he urged the military to uphold political integrity, promote reform and rule of law, and strengthen combat readiness.

The entire military should remain vigilant and be aware of its responsibilities, Xi said, noting that the modernization of national defense and armed forces must advance in a bid to safeguard the country's national sovereignty, security and development interests.

CPC LEADERSHIP

In his speech, Xi also stressed strengthening the leadership of the Party and strictly governing the Party in order to make today's "long march" a success.

All Party members must uphold and safeguard the leadership of the Party and consciously endorse the stand of the Party and the people. "They should be loyal to the Party, share the Party's concerns and shoulder responsibilities with the Party," Xi said.

He called on Party members to do their utmost to fulfil the responsibilities and tasks arranged by the Party.

Meanwhile, efforts should be made to strengthen and regulate political life within the Party, according to Xi.

He pledged unswerving efforts to promote clean governance, fight corruption, and strengthen the Party's ability to purify, improve and innovate itself.

In addition, Xi said the Party must adhere to the principle of doing everything for, and relying on, the people to strive for a better life.

"Only by believing in the people, relying firmly on the people and listening to the people's initiative and creativity can we unite the nation's will like a fortress," he said.

Going through thick and thin with the people was the fundamental guarantee for the CPC and the Red Army to achieve victory in the Long March, Xi said, adding it is also the guarantee for the Party to overcome difficulties and risks.

The Party should unite and lead the people and make constant efforts to improve their livelihood, Xi said, adding that the fruits of reform and development should benefit all.

Zhu Xiangqun, a village official in Hunan Province, pledged to "continue to follow the Party's instructions, rely on and lead villagers to achieve victory in the "new long march of poverty alleviation."

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KCNA Commentary Lashes out at U.S. Official's Malignant Mud-slinging at DPRK

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK via Korea News Service (KNS)

Pyongyang, October 22 (KCNA) -- Symptoms of doom of the Obama group are manifested in the political unrest of the officials of the U.S. administration who are in the grip of self-contradiction.

On Oct. 12 Rassel, U.S. assistant secretary of State for East Asia-Pacific Affairs, dared hurt the dignity of the supreme leadership of the DPRK, talking nonsense that it would meet its end the moment it has access to the capabilities for making a nuclear strike.

What he raved is no more than the last-ditch efforts to evade the responsibility for having shaken the foundation of the security of the mainland as the Obama group's north Korea policy suffered a total failure and they compelled the DPRK to emerge the strongest nuclear weapons state though they have to quit the White House soon.

It is normal for politicians with elementary political sense to notice the qualitative change taking place in the politico-military structure in the present world.

However, Rassel is so ignorant of the DPRK though he claims has been in charge of the north Korea policy for the past more than two decades. It is pity that Americans have national security left to such guy to look after it.

After choosing East Asia-Pacific region as the main theater for holding supremacy in the 21st century the Obama administration let him take charge of the region and speak for it.

When referring to the DPRK's line of simultaneously developing the two fronts in the past, Rassel malignantly decried it, blustering that "north Korea would never achieve prosperity as long as it pushes forward its nuclear development."

While talking about "nuclear and missile threat" from the DPRK, he talked volumes about the issue of military cooperation among the U.S., Japan and south Korea with Washington as a main player, the building of information network and investment in deploying THAAD. Moreover, he never opened his mouth without letting out a slew of rubbish about "human rights situation in the north," regardless of time and place.

What Rassel uttered this time is nothing but a scream made by the guy, much upset by the total failure of the north Korea policy of the present U.S. administration which has refused to understand the generally accepted principle of the sovereignty of other countries and the essence of the nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula.

It was none other than the U.S. that compelled the DPRK to have access to nukes.

The U.S. has staged nuclear war drills against the DPRK, non-nuclear weapon state, every year after designating it as the target of preemptive nuclear attack, thus posing grave threat to its supreme interests and pushing it to having access to nukes.

The DPRK has bolstered up its nuclear force both in quality and quantity as it has been exposed to constant and direct nuclear threat from the U.S., the world's biggest nuclear weapons state and nuclear war criminal state. It was, therefore, the best option to protect the sovereignty and vital rights of the Korean nation.

Tragedy is that the U.S., still seized with megalomania, is insisting on its contradictory view of the situation and failing to realize that the DPRK is not the country which it can control as it pleases.

The DPRK regards the mud-slinging at the dignity of its supreme leadership as the most blatant challenge to it and the worst hostile act of putting into practice the declaration of a war that the U.S. made before the former.

Rassel's flurry of invective is sheer rhetoric.

The White House will disappear the moment the U.S. launches aggression against the DPRK.

The American land has come within the range of powerful nuclear strike means of Juche Korea. They are just waiting for the order to fire, precisely aiming at the cesspool of evils and bases of aggression.

The revolutionary armed forces of the DPRK including the highly sophisticated nuclear force whose basic mission is to devotedly protect the supreme leadership will never miss their target in any case.

The U.S. will be forced to pay dearly for malignantly hurting the dignity of the supreme leadership of the DPRK and Obama will realize what the high price is like before he leaves the White House.

Those beating air are bound to perish in the flames kindled by themselves. -0-

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Kerry Praises Kuwait for Curbing Flights From North Korea

By Nike Ching October 22, 2016

Calling North Korea leader Kim Jong Un's regime "illegal and illegitimate," U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Friday thanked the government of Kuwait for "efforts to help counter the proliferation" of North Korea.

Kuwait has "recently taken steps to curb flights and to make sure that revenues from workers are not sustaining an illegal and illegitimate regime in North Korea," Kerry said.

The top U.S. diplomat was meeting with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah for the first bilateral Strategic Dialogue between the two nations.

North Korea's state airline, Air Koryo, has been operating frequent flights between Pyongyang and Kuwait City since 2011. But according to FlightRadar24, a live flight tracker, Air Koryo has altered its route between Pyongyang and Kuwait City to include a transit stop at Urumqi, China, this August.

The reduction of Air Koryo's landing privileges at foreign airports is among the tools of a diplomatic campaign to enforce the United Nations Security Council's punitive resolutions against North Korea's nuclear provocation, according to the State Department.

Kuwait's economic relations with North Korea and Pyongyang's exports of guest workers to work on construction projects in Kuwait City provide essential remittance revenues for Pyongyang's struggling economy.

As one of the sources for North Korea's economic lifeline, Kuwait is under increasing international pressure. The U.S. has raised concerns with other governments about the use of workers from North Korea in their countries, which "generates significant revenue for the government," State Department spokesman John Kirby said.

Those reveneues may "enable" Pyongyang's nuclear program, Kirby said during Friday's briefing.

Washington has long-standing concerns "about how to curtail DPRK's nuclear ballistic-missile proliferation programs through efforts of comprehensive and sustained pressure by the international community," Kirby added.

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Iran unveils surveillance radars, tracking systems

Iran Press TV

Sat Oct 22, 2016 3:48PM

Iran has unveiled domestically-manufactured strategic aerial navigation and tracking systems, including two military surveillance radars.

Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan said on Saturday that two radar systems, dubbed Me'raj 4 and Matla'ol Fajr 3, two distance measuring equipment (DME) and a radar level measurement system were unveiled in the Iranian city of Shiraz in the southern province of Fars.

He added that Me'raj 4 is a ground-based long-range 3D surveillance radar system which is equipped with state-of-the-art anti-electronic warfare systems.

It is also capable of detecting and tracking 200 targets and has a command control center, he said.

Dehqan added that Matla'ol Fajr 3 is a surveillance radar system with the capability of detecting and identifying two-dimensional targets in a range of 500 kilometers.

The Iranian minister further said DME is a transponder-based radio navigation technology used in civil airports to establish contact between the cockpit and a ground station.

He noted that the Defense Ministry also unveiled a millimeter wave radar system which is used to find the level of liquid surface in storage tanks of oil refineries and petrochemical plants. It has a measurement precision of 1-5 millimeters.

The Iranian defense minister said in August that the Islamic Republic produces every type of radars and is currently exporting the domestically-manufactured equipment to some countries.

"We are producing radars of all families, including short- and long-range radars, and are even exporting them to some countries. We have no limitation to the production of radars," Dehqan said.

In January, Iran's Navy successfully tested a new radar system during large-scale military drills south of the country.

The L-band radar system, capable of detecting both aerial and surface threats at the same time, was successfully tested in waters near Konarak Port, southeast Iran.

In October 2015, Iran unveiled a new domestically-built long-range digital radar system, dubbed Fat'h 14 (Conquer 14), which is capable of detecting enemies' strategic objectives.

The radar system has a range of 600 kilometers and can detect small airborne targets at a high altitude. High agility and swift connection to command and control network are among other features of the semiconductor radar.

The radar system has a range of 600 kilometers and can detect small airborne targets at a high altitude. High agility and swift connection to command and control network are among other features of the semiconductor radar.

Also in October 2015, Iran unveiled a domestically-built 3D search and control radar system, dubbed Qamar, with the capability of tracking over 100 targets within a 450-kilometer radius.

In recent years, Iran has made major breakthroughs in its defense sector and attained self-sufficiency in producing important military equipment and systems.

Iran has also conducted other major military drills to enhance the defense capabilities of its armed forces and to test modern military tactics and state-of-the-art army equipment.

The Islamic Republic maintains that its military might poses no threat to other countries, stating that its defense doctrine is merely based on deterrence.

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Iran opposes any foreign meddling in countries' affairs: Leader's advisor

Iran Press TV

Sun Oct 23, 2016 5:36PM

A senior advisor to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says Iran opposes meddling by any country in the internal affairs of other states.

In an interview with Iran's Arabic-language al-Alam television news network on Sunday, the Leader's advisor on international affairs, Ali Akbar Velayati, criticized Turkey's military presence in Iraq, which is claimed by Ankara to be aimed at participation in the ongoing Iraqi military operation to retake the strategic northern city of Mosul from Daesh Takfiri terrorists.

"Iran opposes interference by any country, including Turkey or others, in the internal affairs of another country," he said, adding that the domestic affairs of any country are its own concern. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, Velayati noted, has also reiterated that his country has not asked for Turkey's military presence in Iraq.

The Iranian official rejected claims that Iran is interfering in the affairs of Iraq and said Tehran only provides Baghdad with military consultation at the request of the Arab country's legitimate government.

Velayati urged all regional countries, including Turkey, Iraq and Syria, to respect each other's territorial integrity, warning that otherwise "no country would be safe from other countries' interference."

Thousands of Iraqi army soldiers, fighters from pro-government Popular Mobilization Units and Kurdish Peshmerga forces are taking part in the military operation to retake Mosul, the last major stronghold of the Daesh Takfiri group in the Arab country, from the terrorists.

Turkey is adamantly insisting that it wants to play a military role in the recapture of Mosul despite Iraq's opposition, triggering a serious diplomatic row between the two neighbors.

Ankara has deployed troops to a base near Mosul, claiming that they were there to train Kurdish militants for the battle against Daesh.

Addressing a forum of Muslim scholars and politicians in Baghdad on Saturday, the Iraqi prime minister called on Turkey and Saudi Arabia to stop interfering in the domestic affairs of his country.

"We want the good of Saudi Arabia and Turkey provided that they do not interfere in the domestic affairs of our country," Abadi said.

He added that Turkey had sent troops without the Iraqi government's request and emphasized that Ankara is not battling Daesh but is trying to expand its outreach.

The Iraqi premier emphasized that Ankara did not help Baghdad when it was requested.

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Islamic State Fighters Give Ground Around Mosul But Are Likely to Dig in

By Jeff Seldin October 22, 2016

Less than a week into the offensive to retake the Islamic State's Iraqi stronghold of Mosul, the list of towns and villages freed from the terror group's grip continues to grow while Iraqi and Kurdish commanders praise the faster-than-expected pace.

Only U.S. military and intelligence officials remain cautious, warning that the terror group has no intention of losing the Iraqi capital of its self-declared caliphate.

The only question, they say, is which Islamic State will ultimately reveal itself when the battle reaches Mosul city streets: the crafty and pragmatic terror group, or the no less brutal apocalyptic death cult.

"ISIL faces a decision point  does it hold the line in Mosul or beat a retreat?" a U.S. intelligence official told VOA, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"ISIL has in the past prioritized its own survival and in most cases fled when faced with overwhelming force," the official said, using one of several acronyms for the group. "At the same time, Mosul is one of ISIL's strongholds and is crucial to the group's claim of a caliphate."

Moderate resistance so far

For the past two years, IS has entrenched itself in Mosul, using the northern Iraqi city to bolster both its finances and its fighting forces. But U.S. military officials closely monitoring the progress of the Iraqi-led Mosul offensive say so far, IS has given few indications as to how the final battle for the city will play out.

Officials characterize IS resistance in the areas surrounding Mosul, so far, as moderate, featuring the use of artillery and sniper fire, IEDs (improvised explosive devices) and suicide bombers to slow, not stop, the advance of Iraqi and Kurdish forces.

IS fighters have also set fire to trenches and pits filled with oil and tires.

South of Mosul, IS fighters even set fire to a chemical factory, sending plumes of toxic smoke into the air, before finally retreating.

Just how many IS fighters are involved in setting up these so-called disruption zones is unclear. But U.S. officials estimate IS could have as many as 1,500 to 2,000 fighters at its disposal.

Officials say another 3,000 to 5,000 IS fighters could be waiting inside Mosul itself. Of those, some may be as young as 12 to 15 years old, sent to the city more for indoctrination and propaganda purposes than for their military value.

There are also about 1,000 foreign fighters, some sent in within the past week or so as reinforcements.

"The great unknowable is if ISIS stands and fights according to some version of its propaganda," said Patrick Skinner, a former intelligence officer now with The Soufan Group, a provider of strategic security intelligence services.

"On some level, it's hard for a cult that preaches end-of-time battles to cut and run and fight another day," he said "But they've been laying the ground work for exactly that for almost a year."

In for the long haul

There are some indications IS will fight to hold Mosul as long as possible.

U.S. military officials say the group's operational military commanders, the ones who would be directly involved in the defense of Mosul, have not yet left the city. And even with Iraqi and Kurdish forces quickly advancing from the south, north and east, there has been no sign of any attempts by those mid-level commanders or their fighters to escape to the west, to the IS-held city of Tal Afar and then, perhaps, to shrinking safe havens in Syria.

As the noose eventually tightens around Mosul, there may be nowhere to go for the 1,000 or so IS foreign fighters.

"It's likely any last stand fighting will be by its foreign fighters who have a very limited shelf life in any future past the loss of Mosul," said The Soufan Group's Skinner. "They barely fit in during the rule of ISIS. They will be hated and hunted afterward."

But there are also strong indications Mosul will not be the last stand for at least the group's most senior leaders.

Despite repeated assertions by various Iraqi officials that IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is holed-up in Mosul, U.S. officials believe much of the senior leadership has already fled.

And even if Baghdadi is still in Mosul, his presence is unlikely to give IS any military advantage.

"I would argue Baghdadi is in no position to participate in a last stand," said Nicholas Glavin, a senior researcher at the U.S. Naval War College's Center on Irregular Warfare and Armed Groups. "He's the ideologue of this group and his charismatic presence is a driver of the Islamic State's actions in and out of its core territories."

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Abadi resists US push for Turkish role in Mosul battle

Iran Press TV

Sat Oct 22, 2016 4:59PM

Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has opposed the US push for the participation of Turkey in the ongoing Iraqi military operation to retake the strategic northern city of Mosul from Daesh Takfiri terrorists, stressing Iraqi forces will accomplish the task themselves.

"I know that the Turks want to participate, we tell them thank you, this is something the Iraqis will handle and the Iraqis will liberate Mosul and the rest of the territories," Abadi said following a meeting with visiting US Defense Secretary Ash Carter in Baghdad on Saturday.

The Iraqi prime minister added that the army, Kurdish and other local forces would handle the battle for Mosul.

"We don't have any problems," Abadi said, noting that the Baghdad government "will ask for help from Turkey or from other regional countries" if need be.

Carter, for his part, described the inclusion of Turkish military forces in the Mosul offensive as a difficult subject, stating that Abadi has already had negotiations with Turkish authorities over the matter and is likely to have more.

The Pentagon chief further said Iraq's sovereignty was a key principle, stating that Washington will continue to offer assistance to Baghdad.

Ankara has been locked in a diplomatic row with Baghdad over the presence of Turkish troops at the Bashiqa military camp, located roughly 12 kilometers northeast of Mosul.

The Iraqi government says the troops are there without Baghdad's permission, and has frequently called for their withdrawal.

Turkey, in return, has been defiantly rejecting Iraq's opposition to the deployment of its forces in the Arab country's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, adamantly seeking a role in Mosul recapture at the same time.

Iraqi TV journalist shot dead south of Mosul

Meanwhile, a cameraman working for Iraq's Arabic-language al-Sumaria television network was fatally shot by a Daesh sniper while covering Iraqi military advances near the village of al-Shura, which lies south of Mosul. The slain journalist was identified as Ali Raysan.

Iraqi forces some 5 kilometers away from Mosul

Also on Saturday, Interior Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Karim Sinjari said Iraqi forces were five kilometers away from Mosul, adding that there were strong indications of public uprising against Daesh in the city.

Sinjari , who is also the acting KRG defense minister, went on to say that the battle to liberate Mosul would not end anytime soon as Daesh militants in the city, believed to number between 4,000 and 8,000, would fiercely seek not to lose their last stronghold in Iraq.

Nearly 30,000 Iraqi army soldiers, fighters from pro-government Popular Mobilization Units and Kurdish Peshmerga forces are taking part in the the military operation to retake Mosul from Daesh.

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Mosul streets will see person by person fight: KRG official

Iran Press TV

Sat Oct 22, 2016 4:40PM

A senior official from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has welcomed news that residents of Mosul have risen against the Daesh Takfiri terrorists, saying the Iraqi city is likely to witness a "person by person" fight.

"There are many reports that there are elements that have agreed to kill members of Daesh. Some members of Daesh were killed in the street," Karim Sinjari said on Saturday.

The interior minister and acting defense minister of the KRG, who was speaking to Reuters, said without help from inside Mosul, such as informers or spies and cooperation from tribal groups, Iraqi forces would not be able to defeat Daesh.

"They don't want Daesh. Some were killed and some left. These are people who have weapons, who carry out attacks in specific areas at night and slip away," he said.

The Iraqi military, allied with volunteer fighters and the Kurdish Peshmerga forces, have been engaged in a major operation for the liberation of Mosul since October 17.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Sinjari rejected speculations that Iraqis would be able to imminently recapture Mosul. He said the battle for the city, which fell into the hands of terrorists in 2014, would be tough.

"If they resist in the city, especially in old Mosul, it will be a big fight ... The roads are very thin, very narrow. You can't have vehicles, you can't have tanks. So it will be a fight, person by person," the KRG official stated.

Sinjari said the Daesh terrorists could put up a fierce fight because of Mosul's symbolic value for them.

Reports on Saturday said the Iraqi forces have advanced five kilometers further toward Mosul, which is the last major stronghold of Daesh in Iraq. They said the army had managed to liberate ten villages as they advanced from the south. The Peshmerga fighters have also retaken 20 villages in their advance from the east.

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Ankara-Baghdad war of words worsens over Turkish troop deployment

Iran Press TV

Sat Oct 22, 2016 2:34PM

Diplomatic tensions have escalated between Baghdad and Ankara amid the latest verbal salvo coming from Iraqi authorities against the presence of Turkish troops in the north of the conflict-plagued Arab country.

Speaking at a conference of his ruling Justice and Development Party in the western city of Afyonkarahisar on Saturday, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim accused the Iraqi leadership of "being provocative."

"In recent days, there have been warnings from Iraq. We will not listen to this, nobody can tell us to not be concerned about the region," Yildirim said.

"The Iraqi leadership is being provocative. Turkey does not bow to anyone's threats. Turkey will continue to be present there," he added.

The Turkish prime minister further noted that his country's military forces will keep their presence in Bashiqa military camp, located roughly 12 kilometers northeast of Mosul, regardless of Baghdad's frequent protests.

Earlier on Saturday, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said that Turkey had deployed its troops to Iraq not at the request of the Baghdad government, adding that Ankara was not battling the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group but rather trying to build up its outreach.

Ankara did not help Baghdad when it was asked to do so, Abadi added.

The Iraqi premier also reiterated his rejection of Turkish participation in the ongoing offensive to retake Mosul.

Turkey has been defiantly rejecting Iraq's opposition to the presence of its forces in the Arab country's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, adamantly seeking a role in the recapture of Mosul from Daesh terrorists.

On October 13, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry summoned Turkey's ambassador to Baghdad, Faruk Kaymakci, and gave him "a strongly worded formal note of protest" on "the continued presence of Turkish forces near Bashiqa and recent abusive statements from their leadership."

The move came two days after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan snubbed Abadi's criticism of the presence of Turkish soldiers on Iraqi soil, saying, "You are not at my level. It's not important at all how you shout from Iraq. You should know that we will do what we want to do. Know your place first!"

The Baghdad government criticized Erdogan's "irresponsible" remarks at the time. Iraqi premier's spokesman, Saad al-Hadithi, said the Turkish leader is "pouring oil on the fire" with his comments and showed Ankara is not serious about resolving the dispute.

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Iraqi forces advance against Daesh in Kirkuk, Nineveh

Iran Press TV

Sat Oct 22, 2016 9:52AM

Iraqi forces make fresh advances as they engage in a sixth day of operations to retake the city of Mosul from Daesh a day after the Takfiri group's surprise attack on the oil-rich Kirkuk.

From the terrorist group's last stronghold, there are disturbing reports that Daesh militants have executed hundreds of civilians, including women and children.

Clashes resumed on Saturday in Kirkuk between the terrorists and Iraqi security forces. The al-Sumaria TV network said nine Daesh militants had been killed in fresh fighting.

The Takfiri group infiltrated Kirkuk on Friday in an attempt to open a new front and divert Iraqi troops from the most important battle underway in Mosul, located 178 km away from Kirkuk.

The offensive prompted Baghdad to send reinforcements. On Saturday, special military units were hunting down some of the dozens terrorists who stormed public buildings in the early hours of Friday.

"We have 46 dead and 133 wounded, most of them members of the security services, as result of the clashes with Daesh," an Interior Ministry official told the AFP news agency.

The official said at least 25 Daesh attackers had been killed and several others wounded, including a Libyan believed to be among the raid's masterminds.

Troops push into Hamdaniya city center

In the ongoing battle for Mosul, troops entered the Keremles district of the Qayyarah town and liberated two nearby villages.

Daesh militants launched a bombing attack on the al-Hamdaniya town, also known as Qaraqosh, as troops moved to wrest its control from the terrorists. The terrorists also blew up the Nineveh Oberoi Hotel, one of the province's biggest hotels.

Iraqi troops managed to liberate Hamdaniya's central area, including its hospital, raising the national flag atop its buildings and retaking the province's al-Askariyah district, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said.

Parliament Speaker Salim Abdullah al-Jabouri also said Iraqi forces had raided the Safinah village in Nineveh's al-Shourah district. The village is situated parallel to the Tigris River, and is of much strategic importance.

Intense fighting broke out near the village of Tel Al-Samen south of Mosul. Daesh militants continue to occupy nearby villages, while improvised explosive devices hamper the army's progress.

Officials said Iraqi troops are now turning their attention to recapturing Hammam al-Alil, close to Tel Al-Samen.

Daesh executes 285 people

As the army advances gained momentum, the Takfiri terrorists were reported to have executed around 285 people, including women and children, in and around Mosul.

Various sources said the group carried out the executions through Thursday and Friday. The terrorist group, they said, used bulldozers to dump the bodies in mass graves.

UN spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said on Friday Daesh militants have taken 550 families from villages around Mosul and are holding them close to Takfiri locations in the Iraqi city, probably as human shields.

Sulphur smoke kills at least two

US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter arrived in Iraq on Saturday for briefing on the ongoing battle for Mosul from American forces.

The US has deployed troops to areas near the battle scene as part of its contingent of 5,000 soldiers in Iraq.

An official said US forces at a base in Iraq had donned protective gear after winds from a burning sulfur plant shifted south.

Iraqi forces liberated the sulphur factory south of Mosul, a day after Daesh militants set it on fire releasing toxic smoke over the area. Two people reportedly died as a result of poisoning by the toxic chemical.

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Screenshot in a video streaming on iQiyi.com about Yu Tieyi [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com]

An intermediate court in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province has sentenced a former state-owned coal mining firm manager to death with a two-year reprieve for taking bribes worth 306.8 million yuan (45 million U.S. dollars) over the course of six years.

According to the verdict issued on Friday, Yu Tieyi was found guilty of taking bribes in exchange for handing out bloated procurement contracts between 2005 and 2011, when he was in charge of supplies to Heilongjiang Longmay Mining Holding Group Co., Ltd., sources with the court said.

The verdict says the amount of Yu's bribes was "extremely huge" and the state suffered "a great loss," both of which warrant the most severe penalty: death sentence without reprieve. However, the court showed leniency because Yu behaved well during investigation, reported the crimes of his accomplice, and returned most of the bribes.

The court ruled to confiscate Yu's illegal gains and all his personal assets. Yu was also deprived of the chance to reduce prison terms. In China, death with a two-year reprieve often results in life in prison as long as the convict does not commit new offenses in the two years. The court then has a say on whether to grant prison term reductions.

Yu has decided not to appeal the ruling, the sources said.

China has launched a harsh crackdown on corruption since 2013 to rein in wanton official misconduct. The campaign has netted some of the highest ranking officials, many of whom are serving time in prison.
Iraqi official denies US claims on Iraq-Turkey military cooperation deal

Iran Press TV

Sat Oct 22, 2016 6:21AM

An Iraqi official has denied US claims that Iraq and Turkey have reached a provisional agreement authorizing Turkish involvement in ongoing operations to liberate Mosul from Daesh terrorists.

The official, who was speaking anonymously, said Baghdad expected Ankara to stand by Iraq in the war on the Takfiri terrorist group and not violate Iraqi territory, al-Sumaria TV network reported on Friday.

US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter, who was visiting the Turkish capital earlier in the day, had said Ankara and Baghdad had agreed "in principle" to enable cooperation in the battle for Mosul but the details were yet to be set out.

Last December, Turkey deployed some 150 soldiers, equipped with heavy weapons and backed by 20 to 25 tanks, to the outskirts of Mosul, the capital of Iraq's northern Nineveh Province and the country's second-largest city, which has been under Daesh control since June 2014.

Baghdad has denounced the unauthorized move as a violation of Iraq's sovereignty and said the forces could complicate the battle to retake Mosul.

Daesh has named Mosul as its so-called headquarters, and large-scale operations have been going on since last Sunday.

Turkey has been insisting since before the battle for Mosul began that its forces take part in the operation.

Meanwhile, Turkish Defense Minister Fikri Isik, who met with visiting Carter, told state broadcaster TRT that the United States was also keen to work with Turkey on a campaign to drive Daesh from Raqqah, Daesh's self-proclaimed headquarters in Syria.

On Thursday, the Turkish army said its jets had conducted 26 airstrikes against Kurdish fighters, known as the People's Protection Units (YPG), in Syria, bombing 18 of their positions, and killing up to 200 Kurdish fighters.

The bombing against the fighters was followed by a warning from the Syrian military, which said it would intercept and bring down any Turkish fighter jets entering the country's airspace.

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Iraqi TV: Security Forces Repel Major IS Attack On Kirkuk; 80 Killed

RFE/RL October 22, 2016

Iraqi state TV said security forces repelled a major attack by the Islamic State militants on the oil producing city of Kirkuk but at least 80 people, mainly security forces, were killed.

The attack on the northern Iraqi city appeared to aimed at diverting attention from the ongoing assault on the city of Mosul, to the north, by Iraqi and Kurdish forces.

Kirkuk's police chief said on October 22 that Iraqi forces had killed 48 IS militants who stormed some parts of the city.

Brigadier General Khattab Omar said another 170 people were wounded in the assault, which involved a wave of attacks in and around the city by more than 50 militants.

City authorities partially lifted a curfew declared after the militants stormed police stations and other buildings on October 20, the TV channel said.

Fighting raged in the city center for 24 hours, and skirmishes continued in other parts of the city on October 22.

Kirkuk is an oil-rich metropolis some 290 kilometers north of Baghdad and 170 kilometers southeast of Mosul.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi said the assault was not a military breach but a terrorist attack, and that security forces were close to regaining full control of the city.

Based on reporting by Reuters and AFP

Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/security- forces-repel-major-is-attack- on-kirkuk/28069406.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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U.S. Defense Secretary Praises Mosul Offensive

RFE/RL October 22, 2016

The U.S. defense secretary gave an upbeat assessment of the ongoing operation to retake the Iraqi city of Mosul from Islamic State militants, as he traveled to Baghdad for talks with top Iraqi officials.

Ash Carter's announced visit October 22 came five days after Iraqi security forces, along with Kurdish and Shi'ite militia units and backing from U.S. military advisers and aircraft, launched their assault to capture Iraq's third-largest city.

After meetings with Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi, Carter said he was encouraged by the campaign so far and was in discussions not just about potential future roles for U.S. troops.

"Now that isn't a defense mission or an Iraqi army mission, but it's a critical part of winning the peace," Carter told reporters.

The visit comes on the heels of meetings Carter had with Turkish leaders in Ankara on October 20 when he announced "an agreement in principle" for Turkey to play a role in the battle for Mosul.

Carter's third visit to Iraq this year also came two days after a U.S. soldier was killed by an improvised explosive device in northern Iraq.

The soldier was among about 100 U.S. troops embedded with Iraqi and Kurdish Peshmerga forces that are helping to guide U.S.-led coalition air strikes.

The fall of Mosul, a city of some 1.5 million people, would be a psychological victory for the Abadi government, which has struggled to cope with the Islamic State threat.

The government's inability to keep the militants from seizing vast territories in the north and east led to Washington's decision to step up its involvement in the fight.

Some observers have warned that recapturing Mosul could lead to land grabs and sectarian bloodletting between Sunnis and Shi'a.

The United Nations has said Mosul could require the biggest humanitarian relief operation in the world, with worst-case scenario forecasts of up to 1 million people being uprooted.

The top U.S. commander in Iraq, Lieutenant General Stephen Townsend, said resistance had stiffened in recent days as forces approached Mosul.

"It's pretty significant. We're talking enemy indirect fire...even some antitank guided missiles. So it's been very tough fighting. Snipers. Machine guns," Townsend was quoted as saying.

Roughly 5,000 U.S. personnel are in Iraq, including the more than 100 embedded with Iraqi and Peshmerga forces involved with the Mosul offensive.

With reporting by AP, Reuters, and AFP

Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/carter -praises-iraqs-mosul- offensive/28069411.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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US-Led Coalition Strikes Funeral Procession in Iraqi Town - Russian MoD

Sputnik News

18:19 22.10.2016(updated 21:05 22.10.2016)

The Russian Defense Ministry said Saturday that the US-led coalition launched strikes on a funeral procession in the Iraqi town of Daquq near the city of Kirkuk, killing dozens of civilians.

Daesh terrorist group is not operating in the area, where dozens of Iraqis, including women and children, have been killed as a result of the coalition's airstrikes.

The Russian Defense Ministry's spokesman called coalition's stikes on residential areas "war crimes."

"We have repeatedly noted that such deadly strikes on residential areas that lhave all signs of war crimes have become almost a daily routine for the aviation of the international coalition," Konashenkov noted.

"On October 21, Russian reconnaissance means detected airstrikes of two warplanes on Daquq town located near Kirkuk where no Daesh militants are present, according to our data," Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said.

"According to witnesses' reports, a mourning procession has been mistakenly identified by the coalition's aviation as a group of militants. Dozens of Iraqi civilians, including women and children died."

The Russian Defense Ministry said that it monitores the operation to retake Mosul, adding the the US-led coalition aircraft have conducted 22 sorties and launched 19 airstrikes over the past 24 hours.

The incident in Daquq, Iraqi northern province of Kirkuk, took place on Friday reportedly leaving some 20 people dead and 45 injured.

Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry said that targeting mistakes by the member countries of the international coalition occur too often.

"Weddings, funerals, hospitals, police departments, humanitarian convoys and even Syrian troops, fighting against Daesh terrorists near Deir ez-Zor, become targets for coalition airstrikes," Konashenkov stressed.

 Sputnik

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Turkey Fights in Iraq for Own Influence, Not Against Terrorism - Iraqi PM

Sputnik News

16:28 22.10.2016(updated 16:29 22.10.2016)

Turkey has sent troops to Iraq to extend its influence, but not to combat Daesh terrorist group, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi said Saturday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Relations between Turkey and Iraq deteriorated after Turkey dispatched its troops in Iraq allegedly to fight against Daesh in late 2015.

The Turkish government said its forces would participate in the operation on the liberation of Mosul, however, Iraqi authorities claim they had not given their consent for this participation.

"Turkey does not fight against Daesh, it fights for its interests and extension on influence," Abadi said during the Islamic forum in Baghdad, as quoted by Rudaw news agency.

On Friday, US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said that Iraq and Turkey reached preliminary agreement on the framework of Turkish military participation in the fight against Daesh. Iraqi government spokesman Saad al-Hudaythi said later on the same day that no concrete agreements had been reached yet.

 Sputnik

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Mosul Liberation Important Irrespective of Motives Behind Operation - Kremlin

Sputnik News

13:03 22.10.2016(updated 13:04 22.10.2016)

The liberation of the Iraqi city of Mosul will be a significant victory over Daesh terrorist group irrespective of the motivation behind the military operation of the US-led coalition, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Saturday.

YUZHNO-SAKHALINSK (Sputnik)  On October 17, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi announced the start of the military operation to retake Mosul from Daesh. According to local media, about 30,000 Iraqi soldiers and 4,000 Kurdish Peshmerga fighters are taking part in the operation, backed by artillery and airstrikes carried out by the US-led international coalition.

"Whatever is behind this [operation], if victory is reached, and that will be a very important victory over Daesh, it can only be a good thing," Peskov said to "Vesti v Subbotu" news program when commenting on the possibility that the operation in Iraq was related to the upcoming presidential election in the United States.

"Russia supports territorial and political integrity of Iraq," Peskov said. "And [Russia] considers territorial integrity absolutely indisputable. This is a constant for the regional issues," Peskov added.

Although contacts between Russia and the United States are now limited and Washington is not willing to cooperate, some channels for information exchange remain open, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

"Contacts with the Americans are limited. But, despite the refusal of our US partners to cooperate further, some channels for information exchange remain open. As for the Iraqi prime minister, the talks had been held upon the Iraqi initiative. Moreover, there are many parallels between the situations around Mosul and around Aleppo now," he said, answering a question why Russian President Vladimir Putin decided to discuss the Mosul operation with the Iraqi prime minister, not the US President Barack Obama.

 Sputnik

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Iraq Rejects Turkish Bid to Participate in Mosul Fight

By VOA News October 22, 2016

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has formally rejected a bid from Turkey to participate in the military push to retake the northern Iraqi city of Mosul from Islamic State extremists.

Abadi, speaking Saturday, said the existing alliance would handle the battle without Turkey's help.

Abadi spoke in Baghdad, after unscheduled talks with visiting U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter, who has sought to ease rising tensions between Turkey's Sunni leadership and Abadi's Shi'ite government.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday gave voice to the frayed bilateral ties, demanding a role in the Mosul battle and warning that Turkish troops already positioned in northern Iraq would not take orders from the Shi'ite government in Baghdad.

"Turkey's army has not lost enough of its quality to take orders from you," Erdogan said in comments aimed at Abadi.

On Saturday, Abadi responded.

"The battle of Mosul is an Iraqi one," he said. "The Iraqis plan and carry out the fight. I know that the Turks want to participate; we tell them thank you, this is something the Iraqis will handle, and the Iraqis will liberate Mosul and the rest of the territories."

For his part, Carter, speaking to reporters in Baghdad, said the issue of a Turkish role in the Mosul fight was a difficult subject. He also stressed that Iraq's sovereignty was paramount in the push against Islamic State.

"I also reaffirm to you today the vital importance of every country operating with full respect for Iraqi sovereignty," he said. "That is the principle upon which the international coalition and everything that it does in this country is 100 percent committed to, and I wanted to say that and confirm that to you."

As Carter met with Iraqi leaders and coalition commanders in Iraq on Saturday, renewed fighting was reported on the outskirts of Iraq's second-largest city, in a battle expected to rage for weeks or longer.

Iraqi special forces engaged IS militants near Bartella, which was retaken Thursday. No one was injured, but the incident highlighted the dangers Iraqi forces still face in areas that have been taken back from the militants.

Battling fumes

Nearby, U.S. advisers and allied troops at a logistical base south of Mosul were coping with potentially toxic fumes after IS militants bombed a nearby sulfur plant on Thursday. Witnesses said the fumes hospitalized hundreds of locals who complained of breathing problems.

When winds shifted Saturday toward the south, U.S. military officials took air samples to determine the extent of the immediate threat.

Separately, an Iraqi television journalist was killed Saturday as he was covering a battle near the village of al-Shura, south of Mosul. Al-Sumaria TV said on its website that the journalist was Ali Raysan.

Also, Iraqi officials said that Friday's coordinated assault by IS fighters in the strategic northern oil city of Kirkuk had ended in failure, with all attackers either killed in battle or blown up by their own explosives.

Carter and Erdogan

On Friday, Carter and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met in Ankara to discuss the need to increase military cooperation between the U.S. and Turkey in the campaign to defeat IS in Iraq and Syria.

A U.S. Defense Department statement said the leaders agreed to maintain frequent communication and close coordination among members of the coalition fighting IS to ensure a "lasting defeat" of the terrorist group.

The Turkish and Iraqi governments have been feuding about the presence of an estimated 1,000 Turkish troops encamped since late last year near Turkey's border to train Sunni and Kurdish fighters.

Baghdad has repeatedly called on Turkey to withdraw the troops, a demand the Ankara government continues to reject.

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Carter in Iraq, Gets Assessment of Mosul Fight

By VOA News October 23, 2016

Iraqi and Kurdish forces were in a new offensive Sunday on a town near Mosul, as U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter visited the region to get an assessment of the battle to push Islamic State out of Iraq's second largest city.

Carter was in Irbil Sunday for talks with Kurdish leaders and military commanders close to the fight to retake Mosul. Shortly after arriving on the unannounced visit, Carter met with Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani, the president of the largely autonomous Kurdish region in the northern part of the country.

Kurdish peshmerga forces have been pushing toward towns just northeast of Mosul to clear the way for other troops to make their way into the city of some one million civilians and oust Islamic State fighters. Peshmerga forces were in a new push Sunday on the town of Bashiqa.

Carter is also discussing Turkey's role in the battle to retake Mosul after his meetings Saturday with Iraq's prime minister in Baghdad and Friday with Turkey's president in Ankara.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has rejected a bid from Turkey to participate in the military push to retake the city.

Abadi said Saturday the existing alliance will handle the ongoing battle without Turkey's help.

Abadi spoke in Baghdad after unscheduled talks with Carter, who has sought to ease rising tensions between Turkey's Sunni leadership and Abadi's Shi'ite government.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday gave voice to the frayed bilateral ties, demanding a role in the Mosul battle and warning that Turkish troops already positioned in northern Iraq would not take orders from the Shi'ite government in Baghdad.

"Turkey's army has not lost enough of its quality to take orders from you," Erdogan said in comments aimed at Abadi.

Abadi responded Saturday, saying, "I know the Turks want to participate, we tell them thank you, this is something the Iraqis will handle and the Iraqis will liberate Mosul and the rest of the territories."

For his part, Carter, in comments to reporters in Baghdad described the issue of a Turkish role in the Mosul fight as a difficult subject. He also stressed that Iraq's sovereignty is paramount in the ongoing push against Islamic State.

"I also reaffirm to you today the vital importance of every country operating with full respect for Iraqi sovereignty. That is the principle upon which the international collation and everything that it does in this country is 100 percent committed to and I wanted to say that and confirm that to you," said Carter.

The push to retake Iraq's second-largest city with the help of a U.S.-backed 60-nation coalition is expected to rage for weeks or longer.

In another development, Iraqi officials said Friday's coordinated assault by IS fighters in the strategic oil city of Kirkuk had ended in failure, with all attackers either killed in battle or blown up by their own explosives.

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Israel Preparing to Buy More Nuclear-Capable Submarines

Sputnik News

23:21 22.10.2016

Israel wants to buy at least three more submarines capable of launching nuclear missiles to replace the oldest vessels in its fleet, some of which have been in service since 1999.

According to a report by the Israeli newspaper Maariv, the country is secretly preparing to purchase three Dolphin-class submarines from Germany at a total cost of $1.3 billion. This purchase will come in addition to its existing contract for six German submarines, the last of which is due for delivery in 2017.

"The new submarines are said to be more advanced, longer and equipped with better accessories," the newspaper report said.

The Israeli Defense Ministry refused to provide an immediate response.

While Israel pursues a policy of neither acknowledging nor denying its nuclear weapons capabilities, the Dolphin submarines are reportedly able to carry and launch missiles equipped with nuclear warheads.

According to various foreign military experts' estimations, Israel is currently in possession of some 100 nuclear warheads and some 200 missiles to deliver them; however, this information has never been publicly acknowledged. Israel insists the submarines' main goal is to provide the country with intelligence capabilities that no other kind of weapon can offer.

"Submarines bring a level of intelligence to Israel that cannot be achieved by other units," a senior Israeli military representative said in an interview with the Jerusalem Post in 2014. "A submarine can stay in enemy territory for weeks, and no one knows it's there."

In addition to the submarines, Israel reportedly plans to upgrade its entire surface combat fleet. New German-built Sa'ar-6 corvette warships are expected to join the fleet over the next few years, and new radars with electronic warfare systems are being installed on existing Sa'ar-5 and Sa'ar-4.5 ships. The total cost of four Sa'ar-6 corvettes is estimated as 430 million euros ($468 million).

 Sputnik

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Libya's GNA forces free 13 foreigners in Sirte

Iran Press TV

Sat Oct 22, 2016 2:33PM

Forces loyal to Libya's UN-backed government have managed to release 13 foreigners, most of them female Eritreans, from the captivity of the Daesh Takfiri terrorists in the north of the country.

Rida Issa, a spokesman for the pro-government forces, said on Saturday that the foreigners, freed during the battle for the liberation of the city of Sirte, also included a Turkish national and an Egyptian.

Issa said the forces had recaptured most areas in Sirte following six months of street-by-street fighting. Daesh, he added, only controls a tiny part of the city with snipers, booby traps and car bombs.

"The forces have completely recaptured the 600 block area in Sirte from gangs of Daesh, and now the Ghiza Bahriya area is the last pocket of resistance," said Issa.

Sirte fell into the hands of Daesh more than a year ago. The city has been the main bastion of the Takfiri group outside Iraq and Syria. Daesh has already suffered heavy blows in those two countries.

Forces battling Daesh in Libya are allied to the Government of National Accord (GNA), which enjoys the support of the United Nations and Western governments. However, fierce opposition to the GNA from major Libyan factions has undermined hopes for a decisive victory against Daesh.

Chaos in Libya, which erupted after the ouster and killing of dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, has apparently enabled refugee smugglers to operate more freely, which has prompted concerns in Europe about the continuing flow of refugees from Libya into the continent.

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China's ambassador to Belgium, Qu Xing, says Belgium is strategically located in Europe for the 'belt and road' plan while addressing a Belt and Road forum organized by the Chinese embassy in Brussels, the capital city of Belgium on October 21, 2016. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.COM]

A leading Belgian politician has revealed his country is hoping to become a new member of the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank.

The move is believed to be part of a broader initiative to by the Belgian government to attach itself more closely with the Chinese government's 'belt and road' initiative.

Deputy Belgian Prime Minister Kris Peeters has told a Belt and Road forum organized by the Chinese embassy in Brussels that Belgium hopes to become a member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank sometime this coming year.

He suggests this is part a bigger plan to become more closely linked to the movement of goods through the Chinese government's 'belt and road' initiative.

"We have much to gain with this initiative. Belgium hopes to become a member the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank next year. Moreover the Belgian ports of Antwerp and Zeebrugge are ready to contribute to the success of the Belt and Road Initiative."

China's ambassador to Belgium, Qu Xing, says Belgium is strategically located in Europe for the 'belt and road' plan.

"Regarding the facilities connectivity, in September this year, one month ago, a bloc train of the China railway express arrived for the first time in Antwerp from Xining, in Qinghai province to Antwerp. A Chinese logistics company based in Chengdu is planning to invest for the construction of a Euro-Africa-China trans-shipment center in Antwerp. Once the center comes into operation, Antwerp will become a frequent destination of the China railway express. "

Frank Geerkens with the Antwerp Port Authority says trade with China has allowed his port to become the fastest growing in Europe.

"I'm very happy here to say again the port of Antwerp is a privileged partner for one-belt and one road. One major reason is that it's also a port that exports goods. You see the trade flows between China and Europe, there is imbalance. More goods coming in that means more containers are loaded that being unloaded and empty when going back. We have a balance between incoming and outgoing container loads. That is one belt and one road again. It is two-way trade cooperation and interconnectivity."

The "Belt and Road" program already involves already more than 60 countries which represent over half of global GDP.
Russian Ground Forces to Get 244 Latest Communication Systems Before 2017

Sputnik News

21:45 22.10.2016(updated 21:55 22.10.2016)

By the end of 2016, the Russian Ground Forces will receive 244 modern communication systems, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Land Forces Gen. Maj. Alexander Galgash said Saturday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik)  According to him, this would bring up the percentage of cutting-edge communications technology in the Land Forces to 45 percent, which is scheduled to go further up to 70 percent by 2020.

"In 2016, in accordance with the state defense order, 244 latest communication systems are planned for delivery to the Signal Communication Troops," Galgash told Life Zvuk radio broadcaster.

Russia is currently implementing a large-scale rearmament program, announced in 2010, to modernize 70 percent of its military hardware by 2020. The total modernization program is estimated to cost about 20 trillion rubles (some $310 billion at current exchange rates).

 Sputnik

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Russia extends Aleppo humanitarian pause for another day

Iran Press TV

Fri Oct 21, 2016 11:38PM

Russia has announced that it has extended a humanitarian ceasefire, which was due to expire on Friday in Syria's embattled city of Aleppo, for another day.

"The humanitarian pause in Aleppo will be extended for another day, starting from 8.00 a.m. (0500 GMT) until 7.00 p.m. (1600 GMT) on October 22," Chief of the Main Operational Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Lieutenant General Sergei Rudskoi said at a press briefing in Moscow on Friday night.

The initial 11-hour humanitarian ceasefire, which came into effect on Thursday, was held in an attempt to allow civilians and foreign-sponsored militants to leave the eastern areas of the city. Russia had extended the pause by 24 hours on Thursday.

Rudskoi further said that the decision was reached in response to a request made by the United Nations and other international organizations, despite the fact that the "so-called opposition groups and their curators" were interrupting normalization of the humanitarian situation in the contested city by blocking the exit corridors.

"The terrorists are doing everything to prevent the civilians" from leaving the eastern areas of Aleppo, he said, adding, "Our requests to the Americans -- to make a positive influence on the fighters of the so-called opposition and make them stop the fire, to let the civilians leave, and to leave themselves -- remain unanswered."

'Militants regrouping to launch major assault'

Elsewhere in his remarks, Rudskoi said that terrorists were exploiting the humanitarian truce to prepare for a major assault in the eastern parts of the city, adding that during the past 24 hours alone, over 200 militants had come to several quarters of the city, including Mansur and al-Kursi.

A total of 1,200 militants, among them 30 bombers, are ready to participate in an attack from the militant-held part of the city, he said, adding that the terrorists are equipped with "tanks, armored vehicles and more than 20 trucks with machine-guns."

Aleppo, Syria's second largest city, has been divided between government forces in the west and the militants in the east since 2012. In an attempt to free the trapped people of the city, the Syrian army, backed by Russian fighter jets, began a major offensive on September 22 to end the militants' reign of terror in the east.

Both Russian and Syrian Air Force fighter jets stopped their bombing of the militant-held neighborhoods in Aleppo on Tuesday  two days ahead of the truce.

Medical evacuations from Aleppo

The UN said it had received the green light from Russia and the Syrian government to begin evacuating the injured and delivering food aid to the militant-held areas.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the humanitarian pause in Aleppo and expressed hope that the world body could carry out the first medical evacuations from Aleppo if the truce announced by Moscow and Damascus held in the flashpoint city.

Syrian Ambassador to the UN Bashar al-Ja'afari also told the UN General Assembly that Damascus was ready to continue cooperation with the UN to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to Syrians.

Earlier, Damascus had announced that it had opened eight corridors for more than 250,000 civilians to exit the city.

Militants' infiltration into Damascus foiled

Meanwhile, Syria's official news agency (SANA) reported that the Syrian army thwarted a Friday morning terrorist attack launched through some tunnels against its positions in Jobar neighborhood on the eastern outskirts of Damascus.

At least 14 militants were killed in the battle and a large number of others sustained injuries. The Syrian troops also managed to inflict heavy damage on their equipment.

Since March 2011, Syria has been hit by deadly militancy it blames on some Western states and their regional allies. Russia has been conducting airstrikes against the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group and other terrorist groups in Syria at the Damascus government's request since September last year.

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Report: Syria Behind Chemical Weapons Attack

By VOA News October 21, 2016

The United Nations and officials from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons say the Syrian government is responsible for a third chemical attack that affected a region already torn by war.

The group's fourth report during a 13-month investigation sent to the U.N. Security Council late Friday shows there is "sufficient evidence" to confirm the government's role in the March 16, 2015 strike on Qmenas in Idlib governorate.

The report blames President Bashar al-Assad's government for using several barrel bombs containing chlorine gas dropped by military helicopters.

The investigation could not confirm the personnel in control of the military units, but the weapons originated from two bases belonging to the 63rd helicopter brigade in Syria. The report said officials "must be held accountable."

Accusations of chemical attacks have been a fixture of the Syrian conflict with both the government and rebels blaming each other during the past five years of war.

The ongoing investigation attributes three chemical attacks to the Syrian government and one to the Islamic State group. No conclusion was reached in five other alleged chemical attacks.

Besides Qmenas, experts blame the Syrian government for two chlorine attacks - in Talmenes, April 21, 2014, and Sarmin, March 16, 2015. The information was released in a third report two months ago.

Experts were not able to confirm who was responsible for the 2014 barrel bombs in Kfar Zita in Hama governorate because fragments of the device used in the strike had been removed and could not be definitely associated with the location.

The United States, Britain and France are urging the U.N. Security Council to enforce sanctions on the Syrian government for using chemical weapons. Russia and China, however, are not likely to agree and could veto any new sanctions measures.

Before submission of the latest report, Russia said the conclusions could not be used to impose U.N. sanctions.

The U.N. is scheduled to discuss the report next Thursday.

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Syria army vows 'all possible means' against Turkish forces

Iran Press TV

Sat Oct 22, 2016 5:43PM

Syria has censured Turkey's fresh attacks against the Arab country as "occupation," pledging to use "all possible means" to deal with it.

In a Saturday statement, the General Command of the Syrian army said that the presence of Turkish troops on Syria's soil was unacceptable and a "dangerous escalation and flagrant breach of Syria's sovereignty."

The statement came after activists and local officials said Turkish tanks and Turkey-backed militants were marching toward the northern Syrian town of Tal Rif'at, which is largely controlled by Kurdish forces.

Fighting has also been reported between Turkey-backed militants and Kurdish fighters near the town.

Meanwhile, Turkey's military confirmed on Saturday that its rockets had targeted Kurdish fighters in northern Syria for the second time in less than 72 hours. The strikes hit 70 positions of the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) in northern Syria on Friday.

Ankara views YPG and its allied Democratic Union Party (PYD) as terrorist forces linked to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has been fighting for autonomy in Turkey's Kurdish-dominated regions for decades.

Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Saturday that the country would be expanding its operations in north Syria, including entering the cities of al-Bab, Manbij and Raqqah.

Erdogan claimed that Turkey "had no choice" but to enter al-Bab, despite criticism from the international community, "because we need to prepare an area purged from terrorism. The same goes for Manbij."

He added that if the so-called US-led coalition was ready to act jointly, Turkey would do "whatever is necessary' against the Daesh terrorist group in Raqqah but would not work with the Syrian Kurdish fighters.

Turkey has been hitting Kurdish positions in northern Syria in the recent past without acquiring permission from the government in Damascus. Turkey has also been pounding Kurds in Iraq, which is also unhappy with the Turkish military operations on its soil.

On August 24, Turkish special forces, tanks and jets backed by planes from the US-led coalition launched their first coordinated offensive in Syria. On the same day, Damascus denounced the intervention as a breach of its sovereignty.

Turkey said the incursion was meant to engage the Daesh Takfiri terrorists in the Syrian-Turkish border area as well as Kurdish fighters, who were themselves fighting Daesh.

Turkey has long been criticized for refusing to seriously fight Takfiri terrorists. The country stands accused of allowing potential militants to use its territory for travel and shipment of arms into Syria and buying smuggled oil from terrorists.

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UN Report Blames Syrian Regime For Third Chemical Attack

October 22, 2016

A United Nations inquiry has found Syrian government forces responsible for a third toxic gas attack.

A report of the attack was submitted by the UN and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to the UN Security Council on October 21. It sets the stage for a showdown between Russia and western powers over how to respond to the meticulously documented chemical weapons incident.

The report blamed Syrian government forces for an attack using toxic gas, probably chlorine, in Qmenas in Idlib governorate on March 16, 2015. The UN in August identified the Syrian regime as responsible for two other chlorine gas attacks in its own country.

The report is expected to prompt a showdown in the Security Council pitting Russia and possibly China against the United States, Britain, and France, which are expected to press for censure of the perpetrators.

After Syria was fingered in the earlier two chemical attacks, Russia blocked any action, saying the UN's conclusions could not be used to impose sanctions.

The latest UN report provided extensive detail on the attacks, saying the Syrian government used helicopters to drop barrel bombs, which then released chlorine gas. It even identified the bases where the helicopters took off.

Based on reporting by AP, AFP, and Reuters

Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/un-report-blames-syrian- regime-third-chemical-weaponds-attack-russia- security-council/28068606.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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UN Unable to Start Evacuation From Aleppo due to Security Issues

Sputnik News

18:25 22.10.2016(updated 21:04 22.10.2016)

The UN was not able to begin the medical evacuation from eastern Aleppo as the warring sides did not provide the necessary security guaranties, UN humanitarian office (UNOCHA) spokesman Jens Laerke told RIA Novosti Saturday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik)  According to Laerke, it was impossible to begin the evacuation on Saturday morning, but the UN was working actively on obtaining the necessary security guarantees and was hoping for everybody's cooperation.

"Medical evacuations of sick and wounded people and their immediate family members have still not been able to proceed this morning from eastern Aleppo. The UN remains hopeful that parties will provide all necessary guarantees and is actively working to that end," the spokesman said.

Laerke also said that security in Aleppo was still seriously compromised and stressed the humanitarian organization's readiness to start the evacuation as soon as the conditions would allow for it.

On Friday, Russia announced said that the humanitarian pause in Aleppo would be extended for one day, from 08:00 to 19:00 local time on October 22, while a source close to the International Syria Support Group said that Russian Defense Ministry and UN coordinated an evacuation of 200 wounded civilians and their families from Aleppo.

 Sputnik

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Syrian Military Says Turkish Army's Presence in Syria is Sign of Aggression

Sputnik News

17:16 22.10.2016(updated 17:23 22.10.2016)

Turkish Army entering Syria is an act of aggression and the Syrian government forces will take a strong stand against it, the Syrian Army said in a statement on Saturday.

ALEPPO (Sputnik)  It added that the violation of the sovereignty of the Syrian Arab Republic would only lead to the escalation of the conflict.

"The presence of the Turkish Army in Syria is unacceptable and a sign of aggression. We will fight, by all means, against them as invaders," the statement said.

Earlier, the representatives of Kurdish militants in Syria accused the Turkish Army of helping extremists and targeting Kurds' positions, including, most recently, sending 20 tanks to cover extremists' offensive on the city of Tel Rifaat in Aleppo province.

On August 24, Turkish forces, backed by US-led coalition aircraft, began a military operation also called Euphrates Shield to clear the Syrian border town of Jarabulus and the surrounding area of Daesh, outlawed in Russia and many other countries. As Jarabulus was retaken, the joint forces of Ankara, the coalition and Syrian rebels continued the offensive southwest.

 Sputnik

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Russian Military Presence Aims at Helping Syrian Authorities Combat Terrorism

Sputnik News

13:04 22.10.2016(updated 14:00 22.10.2016)

According to the Kremlin spokesman, Russia's military presence in Syria aims at helping legitimate power in combating terrorism.

YUZHNO-SAKHALINSK (Sputnik)  A military presence in Syria is not Russia's aim, but just a way of helping legitimate power in combating terrorism, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Saturday.

"The matter is that the temporary dislocation or base is not the aim, but the means of achieving the aim, and the aim, on its part, was declared by the president immediately, to help the legitimate Syrian authorities to combat terrorism, the Islamic State [IS, banned in Russia] and other terrorist groups," Peskov said in an interview in the "Vesti v Subbotu" show.

"Syrian territory needs to be liberated. It is necessary to liberate [it] and to do everything possible to prevent the country from dividing  This may end up in a catastrophe for the region," Peskov added.

 Sputnik

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Russian Warplanes Pummel Aleppo, Kurds and Syrian Rebels Clash North of City

By Jamie Dettmer October 23, 2016

Fierce clashes broke out this weekend in the besieged Syrian city of Aleppo, hours after a three-day cease fire ended with Russian and Syrian government warplanes launching waves of airstrikes and rebel militias targeting western districts held by Assad government troops with Grad rockets newly supplied by Gulf backers.

While international attention focused on the unfolding offensive on Mosul, the Islamic State's last major urban stronghold in Iraq, big battles are shaping up in northern Syria.

As fighting intensified Sunday in Syria's onetime commercial capital, just north of Aleppo Turkish-backed rebel militias, some also allied with the United States, launched an assault on the town of Tel Rifat in a bid to retake it from Western-aligned Kurdish fighters who ejected local Arabs when they overran the town last February.

The Kurdish-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces says it seized Tel Rifat and a clutch of neighboring villages to prevent them from falling into the hands of forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, during a blistering Russian-backed offensive. But the Kurdish fighters expelled Arabs and have refused to allow them to return, according to several refugees from Tel Rifat interviewed by VOA last month at a refugee camp in southern Turkey.

The seizure enraged rebel militias, who accused the Kurds of treachery and pledged to retaliate and take back Tel Rifat, historically an Arab town.

Civilian plight

The resumption of fighting in Aleppo and the clash between rebels and Kurds north of the city is worsening the already desperate plight of civilians warn U.N. officials. Relief agencies had hoped to get aid into the besieged rebel-held eastern districts of the city during a three-day unilateral pause in hostilities announced last week by Russia.

On Friday, U.N. officials said no aid got in, and because both warring parties refused to give security guarantees planned medical evacuations were cancelled.

Syrian state media and Russian authorities accused the rebels in the east of preventing civilians from leaving and of using them as "human shields", an accusation strongly denied by rebel leaders, who say most civilians aren't leaving because they mistrust the Assad government and fear what will happen to them after they leave.

Some who wanted to flee down a "humanitarian corridor" opened by Assad forces couldn't do so because of fighting. "Nobody has left through the corridors," Zakaria Malahifji, a commander with a Free Syrian Army militia, says. "Some who wanted to, couldn't leave because of shelling nearby," he added.

Up to 300,000 civilians are thought to be in eastern Aleppo. They have little food and woefully inadequate medical care, Syrian and Russian warplanes have repeatedly struck hospitals. No aid has entered Aleppo since July 7 and food rations will run out by the end of October, U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon warned Thursday.

French medical charity Doctors without Borders said Saturday the few medical supplies in eastern Aleppo are running out. "Aleppo's seven remaining hospitals cannot cope for much longer," it warned.

A monitoring group, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a British-based clearing house of information gathered by political activists in Syria, said the resumption of airstrikes Saturday came quickly after the cease-fire had ended. The United Nations had asked Moscow and Damascus to extend their pause in hostilities until Monday.

As warplanes struck, rebels retaliated with new arms supplies and launched Grad rocket attacks mainly targeting a military academy and al-Nayrab military airport southeast of Aleppo. But Grad attacks were also reported on civilian areas in the western parts of the city.

As airstrikes intensified overnight, the mother of seven-year-old Bana Alabed, the little girl whose tweets from inside eastern Aleppo that started to go viral earlier this month, tweeted: "Bad night and day. Ceasefire ended, bombing started."

Both sides had used the pause in hostilities to re-order their forces. A senior Russian military official, Sergei Rudskoi, said Saturday, "We are seeing them [the rebels] massing around Aleppo and preparing for another breakthrough into the city's western neighborhoods."

With new supplies of Grad rockets, the rebels are hoping to break the months-long encirclement by government forces of their eastern districts. Abdel Salam Abed, a spokesperson of the al-Zinki militia, said rebel brigades are preparing an offensive to break the siege.

The new phase in the battle for Aleppo "may be the biggest and most significant battle of the Syrian war," says Robin Yassin-Kassab, the co-author of the book Burning Country: Syrians in Revolution and War.

If Assad forces backed by Russian airpower are able to overrun the eastern half of the city, it would amount to the biggest reversal of rebel fortunes in the five-year civil war, dealing a devastating symbolic and strategic blow to the rebellion.

But if the rebels can manage to hang on or break the encirclement, it would demonstrate that no amount of Russian firepower can subdue the insurgents, say analysts.

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President urged to reach peace deal with Beijing

ROC Central News Agency

2016/10/22 18:27:36

Taipei, Oct. 22 (CNA) A group comprising survivors and families of victims of political suppression from the 1950s urged President Tsai Ing-wen () Saturday to sign a peace agreement with Beijing to ensure the peaceful development of cross-Taiwan Strait relations.

The group put forward the proposal at an annual event held in Taipei to remember the "white terror" victims. The theme of this year's event was "peace agreement and historical justice," according to the group.

As survivors of "white terror" and families of the victims, the group said they have a very deep feeling about the damage caused to Taiwanese society by the 38-year-long martial law imposed by the former Kuomintang regime following its retreat to Taiwan after losing the Chinese civil war.

They argued that Tsai's efforts to promote transitional justice, which they said merely targets the injustices committed by the past authoritarian rulers, is based on "a distortion of history."

Whether it is cross-strait confrontation or authoritarian repression in Taiwan, they can both trace their roots to the prolonged state of cross-strait hostilities as a result of the Chinese civil war, they said.

The problem, which remains unresolved to this day, is also to blame for the current tensions across the strait and the political rivalry in Taiwan, they said.

As Taiwan's national leader, Tsai has the responsibility to correct the mistakes of history and should work to put an end to cross-strait confrontation, as the focus of her efforts to promote transitional justice, according to the group.

To that end, they said, the president should sign a peace agreement with Beijing to protect the peaceful development of cross-strait relations and ensure that the two sides "will not revert to the old path of confrontation."

(By Lu Hsin-hui and Y.F. Low)

ENDITEM/J

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Tang, ivory smuggler, leaves Chengdu's intermediate People's Court on Thursday, October 20, 2016. [Photo: wccdaily.com.cn]

22-year-old man surnamed Tang is likely to face up tp 10 years of jail for smuggling ivory into China, reported wccdaily.com.cn.

Tang, from southwest Sichuan Province, bought six ivory products from Malaysia through online dealers with 30,000 yuan.

He intended to resell them in China.

When the products arrived in Chengdu, he was scared to collect it as he was told that ivory sales and imports violate the law.

The smuggled ivory was found by Chengdu's Shuangliu International Airport Customs in August last year.

The 12-kilogram products were valued at over 500,000 yuan by a third party.

When Chengdu's Intermediate People's Court heard the case last week, the court pronounced Tang guilty of smuggling ivory.

In his self-defense, Tang pleaded for a lighter sentence as he never tried to receive the ivory.

Under China's Criminal Law, smuggling over 200,000 yuan worth of goods made from endangered animals will be given between 5-10 years in prison and must pay the corresponding penalties.

China is also working to crackdown smuggling ivory products into the country.

Last year, China jointly issued a statement with the U.S. on nearly-complete bans on ivory import and export, including significant restrictions on ivory hunting trophies, and regulation to halt the domestic commercial trade of ivory.

Authorities are also expanding bans on ivory.

Official numbers show that the market for ivory in China - both legal and illegal - is shrinking.

The number of wildlife smuggling cases last year dropped 70 percent from 2013, and the use of legal ivory for carved products dropped to about 80 percent in recent years.

According to International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), the ivory trade is pushing endangered elephants towards extinction. Every year, 25,000-30,000 African Elephants are poached to supply the ivory trade.
KMT regrets rejection of constitutional interpretation request

ROC Central News Agency

2016/10/22 13:29:35

Taipei, Oct. 22 (CNA) Taiwan's main opposition party Kuomintang expressed regret on Saturday after the Constitutional Court turned down a request by its legislators for an interpretation on a law targeting the party's controversial assets.

Last month, the 35 KMT legislators jointly requested the Constitutional Court to issue an interpretation on the Statute on Handling the Inappropriate Assets of Political Parties and Their Affiliated Organizations, which the KMT considers to be "unconstitutional and unlawful."

The request, however, has been rejected by the court on the ground that it is not supported by an adequate number of legislators.

According to Taiwan's law, a request for constitutional interpretation is considered valid only if it is endorsed by one third of legislators, which means 38 people given that the Legislature has 113 seats.

The KMT legislators have also requested the court to issue an interpretation on that requirement, but the court has not indicated whether it will accept this request.

Commenting on the issue, KMT spokesman Chou Chih-wei () said the Statute on Handling the Inappropriate Assets of Political Parties and Their Affiliated Organizations has hampered the normal operation of political parties and impacted the development of Taiwan's constitutional democracy.

He urged grand justices to carefully deal with the KMT legislators' request for an interpretation on the requirement regarding constitutional interpretation.

The party assets law, which was passed in July and took effect in August, empowers a committee to investigate, retroactively confiscate and return or restore to the rightful owners all assets obtained by the KMT and its affiliated organizations since Aug. 15, 1945 -- when Japan handed over its assets in Taiwan to the then ruling party of the Republic of China.

The law assumes that all KMT assets -- except for the party's membership fees, political donations, government subsidies for KMT candidates running for public offices, and interest generated from these funds -- are "ill-gotten" and must be transferred to the state or returned to their rightful owners.

Late last month, the KMT's main bank account was frozen based on the demand of the committee, forcing the party to delay paying its employees their salaries for September. The KMT has criticized the committee for the action, saying it does not have the legal right to ask the bank to freeze the account.

(By Hsieh Chia-chen and Y.F. Low)

ENDITEM/cs

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Taiwan aims to strengthen relations with Southeast Asia: premier

ROC Central News Agency

2016/10/22 21:09:37

Taipei, Oct. 22 (CNA) Taiwan is working to deepen relations with Southeast Asian countries and facilitate more people-to-people exchanges with those countries, Premier Lin Chuan () said Saturday while explaining the government's "New Southbound Policy."

During a visit to late writer Wu Chuo-liu's () home in Hsinchu County that day, Lin was asked by reporters to explain President Tsai Ing-wen's () "New Southbound Policy" and how it differs from the policies of previous administrations.

In response, Lin said that the aim of the government is to cement Taiwan's relations with the countries of Southeast Asia through people-to-people exchanges and through the signing of more agreements between the respective governments.

He said relations should not just be about trade and investment, and that in fact, economic relations last longer and are less susceptible to political changes if they are based on a strong foundation and mutual understanding.

More opening measures toward Southeast Asia can be expected in the near future, Lin added.

(By Lu Kang-chun and Christie Chen)

ENDITEM/J

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KATHMANDU, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Nepal has proposed the date for holding the bilateral meeting with China on finalizing the protocol of the Transit Transport Agreement (TTA) for Nov. 6-8, a senior Nepalese government official said.

During visit of former Nepalese Prime Minister K.P Sharma Oli to China last March, the two nations had signed the agreement which will pave the way for either country to use each other's territory for third country trade.

However, the TTA is just a framework and is incomplete without the protocol. The protocol to the TTA will include details about customs arrangements, mode of transport, types of cargo and operational modality.

Nepal's third country trade is presently conducted only through Indian territory. The TTA with China allows the Himalayan country to transport its imports and exports via its neighbour's territory.

Rabi Sainju, joint secretary at the Nepal's Commerce Ministry, who also heads protocol preparation team of Nepal government, told Xinhua on Saturday that they proposed the date for holding the meeting on protocol.

"The Chinese side has said they would respond within a few days on the proposed date," he said. After the signing of TTA, it will be the first bilateral meeting regarding the development of protocol to the agreement.

Sainju said that while signing the protocol, Nepal wanted to use transit facility through 4-5 border points between two countries to reach the China's 2-3 sea ports for conducting trade with third countries.

"We have not specifically mentioned border points and sea ports that we want to use in the draft of protocol we have sent to the Chinese side," he said. "It will be concluded based on discussion between the two sides."

Nepalese experts say that an efficient transport network and simplified paperwork and information system will be essential to make practical use of the transit facility.

Nepal has signed transit agreement with India and Bangladesh, but has been able to use transit facility provided by India only so far.
Voter registrars in the Dan River Region said they have multiple ways of guarding against voter fraud during the presidential election, as political analysts say there is little evidence to support large-scale fraud claims.

 We feel like were doing our due diligence on our end, said Pittsylvania County registrar Kelly Bailess.

During recent rallies and appearances, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has suggested that the election could be rigged against him because large-scale voter fraud.

But voter fraud is very rare, according to Geoffrey Skelley, associate editor for Larry Sabatos Crystal Ball forecast site.

 It is very, very uncommon, Skelley said. Multiple studies have found zero or miniscule cases of in-person voter fraud, which is the type that many politicians and voters seem to be most worried about.

Trump also raised concerns of voters using the names of the deceased to vote multiple times.

 People that have died 10 years ago are still voting, he claimed in a speech on Monday.

However, Danville registrar Peggy Petty said her office uses several methods to make sure those names are taken off voter lists.

 I feel very confident that our records are in really good shape, Petty said.

In addition to a death certificate list from the Virginia Department of Elections, Petty said her staff uses family notifications and checks obituaries to make sure their records are up to date.

Petty also said Virginias 2013 voter ID law  which requires voters to show one of several photo IDs at the polls  prevents against most in-person voter fraud.

 That should stop any attempt of fraud, Petty said.

Petty also said she knows most of the Danville addresses from her 33 years of experience in local elections, and also checks registration addresses against the postal service database.

 Theyre not going to get on a list if they dont have a legitimate physical address, Petty said.

Bailess said the office also makes sure voters with the same name and address are two different people.

 In essence, there are a lot of genuine voters who are registered in the same home that are juniors and seniors, she said.

Bailess said several voting locations in the county this year will also be able to scan in drivers license barcodes, which will help to reduce workloads for poll workers.

 The election officials are the ones on the front line, Bailess said. Were the ones that prepare all year long and process and continue to update those records.

Skelley cited research in 2014 that found just 31 cases of credible in-person voter fraud out of more than 1 billion ballots cast. Additional research by various state elections commissions have found most cases of ballots cast by deceased persons to be clerical errors or false positive matches between death certificates and voter rolls.

 There is just little evidence for it being pernicious or widespread, Skelley said.

Metcalfe reports for the Danville Register & Bee.
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As the 2015 fiscal year officially ended Oct. 1 for the federal government, former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture John Block spoke of pros and cons about the future of the agriculture industry.

"In these times of low farm prices, it is encouraging to see farm associations and leaders stepping up to protect our farmers and ranchers," he said.

The CEOs of CropLife America, the National Corn Growers Association, and the American Soybean Association became a powerful ag industry leadership team, including the American Farm Bureau, the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, National Farmers Union, and many more, Block said.

"The leaders met with policy representatives of both Trump and Clinton campaigns," he said. "Farm leaders of different crops and different priorities spoke in unison. Stop the regulatory overreach. Trade is important to us. We need labor to pick the strawberries. Regardless of who gets elected as President our industry needs to be heard."

According to Block's email, the Ag CEO council of leaders has also been meeting with Secretary Tom Vilsack. They have argued that the Obama administration (and the EPA) has been too quick to regulate, that it has ignored sound science, forced new rules on states and rewritten the definition of waters of the U. S., and more.

Vilsack, who has served as U.S. agriculture secretary longer than anyone, said agriculture in its broadest sense is about national security. He said his concern is whether we are prepared "to embrace science." "It's not just about food security, nutrition, or poverty reduction, it's about national security."

Both Vilsack and Block are strong advocates of trade. They have both made trips to Cuba and supported reopening free trade with Cuba. So has the Waco-based Texas Farm Bureau.

"Agricultural exports contribute about 25 percent to the income of farmers and ranchers, so you can see the importance of foreign trade with other countries, including Cuba," said Glen Jones, director of research and policy development for the Texas Farm Bureau.

Texas has managed to sell rice and other states have sold soybean oil. Nonetheless, the 50-year embargo costs the United States $1.2 billion annually. Removing trade barriers could mean big opportunities for Texas agriculture. The top five Texas ag exports are cotton, beef and veal, feeds and fodder, dairy, hides and skins.

Block and six other former U.S. Secretaries of Agriculture have urged Congress to pass the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement.

"We have seen and experienced the value of other trade agreements that we have supported," Block told me over lunch during the annual National Association of Farm Broadcasters convention in Kansas City, Missouri, last year.

Beef imports in August were 16 percent lower than a year ago," said David Anderson, economist with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension at College Station. For the first time in more than two years, the U.S. imported more beef from Canada than from Australia.

He said imports from Canada and Mexico are up 14 and 10 percent, respectively, yet imports are down from every other major import source.

Anderson said beef exports are around 94 million pounds ahead of the same time a year ago.

"Certainly exports have been a growth market for the cattle and beef industry," he said. "The net change in 2016 trade compared to 2015 due to the decline in imports and increase in exports has been 405 million pounds less beef on the U.S. market."

Anderson said beef production climbed almost 1 billion pounds during the first three quarters of the year, but total supplies are only up 628 million pounds.

According to the USDA, the annual value of Texas agricultural exports is $6.4 billion and 50,800 Texas jobs are supported by agricultural exports.

Jerry Lackey is the agriculture editor emeritus. Contact him at jlackey@wcc.net.
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Defense giants look for new solutions

By Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times (TNS)

LOS ANGELES  A public awareness campaign last year did little to deter the growing number of rogue drones flying near wildfires and forcing firefighters to ground their own aircraft.

So this year, the Department of the Interior tried something a little more direct.

The agency gave real-time access to data on all active wildfires to two airspace mapping companies as part of a pilot program.

One of those firms, AirMap, worked with drone manufacturer DJI, which created "geofences" around wildfires. When drones hit the virtual boundary, the geofencing software overrides the flight controller and forces them to hover in place. Any drone deployed inside the barrier won't be able to lift off.

"We really want to have this new community of pilots be as responsible as the manned aircraft pilots that came before them," said Mark Bathrick, director of the office of aviation services at the Department of the Interior.

As private drone use has soared, so has concern about keeping the remote-controlled aircraft away from sensitive and high-risk areas such as airports, nuclear power plants and prisons.

Those concerns are heightened by high-profile incidents such as the near collision in March of a drone and a Lufthansa jet approaching Los Angeles International Airport. In 2013 a drone crash landed in front of German Chancellor Angela Merkel at a campaign event, and a quadcopter crashed on the White House lawn in 2015.

Defense giants Boeing Co. and Lockheed Martin Corp., as well as a handful of startups, have jumped into the fray, developing technology ranging from detection systems to more disruptive solutions such as software that forces unauthorized drones to go home or land safely and laser cannons that shoot unwanted drones out of the sky.

The technology is of interest to commercial users as well as the government. The Department of Defense hosts an annual counterdrone demonstration called Black Dart in which the military, its allies and industry partners can assess current technology and techniques.

Earlier this year, the Federal Aviation Administration tested FBI drone-detection technology at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York and Atlantic City International Airport in New Jersey for a few weeks.

Last year, Boeing unveiled its compact laser weapons system, which ignites targeted drones. At a demonstration in California, Boeing said it took only about 15 seconds for its 2-kilowatt laser to disable the drone.

Though the counterdrone industry is still nascent, the global market  including both civilian and military uses  could be worth at least several hundreds of millions of dollars, said Michael Blades, senior industry analyst for aerospace and defense at research and consulting firm Frost & Sullivan.

"With all the talk of how many drones are going to be flying around and, at least on the commercial side, how much privacy is going to be an issue, I think these companies saw an opportunity," he said.

Much will depend on how well the technology works. It's not easy to devise a system that tracks and identifies tiny drones, and stops unauthorized ones without knocking out everything  or creating a safety hazard.

"This rapid proliferation of startups, of large companies all proposing systems that deal with the issue in different ways, suggests to me that there isn't one single unifying solution for how to bring drones out of the sky," said Arthur Holland Michel, co-director of the Center for the Study of the Drone at Bard College in New York. "Every single step of the process is challenging."

That starts with identifying whether drones are friendly or rogue.

Autonomous drone-detection systems need to be sophisticated enough to distinguish between slow-moving drones and birds, or even the signals emitted from drones compared with those emitted by cellphones.

Detection systems will likely need to integrate a number of sensors such as acoustics, cameras, radio frequency or even radar to create "multilayer capability," Blades said.

Other companies and organizations are looking into the interdiction, or disruptive, aspect of how to safely deal with a drone threat once it is identified.

At Aerospace Corp., researchers are investigating how to isolate the link between a specific drone and its controller that could lead to a safe takeover  rather than blindly "jamming," or interrupting, all of the authorized frequencies in that range to cause confusion and force a potentially unpredictable landing. It is illegal for nongovernment entities to operate these kinds of jammers.

That sounds easier than it is. Drones change their frequency band tens of times a second to ensure an uninterrupted communications link, said Randy Villahermosa, principal director of research and program development at Aerospace Corp. But by using software-defined radios and integrating the team's coding knowledge, the researchers have been able to successfully take over a drone's controls in several tests, said Esteban Valles, associate director of digital communication in the implementation department at Aerospace Corp.

The researchers have also worked on pinpointing the position of a rogue drone's controller, allowing law enforcement to find the pilot.

There have been more than 300 so-called drone incidents in California between April 2014 and Jan. 31, 2016, according to an analysis of FAA data by U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein's office. More than half of these incidents involved a drone that flew within 5 miles of an airport.

In one case from early January, a Cessna agricultural aircraft reported that it possibly hit a drone about 1,400 feet in the air near Modesto, according to the analysis. No damage was reported to the aircraft.

Aerospace Corp. does not sell its products commercially but is trying to better understand how drone communications work so it can advise customers on their own technology solutions, Villahermosa said.

Drone maker DJI introduced its GPS-based geofence system about three years ago. It prevents "inadvertent" drone operations in sensitive areas, such as airports or in Washington, D.C.

Since drones rely on their GPS receivers to determine where they are, DJI preprograms certain locations into the geofencing system. If a drone gets close to one of these locations, operators first receive a warning, said Brendan Schulman, vice president of policy and legal affairs at DJI. If they continue to fly their drone, they will be stopped by the geofence. The distance around these sensitive locations can vary.

A more recent version includes locations with a temporary flight restriction, such as sporting events.

DJI, which analysts estimate sells up to 70 percent of all consumer and professional drones, has included the option of overriding the geofence for wildfires, allowing a "verified" user to input credit card information or a mobile phone number to give firefighting or other authorized personnel the ability to keep using drones for legitimate efforts.

"It's really a balance between safety and innovation," Schulman said. "We don't want to just shut down the technology in places it can be useful."
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Water striders' ability to walk and jump on the surfaces of ponds and lakes has long amazed curious observers  and inspired robot designers who want to mimic the bugs' talent. Now, scientists have measured for the first time key parameters that allow them to walk on water  by studying their leg shadows. The findings, reported in the ACS journal Langmuir, could contribute to designs for water-skimming robots.

More than 2,000 years ago, Greek scientist Archimedes explained flotation, stating that the upward, floating force on an object in water equals the weight (or downward force) of the water displaced. The principle has informed the building of ships, submarines and other aquatic vehicles. But for tiny water striders, water isn't displaced. It is expelled by the insect's hairy legs. The updated Archimedes principle predicts that the weight of the expelled water should equal the floating force. But confirming this prediction experimentally is a challenge. Because water striders are so light, they are almost impossible to weigh using conventional techniques. So Yu Tian and colleagues used an unconventional method  analyzing the shadows cast by the insects' legs.

The researchers placed a white sheet of paper at the bottom of a lab aquarium housing water striders and installed a light source above the water. The insects' stick-straight legs cast shadows that were rounded, representing the curvature of the water and the expelled water volume from which the floating force and weight can be calculated, the researchers say. Also, from these measurements, the striders' slightest shifts in weight and body angle could be detected for the first time.

The authors acknowledge funding from the National Natural Science Foundation of China.

Gold could be key for cancer treatment

A diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is often a death sentence because chemotherapy and radiation have little impact on the disease. In the U.S. this year, some 53,000 new cases will be diagnosed, and 42,000 patients will die of the disease, according to the National Institutes of Health. But research now being reported in ACS Nano could eventually lead to a new type of treatment based on gold nanoparticles.

Scientists have previously studied these tiny gold particles as a vehicle to carry chemotherapy drug molecules into tumors or as a target to enhance the impact of radiation on tumors. In addition, Priyabrata Mukherjee and colleagues previously found that gold nanoparticles themselves could limit tumor growth and metastasis in a model of ovarian cancer in mice.

Now, the team has determined that the same holds true for mouse models of pancreatic cancer. But interestingly, the new work revealed details about cellular communication in the area surrounding pancreatic tumors. By interrupting this communication  which is partly responsible for this cancer's lethal nature  the particles reduced the cell proliferation and migration that ordinarily occurs near these tumors. Gold nanoparticles of the size used in the new study are not toxic to normal cells, the researchers note.

The authors acknowledge funding from National Institutes of Health.

The cost of plastic packaging

These days, grocery stores contain aisle after aisle of products encased in plastic packaging. This practice preserves food and might help prevent food waste, but does the environmental cost justify it? The cover story of Chemical & Engineering News (C&EN), the weekly newsmagazine of the American Chemical Society, looks into the matter.

Alexander H. Tullo, a senior correspondent at C&EN, notes that there are multiple benefits to wrapping food in plastic. Plastic is lighter than metal and glass, which means more products can be loaded onto a truck, lowering the impact of transportation. Packaging also extends shelf life. An individually wrapped cucumber, for example, can last more than four times longer than if it didn't have that plastic sleeve. This longer life could help reduce the amount of food that gets tossed  currently estimated to be a third of all food the world produces, according to the Food & Agriculture Organization of the U.N.

However, all this plastic comes with a cost. The story cites a report, released by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation in January, estimating that in 2013, industry produced 78 million metric tons of plastic packaging worldwide. Of that, 40 percent went to landfills, and nearly a third "leaked" to the environment. "Without significant action, there may be more plastic than fish in the ocean, by weight, by 2050," the report says. At least a partial solution could come in the form of new plastics that are easier to recycle or are lighter weight. New technologies are already emerging toward those ends.

Discoveries is produced by the American Chemistry Society. Its website is acs.org.
Associated Press The Ecuadorean national flag flies outside its London Embassy, where WikiLeaks found Julian Assange has sought refuge since 2012. Assange says his hosts have cut him off from the internet.

SHARE A woman walks past the Ecuadorean Embassy in London, Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016. Midway through releasing a series of damaging disclosures about U.S. presidential contender Hillary Clinton, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange says his hosts at the Ecuadorean Embassy in London abruptly cut him off from the internet. The news adds another layer of intrigue to an extraordinary campaign. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

By Gonzalo Solano, Associated Press

QUITO, Ecuador  WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is finding himself in open conflict with his Ecuadorean protectors as the group's latest dump targeting Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign runs afoul of the South American government's goal of warming up to Washington.

Ecuador's move to cut off his internet access at its embassy in London was a stinging rebuke from leftist President Rafael Correa, who in 2012 heralded Assange as a digital-age Robin Hood and granted him asylum over protests from the United States, the United Kingdom and Sweden, where he faces allegations of rape.

Correa's government said Tuesday that WikiLeaks' publication of a trove of damaging emails from Clinton's campaign had impacted the U.S. election in violation of Ecuador's traditional respect for other nations' sovereignty.

Analysts say Correa is unlikely to now kick Assange out into the streets of London where he faces certain arrest. But allowing him to keep leaking secrets from the embassy risks putting the small Andean nation unwittingly on Russia's side of a brewing cyber-battle with the United States, Ecuador's top trade partner, at a time of deep economic stress.

"Before, the costs for Ecuador of hosting Assange were minor," said Santiago Basabe, a political analyst at the Latin American School of Social Sciences in Quito. "But they are growing bigger now because they involve questions of U.S. national security, its tense relations with Russia and the presidential elections."

The cascade of disclosures of Democratic operatives' hacked emails, including this week's publication of Clinton's speeches to Wall Street investment bank Goldman Sachs, has been hailed by Republican candidate Donald Trump as evidence of his rival's dishonesty. However, U.S. intelligence agents say the hack is the work of the Kremlin, although it's not clear how the files ended up with WikiLeaks.

Regardless, Ecuador has plenty of reasons to try to curry favor with Washington.

The oil-dependent, dollarized economy is fighting a recession made worse by low crude prices, a destructive earthquake in April and a strong U.S. dollar. Adding to the uncertainty is Correa's imminent departure from office after a decade in power that provided a sense of stability after years of coups and revolving-door presidencies.

Analysts say whoever wins February's election  Correa's preferred successor currently leads polls  is almost certain to turn to the International Monetary Fund for a bailout. In such a scenario the support of the Washington, the biggest shareholder in the IMF, will be key in determining how severe an austerity program is required.

"Assange has inserted Ecuador in the U.S. presidential campaign and exposed it to retaliation in case Clinton wins," said former Foreign Minister Mauricio Gandara, adding that the publication of stolen documents is considered a crime in Ecuador.

Correa, who in 2009 closed the only U.S. military base in South America and two years later expelled the U.S. ambassador, still peppers his speeches with anti-Yankee harangues in the mold of the late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

But with Venezuela in economic free fall and ideological allies losing power in countries like Argentina and Brazil, Correa has quietly extended an olive branch to the Obama administration and sought to deepen commercial ties. This week he's hosting a U.S. trade delegation.

Correa also praised Clinton in an interview last month with Moscow-based broadcaster RT.

"For the good of the United States and the world, and for my personal appreciation of her, I'd like to see Hillary win," he said.

Tensions between Assange and his hosts have surfaced before. In 2013, Correa criticized him for shooting a video from the embassy mocking Australian politicians during a political campaign.

On Tuesday, Ecuador said WikiLeaks' "journalistic activities" would not be affected by the "temporary restrictions" on Assange's communications.

Assange accused Ecuador of bowing to U.S. pressure and alleged that Secretary of State John Kerry discussed the issue with Correa last month in Colombia, something both Washington and Quito deny.

It seems unlikely he will submit to the internet ban quietly. Over the weekend WikiLeaks released three lines of code it described as "pre-commitments," labeling them "John Kerry," ''Ecuador," and "FCO"  an apparent reference to Britain's Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Pre-commitments are cryptographic functions that can be used to verify the integrity of material released subsequently.
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Name: David Jones

Age: 64

Family: Wife- Pamela, 3 adult children, 8 grandchildren

Qualifications for serving as sheriff: B.A. Degree in Police Administration, Master Police Officer, 43 years of diverse law enforcement experience

Number of years living in Tom Green County: 28 years

Why do you want to be sheriff?

I have a lifetime invested in law enforcement and want to continue serving the citizens of Tom Green County as their Sheriff to provide a safe, wholesome environment in which to live, work, pursue worthy goals and raise a family.

What is the most important skill for the sheriff to have?

Leadership

What are the three most pressing or serious issues the sheriff's office will face, and how would you address them?

1. Currently our jail population has exploded. We currently house a significant number of inmates out of county at a great expense to the citizens of the county. I am working with the county officials to begin construction of a new jail facility to help alleviate the county's expense in housing prisoners out of county. This will also provide a facility that will meet current jail standards as required by law.

2. Illegal drugs. Illegal drugs are at the root of most of the crime we are experiencing today. In the past four years, our drug enforcement efforts have increased significantly. Our drug enforcement efforts will continue to be a priority to help bring our crime rates down.

3. Budgets. With the current economic trends, maintaining a budget sufficient enough to attract and maintain a trained and experienced work force is difficult. I am wholly committed to responsible, wise stewardship of budgeted resources provided to the Sheriff's Office. I will work with the County Judge and Commissioners, who oversee the budget, to provide a budget adequately funded to meet the Sheriff's Office goals.

How will the new jail affect your budget and staff?

Staff requirements are set by the Texas Jail Commission and have to be followed. The budget for the jail is set by the Tom Green County Commissioners Court. The court is aware of the budgeting issues as they relate to the jail and will fund the jail as required.

What do you see as the relationship between the sheriff's office and San Angelo Police Department?

The Sheriff's Office and the San Angelo Police Department have a good working relationship. The Sheriff and Police Chief both know that in order to provide the best services for our citizens, we have to work together. This is being done on a daily basis and we will continue to work together to serve our citizens in the best way possible.

Assess the recent performance of the sheriff's office and, if elected, would you keep it on the same direction or change course?

The last four years have been positive and productive years at the Sheriff's Office. Building on the successes of the past, we have cooperatively resolved to reach forward for the mark of excellence which comes from assertive planning, problem solving and goal setting achieved through effective strategies to make them reality. Standards have been raised across the board. High expectations are the norm and we will continue to strive to meet the Sheriff's Office motto: "Service, Integrity, ExcellenceWithout Compromise"
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Name: Walter Bryant

Age: 53

Family: Two children, a son and daughter. My father Walter Bryant Sr. is a retired City Marshal.

Qualifications for serving as sheriff: Worked 20 years with the Tom Green County Sheriff department. Worked in many areas of the department including the jail where he was promoted to corporal of identification department, worked as a sergeant on patrol, and as a SWAT Team leader.

Number of years living in Tom Green County: I was born in raised in Tom Green County, I received my education, and my law enforcement training in Tom Green County.

Why do you want to be sheriff?

I got into law enforcement believing I can make a difference. I want to give back to a community that raised a man. I want to show the community; a man of this community can provide an effective law enforcement agency. I have spoken to several people about the problems that exist between peace officer and civilians. Several people spoke about respect. I believe respect is a key issue that will divide us as a people or bring us together as a unit. I believe I can repair the problem to form an effective unit between the department and the community.

As, an officer I have seen this community grow and develop into the wonderful city it is today. Along with that growth, I have seen the increase of criminal activity and corruption taking place within our community. This community needs an intervention. Our community needs a determined, motivated and aggressive law enforcement department to stand up with the community and say "Enough!" I believe as Sheriff of Tom Green County; I can help decrease the criminal activities in this county.

What is the most important skill for the sheriff to have?

I think the most important skill for sheriff is to be able to lead, listen, and be assessable. As sheriff, there are many time I will be behind a desk doing administrative work, but during spare time, I will be in a mark unit answering the calls of the community. While being more active in the community, I as Sheriff I can see the needs of the community and the needs of the officers. How can I properly protect, respect and serve the community, if I'm not out alone side with the deputies seeing firsthand the needs of the community. I will be a working Sheriff.

What are the three most pressing or serious issues the sheriff's office will face, and how would you address them?

I believe the most serious issues are communication between law enforcement, department morale and drugs and drug related criminal activity. As Sheriff, I would like the deputies to be active in the community. I will like the deputies to take the time to meet the citizen not only as a call of service but on more of a personal level. The deputies should take the time to shake the hands of citizen in passing. I would like the deputies to stop with citizen and ask if there are issues in their neighborhood that needed to be addressed.

As, Sheriff I would increase the morale of the department by giving the officer a say in major changes within the department that would affect their outside lives. The officer should know they are essential part of the department and not just an unknown extension of the department.

As, Sheriff I will utilize every asset available to the department to preserve the rights and the safety of our citizens. I will use our SWAT Team to aggressively persevere and constraint the high-risk warrants. I will develop a drug and criminal interdiction team for surveillance, investigation, and arrest of multiple party crimes. Most importantly, I will do everything possible to give you back what has been slowly taken from the citizens of this community: "your freedom". How can you feel free if you don't feel protected in your community? "Freedom is a God given right and what God has given you, let no man take it away".

How will the new jail affect your budget and staff?

The budget is determined by the Commissioners of Tom Green County. The new jail like all things will affect everyone working there including the inmates. I believe in time all the problems will be worked out and will run smoothly. The new jail will provide more room for inmates, which will reduce the conflicts between them.

What do you see as the relationship between the sheriff's office and San Angelo Police Department?

As, sheriff I don't see an issue between the two department. I believe the relationship between the two department is great. Communication between the department should continue as such to properly serving the community. Tom Green County has three affective agencies. I believe each agency is good at what they do. (Tom Green County Sheriff department, San Angelo Police Department and Department of Public safety) three agencies one goal, to protect, respect and serve our community.

Assess the recent performance of the sheriff's office and, if elected, would you keep it on the same direction or change course?

The overall performance of the sheriff's office is good. But as sheriff I will make it better. I would be more involve in the working activities of the jail. I would make sure the jail personnel know they are an essential part of the sheriff department. They deal with people who don't want to be there daily and should be recognized. I would make sure to assist the deputies in every way. I would let them know I have not forgotten where I came from. As, Sheriff my administration will be a working administration, they will wear a uniform at times and get in a unit.
PARIS, Oct. 22 -- A Chinese exhibition entitled "Common Witness: The Rape of Nanking or Nanjing Massacre" opened Saturday in the Caen Memorial in Caen, a town in northwestern France.

It is the first exhibition in Europe to display China's collection on the massacre since the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization added the Nanjing Massacre to its Memory of the World Register in 2015.

The exhibition spans 800 square meters, with over 270 photos, 50 pieces of physical evidence and videos on the Nanjing Massacre, which lasted from Dec. 13, 1937 to January 1938, during which more than 300,000 civilians and Chinese unarmed soldiers were killed by Japanese invaders, said Zhang Jianjun, general director of the Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall.

The Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall, which co-organized the exhibition with the Caen Memorial, is China's largest museum dedicated to this massacre.

This exhibition mainly introduces the massacre in the eyes of European and American witnesses who were in Nanjing during the unusual inhuman tragedy, presenting original contents from the archives in the form of daily notes, letters, documents, photos and videos made by these witnesses, Zhang said.

"We welcome this exhibition for our public to learn that the Second World War indeed started in July 1937. In China, your people, like all peoples in the war, including the Japanese people, suffered terribly from this inhumanity of man to man," said Stephane Grimaldi, general director of the Caen Memorial, during the exhibition's inauguration ceremony.

"History does not change. History is not forgotten. It sheds light on the future. It is in remembering the cruelty of war that we understand better the value of peace. We meet here today, not to perpetuate the hatred, but to enable our future generations to live in peace," said Chinese Ambassador to France Zhai Jun.

The on-site visitors are deeply attracted by this exhibition. "This is my first visit to an exhibition about the Nanjing Massacre. The number of people who were killed, the little reaction the massacre has caused internationally ... are surprising," a 30-year-old French visitor Daniel told Xinhua.
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New laws, less crime cited for drop

By John Moritz, USA TODAY Network Austin Bureau

AUSTIN  Barring an eleventh-hour reprieve, Dallas killer John David Battaglia will be put to death Dec. 7 and become the final inmate Texas executes in 2016.

It's not at all surprising that someone who would shoot and kill his own two daughters, who were 6 and 9 at the time, would die by lethal injection in Huntsville, just like the 537 other murderers in Texas who went before him since capital punishment resumed in the state 34 years earlier.

But what is surprising is that Battaglia, 45 at the time of his crime and 61 years old now, would be only the seventh Texas inmate to be executed in this calendar year. That's the lowest number in two decades, and Battaglia is on Texas' death row at a time its population is the lowest it's been since 1987.

"These numbers seem to coincide with a public that is falling out of love with the death penalty," said Kathryn Kase, a veteran capital case attorney who runs the Texas Defenders Service.

Kase, whose nonprofit organization provides legal assistance during the appeals process in death penalty cases, said issues that have bubbled up over the past decade  such as exonerations based on DNA and other evidence and racial and ethnic disparities in defendants who are sentenced to death, have raised doubts about whether the system is fair.

But the decline in both executions and the Texas death row population also can be traced to a law passed in 2005 that gives jurors the option of sentencing capital murderers to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Before the law, an inmate sentenced to life was eligible for parole in 40 years.

State Sen. Eddie Lucio, the Brownsville Democrat who authored the 2005 law, said the decline in executions and in the number of Texas inmates being sentenced to die reflect exactly what he had hoped to accomplish when he first introduced the measure years before it finally passed.

"I think the impact of the option for life without parole has been huge in decreasing both executions and new death sentences," said Lucio, who in 2015 introduced legislation to abolish the death penalty in Texas. "We passed the bill with the logic that many jurors were not supportive of the death penalty, but also could not in good conscience vote for a life sentence when they knew the criminal would eventually be eligible for parole and return to the streets."

The numbers support his argument. From 1997 through 2006, Texas averaged 27 executions per year  by far the highest number of any state in the union. That average works out to about one execution every two weeks. But from 2007 through this year, the yearly average has fallen to 16.

The increase in executions in Texas started after the courts upheld the constitutionality of a law passed in 1995 that streamlined the appeals process after the tough-on-crime Legislature grew frustrated by how long inmates remained on death row awaiting execution.

In 1996, while the law was under court review, only three executions were carried out in Huntsville. But the following year cranked up what death penalty critics would call "the Texas conveyor belt of death:" 37 condemned inmates would die in 1997; 55 over the next two years and a record 40 in 2000.

Twice during that period, two inmates were executed on a single night  in June 1997 and in August 2000. The two inmates executed on June 4, 1997, were among eight to be put to death with in a two-week span.

Although the death penalty retained solid public support, death penalty opponents and capital case defense lawyers began seeing some success in the courts.

In 2002, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that subjecting inmates with mental retardation to the death penalty violated the constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment. Three years later, the high court ruled that defendants who killed before their 18th birthday also could not face capital punishment.

Kase of the Texas Defenders Service said a major milestone for death penalty critics came when it became clear that Texas had come perilously close to executing an innocent man. Death Row inmate Anthony Graves, condemned for the 1992 murder of a woman, her daughter and four grandchildren, was freed from prison in September 2006 when his conviction was overturned.

The actual killer, who was Graves' co-defendant, submitted sworn testimony on the eve of his own execution that he had lied when he implicated Graves.

"Anthony Graves could easily have been executed," Kase said. "There were execution dates set for him twice."

Rob Kepple, a former prosecutor who now runs the Texas District and County Attorneys Association, said the death penalty remains appropriate in Texas. But he is not surprised to see that fewer inmates are being sent to death row or that fewer are being executed.

Lucio's life-without-parole legislation, which Kepple calls "death by lethal incarceration," is certainly a factor, he said. But perhaps more so, he added, is the steady decline in violent crime in Texas and nationwide.

According to statistics compiled by the Washington, D.C.-based Death Penalty Information Center, the Texas murder rate in 1996 was 7.7 per 100,000 people, slightly above the national average. A decade later, the Texas rate declined to 6.2 per 100,000, compared with 5.7 nationwide.

By 2014, the most recent number available, the Texas rate stood at 4.4, compared with the national rate of 4.5.

"The plain fact is, we just have a whole lot less murders in Texas than we used to," Kepple said. "So it just makes sense that the death row population is down and the number of executions is down. I don't think anyone's having heartburn because we're not executing as many people as we used to. But I also think that the public wants us to have the death penalty option in our back pockets to use when it's needed."

By the numbers

537

Total Texas executions since 1982

1,439

Total executions nationwide since 1982

40 in 2000

Most Texas executions in a single year

3 in 1996

Fewest Texas executions in Texas since capital punishment resumed

459 in 2000

Texas highest death row population

244

Texas present death row population

Sources: Texas Department of Criminal Justice and the Death Penalty Information Center

Texas executions in 2016

Inmate: Richard Masterson

Execution date: Jan. 20, 2016

Age at time of offense: 28

Age at execution: 43

Crime: On Feb. 9, 2001, in Houston (Harris County), Masterson choked the victim, an adult white male, resulting in the victims death. Masterson also took the victims vehicle after the murder.

Inmate: James Freeman

Execution date: Jan. 27, 2016

Age at time of offense: 26

Age at execution: 35

Crime: On March 17, 2007, during the early morning hours in Lissie (Wharton County), the subject was attempting to elude Game Wardens who were attempting to pull subject over for shooting a bird sitting on a fence with his .22 rifle. Another Game Warden tried to block the road when the subject struck his vehicle, causing minor damage. Wharton County Sheriffs Officers were also included in the chase of the subject. The subject was able to elude officers for approximately one hour before the wheels of the subjects truck was spiked. The subject exited his vehicle and began shooting a Glock model 33.357 Sig and an AK 47 assault rifle randomly at the officers patrol vehicles. The subject fired approximately 30 rounds of ammunition, striking the victim, a 34-year-old Game Warden. The victim was flown to Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, Texas, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Inmate: Gustavo Garcia

Execution date: Feb. 16, 2016

Age at time of offense: 18

Age at execution: 43

Crime: Convicted in the shotgun slaying of Craig L. Turski, 43, during the robbery of the Warehouse Beverage Store in Plano (Collin County) on Dec. 9, 1990. Turski, a store clerk, was shot in the head and right side during the robbery. Beer and an undisclosed amount of money was taken from the store. Garcia was arrested following a second robbery at a Texaco station in Plano on Jan. 5, 1991. Police found Garcia hiding in a beer cooler and his co-defendant, Christopher Vargas, standing over the station attendant after he had been shot once in the back of the head. Garcias common-law wife, Shelia Maria Garcia, was also arrested outside the station.

Inmate: Coy Wesbrook

Execution date: March 9, 2016

Age at time of offense: 39

Age at execution: 58

Crime: On November 13, 1997, in Channelview (Harris County), Wesbrook was invited over to the residence of his ex-wife, a 32-year-old white female. Wesbrook believed this meeting was for a possible marital reconciliation, but when he arrived, there were others present. He sat around drinking with all of them. At some point in the evening, Wesbrook noticed that his ex-wife and two of the men had slipped away, and when he went into the bedroom, he found her having sex with both of the men. Wesbrook then went to his truck and pulled out his .36-caliber hunting rifle and returned to the residence. He then fatally shot his ex-wife and all three of the males in the residence. Another female was injured, but survived the shooting.

Inmate: Adam Ward

Execution date: March 22, 2016

Age at time of offense: 22

Age at execution: 33

Crime: On June 13, 2005, subject shot and killed the victim, a Commerce Code Enforcement Officer (Hunt County).

Inmate: Pablo Vasquez

Execution date: April 6, 2016

Age at time of offense: 20

Age at execution: 38

Crime: On April 18, 1998, during the nighttime, in Donna (Hidalgo County), the subject and co-defendant, Andy Chapa, murdered a 12-year -old Hispanic male. Vasquez struck the victim in the head with a piece of pipe and a shovel. The victims body was buried behind a residence located on Stites Road and FM 493. Vasquez took a ring and a necklace from the victim. Vasquez and the co-defendant had met the victim at a local party.

Inmate: Barney Fuller

Execution date: Oct. 5, 2016

Age at time of offense: 44

Age at execution: 58

Crime: On May 14, 2003 in Houston County, Texas, Fuller entered the residence of his neighbors, a 43-year-old white male and a 39-year-old white female and fatally shot both of them multiple times. Fuller then fled the scene on foot.

Source: Texas Department of Criminal Justice website
Michael Gerson is a Washington Post columnist. Contact him at michaelgerson@washpost.com.

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WASHINGTON  It is the nature of extreme partisanship to turn honest disagreements into alternative realities. The representatives of our own ideological team must always be good and beautiful, strong and surging. Admission of facts inconsistent with this premise is taken as disloyalty.

The third presidential debate was a perfect test of this tendency. Republicans who contend that Donald Trump was the winner are on their fourth Kool-Aid martini.

For the first half-hour, Trump  appearing alternately sedate and sedated  managed (briefly) to sound like a Republican by asserting basic conservative policies and principles. It was jarring to be reminded that Hillary Clinton strongly supports the legality of late-term abortions, a real streak of extremism. It was useful to be reminded that gun control in Chicago has hardly been a smashing success.

But the 30-minute mark was the limit of Trump's strategy, patience, knowledge, responsibility and stability. The remainder was a rout.

Clinton's debate performance was a reminder that she must have been a formidable lawyer while in practice. She built her anti-Trump case calmly and systematically, using Trump's own words and views as jabs before tough punches of accusation.

The most ironic moment of the evening was when Trump said, "This has been such an incredible education for me." As far as I can tell, Trump displays no growth in skills or knowledge compared to early GOP primary debates.

His responses to attacks  "No puppet! No puppet! You're the puppet!"  are still of schoolyard quality. His judgment of others is still shaped by a bottomless neediness. When the topic of Putin was raised, Trump's initial reaction was not to criticize Russia's external aggression or internal oppression. It was: "He said nice things about me." Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg did not say such nice things, making her the enemy.

At this late stage, it is worth stating bluntly: When it comes to the issues any American president would face, Trump is a shockingly ignorant man. He can state a position on the Second Amendment or "Obamacare," but he is unprepared to make actual arguments. He bluffs through questions on campaign finance or foreign policy ("Mosul is so sad") as though the dog really did eat his homework.

What explains his pervasive shallowness? Laziness? Lack of curiosity? Who knows? But I have honestly met precocious high school students with more civic and policy knowledge than Trump displayed during the final presidential debate. The justification that he is not a career politician does not excuse an inability to learn.

The Las Vegas debate sharpened an important distinction  the gap between disagreement and disqualification. I disagree strongly with Clinton on tax policy and Iran policy. But it is disqualifying for a presidential nominee to brag about his techniques of sexual assault, and then have several credible victims describe how he allegedly carried this method into practice. Trump dismissed these accusations as "largely debunked," but saying it doesn't make it so.

It is disqualifying to dismiss or downplay Russian espionage directed toward influencing a presidential election, especially when you are the one it is designed to help. How in the world did Trump's revival of American nationalism become a common cause with Russian hackers and Julian Assange?

And it is disqualifying for a presidential candidate to encourage distrust of our electoral system as an electoral strategy, while refusing to pledge acceptance of a democratic verdict. Trump's joke on this topic  "I'll keep you in suspense"  is symbolic of his superficiality. Belief in the fairness of our electoral system was hard-won, through a long history of strife and courage. But Trump cannot feel the weight of a history he does not seem to know.

With the final debate over, two points are particularly evident. First, a serious GOP candidate would probably be winning this election, which was forfeited the moment Trump became the nominee.

And second, an authoritarian populist with serious abilities might have a disturbingly large audience in 21st-century America. Imagine a Trump-like figure with the political skills of Bill Clinton or Tony Blair, feeding and riding the backlash against rapid economic and social change.

It is the first time in my political lifetime that I have seen fragility at the heart of American democracy. And that glimpse should shock us back to a more civil and responsible politics.

Michael Gerson is a Washington Post columnist. Contact him at michaelgerson@washpost.com.
A diver jumps from 27-meter high platform at the Chishui fall in Guizhou Province. An extreme diving competition was held in southwest China's Guizhou province on Oct. 22, 2016. Twelve divers from 10 countries attended this competition. (Photo/China News Service)
A wild rumour about the future of Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel has been quickly shot down.

The German caused a stir among the rumour mongers in Austin when he was seen in deep paddock conversation with his old Red Bull chiefs, Christian Horner and Adrian Newey.

The meeting comes at an interesting time, with the Italian press talking of a 'crisis' and after both Vettel and his boss Maurizio Arrivabene recently indicating the time is not right to discuss the German's future beyond 2017.

But Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko insists that Vettel, Horner and Red Bull designer Newey were not even talking about F1.

"Sebastian wants to buy one of the Aston Martins that Newey has helped to develop," he told Germany's Auto Bild.

"Sebastian has discussed with Adrian the special requests that he wants for his car," he added, referring to the rumoured $3 million, 1000 horse power supercar.

Newey no longer attends all the races, so his presence in Austin could be a sign that the Briton is now returning to full engagement with F1 and the new 2017 rules.

But Horner explained: "His involvement is probably about the same.

"I mean, Adrian is splitting his time about 50-50 with this Aston Martin project we've taken on, and designing a formula one car for the other half of the week.

"He's here this weekend to keep up to speed with what's going on trackside, and it's always good to have him at an event," Horner added.

(GMM)
Motor racing legend Mario Andretti says he still prefers F1 over the pinnacle of motor racing's most modern of alternatives.

Today, his son Michael - who also raced in F1 - runs a Formula E team, but 76-year-old Mario says he is no fan of the all-electric single seater series.

"Frankly it does not interest me," he told the Austrian newspaper Kurier.

"There is something about it that doesn't feel right. I hope it's not the future of motor sports," Andretti said.

Indeed, while many figures criticise today's F1, Andretti is still a fan.

But one critic is Luca Filippi, once a Honda test driver with a big touted future who now races in Indycar.

When asked about F1, the Italian told La Repubblica newspaper: "No, I have no regrets.

"Now that I am in America, I understand why they never appreciated formula one: too complicated rules, little public contact with the drivers, and too expensive tickets.

"And then the time zone and the fact that there is one race (in the US) only."

But Andretti, whose son Michael is also still involved in Indycar, says he is still fully engaged with F1.

"It's fun to watch the races," he said. "Otherwise, I wouldn't get up every time in the middle of the night to watch.

"I think we are witnessing one of the best generations of driver in the history of F1."

However, Andretti does wonder if F1 is heading in the right direction for 2017, with its downforce boost and bigger Pirelli slicks.

"I believe it's the wrong way," he said.

"More downforce and grip allows higher cornering speed, but if you are faster in a corner, you're more difficult to overtake. So I'm not sure why they're doing that and I doubt a single driver thinks it's a good idea."

(GMM)
The 2017 grid is continuing to take shape, as the driver 'silly season' edges more crucial steps forward at the scene of the US grand prix.

The latest piece of the puzzle to definitely slot into place for next year is Daniil Kvyat at Toro Rosso, after a long period of uncertainty over the young Russian's future.

But Toro Rosso is keeping him as well as Carlos Sainz, as the team issues a clear message to potential suitors including Renault and Force India with the press release header 'Hands off, they're ours!"

Asked if the 'hands off' was also a rejection of the Force India rumours, Kvyat said in Austin: "It's better to ask the people who wrote the press release."

What Kvyat would admit is that the contract certainty is a weight off his mind, after being axed from the senior Red Bull team earlier this year.

"In formula one, you can never be sure of anything," he said.

"Many factors play a role, but I knew that if I did a good job then Red Bull would keep me and that's what I did after the summer break."

However, Kvyat's new deal is a blow to Red Bull junior Pierre Gasly, but Red Bull Racing chief Christian Horner argued that the Russian deserves to stay.

"We believe in him," he is quoted by Auto Motor und Sport.

"On the outside, he looks like a tough Russian but he's a sensitive guy, which his return to Toro Rosso showed. But the last races have shown that he is well on the way back to being the old Kvyat."

As for the next generation of Red Bull youngsters, Horner indicated that the energy drink camp is now looking further ahead.

"We are looking at the 13 and 14 year olds," he said, "because otherwise there's not much there."

(GMM)
Trump lays out proposals for first 100 days as president

WASHINGTON -- US Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump on Saturday put forward proposals for his first 100 days in office if elected president, calling his plan "a contract" between him and US voters.

Speaking at a rally in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, the New York billionaire developer pledged to clean house in Washington, D.C. with a "new government of, by and for the people," and accused his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton of running against "change" and against "all of the American people."

"Our campaign represents the kind of change that only arrives once in a lifetime," said the candidate famous for his bellicose style.

However, Trump did not put forward any new proposals in his 40-minute speech. Rather, he packaged his past plans into a number of legislative measures.

According to his 100-day plan, a Trump administration would curb illegal immigration, and impose Congressional term limits.

On the economy, Trump vowed to create over 25 million jobs in one decade, renegotiate US international trade deals and cancel billions in payments to the United Nations' climate change programs to use the money to invest domestically.

"On Nov 8, Americans will be voting on this 100-day plan to restore prosperity to our country, secure our communities and honesty to our government," said Trump.
Musician Cormac Roth has died at age 25 after a battle with cancer. He was the son of actor Tim Roth. His family said in a statement Monday that Roth died peacefully in the arms of his family who loved and adored him on Oct. 16. A graduate of Bennington College, Roth was a guitarist, composer and producer. He revealed on his Instagram account that he had been diagnosed with stage 3 germ cell cancer in November 2021. His family said "he maintained his wicked wit and humor to the end. Roth is survived by his parents, Tim and Nikki Roth, and his brother, Hunter Roth.
Lions and tigers and bears  and superheroes and monsters and princesses and knights and you name it  downtown Greensboro was overrun Saturday afternoon.
WASHINGTON  If Beltway insiders and other East Coast elites ever wondered why so many Americans prefer Donald Trump to Hillary Clinton, all they need do is watch a rerun of Thursday night's 71st annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner.

There they were in their finery, A-listers from the once-cherished institutions of church, state and the Fourth Estate  including the two aforementioned major-party presidential candidates; Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the evening's host; and, hardly least, Maria Bartiromo's decolletage. No one watching could have missed the cleavage clad in candy apple red beneath long sparkling earrings, as Bartiromo's elbow-length gloves fluttered like white doves directing traffic to the heart of things. A flickering female vision floating in the TV frame among four, dusty-white males, she appeared as one of those online ads that distract readers as they try to concentrate.

Oh, but the delectable humor, jarring jokes and quivering quips Maria Bartiromo the titters they brought to bleached smiles and knowing nods Maria Bartiromo and all for the good of disadvantaged children for whom the dinner raised $6 million. What could be better than dining with a few close friends, amusing oneself as the future president and the inevitable loser trade insults, as millions of viewers remember why they hate Washington?

Homage also was paid to the dinner's namesake, Al Smith, the first Catholic to run for president of the United States and at a time (the 1920s) when Catholics were viewed as Satan's spawn by people such as Trump's own father, who participated in a KKK-sponsored, anti-Catholic rally.

God bless America, how far we've come.

But not really, as Trump came to remind the boo-and-hisser crowd. As though he cared. And, as though all the deplorables and Trump sympathizers watching at home weren't perfectly delighted by Trump's performance. To them, the dais was a diorama of self-congratulatory elites, smugly tittering at insider humor and then, suddenly, betraying white-tie outrage at their redneck Gatsby, who hocked up his couth and hurled it into the nearest vat of Dom Perignon.

The dinner is supposed to be a gentle roast at which political foes parry a bit but always with rubber rapiers. Attendees faithfully present themselves as priests and priestesses of the Highest Order of Civility, Good Humor & Charitable Hearts. A good time is supposed to be had by all.

Trump knows the rules all right and even mentioned that he'd been attending the dinner for years, beginning when he was a young man accompanying his father. But being Trump means never playing by the rules.

He began his remarks well enough, looking rather presidential and certainly comfortable in a formal environment bloated with swells. But Trump carries within him a little bit of Gollum mixed with a touch of Truman Capote. Like Gollum, he loathes what he loves and can't resist sabotaging himself. Like Capote, he turns on his own. If Capote alienated all his "swans," the belles of Upper East Side New York, by betraying their confidences in "La Cote Basque, 1965," Trump betrayed the hopes of his powerful and wealthy colleagues that he could be trusted to behave.

Some of his jokes were very funny: "After listening to Hillary rattle on and on and on, I don't think so badly of Rosie O'Donnell anymore," he said. When Clinton took her turn, she jabbed back with: "And looking back, I've had to listen to Donald for three full debates, and he says I don't have any stamina!"

But about midway through, Trump's lightness turned dark.

"Here she is tonight, in public, pretending not to hate Catholics," he said of Clinton, who was seated next to Dolan. (Boos.) Trump was referring to the WikiLeaks email in which an exchange among Clinton campaign staffers seemed to be condescending to Catholics.

He earned more boos when he said Clinton was so corrupt that she'd been kicked off the Watergate Committee. And, "She knows a lot about how government works. And according to her sworn testimony, Hillary has forgotten more things than most of us will ever, ever, ever know."

Reading over the transcript, the jokes don't seem so bad  or so good. Delivery really is everything. But watching the speeches in real time, Trump's cuts contained a palpable hint of malice that wasn't present in Clinton's.

To the booing select, Trump's performance was the final nail in his coffin. But to the great "unwashed," you can be sure, Trump was doing his job and sticking it to the elites, which is what tens of millions of Americans deeply yearn to do.

Kathleen Parker's email address is kathleenparker@washpost.com.
TOKYO, Oct. 23 -- One person has died and at least three others were injured as a result of multiple explosions that occurred at a popular park in the city of Utsunomiya in Tochigi Prefecture, north of Tokyo, on Sunday, local police officials said.

In Utsunomiya, the capital of Tochigi Prefecture, local police officials said that multiple explosions were heard in the vicinity of the Utsunomiya Castle Ruins Park and that at least three people were injured when the blasts went off in quick succession, during a popular festival where many people were gathered.

One person was found to be lying on the ground in the park after the first blast without vital signs when rescue officials arrived. His body was described by first responders as being "severely damaged" by the explosions.

One of the injured was rushed to a local hospital having possibly been struck by shrapnel from one of the explosions, although the extent of the victim's injuries is not yet fully known, local police also said, with rescue officials adding the person is receiving medical treatment.

Cars were also reportedly on fire in a parking lot close to the park following another explosion occurring quickly after the first, although no injuries have yet been reported as a result of the secondary blast.

Local police said the first explosion occurred at 11:30 a.m. local time followed by the second around a minute later. A third explosion has also been reported by local media as occurring almost immediately after the second, although this remains to be confirmed by police officials, who have also yet to determine the cause of the explosions.

Witnesses at the scene, as quoted by local media, said the second explosion sounded smaller than the first, with the first being described by one witness as a "tremendous explosion similar to a bomb."

Others reported plumes of black smoke billowing into the sky from the parking lot after the explosions, and while police and local media have confirmed there were two explosions, some witnesses reported hearing as many as four or five loud blasts occurring in quick succession, according to some local reports.

Following the two explosions, eye witnesses also reported smelling what they described as gunpowder, according to Japan's public broadcaster NHK.

Utsunomiya lies 100 kilometers north of Tokyo and is an important cultural, political and economic hub in Japan and home to around 440,000 people and Utsunomiya City Hall is located close to the parking lot, thought to be the site of at least one of the explosions.

Due to its close proximity and ease of access from Tokyo by Shinkansen bullet train, the city and broader region are a popular destination for day trips by Japanese as well as foreign visitors.
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Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 23

By Anvar Mammadov  Trend:

The Polish companies represented on the countrys stand at 22nd Azerbaijan International Construction Exhibition BakuBuild 2016, are interested in entering the Azerbaijani market, Viktor Adamski, the representative of the Polish companies at the exhibition, the head of GLOBIMPEX international trading house, told Trend.

Adamski added that the Polish companies, represented on the countrys stand at the exhibition for the first time, may have great potential for activity on the Azerbaijani market.

"This year, we have been represented at the exhibition by ten companies operating in the production of sanitary equipment, a variety of lighting systems, as well as the apartment interior design, he said.

Our companies have already achieved great success on the markets of Georgia and other former Soviet countries thanks to high quality and reasonable prices, he said. I hope that our reasonable pricing policy and high quality products will allow us to find a niche in Azerbaijan, as we can compete with the Turkish and Chinese products on the prices and quality."

Adamski said that currently, the Polish companies are negotiating with the major local distributors and expressed hope that soon these negotiations will come to a new level.

"We held a number of meetings with Azerbaijani companies in January 2016, he said. We have provided a number of large Azerbaijani distributors with our proposals and wait for their response.

I hope that we will discuss the first supplies soon, he said. I think that this exhibition will enable us to find new partners and enter the Azerbaijani market, as it has great potential for us."

The largest construction exhibition of the Caspian region - BakuBuild 2016 kicked off in Baku October 19. BakuBuild marked the beginning of the Caspian Construction Week in Baku, which also includes Aquatherm Baku 2016 and Securica CIPS 2016 exhibitions.

Some 298 companies from 26 countries attend BakuBuild exhibition in 2016. Azerbaijani companies, including manufacturers, distributors, companies rendering services in the construction industry, account for 50 percent of the exhibitors, which is a gratifying fact.

Poland is represented on the countrys stand where the products of 10 companies are showcased. Among them are Ferro Group, the manufacturer of valves, installation systems, dryers and bathroom accessories, Sniezka company, the manufacturer of paints, Candellux, the manufacturer of lighting systems, Proline, the manufacturer of construction tools and uniforms, Wiper company, the manufacturer of gutter drains and traps.

Novoterm Ceramics, the manufacturer of ceramics and shower cabins, Kubala and AJKA companies, the manufacturers of painting tools, Porta Drzwi, the manufacturer of wooden doors and Kaczkan company, the manufacturer of parquet are also represented at the exhibition.

According to the Azerbaijani State Customs Committee, the trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Poland amounted to $55.76 million in January-September 2016, while $51.31 million accounted for the import of Polish products.
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Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Oct. 23

By Huseyn Hasanov  Trend:

Commissioning of a new oil terminal with a capacity of 540.000 tons near Turkmenistans border with Afghanistan, anticipated in the nearest future, will allow Turkmenistan to increase exports of oil products, said the message of Turkmen Oil and Gas Complex.

According to the message, Turkmenistans Turkmenneftegazstroy state oil and gas construction concern is finishing the construction of a terminal for acceptance, storage and shipment of oil products in the south-eastern part of Ymamnazar checkpoint of the Atamyrat district in Lebap region in Turkmenistan.

Installation of automated SCADA system, which is designed to monitor the processes of acceptance, storage and shipment of oil products, is being carried out.

In addition, pumping equipment for pumping oil products from railway tanks has been installed. Works on laying the foundation of the railway leading to the terminal are also finished.

The terminal will be located on an area of 276,400 square meters and will consist of four sections: administrative section, sections of adoption and storage of oil products and section of pumping of oil products into tanker trucks on the border area.

Turkmenistan plans to increase its oil refining capacity to up to 20 million tons in 2020, up to 22 million tons in 2025 and up to 30 million tons in 2030.




Haiti - Politic : Towards a gradual resumption of activities in the Great South ?





This week, Jude Saint-Natus, Director General of the Ministry of Interior and Territorial Communities accompanied by Mrs. Alta Jean Baptiste, the Director of Civil Protection, held a meeting with Shane Kopp, head of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Haiti. This meeting was an opportunity for participants to think about the strategy proposed by the government to support the population sustainably in addition to ad hoc humanitarian aid.



Jude Saint-Natus stressed the need to rethink the habitat in areas affected due to natural threats. A strategy accepted by the participants that will be supported by the Ministry of Public Works and the Public Enterprises of Promotion of Social Housing (EPPLS), state actors who have expertise in this area since the 2010 earthquake.



It was also discussed the possibility of seeking financial partners for the repair of damaged houses, the reconstruction of destroyed houses and relocation of families living in vulnerable areas and thereby initiate the recovery phase.



Meanwhile, it was decided to distribute "provisionally" tarpaulins especially to displaced persons occupying the classrooms of schools to allow the reopening of classes in the Great South departments. Approximately 70,000 tarpaulins are being collected to be distributed to the affected population, with the support and coordination of international organizations... It is also planned to train personnel who will install these tarpaulins, taking into account the different types of interventions to achieve, depending on the form and type of construction to ensure an effective and proper protection.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Published on 2016/10/23 | Source

Tourists get off the cruise ship Quantum of the Seas in Incheon on Aug. 27, 2015.

The Justice Ministry will test a visa-free program for foreigners who visit the country from selected cruise ships until March next year, a spokesman said Friday.

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"Chinese make up the majority of the cruise ship tourists, and there are more individual tourists than tour groups", the spokesman added. "This program aims to revitalize the tourism industry".

The waiver is for passengers on Costa Serena, Sapphire Princess and Quantum of the Seas, which run chiefly between China, Korea, and Japan.

It will cover up to 310,000 tourists, the ministry expects.

If 20 or more of any batch stay here illegally, the cruise line will be struck from the list.

Meanwhile, the ministry will stop stamping the passports of outbound travelers, starting Nov. 1 to relieve airport congestion. It estimates that this will cut the processing time by about three seconds.
By Panos Kotzathanasis | Published on 2016/10/23

Yoon So-eun is a student at Seoul university and is in love with a co-student, Dong-hee. In her efforts to approach him, she shows a fake interest to attend a lesson regarding wireless radios, ending with her, actually owning one. A few days later, she listens to someone trying to communicate and she decides to answer. On the other line of the wireless is another student of the same university, Ji In. The two of them start talking on a regular basis and they end up becoming friends. She talks to him about her love for Dong-hee and Kim Min-joo, her best friend, and he for a girl who does not leave him alone, Hyeon-ji.

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When they decide to meet though, and after some fights and distrust from both of them, they realize that they live in different years, she in 1979 and he in 2000. Furthermore, as they try to cope with the fact, something else is revealed that changes their lives forever.

Kim Jeong-kwon, in his directorial debut, does a very good job, with his biggest asset being the pace, which fits the script perfectly. His main focus is on the two protagonists and he analyzes them thoroughly. Additionally, he highlights the differences between the dictatorial regime of '79 and the more democratic of 2000, when technology has entered almost every aspect of life. The film, however, is not political at all.

Two scenes stand out, for different reasons. The first one occurs when the protagonists try to meet, with Kim highlighting the chronological difference in magnificent fashion: Both of them stand on the same spot, one under heavy rain and the other in the middle of a sunny day. The second one occurs when the two meet in 2000, in a scene that seems to have been "squeezed" in the film, as it does not carry any significance, especially considering its importance in the story. They did not even put an effort to present So-eun older.

Apart from this scene, Kwang Seong-jeong has done a nice job in the cinematography, while both eras are accurately portrayed. The same applies to Kyeong Min-ho's editing, that manages to connect them in an understanding fashion.

In the protagonist roles, Kim Ha-neul as Yoon So-eun and Yoo Ji-tae as Ji In give performances, which, although not impressive, are very fitting to the general aesthetics of the film, and therefore, functional. As usually in such productions, they are both gorgeous. From the rest of the cast, the one who stands out is Ha Ji-won, who is splendid as Hyeon-ji. For her performance, she won an award from the Blue Dragon for Best Supporting Actress.

Overall, "Ditto" is a well shot melodrama, with all the pros and cons the genre entails. However, it stands apart from the plethora of similar S. Korean productions due to its script.

Review by Panos Kotzathanasis

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"Ditto" is directed by Kim Jeong-kwon and features Kim Ha-neul, Yoo Ji-tae, Park Yong-woo and Ha Ji-won.

Available on Blu-ray from YESASIA



Blu-ray (Normal Edition) (En Sub)
According to Energy Minister, Saudi Arabia expects that oil producing states will reach a common decision at the meeting of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in late November, Sputnik International reported.

Saudi Arabias Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said Sunday that he expects that oil producing states will reach a common decision at the meeting of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in late November.

"Today our meeting is an important point in coordinating the process of reaching an agreement between the OPEC [member] states and the other oil producing countries in late November," al-Falih said.

"Todays meeting is the best demonstration of Saudi Arabias intention to stabilize the oil market," al-Falih added, stressing that Russia and Saudi Arabia will express the viewpoint which will become an encouraging sign for the oil market.
What Californians Found Out about Hollywood Credits

by Tom Yamachika, President, Tax Foundation Hawaii

In Hawaii, we like many other states offer credits and incentives for movies and TV productions to shoot here. We offer the credits to lure the productions away from other states, primarily California where Hollywood is located, so you might not think California would need or want to offer credits itself. But it does in fact offer credits. Indeed, a recent report from their Legislative Analysts Office (LAO) reveals some interesting truths about their credit program, which could help us to formulate policy for the production credits we offer here.

Perhaps the most startling is the LAOs conclusion that $1 out of every $3 in credits went to productions that would have shot in California anyway. It turns out that Californias credit was limited, the production companies applied for more credits than were available, and the state had to conduct a lottery to determine which of the productions would be awarded credit. But several productions began shooting even before lottery results were announced.

This result supports what Hawaii credit opponents have been saying over the years, namely, They'll come anyway, so why do we need to pay them to come? We have great weather, blue sky, pristine beaches, and more.

The hard reality, however, is that productions are businesses and most do take a hard look at the bottom line, evidenced by the companies accounting for the other $2 in credits. Indeed, although the LAO lamented that industry-specific tax credits were inappropriate public policy because they (1) give some businesses an unequal advantage at the expense of others and (2) promote unhealthy competition among states in a way that does not benefit the nation as a whole, LAO concluded that California shouldnt be giving up its production credit program while other states (including Hawaii) are actively competing with it for the production dollars. LAO recommended that California should consider scaling its program back when other states do.

At the same time, we in Hawaii need to remember that this interstate competition does affect us. We dont have a monopoly on beaches, sand, sunshine, forested hills, overgrown jungle, or other natural wonders. Productions can and do find comparable locations in Puerto Rico, New Zealand, and elsewhere.

Next, the LAO concluded that the tax credit program boosted Californias economy only minimally, if at all. Because of the way California credits work, they saw state revenue benefits in the early years of the credit but found that the program cost more as time went on. We in Hawaii have had our production credit since 1997, so its been almost twenty years. Have there been any studies about what the program has done for Hawaiis economy or Hawaiis tax revenue? None were cited to the Legislature when the Hawaii production tax credit was increased in 2013. Maybe we dont care as much about the hard dollars as we do about other intangible effects like local jobs, the development of a skilled workforce, or robust media education programs that simply werent around at the turn of the century. Even if so, lawmakers should have data on these intangibles, and other cost-benefit information, so they can make intelligent decisions on this matter.

Remember, we are talking about credits for movies and TV productions. The people in these industries make a living by telling stories, some fact, some fiction. (We previously wrote about a media company where there was a generous dose of the latter.) We need enough information to separate fantasy from reality so we can make some good decisions about whether to continue supporting this industry at the expense of others, and if so, on what terms.
Iraq is not going to reduce the achieved oil production level of 4.7 million barrels per day, media reported Sunday, citing Falah Al-Amri, the head of the state-backed Iraqi company State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO), Sputnik International reported.

"We have passed 4.7 million barrels a day  We are not going back. Its a question of sovereignty," Al-Amri said at the press conference in Baghdad as quoted by Bloomberg.

On September 28, member states of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) agreed on cutting its oil production for the first time in eight years.

The output ceiling was set at 32.5-33 million barrels a day for the whole cartel, however, no exact limits for each country have been placed.

The OPEC countries are set to finalize the agreement on oil output freeze at the OPEC summit in Vienna on November 30.

Other oil producing states, who are not members of OPEC, including Russia, are also expected to uphold the agreement, aimed at stabilizing the oil market.
President of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Qatari Energy and Industry Minister Mohammed Saleh Abdulla Al Sada on Sunday stressed the need to strengthen interaction between the oil producing states, Sputnik International reported.

"In the future we will need enhanced interaction to foster mutual understanding between the OPEC and non-OPEC oil producing states, we need to intensify the contacts," Al Sada said at a press conference in Riyadh, following the meeting with his counterparts from the Gulf states.

Earlier in the day, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak held a working dinner with the energy ministers of the six member states of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (CCASG), also known as the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), in the framework of his official visit to Saudi Arabia.
Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Oct. 23

By Demir Azizov  Trend:

Uzbek acting President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a decree on "Measures on further reforming of the judicial system, strengthening of the guarantees of reliable protection of the rights and freedoms of citizens".

According to the document, the main criteria of state policy in the judicial sphere are to ensure independence of the judiciary, strengthen the guarantees of reliable protection of the rights and freedoms of citizens.

The decree includes the requirement of strict compliance with the constitutional norms and the previously adopted legislative acts on the independence of the judiciary and the inevitability of punishment for interfering in the judiciary activity.

The decree approves the regulations envisaging the appointment (election) of judges for initial five-year period and ten-year period, and in the future - for a termless period of tenure.

A number of changes will be made in criminal law, criminal procedure, civil procedure and other legislation April 1, 2017.

The countrys Supreme Court, Supreme Economic Court, Prosecutor General's Office and others were instructed to prepare proposals to strengthen the legal protection of minors till July 1, 2017.

The Constitution of Uzbekistan and a number of legislative acts are planned to be amended.

The special laws "On the protection of victims, witnesses and other participants in criminal proceedings", "On mediation", "On the administrative proceedings" are planned to be adopted.

The implementation of the document will allow raising the countrys judicial system to a qualitatively new level, protect rights, freedoms and lawful interests of citizens, as well as strengthen public confidence in the justice.
BRISTOL, Tenn.  Darkness draped East Hill Cemetery several nights ago like a veil on a corpse. Nothing moved. No one blinked.

Until

Have you seen your vampire flying around here? said Tom Vaughan, moments after a bat flew menacingly by. Wait a second. Hell come back around again.

Vaughan portrays the ghost of Evan Shelby as part of the Ghost Walk at East Hill Cemetery in Bristol, Tennessee, on Oct. 28 and 29. Just as the last of the blood drops from the sun and night falls upon the aged cemetery, he and 10 other ghosts from Bristols past will return.

Call em spooks with stories.

Park in the Slater Center parking lot, said John Pappy Hawthorne, who will portray Rev. Wilson G. Barker. Theres no parking in the cemetery.

Hawthorne paused, grinned and continued.

You might run over a ghost, he said.

Tours begin at 7 p.m.

Tours start every 15 minutes, Hawthorne said.

Vaughan as Shelby chimed in.

If you want a more intimate experience with the spirits, take a later time, he said. Its darker.

Hawthorne looked up. A smile slowly crept to life on his face.

If you can walk through this cemetery without feeling something, youre not normal, he said. Ive been up here after dark and its

Hawthornes smile broadened.

eerie, he said.

Patrons will enter the cemetery just as darkness descends upon the dead. A lantern-carrying guide will greet and lead them on the tour. They will meet characters such as the aforementioned Rev. Wilson G. Barker, as played by Hawthorne.

His biggest claim to fame was that he started the Buffalo Male and Female Institute, which later became Milligan College, Hawthorne said. Hes got one little bitty tombstone here.

Hawthorne, dressed in period attire of funeral black breaches, matching brogans, coat and hat pointed down to where the long late reverend has rested since1905. Hawthorne clutched a Bible in his left hand. A walking stick extended from his right hand.

On this night and several to come, he was Rev. Barker.

I was born on Christmas Day in 1830, Hawthorne as Barker said.

Several feet away, Vaughan as Shelby stepped forth.

I am Evan Shelby, he said in an undeniably booming voice.

Shelby, whose final resting place sits upon the apex of a hill at East Hill, was born in Wales in 1720.

I was in the Revolutionary War and the French-Indian War, Vaughan as Shelby said. I was one of the founders of Bristol. I put Bristol on the map. Fort Shelby (located atop the hill where such businesses as Ferguson Animal Hospital and Weaver Funeral Home now sit) was a trading post, a central supply post for people as they migrated west.

Vaughan paused for a moment. He cast his aged eyes out upon the city of Bristol, which spreads out below East Hill Cemetery.

This, he said, was the frontier.

Tom Cox and Don Droke play Confederate privates from the Civil War. They each rest within a few steps from where Shelby has long called home.

I play William Boyd, Cox said while gripping a period-specific rifle. He was a private in Company G, 60th Tennessee Infantry Regiment. He was captured by the north. Later on, he lived in Bristol for a while. He was in Lebanon, Virginia, in about 1911 or 1914 when he died.

Droke fills the boots of James Keeling.

I am, Droke as Keeling said, the Southern Horatius.

Horatius Cocles, an officer in the service of the ancient Roman Republic, defended a bridge from an invading army.

Keeling was a private, Hawthorne said. He was guarding the bridge at Strawberry Plains near Knoxville. He was not about to let them take the bridge.

Droke adjusted his Civil War-era hat in the looming darkness, then replied.

He was outnumbered 18 to one, Droke said.

Fierce battle ensued all around Keeling. They fought, fiercely.

He got most of his hand cut off, Cox said.

Yet Keeling persevered.

When he recovered, Droke said, he fought the rest of the war with half of a hand.

Keeling died in 1895. Buried amid East Hills Confederate section, hes slept in Bristol for 121 yearsexcept for when he ascends for a stroll and a stretch throughout the reputedly haunted cemetery.

I only scare the northerners, Droke as Keeling said, tongue planted firmly in cheek.

Theyre not werewolves.

Vaughan as Shelby ever so slightly turned his head, lifted a brow above an eye and slowly replied.

No? he said.

Frankenstein?

Definitely not, he said.

Vampires?

No, Vaughan as Shelby drolly said, we dont have any blood left.

Ah, but when the light drains from the sky, be sure to range wide with eyes apt to see most anything during the Ghost Walk.

Theres boogers in here for sure, Cox said. Maybe some zombies.

Hawthorne as Barker clutched his Bible, perhaps for added comfort amid the creeping and creepy shadows.

We are ghosts, he said by way of reminder.

Cox as the Confederate Boyd motioned to Hawthorne, the black-cloaked Rev. Barker.

We play poker sometimes, Cox as Boyd said. That preacher, youve got to watch him.

Ahhh, yes, Vaughan as Shelby replied.

You can see right through him, he said.

Again, Hawthorne as Barker applied a squeeze to his Bible.

People swear they hear kids running around up here at night, he said, and they hear things jingling.

Bones rattling, perhaps? Could be.

Most of all, folks are invited to come along for the Ghost Walk to enjoy and learn a bit about Bristols past from a series ofspooks who long ago roamed the land in life. Its an exhibition of history.

Most of the early residents of Bristol are buried right here in East Hill Cemetery, Hawthorne said.

History, as Bristols long renowned historian Bud Phillips would say, is vital to know if one wishes to know the town in which they reside.

Besides that

If you dont know the past, Droke said, youre doomed to repeat it.

Or perhaps bump into a ghost from Bristols past who still, at least once per year thanks to the Ghost Walk, go bump well into the night.

Who knows what lurks behind these tombstones? Hawthorne said.
ABINGDON, Va.  When Eugene Wolf, possibly Barters most beloved actor, ended fulltime company residency, he departed on a voyage into God and self. The journey had been languishing on a back burner since 2000. During the 2015 holidays, Wolf asked self, What am I doing? Unsure how long hed be on the planet or how long Social Security might exist, he took early retirement.

Ten months later, Wolfs out of chrysalis, in a flurry of regional activity that includes headlining the Community Centers Meals on Wheels Benefit, Tuesday, Oct. 25, at 2 p.m., with his one-man show, Clear From the Start.

Its an updated, distilled version of Wolfs one-man show, but has become focused on his grandmother, who raised him.

She encouraged and made me in her image, said Wolf. She lives in me. I want to bring her full circle.

Wolf traces his story while paying her tribute, singing songs that influenced his childhood and his journey to the present. Shes influenced his entire life. Wolf said he grew up accepting the form, but not the doctrine, of his religious upbringing. After he left home, he believes his heart closed  not denying God, but being guarded about his own spirituality, even to himself.

He felt his heart re-open as a result of being introduced to Sufi trance music and poetry at a Sub-Saharan music festival in 2000. So in the midst of regional tunes, or pieces which recall his earlier decades, hes also introducing area audiences into mystical Sufi philosophy, a religion where the heart knows the answer to any question. Its a spiritual belief system written, like The Bible, in metaphor. When you live in the world yet see the beauty of metaphors, you go deeper and deeper. Taking scripture reaches a finite point. But why do trees reach for the sky? They seek ascension, too. Theres much more to story than literal story. Coming from someone like me, so identified with our regions sound, this material feels revolutionary.

Trust everybody, Wolf said. My guru [Hazrat Inayat Khan, 1882-1927, an East Indian mas-ter musician and philosopher] says, give benefit from the beginning. If were not trusting from the get-go, whats the point?

Tunes in his show include works from Hank Williams, Loretta Lynn, Petula Clark and Joni Mitchell. It seems Wolf has finally accepted the music forms he feels he excels in and it comforts him. I never. said Wolf, could sing show tunes.

Wolf grew up in Greeneville, Tennessee. He recently debuted an initial version of this show, at the Dixon-Williams Mansion, right behind General Morgan Inn. It rained. The show moved to the porch. Downtown lay before Wolf, including the Capitol Theatre, where he won a talent con-test at age two-and-one-half, singing My Shoes Keep Walking Back to You.

I won $15, Wolf said. which my grandmother (Lela Bernice Rader) made me give back to charity. When I was nine, Mamaw had me in talent shows, Wolf said, singing You Aint Woman Enough and Dont Come Home A-Drinking.

Door to Barter Remains Open

Wolf, who suffered a heart attack in 2008, said he remains glad to be part of Barter. I just have difficulties participating fulltime. The doors still open and I hope to work there. I helped jury play scripts for two festivals. I love Barter audiences, love the people Ive worked with. But my days as a full company members done  19 years. Ive invested a lot in this community. I love it.

Wolf has remained involved by helping jury scripts for Barters play festivals.

He seems wise to ways of transition: Its how you frame it  words make a difference. Rather than using the word fight, regarding challenges, I use dissolve. How do I dissolve this thing? Its all about getting through one day, and knowing theres tomorrow.

Wolf surveyed the New York City scene. But he kept getting pulled back here. Ed Snodderly, Wolfs partner in their duo, The Brother Boys, asked him to come aboard recording tunes for On Top of Old Smoky: New Old-Time Smoky Mountain Music.

Its material that originated as peoples songs and stories  before they were moved out to make way for the park said Wolf. Produced by ETSUs Ted Olson, it was nominated for a Grammy  the CDs gotten great reviews. Im in good company: Dolly, Norman & Nancy Blake, Amythyst Kiah, Dale Jett. Ed and I do a duet on The Ramshackle Shack, and an alter-nate version of Conversation with Death. Unlike Ralph Stanleys, we tried to do our version from a perspective where questions by the living dominate. Deaths speaking becomes minor.

Rough Time for the Center

The Community Center has endured a rough-and-tumble time. Town funding was reduced from $45,000 to $22,500. Community Center Director Nathalie Graham, Assistant Director Irv Nickerson and Marketing Director Christine Webb had to think fast.

We came up with a 5 for $5 flagship program, Webb said. Our 5 campaign raised $23,000  were so relieved. See, if 5,000 people gave $5, it would replace the funds lost. But weve since upped our fundraising goal, to $50,000 because the campaign made more county people aware of us. Enrollments up! Were now feeding 75 people two meals  one cold lunch, one hot meal  once a week. Wed like to expand service to two times a week, if not more. The center could also use more volunteers to take delivery routes.

Weve expanded our eligibility criteria, servicing more veterans, a group particularly in need. Folks are eligible if 80 percent of their time is spent homebound. Were seeing more and more people who need us.

Nathalies been terrific. She insists we run the center like a business, which doesnt please everyone. But we have to if we want to continue programming. We realize you cant get varied talent, especially bands, if you dont pay.

Weve got Boots on the Ground, said Webb, bringing bluegrass in on Nov. 12, from 6-8. When Coomes Center funding was reduced, Webb said, they could no longer do their Christ-mas Craft Show. Mayor Lowe thought of us, so craft folk will be in-house, in all three rooms, Nov. 18-20. [9-5, Friday and Saturday; noon to 5, on Sunday. Childrens admission is free].

It was Nathalies idea to change the name of the center from Senior to Community, re-moving what may have been a perceived stigma. Were not just a place for senior events. Were already considering bringing Eugene back to do his one-man show for people who work days.

If Youre Moving You Cant Get Stuck

Helping benefit the Meals program means a lot to me, said Wolf. In old age, my grand-mother struggled, had dementia. She was in a nursing home at 78. But Mamaw made the most of every day. I saw her circumstances, saw her move through, tackle problems. Its all in the tackle. If youre moving, you cant get stuck.

Once Wolf plays the Community Center, hell take Clear to Boones In/Visible Theatre, a three year-old performance venue conceived by two Barter alumni, ASU professor Derek Da-vidson and his wife, Karen Sabo.

Wolf himself also officiated recently at an Asheville wedding, his third. Then he sang along-side yet another Barter alumni, Gill Braswell, inaugurating a new music series at Glade Central Cafe, in Glade Spring.

Im who and what I am, said Wolf, and have decided I like it. When I was young, I liked The Valleydale Song [a local television jingle for a meatpacking company]. My grandmother said whenever it came on TV, Id run to the set and stand, transfixed.

The first album I ever bought was Connie Francis Sings Country & Western Hits. Glitzy! said Wolf. That should have told my family everything they needed to know. Thereafter, I was deep into Loretta Lynn  singing the same material as Connie, but knowing something about it. I suppose one could say I come from a white trash perspective. That may make some people un-comfortable, but its just the truth.

When I was in Morocco, said Wolf, I realized my grandmother would have had a fit. Mos-lems were infidels, might cut off my head with a scimitar. Yet in Arabic, the word Allah looks like a backwards W.

Back home, I found a photo Id taken of my grandmother sitting in her sisters yard, in front of a snowball bush. Shes in her little leisure suit with a graphic blouse. In the center, the way the blouse folds, is the world Allah in Arabic, written on her chest. There was the answer. I believe in that way of thinking: a coincidence thats not a coincidence. She sanctioned my journey. Thats God to me.
WISE, Va.) -- The LENOWISCO Health District invites the community to take a visible stand against drugs by celebrating Red Ribbon Week from October 23-31. This years Red Ribbon Week theme is: YOLO! You Only Live Once - Be Drug Free!

Red Ribbon Week raises awareness of drug use as well as the problems related to drugs facing our community. Parents, educators, business owners and other community organizations are encouraged to promote a healthy living and drug-free lifestyle by either wearing or displaying a red ribbon. The red ribbon symbolizes a unified and visible commitment to reducing the demand for illicit drugs in our communities.

Red Ribbon Week encourages our entire community to adopt healthy, drug-free life-styles, said Dr. Sue Cantrell, M.D., director of the LENOWISCO Health District. The campaign brings together parents, schools and businesses as we look for innovative ways to keep our kids and communities healthy and drug free.

In 2013, more Virginians died from drug overdoses than car accidents or homicides; 80 percent of those overdoses were attributed to prescription opioid drugs and heroin. Locally, the rates of prescription opioid use are considerably higher than in other parts of Virginia - leaving many families, friends and communities to deal with the harsh consequences of addiction.

Red Ribbon Week gives us the opportunity to be vocal and visible in our efforts to achieve a drug-free community, said Dr. Cantrell. Research shows that children are less likely to use alcohol and other drugs when parents and other role models promote a healthy lifestyle and are clear and consistent in their opposition to substance use and abuse.

Visit www.stopsubstanceabuse.com for local information about prevention, treatment and recovery resources available in your community.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 23

By Khalid Kazimov  Trend:

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has resumed its flights to Iran since October 23.

The KLMs first aircraft landed in Tehran on Sunday morning following a halt of over three years, Tasnim news agency reported.

A number of the leading European airlines halted their flights to Iran due to international sanctions over the past years.

The European airlines have made efforts to resume or increase the number of flights to the Islamic Republic following the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA/ nuclear deal) Jan. 16.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 23

By Khalid Kazimov  Trend:

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has called for quick finalizing the convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea.

We hope drafting the convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea will be finalized soon, Mehr news agency quoted Zarif as saying at a conference on the legal status of the Caspian Sea in Tehran.

The Working Group on Determining the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea launched its 47th summit in Tehran on Oct. 23.

He further urged the Caspian-littoral states to protect the marine environment of the Caspian Sea.

According to the report, special representatives and deputy foreign ministers from five Caspian-littoral states, including Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan have attended the meeting.
The days are shorter, but not the list of things you can do.
Tehran, Iran, October 23

By Mehdi Sepahvand - Trend:

Irans Ambassador to Moscow Mehdi Sanai has said that visa waiver with Russia is fervently pursued by Iran, adding that Tehran may start related talks with Moscow over the next year.

The consideration comes after Russia recently proposed visa waiver for tourist groups, which will be discussed and decided in a joint committee meeting in November, Sanai wrote on Telegram October 23.

The Iranian diplomat pointed out that Iran and Russia have already eased visa requirements for tradesmen.

Despite their political proximity which was embodied in cooperation over Irans nuclear case as well as regional conflicts, Tehran and Moscow have little improved their economic relations.

Trade ties between the two countries found special importance after Russias skirmish with the European Union in 2013 over Crimea.

Since, the two countries have been exploring the ground for more business and trade relations.
Peshmerga forces have captured another three villages in Mosul as part of an ongoing offensive to out ISIS terrorists from the northern Iraqi city, Anadolu agency reported.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency on Sunday, military chief of staff Jamal Mohammad Omer said Peshmerga forces were advancing on the Bashiqa and Nawran fronts north of Mosul.

Our forces have seized three villages and are advancing on other areas, he said.

The operation to regain control over Mosul began in the morning of Oct. 17. In addition to Iraqs government forces, local Peshmerga paramilitaries participate in the operation.

The operation is supported by international anti-terrorism coalition air force.

Mosul, the second largest city in Iraq with a population of 1.3 million people, has been under the IS control for more than two years.

Mosul was surrendered almost without a fight during the extremists attack in June 2014.

The Islamic State considers Mosul as its main stronghold in Iraq.
Two PKK terrorists were killed in Turkeys eastern province of Tunceli on Sunday, local officials said, Anadolu reported.

In a statement, the governors office said they were killed in airstrikes by F-16 jets and Cobra attack helicopters after being spotted in Ovacik district by aerial drones.

Two male members of the separatist terror organization were neutralized as part of the operation, the statement said, adding that the security forces also captured weapons.

On Saturday, seven PKK members were killed in Tunceli.

Meanwhile, a suspected terrorist accused of killing four soldiers and injuring another has been arrested in Istanbul, the governors office in Hakkari province, southeast Turkey, said Sunday.

The suspect -- identified by the initials E.N.K. -- was detained on Oct. 13 and transferred to Hakkari, a statement said. He is said to be responsible for planting a roadside bomb in Hakarris Ceylani village on June 24.

The PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and EU -- resumed its decades-old armed campaign in July last year. Since then, more than 700 security force members have been martyred and around 8,000 PKK terrorists killed or apprehended.
Catawba County Assistant Chief Financial Officer Jeanne Jarrett has been named Catawba Countys Employee of the Year for 2016. She earned distinction for her above and beyond work to ensure the Countys Finance Department ran smoothly during the nearly year-long absence of a finance director and several other staff transitions during that time.

Jarrett received the honor during the countys annual Awards Night last Tuesday night at Catawba Valley Community Colleges Tarlton Complex. She has been employed with Catawba County for 14 years.

Its rare you find someone who can handle multitasking and attention to detail with such skill, said Catawba County Chief Financial Officer Bob Miracle, who nominated Jarrett for the award. All of these extra duties led to some very long workdays. It was no surprise to find Jeanne working late and coming in early.

"At any given moment, she could be asked to switch hats and step up to assist with whatever task was needed. Many people would cave under this tremendous amount of stress; however, Jeanne handled everything with ease and poise.

Miracle noted several achievements Jarrett accomplished during her tenure as interim director, including her preparation of two key award-winning reports for the county: the Fiscal Year 2015 Financial Report, which won the Government Finance Officers Associations Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 27th consecutive year, and the Fiscal Year 2015 Popular Annual Financial Report, which won the Government Finance Officers Associations Award for Outstanding Achievement for the eighth consecutive year.

Jarrett also presented the Fiscal Year 2015 Annual Financial Report and Update to the community, including the Board of Commissioners, community leaders and local media.

Its also worth noting that the Finance Department is known for having a very stable staff with little turnover, Miracle added. However, during this time, several employees either retired or moved away. These vacancies added stress and uncertainty for the co-workers left to pick up the slack until new employees could be hired and properly trained. Jeanne was able to keep morale, recognition and job satisfaction high while providing the superb customer satisfaction the department is known for.

Nine other Catawba County employees were nominated for Employee of the Year for 2016. They included Susan Branch, Business Manager II, Sheriffs Office; Jennifer Brown, Administrative Assistant I, Sheriffs Office; Greta Bumgarner, programmer, GIS Technology; Andrew Hopper, Social Worker Supervisor III, Social Services; Jimmiann Huffman, Economic Services Supervisor, Social Services; Donna Mull, 4-H Extension Agent, Cooperative Extension Service; Thu Ngo, Administrative Assistant I, Social Services; Brandy Watts, Administrative Assistant I, Utilities and Engineering; and Tyler Whisenant, sergeant, Sheriffs Office.

The night also featured the presentation of the 2016 Catawba County Team Award, which honors groups of employees whose combined efforts improve county services. A panel of judges in the government field, all independent of Catawba County, awarded this years recognition to the librarys Latino community outreach team comprised of team leader Soraya Place, library services specialist, and team members Genoveva Diaz, library assistant, and Ivelisse Santiago-Aponte, library assistant.

The Latino community outreach team was recognized for developing strategies to help increase library engagement with the Spanish-speaking community. That involved focused engagement with customers and community partners; increased translation of materials; targeted bilingual programming; enhanced Spanish collections; and specialized tutoring for young people. The team also translated the librarys monthly newsletter into Spanish for both the Main Library in Newton and the St. Stephens Branch, which have Spanish-speaking populations connecting with library services.

Several employees were recognized for state and national achievements, including five National Association of Counties Achievement Awards and honors from the North Carolina Public Library Directors Association, Government Finance Officers Association, and the Carolinas Association of Governmental Purchasing among others. Thirty-two employees who retired in the past year were honored, along with 172 employees who have served the county from five to 35 years.

Our Awards Night is an opportunity to share in our successes and recognize the hard work and dedication County employees bring to their jobs year-round, said Catawba County Manager Mick Berry. It is always inspiring to bring everyone together to celebrate how this work makes a difference in our community. Along with our Board of Commissioners, I commend all our employees for their continued commitment to excellence in serving the residents of Catawba County.

Additionally, eight County employees or retirees who died in the last year were remembered: Dave Hardin (County Managers Office), Kerry Hayer (Sheriffs Office), Floyd Yoder (Sheriffs Office-retired), Larry Simpson (Communications Center-retired), Pam Vodek (Library-retired), Phyllis Robinson (Social Services-retired), Rupert Little (Emergency Services-retired) and Terry Bolick (Public Health-retired).
HICKORY  As a residential counselor in Hickory, then a public schools math teacher in Alexander County and now as a Rabbi at Temple Beth Shalom in Hickory, Dennis Jones has spent his life looking for ways to help and serve his community.

I have just always believed in helping others who are in need, feeding the hungry, helping a prisoner get integrated back into society, helping young people from going to prison to begin with, that has just always been the core of my being, Jones said.

Im very blessed to have the full-time job that I have. I teach mathematics to students at Alexander Central High School. If I could do something that I love without even being paid for it I would choose that job.

Jones, who is originally from Pittsburgh, Penn., and his wife Kathy started their life together working for group homes in Florida for juvenile delinquents. In 1983, they found a group-home program in North Carolina called Teaching Family Model.

It is just an amazing, comprehensive behavioral program, Jones said. You take young people and you work with them and their families with the goal of getting both the young people to change their behaviors but also the family to change their parenting styles with the eventual goal of reunifying them successfully. Its all done in the local community.

Jones and his wife worked the program for 20 years in Hickory, working three different group homes during that time. They served Catawba, Alexander and Caldwell Counties.

This was twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week work. You actually live as live-in parents with the children, Jones said.

Eventually the couple decided to turn their energies in a different direction. Kathy found a job as the social worker at Alexander Central High School in 2003. Rabbi Jones would get hired later that year to fill a math educator position.

I have found the school and the role I have there to be very, very fulfillingto help in the community, to do something that I love doing. What a blessing, Jones said.

His journey in faith has also been one focused on finding fulfillment.

Originally Jones studied to be a Methodist minister and was born and raised Methodist, but there were things in Christianity that didnt resonate with him.

It made it very difficult for me to continue to study that faith and when that happened, I dropped back (in the mid-70s) and did a huge study of the history of all of the western religions, he said.

Jones realized, even though he was a religious person with a deep spirituality and a deep belief in God, the Christian faith was having less of a pull on him.

Rather than go into the ministry and be conflicted, I just started a deep in-depth studyand thats when I became convinced that really all of the Abrahamic traditions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam, all trace back to the same source, Jones said.

All have the same basic values with only ever so slightly variations. I cant explain it, but the more I studied the Jewish culture and customs, it was like a light bulb went on in my head and a flame was ignited in my heart.

Jones would go on to convert to Judaism in 1992 and became a member of Temple Beth Shalom. He taught himself Hebrew. In 2000, he became president of the Temples board.

Temple Beth Shalom used a rotation of Rabbis from larger communities year-round.

It was very hard to get any momentum going with an out-of-town visiting Rabbi, Jones said.

It was at a Board meeting when one of the members asked him if hed be interested in going to rabbinical school to become the Temples permanent Rabbi.

My heart just exploded. That seemed like the greatest idea Id ever heard in my life, Jones said.

He found a school where he could study online in 2014. Hes not ordained yet, with another two years of study left to go, but Temple Beth Shalom hired him as its new part time Rabbi.

What I hope to maintain here at Beth Shalom is a sense of family that is strong enough, that when you come into this place, whether youre a regular or youre a visitor, whether youre an old person or a young person, you will feel that sense of family, Jones said. Try to make it as inclusive as possible because the sharing of ideas is really what its all about.

He sees his place on the Catawba Valley Interfaith Council as one way to share ideas across cultural and religious lines.

It allows other religious leaders to link up and share in a very official capacity. To go to their houses of worship, partake in holy things with them. To invite them to my house of worship and invite them to partake in our rituals, thats very important.

Hickory has been, for the Jewish people here, a very open and welcoming community, Jones said.
Succession battles in political families are rarely smooth. DMK patriarch Karunanidhi has passed the partys baton by and large comfortably to his son MK Stalin, but Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, caught between his demanding brother and son, has failed miserably.

The SP power struggle has split the Yadav family and the 25-year-old party, which is gearing up for silver jubilee celebrations. Party seniors who had judiciously kept out of the feud woke up late. Their efforts yielded no result.

The issues are not limited to the chief ministerial-candidate for the 2017 polls, but the role of outsiders in party affairs, ticket distribution and control over the party.

At stake now is the government that Mulayams son, Akhilesh Yadav, heads. Will Mulayam, an astute politician, ensure fall of his own partys government or manipulate installation of his brother, Shivpal Yadav, as chief minister?

Mulayam is known to flex muscles against rivals. But will he do against his own son? The patriarchs tilt is clearly towards his brother. When an angry Akhilesh stripped Shivpal of his portfolios, the father took away the sons state presidentship. Now, Mulayam sacked Ram Gopal, the chief ministers pillar of support since the day he assumed office.

Read: No love lost between Akhilesh and Shivpal: A timeline of their dispute

For his part, Akhilesh has toned down his belligerence. In a statement, he said he would attend the partys silver jubilee function and continue to serve Netaji, as Mulayam is called.

But anything is possible in a family washing dirty linen in public.

Party state president Shivpal had accused the now-sacked national general secretary and cousin, Ram Gopal, of hobnobbing with the BJP primarily to protect his son and daughter-in-law involved in the Yadav Singh case. The allegations are more personal than political. He also called him a BJP agent.

Optimists believe the faction-ridden party will not formally split, despite the sacking of two key leaders  Shivpal and Ramgopal.

Nonetheless, the ball is now with the divided legislators. They have been vacillating from one camp to another, hoping for a rapprochement between father and son. A time may come when they will have to choose one.

The government is placed precariously. A former adviser to the governor, CB Pandey, says Akhilesh and the MLAs have two options. He can recommend dissolution of the Vidhan Sabha to Raj Bhavan and continue as caretaker chief minister. Technically a cabinet decision would be needed and it is a known fact that the council of ministers is packed with Mulayam loyalists.

Read: Shivpal Singh Yadav: Mulayams right hand man faces rough ride

Mulayam in the early 1990s took the Congress by surprise by getting the assembly dissolved before sunrise. However, he then had a friendly governor, Satya Narain Reddy.

Akhilesh does not have a friend in governor Ram Naik, a BJP veteran, who may go by the book. The BJPs viewpoint will be important, though governors officially dont consult parties they represent.

Another option is to call a legislature party meeting by the leader  the chief minister.

But Mulayam will address a scheduled meeting of legislators on Monday, and they may elect their new leader if he desired. If the legislators elect Mulayam as their leader, he can take over as chief minister and no one will raise a finger to that.

But if Shivpal is elected, Akhilesh may contest and the matter will go to the Raj Bhavan. The governor may fix a date for Akhilesh to prove his strength in the House.

People often talk about a split in the post-Mulayam SP, but thats happening when he is very much around. The mess seems to be too acute to be solved in his lifetime. He hinted at that some time ago: How do I know what will happen?

Read: Victory is where Akhilesh is: Ramgopal Yadav writes letter before SP meet
Business tycoon Ratan Tata advised young students to imbibe ethical, traditional and cultural values, apart from academic knowledge, for leaving behind a legacy for the future generations.

At the 119th founders day function of The Scindia School on Friday evening, Tata  the chief guest at the event  said no matter what career the youngsters pursue in life, they should be adjudged by what legacy they leave behind.

He lauded the role of educational institutions in molding holistic growth of students.

During an interactive session, Tata told students that he never compromised with the fundamental principle of honesty. The business tycoon added his grandmother and JRD Tata left indelible impression on him in his childhood. Tata also briefly spoke about the atmosphere of intolerance which the country was facing.

Earlier, in his presidential address, Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia said the countrys secular fabric was threatened by intolerance and by actions of cow vigilantes.

People are being coerced not to eat or dress freely... The situation is in sharp contrast with the basic spirit of democracy. The freedom of speech, discussion, debate and dissent are the hallmarks of a progressive society, he said.

Scindia spoke about the creation of Phoolbagh square by the erstwhile Scindia rulers to build a temple, a mosque, a gurdwara and a theosophical society at four corners. The idea was to promote social fabric and harmony among people of various sects.

The former Union minister also recalled the old ties which the Scindia family shares with the Tatas.
After a lengthy circle of controversies and mere days before release, director Karan Johars new film Ae Dil Hai Mushkil has been confronted with yet another hurdle. On Sunday, copies of the CBFCs certificate clearing the film with a UA rating and a list of scenes cut was leaked.

The certificate, signed by CBFC chairman Pahlaj Nihalani, reveals the final rating for Ranbir Kapoor, Anushka Sharma, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and (controversially) Fawad Khans film as UA (parental guidance for children below 13).

This is a rating Johar should be pleased with, all things considered. The film ran into trouble recently when Raj Thackerays Maharashtra Navnirman Sena called for its ban for featuring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan in a supporting role. His inclusion in the film, they claimed, was hurtful to Indian sentiments after the Uri attacks (allegedly carried out by Pakistani terrorists) in September.

The certificate wasnt the only document leaked however. There is also a copy of a list of scenes that the CBFC has asked the filmmakers to either remove or alter.

A smooching scene featuring Anushka Sharmas character Alizeh has been asked to be reduced by 50%. The three other cuts are relatively insignificant. Certain lines of dialogue, like Kiska zyada hot hain has been replaced with Kaun zyada hot hain.

All the cuts amount to a total of 7 seconds.

It is interesting to note that this list has been dated October 14, 2016. There is no mention of the added disclaimer honouring the Uri martyrs that was decided upon only a few days ago. There is, however, mention of the usual smoking and this film is a work of fiction disclaimers.

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Director Shoojit Sircar feels if any political party has a problem with films, they should discuss it freely with the filmmakers instead of burning cinema halls.

Filmmaker Karan Johars upcoming venture Ae Dil Hai Mushkil was facing the ire of MNS, which had even threatened to stall the release of the film owing to the presence of Pakistani actor Fawad Khan in the romantic drama.

The issue was resolved yesterday when Johar, accompanied by Producers Guild President Mukesh Bhatt, met Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and assured him that filmmakers would not work with Pakistani artistes given the peoples sentiments in India post Uri terror attack.

Shoojit, who was speaking at a panel discussion at the 18th Jio MAMI Mumbai International film festival with Star, feels audience should be allowed to watch a movie freely.

Asked if he had to request one thing to the government what it would be, Shoojit told reporters, Allow us to make the kind of films we want to make. If someone has any objection with it, come at a platform like this (film festival), discuss it, but dont burn down halls. Dont stop the audience, the film lovers, from going to the hall. If you have any problem, talk to us. We are ready to talk, he added.

While Filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj said he hopes the government can do away with censor board, director Zoya Akhtar said it would be great if it looked into the excessive tax the film industry pays.

Zoya, however, stressed on the issue of piracy and said strict measures need to be taken to stop it. People have to do something about it. It is a bailable offence, there is too much money on piracy. So, till the law doesnt change what can we do. It is stealing. We are losing a lot of money.

Indian Bollywood film director, music composer and screenwriter Vishal Bhardwaj (L) and film director Zoya Akhtar attend the annual press conference for Jio MAMI 18th Mumbai Film Festival in Mumbai. (AFP)

To which, Bhardwaj said, If it (movie) comes out before (its release on Fridays) than it is a problem, otherwise we are used to for years for it to come out on Saturdays.

In countries like France, if you do torrent twice (sic), they will leave you, the third time you will be arrested. Here, the government has so many other work that ye toh baad ki baat hai (not on priority list), the Haider director said.

The three filmmakers were joined by directors Gauri Shinde and Rohit Shetty for the panel discussion about how they are on their film set.

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Rishi Kapoor is the original lover boy of Hindi cinema. Early in his career, films such as Bobby (1973), Khel Khel Mein (1975) and Rafoo Chakkar (1975) helped popularise that image. In his extensive career, he has proved his versatility as an actor as well. Recently, his role as the affable grandfather in Kapoor & Sons fetched a lot of praise from both audiences and critics. We recently caught up with the veteran actor at the iconic R K Films & Studios for a chat.

Are you very particular about the films you choose at this stage in your career?

I have created a monster for myself with the role in Kapoor & Sons, because I am not getting another role of that calibre now. I have a film titled Patel Ki Punjabi Shaadi with Paresh (Rawal) and myself as the leads. Recently, I was approached for a Pakistani film; it was the sequel to one of their biggest hits. I heard the story and found it interesting. Now, of course, it is not possible to act in it. The situation was ironic.

Whats your take on the ban on Pakistani artistes?

They (the Pakistani actors) had official work permits granted by the government of India at that point in time. I understand the problem now, and they even refused to denounce the Uri attacks, for which I am a little upset. I hope this is resolved as soon as possible. We cannot afford to escalate or do anything that is unbecoming; it could be fatal to both the countries. Henceforth, I can understand if the government tells us to follow something. But we cant ban the films that have been already made, because there is so much money involved. Like I mentioned, I was offered a Pakistani film, but I will not do it. My country wont like me to do it. And I am a proud Indian. If Pakistan is a terrorist state, I dont want to be a part of them.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Ranbirs (Kapoor) on-screen chemistry in the Ae Dil Hai Mushkil trailer is being appreciated by audiences. Have you seen the film?

Both of them are looking lovely and the audience is looking forward to the film. Karan Johar (film-maker) makes movies with so much passion, just like the way the late Yash Chopra (film-maker) did. I havent seen the film yet, but I love the music.

What are your views on Ranbirs choice of films?

One has seen that he has done films off the curve, and has also been appreciated for it. It is credible that he has set that trend. It is not only about taking up easy subjects. You must do something that is content-based.

Cherish this photo always!You too can celebrate your daughters at #ProudFathersforDaughters at@NanhiKali Register at https://t.co/iJ892TkbD5 pic.twitter.com/adrRjfWceX  Rishi Kapoor (@chintskap) October 11, 2016

What quality of Ranbirs do you admire the most?

I admire the fact that he is passionate about his work. Usko apne kaam ka bohot shaukh hai (He loves his work). He gets into the skin of his characters. He is involved in the craft. No actor in the world has a 100% success record. Everybody is going to have ups and downs. I know the boy had hit a bad patch. His films didnt do well. That happens with everybody. But I am happy that tomorrow, if I am without work, he will [be able to] support me. I will have a shelter over my head and food to eat. He will be able to look after Neetu (Singh; wife) and me.

A lot has been written about his personal life. As a father, does that bother you?

He is not denying it, nor do we deny it. He is a celebrity; he will be in the news. People will write about him. People wrote about Neetu and me when I was not even married to her. This is the price you have to pay if you are a celebrity. The media is bound to chase you, and might write wrong things about you too. There is so much of yellow journalism.

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Blip or trend? Thats the question analysts and journalists are asking themselves about the poor performance of Indian information technology (IT) services companies. For business media (and the interested public), Flipkart is the new Infosys, Amazon India, the new Cognizant, and Snapdeal, the new Wipro. Several articles in recent days have pointed to the decline of Indian IT services companies. One, by Andy Mukherjee of Bloomberg, was titled Death of a Technology Star. That pretty much says it all. Mints team of analysts pointed out around the same time that growth in inflows from IT has stalled.

Read: Is digital just a buzzword for Indian IT companies?

Ive never met Vishal Sikka, but people who have, including some on the board of Infosys Ltd, tell me he has tremendous technology vision and is a classic Big Picture guy, perhaps the first Infosys CEO since Nandan Nilekani with these attributes. Ive met Tata Consultancy Services Ltd (TCS) CEO Natarajan Chandrasekaran a couple of times and been very impressed with his clarity of thought and certitude (both are desirable qualities, not just among CEOs, but also editors). A few years ago, I conducted an informal survey (Whatsapp, SMS) of around 10 CEOs on who they thought the best contemporary Indian CEO was. Most named Chandrasekaran. Infosys and TCS are big companies by any measure. The first had revenue of $9.5 billion and close to 200,000 employees in 2015-16; the second, revenue of $16.5 billion and over 350,000 employees. Clearly, the two are large (also profitable) companies, run by very smart people.

So, what happened to yesterdays wonder boys?

A little bit of history is in order here. Many of Indias IT services companies began life as body shoppers. They would ship warm bodies to cold climes to serve customers who realised that these companies and coders cost far less than local software companies and engineers. This was in the 1980s (although some of the companies had been founded earlier). Such efforts reached their peak in the 1990s. Private engineering colleges in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka were churning out thousands of engineers, many of whom were happy to work overseas for a dollar stipend, with their regular salaries being credited into their salary accounts in India. The late 1990s were all about the scare around the so-called millennium or Y2K bug  software programmes, and therefore, the businesses and utilities they powered, coming to a halt because no one had anticipated the need for an automatic date shift from 1999 to 2000. Much of this software was in Cobol, and changing the date field everywhere a date was mentioned in lines and lines of code was a lot of fetch-work, but it was also good business.

Read: The Infosys turnaround: hype or reality?

Somewhere along the way, body shopping was replaced by outsourcing, a more respectable term; customers discovered that the Indians who were managing the Y2K issue so well could also build and run their other software applications; and the Indian companies realised that they could actually do some of the work in India (which meant even more labour arbitrage). Gradually, this grew into the business model Indian IT companies grew fat on  the so-called Global Delivery Model. From their swank and sprawling campuses in India, these companies started serving the needs of overseas customers. Much of the work was done in India or off-site, with only some work being done at the customers location or on-site. This was a real innovation, and it disrupted the business  hurting companies such as International Business Machines Corp., Accenture Plc., and Cap Gemini S.A. Many responded by focusing on growing their services business and making India a hub for this.

A decade-and-a-half later, the disruptors have been disrupted. If it was the Global Delivery Model that did this in the 2000s, it is revolutionary new developments in artificial intelligence, cognitive computing, data analytics, the so-called Internet of Things, mobile technologies, and cloud-based computing, all clubbed under that all-encompassing term, digital, that are doing so now. Indian software services firms, for all their seriousness of intent when it comes to digital, are still laggards in the business, according to a recent Mint analysis.

The reason for this was beautifully articulated in the 1990s by Clayton Christensen in his book The Innovators Dilemma. Large and successful companies are often the first or early experimenters with new and potentially disruptive technologies, but often abandon them because their existing customers see no value in them or the returns are too low (compared to that from their existing technologies). Interestingly, Christensen, a professor at Harvard Business School who also popularised the term disruptive innovation, is a long-serving independent director on the board of TCS.

Read: TCS results suggest IT industrys struggles have worsened

We see examples of companies that have fallen prey to the innovators dilemma  yes, the term has entered popular lexicon  all around us. In car makers late to the electric and autonomous vehicles party. In retailers slow to adopt e-commerce. Even in media companies flogging digital extensions of their own products instead of launching entirely new ones (for entirely new audiences). Many companies in these businesses are, like Indias software services companies, very good at what they do. They run their operations efficiently. They probably have a playbook on how to do things. And all these, critical to the success of their existing businesses, ensure that they ignore, respond poorly, or mismanage disruptive innovations.

Can they break out of it?

Can Indian IT services companies?

The answer is yes and as evidence, I offer Microsoft Corp.

Satya Nadella has made Microsoft cool again  by focusing on the mobile and cloud, developing interesting new products, and spending big money on acquisitions such as LinkedIn Corp., Mojang AB (the maker of Minecraft), and several AI (artificial intelligence) start-ups  and many people thought the day would never come.

R Sukumar is editor of Mint and tweets as @mint_ed

letters@hindustantimes.com

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Torrentz alternatives (Photo : Twitter / mallorca_pedro)

Torrent fans looking for the best alternatives to Torrentz.eu and Kickass Torrents are unsurprisingly flocking to the familiar torrenting or free download destinations. It would seem that The Pirate Bay is on top of the list but in the case of UK-based torrent users, the dominant pirates sites - essentially the top KAT and Torrentz alternatives in the country - do not include TPB and not even number two ExtraTorrent.cc.



Advertisement

In a list published by TorrentFreak, the most visited torrenting site in the UK is 123movies.to, which the report described as some sort of a torrent rock star in the European nation. The website is relatively new but it is the most preferred by torrent fans in UK. It has an Alexa ranking of 81 that 123movies.to bested the familiar torrenting names such as The Pirate Bay, YIFY-Torrent and the Russia-based Rutracker.



And with the site increasing its visibility in the torrent scene, it's inevitable that rights holders and authorities will take notice. TorrentFreak said attempts have been made for the original 123movies domain to get blocked by ISPs but as always the case, the operators managed to circumvent the blockade and the site remains accessible.



So is the case with nearly half of the torrent players in the list of UK's most-used pirate sites. The report mentioned at least four websites blocked by ISPs on the request of copyright holders and authorities that include ThePirateBay.org. The rest are operators considered as among the top five torrent sites in the country.



It is somewhat intriguing that the likes of TPB, ExtraTorrent, RARBG, 1337x and YTS.ag are the leaders when it comes to torrenting outside of the United Kingdom but why these sites are nowhere near the top. The answer, according to TorrentFreak, is the UK's active campaign against piracy.



"The UK is a leader on this front, with the High Court ordering local ISPs to block access to many popular file-sharing sites," the report said.



So amidst the blockade being waged by the authorities, only The Pirate Bay, YIFY-Torrent (a clone of the original YTS/YIFY release group) and Rutracker are the familiar names to successfully squeeze in.



The full list is provided below, which for most torrent fans also contains the sites that currently are the best alternatives to Kickass Torrents, Torrentz.eu and TorrentHound:


An Air India plane, carrying 108 passengers and crew members onboard, on Sunday made an emergency landing at the Indira Gandhi International airport here after its tyre burst while taking off from Udaipur.

The aircraft (Airbus 319 operating as flight no AI-472) took off at about 7:20 pm from Udaipurs Maharana Pratap international Airport. Just before it took to the skies, a loud bang was heard, officials said.

The incident was witnessed by CISFs watch tower unit at Udaipur and the air traffic control (ATC) tower was intimated immediately, they said.

An inspection team was rushed to the tarmac, which found fragments of a tyre on the runway, following which the pilot of the plane was alerted and also the Delhi airport, for a possible emergency landing.

The flight, however, landed safely and all passengers and crew are safe, an Air India spokesperson said.

The aircraft (Airbus 319 operating as flight no AI-472) took off at about 7:20 pm from Udaipurs Maharana Pratap international Airport. Just before it took to the skies, a loud bang was heard, officials said.

The incident was witnessed by CISFs watch tower unit at Udaipur and the air traffic control (ATC) tower was intimated immediately, they said.

An inspection team was rushed to the tarmac, which found fragments of a tyre on the runway, following which the pilot of the plane was alerted and also the Delhi airport, for a possible emergency landing.

The flight, however, landed safely and all passengers and crew are safe, an Air India spokesperson said.
The Supreme Court-appointed Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) of Delhi and NCR has asked motor dealers not to stock Bharat Stage-III vehicles.

Sunita Narain, member EPCA and director general of Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), told HT that in a series of meetings conducted on Wednesday with vehicle dealers in Delhi and the NCR region, the deadline to phase out vehicles with BS-III and below emission standards, was reiterated.

After April 2017 the sale and registration of vehicles not complying with BS-IV emission norms will not be allowed. There was a lot of hue and cry around the phase out but there has been enough time given to the dealers to phase out their stock, Narain said.

It has been six years since BS-IV was introduced in India in 2010. Last year, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways also issued a draft notification making BS-IV norms mandatory across the country in a phased manner. The process started in October 2015.

At present, though comprehensive data is unavailable, experts estimate that out of the total vehicles registered in Delhi every day, half are still only BS-III compliant and below. About 1,500 vehicles are registered in the Capital every day.

Narain said that EPCA has written letters to all the state governments asking them not to register any vehicle with emission standards lower than BS-IV beyond March 31 next year.

Studies have found that the compliance of BS-IV standards will reduce particulate emissions by 80% and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels by at least 31%.

The world has already moved towards BS-VI norms and we are still reluctant in moving to BS-IV. We have been in constant touch with the manufacturers and all the companies have the type approval of BS-IV in place, then why delay, she said.

The government has set the deadline for introducing BS-VI norms in 2020.

Automobile experts, however, say that the transition from BS-III to BS-IV is a difficult one mainly because it will call for major technology changes from the automakers end.

A genuine problem which most automakers have sighted is that they have not got enough time to upgrade their technology considering the two main elements  diesel particulate filter and selective catalytic reduction module  would have to be adapted to Indias peculiar conditions, where running speeds are much lower than in Europe or the US, Dr Prashant Srivastava, mechanical engineering department, IIT (Delhi).

He said that a government report of 2014 said that four years after the introduction of BS-IV petrol penetration in the domestic markets of metro cities was 24% and that of high-speed diesel was only 16%.

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The Devendra Fadnavis government has certainly not covered itself in glory in the incident involving the release of the Karan Johar film Ae Dil hai Mushkil. Instead of firmly telling the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and its leader Raj Thackeray that its threats to attack theatres screening the film would be met with the full force of the law, the chief minister allowed things to come to such a pass that the filmmaker not only had to promise not to use Pakistani artistes in his films again but also to run tributes to our jawans who were martyred in Uri at the beginning of the film.

Read: I wont engage with talent from Pakistan in future: Karan Johar

Emboldened by this inaction, Mr Thackeray has now asked that every filmmaker using the services of Pakistani artistes must pay Rs 5 crore to the Army relief fund. This is objectionable and unacceptable. He has no locus standi to impose any such condition. This is not just illegal; it also imposes an enormous financial burden on a filmmaker. But more than any of this, it amounts to dragging the Army into the petty politics surrounding the release of this film. Senior army officers have expressed their discomfort with this saying that the Army is apolitical and secular. The Indian Army should reject this proposal outright. In fact, a senior Army official has already said that money extracted through arm-twisting would not be accepted by it. Clearly, he thinks, and rightly so, that the Armys image would be tarnished by being made part of a political game. Mr Fadnavis spectacular failure to act in time brings to mind another chief minister who presided over a similar controversy over the film, My Name is Khan.

Read: Govt has assured support for release of Karan Johars film, say producers

Former chief minister of Maharashtra Ashok Chavan refused to be cowed down by threats of violence by the Shiv Sena and gave the films screening protection. The government cannot allow itself to be dictated to by hyper-nationalists like Thackeray who is trying to regain lost ground on the political front using this film.

No one has come out of this smelling of roses  Mr Fadnavis has failed in his duty, the film industry has not been able to stand up to a bully and of course, Mr Thackeray has shown himself and his party to be disruptive and extortionist.

Read: Karan Johars ADHM video appeal gets mixed reactions from Bollywood

Filmmakers and the Producers Guild have given Mr Fadnavis assurances that they will not work with Pakistani artistes in future. It is condemnable that Mr Fadnavis accepted this. If this goes unchallenged, parties like the MNS will up the ante. The State must act now to stop this threat to filmmakers and also attempts to drag the Army into politics.
A taxi driver and his friend allegedly robbed and tried to rape two women bouncers of a private firm in Gurgaon in a cab on the way to New Delhi early on Saturday.

A police officer said on Sunday the two women bouncers hailed the taxi near Iffco Chowk for a lift to go to their south Delhi homes after leaving office, unaware that driver Vikas and friend Pawan, whom he picked up a while later, had evil intentions.

The two accused first robbed the women of their jewellery and cash amounting to Rs 28,000.

When the women fought back, Pawan pulled out a pistol and attempted to rape one of them.

The other woman, police said, tried to overpower the driver of the Haryana-registered Mahindra Xylo. In the tussle, he lost control of the car and hit a road divider.

As the car keeled over and stopped, the women managed to get out and shout for help. Passersby came to their rescue and nabbed Pawan, who was later handed to police.

Driver Vikas was caught on Sunday from a house in which he was hiding after bolting from the accident spot.

The driver escaped with the jewellery, cash and weapon, says the womens complaint note at DLF Phase 2 police station.

Station house officer Sudeep Kumar said Vikas is from Aligarh district in Uttar Pradesh and lives in Feroze Gandhi colony of Gurgaon. Pawan, who lives in Gurgaons Pratap Nagar, is a native of Bahadurgarh in Haryana.

They were charged with criminal intimidation, snatching, and attempted rape.

This is second alarming incident of crime against women in and near Gurgaon this month. A 35-year-old married woman was allegedly gang-raped and murdered by her husbands relatives and her body dumped inside an abandoned SUV in the Nagina area of Mewat on October 19.

Barely a week before, a 27-year-old garment company employee was allegedly gang-raped by her brother-in-law and three others in a car.
With Bollywood producers bowing to his diktat and even the chief minister mediating to ensure the release of Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray appears to have scored a big win.

Saturdays development surprised many as the MNS threat to ransack multiplexes did not seem serious  Mumbai police were already prepared to pre-empt any violent protests. Even political analysts did not give much significance to the partys stand because Thackerays threats in the recent past have just remained threats. In this background, Thackeray managed to score well by sending out the message that his party was still a strong force in Mumbai.

Read | Ae Dil Hai Mushkil to release after producers say wont work with Pak actors

The entire episode helped the MNS raise its importance in the political arena. Not only was the state government a mute spectator, it also endorsed the unconstitutional way of settling the issue. But analysts see more politics than governance as the reason behind chief minister Devendra Fadnavis action.

By convening a meeting of the film producers with Thackeray at his official residence, Fadnavis killed two birds with one stone. He managed to broker peace ahead of Diwali by ensuring the films smooth release while allowing the MNS to gain political mileage out of the controversy.

The episode highlighted the rising camaraderie between BJP and MNS in the state over the last couple of years and, more importantly, when crucial Mumbai civic polls are just three months away. Analysts feel it is a deliberate attempt by Fadnavis as his party attempts to cut its ally, the Shiv Sena, to size. Both Sena and MNS share the same voter base  the Marathi manoos in Mumbai. If Thackerays party eats into the Senas share, the BJP, contesting on its own, will find it easier to outsmart its partner in the civic polls.

The MNS has successfully hijacked the Shiv Senas decades-old agenda of so-called patriotism by appearing to have won the battle against the film producers. The party, at an all-time low since it was formed 10 years ago, has definitely got a political boost... said a Sena leader.

Read | Ae Dil Hai Mushkil gets green signal, but B-Town bows to Raj Thackeray over Rs 5-crore penance

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Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday lashed out at the BJP over his Maharashtra counterpart Devendra Fadnavis role in mediating talks between the MNS and filmmakers in ensuring the release of Ae Dil Hai Mushkil featuring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan.

BJP will ruin the country, Kejriwal tweeted, agreeing to another post that described the solutions arrived at as extortionist.

MNS chief Raj Thackeray has faced flak from various quarters, including the army, over his conditions that filmmakers who worked with Pakistani actors have to comply with. Thackerays demands included a contribution of Rs 5 crore to the army welfare fund.

Fadnavis has also been facing criticism from the opposition parties for bowing to the high-handed tactics of the MNS and failing to ensure rule of law in Maharashtra.

Ae Dil Hai Mushkil actors Anushka Sharma (left) and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan (right) with director Karan Johar (centre) at the MAMI 18th Mumbai Film Festival in Mumbai. (AP Photo)

Under pressure from political and other outfits, Bollywood film producers had announced on Saturday that they will not engage with Pakistani artistes, clearing decks for the smooth release of Karan Johars Ae Dil Hai Mushkil.

MNS had threatened to disrupt the screening of the film because it features Pakistani actor Fawad Khan.

Johar has agreed to put a special mention in the beginning of the film paying homage to martyrs, a move to assuage sentiments in the country triggered by the terror attack on an army base in Uri that claimed the lives of 19 soldiers.

Thackeray said MNS had laid down three conditions that filmmakers, who worked with Pakistani actors, have to comply with.
Congress leader Anand Sharma on Sunday cautioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his cabinet colleagues over their remarks regarding national security.

Its sad that both the Prime Minister and the defence minister have deliberately made misleading statements giving an impression that this was the first time the Indian Army had taken action against cross border terror attack in three decades, Sharma told reporters here.

He said such a claim was an insult to the Indian Army, which had firmly retaliated against all such attacks in the past.

Coming out in support of the previous Congress-led UPA, he said: The armed forces always had the freedom to effectively respond when required and had the support of the previous government to do so.

Former union minister Sharma, who belongs to this town, said the UPA government in its wisdom decided not to claim political ownership and make loud announcements.

Defence minister Manohar Parrikars statement, therefore, is an insult to the martyrs of the army, including the Kargil heroes, he said.

Urging the Prime Minister and the government to stop politicising the action of armed forces for narrow political gains, Sharma said the government was indulging in this propaganda to divert the attention of the people from its failures.

The weak GDP in the first quarter of the current financial year raises serious concern over the state of the Indian economy, despite government efforts at inflating figures, he said.

On foreign direct investment (FDI) in the country, Sharma said: The government itself informed Parliament on July 20, 2016 that India received FDI of $40 billion in 2015-16.

The highest FDI India received was $46.56 billion in 2011.

It is equally a matter of concern that only 24 of the FDI received in the last two years has been in manufacturing whereas service share of the FDI is 78%he said.
Chennais Apollo Hospital where Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa is admitted for a month now, may have turned into a fortress but patients say there is not much hassle.

There seems to be more visible security, given that your chief minister is admitted here, but then from where I come from, we all are used to much more, -- even military presence. Security is important and I have no complaints. Nor can I complain against the attitude or efficiency of the medical staff here, said 56-year-old Ashwini Kumar Anand, an executive engineer with Jammu and Kashmir government from Srinagar, walking out of the hospital.

Read | TN: Acting governor visits CM Jayalalithaa in hospital, says shes better

Helped by his wife and son Abhinav, who is the state general secretary of National Panthers Party, Anand told Hindustan Times he encountered no problems on account of heightened police presence or increase in VIP population in the hospital premises.

He came to Chennai on October 21 for treatment for liver transplant. This is in the hands of God. But I am very satisfied with the treatment I have got here, he said when asked how he found the place, which is crawling with security men.

Were they blocked or were their movement restricted? We did not need to move around much as the work was cut out, and it was clear which doctor would attend. If the VIP was there, we did not get a sense of it, he said, adding, I pray for her early recovery.

Read | How is Jayalalithaa? Rumour abuzz on Twitter despite denials, health reports

But security issues did impact patients in other ways. All vehicles were stopped at the main gate and only a few such as doctors and senior employees vehicles were allowed inside. Most of the patients had to walk the last 50 odd steps to the main building.

Only ambulances and battery-powered vehicles deployed by the Apollo to ferry those could not walk at all, were allowed inside the premises, drop patients and come out.

Fifty-year-old Mia Quasim Ali from Bararangrash village of Cooch Bihar district of West Bengal was wheeled out by a hospital attendant in his uniform. His wife, son and daughter, accompanied him when he went in for dressing of his infected right leg. A farmer, he is being treated for a poisonous wound for the past 10 days.

The trio show up around 2 pm, show their papers to the security at the gate before they are waved in. A waiting attendant then takes over. Two hours later, Ali and his family are out.

Koi pareshaani nahin (no problem) was the response to a question if going inside the hospital was difficult for Ali. I have to come for another four days, he said. His son, Lotif Hassan, also a farmer like his father, said, Eventually, he has to go for plastic surgery to get his right foot completely all right.

The family then stepped into an AMMA auto-rickshaw, no not an autorickshaw service launched under Brand Amma. In fact it is an auto driver, G Sukumar, who, after seeing the plight of patients who had to walk up half a km to reach the main road to board a bus or an auto, began ferrying such patients free of cost.

I take wheel-chair bound patients, those needing urgent and emergency services, wherever they need to go, absolutely free of cost. Last evening, I dropped a patient to Madras Central (Chennai central railway station, for which auto rickhaw drivers can charge anything up to Rs 250), he told Hindustan Times.

I am an Amma Bhakt and do it purely as a social service. I do not take money from anyone and have been spending out of pocket, said Sukumar. He usually earns anything between Rs 1000 to Rs 1500 per day, after deducting petrol and running expenses.

His parents do not mind his splurging on social service. Already, I have spent Rs 42,000 so far. And my limit is Rs one Lakh. Before that only, I hope Amma gets discharged and gets home. Or else, I will have to take a loan, he said.

Read | Jayalalithaa lands in hospital, sets of frantic speculation on her health

I started this free auto rickshaw service after about six or seven days of Amma coming here. Then, the road was blocked and patients and their relatives had to walk till the hospital gate. But now things are very relaxed, the vehicles are allowed up to the main gate, where they get dropped. In case of serious patients, the attendants bring either wheel chairs or stretchers, he said.

Another auto rickshaw driver standing nearby, however said, Apollo Hospital had deployed three battery buses to ferry patients from the main road to the portico inside. But they reduced it to two and now only one operates. And today, even that one is missing.

So the really needy patients have only Sukumar to thank for the last half-mile connectivity.

But the high security has whittled down business with Apollo Hospital corporate sources indicating as much. Many people are avoiding the hospital.

In fact, Apollo Hospital had to issue a statement that it was functioning normally and that patients need not go elsewhere.

Also read | The lack of transparency about Jayalalithaas health is worrying

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Pilots of a Jet Airways Doha-Cochin flight made a blind landing in Thiruvananthapuram on August 17 last year, risking the lives of 150 passengers and crew, as bad weather prevented them from seeing the runway, an investigation found.

The dangerous landing could have had disastrous consequences, says the final investigation report that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation submitted to the government last week.

They could have diverted the flight to a safe airport, instead of attempting to land in bad weather, an official said.

The report, that Hindustan Times has access to, gives details of what went on in the cockpit as the pilots of flight 9W-555 declared May Day and managed to land only in the seventh attempt after doing an unprecedented six go-arounds  a flight path taken by an aircraft after an aborted approach to land  in two airports.

Do you know where it (runway) is? the first officer is heard asking in the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) as the pilots made a seventh attempt to land.

Just going blindly, the captain replied.

The captain was demoted to the rank of co-pilot after the incident, which is classified as serious. The pilots didnt respond to attempts for their comments.

The Boeing 737 was left with just 349kg of fuel when it finally landed, burning most of the fuel during the six go-arounds. An aircraft can consume up to 100-150kg of fuel during taxiing itself.

Had the pilots gone for another go-around, the plane would have crashed because there was not enough fuel left, officials said.

When the Jet flight reached Cochin airspace it had 4,844kg of fuel. It made three attempts to land in Cochin, but could not make visual contact with the runway and the fuel went down to 4,699kg, 3,919kg and 2,644kg in each attempt.

The minimum diversion fuel for Bengaluru, the designated alternative airport, was 3,306 kg. That forced the crew to head to nearby Thiruvananthapuram.

In the first approach  fourth of the flight  in Thiruvananthapuram, the pilots again did a go-around. With just 1,324kg fuel left, they declared May Day. After the fifth and sixth attempts, fuel was down to 898kg and 662kg.

The aircraft took a 180-degree turn at very low height setting off the alarms, said an official.

The manoeuvre activated the enhanced ground proximity warning system (EGPWS), which warned repeatedly, Terrain, terrain pull up, the report says.

But the captain continued the approach, ignoring all warnings and no visual contact of the runway, to finally land on the seventh attempt. An absence of company policy on how many approaches a pilot is allowed in inclement weather caused the incident, the report says.

A Jet Airways spokesperson said: While the airline took all possible measures, including adequate fuel, inclement weather created a situation which demanded that the pilots apply all their skills and training to ensure a safe landing.

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Home minister Rajnath Singh will raise the issue of Pakistans continuous support to cross border terrorism with the top leadership of Bahrain and seek their cooperation in tackling international terrorism during his three-day visit to the Gulf country beginning Sunday.

Singh, who left for Manama on Sunday, will meet Bahrain King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Prime Minister Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and interior minister Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa and will discuss with them various bilateral issues.

Pakistans continuous support to cross border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir is expected to be raised by the home minister in his meetings with the top leadership of Bahrain.

Singh is also likely to tell them that India cannot take at face any of the assurances that Pakistan provides in regard to stopping terrorism.

In a statement before his departure, Singh said India and Bahrain are working together to further strengthen security and counter terrorism cooperation between the two countries.

The home minister said India and Bahrain enjoy excellent bilateral relations characterised by broad-based political, economic and cultural contacts.

There will be extensive discussions on how to enhance bilateral cooperation with regard to tackling international terrorism, organised crime and each others fugitives at the meeting between Singh and his Bahrain counterpart Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, sources said.

Bahrain is a key member of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) in which Pakistan is also a member.

Singh will also address the Indian community in Bahrain during his trip.

On Friday, president of National Security Agency of Bahrain, Sheikh Talal bin Mohammed bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa, had called on the home minister in Delhi.

Singh then told him that his three-day visit to Bahrain will enhance bilateral ties with the Gulf nation and it grows from strength to strength.

The home minister had hoped for an expeditious and successful negotiation of the bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Defence Cooperation which is under active consideration of the Bahraini side.

Referring to the buildup of ISIS in the West Asia-Gulf region and the rise of religious extremism, the home minister said its negative impact on the Muslim population around the world is of serious concern for India too.

On relations with Pakistan, Singh had said since there was no change in Pakistans approach of sponsoring terrorism, we cannot take at face any of the assurances that Pakistan provides in regard to stopping terrorism.
[UPDATE] Best Torrentz and Kickass Torrents alternatives available: The Pirate Bay inaccessible due to host error

Best Torrentz and Kickass Torrents alternatives available: The Pirate Bay remains offline due to host error (Photo : Yibada/Tarun Mazumdar)

The Pirate Bay is down due to an error at the host level. TPB has been offline for a few hours. However, there are other torrent options available for the netizens.



The Pirate Bay is offline as the webpage of the torrent website is showing error and a cached version of TPB is running.



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This is not the first time The Pirate Bay has gone down as earlier the website has faced similar issues. But, it remains the most resilient website after Torrentz and Kickass Torrents demise.



The Torrentz and Kickass Torrents alternatives are:



1. YIFY



2. ExtraTorrent



3. YTS



It is likely that The Pirate Bay will recover in a few hours from the outage.



Meanwhile, in other Pirate news, The Pirate Party can create history in Iceland as they are set to win. Torrent Freak spoke with asta Helgadottir, Member of Parliament (Icelandic Pirate Party).



"This will change how Iceland functions as a democracy, transitioning into a much more meaningful democracy. The Pirates are focused on decentralization of power, access to information and civil and human rights. The pillars of any meaningful notion of democracy," she said.



The copyright issues are not core plans for the party, but they have spoken against the website-blocking measures. The party sees the blockade of The Pirate Bay and similar infringing website as a disastrous step.



"These measures are not a solution and only exacerbate the problem. There needs to be a review of copyright law and how creators are compensated for their work."



She also talked about the vote percentage the party is expecting. However, she mentioned that they do not have a set target.



"We do not have a specific target in terms of percentages. Our objective is to get the ball rolling on some fundamental issues, whether that happens with 10% of the vote or 40% of the vote is not paramount."



Stay tuned for more The Pirate Bay, Torrentz and Kickass Torrents news and updates.



Update: The Pirate Bay is online and accessible.


Subahani Haja Moideen, an Indian alleged to be an ISIS operative, knew the terrorists who carried out the attack inside a theatre in Paris last November killing over 100 people but has feigned ignorance about the deadly plot, it has emerged from investigations.

Moideen was arrested from Tamil Nadu in a crackdown by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) with the help of central security agencies and other state police, foiling designs of ISIS operatives to target few judges of Kerala and foreign tourists visiting the coastal state.

The accused, picked up from Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu, was radicalised and recruited in ISIS through social media platforms and he had left India for Istanbul from Chennai in April last year on the pretext of performing Umrah, official sources said.

After reaching Istanbul, he crossed over along with other people who hailed from Pakistan and Afghanistan to Iraqi territory under control of ISIS.

That is the period during which Moideen claimed that he had met Paris bombers including Abdelhamid Abaaoud and Salah Abdeslam, the sources said.

While Abaaoud was killed in retaliatory fire during the Paris theatre attack in November last year, Abdelslam is in the custody of French police.

Moideen had returned to India in November and he said he came to know about the Paris attack through news and remembered his meetings with the accused in ISIS controlled Iraq and Syria, the sources said.

The NIA has informed the French security officials and contacted its Embassy here, the sources said, adding this was done in case it would lend any help in their investigation.

They said that French officials could question him as well after getting the requisite court order.

According to the multi-country investigation into the French terror strikes, the accused involved in the gruesome killings were in ISIS-controlled areas at the same time when Moideen was there.

31-year-old Moideen was in Iraq from April 8, 2015 from where he was taken to Mosul and underwent detailed religious training followed by combat training which included a course in automated weapons. After this, he was deputed to fight war for almost two weeks.

During the war, he told interrogators that he was paid USD 100 per month as an allowance by ISIS besides accommodation and food.

However, he told interrogators that he could not withstand the violence and war misery in Mosul and decided to leave especially after he saw two of his friends getting charred.

He was jailed by ISIS and produced before an Islamic judge who sent him to Syria. He claimed that he was allowed to cross over to Turkey from where he contacted his family with the help of the Indian consulate at Istanbul.

He arrived in Mumbai after a gap of six months in September last year on an emergency certificate and returned to his ancestral place where he was staying with his wife. He later managed to get a job at a jewellery shop at Kadayanallur in Tamil Nadu.
At a time when the Aam Aadmi Party is threatening to occupy its political space in Odisha, the Congress is hit by intense infighting with all its 16 legislators revolting against state chief Prasad Harichandan.

The legislators, led by Congress Legislature Party leader Narasingha Mishra, have been camping in Delhi since last week to persuade the central leadership to go for a change of guard. They have even reportedly threatened to resign from the assembly.

Congress sources said the disgruntled legislators had sought an appointment with party vice-president Rahul Gandhi, but he called only Mishra for a meeting. It is learned that Mishra conveyed the sentiments of all the legislators, who later sought an appointment with Congress chief Sonia Gandhi.

The legislators argue that Harichandans failure to stem the rebellion in the state unit and carry everybody along could impact the partys performance in next years panchayat elections.

Harichandan had replaced Jayadev Jena as the state chief after the drubbing in the 2014 Lok Sabha and assembly elections. The Congress managed to bag just 16 out of 147 assembly seats and drew a blank in the Lok Sabha polls.

A senior central functionary said the legislators are pitching for former state chief Niranjan Patnaiks name, but the party leadership appears unwilling to oblige them at this moment. He said the Congress high command is not in favour of immediate change of guard in the state, as it will send a wrong signal that the leadership has succumbed to the pressure from dissidents. But in politics, you never know what will happen tomorrow, the leader said.

In a statement recently, Patnaik had said the rats wrecking the Congress from within need to be shown the door.

Former Odisha chief minister Hemanand Biswal is another contender for the top party post in the state. Biswal, a former Pradesh Congress Committee chief, had met Rahul Gandhi in June to convey his displeasure over Harichandan.

Officially, the Congress legislators were in Delhi to meet President Pranab Mukherjee over the Mahanadi river water dispute between Odisha and Chhattisgarh.

The rise of the AAP, which is projecting itself as a viable alternative in 2019 state polls, has prompted the Congress to take corrective steps. The party last month named different panels for the upcoming civic polls, a move seen as a first step towards strengthening its organisational structure across Odisha.

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Terrorism is a global problem and the international community must join hands to root out the menace, Union home minister Rajnath Singh said here on Sunday, as he began his three-day visit to the Gulf country.

Addressing the Indian community in Bahrain, Singh also said the Narendra Modi government has made several structural and procedural changes and that resulted in successfully reducing the wholesale corruption in the country.

Terrorism is a global problem and the entire international community has to come together to face the challenges posed by the menace, he said.

Highlighting various initiatives of the Modi government, the Home Minister said the NDA dispensation is creating an environment that will make every Indian proud.

India today is the fastest growing economy in the world and now it has become the most favorite destination for investments.

India has attracted maximum FDI in one year which is more than even of the United States and China. India attracted USD 51 billion FDI in one year, he said.

Singh said that schemes like Jan Dhan Yojana, Skill India, Digital India, Make in India and others are having a positive impact on Indias economy.

Our Prime Minister is very imaginative and extremely hard-working leader. He is working to minimise economic disparities in India, he said.

The Home Minister said Bahrain has started a Little India in Bahrain project and both the countries are coming closer on emotional level as well.

Earlier, upon his arrival, the Home Minister was received at the airport by Bahrains Interior Minister Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa.

Singh will meet Bahrain King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Prime Minister Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and the Interior Minister and will discuss with them various bilateral issues.

Pakistans continuous support to cross border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir is expected to be raised by the Home Minister in his meetings with the top leadership of Bahrain, official sources said.

There will be extensive discussions on how to enhance bilateral cooperation with regard to tackling terror and each others fugitives at the meeting between Singh and his Bahrain counterpart Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, sources said.
The Jharkhand ad-hoc teachers, who are put in a camp jail at a construction site in Ranchi since Thursday, wrote at least 10,000 letters with their blood to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday demanding regularisation of services.

More than 70,000 ad-hoc or para teachers, who claim to run several schools in the interiors of Jharkhand without any help from regular teachers, sat on a strike on October 17 against the governments alleged apathy.

In the past ten years, the teachers have gone on strikes for at least five times, derailing education in several small and big government schools.

On Saturday, their bloodstained letters to the PM highlighted their Mann Ki Baat and the alleged negligence of the state government.

Zindagi Maut Na Ban Jaye Sambhalo Modi Ji, Hazaron Para Shikshako Ka Ghar Na Ujado Modi Ji (Dont snatch away livelihood of thousands of para teachers, Modiji), said one of the letters. They used syringes to take out blood from their body and used it as ink for the letters.

Another letter said: Mananiya Pradhanmantri, Jharkhand Ke Para Sikshakon Ke Sath Nyay Kijiye (Honourable prime minister, please impart justice to the para teachers of Jharkhand).

These teachers were appointed under the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan from 2002 as Siksha Mitra (education friend) on honorarium basis. Majority of them are working for nearly a decade yet claim to earn less than `5000 a month.

I hope that Modiji reads our letters and understands our pain and agony, said Sanjay Dubey, president, Jharkhand Para Sikshak Sangh.

School education and literacy secretary Aradhana Patnaik said the government was ready for a dialogue with the teachers, and protests should not be seen as a solution to every problem.

We have given them a deadline of October 25 to resume work. Meanwhile, we are also open for dialogues, she said.

A senior education official, who did not wish to be named, said a majority of people who have camped in the city either lacked qualifications or were not even serving as para teachers. The eligibility for their job was initially class 10 pass, but was later revised to graduate.

On Thursday, the teachers started a fresh protest at Morhabadi and were sent to a camp jail at Jaipal Singh Stadium. However, they voluntarily stayed at the stadium to stage protests from Friday onwards.

The administration failed to provide toilet facilities to the protestors, forcing female teachers to defecate in the open.

Do teachers deserve such treatment? How can the administration keep us at a place where there are no toilets for female teachers, said Gayatri Kumari, a para teacher from Hazaribagh.

Ranchi deputy commissioner Manoj Kumar said they were making the place dirty.

We have not forced them to stay at the stadium, the teachers are free to return home.

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Anupam Gupta, a senior advocate of the Punjab and Haryana high court, stunned all on Friday by claiming that a senior Haryana government bureaucrat, who was a member of the Prakash Singh panel on February Jat quota violence, was abused by chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar for sharing information on the alleged Murthal gangrapes.

Gupta, who is assisting a high court (HC) division bench as an impartial adviser on suo motu petition initiated on the violence, not only named additional chief secretary Vijai Vardhan as the panel member who had shared information on gangrapes with him, but also said the Indian Administrative Services (IAS) officer was called up by the Haryana chief minister himself.

In May, Gupta had told the court that a member of the Prakash Singh panel, probing acts of omission on part of officials during the violence, had met crucial witnesses, who had shared details of alleged horrific incidents of the February 21-22 night. He had then stated that one of the members had called him up and shared accounts of witnesses and confirmed the alleged rapes in Murthal.

After I shared the details in court, the Haryana chief minister himself called up Vijai Vardhan and not only was he pulled up but abused as well. The call was made at a time when Vardhans father, who later passed away, was in hospital, Gupta told the HC bench of justices SS Saron and Sneh Prashar. Apart from former Uttar Pradesh director general of police (DGP) Prakash Singh and Vardhan, Haryana DGP KP Singh was a panel member.

Govt seeks in-camera proceedings

During the hearing, the Haryana government sought to share some information with the court but only in in-camera proceedings. It further submitted that a status report on its investigation had been prepared, but at the present stage it wanted to share it only with the court, which could further decide on sharing it with Gupta or not.

However, the senior advocate strongly objected to it, stating that it was a well-fashioned strategy of the government to avoid sharing of information with amicus curiae (impartial adviser). What is the point in having an amicus (curiae) then, if information is not to be shared with me? Is it happening in any other court in the country? Gupta questioned, as additional solicitor general Tushar Mehta, appearing for the government, countered submissions by stating that the case was at a critical stage and the government wanted to protect some sources, who had given vital leads.

However, Gupta claimed that he too had betrayed every possible moral confidence of his sources and shared information in larger public interest to the court in this case. He added that at no point he had shared information with media and if there was any such instance, the government should point it out.

As in place of justice Lisa Gill, justice Sneh Prashar was present in the division bench, the court deferred the hearing for December 3.

Progress reports on 2,105 FIRs sought by Dec 3

In second such instance in the past six months, the HC on Saturday asked area magistrates in the state to examine the progress made in 2,105 first information reports (FIRs) registered in the February 2016 Jat quota violence and submit their reports by December 3.

The court had earlier sought the reports on June 1, which had exposed the slow pace of investigation. The HC has asked area magistrates to also give necessary directions to investigators. The court further observed that it was not going to give up monitoring, for which the state had made a request on the last date of hearing.

Meanwhile, the government told the court that FIRs relating to two properties of Haryana finance minister Captain Abhimanyus brother would be recommended for a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) next week. Three cases pertaining to violence in Rohak had already been handed over to the CBI. The government also said that so far 565 challans had been presented, in over 2,066 cases challans were put up without making any arrest and 732 persons arrested so far for the Jat quota violence.
Emotions were at play in the Samajwadi Party crisis on Sunday, as chief minister Akhilesh Yadav invoked his father amid reports that Mulayam Singh Yadav was distressed over the current developments and had told senior leaders that he never imagined he would see such days.

Netaji (party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav) is my father and my leader. In both his capacities, I will serve him all my life, Akhilesh said at the legislature party meeting on Sunday morning, according to a press statement.

Akhilesh appeared to have softened his stance soon immediately after the sacking of the partys national general secretary Ramgopal Yadav. He issued a statement that he would participate in the silver jubilee celebrations of the party on November 5 and any other such event.

Read | SP chief Mulayam asks loyalists to keep an eye on Ramgopal supporters

This cleared the suspense over his participation in the event. Since Wednesday, speculation was rife that he would give the event a miss in the backdrop of the family feud in the party.

The speculation began after Akhilesh announced he would go on yatra on November 3, two days ahead of the partys November 5 event.

Akhilesh also cleared that air about rumours of him launching a new party: I will stay in the party and consolidate it.

He said he would gift the Lucknow-Agra Expressway on Mulayams birthday on November 22.

Read | Ramgopal pledges support to Akhilesh, says Mulayam surrounded by demonic powers

Rajendra Chowdhary, a minister close to the CM and who issued the press statement on his behalf, said most of the members of the party legislature attended the meeting.

Chowdhary also quoted Akhilesh as saying, I will follow every order of Netaji. I have carried out with sincerity the responsibility that Netaji gave me and continue to do so.

I will not spare anyone who will conspire against the party and Netaji. Some people who have conspired in damaging the family, I will act against them and their supporters, he said.

The statement also said several resolutions were passed at the meeting.
The National Commission for Women is yet to receive a formal request for release from jail from Nalini Sriharan, one of the seven people convicted for the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, but it is seeking legal opinion on the matter.

Nalini and the other convicts have been incarcerated for the past 26 years.

Rajiv Gandhi and several others, including security personnel and party workers, were killed as a suspected Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) terrorist blew herself up after the then prime minister arrived in Sriperumbudur village to address an election rally in May 1991.

According to reports, Nalini sent a written appeal to the NCW, requesting it to facilitate her release. About 2,200 women prisoners were released on compassionate grounds in Tamil Nadu between 2001 and 2008.

However, the NCW claims to not have received any communication so far.

Read | Rajiv assassins plea for release gets pro-Tamil groups support

We are yet to receive any communication from Nalini and have been only seeing reports in media, NCW chairperson Lalitha Kumaramangalam told Hindustan Times. But even then, I have sought opinion from legal luminaries to ascertain whether the commission has the mandate to look into an issue over which the Supreme Court has already taken a view.

Nalini has been trying to secure her release on the grounds that she has spent over two decades in jail.

In her latest memorandum, reportedly sent to the NCW on Saturday, Nalini wondered if she would ever be able to live a normal life and meet her daughter, who lives abroad.

Will I be able to fix the marriage of my daughter, she is said to have asked in her appeal.

The issue of the fate of Rajiv Gandhis assassins takes on emotional undertones in the state, as pro-Tamil parties whip up sentiments at every available opportunity. Incidentally, the Tamil Nadu government had, using its powers of remission, decided to release all the seven convicts in February 2014, but this move was blocked by the Central government.

Read | Centre denies rejecting TN govt plea for release of Rajiv assassins

The Supreme Court later stepped in and a Constitution bench ruled that a state government did not have suo motu powers to remit sentences of persons convicted under a central law and cases investigated by a central agency such as the CBI.

The Supreme Court also ruled that a life sentenced is for life.

The issue was revived again before the 2016 general elections, with the Tamil Nadu government writing to the Centre, seeking its view on the release of the seven convicts. The central government, however, once again rejected the proposal.

Nalini has been exploring various avenues for her release and had pinned her hopes on chief minister J Jayalalithaa. She appealed to the CM, following which the Tamil Nadu government wrote to the central government in March this year.

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After sacking four members, including his uncle Shivpal Yadav, from the state cabinet, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav ruled out on Sunday any move to split the Samajwadi Party.

The 43-year-old chief minister reportedly became emotional when he told his supporters that he would also be attending a meeting called on Monday by his father, Mulayam Singh Yadav.

Netaji is not only the leader of the party but also my father and I will always be with him, he said.

Akhilesh, however, openly targeted Rajya Sabha member Amar Singh for the first time, accusing him of trying to break his family as well as the Samajwadi Party.

Legislators who attended the meeting said Akhilesh accused Amar Singh of acting at the behest of the BJP.

Who so ever goes with him (Amar Singh), goes out of the party, Ahkilesh said.

Anybody who is close to Amar Singh or bats for him cannot be in my cabinet, he told the legislators gathered at his official residence while justifying his decision to sack Shivpal and three other ministers.

The sacked ministers are known to be ardent supporters of Shivpal, who is also the state Samajwadi Party chief and known to be close to Mulayam.

Soon after he was shown the door, a second time in a little over a month, Shivpal dumped his government vehicle and started using his private car, an official said.

Shivpal then went to meet his elder brother, Mulayam.

Shivpal is reported to be very livid over his sacking and has told Mulayam Singh that the immaturity and arrogance of Akhilesh cannot be tolerated any longer.

This is the second time in a month that Shivpal has been sacked by his nephew.

Read|Shivpal Singh Yadav: Mulayams right hand man faces rough ride

On the first occasion, he was shown the door on September 13 but was taken back after the party chief asked Akhilesh to revoke his decision.

Akhilesh, however, retained the PWD portfolio that Shivpal held earlier.

Soon after the four ministers were sacked on Sunday, senior party leaders rushed to meet both Mulayam and Akhilesh.

Independent MLA and controversial minister Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias Raja Bhaiyya met the chief minister and later told reporters that people will have to accept the decision of Akhilesh Yadav.

He also urged party leaders and workers to refrain from making public comments against anyone.

In a related development, Transport Minister Gayatri Prajapati, known to be another bone of contention between the two camps, met Akhilesh Yadav twice in two hours.

A source told a news agency that Mulayam Singh was cut up with his cousin and Rajya Sabha member Ram Gopal Yadav, who in a letter on Sunday morning stoked the fire in the family even further.

In his hand-written letter, timed 6am. and datelined Mumbai, Ram Gopal Yadav has urged party workers to support Akhilesh Yadav as he was the one who would lead them to victory.

Jahan Akhilesh hai, wahan vijay hai, he wrote.

Those who are opposing the chief minister were greedy, corrupt and characterless people and they would not even be able to see the Vidhan Sabha again, he wrote.

This is being seen as an attack on Mulayam and Shivpal.

Meanwhile, the family feud within the Samajwadi Party deepened with Mulayam removing his brother Ramgopal from the party on allegations of colluding with the BJP, just hours after Akhilesh sacked his uncle Shivpal.

Read| Yadav family feud intensifies: Mulayam sacks Ramgopal from party

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Pakistan Rangers violated ceasefire twice on Sunday in R S Pura sector of international border (IB), using mortar shells and firing small arms.

Border Security Force (BSF) gave a suitable reply and no one was injured on Indian side.

Firing was still going on.

Pakistan rangers resorted to first small arm fire at 1820 hours and few 82 mm mortar bombs were also fired at our positions at 2145 hours, a BSF spokesperson said.

Pakistan Rangers resorted to mortar shelling in Abdullian and Korotana Khurd area of the sector, he said.

Earlier on Sunday evening, Pakistan violated the ceasefire along the IB, as Pakistani Rangers used small arm fire to target Indian posts, which was not retaliated by the BSF.

Sundays ceasefire violation came within hours of warning by additional director general, BSF, Arun Kumar that Pakistan will have to face dire consequences if any BSF Jawan was targeted.

He also said that the BSF was fully prepared to deal with any eventuality arising due to the buildup on the Pakistani side.

Kumar said that the lull along the border could take any turn anytime.

On Friday night, Pakistan Rangers had targeted the border hamlets and border outposts (BoP) with mortar shells and opened fire from automatic weapons along the IB in the sector.

During the late night attack, which started around 11 pm and continued till Saturday morning, Pakistan Rangers had used 60 and 81 mm shells in the Korotana Khurd and Budhipur Jattan villages in the R S Pura sector.

Seven Pakistan Rangers personnel and a terrorist were killed and three others seriously injured in a befitting retaliatory action by the BSF as the Pakistani troops had targeted six sectors in Jammu, Kathua, Samba, Poonch and Rajouri districts of Jammu and Kashmir.
Indian Police Service (IPS) officers are planning to take their fight for parity with their Indian Administrative Service (IAS) counterparts to the doorstep of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Besides the IAS and the IPS, the Indian Forest Service (IFS) are the three services designated as All India Services (AIS). Both IPS and IFS officers have been demanding parity in pay and promotions with the IAS.

The 7th pay panel examined the longstanding demand for parity between the AIS. After extensive study and stakeholder consultations, in a majority opinion (barring lone dissenting voice of a member who is a retired IAS officer) the panel recommended parity among the AIS in the matters of pay, empanelment and opportunities to compete for senior positions, said the IPS central association in statement after its annual general body meeting on Friday.

Read | Pay panel: IAS & non-IAS parity demand tossed into the deep freezer

The IPS association further said the principle of pay parity was endorsed by their cadre controlling authority  the ministry of home affairs (MHA). The MHA forwarded for final decision to the Department of Personnel, where it is still pending without any indication of any forward movement.

We are left with no option but to knock on the door of the PM to get the panel recommendations implemented and that we will do soon, said an IPS officer who attended the meeting. He spoke on the condition of anonymity.

The officer explained that at the moment the 1999 batch of IAS officers has been promoted to the rank of joint secretary at the Centre. But a similar rank of inspector general in the IPS has been given to 1996 batch officers. Besides, they have to go through a separate empanelment procedure to be designated as joint secretary at the Centre and only the 1994 batch is currently empanelled as such. In case of IFS, only the 1990 batch has been empanelled.

Especially the young members of the service are anxiously looking forward to early, just and objective decision, said another IPS officer.

Read | Non-IAS officers demanding parity eye execution of govt advice

The IPS officers will also take up the issue of denial of entitled apex pay scale to the director generals of some central police outfits. The chiefs of 11 central police outfits such as the NIA, CBI, BSF, CRPF, CISF, and ITBP are entitled to get the apex scale of Rs 80,000 but half of them are not getting it and without reason.

An IPS officer explained that the quantum of pay is never a consideration for them. But they expect that their importance to the governance should not get undermined through lower emolument structure.

We have a genuine reason to feel concerned as delays in granting the recommended, and sometimes even the entitled, service benefits are becoming too frequent, said the officer.
After confirming attendance at a presidential conference for youth in Sharm El-Sheikh next week, a statement released by the Egyptian Social Democratic party youth on Saturday rejected participation, reported Ahram Arabic website.

The statement said that despite the partys belief in the importance of dialogueincluding that with state institutionsit has "strong reservations regarding what has been dubbed the year of the youth, which witnessed the arrest of tens of young people on charges of protesting and expressing their views."

President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi's office announced that the country's First National Youth Conference will kick off next Tuesday for three days in Sharm El-Sheikh.

Nearly 3000 Egyptian youth from different fields are set to participate in an open forum to discuss current issues as well the future of the country, according to the presidential announcement.

The Sharm El-Sheikh conference "cannot be described as serious dialogue, the Social Democratic party statement read. Hosting hundreds in one hall, the dialogue is likely to "turn into a one sided conversation" and "a waste of time, money and effort.

The party's youth said that for any "serious" and "effective" dialogue to take place would require small groups, representing various political factions, to meet with an agenda planned ahead for subjects of discussion.

The party apologized for not attending the conference and said it will announce its views on the political and social issues discussed at a press conference later.

Political parties declaring their participation in the conference include the Free Egyptian party, The Wafd party and The Conference party.

The conference will be supervised by the president's office as part of the presidential youth leadership programme launched in January.

The Egyptian president has declared 2016 as the "year of Egyptian youth.

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Samajwadi Partys (SP) former national general secretary Ramgopal Yadav, who was expelled from the party for six years on Sunday evening, in a letter pledged support to chief minister Akhilesh Yadav in the ongoing crusade (dharm-yudh).

Netaji is surrounded by demonic powers, Ramgopal added.

The second letter released from Mumbai came hours after a letter in which he asked Akhilesh supporters to fight without fear.

I once again appeal to Akhilesh supporters not to get misled, he wrote again.

Read | SP split wide open: Akhilesh sacks Shivpal, Mulayam removes Ramgopal

However, Ramgopal said Mulayam Singh Yadav was not only my elder brother, but also my guru in politics, and will continue to be so. I will respect him lifelong.

Adding that Mulayam is currently surrounded by demonic power, he said, Once he is rid of those powers, truth will dawn upon him.

He said he did not regret his ouster from the party, but was hurt about the allegations levelled against him.

HT analysis | Yadav family feud: Damage irreversible, now SP govt at stake

In a democratic polity, to meet leaders of other political parties is no crime. I too went with Netaji to invite the prime minister for a family function that was held in Saifai (Tej Pratap Singh Yadavs wedding).

He also cited some other events that were hosted by BJP leaders, including a feast for Shivraj Singhs sons wedding and other such events.

If I am guilty of attending those, then Netaji and Shivpalji too had attended those, he said.
Expressing concern over the growing atrocities on Dalits and tribals in the country, the Rasthriya Swayamsevak Sangh on Sunday expressed its commitment to the empowerment of the marginalised sections of the Hindu society.

Briefing the media on the first day of the three-day Akhil Bharatiya Karyakari Mandal (ABKM) at Sree Vidya Mandir premises in Annojiguda on the city outskirts, Sah Sar Karyavaha (joint general secretary) Prof V Bhagaiah said the Sangh wanted the marginalised sections of Hindu society, especially the scheduled castes and tribes, to receive grants committed to them by the government.

He added that the Sangh was actively working with other organisations towards empowerment of the SCs and STs.

Sangh believes that discrimination on the basis of caste is anti-human, unconstitutional and does not have sanction of the Hindu Shastras, Bhagaiah said.

Read | RSS meet begins today: Surgical strikes, UP polls likely on agenda

He said the Sangh conducted extensive surveys on social issues, including whether all Hindus had access to a common cremation ground, temple entry and access to common water bodies.

Swayamsevaks (RSS members) are actively involved in solving these issues wherever they come across them. For instance, in Palamoor (Mahbubnagar) district of Telangana, RSS workers along with ABVP activists actively worked towards removal of two-glass system on the basis of caste in several villages, he said.

The senior RSS leader said the progress of the organisations work related to various dimensions of society, including dharmic issues, cultural awareness, building of family values, integrated village development and other social issues, were discussed at the ABKM meeting.

During deliberations on Day 1, the RSS expressed grave concern over the politically motivated murders of Hindus, particularly members of the RSS and the BJP, by intolerant communists in Kerala and other parts of the country.

Read | Smash caste barriers: RSS

The Sangh alleged that in West Bengal, Muslims were involved in the molestation and killing of Hindu girls, many of them belonging to the SC/ST community.

This has the blessings of the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal. The high court of Kolkata too admonished the state government for pampering and appeasing the minority community at the cost of fundamental rights of Hindus, Bhagaiah said.

He added that the Sangh would discuss the global economic crisis, global warming and animosity among nations in the coming days.

This year is the birth centenary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya. He propounded the philosophy of ekatma manava darashan or integral humanism based on Bharatiya philosophical foundations. It gives a global view of sustainable development, sustainable consumption and humane treatment of nature, he said.

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With deals over $12 billion in kitty this month, including leasing of a second nuclear submarine, Russia hopes to bag more projects as it termed itself not just a business partner but an ally who stood by India in its darkest hours.

Russia is eying the multi-billion dollar deal for P75-I project of India under which six conventional submarines are to be built with Air Independent Propulsion systems and the next aircraft carrier project besides the deal to jointly develop a fifth generation fighter aircraft.

Asserting that there is no limit to what India and Russia can do together, a top Russian defence official claimed the US and Europeans can never give what Moscow can and has offered.

We are ready not just to deliver most serious weapons, most important weapons but continue to give our state of art technology, Sergei Chemezov, CEO of Rostec State Corporation, an umbrella organisation of 700 hi-tech civilian and military firms, told PTI.

Russia is a friend, an ally and not a business partner. Russia stood by India during its darkest hours. Next year will mark 70 years of our relationship. It is a long time, he said and noted that Russia had stood by India when it faced sanctions after the 1998 nuclear tests.

Not so in the recent past, when India was under sanctions, we were pretty much the only partner for India.

Russia has been a partner not only in every day military supplies but also most sensitive and most important supplies including a nuclear submarine which was rented to India for you to use, said Chemezov who is also a close aide of Russian President Vladmir Putin.

Come to think about it, I would not imagine any other country to do that, he said. Not in the past or in the future. I cannot imagine US or Europe giving India such a strategic asset, he said when asked about the tough competition that US and Europe are giving to Russia in the Indian defence market.

Not only did Russia lease out a nuclear powered submarine, it actively helped in the building Indias first indigenous nuclear weapon carrying capable submarine INS Arihant which has been inducted into the Indian Navy.

Chemezov said it is a very special year for us and will be marked by major projects and things are starting already.

He, however, admitted that from a third persons point of view, there might have been some decline in some areas of defence between the two countries. US and some European countries have managed to strike mega deals with India which the Russians were also competing for.

It is not a linear sort of relationship. We feel that ties are definitely developing and increasing, he said.

Giving example of the deadly BrahMos missile, Chemezov said that not only has Russia delivered high value equipment but has also collaborated with India on developing strategic assets.

He pointed out that in late 1990s, Russia had transferred technology for Su30 MKI, Indias frontline fighter aircraft.

At that point of time, it was our most modern equipment, our most modern plane. When we had actually signed that agreement, Russia did not even equip its army with this.

This was basically our newest highest technology. That shows and speaks about our relationship with India, he said.

He also gave the example of T90 tanks, saying they are not in anyway less but in many way, modern than any advanced US or European technologies.

He said there is scope for cooperation in the P75-I and the aircraft carrier project.

There is definitely scope for both of those. There is pretty much no limit to what we could do together. Anything that is within our realm of things and possibilities, means it is the same with India, he said.

Chemezov said that Russia has already submitted its proposals for both projects.
Taking note of the inadequate medical infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir, the Supreme Court asked the high court there to improve the state-run health facilities for the benefit of the residents.

A bench headed by Chief Justice TS Thakur told the HC to constitute a committee of medical experts to inspect public-government hospitals in the state. The order also emphasised the areas requiring immediate attention.

The committee will give its report on the availability of adequate infrastructure in government, requirement of essential equipment for treatment, availability of medical staff, essential medicines and enforcement of measures to keep the hospital clean and hygienic.

With the direction, the court disposed the state governments petition against the J-K HC verdict that ruled government doctors cannot practice privately. The SC set aside the direction after the state contended the HC had overstepped its jurisdiction. The petition on which the HC gave its ruling was related to private teachers and not doctors, it said.

However, the top court referred the matter back to the HC and gave liberty to the petitioners to file afresh to regulate government doctors and stop them from taking up private practice.

But, on learning the abysmal condition of government hospitals in J-K, the bench entrusted the HC with the task to improve them through judicial orders.

We are of the view that the quality of medical care in government hospitals across the state of Jammu and Kashmir is a matter which should receive attention, the bench said.

The hospitals which are conducted by the state and by public agencies cater to medical needs of the poorest strata of society. The need for ensuring proper medical care of a requisite standard has to be duly addressed, the court said.

After scrutinizing the court-appointed committees report, the HC can call upon the officers, hear them and then issue appropriate directions. It shall also monitor compliance, the SC said.

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Shivalpal Singh Yadav, officially the number two man in the Samajwadi Party is the younger brother of its chief Mulyam Singh Yadav.

Born in April 6, 1955, Shivpal was initiated into politics at a young age as he closely followed his brother and mentor who emerged as a leader of pro-Lohia ideology.

After spending his initial years in grassroots politics, he contested the 13th Uttar Pradesh assembly elections successfully from Jaswant Nagar seat in Etawah district in 1996. He was also appointed as the general secretary of the Samajwadi Party in the state.

As he took care of Mulayams constituency, he emerged as the de-facto chief minister during the SP chiefs last stint in power.

Read | Akhilesh Yadav sacks 4 ministers, including uncle Shivpal, from UP cabinet

Shivpal took over as the president of the partys state unit in 2009 and was also appointed as the leader of the opposition.

In 2012, when the Samajwadi Party won the state assembly elections with full majority, Shivpal was appointed as the cabinet minister for the departments of irrigation and PWD.

Four years later, his relations with nephew and chief minister Akhilesh Singh Yadav had soured so much that he was stripped of his portfolios, forcing him to threaten to quit the party.

But Mulayam stepped in to make him a major power centre in the Samajwadi Party by making him the state president on September 13, 2016 after divesting Akhilesh of that post.

Shivpal is supposed to have control over partys rank and file and involved in poll preparedness after Mulayam showed his preference for him over son Akhilesh following a bruising power struggle that threatened to go out of hand.

He has the support of Amar Singh who recently rejoined the Samajwadi Party, but which only further enraged Akhilesh and intensified the fight with his uncle.

Shivpals wife, Sarla, heads a cooperative bank in Etawah. His son Aditya, who is the chairman of UP cooperative federation, might fight the 2017 polls.

Read | Victory is where Akhilesh is: Ramgopal Yadav writes letter before SP meet
All roads lead to Amaravati but the journey to Andhra Pradeshs capital is not a smooth one. Not for thousands of government staff who have to shuttle between Hyderabad, the old capital, and the new one.

With the shifting of the administration completed by October 3, around 8,000 employees, who are yet to shift base, are forced to shuttle between the two cities every week through various modes of transport. For those taking the 5.30am special train, Secunderabad-Vijayawada Inter-City Express, the journey is horrible.

B Bhagya, a senior panchayat raj and rural development official who takes the train at 5am every Monday, has to wake up at 4am, get ready, catch an auto and travel 5km from her Gandhinagar residence to Secunderabad railway station.

Even after that, often she doesnt get a seat. The first stop is Guntur, four hours away. It is impossible to go to the washroom because the way is blocked. It has been a horrible experience, she says.

The train has around 1,600 seats, but more than 2,000 people travel every Monday, complains Krishnaveni, another woman employee. On doing the trip every day, Bhagya says, It is just impossible to spend 11 hours in the train.

This correspondent got a first-hand experience travelling with the employees. For reserved seats, one has to stand in long queues at the current booking counters. Those who manage to get seats are not comfortable as they cannot budge till they reach their destination.

More than half the passengers get off at Guntur and take the state-run buses to the new secretariat complex at Velagapudi. Others working in the non-secretariat departments get off at Vijayawada.

For the next five days, they stay in rented apartments and dormitories on a sharing basis in and around Velagapudi, Guntur and Vijayawada. I stay in a hostel with my colleagues while some others stay as paying guests with their acquaintances, Krishnaveni said.

The government has hired The Rain Tree Park, a multi-storeyed apartment near Guntur, exclusively for secretariat employees.

Many apartments such as Capital Square have come up close to the secretariat complex. But the rental charges are abnormal, ranging from Rs 15,000 to Rs 24,000, says Das Babu, an electricity department employee.

Several employees shifted their families to Vijayawada and Guntur and Mangalagiri, which is closer to Velagapudi. I shifted to Guntur in June itself as I had to look for schools for my son. My husband, a private employee, also moved with me, said Nagamani, an official in the General Administration Department (GAD).

According to AP Secretariat Employees Association leader Muralikrishna, 90% of the state administration has moved to Velagapudi, Vijayawada and Guntur. However, the police department and a few agencies like AP Power Generation Corporation and AP Transmission Corporation are yet to be shifted to Amaravati.

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Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Mulayam Singh Yadav on Sunday evening directed party leaders to keep an eye on the activities of the supporters of expelled party national general secretary Ramgopal Yadav.

He also indicated that the leaders who dissented against the party leadership would be shown the door.

The SP patriarch, who held a meeting with senior leaders at his 5-Vikramaditya Marg residence, remained tight-lipped about the feud in the party.

I will speak tomorrow (Monday), he told journalists after emerging from the meeting.

Soon after SP state president Shivpal Singh Yadav announced the expulsion of Ramgopal, a meeting of senior party leaders was held under Mulayams chairmanship.

Fearing that Ramgopal might try to throw a spanner in the crucial Monday meeting, Mulayam directed the party leaders to keep tabs on the activities of the MLAs and leaders loyal to Ramgopal.

Read | SP split wide open: Akhilesh sacks Shivpal, Mulayam removes Ramgopal

Both sitting and former MLAs, MLCs and MPs have been invited to the meeting.

By expelling Ramgopal, Netaji (Mulayam) has warned that he will not tolerate dissension. The leaders who wish to continue in the party will have to fall in line, said a senior leader.

The MLAs who attended a meeting chaired by chief minister Akhilesh Yadav in the morning were told to sign a register before entering the meeting hall.

The signatures might be used as a show of strength by the Akhilesh group if the rift widens, said a senior leader who did not wish to be named.

In the hour-long meeting, Shivpal assured Mulayam that a majority of the MLAs and MLCs have given their consent to attending the meeting and have expressed their loyalty to his leadership. Sources said Mulayam also spoke to Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) chief Ajit Singh on the phone.

The alliance between the SP-RLD would be discussed after the Mondays meeting, the SP leader said.

The expelled ministers  Om Prakash Singh, Sadab Fatima and Narad Rai  and party spokesperson Ashok Bajpai also met Mulayam. Transport minister Gayatri Prajapati, who has been made chairman of the party silver jubilee celebration, was also in attendance.

Read | Yadav family feud: Who are the 4 ministers sacked by CM Akhilesh

He will gear up the party leaders for the assembly election in the Monday meeting, Shivpal told journalists.

The partys national vice-president Kiranmoy Nanda and senior leaders Beni Prasad Verma, Naresh Agarwal and Reoti Raman Singh too met Mulayam and discussed the strategy for the forthcoming meeting.

Meanwhile, chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, along with ministers Rajendra Chaudhary and Arvind Singh Gope, remained at the CMs 5 Kalidas residence, where they met party leaders.

Later, Kiranmoy Nanda, Beni Prasad Verma and Reoti Raman Singh met Akhilesh, requesting him to attend the meeting on Monday.

A letter written by Ramgopal to Mulayam was also discussed at the meeting. In the letter, the expelled leader urged SP leaders and workers to rally behind Akhilesh and refuted the allegation made against him by Shivpal.

All the MLAs and leaders will express faith in the leadership of Mulayam Singh Yadav at Mondays meeting, said a senior leader.

HT analysis | Yadav family feud: Damage irreversible, now SP govt at stake
Taking advantage of the ongoing internal turmoil in the ruling Samajwadi Party (SP), the opposition parties on Sunday launched an attack. While the BJP demanded a floor test, saying that the Akhilesh Yadav government has lost majority, the BSP and the Congress said the infighting had taken a toll on governance.

This government is now reduced to a minority and hence should not be allowed to take any policy decisions until it is able to prove its majority on the floor of the assembly, UP BJP chief Keshav Prasad Maurya said.

BSP general secretary Satish Mishra said that people would teach SP a lesson in the UP assembly elections early next year. There is no governance. The law and order situation has taken a nosedive and people are fed up of this family feud, said Mishra, addressing a public rally in eastern UP.

Alleging that the states development has taken a hit in the chacha-bhatija feud, UP BJP president Maurya said, Whether the majority lawmakers are with the chief minister or Shivpal can only be proved on the floor of the assembly. Thats why a floor test is important now.

He also targeted the chief minister. By removing some of his ministers, some of whom were accused of being involved in scams, the CM has tried to indicate that he stands for clean governance. But then why did he tolerate these ministers for so long? In fact, there are still several ministers in his government who carry serious charges. Why has Akhileshji been protecting them? The reality is that all this infighting is to share the loot money, Maurya said.

Meanwhile, the Congress said that it is the prerogative of the states chief minister to either sack or add ministers.

This is purely an internal matter. Congress has the tradition of not interfering in the internal affairs of any party. In the interest of UP, they should settle the fight within their own party, Congress spokesperson Tom Vadakkan said. It is the prerogative of the chief minister to sack and add ministers. This is a matter which has to be decided internally. We hope that they set their house in order and conduct fair elections in the state.

On being asked about Ram Gopal Yadav, who was expelled from the SP, Vadakkan said, We are not taking sides. Let them settle the matter internally.

Ram Gopal was said to be close to Akhilesh and his expulsion from the party was announced by Shivpal Yadav, who heads the SPs state unit. He was sacked from the cabinet on Sunday morning.

It wouldnt be appropriate for any party to interfere. Well speak if it affects the people of Uttar Pradesh, Vadakkan said.

Satyadeo Tripathi, chairman of the communication department of UP Congress, said, The government is in a limbo. The power tussle of the past 10 days has affected administrative functioning and peoples work is not getting done.

(With agency inputs)
A split in the ruling Samajwadi Party looked inevitable after a fresh round of tit-for-tat sackings on Sunday pitted chief minister Akhilesh Yadav against his father and party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh.

In the morning, Akhilesh threw out his uncle Shivpal Yadav, who is also the partys state chief, and three other pro-Amar Singh ministers from his team. By evening, Mulayam had dismissed his cousin and SP general secretary Ramgopal Yadav, who has backed Akhilesh in the family feud, from the party for six years.

Main Netaji ka uttradhikari hoon (I am Netajis successor). If anyone comes between the father-son relationships, I will not tolerate it, Akhilesh told party legislators, the first time he has openly staked claim to Mulayams legacy.

Read: HT analysis| Yadav family feud: Damage irreversible, now SP govt at stake

The sackings indicate hardening of stand on both sides and couldnt have come at a worse time. A resurgent opposition, anti-incumbency and worries over law and order situation  the party already had a battle on its hands. A power struggle in the Yadav clan was the last thing it needed.

Questions were also being raised about the state government, with the BJP, which is looking to topple the SP in the next years election, calling for a floor test.

If things come to a head, Mulayam, who is said to be angry and called an emergency meeting of senior party leaders in the evening, could name himself or Shivpal as the chief minister, sources said.

Monday could be another dramatic day. Mulayam has called a meeting of party MPs, MLAs and MLCs, where some tough decisions could be taken. Mulayam said he will speak up after the key meeting.

The first salvo on Sunday was fired by Akhilesh who met his ministers and party legislators at his residence. Amar Singh was damaging the party and those close to him couldnt be part of his team, Akhilesh told the gathering.

whosoever goes with him (Amar Singh), goes out of the party, legislator Vijay Mishra, quoted Akhilesh as saying. The CM said he had no intention of splitting the party. I am Netajis son. I will always be with him.

Without naming anyone, the CM said he was sacking four ministers. Ahead of the meeting, Akhilesh had conveyed to governor Ram Naik his decision to boot out cabinet ministers Shivpal, Narad Rai and Om Prakash Singh and minister of state Shadab Fatima.

Part of the SP crisis is attributed to Akhileshs sour ties with Amar Singh, a close aide of his father who returned to the party recently and was nominated to the Rajya Sabha.

The CM also removed actor-turned-politician Jaya Prada, known to be close to Singh, from the Uttar Pradesh film development council.

This is the second time in a month that Akhilesh had acted against Shivpal. He stripped Shivpal of his portfolios but gave them back after Mulayam managed an uneasy truce between his feuding son and brother.

Read: Yadav vs Yadav: Mulayam removes Ramgopal after Shivpals sacking

But, the peace plan now lays in tatters.

Armed with a Mulayam order, Shivpal announced Ramgopals ouster at a press conference after he accused the senior party leader of colluding with the BJP and meeting its leaders thrice.

Ramgopal is doing this to save his son in the Yadav Singh scam and the CM (is) not realising as to who his real well-wisher is. Ramgopal has always conspired and misled Akhilesh, Shivpal said, referring to a tainted chief engineer of Noida authority, a charge denied by Ramgopal.

Before Akhilesh announced his decision to throw out the ministers, Ramgopal, the partys chief strategist, attacked the Shivpal camp through an open letter.

We want that chief minister Akhilesh Yadavs leadership see the next government in UP; they want he loses come what may, said Ramgopal, who is in Mumbai.

He reaffirmed support for Akhilesh after his ouster.

Netaji is surrounded by demonic powers...In the ongoing crusade (dharm-yudh), I am with Akhilesh Yadav, he said. urging the CMs supporters to fight without fear.

Read: Akhilesh should prove his majority in UP assembly or resign: BJP
The carcass of a tiger with its paws missing was found at the Kanha Reserve on Saturday, taking the number of big cat deaths to 23 in Madhya Pradesh this year, an alarming number for conversationists.

Read | In MPs Pench reserve, one tiger killed every 10 days this year

Found within three kilometers from the core of the reserve, the carcass was at least two-to-three days old.

Some of its body parts are missing. The four paws have been cut and taken away by the poachers. We have not disturbed the body from its current position as a dog squad will reach the spot in the morning and investigate. It is not clear yet whether the body is that of male or a female tiger, Kanha park superintendent, PK Verma told Hindustan Times.

Read | India loses 83 tigers in eight months: Conservation body

A formal investigation by the park administration would be launched on Sunday morning, Verma added.

This is the second tiger death in the state this month, though the first was of a tigress which died from starvation -- the year-old animal had poor hunting skills.

So far eight tigers have died in Kanha since January, a troubling incidence as it raises the number of deaths in the state to 23 for this year alone.

According to the tiger census, in January 2015, the big cats population had increased to 308 from 257 in 2010 in Madhya Pradesh. However since then, 34 tigers have died in the state.

India has the highest population of tigers in the wild, accounting for 2,226 of the estimated 3,890 tigers worldwide.

Added to the deaths in itself, the pattern of deaths indicate a shift from Pench, a.k.a Mowgli Land, to the Kanha Tiger reserve.

From January to the first week of April this year, eight tigers died in Pench, following which tiger deaths picked up in the Kanha reserve area, where eight tigers died, four in April alone. Later, two more tigers died in Pench, taking the toll there to 10.

The first tiger death in Kanha was on March 9, when an adult over 14-years-old died. Officials claimed it was a natural death. Some of these deaths have been from sickness, starvation or territorial fights with other tigers.

Read | Two tigers found dead in Kanha reserve, toll in MP reaches 14

However, forest officials do not seem to be very worried; according to their numbers, Kanha has witnessed a surge in its tiger population. In 2010, the camera trap photographs indicated there were 37 adult tigers and two cubs. Based on this data, a projection was made for the entire Kanha tiger habitat, which revealed roughly about 60 tigers.

Right now, based on the new tiger counting method, there are a minimum of 80 tigers and 25 cubs in Kanha -- which means there are over 105 tigers in the reserve.

But, poachers remain a concern.

India seized the highest numbers of tigers and tiger products between 2000 and 2015, indicating that the countrys national animal is the most vulnerable to poaching for international trade. Most seizures were reported from Madhya Pradesh and surrounding areas and along the border with Nepal in Uttar Pradesh.

Also read | Tigers vulnerable to poaching: 30% of illegal trade export from India

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Egypt's juvenile misdemeanour court has ordered the acquittal of thirteen juveniles arrested for protesting against the Egyptian-Saudi Red Sea islands deal in Downtown last April.

The thirteen minors were accused at the time of participating in riots, inciting illegal assembly, disrupting traffic, cutting off roads, and spreading false news.

The Egyptian governments decision in early April to cede sovereignty over the islands of Tiran and Sanafir to Saudi Arabia sparked widespread public outcry and protests.

Dozens of protesters were arrested in April and put on trial but most of them have been released after paying heavy fines.

The maritime deal is currently being challenged in Egypts Administrative Court, with the government appealing a verdict that annulled the deal in June. The next hearing is set for November 7.



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Hours before a crucial meeting of Samajwadi Party legislators called by UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday, the partys national general secretary Ramgopal Yadav has urged the Akhilesh camp to sharpen the attack as the Yadav family feud seemed to deepen.

Datelined Mumbai, 23 October, 6 am, Ramgopal began the letter by saying: We want that chief minister Akhilesh Yadavs leadership see the next government in UP; they want he loses come what may.

The letter came less than 12 hours are the Samajwadi Party expelled Udaiveer Singh, a leader close to Akhilesh for anti-party activities, signaling a hardening of stand against rebels.

Ramgopals handwritten letter on a Rajya Sabha letterhead terms Akhilesh Yadav opponents as they he wrote, Our thinking is positive, theirs negative.

Akhilesh has such people with him who had given their sweat for the party and suffered humiliation for the party; while they have such people with them who have earned thousands of crore of rupees and misused power.

@htTweets SP leader issues war cry. Tells Akhilesh camp "Don't fear, don't waiver. Victory is where Akhilesh is". pic.twitter.com/vxmHzv14cJ  PANKAJ JAISWAL (@augustus29lotus) October 23, 2016

He signed off saying, Some people are engaged in issuing statements and misleading (you). There is no need to be misled. Rath yatra (that Akhilesh is due to launch on November 3) is like a fish hook in their throats. You need to sharpen it.

Those who are opposing Akhilesh will never get into Vidhan Sabha. Dont fear, dont waver. Victory is where Akhilesh is.

Ramgopal took no names in the letter the overtones suggest that he was pointing to the other side led by his cousin and SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav.

Last week too Ramgopal wrote a letter in which he warned Mulayam that if partys fortunes declines in the assembly elections, he (Mulayam) would be responsible and history will not forgive him.

The Rajya Sabha MP once considered part of the SP think tank has now thrown his lot behind Akhilesh and is virtually at odds with his cousins Mulayam and Shivpal.

Read | SP expels leader who asked Mulayam to make Akhilesh party chief
India has called for creating a level playing field for developing countries in agri-trade to safeguard livelihood of millions of poor farmers.

The issue, among others, was discussed during the mini-ministerial gathering of key trade ministers of WTO in Oslo on October 21-22.

Commerce and Industry minister Nirmala Sitharaman represented India.

In the meeting, she underlined the need for creating a level playing field for the developing countries in agricultural trade by addressing inequities and distortions which are threatening the livelihood of millions of poor farmers across the world, the commerce ministry said in a statement.

Drawing attention to the livelihood and food security concerns of fishermen in developing countries, she also underscored the importance of special and differential provisions in fisheries subsidies.

The two-day meeting was convened with a view to informally discuss various issues relating to WTO negotiations and set the stage for the Eleventh Ministerial Conference of the WTO to be held in Argentina in December 2017.

In her interventions, Sitharaman highlighted the centrality of the development dimension of the Doha Round and the need to work on the issues and ministerial decisions of special interest for developing countries.

Further, she stressed on the importance of ensuring adequate policy space for developing countries in the negotiations.

On the issue of securing success at the meeting in Argentina and beyond, the minister called for the need to focus on putting concrete ideas on the table for moving from reflection to action.

Emphasising the primacy of multilateralism, she cautioned against use of regional trade agreements to make fundamental changes in the architecture of WTO agreements, the statement said.

The minister also highlighted the need for trade facilitation in services on which India recently introduced a concept note in the WTO.

This will remove unnecessary regulatory and administrative burden of cross border supply of services, benefiting all members, it said.

She also held a bilateral meeting with Susana Mabel Malcorra, minister of foreign affairs and worship, Argentina, on the sidelines of the WTO gathering.

They exchanged views on WTO issues and bilateral trade cooperation. Both sides agreed to identify sectors for promoting bilateral investment.

Sitharaman also met Roberto Azevedo, DG WTO and discussed the means to achieve inclusive and balanced outcomes at the Eleventh Ministerial Conference.
The Congress on Sunday maintained distance from the internal divide within the Samajwadi Party (SP) and said it is prerogative of the states chief minister to either sack or add ministers.

A few hours after Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav sacked his uncle Shivpal Yadav and three other ministers from the cabinet, the states ruling Samajwadi Party expelled prominent leader Ram Gopal Yadav from the party.

Ram Gopal was said to be close to the chief minister and his expulsion from the party was announced by Shivpal Yadav, who heads the Samajwadi Partys state unit. He was sacked from the cabinet on Sunday morning.

This is purely an internal matter. Congress has the tradition of not interfering in the internal affairs of any party. In the interest of Uttar Pradesh, they should settle the fight within their own party, Congress spokesperson Tom Vadakkan told IANS.

It is the prerogative of the chief minister to sack and add ministers. This is a matter which has to be decided internally. We hope that they set their house in order and conduct fair elections in the state, he added.

On being asked about Ram Gopal Yadav, who was expelled from the SP, Vadakkan said: We are not taking sides. Let them settle the matter internally.

It wouldnt be appropriate for any party to interfere. Well speak if it affects the people of Uttar Pradesh, he said.
The family feud within Uttar Pradeshs ruling Samajwadi Party only turned more bitter as sacked cabinet minister Shivpal Yadav announced that party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav had removed national general secretary Ramgopal Yadav from the party on allegations of colluding with BJP. The development came hours after chief minister Akhilesh Yadav sacked senior leader Amar Singhs supporters, including his uncle Shivpal.

Sundays surprise decisions indicate a hardening of stands by both camps  the new and young wing of the party led by Akhilesh and the old guard represented by Shivpal and backed by RS MP Amar Singh  as the party readies to fight a tough election, battling mounting anti-incumbency.

The partys state president Shivpal accused Ramgopal, without naming him, of colluding with the BJP, and said that Akhilesh was not able to comprehend this.

People in the family (hinting at Ramgopal) due to fear of CBI are trying to break the party in collusion with BJP. He has met BJP leaders thrice. Communal forces are extremely divisive and out to damage the party. Akhilesh ji is not able to comprehend all this, he said at the SP office in Lucknow.

Akhilesh had earlier announced the decision to sack Shadab Fatima, Narad Rai, Shivpal Yadav and Om Prakash Singh after meeting party legislators  roughly a month after stripping Shivpal of key portfolios and reappointing him.

At a meeting, the CM said the MP, Amar Singh, a confidante of Mulayam, was damaging the party and anyone close to him couldnt be in the UP cabinet, legislator Vijay Mishra told Hindustan Times.

Whosoever goes with him (Amar Singh), goes out of the party, Akhilesh said, adding that he has no intention of splitting the party. I am Netajis son. I will always be with him.

Akhilesh also removed Amar Singhs protege and film actor Jaya Prada from the position of vice-chairperson of the UP film development corporation.

Ramgopal, an Akhilesh supporter, had issued a statement in the morning, attacking the Shivpal camp.

Datelined Mumbai, 23 October, 6 am, Ramgopal began the letter by saying: We want that chief minister Akhilesh Yadavs leadership see the next government in UP; they want he loses come what may.

The letter came less than 12 hours are the Samajwadi Party expelled Udaiveer Singh, a leader close to Akhilesh for anti-party activities, signalling a hardening of stand against rebels.
The fissures within Uttar Pradeshs ruling Samajwadi Party grew deeper with chief minister Akhilesh Yadav sacking four ministers, and party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav retaliating by removing national general secretary Ramgopal Yadav.

Read | Yadav vs Yadav: Mulayam removes Ramgopal after Shivpals sacking

Sundays surprise decisions indicate a hardening of stands by both camps within the Yadav family  the new and young wing of the party led by Akhilesh and the old guard represented by Shivpal and backed by Rajya Sabha MP Amar Singh.

Here are short profiles of the four sacked ministers:

Shivpal Yadav

Shivpal Yadav is the Samajwadi Partys UP president, a post he took over from Akhilesh, triggering the power tussle in the Yadav family. He is also very close to his brother Mulayam Singh Yadav and considered No 2 in the government after CM Akhilesh. He held several portfolios such as irrigation and cooperatives, but was removed by the CM last month when he was made the state party chief. His was subsequently reinstated to his portfolios, with the exception of the public works department.

Narad Rai

Minister for science and technology Narad Rai is a legislator from Ballia. He did his Master of Arts (MA) from MM Town Post Graduate College in the same town before completing his PhD from Gorakhpur University. Rai was a known firebrand leader in student politics and was president of the student union in 1979. After graduation, he became active in socialist politics under the leadership of Janeshwar Mishra. He was elected four times to the Lok Sabha, and nominated to the Rajya Sabha in 1994 and 2000. May 2002 onwards, he was member of the Committee on Subordinate Legislation. Rai was elected as an MLA from the Ballia assembly seat in 2002, and was the urban development state minister in the Uttar Pradesh government from October 2003 to May 2007.

Om Prakash Singh

Tourism minister Om Prakash Singh, 52, is a veteran politician and presently represents the Zamania assembly constituency in Ghazipur, from where he was also elected a Member of Parliament at one point. Singh, who has a number of criminal cases against hin, also was a minister in Mulayam Singh Yadavs cabinet in UP.

Shadab Fatima

Shadab Fatima was elected MLA from Zahoorabad in Ghazipur. An alumnus of the Aligarh Muslim University, Fatima is the only Muslim woman minister in the Akhilesh Yadav government. She was recently in the news because of her sons involvement in a hit-and-run case.

Read | Akhilesh should prove his majority in UP assembly or resign: BJP
A day after CM Devendra Fadnavis brokered peace between Raj Thackeray and Karan Johar for the smooth release of the film, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, ally Shiv Sena, political opponents, celebrities and civil society activists panned it as an extortionist deal.

Criticising Fadnavis intervention and what transpired on Saturday, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said, We still dont have complete information on the meeting at Varsha [the CMs residence]. But I have got one piece of information. The three of them together are now going to make a new movie, Yeh Toh Hona Hi Tha [This was bound to happen].

Shabana Azmi, actor and activist, said, What a sorry state of affairs. The CM brokers a deal and buys patriotism for Rs5 crore after the Union Home Minister had promised peaceful passage for ADHM. Similarly, author Shobhaa De branded the enforcement of a Rs 5-crore contribution to the Army Relief Fund in exchange for ADHMs peaceful release as a price tag on patriotism. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal too weighed in on the issue, saying the BJP will ruin the country. Twitter saw a number of people panning Johar for giving in Raj Thackerays blackmail, while a campaign to boycott the move #boycottADHM too continued.

Uddhav Thackerays remarks come at a time of growing differences between his party and the BJP in the run-up to the 2017 Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections.

In Maharashtras political circles, Fadnavis move is being seen as a part of the partys strategy to give the MNS a lift ahead of the BMC polls to combat the Sena in its traditional strongholds.

Incidentally, a boycott of Pakistani artists, authors and other personalities has been a long-standing agenda of the Shiv Sena, which last year forced the cancellation of a concert by Pakistani ghazal maestro Ghulam Ali and protested the book launch of former Pakistan Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri.

The MNS is the Shiv Senas direct competitor in Mumbai, with both parties espousing the sons of the soil theory and targeting Marathi voters. With the coming election being more about the MNS political survival after being battered in the Lok Sabha and legislative assembly polls, Saturdays meeting was a shot in the arm for the party, helping it show Raj Thackerays political muscle in Mumbai.

And Uddhav Thackeray, camping in Panaji , Goa, ahead of assembly polls next year was not amused at the BJP helping his cousin. Uddhav Thackeray said, The Indian Army has its self-respect. So, it does not need any money eked out of extortion. If you want to help, then do it from the heart. Whatever you want to do, do it straight from your heart. 

On Saturday itself several high-ranking officers had criticized the move saying the armed forces should not be used for political purposes.

Fadnavis on Saturday mediated talks between Raj Thackeray and director Karan Johar for the smooth release of ADHM, starring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan, at his residence Varsha in Mumbai. After the meeting, movie producers succumbed to the MNS demand of not casting any Pakistani actors in the future and also agreed to give Rs5 crore as penance to the Army welfare fund. The Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) had earlier threatened to stall the Diwali release of the movie.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) polit bureau released a statement condemning Fadnavis role, saying the chief minister facilitated extortion. The chief minister is under oath to uphold the constitution and the rule of law. By this action he has negated the constitutional mandate. This also creates an environment of fear to stifle freedom of expression.

Rashtriya Janata Dals Lalu Prasad Yadav said parties should not drag the army in cheap politics. Some people are asking for votes in the armys name, and some notes. Have some shame. At least spare the army, he tweeted.

Mocking the chief ministers intervention, Congress legislator from Maharashtra Sanjay Dutt said, An appeal to the people of Maharashtra. All those facing extortion threats, please contact CM Devendra Fadnavis for amicable settlement.

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Three months after eight Humboldt penguins were brought to the Byculla Zoo from South Korea, one of them, a one-and-a-half-year-old female penguin, died at the zoos quarantined section on Sunday. Reason: Liver dysfunction and an intestinal infection, zoo authorities said.They were brought to the city on July 26.

Three males and four female penguins, between the ages of 1 and 3 years, remain at the zoo. The incident comes a week after officials from Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan confirmed they were going to put up the eight Humboldt penguins, bought from Coex Aquarium, Seoul in South Korea, on public display by mid-November.

As part of the city zoos modernisation plan, the Shiv Sena-led civic body announced the introduction of the penguins after the 2012 civic elections. The civic body spent Rs2.57 crore to buy the South American species found in the cold climes of coastal Peru and Chile.

Zoo officials said the penguin died at 8.17am on Sunday. A post-mortem was conducted by professors from the department of pathology, Bombay Veterinary College in Parel . Officials said that post-mortem result is likely to be declared on Monday.

A press statement issued by zoo authorities said the 3-kg penguin, identified by a green-blue tag, began showing symptoms of dullness, inappetance, greenish stools and laboured breathing on October 18 . The bird was examined immediately by veterinary doctors and experts. Stool samples were examined on the same day and a culture sensitivity test (bacterial infection test) was conducted.

The results revealed the presence of Gram ve bacteria which was sensitive to drug enrofloxacin, indicating intestinal infection. Treatment began with consultation from an international exotic bird specialist, experienced in treating penguins abroad, said Dr.Sanjay Tripathi, director, of the zoo. However, the bird did not respond well to treatment and her blood test conducted on October 19 revealed severe liver dysfunction.

The exotic bird specialist suggested an X-ray and an ultra-sonography test for further diagnosis. The tests were conducted on October 22, but no specific observations were reported. We consulted another avian specialist who examined the bird and modified the treatment by adding new medicines, said Tripathi. Even this did not help and the bird finally succumbed to the ailment on Sunday. The final cause of death will be revealed after a detailed forensic analysis.

Zoo officials also said there was no change in date for the public display of the seven remaining penguins. The other seven penguins are healthy and under constant observation. We have no plans to defer the public display, expected by mid-November at the zoos interpretation centre, said Tripathi, adding they were being kept at the quarantined area that maintains a temperature of 16 to 18 degrees Celsius.

ACTIVISTS SPEAK

Animal activists said greenish stools indicated the penguins ill-health was as a result of negligence by zoo authorities. Even before going in for public display, one penguin has not survived. The food being provided to the penguins is probably not appropriate, which might have led to her death because the liver and intestines are affected only because of food. The authorities now need to send these birds back to a safer sanctuary. This city has been globally shamed, said Anand Siva, animal welfare activist from Chembur, who carried out several protest when the penguins were brought to Mumbai in July.

PENGUIN MIGHT BE REPLACED

Sources from the Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan and Zoo said that following the post-mortem report, it will be seen whether the penguin had health issues before being brought to Mumbai .

We had already spoken to the contractor regarding such a problem and depending on the report, we will be asking them to send us another penguin from South Korea as a replacement, said a zoo official.

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The Mumbai crime branch on Saturday recovered the car used by the accused Amjad Khan  son of ex-corporator Razzak Khan  in connection with the murder of RTI activist Bhupendra Vira.

Read: RTI activists murder: 7 things we know so far

Vira had been watching TV at his Kalina residence on October 15 when Amjad shot him around 9.30pm. The police arrested Razzak and Amjad within 24 hours of the murder. Investigations revealed that four witnesses had seen Amjad in the area at the time of the murder.

We have recovered the pistol used in the murder, 12 live rounds, the footage of several CCTV cameras installed in the vicinity and Amjads car, a Chevrolet Beat. All the evidence was sent to the forensic science laboratory in Kalina on Saturday to be analysed, said a crime branch officer.

CCTV cameras captured Amjad parking his car some distance away from Viras residence. He was seen getting out of the car before the murder and returning to the car after, said an official.

During interrogation, Amjad confessed that he was angered after his family received demolition notices and decided to kill Vira. He took a pistol and several live rounds and then visited Viras residence without informing his family.

From the door, he fired one round that hit Viras head. He feared that if he fired another round, the sound would be heard by residents and he would be caught. He thus fled immediately, said a crime branch officer.

We have enough evidence against Amjad. Apart from the murder weapon, we have four eye witnesses, said an official. The accused have been remanded in police custody till October 24.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday said the state government should file a case against former Supreme Court judge Markandey Katju, who appeared to make fun of Biharis again when he wondered why they needed to assert they are not fools.

Taking a potshot at RJD chief Lalu Prasad, who once said in the Lok Sabha, Hum moorakh nahin hain (I am not a fool), Katju in a Facebook post late Saturday evening said, I wonder why Biharis must assert this. I never heard anyone from any other state saying this.

Katju, in a footnote, said it was only a joke and requested Biharis not to file a case against him. He recalled Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar had got infuriated at a joke he cracked on Facebook, and JD (U) MLC Neeraj Kumar had filed an FIR against him.

By these acts, they have proved they are Biharis, he said.

Katju further said, Many Biharis think one is insulting them by calling them Biharis. I never found a Tamilian who got hurt if I called him a Tamilian, or a Bengali if I call him a Bengali, or a Punjabi if I call him a Punjabi.

Though there were over a thousand likes to Katjus comments, Bihars politicians, however, did not take kindly to it.

Condemning Katju for his comments, leader of opposition in the Bihar assembly, Prem Kumar of the BJP said the former SC judge had insulted the 11.5 crore Biharis in the state and many others elsewhere in the country.

Urging Katju to desist from making such remarks, Kumar said the state government should file a case against him.

RJD national spokesperson Manoj Jha termed the post as outcome of a height of desperation on the part of Katju for staying in news. He has been denigrating Bihar and its heritage He desperately needs some job, some engagement Earlier, most knew foot-in-mouth as a disease, but in case of Katju its an epidemic.

In a sarcastic post late last month, Katju had suggested that Pakistan could get Kashmir if it agreed to take Bihar as part of a package deal. He wrote, You have to take the whole package, or none at all. Either you take both Kashmir and Bihar, or nothing.

Nitish Kumar had reacted to it, seeking to know if the former SC judge was the mai baap (parents) and owner of Bihar. The chief minister, however, did not name justice Katju at the public function where he said so, but there was little ambiguity about who he was referring to.

In response to this, Katju said he was not the mai baap of Biharis but their Shakuni mama (a negative character in epic Mahabharat).

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Assessing the conditions for ensuring free-and-fair polls in Punjab will be the main concern of chief election commissioner (CEC) Naseem Zaidi, who, along with election commissioners, arrives in Chandigarh on Sunday on a three-day visit.

During his visit, Zaidi will meet representatives of all political parties to assess the ground situation ahead of the polls expected to take place in January next year. He will also meet deputy commissioners and senior superintendents of police.

Must read | Punjab elections are going to be violent: Capt Amarinder

Chief electoral officer VK Singh and additional director general of police VK Bhawra, the nodal officer attached with the elections commission for the polls, will give a presentation to the CEC on the ground situation.

Law and order is an important issue and it is duty of the police to streamline things, said VK Singh. He said political parties will raise their concerns with the CEC, who in-turn will work out a strategy for peaceful polls.

I think law and order and drugs are going to be major issues during the polls, and we will demand that the entire polls be held under the supervision of paramilitary forces, said Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab co-convener Jarnail Singh. He said they will demand enforcing of code of code at the earliest.

The Congress, too, is learnt to have taken a decision to rake up poor law and order and flow of drugs with the CEC.

We will also demand steps to ensure that electronic voting machines are not tampered with, said Captain Sandeep Sandhu, general secretary of Punjab Congress.
The prison break by six inmates led to a firefight which killed one bystander and a police major

Ismailiya prosecution has ordered on Sunday the detention of three police officers for four days pending investigations over a prison break in the governorate last week.

The prosecution is charging the police officers and 11 other police members with "extreme negligence" that lead to the escape of a number of inmates at El-Mostakbal Prison.

On Thursday, six inmates managed to escape from the prison, which serves as temporary detention centre for prisoners who are being tried or retried in nearby courts, after taking possession of a guard's weapon.

An exchange of fire ensued inside the prison between the armed inmates, who received help from outside, and security forces, killing a nearby resident who was caught in crossfire and injurying of five policemen, including a police major who was shot in the head.

The police major died Saturday evening from his injuries.

One of the six inmates who absconded was arrested on Friday and another was shot and killed by police in Ismailiya.

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The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of reneging on its promise to fix minimum support price (MSP) that will ensure 50% profit to farmers, and vowed to take up the issue in Punjab, in an apparent bid to woo the farming community.

AAP leader Ashish Khetan hit out at Union agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh over his reported remarks that the Centre will not be able to ensure 50% profit over input cost to farmers. Its the first such official admission that PMs promise in this regard was a lie, Khetan told reporters here.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had reached out to the farmers before the 2014 general elections promising to fix the MSP of crops incorporating 50% profit in farmers cost of production.

Khetan said no farmer would have voted for the BJP had the admission of inability had come then. Khetan said the AAP would corner the BJP over the issue in Punjab and rest of the country where farmers are caught in a debt trap and are committing suicide.
Even as the Congress is yet to declare the chief ministerial candidate in Punjab, theres an increasing clamour in the party for projecting a Hindu face for the deputy chief ministers post.

Vice-president of Congress state unit and MLA Brahm Mohindra has urged the party high command to promise to voters that a Hindu leader will be made deputy chief minister if it forms a government in 2017, apart from allocating more tickets to Hindu faces.

That there is no love lost between Mohindra and Punjab Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh is no secret. Last year, Captain visited Mohindras house to break the ice. The two are now on talking terms but still have a difference of opinion, and many a time Mohindra has toed the party high command line.

The demand of Mohindra, a five-time MLA, comes close on the heels of Rajya Sabha MP Shamsher Singh Dullos assertion that projection of a Dalit face for CM or Dy CMs post will do a lot of good to the party. The need of the hour is to win the confidence of Hindu voters, he had said.

This is a fact that there are not many credible Hindu leaders in the Congress, especially in Malwa region, who can strike the right notes with the community.

Malwa region has 53 constituencies spread over 12 districts. In the 2012 assembly elections, only six candidates from Malwa were Hindus  Brahm Mohindra, Patiala (rural); Arvind Khanna from Dhuri; Aman Arora from Sunam; Mangat Rai Bansal from Maur; Naresh Kataria from Zira and Joginder Pal Jain from Moga. Of these six, only Mohindra remains in the Congress.

Now, only Mohindra and Vijayinder Singla are active, while former finance minister Surinder Singla is dormant due to illness.

Mohindra said that in 2012, party failed to get the desired votes of Hindus as the Shiromani Akali Dal had allocated 12 seats to the community.

I am raising a genuine issue. We must realise that Akali Dal is hijacking our vote bank. Hindu community has traditionally been Congress supporter, but due to some issues within the party and the better social-engineering of SAD, more votes in 2012 went to the Akali Dal. We must learn from mistakes and allot a major chunk of tickets to Hindus, apart from promising in manifesto that Dy CM will be a Hindu face, Mohindra said.

He said Hindu voters were disillusioned with the Akalis and the BJP, and it was the right time to woo the community back.

Mohindra said he had apprised the party high command of the fact that there was a dearth of Hindu leaders in Punjab. If we look at Malwa, I am the only Hindu MLA from this belt. Others who got the Congress ticket in 2012 either lost or joined the Akali Dal, he said.

The Congress must do social-engineering in Malwa belt as it is badly needed, he said. When pointed out that the Congress was a secular party, Mohindra said that didnt mean we should not give proper representation to a community that gave a lot to the party.

Cong leaders to meet Rahul Gandhi

Chandigarh: All senior leaders of the Congress party from Punjab have been asked to reach Delhi for a meeting with AICC vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Sunday. Punjab Congress president Capt Amarinder Singh and senior leader Rajinder Kaur Bhattal reached Delhi on Saturday. Partys Punjab affairs in-charge Asha Kumari will also attend Sundays meet.

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When about 32 lakh debit cards have been exposed to malicious software in the biggest ever security breach in the country, Ludhiana police seized a set of two devices, including a micro chip and spy cam-fitted equipment, allegedly used for cloning debit cards.

The police also got a closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage of suspects from an automated teller machine (ATM) kiosk of the State bank of India, Janta Nagar branch, in Ludhiana and a hunt has been launched to nab them. The equipment was spotted by employees of FIS Payment Solution, a private firm that maintains ATMs.

Read more: This is how an ATM virus compromised 3.2 million debit cards in India

An official at the Ludhiana police commissionerate said they were yet to get a formal complaint. The company employees, who helped police trace the equipment, are reluctant to file the complaint saying only bank officials can pursue the case as ATMs are their property. The police have informed the bank authorities and asked them to file a formal complaint.

Deputy commissioner of police (DCP investigation) Bhupinder Singh Sidhu said the police have found a set of equipment that might be used for cloning debit cards. Investigations are on and the suspects would be arrested soon, he said, appealing people to file a complaint if money is withdrawn from their account without their knowledge.

Police say the gang installs the devices when security guards change shifts. The gang members remain around the ATM kiosks to keep a tab on customers and withdraw the money after cloning debit cards.

Steals electronic info, pin

The cloning devices seized by the police in Ludhiana on Saturday. (HT Photo)

The set of two devices seized by police are battery operated. A mobile phone battery has been attached to a panel that fits on top of the ATM. It has a high-resolution camera with a 64 gigabyte memory card and is pointed towards the keypad to

capture the PIN entered by customers. Another device is a socket in which the debit card is swapped. The device copies the electronic information, which is allegedly used to clone the card.

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A family from Ghuman Nagar here appealed to the Union ministry of foreign affairs on Saturday through an e-mail to help locate their son who, the family says, has been missing in Canada for the past two days. Simranjeet Singh, 23, has been on a study visa in Canada for the past three years and, currently, resided at Hamilton in the state of Ontario.

A friend of Simranjeet Singh also lodged a police complaint in Ontario on Friday.

His father Kewal Singh, who works in the Indian Railways, said whereabouts of his son have been unknown for the past 48 hours. We tried our best to locate him through our sources, but to no avail. Hence, we have now e-mailed Union foreign minister Sushma Swaraj for her intervention, he said. He said that Simranjeet called him on Wednesday night and was sounding depressive because of his poor performance in exams. He too was unable to settle in a job there, said Kewal Singh. I was shocked when he told me over the phone that he wanted to apologise for any wrongdoing in the past. The same day he also called his brother and sister, based in Australia, and repeated the same wording, said the father.

He added that he tried to call him the next day, but his number was switched off. Even his close friends there in Canada had no idea of his location, he said.

Police complaint in Canada

Simranjeets cousin Harpreet Singh told HT that on the request of the family, his friend in Ontario Jashan filed a complaint with the police on Friday. But, despite initial investigation, his whereabouts are still unknown. We want the Indian government to approach Canadian authorities and help us in finding him, he said. He said Simran was a very sensitive man. He recently bought a car and tried to build up his private taxi business, but failed in it. We fear that he might have taken a wrong step. We hope everything is fine with him, he said.
Residents of the posh colony, Patiala Development Authority (PDA)-Omaxe city, on the Sirhind road here have installed a cautionary flex board prohibiting the entry of leaders of the ruling SAD-BJP alliance to their colony. The residents have prohibited their entry in protest against the failure of the government to provide them basic amenities.

The flex board reads, Sattadhari Akali-BJP leaderan da iss colony vich dakhla sakht mana hai (The admission of leaders of the ruling Akali-BJP alliance is strictly prohibited).

Members of the PDA Residents Welfare Society said that the decision has been taken in view of the serious difficulties being faced by residents. The residents staged a protest in front of the gate of the colony and also blocked the Sirhind-Patiala road for 10 minutes as an indication of intensification of their protest.

Earlier, residents had a harrowing time as the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) disconnected power connection of streetlights for non-payment of electricity dues amounting to `5 lakh.

About 150 families of professors, doctors and policemen are living here and hundreds of residents have bought plots here to build their dream houses.

Randhir Singh, vice president of the society, said, The project was inaugurated in 2006 and after the rule of almost 10 years of the Akali-BJP government, the residents have only witnessed the downfall in the state of the colony.

Sanjeev Goyal, executive member of the society, said, The decision of the court to pay the liability of enhanced rate of land in compensation to Baran village farmers has been forced on the residents. Nothing has been done for the welfare of the people; residents are lacking basic facilities like roads, parks, and sewerage.

Despite several attempts, the district president of Shiromani Akali Dal, Randhir Singh Rakhra and halqa in-charge of Patiala rural, Satbir Singh Khatra could not be contacted.

The issue

The project, which is spread over 300 acres, was envisaged after the PDA and Delhi-based realty firm Omaxe entered into an agreement in 2006 to set up an integrated township here.

But, the project was caught in controversies after the failure of the private developer to create 5,000 jobs in the information technology (IT) and biotechnology sectors, for which it was given 60 acres of commercial land.

The issue aggravated when the PDA took over Omaxes revenue share deposited in the joint account about two years ago and also imposed penalty due to the violation of its commitment on IT jobs.

In the light of this, Omaxe gave up the overall maintenance of the society, forcing the residents to come to streets.
Aruna Chaudhary, 59, Congress

Constituency: Dinanagar (SC-Reserved)

Education: Graduate

Assets declared in last polls: Rs 4.9 cr

Electoral record:

2012: Defeated Bishan Dass Dhupar of the BJP by 12,927 votes

2007: Lost to Sita Ram of the BJP by a margin of 842 votes

Assembly record:

Questions asked: 55

Call attention moved: 2

Power punch: Familys Cong history; father-in-law was four-time MLA

What next: Close to Amarinder; no rivals in party, so likely to get ticket

How she performed

Being an opposition MLA, she could not get any major development projects sanctioned for her constituency. Whatever little she did was from the MPLAD funds provided by former Gurdaspur MP Partap Singh Bajwa and former Rajya Sabha member Ashwani Kumar. With Rs 2 crore, she got two pontoon bridges constructed to connect with around a dozen villages across the Ravi. She remained in touch with voters for which she has earned goodwill. Besides highlighting issues related to her constituency in the assembly, she actively participated in protests against the SAD-BJP regime. The constituency hasnt seen much change on the ground, though, as the basic infrastructure remains as it was in 2012.

By the way: Has painting as a serious hobby

Voterspeak

Nothing happened in the area in the last five years as our MLA belongs to the opposition. We paid the price for that. No grudges against MLA!, Deepak Mahajan, 59, poultry feed trader, said.

She could not do much, but is accessible. She is educated, understands problems. Im sure if her party wins, she will be minister and work hard, Amit Kumar, 39, motorcycle showroom owner, said.

Charanjit Kaur Bajwa, 58, Congress

Constituency: Qadian

Education: Graduate

Assets declared in last polls: Rs 17.9 cr

Electoral record

2012: Defeated Sewa Singh Sekhwan of the SAD by a margin of 16,156 votes

2007: She did not contest; Lakhbir Singh Lodhinangal of SAD won this seat

Assembly record:

Questions asked: 47

Call attention moved: 0

Power punch: Wife of RS MP and state Cong ex-chief Partap Bajwa

What next: She or her son would contest; Partap Bajwa to decide

How she performed

Being a Congress MLA, she could not manage to bring any major development project from the state government for her constituency. Her only help came from the MPLAD fund of her husband Partap Singh Bajwa who was Lok Sabha MP from Gurdaspur till 2014 and is now in the Rajya Sabha. As Gurdaspur district Congress committee was dominated by those opposed to her husband, she kept away from protests that party colleagues organised at the district level. However, she did protest, through a letter to the CM, about working of the Akali halqa in-charge Sewa Singh Sekhwan and distribution of funds. She complained about not being invited to government functions where again Sekhwan, whom she had defeated, was given prominence.

By the way Runs NGO and projects for women

Voterspeak

Whatever development took place was done by the SAD and its halqa in-charge Sewa Singh Sekhwan (whom Charanjit had defeated). She was rarely seen in the area, Sangram Chaudhary, 30, rice miller, said.

She was never in touch with voters. Now, Congress leaders are coming here after lying low for four years. The constituency lacks basic infrastructure and facilities of health, Jagandeep Singh, 28, businessman, said.
Members of the joint action committee (JAC), comprising 13 associations of private self-financed colleges in the district, staged a protest on Saturday against the Punjab governments failure to release the funds under the post-matric scholarship scheme for students from the scheduled castes and backward classes.

A delegation of the committee handed over a memorandum to rural development and panchayats minister Sikander Singh Maluka demanding the release of the amount at the earliest.

The committee members said that funds under the scheme have already been released in states of Haryana and Rajasthan. The college staff had also staged a protest and submitted memorandums to deputy commissioners of their respective districts on October 7 demanding the release of Rs 480 crore under the scheme for academic session 2014-15 and 2015-16 by October 15.

Members expressed that neither the funds have been released nor members of the committee have been invited for any meeting.

The committee demanded that the amount under the scheme for the 2016-17 academic session should be paid as per the fixed fee structure of the colleges.

The fees of the students, who left the course in between, are also not being given to the colleges, which has put the colleges under great financial burden. They said an amendment should be made in the policy and the colleges should be paid the fees for the semesters the students have completed.

The self-financed colleges were opened after the required approvals and certifications from the universities and the central bodies concerned, but the irony is that they are kept in the category of restaurants and marriage palaces for building plans and change of land use. So, there should be a different category for educational institutions and one-time fees should be levied on them, demanded the committee.

As already being done in neighbouring Haryana, permit fees and road tax should not be imposed on the transport service used by students. Institutional tax should also be removed, the members said, adding that the requirement of no-pollution certificate for opening an educational institute is also not reasonable as educational institutes do not produce any kind of pollution, hence this condition should be removed. Besides, like the industry, educational institutions should also get electricity at economical rates, they said.

The committee demanded that the Punjab government should fulfill their demands by October 30, otherwise more than 1,000 self-financed colleges will be forced to close down for an indefinite period.
The Punjab and Haryana high court has sought a fresh inquiry report from Tarn Taran police in an alleged gangrape case in which the police had declared two accused as innocents and failed to arrest two others, who were now proclaimed offenders. The high court bench of justice Ritu Bahri also directed the state to give Rs 3-lakh compensation to the victim, who had conceived and is a mother now.

The court acted on the petition of the victim in which she had sought direction for ensuring her safety, alleging threats from the accused and harassment at the hands of the police. It was alleged that police were pressing her to strike a compromise with the accused, who were close to the local MLA, and they were being shielded by the police.

Appearing for the petitioner girl, advocate Deepak Sabharwal had argued that police were siding with the accused as they were known to the local MLA, an Akali politician. He had told the court that even as the case was registered in December 2015, the police had failed in filing the challan within stipulated period of three months.

The FIR was registered in December 2015 against four people, three of them accused of sexually exploiting the victim for a long time by threatening her to make public her objectionable photographs.

The 20-year-old victim gave birth to a child in March 2016, since abortion could not be carried out as pregnancy was detected in the sixth month.

In the first probe by a DSP-level official, a woman accused was given the clean chit. Subsequent probe exonerated one Angrej Singh and two others, Gurlal Singh and Hira Singh, were declared proclaimed offenders.

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A moonlit kiss with Satan

Human intrusion into the jungles of the Shivalik foothills is manifest in minefields of cattle dung. No matter where the nature trail may meander, the wanderer will have to side-step dung like commandos deftly picking their way through minefields on a surgical strike! On a recent night ramble in the jungles of Perch dam, situated 13 km from Chandigarh, I just about avoided stepping onto a dung puddle on the dams embankment. But disgust evaporated when I discerned moths devouring the fresh puddle. Most of us have observed or seen in photographs, the angelic butterflies pick nutrients from such disgusting things as carrion, dung, mud, rotting serpents etc but since moths are nocturnal creatures, this behaviour is less apparent.

In the moonlight, the delicate lavender hues of the moths and their folded, satin wings contrasted with the grotesque dung. A vivid comparison came to mind: the willing embrace of paradises most gorgeous Marilyn Monroe with a hairy-beary, long-tailed, horned Satan wielding onion-tinged, sandpaper lips! Anyways, wisecracks apart, I was intrigued by this phenomenon and consulted the Hong Kong-based Dr Roger Kendrick, who is regarded as an authority on Asian moths.

The moths appear to be Petelia species, from the family Geometridae. I dont know which Petelia species, as there are many in the genus and they look roughly similar.

The moths are extracting mineral salts and amino acids from the dungit is debatable that this is feeding in the sense of utilising a resource for conversion to energy and assisting with own body metabolism. Male butterflies and moths of many species do this, as the chemicals are needed in reproduction and are passed to the female.

These moths will (also feed on nectar) and use nectar as food (in the more conventional sense of feeding on resources that get converted to energy or used in general body metabolism), said Dr Kendrick.

Dr Kendrick cited studies by Cornell Universitys Scott Smedley and Thomas Eisner to explain that the act of puddling by males allowed them to extract sodium and transfer it to females. Analyses of male and female (moth) bodies indicate that such puddling behaviour enables the male to provide his mate with a nuptial gift of sodium, presumably via the spermatophore. This gift, amounting to more than half of a puddler males total body sodium, is in large measure apportioned by the female to her eggs, the study stated, adding that sodium may be acquired from such matter as dung/faeces by male moths when the plants the moths feed on lack sodium content.

Best documented for insects are cases involving male donation of nutrients, which the female invests in egg production, and of defensive substances, such as pyrrolizidine alkaloids or cantharidin, which protect eggs against predation. The major conclusion to be derived from this growing body of evidence is that paternal contribution of chemicals to eggs may be more widespread than suspected, certainly in insects, but perhaps in other animals as well, the study concluded.

Blooms on Shivas trail

Blooms from Yatras India leg via Lipulekh Pass: Rhodiola fastigiata, anaphalis brevifolia and colquhonia coccinea. (NARENDRA JOSHI)

Pilgrims snailing up the high passes and along verdant river valleys on the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra to Tibet battle so many high-altitude hardships and standard distractions of scenery that the tiny blooms tucked away in stony outcrops warrant not even a cursory mention. However, a mechanical engineer from the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre in Mumbai, Narendra Joshi, indulged in his esoteric passion for flowers by capturing an estimated 80 species on a recent 26-day yatra to Mansarovar via the arduous Uttarakhand to Lipulekh Pass route. The other route via Nathula Pass (Sikkim) is driven more on bus travel and so Joshi opted for the former route because it lent better opportunities to capture the ignored floral biodiversity.

It may be recollected that Joshi had earlier captured a 100 different blooms (covered in the wildbuzz columns) during his pilgrimage to the Amarnath cave in 2013 by scrambling up slopes like a lithe Ibex and leaving his fellow pilgrims rather startled at his crazy pursuits!

Blooms from Tibet: Arenaria bryophylla, aster species and oxytropis microphylla. (NARENDRA JOSHI)

I bought a special Sony camera that eases the capture of tiny blooms because plants found at high altitudes on the Mansarovar Yatra may not be more than a few inches tall. Rains made photography difficult and the winds were so intense that the cameras sharp focus was not possible in certain situations. We were a group of 40 Indian pilgrims and we touched 19,500 feet on the Kailash parikrama in Tibet. My fellow pilgrims were amazed at my flower photographs because they never noticed them. People love flowers but tend to notice only conspicuous and popular ones like Chrysanthemums and roses. Though I do not enjoy an academic accreditation in botany, clicking flowers, identifying them and documenting their diversity is my passion, Joshi told this writer.

vjswild1@gmail.com
The second part of SS Rajamoulis Baahubali: The Beginning is eagerly awaited by the audience, and Telugu actor Prabhas plans to launch the virtual teaser of the film on his 37th birthday on October 23.

The actor, who plays the lead role in the film, will launch its virtual digital teaser during a film festival in Mumbai.

Its a special birthday celebration for Prabhas this year, as the makers of Baahubalis sequel will be releasing the very first content from the film, says the actors spokesperson.

A source adds, The actor will be present in Bombay with the entire film team a day earlier before his birthday, post which Prabhas will straight head to Hyderabad to ring in his birthday with family and close friends. Because it is Prabhass birthday, the makers are launching the very first content of the film on this special day so it can serve as a perfect double treat for all the fans.

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Media reports also suggested an imminent cabinet changes would take place amid public dissatisfaction with the performance of several ministries

Egyptian MP Mostafa Bakry said on Sunday that a ministerial reshuffle is expected to take place in "the coming few days," Ahram Arabic news website reported.

The reported shake-up would include at least 10 out of the cabinet's 34 ministries, the parliamentarian who is known to be close to authorities, told reporters on Sunday.

Several media reports have also recently suggested an imminent cabinet reshuffle would take place amid public dissatisfaction with the performance of several ministries, mainly those responsible for public services.

The reports said that the restructuring will occur following the parliament's forthcoming review of the government's biannual performance report.

In late August, the Minister of Supply Khaled Hanafi resigned amid a high-profile corruption case involving wasting public funds intended to subsidise the country's costly wheat program.

Prime Minister Sherif Ismail dismissed at the time reports suggesting a possible limited cabinet reshuffle.

The last government shake-up took place in March in when ten ministers, mainly those with economic portfolios, were replaced.

The March changes included the ministers of tourism, finance, investment, justice, civil aviation, irrigation, human resource, antiquities and transportation, and a new ministry for public business sector was created.

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If you have read Spanish writer Carlos Ruiz Zafons bestseller, The Shadow of the Wind, you have experienced Barcelona, Spain, in one of best ways possible. The atmospheric novel leads the readers through the bylanes of the Catalan city, creating an exciting premise for your visit to Barcelona.

The cathedral of Sagrada Familia, designed by architect Antoni Gaudi, is one of Barcelonas most popular tourist attractions. (iStock )

CELEBRATE GAUDI

The spires of Sagrada Familia, a pet project of Catalonias most celebrated architect Antoni Gaudi, are visible from several miles away. It is only upon reaching the famous incomplete church though, that you notice the snaking queue of tourists waiting to buy tickets to enter the monument. Upon asking around for a better time to visit, a kind local lady wondered aloud about why people were willing to spend hours on the Sagrada Familia, when the rest of the city, too, bore vestiges of Gaudis genius. And off she sent me on a Gaudi tour, which involved gazing up at many buildings across Barcelona, and ended up with a local bands gig inside the grand Park Guell. Casa Batllo, which can also be toured from the inside, is a fascinating structure as well, born out of Gaudis distinct and iconic style of twists and colour. For a refreshing swim and a cool can of beer, head for the Mediterranean waters. Barcelona has a long beachfront, and on a summer day, it may seem like half of city has abandoned work and camped out at the beach.

One of the several art installations in the city of Barcelona. (Sonali Shah)

ART ATTACK

Barcelona is a city of art. Thats not just due to the Museu Picasso, or any of the several art installations across the city. A window grill in a common house will surprise you, as will the pavement pavers. The modern designs of new buildings, juxtaposed with the traditional ornate street lamps, make for fascinating photographs. But to get a glimpse of the art form that is quintessentially European  illegal wall graffiti  catch a metro train to Barri Gotic, the Gothic Quarter. It took me a while to notice that the artists had taken utmost care and sprayed paint only over wooden doors and walls. The stony face of the structures was left untouched. That is because the stone facades, unlike the wooden ones, were centuries-old, and irreplaceable. Evidently, these were some pretty patriotic artists who spared a thought to preserve their citys history.

Taking a stroll to the famous Montjuic singing fountain can be a fun activity. (Sonali Shah)

WALK AROUND

Barri Gotic is part of the old town, and can be a confusing labyrinth of narrow streets. The tiny boutique shops here are a great way to dodge the afternoon sun, and you can score decent knick-knacks for cheap. Reserve at least a couple of evenings to enjoy spicy jugs of sangria at one of the many tables that occupy either sides of the most popular pedestrian street, La Rambla. Spend half an evening at Las Arena, a former bullfighting ring that was converted into a shopping mall. The rooftop viewing platform in the mall provides good views of the city and houses a restaurant. Take a stroll to the famous Montjuic singing fountain can be a good post-dinner activity. Barcelona is the perfect city to go club-hopping. The best  and also the most expensive  clubs are the beach-facing ones in La Barceloneta, a city neighbourhood. Latest chartbusters and potent cocktails promise to make partying nights unforgettable.

Travel tips

1. Pickpockets love Barcelona; keep a close eye on your belongings.

2. If you are lost in the non-touristy parts of the city, look around for general stores. Most owners of such local shops are Bangladeshis, Indians or Pakistanis, and love to get an opportunity to converse in Hindi. Rest assured you will receive detailed directions.

3. Several airlines fly to Barcelona with a stopover in the Middle East or other European cities, where you can convert rupees to euros.
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump will 100 percent accept the results of the US election if it is fair, his son Eric Trump said on Sunday.

I think what my father is saying is, I want a fair election, Eric Trump said on ABCs This Week.

If its a fair outcome, he will absolutely accept it. Theres no question about that.

Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway acknowledged on Sunday that Trump trails rival Hillary Clinton in national and key battle ground state opinion polls.

We are behind, she said on NBCs Meet the Press, adding that Clinton had tremendous advantages, including a larger campaign war chest that she can use to buy television commercials.

As the polling gap has widened, Trump has repeatedly said the election is being rigged against him. He has not offered evidence and numerous studies have shown that the US election system, which is decentralized and run by the states, is sound.

At last weeks debate with Clinton, Trump challenged a cornerstone of American democracy by refusing to commit to honoring the result of the US election.

What Im saying is that I will tell you at the time. Ill keep you in suspense. OK? Trump said.

In the aftermath of the debate, Trump said he would accept the election outcome if I win.

The latest Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Friday has Trump trailing Clinton by 4 percentage point. The latest Reuters/Ipsos States of the Nation project found Clinton with a 95 percent chance of winning the needed 270 Electoral College votes.

An ABC News poll released on Sunday morning had Clinton leading with 50 percent of likely support, compared to Trump at 38 percent. The poll found a that the number of Republicans said they were likely to vote fell 7 percent from mid-October.

Conway, also was pressed on Sunday on CNNs State of the Union on whether Trump would accept the election results.

The system is rigged, especially against the little guy, said Conway without directly responding to the question. She spoke of any challenges to the election results as hypothetical.

The efforts by members of Trumps inner circle to downplay his remarks about the integrity of the election indicate he would come under significant pressure to accept the result if he were to lose.

Republican Party Chairman Reince Priebus said that by asking Trump to agree to concede, the media was making an extraordinary request. He said Trump would only fight if the election were close and is not trying to dispute a fair election.

Thats not quite what hes saying. What hes saying is he wants to reserve all options and if there is ground for a recount Ill reserve all options, Priebus said on CBSs Face The Nation.

Clinton and Trump will campaign on Sunday in the key swing states of Florida and North Carolina, where the latest polls show they are within only a few points of each other.

On Sunday, Trump picked up his first endorsement of the general election from a major newspaper when the Las Vegas Review backed his candidacy. The newspaper is owned by Republican mega-donor Sheldon Adelson, who has been reluctant to donate to Trump. In 2012, Adelson spent about $150 million trying to help elect Republican Mitt Romney.
It has taken two years of training a demoralised army, backed up by the air cover and special forces of the worlds greatest powers, for Iraq to mount an offensive to recapture Mosul from Islamic State.

Almost week into the US-led onslaught, many of those running the campaign say the battle to retake the city could be long and hard. But they have also identified what they think is a chink in the jihadists armour.

If local fighters in Mosul can be persuaded to drop their allegiance to Islamic State, there is a chance that the battle can be brought to a more speedy conclusion, and that could have major implications for the future of Iraq.

Against a background of splits and rebellions in the Islamic State ranks in Mosul, some opposing commanders believe that a successful attempt to win over those local fighters could mean the battle lasts only weeks rather than months.

Mosul, Iraqs second biggest city, is where IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared his Sunni caliphate in 2014, after his alliance between millenarian Islamists and veteran officers from the disbanded army of Saddam Hussein roared back into Iraq from bases they set up in the mayhem of Syrias war. Five Iraqi army divisions melted away before jihadis numbered in hundreds.

Read: Pentagon chief in Irbil for closer assessment of Mosul fight

Now the battle to retake Mosul pits an unwieldy coalition of a 30,000-strong Iraqi regular force backed by the US and Europeans, alongside Kurdish and Shiite militias, against jihadis who have exploited the Sunni communitys sense of dispossession in Iraq and betrayal in Syria.

Not just its outcome but the political sensitivity with which this battle is handled could determine the future of Islamic State and Sunni extremism, as well as the shape of this part of West Asia, which is being shattered into sectarian fragments.

Islamic State fighters, estimated at between 4,000 and 8,000, have rigged the city with explosives, mined and booby-trapped roads, built oil-filled moats they can set alight, dug tunnels, and trenches and have shown every willingness to use Mosuls up to 1.5 million civilians as human shields.

Islamic State would seem to have a plentiful supply of suicide bombers, launching them in scores of explosives-laden trucks against Kurdish peshmerga fighters converging on Mosul from the east and northeast, and Iraqi forces, spearheaded by counter-terrorism units, advancing from the south and southwest.

Mosul will be a multi-month endeavour. This is going to take a long time, a senior US official said in Iraq.

An Iraqi army soldier smokes a cigarette as toxic fumes rise on the horizon in Qayyarah, about 31 miles (50 km) south of Mosul, Iraq. (AP)

CALIPHATE

Karim Sinjari, interior minister in the self-governing Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) of northern Iraq, said IS would put up a fierce fight because of Mosuls symbolic value as capital of its self-proclaimed Islamic caliphate.

If Mosul is finished the caliphate they announced is finished. If they lose in Mosul, they will have no place, just Raqqa (in Syria), Sinjari said.

Adept at exploiting divisions among its enemies, last Fridays dawn assault by IS on Kirkuk, for example, was not just an attempt to divert Iraqi and Kurdish forces and relieve pressure on the main front.

It was also intended to galvanise Sunni Arab opinion against the Kurds, whose Iraqi peshmerga and Syrian Kurdish militia have fielded the most effective ground forces against IS.

That is why many of those invested in the battle for Mosul stress the need to break the cohesion of IS and the allegiance it has won or coerced among alienated Sunni, in Mosul and beyond.

The opportunity is there, they say.

They believe that while foreign jihadis will fight to the finish to protect their last stronghold in Iraq, the Iraqi fighters, many from Mosul itself, may lay down their arms.

Most of the (IS) fighters now are local tribal fighters. They have some foreign fighters, they have some people from other parts of Iraq and Syria, but the majority are local fighters, says a senior Kurdish military intelligence chief.

If we can take this away from them, the liberation of Mosul is a job of a week or two weeks.

Read: Watch: Dramatic video of Mosul battle, reporters escape explosions

Islamic State fighters torched a sulfur plant south of Mosul, sending a cloud of toxic fumes into the air that mingled with oil wells the militants had lit on fire to create a smoke screen. (AP)

FISSURES

Fissures are widening inside the IS camp, with Iraqi, Kurdish and Western sources reporting resistance in Mosul and a spate of attacks on its leaders.

Sinjari, also the KRG acting defence minister, says there is growing resentment against the groups brutality.

There is information that many people are revolting and carrying out attacks against IS. A number of Daesh members were killed on the streets at night, Sinjari said. This was confirmed by the U.S. official but could not be independently verified.

It fits with accounts of a recent abortive uprising against IS, led by a former aide to Baghdadi, that ended with the execution of 58 Daesh dissidents.

Crucially, more than half ISs fighting strength comes from Sunni tribes initially relieved they were being freed from sectarian persecution by a Shiite dominated government in Baghdad and a corrupt and brutal army.

Some strategists believe those tribes could turn against the brutality of IS rule  just as the Sunni tribal fighters of the Sahwa or Awakening turned against al-Qaeda in Iraq a decade ago  if Baghdad guarantees their lives and livelihoods.

In Mosul, there are Iraqi tribal people in IS who pledged allegiance when the group arrived, a Kurdish intelligence chief said.

If the Iraqis send a message and reassure these Sunni Iraqis that they will be given a second chance I think it is wise to do so, because if they put their weapons down you are definitely taking out 60 percent of their (IS) fighting force.

The official emphasised the need for the US-led coalitions close involvement in Mosul, especially after the experience of the recapture of Falluja, Ramadi and Tikrit, IS-held cities where refugees and local Sunnis suffered at the hands of Shiite militias.

In the battle for Mosul, it has supposedly been agreed that neither Shiite fighters nor Kurdish peshmerga will enter the city when it falls to avoid stoking a sectarian backlash.

While the anti-IS coalition has gained momentum, military strategists and intelligence officials say the closer the Iraqi forces get to Mosul, the harder it will be.

If they decide to defend the city then it will be more difficult and the process will slow down, the intelligence chief said.

Once inside Mosul, Iraqi special forces would have to go from street to street to clear explosives and booby traps set up by Islamic State.

The roads are very narrow. You cant use vehicles or tanks, so it will be a fight, person by person, Sinjari said.

Read: Turkey, Iraq reach agreement in principle on Mosul, says US

An Iraqi army soldier stands atop of an armoured vehicle as a smoke from a nearby sulfur plant set alight by Islamic State militants rises behind, on the outskirts of Qayyara, south of Mosul, Iraq. (Reuters)

VILLAGES

Until now, it has been easy for the coalition to hit IS positions in deserted villages around Mosul but the air strikes will slow down once Iraqi forces get into the city.

Islamic State, Iraqi commanders say, have succeeded in the past in blocking army troops from moving against them by staging suicide attacks and rigging explosives.

But they say that would no longer be an obstacle in Mosul as the Iraqi army has recently received an effective guided missile system that destroys explosives-packed vehicles.

The Iraqi commanders say their tactic now would be to cut Islamic State fighters off from the hinterland of supporting villages then split the city into different neighbourhoods.

Brigadier Haider Abdul Muhsin al-Darraji, from the army 10th division, said military units would launch simultaneous attacks from multiple fronts on Mosul, divide the city into sectors to isolate IS fighters. And with coalition air strikes the jihadis will have little chance of getting reinforcements from the western side, which has been left open to encourage their departure towards Syria.

The difficulty is how to hit IS targets inside Mosul without causing massive civilian casualties.

Its just like a tough surgery to remove a brain tumour, Darraji said.

Colonel Mahdi Ameer from the 9th Iraqi army division fighting south of Mosul said Islamic State had deliberately blocked residents from leaving the city to use them as human shields and prolong the battle.

Islamic States enemies do not underestimate the groups strength, which depends on experienced former senior Baathist officers and Islamist radicals willing to blow themselves up to defend their Sunni heartland.

They are much more organised than the peshmerga and others. They have good administration, a good support system and enough weapons and ammunitions, said the Kurdish counter-terrorism official.

The Mosul offensive will be the most important battle fought in Iraq since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003. What happens next will shape or break an already fractured Iraq.

There are growing concerns about fixing the political peace the day after liberating Mosul, said Hoshyar Zebari, a top Iraqi politician and former finance minister.

How will this multi-ethnic, multi-sectarian city ... be governed and run without communal conflict, without revenge killing, without a large displacement of people? That needs some political planning on how the city will be governed. It should have a strong representative governance in the city.

But the battle against radical Islamists in the region will not end with the liberation of Mosul.

Mosul is not be the end of Islamic State or the end of extremism in this region. They will go back to more asymmetric warfare. We will see suicide attacks inside Kurdistan, inside Iraqi cities and elsewhere.
Nepal and India have formed a high-level panel to address bottlenecks in India-funded projects and to implement them in a timebound manner.

Creating such an oversight mechanism had been agreed upon during the India visit of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal  Prachanda in September.

Foreign Secretary of Nepal will lead the Nepali side of the panel, while the Indian side will be led by Indian Ambassador to Nepal. Other members from the Nepali side included joint secretaries of finance, commerce, physical infrastructure and transport, planning, home affairs, energy and irrigation. The Indian side also comprises of deputy chief of mission, economic cooperation counsellor and reconstruction counsellor at the Indian embassy.

Officials of both countries have been instructed to closely monitor progress of the ongoing projects under bilateral economic and development cooperation, address any bottlenecks, and to complete them expeditiously in a time bound manner.

The panel will meet once a month in Kathmandu and assess progress in executing the projects, resolve pending issues and will give instructions if needed, said a senior Indian official at the Indian embassy.

India-funded projects in Nepal include those in areas like energy, hydro-power, cross border transmission line, road and railways as well as integrated check posts.
It was called an insurgent party after making major gains in electoral politics in recent years with its anti-EU appeal, but the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) may well become the first frontline British party to have an Indian-origin leader.

Raheem Kassam, a 30-year-old son of Indian immigrants from Tanzania, is among the three contenders for the leadership election currently underway.

Nigel Farage resigned as party leader after the June 23 EU referendum, which was partly held as a result of UKIPs rise in British politics as it exploited growing anti-EU sentiment in the country. Diane James won the leadership election in September, but stepped down 18 days later.

Farage has returned as the interim party leader, and Kassam is in the fray for the top spot, along with Paul Nuttal and Suzanne Evans.

Kassam has often said he is not a practising Muslim, and tried to counter radical Islam. The former aide of Farage has already secured the support of the partys biggest donor, insurance tycoon Arron Banks.

Banks said on Twitter: Ive been very impressed with Raheems ideas, despite Paul Nuttall running I think hes the candidate to beat. Hes got my support.

Welcoming the endorsement, Kassam said: This is a major endorsement from someone who has been one of the driving forces behind UKIP in recent years. Banks ploughed his personal time and money into the referendum campaign and the party, and for those wondering whether he still stood with UKIP, this is a very clear sign: he does, under a Kassam leadership.

On Sunday, rival Evans alleged that Kassam would take the party too far to the right, an accusation dismissed by the latter, who said: It is sad that 60 seconds after she launched her campaign on the BBC, Suzanne Evans attacked me and my thousands of supporters as 'far right'. This is a project fear tactic and UKIPers are sick of these smears.

Holding Margaret Thatcher as one his idols, Kassam, who studied politics at the University of Westminster, is reported to prefer Donald Trump as US president. He is keen to stop infighting in UKIP and address divisions in British society.

Nominations for the leadership election close on October 31, and the new leader will be announced on November 28.

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Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Sunday criticised the US presidential candidates behaviour during their recent debates.

Did you see the debate and the way of their speaking, accusing and mocking each other? Do we want such a democracy in our country? Do we want such elections in our country? Rouhani said, speaking to a crowd in the Iranian city of Arak.

You see the United States that claims it has had democracy for more than 200 years, he said in comments broadcast live by state TV. Look at the country, what the situation is where morality has no place.

Rouhani said that during his September visit to the UN General Assembly, he was asked which of the candidates he preferred. I said what? Should I prefer bad to worse or worse to bad?

Irans state TV has broadcast two of the debates between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton in full. It has closely followed the campaign, often highlighting economic and social problems in the US and the most confrontational debate segments.

Rouhanis speech marked his first public comment on the US election.

Iran will hold its own presidential election in May 2017, and Rouhani is eligible to seek a second term.

Last month, hard-line former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said he will not run in the election. Opposition to his candidacy exposed the still-lingering wounds from the widespread unrest that followed his contested 2009 re-election.

Despite a landmark nuclear deal with the United States and world powers that went into effect in January, Tehran and Washington have not restored diplomatic ties that were cut after the 1979 Islamic Revolution and US Embassy takeover.

The deal capped Irans disputed nuclear activities in return for lifting international nuclear-related sanctions.
Iraqi Kurdish forces pushed towards Mosul on Sunday, cordoning off eight villages and coming within 9 km of the northern city held by the Islamic State group, which staged an attack in a western town hundreds of miles away in an apparent diversionary tactic.

The Kurdish forces, known as peshmerga, said the area they cordoned off measures around 100 square km, and that they also secured a significant stretch of highway. The statement said eight car bombs were destroyed in the operation, including three by US-led coalition aircraft, and dozens of militants were killed.

The offensive near the town of Bashiqa came nearly a week after Iraq announced the start of the long-awaited Mosul offensive. Iraqi and Kurdish forces are approaching from the north, east and south through a belt of mostly abandoned and heavily mined villages scattered across the Ninevah plain.

Maj Gen Haider Fadhi, of Iraqs special forces said they also took part in the operation, and that Bashiqa was completely encircled.

IS has put up stiff resistance in many areas and has carried out attacks further afield that appear aimed at diverting attention from the Mosul operation.

Read | Pentagon chief in Irbil for closer assessment of Mosul fight

IS militants stormed into the town of Rutba, in far western Iraq, unleashing three suicide car bombs that were blown up before hitting their targets, according to the spokesman for the Joint Military Command, Brig Gen Yahya Rasool.

He said some militants were killed, without giving an exact figure, and declined to say whether any civilians or Iraqi forces were killed. He said the militants did not seize any government buildings and that the situation is under control.

The IS-run Aamaq news agency had earlier said militants stormed Rutba from several directions.

Lt Gen Stephen Townsend, the top US commander in Iraq, confirmed there had been a complex attack in Rutba and said he expects more such diversionary attacks as Iraqi forces close in on Mosul.

The IS carried out a large assault on the northern city of Kirkuk on Friday, in which more than 50 militants stormed government compounds and other targets, setting off more than 24 hours of heavy fighting and killing at least 80 people, mainly security forces.

The Mosul offensive involves more than 25,000 Iraqi ground forces as well as US-led coalition aircraft and advisers. It is expected to take weeks, if not months, to drive IS from Iraqs second-largest city, which is home to more than a million civilians.

Bashiqa is close to a military base of the same name where some 500 Turkish troops are training Sunni and Kurdish fighters for the Mosul offensive. Turkeys prime minister, Binali Yildirim , told reporters Sunday that Turkish tanks and artillery had begun aiding the Kurdish forces in the Bashiqa offensive.

Read | Nearly 1,000 treated for breathing problems south of Mosul, US troops don masks

The presence of the Turkish troops has angered Iraq, which says it never gave them permission to enter the country and has called on them to withdraw. Turkey has refused, insisting that it play a role in retaking Mosul from IS.

US defence secretary Ash Carter has visited both countries in recent days, and was in the Kurdish regional capital, Irbil, on Sunday.

After meeting with Turkish leaders, Carter announced an agreement in principle for Turkey to have a role in the operation. But Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi told Carter on Saturday that Mosul was an Iraqi battle.

The forces taking part in the Mosul offensive include Iraqi troops, the peshmerga, Sunni tribal fighters and state-sanctioned Shiite militias. Many fear the operation could heighten tensions between Iraqs different communities, which are allied against IS but divided over a host of other issues, including the fate of territories near mostly Sunni Mosul that are claimed by the largely autonomous Kurdish region and the central government.

Carter praised the peshmerga, saying they fight extremely well, but also acknowledged that they had suffered casualties.

Brig Gen Halgord Hekmet, a spokesman for the Kurdish forces, told reporters that 25 of their troops have been killed since the battle to retake Mosul began and a large number had been wounded. He said the peshmerga have had good coalition air support, but could use more armored vehicles and roadside bomb detectors. Most of the fallen peshmerga were riding in unarmored vehicles, he said.

Read | IS assault on Kirkuk ends after 24-hour battle as Iraqi forces advance on Mosul

The UN agency for children meanwhile expressed concern over the more than 4,000 people it says have fled from areas around Mosul since the operation began.

UNICEFs Iraq representative, Peter Hawkins, said that in at least one refugee camp the conditions for children were very, very poor. He said UNICEF teams delivered water, sanitation and other supplies expected to last seven days.

They also provided immunizations against polio and measles, which he said had not been available during the more than two years that the people lived under IS rule. UNICEF has plans to assist more than 784,000 people, including up to 500,000 children.

Hawkins says children in and around Mosul are at risk of death or injury from the fighting, as well as sexual violence, kidnapping and recruitment by armed groups.
The first woman to climb Mount Everest didnt stop there.

Japanese mountaineer Junko Tabei, who died Thursday at 77, devoted her adult life to scaling peaks, climbing the tallest mountains in more than 70 countries.

Her philosophy was to live life to the fullest. I want to climb even more mountains, she said in a 1991 interview with The Associated Press, 16 years after conquering Everest. To think, It was great, and then die.

To do so required defying stereotypes, and a supportive husband, in a country that thought a womans place was in the home. She founded the Ladies Climbing Club in 1969 with the slogan Lets go on an overseas expedition by ourselves, and reached the summit of Everest on May 16, 1975, as the leader of the climbing party of an all-female Japanese team.

Most Japanese men of my generation would expect the woman to stay at home and clean house, the mother of two said in the 1991 interview.

Junko Tabei receives a gift from a Kathmandu city official during ceremonies in Kathmandu, Nepal. (AP File Photo)

In 1992, she became the first woman to complete the Seven Summits, reaching the highest peaks of the seven continents.

Tabei died of cancer at a hospital outside of Tokyo, Japanese media reported on Saturday.

She was born in 1939 in Miharu, a hilly farming town in Fukushima prefecture about 230 kilometers (140 miles) north of Tokyo. Her first summit was nearby Mount Nasu with her teacher in the fourth grade.

Later in life, she became concerned about the degradation of Everest, completing masters studies in 2000 at Kyushu University in southern Japan on the garbage problem as the famous mountain was opened to more climbers.

Everest has become too crowded. It needs a rest now, she said at a 2003 parade in Nepal to mark the 50th anniversary of the first successful ascent of the peak by Sir Edmund Hillary.

She kept climbing even after being diagnosed with cancer four years ago, Japanese public broadcaster NHK said. Her goal was to climb the tallest mountain in all of the more than 190 countries of the world. She fell short, but ticked off four more as recently as 2015, according to her website, in Niger, Luxembourg, Belgium and Oman.
At least 100 inmates, some of them armed, escaped a Haitian prison near the capital Port-au-Prince during a mutiny, killing at least one guard, a source close to the investigation said Sunday.

Local media, citing police, said 172 prisoners had fled the Arcahaie facility, located on the coast northwest of the capital Port-au-Prince.

A preliminary investigation indicates a guard forgot to lock a door Saturday as the inmates were eating. The prisoners left the cafeteria and armed themselves with police weapons, the source said on condition of anonymity.

During the ensuing firefight, the head prison guard was killed and two others were wounded.

Le Nouvelliste newspaper quoted Arcahaie prison manager Heurtelou Paul Colson as saying one prisoner climbed a wall and fell to his death, while two other detainees were wounded and in hospital.

Authorities refused to officially confirm the number of inmates involved or the death toll.

Special police units are on site to secure the area and prevent those responsible from causing further harm, the office of interim prime minister Enex Jean-Charles, who also serves as defense minister, said in a statement.

Residents have been asked to cooperate with police, who have launched a manhunt for the escapees, the statement said.

The government strongly condemns the incidents that took place at Arcahaie prison, targeted in a mutiny by heavily armed individuals.

The foreign, justice and interior ministers, along with top police officials, headed to the scene after the mutiny.

The US Embassy in Haiti advised all Americans to avoid the area following a violent prison break.

Le Nouvelliste reported that the supposed mastermind of the prison break, who was serving time for kidnapping, was arrested, along with about 10 other prisoners.

Prisons in Haiti, the poorest country in the Americas, suffer from mass overcrowding. Earlier this year, the International Center for Prison Studies said they were at 450 percent of capacity.

A majority of Haitian prisoners are awaiting trial.
One person was killed and at least two injured by two near-simultaneous blasts in a Japanese park on Sunday, the local fire department said.

The explosions occurred at a park in Utsunomiya, some 100 kilometres north of Tokyo, shortly after 11.30 am, a fire department spokesman said. It was not immediately clear what caused the blasts.

One person was found dead, the fire department spokesman told AFP, without elaborating further.

Public broadcaster NHK said a body badly damaged in the blast was found at a bicycle parking space for the park.

The sex and ages of the three are not known yet, another local fire department official said, adding one blast hit a car parking lot for the park.

NHK footage showed a car completely charred, as fire fighters poured water on it.

A man told NHK that he smelled gunpowder in the area after the explosions.
Egyptwill decrease land area used for rice production in the 2017 season with a decrease of 34.6 percent, according to a decree issued by the Ministry of Irrigation and published in the Official Gazette on Sunday.

In an attempt to preserve scarce water resources, the Ministry limited the cultivation of the water-consuming crop to 6 governorates covering an area of 704.5 thousand feddans in comparison to 1.076 million feddans in 2016 season.

The only governorates that will be allowed to cultivate rice are Beheira, Kafr El-Sheikh, Daqahliya, Damietta, Port Said, and Sharqiya.

The ministry will provide water for rice fields in the selected governorates from May - August 2017.

Rice, a key stable foodstuff for millions of Egyptians, consumes 9,500 to 11,000 cubic metres water per hectare, a much higher average compared to other crops.

Per the decree, rice production would be banned in unauthorized fields with violators subjected to fines.

Egypt has long outlawed rice exports to preserve stocks for the local market and combat rising prices.

In August, the Egyptian government said it aims to procure up to 2 million tonnes of rice from farmers by purchasing long grain rice at EGP 2,300 per tonne and short grain rice at EGP 2,400 per tonne.

According to the US Department of Agriculture's Grain and Feed annual report issued in October, post forecast for milled rice production is at 4.0 million metric tonnes with a post forecast for rice consumption at 3.5 million metric tonnes in 2016/17.

In recent months, rice has been among the essential food stuff facing price hikes as a result of low supply due to traders holding stock.

Earlier in October, Egypt's Supply Ministry Mohamed Ali El-Sheikh said the government will hold an international tender for rice seeking to purchase a minimum of 500,000 tonnes in order to secure rations for consumers who receive food subsidies.

The minister said during a press conference on sugar scarcity last week that President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has ordered the managing of essential foodstuff reserves to cover six months.

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US defence secretary Ash Carter visited Irbil on Sunday for a closer assessment of the fight against the Islamic State group in northern Iraq and to hear from Kurdish leaders whose forces launched a new offensive in the operation to wrest Mosul from the militants.

Carter met with Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani, as well as US service members, who are not far from the battle. The Pentagon chief said Barzani reported some good news about peshmerga gains against IS in Bashiqa, about 15 miles (24 kilometers) northeast of Mosul.

Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend, the top US commander in Iraq, told reporters that the information hes gathered suggests Barzani was correct and that there has been considerable success in the town. Townsend said he didnt know whether any fighting was still going on in the town center and whether every house had been cleared, but he largely confirmed the peshmergas success and said the Kurdish forces merit recognition for their success.

Carter said he wants to see military operations to isolate IS fighters in Raqqa, Syria, to begin as soon as possible. He said there will be simultaneous operations in Mosul and Raqqa, and that the United States would coordinate in Raqqa with its partners. The US has been working with Syrian rebel fighters.

Townsend said the US-led coalition has had success killing IS leaders, which helps with the Raqqa fight.

During the meeting with Barzani, Carter praised the efforts of the Kurdish forces, known as peshmerga, and acknowledged their battle losses.

They fight extremely well. But because theyre fighting hard, they suffer ... casualties, said Carter, who spent Saturday in Baghdad getting updates from his military leadership and meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi. The US is prepared to provide additional support for the fight if requested by Iraq and US commanders, Carter said in the capital.

Peshmerga Brig. Gen. Halgord Hekmet, a spokesman for the Kurdish forces, told reporters that 25 of their troops have been killed since the battle to retake Mosul began and a large number had been wounded. Speaking through an interpreter, he said the peshmerga have had good coalition air support, but could use more military resources, especially armored vehicles.

He said that most of the fallen peshmerga were riding in regular cars and were more vulnerable. A second priority, he said, would be more devices to help detect roadside bombs.

The peshmerga are advancing toward Mosul from the north in long columns of armored vehicles and other trucks. More than 100 US special operations forces are embedded with the Kurds and Iraqi military commandos. Irbil is about 55 miles (90 kilometers) southeast of Mosul.

Mosul is a Sunni majority town, and many worry about the involvement of government-sanctioned Shiite fighters. But they also are suspicious about the Kurds, who have ambitions to expand their self-rule area into parts of Ninevah province, where Mosul is located  although not to the city itself.

US military officials say the peshmerga will stop their advance about 20 miles (30 kilometers) outside of Mosul and hold that territory to ensure the militants dont regroup. Shiite militias have said they will not enter the city itself.

Carter fueled debate in Iraq on Friday when he met with Turkish leaders and suggested their country should play a role in the Mosul battle. On Saturday, al-Abadi balked at that idea, saying his countrys own forces will oust IS from the city.

Some 500 Turkish troops at a base north of Mosul have been training Sunni and Kurdish fighters since December. The Iraqi government says the troops are there without permission and has called on them to withdraw. Turkey has refused and insists it will play a role in liberating the city.

IS captured Mosul and the surrounding area during a lightning advance across northern Iraq in the summer of 2014.
Spains Socialists voted Sunday to allow the conservatives to take power, likely ending a protracted political deadlock and avoiding a third election for poll weary Spaniards.

The decision paves the way for acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy -- whose conservative Popular Party (PP) won two elections in December 2015 and June this year but without an absolute majority -- to form a government by November.

But while this eases uncertainty in a country that has been without a fully-functioning executive for ten months, Rajoys government will be extremely weak, backed by just 137 lawmakers in a 350-strong parliament and with strong opposition led by the Socialists and far-left Unidos Podemos.

Both the Socialists and Unidos Podemos had categorically refused to back Rajoy, fed up with corruption scandals and rising inequalities that marked his first four-year term, paralysing his attempts to form a government.

But as the prospect of a third election grew nearer, bitter divisions emerged within the Socialists and on Sunday the party announced its policy-setting federal committee had voted 139 to 96 in favour of allowing Rajoy to rule.

They decided to abstain in a parliamentary confidence vote on a Rajoy-led government instead of casting their ballot against it as they did in a previous September vote.

This will give Rajoys government enough traction to see it through the vote.

Repeat elections would harm the interests of Spain and the Spanish, read the resolution that was voted through.

It added that a third poll could also hurt the Socialists themselves, who would be held responsible for a blockage that no one wants.

New government

But the decision came at a price.

Following dismal election results, the Socialist party has been decimated by in-fighting over how to handle the political blockage.

The divisions came to a head earlier this month when high-ranking Socialists amenable to a conservative government -- so as to avoid a third election -- forced party leader Pedro Sanchez out.

Sanchez had long opposed Rajoy, who came to power in 2011.

With him out of the way and the party run by an interim executive, those who dislodged him got their way.

Now that the Socialists have decided to abstain, Rajoy is expected to quickly submit himself to another parliamentary vote of confidence next weekend, confident of victory.

By November 1, Spain should finally get a government at a sensitive time as the country recovers from a devastanting economic crisis.

But the PPs government will be weak.

It will face opposition not only from the Socialists but also two upstart parties -- Unidos Podemos and centrists Ciudadanos.

Their participation in the last two elections put an end to Spains traditional two-party system.

Even Rajoy admitted it would be tough.

If I want more support, its logical that I adapt my discourse to the new situation, he said Friday on the sidelines of a European summit.

Mariano Rajoy will have the least parliamentary support in Spains history, said political analyst Pablo Simon.

Its more than likely that it will be a short term, he added, pointing out that Rajoy may decide to call early elections, particularly if the opposition remains as divided as it is now.

Restore credibility

And for many Socialist lawmakers, these divisions have been hugely damaging and many fear that the party will alienate its grassroots members by allowing a PP government to rule.

Its not just because of the abstention but also because of the shameful spectacle that the PSOE has presented in the past days, Socialist lawmaker Susana Sumelzo said in a weekend interview with online daily El Espanol.

I predict that in the medium and long-term, it will be very complicated. We will have to work a huge amount to get our credibility back.
Fierce fighting and air strikes broke the third day of a four-day unilateral Russian ceasefire in the divided Syrian city of Aleppo on Saturday, a monitor said.

The first Syrian or Russian air strikes on Aleppo since Russia began the pause in hostilities on Thursday hit a key front line in the citys southwest, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Clashes and shelling which had continued throughout the day on front lines intensified late in the day, a witness and the Observatory said.

Air strikes had continued to target areas outside the city throughout the ceasefire.

Russia has been announcing daily that it will abide by the next day of the series of daytime ceasefires, which it said it called to allow civilians and rebels to leave the besieged city, but no announcement was made on Saturday.

There have been night-time clashes as each day of the ceasefire has ended, but Saturday saw much fiercer fighting plus the first air strikes.

Aleppo was Syrias most populous city before the war, but is now divided into government- and rebel-held areas. Intense bombardment has reduced the rebel-held east of the city to ruins.

Once again, no medical evacuations or aid deliveries to rebel-held areas were possible on Saturday, the United Nations said.

Rebels did not accept the ceasefire, which they say does nothing to alleviate the situation of those who choose to remain in rebel-held eastern Aleppo, and believe it is part of a government policy to purge cities of political opponents.

A rebel fighter rests inside a damaged room in Marea city, northern Aleppo province. (Reuters Photo)

The Syrian army and Russia had called on residents and rebels in eastern Aleppo to leave through designated corridors and depart for other insurgent-held districts under a promise of safe travel, but very few rebels or civilians appeared to have left.

Nobody has left through the corridors. The small number of people which who tried to leave were faced with shelling around the (corridor area) and could not leave, said Zakaria Malahifji, a rebel official with the Fastaqim group, which is present in the city.

Syrian state media says rebels have been preventing civilians from leaving east Aleppo. Pro-government channels broadcast footage of ambulances and green buses parked at empty reception points in government-held Aleppo, said to be waiting for civilians and fighters from the citys east.

Besieged east Aleppo has not received United Nations assistance since early July and rebel groups have said they are preparing an attack to try to break through the government siege.

The United Nations had hoped that the ceasefires would allow medical evacuations and aid deliveries, but said a lack of security guarantees had prevented aid workers from taking advantage of the pause in bombing.

The UN remains hopeful that parties will provide all necessary guarantees and is actively working to that end, U.N. humanitarian spokesperson Jens Laerke said. He said humanitarian workers were ready to proceed as soon as conditions allowed.

The situation on the ground remains volatile as exchanges of fire and clashes continue. Just today bullets struck the hotel where the UN hub is based and critically injured one hotel staff, Laerke said.

Sporadic clashes between insurgents and Syrian government and allied forces had been reported earlier on Saturday along frontlines, with some shells falling on both the government-held western side of the city and the rebel-held east, the Observatory said.

Aleppo has been a major battleground in the Syrian conflict, now in its sixth year. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad -- backed by the Russian military, Irans Revolutionary Guards and an array of Shia Muslim militias -- wants to take full control of the city.

Syrian and Russian forces say they are targeting fighters linked to al-Qaeda from Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, formerly known as the Nusra Front, in eastern Aleppo. Insurgents say Syria and Russia are indiscriminately targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure to take over rebel-held eastern Aleppo.

Diplomatic negotiations between Russia and the United States have in recent weeks focussed on whether there is a way to separate al Qaeda-linked fighters in eastern Aleppo from more moderate rebels, thereby depriving Syrian and Russian forces of their main targets.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Saturday Russia remains committed to removing what it calls terrorist organisations from Syria and preventing the disintegration of the country.

A man walks past damaged buildings in the rebel held besieged al-Sukkari neighbourhood of Aleppo. (Reuters Photo)

We need to liberate and do everything possible to prevent the division of the country, Peskov said in a television interview, adding that he did not see an end to the Syria conflict in the foreseeable future.

Asked if further extensions of the Aleppo pause were under discussion, Russian deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov was quoted by RIA news agency earlier on Saturday as saying it depends on the actions of other parties.

Well see how today goes. At the highest level its already been said that (extending the pause) depends not on our possibilities but it largely depends on whether there is a proper movement from the opposite direction, he said.
A stylish black Afghan canine in Australia has become an internet sensation after her photo went viral on social media, landing her a job as the spokesdog of a luxury dog food brand, a media report said on Sunday.

Tea, the five-year-old black Afghan hound dog, has more online fans than most internet celebrities with a few advertising companies approaching its owner to use it as the official face of their brands.

Tea enjoyed a successful career as a show dog but, since her formal show retirement, her popularity has grown.

Dogs owner Luke Kavanagh of Oyster Bay area said his family is lapping up the dogs celebrity status, dailytelegraph.com.au reported.

We always thought that she was far too pretty to keep at home. Even our weekend walks draw a crowd. She pretends she does not need the attention, but she definitely loves it, just like any supermodel, he was quoted as saying by the daily.

A photo of hers was shared over a million times online, with blog sites, Twitter accounts and companies using the image, which her owner termed nothing special.

I guess people were mostly drawn to it because of her silky coat coupled with that dignified look that Tea has, but that is just her being her, Kavanagh said.

A few advertising companies even approached Kavanagh to use Tea as the official face of their brands, which sparked her second career as an animal actor, the report said.

Tea has now appeared in an online and TV campaign for Harriot and Hounds dog perfume and is the spokesdog for Royal Canine, the luxury dog food brand, it said.

While the family has been riding the wave of Teas new-found fame, Kavanagh said he is happy she is officially retired, with no plans of taking Hollywood by storm in the near future, the report added.
A Fresno man was sentenced to 1,503 years in prison for raping his teenage daughter over a four-year period.

The 41-year-old was sentenced Friday to the longest-known prison sentence in Fresno Superior Court history, the Fresno Bee reported.

The Associated Press is not naming the man because it could identify his daughter. The AP does not name victims of sexual abuse.

In announcing the punishment, Judge Edward Sarkisian Jr. told the man he is a serious danger to society and noted that he had never shown remorse and has blamed his daughter for his predicament.

The mans daughter was first sexually abused by a family friend but instead of protecting her, he turned her into a piece of property, prosecutor Nicole Galstan said.

The victim was raped two to three times a week from May 2009 to May 2013, when the girl got the courage to leave him, Galstan said.

A jury in September found him guilty of 186 felony counts of sexual assault, including dozens of counts of rape of a minor.

When my father abused me, I was young. I had no power, no voice. I was defenseless, said the daughter, who now is 23 years old. She also told the judge that her father never has shown remorse for her pain and suffering.

The man turned down two plea deals. Before his preliminary hearing, if he had admitted his guilt, prosecutors would have recommended 13 years in prison. He rejected the offer. Then before his trial, he was offered 22 years in prison if he admitted his guilt. He declined that offer, saying he should be released from jail for the time he already had served, Sarkisian said before announcing the sentence.

He ruined her teenage years and made her feel like it was her fault, Galstan said in arguing for the maximum sentence.

The sentencing is in stark contrast to a recent case in Montana, where a man who raped his 12-year-old daughter was not sent to prison. Instead the judge handed down a 30-year suspended sentence after the man pleaded guilty to incest and ordered him to spend 60 days in jail, giving him credit for 17 days already served.
An amazing painting shows that UFOS and aliens had a link with Count Dracula hundreds of years ago, claims an academic.

Dan D Farcas Phd in his new book, UFOs over Romania, shows a medieval fresco in the Monastery Church in Sighisoara, Transylvania. He explains that it might show that a huge UFO visited the Earth hundreds of years ago.

His book is published by Flying Disk Press and available on Amazon.

Dan D Farcas, 76, who holds a PhD in maths and computers, is President of the Association for the Study of Unidentified Aerospace Phenomena (ASFAN) in Romania. He is also a member of the Academy of Medical Sciences of Romania.

His book explores a huge, alien saucer-shaped object that was flying high above a church-like building. It appears to be emanating a beam of light.

The painting seems to have been completed before 1534, though it is not clear by whom or why.

Says Farcas: "Are these painting depictions of medieval UFO sightings or do they have a much more mundane and simpler explanation? As an academic and a UFO researcher, I must admit that the images in these paintings are certainly worth a second look and we should not rule out the possibility that they do depict something that today would be described as a UFO."

Another UFO sighting he explores is a UFO seen near Dracula's castle. One couple spotted a huge disc flying out of a lake when they visited the ruins of Poenari, or Dracula's Castle. It had been rebuilt by "bloodthirsty tyrant Vlad the Impaler," who had inspired Bram Stoker's 'Count Dracula,' in 1459.

The UFO spotted by the couple whizzed off north towards Transylvania over the mountains.

A third sighting involved Police sergeant Marian Mancu and Maricel Rusu, a voluntary guard. They too reported that during their night patrol on July 8, 1996, in Certesti village, Romania, at about 12.30 a.m., they saw strange lights. There was an object that was flashing red and blue lights, flying half a metre above the ground. It landed behind them. Three strange aliens alighted.

Mancu reports that they had "white faces, big heads with pointed ears and were covered in grey scales."

He explained: "When I saw what they looked like, their very ugly faces, I told myself they are not human. I became afraid and I was hiding myself in the ditch just in case something might happen because I have never seen any such beings in my life before."

Farcas pointed out: "It is unlikely the witnesses could invent all the very peculiar details and to go public with them in such a highly natural and convincing manner. It is also unlikely that it could be delusion staged by someone else."

Such a story has to be taken at face value. It is not possible that it could have been invented.

"It would have been interesting to use regressive hypnosis, or something similar, in this case. Unfortunately, in Romania, we face a lack of professionals practicing hypnotic regression and willing to apply it in such situations. Also, even the expenses to arrange such sessions are a real problem."

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Still among the UKs top pop idols, the three-piece Take That have a new album  and a UK and Ireland tour set for 2017

Take That are set to play Dublin next year.

The UK pop heroes  now a three piece  announced today that they will be bringing their Wonderland Live tour to the capital's 3Arena on May 15, 2017.

The three current members  Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald  are planning 22 dates in the UK and Ireland, running from May 8 to June 16 next year.

Throughout the tour, the stage will be positioned in the centre of each arena, with the aim of giving fans a more intimate and unique experience. This will be the first time fans will get the chance to hear Take That perform tracks from their upcoming album Wonderland live.

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Meanwhile, All Saints  who recently returned to action with an impressive new album, Red Flag  have been announced as the support act on the tour. The full list of dates reads:

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A quarter-century ago, the Americans with Disabilities Act required businesses to provide access to patrons in wheelchairs, including accessible parking spaces, curb cuts and ramps. But instead of making the government responsible, the legislation left it to individuals to enforce the law.

That unusual provision has turned the ADA into a cottage industry for lawyers who recruit clients from independent living facilities or disability rights groups and file lawsuits by the thousands against businesses with bathroom mirrors too high or ramps too steep - ultimately settling for several thousand dollars per case. One Texas man alone, represented by an Austin law firm, has filed more than 300 suits over the past 18 months, according to court records.

"You can make 50 grand in an afternoon just by stopping by a few stores," said David Warren Peters, a California lawyer who has defended more than 400 businesses in ADA lawsuits. "It's more profitable than narcotics."

Lawyers filing the suits insist they are protecting the rights of the disabled. But businesses say they absorb thousands of dollars in legal costs - and ultimately pass them on to consumers - for minor problems, such as lowering coat hooks, that they would fix with a phone call. At the same time, some advocates for the disabled worry the barrage of lawsuits will make it harder for them to work with businesses on improving access and ultimately limit their ability to file lawsuits for serious violations.

"It reflects badly on the disability community," said David Wittie, a disability rights organizer with ADAPT, an advocacy group in Austin. "When we ask for accommodations, all (businesses) hear is, 'Oh my God, how much is this going to cost me to go away?' "

The wave of ADA-related litigation has spread from California, where a similar state law provides a minimum of $4,000 in damages for a person filing a successful lawsuit over public accommodations and some clients - dubbed "professional plaintiffs" by opposing lawyers - have filed as many as 2,500 cases each over five years. Across the country, ADA lawsuits filed in federal courts have jumped more than 60 percent over the past year, growing to more than 3,400 in the first six months of 2016, compared with 2,100 during the same period in 2015, according to data compiled by the law firm Seyfarth Shaw.

In Texas, the number of ADA cases filed has increased fourfold over the past year, to more that 200 in the first six months of the year from less than 50 a year earlier. Texas ranks fifth in the number of such lawsuits filed, behind California, Florida, New York and Arizona.

'The runaround'

James Van Winkle has been in a wheelchair since he rolled over his 1965 Plymouth Barracuda in a single-car accident 21 years ago; the rusted frame still sits on his 2.5 acres in Conroe. Over the years, he became an activist on issues affecting the disabled, including public accommodations.

Sometimes, he can't get to the restroom because of stairs. Or if he makes it to the facilities, he can't reach the wash basin after using the toilet. And too often, he said, when he and other disabled people raise concerns about such obstacles, they are dismissed.

"We plead. We ask," said Van Winkle, 60. "You get the runaround."

About four years ago, Van Winkle attended a rally for the rights of the disabled in Washington and met a lawyer with Fuller, Fuller & Associates of North Miami, Fla. By that time, the firm had filed several lawsuits in Houston federal court on behalf of Florida residents who alleged disability discrimination while visiting Houston, according to court records.

The meeting turned Van Winkle from an activist into a serial lawsuit filer. In the past two years, he has filed 45 ADA lawsuits in U.S. District Court in Houston, suing department stores, shopping centers and restaurants. Van Winkle, still burdened by medical debt from the accident and getting by on Social Security and trips to the local food pantry, said he usually receives less than $500 per case.

Most of the money goes to lawyers, who Van Winkle said don't tell him the settlement details. Van Winkle's lawyer, John Fuller, did not return requests for comment.

Recently, Van Winkle showed the results of his legal activism at Montgomery Plaza, a small shopping center on Highway 45 in Conroe. One of his lawsuits, filed in September 2014 and settled three months later, forced the center to move disabled parking to a flat surface and reduce the slope of a wheelchair ramp.

"You can see all the new concrete," said Van Winkle, pointing to curb cuts that now accommodate his motorized wheelchair.

Joe Fulcher, a Galveston lawyer who represents the shopping center, said he was prohibited from commenting by a confidentiality provision.

Fee for service

ADA lawsuits are usually settled, without depositions or lengthy legal briefs, several lawyers said. What needs to get fixed is rarely disputed. The biggest obstacles in negotiations are legal fees sought by plaintiff attorneys.

The lawyers who file the cases typically negotiate fees between $5,000 and $20,000 to settle each case, said Holly Williamson, a Houston lawyer who has represented local businesses accused of failing to meet ADA requirements.

Ronald Smeberg, a San Antonio attorney who acts as Van Winkle's local counsel, scoffs that the cases are big moneymakers for lawyers. His arrangement with Fuller, Fuller & Associates is to attend hearings in Texas. For that, he said, he earns $175 an hour, compared with his regular billing rate of $275 an hour. Smeberg said he takes the cases more out of public duty than legal fees.

"The attorney general isn't out there prosecuting these cases," he said. "Neither is the federal government. If (Van Winkle)doesn't step up to the plate, no one will do it."

But businesses often are frustrated by the lawsuits. Many have no clue they're out of compliance. And, they said, they don't get an opportunity to fix the problems before the case goes to court.

After Manny's BBQ in Conroe was sued by Van Winkle, the 100-seat restaurant agreed to boost the height of signs in the parking lot, lower bathroom door hooks and made the wheelchair ramp easier to navigate. It also will remodel the men's bathroom, which is likely to cost upward of $10,000, said Mayela Tamayo, who owns the restaurant with her father, Manuel.

But the biggest expense? Legal fees, Tamayo said. She estimated she paid $21,000 in fees and other costs, most of it to Van Winkle's lawyers.

To pay the unexpected legal bills, the restaurant, which hasn't yet celebrated its second anniversary, had to cut back on sponsorships of youth groups and other community activities, as well as advertising, Tamayo said.

But the small restaurant had a financial incentive to settle. If the barbecue restaurant challenged the case and lost, under the federal disability law, the company would be responsible for paying whatever legal bills the plaintiffs ran up during a lengthy legal process.

"You can get killed on it if you lose," said John Ely, a Houston lawyer, who represents Manny's BBQ.

It takes a lawsuit

One Austin man, Jon Deutsch, has filed 386 lawsuits during the past 18 months. Jim Harrington, a lawyer representing seven of the businesses sued by Deutsch, opted to fight rather than settle.

Harrington recently retired as director of the Texas Civil Rights Project, the statewide legal advocacy group. He said he wants to stop the flood of "shakedown cases" so they won't trigger congressional action that would make it harder to sue for more serious violations and eliminate incentives for businesses to comply with the law.

Harrington got involved in the cases after a taco restaurant in Austin was sued by Deutsch, who could not be reached for comment, for having only one designated access area for wheelchair loading and unloading and a door threshold that was too high.

Harrington said the typical settlement request is for $7,000 to $8,000, and many businesses end up agreeing to pay $3,000 to $4,000, figuring it's cheaper than fighting.

"That's why this is such a scam," he said.

Omar Rosales, the Austin lawyer representing Deutsch, declined to discuss settlement offers or pending litigation. He said his client, whose spinal cord was severed during surgery, goes in his wheelchair to the same restaurants and businesses he visited before becoming disabled but now runs into access problems.

"Unfortunately, it takes a lawsuit to get it done," Rosales said.

Looking for windmills

Over the years, Congress has considered legislation to require businesses to receive advance notice of violations before any ADA lawsuits are filed, but none has passed. One of the latest bills was introduced by U.S. Rep. Ted Poe, R-Humble, who co-sponsored a measure last year to give businesses time to fix problems before they're sued. The bill is supported by several business groups, including the National Restaurant Association, International Council of Shopping Centers and the American Hotel and Lodging Association.

In California, Gov. Jerry Brown recently signed a bill allowing small businesses to avoid paying damages if they fix ADA problems quickly.

Van Winkle doesn't think much of these efforts to make it harder to file lawsuits to force businesses to provide legally mandated accommodations so the disabled have access to the same stores, restaurants and other businesses as all Americans. After all, he said, businesses have had more than 25 years to fix the problems.

"I call myself Don Quixote," he said, "and I try to tilt that windmill one at a time."
Egypt's Minister of Petroleum Tarek El-Molla told MPs Sunday that the countrys deal with the Saudi oil company Aramco is still in effect, insisting that its decision to suspend oil supplies to Egypt in October has no political dimensions.

In a Sunday meeting with parliament's Energy and Environment Committee, El-Molla revealed that the five-year deal with Aramco has not been officially revoked by the company.

Aramco has not informed us in any official way that it will halt its oil supplies to Egypt, said El-Molla, adding that as a result, we consider our deal with Aramco to still be in effect.

Earlier this month, Egypt's oil ministry announced that Aramco said it would be unable to send the agreed upon quantities of refined oil products to Egypt this October.

Egypt's deal with Aramco, which was reached during Saudi King Salmans visit to Cairo last April, provides Egypt with 700,000 tonnes of oil products each month for five years against $23 billion.

[The company] may have faced some problems that made it difficult to deliver its monthly oil supply to Egypt in October, said El-Molla, adding that the deal, which began in May 2016, helps Egypt get these products under very easy financial terms.

El-Molla also said that Egypt has signed contracts with a number of companies since August 2014 in order to meet its solar and gasoline needs.

The three Arab Gulf countries  Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates  which have supported us since the 30 June revolution [of 2013], have been supplying us with all the oil products we need, said El-Molla, indicating that the value of imports of oil products from these three countries has reached $9 billion from 30 June 2013 to 30 August 2014.

According to El-Molla, Egypt has no problem with Aramco, though even if Aramco decides to no longer supply us with our oil needs, we would be able overcome this very easily.

Once we were officially informed by Aramco that it would suspend oil supplies in October, we were able to move quickly and meet all our oil needs from other sources in 48 hours.

He said Aramco's sudden suspension of oil products to Egypt in October should renew the debate on the necessity of rationing the consumption of oil products.

We should ration the use of subsidised products and encourage more investments in the oil sector so as to meet our oil needs in an independent way, said El-Molla.

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Amid tense anticipation of next month's general election, a group of local activists circulated Saturday to discuss something other than the rancorous presidential race.

About 25 volunteers with United We Dream canvassed Houston's East End to provide residents with information about a controversial immigration enforcement program and encouraged them to vote in the race for Harris County sheriff, also on the Nov. 8 ballot.

Race for sheriff

The race pits the incumbent Republican sheriff Ron Hickman, a longtime law enforcement officer, against Democratic contender Ed Gonzalez, a former Houston city councilman and homicide investigator. The volunteers with the nonpartisan group did not advocate for a particular candidate. Rather, they worked to raise awareness about the county's participation in the 287(g) program, which allows state and local law enforcement agencies to partner with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, to enforce immigration law within their jurisdictions.

"We don't want to get into a political discussion about parties," said Oscar Hernandez, one of the group's organizers. "The conversation is really about the issue, and that when (residents) vote, they keep the immigrant community in mind."

In Harris County, sheriff's deputies trained under the program can screen immigrants booked into jail for possible deportation. Of roughly 120,000 people booked into the Harris County jail in 2015, about 1,800 were referred to ICE for possible deportation, according to sheriff's office statistics. About 10 percent of those were deported, according to the sheriff's office.

Hickman renewed his agency's involvement in the program this year, saying it only targets those jailed for criminal activity.

Gonzalez has said that, if elected, he would end the partnership.

The group has been canvassing neighborhoods each day for weeks. Many of Saturday's volunteers were undocumented residents who had experienced the effects of deportation.

Being good citizens

Damaris Gonzalez, born in Mexico City, arrived in the U.S. as a young girl. She said she watched parents in her community get deported, leaving children behind.

"I don't want anyone else to go through that," she said.

Hernandez, who has been involved with United We Dream for years, teamed up with two high school-aged volunteers Saturday to show them how best to approach their assigned houses. He demonstrated with a determined knock and a friendly demeanor, often switching to Spanish upon meeting the resident.

"This is our biggest effort to end 287(g)," he said.
What in the hell are we doing here?

That is the question that ricocheted in my mind as I sat in a Wharton County courtroom last week, watching a judge fumble with statutes and case law while a Child Protective Services supervisor tried to block two foster mothers from "intervening" in the case of young boys they've turned their lives upside down to help.

"How many abused children out there could that supervisor be helping right now?" I wondered. I thought of the Texas Tribune report that found on any given day, in the past six months, nearly a thousand of the state's highest-priority children - in immediate risk of physical or sexual abuse - were not checked on even once by CPS investigators.

I thought of the $40 million budget shortfall at CPS' umbrella agency, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. I thought of Gov. Greg Abbott and other state leaders ordering the agency to immediately find a way to protect endangered foster children and curb backlogs. I thought of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who last week pleaded with faith communities to open their hearts and homes to foster kids.

And here, right in front of me, were two loving people, sitting literally at the edge of their hard, wooden seats, helplessly waiting for the chance to give two troubled boys the forever home they've only dreamed of.

It defies reason. It defies the mission of an agency obligated to help children.

In April, I first reported on the story of Angela Sugarek, a Houston middle school principal, and Carol Jeffery, a science teacher, who took these children, ages 3 and 4, into their home with the intention to adopt. They endured sleepless nights, bites and black eyes, understanding that the behavior was born of previous abuse and neglect, and possibly the trauma of relocating to a series of foster homes.

They grew to love the boys, and the boys flourished, according to medical records and emails from others involved in their case. The mothers were praised as miracle workers, only to have the children whisked away when they made repeated reports of suspected abuse - the last one involving an anal injury - against an older sibling the boys were required to visit.

The column drew a ferocious response from readers.

After seven weeks, CPS brought the boys back to the women they call Mommy and Mama. CPS has declined comment. The mothers and their lawyer have said CPS acknowledged no error in its handling of the case, and said an investigation found the teen sibling had not abused the youngest boy. Still, the agency agreed to only supervised visits with the older sibling.

In the months that followed, I checked in occasionally with the foster mothers, hoping to hear good news about the boys' progress and adoption. But the problems continued: at one point, the boys were allowed visitation with their birth mother, whose rights had been severed, during which she shared inappropriate details about domestic violence she endured. The mothers say the visit set the boys back, led to outbursts and nightmares.

No standing in case

At another point, the mothers said, they came under investigation for giving the youngest child a pedicure during which he had his nails painted Superman Blue. A nurse practitioner told me she'd suggested the pedicure because the boy's toenails don't grow properly - a problem that may be caused by a history of wearing shoes too small for his feet.

At the hearing Thursday, the foster mothers hoped to get the case moved to Harris County, where they live. They hoped Judge Randy Clapp would finally hear testimony from a therapist and nurse practitioner, both with UT Physicians, on exactly what the boys have endured.

Instead, Wharton County Attorney Trey Maffett, who represented CPS, argued that the foster mothers don't have standing because they didn't meet the year threshold. Sugarek and Jeffery began parenting the boys about a year ago, but CPS is subtracting the seven weeks when the boys were removed due to the mothers' reports of abuse.

So the mothers are being penalized, yet again, for trying to protect the boys.

"We aren't consenting to the adoption," CPS Supervisor Ramiro Hernandez told the judge, saying the agency was still seeking a home that would take the boys and their older sibling. A bit later, Hernandez tried to suggest the boys were returned to the foster mothers only because publicity had led another potential placement to fall through.

'God help us'

The publicity, for what it's worth, was pretty much limited to this column, which never used the boys' real names.

On Thursday, the judge announced he would hear only "procedural" arguments and no facts in the case, unless it was outside the presence of anyone not directly involved.

I guess that meant me and my notebook. And a Chronicle photographer, who wasn't even allowed to take pictures inside the courtroom. Perhaps CPS and the gaggle of lawyers charged with the boys' welfare don't believe their handling of the case can stand up to the small crack of sunlight this column would shine.

Next, the judge invited the foster mothers' attorney, Julie Ketterman, to file a legal challenge to his ruling denying their standing. The judge turned to the lawyers on the other side and urged them to write counter arguments: "I need y'all's help if you think I'm right."

Moments later, the judge left the bench and summoned Ketterman and the county attorney to follow him. No one knew what was happening. I looked over at Sugarek, who was shaking her head in disbelief. The therapist and the nurse practitioner seemed just as confused.

"I'm embarrassed for the state of Texas," Gloria Nwuga told me. "If that's what they feel is good care for children, God help us."

The veteran nurse practitioner then echoed my earlier sentiment: "What are we doing here?"

Boys back on track

From the beginning, she said, the foster mothers had been impeccable caregivers, never missing an appointment. Nwuga said they took the youngest, who was basically "uncontrollable" at first, and helped him become "sweet and respectful." But when the boys returned from the seven-week separation, they were "damaged," she said, hitting and kicking and acting out.

Slowly, though, she said the mothers had gotten them back on track.

The therapist, clinical social worker Vanessa Guidry, said the boys made great progress with Sugarek and Jeffery, then regressed to "day one" after the separation. She said she invited CPS and the boys' court-appointed lawyers to observe them in therapy, but none had shown up even once.

"The one thing that is consistent in the boys' lives is those two women," she said, describing how she thoroughly scrutinized the mothers' accounts only to find them "exceptional" foster parents. Guidry would not discuss the boys' outcries of abuse, but said she opposes placing them with the older sibling. "Why? Because we don't know," she said.

Silenced by gag order

Back inside the courtroom, the judge announced that the parties had agreed to mediation. It was a promising development, but it apparently came with one condition. The foster mothers and their attorney can no longer talk to me about the case; they've been silenced by gag order.

That, and the fact that the media can no longer attend court hearings, means this may be the last bit of public attention this case gets for a while. It's up to a group of attorneys who thus far have failed in their duties to protect two vulnerable children. For the boys' sake, I hope those attorneys put egos aside and do their jobs. I hope Judge Clapp does, too.

For the sake of thousands of children in imminent danger across the state, I hope CPS gets its priorities straight. Protect the kids who need it. Hands off the ones who don't. And as for the exceptional foster parents out there doing the Lord's work? Leave them the hell alone.
When Wanda Bamberg became superintendent of Aldine ISD nearly a decade ago, she assumed the novelty of a female superintendent had worn off since her predecessor, also a female, was appointed in 1997.

But then the phone calls came.

People would think they had the wrong person when Bamberg answered. "They wanted to be sure they were speaking to the real superintendent, because I was a woman," Bamberg said. "Then I'd tell them I was the superintendent."

"No, I want to talk to the one who's over the whole thing," Bamberg recounted callers saying.

"And I'd say, 'Well, that would be me,'" Bamberg would say.

It happened at least five times early on. Now, after nine years, those calls have stopped. But the lack of female superintendents across Texas and nation persists - with just only about 1 in 5 school systems run by females. Texas' percentage, however, has steadily increased since 1999 when females headed just 7 percent of districts, according to state data.

Experts say that females - even though they represent 76 percent of teachers and 62 percent of principals in Texas - have a harder time rising to the top because their career paths are more complicated and because of biases among the school boards who do the hiring. Houston, where seven of 39 districts are led by women, and Austin, where five of 18 are female led, mirror the state average.

The Dallas-Fort Worth area is at the bottom in Texas, with 11 percent of its 55 districts headed by female superintendents. In Collin County in North Texas, only one of 14 superintendents is a woman, and she is an interim superintendent who will be retained or replaced in coming months.

Conversely, San Antonio had the highest rate with 10 out of its 37 local school districts, or 27 percent, led by females. They are all small districts with enrollments under 4,000 students, however, meaning the share of San Antonio-area students in female-led districts is just 4 percent.

Women superintendents, on average, are also paid less and oversee fewer students than their male counterparts. Texas superintendents who are female earn an average salary of $121,930.10 and oversee about 3,393 students. Male superintendents, on the other hand, are paid an average annual salary of $131,373.30 and oversee 5,322 students.

'Too emotional'

So why are so few women selected for school districts' top job?

MaryAnn Jobe, director of education and leadership at the American Association of School Administrators, said it's a multi-faceted problem.

Among them is the fact that most women teach at the elementary school level, and there are fewer leadership positions at those schools. Middle and high schools often have department heads, assistant principals and other positions that can groom staffers for leadership roles.

Women usually take extra steps to becoming superintendents, too, Jobe said. A woman's path would likely involve teaching, becoming a principal, working at the district's central office, taking on a district leadership position and then becoming superintendent. Many male superintendents make the jump straight from principal.

"Women, because they often take a different trajectory, are a little older when they get into the position," Jobe said. "So a man could lead one, two or three districts in their career because they enter the position earlier. But because women enter later, they typically only stay at one or two districts."

Beverly Irby, a professor who is director of the education leadership research center at Texas A&M University, said women in education also tend not to plan for leadership positions. And subconscious sexism plays a role in the gender gap among superintendents, Irby said, particularly biases harbored by some school board members.

"There's sort of a board reluctance to hire females," Irby said. "They have the perception sometimes that women aren't strong managers, that they're too emotional."

Research shows that "those ideas are really not true, but that's a perception. And sometimes perception is people's reality."

What's best for district

Juggling the demands of being a superintendent with family is also a reason why women either forgo or delay applying for superintendent positions.

Susan Hull, superintendent of Grand Prairie ISD in Dallas County, said being the mother of a 1-year-old, a 3-year-old and a 5-year-old did not stop her from taking her first superintendent's job at the tiny Leverett's Chapel ISD in east Texas back in 1991.

Now Hull is the only permanent female superintendent in the 30 school districts in Dallas and Tarrant counties. The only other woman serving as a superintendent there is Jeannie Stone, the interim superintendent of Richardson ISD in Dallas County.

"I have been here in Grand Prairie for 10 years, and when I came there were several (women superintendents), though some of my colleagues have retired," Hull said. "I didn't realize all of the superintendents who came in after them were men. I just didn't think about it."

After she left Leverett's Chapel ISD, board members asked her to find a female replacement.

But Hull said she knows that not all boards seek out women or minority candidates - most are just looking for the person with the most relevant experience and skills.

"Most school boards, when it does come down to hiring a superintendent, they're truly looking for what's best for the district," Hull said. "I don't think boards make decisions based on things that aren't legal (such as barring women or minorities), but you do hear those comments and there is that mindset."

Bamberg in Aldine ISD echoed that sentiment.

"To me, I don't know that it's so much of a mindset about gender as it is where we are with the current districts," Bamberg said.

Bamberg said she always felt as though she and other women were treated the same as men throughout the district and in front of the board.

"I have been involved in conversations and people will say I heard so and so is looking for a new superintendent, has anybody contacted you Wanda?" Bamberg said. "And I would say 'I would never expect that district to want a female.' "

Diversity training

There is no panacea for closing the gender gap in school administration, but there are small steps that individuals and districts can take to help.

Female teachers could seek out leadership opportunities and plan out their careers in advance, Irby said, especially in finance, a typically male-dominated field. Districts could encourage women to seek pathways to administration and create mentorships and role-modeling for young teachers. Training teachers to be leaders could be done earlier than when districts identify them to become principals.

Irby added that school board members could benefit from diversity training and learning about the gender gap in educational leadership.

"We need to get rid of these insidious types of biases," Irby said. "We need to work with school boards and teach them what the barriers are and what those perceptions are."
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Tri Minh La would seem to be the classic Republican voter. A Vietnamese refugee, he fled communism on an overcrowded wooden ship with his parents and six siblings. The family arrived to Houston in 1980 with just $2,500 to their name.

Nearly four decades later, they own the largest Asian restaurant in Texas, Kim Son, with three locations across the city and manage restaurants in casinos and hotels. La voted for both Bush presidents, likes limited government and approves of helping small businesses. But this year, in a first, he's casting a ballot for Hillary Clinton.

"I support Republicans," the 53-year-old said. "But right now, in this election, the way Donald Trump talks, it's not professional. It's different. It's not good for U.S. presidents to talk that way."

Much like Cubans in Miami, the nation's nearly 2 million Vietnamese-Americans, including about 110,000 in the Houston metro area, have long been regarded as a shoe-in for the GOP. Stridently anti-communist, they were seen as socially conservative and favoring little government intervention. In 1992, the year La voted for the first time, Asian-Americans as a whole supported President George H.W. Bush by a 22-point margin, according to exit polls.

Two decades later, the country's fastest-growing minority group has undergone a stunning flip, voting Democratic by 47 points in 2012. Last month, 55 percent of Asians said they would support Clinton compared to just 14 percent who would vote for Trump, according to a National Asian American Survey of about 2,300 Asian-American registered voters. In solidly red Texas, home to the nation's largest Vietnamese population after California, that gap is even wider, 61 percent compared to 12 percent.

It's the most rapid political realignment of any racial or ethnic group in the country, said Karthick Ramakrishnan, who directs the survey and is associate dean of public policy at the University of California at Riverside.

RNC outreach

Some of the shift is prescribed to the natural evolution of political affiliations as immigrants have children, become more integrated and politically sophisticated and move away from single-issue voting. But Ramakrishnan sees another unifying thread among Asians over the past 15 years.

"Since 9/11, the Republican Party has transformed pretty significantly and there's been a rise of anti-immigrant sentiment and rhetoric," he said. "That's turned off a lot of Asian-American voters. They don't see a party that is welcoming anymore."

After Mitt Romney's defeat in 2012, the Republican National Committee declared it must prioritize reaching out to black, Latino and Asian-American voters. In a 2013 news conference debuting the report, RNC chair Reince Priebus noted that the country will be majority-minority in 2050.

"The RNC cannot and will not write off any demographic or community or region of this country," he said.

At first, the committee was successful, Ramakrishnan said, investing in field operations targeting Asian-Americans in swing states and supporting Asian politicians, helping to elect three legislators in Southern California, for instance.

"Whereas these efforts after 2012 seemed to bear fruit, now, after Donald Trump, many of those investments seem to be at risk," Ramakrishnan said. "They have pretty much been destroyed by Donald Trump's candidacy."

Immigration has never been a top issue for Asian-American voters, who are much more likely than Latinos to come here legally on professional work visas or as refugees. The settlement of nearly 800,000 Vietnamese between the 1975 fall of Saigon and 2013 is probably the most expansive mass repatriation in American history.

Instead, Asians consistently rank the economy, education and health care as their top three issues. But immigration holds a close place in their hearts. A 2014 AAPI Data survey of Asian-American registered voters found that 41 percent would consider switching their support away from a candidate who expresses strong anti-immigrant views, Ramakrishnan said.

"They're not just paying attention to whether or not a candidate is speaking ill of their particular community," he said. "They care about how welcoming these parties are."

Across Harris County, there's been about a 25 percent increase in Chinese and Vietnamese voter registrations since 2012, said Cecil Fong, president of OCA-Greater Houston, a national Asian advocacy group.

Jannette Diep, executive director of the Houston chapter of Boat People SOS, a Vietnamese advocacy group, said the spike in registration and citizenship applications is largely because of candidates' comments on immigration.

"A lot of the comments are very different from previous elections," she said. "There is an aroused interest."

Unlike the Hispanic electorate, which shares a common language and similar cultural traditions regardless of which country they come from, Asian voters are incredibly diverse. Chinese and Vietnamese tend to be heavily Republican, bound by a shared hatred of communism, while South Asians such as Indians lean Democratic. Koreans are very religious, many of them evangelical Christian, and socially conservative.

'Fairly recent immigrants'

But new data from the National Asian American Survey shows that support for Democrats in 2016 has increased significantly among nearly every Asian ethnic group since 2012, as much as 28 percentage points among Filipinos and 20 percentage points for Vietnamese. A strong majority of registered voters in seven of the top eight Asian ethnic groups now identify as Democrats. The lone exception is the Vietnamese, who support Democrats by 45 percent and Republicans by 29 percent.

"One of the big things that has changed that has been very visible in this election cycle is the anti-immigrant sentiment," said state Rep. Gene Wu, a Democrat and Chinese-American who represents the Gulfton area. "The Asian-American community is very sensitive to that. Even though the community as a whole may be very quiet about it publicly, internally this is something most Asian-Americans have experience with."

That experience includes rampant discrimination against the Chinese immigrants in California in the 19th century. It includes the internment in prison camps of more than 110,000 Japanese-Americans during World War II, and stiff domestic resistance to the repatriation of Vietnamese refugees after the Vietnam War.

Such memories are still painful, said Gordon Quan, an immigration attorney and the first Asian to ever hold an at-large seat on Houston's City Council.

"Many Asians are fairly recent immigrants," he said. "This bashing of immigrants doesn't sit well with them."

Indeed Quan and his family ended up in Houston mostly because their landlord in San Antonio wouldn't rent to them after finding out they had recently moved there from China.

Because of their past, statements Trump has made comparing Mexicans to criminals and rapists and policies he has proposed to ban all Muslims resonate with Asians, said M.J. Khan, a Republican and Pakistani-American who previously served on the Houston City Council and now is president of the Islamic Society of Greater Houston.

"Asians think, 'I'm not Hispanic, but what he has said about Hispanics is very dangerous, what he has said about blacks is very dangerous,' " Khan said. "They think, 'I don't need to be a part of that community to understand what's going on and that I might be next.' "

Martha Wong, a former Republican state representative from Bellaire and the first Asian elected to the Houston City Council in 1993, sees it differently. As a member of Trump's Asian Pacific American Advisory Committee, she believes that despite polling, Asians will flock to Trump in droves next month. She said Asians don't want Clinton to pursue President Barack Obama's policies and his practices of "acting like a dictator," by issuing executive actions that go against congressional will.

"Asians escaped from countries where they had dictators.  They don't want a government that tells them how to run their lives. They left their countries because of that," Wong said.

Leaning left

But Janelle Wong, director of the Asian American Studies program at the University of Maryland, said data shows that Asians have actually become more liberal, especially on so-called big government issues. A majority of Asians, led by Vietnamese and Koreans, support Obama's Affordable Care Act, according to a 2013 National Asian American Survey. They tend to support gun control and increasing environmental protections.

Part of that policy realignment might be getting to know the issues more. But some of it is due to feeling increasingly isolated from the Republican Party, said Ramakrishnan.

"Asians supported smaller government in 1992," he said. "But one party did much more outreach than the other over that time and they now not only support their candidate, but are adopting the positions of the party where they feel more at home."

The question remains if and how Republicans will win back Asian-Americans after this election. La, of Kim Son restaurants, said he thinks the GOP is superior on matters of national security. He believes strongly in the narrative of pulling oneself up by one's bootstraps.

"I like Republicans," he said. "But this time I had no choice."
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MIAMI - There's a lipstick stain on Sloane Borr's beekeeper hat where her husband kissed her during their pregnancy announcement photo shoot.

The Borrs took their picture outside in a traditional pose, with the 29-year-old woman leaning against a palm tree, her smiling husband's hand resting on her rounded stomach.

But that's where tradition ends. Borr is wearing a white, full-body hazmat suit, complete with a hood, a wide-brimmed hat and insect netting over her beaming face. Stamped on the photo: Love in the time of Zika.

In Miami, where the Zika virus continues to be transmitted by mosquitoes, pregnant women are taking all sorts of measures to deal with the potential threat. Some barricade themselves inside, others leave town and a few, like Borr, take other precautions.

When she took the photo in September, Borr was trying to be a little light-hearted with her worry about the virus, which can cause microcephaly in fetuses, leaving infants with severe physical and mental disabilities. But last week, the Florida Department of Health announced a new Zika zone. Her home is in the middle of it. And on Wednesday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urged pregnant women who have visited any part of the county since Aug. 1 to get tested for the virus.

As of Thursday, 111 pregnant women throughout Florida have been infected with Zika, including a new pregnancy case reported Thursday by state health officials.

"When I saw the first picture of a baby with microcephaly, I burst into tears," she said. "It seemed so far away in the jungle, and then it was in my backyard."

Borr fled to Boston to be with family and was tested for Zika by an obstetrician there. The test showed she was Zika-free.

She stayed for a month, wrestling with the decision to stay or go. On top of usual pregnancy worries, her anxiety and depression worsened. She decided to come home.

Her husband marked the occasion with a "really romantic present" - mosquito netting across the garage windows, a bug zapper and an electric bug-zapping paddle. Not so romantic? The condoms. Even if Borr remains Zika free, the virus can be sexually transmitted from an infected man to his partner.

Now, Borr is staying at home and waiting for the birth of her son in March. If she has to go outside, she drenches herself in bug repellent with DEET and covers up in long sleeves and pants. She checks her body every day for new bites.

The threat of the virus ruined what was supposed to be a special experience, Borr said. "Zika really stole my pregnancy thunder."

Fortifications

Sometimes, when she stands next to the sliding doors leading to her backyard, Lauren Allan can see mosquitoes flitting against the glass.

She sees the stripes on their legs and worries, because she knows they're Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, the kind that carry the Zika virus.

Allan, 30, is pregnant, and the mosquitoes at her door mean the first line of her defense system - a yard crisscrossed with pesticide misters - isn't working.

But she has other fortifications against the enemy: bug zappers inside her home, a mosquito light carbon dioxide trap in her bedroom and a mosquito net over her bed.

Months before, Allan confined herself to her home.

Every time Allan goes outside, she suits up. She pulls on gauzy, mosquito netting bottoms over her long-sleeved pants and a baggy netted top over her long-sleeved shirt. She zips a mosquito netting hood over her face and drenches herself in insect repellent.

Public reaction to her getup has changed.

She remembered the stares the first time she walked into a Chipotle restaurant with the beekeeper top on.

"You would have thought I was waving a gun in the air," she said. Now, people stop her and ask where they can get one for their pregnant friend or relative.

Mostly, though, Allan keeps herself busy with remote work - she's a Realtor - and runs on her recently installed treadmill. She even gave adult coloring books a try.

The cabin fever is worth it to protect her unborn son, she said, but the waiting isn't easy.

"It leaves a lot of time to be nervous and lonely," she said.

Lucky to leave

There are no Zika-positive mosquitoes in North Carolina.

As a precaution, Tom Haberstroh and his pregnant wife, Allison, left Miami Beach.

A mosquito trap found Zika-positive insects at the farmers market where Allison shopped days before they left.

They know that unlike many pregnant couples in a county where Zika is being transmitted, they were lucky to leave. Tom, 30, works remotely for ESPN. He said his employers accommodated the move to his family's home in Pinehurst, N.C., where the couple will stay until they find a new house in Charlotte. Allison, 32, was an elementary school teacher in North Miami.

They broke the lease on the apartment and boarded a plane five days after deciding to leave, with only the essentials packed.

The decision was "agonizing," Allison said. What convinced her was advice from her obstetrician, who highly recommended considering leaving if the couple had the option.

Tom, "a numbers guy," said the lack of data on the virus made the decision tougher. He refreshes the Florida Department of Health's Twitter feed constantly in search of new statistics. "There wasn't enough information to stay," he said.
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The latest batch of hacked emails from the personal account of Hillary Clinton's top campaign official were released Saturday, showing some of the attention her team paid to courting black voters.

The emails were among hundreds released by WikiLeaks. The notes were stolen from the email account of John Podesta, the Clinton campaign's chairman.

It was impossible to authenticate each hacked email that WikiLeaks published, but Democrats have openly acknowledged they were hacked and have not pointed to any specific case where an email was altered to inflict political damage.

The emails were released the same day Clinton made what's become her closing pitch, stressing unity and asking her backers to carry her message to Donald Trump supporters they meet.

"I understand that they need a president who cares about them, will listen to them and I want to be their president," she told a crowd at a rally in Pittsburgh.

'Defend the indefensible'

In the emails, Clinton's campaign debated whether she should give a speech on race.

Her chief speechwriter, Dan Schwerin, emailed Podesta, communications director Jennifer Palmieri and others in February 2016 to say that, as conceived, the speech would demonstrate Clinton's "sustained and comprehensive commitment" to improving race relations and her lifelong sympathy toward the plight of minorities in the U.S.

Both Bill Clinton and candidate Clinton were clear that the speech shouldn't be "a big mea culpa," but the former president also said "we shouldn't try to defend the indefensible."

Schwerin went on to say that adviser Minyon Moore had raised tough questions about the wisdom of making the speech because it could "unintentionally end up elevating questions that aren't yet being widely asked and introduce new damaging information, especially super predator, to a lot more voters."

In a 1996 speech about Bill Clinton's crime bill when she was first lady, Hillary Clinton described young people in gangs as "super-predators."

Some blacks find the term offensive and have sought during the campaign to hold her accountable for it. Hillary Clinton has said she regrets using the term.

Clinton offered a detailed plan to overcome racial disparities in a February speech in Harlem.

Concerns about Sanders

Clinton's campaign worried about Bernie Sanders' appeal to black voters, a key Democratic constituency that Clinton counted on.

In a July 2015 email, Podesta frets to other campaign staffers about Sanders, who had challenged Clinton for the Democratic presidential nomination all the way through to the end of the primary process.

The Vermont senator had built his campaign around an anti-Wall Street, anti-establishment message with strong appeal to progressives.

In the email, Podesta says of Sanders: "He'll be at Sharpton rallies pretty soon," referring to civil rights activist Al Sharpton. "Still think we should do something with him on VRA Anniversary."

Clinton called in to Sharpton's nationally syndicated radio show on the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act on Aug. 6 to appeal to blacks to turn out to vote during the primaries. Her subsequent support among blacks in the South helped her gain a big delegate advantage over Sanders.
Calvin Walter's "home" is a flattened cardboard box under the U.S. 59 overpass in Midtown, not far from Sears' venerable flagship store and Shipley's Donuts. A ratty bedsheet covers his small pile of belongings. A man of about 50 who told the Chronicle's Andrew Kagle that he suffers from an inherited blood disorder, Walter wants a real home, a refuge from the dirt and grime, the incessant noise and the danger that is his lot in life.

If all goes according to plan, Walter and other chronically homeless men and women in Houston may get their wish. Thanks to a $1 million check from J.P. Morgan Chase, Mayor Sylvester Turner was able to announce last week a major boost for the regional campaign to open 2,500 new units of permanent supportive housing for people whose straitened existence on the street is unimaginable to most of us.

"It's not enough to fill potholes if we don't take the opportunity to fill the potholes in people's lives," Turner said at a news conference announcing the donation to the Coalition for the Homeless.

Meanwhile, in an undeveloped, semi-industrial area that was once home to Astroworld, a multi-structure campus under construction represents another front in the community's ongoing challenge to provide safe, quality, affordable housing to those in jeopardy of becoming Walter's neighbors on Houston's mean streets. The seven-acre Reed complex is the most ambitious project yet from New Hope Housing, a nonprofit organization that began in 1993 as a ministry of Christ Church Episcopal Church and is now the state's largest provider of affordable single-occupancy rental units for low-income tenants.

New Hope residents traditionally have included pensioners, the disabled, young people who've aged out of foster care, women escaping domestic violence and men and women battling substance abuse. New Hope Housing at Reed will offer housing for single mothers and families.

In addition to 187 apartments, the campus will offer on-site support services, including case management, life-skills training, financial planning and parenting classes and free after-school and summer programs for kids. It represents what New Hope CEO Joy Horak-Brown calls "a true continuum of care." The goal, she said at the project's recent groundbreaking, is to help "lift these families out of generational poverty."

The Chase donation to the Houston Coalition for the Homeless and the state-of-the-art New Hope Housing endeavor represent an evolving, increasingly sophisticated approach to the complex problem of homelessness. The two initiatives suggest that we're making progress, although more needs to be done in Washington, Austin and at City Hall.

A third front - and a reminder that housing is a continuum - is the growing demand for decent housing for Houston's low-income families. As the Chronicle's Erin Mulvaney reported recently, this once affordable city has the most cost-burdened homeowners in Texas, with more than 10 percent in Harris County having to devote more than half their incomes to housing costs, according to a recent report from the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. These, our fellow Houstonians, skimp on food, medical care and other basic needs to pay the rent. They move often, which makes it hard for their children to thrive in school.

In Washington, federal funds for affordable housing have stayed at the same levels for years. In Austin, state-Rep. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston, House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, and other lawmakers concerned about affordable housing need to push legislation that would restrict the near-veto power that local government officials have over new low-income developments. According to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, state representatives from the Houston area in recent years have been more active in opposing low-income housing than those in any other part of the state. In addition, TDHCA, the agency that offers federally funded tax incentives to private developers in exchange for a guarantee to keep rents low, needs to be more flexible.

At City Hall, council members need to create incentives to encourage developers to build affordable units in diverse areas of Houston, including areas that offer good schools and better employment opportunities. The city also needs a comprehensive housing plan.

Dealing with homelessness and affordable-housing challenges costs money, whether private or public or some combination. And yet meeting the challenge can help fix numerous other costly problems, whether it's unemployment, drug and alcohol abuse, school truancy, health-care costs or veterans' needs. Our ongoing housing challenges are sober reminders that poverty is hard on the poor, to be sure, but it's expensive for everyone else, as well.
On the surface, Julissa Arce's story reads like a how-to manual for achieving the American dream: growing up in an apartment on the outskirts of San Antonio, she worked hard to achieve academic excellence and landed a coveted, six-figure job on Wall Street. But as do many thousands of high-achieving young Texas residents, Arce had a secret she was keeping from friends and her bosses: Brought here lawfully as a child by her parents, who ultimately overstayed their visas, she was an undocumented immigrant. Now a U.S. citizen and immigrant advocate, Arce has written a memoir that sheds light on life in the shadows at a time when immigration is a red-button political topic.

Uncle Mike handed me a piece of paper with a phone number on it and a name: Rick Noriega. "What is this?" I asked him.

"Julissa, you have to call the number! Right now. Try now, before the offices close. This could be it! This could be what we've been waiting for!"

It was July. I was hot. I was tired after making funnel cakes all day. I looked at him with a blank stare.

"They passed a bill allowing students that don't have papers to go to college here in Texas!" he said.

"What?" I said in disbelief. Despite the fact that San Antonio is a very friendly city for immigrants, we still lived in Texas. The same Texas where some ranch owners near border towns use intimidation tactics to "monitor" the border.

"It was on the news. That number is for the office of the state representative who helped pass the bill. Call!" he said.

I was stunned. I wasn't aware that a bill like that was even in the works. A part of me wondered if my uncle had made a mistake and misheard something on the news. I didn't know what else to do except call the number. They put me through to Rick Noriega's office, and all of a sudden I was on the phone with a woman named Linda Christofilis, the state representative's assistant. I told her that I wanted to find out if I might be eligible to go to college under this new law my uncle had heard about.

"House Bill 1403, yes," she said. "Well, why don't you tell me a little bit about yourself, and we'll see if we can help."

I'd learned never to speak to anyone about my immigration status, especially someone in a government position, but there was something about Linda's voice that made her sound friendly and safe. So I started talking. I told her about when I came to the United States, how I came here, and that I'd just graduated high school in the top 5 percent of my class. She asked for all of my information, and I gave it to her: address, phone number, everything.

"Well," Linda said, "you're exactly the type of student this bill was written for."

"Really?" I said, my voice cracking. Then I worried that it might be too late for the coming school year.

"I applied to UT. I applied to all these schools," I told her, "and they all rejected me because I didn't have a social security number.

But the applications were all filled out, with recommendations and everything. I had my heart set on going to college this year. So, is there any chance that this bill is retroactive? Or will I have to wait until next year to apply to school again?"

There was silence for a moment.

"You know, that's a good question. Hold on a second," she said. She put me on hold for what felt like forever. "Hi," she said, "yes, it is retroactive and could be applied to your applications to schools for this current year, for sure."

She would type up a letter for the senator to sign, and they would send it to the UT admissions office and ask them to reevaluate my application.

"Really?"

"Yes, and if your grades are what you say they are and everything else is in order, I think you'll have a very good shot at getting in - and you'll qualify for the Texas grant."

"Oh my God. That's fantastic!" I said.

"It's needs based and also merit based. So you'll have to keep your grades up if you want to hold on to that grant once you get it," she said.

"That is not a problem. I will work hard, I promise!" I said. I was ecstatic that finally my grades mattered.

I got off the phone and noticed that my parents, my brother and Uncle Mike were all gathered around expectantly waiting for me to tell them what I learned. I covered my face with my hands and cried a little. Then I looked up and said, "They said this bill applies to me, and the representative is going to send a letter to UT asking them to reevaluate my application!"

Then we all cried. My mother kept saying, "I knew we would find a way."

House Bill 1403 was better than winning the lottery. The chances of a law being enacted at that exact moment were proof, I believed, that God existed and that He loved me.

Texas became the first state in the United States to allow undocumented students to attend public universities, pay in-state tuition and receive state financial aid. In the 15 years that have passed, only 20 states have enacted similar laws. In places like Georgia, South Carolina and Alabama, the laws that have been enacted are to ban undocumented students from pursuing a higher education. I can only imagine what a student in one of those states must feel when they learn of the laws in their state.

I was overwhelmed with joy, but I also had some lingering doubts. Perhaps UT was fully enrolled and wouldn't have room for any students that late in the summer. Perhaps I'd have to wait a year, but at that moment I could breathe a little. I could start seeing my future again.

I started checking the mail every day. Every day I would run out from my house to the mailbox and sort through everything, looking for a letter from UT. Finally, a couple of weeks after that first phone call, I recognized the logo in the upper-left-hand corner of the envelope. I didn't even wait to get back inside. I tore open the envelope - and I started to cry. Standing right there on the street, tears streamed down my face.

I can't believe it, I thought. I can't believe this is really happening. I ran inside and I told them all, "I got accepted to UT. I got in!"

My mom and dad hugged me and then they hugged each other, and my uncle told me something I've never forgotten: "Congratulations," he said, "but remember that you earned this. Nobody gave you this."

He had always called me his bright star, and of course he was happy for me, but he wanted to make sure I didn't think of my acceptance like winning the lottery or a handout because someone felt sorry for me. He wanted me to stay focused on the fact that this wouldn't have happened if I hadn't worked so hard. He wanted me to recognize that in life you need two things to be successful: preparation and opportunities.
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A yes vote on HISD Proposition 1 costs less for Houston Independent School District taxpayers than a no vote, with no downside. It's that simple.

A yes vote would allow the HISD board to write a "recapture" check to the state. That's bad, but the alternative is worse.

If the district doesn't pay its bill, the commissioner of education is required to remove enough commercial property from HISD's tax rolls to reduce the district's property tax collections by the amount it owes the state.

So HISD loses the recapture money, one way or another, even if it doesn't actually write a check.

And the state gets its money one way or another, because the taxes from the removed properties will go to a poorer district in Harris County, letting the state reduce its funding to that district.

But here's the thing: If HISD writes a check to the state, it loses only the amount of the check. But, if the district gives up taxable property, it loses the recapture amount, plus all the bond taxes the district would have collected off that property.

That means the tax rate we all pay for bond payments, now and in the future, has to go up to make up for the taxes lost from the lost property.

And, once the property is gone, it's gone forever. No take backs or fingers crossed.

State law actually favors districts that send cash. There's an "early decision" discount available for those districts. A no vote means we pay the full price.

Voting no is like giving away your garage to avoid paying property taxes on your house. That's why no district in the state has ever chosen the option of having property removed instead of sending a check. It's a bad deal.

The argument for voting no is that it will "send a message" to the legislature that it needs to fix the school funding system, and the legislature will obey. Maybe, but I served 20 years in the Texas Legislature working on these issues, and I don't buy it. It's not a bet I would make, much less risk HISD taxpayers' money on.

First, HISD overestimates its influence on the Legislature. It's just one of more than 1,000 school districts, most of which are far poorer in property per student than HISD. True, it's the largest, but even so it represents fewer than 5 percent of the students in the state. It's a large fish, but in a much larger pond. Districts with more political influence have been paying recapture for years, and that hasn't forced a major change.

And, it's been no secret that recapture was coming for HISD, yet the Legislature did nothing to avoid it, so it's not like the Legislature shudders at the thought.

Some say that even if the Legislature isn't cowed by HISD having to make recapture payments, the prospect of taking property away will have a bigger impact.

That's a long shot, and the results are unpredictable. Worse yet, some legislators could view it as a "stunt", so it could have the opposite effect. Nobody knows.

I don't disagree that the school finance system is a mess. Cuts in state education funding have forced districts to depend more on local property taxes. So, as property values have risen again, more districts are considered "rich," which is the trap that caught HISD.

The state's school funding formula has never come close to providing for the cost of educating low-income students and English language learners. When those parts of the formula were created in the 1980s, they were knowingly set at half of what the data showed was needed, as "a start." Thirty years later, they haven't changed. If those costs were fully recognized, HISD, which overwhelmingly serves low-income students, would no longer be classified as rich.

Those shortfalls hurt many districts in our area. For HISD, they lead to recapture. For most other districts, which have less taxable property, they reduce those districts' share of state funding.

Instead of seeking a quick fix for rich districts, HISD would be better off joining with districts that have similar demographics to fight for formula updates, so that HISD would no longer be considered rich.

Fixing these problems will not be easy politically or financially. But gambling on a more expensive option for HISD taxpayers is a poor way to start.

Hochberg is a former state representative of southwest Houston from 1993-2013. He served as a member of the House Committee on Public Education his entire 20 years in the Legislature.
WASHINGTON - If Beltway insiders and other East Coast elites ever wondered why so many Americans prefer Donald Trump to Hillary Clinton, all they need do is watch a rerun of Thursday night's 71st annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner.

There they were in their finery, A-listers from the once-cherished institutions of church, state and the Fourth Estate - including the two aforementioned major-party presidential candidates; Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the evening's host; and, hardly least, Maria Bartiromo's decolletage. No one watching could have missed the cleavage clad in candy apple red beneath long sparkling earrings, as Bartiromo's elbow-length gloves fluttered like white doves directing traffic to the heart of things. A flickering female vision floating in the TV frame among four, dusty-white males, she appeared as one of those online ads that distract readers as they try to concentrate.

Oh, but the delectable humor, jarring jokes and quivering quips - the titters they brought to bleached smiles and knowing nods - and all for the good of disadvantaged children for whom the dinner raised $6 million. What could be better than dining with a few close friends, amusing oneself as the future president and the inevitable loser trade insults, as millions of viewers remember why they hate Washington?

Homage also was paid to the dinner's namesake, Al Smith, the first Catholic to run for president of the United States and at a time (the 1920s) when Catholics were viewed as Satan's spawn by people such as Trump's own father, who participated in a KKK-sponsored, anti-Catholic rally.

God bless America, how far we've come.

But not really, as Trump came to remind the boo-and-hisser crowd. As though he cared. And, as though all the deplorables and Trump sympathizers watching at home weren't perfectly delighted by Trump's performance. To them, the dais was a diorama of self-congratulatory elites, smugly tittering at insider humor and then, suddenly, betraying white-tie outrage at their redneck Gatsby, who hocked up his couth and hurled it into the nearest vat of Dom Perignon.

The dinner is supposed to be a gentle roast at which political foes parry a bit but always with rubber rapiers. Attendees faithfully present themselves as priests and priestesses of the Highest Order of Civility, Good Humor & Charitable Hearts. A good time is supposed to be had by all.

Trump knows the rules all right and even mentioned that he'd been attending the dinner for years, beginning when he was a young man accompanying his father. But being Trump means never playing by the rules.

He began his remarks well enough, looking rather presidential and certainly comfortable in a formal environment bloated with swells. But Trump carries within him a little bit of Gollum mixed with a touch of Truman Capote.

Like Gollum, he loathes what he loves and can't resist sabotaging himself. Like Capote, he turns on his own. If Capote alienated all his "swans," the belles of Upper East Side New York, by betraying their confidences in "La Cote Basque, 1965," Trump betrayed the hopes of his powerful and wealthy colleagues that he could be trusted to behave.

Some of his jokes were very funny: "After listening to Hillary rattle on and on and on, I don't think so badly of Rosie O'Donnell anymore," he said. When Clinton took her turn, she jabbed back with: "And looking back, I've had to listen to Donald for three full debates, and he says I don't have any stamina!"

But about midway through, Trump's lightness turned dark.

"Here she is tonight, in public, pretending not to hate Catholics," he said of Clinton, who was seated next to Dolan. (Boos.) Trump was referring to the WikiLeaks email in which an exchange among Clinton campaign staffers seemed to be condescending to Catholics.

He earned more boos when he said Clinton was so corrupt that she'd been kicked off the Watergate Committee. And, "She knows a lot about how government works. And according to her sworn testimony, Hillary has forgotten more things than most of us will ever, ever, ever know."

Reading over the transcript, the jokes don't seem so bad - or so good. Delivery really is everything. But watching the speeches in real time, Trump's cuts contained a palpable hint of malice that wasn't present in Clinton's.

To the booing select, Trump's performance was the final nail in his coffin. But to the great "unwashed," you can be sure, Trump was doing his job and sticking it to the elites, which is what tens of millions of Americans deeply yearn to do.

Parker's email address is kathleenparkerwashpost.com.
Iraqi and Kurdish forces have launched a new offensive on a town near Mosul as part of a massive operation aimed at retaking the country's second largest city from the Islamic State group.

The Kurdish forces, known as peshmerga, said they launched a dawn offensive Sunday on two fronts to the northeast of Mosul, near the town of Bashiqa.

Maj. Gen. Haider Fadhil, of Iraq's special forces, said they had also launched an assault on Bashiqa, surrounding it and seizing parts of the town. He said the Kurds had captured two villages near Bashiqa and a small Shia shrine in the area.

Over the last week, Iraqi and Kurdish forces have been battling IS in a belt of mostly uninhabited towns and villages around Mosul, contending with roadside bombs, snipers and suicide truck bombs.

The Mosul offensive involves more than 25,000 Iraqi ground forces as well as U.S.-led coalition aircraft and advisers. It is expected to take weeks, if not months, to drive IS from Mosul, which is home to more than a million civilians.

Bashiqa is close to a military base of the same name where some 500 Turkish troops are training Sunni and Kurdish fighters for the Mosul offensive.

The presence of the Turkish troops has angered Iraq, which says it never gave them permission to enter the country and has called on them to withdraw. Turkey has refused the demand, insisting that it play a role in retaking Mosul from IS.

U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter has visited both countries in recent days, and arrived in the Kurdish regional capital Irbil on Sunday, where he was expected to discuss the issue with Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani.

After meeting with Turkey's leaders, Carter had announced an "agreement in principle" for Turkey to have a role in the operation.

But Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi appeared to bat that idea down when he met with Carter on Saturday, insisting that Mosul was an "Iraqi battle."

"I know that the Turks want to participate, we tell them thank you, this is something the Iraqis will handle and the Iraqis will liberate Mosul and the rest of the territories," he said.

The forces taking part in the Mosul offensive include Iraqi troops, the peshmerga, Sunni tribal fighters and state-sanctioned Shiite militias. Many fear the operation could heighten tensions between Iraq's different communities, which are allied against IS but divided over a host of other issues, including the fate of territories near mostly Sunni Mosul that are claimed by the largely autonomous Kurdish region and the central government.

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As the presidential election heads into the final stretch and we make plans for a trade mission to Mexico, it's safe to say that the relationship between Texas (and the Greater Houston region) and Mexico has become a key area of focus for leaders across the political spectrum.

It is critical for voters to understand the impact of our country's relationship with Mexico, particularly in the Greater Houston area, as the dialogue around issues like national security, immigration and trade continue to unfold. As the leading regional advocate for the economic and civic interests of the Houston Hispanic business community and the largest Hispanic Chamber in the nation, we are very proud of the contributions that close to 90,000 Hispanic-owned businesses have made in Harris County, as well as the long-standing economic benefits and cultural ties between Houston and Mexico.
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The United States has warned its citizens of the potential risk of terror attack or attempted kidnapping of foreigners in Istanbul, which has been rocked by several bombings this year.

The consulate in Istanbul said in a message late Saturday that extremist groups continued their "aggressive efforts" to attack Americans and other foreigners in the city.

"These attacks may be pre-planned or could occur with little or no warning, and include, but are not limited to: armed attack, attempted kidnapping, bombing, or other violent acts," it said in an online notice.

The consulate did not specify which group was believed to be plotting such acts, but in the past year the city has suffered multiple bombings by the Islamic State group (IS) and Kurdish militants.

In June, 47 people were killed in a triple suicide bombing and gun attack at Istanbul's Ataturk airport, which authorities blamed on IS.

Those visiting Istanbul or living in the city were advised to "review and update their personal security practices" when frequenting areas popular with Westerners or where they may live, the consulate said.

It is the latest warning from the US after the consulate in southern Adana province warned of a potential security threat targeting US-branded hotels in southern Turkey in late September.

In the same month, the US embassy warned of the risk of a terror attack on businesses, including Starbucks, used by Westerners in Gaziantep, close to the Syrian border.

That warning came after a deadly suicide bombing in Gaziantep blamed on jihadists linked to IS in August. The attack on a wedding left 57 dead including 34 children.

In the latest message, the consulate also told its citizens to avoid travelling to southeastern Turkey and to stay away from large crowds -- especially in popular tourist destinations -- as well as political gatherings and rallies.

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Stephen Colbert is feeling as antsy about the upcoming United States presidential election as his fellow Americans.

And his solution seems to be the same, too: flee to Canada.

Colbert actually consulted a Canadian immigration lawyer on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," Thursday night. From the looks of it, his plans of escaping to the Great White North after Nov. 8 were dashed after their meeting.

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Contrary to what you may think, the problem wasn't him trying to pass Ryan Gosling's photo as his own. (Nice try, but your eyes aren't blue Stephen, and he's already a Canadian citizen.)

It was the citizenship test that cut his journey to Canada short. (And possibly the vague response regarding his criminal record.)

"So, am I a citizen now?"

Passing the citizenship test is one of the requirements folks must meet before they can officially become a citizen of Canada. The lawyer gave Colbert a taste of the questions he would be facing.

And although the late-night host tried to earn brownie points by belting Gordon Lightfoot, it wasn't enough.

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"So, am I a citizen now?" he asked the immigration lawyer.

Spoiler alert: it was a no on all fronts.

But that doesn't mean we don't still love you as a neighbour, Stephen.

Check out the video above and see just how badly he failed.

Also on HuffPost:
Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire

I recently spoke at the iconic landmark that is the BT Tower to celebrate a landmark moment in the history of the Internet Watch Foundation, who are celebrating 20 years of remarkable progress in combating online child sexual abuse and exploitation.

I thanked them for all for the tremendous, and vitally important, work they do to protect children in the UK and around the world by pioneering new technology and leading the way.

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Receiving their first call on 21 October 1996, I can't imagine anybody predicting the sheer volume of reports the IWF would be dealing with twenty years later.

They have dealt with over 660,000 reports since that time, highlighting not only the scale of the problem but also the dedication of their organisation and staff. Their efforts continue to be a beacon of hope by reducing the availability of these horrific images and ending the repeated victimisation of these children.

I'm always struck by the fact that in 1996 the UK hosted 18% of web pages containing child sexual abuse imagery. That figure was, by 2015, brought down to 0.2% for this type of horrific material.

The IWF is rightly, therefore, viewed as a global leader in efforts to rid the internet of indecent images of children, and with that credibility and trust has come the opportunity to do more.

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One of the most important developments for the organisation in recent times has been the government's agreement that the IWF can proactively search for indecent images of children on the internet.

In 2015 - the first full year of these proactive searches - 68,092 web pages were identified and recorded as containing child sexual abuse images. Of these, 63,641 were a result of proactive searches. These figures represent a huge increase in reports being analysed - a rise of over 400% since 2013.

That combination of credibility and trust does not just exist between the IWF and the government, but between the IWF and its industry members. It is the bedrock for taking on future challenges and confronting the reality of today's offenders, who do not just operate on the open web but in the deep web as well.

To that end, their work with technology companies to share the digital fingerprints of indecent images of children, otherwise known as hashes, so that they can remove images from their platforms and services, is a major breakthrough. IWF CEO Susie Hargreaves has said the development of the hash list was a 'game changer' and I wholeheartedly agree.

And to my mind it is not the source of these images that matters but how we work together to remove them.

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At the WeProtect Summit in December 2014 companies agreed to take hashes identified by UK law enforcement agencies that had been assessed by the IWF.

Last year, almost 19,000 of these hashes - from the UK's ground-breaking Child Abuse Image Database- were assessed by the IWF and shared with five major global technology companies, to enable their removal, and prevent the sharing, of images from their platforms and services.

And this month a further 15,750 image hashes have been shared between the IWF and those five major global technology companies. I welcome the fact that Adobe has now joined them and has taken on the task of preventing the ongoing distribution of what is now nearly 36,000 known images, of the most horrendous abuse material imaginable.

Of course, the sharing of hashes with industry is not the end of the story. There are offenders and there are victims in these images and Government and UK law enforcement agencies are taking action, which is why we provided additional funding for further specialist capabilities in the National Crime Agency.

And we have also established a collaborative venture between the NCA and GCHQ which targets the most technologically advanced offenders. As this is a crime that the worst perpetrators continue to evolve their tactics in to evade detection we must constantly iterate to stay a step ahead.

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I'm pleased to say that the UK law enforcement response is delivering impact against offenders. In the nine months ending last November, proactive co-ordinated activity undertaken by the National Crime Agency and 40 police forces led to 399 children being safeguarded and 682 individuals being arrested, all suspected of making, distributing and/or possessing indecent images of children.

Overall in 2015, 2,861 individuals were prosecuted for indecent images of children offences, a 27% increase on the previous year.

Our investment in law enforcement capabilities has also led to over 450 victims from abuse images being identified during 2015/16, more than double the number of any previous year.

What this brings home to me, as I reflect on what is needed to end online child sexual exploitation, is that this is not a problem that any one organisation or sector can solve on its own. We have to work together. And furthermore, this is not just a problem in the UK, but a global crime that transcends borders and requires a coordinated global response.

And for these reasons, the WeProtect initiative was launched in London two years ago. Since then, I am pleased to say that WeProtect has merged with the Global Alliance Against Child Sexual Abuse Online. This will create, for the first time, a single global initiative with the expertise, influence and resources to transform how this crime is dealt with worldwide.

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This global coalition of countries, technology firms and organisations has committed to national and global action to end the online sexual exploitation of children, working together to identify and safeguard more victims of this terrible crime and apprehend more perpetrators.

There are now 63 countries and international agencies, as well as major technology companies and civil society organisations, who have made commitments including to take comprehensive national action against online child sexual exploitation. They are guided by the WeProtect Model National Response and backed by 40 million of UK money in the Fund to End Violence against Children which UNICEF is administering on behalf of WeProtect.

Making this work is vital to protecting the most vulnerable in our society and in societies across the world. And to do so we must build links and trust between a diverse set of partners.
linephoto via Getty Images

Would you lie about your age if it opened the door to a better life? I know I would. I have known many men and women who have lied about their age for far less than a roof over their head, a hot meal and dry clothes. We honour teenagers who lied about their age to fight for their country in two World Wars and we admire the brave young people who lied about their age to hide among children as they fled Hitler's Nazis and sought refuge in Britain.

Last week much of the nation was outraged that a small number of young people may have lied about their age to escape the refugee camp in Calais. They have fled the wars of Syria and Afghanistan and lived by their wits as they dragged themselves across a continent, hoping to be reunited with relatives in countries like Britain and France. And as they smiled at the cameras for the journalists waiting outside the immigration office in Croydon, they would have little sense of the anger and hatred that would be directed at them here in the fifth richest country on Earth.

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Lurid front pages depicted them as monsters, as if their very presence challenged the existence of our nation. How dare they abuse our hospitality, demanded one MP. Small wonder that the next group of refugees covered their heads with blankets, akin to common criminals being ushered into court.

Whether they have indeed lied about their age will be determined by Border Force officials and social workers in coming weeks. What newspapers did not take the trouble to explain is that the youngest children from Calais, who make up most of the contingent and whose age is not in doubt, were already placed with foster carers. There they will remain until their futures in Britain are resolved.

Some will say this public condemnation is justified, in the face of evidence that the system is being abused. Others will say it is racism and xenophobia, pure and simple. I think it betrays another, equally corrosive, aspect of our society, which is a lack of empathy with and compassion for vulnerable teens and young men.

"Where are the toddlers?" snarled a Mail Online reader, one of more than 2,000 who posted overwhelmingly hostile comments across more than 20 pages at the end of one particularly vicious article. For the unpalatable truth is that we prefer our looked-afters to be tiny and cuddly, and white.

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There is a desperate shortage of foster homes for teenagers, and securing an adoption for a teen is nigh on impossible. And as a consequence of their race and faith thousands of vulnerable young people have little chance of finding a forever family.

It is absurd to have to spell it out, but those tiny, cuddly, fragile babies and toddlers who make you coo grow up to become teenagers and young adults. They are one and the same person. Those cheeky little boys become brooding young men. But just because a 15-year-old has broad shoulders and a bit of stubble on his chin does not mean he cannot be a vulnerable person in need of compassionate care. And the day he comes of age he becomes a care leaver, thrown into a grown-up world with negligible support and expected to get on with his life. The once tiny, cuddly toddler, now fully grown, yet often still a child in so many ways, suddenly finds that doors remain closed. If only he could lie about his age...

A dog is for life, not just for Christmas, as that memorable animal welfare slogan used to go. So are boys and girls. Yet our compassion melts away at the first sight of adulthood, for we care not about the hardship a young person has endured on the way to becoming a grown-up. Take time to ask a young homeless person how he came to be living in a park and you will hear the story of a toddler who once cuddled up to a caring person for a story or a bottle of milk.
"Would the Prime Minister agree that better data collection [about secondary breast cancer] can inform diagnosis, treatment and... give better outcomes for all patients?"

This was the question put to Theresa May on October 12th 2016 by MP Jo Churchill during Prime Minister's Questions. Judging by Mrs May's response, and her reference to those who have 'come through' cancer, she didn't appear to understand secondary breast cancer.

It's hard to escape the fact that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I've learned to embrace my inner pink (I'd prefer black but no-one likes a party pooper), persuading myself that the life-size pink elephants, tutus and glitter are a subversive way of sticking two fluffy fingers up at breast cancer, which let's face it, isn't pink or fluffy. Only one day, the 13th October, was devoted to raising awareness of secondary breast cancer, and Mrs Churchill, herself diagnosed with primary breast cancer, was specifically referring our Prime Minister to the astonishing fact that only a third of Health Trusts in England and Wales collect data about the numbers of people diagnosed with secondary breast cancer.

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Given the widespread ignorance about secondary breast cancer, it's perhaps unsurprising that Mrs May doesn't know that 'secondary breast cancer' doesn't mean getting breast cancer twice. Nor is it referring to a less serious breast cancer. Secondary breast cancer is breast cancer which has spread to other parts of the body. It's sometimes described as 'stage 4 breast cancer', 'advanced breast cancer' or 'metastatic breast cancer'. Many people still don't know that secondary breast cancer is incurable. Treatment aims to slow down the spread of disease, relieve symptoms and give the best quality of life, for as long as possible. Some people live years, but only if they can access the best treatment possible, as early as possible.

It's thought that around 30% of women diagnosed with primary breast cancer go on to develop secondary breast cancer. Sometimes their disease cruelly returns years after the initial diagnosis:

"I was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer in 2015, at the age of 40, nine years after having been given the all clear." Vicky ~ #pathways2resilience

We know from the Breast Cancer Care campaign, Secondary, Not Second Rate, that there are problems with poor care, delayed diagnosis and a lack of data about secondary breast cancer. At the Research Centre for Building Psychological Resilience in Breast Cancer, we hear how isolated and marginalised women feel:

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"You also took me away from my primary friends, nurses and support network in a bright sunny waiting area upstairs, instead to be moved down to lower ground floor away from the potential survivors, pink ribbons...... it's as if we have moved over to the dark side, hidden away, we are the failures, we didn't get remission or a cure, we are incurable, we might frighten the other ladies as they don't want to think about the reality that this could happen to them....

BUT cancer we will make people aware of you, we will be counted by the hospitals and authorities, we may not win the war but we will win as many battles as we can."

Janet ~ Not one, not two, not three, but four.....

Fear has been such a big part of my life since my own diagnosis with breast cancer that I turned it into a person, an unruly house guest who became my friend. My friends with secondary breast cancer experience fear in a different way - their focus is on keeping cancer at bay, coping with ongoing treatments and never-ending scans; living a full life in the face of a terrible certainty:

"This time round, having metastatic breast cancer, I find I'm coping better than when I was first diagnosed....I don't know whether it's acceptance I've got it and there's nothing I can do but live with it. I can't change it. Wish I could, it is what it is and now it's part of me 'til I die, sad to say.......Life is for living and I intend to live it to the full when I can, enjoy my family and friends who are a very important part of my life."

Jan ~ Learning to Live with Metastatic Breast Cancer

As our Prime Minister, Mrs May is responsible for the policy and decisions of the government. As a woman, she shares the same one in eight lifetime risk of developing breast cancer as any woman in this country. As a woman aged 60 years of age, it is particularly pertinent to Mrs May that the majority of breast cancers (81%) occur in women over the age of 50. Contrary to popular opinion, the main risk factors for developing breast cancer - being female and getting older - are things we can't do anything about. Just as vulnerable as any woman aged between 50 and 70 years of age, Mrs May will be offered mammograms every three years as part of our national screening programme (women over 70 can request a mammogram).

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There are thousands of women living with secondary breast cancer. Women like Janet, Vicky and Jan. Women whose lives are rich and meaningful, whose contributions to their families and communities are significant, despite their disease. These are the real women behind the statistics, they are not 'patients,' they are mothers, daughters, sisters, partners and friends. They are all women everywhere.

Mrs May has the power to insist that all Hospital Trusts record when people are diagnosed with secondary breast cancer, something that has been mandatory for three years. This crucial information could highlight the effectiveness of treatments and assist in the planning of treatment and care to people with secondary breast cancer. The question is, will she?
In Haiti, seven-year-old Daphne is fighting two battles - the immediate aftermath of the storm, and the longer term impact of missing out on an education. This is her true story.

Mersan, southwest Haiti, October 3rd week, 2016.

The storm brought widespread destruction, but it couldn't wipe the smile from Daphne's* face. I met Daphne during my visit to Mersan, a small village in southwest Haiti and a flashpoint for Hurricane Matthew, the worst storm to hit Haiti in half a century.

Mersan is devastated. The town is littered with uprooted trees and the twisted tin remnants of roofs blown from houses. The landscape has changed forever, and with it the lives of thousands of families. The UN says that 1.4 million people need urgent life-saving assistance, a large number of them children.

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From the rubble, Daphne picks up two schoolbooks, calling them "a good catch." I met this seven-year-old girl in Efakap de Mersan, the local secondary school. She has a shy smile and beautiful butterflies over her pink frock. The school is damaged, with the roof mostly gone, but some of the classrooms are intact. Now it is a temporary home for over 200 people who are using it as a makeshift shelter.

Arriving at the shelter, my medical team from our Emergency Health Unit quickly converts the headmaster's offices into a temporary clinic. Our mobile medical team is the first medical healthcare unit to arrive on the scene since the disaster, and soon over 100 people appear to wait for consultations to start. Storm survivors are tired and some are coughing. Many children are crying, and their mothers blame "worms". Some children are scared, and have nightmares. Relief helicopters fly over the shelter, making children scream even louder. Disasters inflict wounds on human minds: aid efforts must make the mental health of survivors, especially women and children, a priority. Survivors like Daphne are fighting two battles here - the immediate aftermath of the storm, and the longer term impact of missing out on an education.

The hurricane affected 430 schools across Haiti, with some completely destroyed. Emanuel*, a linguistics student from Universite D'etat d Haiti, takes me for a quick tour of the school at Mersan. We walk along corridors past men, women and children sleeping on the floor. The storm has blown the roof away from the buildings in the school complex, there are cracks on the walls. One young man steps in to one partly damaged building as people wait anxiously outside. Emerging with some schoolbooks, wet and with the print smudged, people applaud.

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Children get busy picking through the pile, and Daphne gets two books. "I wish that school would start soon," she tells me, holding the books close to her. But the adults who run the shelter tell me that for the local people who have lost everything this school has become a temporary home, and that Daphne and the other children, along with 116,000 other Haitian children affected by the disaster, may have to for wait some time for school to reopen.

The storm survivors will eventually need to find new homes, but that takes money, materials and personnel, and some damaged schools in the country are still unreachable. All of this could delay Daphne's return to education and her ability to build a better future. "I want to be a doctor," she tells me, looking at my first aid kit.

In disaster settings, in addition to medical care, water and food, children have unique needs such as education, protection and psychosocial care. Early this year, Save the Children and other humanitarian agencies called for a new fund, Education Cannot Wait, that aims to get children in crisis situations back into education at the earliest possible opportunity. In Haiti today, getting education up and running would also offer an additional platform to educate children about cholera and other preventable diseases.

As someone who has visited Haiti to support relief efforts on various occasions over the past ten years, some memories and inspiring moments linger on. I remember meeting a grandmother in Haiti's Gonaives following another hurricane in 2004. While talking to me, she held a packet firmly in her arms, as if she feared someone would snatch it from her. She later told me that it contained schoolbooks. Each storm takes the books away and she can't afford to keep buying books for her grandchildren. She rents them, two days a week. For her, for Daphne, and for all the families affected by Haiti's natural disasters, schools and books are precious.

World Disasters Report 2016 released this week calls for investments to bolster the 'resilience' of communities. Simply explained 'resilience' is about empowering people to help themselves. Haiti, a country where disasters are frequent, long term investments that strikes at the roots of poverty, disaster risk reduction and preparedness and building resilient health and education systems is a great start.

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Experts have defined 'resilience'. Daphne and the grandmother of Gonaives tell us what it is.
This is the fifth in my series of "Letters to a Trump Supporter," from correspondence with a family friend who supports Mr. Trump.

Continuing our conversation about Barack Obama, he sent me a so-called "Newsweek" article blaming affirmative action for the Obama presidency.

Below is my response.

~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Mr. ----,

This is an interesting argument. Thank you for sending it. Before addressing it, I should note that it wasn't published in the reputable Newsweek, but rather on a conservative website called "American Thinker."

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I also don't think it's fair to call Newsweek "liberal," especially without any proof to back it up. It's not easy to measure media bias, but the economists Tim Groseclose and Jeffrey Milyo came up with a clever way in the one of the top research journals in 2005. They rated each news outlet by how often they cited more conservative or liberal think tanks, where "conservative" or "liberal" was judged based on the legislators they were associated with. They came up with a score of 66 for Newsweek, making them more conservative than Republican Rep. Constance Morella and significantly more conservative than the average Democrat, but more liberal than the average Republican. Basically, middle of the road.

But that's beside the point. The author, Matt Patterson, makes some astonishingly incorrect claims.

First, it's not just Barack Obama who hasn't released his transcripts from college. George W. Bush didn't release his. John McCain didn't release his. Donald Trump didn't release his. Basically, no presidential candidate has done it.

Second, he did not have bad grades in school. On the contrary, he graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law School, which by the way is how I graduated from UPenn. In fact, his classmates said "he was a natural leader, an impressive student, a nice guy." One of his professors said he was so smart that the professor once joked, "Barack, I'm teaching this class, not you!"

Third, he did not become president of the Harvard Law Review because of affirmative action. On the contrary, it was the conservatives on the editorial board who swung the election because, as one of them said, "they had a sense that he was more open-minded and would listen to the conservatives, and would value and accept their contributions in a way that some of the other candidates would not."

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And it turns out they were right. "He ended up upsetting many more of his colleagues on the far left than those of us who were on the right," recalls this particular editor, "in part because the bottom line for him as president of the law review always remained putting out a first-class publication."

I should note that the editor who said those things went on to work for George W. Bush's administration. Hardly a biased source.

Fourth, it's false that he "authored no signature legislation as legislator." He crossed the aisle to co-sponsor the Lugar-Obama Act with Republican Sen. Richard Lugar to help our allies detect and interdict illegal shipments of weapons of mass destruction. He also joined with Republican Sen. Tom Coburn to sponsor the Coburn-Obama Transparency Act, which created a website to show Americans how all their money is being spent. He contributed key provisions to the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act, prohibiting lobbyists from flying Congress members on corporate jets for free and requiring them to disclose bundled campaign contributions. All three bills were signed into law by George W. Bush.

So, the truth is actually the opposite of what Patterson claims: Barack Obama was a high achiever for many years in multiple facets of life before he ran for president.

When you think about it, it's pretty surprising that anyone would question his intellect. We all watch him on TV, and we hear how thoughtful, poised, and articulate he is -- to the point that many Republicans have criticized him for being too professorial. He quotes the great philosophers off the top of his head. He never loses his temper, never engages in name-calling, always tries to see a problem from multiple angles.

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In all these ways, he is the type of man I was raised to be -- by my father and all the men I grew up around, including you.

The thing that amazes me the most, though, is that Patterson thinks any of these things is evidence of "affirmative action." After all, he could make the exact same argument about plenty of white presidential candidates. George H. W. Bush, Dan Quayle, George W. Bush, and John McCain were all terrible students. Did they become successful because of affirmative action?

Well, actually, in part, they did. See, the thing we often forget is that black Americans were prohibited from occupying most high-paying professions until a few decades ago, and racial discrimination persists to this day. Experiments, statistical analyses, and surveys all show that employers, lenders, and voters are less likely to choose a black person, even if they are slightly more qualified, than a white person.

Less likely, not more likely. Affirmative action exists, and has existed for centuries, but it's been in favor of whites, not blacks.

Funny how Matt Patterson never wrote about that problem.
Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and her fellow buglers for greater United States military intervention in Syria build their case on five stupendous lies.

1. Lie Number 1: The world will not forgive us for inaction in the face of mass atrocities in Syria. Nothing dries faster than a politician's tear. International relations are unsentimental. The strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must. The world has "forgiven" us for inaction while Stalin and Mao collectively murdered over 100 million, genocides unfolded in Rwanda and Cambodia, and Hitler exterminated 6 million Jews. At present, the world is not rebuking us for inaction during the killings of more than 5 million Congolese in an ongoing civil war and during the mass atrocities and starvation that are besetting the South Sudanese people. Today, we enjoy a semi-alliance with Vietnam despite dropping 388,000 tons of napalm and killing more than 2 million civilians during the Vietnam War.

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2.Lie Number 2: The carnage in Syria would be diminished if the United States provided military assistance and intervened on behalf of moderate Syrian rebels fighting President Bashar al-Assad, the Russians, and Hezbollah. There are no moderates in Syria dedicated to the rule of law and democratic norms. All Syrian fighters are driven by ulterior motives to make their tribe dominate others. Internecine warfare rages amongst the rebels. A $500 million Pentagon plan to vet and train 15,000 moderate fighters collapsed because no qualified enrollees could be discovered.

The United States consistently and wrongly believes that common opponents of our enemies are moderates. The mujahideen in Afghanistan that we supported against the Soviet Union didn't miss a beat in turning to perpetrate the 9/11 abominations under the Al -Qaeda banner. We entered the Vietnam War and lost 58,000 soldiers to support supposititious moderate South Vietnamese leaders against Communist North Vietnam. The perceived moderates like Ngo Dinh Diem, Big Minh, and Nguyen Van Thieu were autocratic and commanded no popular legitimacy. When the United States withdrew from the war, South Vietnam collapsed and all of our sacrifices went for naught.



3.Lie Number 3: Russia will gain at our expense. The opposite is the truth. Conquest or occupation of a hostile population weakens the conqueror or occupier. The annexation of Crimea has proven an economic albatross to Russia. The Soviet Empire disintegrated in 1991 because the costs of occupying and subsidizing Eastern and Central Europe were prohibitive. President Vladimir Putin is losing money and men to support Syrian President al-Assad in exchange for the fleeting and juvenile thrill of projecting power for its own sake. The United States loses nothing by inaction. Thus, after we refused to rescue South Vietnamese President Thieu from defeat by North Vietnam in 1975, sixteen years later the USSR--our arch-enemy--fell without our firing a single shot. We were left as the sole superpower in the world in large measure through masterly inactivity.

4.Lie Number 4: If Aleppo succumbs to President Al-Assad and President Putin, international terrorism against the United States will spiral. This is nonsense on stilts. Assad and Putin are enemies, not allies, of ISIS and Al Qaeda. Their takeover of Aleppo would be a setback for international terrorism. President Reagan withdrew our troops from Lebanon in 1984 after the Hezbollah terrorist attack on our Marine barracks in Beirut, but no spike in international terrorism against us ensued.

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5.Lie Number 5: The credibility of the United States as the leader and defender of the free world will be devastated. This argument if the last refuge of a scoundrel eager to risk the lives and fortunes of others to gratify a craving for power or domination. Our withdrawal from Vietnam made us stronger, not weaker. Ditto for Lebanon. The argument's premise is also flawed. As the United States Constitution and patriotism require, we pursue self-interest abroad like all other nations. Freedom is made subservient to Realpolitik. We have sold a staggering $90 billion in arms to Saudi Arabia in recent years despite its oppressive monarchy, military intervention in Bahrain to suppress freedom, and war crimes in Yemen. We recognize the dictatorial People's Republic of China at the expense of the democratic Republic of China on Taiwan. We are snug with Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi despite his totalitarian methods. Other examples are endless.
US Secretary of Defence Ashton Carter arrived in Iraq's autonomous region of Kurdistan on Sunday to review the ongoing military offensive to retake the jihadist bastion of Mosul.

As the Pentagon chief went into talks with Kurdish leader Massud Barzani, US officials said Kurdish peshmerga forces had almost reached their goals in the week-old offensive.

The battle plan is for the peshmerga forces to stop along a line at an average of 20 kilometres (12 miles) outside of the city of Mosul, the Islamic State group's last major stronghold in Iraq.

"They are pretty much there," a US military official said Saturday when Carter was holding meetings in Baghdad.

Elite federal forces are then expected to take the lead and breach into the city proper, where more than a million civilians are still believed to be living.

That peshmerga line of control, mostly on the northern and eastern fronts, "will be solidified in the next day or two," the official said.

The United States leads a 60-nation coalition -- which also includes Britain and France -- that has provided key support in the form of thousands of air strikes, training to Iraqi forces and advisers on the ground.

Kurdish forces are currently engaged in a huge push around the IS-held town of Bashiqa, northeast of Mosul.

They gained significant ground on the eastern front in the first days of the offensive, which was launched on October 17.

In Baghdad, Carter praised the peshmerga and "the way their efforts are completely coordinated with the ISF (Iraqi securitry forces)."

The coordination between Baghdad and Arbil, at odds over Kurdish independence and oil revenue, had been one of the key question marks ahead of the offensive.

Lieutenant General Stephen Townsend, commander of the US-led coalition, noted on Saturday that, while progress in the offensive was satisfactory, jihadist resistance was stiff.

"The resistance is about as broad as expected," he said in Baghdad.

"It's pretty significant, we are talking about enemy indirect fire, multiple IEDs (improvised explosive devices), multiple VBIED (vehicle-borne IEDs) each day, even some anti-tank guided missiles, so it's been very tough fighting, snipers, machineguns," he said.

US military officials have revised their estimate slightly upward for the number of IS fighters involved int he Mosul theatre.

They believe the IS group is defending its stronghold of Mosul, where the "caliphate" was proclaimed in June 2014, with 3,000 to 5,000 fighters inside the city and 1,000 to 2,000 spread out on the outskirts.

A French government official told AFP the breach into Mosul, which could mark the beginning of a phase of fierce street battles with IS, could still be a month away.

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They say nothing sparks controversy and discord more than talk of religion, politics and sex - not necessarily in that order.

But when journalists fan the flames with inaccurate, seditious and inflammatory coverage of religious matters, in the name of freedom of expression, it may have lethal consequences.



Freedom of expression or hate speech? (Abu-Fadil)

Enter yours truly to help in training Lebanese, Jordanian and Iraqi journalists this week in Beirut on the mechanics of covering religion, religious diversity and freedom of expression during a much-needed five-day workshop.

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After presenting a case study of a Muslim Lebanese TV reporter who wrote offensive comments on his Facebook page about Muslim religious leaders, I asked participants to define human rights and freedom of expression in religious matters.

They had been given a solid dose of religious, philosophical and academic arguments and definitions in previous days by men of the cloth, university faculty members and other experts in the mini-course organized by the Adyan Foundation, an organization promoting interreligious studies and spiritual solidarity.



Adyan workshop on religious freedom and inclusive citizenship (Abu-Fadil)

My two sessions focused on the essence of covering religion, the research involved, the fieldwork, the critical thinking needed for such assignments, and the hazards involved.

Videos included how sectarian provocation in the media was monitored in Lebanon in 2015, how religious differences are interpreted by children (based on their upbringing), how to detect bias in reporting, religious forgiveness, and tolerance.

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Religious and sectarian differences in Lebanon video (Abu-Fadil)

I showed a brief video in Arabic on the Amish in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, who were unknown to many of those in attendance.

As an exercise, I asked the journalists to compare and contrast between that community and various Muslim denominations.

They found much common ground.



Introduction to the Amish (Abu-Fadil)

While Arab journalists may claim to know a thing or two about "other" religions or sects, they're not in the habit of visiting the "others'" places of worship, or getting a wide spectrum of views of "other" religious figures.

I asked how many Christian journalists had been to mosques to attend prayers, had written about Muslim practices, had spoken to sheikhs (clerics) or Islamic scholars or delved into such religious matters.

I posed the same question to Muslim journalists on inquiring about Christian rites, researching various Christian sects, and other religions.

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Few had done so, or done so in depth.



Screen shot of everybody's God sermon

One funny but telling slide in my first presentation recounts how an "imam," or Muslim prayer leader, repeatedly preached to his congregation about "the God of Muslims" when the wording in Arabic is "God of all," only to be corrected by the faithful.

The last time he said "God of Muslims" in his sermon, his followers shouted "God of all."

To which the religious leader replied: "Since you know he's the God of all, not just of Muslims, why do you believe those who sow sedition, tarnish non-Muslims as atheists, and act as if the God of all is yours alone?"

The point was made and rang a bell with participants of different faiths.

The tips I provided included reporting accurately about religious groups and matters, not assuming anything, being fair and balanced, familiarizing oneself with religious laws where they apply, providing the necessary context to any story and adding the economic, political, social and cultural dimensions to reports.

I also cautioned them about politicians' use of religious verses to further political and possibly nefarious agendas.

In a second session I focused on media ethics in the religious context with countless caveats on pitfalls that could sink journalists like inciting hate, misusing social media, and disseminating rumors.

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Terminology exercise (Abu-Fadil)

One exercise required the journalists to define loaded terms such as terrorist, martyr, resistance, suicide bomber, fundamentalist, extremist, war on terror, war on Islam, Crusades, failed states, us versus them, and more.

There were the inevitable case studies of media fanning the flames, distorted uses of visuals and infographics and an exercise requiring participants to view and critique part of a BBC Arabic documentary on sedition.

They were advised to see the whole film in their spare time and assess how it could be turned into a straight news story.

In parting comments, the participants were shown the Ethical Journalism Network's video on the five core values of journalism.
Washington DC, Oct. 23, 2019 (Goodyear Satire Co.)--

The US Supreme Court upheld a 20-year prison sentence for former Vice President Dick Cheney, convicted of war crimes committed during the Iraq war.

The decision by the Court is final and cannot be further appealed, but it can be overturned by a presidential pardon. Such a pardon is unlikely as President Trump encouraged the prosecution of Cheney in the waning days of the 2016 Presidential campaign.

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Cheney had publicly endorsed Trump for president, but it was not enough to avoid a prosecution under President Trump's revolutionary "fair and balanced" justice system. "Just like Fox News," the President quipped.

"We focused on jailing Cheney in order to attract Bernie Sanders supporters," confided Kellyanne Conway, former Trump campaign manager. "And it worked. Despite all the mud thrown at us, we were able to rig our own rigged election. There was so much rigging going on, you could hang Christmas lights from it."

Indeed, cries of "Jail Chey-nee, Jail Chey-nee" thundered through crowds at Trump rallies and events. "Hillary Clinton had no response because we threatened her, too," explained Conway, who is now President Trump's Surgeon General. "There were those who complained about our threatening to jail government officials" said Conway, "but their pleas fell on deaf ears."

"They didn't realize jailing government officials can cut both ways," Conway said pointedly. Five others were convicted along with Cheney, and their sentences were upheld as well.

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Former President George W. Bush was granted immunity in direct negotiations with President Trump. "I got a great deal," Trump bragged, "We got Bush's testimony against Cheney, plus he got me Salma Hayek's phone number."

Earlier, Trump campaigned on a "Lock Her Up' pledge that targeted Secretary Clinton. After the election, though, Trump never prosecuted Clinton, a former friend who attended three of President Trump's four weddings.

Clinton was not invited to most recent ceremony when Trump wed First Lady Salma Hayek. "Not being invited was punishment enough for Hillary and Bill," President Trump told People Magazine. "Bill likes to 'kiss' the bride, you know," the President said, making tiny air quotes with his miniature hands.

The vote on the Supreme Court was 5-3. The five justices who voted to uphold Cheney's sentence were Sonia Sotomayor and Trump appointees Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, Chris Christie and Ivanka Trump. Vladimir Putin did not vote even though he has been confirmed by the Senate because his citizenship application is still pending. Lawyers saw no conflict when a court packed with President Trump appointees approved a conviction urged by Candidate Trump. "Its what kids do for their dad," beamed the President.

Cheney, 78, contends all the charges against him are politically motivated. "Things will change if we ever have a Republican president again," Cheney wrote on a note secretly smuggled from solitary confinement. "Sad."

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Prison will only be a minor inconvenience for Cheney. As a result of a 2002 deal in which Cheney sold his soul to the devil in exchange for not being impeached over 9/11, Cheney no longer ages.

He hopes to be president, as he puts it, "Eventually."

Looking for something to do on the night of the election? Come to "Live Blog the Election" on Facebook.

Photo Credits: Dick Cheney at Camp David, 9/11/2001 By The U.S. National Archives (Vice President Cheney at Camp David) via Wikimedia Commons

Vice President Cheney in the President's Emergency Operations Center By The U.S. National Archives [No restrictions], via Wikimedia Commons

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Dick Cheney @ the Art Car Parade! By Tony Webster from Portland, Oregon, United States via Wikimedia Commons

Donald Trump in Manchester NH February 8, 2016 By Marc Nozell via Wikimedia Commons

George Bush on 9/11 Returning from Sarasota, Fla., where President George W. Bush first saw news footage of the 9/11 attack, with members of his cabinet. By White House photo by Eric Draper via Wikimedia Commons
Defeating ISIS in Mosul will be in the interest of Sunni Arabs in general as much asit will be in the interests of Iran and Shia Arabs in Iraq. The primary victims of this terrorist group have been the Sunni peoples and governments. Eliminating ISIS has become an international imperative agreed upon by the East and the West. There is no difference over the need to achieve a decisive military victory against ISIS, rather, the task of overseeing this has been entrusted to the US in Iraq and Russia and Syria. All indications suggest the military battle for Mosul, even if it may last a while, will end with the liberation of the city from the group. Crushing ISIS in Iraq will then weaken it in neighboring Syria. The overlap of the Iraqi and Syrian battlefields will keep them linked, meaning that there will be no solution to Iraq's security without a similar solution in Syria and vice versa. Particularly so when major regional players such as Turkey and Iran are holding on closely to their cards in the two key Arab nations, while the Kurdish element present in both countries remains a major point of either contention, harmony, convergence, or competition for the players. The battle for Mosul may be settled militarily in weeks, but the presence of so many opposing agendas for the aftermath portends complications down the road and could end one insurgency only to start another. Therefore, warnings regarding the political conduct of the Iraqi government are linked to its performance on the battlefield, and the extent to which it would allow the Iran-backed, Shia-dominated Popular Mobilization Units to participate in the battle for Mosul and the possibility of using them to subdue the Sunnis in the largest Sunni city in Iraq. In Syria's Aleppo, another major Sunni city meanwhile, there could be a pause in the bloodletting if the commitments made by the actors meeting in Lausanne last week, in talks that brought together the US, Russia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Iran - expanded to include Iraq and Egypt at Tehran's request while excluding Britain and France at Russia's request. According to a source close to the negotiations, the claims by Russia's UN envoy Vitaly Churkin regarding the approval by Turkey, Saudi, and Qatar of seeking to convince Syrian rebels to separate from the Nusra Front are accurate but not the full picture. Ambassador Churkin denied that there had been a Russian price paid in return for this. However, the source said the agreement reached was an expression of willingness by the Turkish-Saudi-Qatari trio to use their influence on the rebels to separate from the Nusra, in return for Russia working with the regime in Damascus to freeze operations in Aleppo, end systematic killing of civilians, and end sieges on rebel areas. The ministers agreed to continue their discussions and hold military meetings on the basis of the "two-way" agreement. The talks in Lausanne focused on Aleppo. The Russians want to remove the Nusra Front from Aleppo and proceed with the separation of rebels from the al-Qaeda-linked group. The proposals of UN Syria envoy Staffan De Mistura were at the heart of the discussions, despite some perceiving them as naive and stunt-like in part, especially when he volunteered to escort 900 members of the Nusra Front out of the city. The source stressed the discussions did not tackle the fate of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, essentially centering on a bargain between the two main blocs: Turkey, Saudi, and Qatar on one hand; and Russia and Iran on the other. The source observed that De Mistura appeared closer to the Russian position, quoting him as saying there was a "significant difficulty" in implementing what was requested from Russia, and that it would be "easier" for the three other countries to implement the requests of Russia and Iran. The Iranians were reluctant about attending the meetings in Lausanne, and then put forward the condition of inviting Egypt and Iraq to the talks. Iran's insistence on having Egypt present amid Egyptian-Russian rapprochement, and the souring of Gulf-Egyptian relations, has raised many questions. The Gulf powers were also dismayed by the exclusion of Paris and London from the meeting. During the talks, according to the source, the Iranian FM strongly defended the Syrian regime, acting as its "mouthpiece". When the Russians agreed to offer concessions, the Iranians neither approved nor objected. For their part, the Turks addressed Iran directly at the meeting, saying: "You have obligations too," especially with regard to reining in Hezbollah and other militias in Syria. Iran responded by ignoring the Turkish urging and focused instead on the issue of Nusra in Aleppo and "terrorism". The battle for Mosul could divert the world's attention away from Aleppo, which has exposed Russia. This could relieve Moscow from having to remain in the limelight, and Damascus from the push for accountability. However, the influx of ISIS fighters from Iraq to Syria could render more difficult the victory being sought by Russia, Iran, and the regime and allies, and reinforce the possibility of them falling into a quagmire. Hezbollah's claims about the "amassment" of ISIS fighters in Syria as a result of the battle for Mosul, together with threats from Damascus of taking unspecified measures to prevent an ISIS influx from Iraq, underscores the anxiety felt regarding the aftermath of the battles for Mosul and repercussions for Raqqa and Aleppo. Furthermore, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, who will most likely be part of the Mosul battle through Qassem Soleimani, could find themselves torn between the two battles for two major Sunni Arab cities. Victory in Mosul is paramount for Iran. The unity of Shia forces in Iraq recently suggests a strategic decision has been made to pursue Shia rule in Sunni areas. Sunnis will have to either live with this reality or face a massacre, according to an observer who believes the battle for Mosul will inevitably subdue the Sunnis. This is exactly what Sunnis in Iraq and the Gulf fear. They see the government of prime minister Haider al-Abadi as the moderate face of real Iranian intentions, as one informed Gulf source put it. The source said Abadi has added "cosmetic touches" on the Shia Popular Mobilization Units, by giving them the Iraqi flag and saying their participation in the battle will be in the rear lines. The source believes the Gulf sees Abadi as a weak man who is not able to rein in the Popular Mobilization Units run by former PM Nouri al-Maliki, and Iran's Revolutionary Guards not far behind him. The participation of the Gulf states in the regional and international coalition in Mosul is not military in nature, but may be political and financial. Around 60,000 Iraqi soldiers supported by Kurdish Peshmerga forces and Popular Mobilization Units are fighting against roughly 4,000 ISIS militants. The Iraqis are supported by airstrikes led by the US, France, Italy, and Germany, an Iranian logistical support through the Revolutionary Guards. This military equation suggests a nearly certain victory against ISIS in Iraq, even if it takes time and has a high humanitarian cost.But Syria is a different story. It is possible the goal is to push ISIS elements into Syria to purge Iraq, or it may be a tactic to entrap them there and then go for the kill after they are significantly weakened.The only thing that enjoys full consensus from all powers is the need to defeat ISIS. But the battle in Mosul, as in Aleppo, has many layers of calculations and strategic implications, locally, regionally, and internationally. The Kurds' role in Mosul is prominent given their actual participation through the Peshmerga. There is Iranian-Turkish accord on the Kurdish question, but this has unraveled to a degree in Syria and Iraq, according to an Iraqi Kurdish source. The source cites the issue of Bashiqa as an example of Iranian-Turkish competition in Iraq. The balance of power forces these two countries into truce at times, but into fierce competition at others, the Kurds are present in both instances. "They are likely to become the key influencer in Iraq and Syria", according to the source, but could well become victims of their own history and disputes, becoming a plaything rather than a player, he adds. The biggest test will be Mosul. The US vision for Mosul is that the Iraqi government must prevent the Popular Mobilization to enter the city to avoid antagonizing the Gulf. Moreover, the Kurds must prevent the Kurdistan Workers Party from taking part to avoid riling up the Turks. In Iraq, Masoud Barzani is a quasi-ally of Ankara, indicating Turkey now has a sophisticated policy compared to the past, according to the source. If Iran and its allies insist on thrusting the Popular Mobilization into Mosul, ISIS will grow fiercer and the populace will have more grievances, and may even prefer ISIS's brutality to that of the Shia-dominated militias. The liberation of Mosul could be an opportunity for a major Arab comeback to influence Iraq, if the Gulf countries play an important role and snatch guarantees from the US and the Iraqi government with regard to the rights of Sunnis in Iraq, away from humiliation and subjugation. ISIS has been a deadly blow to the Arab security order. Extremist sectarian Shia forces want ISIS to represent all Sunni Arabs. All these issues require a Gulf involvement in the battle for Mosul, not militarily but strategically in smart policies for what comes after victory there, to reduce extremism on both sides. Indeed, extremism is not in the interest of Arabs, Sunnis, or Shias no matter how victory in sectarian war may be imagined to be possible. Translated by Karim Traboulsihttp://www.alhayat.com/Opinion/Raghida-Dergham/18046422/%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%B1%D9%83%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B5%D9%84-%D8%AA%D8%AD%D9%88%D9%91%D9%84-%D8%A3%D9%86%D8%B8%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85-%D8%B9%D9%86-%D9%85%D8%AC%D8%A7%D8%B2%D8%B1-%D8%AD%D9%84%D8%A8
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A couple from Goole are among the first people to be fined after Tesco introduced new car parking rules at its St Stephen's store in Hull.

Antony and Rebecca Lloyd said they had been fined 70 after they returned to their vehicle just two minutes late.

Motorists spending more than half-an-hour in the supermarket car park now have to spend a minimum of 5 in Tesco to qualify for two hours free parking. Anyone who exceeds the limit is liable to face a penalty.

The firm said it had been forced to bring in the new system - which works through a combination of number plate recognition cameras and computer ticket terminals - because too many people were using the car park and shopping elsewhere, meaning genuine customers were often unable to find a space.

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Tesco says it had already proven a success: footfall is up and, as a result, the store is hiring more staff.

And while most shoppers who have spoken to the Mail generally welcomed the changes, not everybody was happy. Mr Lloyd, 26 was left "frustrated" after a Saturday shopping trip with his wife and two children, six year-old Grace and two year-old Oliver, ended with a fine.

He said: "It's a load of rubbish. We're late back because we were queuing in Tesco for five minutes and then I was talking to the staff member here at the machines for a minute.

"We came in at 11.22am and now we're back at 1.24pm. We've missed the deadline by two minutes."

He added: "I am frustrated. We didn't know about this new system at all. I'll have to pay the fine on Monday. I've got no choice have I?

"I'd rather they have barriers here as you're walking out of the car park and and you have to pay before you go in. We've paid our 5 in Tesco, I don't what more they want us to do."

Tesco shoppers are told to park, shop for up to two hours and then get a voucher from the store's checkout confirming they have spent a minimum of 5. The vouchers can then be used at the newly installed ticket machines next door to the car park.

Other weekend shoppers cautiously welcomed the plans, with many saying they had found it easier to find parking spaces.

Sam Clark and Andrew Ford said they had once had to park at Princes Quay in order to shop at Tesco's. Miss Clark, 34, said: "I much prefer this, it's fairer. We do our shopping on a Saturday or Sunday and at least we've managed to get parked today."

Julie Carr, from Withernsea, said she had been unaware of the changes, but welcomed the system. She said: "As long as you know about it it's not a problem.

"It maybe could do with being advertised it a bit more because I didn't know about it until I came here today, and you need to remember your registration number."

Colin Farrah, from the Bricknell Avenue area in Hull said: "I think it's brilliant. It's been needed a long time. I know some people won't like it but it will stop overcrowding."

Emma Taylor, 37, said she thought the move was "a good idea". She said: "I know people come here and use the car park for the gym and things like that, so it will make it easier to park.

"However, it could become a bit of a mess down here with the machines with all the people needing to use them, it might get a bit clogged up."

The Mail asked Tesco if it wanted to respond to criticism of parking fines. This article will be updated if a response is received.

Tesco St Stephen's manager Nick Carolan previously told the Mail: "It is not a free car park for the city centre, it is a Tesco car park," he said. "The car park has been one of the main customer irritants since we have opened.

"On our busiest days, customers struggle to find a parking space and we are doing this to free up spaces. It is the number one thing customers tell us about."
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declined on Saturday an offer from Turkey to take part in the battle to drive Islamic State militants from Mosul, a decision that could rile Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan.

Mosul was once part of the Ottoman empire and Turkey sees the city as firmly within its sphere of influence. Ankara is in a dispute with Iraq's central government over the presence of Turkish troops at the Bashiqa camp near Mosul.

"I know that the Turks want to participate, we tell them thank you, this is something the Iraqis will handle," Abadi told reporters after meeting U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter in Baghdad on Saturday.

"If help is needed, we will ask for it from Turkey or from other regional countries," he said.

During a visit to Turkey on Friday, Carter signaled conditional support for a possible Turkish role in the campaign and said there was an agreement in principle that could allow for eventual Turkish participation.

The details, however, were still subject to negotiation, Carter and other officials acknowledged at the time, and Iraq would need to agree.

By the tone of Abadi's comments on Saturday, that appeared unlikely anytime soon.

Abadi said that five days prior, an official delegation from Turkey had visited Baghdad and made some recommendations.

"The reality is we didn't see it as enough as it relates (to) withdrawing the Turkish troops from Iraq and respecting Iraqi sovereignty," he told reporters. "The Turkish side assured the respect for Iraqi sovereignty and we want to hear from the Turkish side, in the military, in the public, more remarks in terms of respecting Iraqi sovereignty."

Erdogan has warned of sectarian bloodshed if the Iraqi army relies on Shi'ite militia fighters to retake the largely Sunni Muslim city of Mosul.

In a speech on Saturday, Erdogan said Turkey respects every nation's geographical boundaries, even if it "weighs on our hearts", in what appeared to be a reference to Mosul.

"Some ignorant people come and say, 'What relation could you have with Iraq?' Those geographies that we talk about now are part of our soul," he said. "Even if it weighs on our hearts, we respect every nation's geographical borders."

Before Abadi's announcement, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim had already criticised what he said were "provocative" comments from the Iraqi leadership, without elaborating. He said Turkey would continue to have a presence in Iraq.

Yildirim later said Turkey was prepared to "take measures" in Iraq because it was not satisfied by promises that Kurdish militants and Shi'ite militias would not take part in the fighting.

"We have made every preparation to take our measures because the promises given by the United States and Iraq about the PKK and Shi'ite militias not being part of operations has not satisfied us yet," he told a group of reporters, referring to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which is outlawed in Turkey.

Carter, while acknowledging the sensitive nature of the topic, was upbeat about his meeting with Abadi when speaking to reporters shortly before leaving Baghdad.

He expressed confidence the United States could play a constructive role on the issue but repeatedly stressed that Washington respected Iraqi sovereignty.

A senior U.S. defense official on Friday said the United States recognised that Turkey had legitimate security concerns over the outcome of the Mosul campaign.

The push to capture it is expected to become the biggest battle in Iraq since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion. Mosul is about five times bigger than any other city held by Islamic State.

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Misleading texts claim to show your polling place. Here's how to vote.

A batch of texts that claim to show a voter's polling place were sent Monday to Kansans, despite appearing to show inaccurate information.
There was fierce fighting between insurgents and Syrian government and allied forces along a strategic frontline in southwest Aleppo. In August rebels briefly broke through this government-held strip of land to try to break a siege on rebel-held eastern Aleppo enacted in July.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said there was heavy rebel shelling onto the government-controlled Hamdaniya district, part of this battle front.

Syrian or Russian air strikes hit a number of rebel-held areas just west of Aleppo city from dawn on Sunday. Air raids also hit north of Aleppo and deeper into west Aleppo countryside, the Observatory said.

Aleppo has been a major battleground in the Syrian conflict, now in its sixth year. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, backed by the Russian military, Iran's Revolutionary Guards and an array of Shi'ite Muslim militias, wants to take full control of the city.

Russia had declared a unilateral ceasefire from Thursday which was rejected by rebels, lasted three days and did not result in hoped-for medical evacuations from the city or aid deliveries.

Air strikes within the city stopped for three days, but resumed late on Saturday as the third day of the truce expired.

The Free Syrian Army (FSA) rebel alliance, which has said it is preparing for a big attack to break the siege of eastern Aleppo, warned residents in and around the city to stay away from Syrian government military buildings for their own safety in a statement on Saturday.

FSA rebel groups said in statements they had repelled various offensives by government and allied forces along the frontline separating rebel- from government-held Aleppo city late on Saturday.

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A police officer was killed and 10 people were wounded when a car bomb exploded near a passing police vehicle in the eastern Turkish province of Bingol on Sunday, security sources said.

The bomb, planted by militants from the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), was detonated near the district governor's office, the security sources said.

Six police officers were among the injured, they said.

Turkey's largely Kurdish southeast has been hit by waves of violence since the collapse of a 2-1/2-year ceasefire between the state and the PKK last year.

The autonomy-seeking PKK is considered a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and Europe. More than 40,000 people, most of them Kurds, have died in violence since the PKK first took up arms against the state three decades ago.

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ICE HSI Quito participates in INTERPOLs Project Leaf efforts against forestry crime in the Andean region

Washington, DC - On October 12, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Quito participated in a regional investigative and analytical working group on forestry crime in the Andean region through INTERPOLs Project Leaf (Law Enforcement Assistance for Forests).

Illicit timber trade originating from or transiting through the Andean region represents a significant law enforcement issue. With much of the timber bound for processing plants and consumer markets in Mexico and the United States, INTERPOLs Project Leaf has been working to strengthen law enforcement responses in the region through increased intelligence sharing and support for transnational investigations.

The meeting brought together law enforcement officials from four countries in the Andean region: Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, with additional participation from the United States. Gathering practicing officers from the forestry sector, legal units supporting the forestry sector, law enforcement, anti-corruption and forest crime investigative units, and officers from INTERPOLs National Central Bureaus of the participating countries, the meeting provided a platform for sharing and exchanging forestry crime information and intelligence.

Participants discussed challenges and strategies when investigating these crimes which involve financial flows worth millions of dollars each year. HSI Quito delivered a presentation on HSIs wildlife program and a case study on a recent HSI illegal timber investigation of a major U.S.-based retail flooring company conducted by HSI in the United States.

Through these meetings, which are supported by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, INTERPOLs Project Leaf is helping develop regional networks of specialized forestry law enforcement investigators, and ensuring regular communication and sharing of intelligence on transnational cases.

Through its International Operations, HSI has 63 operational attache offices in 47 countries around the world. HSI Special Agents work closely with foreign law enforcement agencies on dismantling transnational criminal organizations through their use of illicit trade, travel and finance.
Orange County man who conspired to provide support to ISIL sentenced to 30 years in federal prison

Santa Ana, California - An Orange County man was sentenced Wednesday to 30 years in federal prison for conspiring with another man to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), a designated foreign terrorist organization.

Muhanad Elfatih M.A. Badawi, 25, of Anaheim, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge David O. Carter, who called the defendant extraordinarily dangerous.

The charges are the product of a probe by the Orange County Joint Terrorism Task Force, which includes U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

At the conclusion of a trial in June, Badawi was found guilty of conspiring with another man to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, as well as aiding and abetting his codefendants attempt to provide support to ISIL, and federal financial aid fraud designed to generate funds for the scheme.

Three weeks ago, Judge Carter sentenced Badawis codefendant  Nader Elhuzayel, 25, also of Anaheim  to 30 years in prison.

Defendant Badawi was a radicalizer, recruiter and facilitator, and like codefendant Elhuzauyel, defendant Badawi aspired to die a martyr fighting jihad for ISIL, prosecutors wrote in a sentencing memorandum filed with the court.

The lengthy sentence imposed today results from the defendants acceptance of ISILs murderous ideology and his participation in a scheme designed to betray the United States, said United States Attorney Eileen M. Decker. Badawi and Elhuzayel wanted to fight for ISIL, desired to become so-called martyrs, and supported ISILs terrorist activities. Prosecutions such as this are critically important to our national security.

The evidence at trial showed Badawi and Elhuzayel used social media to discuss ISIL and terrorist attacks, repeatedly expressed support for ISIL, and made arrangements for Elhuzayel to leave the United States to join the terrorist organization. In recorded conversations, Elhuzayel and Badawi discussed how it would be a blessing to fight for the cause of Allah, and to die in the battlefield, and they referred to ISIL as we. Badawi maintained a Facebook account, on which he made posts that supported ISIL and violence aimed at non-Muslims. Badawi used social media to communicate with ISIL supporters to distribute pro-ISIL propaganda.

According to the trial exhibits, on Oct. 21, 2014, defendant Badawi made a video of defendant Elhuzayel swearing allegiance to the leader of ISIS and pledging to travel to join ISIS to be a fighter for the organization.

Badawi and Elhuzayel were arrested May 21, 2015, as Elhuzayel attempted to board a plane at Los Angeles International Airport to travel to Turkey to join ISIL. Badawi had purchased a one-way ticket on Turkish Airlines for Elhuzayel to travel to Israel, with a layover in Istanbul. In an interview with the FBI, Elhuzayel admitted he intended to deplane in Turkey and seek contacts to facilitate joining ISIL.

The defendant, like his co-conspirator, pledged his allegiance to a terrorist organization instead of the United States, as he attempted to recruit and radicalize others to support the group, which calls for the murder of Americans, said Deirdre Fike, the assistant director in charge of the FBIs Los Angeles Office. The investigative efforts by Joint Terrorism Task Force partners are commendable and the significant sentence the defendant received illustrates the gravity of this crime and the threat the defendants posed to the United States.

Badawi and Elhuzayel have been held in federal custody without bond since their arrests.

With this sentence, Muhanad Badawi is being held accountable for conspiring to provide material support to ISIL and other federal offenses, said Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security Mary B. McCord. The National Security Divisions highest priority is countering terrorist threats, and we will continue to work to stem the flow of foreign fighters abroad and bring to justice those who conspire to provide material support to designated foreign terrorist organizations.

The investigation in this case was conducted by the FBI-led Joint Terrorism Task Force in Orange County, which, in addition to HSI and the FBI, includes the Anaheim Police Department, the California Highway Patrol, the Orange County Sheriffs Department, the Orange County Intelligence Assessment Center, the U.S. Secret Service, IRS Criminal Investigation, the City of Orange Police Department, the Irvine Police Department, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, the Orange County Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory, and the U.S. Attorneys Office. The Department of Educations Office of Inspector General also provided significant assistance in the investigation and at trial.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Judith A. Heinz and Deirdre Z. Eliot of the Terrorism and Export Crimes Section, and Julius J. Nam of the General Crimes Section. Trial Attorney Michael Dittoe of the Justice Departments Counterterrorism Section provided substantial assistance.
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Marvel struck critical gold earlier this year with the release of Captain America: Civil War, the film holding a 90 per cent positive Rotten Tomatoes score. Can the superhero studios next film also be a critical success?

So far, so good. As reported earlier this week, screenings for Doctor Strange have taken place in the US, numerous journalists revealing their initial reactions on Twitter. The films embargo has since dropped, with publications finally revealing their verdicts.

Almost every currently available review has been primarily positive, critics applauding the films visuals and the succinct origin story. However, criticism has been levied primarily at the film following Marvels tried-and-tested formula, with various comparisons to the first Marvel Cinematic Universe, Iron Man.

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

The Independent - 3/5

What Doctor Strange does, it does well, opening Marvels cinematic universe to the realm of the mystic in fine fashion. However, while the kaleidoscope visuals may constitute risk, the film fails to provide a character who does the same; perhaps future sequels will add to Stranges repertoire, like how the Iron Man sequels added to Starks.

The Hollywood Reporter - Todd McCarthy - 4/5

Determined, among other things, to top Christopher Nolan at his own game when it comes to folding, bending and upending famous cityscapes to eye-popping effect, this action movie ostensibly rooted in the mind-expanding tenets of Eastern mysticism is different enough to establish a solid niche alongside the blockbuster combine's established money machines.

Variety - Peter Debruge - 4/5

While we might yawn at yet another threat to all mankind, Doctor Strange has been presented in such a way that this higher calling restores his ability to help the world entire. We understand that this calling matters to him, even if his motives remain a mystery.

Den of Geek US - Don Kaye - 3.5/5

Doctor Strange is a bit too clockwork as a story to make it into the top tier of Marvel movies, but on the other hand, its fearless approach to bringing the many weird dimensions that Strange traverses into the MCU emphasises the studios complete confidence in both its material and its ability to sell these heady concepts to a mainstream audience. Perhaps that confidence will allow Marvel to move past the standard origin template from this point forward.

IndieWire - David Ehrlich - B-

Its one thing to take a new world and make it feel familiar, and quite another to take a familiar word and show us new ways of looking at it. This is the first chapter of the MCU that accomplishes that second, more difficult, more thrilling task, and that bodes well for a better, stranger tomorrow for the MCU.

ScreenCrush - Matt Singer - 6/10

The only actor who makes a memorable impression is Swinton, with her strange affect, scarred bald head, sleek martial arts moves, and curious musings about the great beyond. This is really the only way Doctor Strange deviates from the established Marvel formula: Typically Marvel movies have terrific characters and so-so visuals and action. Strange is the opposite.

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Uproxx - Mike Ryan

Its obvious why they hired a big-time star like Cumberbatch, because Doctor Strange is here to guide us through the next decade of Marvel movies, just like Downey did in the last decade. Doctor Strange is basically a reboot of Iron Man, only with a lot more prettier things to look at while youre stoned. Its a good strategy. And it works.

The Daily Beast - Jen Yamato

Swinton is effortlessly excellent in her roleone that was gender-flipped, in a progressive move for strong female representation in the genre, at leastand her arc, too, focuses instead on more simple universal binaries: Life vs. death, shadows vs. light, good vs. evil, the kind of yin and yang terrain that dials right into the major currents of Stranges origin tale. As a contained standalone this is the most inventive Marvel has allowed its movies to get so far, which is a positive indication for new freshness as Phase 3 rolls out.
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Excitement for The Walking Deads season seven premiere is at an all-time high with just hours to go until the world discovers who Negan killed.

Over the last few months, numerous members of the public have attempted to work out just who will be dead by the end of episode one, using whatever means necessary.

However, in recent weeks, the discussion has progressed from speculation to actual spoilers, one website claiming to know exactly what happens in the premiere.

These sources have been primarily unverified, unlike this new piece of actual footage. FOX International accidentally played a promotional clip - taken down from the majority of websites - revealing who makes it through to the next episode. **Spoilers ahead**

The Walking Dead season 7 trailer: Frame-by-frame dissection Show all 17 1 /17 The Walking Dead season 7 trailer: Frame-by-frame dissection The Walking Dead season 7 trailer: Frame-by-frame dissection Negan with his baseball bat slung across his shoulder. The Walking Dead season 7 trailer: Frame-by-frame dissection This shows The Saviours bowing down to their leader. The Walking Dead season 7 trailer: Frame-by-frame dissection An ominous shot of Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) repeatedly slamming Lucille against a gate. The Walking Dead season 7 trailer: Frame-by-frame dissection "There are rules. You earn what you take," Negan snarls. "You should know this is the only way." Could that be Daryl (Norman Reedus) in the background? The Walking Dead season 7 trailer: Frame-by-frame dissection We're going to assume this is a member of the Saviours killing a chained up walker. Why there's a letter "F" emblazoned on his clothes, we don't know. The Walking Dead season 7 trailer: Frame-by-frame dissection A member of the Kingdom first seen encountering Morgan (Lennie James) and Carol (Melissa McBride) in the season 6 finale The Walking Dead season 7 trailer: Frame-by-frame dissection The Saviours The Walking Dead season 7 trailer: Frame-by-frame dissection Season 7 will have a car chase; this shot shows an unknown driver seeming to face off against a truck tucked between two motorcyclists. The Walking Dead season 7 trailer: Frame-by-frame dissection This will either be the compound of either The Saviours or The Kingdom. Whichever it is, going by the shot (someone sneaking around behind cover), they've been infiltrated. The Walking Dead season 7 trailer: Frame-by-frame dissection Savour Dwight (Austin Amelio - now a main cast member) and an unknown female, most probably the two motorcyclists form the previous shot. The Walking Dead season 7 trailer: Frame-by-frame dissection Dwight and his leader, Negan. The Walking Dead season 7 trailer: Frame-by-frame dissection Morgan firing a gun alongside a member of The Kingdom, The Walking Dead season 7 trailer: Frame-by-frame dissection Somebody here is trying to fend off a gruesome-looking Walker - could it be Abraham (Michael Cudlitz)? If so, this would eliminate him from being Negan's victim. The Walking Dead season 7 trailer: Frame-by-frame dissection A perplexed-looking Carol who was suffering a gunshot wound last time we saw her. The Walking Dead season 7 trailer: Frame-by-frame dissection Somebody coming off a motorcycle. The Walking Dead season 7 trailer: Frame-by-frame dissection Tara (Alanna Masterson) alone in the woods, clutching a knife as she spies an enemy in the distance. The Walking Dead season 7 trailer: Frame-by-frame dissection A POV shot of an unknown character getting knocked out by a rifle Tara has somehow acquired.

Notably, Daryl is still alive, as is Rick Grimes, who admits in the clip: Im not in charge anymore. Negan is. The villain also appears in the 20-seconds of promotional footage saying: You work for me. You can watch the clip on Youtube through this link.

Recently, AMC announced they had renewed The Walking Dead for an eighth season which we can expect to kick off late 2017. The broadcaster also announced the titles of the first three episodes of season seven.

Episode ones title is 'The Day Will Come When You Won't Be, an eerie callback to season one. Episode two is titled The Well (and will seemingly predominantly take place in King Ezekiels The Kingdom), while episode three is called The Cell, some fans believing it will focus on Tara.

 The Walking Dead season 7 teaser clip

With eleven characters lives at threat, Negan actor Jeffrey Dean Morgan hinted how multiple people will likely die in the first episode. You can find a compilation of everything we know so far about season seven here.
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Donald Trump Jr has claimed his fathers comments about grabbing woman by the p***y are typical among some men and are a fact of life.

To the dismay of fellow Republicans and the wider world, two weeks ago a leaked tape from 2005 surfaced in which Donald Trump could be heard bragging about groping and making unwanted advances on women.

Appearing on KIRO radios Dori Monson Show, the Republican presidential candidates first child argued most men had heard similar conversations in their time.

Obviously he's not happy about that, but I think we probably all know guys who have had conversations with other guys that go a little bit in that direction, that's a fact of life, Donald Trump Jr said.

I think he's able to relate to ordinary Americans because in many cases he is still very much like that. He does do that. He hasn't spent his whole life sitting there polishing every statement he's ever made, every conversation he's ever had.

What did Donald Trump say during the third presidential debate? Show all 9 1 /9 What did Donald Trump say during the third presidential debate? What did Donald Trump say during the third presidential debate? Mr Trump denying claims from a number of women that he sexually assaulted them This is all fiction, all fictionalised, probably or possibly started by her and her very sleazy campaign. I didn't even apologise to my wife who is sitting right here because I didn't even do anything Getty What did Donald Trump say during the third presidential debate? Mr Trump claiming the Russian leader had no respect for Mrs Clinton She doesn't like Putin because Putin has outsmarted her every step of the way. He has no respect for her. He has no respect for our President." Getty What did Donald Trump say during the third presidential debate? Mr Trump interrupting Mrs Clinton with one of his most scathing personal attacks yet as she explained her policy on social security Such a nasty woman Getty What did Donald Trump say during the third presidential debate? Mr Trump claiming Mrs Clinton shouldn't have been allowed to run for presidency and that the election is rigged She should never have been allowed to run. Shes guilty of a very very serious crime. She should not be allowed to run. And just in that respect, I say its rigged. Getty What did Donald Trump say during the third presidential debate? Mr Trump voicing his pro-life stance during the abortion debate Based on what she's saying ... you can take the baby and rip the baby out of the womb in the ninth month, on the final day, and that's unacceptable Getty What did Donald Trump say during the third presidential debate? Mrs Clinton suggesting this is not the first time Mr Trump has claimed results against him have been rigged There was even a time when Trump didn't get an Emmy for his TV programme three years in a row and he started tweeting that the Emmys were rigged Getty What did Donald Trump say during the third presidential debate? Mrs Clinton responding to Mr Trump's lewd comments about women Donald thinks belittling women makes him bigger. He goes after their dignity and self-worth Getty What did Donald Trump say during the third presidential debate? Mrs Clinton implying Mr Trump is a puppet of Russian president Vladimir Putin He'd rather have a puppet as president of the United States Getty What did Donald Trump say during the third presidential debate? Mrs Clinton comparing her political experience to Mr Trump's former television role On the day I was in the situation room monitoring the raid that brought Osama Bin Laden to justice he was hosting the Celebrity Apprentice Getty

However, Trump Jr did admit his fathers remarks were a mistake but insisted Mr Trump was able to make a mistake because he had not devoted his whole life to being a polished career politician.

He doesn't run a focus group so he can tell you what he's thinking, he said. He speaks from the heart, that one is obviously one that we don't want to - that was a mistake, he recognises that. He realises it, but he's able to make a mistake because he hasn't spent his whole life just trying to be a politician.

Recommended Read more Donald Trump Jr joked about overweight people in unearthed interviews

Mr Trump initially dismissed his lewd and sexually aggressive comments as locker room talk but then apologised for his remarks in a 90 second long apology. Nevertheless, he continued to repeatedly describe the remarks as locker room talk when probed during the second presidential debate.

Trump Jr is the first child of Trump and Czech former model Ivana Trump and currently works along with his sister Ivanka Trump and brother Eric Trump in the role of Executive Vice President at The Trump Organisation.

CNN recently uncovered recordings of Trump Jrs interviews with radio shock jocks. In the recordings, he can be heard making jokes about the Aurora shootings, overweight people and Arab names.

Appearing on Opie and Anthony in 2012, Trump Jr expressed his sadness at the fact he could longer mock overweight people due to political correctness. By the way you can't, you can't even make fat jokes now without, like, there's a whole segment of people that like, that's almost the worst one like, it's easier to, like, do a racial thing, than it is a fat one because everyone knows they're fat and they get really offended that, Trump Jr said.
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Shots were fired during a confrontation involving at least 12 men in a quiet suburban street, police have revealed.

CCTV footage shows three car-loads of men, thought to be rival gangs, pull up in a residential street in north London, before squaring up to each other in the lamplight.

One hooded man pulls away from the huddle, points a handgun towards a drivers seat and apparently fires as the car reverses away.

A 22-year-old waitress and eyewitness told the Evening Standard: I was just watching TV and the cars pulled up with their lights on really bright. I heard the noise as they started arguing and shouting at each other.

I looked out of the window and it got really heated. Then one guy got the gun out and they all seemed to run away. There were three shots. Really loud bangs.

When that happened I just got as far away as I could from the window and went and hid in the kitchen. I was really shaken up.

Police found gun casings at the scene of the shooting, which took place at around 9.30pm in Graham Road, Wood Green, on Wednesday.

Another neighbour said: We heard the bangs and the young people running away. Its crazy but Im not that surprised really.

The cars involved are thought to have included a silver Mercedes and BMW.

Latest figures show a 10 per cent increase in firearms incidents  up to 2,122  in the past year.

Violent crime in England and Wales was up 24 per cent during the 12 months ending June this year, according to an Office for National Statistics report.

Violent crime is up across the country, according to statistics covering the 12 months up until June this year AFP/Getty (AFP/Getty)

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said there were no reported injuries during the Wood Green incident.

Three men, aged 27, 22 and 31, were arrested for possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and have been bailed until late December pending further enquiries.

A spokesman said: Detectives continue to investigate and believe a second vehicle, a blue BMW, may be involved in the incident and enquires are underway to locate this vehicle.

CCTV footage has been assessed and up to 12 individuals are seen fleeing from the location and detectives are appealing for anyone who witnessed anything to come forward.

Anyone with information can contact the Trident and Area Crime Command via 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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A seven-year-old boy who was "living life entirely as a girl" has been removed from his mother's care following a ruling by a High Court judge.

Mr Justice Hayden said the woman had caused her son "significant emotional harm" - and he criticised local authority social services staff responsible for the youngster's welfare.

The judge said the woman had been "absolutely convinced" the youngster "perceived himself as a girl" and was determined that he should be a girl.

He said the boy was now living with his father, who is separated from the woman. The youngster still saw his mother.

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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

Mr Justice Hayden said "flares of concern" had been sent from a "whole raft of multi-disciplinary agencies" - and he said he could not understand why so many concerns were "disregarded so summarily" by social services staff.

The judge said social services staff had "moved into wholesale acceptance that (the boy) should be regarded as a girl".

He said he wanted the council to undertake a review of the "social work response" to the case. A council "spokesperson" said bosses had already begun a review.

Detail emerged on Friday in a ruling by the judge following private hearings in the Family Division of the High Court in London.

Mr Justice Hayden said no-one involved in the case - including the local authority - could be identified. The judge also barred the woman from revealing specifics of the case in any media interviews. He said he was afraid that an information jigsaw which might lead to the boy's identity being revealed could be created.

The judge said he had analysed evidence from the boy's parents, local authority social workers and a psychologist. He indicated the boy's parents had separated some years ago. The boy had stayed with his mother.

Family court litigation had started about three years ago after the father raised concerns about not having contact with his son. A lower-ranking judge had authorised a "wide-ranging" inquiry and local authority social services staff had begun investigations.

Redmayne on transgender role

"(His mother) told me that (he) was 'living in stealth' by which was meant, she explained, that he was living life entirely as a girl," said Mr Justice Hayden. "He dressed, at all times, like a girl and, it transpired, had been registered at a new general practitioner's as a girl."

The judge added: "I was also left in no doubt that (the mother) was absolutely convinced that (the boy) perceived himself as a girl."

Mr Justice Hayden said his "overwhelming impression" was that the woman "believes herself to be to fighting for (her son's) right to express himself as a girl". He said the woman had told him how the boy "expressed disdain for his penis".

The judge added: "I consider that (the mother) has caused significant emotional harm to (her son) in her active determination that he should be a girl." Mr Justice Hayden said the boy had settled well in the care of his father - and his father's partner.

"I have been told that (the father) and his partner were shocked when they first saw (the boy) by the extent to which he appeared to be a girl, both in appearance and in mannerism," said the judge. However, what is striking is how well (the boy) has settled down."

The judge added: "I have noted from reports that (the boy) has become interested in Power Rangers, SpongeBob, Superheroes and is constantly finding new interests... It is striking that most of (the boy's) interests are male-oriented.

"I am entirely satisfied, both on the basis of the reports and (the father's) evidence at this hearing, that he has brought no pressure on (the boy) to pursue masculine interests. (The boy's) interests and energy are entirely self-motivated."

Press Association
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The first group of unaccompanied children who do not have links to Britain have arrived in the UK from the Calais Jungle refugee camp.

They were among the latest wave of some 70 new young arrivals to cross the English Channel under the landmark Dubs amendment.

The Immigration Act amendment, proposed by Lord Dubs, who himself came to Britain as a child refugee from Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia under the Kindertransport scheme, means the UK must accept some unaccompanied child refugees who do not have ties to the country.

Previously all the young refugees who have arrived in Britain have been brought under the Dublin regulations, which require the children to have family resident in the UK.

Some of those who arrived under the Dublin regulations provoked controversy because of suggestions that some appeared to look much older than teenagers. Critics alleged they were in fact adults masquerading as children to gain unfair entry into the UK.

Screens have since been used to keep the refugees hidden from public view after they arrive at a Home Office building in Croydon, south London.

Calais and Dunkirk camps Show all 16 1 /16 Calais and Dunkirk camps Calais and Dunkirk camps (Photo: Alan Schaller) Calais and Dunkirk camps A portrait of an Afghan man wearing a traditional Perhan Turban in the Calais Jungle (Photo: Emily Garthwaite) Calais and Dunkirk camps Two Gendarmes guard the main entrance to the Dunkirk camp (Photo: Emily Garthwaite) Calais and Dunkirk camps One Kurdish Iraqi mans reminder to himself (Photo: Alan Schaller) Calais and Dunkirk camps Two young boys in the Dunkirk camp (Photo: Alan Schaller) Calais and Dunkirk camps An Iranian hunger striker stands outside the only remaining shelter in the South Side of the Calais camp (Photo: Emily Garthwaite) Calais and Dunkirk camps A church in the South Calais camp, on of the the only structures not demolished in the South Side of the camp (Photo: Emily Garthwaite) Calais and Dunkirk camps A man gets a hair cut in the Calais camp (Photo: Alan Schaller) Calais and Dunkirk camps Night falls on the Calais Jungle. Fires burn in the distance (Photo: Alan Schaller) Calais and Dunkirk camps The containers provided as alternative accommodation for the people in the camps (Photo: Alan Schaller) Calais and Dunkirk camps A young boy in the Dunkirk camp (Photo: Alan Schaller) Calais and Dunkirk camps A man listens to music inside one of the shipping containers (Photo: Emily Garthwaite) Calais and Dunkirk camps The awful living conditions in the Dunkirk camp (Photo: Alan Schaller) Calais and Dunkirk camps An Afghan man in the Calais camp (Photo: Emily Garthwaite) Calais and Dunkirk camps One of the Iranian hunger strikers (Photo: Alan Schaller) Calais and Dunkirk camps A family in their wooden shelter in the new Dunkirk camp (Photo: Alan Schaller)

The Dubs amendment children arrived hours after about 50 people marched through the Kent coastal town of Margate in a White Lives Matter protest organised by a far-right group. Anti-racist groups staged a counter-protest, and police made two arrests for suspected public order and obstruction offences.

Welcoming news of the Dubs amendment arrivals, Bishop Jonathan Clark, spokesman for Citizens UK, a charity supporting the refugees, said: "It's great to see the Government acting on what Citizens UK have been calling for, and transferring these children to Britain.

The arrivals under the Dubs amendment, he said, included: The most vulnerable, including many young girls.

He added: "Of course this is just a very small proportion of the unaccompanied children out there and less than one per cent of the total number of people in the Calais camp now, the vast majority of whom will be claiming asylum in France as they should."

The latest arrivals came as demolition teams prepare to move into the Jungle on Monday to clear the estimated 6,500 inhabitants, who will be relocated to reception centres across France.

Dover Conservative MP Charlie Elphicke said the camp must never be allowed to re-emerge.

He said: "The Jungle must be fully dismantled  never to return. This time they need to see it through. We must end the Calais migrant magnet."

British aid volunteers, however, have warned that new unofficial refugee camps may spring up to replace the Calais Jungle once it is demolished. Care4Calais founder Clare Moseley has told The Independent that it is likely refugees will return to the Calais area to live in camps with even worse conditions than those in the Jungle.

The idea of dispersing these refugees has been tried before," she said, referring to when a section of the Jungle camp was dismantled in February. They said that was going to be a deterrent, but of course it wasnt.

Within months of Februarys partial demolition of the Jungle, the number of refugees in Calais had grown to far exceed what it was before.
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Moorgate tube station has been evacuated due to a security alert after a suspicious bag was found on a train.

Pictures uploaded to social media showed at least seven police vehicles surrounding the station amid reports of a bomb scare.

A spokesman for Transport for London told The Independent the evacuation had caused by a bag found on a train.

"Item found at Moorgate station has been looked at by officers and is not suspicious," British Transport Police said in a tweet.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 31 October 2022 GBs James Hall competes during the mens parallel bars qualification at the World Gymnastics Championships in Liverpool AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 October 2022 People dressed in Halloween costumes paddle board along the river Avon in Christchurch, Dorset PA UK news in pictures 29 October 2022 Members of the public take pictures as police officers remove activists from a road during a Just Stop Oil protest, in London Reuters 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

Widespread reports on social media had previously claimed the alert was the result of a bomb scare.

The station has since been reopened.

British Transport Police have been approached for more information.

Last week a suspicious package found on a train at North Greenwich station was destroyed in a controlled explosion.

A 19-year-old man was later arrested on terrorism charges and police said the item was being forensically examined.

The public will see more officers, including armed police, in and around transport hubs to provide reassurance around public safety, the Metropolitan Police said in a statement, adding that the Underground was working as normal.

Since August 2014, the terror threat level in Britain has been classed as severe  the second highest level, meaning an attack is considered highly likely.
Secular Iraqis woke up feeling hungover on Sunday, after a surprise parliament vote they claim is unconstitutional and shows that dominant religious parties have their priorities wrong.

An article banning the sale, import and production of alcohol was slipped into a draft on municipalities and caught the anti-ban camp flat-footed on Saturday.

The scores of small alcohol shops in central Baghdad were already closed because of the holy Muslim month of Muharram, and now their owners and employees are fuming.

"We don't have another job -- our families will lose their income," said Maytham, who owns a shop selling all kinds of locally produced and imported beers, wines and spirits in Baghdad's central Karrada district.

"We don't know if they will allow us to open our shops. How will these families live?" he asked, standing next to his small store's closed metal door.

Saturday's vote also angered several politicians who claim that the law violates an article in the constitution that guarantees the freedom of religious minorities.

The vote's supporters say that the very same constitution prevents any law contradicting Islam, however.

With Iraq involved in an offensive to retake the city of Mosul from the Islamic State jihadist group, its biggest military operation in years, one politician argued that the law sent the wrong message.

"This is a victory for the ideology of Daesh (IS)," said Haidar al-Mullah, a politician from the Al-Arabiya alliance.

"At a time when all the efforts of the Iraqi people are focused on fighting Daesh terrorists, a team of Islamist politicians in parliament gifted Daesh a victory," he said.

"They are suppressing other beliefs, violating the freedom to practise other traditions and turning their backs on the constitution," Mullah told AFP.

Alcohol is rarely offered in restaurants and hotels in Iraq, but consumption is relatively widespread, especially in Baghdad.

Iraq also has companies that produce various types of alcohol, such as Farida beer or Asriya arak (a regional anise-flavoured spirit).

Yonadam Kanna, a leading Christian politician, was furious after the vote on Saturday and went on television to condemn it and also to vow to challenge it in a federal court.

Many Iraqis also took to social media to ridicule their lawmakers.

On his Facebook page, Hussein al-Ameri replied to Mahmud al-Hassan, one of the MPs who took credit for the passing of the law, and "congratulated" him.

"Yes, that was one of the most important laws to focus on after eradicating unemployment, terrorism, corruption and terrorism," he wrote.

In a jab at parliament, which has a reputation for being one of the hubs of corruption in the country, another Facebook user, Hammoudi Mohammed asked: "Drinking is un-Islamic but stealing is OK?"

In Baghdad's Bataween neighbourhood, one of the capital's oldest districts now best known for prostitution and crime, Saad Amir shook his head as he rested against the cart from which he sells food on the street.

"Drinking is better than turning to drugs... There seems to be a decision to wreck this country. Parliament should review this decision," he said.

Kanna also predicted that a ban on alcohol, if enforced, would lead to a rise in drug abuse, which is already a growing problem in areas such as Basra, where alcohol is harder to find than in Baghdad.

Maysoun al-Damaluji, another member of parliament, was appalled.

"What bankruptcy! Not only was this law passed without a proper vote count, the article was sneaked into a law on another issue and the only people it will serve are those running the black market," she said.

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A government crackdown on nuisance calls could see those who make them hit with fines of up to 1 million.

The calls, which can be particularly distressing to elderly and vulnerable people, make up 40 per cent of all phone calls in the UK, it emerged earlier this year.

From next spring, bosses who break privacy rules set out by the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) could be personally fined up to 500,000. If a company has multiple directors, each of them will be liable for the penalty.

This tough new stance taken by the government is supposed to enforce data protection laws and protect those most affected by unwanted marketing calls.

Matt Hancock, Minister of State for Digital and Culture, called nuisance callers a blight on society which cause significant distress to elderly and vulnerable people.

We have been clear that we will not stand for this continued harassment, and this latest amendment to the law will strike another blow to those businesses and company bosses responsible, he said in a statement.

A quarter of people receive between 11 and 20 nuisance calls a month, according to analysis by call-blocking firm TrueCall, which found that older customers received 46 per cent more cold calls on average.

These are often selling products including Payment Protection Insurance (PPI), banking products and double glazing as well as law firms encouraging people to make accident claims.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 31 October 2022 GBs James Hall competes during the mens parallel bars qualification at the World Gymnastics Championships in Liverpool AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 October 2022 People dressed in Halloween costumes paddle board along the river Avon in Christchurch, Dorset PA UK news in pictures 29 October 2022 Members of the public take pictures as police officers remove activists from a road during a Just Stop Oil protest, in London Reuters 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 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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. 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City went on to win the match at Molineux Stadium three goals to nil. 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Companies and organisations should be able to demonstrate that specific consent was given knowingly and freely before they make live or pre-recorded marketing calls, according to ICO regulations.

They must carry out rigorous checks if consent was originally given through a third party, and the regulations state that indirect consent is highly unlikely to be valid for calls, texts or emails.

Directors will be held responsible to stop rogue businesses declaring bankruptcy and then opening again under a different name in an attempt to avoid paying the penalties.

Recommended Read more Payday loan complaints triple but PPI still dominates grievances

Companies will also be forced to display their caller ID and work with Trading Standards to provide call-blocking services to the most vulnerable.

Information Commissioner Elizabeth Denham said the ICO was inundated with complaints from people who are left shaken and distressed by the intrusion on their daily lives.

The people running nuisance call companies have little regard for the anxiety and upset they cause all in the name of turning a fast profit, she said.

A collection of complaints published this year included reports of calls received in the early hours, and one in which an 84-year-old tripped and fell on her way to reach the phone in the middle of the night.

Receiving a call from a withheld number at 4:40 in the morning is an extremely unpleasant experience. I have elderly parents therefore the first thing I thought of was that something had happened to one of them, said one complaint.

I am complaining on behalf of my 84 year old mother. She lives alone. When the phone rang in the middle of the night she thought it was a family emergency/death. She tripped in her anxiety to reach the phone and fell and badly twisted her leg, said another.

One elderly person wrote: I am 72 years old and have a heart condition. It left me wondering why I had received it and took some time to get back to sleep.

In February, a Brighton-based company was fined a record 350,000 for bombarding members of the public with more than 46 million automated sales calls regarding mis-sold PPI claims.

Prodial Limited, a company launched by 27-year-old Louis Kidd from his mothers house, generated an estimated 1 million turnover from unwanted cold calls.

This year, the ICO says it has fined firms responsible for more than 70 million calls and nearly 8 million spam text messages.
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Former Prime Minister David Cameron texted Boris Johnson to gloat after the now-Foreign Secretary was betrayed in his Tory leadership bid by Leave Campaign ally Michael Gove, a new book has claimed.

Mr Gove managed Mr Johnsons campaign to be Mr Cameron's successor, before changing his mind the night before nominations were announced and running himself, forcing Mr Johnson to withdraw from the contest.

Mr Cameron, who campaigned to remain in the EU and resigned over the referendum result, texted Mr Johnson and said "you should have stuck with me, mate," following the debacle, author Tim Shipman has said.

In a book telling "the disastrous inside story of how Boris did not become prime minister", Mr Shipman reported that, following the Brexit referendum in June, Mr Gove initially agreed to back his colleague for the top job, despite the fact he was under "intense pressure from close allies" to run for the leadership himself.

But the relationship between the two politicians disintegrated over a series of mistakes and misunderstandings.

First, an email to Mr Gove from his wife was leaked. In it she urged her husband to get "specific assurances" from Mr Johnson and "not to concede ground", Mr Shipman said.

The email was posted online and went viral, damaging the relationship between the two men.

The situation reportedly worsened when an election strategist advised Mr Johnson to bring Eurosceptic MP Angela Leadsom on board, suggesting she could be helpful to his campaign.

Mr Johnson agreed and allegedly offered Ms Leadsom a top three job: deputy prime minister, Brexit negotiator or chancellor.

But, the book says, Mr Johnson became distracted when he encountered difficulties writing his campaign launch speech.

According to the book, he became so stressed by the task that he failed to ensure a letter was delivered to Ms Leadsom confirming his offer of an important position in his government.

Annoyed at the delay, Ms Leadsom reportedly texted Mr Johnson to say the deal was off.

Mr Gove went ballistic", a source told Mr Shipman, and decided it was "too big a risk for the country" to allow someone as "incompetent" as Mr Johnson to become prime minister.

Over the course of the night, Mr Gove  who Mr Shipman said may also have been moved by speeches about how good a leader Mr Cameron was  decided he would put in his own leadership bid.

He reportedly told advisors: I dont have the luxury of time. Tomorrow I have to say to my colleagues and the country, I think this man is ready to be prime minister and be held to account forever for having made that claim  or not

Ten things Boris Johnson doesn't want you to know Show all 11 1 /11 Ten things Boris Johnson doesn't want you to know Ten things Boris Johnson doesn't want you to know pg-12-boris-2-pa.jpg BBC Ten things Boris Johnson doesn't want you to know Boris-Johnson-mother.png BBC Ten things Boris Johnson doesn't want you to know Boris-Johnson-boy.png BBC Ten things Boris Johnson doesn't want you to know Boris-Johnson-Great-Grandfather.png BBC Ten things Boris Johnson doesn't want you to know Boris-Johnson-Oxford-Union-President.png BBC Ten things Boris Johnson doesn't want you to know Boris-Johnson-Allegra.png BBC Ten things Boris Johnson doesn't want you to know Boris-Johnson-Bullingdon.png BBC Ten things Boris Johnson doesn't want you to know Boris-Johnson-Bullingdon-2.png BBC Ten things Boris Johnson doesn't want you to know Boris-Johnson-young-man.png BBC Ten things Boris Johnson doesn't want you to know Boris-Johnson-Petronella-Wyatt.png BBC Ten things Boris Johnson doesn't want you to know anish.jpg PA

When he first heard, Mr Johnson reportedly did not believe Mr Gove had decided to run, but when he realised the news was true he decided he could no longer stand in the contest.

He said later: To go on would have been very bloody, and with Goves knife in my back it would have been hard to pick up momentum again with colleagues.

The book claims one person who was with Mr Johnson when the nominations were announced said: Ive never seen him so winded. He looked utterly crushed. It was not the realisation it might all be over; it was just the betrayal

David Cameron, however, was reportedly described by a member of the cabinet as the happiest I have seen him in a long time".
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Government minsters could cut corporation tax by half if Brexit negotiations do not go as they hope, sources suggest.

The proposal to reduce the levy on big businesses from 20 per cent of profits to 10 per cent could be given the go-ahead if EU member states block a free trade deal with the UK or refuse to give British financial services companies access to the European market, according to the Sunday Times.

An unnamed source told the paper: People say we have not got any cards. We have some quite good cards we can play if they start getting difficult with us. If theyre saying no passporting and high trade tariffs we can cut corporation tax to 10 per cent."

The UK already has one of the lowest corporation tax rates in the EU but ministers believe a further cut could help keep companies in the UK and attract new investment. Other EU states could fear losing business to the UK should Britain allow companies to keep more of the profits they create.

Labour condemned the suggestion of a further tax cut, saying previous reductions in corporation tax had been funded by slashing public spending.

John McDonnell, the Shadow Chancellor, said: This is the last thing the Tories should be calling for after six years of failure to meet their own deficit targets and their under investment in our country, which has resulted in our economy being now so vulnerable to Brexit."

"The Chancellor should learn from the mistakes of his predecessor and not repeat them with more unfunded tax breaks as part of their shambolic Brexit plans."

Countries including Ireland and Singapore have credited a low tax rate with helping them attract new business. Ireland imposes a levy of 12.5 per cent while Singapores is 17 per cent.

 Brexit negotiators are 'in cloud cuckoo land', says man who negotiated Britain's EU rebate

The UKs 20 per cent corporation tax rates compares to an EU average of 22 per cent. The tax rate is 29.72 per cent in Germany, 31.4 per cent in Italy and 33.3 per cent in France.

The plan to slash the levy could be used if EU member states refuse to grant passporting rights to British financial services that would allow them to continue operating freely across European markets.

It comes as EU member states appear unwilling to compromise on the conditions of Britains withdrawal, prompting ministers to consider other options should their demands not be met.

Theresa May was warned at her first European Council meeting as Prime Minister that Britain would not be able to dictate the terms of its exit from the EU. Mrs May also requested that the other 27 member states did not continue to exclude her from meetings, but was strongly rebuffed.

What experts have said about Brexit Show all 11 1 /11 What experts have said about Brexit What experts have said about Brexit Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond The Chancellor claims London can still be a world financial hub despite Brexit One of Britains great strengths is the ability to offer and aggregate all of the services the global financial services industry needs This has not changed as a result of the EU referendum and I will do everything I can to ensure the City of London retains its position as the worlds leading international financial centre. Reuters What experts have said about Brexit Yanis Varoufakis Greece's former finance minister compared the UK relations with the EU bloc with a well-known song by the Eagles: You can check out any time you like, as the Hotel California song says, but you can't really leave. The proof is Theresa May has not even dared to trigger Article 50. It's like Harrison Ford going into Indiana Jones' castle and the path behind him fragmenting. You can get in, but getting out is not at all clear Getty Images What experts have said about Brexit Michael OLeary Ryanair boss says UK will be screwed by EU in Brexit trade deals: I have no faith in the politicians in London going on about how the world will want to trade with us. The world will want to screw you  that's what happens in trade talks, he said. They have no interest in giving the UK a deal on trade Getty What experts have said about Brexit Tim Martin JD Wetherspoon's chairman has said claims that the UK would see serious economic consequences from a Brexit vote were "lurid" and wrong: We were told it would be Armageddon from the OECD, from the IMF, David Cameron, the chancellor and President Obama who were predicting locusts in the fields and tidal waves in the North Sea" PA What experts have said about Brexit Mark Carney Governor of Bank of England is 'serene' about Bank of England's Brexit stance: I am absolutely serene about the  judgments made both by the MPC and the FPC Reuters What experts have said about Brexit Christine Lagarde IMF chief urges quick Brexit to reduce economic uncertainty: We want to see clarity sooner rather than later because we think that a lack of clarity feeds uncertainty, which itself undermines investment appetites and decision making Getty Images What experts have said about Brexit Inga Beale Lloyds chief executive says Brexit is a major issue: "Clearly the UK's referendum on its EU membership is a major issue for us to deal with and we are now focusing our attention on having in place the plans that will ensure Lloyd's continues trading across Europe EPA What experts have said about Brexit Colm Kelleher President of US bank Morgan Stanley says City of London will suffer as result of the EU referendum: I do believe, and I said prior to the referendum, that the City of London will suffer as result of Brexit. The issue is how much What experts have said about Brexit Richard Branson Virgin founder believes we've lost a THIRD of our value because of Brexit and cancelled a deal worth 3,000 jobs: We're not any worse than anybody else, but I suspect we've lost a third of our value which is dreadful for people in the workplace.' He continued: "We were about to do a very big deal, we cancelled that deal, that would have involved 3,000 jobs, and thats happening all over the country" Getty Images What experts have said about Brexit Barack Obama US President believes Britain was wrong to vote to leave the EU: "It is absolutely true that I believed pre-Brexit vote and continue to believe post-Brexit vote that the world benefited enormously from the United Kingdom's participation in the EU. We are fully supportive of a process that is as little disruptive as possible so that people around the world can continue to benefit from economic growth" Getty Images What experts have said about Brexit Kristin Forbes American economist and an external member of the Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of England argues that the economy had been less stormy than many expected following the shock referendum result: For nowthe economy is experiencing some chop, but no tsunami. The adverse winds could quickly pick up  and merit a stronger policy response. But recently they have shifted to a more favourable direction Getty

Former Chancellor George Osborne had previously floated the idea of cutting corporation tax to 15 per cent to reassure businesses worried about the impact of Brexit. He had already reduced the rate from 28 per cent to the current 20 per cent during his time in office.

A Treasury spokesperson would not comment on reports of a further cut but told The Independent: As we have said before, we keep all taxes under review.
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The arrival of child refugees from Calais has become a chaotic last-minute panic because the Home Office refused to prepare a plan, it has been claimed.

The first unaccompanied minors arrived in the UK late last night after the Government finally delivered on a promise first demanded by Parliament back in May.

But there was growing anger that  despite all the refugees allowed into Britain last week having relatives in the UK  only a few have been settled with family members.

Instead, some have been placed in foster care because the required background checks on family members have not been conducted.

Recommended Read more Jeremy Corbyn urges Theresa May to speed up child refugee resettlement

It was also reported that some children have been forced to stay at a controversial former immigration detention centre called Cedars, near Gatwick Airport.

Cedars was shut by the Government in July after criticism of the policy of imprisoning children and family awaiting removal from the country.

Dismantling the vast camp in France will begin tomorrow, to clear the estimated 6,500 inhabitants who will be driven by bus to reception centres across France.

The charity Help Refugees said it had been granted the go-ahead to take legal action over Home Secretary Amber Rudds failure to implement the Dubs amendment, to admit the most vulnerable unaccompanied children.

Meanwhile, leaked emails from Home Office officials revealed growing panic as civil servants sent pleas for urgent help to residential care services.

A source told The Observer: Politically, the Home Office did not want this to happen, so it didn't do anything.

Therefore, as the camp comes to closure it's a panic  all the work you should have done over three to six months you do over three to six hours.

They cannot place the child in a number of cases because none of the checks have been done.

Andy Elvin, chief executive of Tact, the UKs biggest fostering and adoption charity, said: It's embarrassing for a developed nation not to have managed this more professionally. Were not even talking about a massive number of children.

A plan was drawn up six months ago and agreed two months ago by the Local Government Association (LGA), which offered to send social workers to Calais to carry out assessments.

A comprehensive database of eligible minors in the camp would have been created, well ahead of its demolition.

But the LGA said the Home Office did not take up the offer and only started asking for specialist help on Friday  after some of the first 60 refugees had arrived.

David Simmonds, chairman of the LGA's asylum, refugee and migration taskforce, told the Sunday Telegraph: We made the offer in August and the Home Office didn't take it up at the time.

The offer was not taken up quickly enough. I understand that, on Friday, the Home Office started asking Kent for social workers with experience in age assessment.

But we offered our help three months ago. I am aware they were trying to talk to people on Friday to get help after all.

A Home Office source told the newspaper that the support had not been needed when it was offered in August.

Some of the first wave of arrivals this week provoked fierce rows over claims that some males looked older than teenagers.

Tory MP David Davies was strongly criticised after calling for dental checks to establish how old they were  something experts insisted would not be accurate.

Screens have since been used to keep the refugees hidden from public view after arriving at a Home Office building in Croydon, south London, from the muddy, rat-infested slum in northern France.
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The Scottish Government has demanded to be treated as an equal partner by Theresa May in the Brexit negotiations, as the Prime Minister called for a grown up relationship with the devolved administrations.

The Prime Minister will host the leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland on Monday to discuss the Brexit process and her Government's economic plans.

The Joint Ministerial Committee (JMC) will meet for the first time since the European Union referendum and Downing Street said the talks would discuss how the administrations in Westminster, Holyrood, Cardiff Bay and Stormont could work together to secure the best Brexit deal.

Ahead of the talks, the lead Scottish minister involved in the process warned that the government in Edinburgh was becoming increasingly concerned about the prospect of a hard Brexit and called for a new approach from Ms May.

Michael Russell, the minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland's Place in Europe, said: The UK Government needs to understand there is a triple mandate to maintain Scotland's relationship with, and place in, Europe.

The clearly expressed views of the people of Scotland, the democratically elected Scottish government and the Scottish parliament all need to be respected. But four months on from the referendum, we have yet to see a proposal from the UK Government on how the views of people in Scotland will be taken into account.

The Scottish government is becoming increasingly concerned that the UK is heading for a hard Brexit with all the damage that will bring to the Scottish and UK economies.

The Prime Minister has set the clock ticking and the UK Government must use the time before triggering Article 50 to engage properly with all the devolved administrations and show that they are willing and able to treat Scotland as an equal partner.

Nicola Sturgeon's administration has drawn up draft legislation for a second referendum on independence, with the First Minister suggesting Scots should have the ability to reconsider the issue in light of the vote for Brexit.

Downing Street has insisted that the Holyrood government has no mandate for a second referendum after independence was rejected in 2014 and the issue could cast a shadow over the talks on Monday.

Ms May insisted that the UK will achieve far more together than we ever could do apart as she called for a mature relationship between the different administrations.

When I stood upon the steps of Downing Street I made clear the importance of our great Union, she said. Far more than mere geography brings us together and we are much more than the sum of our parts. As we move into this new chapter, we must seize the opportunities ahead, as we will achieve far more together than we could ever do apart.

I want Monday's meeting to be the start of a new grown-up relationship between the devolved administrations and the UK Government, one in which we all work together to forge the future for everyone in the United Kingdom.

What experts have said about Brexit Show all 11 1 /11 What experts have said about Brexit What experts have said about Brexit Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond The Chancellor claims London can still be a world financial hub despite Brexit One of Britains great strengths is the ability to offer and aggregate all of the services the global financial services industry needs This has not changed as a result of the EU referendum and I will do everything I can to ensure the City of London retains its position as the worlds leading international financial centre. Reuters What experts have said about Brexit Yanis Varoufakis Greece's former finance minister compared the UK relations with the EU bloc with a well-known song by the Eagles: You can check out any time you like, as the Hotel California song says, but you can't really leave. The proof is Theresa May has not even dared to trigger Article 50. It's like Harrison Ford going into Indiana Jones' castle and the path behind him fragmenting. You can get in, but getting out is not at all clear Getty Images What experts have said about Brexit Michael OLeary Ryanair boss says UK will be screwed by EU in Brexit trade deals: I have no faith in the politicians in London going on about how the world will want to trade with us. The world will want to screw you  that's what happens in trade talks, he said. They have no interest in giving the UK a deal on trade Getty What experts have said about Brexit Tim Martin JD Wetherspoon's chairman has said claims that the UK would see serious economic consequences from a Brexit vote were "lurid" and wrong: We were told it would be Armageddon from the OECD, from the IMF, David Cameron, the chancellor and President Obama who were predicting locusts in the fields and tidal waves in the North Sea" PA What experts have said about Brexit Mark Carney Governor of Bank of England is 'serene' about Bank of England's Brexit stance: I am absolutely serene about the  judgments made both by the MPC and the FPC Reuters What experts have said about Brexit Christine Lagarde IMF chief urges quick Brexit to reduce economic uncertainty: We want to see clarity sooner rather than later because we think that a lack of clarity feeds uncertainty, which itself undermines investment appetites and decision making Getty Images What experts have said about Brexit Inga Beale Lloyds chief executive says Brexit is a major issue: "Clearly the UK's referendum on its EU membership is a major issue for us to deal with and we are now focusing our attention on having in place the plans that will ensure Lloyd's continues trading across Europe EPA What experts have said about Brexit Colm Kelleher President of US bank Morgan Stanley says City of London will suffer as result of the EU referendum: I do believe, and I said prior to the referendum, that the City of London will suffer as result of Brexit. The issue is how much What experts have said about Brexit Richard Branson Virgin founder believes we've lost a THIRD of our value because of Brexit and cancelled a deal worth 3,000 jobs: We're not any worse than anybody else, but I suspect we've lost a third of our value which is dreadful for people in the workplace.' He continued: "We were about to do a very big deal, we cancelled that deal, that would have involved 3,000 jobs, and thats happening all over the country" Getty Images What experts have said about Brexit Barack Obama US President believes Britain was wrong to vote to leave the EU: "It is absolutely true that I believed pre-Brexit vote and continue to believe post-Brexit vote that the world benefited enormously from the United Kingdom's participation in the EU. We are fully supportive of a process that is as little disruptive as possible so that people around the world can continue to benefit from economic growth" Getty Images What experts have said about Brexit Kristin Forbes American economist and an external member of the Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of England argues that the economy had been less stormy than many expected following the shock referendum result: For nowthe economy is experiencing some chop, but no tsunami. The adverse winds could quickly pick up  and merit a stronger policy response. But recently they have shifted to a more favourable direction Getty

Ms Sturgeon, Northern Ireland's First Minister Arlene Foster and deputy first minister Martin McGuinness will be at the London talks along with Welsh leader Carwyn Jones.

Ms May will use the meeting to propose strengthening the JMC, which has not been held since December 2014, making it an annual occurrence hosted by each of the four governments on a revolving basis.

She will invite the leaders of the devolved administrations to take up a key role in building the UK's new industrial strategy in an effort to spread jobs and growth across the country. Business Secretary Greg Clark will make a presentation on the issue at the meeting.

PA
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Ukips bitter leadership wars broke out into the open again as two more candidates set out their stalls to head the crisis-hit party.

Suzanne Evans, a former head of policy, and Paul Nuttall, a North West MEP, both vowed to hold the Government's feet to the fire on Brexit if they are chosen by party members.

But the announcements were overshadowed by fresh accusations and counterblasts which again laid bare how Ukip is riven by feuding factions.

Recommended Read more Ukip without an HQ after leaving its central London base

Ms Evans used her bid to warn that Ukip must shed its "toxic" image and risks becoming a Donald Trump-style party under the leadership of Nigel Farage and his allies.

She targeted leadership rival Raheem Kassam  who is backed by the Farage wing of the party  as a "far-right" candidate who would take Ukip away from the concerns of ordinary voters.

Ms Evans told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show: "Our future as a political party in Britain does not lie in that far-right wing. I don't see a groundswell of opinion in this country for more far-right wing policies.

"I don't see a groundswell of opinion for the right to bear arms in America."

The backlash was swift, with Mr Kassam accusing Ms Evans of a project fear tactic and of spreading "smears".

He denied he was "far-right", adding: When she does things like this, it really undermines her, it undermines her campaign and it is an attack on a lot of the party members.

Mr Farage also hit out at Ms Evans' remarks, saying: "For her to talk about the party being toxic, for her to already declare one of the candidates who is running, Raheem Kassam, as being far-right, I don't view this as being a very good start."

On Saturday, Mr Kassam - a former aide to Mr Farage who sold Brits for Trump T-shirts online  won the backing of Ukips biggest donor, insurance tycoon Arron Banks.

Today, he was also alleged to have deleted a tweet, in the summer, which urged someone to tape Nicola Sturgeons mouth shut. And her legs, so she cant reproduce.

Meanwhile, Mr Nuttall tried to strike a conciliatory tone by pitching himself as the "unity" candidate  while warning the party was threatened by an "existential crisis".

He told the BBC's Sunday Politics: "I have huge support out there across the country, not only among people at the top of the party in Westminster and with the MPs, but also among the grassroots.

"And I want to stand on the platform of being the unity candidate - Ukip needs to come together.

I'm not going to be on here and gild the lily, Ukip at the moment is looking over the edge of a political cliff, it'll either step off or it will step back.

The new Ukip leader will be announced on 28 November, with nominations to replace Diane James closing on October 31.

Steven Woolfe, the frontrunner in the leadership contest, quit the party last Monday, branding it rotten at heart and ungovernable without Mr Farage at the helm.

That followed an alleged attack by another MEP in the Strasbourg Parliament, after which he ended up in hospital.
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Almost half of UKIP members think MI5 is trying to destroy their party, according to a new poll.

The YouGov survey found 46 per cent of members agreed with the statement Intelligence services like MI5 have been working to undermine UKIP. The poll echoes an earlier finding that almost a third of Ukip supporters believed MI5 was involved in a plot to rig the EU referendum result.

Other conspiracy theories are also popular among party activists. More than half (55 per cent) think some UKIP members have been planted by Conservative strategists to undermine the party, while 40 per cent believe the EU referendum was the subject of electoral fraud, with officials rubbing out and changing votes.

Almost nine in 10 (89 per cent) believe the media is being deliberately biased in its coverage of their party.

The survey of 1,003 Ukip members found the majority were former Conservative voters, with 66 per cent having voted for the Tories at a past general election, while almost a quarter have previously voted for Labour.

Surprisingly, almost one in seven Ukip members had previously voted for the Liberal Democrats or the Green Party.

The biggest issues of concern for Ukip members  immigration, Brexit, the economy and health  match those of the general public, but they are much more likely to be concerned about immigration and Brexit. Eighty-one per cent of the partys members believe immigration is one of the most important issues facing the country, while 76 per cent believe the same is true of Britain leaving the EU.

Joe Twyman, head of political and social research at YouGov, told The Independent he was not surprirsed at the findings.

He said: This really highlights the degree to which distrust of the establishment permeates the Ukip membership. If youre suspicious of the establishment then you might think it possible that these things are happening.

[There is] an idea they are an anti-establishment party and therefore the establishment is going to take steps to act against them.

He said conspiracy theories were also present among supporters of mainstream political parties but added: Weve certainly seen a larger support for these types of ideas amongst the members and the supporters of Ukip and the Scottish Nationalists.

It comes as Ukip attempts to recover from a catalogue of difficulties that have plagued the party in recent works. Its leader, Diane James, resigned after just 18 days in the role, days before a public row between MEPs Steven Woolfe and Mike Hookem hit headlines after Mr Woolfe ended up in hospital alleging he had been punched by his colleague.

Mr Woolfe, the favourite to take over from Ms James, then resigned from the party after calling it ungovernable and saying he no longer knew what it stood for.

Key Faces of UKIP Show all 11 1 /11 Key Faces of UKIP Key Faces of UKIP Nigel Farage Getty Key Faces of UKIP United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) Migration spokesman Steven Woolfe addresses supporters and media personnel in central London Getty Key Faces of UKIP Robert Kilroy-Silk, former television presenter and newly elected member of the European Parliament for the UK Independence Party (UKIP), shows a placard against the European Constitution in front of the Houses of Parliament Getty Key Faces of UKIP Mark Reckless, Director of Policy Development addresses party members during the UK Independence Party annual conference at Doncaster Racecourse Getty Key Faces of UKIP Gerard Batten MEP poses with protesters outside parliament Creative Commons Key Faces of UKIP Diane James gives an address at the UKIP Autumn Conference in Bournemouth Getty Key Faces of UKIP Douglas Carswell MP speaks to party members and supporters during the UK Independence Party annual conference Getty Key Faces of UKIP Suzanne Evans, Deputy Party Chairman of UK Independence Party (UKIP) speaks during the launch of UKIP's election manifesto Getty Key Faces of UKIP Peter Whittle, the UK Independence Party Member of the London Assembly, is interviewed in central London Getty Key Faces of UKIP MEP Mike Hookem during a visit to Concept Metal Products & Co Ltd Getty Key Faces of UKIP Paul Nuttall, Deputy Leader of the UK Independence Party speaks at a Say NO, Believe in Britain debate at Carn Brea Leisure Centre in Pool near Redruthon Getty

In the poll, which was conducted before Mr Woolfes resignation, party members expressed their support for his leadership bid. Thirty-seven per cent would like to see the MEP lead the party, while 31 per cent want interim leader Nigel Farage to stay on permanently, despite him having only resigned from the post in July. The other candidates, including Suzanne Evans, trail some way behind.

Nominations in the partys latest leadership contest close on 31 October, with the winner announced on 28 November. Frontrunners include Ms Evans, MEP Paul Nuttall and Raheem Kassam, a former aide to Nigel Farage.

YouGov polled the Ukip party members between 5 and 14 October.
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Somali pirates have freed 26 hostages held in a small fishing village for nearly five years, government officials have said.

The crew of the Naham 3 were taken captive when their boat was seized in March 2012 south of the Seychelles, when pirate attacks were common in the area.

The sailors from China, the Philippines, Cambodia, Indonesia, Vietnam and Taiwan had one of the longest periods of captivity among hostages seized by pirates in the African country.

The crew is staying overnight in Galkayo. They will arrive in Nairobi at 18:30 local time tomorrow, said John Steed, East Africa region manager for the US-based Oceans Beyond Piracy group.

The mayor of Galkayo in north Somalia had earlier said the crew was set to arrive in Kenya on Saturday afternoon.

The crew did not say if ransom was paid, mayor Hirsi Yusuf Barre told Reuters.

Mr Steed said one member of the crew had died during the hijacking while two succumbed to illness. Among those released, one was being treated for a gunshot wound on his foot and three were diabetic.

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. 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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. 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Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

The sailors were held in Dabagala near the town of Harardheere some 250 miles northeast of the capital Mogadishu.

Harardheere became known as Somalia's main pirate base at the height of the crisis.

Recommended Read more Suicide bomber and gunmen target hotel in Mogadishu attack

Oceans Beyond Piracy said the crew were brought ashore by pirates when their ship sank more than a year after its hijacking.

Piracy off Somalia's coast has subsided in the past three years, mainly due to shipping firms hiring private security details and the presence of international warships.

The wave of attacks had cost the world's shipping industry billions of dollars as pirates paralysed shipping lanes, kidnapped hundreds of seafarers and seized vessels more than 1,000 miles from Somalia's coastline.

Additional reporting from Reuters
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At least 13 people were killed and 31 others injured when a tour bus crashed into a big-rig truck near Palm Springs, authorities announced on Sunday morning.

The USA Holiday tour bus collided into the rear of the truck at 5am local time on the 10 Freeway in the Desert Springs area. First responders arrived at the scene and used chainsaws to break open the vehicle and reach victims, The Desert Sun reports. The big-rig driver went unharmed while the driver of the tour bus did not survive the collision.

USA Holiday is based in an Alhambra and owns a single bus with one driver in the area, The Los Angeles Times reports. The bus driver was also one of the companys owners, however, no issues with the driver have been reported at this time. The bus was transporting over 30 passengers and reportedly departing Red Earth Casino in Salton City to travel back toward Los Angeles.

On Monday, the National Transportation Safety Board will begin investigating the crash site.
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A woman has been charged with assault after allegedly poisoning her colleagues by pouring window cleaner into the office coffee maker.

Mayda Rivera-Juarez, 32, was arrested in Sterling, Virginia, after several of her co-workers fell ill after drinking the toxic coffee, according to NBC Washington.

Colleagues at Jas Forwarding Worldwide, a freight company, claim they suffered severe digestive problems and diarrhoea. They reported their suspicions to police after gathering evidence against their former colleague, who they said was disgruntled and had fallen out with several of them.

Recommended Read more Police investigating claim British tennis player poisoned at Wimbledon

Loudoun County Sheriffs Office said the former cleaner allegedly replaced the water in the coffee maker with window and kitchen cleaner over several weeks. While the motive for the poisoning remains unclear, it is understood the cleaner no longer works for the company, which has around eight employees.

Mr Rivera-Juarez is being held in custody.

She is not the first person to be charged with poisoning colleagues using cleaning products. Earlier this year Melissa Swift was sentenced to eight years in prison after admitting poisoning co-workers at Goldfield Court care home in West Bromwich, near Birmingham.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. 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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. 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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. 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Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

The 25-year-old poured bleach into staff members' drinks bottles, resulting in several of them falling ill.

And earlier in the year a New York woman was accused of fatally poisoning her boss.

Kaitlyn Conley, 23, was charged with the murder of 60-year-old Mary Yoder, who employed her at a chiropractors office in New York state.
Kurdish fighters said they had taken the town of Bashiqa near Mosul from Islamic State on Sunday as coalition forces pressed their offensive against the jihadists' last stronghold in Iraq.

A U.S. official said Masoud Barzani, President of the Iraqi Kurdish Region, had informed U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter that the Kurds had succeeded in liberating Bashiqa from Islamic State.

Kurdish peshmerga fighters told reporters at the scene they had entered Bashiqa, but journalists were not being allowed into the town.

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In the few months he has been in power in the Philippines, President Rodrigo Duterte has seemingly convulsed relations between his country and the United States, a longtime ally and former colonial ruler. He has repeatedly made vulgar comments about America's president and envoy in Manila and, without much warning, threatened to throw out U.S. special forces operating in the country and end annual exercises with the U.S. military.

Duterte went one provocative step further on a visit to China this week.

In this venue I announce my separation from the United States," he declared in Beijing's Great Hall of the People. He would go on to suggest that Americans are loud, sometimes rowdy, and that their vocal chords are not adjusted to civility"  a rather peculiar claim given Duterte's notoriously salty tongue.

As my colleague Emily Rauhala reports, Duterte's camaraderie with China has surprised many and compelled even his own officials to attempt to backtrack. The U.S. State Department has expressed bemusement.

We are going to be seeking an explanation of exactly what the president meant when he talked about separation from us, State Department spokesman John Kirby said. Its not clear to us exactly what that means and all its ramifications.

Rauhala brings up a crucial point about Filipino public opinion: "Many Filipinos are also perplexed. Though opinion polls suggest the president remains popular at home, his anti-U.S. rhetoric is at odds with public opinion. The vast majority of Filipinos hold a positive view of the United States; many are skeptical of China."

 Duterte on how being sexually abused as a child affects his politics

This is undeniably true. According to Pew Research Center's last survey of global attitudes, no country in the world had a greater proportion of people who admired the United States than the Philippines.

In 2015, 92 percent of respondents in the Philippines said they had a favorable view of the United States; only 54 percent said they regarded China favorably. Filipino enthusiasm for the United States was considerably greater than attitudes in other traditional American allies in Asia, including Japan and South Korea. As one Manila-based newspaper put it in 2014, "Filipinos like the U.S. even more than the Americans do."

(Pew/screeengrab (Pew/screeengrab)

That 92 per cent figure becomes even more striking when you set it against Washington's allies in Europe.

(Pew/screeengrab (Pew/screeengrab)

In other words, Duterte's hostility toward Washington is hardly reflected in the broader attitudes of his public. Of course, there is and has always been a constituency in the country suspicious of American activities, first in the form of Washington's imperial rule and then its subsequent military presence. Duterte has championed that set of politics as part of a broader program of populism, raging against corruption and poverty and the elites and criminals who supposedly profit from the status quo.

The most controversial quotes from Rodrigo Duterte Show all 9 1 /9 The most controversial quotes from Rodrigo Duterte The most controversial quotes from Rodrigo Duterte On killing drug addicts These sons of whores are destroying our children. I warn you, dont go into that, even if youre a policeman, because I will really kill you. If you know of any addicts, go ahead and kill them yourself as getting their parents to do it would be too painful The most controversial quotes from Rodrigo Duterte Message to China I will go there on my own with a Jet Ski, bringing along with me a [Phillipino] flag and a pole, and once I disembark, I will plant the flag on the runway and tell the Chinese authorities, Kill me  AP The most controversial quotes from Rodrigo Duterte Christmas message to law-breakers If you do not want to stop, and just continue committing crimes, then this would be your last Merry Christmas AP The most controversial quotes from Rodrigo Duterte On sex life I was separated from my wife. Im not impotent. What am I supposed to do? Let this hang forever? When I take Viagra, it stands up AFP/Getty Images The most controversial quotes from Rodrigo Duterte On the drugs trade None of my children are into illegal drugs. But my order is, even if it is a member of my family, kill him'" AP The most controversial quotes from Rodrigo Duterte Insulting the Pope We were affected by the traffic. It took us five hours. I asked why, they said it was closed. I asked who is coming. They answered, the pope. I wanted to call him: Pope, son of a wh**e, go home. Do not visit us again AFP/Getty Images The most controversial quotes from Rodrigo Duterte Joke about rape I saw her face and I thought, 'What a pity... they raped her, they all lined up. I was mad she was raped but she was so beautiful. I thought, the mayor should have been first AFP/Getty The most controversial quotes from Rodrigo Duterte Insulting Barack Obama "Mr Obama should be respectful and refrain from throwing questions at me about the killings, or son of a bitch, I will swear at you in that forum" REUTERS The most controversial quotes from Rodrigo Duterte On Abu Sayyaf Islamic militants "If I have to face them, you know I can eat humans. I will really open up your body. Just give me vinegar and salt, and I will eat you. If you annoy me to the fullest... I will eat you alive. Raw" EPA

Reports also suggest that his resentment is personal  connected even to an episode in his childhood when he was abused by an American Jesuit priest as a schoolchild.

He is a very knee-jerk kind of politician who is extremely sensitive to criticisms and personalizes them, Walden Bello, a Philippine academic and analyst, told the Financial Times this week. Letat, c'est moi  thats him.

It'll be interesting to see what Pew's 2016 indicators in the wake of Duterte's rise reveal about any shift in sentiment toward the United States.

Copyright Washington Post
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Hundreds of Muslims have staged a mass prayer outside the Rome's Colosseum in protest against the closure of mosques in Italy.

Children attended the demonstration holding signs saying, peace, love and open the mosques.

Organisers called for the peaceful protest following the recent closure on of five makeshift mosques on administrative grounds.

Many in Italys Muslim community believe the closures were a response to attacks by Islamic extremists in Europe.

According to the demonstrators, some of the reasons cited for closing the mosques  such as the number of toilets on a premises  could have been easily resolved.

"We feel people are pointing the finger at us," Francesco Tieri, a convert to Islam told AFP.

"There is no political will to recognise that we are here and that we are a peaceful community.

"We are forced to rent places to pray  which for us is like breathing air. If we can't do it, we die."

Children hold signs saying, 'peace', 'love' and 'open the mosques' (Reuters)

An estimated 1.6 million Muslims live in Italy, meaning it has the fourth largest Muslim population in Europe. Yet there are only eight official mosques in the country.

It is thought to be the second most followed faith in the Roman Catholic country. But it is not recognised as an official religion, unlike Judaism and Mormonism.

Recommended Read more Muslim blogger launches range of hijabs to suit all skin tones

State recognition affords protection to places of worship, access to opening schools and observance of religious holidays.

Police confirmed the closure of some places of prayer in a statement and said the authorities would guarantee freedom of thought, but only within a certain legal framework.

Italian local councils can oppose new builds for reasons ranging from the proposed parking facilities to how well they think it would fit in with the architectural aesthetic of a neighbourhood. They have repeatedly opposed proposals to construct traditional mosques.

Right-wing parties have also called for a blanket ban on any mosques built with foreign money.

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

With few official places of worship, many pray in houses and some 800 cultural centres and prayer rooms in the country, but right wing parties have claimed this makes religious sites hard to monitor and increases the risk of "radicalisation".

Interior Minister Angelino Alfano said in August that mini mosques in garages should be banned.

Barbara Saltamartini, of the anti-immigration Northern League, said the peaceful demonstration was Friday's "an unacceptable provocation" which should not have been allowed to take place.
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Thousands of people have taken to the streets in cities across Sweden to protest the countrys tough new laws on asylum seekers.

Concerned protestors reportedly gathered in the centre of Stockholm on Saturday to protest against the measures which include forcing child asylum seekers to prove their age.

Simultaneous demonstrations also took place in 14 other Swedish towns and cities including Umea, Karlstad and Jonkoping, Swedish news agency TT reported.

The protests were organised by the Vu star inte ut (We cant stand it) group which has called for the end to forced deportations and more humane conditions for asylum seekers.

New legislation, which came into force in July, is supposed to be in place for three years and aims to reduce the number of refugees arriving in the country from the Middle East down to more manageable levels.

The country, which has a population of 10m, took in 160,000 asylum seekers last year - a ratio of 1,667 asylum applications per 100,000 people in the local population.

The EU average is 260 applications per 100,000 people.

Refugee crisis - in pictures Show all 27 1 /27 Refugee crisis - in pictures Refugee crisis - in pictures A child looks through the fence at the Moria detention camp for migrants and refugees at the island of Lesbos on May 24, 2016. AFP/Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures Ahmad Zarour, 32, from Syria, reacts after his rescue by MOAS (Migrant Offshore Aid Station) while attempting to reach the Greek island of Agathonisi, Dodecanese, southeastern Agean Sea Refugee crisis - in pictures Syrian migrants holding life vests gather onto a pebble beach in the Yesil liman district of Canakkale, northwestern Turkey, after being stopped by Turkish police in their attempt to reach the Greek island of Lesbos on 29 January 2016. Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees flash the 'V for victory' sign during a demonstration as they block the Greek-Macedonian border Refugee crisis - in pictures Migrants have been braving sub zero temperatures as they cross the border from Macedonia into Serbia. Refugee crisis - in pictures A sinking boat is seen behind a Turkish gendarme off the coast of Canakkale's Bademli district on January 30, 2016. At least 33 migrants drowned on January 30 when their boat sank in the Aegean Sea while trying to cross from Turkey to Greece. Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures A general view of a shelter for migrants inside a hangar of the former Tempelhof airport in Berlin, Germany Refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees protest behind a fence against restrictions limiting passage at the Greek-Macedonian border, near Gevgelija. Since last week, Macedonia has restricted passage to northern Europe to only Syrians, Iraqis and Afghans who are considered war refugees. All other nationalities are deemed economic migrants and told to turn back. Macedonia has finished building a fence on its frontier with Greece becoming the latest country in Europe to build a border barrier aimed at checking the flow of refugees Refugee crisis - in pictures A father and his child wait after being caught by Turkish gendarme on 27 January 2016 at Canakkale's Kucukkuyu district Refugee crisis - in pictures Migrants make hand signals as they arrive into the southern Spanish port of Malaga on 27 January, 2016 after an inflatable boat carrying 55 Africans, seven of them women and six chidren, was rescued by the Spanish coast guard off the Spanish coast. Refugee crisis - in pictures A refugee holds two children as dozens arrive on an overcrowded boat on the Greek island of Lesbos Refugee crisis - in pictures A child, covered by emergency blankets, reacts as she arrives, with other refugees and migrants, on the Greek island of Lesbos, At least five migrants including three children, died after four boats sank between Turkey and Greece, as rescue workers searched the sea for dozens more, the Greek coastguard said Refugee crisis - in pictures Migrants wait under outside the Moria registration camp on the Lesbos. Over 400,000 people have landed on Greek islands from neighbouring Turkey since the beginning of the year Refugee crisis - in pictures The bodies of Christian refugees are buried separately from Muslim refugees at the Agios Panteleimonas cemetery in Mytilene, Lesbos Refugee crisis - in pictures Macedonian police officers control a crowd of refugees as they prepare to enter a camp after crossing the Greek border into Macedonia near Gevgelija Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures A refugee tries to force the entry to a camp as Macedonian police officers control a crowd after crossing the Greek border into Macedonia near Gevgelija Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees are seen aboard a Turkish fishing boat as they arrive on the Greek island of Lesbos after crossing a part of the Aegean Sea from the Turkish coast to Lesbos Reuters Refugee crisis - in pictures An elderly woman sings a lullaby to baby on a beach after arriving with other refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos after crossing the Aegean sea from Turkey Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures A man collapses as refugees make land from an overloaded rubber dinghy after crossing the Aegean see from Turkey, at the island of Lesbos EPA Refugee crisis - in pictures A girl reacts as refugees arrive by boat on the Greek island of Lesbos after crossing the Aegean sea from Turkey Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees make a show of hands as they queue after crossing the Greek border into Macedonia near Gevgelija Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures People help a wheelchair user board a train with others, heading towards Serbia, at the transit camp for refugees near the southern Macedonian town of Gevgelija AP Refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees board a train, after crossing the Greek-Macedonian border, near Gevgelija. Macedonia is a key transit country in the Balkans migration route into the EU, with thousands of asylum seekers - many of them from Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq and Somalia - entering the country every day Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures An aerial picture shows the "New Jungle" refugee camp where some 3,500 people live while they attempt to enter Britain, near the port of Calais, northern France Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures A Syrian girl reacts as she helped by a volunteer upon her arrival from Turkey on the Greek island of Lesbos, after having crossed the Aegean Sea EPA Refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees arrive by boat on the Greek island of Lesbos after crossing the Aegean sea from Turkey Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures Beds ready for use for migrants and refugees are prepared at a processing center on January 27, 2016 in Passau, Germany. The flow of migrants arriving in Passau has dropped to between 500 and 1,000 per day, down significantly from last November, when in the same region up to 6,000 migrants were arriving daily.

The law means Sweden can offer a three-year residence permit to refugees whose asylum claims it deems genuine instead of a permanent right to remain.

It also restricts the rights of refugees to come to Sweden if they already have family living there.

One particular sticking point for campaigners is a deal agreed with the Afghan government earlier this month to repatriate people from the country who claim asylum in Sweden.

Kabul pledged to protect its returning citizens from harassment and persecution if Stockholm covers the transport costs of their return and honours an earlier promise to give each affected family up to 70,000 kronor (6,420).

But 300 Swedish teachers wrote an open letter to the government in the newspaper Svenska Dagbladet saying it undermines the education of children who have already suffered terribly.

It said: A few days ago one of our pupils received his deportation order. He is 15. In three years he will be deported to Afghanistan. He is far from alone and now risks spending years of his development at war, in refugee camps, underground, or on the run.

It would be shameful to deport children and youths en masse to Afghanistan. What is a government even worth if if is incapable of protecting children in its own country and giving them hope for the future?
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Russian security forces shot dead two suspected terrorists carrying explosives in the city of Nizhny Novgorod, Russian news agencies reported.

An explosion during the operation injured two special police officers, while a third suspect was captured alive, reports citing law enforcement sources said.

"Law enforcement officers stopped a car, two suspects resisted arrest and were liquidated on the spot. Explosives were found in the car," TASS state news agency quoted a source as saying.

The special operation is reportedly taking place in a residential area of Nizhny Novgorod, an industrial city on the banks of the Volga River, around 400 kilometres (250 miles) east of Moscow.

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. 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A law enforcement source told RIA Novosti: "They have shot dead two [people] suspected of terrorism. They were driving in a Daewoo Nexia car. Now FSB (security force) officers are working at the scene."

Local media posted photographs from social networking sites apparently showing two bodies lying on the ground close to a car with doors open, as vehicles and security officers block the nearby road in a suburb called Tsvety.

A robotic device can also be seen in the photograph. TASS reported that the anti-mine robot was used to neutralise an explosive device in the car.

A law enforcement source quoted by TASS named those killed as "members of illegal armed groups," a term also used by officials to describe Islamist insurgents in the North Caucasus.

There was no immediate official confirmation of the reports.
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Russia expressed surprise Friday about the mooted deployment of US troops in neighbouring Norway.

"Taking into account multiple statements made by Norwegian officials about the absence of threat from Russia to Norway, we would like to understand why Norway is so much willing to increase its military potential, in particular through the stationing of American forces in Vaernes," Maxime Gourov, the spokesman at the Russian embassy in Oslo said in an email sent to AFP.

Vaernes lies about 1,000 kilometres (600 miles) from the Russian-Norwegian frontier.

On 10 October, the Norwegian defence ministry said its military and that of the United States were holding preliminary discussions about the possibility of such a deployment and about "additional training and storage."

 US suspends bilateral relations with Russia over Syria

"It may be something that is carried out on a rotational basis... [but] there is no question of permanent deployment," a ministry spokesman, Ann Kristin Salbuvik, told AFP.

The tentative discussions take place against a backdrop of increasing tensions between Russia and the West, notably over Ukraine and the conflict in Syria.

Also on 10 October, the Norwegian newspaper Adresseavisen said the Pentagon wanted to station 300 US Marines at Vaernes and that this could take place in January.

The US has vast amounts of military equipment prepositioned in Norway, notably in tunnels dug into mountains.

"Having a rotational presence in Norway enhances the collective ability of our two forces to work together," Niel Nelson, the US general in charge of the Marine Corps in Europe and Africa, was quoted as saying by American media this week.

In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Show all 19 1 /19 In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Syrian boys cry following Russian air strikes on the rebel-held Fardous neighbourhood of the northern embattled Syrian city of Aleppo Getty In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russian defense ministry spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov speaks to the media in Moscow, Russia. Konashenkov strongly warned the United States against striking Syrian government forces and issued a thinly-veiled threat to use Russian air defense assets to protect them AP In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Syrians wait to receive treatment at a hospital following Russian air strikes on the rebel-held Fardous neighbourhood of the northern embattled Syrian city of Alepp Getty In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov speaks at a briefing in the Defense Ministry in Moscow, Russia. Antonov said the Russian air strikes in Syria have killed about 35,000 militants, including about 2,700 residents of Russia AP In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Jameel Mustafa Habboush, receives oxygen from civil defence volunteers, known as the white helmets, as they rescue him from under the rubble of a building following Russian air strikes on the rebel-held Fardous neighbourhood of the northern embattled Syrian city of Aleppo Getty In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Civil defence members rest amidst rubble in a site hit by what activists said were airstrikes carried out by the Russian air force in the town of Douma, eastern Ghouta in Damascus, Syria Reuters In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria A girl carrying a baby inspects damage in a site hit by what activists said were airstrikes carried out by the Russian air force in the town of Douma, eastern Ghouta in Damascus, Syria Reuters In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Civilians and civil defence members look for survivors at a site damaged after Russian air strikes on the Syrian rebel-held city of Idlib, Syria Reuters In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Civilians and civil defence members carry an injured woman on a stretcher at a site damaged after Russian air strikes on the Syrian rebel-held city of Idlib, Syria Reuters In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Volunteers from Syria Civil Defence, also known as the White Helmets, help civilians after Russia carried out its first airstrikes in Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria The aftermath of Russian airstrike in Talbiseh, Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Smoke billows from buildings in Talbiseh, in Homs province, western Syria, after airstrikes by Russian warplanes AP In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russian Air Forces carry out an air strike in the ISIS controlled Al-Raqqah Governorate. Russia's KAB-500s bombs completely destroy the Liwa al-Haqq command unit In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Caspian Flotilla of the Russian Navy firing Kalibr cruise missiles against remote Isis targets in Syria A TASS/ITAR-TASS Photo/Corbis In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russia claimed it hit eight Isis targets, including a "terrorist HQ and co-ordination centre" that was completely destroyed In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria A video grab taken from the footage made available on the Russian Defence Ministry's official website, purporting to show an airstrike in Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria A release from the Russian defence ministry purportedly showing targets in Syria being hit In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russia launched air strikes in war-torn Syria, its first military engagement outside the former Soviet Union since the occupation of Afghanistan in 1979. Russian warplanes carried out strikes in three Syrian provinces along with regime aircraft as Putin seeks to steal US President Barack Obama's thunder by pushing a rival plan to defeat Isis militants in Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Caspian Flotilla of the Russian Navy firing Kalibr cruise missiles against remote Isis targets in Syria, a thousand kilometres away. The targets include ammunition factories, ammunition and fuel depots, command centres, and training camps A TASS/ITAR-TASS Photo/Corbis

Before joining Nato in 1949, Norway allayed Russian fears by undertaking not to open its territory to foreign combat troops so long as Norway was not attacked or threatened with attack.

This pledge was later amended to allow foreign troops to conduct manoeuvres in Norway.

"The policy of non-stationing [of foreign troops], which even withstood the test of the Cold War, has always been an advantage for Norway as a partner over other Nato countries," said Mr Gourov.

In July, Nato announced it would deploy, also on a rotational basis, four multinational battalions to Poland and to Baltic states to deter any Russian incursion.

AFP
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Nine people have been hospitalised after the stairs collapsed at a House of Horrors attraction at Ireland's Tayto Park.

Police were called to the accident around 8pm on Saturday night as the County Meath park held a Halloween-themed event.

It is understood the stairs gave way inside the attraction.

There were no details of the injuries sustained, but the park said those caught up in the accident were taken to hospital "as a precautionary measure".

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 31 October 2022 GBs James Hall competes during the mens parallel bars qualification at the World Gymnastics Championships in Liverpool AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 October 2022 People dressed in Halloween costumes paddle board along the river Avon in Christchurch, Dorset PA UK news in pictures 29 October 2022 Members of the public take pictures as police officers remove activists from a road during a Just Stop Oil protest, in London Reuters 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 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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. 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In a statement, the park said: "Last night at approximately 8pm the lower portion of a permanent staircase leading to The House of Horrors gave way.

"The Tayto Park emergency plan was immediately put in place and the emergency services attended the scene.

"Nine people were transported to hospitals in the city as a precautionary measure to assess their injuries."

The Health and Safety Authority has launched an investigation.

"The management of Tayto Park will co-operate fully with the investigation as the safety of our guests is paramount," the statement added.

The park opened as normal at 10am on Sunday.

Tayto Park is themed on the famous Irish crisp brand Tayto, and is the only one of its kind in Ireland. It opened in 2010.
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There are more than 60,000 refugees and migrants in Greece  thousands are children, including about 2,000 who are entirely on their own  many under the age of eight. More than half of these unaccompanied minors  1,200 in all  are staying on the islands of the eastern Aegean.

So it could be presumed that running a school for these children with a team of just 20 volunteers is near impossible. However, Nicholas Millet, a British volunteer who founded the school, that has been operating on the island of Chios since May, insists it is all worth it to bring a stitch of normality back to childrens lives. Were not here to replace mainstream school, Nicholas told AFP. We provide an academic curriculum but for us, this is about children feeling like children again.

The school operates out of a converted restaurant in the islands capital, running classes for ages six to 16, and promotes acceptance of other national backgrounds, hygeine, cooking and even going to the supermarket as well as the curriculum. Unicef recently estimated that refugee children in the region had missed about 20 months of school on average, meaning the Swiss NGO's work could never be more vital.

However, project organisers are clear that their lessons cannot be seen as a substitute for a formal education. Following the success of their documentary (released in January, titled Be Aware and Share), the project is already reaping important rewards for both the children and their community. Were trying to provide structured activities for children, so they can see the basics of what it would be like if they went to a school. Were not trying to be a school.

Its been amazing for the parents, Millet told The Independent. Many of them have been sitting here for months, watching their children doing nothing, every day. And for many of them, their children are the reason they left their home in the first place. Maybe some of them were starting to feel like theyd failed in their duty to their children. On a recent visit one of the islands deputy mayors called the school the most positive thing thats happened on this island in months, while a visiting delegation from the European Commission was similarly impressed.

Theyre engaged, theyre very engaged, says Millet, and we get new kids joining, older kids who didnt come before.

They have clearly shown signs of progression. In terms of their English language, the way they behave, theyre developing at a very quick rate. In the mornings, theyre always so excited. Theyre queuing up and waiting for us before we even get there. And you can walk around the camps later on and see them doing their homework.

For the Swiss NGO Be Aware and Share (BAAS), which runs the school, the real aim is to see these children in a position to enter mainstream school in Greece. Millet told The Independent in June that he hoped the children would be able to enter into education in September. These kids have a right to a normal education, they shouldnt be neglected. Its something that, eventually, the state is going to have to take responsibility for.

Inside the classroom with Chios's child refugees Show all 13 1 /13 Inside the classroom with Chios's child refugees Inside the classroom with Chios's child refugees Inside the classroom with Chios's child refugees Volunteers walk a group of refugee children towards their school on the island of Chios AFP/Getty Inside the classroom with Chios's child refugees Inside the classroom with Chios's child refugees Refugee children pose at a makeshift camp on the island of Chios AFP/Getty Inside the classroom with Chios's child refugees Inside the classroom with Chios's child refugees A Syrian Kurd mother combs Roza's hair, as she prepares to go to a volunteer-run school in a refugee camp on the island of Chios AFP/Getty Inside the classroom with Chios's child refugees Inside the classroom with Chios's child refugees Refugee children attend an English language class at the volunteer run school on the island of Chios AFP/Getty Inside the classroom with Chios's child refugees Inside the classroom with Chios's child refugees Refugee children carry vegetables in a refugee camp on the island of Chios AFP/Getty Inside the classroom with Chios's child refugees Inside the classroom with Chios's child refugees A newly arrived Syrian refugee, 13, holds her sister, 2, in a makeshift camp on the island of Chios AFP/Getty Inside the classroom with Chios's child refugees Inside the classroom with Chios's child refugees Refugee children pretend they go to school as they play in a refugee camp in the island AFP/Getty Inside the classroom with Chios's child refugees Inside the classroom with Chios's child refugees A Greek girl walks past a graffiti on her way to a school on the island of Chios AFP/Getty Inside the classroom with Chios's child refugees Inside the classroom with Chios's child refugees A Malian refugee child poses from behind a fence in a makeshift camp AFP/Getty Inside the classroom with Chios's child refugees Inside the classroom with Chios's child refugees A Syrian Kurd mother combs Roza's hair, as she prepares to go to a volunteer-run school in a refugee camp on the island of Chios AFP/Getty Inside the classroom with Chios's child refugees Inside the classroom with Chios's child refugees A Syrian family from Aleppo newly arrived to Greece sits in a makeshift camp on the island of Chios AFP/Getty Inside the classroom with Chios's child refugees Inside the classroom with Chios's child refugees A child carries a broken blackgammon game in a makeshift camp on the island of Chios AFP/Getty Inside the classroom with Chios's child refugees Inside the classroom with Chios's child refugees A child holds onto her mother, Djeneba from Mali, before attending school in a refugee camp on the island of Chios AFP/Getty

On the mainland, the Greek Education Ministry last week began after-hours classes for some 1,500 refugee children in 20 schools in the country. However, there remains no classes on offer at schools on the islands, where large populations of refugees are living in camps.

The Education Ministry insists the reason for this is the short-term stay of many children on the islands  whose parents have applied for asylum and are waiting to be relocated, and on hold as their transfer could be imminent.

However, this has been met with protest from local people. Despite assurances by state officials that no child will be allowed to join the programme without vaccination, objections have also been raised at a few other schools on the mainland. Last week, police had to escort refugee children into a school in Oraiokastro near Thessaloniki because about 40 Greek parents were protesting outside.

The Education Ministry has said more than 10,000 refugee children will enter Greek schools on the mainland by the end of October.
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The battle for control of the divided Syrian city of Aleppo has intensified as fierce fighting broke out following the end of a Russian-proposed ceasefire.

Moscow-backed Syrian regime air strikes, ground offensives and shelling resumed on the front line between east and west Aleppo on Sunday morning after the three-day truce expired, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) and activists in the opposition-held part of the city reported.

Fighting between the Syrian army and rebels occurred in east Aleppos Hamdaniya and Sheik Sayeed districts, and at least three people were injured by shelling, SOHR said.

The humanitarian pause during daylight hours announced by the Russian military on Tuesday was designed to allow medical evacuations as well as an opportunity for civilians and rebels who wished to leave the besieged area for neighbouring opposition-held Idlib province.

However, by the end of the 72 hours, the UN had not managed to evacuate any wounded civilians, citing a lack of security guarantees from both sides.

Very few civilians crossed over into west Aleppo, either through fear of what awaited them on the other side, or because of opposition attempts to stop any of the 250,000 strong population from leaving. News cameras at one of the eight corridors through the siege barricades showed rebel mortar fire hitting the checkpoint.

East Aleppos supply lines were cut when government forces managed to encircle the area in July, minus a brief breakthrough by rebels in August. Food, fuel and medical supplies are now running dangerously low.

Medical and other civilian infrastructure has been severely affected by the last month of bombing, some of the most intense of the six-year-old conflict, which began after Syrian President Bashar al-Assad announced a campaign to retake neighbourhoods which have been in rebel hands since 2012.

 Video shows amazing rescue of child as shelling resumes in Aleppo

At least 500 people have died and 2,000 wounded in the offensive, which several governments and international bodies have labelled a war crime. Moscow and Damascus maintain that strikes do not target civilian buildings, and say rebels manipulate the besieged population as human shields.

Russia will be amplifying its air attacks on east Aleppo in the next two weeks, Nato intelligence believes: eight Russian warships and the countrys only aircraft carrier left Murmansk en route to Syrias Mediterranean coastline on Wednesday.

Victory in Aleppo would be a significant boost for the Syrian regime, removing the last rebels from Syrias urban centres.

Russia began lending its Damascus ally military support in September 2015. Retaking Aleppo would bolster Mr Assad enough to allow Moscow to start withdrawing its forces from the country, analysts believe.
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Iraq's parliament has voted to ban the sale, import and production of alcohol in a surprise move. Proponents of the ban argue the ban is justified by the constitution, which prohibits any law contradicting Islam.

Opponents say it violates the same constitution which guarantees the traditions of religious minorities such as Christians and have vowed to appeal against the decision.

Those violating the law will be fined between 10 million and 25 million dinars (roughly 7,000 to 17,500).

 Dramatic footage shows Elite Iraq forces battle on road to Bartella in fight for Mosul

According to an MP and a parliament official, the ban was a last-minute addition to a draft law on municipalities.

The law was also passed by MPs in Baghdad as all eyes were on the north of the country, where forces involved in Iraq's biggest military operation in years are battling Isis and moving to retake the city of Mosul.

Alcohol is rarely offered in restaurants and hotels in Iraq, but consumption is relatively widespread, especially in Baghdad where scores of small shops selling alcoholic beverages can be found.

"This article of the law goes against the constitution, which guarantees the freedoms of minorities," Yonadam Kanna, a veteran Christian MP, told AFP on Saturday.

Article 2 of the constitution says it "guarantees the Islamic identity of the majority of the Iraqi people and guarantees the full religious rights of all individuals to freedom of religious belief and practice" such as Christians, Yazidis and Sabeans.

Ammar Toma, an MP who voted in support of the ban, argued that it was the constitution that made it illegal to sell, produce or import alcoholic drinks. "The constitution says you cannot approve a law that goes against Islam," he told AFP, referring to an article stating that "no law that contradicts the established provisions of Islam may be established."

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

Mr Kanna and Mr Toma also differed on the impact of a ban.

"This law will put people out of jobs, drug consumption will rise, the economy will be affected," said Mr Kanna.

Observers say drug abuse has been on the rise in Iraq recently, especially in the southern city of Basra, where trafficking with neighbouring Iran is soaring and where alcohol is only found on the black market.

Mr Toma, a Shiite MP from the Fadhila party, rejected Mr Kanna's assessment and said "the effects of alcohol on society are great, and include depravation, terrorism and social problems."

"As the for the people who will lose their jobs, new jobs can be found for them," he said, without elaborating.

Additional reporting by AFP
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Gangs of Isis fighters have attacked a town in Iraqs western Anbar province, in a diversion effort to distract Iraqi coalition forces from the rapid gains being made on the Isis-controlled city of Mosul.

Local security forces said around 30 members of Isis launched a surprise attack on the town on three different fronts in the early hours of Sunday, using car suicide bombs and mortar fire.

Calling for urgent back up, one military official said the militants had come from Syria as a counterattack in the struggle for control of Mosul, Iraqs second largest city, which Isis has occupied since 2014.

Iraqi state television said the fighting had led to at least 10 police deaths.

Isis launched a similar strategy in the town of Kirkuk on Friday, about 60 miles (100 kilometres) away from Mosul, killing workers at a power plant in a suicide mission and attempting to storm a government compound in the town centre.

Local media reported there were still bursts of fighting on Saturday, contradicting government claims that the 80 or so militants who launched the attack had been driven out or killed.

The long-anticipated US-backed offensive to retake Mosul from Isis hands began on Monday. Coalition forces made up of Kurdish peshmerga fighters and Iraqi government troops have made significant gains to the south and east of the city, retaking almost 50 villages on the Nineveh plain that surrounds it.

Progress has been hampered by fierce resistance from Isis, including car suicide bomb attack and landmines, as well as fires lit at a sulphur plant near Qurayyah which has sent toxic fumes into the atmosphere.

Iraqi forces wear protective masks to protect themselves from sulphur fumes from a plant set on fire by retreating Isis fighters near Mosul, Iraq, 22 October 2016. (Reuters)

Within Mosul itself, aid agencies are worried for the welfare of the citys estimated 1.5million inhabitants, whom they say are at risk of being caught in crossfire and used as human shields by the 4,000 or so Isis fighters embedded in the city.

Isis has also stepped up suicide bombings in Baghdad and neighbouring towns in recent weeks, retaliatory moves designed to show that the group is still capable of inflicting death and destruction even in areas where it does not hold territory.

A string of military defeats in the past few months has seen Isis territory across Iraq and Syria shrink by one third.

Losing control of Mosul will spell the end of the group as a land-occupying force in Iraq.

While the caliphate may be crumbling, security analysts warn that Isis particular brand of extremist ideology is likely to evolve into an insurgency movement across several different regions as foreign fighters attempt to return to their countries of origin.
The US-led coalition on Sunday denied carrying out an air strike that killed 15 women at a Shia place of worship in northern Iraq this week.

Russia pointed an accusatory finger at the coalition a day after Friday's incident, in which local officials said women at a shrine in the town of Daquq were killed by an air strike.

The coalition "has determined definitively that we did not conduct the airstrike w/reported civilian casualties in Daquq," spokesman Colonel John Dorrian said on social media.

The local council chief and medics in Daquq, which lies south of Kirkuk and about 200 kilometres (120 miles) north of Baghdad, said the deadly incident was caused by an air raid.

If the coalition did not carry it out, the other aircraft most likely to have operated in the area are from the Iraqi air force or army aviation.

Neither have made any comment yet but the office of Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said it ordered an investigation into the incident.

"The results will be announced as soon as it is completed," a statement said.

Turkish jets have also routinely conducted air strikes in Iraq but they usually target Kurdish rebel positions in areas far removed from Daquq.

Recent incidents and discoveries in workshops used by the Islamic State group suggest the jihadists have been trying to develop weaponised drones.

The Conflict Armament Research group said it had documented earlier this year a drone manufactured by IS forces and used in the Daquq area but described it as "too light to carry explosives or other weapons".

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Opium production in Afghanistan soared 43 per cent during 2016 in a "worrying reversal in efforts" to combat the country's heroin industry, according to new UN data.

Afghanisatan  the world's largest supplier of heroin  is estimated to have produced 4,800 tonnes of opium during 2016, due to bumper a poppy plant harvest and a dramatic decline in eradication efforts.

It has been suggested the rise may demonstrate how the Taliban insurgency has gained ground, after many Nato-trained forces in the region were injured or deserted.

"The survey shows a worrying reversal in efforts to combat the persistent problem of illicit drugs and their impact on development, health and security," UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Executive Director Yury Fedotov said in a statement.

Growing opium is a crime in the country but the crops provide cash to impoverished farmers in the region.

The Taliban taxes production in areas under its control and the drug funds many of its military efforts.

Better farming conditions in 2016 meant that the yield per hectare rose over the year and increased overall production. But the area used to farm poppy plants also expanded by ten per cent to more than 200,000 hectares, meaning that opium cultivation was at its third-highest level since records began in 1994.

This follows a 91 per cent decrease in the amount of land rid of poppy crops  during 2016, only 355 hectares were purged of opium. One of the major reasons cited by the report was concerns for the safety of eradication teams, which have been killed before while working.

Provinces with the highest levels of opium production, mostly concentrated in the South, were also the most dangerous so eradication teams avoided those areas. Hilmand remains the countrys major opium poppy cultivating province, according to the report, with 80,273 hectares of land devoted to the crops.

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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. 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Yet the increase in the production was mostly seen northern Afghanistan. One region in the North, Jawzjan, lost the poppy-free status it gained in 2008, demonstrating the reversal process.

Taliban successes on the battlefield have exposed the defensive limits of Afghanistan's armed forces, trained by Nato, which are supposed to number 350,000 personnel but which have been heavily depleted by casualties and desertion.
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The Yemen war uniquely combines tragedy, hypocrisy and farce. First come the casualties: around 10,000, almost 4,000 of them civilians. Then come those anonymous British and American advisers who seem quite content to go on helping the Saudi onslaughts on funerals, markets and other obviously (to the Brits, I suppose) military targets.

Then come the Saudi costs: more than $250m (200m) a month, according to Standard Chartered Bank  and this for a country that cannot pay its debts to construction companies. But now comes the dark comedy bit: the Saudis have included in their bombing targets cows, farms and sorghum  which can be used for bread or animal fodder  as well as numerous agricultural facilities.

In fact, there is substantial evidence emerging that the Saudis and their coalition allies  and, I suppose, those horrid British advisers  are deliberately targeting Yemens tiny agricultural sector in a campaign which, if successful, would lead a post-war Yemeni nation not just into starvation but total reliance on food imports for survival. Much of this would no doubt come from the Gulf states which are currently bombing the poor country to bits.

The fact that Yemen has long been part of Saudi Arabias proxy war against Shiites and especially Iran  which has been accused, without evidence, of furnishing weapons to the Shia Houthi in Yemen  is now meekly accepted as part of the Middle Easts current sectarian narrative (like the good rebels in eastern Aleppo and the very bad rebels in Mosul). So, alas, have the outrageous bombings of civilians. But agricultural targets are something altogether different.

Academics have been amassing data from Yemen which strongly suggests that the Saudis Yemen campaign contains a programme for the destruction of rural livelihood.

Martha Mundy, emeritus professor at the London School of Economics, who is currently working in Lebanon with her colleague Cynthia Gharios, has been researching through Yemeni agriculture ministry statistics and says that the data is beginning to show that in some regions, the Saudis are deliberately striking at agricultural infrastructure in order to destroy the civil society.

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

Mundy points out that a conservative report from the ministry of agriculture and irrigation in the Yemeni capital Sanaa, gathered from its officers across the country, details 357 bombing targets in the countrys 20 provinces, including farms, animals, water infrastructure, food stores, agricultural banks, markets and food trucks.

These include the destruction of farms in Yasnim, the Baqim district of Saadah province and in Marran. Mundy has compared these attacks with figures in the Yemen Data Project, which was published some weeks ago. Her verdict is a most unhappy one.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation, 2.8 per cent of Yemens land is cultivated, Mundy says. To hit that small amount of agricultural land, you have to target it. Saudi Arabia has already been accused of war crimes, but striking at the agriculture fields and food products of Yemen in so crude a way adds merely another grim broken promise by the Saudis.

The kingdom signed up to the additional protocol of the August 1949 Geneva Conventions which specifically states that it is prohibited to attack, destroy, remove or render useless objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population, such as foodstuffs, agricultural areas for the production of foodstuffs, crops, livestockfor the specific purpose of denying them for their sustenance value to the civilian populationwhatever the motive

Recommended Read more Saudi Arabia cannot throw every decent person who speaks out into jail

In a lecture in Beirut, Mundy has outlined the grievous consequences of earlier economic policies in Yemen  cheap American wheat from the 1970s and the influx of food from other countries which discouraged farmers from maintaining rural life (terracing of farms, for example, or water husbandry)  and the effect of Saudi Arabias war on the land. The armies and above all air forces of the oil-dollar, she said, have come to destroy physically those products of Yemeni labour working with land and animals that survived the earlier economic devastation.

There are photographs aplenty of destroyed farms, factories and dead animals lying in fields strewn with munitions  effectively preventing farmers returning to work for many months or years. Poultry and beehive farms have been destroyed.

Even today, more than half the population of Yemen relies in part  or wholly  on agriculture and rural husbandry. Mundys research through the files of other ministries suggests that technical support administration buildings for agriculture were also attacked. The major Tihama Development Authority on the Red Sea coastal plain, which was established in the 1970s  and houses, as Mundy says, the written memory of years of development interventions  is responsible for a series of irrigation structures. It has been heavily bombed twice.

But I guess that one war  or two  in the Middle East is as much as the world can take right now. Or as much as the media are prepared to advertise. Aleppo and Mosul are quite enough. Yemen is too much. And Libya. And Palestine
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Bombing in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa by Saudi-led coalition airstrikes has resumed after a three-day ceasefire expired, security officials and residents in the city have said.

Pre-dawn raids hit several Houthi rebel military targets in east and south Sanaa, as well as the Houthi-controlled port city of Hodeida and the contested city of Taiz on Sunday. There was no immediate word on casualties.

Rebel-run television channel al-Masirah reported that Houthi rebels had launched a counterattack of artillery fire on government forces in Taiz.

Yemen descended into full-blown civil war between the Western and Saudi backed exiled government and Iranian allied Shiite Houthi rebels in March 2015, when Houthi fighters took control of the countrys capital.

Since then, more than 10,000 people have died, the UN says, more than three million people have been displaced, and the country is on the brink of famine thanks to the Saudi closure of Yemeni airspace and port blockades in the Gulf of Aden.

Saudi-led air strikes from March 2016 onwards have escalated the conflict and resulted in a sharp increase in civiilian deaths.

Western governments' sales of arms to the Kingdom have come under renewed scrutiny since a coalition bombing of a funeral hall earlier this month killed 140 civilians.

 Scores dead in blasts at funeral in Yemeni capital

Human Rights Watch and other monitors say Saudi Arabia's military targeting systems are not sophisticated enough to avoid unneccessary harm to civilians, calling the funeral hall attack a war crime.

This weeks ceasefire - agreed to increase the flow of aid deliveries to desparate areas - was marred by accusations from both sides of violations. Pleas to extend it by another 72 hours from the UNs special envoy to Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, appear to have failed as hostilities resumed.

Mr Ahmed is due to arrive in Sanaa later on Sunday to discuss a political resolution to the conflict with Houthi representatives.
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Why are we so obsessed with pitting women against one another?

The recent documentary that explored the world of Vogue, Absolutely Fashion, provided a keen insight into the relationship between US Vogue editor Anna Wintour and UK editor-in-chief, Alexandra Shulman.

When the dreaded name of Wintour was mentioned, it all got a bit dramatic, with long silences from Shulman and a long shot of Anna Wintour standing in the corner of an overly decorated room, looking out the window in her sunnies in the manner of a sniper ready to shoot a target on sight.

And now, Alexandra Shulman has divulged to The Times magazine that her rivalry with Anna is purely professional, adding that they both have ambitions for our magazines, and if were in competition about something, well fight our corner.

I mean, stop the press. Two editors who work for competing magazines (albeit under the same umbrella) arent going to agree on everything, and may be opposed to the other furthering their magazine to the detriment of the other?

Lets be honest, no one is shocked  this is how business works. They are working for rival magazines, with similar fan bases (US Vogue sees popularity in the UK, and vice versa) and they are both working in an ever declining print environment, where innovation equates to commercial survival. This happens at almost every publication  its called keeping your product viable and beating your competitors in an ever changing market.

 Anna Wintour on Late Night with Seth Meyers

So why do we put so much time and energy into psychoanalysing the relationship between Shulman and Wintour so closely? Lest we forget, in the Devil Wears Prada, a fantastic film based on the memoir of a former US Vogue assistant, the editor of Runway magazine Miranda Priestly was in fierce competition with a French counterpart  this depicted the real-life relationship between Carine Roitfeld and Wintour. It was rumoured that Roitfeld, the editor-in-chief of the seminal Vogue Paris, was after Wintours job  and Wintour fought tooth and nail to keep her position. Roitfeld has since left Conde Nast to start her own magazine, CR Fashion Book.

Miranda Priestly was not a likeable character  and nor was she meant to be. We were meant to love the slightly dopey assistant Andy as the heroine, with Priestly coming off as the Wicked Witch of the West.

(In my opinion, Andy was a layabout who didnt understand that you actually have to work if you want to keep your job, but that could take up an entire comment piece alone).

However, thousands of men who work in big business act in this manner every single day  they undercut one another, and are in longstanding rivalries to be the best. A quick glance at Donald Trump proves that point. The obsession with Wintour, Shulman and Roitfeld comes down to their gender, ingrained societal perceptions about how women should conduct themselves  and the nature of the fashion industry.

Vogue 95th anniversary party Show all 20 1 /20 Vogue 95th anniversary party Vogue 95th anniversary party Hailey Baldwin in Balmain Vogue 95th anniversary party Lily Aldridge in Alexandre Vauthier Vogue 95th anniversary party Zendaya in Katherine Mavridis Vogue 95th anniversary party Suki Waterhouse in Temperley Vogue 95th anniversary party Stella Maxwell and Barbara Palvin in Ralph and Russo couture Vogue 95th anniversary party Zoe Kravitz in Balenciaga Vogue 95th anniversary party Alexa Chung in Valentino Vogue 95th anniversary party Bella Hadid in Balmain Vogue 95th anniversary party Izabel Goulart in Alexandre Vauthier Vogue 95th anniversary party Isabeli Fontana in Mugler Vogue 95th anniversary party Rihanna in Dior Vogue 95th anniversary party Constance Jablonski in Calvin Klein Vogue 95th anniversary party Doutzen Kroes in Calvin Klein Vogue 95th anniversary party Lindsey Wixon in Ulyana Sergeenko Vogue 95th anniversary party Kris Jenner and Kanye West Vogue 95th anniversary party Anna Cleveland Vogue 95th anniversary party Nastasha Poly in Francesco Scognamiglio Vogue 95th anniversary party Lily Donaldson in Saint Laurent Vogue 95th anniversary party Gigi Hadid in Versace Vogue 95th anniversary party Kendall Jenner in Ulyana Sergeenko

The industry, considered as very feminine, fluffy and rather stupid by many (Absolutely Fashion debunked this myth, with many of the girls in the office receiving Oxford educations) has contributed to the obsession with the womens relationships. How could they be so cutting in such a silly industry? Its not exactly breaking news, or politics. Why does it even matter?

Women have been sidelined in mainstream industries for decades (banking, politics, big business); fashion is our arena  and with no testosterone-fuelled boss in a suave suit and a sense of entitlement to be there, women can excel, and the glass ceiling is practically non-existent.

All we are seeing from Wintour and Shulman is sheer talent. They are absolute titans in their field, and should be celebrated in the same manner as any man who has excelled in business or journalism (Richard Branson, Ian Hislop, Michael Bloomberg, Rupert Murdoch  they are hitting the same timespans).

But, instead, we simply view them as bitchy women who cannot get along, as opposed to people who we can look up to as successful, determined and possessing of business stamina. Which is a shame for aspiring women around the world.
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It is a good thing that Theresa Mays Conservative government is introducing an Alan Turing Law to pardon gay men convicted of historical victimless sexual crimes  that is what I wrote for The Independent last month. No one should be criminalised for being gay. At the start of the century, I was still policing these sex crimes as a police officer until they were repealed by the Labour government.

Last night, I became aware of outrage on social media about the Tories going back on their word in a House of Commons debate led by the Sam Gyimah, the justice minister. Friends messaged me to share their anger and disappointment. My own initial feelings were of fury at the dishonesty and betrayal, and that the Tories truly are the nasty party. That was until I looked into what was actually said in the Commons, which was not as I had been led to believe. But thats the problem with misinformation generally, its already done the rounds before the truth has had chance to catch up.

 Chris Bryant makes an emotional plea for further action in pardoning gay men

Dont get me wrong, Im no fan of the Conservatives, but lets not be disingenuous. Last night was simply about party politics, and not so much about Alan Turing or gay men generally. The Government is not abandoning its Turing Law, it has simply scuppered a Scottish National Party Bill for a similar one. Why were shocked that the sitting Tory Government wants to introduce a law in its own way, on its own terms, despite what it may have promised the SNP in the past, I dont know.

In Parliament, Gyimah confirmed the fulfilment of a Tory manifesto pledge to pardon thousands of men convicted under historical anti-gay laws, provided they are legal today. What theyre not doing is supporting the SNP, but the Liberal Democrats proposal to amend the Policing and Crimes Bill. It is the Tories pulling the rug from under the Nationalists that has angered people mostly, and not the minutiae of the law itself. Im more concerned that the Governments proposal will automatically expunge the convictions only of those dead and not of the living.

Many gay men already feel shame about their sexuality  now they will be expected to ask to have historical sex crimes such as gross indecency recorded against them to be removed. Not everyone will have the confidence to do this. But I can see where the Government has to strike a balance. It was argued the SNP MP John Nicolsons Bill would have wiped clean all historical sex crimes, whereas the Government said it wanted to ensure that offences that are still on the statute book today are not pardoned  such as those committed against children.

The SNP might not have got his way in the Commons last night, and it is refusing to withdraw its Bill, but lets give the Government the chance to correct the wrongs with what it is pushing forward. To say the Bill for the Second World War codebreaker has failed is just untrue. I have no doubt Gyimah deliberately talked for so long, so that the SNPs proposal couldnt be debated. But to read racist comments about the Tory MP by gay people is laughable. On one hand we as LGBT are demanding equality and justice, while discriminating on the other. As a black man, Gyimah has consistently voted for equal gay rights, including marriage, since he joined Parliament.

The Government, whether we like it or not, can go with whatever plan it chooses to pardon gay men for historical offences. Im surprised they are following through.
Leader of Fianna Fail Micheal Martin said Ireland must become less dependent on business with the UK in the post-Brexit era

Ireland must widen its trading horizons to become less dependent on business with the UK in the post-Brexit era, Micheal Martin has said.

The Fianna Fail leader said there was also a need for immediate support for those hit hardest by the dramatic fall in the value of sterling, namely Irish exporters and those living in border communities, while the EU had to "allow and to support direct aid" to help the Irish economy weather the impact of the UK exit.

Delivering his party's annual commemorative address at the burial site of Irish republican Wolfe Tone, Mr Martin was withering in his assessment of the UK government's handling of the Brexit situation, describing it as "little short of shambolic".

"None of the people who argued for Brexit prepared plans for actually achieving the result - other than the arrogant belief that the world, including Europe, would rush to trade with Britain," he said in the speech at Bodenstown, Co Kildare.

"The cabinet ministers responsible for Brexit have been cavalier and grossly unprofessional. They have been making it up as they go along, and after four months have yet to say what they are looking for other than to keep all the good bits, dump everything they don't like, make their own rules and pay for nothing."

Mr Martin claimed the London government's attitude to the majority Remain votes in Northern Ireland and Scotland had been "at best dismissive".

"The cost of Brexit will show itself over time and will push Britain to the margins of international affairs," he said.

"Whatever the economic impact is on Britain, and I have no doubt it will be highly negative and long-term, for Ireland there is now no doubt that we face a deep and rising threat.

"Brexit is already hurting. The fall of sterling to its lowest ever trade-weighted level is undermining Irish exporters and already costing jobs. Communities on the border are hurting and are looking ahead to an uncertain future - which is the very thing which undermines investment and employment.

"Ireland has to push for actions which can soften the potential short and medium-term destruction which Brexit may involve. We can't wait for another two and a half years before businesses and communities receive support to either replace lost markets or to be competitive in spite of the massive fall in sterling.

"What we also need is to understand that this is a decision which will affect us permanently. It challenges our core economic strategies and demands medium and long-term policies."

The leader of the Dail's main opposition party said: "If Ireland is to prosper and deliver a decent standard of living for all of its people it must be open to the world, it must trade. In these circumstance where a major market has decided to leave the security of the European Union and is facing long-term currency volatility we have to respond. It would be naive and foolish of us to think that we will be able to simply just carry on.

"There is no doubt that we have to work much harder to diversify our markets and reduce our reliance on trade with Britain. Crucially we have to seek ways of dramatically increasing skills levels and innovation levels. It is in industries where ideas and skills are central that we can compete and win no matter what is happening in the British economy."

Mr Martin said the Irish Republic had to stand by the people of Northern Ireland and also not be afraid to support Scottish demands to remain in the EU.

"Ireland will stand by the European Union," he said.

"We will be true to the great ideal of working together for shared prosperity and peace. We need Europe to stand by us. We need the Union to allow and to support direct aid to stop us from suffering serious damage from Britain's decision to take its own route."

On domestic political issues, Mr Martin defended his confidence and supply arrangement with the Fine Gael minority government, claiming Fianna Fail's "constructive" stance had stopped the implementation of "damaging" policies.

He claimed Taoiseach Enda Kenny's government was "drifting", accusing it of failures in key areas, including hospital waiting lists, education and job security.

"In area after area it is failing to tackle problems with the urgency or ambition which they need," he said.

"This has nothing to do with them being in the minority. Ministers have absolute freedom to use the immense resources available to them to set out concrete strategies for the future. Instead they are constantly reactive and failing to engage with the issues."
A teenage boy has died after a suspected hit-and-run incident in north Dublin.

A man was later arrested in connection with the fatal collision on the R139 at Coolock.

The boy, aged in his early teens, was struck by a car at around 9.35pm on Saturday.

He was taken to the Children's University Hospital at Temple Street where he was later pronounced dead.

Gardai said the car involved in the collision failed to stop or remain at the scene.

A Garda spokesman said it was located and seized a short time later, close to where the collision happened.

A man, aged in his mid-20s, was later arrested in connection with the investigation.

He has been detained at Finglas Garda Station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.

The R139 was closed to facilitate a forensic examination but has since reopened.

Gardai are appealing for witnesses and anyone with information to contact them.
With demand for organic dairy products seeing continued growth, production is struggling to keep up. New Zealand has had a huge surge in farmers converting to organic production, while European and US farmers lag behind.

Earlier this year I featured John McHugh, who converted to organic farming in January. Catching up with him at his recent IOFGA Dairy Field Talk event, he outlines how his first year in organics has played out.

Farming in Clondarrig, just outside of Portlaoise, John has been farming full-time since 2001. In his first year, the 35-year-old has not only embraced organic production principles wholeheartedly, but has gone a step further and really changed how he is growing feed on his farm, by re-seeding 25pc of the land with herbal leys.

Herbal ley seed costs an average 100/ac and John is enthusiastic about the cost benefits.

Why convert to organic?

"The main reason for doing this is soil health," he says. "Growing different plants together works well in grassland, creating synergies to increase mineral content of the feed and biological activity in the soil. The end result is improved herd health.

"To fully embrace the concept of organic farming I want to move to a system whereby the health of the cow is the ultimate driver of productivity on the farm. To accomplish this the quality of the feed has to be a top priority. There's lots of research to suggest that herbal leys improve herd health and that is why I opted for this system."

Herbal leys

Herbal leys include plants such as chicory, ribgrass, yarrow, sweet clover, sainfoin, and bridsfoot trefoil, all of which have medicinal properties and optimise nutrients often not available solely from grass.

The farm certainly looked top class with healthy looking animals and herb incorporated grassland.

John remains positive about the role it will play in soil fertility and animal health.

"This is new territory for me," he admits. "I have no doubt I will need to tweak and change my system as the farm evolves but for now this approach makes sense and my aim is to grow the best feed that I can."

John has also conducted an Albrecht soil test on one third of the farm to get an accurate picture of nutrient availability.

Combining grass measurement with silage and compost analysis should give him a coherent picture of system performance.

Herd health

For many farmers looking to convert to organics, herd health management remains a key concern.

John had some issues this year with milk fever and hoose. However, there were no losses from these and he feels it is important to allow the animals to build up a natural immunity.

He used to vaccinate for IBR and leptospirosis but this year decided to withhold that. John feels that "stress in a herd plays a major part in diseases and I am trying to minimise stress in this new system.

"To reduce the parasite burden I am experimenting with what is called 'mob grazing', whereby you essentially graze higher covers of grass with a high density group of animals for a short duration, and allow them to trample a portion of the grass into the soil as a mulch which apparently improves soil quality and carbon storage while increasing productivity."

The cell count was high on the farm last year and has remained so this year. John is keen to move away from the use of any antibiotics and therefore is looking at homeopathic options but may have to cull some cows at the end of the year.

Right option for him

While still early days, John is happy with his decision to farm organically. "A lot of research is needed on how to maximise productivity on organic farms but I believe if you balance the soil with productivity demands, you are on the right track," he says.

"In conventional dairying, input costs continue to rise while prices for farmers do not. In New Zealand some have labelled the dairy sector 'dirty dairy' - will that happen here?

"It is not a long-term sustainable farming system either environmentally or economically," he adds. "I was milking 160 cows and had a fertiliser bill in excess of 33k, now I am milking 106 cows, have reduced my bills and receive an Organic Farming Scheme payment.

"My yield is lower - last year average yield was 488kg milk solids on 300kg of meal, this year it should be 400kgMS on 70kg of meal, but I feel that my farm will become more productive in the longer term.

"The hidden costs of using chemical fertilisers with emissions and run-off are not counted, however it is something that we all pay for in other ways.

"I also think that in Ireland we need to put some real weight behind our green image and really produce clean natural food, that is why I have opted for organic farming," concludes John.

Grace Maher is development officer with the IOFGA, iofga.org
Pat O'Donaghue is blunt when it comes to the economics of farming in the west and is frank about the efforts of the present Government to address the financial and structural problems which farmers face in the region.

"It's not a question of making profits - it's a question of lessening your losses. Every day I go to work I make a loss. It's like putting money in a charity box every morning I open the gate. I know you'll say I am a complaining farmer but I can't see the gardai and teachers doing that every day they go into work," he says.

Pat (46) is milking 50 Jersey cows on his 100 acre home farm with 50 further acres rented in Ennistymon in Co Clare supplying milk for Kerry for 28c/l. To tackle his day to day farm losses this year he has reduced his herd from 60 and has temporarily reverted to once-a-day milking.

"Farming is costing the farmer money no matter what system is being used. When the creamery cheque arrives you get your head above water to take a gulp of air but you know the next day there will be a queue of people knocking at your door with bills," he explains.

For the moment he intends to keep to once-a-day milking system and will review the situation in the new year when he expects milk price to improve.

At the moment, all he sees are additional costs and while grateful for the lift in the weather in the Clare region over the past 10 days, he predicts there could be a shortage of fodder in the region over the winter unless the weather gods dispense an immediate good hand to his farming colleagues in the region.

"All I am hearing at the moment is the noise of slurry tankers in the fields in advance of this week's slurry deadline but the fodder problem, which is likely to occur, was caused by the weather throughout the year. The fields are drying at the moment but they are not dry," he explains.

"To give you an example of the fodder situation in the west, I met a farmer in Dingle recently who still has to take a second cut. He got 175 bales on his first cut and only has 45 bales left. He has made three attempts to start a second cut but so far has been unsuccessful. Time is running out for him now so he faces problems with fodder for his herd over the winter," Pat said.

Pat is married to Eilish, a school teacher in Lisdoonvarna and the couple have six young children - Roisin (16), Diarmuid (14), Ashling (12), Cathal (9), Padraig (6) and Niall (3) - all of whom help around the farm.

"The milk reading man will not come to the farm unless Diarmuid is here because Diarmuid knows every cow and knows what they are up to," Pat laughs.

Before taking over the family farm in the 90s Pat, in his own words "saw the world as a radio officer with the Dutch merchant fleet".

"Satellite communications were not as widespread then so radio officers were needed on trips to Africa and the southern hemisphere," he remembers.

So I ask what about the Budget and how the Government is helping in the agri-sector and back comes the answer with a precision of a radio officer sending out an urgent message while ploughing through the Straits of Madagascar.

"They could have restored the disadvantaged area payments they took off the farmers.

"That would have been worth over E1,000 to hard pressed farmers in the west," said Pat.

"And it seems to me that the recent European aid to subsidise farmer loans is just another subsidy for the banks. A farmer already under pressure with his loans is not going to get through the doors of the banks under this scheme."
Paul McGuinness, one of the bigger shareholders at Ardmore Studios in Wicklow, where Francis Ford Coppola shot his first feature film Picture: Collins

More than 800 people piled into Troy Studios in Limerick last week for a rare glimpse behind the scenes of the film industry. Among those promoting the new facility on the open day was Siun Ni Raghallaigh, who owns a 25pc stake in the new studios along with accountant Ossie Kilkenny.

She told local newspaper the Limerick Leader that Troy was now in "selling mode". A new website was launched to promote the city as a destination to the industry. The Castletroy facility has already partnered with Pinewood Studios, the global industry player most closely associated with the James Bond movies, and is expected to land some major productions in the coming years.

As Ni Raghallaigh was promoting the new venture, she was aware that significant changes were coming at her day job.

Ni Raghallaigh is chief executive of Ardmore Studios, which on Tuesday announced that it was putting itself up for sale. The majority shareholders in Ardmore Studios, Ossie Kilkenny and former U2 manager Paul McGuinness, along with Enterprise Ireland, decided that after 30 years it was time to move on from the studios.

New and improved Section 481 tax breaks for the sector designed to lure Hollywood blockbusters mean that exceptions for the industry are high. And under Ni Raghallaigh's management, Ardmore has delivered a strong performances in recent years.

New competition is also coming in the Irish studio market, as McGuinness knows all too well. Earlier, this year it emerged that McGuinness was less than pleased with the arrival of Troy on the scene and the involvement of Kilkenny and Ni Raghallaigh in the rival operation. McGuinness sought legal advice.

Sources said that while this may have been a difficult situation, McGuinness and Kilkenny would have been natural sellers of the business for some time. However, until recently Ardmore's financial performance meant that this was not a possibility. In 2012, the studio came near to closure when business dried up.

This is despite its long association with the international film industry. In 1963, Francis Ford Coppola shot his first film - the thriller Dementia 13 - in the Wicklow studios for a budget of 30,000. Disney's King Arthur was shot there in 2003, boasting a 100m budget and stars such as Keira Knightley and Orlando Bloom. And in the Noughties, it saw big budget dramas such as The Tudors and Camelot.

But the recession hit Ardmore hard - not helped by the success of Ballyhenry Studios in Ashford, Co Wicklow, which won a lucrative contract in 2012 for the big budget series The Vikings, which was produced by Morgan O'Sullivan for MGM.

Ardmore fought back and went on to win the hit TV series Penny Dreadful. Productions currently on site include The Professor and The Madman, and Into the Badlands.

The company said last week that a "healthy number of potential productions are in the pipeline for the coming months and year ahead". Most recent profits of 1.6m suggest a purchase price of around 15m, a multiple of close to 10 times Ebitda (the financial performance indicator) . The process is being handled by IBI Corporate Finance.

An obvious buyer would be Pinewood, which may see the benefits of having multiple locations in Ireland. It has in the past signalled its intention to expand.

A spokesman had no comment when contacted last week.

While the future looks bright for the Irish film sector, competition will only intensify. There are plans to expand the studios in Ashford, while James Morris of Windmill Lane Studio is spearheading an ambitious plan for new studios in Dublin.

For Ardmore, as for any good movie, timing is everything.
France's foreign minister urged the international community to "do everything" to end the "massacre" in the Syrian city of Aleppo on Sunday after fighting resumed following a 72-hour truce declared by Damascus ally Russia.

After arriving in the southeastern province of Gaziantep, Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said: "we're 150 km (93 miles) -- perhaps no further -- from Aleppo. And right now bombing, artillery continue to destroy this city and massacre the population."

For Syrian refugees to have the chance to return to their country, "we must do everything to stop this massacre" and resume negotiations to reach a political agreement.

"We cannot come to a negotiation under the bombs... The total war solution is not a solution," Ayrault added as the city was again hit by air strikes and heavy clashes overnight, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Ayrault said the urgency must be to stop the bombing and give access to humanitarian aid for the first time since July 7.

Outgoing UN chief Ban Ki-moon has said food rations will run out by the end of the month in Aleppo, where 500 people have been killed since the regime last month launched an operation to recapture eastern Aleppo.

Ayrault will visit a refugee camp in the region on Sunday and meet with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu in Ankara the following day.

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US real estate giant Hines is understood to be in the process of agreeing heads of terms to acquire the 'Grafton collection' - a multi-let block of retail buildings which includes the landmark Hickey's Pharmacy premises at the junction of Grafton Street and Duke Street - for a sum believed to be in excess of 55m.

Hines is understood to have fended off competition from a number of rival bidders, including Irish property fund IPUT, Irish Life and Deutsche Bank for the portfolio which was offered for sale by Savills last month for a guide price of 40m.

Assembled by the property developer and co-founder of the Cuisine de France bakery, Ronan McNamee, the overall portfolio is delivering a current annual rent roll of 1.95m.

Based on the 40m price which had been guided by Savills, the net initial yield would have been 4.62pc.

With Hines now gearing up to pay over 55m for the properties however, that yield is poised to be reduced to just over 3.2pc.

While a number of property industry sources expressed some surprise at the price, one agent said that the Grafton Street properties are "well-located" and that the yield would be very much in line with that currently being achieved by prime high street across Europe.

Hines has the financial capacity to outbid its potential rivals for this prize in the Dublin city centre market, having been given a 1.3bn mandate from Germany's largest pension group, Bayerische Versongnungskammer, earlier this year to locate prime European retail assets.
Origin Enterprises chief executive Tom O'Mahony saw his pay decline nearly 80pc last year, according to the company's newly released annual report.

O'Mahony's remuneration package came to 701,000 in the year ending July 31 last, down from 3.16m last year, the report says.

O'Mahony was paid no bonus last year, nor did he receive any compensation under Origin's long-term incentive plan (LTIP).

Kate Allum, chair of Origin's remuneration committee, said the 2016 financial year "had a number of challenges including a very difficult planning and operating environment for primary food producers, along with adverse and unseasonal weather conditions, which combined with weak farm sentiment, resulted in a highly challenging and competitive trading environment".

Earnings per share at the agri-services business declined from 60.1c to 44.5c in 2016.

"Based on these results, no bonuses were paid to executive directors in respect of the 2016 financial year," Allum said.

She added that no LTIP awards had vested in O'Mahony based on the 2016 financial performance.
Recent comments made by the Minister for Communications, Denis Naughten, that some form of State support for the Irish newspaper industry - possibly top-sliced from the TV licence fee - might be on the cards is likely to have been welcomed by newspaper groups throughout the country.

While the concept of State support for the newspaper industry may be new to Ireland, there is plenty of precedent in other European countries over the past 30 years. This is particularly true of the Nordic countries, where a mixture of direct and indirect supports for the industry have been deployed as a means of preserving plurality and diversity, as well as encouraging restructuring within the industry.

Unlike other sectors, however, the Irish newspaper industry - and indeed the wider media industry - has never worked to such grand plans as our European neighbours. Nor does it seem to have a collective vision of what could be a bold, brave and bright future.

Other sectors - such as software, IT and food and drink, for example - all have their own industry-led and State-supported masterplans. If ever there was a time for an industry-wide approach to tackling the many structural, financial and technological challenges that exist, that time is now.

But before the industry breathes a collective sigh of relief at the thought of Minister Naughten riding to its rescue, the reality is that he is about to open a Pandora's Box from which the many political, regulatory and financial complexities could, if allowed, overwhelm and stifle his best intentions.

Joining the newspaper groups in the queue outside his office will be the independent radio sector, which has been rightly banging its public service drum for a long time. The queue will also include broadcasters like TV3 and UTV - both of which have made legitimate claims for a cut of the TV licence fee in the past.

And it's entirely conceivable that somewhere at the back of the queue will be online-only publishers, some of which will claim that they are doing their bit to ensure media pluralism and diversity.

At the top of this very long queue is, of course, RTE - the biggest beneficiary of the licence fee. In 2015 its licence fee allocation amounted to 178.9m while at the same time it brought in 155m in commercial revenues. Even with this, RTE still turned in a loss of 2.8m in 2015 - and by all accounts this is likely to increase again to over 20m this year.

So where's the money to fund all of this going to come from? Or has Minister Naughten got a loaves and fishes party trick up his sleeve?

It is worth pointing out that nearly 60pc of the Department of Communications' annual budget of 399.9m in 2015 went to the broadcasting sector. Apart from the licence fee allocation to RTE, 33m went to TG4 - while another 14.7m went to the broadcasting funds managed by the BAI.

Assuming the Minister (and the public) does not have the appetite for an increase in the licence fee, or for asking Michael Noonan for a bigger budget, top-slicing from the existing pot of money is going to hurt somebody in the food chain. And badly. But it's also a short-term solution to a much longer-term problem.

But before Minister Naughten makes any decisions about robbing Peter to pay Paul, a good starting point would be to define what constitutes public service media in the digital age and decide how much we as a nation value the concept of public service media, and the benefits it bestows on society and democracy.

At a time when advertising money is deserting traditional media and rushing head-first (and possibly blindly) into the supposedly warm embrace of Facebook and Google, these are legitimate issues.

As a nation, do we really want to be informed and entertained by a news feed that is determined by an algorithm that serves somebody else's commercial needs? How would we feel if we woke up tomorrow and there was no such thing as quality journalism?

I think we all know the answer.

Clearly, national and regional newspapers, local radio stations and the national broadcasters all have a legitimate role to play in this debate. At the very least Minister Naughten should consult with them to identify the issues that need to be addressed before he divides up his loaves and fishes.

The big question, however, is how do we get to a point where the State can legitimately support the industry, help it build a better, stronger and more financially stable future? And all this, of course, without incurring the wrath of EU competition czars?

And if State support is forthcoming, what format should it take? In some countries where State support for the media exists, it's often a mix of indirect support - usually in the form of tax benefits or reliefs - and direct financial supports that are linked to innovation, technology upgrades, education and training or indeed content creation. Simply writing a cheque and sending them on their merry way would not be the best use of taxpayers' money.

So before the Minister does anything, some clarity would help. Only then can the industry can plan for its future
As firms invest in ever more sophisticated IT security, cyber criminals are changing their tactics too (Stock picture)

Employees who use social media and post work-related information on networking sites such as LinkedIn are making their firms more vulnerable to sophisticated hackers, a leading Irish cyber security expert has warned.

Mike Harris, who heads up the cyber security team at consultancy firm Grant Thornton in Dublin, said hackers are increasingly using social-engineering techniques to scam companies out of millions of euro by using fake emails and stolen identities culled from online personal data.

"This type of attack is incredibly common," said Harris. "I know of many Irish companies who have suffered losses, ranging from 25,000 to 2.5m, from these attacks in the past year alone. We are seeing a lot more of them."

As firms invest in ever more sophisticated IT security, cyber criminals are changing their tactics too, said an industry expert.

"Cyber criminals know that the easiest way to penetrate a system is to go after the user, not the computer, so they target vulnerable users with 'spear phishing' emails that are crafted to look like they come from someone known and trusted. The messages might also appear to come from banks or businesses, and can include full names, usernames, and other personal details," he said.

"It's an old-fashioned confidence trick," said Harris, "but cyber attackers are deploying it with more sophistication.

"For example, imagine I send you a fraudulent email. You might work in the finance department and I send you an email that looks like it comes from your boss requesting you to make a payment urgently into a certain bank account. Or I might send you an email that comes from one of your suppliers asking for payment of an invoice. But I give you new bank account details. I would then ask you to make a payment, but not into the standard bank account.

"I've seen this kind of scam in Irish companies, ranging in value from 25,000 to 2.5m. This is incredibly common and it's happening to organisations of all shapes and sizes," warned Harris.

But more sophisticated cyber scammers are now using popular networking site LinkedIn, he said.

"Cyber criminals are using social media and LinkedIn for information-gathering in the commercial sense and they use it to build and target these attacks.

"These attacks are getting more sophisticated. When you get an email requesting payment, it won't be from a random person, but it will come from an organisation you already know, or from someone in the organisation that you trust," said Harris.

"You might have a situation where the scammer knows who the CFO is and they have their email address. They also know from the news that the firm has made a recent acquisition, so there are loads of new people in that organisation and the hacker does a search on LinkedIn and finds out that the company's finance guy is new to the role. So the scammer then forwards an email from the firm's CFO purporting to come from the CEO to the firm's new finance director asking him to make a payment," he said.

What has changed is that hackers are targeting the vulnerabilities of users, not systems, said cyber security strategist Joseph Carson, who will be in Ireland to address the country's first annual cyber security conference, Dublin Info Sec 2016 at the RDS on November 15.

"Cyber criminals increasingly conduct 'reconnaissance' on employees' social media usage and cull personal information and passwords to commit identity theft in order to bypass the traditional security perimeter undetected," said Carson, who echoes many of Harris' concerns.

"We are sharing more information, ultimately causing ourselves to be much more exposed to social engineering and targeted spear phishing attacks with the ultimate goal to compromise our systems for financial fraud or to steal our identities in order to access the company we are entrusted with protecting," he warned.

"When our identities are stolen it provides the attacker with the ease of bypassing the traditional security perimeter undetected, and if that identity has access to privilege accounts, they can easily carry out malicious attacks."

Carson, a cyber security advisor based in Estonia, says social media provides a treasure trove of data for cyber criminals.

"With more than two billion smartphones, one billion Apple users, one billion Gmail accounts, 1.7bn Facebook accounts, and 300 million Twitter accounts who tweet 7,350 times per second, send 2.5 million emails per second, and transfer 1.5bn GB of data per day, hackers have a lot of data to exploit," he said.

"Everyday, when using services like social media, you are sharing more and more of your personal identifiable information about your physical and digital identity with information like full name, home address, telephone numbers, IP address, biometric details, location details, date of birth, birthplace, and even family members. The more information that you make available online, the more a cyber criminal can use that personal information to easily target you as the next victim of cyber crime."

For more information: www.independent.ie/infosec2016
As far back as June, Dr Mary Aiken was calling it like it is. She described the race for the presidency in America as the Troll Election with Donald Trump as The King under the bridge. Albeit a poisonous potentate with bad hair denigrating and vituperating fellow candidates with, as Mary pointed out, name-calling - "Crooked Hillary" and "Crazy Bernie" and "Lying Ted". This was coupled with, Dr Aiken added, The King's deep-seated love of women: "dogs," "pigs" and "disgusting".

Factor in that special agent Avery Ryan in hit American television drama CSI: Cyber, played by Patricia Arquette, is based on our very own Dr Aiken and it was no surprise when Mary went to America last week that the Irishwoman went down a storm. Even allowing for exaggeration, she was almost as much the talk of Washington on Tuesday as another blonde-haired woman by the name of Clinton.

Mary - who has been dubbed the world's foremost cyberpsychologist and Mary, Queen of Cyberspace - was ostensibly in America all week to talk up her new best-selling new book, The Cyber Effect.

She will be back here next month when she is one of the keynote speakers at Dublin InfoSec 2016, the highly anticipated cyber security conference in the RDS. It is attracting many of Ireland's so-called "C-Suite" - that is executives with a 'C' at the beginning of their job title, like Chief Executive. There is also huge interest from the senior ranks of the public sector.

Last Tuesday evening, Dr Aiken spoke at her book launch party in Washington DC held at Morton's The Steakhouse on Connecticut Avenue, close to the White House.

The smart party was attended by the main movers and shakers of the capital - some doubtless Trump fans, most possibly Hillary devotees - still they were politicos who were particularly interested in her views on the impact of technology on the developing child. They would have read in their local paper, The Washington Post's review of The Cyber Effect how Mary's job is to be armed with facts, evidence and insights about potential risks. That morning, Mary had delivered a guest keynote lecture to 1,000 cyber-midshipmen at the Naval Academy at Annapolis DC, the undergraduate college of the US naval service.

Speaking to the bright young naval students about the issues that modern society is facing online, Dr Aiken, who is based in Dublin, said: "As a society we are facing a tsunami of criminality coming down the line... online, from hacking to malware production, identity theft, online fraud, child abuse material/solicitation, cyberstalking, IP theft/software piracy, data breaches, organised cybercrime, ransomware, extortion and cyber attacks - therefore it is critical that we understand the dynamic nature of cyberspace as an environment - and ongoing criminal behavioural evolution in this domain." Mary also pointed out that earlier this year, in June, NATO officially recognised cyberspace as a new frontier in defence.

''That is, NATO formally acknowledged that modern battles could be waged not only on land, sea and air, but also on computer networks - this new recognition of cyberspace as a potential conflict zone presents important challenges to society in terms of international jurisdictional issues and cyber ethics."

In terms of future threats, Dr Aiken pointed out: "At the Europol Cybercrime Centre we are very concerned about the evolution of 'Crime-as-a-Service' online - that is procurement services for criminal activity from rental of botnets, to denial-of-service attacks, malware development, data theft, and password cracking.

"Additionally, future increasing human immersion in cyber physical systems, smart houses, cars and cities and the Internet of things, will present an increasing number of attack surfaces for cyber criminal behaviour," Dr Aiken said, adding: ''It's an honour to be invited to address these young men and women who will go on to become leaders in US industry and politics, I was particularly pleased to see that 30pc of the cyber midshipmen were in fact young women.

"It is so important to get more women involved in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), I spoke to the group about future cyber threats, resilience, cyber safety, security, and ethics - I am looking forward to continuing the discussion of these topics at Info Sec 2016 in Dublin next month," she said.

After her gruelling trip Stateside, Mary flies home to Dublin today. Tomorrow morning she flies out again - this time to London, to present the results of a Europol research project which explored youth pathways into cybercrime, such as hacking.

Mary will be presenting the research findings and recommendations to UK government stakeholders and policy makers.

Mary Aiken will be speaking at Dublin Info Sec 2016, Ireland's leading cyber security conference in the RDS on November 15. See independent.ie/infosec2016 for ticket details
Actor Patrick Bergin opens up to Niamh Horan about depression, his marriage breakdown and looking for love Photo: Daragh Mc Sweeney/Provision

Fiona Shaw with Patrick Bergin in Mountains of the Moon in 1990

The words "look into my threatening eyes" are not exactly what a woman longs to hear when asked to meet a man's gaze - but, in playful form, Patrick Bergin just about gets away with it.

It's 25 years since psychological thriller Sleeping with the Enemy secured the Dubliner a place in Hollywood history as one of the most sinister villains to grace the big screen. But, even today, there remains a flash of the psychopathic alter ego in his steel-blue stare.

WH Auden wrote in his poem Herman Melville that real evil is "unspectacular, and always human". He added it "shares our bed and eats at our own table".

Bergin's character, Martin Burney, was the perfect example of this - a controlling, abusive spouse who painted himself as a gentleman to outsiders.

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He had a penchant for perfectly straightened towels and lined up canned goods in the cupboard with military precision.

Bergin flawlessly portrayed him as every woman's worst nightmare.

During our interview, Bergin sat in front of me with a distinctive air of cool - a red rose pinned to his lapel and an antique suitcase by his side. He even kept his shades on for a few minutes as we chatted in the old library upstairs in Cork's Crawford Art Gallery.

He spoke in a deep, crackly baritone, slowly and sparsely.

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Bergin is starring in the musical Murder at Shandy Hall at the Briery Gap Theatre in Macroom, Co Cork. He will continue the sold-out run this Thursday at Cork Opera House.

At 65 (he says he is 64), Bergin told me he gave up the bottle following a warning from The Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan.

"Shane told me I was drinking too much. He was right. I haven't touched a drop in two years," he said.

But, despite his healthy lifestyle, Bergin's biggest worries are ageing and not staying as fit as he once was.

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Over the years, his difficulties have extended to his mental disposition.

He said: "I have had depression. I don't think you would be a human being if you didn't. It's just a question of whether it gets a grip of you."

Describing those dark periods, he added: "You lose connection with the world and with your fellow human beings, and communication goes out the window. Isolation... I have had all of those things.

"There would have been reasons as to why it would have happened, which we have touched upon," he said, referring to the breakdown of his marriage, "but you have to gradually emerge from it."

Bergin met his former wife, Paula Frazier, a British woman of Afro-Caribbean descent, in the early 1980s. They married in Trinidad and Tobago in 1992, and have a daughter named Tatiana.

He once said of Frazier: "I loved her before I even knew her name." Previous interviews were peppered with references to their once-close relationship.

Now, living alone in a 15th-century castle they once shared near Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, he partly attributes the split to a mixture of "a breakdown of communication" and "being away a lot" working on movie projects.

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He has regrets in terms of his career and relationships. "Of course, you wish you have done better, or more, in everything - but I am only human," he said.

On occasion, he still sheds tears over the split. I asked: "Do you still love her?"

His simple reply was: "Yes."

I suppose, when it's love, it never really goes away.

"I agree with you," Bergin commented.

I wondered how he came through the dark spells, and he revealed he spoke to people about his issues.

"Both a therapist and friends. Friends were in some way better. But I did speak to a therapist and there was a suggestion, which I didn't want, of anti-depressants - but I didn't take them," he said.

"I had heard bad stories about them. I heard that they can make you worse. So I avoided taking anti-depressants and I just soldiered on."

Bergin's lowest point "was a very dark place".

"You do feel isolated and unable to communicate. That is the worst part. So it gradually took time to emerge from that," he revealed.

"I don't know... they say it's partially chemical. I don't know whether it is or not. There are some other cliches as well; fresh air and looking at the positive things in life."

There were also times he did not get out of bed. "I might spend all day and all night in bed. But I never let it go days on end."

But he could go for a few days without seeing people. "That can happen all the time. I don't even consider that depression. I can go two or three days where I just don't want to see anyone," he said.

Things got so bad that Bergin became suicidal: "I wouldn't say it never crossed my mind. It had crossed my mind."

Thankfully, his determination stopped him. "It was the thought to just 'get on with it'. Basically, that was my reaction," he revealed. "This is the truth - the line that came into my head was: 'get off the stage. Stop looking at yourself, mate. Get f**king on with it.'

"Sometimes it can be quite self-indulgent and you're looking at yourself too much. You're too self-obsessed."

I asked how close he came to going through with it, and he admitted: "I thought about going on my sword. I got the sword and I put it to my chest."

The weapon he referred to hangs on the wall of his castle, and, after our interview, I phoned him again to check once more what he had told me.

He confirmed he had swords and "a few rapiers", and this was the way he thought he might end it all. "It's called a Roman death, darling," he said, finally.

But these days, he is in a better place. He remembers the words of advice his late father, Paddy, gave him: "All a man needs is a roof over his head, food on the table and a rose in a vase." The rose is a symbol of the poetic and spiritual.

Bergin's father was a Labour senator in the 1950s and the actor insists the greatest living politician still hails from the same party. He said: "Michael D Higgins is the only man you can trust these days."

Aside from his political interests, Bergin is bringing out an album next year and starring in a new TG4 comedy series Fir Bolg, which also features Aonghus McAnally, Liam Cunningham, Caroline Morahan, Stephen Rea, and Amy Huberman.

In the meantime, I asked if he was open to finding love again. After remaining coy in the interview, he rang early one morning a few days later to follow up.

"I might put an ad in the back of Ireland's Own," he chuckled. "Failing that, I am staying in the bridal suite of the Riverside Park Hotel in Macroom. And I'll be holding auditions later."

Form an orderly queue.
It's clearly not enough for Bruce Springsteen to be the greatest live performer of his generation. Now, he's also gone and written a masterful autobiography that is as poetic and sure-handed as anything you'll find on the best-seller lists at the moment. If not more so.

He's never been one who has struggled to gather a crowd. But the queue of people that snakes out of the doors of the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London the day Springsteen is in town is not your average public.

They're too fashionably dressed, for a start. And closer inspection reveals why. They are a tightly edited selection of music and culture journalists, documentary-makers and media people from all over Europe, who have gathered here to pay their respects to Bruce, who is here to talk about his book.

If Bob Dylan is the Walt Whitman of rock and roll, Springsteen is its Ernest Hemingway. His literary voice in Born To Run shares a lot with his music. It is muscular, sincere, searching and shot through with the vulnerability which has defined him all his life.

The book begins (naturally) with his childhood in New Jersey, where he grew up as part of a sprawling Irish-Italian blue-collar family, dealing with its fair share of dysfunction.

Emotional disturbance was passed down in his father's line. "We are the afflicted," he writes. "A lot of trouble came in the blood of my people who hailed from the Emerald Isle. My great-great-grandmother Ann Garity left Ireland at 14 in 1852 with two sisters, aged 12 and 10... I don't know where it started, but a serious strain of mental illness drifts through those of us who are here, seeming to randomly pick off a cousin, an aunt, a son, a grandmother, and unfortunately, my dad."

Adored by his mother and grandmother, Bruce's heavy-drinking father's mental illness cast a long shadow over his early life. Springsteen senior was a distant figure. But from these beginnings, Bruce tells the story of how he set off on a single-minded and tireless quest for greatness on stage, via uncertainty and his own crippling run-ins with depression.

Springsteen says he has spent "30 years in analysis", and it's quite clear that forensic self-scrutiny has become a reflex for him. "I come from a boardwalk town where almost everything is tinged with a bit of fraud. So am I," are his opening lines.

Even despite his enormous success, he's always had a touch of imposter syndrome. No wonder his nickname, "The Boss," makes him wince with embarrassment. He is a man driven by self-doubt.

Today, he is dressed simply in his usual uniform of leather jacket and jeans. He looks remarkably good for 67, lean, tanned, still in possession of that coiled-spring energy which unfurls to such dramatic effect on stage.

He has a touch of an under-bite. When he smiles, his lower teeth are bared, which lends him a defiant, even slightly savage look. But then, there's something soft about his appearance too.

As a kid at school he was teased for constant blinking and it's a tic he has retained, layering his demeanour with a faltering, uncertain air.

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His initial ambitions for the book were modest. It sprung out of an essay he published on his blog after playing at the Super Bowl in 2009.

He found that he enjoyed writing and carried on. It "was just setting down my experience. Initially I didn't even think I was writing a book, it was something that maybe my kids would enjoy referring to at some point.

"So it was just something that was enjoyable really... I just thought it would be something that would reveal a little bit more about where my music came from. So if you were a fan, it just might be informative for you."

The degree of self-revelation that is involved in writing the book didn't come altogether naturally, especially when it came to writing about his family. But Springsteen is a man who feels a great responsibility to his audience.

"If you're writing a book like this, one of the agreements with your reader is you're going to open up your life, to a certain degree, you know. I say, in the book, I don't talk about all of myself, or everything I've done, you know, but you do have to show the reader your mind."

Happily, his family were understanding about what he was trying to do, "I read my kids the things that I wrote about them before it came out so, you know, they would feel comfortable with it.

"Patti [his wife of 25 years]and I of course discussed that section of the book. I wanted to make sure she was comfortable with it and she didn't change anything.

"She was interested most in the kids' sections and outside of that really, you know, she's an artist and she understood. She wasn't necessarily comfortable with everything, and some of the things I wasn't sure whether I was comfortable with myself, you know. But she gave me a lot of room to express myself and I appreciate it from her."

Indeed, his appreciation of Patti is unstinting, it seems. "She is a one-woman, red-haired revolution: flaming beauty, Queen of my heart, waitress, street busker, child of some privilege, hard-time Jersey girl... When I look at her, I see and feel my best self," he writes of her.

When they first met, he was a little daunted. "Patti had a part of her that carried a charged sexuality; she could seduce and she could stir you to jealousy. There was a lot of emotional duelling, the occasional flying beauty product and plenty of arguing. We tested our ability to withstand each other's insecurities, hard. It was good," he says.

Patti supported him too in the decision to write so openly about his depression. While her support has been invaluable, the other thing that has helped him cope, he says today, has been the discipline of performance.

"I always think that I, I've played so long, you know, there was an element of where I needed to exhaust myself," he says.

"Exhaustion was my friend. Because once I did that [performed]... you're just too tired to be depressed, you know. It's like, to be depressed, you've got to have a certain amount of energy to go searching through the weeds, and see the one thing that's going to bother you, and just dwell on that merrily through the rest of the day, you know... there's an element of catharsis in playing.

"There's also a great cantering element, which wards off tricks of the mind, you know... it hardens your centre, and you come off with a very solid sense of who you are, and what you do. And that wards off a lot of the self doubt, and the sort of unreasonable, and unproductive questioning that comes with some of the depression."

He draws a great deal of strength too from his family, and the role of parenthood - something that didn't necessarily come automatically to him.

He struggles, he admits in Born to Run, to conquer his "self-centredness, my narcissism, my isolation".

Today he elaborates that he had to learn the art of "spending of deep, personal time" in parenting. That was something that he never had growing up from his father,

"I was used to my working taking all my time, which felt completely natural to me. And it was my sacred space, and, you know, 'don't interrupt the great mind - who knows what great thoughts I might be thinking'.

"So, to sort of, you know - 'hey, man, I need a ride to Billy's house, you know' - and be able to just close the book and give the ride, was something, it took me a while to get around to it.

"But with Patti's help, I figured out a lot of it, you know, so I have a good relationship with all my kids. And although I wouldn't say I was perfect, I did okay, you know."

Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen (Simon and Schuster) is out now.
According to the narrator of Reality Bites: Paying for Sex (RTE2), Kate McGrew is "Ireland's best-known sex worker". Best-known to whom, I wondered. To her clients? Then I remembered that a couple of years ago she'd featured in an RTE2 video-diary series, where she'd displayed her talent for self-promotion.

And she was still at it in this Reality Bites documentary about whether or not prostitutes' clients should be criminalised for purchasing sex, as in Scandinavia and Northern Ireland. That's the current Government's intention, anyway, though the intention still hasn't become law and American-born Kate is fervently against it, touring here and abroad with her message that criminalisation would only make the lives of prostitutes more dangerous.

But she so clearly loves the limelight that she seems blithely unaware of some of the contradictions in her storyline - telling us, for instance, that her lifestyle "will never be OK" to her mother and that her father just "wishes it would go away" while also insisting that they're "so proud of me".

With no concerned parents to worry about her, Rachel Moran, who had been coerced into prostitution at the age of 15, is on the other side of the argument and she presented an angrier and much less self-promoting case that men should suffer the consequences of enacting their "woman-hating fantasies on your body".

Viewers were left to make up their own minds in this film written and directed by Libby McCormack, though it was rather hard to go along with Kate's tweeted assertion that "I do have the most beautiful job in the world".

Sex work, if mainly of the relatively safe online kind, had featured in last week's absorbing second instalment of Kevin McGahern's America (RTE2), though in this week's concluding episode we were back with the kind of headbangers who had occupied the first programme.

If you're intent on looking for loonies, you're sure to find them, and in place of the extremist gun-toting nutters of the initial instalment, McGahern sought out various communes of non-biological "families" - anti-fascist bikers, cult-music followers on a "spiritual pilgrimage", dance obsessives and a "tits and guns" hippie farm.

Obesity and an aversion to showering seemed to be de rigueur in most of these alienated communities, and while McGahern proved to be an attentive and unfussy interviewer, the viewer wondered why three programmes about America never bothered with any aspects more nuanced than freak shows.

Jeremy Paxman was stateside, too, and in full harrumphing mode - wondering, in Paxman on Trump and Clinton (BBC1), why the election was being fought by "two of the most despised and distrusted candidates ever" and "what on earth has happened to a truly great democracy that the choice is so awful".

Curiously, and despite the programme's title, Clinton hardly got a look-in from Jeremy, who clearly had bought into the general media obsession with her ghastly rival. The presenter's mannerisms (the archly-raised eyebrows, the sardonic splutter) were much in evidence, but the viewer learned little, and Paxman's reflection that "something has gone wrong with Lincoln's dream" was nothing more than a truism.

BBC2's recent Fleabag was the year's best comedy series so far, partly because it was more sadcom than sitcom. Can't Cope Won't Cope (RTE2), which ended its run this week, was no Fleabag, but it became much more interesting as it went along and offered a similarly poignant portrait of a young woman in emotional and psychological freefall.

Aisling, whose feckless antics had been merely annoying (and indeed implausible) at the outset, was a screw-up lurking under the guise of a good-time girl and her downward spiral towards self-destruction became more affecting and distressing with each episode.

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Much praise, then, to writer-creator Stefanie Preissner and also to Nika McGuigan's nuanced playing of Aisling's pal Danielle. But it was Kerslake's Aisling who riveted the attention. This was a fearless and star-making performance by someone the camera clearly loves.

The same can't be said for Max Irons who, in Tutankhamun (UTV Ireland), is playing an Indiana Jones-like archaeologist but hasn't either the chops or the charisma for heroic status. And nor does Sam Neill, who plays his wealthy benefactor Lord Carnavon, exactly ooze hypnotic star power.

In the opening episode of this four-parter, it was left to Catherine Steadman as feisty and (to these eyes) rather dishy American archaeologist Maggie to light up the screen in an otherwise rather stolid dramatic reimagining of the King Tut discovery.

Meanwhile the third season of The Fall (RTE1/BBC1) has become quite intriguing. With only two episodes to go, it has managed to eschew almost all of the usual thriller conventions (murders, chases, the whole shebang) and has still been engrossing.

And Krister Henriksson, so memorable in the Swedish TV series of Wallander, has been an excellent addition as the psychiatrist assessing serial killer Paul Spector, though how it will all end only the scriptwriter knows. Not stupidly, I trust.

I may return to the new Netflix drama Designated Survivor or I may not. In a cliche-ridden scenario, Keifer Sutherland plays a minor US government member suddenly thrust into the role of president. It's fascinating, though, to watch Sutherland becoming older without becoming in any way more interesting.
Mission of mercy: Some 350 Beagle and mixed-breed dogs and 253 cats will be removed from the Glenamoy lab by the ISPCA

They have never scampered across a lawn, romped through woodland or stretched before an open fire. Next month more than 500 dogs and cats bred in captivity in a research facility in Mayo will start down the path to freedom when their transfer to Ireland's biggest animal rescue charity begins.

The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) will remove the first tranche of the 350 Beagle and mixed breed dogs and 253 cats from Charles River Laboratories plant in Glenamoy facility which shut down in July.

The American multinational, which has been picketed by animal rights campaigners, decided to release the dogs rather than euthanise them after announcing the closure of the Glenamoy facility. Twenty staff have been let go but kennel staff have been retained to look after the animals until they are ready to embark on their new lives. A second facility in Ballina will remain open.

The company confirmed this weekend that dogs at its Mayo facility have been euthsanised for research. A local authority inspection last year reportedly counted 619 dogs at the facility. A Charles River spokesperson said the reduction to 350 dogs "is due to animals being used for the development of new veterinary pharmaceuticals".

She later clarified that dogs were euthanised in the course of "research".

Bred for the sole purpose of scientific research, the remaining animals were raised in the confines of the plant.

Dr Andrew Kelly, chief executive of the ISPCA, said he understands the animals were used for non-invasive tests for common veterinary medicines such as worm and flea treatments.

Despite the concerns of animal rights organisations, he said the animals were "happy and in good health" in living standards better than at some puppy farms.

"I can tell you I visited the site and met all the dogs. They were all very well socialised, very confident, coming up wanting to say hello, wagging their tails," he said. A few were "slightly less confident than the others", he said, but that was not unexpected. Animal behaviourists have been on site to assess the dogs before release. "For example, they won't have been walked on a lead... That's a basic thing that's learned very easily," he said.

"Some of the dogs might need some help with building their confidence around people because they wouldn't necessarily have seen people that often. Some dogs will adapt very quickly and some will take a little more time."

The ISPCA, with the help of Dogs Trust and Cats Protection, hopes to re-home all of the animals in Ireland and the UK within six months.

Charles River said it has "a deep commitment to animal welfare" and "strong record of compliance with global regulatory agencies".

"Our work is an essential component of research that leads to new discoveries and plays a vital role in virtually every medical advance for humans as well as animals. We only work with animals to help our clients develop new therapeutics for patients that need them."

Mice, sheep and birds also used in procedures

New figures show that 226,393 animals were used in tests in Irish laboratories last year. The vast majority - 190,585 - were mice but rats, guinea pigs, dogs, cats, horses, sheep, goats, cattle, birds and fish were also used.

Some 122 dogs were used in 587 procedures last year, while 76 cats were used in 164 procedures.

The tests on dogs and cats were for research into the development of veterinary medicines and were classed either as mild (such as injection or short period of isolation) or moderate (involving procedures such as surgery, repeated injections or blood tests).

One cow, two pigs, 10 rabbits, 551 rats and 61,456 mice were involved in procedures classed as severe.

Almost 4,000 animals, mice, rats and guinea pigs, were humanely euthanised under anaesthetic at the end of the procedure.

Some 157,872 tests were necessary under EU law to test the safety and potency of medicines. The animals used were largely mice.

The figures are published by the Health Products Regulatory Authority, which promotes alternatives to the use of live animals where possible.
Russian security forces have shot dead two people suspected of "terrorism" in the city of Nizhny Novgorod, Russian news agencies reported on Sunday, citing law enforcement sources.

"Two members of an illegal armed gang have been liquidated in a special operation," TASS state news agency quoted a source saying, while a law enforcement source told RIA Novosti: "They have shot dead two (people) suspected of terrorism."

There was no immediate official confirmation of the reports.

The regional branch of the FSB security service told Interfax news agency that "until urgent investigative steps are finished, we will not comment. Later we plan an official press release."

Local media posted photographs from social networking sites apparently showing two bodies lying on the ground close to a car with doors open, as vehicles and security officers block the nearby road in a suburb of the sprawling industrial city on the Volga.

A local resident told Interfax that he heard shots in the morning between 8 and 9 am and security forces told people living in the residential area not to leave their homes.

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'The concerns come as it was revealed that the number of repeats rose by more than 26pc in the year after the last ASTI dispute' (stock photo)

Parents fear hundreds of extra students will be forced to repeat their Leaving Cert exams next year as a consequence of the impending strike by secondary school teachers.

The concerns come as it was revealed that the number of repeats rose by more than 26pc in the year after the last ASTI dispute.

Worried parents are now concerned that next Thursday's strike, the first of seven planned strike days, will mean an extra year in school for some students.

A final plea has been issued to warring teachers by parents, asking them to pull out of strike action as fears grow that schools will not reopen after the mid-term break owing to concerns about student safety.

Teachers are also planning to withdraw from supervision, with schools running out of time to fill the void by bringing in parents.

However, the deepest concerns lie among the parents of students preparing to sit exams.

Rebecca Hemeryck, of the National Parents Council Post Primary, asked the ASTI to reconsider its strike action.

"Our argument is that going out on strike is affecting our children, especially in relation to the Leaving Cert.

"What is most annoying is that the Government and the ASTI do not seem to be bothered about students missing seven days before Christmas," she said.

The Sunday Independent has learnt that the number of students who went on to repeat the Leaving Cert increased by 26.5pc in the year after the last teachers' strike.

Teachers picketed during the 2000/2001 school year in a dispute over pay and conditions and walked out on eight separate days.

Before that dispute, the number of students repeating the exam had dropped by 2,500 over three consecutive years.

However, in the 2001/2002 school year - just after teachers took eight strike days - the number of students repeating their exams rose by more than 670, despite the total number of Leaving Cert students declining by 1,235 compared with the previous year.

An ASTI spokesperson denied there was a link between that 2001/2002 strike and an increase in student repeats.

"This is likely an issue relating to third level places and entry points. We have no evidence of a drop in performance in the Leaving Cert. We believe all students will be adequately prepared for the State exams."

Union chiefs will meet Department of Education and Skills officials tomorrow.

A department spokeswoman said it had offered to suspend penalties imposed on ASTI members, after they rejected the Lansdowne Road Agreement, if they consented to carry out unpaid work that formed part of the Croke Park Agreement in 2010.

"This offer has been repeated to ASTI on numerous occasions. Unfortunately, ASTI have refused this offer thus far, but it remains open to them," she added.

ASTI members will begin their industrial action over pay rates for newly qualified teachers on Thursday, the first of seven planned strike days between now and December.

They have failed to rule out taking further action in the New Year and the ASTI spokeswoman added that the walk-out on Thursday was likely to go ahead.

"We believe our issues are resolvable. We will continue to engage but industrial action looks likely."

Ms Hemeryck said she agreed teachers should be paid equally but added that taking strike action was a step too far.

"The point is, how many more strikes are we going to get in the New Year? We are worried about all students, but particularly the Leaving and Junior Cert students. They are under enough stress and pressure at a normal time without this added pressure."

The Sunday Independent has also learnt that more than 350 school teachers are earning in excess of 90,000.

Figures show 115 teachers earn between 100,000 and 125,000 per year. Another 154 teachers are paid between 95,000 and 100,000, while a further 90 earn more than 90,000.

ASTI said the majority of these were "likely to be principals employed in very large schools managing 100-plus staff and catering for up 1,500 students".
The scene where a fatal RTC that occurred yesterday evening Picture by Fergal Phillips

The scene where a fatal RTC that occurred yesterday evening Picture by Fergal Phillips

The scene where a fatal RTC that occurred yesterday evening Picture by Fergal Phillips

TRIBUTES have poured in for a young man who tragically lost his life in a motorcycle accident yesterday evening.

The man in his early 20s has since been named locally as Stephen Hyland, a motorcycle enthusiast that lived in the Blanchardstown area of Dublin.

Gardai said two motorcyclists - both in their early 20s  collided on the Hartstown Road at approximately 6.50pm on Saturday.

It has now emerged that friends riding alongside Stephen desperately tried to resuscitate him before paramedics arrived.

He was then rushed to Connolly Hospital where he died a short time later. The second man was uninjured.

Friends of Stephen took to Facebook to express their condolences and memories of the young man, describing him as 'a true gent'.

Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close A biker at the scene where a fatal RTC that occurred yesterday evening, Picture by Fergal Phillips A biker at the scene where a fatal RTC that occurred yesterday evening Picture by Fergal Phillips The scene where a fatal RTC that occurred yesterday evening Picture by Fergal Phillips / Facebook

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One friend wrote: I thought I'd never have to put up a status like this but I've been waiting for someone to tell me it's a dream and the sad news to hear that Stephen Hyland had passed away. Absolutely shocked that this had happened.

Stephen you were one of the nicest people I have come across. You always had a smile on your face and never had a bad thing to say as a brother, son, godfather, and friend to everyone tat [sic] has known you.

Another commenter said: Absolutely in shock and heartbroken to hear of the passing of Stephen. A true gent... you were always popping into my last flower shop with lattes for me, or for a chat or to give my then puppy some cuddles...."

Corduff FC also posted a message on its Facebook page: "Everyone at Corduff FC wish to express our sympathies to the family of Stephen Hyland who was killed in a traffic collision yesterday evening.

"Stephen and his two brothers have played for Corduff FC on numerous occasions and teams over the years for this club and they have many friends here."

Fr Binoi Mathew of Blakestown church told Independent.ie that he witnessed the aftermath of the accident.

I was doing an evening mass in Hartstown last evening when the accident happened. When I stepped outside I saw all of the commotion.

I saw the ambulance and fire service trying to give CPR and resuscitate the young man next to the two bikes that collided.

When I came back to the area after doing another mass I saw that the guards had cordoned off the area."

He added that he had offered prayers for the victim.

The Hartstown Road, at the Community College was closed in both directions for the Forensic Collision Investigators to carry out their investigations.

Gardai are appealing for witnesses and anyone with information is asked to contact them at Blanchardstown Garda Station on 01 - 6667000, The Garda Confidential Line 1800 666111 or any Garda Station.
May the force be with you: Garda Commissioner Noirin O'Sullivan Photo: Damien Eagers

Garda Commissioner Noirin O'Sullivan has spent more than 14,000 on foreign trips, hotels, meals and other expenses since taking control of the force in March 2014, the Sunday Independent can reveal.

Figures show that spending claimed on her Executive Visa Corporate credit card now stands at 14,312 and includes the period when she was Acting Commissioner before she was formally ratified as Garda Commissioner in November 2014.

Expand Close O'Sullivan's husband Chief Superintendent Jim McGowan Photo: Damien Eagers / Facebook

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The Commissioner provoked controversy last week following her decision to attend a policing conference in San Diego, as the country braces itself for a campaign of industrial action by rank- and-file and middle-ranking officers.

She was accompanied on the trip by a number of senior officers, including her husband, Chief Superintendent Jim McGowan.

New figures obtained by the Sunday Independent show that Commissioner O'Sullivan's credit card spending in the first six months of this year totalled 2,771.03.

Last year she claimed 7,565.72 for a range of expenditure while on official business.

In 2011, her predecessor Martin Callinan, during his time as Commissioner, incurred expenses of 2,519.38 on his Garda credit card. In 2012, the figure stood at 2,128.31, with 1,724.58 claimed in 2013.

There are currently four credit cards assigned to senior members of the force: the Garda Commissioner, the two Deputy Commissioners and the Chief Administrative Officer.

Expenses mainly relate to domestic and foreign travel, training, the purchase of publications and money spent on official engagements.

However, details of certain items paid for with Mrs O'Sullivan's credit card have been redacted by An Garda Siochana's Freedom of Information unit.

In March 2014, she took on the role of Acting Garda Commissioner, following the resignation of former Garda Commissioner Mr Callinan, who retired as the whistleblower controversy continued.

In the same month, she travelled to the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York, as part of the McCabe Fellowship programme. The programme was established to commemorate Detective Garda Jerry McCabe, who was shot dead during an attempted armed robbery in Co Limerick in June 1996.

In total, she incurred 1,517 in expenses during the trip.

Some 178 was spent in Smith & Wollensky, which specialises in prime steaks and seafood in a 'clubby, power-dining setting'.

AIB credit card statements also reveal that a day later Mrs O'Sullivan spent 1,339 in a single transaction but details were redacted by the Garda's Freedom of Information unit.

Later in the year, on September 2, the Commissioner attended the International Association of Chiefs of Police in Orlando with her husband, who was at that time a Detective Superintendent in the force. Spending of $920 is listed for Mrs O'Sullivan.

A Garda spokeswoman confirmed that Mrs O'Sullivan's card was also used to pay a 'spousal rate' of $125 so that her husband could also attend. She added that Mr McGowan attended the conference in his capacity as a Superintendent in An Garda Siochana.

"Detective Superintendent McGowan's expenses were refunded by the Commissioner," the spokeswoman added.
Salute to bravery: Survivors of the 1961 siege are honoured at a ceremony at Collins Barracks, Dublin Photo: Fergal Phillips

Twenty-one doves flew into the autumn sky, a symbol of peace during a special ceremony to recognise Irish peacekeeping heroes from the Siege of Jadotville.

The soldiers were ambushed by mercenaries during the Congo's brutal civil war 55 years ago, and fought off 5,000 guerrillas before running out of supplies.

Expand Close Poignant symbol: Thomas Gunn (78), one of the survivors of the Siege of Jadotville in the Congo, with one of the 21 doves that were released into the sky yesterday in tribute to the Irish peacekeepers Photo: Fergal Phillips / Facebook

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Whatsapp Poignant symbol: Thomas Gunn (78), one of the survivors of the Siege of Jadotville in the Congo, with one of the 21 doves that were released into the sky yesterday in tribute to the Irish peacekeepers Photo: Fergal Phillips

Family members and survivors from the 35th Battalion 'A' company gathered in Collins Barracks in Dublin yesterday.

They were there to recall one of the seminal events in Irish Defence Forces' involvement with the UN.

Only 45 out of 155 soldiers involved in the Jadotville siege in 1961 are still alive.

But some are still haunted by the moments of fear and terror that stalked the Irish contingent who were surrounded by enemy forces.

Thomas Gunn was just 22 at the time of the confrontation, as various factions fought for supremacy in the strife-torn Congo.

He and some of his comrades said they had to wait a long time for full recognition by the national authorities for the role they played as UN peacekeepers.

"We've waited 55 years for this day. We had to wait, grovelling for our due recognition," the 78-year-old told the Sunday Independent.

"It's an emotional day. What we want is to be allowed fade away like old soldiers.

"We all fought bravely and honourably. We ate Australian jack rabbit and dog biscuits.

"We were young men, 5,000 miles from home and isolated out in the jungle. But fear is a good thing because when you're afraid your adrenaline is running and you do everything automatically.

"You're on your guard. Fear kept us sharp. We were particularly afraid at night because it was pitch dark. If a mouse moved you thought somebody was coming out of the bush to attack.

"The disappointing thing is that when we came back we were shoved into the pages of history."

Another member of 'A' company, Paul Malone from Waterford, was 18 at the time of the siege. He said many of the surviving soldiers were now fighting old age.

"Some are as old as 93, and there's no one younger than 75. I would like to see some form of recognition for every man who served out there," he said.

"We stuck together and a great sense of camaraderie got us through."

Independent senator Gerard Craughwell said a ceremony would be held annually to remember the "heroes" of Jadotville.

"The turnout of the veterans was incredible. As a former soldier, I can understand the level of bitterness at the way their colleagues were treated," he added.
Gardai investigating a fatal road traffic collision today on the R139 Picture by Fergal Phillips

Gardai investigating a fatal road traffic collision today on the R139 Picture by Fergal Phillips

Gardai investigating a fatal road traffic collision today on the R139 Picture by Fergal Phillips

Gardai investigating a fatal road traffic collision today on the R139 Picture by Fergal Phillips

Gardai investigating a fatal road traffic collision today on the R139 Picture by Fergal Phillips

Gardai investigating a fatal road traffic collision today on the R139 Picture by Fergal Phillips

Lee Henry was killed when he was struck by a car

TRIBUTES have been paid for a young boy tragically killed in a suspected hit-and-run accident last night.

Lee Henry (13) was struck by a vehicle in Coolock, Dublin at approximately 9.35pm.

The youngster was rushed to Temple Street Children's Hospital where he later died from his injuries.

Among more than half a dozen bouquets of flowers, one pal left a note:

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"I'll remember and cherish all of laughs together," it read.

"The world will have a little less laughter without you.

"I'll remember you as the happy, funny young gent you were," it added.

A man in his 20s has been arrested.

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The incident occurred on the old N32 road in Coolock

The car involved failed to stop or remain at the scene of the collision. It was located a short time later by gardai close to the scene, and a man in his mid 20s was arrested.

He is currently being detained at Finglas Garda station.

Gardai are appealing for witnesses and anyone with information is asked to contact them at Coolock Garda Station on 01 6664200, The Garda Confidential Line, 1800 666111 or any Garda station.
Sinn Fein has come under fire for refusing to sign a Dail motion condemning Russia's involvement in the Syrian conflict which has cost thousands of innocent civilians' lives.

Sinn Fein last week declined to sign the motion tabled by Fianna Fail which stated that Russia may have committed war crimes in Syria after a wave of bomb attacks on hospitals in the rebel stronghold of Aleppo.

The Fianna Fail motion said the actions of the Syrian government and the Russian military showed "complete disregard for the most fundamental principles of international human rights law".

It called on the Government to condemn the "deliberate attacks on essential services such as hospitals and the attacks that have killed or injured people providing humanitarian assistance".

However, Sinn Fein, along with the Anti Austerity Alliance-People Before Profit- (AAA-PBP), decided against signing the proposal.

Fianna Fail's foreign affairs spokesman Darragh O'Brien, who submitted the motion, said there was "something strange" about Sinn Fein's stance on Vladimir Putin's Russia.

"It seems quite curious to me that Sinn Fein time and time again find it impossible for some reason to make any type of criticism of Russia," Mr O'Brien said.

"If you look at the type of bombardment that is going on in Aleppo it is mainly perpetrated by the Russian air force."

Mr O'Brien said he believed Sinn Fein would not sign the motion because it "singles out" Russia.

The Labour Party did sign the motion as did Independent TDs Stephen Donnelly, Tommy Broughan and Mattie McGrath.

Sinn Fein's foreign affairs spokesman Sean Crowe said his party did not support the Fianna Fail motion because it was not consulted before it was submitted.

Mr Crowe also said Sinn Fein had a number of concerns with the motion including its failure to condemn jihadi terror group Isil or Turkey's involvement in the war.

"The motion only specifically says that the Syrian government and Russian military are disregarding international human rights law," Mr Crowe said.

"The UN has said all parties are disregarding the norms of international law. We would have wanted that reflected."

Speaking in the Dail last week, Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin accused Sinn Fein of being part of a "pro-Russia alliance" in the Dail.

"We saw the same thing when Russia invaded, partitioned and started a war in a neighbouring country because people in that country wanted to get away from Russian dominance," Mr Martin said.

"In this House deputies trotted out the most sinister disinformation and moral relativism. In Europe, Sinn Fein even refused to condemn the partition of a sovereign country and repression against a national minority."

Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams said his party had "consistently condemned imperialism from all quarters, including Russian imperialism".

"Interference by any state in the affairs of any other state, including the awful military assaults going on at this time, are to be condemned, and are by our party," he said.

On Thursday, the Dail debate on the conflict in Syria descended into a political row between Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein.

Fine Gael TD Brendan Griffin, who has called for the Russian Ambassador to Ireland to be expelled for his country's role in the conflict, said he was disappointed the debate had degenerated into "political point scoring".

"There are serious issues at stake here and the debate seemed to be more about the two parties attacking each other," he said.
RTE have said they will not be featuring controversial GAA star Cathal McCarron on the Late Late show - days after the father of a 15-year-old girl he met after matching on Tinder complained.

On Friday Independent.ie revealed how the dad was furious with McCarron's scheduled appearance on the flagship show next Friday.

McCarron took to twitter on Thursday to confirm he was due to be interviewed by Ryan Tubridy on October 28 - almost a year to the day after he met with the girl in Co Kildare. The footballer was set to talk about his new biography in which he details a colourful past including appearing in gay pornography and a history of serious gambling debts.

The Kildare man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said he felt like the Tyrone GAA star was cashing in on the meeting with his daughter.

He had contacted the state broadcaster on Friday to complain about the TV chat.

In a candid interview he added that he was willing to travel to RTE studios in Donnybrook to stop an interview from taking place.

Expand Close 28 June 2015; Cathal McCarron, Tyrone, in action Limerick. GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship, Round 1B, Tyrone v Limerick. Healy Park, Omagh, Co. Tyrone. Picture credit: Oliver McVeigh / SPORTSFILE / Facebook

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Whatsapp 28 June 2015; Cathal McCarron, Tyrone, in action Limerick. GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship, Round 1B, Tyrone v Limerick. Healy Park, Omagh, Co. Tyrone. Picture credit: Oliver McVeigh / SPORTSFILE

But now Independent.ie has learned that a senior producer has contacted the concerned father to assure him that McCarron will not be appearing on next week's show.

A spokesperson for RTE said that the lineup for each week's show is not confirmed until midweek, and that the Tyrone footballer was not a confirmed guest.

On Friday the father told Independent.ie: To write the book so soon after the incident and to not express any remorse. What does that tell you? It feels like he wants to cash in on what hes done.

He added: I rang RTE and all other stations and begged them not to do any interviews with him. I emailed the complaints department RTE but all I got was a letter confirming the receipt of my email."

Expand Close In his book McCarron describes meeting the girl on his way to a Gambler's Anonymous meeting / Facebook

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Whatsapp In his book McCarron describes meeting the girl on his way to a Gambler's Anonymous meeting

In his recently published biography 'Out of Control' McCarron admitted that he started using the dating site Tinder in October 2015, despite being in a long-term relationship.

He says that temptation and curiosity drove him to use the app.

After a few weeks of conversing with women online he decided to meet up with one of them.

I was texting this girl from Kildare, We arranged to meet that night in Kildare town. I was on my way to a GA [Gamblers Anonymous] meeting in Athy. I know the contradiction is ridiculous.

The girl said she drove an old-style Jaguar. She sent me a picture of the car. I think it was red.

He explained that she had spoken about college and he told her about his job during harmless online chat.

When we met she looked at least nineteen or twenty.

McCarron claims that the first time he realised the girl was in fact 15 was two weeks later when her father called him at work.

He said that when he learned this a weakness came over him.

I was in shock. I also felt I hadnt the right to say anything to the man. Part of me could understand his anger.

He admits that a week later he was interviewed by two gardai in Kildare station about the incident. This was the same night as the GAA All Stars function in the Convention Centre in Dublin.

He said: I made a mistake, but this was the most innocent misjudgement I ever made.

In July of this year the DPP decided not to prosecute McCarron over the case and in a letter sent to the girls parents a senior prosecutor outlines that the defence of honest mistake was accepted by the office.

In this case there was evidence to support this defence. The suspect and your daughter initially made contact on a website that required legal age to be on the website of 18 years of age. Her Facebook page had a date of birth which showed her to be 19 years of age. The suspect said he believed her to be 19 years of age.

The lawyer concluded that it would not be possible for the prosecution to overcome this defence and that therefore there was no reasonable prospect of a conviction.

All Ireland winner McCarron's possible appearance on the Late Late show was also controversial for another reason.

Tyrone GAA has had an unofficial boycott of the state broadcaster since 2011 over a dispute between manager Mickey Harte and RTE.

McCarron took to Twitter on Thursday to claim that his appearance would not be in contravention to this.

He wrote: "I would like to clarify that my appearance on the Late Late Show on Friday week is entirely my decision and has nothing to do with Mickey Harte and the Tyrone senior football squad's continued withdrawal of cooperation with RTE.

"This is a completely separate issue to me appearing on the show to speak about my autobiography 'Out of Control'."
A GP has confessed to stealing a 15,000 print of Hollywood legend Steve McQueen "in a moment of madness" from Belfast's new Bullitt Hotel.

CCTV footage of Dr Jill Purce from Ballymena carrying the huge 6ft 4in print down a street in Belfast last week went viral online.

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The print was left on the street after they were unable to fit it into a car.

Dr Purce tearfully confessed to the Sunday Life newspaper that it was her, and revealed her accomplice has gone to the police to hand the pair in.

She added she now feels too ashamed of herself to leave her house.

The PSNI are investigating the incident, and the picture has now been secured to a wall in the Bullitt Hotel to prevent a repeat.
Feast your eyes on this limited edition reversible shearling coat which is a real touch of luxury from Carolyn Donnelly's The Edit range at Dunnes Stores.

The wear-two-ways collarless, zip-through coat comes in either blush or charcoal and costs 799. There is also a shorter jacket version for 599. Available online, it is also on sale in one branch of Dunnes and that's the Grafton Street store. We styled it with a contrast cuff polo neck, 49, and red slim trouser, 89. Those cute green leather loafers, for 129, are available from late October.

BUY: See dunnesstores.com

Freak show

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There's a whole lot of scare going on at Tayto Park After Dark for Halloween this year. You can expect a 5D horror movie, a maze of freakishness designed by the prop makers from Penny Dreadful, and - for terror that's bang on trend - the entrance is via the mouth of a giant clown.

DETAILS: taytopark.ie, After Dark session recommended for over 14s

Picture this

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He painted everyone from Kate Moss to the artist Leigh Bowery and now a collection of 50 of Lucien Freud's (self-portrait above) works have gone on display in IMMA, on a five-year loan. The artist was celebrated for his intimate approach and honesty and 'IMMA Collection: Freud Project' features 30 of his paintings, as well as 20 works on paper, the majority of which date from 1970 onwards.

DETAILS: Admission 8/5 and free every Tuesday, imma.ie

Scary movies

A unique opportunity to see one of the true masters of horror in action awaits this Tuesday. Legendary director and composer John Carpenter - if you don't know The Fog, Assault on Precinct 13, Christine and Halloween, it's time to get yourself acquainted - comes to Dublin's Vicar Street where he will be performing themes from his films, as well as new compositions. Halloween just got real.

BOOK: Tickets priced 55 are on sale now through ticketmaster.ie

Sound of the underground

Talk about beginning with a bang! The Wexford Opera Festival opens on Wednesday with a huge fireworks display on the Quayside in Wexford town. This year, its 65th, the festival is showcasing rare forgotten masterpieces in a programme that includes lunchtime recitals, and a gala concert on October 30.

DETAILS: wexfordopera.com

Leather most luxe

If you're in the market for a luxury handbag but you're not a slave to trends, Ana Faye is the label to love. Based in Strandhill, Co Sligo, it's named after creative director Anna Vahey who graduated from Central Saint Martins and worked as a designer in Italy, China and London. The bags are handmade in Ireland and England in limited numbers - a bespoke design service is also available - with elegance, geometric lines and craftsmanship at the core of these timeless pieces.

BUY: Pyramid bags 119 each, for stockists visit anafaye.com

Light fantastic

The eco-friendly candle choice of the stylish, Candella is a range hand-crafted in Kildare. Made with pure soy bean oil, the candles are all-natural and biodegradable. Winter Time - a blend of Brazilian orange, clove and ginger with hints of woods, musk, lemon and Christmas spices - is especially lovely at this time of year. Candella's founder Gosia Sobkowicz will be sharing the secrets of using scent to create a sense of wellbeing within the home, as part of the So Collective's 'From the Maker' series at Kildare Village. Take in her talk this Wednesday, from 2pm-4pm.

DETAILS: kildarevillage.com

Next weekend...

And relax

Get clicking now to book a restorative yoga weekend taking place from November 4-6, so that you might reclaim your equilibrium, just in time for the madness of the festive period. Renowned yoga teacher Amy Kokoszka, of Hayoka Yoga, is holding a three-day retreat in the South Wicklow Mountains called Nourish. The talented Katie Sanderson of Living Dinners is providing the nourishing food, while Amy offers intelligent yoga, which explores the relationship between mind and body. Afterwards, you can take a mountain walk or just curl up in front of the fireplace.

DETAILS: hayokayoga.com

South East eats

For foodies, Savour Kilkenny is a highlight of the culinary year. To mark the food festival's 10th anniversary, there's a greatly expanded programme, with appearances from Darina Allen and Rory O'Connell, Rosanna Davison, Susan Jane White and Garret Fitzgerald, whose book The Brother Hubbard Cookbook was recently published to much acclaim. Jason Byrne will present 'Comedy and Cocktails' and you won't want to miss The Global Kitchen, where the best of world cuisine is cooked, as well as the Craft Beer and Distillers Pavilion.

DETAILS: October 28-31, most events are free but early arrival advisable. savourkilkenny.com

hotlist@independent.ie

Upwards

Channeling Joan Collins

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Between one-shoulder dresses on the catwalk, her recent charity donation and the Dynasty reboot, you can't go wrong.

Halloween makeovers

The Body Shop are now taking bookings to turn you into your most ghoulish self for 30.

Laura Whitmore's moves

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The girl can dance. A most worthy Strictly winner.

Your current weight

Scientists say mid-October is the thinnest you'll be all year, so it's license to go mad with cake.

Animal prints less ordinary

Leopard is now a bit common, so say hello to zebra, snake and tiger instead.

Onwards

Scented candle nonsense

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You can now buy one that smells like a freshly opened Mac laptop Too much.

Saag stains

The delicious spinach curry is no friend of white or cream knitwear.

Backstreet Boys sadness

I Want It That Way seems different now that Donald Trump has used it at a campaign rally.

Commuter rubbernecking

When the person beside you on the train is looking at something really interesting on their phone and you can't stop gawking, even though you're at risk of pulling a neck muscle.

The PVC trend

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It looks really cool, but the reality is it's a little sweaty.
'For our assumption of superiority over other sentient beings - which basically means any creature who can feel pain or pleasure - that justifies our exploitation of animals, is painfully obvious outside the ironically cloistered environs of cities.' Stock photo: Getty

Visiting Dublin only confirms my decision to move to the country - and not just because it means I'm close to nature. For life here is on a more human scale.

It's the same for my old school friend, Susan, who I met up with recently. She commutes for over an hour to her work in the Mater Hospital. Susan had always loved animals and she told me that she had indeed started training as a veterinarian nurse.

"But I only lasted one day," she admitted.

First, there was a visit to the slaughterhouse. Followed by a man with a greyhound that wasn't fast enough for racing, so he wanted him put down. Next came a woman with nine mewing kittens. Susan is still haunted by the sickening lessening in sound as she made her way through that cardboard box, snuffing out nine little souls who got less than 48 hours of life, let alone the proverbial nine. The next morning, Susan switched to human nursing.

That pathetic back story to Susan's change of career also explains why country life can be a double-edged sword if you believe, as I do, that all sentient beings - both humans and non-humans - share a basic right not to be treated as the property of others. Which makes me a modern-day abolitionist, a word that is appropriately related to the social movement that ended human slavery.

For our assumption of superiority over other sentient beings - which basically means any creature who can feel pain or pleasure - that justifies our exploitation of animals, is painfully obvious outside the ironically cloistered environs of cities. Fields of increasingly adolescent-looking cows regularly disappear to be replaced by more of the same in the intensive system that constitutes modern farming. While heavily pregnant bovines seem to be forever trudging across the walkway above one particular stretch of motorway I pass. In many ways, they endure more suffering than other livestock, being perpetually impregnated till they are prematurely worn out. All so that we can continue the dubious distinction of being the only species on this earth that drinks the milk intended for the young of another species.

Above all is the relentless rattling of slaughter trucks along the street, leaving behind the benign, sad smell of cows and sheep. And, of course, discarded horses. All while SUVs with trailers attached and horse carriers head for the nearby racetrack or a day's hunting.

Meanwhile, the abattoir in town corrals animals to their doom as people walk by, either oblivious or else thinking that this is the proper order of things.

Making it all the more ridiculous to me that the 'Repeal the Eighth' campaign rages on, with some locals proclaiming themselves 'pro-life' and others 'pro-choice' - even as they deny other sentient beings the basic privilege of either. But the steadily increasing numbers of both city and country folk who share my perception adds a heartening new meaning to life on a human scale.
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump will "100 percent" accept the results of the U.S. election if it is fair, his son Eric Trump said on Sunday.

"I think what my father is saying is, 'I want a fair election,'" Eric Trump said on ABC's "This Week."

"If it's a fair outcome, he will absolutely accept it. There's no question about that."

Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway acknowledged on Sunday that Trump trails rival Hillary Clinton in national and key battle ground state opinion polls.

"We are behind," she said on NBC's "Meet the Press," adding that Clinton had "tremendous advantages," including a larger campaign war chest that she can use to buy television commercials.

As the polling gap has widened, Trump has repeatedly said the election is being "rigged" against him. He has not offered evidence and numerous studies have shown that the U.S. election system, which is decentralized and run by the states, is sound.

At last week's debate with Clinton, Trump challenged a cornerstone of American democracy by refusing to commit to honoring the result of the U.S. election.

"What I'm saying is that I will tell you at the time. I'll keep you in suspense. OK?" Trump said.

In the aftermath of the debate, Trump said he would accept the election outcome "if I win."

The latest Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Friday has Trump trailing Clinton by 4 percentage point. The latest Reuters/Ipsos States of the Nation project found Clinton with a 95 percent chance of winning the needed 270 Electoral College votes.

An ABC News poll released on Sunday morning had Clinton leading with 50 percent of likely support, compared to Trump at 38 percent. The poll found a that the number of Republicans said they were likely to vote fell 7 percent from mid-October.

Conway, also was pressed on Sunday on CNN's "State of the Union" on whether Trump would accept the election results.

"The system is rigged, especially against the little guy," said Conway without directly responding to the question. She spoke of any challenges to the election results as "hypothetical."

The efforts by members of Trump's inner circle to downplay his remarks about the integrity of the election indicate he would come under significant pressure to accept the result if he were to lose.

Republican Party Chairman Reince Priebus said that by asking Trump to agree to concede, the media was making an extraordinary request. He said Trump would only fight if the election were close and is not trying to dispute a fair election.

"That's not quite what he's saying. What he's saying is he wants to reserve all options and if there is ground for a recount I'll reserve all options," Priebus said on CBS's "Face The Nation."

Clinton and Trump will campaign on Sunday in the key swing states of Florida and North Carolina, where the latest polls show they are within only a few points of each other.

On Sunday, Trump picked up his first endorsement of the general election from a major newspaper when the Las Vegas Review backed his candidacy. The newspaper is owned by Republican mega-donor Sheldon Adelson, who has been reluctant to donate to Trump. In 2012, Adelson spent about $150 million trying to help elect Republican Mitt Romney.

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NORWAY: Preikestolen or Prekestolen, also known as Preacher's Pulpit or Pulpit Rock, in Norway.

Trolltunga, the famous landmark in Norway. It takes a five-hour hike in the mountains of Hardanger, to reach.

Norway's natural wonders are being put at risk by a growing number of ill-prepared, disrespectful tourists, a national hiking group has warned.

Friluftsliv, an organisation for outdoor enthusiasts, has called for visitor limits to be imposed at popular beauty spots, including Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock) and Trolltunga (Troll's tongue, pictured above), where an Australian student fell to her death last year, in a bid to protect them for future generations.

The number of tourists trekking to Pulpit Rock is reported to have increased from 60,000 in 2009 to 300,000 this year, while visitors to Trolltunga have surged from 1,000 to 100,000 in just five years.

"It is urgent that we now take measures to ensure that outdoor life is safeguarded," Lasse Heimdal, the head of Friluftsliv, told NRK, a government-owned media outlet. "If the large loads might damage nature, the authorities are obliged to impose counter measures. Limiting access can be one of the measures."

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The warning comes after a Norwegian mayor, earlier this summer, raised fears that the Lofoten Islands could also become overwhelmed by tourism thanks to their starring role in an upcoming Matt Damon film - and the ongoing "Frozen effect".

In terms of tourism, weve become completely unbalanced this year, Hans Fredrik Srdal, the mayor of Flakstad, on the Lofoten island of Flakstadya, said at the time. Arrivals to the archipelago increased by at least 20 per cent this year and Srdal expressed concern that its road network could not handle further growth.

While Pulpit Rock, which soars 604 metres above the Lysefjord, and Trolltunga, which juts out 700 metres above Lake Ringedalsvatnet, are now firmly on the tourist trail, many come woefully unprepared for the hike to reach it.

"Many don't realise that the walk to the rock is a really tough route, taking up to 10 hours up and down, and are taken aback at just how difficult a climb it is," said Meabh Ritchie of The Telegraph, after a visit last year.

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"I met two Americans who were incredulous about the lack of toilets en route and were calling for a road right to the top. Others were annoyed at the lack of 3G, delaying their Facebook posting."

There are also concerns over safety. The death of an Australian student at Trolltunga last September, while posing for a photograph, was described by a Norwegian tour guide as "a tragedy waiting to happen".

"Once you reach the top, climbers queue for their chance to take a photo on the spectacular plateau," added Ritchie. "Despite the wind, and the narrow ledge, groups of people were jumping in the air, sitting with their legs dangling over the edge and, of course - taking selfies."

The Norwegian Peoples Aid, a rescue service based near Pulpit Rock, conducted a record 34 emergency rescues this year alone, half of which were said to have been people hiking to the headline attraction.

Expand Expand Previous Next Close A hiker on Trolltunga, Norway. Photo: Deposit Trolltunga, the famous landmark in Norway. It takes a five-hour hike in the mountains of Hardanger, to reach. / Facebook

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Radio review: The thing about the Wolfe Tones is not that their music is Irish, but that its bad

We have established that nationalism in general is eejitry taken to such extremes it becomes a form of evil. And in the case of our version of nationalism, perhaps the ultimate eejitry is that many of us would broadly agree in theory with a United Ireland if it wasnt for the nationalists themselves  they have contrived somehow to be the main obstacle to their own ambitions.
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Gene Kerrigan Opinion This time, we did the right thing

The people act in solidarity. Children donate their pocket money and adults offer the use of a spare room. Refugee fundraising goes on in all the usual places, with the Late Late Show leading the way. When the Ukrainians needed help, we did the right thing.
The phrase 'Lansdowne Road Agreement' was uttered 43 times in the Dail during the past week.

That might seem like a lot but in reality it's very little given the crisis facing the country.

The figure is actually astonishingly small if you consider that it was the Taoiseach who referred most often to the public sector pay deal. He tends to repeat himself a lot when dealing with tricky issues.

Eleven weeks ago, many commentators were reflecting on the first 100 days of 'new politics' and analysing how it was reshaping the Dail.

At the time, I wrote that the following 100 days would be far more important because real tests like the Apple judgment and Budget day would face the shaky coalition.

I also made the point that once the electoral sandstorm settled, unexpected challenges that were concealed by the political uncertainty, would rise to the surface.

We're at Day 177 of the minority Government and things have gone pretty much according to script.

The Independent Alliance has walked to the top of the hill more than a few times but the appointment of new backroom personnel has helped reduce the tantrums. Fianna Fail has lived up to its side of the 'confidence and supply' arrangement in a bid to prove to the nation that they are a responsible centre-left party once again.

And, in theory, Fine Gael ministers should now be in a position to finally start real rumblings about Enda Kenny's position.

But a 'surprise' landed in the form of a teacher strike and quickly turned to shock when gardai followed suit.

By the time this Government hits Day 200, there is every chance that schools and gardai stations will have been closed for three days each.

In isolation, these two threats to the Government's authority would be difficult to deal with - but together they have the potential to bring down the whole house of cards. That may have already happened only for a clause in the arrangement contrived by Fine Gael and Fianna Fail back at the start of May.

During the government formation talks, Paschal Donohoe insisted that the document should contain a section entitled 'Industrial Relations and Public Sector Pay'.

It's not that he foresaw being minister for Public Expenditure in the new administration or even that he predicted major industrial unrest in the public sector. But, after two years in the Department of Transport, he knew the impending Luas strike was all but certain to spill over into the CIE Group.

Fianna Fail agreed to "respect the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court" which was key to preventing the transport disputes from becoming overly politicised. Newly minted minister Shane Ross did face some criticism but that was largely centred on his attitude to the job rather than a lack of direct intervention. Remember, he called it "a doddle".

The much bigger problem now is that some public sector union bosses have been radicalised by the successful strikes at Dublin Bus and the Luas. And were it not for one line in the confidence and supply arrangement, the Government would arguably be on the edge of collapse by now.

Both parties committed to "recognise full implementation of the Lansdowne Road Agreement in accordance with the timelines agreed and recognise that the recruitment issues in the public service must be addressed as part of this agreement".

And that's the reason the Lansdowne Road Agreement was mentioned so sparsely in the Dail this week. Fianna Fail is terrified of its political life to make a major issue out of the public sector unrest.

Astonishingly, during Leaders' Questions on Tuesday and Wednesday, Micheal Martin avoided the story that was leading every news bulletin. He pressed the Taoiseach on cystic fibrosis drugs, mental health funding and the appointment of judges, but no questions on how parents will cope when schools close or whether criminals will be free to roam the streets.

One senior source pointed out that Fianna Fail needs to be careful because if they so much as suggest a divergence from Lansdowne Road then Mr Donohoe will be "out like a flash saying you are politicising the situation".

Sinn Fein has been relatively quiet too leaving Labour leader Brendan Howlin, who negotiated the Lansdowne Road Agreement, to do most of the running. He has called on the Government to bring forward the date for negotiating its successor. Within Fine Gael too there is a willingness to be patient. While the buck on pay stops with Mr Donohoe, Frances Fitzgerald and Richard Bruton are also in the firing line. It's a real test of their leadership at a time when they are outsiders in the race to replace Enda Kenny.

They were more than a little surprised when Leo Varadkar involved himself during the week, warning gardai that the public "won't ever" look at the force in the same way again if it leaves communities unprotected.

But some in ministerial ranks were not perturbed by his hard-line stance.

"There are things that those directly involved cannot say or places they can't go. Leo was making a fair point," said a source familiar with the process.

"We have to be conscious that we're speaking to the unions and the public."

Similarly nobody in Government will say whether the planned action by gardai is illegal because the follow-up question would be 'what are you going to do about it?'

So this Government now lives and dies by the Lansdowne Road Agreement.

If Mr Donohoe steps outside it to appease the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) it would unleash the other teacher unions within hours and then it would be open season.

Already the move to strike by the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (who are technically inside Lansdowne) is seen as a reaction to the Garda Representatives Association's strike plan.

Since the day he took office Mr Donohoe has been assuring the Irish Congress of Trade Unions that he will not budge on Lansdowne. He has to stay true to his word, or else the whole thing could implode.

If the teachers and gardai don't compromise, the Government will collapse. The irony is that on this issue 'new politics' is working - but that could be its downfall.
You would have to have some empathy for Housing Minister Simon Coveney when he admitted last week that he still doesn't fully understand what the role of Airbnb should be in the economy. It's a confusing proposition after all; a multinational tech firm - our supposed saviours - mixed up in a dystopian rental nightmare. The State has rich form in attempting to solve clashes of values like these in such a way that the multinational wins every time. But the Airbnb situation feels somewhat unique. Unlike, say, the Apple tax, the connection between our national infrastructure and the company's activities is concrete and direct. The whiff of Airbnb's money has caught the attention of Dublin landlords and in at least one instance which I have witnessed served as grounds for an attempted termination of a lease. The situation with the company has also fed into the housing crisis and placed the Government at a crossroads.

In some ways I sympathise with those landlords. I was not immune to the lovely whiff of Airbnb's money. I bought an apartment on Pearse Street at the height of the Celtic Tiger and over the following years the slow transformation of the Grand Canal area into a multinational hub pushed rents through the roof. Airbnb took centre stage in this regeneration. The knowledge that my shoebox was now rental gold seemed like some compensation for the massive mortgage I was lumbered with. And the tech companies with their bars and hip young employees seemed like progress from the industrial wasteland the place was 15 years ago. I also used Airbnb when I travelled, grateful that it had rescued me from the sterility and expense of hotel rooms.

My attitude to Airbnb changed abruptly when I saw in real time the misery it can cause. Over the last few years, my boyfriend, Colm, rented an apartment, with a flatmate, in a different part of the city centre. A few months into the last lease, both he and the then-flatmate received letters from the landlord telling them that he was terminating the lease, in part to turn the apartment into an Airbnb property. There had been numerous articles in the press during that period detailing the vast sums that could be made on Airbnb in the city centre. The landlord was apparently determined to get a slice of this new revenue stream.

Faced with a long appeal process and potentially the stress of losing his home anyway, the flatmate decided to pre-emptively move out. Colm didn't budge. He refused to pay the flatmate's half of the rent - he could not afford to - and in response received written warnings from the landlord. The case went to the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) which decided that Airbnb was not a legitimate "change of use" for the apartment so as to determine a lease. But as arrears of rent had accrued in the period since the 'Airbnb notice', the landlord was entitled to terminate the lease for non-payment of rent. The 'victory' relating to the change of use was thus entirely pyrrhic; the apartment may now eventually end up on Airbnb at any rate. The episode underlined that even when the website is not directly a reason for tenants being evicted, its very existence as a potential revenue stream is adding to pressure in the housing market.

Checks on Airbnb's contribution to the housing crisis are currently woefully insufficient. It's reported now that Revenue is going to get involved in claiming back tax from people who have been renting out properties on Airbnb, but this will be a mere inconvenience. I spoke to several Airbnb landlords last week who said this won't deter them from renting their place through the website. Dublin City Council ruled last week that a property in Temple Bar had changed its use from residential to short-term holiday letting and that this change required planning permission. This, too, will create more administration for landlords, but they can absorb the legal costs and the lost revenue of an empty apartment in the knowledge that, once the permission is achieved, they can potentially earn significantly more. Meanwhile, middle-class professionals in Dublin ponder the feasibility of bunk beds and our subjugation to the might of the multinationals is complete.

Tenants, as a group, are weak and effectively voiceless. The Government has to accept that in the context of the housing crisis there can be no 'balance' between the needs of tenants living at the mercy of landlords, and the profit margins of a tech firm. It was reported last week that the Government still sees a role for Airbnb in the property market, particularly with regard to accommodation for visitors. In considering what exactly this role might be, it could do well to look at the example of other cities. Berlin recently passed a law banning most short-term rentals, and Barcelona and Amsterdam are imposing steep fines for listings that violate laws there. In San Francisco, the $30bn company has sued the city to block a new requirement that it reject booking fees from property owners who have not registered with the city.

Perhaps the most pertinent overseas example of all is New York, however. Last week it was announced that the company will sue the city of New York, Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and Mayor Bill de Blasio over legislation that would make it illegal to advertise accommodation that can't legally be rented out for less than 30 days. New York's last-gasp attempt to turn the tide back toward its ordinary residents is instructive. Over the past 20 years that city has transformed itself into a theme park for visitors, while pricing most of its artists, musicians and writers - the people who had made the Big Apple great - out of the rental market. If we keep going as we are, Dublin, too, will eventually be 'cleansed' of its average workers. Flatland can be emptied and renovated to make way for Americans who can pay by the night. And when they note that the city has lost a bit of its soul, we can tell them we did it all for them.
Now is the winter of our discontent. Again. One of the many political missteps made by Fine Gael in the run-up to the last election was to oversell the recovery of the country.

Because even as Enda Kenny was telling us that we had gone beyond mere green shots and had entered the realm of genuine growth, people looked askance.

If there was actually a recovery, most of us felt it was one which may have become noticeable to government accountants who spend their days analysing spread sheets and balance returns, but remained a mirage to everyone else.

In fairness, our beloved Taoiseach wasn't exactly running around the Dail, throwing money in the air and screaming 'we've never had it so good'.

But the problem with telling people that things are getting better when they can't see any improvement, is that it inevitably leads to resentment and a sense that either the Government is lying to them - the very thought! - or they are being simply left behind while the tide rises for everyone else.

That's certainly a contributory factor to the growing mood of belligerence we have seen from the unions in recent times, but there's more to it than that - much more.

As things stand, we're looking at the teachers going on strike, which is an inconvenience for parents and the more studious-minded of the kids (the rest, of course, will be only delighted with themselves).

We've seen the strikes with the Luas and bus workers and you just know the train drivers are next.

It was screamingly obvious from the start of the Luas dispute that they were merely a skirmish party - industrial dispute outriders who tested the waters before the other transport workers dived right in.

That was a major hassle for anyone who lives or commutes in Dublin and cost the city economy millions. That was the point.

While the threats from nurses to go on strike will always receive a warmer welcome from the public - because everybody likes nurses and recognises that they do a ridiculously tough job for ridiculously small money - the idea of teachers striking because their junior colleagues aren't on the same pay scale is just another excuse for shakedown by public-sector workers.

The cops removing their labour, on the other hand, is a matter of genuine national security.

The idea of a police force going on strike is as counter-intuitive as the idea of having an army that only fights during business hours and never at the weekends.

In other words - it just doesn't make any sense.

The threatened cessation of policing for every Friday in November is an absolute disgrace. That's because, like their peers in the Irish Defence Forces, they have sworn an oath of loyalty to this State - not to their leadership. Not to any passing Government. To the State.

The public-sector pay bill is more than 16bn as it stands - an absurd amount for a near-bankrupt country already running a massive deficit.

But despite the undeniably legitimate gripes of the rank-and-file, they seem either reluctant or incapable of understanding that if they do down their handcuffs and refuse to work, they have irrevocably broken a covenant between them and the citizens they swore to protect.

By announcing their strikes, which could even go so far as causing the airports to close down for the duration of their action, they are opening a Pandora's box - both for themselves and for the rest of us.

Crime is obviously going to spike on those black Fridays and the gardai will have been guilty of ringing the dinner bell, alerting every criminal to the fact that they have a 24-hour open goal to do whatever they want.

It's a truly remarkable and, to be honest, frightening situation.

It's also spectacularly dumb.

That's because union leaders seem determined to believe, in the face of all the evidence, that the Irish have a natural inclination to support strikers. We don't. I suppose you could call it the Dunnes Stores Syndrome; the belief that every strike will enjoy widespread support.

Those Dunnes workers were striking, at great personal cost, over a matter of conscience, not for more money.

Ireland is known as a land of myths and legends, but the best ones are the lies we tell ourselves - such as the great big porkie that we're all in this recovery together.

We're not. Successive governments have played the private sector against their public-sector peers, but even so, most of us who are self-employed or working for a company look on these strikes with a mixture of contempt and bafflement.

Nobody is living on the pig's back in this country - well, apart from our TDs, both past and present - but some have it harder than others and gripes about 'pay restoration' to levels that were already demented won't win the public's support.

Do they even care about public support anymore?

I doubt it because they don't seem to mind about the damage they are inflicting on the country. All strikes are bad for business, but the idea of a striking police force is surely the worst Irish joke we have ever heard.

All aboard the fauxtrage bandwagon

Contrary to the more hysterical claims of the gay lobby, most people who voted in favour of gay marriage didn't really care

Oh God - here we go again.

You might have thought that, with the gay marriage referendum passing with such ease and the whole Repeal the 8th movement taking up so much time, gay people might stop moaning about perceived slights.

But where would the fun be with that?

The latest example of this cosseted Western privilege is a gay couple who were turned down by a printer in Drogheda when they went there to get their wedding invitations printed.

The printer said no and the couple promptly went mad, complaining on Facebook and basking in the glorious sanctity that comes with being a victim.

There is a victim here - the printer.

Beulah Print found itself in the spotlight last year when they refused to do the wedding invites for another gay couple, citing their Christian beliefs. So it's not as if this latest couple wouldn't have been aware of the company's position.

So why would you bother going there?

Contrary to the more hysterical claims of the gay lobby, most people who voted in favour of gay marriage didn't really care. It was a fringe issue that impacted on a tiny proportion of the population and those who voted Yes - me included - did so on the basis that it was none of our business. Which, frankly, is the best reason to vote for anything - rather than voting out of self interest, many of us simply thought it was the right thing to do. But we didn't lose any sleep over it.

Nobody likes a bully and that's what this looks like. I don't agree with the printer's decision, but either we respect people's beliefs or we don't - simply go to a different printer. It's that simple.

Plenty of the usual suspects have been saying that the printer is breaking the law.

Presumably all these law-abiding citizens have paid their water charges?
Downsizers dream? The latest phase of retirement homes to launch at Audley Binswood, in Leamington Spa, England, offers apartments from 299,995. Extras include access to the Audley Club at the restored Binswood Hall  more five-star hotel than care home with gym, library, bar, and nursing care if needed; audleyretirement.co.uk

We hear again and again that we need 25,000 new homes a year to meet demand in Ireland. What many people forget is that that figure represents the annual demand in a normally functioning market. However, the legacy of many years of virtually no new homes being delivered is that there is huge pent-up demand and so the real figure is closer to 35,000 units; some experts would say higher. A significant percentage of demand is both location and price specific with by far the highest demand being for properties in Dublin under 400,000. This is closely followed by demand for properties under 300,000 in the other major cities and provincial towns.

The national strategy for the delivery of new homes is too Dublin-centric. What is needed is a granular analysis of each and every urban area in the country to identify their individual housing needs for the next 15 years.

If young people are to be encouraged to remain in these regional locations, they need to have housing options. The issue with many of the regions is that it is currently not financially viable for developers to construct homes while returning a profit.

Historically it would have primarily been the State's responsibility to deliver most of the new homes needed. However, over the last 15 years, the powers that be have been moving away from house construction, leaving the private market to take up the slack.

What's the answer? The Government needs to provide incentives for developers to build homes in the places with greatest demand. Measures would also be required to restrain house prices. And the incentives would not be introduced until a forensic analysis of each and every urban area had been carried out.

It would allow two adjoining counties to receive completely different levels of assistance. Yes, it would be similar to the Section type relief which was responsible for creating a shed-load of empty holiday homes over the last 15 years. But the vital difference is that the support would be directed to areas where real demand exists - from FTBs. It would be essential that only FTBs would have access to these homes. If the authorities are serious about bucking the trend towards urbanisation, then short-term measures are needed to make it viable for FTBs to buy in the regions. It is not going to happen by itself.

Brexit and house prices - the only way is up

It seems that momentum is growing behind British prime minister Theresa May's statement that Article 50 will be invoked by March next year. It is likely to be a two-year process. To date, the limited stats available - a drop of 2pc has been mentioned - indicate that property values have fallen slightly since the vote in June. It's likely that values will fall further the closer we get to the exit date. Furthermore, property in the UK will become cheaper to outsiders, primarily from the EU, Asia, Middle East and US, so the potential fall-off in domestic demand may be offset by external buyers.

What are the implications for the Irish property market? Not so good. When the market started to rebound in 2013 and banks and receivers began offloading stock, a key player was the UK-based professional and semi-professional investor. Traditionally, UK buyers have always been active in areas such as the south-east (accessibility through Rosslare), West Cork, the Midlands (fishing) and the western seaboard. A real threat now exists to this market.

In November of last year, the euro was worth 69p sterling. Today, it is worth 89p sterling - up 29pc in value in nine months. It has been predicted by UBS, the global bank, that euro and sterling could reach parity as early as the end of 2017, ie, the cost of purchasing property in Ireland will have increased by 45pc in under two years. As up to 10pc of buyers in the Irish market have been UK-based over the last four years, this market could well dry up. The future is anyone's guess.

Go figure

At last, after years with limited accurate data on the housing market, things are changing. A Housing Statistics Seminar held by the CSO this week reviewed the new, improved Residential Property Price Index (RPPI). Among the speakers was Sunday Independent columnist and assistant professor of economics at Trinity College, Ronan Lyons, and David Duffy, who was recently appointed as CEO of Property Industry Ireland (PII) -the property wing of IBEC.

Ronan Lyons reviewed the history of housing stats in Ireland and the arrival, in recent years, of various additional sources of quality housing statistics. While welcoming the new RPPI, he believes that adding data on site size for every property would provide greater detail.

Another suggestion was the creation of a register of transactions which would include both recorded sales and tenancies. This would be invaluable in a country where the percentage of rental properties is increasing every year and now stands at close to 500,000 households. Our current reporting structures give minimal information on the make-up and dynamics of tenants.

David Duffy added that there needs to be "ongoing engagement to examine the micro detail of supply and demand". He also believes there needs to be an ongoing assessment of the Government's new approach with consideration give to how new policies will impact the market in the long run.

A spokesperson for the new Housing Department confirmed that a national quarterly housing report is imminent. It was also confirmed that, as promised by Minister Coveney at the outset of the 'Rebuilding Ireland' strategy, ongoing monthly figures will be published. In other words, there will be tangible evidence as to whether the new Government measures are delivering.
'Sad that in modern times the old person is not to be taken seriously. All of that ancient knowledge that worked so well since the dawn of time epitomised as old hat.' Stock photo: PA

Sir - Ever since I was knee high to a grasshopper, I have adored being around mature people. What would be classed in today's terms as elderly, pertaining to anyone over 65?

I always found the knowledge of the matures to be of an amazing standard, and every day I have learned a new experience. Sad that in modern times the old person is not to be taken seriously. All of that ancient knowledge that worked so well since the dawn of time epitomised as old hat. Human beings moving towards transhumanism. Half-human, half-robot.

A world where empathy will no longer be required. Has anyone else noticed how time has sped up to lightning speed? Where an hour seems like a day, a day like a week, a week like a month, and a month like a year. Our heads looking down at modern technology gadgets, where conversation has been replaced by texts and selfies. Where have those endless days gone that stretched on and on, and everyone had time to truly listen to each other?

Yes, we have moved on to the Space Age. However, it would be nice to build a time machine and experience the forgotten art of wisdom.

Anthony Woods,

Ennis, Co Clare

The vital work of child-rearing

Sir  Childcare, despite its name, is not necessarily only caring for children.

While there can be benefits to the child, it often belittles the entitlement of the child as a human person, and their role in society.

Every child is absolutely entitled to a mother and a father to care for them. They are not to be treated as a problem  a problem that may be solved by state-sponsored, or other-funded, childcare. The attitudes of parents to their responsibilities are likely to be formed in the childcare years.

Consignment of children to a creche may be well intentioned in some cases, but it is often done primarily to enhance the position of some adults at the expense of the child.

In addition, as Sarah Carey (Sunday Independent, October 16) rightly points out, reducing the role of the stay-at-home parent to mere childminding greatly diminishes the regard for the vital work required to rear a child and to run a stable home.

Brendan OConnor, on the same page, draws attention to the need for many households to have two incomes. Ironically, the increase in house prices was brought about in large measure because of the existence of two incomes. Nevertheless, he calls for a fundamental conversation on how we live and work. This is both overdue and welcome.

Children have neither a vote nor a voice. Yet they are the future.

It is time we did something  something more than just a meaningless referendum.

Donal ODriscoll,

Blackrock, Co Dublin

Vivid memories of Lady and Tramp

Sir  Aida Lennons story about how she found her dog, Lady (My Pet, Sunday Independent, October 16) reminds me of the song Gypsy, Joe and Me by Dolly Parton, which was recorded years ago by Ray Lynam and more recently by Frank McCaffrey. The lyrics go: Now Gypsy was my little dog/I found by the road in a ditch.

My family had a dog called Tramp. I used to spoil him and take him for walks every night. He used to bark at a friend of mine when he called to our house, knowing that I would be going out and be unavailable to him, and he also used to bark at one of my aunts for some reason.

Once he leapt up and grabbed the remains of a joint of beef from the table and another time ate a Cadbury Creme Egg with the foil still on it.

I missed him when he died, as Ms Lennon did with Lady. As the new Nobel Prize winner Bob Dylan sings: Lay, Lady, Lay.

Hugh Owens,

Douglas, Co Cork

Life is nothing like a holiday for teachers

Sir  The teacher bashing has commenced yet again and Eilis OHanlon (Sunday Independent, October 16) is on the front line.

Its laughable that selective journalism continues to dilute the quality of reading your newspaper provides. The age-old argument of teacher holidays has come to the fore and its becoming an overused feature of OHanlons writing.

The fact is that teachers have great holidays, I would not dare deny it, but it is also frustrating to have such fabulous holidays when you are not getting paid a cent during that time.

That is the reality for a lot of young teachers, and, as you mentioned European figures of pay, we also have the highest rate of substitute staff within the teaching sector in Europe, and substitute staff do not get paid during holiday periods.

Teachers who are permanent get paid for the amount of time they spend in class (which does not include subject planning, corrections or extra-curricular activities  equating to 35-40 hours a week), which is then divided over 12 months. We do not get paid for holidays. So can we move on and actually talk about the reality of being a young teacher in Ireland? Its clear people need to be educated on the facts of this matter.

Post-2011, entry teachers are subject to two teaching scales (the newer scale of 2012 is worse than 2011) and will earn up to 200,000 less over the course of their career than their counterparts. Pre-2011, entry teachers started on the normal pay scale and rose up the scale based on years of teaching. However, their starting point and a post-2011 entry teachers starting pay is significantly different. Existing teachers on the normal pay scale gain nothing from striking  its simply solidarity for young teachers who have been alienated by this Government for the last six years.

We are not looking for a pay rise. We just want restoration of the common basic scale for all teachers within the profession.

Ailish Egan,

Templemore, Co Tipperary

National language needs preserving

Sir  I cannot let Declan Lynchs article on the Irish language (Sunday Independent, October 16) pass without comment. Not surprisingly, it comes from one of the anti-Irish language factions of the paper who are opposed to compulsory Irish. Their flawed argument is: what use is Irish to us? This completely misses the point.

In school, English and maths were compulsory. I had to learn Pythagoras theorem, which I knew I would never use again, and I had to learn English poetry like Wordsworths I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud. Will I ever use that again? No. But Im glad I learnt it, as it opened me up to another world. The Irish language is a unique part of our national soul, like Wordsworth was to the English nation.

They argue that there is no commercial benefit of learning Irish. When people play hurling or learn Irish dancing, are they doing it for commercial benefit? Will they earn money from it? In the majority of cases they wont, but they realise it is a part of our national identity, as is the Irish language. The sad fact of the matter is the majority of people on this island are Anglo-Irish. For us to save our language for future generations, Irish must be compulsory, as it would be for any other country preserving its national language.

Adrian Breathnach,

Gael-Taca, Corcaigh

Its time to make learning Irish fun

Sir  Declan Lynchs article on his feelings for Gaeilge (Sunday Independent, October 16) contends that more than a million of us lied on the Census form. I take a different view. It would seem to me that a million of us want to speak the language.

The Census response, I think, is aspirational and indicates a gra for the language: for example, a fondness or respect, if not outright love, for the language. Even if we do not use Irish every day, many of us wish that we did.

I agree with Declan that the reality is that English is now our first language. We are fortunate that it is, as economically it is more important than ever. However, this does not mean we should throw out our native tongue. The compulsory aspect is in some ways self-defeating, but I can understand the fear that if it were no longer compulsory that it might disappear altogether.

How to reconcile these two positions? Whoever is not strong must be clever. We have to put some craic back into the learning process. The joy in any learning of a language is in achieving some mastery in speaking it. This is where the teaching of Irish has failed in the past.

If we concentrate on the joy and satisfaction of communicating as Gaeilge, we will make much further progress than through rote learning of grammar and taking exams.

Jim OMeara,

Whitepoint, Cobh

TDs risking being burnt by privilege

Sir  Eilis OHanlon, in her analysis (Sunday Independent, October 16) regarding the proceedings before the Dails Justice and Equality Committee, suggests that members of parliament cannot be given a free pass simply because they claim to know the truth and make allegations under Dail privilege.

As a civilised society, we are familiar with the concept of trial by judge and jury. The press is occasionally blamed for a reporting style that resembles a trial by media. However, we may have to get used to a new justice system, which might be trial by TD.

A righteous parliamentarian with a strong moral code might consider themselves impartial and unbiased, yet in the pursuit of fair play, compulsive truth-telling could cause untold damage to others and even to themselves.

Perhaps William Shakespeare said it best when he wrote: Heat not a furnace for your foe so hot that it do singe yourself.

Alan ODwyer,

Carlow

The Donald could yet trump Clinton

Sir  The worldwide media has said The Donald cant win. Voters will not let them down, they think. Hmm... this was the same cosy consensus which said Brexit did not have a hope in hell of being carried. Oh, ye of little faith. Has it not yet become clear that Clinton had her shot in government and it was a total warmongering disaster?

Robert Sullivan,

Bantry, Co Cork

Smoking chimp is like coursing hares

Sir  Images of Azalea, the chimp chain-smoking in a North Korean zoo, have sparked a storm of outrage internationally. The chimp allegedly smokes a pack of cigarettes a day and visitors roar with laughter when they see the animal light up at the newly renovated zoo in Pyongyang.

Azaleas plight has been roundly condemned on social media globally, and rightly so, as there can no defending the infliction of such a cruel indignity on this innocent wild creature.

But we Irish cant protest too loudly. Our hare-coursing season is in full swing. Each weekend between now and the middle of February, our gentle, native hares will be forced to run from pairs of greyhounds in specially prepared wired enclosures.

Just as Azalea was snatched from the wild to perform to the detriment of her health and wellbeing, each Irish hare is taken from its natural habitat to be likewise subjected to a cruel ordeal for human amusement.

John Fitzgerald,

Callan, Co Kilkenny

Use Lotto for RTE

Sir  TV licensing is of another age and the time has come for the Government to shut down RTE or else finance its cultural and artistic programmes out of the Lotto.

Edward Lee,

Passage West, Co Cork

A very short life with so much purpose

Sir  It is with deep sadness and compassion I read the article by Dr Siobhan Donohoe entitled I never dreamed Id choose abortion until nightmare diagnosis (Sunday Independent, October 9). I would like to offer my alternative experience when faced with a similar situation. Whenever we are asked how many children we have, I often reply that we have one little boy, Marc, and two young ladies.

Marc was born and died immediately after being baptised, 20 years ago, in January 1996. He was buried 10 days later, in a snow-covered local cemetery. Marc was our first child, our only boy. He was born at 37 weeks, although we knew at 24 weeks that he was in serious difficulty and would not live long after birth. At the 24-week scan, the doctor explained that there was very little fluid around our baby, that fluid was building up in his body, his kidneys were not working properly or at all.

He had hydrocephalus. I understood that babies can survive with this condition and asked what I could do to help his situation. The story got worse. He also had anencephaly, where part of his brain had atrophied. Kindly and carefully, the doctor told me this baby could not live long outside the womb. This is devastating news for any parent.

My immediate response was, what happens now?.

The doctor told me that our baby was alive and protected, and, that while he didnt expect our baby to live to full term, the longer I carried our baby, the easier it would be to deliver him. We were advised to come back in a fortnight for another scan at 26 weeks. We were shocked, heartbroken and devastated. By the time we went for the 26-week scan, I was convinced the doctor had got it all wrong: wrong scan, wrong baby, wrong diagnosis.

We were allowed to see the scans again and there was no way we could deny the facts. The doctor gently told us that I was this babys life support machine; once separated, his death was inevitable. We prayed and prayed. We asked God for a miracle. We bargained with him to let this baby live. Wed be his kidneys, wed compensate for parts that didnt work.

We had fortnightly scans and I could feel our baby kicking, as if sending me the message, hang on in there, mum, Im not gone yet. At 36 weeks, time was running out and we opted to deliver at exactly 37 weeks. Being told that he would not survive a natural delivery, we chose a C-section to give him the best chance of being born alive, to meet us, see us, to know who to keep an eye on from heaven. The hospital chaplain was in theatre also and baptised him in my arms and he died immediately. Our faith really saw us through this toughest of times.

The compassion of the hospital staff was palpable. They did all in their power to support us and carry us through, as did family, friends and community. We spent 10 days in hospital gathering precious memories that would have to last us a lifetime; photographs, footprints, handprints, a lock of hair. We talked and sang to him and then planned his beautiful funeral, after which he was laid to rest in our local cemetery.

Our greatest comfort now in the face of what was undeniably a tragedy, is that we didnt hurt him and he didnt hurt us.

When we look back now at our time together 20 years ago, we are very glad Marc was so protected by the Irish Constitution firstly, by the medical profession, by family, friends, and the community. It grieves us to hear that awful expression fatal foetal abnormality. Marc was only ever referred to as a baby in difficulty, which is what he was. It also grieves us to witness the massive push to legalise abortion in Ireland, allowing the destruction of life at its most vulnerable stage.

I am the mother of a dead baby. I know that ravaging and terrible pain. Yet we have the comforting knowledge that we did all we could to give him life.

On his birthday every year we celebrate Marcs life. We stop work and school and take the day to remember and honour what he has done and been for us. In our kitchen, Marcs framed photographs and footprints hang on the wall, footprints of feet that never hit the ground, a voice that never spoke a word. Yet by his life he has had a greater impact and influence on me, on us as a couple and as a family, than any other person that ever lived. Marcs life and death have purpose.

Carmel Ui Churraoin,

Atha Troim, Co Na Mi
Fashion designer Victoria Beckham recently came under fire for using excessively thin models in her spring/summer 2017 show at New York Fashion Week. Less was said about her decision to cast a 15-year-old model, Julie Ratner, to showcase her designs.

The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) "strongly recommends" that fashion designers don't use under-age models in their shows. Meanwhile, models under the age of 16 are banned from London and Copenhagen Fashion Weeks, while many international editions of Vogue magazine have pledged not to feature under-age models on their editorial pages.

This is progress but it didn't hinder Beckham. Make no mistake: the supply and demand equation still exists. Model scouts continue to search for 'fresh faces' between the ages of 14 and 16 (younger in some cases) because many of the big fashion houses still want under-age models to showcase their designs.

Agencies purport to protect these newcomers with restricted work hours and chaperones, yet there's only so much hand-holding they can do. The model still has to endure the cold and clinical cattle call that is a model casting, and the sharp slap of rejection when she doesn't get a call-back. She still has to adhere to the backstage protocol of flesh-coloured thongs and all-over shaving at an age when she's still trying to get her head around tampons and razors.

Most of the organisations trying to introduce rights and regulations to the notoriously lawless fashion industry are headed up by former models - women who were exploited during their tender teenage years. And they're not the exception. They're the rule.

Even Kate Moss has spoken out about the way she was treated as a teenage model. Reflecting on the famous topless shoot she did with the late photographer, Corinne Day, she said: "They were like, 'If you don't do it, then we're not going to book you again'. So I'd lock myself in the toilet and cry."

Incidentally, the first test photos of Moss were recently shown at an exhibition in London. The photographer, Owen Scarbiena, remembers her as "innocent, fresh [and] unaffected". That's hardly surprising. She was only 14, after all.

Let's not kid ourselves: under-age models aren't booked because they look older than their age. They are booked because the big fashion houses fetishise the trembling vulnerability of youth.

They go in search of the gawky and ungainly - young women with impossibly long limbs and disproportionally wide-apart eyes.

They want to see fawn-like awkwardness in their gait and a flicker of apprehension in their gaze. They want bee-stung breasts, toothpick arms and spaghetti straps falling off prominent clavicle bones. The cusp of womanhood is the sweet spot for certain fashion designers: it's the uncorrupted naivete that they covet.

The under-age model is the virgin bride, the nymph of Greek mythology and the swell of a flower bud just before it blossoms. It's as perverse as it is preposterous when you really think about it. We're led to believe that under-age catwalk models must seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The truth is that only one out of every hundred or so girls will get anywhere in an industry that worships freshness.

Many of the young women who modelled at the various fashion weeks last month will be out of pocket now. One of fashion's dirty little secrets is that newcomers generally work for 'exposure'. In fact, some of the designers at New York Fashion Week don't pay any of the models, both established and emerging. And even if the model carves out a sustainable career, there's no union, health insurance or pension plan. Worse, there's no HR department, even though the model has dozens of bosses - not all of them particularly kind.

I've worked backstage at a few international fashion weeks and I've seen the way models are treated by some of the show organisers. I remember one bull-headed martinet, wearing a ridiculous silk scarf around his neck, barking: "MODELS! Get into line NOW! And that's a command, not a suggestion."

Director Nicolas Winding Refn recently delivered a scathing attack of the fashion industry in his latest film, The Neon Demon. It's a divisive movie, but most would agree that it exposes the exploitation at the underbelly of the industry, while exploring the almost vampirical thirst for new blood. In one scene, the lead character, an aspiring model, is advised by her agent to lie about her age and tell her co-workers that's she's 19. "Eighteen is too on the nose."

The ongoing weight debate in the fashion industry is part of a wider, systemic problem. The real issue is that the big fashion houses deify juvenility - and there'll be many more sacrificial lambs before the prevailing aesthetic is called into question.
Lithuania's leftwing government was fighting for survival Sunday in round two of a general election, clouded by an exodus of workers fuelling a demographic crisis in the Baltic eurozone state.

No exit polls were issued after the close of voting at 1700 GMT. Lithuania's election commission tallied turnout at 36.53 percent of the 2.5 million eligible voters an hour before polls closed.

Official results expected later Sunday were forecast to hand victory to either the opposition conservative Homeland Union or the centrist Lithuanian Peasants and Green Union party (LPGU).

Both parties scored just over 21 percent of the vote in round one of the election on October 9.

Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevicius's Social Democrats were dealt a heavy blow coming in third with just 14.42 percent.

Three other smaller parties entered parliament, signalling complicated coalition talks.

Analysts have tipped Homeland Union's Gabrielius Landsbergis -- the 34-year-old grandson of Lithuanian independence icon Vytautas Landsbergis -- as likely to become the next prime minister.

They also point to the LPGU, headed by popular former national police chief Saulius Skvernelis, as potential kingmakers in coalition talks.

Landsbergis has said he is keen to forge a coalition with the LPGU but has ruled out any such deal with the Social Democrats.

Wage growth, job creation and curbing mass emigration were key rallying cries for candidates in this EU member of 2.9 million people, plagued by an exodus of workers seeking higher wages, many of them in Britain.

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Hey, if it worked for Liz Hurley, it's worth a try, Kelly Brook. No surprise that after this daring ensemble on the red carpet in 2000, Kelly has topped men's magazines most lusted after lists.

Liz Hurley (46) has toned down the red carpet look to a more age-appropriate one lately. She is one of the few celebrities who admits to her difficulties maintaining her weight.

The fact that Liz Hurley has a line of beachwear colours a lot of what follows.

It's part of the reason she's been madly posting pictures of herself on Instagram in bikinis and itsy-bitsy cover-ups. It's not the only reason, though. After all, most of the bikini posers on Instagram are selling something, but they're also doing that thing - that flaunting thing.

"Flaunting" has become so overused a word that it has almost lost all meaning. Because everyone is at it, though not everyone intends to be. There is the inadvertent flaunting, which just means a celebrity being papped on their holidays in their togs. Their bodies are more exposed than normal, unsurprisingly, so they're "flaunting". In cases of complicit paparazzi attention, that's deliberate flaunting, obviously.

Then there's the disingenuous use of "flaunting" - often used in the same sentence as "curves" - which is actually a way of saying that someone looks fat. This is rarely a man, just in case there's any doubt in your mind.

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In many ways, "flaunting" basically covers the modern-day practice of putting oneself on show, and it's not generally the preserve of 51-year-olds. Which is the age Liz Hurley has reached, incredibly.

In 2008, photos of 63-year-old Helen Mirren looking great in her bikini caused a huge sensation. So did snaps taken last week of Sharon Stone (58) playing beach volleyball in swim shorts and a bikini. But those were paparazzi pictures.

What Hurley has been doing, this past week, is posting on her Instagram a large selection of photos of herself in two-piece swimwear in all sorts of poses - flattering poses, obviously, and undeniably flaunting. She looks terrific, there's no two ways about it, and not just terrific "for her age".

To wit, last week Hurley also posted a decades-old photo of herself in a bikini, with the caption: "I would bet I haven't changed a bit." And while the often wry Hurley may have been going for tongue-in-cheek, plenty of people rushed to comment that this was indeed the case. Compliment sought and compliment received. How wonderfully gratifying, if that's how you choose to seek your ego boost.

On the one hand, it's great to see Hurley confidently posting photographs of her bikini shots online, but on the other, it's exhausting and exasperating. Of course it's great that she feels confident enough in her body at 51 to put it on show. But it's not the self-confidence or the condition of her figure that's the point.

It's the putting it on show.

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Has the virus of self-display now spread up the generations? Is it now a thing for women older than 25 to go full bikini on Instagram? More specifically, is there no age cut-off on the endless comparing of our bodies? Because that's mostly what the over-sharing is about. It's not about making a statement of self-confidence, it's about endless self-scrutiny and scrutiny of others.

In the past, that's something that calmed down for women as they got past 30. It's not to be confused with "letting oneself go" or no longer caring how one looks. It's about caring less about how others think we look. We've got to grips with the self-consciousness of our youths, where we imagined everyone was fixated on whether our bum looked big in this, and we feel more at ease with who we are.

We also realised that everyone was far too busy worrying about their own bum, their own life, their own worries, to really give too much thought to ours.

But now, is it possible that the pressure to post will make that impossible? How will we ever stop worrying what other people think if we're sitting around counting Instagram 'likes' in our 50s and 60s? Incidentally, Liz got 24,000 likes for last week's shot of her in a red bikini.

We're now at a point where we accept that the younger generation of women post images of themselves constantly. If we are mothers of young women and girls, we fret about the pressure this puts on them, specifically because of the endless comparing of oneself to others. It doesn't matter that we know, and they know to some extent, that they are often comparing themselves to unrealistic and dishonest images.

Anyone who was ever a young girl or woman knows that there is that tendency to compare in us anyway; and to do so unfavourably to ourselves. The age of Instagram has only made that worse - and much worse.

The pressure to display is constant, the pressure to scrutinise yourself and others is constant, and the tendency to self-loathe is greater than ever before.

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Last week, I met cosmetic surgeon Darren McKeown, star of the BBC documentary Facelifts and Fillers, when he was visiting Dublin to launch his new skincare line. He told me how he regularly turns away women under 30 because they don't need anything done. But they believe that they do.

McKeown said that young women are involved, through social media, in constant unfavourable comparing of themselves to others, but also comparing themselves unfavourably to themselves.

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They come in to McKeown's office with selfies taken maybe only weeks earlier and point out how the image looks younger or better to how they look that day. He points out that lighting and flattering poses in photographs cannot be compared to real life, but the trend of feeling less good-looking/young/pretty than your own self is a horrible way to live.

The question raised by Hurley's posing in recent months, however, is whether or not this is strictly the domain of young women who have grown up on social media. Is it now the case that we can never grow out of a certain phase of self-scrutiny and obsession with our shortcomings?

So we applaud Hurley's confidence and the very fact that time has not dented her joie de vivre and her desire to take care of herself. But if we puzzle over the value of young women endlessly putting themselves on show, surely we wonder more when someone older and wiser is at it.

Unless they're selling something.
Mark, from Cork, and Peter, from Tipperary, first met in a pub in Dublin three years ago and soon after they arranged to meet for drinks.

Mark says: "I knew straight away that we had stumbled on something out of the ordinary."

And knowing he was right, Mark planned his proposal to Peter for six months, deciding to pop the question while they enjoyed an evening sunset on a beach on holiday. "Peter's face as he said 'yes' is a mental snapshot I'll never forget. It was one of the happiest moments of my life," says Mark.

Although the pair were originally at complete odds about the venue, when they arrived at The Village at Lyons (now Cliff at Lyons) they knew it was for them. "It felt like a small, private, quaint paradise for the big day," Mark says.

The pair decided on a humanist ceremony with the wedding party playing a big part. While they didn't have a specific theme for the day, the couple both agreed that autumnal shades running through the colour scheme would be ideal.

Peter had a good idea of what he wanted to wear on their special day and Mark fell in line, with both men getting matching suits from Louis Copeland.

Peter and Mark decided on the honeymoon of a lifetime after their big day, jetting off to beautiful Bali. They loved it so much, they've decided to visit again in a few years for their anniversary.

* Words by Dee Finnerty. Photography by Couple Photography, visit couple.ie

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Trinh Thi Ngo, who has died aged 85, was, for a generation of American troops serving in Indochina, better known as "Hanoi Hannah", the silken-voiced propagandist on North Vietnamese radio, the Voice of Vietnam, who tried to convince GIs, in impeccable English, that they should lay down their arms and go home.

At the height of the war, broadcasting under the name Thu Huong ("Autumn Fragrance"), Trinh Thi Ngo hosted three 30-minute programmes a day, interspersing rock tunes such as the Animals' We Gotta Get Out Of This Place and anti-war songs such as Pete Seeger's Where Have All the Flowers Gone (both banned on US Armed Forces Radio) with lists of the names and hometowns of GIs killed in action and messages, to exploit the ambivalence felt by servicemen about the war.

"How are you, GI Joe?" ran one such broadcast in 1967. "It seems to me that most of you are poorly informed about the going of the war, to say nothing about a correct explanation of your presence over here. Nothing is more confusing than to be ordered into a war to die or to be maimed for life without the faintest idea of what's going on."

She broadcast messages from anti-war activists such as Jane Fonda, reported demonstrations around the world and sought to stir up racial tensions within US forces by playing up news of race riots at home. She was popular listening for American soldiers, who enjoyed the music, though less popular with US commanders, who failed to end the broadcasts by bombing a transmitter in Hanoi. Though most GIs were said to find her often inaccurate reports of the war entertaining, some confessed to being disconcerted by the impression that North Vietnamese spies must be everywhere. In fact most of her "intelligence" reports came from publications such as Stars and Stripes, the military newspaper.

Trinh Thi Ngo's broadcasts lasted from 1965 until the Americans left in humiliation a decade later.

Trinh Thi Ngo was born in Hanoi, in French Indochina, on November 26, 1930, and was an unlikely candidate to become the voice of communism. Born into what she described as a "nationalist bourgeois family", she was the daughter of a prosperous glass factory owner and learned English from private tutors, perfecting her command of the language by watching French-subtitled Hollywood films. After independence in 1954 and the division of Vietnam into Communist North and non-Communist South, she joined the state-run northern-based Voice of Vietnam and in 1965, following America's intervention, was chosen to broadcast to US troops as Thu Huong.

After the war, Trinh Thi Ngo, a slightly built, elegant woman, moved to Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) with her husband, working in television until her retirement in 1987. She claimed never to have joined the Communist Party, arguing that her motivations had been patriotic rather than political: "I talk to them about the traditions of the Vietnamese, to resist aggression. I want... to do a little bit to demoralise them so that they will refuse to fight."

She claimed not to have felt any hatred towards the American people and in later life expressed the hope that she might one day visit the land of her former enemies: "San Francisco has always been a dream. And the Golden Gate Bridge and Hollywood, I'd love to see them, too."

She and her husband had a daughter and a son. Trinh Thi Ngo died on September 30.

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Iraq's elite counter-terrorism forces patrol outside the town of Bartella, nine miles east of Mosul (AP)

Iraqi and Kurdish forces have advanced on a town near Mosul as part of a bid to retake it from Islamic State, which staged an assault in western Iraq in an apparent diversionary tactic.

The Kurdish forces, known as peshmerga, said they launched a dawn offensive on two fronts to the north-east of Mosul, near the town of Bashiqa.

Major General Haider Fadhil, of Iraq's special forces, said they had also launched an assault on Bashiqa, surrounding it and seizing parts of the town.

He said the Kurds captured two villages near Bashiqa and a small Shiite shrine in the area.

Over the last week, Iraqi and Kurdish forces have been battling IS in mostly uninhabited towns and villages around Mosul, contending with roadside bombs, snipers and suicide truck bombs.

In western Iraq, IS stormed into Rutba, unleashing three suicide car bombs that were blown up before hitting their targets, according to the spokesman for the Joint Military Command, Brigadier General Yahya Rasool.

He said some militants were killed and declined to say whether any civilians or Iraqi forces were killed. He said the militants did not seize any government buildings and the situation "is under control".

IS carried out a large assault on the northern city of Kirkuk on Friday, in which more than 50 militants stormed government compounds and other targets.

It set off more than 24 hours of heavy fighting and killed at least 80 people, mainly security forces.

The IS-run Aamaq news agency earlier said militants stormed the town from several directions.

Lieutenant General Stephen Townsend, the top US commander in Iraq, confirmed there had been a complex attack in Rutba and said he expects more such attacks as the militants try to divert attention from Mosul.

The Mosul offensive involves more than 25,000 Iraqi ground forces as well as US-led coalition aircraft and advisers. It is expected to take weeks, if not months, to drive IS from Mosul, which is home to more than a million civilians.

Bashiqa is close to a military base where some 500 Turkish troops are training Sunni and Kurdish fighters for the Mosul offensive.

The presence of the Turkish troops has angered Iraq, which says it did not allow them to enter the country and called on them to withdraw. Turkey has refused, insisting that it play a role in retaking Mosul from IS.

US defence secretary Ash Carter has visited both countries in recent days and arrived in the Kurdish regional capital, Irbil on Sunday.

After meeting with Turkey's leaders, Mr Carter had announced an "agreement in principle" for Turkey to have a role in the operation. But Iraqi prime minister Haider al-Abadi appeared to bat that idea down when he met Mr Carter on Saturday, insisting that Mosul was an "Iraqi battle".

"I know that the Turks want to participate, we tell them thank you, this is something the Iraqis will handle and the Iraqis will liberate Mosul and the rest of the territories," he said.

The forces taking part in the Mosul offensive include Iraqi troops, the peshmerga, Sunni tribal fighters and state-sanctioned Shiite militias.

Many fear the operation could heighten tensions between Iraq's different communities, which are allied against IS but divided over a host of other issues.

These include the fate of territories near mostly Sunni Mosul that are claimed by the largely autonomous Kurdish region and the central government.

Mr Carter praised the peshmerga, saying they "fight extremely well", but also acknowledged they suffered casualties.

Brigadier General Halgord Hekmet, a spokesman for the Kurdish forces, told reporters that 25 of their troops have been killed since the battle to retake Mosul began and a "large number" had been wounded.

He said the peshmerga have had good coalition air support, but could use more armored vehicles and roadside bomb detectors. Most of the fallen peshmerga were in regular cars, he said.

The UN agency for children meanwhile expressed concern over the more than 4,000 people it says have fled from areas around Mosul since the operation began.

Unicef's Iraq representative, Peter Hawkins, said that in at least one refugee camp the conditions for children were "very, very poor". He said Unicef teams delivered water, sanitation and other supplies expected to last seven days.

They also provided immunisations against polio and measles, which he said had not been available during the more than two years that the people lived under IS rule. Unicef has plans to assist more than 784,000 people, including up to 500,000 children.

Mr Hawkins says children in and around Mosul are at risk of death or injury from the fighting, as well as sexual violence, kidnapping and recruitment by armed groups.

AP
Two explosions have hit a Japanese city, killing one person and injuring three in what police say could be a suicide.

The victim, believed to be a 72-year-old former military officer, may have set his house in Utsunomiya on fire, blown up his car in a public car park and then blown himself up in a nearby park.

A note found in the clothing of the badly burned victim included the name of the former officer, Japanese broadcaster NHK and other media reported.

One of the cars destroyed in a blaze in the car park belonged to the retired military man, and his house burned to the ground earlier, the reports said.

The back-to-back loud bangs in the park and car park shocked bystanders, many heading to a festival at the park on a sunny autumn day.

The apparent blasts occurred at about 11.30am local time within about 200 metres of each other. The festival was cancelled after the incidents.

Two men were seriously injured in the park explosion, and a 14-year-old boy suffered minor leg injuries. No one was hurt at the car park.

Kyodo News said the burned body was found after police received a call saying a person was on fire following what sounded like an explosion.

Bystanders also reported hearing loud blasts from the car park. Flames and black smoke shot into the air and repeated bangs could be heard on video posted on the Asahi newspaper's website. Nearby cars also were damaged.

Utsunomiya, the capital of Tochigi prefecture, is a city of some 500,000 people about 100 kilometres (60 miles) north of Tokyo. It is near the popular tourist destination of Nikko.

AP
On the offensive: A member of the Iraqi army flashes a V sign for victory as troops hold a position near the village of Tall al-Tibah, some 30km south of the city of Mosul. Photo: Ahmad Al-Rubaye/Getty

ISIL forces reportedly massacred hundreds of men and boys in Mosul yesterday as fears grow that families are being used as human shields against approaching Iraqi-led forces.

The jihadist group rounded up and shot 284 men and boys before dumping their bodies in a mass grave in northern Mosul, according to CNN.

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They were reportedly lined up and shot on the grounds of a former agricultural college, where young Iraqis were once taught how to grow food in their country's punishing climate, and then buried by a bulldozer.

The alleged massacre came after the UN voiced fears for 550 families who had been seized from nearby villages this week and marched into Mosul.

"We are gravely worried by reports that Isil is using civilians in and around Mosul as human shields as the Iraqi forces advance, keeping civilians close to their offices or places where fighters are located, which may result in civilian casualties," said Zeid Ra'ad al Hussein, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

"There is a grave danger that Isil fighters will not only use such vulnerable people as human shields but may opt to kill them rather than see them liberated."

Ravina Shamdasani, a UN spokesman citing "verified information" from local contacts, said 200 families were forced to walk to Mosul from Samalia village on Monday, while another 350 families left Najafia village for Mosul on the same day.

"This would seem to indicate that the reason for these moves is to use them for the purposes of human shields," she said.

Meanwhile, toxic fumes released when jihadists torched a sulphur plant near Mosul earlier this week killed two Iraqi civilians and forced US troops at a nearby base to wear masks.

The smoke plume slowed down the movement of Iraqi troops, Gen Qusay Hamid Kadhem told the AFP news agency. Hospital sources reported that nearly 1,000 people were treated for breathing problems.

Ash Carter, the US Secretary of Defence, made an unscheduled stop in Baghdad so he could be briefed on the progress of coalition forces as they closed on Mosul. He was due to meet Iraqi prime minister Haider al-Abadi and senior military officials.

Carter's visit was meant partly to try to smooth over tensions between Iraq and Turkey, who have been at odds over the Mosul operation.

Turkey has insisted that its forces should play a role in the assault on Mosul but Iraq has so far firmly resisted any Turkish presence. The Iraqi prime minister reiterated his opposition after the meeting, saying: "I know that the Turks want to participate, we tell them thank you, this is something the Iraqis will handle and the Iraqis will liberate Mosul and the rest of the territories."

Iraqi security forces also continued to battle Isil fighters who had attacked the city of Kirkuk. A small force of gunmen and suicide bombers struck inside the city, which is 160km southeast of Mosul, on Friday.

The group of jihadists targeted a prison in an effort to free their comrades and also attacked the governor's offices and several police stations. Iraqi officials said the attack was an apparent effort to draw troops away from Mosul.

Isil has been publishing daily "fact sheets" on the battle for Mosul on social media.

In an update, it celebrated the killing of chief petty officer Jason Finan, 34, as the death of "an American crusader soldier".

Finan, 34, who was killed on Thursday, was the first American to die in the Mosul offensive and the fourth American killed since US operations against Isil began in 2014.

Mosul is Isil's last city stronghold in Iraq and if it does fall the so-called "caliphate" will have only its de facto capital in Raqqa left out of territory that once stretched from northern Syria towards central Iraq.

Iraqi and Kurdish troops have captured a number of villages around the city but are still several miles outside Mosul itself and bracing for potentially fierce street-to-street fighting once they get inside.

Karim Sinjari, the interior minister for the Kurdish regional government, said there were some signs of people inside Mosul rising up against Isil in anticipation of the arrival of Iraqi forces.

However, he warned that the battle would not be over quickly and that the roughly 8,000 jihadists in the city would put up fierce resistance with suicide bombers, snipers and booby traps.

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022]
United Nations investigators have found the Syrian regime responsible for a third attack using chemical weapons as investigations continue into atrocities committed in the country's civil war.

Bashar al-Assad's forces used helicopters to drop devices that released chlorine gas on civilians in Idlib province last year, according to a confidential report sent to the UN Security Council.

Investigators said there was "sufficient evidence" to conclude that government forces were responsible for attacks on the rebel-held village of Qmenas on March 16, 2015. The Joint Investigation Mechanism (JIM) report said a device dropped from a high altitude "hit the ground and released the toxic substance that affected the population".

Dr Muhammad al-Tanari, from a field hospital in nearby Sarmin, said at least 120 people were affected by barrel bombs with chlorine. In an account given to the Violations Documentation Centre in Syria, he said casualties started arriving 10 minutes after a helicopter passed overhead.

He reported symptoms including vomiting, weakness, coughing, shortness of breath and eye and skin irritation consistent with chlorine gas exposure.

"The second attack killed six people from one family, when a barrel fell directly on their house," he added. "They had gone down to the basement to seek shelter from the impact of the explosion, as they usually did, which led to their immediate suffocation as the gas, being heavier than air, slipped down to their shelter."

The use of chlorine as a weapon is prohibited under the 1997 Chemical Weapons Convention, which Syria joined in 2013 while pledging to destroy its stockpiles.

Britain and the US were considering an invasion to oust al-Assad at this time, following an alleged sarin attack that killed hundreds in the Damascus suburb of Ghouta the previous month.

Numerous chemical attacks using chlorine, sarin and mustard gas have been reported in the five-year conflict, most commonly blamed on the Syrian army. Investigators also found Isil used sulphur mustard gas in Marea, near Turkey, in August last year.

The report is expected to be discussed by the UN Security Council on Thursday. The US, Britain and France want to impose sanctions on Syria for using chemical weapons but the Syrian government has denied all allegations and Russia, its closest ally, has dismissed previous evidence as inconclusive.

Moscow is expected to oppose any new sanctions against Syria. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "There are just two options: Assad sitting in Damascus or the Nusra Front sitting in Damascus."

He was referring to the al-Nusra Front, al Qaeda's branch in Syria that renamed itself Fatah al-Sham Front earlier this year.

The statement came as a pause in air strikes on rebel-held areas of Aleppo entered its third day, with the UN calling for the evacuation of wounded civilians and fighters from besieged areas.
A man murdered his wife at her sisters funeral service  after he killed both her sister and father to lure her there.

Samuel Velasco Gurrola faces life in prison after he executed the grisly plot with the help of his two siblings in the US town of El Paso in Texas.

Mr Velasco, 41, wanted to kill his wife Ruth Sagredo so she couldnt testify against him in a sexual assault case, according to CBS News.

He hired a hitman in 2008 to murder Ms Sagredos father in Juarez, the city in Mexico which shares a border with El Paso, in an attempt to lure her to the funeral.

But that didnt work and a month later Mr Velascos sister-in-law was also found dead in the Mexican city. Ms Sagredo was killed at her sisters funeral procession.

The jury took just three hours to convict Mr Velasco of seven separate accounts in what prosecutors called an evil plot.

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He is set to be sentenced in January. Mr Valascos lawyer told CBS News he would appeal the decision.

They deliberated for a long time but they did reach a decision based more on the emotional aspect, tugging on the heartstrings, than looking at necessarily some of the contradictory facts, he said.

According to Vice News, Mr Velasco, his brother Emmanuel and sister Dalia were allegedly at the head of a drug trafficking gang which prosecutors referred to as the "Velasco Criminal Enterprise".

It is alleged that the siblings planned and executed a wave of "extortion and kidnapping" in the US and Mexico from 2009 to 2013, according to the website.

The adjacent cities of El Paso and Juarez are divided by the Rio Grande river, which is the border between the two countries.
The three-day programme highlights the significance of the late writer and intellectual to the younger generation

The Taha Hussein museum will host an array of artistic and cultural events between 26 and 28 October to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the death of writer and novelist, Taha Hussein, who died on 28 October 1973.

The event is organised by Egypts Fine Arts Sector, headed by Khaled Srour.

The museum's director, Mohamed Abd El-Ghany, stated that the celebration is an annual event in which the museum attempts to shed light on some aspects of Taha Husseins iconic personality.

It aims to emphasise the significance of the late dean of Arabic literature, especially to the younger generation, and reveal his multiple contributions to cultural, literary and educational movements in Egypt and the Arab world.

The events include a childrens tour of the museum; a screening of a documentary on the iconic writer, produced by the National Council for Childrens Culture; a story telling workshop, and a number of lectures.

Hussein (1889 1973) was a pioneer of modern Arabic literature.

He authored dozens of works  criticism, literature and translation  the most controversial of which were On Pre-Islamic Poetry and Al-Ayyam (The Days). Despite having lost his eyesight at the age of three due to poor medical treatment, Hussein obtained his PhD in 1914 on the poetry of Abu-Alaa Al-Maari, becoming a professor of Arabic Literature and later minister of education.

Located in Giza governorate, The Taha Hussein museum opened to the public in the early 1990s.

For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture

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And if these things weren't enough to make the show huge, the crew of the show is seemingly getting even bigger. Wondering what are we talking about?

Well, the show marks the return of a celebrated director to television after a gap of 22 years and that is none other than director, Onir

Onir is a popular film director and is best known for directing films like 'My Brother Nikhil' and 'Bas Ek Pal' among others. However, it was television where it all started for Onir, as he worked as an editor on the popular 90s sitcom, 'Dekh Bhai Dekh'.

According to a leading news portal, Onir has recently shot the promo of 'Pardes Mein Hai Mera Dil' marking his return to television after this long gap of 22 years.

Onir mentioned that the concept of the show about relationships and the manner in which it is shot is like a short film. He also mentioned that unlike films, TV is not really a director's fortress, where it is a lot more demanding and doesn't give the luxury of time too.

He also clarified that he isn't considering it a downfall, in fact it is his shortcoming to not able to cope up with this fast-paced medium.

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It seems the upcoming Arjun Bijlani Drashti Dhami starrer, ' Pardes Mein Hai Mera Dil ' keeps getting bigger and bigger with every passing day. Apart from roping in a stellar cast, the show has been shooting outdoor in Austria on a huge scale.
Filipo Grandi, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, concluded his visit to Egypt by visiting the Giza Plateau.

He was accompanied by his assistant and director for the Middle East and North Africa Bureau Amin Awad.

Director-general of the Giza Plateau Ashraf Mohi, who escorted Grandi, told Ahram Online that Grandi was fascinated with the greatness of ancient Egyptian civilisation and the efficiency of the ancient engineers and workers who built its monuments.

Mohi added that Grandi said he would post many tweets on the ancient Egyptian civilisation in order to encourage the whole world to visit Egypt and enjoy touring its great historical sites.

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A lot has been said about the Pakistani Artists ban controversy. And its not just from the folks from the film industry, mind you. The social media world has been buzzing with opinions ever since the ban was announced. We have come across a barrage of some good point of views from both the pro and the anti sides.

It is safe to say that this is an open-ended debate which can never have a unanimous verdict. However, Karan Johar is happy as MNS has given a green signal for the release of his film Ae Dil Hai Mushkil which has Pak actor Fawad Khan playing a cameo.

Twitter

Amidst all this, a businessman Karan Cheena has been creating a lot of waves on the social media circuit. In case you are wondering what has that got to do with Bollywood, then heres the connection.

Cheena has sent a written letter to Karan Johar along with a cheque of Rs. 320.

urbanasia.com

In the letter, he has cited that he has no interest in watching Johars film whatsoever but as a fellow businessman, he is concerned about the directors losses. He further explains that the ban will lead to a lot of economic losses for India more than Pakistan.

santabanta.com

He then tweeted the picture of his letter and cheque and it has managed to create quite a stir.

Here is @karanjohars namesake sending him ticket money but refusing to see movie. Fair as he only appealed abt loss of money & not abt art, the tweet reads.

Here is @karanjohar's namesake sending him ticket money but refusing to see movie. Fair as he only appealed abt loss of money & not abt art pic.twitter.com/ZnwoA08mPV  shilpi tewari (@shilpitewari) October 20, 2016

The text in the letter reads:

I would like to express my grief for you, seeing your video over social media regarding your losses because of casting Pakistani artistes in your forthcoming film Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. The situation pervading in our country is so perplexed at this stage Anyway none of us are interested in watching your movie Ae Dil Hai Mushkil anymore As a businessman I still feel sad for your losses so I am enclosing a chequeof HDFC Bank amounting Rs. 320.00 (assuming 160 per ticket x 2 persons) which is generally charged by movie theatres in our city for your kind perusal.

The authenticity of the letter and the cheque is not verified but it is has created a lot of buzz on the internet.
Karan Johar is a happy man now. After a lot of struggles, his upcoming film Ae Dil Hai Mushkil has been given a green flag for a smooth release.

twitter

Interestingly, now Maharashtra Navnirman Senas cine wing has now cleared the air that they will not further oppose the release of films like Raees and Dear Zindagi which stars Pak actors.

This comes after KJo along with Producers Guild president Mukesh Bhatt met Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis met MNS chief Raj Thackrey and assured him that filmmakers would not work with Pakistani artists from now on.

TOI

While Fawad just has a special appearance in the love saga, Mahira Khan, on the other hand, is making her full-fledged Bollywood debut opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Raees and Gauri Shindes Dear Zindagi has Ali Zafar in a pivotal role opposite Alia Bhatt.

starsunfolded.com

When asked if Raaes will face the same difficulties like ADHM, Maharashtra Navnirman Chitrapat Karmachari Sena president Shalini Thackeray who was at a panel discussion about Pakistani artistes working in Bollywood at Aaj Taks special event Manthan, said,

They always said that these films were shot before the (Uri) attack happened.So, in todays meeting, it became clear that apart from the three films which have been completed Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, Raees and Dear Zindagi  no other films with Pakistani artistes will be released.No films with Pakistani actors will be shot. This was decided by the CM, MNS, and producers guild together.

Well, alls well that ends well.
The arguments, allegations and discussions on Pakistani artists ban and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil release fiasco is turning into a whole new debacle.

YouTube

A lot of veteran and senior Bollywood members are now involved. In a quest to determine who is right and who is wrong, the controversy is turning into a mud-slinging fest. Expressing disappointment over the compromise initiated by Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis between director Karan Johar and MNS chief Raj Thackrey, Shabana Azmi gives her piece of mind.

news east west

In an interview with DNA, Azmi raised a lot of questions, she said, "ADHM has been passed by the CBFC. Home Minister Rajnath Singh had promised safe passage for the film's release.The matter should have been over with that over."

indiatoday

Talking further about CM Fadnavis role as a mediator, she said, "He simply had to ensure that law and order is enforced. Instead, he goes on to broker a deal between the producers and Raj Thackeray, who places a price of Rs 5 crore for display of patriotism?"

In fact, she feels that BJP should demand an explanation from CM for disrespecting the Union Home Minister's word.

news18

"Is Raj Thackeray going to decide whether I'm patriotic or not? I abide by the Indian Constitution. Raj Thackeray does not. Who's patriotism should be up for questioning?", she concluded.
It seems that the buzz around Karan Johars upcoming film Ae Dil Hai Mushkil will fizzle out only after its release. After the whole Pakistani Artists ban, now a leaked picture of the movies censor certificate has been doing the rounds on the social media circuit.

santabanta

Going by the looks of it, it seems that the movie hasnt been cleared with just one cut. The CBFC has ordered 5 cuts in total.

bollywoodlife

The bits that have been striked out from the film include Anushkas smooching scenes that have been reduced by 50%, swapping of the dialogue Kiska Zyaada Hot Hai and Saraswati Ko Dabao with by Kaun Zyada Hot Hai? and Saraswati Ko Chupao respectively and deletion of dialogue Umra Mein Badi aur experience mein bhi kamaal hai."

Video grab

However, reports that were doing the rounds previously revealed that CBFC chief Pahlaj Nihalani had given just three cuts which included Aishwarya Rai and Ranbir Kapoors lovemaking scenes. The latest update shows that it wasnt the lovemaking scenes but Anushkas smooch scenes that have been chopped off!
Distinguishing herself as the nation's longest serving woman prisoner, Nalini Sriharan , who is serving life imprisonment in connection with the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, has now knocked the doors of National Commission for Women (NCW) highlighting her plight and seeking release.

BCCL

"I submit that for the 25 long years, I have not been able to live my life as an ordinary woman. I spend my days in prison watching hundreds of women prisoners getting released from prison time and again, on important days like Perarignar Anna's birth anniversary. No day passes without tears. I have almost become depressed. My only longing is whether I would be able to see my daughter who is abroad, and whether I would be able to arrange her marriage during my life-time," Nalini said in her letter dated October 22, which is actually a reminder of an earlier representation dated August 20, to NCW.

A pregnant Nalini was arrested on June 14, 1991 for the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi on May 21, 1991. She has already completed a quarter century in jail.

BCCL

On January 28, 1998, a special court for bomb blast cases convicted Nalini and 25 others, and awarded all of them death penalty. However, on May 11, 1999, the Supreme Court held that it was not an act of terrorism and absolved all of them conviction under Terrorism and Disruptive Activities (TADA) Act. It resulted in the confirmation of death penalty to only four persons, including Nalini.

In 2000, by which time she had given birth to a girl named Harithra, the death penalty of Nalini was commuted into imprisonment for life. The commutation was granted by Tamil Nadu governor following a Tamil Nadu cabinet's resolution and a request from Sonia Gandhi.

In February 2014, the Supreme Court commuted the death penalty of three others as well, on the ground that their mercy pleas were kept pending by the President inordinately. Meanwhile, Nalini knocked courts several times demanding to be released prematurely.

BCCL

In her latest bid, she petitioned the National Commission for Women on August 20. In her present reminder dated October 22, Nalini said more than 2,200 life convicts were released after completion of only seven to 10 years between 2001 and 2008 in Tamil Nadu. Her plea, however, was not considered, she said.

Noting that her daughter Harithra was now in the United Kingdom, she said since her husband was also a life convict, she wanted to see her daughter and arrange her marriage.

"I have all along been eligible to be released from prison under various premature release schemes in Tamil Nadu. Unfortunately, I am yet to be released. I have almost lost all hopes of my release from prison," she said.

BCCL

She said her only hope now was the NCW, which should consider her plight sympathetically and take constructive steps to get her released from prison. She wanted the NCW to impress upon the government of India to exercise its powers under Article 72 of the Constitution, and release her from prison, considering the fact that she was the longest serving woman prisoner in India.
Taruna Aswani was threatened by a cyber bully who told her he would leak private photos and videos that she had reportedly sent to her boyfriend. That is unless she sent him her nudes.

"I have access to your all your friends/social media and family and co-workers...contacts that u have and I think some will be happy and some embarrassed to see it"

This is what she received in an email from him. Instead of being blackmailed into further supplying his dirty fetish, she went public with it.

"As embarrassing as the videos may be ( they were sent to my boyfriend at the time ) I choose to stand up to this man", she wrote in a Public Facebook post.

In the post, she also provides screenshots of the email, in which he claims he is thousands of miles away from her Maryland address. Instead of hiding, she has asked the world to "share this post with as many people as you know to get the word out" so that someone, somewhere might be able to locate the "sick pervert."

According to India Today, Mumbai Police has responded, and asked for a formal complaint.
Yoga guru Baba Ramdev, who heads the Rs 4,500-crore Patanjali Group, was once denied a visa to the United States citing his bachelor status and not having a bank account.

BCCL

But later it invited him and gave him a 10-year visa when he was to address the United Nations, which is headquartered in New York, the Yoga guru revealed today.

Speaking at the Global Investor Summit here, Ramdev recounted how he was first denied a visa and later offered a visa.

BCCL

"When for the first time I applied for a US visa, I was denied. I asked for reasons, they said Babaji you don't have a bank account, which I still don't have, and you are unmarried.

"There could be some issues there, they said, but I insisted there is no possibility of any of that. Yet they denied me a visa," Ramdev said.

He, however, did not indicate the year in which he had applied for the visa.

BCCL

"But when they had to call me for the UN programme, they on their own gave me a 10-year visa," he said. "This is a separate matter".

Ramdev, who shared the dais with several industrialists, including Anil Ambani and Gopichand Hinduja as well as Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, said spiritual leaders are anyways global citizens.

BCCL

"I was asked by Finance Minister in what capacity was I here as. I am here as a global citizen," he remarked.

His Patanjali group is reported to be considering investing Rs 500-crore in setting up a food processing unit at Dhar district in Madhya Pradesh.

Patanjali Ayurveda is considered among the fastest- growing consumer products brand with products ranging from kitchen staples, nutrition, cosmetics to personal care products.
When the phone rang at 9am on September 30, Asma Khatoon had just finished feeding her 11-month old daughter Ikra. She answered, glad to hear her husband Shahnawaz Hussain's voice. The last call had not ended well and she was keen to make amends. But the happiness was short-lived.

AFP/representational image

Hussain's message, speaking from the Saudi capital of Riyadh where he worked as a driver, was short.

His answer to her 'salaam' was abuse and then the three dreaded words: "Mein tumhe talaq deta hoon, talaq, talaq, talaq (I divorce you)".

The line went dead before Asma could muster the presence of mind to protest or even ask why. It has been 20 days since and she is still unable to speak of that day without tears welling up in her kohl-lined eyes.

Also Read: Bride Divorces Groom With A Triple Talaq On The Phone, And There's A Damn Good Reason For It

Asma's ill treatment began soon after Ikra was born. "They wanted a son. After Ikra, my in-laws and husband started beating me up. They demanded a car. My family had already given a motorcycle, jewellery, some cash and other things at the marriage but that was no longer enough," she says.

With instances of unilateral triple talaq -- delivered on the phone, on WhatsApp, on Facebook - on the rise, Asma's tale could have been just one of many.

TOI/representational image

But the village of Naiamu, over 25km from Muzaffarnagar in western Uttar Pradesh, could be scripting history. In the last 20 days, not only has the local pradhan (village head) supported Asma and her family but he is also rallying support. "Triple talaq has become a game for some men. They don't realise that in the process they destroy a woman's life," said Mohammed Liaquat Tyagi, the pramukh of the Naiamu gram panchayat.

He and the village elders met with 40 other pradhans and leaders from neighbouring villages on October 17 at Naiamu. "We have decided that we will not stand for triple talaq. The woman is not at fault. Is the woman's role only to stay in purdah and bear children? Don't they have any freedom? We all make mistakes and we all can improve. But to give talaq like this is not the answer," he said.

BCCL/representational image

The support from the community is a far cry from a 2005 case in the same district when Imrana, raped by her father-in-law, was declared by the clergy as married to him. The clergy also announced that her erstwhile husband would now be her son. The incident took place in Kukra village, about 30 kms from Naiamu village.

The Imrana rape case sparked nationwide controversy. "It was only after much resistance that the matter was taken by the court and Imrana's father-in-law Ali Mohammad punished," recalls Rehana Adib from NGO Astitva, which campaigned against the mullahs.

Haseeb Tyagi, Asma's brother, is determined to make his brother-in-law's family pay. He has the support of his village and has so far resisted compromise offers from Hussain's family. "We will demand compensation and a penalty so that no one else can behave in such a cavalier manner," Haseeb says.

BCCL/representational image

Hussain's family from Ganjedhi village in Saharanpur says they knew nothing of this. "We didn't know he was planning to give talaq. We have not been on talking terms for the past year," Shahnazar Hussain, his brother said. As the war of words plays out, Asma and Ikra's fates hang in balance.

Served talaq, she taught herself the law and now helps other women.

Uzma Khan, a teacher in a junior college in Mumbai, was asked to quit by her husband soon after she got married in 2007. Unhappy with the dowry she had brought, her parents-in-law began mistreating her. "I was locked in a room all day and not allowed to meet anyone. Guests were told I was insane," she says.

Also Read: UP Man Gives Triple Talaq To Wife After She Rebuked Him For Stealing Mobile Phone

When Khan was four months pregnant, her husband beat her up so badly that she suffered a miscarriage. Despite that the beatings didn't stop. "Once I was beaten so badly, I had to be taken to hospital. I was served the triple talaq notice while I was still recovering," she says.

Not only did Khan take her fight to court, but she also studied law. "Everywhere I went, I was told I had been divorced under Muslim law. I was curious to know what Muslim law was and why I was not treated like an Indian," she says. Khan finally managed to get a house in her daughter's name as maintenance after divorce. Armed with a law degree, she now provides aid to other women in distress.
Alina Orlova and a fellow Russian girl used to regularly torture and even kill cats and dogs, and show off their damages on social media.

Now, Orlova has been arrested, caught in the Russian city of Vladivostok airport as she was taking a connecting flight between home city Khabarovsk to St Petersburg. She may have been attempting to flee authorities after being identified on Facebook. Her accomplice, 19 year old friend, Alena Savchenko (aka Kristina Hemp) has also been arrested - she also featured in the photographs and videos alongside Orlova taking part in this "bloodlust".

Alena wears horror movie style makeup and contact lenses in the photos

From terrifying a kitten with a knife, to a dog nailed to a wall, it was a horror movie that the two were enacting on defenceless animals. It gets worse - a dog is hung by its collars and shot with a airgun. And then there's a photo of a cat's guts being pulled out.

These horrifying acts were believed to have been committed at a local abandoned hospital.

Police swung into action after animal lovers were outraged by the images on social media, and local residents started a petition to them arrested. The petition has crossed over 1,86,000 signatures.

Alena was a former student at the College of Technology, expelled for academic failure. Orlova is a student at the Pacific State University. Orlova has denied allegations, blaming her friend Alena of photoshopping the images, to frame her.
Expect chants of "body shaming" outside the Hawaiian Airlines office in Honolulu anytime soon.

The flier asked the passengers to be weighed before boarding, because, as physics proves, a plane needs more energy flying fatter people

The airline execs who found planes burning more fuel than projected on their regular 2,600-mile route (Honolulu to American Samoa) also found that their passengers and their carry-on bags were 30 pounds heavier than anticipated.

Of course, they can't kick off the obese. Instead, they've banned passengers from pre-selecting their own seats on flights between Hawaii and the U.S. territory. They're assigned seats when they check in for their flights at the Honolulu and Pago Pago airports to ensure that weight is evenly distributed around the jets' cabins.

"What they're saying is Samoans are obese," said Atimua Migi, who was seeing off his father, Mua Migi, at Honolulu International Airport Monday for the nearly six-hour flight to Pago Pago, American Samoa's territorial capital.

"That's an entirely incorrect assumption," responded Jon Snook, Hawaiian's chief operating officer

Snook said he was surprised to see headlines worldwide about the issue, and said many media reports were inaccurate in saying that the airline was assigning seats based on passenger weight. The row design of the Boeing 767 jets used for the flight has two seats on each side of the plane, three seats in the middle and two aisles.

Using the results of the survey, airline officials found that if adults all sat in one row of the plane, the combined weight of those passengers might exceed load limitations in crash-landing situations, Snook said.

Officials are now trying to keep one seat per row open, or at least fill those seats with children who weigh less than adults.

The airline chose to manage distribution of passengers instead of limiting how many seats could be sold, which would have driven up ticket prices, Snook added. "I'm cool with it, I don't mind," said Jake Brown, headed to American Samoa for the first time, after receiving a seat assignment in the back of the plane, his preference.
Ivanka Trump, Republican candidate Donald Trump's daughter, is preparing to celebrate the festival of lights at a Hindu temple this week.

Ivanka will attend Diwali celebrations at Rajdhani Temple at Chantilly in Virginia, with the Indian-American community which has openly supported the Democratic party in the US elections.

Reuters

Calling it a "big positive for the community", Rajesh Gooty, an Indian-American community leader in Virginia, said that Ivanka's presence would "go a long way in breaking the stereotype" that shows that the campaign "represents only angry white voters."

Reuters

The Rajdhani Temple, that was inaugurated in 2000, is the oldest temple in the Loudon County of Virginia, where the Indian-American community resides in strong numbers.

Of course, sending Ivanka to attend an Indian festival at a Hindu temple is seen as a strategic move from Trump's Campaign to win the hearts of the ethnic community in Virginia.

Getty

Last week, Donald Trump himself attended the Republican Hindu Coalition's "Humanity United Against Terror" Charity event on October 15. Trump said,

"If I am elected president, the Indian and Hindu community will have a big friend in the White House. I am a big fan of Hindu [sic], and I am a big fan of India. Big, big fan."

Trump's rhetorics seems empty and his assumptions hurtful. He only equated Indians with Hindus and forgot that the country is home to a large number of Muslims, Christians, Sikh and Buddhists as well. However, he did name India as America's most significant partner in case Trump administration wills the US polls on November 8.

Trump said, "We will stand shoulder to shoulder with India in sharing intelligence and keeping our people safe mutually."
Over a 1000 are being treated for breathing problems after a sulphur plant was set ablaze during fighting with Islamic State near Mosul. Victims of the thick black and white smoke blowing through the Iraqi air has local hospitals flooded with Iraqis struggling to breath.

Medical assistant Saddam Jumaa says:"The cases presented were suffocation, caused by the large fire in the sulfur factory near Qayyara. Elderly men and women (were affected) as well as children, especially those with asthma and bronchitis, and other cases."

Iraqi army forces and allied militias have been battling to retake the city, Isis's last Iraqi stronghold, since Monday.

ISIS torched part of the Mishraq sulphur plant between Qayarah and Mosul this afternoon. Toxic fumes over area now much worse. (image: NASA) pic.twitter.com/2Szhoyl8sf  Patrick Osgood (@PatrickOsgood) October 21, 2016

US forces at Iraq's Qayyara West airfield put on protective masks after winds blew fumes from the chemical plant in their direction, US military officials said. Iraqi soldiers in the area were advancing with gas masks on top of their heads, ready to pull them down, Reuters reported.

Militants already had set fire to oil wells here to create a smokescreen hiding their movements.

The Mosul invasion will be the biggest Iraq battle since the US-led invasion in 2003. It unites Peshmarga, Russian, French, American, and UK forces in a coalition with on-ground Iraqi Army fighters. The Iraqi army said about 50 villages had been taken from the militants since Monday in operations to prepare the main thrust into Mosul itself, where 5,000 to 6,000 Isis fighters are thought to remain.

ISIS sets sulphur plant on fire &flees forces entering #Mosul;nearly 1,000 treated for exposure to toxic smoke https://t.co/aXCM46T1Fm #iraq  Sarah Jones Reports (@SarahJReports) October 23, 2016

A US official said before Carter arrived in Baghdad: "It's the beginning of the campaign. We do feel positively about how things have started off, particularly with the complicated nature of this operation."About 5,000 US personnel are in Iraq, with more than 100 embedded with Iraqi and Kurdish peshmerga forces involved in the Mosul offensive.

Also read:

The Battle To Drive ISIS Out Of Mosul Is Only Going To Make The Matters Worse, Here Is Why

Around 900 Civilians Flee Mosul As The Anti-ISIS Operation Intensifies
October 19 will now be observed as 'Waris Ahluwalia Day' in the New York City. The city mayor, Bill de Blasio bestowed the honour on actor-designer, Ahluwalia, on the occasion of Diwali celebration on Wednesday.

The great honour comes Ahluwalia's way for his continued efforts in countering ignorance and promoting religious understanding and tolerance.

AP

Appreciating Ahluwalia's contributions, Mayor Blasio said,

"(He) wears his Dastar (turban) wherever he goes and so he sends a powerful message to our city to our country of countering ignorance, celebrating inclusion and advocating for religious understanding and tolerance in everything he does."

Raakhee Mirchandani/NBC News

Because the facilitation came just in time for Diwali, a humbled Ahluwalia told NBC News,

"Diwali is more relevant today, this year, than ever. A festival that celebrates good over evil and knowledge over ignorance is a festival for all humanity. It knows no borders. It knows no race."

Mayor Blasio, while addressing a gathering nearly 400 Indian-Americans, and other South Asian communities, said that any attack on any community is an "attack on all of us". He added, "We believe that when any...any individual is attacked because of their faith, because of where they come from, the attack is...on all of us."
The winter will be long for us too.

Scheduled to make a comeback in Summer 2017, Game of Thrones is really making us hurt. Literally, fans are waiting for these slow-dragging months to pass and the premiere of season 7 to air already!

But it's almost as if the seven gods heard our pleas, because the first images, hot from the sets of the hit HBO series, are out!

There's Jon Snow and Ser Davos. It seems like Davos is explaining some intense strategy to Snow.

Facebook/Jon Snow

There's Missandei! Why is she dressed like that? Where's Khaleesi? Have they reached Westeros? So many questions, no answers. Yet!

Facebook/Jon Snow

The King in the North and Ser Davos look quite pally.

Facebook/Jon Snow

Man, they're taking a long stroll.

Facebook/Jon Snow

Winter will be very, very long.

Watchers on the Wall

Did you notice the Dothraki watching over these men? Yes, that's what really suggests that Danny and Jon may finally be working together!

What's your take on this!
Natural products are yhe best to use because they havd no side effects. According to an article shared by omgvoice, if you want perfect and flawless skin without having to break the bank, there are amazing African solutions for the African woman. The best thing about these products is that theyre super affordable and you can find them in any market close to you. Once you start using these products, everyone would keep asking you what the secret to your glowing skin is, and you will make heads spin.

1. African Black Soap. (Ose dudu)

This is a major key. Youd never have to buy any expensive bar of soap that doesnt work well with your skin again. African black soap will take away all your skin defects like magic.

2. Camwood/ African Sandalwood (Osun)

African women in the past used camwood to make their skin glow and shine. It has antibacterial and cleansing properties.

3. Palm kernel oil (Adin Ekuro)

This is a key ingredient in many soaps and creams and it will leave your skin glossy and smooth.

4. Cocoa butter

Whipped cocoa butter infused with some essential oils will have your skin feeling and smelling lovely, and your melanin popping.

5. Coconut Oil (Adin agbon)

Coconut oil is a lifesaver, and it can be used for practically any beauty purpose. Pamper your skin with some coconut oil today.

6. Shea butter (Ori)

Shea butter is great for skin and hair, and every naturalista swears by it. It would leave your skin supple and smooth.
Here are signs Your partner is unhappy. Read on for some of them, and be sure to follow up with your SO if any hit close to home.

1. Theyre Staying Late At Work

It can be a bit disconcerting when your partner suddenly starts living at work. Of course, nine times out of ten its only because theyre busy. But if they do it often enough, its easy to feel like theyre avoiding you. then you need to start asking direct questions about how they feel and what is going on, Its much better than worrying, and way better than assuming the worst.

2. Theyre Grumpy All The Time

While everyone gets grumpy, this is especially true of men who are unhappy in their relationship. You may notice your SO is short-tempered or irritable for seemingly no reason. This is what men tend to look like when they are unhappy. He may also feel like hes stressed out or annoyed, but doesnt quite know why. If your partner is a dude, these could be signs that somethings up  especially if hes directing the grumpiness at you.

3. They Dont Bother To Argue

While no one wants to argue, disagreeing is what healthy couples do. So if your partner suddenly cant be bothered to have a fight, it may be theyve checked out of the relationship. You might hear them say things like weve been over this before, or I dont want to talk about it. And thats not a good sign.

4. They Stay Up Way Later Than You

Couples who are in sync often go to bed at the same time. You know, so they can have sex or cuddle or lie next to each other whilst reading. So take note if your partner is going to bed early or staying up late. If they arent up working or doing something important, it may be they are simply avoiding you because theyre unhappy in the relationship.

5. He Or She Is Begging For Attention

Are you the one whos been busier than usual? If you havent been giving your partner the attention they need, they may start to show you by being a bit needy. Chances are [theyre[ hungry for a little attention, and [are] therefore resorting to the grown-ups version of sleeve-tugging. This might come in the form of clinginess, or them asking for help with mundane tasks.

6. They No Longer Confide In You

If your SOs friends hear good news well before you do, it could be your partner no longer views you as their go-to person. It could also be that they dont trust you, or feel like you dont care about what they have to say. If this has been a problem throughout your relationship, then yes  it probably is you (or at least your habits) that are making them unhappy.

7. They Find You Very Annoying

Your SO used to think all your quirks and eccentricities were endearing. But now they only view them as eye-roll worthy, or even downright annoying. This shift in opinion is often a sign that your partner is checking on out, according to relationships writer Ossiana Tepfenhart on TheBolde.com. Of course youre doing nothing wrong, but your unhappy partner fails to see it that way  and thats not OK
Chuks, Tolu, Emeka, and Dami join The Slab with Isime to talk about Aisha Buharis chances for President in 2019, Femi Otedolas sinking Forbes rating, and the need for President Buhari to reshuffle his cabinet.

Following the First Ladys BBC interview where she bared her soul, The Slab crew checks to see if shes good enough to be on the ballot in 2019. Emeka completely disagrees saying: First of all, the idea of Aisha Buhari running for president is completely, utterly ridiculous! She does not command loyalty, neither does she command likability. She does not inspire confidence in other women.

But Chuks totally wants the First Lady in contention: You have Aisha Buhari that gives off confidence, she says what she wants and damns all the consequences and has, arguably, some substance. So, maybe in all of this you might find she understands the workings of Nigerian politics.

In this period where everybody is happy with women in politics, women presidents  by next year well have a female president in America so this kind of things maybe soon enough [you know Nigerians, we like following the trend, however ridiculous it might be] Aisha Buhari might be somebody that can carry our ideals and all that so, this could work! Chuks says.

We put the argument to vote  since we are in a democracy  and the results are out. Whatever happens, dont ever forget that the First Ladys presidential bid started right here on The Slab or not.

Listen below  so much energy on this one!

See link to podcast here: https://soundcloud.com/the-slab-with-isime/aisha-buhari-for-president-2019
The Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, has reiterated his administrations commitment to rid the state of criminals ahead of the upcoming Christmas celebrations.

He made this assertion at the official launching of a new special police security unit called Eagle Net where he also donated ten Hilux vans to the Delta State Police command for the effective operations of the special police unit.

Governor Okowa added that this initiative is a product of resolutions made during the state security council meeting to create a special unit in the police force to combat crime.

In his remarks, the state Commissioner of Police, Zanna Mohammed Ibrahim, praised the governor for his efforts in tackling security issues as he added that the security vans will assist the new special security to tackle special security challenges in the state.

He explained that the problems of Nigerian police in exercising its duties are both logistical and moral.

There is no better time than now to receive these vans which will be used by the Eagle Net to check criminal activities, especially during these Ember months, he stated.
An epitome of brain, beauty, style and authentic independence, ageless Grace Egbagbe is the cover star of TW Magazine latest issue.

The veteran media personality speaks on her love for God, family and how she plans to capitalize on the graces in her life to help other people navigate the often tricky waters of life, through her new blog Ask Aunty Grace.

Cover Credits

Photography: Zemaye Uweme Okediji

Styling: Jane Michael Ekanem

Cover Outfit: Enthysts Place

Cover Story: Amarachukwu Iwuala

Make-up: Kelechi Igbojekwe for Belle Bedazzled
Seven Boko Haram terrorists have been reportedly killed by hunters drafted for the fight against insurgency at Ghantsa area of Makwan Village in Madagali local Government area of Adamawa state.

Eyewitnesses from the affected area revealed that the attack started by 12 pm on Saturdayby the members of the Boko Haram gang who were burning houses and shooting sporadically at Makwanvillage a few kilometres to Gulak town of Madagali LGA.

The eyewitness said while they were busy with their operations, seven of them met their waterloo while some escaped with bullet wounds on their bodies into the bush.

He said while they were busy burning houses and looting properties belonging to the villagers, some Fulanis quickly alerted the hunters who were manning their duty post some kilometres away fromGhantsa area of Makwan village.

He added that on hearing the news of the attack, the leader of the hunters , Mallam Bukar Jimeta, immediately mobilized his men to the area.

The source further explained that the hunters engaged the members of the gang in a cross-fire for close to two hours between 10pm and midnight on Saturday.

They eventually overpowered the terrorists resulting in the killing of seven while one was caught alive with gunshot wounds but others escaped into the bush.

Also confirming the incident, Mallam Bukar Jimeta, the leader of the Hunters Association of Nigeria, said his men killed Boko Haram terrorists but refused to speak further on the issue.

Source: Thisday
40-year old producer and recording artist, DJ Khaled and his fiancee Nicole Turk have welcomed their first child, a boy to the world!

DJ Khaled gave everyone on Snapchat front row seats to the delivery of his son as he recorded several videos from when Nicole arrived at the hospital to when she put to bed.

When his son arrived, he screamed excitedly My babys here! Hes so beautiful. I love him.
Nigerian newspaper headlines October 23, 2016.

National Mirror

National Leader of the Accord party and former governor of Oyo State, Senator Rasheed Ladoja, yesterday, raised an alarm over the commitment of the All Progressives Congress-led government in the state to conduct council election despite the announcement of February 11, 2017, as the date for the polls.

Thisday

President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday said that the era of wasteful spending is over in Nigeria and advised universities to plough available resources into teaching, research and productive activities.

Vanguard

President Muhammadu Buhari may have ordered one of his senior aides to answer to the allegation of taking N500 million bribe from a leading telecommunications firm in Nigeria to reduce a huge fine imposed on it by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

The Sun

Indications emerged yesterday that former governor of Enugu State, Sullivan Chime, has commenced moves to stop his investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over his involvement in looting the campaign fund for Enugu Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which was allegedly part of the $2.2 billion arms fund shared to some states by the former NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki.

Leadership

The federal government has stated its resolve to commence the pilot project and validation of the National Housing Programme with N35 billion ($115million) adding that it would also consider the cultural and climatic diversity.

Guardian

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has promised to consider Anambra State governments request for N5b mechanised agriculture intervention fund to farmers in the state.

Punch

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a suspected kidnapper, Odele Tosin, for allegedly masterminding the kidnap of a 12-year-old girl, Eniola Oyekanmi, in the Ketu area of Lagos.

Premium Times

The Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, on Saturday inaugurated the newly constructed headquarters of the 331 Artillery Tactical Forward Operation Base (FOB) at Buratai, Biu Local Government Area of Borno.
The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a suspected kidnapper, Odele Tosin, for allegedly masterminding the kidnap of a 12-year-old girl, Eniola Oyekanmi, in the Ketu area of Lagos.

The victim was said to have been kidnapped on Friday by the gang at the Orimerunmu area of Ketu.

Policemen from Mowe Division of the command reportedly rescued Oyekanmi around 1am on Saturday in a hotel at Mowe, Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of the state.

The victim was taken to the hotel, while the gang demanded a ransom.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, told SUNDAY PUNCH that the victim was kidnapped by the gang while she was running an errand for her parents.

He said, She was taken to a hotel in Mowe where the kidnappers kept her and started demanding a ransom. They ran out of luck when the anti-robbery team from Mowe Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer, Francis Ebohuwa, got a tip-off and stormed the hotel. One of the suspects was arrested while others escaped. The victim was rescued unhurt.

Oyeyemi said the state Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Iliyasu, had ordered a manhunt for the members of the gang who escaped.

He said Iliyasu had also directed that the suspect be transferred to the Anti-kidnapping Unit of the command headquarters at Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation.

Source: Punch
A 12-year-old girl, Eniola Oyekanmi, abducted in Ketu area of Lagos State on Friday, was yesterday rescued by the Policemen attached to Mowe Division in Ogun State.

One of the suspects, Odele Tosin, was arrested in the rescue operation that took place in an hotel around Orimeranmu area of Mowe, just outskirt of Lagos.

The hoodlums according to reports, contacted the parents of the victim and demanded N2 million ransom for her release.

Unfortunately for the gang, Anti-Robbery team from Mowe Division got information of their whereabouts, stormed the hotel at the early hours of yesterday and rescued the girl unhurt.

The State Police Spokesperson, ASP, Abimbola Oyeyemi, who confirmed the incident said One Odele Tosin, leader of the kidnap gang which masterminded the teenagers abduction, was arrested while others escaped.

The girl was rescued around 1am unhurt. The Commissioner of Police (CP) Ahmed Iliyasu has ordered a serious manhunt for the escaped members of the gang.

He also directed that the suspect be transferred to the anti-kidnapping unit at the command headquarters, Eleweran, Abeokuta for discreet investigation, the PPRO said
The prolonged cold war between President Muhammadu Buhari and his erstwhile close political associate and South-West political strongman, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, may soon come to an end.

Reliable sources within the party told SUNDAY PUNCH during the week that the two sides began planning to bury the hatchet during a recent meeting that President Buhari held with some of Tinubus loyalists in Aso Rock.

The President had met with the trio of Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, former Osun governor, Chief Bisi Akande, and Senator Olusola Adeyeye last week Sunday. The sources also said both parties agreed that the President needed to take some confidence-boosting measures to restore Tinubus faith in him.

The two men reportedly fell out following what Tinubu and his loyalists saw as attempts to diminish his contributions to President Buharis victory at the 2015 poll and erode his political capital in his South-West base. Some supporters of the former governor had also complained that the President rejected Tinubus ministerial nominees, and worked against the ex-Lagos governors candidates in the Kogi elections and Ondo governorship primary, among other ills.

A reliable source who was privy to the events that culminated in the meeting said its seeds were planted during President Buharis three-day state visit to Germany. Prior to that time, Buhari and Tinubu had not had any private communication in a while. But the source said the President contacted Akande, who is one of Tinubus closest associates and a former Interim Chairman of the APC, asking him to see him in Aso Rock.

The Presidents call reportedly came barely 48 hours after the controversial interview the Presidents wife, Aisha, granted the British Broadcasting Corporation. In the interview which went viral, the presidents wife accused her husband of neglecting those who helped him to power in 2015. Mrs. Buhari also threatened not to support her husband in 2019 if the President did not change tack.

Sources said although both mens relationship began to sour almost as soon as Buhari won the election, it deteriorated when Professor John Paden, in his book titled Muhammadu Buhari: Challenges of Leadership, claimed that Tinubu was against the emergence of Prof. Yemi Osinbajo as Vice President. Both Buhari and Tinubu were present at the book launch.

Insiders say this did not go down well with Tinubu and his men, as the All Progressives Congress national leaders camp saw it as yet another attempt by the President and his men to reduce his contributions to the emergence of the APC government and also rewrite history.

Shortly after, Tinubu in a scathing open letter asked the National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, to step down, after alleging that the chairman doctored results of the Ondo State APC governorship primary. Odigie-Oyegun, a former Edo State governor, who had been cautious in his initial response to Tinubus letter, paid a visit to Buhari in Aso Rock and thereafter launched an attack on Tinubu, describing his letter as reckless.

Seeing that he was fast losing at the centre, the APC chieftain, popularly known as the Jagaban (of Borgu), started reaching out to his political foes in the South-West in order to consolidate his influence in the region. With several meetings held, Tinubus most vocal critics such as Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Sir Olanihun Ajayi, among others, began to drum up support for him publicly.

A source in the presidency told our correspondent that Akande, who cut short his trip abroad to see the President, did not mince words during the meeting.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Akande told Buhari that despite the roles Tinubu and the South-West played in making him President, he had relegated the APC national leader and the region.

The source said, Baba Akande told the President that they were not happy with him. He told Buhari that apart from not giving Tinubu sufficient consideration during the ministerial appointments, everything that played out in the Kogi and Ondo elections showed that the President was supporting Asiwajus enemies.

Baba also said Padens book was a major slight and that they believed the President was aware of the content of the book before it went public. He further said some of the people around Buhari were hell-bent on ensuring that the President and Tinubu became enemies because of what they would gain from the crisis.

The source stated that Buhari countered that he was unhappy with the acrimony in the ruling party and that he had tried to be fair to all parties. But Akande was said to have disagreed with the President in his response, and cited further examples.

SUNDAY PUNCH further gathered that Akande told the President to take practical steps to show that he was not fighting Tinubu and the South-West. While listing their demands, Akande and others told him that they needed to see more representation of those that helped him to power during the next cabinet reshuffle.

There have been reports that a cabinet change is imminent.

Akande, who travelled abroad after the meeting with Buhari, could not be reached for comments, but a top APC member close to him confirmed details of the meeting, saying, They want Buhari to accept Tinubus list when he makes changes in his cabinet. They specifically told him that they are only in support of one of the South-West ministers in his cabinet. They also asked him to get the party leadership to hold the National Executive Council meetings regularly while also facilitating the constitution of the partys board of trustees.

A source close to the South-West leadership of the party disclosed to one of our correspondents that Akande and Aregbesola had met at the formers residence in Ila-Orangun two Wednesdays ago before meeting the President.

Akande had been honoured by the Catholic Diocese in Otan-Ayegbaju, Osun State, where a school was inaugurated in his name. The late mother of a former Governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, who hailed from Otan-Ayegbaju, was also honoured by the church, which inaugurated a multipurpose hall in her honour.

APC leaders, members and supporters, including Aregbesola, who thronged the venue of the ceremony, accompanied Akande to Ila-Orangun as a mark of respect.

It was gathered that Aregbesola and Akande held a meeting at Akandes residence, where they discussed the face-off between Buhari and Tinubu.

The source said, We were at Otan-Ayegbaji together. We later accompanied Baba Akande to Ila-Orangun after the Otan-Ayegbaju ceremony. When we got to Ila-Orangun, both the governor and Baba Akande went inside for a very long time. Im sure that was where the decision to intervene in the matter was taken.

When they met Buhari, they complained about the marginalisation of Tinubus men. At the meeting, Aregbesola said they (Tinubu loyalists) were not out to fight Buhari, but that the President should consider the Tinubu group in terms of appointments.

Buhari told them that he was not out to undermine Tinubus group and that things would change in the coming days.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, in an interview with one of our correspondents, said he was not aware of what transpired during the meeting between the President and the APC chieftains.

He said, I am not aware of what was discussed with the President in the said meeting. As a matter of fact, it is not the nature of the President to disclose what people discuss with him in confidence during meetings.

Source: Punch
If you still have not seen the gorgeous pictures and inspiring messages Rahama Sadau has been posting on her IG page since her controversial ban, then, where have you been!?

The actress, whos now the beautiful BRIDE of Nollywood has continued to wax stronger with or without Kannywood. Aside from being invited by international superstar, Akon, to visit the set of his new film project in Hollywood, Sadau is also featuring in a new Ebony Life TV series, Sons of the Caliphate.

Check out some of her photos and quotes. We absolutely love her look, and credit must go to her makeup artist.

Courage is looking fear right in the eye and saying, Get the hell out of my way, lve got things to do.- Unknown

Nothing is impossible, the word itself says lm possible!  Audrey Hepburn

Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.  Winston Churchill

More quotes:
A public health physician, Dr. Omolara Adetukasi, tells ARUKAINO UMUKORO about her experiences during pregnancy and birth of her baby

When were you delivered of your baby?

It was on March 18. My baby is seven months old and she is my third child.

How would you describe the labour experience?

I would say the labour was easier this time, maybe it was because I have been there and done that (laughs). But of course, labour is always painful; it was a natural birth, not through caesarean operation. My labour did not last for too long. It started at 9am in the morning and by 12.30pm, I put to bed.

My husband was not around so I had to call my brothers-in-law to take me to the hospital. I made a lot of noise but it all went well.

Did you feel disappointed that your husband was not around?

No I did not. He left in the morning to attend a friends babys christening ceremony somewhere in Lagos. My husband is a pastor. While he was on the way, I began to sense that I was going to go into labour. I called him. But he could not turn back and drive home because there was a lot of traffic at the time. So, he asked me to call his brothers to take me to the hospital.

He said he would come to meet us there. But before he got there or even finished christening the child, I had already been delivered of the baby.

What was his first reaction when he got to the hospital?

He was excited that our third is a girl. We now have three beautiful daughters. When he came to the hospital, his first concern was me, and of course, the baby. He was present during the birth of our first two daughters. The birth of the third child was what he missed. He wanted to know that I was fine and that there was no problem. When he saw that mother and child were doing well, he was happy.

Are you bothered that all your children are female taking into cognisance the African notion concerning the male child?

I have three wonderful girls and my husband adores his girls. I adore my girls too. We are not bothered. Of course, at first, I wanted a boy; we prayed and believed for a boy this time. But we have a wonderful daughter, her name is Zoe. She is absolutely lovable and we are happy.

How was your last pregnancy different from the others?

The pregnancy was different, maybe it was because my body was beginning to age. I had my first two children before I was 30. But I had my third child in my early thirties. The first few months were okay, but along the line, my body experienced some things it did not experience in my first two pregnancies. I had haemorrhoids. I was always physically tired. I also had swollen limbs and sleepless nights. It was not that I was sick this time but the first two pregnancies were quite graceful for me because I was younger. I just felt that age told on me during the last pregnancy body wise. And it took quite a while also for my body to come back to normal after I had put to bed. Usually, what happened to me is that in two or three weeks after giving birth, I regained my body shape. But in this case, it took about a while longer; about two months. Two or three weeks after the birth of the baby, my legs were still swollen and my body ached. I had to get people to massage my back.

There has been much development in medicine and women give birth at 40. What would you tell women who are above 30 about pregnancy?

Medically and as a medical doctor, we usually advise women that they should be through with childbearing at the age of 35. It is not as if we would tell an elderly woman who wants a baby not to try. Also, with the way our health system is and the disease pattern in Nigeria, one realises that some diseases begin to creep in after a certain age. Some of these diseases are hypertension and diabetes because of our lifestyle and the things that we eat. That might affect the health of the woman.

With good health care, it is possible for a woman above 35 to give birth easily, of course. But if a woman at 35 wants to give birth, she should know that she needs more medical attention. She needs to be properly registered with a qualified obstetrician and gynaecologist. She needs more care, eat the right kind of food, do the right kind of exercise and to be conscious about her health.

Have you taken the delivery of a baby before?

Oh, yes I have, but not alone. I have assisted in the delivery of babies.

What is the difference between when you delivered other women of their babies and when others helped you to do same?

In the labour room, one forgets about ones identity or status. By the time the pain starts, one forgets that one is a medical doctor and all that medical jargon flies off ones head. Even though I am a doctor and I was delivered of my baby by a midwife, I had to trust her experience and exercise and do what she said I should do because, at that time, I was the patient and not the doctor. I just wanted to give birth hence I cooperated with her.

How did you feel the first time you saw your babys face?

I think the feeling is always the same. I just felt like, Did this child come out of me, am I a part of this beautiful creation, and was I the one that brought out this life? One feels warmth, excitement and sense of ownership, knowing that the child is ones. And of course, one feels a powerful kind of love that cannot be described. Motherhood starts from the time one is carrying the child in the womb, but when the child is in ones hand, there is this reality of knowing that one is now a mother.

How has motherhood changed you?

Motherhood is demanding and I have found out that motherhood helps one to prioritise. Before I became a mother, I could describe myself as a bit selfish because I always put myself first. But motherhood has made me put others ahead of myself. Before I eat or have a bath, my kids have to eat or have a bath first. Before I sleep, my kids have to be asleep first. Motherhood has made me more compassionate and a better person altogether. It has made me consider other people higher than myself; I have found out that I look out for the good of others above myself.

How did your husband assist you during and after your pregnancy?

My husband is a fantastic man. If there is anything like paternity leave, I think it should come to people like him because from day one he has been very helpful, he is the kind of person that bathes his baby. He is always there, he backs the baby if need be, and he rocks them to sleep. We do not have a housemaid, although I had help from my mother-in-law, who came around for some weeks. But after she left, it was me and my husband. If I was bathing the baby, he would be there to hand me the soap, sponge and the baby oil. After that, he dresses the baby and vice- versa. He also helped with the other children too. He drops and picks them from school, and helps with their homework, everything that would give me free time and to help me take care of my baby. I appreciate it so much.

Before giving birth, what kind of food did you crave for?

I do not think I am one of those women that are given to any particular food cravings. But I loved to eat out. I preferred to eat food cooked by someone else than myself. While I did not have any craving for a particular kind of food, I had a big appetite for food. By 9am, if I had not eaten, there would be trouble. Usually, we do not take breakfast on Sunday morning, but during the pregnancy, I would not be able to listen to the sermon by 9am. Hence, I had to leave the church to find something to eat.

What was your babys weight at birth?

She weighed three kilogrammes.

Whats your advice to potential mothers or pregnant women who may be anxious about the process of birth?

From a mothers perspective, I trusted God, as a Christian, even when I saw some things, I had haemorrhoids which wasnt normal. I trusted God to see me through the whole nine, month journey. Delivery is a normal thing. I believed God that I would not have any hassles because even animals put to bed. But at the same time, despite the fact that I am a pastor and a medical doctor, I ensured that I registered in a good hospital and I attended my ante-natal clinics as much as I could. Whenever I had any issue, even if I could not go to the hospital for some reasons, I contacted some of my medical friends from time to time. My piece of advice to pregnant and expectant women is that they should believe and trust God. It is a beautiful experience and by Gods grace, everything will work out well.

Source: Punch
The Worlds top 20 DJs

Dutch DJ, Martin Garrix has been named the worlds best DJ.

The 20-years-old DJ, who began DJing at the age of eight was given the accolade by DJ Magazine, with over a million votes cast in their poll.

Garrix, whose hits include Animals and In The Name Of Love, had finished third in last years poll. 2015 winner Dimitri Vegas And Like Mike were second, ahead of Hardwell in third.

Sadly, there are no female DJs in the polls Top 40, with Australian duo Nervo the only women in the Top 50, at No 45.

DJ Magazines poll also saw Calvin Harris down three to No 14 while David Guetta remained at No 6.

See DJ Magazines poll of the worlds best 20 DJs:

1(3) Martin Garrix

2(1) Dimitri Vegas And Like Mike

3(2) Hardwell

4(4) Armin Van Buuren

5(5) Tiesto

6(6) David Guetta

7(10) Steve Aoki

8(12) Heldens

9(9) Skrillex

10(10) Afrojack

11(7) Avicii

12(23) KSHMR

13 (14) W&W

14(11) Calvin Harris

15(30) Don Diablo

16(17) Axwell & Ingrosso

17(15) Dash Berlin

18(Re-entry) The Chainsmokers

19(36) Ummet Ozean

20(13) Alesso
Report identified lines of business that mainly contributed to total industry loss
A 42-year-old man has been charged with murder in connection with the discovery of a badly-burned headless corpse in a lay-by near a popular beauty spot in the UK.

Ming Jiang, of Falconwood Way in the Beswick area of Manchester, was charged with the killing on Sunday and is due to appear at Chesterfield Justice Centre tomorrow.
French authorities will begin work to clear the so-called Jungle refugee camp in Calais on Monday amid warnings that proper preparations have not been made to protect vulnerable children still living in the squalid conditions there.

Thousands of migrants still at the camp will be processed by authorities and moved to centres around France before demolition work begins on Tuesday.

Ahead of the eviction, violence in the camp has flared, with police using tear gas after reportedly being targeted by people throwing stones.

Dozens more refugees from the Jungle have been transferred to the UK over the weekend, but governments on both sides of the English Channel have been urged to do more to speed up the process.

The recent arrivals include the first under the Dubs amendment - which obliged the Government to take in some of the most vulnerable unaccompanied children

The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants chief executive Saira Grant said: "It is a welcome development that five months after passing a law to help unaccompanied minor children we are finally seeing some being brought over. The process, unfortunately, has been shambolic.

"Whilst it is vital to get children out of Calais first, focusing exclusively on them, and especially allowing the controversy over the ages of some to dominate national debate, creates an artificial distinction which suggests that all the others who fled war, atrocities and persecution are not worthy of our help because they are adults."

Yvette Cooper, chairwoman of the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, accused ministers of dragging their feet over the transfer of refugees from the Jungle to the UK.

The senior Labour MP said: "This is not going to be an easy process - largely because both France and Britain have left this until the last minute when they should have been working together to protect children and teenagers many months ago.

"Hundreds of children and teenagers remain in the camp and at risk. They should be the priority now. France and Britain need to work together urgently now to get the remaining children into safety."

A charity boss at the site claimed parallels can be drawn between the way refugees have been managed like "cattle" and the treatment of Jews in Nazi Germany.

Clare Moseley, founder of the Care4Calais refugee crisis charity which has been delivering aid to people in the camp, told the Press Association: "I would not want to trivialise what happened to the Jews because it was so awful, but there are parallels that can be drawn.

"The way that the French people treat the refugees sometimes can feel very much like cattle, it can feel very dehumanising."

Speaking of the shipping containers housing some of the camp's residents, she said: "When they allocate them they just allocate the spaces with no thought for who the people are as individuals, so they mix communities, they mix ages... Nobody ever gets an unbroken night's sleep, nobody ever feels safe."

Meanwhile, the Home Office has continued to come under scrutiny over its handling of the young refugees arriving in the UK following concerns about their ages.

The Sunday Telegraph said councils had offered to send social workers to Calais to carry out age checks but were ignored.

David Simmonds, chairman of the Local Government Association's asylum, refugee and migration taskforce, told the newspaper: "We made the offer in August and the Home Office didn't take it up at the time. They only started asking for social workers with age assessment experience on Friday."

Some of the first wave of arrivals this week provoked speculation over their ages amid suggestions some appeared to look much older than teenagers, and Tory MP David Davies suggested using dental checks to establish their ages.

Screens have since been used to keep the refugees hidden from public view after arriving at a Home Office building in Croydon, south London.

A Home Office spokesman said: "We initially prioritised the transfer of children with family links to the UK, under the Dublin Regulation, and have now started the process of taking in those children without close family links.

"These minors require a different assessment to the Dublin cases - which is why we have now accepted the offer of using local authority social workers.

"We are working closely with the Local Government Association, NGOs and across government to make sure we bring all eligible children to the UK as soon as possible."

Ukip leadership hopeful Raheem Kassam called for the Government to publish records of the migrants who have been allowed into the UK, and he backed dental checks to verify their ages.

"I would like that to be a transparent process, I would like those records to go up on the Government website - obviously redacted, we don't want their faces, we don't want their names attached to these things, but we can show these tests have been done," he told Sky News' Murnaghan programme.

"If the Government can prove to the British public and calm all of this stuff down, then why doesn't it just do it?"
The mystery surrounding the infamous Bermuda Triangle has long been attributed to paranormal and extraterrestrial activities by common people thanks to popular culture. Scientists, on the other hand, shot down these speculations saying that no such mystery exists in the region.

The Bermuda Triangle, also known as the Devil's Triangle, can be found in the western part of the North Atlantic Ocean where an average of four planes and 20 ships are said to disappear each year. The region's vicinity is one of the most heavily traveled shipping lanes in the world.

Hexagonal Clouds Causes 'Air Bombs' Occurring In The Bermuda Triangle

Previously, scientists explain that the sinking of the ships was caused by large fields of natural gas called methane hydrates. Researchers hypothesized that periodic methane eruptions may create areas of frothy water that are no longer capable of adequate buoyancy for ships.

So if a ship is sailing across the Bermuda Triangle and these eruptions occur, it would cause the vessel to sink rapidly and without warning. However, the United States Geological Survey said that the region has not seen a large release of gas hydrates in the past 15,000 years.

Now, a new explanation is offered by meteorologists and have attributed the disappearances to hexagonal clouds that create "air bombs," reported the Independent. The researchers said that the air bombs can generate winds up to 170mph and is apparently so powerful it could wallop planes and ships plunging them down the ocean in an instant.

The hexagonal clouds were appearing over the western sections of the Bermuda island and were observed to be as wide as 20 to 55 miles. Aside from powerful winds, researchers found that the air bombs cause sea level winds to reach dangerously high speed resulting in waves to rise as high as 45 feet.

Satellite Images Could Be Used To Warn Planes And Ships To Avoid Hexagonal Clouds

"These types of hexagonal shapes over the ocean are in essence, 'air bombs,'' said Dr. Randy Cerveny of Arizona State University. "They're formed by what are called microbursts. They're blasts of air that come down out of the bottom of the clouds and hit the ocean, and they create waves that can sometimes be massive in size once they start to interact with each other."

These type of clouds have also been seen on satellite imagery over areas around the North Sea where storms would generate waves that reach 45 feet tall, according to Today. To avoid such precarious conditions, Cerveny suggested that satellite images be used to detect hexagonal clouds and warn ships and aircraft to avoid these precarious areas.
Through the years, renewable energy has been seen by the energy industry as a far better alternative than fossil fuel. Aside from being environmentally-friendly, the endless source of energy from the wind and the sun outweighs the cost of building a structure capable of harnessing them.

Solar plant, wind turbines, and geothermal rigs have popped out all over the world to provide power for thousands of houses. While geothermal energy involves drilling into the earth to tap hot rocks for a power source, Iceland is digging way deeper into the boundary of tectonic plates to harvest energy generated by oozing magma.

'Supercritical Steam' Holds More Energy Than Gas Or Water

The country began drilling on August 12 using a rig to dig five kilometers under the rugged landscape of old lava flows in Reykjane located at the southwest corner of Iceland, according to News Scientist. Albert Albertsson, assistant director of the geothermal energy company involved in the project, said that the drilling will penetrate a landward extension of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

"People have drilled into hard rock at this depth, but never before into a fluid system like this," said Albertsson. He added that there's a possibility that they're to find the landward equal of what they call "black smokers," hot underwater springs that contain a large amount of minerals like lithium, silver, and gold.

The pressure at that depth is estimated to reach more than 200 times atmospheric levels, according to Popular Mechanics. Companies and researchers involved in the endeavor are expecting water to be in the form of "supercritical steam," which is neither gas nor liquid and generates more heat energy than either.

A well that is capable of harnessing such steam is estimated to produce an energy output of 50 megawatts, compared to the five megawatts usually gained by a typical geothermal well, said Albertsson. The result would provide power to about 50,000 homes, as opposed to the 5,000 number that a single well offers.

Iceland To Drill The Hottest Hole In The World By Year's End

Iceland doesn't use fossil fuels any longer and produces its electricity through renewable energy. It's estimated that three-quarter of the country's energy source comes from its massive hydroelectric power stations.

If they could successfully harness the supercritical steam mentioned earlier, geothermal energy will likely be the main source of Iceland's power supply as it already has a string of geothermal plants scattered all over the country. Iceland hopes to create the hottest hole in the world by the end of the year, with the hole's temperatures reaching from 400 up to 1000 Celsius.
Ex-Couple and Hollywood icons Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are saying au revoir to Chateau Miraval.

In case you were holding on to dear hope that Brad Pitt and Angelina could still fix things and work it out together; this is not going to happen in real life - or at least with the way things are going. The couple is giving up their expansive property that have 35 rooms, multiple vineyards, olive groves and a private lake - and a moat - in the stir of their divorce, according to US Weekly.

Pitt and Jolie exhanged marriage vows right at this wedding ground of 1,200-acre chateau in the town of Correns in 2014 - six years after acquiring it for an estimated value of $60 million.

Some structures on the property date to the 17th century and many consider that Saint Thomas Aquinas once spent days at the historic time, People reported in 2014.

Moreover, there are over 35 rooms in the main house. There are also several tenant residences on the building. The property has its own recording studio - where Pink Floyd recorded tracks for "The Wall" - and an award-winning vineyard.

Fans of the wine should get used to calling it a new brand name, however, as the Hollywood stars will be out of the vinification business once the estate sells. "It currently says 'Jolie-Pitt' on the Chateau Miraval bottles, and the next season's batch will have a new reprinted label with no names written on it," a source reveals.

On Sept. 14, Pitt and the separeted pair's eldest son Maddox, 15, were seemingly tangled in a mid-flight quarrel that is still under investigation by the Department of Children and Family Services and the FBI.

Pitt has yet to counter to "Maleficent" actress' divorce appeal in hopes of being granted joint custody of their six children.

It's been a month after Brangelina relationship was over and became a headline, it's starting to sink in that Hollywood's iconic couple from movies to real story is no more.

Hence, something tells us the value of any unsold bottles of Jolie-Pitt rose valued antique!
The Sony Xperia XZ that was unveiled last October 19 is now hot and available in multiple regions around the globe. Read more to know why critics say it could top other giant smartphone brands and why you should also consider having this phone in your hands.

The Christmas holidays are coming. With stress of what gifts to buy, where to spend your vacation and what camera to use in capturing those precious timeless moments, the Sony Xperia XZ may be the one for you.

Sony promises that the Xperia XZ is the best phone for capturing action shots. With its high-end performance cameras, new design and its new features, it is a far cry from Sony's previous Z range flagship smartphones.

Here are some of the cool specs that could really make you consider of buying one according to the Irish Examiner:

The Look

The edges are folded into softly rounded curves. The pack panel is made from high purity ALKALEIDO material which brings a cool touch of brush metal that is also tough enough for everyday wear. This would be appreciated by users, especially those who prefer to use their phones without protective cases.

The Back Camera

The Sony Xperia XZ is equipped with a huge 23-megapixel sensor. The camera uses laser guided and predictive autofocus technology to help you lock on pretty much instantly. It even works quite well in low light, so you won't be searching for focus during party shots. Even video recording is top quality.

The Front Camera

The XZ has a 13 megapixel shooter. The selfie camera features a wide angle lens which lets you fit more in and with high sensitivity, though it's not quite as capable in darker conditions compared to the back camera.

In a written article at Rappler, just to prove a point, Sony had the media sit down in front of two teppanyaki chefs and let a person take pictures using the Sony Xperia XZ. Sony had chosen the setting for two things: the setting was dark and the chefs, who were the subjects, were moving fast.

It was an indoor setting with no strong light source apart from the occasional burst of flame from the skillet. As the chefs started their routine and the photographer spammed the shutter button on the touchscreen, the shots taken were very clear without any hint of blurriness.

Indeed, the Sony Xperia XZ might very well be one of the best smartphones in today's market. With a top-notch camera, it could be the device to beat in this year's list for best smartphone cameras.
Get unlimited access to all content and features at ivpressonline.com with our Full Online Access Subscription. Read our E-Edition, the digital replica of the print newspaper online, access content in exclusive sections including Family, Teen, Business, Databases, Farm and more. This option does not include daily home delivery of the Imperial Valley Press newspaper. For home delivery service, please select Premium or Premium Plus.
What to do at night in Bengkulu?

New Malibu Cafe

Address:

Jalan Pariwisata, Pantai Panjang

Email : Newmalibucafe@gmail.com

Phone number: +62 (0) 85 36 66 22 652

BB Pin: 5a44c41d

New Rainbow Club and Karaoke





During the week, you can visit on Wednesday as they have a campus night special for students.



Address:

Jl. Pariwisata Pantai Panjang No. 2

Email: newrainbow.bengkulu@gmail.com

Phone number: +62 (0) 736-7321281 or Whatsapp: 081317999939

Pin BB: 5FA8739B

Instagram: New Rainbow, also on the beach front, is similar but probably more male-oriented. You have a bar/club area with generally female DJs (from Jakarta), sexy dancers and a live band.During the week, you can visit on Wednesday as they have a campus night special for students.Jl. Pariwisata Pantai Panjang No. 2Email: newrainbow.bengkulu@gmail.comPhone number: +62 (0) 736-7321281 or Whatsapp: 081317999939Pin BB: 5FA8739BInstagram: New Rainbow Nightclub Bengkulu

Six Pattaya

As you can imagine, Bengkulu nightlife is not the most glamorous in Indonesia. This coastal town is quite small, with only around 300,000 inhabitants and very few foreign tourists visiting it apart from surfers/backpackers. It does have an interesting history as it used to be a British possession from 1685 until 1824. Once called Bencoolen, it was given to the Dutch who, in return, agreed not to oppose British settlements in Singapore (among other things).The options for sleeping in Bengkulu are limited but they are all rather cheap. I stayed in Tanjung Karang Hotel , which is clean, comfortable enough and costs only Rp300,000. You also have hotel chains like Santika or Amaris (closer from the nightlife). If you are on a budget, the cheapest option is Xtra Hotel I don't think you can have a real party during weekdays and the best thing you can do is simply eat in a seafood restaurant by the beach. On weekends, you may want to try one of the following nightclubs/bars:New Malibu Cafe, near the beach, is probably the best place for partying. It is a lounge/club and karaoke with events every Saturday. They may have sexy dancers, a famous Indonesian DJ or a live band. Sometimes the songs are in Indonesian and the DJs play fast-beat "funky house", while sometimes it is more westernized. The entrance fee is Rp100,000 for special events. The karaoke has about 10/15 lady companions and it is popular with businessmen/officials/local tourists. They have several packages, the cheapest one cost Rp1,000,000 for the room/10 beers and the most expensive Rp2,900,000 for the room/2 bottles of whisky.Instagram: New Malibu Bengkulu Facebook: NMLB Bengkulu Facebook: New Rainbow Club and KTV Bengkulu Six Pattaya is a more underground type of club. It is darker, the music is more aggressive (trance, funky house, trap), and I suspect that alcohol is only the second most popular party substance. They also have a karaoke with girls.You can get a KTV room with 3 bottles of whisky for Rp2,700,000. Otherwise, the prices are by the hour, from Rp80,000 for the Deluxe (8 people capacity) to Rp160,000 for the VVIP (24 people). 50% discount from 1pm to 6pm.Jalan Pariwisata Pantai Panjang (yes again)Phone number GRO: 0857 5832 4440 or 0852 0899 9610Instagram: Bengkulu Six Pattaya
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If my call is so important to them, why dont they answer it for 22 minutes?

How come when I want to, but something specific online is the only item out of stock.

When I get into a queue or lane going fast, the moment I get in, it becomes the slowest and refuses to budge.
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Tommaso Segantini interviews Norman Finkelstein | (TeleSur) |  

Renowned scholar and political activist Norman Finkelstein speaks with teleSUR English about a range of issues around Israels occupation of Palestine.

The year 2017 will mark the 50th anniversary of Israels occupation of Palestinian territories during the 1967 war. In this exchange with freelance journalist Tommaso Segantini, Norman Finkelstein, renowned scholar and political activist, and author of  among other works  "Image and Reality of the Israel-Palestine Conflict" and "The Holocaust Industry: Reflections on the Exploitation of Jewish Suffering," discusses various issues relating to the Israel-Palestine conflict, including the legacy of the Obama administration, the possibility of reaching a reasonable settlement in the future, and the prospects and strategy of Palestinian resistance.

The U.S. scholars combination of rare intellectual rigor and an extraordinary moral force offers a lucid and perceptive account of the long-lasting conflict in the Middle East between Israel, the Palestinians and the surrounding states. Finkelstein keeps an eye toward the future, guided by his quest for truth and justice that has marked his political militancy during the course of his life.

Tommaso Segantini: The U.S. and Israel recently reached a deal worth US$38 billion worth of aid for the next decade. The current presidential candidates from the two major U.S. parties appear to offer total continuity with past administrations unconditional support for Israel. What is your judgment of Obamas legacy on the Israel-Palestine conflict, and what factors could make the U.S. change its position on Israel in the future?

Norman Finkelstein: The Obama administrations term of office coincided with the worst devastations witnessed by Gaza since the 1967 war.

Obama was elected to office in Nov. 2008. On Dec. 26, 2008, Operation Cast Lead began. During the assault, 1,400 Gazans were killed, of whom up to 1,200 were civilians, 350 were children. 6,300 homes were destroyed, 600,000 tons of rubble were left behind. Obama stayed silent during the massacre. However, he didnt want his inauguration to be tarnished or diverted from by Cast Lead, so he conveyed to Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to end the attack. Cast Lead ended on Jan. 17, 2009, three days before Obamas inauguration. He orchestrated the massacre to accommodate his inauguration. Hes a stupefying, repellent narcissist.

Then, in 2014, theres Operation Protective Edge. 2,200 Gazans were killed, of whom up to 1,600 were civilians, 550 were children. 18,000 homes were destroyed, 2.5 million tons of rubble were left behind. During the massacre, the Obama administration kept repeating the mantra that Israel had the right to defend itself. Obama has not simply been the Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Hes been the Enabler-in-Chief of Israels periodic depredations.

Its revealing how Operation Protective Edge ended. On August 3rd, Israel deliberately bombed yet another UN shelter, the seventh targeted by Israel in the course of the massacre. That same day, Ban Ki-Moon, secretary-general of the United Nations and comatose puppet of the United States, finally condemned Israels action, describing it as a moral outrage. The Obama administration thus found itself diplomatically isolated in the world. The Obama administration then denounced the attack, and Netanyahu immediately announced the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

What emerges from these facts is that Obama had, all along, the power to stop the massacres: the moment he spoke up, they ended. The major massacres in Gaza occurred during and were made possible by the Obama administration, and he could have ended them at any point. He ended the first massacre not to spoil his inauguration, and the second massacre because he was isolated diplomatically. Ive not even mentioned the illegal, immoral, inhuman blockade of Gaza, which began in late 2007, basically coinciding with Obamas term of office. I think this sums up Obama the insufferable narcissist and the Obama administrations abysmal record.

Finally, the past few days the Obama administration has been making a lot of noise over the illegal Jewish settlements. This has to amuse. Obama is shocked that Netanyahu is building a settlement! What has been going on during his eight years in office? He just noticed it now, in the last two months of his presidency? The fact is, Obama is just worried about his "legacy," he wants to have a chapter in his memoirs about how he tried to solve the Israel-Palestine conflict. That is why he is now speaking up about the settlements, and may not veto a Security Council resolution condemning them. Hes just doing it for his memoirs, which will probably run into the tens of volumes.

What is the ultimate goal of Israeli policy? To what degree is Israels expansionist policy driven by ideological, economic and political factors?

Norman Finkelstein: Israel has some interest in the water resources in the West Bank, but it couldnt explain a half-century-long occupation. My impression is that Israel doesnt want to give up the occupied territories because it sees any concession to the Arab-Muslim world as a sign of weakness. So, once they seize territory, they dont want to budge.

Take the case when Israel occupied South Lebanon in 1978. The occupation lasted until May 2000. 22 years is a long time, and it was not an easy occupation for Israel. They lost several hundred soldiers, as Hezbollah evolved into an impressive guerrilla army. When it finally withdrew, Israel apparently didnt suffer the loss of a vital interest. Nevertheless, Israeli forces went back again in 2006, just to show that they didnt lose in May 2000. It was purely pedagogical; Israel had no material interest, but they were determined to deliver a lesson that theyre still in charge.

Israel also fought very hard not to give up the settlements it built in the Egyptian Sinai after the 1967 war. The Camp David accord of 1979 with Anwar Sadat almost didnt happen, Israel was so determined to keep the Sinai settlements. In fact, there was one pretty clear reason as to why Israel was so resistant. Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin feared that if the settlements in the Sinai were dismantled, it would set a precedent for the dismantlement of the settlements in the West Bank. But the question then becomes: why do they keep the settlements in the West Bank?

Many respected analysts try to tease out rational accounts for state behavior. It appears, however, that in a significant number of cases, the behavior of States cannot be explained rationally, unless you want to consider rational, in the case of Israel, trying to terrify the Arab world into submission. There is not really a rational explanation for Israel to keep the settlements.

There clearly is an ideological element among the fanatical element of Israels population. Also, the settlement enterprise is now very big: there are 600,000 settlers, with roads, lots of infrastructure, so there is a huge economic investment in the settlements, and there are people who profit from it. But overall, I dont see a concrete interest that can explain this fifty-year-long refusal to withdraw.

Which regional realignments and changes that have occurred during the Arab Spring impact the Israel-Palestine conflict, and in what way? What was Israels stance towards the Arab uprisings started in 2011?

Norman Finkelstein: Israel was initially resistant to the Arab Spring. For example, in the case of Egypt, the U.S held out until the end in defending Mubarak; when it was clear that Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak couldnt survive, Washington acquiesced in his ouster. Israel faulted and criticized the U.S for not holding out longer and for not defending the Mubarak regime enough.

In the end, the Arab Spring turned out to be a godsend for Israel. There has been a major public realignment in the Arab world. Consider Operation Protective Edge. Egypt and Saudi Arabia openly supported Israel, while Turkey pretty much stayed silent. The Arab League met only once during Protective Edge and effectively supported Israel. The Saudis are now pushing hard for a resolution of the Israel-Palestine conflict so that they can cement formal military alliances with Israel, while Turkey sealed a deal to settle the Mavi Marmara incident (in which Israel killed nine Turkish citizens on a humanitarian mission to Gaza) and openly align itself with Israel.

Its been a disaster for the Palestinians; theyre now isolated in the Arab-Muslim world; at this point, their only ally, and only rhetorically, is Iran.

Still, its a qualified disaster. These erstwhile Arab-Muslim allies corrupted the Palestinian cause. Palestinians had become pawns of the Saudis. As the Saudi parasites always do, they bought off the PLO, thats how they function. However, because the Palestine struggle still had the support of its own people, Arafat could maintain some degree of independence. Nowadays, theres no Palestinian struggle or Palestinian people, there are just atomized individuals, each of whom is trying to do the best for themselves. Mahmoud Abbas has no autonomous power against the Saudis, he just follows orders. The Saudis are now trying to choose a successor to Mahmoud Abbas, and they want this thug from Gaza, Mohammed Dahlan, to replace him. The CIA and the Saudis want this guy, and theyll probably succeed.

It is often claimed that a two-state solution is not possible anymore due to conditions on the ground; you have said that a two state solution is currently not physically impossible, but politically impossible. What are the main political constraints that you refer to? Could you briefly outline on what terms the two sides could reach an agreement on the critical issues of borders, the right of return of refugees, and the status of Jerusalem?

Norman Finkelstein: These are questions that demand technical expertise. It requires knowledge of the physical terrain. Topographers and cartographers on both the Israeli and Palestinian sides say there is a way to retain a contiguous Palestinian state with land swaps so that the total area remains the same as the 1967 borders, while enabling around 60 percent of the illegal Jewish settlers to remain in place under Israeli rule. This would require the evacuation of the remaining 40 percent, which at this point is admittedly not a small number, 240,000 out of 600,000 settlers.

But its feasible. Some polls have shown that with sufficient financial inducement, most of the settlers would be willing to leave, because a large part of them are what are called "quality-of-life settlers, meaning they moved to the West Bank because they were given all sorts of subsidies by the government, housing was cheaper, and so on. A smaller percentage comprise ideological settlers. Even they, if the Israeli army left, would probably pack their bags and head home. The problem, then, is political will.

Today, the occupation for Israel is cost-free: Europe subsidizes the occupation, the Palestinian Authority polices the occupation, while the US protects Israel from any diplomatic fallout. Theres no incentive for Israel to end the occupation. What needs to change is the balance of power, which is at the moment overwhelmingly favorable to Israel.

On the question of the right of return, there is no easy answer. Under international law, Palestinian refugees have the right to return. The major human rights organizations, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch have both upheld the right of return; as a legal right, its there.

However, politics is distinct from law. Theres no automatic enforcement of the law, unless you are on the side of the powerful. However, if you are on the side of the powerless, you have to figure out how to muster power on behalf of your cause. The question then becomes: given the objective balance of forces in the world today, how much can Palestinians realistically expect to extract from the legal right of return?

Israel has a population of 8.3 million people. Of those 8.3 million, about 6 million are Jewish. The number of Palestinian refugees is about 6 million. Is it realistic to expect that international public opinion at the popular or State level will demand that Israel open its borders such that the number of Palestinians entering the country would be equal to the current Israeli-Jewish population? Right now, Israeli Jews form 75 percent of the Israeli population. If the right of return were implemented in full, the population of Israel would become about 14 million, so Jews would be reduced from being a super-majority to considerably less than half the population. Will public opinion make that demand of Israel? I dont believe thats a realistic expectation. The idea of a Jewish state in the post-Holocaust world commands (for better or worse) a lot of international legitimacy, while a two-state settlement in which an Arab-Palestinian state exists side-by-side with a Jewish state that has an Arab-Palestinian majority doesnt make sense. One has to craft a formula that can win maximum backing from the international community, which right now supports a just resolution of the refugee question based on  which is different from, implementation of  the right of return (and compensation), in the framework of a two-state settlement.

You have been accused several times from some sectors of the left and of the Solidarity Movement of being establishment-friendly or not radical enough because of your critique to those elements that advocate a one-state solution or something whose logical conclusion would entail the end of Israel as it exists today. I agree with you that the only way to reach a broad public, at this time, is to push for a two-state settlement fully grounded in international law. Why do you think some sectors of the left appear to be, at times, almost ideologically opposed to a two-state settlement, and to what extent do you think their stance, even if in good faith, is harming the process of forming a mass, unitary movement with reachable goals?

Norman Finkelstein: First, on a personal note: I support neither two states nor one state. Im an old-fashioned leftist, I support no states. The world is a tiny grain of sand spinning in the universe. The idea of chopping it up into states, especially, at this point in time, doesnt make rational sense. All the major challenges confronting Humanity today, whether its climate change or the crisis of capitalism, are global in scope.

But theres a world of difference between what reason or justice dictates, on the one hand, and what politics allows, on the other. There isnt any possibility that states will be abolished anytime in the near future.

This doesnt mean one should give up on their ideals, I havent abandoned mine. But politics is about judging what is the balance of forces in the world. The maximum that is possible to achieve at this moment is an Israeli withdrawal from the occupied territories and some reasonable resolution of the refugee question.

One of the problems of the Palestine struggle is that its very personalized. Politics is not about what one personally thinks is fair. The question is, can you realistically hope to create a new balance of international forces supporting a one-state solution? In my opinion, the question answers itself. Its not that I am insufficiently radical; its that a lot of activists think politics is choosing what you like from a menu.

Why do you think, then, that even some prominent scholars often advocate a one-state solution?

Norman Finkelstein: Individuals can be very good scholars and not very good political analysts, just like there are skilled politicians who are not very book smart. Politics is a distinct art. Some people have a natural knack for politics, they have rich practical experience, and they have redoubtable native intelligence. I would include in this category Rosa Luxembourg and Leon Trotsky, Noam Chomsky and Allan Nairn, Mahatma Gandhi and Hezbollah leader Sayyed Nasrallah. In general, academics havent got a clue about how politics works.

The First Palestinian Intifada of 1987, of which you have been a first hand witness, is considered to have been a success. What particular conditions at the time contributed to the success of the uprising, and what lessons can be drawn from the Intifada for future Palestinian resistance?

Norman Finkelstein: When you say the First Intifada was considered a success, its not entirely correct. I consider it a success, and many of the people who remember it consider it as such. However, most young Palestinians dont remember the Intifada. Your generation has completely forgotten it. Moreover, those who do remember reckon it a failure, because it culminated in the Oslo accords, which were unquestionably a disaster for the Palestinians.

In fact, the First Intifada was a huge success. Two major factors enabled its success. First, the corrupt PLO leadership was headquartered in Algiers at the time, so Palestinians in the occupied territories werent constrained by it. Second, the PLO as an institution incorporated lots of vibrant mass organizations  political parties, trade unions, womens organizations, etc. The Intifada began spontaneously on December 7, 1987, but then all these organizations jumped into the fray, and started organizing and mobilizing, shaping their own destiny. Within a few days, leaflets were being distributed, new voluntary organizations coalescing; literally everyone was involved, from children of age two throwing stones to eighty-year-old women defying the Israeli army. It was a real mass mobilization, with a smart dynamic leadership. The Israelis didnt know how to respond or what was coming next.

The repression of the Israeli army was terrible, no question about it, but there were limits to how much repression Israel could inflict, because the resistance was nonviolent. By the end of the first Intifada, after two years, about a thousand Palestinians had been killed. That is what happens nowadays in Gaza during Israeli operations lasting a few weeks. Thanks to its reasonable demands  ending the occupation and statehood  the Intifada successfully appealed to international public opinion. (Incidentally, the refugee question was barely mentioned at the time.) As a consequence, Israels public relations image was shattered.

The Intifada was a mass mobilization, it had an organizational backbone, and it demobilized Israels most powerful weapon, its army. It met the two conditions of a successful nonviolent resistance: the international community viewed the means, nonviolence, as legitimate, and the ends, independent statehood, as legitimate.

BDS says its a nonviolent form of resistance, which is absolutely true, and it is not objectionable on those grounds. However, if the ends of BDS are seen as unjust, however nonviolent its means are, they will never get international support, its never going to happen. Both the means and the ends have to be conceived by public opinion as being just.

Tommaso Segantini is an Italian freelance journalist. His personal blog can be found here. he can be reached at tomhazo20@gmail.com or on Facebook.

Norman G. Finkelstein received his doctorate in 1988 from the Department of Politics at Princeton University. He currently teaches at Sakarya Universitys Center for Middle Eastern Studies in Turkey. Finkelstein is the author of ten books that have been translated into 50 foreign editions.
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By Histyar Qader | Erbil | (Niqash.org) |  

Baghdad and Iraqi Kurdistan have agreed where Kurdish military should fight. But, as commanders worry, theres been no agreement as to how long Kurdish soldiers will stay after the Islamic State leave.

According to a statement from the Iraqi Kurdish government, around 35,000 of their men participated in the fighting to push the extremist Islamic State group out of Mosul earlier this week.

Their participation comes as a result of a prior agreement between the Iraqi Kurdish government  the northern region acts like a state within a state and has its own borders and military  and the central Iraqi government in Baghdad. The formulation of the agreement was overseen by members of the international coalition also present in Iraq, fighting the Islamic State, or IS, group.

According to an agreement with Baghdad, the Iraqi Kurdish military will participate in the liberation of Mosul on four axes, Jamal Mohammed, chief of staff of the Iraqi Kurdish military, the Peshmerga, told NIQASH. On the first day we reached the lines that were set for the Iraqi Kurdish military as a first phase. If there are any changes to that plan, we will be waiting for orders from the president of Iraqi Kurdistan

Even though ownership is disputed, there is no other military force but ours that can guarantee locals security.

The agreement between Baghdad and Iraqi Kurdistan says that the Iraqi Kurdish forces should advance from Khazar, Bashiqa, Nawran and the Mosul dam area. These are located to the north and east of Mosul and most of the areas were also part of Iraqs so-called disputed areas  that is, land that the Iraqi Kurdish government says should be part of their semi-autonomous region but which the Iraqi government also claims as part of Iraq proper. Before the Islamic State took control of the area in June 2014, Baghdad and Iraqi Kurdistan had been fighting over the land. An article of the Iraqi Constitution  Article 140  was supposed to help resolve these issues but had never really been implemented.

No matter to whom the areas belonged, it is also true that the Iraqi Kurdish military were in charge of security in some of the areas inside Ninawa province before the arrival of the IS group. And despite the lack of any agreement on the disputed areas, both Kurdish and Sunni Muslim politicians worked together in local and provincial politics.

On the first day of the Mosul operation, the Iraqi Kurdish military advanced from the Khazar axis, east of the city, and regained control of nine villages. These villages were all in formerly disputed areas.

In some places, Kurdish forces were able to reach positions that they used to control before the IS group came along, Mohammed said. In other places they went even further, beyond those borders. There needs to be an agreement on this issue in the future, he stressed.

On the first day of the fighting there were ten deaths among the Iraqi Kurdish forces and 32 wounded. This kind of sacrifice is considered by many as a reason not to withdraw from the disputed areas.

The Iraqi Kurdish forces will now stay within their current lines and the Iraqi army and other local forces will advance into Mosul, Halo Penjweni, a senior member of one of Iraqi Kurdistans major political parties, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, who runs their office in Mosul and who is also coordinating military operations out of Khazar, told NIQASH.

The areas we have liberated are Kurdish-controlled, disputed areas and there is no other military force that can guarantee locals security there, Penjweni said.

One of Peshmerga leader explains attack plan for fighters  17 Oct

Earlier this week, plans are explained to the Iraqi Kurdish military as to how they will participate in the fight for Mosul.

Mosul after the IS group will not be the same as Mosul before the IS group, he continued. All things need to be re-evaluated. Unfortunately, there is no agreement between Iraqi Kurdistan and Baghdad on this issue and the presence of the Iraqi Kurdish military in these areas really needs to be sanctioned.

Although trust has been established between Baghdad and Iraqi Kurdistan around the Mosul operations, the question of who is responsible for the security of various parts of the province will most likely cause conflict in the future, Watheq al-Hashimi, the director of the Iraqi Group for Strategic Studies based in Baghdad, says.

A political agreement is needed. Based on his sources in Baghdad, al-Hashimi says that he believes Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi favours a return to the pre-June-2014 status quo in Ninawa. The oft-quoted idea that land that was gained by the spilling of Kurdish blood should remain in Kurdish hands, is not an option for Baghdad, al-Hashimi suggests.

Most Iraqis and Kurds believe that the post-IS era in Ninawa is going to be fraught. Previously there were alliances between the neighbouring Kurdish authorities and Arab politicians, especially Atheel al-Nujaifi, the former governor of Ninawa, a Sunni Muslim. However, since the IS group took control, al-Nujaifi and his family have fallen out of favour with local voters  the most recent candidate for governor backed by the al-Nujaifi clan was not supported by any of Ninawas Arab politicians  and this has had an impact on Arab-Kurd relations in the area.

There appear to be two relatively extreme options at the moment, local Arab politician, Abdul-Rahman al-Luwaizi, told NIQASH. The first option is to see Article 140 as having lost all validity. Some Sunni Arabs believe this. The second, more widely held by Kurds, is that the realities on the ground should be enforced. The presence of the Iraqi Kurdish military in these disputed areas will complicate matters and make it different to find a political compromise.

Via Niqash.org



Related video added by Juan Cole:

AFP: Kurds attack IS-held town as Mosul battle rages  AFP news agency
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By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) |  

The South China Post reports some incredible figures about the profitability Chinas wind energy companies. A new study by the Bank of China International (BOCI) is foreseeing profits of 25 to 64 percent for the rest of 2016.

The reason for this optimism? The government is committed to stringing no less than eight new ultra-high-voltage (UHV) power lines across the country that will likely mainly transmit electricity from wind farms.

China intends to get between 25% and 33% of its electricity from wind by 2030, i.e. in only 14 years! And by then it intends to be off [new] coal entirely. If Beijing can pull this off, it will literally change the world (for the better).

Moreover, the Chinese government has put in regulations in eight provinces and 3 autonomous regions requiring that wind and solar be used to generate electricity for a certain number of hours each day.

Shares in the sector have increased in price 67 percent since January.

China is building roughly two new wind turbines every hour. In part, this wind power frenzy is driven by a desire to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. But in part, it is a response to very substantial discontents in Chinese cities with air pollution, which is damaging the health of families and children.



Beijing, March 2015  Juan Cole

Press in the US tied to oil and gas interests made a lot of noise about a report in September that estimated that in the first quarter of 2016, 25% of Chinas new wind turbines were idle. But that was because the UHV lines hadnt reached them yet. Even just by the end of 2016 the BOCI estimates that under-utilization will fall by as much as 9 percent, as the UHV lines are extended. Wind farms can be built really quickly and relatively inexpensively and once they are built the fuel is free. So if China builds out the farms even before they can be connected to the new UHV grid, what difference would that mak? Theyre going to be built anyway over time so it is just a matter of which years budget they go on.

Moreover, the experience, know-how and manufacturing capacity that Chinese firms like SANY Heavy Energy are gaining is turning into exports and projects abroad, as well. SANY has huge wind turbines that generate 2 megawatts of power each, and has just sold a batch to the United States. It also has prospects in South Africa, and is making a $3 billion investment in India, with total megawattage of 2,000 MW, i.e. 48 million kilowatt hours a year.

The backward and often scientifically illiterate US Congress can barely bring itself to allow a tax write-off for wind turbines each year, disrupting the industry here with uncertainty (even though it gives big tax breaks to oil and gas companies). If they arent careful, theyll give away this whole global industry to China.
November 1 marks the day that the state of Kerala was born.
And now, Seol's in-laws move to force some last minute conflict in a predictably abortive attempt to scuttle a happy ending. Jin-sook's plan is pretty dumb. Really, So-hye should have mentioned the extortion attempt back when she was at the police station. Besides that even if it's not technically a breach of contract nobody going to want to work with Jin-sook when the best case scenario is that she's an idiot who keeps important information in a non-secure phone.

The scandal itself is also of dubious importance. I can't think of any event in recent memory where a celebrity's reputation was trashed because of bad stuff that happened two decades ago. Likewise, Jin-tae's own plan to try and attack Seol is of questionable value. Even assuming Jin-tae has clear proof (which he doesn't), adultery isn't actually a crime in South Korea anymore, and whatever Seol's case against him is, she no doubt has evidence far preceding her alleged dalliance with Sang-wook.

...Not that any of this really matters. The final obstacles in "Fantastic" aren't important for their own sake so much as they are merely intended to be easily overcome by the main characters as a symbolic representation of how much stronger they are together thanks to all their character growth. To that extent, "Fantastic" succeeds in establishing basic sympathy for its characters.

It helps that even in the most saccharine moments, there's something awfully sincere about the affection that Hae-seong and So-hye show for each other. This actually even works to "solve" the scandal, sort of, because Hae-seong is such an obviously above board great guy that who could possibly ever think that he was capable of doing genuinely mean things? How do you hate a man who's totally down for a simple pleasant wedding with friends?

While not exactly satisfying this episode of "Fantastic" does manage to have just barely enough coherent character progression that every minor victory against Seol's awful in-laws feels totally earned, precisely because they're the ones who have to pick the fight. So-hye, Hae-seong, Seol, and everyone else in their close group of friends is genuinely happy just enjoying life and being with each other, even if in So-hye's case, it took breast cancer (not brain cancer- sorry, my goof) for her to get that far. That's the question we're left with going from the cliffhanger to the final episode- can, or should, So-hye hold on to life? And how?

Source:HanCinema
KEARNEY - Taking topless pictures of a juvenile girl and posting them on the Internet has cost a Kearney man the next four years in prison.

Donald Mortimore, 46, was sentenced Wednesday in Buffalo County District Court to four to 16 years in prison on two counts of generating visual depictions of sexually explicit conduct of a girl. Mortimore was convicted of taking topless pictures of the then-15-year-old girl between Jan. 1 and Dec. 30, 2005, then posting them on the Web.

The sentences will be served simultaneously.

Judge John Icenogle gave Mortimore five days credit for time served in jail. With good time, he could be eligible for parole in two years. He could possibly be discharged in eight years.

Mortimore faced one to 20 years in prison for each count.

Mortimore's sentence also requires him to register as a convicted sex offender with the Nebraska State Patrol for the next 10 years.

Before he was sentenced, Mortimore's public defender Charles Brewster of Kearney said his client has a psychological pathology and asked he be sentenced to probation. Brewster also gave Icenogle a letter of support from Mortimore's victim.

But Buffalo County Attorney Shawn Eatherton said Mortimore is a danger to society and deserved the maximum sentence.

"This is the guy, when parents go to bed at night, they should be afraid of, they should have nightmares about," Eatherton said.

After Mortimore was arrested in November 2006, Eatherton said, Mortimore told authorities the pictures he took were harmless and that he might have accidentally put them on the Internet. Mortimore later tried to minimize his actions after originally admitting to police the pictures were for sexual gratification.

In an evaluation with Grand Island psychologist John Meidlinger, Mortimer claimed that he had never been sexually inappropriate, and if he were his wife would take a baseball bat to him. Yet, Eatherton gave examples of what Mortimore claimed to police as "appropriate," including Mortimore's statement that he wasn't attracted to anyone younger than 12 years old.

"That's inappropriate. That's threatening behavior," Eatherton said.

Mortimore's victim was present during the hearing and sat emotionlessly resting her chin on her fist, sometimes closing her eyes and yawning during Eatherton's arguments.

Mortimore was arrested following a report that an adult male in the Kearney area was trying to communicate with a juvenile female, trying to set up meetings with her, and sending her naked pictures of himself. Police searched Mortimore's home in November 2006 and found a compact disc carrying several partially nude photos of a juvenile female from the waist up.

The girl's face had been cropped out, and her breasts had been enhanced.

When confronted by police, records say, Mortimore admitted to taking the pictures for his sexual gratification, then sending a cropped and emphasized version of the pictures over the Internet.
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Dr. Wendy Norman sits for a photograph at the B.C. Women's Hospital & Health Centre in Vancouver, B.C., on Friday October 21, 2016. Sexual health advocates are intent on making Canada the most permissive country in the world for a heavily regulated abortion pill expected to hit shelves next month. Mifegymiso has been available elsewhere for nearly 30 years and is approved for use in more than 60 countries with varying restrictions. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Jeannine Caine and her two daughters, Luna, 14, and Zoe, 11, stand in front of their new Habitat for Humanity home in Peachland. The Caines are one of two families who will be moving into the third and final Habitat for Humanity duplexes on Nov. 1.
SHARE Meg Coyle graduated from Bremerton High in 1989 and went on to work in broadcast journalism, and worked most recently as weekend anchor at KING 5. Sheall leave her post for a recruiting job at Amazon. (Contributed photo)

By Josh Farley of the Kitsap Sun

SEATTLE ? There was the time Bremerton native Meg Coyle got an earful from an angry sledder on Queen Anne Hill. Or when, en route to her sister's house, Coyle found a kleptomaniac of a cat that kept stealing gloves in the Phinney Ridge neighborhood.

But when you ask Coyle, 43, to reflect on the story she remembers most in her 15 years as a reporter and weekend anchor at KING 5, she thinks of Kentlake High School's drama department.

As their teacher was fighting pancreatic cancer, students secretly arranged a revue for her, featuring past and present students. Coyle got to witness the rehearsal and tell the story.

A perfectionist, Coyle looks back on much of her broadcast work with frequent criticism. But that story ? it felt flawless to her.

"I can look back on it and say, ?I wouldn't have changed I thing,'" she said.

The subject matter hit close to home for Coyle, who lost her mother to pancreatic cancer. The award-winning story wasn't about the praise for her, or even what her boss thought, she said.

"It was whether the teacher liked it," she said.

The Bremerton High grad, married to Michael King of Evening Magazine, is opening a new chapter in her own life.

Coyle has taken a job at Amazon, where she'll work in recruiting. It'll be a very different job than the one she had at KING 5, but one that capitalizes on her skill set ? conducting interviews and doing research and assessment.

Less than a week from her last broadcast, Coyle said she is struggling most with leaving behind her colleagues at KING 5, a place she called home for 15 years.

"They've been my family," she said. "It's really hard to let that go."

One thing the weekend anchor will have in the new job is the opportunity to join the Monday through Friday workforce. The opportunity to work for the Seattle company is also exciting, she said.

"I'm just thrilled to have the opportunity to work for a company known for such creative and innovative energy," she said.

Coyle and her family, with two young daughters, calls northeast Seattle home. But they do get over to Bremerton from time to time, where Coyle's father still lives.

She fondly remembers growing up in Bremerton, which she described as being a small town with big-city things to do. She was raised in Manette, where her best friend lived down the street. Her first job was as a lifeguard at the YMCA.

That being the 80s, she recalls "a lot of big hair, a lot of bangs and a lot of fun."

She graduated from Bremerton High School in 1989 and headed to the University of Washington, where she got communications and political science degrees.

She landed her first broadcast job in Yakima at KAPP TV, where she met her husband, Michael King. They headed overseas to Hong Kong and joined CNN for a few years but came back when Northwest Cable News started a 24-hour news network.

She started at KING in 2000.

Leaving broadcast television is a weird feeling, she admits. She won't start at Amazon until April.

"It does feel very strange, because it's all I've really ever known," she said. "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't terrified."
Todd Dowell, senior deputy prosecuting attorney for Kitsap County, in the law library at Kitsap's juvenile court on Thursday. Prosecutors from around the state have come to trust his expertise. LARRY STEAGALL / KITSAP SUN

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By Andrew Binion of the Kitsap Sun

PORT ORCHARD  For some prosecutors, juvenile court is a career stepping stone on their way to trying felonies in Superior Court.

For Kitsap Senior Deputy Prosecutor Todd Dowell, it's been his career. And after about 20 years, he is considered a guru in Washington state juvenile justice.

"Whenever any prosecutor has a question, any prosecutor in any county in the state, it's Todd Dowell they call," said Dowell's boss, Chief Deputy Prosecutor Chad Enright.

What has kept Dowell at work in Kitsap's juvenile facility on Old Clifton Road in Port Orchard, rather than "downtown" at the county courthouse, is the juvenile system's focus on rehabilitation and preventing youths from making the next mistake that lands them in the adult system.

Dowell, 54, said the system is getting less work  charges filed against youths have been dwindling over the past decade  and in his experience the system does what it is supposed to do: help kids stay out of trouble.

Where the adult criminal justice system aims to punish offenders, or at least keep them safely away from society, the juvenile system aims for accountability and most of all, rehabilitation.

The juvenile "prison" system is not run by the state Department of Corrections, but is instead run by the state Department of Social and Health Services. Where the adult system deals in sentences of months and years, the juvenile system metes out sentences of days and weeks and has a variety of programs in lieu of incarceration.

Originally from Kent, Dowell was hired as a deputy prosecutor in Kitsap in 1992. A year later he shifted over to juvenile court, remaining there for about six years, then returned to adult felonies. He returned in 2003 as a senior deputy and has remained.

"For me, it is the hope we have in our kids," Dowell said. "Most of the kids I see come through the juvenile system I won't see as adults."

Enright agrees.

"The vast majority of juvenile offenders we do not see as adults," said Enright, adding: "That's how it's supposed to work."

High-profile cases last year brought the system into focus for the public  such as a teen driver who crashed near Seabeck in January 2015 resulting in the deaths of his three high school-aged passengers, and a Bremerton teen who set fire to a cat in October 2015  but because of privacy laws protecting youths, and the lack of high-profile cases, the system goes about its business largely unnoticed by the public. In Washington state, juvenile court is part of Superior Court. Also contributing to that lack of high-profile cases is that 16- and 17-year-olds charged with serious violent crimes are often bumped up to the adult system.

When asked about other high-profile cases involving youths, Dowell knocks on his wood desk.

"We don't get too many of those in Kitsap," he said.

Although Dowell is considered an expert in juvenile justice  organizing and teaching classes at juvenile justice conferences, testifying at Legislative committee hearings and backing a package of reforms approved by lawmakers that took effect in June  he sees his expertise as mostly a result of how long he has been doing the work and help from a mentor, retired Deputy Prosecutor Greg Hubbard.

"It seemed more interesting than sitting at a desk reading real estate documents," Dowell said, which is the area of law he practiced before becoming a prosecutor.

Juvenile court defense attorney Mark Randolph said that having an expert on the other side of the courtroom makes his job easier rather than daunting.

"It makes for a better relationship when you have somebody on the other side who is highly competent at what they do," said Randolph, who has been a juvenile court public defender since 1998.

"Sometimes we go toe-to-toe back there, and neither gives an inch," Randolph said. "A lot of times we are able to resolve things outside the courtroom. Nobody gets everything they want."

Randolph said in addition to being a statewide resource for other juvenile prosecutors, Dowell is also known to help defense attorneys. Most important, Randolph said, is he keeps an open mind.

The two compare themselves to the 1950s Looney Tunes cartoon characters Ralph Wolf and Sam Sheepdog. An iconic scene from the cartoon has the two characters amicably greeting each other in the morning before punching their timecards, ("Mornin' Sam"  "Mornin' Ralph") then engaging in battle, only to clock out at the end of the day with a familiar farewell.

"He doesn't just take the position, 'I don't care, we can fight it out in court,'" Randolph said of Dowell. "He is willing to listen."

In 2015 prosecutors filed charges in 344 juvenile cases and in 2014 it was 373 cases. In 2005 the office had 1,028 filings, showing a more than 66 percent drop through that 10-year period.

Dowell doesn't know why but said a fellow deputy prosecutor from King County shared a pet theory that decreasing criminal filings against kids may be a result of youths being preoccupied with their mobile phones and video games.

Juveniles tend to commit crimes while they are in groups of peers, Dowell said. When they can communicate with each other without leaving the couch, for better or worse, maybe it is keeping them out of trouble with the law.

Randolph said there could be multiple reasons for the dwindling juvenile charges  including the theory of electronic devices keeping kids indoors and out of trouble  but he said police often can exercise the option of simply calling someone's parents and having them pick them up and drive the youths home.

"It's probably a research question worth investigating, but it doesn't really fit into my schedule," Randolph said.

Dowell also concedes he doesn't know.

"If somebody knows, please tell me," he said.
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Authorities said they recovered more than 26,000 pieces of undelivered mail in northeastern Colorado and arrested a former Postal Service worker.

The U.S. Attorney's Office said Friday the recovered mail was addressed to people in Sterling and Fort Morgan. Authorities haven't said where or how they found it.

Twenty-two-year-old Tayson Adam Hidalgo of Sterling is charged with delaying or destroying mail between October 2014 and April 2016.

He didn't immediately return a telephone message left by The Associated Press.

If convicted, Hidalgo faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. He's free on an unsecured $5,000 bond and is due in court on Oct. 25.

A meeting is scheduled in Sterling on Nov. 7 to brief residents on when the mail will be delivered.
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Missouri gets a failing grade for the strength of its gun laws in a new report. (in.gov)
Lotte's main department store in central Seoul, left, and Shinsegae department store in southern Seoul

By Lee Hyo-sik

Lotte, Shinsegae and Hyundai are racing to expand their flagship department stores, despite the continued consumption slump, to secure the much-coveted title of having the largest retail shop in Seoul.

Shinsegae, the country's third-largest department store operator, has already completed the renewal and expansion of its flagship department store in southern Seoul, currently the largest in terms of floor space.

Lotte is seeking to take that title away from Shinsegae by enlarging its store in downtown Seoul, with Hyundai attempting to do the same by constructing its largest outlet on Yeouido.

According to Lotte Department Store officials, Sunday, Junggu Office will release the results of its review of Lotte's expansion plan as early as Monday. The company plans to build an additional 9-story structure on a parking lot near the department store in central Seoul by 2018.

On Sept. 23, Korea's largest department store operator submitted a plan to the district office but it was later rejected. Lotte then submitted a revised version, pledging to build a park near its shop and create a cultural square on the top of the planned structure, among others.

Lotte officials expect the district office will approve the revised plan, adding that the firm will promptly undertake administrative procedures to begin construction in the first quarter of 2017.

"We would like to turn our flagship shop in downtown Seoul into the country's largest department store by adding the 9-story building," a Lotte official said." When the additional structure is completed, we expect to generate more than 2 trillion won ($1.74 billion) in annual sales."

The store earned 1.8 trillion won in 2015 but has not exceeded 2 trillion won since 1999 when its sales surpassed the 1 trillion won mark for the first time. Lotte expects that when the additional facility opens, the sale will easily beat 2 trillion won.

In addition, its floor space, including those of Young Plaza and Avenuel, will be extended to 90,000 square meters from the current 71,000 square meters, bigger than Shinsegae Department Store in southern Seoul, which spans 86,500 square meters.

It is yet to be decided but the expanded space will likely house various themed shops and "specialized" showrooms to attract people looking for differentiated shopping experiences.

Hyundai Department Store is also set to join the race by constructing its largest store at Parc One Tower in Yeouido, which spans 89,100 square meters in floor space.

In February, Shinsegae completed the renewal and expansion of its flagship department store at Seoul Express Bus Terminal in southern Seoul, making it the largest shop in the city.

The company expects the outlet will earn 1.7 trillion won in sales this year, up from last year's 1.3 trillion won. The sales will then increase to 2 trillion won in 2019, despite the continued sluggish consumer spending, according to Shinsegae officials.
By Lee Hyo-sik

Startups are found to have cushioned Korea's faltering outbound shipments this year while their larger counterparts have been struggling to sell their goods abroad.

According to the Korea International Trade Association, Sunday, newly-established, small businesses, particular in areas of information technology and semiconductors, exported goods and services worth $1.54 billion in September, up 8.8 percent from a year earlier, marking the fifth straight monthly increase.

In the first nine months of this year, startups earned $12.9 billion on foreign markets, up 2.4 percent from the previous year, while the overall exports dropped 8.5 percent to $363.1 billion.

In 2015, the overall outbound shipments fell 8 percent from 2014, but that of startups rose 2.5 percent.

"Data shows that startups armed with technological prowess have been performing well in the United States, Japan, Vietnam and other major markets," a KITA official said. "Vietnam has emerged as a production base for Korea's large companies, offering new opportunities for small businesses. Demand for made-in-Korea goods by small firms has increased in the United States and Japan in line with improving economic conditions."

For instance, their exports to the U.S. rose 8 percent to $1.78 billion during the January to September period, with Vietnam importing $1.13 billion, up 14.4 percent. Local startups also shipped goods worth $1.16 billion to Japan, but shipments to China fell 4.7 percent to $3.18 billion.

By item, semiconductors and wireless communication devices fueled startups' robust performance.

From January to September this year, startups sold semiconductors worth $941 million in foreign markets, up 7 percent from the previous year, while that of wireless communications devices jumped 19 percent to $873 million.
By Yoon Ja-young



The Fair Trade Commission (FTC) levied a 1.14 billion won penalty on doctors' organizations for pressuring medical equipment companies not to sell equipment to doctors of Oriental medicine.



According to the FTC, Korean Medical Association (KMA) requested that GE Healthcare not sell ultrasound diagnosis equipment to Oriental medicine practitioners, regardless of purpose. According to the country's healthcare act, however, it is not illegal for the doctors of Oriental medicine to purchase the equipment, and the health ministry allows them to use the equipment at their clinics for academic and research purposes.



The KMA continued monitoring GE Healthcare for years, and the company ended up halting transactions with Oriental medicine clinics, sustaining losses for deals in progress. It also made an apology to doctors at the request of KMA.



The pressure on GE Healthcare, which is the top global player, affected the whole market. Samsung Medison also started decreasing transactions with doctors of Oriental medicine, and it has had no transactions with them for the past few years.



The global ultrasound diagnosis equipment market is estimated at $4.6 billion, and it has been growing at an average of 3.1 percent annually over the past seven years. The domestic market, meanwhile, is 73.9 billion won, and the FTC explained that the market is saturated.



Along with National Union of Korean Medical Doctors and Korea Medical Clinic Association, the KMA also demanded that the country's top five laboratories including Green Cross Laboratories not provide blood tests for Oriental medicine clinics. These laboratories control around 80 percent of the market. "It is de facto impossible for them to find other laboratories as an alternative," the FTC noted.



Doctors of Oriental medicine say that they need blood tests for exact prescriptions and to check the results of treatment. The health ministry allows them to use these tests in treating patients.



The FTC determined that the healthcare professionals "restricted the rights of medical equipment companies and clinical laboratories with the aim of pushing out their competitors."



The anti-trust regulator said that this led to a restriction in competition, violating the Fair Trade Act, and levied a 1 billion won penalty on KMA and a combined 137 million won on the other two lobby groups.



It added that the penalty on the doctors' associations will increase consumer benefits of those wishing to get Oriental medical treatment, by saving costs spent while additionally visiting other clinics for blood tests.



"We will continue examining diverse lobby groups that try to restrict market competition," the FTC noted in a media release.




By Yoon Ja-young



The cost to restructure debt laden shipping and shipbuilding industries here will be as much as 31 trillion won ($27 billion), according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).



In a report, "Benefits and Costs of Corporate Debt Restructuring: An Estimation for Korea," the IMF said it will take about 10 years to recoup the costs, with the restructured industries contributing to economic growth by restarting investment and hiring new employees.



"After years of rapid growth, many Korean export-oriented industries face headwinds from a global economic slowdown. Shipping and shipbuilding are especially affected," the IMF said. "Steel and petrochemicals may become distressed if the global slowdown deepens. The technology intensive industries, such as automobiles and electronics, are exposed to intensifying international competition."



It said corporate debt vulnerabilities were high, and the government was taking steps to "agree, and then swiftly implement, plans for the operational and financial restructuring of vulnerable firms."



Korea is an instructive case to study benefits and costs of corporate debt restructuring, it noted.



It assessed the benefits and costs of debt restructuring of firms that had an interest coverage ratio (ICR) below 1 for three consecutive years.



"With the slowdown of global trade, the growth rate of Korean corporate earnings, particularly in export-oriented manufacturing and shipping, has been declining and has recently turned the estimated cost of corporate restructuring in the shipping and shipbuilding industries negative. Our method gives that cost at about 31 trillion won in the adjusted baseline," the IMF said.



This compares with the 12 trillion won support package for the state-owned Korea Development Bank (KDB) and Export-Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM) and about 10 trillion won in internal loss-absorption capacity available in those banks.



The report points out that moving a firm from an ICR below 1 to above it through restructuring will increase its investment and its hiring of employees annually.



It said the cost will be compensated for by an increase in future GDP growth thanks to higher corporate investment and rises in employment in the subsequent years.



"The key qualitative result is that corporate debt restructurings pay off in the medium term: their economic cost is recouped over about 10 years," the report said.



However, the South Korean government has already injected nearly 40 trillion won into the shipbuilding and shipping companies in the past.



According to Financial Supervisory Service data submitted to Rep. Chae Yi-bai of the minor opposition People's Party, their main creditor banks have injected 20.8 trillion won into 26 troubled shipbuilding and shipping companies since 2008 for restructuring.



When combined with 17.9 trillion won they had provided previously, they have injected a total 38.7 trillion won so far. However, they have recovered only 11 trillion won of this.



The lawmaker warned that restructuring without a vision for the industry will only worsen the problem.



"Most financial support came from state-run banks during the restructuring of shipbuilding and shipping companies, and misjudgments by policymakers only aggravated the problem," Rep. Chae said.



He said that the government is simply applying patches to the problem.




Bernard Pras sits next to his artwork on the stairs of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in central Seoul.

/ Courtesy of Woowa Brothers



By Yun Suh-young

On the stairs of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, there lies a peculiar installation that makes passersby stop and wonder "What is that?"

At first sight, the work seems like a collection of abandoned items put together to form an image, but unless you look closely you have no idea what it is supposed to be.

When you peer through the eyeglass installed in front of the work, you finally get a focused view of the whole picture  an image of King Sejong created and surrounded by a variety of items from nickel-silver pots, brassware, toys, pieces of brooms, bicycles seats and delivery motorbikes and so on. In the middle of it all it says, "What kind of a nation are we?" in Hangeul, the Korean writing system.

The work is of French installation artist Bernard Pras, who visited Seoul to put the piece together in commemoration of the 570th birthday of Hangeul. The exhibit was revealed on Oct. 19, 10 days after Hangeul Day which marks the creation of the Korean writing system by King Sejong. Although the installation work came late, it will stay for three weeks to commemorate the phonetic symbol set. The work is located diagonally across from the King Sejong statue in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul.

Pras was invited by Woowa Brothers which operates Korea's largest food-delivery mobile service startup, Baedal Minjok or "Delivery Nation."

"Woowa Brothers have regularly funded and collaborated with various artists as a means to promote Korean culture. For this particular exhibit, we were curious to see how Korean culture would be interpreted through the eyes of a French installation artist," said Ryu Jin, head of communications at Woowa Brothers.

"This artwork is not a huge exhibition but will allow visitors to stop and pause for a while to enjoy a work of art during their busy lives. That's why it's exhibited here on the stairs of this arts hall as part of public art."

Pras arrived on Oct. 4 and worked on the project for two weeks before revealing the final work on Oct. 19. The exhibit will be on view until Nov. 6.

Upon arriving in Seoul, Pras collected items for his artwork from various locations in Seoul, from Insa-dong and Euljiro to Namdaemun and Dongdaemun markets.

Pras is known for his anamorphic art which tricks the eye. His work plays with the perspective of viewers and can be flexibly interpreted and viewed depending on which angle the audience observes it from. His previous works include portraits or full figures of Einstein, Jesus, Van Gogh, Mickey Mouse and Batman to name a few.

The phrase, "What kind of a nation are we?" embedded in the artwork sums up the theme for this exhibit and is a question posed to the viewers as well as an indirect promotion of the startup company, as it uses the same phrase as its marketing slogan.
Firefighters rescue the woman from a gap in a car-parking lift after she went to the area to relieve herself. / Courtesy of Busanjin Fire Station

By Lee Han-soo

A reportedly drunken woman was injured when she fell into a car parking lift in Busan at 1:50 a.m. Saturday.

The woman, surnamed Kim, was apparently in a hurry to use the bathroom.

She ran into the lift to relieve herself where she could not be seen, but she fell two meters through a 60 centimeter gap between the lift and a wall, according to police. She broke her pelvis.

Firefighters rescued her, and she was taken to hospital.

Police are investigating why the parking lift was open and unstaffed, allowing anyone to enter.
The seats in the paying section for the Busan Fireworks Festival on the right side of Gwangalli Beach in Busan are empty while people packed the free section on the left to save seats hours before the event, Saturday. / Yonhap



By Choi Ha-young

Busan citizens have been disgruntled over the expensive tickets for the city's famous fireworks festival and nearby restaurants' high prices, saying the city makes money from the public event without proper supervision.



The 12th Busan Fireworks Festival attracted 1.27 million visitors Saturday, with 280,000 gathered at the city's iconic Gwangalli Beach, the main vantage point. However, some paid seats were vacant until the end of the festival as they were last year, when the city introduced a fee system for the decade-old open-air event.



Since last year, the Busan Metropolitan Government (BMG) has charged 100,000 won ($87.6) for a plastic table and chairs, and 70,000 won for chairs only, without any snacks. About 6,000 seats were set up in the paying section on the beach.



The BMG said it started charging visitors to make the festival a self-sustaining tourist attraction. "By selling some paid seats to foreign tourists and firms, we can invest the money into next year's festival and improve the quality of the event," the organizing committee told the press.



However, citizens complained there was no tangible improvement at the beach, for example transportation infrastructure remained poor.



"The festival for citizens has been reduced to the city government's moneymaking tool," a blogger said.



"The price of the festival is ridiculous considering the plastic chairs and tables," a Busan resident Park Yong-seok, 26, told The Korea Times.



Many also pointed out that the paid seats have become an excuse for rip-off prices at nearby restaurants and bars  establishments with a good view of the fireworks raised the price of food for that day, citing the ticket price of the city-prepared seats. Some bars charged 500,000 won for a bottle of wine and dessert for four.



"The city government has failed to solve the problem of high-priced food at nearby cafes and restaurants but it pushed up the prices in general with the paid seats," Park said.



Similar controversy rose last year in Jinju, South Gyeongsang Province, when the city government started to sell tickets for the Jinju Namgang Yudeng Festival, a lantern show on the Nam River, for 10,000 won.



This year, Jinju City Government distributed free weekday tickets to its residents and provided a 50 percent discount for neighborhood visitors. The local government said the festival earned 3.4 billion won this year, helping it be financially independent from the central government for the event.



Meanwhile, Seoul International Fireworks Festival is free due to the sponsorship of Hanwha, the nation's 10th-largest conglomerate and the organizer of the festival.
By Kim Hyo-jin



The Ruling Saenuri Party is struggling to continue its offensive against Moon Jae-in, a potential opposition party presidential candidate, over a controversial abstention from a United Nations vote on North Korea's human rights in 2007.



It has been over a week since the ruling party vowed to get to the bottom of the controversy over former Foreign Minister Song Min-soon's claim that Moon supported an idea of seeking Pyongyang's opinion before abstaining from the vote.



The Saenuri Party has accused Moon of being in league with the North, demanding a parliamentary hearing, investigation, or independent counsel to clarify the scandal. But without the opposition's consent, these options appear to be inapplicable.



The party's investigation committee, set up ambitiously after the controversy arose, has been stagnant in developing the allegation against Moon with no physical evidence.



It initially called for access to presidential records  Cheong Wa Dae's minutes in this case  to figure out whether Song's claim was true. The call is, however, losing steam amid brewing concerns among party members that it could leave a false precedent for a ruling party to do so.



There is little possibility anyway that opposition parties would cooperate in seeking this move, which needs a two-thirds in favor parliamentary vote of sitting lawmakers. The vote is the only way to access Cheong Wa Dae's records related to military, diplomatic and unification issues, according to a law on the management of presidential records.



The party is instead seeking to obtain related documents from seven government ministries including foreign affairs and unification. It is still doubtful if the documents can provide crucial evidence that Moon was involved in seeking the North's approval.



In the face of such hurdles, party members continue to verbally attack the former opposition leader, questioning his ideological stance toward North Korea.



The strategy, however, does not seem to be working in the party's favor.



A Gallup poll, conducted from Oct. 18 to 20 when the partisan wrangling over the scandal reached its peak, showed that the approval rating of the main opposition party stood at 29 percent, equaling that of the Saenuri Party.



It was the highest rate for the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) among polls conducted this year and the first tie with the Saenuri Party under the Park Geun-hye government.



The DPK's approval rating increased 3 percentage points while the Saenuri's rose by 1 percentage point from the previous week.



That of the President fell to a record low 25 percent, reflecting that an offensive against Moon did not successfully divert public attention from the ongoing corruption scandal involving Park's confidant.



A member of the Saenuri Party's investigation committee admitted difficulties in prolonging the controversy over the 2007 vote.



"Now that it has become a sort of truth game, Moon needs to express his opinion anyhow. But with him remaining silent, we are having trouble in stretching our argument," he said.



Moon has declined to give a direct answer to the allegations. Instead, he has criticized that the Saenuri Party is merely engaging in ideological mud-slinging in an effort to overshadow the corruption scandals involving presidential aides.




By Kim Hyo-jin



President Park Geun-hye will deliver a speech at the National Assembly, Monday, to outline the government's budget for the next year, Cheong Wa Dae said Sunday.



This will mark her fourth budgetary speech since inauguration in 2013.

"Park has laid out a roadmap of state management every year during a regular session of the National Assembly with a budgetary speech," presidential spokesman Jung Youn-kuk told reporters.



"It reflects her will to create a new culture of actively seeking parliamentary cooperation on a visit to the legislature."



The speech is expected to signify Park's drive to urge the Assembly to work on the passage of economic and budget bills, redirecting its focus from a snowballing scandal surrounding non-profit foundations allegedly controlled by Park's longtime confidant Choi Sun-sil.



Park is likely to call for parliamentary cooperation and national unity while stressing economic stagnation and security challenges caused by North Korea's nuclear test and missile provocations.



Along with support for the 2017 government budget, the President is expected to request a prompt passage of bills on labor reform, deregulation and the development of the services industry.



Park has urged the Assembly to reconsider a set of bills, which she views as crucial in creating jobs, nurturing new industries and spurring growth.



The reform bills were scrapped in the previous Assembly as the opposition parties expressed concern about endangering job stability and the possibility of conglomerates taking advantage of the regulations to execute corporate takeovers.



The ruling Saenuri Party proposed them again in the 20th Assembly but they have been stuck in negotiations between the rival parties for months.



Park, however, is not expected to touch on the allegations against Choi and the controversy over an ex-foreign minister's memoir, cautious of the possibility of fueling political wrangling, a presidential official said.




Jongno Police Station Chief Hong Wan-seon is surrounded by reporters and protestors at the entrance to Seoul National University Hospital, Sunday, during a police attempt to execute a warrant to conduct an autopsy on Baek Nam-ki, a farmer who died last month following 10 months in a coma after being hit by a police water cannon. Police withdrew three hours later following strong resistance from the bereaved family and protestors. / Yonhap



Conflict to reach peak Tuesday when warrant expires

By Lee Kyung-min

Police attempted Sunday to forcibly execute a warrant for the autopsy on Baek Nam-ki, a farmer who died last month following a 10-month coma after being knocked over by a police water cannon, but withdrew due to strong resistance from the bereaved family and civic group members.

Conflict over the autopsy is expected to escalate until Tuesday when the warrant expires. Police have argued that they need an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death, while bereaved family say an external shock caused by the water cannon was the direct cause of his death.

With about 800 officers dispatched, police began their action after notifying the family of the execution of the warrant at 9 a.m. They arrived near the entrance to Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH), where Baek's memorial altar has been set up, at 10:10 a.m., but failed to enter the premises after being blocked by a barricade formed by hundreds of protestors.

Among them were Baek's family, civic group members supporting the family, and opposition lawmakers including Reps. Park Joo-min and Jung Jae-ho of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, and Reps. Sim Sang-jung and Yun So-ha of the minor opposition Justice Party. No major clashes were reported.

Following a three-hour standoff, police decided to withdraw.

"We decided to honor the bereaved family members' opposition after our attempt to talk with them failed," Jongno Police Station chief Hong Wan-seon told reporters at the hospital.

"Although we could not talk directly with the family members, we became aware of their position through media reports," he added.

When asked whether police will attempt to execute the warrant again, Hong said he would have further discussions.

Bereaved family members have expressed clear opposition to both the autopsy and negotiations with police.

"Police keep demanding that they talk to us. I don't want to meet police, who killed my father and are preventing us from carrying out the funeral due to their absurd need for an autopsy," Baek's daughter, Baek Doraji, said. "We will never meet with the police. They can deliver any message through our legal representatives."

Police say an autopsy will determine the exact cause of death, while family members maintain their distrust of the authorities, saying this is a mere tactic to divert the cause of his death to something else rather than the water cannon, allowing police and the Park Geun-hye administration to avoid responsibility for his death.

"My father's death clearly resulted from being shot by the water cannon. We refuse to have an autopsy because the cause of death is certain and evidence is substantial," Baek's daughter said.

According to the warrant issued by the Seoul Central District Court on Sept. 28, the authorities are required to negotiate with bereaved family members on how to conduct the autopsy including where to do it and how many people will attend the procedure.

Hundreds of supporters including civic activists and labor union members gathered Saturday near Gwanghwamun Square, downtown Seoul, demanding that government apologize for Baek's death.
By Jun Ji-hye



The remains of French Korean War veteran, Andre Belaval, will be interred at the U.N. Memorial Cemetery in Busan later this week, the Patriots and Veterans Affairs Ministry (PVAM) said Sunday.



The ministry said his body will arrive at Incheon International Airport Monday and temporarily lie in state at Seoul National Cemetery. Then, it will be moved to the U.N. cemetery in Busan and buried there, Thursday, in accordance with the veteran's wish that he wanted to be laid to rest beside his comrades.



Belaval served in the 1950-53 Korean War with a French battalion as a radio operator. During his nine-year career in the military, he also fought in the Indo-China War.



He was a founding member of the Korea Foreign Legion association and served as its honorary chairman for 10 years. He helped many South Koreans settle in France after their tour of service and had maintained very close ties with the Korean community in the country, the ministry said.



"The veteran considered South Korea his second home and expressed a wish to be buried with those that died during the war before he passed away on July 2 at the age of 87," the ministry said in a release.



The remains of Belaval will be received by Minster of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Park Sung-choon and the French Ambassador to South Korea Fabien Penone at the airport, the ministry added.



At the burial ceremony in Busan, senior officials from the two countries, as well as his son's family, will be in attendance.



This marks the fifth individual burial ceremony to be held in the cemetery, the only place in the world where fallen U.N. servicemen are buried.



According to the ministry, 40,670 servicemen of the 21 U.N. allied nations were killed during the conflict, with 104,280 wounded and 4,116 missing. A total of 23,000 U.N. servicemen were laid to rest at the U.N. cemetery.




Hungarian Ambassador to South Korea Gabor Csaba speaks to The Korea Times at the embassy in Yongsan-gu, central Seoul, Oct. 18. / Korea TImes photo by Choi Won-suk



Seoul can learn from Budapest's experience in embracing N. Korean defectors



By Yi Whan-woo



The Hungarian Revolution on Oct. 23, 1956 against Soviet-imposed rule resonated with many South Koreans following the 1950-53 Korean War in which millions of soldiers died to defend democracy and freedom.

The message of the revolution is still effective in South Korea today, given that it is surrounded by regional powers and also is technically at war with North Korea, according to Hungarian Ambassador to Seoul Gabor Csaba last week.

"We believe the message of the 1956 revolution is universal. In some places, it's more relevant and we believe Korea is definitely one of those places." he told The Korea Times at the embassy in Yongsan-gu, central Seoul on Oct. 18.

More than 2,500 Hungarians were killed while 200,000 people became refugees after their resistance against the communist government and Soviet forces failed.

Csaba pointed out that Hungary and South Korea shared common ground in that they were both middle powers in their respective regions and had fought for "survival in independence and freedom" throughout their histories.

"I would say that the Hungarian government's efforts to commemorate the revolution in a meaningful way focused on Europe, North America, Australia and all those places where there are a lot of Hungarians," he said. "But in addition to that group, Korea is probably one of the most important countries and we'd like to make sure that more people know about it."

Csaba said Hungary wanted to capitalize on the 60th anniversary of the revolution to make people more aware of two major incidents involving South Koreans' support for the historic event.

He referred to late National Assembly Speaker Lee Man-sup's attempt to form and send a student militia group to Hungary when he was a senior at Yonsei University. The South Korean government did not allow Lee's plan to proceed, citing ideological reasons.

In separate efforts, late poet Kim Chun-soo published a poem, titled "The death of a girl in Budapest" in 1959 to mourn the deaths of freedom fighters in Hungary.

The Hungarian government awarded Lee the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit in recognition of his efforts in 2002. Csaba met Lee after he was assigned to South Korea in 2013 and also attended Lee's funeral last December.

Kim's poem has been translated into Hungarian, and Hungarians know about the poem, according to the ambassador.

"We keep looking for further connections between the two countries." Csaba said.

The embassy organized several events to mark the anniversary of the revolution this month, including a reception at Lotte Hotel in Sogong-dong, central Seoul on Oct. 20.

It attracted several dignitaries. Among them were the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Kim Hyoung-zhin, U.N. Development Program Seoul Policy Center Director Balazs Horvath, as well as ambassadors to South Korea, such as Charles Hay of the United Kingdom, Gonzalo Ortiz of Spain, Arslan Hakan Okcal of Turkey, Ramzi Teymurov of Azerbaijan, Nikoloz Apkhazava of Georgia and Mohamed Gello of Kenya.

Yoo Jae-kun, 79, a former lawmaker, also joined the reception. Along with Lee, Yoo played a key role in mobilizing the university students to help Hungary.

Meanwhile, Csaba said the revolution could help raising awareness among young South Korean generations about the importance of inter-Korean unification.

Several studies had shown that younger people were apathetic about unification compared to older generations.

"This does not mean that they would not embrace the idea of a country when the historical moment arrives," the ambassador said.

"1956 represents universal values  and therefore speaks to generations and nations without boundaries. It is important to address young people and discuss with them important issues related to the past as well as the future of this country."

Concerning Hungary's transition from a communist state to a democratic nation, Csaba said South Korea could learn from this experience to better embrace a growing number of North Korean defectors.

He referred to Hungarian dissidents who had earlier left the country and participated in establishing a parliamentary democracy and free market economy after the fall of communism in Eastern Europe in 1989.

"Those Hungarians who have assisted the transition also contributed to changing gradually the Hungarian mindset," he said. "This is very much our experience, but probably to some extent, I think it can be applicable (to South Korea)."
Kilaparti Ramakrishna

By Yi Whan-woo

The world still has high expectations of South Korea in helping developing countries although it has been a "strong leader" as a host of the U.N. Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP)'s four regional offices, a senior U.N. official here said last week.

Kilaparti Ramakrishna, director of UNESACAP's Subregional Office for East and North-East Asia (UNESCAP-ENEA), said he appreciated outgoing U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's support for the UNESCAP-ENEA and other U.N. bodies in South Korea after he took the job in Songdo near Incheon in 2011.

Ramakrishna has been chief of UNESCAP-ENEA since it was set up in 2010.

"When you are a country that can do a lot, the expectations of the world are higher, so we want you to do even more," he told The Korea Times in Seoul, Oct. 17.

"You really have this can do' attitude  it has done phenomenally well and there is no other developing country that comes anywhere close to Korea in terms of its accomplishments. There's still scope for more active engagement by Korea in international affairs."

South Korea is one of the 53 members of UNESCAP, the regional development arm of the U.N. It offers assistance in many areas, including reducing poverty, trade, transport, environmental protection and reducing disaster risk.

UNESCAP-ENEA has six members _ the two Koreas, China, Japan, Mongolia and Russia.

The other three UNESCAP offices cover North and Central Asia, the Pacific, and South and Southwest Asia, respectively.

Ramakrishna co-serves as the U.N.'s "designated official" for South Korea, collaborating with staff of all 15 U.N. bodies here while having "absolute power" to make a final call if there is a regional crisis concerning the U.N.

He called himself "fortunate," pointing out that the Global Green Growth Institute (2012), Green Climate Fund (2013) and other intergovernmental organizations had launched their secretariats here since he began to work in South Korea.

He said Ban especially has been helpful in inspiring U.N. bodies in South Korea.

"Every time the Secretary-General comes here, we ask him, tell us what you want us to do here.' And his answer is always the same. He says, Look, we (Koreans) benefitted a lot from other countries. Now we're in a fortunate position so we should give this knowledge, share the technology, share the ideas to other countries and help them grow and help them double up,'" Ramakrishna said.

The interview took place to mark the U.N. Day, which falls on Monday, and also to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the World Federation of U.N. Associations (WFUNA).

The WFUNA has an office in Seoul. On Monday, it will host a series of concerts, titled "Music for Peace," to celebrate U.N. Day and its anniversary at Kyung Hee University in Seoul, Gwangju and also near the demilitarized zone.

Ramakrishna speculated that the concerts would help raise young people's awareness of the U.N.'s role.

"I believe it will provide an excellent opportunity, especially for students from various institutions, to bring them closer to the U.N. by learning more about the roles of the different U.N. agencies and asking questions, possibly concerning internships or job opportunities," he said.
A North Korean delegation led by its deputy foreign minister held talks with former government officials of the United States in Malaysia for a second day on Saturday to discuss pending issues such as the North's nuclear and missile tests. / Yonhap



A North Korean delegation led by its deputy foreign minister held talks with former government officials of the United States in Malaysia for a second day on Saturday to discuss pending issues such as the North's nuclear and missile tests.

The U.S.-North Korea contact, although it is informal or unofficial, came after North Korea conducted its fifth and most powerful nuclear test in September, just eight months after its previous nuke test.

"I came here through Beijing," the North's deputy ambassador to the United Nations Jang Il-hun told Yonhap News Agency. As for topics discussed during the dialogue, he said the two sides talked about several "pending issues and each other's thoughts on them."

Asked whether there was an offer from the U.S. to stop its nuclear and missile tests, he fell short of clarifying, but said, "hopely moving forward."

North Korea's vice foreign minister Han Song-ryol was also among the five-member delegation. The four-member U.S. delegation included Robert Gallucci, who negotiated a landmark 1994 nuclear freeze deal with Pyongyang; former U.S. deputy nuclear negotiator Joseph R. DeTrani; and Leon Sigal, director of the Northeast Asia Cooperative Security Project at the Social Science Research Council (SSRC) in New York.

Sigal told Yonhap News that the two parties mainly discussed the North's nuclear and missile issues during the informal dialogue.

The North stuck to its stance that it wants to sign a peace treaty with the U.S. before it stops its nuclear and missile programs. But the U.S. reiterated its position that scrapping nuclear programs should be put before anything else, Sigal said.

Drawing his own conclusions that there was partial progress in the informal meetings, he expected no official dialogue with the North under the Obama administration, but that a new U.S. government needs to reconsider policies toward the North.

Diplomatic sources said the behind-the-scene meeting, seen to be aimed at delving into each other's stance, is rare as the communist state is vowing to continue its nuclear ambitions and missile tests, in defiance of international pressure.

On Thursday, the North test-fired a mid-range Musudan missile, although it ended in failure.

The U.N. Security Council (UNSC) is working on a fresh sanctions resolution to punish Pyongyang for its latest nuclear provocation. In March, the UNSC slapped tougher sanctions on the North for its nuclear and long-range rocket launches early in the year.

Experts in Seoul said that Han's visit here is to explore options with the U.S. at a time when the country is slated to pick a new president next month.

"Han may try to deliver North Korea's message to U.S. private experts if Pyongyang seeks to explore what conditions are needed to change the atmosphere after the U.S. presidential election," said Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul. (Yonhap)
By Tong Kim

As no major change on North Korean policy is likely during the remainder of the Park government or under a Hillary Clinton administration, it is critical for South Korea to elect the right person as next president in December 2017 to remove fear of war and enhance the wellbeing of people on both sides of the division.

The third and final American presidential debate  delivering a vicious exchange of personal insults between the two major candidates  ended in an international embarrassment, raising a question about the integrity of democratic transition of power, with Donald Trump saying he may not accept the results of the election, depending on how it turns out.

The debate was held after weeks of Trump falling behind Clinton in polls by a margin of seven to 11 points. The mainstream media again declared Clinton the winner of the debate. If you believe media reports, there is no way Trump can turn around his plight of doom.

Most pundits predict the polls are likely to hold, or turn out even better, for Clinton in the remainder of the campaign. They indicate it is a foregone conclusion that Hillary Clinton will be the next president of the United States.

Nevertheless, election results often come as a surprise, contrary to widely accepted polls and predictions. Many Trump supporters still believe there are millions of hidden voters who don't respond to polls but will vote for Trump. Only November 8 will tell.

Trump has claimed that the election is being rigged, accusing the mainstream media of colluding with the Clinton campaign to elect her. Trump seems to have legitimate grounds for complaining that the media is focusing on his problems, either with womanizing or imprudent comments he made during the campaign.

Trump has emphatically denied allegations of disrespect for women and sexual assault. The Trump campaign suggested a conspiracy behind the timing of disclosing a tape of his lewd conversation and a multitude of testimonies of several women who came forward afterward.

Trump complains that the media is not reporting enough on Clinton's problems with emails  for which he said she should go to jail, "pay for play" donations to the Clinton Foundation, her "open border" statement, and her support for Bill Clinton in disregard of the rights of the women involved in the Clinton scandals, which were far more notorious than Trump's alleged entanglement with women.

Clinton attacks Trump's temperament as "unfit to the presidency". There was enough material for Clinton to exploit, much of which was provided by Trump himself. Trump's character was Clinton's major campaign theme, not a competition in policy. Many Republican politicians do not support Trump, and more of them are abandoning him.

Then he is not a conventional Republican candidate; he is an anti-establishment candidate against Washington, offering a stark contrast to his opponent's policy. He is a candidate for change from politics and policies that do not serve the people. His positions are clear on many issues, including immigration, the second amendment, new Supreme Court justices, tax reform, trade, jobs and growth, military, law and order and how to fight ISIS.

A Clinton administration would probably stay the course on Korea as pursued by the Obama administration. Clinton would likely keep strengthening diplomatic pressure, enhancing the deterrent, and tightening sanctions against the North. North Korean behavior is bad, but it is unlikely to change because of more pressure.

Last week's meetings in Washington, including the 2+2 meeting between foreign and defense ministers of South Korea and the U.S. and the Security Consultative Meeting, reaffirmed "an ironclad U.S. commitment" to defend its allies with the full spectrum of U.S. military capabilities against North Korean threats. At the 2+2 meeting, it was agreed to establish a high-level Extended Deterrence Strategy Consultation Group, a forum that would address the North Korean nuclear threat while making sure that South Korea will not go nuclear.

At last Wednesday's debate, North Korea was not a subject of discussion. However, Trump denied that he had said Japan and South Korea should develop their own nuclear weapons to defend themselves, contradicting statements he made earlier in the campaign.

He reiterated that the agreements with South Korea and other U.S. allies should be renegotiated, "because our country cannot afford to defend these countries" who have "the bargain of the century  we are spending a fortune doing it."

Trump has flip-flopped on North Korea several times. It is not clear exactly what he wants to do with the North Korean nuclear issue. Still, there is a hope that a President Trump might listen to new recommendations from his advisors to take the right path to a negotiated settlement of denuclearization.

To change North Korea, Seoul and Washington must change first. The transition of power in South Korea in 2017, regardless of who wins the U.S. presidency next month, will determine the fate of war and peace on the Korean Peninsula. In a year and two months, South Korea will elect a new president who must avoid war and seek peace and stability.

In the meantime, both the North and the South should stop talking about a preventive strike or destroying each other. Pyongyang should discontinue personal attacks with rude and vulgar language on President Park. This does not help Pyongyang's own interest.

A wise, new leadership of South Korea can and should influence Pyongyang and Washington positively for the benefit of all concerned. South Korea should be able to "say no" to Washington or Beijing if they are not helpful to South Korea's own interest. What's your take?

Tong Kim is a Washington correspondent and columnist for The Korea Times. He is also a fellow at the Institute of Korean-American Studies. He can be contacted at tong.kim8@yahoo.com.
By Javier Solana

MADRID  The conflict in Syria becomes more complex every day that it continues, and the country's prospects have gotten only worse. The daily horrors that Aleppo's besieged citizens are now experiencing mark a new low point, following the collapse of the latest ceasefire, brokered by the United States and Russia, which disturbingly fell apart precisely at the same time that world leaders were gathered together for the United Nations General Assembly.

When the Syrian conflict finally ends, three of its defining features will complicate reconstruction efforts. For starters, parties on all sides of the fight have disregarded international human-rights law and violated basic humanitarian norms. In fact, blocking humanitarian aid, attacking civilians, and targeting sites specially protected by international law have become strategies of war.

Just since April, Syrian hospitals have suffered dozens of attacks, and aid has been withheld from some of the most devastated villages. Many hospitals in Aleppo have had to close after being targeted during the siege.

These actions may constitute war crimes, and they are sadly not new. In 2015 alone, medical installations in Syria affiliated with Doctors Without Borders incurred 94 attacks, leaving 23 of the organization's workers dead and another 58 wounded. Last May, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution calling for all parties involved in Syria to respect international humanitarian law; now, Security Council members are accusing one another other of violating their own resolution.

A second dynamic that could frustrate any peace effort is the conflict's complex map of players, all of which will have to be accounted for in a final accord. While this map has changed significantly since the war began, the level of fragmentation within the groups on either side has become increasingly evident lately. Now that the jihadist group Jabhat al-Nusra has changed its name to Jabhat Fatah al-Sham and reportedly dissociated itself from al-Qaeda, it is better positioned to ally with other rebel factions that have also rejected al-Qaeda.

But while this rapprochement strengthens the fighting groups militarily, it also blurs the lines between rebels and Islamist radicals. This has occurred while rebel groups not closely aligned with al-Nusra have become weaker, allowing the Syrian regime to insist that it is not suppressing a rebellion, but fighting a war against terrorism. Thus, at the UN General Assembly, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem recently accused the US-led coalition in Syria of abetting terrorist organizations, including the Islamic State.

Some months ago, discussions about a peace process centered on the question of whether Assad should go immediately, or remain during a transitional government; now, the question is whether the former al-Nusra is a viable partner.

But the pro-Assad side has divisions of its own. In addition to the Russian army, Syrian, Iraqi, Iranian, and Afghan groups are also fighting for the regime, and each of these actors has its own interests.

Some parties' interests in the war are well known: Assad wants to remain in power; Russia wants to demonstrate its status as a great power capable of resisting the US; and Iran wants to increase its regional influence and secure access to the Mediterranean. When the fighting ends, these positions will only become more entrenched.

A third obstacle in the path toward Syrian peace is the US-Russia stalemate. After so many broken ceasefires, the two countries clearly lack mutual trust. And as Dmitri Trenin of the Carnegie Moscow Center has pointed out , the latest failure could have far more worrying consequences than past diplomatic impasses.

So far, the US and Russia have not only broken off bilateral negotiations; mutual nuclear agreements have also come under threat. After the US accused Russia of committing war crimes in Syria, Russia declared that it was suspending an agreement to dispose of surplus plutonium unless the US meets certain conditions, including compensating Russia for the costs of Western sanctions imposed after Russia annexed Crimea in March 2014.

For its part, the US is in an uncertain position now that rebel factions have regrouped and its direct cooperation with Russia is on hold. President Barack Obama has only a short time left in office, which makes any major foreign-policy shift under his administration almost impossible. As the battle for Aleppo rages on, so, too, does the US presidential election campaign that will determine his successor.

After more than five years of conflict in Syria, retreating without having found a solution is not an option. Although the new map of players complicates things, there is no doubt that they must all participate in a peace deal; otherwise, any agreement will prove ephemeral. Likewise, in order to rebuild Syrian civil society for the long term, all of the warring parties will have to take responsibility for their crimes.

The issue of responsibility will be one of the most difficult challenges in the effort to achieve lasting peace. We will need committed leaders both inside and outside Syria. Although the US presidential election will be consequential, it has also become clear that peace cannot be delivered by the US and Russia on their own.

European leaders should step in to restart negotiations. The European Union has mistakenly sat on the sidelines of these talks for too long, despite Syria's importance to its own security and interests, and despite its responsibility to Syria's citizens. The EU should make every diplomatic and humanitarian effort to bring together all participating parties and end the violence as soon as possible. Only then can Syria's reconstruction begin.

Javier Solana was EU High representative for foreign and security policy, secretary-general of NATO, and foreign minister of Spain. Copyright belongs to Project Syndicate.
By Stephen Costello

Arguments and analysis from supporters of pressure, isolation and collapse toward North Korea now face louder voices from supporters of negotiation, deal-making and denuclearization. Both sides have recently increased their production of papers, OpEds, conferences and announcements. The worst-case would be for a new Hillary Clinton administration to continue the current course, not least because not one of its advocates can describe a realistic or appropriate end-game. Of course, the real worst-case would happen if someone makes a mistake, and events spin out of control. The best-case scenario would be for the most experienced and well-grounded analyses and arguments to be welcomed by a new administration. Such views could help form the basis for a serious and broad review of policy, going back at least to the Clinton/Kims diplomacy of the 1990s.



The new Obama administration failed to do this in 2009, leading to its biggest foreign policy disaster after Syria. Its waste of opportunities and of human resources, and its inability to remember the regional strategic, power and human rights dimensions at stake with North Korea, are hard to fathom. One could argue that they did a review, or that they did not. It is hard to say which is worse, since their decision to double down on the Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld sanctions and isolation, together with the self-defeating and ahistorical refusal to open talks with North Korea, has led inevitably to today's brink-of-war hysteria in Washington, Pyongyang and Seoul. Beijing and Moscow have joined the clamor in recent days.



So here we are. The advocates of further sanctions and pressure, with their pretense of forcing DPRK leaders "to the table" seem to fantasize about collapse or surrender. In any case the current destabilizing trend will continue after the Obama group is gone. Advocates of resuming the dialogue  the fruitful, game-changing dialogue  that was ongoing up to2001, seem to grasp that this is a fleeting moment for them to influence the new US President. They have endured 16 years of relative policy paralysis, on the issues they often devoted careers to, and this may be the last time many of them have any input on policy going forward. It is both ironic and tragic that North Koreans have made qualitative and quantitative leaps in nuclear and missile production since these specialists were influential.



In this battle over policy in Washington it is not central, but it is important, to recognize the weaknesses of its allies in northeast Asia today. Where Bill Clinton had frustrating difficulties during the 1990s working with ROK President Kim Young Sam, he found in 1998 a partner willing to help lead diplomacy in Kim's successor, Kim Dae Jung. He also had relative support from Japanese leaders. The Europeans played a supportive role. Today in contrast, the Japanese and Korean administrations are whitewashing textbooks and demonizing opponents. The South Korean administration is backsliding on press freedom and blacklisting artists. Its strategic diplomacy with China is an amateurish failure, its policy toward North Korea  arguably its second most important  is a Cold War relic. Officials repeatedly insist that these are the best relationships ever, as they did again at 2+2 meetings in Washington this week ,but that claim is wearing thin.



If Hillary is to emerge from this policy hole, rather than just stop digging, her team will have to clearly assess those administrations, know how to talk to them, and find ways to bring them along. That should not be hard, since a real effort to return to negotiations could benefit them even more than the US. Benefits would begin with backing away from unnecessary and expensive missile defense systems, hair-trigger military alerts, and loose and divisive talk of new nuclear weapons in both countries. They would extend to long-term and expanding infrastructure and commercial developments, among many others. Oh yes, and nuclear tests and missile production could be frozen, and then walked back with the proper agreements.



The sanctions and isolation crew has greater numbers and better access to public microphones. Their proponents include President Obama and can be found throughout the government and into the think tanks and media. The diplomacy and ambition group is small but still formidable. Although many of the lions of Asian affairs have left the scene during these 16 years, sharp and capable people remain, able to pack their bags just in case their government comes to its senses again soon.



The dean of this group may be former Defense Sectary William Perry. He has been joined in arguing for new talks and a new structure by former Secretary of State George Schultz in the most hard-hitting and brief report to emerge in years, from Stanford University. Former Senator and now head of the Nuclear Threat Initiative Sam Nunn has weighed in with a report for the Council on Foreign Relations, which also opens the door to engagement. Two of the most experienced policy professionals from the Congress, Frank Januzzi and Keith Luse, have recently given fresh presentations full of new ideas and practical suggestions. Robert Einhorn, who was intimately involved as the diplomacy of the 1990s made progress, has recently co-authored a no-nonsense report on the practical and political dangers of South Korea flirting with its own nuclear weapons. There are others. I have spoken with several in recent weeks. The list is not long but it is impressive.



The bottom line is that if President HRC wants to get back to the business of lowering tensions, increasing security and expanding business in the Korean region, personnel should not be a problem. Nor should opposition within the US Congress. All recent diplomatic initiatives have faced a wall of resistance from the usual suspects there. But few policy battles take place with as much at stake as the current one over Korea. After great efforts, people working on US policies toward Myanmar, Iran and Cuba have had break-through victories in recent years. Although those big policy changes will require tending and attention for decades, they are what the US should be doing. Certainly, many of the most capable and experienced specialists think it is time, during the next US administration,to add Korea to that list.



Stephen Costello is a producer of AsiaEast, a web and broadcast-based policy roundtable focused on security, development and politics in Northeast Asia. He writes from Washington, D.C. He can be reached at scost55@gmail.com.
Ironically, keeping big weapons away is good idea





South Korea failed to get the United States to maintain its strategic assets  nuclear-capable bombers and submarines  on and around the Korean Peninsula in order to counter North Korea's growing nuclear and missile threat.



Obviously, wishful thinking overtook South Korea. After the meeting of foreign and defense chiefs of the two allies in Washington, Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se spoke as if the two sides had agreed on the rotational deployment of these "big-stick" weapons. But such an agreement was nowhere to be found in their joint statement issued the following day, Friday, after the annual Security Consultative Meeting (SCM), a meeting of the two countries' defense chiefs.



Defense Minister Han Min-koo later explained to reporters that the U.S. side wanted to continue discussing the issue, rejecting Seoul's request.



In this case, we believe that the U.S. is right and Seoul has no need to feel slighted with their decision that is likely to increase the room for further course of action in dealing with the North.



Seoul increasingly feels existentially threatened by Pyongyang's weapons of mass destruction (WMD). To counter this threat, it called for the U.S. to station its B-52, B-1B, B-2 bombers, nuclear submarines and aircraft carriers in the South. In Seoul's mind, keeping these big weapons closer by would chase away their fears of North Korean nuclear-tipped missiles.



It is a myopic view. U.S. strategic assets are well placed where they are to counter-attack or stage a preemptive strike, if necessary, against the North. One of the biggest U.S. strategic assets  the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan  is stationed in Yokosuka, Japan, while strategic bombers are based on Guam, a U.S. territory in the Pacific.



They can be engaged in operation in Korea in a matter of hours. What counts as deterrence against the North is not a visible display of heavy machinery but the sense of assured destruction it will face in return for attacking the South. At the SCM, U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter left little room for doubt on the ROK-U.S. alliance.



The presence of about 30,000 U.S. soldiers in Korea should reinforce his verbal commitment and serve as an unmistakable notice to the North more than any other strategic weaponry.



More importantly, bringing in strategic assets may only help lock the peninsula further in the hegemonic standoff between the U.S. and China. Already, China has joined hands with Russia over the Seoul-Washington decision to deploy a U.S. missile interceptor here  terminal high-altitude area defense system  even though it is a defensive weapon system aimed at countering North Korean missile attacks. It's not hard to imagine the result, if B-series bombers that can strike China and Russia are deployed in the South. The two superpowers are already clashing with each other in places such as the South China Sea. There is no need to invite them to move their fight to the peninsula.



This is comparable to saying goodbye to unification, while forcing Koreans to continue living in a constant fear of war. Besides, the North is showing signs of trying to re-engage the international community as shown in its recent talk with an unofficial U.S. delegation in Kuala Lumpur. For the purpose of giving dialogue a chance, the U.S. bombers would be better kept where they are, for now.




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The United States remains firm on its commitment to denuclearize North Korea, and Washington and Seoul will cooperate with the international community to keep strong pressure and sanctions on Pyongyang to make it give up its nuclear ambitions, the foreign ministry here said Sunday.



Speculation lingers that the U.S. might be seeking dialogue with the North as seen by a meeting between senior North Korean foreign ministry officials and former U.S. government officials, including Robert Gallucci, who negotiated a landmark nuclear freeze deal with Pyongyang in 1994.



They met in Kuala Lumpur on Friday and Saturday. Though it was an informal meeting, observers say that it might signal a move by the U.S. to seek dialogue to defuse tensions on the peninsula caused by the North's repeated nuclear and missile tests.



"The U.S. says that the latest consultation is a 'track 2' meeting that doesn't have anything to do with its government," a ministry official said on condition of anonymity, adding that the U.S. attendees who used to be involved in Washington's North Korea affairs decades ago have no bearing on its current policy.



"With the principle that the North's denuclearization is the top priority, the U.S. government remains firm on its position that mentioning dialogue in a hasty manner without signs of the North's willingness to give up its nuclear weapons could only end up justifying its wrong behavior," he added.



The official said it is unusual by international standards that the North sent its government officials to such informal consultations, which he believes demonstrates how desperate it has become to come out of its diplomatic isolation.



He noted that South Korea and the U.S. will make Pyongyang feel the pinch from the isolation from the world.



"South Korea and the U.S. will keep working closely with the international community to apply strong sanctions and pressure on the North," he said.



In September, the North conducted its fifth nuclear test despite strong condemnation and a warning in September, only eight months after its fourth carried out in January. The United Nations Security Council is working on drafting a new resolution to punish the North. (Yonhap)




LG Uplus CEO and Vice Chairman Kwon Young-soo, third from left, poses with Health and Welfare Minister Chung Chin-youb, left, after agreeing at the Comprehensive Support Center for the Elderly Living Alone in Mapo-gu, Seoul, Friday, to offer smart energy metering devices and related services as well as telecom expenses for 1,000 elderly people living alone in Korea. / Courtesy of LG Uplus



By Yoon Sung-won



LG Uplus launched a charity program to establish a social security network for elderly people living alone, the company said Sunday.



The nation's third-largest mobile carrier said it will work with the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Comprehensive Support Center for the Elderly Living Alone to offer its Internet of Things (IoT)-based energy metering system to 1,000 senior citizens who live alone.



In the program, which aims to protect the elderly who remain outside the social safety network, the telecom company and the government agencies will offer the energy metering devices, full expenses for the service and network use for the next three years.



"The company will continue to expand the spirit of sharing and create social values tapping into its telecom and technological capabilities," LG Uplus CEO and Vice Chairman Kwon Young-soo said during a launch event in Seoul, Friday.



Politicians and government officials also said the program will contribute to keep the elderly from being isolated from the society.



"We have needed a social system to prevent the elderly living alone dying of loneliness," National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee Chairman Yang Seung-jo said during the event. "This charity program will also be part of this."



Comprehensive Support Center for the Elderly Living Alone head Lee Ho-kyoung said, "We will also have to have continuous social interest and compassion for senior citizens living alone."



The IoT energy metering service helps households check electricity consumption and expected charges. It is not only useful in reducing energy expenses but also can be used for families and caregivers of the people living alone to check if they are safe.



LG Uplus said it will provide long-term evolution (LTE) routers free of charge to 1,000 senior citizens living alone. The company has also applied an alarm service that notifies the caregivers if the electric consumption shows unusual patterns.



The telecom company and the support center will choose the 1,000 beneficiaries nationwide in November and start providing the device and services starting December.
The SLFP does not condone the continuation of the Emergency Regulations (The Public Security Ordinance) more than a day necessary

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We had to wait until the curtain call at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion for Celebrate Forsythe to feel like the mini-festival it truly was.

The Music Center on Friday night had brought together exemplary artists from the San Francisco Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet and the Houston Ballet. On the downstage apron stood the man of the hour, choreographer and former Frankfurt Ballet artistic director William Forsythe, grinning ever wider at the audiences standing ovation and the dancers applause. He crossed his arms on his chest in a gesture of humbleness and mouthed a big thank you. It was one big welcome-to-L.A. for Forsythe, newly ensconced as a professor at USC.

The weekends unusual program, repeated Saturday and Sunday, kicked off the 2016-17 Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at the Music Center series with three companies performing different Forsythe pieces.

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Beginning in the 1980s, Forsythe staged a choreographic ballet revolution, evoking both cheers and howls from the establishment. Forsythe and Frankfurt Ballet made a 1989 appearance at the Wiltern theater that left many of us perplexed  by theatrical devices, such as the repeated lowering and raising of the curtain during the show, and by his reconfigured ballet vocabulary, his different rhythmic structuring and the diffused focus onstage, with every dancer pointed at odd angles, doing different steps.

Companies around the world performed Forsythes work, but he seemed to disappear from L.A. Local appearances were rare.

Celebrate Forsythe affirmed how thoroughly Forsythes innovations have been adopted by others and how they have become the norm of todays dance aesthetic. Forsythe has upgraded our visual literary. We know how to watch and read the previously unrecognizable group patterns, we see his logic.

The opening piece, Pas/Parts 2016, is one of Forsythes newest, and it showcases individual virtuosity in distinct scenes, contrasting movement with grace-note alacrity against others that feel like luxurious breaths. These scenes unreel quickly, and each dancer dazzles; so does the bare stage with opalescent lighting (Forsythes designs) and white-fabric faux walls.

Originally created for Paris Opera Ballet in 1989, the work was adapted for San Francisco Ballet, which dances Forsythe better than any other American company, making it a tough act to follow Friday night.

San Francisco Ballets Frances Chung performs Pas/Parts 2016. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times )

Solos, duets, trios and larger group scenes featured raw, yet polished technique, dancers springing out of one step and imperceptibly shifting into another. The San Francisco dancers articulated every bit, small and large, with unhurried precision. There was Frances Chungs series of jumps on point and clear-cut beats. Sofiane Sylve and Jennifer Stahl, at separate times, scooped air with curved arms, holding onto a balance for that extra syncopated beat. Joseph Walsh inspired awe just by shifting his bodys focal point on each leap in a series.

Frequent Forsythe collaborator and composer Thom Willems provided sonic scenery for each part; the dancers played the rhythm with their bodies, creating the illusion that we were not only watching them but also listening to them.

Pacific Northwest Ballets Carrie Imler, left, Jonathan Porretta, Leta Biasucci, Benjamin Griffiths and Margaret Mullin perform The Vertiginous Thrill of Exactitude. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times )

In The Vertiginous Thrill of Exactitude, Forsythe attaches his speed-driven, looping body line to a lush allegro from Franz Schuberts Symphony No. 9. Its a jarring juxtaposition.

Pacific Northwest Ballet dancers Carrie Imler, Margaret Mullin, Leta Biasucci, Benjamin Griffiths and Jonathan Porretta put on overly broad relaxed smiles, while their bodies looked to be in overdrive, trying to keep up with the windmill arms, turns and leaps of this showcase piece. As perfect as Stephen Galloways costumes were for Pas/Parts 2016, they were just that distracting in Exactitude, particularly the unflattering platter tutus and the mens velveteen briefs. Perhaps more time with this 1996 piece, which PNB started dancing last year, will enhance its luster.

Houston Ballet performs Artifact Suite. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times )

The closing work, Artifact Suite, is an adaptation of the full-length Artifact, seen in excerpt at the previously mentioned 1989 performance. Bridget Kuhns was Fridays exemplary soloist, dispensing semaphore-like arm signals to the corps of 32 Houston men and women. The evening had moved from an examination of the individual to a kind of cohesive group machinery.

Divided into yellow and blue sections, with music, respectively, by J.S. Bach (Chaconne from Partita No. 2) and a piano composition by Eva Crossman-Hecht (played live by Margot Kazimirska), Artifact Suite is still fresh, if no longer shocking. The audience applauded each time the curtain fell; it then rose to reveal the dancers in different geometric formations, as though the dance had gone on while wed taken a forced break. Houstons dancers approached some of it like a drill team; at other times, they deftly attacked it.

That is the best way to approach Forsythe, and it is how he brings out the best in the dancers he adores.

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Kathryn Adams Doty, an actress best known for her supporting role in Alfred Hitchcocks Saboteur, died Oct. 14. She was 96.

Doty was born in New Ulm, Minn., and began working in Hollywood in the late 1930s after competing in a radio contest called, Getaway to Hollywood.

She began using the stage name Kathryn Adams, and scored her first screen role in 1939s Fifth Avenue Girl, starring Ginger Rogers.

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She married fellow actor Hugh Beaumont (Leave It to Beaver) in 1942, and also nabbed the role that she is perhaps most well-known for, that of a young mother named Mrs. Brown in Saboteur.

She had three children with Beaumont. Her final film role was in 1946 as Phyllis Hamilton in Blonde for a Day, in which she starred alongside Beaumont.

The couple divorced in 1974. Doty later married Fred Doty, who died in 2011.

After retiring from acting, Doty worked as a teacher and a psychologist. She also wrote two novels, A Long Year of Silence and Wild Orphan, and an autobiography, Becoming the Mother of Me.

She is survived by her three children, Hunter, Kristan and Mark, as well as six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

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On a recent sunny Saturday, with the calendar creeping closer to election day, Democratic California Assembly candidate Al Muratsuchi got a boost from a powerful friend. Outside Muratsuchis South Bay campaign headquarters, Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) shook hands, posed for photos with volunteers and praised his former colleague as a person who understands this community while campaign volunteers munched on tacos in the shade.

Meanwhile, halfway across Los Angeles County, a Democratic incumbent facing one of the toughest reelection fights of any Southern California office holder was practically on her own. Patty Lopez, who is up against former Assemblyman Raul Bocanegra in her San Fernando Valley district, strolled through the inaugural Armenian Cultural Festival in Tujunga with a half-dozen volunteers, handing out campaign fliers from a reusable shopping bag slung over her shoulder.

Rendon crisscrossed Southern California, going from Orange County to coastal Los Angeles before swinging east to San Bernardino County, stumping for five targeted Democratic candidates that weekend. Lopez, who failed to get the California Democratic Partys endorsement this year, was not one of them.

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Ive been blocked from my party, but my district knows who is Patty Lopez, she said during a brief break from handing out fliers a friend had helped her translate into Armenian. Sometimes I feel disappointed, but thats not stopping me from doing what I need to do.

Lopez, an immigrant from Mexico, shocked many when she defeated fellow Democrat Bocanegra by 466 votes two years ago after running an amateur campaign funded in part by selling tamales and pozole.

In Sacramento, she has bucked her party on issues like high-speed rail and seems to take pride in the fact that she hasnt made many friends there. Detractors in her district called on her to resign when she first took office and say shes been an ineffective leader who hasnt been willing to work with others in Sacramento. Lopezs supporters, including other Democrats in the Legislature, have complained that other members have ostracized her.

Lopezs appearance at the festival was one of five events she would attend that day, and her only campaign stop, with just three weeks to go until election day.

Until the last day, Im going to do my job. Thats my responsibility, Lopez said when asked why she wasnt spending more time campaigning.

Walking from one booth to another, Lopez introduced herself to a Tupperware vendor, volunteers raising money for a Christmas play and the family of a local school board candidate. She sat down to speak with a group from the Church of Scientology and walked away with a thick volume from their table. She ended each interaction with a familiar refrain: Im looking forward to your support of Patty.

Im married, I have two kids, Im a grandma, she told one woman as Bocanegra, her opponent, interrupted to shake hands with the woman and her family. Lopez put on a smile and laughed politely as he left.

Bocanegra spent the morning at a community clean-up day, then stopped by his campaign headquarters to deliver lawn signs and walk precincts before going to the festival himself.

We are taking nothing for granted, Bocanegra said, standing at a booth marked with his campaign banners and lawn signs. The people of this community just want to see things get done. And thats what my campaign is all about.

In the June primary, with six Democrats on the ballot, Bocanegra received 44.4% of the vote, and Lopez came in a distant second at 27.2%. The only legislative incumbent to win a lower share of votes in the top-two primary era was Betsy Butler, who got just 25.8% in the 2012 primary. She went on to lose her seat in a 50.5%-49.5% defeat that November.

https://twitter.com/cmaiduc/status/787415736641650688

Back in Torrance, Muratsuchi, who is challenging one of the most vulnerable Republican legislators of the election cycle, Assemblyman David Hadley of Manhattan Beach, called his campaign a statewide cause.

Democrats from throughout the state of California are coming together here in the South Bay, Muratsuchi said.

No fewer than 10 current Assembly members up and down the state, some from as far as Sacramento and Salinas, sent their staff to knock on doors and deliver lawn signs for Muratsuchi, who lost the seat in 2014 by 700 votes.

State and county Democratic Party committees have spent more on Muratsuchis race than any other  more than $2 million of the $14.8 million theyve spread across the most crucial races so far in their quest to regain a super-majority in both houses of the Legislature.

Meanwhile, Lopez says shes had to personally appeal to members of her own caucus not to actively campaign against her. I asked them, Please dont get in the middle, she said.

She has raised an anemic $126,000 compared with the more than $1 million Bocanegra has raked in from business groups, oil companies and labor unions. Rendon, whose reelection committee has contributed the maximum amount allowed to Lopezs campaign, has called the situation complicated and awkward. Democratic Party rules restrict leaders from spending party resources on a candidate that has failed to win its endorsement.

https://twitter.com/rpyers/status/789118225845858304

Our hands are tied, Rendon said in an interview after the Muratsuchi event. Rendon said that while he hasnt appeared at campaign events with Lopez, hes attended some of her fundraisers in Sacramento.

Darry Sragow, a veteran Democratic strategist who used to run Assembly campaigns for state party leaders, says Rendon is in a very difficult position.

As speaker, youre leading a lot of people and a lot of interests and attempting to get them all to row in the same direction, Sragow said. As a leader, hes got to hear what his members have to say and reflect that in what he does.

Lopez says she is a woman of faith and believes 100% that voters will reelect her on Nov. 8.

Later, Richard Wall, a Los Angeles police officer, pulled her aside.

I just want you to know what a great job youve been doing. Just hang in there, its almost done, he said, words meant to encourage her in the home stretch of the campaign.

Lopez, however, seemed to take it differently.

It is, she replied. After this, Im looking forward to just being in the community. Thats what I love to do.

christine.maiduc@latimes.com

For more on California politics, follow @cmaiduc.

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This summer, for the first time in his nearly five years as a Los Angeles police officer, Eden Medina shot someone.

Police say Medina opened fire July 28 as Omar Gonzalez fought with officers after a car chase ended in a Boyle Heights cul-de-sac. Police have released few details about the shooting, but said at least one witness saw the 36-year-old with a gun before Medina fatally shot him.

Twelve days later, the Hollenbeck Division gang officer fired his gun again, killing Jesse Romero two weeks shy of his 15th birthday. The Aug. 9 shooting prompted protests and criticism of the LAPD, amplified by the renewed national scrutiny over policing as well as conflicting accounts over whether Romero fired a gun at officers before he was shot.

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The shootings offer a window into how the LAPD treats officers who fire their guns. While shootings by police have received much attention, they remain relatively rare events. In 2015, for example, the LAPD reported more than 1.5 million contacts between police and the public. Of those encounters, 21 ended with deadly gunfire from officers.

But its even more unusual for an officer to fatally shoot two people in such a short period of time.

The case raises questions about how much training and psychological help the LAPD provides officers who fire their weapons and whether they spend enough time away from the job after a deadly encounter.

Los Angeles police say Jesse Romero carried this gun before he was fatally shot by police in August. The LAPD has said the 14-year-old fired the revolver at officers; a woman who said she saw the shooting said the teen threw the gun away and it fired as it hit the ground. (Bryan Chan / Los Angeles Times )

LAPD spokesman Josh Rubenstein said Medina returned to the field six days after the first shooting. The officer was cleared by a department psychologist and the police chief, he said.

We take every single instance very seriously, he said. Any officer-involved shooting is tragic for the community and for the officer. Its very difficult.

LAPD officers typically return to the field one to two weeks after a shooting and can do so even before they complete a training refresher course that usually lasts between 30 minutes and an hour, according to a recent report by the Police Commissions inspector general.

It is unclear whether Medina finished that training before returning to work. Rubenstein declined to comment, saying it was part of the officers personnel file.

Police officers in Washington, D.C., and Dallas typically dont return to their full duties for almost a month after a shooting, according to the inspector generals report. Officers in Las Vegas spend as long as two or three months out of the field. Dallas and Las Vegas also send officers to a full day of individualized training before theyre back on the job.

Earlier this month, the civilian commission that oversees the LAPD directed the department to expand training for officers after they fire their guns and ensure they complete that training before returning to the field.

Matt Johnson, the commissions president, told department brass he was concerned that LAPD officers generally spend less time off patrol after shootings than police at other agencies. Johnson also said he believed officers should be required to attend more than one session with a psychologist.

These are traumatic events, and one mandatory session does not seem adequate to me, he said. Someone could have a great session and frankly, pull the wool over your eyes, and you dont see the trauma that theyre going through.

When is it OK for police to shoot? Depends on if youre asking a cop or a civilian 

Rubenstein, the LAPD spokesman, said the department is willing to take another look at that approach as part of its broader review of how officers use force.

A lawyer representing Romeros mother accused the LAPD of showing complete gross negligence by sending Medina back to the field within a week of the first shooting. Whether or not the officer was justified in firing his gun, attorney Humberto Guizar said, he should have spent more time away as a cooling down period.

I have friends who are police officers  they worked for 35 years and they never shot a civilian, Guizar said. This is an officer who killed somebody 12 days before he killed our kid. How could that happen?

Medinas attorney insisted there was no connection between the two shootings, saying the officer reacted reasonably based on the circumstances of each situation. Both Gonzalez and Romero had a gun, attorney Larry Hanna noted. The timing, he added, was just a coincidence.

Hanna described Medina as a hard-working cop who, as a gang officer, worked a difficult assignment in a tough neighborhood.

Being in one shooting was very hard on this officer. Being in two? Its hard on them, Hanna said. They dont want to be out there having to do this. They also dont want people pointing guns at them.

The LAPD puts officers through a rigorous process before returning them to work after a shooting, Hanna said. This officer was ready, he said.

Police chased what they thought was a stolen car into this driveway at the end of a Boyle Heights cul-de-sac. At some point, the LAPD said, Officer Eden Medina shot Omar Gonzalez. Gonzalez, 36, died later at a hospital. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times )

Most law enforcement officers spend their entire careers without firing their guns in the line of duty. How departments treat officers who do, however, varies from agency to agency.

LAPD officers must meet with a psychologist within a week of firing their guns. Officers must be cleared by a psychologist before the chief decides whether they can return to work, though the psychologist may require officers to attend additional counseling sessions after theyre back on the job. Officers may request extra meetings.

Officers also receive whats called a general training update  a refresher course that includes a review of the LAPDs policy for using deadly force and time in a simulator where officers react to various real-life scenarios that could lead to using that deadly force.

Police in Dallas, however, must attend three mental health evaluations after a shooting  a week, three months and six months later. Las Vegas officers are required to attend at least two sessions and are then evaluated by a board of department officials before an undersheriff signs off on returning that officer to the field.

Los Angeles County sheriffs deputies who are involved in shootings  whether they pulled the trigger or not  must check in with a psychologist within days, then again two weeks and four months later, sheriffs officials said. They generally return to work between a week and 10 days after a shooting.

Lou Turriaga, a director for the union that represents the LAPDs rank and file, said he believed the department offered strong support for officers after shootings. Its rare for police to fire their guns in the line of duty, he noted  Turriaga said he hasnt during his 28 years as an LAPD officer  and each officer who does reacts differently.

Ive been out to shootings and you can see it in their eyes. Some of them, its not a problem, he said. Others look like a deer in headlights.

On-duty LAPD officers have fatally shot 16 people this year, according to a Times analysis. Five of those shootings happened in Boyle Heights, including one where an LAPD officer was shot in the arm.

Conflicting accounts have emerged about the events that led up to Medinas second shooting. The LAPD has said a witness told investigations that Romero fired a revolver at police after they chased him down the street. An officer then saw Romero crouched on the sidewalk, his arm extended. Fearing Romero was going to shoot, police said, Medina fired.

A woman who said she saw the shooting, however, told The Times she saw Romero throw the gun toward a fence. She said she heard the weapon fire when it hit the ground.

Medina is currently working an investigative assignment, the LAPD said. He hasnt returned to the field since the second shooting. The department spokesman declined to say why, citing the ongoing inquiry and laws protecting a police officers personnel record.

kate.mather@latimes.com

Follow me on Twitter: @katemather

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Manuel Velazquez was inside his North Hollywood apartment early Friday afternoon when he heard screaming. Velazquez, 64, walked outside and saw his next-door neighbor holding her 13-month-old daughter.

Velazquez said the woman told him her boyfriend had gone crazy and stabbed the child. Velazquez then noticed a fire coming from the apartment.

Los Angeles Police Capt. Stephen Carmona said Saturday that the man, Noe Torres, 28, stabbed his daughter about 11 a.m. in front of family, then set a small fire inside the apartment. Torres, who had been burned, then jumped out a back window. When police arrived, a kitchen knife was still in his body.

Torres, who also had a knife in his waistband, refused to comply with officers commands, Carmona said. After using a Taser and bean bag rounds, police were able to subdue Torres, Carmona said. Torres was arrested on suspicion of murder and is being held on $1 million bail, according to online records.

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The girl, identified as Rosario Bautista, was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Family members told police that Torres may have been under the influence of methamphetamine, Carmona said, adding that Torres underwent surgery for his stab wounds.

The killing stunned residents of the apartment complex. Neighbors walked around the courtyard Saturday morning and talked in hushed tones as a family set up chairs and tables for another girls birthday party.

The smell of ash hung in the air, and behind the complex was a pile of scorched belongings, among them a pink bike and a pink chiffon dress. In the courtyard near a statue of the Virgin Mary, a black-and-white photo had been added of a smiling Rosario in a white dress.

Geraldine Calvillo, 28, said she had just seen the child playing in the courtyard Thursday night. Calvillo said the killing is upsetting. Her daughter, whom the birthday party was being held for, is the same age as Rosario.

Its hard, she said.

Alyson Aspe, Velazquezs granddaughter, who also lives next door to the family, said she was at school Thursday when her grandfather called her with the news. Velazquez, along with the childs cousin, rushed back to the apartment, but couldnt get past the police tape.

I was shocked, she said. I just carried the baby the day before.

Aspe said that the family was generally quiet, but the mother and father would fight a lot. Rosario, she said, was a shy, serious baby who warmed up only to people she knew well. Aspe, who has lived at the complex for about six years, said that the area is normally safe. She said sometimes, gang members hang out in the alley, but nothing like this has happened.

Carmona said the case is tragic.

It affects officers, it affects everybody, he said.

Calvillo said that when she last saw the child, the girl had fallen off her bike and had started to cry. Her father was nearby, comforting her. He told her everything would be OK.

nicole.santacruz@latimes.com

For more news on crime in Southern California, follow me on Twitter: @NicoleSantaCruz.

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A toddler who died in a house fire was found with his dog and teddy bear next to him, and authorities believe the dog tried to protect the boy, a spokesman for Spokanes Fire Department said Saturday.

The dog, a terrier mixed breed, also died in the fire that broke out about 11:30 p.m. Friday, said the spokesman, Brian Schaeffer.

Three other children and two adults escaped the blaze in Spokanes Hillyard neighborhood, he said.

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The dog stayed behind in an attempt to protect the boy, firefighters believe, and the fire was so intense that it melted the metal on the frame of the boys bed, Schaeffer said.

Jerry Atabelo, who lives across the street, told the Spokesman-Review he saw the flames and heard screaming as he was getting ready for bed. He yelled for his wife to call 911 and ran outside to hook up his 150-foot water hose.

As people screamed that a child was still in the house, neighbors dragged the hose across the street and sprayed water through a window to try to put out the fire, Atabelo said.

The houses smoke detector was not working because the battery had been removed, Schaeffer said.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, and police are examining the childs death.

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Tim Kaine: We like what we see in early voting. But Democrats arent taking victory for granted

Sen. Tim Kaine insisted Sunday that the election outcome was far from certain, and Republicans largely agreed with him.

But in a series of Sunday television interviews, neither side did much to rebut the conventional wisdom that Hillary Clinton is in the drivers seat with just over two weeks until election day.

Kaine, the Democratic vice presidential nominee, said on Meet The Press that a look at his and Clintons schedule for the final weeks will make clear were not taking anything for granted.

But, he added, when it comes to trends from early voting underway in many states, we like what we see.

Its been a season of surprises, he said. We like the early voting activity and the absentee-ballot requests coming in in other states. But we are not taking anything for granted.

NBCs Chuck Todd posed as many questions to the Virginia senator about the responsibilities of governing that would fall to him and Clinton as about the campaign. One key consideration: how Clinton would manage relationships with both Republicans and her partys liberal base, particularly given the candid observations revealed from the Wikileaks release of emails hacked from campaign chairman John Podestas account.

Kaine said all parties will have to come together after the election to tackle the major challenges ahead.

After election day, the public expects us to reach across the aisle. Thats what I have done in my career in Virginia and now in the Senate, and thats Hillarys track record too, he said.

An early test of Clintons fidelity to positions staked out in the Democratic primary might be on the Trans Pacific Partnership, a major 12-nation trade pact that is a major priority for President Obama, but opposed by many liberals.

Kaine, who supported fast-track authority legislation in 2015, said opposing the final agreement was not a condition for him to join the ticket. Both he and Clinton continue to oppose the deal, he said, while opening the door to a different trade agreement.

We arent against trade, he said. Whether its in Asia or in Europe, if we can find deals that meet those goals  more jobs, higher wages, and good for natural security, and good enforcement provisions  were open to them.

So no, you never close the door if you can get a deal thats going to be good for American workers and our economy.
Say what you will about Donald Trump, hes already kept one campaign promise: Ill keep you in suspense.

Thats what Trump said last week when debate moderator Chris Wallace asked if he would promise to accept the result of the presidential election  a pledge Trump had made only two weeks before.

By the end of the week, the Republican nominee adopted an even more ambiguous position.

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I will totally accept the results . If I win, he told supporters at a rally in Ohio. (He bellowed If I win for emphasis.) Then he added: Of course I would accept a clear election result  but I would also reserve my right to contest or file a legal challenge in the case of a questionable result.

Theres a pattern in Trumps behavior whenever hes asked to make a promise  a pattern of coy evasiveness honed, presumably, in his years as a real estate mogul.

He pulled the same stunt a year ago when Republicans asked for a pledge to support whomever became the GOP nominee. Trump said no, then yes, then rescinded his promise. The suspense didnt end until he won the nomination himself.

If Trump continues to tell his followers that the election system is rigged ... the result could be months of chaos and years of bitterness.

This time, though, the stakes are much higher. If Trump continues to tell his followers that the election system is rigged and accuses Hillary Clinton of stealing the White House on Nov. 8, the result could be months of chaos and years of bitterness.

Thats why the most important news last week wasnt Trumps odd back-and-forth over conceding an election he hasnt quite lost yet; it was the sharply negative reaction from many Republicans to his maneuvers  both in Congress and at the grassroots.

A concession isnt just an act of graciousness. It is an act of respect for the will of the American people, said Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who conceded the 2008 election to President Obama with memorable grace. Even Trumps running mate Mike Pence said, If the vote is fair, Im confident that well accept it.

A poll for Politico and Morning Consult found that only 24% of Trump voters think the losing candidate should challenge the results (although some of them presumably say that because they expect Clinton to lose).

That means Trumps talk of challenging the election results is probably bluster  whether he knows it or not. If he wanted to contest the outcome  whether through litigation or a rearguard political campaign  hed need allies. When George W. Bush and Al Gore battled over hanging chads in Florida in 2000, they both marshaled broad political support. The fight attracted teams of top-flight lawyers, many of whom worked pro bono. How many lawyers seem likely to donate their time to helping Trump argue the system is rigged?

Rigged is, of course, Trumps fallback excuse for every failure. He has argued that the Emmy Awards are unfair because he never won one, and that the judicial system is rigged because a Mexican-American judge ruled against him.

Trumps claims that the presidential election is rigged has further alienated him from GOP leaders already searching for the escape hatch from the trainwreck of his campaign. Republican officials in swing states such as Ohio and Florida have protested that their voting systems are entirely sound. This isnt helping our Senate and House candidates at all, griped a top GOP strategist who declined to be quoted by name. Lets just get this election over and move on.

Its not clear, though, that Trump is ready to move on.

His campaign manager, Kellyanne Conway, said last week that he might refuse to concede until state-by-state results are certified, a process that takes as long as 30 days in some states. But the Electoral College will submit its votes to Congress by Dec. 19, with or without his concession.

Trump could, as some have speculated, be laying the groundwork to turn his campaign into a permanent grievance movement, challenging the Republican Party leadership through a not-yet-formed cable television network. Or we could merely be witnessing a psychodrama: the process by which Trump reconciles himself to defeat.

Speaking in North Carolina Friday, he sounded as if that prospect were occurring to him for the first time.

I dont know what kind of shape Im in, he told supporters at a rally. Win, lose or draw  and Im almost sure if the people come out, were going to win  but I will be happy with myself.

Trump has said his father taught him that theres nothing worse than being a loser. But thats wrong. Most Americans dont disdain the second-place finisher in a tough contest. What they dislike, instead, is a sore loser.

doyle.mcmanus@latimes.com

Twitter: @doylemcmanus

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook
Hillary Clinton inserted a sly remark near the end of her speech from a Baptist church pulpit here on Sunday, telling the crowd, Im not going to tell you who to vote for.

She didnt need to, of course. The black congregants who packed the pews laughed and applauded, and when Clinton finished speaking, they said goodbye with the same standing ovation with which they had greeted her.

Driving up turnout among black voters is a key element of Clintons campaign strategy in North Carolina. At an estimated one-quarter of this years electorate, African Americans are a larger percentage here than in any other traditional battleground state.

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The problem for Clinton in North Carolina, where polls continue to show a close race with Donald Trump, is not opposition  by all accounts, shell win overwhelmingly among those blacks who do vote  its the risk of apathy.

Anemic black turnout, even if it overwhelming goes for Hillary Clinton, is a problem, said Andra Gillespie, a political science professor at Emory University in Atlanta.

To combat that possibility, the campaign has showered the state with visits from President Obama and black celebrities, networked with church leaders and invested heavily in organizing black students. Clinton is scheduled to be back in North Carolina on Thursday, this time with First Lady Michelle Obama.

After speaking at the Durham church on Sunday, Clinton gave an interview to the states largest black newspaper, visited a polling place with actress Uzo Aduba from Orange is the New Black and spoke at a rally at St. Augustines University, a historically black school.

Weve always understood that this is a crucial demographic for us, said Dan Kanninen, the campaigns senior advisor in the state.

Follow live coverage of the presidential campaign on Trail Guide 

North Carolina is where Obama had his smallest margin of victory in 2008 and his smallest margin of defeat in 2012. Now residents are already casting ballots in this election. Early voting at polling places began on Thursday; mail ballots were available as early as Sept. 9.

The Clinton campaign is certainly putting forward a very aggressive effort, said J. Michael Bitzer, a political science professor at Catawba College in Salisbury, N.C. Whether they can match what Barack Obama was able to achieve is still up in the air.

Hillary Clinton has been urging supporters to vote early in North Carolina. (Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images )

His analysis shows 26% of early voters this year are black, down from 29% in 2012.

Clintons ties with the black community date back decades, and she often touts her work opposing school segregation at the Childrens Defense Fund in the 1970s.

In the current campaign, Clinton has spoken bluntly about race  talking about racial discrimination in the criminal justice system in a way that no previous Democratic nominee has done, referring to systemic racism and implicit bias. And shes embraced the Black Lives Matter movement, which sprung up in response to police shootings of unarmed black men.

In a recent interview with a Florida radio station, she praised Black Lives Matter for playing a very constructive role.

Ive met with them, Ive listened to them, theyve come up with a lot of recommendations, she said.

But set against such statement are words she has uttered in the past. Critics have most notably pointed to her use of the word super-predator when speaking about the need for tougher criminal justice legislation in the 1990s during her husbands presidency.

Some young voters fear Clinton wont bring the sweeping change they feel is necessary to prevent the criminal justice system from unfairly targeting black people.

Theyre more dissatisfied, and more impatient. They want to go for the jugular of problems, Gillespie said. They view Hillary Clinton as a throwback to the past.

Gwen Carr, mother of Eric Garner; Sybrina Fulton, mother of Trayvon Martin; Lucia McBath, mother of Jordan Davis; and Maria Hamilton, mother of Dontre Hamilton, cheer while Hillary Clinton speaks on Sunday in Raleigh. (Mary Altaffer / Associated Press )

Clintons most high-profile campaign partners are from an older generation, including mothers whose children died after encounters with law enforcement or during high-profile cases of gun violence. Five of them joined her at the church on Sunday.

Geneva Reed-Veal, whose daughter, Sandra Bland, died in a Texas jail after she was arrested during a traffic stop, said there was no excuse for not voting.

You have no business staying home in this election, she said to applause. If you decide to stay home, shut your mouth. Dont complain about anything thats going on.

Clinton has reached out to leading young black activists. Last week in Ohio, she sat down with DeRay Mckesson and Brittany Packnett, who endorsed Clinton in an interview with Elle magazine.

Packnett said her appreciation for Clintons record had grown, as had her concerns about Trump.

I knew I couldnt look at myself in the mirror if I didnt stand up and do what I could do now to encourage young people to vote in this election, she said.

The issue of police shootings received added urgency in North Carolina last month when Keith Lamont Scott was shot and killed in Charlotte. Police have said Scott had a weapon; his family said he was reading a book and waiting for his son.

Clinton had planned to travel to the city shortly after Scotts death, but delayed her trip at the mayors request. When she arrived a week later, she met at a soul food restaurant with young black men, some of them who were involved in the protests.

You can tell some politicians are uncomfortable about African Americans, said Shaun Corbett, a barbershop owner who was at the meeting. Hillary sat right down and started talking about the banana pudding.

Corbett, who has gained national recognition for a program fostering dialogue between cops and residents, said he was impressed that Clinton spent the meeting listening rather than asking for votes. And he said Clinton didnt mince words about the problems facing the black community.

Theres not many white politicians who can say race is a problem, he said. Its taboo.

Mario Black, a seventh-grade social studies teacher who has worked on anti-violence efforts, was also at the meeting. He knows others are skeptical about Clinton, even though they might still vote for her.

Shes trying to bridge the gap. Shes trying to be a part of the solution, Black said. Its not something thats going to happen overnight.

Clinton has acknowledged that gap.

My worries are not the same as black grandmothers, she said in a Charlotte church earlier this month. Because my grandchildren are white.

That frankness has made a difference for some young black voters, even those who didnt support her during the Democratic primary.

She doesnt really understand our struggle because shes not black, said Camilia McAllister, 21, who went to see Clinton speak at St. Augustines University on Sunday. At least shes trying.

chris.megerian@latimes.com

Twitter: @chrismegerian

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Roger Bloom, a former Newport Beach Independent and Orange County Register editor, was recently elected for a one-year term as president of the Orange County Press Club.

Bloom, of Huntington Beach, succeeds Chapman University journalism instructor Dennis Foley, who served two terms as president.

Foley, formerly of the Register, was credited with reviving the press club, expanding its social and professional-education programs, its annual awards contest and banquet, and reviving Excellence in Journalism Day, according to a news release.

Bloom, a communications professional and longtime Orange County-based journalist, also edited the Orange County Business Journal.

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Sweet Lady Jane opens in CdM

Sweet Lady Jane, the popular Los Angeles-area bakery, recently held its grand opening for a new location in Corona del Mar at 3732 E. Coast Hwy. In addition to various desserts, pastries and cakes, Sweet Lady Jane will serve breakfast and lunch.

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Phone company opens in Costa Mesa

Cebod Telecom, a cloud-based business phone service provider, recently opened an office in Costa Mesas South Coast Metro district at 3200 Bristol St., Suite 615.

We are extremely happy to announce the further expansion of our services and hope that our clients will be appreciative of them, Kunal Mittal, president and co-founder of Cebod Technologies, said in a statement. Our decision was in line with the need to save money and time, along with making the processes of organizations far more efficient.

For more information, visit www.cebodtelecom.com.

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Businesswoman wins top chocolate award

Valenza Chocolatier, based in Costa Mesa, won a silver award this spring at the Americas competition of the International Chocolate Awards.

Owner Amy Jo Pedone was recognized for her Gianduiotti Maximo, made with Piedmontese hazelnuts and 61% dark single bean Venezuelan chocolate, according to a news release.

She next competes this October in the world finals in London.

To have the opportunity to compete against the Italians in this category is truly an unbelievable honor, Pedone said in a news release. This brings a high-level of authenticity and validation for my business mission, which is to create Italian-inspired artisan chocolates and confections in the United States.
With new officers in place, members are prepared to kick off a year of activities that stay true to the groups name  Glendale Beautiful.

Mayor Paula Devine conducted the installation at the meeting on June 14. Matt Gangi is president, assisted by Vice President Mary Jane Boltz, Secretary Judy Gorham, Treasurer Myrna Bunzey and directors Roberta Medford, Lenore Solis, Sharon Weisman, Frank Chander, Reza Iman and Chris Chorebanian.

Established in 1950, Glendale Beautiful promotes, encourages and protects the beauty of the community and helps the city preserve and commemorate the contributions of early residents to California history at the Casa Adobe de San Rafael.

Members help to enhance the citys landscape through the groups Arbor Day activities each March, in partnership with the city of Glendales Community Services and Parks Department. Glendale Beautiful members encourage the public to make donations of trees to be planted in parks and public areas while honoring loved ones, organizations or causes.

To date, more than 7,500 trees have been added, and our efforts have helped the city of Glendale earn the designation of a Tree City U.S.A. for over 30 consecutive years, Gangi said.

Glendale Beautiful has recently presented educational programs about drought-tolerant native landscaping. The group also recognizes commercial and public properties for exemplary landscaping with annual awards each April. It recently honored projects that implement eco-friendly initiatives to help protect the environment.

We hope that presenting these awards and leading educational programs will encourage the local community and beyond to make steps toward a more sustainable future, Gangi said.

Glendale Beautiful docents lead tours and facilitate self-guided visits to the Casa Adobe de San Rafael. The group also organizes an open house the second weekend in December at Casa Adobe, which members festively decorate with luminarias and ornaments.

The groups next fall dinner, a fundraiser to support improvements and activities, will be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Sept. 8 at the Casa Adobe, 1330 Dorothy Drive.

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Salvation Armys Zone is $12K richer

Everythings coming up yellow roses for womens organization LAureole and its major philanthropy  the Glendale Salvation Armys Zone after-school program.

President Mary Owen welcomed everyone to the groups final luncheon meeting of the year in May at the Oakmont Country Club. Joan Taylor presented a check for $12,000 to the Salvation Armys Lt. Jessica Sneed.

The funds were raised at the Perennial Rose Fashion Show in spring, also at Oakmont. Taylor was chairwoman of the event. Yellow roses seemed to bloom everywhere from the exquisite invitation cover to the table centerpieces created by Sheri Gfeller.

Eight members modeled luscious fashions from Holiday Hats & Gowns. Six youths from the Zone program showed styles from Sears Glendale, which they were able to keep. Olivia Ontiveros commentated the show, while Mel Dangcil provided piano accompaniment.

Those modeling were Katie Castellani, Laurie Castellani, Shirley de Perini, Irene Goodell, Dianne Graebner, Grace Sheldon-Williams, Susan Skiffington, Carole Stonebraker, Cindy Cornejo, Diego Puga, Noe Puga, Anthony Salvador, Alexa Toledo and Roxanna Toledo.

The Salvation Armys Zone after-school program strives to provide an environment for safe social interaction, personal development and recreation.

Also at the May meeting, Kathryn Kashuba was installed as president. Serving with her are Goodell, programs; Marilyn Hewitt, luncheons; Taylor, ways and means; Stonebraker, membership; Bonnie Kunkle, treasurer; Marilyn Galvez, recording secretary. The group has served Glendale since 1967, which means next year marks its 50th year serving the community.

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Flag Week creator honored

The Crescenta Valley American Legion Post 288 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1614 gathered for breakfast on June 11 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of National Flag Week and recognize their local Hero, Vito Cannella, who was instrumental in establishing Flag Week nationally.

It was Cannella and his buddy, the late Bill Bailey, as members of the Crescenta-Canada Rotary Club, who first sent a letter to then President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1966, asking him to initiate the national observance, said Lynn McGinnis, past commander of the American Legion.

Cannella has continued to write to the White House every year since to make sure the tradition continues.

Cannella received a proclamation from the American Legion and another from the Veterans of Foreign Wars. In addition, he was presented with a certificate of appreciation from the Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce, a certificate of appreciation and recognition from the La Crescenta Town Council and an American flag folded just for him from the American Legion.

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JOYCE RUDOLPH can be reached at rudolphjoyce10@gmail.com.
CUBA

Presentation

Angel Castellanos will discuss top stops in Cuba and share travel skills.

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Monday at Distant Lands, 20 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena.

Admission, info: Free. RSVP to (626) 449-3220.

BACKPACKING

Workshop

Randy Propster will discuss trail-tested tips, safety and whats new in outdoor gear.

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When, where: 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Adventure 16 store, 11161 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles

Admission, info: Free. (310) 473-4574.

JOSHUA TREE

Cultural history

Discover the ancient peoples of what is now Joshua Tree National Park through a visit to the parks Research Museum and field classes.

When, where: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 30, Oasis Visitor Center.

Admission, info: $120. (760) 367-5535.

AFRICA

Presentation

Five speakers will discuss five different travel experiences in Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ethiopia and South Africa.

When, where: 2-5 p.m. Oct. 30 at H. Savinar Luggage, 4625 W. Washington Blvd., Los Angeles.

Admission, info: (323) 938-2501.

Please email announcements at least three weeks before the event to travel@latimes.com.
I saw many new, renewed and soon-to-open hotels in Washington, D.C., in September. But the place that got me thinking was one of the citys oldest lodgings: the Tabard Inn.

Opened in 1922, the Tabard Inn (1739 N St. N.W.; [202] 785-1277) is a hotel and restaurant occupying three conjoined 19th century townhouses in Dupont Circle.

Inside the four-story inn, the design is Colonial, the walls crowded with original artwork. On the way to the dining room, the fireplace lounge demands that you sink into a chair, have a stiff drink and argue about agricultural subsidies. Or, if you prefer, listen to live jazz, which is offered on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday nights.

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The Tabard Inn, a hotel and restaurant in Washington D.C.'s Dupont Circle neighborhood, dates to 1922. (Christoper Reynolds/Los Angeles Times )

Upstairs, there are 35 guest rooms, no televisions. Most rooms for two are priced at $135-$265 a night. Six of them share bathrooms. And there are no elevators  so the place isnt for everybody.

But even the most modest rooms have wood floors, bold colors and a certain gravitas. At a time when the average D.C. hotel room fetches about $215, the Tabard is a good choice for value and style.

Alas, I didnt get to stay there this time. I was trying to save money, so I bunked in the Woodley Park area at the Kalorama Guest House, which needs freshening.

I did get to see several Tabard guest rooms, however. And notice the bulldog dozing behind the front desk. And chalk up a full-on D.C. celebrity sighting in the lobby: Elliott Abrams. (Deputy national security adviser to President George W. Bush. But you knew that.)

And then there was lunch. Though Washington Post restaurant critic Tom Sietsema in April blamed a family feud for reducing the Tabards restaurant to a shadow of what it once was, I liked my fried oyster tacos, and the dining room atmosphere, very much.

Next time Im headed to D.C., my first step will be to see if the Tabard Inn has a room.

::

New or renovated hotels in Washington D.C.

The Trump International Hotel, on Pennsylvania Avenue in northwest Washington, D.C., opened in September 2016 in the revamped Old Post Office building. (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times )

The new Trump International and the renewed Watergate hotels have grabbed most of the attention so far, but the city is adding hotels at a furious clip.

Tourism officials say about two dozen hotels have opened since early 2015, with 14 or more in the construction pipeline  more than 5,000 rooms in all. Its too soon to say if this surge of supply will slow increasing room rates  which averaged a hefty $216 last year  but a consumer can hope.

The city has added a lot of appeal since the last Inauguration.

Among recently opened properties:

Hampton Inn & Suites Navy Yard opened in December 2015 with 168 rooms near the Nationals stadium. Info: 1265 1st St. S.E.

Hyatt Place National Mall, opened in May with 214 rooms. Info: 400 E St. S.W.

Hyatt Place Washington, D.C. opened in April with 168 rooms in the citys West End near Georgetown. Info: 2121 M St. N.W.

The Kimpton Glover Park Hotel opened in June with 154 rooms. Info: 2505 Wisconsin Ave. N.W.

Kimpton Mason & Rook opened this spring with 178 rooms near the nightlife of 14th Street N.W. Info: 1430 Rhode Island Ave. N.W.

Pod Hotel, with 245 rooms of about 150 square feet each, is to open in December in Chinatown. Info: 627 H St. N.W.

Among those coming soon:

Homewood Suites Capitol Riverfront, within a block of Nationals Park, is due to open 196 rooms late this year or in early 2017. Info: 50 M St. S.E.

Marriott Residence Inn, Capitol Riverfront, is due to open in 2017 with 170 rooms. Info: 1277 1st St. S.E.

The Hotel Hive, formerly the Allen Lee Hotel, has been remade into an 83-room micro hotel, expected to open late this year. Info: F Street and Virginia Avenue N.W.

The Moxy Hotel, a new brand from Marriott (smallish rooms, millennial focus), is to open late next year, combining a new tower with a historic mansion to create a 200-room lodging. Info: 11th and K streets N.W.

Three more hotels, including an Intercontinental, Hyatt House and Canopy by Hilton, are due in late 2017 as part of the Wharf, a 24-acre, $2-billion project on the citys southwestern Potomac waterfront. The project eventually will include 20 restaurants, a 5,000-seat performance venue, seafood market and water taxi service.

Construction started in June on a 360-room luxury Conrad Hotel at the upscale CityCenterDC development at 10th and I streets N.W. Completion target is early 2019.

chris.reynolds@latimes.com

Follow Reynolds on Twitter: @MrCSReynolds

See travel videos by Reynolds from around the world.
The articles on visa problems were excellent warnings to Americans about following the rules and being aware [Trapped Abroad, Alone by Mary Forgione; No Quick Fix for Visa Woe by Camille Cusumano, Oct. 9].

I had a similar experience prior to exiting a cruise in Valpariso, Chile. When our passports were returned to us the night before we were to disembark, I noticed that my husbands exit visa had another persons name on it. The cruise line had mistakenly printed two for the man in the cabin a number below ours.

I was told not to worry; it wasnt important. Besides, a representative from the cruise line would be at the airport if there was a problem. I replied that if it wasnt important why were 1,200 other people given exit visas?

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We were staying a few days in Santiago so there would be no representative. I insisted that we would not leave the ship without proper documentation.

The cruise line couldnt get a Chilean official to come back onboard to issue a new exit visa, and it refused to take responsibility for the error in a letter I wanted to carry with us. I finally worded the letter I needed by telling the cruise line to say it was a computer error, that we had been on the ship and the exit visa had the wrong name.

With the letter we were able to enjoy our days in Santiago and had no trouble leaving as scheduled.

Ilene Oller

Los Angeles

::

May I please remind you that you are writing a Travel section, not an anti-Travel section? I dont understand how the admittedly unpleasant experiences of two people out of millions of travelers to Turkey and India warrant featured front and multi-paged stories.

What you are doing, knowingly or not, is encouraging stereotypical views of travel to these countries and others like them and encouraging people to avoid them.

Thats not what travel is about. Such stories belong in brief cautionary side pieces, not as the main theme of virtually the entire Travel section.

Ambrose Bruce Terrence

Marina del Rey

::

:::

What an amazing read and scary story. I am aghast that Turkey, which is suffering from a loss of tourism because of terror and refugee issues, would so mistreat Forgione. Wow. That took care of any minuscule chance of my visiting there.

Go to Greece. Way, way nicer, folks; no chance for this stuff to happen. They value tourists and treat them right. Im going again next year. Turkey is just not ready when it comes to solo travelers.

Thank you for the India story too. Its so important to be aware of these issues, especially countries that are mired in messy paper-driven bureaucracies.

And by the way, shabby response from our embassy in Turkey. Really.

Margaret Shemsi

San Diego

::

I cannot believe Forgione and Cusumano write for the L.A. Times. The first one leaves a country without obtaining an exit stamp, and the other knowingly overstays her visa because she couldnt be bothered to do the paperwork before the visa expired.

Adding insult to injury Cusumano quotes a U.S. Embassy official saying nothing would happen to a foreigner who overstays a visa in the US. That is because unlike 99% of the countries in the world, the U.S. does not bother with formal exit control.

If this is journalism, allow me to write an article on how U.S. Customs and Border Protection treats U.S. citizens who have brown skin.

I can assure you that it is far worse that what your correspondents were subjected to.

I know, because I am subjected to it every time I return home.

Ajit Sarma

Irvine
#cancellation Local gov'ts cancel autumn festivals after Itaewon tragedy Provincial governments have canceled their autumnal festivals one after another as the country mourns the deaths of more than 150 people in a Halloween crowd crush in Seoul. The...
Since the inception of the International Criminal Court more than a decade ago, only Africans have been brought to trial.

That fact has led to frequent accusations of bias by the first permanent tribunal set up to prosecute the worst atrocities on earth  war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity.

Last week, South Africa and Burundi announced that they were leaving the ICC, raising concern among human rights defenders about a potential exodus from the embattled court.

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Burundis decision was widely viewed as an attempt by the countrys leaders to avoid scrutiny of more than a year of deadly political violence that erupted after President Pierre Nkurunziza decided to seek a third term.

But the withdrawal of South Africa, a leader on the continent and a strong proponent of international justice, could be more damaging.

It is quite plausible that other states will quickly follow suit, said Kamari Clarke, a legal scholar at Carleton University in Ottawa who has studied the courts activities in Africa.

The ICC, which began hearing cases at The Hague in the Netherlands in 2002, was established as a court of last resort, to prosecute grave abuses when countries would not or could not act against those responsible.

Why has there been so much focus on Africa?

The ICCs jurisdiction is limited: It can investigate crimes that took place in or were committed by nationals of the countries that ratified its founding treaty, the 1998 Rome Statute. It cannot get involved anywhere else without a referral from the United Nations Security Council.

Of the 10 preliminary examinations that have proceeded to full investigations, nine have involved conflicts in Africa. But the courts lead prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, points out that in six of the cases, the ICC intervened at the request of the governments involved.

African leaders were among the courts strongest advocates when it was created, in part because of the horrific crimes perpetrated during the 1994 Rwanda genocide. The region accounts for 34 of the 124 countries that ratified the Rome Statute.

The ICC has launched preliminary examinations of a number of countries outside Africa, including Afghanistan and Colombia. But few nations in the Middle East or Asia have joined the court.

The Security Council has used its authority to refer some nonmember states, such as Libya and Sudan. But major powers, including the United States, Russia and China, are beyond the courts reach because they have veto power over the councils decisions.

Russia and China used their vetoes to prevent the referral of the war in Syria, which many countries believe warrants investigation by the court.

The fundamental problem is that the court is operating in a world that is unequal politically and economically, said James Goldston, a former attorney in the ICC prosecutors office who now serves as executive director of the Open Society Justice Initiative.

Thats not a problem which the court, unfortunately, is capable of remedying, but thats something for which the court gets a lot of blame.

Why did South Africa and Burundi decide to leave the court?

Support for the ICC among Africas leaders has declined since the indictment of top politicians, including sitting heads of state in Kenya and Sudan. Some have labeled the ICC an instrument of neocolonialism, noting that countries that did not ratify the Rome Statute are among those exerting the greatest pressure on African leaders to submit to the court.

South Africa expressed its displeasure last year when it was accused of ignoring its treaty obligations because it allowed Sudans President Omar Bashir  accused of genocide and other crimes in his countrys Darfur region  to attend an African Union summit without arresting him.

South African officials contend that the Rome Statute is at odds with their efforts to promote a peaceful resolution of conflicts on the continent, which can include hosting adversaries. The decision to leave will be put to a vote in the countrys parliament, but is expected to win approval.

Burundis leaders were furious about a United Nations-backed report last month that found evidence of abuses there that might in some instances be considered crimes against humanity.

The report documented 564 summary killings since antigovernment protests broke out in April 2015, as well as cases of torture, sexual assault and mutilations. Although opposition groups were responsible for some of the violence, the report said, the responsibility for the vast majority of these violations should be laid at the door of the government.

Burundis parliament voted overwhelmingly this month to leave the court, which placed the country under examination in April.

Legal experts note, however, that the ICC wont lose jurisdiction there until a year after the U.N. secretary-general receives formal notification of Burundis intention to withdraw.

If the effort is to secure impunity for crimes that have taken place until now, it wont be effective, Goldston said. That may be a helpful wakeup call to any other governments that are thinking about withdrawing from the statute for the purposes of removing legal accountability from the table.

Will these withdrawals hurt the court?

Attempts to stage a mass pullout from the ICC were defeated at an African Union summit in July, but the decisions by South Africa and Burundi could inspire other countries to leave on their own.

Kenyas parliament voted to withdraw in 2013 after its president, Uhuru Kenyatta, was indicted on charges of orchestrating a wave of post-2007 election violence that left more than 1,000 people dead. Prosecutors blamed witness tampering and obstruction by Kenyas government for the collapse of that case.

Namibias Cabinet this year also resolved to leave the court, although, like Kenya, it has taken no concrete steps to do so.

Still, the court has defenders on the continent, including Botswana, Senegal and Tunisia.

Kofi Annan, the former U.N. secretary-general from Ghana, takes issue with the notion that Africa has been singled out. In an interview with the Financial Times in June, he noted that former Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic and others were convicted of war crimes at a special tribunal set up for the former Yugoslavia before there was a permanent court to try such cases.

Too often, Annan said, the emphasis has been on protecting Africas leaders. But who speaks for the little guy?

The planned withdrawals could provide an incentive for the court to give serious consideration to at least some of the reforms currently under discussion at the African Union, Clarke said.

Among the most controversial are proposals to provide legal immunity to serving heads of state, and to allow the U.N. General Assembly to vote on whether to refer the most heinous crimes to the ICC if the Security Council cannot reach a decision.

Although the departure of more countries could hurt the credibility of the court, some of its defenders suggest that it might be better off without them.

Its a very sad day for international justice that a nation that was perceived to be progressive, like South Africa, would take such a drastic policy direction, said Samwel Mohochi, executive director of the International Commission of Jurists in Kenya.

But if there are states that are hell-bent on withdrawing, they should withdraw rather than remaining signatories and continuing to undermine the court from within.

Zavis reported from Los Angeles and Dixon from South Africa.

alexandra.zavis@latimes.com | Twitter: @alexzavis

robyn.dixon@latimes.com | Twitter: @RobynDixon_LAT

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The protesters boarded the Mexico City subway dressed in black burqas. They werent Muslim, just women trying to make a point that their bodies  whether cloaked in heavy cloth or tank tops  werent objects to be stared at or touched.

Do I have to dress like this for you to respect me? their signs read.

Not long ago, women in Mexico were expected to tolerate roaming hands or lewd comments with eye rolls or silence. But now theyre beginning to fight back.

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High-profile rape and harassment cases have spurred nationwide street protests, including marches of thousands of women in 40 cities this past spring and other demonstrations this week.

YouTube has been flooded with parodies of macho culture, and a group of women calling themselves Hijas de Violencia, or Daughters of Violence, have begun firing glitter guns at men who harass them on the street.

Nearly half of Mexican women have been subjected to rape, groping or other forms of sexual violence, according to the United Nations, which ranks Mexico among the most violent countries for women.

In recent years, there has been mounting outrage around the most notorious cases, including hundreds of unsolved killings of female factory workers in the border city of Juarez and a similar spate of killings in the state of Mexico.

But now activists are highlighting the harassment that many women face on a daily basis  and that leaders of the movement say sets the tone for the most serious violence.

The capital citys chaotic mass transit system, which transports four million people each day, is ground zero.

In a recent survey of female transit riders in 16 cities around the world, the Thompson Reuters Foundation found Mexico City had the biggest problem with sexual harassment, with 64% of respondents reporting having been victimized.

Many women interviewed on the subway said they have endured groping, lascivious looks and explicit comments about their bodies  all while just trying to pick up their kids from school or go to work.

Organizers of an April march in Mexico City made a point to include a subway ride as part of their demonstration, crowding protesters into a station in a neighborhood known as particularly violent for women. Some demonstrators yelled at men to keep off the trains.

It was like for one day, we owned the subway, said Alejandra Gorraez Puga, a 30-year-old graduate student.

The transit system also featured prominently in a Twitter campaign this year in which tens of thousands of women shared stories of abuse under the hashtag #MiPrimerAcoso, or my first harassment.

In the subway an imbecile masturbated while he touched me everywhere, one tweet said. No one helped me though I cried and shouted. I was 16.

I was getting off the train with my parents, and right before the doors closed a man grabbed my butt, another woman wrote. I didnt tell my parents.

Catalina Ruiz-Navarro, a Colombian writer living in Mexico City, launched the campaign months before millions of American women participated in a similar effort in the U.S. after GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump was heard in leaked audio bragging about grabbing women.

In Latin America, we have been told forever that it is normal for men to comment on our bodies or grab us by our waists, Ruiz-Navarro said. But every time a woman told her story it became a tool for others to recognize harassment in their own lives.

Now she sees the beginning of a shift. A year ago, everyone would tell you that men harassing you was a compliment, that it was cultural, that it was men being nice, she said.

An increasing number of women have gone public with their cases of rape or assault in recent years a notable development in a country where many women never report crimes because of shame or lack of trust in the justice system.

Surveillance cameras captured the assault of Andrea Noel, a young journalist who had her skirt pulled up to her waist and her underpants yanked to her ankles while walking on a Mexico City street. She posted the video online and it quickly went viral.

The country has also been riveted by the case of Daphne, a high school student from the port city of Veracruz who said she was raped by four men from wealthy backgrounds. Even though the girls father posted videotaped confessions from several of the men, none have been convicted.

In both cases, the women drew death threats and online harassment but also attention to the issue.

A woman walks toward the area designated for women and children only in a Mexico City subway station. (Kate Linthicum / Los Angeles Times )

The Mexico City government has long recognized the dangers of the transit system, and for years has offered women-only subway cars as well as special pink buses.

This year, in response to protests saying it should do more to protect women, the city offered a new solution: arming female commuters with rape whistles.

At a crowded transit station on the citys south side this week, officials handed out pink and purple plastic baggies, each containing a black whistle.

Commuter Ebelia Tobar tested hers proudly, delivering a loud screech.

So many times men dont respect us, she said. Now we have something that will help.

At one time, I would have been embarrassed by this, said Tobar, a 74-year-old grandmother from one of the citys poorest boroughs. But now I feel its important to show young women that they must defend themselves.

That notion  that it is the duty of women to defend themselves  is not sitting well with everyone. Some activists have mocked the whistle strategy, asking whether officials might issue chastity belts next.

Their solution is either to segregate us or to make us responsible for our own safety, said Estefania Vela Barba, an academic who writes a column about feminist issues in El Universal newspaper.

A better investment, she said, would be to try to understand and change the underlying behavior of men. We need to analyze the Trumps ... of the world to see why they do this, said Vela.

Teresa Inchaustegui Romero, director of Mexico Citys Womens Institute, which is helping to distribute half a million whistles, acknowledged that there is much more to do.

The city-run agency recently launched a new mobile app that allows women to call for help and officials to map where the worst harassment is taking place.

But separate subway cars and whistles are the best protection for now, she said.

Until we have a transformation of macho culture and a shift to recognize the rights of women, we cant do anything else but continue the separation, she said.

kate.linthicum@latimes.com

Twitter: @katelinthicum

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Iraqi government forces came within six miles of Mosuls outskirts on Sunday, carrying out an essential piece of the campaign to retake Islamic States primary stronghold in the country.

Kurdish peshmerga troops launched fresh attacks against Islamic State positions northeast of the city, officials said, even as the extremist group apparently tried to create a diversion by assaulting a strategic town close to the border with Jordan.

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Kurdish fighters cordoned off villages and secured parts of an important highway roughly eight miles northeast of Mosul, denying the jihadists the ability to send reinforcements into the area, according to the peshmergas General Command.

Turkey also made its first foray into the campaign Sunday, deploying artillery, tanks and  howitzers in support of the Kurds, said Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, according to Turkeys Anadolu state news agency. Yildirim added that the assistance had come at the request of the Kurds.

The day before, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi rejected Turkeys offer to help with the offensive, even though U.S Defense Secretary Ashton Carter suggested that Turkey would indeed be involved during his visit to Irbil, Iraq, on Friday. The Turkish government has engaged in an escalating war of words with Iraqi leaders, who say they will treat Turkish troops as invaders.

The Iraqi military expects to breach Mosul in the next two or three days. Iraqi military and police units intend to secure the citys southern and southeastern flanks, allowing Iraqi counter-terrorism operators, backed by army units, to spearhead the fight into the city itself.

Yet even as government forces consolidated their grip in the area, Islamic State launched a fierce multi-pronged attack on the town of Rutbah, the westernmost outpost in Anbar province and a strategic waypoint linking Jordan to Baghdad, 235 miles east, said the towns mayor, Imad Dulaimi, according to local media outlet Sumariyah News.

Islamic State overran the towns police directorate, executing about 30 security personnel while others fled, according to social media reports by Rutbah-based activists on social media and Qatari broadcaster Al Jazeera Arabic. The government later said security forces there had thwarted the gangs of Daesh, employing the groups Arabic acronym.

Nevertheless, the assault demonstrates once again the groups ability to mount offensives in regions said to have been reclaimed by government forces. Rutbah, which fell under the jihadists control in 2014, was taken back earlier this year.

Bulos is a special correspondent.

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All material is subject to strictly enforced copyright terms & conditions and cannot be repurposed or reproduced.  19882022 Latin American Financial Publications Inc.
Allentown police are probing an overnight shooting in which a man sustained a gunshot wound to the leg.

The 31-year-old male victim from Kunkletown, Monroe County at 11:48 p.m. Saturday was outside his mother's home in the 600 block of North Front Street smoking a cigarette and talking on his cellphone when he was approached by the shooter.

The victim told investigators he saw the suspect "point something" at him and he turned to run. The victim then heard five to six gunshots ring out and felt his leg being struck by gunfire, Police Capt. Bill Reinek said.

The victim fell to the ground as the suspect ran from the scene in an unknown direction, Reinek said. The victim was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest in Salisbury Township, where he was listed in stable condition Sunday.

The suspect is being described as wearing black pants and a black hoodie tied tightly around his face. The victim was unsure why the suspect would be targeting him, Reinek said.

Police are urging anyone with information to call the Allentown Police Department's detective bureau at 610-437-7721.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
arby's

An Arby's parking lot off Route 248 turned "chaotic" after a road rage incident Friday, Colonial Regional police say.

(AP File Photo | Wilfredo Lee)

Two brothers face charges after what police described as a "chaotic" scene outside a Lower Nazareth Arby's, allegedly sparked by road rage on Route 248.

Between five and seven people were involved in an altercation in the parking lot when Colonial Regional police arrived about 11:45 a.m. at fast food joint in Northampton Crossings, according to a department news release Saturday.

"Multiple police agencies were requested to respond to the scene to regain order," the release said.

Two vehicles had pulled into the lot, and witnesses allegedly identified 18-year-old Evan Y. Flores Nieves as the aggressor. He was aggressive and yelled threats at others as police tried to separate the groups, the release said.

After he was put in a police car, his brother, 20-year-old Loren Y. Flores Nieves, who was at a McDonald's across the street, ran to the parking lot and threatened others for allegedly hitting his sibling, police said.

Police say the brothers, both of the 1900 block of Gatewood Lane in Bethlehem, were released and will be cited with disorderly conduct. The other party, whom police said was defending himself, declined to file charges.

Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
UPDATE: Victims identified in deadly crash into marsh

Two people were killed after a pickup truck left a Monroe County roadway, flipped over and became partially submerged in a marsh, Pennsylvania State Police said.

Officers responded to the crash at 4:44 p.m. Saturday in the 1800 block of Kunkletown Road in Ross Township. A 47-year-old man Saylorsburg, Monroe County was driving a Chevrolet Siverado sometime Friday evening when the pickup left the roadway, traveled down an embankment and flipped onto its roof, state police in Lehighton said.



Troopers found the pickup partially submerged under water in thick brush and shrubbery. Police said a 39-year-old woman from Lebanon, Hunterdon County was found in the passenger seat of the submerged vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver was thrown from the vehicle and found underwater behind of the submerged vehicle, according to police. The driver also was pronounced dead at the scene. Neither was wearing a seat belt, police said.

Monroe County Coroner Bob Allen told WFMZ-69 News the vehicle and victims had been down the embankment in the marsh "for some time" before they were discovered. The pair were last seen Friday evening, the report said.

The crash remains under investigation by Pennsylvania State Police and the Monroe County Coroner's Office. The Monroe County Coroner's Office is withholding the identities of the deceased until family members are notified.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Hillary Clinton's running mate will be making another swing through the Lehigh Valley next week.

Vice-presidential hopeful Tim Kaine is expected to be in the area on Wednesday, with a Bucks County visit also planned the same day, according to a campaign news release Saturday. The locations of the rallies are yet to be determined.

In addition to advancing Clinton's message, Kaine will also promote Democrats in down-ballot races, the release said.

It will be Kaine's second time stumping in the Valley -- he gave a speech at Aug. 31 in the Hanover Township Community Center.

Clinton and Kaine were traveling Pennsylvania on Saturday, with scheduled stops in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump held a rally of his own Saturday in Gettysburg. His running mate, Mike Pence, addressed the Lehigh Valley base Oct. 13 with a speech in Bethlehem.

Neither Clinton nor Trump have themselves made Lehigh Valley appearances.

Pennsylvania is among the swing states analysts say could be key to victory on Election Day Nov. 8.

Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
When Sister Maria Luz left her home in the Philippines in 1983 with a temporary visa to teach in Pen Argyl, she couldn't have imagined this -- that 33 years later she'd be taking an oath of allegiance to the United States.

Four nuns who teach at Immaculate Conception School in Pen Argyl achieved citizenship in September.

Maria Luz was one of six nuns recruited in the early 1980s in the Philippines by the late Monsignor Charles Moss, who was then a pastor at the former St. Roch's Roman Catholic Church, in the West Bangor neighborhood of Plainfield Township.

She's never left.

"It was a challenge coming from a different culture but through the years it has become my home," Maria Luz said.

Maria Luz, now principal of the kindergarten through eighth-grade school, is the only remaining nun from the original six. But more nuns of the order of the Dominican Daughters of the Immaculate Conception traveled from the Philippines to teach at the tiny Catholic school.

The other teachers who became naturalized citizens last month are Sister Maria Jane, a sixth-grade teacher who arrived in the U.S. in 1996; first-grade teacher Sister Maria Kate, who arrived in 2001; and Sister Maria Juveneeh, a second-grade teacher at Immaculate Conception since 2001.

Maria Luz said when she first arrived in Pen Argyl, no one was sure how long she and the other teachers would stay. For years, the sisters would have to return occasionally to the Philippines to apply for renewal of their visas.

She and leaders at the apostolate felt it was finally time to apply for citizenship this year, she said, but they didn't realize how quickly the application process would progress.

The sisters applied for citizenship in May and were given notice in June for a naturalization interview. On Sept. 13, they completed the required English language and civics tests that cover important U.S. history and government topics.

Maria Jane said she welcomed studying for the tests and she was surprised at how much she found out about American history, even though she has been in the U.S. for 20 years.

"We were all a little nervous about the test," Maria Kate said, "but we learned a lot about this country that we didn't know before."

On Sept. 16, the nuns officially became citizens. Maria Luz said it has been a worthwhile journey.

"I see how the children we educated have grown up to be doctors and professionals," Maria Luz said. "Being teachers, we have educated them with simple effort."

John Best is a freelance writer. Find lehighvalleylive on Facebook.
Killenard farmer Christy Slevin is urging every man over 50 to get a simple blood test done to check for prostate cancer, after his own was diagnosed early and successfully treated.

Christys cancer was detected from a PSA blood test carried out by his GP, three years ago when he was 53.

I was getting routine blood tests anyway because I was on depression medication. My doctor said to get it looked at so I went off to James in Dublin for a biopsy. I wasnt even that worried. My mother was sick with lung cancer and my dad was possibly facing a leg amputation at the time, so to me the prostate was like getting a bad tooth out, he said.

People have a fear of prostate cancer, some ignore it for years, but I had it the other way, I didnt treat it with enough respect, he said.

The first step after finding early prostate cancer is to watch as wait becuase it grows very slowly and its removal can have lasting side effects.

Christy was even advised by doctors to go and enjoy a planned family holiday, but decided not to because of his parents being unwell.

A few months later, he had the operation to remove his prostate, a walnut size gland which is part of the male reproductive system.

It was keyhole surgery, and a second operation followed to remove a further dozen small clips.

The costs were covered 90 percent by his health insurance, and he drove a bargain for the rest.

I got them to knock off the 10 percent. Farmers are divils for a bargain, he said with a laugh.

Usually radiotherapy follows but as he has Crohns disease, it could not be used.

Christy's cancer is gone, but he did not realise the full after effects of the operation.

Tiredness hit like a wall.

I went home and did a bit of tilling but I fell asleep on the tractor. I woke up at the far end of the field, he said.

His chronic tiredness affected his family, with support needed from his wife Mary, his sons and daughter.

I had cancer but Mary had to cope with everything. She always does a lot but she had to do a lot more.

I didnt do much lambing that year. I didnt realise the effect it has on your children. We talked to our kids but other people dont. If they find out from friends, they worry more about what else you havent told them, he said.

Christy has also found support in The Cuisle Centre in Portlaoise.

I knew of it, but I thought it was for terminally ill people, and more for women. My brother brought my mother to it, and got me a leaflet so I rang them, he said.

Last autumn he took part in their annual six support week Prostate Cancer course, where he finally met other men also experiencing sife effects.

They were nearly all the same with the tiredness. To find out youre not the only one was a relief, I felt I was being lazy so I was pushing myself too hard, but now I can take a nap in the day and sleep well because I dont feel guilty. I feel 80 percent better since I came in here, it helps you to cope, he said.

He is even spreading the word to fellow farmers about getting checked, and even loaning them relaxation tapes from Cuisle, which help with many stress related problems.

It is easier for men to talk in the group, says director Stella Moran .

Some men said they never talked about it at home, and it was the first time they were able to express their feelings. On the last night they can bring their partners and by then they are more able to talk, she said.

Prostate is one of the most curable cancers, if treated in the early stage.

The test only costs about 15. If you were told you had cancer and where would you prefer it, you would go for the prostate, because its the most curable, Christy said.

For him, life is ploughin g ahead.

Nearly all the negatives can be got over. My son is getting married in Japan next year and we are looking forward to that. If I hadnt looked after myself, I wouldnt be here, now I have a full life ahead, he said.

He urges any man facing or finished treatment, to go to the next Prostate Cancer Support Group course at the Cuisle Centre, starting on Tuesday October 25 at 7pm.

The centre also offers pelvic floor exercise classes for before and after prostate cancer treatments, to minimise the side effects.

I just want to say to people, dont be afraid to come into the Cuisle Centre, everybody here is very approachable, Christy said.

For details on all therapies, services and workshops, ca
The long-awaited first phase first phase of the Dromahair Greenway is to be opened to the public!

To celebrate there are a number of events planned for Saturday, 29th October:

Starting at 11am with a 5km family fun run/walk/cycle: - Be the first to run / cycle / jog / walk the 5km loop. Registration at the start of the line - (opposite the Clubhouse) from 10.30am.

Also at 11am - for those not in such a hurry, there will be an ecological walk along the line led by ecologist Julien Carlier. Come and find out more about what is growing and living along the banks of the old line and why it is so special.

At 2.30pm the community is invited to meet at the start of the line - (opposite the Clubhouse) to Walk/Cycle the Line together.

This is a family -friendly event with a Children's Fun Trail and Pop-up Dramatic Moments along the way!

There will be light refreshments served at the end of the line at Edergole crossing house from about 3pm, with an opportunity to recall the days of the railway while enjoying some ceol & craic and dancing.
Early detection, more personalised treatment and more knowledge about the causes and risk factors behind breast cancer mean that more people are surviving the disease than ever before.

In marking Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, the Irish Cancer Society has looked back on 40 years of breast cancer in Ireland to see the advances that have been made in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and survivorship associated with this disease.

Forty years ago the outlook for a breast cancer patient was vastly different from today. In 1976, almost half of women diagnosed with breast cancer died from the disease.

Today, survival rates for breast cancer have increased to 85% over five years.

As part of the Irish Cancer Societys Paint it Pink campaign, taking place throughout October, people across Ireland are encouraged to raise vital life-saving funds that will support our continued investment in breast cancer research, advocacy and services. People can raise funds by hosting a pink coffee morning or event - visit www.paintitpink.ie for more information.

According to Dr Catherine M. Kelly, Consultant Medical Oncologist and breast cancer specialist at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital and Mater Private Hospital in Dublin: There is no doubt that the picture of breast cancer in Ireland is a much brighter one than that of 40 years ago. Much of this is down to huge advances in research. As a breast cancer researcher Ive been at the forefront of some of these advances and can attest to the hope they bring to patients.

While increasing survival rates are hugely significant, we must not become complacent in our battle with this disease. Better breast cancer research means better patient care, better outcomes, and one step closer to eventually beating this disease for good. That is why the Irish Cancer Societys continued investment in cancer research  funded through you, the public  is so essential.

People can help fund vital cancer research by hosting a pink coffee morning or event to raise funds for cancer research, visit www.paintitpink.ie for more information.

Detection

Forty years ago breast cancer was rarely detected early. No breast cancer screening systems were in place anywhere in the world. It was only in 1976 that mammography was recommended as a screening tool by the American Cancer Society. Fast forward to 2016 and the prevalence of breast cancer screening programmes across Ireland means that early diagnosis is far more common.

In Ireland the BreastCheck screening programme began in February 2000 and since then over 450,000 women have been screened. The public now has more information than ever before about the signs of breast cancer, meaning that increasingly women will find a lump themselves and contact their doctor.

Treatment

In 1976 mastectomy was the only surgical option recommended to women with breast cancer, involving removal of the full breast, underarm lymph nodes and chest wall muscles. Now, a simpler lumpectomy is the more common surgery, directly removing the tumour and having less impact on the patients body. Partial mastectomies and breast reconstruction post-surgery are now options for patients that could only be dreamed of 40 years ago.

In the 1970s the causes and characteristics of breast cancer were only beginning to be understood. But when researchers found that the hormones oestrogen and progesterone are commonly linked to breast cancer growth, testing soon began on the drug Tamoxifen, which helps prevent the disease returning by blocking the effects of oestrogen. From Irish oncologist and radiotherapist Dr Moya Cole pioneering a clinical trial of the drug to 46 women with advanced breast cancer in 1969, Tamoxifen is now routinely used as part of a treatment plan after surgery, chemotherapy and radiation are finished.

In 1998, after researchers discovered that high levels of the human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2) protein was found in cancer cells in 25-30% of cases, the first targeted anti breast cancer drug  Herceptin  was introduced to treat this HER2-positive breast cancer. Used with chemotherapy, Herceptin can lower the risk of HER2-positive breast cancer recurring by about 50% compared to chemotherapy alone.

Understanding the links between breast cancer and genes has also been a huge factor in treating the disease more successfully. In the mid-1990s scientists discovered that women who have changes in the genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 have a 50-80% increased risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancers. As a result, clinical trials are underway on new drugs that may be able to treat cancers that involve these genetic mutations.

The recent introduction of gene analysis to determine how effective chemotherapy would be as part of an individual cancer patients treatment plan has led to more personalised treatment for many women with early stage breast cancer. Since the Oncotype DX test was introduced in Ireland in 2011, the use of chemotherapy has dropped significantly in those women.

Recent developments

The last five years alone have seen research discoveries that will profoundly change the way scientists see cancer in the future. In 2012 researchers announced an important finding- that the majority of breast cancers can be grouped into a number of subtypes. This molecular classification of breast cancers is a huge advance because it allows better prediction of the likely outcome for the patient and points the way for new treatments that will work better in those particular sub-types.

The future

In 2016 breast cancer patients are being diagnosed earlier, undergoing less invasive surgery and receiving more targeted therapies. We now know that every breast cancer is different. Future research will focus on personalised treatment that is even better equipped to save lives and get patients back to full health.

The Irish Cancer Society is funding a 7.5 million collaborative cancer research centre called BREAST-PREDICT that is working to achieve the development of personalised medicine. BREAST-PREDICT commenced in 2013 and is made up of approximately 50 breast cancer researchers based all around Ireland. BREAST-PREDICT aims to test new treatment strategies for breast cancer patients, understand how patients respond to certain medicines, study the evolution of breast cancer and determine if exposure to commonly utilised medicines has an impact on breast cancer patient outcomes. This world class research is giving us a better understanding of why patients respond differently to treatments and helping to develop treatments based on each individual patient.
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In the run up to Halloween, Gardai are warning about the serious dangers associated with the use of fireworks and are increasing hi- visibility patrols and checkpoints in the Leitrim District targeting the unlawful sale / supply of fireworks.

Checkpoints will involve searches of cars and vans for illegal fireworks.

Breaches of the Road Traffic legislation will also receive special attention.



Each year, many children and young people suffer terrible injuries caused by fireworks, including burns, injuries to limbs and serious eye injuries. Many of these fireworks have not passed quality control tests and are possibly defective. Apart from the risk of injury, fireworks can cause great distress and annoyance to the elderly.

They cause great distress to family pets and animals. There is also the possibility of fireworks such as rockets causing an outbreak of fire, when they continue to burn after landing.



Possession, use and sale of fireworks in this country is a criminal offence and carries severe penalties if convicted. This includes fireworks that can be bought legally in other jurisdictions and brought into this jurisdiction for sale or use.

Gardai are requesting that parents take responsibility in ensuring that their children do not cause injury to themselves or others with the use of illegal fireworks on Halloween night and parents are requested to confiscate such fireworks from them and report their seizure to local Gardai who can safely dispose of them.

Fireworks should never be stored inside and if seized they should be immediately immersed in water to minimise their potential harmful effects.



If anybody has information relating to the unlawful sale or use of fireworks they are requested to contact their local Garda Station or the Garda Confidential Number 1800 666 111.
Following the excellent result for the Liberal Democrats, an excellent 30%, a swing from the Tories the likes of which hasnt been seen for nearly two decades, Tim Farron has been writing for the Huffington Post. His message: were back.

The result not only signals that the Liberal Democrats are back in the political big time and the return to third party politics, but also a clear rejection of the Conservative Brexit governments plan to take Britain out of the Single Market.

Dont underestimate what we have achieved. We started here in fourth place but have blown Labour and UKIP out of the water. Voters rejected Labour because it has no economic credibility and is unfit for government.

This was the tenth safest Tory seat in the country with a massive 25,000 majority, yet the Conservatives were seriously rattled. They are riding high in the polls, but my sense is that has largely been because people did not feel there was a credible opposition. Witney proves there is now a credible opposition  and that opposition is the Liberal Democrats.

Real election results are proving that this party is revitalised, with amazing campaigning strength. Since May we had gained 21 council seats, and in Witney we proved that the Liberal Democrats are the real opposition to the Conservative Brexit government.
AFTER weeks of thought-provoking discussions in the Limerick Civic Trusts autumn lecture series, the founding president of University of Limerick Dr Ed Walsh recently delivered an in-depth, hour-long talk on Irelands most topical issues, marking the end of the programme.

Held at St Marys Cathedral last week, Dr Walsh discussed a variety of issues  healthcare, climate change, politics, education and Limericks future.

EDUCATION

Addressing issues in third level education, Dr Walsh said that Irish universities should adopt the Danish governance model, which would see the reduction of governing authority members to 11.

The University of Limerick has 34 governors. Theyre individually absolutely delightful people, but some of them know sweet damn all about universities. And some of them know sweet damn all about almost everything.

He also mentioned that UCD has 41 governing authority members.

A similar model would see six of the 11 governors selected by the respective university  and each being an expert in an area suited to the institution.

Speaking to the Leader, Dr Walsh said that a change in the structure would require an amendment to the legislation, but would be done in the stroke of a pen.

I would imagine no one in the Oireachtas would be strongly opposed to it. It would point to Denmark in their success. We have an archaic governance system with individuals who are the salt of the Earth, I am sure, and want to get on with the job, but its just a cumbersome arrangement.

HEALTH

Addressing healthcare in Ireland, he argued that more financing for central administrative staff could be deployed to frontline medical staff  a move, he said, which could be achieved through introd-ucing a single-integrated computer system.

He said that the Estonian health service has been able to achieve the redeployment of more frontline staff through its own national integrated computer database and the issuing of a health card which is used to store personal data.

The prime minister of Estonia has made a decree, requiring public servants not to ask a citizen for the same information more than once. All you do is give your card  they will ask for your name and, probably, your date of birth. And there, it all pops up; all your x-rays, all your scans, he explained.

He added a similar computer system could potentially cut thousands from paper-shuffling activities in hospitals, furthermore providing more funding for medics.

POLITICS

When asked why he hasnt entered politics, he said that it is because Ireland does not have the list system.

This, he said, is a system that sees half of the Parliament composed of people from the parish pump, and the other half composed of people on a list system, who are distinguished movers and shakers, who are asked by various parties: May we put you on the list?

If Ireland had a list system, I suspect I might have been approached by one of the parties to go on their list, he said. When asked if he would accept such an offer, he replied: Of course I would have said yes.

When he was asked if the Taoiseach were to appoint him as a Minister, would he accept without pay, he said: I would. It would be an honour to serve for five years as a Minister. But our system doesnt permit that. And until we move to the New Zealand [list] system, it wont permit it.

While endorsing the Government system, he said: Fortunately, there are some wonderful people like Michael Noonan, who have come through that [current] system. But other countries have half their parliaments composed of people like Michael Noonan.

ELDERLY CARE

Criticising elderly care in Ireland, Dr Walsh, 77, said that visiting an Irish nursing home is not an encouraging experience.

There was a time, and not so long ago, when older people lived and died in their home, with their family and friends. We now transport many of them into an alien environment for their remaining months or years. And if they are lucky, they die in a nursing home, but political correctness is requiring many of the nursing homes, if people are close to death, to move them to A&E.

EUTHANASIA

This segued onto the difficult terrain of euthanasia, which Dr Walsh previously discussed at a National Association of GPs conference in Limerick city earlier this year.

The State determines how you shall die, whether in an institution or otherwise. Since 1942, Switzerland has decided that the State should not intervene, and those who are terminally ill or in great pain and really wish to die, are permitted to do so in dignity and in peace.

All of us have had pet animals, and a time have reached when the kind thing to do is to take them to the vet. That is a horrible parallel, I know. But, I think, in a generations time, we will look back at this phase in Ireland and be embarrassed how we treat our elderly. Belgium, Luxemburg and, last year, Germany have entitled citizens who want to die, to die.

"Physician-assisted dying is now legal in five US states, and under consideration in most others. And it is time, and in a thoughtful way, we in Ireland consider this topic, he said to the dozens seated in the cathedral.

8th AMENDMENT

Dr Walsh briefly prodded one of the most discussed topics on the nations agenda  the Eighth Amendment.

He said: We have had a battle about contraception, that was eventually resolved. We have had the battle about divorce, that was resolved. And we have had the battle about marriage, and that was resolved. And private individuals, in these areas, have an opportunity, based on their own moral beliefs to do as they think is morally right.

All of the traditional Catholic countries in Europe have dealt with this issue, so that individual situations can make up their own mind. Eventually, the Eighth Amendment is going to be withdrawn. And probably, the sooner it is, the better.

CLIMATE CHANGE

Dr Walsh said that Irelands participation in the European Union climate change programme could cost each household between 20,000 and 30,000.

He said that, according to recent estimates that he received, the climate and energy framework, which was adopted by the EU in October 2014, could cost Ireland anything between 40bn and 60bn over the next 13 years.

The programme will see Ireland reduce its 1990 levels of carbon emissions by 40% by 2030.

We have one major problem. And that is that the cows are producing 33% of our carbon emissions. And we dont know how to stop them. They are sacred cows, so we aint going to get rid of them. So, unfortunately, industry, transport, business and residential will have to carry the can in meeting our 2030 climate agenda, he said.
AN electrician who has paid more than 18,000 in compensation to a man he assaulted outside a city nightclub has been warned he must continue to make payments.

Patrick Moss, aged 27, who is originally from County Tipperary, suffered a serious head injury and lost his sight in one eye during a fight outside the then Trinity Rooms nightclub more than five years ago.

Previously, Francis Doherty, now aged 25, of Lough Lower, Cahir, County Tipperary pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr Moss causing him harm at Bank Place, Limerick on May 20, 2011.

During a sentencing hearing, which was heard in January 2014, Limerick Circuit Court was told both men had been ejected by security from the nightclub prior to the incident after they had an altercation in the smoking area.

The court heard there was bad blood between the men and that a comment which had been posted on Facebook had really upset the defendant.

John OSullivan BL, prosecuting, said the victim, who was a trainee electrician at time, had gone to Limerick for a night out with some friends when he was confronted by the defendant.

Three of his teeth were knocked out during the assault. He also suffered cuts and bruises, a fractured elbow and an injury to his left eye that resulted in loss of sight.

Moss received a three-year suspended prison sentence two years ago on condition he paid a total of 40,000 in compensation to Mr Moss.

After the matter was re-entered this Tuesday, Mr OSullivan said there had been sporadic payments since and that just 11,250 had been paid to date.

Garda Deirdre Morris said Mr Moss, who cannot drive or work in Ireland because of his injury, feels he had given the defendant every opportunity and that the non-payment of monies was causing him to be depressed.

Anthony Sammon SC told the court his client had transferred a further 7,000 into Mr Moss bank account earlier  putting the overall figure paid so far at 18,250.

He said Mr Dohertys father was willing to assist his client in putting together a mechanism ensuring that regular payments are made going forward.

Judge Tom O' Donnell commented the defendant was not living up to what he agreed which he said was unsatisfactory.

He adjourned the matter for review in early December.
COLD-HEARTED criminals have targeted the business of a popular County Limerick beautician twice in the space of three years.

Nessa Maher, from Cappamore, opened up Nessas Beauty in Doon on November 1, 2013. Exactly a week later thieves broke in during the early hours of the morning and stole over 4,000 worth of her products.

As she was just open she hadnt got insurance so had to bear the cost herself and get back on her feet. Then last week her premises was broken into again.

"I went in the following morning [last Wednesday], the back door was open and all the make-up was gone, said Nessa.

The last time she said, It felt like I was kicked in the stomach and now she cant find the words to express how upset she is.

I don't know after this time now. I had only finished stocking everything up in June just gone. I had to go into town on Wednesday and buy everything, buy as much as I could out of what I had. Myself and my partner just bought a house last month so it was literally scrimping and saving everything.

At least a thousand if not more was taken this time. I actually can't tot it up yet. It would send me over the edge if I do, said Nessa.

Entry was gained through a tiny sky light. They rifled through her stock and stole MAC make-up, strip lashes and tanning products. Since news broke locally the response has been one of disgust at the crime and support of Nessa

"I've had loads of people ringing me and calling in, they're so good. Doon is great, just horrible people seem to visit us. There is great community spirit, there really is. People are so nice out here," said Nessa, who shares the premises with hairdresser Lisa Shanahan. She had a Samsung Galaxy J3 phone taken  the donated first prize in a hugely successful Brides and Bridesmaids party she ran to raise money for Breast Cancer Research.

Lisa says her heart goes out to Nessa.

Once is bad enough, but twice My heart is bleeding for her, its two hits in three years she is after getting.

Doon is so good, they are great to support the two of us. Everyone is trying to help us if they can at all. Nessa is a great worker and is very busy. Its just cruel for her to take this hit a second time," said Lisa.

Locals are hoping somebody may donate a new phone to replace the one that was stolen during the callous break-in.

There has been a crime wave in the locality in the past week. A quantity of diesel and farm tools were stolen on the same night  late Tuesday and early Wednesday morning, and a quad bike taken from a farm Cappamore on the previous Sunday night.

Bruff gardai are investigating and anybody with any information or has been offered any of these goods to contact them on (061) 382940.
A NEW free app has been developed to help farmers and suppliers make investment decisions and cope with the financial issues that bad weather conditions bring.

FarmHedge which was created by UL senior lecturer Dr John Garvey aims to reduce costs for both users and suppliers by allowing farmers to book deliveries of feed, fertilizer or animal health products from their regular suppliers.

It also provides precise weather risk information and alerts, combining forecasts with the farms 10-year weather history.

Mr Garveys personal experience has provided him with a good knowledge on farming and inspired him to create the app.

I grew up in a farm in Ennis and I spent my life working with my father and my brother. We still work together when time allows. In UL, some of my teaching relates to how energy companies can transfer the financial risk of weather. In farming, I wanted to figure out a mechanism so that farmers can get compensated if weather is very wet or cold, he said.

FarmHedge provides a venue for suppliers where they can view all farmers in the country on a map, select a group of users that are in a particular location and make them a bulk offer  it saves suppliers distribution costs, and it allows farmers to get lower costs.

The app was officially launched in September 2016, and it has already more than 1500 users based around the country. The companys priority at the moment is to build the number of farmers and suppliers that participate on the app and to get funding to expand the platform beyond Ireland.

Mr Garvey has been working in the University of Limerick since 2002 and he is now a senior lecturer in risk management and insurance.

I love interacting with students and meeting very unique, different people every year. I also love the research I do. It is really nice to take an idea that I have developed within a research and turn it into a business, he said about his experience in UL.

His education was not traditional; he graduated in English and Economics at the National University of Ireland (Galway), and he defines his literary studies as the most important and enjoyable part of his education:

I love the whole process of writing, making an argument scientifically sound. My English studies framed the way I think about economy and society, they had a major influence in my education. My app for example tries to connect farmers that are working every day in isolation from a commercial aspect, and it takes an understanding of society to do so.

Dr Garvey has two awards for teaching, a number of research and teaching experiences in Europe and US and several publications.

When he was asked about the thing he values the most in terms of experience and success, he had no hesitation:

Travel. Living and working in a different environment, or travelling for its own sake is hugely valuable. My experience in New York has been extremely eye-opening and rewarding. When I started studying Arts in Galway I didnt really have a plan to become a lecturer, I just kept falling into different things. The most important thing is probably always enjoying what youre doing, he added.
Apr 30, 2021, 8 AM

By Michael Baadke

On June 19, 1970, Canada Post issued a 6 stamp (Scott 515) honoring Louis Riel, described in the Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue as a Metis leader who became president of the Council of Assiniboia in 1870.

Riel was born Oct. 23, 1844, in the Red River Colony, part of what is now southern Manitoba. He became a spokesman and leader for the Metis people  who were descended from a blend of European and aboriginal ancestry  to defend the rights of the Metis when the government of Canada sought to develop the region.

Tensions between the Metis and the government in 1870 led to the armed uprising known as the Red River Rebellion. Riel was a key figure in the negotiations to end the fighting, which resulted in the creation of the Manitoba province as part of the Canadian confederation.

But fearing for his life, Riel then went into exile in the United States and became an American citizen.

He returned years later to aid the Metis in what is now Saskatchewan in their negotiations with the federal government. Riel was captured during the ensuing Northwest Rebellion in 1884, charged with treason against the Canadian government, and hanged on Nov. 16, 1885.
House builders in the Leinster region are meeting on Monday, October 24 in Tullamore to discuss how they can respond to the Government's much vaunted housing strategy.

The gathering is also being held with a view to meeting the new standards of building introduced in the past five years.

Dominic Doheny, CIF Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Tullamore based John Flanagan Developments Ltd. said the event was hugely significant for the local construction industry.

Irish home builders in this region have found it difficult to build new homes for anywhere close to the prices of existing stock, he said.

The first-time buyers grant announced in the budget and the local infrastructure fund announced by Ministers Coveney and Donohoe have the potential for first time buyers to acquire mortgages, banks to lend and builders to build.

Home builders in this region are coming together to discuss how these changes can support activity.

The CIF is inviting all homebuilders to these events to help deliver housing supply but also to ensure it is of the highest quality, meeting all current standards of building.

The free workshop will take place in the Tullamore Court Hotel on October 24 (4pm-6pm). It is open to CIF members and non-members, specifically tradespeople and housebuilders operating in the area who are involved or considering homebuilding in the region.
Dr Deane, who is a native of Ballymacormack, attended St Josephs NS before emigrating with her parents Mel and Bridget and brother Mel to the UK when she was fifteen years old.



That was back in 1988, and since then Dr Deane has embarked on an academic, research and development career that sees her travelling to some of the poorest and most conflicted affected parts of the world where, in association with her organisation, Brehon Advisory, she endeavours to educate children and young people about conflict, war, resilience and education through the media of books and trauma teddies.

Brehon Advisory provides strategic advisory, training, education, and mediation services to governments, private companies, foundations, institutions, and international donors.



We address the need to improve coordination between the public and private sectors, working in fragile areas and with local communities, and government level decision makers to educate, to train and to strengthen governance, improve corporate citizenship and facilitate investment, she added, before pointing out that education provided people with opportunities and choices.

Just recently back from a visit in the Middle East where the refugee crisis continues to worsen, Dr Deane pointed out that people there were in a state of perpetual trauma because of the ongoing war in Syria.



Meanwhile, back at base in the UK, Brehon Advisory continues to create trauma teddy bilingual children's books for refugees and vulnerable host community children.

The books are published in partnership with Asala Publishers and private contributors and the organisation donates and distributes books and trauma teddies across Lebanon, Jordan, and most recently to refugees and their new host communities in Denmark, Ireland and the UK.

The books, added Dr Deane, address the challenges of literacy, language and psycho-social trauma experienced by refugee children and are beneficial in formal, informal and non-formal education contexts."



Meanwhile, the trauma teddies help children deal with stress, trauma, anxiety and separation.



We donate the books to children across the Middle East and to Britain, Ireland and Denmark, she added.



We have also worked with the Irish Peacekeepers in South Lebanon.



Dr Deane also went on to point out that Longford people, like most communities across Ireland, continue to help and support the humanitarian crisis that has unfolded across the Middle East.

Longford people are doing amazing things to help people who are in conflict zones; I have friends whose fathers served in the Barracks in Longford and who are now playing a role in the Lebanon, Shelley continued.



We have also been to the Gulf and the problem there is motivating children who already have everything, while in other countries its about providing the opportunities to people so that they can help themselves.



She added, In order to get more books published and distributed we need more funds."

Brehon Advisory has pointed out that nobody leaves their home unless they have to, and in the case of refugees, leaving is about safety and security.



As a result, the organisation conducts security research, risk assessments and strategic training that prioritise people.



The organisation also provides comprehensive analysis and recommendations supporting human security for communities, institutions and organisations in protracted conflict-affected areas.



The problem for many refugee children is that they are missing the opportunity to go to school, said Dr Deane.



Across the Middle East, for example, children particularly Syrian children are not attending school because of war, dislocation, displacement and the need to seek refuge and security first. Access to schools, documents and certification exacerbate the education crisis.



She then added that Brehon Advisory provided integrated training for the security sector and civil society to enhance mutual understanding, foster professional relations, give ownership and promote peace-building in fragile and complex environments including conflict, post-conflict and transition states.



Just back from the Lebanon this week, Dr Deane says that it is imperative that global investment in education for children displaced by conflict, is addressed.



It can and will change their lives for the better, she smiled.

* Dr Shelley Deane has a PhD in Political Science from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Sinn Fein MEP for the Midlands North West Matt Carthy has raised directly with the European Commission the urgent situation, particularly the impact of the Brexit Referendum result, on Mushroom farmers operating in Ireland.

Speaking at a hearing with Commissioner Hogan in the European Parliaments Agriculture and Rural Development Committee Mr Carthy said:

The mushroom industry in Ireland is in disarray at the moment, with fluctuations of the sterling leading to massive losses. The fact that the contracts have been negotiated in sterling, means that Irish producers are being forced to accept prices way below any sustainable level.

I was pleased to have an opportunity to raise this issue directly with the Commissioner. I have asked him to clarify what studies the Commission has carried out, or plans on carrying out on the impact the Brexit result is having on producers. In particular I informed Commissioner Hogan that measures must be taken to support mushroom growers in Ireland until they are in a position to renegotiate prices in the new year.

The commissioner provided important clarification that the Irish Government can provide ad hoc measures to help these mushroom growers. Our government must waste no time in putting these measures in place.

Mushroom producers in Ireland, especially in counties like my own home of Monaghan, are important employers and the issue must be tackled immediately. I hope that the Commissioner listened to what I had to say today and will start to consider real action. Minister Michael Creed must insist also that protections are agreed without delay.

I am disappointed that the Commissioner seems of the opinion that discussions to tackle the adverse effects of Brexit will only begin in March. The problems are happening now. In fact, they started last June, when the vote in England caused the sterling to drop to one of its lowest levels in recent years. There is no sign of a rebound and there is a fear that thousands of Irish jobs in vulnerable sectors like the mushroom industry will be lost if action isnt taken quickly.
Fianna Fail TD for Roscommon/Galway Eugene Murphy believes that the delays in rolling out a national quality broadband on time will sound a death knell for many rural businesses struggling to survive as well as leaving rural dwellers and the farming community lagging behind their urban counterparts.

Accessing quality broadband is a core requirement for small and medium sized businesses across the country. Delays in rolling out a national broadband scheme is damaging the ability of SMEs to grow their businesses. Over 900,000 premises and homes, mainly in rural Ireland, require the state to directly provide high-speed, broadband. Time is really of the essence- and we have had delay after delay- now it looks like the plan wont start until the second half of 2017 which means that none of the estimated 900,000 homes and businesses are actually connected until 2018 which is a year behind schedule.

I accept that delays can happen and this is obviously a massive project with complicated and intense negotiations but the provision of quality broadband for rural Ireland is a matter of necessity for survival and it really is akin to the transformation which rural electrification caused- thats how important it is- a recent Amarach survey showed that one in four rural dwellers said they would think about leaving their area to live in an area with adequate broadband.

This is also going to be a major issue for the farming community as farmers must complete applications for key payments online as under EU rules 75% of the Basic Payment Scheme must be logged via the web by next year and 100% of applications must be filed online by 2018- but the irony is that farmers will probably be one of the last groups to be connected as their homes are typically more isolated in rural areas, said Deputy Murphy.

The Minister for Communications Denis Naughten needs to ensure that there are no further delays in the roll out and every effort needs to be made to claw back some of the time wasted as a result of delays. Businesses up and down the country have been waiting for years to access decent, high-speed broadband.

Its also important to point out that under the Governments own timetable, the process will not be completed until 2023 and by that stage the schemes defined minimum speed of 30Mbs may be too slow for modern needs-remember the EU is moving to a 100Mbs standard for ordinary usage- rural Ireland cannot afford to be left behind once again.
Local News, National & World News, Press Releases

By Long Island News & PR Published: October 23 2016

A 13-count indictment was unsealed Thursday morning in federal court in Central Islip.

Central Islip, NY - October 20, 2016 - A 13-count indictment was unsealed this morning in federal court in Central Islip charging Edward Mangano and John Venditto with conspiracy to commit federal program bribery and honest services fraud, as well as the related substantive counts, and charging Mangano with extortion.

The indictment also charges Edward Mangano, Linda Mangano, and Venditto with obstructing justice, and Linda Mangano and Venditto with making false statements. Since January 2010, Edward Mangano has served as the Nassau County Executive. Since January 1998, Venditto has served as the Town of Oyster Bay (the TOB or Town) Supervisor.

The defendants were arrested this morning and will be arraigned today before the Hon. Sandra J. Feuerstein, United States District Judge, at the United States Courthouse, 100 Federal Plaza, Central Islip, New York. Earlier today, federal agents also executed two search and seizure warrants at the Manganos residence in Bethpage, New York, and at the County Executives Office in Mineola, New York.

The charges were announced by Robert L. Capers, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, William F. Sweeney, Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), and Shantelle P. Kitchen, Special Agent-in-Charge, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, New York Field Office (IRS-CI).

Yet again, we announce a breach of trust by two of our public officials. In 2010, Nassau County voters granted Edward Mangano the opportunity to serve by electing him their highest ranking official in the County. Similarly, in 1998, Town of Oyster Bay voters granted John Venditto the honor of electing him their chief elected official. Yet, as alleged in the indictment, both of these men undermined the very system of laws they promised to uphold by furthering their personal interests rather than the best interests of their constituents. Sadly, Mangano also enlisted the assistance of his wife in an attempt to shield his wrongdoing from public scrutiny, stated United States Attorney Capers. However, no one is above the law, and the defendants will now be held to account for their actions. Mr. Capers extended his grateful appreciation to the FBI, IRS-CI, the agencies responsible for leading the governments investigation, and thanked the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Nassau County District Attorneys Office for their valuable assistance.

As detailed in the indictment, Edward Mangano and John Venditto abused their positions as the highest ranking elected officials in Nassau County and the Town of Oyster Bay, respectively  at least, until today. Those involved in this scheme allegedly lied about their conduct to investigators, fanning the flames of a fire that became too large to contain. Public corruption wastes countless tax dollars every year, threatens the credibility of governmental institutions, and opens the door for further criminal activity, stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Sweeney.

The public expects its elected officials to serve them honestly and honorably, stated IRS-CI Special Agent-in-Charge Kitchen. When public officials abuse the power they have been entrusted for their own personal benefit, they violate the public trust and betray their constituents. As a law enforcement agency, IRS Criminal Investigation takes allegations of public corruption very seriously, and we are always ready to contribute to an investigation when the allegation has a financial component.

I. Background

As alleged in the indictment and other court filings, between January 2010 and February 2015, Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano, TOB Supervisor John Venditto, and others, engaged in a scheme to receive bribes and kickbacks from a businessman and restaurateur, identified in the indictment as Co-Conspirator #1, in exchange for performing official actions to benefit Co-Conspirator #1 in connection with that individuals businesses in Nassau County and the TOB. The official actions included: (a) the TOBs guarantee of certain loans that Co-Conspirator #1 received from a bank and lender in connection with Co-Conspirator #1s status as a TOB concessionaire (the TOB Loan Scheme); and (b) Nassau Countys award of certain contracts to Co-Conspirator #1s businesses (the Nassau County Contracts Scheme). In connection with these schemes, Mangano and Venditto are each charged with conspiring to commit federal program bribery and honest services wire fraud and related substantive counts, and Mangano is charged with extortion under color of official right.

II. The TOB Loan Scheme

The indictment charges that Co-Conspirator #1 paid bribes and kickbacks to Edward Mangano and John Venditto in exchange for, among other things, the officials assistance in obtaining the Towns guarantee of four loans totaling approximately $20 million that two of Co-Conspirator #1s businesses received from a bank (identified in the indictment as the Bank) and from a private corporate financing company (identified in the indictment as the Lender). As detailed in the governments bail letter filed today, the first loan, which closed on June 9, 2010, was a $1,500,000 line of credit from the Bank. The second loan, which closed on May 25, 2011, was a $3,400,000 loan from the Bank. The third loan, which closed on November 18, 2011, was a $7,843,138 loan from the Lender. The fourth loan, which closed on June 22, 2012, was a $12,273,748 loan from the Lender. In late 2012 and 2013, Co-Conspirator #1 sought an additional loan of approximately $12 million from the Lender in connection with improvements to be made to Co-Conspirator #1s facilities at two Town beaches  this loan was not ultimately extended.

Edward Mangano and John Venditto used their official positions to influence and reach a particular outcome, i.e., the Towns guarantee of the loans for Co-Conspirator #1. As a result of the guarantees, were Co-Conspirator #1s entities to default on the loans, the Town would be responsible for repaying the Bank and/or the Lender the entire amount of the loans. In or about November 2015, Co-Conspirator #1 defaulted on the repayment of the two loans with the Lender and the loans holder, which had previously been assigned the loans from the Lender, demanding that the TOB remit payment on the outstanding money due under the loan documents.

III. The Nassau County Contracts Scheme

As set forth in the indictment, beginning in approximately late 2011 through December 2012, Co-Conspirator #1, through certain business entities, was awarded lucrative contracts by Nassau County, including certain contracts worth hundreds of thousands of dollars to provide food services to Nassau County agencies. Specifically, as detailed in the governments bail letter, Nassau County awarded two contracts to business entities of Co-Conspirator #1: a 2012 Nassau County contract to supply bread and rolls to the Nassau County Correctional Center (the Bread and Rolls Contract), and November/December 2012 daily purchase orders with the Nassau County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) to supply emergency food services to OEM following Hurricane Sandy (the OEM Emergency Food Services Contract). The Bread and Rolls contract was valued at approximately $200,000 and the OEM Emergency Food Services Contract was valued at approximately $237,000. Edward Mangano used his official position to effectuate a specific outcome, i.e., the award of these contracts to Co-Conspirator #1.

IV. The Receipt of Bribes and Kickbacks

As set forth in the indictment and, in greater detail, in the governments bail letter, Co-Conspirator #1 provided Linda Mangano with a no-show job for approximately three and one-half years, from April 2010 to August 2014, at a restaurant owned and operated by Co-Conspirator #1, identified in the indictment as Restaurant #2. The payments from Co-Conspirator #1 to Linda Mangano in connection with her no-show job totaled over $450,000. In addition, Co-Conspirator #1 paid for various hotel and travel expenses for the Mangano family, including vacations to Niagara Falls in 2010, Marco Island Florida in December 2011, St. Thomas in July 2012, Turks and Caicos in July 2013, and Amelia Island, Florida in July 2014, as well as an ergonomic office chair in January 2010 ($3,371.90), massage chair from Brookstone in September 2012 ($3,623.73), a Panerai Luminor watch in November 2012 ($7,304), and hardwood flooring and its installation in the Manganos bedroom in January 2013 ($3,701.81). Co-Conspirator #1 also provided free meals to Edward Mangano and his family and associates.

From July 2011 to December 2013, Co-Conspirator #1 additionally provided Venditto and his family members and associates with free limousine service. Co-Conspirator #1 also allowed Venditto to hold fundraisers at Co-Conspirator #1s restaurants at a discounted rate and permitted Venditto to use a conference room in the basement of one of Co-Conspirator #1s restaurants.

V. The Obstruction of Justice

The indictment further alleges that Edward Mangano, Linda Mangano, and Venditto engaged in obstruction of justice in connection with their attempts to cover-up their wrongdoing, and Linda Mangano and Venditto are also charged with making false statements to federal law enforcement authorities.

As alleged in the indictment, between January 2015 and the present, the Manganos engaged in a conspiracy intended to obstruct a grand jury investigation. Specifically, they repeatedly met with Co-Conspirator #1, and fabricated stories in an attempt to explain Linda Manganos employment by Co-Conspirator #1 and Co-Conspirator #1s payments of gifts and vacation expenses to the Mangano family.

On January 13, 2015, FBI agents interviewed Linda Mangano at her residence. On May 20 and 24, 2015, prosecutors and FBI and IRS agents interviewed her at the U.S. Attorneys Office in Central Islip. On all three occasions, Linda Mangano was advised that lying to federal officials was a federal crime. Nevertheless, on each occasion, when asked about her employment by Co-Conspirator #1, Linda Mangano fabricated examples of work she allegedly did for Co-Conspirator #1.

On October 23, 2016 and December 18, 2015, prosecutors and FBI and IRS agents interviewed Venditto at the U.S. Attorneys Office in Central Islip. At the beginning of each interview, Venditto was advised that lying to federal officials constituted a federal crime. During the December 18, 2015 interview, Venditto stated that he had not received anything of value, including the payment for limousine services, from Co-Conspirator #1. Records from the limousine company, bank records for Co-Conspirator #1, and interviews with numerous witnesses, establish that Co-Conspirator #1 paid for the limousine service.

If convicted, Edward Mangano and John Venditto each face a term of imprisonment of up to 20 years for each honest services wire fraud charge, the conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud charge, up to 10 years for the federal program bribery charge, up to five years for the conspiracy to commit federal program bribery. Edward Mangano faces a term of up to 20 years for the extortion charge. Edward Mangano, Linda Mangano, and John Venditto each face a term of imprisonment of up to 20 years for each obstruction of justice charge, and up to five years for each false statement charge. The charges in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The governments case is being prosecuted by the Offices Long Island Criminal Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Catherine M. Mirabile, Raymond A. Tierney, and Lara Treinis Gatz are in charge of the prosecution. Assistant United States Attorney Madeline OConnor of the Offices Civil Division is responsible for the forfeiture of assets.

The Defendants:

Edward Mangano

Age: 54

Bethpage, NY

Linda Mangano

Age: 54

Bethpage, NY

John Venditto

Age: 67

North Massapequa, NY
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

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Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2016 > Afghanistan: Caught in a Vicious Grip

In early October, an international donors conference hosted by the European Union (EU) in Brussels declared a US $ 15. 2 billion aid package for Afghanistan to run till 2020, almost at par with the quantum of such funding provided so far. A remarkabl(y) impressive amount, said the EU in a self-congratulatory statement.

But the munificence of the EU went far beyond the adorable global will to continue to help Afghanistan stand on its feet. For, this truly impressive package is actually a barter deal which is tilted absurdly in favour of the EUs member-nations, exposing thereby the utter helplessness of the South-Central Asian country. Apart from the usual commitment to curb the rampant corruption that has been running through right from 2002, the Ashraf Ghani Government has also undertaken to take back the thousands of failed Afghan refugees now detained in camps across EU member-nations. The total number of such refugees in each of the member-states was not immediately available as the individual nations would have to account for the Afghans detailed within their territories.

This is where the Catch-22 situation for Afghanistan prevails. Afghan refugees constitute the second largest segment of illegal immigrants in Europe after Syrian refugees. And they fled (and are constantly fleeing thanks to the well-entrenched traffickers) the country in the first instance because they perceive an uncertain future in the wake of a resurgent Taliban, which is presently effectively controlling larger territory than ever before. The Taliban are also popularly perceived to be capable of striking at the government and people at will anywhere in the country.

This was not the case even when the Taliban were ruling Kabul; the northern parts always remained free of the their depredations thanks to the unrivalled fighting capabilities of the Northern Alliance led by the legendary Commander Ahmad Shah Massoud. This formidable obstacle was eventually removed not by fighting him militarily but by stealth. Massoud was assassinated by fake Arab TV journalists on September 9, 2001, two days before the 9/11 suicide air-borne attacks on the Twin Towers in New York City.

As Peter Tomsen recounts in his monumental work, The Wars of Afghanistan: Messianic Terrorism, Tribal Conflicts, and the Failures of Great Powers (2011), Massouds assassination was clearly timed to precede the attack on the Twin Towers. (Osama) bin Ladenand surely others in the inner circles of the unholy alliancemust have foreseen the possibility of an American military reaction against the Al-Qaeda inside Afghanistan... Killing Massoud before the 9/11 strike would impair and might altogether deny Washington the ability to secure a base inside Afghanistan from which to launch ground attacks against Al-Qaeda and Taliban-controlled areas of Afghanistan. (pp. 579-80)

It says something about the Talibans ability to resurgethanks largely to Pakistans never-slackening hospitalitythat less than a year after their rout in November 2001, they reappeared within the Afghanistan territory. Since then, even though almost half of the total US financial aid of $ 115 billion was spent on security since 2002, the Taliban have steadily advanced and even though they do not permanently control any part, their effective superiority is evident in large parts. While in the initial years of their return to fight, they concentrated on the souththe Talibans traditional strongholdthey have been a fear-some presence all over the country in the last few years.

Kunduz, the strategically situated third largest city in the north (control over which affords access to different directions in the north, west and east and to Central Asia), has just witnessed a repeat performance by the Taliban. Large parts of the Kunduz province have been witness to effective Taliban presence for nearly two years by now, and last year the capital city fell to them, the first time since 2002 that a provincial capital was captured by the rebels. Fierce fighting raged for over two weeks, residents fled, many were killed and wounded, properties were destroyed, and in a tragic episode the hospital run by the Medicines Sans Frontiers was destroyed with a substantial number of the medical staff and patients either killed and injured. The hospital, which was the most important medical centre in the area, had to be abandoned; US President Barack Obama had to publicly apologise as the destruction was caused by US war planes bombing in order to enable the Afghan National Army men to force the rebels out.

The Taliban were eventually forced out of the city but they have never left the surrounding areas and continue to harass, attack and kill government forces and civilians alike. On October 3 this year, even as President Ashraf Ghani was speaking to EU leaders in Brussels, the rebels suddenly attacked the city and quickly took over the city centre and several parts of Kunduz. They were once again pushed out of the city after a few days of fierce fighting and casualties.

The important thing to note, however, is the fact that on both occasions it was civilian residents who suffered and businesses were affected. The CNN, reporting this years assault, quoted residents informing that after entering the city rebels visited their houses demanding shelter and food. There was no way denying them whatever they wanted, and within a few hours the city ran short of food.

It is these experiences and the governments inability to prevent recurrences of the Taliban attacks that are motivating Afghans to flee their country in tens of thousands. The United Nations estimated in April 2016 that nearly 2000 civilians were killed or wounded and more than 80,000 were displaced from their homes in the first three months of the current year. Last year the toll peaked so much that 2015 was designated as the worst year for civilian deaths since the UN started tracking the terror-related casualties with 3545 killed and 7457 injured.

However, the statistics do not reflect the real horror of the phenomenon we are talking about, said Nicholas Haysom, the UN Secretary-Generals Special Representative for Afghanistan. The real cost we are talking about in these figures is measured in the maimed bodies of children, the communities who have to live with the losss, the grief of colleagues and relatives, the families who make do without a breadwinner, the parents who grieve for lost children, the children who grieve for lost parents.

The enormity of the commitment President Ashraf Ghani was virtually forced by circum-stances to make in Brussels to bring back thousands of Afghanswho were equally helplessly forced by their own circumstances to flee the increasingly dangerous countryshould now be quite clear. Whether he succeeds in ensuring their security once they are deported from Europe can only be answered in future. Only one thing is clear: both the President and his people are now left largely to fend for themselves.

This is the crux of what ails the international efforts to help rehabilitation, reconstruction and development of this land-locked semi-feudal war-torn country. The total aid package since 2002 for the above-mentioned objectives so far is US $ 130 billion of which the American aid alone accounts for as much as $ 115 billion. As we hve already seen, half of the American component has been gobbled by the unending and worsening security situation. In contrast to 2002 when the Taliban, the old enemy, was the only bother, todayas President Ghani countsthe enemies are manifold. There are four drivers of this instability, he said last year. The first are international groups like the Islamic State and Al-Qaeda; the second are criminal groups, politico-military movements and irresponsible armed groups. During the height of the international forces presence, its focus was on the Taliban because the other terror groups were in Pakistan... Everyone was banking on our collapse after (the international forces) withdrew, We are not collapsing. We do have a difficult security environment. But the drivers have changed.

President Ghanis sustained efforts to persuade the Taliban to participate in peace negotiations through the good offices of the Pakistan Government, Army and the Inter-Services Intelligence having failed badly, he is now hoping to bring them round indirectly first by successfully concluding a dal with the notorious war-lord Gulbuddin Hekmatyar whose popular tag is the butcher of Kabul. Under the deal, Hekmatyar will be free to participate in the democratic political process; in return, he has appealed to all parties opposed to the government to join the peace process and pursue their goals through peaceful means.

For obvious reasons, the deal, drew immediate adverse reactions. Attempting to explain it, The Hindu wrote: One plausible explanation is that the Afghan government is desperate to find a breakthrough in the 15-year-old civil war... By reaching a peace deal with Hekmatyar, Mr. Ghani is sending the message to the Taliban that peace between warlords and the govern-ment is not impossible, provided the former are ready to shun violence and work within the Afghan Constitution... But it is a gambit.  (October 1, 2016)

While the future of the peace process remains uncertain, the hard fact that the government must tackle now is to not just take back the failed refugees but also ensure that they are not devoured by the same demon they had fled from in the first instance.

Apratim Mukarji is an analyst of South and Central Asian affairs.
Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2016 > The Kaziranga Killing

by Mohammad Nurul Hassan

The gunning down of two persons by the Assam Police in the protest march against the eviction drive in Kaziranga is a serious matter for marginal communities across the globe. Being one of the marginalised groups, Muslims in Assam have been facing different levels of humiliation as well as atrocities at regular intervals. It started with the killing and harass-ment in the post-partition riots, during the Assam Movement and even in the post-Assam Movement era, for example, Nagabandha (1983), Nellie Massacre (1983), Chaolkhuwa Chapori (1983), Kokrajhar (1993-94), Bahbari (1994), again Kokrajhar (2012), Darrang (2008), Chirrang (2012), Barpeta (2010), Narshingbari (2014) and the very recent one in Kaziranga (2016). The nature of humiliation and atrocity may be different (that is, political, ethnic, institutional etc.), but everywhere the most targeted community is the East Bengal-origin Muslim. In most of the cases, they are labelled as Bangladeshi (illegal migrants from Bangladesh) but nowhere is possible to prove them as illegal migrants.

It is pertinent to mention here that the anti-Miya wave was developed before the indepen-dence and continues even today and will be there in future also. Actually, partition sharpened the Muslim identity across India with the formation of Pakistan and subsequently the formation of Bangladesh has had a similar impact in North-East India. In the later period, the derogatory term Bangladeshi is used very cheaply against the Muslims in Assam. The chauvinist group of Assamese people considers the Bangladeshis have a single destination to migrate and that is nowhere other than Assam. Accordingly, it is alleged that the land-hungry Muslim community has already captured the barren land and reserved area throughout Assam. Even they do not spare the land of the world heritage sites, that is, Kaziranga, Orang, Manas and many more.

Furthermore, it is also alleged that the land of different Satras (Vaishnavite monasteries), Than have also been encroached upon by the illegal migrants and instant eviction is demanded everywhere. Thus, the Bangladeshi issue gets multifaceted credentials for the sake of jati, mati and bheti (nationality, land and home) in Assamese nationalism.

Vandalising Democracy

On one hand the marginal communities have no right to protest and on the other hand killing the innocent marginal people is not a serious matter in Assam. The incident at Kaziranga proves that to control a mob, the State administration failed almost miserably. As soon as the BJP Government came to power in the State, like the former governments, that is, of the Congress as well as AGP, it deployed the police force against the common citizen. Mintu Deuri was the first State-sponsored victim in police firing after the Sonowal Government came to power. The victim was in a demons-tration demanding shifting the site of the AIIMS to Raha instead of Changshari.

The second line of victims were Anjuma Khatun and Fakaruddin in Kaziranga. Here, in Kaziranga, as per the Gauhati High Court order, Guwahati dated October 9, 2015, the present State Government initiated a massive eviction drive to drive out the encroachers. The then Congress Government did not give attention towards this problem. The faulty and dubious policy of the former government in the settlement as well as eviction process was basically responsible for creating the recent panic. The fringe villages of Kaziranga, that is, Deochur Chang, Banderdubi are inhabitated by different communities including Miyas (East Bengal origin Muslims), Asomiyas (so-called Assamese), Adibashis, Karbis, Bengali Hindus, Nepalis etc. (as per the voter list of 2016). However, a total 160 and 198 families have been evicted from Deochur Chang and Banderdubi gaon respectively. Accordingly, from the Palkhowa village 12 families have been evicted.

The notable print is that the local people did not oppose the order of the High Court, but just demanded resettlement and adequate compen-sation. As a citizen, it is their democratic right to protest, demonstrate for availing their rights. At the same time, if they are doubtful as illegal migrants, judicial action is inevitable before declaring ex gratia to them. The Rs five lakhs of ex-gratia for each casualty and Rs fifty thousand for the injured person is just for temporary consolation of a community but the trend of state-sponsored atrocity over the marginal community is a never-ending problem.

The protest march in Kaziranga made it amply clear that they were pleading for compen-sation and their resettlement. Actually, just before eviction, the Assam Government was very categorical about providing compensation to all the indigenous people of Kaziranga. So, it spread a fear psychosis and a sense of depri-vation among the Muslims and subsequently the massive mobilisation occurred. The All Assam Minority Students Union (AAMSU) and the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samity (KMSS) led the protest march on September 19, 2016 and in the people-police confrontation, two young protesters were killed in police firing while more than two dozen, including a policeman, were injured. The police used teargas first and within a very short span of time (just 15 minutes) used bullets targeting the mob and the whole situation deteriorated. The incident had some similarity with the police firing in Barpeta targeting the agitators for refuting the moda-lities of the then NRC (National Registration of Citizen) in the year 2010. Every movement develops with some hidden factors, but at the same time it is the states responsibility to control them amicably. But, everywhere, the marginal communities are softly targeted; hence the democratic ethos is crumbling down. The chauvinist stance even of the police as well as administrators is the hidden force for such a dreadful situation. Such fascist attitude of the state institutions is a challenge to democracy across the world.

The eviction process is one of the major initiatives of the present government to achieve the popular support of the common people. It is a legally sanctioned case and at the same time has close relations with the sentiments of the Assamese. So, the government initiated action without fail. A large number of people, civil society groups have extended their support to the government initiatives for the sake of the communitys interest. Organisations like the All Assam Lawyers Association (AALA), AASU, AJYCP, Loka Jagaran Mancha, Kaziranga Wildlife Society, and so on had welcomed the governments initiative. However, the AAMSU, KMSS, Jamiat Ulema Hind, Char Chapori Xahitya Parishad etc. are worried over the situation wherein hundreds of families are displaced including the families of the deceased. The hasty decision of the State Government to execute the Court order defying the ground reality is nothing but cruelty against humanity. Moreover, with eviction in the month of September (water is everywhere) without advance compensation, it will be very difficult to resettle them.

The Advocate General of Assam acknow-ledged that Banderdubi and Deochur Chang villages had been declared revenue villages in the year 1961 and therefore these are not part of the Kaziranga National Park. (GHC Order pp. 21) However, the Gauhati High Court ordered the fast eviction of the inhabitants in the second, third, fifth and sixth additions of the Kaziranga National Park. (Ibid., pp. 36-37) In the eviction drive, the village school and mosque were not demolished. The village school was established in the year 1966 and similarly the village mosque in the beginning of the 1960s. The people settled here a couple of years before Kaziranga was declared a world heritage. However, the matter being under adjudication, people are bound to act in accordance with the legal procedure. The Kaziranga killing is acutely related to the law and order situation, but tackling all these in a harsh manner is really unfortunate. If we see through the prism of communalism, most of the institutions, that is, the police, military, media, bureaucrats etc. the engaged peopleare individually communal and act harshly or in a biased manner in their respective fields. In this regard, the marginalised communities are relentlessly becoming victim everywhere. This helps to create structural marginalisation, subjugation of a community by others.

It is very sensitive to assert here that the eviction drive has a link with the failure to protect the rhino in Kaziranga. With the severe criticism against the former government and at the same time the call to restore the pride of Kaziranga, through the recent attempt, the whole issue is being sought to be deviated. So, the present eviction drive is nothing but an attempt to malign the Forest Ministry for its failure. These are the tactics of the present government that negotiates every issue with a sense of nationalism. At present, the sense of patriotism is structurally under the custody of the Rightist group. Hence, it is very advanta-geous for the BJP to cherish the sentiments of the Assamese through protection of the jati, mati and bheti.

References

1. Azad, Abdul Kalam (2016), Dehumanising Muslims in Assam, Media in Practice, September 23, 2016.

2. Hussain, Monirul (1993), The Assam Movement: Class Ideology and Identity, Manak Publication, New Delhi.

3. Kaziranga National Park vs. Union of India and others, PIL (suo motu) 66/2012, 67/2012, and WP(C) 648/ 2013 and 4860/2013 (Gauhati High Court, August 9, 2015).

4. The Assam Tribune, July 21-25, 2016.

The author is a Ph.D Researcher, Department of Political Science, Gauhati University.
Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2016 > Saffron Law in Congress-ruled Karnataka

The pseudo-nationalists have made Kashmir an issue of nationalism in Karnataka. If indivi-duals or groups meet together to discuss or debate on Kashmir or screen a documentary about Kashmir, it is termed an anti-national act. In the month of August at a meeting held at an important city college, I was requested to preside over a panel, consisting of two Professorsone from the University of Bangalore and another from a Centrally-funded universitya Kashmiri journalist working in Bangalore and a former Foreign Service bureaucrat, discussing the Kashmir issue. The objective of the college, of course, was noble. As a part of the curriculum they had sufficiently prepared for the panel through readings and classroom presentations. The panel was meant to further explore the subject so that students gain clarity on the issue of national concern. There were students and individuals from other institutions as well in the gathering. Of the many shades of opinions expressed there, the opinion of the journalist from Kashmir was very different. And that opinion was different because the journalist was speaking out of his own experience in the State of Kashmir and of the threat that the armed forces pose to human rights in the Valley. A section did not want to listen to him. They were sure of what he would say and once they heard him and came to realise that he was a Muslim and a journalist, there was nothing but intolerance at a wonderfully presented experience of life. The debate that followed was not on the people of Kashmir but the focus was on who should own Kashmir and to whom does it belong as a territory. There was hardly any sensitivity to the people of Kashmir and the blood that has flown on those streets since independence. Those who took to state-centric positions and made a case for unity in uniformity were applauded.

At the end of the panel discussion there were not many who had changed their mental positions. Many in the audience had internalised the version of the state on Kashmir and they were in the meeting to impose their world view than explore the issue further. Those who articulated outside the state position were looked upon with suspicion. And I was told that some of them even received threats after leaving the premises. The role of the people of Kashmir in a democracy was hardly discussed. Why is there such an intolerance even to discuss an issue like Kashmir and the peoples right over their lives? Have we become an insecure nation? Are Kashmiris enemies of the nation? If they do not occupy a respectful place in our minds how would they occupy a respectful place in the nation? That surely is the root cause of the alienation.

Screening of Documentaries

A few days later there was a screening of two documentaries on Kashmir for students from different colleges and people from civil society at St. Aloysius Degree College. The college had offered the space to Friends of Kashmir to screen the documentariesKhoon Diy Baarav, a film by Iffat Fatima, and Jashn-e-Azadi, a film by Sanjay Kakon August 27 and 28, 2016 from 3.00 pm to 6.00 pm. The Directors of the two documentaries had come down, one from Delhi and the other from Chennai. At 12.00 noon, just three hours before the screening, there was a first call from a friendly cop enquiring about the show. By 1.00 pm there were more than enough cops from different sectorsIntelligence, local Police Station and the Commissioners Office. We were made to feel that we had committed a crime by agreeing to have the documentaries screened. Not that the police were crude or cruel. They all looked friendly and did not find anything objectionable in screening the two documentaries one of which was approved by the Censor Board, it was conveyed to us when asked.

Our question was: why should the police come to an educational campus for a normal educational activity? We were asked to inform the local police station about the screening of the films for security reasons. We willingly did it and thought the police would prevent any problem if anybody creates disturbance. Of course, we did not think that anybody would come to make problems. It was not a public show and after college hours for students of city colleges and members of the civil society. The screening was in the college hall and there was no reason for anybody to object. Besides, one of these documentaries was approved by the Censor Board while the other of Sanjay Kak had received international applause. Since the Intelligence had warned us of the possibility of problems, as good citizens we did inform the local Police Station.

But we were taken aback when we were asked to cancel the show due to likely problems of law and order. We wondered what problems could be caused by the screening of the documentaries. After all, these documentaries were available in the public domain and they were not dubbed anti-national. And even if they were considered anti-national, the right of citizens to view them could not be denied by the state. We thought the police existed to protect citizens from anti-social forces and not to prevent colleges from performing their academic and national functions.

Is it Anti-national to Discuss Kashmir?

We were intrigued. There was nothing wrong that we had done by agreeing to screen the two documentaries. Screening the two documentaries and discussing them constituted a national act. Nobody has the right to impose ones opinion on others in an educational institution of higher learning. Students come to learn by seeing, discussing, arguing and reflecting. But how are students to know if they are not exposed? Why shouldnt the people and students know the various dimensions of the conflict before they make up their minds on the issue? In case any group acts against the norms of decency and violates the rights of citizens, it is the duty of the state to take action against the group. To tell an institution not to screen documentaries of relevance because of threats is to give in to threats rather than fight against them.

A secular state is expected to fight against those who seek to obstruct and control. Karna-taka is ruled by the Congress which claims it is secular and committed to freedom. We thought a professed secular government would back any discussion and debate on anything in the country so that students become aware in understanding the issues in depth. There are forces hostile to the documentaries. Instead of fighting those forces which are determined to control the spaces of the mind, the State Government gives into their threats.

Amnesty International with Broken Families

Two weeks prior to the planned screening of the documentaries, there were problems in the United Theological College caused by the ABVP; just a kilometre away from the College a meet was organised to discuss the problems of broken families from Kashmir. The role of the government in power was shameful. On August 13 to be exact, the United Theological College had offered its premises for the meeting with Kashmirs broken families to Amnesty International. Broken Families was a multi-city event where three families were invited to discuss their experiences of the tension in Kashmir. What the organisation aimed at was a peaceful discussion on the issue of Kashmir. There were three resource persons. The person who chaired the session was Ms Seema Mustafa, editor of www.thecitizen.in from Delhi. The ABVP had termed those who spoke there, some of the people deeply committed to secularism in the country, as anti-nationals and created law and order problems making a demand that the speakers and those who shouted aazadi be booked under the law of sedition. Much of the allegations there were manufactured.

The incident was widely debated with the BJP coming out on the streets, saying that a case of sedition be registered against Amnesty International and they be banned from India. Finally, bowing to pressure, on August 15, the State Police filed an FIR, under Section 124A of the IPC amounting to sedition, against the NGO. And the Congress Government refused to take stringent action and book the personnel of the ABVP and BJP for creating ruckus. The police charged Amnesty International India under Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code, which defines sedition as that action which brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt, or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards the Government of India. Unnamed repre-sentatives of the non-government organisation were also booked under Sections 142, 143, 147, 149 (unlawful assembly and rioting) and Section 153A (promoting enmity between groups). A senior police official said the police were investigating the veracity of the complaint and would fix culpability based on videos of the event. The programme had ended with groups breaking into pro-India and pro-Kashmir independence sloganeering. Amnesty had responded to the allegation that they had no part in any sedition activities. After booking the group under sedition, the Karnataka Home Minister, Dr G. Parameshwara, literally gave a clean chit to Amnesty International in the anti-India sloganeering controversy. Speaking at a public event organised by the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) on the occasion of the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and former Chief Minister D. Devaraj Urs on August 19, Home Minister Parameshwara said: I do not believe Amnesty International conducted any seditious activity. The programme by Amnesty Inter-national was organised to instil confidence among those Kashmiris who were facing heavy losses. In his confrontational speech, Paramesh-wara called upon the Congress workers to resist the protests held by the ABVP.

Who has to resist the ABVP first? The State Government. Why does the government ask the people to fight these forces, without providing support to those in the struggles and by seting an example from the top? Besides, the way the government is treating the saffron forces one does not get the impression that the Congress is fighting the communal forces at all. The BJP had expanded its base in the State precisely because the Congress had failed to be secular. Does shouting aazadi, which Amnesty Inter-national said they were not involved in, amount to sedition? The Home Minister as a lawyer should have known about it. Was his public statement due to pressure from the party High Command or out of conviction? Amnesty did nothing wrong.

Other than a small group that was determined to draw mileage for politics from that aazadi, all the rest were clear that there was no case fit for sedition in the event. What was surprising was that the Minister once again backed out from absolving the Amnesty from any wrong-doing when attacked by the BJP and said that he would wait for the police report.

Why was Amnesty Booked?

The reason why the State booked Amnesty International is still difficult to comprehend to the citizens other than the fear of the BJP making the issue political. There was nothing wrong in bringing together the broken families of Kashmiris. Is it wrong to criticise the armed forces for their excesses at the meeting? Arent these excesses reported in newspapers and social media? Secondly, why is aazadi a bad word? How does shouting of aazadi amount to sedition? There cannot be only one meaning for the word aazadi though the fanatics and fundamentalists may reduce it to a single meaning. Instead of promoting and encouraging associations like Amnesty, who work for the promotion and protection of human rights, the organisation is threatened for anti-India activities. And what is surprising is that those who create public nuisance and law and order problems are called nationalists. And all those who created trouble at the premises of the college were from the ABVP.

There were breakages as a result of stone throwing. Instead of firm action against the culprits of violence for damaging property and their undemocratic behaviour, the government goes ahead booking Amnesty International under sedition charges. The Home Minister and his Council, most of whom are from the legal profession, are aware of the meaning of the term sedition. Why did they then book Amnesty International other than the fear of the BJP? A few days after the event, the ABVP group attacked the office of Amnesty in Bangalore. But for a mild lathi charge there was nothing much done against the culprits. Why is the Congress afraid of the BJP and why does it take its decisions on pressure from the BJP and its affiliates? Why is the government not acting firmly against the forces of the Sangh Parivar in the State? This is how the democratic space is handed over by the Congress to the BJP and its organisations. Instead of going by the book of the Indian Constitution and the laws of secular India, the Congress yields to pressure unable to live in faithfulness to the secular Constitution of India. The party of course has thus become a laughing stock.

Prevention of Screening in College

Why did the police ask the college not to have a show? As far as the police are concerned, the reason they gave to us was that the screening might lead to law and order problems. When the permission was denied by the local police (though we did not seek permission but were only informed), one of the organisers met the Commissioner and wanted to know the reasons. The Commissioner at first said that there should be no problem and called his subordinate. The subordinate informed the Commissioner that permission had been denied due to the likelihood of law and order problems. The Commissioner simply told the organisers that since it was his subordinates who worked at the field he had to listen to them. Why should the Police Commissioner listen to his subordinates on an issue of protecting free spaces and free speech? The police exist to protect individuals and institutions from those who act against freedom of thought and expression, especially in institutions of higher learning. If they are unable to perform their functions, then there is no reason for their existence.

And the fact is that a sizeable section (more than 40 per cent, it is estimated) in the police force is saffron. Some may have been recruited during the BJP regime. The government has acknowledged it but failed to act against them. Otherwise how does one explain the request of the police to remove posters from the notice-board about the two documentaries? The college space does not belong to the police. It is only when the college firmly told the police that they do not have any business about notices on the college notice-board that they were silent and stopped insisting on it. In the Congress party too there are individuals who are aligned to the BJP and surely would not mind joining the party if the latter acquires power. In the situation it is difficult for the Congress to uphold the tenets of secularism.

What we are witnessing in the State is a lack of commitment to secularism by the government in power. Instead of strong commitment to freedom of thought the government is made to act against free thought. Otherwise why should the government ask any institution to prevent any kind of academic activity, specially those that further the cause of peace and harmony? Democracy and secularism cannot be enhanced through prevention but by promotion. Colleges and universities exist to discuss, to debate and to agree or to disagree. A secular state cannot be premised on beliefs and dogmas. The role of higher education is to make students critical thinkers. Those who impose a belief system and tell the people what they must hold on to control the minds, seek to keep the young as adolescents.

A mature society can be evolved only through freedom of the mind. Kashmir is a case in point. Given the fact that the Chief Minister hails from a discriminated community of Kurubas and the Home Minister is from the SC community, citizens expected greater commitment from these leaders to the protection and promotion of secularism in the State.

Dr Ambrose Pinto SJ is the Principal, St. Aloysius Degree College, Bangalore.
Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2016 > Controversy over Kerala Onam and Vamana Jayanti

by Varghese P.J.

From time immemorial Onam has been celebrated for a particular period of time as an agricultural festival based on a common belief of Mahabalis reign which provided welfare of all irrespective of caste, religion and other class divisions. As for the people of Kerala the only hero during Onam is an Asura king popularly known as Maveli. Hence Onam is considered as a popular festival of the region for all the religions, not a Hindu festival. It has been believed for myriads of centuries that Mahabali was a human king who sacrificed his life to protect his land and its people. It is a true fact that Vamana is regarded as the fifth incarnation of Mahavishnu, he is also revered and worshipped by Malayalees equally with their beloved Mahabali who once blessed them with a perfectly welfare state. The recent comment of the national President of the BJP, Amit Shah, with a term of Vamana Jayanti stirred a lot of controversies and disputes among all sorts of people in the country. This comment evoked several criticisms on this topic from all the political, religious and social circles all over the country.

The Onam season actually offers all kinds of plentifulness and sumptuousness for all types of people all over the country. It is one of the most beautiful and meaningful festivals in the world and has been an integral part of the Malayalee psyche for centuries. This festival is in popular memory the celebration of a bygone age of prosperity for Malayalees. It offers the nostalgia of a lost paradise. Malayalees all over the world still crave for a golden age of prosperity. It is believed that during those days the whole Chingam (mid-August to mid-September) was celebrated as the Onam season.

According to the legend, Diti and Aditi were the two wives of Kashyapa, the son of Prahlad. Diti gave birth to demons (Asuras) and Aditi gave birth to demigods (Devas). On one occasion Indra, the king of the Devas, went on war with the king of the Asuras. Mahabali, who defeated Indra and proceeded to occupy Indras territory. Kashyapa, after his penance in the Himalayas, returned to see Aditi weeping over the defeat of her son, Indra. Kashyapa asked Aditi to pray to Lord Vishnu. Since Aditi carried out the Vrata, Vishnu appeared before her and agreed to help Indra. Vishnu decided to teach Mahabali that the God almighty was still above him. Finally Vishnu was born as a boy to Aditi and was known as Brahmin Vamana. During his Aswamedha Yagyam, which was being performed on the advice of Guru Shukracharya, Mahabali once happened to declare that he would give anything that anyone sought from him during this yagyam. Taking advantage of Mahabalis declaration during the yagyam, Vishnu, disguised as a Brahmin, came to the yagyashala. Mahabali received the Brahmin boy with all traditional honours and courtesies. Mahabli asked Vamana what gift he desired. Vamana with a smile replied: I do not ask for anything great. All I need is some land equivalent to three paces of my feet. Disregarding his Guru Shukracharyas repeated advice, Mahabali, determined to honour his promise, begged the pardon of his Guru and asked Vamana to measure out his desired three paces of land. Vamana grew in size until he towered above the heavens. With his first footsteps he measured all of the earth, with his second step he grabbed all of heaven. There was still one foot of territory that Mahabali owed him. Unable to find any other territory, Mahabali requested Vamana to place the final step on his head as a third step of land. Vamana did so and pressed him down to the underworld. The site where he placed his foot is said to be the village of Thrikkakara which means the place of the holy foot. This place is still the main centre of the renowned Onam festival celebrated in relation to the legend of king Mahabali.

After that Vamanan, the incarnation of Mahavishnu, came to be called Tri-Vikrama (victor of three worlds) triumphing over Mahabali. Before pushing Mahabali into the nether world, Vamanan was pleased with Mahabalis generosity and granted him a boon. Due to his strong attachment to his subjects, the king Mahabali said that he would like to visit Kerala and his people every year. Lord Vishnu was pleased to grant the request. It is this homecoming of Mahabali Chakravarti which the Malayalees everywhere celebrate as Onam which falls exactly on Thiruvonam of Chingam. However, the celebrations span over almost one month starting with Atham, which is exactly ten days before, and ending with the next Thiruvonam, which falls on the next Malayalam month called Kanni.

All Malayalees, forgetting their sectarian outlooks, join together to welcome the auspicious Thiruvonam day which is the only festival celebrated by the Christians and Muslims along with the Hindus. A temple was erected in the location where Mahabali was sent down to the nether world. This temple stands over a large area in Thrikkakara, Ernakulam in Kerala. This is the only one temple where Vamanan and Mahabali are equally worshipped. Nevertheless, the celebration of Onam is mainly centered on the worthy and benevolent king Mahabali whom all sorts of people welcome during the Onam season. Onam is probably the only ancient festival in India that is not attached to any caste, religion or God. Unlike Diwali, Christmas and Eid, Onam always carries the true secular character with the tag of a festival of Malayalees and not of Hindus alone.

Kesari, the mouthpiece of the Kerala unit of the Hindu nationalist group, Rashtriya Swayam-sevak Sangh (RSS), recently published an article urging the people to celebrate Onam as the birthday of Vamana. This article stirred a debate on whether the BJP was trying to brahmanise the festival. On September 13, the BJP national President, Amit Shah, made a Facebook post showing Vamana stepping on the head of Mahabali who keeps his hand folded while Shah himself smiles from a corner. Hearty greetings on Vamana Jayanthi read the text. A Hindu Aikya Vedi leader even ventured to state that Lord Vishnu should be seen as a freedom fighter who freed Kerala from an imperialistic force (Mahabali). This statement shows how a religious flavour is added to the Onam concoction that could disturb the cultural fabric of the State.

Several vehement protests cropped up from all the political leaders of Kerala against the distorted wish of Amit Shah turning the term Onam into Vamana Jayanti. According to the Kerala Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, Amit Shah has hurt the sentiments of the people of Kerala. He demanded a prompt withdrawal of the controversial greeting poster and an apology to the Keralites from the BJP President. Vijayan added: By wishing Vamana Jayanti on the day before Thiruvonam, BJP leader Amit Shah has ridiculed Kerala, Keralites and the culture of Kerala. Onam is the national festival of Malayalees; what is being reflected in this celebration is the unity of humanity beyond the boundaries of caste and religion. To hurt the emotional sentiments of the people is not suitable for responsible political leaders. If Amit Shah has political decency, he should realise this, withdraw the Vamana Jayanti greeting, and render an apology to the Malayali community around the world. Ramesh Chennithala, the Opposition leader, also criticised the BJP national President for ridiculing the Malayalees by wishing the Keralites Vamana Jayanti on the eve of Thiruvonam. According to him, it was a part of the conspiracy to alter the traditional concept of Onam and to Savarnise the festival. He added that Malayalees will not tolerate such efforts. Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, the State chief of the ruling CPI-M, too attacked the BJP President for a hateful call to reject Mahabali and to celebrate Onam as Vamana Jayanti. He further said that the BJP national President was ridiculing the Keralites. According to him, such a greeting was part of the Hindu Rashtra agenda based on Brahmin supremacy.

However, BJP State chief Kummanam Rajase-kharan countered the allegation by saying that Amit Shahs greeting came as Vamana Jayanti which is being observed in various places in the country. Social media, including Twitter and Facebook, has already witnessed a storm of tweets, posts and comments criticising and mocking Amit Shahs controversial Vamana Jayanti greeting on the eve of Onam. It can be inferred that Amit Shahs greeting is not technically wrong. Vamana Jayanti is celebrated across the country at this point of time, especially among the Vaishnavites, to mark the incarnation of the fifth avatar of Lord Mahavishnu. Most households in Kerala also have idols made of clay or wood called Thrikkakara Appan (the Lord of Thrikkakara, the only temple in the State where Vamana is the main temple deity), which is worshipped on the eve of the Onam festival.

However, such a greeting from the national leader hurt the sentiments of a majority of Keralites because the Keralites celebrate Onam mainly as the memory of a benevolent and impartial king and of a bygone golden age rather than the worship of one of the incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Therefore, the Onam celebration always remains a festival beyond the limitations of the religious concept and class distinctions. In other words, the universality of such a festival should be kept intact for the benefit of the welfare of the State and for the harmonious existence of all kinds of people in posterity. The cultured people of Kerala will never allow any kind of political exploitation from any political party in the name of Onam, the national festival of all Malayalees all over the world.

References

Varma, Vishnu, Why the Sangh needs to leave the legend of king Mahabali alone, for Keralas sake, The Indian Express, September 13, 2016.

Business Standard, Amit Shahs Vamana Jayanti greetings to Kerala raises eyebrows, September 13, 2016.

The Economic Times, Amit Shahs Vamana Jayanti tweet sparks a row on Onam eve, September 14, 2016.

The author is a Research Scholar in Political Science, University of Kerala. He can be contacted at e-mail: varghesepj2007[at]gmail.com
Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2016 > Warmongers are Anti-National

The Indian Government, after the surgical strikes on September 29, 2016, the details of which have not been made very clear, in response to the Uri attack on September 18, appears to be in a complacent mood as a result of something which it deems to be an accomplishment. This is similar to the nuclear tests conducted on May 11, 1998. Even then some BJP leaders indulged in chest-thumping; some were issuing warnings and threats to Pakistan. But before the end of that month, Pakistan too conducted its tests, taking India by surprise. Hence those celebrating Indias success at the border must be cautious. India has not carried out a strike which will deter Pakistan from attacking India directly or through its proxy in future. When the nuclear tests were conducted, we were told that India now possessed a weapon that, what to talk of Pakistan, even the US would be wary of. But before Atal Behari Vajpayee could conclude his term as the Prime Minister, Pakistani forces infiltrated in Kargil.

Just like the arms race between India and Pakistan accelerated after the nuclear tests, even though the social indices of the two neighbours are the worst compared to their neighbours in South Asia, consuming invaluable resources which should have been spent on making basic necessities of life available to its citizens, competition in acquiring material for mutual destruction would receive a similar fillip after the Indian surgical strikes. It would be under-estimating Pakistan if we think that it would be discouraged from carrying out its regular incursions in future because of our surgical strikes. The problem with the arms race is nobody knows when itll end. With technological advancement more sophisticated and dangerous weapons become available. If one country acquires a certain weapon then it becomes mandatory for the other to acquire something which is of equal destructive potential. The weapons are acquired for ones security. But they actually increase the feeling of insecurity. First we worry only about our security, then we have to worry about the security of our weapons too. For example, countries possessing nuclear weapons have to worry about their security as well. It is a matter of grave concern for the US that the Pakistani nuclear weapons should not fall into the hands of Islamist extremists.

Currently India has created a situation which will trigger another round of arms acquisition between the neighbours. Countries which will benefit are the US, Israel, Russia, Britain, France, China, etc., from whom India and Pakistan will buy their arms. The money which should have been spent on education, health care, food security, housing, sanitation, to ensure that no child is malnourished and no woman is anaemic, will now be spent on purchasing weapons. Hence, even building an atmosphere of war is a crime against the poor people of both countries.

Rajnath Singh has declared that the 3323 km long India-Pakistan border will be sealed. Boundaries are made by humans and they have a history of changing. People and material will keep moving across India-Pakistan border because people on both sides have relatives and their religious places on the other side. People want to travel across the border. Two countries have cultural affinity. In nowhere else in the world, the language spoken in large parts of north India, known as Hindi in India and Urdu in Pakistan, is understood so well as in Pakistan. At a time when European countries have made their borders irrelevant, we are talking about sealing our borders! West and East Germany demolished the wall between them. We want to build one between India and Pakistan! If there are governments in the two countries in future who decide to make peace, then the money spent on sealing the borders will go waste. Hence, the effort should be to open the borders, not seal them. Impregnable border is a sign of animosity, open border is a sign of friendship. Enmity is short-term, non-permanent, friend-ship is long-term, stable. Hence the decision of the Indian Government to seal the border lacks wisdom and is anti-people. It is a waste of public resources. Is there a guarantee that sealed borders will prevent terrorists from invading? Aerial attacks and through sea, like the one in Mumbai, can still take place. Worst, they can infiltrate, physically and mentally. How will the sealed border prevent somebody inside India from being radicalised? We should look for solutions so that terrorists stop coming and people stop becoming radicals. It requires deeper introspection than a symbolic gesture of sealing borders.

People die in wars. It is not always the terrorists or combatants who die. As we saw in over three months of protests in Kashmir, the bullets of the security forces killed children, women and the old too. Even the family of a soldier doesnt want him to die. They want to see him return alive. His job is to protect the border. He sacrifices his life in very special circumstances. It is the governments which create situations in which the soldier may have to sacrifice his life or he may remain safe. If the governments are not able to solve their problem with neighbouring countries, then the soldiers may have to sacrifice their lives. If the governments show intent of solving the problem then the soldiers may not be required to risk their lives. War is a sign of failure of the government to solve the problem with neigh-bours, and peace is a sign of success. A govern-ment which is concerned about its citizens will never want to go to war. On the other hand, a government insensitive towards its citizens will put their lives in danger.

To create war hysteria in the country is not patriotism but anti-national, as it will lead the country to disaster. It is not a sign of responsible government which allows the politics of jingoism. The government and Bharatiya Janata Party may temporarily gain from the war or building the atmosphere of war, but the citizens stand to lose in the long term.

Noted social activist and Magsaysay awardee, Dr Sandeep Pandey was recently sacked this year from the IIT-BHU where he was a Visiting Professor on the charge of being a Naxalite engaging in anti-national activities. He was elected along with Prof Keshav Jadhav the Vice-President of the Socialist Party (India) at its founding conference at Hyderabad on May 28-29, 2011.
Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2016 > Misplaced Blame-game

Pakistans National Security Advisor Sartaj Aziz has said that there is no room for improvement in relations between India and Pakistan so long as Narendra Modi is the Prime Minister of India. This is the most undemocratic and anti-people remark any person could have made. That it comes from a top Pakistan official is all the more disappointing and deplorable.

Modi is a duly elected Prime Minister and he and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were voted to power in open, fair elections. Dissent is a part of democracy but it does not mean that a dissenter should be given the No. 1 position. I do not like the ideology of Modi and his party but he is the Prime Minister of India and I, as a citizen of the country, accept him in that position.

Sartaj is only shutting his eyes to the facts. His opinion does not count in the face of reality: the assumption of power by the BJP and Narendra Modi through the polls. The cat was out of the bag when the National Assembly, which he was addressing, passed a unanimous resolution on the atro-cities in Kashmir. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also drew a blank at the UN where he tried to raise the issue.

Seventy years have gone by and there is no normalisation of relations between the two countries because of Pakistans insistence on raising the Kashmir issue at different world forums. It was agreed between Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Indira Gandhi at Shimla in 1970 that Kashmir was a bilateral issue and it had to be sorted out by the two, without any interference of a third party.

Since the Kashmir problem had remained unresolved I met Lord Radcliffe during a visit to London to know his viewpoint. He readily agreed to meet me but on the condition that I would not discuss the line which he had drawn between India and Pakistan at the time of partition. I assured him that I was not renewing the issue because I had no ulterior motive. But I just wanted to understand the rationale behind the line delineated.

Lord Radcliffe lived at a flat on the Oxford Street, London. When he opened the door I thought that he couldnt be Radcliffe because I had imagined that there would be fuss in meeting the Lord. On the contrary, when I went to his flat he asked me if I would have a cup of tea. When I said yes, he himself went to the kitchen and prepared the tea.

I knew that Lord Radcliffe had refused to collect his fee of Rs 40,000 which Lord Mount-batten had offered him when he was approached to demarcate the border between India and Pakistan. A sensitive man that he was, Lord Radcliffe thought that the blood of one million people, who took upon themselves to migrate from one country to another, was on his conscience. That is the reason why he refused to collect the fee.

He said he was surprised that the two countries had gone to war on Kashmir which he considered an insignificant territory. He blamed Lord Mountbatten for having given a tehsil in Gurdaspur to connect India with Kashmir. Without it, there would have been no link of India with Kashmir.

There was yet another evidence of Lord Mountbattens antics when a letter from him was retrieved from the debris of a plane crash in the northern part of Pakistan. The letter was being carried by his personal aide who was travelling in the plane. Pakistan has quoted this incident as a evidence of a nefarious design by Lord Mountbatten who was nourishing the grievance against Pakistan for not making him the joint Governor-General.

I was amazed by the disclosures that Lord Radcliffe made when he said that while drawing the line he had given Lahore to India. But when he realised that Pakistan would not have an important place to locate its capital, he had allotted it to Pakistan.

Pakistan has itself to blame for the conditions prevailing in Kashmir. When the British quit, Maharaja Hari Singh of Jammu and Kashmir announced his independence. Pakistan sent its regular troops because it did not accept the Maharajas decision. Indias first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, did not accept the Maharajas accession until he made Sheikh Abdullah, the popular Kashmiri leader, in prison at the time, the Prime Minister of the state.

There was so much delay in Nehru giving his nod to the accession that the Pakistani troops reached the outskirts of Srinagar airport. The Indian forces were flown in and they reached at the nick of time to secure the airport. Captain Rai was the first casualty. Had the Pakistani forces not wasted time in looting and raping at Baramulla, they would have had the control of the airport. If they had done so, the entire story would have been different.

I think it was wrong of Sartaj Aziz to pick on Modi because when he stopped at Islamabad, Kashmirs accession was history. Modi had no hand in it. He started with all the goodwill and visited Islamabad to participate in the birthday celebrations of Nawaz Sharifs granddaughter.

Pakistans obsession is with Islam, the religion, that they made the state religion. Since Modi is considered an exponent of Hindutvahe was an RSS pracharakhe is blamed for all the wrong that had happened to the Muslims in India after partition. Posterity will confirm that the border accepted on the basis of religion is a permanent wrong done to the people of both the countries. They remain segregated because one is Hindu and the other is Muslim.

I hope that the dream of Pakistans founder, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, comes true. He said that the two countries would live like America and Canada. They would, Jinnah said, cease to be Hindus and Muslims, not in the religious sense but otherwise, and stop mixing religion with the state.

The author is a veteran journalist renowned not only in this country but also in our neighbouring states of Pakistan and Bangladesh where his columns are widely read. His website is www.kuldipnayar.com
Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2016 > Dispel the Spectre of WarIt is Doable

Indias September 29 cross-LoC strike was conducted professionally, as expected of the apolitical Army of the Indian Republic. Pakistans predictable response is denial of it ever having happened. It could have been left at that, but the government and the Opposition (such as it is), encouraged by TRP-hungry TV channels, provoking certain publicity-hungry military veterans, have been using the apolitical Armys professionalism to make political or personal capital out of the success of the operation, thus stoking war hysteria among a vocal minority.

More specifically, Defence Minister Parrikar stated that it was he who enabled the Army to realise its own power and capability. Further, notwithstanding PM Modi discouraging chest-thumping at the success of the strike, Parrikar is freely indulging in it, even suggesting that enlargement of the conflict is possible.

Somewhat more worrying is the fact that the USIBC (US-India Business Council) sees tremen-dous [business] opportunity for the USAs military-industrial corporations, as tensions heighten between India and Pakistan. Whether or not India and Pakistan are presently economi-cally or logistically capable of entering into even a short war (as in 1965, 1971 or 1999), the assurance of business in military hardware is being surreptitiously ensured. In addition, there is sufficient unfortunate precedent for countries entering into war or conflict simply to divert public attention from domestic problems, and India and Pakistan (and the USA and China too) presently have that motivation.

Chinese artfulness overshadowed PM Modis jhula diplomacy at Sabarmati soon after Modi assumed charge as the PM, since even while Modi sipped tea with Xi, Chinese troops were intruding into India near Depsang La in Ladakh, and most of PoKs Gilgit was already occupied by the Chinese PLA troops. Modis 2016 Indepen-dence Day mention of Pakistans problems in Balochistan, followed by an important Balochi seeking asylum in India, and most recently by a Balochi official proposing creation of a Balochi government-in-exile in India, have clearly turned China more openly against India, because its China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) terminates in Gwadar port on Balochistans Arabian Sea coast.

Some strategic thinkers suggest that India taking on Pakistan actually amounts to challenging China, thus opening our northern and eastern fronts in addition to our western front with Pakistan. It must be recalled that with the Lhasa railway in operation, China has excellent logistic support for its military already deployed on Indias Tibetan border, within comfortable missile range of Indias populous heartland cities. Further, we must not fail to note that when India proposed reworking the Indus Water Treaty to punish Pakistan, China immediately brought up its control over Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) waters to effectively kill the proposal.

India had drawn close to the USA with PM Manmohan Singhs initiative for strategic partnership with successive US Presidents Clinton, Bush and Obama, when LEMOA and CISMOA, both of military importance, were proposed. There being no substantive difference between the (essentially neoliberal) strategic-economic outlooks of the NDA-1, UPA-1 and 2, and NDA-2 governments, today these two Agreements are on the verge of being operationalised. This has worsened India-China relations, while Pakistan peevishly demanded similar treatment from the USA. All this has driven the Pakistani statethe present elected government ostensibly in the driving seat, but with the steering wheel, accelerator and clutch-and-gears controlled by its Armyever closer to China, which has over the years provided it nuclear technology, weapon-delivery systems and hardware.

A section of Indias electronic media has sought to humiliate Pakistan by tom-tomming the eminently successful September 29 cross-LoC strike, even as India has launched a diplomatic offensive to isolate Pakistan in the international community. With East Pakistan gone (1971) and Balochistan40 per cent of its land areanow on the block, Pakistan feels threatened and cornered, but is predictably defiant in the warmth of Chinas unconditional support.

Indias choice of close (albeit subordinate) strategic partnership with the USA has alienated both China and Russia, which have been moving closer together because of the common threat represented by the USA in the Pacific and NATO in Europe. Pakistan is moving closer to both China and Russia, and the strategic lines are being drawn more clearly. At the same time, India-Pakistan relations are in a tail-spin, with India talking about Balochistan while Pakistan talks of the Kashmir unrest, and both beat the war drums.

With terror-exporter Pakistan effectively run by its India-hating military-ISI combine, and badly hit by its own Frankenstein monster on the one hand, and a strongly Right-wing govern-ment in India embattled by a make-or-break political situation at home on the other hand, the subcontinent appears close to escalation of military hostilities, possibly even war. By talking at each other rather than with each other, India and Pakistan are doing what can only profit the military-industrial corporations which manu-facture and supply military hardware, and smell business opportunity in the deaths and wounds of the inevitable victims of war.

War is the product of forces in the inter-national political stratosphere, caused by default or design of politicians, and prosecuted by Generals who are far from the battlefronts. Battles are fought by middle-rank and junior officers, JCOs and soldiers, who are the primary casualties. No soldier of any country in his right senses wants war, even if he trains and prepares assiduously for it, and proudly rises to the occasion like the Indian officer and soldier have repeatedly done. The common citizen of every country wants peace and social tranquillity, not war.

But today, the Indian subcontinent is teetering on the edge of war. It is therefore the crying need of the hour for all right-thinking citizens in India and Pakistan to speak up and prevail upon their respective governments to de-escalate tensions and begin talks, rein in the war-mongering sections of the media and the public, and initiate appropriate diplomatic measures without, at the same time, lowering the military guard. This is eminently doable if military efficiency and prowess is not subordinated to domestic or international political expediency. As far as India is concerned, NO WAR should be our opening mantra if we want peace and development according to sab ka saath, sab ka vikas, coined by PM Modi himself.

Major General S.G. Vombatkere, VSM, retired as the Additional DG (Discipline and Vigilance) in the Army HQ AGs Branch. He is a member of the National Alliance of Peoples Movements (NAPM) and Peoples Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL). With over 500 published papers in national and international journals and seminars, his area of interest is strategic and development-related issues.
Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2016 > Goa Meetings in Perspective

EDITORIAL

Several major developments have taken place in the last few days. But none of these can possibly minimise the importance of the recent meetings in Goa: the Indo-Russian summit punctuated by the Modi-Putin meeting on October 15; the BRICS summit on October 15-16; and the BIMSTEC meet as well as the BRICS-BIMSTEC outreach summit on October 16.

As for the Indo-Russian summit, as former Indian ambassador to Moscow P.S. Raghavan wrote in The Hindu yesterday in an article entitled Reinventing Old Links, the summit was high on both symbolism and substance.

The three defence cooperation projects and notable, not only for their functional importance, but also for the speed of their progress from announcement to agreement. The decision to jointly manufacture Kamov Ka226T helicopters in India was announced in 2014, an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) was concluded in 2015, and a shareholders agreement was signed in Goa. The S-400 air defence system and building of naval frigates have taken an even shorter time from inception to IGA. This is a refreshing departure from the glacial progress of most defence projects. Two other decisions could have a far-reaching impact on India-Russia defence cooperation: the establishment of a ministerial-level Military Industrial Conference to identify new projects and resolve pending issues, and a Science and Technology Commission to facilitate development and sharing of cutting-edge technologies.

Beyond defence too there has been significant progress to raise bilateral cooperation to a new levelfor example, the units 5 and 6 of the Kudankulam nuclear power plant are under finalisation and six more are in the pipeline.

The Indo-Russian Joint Statement has also declared zero-tolerance for direct or indirect support of terrorism with the emphasis on the need to deny safe haven to terrorists. This was reflected in the Statements observations on Afghanistan as well. At the political level Moscow reiterated its support for New Delhis permanent membership of the UN Security Council.

Much has been written about the BRICS summit. Even a cursory glance at the 110-para Goa Declaration of the Eighth BRICS Summit would bring out that as many as five fairly lengthy paragraphs cover the issue of terrorism. True, there is specific reference to ISIL or Daesh but not to LeT and JeM. However, why should one be blind to the specific demonstrations of solidarity with India on the subject? As, for example,

We strongly condemn the recent attacks against some BRICS countries, including that in India. We strongly condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and stress that there can be no justification whatsoever for any acts of terrorism, whether based upon ideological, religious, political, racial, ethnic or any other reasons. We agree to strengthen cooperation in combating international terrorism both at the bilateral level and at international fora.

Further,

We call upon all nations to adopt a comprehensive approach in combating terrorism, which should include countering violent extremism as and when conducive to terrorism, radicalisation, recruitment, movement of terrorists including Foreign Terrorist Fighters, blocking sources of financing terrorism, including through organised crime by means of money laundering, drug trafficking, criminal activities, dismantling terrorist bases, and countering misuse of the Internet including social media by terror entities through misuse of the latest Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). Successfully combating terrorism requires a holistic approach. All counter-terrorism measures should uphold international law and respect human rights.

Yet some commentators have taken exception to two paras in the beginning of the Declaration that highlight the transition to a more just, equitable and democratic multi-polar international order requiring a comprehensive, concerted and determined approach based on the spirit of solidarity, mutual trust and benefit, equity and cooperation, strong commitment to international law and the central role of the United Nations; the commitment to resolutely reject the continued attempts to misrepresent the results of World War II; and the connection between development and security that are closely interlinked, mutually reinforcing and key to attaining sustainable peace.

The formulations in these paras have been criticised for being anti-US. In reality there is nothing in these two paragraphs which can be objected to if one reads them without jaundiced vision.

As for the BIMSTEC document, it has been even more explicit on the issue of terrorism. The relevant paragraph clearly spells out the necessary tasks on this score at this juncture bringing into focus that our fight against terrorism should not only seek to disrupt and eliminate terrorists, terror organisations and networks, but should also identify, hold accountable and take strong measures against States who encourage, support and finance terrorism, provide sanctuary to terrorists and terror groups, and falsely extol their virtues, while asserting: There should be no glorification of terrorists as martyrs.

Overall the meetings were rewarding and the final documents highly balanced. Of course PM Modi wanted special stress on cross-border terrorism which the BRICS summit declaration did not project. But this can hardly be construed as the summits failure.

The successful outcomes of the Goa meetings far outweigh the so-called negative results that are being deliberately magnified by certain elements at the behest of vested interests.

October 20 S.C.
Mumbai: The Karan Johar movie Ae Dil Hai Mushkil starring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan will hit theatres after a compromise was reached between Maharashtra Navanirman Sena (MNS) and film producers. The MNS chief Raj Thackeray and Karan Johar participated in the meeting held at the official residence of Maharasthra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

The film producers agreed not to cast Pakistani actors anymore while Karan Johar accepted the MNS demand to pay Rs.5 crores to the Army welfare fund.

Several critics have slammed the BJP for letting Raj Thackeray walk away claiming a victory while making scapegoats of artists and cinema. The Army also severely criticized such politicization and said that it accept funds that are voluntarily donated and not coerced or extorted.
Kannur: A study conducted to determine the spread of foot-and-mouth disease in the state has pointed to the indiscriminate import of infected animals from other states, especially Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Law demands that animals from other states can be brought to Kerala only after they are checked by a veterinary doctor and certificates to this effect are submitted at the check posts. But this law is more often broken than followed and infected poultry and dairy animals are easily brought into the state.

It has also been found that tsunami meat is widely sold in the state and some shop keepers request such meat since it is available for half the usual price.
MARTINSVILLE-Even after their death, William and Ella Carter continue to help the Martinsville community. Part of the couples will designated a gift of $220,664 to go to the Virginia Museum of Natural History. As a way of recognizing that donation, museum officials named the Allosaurus exhibit this week in their honor.

We are truly humbled by this generous estate gift designated by Mr. and Mrs. Carter, said Joe Keiper, the museums executive director. Estate gifts and other planned gifts like this go towards our endowment, which is key to the future success of our scientists and educators.

His comments were echoed by the museums foundation president, Manly Boyd.

The Virginia Museum of Natural History Foundation Board is very grateful for this generous estate gift designated by Mr. and Mrs. Carter, Boyd said. Gifts to the VMNH Endowment directly benefit not only children and learners of all ages today, but also future generations of Virginians who will experience programs made possible by this sustaining gift.

A member of the Virginia House of Delegates from 1954 to 1957, William Carter practiced criminal law in Martinsville for nearly 50 years. Ella Cousins Carter served as a teacher, having taught from 1941 to 1945 in the museums former facility, which was previously the Joseph Martin Elementary School. Both husband and wife valued the museum and its programs, especially the paleontology efforts.

With that in mind, museum officials said it only made sense to name a dinosaur exhibit in honor of the couple. Dr. Nick Fraser is a former curator of paleontology at the museum, now serving as keeper of natural sciences at the National Museum of Scotland. He reflected on the couples support of it, especially Ella Carter.

Mrs. Carter was an amazing person who took a great interest in the world around us, Fraser said. I always enjoyed my conversations with her and she invariably had some insightful comments to make. She was remarkably generous and I am delighted to see that the Allosaurus is to be named in her and her husbands honor.

The news comes at a good time for the museum, which has seen an increase in traffic this year. For example, from July 2015 to June 2016, the museum brought in 33,109 people. Thats up from 32,443 during the same period a year before. As of this summer, there were 557 active museums in Virginia. Combined from July 2015 to June 2016, those other 556 museums reported a total of 181,659 visits.

The donation also comes as the museum looks to expand its operation with some outdoor space.

In their meeting back in August, the trustee board voted to have an architect create a rendering for an educational pavilion that could be developed on the back of the museum property near Oakdale Avenue. The idea would be to host an exhibit with a few durable specimens, along with possibly a cylindrical wind turbine and an area where people could buy lunch after a visit. Museum officials also hope at some point to build a canopy walk, an elevated walkway near the tops of trees, from the pavilion, across Oakdale and into nearby J. Frank Wilson Park. That is also in the planning stages.

Ben Williams reports for the Martinsville Bulletin. He can be reached at benjamin.williams@martinsvillebulletin.com
Carlisle isnt the problem

With all due respect to Mr. Stone, his most recent opinions in the Oct. 11 Bulletin were interesting and somewhat factual. But, I take exception to the personal attack on Carlisle School. I graduated from Martinsville High School in 1978. This was a booming community. High schools in the area were Carver, Drewry Mason, Laurel Park, Bassett and Fieldale-Collinsville. There was full employment and good school systems.

And yes, there was Carlisle. I had a lot of friends who attended Carlisle. I even married one of them. My children went there, our choice, but they stayed local and so did our money. For almost 50 years, Carlisle has offered a private educational alternative. Ive been active in this community for over 30 years. I have served on the board at Carlisle. I served as chairman of the economic development corporation. I have interviewed many individuals for jobs here in our community. Not one has said they begrudge this community for having a private alternative in education. Actually, quite the opposite.

Today, Carlisle offers more in local financial assistance than the school charged for tuition in 1978. That sounds like a good community partner and something to praise, not condemn. Mr. Stone is right that globalization and bad trade deals have killed basic manufacturing in this country. The empty manufacturing plants and a green field sight at DuPont are evidence of that. Jobs are going unfulfilled in this community. Local employers need an educated workforce.

In the day, basic manufacturing required a basic education. Thats no longer the case. The education system needs to get better. Administrators know that. But, families must work with the system to make it better. Simply putting competition out of business is not the answer. Carlisle has no influence on the individual product our public educational system produces. Plenty of kids have graduated from the local system and gone on to do quite well. Family involvement is a common thread.

To single out a shining star in our community and assign blame where there is none is wrong and hurtful. Maybe the elephant in the room is our attitude. Its not always someone elses fault. Lets build up what is good in this community and work on the others. The micro issues Carlisle solves, as Mr. Stone says, are needed in this community and make us more attractive to employers looking to locate here. Support them.

Dean Johnson

Martinsville

The justice system is broken

The headline on a story way back on page A7 of the Bulletin caught my eye, and of course caused me to wonder out loud how an illegal immigrant (excuse me, an undocumented migrant) could be found guilty of carnally knowing a 13-14 year old girl, and may be deported. May be deported? What does it take for our judicial system to perform their sworn duties as judges and prosecutors when dealing with illegal, unlawful, criminal, offenders. Here is the case of a 21 year old self-admitted illegal immigrant committing statutory rape of a young child, under the age of 13 or 14 years old, and all he gets for both counts of rape is 11 months in prison, and he registers as a sex offender in Virginia. That is outrageous and illegal on merit. He may be deported? Why register as a child molester in Virginia if he may be deported? Will he be deported, will he become a US citizen while serving eleven months in a U.S. prison? Where is the moral outrage, where are the mothers and fathers of children in the Commonwealth to find justice and protection from illegal predators who walk willy-nilly over our unsecured borders every day? And God forbid we should want a wall on our southern borders, then we become bigots or hate mongers. How long America, before we wake up and demand protection, safety and security that our elected officials have denied us for years? The Constitution was written for citizens of this country, now it is being used to protect criminal immigrants from deportation. Build the wall, build the wall, build the wall. Think about US citizens rights for a change.

James Thomas

Bassett
meaney.jpg

Kevin Meaney, seen here in an undated publicity photo, died Friday, October 21, 2016, according to his agent. Meaney was age 60.

(Kevin Meaney/Twitter)

Actor and standup comedian Kevin Meaney, who played an executive in the 1988 film comedy "Big" and who starred as the title character in CBS comedy "Uncle Buck" in 1991, has died at age 60, his agent said Saturday.

Meaney's body was found Friday at his home in Forestburgh in Upstate New York's Sullivan County, agent Tom Ingegno told CNN. No cause of death was immediately known.

The comic was scheduled to perform Saturday night in East Providence, Rhode Island, according to his website.

Meaney grew up in Westchester County, graduating from Valhalla High School. He attended SUNY Morrisville before dropping out to enter show business, according to The New York Times.

Meaney's career was launched in 1986 when he was featured in an HBO special following several years doing standup in Boston and San Francisco, The Associated Press reported. He later made appearances on "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson" and "Saturday Night Live."

In a tweet, comedian Kevin Nealon referenced one of Meaney's routines about his high-strung parents: "So sorry to hear about the passing of comedian Kevin Meaney. He made me laugh hard. What a talent and nice guy. Truly 'big pants people.'"

So sorry to hear about the passing of comedian Kevin Meaney. He made me laugh hard. What a talent and nice guy. Truly 'big pants people.'  Kevin Nealon (@kevin_nealon) October 22, 2016

Another Meaney comedy bit involved his "I Don't Care" song in which he chanted, "I don't care. I don't care. My jokes don't go over, I don't care!"

Comedic actors Bob Saget, Barry Crimmins and Bobcat Goldthwait were among others tweeting condolences Saturday:

Kevin Meaney. So kind. So damn funny. So sorry for his loved ones for his loss. Rest In Peace dear Kevin.  bob saget (@bobsaget) October 22, 2016

There was never a funnier person, bigger talent, kinder soul or dearer friend than Kevin Meaney. I shall miss him always.  Barry Crimmins (@crimmins) October 22, 2016
BOSTON -- Both Boston police officers who were shot by a gunman in East Boston earlier this month have now been released from the hospital, according to Boston Police.

Officer Matthew Morris, a 12-year-veteran of the department, was discharged from Massachusetts General Hospital and is now undergoing continued treatment at Spaulding Rehab.

Boston Police Commissioner William Evans issued a statement Saturday on Twitter as the news was announced.

"Great to see Matt getting better," Evans said. "Thanks to everybody for all the support. Please keep the prayers coming."

Earlier in the week, Officer Richard Cintolo, a 27-year veteran of the department was also released from the hospital after he was shot in gunfight.

The two officers were "critically wounded" during the incident, but officers were able to grab the two men and give them life-saving first aid. The man who shot the officers was killed by police.
White-truck1.jpg

Boston police are searching for this white truck.

(Boston Police Department photo)

BOSTON  Boston police are searching for a white Ford F-250 truck that is believed to be driven by the perpetrator of a recent homicide that took place in Roxbury.

Police say the truck is wanted in connection with the slaying of 20-year-old Florida resident Jesse Dieusinor, who was shot to death in the vicinity of Zeigler and Dearborn streets in Roxbury on Oct. 6.

Police say the truck is a newer model with four doors.

Authorities are asking for the public's help in locating the truck. Anyone with information about in regards to its whereabouts should contact the Boston police homicide unit at 617-343-4470.
WALES -- As Katrina Stoliker placed a cross on the side of Stafford Road Sunday morning to remember the unsolved death of her brother Cory Cane, she looked around and found herself surrounded by those who know her pain.

It wasn't always that way for the 36-year-old Boylston woman. Since Cane's death almost five years ago now, Stoliker felt like she was the only person fighting to find out what happened. She felt like she was the only person who could keep the case going.

"It has consumed a huge portion of my life," she said. "I did benefits, laid down crosses and contacted the media to bring awareness to his case. For a long time I was a one-man team."

Cane, 23, of Worcester was found on Route 19 in Wales on Jan. 3, 2012. Authorities believe he was struck by a motor vehicle in the early morning hours. Stoliker said there is no evidence of a vehicle at the scene.

Stoliker hadn't returned to the scene of her brother's death until Sunday.

"This is my first time out here," she said. "I haven't been out there since then."

Not knowing what happened is frustrating, gut-wrenching and sometimes all-consuming for the families of loved ones who were killed or died under unknown circumstances.

There were days Stoliker wanted to give up fighting for her brother. She found support through the Molly Bish Foundation and Anna Maria College's Molly Bish Center. Stoliker joined a group created by Molly Bish's sister, Heather Bish, called the Families of the Missing & Murdered in New England.

Gerri Houde, a Bellingham woman whose sister was murdered in Bellingham in 1978, is one of those people supporting Stoliker. Her husband, Jeff, made the cross that was placed in Wales on Sunday.

"We are all getting together and making people understand that we are not going to give up," Stoliker said. "She's (Gerri Houde) been fighting for over 38 years."

Houde said it is important for families not to give up. The support of others in the quest for justice helps families finds strength.

"That support keeps you going," she said. "You get a sense of defeat when you feel no one is listening to you."

Cane grew up in the Main South section of Worcester with three siblings. Stoliker became Cane's legal guardian when he was 14 and she was 22.

"It was like losing a child," she said. "I don't want to give up on his case."

At the time of his death, Cane was living in Worcester, Southbridge and his then girlfriend's home in Wales.

He was walking along the side of the road on Rte. 19, also known as Stafford Road, sometime between 1 a.m., when he left a home in town on foot, and 5 a.m. when authorities found his body.

Cane's death was caused by blunt-impact to the brain, head, neck and torso, according to records. Stoliker said her brother did not have injuries below his rib cage and he had abrasions on his right hand.

"They still don't have an answer to this day on what side of the road was he walking on," Stoliker said. "I have a lot of unanswered questions. Why do they think it was a car or a box-type truck? They really don't know."

Sarah Stein, a private investigator who has worked with Molly Bish's family, said the theory is Cane was hit with some type of mirror on a box truck.

"In most hit and run cases you see injuries below the waist," she said. "His injuries were from the mid-torso to the top of his head. He also had what appeared to be defensive wounds on his hands."

Cane had alcohol and cocaine in his system when he died. Stoliker believes that fact helped make it easier for investigators to give up on the case.

"He was a 23-year-old kid and it was New Year's weekend," she said. "Automatically people stereotyped him. It didn't matter if he partied on New Year's, it didn't make it Ok for him to be killed."

In June, the Hampden County District Attorney's Office put out a news release asking for information on the death of Cane. Wales Police, State Police and investigators searched the area, collected evidence and looked for eye witnesses after Cane's body was found, but there were few leads.

"Unfortunately, with limited evidence and no known eye witnesses, investigators were left with few leads and little to follow up on," the statement read.

Stoliker said the release was put out after she met with the investigators. She had learned the trooper assigned to her brother's case had retired in 2014. She met with investigators on May 26, which was Cane's birthday. A new trooper was assigned to Cane's case in January, she said.

Stoliker still believes the investigators failed her brother. She wondered why phone records weren't checked especially after Cane's cell phone was found smashed near him.

Her brother's name is still not on the district attorney's list of unsolved homicides, which appear on the website.

As she stood near the cross on Rte. 19 in Wales, Stoliker said she hopes the memorial reminds people of what happened to her brother. She hopes someone comes forward with information and justice is found.

Anyone who may have been in the area of Route 19 in Wales that morning, or has any other information is asked to contact the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Hampden District Attorney's Office (413) 505-5993. People who wish to remain anonymous may text a tip via a cell phone by addressing a text message to "CRIMES," or "274637," and then beginning the body of the message with the word "SOLVE."
About 150 supporters of State Sen. Eric Lesser filled the lawn outside the American Legion Post 293 in East Longmeadow Saturday afternoon, as Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Rep. Seth Moulton spoke at a rally for Lesser's reelection campaign.

Lesser, a Longmeadow native, won election in 2014 after serving as a campaign and White House aide for President Barack Obama. He is running against Republican James 'Chip' Harrington, a Ludlow business owner, part time police officer and school board member.

At the rally, Lesser said that he is dedicated to expanding Western Massachusetts' access to economic development and infrastructure projects that often favor the Eastern part of the state, and touted his efforts to address the opioid crisis and improve rail service between Springfield and Boston.

"We live in a time where people are giving up in our political process, and they're giving up on the belief that politics is up to the task of solving the challenges in front of us," Lesser said, as a cold rain descended on the crowd. "Well, I have a few things to say about that. First, with Seth Moulton and Elizabeth Warren I think we're proving in Massachusetts that this is not the case here."

Warren, whose highly public condemnations of Wall Street malfeasance, economic inequality and Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump have made her a national voice for the Democratic Party's progressive wing, urged the crowd to mobilize in support of both Lesser and national Democratic causes.

Delivering remarks in which she compared the odds of Trump winning election to playing Russian Roulette, Warren said that Democrats were offering solutions to provide opportunities for workers, families and college students.

"I am proud to be a Democrat. In this election, we talk about issues on our side. We don't talk about who has the tiniest little hands or who can insult women in the ugliest possible way," Warren said.

She urged the crowd to work to elect Lesser, who she described as a political partner working to expand opportunity in Massachusetts.

"I stand with Eric Lesser because I believe this is how we build a future," Warren said. "It ain't easy to run for office, but Eric Lesser gets out there every single day and works for us."

Moulton praised Lesser's work on rail issues and described him as an advocate for veterans' issues.

"It matters that you have a senator who is out here fighting for big projects like [East West rail,]" Moulton said. "That gives access to jobs, access to housing and access to economic development."

The race between Harrington and Lesser is a rematch of sorts; Harrington, who joined the Republican party this year, ran unsuccessfully in the 2014 Democratic primary against Lesser.

Harrington has criticized Lesser over his use of out-of-district funding in his campaign, painting the freshman Senator as a careerist most interested in advancing his political ambitions. Lesser has argued that Harrington's rejection of Trump's candidacy is not sufficient, saying that he shares office space and voter databases with Trump's Massachusetts campaign operation.

The First Hampden and Hampshire District includes Ludlow, Belchertown, Granby, Hampden, Wilbraham, East Longemadow, Longmeadow, and parts of Springfield, and Chicopee.


SPRINGFIELD -- Four additional community organizations and former Mayor Robert Markel have announced their support for a "Yes" vote on the Community Preservation Act on the Nov. 8 election ballot.

If passed, the measure would establish a new property tax surcharge to aid historic preservation and open space projects. It will appear as Question 5 on Springfield voters' ballots.



Markel lives in Boston but still owns a condominium property in Springfield and pays property taxes here.



"I would welcome a surcharge on my tax bill to fund the Community Preservation program in Springfield," Markel said in a prepared statement. "Serving as a town manager in several communities since my time as mayor of Springfield, I have seen firsthand the positive impact of the Community Preservation program for affordable housing, historic preservation and open space."



Springfield CPAdvocacy, a group seeking passage of the CPA ballot question, announced Markel's support and also the support of other neighborhood and civic groups.



The new organizations supporting the CPA ballot question are the McKnight Neighborhood Council, Springfield Historical Commission, Western Massachusetts Jobs with Justice and Mattoon Street Historic Preservation Association.



"We are greatly encouraged by this growth of support -- from our former mayor as well as so many local citizen groups throughout the city," said Bob McCarroll, president of CPAdvocacy. "It's becoming abundantly clear that when people understand what CPA is and what it can actually do, the vast majority come on board with us."



If approved by voters, the CPA program would create a 1.5 percent surcharge on the property tax levy, but would exempt the first $100,000 in property valuation. The owner of an average home in Springfield valued at $134,000 would pay an annual surcharge of approximately $10, with the amount rising for homes and businesses of higher value.



Under the CPA, revenue raised by the surcharge would be set aside for community projects related to historic preservation, open space, recreation and affordable housing.



Community preservation acts have been adopted in 161 Massachusetts municipalities including some surrounding communities. In addition to Springfield, other communities considering approval of CPA this November include Holyoke, South Hadley, Pittsfield and Boston.
Jacob Goulet

Jacob Goulet

(Nashua Police | Twitter )

NASHUA, New Hampshire -- A 16-year-old New Hampshire teenager who went missing Friday evening may have disappeared into a storm drain during the heavy rainfall, according to police.

Nashua Police said on Twitter that they received a report Friday around 9:50 p.m. about a person who may have fallen into a storm drain at 75 Main St. Police were then notified Saturday morning, around 8:45 a.m. about a missing person.

Jacob Goulet, a 16-year-old student at Nashua North High School was heading home Friday night in the area of the storm drain, police said. Some items found near the drain may have belonged to Goulet.

Authorities searched for Goulet on Saturday, but he was not found. Goulet is a white male, roughly 5 feet 8-inches tall and weighs 200 pounds. He has blue eyes and black hair. He was last seen wearing a denim vest with metal studs on it along with a grey shirt, black shorts and black Converse sneakers.

Police told WCVB News that they plan to work with dive teams and firefighters to search the Nashua River, the Merrimack River and the storm drain systems.
FitzPatrick Nuclear Power Plant

FitzPatrick Nuclear Power Plant in Oswego County, New York is one of four reactors to benefit from the state's newly-approved ratepayer subsidies.

(Submitted photo)

A group of natural gas and coal power generators have sued the state of New York in federal court over its plan to provide billions in subsidies to four upstate nuclear power plants.

Governor Andrew Cuomo's plan would prop up the struggling nuclear plants to help meet the state's new Clean Energy Standard, a which calls for steep carbon reduction goals to forestall climate change.

The complaint by the fossil fuel generators was filed Wednesday in Manhattan federal court. It claims the New York Public Service Commission plan to award "zero emission credits" to the nuclear plants will artificially depress wholesale electricity prices while putting other power generators at a disadvantage. Ratepayers would underwrite the $7.6 billion cost over 12 years.

The lawsuit also says the subsidies would interfere with the federal government's authority in regulating electricity rates. Plaintiffs include Eastern Generation LLC and NRG Energy Inc.

The nuclear plants are also jockeying to limit the supply of credits within the eight-state Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, or RGGI, reports the Albany Times-Union. The changes would exert upward price pressure on clean energy credits and further increase costs for the gas and coal plants. RGGI is a cap-and-trade system where polluters must buy credits from green energy sources.

A coalition of environmentalists are fighting the nuclear subsidies, saying the technology is neither clean nor renewable, and that it's not carbon-free due to the cost of mining, milling, transport and spent fuel storage. Mark Z. Jacobson, director of the Atmosphere/Energy Program at Stanford University, called it a "nuclear bailout" in an op-ed piece for the Albany newspaper.

But according to the Nuclear Energy Institute, in order to move toward a low-carbon economy, nuclear energy must continue to be a part of the energy mix.

As New York supports its nuclear plants, New England is seeing them close. Entergy's Vermont Yankee closed in 2014, and its Pilgrim station is due to go offline in May of 2019. NextEra's Seabrook Station in New Hampshire and Millstone in Connecticut are still operational.
WORCESTER  Eleven people were rescued from a burning building in Worcester on Saturday morning, according to The Boston Globe.

Firefighters used ladders to evacuate a family of four adults and two children from the top floor of a three-story apartment on Pelham Street, after the family was spotted screaming for help out of one of the building's windows, according to reports.

The family was "trapped" on the third floor, and had been unable to exit the building through conventional means. After being safely evacuated, they were subsequently transported to UMass Memorial Medical Center for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

Additionally, five other residents of the building were safely evacuated.

Worcester's Deputy Fire Chief John Sullivan said the firefighters "did a fantastic job getting those people out under adverse conditions."

"It was one of the reasons why [crews] wanted to start the rescue immediately," said Deputy Fire Chief John Sullivan. "It was pretty dramatic, that's for sure."

Authorities are now investigating the cause of the fire.
worcester flooding

Flooding stops a car on Beaver Brook Parkway in Worcester.

(Photo submitted by Craig Martin)

WORCESTER -- Authorities continued to work to restore power in Worcester Saturday after over 5 inches of rain dumped on the city caused flooding, power outages and several road closures.

Over 1,000 people were without power around 1 p.m. Saturday. The number went down to roughly 200 people as of 5 p.m., but then increased to over 850 people roughly 15 minutes later, according to National Grid and Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency power outage maps.

MEMA's map listed 856 people without power in Worcester, while the map for National Grid listed 857 customers without power in the city. National Grid listed 7:15 p.m. as a restoration time.

On Saturday afternoon, the city said Department of Public Works and Street Department employees worked through Friday night into Saturday morning to address several issues related to the flash-flooding.

Several streets were re-opened and the city was working to clean the streets. Manhole covers have been replaced, but some may remain lifted. People were asked to call (508) 929-1300 to report uncovered manholes.

As of 1:15 p.m. Saturday, the city said the traffic signals at Highland Street at Park Avenue; Sever Street at Pleasant Street; Hawley Street at Pleasant Street; Endicott Street at Millbury Street; and Hammond Street at Southbridge Street were out but officials were working to restore power.

People were reminded to throw out any food that was without refrigeration for four or more hours.

The city's Division of Public Health and Division of Inspectional Services advised residents that the flooding might have caused raw sewage overflow. Residents were advised to treat all standing water as if it is contaminated. More information on how to handle flooding and sewage back-ups is available online.

Massachusetts State Police reported that Route 20 East and West at Route 122 in Worcester was closed due to flooding as of noon Saturday, but they reported around 2 p.m. that Rte. 20 West had all lanes open and Rte. 20 East had one lane open.

The city closed Crompton and East Park along with the Beaver Brook Park field.
CLINTON -- Three people died from heroin overdoses in Clinton on Friday, prompting police to warn people about a "very lethal" batch of the drug circulating in town.

On Friday, the police department issued a warning on Facebook about the deadly batch of heroin and asked people to be aware.

"There is a very lethal batch of heroin circulating the streets of Clinton right now," the department wrote on Facebook Friday. "Today, we have had three fatal overdoses of heroin."

The department is working with Massachusetts State Police investigators to find the source. Police had no further comment.

Clinton police defended putting the warning on Facebook after one person warned them that heroin addicts may seek out the stronger batch.

"This was posted in an attempt to positively affect a life," police wrote. "We know and took into consideration that some may seek this batch but if this message made one person aware and had them looking out for loved ones, (we think it did) then mission accomplished!"
vote here.png

A new law will allow Massachusetts voters to cast ballots ahead of the November election.

(Republican file photo)

Although more than two weeks remain until the Nov. 8 general election, Massachusetts voters can begin casting their ballots as early as Monday.

A new law allows voters across the state to weigh in on races and ballot questions from Oct. 24 to Nov. 4 -- four days before the general election, according to Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin's office.

While registered voters can submit their ballots early, the option is encouraged only for those who have made up their minds about candidates and ballot questions, said Galvin spokesman Brian McNiff. Voters will not be allowed to amend early ballots or resubmit them.

Here's what you need to know to vote early in Massachusetts:

What can I vote for on an early ballot?

Similar to absentee ballots, early ballots will include the full slate of candidates and ballot questions voters will see on Election Day, including presidential, federal, state and local races.

Where can I vote early?

In general, Massachusetts voters will be allowed to cast early ballots from Oct. 24 to Nov. 4, including on weekends. Cities and towns, however, set their own hours, dates and locations for early voting. You can find your early voting locations and hours here at massearlyvote.com.

SPRINGFIELD

City Hall, located at 36 Court St., Room 8, will hold early voting Oct. 24 to Oct. 28 between 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. On Oct. 29, City Hall will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for early voting.

City Hall will also hold early voting from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2 between 8:30 a.m. and 7 p.m., on Nov. 3 between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Nov. 4 between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Hungry Hill Senior Center, Mayflower Senior Center, 16 Acres Library, Brightwood Library, Indian Orchard Library, Pine Point Library Express, Mason Square Library and Forest Park Manor, meanwhile, will also hold various early voting hours.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

The Municipal Office Building, 26 Central St., will generally hold early voting hours Oct. 24 to Oct. 28 and Oct. 31 to Nov. 4 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. -- hours that will be extended to 7 p.m. on Nov. 3.

On Oct. 29 it will hold early voting from 8 a.m. to noon.

HOLYOKE

The Registrar of Voters, City Hall Auditorium, Holyoke Senior Center, Holyoke Soldier's Home and Holyoke High School will hold early voting hours from Oct. 24 to Oct. 29 and Oct. 31 to Nov. 4 at various times.

Check massearlyvote.com for times and dates.

CHICOPEE

City Hall, 274 Front St., will hold early voting hours Oct. 24 to Oct. 28 and Oct. 31 to Nov. 4 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., as well as from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 29.

AGAWAM

Agawam Town Hall, 36 Main St., will hold early voting hours from Oct. 24 to Oct. 28 and Oct. 31 to Nov. 4 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

The Agawam Public Library, 750 Cooper St., will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 29 and Nov. 1 for early voting. It will also hold early voting from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Nov. 3.

The Agawam Senior Center, 954 Main St., will hold early voting hours from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 25 and from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Oct. 27.

EAST LONGMEADOW

East Longmeadow Town Hall, 60 Center Square, will generally hold early voting from Oct. 24 to Oct. 28 and Oct. 31 to Nov. 4 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. -- with hours extended to 8 p.m. on Oct. 27. It will also be open for early voting from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Oct. 29.

LONGMEADOW

The Council on Aging, 231 Maple Road, will hold early voting hours from Oct. 24 to Oct. 27, and on Oct. 31, Nov. 2 and Nov. 3 between 8:15 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

It will also hold early voting hours on Oct. 28 and Nov. 4 between 8:15 a.m. and noon, and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 29.

On Nov. 1, early voting will take place from 8:15 a.m. to 7 p.m.

WILBRAHAM

Wilbraham Town Hall, 240 Springfield St., will hold early voting hours from Oct. 24 to Oct. 28 and Oct. 31 to Nov. 4 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. It will also hold early voting between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Oct. 29.

NORTHAMPTON

Early voting will be at City Hall, 210 Main St. The schedule is as follows: Oct. 24 to 28 and Oct. 31 to Nov. 3, 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Oct. 29, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Nov. 4, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Can I get text reminders to vote?

Yes. The League of Women Voters Springfield will send daily text alerts including early voting locations and hours to Western Massachusetts residents who sign up for reminders. Text VOTE413, followed by your town, to 797979 to sign up for the alerts.

Do I have to submit an early ballot in person?

No. Voters looking to cast their ballots early without visiting an early voting location can do so through mail.

To cast a ballot by mail, registered voters must download an application from massearlyvote.com and mail it to their local election official. Early ballots will be mailed out beginning Monday.

Will early votes be counted on Election Day?

Yes. Ballots submitted early will be sent to voters' respective precincts and counted on Nov. 8, according to Galvin's office.
by Joe Mandese @mp_joemandese, October 22, 2016

More than 30 years after federal regulators broke up AT&Ts monopoly of the nations communications network, AT&T is expanding its footprint once again, acquiring Time Warner for $80 billion, according to various reports citing unnamed sources.

The official announcement, which was expected to come as soon as tonight, would be the most significant consolidation of the telecommunications marketplace since Comcasts acquisition of NBC Universal, creating a second media behemoth combining AT&Ts millions of wireless and wired communications subscribers with Time Warners deep programming assets, including the Turner Broadcasting networks, HBO and the Warner Bros. movie and TV programming studio.

advertisement advertisement

The deal, which is expected to face rigorous regulatory scrutiny, is not expected to close until late 2017.
The black widow spider is probably the most venomous spider in North America. Black widows thrive in temperate climates, so they are most common in the south and western regions of the United States. People may find them in grape vineyards, outdoor toilets, or in other sheltered areas where debris builds up. These areas are perfect for the spiders to build webs and trap prey. The black widow is famous for its name, given because the female spiders are known to kill and eat males sometimes after mating. Its shiny black body is also easily recognizable. People can easily tell it apart from other spiders because the black widow has a reddish hourglass-shaped mark on its body. It can also have red and white stripes or spots on the upper part of its body. Although people often fear the black widow for its venomous bite, it is less deadly than many believe. A black widows bite can be harmful, but it is rarely fatal.

Causes: Why do they bite? Share on Pinterest The black widow spider is easy to recognize from its markings. Black widow spiders are not often aggressive. They most commonly bite people out of self-defense. Some experts would call the spider shy, as it would rather choose not to bite humans. They have no reason to bite us unless theyre threatened, says Catherine Scott, an arachnologist at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, Canada, in a Live Science interview. We pose a much greater threat to them than they do to us. Simply coming into close contact with a black widow isnt necessarily dangerous. Their bite is usually defensive. People are most at risk for getting bitten when they squeeze or pinch the spiders body, according to one study published in 2014. The authors found that even repeated poking was not enough to cause a bite, but accidentally sitting on or grabbing a black widow when reaching for something else can lead to a bite. Nevertheless, it is best not to touch the black widow with bare hands, and the best way to avoid a bite is to avoid touching the spider altogether. Anyone who has to be in contact with a black widow should try letting the spider move on its own, or use a dull object to lead it outside. Children and older people are most at risk of death from a bite. These groups should avoid being in contact with black widows as much as possible.

Appearance: What does a bite look like? All spiders have hollow fangs to inject venom into their prey. Most spiders fangs are not strong or long enough to break human skin. The black widows fangs are different, however. According to the United States Office of Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), a person may notice some pain when the spider bites, or they may not notice anything at all. Sometimes, two red puncture marks will be visible. Some people may not realize the spider has bitten them until later. But, 30 to 40 minutes later redness, swelling, and pain might start to radiate from the site.

Symptoms According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers, not all black widow bites are venomous. Firstly, only the females will bite. In addition, venom is precious to a spider. The spider will choose when to inject venom and how much, if at all. The black widow saves its venom for when it feels its life is in danger. A nonvenomous bite may not cause symptoms. The symptoms of a venomous bite may not be visible at first, but they can develop later. Along with some pain and swelling at the bite site, the following symptoms can occur with a black widows bite. They may take several hours to appear: rash or itching

severe stomach pain

strong muscle cramps in the stomach, shoulders, and back

intense chest pain and tightness

nausea and vomiting

headache

sweating

teary eyes

difficulty breathing

increased blood pressure The person should contact emergency medical services immediately. OSHA note that pain may continue for 8 to 12 hours, but other symptoms can last for several days.

Risk factors and complications A black widows bite can be venomous, but many people experience few or no health complications. In 2013, people reported around 1,866 black widow bites to the American Association of Poison Control Centers. Only 14 of them resulted in severe symptoms, and none were fatal. However, a black widows bite can be life-threatening for: children

older people

those with other health conditions During pregnancy, a bite may cause contractions and labor to begin.

Emergency response Share on Pinterest Wash the bite with soap and water and apply ice while waiting for professional help. If someone begins to experience symptoms or notices they have been bitten by a black widow, they or someone who is with them should contact the emergency medical services immediately. They may also be able to call a local poison center. The following information may be useful for doctors to know:

the age and weight of the person with the bite

how they are feeling and whether or not they have any other health problems

when they were bitten

where on the body the bite is

a description of the spider that bit them Apply first aid If possible, people should apply first aid at home while waiting for medical help. People should take the following steps, as far as possible: Wash the bite site with soap and water. Wrap ice or an ice pack in a clean cloth and apply it to the bite site. This can slow the rate at which the venom spreads through the body. If the area is not getting proper blood flow, reduce the amount of time the ice is applied. Raise the area where the bite is and keep it still. Apply an antibiotic cream or lotion to the bite to help prevent an infection. Take an over the counter pain medication for pain. Take an antihistamine for itching. Watch the symptoms for any worsening. If possible, people should put the spider or any remnants of it in a secure container. Giving this to a doctor can help them to provide suitable treatment.

Medical treatment After arriving at the hospital, a doctor or nurse will take vital signs, including their temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and breathing rate. In some cases, the doctor will order tests, such as: a urine test

a blood test

a chest or upper body X-ray

an electrocardiogram (EKG) The person may need: pain relief medication to treat the symptoms

oxygen

IV fluids If someone is experiencing severe symptoms, the doctor may give them an antivenin. This type of medication contains antibodies that help treat the effects of a poison. However, it can sometimes cause severe allergic reactions, so the doctor may prefer not to use it. In 2011, authors of a case series published in The Permanente Journal noted that a new antibody based antivenom was being developed that should have a lower risk of sensitivity. People with a heart condition may need to spend time in the hospital.

Prevention Share on Pinterest Black widows like woodpiles, rocks, and outhouses, so take care around these places. Black widow spiders do not usually live in peoples houses, but they are relatively common in the United States in yards, woodpiles, sheds, and so on. They may also be present at campgrounds and other outdoor locations. People who work outside should be careful to avoid them. Tips for reducing the risk include: shaking out all shoes, clothing, and blankets before use, especially if they have been in storage for a while

applying insect repellant to clothes and shoes

using gloves and clothes that cover the body while cleaning out woodpiles and outhouses

looking behind any garden furniture before cleaning or sweeping
The following is a list detailing Russia's military drills during October:[1]

Admiral Kuznetsov Aircraft Carrier

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier, currently en route to Syria, will unlikely be involved in exerting control over the skies over Syria. Peskov said: "I do not think that it is necessary to keep somebody away, [or that] somebody can attack [the Syrian government forces] ... as there are enough instruments to control the skies, to control the safety of our temporary infrastructure in Syria, which is why there is no such opportunity." (Sputniknews.com, October 22)

On October 15, Russia's Northern Fleet's press service said that a group of warships headed by the aircraft-carrying cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov accompanied by the Pyotr Veliky (Peter the Great) heavy nuclear missile cruiser, the Severomorsk and Vice-Admiral Kulakov anti-submarine destroyer, and support vessels was sent to the Mediterranean to hold drills and strengthen capabilities. The Admiral Kuznetsov carries deck-based Su-33 and Su-25 aircraft, as well as Ka-27/Ka29 helicopters.

The group of vessels conducted three-day exercises in the Northern Sea 273 kilometers away from the Norwegian coast. The drills involved practice flights of the carrier's aircraft. The exercises were closely monitored by the HNoMS Fridtjof Nansen, a frigate of the Norwegian navy.

On October 21, the Admiral Kuznetsov travelled through the English channel.

(Source: Vk.com/milinfolive)

Barents Sea

The Northern fleet's atomic submarine "Smolensk" conducted a live cruise missile launch drill at a coastal target in the Novaya Zemlya archipelago, in Barents Sea.[2]

Polar Region

Date: October

Place: Pechengsky district of the Murmansk Region (Polar Region)

Troops and Equipment: Over 5,000 troops, more than 500 pieces of armor and vehicular hardware.

During the drill, the troops were tasked with repelling attacks by "the notional enemy's subversive groups while en route and practicing air defense and required actions in cases where the enemy employs weapons of mass destruction." Additionally, during the drills, the troops will prepare for defensive actions and offensive attacks.[3]

Central Military District

Date: October

Place: Samara region

Troops and Equipment: 1,500 military servicemen from the Central Military District's (CMD) peacekeeping brigade

Servicemen from the peacekeeping brigade of the CMD have been put on alert in the Samara region as a snap check began. The local military press service stated: "The troops have carried out a march to the specific areas at the Roshchinsky military shooting range. The peacekeepers will train in fighting provocations and tricks of the conflicting parties aimed at destabilizing any situation. The drills involve more than 1,500 military servicemen and 400 units of military hardware." During the drills, the peacekeepers will guard important facilities (the municipality building, a school, a kindergarten, hospitals and a railway station) in a simulated settlement.[4]

Siberia

Date: October

Place: Western and Southern Siberia

Troops and equipment: 20.000 servicemen. The equipment involves motorized infantry, tank and artillery units, crews of Tolmachevo airbase, divisions of S-300 and S-400 air defense systems, task forces and specialists of all kinds of support.[5]

More than 20 000 servicemen participated in a snap check in the Central Military district - the snap check is supposed to conclude the 2016 training year. The five-days drills were held mainly in Western and Southern Siberia, while according to the operational scenario the combined forces should act in a Central Asian strategic direction.[6] According to CMD Colonel Yaroslav Roschupkin, assistant to the commander, during the drills, special attention was paid to intercepting and destroying targets, imitating "jihad-vehicles" which are used extensively by terror groups in the Middle East and Southern Asia.[7]

Western Military District

Date: October

Place: Luzhsky practice range in the Western Military District (WMD)

Troops and equipment: 100 servicemen, more than 20 pieces of combat hardware of a WMD's missile formation.

Crews manning Russia's Iskander-M tactical missile systems held drills in the Western Military District as part of a final check for the 2016 training year. The district's press office stated: "During the check, the district's command assessed the commanders' ability to make independent decisions under various conditions as well as the practical skills of Iskander-M crews in preparing the missile systems for firing and performing single and multiple electronic missile launches against targets imitating a notional enemy's command posts and radar stations located at a distance of several hundred kilometers."[8]

Iskander-M (Source: Tass.com)

Eastern Military District

The Eastern Military District (EMD) command reported that during the year 2016 the assigned aviation unit has conducted more than 300 tactical trainings, including at least 150 drills involving live launch of bombs and missiles as well as guided munitions and precision weapons.[9]

The EMD Sukhoi Su-34 pilot crews performed flights to the stratosphere. The crews also trained nocturnal flight navigation and drilled bombing attacks against ground targets at one of the local test ranges.[10]

Endnotes:
Kuwaiti activist Nasser Dashti said that the secular system is better than the religious one "by light years." Speaking in a TV debate with Islamist Ali Abu Al-Hassan, who champions the establishment of an Islamic religious state, Dashti said that the refugees fleeing from Syria prefer to die at sea in an attempt to reach Europe than to live under Islamic rule in Mecca or Najaf. The debate aired on Al-Baheth online TV on October 16.

Following are excerpts

Nasser Dashti: The secular system is better than your religious system by light years. Reality is the proof of that: Even your Muslims dream of living in a secular state. The [refugees] from Syria did not choose to go and live near the Kaaba or in Najaf. They chose to risk getting themselves killed in the sea, in order to get to Sweden, Greece, or Germany. This reality hurts. The religious system has failed to offer an alternative. I believe that the religious system should be confined to the individual. The individual is free to practice the rites of his faith, which must not transform into a collective religion, because if it does, we will see a million groups like ISIS.

[...]
The following companies are subsidiares of Pfizer: AH Robins LLC, AHP Holdings B.V., AHP Manufacturing B.V., Agouron Pharmaceuticals LLC, Alacer, Alpharma Holdings LLC, Alpharma Pharmaceuticals LLC, Alpharma Specialty Pharma LLC, Alpharma USHP LLC, American Food Industries LLC, Anacor Pharmaceuticals, Anacor Pharmaceuticals Inc., Angiosyn, Array BioPharma, Ayerst-Wyeth Pharmaceuticals LLC, BIND Therapeutics Inc., BINESA 2002 S.L., Bamboo Therapeutics, Bamboo Therapeutics Inc., Baxter International - Marketed Vaccines, BioRexis, Bioren, Bioren LLC, Blue Whale Re Ltd., C.E. Commercial Holdings C.V., C.E. Commercial Investments C.V., C.P. Pharmaceuticals International C.V., CICL Corporation, COC I Corporation, Catapult Genetics, Coley Pharmaceutical GmbH, Coley Pharmaceutical Group, Coley Pharmaceutical Group Inc., Continental Pharma Inc., Covx, Covx Technologies Ireland Limited, Cyanamid Inter-American Corporation, Cyanamid de Argentina S.A., Cyanamid de Colombia S.A., Distribuidora Mercantil Centro Americana S.A., Encysive Pharmaceuticals, Encysive Pharmaceuticals Inc., Esperion LUV Development Inc., Esperion Therapeutics, Excaliard Pharmaceuticals, Excaliard Pharmaceuticals Inc., Farminova Produtos Farmaceuticos de Inovacao Lda., Farmogene Productos Farmaceuticos Lda, Ferrosan A/S, Ferrosan International A/S, Ferrosan S.R.L., FoldRx Pharmaceuticals Inc., Foldrx Pharmaceuticals, Fort Dodge Manufatura Ltda., G. D. Searle & Co. Limited, G. D. Searle International Capital LLC, G. D. Searle LLC, GI Europe Inc., GI Japan Inc., GenTrac Inc., Genetics Institute LLC, Greenstone LLC, Haptogen Limited, Hospira, Hospira (China) Enterprise Management Co. Ltd., Hospira Adelaide Pty Ltd, Hospira Aseptic Services Limited, Hospira Australia Pty Ltd, Hospira Benelux BVBA, Hospira Chile Limitada, Hospira Deutschland GmbH, Hospira Enterprises B.V., Hospira France SAS, Hospira Healthcare B.V., Hospira Healthcare Corporation, Hospira Healthcare India Private Limited, Hospira Holdings (S.A.) Pty Ltd, Hospira Inc., Hospira Invicta S.A., Hospira Ireland Holdings Unlimited Company, Hospira Ireland Sales Limited, Hospira Japan G.K., Hospira Limited, Hospira Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Hospira NZ Limited, Hospira Nordic AB, Hospira Philippines Inc., Hospira Portugal LDA, Hospira Produtos Hospitalares Ltda., Hospira Pte. Ltd., Hospira Pty Limited, Hospira Puerto Rico LLC, Hospira Singapore Pte Ltd, Hospira UK Limited, Hospira Worldwide LLC, Hospira Zagreb d.o.o., ICAgen, Idun Pharmaceuticals, Industrial Santa Agape S.A., InnoPharma, InnoPharma Inc., International Affiliated Corporation LLC, JMI-Daniels Pharmaceuticals Inc., John Wyeth & Brother Limited, Kiinteisto oy Espoon Pellavaniementie 14, King Pharmaceuticals Holdings LLC, King Pharmaceuticals LLC, King Pharmaceuticals Research and Development LLC, Korea Pharma Holding Company Limited, Laboratoires Pfizer S.A., Laboratorios Parke Davis S.L., Laboratorios Pfizer Ltda., Laboratorios Wyeth LLC, Laboratorios Wyeth S.A., Laboratorios Pfizer Lda., MTG Divestitures LLC, Mayne Pharma IP Holdings (Euro) Pty Ltd, Medivation, Medivation Field Solutions LLC, Medivation LLC, Medivation Neurology LLC, Medivation Prostate Therapeutics LLC, Medivation Services LLC, Medivation Technologies LLC, Meridian Medical Technologies Inc., Meridian Medical Technologies Limited, Monarch Pharmaceuticals LLC, Neusentis Limited, NextWave Pharmaceuticals, NextWave Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, P-D Co. LLC, PAH USA IN8 LLC, PF Americas Holding C.V., PF Asia Manufacturing B.V., PF PR Holdings C.V., PF PRISM C.V., PF PRISM Holdings S.a.r.l., PF Prism S.a.r.l., PFE Holdings G.K., PFE PHAC Holdings 1 LLC, PFE Pfizer Holdings 1 LLC, PFE Wyeth Holdings LLC, PFE Wyeth-Ayerst (Asia) LLC, PHILCO Holdings S.a r.l., PHIVCO Corp., PHIVCO Holdco S.a r.l., PHIVCO Luxembourg S.a r.l., PN Mexico LLC, PT. Pfizer Parke Davis, Parke Davis & Company LLC, Parke Davis Limited, Parke Davis Productos Farmaceuticos Lda, Parke-Davis Manufacturing Corp., Parkedale Pharmaceuticals Inc., Peak Enterprises LLC, Pfizer, Pfizer (China) Research and Development Co. Ltd., Pfizer (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Pfizer (Perth) Pty Limited, Pfizer (Thailand) Limited, Pfizer (Wuhan) Research and Development Co. Ltd., Pfizer AB, Pfizer AG, Pfizer AS, Pfizer Africa & Middle East for Pharmaceuticals Veterinarian Products & Chemicals S.A.E., Pfizer Anti-Infectives AB, Pfizer ApS, Pfizer Asia Manufacturing Pte. Ltd., Pfizer Asia Pacific Pte Ltd., Pfizer Atlantic Holdings S.a.r.l., Pfizer Australia Holdings B.V., Pfizer Australia Holdings Pty Limited, Pfizer Australia Investments Pty. Ltd., Pfizer Australia Pty Limited, Pfizer B.V., Pfizer BH D.o.o., Pfizer Baltic Holdings B.V., Pfizer Biofarmaceutica Sociedade Unipessoal Lda, Pfizer Biologics (Hangzhou) Co. Ltd, Pfizer Biologics Ireland Holdings Limited, Pfizer Biotech Corporation, Pfizer Bolivia S.A., Pfizer Canada Inc., Pfizer CentreSource Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Pfizer Chile S.A., Pfizer Cia. Ltda., Pfizer Colombia Spinco I LLC, Pfizer Commercial Holdings Cooperatief U.A., Pfizer Commercial Holdings TRAE Kft., Pfizer Commercial TRAE Trading Kft., Pfizer Consumer Healthcare AB, Pfizer Consumer Healthcare GmbH, Pfizer Consumer Healthcare Ltd., Pfizer Consumer Manufacturing Italy S.r.l., Pfizer Corporation, Pfizer Corporation Austria Gesellschaft m.b.H., Pfizer Corporation Hong Kong Limited, Pfizer Croatia d.o.o., Pfizer Deutschland GmbH, Pfizer Development LP, Pfizer Development Services (UK) Limited, Pfizer Domestic Ventures Limited, Pfizer Dominicana S.R.L, Pfizer ESP Pty Ltd, Pfizer East India B.V., Pfizer Eastern Investments B.V., Pfizer Egypt S.A.E., Pfizer Enterprise Holdings B.V., Pfizer Enterprises LLC, Pfizer Enterprises SARL, Pfizer Europe Finance B.V., Pfizer Export B.V., Pfizer Export Company, Pfizer Export Holding Company B.V, Pfizer Finance Share Service (Dalian) Co. Ltd., Pfizer Financial Services N.V./S.A., Pfizer France International Investments, Pfizer Free Zone Panama S. de R.L., Pfizer GEP S.L., Pfizer Global Holdings B.V., Pfizer Global Supply Japan Inc., Pfizer Global Trading, Pfizer Group Luxembourg Sarl, Pfizer Gulf FZ-LLC, Pfizer H.C.P. Corporation, Pfizer HK Service Company Limited, Pfizer Health AB, Pfizer Health Solutions Inc., Pfizer Healthcare Ireland, Pfizer Hellas A.E., Pfizer Himalaya Holdings Cooperatief U.A., Pfizer Holding France, Pfizer Holding Ventures, Pfizer Holdings Corporation, Pfizer Holdings Europe Unlimited Company, Pfizer Holdings G.K., Pfizer Holdings International Corporation, Pfizer Holdings International Luxembourg (PHIL) Sarl, Pfizer Holdings North America SARL, Pfizer Hungary Holdings TRAE Kft., Pfizer Inc., Pfizer Innovations AB, Pfizer Innovations LLC, Pfizer Innovative Supply Point International BVBA, Pfizer International LLC, Pfizer International Markets Cooperatief U.A., Pfizer International Operations, Pfizer International S. de R.L., Pfizer International Trading (Shanghai) Limited, Pfizer Investment Capital Unlimited Company, Pfizer Investment Co. Ltd., Pfizer Investment Holdings S.a.r.l., Pfizer Ireland Investments Limited, Pfizer Ireland PFE Holding 1 LLC, Pfizer Ireland PFE Holding 2 LLC, Pfizer Ireland Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer Ireland Ventures Unlimited Company, Pfizer Italia S.r.l., Pfizer Italy Group Holding S.r.l., Pfizer Japan Inc., Pfizer LLC, Pfizer Laboratories (Pty) Limited, Pfizer Laboratories Limited, Pfizer Laboratories PFE (Pty) Ltd, Pfizer Leasing Ireland Limited, Pfizer Leasing UK Limited, Pfizer Limitada, Pfizer Limited, Pfizer Luxco Holdings SARL, Pfizer Luxembourg Global Holdings S.a r.l., Pfizer Luxembourg SARL, Pfizer MAP Holding Inc., Pfizer Manufacturing Austria G.m.b.H., Pfizer Manufacturing Belgium N.V., Pfizer Manufacturing Deutschland GmbH, Pfizer Manufacturing Deutschland Grundbesitz GmbH & Co. KG, Pfizer Manufacturing Holdings LLC, Pfizer Manufacturing Ireland Unlimited Company, Pfizer Manufacturing LLC, Pfizer Manufacturing Services, Pfizer Medical Technology Group (Belgium) N.V., Pfizer Medicamentos Genericos e Participacoes Ltda., Pfizer Mexico Luxco SARL, Pfizer Mexico S.A. de C.V., Pfizer Middle East for Pharmaceuticals Animal Health and Chemicals S.A.E., Pfizer New Zealand Limited, Pfizer Norge AS, Pfizer North American Holdings Inc., Pfizer OTC B.V., Pfizer Overseas LLC, Pfizer Oy, Pfizer PFE ApS, Pfizer PFE AsiaPac Holding B.V., Pfizer PFE Australia Holding B.V., Pfizer PFE Australia Pty Ltd, Pfizer PFE B.V., Pfizer PFE Baltic Holdings B.V., Pfizer PFE Belgium SPRL, Pfizer PFE Brazil Holding S.a r.l., Pfizer PFE CIA. Ltda., Pfizer PFE Chile Holding LLC, Pfizer PFE Colombia Holding Corp., Pfizer PFE Colombia S.A.S, Pfizer PFE Commercial Holdings LLC, Pfizer PFE Croatia Holding B.V., Pfizer PFE Eastern Investments B.V., Pfizer PFE Finland Oy, Pfizer PFE France, Pfizer PFE Global Holdings B.V., Pfizer PFE Ireland Pharmaceuticals Holding 1 B.V., Pfizer PFE Italy Holdco 2 S.a r.l., Pfizer PFE Italy Holdco S.a r.l., Pfizer PFE Korlatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, Pfizer PFE Limited, Pfizer PFE Luxembourg S.a r.l., Pfizer PFE Mexico Holding 3 LLC, Pfizer PFE Netherlands Holding 1 C.V., Pfizer PFE New Zealand, Pfizer PFE New Zealand Holding B.V., Pfizer PFE Norway Holding S.a r.l., Pfizer PFE PILSA Holdco S.a r.l., Pfizer PFE Peru Holding LLC, Pfizer PFE Peru S.R.L., Pfizer PFE Pharmaceuticals Israel Holding LLC, Pfizer PFE Pharmaceuticals Israel Ltd., Pfizer PFE Private Limited, Pfizer PFE S.R.L, Pfizer PFE Service Company Holding Cooperatief U.A., Pfizer PFE Singapore Holding B.V., Pfizer PFE Singapore Pte. Ltd., Pfizer PFE Spain B.V., Pfizer PFE Spain Holding S.L., Pfizer PFE Sweden Holding 2 S.a.r.l., Pfizer PFE Sweden Holding S.a.r.l., Pfizer PFE Switzerland GmbH, Pfizer PFE Turkey Holding 1 B.V., Pfizer PFE Turkey Holding 2 B.V., Pfizer PFE UK Holding 4 LP, Pfizer PFE US Holdings 1 LLC, Pfizer PFE US Holdings 2 LLC, Pfizer PFE US Holdings 3 LLC, Pfizer PFE US Holdings 4 LLC, Pfizer PFE US Holdings 5 LLC, Pfizer PFE spol. s r.o., Pfizer PFE Ilaclar Anonim Sirketi, Pfizer Pakistan Limited, Pfizer Parke Davis (Thailand) Ltd., Pfizer Parke Davis Inc., Pfizer Parke Davis Sdn. Bhd., Pfizer Pharm Algerie, Pfizer Pharma GmbH, Pfizer Pharma PFE GmbH, Pfizer Pharmaceutical (Wuxi) Co. Ltd., Pfizer Pharmaceutical Trading Limited Liability Company (a/k/a Pfizer Kft. or Pfizer LLC), Pfizer Pharmaceuticals B.V., Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Global B.V., Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Israel Ltd., Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Korea Limited, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals LLC, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Pfizer Pigments Inc., Pfizer Polska Sp. z.o.o., Pfizer Private Limited, Pfizer Production LLC, Pfizer Products Inc., Pfizer Products India Private Limited, Pfizer Research (NC) Inc., Pfizer Romania SRL, Pfizer S.A., Pfizer S.A., Pfizer S.A. (Belgium), Pfizer S.A. de C.V., Pfizer S.A.S., Pfizer S.G.P.S. Lda., Pfizer S.L., Pfizer S.R.L., Pfizer SRB d.o.o., Pfizer Saidal Manufacturing, Pfizer Sante Familiale, Pfizer Saudi Limited, Pfizer Seiyaku K.K., Pfizer Service Company BVBA, Pfizer Service Company Ireland Unlimited Company, Pfizer Services 1, Pfizer Services LLC, Pfizer Shared Services Unlimited Company, Pfizer Shareholdings Intermediate SARL, Pfizer Singapore Holding Pte. Ltd., Pfizer Singapore Trading Pte. Ltd., Pfizer Spain Holdings Cooperatief U.A., Pfizer Specialties Limited, Pfizer Strategic Investment Holdings LLC, Pfizer Sweden Partnership KB, Pfizer TRAE Holdings Kft., Pfizer Trading Polska sp.z.o.o., Pfizer Transactions Ireland Unlimited Company, Pfizer Transactions LLC, Pfizer Transactions Luxembourg SARL, Pfizer Transport LLC, Pfizer Ukraine LLC, Pfizer Vaccines LLC, Pfizer Venezuela S.A., Pfizer Venture Investments LLC, Pfizer Ventures LLC, Pfizer Worldwide Services Unlimited Company, Pfizer Zona Franca S.A., Pfizer spol. s r.o., Pharmacia, Pharmacia & Upjohn Company Inc., Pharmacia & Upjohn Company LLC, Pharmacia & Upjohn LLC, Pharmacia & Upjohn S.A. de C.V., Pharmacia Brasil Ltda., Pharmacia Hepar LLC, Pharmacia Holding AB, Pharmacia Inter-American LLC, Pharmacia International B.V., Pharmacia LLC, Pharmacia Limited, Pharmacia Nostrum S.A., Pharmacia South Africa (Pty) Ltd, PowderJect Research Limited, PowderMed, Purepac Pharmaceutical Holdings LLC, Redvax, Renrall LLC, Rinat Neuroscience, Rinat Neuroscience Corp., Roerig Produtos Farmaceuticos Lda., Roerig S.A., Sao Cristovao Participacoes Ltda., Searle Laboratorios Lda., Serenex, Servicios P&U S. de R.L. de C.V., Shiley LLC, Sinergis Farma-Produtos Farmaceuticos Lda., Site Realty Inc., Solinor LLC, Sugen LLC, Tabor LLC, The Pfizer Incubator LLC, Therachon, Thiakis Limited, Treerly Health Co. Ltd, US Oral Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd, Upjohn Laboratorios Lda., Vesteralens Naturprodukter A/S, Vesteralens Naturprodukter AB, Vesteralens Naturprodukter AS, Vesteralens Naturprodukter OY, Vicuron Holdings LLC, Vinci Farma S.A., W-L LLC, Warner Lambert, Warner Lambert Ilac Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Warner Lambert del Uruguay S.A., Warner-Lambert (Thailand) Limited, Warner-Lambert Company AG, Warner-Lambert Company LLC, Warner-Lambert Guatemala Sociedad Anonima, Warner-Lambert S.A., Whitehall International Inc., Whitehall Laboratories Inc., Wyeth (Thailand) Ltd., Wyeth AB, Wyeth Australia Pty. Limited, Wyeth Ayerst Inc., Wyeth Ayerst S.a r.l., Wyeth Biopharma, Wyeth Canada ULC, Wyeth Consumer Healthcare LLC, Wyeth Europa Limited, Wyeth Farma S.A., Wyeth Holdings LLC, Wyeth Industria Farmaceutica Ltda., Wyeth KFT., Wyeth LLC, Wyeth Lederle S.r.l., Wyeth Lederle Vaccines S.A., Wyeth Pakistan Limited, Wyeth Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Wyeth Pharmaceuticals Company, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals FZ-LLC, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals LLC, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals Limited, Wyeth Puerto Rico Inc., Wyeth S.A.S, Wyeth Subsidiary Illinois Corporation, Wyeth Whitehall Export GmbH, Wyeth Whitehall SARL, Wyeth-Ayerst (Asia) Limited, Wyeth-Ayerst International LLC, and Wyeth-Ayerst Promotions Limited.

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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.
Telecom Argentina S.A., together with its subsidiaries, provides telecommunications services in Argentina and internationally. The company offers telephone services, including local, domestic, and international long-distance telephone services, as well as public telephone services; and other related supplementary services, such as call waiting, call forwarding, conference calls, caller ID, voice mail, itemized billing, and maintenance services. It also provides interconnection services, such as traffic and interconnection resource, dedicated Internet access, video signals transportation in standard and high definitions, audio and video streaming, dedicated links, backhaul links for mobile operators, data center hosting/housing services, dedicated links, layer 2 and layer 3 transport networks, video links, value-added services, and other services. In addition, the company offers mobile telecommunications services, including voice communications, high-speed mobile Internet content and applications download, online streaming, and other services; and sells mobile communication devices, such as handsets, Modems MiFi and wingles, and smart watches under the Personal brand. Further, it provides internet connectivity products, including virtual private network services, traditional Internet protocol links, and other products; data services; and programming and other cable television services. The company was formerly known as Cablevision S.A. and changed its name to Telecom Argentina S.A. in January 2018. Telecom Argentina S.A. was founded in 1979 and is based in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Tidewater Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides offshore marine support and transportation services to the offshore energy industry through the operation of a fleet of marine service vessels worldwide. It provides services in support of offshore oil and natural gas exploration, field development, and production, as well as windfarm development and maintenance, including towing of and anchor handling for mobile offshore drilling units; transporting supplies and personnel necessary to sustain drilling, workover, and production activities; offshore construction, and seismic and subsea support; geotechnical survey support for windfarm construction; and various specialized services, such as pipe and cable laying. The company operates and charters deepwater vessels, including platform supply and horsepower anchor handling tug supply vessels for use in transporting supplies and equipment from shore bases to deepwater and intermediate water depth offshore drilling rigs and production platforms; towing-supply vessels for use in intermediate and shallow waters; and crew boats, utility vessels, and offshore tugs to transport personnel and supplies from shore bases to offshore drilling rigs, platforms, and other installations. It also operates offshore tugs for use in tow floating drilling rigs and barges; and assisting in the docking of tankers, as well as in pipe and cable laying, and construction barges. The company serves oil and natural gas exploration, field development, and production companies; mid-sized and smaller independent exploration and production companies; foreign government-owned or government-controlled organizations, and other related companies; drilling contractors; and other companies, such as offshore construction, windfarm development, diving, and well stimulation companies. As of December 31, 2021, it owned 135 vessels. Tidewater Inc. was incorporated in 1956 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.
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.
Beginning Monday, the transgender daughter of a U.S. airman at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, will be allowed to use the girls' bathroom after being denied access to the facility, according to the Department of Defense.

The principal of Ramstein Intermediate School, one of four schools located on the base, had planned on allowing the 11-year-old fifth-grader (who goes by the name Blue) to start using the restroom the week of Oct. 10.

But that decision was overruled by Dr. Elizabeth Dunham, the superintendent of schools Europe East region of the Department of Defense Education Activity, for reasons that remain unclear. After news of the case broke on Friday, the activity apparently reversed Dunham's ruling.

"Students who are transgender currently attend DoDEA schools, just as they attend other school districts across the nation," a spokesperson for the activity told NBC OUT, which broke the news. "It is the Department of Defense's position, consistent with the U.S. Attorney General's opinion, that discrimination based on gender identity is a form of sex discrimination."

The case surfaced after the student's mother, Jess Girven, shared the story on Facebook.

In a telephone interview with Military.com, Girven said her child is the first openly transgender child at the school. Her child began the transition in August, she said. The following month, Girven said she was told the school would take appropriate measures to accommodate her.

Instead, her child was allowed access to the boys' bathroom or the school's newly incorporated gender-neutral, single-stall bathrooms, Girven said. Both options were limiting in part because of location, she said.

"Her classroom is on the third floor. For Blue to go to the restroom, she had to go down three flights of stairs, across the courtyard and into another building  or cut through the library," Girven said. "And we contacted the superintendent just to find out why."

Dunham deliberated the issue for about a week and told Blues mother that the department wouldn't change the child's options, Girven said.

Spokespersons for the activity in Washington and Europe didn't immediately respond to a Military.com request for comment.

Girven said she went to Ramstein's Inspector General office, which informed her it didn't have jurisdiction. Her husband went to his commander for advice. But the family quickly realized the decision rested with the activity.

"We tried to go through the appropriate channels but, you know, the military and transgender is very, very new," she said.

After posting her frustrations on Facebook, Girven said she was contacted by dozens of media outlets and organizations supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender military families, such as the Human Rights Campaign and SPART*A. Another, the American Military Partner Association, released a statement Thursday.

"This superintendent's decision to violate the civil rights of this transgender student is alarming," AMPA President Ashley Broadway-Mack said in the statement. "All students, regardless of their gender identity, deserve to be able to go to school in an environment free from discrimination and harassment.

The Department of Defense school system is currently observing October as National Bullying Prevention Month, yet this superintendent has unacceptably chosen to single out and discriminate against a student because of her gender identity."

The Department of Defense Education Activity in its statement noted that the departments of Education and Justice issued guidelines in May "to allow students who are transgender access to restroom facilities and other accommodations consistent with their gender identity." While the guidelines have been legally challenged, the department "is not precluded from following the guidelines and granting accommodations requested by parents and students," it stated.

In addition, Todd Weiler, the Pentagon's assistant secretary of defense for manpower and reserve affairs, "will engage and reaffirm the guidance with schools and other facilities that provide services to school aged children," according to the statement.

One of a handful of transgender students in the district, her child "is pretty excited" about the decision, Girven said. "She really, really wants to help all the other transgender kids," who face a higher risk of suicide. "She's heard stories from other transgender kids who don't have as a supportive family as she has.

In an email to Military.com, Girven wrote, "We are over the moon today to hear that transgender kids at DoD schools around the world get to use the bathrooms and locker rooms of their gender identity!"

Girven said she and her family met on Friday with activity officials to offer insights on how to better work with kids who are transitioning and perhaps to ignite future policy change. She said this could open the door to additional community conversations with other parents and children at the school.

After living at Ramstein for seven years, the family may move in 2017 depending on the husband's next assignment. The advocacy groups that have offered support promised to stick with her child no matter where she goes next, Girven said.

"We're limited to a few number of bases because of my husband's job," Girven said. "Some of these groups have offered to step in and help in any way they can to maybe get us up to, say, Fort Meade, because Maryland has really strong transgender protection laws, and quite a few transgender clinics."

Her child is already wearing dresses and trying on makeup. Her mom said the next step is to start her "as soon as humanly possible" on puberty blockers and female hormones.

"Blue's been saying ever since she was three years old, 'I'm going to grow up to be a girl,' " Girven said. "Just like kids say, 'When I grow up I'm going to be the president or a fireman. I'm going to be a girl.' And my child is so happy."

--Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214.
After sweeping first-place Wayne State in Detroit on Friday night (Oct. 21), Grand Valley State was unable to complete an unbeaten weekend against top GLIAC opponents, falling to Findlay in Ohio on Saturday (Oct. 22). The Lakers won the second set, but ultimately fell in the contest 3-1 (18-25, 25-21, 19-25, 16-25).

Heading into the weekend, Wayne State and Findlay were tied for first place in the league standings with idential 8-1 conference records, making the road trip a tough one for GVSU. Saturday's loss to the Oilers puts Grand Valley State at 12-9 overall and 6-4 in GLIAC play. Findlay - after being swept by Ferris State on Friday night - improves to 16-6 overall and 9-2 in conference action.

With one of the best offenses in the league, Findlay was proficient on Saturday with a 57-44 edge in kills and a .312 hitting percentage. The Lakers were held to a .180 team attack clip. UF is also one of the best blocking teams in the GLIAC and it showed why on Saturday, owning an 11-1 advantage in total rejections. GVSU led in digs 54-52, while the Oilers were on top in assists (55-44) and aces (5-3). Findlay did record 13 service errors; the Lakers had just six.

For the full recap, click here or visit gvsulakers.com


ANN ARBOR, MI - Should residents on Ann Arbor's west side be concerned about the recent discovery of trace amounts of the toxic chemical 1,4-dioxane in shallow groundwater beneath Waterworks Park?

While some definitely are, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality emphasizes there's no immediate risk to public health known at this time.

However, some citizen activists argue more investigation and ongoing monitoring is needed to determine the extent of a possible shallow plume of dioxane and to make sure the levels don't spike as the chemical, which is in much higher concentrations at points west, spreads toward areas where groundwater is known to rise to the surface, such as at West Park and Waterworks Park.

What's concerning to some is not the low levels detected so far, but what's still unknown, and the possibility that this might be only the tip of the iceberg.

An estimate of the extent of the Gelman dioxane plume. Plume boundaries shown here are based on a map created by Washtenaw County in February 2016.

If dioxane is found in higher concentrations in shallow groundwater around homes and other buildings, it could pose a health risk via vapor intrusion.

Dioxane is classified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as likely to be carcinogenic to humans by all routes of exposure. It also can cause kidney and liver damage, and respiratory problems. Short-term exposure to high levels of dioxane in the air can cause eye, nose and throat irritation.

Just a few parts per billion in drinking water, with long-term exposure, poses a 1 in 100,000 cancer risk, according to the EPA.

The highest reading in the shallow groundwater below Waterworks Park was 3.3 parts per billion. That's below the DEQ's proposed precautionary screening level of 29 ppb for when dioxane-contaminated groundwater is in contact with a building foundation and could pose a risk via vapor intrusion into indoor air.

Other recent test results show dioxane spreading from the former Gelman Sciences property on Wagner Road, just north of Liberty, still at concentrations as high as 14,000 ppb in the core area.

Some believe more aggressive pumping and treating, attacking the core of the plume, is needed to better contain the expanding pollution and reduce the level of threat it poses to water supplies and homes.

As the plume spreads further into Ann Arbor, now covering much of the city's west side and approaching areas just west of downtown, some fear it could get dangerously close to the surface in neighborhood areas such as around West Park and Waterworks Park.

As for the potential for direct skin contact with dioxane-contaminated groundwater surfacing and seeping out of the ground, the DEQ again maintains there's no immediate risk to public health known at this time.

However, the actual surface-level seeps in the Waterworks Park area haven't been tested yet. The water that was tested was several feet below ground.

Mitch Adelman, the DEQ's district supervisor, said the DEQ plans to test seeps in the Waterworks Park area in the next couple of weeks. He said the depth to shallow groundwater there ranges from 0.9 to 7.9 feet.

Adelman acknowledges the DEQ doesn't have any enforceable criteria for skin contact with dioxane, nor is any proposed at this time. In fact, the DEQ doesn't have criteria for skin contact with contaminated groundwater proposed for any of the 300-plus hazardous substances it regulates.



However, the DEQ does have a precautionary screening level for skin contact with dioxane, which is 2,300 ppb, and that's based on a 30-year exposure.

Shorter-term exposure to smaller amounts, such as the 2-3 ppb found beneath Waterworks Park, isn't believed to be dangerous, Adelman said.

"The possibility of direct exposure to dioxane from seeps in the Waterworks Park is not presently a concern," he said.

The DEQ also has a precautionary screening level of 11 ppb for exposure to dioxane via inhalation.

The DEQ's screening levels and criteria are meant to protect public health to the extent that no more than one extra person in 100,000 gets cancer. However, individual health factors and genetics determine actual personal risk.

Adelman said it's still unclear whether the dioxane discovered beneath Waterworks Park is part of the same plume of dioxane that has been spreading for decades from the former Gelman Science property on Wagner Road. He said more investigation is needed to determine the source of the contamination.

If it is part of the Gelman plume's expanding eastern edge, the 2-3 ppb detected at Waterworks Park might only be an early indicator of higher concentrations to come as the plume continues to travel east through the city. It also remains unknown whether there might be higher concentrations of dioxane already in other nearby shallow groundwater areas, because only select spots were tested.

Larry Lemke, a hydrogeologist in Ann Arbor who has been studying the spread of the Gelman dioxane plume for many years, earlier this year compared "plume hunting" via monitoring wells to the board game Battleship.

It's easy to find the large aircraft carrier, and it's relatively easy to find the battleship, but it's a lot harder to find the smaller cruiser. And just because one spot might be a miss, that doesn't mean the destroyer isn't nearby.

Adelman said that's a fair analogy. He acknowledges there are no assurances there aren't already higher levels of dioxane in shallow groundwater close to where the recent tests found trace amounts.

City Council Member Chuck Warpehoski, D-5th Ward, is inviting residents to a town hall meeting Thursday night, Oct. 27, to continue discussing the issue.

Warpehoski said the Gelman plume most often is shown on 2D maps, but there are elevation changes between the source of the contamination and the Huron River, and that's something that needs to be watched closely. He wants to see more permanent monitoring wells installed at the polluter's expense.

"I don't want to whip up a panic here, but I do want to make sure we have a monitoring system, so if we do have a problem, we catch it early," he said.

Gelman Sciences was acquired in 1997 by Pall Corp., which last year was acquired by Danaher Corp.

Adelman isn't willing to say just yet that there's definitely a shallow plume in the Waterworks Park area directly linked to Gelman Sciences. He said the dioxane found there, for example, might be coming from fill materials used many decades ago when the Allen Creek was buried underground as a drain.

Depending on when the fill was placed in the Allen Creek area, Adelman said, that might be one possible source of the shallow groundwater contamination.

The developer behind a new condo development at 221 Felch St., which is above the Allen Creek drain, also has cited problems with contaminated fill materials and is seeking brownfield tax credits to do a cleanup of the site.

In addition to dioxane in the shallow groundwater near Waterworks Park, Adelman noted there also were traces of chloroform and trichloroethane recently found in the shallow groundwater near West Park, and those are contaminants the DEQ has never seen attributable to Gelman. He said the source of the chloroform and trichloroethane is unknown at this time.

Adelman also notes that dioxane is a common stabilizer used in solvents including trichloroethane.

"It is premature to conclude that the source of the 1,4-dioxane is Gelman and not potential other sources," he said of the shallow groundwater findings.

Adelman said there are no plans at this time to install permanent monitoring wells at Waterworks Park to keep tabs on the dioxane levels there.

He said the DEQ's next steps include working with other partners, including the city and county, to attempt to identify the sources of the contaminants that were detected in the shallow groundwater. He said the DEQ might work with the DEQ's Geological Services Unit to develop an investigation strategy.

He said the case illustrates the value of stable funding for the DEQ to be able to identify sources of previously undiscovered contamination. The state has allocated an extra $700,000 toward efforts related to the Gelman plume this year.

As for the criticism that the DEQ hasn't done enough yet to determine the full extent of a possible shallow plume of dioxane, Adelman said that wasn't the objective with the initial investigation, which was specifically targeted at areas where there might be a vapor intrusion pathway.

He said the DEQ is trying to be responsive to residents' concerns about vapor intrusion, which have been voiced this past year, and he considers it notable that the DEQ was able to get Gelman Sciences to lead the investigation.

The DEQ's staff observed the fieldwork and collected split samples for independent analysis at the DEQ's lab in Lansing.

Adelman noted seep tests also have been completed at two locations near West Park and one location along Washington Street and no dioxane was detected.

"The pond in West Park has also been sampled," Adelman said, adding no dioxane was detected there.

For those concerned about vapor intrusion, Adelman notes radon -- a naturally occurring, radioactive gas -- also can get into people's homes.

Washtenaw County is a known radon hotspot and public health experts advise residents to test the radon levels in their homes. The county has information about how to get a radon test kit on its website.

As for dioxane, the state has put together a fact sheet to help people understand the risks and what's behind the DEQ's criteria numbers. Download it here.
ANN ARBOR, MI - Rather than take their cues from the current presidential nominees, students at Hebrew Day School of Ann Arbor have looked to the Founding Fathers to learn about the political system.

The 15 third and fourth graders in Laura Pasek's class divided into the Federalist Party and Democratic Republican Party this fall to campaign on behalf of either then-President John Adams or then-Vice President Thomas Jefferson.

In preparation for a debate held Thursday, Oct. 20, students researched issues and crafted their arguments. They've also held a primary election, conventions and created campaign signs and slogans. On Nov. 4, the whole school community will be able to vote in the election, and then the class will hold an inauguration for their new president.

Related: Ruth Ebenstein, whose son is in Pasek's class, wrote a piece for the Washington Post on Hebrew Day School's election simulation

Pasek does government simulation projects every other year, and this year it seemed natural to hold their own presidential election.

"I love this type of learning. It provides the students with a safer and more educational approach to being involved in the election, and we integrate it into other subjects such as writing and reading." Pasek said in a press release.

"Simulations are a great way to hit many educational goals," she continued. "it's highly collaborative and it takes a lot of creative innovation to develop a good campaign strategy. Students are asked many open-ended questions, such as, 'Who would Barack Obama have supported?' They are highly motivated to learn the content and think critically in order to come up with their responses. Students also develop a lot of confidence along the way. They are developing public speaking skills and their input is valued by others on the team."

Students said they have learned how the electoral process works, that points made in a debate must be factual and that negative campaigning is OK only if the point made is informative, relevant and respectful.

"This is from the past, so sometimes it's a little bit hard to relate to the person because you disagree with some of what they think," said student Jessica Primus. "But then when you really get into campaigning for it, you start to believe what that person believes in."

For the debate, students went up to the microphone in pairs, speaking in the first person as if they were the candidate they represented. After 2-minute opening statements, each candidate shared their views on the size and role of government, the Alien and Sedition Acts and slavery.

In some responses, students anticipated their opponent's arguments, they addressed specific points when they had the chance in rebuttal and they quoted their opponent's own words back to him to prove a point.

"I will make this country of justice and a country where all men are created equal," said one student representing Adams. "Thomas Jefferson does not stand for what he believes. He said, 'All men are created equal,' but he has slaves. We cannot stand for slavery."

"Under my leadership, the government will work well together. That is why you should vote for me, John Adams," the closing statement concluded.

Students speaking on behalf of Jefferson were undaunted in their reply.

"Now you see why I should president of America. I am qualified in many respects," one student said in Jefferson's closing statement.

"Between the Alien and Sedition Acts and slavery, John Adams will start a war one way or another," another of Jefferson's representatives continued. "I will be responsible and kind and give people rights and free speech, unlike John Adams. I will abolish slavery slowly and well. I will not spin into Civil War. We won't go into war under my protection. Spies won't be able to come to America and conquer us with my security."

Technically, we already know Jefferson won the 1800 presidential election. But it remains to be seen if history will repeat itself at Hebrew Day School of Ann Arbor.
LAKE ST. CLAIR, MI - The bodies of two men presumed to be missing Jackson County duck hunters were found Sunday in the Canadian waters of Lake St. Clair, the Macomb County Sheriff's Office reported.

Timothy Hughes, 59, and his son Daniel Hughes, 24, of Jackson County had gone early Saturday to Lake St. Clair Metropark, east of Mount Clemens, to go duck hunting, according to a statement distributed by sheriff's Lt. John Michalke.

The bodies of the men and their boat were located about four miles from Seaway Island, which is on the northeast side of the metro Detroit lake, the sheriff's office reported.

Officials in Jackson County contacted the sheriff's office about 2 a.m. Oct. 23, prompting a sheriff's office investigation.

The Blackman-Leoni Township public safety department, just outside Jackson, handled the initial complaint about the missing men, filed about 10:20 p.m. Saturday. The wife and mother of the victims contacted police after the men did not arrive home in time for a football game, Deputy Director Christopher Boulter wrote in an email.

Boulter said the men's boat trailer and truck had been located near the lake, and the Coast Guard had called in a helicopter. The vehicle was at the metropark boat launch.

Multiple police agencies and the U.S. and Canada Coast Guards were involved in the search.

Any details about what might have happened to the men were not released.
FLINT, MI -- A man in his 30s is dead and one person injured after a shooting early Sunday morning in the Flat Lot in downtown Flint.

The University of Michigan-Flint issued an emergency alert via text to students after shots were fired around 2 a.m. Oct. 23 in the parking lot in the 400 block of Saginaw Street, between First and Kearsley streets.

One of the victims was pronounced dead at the scene, according to information from the University of Michigan-Flint Department of Public Safety Facebook page, while a second person was taken to a local hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

No students were involved in the shooting. The only suspect description provided by police was of a person wearing a white shirt with blue stripes.

UM-Flint Emergency Alert Update: Police responded to a report of gunshots being fired after 2 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 23,... Posted by University of Michigan-Flint Department of Public Safety on Sunday, October 23, 2016

Witnesses told law enforcement officials there was a large group of people in the parking lot when an altercation took place and someone began to fire shots, Flint police said.

The second victim was treated and later released.

Anyone with information about the shooting or suspect's whereabouts has been asked to contact Detective Sgt. Bill Jennings at 810-237-6911 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-422-JAIL (5245).
CALEDONIA TOWNSHIP, MI -- The Kent County Sheriff's Department is investigating a shooting in a residence hall at Davenport University.

Deputies responded to the university's W.A. Lettinga campus in Caledonia Township at 2:30 a.m. Sunday to a report of shots fired.

There, they found four people who weren't students were involved in an altercation with two students. During the altercation, one of the non-students fired a gun. No one involved in the altercation was shot, but a bullet penetrated a wall and hit a student who was not involved.

The student who was shot was treated at a local hospital and released.

The investigation is ongoing, and deputies are not releasing the names of anyone involved.
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Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha is shown in this Flint Journal file photo.

(Flint Journal file photo)

FLINT, MI -- The idea of using the baby teeth of Flint children to measure their exposure to lead has gone from outside-the-box idea to real possibility -- one that's been endorsed by the state Legislature's Joint Select Committee on the Flint Water Emergency.

The bipartisan committee's report this week included 36 proposals, including a recommendation that the Legislature direct the state Department of Health and Human Services to work with local health departments and professionals to assess the viability of using baby teeth to establish a more accurate measurement of past exposure to lead.

Not only is the proposal among the three dozen made by the committee, it's identified as one of 14 that the group said "can be enacted in the short term."

"Because lead is absorbed by bone, one way to better assess exposure is through bone biopsies," the Select Committee report says. "However, they are costly, invasive and painful.

"A better alternative is to obtain exposure data could be to test teeth. As baby teeth fall out, for example, parents could have them tested. Various medical professionals have proposed using this method, and the Legislature should consider directing DHHS to craft and implement such a program, at least for Flint."

Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, the Hurley Medical Center pediatrician whose study of blood lead levels in Flint children helped convince state officials of the extent of the city's water crisis, testified before the committee in March, telling lawmakers that standard blood tests produce results limited to exposure during the last 30 days.

Hanna-Attisha said the baby teeth of children can be used to better assess past exposure to lead but are just a part of what needs to be done.

"Teeth analysis is one small input into a very large registry that needs to be built to track everything, but most importantly to track all the protective interventions (nutrition, family support, ect.) and our kids neurodevelopment so that we don't see consequences," she said in a text message to MLive.

Hanna-Attisha said the baby teeth analysis should not be used to say who was or was not exposed to lead and will not predict outcomes for individuals because each case includes so many variables.

But the doctor said the work is worthwhile and preliminary work has already begun.

Jennifer Eisner, a spokeswoman for DHHS, said the agency is also planning for the possible use of data collected from teeth as part of the Flint Health Registry.

"Currently, we are in the process of working with community and federal partners to determine the funding and operational needs," Eisner said in an email to MLive.

DHHS Director Nick Lyons told the Flint Interagency Coordinating Committee in April about the potential use of baby teeth.

Lyon credited Flint area medical professionals for pushed the idea initially.

Tooth studies aren't new in terms of lead testing.

In 1979, a research team headed by Dr. Herbert Needleman conducted a study on the impact of lead exposure on the behavioral and intellectual development of children.

The study analyzed teeth collected from Philadelphia school children and correlated their lead content and the children's behavior, IQ and school performance.

Hanna-Attisha's past study showed the percentage of young children and infants with elevated blood lead levels in Flint doubled after the city's water source was changed to the Flint River in April 2014.

State regulators failed to require the river water be treated to make it less corrosive, causing lead from plumbing and pipes to leach into the water supply.
OSHTEMO TOWNSHIP, MI -- Police are looking for a suspect after two people were injured in an overnight apartment shooting.

The Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office received multiple 911 calls of shots fired and a possible person down in the 5800 block of Copper Beach Blvd. in Oshtemo Township around 12:15 a.m.

When deputies arrived, they found a shooting scene but no victims. A short time later, two people with gunshot wounds arrived at Bronson Methodist Hospital for treatment. The conditions of the men, a 22-year-old of Kalamazoo and a 23-year-old of Detroit, were unknown Sunday morning.

Police describe the suspect as a black male who was wearing a "varsity-type" jacket with an abstract image on the back. He was last seen fleeing from the Copper Beech area as a passenger in a "very clean" white Chrysler 300 with an unknown license plate.

Anyone with information about the incident can call the sheriff's office or Silent Observer.
SAGINAW, MI -- A sharp crash was followed almost immediately with a hard, flat thud as a concrete barrier carved into the hood of a GMC Arcadia.

The SUV was headed south on Hamilton Street at about 12:20 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23, when it collided with a black Pontiac, headed east on Court Street toward the Frank N. Andersen bridge.

The driver of the car reported not seeing the red light at the intersection before striking the SUV, according to Saginaw police officers at the scene.

Two occupants from the vehicles were taken by ambulance to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries, according to police.

Both vehicles suffered significant damage and were removed from the southeast corner of the busy intersection by flatbed tow trucks from Mike's Wrecker Service.
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October 23, 2016

Renewed Jihadi Attack On Aleppo Supported By "Western" Propaganda Fakes

The three days of unilateral ceasefire Syrian and Russia had announced and kept for the besieged east-Aleppo expired today. No evacuations took place, no civilians or fighters left and no aid was delivered as "rebels" inside the besieged area shelled all possible crossings.

The U.S. supported al-Qaeda aligned Jihadis have used the pause to prepare for another attack on the government held parts of Aleppo city with the aim of opening a passage into the besieged eastern areas. They received enormous amounts of new weapons and munitions from the U.S. and their other supporters. The child beheaders of the U.S. supported radical Zinki group warned civilians in west-Aleppo city to stay away from military positions. That is impossible as the refugee filled, densely populated areas are in the immediate neighborhood of the front lines.

The renewed attack is expected in the south-west of government held west-Aleppo near the Ramoush-area and the Artillery Academy where the first attempted breach battle also took place. A second attack is expected in the north-west near the Castello road. It is possible that Turkish supported forces, who battle Kurdish troops to the north-east of Aleppo-city, will also try an attack on the city. The fight against the Kurds is a Turkish attempt to keep its logistic lines of communications to the Islamic State open. Turkey has supported, like Saudi Arabia and Qatar, the Islamic State for years. An attack on Aleppo by directly Turkish supported forces would be a serious breach of the Turkish-Russian agreements and lead to a further serious escalation and internationalization of the war. Turkey will not dare such a move without full U.S. support.

We have maintained here for some time that the Turkish President Erdogan has designs for Aleppo as well as Mosul. He wants to incorporate both cities and all areas north of and between them into Turkey. Erdogan now publicly announced these aims:

Speaking during an opening ceremony for an educational institution in Bursa on Saturday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan compared the way that Syrians and Iraqis have been driven away from homes because of the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS; ISIS/ISIL), to how Turkish people were once forced out from the same cities. Erdogan added that the cities of Mosul and Aleppo belong to the Turkish people.

This is a serious misinterpretation of teh areas population history and of Turkey's international agreements and borders as delineated after the first world war.

Erdogan also lamented that Turkeys national leaders were born outside of Turkey's current borders. Something he implied he will strive to correct. The Greek will not be happy to hear that. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey, was born in Thessaloniki.

The U.S. and its machinations against Syria and Iraq have set fire to a combustive area. It created an Islamist "revolution" in Syria that had no genuine base within the country. The Obama administration is now again fanning the flames. It supports Turkish moves on Mosul which the Iraqi government strongly rejects. Instead of calming down the war in Syria it again and again supports with new arms, money and propaganda the advances of al-Qaeda with its expansive designs in the area and beyond. An explosion, involving Russian forces and war with and within Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon is longer impossible. This is a very shortsighted playing of the great game. Serious consequences for countries of important U.S. interests, Israel, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, will then become inevitable.

But the U.S. induced pro-Jihad propaganda is endless. Consider this tweet by the president of the Eurasia Group, a "political risk consultancy". Bremmer has 200,000 Twitter followers:

ian bremmer @ianbremmer Statue of Liberty made from bombed rubble of Aleppo, by Syrian artist Tammam Azzam. Devastating.

8:36 AM - 22 Oct 2016

When I saw it first it had some 1,200 retweets.

It took me two minutes to find out that this picture was photoshopped (which is obvious) and published first in February 2013 by an Italian news-site. The artist lives and works in Dubai, not Aleppo. I responded:

Moon of Alabama @MoonofA Pic first published in February 2013 - http://www.italnews.info/2013/02/12/tammam-azzam-larte-per-ricostruire-la-siria/ 

Artist lives+works in Dubai not Aleppo

@ianbremmer is a propagandist 9:57 AM - 22 Oct 2016

My tweet was retweeted some 90 times. But it found an echo in an Al Arabia interview with the artist and at the Independent's Indy100 site:

[D]uring an interview with Al Arabiya.net, Azzam said he was surprised by what he said was the wrong interpretation the picture had recently received, compared to the more positive reactions it received in 2012.

...

The Syrian artist explained: The Statue of Liberty in New York does not represent US politics and I used it only as the symbol of freedom. The piece at the time was carrying a message of optimism despite all of the destruction in Syria, he added but that was a long time ago.

Meanwhile Bremmer's propaganda has been retweeted some 13,000 times with just as many "likes". He didn't retract it despite being called out and the multiple proven lies it contains. Why should he? The propaganda effect, with its implied call for military U.S. war intervention, is obviously great and such propaganda is what he gets paid for. His group is consulting on "political risk" it seem to actively help to create.

Posted by b on October 23, 2016 at 16:17 UTC | Permalink

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Early voting has seen more Democrats casting ballots than any others during the first two days.

And thats held true for the state.

Democrats have moved ahead of Republicans in early voting in North Carolina. Republicans had held a modest lead based on mail-in ballots returned, but that was at a much narrower margin than in 2012, when Mitt Romney narrowly won the state. After in-person voting began on Thursday, Democrats overtook Republicans in overall votes cast.

In Burke County, 4,711 people had cast a ballot by the time the five early voting sites closed on Friday. Early voting started on Thursday morning and ends at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5.

Of that total, 1,835 were Democrats and 1,760 were Republicans, while 1,110 were unaffiliated voters, according to information from the Burke County Board of Elections.

Early voting locations will be:

 The Burke County Board of Elections office, located at 2128 S. Sterling St., Morganton.

 Morganton-Burke Senior Center, located at 501 N. Green St., Morganton.

 Glen Alpine Town Hall, located at 103 Pitt St., Glen Alpine.

 Rutherford College Town Hall, located at 980 Malcolm Blvd., Rutherford College.

 Hildebran Methodist Church, located at 110 S. Center St., Hildebran.

Hours during early voting will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday from Oct. 20 through Nov. 4, and from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5, according to elections officials.

Election Day is Nov. 8, when voters will cast their ballot at their regular precinct.

For those not registered or who need to change their address, folks will be able to register and vote on the same day during early voting.

Voters are not required to show identification.

Local offices and candidates on the ballot in November are:

 Burke County Board of Commissioners, three seats  Republicans Johnnie Carswell (incumbent), Scott Mulwee and Jeff Brittain (incumbent); Democrats Jeff Morse, Emily Church and David Rust.

 Burke County Register of Deeds, one seat  Democrat Laura Anderson and Republican Stephanie Norman.

 46th District seat of the N.C. Senate, one seat  Republican Warren Daniel (incumbent) and Democrat Anne Fischer.

 86th District seat of the N.C. House of Representatives, one seat  Democrat Tim Barnsback and Republican Hugh Blackwell (incumbent).

Sample ballots can be found on the Burke County Board of Educations website at http://bit.ly/2cH8Ors. Call the elections office at 828-764-9010 or email burke.boe@ncsbe.gov with any election questions.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Sharon McBrayer is a staff writer and can be reached at smcbrayer@morganton.com or at 828-432-8946.
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Read our editorial policy to learn more about our process.
Early voting begins Monday, and up for election is the Railroad Commission seat held by David Porter, who didnt run for re-election. The contest is largely between Republican Wayne Christian, a former Texas representative; Democrat Grady Yarbrough, a former school superintendent; and Libertarian Mark Miller, a retired petroleum engineer.

The following are responses to key questions the Reporter-Telegram asked all candidates before the primary. Only Christians and Millers responses are presented; Yarbrough did not respond to this questionnaire or to other requests for information throughout the election season.

Q: Allocation wells are expected to be a big issue in 2017. Where do you stand on the issue?

Christian: The current process at the Railroad Commission for issuing drilling permits on allocation wells is not perfect, but is it known to all parties involved in the process. I believe the Railroad Commission should wait for the Legislature to provide additional guidance regarding how mineral interests are allocated before it makes any changes in its rules or processes.

Miller: The issue of allocation wells has arisen largely as a result of Railroad Commission rules and regulations that have failed to modernize to reflect current understandings of underground fluid movement and the newest production technologies. This is especially true in unconventional reservoirs. Regulations developed over decades for vertical wells in conventional reservoirs have been "patched" by the Commission to apply to horizontal wells in unconventional reservoirs. Allocation wells are just one symptom of more serious regulatory shortcomings.

Many of the rules adopted by the Railroad Commission effectively insert themselves into mineral lease agreements that should not have to be concerned with the whims of the latest governmental regulations. Important property rights issues are at stake. Commission regulations, including those for allocation wells, are in serious need of review, revision, and in some cases elimination.

Finally, my personal view is that an allocation well drilled through someone's mineral interest without permission is a trespass. Texas law also does not permit forced pooling of mineral interests. Both trespass and pooling laws appear to be violated by permits for allocation wells without mineral owner concurrence. The Railroad Commission should not grant such permits.

Q: With falling oil prices, there is a threat some operators will simply walk away, stressing the Clean-Up Fund that is funded by the industry. Also stressing the RRC budget is falling revenues from fees since the commission is issuing a lot fewer permits. Do you have any recommendations for preserving revenues?

Christian: I have long been an advocate of government operating more like a business. Operations of the Railroad Commission depend on the revenue it generates from the fees it charges the industries it regulates. Just like operators in the oil and gas industry are faced with tough decisions during this down cycle, so is the commission.

The commission is going have to make tough decisions on staffing and other operational costs just like the folks it regulates are doing. The commission generates upwards of $30 million in fines and gas utility taxes that go to the General Revenue Fund. I am not opposed to a portion of those funds being redirected to supplement the operations of the commission.

Miller: It is not the job of any state agency to preserve revenues. Around 85 percent of the Railroad Commission's budget comes via fees collected from oil and gas operators. These operators have had to cut costs and reduce the size of their operations in response to low oil and gas prices. Government should not be immune to this economic reality. The commission's costs need to be adjusted to align with its available revenues.

I usually support user fees as a means of funding state-run activities. In this case, however, a state agency is incentivized to promote particular activities in order to fund itself. This creates inappropriate bureaucratic incentives. At the very least, the commission may be tempted to increase fees to avoid down-sizing. I believe a preferable way to fund the Railroad Commission is through the general fund and thus subject to adjustment by the Texas Legislature.

Texas law now requires operators to post bonds to cover the abandonment of wells orphaned by bankruptcy. Unless these bonds are insufficient, it seems that the Cleanup Fund should be sufficient to take care of this problem.

Q: The RRC has been through sunset review the last three sessions. Why can't it pass, and how will you work with legislators to help the RRC pass sunset review?

Christian: My legislative experience and relationships allow me to easily navigate the sunset process in the 85th Legislature. This, in my opinion, continues to be one of the biggest fights the energy sector faces. For any other candidate in this race, there would be a significant learning curve. This is truly an opportunity for us to bridge the gap between the commission and the Legislature and come up with policies that will have a positive impact on Texans.

Miller: The Railroad Commission has been under Sunset Review since 2011. Two Sunset Commissions made many sensible recommendations for the 82nd, 83rd and 84th Legislatures to consider for the Railroad Commission. Another review is currently underway. Unfortunately, powerful forces within the Legislature have prevented necessary legislation from passing. There has been significant resistance to even taking the minor step of changing the commission's name to better reflect its actual duties.

Texas railroad commissioners have an obligation to publicly make their case with voters and legislators for or against any recommended Sunset Review reforms. Commissioners should be readily available to testify before relevant legislative committees, and to provide other written information and opinions needed for the legislative process. They should also actively make their case directly to the Texas citizenry in the run up to the 85th Legislature.

As a candidate for Texas railroad commissioner, I plan to publicly take a position on all Sunset Commission's recommendations that will be released prior to the November election. Voters will be able to judge my suitability for office based on those positions.

Q: Rules regarding well integrity and disposal permits have been updated in response to indications disposal wells are contributing to seismic events. Even so, the commission's seismologist remains noncommittal on the subject. Do you think the updated rules are enough, or is there more that can be done to address public concerns oil and gas drilling is causing earthquakes?

Christian: I think the commission has done the right thing by using science to drive their response on this issue. Texas already has some of the toughest laws on disposal wells. Before we do more, Texas must continue to research the issue (which we are doing).

Miller: In 2014, I publicly commented on the commission's rules designed to address public concerns about seismic activity caused by wastewater injection. I found the rules promulgated that year to be technically ineffective, and appearing to deceive the public into thinking otherwise. Subsequent commission actions with regard to the link between underground injection and earthquakes seem to have proven my suspicions were well-founded. The commission has gone so far as to ignore the well-researched findings of some of the state's most capable geoscientists.

The physical and technical ramifications and uncertainties surrounding this issue are complex and profound. I am concerned that the Railroad Commission's staff does not have the requisite technical expertise to evaluate the issues and develop a suitable regulatory regime. It will be up to our commissioners to remedy this shortcoming.

Q: What can the RRC do to prevent new federal regulations from hindering development? How would you establish a relationship with federal regulators to help craft sensible regulations?

Christian: The Railroad Commission should work in tandem with the attorney general and other state agencies to make sure we are doing everything we can to protect Texas' right to regulate its own natural resources. I served in the House and have relationships with many of the statewide leaders including the attorney general and I have been endorsed by Ag Commissioner Sid Miller. As commissioner, I will have regular meetings with the heads of other agencies to see what we can do together to protect Texas from an out-of-control federal government.

Miller: The Railroad Commission has little actual power to prevent or modify federal regulations. Where proposed federal regulations illegitimately impinge on Texas sovereignty, the commission can, however, provide information and opinions to the Texas attorney general to support Texas' assertion of its rights. That said, the commission should always seek to work directly with federal regulators to provide them with input as they craft federal regulations. Particular attention should be given to regulations that unnecessarily impinge on the commercial interests, property rights and personal liberties of Texas citizens. Texas is in a far better position to monitor and protect its people and its natural resources than the federal government.

In my opinion, resistance to federal regulations is not a major issue facing the Texas Railroad Commission. Railroad commissioner candidates should focus their attention on issues where the commission can have a more positive direct impact on Texas.

Q: Should the Railroad Commission be renamed? If so, what would you change the name to?

Christian: While a name change would provide clarity for the public as to what the Railroad Commission does, it would be costly and potentially open the agency up to further regulation from the federal government. At this time, I think we should leave the name alone. Regardless, it is a legislative issue, not one that will go before the commission.

Miller: Transparent government requires (at minimum) that its agencies have names that accurately reflect their responsibilities. Fewer than 5 percent of Texas voters know that the Railroad Commission regulates oil and gas. An appropriate alternative name would be the Texas Energy Resources Commission. Though Texas Energy Commission has been suggested by others, this name would continue to confuse voters by suggesting that the commission had jurisdiction over other energy sources such as wind, solar and nuclear power generation. Texas Oil and Gas Commission has also been suggested, but would not accurately reflect the commission's jurisdiction over mining activities in the state.
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Twyla Tharp is in an echelon of artists whose names are synonymous with their craft. Much the way Elvis Presley is rock n roll, Tharp is contemporary dance. Her work has defined the art for the past 50. With an inventive spirit and technical precision, Tharps works have transcended the boxes of ballet and modern dance into a fashion all her own from her iconic first dance Tank Dive in 1965 to today.

Her latest piece, Beethoven Opus 130, debuted this year.

Shell talk about her perpetual spirit of creation on Thursday when she comes to Midland to speak at the Museum of the Southwests The Business of Art lecture series.

She has turned her skill and passion into her life-long job, Kristen Wagstrom, curator of education for the Museum of the Southwest said. Twyla is the type of person who inspires everyone, those in the arts or not, to work hard, challenge yourself, and do what you love.

Tharp even has a connection to Midland. Susan Clark, artistic director of the Midland Festival Ballet explained.

"I was so fortunate to have the privilege to work with Twyla, she said. Her creativity and passion was best expressed through dance."

The MFB staff and students will also get to partake in Tharps visit to Midland. Executive director Rachel Kerr Ritter sees this as a special moment.

"It is a fantastic opportunity for Midland Festival Ballet's company members and students to hear from such a central figure in the dance world. Without her contributions, contemporary dance would not be what it is today, and we are incredibly lucky to hear her speak in Midland," Ritter said.

The Tony and Emmy winner and author of three books, including the seminal The Creative Habit, opened up about how even she hasnt mastered her creative technique and taking on harsh reviews as she did for her show Movin Out and turning that into her advantage.

MRT: You said about your latest piece Beethoven Opus 130 that it is the story of a man who pursued his own vision and insisted on his own honor. Were you telling your own story, or was there a particular moment in your career that pointed to that pursuit?

Tharp: Yes. That happened from the very beginning. There is always a search for ones own singular contribution, but there would be questions that repeated: What do I understand? What can I learn from this to generate the next piece?

MRT: Those are questions that still come up for you?

Tharp: Definitely.

MRT: What is the catalyst, then, for when you create a new piece?

Tharp: Every piece has its own life, which will suggest to me the need for another. I dont do series where one dance will be continued by a later one. I dont do that.

MRT: Can you talk about your book The Creative Habit?

Tharp: I wrote it for younger people That was the point of this book, but it also found an audience in the business world. Technique is required to be effective as an artist or a creative -- in particular, writers

MRT: With such acclaim to your career, would you say youve mastered your technique?

Tharp: One never masters that. Its a process that uses strengths of day to day and is routinely fresh. So someone perhaps never masters it but moves beyond it to the next.

MRT: Youve been known to have a strong control in your choreography, which seems ironic to the creative process. Is there a tension between the two?

Tharp: We think of creativity always as spontaneous and inspired or of the moment. And habit is dreary and a practice, but control and creativity have to work together.

MRT: When you created Movin Out using the music of Billy Joel, it received harsh reviews. You then reworked it and turned it into a Tony-winning show. How did you work with that criticism and how do you advise artists on that?

Tharp: You have to be able to evaluate the criticism in a way that is useful and take what is really being said. And dont be dissuaded. Its not easy for anyone, but you have to move on with what can be profitable.

It was tough. And just because we changed it, didnt mean that it was fixed, but I was fortunate to have two companies to work with on the show. I think that was the most valuable aspect of that situation. We had a lot of people who wanted to see this thing fly so we had to have a destination.

MRT: So is having a destination necessary for all artistic endeavors?

Tharp: You have to believe the work is going to be received and have a curiosity of what does that mean. As an artist, you never have all the answers. Just maximize your resources.

MRT: What do you remember as a child or young woman before your career took off?

Tharp: I dont remember myself (laughs). I remember being a kid and practicing violin and stumbling around through this and that. I do remember my extraordinary teachers and that does not go away.

MRT: Dancing involves so much discipline. How do you unwind or let loose?

Tharp: Working is a release for me so theres no need for escape.

MRT: So then, do you ever have a day off?

Tharp: I basically dont have any free time. Im working on my next book, planning tours. Im working on a curriculum that can hopefully service university dance departments. Archiving is always ongoing so there is lots to do. If Im not working, then I read a lot.

MRT: What are you reading right now?

Tharp: Oh, should I read the stack next to me right now? I have Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life, A Legacy, some (Ralph Waldo) Emerson because you should always have that and Bruce Springsteens autobiography. Hes very interesting.

Twyla Tharp presents The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life at the Business of Art lecture series, 7 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Museum of the Southwest in the Blakemore Planetarium, 1705 W. Missouri Ave. Free but seats are first come, first serve. museumsw.org.
Les blattes ou cafards (Blatta orientalis) sont des insectes qui appartiennent a la famille des Blattoptera. Ils se caracterisent par leur forme allongee, leurs ailes []
Akufo-Addo should have apologised over hardship  ...
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Halloween weekend in Downtown Plainview will feature several downtown trick-or-treats, a movie day and other events.

The Downtown Trick or Treat will be on Friday, Oct., 28, from 4-6 p.m. Organized by Sun Loan Co., downtown businesses will be open for trick-or-treaters to visit and receive candy.

Downtown is full of kids in costumes during our Trick or Treat, said Shannon Sepeda, manager of Sun Loan Company. The businesses and churches enjoy seeing all the kids dressed up and it is a great event that brings tons of people downtown.

A partial list of participating businesses include Sun Loan Co., Broadway Treasures, Star Medical, Furniture Expressions, AC Uniforms, Carlitos Mexican Restaurant, Plainview Herald, X-Treme Karate, Need em Help, Faith Christian Fellowship, Accolade, Laney & Bollinger and several City departments including the Water/Finance Department, Fair Theater, City Hall and the Police Department.

On Saturday, Oct. 29, the Fair will be showing Halloween movies all day. Beginning at 2 p.m., the Fair will show Casper. Rated PG, Casper (voiced by Malachi Pearson) is a kind young ghost who peacefully haunts a mansion in Maine. When specialist James Harvey (Bill Pullman) arrives to communicate with Casper and his fellow spirits, he brings along his teenage daughter, Kat (Christina Ricci). Casper quickly falls in love with Kat, but their budding relationship is complicated not only by his transparent state, but also by his troublemaking apparition uncles and their mischievous antics.

The 4 p.m. showing will be Hocus Pocus, rated PG. After moving to Salem, Mass., teenager Max Dennison (Omri Katz) explores an abandoned house with his sister Dani (Thora Birch) and their new friend, Allison (Vinessa Shaw). After dismissing a story Allison tells as superstitious, Max accidentally frees a coven of evil witches (Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy) who used to live in the house. Now, with the help of a magical cat, the kids must steal the witches' book of spells to stop them from becoming immortal.

The movies will conclude with a 7 p.m. showing of the newly released Ghostbusters (PG-13). Ghostbusters makes its return, rebooted with a cast of hilarious new characters. Thirty years after the beloved original franchise took the world by storm, director Paul Feig brings his fresh take to the supernatural comedy, joined by some of the funniest actors working today  Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones and Chris Hemsworth.

There are some great Halloween movies available and we thought it would be fun to showcase some of those movies, said Melinda Brown, Fair manager. We picked movies the whole family could enjoy throughout the day  hope you can join us for one, two or three!

Tickets are $2/adults (per movie) and $1/kids (per movie). Concessions will be available including the $1 snack pack of a small bag of popcorn and Capri Sun drink and kids and adults are welcome to dress in family friendly costumes.

The First Baptist Church will host their annual Trunk-or-Treat on Monday, Oct. 31 beginning at 6 p.m. Children are invited to join them around the Pavilion area on corner of Austin and Seventh for treats.

For more information, visit the Main Street Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/MainStreetPlainviewTx) or call the Main Street office at 296.1119.
These columns have often described employment in municipal government as working in a goldfish bowl, where there is a higher-level scrutiny than in private organizations. That is as it must and should be, because those involved in it are using the publics money and, in a larger sense, working for the public. Hence the term public servant.



It is my belief that Wallingford municipal employees and elected officials understand that relationship, and they wield the authority they are given with courtesy and respect; so when my wife Cathy and I were subjected to bureaucratic arrogance and condescension by the City of Portland, Maine, I decided that I should share it with you. We got caught up in this story because we own property there, but our billing address is Wallingford, CT.



Last year, the Portland City Council passed an ordinance requiring all owners of rental properties to register with the city. This was done to keep track of the whereabouts of absentee landlords and to get the surge of Airbnb rentals under proper health and safety supervision. To carry out the search for such unregistered rental properties, the Housing Safety Office used the infamous shotgun approach and assumed that, if the physical address of the property was not where the tax bills were being sent, the property must be a rental. But no notices were ever sent out alerting the hundreds of owners of such properties.



So nine months later, noting little compliance with this unknown and unpublicized regulation, the Administrator of the Housing Safety Office, on September 30th, sent out a NOTICE OF VIOLATION AND ORDER TO CORRECT to these hundreds of people. The letter said, in part, You have failed to register your rental units  To avoid legal action, you must register and pay the applicable registration fees by October 21, 2016.  Your failure to comply  will result in further action  including the imposition of civil penalties in the amount of $100 per day  and additional legal remedies.  If you think that this property is not subject to registration, please contact the Housing Safety Office.



And worse still, this letter was accompanied by another letter from the Law Departments Associate Corporation Counsel. It was entitled NOTICE OF INTENT TO PROSECUTE and stated: Your failure to comply will result in the issuance of a summons for you to appear in court, and the imposition of fines in the amount of $100 per day.



No explanation of the purpose of the regulation. No explanation of how and why anyone ended up getting this letter. No reference to any previous correspondence. Nothing but an assumption that everyone was guilty of evading the law and threats of huge fines or else. Not just from the pompous minor bureaucratic functionary, but from the Citys Law Department, as well.



Hundreds of people descended on City Hall. Many were petrified that they would be hauled into court or be hit with huge fines. Cathy spoke to a couple, originally from somewhere in Eastern Europe, who had lived under a communist dictatorship. It was deja vu all over again for them, and they were genuinely frightened.



This fiasco quickly came to the attention of the City Manager, and two weeks following the letters from the bungling bureaucrats, he sent out his own letter to all of us. It begins, Please accept my sincerest apologies for the tone and content of the violation notice that you received  I truly apologize for any inconvenience caused by this notice. If you dont own a rental unit in Portland, then please disregard this notice.



In the Preamble of the Declaration of Independence, it states:   Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed 



Every Portland city employee should be handed a copy of this document  with their next paycheck.



Stephen Knight is a former Wallingford town councilor.






Backgammon is exciting to play if you know what youre doing, but its awful to read about.

Even the classic works on the subject, such as Backgammon: The Cruelest Game (1974) by Barclay Cooke and Jon Bradshaw, build up to dramatic moments like this one, which read like Clausewitzs On War by way of an Ikea instruction packet: In Diagram 86, white has borne off 13 of his men, and in this position red rolls a 2-1.

Jonathan Lethems 10th novel, A Gamblers Anatomy, is about a backgammon hustler, a weird sad gorgeous man in late middle age who shuttles between casino VIP rooms across Europe and Asia, relieving rich men of their pretensions and their money.

This hustlers name is Alexander Bruno. He has high cheekbones and a ruinous glamour. Hed been told he resembled Roger Moore, Lethem writes, or the bass player from Duran Duran. In my mind, theres some Chet Baker in Bruno as well. Hes almost blue and aching to get lost.

Lethems backgammon writing has a satisfying crunch. Its witty and sexy, too. Im not sure Ive ever before read a love scene that begins with a woman crying out, Double me, gammon me.

As Bruno plays high-stakes competitions in cities like Singapore, the early parts of A Gamblers Anatomy read like a caper narrative concocted by Elmore Leonard or David Mamet. You half expect the sleight-of-hand artist Ricky Jay to appear in a tuxedo, expounding on the history of dice.

More Information A Gambler's Anatomy By Jonathan Lethem Doubleday, $27.95 See More Collapse

But this novel quickly bends, like one of Uri Gellers spoons, into stranger territory. Bruno, it happens, has psychic gifts; he can sometimes read minds. Hes been handed a death sentence. After he has a seizure during a high-stakes match, he learns he has an enormous and inoperable crablike tumor pressing on his face from the inside of his skull.

His very countenance is under duress. And as Lethem put it in his novel You Dont Love Me Yet (2007), You cant be deep without a surface.

Bruno returns to the Bay Area, where he grew up and vowed never to return, to undergo experimental surgery by a hippie doctor who plays Jimi Hendrix songs in the operating theater. The doctor dismantles Brunos eye sockets and opens the bones of his face, as if they were a door on a hinge, and spends hours sucking out the tumor.

The operation is a success, even if Bruno winds up looking, as one of his antagonists puts it, like Frankenstein and his own monster, all stitched together. Yet the operation has stolen something from him; a crucial element of his Bruno-hood has been crimped. This book will become an antic meditation on personality, and on masks, which Bruno begins to wear.

Its when the novel returns to the Bay Area that it fully becomes a Jonathan Lethem production. That is, the author begins to pour many of his abiding concerns into it: radical politics, underground art, an interest in literary genre (here a loose-leaf tea blend of detective fiction and science fiction), misplaced memories, a missing mother.

We meet the usual array of characters with quirky Pynchonian surnames, ones you expect might be  but are not  anagrams: Garris Plybon, Madchen Abplanalp, Tira Harpaz. Among the books central characters are an anarchist burger flipper, a German dominatrix and a widely loathed Berkeley businessman who seems to be a mixture of Crazy Eddie, the electronics kingpin, and Maurice Conchis, the wealthy intellectual who plays mind games on the young protagonist of John Fowles 1965 novel, The Magus.

A Gamblers Anatomy is a fluky novel, not among Lethems very best. Its themes are underdeveloped, and it moves in zigs and zags, like a squirrel in headlights.
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This year, there's a long list of retailers closing on Thanksgiving to allow employees to spend the holiday with their families.

Others are staying open from Thanksgiving Day through Black Friday.

It's become a controversial topic of conversation around the holiday season, whether stores should be operating on this holiday. On social media, the overwhelming response is that shop owners should prioritize the personal lives of their employees over their revenue.

RELATED: Thanksgiving traditions people can't live without

"Thanksgiving isn't for shopping. It's for time to spend with your family. If businesses are so hard up to keep their shops open during this day then they need to reevaluate their marketing strategies and their bottom line," one Houston Chronicle commenter recently wrote in response to an article about retailers that are staying closed. (Story continues below.)

>>Click to see the retailers that will be open and closed this Thanksgiving in the gallery above.

That hasn't swayed too many shoppers, as can be attested by the throngs of crowds that convene on Houston-area malls and outlets.

At least one major retailer has already announced that it will remain open an hour earlier Thanksgiving Day.

Macy's will open at 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving, and most locations will remain open until 2 a.m. The stores will reopen at 5 a.m. for Black Friday.

In a statement issued to the Associated Press, a spokesperson for the retailer explained that it won't require employees to work through the holiday.

"We are working diligently to staff Thanksgiving with associates who volunteer," Macy's told the Associated Press. "Doing so means that our employees are able to make their own decisions about how they contribute to our most important and busiest weekend of the year."
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BRAN CASTLE, Romania  Draculas castle will have overnight guests on Halloween, marking the first time since 1948 that anyone has slept in the Transylvanian fortress.

The sites actual name is Bran Castle, and two people will get to sleep there Oct. 31, thanks to a promotion by Airbnb. The guests will be wined and dined, then left alone to lie down in red velvet-trimmed coffins just as Dracula did in the Bram Stoker horror novel that popularized the legend.

The castle is famous for its connection to Vlad the Impaler, a real-life prince who stayed there in the 15th century and had a cruel habit of using stakes to impale his victims. Vlad inspired Stokers story of Count Dracula.

In the Airbnb contest to find guests for the night, applicants were asked to use their vampiric wit to imagine what theyd say to Count Dracula if they met him. Winners will be flown to Romania and then taken to the castle set dramatically in the Carpathian Mountains. If theyre too spooked to sleep in the coffins, beds are on hand.

More Information If you go Competition: airbnb.com/night-at/dracula The deadline to enter is Wednesday, Oct. 26. Castle website: bran-castle.com See More Collapse

The castle is one of Romanias top tourist attractions, with more than 630,000 visitors a year. Hosting the one-off Airbnb event is a descendant of Bram Stoker, Dacre Stoker.

I want to make it both realistic and show the legend in the wonderful country that birthed the whole thing, Stoker said in a telephone interview. Hell play the role of Jonathan Harker, a character from the novel who encounters Dracula at the castle. When the winners arrive in a horse-drawn carriage, he plans to greet them using the same words Dracula used in his ancestors story: Welcome to my house! Enter freely. Go safely, and leave something of the happiness you bring!

Stoker added that staging Halloween night in Dracula castle was a way of re-creating the book, and giving people a good experience and a good scare.

The winning pair will tour the castle, then be treated to a candlelight dinner of chicken paprikash, the same meal described in the novel. Airbnbs rules for the night are simple: no garlic or silver jewelry  both believed to ward off vampires  and this reminder: The count is not a fan of mirror selfies. (According to legend, a vampires image cannot be seen in mirrors.)

Bran Castle was originally a military fortress, strategically set on a highway that links Transylvania to southern Romania. Vlad the Impaler did not own the castle, but is believed to have used it briefly during his incursions in Transylvania. He is also believed to have been imprisoned in the castle for two months in 1462 when he was captured by a rival Hungarian king.

Vlad impaled his victims as punishment for wrongdoing. His victims reputedly included all the elderly residents of one community to avenge the deaths of his father and brother.

Following World War I, the castle was given to Queen Marie in gratitude for her role in unifying Transylvania with the rest of Romania. She bequeathed it to her youngest daughter Princess Ileana. In 1948, the Communists seized it from Ileana.

In 2006, years after communism ended, the castle was returned to Ileanas son Dominic Hapsburg, a retired New York architect. His sisters spent their childhood there. A Romanian company manages the castle, which is rented for weddings, soirees and corporate events. Hapsburg plays an active role in the site, but nobody has stayed overnight there since Hapsburg and his family were exiled from Romania.

The castle is very popular with tourists. We just love Halloween, so what drew us to Romania was Transylvania, said Gina Ricciardi of Boca Raton, Florida, visiting with her husband and friends. We wanted to see Draculas castle and just experience the whole Dracula.

Might Count Dracula himself show up on Oct. 31?

Did he really die at end of the novel when he was stabbed with knife? Bram leaves the question ambiguous, Stoker said. But if hes still floating around, he would make an appearance.
GREENWICH  Fans of the Greenwich Symphony have a treat coming their way courtesy of the New York Philharmonic.

Timothy Cobb, who is the principal bass of the elite outfit, will be featured as a guest artist with the Greenwich Symphony Chamber Players at their Nov. 13 and 14 concerts. He will perform on three pieces: Carl Nielsens Serenata in Vano for Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn, Cello and Bass, Antonin Dvoraks Bass Quintet in G major, Op.77 and Franz Schuberts Octet in F major, Opus 166.

The Nov. 13 concert will be at 4 p.m. at Round Hill Community Church, 395 Round Hill Road; the Nov. 14 performance is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the Bruce Museum

For me personally the highlight of this program, in addition to the glorious music, is the opportunity to work with one of the most prominent bassists of our generation, said violinist Krystof Witek, co-artistic director of the Chamber Players. To appear together with him is a real treat. We are all looking forward to it.

Witek spoke proudly about the Chamber Players ability to present large chamber music ensemble pieces.

The logistics of these large ensembles is not easy, as you would find out, should you try to put together multiple rehearsals with all these busy players, Witek said.

In addition to his work with the New York Philharmonic, Cobb was principal bass for the Metropolitan Opera and has played with the Mostly Mozart Festival and the Music from Marlboro Series. He also is principal bass for the Valery Gergiev World Orchestra for Peace, which consists of an international group of musicians who perform biannually for free to promote world harmony.

Cobb is a member of the faculty at the Juilliard School, The Manhattan School of Music, Purchase College and Rutgers University.

Each concert will also have a wine and cheese reception. Tickets cost $30 for adults and $5 for students. They can be purchased at the door. More information is available online at www.greenwichsym.org/chamberplayers or by calling 203-637-4725.

kborsuk@scni.com
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Last weeks school board candidate forum wasnt without a sense of urgency for those seeking education reform to one of Texas worst performing school districts.

We need change, dramatic change, District 4 candidate John Kennedy said.

This is a vital time to be part of the school district, said Bryan Murry, District 7 candidate.

Hold the superintendent accountable, hold the board accountable. ... If we dont get the job done, fire us, District 4 candidate Rachel Stone said.

While a future superintendent selection received a lions share of attention during Thursdays debate hosted by the League and Women Voters and Negro Business and Professional Women, a close second was leadership coming from the school board.

Obviously, the superintendent is a big deal, but it is part of total leadership, Kennedy said after the forum. We have to change the culture and it starts at the top -- the leadership. The school board and superintendent have to be held accountable. They have to be involved and engage the community and teachers.

The leadership of the school board has to lead and not just let the administrator or superintendent tell them what to do, he said. That is the biggest thing.

Under Ryder Warrens watch, Midland ISDs academic performance finished a nearly decade-long free-fall from being an above-average district to ranking near the bottom of the largest 200 districts in the state.

The frustration of a community was demonstrated earlier this month when a board-approved tax rate election was soundly defeated by nearly a 2-to-1 margin. If bond/tax rate elections are a referendum on district leadership, the electoral result sent a message that candidates heard loud and clear.

It is apparent the community does not trust (district leadership), Stone said after the forum. Look at what happened with TRE. ... Nothing was positive. I was talking to people about the TRE, talking to people about what was happening and that we need to do this. I was being beat up.

All six candidates running for school board supported the ballot initiative to raise the total tax rate to $1.17 per $100 valuation. Instead of raising $6.7 million to help make up for a $25 million budget deficit, the current MISD board is having to go back to the drawing board and make cuts. An amended budget will be presented to the school board Monday.

The vote on (Nov. 8) told us something in spades, Kennedy said.

Novembers elections involve three school board seats. In District 1, James Fuller, the lone incumbent on the ballot, takes on Ernie Garcia. In District 4, Kennedy and Stone face off. In District 7, Murry and Margy House, the lone teacher of the candidate group, are on the ballot. District 2s Robert Marquez didnt draw an opponent and already has joined the school board.

House, who left MISD after 20 years of service and currently teaches at Trinity, said her goal is to bring credibility back to the district.

House and Murry are looking to fill the seat being vacated by Jay Isaacs, who has announced his public support for Murry. Like Isaacs, whose wife, Nancy, is an administrator with the district, Murrys wife also is an MISD employee. Amy Murry is a teacher.

The District 4 race features Kennedy, a businessman, and Stone, president of the Hispanic Chamber.

I felt guilty as a community man not paying attention, Kennedy said. I didnt realize the district dropped as much as it had.

Stone ran for school board in 2014, finishing second to Jeff Robnett. As CEO and president of the Midland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Her position in the community keeps her involved in the district. After last weeks forum, she expressed frustration with the cries by the community being ignored by district leaders, specifically Warren.

When you tell me as an adult this is what we are doing, I want to believe you, Stone said, You are the superintendent. When I get a call from (the Texas Education Agency) that we are in trouble and they are going to send a monitor, I wonder what happened? What happened? That is the type of leadership we dont need. We need someone who will be honest.

The new board will hire the next superintendent sometime in late winter or early spring 2017. That superintendent will oversee a school district with nine schools currently labeled improvement required or IR and a short-term future full of recapture payments in the $50 million range.

What is going to be done internally so this doesnt happen again, Stone said of the deficits. (The people) are not happy with how the current administration is handling tax dollars. ... We need to prepare for five years from now.

This community will learn if November will deliver a wave election based on the result of District 1. Garcia, whose wife is a teacher at Lee High School, takes on Fuller, the dean of school board members.

If (people) are happy where the district is at, I encourage them to vote for Mr. Fuller, Garcia said. Part of the reason I ran is we needed change.

Garcia wants to connect Fuller with the selections of former superintendents Sylvester Perez and Warren, who led the district during the last decade and whose time at central office runs concurrent with the decline of academic performance inside the district.

Fuller said change in the board leadership style doesnt require total turnover on the board. He said during the forum that he found himself in the minority of the board wanting to make changes. He said afterward there is no room for cliques on the board but there is a need for open communications, collaboration among board members and a superintendent and board leadership that is transparent, proactive and participates with each board member.

The TRE election aside, there has been momentum for reform inside the community. Businesses and foundations brought education to the forefront with the rollout of Educate Midland, an organization that plans to use a collective impact model to provide more support to struggling schools. Interim Superintendent Rod Schroder has come to Midland and ratcheted up the professional learning communities, which in its infancy in Midland but helped turn around the Amarillo ISD, where Schroder was superintendent through the 2014-15 season.

Teacher morale is terrible. ... We have to give the classroom back, Kennedy said. If we can change the culture and get people positive, then it is a home run and easy to fix.
Editors note: Candidates were asked to keep answers to 350 words or less.

What do you say to those who have little confidence in the district because of academic performance issues?

District 1

James Fuller

To those who have little confidence in MISD because of academic performance issues, I would say take time to examine closely the district. The interim superintendent and our professional and support staff have taken the bull by the horns. They have begun the process of becoming a sound academic district; they are building on subtle achievements that will make the district better. A number of important things have taken place and continue in process. The district has acknowledged its shortcomings, the district is developing a growth mind-set, and collaboration is the order of the day -- the rule not the exception. The culture is changing for the good; inclusiveness is the rule for working with all students; all means all; campuses are no longer working in isolation but as a team with their fellow professionals; professional learning communities is one example. Systemic problems that have lingered and contributed to MISDs academic challenges are being recognized as just that and are being eliminated.

So, I would say follow the process and progress and regain confidence in our public school system. Be a consistent participant-observer.

Ernie Garcia

Everyone who is involved in this process needs to understand that MISD did not get into this predicament overnight; so patience will be required as the district is working toward improvement. The district and board will need to make action payments as proof to the community that reform is indeed moving in the right direction.

District 4

John L. Kennedy

We do have challenges with our academic performance. Midland has always been a can-do, get-it-done community. I believe we can find the right people and give them the right tools to go from needs improvement to exemplary at every MISD campus.

Rachel Stone

The lack of confidence is understandable but I strongly believe the entire community must stand up to help our future leaders to strengthen the academic performances in the district.

District 7

Margy House

At this moment, it is hard to say that our school district is the best place to be in West Texas. I am, however, hopeful for the state of education in MISD. After almost 40 years of classroom experience and 20 years of teaching in MISD, I have seen educational programs come and go. One program that the school district is beginning to implement is PLCs or Professional Learning Communities, as an approach to campus-based decision-making. It is designed to allow teachers to come together to evaluate how well they are teaching the required skills, and then collaborate to find the best ways to meet their students needs. No one knows the needs of the children better than their teachers. I am anticipating positive outcomes from this program, because it empowers teachers to make a real difference.

Bryan Murry

I think we all have to go to work and earn the confidence of the entire community. Academic performance has slid little by little to an unacceptable level. As a school board, we need to keep the momentum of this past year moving and begin to earn back the trust. This will happen by being transparent with our community, by empowering our teachers and all of us being held accountable. I think by listening to the teachers and working with community groups, we will get better at retaining our teachers and gain the support of the people who compose our District. We will then see public education return to a community strength.
EDITORS NOTE  OWI means operating while intoxicated. DWLS means driving while license suspended. (MC) is for Judge Michael D. Carpenter. (L) is for Magistrate Gerald Ladwig. (SC) is for Circuit Judge Stephen P. Carras. Sentences may vary based on previous offenses committed by the defendant. Some sentencings include other fees imposed by the state.

Beaverton

Jennifer Kay Mayberry, 37, allowing DWLS on July 27, $400 fines and costs (MC).

Midland

Miles Earl Anderson, 39, East Bombay Road, impaired driving on July 6, 93 days in jail held in abeyance with credit for one day, $500 fines and costs, four months probation, attend substance abuse program, may not use or possess drugs or alcohol, subject to random drug and alcohol screening, may not enter bars, attend counseling as directed (MC).

Samuel John Bekemeier, 27, East Brooks Road, impaired driving on July 2, 93 days in jail held in abeyance with credit for two days, $775 fines and costs, eight months probation, attend substance abuse program, may not use or possess drugs or alcohol, subject to random drug and alcohol screening, may not enter bars with the exception of employment, attend counseling as directed (MC).

Joshua Paul Bellenbaum, 35, Wisconsin Street, no proof of insurance on Aug. 12, $210 fine (MC).

Lamar Jermine Blackwell, 35, Bay City Road, DWLS on Aug. 17, one weekend in jail (MC).

Paul William Brown, 54, West Chippewa Lane, domestic violence and impaired driving on Aug. 19, 52 days in jail with credit for time served (MC).

Claudia Ellen Dill, 65, Hicks Road, drag racing on Aug. 8, $200 fines and costs (MC).

David Louis Dishaw, 45, East Bombay Road, second-offense DWLS on May 1, two weekends in jail, $575 fines and costs (MC).

Lyle Lee Gibson, 45, Meyers Street, drag racing and no proof of insurance on Aug. 8, $410 fines and costs (MC).

John Michael Haner, 65, Raymond Street, DWLS on Aug. 25, four weekends in jail (MC).

Andrew Nicholas Hopper, 33, Meyers Street, attempted assault and battery on Aug. 18, 46 days in jail with all but 16 days held in abeyance and credit for two days, restitution left open, one year probation, attend substance abuse program and mental health counseling, not to be involved in any assaultive, intimidating, violent, aggressive, disorderly or abusive behavior toward any person, no contact with the victim, may not use or possess drugs or alcohol, subject to random drug and alcohol screening, may not enter bars, attend counseling as directed, attend programs while in jail (MC).

Javone Antoine Jones, 24, Morning Dawn Drive, no proof of insurance on Aug. 25, $210 fine (MC).

Nathan Allen Lauer, 39, West Stewart Road, abandon or cruelty to one animal on June 16, one year in jail held in abeyance, $800 fines and costs, $1,299.74 restitution, one year probation, 100 hours of community service, may not use or possess drugs or alcohol, subject to random drug and alcohol screening, may not enter bars, attend counseling as directed, may not own or possess animals (MC).

Cassidy Rae McJames, 21, South Shannon Drive, allowing DWLS on Feb. 23, $250 fines and costs (MC).

Jazmin Sharri Mitchell, 21, Hancock Drive, fail to stop an identify at the scene of a traffic crash on Aug. 30, $100 fine, $500 restitution (MC).

Stephan Carl Ohsowski, 24, Coolidge Drive, embezzlement on March 25, 57 days in jail with credit for time served, $725.89 restitution (MC).

James Samuel Orlando, 21, East Pine River Road, aggravated assault and malicious use of telecommunications on July 6, one year in jail for the first count and nine days in jail for the second count with all but 180 days held in abeyance and credit for nine days, $3,896.97 restitution, two years probation, attend substance abuse program and mental health counseling, not to be involved in any assaultive, intimidating, violent, aggressive, disorderly or abusive behavior toward any person, no contact with the victim, may not use or possess drugs or alcohol, subject to random drug and alcohol screening, may not enter bars, attend counseling as directed, attend programs while in jail (MC).

Madison Amber Ribble, 20, Sharon Road, third-degree retail fraud on June 30, 15 days in jail with credit for one day, $700 fines and costs (MC).

Sean David Selley, 31, Isabella Street, domestic violence on May 11, 2014, 93 days in jail with credit for 34 days, $975 fines and costs (MC).

Thad Morris Warner, 51, Lambert Road, second-offense OWI on June 11, one year in jail with all but 30 days held in abeyance and credit for two days, $875 fines and costs, two years probation, attend substance abuse program, may not use or possess drugs or alcohol, subject to random drug and alcohol screening, may not enter bars, attend counseling as directed, attend programs while in jail (MC).

Saginaw

Ronda Neal Bledson, 49, DWLS on Aug. 29, four days in jail with credit for time served (MC).

Elsewhere

Darrel Martin Stafford, 50, Roseville, OWI with high blood alcohol content on Jan. 6, 14 days in jail, $400 fines and costs, may not use or possess drugs or alcohol, subject to random drug and alcohol screening, may not enter bars (MC).

Joy Lou-Katherine Thomas, 47, Illinois, larceny between $200 and $1,000 on July 27, 2015, five days in jail with credit for one day (MC).

Laphonshae Sammone Wilson, 23, Flint, third-degree retail fraud on July 22, 14 days in jail with credit for one day (MC).
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 21, ARMENPRESS. German historian and author of a number of works on the Armenian Genocide Michael Hesemann revealed documents of 1100 pages linked with the Armenian Genocide in Vaticans open and secret archives. Armenpress reports the German historian told the reporters that he plans to write a book based on the findings, while the copies of the documents he handed to the director of Armenias National Academy of Sciences. Hesemann informed the book will be not only in German, but also English and other languages. The scientist is ready to share his experience with other scientists and researchers studying Armenian Genocide.

Referring to the content of the document, Michael Hesemann noted that they are mainly the correspondences of Popes with their representatives in the East, as well as with the representatives of the Capuchin and Franciscan orders. The documents are mainly in Italian and French.

The studies manly reveal that extermination of the Christian element, and particularly Armenians, took place in the Ottoman Empire. It was a well planned state policy. The Young Turks believed that only homogeneous states are powerful, and for reaching that goal ethnic cleansings were necessary, the scientist said.

According to him, the documents show that the Catholic Church had tried to influence the German position on the Armenian Genocide. Vatican tried to influence Germany through Austria-Hungary aiming to stop the genocide. But Germany wished to keep Turkey under its influence, even at the expense of the fate of Armenians, Michael Hesemann said. He thinks that the feeling of guilt coming from this act made the German parliament adopt a relevant decision and recognize the Armenian Genocide.

The German historian also mentioned that the documents examined by him contain precise evidences about the number of Armenian victims amounting to 1.5 million. The letter of a Capuchin representative also documents this fact, who mentions that 1.5 million out of 2.3 million Armenians have been killed by November, 1918, the scientist said.
RE: Dont believe that stuff you see on CSI Editorial, Sept. 30

This editorial criticizes judges for admitting evidence of dubious scientific reliability in criminal trials from witnesses who may not be experts, and instructs judges on how to prevent that from occurring.

Judges are admonished to become more expert gate-keepers on which evidence to allow .. How judges are to become more expert is unclear, but the implication appears to be that judges should have sufficient personal knowledge to independently evaluate the validity and reliability of scientific evidence. That is not only impractical, it is contrary to the American adversarial system of justice in which judges are required to be impartial and base their rulings on the evidence presented by the parties. A presiding judge may not be a witness in the trial or have personal knowledge of disputed evidentiary facts concerning the proceeding. In Texas, a judge may not call witnesses to testify, and, except to clarify testimony, may not question witnesses.

If the party against whom expert opinion testimony is offered objects that the testimony is not admissible, the judge must conduct an adversarial gate-keeping hearing to determine its admissibility. At the hearing, the judge must determine, first, from evidence presented by the parties, whether the witness is qualified by scientific knowledge to testify as an expert. If the witness is found to be qualified, the judge must then determine, from scientific evidence presented by the parties, whether the underlying scientific theory relied on by the witness is valid, whether the technique used by the witness in applying the theory is valid and whether the technique was properly applied by the witness in reaching his or her conclusion. In determining the admissibility of the testimony, the judge does not determine the scientific correctness of the witness opinion. That is for the jury to decide. The judge must determine only whether the opinion is based on accepted scientific methodology. In making that determination, the judge must rely on the testimony of scientists.

If the judge finds that a form of evidence is not reliable, it will be excluded. If the evidence is found to be admissible, the party opposing the evidence has the opportunity to present scientific evidence to the jury, including statistical reliability, for the purpose of attacking the witness credibility and the reliability of the witness conclusion.

The editorial advises judges that they should not admit certain types of expert testimony because previous judges have. They dont if a party objects to the reliability of the testimony. Trial judges may take judicial notice that certain scientific evidence has been found to be reliable based on findings from adversarial gate-keeping hearings that appellate courts have affirmed. If, however, changes have occurred in that field of science that would cause the reliability of previous findings to be questionable, it is the responsibility of the party opposing the evidence to present scientific evidence of the changes.

Rather than criticizing the courts, the focus should be on the expertise and integrity of the scientists who provide the evidence.

Robert R. Barton is a senior district judge in Kerrville.
Many sacrifices were made so that you can vote. This year, dont let anyone take this right away from you!

Among our nations greatest virtues, the constitutional right to vote is the heartbeat of our democracy. While our nation struggled to share this right with all of its citizens, America persevered but it wasnt without a fight  a fight that was waged by patriotic men, women and minorities seeking justice and equality. Some even paid the ultimate price for our nation to live up to its constitutional promise that we are all equal under the law.

Yet despite our progress, there are those who continue to use wretched partisan politics and modern voter technology to silence the voice of democracy. Texas failed voter ID law is the latest example of this trend. Despite the fact that this proposal had the support of Gov. Greg Abbott and nearly every Republican leader in the Texas House and Senate, federal courts have invalidated this law because it illegally prohibited hundreds of thousands of Texans from voting.

More important, a courts decision forced the state to change this law to make voting easier for those who lacked certain forms of identification but had valid voter registration cards or other forms of identification. This means you can vote in this election even if you dont have a valid form of ID. The most important thing you need to know is that anyone who is registered to vote can and should vote this coming November. Even if you dont have an acceptable ID as defined by the challenged law, and cannot reasonably obtain the necessary ID, you can still vote. All you have to do is sign an affidavit and present a valid voter registration certificate or alternative form of identification and you can vote and that vote will count.

For those of you who are registered to vote, but dont have a valid ID here is what you need to do:

Go to the early or Election Day polling location, show them your voter registration card or a certified birth certificate, a current utility bill, a bank statement, a government check, a paycheck or any other government document that displays the voters name and address.

Tell them you dont have an ID and you could not reasonably obtain the necessary ID in time for the election.

Ask for the Reasonable Impediment Declaration (affidavit) and sign it.

Vote!

If you have trouble voting and you feel you are being mistreated, here is what you need to do:

Check your registration status ahead of time to ensure that you are registered. You can check that with your local elections office at http://www.bexar.org/1568/Elections-Department

Know your rights. If you feel elections officials are impeding your right to vote, ask for a supervisor or call the Bexar County elections office at: 210-335-VOTE. Keep in mind the elections office can and will dispatch election monitors and other officials to ensure compliance with the law.

Dont be discouraged. If you believe someone is trying to prevent you from voting, dont go home, demand that elections officials give you a clear explanation and provide you with a remedy. Again, it is important you know your rights and be sure to use them.

Voting rights lawyers and community leaders fought so that your voice can be heard at the ballot box. I worked hard at the Capitol and the courthouse to make sure all registered voters can vote. Please cast your vote in the general election and make sure your voice is heard.

State Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio, represents House District 116 in San Antonio. He was both a litigant and trial court witness who helped defeat Texas voter id law because of its discriminatory effect on minority voters.
Re: Some flip lids over mayors cap stance, Gilbert Garcia, Oct. 15:

Gilbert Garcias column discussing the vitriolic reaction to Mayor Taylors simple, objective statement illustrates the crassness and lack of civility the Trump campaign has unleashed and encouraged.

Hopefully a majority of the country will soon repudiate this man and his style of scorched earth politics.

Kathy Bandujo, Boerne

Pursuing a dream

Like many folks in San Antonio, we recently had our roof replaced because of hail damage. The workers arrived by dawn, staying until dark. The temperatures were close to 100 degrees. These guys werent my neighbors, or the kids of our neighbors.

When you cast your vote for president, ask yourself a few questions. Who might do the physical labor to replace your next roof? Who will pick crops that supply you with fruits and vegetables? Who will bus your dishes when you eat out? Who will do your yard work or clean your home?

These are jobs many native-born citizens feel are beneath them. Immigrants leave all that is familiar, often arriving here to perform back-breaking labor and sharing their income with families back home. They seek a life known worldwide as the American Dream. Theyre willing to start at the bottom with an eye on the upward climb for them and their children.

When selecting the next leader of the rich tapestry of our great country, keep in mind the likelihood your family once bore the name immigrant as well.

Connie Sharon

No comparison

Comparing Hillary Clintons flaws to Donald Trumps flaws is like comparing a crack on the sidewalk to the Grand Canyon  then claiming both have flaws!

Rick Garcia

Welcome dialogue

Re: Panel divided on property tax revenue caps, Page 2, Oct. 15:

Many thanks for the San Antonio Express-News for helping to present the program Property Tax Revenues: Legislative limits vs. local control at the downtown UTSA campus. The panelists  Texas Sen. Donna Campbell, James Quintero, Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff and Live Oak Mayor Mary Dennis  were all courteous and respectful to one another. Most particularly, I commend our local representatives, Wolff and Dennis, for arriving early, being well prepared, and expressing an interest in a continuation of open dialogue on the subject.

Judy Lackritz

Diving into trash

Isnt it strange that all of sudden, when Donald Trump was leading Hillary Clinton by a large percentage in the polls, all these women are coming out of the wood work after 11 and 30 years. Where have they been all this time? The Democratic Party was getting very worried about Trump beating Hillary and had to dig in the garbage to find anything they could to try and degrade him and hoping to persuade women not to vote for Trump. I really dont believe women in this country are that stupid to believe all of these women after all these years. If Hillary gets in office, people, we will have another four years of Obama and the mess that he has done to this country will just continue.

Grace Webb
THEY respected the pastor and treated him like family. But little did they know he was committing evil deeds throughout the six years they knew...
This is Naked Capitalism fundraising week. 1224 donors have already invested in our efforts to combat corruption and predatory conduct, particularly in financial realm. Please join us and participate via our Tip Jar, which shows how to give via check, credit card, debit card, or PayPal. Read about why were doing this fundraiser, what weve accomplished in the last year, and our fifth goal, more original reporting.

Yves here. Many people have predicted a bust in Chinas bubblicious housing market for quite some time. Regardless of whether you believe that the endgame is nigh or not, this analysis contains some interesting data. Wolf Richter posted yesterday that China House Price Bubble Soars Most Ever, Government Freaks out, Preannounces Plunge. Even though this is a deliberately attention-geting headline, Richter also stresses that the government has taken aggressive steps to try to keep its latest round of monetary stimulus from goosing housing prices further by imposing restriction, including requiring bigger down payments. This appears to have led to an influx of purchases ahead of the October 1 deadline, and in a never-before move, released preliminary data for October, which shows a meaningful decline in many big cities.

And one point I found telling in the article below was that it was retail investor money that has been pouring inin even as professionals are pulling out. That is often the sign of a market top.

By Dee Woo, chief economist of Beijing Zhonghua Yuan Financial Institute

Summary

Whats behind the property fever in China? The financial truth of the destocking of Chinas property market. Using quantitative analysis to predict when the bubbles of Chinas housing market will burst

1.Whats Behind the Property Fever in China?

Before Mount Vesuvius erupted in A.D. 79, the nobles in Pompeii carried on their extravagant lives without a care in the world. Humans have very narrow visions, oftentimes can only see people around them fiddling away the good times, and have no idea that their landmarks-such as Mount Vesuvius to Pompeian, can evolve into such a deadly force of mass-destruction.

Since April 2015, the property price in China has been growing fast, and the trading volume per month and price YoY growth rate have broken all previous records by significant margins. This market rally is the strongest in the 18-years long bull market of Chinas housing market. Housing market speculation has become the talk of the town so much so that people would give up their own business or jobs for it.

However, the real picture of Chinas economy couldnt be more depressing apart from the red hot housing market: the GDP growth rate has been falling steadily towards the historical lows since Reform & Opening up; the export values (rolling 12 months) YoY growth rate has been declining for the past 6 years and arrive at the level last seen in the aftermath of the 2009 global financial tsunami. If above facts were ignored, the period since April 2015 would be seen as the most prosperous by many, when the housing market is the hottest on record. Chinas housing market is truly reminiscent of Pompeii right before A.D. 79.

Humans have very narrow visions, oftentimes can only see people around them fiddling away the good times, and have no idea that their landmarks-such as Mount Vesuvius to Pompeian, can evolve into such a deadly force of mass-destruction. However, the evolvement of the force of mass-destruction can be spotted well in advance by analyzing the macro financial economic data.

In the 18 years long bull market of Chinas housing market, there are two market makers: local governments, and the institutional money which are property developers and their financial backers(banks, insurance companies and shadow banks). the retail investors are the residents-ordinary people enthusiastic about investing, the vanguard of which were nicknamed Chinese Damas.

In the current housing market rally, how do the market makers and Chinese Damas (aka ordinary people) fare? Lets look at the below chart:

Chart 1

2.The Financial Truth of the Destocking of Chinas Property Market

The destocking of property market is one of the 5 essential economic tasks in 2016 given by the central government, which are now one of the hottest trending economic topics in China.

According to Chart 1, in this rally, the YoY growth rate of Average House Price in China now reached its highest level since the data was collected and also surpassed its previous record by significant margins, meanwhile the YoY growth rate of Completed Investment in Real Estate Development drops to the historical lows and stay there since April 2015 when the housing market started to take off. This means that institutional money has flown out of the property sector during this rally.

If institutional money doesnt buy into this rally, who do? The situation is much like what transpired in the 2015-16 Chinese stock market turbulence. According to Chart 2, during the crazy rally of A shares from June 2014 to June 2015, the net capital flow (rolling 12 months) of China started to drop very quickly and turn negative in the late 2014 for the 1 st time since the data was collected. The hot money was flowing out of China at its highest speed, which is the total opposite of what happened in the previous rallies of A shares. According to Bloomberg, China suffered capital outflow of one trillion dollar in 2015. Hot money didnt buy into the crazy Rally, and it was Chinese Damas that were left holding the bags and suffered the heaviest loss in the end.



Chart 2

CNNMFMRS: China Net Capital Flow(rolling 12 months), SHCOMP: Shanghai Stock Exchange Composite Index, Source: Bloomberg

The examples among the institutional money, which do not buy into this housing market rally are plenty. Let me count two of the biggest: Wanda and Anbang. Before 2015, Wanda Group invested totally 15 billion dollars overseas, and in 2016, it invested 10 billion dollars outside China so far. Since 2014, Anbang Insurance group has invested a hefty sum of 13.5 billion dollars overseas. Wanda Group is one of the biggest real estate developers in China. The insurance industry which Anbang Insurance group belongs to is one of the most important funding sources for the housing sector. Now the biggest names among the institutional money who once were the biggest patrons of the property market, are moving their assets overseas on an unprecedented scale. This is one of the most fundamental reason why the YoY growth rate of Completed Investment in Real Estate Developmen stays at its historical lows during this housing market rally.

The trend couldnt be clearer: The current market rally is the strongest one in the 18 years of China real property bull market. However, to the opposite of what happened in previous rallies, this time the institutional money is flowing out of the sector, and when netting out, the capital is flowing out of China as a whole at a speed unprecedented since Reform & Opening up. While the institutional money is abandoning the sector, who is fueling the rally? Lets look at the below Chart:

Chart 3

Completed Investment in Real Estate Development: YTD: YoY<Blue Line, Left Axis>, FIs: New RMB Loans: Households: Medium & Long-term (ROLLing 12 months)/FIs: New RMB Loans: Medium & Long-term Loans (ROLLing 12 months)< RedLine, Right Axis> Data Source: Wind Info

Be aware that the majority of New RMB Loans: Households: Medium & Long-term is home mortgage.

According to Chart 3, ever since  New RMB Loans data was collected from Dec 2009,  New RMB Loans: Households: Medium & Long-term (ROLLing 12 months)/FIs: New RMB Loans: Medium & Long-term Loans (ROLLing 12 months) almost moved in tandem with Completed Investment in Real Estate Development: YTD: YoY, which indicates that the institutional money and Chinese Damas almost leveraged up in line with each other in all the previous housing market rally.The current rally is an exception: New RMB Loans: Households: Medium & Long-term (ROLLing 12 months)/FIs: New RMB Loans: Medium & Long-term Loans (ROLLing 12 months) rises up with unprecedented speed while  Completed Investment in Real Estate Development: YTD: YoY languishes at the historical lows.

The institutional money is abandoning the housing sector and reducing its respective leverages, and meanwhile Chinese Damas are leveraging up at the unprecedented speed. So it is the financial truth of the destocking of Chinas property market.

Chinese Damas nearly Run Out of the room to grow their leverage

This April, about 77% of FIs: New RMB Loans: Medium & Long-term Loans are home mortgagesclose to the previous record number: 81%; this May, the YoY growth rate of the home price in the First-tier Cities arrived at 26.36%a new record. Even more shockingly, in July, nearly all of FIs: New RMB Loans: Medium & Long-term Loans are home mortgages. The current housing market rally is entirely fueled by the Chinese Damas unprecedented leverages. How much further can Chinese Damas leverages go?

We should also be aware that on the one hand, Chinese Damas are heavily restricted to exchange their RMB for dollars and shift their dollars aboard, and they end up buying up houses feverishly; on the other hand, the institutional money moguls are a privileged bunch who can easily exchange their rmb for billions of dollars and shift their assets aboard on a massive scale, and they end up reducing their exposures to Chinas housing market substantially. Similar situations happened in the previous crazy rally of A shares as well. According to Bloomberg, during the super strong rally and subsequent crash of A shares in 2015, the annual tally of Chinas capital outflows reached 1 trillion dollars. In this regard, Chinas housing market is not much different from A shares. There are all asset bubbles insanely leveraged up by Chinese Damas, which allow institution money to cash out.

In the casino that is Chinas housing market, the institutional money has drastically cut down its exposures, and move its assets aboard on a massive scale; the local governments use the Local Debt Swap Program and the record number of land kings transactions to cash out and reduce their respective leverages; and there are only highly leveraged up Chinese Damas left holding the bag. So the question is how much further can Chinese Damas leverages go? Lets see the below data from Economist Jiang Chao of Haitong Securities:

When looking at the balance of total home mortgage and taking into account Housing Provident Fund, the average debt-to-income ratio of Chinese mortgage takers is close to 50% which is close to the level of the US before the subprime mortgage crisis. The new home mortgage/GDP ratio is also close to the historical high of the US.

Theres really no much room for Chinese Damas leverages to grow substantially further. Right when Chinese Damas leverages nearly get out of hand, Local governments in China announced a flurry of property market cooling measures, many of which are the strictest in the history. The situation is reminiscent of last April when Chinas financial authorities started to crack down shadow lending in the stock market.

According to my prediction, if the government stands aside, Chinas housing market will reach its secular peak around the first half of the year 2017 and very likely enter a violent downward correction.

The property market cooling measures will drastically reduce the number of potential house buyers who meet governments criterions and slow down the growth of home mortgages. The government want the house prices of the First-tier and secondtier Cities to move sideways on the current high levels, and therefore force the money towards the housing market of the third-tier and fourthtier Cities. That way, the destocking of property market could be carried out across the whole country. The local governments and institutional money across the country thus can decrease their exposures and leverages related to the property market, while the Chinese Damas are left holding the bag with really high leverages. If the housing market collapses, local governments and institutional money (central enterprises, state enterprises, privileged enterprises, and banks etc.) will be able to avoid as much damages as possible while the fortune of Chinese Damas will be dealt the deadly blow. So it is the ugly truth of the destocking of property market to help local governments and institutional money deleverage with Chinese Damas leverages greatly increasing.

3.Predicting When the Bubbles of Chinas Housing Market Will Bburst

Chart 4

According to chart 4, since July 2005 when the data Shenzhen: Price Indices of Newly Constructed Residential Buildings: Fixed-base was first available, the variable of Shenzhen: RMB and Foreign Currency: Deposits (rolling 12 months) has been highly correlated to the variable of Shenzhen: Price Indices of Newly Constructed Residential Buildings: Fixed-base, the correlation coefficient of which is 0.94.

Since Dec 2014, the variable of Shenzhen: RMB and Foreign Currency: Deposits (rolling 12 months) has gone up super exponentially obeying a power law increase. Running its data series through the Log-Periodic Power Law (LPPL) model, we can predict the YoY growth rate of Shenzhen: RMB and Foreign Currency: Deposits (rolling 12 months) will collapse around this December, and six month later around June 2017, Shenzhen: Price Indices of Newly Constructed Residential Buildings: Fixed-base will reach its secular peak and afterwards very likely enter a violent downward correction. Taking into account the governments manipulation and intervention, I made some adjustment to my prediction. My final prediction is the house price of Shenzhen will reach its secular peak in around August 2017 (the difference between the actual time and my predicted time is less than 10 months) and afterwards very likely enter a violent downward correction. Since the house price of Shanghai is highly correlated to that of Shenzhen, the house price of Shanghai will reach its secular peak in around August 2017 (the difference between the actual time and my predicted time is less than 10 months) and afterwards very likely enter a violent downward correction as well. The home price of Chinas housing market will reach its secular peak in around the second half of 2017 (the difference between the actual time and my predicted time is less than 10 months) and afterwards very likely enter a violent downward correction.

When it comes to the leverages, Chinas housing market is just like A shares

Lets look at the below 2 charts:

Chart 5

Chart 6

According to Chart 5, fromJuly 2014 when A shares started its previous rally to January 2016 when A shares found its bottom, SSE Composite Index had been highly correlated to SSE: Balance of Margin Trading, the correlation coefficient of which is about 0.95.

According to chart 6, from July 2014 when the home price in the First-tier Cities started to move sideways to consolidate its previous bottom to present days, FIs: New RMB Loans: Households: Medium & Long-term (ROLLing 12 months) has been highly correlated to 100 Cities Residential House Average Price: First-tier Cities, the correlation coefficient of which is about 0.98.

When it comes to the leverages-especially Chinese damas leverage, Chinas housing market is just like A shares. It is also highly alarming that shadow landing plays a critical role in both market rallies in A shares and Chinas housing market. Chinese home buyers are borrowing massive amounts of money to pay for down payments through the countrys hard-to-track shadow banking system. It is possible for someone with no savings at all to take out a mortgage in China. Property developers, real estate agencies, and internet peer-to-peer lenders are active in this highly leveraged market, and they sell the loans as wealth-management products, to millions of individual investors in China. This is the Subprime mortgage of Chinese characteristics. The previous crazy rally of A shares had its notorious umbrella trust from shadow banks, and now the current insane rally of Chinas housing market has its subprime mortgage offerings from shadow banks. It looks highly likely the history will repeat itself again.

In around the second half of 2017 (the difference between the actual time and my predicted time is less than 10 months), Chinas housing market will enter its secular bear market. Considering the very high leverage, the process could be very forceful. It will be reminiscent of the massive market crash of A shares in 2015. Chinas foreign reserve will face massive drawdowns. Its capital outflow will be really huge. In 2015 when Chinas stock market crash, the tally of capital outflow that year is 1 trillion dollars. When Chinas housing market forcefully unwinds its leverages in around the second half of 2017(the difference between the actual time and my predicted time is less than 10 months), the situation will be much worse. RMB will probably be devalued by around 10% next year.

Chinas Mount Vesuvius  its insanely leveraged housing market  will be erupting.
NASCAR championship contenders have plenty of ARCA Menards Series experience The Championship 4 have been set for the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, and the contenders in each series all have plenty of experience  and in most cases success  within the ARCA Menards Series platform.
Motley Fool

Shares of oil major Chevron (NYSE: CVX) got an early lift on Monday after two analysts (Cowen and Wells Fargo) raised price targets on the stock (to $185 and $199 a share, respectively), and only one analyst (J.P. Morgan) lowered targets -- to $143 a share. Up until just about noon ET, Chevron stock was rising on the news, gaining as much as 2% -- but then the bad news arrived: President Joe Biden may impose a "windfall profits" tax on oil companies. As the Associated Press reports, the White House is concerned about "major oil companies making record-setting profits even as they refuse to help lower prices at the pump for the American people."
Oola woman Susan Quirke, has joined Niall Breslin (Bressie) to receive a prestigious Social Entrepreneurs Ireland Impact award at a recent ceremony in the Mansion House in Dublin.

Susan, who went to school in Tipperary Town, and Niall co-founded the A Lust For Life organisation just over a year ago as a pioneering new social enterprise that is rapidly going from strength to strength.

A Lust For Life runs a popular website at www.alustforlife.com and organises events and campaigns aimed at promoting mental health and wellbeing in Ireland and beyond. Since its launch last October the organisation has reached over one million people online and 13,000 people through events throughout the country. A Lust For Life also has one of the largest social media followings of any Irish non-profit and it has become a powerful voice in influencing change in health and education policy.

The Social Entrepreneurs Ireland Award provides Susan and Niall with funding and support worth 140,000 to allow them to develop and expand their reach through A Lust For Life.

Susan, 34, grew up in Oola Co. Limerick and is the daughter of Bertie and Mairead Quirke. She went to school in St. Annes Secondary School, Tipperary Town before attending university at Dublin City University. She later become an instrumental figure in the development of the SpunOut.ie youth organisation and the Soar Foundation.

Susan, sometimes known as Susie Q, is also a talented indie rock musician and is in the process of finishing her first album, which features some of Irelands leading musicians.

Speaking about the award, Susan Quirke said; "This award is a great honour and a testimony to the hard work and dedication of so many people who have got behind us. A Lust for Life is a movement for wellbeing. We are creating ripples of change that are spreading all over the world at a time when so many people are suffering from stress, anxiety, depression and the day to day challenges of life. We aim to inform, connect and uplift, to show people that they are not alone, to give them a space to get heard, to see that hope is always possible if we take action and join together as we all deserve to live a good life.

Darren Ryan CEO of Social Entrepreneurs Ireland said Social entrepreneurs are problem solvers. Whenever the current system is too slow, inadequate or missing, a social entrepreneur will roll up their sleeves and take action. The social entrepreneurs awarded today are all pioneering new solutions to some of societys biggest challenges. With the ongoing commitment of DCC plc, we will back these entrepreneurs to take risks and be brave in pursuing ideas to solve Irelands social problems.

The awards ceremony, which took place in the Mansion House, Dublin, was hosted by Joan Freeman, the founder of Pieta House, and John Evoy, the founder of the Irish Mens Sheds Association, who are both former recipients of Social Entrepreneurs Ireland Awards.

More information on A Lust For Life at www.alustforlife.com
United States Secretary of State John Kerry is to break off his international diplomacy travels next Sunday to come to Tipperary to receive the Tipperary International Peace Award.

He will be presented with the award at a ceremony in Aherlow House Hotel.

In their citation, the Peace Award committee said that one of Secretary Kerry's greatest global challenges during his time as Secretary of State has been the conflict in Syria.

"His efforts led to negotiations that resulted in the destruction of Syria's declared chemical weapons. Secretary Kerry has been steadfast in this effort, saying that the "indiscriminate slaughter of civilians, the killing of women and children and innocent bystanders by chemical weapons is a moral obscenity"

In October 2015, Secretary Kerry helped establish the International Syria Support Group, a group of over 20 countries and entities that are working together to reach a political solution to end the conflict in Syria.Through this process, Secretary Kerry called for a cessation of hostilities and increased access for humanitarian aid throughout the country, as well as the beginning of political talks between the Syrian government and opposition.

The Peace Award committee said - "Secretary Kerry's steadfast dedication made him the leading force in multilateral talks with the government of Iran. These talks resulted in an arrangement to ensure Iran's nuclear program is exclusively peaceful.

Secretary Kerry led the global effort to defuse a political crisis in Afghanistan following the political elections in 2014. He also became the first sitting US Secretary of State to visit Hiroshima, more than 70 years after the city was devastated by the world's first atomic bombing.

Previous recipients of the Tipperary International Peace Award include former South African President the late Nelson Mandela; Live Aid organiser Bob Geldof; former U.S. President Bill Clinton;,former Prime Minister of Lebanon, the late Rafic Hariri;,Afghan Human Rights Activist Dr. Sima Samar; former Prime Minister of Pakistan, the late Benazir Bhutto; US Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith and her brother the late Ted Kennedy; former President of Ireland Professor Mary McAleese and her husband Senator Martin McAleese; Pakistani schoolgirl and Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai; American Diplomat Dr. Richard Haass and last year's recipient, Secretary General of the UN Ban-ki Moon.


(NaturalNews) Drinking water for much of the city of Cleveland is at risk of becoming too dangerous for human consumption, ecologists and environmentalists are warning, as a two-square-mile toxic blob at the bottom of Lake Erie spreads closer to the main water intake pipe that supplies it.The website, citing local reports, noted that the toxic blob is identified in a report by Ohio government officials that is expected to be released later this fall. The findings in the report are based on new analyses of samples that were taken from a segment of the lake bottom known as Area-1. The section is located about nine miles off the coast of the major U.S. city.Earlier tests taken by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency of the toxic blob in 2014 and 2015 found levels of PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) and PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) that were far higher than anywhere else in Lake Erie, which serves as a major cargo shipping body. These chemicals are highly toxic and can harm or kill (or taint) aquatic life, as well as cause some cancers in humans.The toxic mass is reportedly due to the dumping of dredged and untreated sludge by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from the polluted Cuyahoga River shipping channel dating back to the 1970s. The dumping took place before the Clean Water Act was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Richard Nixon in 1972.At present, state EPA officials say the mass is currently situated about five miles from a water intake valve for the Nottingham Water Treatment Plant, a facility that supplies drinking water to parts of Cuyahoga County, which is the state's most populous county. Officials say it isn't clear how quickly the blob is moving or if it will reach the intake pipe at all.Ohio EPA officials announced in May that Cleveland's drinking water is being monitored and so far remains safe to consume. The head of the state EPA's Northeast Ohio District, Kurt Princic, has told local media that no PCBs or PAHs have so far been detected at the Nottingham plant.But of course, that doesn't mean the situation won't change, especially if the current  perhaps influenced by storms or other weather events  alters the course of the toxic sludge."I'm no more satisfied now than I ever was that we have dispelled the fact that we have toxic sediment moving toward our drinking water," director of the Ohio EPA, Craig Butler, told the Cleveland Plain-Dealer newspaper . He added that the agency needed "conclusive evidence" that would only come from taking more samples and continuous monitoring before officials could determine if the blob was moving.The Plain-Dealer reported further that the Ohio EPA joined recently with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to ask the federal Environmental Protection Agency to take the lead in a renewed series of vigorous testing of the bottom of the lake in the vicinity of Area-1, said Princic. He said the federal agency's help would be needed to determine whether the blob is "migrating" and if so where  and whether it will become a drinking water hazard.Peter Cassell, head of the U.S. EPA's District 5 office in Chicago, told the paper that his office has already been in contact with the Army Corps and Ohio EPA. However, he added that testing at the site had not yet begun as of Oct. 19.After Butler raised red alerts about the dangers that may be lurking in Area-1 in April, then-Brig. Gen. Richard Kaiser downplayed any claims that the toxic blob was moving and that at some point it could prove to be disastrous for city drinking water.That said, Kaiser has proposed capping the site with a fresh layer of dredged sediment he said was clean enough to openly dump in the lake. But the Ohio EPA declined that and would not grant the Army Corps a permit to do so.If you suspect your drinking water may be at risk of toxicity, contact CWC Labs and learn how to submit a sample.
(NaturalNews) If you're a parent who can't seem to figure out why your Celiac child is still developing symptoms even when avoiding wheat, you might want to check your medicine cabinet. New research is showing that many common pharmaceuticals contain certain "inactive" ingredients derived from wheat that could be putting your child's health and life at risk.Celiac disease is a serious autoimmune condition that afflicts roughly one percent of Americans. It's marked by a severe reaction to gluten consumption, in which this vital wheat protein destroys the tiny villi projections that line the intestines and assimilate nutrients from food. Celiac sufferers simply can't process wheat gluten the way others can, and thus they must avoid it.In today's world, it's gotten a whole lot easier to avoid gluten in food, thanks to mandatory labeling requirements imposed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ). But these requirementsapply to food, which means that consumers who use pharmaceutical drugs aren't being told when their medications contain gluten in the form of unlabeled wheat derivatives.Stephanie Labile is one such individual whose daughter Aeverie had been suffering extreme abdominal pains, bloody diarrhea, and constant migraine headaches as a result of taking medications with added gluten. The Labiles weren't aware of what was causing little Aeverie's reactions until they came to the sudden realization that there was one place they forgot to check: the drugs that were supposed to be helping their daughter, not hurting her.It took a lot of research before Stephanie finally learned that the culprit was hidden inside her daughter's generic controlled inhaler -- a mystery "starch" ingredient that was not only found to contain hidden gluten , but that wasn't even labeled on the drug in the first place."It's not like I want to know what is in a drug for convenience," Labile toldmagazine in frustration as to this untimely discovery. "This is about my child's life -- and I'll do anything to protect it."Gluten is apparently found in all sorts of drugs, thanks to the various excipients and binding agents that drug companies are allowed to use to keep their pills and tablets in one piece. These additives often contain various other allergenic substances as well, since many of them are derived from things like corn and potatoes.But none of this has to be revealed on drug labels because the FDA has continually refused to hold the drug industry accountable, insisting that labels are unnecessary. Big Pharma basically gets a free pass, in other words, when it comes to marketing hidden poisons to its customers, which only further puts public health in jeopardy.A national survey conducted by the Beyond Celiac organization recently revealed that nearly 25 percent of Celiac patients experience gluten-related symptoms whenever they take their prescription medications, suggesting that a great many drugs contain unlabeled gluten ingredients . And while certain groups are working towards a change, the government has thus far refused to standardize a system whereby gluten-tracking is required for all pharmaceuticals."We teach people how to read labels and cut through jargon to identify every ingredient -- but with prescription drugs, they can't do that," says Sue Newell, the manager of operations for the Canadian Celiac Association, as quoted by. "They may need to take drugs, but they don't feel safe."Steve Plogsted, a clinical pharmacist at Columbus Children's Hospital in Ohio, has built an extensive website entitled "GlutenFreeDrugs.com" that lists nearly 500 name-brand medications and their gluten status.
(NaturalNews) It seems rather unlikely given all the fraud in Chinese medicine, but in this case, one herbal remedy has been nothing short of miraculous.As reported by the UK's, a young boy suffering from severe eczema that progressed into a flesh-eating infection, making him look "like a burn victim," has found relief thanks to a medicine from China.The young boy, Owen Richards, developed his severe skin condition as a baby, but it transformed into a potentially deadly infection via the herpes virus, leaving the seven-year-old's body covered in bloody, weeping sores that put him a great deal of pain and discomfort.Cath and Andrew Richards, little Owen's parents, tried a number of steroid and emollient creams, but nothing worked. They had little choice but to watch helplessly as their son's condition got worse and worse.Eventually Owen had to be hospitalized with a rare infection, that has in some cases killed its victims, called eczema herpeticum. But then the couple found something that could alleviate his painful, agonizing symptoms, the paper noted  an herbal remedy.After drinking the mixture twice a day for some time now, his appearance and symptoms appear to have completely cleared up, thereby transforming his life.The boy first developed eczema when he was only six weeks of age. It left his skin sore and flaky, and the condition stuck with him and worsened as he grew. As you can imagine, if you have kids of your own, such a painful condition was very traumatic for Owen and his family. His parents said he suffered "extreme fits" of screaming, crying and scratching, and he was not able to learn how to go to the toilet. He could not get dressed by himself and could not lay in bed without crying from all the pain Naturally, Owen's condition and reaction to it was no picnic for mom and dad, either. Cath Richards told theit was very difficult to watch her son in so much pain and each day was "torture.""It started as just a bit of redness on Owen's cheek when he was six weeks old, but it quickly spread to the back of his legs and tummy," she said.By the time he turned four, she said, he was old enough to begin school but couldn't walk or even stand without being in excruciating pain."Owen would have extreme fits of screaming and scratching and everywhere he sat he would leave a deposit of dead skin and blood," Cath Richards said. She also said he was never able to sleep through the night."As a parent," she noted, "you just feel completely helpless," adding that it was distressing on both parents and their child. Sometimes she said they would try to comfort Owen but that even a hug would be too painful because his skin was so very sore."It was a living hell," she said, as thequoted.When the boy developed eczema herpeticum, he became very ill and had to be given IV medications. But nothing helped, the parents said. The cold-sore virus, they learned, could be so severe it could eventually cause their son to go blind  that is, if it didn't kill him first.Cath Richards decided to take a year off from work and research her son's condition. After extensive research she contacted Shulan Tang, a professor of Chinese medicine based in Manchester. He started Owen on herbal treatments. That was in May of 2014.Within four months of drinking an herbal tea mixture twice daily, she said Owen's improvement was so pronounced his skin mostly cleared and he could run and play. He finally was able to start school.The mixture was created and regularly adjusted to Owen's needs, but in included herbs like bloodwort root, white mulberry leaf, Chinese anemone root and Imperata grass."The concoction was designed to release the heat from Owen's body, soothe his itching, fight toxins, promote skin growth and clear his airways," the
Taking time to honor the 50th anniversary of the Black Panther Party, former leaders and community members gathered in Oakland Saturday to honor the group's history of social reform.

During the month of October, the Black Panthers have been praised for combating racial injustice and taking time to uplift the battered African American community. It is both a joyous and somber time for former member Saturu Ned.

"There's a gladness and a sadness because so many that started off are not here," he said. "So it's very hard for us to take accolades and people pat us on our back because we're saying the work still needs to be done."

Saturday's festive day will be highlighted by a gala dinner, which is slated to feature actor and activist Danny Glover as the keynote speaker.

Before that feast, people flocked to Oakland's City Hall and listened to speakers remember the party's social and political leadership during and after the Civil Rights Movement.

The historic Black Panther Party was born back in October 1966, but folks can still relive their advocacy work. A San Francisco-based company called Detour has developed a Black Panther narrated walking tour where anyone who downloads the app can get a guided tour over a one-mile span of north Oakland.

The history-laden "All Power to the People" exhibition is also on display at the Oakland Museum of California.
A San Francisco-based political organization is searching for answers after someone spray-painted "Queers Hate Techies" on the sidewalk outside the company's headquarters last week.

The YIMBY Party, which fights for housing reform in the Bay Area, said that stickers with the same wording were plastered on the their building's front door along and knife engravings were etched on the entrance as well.

YIMBY Party co-founder Laura Clark said she is deeply troubled by the act of vandalism.

"Many members of the tech community are queer, do not make six figures, and are struggling with housing," she said in a press release. "YIMBY is fighting for diverse, integrated neighborhoods by increasing housing opportunities for everyone. Pitting tech against the queer community, when everyone needs housing, turns us against each other."

An activist and founder of East Bay Forward, a chapter of the YIMBY Party, was also not afraid to mince words.

"This graffiti minimizes the blood, sweat and tears we queers in tech have put into assailing the systemic roadblocks to inclusion," Victoria Fierce said in a press release. "It perpetuates the bigotry that tech is hostile to queers and only serves to make our work harder. I am a queer in tech and this does not represent me, my friends, or the queers in tech community."

Clark said that the YIMBY Party has cleaned up the graffiti on its property, but added that nearby buildings were also vandalized.
Police are searching for two suspects in a Sunday morning fatal shooting of a 32-year-old East San Jose woman, according to the San Jose Police Department.

Officers responded to the 1900 block of Lavonne Avenue around 6:30 a.m. Sunday to find a woman suffering from at least one gunshot wound. She was transported to a local hospital, where she was later pronounced dead, police said.

The woman's identity was not released by police or coroner officials as of Sunday evening, but family members told NBC Bay Area her name is Laura Garcia, and she's lived in the neighborhood most of her life. They said she was a quiet person who kept to herself.

Garcia's family said the neighborhood has had problems for years and added that a lack of police patrols is part of the blame in the shooting.

Garcia's slaying is the city's 40th homicide of year, police said. San Jose recorded a total of 30 homicides in 2015, according to the Mercury News.

A man, identified only as Garcia's brother-in-law, also was shot at least once. His injuries were not considered life-threatening.

Police said the shooting started after an argument.

"The victims were standing outside their residence, the suspects approached on foot, there were words exchanged, and shortly after, gunshots were fired," said San Jose police Lt. Eddie Pedreira.

Neighbors on Lavonne Avenue said they heard the gunshots, and two sisters who share a home heard a knock at their door shortly after. Silvia Vandenberg said she didn't dare answer the door, at the advice of her sister.

"She said not to open; she just heard gunshots," Vandenberg said, adding that it was still dark, and she could not see who was at the door.

Neighbors said the shooting happened outside a house party that lasted throughout the night. They also reported hearing four shots, one after the other, before a car sped away from the residence.

Investigators at the scene said a motive for the shooting is not known and they have not identified or apprehended any suspects.

Police are asking the public for help in identifying the shooters. Anyone with information is asked to contact the San Jose Police Department's Homicide Unit at 408-277-5283. Anonymous tips can be reported to Crime Stoppers at 408-947-7867.
Teachers and state leaders gathered in Santa Clara County Saturday morning to voice support for Propositions 55 and 58, two California ballot measures that could directly impact students in the golden state.

Those instructing youngsters believe in Proposition 55 and say that it will both incentive teachers to call the Bay Area home and restore cutbacks that slowed down progress years ago.

"If our salaries and benefits aren't competitive, teachers leave to go elsewhere," said Jocelyn Merz, a San Jose Alum Rock Union School District teacher.

Proposition 55 would raise the personal income tax for those making over $250,000 if it is approved in November. That money would then be used to fund education and healthcare programs.

Anti-Proposition 55 voters say that too much of the money raised would end up in the state's general fund instead of feeding directly into California schools.

Those in attendance at the California Teachers Association offices in the South Bay also applauded the proposed legislation of Proposition 58, which, if approved, would allow schools to implement bilingual education strategies.

Supporters say implementing Proposition 58 will benefit the future employees and business leaders who will be tasked with making key decisions in a growing global economy structure.

"We're competing directly with other world economies," said Sen. Ricardo Lara. "Why not give our students the tools to be able to close that deal in a language where they're doing business."

Rob Unz, a former California gubernatorial candidate who also lead an effort to end bilingual education, is voicing opposition against the ballot measure.

"20 years ago, something like 70 percent of all the young Latino immigrant children were being placed for years in these Spanish almost-only programs and were having a hard time learning English," he said.
U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter arrived in Iraq Saturday to meet with his commanders and assess the progress in the opening days of the operation to retake the northern city of Mosul from Islamic State militants.

His unannounced visit comes two days after a U.S. service member was killed outside Mosul, underscoring the risk that American troops are taking as they advise Iraqi forces in the fight. And it comes on the heels of meetings Carter had with Turkish leaders in Ankara Friday when he announced there "is an agreement in principle" for Turkey to play a role in the battle to retake Mosul, and that friction between Turkey and Iraq can be worked out.

This is Carter's third trip to Iraq this year, and he has overseen the steady increase in the number of U.S. forces deployed to the fight and the growth of America's effort to train and advise Iraqi troops. In his past two stops in Iraq, Carter announced White House decisions to increase the U.S. troop level there. There are no expectations that he will do that again this time.

#SecDef Carter greeted in Baghdad by top commander in #ISIL fight - @CJTFOIR LTG Steve Townsend. First stop brief on #MosulOps pic.twitter.com/sIEP37Ih0K  U.S. Dept of Defense (@DeptofDefense) October 22, 2016

Instead, he will meet with Iraqi leaders and military commanders to determine how the fight is going and whether or not any changes, increased resources or other assistance is needed.

Carter's meetings in Turkey signal moves to tamp down escalating tensions between Turkey and Iraq over Turkish military operations in northern Iraq. The divide has only grown as the operation to retake Mosul began to take shape.

There are some 500 Turkish troops at a base north of Mosul who have been training Sunni and Kurdish fighters since last December. Baghdad says the troops are there without permission and has called on them to withdraw. Ankara has refused, and insists it will play a role in liberating the city.

The U.S. service member killed earlier this week was the fourth U.S. combat death in Iraq since the U.S. began military operations against the Islamic State in August 2014. It was the first since the Mosul operation began, and the service member was working with Iraqi special forces northeast of Mosul and serving as an explosive ordnance disposal specialist.

U.S. defense and military officials have said that while the offensive has started well, they expect the complex fight for the city to get more difficult. And they said they will be watching to see how aggressively the Islamic State militants fight for Mosul, or if more leaders flee the city.

Meanwhile, in what officials thought was an attempted diversion from the Mosul fight, IS attacked targets in and around the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk on Friday in a coordinated assault that killed at least 14 people.

Carter is expected to meet with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi as well as other top officials.

A U.S. military officer said the Islamic State group has set up a multi-layered defense in and around Mosul. The outer rings of this defense are what the U.S. military calls disruption zones, where IS fighters are expected to counter the Iraqi advance through the use of mortars and rockets, suicide bombers, road obstacles and car bombs.

The official said the US does not expect this to include high-intensity force-on-force combat in these outer rings; the expected IS focus will be on disrupting and delaying the Iraqi advance rather than trying to hold ground outside the city. The official was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly, so spoke on condition of anonymity.

The U.S. estimates there are between 3,000 and 5,000 Islamic State fighters in the Mosul area, but some of the top leaders have likely fled the city. A key factor will be how long those mid-level commanders stay in the city, or if they decide to leave.

The U.S. is uncertain how hard IS will defend Mosul. But, once the fighting gets to the center of the city, IS will have certain advantages that are more favorable for the use of snipers and the restriction of vehicle movement.

More than 4,800 U.S. troops are in Iraq and there are more than 100 U.S. special operations forces operating with Iraqi units. Hundreds more U.S. forces are playing a support role in staging bases farther from the front lines.
Two men were shot and critically wounded a block away from the Belmont CTA Red Line station early Saturday in Lake View.

About 3 a.m., the men, 23 and 36, were standing near a parked vehicle at the corner of Belmont and Kenmore when someone walked up and opened fire, according to Chicago Police.

The younger man was shot multiple times, and the older was shot in the neck, police said. They were both taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center in critical condition. No one was in custody early Saturday.

Two areas were taped off between Kenmore and Sheffield on Belmont. Red tape cordoned off six shell casings and a silver four-door Volkswagen with the its passenger side window shot out on the northeast corner of Belmont and Kenmore.

The northwest corner of Belmont and Sheffield next to 1000 Liquors was cordoned off with yellow tape one block east. A trail of blood on the sidewalk and street connected the two scenes.

People could be seen leaving the bars on the bustling stretch of Belmont, but no one said theyd heard anything over the loud music inside. Most were unaware that two people had just been shot.

A security guard at one bar said he walked outside when he saw police driving by. I walked to the corner [of Belmont and Sheffield] and saw the dude holding his neck. Blood was just gushing outand somebody told me he got shot three times.

He said the victim was talking to the cops and sitting on a curb. A firetruck then pulled up and blocked the street off, he said. It had to have been a small gun because he was [still] talking.

He said the cops were running around looking for the shooter, but didnt think they found anyone.

Brian, another security guard who wears a bulletproof vest, said he saw at least 12 squad cars on Belmont. One was parked by the [Belmont Station], so I think they were looking for someone on the Red Line.

It was crazy, he said. Its getting bad all over the city.
A Meriden native turned reality TV star was remembered Sunday in her hometown. Led by the local police department, they held the second annual Loredana Nesci Memorial 5K in Hubbard Park.

Among the 150 runners were her brothers, nieces, and nephews. Her father, John, cheered from the sideline.

She was funny, she was loving, she was very very close to the family, she loved people and she was a good mother, and she was everything a father can ask for a child, Nesci said of his daughter.

The Meriden native, a graduate of UConn and Quinnipiac Law School spent years as a Los Angeles police officer, which is why Nescis friends were stunned by her sudden death.

You think that kind of thing doesnt happen like this but it can happen to anybody anywhere, said Captain Pat Gaynor, who has served on the Meriden Police Department with Loredanas two brothers.

Police said the 47-year-old was stabbed by her boyfriend in their California home in 2014. Robert Reagan has pled not guilty and is awaiting trial.

Nesci herself spent years in the courtroom, as a criminal defense attorney Soon, Hollywood came calling and Nesci got her own reality show focused on her life as a lawyer.

In life she defended the weak and in death she continues to do that as well, said her brother Sal Nesci.

Even though Nesci had moved to California in the 90's, her family says people in Connecticut rallied around them in their time of grief.

We could not have done without the support. So, this was very important to us, said the elder Nesci.

Sixteen-months ago we lost my sister to a tragedy, since then there has been thousands and thousands of victims of domestic violence and we really want to reduce those numbers of domestic violence and if we can prevent it, thats something wed like to do, added his son.

Sunday, runners and walkers raised more than $5,000 for Chrysalis Domestic Violence Services, money that will be spent in the community.

Were there truly to support the victim and survivor and any children or other family members. We also do have a 24 hour safe house and a transitional housing program for folks who are fleeing and need a place to stay, said Executive Director Sharlene Kerelejza.

Kerelejza added that the money would also support the organizations 24-hour hotline and court services for victims.
It isnt often new stop lights spark a celebration, but for the Ledbetter neighborhood in west Dallas a new light is a symbol of hope that may prevent another senseless death.



The lights are at the corner of Singleton Boulevard and Weisenberger Drive.



Dallas City Councilwoman Monica Alonzo flipped the switch during a ceremony Saturday afternoon surrounded by a couple dozen community members.



It was very emotional, without a doubt, said Alonzo.



The process of getting the light installed started seven months ago after a crash killed three siblings nearby, at the intersection of Singleton Boulevard and Peoria Avenue.

Security cameras captured the collision on March 28.

Investigators said a speeding driver slammed into the Dodge Stratus car the siblings were riding in. Two more people in the Stratus, including the mother of the children and another sibling, survived the crash.



The oncoming driver, Xavier Mandell Taylor, has been charged in connection with the deaths.



The victims include 11-year-old Pamela Mendoza, 7-year-old Brian Mendoza and 3-year-old Elizabeth Mendoza.

The childrens' uncle, Rogelio Mendoza, attended Saturdays ceremony.



Its going to be better for the community, he said.

Neighbors said they've asked for new stop lights for years because drivers are known to speed down Singleton Boulevard.



The say the new lights are a step in the right direction.

City officials said the cost of the project is about $75,000.
In the latest chapter of the Obama administrations crackdown on Medicare fraud, U.S. customs officials arrested a woman at the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport last week who is accused of taking part in one of the biggest Medicare fraud schemes in history.

The suspect, Lidia Antonio, 57, is one of a dozen people from the Dallas-Fort Worth area suspected of taking part in a nationwide scam to defraud Medicare of $900 million, according to U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch. They did it, among other ways, by billing for bogus ear care procedures purportedly done on elderly nursing home patients, including some who were unconscious. Some health care providers offered kickbacks to patient recruiters to help assemble bogus patient information.

Related: Doctors and Nurses Charged in Massive $900 Million Medicare Fraud

The governments Medicare Fraud Strike Force investigation of the scam has resulted in the arrests of 301 people across the country, including 61 doctors, nurses and other medical professionals. If convicted, Antonio faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, according to The Dallas Morning News.

After years of losing tens of billions of dollars through Medicare fraud, Justice Department and Health and Human Services officials, the FBI, government agency inspectors general, auditors and others have made important headway in slamming the door on fraudulent activities by doctors, hospitals, nursing home facilities, recruiters and conspiring patients.

At the beginning of his second term, President Obama made combatting Medicare and Medicaid fraud a top priority  a decision that has led to a series of high-profile arrests and prosecutions by federal and state law enforcement agencies.

Last June, the administration notified Congress that it had prevented $42 billion of improper payments to doctors and other medical providers in fiscal 2013 and 2014 by using more sophisticated big data detection methods.

Story continues

Related: Billions in Medicare Fraud Still Rampant Despite Federal Crackdown

Since 2010, the administrations fraud taskforce has arrested and prosecuted about 1,200 people allegedly involved in defrauding Medicare and Medicaid of more than $3.5 billion, according to the Justice Department.

The government has a strong hammer and theyre using it to the extent they can catch up with the fraud, said John Washlick, a Philadelphia attorney who specializes in health care systems and corporate compliance and has vast experience in fraud cases, in an interview.

The government now routinely collects billions of dollars annually in settlements and judgements against hospitals, nursing homes, drug companies, medical suppliers and physicians, Washlick noted, with each years recoveries exceeding those of the previous record-setting year.

Related: Medicare Drug Program Still Plagued by Fraud

There was a time when the government responded to Medicare fraud with a slap on the hand and a fine, but those days are over. Now, many more individuals are being prosecuted on criminal charges and sentenced to significant jail terms for their involvement in schemes designed to pay kickbacks for referrals or other business.

The Inspector Generals office for Health and Human Services and other government watchdog agencies have also been helped significantly by provisions of the 2010 Affordable Care Act.

The Obamacare law provides resources for combatting Medicare fraud and requires anyone who has knowledge that they are in receipt of federal overpayments in violation of federal anti-kickback laws to report that to authorities within 60 days. If they dont, they face penalties, prosecution or disbarment from the federal health programs. Moreover, any individual within a health care organization can blow the whistle on wrongdoers and share in a bounty of up to 25 percent of whatever is collected by the government.

Related: Report Uncovers Widespread Medicare Fraud in Hospice Care

Even so, enforcement agencies are woefully understaffed and underfunded given the volume of fraudulent schemes that seems to keep growing, according to Washlick.

A potential wildcard in all of this is the governments decision to significantly alter Medicares payment and reimbursement system for doctors and other health care providers that was announced recently by the White House and the Centers on Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

The new rules, an outgrowth of bipartisan legislation approved by Congress last year to change the way physicians are paid, are designed to shift the medical system toward rewarding quality over quantity of treatment and save hundreds of billions of dollars in the coming years, starting in 2019.

Related: Audit Uncovers $124.7 B of Overpayments and Fraud in Medicare and Medicaid

Washlick, a lawyer with Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney, said that the proposed new reimbursement plan potentially might be susceptible to gaming, including the way doctors code or classify their patients conditions and evaluate their quality of care. However, he added, there will be many backstops to prevent such cheating by health care providers, including close scrutiny by CMS.

Moreover, switching to a more results-oriented system still wont address the problem of the fraudulent recruiting and exploitation of Medicare patients. Washlick said that the new efforts to reward quality of service over quantity makes considerable sense. But it seems like a lot of fraud and abuses is really perpetrated through disguised payments from one vendor to another vendor, or from a vendor to a health system provider, or to influence referrals upstream, he said.

Those payments, when youre rewarding referrals upstream, and rewarding providers for purchasing goods or services or equipment, thats kind of all outside the new system of billing of services you are providing to a patient, Washlick added. And thats the part that is the egregious piece.

Top Reads from The Fiscal Times:
The Oakland Zoo is treating three California condors suffering from lead poisoning.

Biologists captured the sick birds in Big Sur earlier this month and brought them to the zoo for life-saving treatment.

Veterinarian Andrea Goodnight and her team have been injecting the condors with a chemical that extracts the lead.

"Basically what it does is grabs onto the lead and it pulls the lead out of the body," Goodnight said.

One of the birds regurgitated pieces of toxic metal just the other day. Goodnight said the scavenger birds, which are endangered, likely ingested bullet fragments from their prey.

"The lead comes from ammunition, so basically what happens animals that have been shot haven't been recovered," Goodnight said. "These birds are great at finding them. They eat them and ingest the lead that way."

The intensive treatment includes injections, blood work and X-rays. Every step is critical to helping the birds purge the lead before it does irreversible damage to their digestive and nervous systems.

"Basically the bird starves to death or it starts having seizures," Goodnight said.

After two weeks in Oakland, Goodnight said the birds are looking much stronger.

If the birds' lab work comes back relatively lead free, they will be returned to the wild next week. If not, the birds will undergo another round of treatment starting Saturday.
Some voters probably already know whether they will vote for Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton on Election Day, leaving one important question to consider when you walk into your polling place. Is it OK to take a picture of their ballot?

While secrecy in the voting booth has become a thing of the past for those ready to share their views and daily lives on social media, laws nationwide are mixed on whether voters are allowed to take pictures of themselves in the act of voting or of their ballots, "ballot selfies."

Federal judges have struck down bans on selfies in New Hampshire and Indiana, and rules have been changed in places like California and Rhode Island, but in many states, it's still a violation that carries potential fines or jail terms.

There are laws against sharing any photo of a ballot in 18 states, while six other states bar photography in polling places but do allow photos of mail-in ballots, according to a review by The Associated Press.

In D.C., there's no ban. Election officials discourage people from taking pictures but won't do anything to stop them, said Tamara Robinson, a spokeswoman for the D.C. Board of Elections.

In Virginia, Attorney General Mark Herring issued a formal opinion last month that said ballot selfies are legal in Virginia. Nothing in Virginia law prohibits voters from taking pictures of themselves, fellow voters or their ballot within the polling place, he said.

However, Maryland bans electronic devices in a polling place, except for the media. Even media members aren't allowed to photograph a ballot that shows how someone is voting. But photos of mailed ballots are OK.

Critics said regulations have not kept up with technology and are confusing for voters and election workers. Some states that ban ballot selfies or have moved to block them cited concerns the photos could harm the integrity of the voting process by encouraging vote-buying or coercion, though some acknowledged there's no evidence to support those fears.

Nikola Jordan, 33, of Omaha, Nebraska, has been taking such photos for about 10 years and believes they are a great way not only to share her views on the issues, but also to stress the importance of voting and being civically active. A Nebraska lawmaker added a provision to state election law this year to allow ballot selfies.

"I was doing this for years before I learned it was technically illegal," Jordan said with a laugh. "It's all about encouraging other people to get involved in the process, to show it can be fun and exciting to make your voice heard (at the polls). Don't think of voting as some boring thing. It's your chance to make a difference.''

The 1st Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston last month upheld a decision that New Hampshire's ban on ballot selfies was unconstitutional, saying it suppressed a large swath of political speech, and there was no evidence to support the state's concerns.

"It goes to the core of democracy," said Gilles Bissonnette, legal director for the American Civil Liberties Union of New Hampshire, which brought the suit on behalf of three people investigated for violating the statute.

Among those filing briefs in support of ballot selfies was Snapchat, which argued they are the latest way voters, especially young adults, get involved in the political process and express support for or against a cause or a candidate.

"We had a failure to recognize the importance of online political speech, especially to the younger generation," Bissonnette said. "The First Amendment needs to be guarded rigorously. These old laws cannot and should not be applied to the modern technology."

California Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill last month that repeals a 125-year-old law barring voters from showing people their marked ballots. It goes into effect after the November election, but legislative analysists have found no occasion of the ban being enforced, and it hasn't stopped people from sharing photos of their 2016 ballots.

Colorado started mailing ballots this week in the all-mail presidential election, and some ballot selfies started popping up on social media. In response, Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey on Thursday issued a reminder that publicizing completed ballots is a misdemeanor in the state.

The ACLU criticized his statement as potential voter intimidation. Morrissey's spokeswoman told reporters he had no plans to comb social media looking for folks posting ballot selfies, saying authorities investigate only in response to a complaint.

"This is a product of the times we live in," said Democratic New Jersey Assemblyman Raj Mukherji, who has sponsored a measure to allow ballot selfies. "If voters want to express their pride in participating in our democracy by voting or tout their political preferences on social media, they should be entitled to do so."

Clarissa Livingstone, 26, of Toms River, New Jersey, said she doesn't understand concerns raised over ballot selfies. She doesn't believe people would be influenced by seeing ballot photos that she or anyone else might post.

"People are so rigid in their political beliefs these days, they're not going to change their votes once they see how some Jersey girl voted," Livingstone said.
A terminally ill boy who received a surprise parade earlier this week in Jersey City passed away Saturday, Jersey City police told NBC New York.

Parsh Patel spent his final days surrounded by family, friends and members of the community, thanks to the Marty Lyons Foundation. The organization fulfills the wishes of terminally ill children between the ages of 3 and 17 years old.

The 9-year-old was an inspiration to many of his peers.

"He showed us you can do whatever you want, and not to give up on your dreams," said student Armanys Cabrera.

As the guest of honor, Parsh wore a custom-made replica uniform he received from the Jersey City police department at his parade Wednesday afternoon. EMTs dressed in colorful superhero costumes and masks. Spectators along the sidewalk watched men in plaid kilts and navy berets march through the streets playing bagpipes in his honor.

Members of the Fire Department took Parsh for a ride aboard the Marine One boat, where he cruised along the water enjoying the sunshine from behind his mirrored aviator sunglasses.

The day culminated in a pizza party at his school, Alfred E. Zampella School-P.S. 27, where the mayor presented him with a key to the city.

Although the fourth-grader was in home hospice care, he insisted on attending school for an hour each day  it was his favorite place to be. Hileri Patel said her brother's selflessness gave him the strength to go to school every day.

"He always wanted to help people, he loved helping," she said. "He knew how he was struggling, he didn't want to see others struggling."

Parsh's celebration showed the community and beyond that amid all the turmoil in the world, there is still good to be found.

"Just to put a smile on his face means a lot, that people still care in this world," said Ray Merced, a Newark resident who attended the celebration. "Just goes to show that people have a heart."
A Brooklyn boy was arrested Friday for making multiple bomb threats to a Long Island high school, Nassau County Police said.

Police arrested 17-year-old Tahmari Lowe at his home without incident after an investigation revealed the boy made multiple calls to Uniondale High School, authorities said.

Lowe called the school at 9:30 a.m. Friday and stated there was a bomb in the school, authorities said. School officials then evacuated the building and notified police. While officers were still present, the school received a second phone call about a bomb threat.

The teen called the high school from the same phone number six times between Sept. 15 and Oct. 21, police said.

Lowe was charged with six counts of making a terroristic threat and will be arraigned Saturday in Hempstead.
A man helped a woman who tripped and fell as she walked out of a Brooklyn subway over the weekend, then followed her seven blocks to her apartment building and sexually assaulted her in the stairwell, police said.

Police released surveillance video on Sunday night showing the suspect walking into a bodega in the neighborhood after the attack.

Authorities say the man, a stranger, followed the 38-year-old victim from the 25th Street R train station to the apartment building near Fourth Avenue at around 11:30 p.m. Saturday, police said. The suspect then followed her up the stairs and grabbed her between the first and second floors.

A struggle between two ensued, until the victim fell onto the stairs and was sexually abused by the suspect. The suspect then ran off.

The victim sustained minor injuries and refused medical attention at the scene. The woman told authorities that she did not know her attacker.

Saturday night's attack has several people in the area concerned about their safety, especially when it comes to the women of their families.

"I have five sisters and to hear stuff like this blows my mind," said Razak Abdulla, a store manager in the area. "It's sad."

"Now I'm getting scared, that's very dangerous for my family," said resident Jimmy Sanchez.

Some are unsurprised that an attack happened because of the faulty entrance door. Jennifer Pereira, a resident in the building, said that doors were a problem prior to the attack.

"[The attack] doesn't surprise me because the doors over here don't even have a lock," she said. "I tried to tell the landlord about that."

The building's landlord told NBC 4 New York that he feels bad for the woman, but he's fixed the door about a dozen times, only for it to be broken again.

There are no arrests. The investigation is ongoing by the Special Victim Squad.
In a horrific early morning crash, a tour bus slammed into the back of a truck on Interstate 10 north of Palm Springs before sunrise Sunday, killing 13 and injuring 31, authorities said.

The Riverside County Coroner's office confirmed 13 people aboard the bus were killed, including the driver, in the disastrous crash that shut down the entire westbound 10 Freeway west of Indian Canyon Road. Traffic was being diverted off the freeway at the Indian Avenue offramp. The freeway reopened around 4:30 p.m., according to the California Highway Patrol.

Rescuers continued to search the wreckage for more victims in the early stages of the crash. The first images from the scene showed firefighters using ladders to get into the passenger compartment of the bus, which had been peeled back from the vehicle's undercarriage about one third of its length.

The front of the bus was demolished as the back of the semi was shredded from the monstrous force of the crash.

It wasn't immediately clear what caused the collision, but the tour bus was traveling much faster than the semi, CHP Chief Jim Abele said at a news conference.

The trailer of the semi was lodged 15 feet into the front of the bus, Abele said.

The bus, owned by LA-based USA Holliday Bus, had departed the Red Earth Casino in Salton City and was en route to a location in Los Angeles when the crash was reported to CHP at 5:17 a.m.

The CHP said there was no indication that the bus slammed on the brakes before plowing into the back of the semi-truck, leading investigators to believe fatigue may have been a factor. They were not ruling out some type of medical emergency on the driver's behalf, such as a heart attack.

The driver, along with the deceased passengers, were not yet identified to the public.

It appeared that all passengers aboard had been asleep at the time of impact. While they had likely all been seated properly, many ended up in the front end of the bus due to the force of impact, Abele said.

Abele said it was not likely that the bus had seat belts.

"In almost 35 years, I've never been to a crash where there's been 13 confirmed fatal accidents," Abele said. "It's tough for all of us," he added.

CHP reported that 31 people had been injured. Desert Regional Medical Center, Eisenhower Medical Center and JFK Memorial Hospital all received and treated patients from the crash, ranging from five critical patients to others with minor injuries.

A trauma surgeon said the injuries included facial trauma but few broken bones, which is unusual for a high-speed vehicle wreck.

Dr. Ricard Townsend of Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs told reporters Sunday that the bus struck the collapsible trailer of a semi-truck, sending many of the likely unrestrained passengers flying through the air.

He called the widespread facial injuries a hallmark of those not wearing seat belts. He says the injuries indicate the bus was slowing down at the point of impact.

Crews used tow trucks to pry the bus from the back of the semi-truck before clearing the bus from the area.

The semi-truck driver also suffered injuries and was taken to the hospital for treatment.

He told CHP he wasn't sure at first what had happened, and that he felt a "thump" in the back of the trailer, which was hauling food products.

The bus had been inspected as recently as April 2016, in addition to being inspected in 2014 and 2015, and did not have mechanical issues, CHP said.

Because the investigation was still in its early stages, not all of the victims had been identified. CHP encouraged family members to reach out if they had not heard from their loved ones.

Family members were directed to the Riverside County Fire Department facility at 800 S. Redlands Ave. in Perris, or to call (951) 443-2300. The fire department was setting up a crisis response center there.

NBC4's I-Team has investigated tour bus companies in 2014, and Hollywood tour bus companies in 2016.
Delaware police are searching for suspects who fired shots in a Newark parking lot shortly after a party bus parked there.

State troopers responded to a parking lot at the Christiana Mall just after 5 a.m. on Saturday for reports of gunshots. Police say the bus had come from Washington, and parked in the lot just before the shots were fired.

Some bus passengers told investigators that they heard the shots ring out as they were getting off the bus. The passengers then got back on the bus, which left the area until police arrived.

Nobody was injured in the incident.
A driver charged on multiple felony counts of manslaughter and DUI causing injury or death is scheduled to be in court on November 2, according to San Diego police.

Richard Anthony Sepolio, 24, was arraigned in his hospital room Wednesday,after his truck flew off the Coronado Bridge killing four people in Chicano Park last Saturday.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges, and his attorney said he had yet to receive paperwork indicating Sepolio was under the influence at the time of the crash.

Sepolio is being held in San Diego Central Jail and his bail has been set at $2 million.

The crash killed four peoplemarried couple Cruz Elias and AnnaMarie Contreras, Andre Christopher Banks and his girlfriend Francine Denise Jimenez.

A Chicano Park Remembrance Fundraiser was held Saturday to raise money for the funeral expenses of the victims in the crash.

Sepolio is also scheduled to be in court on January 25 next year.
El Cajon community leaders, residents and supporters are planning a march for justice for police shooting victim Alfred Olango on Sunday.

Olango, a 38-year-old Ugandan refugee who came to the U.S. over 20 years ago, was shot by police on September 27.

The march, which starts at 3 p.m., will go from the El Cajon Civic Center to the front of the El Cajon Police Department on 200 Civic Center Way.

Olango's sister, Lucy, called police that day in September because her brother was not acting like himself, police said. ECPD officials said Olango was reported to be acting erratically, walking in and out of traffic.

Video of the shooting shows Officer Richard Gonsalves approaching Olango in the parking lot of a strip mall and then firing several rounds just moments later.

El Cajon police said Olango refused multiple instructions to remove his hand from in his pocket before he pulled out an object and held it in front of him like he would be firing a gun. The object was later determined to be a vaping smoking device with an all-silver cylinder measuring approximately 1 inch in diameter and 3 inches long.

Lucy Olango has filed a claim against the City of El Cajon, alleging the agency was negligent in training and supervising an officer who handled the call with a cowboy attitude."

The family also alleges the officer had demonstrated unfitness prior to the day of the shooting including issues with substance abuse, acts of violence and emotional problems.

As NBC 7 has reported, Gonsalves was accused of sexually harassing another ECPD officer by sending inappropriate texts and photos in 2013.

The officer is a 21-year veteran of the department. He was on administrative leave which is routine after an officer-involved shooting.
The deadline to register to vote in the presidential election is on Monday, October 24.

Voters will need to register if they:

are not currently registered in San Diego County

recently moved

recently changed his/her name

Voters can check their registration status at sdvote.com, and registration forms can also be found there. Forms can be sent electronically or mailed to the Registrar of Voters.

Residents who dont have computer access can pick up registration forms at the Registrars office, U.S. Postal Service offices, public libraries, City Clerk offices and the DMV. Election materials are also available in Spanish, Filipino, Vietnamese and Chinese.

Registration forms must be postmarked or delivered to the Registrar by October 24. The Registrar of Voters office is open until 8 p.m. Monday, and voters can register online until midnight.

People can vote early at the Registrars office at 5600 Overland Avenue in Kearny Mesa. Voters can cast ballots Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Election Day voting hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The polls are open November 5 and 6 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for weekend voting.

Voters can also request mail ballots until November 1.

Due to the high number of contests, voters will be receiving a ballot that consists of two cards with candidates and issues on the front and the back. With a mail ballot, you can vote in the comfort of your home, said Registrar Michael Vu. Once youve voted your mail ballot, send it back right away and well start processing it so it can be counted right when the polls close on Election Day.
Donald Trump.

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump on Saturday kicked off a speech about his plan for his first 100 days as president by announcing intentions to sue every woman who has come forward and accused him of sexual misconduct over the past several weeks.

"Every woman lied when they came forward to hurt my campaign. Total fabrication. The events never happened. Never. All of these liars will be sued after the election is over," Trump said in a speech in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

At least 10 women have come forward with allegations of sexual misconduct against Trump over the past several weeks. Trump has vehemently denied the allegations, which have come in the wake of the release of an explosive video that featured Trump boasting to television personality Billy Bush about groping women and kissing them without their consent.

The remarks came as Trump's campaign continues to reel from the fallout of the tape's release. The speech Saturday came as part of an attempt to rejigger the campaign in the election's final 17 days.

GETTYSBURG, Pa.  Trump addresses the women accusing him of sexual assault: all of these liars will be sued after the election is over pic.twitter.com/NYGUV1xuIF  Bradd Jaffy (@BraddJaffy) October 22, 2016

The majority of Trump's speech focused on his planned policies toward illegal immigration, crime, trade, the Supreme Court, and more. On his first day in office, he said, he would move to nominate a justice to replace the late Antonin Scalia, withdraw the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, suspend immigration from "terror-prone" countries, and more. He also proposed a "contract with the American voter" in an attempt to root out corruption in the federal government.

Trump also vowed, as part of an "end illegal immigration act," to build a wall along the US-Mexico border with the "full understanding" that Mexico "will be reimbursing" the US. In the past, Trump has said the US neighbor would pay for such a wall in full.

Story continues

"If we follow these steps, we will once more have a government of, by and for the people," Trump said.

Polls show Trump with significant hurdles to climb in the election's final two-plus weeks. The RealClearPolitics average of recent national surveys puts him down 5.3 points to Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.

NOW WATCH: 'America has lost': The Philippines president just announced that he's allying with China, wants to talk to Putin





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A D.C. police officer has been arrested and charged with DUI while on duty, according to the Metropolitan Police Department.

Officer Arthur Thompson was charged with DUI after a supervisor detected the odor of alcohol allegedly coming from him. Police said the supervisor was investigating a citizen complaint involving Thompson Sunday around 2:20 a.m. in the 1400 block of 18th Street SE.

Field sobriety tests confirmed the officer was under the influence, police said.

Thompson has been with the D.C. police for four years. Police said his police powers have been revoked, and the incident is being investigated by the Internal Affairs Division.
A Maryland State Police trooper and another person were injured after a crash on the inner loop of the Capital Beltway before 8 a.m. Sunday.

Police said the collision happened on Interstate 495 near U.S. Route 1 in College Park, Maryland, just after 8 a.m.

Trooper First Class Robert Cearfoss was parked on the shoulder monitoring traffic when Elwin Cedilloz, driving a Dodge Dart, veered off the road and struck the trooper's patrol car, police said.

Cearfoss was trapped in his car and rescued by fire personnel who responded to the scene.

Cearfoss was flown to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center in a helicopter, while Cedilloz was taken via ambulance to Prince George's Hospital. Cearfoss has been treated and released.

Police said charges are pending, and they are investigating the cause of the wreck, including whether alcohol played a role.
Noie: Of course Notre Dame was going to go away from home and do this
Nashua police believe the body of a young man found in the Merrimack River is a missing 16-year-old Nashua boy who may have been swept into a storm drain during heavy rains over the weekend.

The Massachusetts State Police Air Wing spotted a body in the Merrimack River in Tyngsborough, Massachusetts Sunday morning. The Nashua Police Department's Dive Team and Tyngsborough Fire Rescue recovered the body from the river Sunday at around 12:20 p.m.

The body has not been positively identified; however, based upon the clothing description and body condition, it is believed to be Jacob Goulet.

Jacob was reported missing Saturday morning by his father, and Nashua police say officers responded to a call late Friday evening for a report of a person who may have fallen down a storm drain on the north side of Water Street. When officers went to the scene Friday evening, they found personal items that didn't have any personal information.

When his father reported him missing the next day, he reportedly told police this behavior wasn't normal for his son, and police connected some of the items found near the storm drain to Jacob based on his parents' description.

Police searched parts of the Nashua and Merrimack rivers and the entire storm drain system nort of Water Street and south to Sawmill Drive.

Jacob, currently a student at Nashua North High School, is described as about 5-feet 8-inches tall, about 200 pounds, with a black mowhawk and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing a denim vest with medal studs on it, a gray t-shirt, black shorts and black Converse All-Star sneakers.

Meanwhile, video surveillance viewed by Nashua police confirmed Jacob was on foot in the area during the storm Friday evening.

Anyone with information about Jacob's whereabouts is asked to call Nashua police at 603-594-3500.
An investigation is underway after two passengers gained "unauthorized access" to an American Airlines plane bound for Boston, Massachusetts.

The two passengers were able to open a secured door that was under airport control and enter an aircraft at the Philadelphia International Airport in Pennsylvania Sunday morning.

American Airlines issued the following statement on the incident:

"Two passengers gained unauthorized access to one of our aircraft earlier this morning. Out of an abundance of caution, we are utilizing a different aircraft for the flight to Boston. We apologize to our customers for the inconvenience."

The original aircraft for the flight is undergoing a security sweep.

American Airlines is working with airport authority to find out how the passengers were able to get on the plane.

Foul play is not suspected.

No other information is available at this time.
A species of moth that is infamous for an itchy, painful rash caused by the hairs of its larvae increased in population and territory in Maine this year and will likely spread even more in 2017.

The browntail moth is an invasive insect that came to New England from Europe just before the turn of the 20th century. They produce caterpillars that have poisonous hairs that can cause a skin inflammation in humans that resembles a poison ivy rash.

The leaf-eating caterpillars have defoliated 63,000 acres of trees this fall, more than six times the acreage of last fall, underscoring their expansion, Maine forest entomologist Charlene Donahue said. She said the moths have spread across a much wider landscape this year and will likely be worse next year when new larvae hatch.

Dry weather may have allowed the caterpillars to thrive, as they are susceptible to a fungus that is more likely to afflict them in wet weather, Donahue said. The moths' range in the state also spread this year; they were mostly found in coastal Sagadahoc and Cumberland counties, but some were found as far north as Millinocket, in northern inland Maine, she said.

"The potential for them to be much wider spread is there," Donahue said. "In the areas affected, they were really bad, and certainly affected people's quality of life."

Browntail moths spread all over New England by the 1910s, but populations declined to just Maine and Cape Cod, Massachusetts, after several decades. They can be controlled with pesticides and destroying the webs that contain colonies of larvae.

Decades ago, the state sought to control the population of the moths with parasitic flies and wasps that eat them. These days, Maine is suggesting residents take steps to mitigate the moths spread, such as clipping down the webs and burning them or soaking them in soapy water, Donahue said. Professional pesticide applicators can also be called on to spray them when they nest in treetops, she said.

Donahue said the threat of the caterpillars' hairs can also be reduced by wearing protective clothing, mowing the grass when it's wet and avoiding hanging laundry outside. The caterpillars' hairs can also cause respiratory problems in people.

The moths remain an occasional problem on Cape Cod, where Cape Cod National Seashore employees occasionally complain of contracting the rashes. But that's the only place in Massachusetts where they're a problem, said Joe Elkinton, professor of entomology at the University of Massachusetts.

Surprisingly, the moths are not such a problem on the New Hampshire coast as they are on the Maine coast. Kyle Lombard, forest health specialist with the New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands, said the state has no issues with browntail moths, and he's not sure why. They also haven't been seen in Vermont in nearly a century.

Dating back 60 years ago, there were record levels of browntail moths in New Hampshire, especially in the areas of Hillsboro, Mont Vernon and New Boston.

"We have looked for the last 20 years, every single year, and we have yet to see browntail moths in New Hampshire. It's the weirdest thing," he said.
Infected IoT devices turned into botnets, at least some controlled by Mirai, were used in multiple DDoS attacks against New Hampshire-based internet infrastructure company Dyn. The attacks against Dyn DNS were similar to some thugs shredding an internet address book, since addresses of thousands of websites couldnt be looked up and users couldnt be connected to the right servers. By the third wave of attacks, users across the globe had been affected by the massive disruptions.

+ Also on Network World: How the Dyn DDoS attack unfolded +

The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are investigating the attack on Dyn, one provider of DNS services. A spokeswoman told The New York Times that the FBI and DHS were looking into the incident and all potential causes, including criminal activity and a nation-state attack.

The massive DDoS attacks made it impossible for some users to connect to Twitter, Spotify, Reddit, CNN, Etsy, The New York Times, PayPal, some customers on Amazon, Netflix, the Boston Globe, GitHub, SoundCloud, Pinterest, Tumblr and some cable companies, Okta, Sonys PlayStation Network, The Wall Street Journal and thousands of other sites.

The sites were still there, even though it may have looked like the hosts were down. During the global attacks on Dyn, attackers used hundreds of thousands of infected IoT devices to send millions of junk queries and thereby overwhelm the directory service; Dyn DNS could not look up and provide the IP addresses and then connect users to the sites to browse content. This spawned lots of jokes about forced increases of productivity.

Three waves of attacks

The first wave of DDoS attacks, which occurred Friday morning around 7:10 a.m. EST, affected users on the East Coast. The second wave of attacks, around noon, affected the West Coast, but users as far away as Australia were also affected for about five hours. Bloomberg reported, At the peak of the attack, average DNS connect times for 2,000 websites monitored by Dynatrace went to about 16 seconds from 500 milliseconds normally.

Around 5 p.m. during the third wave of Fridays attack, Dyn told CNBC that the attacks were well planned and executed, coming from tens of millions of IP addresses at the same time.

According to Reuters, Amazon's web services division confirmed that the issue temporarily affected users in Western Europe. Twitter and some news sites could not be accessed by some users in London late on Friday evening. PayPal Holdings Inc said the outage prevented some customers in certain regions from making payments.

Kyle York, Dyns CSO, called the attacks very smart. He added, We start to mitigate, they react. It keeps on happening every time. Were learning though.

The tens of millions of messages from around the globe were sent by seemingly harmless but internet-connected devices. York said, It could be your DVR, it could be a CCTV camera, a thermostat. I even saw an internet-connected toaster on Kickstarter yesterday.

Neither Homeland Security nor unnamed intelligence agencies was willing to tell CNBC who might be behind the attacks. White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest was only willing to say DHS was monitoring the situation but that at this point, I dont have any information about who may be responsible for this malicious activity.

One week before the attack on Dyn, US-CERT warned about a heightened DDoS threat posed by Mirai and other botnets. The other is Bashlite; its source code has not been released to the public.

Who and why?

Its not clear why Dyn was hit or who did the hitting.

Security journalist Brian Krebs pointed out that the attack came mere hours after Dyn researcher Doug Madory spoke about DDoS attacks at a North American Network Operators Group meeting.

One hacker told Politico that the hacktivist groups New World Hackers and Anonymous had been behind the attacks, which were launched in retaliation for the Ecuadorian governments decision to cut off internet access for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.

The New World Hackers, who are spread across China and Russia, told the Associated Press, We didn't do this to attract federal agents, only test power.

Security firm Flashpoint reviewed the proof before labeling the group as imposters.

Mirai IoT botnet

Flashpoint confirmed that some of the infrastructure responsible for the DDoS attacks against Dyn DNS were botnets compromised by Mirai malware. Although Mirai targets IoT devices like routers, digital video records (DVRs), and webcams/security cameras, enslaving vast numbers of these devices into a botnet, the Mirai botnets used against Dyn were separate and distinct botnets than those used to execute attacks against Krebs on Security and the French internet service OVH.

Allison Nixon, director of research at Flashpoint, told Krebs that the attack was built on the backs of hacked IoT devicesmainly compromised DVRs and IP cameras made by Chinese XiongMai Technologies. Its remarkable that virtually an entire companys product line has just been turned into a botnet that is now attacking the United States.

While some experts suggested multiple botnets were involved in the attack, Flashpoint said at least one Mirai [control server] issued an attack command to hit Dyn.

Level 3 also said it found evidence that roughly 10 percent of all devices co-opted by Mirai were being used to attack Dyns servers. The latest unprecedented DDoS DNS attack is explained here.

A few days ago, Level 3 Threat Research Labs reported that before Mirai source code was released, it had identified about 213,000 bots. There was a 280,000-bot spike, bringing the total to at least 493,000 Mirai bots after the code was released. Most of the malware-infected IoT devices are located in the U.S., followed by devices in Brazil and then Columbia.

As cryptography expert and assistant professor at Johns Hopkins Matthew Green said on Friday about the internet of insecure things:
Fun run boosts local good causes including new 4.5m cancer and renal unit

MORE than 200 family fun-runners and athletes braved the rain on Sunday to Step Up 4 Good and raise money for local community projects.

Among the good causes that will benefit is the Rosemary Appeal, launched to fund the new 4.5m cancer and renal dialysis centre at West Berkshire Hospital.

The High Sheriff of Berkshire, Victoria Fishburn, officially opened the Greenham Common event, which was supported and organised by Greenham Common Trust.

The Mini Mile run got under way just as the heavens opened and eight-year-old Alex Berry stormed home to win in eight minutes and 58 seconds.

Everyone cheered as Martin Randall, who has physical disabilities, crossed the Mini Mile finish line with his dad Jeff.

He was awarded the Special Achievement Award by Greenham Common Trust director David Bailey.

Mark Apsey from Reading Road Runners completed the 10k course in 35 minutes and 46 seconds to take first place.

After completing the Mini Mile race, runner Samantha Berry said, on The Good Exchange website where she donated to The Rosemary Appeal: After a fantastic, well-organised, family running event on Sunday (Step Up 4 Good) we felt we had to donate.

Greenham Common Trust chief executive Chris Boulton said: Despite the best efforts of the weather, we had a fantastic turnout of families and athletes who enjoyed this fantastic event.

He thanked all the organisers and volunteers who made the event happen and urged people to continue to support the community projects on The Good Exchange website.

The inaugural Step Up 4 Good event was so successful it will be held again next year.

The official results can be seen in full at www.chipresults.co.uk
WCVB-TV 5 is operating at reduced power from an auxiliary antenna due to an antenna system error, the station said in a statement on its website.

WCVB-TV 5 is operating at reduced power from an auxiliary antenna due to an antenna system error, the station said in a statement on its website.

"Due to a failure in the main antenna system Saturday at about 4:30 p.m., WCVB currently is operating on reduced power from its auxiliary antenna. This will continue at least until late Sunday afternoon and could further extend if significant damage. Crews are assessing the antenna."

In an update on Monday, the station said that "climbing crews verified where the the issue is located on Sunday. Engineers say the problem occurred several hundred feet above the ground. Monday, the team continued working working to identify every part that requires replacement or repair. While we want to restore the primary system as quickly as possible, weather and safety will dictate the speed at which crews can work. We do not currently have an estimated time for the completion of repairs."

WCVB is not the only station having issues.

WBZ and WSBK are also located on the same tower at 350 Cedar Street in Needham, Massachusetts. Both stations are currently off-the-air completely.

Also affected is WGBH sister-station WGBX 44 - Channel 44 is also currently off-the-air.

WCVB's auxiliary antenna is on the same tower, but located 200 feet below the stations main antenna. The main antenna for WGBH is also on the same tower, but the signal for WGBH 2 seems to be broadcasting at full-power.

Because cable companies receive a direct feed of the television stations signal, cable customers of WCVB, WGBX and WBZ should not be affected. Customers of satellite services DirectTV or Dish Network may be affected as well. Any over-the-air viewers of WGBX or WBZ will have no reception at all; while viewers of WCVB will have a television signal depending on their distance from the Needham tower.

According to Mike Fitzpatrick of NECRAT.us, this is the same antenna that had the same issues in 2012. The issue required the antenna to be removed from the 1300 foot tower and be shipped to Maine to be re-built. The antenna was down for several months, with those affected stations running on auxiliary antennas at reduced power.

Update: WCVB is back to broadcasting from its main antenna at full power after the system issue was repaired late Monday afternoon. WBZ, WSBK, and WGBX are all back on-air as well.
Laxmi Raj By

Express News Service

, ABC Clinic

The first generation entrepeneur is of a kind that never shrugs off opportunities. Already an adviser to various start-up and entrepreneur

bodies, Pramod Thomas writes about the travel afficianado and her first entrepreneurial venture.

My husband and I share a passion for entrepreneurship. We brainstormed lot of business ideas and wanted to create a brand that would be trusted and unequally chosen by people, partners and customers, recalls Laxmi Raj, co-founder of ABC Clinic, on how the cosmetics start-up took wings. For the husband-wife duo, startuping was a family affair.

saai



Headquartered in Chennai, ABC Clinic was incorporated in the year 2015 when Saran Vel, Thirumal Raj, Madhu Saran and Laxmi Raj kicked off a sustainable skill-based business that could carry the potential of growing year on year. Comprising three brands  Advanced Grohair, Maya Skin, and Minus, the startup is the fastest growing cosmetic clinic chain startup and offers an entire gamut of advanced services in hair, skin and cosmetic treatments.

The clinics USP is our trained surgeons and state-of-the-art infrastructure.

The company has demonstrated positive sales projections within just one year of rolling out operations in India. In my current capacity, I spearhead the entire range of operations and sales of the company, Laxmi points out. A science graduate, she is already an advisor to various start up and entrepreneur bodies in India. In her leisure time, she says, she likes to travel.



ABC Clinic had invested `10 crore as initial investment and is looking for funding to the tune of `25 crore in the next few months. The company has seen footfalls cross 2,000 at its three clinics in Chennai.

As a first generation entrepreneur and a woman, I was always fascinated about the beauty industry. The international aesthetic business with cutting edge technologies was evolving and after eight years of research we launched our brand. We wanted customers to experience customised cost effective treatments for treating body, hair and skin using latest technologies and innovations, she says, adding that the company foresees creating a niche position in the industry.



The supported franchise model initiated by ABC Clinic, attracts aspiring women entrepreneurs from across India. The business model is such that women can start their own clinic with full support from the parent company, ensuring a steady growth. It is also planning to launch services for Dental AestheticsAs an entrepreneur, I like to see happy customers and partners. A successful business thrives on proper planning, execution and dedication. Follow your passion and be optimistic in your approach, she signs off.

, ABC Clinic The first generation entrepeneur is of a kind that never shrugs off opportunities. Already an adviser to various start-up and entrepreneur bodies, Pramod Thomas writes about the travel afficianado and her first entrepreneurial venture. My husband and I share a passion for entrepreneurship. We brainstormed lot of business ideas and wanted to create a brand that would be trusted and unequally chosen by people, partners and customers, recalls Laxmi Raj, co-founder of ABC Clinic, on how the cosmetics start-up took wings. For the husband-wife duo, startuping was a family affair. saai Headquartered in Chennai, ABC Clinic was incorporated in the year 2015 when Saran Vel, Thirumal Raj, Madhu Saran and Laxmi Raj kicked off a sustainable skill-based business that could carry the potential of growing year on year. Comprising three brands  Advanced Grohair, Maya Skin, and Minus, the startup is the fastest growing cosmetic clinic chain startup and offers an entire gamut of advanced services in hair, skin and cosmetic treatments. The clinics USP is our trained surgeons and state-of-the-art infrastructure. The company has demonstrated positive sales projections within just one year of rolling out operations in India. In my current capacity, I spearhead the entire range of operations and sales of the company, Laxmi points out. A science graduate, she is already an advisor to various start up and entrepreneur bodies in India. In her leisure time, she says, she likes to travel. ABC Clinic had invested `10 crore as initial investment and is looking for funding to the tune of `25 crore in the next few months. The company has seen footfalls cross 2,000 at its three clinics in Chennai. As a first generation entrepreneur and a woman, I was always fascinated about the beauty industry. The international aesthetic business with cutting edge technologies was evolving and after eight years of research we launched our brand. We wanted customers to experience customised cost effective treatments for treating body, hair and skin using latest technologies and innovations, she says, adding that the company foresees creating a niche position in the industry. The supported franchise model initiated by ABC Clinic, attracts aspiring women entrepreneurs from across India. The business model is such that women can start their own clinic with full support from the parent company, ensuring a steady growth. It is also planning to launch services for Dental AestheticsAs an entrepreneur, I like to see happy customers and partners. A successful business thrives on proper planning, execution and dedication. Follow your passion and be optimistic in your approach, she signs off.
By AFP

RIYADH: Saudi Oil Minister Khalid al-Falih said Sunday that the current down cycle of crude prices is close to an end as market fundamentals improve.

"The current down cycle is nearing an end," Falih told a joint press conference with his Russian counterpart Alexander Novak after a Gulf ministerial meeting in Riyadh.

"Market fundamentals, in terms of supply and demand, have begun to improve," Falih said.

"We are optimistic that oil prices will continue to improve in the future," he said.

Qatar's energy minister, Mohammed al-Sada, whose country holds the rotating presidency of the OPEC oil exporting cartel, also said the "difficult phase is over".

OPEC has invited Russia and key non-members to a meeting later this month as the cartel and Moscow seek to tighten cooperation to boost historically low crude prices.

RIYADH: Saudi Oil Minister Khalid al-Falih said Sunday that the current down cycle of crude prices is close to an end as market fundamentals improve. "The current down cycle is nearing an end," Falih told a joint press conference with his Russian counterpart Alexander Novak after a Gulf ministerial meeting in Riyadh. "Market fundamentals, in terms of supply and demand, have begun to improve," Falih said. "We are optimistic that oil prices will continue to improve in the future," he said. Qatar's energy minister, Mohammed al-Sada, whose country holds the rotating presidency of the OPEC oil exporting cartel, also said the "difficult phase is over". OPEC has invited Russia and key non-members to a meeting later this month as the cartel and Moscow seek to tighten cooperation to boost historically low crude prices.
Pramod Thomas By

Express News Service

KOCHI: The call came from Madhya Pradesh a few weeks ago, recalls Rajiv, a native of Kochi and a victim of an attempted phishing call.

The caller said that she was calling on behalf of State Bank of India and wanted to confirm my address to issue a new debit card, which was supposed to be safer. Even though the expiry period of my existing card was August 2018, I was glad that the bank is concerned about the safety of my account, he added.

But the call quickly took a turn toward the suspicious. After confirming his address, the caller asked for the card number. She even told me the last eight numbers, recalls Rajiv. Then, he was asked for the Card Verification Value (CVV). But Rajiv received an from his bank to confirm a payment of `10,000 providing the CVV. Rajiv spooked and cut the call. She even dared to tell me that I should not disclose CVV to anyone other than her. I smelled a rat , he admitted.

Rajiv is not alone. Had he disclosed the number, he might have ended up among the innocent duped that fall for phishing attempts like these every day. Rajiv contacted the bank and they confirmed that it was a fraud and, upon their advice, has applied for a new debit card.

The recent data breach brings into stark focus the danger to our hard earned money in a world of electronic, impresonal transactions. Despite the size of the breach, many have been lucky to have not lost any money. But our cards are still vulnerable to financial fraud at all times. According to the National Payments Corporation of India, illegal withdrawals linked to the data breach were limited to 641 customers of 19 banks and the total amount was a mere `1.3 crore.

But the next such lapse might be more severe and the incident is already raising concerns on the robustness of our ATM banking systems. Experts suggest that spread of biometric ATMs and extending the One Time Password (OTP) feature to ATM transactions as safety measures.

Banks in India have introduced biometric automatic teller machines (ATMs) as it seems to be an effective way of preventing PIN theft and is also a channel to expand a banks reach to the rural and illiterate masses. Globally, biometric as a method of authentication gains traction, said P G Jayakumar, Former Managing Director and CEO, Dhanlaxmi Bank.

The biometric ATMs replace personal identity numbers (PIN) with thumb impressions. The fingerprint scanner fitted in the machine only recognizes thecustomers thumb impression, he suggests.

Biometric ATMs might be safer, but the drawback is that If the account holder is bedridden and in need of money from his account he will not be able to get it as he has to present in person at the ATM. The other option is the extension of OTP precautions to ATM withdrawals.

The negative side of this extra safety is that it is time consuming and inconvenient.

Abraham Tharian, Former Executive Director, South Indian Bank added that in order to avoid skimming the customer must ensure that the card does not go beyond his eyesight.

The Reserve Bank is now closely monitoring the situation and in the future it will come forward with safety features in order to safer guard the interest of banking customer, he added.

According to Jayakumar, the massive distribution of cards in the recent years has led to such fraudulent activities. He has a point as there are 69.7 crore debit cards and 2.6 crore credit cards in the country at the end of the month of July, 2016.

Safety Tips

 Always pay close attention to the ATM and your surroundings.

 Dont select an ATM at the corner of a building. Use an ATM located near the center of a building.

 It is always safe to use ATMs of your own bank. It also makes it easy to complain if you encounter any problems.

 Chip cards are safer. So if your card is electromagnetic replace it with a chip card

 Change PIN number every three months. Do not ever disclose numbers on the card to anyone.

 Do your automated banking in a public, well-lighted location that is free of shrubbery and decorative partitions or dividers.

 If you have started a transaction and notice something suspicious, cancel the transaction and take your card.

 Be wary of people trying to help you with ATM transactions. Be aware of anyone sitting in a parked car nearby.

 Do not allow people to look over your shoulder as you enter

your PIN.

 Closely monitor your bank statements and balances, and immediately report any problems to your bank.

KOCHI: The call came from Madhya Pradesh a few weeks ago, recalls Rajiv, a native of Kochi and a victim of an attempted phishing call. The caller said that she was calling on behalf of State Bank of India and wanted to confirm my address to issue a new debit card, which was supposed to be safer. Even though the expiry period of my existing card was August 2018, I was glad that the bank is concerned about the safety of my account, he added. But the call quickly took a turn toward the suspicious. After confirming his address, the caller asked for the card number. She even told me the last eight numbers, recalls Rajiv. Then, he was asked for the Card Verification Value (CVV). But Rajiv received an from his bank to confirm a payment of `10,000 providing the CVV. Rajiv spooked and cut the call. She even dared to tell me that I should not disclose CVV to anyone other than her. I smelled a rat , he admitted. Rajiv is not alone. Had he disclosed the number, he might have ended up among the innocent duped that fall for phishing attempts like these every day. Rajiv contacted the bank and they confirmed that it was a fraud and, upon their advice, has applied for a new debit card. The recent data breach brings into stark focus the danger to our hard earned money in a world of electronic, impresonal transactions. Despite the size of the breach, many have been lucky to have not lost any money. But our cards are still vulnerable to financial fraud at all times. According to the National Payments Corporation of India, illegal withdrawals linked to the data breach were limited to 641 customers of 19 banks and the total amount was a mere `1.3 crore. But the next such lapse might be more severe and the incident is already raising concerns on the robustness of our ATM banking systems. Experts suggest that spread of biometric ATMs and extending the One Time Password (OTP) feature to ATM transactions as safety measures. Banks in India have introduced biometric automatic teller machines (ATMs) as it seems to be an effective way of preventing PIN theft and is also a channel to expand a banks reach to the rural and illiterate masses. Globally, biometric as a method of authentication gains traction, said P G Jayakumar, Former Managing Director and CEO, Dhanlaxmi Bank. The biometric ATMs replace personal identity numbers (PIN) with thumb impressions. The fingerprint scanner fitted in the machine only recognizes thecustomers thumb impression, he suggests. Biometric ATMs might be safer, but the drawback is that If the account holder is bedridden and in need of money from his account he will not be able to get it as he has to present in person at the ATM. The other option is the extension of OTP precautions to ATM withdrawals. The negative side of this extra safety is that it is time consuming and inconvenient. Abraham Tharian, Former Executive Director, South Indian Bank added that in order to avoid skimming the customer must ensure that the card does not go beyond his eyesight. The Reserve Bank is now closely monitoring the situation and in the future it will come forward with safety features in order to safer guard the interest of banking customer, he added. According to Jayakumar, the massive distribution of cards in the recent years has led to such fraudulent activities. He has a point as there are 69.7 crore debit cards and 2.6 crore credit cards in the country at the end of the month of July, 2016. Safety Tips  Always pay close attention to the ATM and your surroundings.  Dont select an ATM at the corner of a building. Use an ATM located near the center of a building.  It is always safe to use ATMs of your own bank. It also makes it easy to complain if you encounter any problems.  Chip cards are safer. So if your card is electromagnetic replace it with a chip card  Change PIN number every three months. Do not ever disclose numbers on the card to anyone.  Do your automated banking in a public, well-lighted location that is free of shrubbery and decorative partitions or dividers.  If you have started a transaction and notice something suspicious, cancel the transaction and take your card.  Be wary of people trying to help you with ATM transactions. Be aware of anyone sitting in a parked car nearby.  Do not allow people to look over your shoulder as you enter your PIN.  Closely monitor your bank statements and balances, and immediately report any problems to your bank.
By Express News Service

BENGALURU: Two medical college students who were returning from a party in Bengaluru were killed on the spot after the car they were travelling in met with an accident on Saturday night. The incident occurred near the outskirts of Nelamangala, when the speeding car lost control, jumped off the median and collided with a truck, en route to Tumakuru, where they were studying.

The deceased have been identified as Mohammed Ashiq (21), a third-year dental student of Sri Siddhartha Medical College in Tumakuru, and Linu Maria Joy (21), an MBBS student of the same college. Ashiq was from Kozhikode, while Linu hailed from Hyderabad.

The accident took place around 12.15 am when the car was heading towards Tumakuru from Bengaluru. Ashiq was allegedly overspeeding and lost control while attempting to negotiate a curve. He then rammed the car into the median, which flipped over to the other side of the road and collided with a truck.

An ambulance driver who witnessed the accident alerted the police and said the car was speeding before losing control. With the help of passers-by, police shifted them to the hospital where they were declared brought dead. The bodies were sent for post mortem examination to Nelamangala distict hospital.

We are awaiting the post mortem reports to ascertain whether the driver was drunk or had consumed any banned substance. Preliminary investigations reveal that the duo had gone to attend a party in Bengaluru and were returning to Tumakuru, police said.

The Nelamangala rural police have filed a case and investigations are underway.

BENGALURU: Two medical college students who were returning from a party in Bengaluru were killed on the spot after the car they were travelling in met with an accident on Saturday night. The incident occurred near the outskirts of Nelamangala, when the speeding car lost control, jumped off the median and collided with a truck, en route to Tumakuru, where they were studying. The deceased have been identified as Mohammed Ashiq (21), a third-year dental student of Sri Siddhartha Medical College in Tumakuru, and Linu Maria Joy (21), an MBBS student of the same college. Ashiq was from Kozhikode, while Linu hailed from Hyderabad. The accident took place around 12.15 am when the car was heading towards Tumakuru from Bengaluru. Ashiq was allegedly overspeeding and lost control while attempting to negotiate a curve. He then rammed the car into the median, which flipped over to the other side of the road and collided with a truck. An ambulance driver who witnessed the accident alerted the police and said the car was speeding before losing control. With the help of passers-by, police shifted them to the hospital where they were declared brought dead. The bodies were sent for post mortem examination to Nelamangala distict hospital. We are awaiting the post mortem reports to ascertain whether the driver was drunk or had consumed any banned substance. Preliminary investigations reveal that the duo had gone to attend a party in Bengaluru and were returning to Tumakuru, police said. The Nelamangala rural police have filed a case and investigations are underway.
Ashmita Gupta By

Express News Service

CHENNAI: To overcome power challenges faced by the rural population, the Anna University (AU) is leading a research project, where villages can completely switch over to renewable sources of energy without any power cuts or disruptions. Joining hands with AU are Madras University, Alagappa University and Bharathidasan University.

Shortly, there would be a technology demonstration in one of the villages in the State, said Director of the Institute of Energy Studies R Velraj, who is also the principal investigator of the project.

The project focuses on generating cool energy that will be stored. The source of power would be solar and wind energy. Besides electrifying homes and offices, the energy generated can be used to preserve dairy and food products in villages where air-conditioning facilities are inadequate.

The official said that in recent years there was a boom for renewable energy, but solar and wind energy are intermittent. There is a mismatch between demand and supply. There is a need for energy storage and if we can promote decentralised power resources in village side, it would help both in job opportunities and industrial activities, he said.

Velraj said in order to overcome the present energy challenges, smart technological solutions are the need of the hour. A project titled Sustainable energy technologies- efficient renewable power generation with energy storage for sustainable smart grid was submitted to the Ministry of Human Resources Department (MHRD) under research and innovation scheme in December last year.

The Project Approval Board (PAB) of MHRD has sanctioned a grant of `15 crore. The project is in line with Providing Urban Amenities to Rural Areas (PURA) and Tamil Nadus strategic plan for infrastructure development for greener tomorrow.

The major objective of this project is to maximise the share of renewable energy (solar, wind, bio energy) in total power generation and reduce the barriers in the integration of new storage technologies, he said.

Small villages can generate locally 0.5 MW to 5 MW, Velraj said. This can be further fed into the grid. Power can be generated in the open terrace.

Explaining the micro grid concept, he said, This project is focusing on generating power in villages so that micro grid concept can be adapted. We can generate power from solar and wind and this can be transferred to all houses and offices of the villages through the local transmission line called micro grid. Thereby we can introduce energy storage concept and be independent of TANGEDCO.

To a query, Velraj said they are yet to identify the village, where the technology will be adopted and demonstrated.

He said the first instalment of `5 crore had already been allotted out of the total `15 crore for the research project.

CHENNAI: To overcome power challenges faced by the rural population, the Anna University (AU) is leading a research project, where villages can completely switch over to renewable sources of energy without any power cuts or disruptions. Joining hands with AU are Madras University, Alagappa University and Bharathidasan University. Shortly, there would be a technology demonstration in one of the villages in the State, said Director of the Institute of Energy Studies R Velraj, who is also the principal investigator of the project. The project focuses on generating cool energy that will be stored. The source of power would be solar and wind energy. Besides electrifying homes and offices, the energy generated can be used to preserve dairy and food products in villages where air-conditioning facilities are inadequate. The official said that in recent years there was a boom for renewable energy, but solar and wind energy are intermittent. There is a mismatch between demand and supply. There is a need for energy storage and if we can promote decentralised power resources in village side, it would help both in job opportunities and industrial activities, he said. Velraj said in order to overcome the present energy challenges, smart technological solutions are the need of the hour. A project titled Sustainable energy technologies- efficient renewable power generation with energy storage for sustainable smart grid was submitted to the Ministry of Human Resources Department (MHRD) under research and innovation scheme in December last year. The Project Approval Board (PAB) of MHRD has sanctioned a grant of `15 crore. The project is in line with Providing Urban Amenities to Rural Areas (PURA) and Tamil Nadus strategic plan for infrastructure development for greener tomorrow. The major objective of this project is to maximise the share of renewable energy (solar, wind, bio energy) in total power generation and reduce the barriers in the integration of new storage technologies, he said. Small villages can generate locally 0.5 MW to 5 MW, Velraj said. This can be further fed into the grid. Power can be generated in the open terrace. Explaining the micro grid concept, he said, This project is focusing on generating power in villages so that micro grid concept can be adapted. We can generate power from solar and wind and this can be transferred to all houses and offices of the villages through the local transmission line called micro grid. Thereby we can introduce energy storage concept and be independent of TANGEDCO. To a query, Velraj said they are yet to identify the village, where the technology will be adopted and demonstrated. He said the first instalment of `5 crore had already been allotted out of the total `15 crore for the research project.
By Express News Service

HYDERABAD: A woman employee of Google was allegedly harassed by a cab driver near Sun city in Rajendranagar police limits in Hyderabad late on Friday.

The Google employee immediately tweeted to Telangana DGP Anurag Shrama.

Officials directed Hyderabad, Cyberabad and Rachakonda police to look into the issue and start investigation.

As the victim did not mention the scene of crime, the police of the three commissionerates had a tough time, but finally identified the location.

They identified the scene of crime as Sun City.

The case was referred to the SHE teams of Cyberabad for further investigation.

ACP, SHE Teams, Cyberabad, Saleema said that the police had received a complaint from the victim, who alleged that a cab driver had harassed and chased her, on Twitter.

Based on the information, the police had initiated action on Saturday.

In her tweet to @TelanganaDGP, the victim had said: Cab guy car-harassed me, followed me to my house trying to intercept me, run me off the road. Equal parts infuriating & scary! AP28TV 5232.

She also provided the cabs registration number in her tweet.

The reply on Twitter was: Her commuted limits are under the Jurisdiction @cyberabadpolice was informed to the #cyberabadpolice.

Cyberabad sub-inspector Sakram said they had received a complaint through Twitter.

According to police, the victim works as sales manager at Google in Hyderabad.

On Saturday, sources said that the police identified the cab driver as Uday Bano Teja.

The cab driver Teja was arrested late on Saturday.

HYDERABAD: A woman employee of Google was allegedly harassed by a cab driver near Sun city in Rajendranagar police limits in Hyderabad late on Friday. The Google employee immediately tweeted to Telangana DGP Anurag Shrama. Officials directed Hyderabad, Cyberabad and Rachakonda police to look into the issue and start investigation. As the victim did not mention the scene of crime, the police of the three commissionerates had a tough time, but finally identified the location. They identified the scene of crime as Sun City. The case was referred to the SHE teams of Cyberabad for further investigation. ACP, SHE Teams, Cyberabad, Saleema said that the police had received a complaint from the victim, who alleged that a cab driver had harassed and chased her, on Twitter. Based on the information, the police had initiated action on Saturday. In her tweet to @TelanganaDGP, the victim had said: Cab guy car-harassed me, followed me to my house trying to intercept me, run me off the road. Equal parts infuriating & scary! AP28TV 5232. She also provided the cabs registration number in her tweet. The reply on Twitter was: Her commuted limits are under the Jurisdiction @cyberabadpolice was informed to the #cyberabadpolice. Cyberabad sub-inspector Sakram said they had received a complaint through Twitter. According to police, the victim works as sales manager at Google in Hyderabad. On Saturday, sources said that the police identified the cab driver as Uday Bano Teja. The cab driver Teja was arrested late on Saturday.
Jayendra Chaithanya T By

Express News Service

HYDERABAD: The Interpol (International Criminal Police Organisation), the worlds largest international police organisation, is ready to assist Hyderabad city police to nab Nigerian nationals, who escaped from India after obtaining bail in cyber crime cases.

The agency also assured it would track and nab the cyber criminals operating from other countries and looting the Indian citizens.

The Interpol, which provides expertise in dealing with the cyber crimes and other emerging threats to the world, has the wide range of advanced technological tools to track and apprehend the cyber crooks.

In a three-day conference held by Interpol at Singapore recently, senior police officers from the member countries shared the emerging threats of cyber crime, current trends and difficulties in dealing with the criminals.

Hyderabad Additional Commissioner (Crimes & SIT) Swati Lakra, who was nominated by the Ministry of Home Affairs, also attended the conference and shared the current scenario of cyber crimes occurring in India.

In some cases registered at the cyber crime police station in Hyderabad, several foreigners, especially from African countries were caught from New Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru. These people were arrested and produced in the courts, but they obtained conditional bails and fled from the country.

For instance, in a case of debit card fraud, four Nigerian nationals from New Delhi were produced in a city court for judicial remand. The offenders obtained conditional bail the next day. After a few days, the offenders went back to Nigeria.

A cyber crime officer said, Around 15 African nationals were arrested in 2015 and 2016, from New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Gurgaon and Noida. They had siphoned crores of money from the bank accounts of Indian citizens. Many of them left India now.

During probe, the police found that some foreign nationals, who came to India, are depositing their passports with some agents at New Delhi and Mumbai to ensure that the passports do not get seized when they are arrested.

Additional Commissioner Swati Lakra said when we shared this information during the conference, the Interpol had assured help in nabbing such criminals. The Interpol had also assured helping in tracking the offenders living in other countries and operating in India, she added.

Being in the list of top five cities with more number of cyber crime cases registered, the Interpols intervention would help the Hyderabad police to a great extent in ensuring conviction to the offenders fleeing the country, the additional commissioner opined.

Answering a query, the officer said, We would request the CBI, which has the authority to write to the Interpol, seeking help. The process of sending requisition to the CBI is underway.

HYDERABAD: The Interpol (International Criminal Police Organisation), the worlds largest international police organisation, is ready to assist Hyderabad city police to nab Nigerian nationals, who escaped from India after obtaining bail in cyber crime cases. The agency also assured it would track and nab the cyber criminals operating from other countries and looting the Indian citizens. The Interpol, which provides expertise in dealing with the cyber crimes and other emerging threats to the world, has the wide range of advanced technological tools to track and apprehend the cyber crooks. In a three-day conference held by Interpol at Singapore recently, senior police officers from the member countries shared the emerging threats of cyber crime, current trends and difficulties in dealing with the criminals. Hyderabad Additional Commissioner (Crimes & SIT) Swati Lakra, who was nominated by the Ministry of Home Affairs, also attended the conference and shared the current scenario of cyber crimes occurring in India. In some cases registered at the cyber crime police station in Hyderabad, several foreigners, especially from African countries were caught from New Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru. These people were arrested and produced in the courts, but they obtained conditional bails and fled from the country. For instance, in a case of debit card fraud, four Nigerian nationals from New Delhi were produced in a city court for judicial remand. The offenders obtained conditional bail the next day. After a few days, the offenders went back to Nigeria. A cyber crime officer said, Around 15 African nationals were arrested in 2015 and 2016, from New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Gurgaon and Noida. They had siphoned crores of money from the bank accounts of Indian citizens. Many of them left India now. During probe, the police found that some foreign nationals, who came to India, are depositing their passports with some agents at New Delhi and Mumbai to ensure that the passports do not get seized when they are arrested. Additional Commissioner Swati Lakra said when we shared this information during the conference, the Interpol had assured help in nabbing such criminals. The Interpol had also assured helping in tracking the offenders living in other countries and operating in India, she added. Being in the list of top five cities with more number of cyber crime cases registered, the Interpols intervention would help the Hyderabad police to a great extent in ensuring conviction to the offenders fleeing the country, the additional commissioner opined. Answering a query, the officer said, We would request the CBI, which has the authority to write to the Interpol, seeking help. The process of sending requisition to the CBI is underway.
By Express News Service

HYDERABAD: Owner of an educational consultancy was apprehended by the west zone task force police for selling fake educational certificates to students.

Acting on a tip-off, the task force sleuths raided the office of Hyderabad College of Distance Educational & Advanced Studies, near Model House in Punjagutta, and apprehended its owner Mohammed Zumair alias Hussain (43) and seized 60 fake graduation certificates bearing the names of various universities. It was found that accused Zumair earlier ran a placement consultancy at Malakpet three years ago and cheated several job aspirants and collected huge amounts of money from them.

In 2015, he started the educational consultancy to earn easy money by selling fake certificates obtained from brokers based in New Delhi. He shared the details of his customers with the brokers and received certificates from them through courier. The accused sold engineering certificates for Rs 80,000, MBA certificates for Rs 40,000, MCA certificates for Rs 50,000, degree certificates for Rs 40,000 and intermediate certificates for Rs 15,000. He also maintained a fake educational institution called National Institute of Management and Engineering Studies under the website www.nimes.in. He has sold nearly 100 fake educational certificates so far.

The police seized fake certificates of Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidhyapith, Chatrapathi Shahuji Maharaj University, Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Board of Secondary Education of Okhla among others. Two laptops, fake stamps, two mobile phones and other material were also seized from his office. He was also wanted in three old cases.

HYDERABAD: Owner of an educational consultancy was apprehended by the west zone task force police for selling fake educational certificates to students. Acting on a tip-off, the task force sleuths raided the office of Hyderabad College of Distance Educational & Advanced Studies, near Model House in Punjagutta, and apprehended its owner Mohammed Zumair alias Hussain (43) and seized 60 fake graduation certificates bearing the names of various universities. It was found that accused Zumair earlier ran a placement consultancy at Malakpet three years ago and cheated several job aspirants and collected huge amounts of money from them. In 2015, he started the educational consultancy to earn easy money by selling fake certificates obtained from brokers based in New Delhi. He shared the details of his customers with the brokers and received certificates from them through courier. The accused sold engineering certificates for Rs 80,000, MBA certificates for Rs 40,000, MCA certificates for Rs 50,000, degree certificates for Rs 40,000 and intermediate certificates for Rs 15,000. He also maintained a fake educational institution called National Institute of Management and Engineering Studies under the website www.nimes.in. He has sold nearly 100 fake educational certificates so far. The police seized fake certificates of Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidhyapith, Chatrapathi Shahuji Maharaj University, Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Board of Secondary Education of Okhla among others. Two laptops, fake stamps, two mobile phones and other material were also seized from his office. He was also wanted in three old cases.
By PTI

LONDON: Supermodel Miranda Kerr says she can't wait to tie the knot with Evan Spiegel in 2017.

The 33-year-old beauty, who has a five-year-old son, Flynn, with ex-husband Orlando Bloom, got engaged to the Snapchat founder in June after dating for a year and a half, and their wedding plans are already underway, reported Female First.

Asked if they've set a date, she said: "It'll be next year. I can't wait."

Though the former Victoria's Secret Angel was overwhelmed with happiness when Spiegel, 26, popped the question, she wasn't expecting him to propose.

"[Was I expecting it?] Absolutely not. He said to me, 'Miranda, I'm telling you now, this is the first and last time I'm going to kneel down in front of you,' I was terribly nervous and emotional, trembling with happiness," she said.

LONDON: Supermodel Miranda Kerr says she can't wait to tie the knot with Evan Spiegel in 2017. The 33-year-old beauty, who has a five-year-old son, Flynn, with ex-husband Orlando Bloom, got engaged to the Snapchat founder in June after dating for a year and a half, and their wedding plans are already underway, reported Female First. Asked if they've set a date, she said: "It'll be next year. I can't wait." Though the former Victoria's Secret Angel was overwhelmed with happiness when Spiegel, 26, popped the question, she wasn't expecting him to propose. "[Was I expecting it?] Absolutely not. He said to me, 'Miranda, I'm telling you now, this is the first and last time I'm going to kneel down in front of you,' I was terribly nervous and emotional, trembling with happiness," she said.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Congress today hit out at Devendra Fadnavis for "brokering" a truce with MNS chief Raj Thackeray over the release of 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil', saying the Maharashtra Chief Minister would now be the country's "new Censor Board".

"CM Fadnavis has demeaned his office & disregarded Constitution by playing vendor to diktats of MNS. Democracy shrugged for a BMC election deal," party's chief spokesman Randeep Surjewala said in a series of tweets.

He alleged that "Self styled goons, compliant film makers bartering freedom of expression brokered by BJP's Mah. CM would now be India's new Censor Board."

Earlier, he had wondered on the micro-blogging site as to "Why would our proud IndianArmy accept donations forced by MNS goons from subservient filmmakers with profit motive?"

Under pressure from political and other outfits, Bollywood film producers had yesterday announced that they would not engage with Pakistani artistes, clearing decks for the smooth release of Karan Johar's "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" as MNS withdrew its threat to stall the screening.

The movie had been embroiled in a controversy over the past few weeks after the MNS opposed the screening of movies featuring Pakistani actors after the Uri terror attack, putting a question mark on the fate of movie, slated for Diwali release on October 28.

The movie features Pakistani actor Fawad Khan.

NEW DELHI: Congress today hit out at Devendra Fadnavis for "brokering" a truce with MNS chief Raj Thackeray over the release of 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil', saying the Maharashtra Chief Minister would now be the country's "new Censor Board". "CM Fadnavis has demeaned his office & disregarded Constitution by playing vendor to diktats of MNS. Democracy shrugged for a BMC election deal," party's chief spokesman Randeep Surjewala said in a series of tweets. He alleged that "Self styled goons, compliant film makers bartering freedom of expression brokered by BJP's Mah. CM would now be India's new Censor Board." Earlier, he had wondered on the micro-blogging site as to "Why would our proud IndianArmy accept donations forced by MNS goons from subservient filmmakers with profit motive?" Under pressure from political and other outfits, Bollywood film producers had yesterday announced that they would not engage with Pakistani artistes, clearing decks for the smooth release of Karan Johar's "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" as MNS withdrew its threat to stall the screening. The movie had been embroiled in a controversy over the past few weeks after the MNS opposed the screening of movies featuring Pakistani actors after the Uri terror attack, putting a question mark on the fate of movie, slated for Diwali release on October 28. The movie features Pakistani actor Fawad Khan.
By Express News Service

MUMBAI: Filmmakers who have signed up Pakistani actors will have to cough up a Rs 5 crore penance' for Army welfare, Raj Thackeray, president of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), said on Saturday.

This, along with a promise not to engage Pakistani talent in future, would ensure a peaceful release for movies by the MNS. This was the outcome of a mediation done by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis between movie producers and the MNS.

Several retired senior Army officials, public intellectuals and twitterati slammed the outcome as a case of extortion, legalised by the Maharashtra government. One of the most vociferous attacks came from the former Air Vice Marshal Manmohan Bahadur.

I served four decades in uniform - and never did I live on extorted money. What's this happening in my country? he tweeted. Why should the Armed Forces be made a part of this extortion? By accepting this money they would become a receiver of tainted money, he said, adding that the Army never doubts the love and sentiment of countrymen behind contributions to the welfare fund.

The government provides enough to take care of our soldiers. If someone wants to donate, it's purely their individual decision. No one should use it for their political gains, said former Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor speaking to Express. Calling it a confrontation between the movie producers and the MNS, Kapoor said: The Army should not be dragged into this episode, it is a secular organisation with no political affinity.

Lt General Balbir Singh, former Chief of Staff in the Northern Command says, National interest is supreme than any political interest. And Army does not believe in taking political advantage of this issue, especially when it comes to donation for army welfare fund.

While Thackeray proudly claimed credit for resolving the crisis, opposition parties, including a section of the BJP, expressed displeasure over the development. Fadnavis was criticised for yeilding to the demands and having let the issue escalate.

The Chief Minister represents a constitutional entity. It is wrong for him to even witness, let alone participate in legitimisation of extra-constitutional authority, the Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant said. The NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said that Fadnavis and Thackeray have undermined the martyredome of our soldiers.

The film producers seemed more than relieved to have found a breakthrough. I assured Fadnavis that the Producer's Guild has taken a decision in the larger interest of the sentiments of the people and the soldiers and the entire country that we will not work with Pakistani artists in the future, the guild's president Mukesh Bhatt said.

MUMBAI: Filmmakers who have signed up Pakistani actors will have to cough up a Rs 5 crore penance' for Army welfare, Raj Thackeray, president of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), said on Saturday. This, along with a promise not to engage Pakistani talent in future, would ensure a peaceful release for movies by the MNS. This was the outcome of a mediation done by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis between movie producers and the MNS. Several retired senior Army officials, public intellectuals and twitterati slammed the outcome as a case of extortion, legalised by the Maharashtra government. One of the most vociferous attacks came from the former Air Vice Marshal Manmohan Bahadur. I served four decades in uniform - and never did I live on extorted money. What's this happening in my country? he tweeted. Why should the Armed Forces be made a part of this extortion? By accepting this money they would become a receiver of tainted money, he said, adding that the Army never doubts the love and sentiment of countrymen behind contributions to the welfare fund. The government provides enough to take care of our soldiers. If someone wants to donate, it's purely their individual decision. No one should use it for their political gains, said former Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor speaking to Express. Calling it a confrontation between the movie producers and the MNS, Kapoor said: The Army should not be dragged into this episode, it is a secular organisation with no political affinity. Lt General Balbir Singh, former Chief of Staff in the Northern Command says, National interest is supreme than any political interest. And Army does not believe in taking political advantage of this issue, especially when it comes to donation for army welfare fund. While Thackeray proudly claimed credit for resolving the crisis, opposition parties, including a section of the BJP, expressed displeasure over the development. Fadnavis was criticised for yeilding to the demands and having let the issue escalate. The Chief Minister represents a constitutional entity. It is wrong for him to even witness, let alone participate in legitimisation of extra-constitutional authority, the Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant said. The NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said that Fadnavis and Thackeray have undermined the martyredome of our soldiers. The film producers seemed more than relieved to have found a breakthrough. I assured Fadnavis that the Producer's Guild has taken a decision in the larger interest of the sentiments of the people and the soldiers and the entire country that we will not work with Pakistani artists in the future, the guild's president Mukesh Bhatt said.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: India is asserting its sovereignty in Tawang, which is claimed by China, through aggressive diplomacy.

On Saturday, US Ambassador Richard Verma visited the region in Arunachal Pradesh, a first for a US envoy. The visit has come at a time when US warships are sailing close to the islandsthat China claims to be within its sovereign watersin the South China Sea.

Stunning mountains and wonderful people. Terrific visit to Arunachal Pradesh for the Tawang Festival. Thank You Tawang for the hospitality, Ambassador Verma added as he tweeted a photograph of him with Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal in the backdrop of picturesque mountains. Verma had reached Tawang on Friday from Guwahati and was accompanied by Sonowal.

China has been staking claims on Arunachal Pradesh, particularly Tawang that it contends to be part of southern Tibet. India has been disputing it. As in the past, this visit will evoke strong statements, Beijing will not shy away from objecting foreign dignitaries visits to the Northeast town.

The US Ambassadors visit comes at a time when bilateral ties between India and China bilateral ties is at its lowest ebb. Beijing has been obstructing New Delhis bid to enter the Nuclear Suppliers Group and defending Pakistan on the issue of terrorism.

The US Ambassador will be joined by Minister of State Kiren Rijiju on Saturday for the inauguration of the Tawang festival. Rijiju tweeted his best wishes for the Ambassador in his message on Friday. This indicates the official nature of the visit that has allowed India and the US to join hands to assert against China.

Only recently, Arunachal Chief Minister Khandu invited the Dalai Lama for a visit to Tawang next year.

NEW DELHI: India is asserting its sovereignty in Tawang, which is claimed by China, through aggressive diplomacy. On Saturday, US Ambassador Richard Verma visited the region in Arunachal Pradesh, a first for a US envoy. The visit has come at a time when US warships are sailing close to the islandsthat China claims to be within its sovereign watersin the South China Sea. Stunning mountains and wonderful people. Terrific visit to Arunachal Pradesh for the Tawang Festival. Thank You Tawang for the hospitality, Ambassador Verma added as he tweeted a photograph of him with Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal in the backdrop of picturesque mountains. Verma had reached Tawang on Friday from Guwahati and was accompanied by Sonowal. China has been staking claims on Arunachal Pradesh, particularly Tawang that it contends to be part of southern Tibet. India has been disputing it. As in the past, this visit will evoke strong statements, Beijing will not shy away from objecting foreign dignitaries visits to the Northeast town. The US Ambassadors visit comes at a time when bilateral ties between India and China bilateral ties is at its lowest ebb. Beijing has been obstructing New Delhis bid to enter the Nuclear Suppliers Group and defending Pakistan on the issue of terrorism. The US Ambassador will be joined by Minister of State Kiren Rijiju on Saturday for the inauguration of the Tawang festival. Rijiju tweeted his best wishes for the Ambassador in his message on Friday. This indicates the official nature of the visit that has allowed India and the US to join hands to assert against China. Only recently, Arunachal Chief Minister Khandu invited the Dalai Lama for a visit to Tawang next year.
Manish Anand By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Varun Gandhi faces the darkest hour of his career, fighting alone allegations of having been honey-trapped by defence dealer Abhishek Verma and leaking defence secrets. Varuns close aides claim he is victim of a political conspiracy from within.

Serious allegations were leveled against Sushma Swaraj and Vasundhara Raje over corruption in the Lalit Modi scandal. The party left them to face the charges on their own. Varun is in a similar situation, said a close aide.

Speaking exclusively to Express, Abhishek Verma said that the leaked photographs of the MP are morphed and forged by professionals.

I know Varun from his childhood days. Im from a political family and grew up with many who are politicians now. There is no question of blackmailing Varun or any lawmaker, Verma said. Entitlement claims in poll bound Uttar Pradesh havent endeared the MP to the discipline conscious BJP leadership. Said a family source, A mans personal life is his own. Its not relevant to politics.

Varun Gandhis lone range role in Uttar Pradesh is not appreciated in the highly structured BJP. Before the Defence leaks controversy rose, Varun Gandhi had on Tuesday handed over 28 newly-constructed houses to the poor in various villages in Sultanpur, his Lok Sabha constituency.

Out of his MPs salary over the past seven years, Gandhi is funding construction of 100 houses for the poor. Another 72 houses will be handed over. He spends his whole salary on their welfare, said an aide of the BJP MP. Party workers said the people of Sultanpur, which was represented by Sanjay Gandhi in the Lok Sabha, look upon the son as the heir to his fathers political legacy.

Neither Maneka-ji nor Varun need the BJP banner to win from the two Lok Sabha constituencies. This gives them a larger political clout, which the current BJP leadership dislikes, added an aide.

Gandhi, however, restricted himself to releasing a two-page long letter to my countrymen in which he trashed all charges, saying he had never attended any meeting of the Parliamentary consultative committee on defence.

No defence secrets are otherwise shared by Ministry of Defence in such meetings. I neither sought any information from the ministry. Therefore, there is no question of leaking any secrets, Varun noted in his letter.

His close aide also noted that he last met Abhishek Verma when Varun was just 19 years old. He was nobody at that time, while he will soon turn 37 years old. You may imagine the trauma and agony of his wife and little daughter. This is all dirty politics, said the close aide.

Varun Gandhi had been fancying his chances to become the BJPs poll face in UP before Amit Shah reorganised the party structure in the state before in 2014 general elections. Even after reading the writing on the wall, Varun continued campaigning in the state in an independent fashion.

During the National Executive meeting of the BJP in June, Varuns supporters had put up hoardings declaring him as the only CM face of the party. Sources said, the BJP chief had expressed his serious distaste for such open lobbying.

Party leaders note that Gandhi will have to see himself through the biggest test of his political career on his own. For the record, no parliamentary papers or information were very provided by Varun Gandhi to me said Abhishek Verma.

He alleged that C. Edmonds Allen, Vermas former US attorney with whom he fell out over a property dispute had forged the documents and alleged that the lawyer is working at the behest of some powerful and influential politicians.

NEW DELHI: Varun Gandhi faces the darkest hour of his career, fighting alone allegations of having been honey-trapped by defence dealer Abhishek Verma and leaking defence secrets. Varuns close aides claim he is victim of a political conspiracy from within. Serious allegations were leveled against Sushma Swaraj and Vasundhara Raje over corruption in the Lalit Modi scandal. The party left them to face the charges on their own. Varun is in a similar situation, said a close aide. Speaking exclusively to Express, Abhishek Verma said that the leaked photographs of the MP are morphed and forged by professionals. I know Varun from his childhood days. Im from a political family and grew up with many who are politicians now. There is no question of blackmailing Varun or any lawmaker, Verma said. Entitlement claims in poll bound Uttar Pradesh havent endeared the MP to the discipline conscious BJP leadership. Said a family source, A mans personal life is his own. Its not relevant to politics. Varun Gandhis lone range role in Uttar Pradesh is not appreciated in the highly structured BJP. Before the Defence leaks controversy rose, Varun Gandhi had on Tuesday handed over 28 newly-constructed houses to the poor in various villages in Sultanpur, his Lok Sabha constituency. Out of his MPs salary over the past seven years, Gandhi is funding construction of 100 houses for the poor. Another 72 houses will be handed over. He spends his whole salary on their welfare, said an aide of the BJP MP. Party workers said the people of Sultanpur, which was represented by Sanjay Gandhi in the Lok Sabha, look upon the son as the heir to his fathers political legacy. Neither Maneka-ji nor Varun need the BJP banner to win from the two Lok Sabha constituencies. This gives them a larger political clout, which the current BJP leadership dislikes, added an aide. Gandhi, however, restricted himself to releasing a two-page long letter to my countrymen in which he trashed all charges, saying he had never attended any meeting of the Parliamentary consultative committee on defence. No defence secrets are otherwise shared by Ministry of Defence in such meetings. I neither sought any information from the ministry. Therefore, there is no question of leaking any secrets, Varun noted in his letter. His close aide also noted that he last met Abhishek Verma when Varun was just 19 years old. He was nobody at that time, while he will soon turn 37 years old. You may imagine the trauma and agony of his wife and little daughter. This is all dirty politics, said the close aide. Varun Gandhi had been fancying his chances to become the BJPs poll face in UP before Amit Shah reorganised the party structure in the state before in 2014 general elections. Even after reading the writing on the wall, Varun continued campaigning in the state in an independent fashion. During the National Executive meeting of the BJP in June, Varuns supporters had put up hoardings declaring him as the only CM face of the party. Sources said, the BJP chief had expressed his serious distaste for such open lobbying. Party leaders note that Gandhi will have to see himself through the biggest test of his political career on his own. For the record, no parliamentary papers or information were very provided by Varun Gandhi to me said Abhishek Verma. He alleged that C. Edmonds Allen, Vermas former US attorney with whom he fell out over a property dispute had forged the documents and alleged that the lawyer is working at the behest of some powerful and influential politicians.
By IANS

NEW DELHI: The respect and admiration that Indians have for the armed forces will be expressed this festive season through a campaign led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.



The #Sandesh2Soldiers campaign has been launched to invite people to send letters and messages to the armed forces, an official statement said here on Sunday.



"The campaign gives every citizen an opportunity to spread happiness among the Indian Armed Forces, who are guarding our nation's frontiers, far from their loved ones on Diwali," it said.



Leading this effort, the Prime Minister shared through social media, a special video featuring his appeal to the people to send messages to our brave armed forces personnel.



People can send messages to soldiers on the Narendra Modi App through MyGov.in, and also through All India Radio.



Doordarshan is also going to mount a programme to share people's emotions with the armed forces.



A special module has been launched on the Narendra Modi App to enable people to send greetings or their hand-written messages to the armed forces.



The #Sandesh2Soldiers campaign is expected to generate increased interaction between people and the army.



NEW DELHI: The respect and admiration that Indians have for the armed forces will be expressed this festive season through a campaign led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The #Sandesh2Soldiers campaign has been launched to invite people to send letters and messages to the armed forces, an official statement said here on Sunday. "The campaign gives every citizen an opportunity to spread happiness among the Indian Armed Forces, who are guarding our nation's frontiers, far from their loved ones on Diwali," it said. Leading this effort, the Prime Minister shared through social media, a special video featuring his appeal to the people to send messages to our brave armed forces personnel. People can send messages to soldiers on the Narendra Modi App through MyGov.in, and also through All India Radio. Doordarshan is also going to mount a programme to share people's emotions with the armed forces. A special module has been launched on the Narendra Modi App to enable people to send greetings or their hand-written messages to the armed forces. The #Sandesh2Soldiers campaign is expected to generate increased interaction between people and the army.
By PTI

JAMMU: Shiv Sena and the Dogra front activists today protested against Pakistan here for continuously violating the ceasefire on civilian areas along the Line of Control and the International Border.

The activists burned effigies of Jamaat-ud-Dawah and Jaish-e-Mohammed chiefs -- Hafiz Saeed, Masood Azhar respectively and also the head of Hizbul Mujahideen Sayeed Salahudeen for planning and plotting of terrorist activities in India.

The activists also burned the flag of Pakistan during the protest. "Since the Indian Surgical strike, Pakistan has been baffled and is resorting to unlawful firing and shelling in the civilian areas. Pakistan has continuously violated ceasefire since the surgical strike and their forces have been targeting the civilian areas around the border to cause maximum causality to the innocent people," the outfit's chief Ashok Gupta said.

He said while the three terrorist leaders were financing aiding and abetting terrorism in India by recruiting and training youth, Pakistan was providing them security and aiding them in cross the border.

JAMMU: Shiv Sena and the Dogra front activists today protested against Pakistan here for continuously violating the ceasefire on civilian areas along the Line of Control and the International Border. The activists burned effigies of Jamaat-ud-Dawah and Jaish-e-Mohammed chiefs -- Hafiz Saeed, Masood Azhar respectively and also the head of Hizbul Mujahideen Sayeed Salahudeen for planning and plotting of terrorist activities in India. The activists also burned the flag of Pakistan during the protest. "Since the Indian Surgical strike, Pakistan has been baffled and is resorting to unlawful firing and shelling in the civilian areas. Pakistan has continuously violated ceasefire since the surgical strike and their forces have been targeting the civilian areas around the border to cause maximum causality to the innocent people," the outfit's chief Ashok Gupta said. He said while the three terrorist leaders were financing aiding and abetting terrorism in India by recruiting and training youth, Pakistan was providing them security and aiding them in cross the border.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Home Minister Rajnath Singh will raise the issue of Pakistan's continuous support to cross border terrorism with the top leadership of Bahrain and seek their cooperation in tackling international terrorism during his three-day visit to the Gulf country beginning today.

Singh, who left for Manama today, will meet Bahrain King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Prime Minister Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and Interior Minister Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa and will discuss with them various bilateral issues.

Pakistan's continuous support to cross border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir is expected to be raised by the Home Minister in his meetings with the top leadership of Bahrain.

Singh is also likely to tell them that India cannot take at face any of the assurances that Pakistan provides in regard to stopping terrorism.

In a statement before his departure, Singh said India and Bahrain are working together to further strengthen security and counter terrorism cooperation between the two countries.

The Home Minister said India and Bahrain enjoy excellent bilateral relations characterised by broad-based political, economic and cultural contacts.

There will be extensive discussions on how to enhance bilateral cooperation with regard to tackling international terrorism, organised crime and each other's fugitives at the meeting between Singh and his Bahrain counterpart Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, sources said.

Bahrain is a key member of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) in which Pakistan is also a member.

Singh will also address the Indian community in Bahrain during his trip.

On Friday, President of National Security Agency of Bahrain, Sheikh Talal bin Mohammed bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa, had called on the Home Minister here.

Singh then told him that his three-day visit to Bahrain will enhance bilateral ties with the Gulf nation and it grows from strength to strength.



The Home Minister had hoped for an expeditious and successful negotiation of the bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Defence Cooperation which is under active consideration of the Bahraini side.

Referrring to the buildup of ISIS in the West Asia-Gulf region and the rise of religious extremism, the Home Minister said its negative impact on the Muslim population around the world is of serious concern for India too.

On relations with Pakistan, Singh had said since there was no change in Pakistan's approach of sponsoring terrorism, "we cannot take at face any of the assurances that Pakistan provides in regard to stopping terrorism".

NEW DELHI: Home Minister Rajnath Singh will raise the issue of Pakistan's continuous support to cross border terrorism with the top leadership of Bahrain and seek their cooperation in tackling international terrorism during his three-day visit to the Gulf country beginning today. Singh, who left for Manama today, will meet Bahrain King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Prime Minister Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and Interior Minister Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa and will discuss with them various bilateral issues. Pakistan's continuous support to cross border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir is expected to be raised by the Home Minister in his meetings with the top leadership of Bahrain. Singh is also likely to tell them that India cannot take at face any of the assurances that Pakistan provides in regard to stopping terrorism. In a statement before his departure, Singh said India and Bahrain are working together to further strengthen security and counter terrorism cooperation between the two countries. The Home Minister said India and Bahrain enjoy excellent bilateral relations characterised by broad-based political, economic and cultural contacts. There will be extensive discussions on how to enhance bilateral cooperation with regard to tackling international terrorism, organised crime and each other's fugitives at the meeting between Singh and his Bahrain counterpart Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, sources said. Bahrain is a key member of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) in which Pakistan is also a member. Singh will also address the Indian community in Bahrain during his trip. On Friday, President of National Security Agency of Bahrain, Sheikh Talal bin Mohammed bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa, had called on the Home Minister here. Singh then told him that his three-day visit to Bahrain will enhance bilateral ties with the Gulf nation and it grows from strength to strength. The Home Minister had hoped for an expeditious and successful negotiation of the bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Defence Cooperation which is under active consideration of the Bahraini side. Referrring to the buildup of ISIS in the West Asia-Gulf region and the rise of religious extremism, the Home Minister said its negative impact on the Muslim population around the world is of serious concern for India too. On relations with Pakistan, Singh had said since there was no change in Pakistan's approach of sponsoring terrorism, "we cannot take at face any of the assurances that Pakistan provides in regard to stopping terrorism".
Michael Geary 1976

Michael Geary has been a programmer living in Silicon Valley since before the world called it Silicon Valley. And he's got some incredible stories to tell.

For instance, he's pretty convinced he was the first person ever fired by Steve Jobs.

He was living in Palo Alto in 1976 and shopping in a health food store.

"I was a scraggly looking hippie and I ran into this guy in the produce aisle. He was a scraggly looking smelly hippie. I just introduced myself and it turned out we were both into computers," Geary told Business Insider.

Jobs told him he just started a company called Apple Computer, and the name comes from "byte" as in "take a byte out of the apple, ha, ha," Geary recalled. (A byte is computer storage term.)

"He and Woz were literally working on the Apple 1, literally just the two of them," and he mentioned he needed someone to do some programming for him. "He needed a disassembler for the 6502 chip," Geary said.

A disassembler is a computer program that translates the chip's language into assembly language. The 6502 chips were for a new kind of computer, very small ones, not huge mainframes. Geary was working at a company doing programming on mainframes.

Michael Geary.JPG

Back in those days, it was really expensive to buy computer chips to write programs for them. But it was possible to fake having a real chip by using a software program called an emulator, which pretended to be the chip. Geary had access to a mainframe and an emulator at work, so he told Jobs, "I can do that."

Geary went home and started to write the disassembler code.

"Steve called me back a few days later and said 'this dissembler, this is for a microprocessor. Your work is all with mainframes. They are nothing alike. All you know is mainframes, forget this whole thing,' " Geary recalls.

"When we hung up, I was pretty disappointed. Then I thought, 'Who is this guy telling me I cant program? Ill show him. Ill write a partial proof of concept and Ill visit him and show him the code,'" Geary said.

Story continues

So he dug up the address to Apple Computer and just showed up there with no appointment. It turned out to be the address of an answering service. Jobs and Woz were still working in the garage. In those days, a garage startup wasn't considered a very reputable office.

steve jobs and steve wozniak

"I said to myself, these guys are flakes! They are never going to make it. And I turned around and walked back out the door," Geary said.

He stayed fired.

And he was obviously wrong.

Years later, Geary got asked to do a short contract job at Apple (working on an email client called Diplomat) but the signing of the contract was stalled. And at another health food store, this one in Los Gatos, California, he once again ran into Steve Jobs.

Geary approached Jobs again, and they had a laugh about the first time they met. Geary didn't tell him that he wrote the program. Instead, he nudged him to sign the contract. On the following Monday it was signed, though Geary didn't interact with Jobs after that.

In fact, Geary didn't see him again for many years. By that time, Jobs was ill.

He was at a restaurant in Menlo Park, California, and Jobs was at the next table.

"He looked like he vaguely recognized me. I didnt want to interrupt. I should have said hello. I should have told him I did write that program. I didnt have quite the guts to talk to him at that point," he said.

Jobs passed away a short time later.

"In the back of my mind, I'll always regret not talking to him that night," Geary said.

NOW WATCH: A hacker reveals a simple way to come up with a strong password that's easy to remember





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By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The fracture in the Samajwadi Party has further widened ahead of the crucial Assembly elections.

Hours after party president Mulayam Singh sacked a lawmaker loyalist of Akhilesh Yadav, the Chief Minister called a meeting with 175 legislators known to be loyal to him to chalk out the next course of action. Another 75 legislators, loyal to the party chief and Akhilesh's uncle Shivpal Yadav, did not get the invite.

Speculation is rife that Akhilesh could take a call on postponing his yatra by a few days at the meeting.

"While it is too soon to predict if the party is headed for a split, it is obvious that the cracks in the Yadav family are widening," say sources. The drama began to unfurl early on Saturday with the expulsion of MLC Udayveer Singh, loyal to the Chief Minister's camp.

Udayveer had written a letter to party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav, demanding that Akhilesh be made the party's national president. In a four-page letter to the party supremo, Udayveer wrote, SP state president Shivpal Yadav and other members of his family have misled you (Mulayam) and hatched a conspiracy against Akhilesh, who should be made the partys national president and given all the power.

Udayveer Singh has been expelled from the party for six years for his undignified and indisciplined behaviour, State party spokesman Ambika Chaudhary said, adding that the party would not tolerate such behaviour.

NEW DELHI: The fracture in the Samajwadi Party has further widened ahead of the crucial Assembly elections. Hours after party president Mulayam Singh sacked a lawmaker loyalist of Akhilesh Yadav, the Chief Minister called a meeting with 175 legislators known to be loyal to him to chalk out the next course of action. Another 75 legislators, loyal to the party chief and Akhilesh's uncle Shivpal Yadav, did not get the invite. Speculation is rife that Akhilesh could take a call on postponing his yatra by a few days at the meeting. "While it is too soon to predict if the party is headed for a split, it is obvious that the cracks in the Yadav family are widening," say sources. The drama began to unfurl early on Saturday with the expulsion of MLC Udayveer Singh, loyal to the Chief Minister's camp. Udayveer had written a letter to party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav, demanding that Akhilesh be made the party's national president. In a four-page letter to the party supremo, Udayveer wrote, SP state president Shivpal Yadav and other members of his family have misled you (Mulayam) and hatched a conspiracy against Akhilesh, who should be made the partys national president and given all the power. Udayveer Singh has been expelled from the party for six years for his undignified and indisciplined behaviour, State party spokesman Ambika Chaudhary said, adding that the party would not tolerate such behaviour.
By PTI

KOLKATA: Suspicious signals in coded Bengali and Urdu languages along the India-Bangladesh border in past few months have raised suspicion over extremists using this unconventional mode of communication, prompting authorities to deploy Ham radio operators on round-the-clock duty.

The incident first came into light in June after amateur Ham radio operators picked suspicious radio signals and unauthorised radio communications in coded Bengali and Urdu in Basirhat and Sunderbans region.

Alarmed over the incident, the operators informed the Centre following which they were called to an international monitoring centre (Radio) and asked to track the signals.

A team of 23 Ham radio operators are now on round-the- clock duty trying to track the exact location of radio signals.

"The incident is highly suspicious and threat to security. Because whenever we tried to converse with them, they have stopped talking. Again after certain point of time they start their communication in coded Bengali and Urdu language," said Ambarish Nag Biswas, secretary of Bengal Amateur Radio Club.

"Those who were communicating on the radio frequencies had a distinct Bangladeshi accent. I alerted my radio club members and they too received such conversations. This kind of communication started in June and was going on till Durga Puja," he told PTI.

Biswas said after the incident came into fore they had written to the Union Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, highlighting the strange signals and the suspicious mode of coded communication.

"After the letter was sent to the Union ministry, we were called for a meeting by the officials of the international monitoring station in Kolkata, where other senior officials were also present. We submitted details of our findings. We were asked to continue monitoring and try to locate the source of the communication," he said.

KOLKATA: Suspicious signals in coded Bengali and Urdu languages along the India-Bangladesh border in past few months have raised suspicion over extremists using this unconventional mode of communication, prompting authorities to deploy Ham radio operators on round-the-clock duty. The incident first came into light in June after amateur Ham radio operators picked suspicious radio signals and unauthorised radio communications in coded Bengali and Urdu in Basirhat and Sunderbans region. Alarmed over the incident, the operators informed the Centre following which they were called to an international monitoring centre (Radio) and asked to track the signals. A team of 23 Ham radio operators are now on round-the- clock duty trying to track the exact location of radio signals. "The incident is highly suspicious and threat to security. Because whenever we tried to converse with them, they have stopped talking. Again after certain point of time they start their communication in coded Bengali and Urdu language," said Ambarish Nag Biswas, secretary of Bengal Amateur Radio Club. "Those who were communicating on the radio frequencies had a distinct Bangladeshi accent. I alerted my radio club members and they too received such conversations. This kind of communication started in June and was going on till Durga Puja," he told PTI. Biswas said after the incident came into fore they had written to the Union Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, highlighting the strange signals and the suspicious mode of coded communication. "After the letter was sent to the Union ministry, we were called for a meeting by the officials of the international monitoring station in Kolkata, where other senior officials were also present. We submitted details of our findings. We were asked to continue monitoring and try to locate the source of the communication," he said.
By Express News Service

Guwahati: Few believed him when six years ago activist-politician Ashok Singhal highlighted a series of Chinese hydro-power projects on the Yarlung Tsangpo (also called Yarlung Zangbo in China and Brahmaputra in India), through satellite imageries and warned people and the governments in the northeastern states of the danger of the mighty river slowly getting dried up. He was vindicated last month when Beijing officially intimated New Delhi on blocking a Tsangpo tributary for a hydro-power project.



Singhal  now a BJP MLA following his victory in the 2016 Assam elections  and his social organisation Jana Jagriti have all along sniffed a greater Chinese conspiracy of drying up the Brahmaputra. He is renewing his call to the Centre and the people for proper use of the river water. He is telling them that the Brahmaputra, which is the cultural heritage of the Assamese, could be saved only by fully utilizing its water.



Presenting a mix of high tech satellite imageries and cultural iconography, he is trying to convince them the necessity of the construction of dams which have hitherto faced stiff opposition from a section of activists in the state.



We need to create awareness among people that a conspiracy is going on; that China is planning a number of dams and hydro-power projects and water reservoirs on the Tsangpo and its tributaries and

also the Indus and the Sutlej. If the people are made aware of what China is doing and there is a

public opinion against the projects, there will be social pressure on Beijing, Singhal told the Sunday

Standard.



For the past seven years, he has been leading a campaign to mobilize public opinions against the

Chinese projects. During the last Assembly session, he spoke at length on the issue to highlight the

threat. He feels that it is his bounden duty to create public awareness on the Chinese conspiracy

against India.



We should have the first user right. We can properly use the water by building dams for hydro-power

projects and also reservoirs for irrigation, Singhal pointed out. His Jana Jagriti claims that China

is diverting the Tsangpo water under its south to north water diversion projects.



The Brahmaputra enters India via Arunachal Pradesh where it is called Siang. It is joined by Dibang and Lohit rivers at the head of Assam Valley. When it enters Assam, it becomes very wide and is called the Brahmaputra. From Assam, it flows into Bangladesh and gets the name Jamuna. The length of the river in India (Siang included) is over 1000 km.



According to Jana Jagriti, India receives 78.10 BCM water from China through Brahmaputra at its entry point at Gorging village in Arunachal. The receipt of the water during the monsoon months is 56.12 BCM and during the non-monsoon period, it is 21.98 BCM.



The organisation claims that China is working on 26 power projects. It says once these projects get

commissioned, the flow of Tsangpo water into India will be reduced by 64% during monsoon and 85% during the non-monsoon months.



Given the Chinese design, the Brahmaputra needs proper care, concern and attention. It is our cultural

heritage and connected with our religious sentiments. We urge the government to take some urgent steps to save the river, Singhal insisted.

Guwahati: Few believed him when six years ago activist-politician Ashok Singhal highlighted a series of Chinese hydro-power projects on the Yarlung Tsangpo (also called Yarlung Zangbo in China and Brahmaputra in India), through satellite imageries and warned people and the governments in the northeastern states of the danger of the mighty river slowly getting dried up. He was vindicated last month when Beijing officially intimated New Delhi on blocking a Tsangpo tributary for a hydro-power project. Singhal  now a BJP MLA following his victory in the 2016 Assam elections  and his social organisation Jana Jagriti have all along sniffed a greater Chinese conspiracy of drying up the Brahmaputra. He is renewing his call to the Centre and the people for proper use of the river water. He is telling them that the Brahmaputra, which is the cultural heritage of the Assamese, could be saved only by fully utilizing its water. Presenting a mix of high tech satellite imageries and cultural iconography, he is trying to convince them the necessity of the construction of dams which have hitherto faced stiff opposition from a section of activists in the state. We need to create awareness among people that a conspiracy is going on; that China is planning a number of dams and hydro-power projects and water reservoirs on the Tsangpo and its tributaries and also the Indus and the Sutlej. If the people are made aware of what China is doing and there is a public opinion against the projects, there will be social pressure on Beijing, Singhal told the Sunday Standard. For the past seven years, he has been leading a campaign to mobilize public opinions against the Chinese projects. During the last Assembly session, he spoke at length on the issue to highlight the threat. He feels that it is his bounden duty to create public awareness on the Chinese conspiracy against India. We should have the first user right. We can properly use the water by building dams for hydro-power projects and also reservoirs for irrigation, Singhal pointed out. His Jana Jagriti claims that China is diverting the Tsangpo water under its south to north water diversion projects. The Brahmaputra enters India via Arunachal Pradesh where it is called Siang. It is joined by Dibang and Lohit rivers at the head of Assam Valley. When it enters Assam, it becomes very wide and is called the Brahmaputra. From Assam, it flows into Bangladesh and gets the name Jamuna. The length of the river in India (Siang included) is over 1000 km. According to Jana Jagriti, India receives 78.10 BCM water from China through Brahmaputra at its entry point at Gorging village in Arunachal. The receipt of the water during the monsoon months is 56.12 BCM and during the non-monsoon period, it is 21.98 BCM. The organisation claims that China is working on 26 power projects. It says once these projects get commissioned, the flow of Tsangpo water into India will be reduced by 64% during monsoon and 85% during the non-monsoon months. Given the Chinese design, the Brahmaputra needs proper care, concern and attention. It is our cultural heritage and connected with our religious sentiments. We urge the government to take some urgent steps to save the river, Singhal insisted.
Ravi Shankar By

In the movie Zorro, so flamboyantly played by Antonio Banderas, the swashbuckling outlaw proclaims grandly, Im a man in search of a vision. Arvind Kejriwal is one such Zorro, though the muffler is his mask. Sure, he is a man with a mission. But he is also a man without a vision. As a rotting political system crumbles in Punjab and Goa, Kejriwal is the man of the moment. But there is a strong possibility that the moment will pass. If not today, tomorrow.

Kejriwal is not tomorrows man either. He is day after tomorrows man. This is because he represents the cyclical paradigm of a fall, a rise and a resurrection. The Congress fell because of corruption, the AAP rose on its graveyard and Modi resurrected the BJP.

Arvind Kejriwal

History has shown that maverick parties that do not have a thought system of their own dont survive. After Independence, no personality-driven regional party has become a national giant. Kejriwal is trying to make AAP a national party, the way Owaisi did with MIM and failed. Parties and leaders survive because they are defined by a specific ideology. Modi is a Hindu nationalist favouring Right wing economics. Rahul Gandhi is a rural tourist, with a trendy seven oclock shadow who loves sushi and sudden sabbaticals. Sitaram Kesri is a Communist, who has a specific political and social charter. Nitish Kumar is a communal welfarist. Mulayam Singh Yadav is a Lohiaitea form of vernacular socialism. Leaders such as J Jayalalithaa, Chandrababu Naidu, Mamata Banerjee and K Chandrashekar Rao are powerful regional leaders with national relevance.

And Kejriwal?

Does the only political party in India which lacks an official flag have no ideology beyond protecting autorickshaw drivers and street vendors? Is its only agenda to find Modis ubiquitous hand in every calamity that befalls it? Is Kejriwals only imperial dream to bring Delhi Police under the state government? Its main plank is fighting corruption, yet most of its legislators are in some form of disgrace or the other. Kejriwal even doesnt have permanent enemies or friendsonly those who dare to question his diktats and others who slavishly follow his whims.

So what is the big picture?

Kejriwal and his party lack holistic relevance because they dont stand for anything in particular. AAP pretends to be a national party with regional programmes. It makes promises it doesnt even understand. The generic offer to rid the world of corruption is admirable, but Kejriwal has to understand that systems can be cleansed fundamentally only through governance.

The Delhi CM, however, doesnt understand governance. The state administration dozes in the somnolent sunshine of approaching winter when the capital is at its mellowest best, like a fading emigre awaiting an inheritance, which has alas been squandered. Civic facilities in Delhi are on life support. The bureaucracy is hostile and frightened. People in Delhi even miss Sheila Dikshit.

The lack of a label was Kejriwals initial advantage. His was a clean slate. But in the hurry to chalk up more scores in more states, he is bound to lose the way. Ambition sans ideology is like a horse without a saddle. By riding bareback, Kejriwal may just end up unseating himself.

ravi shankar

ravi@newindianexpress.com

In the movie Zorro, so flamboyantly played by Antonio Banderas, the swashbuckling outlaw proclaims grandly, Im a man in search of a vision. Arvind Kejriwal is one such Zorro, though the muffler is his mask. Sure, he is a man with a mission. But he is also a man without a vision. As a rotting political system crumbles in Punjab and Goa, Kejriwal is the man of the moment. But there is a strong possibility that the moment will pass. If not today, tomorrow. Kejriwal is not tomorrows man either. He is day after tomorrows man. This is because he represents the cyclical paradigm of a fall, a rise and a resurrection. The Congress fell because of corruption, the AAP rose on its graveyard and Modi resurrected the BJP. Arvind KejriwalHistory has shown that maverick parties that do not have a thought system of their own dont survive. After Independence, no personality-driven regional party has become a national giant. Kejriwal is trying to make AAP a national party, the way Owaisi did with MIM and failed. Parties and leaders survive because they are defined by a specific ideology. Modi is a Hindu nationalist favouring Right wing economics. Rahul Gandhi is a rural tourist, with a trendy seven oclock shadow who loves sushi and sudden sabbaticals. Sitaram Kesri is a Communist, who has a specific political and social charter. Nitish Kumar is a communal welfarist. Mulayam Singh Yadav is a Lohiaitea form of vernacular socialism. Leaders such as J Jayalalithaa, Chandrababu Naidu, Mamata Banerjee and K Chandrashekar Rao are powerful regional leaders with national relevance. And Kejriwal? Does the only political party in India which lacks an official flag have no ideology beyond protecting autorickshaw drivers and street vendors? Is its only agenda to find Modis ubiquitous hand in every calamity that befalls it? Is Kejriwals only imperial dream to bring Delhi Police under the state government? Its main plank is fighting corruption, yet most of its legislators are in some form of disgrace or the other. Kejriwal even doesnt have permanent enemies or friendsonly those who dare to question his diktats and others who slavishly follow his whims. So what is the big picture? Kejriwal and his party lack holistic relevance because they dont stand for anything in particular. AAP pretends to be a national party with regional programmes. It makes promises it doesnt even understand. The generic offer to rid the world of corruption is admirable, but Kejriwal has to understand that systems can be cleansed fundamentally only through governance. The Delhi CM, however, doesnt understand governance. The state administration dozes in the somnolent sunshine of approaching winter when the capital is at its mellowest best, like a fading emigre awaiting an inheritance, which has alas been squandered. Civic facilities in Delhi are on life support. The bureaucracy is hostile and frightened. People in Delhi even miss Sheila Dikshit. The lack of a label was Kejriwals initial advantage. His was a clean slate. But in the hurry to chalk up more scores in more states, he is bound to lose the way. Ambition sans ideology is like a horse without a saddle. By riding bareback, Kejriwal may just end up unseating himself. ravi shankar ravi@newindianexpress.com
By Express News Service

GUNTUR: Here is some good news for Guntur residents who are facing water crisis in the city. If all goes as planned, 70,000 new tap connections will be granted within two months.

The Guntur Municipal Corporation (GMC) is conducting a special drive for people below the poverty line to allot a tap connection to each house in the city. The aim is to ensure that all households in the city have drinking water.

Under the civic bodys new scheme, the residents can apply for a tap connection free of cost. The applications will be received across the city till the end of this month. GMC deputy engineer K Santhi Raju said people have to submit proper documents and, after scrutiny, the tap connections will be sanctioned within 15 days.

At present, there are 1,11,239 tap connections in the city. The civic body hopes to take the number to 1.6 lakh.

If a household has underground drainage facility, it will get 750 litres per day and the others get 500 litres per day. There are around 23 water head storage facilities in eight locations in the city. Given the increased demand for water supply, new overhead tanks have been proposed. Some of them are already under-construction.

Every day, 45 million litres of water is distributed from 23 water facilities in the city. There is no water problem as such in the city except in summer. As long as the Krishna canal flows, Guntur city will not face water crisis.

GMC DE S Venkateswara Rao says 18 overhead tanks are under-construction. They will be completed before December. A sum of Rs 277 crore has been alloted from the World Bank funds for the citys drinking water needs. And almost 82 per cent of the works have been completed, he said. The civic officials are keen on completing the formalities like processing of applications before the construction of overhead tanks.

Currently, Pragathi Nagar, Mugdhum Nagar, Mrutyumjaya Nagar, Yanadi Colony, Vengalayya Nagar, Venkata Ramana Colony, NCP Colony and Ramireddy Nagar residents are facing water shortage. And another 10 villages, which were merged with the city limits, are also facing water crisis.

GMC SE R Gopala Krishna Reddy said the resdients are responding positively to the special drive. Of the proposed 70,000 new connections, 21,000 will be given through the World Bank funds, and another 54,000 under the Amrut scheme.

GUNTUR: Here is some good news for Guntur residents who are facing water crisis in the city. If all goes as planned, 70,000 new tap connections will be granted within two months. The Guntur Municipal Corporation (GMC) is conducting a special drive for people below the poverty line to allot a tap connection to each house in the city. The aim is to ensure that all households in the city have drinking water. Under the civic bodys new scheme, the residents can apply for a tap connection free of cost. The applications will be received across the city till the end of this month. GMC deputy engineer K Santhi Raju said people have to submit proper documents and, after scrutiny, the tap connections will be sanctioned within 15 days. At present, there are 1,11,239 tap connections in the city. The civic body hopes to take the number to 1.6 lakh. If a household has underground drainage facility, it will get 750 litres per day and the others get 500 litres per day. There are around 23 water head storage facilities in eight locations in the city. Given the increased demand for water supply, new overhead tanks have been proposed. Some of them are already under-construction. Every day, 45 million litres of water is distributed from 23 water facilities in the city. There is no water problem as such in the city except in summer. As long as the Krishna canal flows, Guntur city will not face water crisis. GMC DE S Venkateswara Rao says 18 overhead tanks are under-construction. They will be completed before December. A sum of Rs 277 crore has been alloted from the World Bank funds for the citys drinking water needs. And almost 82 per cent of the works have been completed, he said. The civic officials are keen on completing the formalities like processing of applications before the construction of overhead tanks. Currently, Pragathi Nagar, Mugdhum Nagar, Mrutyumjaya Nagar, Yanadi Colony, Vengalayya Nagar, Venkata Ramana Colony, NCP Colony and Ramireddy Nagar residents are facing water shortage. And another 10 villages, which were merged with the city limits, are also facing water crisis. GMC SE R Gopala Krishna Reddy said the resdients are responding positively to the special drive. Of the proposed 70,000 new connections, 21,000 will be given through the World Bank funds, and another 54,000 under the Amrut scheme.
By Express News Service

BENGALURU: Karnataka may face power crisis in the coming months, but Bengaluru will not suffer.

Energy Minister D K Shivakumar told reporters on Saturday, With the drought being severe, it will be a challenge this time to supply power until summer. There has been a sudden spurt in the demand in the last several days. We are purchasing power daily on the market for around 700 MW as the supply from the central grid has not been good because they are facing problems. There is a 1,000 MW gap between demand and supply, he said.

He, however, made it clear that Bengaluru would not face any power cuts in the near future. Bengaluru is not just the capital of the state, but is one of the prominent faces of India globally. The city is not just awake during the day, but also during the night because of the IT/ITes industry. The demand has suddenly increased, but Bengaluru will not suffer. About 39 per cent of the revenue comes from the IT/ITes industry. We will make sure there is good power supply, he said.

He said they were constantly looking at ways to improve power generation and one of the new proposals by Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL) was of pump storage.

This method would allow them to reuse the water that was used to generate electricity at hydel plants. It is already in use in some parts of the country. We are seriously exploring this option, he said.

LED bulbs are also being promoted with the government planning to reduce the rates of the bulbs from the present `70 to `50 for a 9 watt bulb. LED tubelights are also going to be circulated at a reduced price of `250. A new policy on LED bulbs is also expected shortly.

Pat for Surya Raitha project

A pilot project being implemented in Kanakapura has drawn the attention and appreciation of many, where farmers who have been supplied solar irrigation pumpsets are being encouraged to sell back power to the government. Explaining the idea, Shivakumar said that farmers using these sets used them for a maximum of 150 days a year.

They use it for cultivation only for about 150 days a year and another 50 days there is not enough power. So the farmers can send the power to the grid for the remaining 150 days a year and make money by selling it to the government. A farmer might be able to earn between `3,000 and `5,000 a year, he said.

BENGALURU: Karnataka may face power crisis in the coming months, but Bengaluru will not suffer. Energy Minister D K Shivakumar told reporters on Saturday, With the drought being severe, it will be a challenge this time to supply power until summer. There has been a sudden spurt in the demand in the last several days. We are purchasing power daily on the market for around 700 MW as the supply from the central grid has not been good because they are facing problems. There is a 1,000 MW gap between demand and supply, he said. He, however, made it clear that Bengaluru would not face any power cuts in the near future. Bengaluru is not just the capital of the state, but is one of the prominent faces of India globally. The city is not just awake during the day, but also during the night because of the IT/ITes industry. The demand has suddenly increased, but Bengaluru will not suffer. About 39 per cent of the revenue comes from the IT/ITes industry. We will make sure there is good power supply, he said. He said they were constantly looking at ways to improve power generation and one of the new proposals by Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL) was of pump storage. This method would allow them to reuse the water that was used to generate electricity at hydel plants. It is already in use in some parts of the country. We are seriously exploring this option, he said. LED bulbs are also being promoted with the government planning to reduce the rates of the bulbs from the present `70 to `50 for a 9 watt bulb. LED tubelights are also going to be circulated at a reduced price of `250. A new policy on LED bulbs is also expected shortly. Pat for Surya Raitha project A pilot project being implemented in Kanakapura has drawn the attention and appreciation of many, where farmers who have been supplied solar irrigation pumpsets are being encouraged to sell back power to the government. Explaining the idea, Shivakumar said that farmers using these sets used them for a maximum of 150 days a year. They use it for cultivation only for about 150 days a year and another 50 days there is not enough power. So the farmers can send the power to the grid for the remaining 150 days a year and make money by selling it to the government. A farmer might be able to earn between `3,000 and `5,000 a year, he said.
By Express News Service

KOCHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has found out that the Islamic State (IS) operatives arrested in the State had been receiving instructions from a handler based in Afghanistan through messaging app Telegram. It is believed that the handler had been using the pseudonym Abu Ayesha for communication. The NIA has initiated steps to unveil the real identity of the person.

During interrogation, the seven persons arrested by the NIA in connection with the IS module case said it was Abu Ayesha who was giving them instructions for carrying out extremist operations, including lone wolf attacks in South Indian states.

The NIA suspects that the handler, who is having direct contact with IS leaders in Syria and Afghanistan, is a native of Kerala. We are trying to verify his true identity, with the assistance of international investigation agencies. He is suspected to be in Afghanistan currently, said the officials.

The handler had reportedly informed the accused that he had met some of those who went missing from Kasargod, allegedly for joining the IS. There were unconfirmed reports that Abu Ayesha is Kozhikode-native Sajeer Managalacheri Abdullah who left the country to join the IS.

The only information we have right now is that Sajeer Managalacheri Abdullah left for Doha at the same time when 15 persons went missing from Kasargod. We are clarifying the matter with agencies in Afghanistan, UAE and Iran, said NIA officials.

KOCHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has found out that the Islamic State (IS) operatives arrested in the State had been receiving instructions from a handler based in Afghanistan through messaging app Telegram. It is believed that the handler had been using the pseudonym Abu Ayesha for communication. The NIA has initiated steps to unveil the real identity of the person. During interrogation, the seven persons arrested by the NIA in connection with the IS module case said it was Abu Ayesha who was giving them instructions for carrying out extremist operations, including lone wolf attacks in South Indian states. The NIA suspects that the handler, who is having direct contact with IS leaders in Syria and Afghanistan, is a native of Kerala. We are trying to verify his true identity, with the assistance of international investigation agencies. He is suspected to be in Afghanistan currently, said the officials. The handler had reportedly informed the accused that he had met some of those who went missing from Kasargod, allegedly for joining the IS. There were unconfirmed reports that Abu Ayesha is Kozhikode-native Sajeer Managalacheri Abdullah who left the country to join the IS. The only information we have right now is that Sajeer Managalacheri Abdullah left for Doha at the same time when 15 persons went missing from Kasargod. We are clarifying the matter with agencies in Afghanistan, UAE and Iran, said NIA officials.
By Express News Service

KOCHI: The All Kerala Federation of Petroleum Traders (AKFPT) has threatened to launch a strong agitation in the State from October 26, raising various demands, including implementation of the Apurva Chandra Committee report.

The decision was taken at the state meeting meeting of the AKFPT held here the other day. The meet also decided to extend support to the strike called by the Consortium of Indian Petroleum Dealers (CIPD).

Meanwhile, dealers in the State will stage a token strike on Wednesday by stopping sale of petrol, as part of a nationwide agitation.

A complete blackout will be observed from 7 pm to 7.15 pm on Wednesday by switching off lights at petrol pumps. In phase-II of the strike, the AKFPT will stop purchase of fuel from oil companies on November 3 and 4.

Details of phase-III agitation will be chalked out at the state committee meeting to be held on November 4, said AKFPT office-bearers here.

According to the Apurva Chandra Committee report, while 70 per cent of the fuel pumps in the State are operating without the mandatory sale volume, public sector oil companies have been sanctioning new fuel outlets.

Besides, petrol pumps in the State are running in loss due to the uncongenial policies of the Central government, said AKFPT office-bearers. The meeting was presided over by Federation state president M Thomas Vaidhyan.

KOCHI: The All Kerala Federation of Petroleum Traders (AKFPT) has threatened to launch a strong agitation in the State from October 26, raising various demands, including implementation of the Apurva Chandra Committee report. The decision was taken at the state meeting meeting of the AKFPT held here the other day. The meet also decided to extend support to the strike called by the Consortium of Indian Petroleum Dealers (CIPD). Meanwhile, dealers in the State will stage a token strike on Wednesday by stopping sale of petrol, as part of a nationwide agitation. A complete blackout will be observed from 7 pm to 7.15 pm on Wednesday by switching off lights at petrol pumps. In phase-II of the strike, the AKFPT will stop purchase of fuel from oil companies on November 3 and 4. Details of phase-III agitation will be chalked out at the state committee meeting to be held on November 4, said AKFPT office-bearers here. According to the Apurva Chandra Committee report, while 70 per cent of the fuel pumps in the State are operating without the mandatory sale volume, public sector oil companies have been sanctioning new fuel outlets. Besides, petrol pumps in the State are running in loss due to the uncongenial policies of the Central government, said AKFPT office-bearers. The meeting was presided over by Federation state president M Thomas Vaidhyan.
ShafeeqAlingal By

Express News Service

KOZHIKODE NITAQAT: A term referring to the victims of the indigenisation law adopted by Saudi Arabia. Pravasi: It literally refers to a person living abroad but the West Asia crisis has given the term a negative connotation, especially in Malabar.

Thats the old story. Now, they are no longer loathed terms in the region. The Gulf returnees are using them to brand various shops to earn their livelihood. Nitaqat is now helping me to lead my life, said M T Hamsa, Thiroorkkad, Malappuram, who is running a grocery/fruit stall after returning from Gulf in 2013 when Saudi Arabia enforced Nitaqat. The shop, Nitaqat, is now helping me to earn an amount close to what I was earning from a shop at Jizan, Saudi Arabia, he said.

I had also opened a Thattukada viz Nitaqat at Ramapuram. It was closed after a few months. But this shop help me find my livelihood, he said. Several Gulf returnees also use Pravasi to name their hotels, tea shops, grocery stall, printing press and even autorickshaws. Kerala Pravasi League functionary Haneefa Munniyur said autorickshaws and cabs named Pravasi and Nitaqat are now common on Malabar roads. The terms have become a brand in Malabar, he said.

The expatriate life has given us several benefits, said Syed Aboobacker Bafaqi. Aboobacker, son of IUML leader Abdur Rahman Bafaqi Thangal, is now running a grocery shop, Nahdah Pravasi Home Centre, at Nadakkav in Kozhikode after returning from Saudi Arabia. The Gulf returnees have also opened group ventures in Malappuram and Kozhikode. A group of expatriates, consisting of 10 Gulf returnees, recently launched Pravasi Krishi Vikasana Samithi to promote farming among expatriates at Vengeri, Kozhikode. A group of 15 expatriates have started Pravasi Prints Ltd in Malappuram.

KOZHIKODE NITAQAT: A term referring to the victims of the indigenisation law adopted by Saudi Arabia. Pravasi: It literally refers to a person living abroad but the West Asia crisis has given the term a negative connotation, especially in Malabar. Thats the old story. Now, they are no longer loathed terms in the region. The Gulf returnees are using them to brand various shops to earn their livelihood. Nitaqat is now helping me to lead my life, said M T Hamsa, Thiroorkkad, Malappuram, who is running a grocery/fruit stall after returning from Gulf in 2013 when Saudi Arabia enforced Nitaqat. The shop, Nitaqat, is now helping me to earn an amount close to what I was earning from a shop at Jizan, Saudi Arabia, he said. I had also opened a Thattukada viz Nitaqat at Ramapuram. It was closed after a few months. But this shop help me find my livelihood, he said. Several Gulf returnees also use Pravasi to name their hotels, tea shops, grocery stall, printing press and even autorickshaws. Kerala Pravasi League functionary Haneefa Munniyur said autorickshaws and cabs named Pravasi and Nitaqat are now common on Malabar roads. The terms have become a brand in Malabar, he said. The expatriate life has given us several benefits, said Syed Aboobacker Bafaqi. Aboobacker, son of IUML leader Abdur Rahman Bafaqi Thangal, is now running a grocery shop, Nahdah Pravasi Home Centre, at Nadakkav in Kozhikode after returning from Saudi Arabia. The Gulf returnees have also opened group ventures in Malappuram and Kozhikode. A group of expatriates, consisting of 10 Gulf returnees, recently launched Pravasi Krishi Vikasana Samithi to promote farming among expatriates at Vengeri, Kozhikode. A group of 15 expatriates have started Pravasi Prints Ltd in Malappuram.
MS Vidyanandan By

Express News Service

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: State Fire and Rescue Services Department will conduct a safety audit of hospitals in the wake of Bhubaneswars SUM Hospital fire. The department has sent a three-member team to study the SUM Hospital fire ahead of the audit which would begin in a months time. The team, comprising three assistant divisional officers, has been asked to submit a report on the problems faced in mitigation and lessons for the state.

Director General of Fire and Rescue Services A Hemachandran told Express that hospitals were one of the high-risk segments. After the Odisha incident, we conducted a preliminary risk assessment of government medical colleges. Majority of them didnt adhere to safety standards and were asked to rectify the errors,he said. Next in line is a fire risk assessment of all public and private hospitals. Our local offices will be given a checklist to assess the vulnerability of each institution. The report will be given to the hospital, local self-government concerned and state government, he said.

Evacuation of in-patients would be the most difficult task in a hospital fire. Also, most of the hospitals witness huge crowds everyday. Reducing the risk chances is important, he said.

A good number of hospitals, including government medical colleges and taluk hospitals, were built before the fire safety adherence was made mandatory. But, the state has not witnessed a major hospital fire and a resultant casualty in the recent history. State Disaster Management Authoritys member secretary Sekhar L Kuriakose said the non-occurrence of a major hospital fire increases the mitigation risk. Equipping the fire brigade to contain such an eventuality and training the hospital staff in basic fire fighting techniques are necessary, he said. Sekhar said fire safety was a component in the state disaster management plan.

All government departments have been given directions to be implemented within a year. This includes response to external emergencies and those within their premises, he said. Government does not have exact figures of private hospitals as they do not require registration with the Health Department. The departments unofficial estimate is 2,000. Kerala Private Hospitals Association says there are 1,200 hospitals with in-patient facility.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: State Fire and Rescue Services Department will conduct a safety audit of hospitals in the wake of Bhubaneswars SUM Hospital fire. The department has sent a three-member team to study the SUM Hospital fire ahead of the audit which would begin in a months time. The team, comprising three assistant divisional officers, has been asked to submit a report on the problems faced in mitigation and lessons for the state. Director General of Fire and Rescue Services A Hemachandran told Express that hospitals were one of the high-risk segments. After the Odisha incident, we conducted a preliminary risk assessment of government medical colleges. Majority of them didnt adhere to safety standards and were asked to rectify the errors,he said. Next in line is a fire risk assessment of all public and private hospitals. Our local offices will be given a checklist to assess the vulnerability of each institution. The report will be given to the hospital, local self-government concerned and state government, he said. Evacuation of in-patients would be the most difficult task in a hospital fire. Also, most of the hospitals witness huge crowds everyday. Reducing the risk chances is important, he said. A good number of hospitals, including government medical colleges and taluk hospitals, were built before the fire safety adherence was made mandatory. But, the state has not witnessed a major hospital fire and a resultant casualty in the recent history. State Disaster Management Authoritys member secretary Sekhar L Kuriakose said the non-occurrence of a major hospital fire increases the mitigation risk. Equipping the fire brigade to contain such an eventuality and training the hospital staff in basic fire fighting techniques are necessary, he said. Sekhar said fire safety was a component in the state disaster management plan. All government departments have been given directions to be implemented within a year. This includes response to external emergencies and those within their premises, he said. Government does not have exact figures of private hospitals as they do not require registration with the Health Department. The departments unofficial estimate is 2,000. Kerala Private Hospitals Association says there are 1,200 hospitals with in-patient facility.
By Express News Service

KENDRAPARA: A day after resigning from the health minister post on moral grounds following the SUM Hospital fire mishap, Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak reached his constituency, Mahakalpada, on Saturday and joined a motorcycle rally and public meeting in a show of strength.



The former minister was taken in a 20-km motorcycle procession to the meeting venue at Ramnagar village under Mahakalpada bock of the district where he addressed a gathering. Atanu said, The State Government has announced compensation for the victims and ordered an investigation into the fire tragedy. Five persons, including owner of the hospital Manoj Nayak, have been arrested. The Government is determined to punish all persons responsible for the loss of human lives. I resigned owning moral responsibility. Nobody pressurised me to resign from the Ministry.

Former health minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak addressing

a gathering at Mahakalpada a day after his resignation on Saturday | Express



The development works in my constituency will continue even after my resignation. I will work for the victory of BJD candidates in the ensuing panchayat elections, added Atanu.Atanus resignation has elicited mixed response in his constituency as well as the district. We are shocked after learning about the resignation of Atanu. He took keen interest in our problems and was always sincere towards looking into our problems, said Tusharkanta Sardar, a fisherman of Kharinashi village.



Chairperson of Mahakalpada block Sarojini Sethi said, Atanu did many good works in our areas. We hope the Chief Minister again inducts him in his Cabinet.

It is a victory for us, but the matter should not stop here. The Chief Minister should also resign as both Naveen and Atanu are responsible for deaths in SUM Hospital. Atanu has clear nexus with Manoj Nayak, owner of the hospital as his wife works as a teacher in one of the educational institutions of Manoj Nayak, said Sukant Dwivedy the president of the district unit of BJP.

Atanus resignation is a welcome move, though late. The Government wanted to protect him, but the situation has now gone out of control. All facts have come out and they could not suppress them. His resignation had became inevitable, said Akbar Ali, former chairman of Kendrapara municipality.

KENDRAPARA: A day after resigning from the health minister post on moral grounds following the SUM Hospital fire mishap, Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak reached his constituency, Mahakalpada, on Saturday and joined a motorcycle rally and public meeting in a show of strength. The former minister was taken in a 20-km motorcycle procession to the meeting venue at Ramnagar village under Mahakalpada bock of the district where he addressed a gathering. Atanu said, The State Government has announced compensation for the victims and ordered an investigation into the fire tragedy. Five persons, including owner of the hospital Manoj Nayak, have been arrested. The Government is determined to punish all persons responsible for the loss of human lives. I resigned owning moral responsibility. Nobody pressurised me to resign from the Ministry. Former health minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak addressing a gathering at Mahakalpada a day after his resignation on Saturday | Express The development works in my constituency will continue even after my resignation. I will work for the victory of BJD candidates in the ensuing panchayat elections, added Atanu.Atanus resignation has elicited mixed response in his constituency as well as the district. We are shocked after learning about the resignation of Atanu. He took keen interest in our problems and was always sincere towards looking into our problems, said Tusharkanta Sardar, a fisherman of Kharinashi village. Chairperson of Mahakalpada block Sarojini Sethi said, Atanu did many good works in our areas. We hope the Chief Minister again inducts him in his Cabinet. It is a victory for us, but the matter should not stop here. The Chief Minister should also resign as both Naveen and Atanu are responsible for deaths in SUM Hospital. Atanu has clear nexus with Manoj Nayak, owner of the hospital as his wife works as a teacher in one of the educational institutions of Manoj Nayak, said Sukant Dwivedy the president of the district unit of BJP. Atanus resignation is a welcome move, though late. The Government wanted to protect him, but the situation has now gone out of control. All facts have come out and they could not suppress them. His resignation had became inevitable, said Akbar Ali, former chairman of Kendrapara municipality.
By Express News Service

BHUBANESWAR: The captain and crew of a cargo ship found one of the sailors lying dead near his cabin in a vessel anchored at Dhamra port in Odishas Bhadrak district on Sunday. The ship, Bedford Castle, having a Panama registration, has been here for the past two days, loading iron ore to be transported to China.

Police sources said the body of Hettiarachige Sugath Criyantha DSilva (44) was spotted by the crew members near his cabin. DSilva, a Sri Lankan national, was a deck fitter of the ship owned by Navalmar (UK) Ltd company. The captain of the ship told police that D'Silva had dined with him the previous night. The sailor is suspected to have died of a cardiac arrest.



We recovered the body from the ship and sent it for postmortem examination. The crew had wrapped the body in a polythene sheet and kept it inside the cold storage of the vessel, to preserve it. He is suspected to have died of cardiac arrest. The autopsy report is awaited, said an official from Dhamra marine police station.



The ship with 23 crew members, including its Captain from Pakistan and rest from Sri Lanka, is likely to leave for China with iron ore in next week.



Chandabali sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) Tarun Das said after autopsy the body had been sent to SCB Medical College and Hospital at Cuttack for preservation. The Sri Lankan Embassy has been informed about the incident. We are waiting for communication from them to send the body, he added.

BHUBANESWAR: The captain and crew of a cargo ship found one of the sailors lying dead near his cabin in a vessel anchored at Dhamra port in Odishas Bhadrak district on Sunday. The ship, Bedford Castle, having a Panama registration, has been here for the past two days, loading iron ore to be transported to China. Police sources said the body of Hettiarachige Sugath Criyantha DSilva (44) was spotted by the crew members near his cabin. DSilva, a Sri Lankan national, was a deck fitter of the ship owned by Navalmar (UK) Ltd company. The captain of the ship told police that D'Silva had dined with him the previous night. The sailor is suspected to have died of a cardiac arrest. We recovered the body from the ship and sent it for postmortem examination. The crew had wrapped the body in a polythene sheet and kept it inside the cold storage of the vessel, to preserve it. He is suspected to have died of cardiac arrest. The autopsy report is awaited, said an official from Dhamra marine police station. The ship with 23 crew members, including its Captain from Pakistan and rest from Sri Lanka, is likely to leave for China with iron ore in next week. Chandabali sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) Tarun Das said after autopsy the body had been sent to SCB Medical College and Hospital at Cuttack for preservation. The Sri Lankan Embassy has been informed about the incident. We are waiting for communication from them to send the body, he added.
Hemant Kumar Rout By

Express News Service

BHUBANESWAR: After making headlines for all the wrong reasons in the recent past, Odisha now has something to cheer about. Son of the soil Rajeev Misra has been appointed as head of the $100 billion (approximately Rs 6.6 lakh crore) Softbank Vision Fund project constituted by Japanese telecom and Internet major SoftBank Corp (SBG).

According to reports, the Fund intends to make investments in the technology sector globally. The fund, to be managed in the United Kingdom by a subsidiary of SBG, is reportedly one of the world's largest of its kind. It will deploy capital from SBG and investment partners and be operated from London by Rajeev.

Softbank has been on the hunt for unicorns, those high performing start-ups like Ola and Snapdeal which the firm's India-born president Nikesh Arora invested in. Arora, the blue-eyed boy of Softbank's brass before leaving a few months ago, was being paid a whopping RS 500 crore annual package.

Rajeev's pay package, however, is undisclosed. Eldest son of Maya Misra and late Mahesh Chandra Misra and a native of Bhoisahi in Balasore town, Rajeev is considered the first Odia to hold the position of a top executive in a multinational company like SoftBank Group Corp.

While his appointment has become the talk of the corporate world, his family members back home are proud of his achievement. "I am delighted and overwhelmed. I am thankful to God for the feat he has achieved. This is the result of his dedication, hard work and passion," said Rajeev's mother over phone from New Delhi.

Prior to his new assignment, Rajeev served as Head of Strategic Finance at SoftBank Group Corp for nearly two years from November 3, 2014.

He joined SoftBank in November, 2014. Earlier, Rajeev had spent five years at UBS as the Global Head of Credit and Head of Fixed Income, Currencies and Commodities in Europe, Middle East and Africa.

He also served as the Head of Credit Derivatives and Chief of Global Credit Trading at Deutsche Bank AG. Rajeev did his schooling at Delhi Public School, New Delhi and pursued Chemical Engineering in IIT-Delhi for a year before switching over to Pennsylvania University, US where he completed his graduation in Mechanical Engineering and MTech in Computer Science. Subsequently, he completed his MBA from Sloan School of Management, a business school of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) after which he joined Merrill Lynch. He is in the board of both University of Pennsylvania and MIT.

He has also set up a charity 'Vahani scholarship' to fund underprivileged students' studies abroad. His uncle Prakash Chandra Mishra said Rajeev has made the State proud. His father had worked as vice president of Escorts limited and was associated with IBM in the late seventies while his mother worked in a renowned media house. Rajeev's wife Shalini Misra is a London-based architect.

BHUBANESWAR: After making headlines for all the wrong reasons in the recent past, Odisha now has something to cheer about. Son of the soil Rajeev Misra has been appointed as head of the $100 billion (approximately Rs 6.6 lakh crore) Softbank Vision Fund project constituted by Japanese telecom and Internet major SoftBank Corp (SBG). According to reports, the Fund intends to make investments in the technology sector globally. The fund, to be managed in the United Kingdom by a subsidiary of SBG, is reportedly one of the world's largest of its kind. It will deploy capital from SBG and investment partners and be operated from London by Rajeev. Softbank has been on the hunt for unicorns, those high performing start-ups like Ola and Snapdeal which the firm's India-born president Nikesh Arora invested in. Arora, the blue-eyed boy of Softbank's brass before leaving a few months ago, was being paid a whopping RS 500 crore annual package. Rajeev's pay package, however, is undisclosed. Eldest son of Maya Misra and late Mahesh Chandra Misra and a native of Bhoisahi in Balasore town, Rajeev is considered the first Odia to hold the position of a top executive in a multinational company like SoftBank Group Corp. While his appointment has become the talk of the corporate world, his family members back home are proud of his achievement. "I am delighted and overwhelmed. I am thankful to God for the feat he has achieved. This is the result of his dedication, hard work and passion," said Rajeev's mother over phone from New Delhi. Prior to his new assignment, Rajeev served as Head of Strategic Finance at SoftBank Group Corp for nearly two years from November 3, 2014. He joined SoftBank in November, 2014. Earlier, Rajeev had spent five years at UBS as the Global Head of Credit and Head of Fixed Income, Currencies and Commodities in Europe, Middle East and Africa. He also served as the Head of Credit Derivatives and Chief of Global Credit Trading at Deutsche Bank AG. Rajeev did his schooling at Delhi Public School, New Delhi and pursued Chemical Engineering in IIT-Delhi for a year before switching over to Pennsylvania University, US where he completed his graduation in Mechanical Engineering and MTech in Computer Science. Subsequently, he completed his MBA from Sloan School of Management, a business school of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) after which he joined Merrill Lynch. He is in the board of both University of Pennsylvania and MIT. He has also set up a charity 'Vahani scholarship' to fund underprivileged students' studies abroad. His uncle Prakash Chandra Mishra said Rajeev has made the State proud. His father had worked as vice president of Escorts limited and was associated with IBM in the late seventies while his mother worked in a renowned media house. Rajeev's wife Shalini Misra is a London-based architect.
By Express News Service

BERHAMPUR: At least four Filipinos were arrested by Aryapalli Marine Police in Odishas Ganjam district on Sunday for using a banned satellite phone.



They are Bautista Jesceltone Bactad, Eduarfos Gruspe, Librafo P Jemina and Nathaneil A Fajs of Philippines. They had come to Gopalpur Port in a cargo vessel - MV Fortune - last week to take minerals to Japan.



On Saturday evening, they were using a Thuraya satellite communication set on board, to talk to their families about the possible cyclone developing in the sea. Coast Guard officials saw them using the satellite phone and informed the police.



Several calls were made from the banned satellite phone which has been frequently used by terror groups in Jammu and Kashmir. The phone was used during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, police sources said.



The Filipinos had not declared the presence of the set in the Pre-Arrival Notification System (PANS) of the vessel, a mandatory declaration for all boats and ships that intend to enter Indian waters.



Use of Thuraya satellite phones is banned in Indian territorial waters under section 6 of Indian Wireless Act and section 20 of Indian Telegraph Act.



The four crew members were produced in the SDJM court at Chhatrapur and remanded in judicial custody.

BERHAMPUR: At least four Filipinos were arrested by Aryapalli Marine Police in Odishas Ganjam district on Sunday for using a banned satellite phone. They are Bautista Jesceltone Bactad, Eduarfos Gruspe, Librafo P Jemina and Nathaneil A Fajs of Philippines. They had come to Gopalpur Port in a cargo vessel - MV Fortune - last week to take minerals to Japan. On Saturday evening, they were using a Thuraya satellite communication set on board, to talk to their families about the possible cyclone developing in the sea. Coast Guard officials saw them using the satellite phone and informed the police. Several calls were made from the banned satellite phone which has been frequently used by terror groups in Jammu and Kashmir. The phone was used during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, police sources said. The Filipinos had not declared the presence of the set in the Pre-Arrival Notification System (PANS) of the vessel, a mandatory declaration for all boats and ships that intend to enter Indian waters. Use of Thuraya satellite phones is banned in Indian territorial waters under section 6 of Indian Wireless Act and section 20 of Indian Telegraph Act. The four crew members were produced in the SDJM court at Chhatrapur and remanded in judicial custody.
By Express News Service

TIRUNELVELI: Three men who consumed 'herbal' medicines for diabetes and blood pressure died today, one after another, at a village near Tenkasi town in Tirunelveli district located in southern Tamil Nadu. One of them was the medicine man himself.

According to police sources, one Muthupandi, aged 50, who had been practicing traditional medicine in the villages had given a herbal concoction to a few persons in the Alagappapuram village this morning.

He had claimed the medicine was a cure for diabetes and blood pressure.

Muthupandi also consumed the medicine himself. But soon Muthupandi and two others swooned. They were taken to the Tenkasi Government Hospital where all three died within a few hours.

The two other deceased villagers were identified by police as Irulandi (32) and Balasubramanian (42). One more person from the same village too fell ill and was referred to the Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital in the district's headquarters.

Muthupandi, who police said had been claiming to practice traditional medicine, was a resident of the Tenkasi town, renowned for the Kasiviswanathar temple known as the 'Kasi of the south'.

Muthupandi had been visiting the Alagappapuram village located about seven kilometers from the town in the past one week, claiming to have herbal cures for common ailments.

While police doubt the credentials of Muthupandi, it is not yet clear if he was a fraud or if he possessed any professional qualification in any of the traditional medicine streams. The police are investigating and autopsy of the bodies will commence after the legal formalities.

TIRUNELVELI: Three men who consumed 'herbal' medicines for diabetes and blood pressure died today, one after another, at a village near Tenkasi town in Tirunelveli district located in southern Tamil Nadu. One of them was the medicine man himself. According to police sources, one Muthupandi, aged 50, who had been practicing traditional medicine in the villages had given a herbal concoction to a few persons in the Alagappapuram village this morning. He had claimed the medicine was a cure for diabetes and blood pressure. Muthupandi also consumed the medicine himself. But soon Muthupandi and two others swooned. They were taken to the Tenkasi Government Hospital where all three died within a few hours. The two other deceased villagers were identified by police as Irulandi (32) and Balasubramanian (42). One more person from the same village too fell ill and was referred to the Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital in the district's headquarters. Muthupandi, who police said had been claiming to practice traditional medicine, was a resident of the Tenkasi town, renowned for the Kasiviswanathar temple known as the 'Kasi of the south'. Muthupandi had been visiting the Alagappapuram village located about seven kilometers from the town in the past one week, claiming to have herbal cures for common ailments. While police doubt the credentials of Muthupandi, it is not yet clear if he was a fraud or if he possessed any professional qualification in any of the traditional medicine streams. The police are investigating and autopsy of the bodies will commence after the legal formalities.
By Express News Service

HYDERABAD: Muslim leaders, representing various political, religious and social organisations, joined hands in Hyderabad to oppose the proposed Uniform Civil Code in the country.

The leaders, who met here on Saturday decided to express their dissent through the All India Tahafuz-e-Shariyat Conference to be held on Nov 13 at Exhibition Grounds.

The meeting was presided by Zahed Ali Khan, editor-in-chief of Siasat Daily and was attended by opposition leaders from across Telangana.

The threat of Uniform Civil Code is real, said Mohammed Mushtaq Mallik, president of Tahreek Muslim Shabban. Except Muslims and Christians, constitutionally, all other communities including Sikhs and Jains, are treated on a par with Hindu communities.

Therefore, the proposed UCC is primarily aimed at interfering with Muslim Personal Law, he added.

Members who met appealed to all Muslims to support the decision of All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) in boycotting the questionnaire of Law Commission on UCC.

HYDERABAD: Muslim leaders, representing various political, religious and social organisations, joined hands in Hyderabad to oppose the proposed Uniform Civil Code in the country. The leaders, who met here on Saturday decided to express their dissent through the All India Tahafuz-e-Shariyat Conference to be held on Nov 13 at Exhibition Grounds. The meeting was presided by Zahed Ali Khan, editor-in-chief of Siasat Daily and was attended by opposition leaders from across Telangana. The threat of Uniform Civil Code is real, said Mohammed Mushtaq Mallik, president of Tahreek Muslim Shabban. Except Muslims and Christians, constitutionally, all other communities including Sikhs and Jains, are treated on a par with Hindu communities. Therefore, the proposed UCC is primarily aimed at interfering with Muslim Personal Law, he added. Members who met appealed to all Muslims to support the decision of All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) in boycotting the questionnaire of Law Commission on UCC.
Rakesh K Singh By

Following an upward trend in attacks on security forces after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, the paramilitary force is also procuring armoured vehicles for deployment in J&K. Against an authorisation of nearly 1,100 BPVs, the holding is just 550. There was no authorisation for MPVs in J&K. The CRPF has moved over 10 MPVs and about 40 BPVs to J&K after the recent unrest there and more will be shifted till new ones are procured.

Unlike BPVs, MPVs have the advantage of height and mobility, providing its occupants an edge in seeing targets.

Recently, BSF buses were hit by terrorists in Udhampur and Bijbehara, CRPF buses were attacked in Pampore and Bijbehara besides and 20 soldiers were killed in an attack on SSB buses in Srinagar.

The CRPF does not have a separate authorisation of MPVs for J&K. Even though it has deployed 70,000 personnel in the state, it has not procured a single armoured vehicle in the last five years. The issue was raised in Parliament many times, but the CRPF mastered the art of giving vague replies, sources said.

Recently, the CRPF earmarked `20 crore as advance for buying the vehicles. After terrorists hit a CRPF convoy in Pampore on June 25 and killed eight soldiers, the force sought `200 crore for acquisition of armoured vehicles in July, but the Central government has not allocated any additional funds for it.

Following an upward trend in attacks on security forces after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, the paramilitary force is also procuring armoured vehicles for deployment in J&K. Against an authorisation of nearly 1,100 BPVs, the holding is just 550. There was no authorisation for MPVs in J&K. The CRPF has moved over 10 MPVs and about 40 BPVs to J&K after the recent unrest there and more will be shifted till new ones are procured. Unlike BPVs, MPVs have the advantage of height and mobility, providing its occupants an edge in seeing targets. Recently, BSF buses were hit by terrorists in Udhampur and Bijbehara, CRPF buses were attacked in Pampore and Bijbehara besides and 20 soldiers were killed in an attack on SSB buses in Srinagar. The CRPF does not have a separate authorisation of MPVs for J&K. Even though it has deployed 70,000 personnel in the state, it has not procured a single armoured vehicle in the last five years. The issue was raised in Parliament many times, but the CRPF mastered the art of giving vague replies, sources said. Recently, the CRPF earmarked `20 crore as advance for buying the vehicles. After terrorists hit a CRPF convoy in Pampore on June 25 and killed eight soldiers, the force sought `200 crore for acquisition of armoured vehicles in July, but the Central government has not allocated any additional funds for it.
Hack the Mac

With politicians hyperactive on social media, Home Minister Rajnath Singh appears to have found virtue in the new trend.

A number of firms approached his office to run his social media campaign, but they were surprised when his office sprung unique demands, which included that the account be handled only through Apple Mac computers to avoid hacking. The firms had to explain not computers but programming helps avoid hacking.

Channelising News

Taking on private news TV channels, I&B Minister M Venkaiah Naidu has asked all his Cabinet colleagues to give exclusive interviews to Doordarshan (DD) and All India Radio (AIR) to bring a sense of completion in the national broadcasters. Naidu has also asked ministers to project positive stories of their ministries to DD and AIR. He cited Prime Minister Narendra Modis Mann Ki Baats popularity to engage with common views. He added that private media entities focus only on profit and sensationalism.

Hard Taskmaster

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhus private secretary Ashish Madhaorao More, a 2005-batch officer of the UT cadre, will quit within three months of taking over from Sanjeev Kumar. More is Prabhus second private secretary in two years to relinquish the post. According to sources, the reasons could be that Prabhu is a workaholic and a hard taskmaster.

Accidental Gain

Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma got a lot of media attention when he visited Ayodhya to inspect land for the proposed Ramayana museum. He is a chief ministerial hopeful and has been working to cultivate an image of a Hindutva hawk. He has been a regular to Dadri, where Mohammad Akhlaq was lynched on the suspicion of keeping beef. The visit was planned two months ago as part of the Budget announcement for the Ramayana tourism circuit. But it was an accidental political gain for him as his visit came a day after the ruling Samajwadi Party jumped into the Ayodhya issue by announcing a theme park, said a close aide of Sharma.

Tooth & Nail

Both SP and BSP have looted the state (UP). There is mafia raj in UP, which needs to be freed from both parties.

Rita Bahuguna-Joshi,

former UP Congress chief after joining BJP

She (Rita Bahuguna-Joshi) searched for safe seats in BSP, SP. Now she has joined BJP. Tomorrow, shell go somewhere else.

Ghulam Nabi Azad, Congress general secretary

Hack the Mac With politicians hyperactive on social media, Home Minister Rajnath Singh appears to have found virtue in the new trend. A number of firms approached his office to run his social media campaign, but they were surprised when his office sprung unique demands, which included that the account be handled only through Apple Mac computers to avoid hacking. The firms had to explain not computers but programming helps avoid hacking. Channelising News Taking on private news TV channels, I&B Minister M Venkaiah Naidu has asked all his Cabinet colleagues to give exclusive interviews to Doordarshan (DD) and All India Radio (AIR) to bring a sense of completion in the national broadcasters. Naidu has also asked ministers to project positive stories of their ministries to DD and AIR. He cited Prime Minister Narendra Modis Mann Ki Baats popularity to engage with common views. He added that private media entities focus only on profit and sensationalism. Hard Taskmaster Railway Minister Suresh Prabhus private secretary Ashish Madhaorao More, a 2005-batch officer of the UT cadre, will quit within three months of taking over from Sanjeev Kumar. More is Prabhus second private secretary in two years to relinquish the post. According to sources, the reasons could be that Prabhu is a workaholic and a hard taskmaster. Accidental Gain Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma got a lot of media attention when he visited Ayodhya to inspect land for the proposed Ramayana museum. He is a chief ministerial hopeful and has been working to cultivate an image of a Hindutva hawk. He has been a regular to Dadri, where Mohammad Akhlaq was lynched on the suspicion of keeping beef. The visit was planned two months ago as part of the Budget announcement for the Ramayana tourism circuit. But it was an accidental political gain for him as his visit came a day after the ruling Samajwadi Party jumped into the Ayodhya issue by announcing a theme park, said a close aide of Sharma. Tooth & Nail Both SP and BSP have looted the state (UP). There is mafia raj in UP, which needs to be freed from both parties. Rita Bahuguna-Joshi, former UP Congress chief after joining BJP She (Rita Bahuguna-Joshi) searched for safe seats in BSP, SP. Now she has joined BJP. Tomorrow, shell go somewhere else. Ghulam Nabi Azad, Congress general secretary
M C Rajan By

Kindling the latent anger among farmers was the Centres somersault on setting up the Cauvery Management Board (CMB), an institutional mechanism mandated by the Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal to apportion the waters among the riparian states.



Frustration and the feeling of being wronged forced them to come to the streets and the political class could not afford to stay away. While perennial fighters such as MDMK general secretary Vaiko, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi chief Thirumavalavan and some Left leaders were in the forefront, it was an opportunity not to be missed by the likes of Stalin and G K Vasan. And, last weeks 48-hour rail blockade saw the ryots court arrest in thousands. They cooked food and planted seedlings on the tracks while at a few places some even put up tents. After a disappointing Assembly polls and an insipid performance in the budget session, the DMK was looking for something to latch on sans any aggressive push.



Stalin is not known for agitational politics but, there is a compulsion for him to redeem his image and position himself as a counter to CM and AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa. Also, it provided an occasion not only for the DMK but for all the opposition parties as a springboard for local body elections expected sometime later, said professor Ramu Manivannan of Madras University.



Not to be undone, DMK patriarch M Karunanidhis daughter and Rajya Sabha MP, Kanimozhi, led a delegation of party MPs to President Pranab Mukherjee in Delhi. Even the docile Congress observed a protest fast last week in Tiruchy with the newly-appointed TNCC chief S Thirunavukkarasan bringing party veterans such as former Union Minister P Chidambaram on board. Congress strategy was to Target Modi but spare Karnataka.

The People Welfare Alliance was also not lagging behind. A PWA delegation called on President Mukherjee and submitted a memorandum.

Kindling the latent anger among farmers was the Centres somersault on setting up the Cauvery Management Board (CMB), an institutional mechanism mandated by the Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal to apportion the waters among the riparian states. Frustration and the feeling of being wronged forced them to come to the streets and the political class could not afford to stay away. While perennial fighters such as MDMK general secretary Vaiko, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi chief Thirumavalavan and some Left leaders were in the forefront, it was an opportunity not to be missed by the likes of Stalin and G K Vasan. And, last weeks 48-hour rail blockade saw the ryots court arrest in thousands. They cooked food and planted seedlings on the tracks while at a few places some even put up tents. After a disappointing Assembly polls and an insipid performance in the budget session, the DMK was looking for something to latch on sans any aggressive push. Stalin is not known for agitational politics but, there is a compulsion for him to redeem his image and position himself as a counter to CM and AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa. Also, it provided an occasion not only for the DMK but for all the opposition parties as a springboard for local body elections expected sometime later, said professor Ramu Manivannan of Madras University. Not to be undone, DMK patriarch M Karunanidhis daughter and Rajya Sabha MP, Kanimozhi, led a delegation of party MPs to President Pranab Mukherjee in Delhi. Even the docile Congress observed a protest fast last week in Tiruchy with the newly-appointed TNCC chief S Thirunavukkarasan bringing party veterans such as former Union Minister P Chidambaram on board. Congress strategy was to Target Modi but spare Karnataka. The People Welfare Alliance was also not lagging behind. A PWA delegation called on President Mukherjee and submitted a memorandum.
Richa Sharma By

NEW DELHI: Two Central ministries have got into a tussle over clearance of railway projects with the Ministry of Railways seeking a waiver of green clearances for projects on its land while the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change is insisting that the work cannot be started without its approval.

The matter was discussed last month by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Pragati, a platform for grievance redressal. The Ministry of Railways has submitted a list of 17 projects with an estimated cost of `10,000 crore consisting of gauge conversion, doubling-tripling and new lines, which are being delayed pending forest and wildlife clearance by the Environment Ministry. led by Anil Madhav Dave

Suresh Prabhu

The bone of contention between the ministries is mandatory forest clearance to construct a project on forest land or a rail track passing through a wildlife corridor. According to the Ministry of Railways headed by Suresh Prabhu, seeking forest clearance for conversion from metre gauge to broad gauge should be done away with. The Environment Ministry is objecting to it.

Railway officials have cited Section 11 of the Railway Act, 1989, which says that the Railways will have right over land and any other Act will not be valid.

During the meet chaired by the PM, the Ministry of Railways cited projects that have been delayed for 3-6 years pending green clearance. The Jaipur-Sikar-Churu gauge conversion in Rajasthan and the Akola-Khandwa gauge conversion in Maharashtra were also discussed.

Rail connectivity in the Northeast has been a priority for the NDA government, but the Lumding-Silchar gauge conversion in Assam was delayed for want of environment clearance. It took six years to get clearance for the Jabalpur-Gondia railway line passing through Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh.

A meeting was held in Cabinet Secretariat on Friday to sort out the issue between the two ministries. When a project is taken up for conversion from metre to broad gauge, what is the need for forest clearance? The land is owned by the Railways and is already being used for non-forest purpose as the line is operational and we are only expanding it. Going for forest clearance delays projects, said sources in the Ministry of Railways.

The Environment Ministry says such projects have a severe impact on wildlife and pristine forest area. Mitigation measures also have to be taken to ensure minimum damage to forests.

The issue regarding the Jaipur-Churu gauge conversion has been sorted out and the Railways does not need to seek forest clearance for it. However, issues related to other projects continue and the two ministries continue to differ.

NEW DELHI: Two Central ministries have got into a tussle over clearance of railway projects with the Ministry of Railways seeking a waiver of green clearances for projects on its land while the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change is insisting that the work cannot be started without its approval. The matter was discussed last month by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Pragati, a platform for grievance redressal. The Ministry of Railways has submitted a list of 17 projects with an estimated cost of `10,000 crore consisting of gauge conversion, doubling-tripling and new lines, which are being delayed pending forest and wildlife clearance by the Environment Ministry. led by Anil Madhav Dave Suresh PrabhuThe bone of contention between the ministries is mandatory forest clearance to construct a project on forest land or a rail track passing through a wildlife corridor. According to the Ministry of Railways headed by Suresh Prabhu, seeking forest clearance for conversion from metre gauge to broad gauge should be done away with. The Environment Ministry is objecting to it. Railway officials have cited Section 11 of the Railway Act, 1989, which says that the Railways will have right over land and any other Act will not be valid. During the meet chaired by the PM, the Ministry of Railways cited projects that have been delayed for 3-6 years pending green clearance. The Jaipur-Sikar-Churu gauge conversion in Rajasthan and the Akola-Khandwa gauge conversion in Maharashtra were also discussed. Rail connectivity in the Northeast has been a priority for the NDA government, but the Lumding-Silchar gauge conversion in Assam was delayed for want of environment clearance. It took six years to get clearance for the Jabalpur-Gondia railway line passing through Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh. A meeting was held in Cabinet Secretariat on Friday to sort out the issue between the two ministries. When a project is taken up for conversion from metre to broad gauge, what is the need for forest clearance? The land is owned by the Railways and is already being used for non-forest purpose as the line is operational and we are only expanding it. Going for forest clearance delays projects, said sources in the Ministry of Railways. The Environment Ministry says such projects have a severe impact on wildlife and pristine forest area. Mitigation measures also have to be taken to ensure minimum damage to forests. The issue regarding the Jaipur-Churu gauge conversion has been sorted out and the Railways does not need to seek forest clearance for it. However, issues related to other projects continue and the two ministries continue to differ.
The fifth and sixth sessions of the 8th Pan-Armenian Forum of Journalists were held in Stepanakert on October 23.

October 23, 2016, 15:37 Fifth and Sixth Sessions of the 8th Pan-Armenian Forum of Journalists were held in Stepanakert

STEPANAKERT, OCTOBER 23, ARTSAKHPRESS: The forum with the title Armenian Statehood: Axis of Unity continued in Artsakh in these thematic areas  Support of the Armenian Diaspora to the International Recognition of the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh and Coverage of Issues related to the Defense System of the Republics of Armenia and Artsakh in the media".

The Editor-in-chief of Azdag" daily in Lebanon, the Chairman of the coordinating body of pan-Armenian conferences of the journalists Shahan Gantaharyan noted that the conference is attended from31 countries: 90 participants from the Diaspora, 34 from Artsakh and Armenia.After the reports, they discussed tasks in the information sphere, the implementation of appropriate policy in the information field, close cooperation between journalists and news sectors of Armenia, Artsakh and the Diaspora.

During the sessions "The sun can not be covered with mud" documentary film was shown, which tells about the crime committed by Ottoman Turkey in 1915 and more than 4.5 million Armenians who preserved their national identity in Turkey.

In an interview with "Artsakhpress", Chairman of the NKR Union of Journalists Kim Gabrielyan said: "Pan-Armenian Forum opens a wide field of cooperation between the media of Armenia, Artsakh and Diaspora. Our partners in Diaspora are given the chance to get acquainted with Artsakh issue. The challenges that stand before us, also implies propaganda front.

We just need to create journalistic activity, new acquaintances and contacts, to have more credible, clear, accurate and meaningful media field "said Kim Gabrielyan.

At the conference the director of the Artsakhpress Information Agency Vahram Poghosyan presented the subject "Proliferation of Electronic Media in Artsakh and prospects of cooperation with pan-Armenian media", in which he emphasized cooperation of Armenia-Artsakh-Diaspora in information area.

"So far we have no platform which allows collaboration, for example on the occasion of the commemoration and celebration days," he said, adding that they will make serious successes in result of collaboration.

After the sessions, conference participants will also visit Artsakh frontline.
By Rania El Gamal and Reem Shamseddine RIYADH (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said on Sunday he had invited his Russian counterpart Alexander Novak to meet Gulf Arab energy ministers in Riyadh as part of efforts to cooperate with non-OPEC members to stabilise the oil market. "Russia is one of the world's biggest oil producers ... and is one of the influential parties in the stability of the oil market," Falih said at the opening session of the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Falih said Novak had welcomed the invitation, "as a clear indication of sincere desire to continue cooperation and coordination with the oil producing and exporting countries for more stability in the market." Novak had said on Friday he would take "some" proposals to the meeting in Riyadh. [nR4N1CO012] Last month in Algiers, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries agreed modest oil output cuts. The goal is to cut production to a range of 32.50-33.0 million barrels per day (bpd). "The Algeria meeting last month was successful in pushing the path of cooperation between oil producing and consuming countries and included important talks between experts from OPEC countries and outside of OPEC about oil markets," Falih said calling on his Gulf energy counterparts to work together as a bloc. Falih also said that the low oil price environment had led to a decrease in investments which could lead to a shortage in supply in the future and have a negative effect on the global economy. (Reporting By Rania El Gamal and Reem Shamseddine; Writing By Maha El Dahan. Editing by Jane Merriman)
By PTI

CLEVELAND: Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump asserted that he will win the general

elections even as the mainstream media and political pundits predicted very little chances of him making it to the White House.

Trump's rival Hillary Clinton, 68, the Democratic presidential nominee, is leading him by more than seven points in most of the key battleground States but an unperturbed Trump, 70, said that he is on his "way to the White House."

"We are going to win the November 8 elections. There is no chance for the others to win," Trump said at the Cleveland rally in the presence of over 10,000 people. He was also accompanied by his vice-presidential nominee Mike Pence and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

However, his speech was interrupted by a group of protester whom he alleged to have been paid by Clinton. He asked the protesters to leave and they were escorted out of the arena. "The entire purpose of her is to keep the system rigged," he alleged.

"We are not going to have four more years of Obama. She has been there for 30 years and has not fixed anything," he said and alleged that Clinton's catastrophic failure has unleashed ISIS in the Middle East.

"They are now in 32 countries. Why did she let it start. When will she take responsibility for the all the death and destruction she caused all over the world?" he said.

Clinton, he alleged, has taken billions of dollars from companies that ship jobs overseas. "Hillary Clinton is the most corrupt person to ever run for the presidential candidate for the US. Her campaign even mocks Catholics and evangelic," he said.

"She eagerly takes millions of dollars from countries that oppress women, gay and religious minorities. We would defend the religious liberties and rights of individuals," the Republican presidential nominee said.

"It is a rigged system. It is a rigged election. There are 34 million voters in the US which are inaccurate. There are 1.8 million dead people that are registered to vote. There are 2.8 million people who are registered in more than one state. May be they are voting for Trump. I do not mind," he said, adding 40 per cent of the non-citizens are registered to vote.

He complained media of being dishonest which has so far indulged in fabricating stories in order to make him "look as bad and dangerous as possible."

"We will beat the system in Washington and make America Great Again. You watch!" Trump said.

He also reached out to the African-American community during his speech and promised them of a better future if elected to power.

"To the African-American community and Hispanic-American community, I say what do you have to lose. Vote for Donald Trump. I will fix it," he said, adding "we are going to be a rich nation again. To be a rich nation, we also need to be a safe nation."

Trump promised of having a strong policy against Islamic terrorism and stop illegal immigration pouring into the US.

"If I am elected as the president, I am going to keep radical Islamic terrorism the hell out of the country," he said.

Amidst cheering from thousand of his supporters, his vice-presidential nominee Mike Pence said, "Trump literally embodies the spirit of America" and is going to "make its way to the White House."

Alleging Mexico of making a fortune of the United States and Clinton's support for open border with the country, he said, "We are having a massive trade deficit with Mexico. We are going to build the wall. Anyone who supports open border, should never be allowed to become the president of the United States."

The presidential elections, he said, is a choice between two futures. "It is a choice for a stronger and prosperous America."

CLEVELAND: Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump asserted that he will win the general elections even as the mainstream media and political pundits predicted very little chances of him making it to the White House. Trump's rival Hillary Clinton, 68, the Democratic presidential nominee, is leading him by more than seven points in most of the key battleground States but an unperturbed Trump, 70, said that he is on his "way to the White House." "We are going to win the November 8 elections. There is no chance for the others to win," Trump said at the Cleveland rally in the presence of over 10,000 people. He was also accompanied by his vice-presidential nominee Mike Pence and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani. However, his speech was interrupted by a group of protester whom he alleged to have been paid by Clinton. He asked the protesters to leave and they were escorted out of the arena. "The entire purpose of her is to keep the system rigged," he alleged. "We are not going to have four more years of Obama. She has been there for 30 years and has not fixed anything," he said and alleged that Clinton's catastrophic failure has unleashed ISIS in the Middle East. "They are now in 32 countries. Why did she let it start. When will she take responsibility for the all the death and destruction she caused all over the world?" he said. Clinton, he alleged, has taken billions of dollars from companies that ship jobs overseas. "Hillary Clinton is the most corrupt person to ever run for the presidential candidate for the US. Her campaign even mocks Catholics and evangelic," he said. "She eagerly takes millions of dollars from countries that oppress women, gay and religious minorities. We would defend the religious liberties and rights of individuals," the Republican presidential nominee said. "It is a rigged system. It is a rigged election. There are 34 million voters in the US which are inaccurate. There are 1.8 million dead people that are registered to vote. There are 2.8 million people who are registered in more than one state. May be they are voting for Trump. I do not mind," he said, adding 40 per cent of the non-citizens are registered to vote. He complained media of being dishonest which has so far indulged in fabricating stories in order to make him "look as bad and dangerous as possible." "We will beat the system in Washington and make America Great Again. You watch!" Trump said. He also reached out to the African-American community during his speech and promised them of a better future if elected to power. "To the African-American community and Hispanic-American community, I say what do you have to lose. Vote for Donald Trump. I will fix it," he said, adding "we are going to be a rich nation again. To be a rich nation, we also need to be a safe nation." Trump promised of having a strong policy against Islamic terrorism and stop illegal immigration pouring into the US. "If I am elected as the president, I am going to keep radical Islamic terrorism the hell out of the country," he said. Amidst cheering from thousand of his supporters, his vice-presidential nominee Mike Pence said, "Trump literally embodies the spirit of America" and is going to "make its way to the White House." Alleging Mexico of making a fortune of the United States and Clinton's support for open border with the country, he said, "We are having a massive trade deficit with Mexico. We are going to build the wall. Anyone who supports open border, should never be allowed to become the president of the United States." The presidential elections, he said, is a choice between two futures. "It is a choice for a stronger and prosperous America."
COLOMBO: A top of the line Indian business delegation, comprising both public and private sector companies, headed by Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar, had a round of meetings on Sunday with officials of Sri Lankan economic ministries to explore possibilities of collaboration and investment in a wide range of fields.

On Monday, the Indian private sector companies, which are here courtesy of Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), will be holding talks with Sri Lankan private and public sector enterprises.

After arriving here on Saturday, Jaishankar had a meeting over dinner with the Sri Lankan Strategic Development and International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrama. He called on Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena Sunday morning and met Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe over dinner in the evening.

Indo-Sri Lankan partnerships in areas such as transport, energy and infrastructure were discussed. Top officials from public sector companies such as GAIL, NTPC, IOC and RITES took part. The private sector companies, which will have one on one meetings with Sri Lankan companies and public sector entities on Monday, include infrastructure construction giants like GMR and GVK.

India has a project to build a highway network to connect places in the North Sri Lanka region and also North Sri Lanka with Colombo in the South and Trincomalee in the East. India is to build an LNG-fuelled 500 MW power plant at Kerawalapitiya, near Colombo. In the North, India is interested in rebuilding the Palali airport to make it international and connect Jaffna with cities in Tamil Nadu and other southern states.

Two Indian private companies, including the Tatas, have been asked to lead an international consortium to build a container terminal at Colombo port. The Indian Railway construction organization RITES is interested in getting new projects after completing an extensive network both in North and South Sri Lanka. There has been some resistance to giving more railway projects to India after the Sirisena government came to power. But this is expected to ease due to Jaishankar's visit.

Indian companies have been showing an interest in participating in the China-led project to build the ultra-modern Colombo Financial City. Indian companies like the Tatas are already into construction and are looking to get a share of the cake in the ambitious Colombo Financial City project.

India would also like to get moving in regard to the restoration and commercial exploitation of the giant oil tanks in Trincomalee. Only a fraction of the 99 tanks is now being used by the Lanka Indian Oil Company in collaboration with the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation. India would like the facility to be made useable not only to enhance Sri Lankas energy security but to make Trincomalee an energy and transportation hub.

COLOMBO: A top of the line Indian business delegation, comprising both public and private sector companies, headed by Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar, had a round of meetings on Sunday with officials of Sri Lankan economic ministries to explore possibilities of collaboration and investment in a wide range of fields. On Monday, the Indian private sector companies, which are here courtesy of Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), will be holding talks with Sri Lankan private and public sector enterprises. After arriving here on Saturday, Jaishankar had a meeting over dinner with the Sri Lankan Strategic Development and International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrama. He called on Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena Sunday morning and met Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe over dinner in the evening. Indo-Sri Lankan partnerships in areas such as transport, energy and infrastructure were discussed. Top officials from public sector companies such as GAIL, NTPC, IOC and RITES took part. The private sector companies, which will have one on one meetings with Sri Lankan companies and public sector entities on Monday, include infrastructure construction giants like GMR and GVK. India has a project to build a highway network to connect places in the North Sri Lanka region and also North Sri Lanka with Colombo in the South and Trincomalee in the East. India is to build an LNG-fuelled 500 MW power plant at Kerawalapitiya, near Colombo. In the North, India is interested in rebuilding the Palali airport to make it international and connect Jaffna with cities in Tamil Nadu and other southern states. Two Indian private companies, including the Tatas, have been asked to lead an international consortium to build a container terminal at Colombo port. The Indian Railway construction organization RITES is interested in getting new projects after completing an extensive network both in North and South Sri Lanka. There has been some resistance to giving more railway projects to India after the Sirisena government came to power. But this is expected to ease due to Jaishankar's visit. Indian companies have been showing an interest in participating in the China-led project to build the ultra-modern Colombo Financial City. Indian companies like the Tatas are already into construction and are looking to get a share of the cake in the ambitious Colombo Financial City project. India would also like to get moving in regard to the restoration and commercial exploitation of the giant oil tanks in Trincomalee. Only a fraction of the 99 tanks is now being used by the Lanka Indian Oil Company in collaboration with the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation. India would like the facility to be made useable not only to enhance Sri Lankas energy security but to make Trincomalee an energy and transportation hub.
By Associated Press

KHAZER: Iraqi and Kurdish forces launched a new offensive Sunday on a town near Mosul as part of a massive operation aimed at retaking the country's second largest city from the Islamic State group.

The Kurdish forces, known as peshmerga, said they launched a dawn offensive on two fronts to the northeast of Mosul, near the town of Bashiqa.

Maj. Gen. Haider Fadhil, of Iraq's special forces, said they had also launched an assault on Bashiqa, surrounding it and seizing parts of the town. He said the Kurds had captured two villages near Bashiqa and a small Shiite shrine in the area.

Over the last week, Iraqi and Kurdish forces have been battling IS in a belt of mostly uninhabited towns and villages around Mosul, contending with roadside bombs, snipers and suicide truck bombs.

The Mosul offensive involves more than 25,000 Iraqi ground forces as well as U.S.-led coalition aircraft and advisers. It is expected to take weeks, if not months, to drive IS from Mosul, which is home to more than a million civilians.

Bashiqa is close to a military base of the same name where some 500 Turkish troops are training Sunni and Kurdish fighters for the Mosul offensive.

The presence of the Turkish troops has angered Iraq, which says it never gave them permission to enter the country and has called on them to withdraw. Turkey has refused the demand, insisting that it play a role in retaking Mosul from IS.

U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter has visited both countries in recent days, and arrived in the Kurdish regional capital Irbil on Sunday.

After meeting with Turkey's leaders, Carter had announced an "agreement in principle" for Turkey to have a role in the operation. But Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi appeared to bat that idea down when he met with Carter on Saturday, insisting that Mosul was an "Iraqi battle."

"I know that the Turks want to participate, we tell them thank you, this is something the Iraqis will handle and the Iraqis will liberate Mosul and the rest of the territories," he said.

The forces taking part in the Mosul offensive include Iraqi troops, the peshmerga, Sunni tribal fighters and state-sanctioned Shiite militias. Many fear the operation could heighten tensions between Iraq's different communities, which are allied against IS but divided over a host of other issues, including the fate of territories near mostly Sunni Mosul that are claimed by the largely autonomous Kurdish region and the central government.

Carter praised the peshmerga, saying they "fight extremely well," but also acknowledged that they had suffered casualties.

Brig. Gen. Halgord Hekmet, a spokesman for the Kurdish forces, told reporters that 25 of their troops have been killed since the battle to retake Mosul began and a "large number" had been wounded.

He said the peshmerga have had good coalition air support, but could use more armored vehicles and roadside bomb detectors. Most of the fallen peshmerga were riding in regular cars, he said.

The U.N. agency for children meanwhile expressed concern over the more than 4,000 people it says have fled from areas around Mosul since the operation began.

UNICEF's Iraq representative, Peter Hawkins, said that in at least one refugee camp the conditions for children were "very, very poor." He said UNICEF teams delivered water, sanitation and other supplies expected to last seven days.

They also provided immunizations against polio and measles, which he said had not been available during the more than two years that the people lived under IS rule. UNICEF has plans to assist more than 784,000 people, including up to 500,000 children.

Hawkins says children in and around Mosul are at risk of death or injury from the fighting, as well as sexual violence, kidnapping and recruitment by armed groups.

KHAZER: Iraqi and Kurdish forces launched a new offensive Sunday on a town near Mosul as part of a massive operation aimed at retaking the country's second largest city from the Islamic State group. The Kurdish forces, known as peshmerga, said they launched a dawn offensive on two fronts to the northeast of Mosul, near the town of Bashiqa. Maj. Gen. Haider Fadhil, of Iraq's special forces, said they had also launched an assault on Bashiqa, surrounding it and seizing parts of the town. He said the Kurds had captured two villages near Bashiqa and a small Shiite shrine in the area. Over the last week, Iraqi and Kurdish forces have been battling IS in a belt of mostly uninhabited towns and villages around Mosul, contending with roadside bombs, snipers and suicide truck bombs. The Mosul offensive involves more than 25,000 Iraqi ground forces as well as U.S.-led coalition aircraft and advisers. It is expected to take weeks, if not months, to drive IS from Mosul, which is home to more than a million civilians. Bashiqa is close to a military base of the same name where some 500 Turkish troops are training Sunni and Kurdish fighters for the Mosul offensive. The presence of the Turkish troops has angered Iraq, which says it never gave them permission to enter the country and has called on them to withdraw. Turkey has refused the demand, insisting that it play a role in retaking Mosul from IS. U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter has visited both countries in recent days, and arrived in the Kurdish regional capital Irbil on Sunday. After meeting with Turkey's leaders, Carter had announced an "agreement in principle" for Turkey to have a role in the operation. But Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi appeared to bat that idea down when he met with Carter on Saturday, insisting that Mosul was an "Iraqi battle." "I know that the Turks want to participate, we tell them thank you, this is something the Iraqis will handle and the Iraqis will liberate Mosul and the rest of the territories," he said. The forces taking part in the Mosul offensive include Iraqi troops, the peshmerga, Sunni tribal fighters and state-sanctioned Shiite militias. Many fear the operation could heighten tensions between Iraq's different communities, which are allied against IS but divided over a host of other issues, including the fate of territories near mostly Sunni Mosul that are claimed by the largely autonomous Kurdish region and the central government. Carter praised the peshmerga, saying they "fight extremely well," but also acknowledged that they had suffered casualties. Brig. Gen. Halgord Hekmet, a spokesman for the Kurdish forces, told reporters that 25 of their troops have been killed since the battle to retake Mosul began and a "large number" had been wounded. He said the peshmerga have had good coalition air support, but could use more armored vehicles and roadside bomb detectors. Most of the fallen peshmerga were riding in regular cars, he said. The U.N. agency for children meanwhile expressed concern over the more than 4,000 people it says have fled from areas around Mosul since the operation began. UNICEF's Iraq representative, Peter Hawkins, said that in at least one refugee camp the conditions for children were "very, very poor." He said UNICEF teams delivered water, sanitation and other supplies expected to last seven days. They also provided immunizations against polio and measles, which he said had not been available during the more than two years that the people lived under IS rule. UNICEF has plans to assist more than 784,000 people, including up to 500,000 children. Hawkins says children in and around Mosul are at risk of death or injury from the fighting, as well as sexual violence, kidnapping and recruitment by armed groups.
By PTI

WASHINGTON: Asserting that Pakistan's powerful spy agency ISI is not taking action against all terror groups, the US has warned Pakistan that it will not hesitate to act alone, when necessary, to disrupt and destroy terror networks operating in the country.

"The problem is that there are forces within the Pakistani government -- specifically in Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence or ISI -- that refuse to take similar steps against all the terrorist groups active in Pakistan, tolerating some groups -- or even worse," Adam Szubin, Acting Under Secretary on Countering the Financing of Terrorism, told a Washingtonaudience.

"We continue to urge our partners in Pakistan to go after all terrorist networks operating in their country. We stand ready to help them. But there should be no doubt that while we remain committed to working with Pakistan to confront ongoing terrorist financing and operations, the US will not hesitate to act alone, when necessary, to disrupt and destroy these networks," Szubin warned.

In his remarks at the Paul H Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, Szubin said at the same time, Pakistan has been -- and remains -- a critical counterterrorism partner in many respects.

"Of course, Pakistanis are themselves often the victims of brutal terrorist attacks on schools, markets, and mosques, and the list unfortunately goes on. And in the face of such violence, Pakistan has in some ways pushed back," Szubin said.

"Pakistan has achieved success in its ongoing operations against traditional terrorist safe havens in northwest Pakistan. It has officially designated ISIL as a terrorist organisation. And it has gone after the funding and operational capabilities of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP," he said.

But the ISI problem of supporting terrorist groups continues, he said.

"This is a distinction we cannot stand for," Szubin asserted.

WASHINGTON: Asserting that Pakistan's powerful spy agency ISI is not taking action against all terror groups, the US has warned Pakistan that it will not hesitate to act alone, when necessary, to disrupt and destroy terror networks operating in the country. "The problem is that there are forces within the Pakistani government -- specifically in Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence or ISI -- that refuse to take similar steps against all the terrorist groups active in Pakistan, tolerating some groups -- or even worse," Adam Szubin, Acting Under Secretary on Countering the Financing of Terrorism, told a Washingtonaudience. "We continue to urge our partners in Pakistan to go after all terrorist networks operating in their country. We stand ready to help them. But there should be no doubt that while we remain committed to working with Pakistan to confront ongoing terrorist financing and operations, the US will not hesitate to act alone, when necessary, to disrupt and destroy these networks," Szubin warned. In his remarks at the Paul H Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, Szubin said at the same time, Pakistan has been -- and remains -- a critical counterterrorism partner in many respects. "Of course, Pakistanis are themselves often the victims of brutal terrorist attacks on schools, markets, and mosques, and the list unfortunately goes on. And in the face of such violence, Pakistan has in some ways pushed back," Szubin said. "Pakistan has achieved success in its ongoing operations against traditional terrorist safe havens in northwest Pakistan. It has officially designated ISIL as a terrorist organisation. And it has gone after the funding and operational capabilities of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP," he said. But the ISI problem of supporting terrorist groups continues, he said. "This is a distinction we cannot stand for," Szubin asserted.
By Reuters

BAGHDAD: Kurdish forces pursued operations to seize territory around Mosul in preparation for an offensive on the jihadists' last major stronghold in Iraq.

Islamic State's assault on Kirkuk, which lies in an oil- producing region, killed 18 members of the security forces and workers at a power station outside the city, including two Iranians, a hospital source said.

Crude oil production facilities were not targeted and the power supply continued uninterrupted in the city. Kirkuk is located east of Hawija, a pocket still under control of Islamic State that lies between Baghdad and Mosul.

With air and ground support from the U.S.-led coalition, Iraqi government forces captured eight villages south and southeast of Mosul. Kurdish forces attacking from the north and east also captured several villages, according to statements from their respective military commands overnight.

The offensive that started on Monday to capture Mosul is expected to become the biggest battle fought in Iraq since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003.

The United Nations says Mosul could require the biggest humanitarian relief operation in the world, with worst-case scenario forecasts of up to a million people being uprooted.

About 1.5 million residents are still believed to be inside Mosul. Islamic State has taken 550 families from villages around Mosul and is holding them close to IS locations in the city, probably as human shields, a spokeswoman for the U.N. human rights office said in Geneva.

The fighting has forced 5,640 people to flee their homes so far from the vicinity of the city, the International Organization for Migration said late on Thursday.

The Turkish Red Crescent said it was sending aid trucks to northern Iraq with food and humanitarian supplies for 10,000 people displaced by fighting around Mosul.

EXPLOSIVE DEVICE

A U.S. service member died on Thursday from wounds sustained in an improvised explosive device blast near the city.

Roughly 5,000 U.S. forces are in Iraq. More than 100 of them are embedded with Iraqi and Kurdish Peshmerga forces, advising commanders and helping them ensure coalition air power hits the right targets, officials say.

However, the Kurdish military command complained that air support wasn't enough on Thursday.

"Regrettably a number of Peshmerga have paid the ultimate sacrifice for us to deliver today's gains against ISIL. Further, Global Coalition warplane and support were not as decisive as in the past," the Kurdish command said in a statement.

Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi, addressing anti-Islamic State coalition allies meeting in Paris via video link, said the offensive was advancing more quickly than planned.

A senior Kurdish military official told Reuters the offensive by the Iraqi and Kurdish forces was moving steadily as they push into villages on the outskirts of Mosul.

But he expected the offensive to slow down once they approach the city itself, where Islamic State had built trenches, dug tunnels and might use civilians as human shields.

"I believe it will be more clear within the coming weeks once we get rid of those villages and we come closer to the city how quickly this war will end. If they (Islamic State) decide to defend the actual city then the process will slow down."

Once inside Mosul, Iraqi special forces would have to go from street to street and from neighbourhood to neighbourhood to clear explosives and booby traps, the official said.

Islamic State denied that government forces had advanced. Under the headline "The crusade on Nineveh gets a lousy start," the group's weekly online magazine Al-Nabaa said it repelled assaults on all fronts, killing dozens in ambushes and suicide attacks and destroying dozens of vehicles including tanks.

HOLED UP

In Kirkuk, Islamic State attacked several police buildings and a power station in the early hours of Friday and some of the attackers remained holed up in a mosque and an abandoned hotel.

The militants also cut the road between the city and the power station 30 km (20 miles) to the north.

Several dozen took part in the assault, according to security sources who couldn't confirm a claim by Islamic State that it had taken a Kurdish police officer hostage.

The assailants in Kirkuk came from outside the city, said the head of Iraq's Special Forces, Lieutenant General Talib Shaghati, speaking on a frontline east of Mosul.Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi reacted to the killing of the Iranian citizens in Kirkuk, saying these attacks are "the last breath of terrorists in Iraq".

At least eight militants were killed, either by blowing themselves up or in clashes with the security forces, the sources said. Kurdish forces had dislodged the militants from all the police and public buildings they had seized before dawn, they said.

MACHINE GUN

Kurdish NRT TV footage showed machine gun fire hitting a drab two-floor building that used to be a hotel, and cars burning in a nearby street.

Islamic State claimed the attacks in online statements, and authorities declared a curfew in the city where Kurdish forces were getting reinforcements.

Kurdish Peshmerga fighters took control of Kirkuk in 2014, after the Iraqi army withdrew from the region, fleeing an Islamic State advance through northern and western Iraq.

On the frontline south of Mosul, thick black smoke lingered from oil wells that Islamic State torched to evade air surveillance, in the region of Qayyara.

The army and the U.S.-led coalition took back this region in August and are using its air base as a hub to support the offensive on Mosul.

"Long live Iraq, death to Daesh," was painted on a wall near an army checkpoint there, referring to an Arabic acronym of Islamic State.

The army Humvees at the checkpoint carried Shi'ite flags, revealing that the soldiers of this unit belonged to Iraq's majority community.

Flying Shi'ite flags in the predominantly Sunni region and the participation of the Popular Mobilization Force, a coalition of mostly Iranian-trained militias, in a support role to the army has raised concerns of sectarian violence and revenge killings during or after the battle.

The nation's top Shi'ite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, on Friday renewed a call to spare civilians.

"All those who are participating in the battle have to respect the humanitarian principles and refrain from seeking vengeance," said a sermon delivered in Sistani's name in the holy Shi'ite city of Kerbala by one of his representatives.

BAGHDAD: Kurdish forces pursued operations to seize territory around Mosul in preparation for an offensive on the jihadists' last major stronghold in Iraq. Islamic State's assault on Kirkuk, which lies in an oil- producing region, killed 18 members of the security forces and workers at a power station outside the city, including two Iranians, a hospital source said. Crude oil production facilities were not targeted and the power supply continued uninterrupted in the city. Kirkuk is located east of Hawija, a pocket still under control of Islamic State that lies between Baghdad and Mosul. With air and ground support from the U.S.-led coalition, Iraqi government forces captured eight villages south and southeast of Mosul. Kurdish forces attacking from the north and east also captured several villages, according to statements from their respective military commands overnight. The offensive that started on Monday to capture Mosul is expected to become the biggest battle fought in Iraq since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003. The United Nations says Mosul could require the biggest humanitarian relief operation in the world, with worst-case scenario forecasts of up to a million people being uprooted. About 1.5 million residents are still believed to be inside Mosul. Islamic State has taken 550 families from villages around Mosul and is holding them close to IS locations in the city, probably as human shields, a spokeswoman for the U.N. human rights office said in Geneva. The fighting has forced 5,640 people to flee their homes so far from the vicinity of the city, the International Organization for Migration said late on Thursday. The Turkish Red Crescent said it was sending aid trucks to northern Iraq with food and humanitarian supplies for 10,000 people displaced by fighting around Mosul. EXPLOSIVE DEVICE A U.S. service member died on Thursday from wounds sustained in an improvised explosive device blast near the city. Roughly 5,000 U.S. forces are in Iraq. More than 100 of them are embedded with Iraqi and Kurdish Peshmerga forces, advising commanders and helping them ensure coalition air power hits the right targets, officials say. However, the Kurdish military command complained that air support wasn't enough on Thursday. "Regrettably a number of Peshmerga have paid the ultimate sacrifice for us to deliver today's gains against ISIL. Further, Global Coalition warplane and support were not as decisive as in the past," the Kurdish command said in a statement. Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi, addressing anti-Islamic State coalition allies meeting in Paris via video link, said the offensive was advancing more quickly than planned. A senior Kurdish military official told Reuters the offensive by the Iraqi and Kurdish forces was moving steadily as they push into villages on the outskirts of Mosul. But he expected the offensive to slow down once they approach the city itself, where Islamic State had built trenches, dug tunnels and might use civilians as human shields. "I believe it will be more clear within the coming weeks once we get rid of those villages and we come closer to the city how quickly this war will end. If they (Islamic State) decide to defend the actual city then the process will slow down." Once inside Mosul, Iraqi special forces would have to go from street to street and from neighbourhood to neighbourhood to clear explosives and booby traps, the official said. Islamic State denied that government forces had advanced. Under the headline "The crusade on Nineveh gets a lousy start," the group's weekly online magazine Al-Nabaa said it repelled assaults on all fronts, killing dozens in ambushes and suicide attacks and destroying dozens of vehicles including tanks. HOLED UP In Kirkuk, Islamic State attacked several police buildings and a power station in the early hours of Friday and some of the attackers remained holed up in a mosque and an abandoned hotel. The militants also cut the road between the city and the power station 30 km (20 miles) to the north. Several dozen took part in the assault, according to security sources who couldn't confirm a claim by Islamic State that it had taken a Kurdish police officer hostage. The assailants in Kirkuk came from outside the city, said the head of Iraq's Special Forces, Lieutenant General Talib Shaghati, speaking on a frontline east of Mosul.Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi reacted to the killing of the Iranian citizens in Kirkuk, saying these attacks are "the last breath of terrorists in Iraq". At least eight militants were killed, either by blowing themselves up or in clashes with the security forces, the sources said. Kurdish forces had dislodged the militants from all the police and public buildings they had seized before dawn, they said. MACHINE GUN Kurdish NRT TV footage showed machine gun fire hitting a drab two-floor building that used to be a hotel, and cars burning in a nearby street. Islamic State claimed the attacks in online statements, and authorities declared a curfew in the city where Kurdish forces were getting reinforcements. Kurdish Peshmerga fighters took control of Kirkuk in 2014, after the Iraqi army withdrew from the region, fleeing an Islamic State advance through northern and western Iraq. On the frontline south of Mosul, thick black smoke lingered from oil wells that Islamic State torched to evade air surveillance, in the region of Qayyara. The army and the U.S.-led coalition took back this region in August and are using its air base as a hub to support the offensive on Mosul. "Long live Iraq, death to Daesh," was painted on a wall near an army checkpoint there, referring to an Arabic acronym of Islamic State. The army Humvees at the checkpoint carried Shi'ite flags, revealing that the soldiers of this unit belonged to Iraq's majority community. Flying Shi'ite flags in the predominantly Sunni region and the participation of the Popular Mobilization Force, a coalition of mostly Iranian-trained militias, in a support role to the army has raised concerns of sectarian violence and revenge killings during or after the battle. The nation's top Shi'ite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, on Friday renewed a call to spare civilians. "All those who are participating in the battle have to respect the humanitarian principles and refrain from seeking vengeance," said a sermon delivered in Sistani's name in the holy Shi'ite city of Kerbala by one of his representatives.
By PTI

KARACHI: Three Pakistani men, alleged to be 'spies' of India's external intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), have been acquitted by an anti-terrorism court here citing lack of evidence in five cases relating to carrying explosives and illegal weapons, media reported today.

Tahir, alias Lamba, Junaid Khan and Imtiaz have been booked for allegedly carrying explosive materials and unlicensed weapons in a Malir locality in April last year, Dawn reported.

Police had alleged that the men belonged to Muttahida Qaumi Movement - a Karachi-based political party claiming to represent Mohajirs (Urdu-speaking people of Sindh province) - and were trained by RAW.

MQM is the single-largest party in Karachi and has dominated its political landscape for years, but since a "clean-up" operation began on the orders of the federal government, the political party has come under pressure.

Judge Abdul Naeem Memon of Anti-Terrorism Court-VI, who conducted the trial inside the central prison, exonerated the accused, saying the prosecution was unable to establish their cases against the accused beyond any shadow of the doubt, the report said.

There were glaring contradictions in the documentary evidence and in the testimonies of the prosecution witnesses, the court said adding that the police also conducted faulty investigations.

According to the prosecution, police initially arrested Tahir and Junaid and allegedly found explosives, weapons and hand grenades in their custody.

They disclosed that Imtiaz, who was arrested by Rangers at MQM headquarters Nine-Zero in March 2015, had provided the explosives and asked them to keep them, it added. Later, Imtiaz was also shown arrested in the main case of explosive material. Three explosives and two illicit weapons cases were registered against them.

The court directed the jail authorities to release the three men if they were not wanted in any other criminal case.

After the arrest of the accused, SSP-Malir, Rao Anwar, had claimed that they were MQM men and had been trained by RAW in India to carry out terrorist activities in the city.

The officer had also urged the federal government to ban the MQM and termed it an "anti-state" organisation. Police had not registered any case of anti-state offences against them.

KARACHI: Three Pakistani men, alleged to be 'spies' of India's external intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), have been acquitted by an anti-terrorism court here citing lack of evidence in five cases relating to carrying explosives and illegal weapons, media reported today. Tahir, alias Lamba, Junaid Khan and Imtiaz have been booked for allegedly carrying explosive materials and unlicensed weapons in a Malir locality in April last year, Dawn reported. Police had alleged that the men belonged to Muttahida Qaumi Movement - a Karachi-based political party claiming to represent Mohajirs (Urdu-speaking people of Sindh province) - and were trained by RAW. MQM is the single-largest party in Karachi and has dominated its political landscape for years, but since a "clean-up" operation began on the orders of the federal government, the political party has come under pressure. Judge Abdul Naeem Memon of Anti-Terrorism Court-VI, who conducted the trial inside the central prison, exonerated the accused, saying the prosecution was unable to establish their cases against the accused beyond any shadow of the doubt, the report said. There were glaring contradictions in the documentary evidence and in the testimonies of the prosecution witnesses, the court said adding that the police also conducted faulty investigations. According to the prosecution, police initially arrested Tahir and Junaid and allegedly found explosives, weapons and hand grenades in their custody. They disclosed that Imtiaz, who was arrested by Rangers at MQM headquarters Nine-Zero in March 2015, had provided the explosives and asked them to keep them, it added. Later, Imtiaz was also shown arrested in the main case of explosive material. Three explosives and two illicit weapons cases were registered against them. The court directed the jail authorities to release the three men if they were not wanted in any other criminal case. After the arrest of the accused, SSP-Malir, Rao Anwar, had claimed that they were MQM men and had been trained by RAW in India to carry out terrorist activities in the city. The officer had also urged the federal government to ban the MQM and termed it an "anti-state" organisation. Police had not registered any case of anti-state offences against them.
By Associated Press

IRBIL: U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter visited Irbil on Sunday for a closer assessment of the fight against the Islamic State group in northern Iraq and to hear from Kurdish leaders whose forces launched a new offensive in the operation to wrest Mosul from the militants.

Carter met with Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani, as well as U.S. service members, who are not far from the battle. The Pentagon chief said Barzani reported some good news about peshmerga gains against IS in Bashiqa, about 15 miles (24 kilometers) northeast of Mosul.

Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, told reporters that the information he's gathered suggests Barzani was correct and that there has been "considerable success" in the town. Townsend said he didn't know whether any fighting was still going on in the town center and whether every house had been cleared, but he largely confirmed the peshmerga's success and said the Kurdish forces merit recognition for their success.

Carter said he wants to see military operations to isolate IS fighters in Raqqa, Syria, to begin "as soon as possible." He said there will be simultaneous operations in Mosul and Raqqa, and that the United States would coordinate in Raqqa with its partners. The U.S. has been working with Syrian rebel fighters.

Townsend said the U.S.-led coalition has had success killing IS leaders, which helps with the Raqqa fight.

During the meeting with Barzani, Carter praised the efforts of the Kurdish forces, known as peshmerga, and acknowledged their battle losses.

"They fight extremely well. But because they're fighting hard, they suffer ... casualties," said Carter, who spent Saturday in Baghdad getting updates from his military leadership and meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi. The U.S. is prepared to provide additional support for the fight if requested by Iraq and U.S. commanders, Carter said in the capital.

Peshmerga Brig. Gen. Halgord Hekmet, a spokesman for the Kurdish forces, told reporters that 25 of their troops have been killed since the battle to retake Mosul began and a "large number" had been wounded. Speaking through an interpreter, he said the peshmerga have had good coalition air support, but could use more military resources, especially armored vehicles.

He said that most of the fallen peshmerga were riding in regular cars and were more vulnerable. A second priority, he said, would be more devices to help detect roadside bombs.

The peshmerga are advancing toward Mosul from the north in long columns of armored vehicles and other trucks. More than 100 U.S. special operations forces are embedded with the Kurds and Iraqi military commandos. Irbil is about 55 miles (90 kilometers) southeast of Mosul.

Mosul is a Sunni majority town, and many worry about the involvement of government-sanctioned Shiite fighters. But they also are suspicious about the Kurds, who have ambitions to expand their self-rule area into parts of Ninevah province, where Mosul is located  although not to the city itself.

U.S. military officials say the peshmerga will stop their advance about 20 miles (30 kilometers) outside of Mosul and hold that territory to ensure the militants don't regroup. Shiite militias have said they will not enter the city itself.

Carter fueled debate in Iraq on Friday when he met with Turkish leaders and suggested their country should play a role in the Mosul battle. On Saturday, al-Abadi balked at that idea, saying his country's own forces will oust IS from the city.

Some 500 Turkish troops at a base north of Mosul have been training Sunni and Kurdish fighters since December. The Iraqi government says the troops are there without permission and has called on them to withdraw. Turkey has refused and insists it will play a role in liberating the city.

IS captured Mosul and the surrounding area during a lightning advance across northern Iraq in the summer of 2014.

IRBIL: U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter visited Irbil on Sunday for a closer assessment of the fight against the Islamic State group in northern Iraq and to hear from Kurdish leaders whose forces launched a new offensive in the operation to wrest Mosul from the militants. Carter met with Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani, as well as U.S. service members, who are not far from the battle. The Pentagon chief said Barzani reported some good news about peshmerga gains against IS in Bashiqa, about 15 miles (24 kilometers) northeast of Mosul. Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, told reporters that the information he's gathered suggests Barzani was correct and that there has been "considerable success" in the town. Townsend said he didn't know whether any fighting was still going on in the town center and whether every house had been cleared, but he largely confirmed the peshmerga's success and said the Kurdish forces merit recognition for their success. Carter said he wants to see military operations to isolate IS fighters in Raqqa, Syria, to begin "as soon as possible." He said there will be simultaneous operations in Mosul and Raqqa, and that the United States would coordinate in Raqqa with its partners. The U.S. has been working with Syrian rebel fighters. Townsend said the U.S.-led coalition has had success killing IS leaders, which helps with the Raqqa fight. During the meeting with Barzani, Carter praised the efforts of the Kurdish forces, known as peshmerga, and acknowledged their battle losses. "They fight extremely well. But because they're fighting hard, they suffer ... casualties," said Carter, who spent Saturday in Baghdad getting updates from his military leadership and meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi. The U.S. is prepared to provide additional support for the fight if requested by Iraq and U.S. commanders, Carter said in the capital. Peshmerga Brig. Gen. Halgord Hekmet, a spokesman for the Kurdish forces, told reporters that 25 of their troops have been killed since the battle to retake Mosul began and a "large number" had been wounded. Speaking through an interpreter, he said the peshmerga have had good coalition air support, but could use more military resources, especially armored vehicles. He said that most of the fallen peshmerga were riding in regular cars and were more vulnerable. A second priority, he said, would be more devices to help detect roadside bombs. The peshmerga are advancing toward Mosul from the north in long columns of armored vehicles and other trucks. More than 100 U.S. special operations forces are embedded with the Kurds and Iraqi military commandos. Irbil is about 55 miles (90 kilometers) southeast of Mosul. Mosul is a Sunni majority town, and many worry about the involvement of government-sanctioned Shiite fighters. But they also are suspicious about the Kurds, who have ambitions to expand their self-rule area into parts of Ninevah province, where Mosul is located  although not to the city itself. U.S. military officials say the peshmerga will stop their advance about 20 miles (30 kilometers) outside of Mosul and hold that territory to ensure the militants don't regroup. Shiite militias have said they will not enter the city itself. Carter fueled debate in Iraq on Friday when he met with Turkish leaders and suggested their country should play a role in the Mosul battle. On Saturday, al-Abadi balked at that idea, saying his country's own forces will oust IS from the city. Some 500 Turkish troops at a base north of Mosul have been training Sunni and Kurdish fighters since December. The Iraqi government says the troops are there without permission and has called on them to withdraw. Turkey has refused and insists it will play a role in liberating the city. IS captured Mosul and the surrounding area during a lightning advance across northern Iraq in the summer of 2014.
By PTI

WASHINGTON: Environmental groups like Greenpeace and other international NGOs working in India had sought US government intervention after their funding came under increased scrutiny of the Modi government, according to emails released by Wiki L eaks.

The emails  hacked from the email account of John Podesta, who is the chairman of the Clinton Campaign  also indicate the global funding links of these NGOs, including those environmental groups opposing a massive mining project in Australia being undertaken by the Adani Group.

 Adani is very close to (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi --so this will be a delicate diplomatic challenge, Sergio Knaebel, grant director of the Sandler Foundation, wrote in an email to Podesta on May 27, 2015, months after he left the White House to be the Chairman of the Clinton Foundation.

Based out of San Francisco, the Sandler Foundation till 2015 had charitable grants of more than USD 750 million to various NGOs globally working in areas like environmental protection, labour, education, and human rights.

The Sandler Foundation among other things have funded the Sunrise Project, which is opposing Adani's USD 21.7 billion mine project in Australia.

 The situation for NGOs in Australia is also getting pretty serious. The Abbot government has set its sights on organisations fighting the expansion of coal and for protecting the reef  and is looking to withdraw charitable status and out foreign donors in an effort to cast the NGO's work as foreign intervention.

 Same playbook as India (and Canada), Knaebel wrote in an email to Podesta.

Podesta did not make any commitment, but forwarded to Knaebel a series of email exchanges he had with Karen Sack from Ocean Unite, another environmental group.

Sack is currently the managing director of Washington-based Ocean Unite.

Before joining Ocean Unite, she was senior director for International Oceans at The Pew Charitable Trusts where she helped initiate the Global Ocean Commission.

Before that, she was the Head of Greenpeace International's Political and Business Unit and the Head of their international oceans campaign.

 What's going on in India is concerning. There are some interesting linkages between the coal industry there and in Australia, Sack wrote on May 27, 2015.

 Adani  the coal billionaire from India is the person who plans to invest in building a coal port just near the Great Barrier Reef  which has people up in arms down under.

 The fascinating thing is that some of the big banks are refusing to invest in the port development project because of the potential risks to investors from the uncertainty, she told Podesta in the email.

A day earlier, she sought the help of Podesta on the issue of Greenpeace asserting that because of the Indian government action it is on the verge of being closed.

 I have had a request from some colleagues at Greenpeace as they are facing a very serious situation in India, Sack wrote.

 In a nutshell: an Indian Intelligence Bureau report was 'leaked' alleging Greenpeace India was responsible for a loss of 2-3 per cent of the country's GDP.

 Since then the Ministry of Home Affairs has kept up a relentless attack of allegations of irregularities in their registration and has now frozen all their bank accounts, both foreign and domestic, despite a Delhi High Court ruling there was no basis for doing so, she said.

 The bottom line is that without some kind of intervention, they will have to close down by the end of June.

This has never happened to a Greenpeace office in the entire history of the organisation, Sack wrote.

In the email, Sack said that Kumi Naidoo, Greenpeace's International Executive Director from November 2009 until December 2015, was planning to get in touch with him on this issue.

 Kumi Naidoo was hoping to speak with you or to get advice on who might be able to help behind the scenes explaining to people close to the Prime Minister that their campaigns are about the issues of clean air and clean water and not personal and their office should not be forced to close because they have a different vision of India's future, Sack said.

 Apparently, The Podesta Group has the contract for the Republic of India in the US, but Kumi has no way to reach Tony or another principal, Sack said.

Podesta did not make any commitment but did say he would be happy to connect the two.

 Happy to put Kumi in touch with Tony, but the list ofpeople similarly situated seems to be growing, Podesta wrote in his email indicating that Green p eace is not the only NGO facing the problem in India.

Tony Podesta is the brother of John Podesta.

Podesta Group is one of the two lobbying firms for the Indian government since 2010. It received USD 700,000 per annum for its lobbying activists on behalf of the Indian government.

WASHINGTON: Environmental groups like Greenpeace and other international NGOs working in India had sought US government intervention after their funding came under increased scrutiny of the Modi government, according to emails released by WikiLeaks. The emails  hacked from the email account of John Podesta, who is the chairman of the Clinton Campaign  also indicate the global funding links of these NGOs, including those environmental groups opposing a massive mining project in Australia being undertaken by the Adani Group. Adani is very close to (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi --so this will be a delicate diplomatic challenge, Sergio Knaebel, grant director of the Sandler Foundation, wrote in an email to Podesta on May 27, 2015, months after he left the White House to be the Chairman of the Clinton Foundation. Based out of San Francisco, the Sandler Foundation till 2015 had charitable grants of more than USD 750 million to various NGOs globally working in areas like environmental protection, labour, education, and human rights. The Sandler Foundation among other things have funded the Sunrise Project, which is opposing Adani's USD 21.7 billion mine project in Australia. The situation for NGOs in Australia is also getting pretty serious. The Abbot government has set its sights on organisations fighting the expansion of coal and for protecting the reef  and is looking to withdraw charitable status and out foreign donors in an effort to cast the NGO's work as foreign intervention. Same playbook as India (and Canada), Knaebel wrote in an email to Podesta. Podesta did not make any commitment, but forwarded to Knaebel a series of email exchanges he had with Karen Sack from Ocean Unite, another environmental group. Sack is currently the managing director of Washington-based Ocean Unite. Before joining Ocean Unite, she was senior director for International Oceans at The Pew Charitable Trusts where she helped initiate the Global Ocean Commission. Before that, she was the Head of Greenpeace International's Political and Business Unit and the Head of their international oceans campaign. What's going on in India is concerning. There are some interesting linkages between the coal industry there and in Australia, Sack wrote on May 27, 2015. Adani  the coal billionaire from India is the person who plans to invest in building a coal port just near the Great Barrier Reef  which has people up in arms down under. The fascinating thing is that some of the big banks are refusing to invest in the port development project because of the potential risks to investors from the uncertainty, she told Podesta in the email. A day earlier, she sought the help of Podesta on the issue of Greenpeace asserting that because of the Indian government action it is on the verge of being closed. I have had a request from some colleagues at Greenpeace as they are facing a very serious situation in India, Sack wrote. In a nutshell: an Indian Intelligence Bureau report was 'leaked' alleging Greenpeace India was responsible for a loss of 2-3 per cent of the country's GDP. Since then the Ministry of Home Affairs has kept up a relentless attack of allegations of irregularities in their registration and has now frozen all their bank accounts, both foreign and domestic, despite a Delhi High Court ruling there was no basis for doing so, she said. The bottom line is that without some kind of intervention, they will have to close down by the end of June. This has never happened to a Greenpeace office in the entire history of the organisation, Sack wrote. In the email, Sack said that Kumi Naidoo, Greenpeace's International Executive Director from November 2009 until December 2015, was planning to get in touch with him on this issue. Kumi Naidoo was hoping to speak with you or to get advice on who might be able to help behind the scenes explaining to people close to the Prime Minister that their campaigns are about the issues of clean air and clean water and not personal and their office should not be forced to close because they have a different vision of India's future, Sack said. Apparently, The Podesta Group has the contract for the Republic of India in the US, but Kumi has no way to reach Tony or another principal, Sack said. Podesta did not make any commitment but did say he would be happy to connect the two. Happy to put Kumi in touch with Tony, but the list ofpeople similarly situated seems to be growing, Podesta wrote in his email indicating that Greenpeace is not the only NGO facing the problem in India. Tony Podesta is the brother of John Podesta. Podesta Group is one of the two lobbying firms for the Indian government since 2010. It received USD 700,000 per annum for its lobbying activists on behalf of the Indian government.
By PTI

LAGOS: Nigerian troops have thwarted an attempted hijack of a vessel in the restive Niger Delta and separately arrested five pipeline vandals, a spokesman said today. "Troops of Operation Base 2 repelled a hijack of a vessel (MT VAJARA) by heavily armed bandits in Ramos River, around Agge area of Delta state," Lieutenant Commander Thomas Otuji said in a statement.

He said the pirates were repelled last week after a fierce exchange of fire with government troops. Ship hijackings have become more frequent since President Muhammadu Buhari last year announced he was winding down an amnesty to former militants in the oil-rich Niger delta region. Otuji also said five people were arrested on October 17 and 18 near oil wellheads around the port city of Warri. "Five suspected vandals were arrested and they confessed to their plan to vandalise the wellheads," he said, adding that two boats were recovered during the operation.

He said the military was committed to making the entire Niger Delta and the waterways safe for oil firms, vessels and their crew. He said the military also recently responded to distress calls by travellers who were attacked by pirates in the southern states of Cross River and Rivers, adding that the troops had killed the criminals and rescued the travellers.

Last week, seven suspected pirates and militants were killed in crossfire during a rescue operation while a group of hostages was freed unhurt. Nigeria has deployed troops to end renewed insurgency in the region. Since the start of the year, several militant groups have attacked oil facilities, slashing Nigeria's output and hammering revenue.

The militant groups claim to be seeking a fairer share of Nigeria's multi-billion-dollar oil wealth for residents of the oil region as well as political autonomy The Nigerian government has urged the oil rebels to embrace peace talks to end the unrest. MEND, the most high-profile group blamed for devastating oil attacks in the region before it accepted a government amnesty in 2000s, said in a statement today it had always been ready for talks.

"The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger delta hereby welcomes and endorses the forthcoming meeting aimed at finding solutions to the current Niger delta crisis," it said. It said the talks would be held on October 31 between government representatives and the region's prominent leaders. Oil-dependent Nigeria is struggling to emerge from a recession following falling oil prices and foreign exchange shortages that have led to a massive devaluation of the naira.

LAGOS: Nigerian troops have thwarted an attempted hijack of a vessel in the restive Niger Delta and separately arrested five pipeline vandals, a spokesman said today. "Troops of Operation Base 2 repelled a hijack of a vessel (MT VAJARA) by heavily armed bandits in Ramos River, around Agge area of Delta state," Lieutenant Commander Thomas Otuji said in a statement. He said the pirates were repelled last week after a fierce exchange of fire with government troops. Ship hijackings have become more frequent since President Muhammadu Buhari last year announced he was winding down an amnesty to former militants in the oil-rich Niger delta region. Otuji also said five people were arrested on October 17 and 18 near oil wellheads around the port city of Warri. "Five suspected vandals were arrested and they confessed to their plan to vandalise the wellheads," he said, adding that two boats were recovered during the operation. He said the military was committed to making the entire Niger Delta and the waterways safe for oil firms, vessels and their crew. He said the military also recently responded to distress calls by travellers who were attacked by pirates in the southern states of Cross River and Rivers, adding that the troops had killed the criminals and rescued the travellers. Last week, seven suspected pirates and militants were killed in crossfire during a rescue operation while a group of hostages was freed unhurt. Nigeria has deployed troops to end renewed insurgency in the region. Since the start of the year, several militant groups have attacked oil facilities, slashing Nigeria's output and hammering revenue. The militant groups claim to be seeking a fairer share of Nigeria's multi-billion-dollar oil wealth for residents of the oil region as well as political autonomy The Nigerian government has urged the oil rebels to embrace peace talks to end the unrest. MEND, the most high-profile group blamed for devastating oil attacks in the region before it accepted a government amnesty in 2000s, said in a statement today it had always been ready for talks. "The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger delta hereby welcomes and endorses the forthcoming meeting aimed at finding solutions to the current Niger delta crisis," it said. It said the talks would be held on October 31 between government representatives and the region's prominent leaders. Oil-dependent Nigeria is struggling to emerge from a recession following falling oil prices and foreign exchange shortages that have led to a massive devaluation of the naira.
By PTI

ARBIL (Iraq): US defence chief Ashton Carter today said that an operation to isolate the Islamic State group in Syria's Raqa should begin in conjunction with the assault on the jihadists' Iraqi bastion Mosul.

"We want to see an isolation operation begin around Raqa as soon as possible," Carter said during a visit to Iraq's autonomous region of Kurdistan to review an ongoing offensive to retake Mosul from IS. "We are working with our partners there (in Syria) to do that," the US secretary of defence said, adding: "There will be some simultaneity to these two operations."

Iraqi forces launched a huge operation last week to retake Mosul, the last major city in Iraq under IS control. The United States leads a 60-nation coalition that has provided key support in the form of thousands of air strikes, training to Iraqi forces and advisers on the ground. The loss of Mosul would leave Raqa -- the de facto capital of the jihadists' self-declared "caliphate" -- the only major city still under IS control. Carter said the idea of simultaneous operations against Mosul and Raqa "has been part of our planning for quite a while".

He also said that destroying IS's external operations capabilities was "our highest priority". "We are getting better and better and better at that. "Mosul will help us with that, even as all the other territories we have taken." The gathering of more intelligence information would also provide "new opportunities to attack external plotters", Carter said.

In Iraq, the coalition is allied with both federal forces and Kurdish peshmerga fighters in the Mosul battle. But in Syria, the issue of which ground forces would be involved in an operation to retake Raqa would be far more complicated. The United States has given support to Syrian rebels and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces who have battled IS. But President Bashar al-Assad's forces, backed by Russia and Iran, are also fighting the jihadists.

ARBIL (Iraq): US defence chief Ashton Carter today said that an operation to isolate the Islamic State group in Syria's Raqa should begin in conjunction with the assault on the jihadists' Iraqi bastion Mosul. "We want to see an isolation operation begin around Raqa as soon as possible," Carter said during a visit to Iraq's autonomous region of Kurdistan to review an ongoing offensive to retake Mosul from IS. "We are working with our partners there (in Syria) to do that," the US secretary of defence said, adding: "There will be some simultaneity to these two operations." Iraqi forces launched a huge operation last week to retake Mosul, the last major city in Iraq under IS control. The United States leads a 60-nation coalition that has provided key support in the form of thousands of air strikes, training to Iraqi forces and advisers on the ground. The loss of Mosul would leave Raqa -- the de facto capital of the jihadists' self-declared "caliphate" -- the only major city still under IS control. Carter said the idea of simultaneous operations against Mosul and Raqa "has been part of our planning for quite a while". He also said that destroying IS's external operations capabilities was "our highest priority". "We are getting better and better and better at that. "Mosul will help us with that, even as all the other territories we have taken." The gathering of more intelligence information would also provide "new opportunities to attack external plotters", Carter said. In Iraq, the coalition is allied with both federal forces and Kurdish peshmerga fighters in the Mosul battle. But in Syria, the issue of which ground forces would be involved in an operation to retake Raqa would be far more complicated. The United States has given support to Syrian rebels and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces who have battled IS. But President Bashar al-Assad's forces, backed by Russia and Iran, are also fighting the jihadists.
Saudi King Salman delivers a brief statement as Saudi Arabia's cabinet agrees to implement a broad reform plan known as Vision 2030 in Riyadh, April 25, 2016. REUTERS/Saudi Press Agency/Handout via Reuters

DOHA (Reuters) - The king of Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter, met Venezuela's president on Sunday in Riyadh and discussed ways to stabilise global oil prices, state news SPA reported.

King Salman and President Maduro "reviewed areas of bilateral cooperation... and the latest developments including cooperation for the stability of oil markets," SPA said.

Saudi Arabian Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said earlier on Sunday that the views of the kingdom and Russia, the world's top oil producer, on the need to stabilise the market "are getting closer".

"We have managed today... through a common meeting to reach a common notion to what we can reach in November," Falih said, referring to an OPEC meeting in Vienna on Nov. 30, when the exporting group is set to finalise a production cut agreement.

Novak, who is in Saudi Arabia on his first official visit as minister, earlier met the energy ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) which included key Gulf OPEC producers Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

President Maduro was quoted on Saturday as saying that OPEC and non-OPEC nations were "very close" to an agreement on oil production curbs, Azerbaijan's state news agency Azertag reported.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) agreed in Algiers on Sept. 28 to reduce production to a range of 32.5 million to 33.0 million barrels per day, which would be its first output cut since 2008.

(Reporting by Reem Shamseddine; Writing by Tom Finn; Editing by Ruth Pitchford)
Tech industry titans from Apple, Twitter and Wikipedia, among others, have thrown their support behind Hillary Clinton in an open letter (AFP Photo/Robyn Beck)

San Francisco (AFP) - Silicon Valley, the hub of the US tech industry, is traditionally a Democratic political stronghold.

But that has perhaps never more been more true than in this election year, with a presidential contest featuring a Republican nominee seen here as more interested in returning to the past than building the future.

It is no understatement to say Donald Trump is unpopular among California's tech titans.

Along with overwhelmingly donating their dollars to Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, many are openly campaigning for Trump's defeat.

Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, Twitter co-founder Ev Williams and Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales were among more than 100 people who recently signed an open letter from the tech industry taking a stand against the real estate tycoon.

"We have listened to Donald Trump over the past year and we have concluded: Trump would be a disaster for innovation," the letter read.

"His vision stands against the open exchange of ideas, free movement of people, and productive engagement with the outside world that is critical to our economy."

Trump has railed against immigrants, proposed "shutting down" part of the internet as a security move, criticized Apple for making its products abroad and accused online retail giant Amazon of "getting away with murder, tax-wise."

Geoffrey Skelley at the University of Virginia's Center for Politics said the tech sector is also fearful that Trump could start a trade war that would hurt firms with global ambitions.

Instead of focusing on the future and technology, Trump appears to his detractors to be bent on resurrecting manufacturing jobs from a bygone era.

"Trump is pretty anathema to the things that Silicon Valley wants," said Melinda Jackson, an associate professor of political science at San Jose State University.

"He seems to be backward-looking -- to make things like they were before," Jackson told AFP. "And Silicon Valley is about new innovation and the next big thing."

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- Deep Clinton roots -

While Google has laid out a mission of making the world's information freely available and Facebook is striving to connect everyone on the planet, Trump has branded the media an enemy and vowed to build a wall along the border with Mexico to keep people out.

Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg shot down the idea of a Mexico wall at a developers conference in San Francisco earlier this year.

Careful not to make a direct link to Trump's rhetoric, Zuckerberg nonetheless urged those tailoring software for the social network to "choose hope over fear" and to help people build bridges instead of walls.

Another Facebook co-founder, Dustin Moskovitz, and his wife committed $20 million to Democratic causes and backed Clinton in the first-ever political endorsement of a candidate by the power couple.

"It is clear that if Secretary Clinton wins the election, America will advance much further toward the world we hope to see," Moskovitz and his wife said in an online post.

"Donald Trump wins, the country will fall backward, and become more isolated from the global community," they said.

Fundraising events for Clinton in Silicon Valley have included one hosted by Apple chief executive Tim Cook -- reportedly once touted as a possible Clinton vice presidential pick -- and another by the widow of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs.

"The Clintons, and Hillary's roots in particular, go deep here," Jackson said. "She is a known quantity. They trust her for the most part and feel they would at least know what to expect."

- Mirror opposite -

Apple skipped providing funding or support for the Republican national presidential convention this year citing Trump's comments about immigrants, minorities and women.

"Trump represents the mirror opposite of everything they believe (in Silicon Valley); welcoming immigrants, a cosmopolitan global world order," said Gregory Ferenstein, author of "The Age of Optimists," about how technology transforms lives and politics.

LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman has been an outspoken Trump opponent, promising to donate $5 million to veterans' charities if the Republican candidate releases his tax returns, which he has so far refused to do.

Trump has also been engaged in a nasty feud with Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, accusing him of using The Washington Post, which Bezos bought for $250 million three years ago, as a weapon against him.

"He's using that as a tool for political power against me and against other people, and I'll tell you what, we can't let him get away with it," Trump told Sean Hannity of Fox News.

Trump went on to say that Bezos is "using The Washington Post for power so that the politicians in Washington don't tax Amazon like they should be taxed."

- Trump's backers -

Trump is not completely without support in Silicon Valley.

High-profile PayPal founder-turned-venture-capitalist Peter Thiel, an early investor in Facebook, delivered a keynote speech at the Republican convention and has donated significant sums to Trump's campaign.

That prompted former Reddit chief Ellen Pao to sever ties between Project Include, which is devoted to promoting diversity in the tech industry, and Y Combinator, a startup incubator Thiel is involved with.

"We are completely outraged to read about Thiel donating $1.25 million to Trump," Pao wrote in an online post. "While all of us believe in the ideas of free speech and open platforms, we draw a line here.

"Giving more power to someone whose ascension and behavior strike fear into so many people is unacceptable," she said.
Despite the ceasefire, fierce gun battles have raged in Yemen between the Iran-backed Huthi rebels and pro-government forces over the past two days, according to military officials (AFP Photo/Mohammed Huwais)

Aden (AFP) - The UN envoy for Yemen called Saturday for the renewal of a 72-hour ceasefire in the country, though fighting has raged on between Shiite rebels and government forces despite the truce.

The ceasefire took effect just before midnight (2100 GMT) on Wednesday to allow aid deliveries in Yemen, where the war has killed thousands of people and left millions homeless and hungry, and ended officially at midnight Saturday.

"With the 72-hour Cessation of Hostilities in Yemen coming to an end, the United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed urges all parties to agree to its extension for at least another renewable 72 hours," said a statement posted on the envoy's Facebook page.

Ahmed said the ceasefire was "largely holding despite reported violations from both sides in several areas."

"We noted over the last days that food and humanitarian supplies were provided to several affected neighborhoods and that UN personnel were able to reach areas that were previously inaccessible. We would like to build on this and we aim for a wider outreach in the next few days," he added.

Despite the ceasefire, fierce gun battles have raged between the Iran-backed Huthi rebels and pro-government forces along the border with Saudi Arabia over the past two days, according to military officials.

Warplanes from the Saudi-led coalition fighting in support of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi also bombed suspected Huthi rebel missile launchers east of the capital Sanaa late Friday, a military official said.

The air raids came after Patriot missiles shot down two rebel missiles on Thursday over Marib, east of the rebel-held capital.

The UN envoy said Friday he was liaising with the parties in an attempt to extend the ceasefire in order "to create a conducive environment for a long-lasting peace" in Yemen.

He met late Friday with Yemen's Vice President Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar in Riyadh, Yemeni state media reported.

Story continues

Ahmar said government forces were "exercising restraint" and stressed that there were orders to "abide by the truce and respect UN efforts".

But he accused the rebels of 449 violations within 24 hours after the ceasefire took effect.

Rebel-controlled media, meanwhile, accused the coalition of conducting air strikes across the country, including in the provinces of Sanaa, Saada and Jawf in the north, and Shabwa in the south.

- Drone strike -

A senior rebel, Hassan al-Sharafi, was killed in border clashes on Friday night in Saada province, the fiefdom of the Huthis, military officials said.

The rebels seized two hills in the Alb border area from government forces who had previously advanced from Saudi Arabia, a military official said.

Nine other rebels and four government soldiers were killed in clashes Saturday on the western outskirts of Midi, a northwestern town close to the Saudi border and the Red Sea coast, military officials said.

The fighting erupted when troops advanced towards Midi in an attempt to recapture it.

It is the sixth ceasefire attempt since the Saudi-led coalition intervened in March last year to support Hadi's government after Huthis overran much of the impoverished country.

Nearly 6,900 people have been killed in the conflict, more than half of them civilians, while an additional three million are displaced and millions more need food aid.

Meanwhile, five suspected Al-Qaeda militants including a local chief were killed overnight Friday in a suspected US drone strike in Marib province east of Sanaa, a security official said.

They were in a vehicle that was targeted in the Wadi Obeida area.

Washington is the only government to operate drones over Yemen, but the United States rarely releases statements on its long-running bombing campaign against the country's powerful Al-Qaeda branch.

The United States considers Al-Qaeda's Yemen-based franchise, Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, to be its most dangerous.

On Tuesday, eight Al-Qaeda suspects were killed in a similar drone strike in south Yemen.
Apple CEO Tim Cook

Earnings season is in full swing with Apple (AAPL), Alphabet (GOOGL), Amazon.com (AMZN), Exxon Mobil (XOM) and Caterpillar (CAT) among big names scheduled to announce Q3 results this week. Hopefully, well get a better sense of whether corporate Americas earnings and revenue recessions are coming to an end.

Markets, however, remain focused on the US presidential election, now less three weeks away. Wednesdays third and final presidential debate took control of the broader news cycle. The economy was generally under-discussed throughout the debates  and, frankly, the whole election cycle. Rick Newmans column out Thursday gives the definitive overview of how both candidates missed the mark on this issue: Both Trump and Clinton are living in the past.

In the week ahead, Apple will highlight the heavy earnings flow expected to cross the tape. Well also get the first reading on third-quarter GDP next Friday.

Week In review: Housing, Netflix, and wages on the rise

This past week saw the release of quarterly results from Dow members Microsoft (MSFT), McDonalds (MCD) and GE (GE), along with tech major Netflix (NFLX).

Shares of tech stalwart Microsoft hit their highest level since 1999, the peak of the internet bubble, after the companys earnings beat expectations.

McDonalds reported earnings and revenue that beat expectations with the fast-food chain citing the continued success of its all-day breakfast offerings.

Netflix shares rose 19% on Wednesday after the company reported earnings that blew away estimates. Netflix said it plans to make 50% of its total content original over the next three years, citing the success of in-house productions like this summers runaway hit, Stranger Things.

On the economic data front, the US housing market was in focus.

Housing starts and building permits data on Wednesday disappointed, with overall building activity dropping to a 18-month low, though all of this drop was attributable to a decline in multi-family units. Earnings results from homebuilder Pulte Group (PHM) out Thursday made clear the US single-family housing market remains strong.

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Existing home sales data out Thursday showed completed transactions rose 3.2% in September to an annualized rate of 5.47 million homes.

The Federal Reserves latest Beige Book report and data from the Atlanta Fed showed a continued improvement in the labor market, particularly when it comes to worker pay.

The Beige Book, a collection of anecdotes collected by Fed officials, said, The Philadelphia District cited more upward wage pressure for some skilled jobs, while the St. Louis and San Francisco Districts said pressure intensified for some entry-level positions. These increases were often driven by a shortage of available workers. (Emphasis added.)



Meanwhile, the Atlanta Feds latest monthly data on median wages rose 3.6% in September. Overall, the monthly Atlanta Fed analysis continued to show quite a dramatic acceleration in wage growth across the labor force, Bespoke Investment Group wrote in a note to clients this week.

Bespoke wages

Top market story: The passive vs. active investing debate rages on

The hottest topic in the investing world for the last couple years has been the ongoing discussion around active versus passive investing.

And so this week, the Wall Street Journal released a multi-part series on the rise of passive investing.

Active investments are those in which money is entrusted to an individual who invests at their discretion. Passive investments are those in which money is invested to track an index of securities. Active investments have parameters; passive investments have rules.

But active and passive definitions of investment strategies have also become stand-ins for expensive versus cheap investment strategies. The best way for the average investor to outperform their peers is to lower their fees. The conventional wisdom, then, has become that the average investor ought to invest passively.

Vanguard fee chart

But as Jack Bogle, the legendary founder of Vanguard and the father of the index fund, told The Wall Street Journal, Theres passive strategies and theres passive investors. And these are two different things.

Passive strategies follow rules. Passive investors might not follow anything, including their investments. Successful investing, no matter how it is executed strategically, requires humility, focus, attention, and commitment.

This past summer, strategists at Bernstein caused a stir when they called passive investing a worse outcome for markets that Marxism. Elsewhere, the rise of passive investing has been called investor socialism.

These hyperbolic formulations of why active management has a place inside a portfolio are clearly defenses from an industry feeling the pressure of changing customer expectations.

Picking stocks is at heart an arrogant act, write The Journals Dennis Berman and Jamie Heller. It requires in the stock picker a confidence that most others are dunces, and that riches await those with better information and sharper instincts.

Perhaps.

But a recent paper from Lasse Heje Pedersen at AQR Capital Management challenges one of the defining tenets of modern investing  Bill Sharpes arithmetic of active management.

Sharpes formula states that it must be the case that (1) before costs, the return on the average actively managed dollar will equal the return on the average passively managed dollar, and (2) after costs, the return on the average actively managed dollar will be less.

But Pedersen contends that this formulation misses how turnover of the market to which the passively managed dollar is indexed creates ample opportunities for the active manager to provide alpha, or outperformance.

Additionally, the efficient allocation of capital encouraged by the markets active participants creates the conditions for the existence of passive investing at all.

The capital market is not a zero-sum game, Pedersen writes. It is a positive-sum game.

Issuers benefit from access to capital markets, passive investors benefit from low-cost access to earning a return close to the market risk premium, and active managers benefit from their information collection efforts through potentially even higher returns before costs. Hence, information collection is socially valuable because it facilitates efficient resource allocation for the economy through the issuance of new securities by productive firms.

Though perhaps the most succinct, if indirect, defense of active management came not from a traditional portfolio manager, but short-seller Jim Chanos this week.

Jim Chanos

Speaking at the Vanity Fair New Establishment Summit this week, Chanos said that a good short portfolio allows an investor to be more long. That is, good short bets allow investors to more fully express their belief in companies or investments they think will gain value over time. Good short bets grease the wheels of your portfolio.

And in this sense, passive management is like having a good short book.

For a small fee, investors can capture the return of a broad basket of securities, say, the S&P 500 or the Russell 3000. These are big, benchmark stock indexes that perform roughly in-line with the whole of American business. A stock investor will not fall behind the pack cheaply buying these indexes.

And so active management, then, is the high-conviction bet, the investment you make to not match but beat the market. Active management, in Chanos formulation, investors going more long.

Many investors will be content to fully-invest their retirement savings in passive strategies. But the rise of cheaper methods for retirement savings does not erode the ability of those who seek to outperform the market to do so.

In fact, it is passive investing that makes active investing possible.

Economic Calendar: Third-quarter GDP on deck

Monday: Markit Flash Manufacturing PMI (51.6 expected; 51.5 previously)

Tuesday: S&P/Case-Shiller Home Prices (+0.15% expected; -0.01% previously); Conference Board Consumer Confidence (101 expected; 104.1 previously); Richmond Fed Manufacturing (-4 expected; -8 previously)

Wednesday: MBA Mortgage Applications; Markit Flash Services PMI (52.5 expected; 52.3 previously); New Home Sales (600,000 expected; 609,000 previously); Crude Oil Inventories

Thursday: Initial Jobless Claims: (255,000 expected; 260,000 previously); Durable Goods Orders (+0.1% expected: +0.1% previously); Pending Home Sales (+1.2% expected; -2.4% previously)

Friday: Third-Quarter GDP (+2.5% expected; +1.4% previously); Employment Cost Index (+0.6% expected; +0.6% previously); University of Michigan Consumer Confidence (88.2 expected; 87.9 previously)

ICYMI

Saudi Arabia sold $17.5 billion worth of bonds this week in the largest-ever emerging market debt deal.

Investors pull $28 billion from hedge funds in the third quarter, the biggest outflow since 2009.

A big US infrastructure package is exactly what the economy doesnt need right now.

British American Tobacco offers to buy Reynolds American for in a $47 billion deal.

Qualcomm is nearing a deal to acquire NXP Semiconductors for $37 billion.

AT&T is in advanced talks to acquire Time Warner.

Wells Fargo loses its Better Business Bureau accreditation.



Myles Udland is a writer at Yahoo Finance.

A top US homebuilder is cashing in on a big problem in the housing market

The one thing Trump and Clinton agree on may be a terrible idea for the US economy
Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

Mostly cloudy early, then clearing overnight. Areas of patchy fog. Low 43F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy early, then clearing overnight. Areas of patchy fog. Low 43F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Columnist

Tom Kacich is a columnist and the author of Tom's Mailbag at The News-Gazette. His column appears Sundays. His email is tkacich@news-gazette.com, and you can follow him on Twitter (@tkacich).
We want to live in an environment where we love our fellow men. We don't shoot them, we don't kill them. We don't hold them hostages but give a bit of ourselves and we give and take," Tata added.



An environment in which each one of us is told what to speak, what to hear, how to dress, what to eat," Scindia said.

: Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons, Ratan Tata, has expressed concern over the alleged growing intolerance in the country, dubbing it "a curse we are seeing of late"."I think everybody knows where the intolerance is coming from, what it is. Like many thousands, millions of Indians, one wants to see a country without intolerance," Tata told reporters late on Saturday night.Minutes before, he had spoken against the alleged growing intolerance in his address at the 119th foundation day function of Scindia School here, endorsing Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia's views on the issue."The Maharaja (Jyotiraditya) talked about intolerance. It is a curse we are seeing of late," the eminent industrialist said in his address.Before Tata, Scindia in his address to the students said, "We want you to be winners. We also want you to be thinkers...And the hallmark of a civilised society is debate, discussion and disagreement."An "environment of intolerance" was prevailing in the country today, the former Union Minister added.A crackdown on dissent was against the progress of society, the Congress leader said, while hitting out at cow vigilantes.
New Delhi: Senior Amry officials and veterans on Saturday reject Raj Thackeray's army welfare proposal.



The officials were upset over the force being dragged into "politics" after the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) demanded that producers of movies employing Pakistani actors pay Rs 5 core to an army welfare fund.



The controversy erupted after Karan Johar's 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' ran into a storm of protests led by MNS because Pakistani actor Fawad Khan has a role in it.



The film has been allowed to be released after its producers met with three conditions put forward by MNS chief Raj Thackeray, including payment of Rs 5 crore to Army Welfare Fund.



"All contributions (to welfare fund) are to be voluntary.



Extortion is not allowed. We would want people to contribute on their own rather than under any coercion," a senior army official said.



He said the army is "upset" over being dragged into this politics.



"The army is completely apolitical. It is wrong to drag the force into politics," another army official said.



"(We) would never support it," Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd), former military secretary, said when asked if he supports the move of the MNS.



"Why should the armed forces be made a part of this extortion? By accepting this money they would become a 'receiver' of tainted money," tweeted Air Vice Marshal Manmohan Bahadur (Retd).



Army sources said that they have a system in place to check all contributions and can even reject a contribution made under duress or by any person whom the force does not want to be associated with.


Chennai: Toeing the protocol put in place by President Pranab Mukherjee, Tamil Nadu Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao on Saturday said only the word "Honourable" should be prefixed to his name and not "His Excellency."



"Ch Vidyasagar Rao, the Governor of Tamil Nadu, has directed that henceforth on all ceremonial occasions and in official and other communications, the word Honourable Governor or its Tamil equivalent Maanbumigu Aalunar, may be used," a Raj Bhavan release said here.



In a departure from the British era practise of addressing Governors as "His Excellency," Rao directed that "the present practise of using the salutation His Excellency the Governor, or the Tamil equivalent Methagu Aalunar, may be discontinued."



However, the salutation "His Excellency" will continue to be used in interaction with foreign dignitaries, the release said.



In 2012, President Pranab Mukherjee had introduced a new protocol for greeting Constitutional heads, the President and state Governors.



According to it, the salutation "His Excellency" was replaced with "Honourable President" and "Honourable Governor."



Preceding the name of the dignitaries would be the Indian greeting "Shri" or "Smt." The reference "His Excellency" was, however, retained for occasions involving interactions with foreign dignitaries in line with international practise.



After taking over as Governor of Kerala in 2014, former Chief Justice of India, P Sathasivam too had dispensed with the practise of using the words "His Excellency."








New Delhi: Students of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) formed a human chain extending from the varsity's administration block to the residence of Vice Chancellor M Jagadesh Kumar, as the missing student's case of Najeed Ahmed entered the ninth day on Sunday.



The wave of students outside his home prompted Kumar to take to Twitter and appeal to the agitating students. You can see the blockade at my JNU residence by agitating students. This will take us nowhere, he said, posting a picture of the human chain.



Agitating students, please understand by shouting slogans and blocking entrance to my residence we cannot trace Najeeb (sic), he said.



In subequent tweets, he said he will be meeting Delhi Police Commissioner Alok Verma to discuss the case on October 24. His meeting with the city's top cop will coincide with a march the agitating students are planning to hold against the alleged inaction on the part of the JNU administration in tracing Ahmed.



The march will begin from Mandi House and culminate at Jantar Mantar where the students will observe the 'National Protest Day'. Different delegations from among the students will meet Delhi Lieutenant Governor, the National Human Rights Commission and the National Minority Commission.



Replying to Kumar, the student community posted a question on the micro-blogging site: "Why did the JNU VC, who is otherwise quick to take to twitter against JNU students, fail to issue even a single sensitive appeal to Najeeb in public domain till date? (sic).



Our Vice Chancellor has become paranoid. Wherever he sees students, he gets nightmares of gherao. We only formed a human chain to seek justice for Najeeb. The VC should stop seeking undue sympathy, said JNUSU President Mohit K Pandey on Kumar's tweets.



The university, which was just returning to normalcy after heated protests over the sedition case against some of its students early this year, is on the boil again after Najeeb Ahmed went missing on October 15.



Ahmed, a first-year MSc student, went missing from the Mahi Mandavi hostel on campus after allegedly being attacked by ABVP activists.



The students' union had a few days ago confined the VC at the block and later held a demonstration outside the Ministry of Home Affairs, demanding a speedy investigation into the case.



The student body has been in touch with the ACP (South) to press for action against Ahmed's alleged attackers and has communicated its dissapointment at the failure of authorities to put up missing posters across the city.



The JNUSU has urged all organizations, students and teachers to extend their support in intensifying the search for Ahmed.



There is an urgent need that we strategise and take the movement forward in a far-sighted manner, a statement by the student body said.
Lucknow: The stage is set. Sound systems have been tested to avoid any last minute glitch. The forecourt is staked with red chairs, which will be put in neat rows facing the podium.



At 11am Monday morning, Mulayam Singh Yadav will once again take stage. The pehelwan from Etawah and a veteran of many a political battles this time will will be fighting perhaps the toughest and probably the last political battle of his life.



Ironically though, the challenge has been thrown at him by none other than his own son, Akhilesh Yadav, who faces perhaps the first real political challenge in his own political career.



On Monday morning Akhilesh supporters will go for the meeting called by Mulayam. And if their leader is censured publicly, as has been the case in the past, they may even challenge it. Then and there.



In this fight between the son and the father, the Akhilesh camp knows that they are up against a never-say-die politician, who almost became the Prime Minister in 1996 with the Left support, the three-time chief minister of UP, the man who stopped Sonia Gandhi from becoming the Prime Minister, the man who swung the nuclear deal in UPA's favour, the man who aligned with Kanshi Ram and then attempted to split the BSP, the man who broke away from Chandrasekhar to launch his own party at Begum Hazrat Mahal Park in Lucknow twenty five years back.



He's survived the rough and tumble of UP politics for more than four decades. Netaji, as he's fondly called, never gives up. Not even with his back to the wall, Which is why the SP cardre still hopes, and hopes against hope that Netaji will have something up his sleeves Monday morning to save the party from a vertical split.



For them he's the same leader who can identify his workers by their first name amidst a throng, who chides and then consoles them.



But those who have met him in the last one week are not so hopeful. He's angry and aggrieved with his son, they say. He's adamant- something which goes against his own grain of flexibility he's displayed in his political career when dealing even with his adversaries.



Some blame it on Amar Singh. Some on age; and some on stars.



Pre-emting Monday's meeting, Akhilesh has already conducted a show of strength by calling a meeting of legislators in his support. Having done that, he sacked his uncle Shivpal from the cabinet. Mulayam struck back by expelling his own cousin and Akhilesh supporter Ram Gopal Yadav, accusing the latter of being in hand-in-glove with the BJP.



It's not the first time that his immediate family has jostled for political space and dominance. But in the past Mulayam could always settle it within the confines of his village in Saifai. This time though it has spilled onto the streets of Lucknow and become a public spectacle.



This fight is not about CM face or state president. It is about Mulayam's legacy which people thought he had settled in favour of Akhilesh.



The events in the last one month indicate perhaps that was not the case.



Akhilesh supporters have been drawing an analogy with Indira Gandhi's attempts to break out of the shackles of the syndicate in 1967. In politics, as in life, no two situation are analogous in totality.



Both sides know it's a bitter battle, a fight to the end. And the one who shows mercy will be politically finished.
Karachi: Three Pakistani men, alleged to be 'spies' of India's external intelligence agency R&AW, have been acquitted by an anti-terrorism court here citing lack of evidence in five cases relating to carrying explosives and illegal weapons, media reported on Sunday.



Tahir, alias Lamba, Junaid Khan and Imtiaz have been booked for allegedly carrying explosive materials and unlicensed weapons in a Malir locality in April last year, Dawn reported.



Police had alleged that the men belonged to Muttahida Qaumi Movement - a Karachi-based political party claiming to represent Mohajirs (Urdu-speaking people of Sindh province) - and were trained by the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW).



MQM is the single-largest party in Karachi and has dominated its political landscape for years, but since a "clean-up" operation began on the orders of the federal government, the political party has come under pressure.



Judge Abdul Naeem Memon of Anti-Terrorism Court-VI, who conducted the trial inside the central prison, exonerated the accused, saying the prosecution was unable to establish their cases against the accused beyond any shadow of the doubt, the report said.



There were glaring contradictions in the documentary evidence and in the testimonies of the prosecution witnesses, the court said adding that the police also conducted faulty investigations.



According to the prosecution, initially police arrested Tahir and Junaid and allegedly found explosives, weapons and hand-grenades in their custody.



They disclosed that Imtiaz, who was arrested by Rangers at MQM headquarters Nine-Zero in March 2015, had provided the explosives and asked them to keep them, it added. Later, Imtiaz was also shown arrested in the main case of explosive material.



Three explosives and two illicit weapons cases were registered against them.



The court directed the jail authorities to release the three men if they were not wanted in any other criminal case.



After the arrest of the accused, SSP-Malir Rao Anwar had claimed that they were MQM men and had been trained by R&AW in India to carry out terrorist activities in the city.



The officer had also urged the federal government to ban the MQM and termed it an "anti-state" organisation.



Police had not registered any case of anti-state offences against them.














Jammu: If Pakistani troops target any BSF jawan, they will have to pay a heavy price for that, a top officer of the Indian border guarding force warned on Sunday, two days after a claim that 7 Pakistani Rangers had been killed after they shot a BSF constable.



BSF Additional Director General Arun Kumar made these remarks here after laying wreath on the body of BSF jawan Gurnam Singh who was injured in sniper firing by Pakistani Rangers on Kathua border of Jammu on Friday and passed away this morning.



"If they try to do anything, they will be given a befitting reply. We are fully prepared for that," he said.



Kumar said the infiltration attempt, which was foiled by Gurnman and his other colleagues, had the support of the Pakistan Rangers.



"Absolutely that is on record and we have seen though our surveillance equipment as how they (Pakistan rangers) have given protection fire to get the people infiltrated into our border and how our men repulsed that," he said.



To a question on the BSF claim of having gunned down 7 Pakistani Rangers and a terrorist in retaliatory fire, the ADG said, "See, as far as the number of people killed (is concerned) there we cannot be fully sure. But as we have a close border and we have equipment with which we can see on the other side, we have seen several people being hit and falling."



In the wake of reports of a border build-up by Pakistani troops across the International Border, Kumar said BSF has the information and it is fully prepared to deal with any eventuality.



"I think we are having the information, we are ready for any eventuality and if they are building up we are ready for it," he said.
Image Courtesy: Yogen Shah

Lalit Pandit sings the original version of #PehlaNasha that was not used in #JoJeetaWohiSikandar. #JioMAMI2016 pic.twitter.com/kEemBye68X  News18 Movies (@News18Movies) October 22, 2016

Movie buffs all over the city had a gala time at the Movie Mela on Day 2 of Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival. The team of Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar reunited on stage after 24 years of its release and shared their memories and film secrets with the fans. The event was attended by almost all the cast member of the film, from Aamir Khan to Mamik Singh, Deven Bhojani, Ayesha Jhulka and even little Aamir in the film, Imran Khan. Films director Mansoor Khan, music composer Lalit Pandit and choreographer Farah Khan shared the off-camera scenes and happenings from the film.Kulbhushan Kharbanda, who played Sanju and Ratans father in the film couldnt make it to the reunion but sent a good luck video for the entire team. Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, a classic that cuts through different ages is still considered a classic among those who grew up in the 90s. Both Aamir and Mansoor were amused to find that even after so long, the film is one of the favourites amongst the millennials.While many stories were shared and Aamirs search of his favourite scene didnt end throughout the session, here are 10 revelations made by the cast and crew of the film at the reunion.1) Akshay Kumar was tested for the role of Deepak Tijori but was rejected due to him weirdly playing with a ball, revealed choreographer of the film Farah Khan. Nagma was offered the role of Pooja Bedi but her mother declined it saying that the word gold-digger doesnt go well with her image.2) Farah Khan was originally an Assitant Director on the film but because of lack of resources, she turned into a choreographer for Pehla Nasha and her career as one of the best choreographers in Bollywood kickstarted.3) 30 per cent of the shoot was done when Aamir Khan asked director Mansoor Khan to remove Milind Soman from the film. Soman was earlier playing the part of Deepak Tijori but things didnt work out between them. The film was reshot with Deepak as Shekhar Malhotra, in it.4)Girija, who was originally playing the role of Anjali left the film midway as the reshoot was taking more time than she actually signed for. The film was again reshot with Ayesha Jhulka in it. Mansoor Khan takes it upon himself as he says, I saw her in Mani Ratnams film and offered her the role immediately. However, Ratnam is a brilliant director who knows how to make his actors work. I did not.5) Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar was supposed to be Mansoor Khans debut directorial venture. However, before he could finish working on the script, his father and ace filmmaker Nassir Khan asked him to direct Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak because he wanted to launch Aamir Khan.6) Jatin Pandit from the duo Jatin-Lalit wrote different lyrics for what later was turned into Pehla Naha by legendary lyricist Majrooh Sultanpuri.7) When the actors werent working out and Mansoor had to shoot 80% of the film again, it was Aamir who stood through it all and said, "Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar will be a cult film for ages. Doesnt matter how much time it takes to complete. His prediction definitely proved right.8) The slow motion in the song Pehla Nasha was a tricky one. The song was played and rolled at 2X speed with the actors enacting it at the original speed while lip syncing to the fast-forwarded speed. Lalit Pandit revealed that when they heard the 2X speed version of Pehla Song, they were horrified and asked Mansoor Khan to not use it to which the director assured them a good end result.9) A nail pierced Ayesha Jhulka forehead while shooting the final nail scene. She was immediately rushed to the hospital and treated, but the injury left an ugly mark on her head. It was then, Mansoor Khan gave her a red cap to hide the injury. This is the reason why she is seen wearing a cap in few scenes of the climax.10) Imran Khan revealed that the pants-down scene in the film was spontaneous as he was dared to stand on the cycle pedal when the other child, pulled his pants down. Little Imran cried the whole day on sets. The entire scene was Aamir Khans idea which Imran got to know on stage after 24 years.
Ae Dil Hai Mushkil leading ladies Anushka Sharma and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan joined the films director Karan Johar for an interactive session at the ongoing Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival on Saturday.



Talking about the representation of women in his films, Johar said, I have a very strong feminine side and so I don't think it would have made any difference if the film was directed by a female."



"I am matured enough to tell a story from both perspectives. In fact, I represent women more than men in my stories,"



Ae Dil Hai Mushkil is based on the feeling of unrequited love. Karan Johar has always been the man portraying friendzoned characters in his film, so how did he actually came up with the idea of making a film on unrequited love?



Johar answers, I just took nine days to write the film. I was in New York and while walking around the streets, I was thinking about the pain a person goes through when one-sided love happens. I have gone through that pain. The story of Ae Dil Hai Mushkil talks about this side of a love story. It comes from a very personal space.



About the term friendzone Johar feels that its a fooling terminology because either you are friends or lovers, when the lines blur ishq (love) happens. He adds, I hope after watching Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, people connect to the story and those who have been through this journey of one sided affection find their emotional therapy the same way I experienced while making the film.



The film has been making headlines for the sizzling chemistry between the Aishwarya and Ranbir Kapoor. Karan Johar proudly claims, There is no nudity in the film. All the so called hot scenes are like that because of the attitude. It is the relationship between the two characters, Saba and Ayan that makes the track remarkably sensuous.



The man who brought to screen love-stories like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and My Name Is Khan is often accused of running away from reality and hiding in the unrealistic beauty, glamour and expensive wardrobes on his sets. To this, Johar says, My films are based on real people with real emotions and situations. They do not have the grit and darkness of an Anurag Kashyap or Dibakar Banerjee, but they have a soul.



Karan believes he makes films on love and presenting the dark side of life is not yet his forte.



Karan believes that Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna is one of his favourites and he would like to recreate the film someday. I would like to make KANK again if given a chance with lesser mistakes and more maturity.



Bringing two actresses together is always seen as a source of some gossip by the industry. Karan, however, feels that it is the male actors who cant work together in a film. Karan says, Anushka and Aishwarya got along really well on sets. However, its the actors who throw tantrums.



Johar, who was in talks with Rohit Shetty for the re-make of Ram-Lakhan says, Making a Ram-Lakhan with two top actors is a distant dream. They are insecure of each other. The actor who will play Ram will always be insecure of Lakhan because he has a stronger presence. Either a Ram can be or a Lakhan, but not a Ram-Lakhan together. 



Karan also talked about his mentor Yash Chopra and how he shaped his career as a filmmaker, Yashji offered me my first job. I was assisting Aditya Chopra on DDLJ and it changed my life. I believe after almost 2 decades I can say that there will never be another Yash Chopra but I consider myself a worthy son.


Lucknow: Hours after he was sacked from the cabinet by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, Shivpal Yadav who is the state president of the Samajwadi party expelled his cousin brother Ram Gopal Yadav from the party for a period of 6 years while blaming him for conspiring with the BJP.

Ram Gopals son and daughter-in-law are involved in corruption charges and to save them from the CBI he is meeting BJP leaders. Ram Gopal is acting like a dictator and trying to malign the partys image and the chief minister is not able to understand the situation, Shivpal told reporters while addressing his second press conference in a span of one hour.

Ram Gopal should have used his intellect for the growth of party. I am sacking him for 6 yrs and this decision has been taken after consultation with Mulayam Singh Yadav, Shivpal said.

Ram Gopal however denied the allegations and termed them as baseless.

I am not pained by my expulsion, but the allegations against me are baseless. There is no CBI probe against my son and daughter-in-law, Ram Gopal told Network18 post the announcement.

Earlier while addressing the media soon after he was sacked from the state cabinet along with three other ministers, Shivpal said he wasnt really concerned.

I am not worried about being sacked. It is an attempt by some people to weaken the SP leadership. People who want to avoid CBI probe are colluding with the BJP and are behind this entire tussle, Shivpal added.

Shivpal also said that the he would go to the people before elections and will fight the UP Assembly polls under the leadership of Mulayam Singh Yadav as the party was formed under him.

Earlier, in a clear indication of where the power centre lies within the Samajwadi party, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav sacked his uncle Shivpal Yadav and three other ministers from his cabinet following a meeting with party MLAs at his residence in Lucknow.

Besides senior minister Shivpal Yadav, who was recently named the state chief of the Samajwadi Party, the other ministers ousted from the cabinet are Narad Rai, Om Prakash and Shadab Fatima.

Akhileshs latest move is seen as an attempt to send a strong message to supporters of Amar Singh and Shivpal Yadav who have been at loggerheads with the young chief minister over a host of issues including ticket distribution for the upcoming state assembly polls in 2017.

Speaking exclusively to Network18, Akhilesh said that SP Supremo Mulayam Singh was always his leader and will remain so in the future.

I will not break the party at any cost. I will go to attend the meeting at Mulayams residence tomorrow, Akhilesh added.

In a clear attack on Amar Singh, Akhilesh told Network18 that those close to the Rajyasabha MP wont be spared.

Early on Sunday, SP general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav wrote a letter to party leaders to rally behind UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.

But in a major twist to the entire family tussle, CM Akhilesh met SP Supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav ahead of junior Yadavs crucial meeting with party leaders to discuss the power struggle within the party.

The father-son meeting comes at time when Mulayam and Akhilesh had been without communication for a very long time.

Sources within the party told CNN-News18 that the conversation between the father and son mostly revolved around Ram Gopal Yadavs letter to party workers.

Mulayam had revealed the lack of communication with Akhilesh in his meeting with senior party leaders on Saturday.

Earlier, Ram Gopal Yadavs letter to Samajwadi Party workers declared Akhilesh Yadav as a clear winner and asked them to defeat the UP CMs rivals.

Jahan Akhilesh, Wahan Vijay (victory follows Akhilesh), the SP supremos cousin and party general secretary Ram Gopal Yadavs letter read which also drew a clear cut division and said idhar-udhar, hinting at the two camps within the party.

Ram Gopal further asked his party workers to tighten the screws of Akhilesh Yadavs rivals.

The letter was released just few hours ahead of the party meeting called by Akhilesh Yadav.

The letter also sent out a warning that those who speak or protest against Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav will not make it to the Assembly again.

He has also hit out at middlemen trying to mislead the people of the poll bound state of Uttar Pradesh.

Read all the Latest News , Breaking News , watch Top Videos and Live TV here.
The Yadav family feud pushed the Samajwadi Party to the brink of a split on Sunday with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav sacking his uncle Shivpal Yadav who then paid him back by expelling the CM's trusted advisor Ram Gopal Yadav from the party.



After a meeting of party legislators at his residence in Lucknow, Akhilesh recommended to Governor Ram Naik that four pro-Amar Singh MLAs - Shivpal, Narad Rai, Om Prakash Singh and Sayeda Shadab Fatima (MoS - Independent charge) - be sacked from his ministry.



Sources told CNN-News18 that party supremo and Akhilesh's father, Mulayam Singh Yadav, when he was in a huddle with five other senior members when Shivpal walked in. Five minutes later a member of the staff told the stunned leaders that TV channels were flashing that Shivpal and three others were sacked. Within hours Shivpal, who is the SP state unit chief, retaliated by expelling Akhilesh's uncle and party general secretary, Ram Gopal.



Mulayam's Meeting on Monday



The developments came a day ahead of a mega meeting of party MPs, MLAs, MLCs and ministers convened by Mulayam where some tough decisions are likely to be taken. Akhilesh is learnt to have told his supporters that he will attend the meeting.



The day began with Ram Gopal dropping a letter bomb, drawing the line between those with and against Akhilesh and giving a clarion call to party workers to rally behind the CM in the upcoming UP elections.



Around 10AM Akhilesh drove down to Mulayam's house at 5 Vikramaditya Marg where in a meeting that lasted over 30 minutes he is learnt to have told his father that Rajya Sabha member Amar Singh should be removed from the party.



Amar, the Bugbear



An hour later, at the meeting held at the CM's residence in 5, KD Marg, MLAs, and MLCs close to him passed the unanimous resolution minister seen as close to Amar Singh must be sacked.



The sackings took the party patriarch by surprise, but within a short while, the old guard announced a retaliatory strike against Ram Gopal accusing him of colluding with the BJP.



Shivpal said his removal from the Akhilesh ministry was an attempt by some people to weaken the SP. "In 2017 we will form the government under the leadership of Netaji (Mulayam)," he said.




Amar Singh is back centre stage. And, as often, seen as the cause of trouble as well.In the latest episode in the crisis in the Samajwadi Party, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav made it clear to his father Mulayam Singh Yadav that anyone associated with Amar Singh cannot be a part of SP. Sources say Akhilesh and his supporters even believe that Amar Singh is acting at the behest of the Bharatiya Janata Party.What once party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav saw as Amar Singh's USP, his son and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav sees as a liability.Amar Singh's USP and bargaining pitch has been his close relations with leaders across party lines and his great equation with corporates and filmstars . This is also believed to be the main sorepoint with Akhilesh.For many, Amar Singh belongs to the dark underbelly of the murky world of politics. In Delhi's power circuit, they see him as a 'wheeler dealer', a reference to his strong connections and clout.From Bollywood to businessmen to journalists, he is on good terms with most. It is said that those who are in his good books have nothing to fear as he is "yaaron ke yaar". But rub him the wrong way, then hell breaks lose, which some like the Bachchans have learnt the hard way.Ironically, today as Samajwadi Party is riven by the feud in the Yadav family, it's Amar Singh who is once again the newsmaker, being called an outsider and being blamed for the rift in the party. Many cannot understand why Mulayam decided to bring back Amar Singh to the party, despite his son's strong dislike for him.It was Amar Singh who once gave an image makeover to Netaji. From being seen as head of a UP-based party with national ambitions but having no contacts, it was Amar Singh who introduced Mulayam to the glitter of Lutyens' Delhi.Amar Singh also added the glam factor to the Samjawadi Party. Mulayam began to be seen in Bollywood and in the company of big businessmen and film stars. Singh's good equation with netas across political parties did help Mulayam play an important role.There is a particularly unkind line against Singh said by those against him: "He is a panauti. Anyone who comes close to him messes up their personal life ."Those watching the Yadav family drama unfold in UP would recall these words.
: Hours after he was expelled from the party, SP leader Udayveer Singh told CNN-News18 that the entire tussle in the Yadav family is the conspiracy hatched by party leader Amar Singh along with the BJP in a bid to destroy the Samajwadi party."This is a conspiracy against the party by BJP led by Amar Singh. They are using family values and jealousies to portray Akhilesh as weak and prevent the SP from coming back to power," Udayveer said.Udayveer added that when Amar Singh returned to the party, he continued to meet people from the BJP and attended and organized parties and dinners for them."He misinforms Netaji about people and misleads him. He plans everything beforehand. If Akhilesh is the party leader, then all powers should be given to him for ease of decision making," Udayveer added.Read: Samajwadi Party Expels MLC Udayveer Singh, Mulayam Upset With Akhilesh Udayveer Singh was expelled from the party on Saturday after he incurred the wrath of party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav for writing a letter against his family.Sources said Mulayam is upset with his son and Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav for sheltering Udayveer as the raging crisis in the party showed no sign of respite.The decision came after Mulayam met senior leaders in the morning to find ways to end the raging infighting which is threatening to take the party to the verge of a split.The crisis in the party escalated on Friday when Akhilesh skipped the crucial party meeting convened by state unit chief and his uncle Shivpal Singh Yadav.Akhilesh, with whom Shivpal is engaged in a running feud over the last few months, has already made it clear in a letter to the Samajwadi Party boss and his father Mulayam that he would be proceeding on his 'rath yatra' on November 3 to highlight the development work done by his government, in a clear indication that he would skip the November 5 event too.
New Delhi: Congress on Sunday hit out at Devendra Fadnavis for "brokering" a truce with MNS chief Raj Thackeray over the release of 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil', saying the Maharashtra Chief Minister would now be the country's "new Censor Board".



"CMFadnavis has demeaned his office & disregarded Constitution by playing vendor to diktats of MNS. Democracy shrugged for a BMC election deal," party's chief spokesman Randeep Surjewala said in a series of tweets.



He alleged that "Self styled goons, compliant film makers bartering freedom of expression brokered by BJP's Mah. CM would now be India's new Censor Board."



Earlier, he had wondered on the micro-blogging site as to "Why would our proud IndianArmy accept donations forced by MNS goons from subservient filmmakers with profit motive?"



Under pressure from political and other outfits, Bollywood film producers had on Saturday announced that they would not engage with Pakistani artistes, clearing decks for the smooth release of Karan Johar's "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" as MNS withdrew its threat to stall the screening.



The movie had been embroiled in a controversy over the past few weeks after the MNS opposed the screening of movies featuring Pakistani actors after the Uri terror attack, putting a question mark on the fate of movie, slated for Diwali release on October 28.



The movie features Pakistani actor Fawad Khan.


Hours after Samajwadi Party state president Shivpal Yadav was expelled by chief minister Akhilesh Yadav from the cabinet, Shivpal expelled his cousin Ram Gopal Yadav from the party for 6 years. The current crisis in the Samajwadi Party, months before UP goes to polls, has revealed a divided image of Yadav family.



Here is a timeline of events which unfolded over the last few months:



August 15: Qaumi Ekta Dal (QED) gets ready to merge with Samajwadi Party again. Akhilesh Yadav, who had earlier called off its merger with gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansaris party after merging with it, just three days after the announcement, was a key player who turns down the decision again. This results in Mulayam Singhs brother Shivpal Yadav, threatening to resign from the party. The SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav stops him from quitting the party ahead of crucial elections.



September 13: A bureaucrat, Deepak Singhal, the chief secretary who was considered to be close to Shivpal Singh Yadav, was removed from his post by chief minister Akhilesh Yadav. Akhileshs move miffed Shivpal and he threatened to quit the party.



September 13: Akhilesh Yadav, steps out of his position in the party as its UP unit chief. Instead his uncle, Shivpal Yadav was appointed as the new Uttar Pradesh Samajwadi Partys state president. Earlier, Shivpal had threatened to quit the party while addressing a rally in Manipur.



September 13: Akhilesh strips Shivpal Singh Yadav of the portfolios of PWD, irrigation, cooperatives, flood control, land development and water resources, wasteland development, revenue, disaster relief and rehabilitation, and public service management portfolios.



September 14: UP chief minister Akhilesh speaks to the media and says, Where have you found a family fight? This is a fight in government, not a family fight. If people from outside the family keep interfering how will things (government) work?



September 15: Another brother of Mulayam Singh Yadav and Samajwadi party general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav says there is no sankat (rift) in the party and adds that if some differences arise on minor points, those can be resolved.



September 15: Akhilesh Yadav will be the chief ministerial candidate of Samajwadi party in the upcoming assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Samajwadi party leader Naresh Agarwal says. The SP leader also adds, if there is any outsider, who is interfering, he should stop immediately.



September 15: Shivpal Singh Yadav resigns from the Uttar Pradesh cabinet and also quits as the state unit president of Samajwadi party



September 17: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav says that his uncle, Shivpal Yadav will continue as the Samajwadi party state president.



September 18: After assuming charge as Samajwadi party Uttar Pradesh unit president, Shivpal Yadav expels a close relative of his brother Ram Gopal Yadav and another leader for their alleged involvement in land grabbing. This is his first decision after taking charge as SP UP president.



September 19: A number of youth leaders close to Akhilesh Yadav quit hours after state party chief Shivpal Yadav expelled seven youth leaders, including three MLCs. Sunil Singh Sajan, Anand Bhadauria and Sanjay lathar  all MLCs  were shown the door for making derogatory remarks against party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav, indulging in anti-party activities and indiscipline by Shivpal, who also cracked the whip on other youth leaders of the pro-chief minister camp.



September 20: Amar Singh, who survived the recent outsider storm in ruling Samajwadi party, is appointed as the SP general secretary by party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav.



October 3: Akhilesh Yadav feigns ignorance about an announcement of certain party candidates for the forthcoming assembly polls. Talking to reporters after inaugurating his new office here, Akhilesh Yadav, who is also the chairman of the partys state parliamentary board, says I do not have any idea about any list being released by the party. Shivpal Singh Yadav had released the new list of the candidates.



October 14: Mulayam Singh Yadav snubs Akhilesh and says that the partys chief ministerial candidate will be decided by elected party legislatures after the 2017 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections. The chief ministerial candidate will be decided by the elected party legislatures and parliamentary board.



October 16: A day after senior party leader Ram Gopal Yadav suggested Akhilesh Yadav be made the chief ministerial candidate, Samajwadi party state president, Shivpal Singh Yadav says, He will himself propose Akhileshs name for the post of chief minister if the party is voted to power again.



October 17: After evident hesitation, Samajwadi party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav endorses his son Akhilesh Yadav as the presumptive chief ministerial candidate of the party moving into the 2017 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections.



October 21: Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav skips an important meeting called by state party chief Shivpal Yadav to strategise for the assembly polls due early next year where the latter declared him the partys chief ministerial face.



October 22: Member of legislative council Udayveer Singh is expelled from the party. The expulsion came as a result of him accusing Mulayam Singhs second wife of being part of a conspiracy against Uttar Pradesh chief minister a day earlier.



October 23: Akhilesh Yadav called in a meeting of Samajwadi Party (SP) legislators on Sunday. The meeting was called at the chief ministers official 5, Kalidas Marg residence, a day before SP

chief Mulayam Singh Yadav meets the party legislators at the state headquarters on Vikramaditya Marg.



October 23: At the meeting called by Akhilesh Yadav at his residence, Shivpal Singh Yadav was sacked from the party. Four other senior leaders who were supporters of Mulayam Singh Yadav were also removed from the party. They include Narad Rai, Om Prakash, Shadab Fatima, Gayatri Prasad Prajapati.



October 23: Mulayam Singh Yadav sacked Ram Gopal Yadav and expelled him from SP for six years. Shivpal Yadav, who was earlier sacked by Akhilesh, said that Ram Gopal has been working for BJP and created groups inside the Samajwadi party to divide the party. He said, They have created a group of goons who trouble people and create every kind of nuisance in the state. He (Ram Gopal) has been conspiring against me, he has been involved with BJP to save his son.


Gettysburg: Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump on Sunday announced plans for his first 100 days in office if elected president which included steps like declaring China a currency manipulator, cancelling payments to UN for combating climate change and renegotiating NAFTA.



"I'm not a politician, and have never wanted to be one.



But when I saw the trouble our country was in, I knew I couldn't stand by and watch any longer. Our country has been so good to me, I love our country, I felt I had to act," Trump said in his address in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.



"Change has to come from outside this broken system. The fact that the Washington establishment has tried so hard to stop our campaign is only more proof that our campaign represents the kind of change that only arrives once in a lifetime," he said while releasing details of his plans which he described as a 'Contract with the American voter'.



He urged the American people to "rise above the noise and the clutter of broken politics" and to embrace faith and optimism that has always been the central ingredient in the American character.



"I am asking you to dream big," the 70-year-old business tycoon asserted.



"What follows is my 100-day action plan to Make America Great Again. It is a contract between Donald J Trump and the American voter - and begins with restoring honesty, accountability and change to Washington," Trump said.



Among his other first 100 days measures included a lifetime ban on White House officials to lobby on behalf of foreign governments, a requirement that for every new federal regulation, two existing regulations must be eliminated, a five year-ban on White House and Congressional officials becoming lobbyists after they leave government service and a complete ban on foreign lobbyists raising money for American elections.



This, he said, would clean up the corrupt system.



Trump said on his first day, he would announce his intention to renegotiate North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) or withdraw from the deal under Article 2205.



"I will announce our withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership. I will direct my Secretary of the Treasury to label China a currency manipulator. I will direct the Secretary of Commerce and US Trade Representative to identify all foreign trading abuses that unfairly impact American workers and direct them to use every tool under American and international law to end those abuses immediately," he said.



"I will lift the restrictions on the production of USD 50 trillion dollars' worth of job-producing American energy reserves, including shale, oil, natural gas and clean coal. I will lift the Obama-Clinton roadblocks and allow vital energy infrastructure projects, like the Keystone Pipeline, to move forward and I will cancel billions in payments to UN climate change programs and use the money to fix America's water and environmental infrastructure," Trump said.


Washington: Asserting that Pakistan's powerful spy agency ISI is not taking action against all terror groups, the US has warned Pakistan that it will not hesitate to act alone, when necessary, to disrupt and destroy terror networks operating in the country.



"The problem is that there are forces within the Pakistani government - specifically in Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence or ISI - that refuse to take similar steps against all the terrorist groups active in Pakistan, tolerating some groups - or even worse," Adam Szubin, Acting Under Secretary on Countering the Financing of Terrorism, told a Washington audience.



"We continue to urge our partners in Pakistan to go after all terrorist networks operating in their country. We stand ready to help them. But there should be no doubt that while we remain committed to working with Pakistan to confront ongoing terrorist financing and operations, the US will not hesitate to act alone, when necessary, to disrupt and destroy these networks," Szubin warned.



In his remarks at the Paul H Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, Szubin said at the same time, Pakistan has been -- and remains -- a critical counterterrorism partner in many respects.



"Of course, Pakistanis are themselves often the victims of brutal terrorist attacks on schools, markets, and mosques, and the list unfortunately go on. And in the face of such violence, Pakistan has in some ways pushed back," Szubin said.



"Pakistan has achieved success in its ongoing operations against traditional terrorist safe havens in northwest Pakistan. It has officially designated ISIL as a terrorist organisation. And it has gone after the funding and operational capabilities of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP. But the ISI problem of supporting terrorist groups continues, he said.



"This is a distinction we cannot stand for," Szubin asserted.












Workplace deaths have surged in Virginia, and the majority of fatalities have happened in general industry, according to the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry.

The state investigated 31 workplace fatalities each in 2014 and 2015, and the departments Virginia Occupational Safety and Health program has already conducted probes into more cases in 2016 than in the previous two years.

We are over 31 already, said Jennifer Rose, VOSH program safety director in Richmond.

Three of those deaths this year have happened at Goodyears Danville plant, which has been hit with more than $1 million in state fines and more than 100 citations related to two deaths, a steam-burn injury and unsafe working conditions. A third fatality that occurred in August is still under investigation.

Danvilles Goodyear plant had a total of four deaths from August 2015 to August 2016.

According to the VDOLI, more than half the states workplace deaths in 2015 were in general industry, such as manufacturing and logging. Construction companies made up the most fatalities by industry in 2014.

Construction industry deaths declined from 15 in 2014 to 11 in 2015, and made up nine deaths through July 2016, according to the VDOLI.

But eight workplace deaths occurred in Virginia in July alone.

VOSH has investigated an average of 33 workplace fatalities annually from 2011-15, Rose said.

The uptick in fatalities could be partly attributed to a recovering economy as more individuals enter the workforce, Rose said.

The increase this year  may be partly related to improvements in the economy, which increases the number of employees in the workplace, many of which are new, inexperienced employees who may not have obtained the requisite training to work safely, Rose said via email last week.

The agricultural industry, including tree trimming operations, accounts for about 1 percent of workplace fatalities in the state annually, according to the VDOLI. Most workplace fatality victims are male.

Falls have made up about 20 percent of work-related deaths so far in 2016, and were the No. 1 cause of fatalities last year, according to the VDOLI. The majority of this years fatal incidents have involved employees struck by equipment and objects, Rose said.

What are the department and VOSH doing to reduce workplace fatalities?

We are encouraging employers to develop and implement safety and health management systems that incorporate management commitment and employee involvement in the program, Rose said. We also are continuing our field presence by performing workplace inspections in high-risk industries and offering a free consultation service for small employers.

Virginias VOSH program is operated through the VDOLI. The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration does not have jurisdiction in Virginia, except for an office in Norfolk that covers the maritime industry and federal installations in the state, Rose said.

Virginia has an OSHA state plan with the commonwealth running its own OSHA program, which has the authority to require standards more stringent than those at the federal level, Rose said.

We work closely with our federal OSHA counterparts to keep them apprised of our activities, Rose said.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Virginia had more than 100 work-related deaths each in 2013 and 2014. However, traffic accidents make up the difference between those figures and the states, Rose said.

We do not investigate traffic accidents, she said.
Seema creates history

And she attended until recently the Manzanilla Secondary School where she created history by becoming a national scholarship winner.

I am happy because it got my school recognised, Seema told Sunday Newsday as she celebrated her achievement as one of Trinidad and Tobagos top student.

That is one of the most important things. Is not just my life that has been affected with the scholarship. I hope that people will start seeing the school in a different way. It is an institution the 19-yearold calls awesome with hardworking and supportive teachers, and offering a great environment for learning. She knows only too well that her former high school, despite being in existence for only 16 years, has not traditionally been a frontrunner by way of national scholarships.

She is also aware of the perception among many persons that Manzanilla Secondary, located on Cedar Hill Trace, in the largely agricultural community, is one of those remote educational institutions hardly likely to produce students of scholarship calibre.

People keep thinking that Manzanilla Secondary is so far and that they may not have any good students. But that is not true, Seema said, acknowledging that the paradigm has now changed with her award of the schools first national scholarship.

She observed, Those other schools (prestige institutions) get like 14 scholarships every year but we have finally gotten one. Hopefully, afterwards, other students will also get scholarships. Speaking last Wednesday at her home in Sangre Chiquito, a ten-minute drive away from the school, Seema said she was happy to have created history at the institution.

But she is also extremely grateful that her mother, Bassantie, who, as a single parent, shouldered the responsibilities of the family, was alive to experience her achievement.

I didnt have the support of a father throughout my school life but rather, considered Almighty God as my father, she said. It was he who guided me to success. The second of three siblings, Seema said she had always felt a special affinity to the school since entering its doors in 2009.

When I entered school, I used to take part in all of the events because I always felt that here was where I belonged. So, this scholarship is definitely a milestone for us, she beamed.

Describing Manzanilla Secondary as an awesome school, the teenager said despite some negative elements, the institution offered a very great environment for learning.

The schools hardworking teachers also came in for kudos.

The teachers are very supportive, she said. They go beyond what they are supposed to do to help you. They make sure that you get all the resources that you need, and encourage everybody to try their best in doing whatever they have to do. A naturally disciplined and conscientious student, Seema pursued mostly business subjects in A Levels. She gained distinctions in Caribbean Studies, Communications Studies, Unit One of the Management in Business module, and both units of the Entrepreneurship programme.

Seema also got a Grade One in Unit Two in the Management of Business module as well as in both units of Accounts. Although she had been working towards a scholarship, Seema said she was still surprised when the results were announced.

Everybody just keep saying congratulations because they were so proud of me and they said they were expecting it a little more than me. They believed in me a lot and they really supported me. They expected that, she said.

Part of her doubt, Seema said, stemmed from the news that there would have been fewer scholarships awarded this year so I thought, maybe I might not get it. But, I felt very proud of myself, that I had accomplished one of my goals. Seema said Advanced Levels was a far cry from CXC. A Levels is a stretch as compared to Form Five because there are different techniques involved, she suggested.

While her study regimen involved lots of evening and nighttime reading. Seema said she would occasionally dispense with the books when there were no pressing assignments.

Seema, who describes herself as an introvert, said her relationship with her few friends, also suffered during ALevels.

It was a lot of stress. She said.

I didnt have much time with my friends in A Levels, because I wanted to accomplish something and do well. Seema said her experience at the St Augustine campus of the University of the West Indies, where she is pursuing a degree in Management Studies, was an entirely different ball game.

She said her first day at university, last month, was marked by a mixture of apprehension and excitement.

It was scary not knowing anyone, she divulged. I did not know the procedure and had to find my classes. But the environment is quite comfortable and the teachers nice. It is a whole new part of my life. In her first year at university, Seema is studying five courses: Caribbean Civilisation; Science, Medicine and Technology; English for Research Purposes; Introduction to Microeconomics and Introduction to Statistics.

The variety in courses suits her just fine. I did science and business in Form Five so that I could get other experiences, she said.

The ambitious young woman, who has her sights set on becoming a major player in the business sector, is also preoccupied with the advancement of humanity.

I am hoping to become a CEO and work with the United Nations. I want to help nations to develop and eliminate poverty, she said.

Despite her success, Seema admitted she was no bookworm.

I love art, reading, singing and dancing. I used to participate in all of the Divali events in school, Seema said, adding that she recently attended a hike in Rio Seco, along TTs north-east coast.

Asked about her peeves, Seema cited irresponsibility as possibly at the top of her list.

I hate when people do the wrong thing - like when they are disobedient and they know they are supposed to do the right thing but they still go against that and do the wrong stuff. I cannot tolerate, she said.

Disrespectful children, she said, are also a no-no.

Having been kept busy with classes at university, Seema said she has not yet returned to her old school but plans to do so as her schedule permits.

In the interim, though, Seema offered wise words for the students she has left behind.

She advised: Do not be influenced by peer pressure because that would change who you are.

By following the wrong company, you would not be who you are. Low academic achievement, she said, was often the result of a lack of focus.

When students get bad results, some of them regret that they have fallen into peer pressure by doing wrong things. But it is important to follow your passions and do what you want to do, Seema said.

Seemas mother, Bassantie, who sat in on the interview, said her daughters success has brought additional joy to her home. Bassantie said she knew her daughter had worked hard.

Seema knew what she was all about and I am happy and proud even though she did not really believe she would have gotten it but I was praying that she would and I am also praying for the school to, Bassantie said
In the years after World War II there was a road from Mt Hagen that went over Kuta ridge and down to Korgua.

He became known as Korgua Dan to distinguish him from his nephew, Sir Danny Leahy, who lived in Goroka.

After spending some years gold mining at Kuta ridge, around 1960 Dan went into coffee production, establishing a plantation at Korgua in the Nebilyer valley.

DAN Leahy, along with his brother Mick and Jim Taylor, entered the Wahgi Valley in 1933.

This bush road later became unusable and in the seventies another road was built that went the long way round - from Mt. Hagen via Togoba and Wybip past Ulga Catholic mission then across the Trug river and on up to Korgua.

Fr Joe Krimm was based at Ulga and was good friends with Dan and his family, who often called in to Ulga on their way to and from Mt Hagen.

Dan Leahy became well known outside Papua New Guinea through the documentary film, First Contact, by Robin Anderson and Bob Connolly, which was based on Dan and Mick Leahys explorations.

Later documentaries, Joe Leahys Neighbours and Black Harvest focuseed more on one of Mick Leahys sons, Joe Leahy, and the Nebilyer Valley.

In 1972, long before First Contact was made, I was stationed at Ulga parish in the Nebilyer, not too far from Korgua.

I was replacing Fr Joe Krimm. who had gone on leave. Fr Krimm had a small coffee plantation at Ulga in which he took great pride. The coffee cherries were carefully picked, pulped, dried and the parchment processed as green bean.

Fr Krimm would send samples of the green bean coffee to Australia to obtain a price before exporting his coffee there with the help of Dan Leahy.

When I took over from Fr Krimm, he wisely decided that the pulping, drying and processing would be too much for me and it would be simpler if, each day after picking, I sold the coffee cherries directly to Dan Leahy. That suited me fine.

So every afternoon, after the coffee cherries were picked, weighed and bagged, they would be loaded on the back of a big Cherokee open-back utility and I would drive from Kigragl at Ulga down to Korgua where Dan lived and had his coffee factory.

Id go straight to the wet factory where the bags of coffee cherry would be weighed and unloaded. The clerk there would note the weight and give me receipt which Id take to Dans house and office.

His older children were usually away at school in Australia but the younger ones, Margaret and Nancy, went to school in Hagen and were often back in the house in the afternoon together with their mothers, Biam and Mancy.

By this time Dan Leahy had poor eyesight and was also a bit deaf. His glasses had thick lenses and he usually wore a hearing aid.

However, in his office, once he picked up the tone of my voice, he could hear me if I spoke clearly. Dan would take the note the clerk had given me and write a cheque for the required amount.

He would then offer me a drink and we would chat about events. Dan once told me that he felt more cut off from the world by lack of hearing than by lack of vision.

He had a good memory for the early days in Kuta and he would recount many interesting stories about the war years. He talked about Fr Schaefer who had been based in Simbu and told me he had got on well with Fr Ross in Hagen and said they were good friends.

In some ways Dan himself was more like the strong character of Fr Schaefer than the gentle Fr Ross. Dan had also admired Bro Eugene Frank, who had been fatally wounded in Simbu, but thought Bro Eugene was too gentle.

With regard to the war years, Dan talked about his journey to the Sepik and back, rescuing missionaries, priests and sisters.

He told me that the sisters were more cooperative than the priests. The good sisters agreed to wear soldiers trousers instead of their long skirts in order to facilitate quicker walking in the bush.

Dan said he warned the priests not to swim in the cold mountain streams. One priest ignored him and soon got a fever as a result.

He talked about a trip to Madang to bring cattle from Alexishafen area to a point far away from the threatened Japanese invasion in the Ramu, and about how one of the missionaries tried to keep back some of the cattle by hiding them.

When Dan asked me to have a drink with him, I usually accepted his invitation. Then after the first whisky, he would say, A bird never flew on one wing. So we had a second.

On some occasions this extended to One for the road and even beyond that to One for no reason at all!.

Somehow I always managed to drive back safely to Ulga.

All this was over 40 years ago and these days I sometimes enjoy a drink with Dans son Bernie Leahy in the Madang Club. Korgua Dan Leahy died in 1991.

Korgua Coffee is still advertised on the internet. Dans son Brian Leahy now manages the plantation.

Photo: Dan Leahy and Fr Joe McDermott at Ulga parish house around 1972. Joe was based at Ambullua in the Jimi. He was an expert horse handler and helped break in horses for Dan
Kaleb feeling better

State-owned oil company, Petrotrin, in a media statement yesterday also noted the boy, Kaleb Hart, was being monitored by the companys medical personnel.

According to reports, Kaleb, his step-father. Junior Jerome, 39, and four other children were crossing the only bridge that gives them access to the main road, on Wednesday, when he fell into the watercourse which was covered with a thick sheet of oil.

The incident triggered protests on Friday morning by aggrieved residents of Smith Street, Vance River, where the watercourse flows, who pointed out that this was not the first time a child had fallen into the river.

Kalebs mother Lisa Wellington said he was taken by Petrotrin medical personnel to its Point Fortin medical centre for a checkup on Friday night and she was given a cream to rub on his skin should any rash break out on his body. Kaleb was also given antibiotics.

Hes coming along, Wellington said, adding, he is getting better but so far Petrotrin has not said anything about any compensation because this is my sons life and it is not his fault what happened. She said Petrotrin had also kept the clothing which he was wearing during the time of the incident.

They (Petrotrin) have to come out and say something about how they intend to assist my son, she said.

And as for Kaleb, he was busy playing at the home of a family friend when Sunday Newsday visited yesterday, pausing only to say that he was feeling better. Im feeling good, he said while busily climbing a step ladder.

Asked if his skin was itching, he shook his head vigorously while bounding from step to step. His mother said she has to take him back to Petrotrins Point Fortin health centre tomorrow.

Another resident, Natasha Mitchell, 42, who lives obliquely opposite the oil-laden watercourse, said the fumes were affecting the breathing of her fourmonth- old baby Winfield Paul.

Since last month, when the oil come down the river, my children have all been affected by the fumes and no-one is saying anything or how they are going to help my family, she said.

Mitchell said her eldest son, Wendell Paul, nine, had started to experience eye problems and the medical staff at the La Brea health facility recommended that he visit a private eye doctor.

She said her two daughters, Whitney, seven, and Kaler, four, had missed a number of school days as they had developed a persistent cough which she believed was due to the fumes.

Even when you are inside the house, you smelling the fumes, she said. It is overbearing. In its statement, Petrotrin noted Kaleb had been seen by a doctor at Petrotrins Medical Centre in Point Fortin and then transferred via company ambulance to Augustus Long Hospital, at Pointea- Pierre for monitoring when the incident had initially taken place.

Later that day the child was discharged and returned home, the statement added.

The company continues to monitor and provide follow-up care to the family. A team of company officials visited the area, met with the residents. Remedial works have commenced and clean-up is expected to be completed early next week. Petrotrin stated.

The company noted the source of the oil leak seemed to be related to an abandoned oil well.

The company thanks the residents for their understanding as we continue to work with them to ensure that restoration efforts are concluded in a
Journalisms death knell

So says attorney Ria Mohammed-Davidson, a lecturer at the University of the West Indies Faculty of Law.

She was one of the presenters yesterday at the forum organised by the Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago (MATT) on Technology, media and the law: implications for journalistic freedom. The event was held at the Ken Gordon School of Journalism and Communication Studies, Port-of-Spain.

This Act is going to sound the death knell of investigative journalism, she told the gathering of media professionals, adding, And it is worrying how much intrusion it is going to permit into the private lives of citizens which is kind of ironic, because it is intended to protect your privacy, but it gives powers to the information commissioner which authorises arbitrary search and seizure. Mohammed-Davidson pointed out that the Data Protection Act criminalises journalists who do not subscribe to a mandatory code of conduct, for the unauthorised disclosure of personal information as well as the collection and storage and disposal of personal information.

She told attendees, Dont let your heart be troubled and explained that the act had not been fully enforced but was only partially proclaimed; the Data Protection Act was assented to on June 22, 2011, and has partially come into force by Legal Notice No 2 of 2012.

In my view this piece of legislation is extremely worrying, Mohammed-Davidson said, Because as currently framed, not only will the Data Protection Act affect the right to freedom of expression and freedom of the press but it is also going to impact upon civil liberties of the individual. She pointed out that the legislation does not require a special majority which should be the case with any legislation that infringes or derogates constitutional rights. She said the Act does not pass constitutional muster and she is most concerned about the intrusive powers of the information commissioner when exercising functions under Section 19 of the Act.

Because in my view those broad powers are an affront to the civil liberties that we have in Sections 4 and 5 of the Constitution, she said.

Mohammed Davidson stressed the Constitution protects citizens from things like arbitrary search and seizure.

She said under Section 19, the information commissioner can enter premises, seize documents, require you to produce documents, question persons who are found on the premises and compel people to reveal information and can make such investigation, inspection and examinations as he sees fit.

All of these things can be done without a court order and without a search warrant, she said.

She pointed out that only where someone refuses to disclose information or allow access to premises that the information commissioner has to get a court order and the legal authority seems like an afterthought.

The law lecturer pointed out that the Act also affects media practitioners as well, and specifically in Section 92.

She said most worrisome is that breaches attract very serious criminal penalties up to a $100,000 fine or five years imprisonment upon indictment and for corporate bodies a $500,000 fine upon indictment.

She also pointed out that the term wilful is not included so someone can be convicted even if they inadvertently breach the Act.

She stressed that there is no protection for journalists and their bread and butter is collection information.

On the Whistle- blower Protection Bill UWI law faculty dean Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine said the effect of the legislation was that information from whistle-blowers must be kept confidential and it could muzzle the press and agreed the role of the press was not considered by drafters.
Presbyterian secondary schools on top

Among the other top performing Presbyterian schools were Hillview College, which received 15 Open scholarships, the most of any school, and St Augustine Girls High School which earned the most scholarships (Open and Additional) overall with 45 scholarships.

Mohammed-Ali said Naparima Girls High School added to the education landscape and the scholarships copped by its graduates were a topping on the cake.

Scholarships were awarded to students in areas of Business, Languages, Mathematics, Modern Studies, Environmental Studies, Technology Studies and Natural Sciences. Mohammed- Ali said the Presbyterian Board along with principals and staff have been instrumental in the success of the achievements of students.

Every school must aim to broaden the opportunities for the holistic and positive development of children, not only in the area of academics, but by developing the physical, social and moral facets of life, she said.

Presbyterian Moderator Reverend Annabell Lalla-Ramkelawan urged students to discern their strengths and their weaknesses as they move forward in their educational journey.

Look down the road and keep reaching, keep seeking and dream to dream dreams, because dreams can come true with hard work, Lalla-Ramkhelawan said.
Help move squatters

The topic came up during the graduation ceremony for the Workshop on Life course held on Friday.

One attendee, Roland James, said he is in love with the centre and finds it very educational.

He stressed, however, there was a need to protect the homeless inside and called for more stringent security from the drugs and the squatters.

If we step into cleanness we will feel better, he said.

President of St Vincent de Paul in the St Anns Parish, George Johnson, said the point about the squatters had been raised years ago and there was an intention to do something.

We hope it comes sooner than later, he added.

Centre for the Socially Displaced manager Roger Watson had previously informed Sunday Newsday that the Port-of-Spain City Corporation had cleaned the area and removed old mattresses and other rubbish which people dump. He had noted, however, that a more permanent solution was needed.

On the ceremony Watson explained that they had a similar course in May for three days with 20 participants but wanted to increase the length and number of attendees.

For this session there were 27 participants in a five day course and they were taught in emotional intelligence, dealing with the complications of life, depression, self-awareness, post traumatic stress disorder, love and addiction. Three of the attendees were from Rebirth House and one from Audrey Mollineau Halfway House.

Watson told the graduates to look at themselves as special people. He explained there were some residents at the centre who they will not be able to fit back into society and will have to be institutionalised for the rest of their lives.

You need to look at yourselves as people with ability, he stressed.

The feedback on the course from the attendees included that it was understandvery informative and there was a need for more courses.

The workshop has been a stepping stone of information brought forth. It could be used for several purposes in successful lives, said Roger Sandy.

Another attendee said it helped him to be a happy person and he would go out, change his ways and get a job.

And another attendee said somebody cares for us and encouraged the fellow attendees to use the workshop to uplift their lives.

One attendee said there is a lot of anger, violence and low self esteem in the society and a lot of people in challenging circumstances.

He expressed hope that the course would be a chance to change things from the bottom.

Could be a start for generating a new society where minds and attitude of people change, he said.

He said anyone could end up homeless and praised Watson and CSDP programme coordinator Nzinga Rampersad for their work. Rampersad explained that the course graduates will become a support group to help other residents going through the same thing.

The certificates are not the end. Is just the beginning. It is to make you press on and achieve higher, she said. Watson personally thanked Anthony Arrindell from Trinidad Import and Export Ltd, Gillette Hardware, Chee Mooke Bakery, Massy Store, PECU Credit Union and the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services for their contributions to the course and for making it possible.
Students to debate LGBT rights

Lara Quentrall- Thomas, former director of the Rotary Club of Central Port-of-Spain that has hosted the MUN for the last 20 years, yesterday said the MUN has always given space to young people to debate topics based on UN resolutions.

This year we are going to be looking at LGBT rights and the whole issue of inclusion, said Quentrall- Thomas. I think that conversation is long overdue. So with the support of our partners, we are going to bring to you young people the conversation from a local point of view of LGBT rights, the rights of people to be different. Stephen Weeks, manager of the Public Affairs Unit of the US Embassy, said he was glad to hear of the debate topic, as the United States had made LGBT rights an international issue of prime importance.

Weeks and the National Coordinator of the UNESCO Associated Schools Project, Omar Mohamed, both spoke of the importance of young people learning how to have conversations with persons who held beliefs different than their own.

Delegates to participate in next years MUN will begin training under the tutelage of former delegates in January 2017, but they were encouraged to start researching the topic from now, as they will have to not only debate the topic at hand, but to accurately represent the policy positions of the countries to which they would be assigned.

This, it is hoped, would help for a lively debate and a more thorough understandvery informative and there was a need for more courses.

The workshop has been a stepping stone of information brought forth. It could be used for several purposes in successful lives, said Roger Sandy.

Another attendee said it helped him to be a happy person and he would go out, change his ways and get a job.

And another attendee said somebody cares for us and encouraged the fellow attendees to use the workshop to uplift their lives.

One attendee said there is a lot of anger, violence and low self esteem in the society and a lot of people in challenging circumstances.

He expressed hope that the course would be a chance to change things from the bottom.

Could be a start for generating a new society where minds and attitude of people change, he said.

He said anyone could end up homeless and praised Watson and CSDP programme coordinator Nzinga Rampersad for their work. Rampersad explained that the course graduates will become a support group to help other residents going through the same thing.

The certificates are not the end. Is just the beginning. It is to make you press on and achieve higher, she said. Watson personally thanked Anthony Arrindell from Trinidad Import and Export Ltd, Gillette Hardware, Chee Mooke Bakery, Massy Store, PECU Credit Union and the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services for their contributions to the course and for making it possible.

ing of international relations.

Schools present at the launch included Gasparillo Composite, St Josephs Convent, St Joseph and Queens Royal College.

The launch was the first public event to be held at the College of Science, Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobagos newest Chaguanas campus.
BIR reap $1B from quarries

This was the biggest revelation from the Trinidad & Tobago Extractive Industries Transparency Initiatives report, released on Friday at the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries headquarters in Portof- Spain. We are very certain there is a lot of leakage in government revenue through illegal quarrying, Energy Minister Nicole Olivierre, noting there was a large number of illegal quarry operators in the country.

This years report was the first time that mining companies were included in the transparency survey, but out of the eight licensed operators, only four willing participated state entities National Quarries Ltd and Lake Asphalt of Trinidad & Tobago (1978) Ltd; and privately held companies Trinidad Cement Ltd and Hermitage Limestone Ltd.

Participation was voluntary, but Ollivierre noted that there was legislation currently being drafted that would make reporting to the TTEITI mandatory.

We are certainly making efforts to regularize the quarrying industry. Its a herculean effort because there is a lot of illegality but we are working to reducing the incidence of illegal quarrying, she said.

She said the ministry is monitoring for evidence of illegal mining, and receiving support from the Ministry of National Security, working towards finding a permanent solution.

Its going to take some time because it will take a lot of money involved and a high level of criminality involved.

We are working on getting a handle on illegal quarries, she said, although she admitted it was difficult to know the full extent of illegal quarries
Doodhai targets teacher salary negotiations

Chief among these, he said yesterday, will be salary negotiations for the period 2014 to 2017 with the Chief Personnel Officer (CPO), the non-payment of increments an incremental arrears, the slow pace of upgrades for teachers and the inordinate delays in the processing of superannuation benefits.

Doodhai said the working conditions in which many teachers were made to function also was cause for concern. There are several schools in which teachers work in deplorable conditions and we will be making a case to the Ministry of Education by highlighting those schools that are in substandard condition.

The Ministry of Education must pay special attention to these schools, he told Sunday Newsday.

Doodhai, who served as second vice-president under the former Davananad Sinanan-led TNT (The New TTUTA) slate, won the presidency of the union as an independent candidate in convincing fashion on Thursday with a tally of 4,648 votes, beating his closest rival Nirmala Chinebas-Dindial by more than 3,500 votes.

Chinebas-Dindial, who led the Team TNT slate, received 1,077 votes in the election.

Jemima Riley and Kendell Kittel, both of whom contested the post of TTUTA president, got 935 votes and 332 votes, respectively.

Doodhai said he was overwhelmed by his victory.

I am ecstatic to lead TTUTA and the victory is even sweeter because I contested it as an independent candidate, he said.

In that regard, I have created history as the first independent candidate to become TTUTA president. Doodhai said the fact that he had won the position by more than 3,500 votes was a clear indication that teachers had confidence in him to lead TTUTA, the recognised union for the nations teachers, for the next three years.

I want to give the teachers the assurance that I will work diligently in representing them and in ensuring that their rights are respected at all times, he added.

Doodhai said the long-awaited Teachers Centre, earmarked to be constructed at Carlsen Field, Couva, also will be high on his teams agenda be constructed as well as ongoing initiatives to ensure the ongoing professional development of teachers.

Under his watch, Doodhai said the union also will adopt a zero tolerance stance on health and safety issues affecting teachers in schools.

Replacing Antonia De Freitas as TTUTAs First Vice-President is Team TNTs Marlon Seales who beat Nicholas Cooper-Neaves.
Dow Just Had Its

Best Month Since 1976
(Newser)  With Donald Trump's poll numbers sinking, and many analysts predicting a landslide will sweep the first major party female candidate into the Oval Office, Hillary Clinton has the luxury of being able to turn her attention down-ballot and on turning red and purple states blue, reports the Washington Post. As Clinton campaigned Saturday in Pennsylvania, she played up Katie McGinty, who's trying to unseat GOP Sen. Pat Toomey, calling her "exactly the kind of partner we need in the Senate." She's thrown $1 million into Senate and governor's races in Indiana and Missouri, two states she is unlikely to carry, and her campaign manager estimates the campaign has spent $100 million with the DNC to help other Democrats out. "As were traveling in these last 17 days, were going to be emphasizing the importance of electing Democrats down the ballot," Clinton said Saturday.

She's got other top-tier help, with President Obama heading to Nevada to stump for not only Clinton, but also the Democrat looking to keep Harry Reid's Senate seat in the party, notes the AP. It's part of what Politico reports is an unprecedented push down-ballot for a sitting president, with Obama readying about 150 endorsements in 20 statesranging from members of the Senate and House to a candidate for the Pennsylvania state supreme court. The White House has started dribbling them out, and is "focused mostly on swing districts for maximum impact," says the White House political director. Meanwhile, with Trump struggling, the Democrats and taking the opportunity to hit Republicanslike Marco Rubio, who now finds himself in a tightening Florida Senate racefor standing by their man. "How can you call [Trump] a con artist and dangerous, and object to all the controversial things he says, and then say, But Im still going to vote for him??" Obama asked a Florida rally. "Cmon, man." (Read more Hillary Clinton stories.)
(Newser)  When 29-year-old Brittany Maynard took her own life in a physician-assisted suicide in 2014, it brought an end to her own role in a national debate about the right of terminally ill patients to choose the terms of their own death. Now, Maynard's mother is continuing her daughter's quest for right-to-die legislation with a new book about her daughter's journey, Wild and Precious Life. The book, however, is making headlines for another reason as wellMaynard's widower doesn't think Deborah Ziegler should have written it, Cosmopolitan reports. In a post shared on Facebook, Dan Diaz writes that Maynard told him, "No one else can tell my story Dan, except for you." He has criticized the book as inaccurate and colored by Ziegler's own "opinions, concerns, and thoughts."

Diaz says his wife told him that while she loved her mother dearly, she did not want Ziegler to tell her story. He is working to share his wife's story in a film, a medium he believes is more suited to the story. Publisher Atria Books defends the book, saying it honors Ziegler's promise to her daughter to push for right-to-die progress, reports People. Ziegler herself, meanwhile, talks about Maynard in an interview with Katie Couric at Yahoo News. She said, Mom, instead of grandkids, this is what Im giving you. I cant give you grandbabies, but I can give you this, to champion the cause of the terminally ill.'" (This teen decided to end her treatment after a special "last dance.")
(Newser)  A Rhode Island man who penned a letter to the editor complaining about women wearing yoga pants says it was meant to be humorous and he doesn't have an issue with yoga pants. Alan Sorrentino tells WPRO-AM he hoped the letter published in the Barrington Times would be enjoyed as a break from the current political campaign rhetoric. Instead, the letter generated a huge outcry and a group of women say they'll parade through Sorrentino's neighborhood Sunday afternoon dressed in yoga pants. "Yoga pants belong in the yoga studio," Sorrentino wrote in the letter, via the AP. "What's next? Wearing a 'Speedo' to the supermarket? Imagine if men did that. Yuck!"

Organizers say the march is not a protest against Sorrentino but part of a bigger movement against misogyny and men dictating how women should dress. Sorrentino says the response to his letter was "vicious" and he's received death threats. He asks marchers to stay away from his home. "I assumed the character of this grumpy old man that was railing about women in yoga pants because he was too tight to just relax and accept himself in his age and his own ways. It was meant to sound stupid and creepy." (Read more yoga pants stories.)
(Newser)  Police in Suffolk, Virginia, have a little egg on their face, Newsnet5 reports, after they broke into a woman's car on a hot day intending to save a trapped child, and instead found nothing but a wig. Jasmine Turner, the owner of the car, says she was surprised when police called her concerned about the welfare of a child locked inside her car on Thursday. Turner told local news station WAVY: "I dont have a baby so Im like, Whered the child come from? Who put the child in my car?'" Police broke the window anyway, but discovered what had appeared to be a child to the concerned bystander who called 911 was actually no more than a wig and some blankets.

Perhaps due to embarrassment, or perhaps due to more pressing business elsewhere, the responding officers reportedly left the scene before Turner returned to her car. Turner claims police told her they wouldn't pay for her repairs, which she estimates will cost several hundred dollars. In a classic case of he-said-she-said, the local police department says authorities referred her to the city's risk management division to file a claim for reimbursement. Either way, for now, Turner says she's afraid to drive the car. "I really cant take my car anywhere around Suffolk. Anywhere actually," she says. (Read more Suffolk stories.)
Jammu:

The family of the BSF jawan Gurnam Singh, who passed away after being injured in Fridays attack by Pakistani forces at the international border in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir, on Sunday plead Modi government to build proper medical facilities for BSF jawans in the Jammu area so that 'no other son of the nation has to go without proper treatement'.

Twenty-six-year-old Gurnam Singh, who was undergoing treatment at the Government Medical College and Hospital in Jammu, died at around 11.45 PM, police said.



He was injured on Friday when Pakistani snipers targeted him as he was instrumental in foiling a major infiltration bid along the international border in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir.



Seven personnel of Pakistani Rangers, the border force of Pakistan, and a terrorist were killed when BSF retaliated against a ceasefire violation in which Gurnam was injured.

Here are the live updates:



Remains of BSF jawan #GurnamSingh who passed away after being injured in cross border firing by Pak brought to his village in RS Pura, J&K pic.twitter.com/NhMYEzYfPl  ANI (@ANI_news) October 23, 2016

Wreath laying ceremony of slain #BSFJawan #GurnamSingh to be held at BSF HQ in Jammu at 10 am pic.twitter.com/J796xeMUCV  News Nation (@NewsNationTV) October 23, 2016



#Hospital should be built in the name of my brother Gurnam (who lost his life in firing by Pakistan): Gurjeet Kaur

#WATCH: Late BSF jawan #GurnamSingh's sister Gurjeet Kaur says "want hospital constructed in the name of my brother Gurnam" pic.twitter.com/yt6g1DfDbB  ANI (@ANI_news) October 23, 2016

#We are proud that he sacrificed his life for nation. Just a request to the Govt is a separate BSF hosp:Gurjeet Kaur, Sister

#Only demand from Modi Govt is a separate BSF hospital,we're worried abt all our sons, they should get good treatment:Mother of Gurnam Singh

#Gurnam once said "Mumma, don't cry if I sacrifice my life for the nation", I said I wont": Jaswant Kaur, Mother of BSF jawan

#He was brave. Our son has sacrificed his life for the nation,nobody is sad..infact we're all happy:Kulbir Singh

#We want a good hospital to be in place, where all essential facilities will be present: Kulbir Singh, Father of jawan

# I appeal to Modi govt to fight a war with Pakistan: Kulbir Singh, father of slain soldier

#Jammu: Body of Gurnam Singh being taken for post mortem

Also read:

Pak violates ceasefire at Bobiya post: 1 Pak Ranger killed, 1 BSF jawan injured

BSF says 7 Pakistani Rangers killed after an infiltration bid foiled in Kathua; Pakistan denies claims





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Mumbai:

With the clearance of ban on 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' release, the producers of the film payed thanks to the single-screens and multiplexes on October 22.

Karan Johar accompanied by Producers' Guild President Mukesh Bhatt met Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis at his home 'Varsha'on October 22 morning where Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, whose party has been opposing the release, was also present.

MNS had threatened to stall the release of the movie as it had Pakistani actor Fawad Khan but has now withdrawn its protest.

"We thank the Producers Guild who have come out in support of our film 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' and also wholeheartedly thank the single screen owners and associations and multiplex owners for supporting our film and standing by us. Let's celebrate Diwali with Ae Dil Hai Mushkil,' Apoorva Mehta, CEO of Dharma Productions, said.

Vijay Singh, CEO of Fox Star Studios, said it is 'heartwarming' to see the film release as per schedule.

"We are extremely thankful to the Guild and the cinema owners who have stood by 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' and have come out and supported us. The film talks about celebrating love this Diwali and we are seeing so much solidarity within our industry," he said.

Mukesh Bhatt, the President of the Producers Guild took a dig at Cinema Owners Exhibitors Association of India, which has decided to stick to its stand to not release the movie in their theatres.

"Some irrelevant body calling themselves as exhibitor association were trying to be in the news by capitalising on the sensitive political scenario. We strongly condemn such acts. It is cheap and cannot be tolerated. 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' is a film about celebrating love this Diwali. It is a perfect film to play in the theatres and it is releasing nationwide on October 28," Bhatt said.

After the resolution, a number of theatre owners came out in support of the movie.

Aditya Chowksey Executive body member of Central Circuit Cine Association (CCA), which represents cinemas in CP-CI-Rajasthan, said they had planned to release the movie in their nearly 50 single screen cinemas and are expecting a good response in advance bookings.

"All single screens and multiplexes are screening ADHM. This is a big film, with big names releasing in a festive period to bring joy to our audiences," said Anil Thadani, owner AA Films.

"There is huge demand for ADHM. It is a romantic entertainer that goes well with the festive mood and the spirit of Diwali. The songs are also huge hits. The audience is definitely looking forward to watch the movie in cinemas," said Alok Tandon, CEO, INOX Leisure Ltd.

Arvind Chapalka, Owner of City Pride Chain also confirmed that the movie will be screened in all their theatres in Pune.

For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday gave clear orders to Chief Secy Anita Singh and DGP to not issue any orders without his prior signatures. The orders came soon after he removed four ministers, including his uncle Shivpal Yadav from his cabinet.

Reacting over the tough decisions made by his son, Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav said, Akhilesh should stay within his boundaries, "I am still alive. If I can make him CM, I can remove him from the post as well," he said.

It is for the first time that Mulayam Singh Yadav invited his daughter-in-laws Aparna Yadav and Dimple Yadav for party meeting at his residence, however, if sources are to be believed Dimple Yadav, Akhilesh's wife did not attend the meeting.

Meanwhile, Mulayam refused to meet Ramgopal and Madan Chauhan at his residence.

In a series of tough decisions, Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday removed four ministers, including his uncle Shivpal Yadav from his cabinet. The decision was taken during his meeting with MLAs and MLCs.

Earlier in the day, Samajwadi Party general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav wrote a letter to his party workers, warning them against creating resistance for UP CM Akhilesh Yadav. The letter comes hours ahead of Akhilesh's meeting his MLAs and MLCs, where he is likely to announce launch of a separate party.

Coming out in strong support of Akhilesh Yadav, Ram Gopal said, "Any one protesting against Akhilesh will not set foot inside assembly, as victory follows Akhilesh."

He also said that Akhilesh will defeat all those who dare to stand against him.

As it happened (Till 4 pm, Oct 23)

#Ramgopal Yadav has been suspended from all posts and party for six years: Shivpal Yadav

#Shivpal Yadav: Ramgopal yadav has always been colluding against party leadership

#Shivpal Yadav to address media again

#Ramgopal Yadav expelled from Samajwadi Party: Sources

#Time has come for CM Akhilesh Yadav to resign or he must not take policy decisions till he proves majority: KP Maurya,UP BJP Chief

#Not worried about being sacked, will go polls under Netaji's (Mulayam) leadership (Read full story here)

#Some people are colluding with BJP to allude CBI: says ShivpalYadav after being sacked as UP cabinet minister

# Ruckus at ShivpalYadav PC in Lucknow, says CM made direct allegations

#CM Akhilesh made direct allegations, says SP leader Shivpal Yadav after being sacked from UP cabinet

#'I gave you CM post, I can take it away', Mulayam gives stern warning to son Akhilesh (Read full story here)

#It is a CM's right to chose his cabinet: Azam Khan on Akhilesh's latest decision to sack six ministers from cabinet

#Meeting at Mulayam Singh Yadav residence ends, leaders avoid media

#Akhilesh you have been exposed long ago, now these tricks will not work, BJP slams SP family feud fiasco

Akhilesh ji aap bohot pehle hi expose ho chuke hain, ye natak ab nahi chalega: Srikant Sharma,BJP pic.twitter.com/NvwHhzL2Un  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) October 23, 2016

#Mulayam Singh is and will always be my leader, Akhilesh Yadav says will stay in party

#Akhilesh Yadav says will not break the party, will go for rath yatra, but will also attend silver jubilee celebration

#Action against those who are acting against party and netaji (Mulayam)

#Will gift Agra-Lucknow express way before netaji's birthday, says CM Akhilesh

#I am heir to Samjwadi Party and I will make all important decision: Akhilesh Yadav (Read his profile)

#Suspended ministers include: Shivpal Yadav, Shadab Fatima, Gayatri Parajapti, Madan Chauhan, Omprakash Singh and Narad Rai (Read full story)

#Akhilesh vs Amar Singh: Only one of us can be in SP, chose your side, UP CM tells his cabinet

#"CM said in the meeting that whoever is close to Amar Singh cannot be in my cabinet," Raju Yadav, Mainpuri MLA (What is their feud?)

#UP CM Akhilesh Yadav decides to suspends Shivpal Yadav from cabinet

#UP CM Akhilesh Yadav's meeting with SP legislators begins, Pandit Singh and Raja Bhaiya also present in the meeting

#Rewati Raman Singh, Naresh Agarwal and Mata Prasad Pandey reach Mulayam Singh Yadav's residence in UP

#Over a dozen SP govt cabinet ministers have reached CM residence, including Aruna Kumari Kori, Pandit Singh, Vijay Bahadur

#UP CM Akhilesh Yadav reaches 5 Kalidas Marg for meeting with MLAs, MLCs; Mobile phones not allowed

#Keeping an eye on political turmoil in the state, won't comment at this stage: Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik on SP family feud

#Mumbai: Samajwadi Party general Secretary Ram Gopal Yadav evades media when questioned about his letter to party workers

#Old guards to meet Mulayam Singh Yadav again at 10:30am in their last effort to salvage situation

#Shivpal Yadav not to attend Akhilesh's meeting, will meet party leadership in SP headqaurters at same time

#It's a war between the family; People are fed up with SP family feud, says Rita Bahuguna Joshi (BJP)

#SP general Secy Ram Gopal Yadav in letter to party workers: Rath Yatra is thorn in the sides of protesters, need to sharpen the pain



SP general Secy #RamGopalYadav writes letter to party workers, warns against protesting #AkhileshYadav pic.twitter.com/cqyto9AqOp  News Nation (@NewsNationTV) October 23, 2016

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav is likely to launch a separate party on Sunday. According to sources, Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav's son Akhilesh will make the announcement before the party meet on October 24.

The UP CM has called for a meeting of MLAs and MLCs at his residence at around 10am. If 50 per cent of people agree to the proposal Akhilesh will launch a separate party, sources said.



Akhilesh Yadav has been in a long tussle with his uncle Shivpal Yadav over party leadership ahead of next assembly elections due in 2017. Mulayam Singh Yadav has so far been unable to resolve the issue despite repeated mitigations.

Also read: Akhilesh Yadav skips key party meeting called to strategise assembly polls



The matter further escalated on Saturday when Akhilesh's close aide Udayveer Singh was suspended from the party for writing a letter to Mulayam, asking him to step aside and make Akhilesh the party chief.

Also read: Akhilesh Yadav's loyalist Udayveer Singh removed from Samajwadi Party for 6 years

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New Delhi:

Avian deaths in the national capital on Saturday climbed to over 40 with 17 ducks being found dead at Hauz Khas deer park even as the Centre formed a three-member committee to keep a close watch on the bird flu situation.

Authorities also sent seven bird carcasses collected from across the city for test after the control room received calls in this regard. The National Zoological Park, which did not report any fresh death, took reporters on a tour in its premises.

In wake of the fresh deaths, Development Minister Gopal Rai will visit the deer park tomorrow.

The Union Environment Ministry said a constant vigil is kept around the National Zoological Parks to monitor and contain the H5 avian influenza along with the state agencies and a three-member panel has been set up to keep a watch over the developments.

There is no mortality reported in the National Zoological Park in Delhi. Seventeen ducks were found dead in the Central Park, Hauz Khas, a Delhi government report said.

The city government widened its scan ambit by collecting samples from the Ghazipur chicken market which has not yet been hit.

While one one dead bird collected from the Hauz Khas park was sent to lab, eight samples were drawn from the Ghazipur poultry market from live birds. Seven carcasses of birds collected from across Delhi were sent separately.

The DDA authorities have been advised to bury deep the carcasses as per the guidelines and take necessary disinfection process in Central Park Hauz Khas as mortality still continues. Disinfection process as per the guidelines of action plan has been undertaken in zoo and Ghazipur mandi, the report added.

Gwalior District Collector Sanjay Goyal said analysis of samples collected from two of the around 15 painted storks that died in the zoological park in the district, revealed the avians were infected with a new bird flu virus subtype, H5N8.

Yesterday, the Delhi government had ruled out any threat to human beings due to the bird flu saying the H5N8 strain found in three samples was less infective. Six deaths were reported at the deer park in the national capital and the toll of suspected flu stood at 24.

Meanwhile, as a confidence-building measure, Delhi zoo opened its gates to the media and took reporters around the bird enclosures.

The chances of the resident birds contracting the influenza are meek. So we are assuming that the migratory birds may have carried the pathogenic strains. However, we can be clear only when we get a word from Jalandhar and Bhopal where we have sent the samples, zoo curator Riyaz Khan said.

On being asked about the Centre-appointed committee to monitor the situation, Khan said the panel is at present looking at the guidelines and measures to be adopted in case of such deaths.

Khan said no fresh deaths were reported at the zoo since the past two days. Twelve water birds, including 6 pelicans, painted storks and ducks have died at the zoo in the past week.

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New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched #Sandesh2Soldiers campaign to pay respect to Indias Armed Forces for their hard work and sacrifice.



The great respect and admiration that the nation has for our Armed Forces, will find expression this festive season, through a unique campaign being led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, an official release said.



The #Sandesh2Soldiers campaign is especially designed to give every citizen an opportunity to spread happiness and cheer among the Indian Armed Forces, who are guarding our nations frontiers, far from their loved ones on Diwali.



PM Modi had announced the initiative for the first time during his Mann ki Baat radio show on September 25.



A holistic campaign has been launched to urge and invite people to send letters and messages to the Armed Forces. Leading this effort, the Prime Minister shared through social media, a special video, featuring his appeal to the people to send messages to our brave Armed Forces personnel. Within hours, the video has generated tremendous interest on platforms such as Twitter and Facebook.





People can send messages to soldiers on the Narendra Modi App, through MyGov.in, and also through All India Radio. Doordarshan shall also be mounting a programme to share peoples emotions with the Armed Forces.

A special module has been launched on the Narendra Modi App, which enables people to send greetings or their hand-written messages to the Armed Forces.



The #Sandesh2Soldiers campaign is expected to generate increased interaction between the people and the Armed Forces. Since becoming Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has spent both Diwalis with the Armed Forces.

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New Delhi:

Karthik masa or the month of Karthik is considered the holiest month of the Hindu calender. This is the most favorite month for both of the Supreme Gods Lord Vishnu and Shiva. According to Hindus, by following the rituals of Karthik masa and doing pujas in this month, one can attain immense happiness in life. Worshipping Lord Karthik this month is associated with gaining moksha (salvation). The pujas, rituals followed during this month are called Kartika Masa Vratam. The Karthika Purana lists the rituals and customs to be performed during the month of Karthik.

The rituals associated with the Karthik month are as following:

Japa: Lord Hari during the month of Karthik. And as per Hindu scriptures, Lord Hari blesses His devotee His own abode.

Deep Daan (offering lamps): Offering The Lord a diya during Karthik month is associated with attaining religious merit.

Brahmacharya: The rule of Brahmacharya is to be followed by the devotees during this month. One should not indulge in sex for the month.

Worshipping Tulsi Devi in Karthik gives you virtues. As per our scriptures, worshipping Tulsi during this month is equal to bathing at Prayag, death in Kashi, and study of the scriptures. 'Deep daan' to Tulsi plant is also considered good in this month. Applying the Tulsi plant soil on forehead is bestower of Saubhagya (fortune).

Give charity: One should try to give charity during Karthika masa.

Perform austerities: Lord Shiva said to His son Kartikeyaji, "Dear son! One who takes a bath before sunrise in the month of Kartik is absolved of all sins." By taking a bath during the Brahma murat in this month, one can attain merits equal to bathing in holy places of pilgrimage like Ganga, Kashi. Sleeping on the ground during the Karthik month is equal to giving a piece of land to Brahmins during the solar and lunar eclipses.

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New Delhi:

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday made a u-turn towards his patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav. Instead of splitting the party, as anticipated, Akhilesh Yadav emerged from his meeting with cabinet ministers as party loyalist, vowing to never break away.

Soon after making some tough decisions against his uncle and other Amar Singh camp ministers, Akhilesh made a few emotional statements for his father and Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav. Here is a glimpse:

(Akhilesh expels Amar Singh aides, says will stand by netaji: Read full story here)



5 emotional statements made by Akhilesh about Mulayam Singh Yadav



#Mulayam Singh is and will always be my leader, says Akhilesh Yadav



#Will go for rath yatra, but will also attend silver jubilee celebrations, Akhilesh vows not to break party, but to strengthen it



#Action against those who are acting against party and netaji (Mulayam), Akhilesh stands with father



#Will gift Agra-Lucknow express way before netaji's birthday, says CM Akhilesh



#I am heir to Samjwadi Party and I will make all important decision, Akhilesh Yadav displays power in the SP family



Akhilesh Yadavs statements come as a surprise especially when Mulayam Singh Yadav had recently told media that the rift between the fatherson duo had become so wide that Akhilesh was not even taking his calls.



Feud or not, a show of solidarity by Mulayam and Akhilesh at this point has set the stage of partys strategy for upcoming UP assembly elections.

Also read: Know more about Akhilesh Yadav, UP's youngest ever Chief Minister

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New Delhi:

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is pretty confident that he stands a very good chance of winning the general elections even as the mainstream media and political pundits predicted very little chances of him making it to the White House.

Trump's rival Hillary Clinton, the Democratic presidential nominee, leads him by more than seven points in most of the key battleground States but an unfazed Trump, 70, said that he is on his "way to the White House."

"We are going to win the November 8 elections. There is no chance for the others to win," Trump said at the Cleveland rally in the presence of over 10,000 people. He was also accompanied by his vice-presidential nominee Mike Pence andformer New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

However, his speech was interrupted by a group of protester whom he alleged to have been paid by Clinton. He asked the protesters to leave who were escorted out of the arena. "The entire purpose of her is to keep the system rigged,"he alleged.

"We are not going to have four more years of Obama. She has been there for 30 years and has not fixed anything," hesaid and alleged that Clinton's catastrophic failure has unleashed ISIS in the Middle East.

"They are now in 32 countries. Why did she let it start. When will she take responsibility for the all the death anddestruction she caused all over the world he said. "In 17 days, everything is going to change," Trump said. Clinton, he alleged, has taken billions of dollars from companies that ship jobs overseas.

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New Delhi:

Indian tyre manufacturing major Apollo Tyres is making a huge capital investment of of 475 million euros to set up Europe's largest greenfield plant in Hungary. The plant is expected to produce nearly 62 lakh tyres for passenger cars and heavy commercial vehicles per annum.

The facility at Gyongyoshalasz, located less than 100 km from here, will start production early next year and it willproduce tyres to cater to the entire European market. "Construction of Apollo Tyres' first European greenfieldplant at Gyongyoshalasz has started on April 10, 2015 and wewill start production in early 2017.

It will be Europe'slargest greenfield tyres plant," Apollo Tyres (Hungary) KFT, Head - Project Controller, Amitabh Arya told PTI. The Hungarian facility will be a state-of-the-art plantand once completed it will have a capacity to produce 5.5million (55 lakh) passenger car and light truck (PCLT) tyresand 6,75,000 heavy commercial vehicle (HCV) tyres per annum.

The total investment in the facility will be 475 millioneuro (about Rs 3,460 crore) and the Hungarian government wasvery excited about the investment from a leading Indian company.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, at a joint press conference with visiting Indian Vice President Hamid Ansarilast week, had specifically mentioned about the Apollo Tyresplant saying it was one of the largest foreign investments in Hungary.

The Gyongyoshalasz facility will produce both Apollo and Vredestein branded tyres and will cater to the entire Europeanmarket. Apollo Vredestein B.V. is part of Apollo Tyres Ltd and hasits head office in Enschede, the Netherlands. It designs,manufactures and sells high-quality tyres under the Apollo andVredestein brands in Europe and North America.

Onkar S Kanwar headed Apollo Tyres Ltd, with its corporate headquarters in Gurgaon, is in the business of manufacture andsale of tyres since its inception in 1972. The company has grown manifold, establishing its footprintacross the globe.

It has manufacturing units in India and TheNetherlands. The company markets its products under its two globalbrands - Apollo and Vredestein, and its products are availablein over 100 countries through a vast network of branded,exclusive and multi-product outlets.

At the end of its financial year on March 31, 2016, ApolloTyres had clocked a turnover of USD 1.8 billion, backed by aglobal workforce of around 16,000 employees.
New Delhi:

The Border Security force (BSF) is set to honour its brave martyr Jawan Gurnam Singh, who played a pivotal role in thwarting a major infiltration bid along the International Border in Kathua sector of Jammu and Kashmir. The para military force is set to recommend his name for the highest gallantry award posthumously.

26-year-old Gurnam, who was injured in a sniping attack from across the border on Friday and was undergoing treatment at Government Medical College and Hospital Jammu, succumbed to his injuries late last night.

Asked if Gurnam's name would be recommended for the highest gallantry award, Additional Director General (ADG) BSF Western Command, Arun Kumar told reporters, "Absolutely the gallantry award would be a lesser possible award for him as he deserves much more but we will be recommending for that". Ashok Chakra is the highest peacetime gallantry award.

"Gurnam was instrumental in foiling a major infiltration bid by the heavily armed terrorists.He was made target the next day. With his supreme sacrifice he has made not only the BSF but the whole nation proud," Kumar said on the sidelines of a wreath laying ceremony.

Singh was given an emotional adieu by the BSF today during a wreath laying ceremony held at the BSF frontier headquarters in Jammu, in which several senior officers of the BSF and the local police paid homage.

Senior BJP leaders were also present on the occasion. The last rites of the deceased jawan would be held tomorrow as per the wishes of his family.

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New Delhi:

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav is likely to launch a separate party on Sunday. According to sources, Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav's son Akhilesh will make the announcement before the party meet on October 24. Samajwadi Party general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav has also been sacked from the party.

Today's actions stirred the political circles ahead of the Assembly polls in the state early next year as the tense stand-off between Akhilesh and Shivpal gave rise to intense speculation about a possible split in SP.

Some SP leaders even suggested that a new party named National Samajwadi Party or Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party with motorcycle as its symbol could be launched by the Chief Minister.

Live updates:

# Mulayam Singh gets emotional in the meeting

# Meeting gets over at Mulayam's residence

# Shivpal Yadav leaves after meeting the party's senior leaders

# Shivpal Yadav, Ambika Chaudhary, Narad Rai are attending the ongoing meeting at Mulayam's residence

# Reason of feud is still not known, I don't believe in any accusation made on Ram Gopal: Naresh Agarwal (SP) on Ram Gopal's suspension

# Meeting begins at Mulayam's residence

# Mulayam calls for a meeting at his residence with the senior party leaders

# I will always be with Akhilesh irrespective of whether I am in party or not: Ram Gopal Yadav

# I am not happy over personal attacks: Ram Gopal Yadav

# Read: Expelled leader Ram Gopal Yadav calls all allegation baseless

# I am not upset over expulsion from party: Ram Gopal Yadav

# UP CM Akhilesh Yadav must understand who is with him and who is not: Shivpal Yadav

# He has been conspiring against me, he has been involved with BJP to save his son: Shivpal Yadav, SP on Ram Gopal

# It's CM's prerogative, he did what he thought was correct; not right to question it: Suspended SP Min Sayeda Shadab Fatima

# Ram Gopal has always misused name of Netaji; had raised this issue at various party forums: Shivpal Yadav

# Ram Gopal's son and daughter-in-law involved in scams: Shivpal Yadav

# Ram Gopal has relations with corrupt people: Shivpal Yadav

# Ramgopal always plays tricks: Shivpal Yadav

# Ramgopal has been axed from all posts of the party.

# Ramgopal Yadav has been suspended from all posts and party for six years: Shivpal Yadav

# Shivpal Yadav: Ramgopal yadav has always been colluding against party leadership

# Shivpal Yadav to address media again

# Party general secretary Ramgopal Yadav expelled from the party.

The series of events unfolded on Sunday morning when deepening the crisis in SP, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav sacked four pro-Amar Singh ministers including his uncle Shivpal Yadav, almost pushing the ruling party to the brink of a split. Akhilesh also gave clear orders to Chief Secy Anita Singh and DGP to not issue any orders without his prior signatures.

The trouble in SP hit a new low with the chief minister convening a meeting of party legislators here and recommending to Governor Ram Naik that Shivpal, Narad Rai and Om Prakash Singh (all Cabinet ministers) and Sayeda Shadab Fatima (MoS - Independent charge) be sacked from his ministry. A Raj Bhawan communique said the recommendation was accepted with immediate effect.

Following the extreme action against supporters of Rajya Sabha MP Amar Singh, the Mulayam-camp followers got into a huddle at the residence of the SP supremo at a stone's throw distance from the CM's bungalow to decide the next course of action.

The fast-paced developments came a day ahead of a mega meeting of party MPs, MLAs, MLCs and ministers convened by Mulayam where some tough decisions are likely to be taken.

Reacting over the tough decisions made by his son Akhilesh Yadav, Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav said, Akhilesh should stay within his boundaries, "I am still alive. If I can make him CM, I can remove him from the post as well," he said.

It is for the first time that Mulayam Singh Yadav invited his daughter-in-laws Aparna Yadav and Dimple Yadav for party meeting at his residence, however, if sources are to be believed Dimple Yadav, Akhilesh's wife did not attend the meeting.

Meanwhile, Mulayam refused to meet Ramgopal Yadav and Madan Chauhan at his residence.

Akhilesh also made a u-turn towards his patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav. Instead of splitting the party, as anticipated, Akhilesh Yadav emerged from his meeting with cabinet ministers as party loyalist, vowing to never break away.

Soon after making some tough decisions against his uncle and other Amar Singh camp ministers, Akhilesh made a few emotional statements for his father and Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav.

"Mulayam Singh is and will always be my leader. Will go for rath yatra, but will also attend silver jubilee celebrations. Action will be taken against those who are acting against party and netaji (Mulayam). Will gift express-way before netaji's birthday. I am heir to Samjwadi Party and I will make all important decision," said Akhilesh Yadav.

Earlier in the day, Samajwadi Party general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav wrote a letter to his party workers, warning them against creating resistance for UP CM Akhilesh Yadav.

Coming out in strong support of Akhilesh Yadav, Ram Gopal said, "Any one protesting against Akhilesh will not set foot inside assembly, as victory follows Akhilesh." He also said that Akhilesh will defeat all those who dare to stand against him.

(With PTI inputs)

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New Delhi:

Multiple blasts occurred in a park in the Japanese city of Utsunomiya have killed one person and critically injured nearly two others.

The explosions occurred on Sunday in Tochigi prefecture when two cars in a parking area caught fire simultaneously.

As per reports, police found a suicide note inside a burning car.

A festival was being celebrated in the nearby park where an explosion was reported to have taken place.

Photographs showed a badly charred car and a splintered and broken bench in the area of one of the blasts.

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Lucknow:

Sacked UP minister Shivpal Yadav said on Sunday that his removal from Akhilesh ministry was an attempt by some people to weaken the Samajwadi Party and that he was not worried about being dropped.

Further, he asserted that the upcoming Assembly polls would be fought under the leadership of SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav.

Hours after he was shown the door, Shivpal spoke to mediapersons after emerging from a meeting with SP chief Mulayam and said his sacking was an attempt by some to weaken the party leadership.

In the ongoing power tussle within the ruling party, Shivpal and three other pro-Amar Singh ministers were sacked by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday.

Launching a scathing attack on cousin Ramgopal Yadav, Shivpal, who is the SP's state chief, vowed to fight and win the election under Netaji (Mulayam).

Asking party men to prepare for the polls, he claimed that the people of the state were with the Samajwadi Party and "in 2017 we will form the government under the leadership of Netaji".

In a veiled attack against Ramgopal, he said Sundays developments were triggered by "someone" who was playing in the hands of BJP to escape CBI noose.

His reference was towards Ramgopal, who is facing a CBI probe for his alleged involvement in the corruption case of former Noida chief engineer Yadav Singh. Ramgopal has been sacked from the party for six years.

Shivpal also said that Akhilesh Yadav must learn to identify "well-wishers".

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New Delhi:

Expelled SP leader Ram Gopal Yadav onA A said that all the allegations made against him are baseless and fake. SP leader said that his son and daughter-in-law are not accused in any CBI case.

Ram Gopal said that meeting with other party leaders is a common thing and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also attended Saifai festival on the invitation of Netaji.

"I have always helped party workers and poor. I not not upset on removal from party but saddened by the personal attacks. I may be in or out of the party but am always with Akhilesh," said Ram Gopal Yadav.

SP leader #RamgopalYadav's letter after being expelled from the #SamajwadiParty for 6 years pic.twitter.com/MtLIFmVzE6 a News Nation (@NewsNationTV) October 23, 2016

Earlier, Shivpal Yadav had said that Ram Gopal Yadav betrayed us to save his son and daughter-in-law from a CBI case.A Ramgopal Yadav has been suspended from all posts and party for six years. "Ram Gopal's son and daughter-in-law involved in scams," said Shivpal Yadav.





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Washington:

US has sent a blunt message to Pakistan and warned that it will not hesitate to act alone, if necessary, to disrupt and destroy terror networks.

Further, it also blamed Pakistans powerful spy agency ISI was not taking any concrete action to dismantle terror groups operating on Pakistani soil.

The problem is that there are forces within the Pakistani government  specifically in Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence or ISI - that refuse to take similar steps against all the terrorist groups active in Pakistan, tolerating some groups  or even worse, Adam Szubin, Acting Under Secretary on Countering the Financing of Terrorism, told a Washington audience.

We continue to urge our partners in Pakistan to go after all terrorist networks operating in their country. We stand ready to help them. But there should be no doubt that while we remain committed to working with Pakistan to confront ongoing terrorist financing and operations, the US will not hesitate to act alone, when necessary, to disrupt and destroy these networks, Szubin warned.

In his remarks at the Paul H Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, Szubin said at the same time, Pakistan has been - and remains - a critical counter-terrorism partner in many respects.

Of course, Pakistanis are themselves often the victims of brutal terrorist attacks on schools, markets, and mosques, and the list unfortunately goes on. And in the face of such violence, Pakistan has in some ways pushed back, Szubin said.

"Pakistan has achieved success in its ongoing operations against traditional terrorist safe havens in northwest Pakistan. It has officially designated ISIL as a terrorist organisation. And it has gone after the funding and operational capabilities of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, he said.

But the ISI problem of supporting terrorist groups continues, he said.

This is a distinction we cannot stand for, Szubin asserted. The US has been saying that Pakistan has not yet placed adequate pressure on the Haqqani Network of militants to prevent them from plotting deadly cross-border attacks in war- torn Afghanistan.

Afghan authorities allege leaders of the Haqqani group, which is fighting alongside the Taliban, are directing high- profile attacks, particularly in the capital, Kabul, from their sanctuaries on Pakistani soil, with the covert support of the countrys intelligence operatives.

There is not adequate pressure being put on the Haqqanis by the Pakistan government, the commander of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan, General John Nicholson had said last month.

The Haqqanis operationally have been able to continue to conduct operations inside Afghanistan. They constitute the primary threat to Americans, to coalition members and to Afghans, especially in and around Kabul, he said.

Pakistani authorities routinely deny the presence of any sanctuaries and insist counter-terrorism military operations have targeted and uprooted all militant infrastructures on their side of the border.

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Panaji:

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Sunday "advised" French firm SAFRAN to set up a facility in his home state of Goa to manufacture small parts for the fighter aircraft Rafale, for which India recently signed a deal with France.

"I would also advice you to take advantage of the off-setin Rafale deal. From my side I will put a word. You (SAFRAN)are supplying engines for Rafale. The off-set of Rafale deal is around Rs 30,000 crore. If you are interested in setting upa manufacturing facility of some small parts then you can do it in Goa," Parrikar said during the inauguration of a joint venture between HAL and French firm SAFRAN in North Goa.

He said Rs 1,000-1,500 crore of the total offset deal can be invested in Goa. "If that happens, Goa will provide technical supportwhich is required for such activity," he said. The Defence Minister also appealed state Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar for setting up courses for skill development in aeronautical engineering.

Parrikar said Goa requires engineering industry. "Goans are in high tech jobs across India. Also a lot of talent is available locally," he added. The Defence Minister also suggested that HAL should tie up with SAFRAN and get into manufacturing of engines.

"We are going to require 6,000-10,000 engines in next ten years and most of them are SAFRAN engines," he said. Parrikar said the Goa government is ready to provide land and other facilities required to set up an engine manufacturing plant.

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Bartella:

The Iraqi army pushed into a town near the Islamic State-held city of Mosul on Sunday, one day after dozens of IS militants had stormed into Kirkuk, setting off clashes which killed nearly 80 people, mostly security forces.

US Defence Secretary Ash Carter meanwhile met with Iraqi commanders in Baghdad to discuss the offensive to retake Mosul, which the US is supporting with airstrikes and advisers on the ground.

The Iraqi army said the 9th Division has pushed into the town of Hamdaniyah, also known as Qaraqosh and Bakhdida, and raised the flag over its government compound.

However, the troops were still facing resistance in and around the town. Similar past announcements have often proved premature. The town is around 20 kilometres from Mosul.

Iraqi forces launched a wide-scale offensive earlier this week for retaking Mosul, the country's second largest city, which fell to dreaded terrorist group IS in 2014.

Hamdaniyah is believed to be largely uninhabited. IS has heavily mined the approaches to Mosul, and Iraqi forces have had to contend with roadside bombs, snipers and suicide truck bombs as they move closer to the city.

IS said it foiled an attack on Hamdaniyah and seized vehicles and weapons left by retreating Shiite militiamen. The claim, carried by the extremist group's Aamaq news agency, could not be confirmed.

An Iraqi television station said one of its reporters was shot dead near Mosul, the second journalist in as many days to be killed while covering the conflict.

Alsumaria TV said cameraman Ali Risan was shot in the chest by a sniper on Sunday during a battle in the al-Shura area.

Journalist Ahmet Haceroglu of Turkmeneli TV was shot dead by a militant sniper on Saturday, while covering the IS assault on Kirkuk.

Iraqi forces retook the town of Bartella, around 15 kilometres east of Mosul, earlier this week, but are still facing pockets of resistance in the area.

Inside Bartella, a road extending more than 100 metres was completely demolished, with all the homes on either side reduced to rubble.

IS graffiti was scrawled across the walls, and the militants appeared to have renamed streets and neighborhoods after famous fighters during more than two years they controlled the area.

In Kirkuk, meanwhile, some fighting continued a day after the IS assault on the city, some 170 kilometres southeast of Mosul. The wave of attacks in and around Kirkuk appeared to be an attempt to divert attention from Mosul.

The area around the provincial headquarters, where the fighting was heaviest on Saturday, was quiet. However, witnesses and police reported fighting in other parts of the city.

Brig Gen Khattab Omer of the Kirkuk police said at least 80 people were killed in the assault, mainly Kurdish security forces. Another 170 were wounded, he said, adding that a sundown curfew has been imposed on the city.

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Indore:

Individuals and entities can pay taxes online using debit or credit cards once the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is rolled out, Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia said on Sunday.

The government proposes to roll out the new indirect tax regime from April 1 next year and has made registration,refunds, returns filing and payment processes online.

"With regard to payments, the best thing that will happen is all payments will have to be made online. You can use any mode of payment, electronic, NEFT, RTGS. You can do it through debit cards or credit cards of any bank.

"You need not open account in banks of government. Even if you have account in a private bank you can transfer money and it will reach the government," Adhia said while addressing the Global Investors Summit.

He said GST will make it easier for traders and industry to access Input Tax Credit and also ease compliance burden as the entire country will become a single market.

"I would ask the states to focus on the services sector because industry will come on its own once demand increases,"Adhia said. He said India is now taking several reform measures and GST is the biggest tax reform since Independence.

Adhia added that GST will also ensure that the taxesdeducted by sellers reach the government. Asked what will happen to excise duty benefits currently enjoyed by units in Jammu and Kashmir as well as Northeastern and hilly states, Adhia said they will be protected in asimilar manner. "Instead of giving direct exemptions, we will take it through the Government of India?s budgetary route," he said.

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Colombo:

A former member of the LTTE was killed on Sunday and another person injured in a land mine blast as they tried to enter a non-cleared area in Sri Lanka's Tamil dominated northern province, the government said. The two were injured in the blast in Jaffna's Pallai area, the information department said.

Police said both victims work as fishermen and were attempting to use bombs, hidden from LTTE days, for fishing.The explosion took place while they were digging out a bomb, they said.

In another security breach, two policemen were injured when they were attacked by a group of people in Jaffna's Chunnakam area.Police said the two policemen were returning from the house of one of the two Tamil students killed in police firing in Jaffna on Friday.

Five policemen were remanded for the killing.The police said the two incidents were not linked and today's attack on the policemen was carried out by an extortionist gang.

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New Delhi:

As the first week came to an end, Bigg Boss contestants had a face-off with none other than Salman Khan himself.

The Dabanng Khan of Bollywood began the show with an electrifying performance on his popular number 440 volt.

The Weekend ka Vaar episode on Sunday night was full of surprises and Salman was highly pissed off with commoners Swami Omji Maharaj and Priyanka Jagga.

Further, the Sultan actor also imitated Lokesh Kumari Sharma and showed housemates some funny pictures of Omji Maharaj.

Meanwhile, TV actress Kamya Punjabi too joined the show as an analyst of sorts and interacted with the contestants.

Kamya gave some strong statements on Omji Maharaj which led to an argument between him and Lopamudra Raut. Bigg Boss ka neighbour too made an entry in the show on Salmans hit song O O Jaane Jaana.

As the show progressed, Salman conducted Salman Ki Sabha with common people on the panel including a bus driver, fashion designer, housewife and a lawyer from different cities.

These people interacted with Salman and gave their perspective on the contestants performance in the house.

Amongst various twists and turns, Salman announced the eviction of Priyanka Jagga from the Bigg Boss house.

Whereas the celebrities rejoiced on her eviction, commoners Navin Prakash and Manoj Punjabi broke down upon hearing the news.

The Bigg Boss house has a lot of surprises up its sleeve and it will be interesting to see how events unfold from now on.
New Delhi:

Agitating JNU students on Sunday formed a human chain from the administrative block to the Vice-Chancellor's residence to protest the university administration's "inaction" in tracing a missing student of the varsity.

A student of School of Biotechnology, Najeeb Ahmed,allegedly went missing on last Saturday following a brawl on the campus allegedly with members of ABVP, the night before.

JNU Students Union which had last week kept Vice Chancellor M Jagadesh Kumar and other university officials under siege for over 20 hours alleging inaction on the administration's part, formed a human chain till VC's residence.

"Agitating students.. please understand, by shoutings logans and blocking entrance to my residence, we cannot trace Najeeb. We are doing all we can to trace the missing JNU student Najeeb Ahmed.

Now, agitating students have blockedentrance to my residence (sic)," he tweeted. Kumar who had earlier warned students of strict action if they resorted to "unlawful" means of protest also said that it started with a human chain from JNU Admin block but then there was a huge gathering of shouting students at the entrance of his residence.

"Repeated appeals to cooperate and not agitate have fallen on deaf ears of student agitators. This is unfortunate," he said in another tweet. JNUSU denied the claim that VC residence was "gheraoed" as it a human chain which culminated at the VC house where Najeeb's family, friends and two teachers spoke.

"He is lying through his teeth. First of all, he should be tweeting about Najeeb and not about himself. This is a highly megalomaniac tendency, just like Modi, to claim victimhood for himself whereas the only victim is Najeeb. The VC should stop seeking undue sympathy," JNUSU president Mohit Pandey said.

Earlier in the day, the university released two statements appealing to the JNU community and JNUSU to extend support in finding the missing student. "The Administration's concerns are rising by the day with no credible information available about the where abouts of Najeeb Ahmed.

The Vice-Chancellor of JNU is meeting the Police Commissioner on Monday morning in this regard," a statementfrom the university said. It also said, "the ethos, norms, and peaceful methods ofresolving issues within the university are at stake because ofreported attempts by some vested interests to give it acommunal colour".

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Jammu:

A top official of the Border Security force (BSF) has said that Pakistani troops will have to pay a heavy price if they target any BSF jawan. The development comes two days after BSF claimed killing 7 Pakistani Rangers after they shot a BSF constable.

BSF Additional Director General Arun Kumar made these remarks after laying wreath on the body of BSF jawan Gurnam Singh who was injured in sniper firing by Pakistani Rangers on Kathua border of Jammu on Friday and passed away this morning.

"If they try to do anything, they will be given a befitting reply. We are fully prepared for that," he said.

Kumar said the infiltration attempt was carried out with the support of Pakistan Rangers which was foiled by Gurnam and his other colleagues.

"Absolutely that is on record and we have seen though our surveillance equipment as how they (Pakistan rangers) have given protection fire to get the people infiltrated into our border and how our men repulsed that," he said.

To a question on the BSF claim of having gunned down 7 Pakistani Rangers and a terrorist in retaliatory fire, the ADG said, "See, as far as the number of people killed (is concerned) there we cannot be fully sure. But as we have a close border and we have equipment with which we can see on the other side, we have seen several people being hit and falling."

In the wake of reports of a border build-up by Pakistani troops across the International Border, Kumar said BSF has the information and it is fully prepared to deal with any eventuality.

"I think we are having the information, we are ready for any eventuality and if they are building up we are ready for it," he said

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Jammu:

Pakistan Rangers violated ceasefire twice on Sunday in R S Pura sector of international border (IB),using mortar shells and firing small arms.

Border Security Force (BSF) gave a "suitable reply" and noone was injured on Indian side. Firing was still going on. "Pakistan rangers resorted to first small arm fire at 1820 hours and few 82 mm mortar bombs were also fired at ourpositions at 2145 hours," a BSF spokesman said.

Pakistan Rangers resorted to mortar shelling in Abdullian and Korotana Khurd area of the sector, he said. Earlier this evening, Pakistan violated the ceasefire along the IB, as Pakistani Rangers used small arm fire to target Indian posts, which was not retaliated by the BSF.

Today's ceasefire violation came within hours of warning by Additional Director General, BSF, Arun Kumar that Pakistan will have to face dire consequences if any BSF Jawan was targeted.

He also said that the BSF was fully prepared to deal with any eventuality arising due to the build up on the Pakistani side. Kumar said that the lull along the border could take "anyturn anytime".

On Friday night, Pakistan Rangers had targeted the border hamlets and border outposts (BoP) with mortar shells and opened fire from automatic weapons along the IB in the sector.

During the late night attack, which started around 11 PM and continued till Saturday morning, Pakistan Rangers had used 60 and 81 mm shells in the Korotana Khurd and Budhipur Jattan villages in the R S Pura sector.

Seven Pakistan Rangers personnel and a terrorist were killed and three others seriously injured in a befitting retaliatory action by the BSF as the Pakistani troops had targeted six sectors in Jammu, Kathua, Samba, Poonch and Rajouri districts of Jammu and Kashmir.

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New Delhi:

The Traders' Wing of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) held a demonstration on Sunday against Chinese products while urging traders to stop importing its products.

The demonstration was held to protest against China's alleged support to Pakistan.The traders, who held the protest at Karol Bagh market, urged the Centre to come up with a policy to reduce imports of Chinese products.

"China is supporting Pakistan which is a cause of terrorism in India. It is doing so because of its economic might."

The trade imbalance between the India and China is huge. If we can try to reduce the import of Chinese goods then this can hurt its economy," Brjiesh Goyal, convenor of the traders wing of the AAP, said.

He said it was also upon the traders to minimise Chinese imports and focus on self-reliance.

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Chennai:

Top Tamil film actor Kamal Haasan on Sunday asked his fans to not celebrate his birthday which falls on November 7 in view of the hospitalisation of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa.

In a tweet in Tamil, he said "an appeal to my friends (of his fans club) in view of the health of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister...my birthday functions should be avoided for sure."

Born in 1954, the top actor-cum-film maker's 63rd birthday will be next month. He is currently engaged in the production of a comedy trilingual "Sabash Naidu."

Recently, he suffered a fracture in his leg and undertook treatment at Apollo Hospitals.

For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Taipei, Oct. 23 (CNA) A French senior executive at RT Mart Taiwan said Sunday that he has not been able to get used to his Taiwanese colleagues' deference, adding that they tend to acquiesce to those in authority and seldom point out the faults of their superiors.
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STAMFORD  As the digital dangers mount, a number of Connecticut institutions are bolstering their cyber defenses.

The threats to information technology systems extend far beyond hacks of presidential campaign emails that are divulged on WikiLeaks. Organizations of all sizes  especially small businesses  are vulnerable to a proliferation of attacks. But the growing affordability of cybersecurity services and the launch of new initiatives involving the public and private sectors show that companies are hardly powerless against their online opponents.

The volume of attacks has increased and so has the complexity of attacks, said Laurent Michel, co-director of the Connecticut Cybersecurity Center at the University of Connecticut. Not everyone is protected properly. You have to protect your information technology systems against the simplest kind of attacks, but also against more sophisticated ones.

Many threats

Companies face a daunting number of threats to their IT systems.

More than 500 million personal records were lost or stolen in 2015, according to a report released earlier this year by the data-security firm Symantec. A record-setting nine mega breaches affecting more than 10 million records in each incident occurred last year.

The attacks can afflict all types of hardware and software. Web app attacks, point-of-sale intrusions, malicious software known as malware and denial-of-service attacks that compromise the availability of networks and systems comprise just a few of the weapons in cyber criminals arsenals.

But the reasons for the offenses tend to be consistent. Almost 90 percent of breaches had a financial or espionage motive, according to the Verizon 2016 Data Breach Investigations Report.

Just detecting a cyber attack can present a major challenge. Unlike the theft of a physical good like a truck, the crime might not be evident.

Attackers who want to steal your intellectual property are not going to break into your system and leave crumbs all over the place, said UConns Michel, who co-directs another security center at the university and also serves as an associate professor in its department of computer of science and engineering. They do everything to be invisible so you dont even know youve been breached.

The subtlety of the attacks can also complicate efforts to quantify the losses.

Smaller firms are particularly vulnerable to data-security threats because they often lack the IT resources in people and capital investments that larger companies can afford. In 2015, 43 percent of all attacks targeted small businesses, according to the Symantec report.

Even the local laundry service is a target, the report said. In one example, an organization of 35 employees was the victim of a cyber attack by a competitor. The competitor hid in their network for two years stealing customer and pricing information, giving them a significant advantage.

Cyber attacks cost companies as much as $400 billion each year, according to the British insurance firm Lloyds.

But recent arrivals in southwestern Connecticut show how the market is shifting to make digital defenses more accessible to smaller companies with tighter budgets. The Piscataway, N.J.-headquartered cybersecurity firm BlackStratus opened in April offices in Stamford to house a security operations center and a sales team to support a new product CYBERShark, which essentially allows smaller firms to outsource their data security to BlackStratus.

By putting the technology in the cloud  with costs running as low as a couple hundred dollars per month  businesses can share the cost of using CYBERShark.

All the infrastructure is monitored by us  we can detect potential threats and identify them and take action, said Rich Murphy, BlackStratus vice president of products. We will handle cybersecurity for you and when something is up, we will notify you.

A $5.5 million state grant supported the opening of BlackStratus Stamford complex, which now houses 23 employees.

Taking action

Consumer financial-services firm Synchrony Financial and the University of Connecticuts School of Engineering announced last week the launch of a Synchrony-funded Center of Excellence in Cybersecurity at the university, an initiative intended to support education and research in the field.

Synchrony officials were not available to comment this week on the initiative, but they said in previous statements that they had high expectations for the new venture.

We are passionate about cultivating top technology talent in Connecticut who will soon be on the nations front lines of defense against cyber crime, Carol Juel, executive vice president and chief information officer at Synchrony Financial, said last week. Our partnership with UConn is an important step toward building the research and resources needed to fuel hiring in this growing area of technology.

Through the partnership, the Stamford-based Synchrony will provide an endowment for a Synchrony chairperson to lead cybersecurity education at UConn and help develop a pipeline of information-security talent. In addition to research, Synchrony has committed to funding a cybersecurity fellowship program and a scholarship program that will provide stipends to attract graduate students to UConn, where they will study and conduct independent cybersecurity research.

Synchrony will provide $2.2 million for the new programs, which will be funded during the next five years.

Synchrony and UConn officials said the partnership would develop Connecticut talent to help fill openings in the cybersecurity industry. There were about 209,000 unfilled cybersecurity jobs in the U.S., according to an analysis of March 2015 federal Bureau of Labor Statistics by Peninsula Press, a project of the Stanford Journalism Program.

Officials in Hartford are also taking action. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced last week the creation of a new cybersecurity chief risk officer for Connecticut. Malloys pick for the position was Art House. He had served since 2012 as one of three commissioners in the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority and most recently as the organizations chairman. In that role, House helped to develop a plan for improved cybersecurity across the state for electrical, natural gas and water infrastructure.

In his new position, House will work to improve cybersecurity-related coordination and communication among state agencies and build relationships between the public and private sectors. He will also contribute to the ongoing development of the states first cybersecurity strategy, a plan that is scheduled to be completed in the spring of 2017.

Were trying to bring together the different elements of cybersecurity and gain from playing more as a team, House said. Well work with businesses and hospitals and universities and others to to find areas where can help.

And collaboration around data defenses is needed more than ever as cyber attacks continue to evolve, said Houses new boss, state chief information officer Mark Raymond.

If were going to be able to adequately defend not only state government but also all our businesses, we need to share more info on emerging threats, Raymond said. We each have elements that can help each other.

pschott@scni.com; 203-964-2236; twitter: @paulschott
If life with tacos wasn't scrumptiously spectacular enough, a Tex-Mex joint in Corpus Christi challenges customers to eat a nearly 4-pound bundle of homemade tortilla, beans, cheese, carne guisada, egg, potatoes and bacon.

Chachos Tacos, at 3700Ayers St., propositions its bravest foodies to tackle the All-Mighty Chacho's Taco Challenge in 10 minutes. The chomp champ wins a T-shirt, spot on the hall-of-fame, bragging rights and probably some feelings of self-loathing and lethargy. Of course, they also don't have to pay for the $9.99 taco.
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ROXBURY - Children sat in the old-fashioned wooden desks on the side of an historic one-room schoolhouse Sunday afternoon.

These are comfortable, one young girl said. They are much nicer than the ones we have at school.

About 50 children, parents and other Roxbury-area residents attended the Roxbury Land Trusts open house for the historic Good Hill Schoolhouse. The schoolhouse served children grades one through eight from the mid-to-late 1800s to the early 1900s.

The Roxbury Land Trust has been taking care of the schoolhouse since 1997 when actor and Roxbury resident Richard Widmark donated it and the surrounding four acres to the organization.

But Mary Daniel, one of the land trust directors, said few people know the schoolhouse  which is on the Widmark Preserve at the intersection of Schoolhouse and Tophet Roads  exists. The land trust holds an open house for the building about once a year to make people aware of it.

This is a wonderful old structure and were just so proud to be able to open it up, Daniel said.

The schoolhouse first appeared on tax assessor records in 1849, but the land trust believes it was built earlier than that. Daniel said now it is one of the last one-room schoolhouses around.

The land trust believes students began attending the school in the 1860s, but no records were kept until 1881. One teacher taught grades one through eight, but attendance was often low because laws did not require school attendance and parents did not stress education. School was only in session in the winter because children had to help on the farm in the other seasons.

The building still has the fireplace that kept the students warm, and the land trust has lit it during other open houses. The organization fixed the roof about 10 years ago and has replaced the floorboards over the years, but Daniel said the building is in great condition for being nearly 200 years old.

While the land trust estimates the schoolhouse closed in 1903 because of a shortage of students (only six attended then), Roxbury resident Sarah Lauriat believes her grandfather, Joe Dooley, attended in the 1920s. He passed away when Lauriat was 6, so she never got to hear from him what it was like, but knows that he, like the other students at the time, walked to school.

She had never been inside the schoolhouse before Sunday and said it was strange to stand in the place where her grandfather once learned.

Its eerie, she said. It's unique.

Washington resident Shirley Downs said her grandfather, Austin Isham, attended the school in the late 1800s. She had visited the school before for a different open house.

When I came that time they had a school registry and my grandfather and his brothers and sisters were all in the registry, she said.

Katie Re Scheidt and her husband Eric brought their two kids to the schoolhouse as a fun afternoon activity.

Its just something good to do, something that shows them the history of the town, she said.

But her 6-year-old son Gunther said he does not think he would want to go to school at Good Hill.

It wouldnt be that fun, he said. You just sit and write for six hours.

Daniel said the land trust is grateful Widmark donated the schoolhouse and the rest of the 27 acres that now make up the Widmark Preserve, where hikers can walk and explore nature.

I love sharing this, she said. I just think its so beautiful.
I heard a barred owl hooting one night in the woods that surround my house.

A few nights later, I heard a great horned owl, with a different, descending pattern of hoots.

What I heard was probably practice. Young owls just out of the nest try out what noises they can make as they explore their territory.

The young owls are learning their repertoire, said Ken Elkins, director of education at the Bent of the River Nature Center in Southbury.

Other people are hearing them as well.

Ive been hearing a barred owl, maybe several barred owls, for the past month, said Angela Dimmitt, a skilled birder who lives in New Milford. Its after 11 p.m. Another friend said shes been hearing a screech owl.

We hear them here almost every night, said Sean Grace, executive director of the Sharon Audubon Center, which, like Bent of the River, is owned by Audubon Connecticut. The Sharon Center, with its woods and wetlands, is a perfect habitat for barred owls.

Hearing them, I was, as always, a bit spellbound. An owls hooting in the still of the night makes my soul sit still, and I listen intently until the owl goes quiet. Then I think: How lucky I am.

Generally, once people hear owls, theyre hooked.

Theyre like hummingbirds  theyre fascinating, said Margaret Robbins, owner of the Birds Unlimited store in Brookfield. People come in to buy an owl box and other people start talking to them about owls.

A good part of their allure is their mystery. Sleeping by day, hunting by night, floating through the woods without a sound, owls are known almost entirely by what we hear of them.

(Snowy owls are the exception. When, and if, they arrive in the state in winter, they sit out on beaches and fields and let people admire them. )

Which makes knowing how many owls are in the state tricky. You cant count what you cant see.

Here is what we do know: There are two owl species  barn owls and long-eared owls  that the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection lists as endangered. Short-eared owls are a threatened species and northern saw-whet owls, which migrate through Connecticut in winter, are listed as a species of special concern.

Three owls are common here: great horned owls, barred owls and screech owls.

The biggest  great horned owls  are doing well. Theyre omnivores big enough to hunt down skunks, opossums and domestic cats, as well the omnipresent rodent population. Theyre adaptable. They can live in the country, the suburbs and the cities.

We have great horned owls nesting in Hartford and Bridgeport, Elkins said.

Theyre like the red-tailed hawks of owls, said Patrick Comins, director of bird conservation for Audubon Connecticut.

Screech owls, the smallest of the three, have also also learned to live in the burbs, Comin said. But because big owls hunt smaller owls, screech owls might not sound their odd, descending whinny as often. For them, silence is golden.

Barred owls  with their booming Who cooks for you? hoots  are in the middle.

Comins said it would make sense to assume barred owls are declining in Connecticut. They are losing their habitat  woods are getting fragmented and eaten up by development. Great horned prey on them as well.

But we dont know for sure, because we cant count them.

One owl that might be gone entirely from the state is the barn owl  a big, pale, round-faced bird that produces a terrifying scream rather than a hoot.

One reason might be that we dont have the barns for them to nest in or the open meadows they need to hunt across at night. We are no longer an agricultural state.

But Elkins, of Bent of the River, said Connecticut was always at the far northeast edge of the barn owls range. They might simply be retreating to their normal haunts.

In places like Ohio and Arkansas and Texas, theyre all over the place, he said.

But Comins said that in their time, they probably did some haunting in Connecticut.

People would go into old abandoned buildings and barns at night, and this big white thing would fly around screaming, he said. A lot of good ghost stories come from barn owls.

Contact Robert Miller at earthmattersrgm@gmail.com
'Rafale deal the best India could have got'

India,National,Politics,Defence/Security,Business/Economy, Sat, 22 Oct 2016 IANS

New Delhi, Oct 23 (IANS) The Euro 7.87 billion deal inked by India and France for the purchase of Rafale aircraft cannot be bettered, government sources reiterated, rejecting allegations that New Delhi paid an excessive price for the multi-role fighters.

Referring to Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar's October 20 statement on the 36-aircraft deal in "fly-away condition", the sources said no country had been offered a better deal.

"Rafale is the best deal that we have managed. It was because Prime Minister of India and President of France agreed that we have this deal which has not been offered to any other country," Parrikar had said, countering allegations by Swaraj Abhiyan that New Delhi paid double the price for the aircraft.

India had on September 23 concluded an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) with France for the purchase of the jets, the first fighter aircraft deal since the purchase of Sukhois from Russia in the late 1990s.

The fighters will meet the Indian Air Force's critical operational requirement for a multi-role combat aircraft and enhance its strategic reach, especially in context of arch rival Pakistan.

Parrikar and his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian had signed the IGA for purchase of the fighter jets that are capable of carrying nuclear weapons.

The deal also includes obligations under which the French industrial suppliers will discharge offsets for 50 per cent of the value of the procurement.

Dassault Reliance Aerospace, a joint venture between Dassault Aviation and Anil Ambani-promoted Reliance Defence announced earlier this month, will be the key player in executing the offsets obligations. The 50 per cent offsets obligation of the Indo-French deal is touted as the largest ever for India.

The deal for fighter jets, which are equipped with latest missiles and weapon systems, was preceded by tough negotiations over the price.

Soon after the deal was signed, Parrikar had tweeted: "Will significantly improve India's strike and defence capabilities."

The tough price negotiations led to a delay in the finalisation of the deal, which covers delivery of 36 planes, spares and weapons.

The first fighter plane agreement in about two decades was inked almost 16 months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the decision to buy the jets during his visit to France in April last year.

The fighter plane will be equipped with Meteor, a beyond-visual range air-to-air missile expected to considerably advance IAF's capability in aerial combat. Sources said the missile has a range in excess of 150 km and is of much higher capability than the 80 km range of such weaponry with Pakistan.

The Rafale fighter jet would be delivered within the next 36 to 67 months in fly-away condition along with weapons, training simulator, associated equipment and Performance Based Logistics (PBL) support. Sources said the schedule is better than the delivery schedule proposed earlier by the French side.

--IANS

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Taming the Afghans, plugging the invasion route: A forgotten contribution to Indian security (Colu

Delhi,National,Art/Culture/Books,Opinion/Commentary, Sun, 23 Oct 2016 IANS

It is a rare country that remembers all its heroes, let alone recognises their contribution -- even war heroes, otherwise lionised for political benefit and as a conveniently vicarious symbol of service and sacrifice.

These heroes are not only battlefield martyrs but also the commanders whose reputation rests on attaining strategic goals. Like this general in early 19th century north India who performed a feat that three of the world's strongest powers would not be able to replicate in the next century-and-a-half but still is scarcely a known name.

The Afghans made life difficult for the British for nearly a century since their first ill-advised meddling in Afghan affairs in the end-1830s, for the Soviets in the 1980s and then the Americans since 2001, but have never been totally invincible. Nor has their territory been off-limits to conquerors like Alexander, the Mauryas, Genghis Khan, Timur, Babur and even American adventurer Josiah Harlan, who briefly became King of Ghor. But this list is limited and the last successful name on it is that of Hari Singh Nalwa, the commander-in-chief of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

Nalwa (1791-1837) helped expand the Sikh empire with his role in conquering Kasur, Sialkot, Multan and Kashmir but more significantly, taking Attock and crossing the Indus to take Peshawar and areas up to the Khyber Pass which would henceforth be its western boundary (and also of the British Raj and subsequently Pakistan) but also governed some of the most unstable regions before his mysterious and untimely death.

Though he figures in memoirs and traditions of his period as well as histories (there is still a Haripur district in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa), but given his historical impact, specific works on him are surprisingly limited.

Apart from an Amar Chitra Katha comic in the late 1970s (with its simplifications and biases), three biographies date from British India with even the most recent being almost eight decades old (Amar Singh's "Chamakda Hira Ya Jiwan Britant Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa", Anglo-Sanskrit Press, Lahore, 1903; Autar Singh Sandhu's "General Hari Singh Nalwa", Cunningham Historical Society, Lahore, 1935, and Prem Singh Hoti's "Jivan-itihas Sardar Hari Singh-ji Nalua", Lahore Book Shop, Amritsar (1937, revised reprint, 1950).

There is also Ganda Singh's "Panjab Dian Waran (Ballads of the Panjab)", Amritsar, 1946, which includes Ram Dayal's "Jangnama Sardar Hari Singh".

Post-Independence works include Ganda Singh's "Si-harfian Hari Singh Nalwa by Missar Hari Chand 'Kadiryar'", Punjabi University, Patiala, 1965, on another ballad, Gulcharan Singh's article in The Sikh Review's October 1976 issue, P.S. Kapur's "Perspectives on Hari Singh Nalwa", ABS Publications, Jalandhar, 1993, and G.S. Nayyar's "The Campaigns of General Hari Singh Nalwa", also by the Punjabi University, 1993.

It was left to a descendant to do him justice and Vanit Nalwa delivers in her "Hari Singh Nalwa -- Champion of

the Khalsaji", Manohar, 2009. Nalwa, a Delhi-based psychologist, notes that during an interview about her work in September 2001, she was asked about her surname and as she began to recount the story of her illustrious ancestor, "realised how little I knew about my ancestry". Two days later came 9/11, soon Afghanistan was in focus, and thus "commenced my search for information on my ancestor who spent a lifetime subduing the Afghans in the first half of the nineteenth century".

She found much on him in Gurmukhi, Persian, Urdu, English and even Marathi, as well as in folk ballads, but the information was "fragmentary and scattered". Organising these into a composite whole, her invaluable book also places his life and exploits in context of his times by beginning with an overview of the Sikh religion, their transmutation into a nation (or rather a nation in arms) and subsequently a kingdom under Ranjit Singh.

But even with celebrated generals, the expansion of his kingdom from his base in Gujranwala was not easy. As we learn, it took four attempts to capture Kasur, seven attempts were made in 16 years to win Multan, a similar period ensued between the first attempt and final taking of Peshawar, while Kashmir was only conquered from its Afghan rulers on the third attempt.

In most of these, Hari Singh Nalwa played a major role but we begin right from his birth to a Khattri family in Gujranwala, how he got his singular surname, entered imperial service and began his tryst with history. Sadly, there is also intrigue and treason but also associated legends like how his name inspired terror among the Pashtuns (women scared rebellious children by warning them he was coming - "Hari raghle") and how he might have been behind the "Pathan suit". One shortcoming, however, is the "Aryans came, Muslims invaded and British conquered India" view of history, and thus some lack of full objectivity.

What, however, is needed is to probe (though counter-factual) what could have ensued if Nalwa had been around to guide the Sikh empire, which barely lasted an unstable decade after Ranjit Singh's death in 1839. Would the British have been successful had the Khalsa remained staunch enemies rather than the loyal mainstay of the Raj's armies, and what route would have India gone subsequently? We can only wonder.

(Vikas Datta is an Associate Editor at IANS. The views expressed are personal. He can be contacted at vikas.d@ians.in)

--IANS

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Jordan, US sign $787 mn grant agreements

Jordan,Politics,Diplomacy,Business/Economy, Sun, 23 Oct 2016 IANS

Amman, Oct 23 (IANS) Jordan and the United States signed four grant agreements under which the US will provide the Arab country with $786.8 million for 2016, a minister told a press conference on Sunday.

Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Imad Fakhoury appreciated the aid as timely and said it will help support Jordan's budget and reduce pressure caused by nearly 1.4 million Syrian refugees in Jordan displaced by war, Xinhua news agency reported.

Around $100 million will be dedicated to support the Red-Dead Canal project, a major water project that will make fresh water available in Jordan and help protect the Dead Sea, said Fakhoury.

He added that the grants will also be allocated to fund projects in health, education, environment and law and governance sectors.

Of the total grants, $479 million will be transferred in cash to Jordan before the end of the year, Fakhoury said.

The US provided $463 million military aid to Jordan this year, bringing the total economic and military aid to over $1.2 billion, he said.

--IANS

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The United States Air Force is in the process of completing its initial research on a next-generation air superiority capability to replace the Boeing F-15C Eagle and Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor fighters. Once such research is completed, the service will embark on an 18-month analysis of alternatives (AOA) starting this coming January to determine exactly what kind of capabilities it will need to gain and maintain control over the skies in the post-2030 threat environment. By thenin the year 2035the stealthy F-22 will be 30 years old while most the F-15C fleet will be more than 50 years old.

Current generation fighters like the F-22 and the Lockheed Martin F-35 carry only a couple of missiles internally, which could be a limitation during future combat operations.

China and Russia would also be able to attack refueling tankers which would reduce the operating range of US fighters.

A future PCA might be a significantly larger aircraft that todays fightersdesigned to operate at far greater ranges while carrying a far greater ordnance load. Those requirements for range, persistence and payload will have to be balanced against the need for stealth, electronic warfare capabilities, speed, maneuverability and other traits.

Many of the Air Forces potential future requirements might seem to be contradictory, but new technology might make such a plane technically feasible. Indeed, a very large fighter with a very large payload, huge range which is also extremely stealthy while being extremely maneuverable would be an extreme technical challenge with current technology. However, new technology such as adaptive cycle engineswhich the Air Force is currently developing with General Electric and Pratt and Whitneywill likely solve many of those potentially contradictory requirements. The bottom-line is its going to have to be a variable-cycle engine to meet those kinds of needs and not be a humongous airplane, Jeff Martin, General Electrics expert on sixth-generation fighter propulsion told me some time ago.

Adaptive Cycle Jet Engines

Thrust and fuel efficiency have always seemed destined to remain mutually exclusive  the higher the one, the lower the other  inevitably forcing jet engine designers to make calculated trade-offs between the two.

If the US Air Forces Adaptive Engine Technology Demonstrator (AETD) programme goes to plan, allowing future generations of aircraft to take to the skies that can switch from high-speed performance to maximum economy  and back again  as the need arises.

It is an ambitious goal, with a huge range of possible applications across the spectrum of fighters, bombers and tactical combat aircraft.

While it has all the makings of a potential game changer for the sector, the fundamental principle behind the idea remains fairly straightforward. Conventional jet engine designs are optimised either for range or speed primarily by reference to two key factors: the fan pressure ratio of the air pressure discharged from the fan relative to the input pressure, and the bypass ratio of the air flowing around the engine core relative to the air passing through it. Thus, commercial airliners and military airlifts have high bypass / low fan ratios to yield greater efficiency, while strike aircraft exhibit low bypass / high fan pressure ratios, sacrificing fuel economy in the interests of maximising thrust.

With adjustable fans and controllable air ducts, the thinking goes, you can increase the flow around the engine and raise the bypass ratio to improve cruising fuel efficiency, or force more air into the core to gain a burst of extra thrust, flexibly toggling between Grand Prix speed, or super-Mini economy.

SOURCES  National Interest, GE
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has identified 11 ways through which corruption is perpetuated in the Judiciary.

Fabricating rulings in exchange for money

Blackmailing litigants into paying for, or excluding evidence

Making decisions based on instructions from local government, party or senior judicial officials, rather than the law or facts

Assigning, dismissing, delaying or refusing to accept cases, or refusing to properly enforce court decisions

Extorting kickbacks from intermediaries for passing cases to certain judges

Trading law enforcement services for personal gain

Taking bribes from the plaintiff and defendant (or their lawyers) or both

Manufacturing court cases

Embezzling court funding

Bowing to the demands of local officials, criminal networks, local clans, social networks or economic interests

Abusing the power of judges to order suspension of business operations, the confiscation of property, the eviction of tenants, or fair compensation and labour rights.

He also says reforms in the Judicial arm demands that the National Judicial Council (NJC) should raise an independent panel to investigate allegations of corruption against judicial officers.Osinbajos views are encapsulated in a seminal paper in Transparency Internationals Global Corruption Report 2007: Corruption in Judicial Systems.He wrote on Sub-national reform efforts: the Lagos State experience which The Nation obtained yesterday, a day after he said in Ado Ekiti that all the three arms of government in Nigeria executive, judiciary and legislature are corrupt.In the 2007 paper, Osinbajo listed some of the most common methods of practising corruption in the Judiciary as follows:The VP reviewed past efforts put in place to stem corruption in the nations Judiciary.His words: Corruption is generally regarded as pervasive in Nigeria, affecting many of its institutions. The Judiciary is no exception. The main forms of judicial corruption relate mainly to either pure bribery or, in sensitive cases, political interference from government or party officials.The problem worsened during Nigerias 30 years of military rule, one of the worst features of which was the weakening of all the justice institutions.In 1994, Gen. Sani Abachas regime established a panel of inquiry, headed by the renowned retired Supreme Court Justice Kayode Eso, to look into the activities of members of the Judiciary.The panel recommended a series of reforms aimed at curbing judicial corruption. The panel also indicted 47 judges for alleged corruption, incompetence, dereliction of duty, lack of productivity or corrupt use of ex parte orders. The military regime failed to implement the recommendation of the Kayode Eso panel.The civilian regime, which took power on 29 May 1999, set up another panel to review the work of the Kayode Eso panel. Following the report of the second panel, some of the indicted judges were either dismissed or compulsorily retired.He also shared his thought on the disciplinary procedures for judges and argued that the National Judicial Council (NJC) does not have the final say.He added: With regard to the discipline of judges, the reform policy dictated that every case of judicial corruption would be investigated and submitted to the NJC, which would then appoint an independent investigation panel to make recommendations.Prior to the NJCs creation in 1999, the JSC had been the sole adjudicator on disciplinary issues, providing an avenue for local interference in the processIt is important to note, however, that the NJC does not have the final say on the disciplining of judges. This lies with the governor or president as the case may be.He recalled how 91 judges in China, including a Vice President of the High Court, two presidents of the intermediate courts and two presidents of the basic courts, were charged with corruption.He said: In the celebrated Wuhan Court bribery case, it appeared to be systemic and organized at all levels of the Judiciary.In Wuhan, Hubei Province, 91 judges were charged with corruption, including a Vice President of the High Court, two presidents of the intermediate courts and two presidents of the basic courtsThe ringleaders, two former Wuhan intermediate court vice-presidents, were ultimately convicted of corruption and sentenced to six and a half and 13 years in prison.Ten judges under their supervision were also sent to jail and a 13-member group was found to have pocketed almost 4million Yuan (approximately $510,000). The investigation implicated more than 100 other judges and court officials, who were disciplined or reassigned to other courts. Finally, 44 lawyers were investigated and 13 were charged with robbery.
One of the militant groups in the Niger Delta region, Greenland Justice Mandate, has warned Shell and the Nigerian National Petroleum Co...

One of the militant groups in the Niger Delta region, Greenland Justice Mandate, has warned Shell and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation not to reopen the Trans Forcados pipeline in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State pending a directive from it telling them to do so.The group in a statement on Saturday issued by its spokesman, Aldo Agbalaja, said, Trans Forcados crude is under force majeure from operator Shell since a militant attack on the subsea pipeline in February and it is due to resume operation this week following the completion of repair works and maintenance.We do not have much to say to the oil companies than to just dare them to reopen the Trans-Forcados pipeline. We are aware that you are experts at testing wills, especially as you believe that you have a military shield. Please, go ahead to restart the facility and see what will happen.It also warned the Federal Government not to go ahead with the October 29 meeting with the Chief Edwin Clark-led Pan-Niger Delta Dialogue Team, adding that the team must not negotiate on its behalf.According to it, the Clark-led Niger Delta leaders lack both the moral right and trust to speak for the region.Stating that it had nothing personal against members of the team, it added that it would be a grave mistake for the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government to discuss the future of the region with the same group of persons responsible for the current parlous state of the region.It urged the Federal Government to await its list of credible and trusted community leaders, including traditional rulers from the various ethnic groups in the region for the proposed dialogue.It added, We thought we should not continue to ignore the grand error being orchestrated by those who are responsible for the current parlous state of the Niger Delta region. These people seem to have succeeded in bewitching and railroading the Federal Government into settling for a dialogue with them in the name of the Niger Delta people.
Police were scouring area roadways Saturday night for a driver who reportedly fled from a traffic stop in northern Cayuga County and hit a patrol car.

At about 9:15 p.m., area law enforcement were informed by radio transmission to be on the lookout for a red pickup truck. The driver was said to have fled a traffic stop and had hit a patrol car, causing significant damage.
Youth leaders from 19 ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta region have urged President Muhammadu Buhari to involve them in the ongoin...

Youth leaders from 19 ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta region have urged President Muhammadu Buhari to involve them in the ongoing moves to dialogue with leaders of the region.The youth leaders, in a communique at the end of the meeting, said the proposed dialogue with the Niger Delta Elders was commendable.They, however, said the youth were the most vulnerable stakeholders in the economic, security and political issues affecting the region.Sahara Reporters stated that the youth leaders, who met in Warri, Delta State, were Udengs Eradiri (Ijaw Youth Council), Egbo (Isoko Youths Council), Mathew Dighi (Ogoni Youths Council), Edward Odum (Ikwerre Youth Council), Esimaje Awani (Itsekiri Youth Council), Imoh Stephen Okiko (Ibibio Youth Council), Mazi Okechukwu (Ohaneze Ndigbo Youth Council), Damige Pharry (Kalabari Youth Foundation) , Bassey Henshew (Efik Youth Council) and others.Listing their demands, the youth said they wanted an inclusion of all the youth leaders in the proposed dialogue.The statement partly read, The Federal Government should ensure a high degree of transparency and sincerity in the process of dialogue and negotiations. And we call on the agitating groups to sheathe their swords and give peace a chance.There should also be the reactivation of the Calabar, Warri and Port Harcourt sea ports, the construction of the Lagos/Calabar railway, completion of the East-West road, Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene, and Aba-Ikot Ekpene,Owerri-Port Harcourt, Isoko-Onitsha, Benin-Abuja and Calabar Itu expressways . The government should adequately fund the Niger Delta Development Commission, the Presidential Amnesty Programme and the Niger Delta Ministry. We believe this project will generate well over five hundred thousand job opportunities for the youth of the region.The youth leaders said though the people of the region appreciated the Federal Government for the release of the Chibok girls, they requested that in the spirit of genuine reconciliation and national unity, the IPOB Leader, Nnamdi Kanu, and the Shiite Leader, El Zakzaky, should be released.
A 51-year-old woman, Rose Edward, is in police net for allegedly buying a 2-month-old baby for N450,000. Akwa Ibom Commissioner of Pol...

A 51-year-old woman, Rose Edward, is in police net for allegedly buying a 2-month-old baby for N450,000.Akwa Ibom Commissioner of Police, Mr. Murtala Mani, disclosed this on Saturday in Uyo, while briefing newsmen.Mani who spoke through the commands spokesperson, ASP Cordelia Nwanwe, said that a homeopathic doctor, Eneyo Nyang, was arrested in connection with the crime.He said that Edward from Rivers confessed to have bought the baby because she needed a baby of her own.Confessing to the crime, the mother of the baby, Comfort Effiong, said that she sold her baby because there was no one to take care of her.She said, I sold the baby because of help; I dont have anybody to help me. My father is late and my mother is sick and I dont have anybody to help me.Mani assured Akwa Ibom people that the command would not relent in its effort to curb crime in the state.He warned members of the public wishing to adopt children to follow due process.(NAN)
A postgraduate student of Arabic at the University of Ilorin, AbdulHafeez Adedimeji, died on Saturday, the day he was to receive his doct...

A postgraduate student of Arabic at the University of Ilorin, AbdulHafeez Adedimeji, died on Saturday, the day he was to receive his doctorate at a convocation.Sources revealed that another doctoral graduand died shortly before the ceremony.Soon after the Dean, Faculty of Post Graduate Studies, Prof. Badmas Yusuf, informed attendants of the graduands demise, a gloomy atmosphere enveloped the lively UNILORIN auditorium where the 32nd graduation activities were being held.Adedimeji, who until his death was a lecturer at the Fountain University, Osogbo, Osun State, was among 166 receiving doctoral degrees at the convocation.He was said to have arrived in Ilorin for the convocation not long before his death.The Vice Chancellor of UNILORIN, Prof. Abdulganiyu Ambali, said 67 of the 6,069 graduands for first degrees were first class, adding that it was an improvement on last years 41 first-class graduands.He explained that 1,505 merited second-class upper division, compared to 1,234 last year; 3,200, second-class lower division; 1,124, third class; and 70, pass.He stated that 1,903 postgraduate students, 8,038 first degree students and 68 diploma students graduated on Friday and Saturday, being the first two days of the 32nd convocation.President Muhammadu Buhari, who is the Visitor to the university, assured Nigerians that the country would overcome the ongoing economic recession.Buhari, who was represented by the Deputy Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, Prof. Chiedu Mafiana, said recession was not peculiar to Nigeria, adding that many other countries in the world were facing similar challenges.According to the President, the recession was brought about by the collective failure of Nigerians as a people, dependency on oil exports to the exclusion of other products, insatiable appetite for foreign goods and services, including importation of food, corruption and lack of proper planning.The President said his administration was doing everything possible to restructure the economy and change the nations ways of doing things.The Visitor reiterated the Federal Governments resolve to steer the attitude and values of the citizens, especially the youth, towards positive direction.He stated that the responsibilities and obligations of university teachers in achieving this goal could not be overstated.The NUC Executive Secretary, Prof. Rasheed Adamu, who was also represented by Mafiana, stated that he was saddened and dismayed by what he termed the growing tension and animosity in various university campuses.
Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, weekend, avowed that it owed no authority, tribe or political group any apology for their legitimate agitation...

Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, weekend, avowed that it owed no authority, tribe or political group any apology for their legitimate agitations for true federalism, saying it was the responsibility of the central government to manage them, rather than overheating the system with fierce responses (read military action).The militant group in a statement by its spokesperson, self-styled Brig General Mudoch Agbinibo, said: It is disgusting for President Muhammadu Buhari and his tribesmen to equate the revenue priorities of the Niger Delta region with regional comparisons of development in Nigeria. For crying out loud, since 1914 our resources have been the essence of this union called Nigeria before crude oil was discovered. The amalgamation of southern and northern Nigeria was for administrative convenience because the north was not viable economically.The idea of bundling through bills like North East/West Development Commission is fraud, hypocrisy and bigotry by President Muhammadu Buhari, it said. Avengers stated: President Muhammadu Buhari should think like a leader with the advantage of his age to see the genuine and legitimate agitation with the right attitude to pacify our people. We have been raped for too long, General Muhammadu Buhari should face the reality of the Niger Delta question.  He can stop listening to ideas and advice of the agitation as political system support structure that his tribal warlords and conflict merchants have hypnotized him to believe as the face of the Niger Delta struggle. Niger Delta is part of Nigeria federation that he governs, since he is the president, he will always need the cooperation of our people to share or allocate our resources to other component units, the group said.It noted: The daylight robbery and allocation of proceeds of our natural resources must stop. When he was the chairman of Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), as General Sani Abacha henchman, he exhibited this bigotry by focusing attention to his region, which he never pretended about by emphasizing 97 per cent versus 5 per cent development and appointment structure that he has exhibited again in his fifth coming in national affairs. He never pretended to be ethnic and religious bigot; the only things he pretends about are his roles in the underdevelopment of the Niger Delta and Nigeria in the over three decades he has being in government  1976, 1978, 1983/4, 1993/98 and now. He also pretends over the deliberate politicization of the Niger Delta struggle by those tribesmen and conflict merchants he has abdicated the responsibilities of governing Nigeria to since May 2015.He has forgotten that on his assumption of office, peace has been sustained in the region not through political party and structure support approach but the involvement of genuine stakeholders and the people of the region, the group stated. It added: If Mr. President will come down from that his ethnic iron-horse to engage in discussion with our people on October or any date he likes, the issues are not new. We want to control our resources and pay appropriate taxation to the central government that is fiscal federalism in practice and in principles.  The government, representatives of the multinational oil corporations, neutral international observers and elders as well as stakeholders should guide themselves with the following documents: the Sir Henry Willinks Commission Report of 1958, The Ogoni Bill of Rights, The Kaiama Declaration document of the Ijaw Youth Council, The General Alexander Ogomudia Committee Report, The Niger Delta Technical Committee Report which contains the Pre- amnesty issues and agreement with the government of Nigeria in 2009.Then, the framework can be drawn for achieving the short, medium and long term objectives toward the restoration of our land and reparation for the people that have been raped and colonized since 1914, the Avengers asserted. They declared: No amount of military action and surge will stop us from halting the flow of the oil from our land to sustain Nigeria.This is our land that we are the masters of its battlefields. We have warned earlier that we want the peace with honour, no more peace of our time. Any meeting with this government should be seen as driving a combustible vehicle laden with fire to safety; it must be driven with carefulness, they said.
TRENTON -- A judge sentenced a Passaic County woman to a year in prison for bilking her employer of hundreds of thousands of dollars of watches and watch parts, authorities said.

U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman announced on Thursday that Lissette Delarosa, 37, of Woodland Park, was sentenced in federal court in Trenton after she had pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud conspiracy.

Delarosa admitted that she and Cynthia Alvarez, 51, of Kissimmee, Florida, used their positions at a Bergen County watch manufacturer's customer service department to fraudulently obtain merchandise for nearly a decade.

The two created hundreds of fake invoices, records and customer complaints for watches and watch parts in their company's invoicing system. They had the merchandise sent to a location separate from their employer.

Alvarez pleaded guilty to the same charge as Delarosa and was sentenced on July 8 to two years of probation.

Along with the 12-month prison sentence, Delarosa received three years of supervised release and has to forfeit $126,460.

Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
As a fan of brevity, and the whimsical illustrations of Patrick McDonnell, I was delighted to receive "Tek The Modern Cave Boy" (Little, Brown and Company, $15.99). The children's book, like most, is a study in brevity. Unlike most books for kids, however, but like his other work, this is funny.

It also manages to deliver a message: Put the phone down and participate in life! This book, in the shape of an electronic tablet, is about a little cave boy, Tek, who won't stop playing on his electronic devices. The hero is introduced with:

"Tek was pretty much your typical troglodyte child. Yes, he did have a beard, but everything was kind of hairy back then."

McDonnell, who has written at least three dozen books - he wasn't positive how many - is best known for his cartoon strip "Mutts" in its 22nd year. McDonnell, 60, grew up in Edison, lived in Metuchen and Hoboken, before settling in Princeton. He talked with New Jersey Authors about writing and illustrating and what follows in an edited version of that conversation.

Tek is a cave boy who is way too attached to his electronic devices.

How did "Mutts" come about?



I had been doing magazine illustrations for about 10 years. I wanted to do a strip. I thought this little dog would be a good character. I like drawing them and I love dogs. I was living in Hoboken at the time but I wanted to move to the suburbs and get a dog. I got a little Jack Russell named Earl because he looked the dog I was drawing. My mission with this strip is if I could capture some of his joy and energy that is what I was trying to do.

You're clearly an artist but when did you realize you could write and be funny?



Because of my love for comic strips, which are such a beautiful combination of writing and drawing. Even as a kid I used to make up my own characters and have them do little, funny stories. I always put words and sketches together.

Which books can you reread?



"I am That" by Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj I have read the book at least 12 times.

What is your work process like?



It takes me a little over a week to do three weeks of cartoons and gives me a week and a half off when I do other projects, charity work, picture books.

"Tek" has the historical accuracy of "The Flintstones" but its message is timeless: Pay attention to life!

What are you working on?



"The Gift of Nothing" was my first picture book and we did a children's musical for the Kennedy Center in DC. Right now I am in the middle of working on "Me ... Jane" for the Kennedy Center as a musical and if all things go well I am working on a Mutts movie for Fox animation.

If it's a musical about your Jane Goodall book are we talking singing chimps?



Yeah, there will be. Right now we are in the workshop phase. Next week I go to Washington DC to start playing with it.

How did "Tek" come about?



I presented that book to my editor seven years ago. When I propose books I show two or three ideas. At that time I also proposed "Me ... Jane" and we both agreed that was the book. Seven years ago I thought (kids being too connected to devices) was a hot topic. I always go back to old ideas. If anything, it is more important today.



Where did you get your first library card?



The Edison Library. I loved the library. There was a series of biography books for kids and I loved reading stories about famous people and what their lives were like.

Everyone thinks he or she can write a children's book. Is it as easy as people think?



Nothing is as easy as people think. In the long run it is probably easier than to write a really good novel. It is like poetry; less is more and you have to be direct to write a good children's book. It takes a certain amount of skill. Dr. Seuss was obviously an influence and The Wizard of Oz' Frank L. Baum

Does Jersey inform your work?



Definitely. I never say where they are living but in my head they are in the romanticized version of New Jersey, the suburbs of New Jersey. I also have them go down the Jersey shore every summer and I draw different characters. How can Jersey not be part of the strip? I feel like all my characters live somewhere in New Jersey.
JERSEY CITY -- More than most people, Vera Holmes has seen how domestic violence destroys lives.

Aside from having experienced it herself, the 52-year-old Jersey City woman said she beheld the way it eroded -- and ultimately ended -- her daughter's life.

On March 14 this year, 29-year-old Amelia Holmes was fatally shot on Monitor Street by her boyfriend, Terrence Jackson, 29, before he eventually shot himself at Mercer Park, authorities said.

While she never thought Jackson would go so far, Vera Holmes said the murder-suicide didn't come out of the blue.

"My daughter was in an abusive relationship for many years," she said. "I talked to her, I tried to get her to leave him. But one thing I told her was, 'I'm never going to give up on you.'"

Vera Holmes joined other women on Saturday at the Fifth Annual Sarah's Daughters Domestic Violence Awareness Conference at the Mary McLeod Bethune Center in Jersey City to share her story.

In another far-reaching effect of domestic violence, she told The Jersey Journal that she has struggled to obtain the housing and counseling needed for her daughter's three young children.

Vera Holmes said she hopes sharing her story -- and her daughter's story -- will spur domestic violence victims to reach out to others for help.

"Domestic violence is like a silent killer. Open your mouth to speak out about what's going on," she said. "We got to open our eyes and see that (our partners) don't care about us if they're going to continue to beat on us."

Rev. Bertha Reels of Mt. Olive Baptist Church, who founded the conference and organizes it each year, said her own experience of domestic violence spurred her to start the event.

She said it took her a long time to realize just how much of a negative impact the violence had on her life.

"I felt the need to be able to help other women -- especially young women who are in domestic violence situations -- understand that they don't have to go through that," Reels said.

The conference also featured lunch and a panel discussion that included a Jersey City police officer who has worked in the West District domestic violence unit for years; a facilitator for domestic violence intervention; a domestic violence survivor; and others.

Jonathan Lin may be reached at jlin@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @jlin_jj. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.
By the Rev. Dr. Timothy Gahles

John Henry Newman's motto sums up my philosophy of ministry in just a few words: Cor ad cor loquitur (Heart speaks to heart). I functioned as a conduit in which His heart spoke through mine to others. It is a form of self-denial in a way. There was no room for ego in this ministry but a crucifixion of self.

Chaplaincy is a unique ministry in not only its context but in it's calling. As a chaplain for 12 years in a retirement community and one who ministered exclusively to those in pain, suffering and dying, it became very clear to me that not all ministers are called to this ministry full-time.

However, it likewise became clear to me that you could not minister effectively unless you allowed yourself to "feel" a measure of the hurt and pain of those you were ministering to. You had to enter their world in order to understand their world of pain and sorrow.

You see, I didn't "do" visitations, I "experienced" them.

For example, after being a physics teacher at New York University for 30 years, I now have to reconcile with the insidious disease of Parkinson's. A lifetime couched in problem solving and analytical thinking as a scientist seems to be overcome by a cloud of darkness when confronted by ones own mortality.

I have experienced the intensity of a French nurse crawling through farm fields at night behind enemy lines in occupied France hiding in haystacks during the day just trying to make it to the allied lines without being captured.

I have felt escaping the Nazis only to come to America with no money and no prospects, but eventually going on to earn two degrees and teaching American women becoming nurses the value of human life and the care of the suffering.

Now, 50 years later with no family and friends left to visit, the long lonely nights are eerily similar to the ones in occupied Europe, only this time without and prospect of hope, the thought of which presents a creeping despair, as the cancer in the stomach continues to consume the treasured past, present and future.

All of which causes one to wonder - what awaits me after this?

Again, I have felt the excitement of a Princeton graduate enlisting in the Air Force to serve his country only to be shot down over Nuremburg, Germany, and taken to a prison camp hospital where night and day for two weeks he heard the screams of gypsies in railroad boxcars outside the prison windows until, day after day, they became quieter and quieter in the summer heat as they died in their compact hell.

Now, every night in his sleep he can hear those cries as if they were yesterday, mixing with his own, while the tumor in his brain continues to grow and he thinks - Where is God in all this?

I have experienced the confusion of a helicopter door gunner in Vietnam who still doesn't understand the war that changed his whole world, much less the stroke that paralyzed his left side two days after his 60th birthday and the lung cancer they found in him at the same time. Confused and watching his life slip away from his grasp, he poses the question, "Father, if I ask God politely for a few more years, do you think He will give it to me?"

When it comes to those suffering, pastoral care must guide, nudge, and move people in the right direction so they can use their suffering, so they can make something out of it for their eternity.

Essentially, I am a midwife because just as giving birth is hard and painful, so is dying.

We, as Chaplains, must help people to use their mortality for their immortality, to help them suffer well. I have found that in order for a minister/chaplain to be effective in this, they must first look to themselves.

Holiness is essential to this task because a priest will never bring anyone closer to Jesus than he is.

The object of the Cross; the Passion of Christ, is where a priest must self-identify so he can bring those dying to see the fellowship they have in Christ's suffering.

Only in the light of the Passion does suffering and death have meaning and this is where we, as priests, must bring those who are scared, confused, and are going through the birth pangs of dying to live.

The Cross - is the central place where all three - Christ, the sufferer and the priest meet. Again, you don't go into the ministry unless the ministry is in you first. Only because of this reality is the reason we don't do visitations we experience them.

Because in order to tell someone his or her suffering has meaning necessitates you experiencing it with him or her albeit in a different way.

A pre-planned script or a guarded heart so as to not feel pain during a visitation in not only not being real, but is also a hindrance to Christ's working through you. If the Christian life is to participate in Christ, how much more is being a priest, and in my context, a chaplain, ministering to the dying, grieving and suffering?

He is the potter we are the clay. If we are willing to suffer with Him, we will be willing to suffer with those we minister to. Dying to ourselves we become a conduit for His grace to bring healing to others as He brings life out of death.

So too, all priests who hope to minister effectively to the image of God in man must in praxis say, "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us (2 Cor. 4:7). Here, pastoral theoria meets praxis and becomes eucharistia to the Glory of God.

The Rev. Dr. Timothy Gahles is from High Bridge.
KINGWOOD - A hunter was flown to Capital Health Medical Center in Trenton after reportedly falling 20 feet from a tree stand on Saturday, according to those on the scene.

The accident was reported shortly before 5:30 p.m. in the woods off Lower Oak Grove Road.

The injured man was transported out of the woods by the Kingwood Fire Department using its off-road ATV 16-1. He was then taken by a Quakertown Rescue Squad ambulance to a waiting New Jersey State Police NorthStar Medivac helicopter.

Responding were troopers from the New Jersey State Police Kingwood Station, Kingwood Fire Department, Quakertown Rescue Squad, Quakertown Fire Dept Emergency Medical Services Squad and paramedics from Hunterdon Medical Center in Raritan Township.

The hospital was not able to release any information on the injured hunter's condition as of Saturday evening.
TRENTON -- Urban areas across the nation have been capitalizing on the recent trend of Americans migrating from the suburbs to the cities.

Trenton hopes to be the same.

The city's economic development plan aims to seize on the shift to attract new residents who could be a boon to its growth.

A recent white paper from the University of Pennsylvania's Penn Institute for Urban Research states that cities making the most of this migration wave are alluring to skilled workers and three demographics: immigrants, millennials and retirees.

The study says successful cities use people's desires for walkable downtowns and access to mass transit as a springboard for their own renaissances - a word long used by city leaders.

The study explains exactly whom redeveloping cities should try to attract and what draws those people to the area.

THE PEOPLE

Skilled Workers

A commuter takes the River Line home from work. (Michael Mancuso | For NJ.com)

Both attracting and developing human capital is important for the revitalization of post-industrial cities. Cities with higher levels of educational achievement experience stronger population growth, the study says.

Cities with a high level of local leisure-oriented amenities -- restaurants, concerts and museums -- experienced higher levels of growth between 1992 and 2002 because they disproportionately attracted educated individuals.

Trenton is unique in that the city has an abundance of state government and non-profit jobs available, but it does have difficulties converting them as residents, says the Trenton Downtown Association Executive Director, Tom Gilmour.

"Trenton suffers because city employees don't hang around," Gilmour said.

Current Census Bureau data shows that just 10.7 percent of Trenton residents 25 years and older have a bachelor's degree or higher -- 20 percent below the national average. The city's planning division, though, says the percentages of residents with a high school degree or better rose by 10 percent between 2000 and 2011.

Retirees

Well-known resident and recent retiree Algernon Ward inside of his home on Martin Luther King Blvd. (Michael Mancuso | For NJ.com)

According to the paper, the aging of the U.S. population is expected to help strengthen central cities up until 2030, as the share of the population over 65 is projected to increase from 12 percent to 20 percent.

The paper also finds aging baby-boomers are showing a higher preference for housing in centrally located neighborhoods than in their younger years. Reasons for the shift have been found to be forgoing yard work and long commutes in favor of walkable cities with amenities that are close by.

While retirees may be showing more desire to move to urban areas, Trenton neither draws a significant amount of retirees nor retains its existing population. Census data shows that between 2000 and 2010, the city lost 22 percent of residents aged 65 and older.

Millennials

Mark McConnell sports a serious spike hairstyle at a Punk Rock Flea Market in Trenton's historic Roebling Machine Shop. (Michael Mancuso | For NJ.com)

According to the paper, the capacity of central cities to retain younger residents has the potential to fuel the revitalization of older industrial cities. The current generation of young adults nearly matches baby boomers in numbers and is the most educated generation in U.S. history.

These younger households are increasingly choosing cities as living destinations for the relative affordability of central cities, large stock of rental units and access to jobs.

Since 2011, the city has maintained a stagnant average of 24.4 percent of residents between 20 and 34 years old with the total number of millennials falling between about 19,900 and 21,600 residents during the same time.

Immigrants

A Miss Hispanidad rides in her float on Hamilton Ave in Trenton at a past Desfile de Hispanidad parade. (Michael Mancuso | For NJ.com)

Immigrants have greatly contributed to the revitalization of urban neighborhoods as the demand for rental units by foreign-born residents has helped to offset the scarcity of native-born young adults in the 1990s, the study said.

The increased immigration experienced in the 1990s continued in the 2000s - creating demand for new rental construction in cities. By 2040 minorities are projected to represent half of the country's population.

With only 38 percent of housing being owner-occupied and average rent prices below the state average, Trenton has been a magnet for immigrant residents, Census data shows.

According to Census data, the city has gained the same number of immigrants as lost in overall residents over the past half decade. Currently 23 percent of the city is comprised of foreign-born individuals. Trenton's population is 84,900.

THE PROJECTS

Amenities

The Chambersburg section of Trenton has evolved from an Italian neighborhood to a Hispanic community. And while many mourn the loss of the iconic ristoranti online reviews suggest it's becoming a go-to spot for Latin cuisine.

Yelpers rate four of Trenton's restaurants in the list of 'The Best 10 Latin American Restaurants' in the greater Trenton area.

Art All Night, Art All Day, Trenton Makes Music, the Punk Rock Flea Market and Levitt AMP concert are among the events that have bulked up the city's arts and music community.

Gilmour explained these projects are vital to combating the perception that the city's unsafe. He also unveiled the Trenton Downtown Association's plan to combine the city's and Princeton area's pivotal role in the American Revolution to draw more history tourists. "We need to let people know what's here because it's pretty great."

Transportation/Jobs

Trenton Transit Center. (File photo)

The amount of jobs in Trenton and the surrounding area has consistently climbed since the turn of the 21st century peaking in July at 266,700, up from about 215,000 in 2000, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.

And unemployment numbers for the area are consistently lower than the state average and often lower than the national average, statistics show.

Trenton's transportation prowess has long been hailed by city officials.

The Trenton train station provides access to Philadelphia and New York - and their jobs - and the light rail River Line links Trenton to Camden.

Housing and Development

Construction on the Roebling Lofts, a 138-unit multi-family rental, which is Phase 1 of HHG's larger Roebling Center project is ongoing. (Michael Mancuso | For NJ.com)

Developers say recent projects show post-industrial Trenton's redevelopment potential and capacity.

One of the most talked about projects is the nearly $40 million 138-unit Roebling Lofts -- slated for 2017 -- the first phase of HHG's larger Roebling Center project.

The development of other industrial buildings have developers excited, from the empty Bell Telephone building, the completion of the new New Jersey Realtors building, ongoing work at the former Trenton Times office, and Governor Christie's recent announcement to knock down three state buildings for private development.

However, developers expressed concern with the governor's recent conditional veto of the state's Urban Enterprise Zone -- a tax exemption that allows downtown stores to charge only half the state sales tax to boost competition with suburban shopping centers and online retailers.

Education

An enclosed garden space in back of the new Mercer County Community College building on N. Broad St. (Michael Mancuso | For NJ.com)

With The College of New Jersey and Rider University less than six miles from downtown - and Thomas Edison State University downtown - proximity to higher education is no issue for residents. Cost could be an issue though, officials say.

Mercer County Community College President Dr. Jianping Wang sees the college as not only having a role in providing affordable education, but having a serious role in revitalizing downtown Trenton by attracting and educating the city's future workers.

"Economic development depends on workforce -- businesses will come but won't stay without a skilled workforce," Wang said.

Wang says she has been aggressive in finding ways to make the school attractive to Trenton and area residents but also is looking to draw students from farther away by offering a unique and affordable curriculum - such as a pilot's license program for $60,000, which she says is $140,000 cheaper than other programs.

Policy

Mayor Eric Jackson (middle), former Mayor Douglas Palmer (left) and Robert Prunetti (right), president of the MIDJersey Chamber of Commerce, speak at a city event. (Cristina Rojas | For NJ.com)

Some of the onus for revitalization is in the hands of elected officials, the study says.

"To compete for population and employment growth and ensure a quality of life, city leaders are putting into place policies that capitalize on assets and institutions, and developing programs to support growth and vitality," the white paper says.

But exactly what those leaders should do is unique to each leader and city says Dr. David Listoken of the the Center for Urban Policy Research of Rutgers. The best things a mayor can do are to promote the assets of the city and foster public-private partnerships, and he cited Cory Booker's tenure as Newark's mayor as a good example.

The city says they have several programs and organization that fit that description: The Summer Youth Employment Program, Greater Trenton, Capital City My Brother's Keeper and the Trenton Rescue Mission.

PERCEPTION PROBLEMS

Police on the scene of a shooting late one Sunday evening.(Michael Mancuso | For NJ.com)

High crime rates dog Trenton annually, creating a persistent negative perception barrier, officials say.

In 2015 Trenton had a spot on the state's Top 10 list of highest violent crime rate per capita, according to the FBI's Uniformed Crime Report.

The development team at HHG says they're fully aware of the city's crime rate, but their comfortable investing millions of dollars in the city because their own studies show trends that ease their concerns.

The team's first point: moving to an inner city likely means accepting a higher rate of crime regardless of the particular city, the developers say.

"Despite Trenton's poor reputation, I've always felt more secure in Trenton than I ever did in Park Slope," said Michael Goldstein, who eventually settled in Trenton's Mill Hill district after leaving the Brooklyn neighborhood in 1994.

Additionally, Goldstein says, most crime in Trenton is confined to specific neighborhoods and the nature of many crimes are personal. "In point of fact, there's very little stranger-on-stranger crime in Trenton."

Trenton has no shortage of politicians, business leaders, educators and city planners who are positioning themselves as helmsmen for the first ferry to the Trenton Renaissance, but it's up to the passengers to buy the ticket.

"There isn't one formula. It's a longterm process," Says Listoken.

Greg Wright may be reached at gwright@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregTheWright. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
EWING -- Authorities are investigating a fatal shooting in Ewing that left a 58-year-old man dead outside his home early Sunday.

William Blackwell was found shot to death outside his Homecrest Avenue house shortly before 6 a.m., the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office said.

The intersection of Homecrest and Chelsea avenues was taped off and evidence markers were scattered across the area as detectives were speaking with witnesses and family members Sunday morning.

The Mercer County Homicide Task Force and Ewing Police Department are investigating still investigating the incident, prosecutors said.

Greg Wright may be reached at gwright@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregTheWright. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
PRINCETON -- More than 250 Boy Scouts convened at the Princeton Plasma Physics Lab (PPPL) on Saturday, studying everything from putting out fires to programming robots to move through a maze.

The event, called the "Science & Technology Merit Badge Fair," was the second of its kind that PPPL has hosted. The event, which featured Boy Scouts from troops around New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania, ran all day Saturday.

Led by physicists and engineers, groups of middle and high school students completed hands-on activities that gave them the opportunity to earn badges or strengthen their knowledge of the sciences that they'd already been studying.

The activities included a robotics class, where students programmed movable robots to navigate a maze; a chemistry class; and a lesson in fighting fires.

Anna Merriman may be reached at amerriman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @anna_merriman
DeWolf descendants looking at family records from the slave trade at the Bristol Historical and Preservation Society, Bristol, RI.
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.
NEW YORK  Wal-Mart and JD.com are offering more choices for Chinese shoppers ahead of Singles Day, one of the world's biggest online shopping days of the year.

That includes two-hour delivery services at some Wal-Mart stores and a Wal-Mart global store on JD Worldwide, JD.com's cross-border platform.

Wal-Mart bought an initial stake in JD.com, China's no. 2 e-commerce site, this year in a deal that gave JD.com ownership of its Chinese e-commerce site Yihaodian. Earlier this month, Wal-Mart increased its stake in JD.com to 10.8 percent from 5.9 percent.

The world's largest retailer is trying to improve its business in China, the globe's most populous country that is lucrative but challenging. In China, Wal-Mart faces a business that has been slow and uneven.

Its online business makes up a fraction of the overall online Chinese market compared to Alibaba, which is No. 1 online, and JD.com. But the recent moves underscore how Wal-Mart is accelerating its efforts to cater to online Chinese shoppers who are dramatically increasing their purchases on their smartphones.

It is similar to the situation in the United States, where traditional brick-and-mortar retailers including Wal-Mart are looking for ways to better compete online with Amazon's online retailing might.

Singles Day was launched by Chinese college students in the 1990s as a version of Valentine's Day for people without romantic partners. The Nov. 11 timing was based on the four singles of 11.11. Unattached young people would treat each other to dinner or bestow gifts to woo someone and end their single status. It became a shopping bonanza as sellers of everything from necklaces to TVs moved to cash in on the marketing opportunity, and it is now China's answer to Cyber Monday in the United States  the day after Thanksgiving weekend, when retailers have their busiest online sales day.

Wal-Mart said late Wednesday that now more than 20 of its Wal-Mart stores in China offer two-hour delivery services for customers ordering on JD Daojia, the grocery and fresh goods business of the New Dada joint venture with JD.com. The number of stores is expected to double by the end of the year.

On Thursday, an exclusive Sam's Club flagship store launched on JD.com. It offers millions of Chinese customers access to premium products with JD.com's same- and next-day deliver Wal-Mart plans to use JD.com's nationwide logistics network and stock Sam's Club merchandise in JD.com warehouses. Wal-Mart also says all JD.com users will be able to buy Sam's Club products at membership prices during a 10-day introduction period following the official launch. Sam's Club has been a bright spot in Wal-Mart's business in China as it worked hard to offer top-quality products that appeal to affluent Chinese consumers.

It also launched a Wal-Mart global store on JD Worldwide, providing products imported by Wal-Mart from around the world.
While the good news is that the unemployment rate continues to drop, the bad news is that employers still arent increasing salary budgets.

A WorldatWork annual salary survey in the United States found that that the average 2016 total salary increase budget is 3 percent (mean and median), the same as it has been for the past two years. Respondents are planning for a slight increase for 2017 salary increase budgets, but only up to 3.1 percent.

So if youre interested in a larger raise, experts says you should be prepared to ask for it.

If employees feel that they should get more than a tight budget may seem to allow, they should be prepared to validate why, says Julia Bonem, a senior career consultant at Resume Strategists, New York City.

Employees will need to weigh a number of factors particular to their company and division, including how the business is performing, if their department is meeting and exceeding goals or whether others are being rewarded for top achievements, she adds.

This is no time to think emotionally.

Often an employee will approach a supervisor and say they feel they deserve a raise, which begs the question, why? says Trevor Simm, founder and president of the staffing firms OpalStaff in Millersville, Maryland.

Many times the employee will answer the question with emotion-based responses, which cannot be backed up. Simm says instead, the employee should answer the question with data that shows why they should get the reward they deserve. For example, show how and where youve saved the company money, or how youve led your team in sales, or how youve successfully managed several projects through completion, or how youve successfully launch a new product, etc.

These types of answers can be reinforced with measurable results, which are ultimately more compelling than emotions, he adds.

Bonem explains timing is critical. Look for the obvious signs that its a good time to engage in a conversation about salary. For instance, youOve assumed significant additional responsibilities, the company is prospering, your division is growing or its annual review time.

She says you should also research the value of your position within your geographic area. Also be knowledgeable about your companys salary structure and how it might affect your request for a raise.

If a salary increase is unlikely, propose bonus, incentives, professional development opportunities, tuition reimbursement or more vacation.

Aim high, but be realistic, so that you can leave room for negotiation, she adds.

If you dont get the pay increase you requested, you can keep trying. You should definitely ask for an interim performance appraisal with clearly defined goals and a salary adjustment before your next annual review.

This puts you in line for a possible increase sooner and communicates how seriously you take your career, Bonem says.
Dogs writing books is nothing new. Remember Millie, former first lady Barbara Bush's dog, allegedly penning a bestseller more than 20 years ago?

Now a dog writing a book that includes a few restaurant reviews and a description of a near-death experience, that's a different story, and it's the story of Lucky, with a little help from his "dad," Bob Soltys.

Soltys lived in Northwest Indiana for a time and did some photo work for the Glen Park Herald in the 1970s. He was living and working in the Los Angeles area when he and Lucky, a Jack Russell terrier, met. Lucky's previous owner left the dog tied to a pole in front of an animal shelter. The shelter kept him for three days  the maximum for unclaimed animals  and was about to euthanize him when someone, who had been looking for another Jack Russell, took him instead.

Another near-death experience still awaited him, but this first one was enough to earn him his name.

A short time later Lucky and Soltys met, and it was love at first sight. Lucky began traveling  and dining  almost everywhere with Soltys. The book describes their many travels over the next dozen years, including a stop at Giovanni's in Munster. The one-paragraph description of Giovanni's seems to give the eatery a "paws up" endorsement from both Lucky and Soltys.

It was Lucky's second close encounter with death that eventually led Soltys to write Lucky's memoirs. The pair were traveling to California from Ohio so Soltys could attend a photography workshop. Along the way they stopped at some old haunts, including restaurants, and to see old friends. Soltys stopped in a town in Colorado to get a cup of coffee, but, when Lucky got out to follow him, the dog collapsed.

"He stepped off the curb, screamed and collapsed," Soltys said. "It was just awful. I thought he died. It was a busy street, and I couldn't tell if he was breathing. I was sitting on the curb with the dog in my arms and I was crying. I told him I was sorry it ended like this. Then he started moving again, and he had just passed out."

Lucky's vet told Soltys shortly before the trip that Lucky had a heart problem, but Lucky should be fine on the trip. Lucky's collapse happened between Denver and Durango. So Soltys drove to Durango and found a vet, who said the altitude had exacerbated Lucky's condition. Soltys canceled the rest of the trip and the two returned home, where Lucky was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension.

Lucky has been on medications for the condition since that May 2015 incident. In November, Soltys decided it was time for Lucky to write a book about his experiences.

"I wrote a book about the agency I had just retired from. It was not a happy book, and people want to read something happy. Even better, people like to read a dog's story. It was like he was talking to me. I tried to think what would a dog say if you put a pen in his hand and he was talking."

Soltys did a kickstarter to fund the project and self-published "A Lucky Life" through Lulu.com in September, just in time for Lucky's 15th birthday. (He was found abandoned on Sept. 30 and that became his birthday.) Copies of the book are available through Aluckylifebook.com. Being self-published, Soltys said he has to do all the publicity and arrange the book-signings himself, and it's difficult to travel these days because of Lucky's health.

The book, which is 63 pages long, of 441 in dog pages, gives Lucky's impressions of the food at places like Al's Roast Beef and other places in Chicago as well as in Cleveland and across the country, including bison burgers in Colorado. It also includes a stop at the lunch counter at the Wall Drug in Wall, S.D. Another mention goes to Granny Jo's Creamatorium, which Soltys said is located in what used to be a funeral parlor west of Cleveland.

Lucky also provides readers with advice on the dangers of feeding pets table scraps.

"Lucky ended up in the hospital from too much people food," Soltys said. "The vet really yelled at me. He got bladder stones."

No cheese or french fries (every fry takes 10 minutes off a dog's life) and, of course, chocolate. Even a lucky dog's life isn't always an easy one.
Hello everyone!

Everywhere I go in the Region, people invariably ask me about where we are going to play our pops concerts next season. It is extremely touching and heartening that people care about the symphony so much and are worried about where we will play next seasons pops concerts.

Believe me, we are all working on several solutions.

Also, some people are mistaken in thinking that we are not playing at the star THIS season.

We will most certainly play our last holiday pops concert at the Star on Friday, Dec. 8, and our very final pops concert at the Star on April 27.

Additionally, I want folks to remember that we play our classical concerts at Bethel Auditorium in Crown Point and will continue to do so down the road. I want to invite all of you, especially those of you who have not witnessed one of our classical concerts at Bethel, to consider joining us for our Friday, Oct. 28 concert.

Bethel is an intimate experience on several levels. The hall is small  about 850 people  with wonderful acoustics. You get an up close and personal view of the orchestra, the chorus and the soloists. You also have an up close and personal experience with your neighbors, friends and co-concertgoers. We all mingle in the lobby at intermission and enjoy Cookies with Kirk together afterward.

This year the repertoire for this first classical concert is the gargantuan Mahler 5th symphony with forces over the top. The orchestra should peel some paint off the auditorium walls and we hope that the administration at Bethel will forgive us for this.

However, in the midst of all this amazing sound and true power, is the emotionally charged 4th movement  the adagietto. It is Mahlers most famous composition. For example, it was chosen by Leonard Bernstein for the funeral of Robert Kennedy at St. Patricks Cathedral in the summer of 1968.

I also want to invite each and every one of you to join me for the preconcert discussion, which is just before the concert from 6:15 to 7 p.m. Several hundred people attend; the room is packed.

We have a lot of fun and we learn things together. I will be showing a video that goes through the different movements of the 5th Symphony and I believe that it is very helpful.

Our soloist on this program is the super cellist, Loren Brown. He will be performing the virtuosic Saint-Saens cello concerto. Loren is a member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra cello section and before this was the principal cellist of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.

He also will be joining us for the preconcert talk and there will be a Q&A time for you to interact with Loren. His hair is short now but I knew of him when he had hair all the way down his back! Very cool guy and an extremely nice human being.

I hope that you will all join us on for this opening 75th anniversary classical concert on Friday, Oct. 28 as we celebrate how the orchestra has grown over these past 75 years. I believe that today it is a first class ensemble that could play anywhere in the world. I am extremely proud of them and believe that you will be, too.
A small herd of bison have recently arrived at The Nature Conservancy at Kankakee Sands in Morocco, Indiana. The Bison Overlook Area is located off of County Road 400 and open to the public. The bison have been brought to restore 1,100 acres of land by eating grasses, thinning out trees, and churning up the soil. Visit www.nature.org/KankakeeSands for more information.

Mahler 5

Experience Mahlers transformative Symphony No. 5 at Mahler 5 at 7:30 p.m. Friday. The performance by the Northwest Indiana Symphony will take place at the Auditorium at Bethel Church in Crown Point. Tickets range from $29-$69/each and students are $10. Call (219) 836-0525 for ticket information or visit www.NISOrchestra.org.

Halloween in the Dunes

Bring the family to enjoy zombie hikes, creepy campground crafts, trick or treating, hay rides and more at the Indiana Dunes State Park in Chesterton. Events take place at 10 a.m. Saturday and Oct. 30. Follow the State Park on Facebook for the latest updates www.facebook.com/INDUNES.

Halloween Dance Party

Join Running Vines and DJ Shane for the second annual Halloween Dance Party from 9 p.m. to midnight Saturday at Running Vines Winery in Chesterton. Festivities take place upstairs  costumes encouraged for the costume contest. Check www.runningvines.com for more information.

POKtoberfest

POKtoberfest is a Halloween beer fest held from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday on Broad Street in Griffith. Come dressed for Halloween and enjoy food and beer, benefiting the Griffith Police and Fire Departments. Guests must be 21 years of age or older. Tickets available for purchase and more information can be found at www.pokrobrewing.com.

Boos and Brews

Another option for adults this Halloween season  this one is from 8 p.m. to midnight Saturday at Byway Brewing Co. in Hammond. Enjoy witchs stew, candied apples and of course beer. Visit www.bywaybrewing.beer for details.

Speros Batistatos is the president and CEO of the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority. The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer.
ST. JOHN  The Lake Central School Board meets in special meeting at 6 p.m. Nov. 1 to approve its 2017 budget, but, perhaps of equal importance, it will discuss where the elementary students from The Preserves subdivision will go to school.

The first phase of The Preserves is just beginning. No homes have been built yet, but the first phase eventually will have 57 homes of the anticipated total of about 435. The subdivision at 93rd and White Oak avenues is being developed by Schilling Development, and it is expected to take 10 to 15 years for all 435 homes to be built. Homes are expected to be in the $400,000 to $500,000 range, which will probably mean fewer elementary children and more middle school and high school students.

Lake Central Superintendent Lawrence Veracco said at last weeks board meeting the closest elementary school to The Preserves is Kolling, which has two vacant classrooms. The next closest is Bibich, which has eight available because of declining enrollment.

Veracco said the board needs to make the decision on where the students will go before the first house is built so the residents dont have to deal with a redistricting down the road. He hopes to make a decision on placement of the students by the end of the year.

Veracco said the district has not had to deal with much development for several years, but Al Gandolfi, assistant superintendent for personnel, said several subdivisions have been approved recently and the board will have to go through this process with each one. Board member Janice Malchow said a lot of states have gone to mandatory pre-kindergarten classes, and Indiana is considering it.

If they approve it, what do we do then? Malchow asked.

Veracco said he did not think mandatory pre-kindergarten was much of a threat in Indiana, but Malchow said the district should have a plan anyway.

Gandolfi said he has come to the board each of the last few years in January to get approval to add a pre-K class and will be doing so again in a couple of months. Board member Howard Marshall said Indiana doesnt allow an impact fee on developers for schools as Illinois does. Board President John DeVries said perhaps the board should approach developers and ask for a donation of land to be used for a new school.

DeVries said that was done once in the past, and the developer didnt give the land requested but donated another 30-acre parcel. He said that saves the district the costs of going through the eminent domain process of acquiring land. Veracco said placing students in available classrooms, even though it might mean a slightly longer bus ride, is preferable to adding modular classrooms at Kolling or seeking another building referendum.

We have to look at using the facilities we have, Veracco said.

As to the budget, the district is submitting a $59 million general fund spending plan, which is about $4 million more than this years budget. Veracco said it does not include any raises for classified employees, and he expects the final budget approved by the state Department of Local Government Finance to allow only an $800,000 increase. The district expects to receive about $100 more per pupil from the state next year.

The transportation budget calls for the replacement of seven buses at about $100,000 each, and the district proposes an $8 million capital project budget. Veracco said the capital budget will provide a new gym floor and bleachers at Peifer and Watson elementaries and at Kahler Middle School. The three will also have the carpet replaced with tile in the common areas, a project that has been underway at all the elementaries for the past four years because of mold forming under the carpet when it gets wet.

Its a little colder, but its a cleaner feel and it will improve the air quality, he said.
NEW YORK  Persistent Republican-led efforts to restrict access to abortion and to curb government funding for Planned Parenthood have been hotly debated in Washington and in states, and will be shaped in some way by the next president.

Where they stand

Democrat Hillary Clinton supports access to abortion and is an outspoken defender of Planned Parenthood, which is the largest provider of abortions in the U.S. and also offers other health services.

Republican Donald Trump, who in the past was a supporter of abortion rights, now says he isnt, although hes been somewhat inconsistent in his campaign statements on abortion. Numerous anti-abortion leaders, initially wary of Trump, now support him because of his pledge to nominate Supreme Court justices who are open to curtailing abortions and his choice of Mike Pence, a staunch abortion foe, as his running mate.

Libertarian Gary Johnsons website says he feels strongly that women seeking to exercise their legal right must not be subjected to prosecution or denied access to health services by politicians in Washington, or anywhere else.

Why it matters

The prime battleground over abortion is the Supreme Court, which regularly confronts legal challenges on the issue. The next president has one vacancy to fill on the high court and could have more.

A Clinton victory could strengthen the courts current 5-3 majority that supports abortion rights. A Trump win could lead to a reconfigured court that would uphold tough state laws restricting abortion and possibly consider overturning Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that established a nationwide right to abortion.

Advocates on both sides have singled out the presidential election as the key to where the issue goes next.

In June, the Supreme Court issued its most important abortion decision in many years, striking down restrictions in Texas that required doctors who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals and forced clinics to meet hospital-like building standards.

In the future, the court is likely to face the question of whether other types of abortion restrictions impose an undue burden. One example: laws adopted by numerous states that ban most abortions after 20 weeks of gestation on the disputed premise that a fetus can feel pain at that stage.

Republicans in Congress voted to impose a 20-week ban nationwide, but it was blocked by Senate Democrats. If Democrats gain more Senate seats in November, that would make federal anti-abortion legislation even less likely.

Congressional Republicans also have sought to halt federal money to Planned Parenthood. Most of that money goes to provide non-abortion services to low-income women.

Federal law, and the laws of most states, already prevent public money from paying for abortions except in rare circumstances. The recent defunding bills prohibit state money for any services by organizations that also provide abortions.

Public opinion on abortion is sharply divided, and has barely shifted in recent decades. The latest Gallup poll on the topic finds 50 percent of Americans say abortion should be legal under certain circumstances, 29 percent want it legal in all cases and 19 percent want it outlawed in all cases  roughly the same breakdown as in the 1970s.
State superintendent of public instruction candidates incumbent Glenda Ritz, a Democrat, and challenger Jennifer McCormick, a Republican, agree on many issues regarding policy.

Both want to see Indiana expand the pre-kindergarten program, work to attract and retain teachers and take advantage of the greater flexibility under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act, a revised version of the No Child Left Behind Act.

The two met in a single debate Oct. 17, sponsored by Indiana Public Broadcasting stations and the Mike Downs Center for Indiana Politics at IPFW.

Ritz said Indiana is one of only a handful of states that doesnt have pre-K for youngsters across the state.

Right now, that program affects 1,500 students in the entire state through the pilot program in five counties, and we have 84,000 4-year-olds in the state, Ritz said during the debate.

McCormick agreed pre-K is critical and must target at-risk children. She said many children dont attend preschool or kindergarten and begin school at first grade.

Indiana does not require children to attend kindergarten.

I have been in education 20 years as a teacher, a principal and Im in my seventh year as a superintendent, McCormick said during the debate.

We have a department that lacks leadership and vision, she said. Things are disorganized and disconnected. We have to take politics out of education, which hasnt happened in the last eight years.
MICHIGAN CITY  After receiving about half the 19 percent salary increase he requested, Michigan City mayor Ron Meer said Friday he never plans to ask for another one.

Meer said past mayors, knowing the potential for political fallout, were either hesitant or refused to pursue a pay hike.

In his case, Meer said the backlash was not too extreme, and he also heard back from supporters.

Im pleased with the compromise, Meer said in response to the City Councils 6-3 vote Tuesday.

His salary for 2017 will be just under $76,000, with the extra money coming from the water and sewer departments to avoid burdening taxpayers.

Among his arguments for a double-digit raise were that the position had not seen a pay increase in about 10 years, and more than 40 city employees were earning a higher salary, something he felt was unfair for a job that oversees a $50 million annual budget.

Councilman Chris Schwanke proposed giving the mayor a 5 percent raise, which was defeated.

Schwanke said he shouldnt receive more than the 5 percent city employees have had their wages go up since Meer took office in 2011.

Meer said those employees are paid hourly and that some of the salaried positions in areas like police and fire have seen larger jumps in pay because of federal law requirements or labor agreements.

Schwanke also said some employees were making more than the mayor because of overtime.

Meer said his salary had become too low from previous mayors not wanting to seek a pay hike, and he wanted it higher more for future mayors.

This is just taking some corrective measures and puts it more in line with a lot of mayors in Northwest Indiana, Meer said.

In comparison, the mayors of Hammond, Gary, East Chicago and South Bend all earn over $100,000 while communities like Crown Point, Whiting and Lake Station pay their top office holder in the $80,000 range.

Even with the raise, the mayor is still paid less than about nine other positions on the citys payroll, such as the city attorney and the general managers of the sanitary district and water department.
Hoosier voters face not only a compelling vote for president that will have a national impact. Their decision on who becomes the next U.S. senator could determine which party controls that chamber.

The choice between Democrat Evan Bayh and Republican U.S. Rep. Todd Young merits considerable thought.

Bayh is the former two-term governor and senator who, along with Mitch Daniels, has done more than just about anyone else to shape the modern political contours of our state. He opened his political career in Indiana with the sting of defeat, managing his fathers last Senate campaign for this very seat. It was a two-term congressman, Dan Quayle, who ended Birch Bayhs political career in the Reagan revolution year of 1980. Evan Bayh emerged four years later as secretary of state, then commenced a 16-year Democratic dominance in the governors office by defeating Lt. Gov. John Mutz in 1988.

After two terms as governor  where he stewarded the creation of 350,000 jobs, a series of tax cuts and the successful 21st Century Scholars program  Bayh figured to challenge U.S. Sen. Dan Coats in 1998, only to watch the Republican abruptly retire.

While Sen. Birch Bayh had a legendary Senate career where he authored Title IX and two constitutional amendments while never winning an election by more than a few percentage points, Evan Bayh was much more cautious, though he won his two terms in landslide fashion.

Like Gov. Mike Pence today, Bayhs policy decisions seemed to be framed around potential presidential campaigns that would elude him as Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton emerged.

In 2010, Bayh followed Coats path and abruptly announced his retirement just hours before the filing deadline. The irony is that Coats had resurfaced, setting up the race that was supposed to occur in 1998.

Bayh had actually mulled this decision for months. It turned into a Democratic disaster that actually helped create a path to power for Todd Young. Without Bayh on the ballot in the 2010 Tea Party year, Indiana Democrats lost the two southern Indiana congressional seats, one where Young upset U.S. Rep. Baron Hill. A slew of Democratic General Assembly seats, city halls and county seats were lost in the next couple of cycles as these counties veered to the GOP, rendering the Democratic Party an urban and college town party.

It allowed the GOP power to draw the new maps in 2011. Those voting district maps bedevil Democrats to this very day.

With Youngs upset of Hill, it set him up as the Republican giant killer. He won a tight three-way primary in May of 2010 by defeating former Republican congressman Mike Sodrel. In doing so, Young gained a reputation as a prodigious fundraiser as well as a brash, aggressive campaigner.

On the policy side, he gained powerful allies like Speaker Paul Ryan, ending up on the highly influential Ways & Means Committee. He has earned a reputation as a policy innovator, proposing the REINS Act that would, for instance, force EPA regulations to have an up or down vote in Congress.

Young thought he would have a rematch with Baron Hill this year, until Bayh was persuaded by national Democrats to force Hill out of the race in July in an effort to win a Senate majority. The fact that he sat on almost $10 million for six years made him an attractive alternative.

This has become a knock-down, drag-out race. To believe Youngs campaign message, Bayh would crimp your Second Amendment rights and would keep Obamacare in place. In fact, Bayh backs the Second Amendment but seeks reforms that would keep guns out of the hands of terrorists on no fly lists and away from criminals and the mentally ill. Bayh would rather modify Obamacare than replace it.

Bayh would have you believe that Young seeks to privatize Social Security, noting that he calls it a Ponzi Scheme, which it is. From an actuarial perspective, it is unsustainable as the Baby Boom generation retires. Youngs core message has been one of the type of entitlement reform that Mitch Daniels advocated in his Red Menace speech of 2011, as well as revamping the tax system with the goal of job creation.

Young accuses Bayh of being a lobbyist, which he technically isnt, though he works for a lobbying firm, and of enriching himself during and after his Senate career, with financial disclosures supporting that premise. Bayh casts Young as a hypocrite for taking $160,000 in campaign donations from lobbyists and says Young backed tax breaks for firms like Carrier, which fled to Mexico.

Bayh is a Washington insider, becoming just the latest former senator from Indiana not to move back to the state to live among us after leaving office. Young has the Tea Party pedigree that helped shape a handful of government shutdowns and the gridlock that stalls Capitol Hill.

This is a battle of heavyweights, their careers interlocking at key points, both poised to become a dominant face of their party should they win on Nov. 8. Polls show this to be a tight race, and it beckons your interest, study and vote. Hanging in the balance could be which party controls the U.S. Senate and the future make-up of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Hoosiers, you face a big decision.
Marc Chase Editor Marc Chase is a veteran investigative reporter, columnist and editor of more than two decades. He currently leads The Times news staff as local news editor. He can be reached at 219-933-3327. Follow Marc Chase 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

Its a historical work of art, capturing one of the most monumental events from one of our nations most defining eras.

Now Region municipal, nonprofit and tourism officials are lodging their bid to permanently house this gem in Northwest Indiana.

They deserve our support for seeing the benefits in seeking to house the 2015 Lincoln Funeral Train in Griffith.

Some of you were no doubt among the 8,000 people who visited the train last year during a stop in Hammond, hosted by the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority and the South Shore Civil War Memorial Trail.

To borrow an Abraham Lincoln phrase, the trains Northwest stop last October was all together fitting. So is the local effort to create a permanent home for the beautiful, nearly exact-scale reproduction of the funeral train car.

Thats because 151 years ago, about a month after our nations bloodiest war effectively ended, the remains of our 16th president passed through Northwest Indiana on the original trains way to his final resting place in Illinois.

An assassins bullet killed Lincoln just days after key Confederate forces had surrendered in April 1865, ushering in the Civil Wars end.

Hundreds of Northwest Indiana men flocked to Lincolns banner, volunteering to fight in the war when it commenced in April 1861.

In May 1865, throngs of Region men and women lined local railroad tracks as the train carrying the great emancipators body made a funeral stop in Michigan City before pushing on through Porter and Lake counties and passing through Hessville on its way to another funeral stop in Chicago.

To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the original train trek, Elgin, Illinois, historical train expert Dave Kloke and his crew rebuilt the funeral car, based on the 1860s blueprints, down to ornate detail.

In 2015, the train went on a national tour, attracting thousands wherever it went, and our Region was lucky enough to land a four-day visit last October through historical grants secured by a local historic preservation group.

One of the trains visitors was Griffith Town Council President Rick Ryfa, who was taken with the funeral cars beauty  and the crowds of visitors viewing it at the Indiana Welcome Center in Hammond.

During the visit, Ryfa learned the train builders were looking for a final destination for the train after it completes a second national tour in 2016.

After speaking with South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority CEO Speros Batistatos, Ryfa decided Griffith should be that final stop.

Lincoln Funeral Train owners opened bidding last month for nonprofit organizations to submit proposals for permanently housing the train.

Ryfa and Batistatos are partnering with the Griffith Historical Society to submit a bid before the mid-November deadline.

Batistatos said Griffith would be a perfect host.

The town already embraces a railroad theme through its historical park and active railroad crossing containing historic train cars.

Batistatos agency will provide expertise in writing the bid proposal.

Ryfa would like to see an indoor/outdoor facility for the train car somewhere near the towns historical park.

Local proponents of locating the train here believe it will cost about $2 million for the facility and other related expenses.

Ryfa plans to lead an effort that would rely on private fundraising, not tax money, to make it happen.

But for now, the group must prepare a bid that will no doubt face competition from other cities and towns, with train owners giving deference to locations on or near the original train route.

Griffith has much to offer.

Its located minutes from the major interstates feeding into our Region from the Chicago area, and its not far from the 1865 funerary path.

Ryfa and Batistatos also see the tourism possibilities that could follow a proven crowd magnet to our Region.

Its hard to say if their bid will be successful. But its inspiring to see them try to punch a ticket, rather than waiting at the station for other communities to fill the seats.
The two men competing to serve Hoosiers as Indianas primary appellate lawyer both have triumphed over racism en route to becoming leaders in their regions and the states legal community.

Democrat Lorenzo Arredondo, a 34-year Lake County judge, and Republican Curtis Hill, a four-term Elkhart County prosecutor, are running to succeed Republican Attorney General Greg Zoeller, who declined to seek a third term.

Arredondo was the longest-serving Hispanic judge in the United States in 2010 when he left the bench at the East Chicago courthouse thats now named in his honor.

If elected attorney general, hes pledged to help Hoosier drug addicts find treatment and end the opiate scourge, investigate abuse of the disabled, go after tax cheats, protect consumers and create a lead task force to aid displaced residents of East Chicago and contaminated properties elsewhere in the state.

Hill said hes learned that sometimes you have to fight for your freedom, as his father, a black man, did confronting bomb threats made by white residents of 1950s Elkhart.

Hes vowed as attorney general to take on tasks that require similar courageous leadership, such as protecting families from drug abuse and violent crime and stopping fraudsters from scamming senior citizens.

Hill also has promised that he will be the last line of defense against federal overreach in Indiana.
It is mathematically impossible this year for Hoosier Democrats to win a majority in the 50-member Indiana Senate from the dominant Republican Party, which has continuously controlled the chamber since 1978.

But the Senate regularly is refreshed by new members, and Northwest Indiana will send at least two new senators to Indianapolis when the General Assembly convenes in January.

Heres a look at the Senate races on Region ballots:

District 2

State Sen. Lonnie Randolph, D-East Chicago, is unopposed in his bid for a fourth, four-year term representing portions of Hammond, Whiting, East Chicago, Gary, Griffith, Hobart and Merrillville in the Senate.

District 3

Eddie Melton, of Merrillville, a NIPSCO community affairs manager and member of the State Board of Education, is unopposed and will succeed retiring state Sen. Earline Rogers, D-Gary, as senator for portions of Gary, Lake Station, New Chicago, Hobart, Merrillville and Crown Point.

District 5

State Sen. Ed Charbonneau, R-Valparaiso, is defending his seat against an enthusiastic challenge by Democrat Jim Harper, a Valparaiso attorney.

Harper believes Indiana can do better by focusing on common-sense solutions that move our state and our economy forward.

To that end, he favors optional statewide pre-kindergarten availability, improved funding for rural school districts, affordable college tuition, spending a portion of the states surplus on infrastructure improvements, a higher minimum wage, paid family leave and equal rights guarantees for gay, bisexual and transgender Hoosiers.

Charbonneau touts his business and political experience, including chairmanship of the Senate Environmental Affairs Committee, in his bid for a third full term representing Valparaiso, Hebron, Kouts and Jasper counties.

Hes pledged to reduce taxes to promote job creation, increase funding for Northwest Indiana schools and infrastructure, replace the ISTEP standardized test, preserve local control of schools and cut wasteful spending.

District 8

The retirement of state Sen. Jim Arnold, D-LaPorte, has produced an open contest to represent LaPorte and areas south and east.

The Democrat is Maxine Spenner, of LaPorte, a retired teacher and community leader who would focus in the Senate on reducing taxes for senior citizens, improving school funding equality, promoting road maintenance and shrinking welfare rolls.

Republican Mike Bohacek, of Michiana Shores, is a LaPorte County commissioner. He believes the district hasnt been getting its fair share of road funding and other state services from the Republican-led Senate because it has been represented by a Democrat.
Low voter turnout in the 2014 election helped Republicans win some of the Region's Indiana House seats long-held by Democratic lawmakers and grew the GOP supermajority to 71 of 100 representatives.

With significantly higher participation expected Nov. 8, several of those defeated two years ago are running in rematches and hoping a larger electorate produces different results.

District 1

State Rep. Linda Lawson, D-Hammond, is seeking a 10th two-year term representing Hammond and Whiting in the House, where she is the deputy Democratic leader. Lawson's legislation has focused on issues relating to women and children's health and safety, animal protection, law enforcement, labor rights and veterans.

Libertarian Michael Sandridge, of Whiting, is challenging Lawson in his first bid for the Statehouse. He supports state nullification of federal laws, abolishing the property tax, eliminating standardized testing, an elected State Board of Education, marijuana legalization and spending all gas tax money on roads.

District 2

Democrat Earl Harris Jr., of East Chicago, is unopposed in his quest to succeed his mother, state Rep. Donna Harris, and his late father, Earl Harris, Sr.

District 3

State Rep. Charlie Brown, D-Gary, faces no opposition to continuing to represent Gary, Lake Station, New Chicago and Hobart, as he has since 1982.

District 4

State Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso, will lead House negotiations next year on a long-term state and local infrastructure plan if he survives a spirited challenge by Democrat Pam Fish, a former Porter County clerk and Union Township school board member.

Fish has blasted Soliday for supporting the diversion of state education funds to charter schools and private school vouchers. She also is focused on developing a comprehensive program to reduce drug abuse and sexually transmitted diseases in Indiana.

Soliday is touting his Statehouse leadership to Valparaiso voters, which he said resulted in a $390 million statewide school funding increase and workforce development improvements.

District 9

House Democratic Leader Scott Pelath, D-Michigan City, is unopposed for a 10th term representing Michigan City, Chesterton, Beverly Shores, Long Beach and Westville.

District 10

State Rep. Chuck Moseley, D-Portage, has no opposition as he seeks a fifth term representing Portage, Chesterton, Ogden Dunes, Burns Harbor and South Haven.

District 11

The first of four rematches on the ballot finds Democrat James Metro, a union operating engineer from Cedar Lake, taking on state Rep. Mike Aylesworth, R-Hebron, to represent the southern third of Lake and Porter counties.

Metro said his campaign is focused on "building for the future," because "we need a strong voice to fight for this area and bring balance and common sense to the House."

Aylesworth, who previously served as a Porter County commissioner and on the county council, worked during his first term on improving funding for local fire and ambulance service, consolidating municipal elections and restoring Indiana's highway rest areas.

District 12

For the third election in a row, voters in Munster, Highland, Hammond and Griffith will choose between first-term state Rep. Bill Fine, R-Munster, and former four-term state Rep. Mara Candelaria Reardon, D-Munster.

Fine is urging voters to re-elect him based on his record of securing additional money for local schools, eliminating the ISTEP exam, improving teacher pay and funding road improvements.

Reardon wants to return to the House to fight for strong environmental protections in light of the East Chicago lead crisis, prevent wasteful spending in Calumet Township and focus on infrastructure, jobs and education.

District 14

No candidate is challenging state Rep. Vernon Smith, D-Gary, who will continue representing Gary's south side and Merrillville as he has since 1990.

District 15

This contest between two-term state Rep. Hal Slager, R-Schererville, and Democrat Tom O'Donnell, of Dyer, is a repeat of a very close 2012 race.

O'Donnell said he decided to run again because he believes the General Assembly has been distracted by social issues and is failing to focus on more pressing matters, including building the state's economy.

Slager, a member of the budget-writing Ways and Means Committee, points to his success securing funding for the South Shore Line's West Lake expansion, reducing property taxes in Griffith and reorganizing the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority.

District 19

Voters in Crown Point, Merrillville, Winfield, Lakes of the Four Seasons and Hobart must decide whether to keep first-term state Rep. Julie Olthoff, R-Crown Point, or return Crown Point Democrat Shelli VanDenburgh to the seat she held from 2007-14.

VanDenburgh said she was embarrassed by the Legislature's recent focus on divisive social issues, and promised, if elected, to work hard on improving school funding, Hoosier wages and creating a top business climate.

Olthoff's case for re-election includes votes in favor of increased education and infrastructure funding, ending the ISTEP exam, boosting penalties for heroin dealers, supporting veterans and working to aid sexual assault victims.

District 20

The decision by state Rep. Tom Dermody, R-LaPorte, not to seek re-election after 10 years in the House has created a rare open seat for LaPorte area voters to fill.

Karen Biernacki, of LaPorte, is the Democratic candidate. She wants to prioritize public education over charter schools and vouchers, ensure LaPorte County gets its fair share of road funding and improve Indiana's dismal record on child abuse, drug abuse and infant mortality.

The Republican is Jim Pressel, of Rolling Prairie. His agenda calls for more vocational education options, prioritizing local road and bridge maintenance funding and legislating with common sense.

Libertarian Aurea Torres, of LaPorte, is running to promote liberty and accountability by getting government out of the tax abatement business.
There's 28 grams in an ounce. Depending on the pain level I don't see 10 grams a day being too much particularly because of the low THC content...........Former NDP MP Peter Stoffer agrees that medical cannabis can have benefits for veterans, but says he's worried about the amount of cannabis former soldiers are allowed under Veterans Affairs Canada rules.Stoffer, who was veterans affairs critic for the NDP until he was defeated in the 2015 election, believes that the high level of medical marijuana allowed by Veterans Affairs  up to 10 grams a day  is fostering overuse."Ten grams a day is an awful lot of marijuana to give one person. It is an incredible amount.""This is double the amount identified as being appropriate in Veterans Affairs Canada's consultations with external health professionals, and more than three times the amount that Health Canada has reported as being most commonly utilized by individuals for medical purposes," the report said.The auditor's report also pointed out that while Veterans Affairs manages the only publicly funded plan that covers medical marijuana, "it does not monitor trends that may suggest high-risk utilization."At least one veterans' group takes issue with Stoffer's position."No bureaucrat is entitled to get between a patient and a doctor," said Michael Blais of Canadian Veterans Advocacy. "If that physician has written out a script for whatever, it is Veterans Affairs Canada's obligation to fulfil that script if it relates to the wound. End of story. There's no limitations."Blais said he takes six grams of marijuana a day to help with complex neurological pain. He said his marijuana has very low counts of THC, which means he doesn't get high. However, Blais said it has helped him get off narcotic painkillers.He's upset by Stoffer's suggestion that doctors are prescribing too much medical pot."We have to understand that these men and women have sustained serious, life-altering trauma in many cases," and that medical marijuana has given them hope."And now that they've found relief, now that there's an alternative there, for anyone who is not in pain, who has not sacrificed, to come out and make arbitrary statements on dosage, that  without even looking at [a] man's medical record or talking to his doctor, is ludicrous," Blais said.
All Hoosiers voting in the Nov. 8 election will decide whether to add a right to the Indiana Constitution, while Gary voters also will be asked if they approve or reject a property tax increase to pay for education.

Right to hunt and fish

Theres no doubt Hoosiers have an inherent right to hunt and fish. Theyve been doing it throughout Indianas 200 years as a state and long before.

But some Indiana lawmakers, backed by the National Rifle Association, believe without constitutional protection, hunting and fishing could be unduly limited, or even banned, by a Legislature in thrall to animal rights activists sometime in the future.

To that end, the Republican-controlled General Assembly in 2014 and 2015 agreed to ask voters in 2016 to ratify a constitutional amendment declaring hunting and fishing are a valued part of the states heritage and shall forever be preserved for the public good, subject only to state laws and rules promoting wildlife management and preserving the future of hunting and fishing.

Having this in our state constitution simply adds a layer of protection to those liberties and protects the people of our state against any future infringement, said state Rep. Sean Eberhart, R-Shelbyville, the sponsor.

State Rep. Matt Pierce, D-Bloomington, believes theres no need for the amendment since hunting and fishing are in no way threatened in Indiana. Pierce said the amendment is so broadly written that a future General Assembly determined to stamp out hunting and fishing probably could.

He also said putting a right to hunt and fish alongside the more essential guarantees of free speech, free press, religious freedom and civil rights in the Indiana Constitution cheapens the states primary governing document.

Yes or no to operating referendum

Eighteen months after Gary voters turned down a general fund referendum request in May 2015, the Gary Community School Corp. will ask again for voters to support paying higher taxes.

The referendum on the ballot Nov. 8 asks voters to approve a levy of 47 cents per $100 of assessed valuation to raise approximately $8.7 million for seven years, or nearly $61 million. Thats assuming a tax collection rate of at least 74 percent.

Garys financial consultant Jack Martin said if the referendum doesnt pass in November and there is no additional money from the state, the school district will be out of money.

A new law gave the Gary Community School Corp. an opportunity to work with the Distressed United Appeals Board, and it selected Martin more than a year ago as the financial specialist to take control of the districts budget, sharing responsibilities with the Gary Community School Board and the city.

Martin said the school districts total debt is in the neighborhood of $100 million. However, he said the most critical is $25 million, which is paid from the operating budget. The district is current with debt service payments, including utility payments to NIPSCO and to the IRS, he said.

It still owes the federal government about $8 million, but continues to meet its IRS payment plan on time. Still, he said a number of vendors are suing the district.

The district does not receive enough money in its operating budget and has a cash-flow problem because its expenses are greater than its revenue, he said.

In a report Martin made to DUAB Sept. 23, he said the district needs a referendum, employee reductions and building closures to survive.
Catholic New Yorkers who immigrated to the city from all over the world are honored in Brooklyn.

The Catholic Migrations Services hosted part of its 20th annual "Shining Stars" ceremony in Coney Island yesterday.

Immigrants were recognized for their service to churches and communities within Brooklyn and Queens.

That includes one woman who has spent more than a decade organizing concerts to raise money for relief efforts across the globe.

"They are people who in a special way have helped their community by doing something special be it by being a leader," said Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of the Brooklyn Diocese. They receive what we call a shining star award. It's a shining star with their name engraved on it so they're remembered by their community and we acknowledge them as a diocese."

Honorees hailed from as far away as Guatemala, Poland, and India.
In the wake of the controversial police shooting of a mentally ill senior citizen in the Bronx, protestors are taking to the streets this weekend. Our Erin Clarke Reports.

In 2012 Hawa Bah called 911 asking for an ambulance to the home of her depressed son.

That night Mohamed Bah was shot dead by responding officers who say he lunged at them with a knife.

"The system, the government, can imagine if it's their own child, how they would feel?" Bah said Saturday.

The grieving mother joined dozens in Harlem for a national day of protest, a march and ceremony to remember those killed during conflicts with police.

Since 1996, the Coalition to Stop Police Brutality, Repression and the Criminalization of a Generation has been organizing these protests every October 22 in cities across the country.

"To bring together people of all different nationalities, faiths, viewpoints, who want to stand together and stop this epidemic of the police getting away with murdering the people," said protester Travis Morales.

Coalition members say their cause is just as important today as it was 20 years ago.

They point to Deborah Danner's death earlier this week.

The 66-year-old mentally ill Bronx woman was shot in her home by a police sergeant who said she swung at him with a bat.

"I've been marching with my father who's a senior and my mother who's a senior," said one woman. "I have a son and daughter and I feel like it could be any one of us."

And though whipping winds and rain caused the events to start late and seemingly were to blame for a smaller crowd than the hundreds expected, those in attendance say their message wouldn't be dampened.

"Three people a day getting murdered at the hands of the police," said protester Amina Gonzalez. "One in three black men in their lifetime being incarcerated. We're hitting genocidal proportions and this is why yes there's a modeling that happens here of people saying I refuse to live in a world like that."

Millions nationwide who are challenging a system they say is harmful to the people it's supposed to protect.
The Donald Trump statue that flashed onto the scene at Union Square, now has a new owner.

The naked life-size statue fetched $22,000 at an auction.

It was spotted back in August, before the Parks Department quickly took it down.

The activist group "Indecline" claimed responsibility, and also put up similar statues of the Manhattan billionaire in Cleveland, Los Angeles and Seattle.

The auction house says a portion of the proceeds will go to the National Immigration Forum.

Just this past Tuesday, a statue depicting a naked Hillary Clinton caused some controversy in Lower Manhattan.

A woman knocked it down and kicked it repeatedly, saying she found it offensive.

The statue was taken down that same day.
The saga of Bob Dylan and the Nobel Prize continues.

Mr. Dylan became the first musician to win the Nobel Prize in Literature this month, setting off a debate about whether song lyrics had the same artistic value as novels and poetry. But no one knows how Mr. Dylan feels about the honor. He has made no public statements, and a brief reference added to his website (Winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature) was quickly removed after the news media caught wind of it.

Mr. Dylans ambivalence to one of the worlds most prestigious honors, and the uncertainty about whether he will accept it, appears to have begun to wear on the Swedish Academy, which awards the prize. On Saturday, an academy member called Mr. Dylan impolite and arrogant.

One can say that it is impolite and arrogant, the member, Per Wastberg, a writer, told the Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter, according to a translation by The Associated Press. He is who he is.

After Mr. Dylans 2016 Nobel Prize was announced, Sara Danius, the permanent secretary of the Swedish Academy, said she did not know if Mr. Dylan would attend the award ceremony in December because she had not been able to get in touch with him. Mr. Wastberg told the newspaper that the committee would not try to contact him again.
The Walking Dead begins its seventh season with a long-awaited revelation. Keeping Up With the Kardashians pits Kim Kardashian West against her mother. And in King Cobra, Christian Slater and James Franco play rival gay pornographers.

Whats on TV

THE WALKING DEAD 9 p.m. on AMC. Who died? The victim of Negans lethal beating  he used Lucille, his barbed-wire-bat  at the end of Season 6 is revealed. This seventh-season premiere is followed at 10:06 by Talking Dead, broadcast from the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles and featuring Jeffrey Dean Morgan and his fellow cast members Andrew Lincoln, Norman Reedus, Steven Yeun and Lauren Cohan, among others.

SHAMELESS 9 p.m. on Showtime. Emmy Rossum makes her directorial debut with this episode, in which Frank tries to change public perception of the Gallagher clan.

KEEPING UP WITH THE KARDASHIANS 9 p.m. on E! With visions of Kim Kardashian Wests Paris robbery still relatively fresh, a new season finds her incurring the wrath of Kris after helping Caitlyn get ready for the ESPY Awards. Khloe, meanwhile, test drives bigger breasts.
AT&Ts blockbuster $84.5 billion takeover of Time Warner means many things  including rich fees for the bankers and lawyers who helped craft the deal.

Freeman & Company, a merger advisory and consulting firm, estimates that there will be $80 million to $120 million in advisory fees for each side.

Its a familiar list of advisers for each company. Last year, Perella Weinberg Partners poached George H. Young III, a veteran telecommunications banker, from Lazard  and gained a close relationship with AT&T in the process. Mr. Young had advised the telecommunications company on its $48.5 billion takeover of DirecTV, as well as on many of the earlier deals that built the modern-day AT&T.
Andrea Elizabeth Snavely and Lewis Ziruo Liu were married Oct. 18 at Islington Town Hall in London. Heather Dsenisi, a deputy registrar, officiated. On Oct. 21, the Rev. Dushan Croos, a Roman Catholic priest who is the senior Catholic chaplain at Oxford University, led a religious ceremony at Merton Chapel at Merton College in Oxford, England.

The bride, 34, is an associate in the investment banking division at HSBC, the London bank, where she works on mergers and acquisitions for financial institutions. She graduated from Stanford, received an M.B.A. from London Business School, and has a masters degree in East Asian studies focusing on Tibet from Harvard.

The bride is a daughter of Dr. Sharon La Forge Snavely and John G. Snavely of Mission Hills, Kan. Her father is the chief executive officer there of ALC Global Partners, an import-export family business of distilled spirits, beer and soda in Mission Hills. Her mother, an internal medicine and infectious diseases doctor, works at Statland Clinic Medical Group, a group practice, part of Health Corporation of America, in Overland Park, Kan.

Mr. Liu, 30, is a founder and the chief executive officer of Eigen Technologies in London, an artificial intelligence company with clients in the legal, finance and insurance sectors. He is also a senior adviser at Linklaters, the London law firm. He graduated with a joint-degree in visual and environmental studies and physics from Harvard, from which he also received a masters degree in physics. He earned a doctorate in atomic and laser physics from the University of Oxford.
Dr. Duffield Ashmead IV and Eric Douglas Ort were married Oct. 22 at their home in Farmington, Conn. Gary J. Fountain, a friend of the couple and a Universal Life minister, officiated.

Dr. Ashmead (left), 58, a hand surgeon, is a partner in the Hand Center, a group practice in Glastonbury, Conn., and is the program director for the University of Connecticuts postgraduate fellowship in hand surgery. He is also a vice president for the board of trustees at the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art in Hartford. He graduated from Princeton and received a medical degree from Columbia.

He is the son of the late Penelope Merritt Ashmead and the late Mr. Ashmead III, who lived in Windmoor, Pa. His father was a partner in the Philadelphia law firm Drinker, Biddle & Reath. The groom is also the stepson of Mary Aspinwall Ashmead of Philadelphia.

Mr. Ort, 51, is the artistic associate at TheaterWorks, a professional theater in Hartford. Until the end of June, he was the theater director at Miss Porters School in Farmington. He graduated from Vassar College, received a masters in history from the University of Chicago and a Master of Fine Arts in directing from Brooklyn College. He is on the board of trustees for Goodspeed Musicals, a theater company in East Haddam, Conn.
Helen Elizabeth Howe, the daughter of Kathryn Welch Howe and Con E. Howe of Los Angeles, was married Oct. 22 to Alexander Carl Persson, a son of Bengt G. Persson of Boston and the late Birgitta H. Persson-Wiss. The Rev. Stephen Huber, an Episcopal priest, performed the ceremony at All Saints Episcopal Church in Beverly Hills, Calif., with the Rev. Charles L. Orr, a Presbyterian minister, taking part.

Ms. Howe, 29, is keeping her name. She is a project director at Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group in New York, and is responsible for the planning, marketing and sales of new luxury residential properties. She is also a volunteer musical theater instructor at the Stanley M. Isaacs Neighborhood Center in New York. She graduated from the University of Virginia.

Her father is a managing director, developing work-force housing, at CityView, a housing investment fund in Los Angeles. Her mother is a historic preservation and adaptive reuse consultant in Los Angeles, and is a director of Scenic America, an organization in Washington that works to preserve and enhance scenery along roadways and in communities across the country.

Mr. Persson, also 29, is an investments consultant in New York. He graduated from the University of Virginia and received an M.B.A. from Stanford in June.
The failure of Ceta spells doom for the EU

, Swedish economist and writer. He is the Director of the European Centre for International Political Economy (ECIPE)23 October 2016The SpectatorI sometimes wonder if the EU has a death wish  that europhiles like myself, when admitted to the cause, are sworn into a secret society with the ultimate goal of destroying the European Project. For a decade or more, the EU has been veering from crisis to crisis  yet presented with an opportunity to choose calm before crisis, it goes with the latter.Late on Friday, Canadas trade minister  the former FT journalist Chrystia Freeland  declared that the trade agreement with the EU (the so-called Ceta) had failed. Shed been commuting between Brussels and Namur, the seat of Wallonias regional parliament, for a few days, trying to get the regions left-wing government to support the trade deal. But her efforts, and those by others, were in vain. Wallonia didnt budge. All the EU leaders that were in Brussels to seal the deal ahead of Justin Trudeaus visit on Thursday, had to return back home empty-handed.Reactions have been strong. A high-profile trade agreement has been blocked by a region that doesnt represent more than 0.45 percent of all EU-Canada trade  or 2 percent of Belgiums import from Canada. Behind Wallonias opposition stands the flamboyant and bow-tied gauche caviar, Elio di Rupo, possible the only rival to Boris Johnson for being Europes most Teflon-made politician. A former prime minister of Belgium, di Rupo has been seen as masterminding Wallonias opposition in order to win domestic political gains. It just proves, some say, that the Brits were right to vote leave: it is better to do own trade deals than being held hostage by continental politics and protectionism. If the EU cannot do a deal with Canada, Freeland asked, then who the heck can you do a deal with? Maria Asenius, who heads the cabinet of the EU trade commissioner, said about the EU that we wont have much of trade policy if cant get Ceta through.It is easy to see their points; EU trade credibility is at risk. If the EU cannot agree to a pretty mediocre trade deal with Canada, it is highly unlikely that economically more significant trade agreements  like the one with the United States  will get accepted. And what foreign government would in the future recklessly invite political turbulence at home by agreeing with the EU about big cuts in trade barriers  if they suspect the deal will never be ratified by the EU?Nor can trade policy collapse without causing new existential problems for the EU. Trade is the founding ethos of the club. The Rome Treaty, celebrating 60 years next year, was all about establishing the common market and unifying external trade policy. Unlike migration and the euro, two other crisis-ridden areas, the EU has been handed strong powers in trade policy. If Europes political rot eats itself into the core, one might ask, then what the heck is the point of it all?Perhaps there will be a deal; perhaps it wont. The EU political dance is a two-step  if you say no the first time, there will always be a new chance to say yes. But I have sympathy with Wallonia. They didnt create this crisis. After all, they were never asked before the trade talks with Canada started if they wanted this agreement. Nor was it their decision to put aside the EUs procedure for ratifying trade deals  which should be done by member states and the European Parliament, not national and regional parliaments  and subject the Canada deal to the torments of Wallonian politics. The European Commission made that doomed call  and it did it under heavy pressure from especially Germany. The countrys vice chancellor, Sigmar Gabriel, considered it a good strategy to rip up the EU decision-making order to manage trade opposition in his own left-wing party.The new trade fiasco is made in Germany. Like many other troubles in Euroville, it is one that Germany tried to export to other countries. The euro crisis would have been much different if Germany had not outsourced its own banking problems to Ireland, Portugal and Spain. Last years open-door policy for refugees was in several ways laudable, but Germany never asked other countries about their opinion before Merkel demanded they should share Germanys burden. Germany is an export powerhouse  in economics and politics. If it continues to be, there will be many other casualties than Ceta.
Donald J. Trumps suggestions that he might reject the results of the American election as illegitimate have unnerved scholars on democratic decline, who say his language echoes that of dictators who seize power by force and firebrand populists who weaken democracy for personal gain.

To a political scientist who studies authoritarianism, its a shock, said Steven Levitsky, a professor at Harvard. This is the stuff that we see in Russia and Venezuela and Azerbaijan and Malawi and Bangladesh, and that we dont see in stable democracies anywhere.

Throughout October, Mr. Trump has claimed, without evidence, that the vote will be rigged and taken away from us. At the final presidential debate, he refused to say he would accept the elections outcome, and later joked at a rally that he would accept the results if I win.

In weak democracies around the world, scholars warned Friday, political leaders have used the same language to erode popular faith in democracy  often intending to incite violence that will serve their political aims, and sometimes to undo democracy entirely.
CAIRO  Gunmen suspected of being Islamist militants killed a senior Egyptian Army officer on Saturday in a brazen daylight shooting outside the mans home in a Cairo suburb.

The state media identified the officer as Brig. Gen. Adel Ragai, commander of the armys Ninth Armored Division.

General Ragai, according to multiple pro-state papers, had previously been deployed to Egypts restive Sinai Peninsula, where the military is fighting Islamic State militants.

The military did not issue a statement.

I heard the gunshots and saw him die before my eyes, Sumaya Zein el-Abedeen, the generals wife, told the state media. She said neighbors had told her that they saw three gunmen with assault rifles in a vehicle outside the couples home. The men fired on General Ragai and his driver. Both men were taken to a hospital, where they were declared dead.
After Donald J. Trump deemed Saturday Night Live a hit job last week, the show wasted no time in skewering his latest debate performance against Hillary Clinton. The opening sketch again featured Alec Baldwin as Mr. Trump and Kate McKinnon as Mrs. Clinton, this time with Tom Hanks as the moderator Chris Wallace, and covered Mr. Trumps inconsistent foreign policy and inflammatory catchphrases.

The sketch begins with Mr. Trump promising to be calm and collected before erupting into a brasher persona: calling the Mexican president Mr. Guacamole, blurting out bad hombre and nasty woman, and stumbling through an incoherent description of the situation in the Middle East.
If you are walking straight into a headwind, it is a triumph simply to keep yourself upright. Wittgenstein wrote about this with what looks like staggering foresight in 1930: that in a time of cultural impoverishment, the strength of the individual is wasted through the overcoming of opposing forces & frictional resistances.

This pointless dissipation of energy and talent perfectly describes the horrors that befell classical musicians during the Chinese Cultural Revolution. The music they loved was forbidden. Their instruments were destroyed. They were tortured and humiliated, accused of treachery and vanity and dispatched to work in the farms and factories of the hinterlands. Their virtues  their virtuosity  were brutally recast as moral weaknesses and a national threat.

The most they could do was protect whatever frail, ghostly sense of identity they still had. It drove many to suicide. And it wasnt just artists who suffered. Keeping two sets of selves was unbearable for millions. As one of the characters rhetorically asks in Do Not Say We Have Nothing, the new novel by Madeleine Thien: What was misfortune but the quality of existing as something, or someone else, inside?

Do Not Say We Have Nothing, shortlisted this year for the Man Booker Prize, is Ms. Thiens third novel. It is a beautiful, sorrowful work. The book impresses in many senses: It stamps the memory with an afterimage; it successfully explores larger ideas about politics and art (the mind is never still while reading it); it has the satisfying, epic sweep of a 19th-century Russian novel, spanning three generations and lapping up against the shores of two continents.
BANKING

Deutsche among banks scheduled to report earnings.

It should be a busy week for earnings reports in Europe as several of the regions biggest banks are scheduled to report their third-quarter results. Deutsche Bank, the French bank BNP Paribas, Santander of Spain, the Swiss bank UBS and the British lenders Barclays, Lloyds Banking Group and Royal Bank of Scotland are all expected to update investors on their results.

Investors are expected to keep a close eye on Deutsche Bank and any update on its negotiations with the Justice Department over investigation of its underwriting of residential mortgage-backed securities. The German lenders shares have been under pressure over concerns about the pace of its turnaround and worries that it may be forced to pay billions of dollars in fines. The Justice Department has proposed that the bank pay as much as $14 billion to settle the case. Chad Bray

TECHNOLOGY

Alphabets loss-making other bets in focus.

Alphabet, parent company of Google, reports quarterly earnings on Thursday after the close of market. Googles dominance in search and digital advertising is expected to ensure another quarter of growing revenue and profit at a clip rarely seen for a company of its size. But the focus will be on the progress of Alphabets other bets  loss-making businesses like Google Fiber and the Nest connected home devices. Alphabet wants to limit those losses in the short term, while hoping that one of those bets blossoms into a future earnings pillar. Daisuke Wakabayashi

ECONOMY

Economists predict rise in orders for durable goods.

On Thursday, the Commerce Department will announce data on durable goods orders in September. Economists are predicting that durable goods demand will be up by 0.7 percentage point, with much of that gain resulting from a jump in aircraft orders. The less volatile core capital goods category is thought to have declined by 0.1 percentage point, on continuing caution among businesses in terms of new investment, especially in the industrial sector. Nelson D. Schwartz

Growth is expected to improve.

On Friday, the Commerce Department will release its initial estimate of economic growth in the third quarter. After lackluster gains in the first half of 2016  0.8 percentage point in the first quarter and 1.4 percent in the second  economists think the economy expanded at an annual rate of 2.5 percent in the July-to-September period.
James Corden, host of The Late Late Show on CBS, sits at a table in the woods, enjoying a meal prepared by the world-renowned chef Mads Refslund and discussing Mr. Refslunds planned restaurant in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

The concept, Mr. Refslund tells him, is fire and ice and taking cooking back to nature. At the end of the meal, Mr. Corden says to Mr. Refslund: How do I pay for this? Do we barter like the old days?

Mr. Refslund says the meal they just shared is free, then adds that Mr. Corden, who has pulled out his Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card just in case, will probably have to pay when he dines at the chefs restaurant.

The scene is from a new marketing campaign, to be introduced on Monday, for the credit card. Created with the agency Droga5, the campaign includes three videos featuring Mr. Corden interviewing innovators in the restaurant, transportation and lodging fields. The series is called Reserve Whats Next.
The Treasurys schedule of financing this week includes Mondays regular weekly auction of new three- and six-month bills and an auction of four-week bills on Tuesday.

At the close of the New York cash market on Friday, the rate on the outstanding three-month bill was 0.33 percent. The rate on the six-month issue was 0.47 percent, and the rate on the four-week issue was 0.24 percent.

The following tax-exempt fixed-income issues are scheduled for pricing this week:

MONDAY

Elk River, Minn., Independent School District No. 728, $50.3 million of general obligation unlimited tax refinancing bonds. Competitive.

Florida Board of Education, $140.4 million of general obligation unlimited tax refinancing bonds. Competitive.
Sending migrants back wouldnt require establishing an international presence in Libya. Libyan boats could be hired to tow migrants boats back in. In fact, the European Union is already working with the Libyan forces to intercept some boats. Smugglers will fight to protect a lucrative business, but militias opposed to them would willingly accept European backing to combat them. And naval forces already involved in rescues could provide cover, instead of doing the smugglers work for them.

Interdiction might seem to violate asylum rules. But people rescued at sea have no right to claim asylum on a vessel, and no right to be taken to their preferred destination. States arent required to disembark rescued shipwrecked people, even those claiming asylum.

The shipwrecked must be taken to a place of safety. Libya is a dangerous place, especially for migrants, but the recent wave of refugees overwhelmingly chose to travel via Libya (many Syrian refugees fly to Khartoum, in Sudan, and continue overland). Being pulled from the sea to save their lives does not vindicate any asylum claim they may have. It is a perversion of the principles governing asylum to pretend that those in peril at sea have an overriding right not to be returned to a country they chose to enter.

This proposal is realistic and legal, but is it moral? Do we not have obligations to these desperate people? We do, but we dont fulfill them by making rescue an expectation.

If these people deserve refuge, they deserved it before they boarded those boats. So, process their asylum claims in Libya, their countries of origin or of first refuge, and fly successful applicants to Europe. That would be more humane, would save lives, and might even be cheaper than maintaining a naval cordon.

Europe could do much to improve the dreadful conditions in Libyan detention facilities, and it should work to ameliorate the distant crises that drive millions of people to flee their homes in the first place. But it does not follow that Europe should also operate a ferry service that guarantees entry to those reckless enough throw themselves into the sea. That is not a policy. It is a cruel and deadly lottery.

It is not moral to beckon desperate people and draw them into greater danger. We have an obligation to reach down into the waves and rescue the drowning, but also a responsibility to look over the horizon, and see the effects of our actions in perspective.
RIO DE JANEIRO  As Brazil weathers the worst political and economic crises in living memory, Brazilians can hardly be blamed for being distracted. But there is a subject that the countrys politicians  and citizens  are not discussing, even though it risks tarnishing Brazils international reputation as an advocate of peacebuilding and diplomacy: an unchecked arms industry and its involvement in foreign conflicts around the globe.

The fingerprints of Brazils largest arms companies are turning up in a growing number of the worlds hot spots, including Yemen, where thousands of civilians are perishing in a punishing war with no end in sight. An investigation last month into Forjas Taurus, the Brazilian firearms manufacturer, revealed that the company supplied weapons to a notorious Yemeni arms dealer. Two (now former) executives of the company  Latin Americas largest  have been charged with illegal arms transfers, though the case remains under seal. Taurus, which is involved in the case only as an interested party, has denied any wrongdoing and says it is working to clarify the facts.

The details of Tauruss misdeeds read like a spy novel. Brazilian prosecutors allege that Fares Mohammed Hassan Manaa, a widely known arms smuggler and former governor in Yemen, diverted a consignment of 8,000 handguns from Djibouti across the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to Yemen. Mr. Manaa is believed to have been supporting Houthi rebels in their fight against a Saudi- and United States-backed government.

The civil war in Yemen has already killed an estimated 10,000 people since early 2015 and displaced more than three million. The United States, which has provided material and logistical support for the Saudi bombing campaign, has been under intense pressure to clarify its involvement in the civil war because of the humanitarian toll and the United States increasingly direct role in the conflict.
Imagine receiving a phone call from your aging mother seeking your help because she has forgotten her banking password.

Except its not your mother. The voice on the other end of the phone call just sounds deceptively like her.

It is actually a computer-synthesized voice, a tour-de-force of artificial intelligence technology that has been crafted to make it possible for someone to masquerade via the telephone.

Such a situation is still science fiction  but just barely. It is also the future of crime.

The software components necessary to make such masking technology widely accessible are advancing rapidly. Recently, for example, DeepMind, the Alphabet subsidiary known for a program that has bested some of the top human players in the board game Go, announced that it had designed a program that mimics any human voice and which sounds more natural than the best existing text-to-speech systems, reducing the gap with human performance by over 50 percent.
This blog is totally independent, unpaid and has only three major objectives.

The first is to inform readers of news and happenings in the e-Health domain, both here in Australia and world-wide.

The second is to provide commentary on e-Health in Australia and to foster improvement where I can.

The third is to encourage discussion of the matters raised in the blog so hopefully readers can get a balanced view of what is really happening and what successes are being achieved.


One of the talking points that Donald Trump is attempting to use to bolster his extraordinarily specious claims that the election is rigged in 2016 is what happened in 2000 in the state of Florida. Let's take a look back at what really happened that night.The video below is ABC News at 8 p.m. EST calling the state of Florida for Al Gore, based on exit polling data.But George W. Bush took an early lead in the actual counting of the ballots and five hours later, the media was looking at Florida as one of the four states remaining undecided.The final tally showed George W. Bush winning Florida, but with a result that was so close, a recount was automatic. Vice-President Gore sought a recount of the ballots in four Florida counties, counties that contained a much higher percentage of registered Democrats than registered Republicans. Ultimately the Supreme Court ruled that the last ongoing recount was to be halted.Did the Republicans steal the election? Not according to a very extensive study, funded by eight media outlets. That study claims that even if Gore's desired recount of just ballots in those four counties had taken place, he would still have lost, albeit by a smaller margin.There are those who claim the Republican Secretary of State engaged in a conspiracy to rig the results, but there is no proof that this took place. What did take place was that because of confusing ballots and too many presidential candidates on those ballots, over 113,000 ballots showed that the voter had cast a vote for either Bush or Gore, and one other "minor" candidate. When there are two choices marked on a ballot, there is no way to conclude what the voter's intent was and such ballots have to be discarded.The election of 2016 is nothing like that because Donald Trump is nowhere near that close to Hillary Clinton in the polls and the results will not be close enough to warrant a recount. Except of course for the fact that Donald Trump is such a sore loser, he will undoubtedly insist on one.
The court documents dont exactly scream out, Thank you for being a friend.

The documents, part of a lawsuit filed by a writer and producers, claim that the current Off Broadway run of That Golden Girls Show! A Puppet Parody was stolen when a creative partnership  and friendship  turned sour.

That Golden Girls Show!, which opened at the DR2 Theater in early October, lists Jonathan Rockefeller as its writer and creator. But according to the documents filed in State Supreme Court in Manhattan last week, the production is nearly identical to a previous show, Thank You for Being a Friend, that Mr. Rockefeller created with the writer Thomas Duncan-Watt.

Thank You for Being a Friend was produced by Neil Gooding and Matthew Henderson and has had runs in Australia and Toronto.

The format of That Golden Girls Show!  a Muppets-like puppet parody of the similarly named 1980s sitcom  is exactly the same as Thank You for Being a Friend, said Mr. Duncan-Watt, who filed the suit along with Mr. Gooding and Mr. Henderson. Both shows, he added, even have a man perform the role of Dorothy (played by Bea Arthur in the television series).
In almost 35 years, Ive never been to a crash where theres been 13 confirmed fatal accidents, he said. So its tough. Its not an easy thing.

Bullet Train to Nowhere : Construction of the California high-speed rail system, Americas most ambitious infrastructure project, Construction of the California high-speed rail system, Americas most ambitious infrastructure project, has become a multi-billion-dollar nightmare

A Piece of Black History Destroyed: Lincoln Heights  a historically Black community in a predominantly white, rural county in Northern California  endured for decades. Lincoln Heights  a historically Black community in a predominantly white, rural county in Northern California  endured for decades. Then came the Mill fire

Warehouse Moratorium: As warehouse construction balloons nationwide, residents in communities both rural and urban have pushed back. In Californias Inland Empire, As warehouse construction balloons nationwide, residents in communities both rural and urban have pushed back. In Californias Inland Empire, the anger has turned to widespread action

Thirty-one of the buss 44 passengers, many of whom were asleep at the time of the crash, were taken to hospitals. The majority of the people killed had been sitting in the front section of the bus. Chief Abele said that the majority of the passengers were Hispanic.

The vehicle, a 1996 MCI passenger bus, was owned and operated by USA Holiday Bus, a company based in Los Angeles, Chief Abele said. It had passed annual mechanical inspections for the past three years, including one in April. The bus did not have seatbelts.

The authorities did not identify the driver or any of the passengers.

Nothing was known about the drivers condition at the time of the crash. The section of the highway where the crash occurred was subject to traffic stoppages at that time of the morning, as a maintenance crew was periodically pulling power lines across the highway. Chief Abele said at the news conference that the rig had slowed down because of the traffic breaks.

Officials said that there was no indication in the initial investigation that the bus driver had attempted to brake. Chief Abele said that that suggested the possibility that the driver had been experiencing fatigue or an emergency medical situation like a heart attack.
There are many people in our country willing to reach across the divide, regardless of what youve heard in this campaign, she said.

For Republicans, blunting Mrs. Clintons ability to carry other Democrats into office has become the overriding imperative in the final weeks of the 2016 race. With Mr. Trump so diminished as a competitor for Mrs. Clinton, Republicans say they will now ask voters in newly explicit terms to elect a divided government rather than giving Mrs. Clinton unchecked power.

The Congressional Leadership Fund, a powerful super PAC that supports Republicans in the House of Representatives, is to begin running ads in the coming days that attack Democratic candidates as rubber stamps for Mrs. Clinton and urge voters in swing districts to support Republicans instead.

Mike Shields, the groups president, said it had tested that message and found it effective in closely contested races, even with voters who are likely to support Mrs. Clinton over Mr. Trump.

There are many districts where we are going to be running ads that talk about the Democrat being a rubber stamp for Hillary Clinton, Mr. Shields said. In many districts, it is a very, very potent weapon to use against a Democratic candidate for Congress.

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.

Republicans fear Mr. Trump will do grievous damage to the party unless he can close the yawning gap with Mrs. Clinton in the presidential race. An ABC News tracking poll published on Sunday showed him trailing Mrs. Clinton by 12 percentage points nationally and drawing just 38 percent of the vote.

Mrs. Clinton, who drew support from 50 percent of voters in the poll, was openly dismissive of Mr. Trump over the weekend, telling reporters on Saturday that she no longer worried about answering his attacks. I debated him for four and a half hours, she said. I dont even think about responding to him anymore.
With polls showing him sliding nationally, Donald J. Trump received a bit of welcome news on Sunday in one battleground state as the editorial page of Nevadas largest newspaper, The Las Vegas Review-Journal, endorsed him for president.

It is the first major newspaper to give Mr. Trump its blessing, though it may come with something of an asterisk: The Review-Journal was bought late last year by the casino magnate and billionaire Sheldon Adelson, a Trump supporter and longtime Republican benefactor.

The editorial described Mr. Trump as flawed but nonetheless preferable to Hillary Clinton.

Mr. Trumps impulsiveness and overheated rhetoric alienate many voters, its endorsement said. He has trouble dealing with critics and would be wise to discover the power of humility.
BARCELONA, Spain  Mariano Rajoy, Spains caretaker prime minister, is set to form a new government, after the main opposition party, the Socialists, voted on Sunday not to block his re-election.

The federal committee of the Socialist Party voted 139 to 96 in favor of abstaining from a parliamentary vote next weekend that would allow Mr. Rajoy to continue in office and avoid a third national election, after 10 months of political deadlock.

Mr. Rajoy will have to lead a minority conservative government that faces serious territorial and budgetary challenges.

Spain has been threatened with a European Union fine for failing to meet deficit targets agreed upon with Brussels. And the separatist regional government in Catalonia has pledged to hold an independence referendum in 2017, despite fierce opposition from Madrid and Spanish courts.
The United States is trying to broker a compromise in which the Turks would not directly participate in the Mosul offensive but stick to training and perhaps medical and humanitarian support. In a visit to Turkey in recent days, Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter said there was an agreement in principle between Turkey and Iraq, which the Iraqi government immediately denied. Iraq appears to want a commitment from the Turks that they will leave after Mosul is retaken.

Mr. Carter has said the United States is trying to balance our respect for the sovereignty of Iraq and our respect also for Turkeys historic role in the region.

Turkey has a number of strategic reasons for maintaining a military presence in northern Iraq. It wants a bulwark against the Kurdistan Workers Party, or P.K.K., which is waging an insurgency in southeast Turkey and keeps bases in the mountains of northern Iraq. The P.K.K. fought in the battle for Sinjar, in northern Iraq, last year.

Turkey, a Sunni power, also says it wants to protect ethnic Turkmens and Sunni Arabs in northern Iraq and counter the presence of Shiite Iran, which is dominant in Iraq and controls several militias. More broadly, and in keeping with Mr. Erdogans vision of reclaiming Ottoman glory, Turkey wants to project influence in the region, in Iraq but also in Syria, where in August the Turkish military intervened to push the Islamic State out of the city of Jarabulus.

At times, Mr. Erdogan has seized on the issue of Mosul to highlight century-old grievances that linger from the end of World War I, when Western powers divided the former Ottoman lands of the Middle East. We did not voluntarily accept the borders of our country, he said.

He has also referred to a manifesto from the last Ottoman Parliament, as the empire crumbled, claiming Mosul as part of Turkey.

Our most important task is to teach this to a new generation, he said recently.

Mensur Akgun, the director of the Global Political Trends Center in Turkey, said that for Turks, there is also an emotional side to the issue. Referring to Mosul, Mr. Akgun said: A century ago, that place was Turkey. A big geography was Turkey. It is committed in the memories that British and French imperialism was responsible.
Since 2012, approximately $15 million has been cut from Alabama State Parks to fund other programs, according to the Alabama State Park Partners.

A constitutional amendment on the Nov. 8 ballot seeks to stop those cuts.

Known as Amendment 2, the amendment will prohibit the Alabama Legislature from using state park funds for anything but the state parks.

Phillip Darden, chairman of the Alabama State Park Partners, a volunteer advocacy group for the state parks, said the funding for state parks comes from things like entry fees, overnight fees and rentals.

The funding cuts have caused five state parks to be closed, Darden said.

Additionally, it has led to a number of our parks being underserviced, Darden said. So they have a backlog of work that needs to be done, and theyre understaffed.

If the amendment passes, the state parks will be able to operate as intended, Darden said.

Itll give them the ability to create a budget that they know is going to be set and will work for the remainder of the year, Darden said. Not to worry about the State Legislature coming in and taking a bunch of the funds from their yearly budget.

Darden is also president of Central Alabama Mountain Pedalers, a mountain biking association that does volunteer work to maintain trails at Chewacla State Park and other places in Alabama.

Darden said if the amendment fails state park funding will likely continue to be cut by the Legislature.

Thats going to cause a significant instability within our park system and could potentially lead to a number of our parks closing, Darden said.

Although there is no group opposing Amendment 2, Darden said hes heard people express concerns about the wording of the amendment which allows the parks to contract with non-state entities for the operation of facilities in the park.

There is the misconception that that is a move to privatize our state parks, and that is just simply not the case, Darden said. Theres no intention to hand the parks over to a private company.

Susan Burroughs is also a member of the Alabama Parks Partners.

I just have a strong desire to make sure that these parks are protected for future generations, Burroughs said.

She grew up visiting Joe Wheeler State Park in north Alabama and works with the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association.

Alabama State Parks attract visitors from all over the southeast, Burroughs said.

The state parks had a total economic impact of $375 million in 2011 and in 2012 had 4.2 million visits, according to report issued by the Alabama State Parks in 2015.

Theyve been operating for the past five years, not knowing what the future holds, Burroughs said.

Without being able to reliably plan for the future the parks will stagnate and stop attracting visitors, she said.

These parks belong to the people of the state and thats where they need to stay, Burroughs said.
Two Opelika Middle School teachers are bringing back lessons learned from a visit to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, hoping those lessons will impact the mindset and historical knowledge of their students.

I went thinking I was going to be depressed, talking about the Holocaust, but I came back hopeful, said Tricia Skelton, Opelika Middle School 6th grade English and history teacher.

Now Skelton and fellow English teacher Kate Gholston have enough hope to educate their students about how they can learn to live as better individuals through lessons of the Holocaust.

Though the holocaust is done, there are still injustices in our world, Skelton said. How can we apply it to our modern day and social injustices?

In mid-July the two instructors joined nearly 200 teachers from across the country at the 23rd annual Arthur and Rochelle Belfer National Conference for educators in Washington, D.C., a three day workshop hosted by the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. The conference was created so teachers could better equip their students with effective knowledge and skills of Holocaust education.

In the face of rising anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial, educating students about this history is becoming increasingly urgent, says Peter Fredlake, director of the Museums teacher education and special programs.

Participants collaborated with museum educators and scholars to create strategies and approaches of how to inform students about the Holocaust, Nazi propaganda and anti-Semitism through the usage of literature, survivor testimonies, media and other forms.

Gholston said the museum sent her back to Opelika with rows of books, videos and other equipment for her students. She said she plans on incorporating lessons from the Holocaust into her classroom through poetry, writing and more.

In the Spring, students will get an opportunity to soak up the knowledge the teachers took from the conference. Gholston said they will introduce their new techniques to the students next year.

We had the museum at our disposal, she said. It was unique because it was all English teachers collaborating with teachers from across the country. The conference showed the power of what hatred and prejudice can do. As a teacher, you want students to grow up and be great citizens, as they learn to combat prejudice and hatred.

The hands-on experience from the conference inspired Skelton to introduce a more hands-on approach to learning with her students. She said the conference broached a bigger subject than just the struggles of the Holocaust, but what can be done to stop tragic events from happening in todays world.

We want to get our students to become more empathetic, she said. "What can they do if theyre in a hallway, and they see someone getting picked on, what would they do.

Gholston had similar feelings.

Its really turning away from the camps and numbers, but to how it happened, and what can be done to stop this from happening again, she said.
In the center of Mama Mochas Coffee Emporium sits an old, off-white couch with sunken cushions from what looks like eons of use.

There have been way too many heavy conversations on this couch, remembered Mama Mochas Owner Sarah Barnett Gill as she looked at the depleted and well-used furniture.

Since 2010, Mama Mocha's has provided the Auburn community with not only locally roasted coffee and creative drinks, but a place to commune in a no intolerance zone. Now, Gill is looking to bring that aspect to historic downtown Opelika.

Mama Mochas Coffee Emporium will open a second location on Railroad Avenue next to Red Clay Brewery in late spring or early summer.

While other coffee shops focus on creating a clean-cut and safe atmosphere with immaculate pour overs and classic drinks, Gill said she is looking forward to bringing a more eclectic feel to Opelikas downtown scene. The shop will sell its regular coffee drinks, along with craft beers and fresh baked goods from local bakers. Gills also plans to host concerts for "weird" punk, rock and other genre bands.

What we do is high volume, crazy drinks, loud baristas. Well be baking on siteitll be more of a cultural hub, Gill said. Our cafes at Mama Mocha's are always moving; its almost like the cafes alive with color and feel and texture.

Ideas for a second location have been in the works for some time, but were accelerated when parking was restricted at the Auburn location on Gay Street early this summer, Gill said.

In the past, customers have used parking spots next to the strip where Mama Mocha's and Amsterdam Cafe reside. But in June, signs were put up restricting parking for only Amsterdam Cafe and Trinity Lutheran Church during certain hours.

At that point, we didnt know if we were going to stay here, Gill said, concerned the lack of parking would decrease profits. But since then, theyve only gotten busier, and Gill said she doesnt see it slowing down anytime soon.

With a new location already in the works, they decided to go ahead with plans. Gill said several people from the Opelika community also reached out asking for Mama Mocha's to expand to Opelika to fill the void left when the Overall Company closed its location in John Emerald Distillery in May.

Though Side Track coffee has recently expanded across the street, Gill said she is looking forward to working in the same community with the shop while bringing a different feel to the area. She said regulars can expect something different out of the new shop.

I have a crazy vision that Im very excited about, Gill said. Having a baby, being a new mom and an entrepreneur with a company (that is) already in placetheres a lot going on that almost made me feel like I was losing my identity a little bit. And I think this has given me an outlet to dream again, which has been beautiful.

This dreaming has included exploring ideas that Gill said could be a little bit of a shock vibe to Opelika, including taxidermy, vintage video games and other oddities.

But from what I can tell, everyone in Opelika is going to adore it, Gill said, adding that shes looking forward to surprising everyone. Its definitely not going to be Southern cute.

The coffee shop will also share space with a new restaurant and bar, The Wilton, which is being opened by the owners of Wiltons Catering. Husband and wife duo Chris and Lisa Wilton are looking forward to the partnership with Gill, who has been a friend of the couple for awhile.

In addition to his specialties, such as cream cheese grits with blackened catfish, chorizo sliders and other comfort foods, Wilton said the restaurant will have a full bar and will also sell Mama Mocha's coffee.

I think that our businesses can mutually take off of each other, Wilton said. We plan on possibly having some kind of door that might go next door to (Mama Mocha's) or even to the brewery so we can all kind of share in our business down there. Im very glad to be next to her.

Beginning a new chapter as a mother, Gill said she is most looking forward to raising her son at the new location, immersing him in a loving, creative environment. And this is the kind of community hub she is hoping to create for the entire community.

In the south, sometimes you dont get a lot of acceptance for gay people or people of different races or people from different cultures, Gill said. Ive come from a small town where that was very much the case. I think, for Mama Mocha's, one of our biggest rules for the cafe is we dont tolerate intolerance.

Whoever you are, wherever youre coming from, however you identify, come in. Get a coffee. Youre important. Lets talk about stuff," Gill said, before adding with a smile: "Just make sure you buy a coffee."
People who are cleaning out their closets and need a place to donate their new or gently used shoes have the Jean Dean Reading Is Fundamentals Shoe4Books drive to turn to. The drive will continue through Nov. 30.

Jean Dean RIF was accepting shoe donations Saturday on National Make A Difference Day, which the program participates in every year.

National Make A Difference Day reminds people of ways they can help, said Cathy Gafford, executive director of Jean Dean RIF.

The shoe drive is being done through Funds2Orgs, an organization that will pay Jean Dean RIF for the shoes that are collected through the drive.

The donated shoes will go to developing nations such as Haiti, Honduras and Africa.

Funds2Orgs will pay the Opelika program for every pound of shoes.

Each four pairs of shoes collected will help fund a book for a child, according to a press release from Jean Dean RIF.

The Opelika programs goal is to collect 300 bags of 25 pairs of shoes in order to receive $3,000 for their program, according to Gafford. She hopes to exceed that goal and earn $6,000 for the program.

Gafford said the program has collected 425 pairs of shoes over the past five days. Dropoff locations include places such as the Museum of East Alabama in Opelika and Hair It Is in Auburn.

Rosanna McGinnis, library director at Lewis Cooper Jr. Memorial Library, said the librarys later hours on Mondays and Tuesdays can help those who can only go to drop off their shoes at collection sites later in the day.

I am thrilled to support Jean Dean RIF, McGinnis said. Im hoping more people will find the time to participate and help people get books.

There are also a couple of upcoming events in Opelika where people can donate their shoes.

The Opelika Sportsplex will host their fall festival Thursday from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Attendees will get four tickets for every pair of shoes they donate.

Jean Dean RIF is asking people who want to participate in their annual Run to Read event Oct. 29 at Floral Park at 600 Floral St. in Opelika to bring shoes for the drive.

Individuals or groups interested in helping the shoe drive can contact Gafford at 334-750-9974 or jeandeanrif@gmail.com. The drive cannot take worn out shoes with holes or soles loose.

For 25 years, Jean Dean RIF, a signature service project of the Alabama Kiwanis Foundation, has provided three quality age appropriate books to every child in every Head Start and Early Head Start in Alabama every year.

The program also puts out calendars to raise funds. The new 2017 See the Need to Read to a Child Reading Calendar can be purchased for $12 online at www.jeandeanrif.org.

*People can drop off their shoes at the following businesses and organizations in the Auburn Opelika area.

 Belk, 1627 Opelika Rd., Auburn

 Hair It Is, 231 Dean Rd. Suite 3, Auburn

 Kelly Services, 2200C Gateway Dr., Opelika

 Jean Dean RIF, 1105 Fitzpatrick Ave., Opelika

 Museum of East Alabama, 121 S. Ninth St., Opelika

 Opelika Sportsplex, 1001 Andrews Rd.,

 Lewis Cooper Jr. Memorial Library, 200 S. Sixth St., Opelika
Three skydivers  one trailing an American flag  dropped from 4,500 feet smoothly to the sand as Huntington Beach Councilwoman Jill Hardy sang the national anthem to tens of thousands of spectators.

Minutes later, acrobatic pilot Bill Stein was sending his Zivko Edge 540 into barrel rolls and inverted flybys 20 feet from the surface of the Pacific Ocean.

And with that, the inaugural Breitling Huntington Beach Airshow officially got underway Saturday.

The show, which is being put on by the New York-based company Air Support with help from the city, continues from noon to 4 p.m. today. Its visible all along the coastline, with the main viewing area at Beach Boulevard and Pacific Coast Highway.

Theres no better setting for this, spectator Wayne Pulcini, 69, said.

Pulcini was a jet aircraft mechanic with the Air Force, working on B-52s, F-15s and more when he was stationed in the states, Japan and in Vietnam. The Huntington Beach resident and his wife, Kay, attend a lot of air shows, but this marks their first on the beach.

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As the show kicked off, the Pulcinis only complaint was the hefty price for local parking, with fees hiked to $30.

Some people avoided that charge by parking blocks away and walking or biking to the beach. Some grabbed seats at nearby businesses or parks. Others watched from the sea, with a line of boats a safe distance from the shore.

No vessels can come near the Huntington Beach Pier while the show is taking place. And no aircraft  including drones  can fly within a 5-mile radius, with the Federal Aviation Administration and Coast Guard enforcing a temporary safety zone.

That offers plenty of room for pilot Michael Wiskus to perform a triple avalanche trick in his Pitts S-11 biplane. Or for the Orange County Sheriffs Department helicopter to dangle a rescuer feet from the ocean before pulling him back up. Or for the famed Thunderbirds to show off their skills with six F-16 Fighting Falcons.

Around 1:30 p.m., the Breitling Jet Team took to the skies. Theyre the worlds largest civilian jet performance team, with seven twin-seat Czech L-39C Alabatross jets flying in tight formation.

Since this marks the last show in their American tour, the Breitling team was what Joyce Zachs was most excited to see.

Zachs is a Fountain Valley resident who works for the city of Huntington Beach. She frequents air shows, since her husband is a professional skydiver. So she said it was natural for her to volunteer at the event, as she helped sell gear benefiting the Thunderbirds.

During a practice run for the show Friday, Zachs said they had lots of visitors stop by who didnt know the show was happening. The Huntington Beach Police Department also reported lots of call about the sound, with some residents a bit concerned by the roar of fighter jets flying over their homes.

But, with officers riding horses on the sand and the Long Beach Police Department pitching in, the only major incident reported as of Saturday was a few of the vendors selling goods getting hit by thieves on Thursday night.

Tommy Stewart  a Tustin resident who travels the country selling model planes, military hats and more at 40 shows a year  lost about $1,500 in gear. Thats one of the tradeoffs, he said, in having the show at a venue thats free and open to the public around the clock.

Still, Stewart said he was excited to see such a big show in his backyard. And he hopes to be back next year with even more to sell.

TJ Crayne, who drove out from Yorba Linda with his family, noted that the beach setting also means they cant check out the planes up close, as visitors can during most shows held at airports or military bases.

In this case, aircraft are taking off from Los Alamitos military base and Long Beach Airport, which also led to some complaints about the delay between demonstrations.

But Crayne said the beach show also means unobstructed views and spread-out crowds compared with other shows hes seen.

This venue is great, he said from a folding chair parked on the sand.

The show is set to be back for at least two more years, with local leaders hoping it will become a signature event for the city.

Contact the writer: 714-796-7963 or bstaggs@ocregister.comTwitter: @JournoBrooke
A wise philosopher named Arlo Guthrie  OK, so hes the guy who wrote Alices Restaurant  once sang that if 50 people a day join in something its a movement.

Friends, as Arlo would say, we are on the brink of such a movement with hundreds writing letters protesting United Airlines forcing Mary Campos out of her seat at John Wayne Airport because of her gender.

Some, however, go much further than letters. Some are taking to the streets, er, skies.

The unlikeliest of protesters: Dean Bosche, a business development executive and digital wunderkind who happened to read an online version of my column that reported how United reseated Campos after two Buddhist monks said they couldnt be near a woman.

The time: Early October. The place: Sydney, Australia. On a cool morning squeezing in a run on Bondi Beach before his flight to San Francisco, Bosches endorphins start to fire. He gets to thinking surely there was a better way for United to handle the Campos situation.

To press a point, he decides to make a formal request to United saying that he, too, cant sit near a human being because of their gender. Except, Bosche, a bit of an iconoclast, writes that he cant sit near a man.

Thats right, a man.

Understand, Bosche isnt alone in his outrage. Emails, overwhelmingly in support of Campos, continue to pour in. On Wednesday alone, I received more than 20.

Yes, an organized campaign is brewing.

On Tuesday, the Orange County Board of Supervisors will review ways to prohibit airlines from gender discrimination.

SECRET DISCRIMINATION

An entrepreneur, software expert and mountaineer, Bosche goes deep when he plunges into something.

Also a backcountry skier, Bosche is certified in avalanche safety, wilderness first aid, CPR and rescue training. For two months, he served as a wildlife protection volunteer in Alaskas Denali National Park.

Bosche thinks long and hard about the actions and impact of what occurred on Campos flight. He witnessed a similar event on a previous trip and knows hes likely to see one again.

The fact is that airlines generally acquiesce to requests by men who say they cant sit near a woman for religious reasons. But its rare for an airline to admit why they are reseating passengers.

Their reason may be because such juggling of seats violates federal equal rights laws. Thank Rosa Parks.

In Campos case, the desk clerk reportedly made it clear Campos was being moved because two male monks said they couldnt be near a female.

Oops.

Generally, Bosche is a come-what-may guy. He believes in religious freedoms and if a man doesnt want to sit near a woman, let him buy the adjacent seat or seats.

But as many readers have written, freedom also means, Dont tread on me.

Bosche offers the example of a crowded sidewalk. A man who believes he cant be near a woman shouldnt expect the sea of people to part.

The airplane is much like a crowded (sidewalk), however, even more difficult to navigate, Bosche says. United Airlines should not force the public to walk around, or in this case, move your seat.

Until United Airlines establishes a more professional approach to this kind of seating preference, it would appear you can indeed make the crowd walk around you.

Before boarding his United Airlines flight at Sydney Airport, he writes the company. Due to my cultural beliefs, I cannot sit next to men. On my upcoming flight  please ensure there are no men next to me.

He doesnt stop there. He also is transparent that he is making a point. I expect the same service, he writes United, as referenced below in the recent case study and legal precedent should you attempt to move me:

United Airlines passenger told to switch seats as Pakistani men did not want to sit next to woman.

United doesnt reply.

SIT OUTS

Confident he is doing the right thing, Bosche reiterates his request at the check-in desk at Sydney Airport. Do to my cultural beliefs, he says, I cannot sit next to men.

The United clerk, according to Bosche, explains he is slated to sit next to a man. She says, I cannot move someone elses seat.

In marked contrast to how United handled Campos at John Wayne Airport, a supervisor informs Bosche, We cant move people because they would get quite upset.

She adds, The seat next to you was pre-reserved.

So was Campos original seat.

But the airline supervisor has an option that United personnel at JWA didnt. Campos flight to Houston was full. The Sydney flight has empty seats.

The supervisor offers Bosche a spot adjacent to vacant seats. Being a reasonable guy whos made his point, Bosche agrees. It is what it is. What can I do?

After landing in San Francisco, Bosche reports his flight was smooth, the staff polite and professional. He also is grateful that he didnt cause anyone to be moved.

Still, airlines moving around passengers because of their sex rankles. It infuriated me, Bosche says. I dont think color or sex should have any implications on how you get treated in life.

Bosche says his peaceful protest was to test the system  not to make life harder for attendants, and ground crew, but to make management think a little more carefully.

To be sure, moving passengers because of gender is a slippery slope. Federal law outlaws discrimination and specifically cites age, ethnicity, handicap, religion, race  and sex.

On common carriers, which include commercial airliners, you cant move around women because of their sex just as you cant move around people because of the color of their skin.

Bosche is considering tweaking the airlines even more to make the point that gender discrimination is absurd. What if I only want to sit next to people six foot tall? What if I dont want to be next to someone wearing flip-flops?

Bosche hopes his peaceful action inspires others. I would recommend everyone start considering their sexual seat preference as it were.

Such actions, he believes, would force airlines to treat everyone equally, to ignore seating requests based on gender.

During Arlo Guthries heyday, there were sit-ins.

Bosche calls his movement a sit out.

Contact the writer: dwhiting@scng.com
When Bill Clinton announced in August that the Clinton Foundation will no longer accept foreign or corporate donations if Hillary Clinton wins the presidency, it was at least the third set of ethics rules that the post-presidential, pre-presidential charity has adopted to avoid the appearance of conflict of interest.

At the time Mrs. Clinton was nominated to be secretary of state, the foundation was required to seek the approval of the State Department before accepting donations from foreign governments. When she launched her presidential campaign, the foundation was limited in what it could accept from foreign governments, but donations from individuals and corporations were accepted.

The ethics policy announced by the former president in August would have barred the contributions of 53 percent of the donors who gave $1 million or more to the Clinton Foundation, according to an analysis by The Washington Post. That list includes the government of Saudi Arabia, ExxonMobil and Barclays, a British bank.

By now its clear that a foundation tied to a government official cannot avoid the appearance of conflict of interest, even when ethics rules are followed, which may not always have been the case.

In 2012, while Clinton was secretary of state, a senior official of the foundation emailed associates that the U.S. ambassador from the Gulf state of Qatar had asked to see Bill Clinton for five minutes in New York to present him with a $1 million check that Qatar had promised for the former presidents birthday in 2011, according to a hacked email from the account of John Podesta, Hillary Clintons 2016 campaign chairman, released by WikiLeaks.

The State Department says it did not receive a request to approve a donation from Qatar in 2012, and the foundation says approval was not needed under an exception to the Clintons 2008 ethics agreement. President Clintons spokesman would not say whether the former president met with the ambassador, and Hillary Clintons campaign refused to confirm or deny the authenticity of the email.

It doesnt inspire confidence.

Neither does the disclosure that a State Department employee checked with the foundation to see whether companies seeking contracts to help in the 2010 earthquake recovery effort in Haiti were friends of Bill Clinton or WJC VIPs.

Regardless of any new ethics restrictions imposed on the activities of the Clinton Foundation if Hillary Clinton becomes president, hundreds of millions of dollars already have been donated by individuals, companies and governments that have an interest in the direction of U.S. policy under the next administration. The appearance of conflict of interest hangs in the air.

As bad as that is, it would be worse if members of Clintons family continued to solicit enormous sums for the foundation from people who may be seeking access or influence in a Clinton administration.

If Hillary Clinton wins on Nov. 8, the first action she takes as president elect should be the dissolution of the Clinton Foundation. Its charitable work should be taken over by an organization that doesnt have a satellite office in the West Wing.
After a week of showing up to her new job in jeans and sneakers, Lateefah Simon got a surprise gift from her boss, Kamala Harris  her first business suit and a monogrammed scarf.

Harris, then San Franciscos district attorney, presented the gift box with tenderness, but the message was clear: Simon had to look more professional.

Kamala is everybodys auntie, Simon said, recalling her tenure running Harris pioneering program for youth offenders.

Shell be the one to say, Nuh-uh.

RELATED: Loretta Sanchez: Congresswoman hoping for a surprise win

Harris head-down, buttoned-up approach to politics helped her stand out in San Francisco, a city with an abundance of ego-driven Democratic political stars. And it has been her defining trait in her U.S. Senate run against fellow Democrat Loretta Sanchez, an Orange County congresswoman whose behavior on the campaign trail can sometimes seem erratic.

Harris strategy has always been to be calm, consistent and reliable and let other people do the flamboyant stuff that usually just ends up hurting them in the end, said Melissa Michelson, a professor of politics at Menlo College in Atherton.

So far it seems to be working. Harris, who nearly always appears publicly in a gray suit, has led decisively in every poll in a race in which voters have paid little attention  a dynamic that wouldnt seem to bother Californias 52-year-old attorney general.

For someone whose foray into public life was captured on the gossip pages as then-Assembly Speaker Willie Browns new girlfriend, Harris has managed over the past two decades to cultivate a celebrity mystique while fiercely guarding her privacy.

Supporters laud her as a pioneering criminal justice reformer and a workaholic who builds bridges with adversaries and demands excellence from her staffers. Some expect her to one day seek the presidency.

But several observers see a too-cautious and often calculating politician who hasnt tackled thorny law enforcement issues such as bail reform or heeded the call of protesters to assume a bigger role in police misconduct cases.

She has been very careful about how she guides her political future, said San Francisco public defender Jeff Adachi. If you want to become a senator, then that is what you have to do.

In an interview, Harris rejected the critique, pointing to her championing of law enforcement reforms long before they were en vogue and her successful battles with powerful banks and the for-profit college industry.

Perhaps its because I dont use reckless language, and I dont use grand gestures, that people think those fights didnt require a lot of courage or involve a lot of risk, she said.

Harris entered the Senate race as an established Democratic star with a Rolodex full of high-profile friends and associates, including Napster founder Sean Parker and President Barack Obama, who had to apologize in 2013 for calling her by far the best-looking attorney general in the country at a Silicon Valley fundraiser.

If she wins, Harris said, shell seek to make college more affordable, protect students from predatory lenders and replicate some of her criminal justice initiatives  including the states criminal justice data portal, which includes figures concerning deaths in police custody.

Harris grew up in Berkeley, the oldest of two daughters born to Shyamala Gopalan, an Indian-born breast cancer researcher, and Donald Harris, a Jamaican-born Marxist economist who taught at Stanford.

Her parents divorced when she was 5. Harris and her sister were raised by their mother in Berkeley and Montreal before she attended Howard University, a historically black school in Washington, D.C.

Harris returned to the Bay Area to attend Hastings College of the Law and then worked mostly as a prosecutor in Alameda County and San Francisco until 2003, when she unseated her former boss, San Francisco District Attorney Terrence Hallinan, a celebrated leftist and scion of one of the citys most prominent families.

It didnt take long for Harris to find herself in the hot seat. After she quickly refused to consider the death penalty for a man accused of killing police Officer Isaac Espinoza, Harris had to stare down several leading Democrats, including Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who declared during the officers funeral that the slaying merited capital punishment.

It took a lot of courage to do that, Adachi said of Harris.

As district attorney, Harris sought to de-emphasize the prosecution of nonviolent offenses and help keep young offenders from getting trapped in the justice system.

At other times shes sided with prosecutors.

On Monday, Harris was in a state appeals court in Santa Ana to argue that the Orange County District Attorneys Office should be allowed to prosecute the penalty phase in the case against Scott Dekraai, who has admitted to killing eight people in Seal Beach in 2011.

The judge in the Dekraai case said misleading statements by the prosecution team, and the illegal use of a jailhouse informant against Dekraai, meant Orange County prosecutors could no longer be trusted to be fair. Harris office argued, among other things, that the judges decision expressed frustration on his part. A decision is expected within 90 days. If it loses, its possible Harris office will take over prosecution of Dekraai.

Through it all, Harris also sought to reform a disjointed office and instill a culture of professionalism.

Simon recalled Harris taking her to task for a poorly written memo.

What if this showed up in The New York Times? Simon remembers Harris telling her. A little tear would fall from my eye, but she wanted the best.

After a razor-thin victory over Republican Steve Cooley, the Los Angeles County district attorney, in the 2010 race for attorney general, Harris again faced controversy  this time over her refusal to agree to the Obama administrations settlement with the mortgage industry for illegally foreclosing on homes.

She was the one in the room that kept saying, We need more relief, said Brian Nelson, who served as Harris general counsel.

The $18 billion-plus settlement Harris eventually wrangled from the mortgage industry is seen as one of her biggest triumphs. But Harris has heard pushback from critics who think that she, as the states first African American top law enforcement official, should be championing efforts to address police violence, such as a bill that would have required her to appoint a panel to investigate officer-involved fatal shootings, now generally handled by local district attorneys.

The local D.A. is too close to the police, so Im a bit puzzled why she disagreed with it, said Cruz Reynoso, a former California Supreme Court justice who was ousted in a recall election in 1986. To me, its such a logical thing.

Harris said her office doesnt have the capacity to take over investigations for all fatal shootings by law enforcement officers. But if there is a conflict of interest, she said, I would go right in.

Contact the writer: martz@bayareanewsgroup.com
Irvine Mayor Steven Choi has plenty of local government experience under his belt  six years on the board of the Irvine Unified School District, eight years as an Irvine city councilman and the past four years as mayor  and now he is looking to take his knowledge and public policy skills to the statehouse. Residents of the 68th Assembly District would be well-served if he did.

Though many decisions Choi would make will have statewide implications, it would be welcome to have a representative who understands the importance of local control, especially, he notes, when many state legislators want to control us.

Those domineering predilections are particularly evident when it comes to the business climate, which Choi describes as one of my favorite topics.

Job creation comes from encouraging businesses to thrive, he explained to us. By contrast, all of the regulations coming out of Sacramento are choking to death many businesses and driving them out of the state.

As for the budget, the state generally has enough revenue, Choi said, but it has a spending problem. For example, he cited a 2014 Legislative Analysts Office report that found that the California Department of Transportations Capital Outlay Support program, which provides project design and management, is overstaffed by roughly 3,500 positions, at a cost of more than $500 million a year. Such inefficiencies could be remedied by outsourcing and competitively bidding various services, Choi offered, which is the nature of our capitalistic structure, rather than just acceding to monopolistic public union demands.

Choi maintained that there is too much imbalance in the Legislature, and is well aware that, if elected, his minority party status will make things difficult, but he has been there before. He cited the dark days when he was in the minority of the Irvine City Council for many years. This just makes it all the more important to build relationships with those on the other side of the aisle and work to find areas of common ground, Choi said.

Steven Choi would be a great asset to the Legislature due to his efforts to oppose tax increases, restrain spending, improve Californias woeful business climate and advocate for local control.

The Editorial Board recommends a vote for Steven Choi on Nov. 8.
BARTELLA, Iraq  The Iraqi army pushed into a town near the Islamic State-held city of Mosul on Saturday, a day after dozens of Islamic State militants stormed into the northern city of Kirkuk, setting off two days of clashes and killing at least 80 people, mostly security forces.

U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter meanwhile met with Iraqs prime minister and commanders in Baghdad to discuss the offensive to retake Mosul, which the U.S. is supporting with airstrikes and advisers on the ground.

The Iraqi army said the 9th Division has pushed into the town of Hamdaniyah, also known as Qaraqosh and Bakhdida, and raised the flag over its government compound, but the troops were likely still facing resistance in and around the town. Similar past announcements have often proved premature.

The town is around 12 miles from Mosul. Iraqi forces launched a wide-scale offensive earlier this week aimed at retaking Mosul, the countrys second largest city, which fell to Islamic State in 2014.

Hamdaniyah is believed to be largely uninhabited. Islamic State has heavily mined the approaches to Mosul, and Iraqi forces have had to contend with roadside bombs, snipers and suicide truck bombs as they move closer to the city.

The Islamic State group said it foiled an attack on Hamdaniyah and seized vehicles and weapons left by retreating Shiite militiamen. The claim, carried by the extremist groups Aamaq news agency, could not be confirmed.

An Iraqi television station says one of its reporters was shot dead near Mosul, the second journalist in as many days to be killed while covering the conflict.

Alsumaria TV says cameraman Ali Risan was shot in the chest by a sniper Saturday during a battle in the al-Shura area. Journalist Ahmet Haceroglu of Turkmeneli TV was shot dead by a militant sniper Friday, while covering the Islamic State assault on Kirkuk.

Iraqi forces retook the town of Bartella, around 9 miles east of Mosul, earlier this week, but are still facing pockets of resistance in the area.

In Kirkuk, meanwhile, some fighting continued a day after the Islamic State assault on the city, some 100miles southeast of Mosul. The wave of attacks in and around Kirkuk appeared to be an attempt to divert attention from Mosul.

Brig. Gen. Khattab Omer of the Kirkuk police said at least 80 people were killed in the assault, mainly Kurdish security forces. Another 170 were wounded, he said, adding that a sundown curfew has been imposed on the city.

Omer said Kurdish security forces recovered the bodies of 56 militants who took part in the attack. The Kurds assumed control of Kirkuk in 2014, when the Iraqi army and police crumbled in the face of a lightning Islamic State advance across northern Iraq.

Iraqs Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said the Kirkuk assault was a terrorist attack and not a military breach.

Nearly all the terrorists who entered Kirkuk have been eliminated, and we have full control, except for maybe one area where they are being flushed out, he said after meeting with Carter.

As the assault on Kirkuk was underway, an airstrike hit a funeral procession in the town of Daquq to the south, killing 17 people, mainly women and children, and wounding another 50, said Daquq Mayor Amir Khodakram.

He said it was not clear who carried out the airstrike and that officials have launched an investigation.

The Russian Defense Ministry blamed the strike on the U.S.-led coalition, saying it had all the signs of a war crime. Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov, the spokesman for the ministry, said two jets were involved in the raid, and apparently mistook the procession for a gathering of militants.

The U.S. military in Baghdad could not immediately be reached for comment.

Iraq launched a long-awaited operation on Monday. It is the largest operation undertaken by Iraqi forces since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion and is expected to take weeks, if not months.

Carters visit comes two days after a U.S. service member was killed outside Mosul, underscoring the risk that American troops are taking as they advise Iraqi forces in the fight.

More than 4,800 U.S. troops are in Iraq and there are more than 100 U.S. special operations forces operating with Iraqi units. Hundreds more American troops are playing a support role in staging bases farther from the front lines.

Elsewhere in Iraq, a burning sulfur plant south of Mosul that was torched by Islamic State is releasing large amounts of noxious gas, draping towns in the area in toxic smoke.

The air has turned a gray color as it mixes with smoke from earlier oil well fires set by the militants. The fumes make breathing difficult, with residents from as far as 18 miles away saying they are suffering from coughing, headaches and nosebleeds.
Donald Trump has famously trumpeted, NAFTA has destroyed our country. Even Hillary Clinton, who before the election supported NAFTA (I think NAFTA is proving its worth.) has changed her tune. During a CNN debate, Clinton said, NAFTA was a mistake to the extent that it did not deliver on what we had hoped it would, and thats why I call for a trade time-out.

Undoubtedly, both candidates are convinced that anti-trade talk resonates with voters looking for a scapegoat to explain their economic problems. But beyond all the finger-pointing in this years presidential race, a careful look at the facts suggests NAFTA has been an economic boom to the U.S. and especially to California.

Six years after NAFTA went into effect in 1994, Essie Adibi and I published a paper on The Impact of NAFTA on California Exports in International Advances in Economic Research, a journal that disseminates the latest economic and financial research within the international community. Our study specifically examined NAFTAs impact on Californias export levels to Mexico while also measuring the impact of other variables, such as exchange rates and relative income growth, that might otherwise mask NAFTAs independent impact. We found that Californias exports to Mexico as a result of NAFTA increased a statistically significant 16.1 percent between 1994 and 1997. The study also showed that NAFTAs positive impact on Californias exports to Mexico would steadily increase as a result of provisions in the trade pact that were staged in over time.

That forward momentum in export growth has indeed continued. When NAFTA went into effect in 1994, Californias exports to Mexico were $8.2 billion. Only three years later, they had grown to $11.2 billion. By 2013, they had increased to $28.3 billion. For the entire 1994 to 2013 period, Californias goods and services exported to Mexico increased by 245 percent, or an average annual compounded growth rate of 6.7 percent.

Computers and electronics account for the greatest share of Californias exports to Mexico, but other industries have benefited, including transportation equipment, chemicals and processed foods. Almost half of these exports were generated by small and medium-sized firms in California. It is estimated that exports to Mexico alone support 177,000 jobs in the state.

Since California is an important distribution point for imported goods, the state also benefitted from the $41.3 billion in goods of services imported from Mexico in 2013. In addition, about half the labor, material and parts of these Mexican imports were produced in the U.S. Extensive production sharing between California and Mexico is reflected by the fact that most of California-Mexico trade is within similar industries. This, in turn, suggests that Californias exports to Mexico support Mexican jobs while imports from Mexico support California jobs. Sourcing lower-priced Mexican components in the final products produced in California and the rest of the nation makes those U.S. goods more competitive to other export markets.

Some jobs, of course, are lost as a result of international trade. But far from stealing jobs, as Trump would argue, more jobs are created. The fact that NAFTA increased trade with Mexico should be seen as a very good thing. Its a win-win for both nations. Not only are more jobs created, but the resulting products and services are more efficiently produced and can be priced at levels that survive the tough competition of global markets.

Rather than erecting trade barriers, those workers displaced by the competitive effects of international trade should be retrained. Investing in education to help workers benefit from international trade will yield positive returns. Clamping down on trade will do the opposite.

Our next president shouldnt tinker with NAFTA. Far better would be focusing attention on how to extend the benefits of NAFTAs open markets to Central and South America. We need to work quickly in connecting our markets with these growing economies. If we dont, Europe, Japan, China and others will be lining up to establish their own bilateral trade agreements in the Western Hemisphere. That would give them a competitive edge with our very own neighbors.

Jim Doti is president emeritus and Donald Bren Distinguished Chair in Business and Economics at Chapman University.
The occasional sparks of life in Californias otherwise sleepy U.S. Senate race come courtesy of the freewheeling Loretta Sanchez  sometimes to her benefit, sometimes not.

The most talked about moment of the Oct. 5 debate with frontrunner Kamala Harris, for instance, was Sanchezs closing flourish, a hip-hop dance move called the dab that her makeup artists 9-year-old daughter showed her a few hours earlier.

Its the type of quirky surprise that the Democratic congresswoman has regularly delivered since bursting on the political scene in 1996, when she upset iconic Orange County conservative Rep. Bob Dornan.

RELATED: Kamala Harris: State attorney general has thrived as a traditional politician

But the biggest surprise of her career could come if she upsets fellow Democrat Harris, the states attorney general, on Nov. 8. Harris finished the primary with a 21 percentage point lead over Sanchez. Some polls show that advantage shrinking, but Harris continues to lead by double digits in most surveys.

If Sanchez prevails, it will be her serious side that carries the day. She points to 20 years of experience in Congress and her senior positions on the House Armed Services and Homeland Security committees in the race to replace retiring Sen. Barbara Boxer.

(House Democratic Leader) Nancy Pelosi turned to me for information on nuclear disarmament, to talk about the important things in the world, Sanchez said. My colleagues in Congress have endorsed me because I know about those things. They know me and they look to me for leadership.

It doesnt mean I dont have lighthearted moments.

Indeed, Sanchez has been endorsed by 20 of her House colleagues. Harris is backed by nine.

Sanchez may be preferred by fellow House members, but Harris is the darling of the Democratic establishment. Her endorsements include President Barack Obama, Gov. Jerry Brown, Sens. Boxer and Dianne Feinstein, and the California Democratic Party. So far, Pelosi, has steered clear of the fray.

That means that despite two decades on Capitol Hill, Sanchez finds herself running as an alternative to the establishment, contrasting Harris progressive credentials with her own more moderate brand of politics and a reputation for working across the aisle.

For instance, Sanchez opposes Proposition 57, which would expand the states early-release provisions for prisoners. While Harris remains officially neutral on ballot measures because of the attorney generals role in approving initiative language, the measure is backed by Brown and the state Democratic Party. The state GOP opposes it.

Sanchez has a history of going her own way, most notably breaking with both Democratic and Republican majorities by voting against the Iraq war, the Wall Street bailout and the Patriot Act.

Harris measured manner has served her well, but Sanchezs spontaneous approach can make her seem more personable. It also can leave her vulnerable to gaffes that have offended Muslims, Native Americans and Vietnamese. Those ethnic groups that have largely supported her otherwise and CAIR, the nations most prominent Muslim rights advocacy group, have endorsed both Sanchez and Harris.

Improvisation has a part to play in jazz, but its not always effective in politics, said Jack Pitney, a political scientist at Claremont McKenna College, when asked about Sanchezs political style.

DAUGHTER OF IMMIGRANTS

Sanchez, 56, is the second of seven children born to immigrant parents from Sonora, Mexico. Her father and mother met working in a Los Angeles plastics factory, where he was a union machinist and she was a bookkeeper.

Neither parent finished high school, although Sanchezs mother would eventually get a GED and a college degree and spend 17 years as an Orange County grade-school teacher. Education was emphasized at home, and all of the children graduated from college.

Sanchez credits Head Start, a union scholarship and a Rotary Club scholarship for helping her earn an economics degree from Chapman College and an MBA from American University. She went on to work as a financial analyst for defense contractor Booz Allen Hamilton.

She registered as a Democrat when she was an 18-year-old senior at Anaheims Katella High. She re-registered as a Republican at 22 and was a Democrat again by age 32.

At some point, I started really seeing the difference, because of the anti-immigrant feelings that were going on and other things, she said of settling in as a Democrat.

Interest in city finances led to a failed bid for Anaheim City Council in 1994. After trying without success to get a meeting with Dornan, her congressman, to discuss education issues, she decided to challenge him.

Wylie Aitken, one of Orange Countys most prominent personal injury attorneys and a major Democratic donor, recalled Sanchez introducing herself to him at a reception during her City Council bid and her persistence in getting a contribution.

Not long after the loss, she called to ask for a meeting, with the surprise news of her next move.

I said, What? Youve never held office, you lost a City Council race and six months later youre announcing youre running for Congress? Aitken said.

But she laid out her strategy and persuaded Aitken to take a hands-on role as her campaign chairman.

Loretta is very intelligent, he said. We were definitely the underdog, but when you have a chance to take out somebody like Bob Dornan, you go for it. I told her who the major donors were, and shes not a shrinking violet. She worked very hard.

Despite the Democratic Party endorsing someone else, she made it out of the partisan primary and ended up beating Dornan by 984 votes. The election was marred by hundreds of immigrants voting who had qualified for citizenship but hadnt yet been sworn in. However, a congressional investigation found there were insufficient invalid ballots to overturn the results.

SERIOUS AS A HEART ATTACK

Pitney, the political scientist, is among those who wonder if Sanchez should be campaigning harder this time  particularly in light of a five-day trip she made to Europe during the summer for a trade mission and a brief vacation.

But Sanchez says shes been campaigning for 11/2 years and rattles off more than a dozen parts of the state shes visited, saying shes been campaigning diligently for a race she entered after determining the declared candidates werent qualified.

A big challenge is the states size and the surprisingly low profile of the race, brought on in part by the absence of partisan rivalry, a shrinking press corps and a wild presidential race that has left little bandwidth for attention on other elections.

Sanchez has been criticized by Harris for having the third worst attendance record in the House. Sanchez counters that she had a 95 percent attendance record before running for Senate. She says she was on hand for 68 percent of votes, while Boxer was there for just 54 percent when she was a House member running for Senate in 1992.

This is what people do when theyre running and giving up their seats, said John Campbell, a former UC Irvine political science lecturer and a Republican who served with Sanchez in the House from 2005 to 2015. Its not unusual.

Campbell said that during his decade in the House, he found Sanchez hardworking and eager to cross the aisle on bipartisan issues. He also acknowledged her humor.

She can be goofy one day and then the next, be as serious as a heart attack  she has both sides, he said, noting she may not always present the appropriate persona. She can get them crossed sometimes.

Sanchez has few regrets about her more colorful and sometimes controversial moves. Her playful holiday cards  usually featuring her cat  arouse a buzz on Capitol Hill each year. Then there are her uninhibited exclamations.

In April, she told Larry King that 5 percent to 20 percent of Muslims support an international Islamic state that transcends borders  even if violence is involved. Despite backlash, shes stood her ground, citing the book Islam and the Future of Tolerance: A Dialogue and other sources for the estimate and saying it is important to acknowledge the problem.

Subsequently, she was caught on tape imitating a Native American war whoop and, while criticizing Obamas endorsement of Harris, noting that they are both African Americans. She offers no apologies, saying things were taken out of context.

I think my opponents have always taken things Ive said for their political advantage, she said. They get blown up by political operatives.

Contact the writer: mwisckol@ocregister.com
With polls showing him sliding nationally, Donald Trump received a bit of welcome news in one battleground state on Sunday as the editorial page of Nevadas largest newspaper, The Las Vegas Review-Journal, endorsed him for president.

It is the first major newspaper to give Trump its blessing, though it may come with something of an asterisk: The Review-Journal was bought late last year by the casino magnate and billionaire Sheldon Adelson, a Trump supporter and longtime Republican benefactor.

The editorial described Trump as flawed but nonetheless preferable to Hillary Clinton.

Mr. Trumps impulsiveness and overheated rhetoric alienate many voters, its endorsement said. He has trouble dealing with critics and would be wise to discover the power of humility.

But neither candidate will ever be called to the dais to accept an award for moral probity and character, the editorial continued. And we are already distressingly familiar with the Clinton way, which involves turning public service into an orgy of influence peddling and entitlement designed to line their own pockets  precisely what a disgruntled electorate now rises up to protest.

The editorial warned that an administration led by Clinton would indulge the worst instincts of the authoritarian left and continue to swell the bloated regulatory state while running the nation deeper into the red in pursuit of free college and health care.

The endorsement comes at a time when Trump is in growing need of support: An ABC News tracking poll released Sunday showed Clinton beating him nationally by 12 percentage points.

Clinton has stacked up newspaper endorsements, including from unlikely quarters: The Arizona Republic broke with long-standing tradition and made her the first Democrat its editorial page has ever endorsed. The Dallas Morning News editorial page gave her its first endorsement of a Democrat since 1940. And The Cincinnati Enquirer, whose editorial page also endorsed Clinton, said that the last Democrat to receive its endorsement was Woodrow Wilson.

Until Sunday, the biggest newspapers to endorse Trump were the Santa Barbara News-Press and St. Joseph, Mo., News-Press.
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Many money managers want to follow Warren Buffetts 20-punch-card philosophy, but its almost impossible, according to Australian hedge fund manager John Hempton of Bronte Capital.

Buffetts punch-card idea works like this:

You should think about investing in the stock market as though you have been given a card to punch each time you make an investment decision. You are only allowed 20 punches in your lifetime.

That means two things: You become very careful when you make a decision, and when you find one, you invest a lot of your money.

In practice, of course, Buffett has made many more than 20 investment decisions as chairman and chief executive of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. The point of the punch-card idea is to inject discipline into your investing decisions.

Because youre being careful, you can follow investing ideas favored by Buffett and Berkshire Vice Chairman Charlie Munger: finding good companies at fair prices with durable competitive advantages so you can keep your money there for many years.

In a blog post, Hempton wrote that its popular for money managers to say they follow Buffetts philosophy, but, as far as I can see they are all phonys.

I used to profess myself a Buffett acolyte, too, he wrote. But somewhere along the line I realized I was a phony, too. I just wasnt close to that selective, and when the situation was right I wasnt anywhere near willing enough to pull the trigger and go really large in a position.

Its hard to be patient, Hempton wrote, noting that he hasnt found a punchcard-quality company since 2012.

But I am incapable of sitting idle since 2012 (even though the local beach is very good) and so I do stuff, he wrote. Inferior stuff. Stuff that may produce inferior results.

As a fund manager, its also hard to sell an investment fund to clients when you arent making any investments and the ones you hold may be underperforming or merely dull, he wrote.

If a client asks what you have done in the past year, you could list the books youve read, the management teams youve contacted and the financial reports youve read and say, but most importantly I did not buy a single share and I sold down a few positions I had.

That is kind of hard to justify, Hempton wrote. I dont have a clue how you would ever

sell it to clients. I cant imagine any clients buying it.

The Tao of Charlie Munger

Attorney/author David Clarks upcoming book, The Tao of Charlie Munger (Scribner, 256 pages, $24), is a collection of 138 comments by Munger, one of the greatest business and investing geniuses of the 20th and 21st centuries, according to Clark.

Tao is a Chinese word meaning way or path or, most likely in this case, doctrine. So the book, due out in January, aims at explaining Mungers ways of thinking about investments and life.

Clark, an investment adviser, has written other Berkshire-related books, including eight with Mary Buffett, ex-wife of Warren Buffetts son Peter. Their The Tao of Warren Buffett came out in 2006.

The new book selects quotes from various publications and from Mungers comments during shareholder meetings, each labeled with a word or phrase and followed by a brief commentary by Clark.

Its organized into four parts: Charlies thoughts on successful investing; Charlie on business, banking and the economy; Charlies philosophy applied to business and investing; and Charlies advice on life, education and the pursuit of happiness.

Although Clark takes some time to think about the subjects, the most entertaining words, of course, are Mungers. Some of the pithier ones:

 Acknowledging what you dont know is the dawning of wisdom.

 I succeeded because I have a long attention span.

 Smart people arent exempt from professional disasters from overconfidence.

 Capitalism without failure is like religion without hell.

 Banks will not rein themselves in voluntarily. They need adult supervision.

 If you take what China has done from what China was, theres been no achievement on this scale in the entire history of the world.

 The best armor of old age is a well-spent life preceding it.

Key vote for NV Energy

The Nov. 8 election will be powerful for Nevada voters aside from the presidency, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Voters will be asked to change the states constitution so they can choose who will provide their electricity, 90 percent of which now comes from Berkshire subsidiary NV Energy.

The utility is officially neutral but has said rates may rise and jobs may be lost if the amendment passes.

Those favoring the change  including many of the states casinos  say prices would drop and solar energy would be more affordable.

In New York, Texas and about a dozen other states, consumers and businesses can choose their energy providers. Last year about 19 million customers bought electricity from non-traditional utilities, more than double the number in 2004, the Energy Department said.

If the measure passes, the State Legislature would draft rules that would require another vote to become law. NV Energy would continue operating the power grid to carry electricity from all generators.

A survey of Nevada voters showed 72 percent support the measure, the Journal said.

Sixth-richest woman

Some perspective: If Susan Thompson Buffett, the first wife of Warren, were alive and had kept her Berkshire stock, she would be the sixth-richest woman in the country today.

At the time of her death in 2004, she owned 2.2 percent of Berkshire, which would be worth about $7.8 billion today.

Forbes magazines 2016 list put Warren Buffett at No. 3, with $65.5 billion, behind Microsofts Bill Gates ($81 billion) and Amazons Jeff Bezos ($67 billion).

Susan Buffett, who would have been No. 66 on the complete Forbes list, was a director of Berkshire and likely would have spent at least part of her fortune to support causes including civil rights, abortion rights and gay rights.

The women ranking ahead of her on Forbes 2016 list: Walmarts Alice Walton, $35.4 billion, No. 13; Mars Inc.s Jacqueline Mars, $27 billion, No. 16; Apples Laurene Powell Jobs, $17.7 billion, No. 23; money manager Abigail Johnson, $13.2 billion, No. 29; and media maven Blair Parry-Okeden, $10.8 billion, No. 39.

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. owns the Omaha World-Herald.

Find more of The World-Herald's coverage of Warren Buffett here.
Green Plains is in a bid to corner every use for a kernel of corn. Its been spending aggressively on acquisitions as part of the effort  acquisitions shareholders will expect to soon pay off in higher profits and fewer stomach-churning downturns.

The new assets  three Midwest ethanol plants bought in September and a California-based vinegar producer purchased this month  have been around only a few weeks. Together, they cost $500 million; longtime employees remember just a few years ago fretting about spending just $10 million for what was then a major plant acquisition.

It is too soon to determine how the newly acquired businesses are affecting Green Plains bottom line. The company on Oct. 31 reports its third-quarter earnings, but the vinegar company joined after the third quarter was over and the new plants were on board for only a few weeks of it.

But new ethanol plants brings scale, vaulting the company from fourth to second in global ethanol production. And the vinegar producer Green Plains bought is part of a plan to compensate for the volatility of ethanol profit margins, which can take shareholders on a wild ride.

In 2014, for example, Green Plains had net income of $160 million, and a high stock price that year of $46. Then ethanol supplies jumped, inventories at fuel terminals nationwide bloated, and profit margins plummeted: In 2015, Green Plains had profit fall 96 percent to $7 million. Shares fell to around $13 early this year. (They closed at $26.75 each on Friday.)

Now, Chief Executive Todd Becker is trying to even out all that bumpiness by investing in more predictable businesses  such as the vinegar company  and others related to ag: animal feed and complimentary commodities such as corn oil that are natural byproducts in ethanol production.

Craig Irwin, an ethanol-industry analyst for investment bank Roth Capital in New Jersey, said he can envision the newly bulked up Green Plains acquiring another half-dozen ethanol plants in the next couple of years.

But the growth will be in adjacent businesses  markets such as oils, feed and ingredients, he said.

The $237 million paid in September for the three ethanol plants, one in York, Nebraska, and one each in Illinois and Indiana, vaulted annual production to 1.5 billion gallons, making Green Plains the owner of 17 plants and the second-largest producer in the world of the alcohol-based motor fuel additive that is in most cases made from distilling corn. The industry leader is Chicago-based Archer Daniels Midland.

An additional $250 million was spent this month on Fleischmanns Vinegar Co., a producer of the liquid used in both culinary and other applications. It had been owned by a California-based investment partnership and is seen as complementary  the main ingredient in white distilled vinegar is ethanol. Green Plains hopes the vinegar business will smooth earnings that can swing wildly sometimes based on the highly volatile and interconnected markets for corn, ethanol, gasoline and crude oil.

Wall Street will be watching closely. Green Plains is expected to report earnings per share later this month of 23 cents a share, based on Wall Street analyst estimates compiled by FactSet.

Moodys Investor Service, the credit-rating firm, said Green Plains business should be strengthened by the recent acquisitions. Still, it raised a word of caution, noting that the expansion was fueled mostly by debt.

CEO Becker told The World-Herald that the vinegar acquisition is part of the companys strategy of seeking business connected to corn and ethanol but less subject to their volatile commodity cycles. Fleischmanns, founded around 1870 and once part of the same company responsible for the bakers yeast, has always been profitable, Becker said, a simple, stable business no one thinks much about.

The company makes the white distilled vinegar found in almost every kitchen, artisanal cider vinegars, balsamics for culinary use and other varieties used for beverage production, anti-microbial preparations and herbicides. You wont find any Fleischmanns on supermarket shelves: It produces in wholesale quantities, selling in bulk to other manufacturers whose products are sold at retail.

But Becker said vinegar is rapidly becoming super cool  as in the Twitter and Instagram sort  savored by connoisseurs who love to taste and rate it like wine, and green thumbs who prize its organic characteristics for cleaning and weed control.

Who knew vinegar was on trend? Becker said.

Better yet for Green Plains shareholders, it is on point. Becker said he witnessed at a Fleischmann plant (the company has them nationwide) ethanol enter through one door and 40 hours later exit as vinegar in 50-gallon drums. That is what biz-school types call value added, meaning taking an everyday commodity such as ethanol and transforming it for another use for which people will pay a higher price.

What we have here is a company that takes our ingredients and adds value, Becker said. We arent going to be making our money anymore from just grinding corn into ethanol.

There is a bit to go to reach that goal. Last year, ethanol production accounted for about two-thirds of the companys entire operating profit of $61 million. But there are major ventures extant, including a cattle feedlot in Kansas  a great outlet for the protein-rich grains left over from ethanol production. Also, corn oil is getting big at Green Plains, blended with rations fed to chickens and beef cattle.

Or said another way, Green Plains is already making and selling ethanol, feeding the leftover grains to cattle on its own feedlot, rations that are supplemented by the corn oil that is also a byproduct of ethanol.

Yes, that is already happening, Becker said.

As for ethanol itself, Bloomberg Intelligence wrote in a report this month that volumes are stagnating at around 10 percent of the U.S. fuel supply  the ubiquitous E10 blend available at most gas stations. A 15 percent blend is rapidly becoming available around the country, said Irwin, the New York analyst with Roth Capital.

He said ethanol blends are likely here to stay, regardless of criticism from motorists who dont like the lower energy content than clear gas, small engine operators who say it clogs things up, and the oil industry, which objects to the Environmental Protection Agency requiring a certain amount of renewable fuel be blended with gas, almost 19 billion gallons proposed next year.

The reason ethanol is expected to not be going anywhere, Irwin said, is that EPA blending requirements or not, clean-air laws require gasoline to contain an oxygenating agent to make engines burn cleaner. And ethanol right now is the cheapest one available and unlikely to be replaced.

The industry is no longer in its infancy, Roth said. I see several more years of high growth potential.

As for Becker at Green Plains, he says the complementary activities the company can engage in related to corn and ethanol are limitless and that the internal business development team at headquarters that discovered the Fleischmanns opportunity are under orders to keep searching.

We are going to get bigger, we arent done, said Becker, a veteran of commodities trading who previously worked at Omaha-based processed food company ConAgra. We are looking for businesses all the time.
Authorities have identified the man killed and the three who were seriously injured Saturday night in a single-vehicle rollover crash on Interstate 80 near Avoca in western Iowa.

The Iowa State Patrol said all of the men were from Talmage, Nebraska, including Mario Rodriguez, 38, who died in the crash.

The patrol said the crash occurred about 8:30 p.m. on eastbound I-80 when Jesus German, 26, lost control of a 1996 Honda Passport. The SUV entered the I-80 median and rolled several times, with Rodriguez partially ejected, the patrol said.

German, who was wearing a seat belt, was taken by medical helicopter to Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, the patrol said. The hospital said he was no longer listed as a patient Monday.

Two passengers, Steven Baney, 20, and Antonio Aguilar, 26, were taken to Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan for treatment of their injuries, the patrol said. Baney was not wearing a seat belt, the patrol said, and Aguilar was.

Avoca is about 45 miles northeast of Omaha, and Talmage is about 15 miles southeast of Nebraska City.
ELK CREEK, Neb. (AP)  A company that wants to mine rare metals in southeast Nebraska plans to dump naturally occurring underground saltwater into the Missouri River, a prospect that has raised environmental concerns.

Centennial, Colorado-based NioCorp Developments Ltd. has been meeting with regulators and county officials while firming plans to spend nearly $1 billion building the mine and processing facility near Elk Creek, about 70 miles southeast of Lincoln.

Were taking a careful and measured approach here, making sure we talk to everyone before we start submitting applications, NioCorp mining engineer Scott Honan told the Lincoln Journal Star. The company hopes to begin construction by mid-2017.

The primary target is niobium, which is used to harden steel and make it more heat-resistant.

NioCorp has determined that it will have to continuously drain salty water from the surrounding bedrock to keep the mine from flooding. The waters salt content is about half of seawaters average. The company has said that once the underground saltwater is mixed into the Missouri River, the saltwater would dilute into freshwater-quality water within 5,000 feet of where it would be discharged into the river south of Nemaha.

Jane Kleeb, whose Bold Nebraska environmental watchdog group led the Nebraska fight against the Keystone XL oil pipeline, said Nebraska residents will be watching.

Copyright 2016 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump has repeatedly warned of a rigged election, saying large-scale voter fraud is happening in the U.S. and if he loses the presidential election, thats why. There is no evidence that such widespread fraud exists. Trumps comments have alarmed voting rights experts and civil rights groups, who say the comments threaten to undermine faith in the nations elections. Meanwhile, House Speaker Paul Ryan and other Republicans are expressing confidence in the voting systems, while state election officials are saying they are committed to conducting fair and impartial elections. Its worth noting, too, that 29 of the nations secretaries of state  who run the elections  are Republican.

What has Trump said?

Trump first claimed the election could be rigged in August and repeated it ever since. He suggested Wednesday in the final debate that a lack of confidence in the process was preventing him from guaranteeing that he would honor its result. They even want to try to rig the election at the polling booths, and believe me, theres a lot going on, Trump told a crowd in Wisconsin last week. So many cities are corrupt, he added, and voter fraud is very, very common.

Trump of late has focused on certain cities as being susceptible to voter fraud, telling a nearly all-white crowd in Pennsylvania that Philadelphia, which has a large African-American population, could be a problem spot. He said we dont want this election stolen from us and urged his supporters to keep a close eye on other communities, a call that has stirred fears of voter intimidation at the polls. In Philadelphia on Monday, Republican election commissioner Al Schmidt dismissed the idea of election fraud there.

What do Americans believe?

More than two out of every three U.S. citizens in a recent poll say they are very or somewhat concerned about the security of the nations electoral system. In the Economist/YouGov poll, 72 percent of respondents said they were very or somewhat concerned about the security of the electoral system while just 21 percent were either not very concerned or not concerned at all. Republicans surveyed were more likely to be worried: 31 percent of Democrats said they were not concerned at all about fraudulent votes, as opposed to only 5 percent of Republicans. The poll surveyed 1,300 U.S. citizens in web-based interviews from Oct. 15-18. The margin of error was 3.9 percentage points.

A separate poll, this one conducted last month, by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, found half of all those with a favorable opinion of Trump said they have little to no confidence in the integrity of the vote count.

Is voter fraud a big problem?

No. While there have been isolated cases of voter fraud in the U.S., there is no evidence of it being widespread.

Trump talked in the debate about millions of people that are registered to vote that shouldnt be registered to vote. That was a reference to a 2012 Pew Research study that found that about 24 million voter registrations  or one of every eight  were no longer valid or significantly inaccurate.

The report found that more than 1.8 million dead people were listed as voters and that about 2.75 million people were registered in more than one state. But it also cited no evidence that those errors had contributed to significant voter fraud.

Our election system today is more secure than its ever been, said Jon Husted, secretary of state in Ohio. A Republican who has said he will vote for Trump, Husted said he was confident elections would run smoothly in his state.

What prevents voter fraud?

Rigging an election would demand a widespread, nationwide effort with the two major parties colluding at every level. Top election officials in 29 states are Republicans, including in battlegrounds like Florida, North Carolina and Nevada.

Elections in the United States are held in open spaces, not in back rooms, and ordinary citizens serve as election officials. In many states, the workers, who receive training before Election Day, are drawn evenly from supporters of both parties. Voting machines are not connected to the Internet, and the vast majority of ballots will be cast on systems that allow for a paper record to verify electronic results.

Poll workers and election officials are empowered to flag any voting irregularity. Both candidates usually have scores of lawyers on call to challenge any behavior. In most states, there are poll observers in each county who have been chosen and trained by both the Republican and Democratic Parties to watch for problems or efforts to disenfranchise voters during the voting process. The poll observers are allowed to watch the poll workers and other election officials.

The FBI released a statement Tuesday saying that FBI agents work with federal, state and local officials to ensure a fair election process.

How do I know the count is fair?

Every jurisdiction has multiple overlapping systems in place to ensure fair vote counts, according to the Brennan Center for Justice at the New York University School of Law.

The process of counting the votes is not done on systems connected to the Internet and tabulation systems are not connected to a single network, according to the National Association of Secretaries of State. Ballots are tabulated in public spaces.

Representatives for the political parties and the candidates literally watch the election officials count the votes. They also later participate in what is called a public canvass where the election results are gone over again to make sure they are right.

According to the bipartisan federal Election Assistance Commission: This involves accounting for every absentee ballot, every early voting ballot, every ballot cast on Election Day, every provisional ballot, every changed ballot and every overseas and military ballot.

Richard Hasen, an election-law expert at the University of California at Irvine, said that counting votes at county offices and other places is a transparent act with Republicans, Democrats and good government groups watching the counting.

When voting anomalies occur, generally because of human error, they are quickly caught and publicized on Twitter, and then corrected, Hasen wrote last week in an article in Slate.

Are dead people voting?

No. Wendy Weiser, head of the democracy program at the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University Law School, says this has been debunked repeatedly. There have been a handful of cases where votes have been cast in the name of dead people, and those have typically been minuscule in scale (like someone voting in the name of his or her recently deceased spouse) or involved ballot-box stuffing by unscrupulous election insiders, Weiser said.

She added: There has been no incident in over a century in which people were able to impact an election by mobilizing fraudsters to impersonate dead people at the polls.

Deceased voters do linger on the voter rolls, as the Pew Center on the States has documented, Weiser said. But voter registration systems need to be modernized to fix the problem.

How hard is it to vote more than once?

Extremely hard, according to election experts. Hasen said there is zero evidence this kind of fraud has occurred regularly and that you would have to vote multiple times on a massive scale to influence the election.

Hasen said that the only recent instance he knows involving multiple voting concerned a supporter of Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and other Wisconsin Republicans. This man registered and voted about a dozen times in a few elections in multiple jurisdictions, Hasen said. He was caught and literally pleaded insanity, because such a plan is literally insane.

How about people impersonating others?

Experts say this would be an inefficient way to rig an election, given the fraud would have to be conducted one voter at a time, and would only be effective in places where the race is close enough that the outcome could be swayed. Studies have shown voter impersonation to be quite rare.

In one of the most comprehensive studies on voter fraud, Loyola Law School professor Justin Levitt, who is now the deputy assistant attorney general in the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division, found only 31 incidents of voter impersonation out of more than a billion ballots cast between 2000 and 2014.

Another study by the Brennan Center for Justice found that many reports of people voting twice or ballots being cast on behalf of dead people were largely the result of clerical errors that suggested wrongdoing when none had occurred. Weiser said: You are more likely to be struck by lightning, more likely to see a UFO, than to be a victim of voter fraud.

Does requiring IDs combat fraud?

Experts note that fraud, when it occurs, usually involves absentee ballots or voter registration  problems that could not be solved by requiring an ID at the polls. Supporters of laws requiring voters to show photo identification at the polls say such laws are needed to combat voter fraud.

Also important to note: The courts have largely found there is little documented evidence of voter fraud. In a decision finding Texas photo ID law was discriminatory, a federal appeals court noted there were two convictions related to in-person voter fraud out of 20 million votes cast in the decade before the law was enacted.

Is voter fraud the same as election fraud?

Other types of fraud, or rigging, are possible, such as voting machines being manipulated to report false results. So-called ballot stuffing would be election fraud, rather than voter fraud, because it would be orchestrated by someone who has gained access to the election administration system. Experts say federal elections would be much more difficult to influence this way because of the hundreds of thousands of polling places.

That also holds true for any effort by hackers to influence this years presidential election. Experts say its unlikely a hacker could change votes, but one might be able to delete voters from registration files, triggering confusion and long lines at the polls.
WASHINGTON  While the battle to represent the Omaha-based 2nd District goes down to the wire, Nebraskas two other House races have been sleepy affairs.

Incumbent GOP Rep. Adrian Smith is running for re-election unopposed in the states sprawling, largely rural 3rd District.

In the 1st District, Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, R-Neb., faces Democrat Dan Wik, who says hes been limited in how many hours he can devote to campaigning and fundraising due to his work as a doctor specializing in pain management.

As far as fundraising: No. 1, nobody wants to contribute; No. 2, people think Im a rich doctor; No. 3, quite frankly I work 16 hours a day and I dont have the time, Wik told The World-Herald.

The 1st District includes Lincoln and other eastern Nebraska communities, including parts of Sarpy County such as Bellevue.

Wik said hes spent about $6,000 of his own money, but raised basically nothing beyond that. He said he received $75 in donations through a national Democratic fundraising network.

By comparison, Fortenberrys campaign had $1.6 million in cash on hand at the end of September.

Without significant financial resources, Wik has turned to social media to promote what he describes as creative policy solutions.

That includes his proposal to implement a single-payer, Medicare-for-all health care system supported by taxes from employees and employers. He said that among the benefits of such an approach is that it would solve problems plaguing veterans care by merging all of them into the Medicare system.

He also has proposed a simplified tax system and 18 percent import tariffs that he says would make it expensive for companies to move jobs overseas and could be used to help shore up funding for Social Security.

Wik said he doesnt have any professional studies showing that the budget numbers surrounding his plans would add up, because he doesnt have the resources to commission any.

Fortenberry also cites the need to address health care issues, saying that would help small businesses and the economy, particularly when paired with easing regulatory burdens.

The right type of health care reform will actually reduce costs and improve health while avoiding increased government expenditures, he said. The right type of regulatory environment will create a fair playing field for small business.

Rather than going to single payer, however, Fortenberry said he would focus on expanding the role of Health Savings Accounts that would help people save for their health care needs and supplement their retirement resources, all while fostering more competition in the health care industry.

On veterans health care, he pointed to his own work on efforts to improve VA facilities in Nebraska, including a public-private partnership backing a new Omaha facility.

Internationally, Fortenberry said he would continue pushing for a balance between too much interventionism or isolationism as the country engages with the rest of the world. He pointed to his successful push to have the State Department designate as genocide Islamic State atrocities against Christians, Yazidis and other minorities. And he touted improvements to U.S. deliverance of development aid overseas.

A prudent foreign policy that stresses the three Ds  strong defense, smart diplomacy, sustainable development  is what Ill continue to work on, he said.

Asked why Nebraska Democrats didnt make a stronger push for either district, party Chairman Vince Powers said Wik has been hampered by the fact that he has to juggle campaigning with a full-time medical practice.

In the 3rd District, he said that Democratic candidate Mark Sullivan made a serious run against Smith in 2014 but couldnt make headway in the solidly Republican district. That was discouraging to others thinking about challenging Smith, he said.

Powers suggested that Fortenberry will have to contend with his support of Donald Trump in the presidential race for a long time.

Thats going to be something that will never be forgotten, Powers said.

Like many Republicans, Fortenberry has tried to distance himself from Trumps more incendiary comments and actions, even while stating that he will vote for him in order to avoid helping Hillary Clinton.

Fortenberry didnt deny that there could be a cost to Republicans for supporting Trump down the road, but he also suggested that Clinton represents a liability for Democrats.

This is a very imperfect election for Republicans and Democrats, Fortenberry said.

Despite his lack of an opponent, Smith said he is still spending a lot of time traveling his district these days and listening to peoples concerns.

As for recent accomplishments, he pointed to legislation he just shepherded through the House that would exempt from the health insurance mandate those who lost coverage because of a failed co-op.

In the future, he said, he wants to keep working on the long-discussed priority of corporate tax reform.

Asked for a critique of Smith, Powers said that the congressman votes in lockstep with Republican leadership on issues.

In response, Smith said its only natural for him to side with the leaders who he and his constituents agree with.

The 3rd District of Nebraska is conservative, he said. Im conservative and I appreciate the opportunity to reflect their views in Washington.

*********

1st District

Jeff Fortenberry

Age: 55

Home: Lincoln

Party: Republican

Occupation: Congressman

Public offices held: U.S. House of Representatives, 2005 to present; Lincoln City Council, 1997-2001

Education: Bachelors degree, Louisiana State University; masters degrees, Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., and Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio

Family: Married; five children

Faith: Catholic

Daniel M. Wik

Age: 59

Home: Norfolk

Party: Democratic

Occupation: Pain management physician

Public offices held: None

Education: Bachelors degree, Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota; chiropractic degree, Northwestern College of Chiropractic, Minneapolis; medical degree, St. Georges University School of Medicine, Bay Shore, New York

Family: Married; five children

Faith: Lutheran

3rd District

Adrian Smith

Age: 45

Party: Republican

Home: Gering

Occupation: Congressman

Public offices held: U.S. House of Representatives, 2007 to present; state senator, 1999-2006; Gering City Council, 1994-98

Education: Bachelors degree, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Family: Married

Faith: Christian
WASHINGTON  Less than three weeks before Election Day, new voter ID requirements, early voting schedules and voter registration rules in more than a dozen states are creating uncertainty that could dampen turnout.

In some states, courts are still hashing out new rules.

Fourteen states have election laws that are more restrictive than they were during the last presidential election in 2012. Most of them require voters to show a photo ID before casting their ballots. (Nebraska and Iowa dont require a photo ID to vote.)

Some of those ID laws have been scaled back or overturned by judges citing racial discrimination, but legal battles have continued in several states because voting rights advocates say state officials havent fully complied with court orders.

There is confusion stemming from other court cases as well. Kansas attempt to require proof of citizenship from voters is still tied up in court. In Ohio, the battle is over people the state purged from the voter rolls because they hadnt voted in six years.

One of the greatest impediments to voting is confusion, said Lloyd Leonard with the League of Women Voters. In some pretty important states the rules are still changing.

Courts struck down strict voter ID laws in North Carolina and North Dakota and scaled back laws in Texas and Wisconsin. But the cases arent quite settled.

In Texas, North Carolina and Wisconsin, plaintiffs have returned to court to try to force state officials to follow through on court orders.

Under the voter ID law Texas approved in 2011, for example, drivers licenses, passports, military IDs and concealed carry permits are accepted, but student IDs and tribal IDs are not.

The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in July said the law violated the Voting Rights Act and asked a lower court to come up with a remedy. The lower court required the state to let the estimated 600,000 Texans without qualifying IDs vote so long as they sign an affidavit and present proof of identity like a utility bill or voter registration card.

But voting rights advocates and the Department of Justice accused the state in September of failing to make a good faith effort to educate voters about how the law had changed. A judge said the states education materials made it seem as if the affidavit would be available only to people who could not get an ID, as opposed to people who faced a reasonable impediment to getting one.

Jennifer Clark of the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law, a think tank that advocates for voting rights and represented some of the Texas plaintiffs, said that distinction is important to people for whom retrieving a birth certificate from another state might mean missing work or having to find a baby sitter.

The U.S. Supreme Court blocked North Carolinas voter ID law from being used in the November election. An earlier opinion from the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals said the ID requirements targeted African-Americans with almost surgical precision.

Following the 4th Circuit decision Republican county election board officials received emails from party leaders urging them to limit early voting hours and locations to the bare minimum. An email obtained by North Carolina news organizations shows election officials were told by state Republican Party director Dallas Woodhouse that as partisan appointees they have (a) duty to consider Republican points of view.

Wisconsins law was upheld by a U.S. district judge who said the state could enforce the ID provision so long as the Division of Motor Vehicles gave visitors a piece of paper that certifies they are allowed to vote in the election, even if they lacked all the documents necessary to secure an ID. But that same judge later criticized the DMV after video surfaced showing employees werent providing the papers.

Part of it could be deliberate recalcitrance, and part of it could be bureaucratic incompetence, said Rick Hasen, a professor at the University of California, Irvine School of Law.

Georgia and Alabama abandoned their efforts to require proof of citizenship from voters, at least for this election, but the battle continues in Kansas, where Republican Secretary of State Kris Kobach wanted the ballots of those who did not provide citizenship documents when they registered to be set aside until they could do so.

That action has spurred several lawsuits. A U.S. district court ruled Wednesday that voters who were illegally removed from Ohios voter rolls may cast provisional ballots in person during early voting or on Election Day. The court action came after a lawsuit was brought by the ACLU and other plaintiffs, and settles the final of four election-related lawsuits facing Ohio before November.

And in Virginia, the State Supreme Court in July blocked Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffes effort to restore the voting rights of more than 200,000 people with a felony record all at once, forcing him to restore each persons individually. So far McAuliffes office said he had restored the rights of 85,176 people.

Across the U.S., an estimated 6.1 million people with a felony record will not be able to vote in this years general election.

Voting rights groups say voter ID laws, the purging of voter rolls, fewer early voting locations in some cities, proof of citizenship requirements, felon voting laws, and confusion from litigation all contribute to it being tougher to vote than it was four years ago in many states.

You dont have to expressly prohibit people from voting to make it elusive to them, said Denise Lieberman of the Advancement Project, a civil rights advocacy group. By putting up hurdles and making it confusing, when its unclear if people got on rolls or not, by making people jump through extra hoops  its enough to keep voters from the polls.

This report includes material from the Associated Press.
In a first, two inmates of Institute of Mental Health tie the knot

3 Sri Lankan nationals detained in Tamil Nadu

Chennai

oi-PTI

Rameswaram (TN), Oct 22: Three Sri Lankan nationals, who claimed to have strayed into Indian waters while fishing, were today detained and their boat seized near Dhanushkodi by Marine police.

Marine police personnel from Mandapam, on a routine patrol, spotted the fibre glass boat fitted with an outboard motor and the three persons at the first sand dune near Arichalmunai, about nine km from Dhanushkodi, Police Sub-Inspector Jyoti Basu said.

The three reportedly told the police that they were fishermen from Thalaimannar in Sri Lanka.

They were brought to Mandapam marine police station for further questioning, the SI said.

PTI

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Story first published: Sunday, October 23, 2016, 10:52 [IST]
Agnipath: Amid protest govt announces one-time waiver, relaxes upper age to 23 years for this year

Chhattisgarh: Home Guard jawans help tribal woman deliver baby on river bank in rain-hit Bijapur

India to set up joint theatre commands of tri-services: Rajnath Singh

Jammu & Kashmir: Two suspected terrorists killed as army foils infiltration bid in Rajouri

ADHM controversy: Army rejects 'penance' fund; asks not to politicise armed forces

News

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia

Bengaluru, Oct 23 The leaders of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena or MNS might have succeeded in bullying the Bollywood by stopping the industry people from working with Pakistani actors and technicians in the wake of the controversy surrounding the film, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (ADHM).

However, the leader of MNS, Raj Thackeray, should have known that it is not easy to set terms for the Indian army.

Senior army officials and veterans were upset over the armed force being dragged into politics over films after the MNS demanded that producers of movies employing Pakistani actors pay Rs. 5 core to an army welfare fund.

In fact, Karan Johar's romantic triangle, ADHM, faced stiff resistance from the MNS as the film stars Pakistani heart-throb, Fawad Khan. The party threatened that the theatres showing the films will be vandalised.

However, after the chief minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis intervened and conducted a meeting between the film producers and Thackeray, the MNS agreed to let the film release on its scheduled date.

The film has been "allowed" to be released after its producers met with three conditions put forward by the MNS, including payment of Rs. 5 crore to army welfare fund.

Slamming Thackeray's latest diktat, senior army officials and veterans rejected the "penance" fund mooted by the MNS chief.

Most of the army veterans criticised Thackeray with strong words and asked the MNS leader not to politicise the armed forces.

This is what Air Vice Marshal Manmohan Bahadur (Retd) tweeted:

Army never doubts the love n sentiment of countrymen behind contributions to its welfare fund. From now on...? #RajThackeray 's extortion.  Manmohan Bahadur (@BahadurManmohan) October 22, 2016



He further tweeted:

Indian Armed Forces cannot, and SHUD NOT, become crutches 4pol ambitions. Unfortunately, this is the trend seen in recent past. Stay away pl https://t.co/BBkujRETja October 22, 2016

Retired senior officer, Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd), also expressed his disappointment about the latest development:

Would never support it. https://t.co/acV3JrQPZS  Syed Ata Hasnain (@atahasnain53) October 22, 2016

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Story first published: Sunday, October 23, 2016, 12:00 [IST]
Bhutan witnessed highest increase in travel searches: Study

India

oi-PTI

New Delhi, Oct 23 With an increasing number of Indians opting for visa friendly destinations, Bhutan seems to be on top of people's checklist, recording a 136.18 per cent increase in travel searches, according to a new study.

The survey by Skyscanner has taken into account the travel queries made by over 50 million monthly visitors to reveal the visa-friendly destinations favoured by Indian passport holders in the first half of 2016.

According to it, destinations like Thailand, Indonesia, Mauritius, Maldives and Seychelles in the Asian and Indian Ocean neighbourhood have benefited from "drastic increases" in flight searches when compared with the same period in 2015.

"Neighbouring Bhutan has witnessed a whopping increase of 136 per cent in travel searches since last year owing to its no prior visa policy for citizens of India.

"Long-time favourite, Thailand takes the lion's share of Indian searches in the first half of 2016 with 38 per cent of Indian travellers looking for a visa-friendly getaway opting for Thailand," the study said.

Seychelles  where Indian travellers are granted a visa-on-arrival - recorded a 23 per cent soar in searches year over year, the largest increase among Indian Ocean destinations.

Flight searches to Mauritius and Maldives, which both allow Indian travellers a 90-day visa free stay, have jumped 19 per cent and 13 per cent respectively.

"In a short span of time, the repertoire of countries providing visa-friendly travel to Indians has grown immensely, giving more options to people to explore international destinations. It comes as no surprise we are seeing visa-friendly destinations grow in popularity," Reshmi Roy, Growth Manager at Skyscanner said. Indonesia is also one of the popular alternatives with a 16 per cent spike in searches.

"Our data shows flight searches for Indonesia from across Indian have soared, thanks to its recently relaxed visa policy that now allows Indian passport holders a visa-free stay of 30 days," the study said. Another destination that is a trending city for Indian travellers is Macau which has out-performed the all-time favourite Hong Kong.

"Perhaps benefiting from the 'James Bond' effect or a 30-day visa-exemption, Macau has witnessed an increase of 17 per cent in travel searches," the survey said.

PTI
As the countdown clock struck zero, rocket of Aakash BYJUS took off from Bandra Bandstand

Call centre scam: Kingpin fled to Gulf during police raid

India

oi-PTI

Mumbai, Oct 23: When the teams of Crime Branch of Thane Police were busy in raids at fake call centre in connection with the call centre scam, its mastermind Sagar alias Shaggy Thakkar was on his way to flee the country in early hours of October 5, officials said.

Crime branch teams raided seven call centres at Mira Road in adjoining Thane district, in the multi-crore scam involving cheating of US citizens by posing as officials of US Tax Department.

Police raids were conducted on the night of October 4-5. About 70 directors and key persons of these call centres were arrested and 700 employees were detained.

During the interrogation of arrested directors, police got the name of Sagar alias Shaggy. However, by that time, Shaggy had left the country on October 5 before police could catch him. Police issued a LOC (Look Out Circular) against Shaggy on October 7, two days after his escape, officials told PTI.

[Fake call centre scam mastermind Thakkar's 'mentor' arrested]

He is suspected to have fled to Dubai. As the investigation started, a key accused and Shaggy's elder sister, Reema, fled the country from Delhi on October 8.

Police are now trying to get information from immigration authorities about how both the key accused fled the country.

Police suspect that Shaggy and his sister have massive amount collected by cheating US nationals, in their personal accounts. Shaggy led a lavish lifestyle and was accompanied by around a dozen bouncers, sources said.

He was a regular at posh late night parties in Mumbai and was also fond of high-end cars. Investigators say Shaggy began working at the age of 16 with his mentor Jagdish Kanani, who had worked in the call centres in abroad.

Kanani trained him to cheat US citizens by starting fake call centres, they said. Meanwhile, investigators on Thursday told a court in Thane that they have identified transactions worth Rs 25-30 crore in the call centre scam till now and that it will take a long time for them to arrive at the actual figure given the magnitude of the scandal.

PTI
Centre to develop places related to freedom movement

India

oi-PTI

New Delhi, Oct 23 In a bid to woo voters, the BJP-led Central government is mulling developing the places related to freedom movement in the poll-bound Uttar Pradesh.

"Tourism Ministry is planning to develop the areas which were associated with the freedom fighters and the country's Independence movement from 1857 to 1947 in Uttar Pradesh," a Ministry source said.

The ministry is preparing a list of these sites, which would be over 20 in number, the source said, adding the ministry would also allocate funds for the development of these regions.

The decision in this regard was based on the view of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had said freedom fighters must be given their due recognition in the country which attained independence after a long struggle.

The source said the places that could be developed under the programme include Bithoor town in Kanpur district which is known as the centre of Revolt of 1857 as Nana Sahib, a popular freedom fighter, was based there. Bithoor would be developed as tourist destination with facilities such as light and sound and an tourist interpretation centre.

Kakori town in Lucknow, which became popular for train robbery by people involved in the Indian independence movement in August 1925, is also to be developed, the sources said.

Development plans for Meerut Cantonment areas could also be included in the programme as the region was associated with the Revolt of 1857 with many Indian soldiers stationed there actively participated in the rebellion, the source said.

The initiative come in the background of BJP-led Central government observing 'Yaad Karo Kurbani' celebrations with Central ministers visiting about 150 places associated with the freedom movement across the country to mark 70 years of Independence and 74 years of Quit India Movement.

Modi kicked off the 15-day exercise by visiting revolutionary leader Chandrashekhar Azad's birth place Bhabhra in Madhya Pradesh.

BJP president Amit Shah had gone to Kakori, while Home Minister Rajnath Singh had visited the birthplace of Birsa Munda in Jharkhand and Asfaqullah Khan in Uttar Pradesh as part of the celebrations.

The BJP government is trying to raise the patriotic fervour among the people which may lead to favourable outcome in the assembly election scheduled for next year.

The government may also approach the politically crucial UP electors highlighting the decision of government to carry out surgical strikes carried out by the Army across the LoC.

Meanwhile, the recent visit of Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma to Ayodhya for inspecting the site for Ramayana Museum had fueled the demand for construction of Ram temple, once a main poll plank of the saffron party.

Though the saffron party has been insisting that Ram temple will not be an electoral plank in the UP polls to be held early next year, the proposed Ramayana museum and related activities are being seen as an attempt to keep pro-Hindutva elements in good humour.

PTI
Congress will bring back old pension scheme in Gujarat, if voted to power: Rahul Gandhi

Congress hits out at Maha CM over 'ADHM' release

India

oi-PTI

New Delhi, Oct 23: Congress today hit out at Devendra Fadnavis for "brokering" a truce with MNS chief Raj Thackeray over the release of 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil', saying the Maharashtra Chief Minister would now be the country's "new Censor Board".

"CM Fadnavis has demeaned his office & disregarded Constitution by playing vendor to diktats of MNS. Democracy shrugged for a BMC election deal," party's chief spokesman Randeep Surjewala said in a series of tweets.

He alleged that "Self styled goons, compliant film makers bartering freedom of expression brokered by BJP's Maha.

CM would now be India's new Censor Board." Earlier, he had wondered on the micro-blogging site as to "Why would our proud IndianArmy accept donations forced by MNS goons from subservient filmmakers with profit motive?" Under pressure from political and other outfits, Bollywood film producers had yesterday announced that they would not engage with Pakistani artistes, clearing decks for the smooth release of Karan Johar's "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" as MNS withdrew its threat to stall the screening.

The movie had been embroiled in a controversy over the past few weeks after the MNS opposed the screening of movies featuring Pakistani actors after the Uri terror attack, putting a question mark on the fate of movie, slated for Diwali release on October 28.

The movie features Pakistani actor Fawad Khan.

PTI
Directors of chit fund company arrested for fraud

India

oi-PTI

Rajnandgaon, Oct 23: Two directors of a chit fund company were arrested from Maharashtra for allegedly duping investors in Chhattisgarh's Rajnandgaon district, police said today.

Directors of Anmol India Agro Herbal Farming and Dairies Care Company Ltd -- Mohammad Khalid Memon (39) and his brother Mohammad Junaid (34) were apprehended from Nagpur yesterday for duping people to the tune of around Rs 44 crore, Rajnandgaon Additional SP Sashimohan Singh said.

The accused are residents of Nagpur in Maharashtra, around 220 km from here.

Satwant Singh Bhatia (62), a native of Chhuriya village here had complained that the company which was set up in 2008 at Rajandgaon town, had embezzled around Rs 8 lakh which he had deposited in the firm in installments, Singh said.

According to the complaint, the company had assured the investors to either provide land at cheaper rate or double their money in six months. But none of the benefits were provided to Bhatia, he said.

In 2014, the company wound up their operations and escaped from Rajnandgaon, the ASP said.

Later during investigation, many other investors who had deposited their money in the company were found, Singh said adding as per preliminary information the company had duped the investors of around Rs 44 crore.

Subsequently, a case was registered against the company officials and employees and a special joint team of the Crime Branch and Basantpur police station was constituted to trace them, he said.

Details regarding assets and bank accounts of all the accused are being collected, he added.

PTI

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Story first published: Sunday, October 23, 2016, 21:41 [IST]
In a first, two inmates of Institute of Mental Health tie the knot

NIA begins probe in to Coimbatore cylinder blast as terror plot thickens

MK Stalin announces First sanctuary for Slender Loris race in Tamil Nadu!

Finally, medical bulletin, press release on Jayalalithaas health, but they reveal very little

News

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia

Exactly one month after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa was admitted to Apollo Hospitals in Chennai, the hospital released a medical bulletin on the chief minister's health condition on Friday.

Similarly, on Saturday, the Raj Bhavan, Chennai, issued a news release on Jaya's health.

The 68-year-old AIADMK Supremo is undergoing treatment at the hospital since September 22.

For more than 10 days, there was no official communication about the chief minister's medical condition, leading to wide-scale speculation.

Even when two official sources tell us about her current health status, they actually reveal very little.

According to the medical bulletin issued by the hospital, Amma is "interacting" and her health condition is "progressing gradually".

"The chief minister continues to be under treatment and observation for all vital parameters, respiratory support and passive physiotherapy," said the bulletin, signed by the hospital's director medical services Dr N Sathyabhama.

"The team of experts of the critical care group, senior cardiologists, senior respiratory physicians, senior consultants of the infectious diseases department, and senior endocrinologist and diabetologist of Apollo Hospitals were giving treatment and care to the chief minister," the bulletin added.

The Raj Bhavan press release said Tamil Nadu Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao on Saturday visited Apollo Hospitals, where Jayalalithaa is undergoing treatment.

"Rao visited the chief minister in the ward where she is undergoing treatment. The governor was happy to note that the chief minister is progressing well," Raj Bhavan release said.

The press release was posted on AIADMK's official Twitter handle @AIADMKOfficial.

Press Release from Raj Bhavan pic.twitter.com/wM3WHvNrkK  AIADMK (@AIADMKOfficial) October 22, 2016

Neither the hospital nor Raj Bhavan clarified on the exact nature of Jayalalithaa's health ailment.

There is also no clarity as how long the 68-year-old leader has to stay in the hospital.

Observers say that as AIADMK is maintaining great amount of secrecy about their leader's health condition, rumour-mongers are having a field day spreading lies on social media.

Experts also say there is nothing wrong on the part of the "Janata" (voters) expressing their interest to know about the health of their chief minister, who is undergoing treatment in the hospital for more than a month now.

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Story first published: Sunday, October 23, 2016, 8:07 [IST]
Ill-planning, unscientific approach cause for chaos in Ganga

India

oi-PTI

New Delhi, Oct 23 Ill-planning and unscientific approach by the authorities concerned has to led to the chaotic condition of the Ganga, the National Green Tribunal has said.

The green panel expressed concern over the fact that there was lack of information on Ganga and it was not clear whether there were other industries and what manufacturing or other activities they were carrying on and the kind of trade effluent they discharged.

"The basic question that the Tribunal would have to answer amongst others is whether the approach of cleaning of city or cleaning of river at the first instance, is the approach to be adopted. Ill-planning, unscientific approach and lack of future estimation has led to chaos in which Ganga today is," a bench headed by NGT Chairperson justice Swatanter Kumar said.

It directed Uttar Pradesh Control Board to inform it whether the industries located on segment B of Phase-I were registered with Directorate of Industries or not and whether they have been granted consent to operate.

The green panel has divided the work of cleaning the river in different segments -- Gomukh to Haridwar (Phase-I), Haridwar to Unnao (termed as segment B of Phase-I), Unnao to border of Uttar Pradesh, border of Uttar Pradesh to border of Jharkhand and border of Jharkhand to Bay of Bengal.

The bench said the tannery industries continue to remain one of the main causes of pollutants in the river Ganga in this stretch.

The matter would be heard next on October 24. The tribunal had earlier rapped Uttar Pradesh government for wasting crores of rupees of public money on Ganga rejuvenation and restrained it from spending on any major project except maintenance work on the stretch from Haridwar to Kanpur.

The green panel had passed the order after Central Pollution Control Board and state authorities including UP Jal Nigam failed to state the total number of industrial units and the quantum of industrial waste discharged by them into Ganga.

On December 11 last year, the tribunal had imposed a complete ban on use of plastic of any kind from Gomukh to Haridwar along the river from February 1 and decided to slap a penalty of Rs 5,000 per day on erring hotels, dharamsalas and ashrams spewing waste into the river.

PTI
Court holds writ by Hindu petitioners in Gyanvapi case maintainable: What does this mean

On camera: Varanasi folks in panic as 'ghost in white' goes for a walk on rooftops

PM Modi to visit Varanasi, launch gaspipeline project

India

oi-PTI

Varanasi, Oct 23: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit his Lok Sabha constituency tomorrow where he is set to launch a number of ambitious projects including a 1500-km-long gas pipeline costing Rs 51,000 crore and doubling of railway tracks on a busy route.

On his eighth visit here since becoming Prime Minister, Modi will launch "Urja Ganga", the gas pipeline project which promises to provide piped cooking gas to residents of Varanasi within two years and, in another year thereafter, cater to millions of people in states like Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Odisha.

Modi is also scheduled to flag off projects like doubling of railway tracks on the busy Allahabad-Varanasi section and expansion of the Diesel Locomotive Works (DLW) here besides laying foundation stone for a fully air-conditioned perishable cargo centre.

He will also release a stamp dedicated to the ancient temple town, which is believed to be among the oldest surviving ones in the world.

Besides, he will lay the foundation stone for widening of a road passing through the city's crowded Cantonment area.

Tight security arrangements are in place across the city where the Special Protection Group (SPG) has been camping since Friday to oversee preparations for the Prime Minister s visit.

The sprawling DLW premises, where the PM is likely to reach by a helicopter, has been declared a "no fly zone" until his departure tomorrow evening.

The city has been abuzz with activity for the past few days during which a number of Union Ministers like Piyush Goyal (Power), Dharmendra Pradhan (Petroleum) and Manoj Sinha (Railways) have visited the venue of the function and supervised preparations for the Prime Minister's tour of his parliamentary constituency, which comes close to six months after his previous trip on May 1 this year.

Local unit of the BJP, on its part, has launched a cleanliness drive across the city besides putting up posters at various places highlighting the various welfare schemes launched since Modi assumed power.

Recently, the party's Uttar Pradesh unit had also issued a statement welcoming the Prime Minister on his "first visit to Varanasi after the surgical strikes".

Modi's visit to the city comes at a time when assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh are just a few months away and political temperatures are soaring.

His arrival in Varanasi will immediately follow a rally, earlier in the day, at Mahoba district in the state's impoverished Bundelkhand region.

PTI

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Story first published: Sunday, October 23, 2016, 12:23 [IST]
Priyanka Gandhi will be a force multiplier in UP: Dikshit

India

oi-PTI

New Delhi, Oct 23: Priyanka Gandhi will be a "force multiplier" for Congress in Rahul Gandhi's "forceful" campaign in Uttar Pradesh and people will reject any attempt by BJP to use army's surgical strikes across the LoC for political gains, Congress' Chief Ministerial candidate Sheila Dikshit has said.

The Congress veteran, who has been on a whirlwind tour of Uttar Pradesh where assembly polls are scheduled for early next year, also attacked the BJP for "trying to polarise" Uttar Pradesh on communal lines by raking up the contentious issue of Uniform Civil Code.

78-year-old Dikshit said Rahul, the Congress vice president, has managed to enthuse party workers to a great extent through his Kisan Yatra and, if Priyanka decides to participate actively, it will work wonders for the party which is out of power in the politically crucial state for as many as 27 years.

Talking about Congress' preparations, she said the party was planning to have region-specific manifestos for the polls as different regions have different problems, adding there were signs of "clear revival" of the party across the state.

Claiming that no party will get an absolute majority in the polls, Dikshit said Congress will play a key role in formation of the next government and hinted that the party may not be averse to forging a post-poll alliance with either BSP or Samajwadi Party.

"We will take a call depending on the situation after the polls. But I am very confident that Congress will play a decisive role in formation of the next government," she said. The three-time Delhi Chief Minister accused the BJP of "conspiring" to "polarise" the state on communal lines, asserting Congress will forcefully "expose such evil designs".

She also slammed BJP for planning to highlight the surgical strike during the campaign, saying never ever in India's history the valour of armed forces was used for political gains.

"Exploiting political gains out of (a) sensitive issue is very, very unfortunate.It reflects deterioration of our democratic culture. Army was never used for politics. This is reprehensible," she told PTI.

Dikshit claimed Rahul's Kisan Yatra was a "huge success" and if Priyanka hits the campaign trail, it will strengthen the party's position.

"People are yearning for Congress' comeback to power. Every section of the society there is fed up with successive governments. People of UP now want change," said Dikshit, adding Congress was trying to reach out to all communities including Dalits and Muslims.

PTI
PM Narendra Modi chokes up as he talks about Morbi tragedy | Video

Send messages to soldiers, says PM

India

oi-IANS

By Ians English

New Delhi, Oct 23: The respect and admiration that Indians have for the armed forces, will be expressed this festive season through a campaign led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The #Sandesh2Soldiers campaign has been launched to invite people to send letters and messages to the armed forces, an official statement said here on Sunday.

"The campaign gives every citizen an opportunity to spread happiness among the Indian Armed Forces, who are guarding our nation's frontiers, far from their loved ones on Diwali," it said.

Leading this effort, the Prime Minister shared through social media, a special video featuring his appeal to the people to send messages to our brave armed forces personnel.

People can send messages to soldiers on the Narendra Modi App through MyGov.in, and also through All India Radio.

Doordarshan is also going to mount a programme to share people's emotions with the armed forces.

A special module has been launched on the Narendra Modi App to enable people to send greetings or their hand-written messages to the armed forces.

The #Sandesh2Soldiers campaign is expected to generate increased interaction between people and the army.

IANS


Simultaneous polls in UP, 4 other states in Feb-March: EC

India

oi-PTI

New Delhi, Oct 23: Uttar Pradesh, which is set to witness game-changer elections, and four other states will go to polls simultaneously, most likely in February-March next, commencing shortly after the presentation of the Union Budget on February one.

While it will be a single-day polling in Punjab, Goa, Uttarakhand and Manipur, Uttar Pradesh is likely to have as many as seven phases, sources in the Election Commission said.

The BJP, which had swept the Lok Sabha elections more than two years ago, winning 70 of the 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh, is seeking to make a comeback by wresting power after 15 years from the ruling SP. The BSP is expected to give a stiff challenge to both of them.

In Punjab, after two successive terms, the ruling SAD-BJP combine is facing a tough battle from Congress on the one hand and a fledgeling AAP on the other. Uttarakhand, where the ruling Congress staged a sensational comeback this year following a legal battle, is fighting anti-incumbency and facing challenge from the BJP.

Goa, where the ruling BJP is seeking a fresh term, is pitted against Congress and AAP. In Manipur, the Congress is seeking to retain power.

As a matter of abundant precaution, the government approached the Commission for clearing its proposal to present the Union Budget in Lok Sabha on February one and avoid criticism of violating the model code of conduct that will come into force the day elections are announced.

Sources said that the Commission had no objection to the budget exercise being carried on because of the fact that it would cover the entire country and was not specific to the poll-bound states.

It has also been conveyed to the government that caution should be exercised so that overtly populist measures are not included in the budget aimed at voters in these states.

The Commission is working on a schedule for the polls which should be completed by the middle of March so that new assemblies in these states could be constituted well in time before the expiry of their tenure.

It is working out the requirements about security forces with the Centre and the states concerned for ensuring that the polls are free and fair.

Nearly a lakh of state police and central armed police force personnel may be deployed to ensure that the electoral exercise is smooth and free from violence and malpractices like booth capturing.

Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi had recently said, "We are trying to assess the requirement of security forces, climate and exam schedule -- all these inputs are being taken into consideration. Only then we will be able to say whether they will be staggered or multi-phase."

While the term of the Uttar Pradesh assembly ends on May 27, 2017, those of Goa, Manipur and Punjab end on March 18.

The Uttarakhand Assembly's term ends on March 27.

PTI
PM Narendra Modi chokes up as he talks about Morbi tragedy | Video

South Asian satellite likely to miss December deadline

India

oi-PTI

New Delhi, Oct 23 Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ambitious South Asian satellite project, announced two years ago, is likely to miss the December deadline as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch GSLV Mark III that month.

"ISRO has been launching at least one satellite every month, so our calender is perennially packed and at this point of time it looks difficult to launch the South Asian satellite in December. It could get delayed by a month," a senior official said.

Launching of GSLV Mark III will be a crucial development in the country's space history.

The Launch Vehicle is likely to be sent in the space by December end.

"Work on GSLV Mark III is in progress, but the date for the launch is yet to be arrived at. The project will help ISRO launch satellites weighing around four tonnes," ISRO chairman and Department of Space Secretary A S Kirankumar told PTI.

ISRO currently has the capability of launching satellites weighing up to 2.2 tonnes.

It has launched two satellites in September, and it is expected that October will also see launch of two more satellites. On August 28, it conducted the first experimental mission of Scramjet Engine.

The delay in the South Asian satellite also comes at a time when the regional grouping's annual summit in Islamabad has been called off following escalation of tension between India and Pakistan, in the wake of the Uri terror attack.

"We are working on the South Asian satellite project, but no date for launch has been finalised," Kirankumar said.

Modi, during the regional bloc's 2014 Summit in Kathmandu, had announced launching of a SAARC Satellite as a 'gift' to its neighbours in order to expand information sharing and connectivity within the region.

SAARC had come into being on December 8, 1985 and the initial plan was to operationalise the satellite in December this year.

However, Pakistan opposed the move and demanded that the satellite be brought under the ambit of the grouping.

This was unacceptable to India. The name was later changed to South Asian Satellite.

Barring Afghanistan and Pakistan, all other SAARC countries have given their go-ahead to the project.

PTI
UP elections 2014 & 2017: Looking at vote-shares of BJP and its opponents

SP to contest on 37 seats, BSP on 38 in Uttar Pradesh

SP sacks Ram Gopal Yadav, cites BJP links

India

oi-IANS

By Ians English

Lucknow, Oct 23: Uttar Pradesh's ruling Samajwadi Party on Sunday expelled its national General Secretary and spokesman Ram Gopal Yadav from the party for six years.

Ram Gopal Yadav was also sacked from all party posts, state party chief Shivpal Singh Yadav told the media, adding the action had been ordered by party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav.

The announcement was greeted by applause by party workers present at the press conference.

Ram Gopal Yadav triggered a fresh controversy in the morning when he released a letter saying that only Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav can lead the party to victory in the coming assembly polls.

[Akhilesh should prove his majority in Assembly or resign: BJP]

He had also said that people opposing the Chief Minister were corrupt and without character.

Shivpal Yadav, who was earlier sacked from the cabinet by Akhilesh Yadav, said that Ram Gopal Yadav had always behaved like a dictator and had now connived with "communal forces" to destabilize and weaken the SP.

"He met a senior BJP leader thrice and is trying to save his son Akshay and daughter-in-law from action by the CBI," Shivpal Yadav said, linking the two family members with a tainted chief engineer of Noida Authority.

He also said that when the earlier BSP government hounded the SP workers, Ram Gopal Yadav never came to their aid.

He is involved with corrupt ppl, Ram Gopal has always misused name of Netaji; had raised this issue at various party forums: Shivpal Yadav pic.twitter.com/znivaE91nK  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) October 23, 2016

He has been conspiring against me, he has been involved with BJP to save his son: Shivpal Singh Yadav, SP on Ram Gopal pic.twitter.com/eZ8ZKLJ9bx  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) October 23, 2016

He is involved with corrupt ppl, Ram Gopal has always misused name of Netaji; had raised this issue at various party forums: Shivpal Yadav pic.twitter.com/znivaE91nK  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) October 23, 2016

IANS
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The thing the governments in Central Asia fear the most is religion. Secular opposition there has been nearly eliminated and in its place religious opposition has appeared.

Only a very few people in Central Asia are given to joining Islamic extremist groups. But were one to judge from the actions of the region's governments and security forces, it would easy at times to get the impression there was an imminent threat to the state.

The era of the Internet and social networks has ushered in a new era of paranoia, not only in Central Asia, and the authorities in Central Asia are broadening their definitions of what an extremist group is and taking preemptive measures to cut off the perceived threats these often ill-defined groups allegedly represent.

To discuss religion and the Central Asian governments' increasingly restrictive attitude toward various groups, RFE/RL assembled a Majlis, a panel to discuss the campaign against suspect believers in the region.

Moderating the discussion was RFE/RL Media Relations Manager Muhammad Tahir. From London, Felix Corley, the editor of Forum 18 News Service, an agency monitoring religious freedom in the former Soviet republics and Eastern Europe, joined the talk. Participating from Washington, D.C., was Dillorom Abdullaeva of Tashabbus, a group formed by young lawyers in Uzbekistan to help protect the rights of people there. And in case you didn't notice, we have Noah Tucker from Registan.net working with us at RFE/RL now, so he was in the studio in Prague with me for the discussion.

It was not long after independence in 1991 that the Central Asian leaders, all former Communist Party officials during the Soviet era, realized that although reembracing Islam would help their countries to reinforce distinctions between them and former colonial master Russia, these leaders themselves knew very little about the religion.

Uzbekistan's President Islam Karimov was confronted by a group of Muslims during a trip to Namangan in December 1991 and forced to sit and listen as the group's leaders lectured him about their ideas of good governance. Civil war broke out in Tajikistan in the spring of 1992 and the core of the government's military opponents was the Islamic Renaissance Party. These then were the early examples for Central Asian governments and it sparked different reactions from the five states.

Corley said policies toward religion evolved to the point where "the Central Asian governments are more or less saying, religion is dangerous unless we the authorities have licensed it and registered it as being acceptable within very tightly restricted bounds, which the government has set."

Any group outside those bounds becomes suspect. While the constitutions of all five enshrine freedom of religion, in practice so-called "nontraditional faiths" face significant problems.

As Abdullaeva said, "There are many religious groups who are unofficially banned in Uzbekistan," and she added, "It is practice to be arbitrary and to keep fear in people who practice religion."

And Abdullaeva added that the state-approved version "of Sunni Islam...is kind of Soviet-style, I would say, closer to culture than religion."

The Central Asian governments seem to misinterpret the intentions of many groups or misidentify them entirely. "Wahhabis" were once the favorite targets of campaigns, even going back to the Soviet era, though most if not nearly all the people detained or imprisoned in Central Asia did not seem to be practicing the form of Wahhabism associated with Saudi Arabia, its birthplace.

"Salafis" have now become one the most suspected Islamic groups in Central Asia. Tucker explained, "You'd be very pressed to find anyone in a Central Asian government who could delineate to you the exact difference between a Wahhabi and a Salafi and [when] lawyers who present this evidence in trial, there's very little effort to make any kind of definition."

There is also very little effort made to elaborate how exactly these people represented a threat. Corley said, "The government[s] should look at people who are actually committing crimes of violence or inciting, or organizing the committing of crimes of violence and not target people solely because of their religious affiliation or their perceived religious affiliation."

Not Belonging To Nonexistent Group?

In the worst-case scenarios some Central Asian governments grossly exaggerate or even invent groups, then imprison perceived opponents for membership. Tucker noted how problematic this was for the accused. "They're [the government] saying you belong to a group that doesn't actually exist so it's very hard to prove they don't belong to something, if you can't say what the group is in the first place," he said.

Corley commented, "This is a very dangerous approach which does nothing to help the security of the country and does nothing to protect the human rights of the people of an individual country."

Corley provided the example of Bahrom Saparov, the leader of a group of Sunni Muslims in Turkmenistan's eastern town of Turkmenabat who apparently was preaching without official approval. "He is believed to have received a 15-year prison term, he's in the top security prison in Owadan Depe in the desert and very, very few prisoners ever come out of there alive, he's last known to have been seen in that prison in 2014."

And Tucker said that just recently in Uzbekistan, acting President Shavkat Mirziyaev "has ordered, particularly in border areas and within Tashkent, for the security services to do house-to-house searches of people who were previously convicted on religious charges."

Abdullaeva pointed out, "Religious extremists or acts of religious extremism are the result of the severe restrictions on freedom of religion in those countries."

Tucker suggested that "the governments would do their own citizens a favor in paying attention to public safety and the public good...by having definitions [of extremist groups] that actually work."

The Majlis discussed these topics in greater detail and ranged around Central Asia looking at other specific examples of state campaigns against religious groups. You can listen to the full discussion here:

Listen to or download the Majlis podcast above or subscribe to Majlis on iTunes.

The views expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of RFE/RL
ISLAMABAD  Fugitive Afghan Taliban leaders are being increasingly pressured to relocate from Pakistan along with their families and businesses for refusing to join peace talks with Kabul, officials and insurgent sources told VOA in background interviews.

The squeeze is continuing on them [the Taliban] and some have already left, or [are] leaving the country, says a senior Pakistani official directly involved in matters related to the Afghan policy.

He did not want to be named because publicly the government has not yet acknowledged the crackdown, which is part of the policy to seek an early repatriation from Pakistan of nearly three million registered and undocumented Afghan refugees.

International Pressure

Pakistan has been under pressure from international partners, particularly the U.S. to deny space to the Taliban and other groups waging the violent insurgency in Afghanistan. The country denies charges its spy agencys covertly supports the Taliban and its ally, the Haqqani Network, enabling them to prolong the Afghan war and expand influence of the insurgents after withdrawal of U.S.-led international combat forces.

The spike in violence has undermined efforts to improve bilateral relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has repeatedly accused Islamabad of not taking action against fugitive Taliban leaders. In turn, Pakistan alleges Afghan intelligence operatives are sheltering and supporting fugitives linked to the anti-state Pakistani Taliban.

Pakistani authorities earlier this month arrested several key Taliban leaders from areas in and around Quetta, the capital of the southwestern Balochistan province, which borders Afghanistan. The detainees also include Ahmadullah Muti, commonly known as Mullah Nanai, Suleman Agha and Mullah Samad Sani.

All three held key positions in the insurgency and were arrested after they ignored requests to hold peace and reconciliation talks with the Afghan government, according to Pakistani and insurgent officials. Authorities have also raided and shut down some Islamic seminaries, or madrassas, for refugee children that are suspected of sheltering Taliban insurgents.

Taliban Concerns

The crackdown has prompted the Taliban to send a high-level delegation to Islamabad from its Qatar-based political office to take up the issue with Pakistani officials.

Taliban delegates also plan to convey concerns over the way Afghan refugees are being treated, including their forceful eviction and deportations from Pakistan, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said.

But he dismissed reports as misleading that Taliban political envoys have traveled to Pakistan to brief authorities there on the insurgent groups recent secret meetings with Afghan officials in Qatar. He said neither such meeting has taken place.

Islamabad Foreign Ministry officials have expressed ignorance about the Taliban visit.

But a Pakistani security official, requesting anonymity, has confirmed to VOA the presence of the Taliban delegation in the country, insisting they have come on their own, without any invitation. Kabul has objected to the visit, citing U.N. sanctions that bar Taliban leaders from undertaking foreign travel.

Some Afghan officials and politicians assert Pakistani authorities arrest or take action only against those Taliban leaders who want to negotiate peace directly with Kabul without any Pakistani influence.

The allegations are that we are not doing anything against the Taliban in the province of Balochistan. And if you do and you try to apprehend some individuals over there, if it is the case in present scenario, then we are accused that you are sabotaging the peace process, complained Anwar-ul Haq, spokesman for the provincial government.

Speaking to VOA, he also rejected assertions Taliban insurgents are using Balochistan as a training center and launch pad for attacks in Afghanistan.

The Taliban probably do not need a space or territory outside Afghanistan to receive training, to plan and maneuver their attacks. The entire rural Afghanistan is, at least during the nights, is in their control. So, maligning Pakistan as we are complicit as a state for all those activities would be bit of exaggeration. Yes, there are movements between the borders, which is understandable when you have such a huge Afghan populous as refugees, they [militants] come and they mix up in that population, said Haq.

Calls For Dialogue

Pakistani authorities point to critical challenges facing Pakistan to plug the nearly 2,600 kilometer mountainous Afghan border, saying the work is underway to secure it, but the country has not yet attained the stage to easily identify suspected cross-border movements.

But despite prevailing bilateral tensions some politicians in Afghanistan, like lawmaker Elay Ershad, believe in working together with Pakistan to build trust to bring an end to the Afghan conflict. She echoed Pakistani calls for a sustained dialogue to address mutual concerns, rather than conducting official policy through media and traditional rhetoric.

I say, let us start it again. Let us work on that mistrust and why would we blame each other for what happened in the past. Let us start a new beginning let us solve the problem and we are neighbor countries we cannot solve over problems by fighting with each other. We have to negotiate. We have to convince our people and we have to convince our media and people who make irresponsible comments, Ershad said.

Pakistan hosted a first round of peace talks between Taliban and Afghan government officials last year, but a scheduled second round was scuttled after it was revealed the insurgent group's founder and longtime leader, Mullah Omar, had been dead for two years. His successor, Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansur, was killed in U.S. drone strike in May this year in Balochistan.

But the Taliban has intensified attacks and expanded influence to more Afghan province since its new chief Mullah Hibatulla Akhundzada has taken control, fueling concerns of more bloodshed in the years to come and prompting calls for renewing efforts to resume peace talks.

-- Reported by the Voice of America
Fall tillage practices, even reduced tillage techniques such as disking and chisel plowing, can eliminate important winter food and cover for many wildlife species in Iowa, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

According to Todd Bogenschutz, wildlife research biologist with the DNR, waste grains and crop residue remaining in untilled crop fields following harvest provide important food and cover for species such as pheasants, quail, partridge, turkey and deer.

Studies of harvested untilled crop fields show wildlife consume 55-85 percent of the waste corn and soybeans between fall harvest and the following spring, Bogenschutz said. The corn stubble and stalks remaining in untilled cornfields also provide concealment cover for pheasants, quail and partridge, so the birds are not so exposed to predators when feeding in the winter.

Research shows even reduced tillage methods, such as disking and chisel plowing, reduce waste grains available to wildlife by 80 percent and reduce crop stubble by 50 percent or more.

A 1985 study showed untilled Illinois corn fields averaged 200 pounds of waste corn per acre versus 40 pounds per acre in corn fields that were disked or chisel-plowed. Moldboard plowed fields averaged four pounds per acre.

Farmers and landowners can leave a free food plot for wildlife by simply not fall plowing their fields, said Bogenschutz.

No-till farming is a great way to leave food and cover for wildlife, he said. Leaving stubble is also a great way to capture soil moisture for next year.
Rumble 31 Oct 2022

with all your might! First purge all the enemies in the courtyard, after we will see 3 Japanese soldiers to surrender, our comrades..
The Republican Party had scarcely given up trying to make Donald Trump go away when someone dug up evidence of misbehavior that they hoped would free it from him at the last minute: In 2005 he confided to a muck raker that he was strongly attracted to beautiful women and that his wealth and fame enabled him to kiss them - and even 'grope them', or visit them in his beauty pageants' dressing rooms.



Thai Town Beauty Pageant

(Image by ve ?onica) Details DMCA



Compared to Bill Clinton's trysts, Trump's antics are sophomoric, but hardly surprising in a country that has been using women's likeness to sell everything from toothpaste to viagra. Industry will never accept to change its ways, so feminists double down on individual men who show inappropriate lust. Never missing a beat, the media is turning the story into a crisis that could be fatal for the Republican Party, perhaps forgetting which candidate is most likely to deliberately bring on World War III.

The party of Lincoln is not only known for its flag-waving, but also, for its pudibundity. In recent years, purity balls have been held in which a girl pledges to remain 'pure' until her wedding day, symbolically 'marrying' God, and promising her father that she will remain a virgin until she becomes a wife. The balls resemble giant wedding ceremonies, the twelve year old girls in white gowns dancing with their fathers, who promise to 'protect' their daughter's chastity.

Republican candidates must be seen against this background, yet unlike most of those he defeated, Trump has drawn major support from two groups: religious voters and those without a college education. The former were won over against their better judgement by promises to alleviate their economic problems, and are likely to be horrified by documentary proof of Trump's lack of respect for women. As for the other, gun toting group, it is likely to rise up if Trump is booted out of the election.

Democrats have been speculating whether Trump would bring up the infidelities of Hillary Clinton's husband that almost wrecked his presidency, in retaliation for attacks on his character, and few woud have blamed him for letting lose on those episodes during the presidential debates. I was still living in France during Bill Clinton's impeachment, and remember how Europe laughed at seeing the President of the most powerful nation in the world forced to respond to charges of having sex in the Oval Office. His 'European Allies' were largely indifferent to NATO's repeated bombing of Yugoslavia, but Clinton's peccadillos had them laughing in the aisles.

This was during the waning days of the Mitterrand Presidency, when the existence of a teen-age daughter by a long standing mistress was becoming back page news, the appropriate place for politicians' peccadillos in a society that was known to be wise about sex. As CNN obligingly provided wall to wall coverage of Bill Clinton being grilled by members of both parties, then in formal impeachment proceedings, the French were ridiculing the US.

Now, America's growing respect for victims of sexual harassment, the last remaining category of sex crimes to be given prominence in the media, is being drafted in an attempt to ensure a Clinton win. National anchors grill individual members of both parties as to what should happen, two weeks before the fateful election, seemingly forgetting that Donald Trump wiped out sixteen opponents in the primaries.

Meanwhile, Europeans no longer have the stomach for laughter that they did when Bill Clinton was being impeached, as they try to figure out how to live with an unstoppable flow of Muslim migrants. Having finally caught up to the US and no longer considering unwanted sexual advances as criminally liable, it will not suffice to have a new border protection agency: how will they prevent the growing Muslim population from pointing out that America's condemnation of Donald Trump proves they are right to hide their women?


Bush Obama job chart 2008-2015

(Image by G.E. Nordell) Details DMCA





The Republicans continue to blame President Obama, but the entire G.O.P. Economic Meltdown took place in 2008, before Barack Obama became President in January 2009.

The U.S. economy got better immediately upon passage of the Democratic Party's Stimulus Package in early 2009, which the Republicans continue to work at cancelling.

As you can see on the chart here, job creation has been positive since Obama's first month in office, every single month.

The problem though is the Republican Congress and their promise to prevent any legislation proposed by Obama or the Democrats. So no jobs have been created by fixing our decrepit infrastructure, no stimulus for the alternative energy industry (both an economic and an energy solution), no pressure brought to bear on Wall Street or the megabanks to provide loans for small or medium businesses, while big business resists hiring new workers (in the U.S.).

The key fact left out of all the news for these seven years is that the U.S. economy needs 250,000 jobs each month to keep up with population growth. This is why the Obama Administration rightfully reports jobs created each month in the range of 100,000 to 200,000 -- quite an accomplishment given the fierce opposition -- and the jobless rate remains between 4 and 5 percent (and 15% for minorities and 25% for teens and 50% for Native Americans).

President Obama's hands are tied, Congress does absolutely nothing, Republicans sue the Supreme Court to reverse Obama's Executive Orders, and the economy remains dire for the Middle Class and the Working Poor.

Copyright 2016 by G.E. Nordell, all rights reserved


Polar Bear stranded on Norway's Svalbard Archipelago

(Image by weather.com) Details DMCA



A Spock-like extraterrestrial visitor observing America's political theater of the absurd would conclude that our looming climate crisis is less important to the human sub-species Americana than the immature sexual misbehavior, real or alleged, of their psychopathological political candidates (Hillary's husband probably remains the record-holder). Democrats ignore the realities of planetary overheating while Republicans simply deny it altogether. Thus does our duopoly - which represents only half the US electorate - functionally collaborate to gravely imperil life on earth.

Five years ago, Earth Policy Institute founder Lester Brown urged recognition of the imminent threat to civilization posed by our rapidly overheating planet, requiring wholesale transformation of our economy at wartime speed comparable to our 6-month shift from civilian to wartime during WWII. Bill McKibben, 350.org founder, makes the same appeal.

In 2008 Brown warned that "unless civilization changes its ways, its end is truly near... we're in a race between natural tipping points and political tipping points." Were we a rationally directed species in a rational system, there would be no race, no disparity between ominous facts and urgent adaptive action. But instead, we are a species responding with suicidal passivity.

Global temperature is increasing more rapidly and unpredictably than computer models can predict. The wild cards in this game are a growing number of "positive feedback loops" - consequences of warming temperatures that in turn accelerate the warming - with dozens identified to date. For example, as polar ice caps melt there is less reflective surface with more solar radiation absorbed into newly-exposed dark ocean. As arctic permafrost melts, methane 86-times more heat-trapping than CO2 is released. As drought desiccates land, carbon-sequestering vegetation and humus disappear.

Serious drought has already struck the central valley of California, the Horn of Africa and the Fertile Crescent of the Middle East (which precipitated the Syria upheaval). Desertification of arable land is reducing agricultural capacity to feed the increasing global population. Marine food chains are endangered by higher water temperatures and increased CO2 absorption forming carbonic acid that reduces pH in ocean ecosystems.

Michael Mann, Penn State University distinguished professor of atmospheric science and author of The Madhouse Effect examining climate change denial, doesn't equivocate. Hurricane Matthew, he explains, is historically "unique and unprecedented." It intensified much more quickly than any other storm in modern history, progressing from less than a tropical depression to near hurricane strength in half a day, then quickly increased to a category 5 hurricane due to very deep layers of warm water. Ocean temperatures, the energy source that intensifies storms, were the warmest ever recorded last year, which also recorded the strongest-ever hurricanes in both hemispheres. Rising sea levels exacerbate impacts of the coastal flooding.

Climate scientists define the stark reality we face, but collective psychology is the obstacle. Driven by narrowly-focused narcissism and blinded by anxiety-reducing defense mechanisms, we are failing to correct the environment destined to become our collective tomb unless we act radically and quickly. A new Oxford University paper, published in the journal Applied Energy, projects that even if every new power plant emits zero carbon starting next year, the world has only a 50-50 chance of meeting temperature targets set in Paris.

Realistic fear motivates urgent action, not reassuring lies and evasions from politicians effectively serving as agents of fossil fuel industries, following the tobacco industry's playbook to create artificial confusion. It's a simple psychological mechanism. Visions of drought, hunger, disappearing fisheries, food scarcity and societal collapse evoke anxiety; skepticism and denial provide welcome relief. Like smokers before us, we are manipulated into trading ultimate survival for transient emotional comfort.

So in this political season, where can we turn? Donald Trump dismisses climate change as normal weather variations. Libertarian Gary Johnson ignores it and admittedly has "no plan." With too-cozy ties to the world's most powerful industries that require confrontation -- fossil-fuel companies and the banks that finance them -- Hillary Clinton is judged by Naomi Klein "uniquely unsuited to this epic task." In addition, Clinton is a notorious warhawk with stated intentions to expand US military engagement in Syria, "destroy Hezbollah" in support of Israel, and further challenge Russia. The US military is the world's the largest institutional oil consumer.

Only Green Party candidate Jill Stein squarely faces the problem and proposes revolutionary policy changes commensurate with the challenge. She would impose an arms embargo on the entire Middle East, end worldwide US military intrusions, and redirect half the Pentagon budget into a Green Economy. In addition to climate crisis abatement, renewable energy and mass transit generate approximately four times the employment of fossil fuel industries.

People say, of course, that Stein is entirely inexperienced in matters of governance. But to inspire and guide revolutionary change, that is what we need. When the dysfunctional Soviet system collapsed and Czechoslovakia's "Velvet Revolution" ushered in a revolutionary change of government, political creativity was needed. The Czechs chose no politician but dissident poet and playwright Va'clav Havel as their new president. He was subsequently elected president of the newly emerged Czech Republic and served 10 years.

US voter enthusiasm limited to outsiders in both primaries suggests a widespread awareness of need for radical changes. Career politicians extending our current misdirected, dishonest and hopelessly corrupted system are exactly what we don't need. Dare we imagine the Hippocratic Oath applied to national policies?

And Stein's vice presidential choice, Ajamu Baraka, also comes from outside the political establishment and brings critical insights and perspective that America desperately needs to shed its delusional self-satisfaction and launch transformative adaptations to the perilous realities confronting us.

We must unite to dump the duopoly and heed Professor Mann's advice: "Vote Climate from the top of the ticket all the way down." Climate catastrophe enablers represent those who fund their campaigns, not the citizens who pay their salaries.

Otherwise we will replicate a familiar script. First an angry Mother Nature came for the polar bears and we didn't save them. Next she came for us and by then it was too late.

(Article changed on October 24, 2016 at 13:08)
"This is about the fact that they want to kill our charters and nothing more." -Magnolia CEO Caprice Young

"The sky is falling." -Chicken Little

As usual, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Board spent a significant portion of their time at Tuesday's meeting ignoring the needs of students enrolled in District schools so they could focus on charter issues. At this meeting, held at a time set aside to ensure maximum convenience for the charters, one new charter "was approved, another was allowed to expand and three others were renewed." However, most of the focus has been on Magnolia and Celerity for the rejection of their renewal petitions and El Camino Real Charter High School (ECRCHS) for narrowly avoiding advancement in the charter revocation process.

Last year, the charter industry invested "nearly $2.3 million" in "the nation's most expensive school board elections" to ensure that they were free from the inconvenience of oversight. While the California Charter School Association (CCSA) has stated that they "are deeply concerned that this month District staff have recommended more charter renewal [denials] and material revision denials than they have in the last five years combined", the recommendations against Magnolia and Celerity should not have been a surprise or seen as a change in policy. In 2014, the Board voted against two other Magnolia campuses "for fiscal mismanagement and a slew of other accounting irregularities." Celerity had two charter renewal petitions rejected last November. The Board's interest in the "financial shenanigans" at ECRCHS is a little more surprising, especially since their charter was renewed last year with at least two Notices to Cure outstanding. However, the publicity provided by the Los Angeles Daily News investigative reports most likely made the irregularities more difficult to ignore.

The is no way that the allegations against any of these charters could be considered nit-picking. Neither the LAUSD Charter School Division (CSD) nor the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team (FCMAT) felt that Magnolia was providing all of the information that was requested of them. It is important to note that Magnolia had agreed to let FCMAT audit their operations to settle a previous dispute with the LAUSD over the renewal of some of their other charters. The organization holding the charter for Celerity was accused of being a shell. According to CSD testimony at the Board meeting, the Governing Board is controlled by a third party which refuses to cooperate in any way with LAUSD's oversight. Up until reaching a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the District just prior to the meeting, ECRCHS had refused to terminate their principal after he was caught charging expensive meals, $95 bottles of wine, first class airfare and personal charges on the school's credit card. Interestingly, the Governing Board was also accused of violating California's Brown Act, which they appear to have done again when they appointed a team to negotiate the MOU at their meeting on Monday night even though this issue did not appear on their published agenda.

For some reason, the CCSA found it relevant to their case to constantly repeat the statistic "that L.A. Unified has approved 155 of 159 charter renewals over the last five years" as a reason to approve all of the petitions before it on Tuesday. However, past incompetence should not be used as an excuse to continue along the current course. Every taxpayer in the state should wonder why the approval rate is not even lower. Charters were supposedly created to allow public schools to have the freedom to test new education methods. If these methods are really cutting-edge but untested, these experiments will not always be successful. Yet the LAUSD finds that 155 of 159 schools (97.48%) are having the expected positive results and should routinely have their charters renewed. This near-perfect outcome suggests that these schools are not really as innovative as they are supposed to be or the District is not effectively monitoring their progress.

The Board has also not provided the infrastructure to adequately watch over the public funds that these privately run schools receive. The CSD is lead by a former staff member of the CCSA who views the charters as partners. When the CSD issues a Notice to Cure, the District does not require that the parents of the school be notified of the action. They also do not require that the Governing Boards of charters include elected representatives of the stakeholders. With this lack of oversight, can the public really be confident that ECRCHS is the only charter without sufficient fiscal controls?

To be fair, the ability of the LAUSD to provide oversight is limited by a charter law that was not well thought out and a governor who has vetoed any attempt to tighten control. Board Member Scott Schmerelson has expressed surprise and frustration that charters can only be renewed for a period of five years, even if a shorter term would allow the Board to ensure that promised changes in the administration of a charter were, in fact, made. The statutory deadlines for approving renewal petitions often means that Board members must make their decisions without receiving all of the information that they need because delaying the vote will mean that the charter is automatically renewed.

The next stops for Magnolia and Celerity will be the Los Angeles County Board of Education and the State Department of Education where they will get to appeal LAUSD's decisions. If successful at either of these venues, responsibility for oversight will shift to the agency that signs off on the renewal. Board member Ref Rodriguez showed little confidence in the reports generated by the CSD when he expressed concern that the LAUSD's decision would be overturned, I think the District should welcome an outside body performing oversight. They could then spend more time at their meetings focusing on the students of the LAUSD.

____________________________________________

I am a candidate for the District 2 seat on the LAUSD School Board, founder of Change The LAUSD and member of the Northridge East Neighborhood Council. You can voice your support for my campaign through DFA. Opinions are my own. You can interact with me on Twitter @ChangeTheLAUSD
From Gush Shalom

SHIMON PERES would have enjoyed it. A public battle about his funeral.

The Arab members of the Knesset did not attend. So what?

I did not attend, either. We never liked each other, and my attendance would have been sheer hypocrisy. I don't like hypocrisy.

The Knesset members of the Joint List decided to boycott the event. They accused Peres of having devoted most of his life to the fight against the Arabs in general and the Palestinians in particular.

(The Joint List is composed of three Arab parties, who mostly detest each other. They were compelled to join forces in Parliament by a law initiated by far-right (some would say fascist) minister Avigdor Lieberman, which raised the election threshold for entering the Knesset. Therefore it is a Joint List, not a United List.)

This decision to boycott the funeral aroused a storm of protest among the Jewish Knesset members. How dare they? Boycotting the dead Peres is like boycotting Israel! They should be evicted from the Knesset! Let all the other members of the Knesset exit the hall when they speak! (Curiously enough, nobody has yet proposed putting them in prison.)

But the really interesting part of the affair was the inter-Arab debate it unleashed. Some Arab citizens denounced the decision of the Joint List. They were immediately accused by other Arab citizens of being "Good Arabs," a derogatory term for Arabs who crave to be liked by member of the Jewish majority, rather like "Uncle Tom" for blacks in the US.

This debate is still going on. It touches the very foundations of the existence of the Arab-Palestinian minority in Israel, which numbers about 20% of the population.

ALL THIS brings me back to my early childhood.

I lived for nine and a half years in the democratic German "Weimar Republik," and another half year in Nazi Germany. We were "German Jews." Meaning: Germans in every respect, Jews only by religion.

In practice it meant that we were Germans, but a different kind of Germans, belonging but not quite belonging, belonging at the same time to some world-wide community called the "Jewish people."

I frequently recall a major event in my life: a patriotic memorial ceremony in high school, some time after the Nazis had come to power. The entire school was assembled in the Aula (assembly hall), and at the end all rose to sing the national anthem and the Nazi one. Since I was a pupil of the lowest class and younger then all the other pupils of my class, I was the smallest boy in school. I was also the only Jew.

Without thinking I rose like all the others, but did not raise my arm for the Nazi salute and did not sing, as did all the others. One little boy among hundreds of larger ones.

When it was finished, some of the bigger boys threatened me with dire consequences if I did that again. Fortunately, we left for Palestine a few days later.

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From Consortium News



Palestinian activist Ali Abunimah in Helsinki on October 14, 2011.

(Image by (Flickr Veera Vehkasalo)) Details DMCA



Peace in Palestine and Palestinian statehood have barely surfaced in the 2016 Presidential election, although President Barack Obama has just approved a massive military aid package for Israel and Israel is expanding its settlements in Palestinian territory. In part, the silence is because both major party candidates, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, have already professed their devotion to Israel.

But the festering wound of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a major source of violence in the Middle East, contributing to hostilities in Iraq and Syria, will not go away by being ignored, as Ali Abunimah, author of One Country: A Bold Proposal to End the Israeli/Palestinian Impasse and co-founder and director of the Electronic Intifada, explained in a Flashpoints interview.

Dennis Bernstein: Ali, welcome back to Flashpoints.

Ali Abunimah: Thank you Dennis. I'm happy to be back in one of my favorite places, and speaking for one of my favorite organizations, the Middle East Children's Alliance, doing some incredible work. And I hope people are going to come out and support them.

DB: Well, I hope so too. And, again, the work that MECA does is more crucial than ever. Working to bring pure water, to do the significant life-saving work that they continue to do. There's a lot going on in this world, Ali. And there's a lot that you know a lot about. ["] We hear once again the Iraqi army is poised to take back Mosul. They are armed, they are strong, And we're already getting reports that they're winning. You want to give us your initial response to when you hear the Iraqi forces, once again, have massed to take Mosul? How does that sound to you?

AA: Well, it sounds to me like in every one of these situations, the first and foremost victims are going to be defenseless civilians. And that's what worries me, and concerns me the most. This plan to take Mosul has been in the works for a long time. It's been announced a long time ago, and people in Mosul as people throughout Iraq and in Syria, are between a rock and a hard place. They have been given no choice about who they are going to get bombed or killed by.

DB: And there are a lot of people who are worried that this is just a part of this expanding war, that we see expanding into Syria. Nobody really knows where this is going to go. Do you want to put this in the context of Syria. And just to mention that Gorbachev just released a statement saying that he's terrified that the situation is grave in terms of Syria. And relations between the U.S. and Russia are worse than they have ever been.

AA: Well, you have to kind of step back, and look at the big picture, in a way. I mean in the context of this election campaign, if you can call it that, there are revelations that are really quite shocking that are being completely glossed over because Trump is stealing all the headlines. But it's been revealed that Hillary Clinton in a memo which was only leaked through WikiLeaks said flat-out that ISIS was funded by two of the closest U.S. allies in the region, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and ISIS and other groups in Syria.

And on the other side you have Russia, which is supporting the regime of Bashar al-Assad which has killed vast numbers of civilians, that is besieging eastern Aleppo and raining hell and fire on people there. And you have a war that only seems to be getting bloodier and more horrific.

And it seems to me any sensible person would say that the priority has got to be to stop the war. And the people who can do that, or the powers that can do that, are the United States and Russia who have the power to stop feeding their proxies with weapons, with money, and to bring an end to the bloodshed. And from that point there's got to be some kind of political solution to this mess. Because otherwise the effort to fight until victory is simply going to destroy what's left of Syria, and kill even more people than have already died.

That seems to me a sensible view, but at the same time people's passions are so raised that if you try to say that the priority has to be to stop the war, and stop the bloodshed, that you are accused with siding with the dictator, or siding against the dictator, or supporting the atrocities that are happening, or opposing them.



Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton addressing the AIPAC conference in Washington D.C. on March 21, 2016.

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What we do know is that the U.S. has been involved in fueling this war. Russia is involved, Iran is involved. And I am among those who are not convinced that more U.S. weapons, or more bombardment by the U.S., by Russia, or by any other country is going to produce better outcomes for people in Syria. So now, when you look at what Gorbachev said, or, indeed, what senior U.S. military officers have said, for the U.S. to take on, to have a more direct involvement in Syria would effectively mean a war with Russia.

And, I think we're old enough to know how that sounds. A lot of people nowadays, a lot of younger folks that I talk to don't have a memory of what it meant to live in the shadow of nuclear war, and so, maybe don't hear that the same way people who lived through that era do.

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Occupy Wall Street October 7, 2011

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We Got Next: Nuclear Weapons, Climate Change, and how the Youth Can Save the Future

I. The Politics of Context

The politics that rule our country, and indeed the world, have no theoretical context in reality. In my last piece, I laid out the points of continuity between the Democratic and Republican parties. In this piece, I will focus mainly on nuclear weapons and climate change, but the continuity exists across the board, and should be seen as a symptom of a super-capitalist state in which the centrally and solely powerful political class is allowed feed endlessly off of a malnourished population. The two parties speak out of different sides of the same mouth. I will touch on many issues, but I chose nuclear weapons and climate change as the main ones for this analysis because they are easily the most threatening to the possibility of life on earth, and they offer the greatest depiction of what the power structures in our society stand for and how they stand for it.

In the first part of this piece, I will show what the corporate world order means in the context of real life. In the second part, I will look more closely at where this world order is taking us. In the last part, I will propose that for the youth -- my generation -- the creation of our own political spheres that abandon the corporatized world order by fusing communal self-sustainability, civil disobedience, and education, is the only hope for the saving of our future, and I will propose a sort of model for building toward a society based on these political movements and spheres.

To pick up where I left off in my last article, let us begin by describing how the two major political parties and their corporate bosses and employees, have no sense of or connection to the real world at all, and let us think about what that means in the context of the real lives of young people:

In a world where human activity is swiftly destroying the planet, we have seen the expansion of the fossil fuel industry under the Obama administration and environmental activists become one of the most spied upon segments of the US population. In a world where military and terroristic insecurity loom, the hegemonic military model of the United States stokes the flames of perpetual war and delivers death every day to those who it ought to deliver food, resulting in the possibility of nuclear war between the US and Russia and the US and China. We have the complicity and activity of peaceful and politically correct speaking figures such as Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton as much as conservatives like George W. Bush to thank for this reality. Obama and Clinton are posterchildren for the Democratic party that ceded all of its power to right-wing thinking and practices on all of the issues that threaten and/or control human life (with the sole exception of LGBTQ rights and abortion, to their credit, but note that these two issues cannot be tied to corporate interests). As Chris Hedges put it at a climate rally in 2014 on International Peace Day, after Reagan mastered the corporate bidding strategy for Republican campaigns,

"Bill Clinton found that by doing corporate bidding he could get corporate money--thus NAFTA, the destruction of our welfare system, the explosion of mass incarceration under the [1994] omnibus bill, the deregulation of the FCC, turning the airwaves over to a half dozen corporations, and the revoking of FDR's 1933 Glass-Steagall reform that had protected our banking system from speculators. Clinton, in exchange for corporate money, transformed the Democratic Party into the Republican Party. This was diabolically brilliant. It forced the Republican Party to shift so far to the right it became insane."

It is the supposedly liberal, politically correct, peacefully speaking and death delivering leaders, as Hedges highlights every week in his columns, who make genuinely liberal voters feel okay, apologetic, and even good about perpetual war, environmental destruction, and economic rape. In this piece, I will tell what it feels like and what it means to be a young person ruled by an empire that is sold, bought and governed by the slickest and smoothest talking criminals in human history.

As Professor Noam Chomsky puts it at the beginning of his talk, Surviving the 21st Century, the human species, for the first time in its history, faces the prospect of near-certain self-destruction. Well I'm twenty-one years old. I am of the most resentful and resented generation in a long time. I believe I speak for most of my peers: we will no longer tolerate the assault on our future. You had your turn with the power of the world and you failed to understand that power and that world. We got next.

I will start by using a brief outline of my own life to contextualize the politics of social justice and emergency that we will use to take our own control of our own future -- a politics grounded in a rational response to reality. I will tell what it means to be a young person in today's world, a world in which we are on the verge of jumping straight to our collective death from atop our momentary peak. This will best be done by starting with a timeline of my own life -- a fairly basic and vanilla one at that -- along with an anecdote from my childhood that should sum up the predicament.

I was born in 1995. Under the Bill Clinton administration, a feeling of hope swept over much of the country. Despite the fact that whether or not the African American community shared in the economic growth of the nineties is debatable, despite much of that growth being built on bad credit, and despite that it was during the "booming" nineties that the road had been paved for the complete corporate takeover, the years of the Bill Clinton administration erected a prosperous mask over the face of the beast. Educated middle and upper class voters felt good about being Democrats.

In September of 2001 I was six years old. My mother covered the aftermath of the towers falling in The Berkshire Eagle, despite the fact that her editor threatened to fire her if she went to New York that day. What she remembers most clearly are the visual contradictions in the city: some people were panicked to tears, asking passersby if they'd seen this person or that person in a picture they were holding. Other people were sitting in outdoor cafes, sipping coffee like it was any other day. My father volunteered to help feed the survivor-searchers in the weeks that followed.

I was seven years old when the US invaded Iraq and the residue of hope left by the Clinton administration started turning into a schizophrenic monstrosity of fear and arrogance under the Bush II administration.

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The race for White House is effectively over. Hillary Clinton will be the 45 th president of the U.S. The question now is what can Americans expect from a Clinton White House. She has laid out pages after page of policy wonk positions on civil and women's rights, civil liberties, taxes, jobs, the economy, health care, education, military preparedness, combatting terrorism, on her campaign website. Most of them are the almost obligatory positions that Democratic presidential candidates have taken on the big-ticket issues.

However, it's one thing to spell out an agenda on paper and another to get any of it through. She'll almost certainly kick things off by trying to make good on the pledge that she made in a speech at a Michigan auto and aircraft parts manufacturing plant near Detroit in August, 2016. She promised a big spending plan to the tune of nearly $300 billion on a vast array of infrastructure building and repair projects; roads, bridges, airports schools, sewer systems and so on. The projects would create new jobs for thousands.

Clinton made it clear that she expects the rich to foot much of the bill by demanding hefty tax hikes on them. She added the final FDR touch to her big spending plan by promising to plop the legislation on Congress' table within her first 100 days in office.

Clinton knows full well the perils ahead. The biggest threat is the Congress that she'll have to go to with her big spending package. A GOP-controlled Congress will be as hostile to her big budget and tax increases as it was to Obama's.

With a big White House win, Clinton is on far more solid ground when she tries to follow through with the pledge. This will give her the breathing space needed to get parts of her jobs, education, health care, and infrastructure overhaul programs through.

A Democratic take back of the Senate is absolutely a must be when it comes to the Supreme Court. Arizona Senator John McCain has openly saber rattled for the GOP to block any Clinton high court pick. Clinton almost certainly will have the chance to pick one, two, or even three, more justices to the bench. The judges she will choose will be in the mold of Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Stephen Breyer, and Sonia Sotomayor. They will not be radical ideologues of the left. They will be judges with long standing court experience, solid legal credentials, and the highest ratings from the ABA and other legal groups. They will deliver safe and predictable votes on everything from women's and civil rights to stemming environmental abuses.

Clinton can't and won't try to avoid the problem that has been perennially the single biggest tormenting lightening rod for black-white discord, namely, wanton police violence against blacks and minorities, and the astronomical numbers of blacks in America's jails and prisons.

Her Oval Office to-do list is a mix of old and new proposals on police and criminal justice reform. They will meet with a wall of intense opposition, stonewalling or disregard by conservative Democrats and GOP state legislators, and congresspersons, police and prison unions, victim rights groups. To get one or more of her justice initiatives through Congress she'll need a lot of help from Democrats within and without Capitol Hill. She'll get lots of help here from civil rights groups, and criminal justice reformers.

Clinton's policies on foreign affairs, military security, the fight against terrorism and checking Iran's nuclear ambition, will be more muscular than Obama's. She won't send in troops to Syria. But she'll be tough on sanctions, and enforcing a no-fly zone there. She will do back with weapons and logistical support any faction that purports to be any kind of real alternative, with a pronounced tilt toward the U.S., to ISIS and the Assad regime. She'll rigorously monitor Iran's compliance with the nuclear deal, cut not a penny from US military financial backing to Israel, while making the obligatory nod on paper to a Palestinian state. She will take the hardest of hard lines on Russia's saber rattle in Eastern Europe and other hot spots. But this is still a far cry from a big ramp up in the US military presence in Iraq or Afghanistan as Obama did.

President Clinton will be pulled and tugged at by corporate and defense industry lobbyists, the oil and nuclear power industry, government regulators, conservative family values groups, conservative GOP senators and house members, foreign diplomats and leaders, and in turn LGBT, women, civil rights and liberties, and environmental watchdog groups. They all have their priorities and agendas and all will vie to get White House support for their pet legislation, or to kill or cripple legislation that threatens their interests.

Clinton's entire political history if anything has shown that she will keep a firm, cautious and conciliatory eye on American public opinion when it comes to her making policy decisions and determining priorities. That's what presidents, all presidents must do, and President Clinton will be no different.

Earl Ofari Hutchinson is an author and political analyst. He is the author of What We Can Expect from President Hillary Clinton (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.
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Nearly 60,000 hunters are expected to take to the fields Oct. 29 when Iowa's pheasant season opens.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources' annual August roadside survey predicts Iowa pheasant hunters can expect to have good hunting this fall and likely more company in the field. The optimistic mood is a natural outcome of five consecutive years of higher population surveys and hunter harvests.

The survey found an average of 21 pheasants per 30-mile route statewide, with higher counts coming from counties crossing the state diagonally from northwest to southeast. The statewide average in 2015 was 24 pheasants per route.

At this point, it appears much of our corn and beans will be out of the fields by the opener, which will concentrate birds to grass areas and make hunters happy. If we have good weather, I think we could see a bump in hunter numbers and birds harvested, said Todd Bogenschutz, upland wildlife biologist for the Iowa DNR.

Bogenschutz said he has noticed more birds near field edges and along the roads as the crops have been coming out.

Ive been seeing some birds around on my way in to the office and have been getting a few phone calls from around the state from people also seeing birds, he said. The birds are here; we need hunters to return.

Iowas pheasant population could sustain a harvest of 500,000 roosters, but it will not reach that level until there are 90,000 hunters afield. In 2015, some 55,000 hunters harvested 270,000 Iowa roosters.

Hunters can read the August roadside survey, review hunting regulations, buy a license and find a place to hunt online at www.iowadnr.gov/hunting.

Regulations unchanged

Regulations covering pheasant hunting are unchanged from last year -- there is a limit of three roosters per day, 12 roosters in possession, and hunters are required to wear one piece of solid blaze orange clothing.

If hunting public land, be sure to check if steel shot is required. If cleaning the birds in the field, be sure to leave the head, fully feathered wing or leg attached while transporting the bird home.

Youth season:

Iowas young hunters will get to experience the first cackle and flush of the year during the youth only pheasant season Oct. 23 (it started Oct. 22).

The residents-only youth season gives Iowans age 15 and younger the opportunity to hunt for rooster pheasants without purchasing a license, habitat fee or taking hunter education. Youths must hunt under direct supervision of an adult age 18 or older that has a valid hunting license and habitat fee.

Special youth only seasons allows young hunters an opportunity for success without pressure or competition from other hunters. Only the youth are allowed shoot pheasants and they may bag one rooster per day.

Quail population up

Iowas quail population is its highest since 1989 after experiencing increases again across south central and southwest Iowa this year.

This is the best opportunity weve had to hunt quail in 27 years, Bogenschutz said. For anyone who has ever had an interest in quail or who hasnt hunted quail recently, this is the year to go.

In 1989, 80,000 hunters harvested 400,000 quail. In 2015, 10,000 hunters shot 28,000 quail.

Quail population information also is included in the August roadside survey for hunters wanting to give quail hunting a try. Quail season begins Oct. 29.
Dean Boettcher

A Clackamas County man suspected of stabbing his roommate has been arrested in Oklahoma, according to the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office.



Dean Boettcher was arrested by the Pauls Valley Police Department on Saturday night with assistance from other agencies, according to the Clackamas County sheriff.



Clackamas County deputies issued a warrant for Boettcher's arrest Oct. 20 after his roommate, Matthew Nelson Timmons, was found dead Oct. 18.



Boettcher, 51, lived with Timmons at a home in the 17000 block of Southeast Oatfield Road, which is near Gladstone.



Pauls Valley police arrested Boettcher around 10 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on Saturday night. They booked him into the Garvin County jail. His car is being held as evidence.



Clackamas County detectives are traveling to Oklahoma to continue the investigation.



Boettcher has a criminal history that includes a 2001 first-degree assault conviction for beating his former boss with a claw hammer.



He was also convicted in 2001 of third-degree sex abuse after he inappropriately touched a 16-year-old girl, according to Clackamas County Community Corrections records.



-- Casey Parks

503-221-8271
Linfield College

Pioneer Hall is the oldest building on the Linfield College campus in McMinnville, Oregon. The building opened in 1883 and once housed the entire college.

(Daniel Hurst/Linfield College)

Thomas L. Hellie

I grew up on a small Minnesota farm where everyone was expected to work hard. It was a place and time where few people considered college an option. So when I did eventually apply, I unknowingly fell into a category noted for a high-failure rate: first-generation students.

My mom took a job to help with tuition. I worked summers and weekends to save extra money. And we applied for financial aid. Intimidated by big universities, I wanted to go to a small college. Thanks to generous scholarships, student loans, summer wages and careful scrimping, I figured I could make it work.

I dramatically improved my odds by choosing a small, private school. Research shows first-generation students do best in these institutions. I sang in the concert choir, acted in plays, participated in student government, studied abroad and had five independent-study courses with my advisor.

But that was only after I had a series of personal crises and wanted to drop out as a freshman. It was then that a professor took me under his wing, convincing me I wasn't alone and that I could learn from my mistakes.

Increasing access to higher education is something we should all be talking about. But the growing chorus of public discussion in this election year about "free" college short-circuits a complex discussion in favor of a buzzword.

Worse, as might well turn out to be the case with the Oregon Promise program, it threatens to burden taxpayers with the costs of government-led programs that actually reduce the number of college graduates and lead to worse outcomes for many students.

Nationally, Bernie Sanders made so-called free public education a centerpiece of his presidential bid. If she wins, Hillary Clinton is promising to make in-state public universities tuition-free for Americans with household incomes below $125,000 a year.

Sanders estimated his plan would cost $75 billion annually, and Clinton estimates hers would cost $350 billion over 10 years. Whatever the price, we know two things: The plans would create large new entitlement programs and they would funnel an increasing number of students into a one-size-fits-all system that won't work for everyone.

As the president of Linfield College and board chair of a national organization representing independent colleges and universities, it sounds self-serving for me to argue that different sorts of students thrive in different environments. It also happens to be true.

Historically, independent colleges and universities have graduated a higher proportion of their students than public institutions have - and have done it more quickly. Linfield, for example, graduates more than half its students within four years, higher than any public university in Oregon.

Yet the average student debt at public and private institutions is almost identical. Graduates of small colleges, in fact, have the best loan-repayment rate in the country.

And, contrary to commonly held misperceptions, independent colleges and universities aren't elite institutions for the wealthy. The percentage of low-income students receiving Pell Grants at Linfield is higher than it is at University of Oregon. Linfield is one of the most ethnically diverse colleges in the Northwest and one-third of our new students this fall are first-generation students.

I came to Linfield because I wanted to help young people like I was -- not wealthy or worldly, but hungry to succeed.

I'm not trying to argue public colleges and universities are inferior. Only that some students mature and graduate precisely because of the personal attention they receive at small, private colleges. And, after financial aid, the cost of attending an independent institution is often lower than attending an in-state public university.

So creating government programs that presume to choose winners and losers and, in some cases, push students into community colleges - that historically produce lower educational outcomes - is not necessarily a strategy that will benefit students or the overall economy.

I certainly believe that increasing access to higher education is vital to our future. If state and federal governments want to prioritize the effort and put more money behind it, that's fantastic.

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Submit your essay of 700 words or less to commentary@oregonlive.com. Please include your email and phone number for verification.

But students should be able to take any additional aid and spend it how and where they will receive the best education. There's no cookie-cutter solution in higher education, and whatever comes out the other end of this national discussion needs to reflect that.

I have been able to lead a rich life because of the education I received at a small, independent college. I now head just such an institution because I want today's young people to have the same opportunities.

Our nation's future will depend, in part, on making sure those choices remain available.

Dr. Thomas L. Hellie is the president of Linfield College in McMinnville and chairman of The Council of Independent Colleges.
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Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks at a rally at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016.

(Andrew Harnik/Associated Press)

RELIGION UNDER SIEGE: Catholics, evangelicals and Latinos: Hillary Clinton and progressive Democrats have utter disdain and intense feelings of bigotry toward you. Here are some names the mainstream media is hiding from you in relation to WikiLeaks: Sandy Newman, John Podesta, John Halpin, and Jennifer Palmieri. If you haven't heard of WikiLeaks or Project Veritas (where video footage has been released showing Democrats explaining how to successfully commit voter fraud on a major scale), ask yourself why.

On April 23, 2015, in a speech at the Women in the World Summit, Hillary said "Laws have to be backed up with resources and political will. And deep seated religious beliefs have to be changed." Hillary Clinton is promising she will use the full power of government to force you to reject your Catholic beliefs.

When satanic clubs are starting up in elementary schools, when men can walk into women's bathrooms on days they're confused about their gender, when a healthy woman with a healthy pregnancy can have the baby ripped apart and taken from the womb in the ninth month, when Planned Parenthood is caught selling the body parts of babies, you know something is wrong in paradise.

Christians, if your faith, family, your country, constitutional rights, the Supreme Court justices, decency and the truth are important to you, pick up the Oregon Family Council's voters' guide and compare each candidate's position in their own words on freedom of religion, life, parent's rights, school choice, education and taxes.

Nancy Hursh, Hillsboro
MOSUL.JPG

A boy pauses on his bike as he passes an oil field that was set on fire by retreating ISIS fighters ahead of the Mosul offensive on Friday, in Qayyarah, Iraq. Several hundred Iraqi families have been made to leave their homes for Mosul by Islamic State fighters as the United Nations warns they could be used as human shields.

(Getty Images)

By Callum Borchers

In the final presidential debate, Hillary Clinton said something that received little attention from the mainstream media: "Mosul is on the border of Syria."

Whether that statement is correct depends on your definition of "on the border." Mosul, in northern Iraq, is roughly 75 miles from Syria.

That's not close enough for Libertarian presidential nominee Gary Johnson, who thinks the media is ignoring a glaring error on par with his infamous "Aleppo moment" - that time during an interview when he appeared not only unfamiliar with Aleppo's precise location but also unaware that it is the largest city in Syria and a center of that country's refugee crisis.

"There is a very hypocritical double standard here," Johnson told U.S. News this week.

Green Party nominee Jill Stein agreed.

"The political and media establishment have built up Clinton as the best and most experienced candidate on foreign policy," Stein told the magazine. She added her belief that "this is much more troubling than Gary Johnson's 'Aleppo moment,' yet we expect the corporate media will largely ignore it because their owners don't want to discredit the preferred candidate of Wall Street bankers and war profiteers."

Context is important here. Debate moderator Chris Wallace had asked about the Iraqi military's effort to force the Islamic State out of Mosul. If that mission succeeds, Wallace asked, would the candidates deploy U.S. troops "to make sure that ISIS doesn't come back or isn't replaced by something even worse?"

Clinton said she "will not support putting American soldiers into Iraq as an occupying force" but stressed that the goal is for Iraqi forces to gain control of Mosul "and then continue to press into Syria to begin to take back and move on Raqqa, which is the ISIS headquarters."

"What's really important here is to understand all the interplay," she added later. "Mosul is a Sunni city. Mosul is on the border of Syria. . . . I think we can take back Mosul, and then we can move on into Syria and take back Raqqa."

Clinton was making a strategic point. Mosul is a key city near Syria that Iraqi forces must retake before pushing farther north, across the border. It might have been a stretch for Clinton to say that Mosul is right on the border with Syria, but she clearly displayed a grasp of the region's dynamics; Johnson, on the other hand, thought Aleppo was some sort of acronym.

It is an even greater stretch for Johnson to equate Clinton's mistake to his own - and to claim that the media ought to have treated them the same.

(c) 2016, The Washington Post
Trump14.JPG

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, on the campaign trail.

(AP Photo/File)

By Ruth Marcus

WASHINGTON -- Even as the country recoils, justifiably, from the prospect of Donald Trump threatening not to respect the election results, let us not lose sight of the mounting evidence of Trump's mistreatment of women -- and his offensive debate dismissal of their claims.

At the second debate, Trump claimed that his taped boasting about grabbing women without consent was just that -- all talk, no action. In the 10 days before the third debate, nine women came forward to dispute that assertion.

So moderator Chris Wallace posed the key question: "Why would so many different women from so many different circumstances over so many different years ... all make up these stories?"

Trump's response was a characteristically repulsive stew of dishonesty, outright lies, conspiracy theorizing and blame-shifting.

Dishonesty: "Those stories have been largely debunked," he said. Wrong. Actually, additional corroboration has emerged.

Lies: "I did not say that," Trump insisted, three times, after Hillary Clinton noted that part of Trump's argument for his innocence was that the women weren't attractive enough to merit his unwanted attention. Just go to the videotape.

Conspiracy theorizing: "I think they want either fame or her campaign did it. And I think it's her campaign," Trump said of his accusers. There is no evidence on either score. Indeed, a number of the accusers had to be coaxed to come forward. Some are Clinton backers; others are clear that they do not support her.

Blame-shifting: According to Trump, what we should actually be talking about is the violence at his rallies -- instigated by Clinton. Or else, "her emails, where she destroyed 33,000 emails criminally, criminally, after getting a subpoena from the United States Congress." If the debate hall were a courtroom, Trump's answer would have been struck as nonresponsive.

So let's examine the actual evidence. One of the most upsetting stories -- because Trump's alleged behavior interfered with a woman's ability to do her job -- is also one of those with the strongest contemporaneous corroboration.

People magazine reporter Natasha Stoynoff, at Mar-a-Lago in 2005 to report a first-anniversary piece on Donald and Melania Trump, described how Trump pushed her against a wall and tried to kiss her, sticking his tongue down her throat.

Six of Stoynoff's friends and co-workers have corroborated parts of her story. Upset, she called a former journalism professor in tears the night of the incident; he advised her to stay quiet for fear of retaliation. Upset, she called a close friend, Marina Grasic, the next day, to recount the incident. Upset, she told three People colleagues after returning to New York.

Oh, and also, that moment when she bumped into Melania Trump outside Trump Tower, which Melania Trump says didn't happen? Another Stoynoff friend recalls the encounter.

In other words: To discount Stoynoff's story, you would have to believe that she was prescient enough to describe to five friends and colleagues an encounter with Trump that mirrored his own taped account that would emerge 11 years later.

To buy that this story was engineered by the Clinton campaign, well, you would have to believe that in 2005, when the notion of Trump running for president was a punch line at best, Clinton and her minions brilliantly recruited Stoynoff to concoct this story and plant the seeds of corroboration to spring on Trump years later, after the "Access Hollywood" tape leaked. Or that the campaign enlisted six witnesses in a current conspiracy to lie on their behalf.

The evidence in Trump's favor? The butler says he didn't do it. That is, nothing seemed amiss when he walked in on Trump and Stoynoff. This would be the butler who posted on Facebook that President Obama "should have been taken out by our military and shot as an enemy agent" and said it was astonishing that "a common murder[er] is even allowed to run (killery clinton)."

Mr. Trump, your witness.

Imagining this evidence assessed in court isn't just instructive -- it's tempting. Because while the time has long passed for filing charges over the underlying behavior, Trump's description of Stoynoff as "a liar" and "the dishonest writer from People magazine" opens the door to a defamation suit.

And the prospect of discovery, including Trump being forced to submit to a deposition. Imaging the man who threatens to sue everyone in sight having to answer questions about his conduct toward women, under oath. What a fitting coda for such an ugly campaign, and for such a, pardon the phrase, nasty man.

Ruth Marcus' email address is ruthmarcuswashpost.com.

(c) 2016, Washington Post Writers Group
By Kathleen Parker

WASHINGTON -- If Beltway insiders and other East Coast elites ever wondered why so many Americans prefer Donald Trump to Hillary Clinton, all they need do is watch a rerun of Thursday night's 71st annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner.

There they were in their finery, A-listers from the once-cherished institutions of church, state and the Fourth Estate -- including the two aforementioned major-party presidential candidates; Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the evening's host; and, hardly least, Maria Bartiromo's decolletage. No one watching could have missed the cleavage clad in candy apple red beneath long sparkling earrings, as Bartiromo's elbow-length gloves fluttered like white doves directing traffic to the heart of things. A flickering female vision floating in the TV frame among four, dusty-white males, she appeared as one of those online ads that distract readers as they try to concentrate.

Oh, but the delectable humor, jarring jokes and quivering quips -- the titters they brought to bleached smiles and knowing nods -- and all for the good of disadvantaged children for whom the dinner raised $6 million. What could be better than dining with a few close friends, amusing oneself as the future president and the inevitable loser trade insults, as millions of viewers remember why they hate Washington?

Homage also was paid to the dinner's namesake, Al Smith, the first Catholic to run for president of the United States and at a time (the 1920s) when Catholics were viewed as Satan's spawn by people such as Trump's own father, who participated in a KKK-sponsored, anti-Catholic rally.

God bless America, how far we've come.

But not really, as Trump came to remind the boo-and-hisser crowd. As though he cared. And, as though all the deplorables and Trump sympathizers watching at home weren't perfectly delighted by Trump's performance. To them, the dais was a diorama of self-congratulatory elites, smugly tittering at insider humor and then, suddenly, betraying white-tie outrage at their redneck Gatsby, who hocked up his couth and hurled it into the nearest vat of Dom Perignon.

The dinner is supposed to be a gentle roast at which political foes parry a bit but always with rubber rapiers. Attendees faithfully present themselves as priests and priestesses of the Highest Order of Civility, Good Humor & Charitable Hearts. A good time is supposed to be had by all.

Trump knows the rules all right and even mentioned that he'd been attending the dinner for years, beginning when he was a young man accompanying his father. But being Trump means never playing by the rules.

He began his remarks well enough, looking rather presidential and certainly comfortable in a formal environment bloated with swells. But Trump carries within him a little bit of Gollum mixed with a touch of Truman Capote. Like Gollum, he loathes what he loves and can't resist sabotaging himself. Like Capote, he turns on his own. If Capote alienated all his "swans," the belles of Upper East Side New York, by betraying their confidences in "La Cote Basque, 1965," Trump betrayed the hopes of his powerful and wealthy colleagues that he could be trusted to behave.

Some of his jokes were very funny: "After listening to Hillary rattle on and on and on, I don't think so badly of Rosie O'Donnell anymore," he said. When Clinton took her turn, she jabbed back with: "And looking back, I've had to listen to Donald for three full debates, and he says I don't have any stamina!"

But about midway through, Trump's lightness turned dark.

"Here she is tonight, in public, pretending not to hate Catholics," he said of Clinton, who was seated next to Dolan. (Boos.) Trump was referring to the WikiLeaks email in which an exchange among Clinton campaign staffers seemed to be condescending to Catholics.

He earned more boos when he said Clinton was so corrupt that she'd been kicked off the Watergate Committee. And, "She knows a lot about how government works. And according to her sworn testimony, Hillary has forgotten more things than most of us will ever, ever, ever know."

Reading over the transcript, the jokes don't seem so bad -- or so good. Delivery really is everything. But watching the speeches in real time, Trump's cuts contained a palpable hint of malice that wasn't present in Clinton's.

To the booing select, Trump's performance was the final nail in his coffin. But to the great "unwashed," you can be sure, Trump was doing his job and sticking it to the elites, which is what tens of millions of Americans deeply yearn to do.

Kathleen Parker's email address is kathleenparkerwashpost.com.

(c) 2016, Washington Post Writers Group
Sisters Oregon crash.jpg

A California couple was injured after a crash near Sisters. Photo courtesy of Oregon State Police

(Oregon State Police)

A California couple was injured in a crash just west of Sisters on Friday, Oregon State Police said.



An Oregon State trooper was parked along Highway 20 west of Sisters around 10 a.m. when he saw a vehicle crash into a tree. The trooper and an off-duty paramedic approached the 2008 Audi sedan and found the driver was not breathing and had no pulse.



They freed the driver, Dana Niehaus, 66, of Santa Cruz, and began performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation on him. They performed CPR on him for 10 minutes until a Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire crew arrived and transported him to Saint Charles Bend.



Police think Dana Niehaus suffered a medical issue and lost consciousness while driving.



The passenger, Jeannine Niehaus, 66, of Santa Cruz, was taken to Saint Charles Bend for serious injuries.



They are both in stable condition at the hospital, according to state police.





-- Casey Parks

503-221-8271
For months, Sen. Mark Hass pushed for an alternative to Measure 97, this fall's controversial $3 billion-a-year corporate tax plan.

High on his list of hoped-for allies? Gov. Kate Brown -- until she backed away.

"She kept telling me, 'Mark I think you're right, but I don't see a path,'" Hass said. "And I kept telling her, 'Governor, you're the governor. Your job is to set a path.'"

Asked about those talks,Brown says she couldn't have pushed Hass' proposal, or likely any other, through the Legislature.

"The challenges for getting a compromise here were great," Brown said.

But the back-and-forth plays into a long-running debate about Brown's leadership style, eighteen months after Gov. John Kitzhaber resigned in scandal and just weeks before Oregonians decide whether she should finish his term or give way to Republican Bud Pierce.

Has Brown's penchant for pragmatism -- honed during 25 years in state office -- sometimes kept her from challenging other political players and interest groups? Is her famed niceness enough? And will having a mandate, if she wins election Nov. 8, free her to lay out her vision for the state?

Brown has enjoyed goodwill from lawmakers and others who sympathized with her struggle to soothe the state post-Kitzhaber. She also responded adeptly as Oregon dealt with last year's mass shooting at Umpqua Community College and then, months later, militants' armed standoff in Harney County.

But what's yet to emerge, political observers say, is a striking vision for what Brown wants to accomplish. Though she managed to push through a compromise on the minimum wage this year, she's yet to squarely tackle the state's pension crisis or chart a clear path toward new transportation funding.

A campaign spokesman offered a list of Brown's priorities, including raising graduation rates, helping families economically, protecting the environment and easing traffic congestion. Brown, in an interview, said her focus will remain on delivering her predecessor's best ideas, some of which were sidetracked by controversy or simply left unfinished.

If she wins, she says launching Kitzhaber's "cradle to career" plan for improving public education should be her legacy. Brown, who's led Pierce, a cancer doctor, in every public poll this election, declined to say whether she'd seek another term in 2018.

"I see a legacy as the seamless system of education, creating truly a system of education from cradle to career," Brown said. "I cannot claim credit for the vision, but I want to be able to take credit for the implementation of that system."

***

Brown said the road to a deal on Measure 97 never would have cleared the House or Speaker Tina Kotek, D-Portland. Even Senate approval was uncertain. But she had other reasons for walking away, she said.

She thought the two sides battling over the measure -- public employee unions and business groups -- would rather fight than sign a peace deal.

And, she said, any bill raising taxes would need a three-fifths majority. Then, once lawmakers finished fiddling with it, the measure would likely be sent to voters anyway. A measure from the Legislature, bearing the scars of uncomfortable compromises, would be harder to pass than something crafted expressly for the ballot.

"That means making a whole lot of adjustments to get those votes," Brown said. "I think by virtue of making those, it makes it very difficult to pass at the ballot as well."

But Brown may yet preside over legislative haggling. If voters pass Measure 97, lawmakers are likely to wrangle over improvements, such as scaling back the tax burden on certain industries or redirecting some of the revenue. Brown laid out a general plan to do exactly that in June.

It would allow businesses to subtract a portion of their Oregon payroll from their corporate tax bill, divert taxes collected on gas and diesel sales to the state highway fund and provide an exemption for software companies.

As written, Measure 97 would make certain Oregon businesses pay a 2.5 percent gross receipts tax on sales exceeding $25 million. The measure would grow the state's $18 billion operating budget by nearly a third. It pledges, without a guarantee, that lawmakers would invest the money in K-12 education, health care and senior services.

Ryan Deckert, president of the Oregon Business Association, said the group hopes "to have a leader of the state that wants to take on hard issues."

If Measure 97 passes, Deckert said, Oregon's governor will need to lead in deciding how to spend the $6 billion it would pour into the state's two-year budget. If it fails, he said, the governor will have to rally support for what could be painful budget cuts -- needed to help close an estimated $1.35 billion shortfall.

Either way, the governor will need to help mend fences.

"I feel like there's going to be some wreckage and carnage and high stakes," Deckert said of the day after the election. "It's go time at that point."

Deckert, who served with Brown during his six years in the Senate and who has praised some of her decisions previously, declined to say whether Brown or Pierce exemplify the leadership Oregon needs from a governor.

Even Kitzhaber appeared to critique Brown for waiting to take a public position on Measure 97, writing his thoughts in a lengthy Facebook post in June. Brown eventually endorsed the measure in early August.

Oregon's first woman governor, Democrat Barbara Roberts, rejected criticism that Brown is not a strong leader. "People look at her and they see this short woman," said Roberts, who also supports Measure 97. "But from my perspective, she stands very tall in her political courage."

House Minority Leader Mike McLane, R-Powell Butte, argues Brown's decision not to negotiate over Measure 97 was political -- and not a sign of weakness.

"You're the governor, you make the options that are on the table," McLane said. "She's been around the building 25 years. She knows politics. When something fails on Kate Brown's watch, it's because she chooses for it to fail."

McLane now says that's what he believes happened in 2015, when Brown brought a bipartisan group of lawmakers to hammer out a $343.5 million transportation package.

Brown was willing to change the state's low-carbon fuels program, enraging some lawmakers. The deal fell apart, as House Democrats balked and Brown faced pressure from environmentalists, including billionaire Tom Steyer, to maintain the fuels program. Brown now says she will not repeal the low-carbon fuels law as part of a transportation deal.

"Kate Brown could have forced that through," McLane now says of the 2015 transportation deal, after saying "criticism doesn't lie with the governor" in comments to the The Oregonian/OregonLive last year. "Other governors have pushed things through."

***

Last month, one of Oregon's top investment officials publicly called Oregon's $22 billion pension debt "a moral issue" and urged Brown and lawmakers to find solutions.

So far, Brown has seized on just one: a plan "to increase investment returns" by giving new management powers to the Oregon Treasury's investment division. But even at best, current estimates show, the plan would save $1 billion over 20 years.

Brown has dismissed other ideas that might save far more money, some pitched by a bipartisan pair of senators, as politically impossible or too likely to wind up in court.

The investment plan was initially hatched by Oregon Treasurer Ted Wheeler. Until Kitzhaber resigned, Wheeler and Brown were widely expected to vie for governor in 2018. Wheeler's version of the proposal never passed the Legislature, where Senate President Peter Courtney, D-Salem, opposed it.

Brown said she's still vetting the idea and said she didn't know why Courtney opposed it.

"We are re-tooling the measure in hopes of getting support," Brown said.

Courtney, who mentioned his "very long, hard-working relationship with the governor," said "we're discussing that."

"I'm not going to get further than that," he said. "Clearly I took a very strong stance ... I'm not quite clear what the position is the governor's taken."

Courtney declined to comment on Brown's race against Pierce because he also credits the Republican with saving his life. Pierce treated Courtney during his battle with colon cancer.

***

But Brown's political background before becoming governor, serving 17 years in the Legislature and six as secretary of state, has shown her willingness to push major policy fights.

A month after becoming governor, Brown signed Oregon's first-in-the-nation automatic voter registration law, which she'd championed for years as secretary of state.

And in the 1990s, she pushed tighter domestic violence bills through the Legislature. Brown, who worked as a lawyer in the foster care system, started her political career lobbying on women's and children's issues for the Women's Rights Coalition. She worked to pass Oregon's Family Medical Leave Act.

Maura Roche, a former lobbyist for Planned Parenthood who now works as a consultant, befriended Brown when she was doing that work. Roche's mother was chair of the Women's Rights Coalition.

"Women's issues were sort of treated like, 'What is the one or maybe two women's issues that we have to pass to sort of just check a box and say we did something for women?'" Roche said. "It was harder to get attention for these issues at that time."

As it turned out, Brown's work on domestic violence held personal significance. During a debate this fall, Brown revealed that she was a victim of domestic violence. Brown hasn't shared any other details, other than to say it didn't involve her husband, Dan Little.

Roche said Brown played an important role in passing the state's same-sex domestic partnership law and a bill to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation. Brown, now the nation's first openly bisexual governor, started working on the bills years before they passed in 2007. Roche said Brown lined up support from two Republican co-sponsors who "were facing death threats in their offices."

***

No one disagrees about Brown's affability, both in public and private.

"When you're sitting with her, she's a very nice person," said McLane, the House Republican leader.

But with the governor hoping to enter her third annual legislative session next winter, is it still enough to win over lawmakers?

"We need a governor who is going to be a centrist, who is going to build consensus and actually get things done," McLane said.

Dmitri Palmateer, a Kitzhaber deputy chief of staff who became Brown's legislative liaison, said Brown was a reassuring figure in the wake of Kitzhaber's departure. When he walked with her through the Capitol mall, "it would take forever because she'd stop and talk to everybody."

"She is such a warm person, a genuinely warm person," said Palmateer, who worked with Brown for seven months. "This was exactly what Oregon needed."

Brown describes those moments as among the most challenging and rewarding parts of her job.

"What there's no school in is the incredible, extraordinary moments that happen to you as governor," Brown said.

Brown remembers the "extreme pain" and "the suffering in the families" of shooting victims in Roseburg last fall. But she also remembers joyful moments.

Earlier this year, she said, an eighth-grader in Lane County who'd led Brown on a school tour asked to shadow the governor for a day. The girl got her wish. Then, this fall, Brown saw the girl near the front row at a debate in Eugene.

"So you can imagine the confidence that gave me," Brown said. "I will never forget that moment."

-- Hillary Borrud

503-294-4034; @hborrud
DES MOINES  Whether Iowas state government spends the next two years operating under split party control or Republicans take complete control depends largely on the outcomes of roughly a handful of legislative races on this falls ballot.

The majority party sets the agenda in the chambers of the Iowa Legislature. Going into the election, Republicans control the Iowa House and Democrats the Iowa Senate.

That split party control, which has been the case for the past six years, means Republicans and Democrats have been forced to agree with each other on many pieces of legislation, including the state budget, before they can become law.

Democrats hold a slim majority in the Senate. If, during the election, Republicans win enough races to take the Senate majority, the GOP  for at least the next two years  would have control of the Senate, House and governors office. That would give the party unfettered control over the states agenda.

Going into the election, the 50-seat Senate has 25 Democrats, 23 Republicans and one independent senator, a former Republican who changed his party affiliation in protest of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.

There also is one vacant seat in the Senate, created by the passing of Sen. Joe Seng, a Democrat from Davenport. A special election for that seat, in a heavily Democratic district, will be held just after Christmas.

Assuming that seat stays in Democrats hands, Republicans will have to hold their seats and flip three Democratic seats in order to achieve a majority in the Senate.

The following are the North Iowa Senate races most likely to be competitive and impact which party emerges from the election with control of the chamber. To get a sense of these key races, included in this analysis are a party breakdown of each districts active registered voters, and the result of the 2012 presidential vote in each district, which helps show the tendency of its no-party voters.

Both parties have reason to be encouraged. In each of these competitive districts where the Democrat is the incumbent, there are more active registered Republican voters than Democrats, according to data from the Iowa Secretary of State, as of Oct. 1. However, Democratic president Barack Obama won all of these districts the last time they were on the ballot, according to election results compiled by Daily Kos.

DISTRICT 26

Counties: Cerro Gordo, Chickasaw, Floyd, Howard, Mitchell, Winneshiek, Worth

Incumbent: Democrat Mary Jo Wilhelm, Cresco

Challenger: Republican Waylon Brown, St. Ansgar

Registered Democrats: 11,170

Registered Republicans: 11,974

Registered no-party: 16,505

2012 presidential result: Obama won by 13 points

Wilhelm is finishing her second term in the Senate. Highlighting the importance of this race to the election, Wilhelm was targeted with advertising by a conservative issues advocacy group during the 2016 legislative session. The ads pressed Wilhelm to support a proposal to couple state tax laws with changes to federal tax laws, thus creating expected savings for some Iowans, including farmers, who purchased business supplies. Wilhelm voted in favor of the legislation.

Wilhelm won her 2012 election by just 126 votes, or .4 percent. Meantime, Republicans have added more than 800 registered voters in the district since the beginning of the year, while the number of Democrats has remained stagnant and no-party voters have receded.

DISTRICT 32

Counties: Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Fayette

Incumbent: Democrat Brian Schoenjahn, Arlington

Challenger: Republican Craig Johnson, Independence

Registered Democrats: 10,486

Registered Republicans: 11,405

Registered no-party: 17,018

2012 presidential result: Obama won by 9 points

Schoenjahn has served three terms in the Senate and chairs the education budget subcommittee.

The two parties combined to spend more than a half-million dollars on this race in the recent three-month fundraising period. Republicans spent more on this race  roughly $314,000  than any other.

DISTRICT 28

Counties: Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette, Winneshiek

Incumbent: Republican Michael Breitbach, Strawberry Point

Challengers: Democrat Jan Heikes, Decorah; Libertarian Troy Hageman, Calmar

Registered Democrats: 10,748

Registered Republicans: 13,853

Registered no-party: 13,504

2012 presidential result: Obama won by 9 points

This is the best opportunity for Democrats to swing a Republican seat in their direction. Obama won the district in 2012, and Breitbach won his first election to the Senate by a microscopic 17 votes.

The addition of a third candidate creates a wild-card for the race
CHARLES CITY  New notices have been popping up on walls, bulletin boards and courtroom doors across North Iowa recently:

Possession of all weapons and firearms is prohibited.

The administrative order issued by Second Judicial District Chief Judge Kurt Wilke on Oct. 12 bans guns and other weapons in and around all judicial offices in the districts 22 counties.

This includes counties that do not already have building-wide weapon bans in place.

Under the order, guns and other weapons are banned from courtrooms, jury rooms, clerks offices, judges chambers, court reporter offices, juvenile court offices, judicial administrative offices and other areas used by the states judiciary such as hallways, lobbies and conference rooms.

Law enforcement and court officers are exempt.

The goal is to remove weapons from situations where passions are inflamed and there could be an increased threat, Wilke said.

The idea is, in the courtroom setting a lot of times emotions are very high, particularly when you get into domestic issues and that sort of thing, Wilke said.

The order is based on security recommendations agreed upon by the Iowa State Association of Counties and the Iowa Judicial Council.

Though the recommendations are not new, Wilke says he chose to issue the order now because he was asked about it by a judge who works in counties that are overhauling security measures.

I think were getting more and more safety conscious, said Wilke, who said he believes other judicial districts in the state will eventually follow suit with a similar order. Most of our courthouses are pretty bare  especially our rural courthouses are bare of any security whatsoever.

Iowa Firearms Coalition Board Member Richard S. Rogers said he understands the judges security concerns, but believes the order overreaches when it prohibits citizens from carrying guns or weapons in public areas outside of court venues.

Affiliated with the National Rifle Association, the Clive-based Iowa Firearms Coalition advocates for Iowans right to bear arms.

Outside of the courtroom and court offices, what reason or right does the district court judge have to force Iowans  who conduct much of their business with local government in the county courthouses  to give up the defensive tools that they carry with them everywhere else? he asked.

Chad Colby, of Hart Weaponry in Mason City, said a weapons ban wont stop a determined, non-law-abiding person from doing something illegal with a gun.

You have a rule and its for the good guy to follow; the already upstanding individual that does their best not to break laws, said Colby, a store manager and firearms instructor. So, basically youre making a law for the good people that wouldnt have done anything ridiculous to begin with, and now youre going to post a sign or something and hope that it makes people feel warm and fuzzy and (that) nothing bad is going to happen because of this, and thats just false thinking.

Wilkes order was not the first in the state.

Seventh Judicial District Chief Judge Marlita A. Greve previously issued a similar order for one of the five counties in her district, Cedar County. The other four counties already had weapons bans in place.

Three counties in the Second Judicial District  Butler, Cerro Gordo, Floyd and Wright counties  had already banned guns and weapons in their respective courthouses by ordinance or courthouse policy prior to Wilkes order.

Most of North Iowa is included in the Second Judicial District.

Kossuth County, which is in the Third Judicial District, does not have a building-wide or judicial-specific weapons ban.

Wilkes order does not outline any security requirements for counties to undertake in order to enforce the ban. Its up to county officials to determine what additional security measures, if any, they will take as a result of the order.

Winnebago County Supervisor Terry Durby didnt expect the ruling to change much in the county courthouse in Forest City, though it could mean more hours for the buildings part-time security officer.

Weapons are not banned in the building, but a security officer uses a hand-held metal detector to check for weapons in cases where they believe there is a need to do so, he said.

I dont see a lot of concern at this point other than the possibility that the budget might have to go up, Durby said.

Mitchell County Attorney Mark Walk told his countys Board of Supervisors he may redo the sign, which was included with the order, to better explain where in the courthouse guns were allowed and where they were not.

I would hate to have a law-abiding citizen go to the second-floor to file a claim and have them be arrested for carrying a concealed because we didnt make the order clear enough, Walk said.

The issue was discussed at a recent meeting.

Its our duty to make certain citizens realize this change, said Mitchell County Supervisor Shannon Paulus.

Those found to be carrying weapons in now-prohibited areas could be held in contempt of court, a simple misdemeanor.

For Wilke, its a matter of increasing safety.

This is not an attempt to take away gun rights or anything of that nature, he said. Its just saying, basically, in this area we really dont think it makes sense to bring a firearm.
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When Cheryl Dickerson began researching her husband Pastor Dan Dickersons family tree, she discovered that his Midland roots went back to 1871 when his great-great uncle, James Van Kleeck, moved to the Village of Midland City to practice law.

Until she made that discovery, it had always been assumed that the Dickersons Midland roots went back to 1963 when Pastor Mark Dickerson, Sr. accepted the call to serve Calvary Baptist Church and moved his family here.

Born in California in 1915, Pastor Mark Dickerson grew up in Ypsilanti and attended Bob Jones University in Cleveland, Tennessee. In 1963 Pastor Dickerson and his family moved to the small town of Midland where he began a pastoral legacy which has seen his son, Mark Daniel (Dan) Dickerson Sr., and his grandson, Mark Daniel Dickerson Jr., serving the congregation at Calvary Baptist Church located at 6100 Perrine Road. Mark Daniel Dickerson Jr.s son is Mark Daniel Dickerson III.

But lets start at the beginning. Dan Dickersons great-grandfather, C. D. Dickerson, married Judith Fountain. Judiths mother was Cecelia Van Kleeck and Cecelias brother was James Van Kleeck. Cecelia and James were two of the five children born to Robert and Catherine Van Kleeck in Exeter, Monroe County. The Van Kleecks were of Dutch descent.

James Van Kleeck was born in 1846 on the family farm in Monroe County and was 15 years old when the Civil War broke out. In 1862 James tried to enlist when President Abraham Lincoln called for volunteers. Not quite 16 years old, he lied about his age but his short stature was another stumbling block. He was finally accepted as a drummer boy in Company D of the 17th Michigan Volunteer Infantry in Kalamazoo. The division almost immediately left for Maryland and fought in two battles, South Mountain and Antietam.

James Van Kleeck, now 16, was wounded at Antietam on Sept. 17, 1862. Corpsmen picking up the wounded left the young boy laying in the field thinking he was dead. A minie ball had lodged in the young boys side. Fortunately, a soldier named Alfred Milnes found him and carried James Van Kleeck off the battlefield to a field hospital. Later he was transferred to the hamlet of Frederick, Maryland, where a temporary hospital had been set up in a German Lutheran church. Too weak to move and take care of himself, James spent eight months under the belfry.

His long convalescence earned him the title among Michigan veterans for the longest continuous attendance in a church. The Lutheran pastor was indefatigable in his care of the wounded soldiers.

Its interesting to note that Alfred Milnes who carried James Van Kleeck off the battlefield to a field hospital later returned to Michigan and ran on the Republican ticket for Lieutenant Governor of Michigan.

The 16-year-old boy always carried a copy of the New Testament with him. Apparently it fell out of his pocket as he was carried off the battlefield. Three decades later it would be returned to him, still carrying the bloodstains of his wound but otherwise intact.

The wound in his side did not heal. Eventually he was discharged on Nov. 17, 1863 and returned to Michigan. Relying on crutches to make him mobile, he returned to school and then studied law. Graduating in June of 1870 with $4 in his pocket, he decided to open up a law office in the Village of Midland City. His law practice prospered and on July 2, 1873 he married Juliette C. Carpenter, the daughter of Thomas J. Carpenter.

Thomas J. Carpenter, an early Midland pioneer who was both a lumberman and a capitalist, had invested in 400 acres of property, 100 acres being located inside the boundary lines of the city itself. Today Carpenter Street is all that is left of his legacy.

James and Juliette had three children. James C. Van Kleeck became a lawyer, following in his fathers foots steps. Daughters Edith A. Van Kleeck and Delia Van Kleeck both graduated from the University of Michigan. All three children were born in the Village of Midland City.

His 15 years in Midland were highly successful. He served two terms as city attorney and two terms as prosecuting attorney. In 1882 he was elected to the State Legislature where he served for several years on the Judiciary and University of Michigan committees. He was president of the Midland County Agricultural Society and in 1882 he was elected a representative in the Michigan Legislature on the Republican ticket.

In 1885 James and Juliette Van Kleeck and their three children moved to Bay City where James continued his political successes.

In 1894, 32 years after losing the small New Testament he had carried in his pocket in the battle of Antietam, it was returned to him. Captain Theodore Gregg had found it on the battlefield and wrote in it, Found on the battlefield off Antietam where a hot engagement was going on Sept. 17, 1862, in which the union troops were victorious by Capt. Theodore Gregg Co. F Forty fifth regiment P. V. V

Six years after finding the small Bible, Gregg forwarded it to James sister in Washtenaw County. James had stuck his sisters letter in the small Bible which enabled Gregg to have an address. Twenty-six years later James son visited his aunt and got the little Bible which he returned to his dad. James Van Kleeck vowed never to lose it again.

James Van Kleeck died in Bay City on Feb. 23, 1923, and was buried in Soldiers Rest in Pine Ridge Cemetery in Bay City. Cheryl Dickerson said, We were excited to try to locate his burial site and tombstone but were so disappointed when it was not to be found. Being unfamiliar with the cemetery we looked around for someone who might help.

A woman named Clara Pasko directed Dan and Cheryl to Jim Petrimoulx, the Civil War historian and volunteer keeper of Soldiers Rest in Pine Ridge cemetery. Jim was as excited to meet them as they were to meet him.

James Van Kleecks tombstone was missing and had been for some time. The Veterans Administration would donate a new headstone with the application and signature of a relative. Petrimoulx had been searching for a relative of James Van Kleeck for years. Now with the appearance of Dan and Cheryl Dickerson, his search was over. The paperwork was sent in and the headstone was installed on Memorial Day, May 30, 2016, at 11 a.m. Dan and Cheryl Dickerson were there for the occasion as well as other family members.

Standing there in a cemetery, mostly forgotten now, looking at the marker with James Van Kleecks name on it, gave Dan and Cheryl Dickerson a sense of completeness.

The English poet Robert Louis Stevenson wrote the words he wanted on his tombstone in 1890:

This be the verse you grave for me:

Here he lies where he longd to be

Home is the sailor, home from the sea,

And the hunter home from the hill.

The young James Van Kleeck who had fought in the Civil War 154 years ago was home from the hill at last.

Virginia Florey, a regular contributor to the Daily News, is the author of Midland Remembers and the Pocket Mirror.
The Daily News will run a weekly Political Round-up, highlighting the campaigns of candidates for both the 98th House and 99th House races. All four candidates have been contacted and asked to submit items for the round-up.

In the 98th House District, Republican Gary Glenn, R-Midland, will be facing Democratic challenger Geoff Malicoat in the Nov. 8 general election. The 99th House race will have Democrat Bryan Mielke squaring off against Republican Roger Hauck.

BRYAN MIELKE

Whether youre a parent with two grown children or a student just starting their life beyond their parents home, college affordability has become an issue that truly impacts every generation, thanks to rising tuition costs. Students just entering college fret and worry about whether their financial aid will go through, whether theyll be able to get scholarships or if theyll have to take a year off and work at home. In an already difficult economy, recent graduates scramble to find work in coffee shops and restaurants, struggling under the weight of their massive student loan debt. New parents, even while celebrating the expansion of their family, worry if theyll be able to put away enough money to match the climbing costs of college tuition. With two college-aged daughters myself, I know the struggles they both face, not merely in trying to graduate with minimal debt, but in hoping to find jobs here in the state afterward that can adequately support them as they pay off their loans. The jobs of the future will require skilled, highly educated employees to fill them, but first theyll need to afford the training it takes to prepare them. Whether thats vocational school or pursuing a four year degree, if we want to ensure Michigans economy will grow in the long term, we need to increase access to higher education for every student, regardless of their familys background or income level.

Back in 2011 when Republicans slashed education funding our state universities suffered, and the only way they could make up the difference was by raising tuition for our already cash-strapped students. Though some of that money has been recovered, higher education funding has not returned to its pre-2011 levels, meaning our young adults are still facing an undue financial burden. If Michigans young people are going to have any chance at a successful future, they need to be able to pursue the education and training that available jobs require, without worrying about the debt that will follow them for the rest of their lives. Not only do we need to fully restore higher education funding, but we need to ensure we are helping connect students with the resources they need to not merely survive, but thrive in college or job training programs. When we take care of Michigans young adults now, they become our states workers, thinkers and leaders of tomorrow. Its time we invest again in higher education, and in our students.

 Michigan Sierra Club launches online political advertising campaign

The Michigan Chapter of the Sierra Club launched an online political advertising campaign in support of thirteen candidates for the Michigan Legislature and countywide offices, including Mielke. The campaign includes a series of videos featuring Sierra Club Michigan Chapter activists highlighting the states most pressing environmental issues and calling for new leadership in Lansing.

 Mielke has received the endorsement from Laborers International Union of North America (LiUNA). Michigan Laborers District Council is an affiliation of seven Laborers Local Unions representing 13,000 active and retired Construction Laborers in Michigan. It is an affiliation of the Laborers International Union of North America, AFL-CIO (LIUNA), which represents 800,000 members.

For more information about Mielke: bryanmielke.com

GEOFF MALICOAT

Geoff Malicoat has been the guest at several events hosted by concerned citizens where he has been listening to residents, including life-long Republicans, who have expressed their frustrations with the inefficiency of Lansing coupled with constant reminders how out of touch career politicians remain with ordinary citizens.

Michiganders are right to feel like they are being ignored, because they are. Last year 40 million dollars was spent lobbying our elected officials. Every dollar going into those career politicians bank accounts silences the very people they were elected to represent. As your state representative, I will pass the toughest anti-corruption act in the nation and take down the for sale sign from our State Capitol, he said.

When I entered this race, I did it with a commitment to putting partisan politics aside and working to achieve the best possible result for all of the 98th district. I will listen to all of our residents and work across the aisle to build a more prosperous Michigan. I have no intention in making a career out of politics, I only hope to serve my district and return home to an even better and stronger 98th.

 Malicoat has received the endorsement from Laborers International Union of North America (LiUNA). MFor more information about Malicoat: malicoatforhouse.com

GARY GLENN

 Glenn received a campaign contribution from Friends of West Michigan Business, the political action committee of the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, which rarely contributes to candidates outside west Michigan. The group made an exception for Glenn, citing his leadership on energy reform legislation in his role as vice chairman of the House Energy Policy Committee.

 Glenn led a conference call Wednesday with representatives of the Middle Cities Education Association and others working to maintain public schools ability to save money by buying electricity from less expensive suppliers than Consumers Energy or Detroit Edison.

Glenn cited comments by Tim Peraino, president of the Michigan Schools Energy Cooperative, who wrote in a commentary published in major state newspapers last week that utility-backed energy reform legislation being considered in Lansing will effectively gut Michigans electric choice program, which saves schools more than $17 million a year, or roughly the cost of 300 teachers. Peraino wrote that savings in Saginaw (schools) are close to $2.5 million.

 Glenn praised enactment last week of the Third Grade Reading legislation that will require remedial reading instruction be given to any third grader who is not reading at grade level. Glenn worked with Ron Beebe of Midland, a board member of the Bay City Dyslexia Center, and Nancy Williams, the centers director, to add an amendment to the bill requiring that such instruction include the sequential, multi-sensory techniques by which records indicate the center over the last decade has never failed to bring a child afflicted with dyslexia to reading at grade level or above.

For more information: GaryGlenn.US.

JOHN MOOLENAAR

U.S. Rep. John Moolenaar has been endorsed by the Michigan Farm Bureaus AgriPAC.

In Washington, Congressman Moolenaar has consistently supported policies that will benefit Michigan agriculture, including voting for the GMO labeling law which preempted the states from creating a patchwork of laws that would have had an enormous adverse impact to local farmers and agricultural producers, according to a new a release.

MIDLAND COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY

The Midland County Democratic Party has a number volunteersengaging with residents on social media and the website. The Midland County Democratic Party Facebook Page regularly lists updates of volunteer opportunities.

 This year we have seen a record number of Democratic presidential signs go up in Midland, so many in fact that we ran out weeks ahead of schedule. Every day our volunteers hear from their neighbors that they are voting Democrat for the first time in years because it is time for equal pay, lower taxes for the middle class, and an economy that works for everyone not just those at the top, the party reported.

 The campaign office is within the Midland County Democratic Party Headquarters at 2720 Rodd St. (across from the Law Enforcement Center). It is staffed Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sunday from 1 to 8 p.m. Volunteer opportunities exist for making phone calls and neighborhood canvassing. The Malicoat campaign can be reached by calling (989) 495-2558, the Clinton/Kaine campaign at (989) 397-3527, and the Midland County Democratic Office at (989) 423-5902 where people who need rides to the polls can call even on Election Day.

MIDLAND COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY

The Midland County Republicans hosted a screening of Dinesh DSouzas film Hillarys America Wednesday prior to a watch party for the final presidential debate. This event served as a kick-off for the 20-day homestretch of the campaign.

Trump/Pence signs continue to fly out the door, said Victory Center Director Matthew Ivan. Weve had a steady stream of supporters from the city, the townships and multiple counties surrounding Midland.

Volunteers are also canvassing neighborhoods throughout the county in support of our candidates at all levels, Ivan said. Those efforts will continue now through Election Day along with Get-Out-The-Vote phone banks.

Anyone interested in volunteering, displaying yard signs, or in need of information on candidates can contact the Republican Victory Center at midlandcountygop@gmail.com or (989) 486-8998. It is located at 109 Ashman Circle Plaza, across the parking lot from Gill-Roys Hardware.
MASON CITY | A man accused of entering a Mason City home and attacking an occupant has been given a jail sentence.

Robby Rasmussen, 32, of Forest City, originally charged with felony first-degree burglary and domestic abuse assault (strangulation) causing bodily injury, pleaded guilty to a lesser misdemeanor charge of domestic abuse assault causing bodily injury.

He was sentenced to 365 days in jail with all but two days suspended and fined $315. He was put on probation for two years.

The first-degree burglary charge was dismissed.

Police say Rasmussen entered a home on the 300 block of Second Street Northwest without permission on June 8.

He was accused of assaulting a woman and threatening to kill one or more people.

-- Mary Pieper
As we advance through the fall season, the local deer population becomes more active because the animals are searching for food and mating as well as being chased by hunters in the woods and fields.

Active deer means more chances for deer-vehicle crashes.

Last year almost 53,000 accidents in Michigan involved deer, according to the Midland County Sheriffs Office, which also reported 956 traffic crashes involving deer in Midland County.

These crashes are deadly and costly.

Motorists are reminded to watch for deer as they travel the roads and dont veer for deer. If a crash is unavoidable, dont swerve, but instead brake firmly, hold onto the steering wheel, stay in your lane and bring your car to a controlled stop.

Here are some other tips that may help in preventing a car-vehicle crash as well as injury:

 Stay awake, alert and sober.

 Always wear a safety belt.

 Be especially alert at dawn and dusk, and pay special attention in forested areas and farmland.

 If you see one deer, slow down. Chances are there are others nearby.

 Look beyond your headlights for the glowing eyes of deer that may be near your path.
America, we deserve an apology and no, not from Donald Trump.

Recently, with the release of a new video, we saw an official defection of some powerful Republicans from the Trump bandwagon. If we are to take the defecting Republicans at their word, then somehow the new video in which Trump bragged about sexual assault was the straw that broke the proverbial camels back. Some Republicans are now feeling repulsed and disgusted. However, why all this anger now? What is really precipitating this exodus?

After his first debate meltdown, Donald Trump exacerbated his free fall by tweeting out vulgarities aimed at a former Miss Universe. This prompted scores of women to come forward and share stories of how Donald Trump had demeaned them, and exhibited sexist behavior towards them. This video has essentially confirmed the narrative about Donald Trump, a narrative years in the making that describes him as someone who holds women in little regard, and as someone who is unapologetically sexist and misogynistic. It is astonishing that the Republican elite are just now invoking their moral opposition to this narrative, considering its been on full display for the entirety of Trumps presidential campaign.

To many Republicans, Trump has now crossed the line in the sand. However, based on Trumps entire campaign, much of the electorate did not know that such a line existed in the first place. Especially because now that people know the line exists, they cant help but imagine that he must have crossed the line numerous times in the past. Every time he crossed the line, he survived and incomprehensibly became the Republican Party nominee for the president of the United States. Much like Matthew, Hurricane Trump left a trail of destruction along his path towards the nomination. His racist, misogynist and hateful rhetoric were hidden under the guise that he was not a professional politician and he simply tells it as he sees it. All the while, the Republican National Committee and the Republican Leadership sat back and let it happen.

Let us examine the Republican Party indulgence of Trump. Paul Ryan, the Speaker of the House, termed Mr. Trumps comments on the video as sickening, and promptly disinvited him from a campaign event in Wisconsin. Furthermore in a conference call with House Republicans, he announced that he would not to defend Trump or campaign with him anymore. Yet he still kept his endorsement intact. How many times in the past was Mr. Ryan forced to admonish Trump and his campaign for their hateful rhetoric? How many times did he say that he did not agree with Trumps characterization of different ethnic groups? He was forced to do so numerous times. He described Trumps comment on the Indiana judge of a Mexican heritage as textbook case of racism. Still, that did not stop him from supporting or endorsing him for president. Reince Preibus, the chairman of the Republican National Committee, released a comment on the video leak that No woman should ever be described in these terms or talked about in this manner. Ever. Well done Mr. Chairman! However, we are forced to ask, where was the condemnation when Mr. Trump made similar disparaging remarks about Megyn Kelly after his first Republican primary debate? Marco Rubio expressed outrage and said that Donalds comments were vulgar, egregious and impossible to justify. Does Senator Rubio remember Mr. Trumps comments on Carly Fiorinas looks when he said Look at that face? Would anyone vote for that? Can you imagine that, the face of our next president? Clearly he did not recall those words as he endorsed him and pledged to vote for him.

Mike Pence, Mr. Trumps running mate and the vice presidential candidate, issued a stern statement. He said that As a husband and a father, I was offended by the words and actions described by Donald Trump in the 11-year-old video. I do not condone his remarks and cannot defend them. However, as a father and a husband did he not find his comments on Megyn Kelly offensive? As a father and a husband he also did not find the comments on Muslims, immigrants, POWs and the disabled equally reprehensible. As a father of a son serving in the Marine Corps, Governor Pence did not cringe when Mr. Trump disparaged a Gold Star family. He also had no reaction when Mr. Trump tweeted out to Americans to watch a non-existent sex tape of a former miss universe. As a Christian, Governor Pence did not find anything repugnant enough in Trumps comments to persuade him not to join the ticket. In fact, after his second debate performance he tweeted out Congrats to my running mate on a big debate win! Proud to stand with you as we make America great again. An apology absent emotion and contrition and a belligerent debate performance was all it took to wipe away all Trumps past transgressions. Governor Pence, otherwise thought of as a decent person, failed on every conceivable test of honor and decency. Conservative columnist Bret Stephens of the Wall Street Journal has aptly pointed out that Mike Pence is an accomplice and one of the biggest enablers of Donald Trump.

It is important, though, to give credit where it is due. One thing that Mr. Trump accomplished was to expose Republican hypocrisy. Mr. Trump demonstrated that the Republican Party is neither conservative nor a viable political party. Mr. Trumps position on trade, immigration, torture of POWs, killing families of terrorists and giving religious tests to immigrants are what excites todays Republican base. The core conservative concepts of less government and free market are alien to them. The glue that holds the Republican base is not the promise of free trade, free markets and less government, but soft bigotry and rabid nationalism. The base cheered when Trump claimed that he forced the first black president to produce his birth certificate. The base erupted into a euphoric frenzy when Trump humiliated the first female nominee for president by parading her husbands accusers in front of her during a nationally televised presidential debate. Donald Trump has done overtly what many of his Republican predecessors have done covertly. Mr. Trump is unacceptable to them because he failed to trumpet racism more subtly as once suggested by Republican strategist, Lee Atwater. Trump adopted Atwaters core principle of soft racism and expanded it beyond African Americans to include immigrants and Muslims. He fully understood the power of hate, and employed it successfully against immigrants and people of color in the primary. He is neither unique nor unusual in his use of hate as a winning strategy. Where he is unusual is his tactic of ignoring the Atwater adage to keep it abstract and subtle. Trumps crudeness, not so much the underlying message, is what made him unacceptable to the party elites. It also does not help that they are convinced he will probably lose the election in a landslide. Given the demographic trend in America there are not enough whites, let alone racist whites, to win a national election. It may be instructive to remember that both President George H.W. Bush and Governor Mitt Romney got almost 60 percent of the white votes. Yet President Bush won the presidency with 426 electoral votes, while Romney lost with just 206 electoral votes.

The Republican Party has arrived at a crossroads and is faced with a crucial decision. Republicans can opt to shoot for a higher truth embedded in the best tradition of conservatism, or continue to dig themselves deeper into the vortex of hate and despair. The first path, while promising less government, free markets and equal opportunity for all, genuinely provides a viable alternative to more government and high taxes, while also being inclusive, sustainable and a winning strategy. It will force them to reach for higher grounds. An inclusive party that empowers individuals, and unleashes human potential, is a great recipe for election victories. Elections should be a battle of ideas, but have recently devolved into this 2016 Sideshow. Donald Trump is much better suited to be a reality show contestant, and has absolutely no business being in his current position. The Republican Party must move forward and reinvent itself. It cannot declare that Donald Trump is an outlier when Republicans are the ones that elevated him. They must own Donald Trump and all the baggage that comes with him.

An apology is in order, and the Republican Party must be the one to offer it. America, we deserve an apology, and the sooner it comes, the sooner we can move forward.

Debasish Chakraborty is professor of economics and director of the MBA program at Central Michigan University. Neil Chakraborty is from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Updated : Mar 10, 2020 in Culture

Some Things You Need to Know About Pakistani Culture - In the previous article I discussed the history, the system of government and its economy,
MASON CITY  Mason City police charged Revell Toney, 19, with attempted murder Sunday afternoon after a downtown shooting that took place 13 hours earlier.

They still have not made an arrest in another shooting that took place Oct. 18 in the area of Ninth Street Northwest and Washington Avenue, where a woman was struck in the arm.

Police say the two shootings are not related.

Mason City Police Lt. Rich Jensen said police would not release the names of either shooting victim.

On a personal level, its unusual to have two shootings like this (within a week), he said, noting its not the norm for Mason City.

Toney, a Mason City resident, was arrested at 3:35 p.m. Sunday after a man suffered multiple gunshot wounds in the plaza at the north entrance to Southbridge Mall. The shooting was reported shortly after 2 a.m. Sunday.

The man was struck in the arm and the buttock area, according to a criminal complaint.

The complaint states Toney fired several rounds into the man from a 9 mm handgun.

Toney is being held in the Cerro Gordo County Jail on $25,000 bond. Attempted murder is a Class B felony.

The victim was taken to Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa for treatment and was reported in critical condition.

The incident occurred in the plaza  not in any business in the plaza, police said.

Mason City Police Chief Jeff Brinkley said if people have information on either shooting, police would like to talk to them.

Its unusual for us certainly as a community, he said. I dont have a crystal ball ... things like this sometimes come in streaks and then its quiet for a while.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Mason City Police at 641-421-3636 or North Iowa Crimestoppers at 800-383-0088.
Lynne Lavonne (Arends) Aldrich

BELMOND  Lynne Lavonne (Arends) Aldrich, 74, died from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016, at her home in rural Belmond.

A funeral service will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016, at the United Church of Rowan, 811 Pesch St., Rowan, with Pastor Nancy Hofmeister officiating. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery, Rowan.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016, at Andrews Funeral Home, 516 First St. S.E., Belmond.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts be directed to the Rowan Library, or the charity of your choice. All undesignated memorials will be directed to Rowan improvement projects.

If you are reading this now, then I have stepped off the train of life onto the heavenly platform. I decided to write my own obituary to say what I wanted to say.

I was born Lynne Lavonne Arends on March 29, 1942, in a big white house in Clarion, Iowa. It used to be a hospital. My parents were John Henry Arends (but everyone called him Hank), and Marian Irene (State) Arends.

I started kindergarten in Alexander (in January). I was there for only two months and then we moved in March, so I was still in kindergarten at a rural country school right across the road from Brooks Pony Farm. That fall I was still in kindergarten as Id only had four months of schooling, so when we moved again the next March I finished out my kindergarten experience in Thornton, Iowa. I also went on to first grade there.

However, we moved again the next March and I finished first grade in Rowan. There I was to stay until I graduated from the Rowan Consolidated High School in 1960. I started college at Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls. During my sophomore year, it became State College of Iowa. The summer after my freshman year, my sister, Gloria, and I drove out to Laramie, Wyoming, and we both took 12 hours of credit in ten weeks.

I got married to my high school sweetheart, R.E. Lee Aldrich, III, better known as Butch to Rowan locals, on Aug. 12, 1962. I got my first teaching job in Story City, Iowa in the fall of 1962. I had 22 delightful second graders, but after that first year was over I was off to Fort Lee, Virginia, where Lt. Aldrich was taking classes. We then flew to Augsburg, Germany, for a three-year stint in the U.S. Army in 1963.

Our oldest son, Forrest Scott, was born at the U.S. Army hospital in Augsburg at the end of 1964. By the time our tour was over, Butch had orders for Vietnam. He left for Vietnam close to Christmas in 1966, and I went back to college to finish up getting my B.A. in Elementary Education.

After Butch returned from Vietnam we decided to try farming, and here we have been ever since! We started our Christmas Tree farm in 1969. Two more sons were born, Todd Rowen and Lance John. We built a new house in 1977 and moved there when Lance was five years old.

I helped on the farm until I decided to go back to teaching, so in the fall of 1985 I taught kindergarten in Belmond, Iowa. After two years I switched to second grade and never changed. I am hoping that some of my former students are here today to say goodbye. They were the light of my life. I loved being their teacher!

I retired in 2000, but substitute taught for seven more years. I had a party for my last class when they graduated in 2010. We opened our time capsules we had made when they were in second grade. Even thought I was retired, I did a long-term sub job for 14 delightful third graders in Kanawha. They were very special to me.

My husband and I started traveling when we were in Germany and never stopped. We have been to all 50 states but one (Alabama), all 10 Canadian provinces, and 29 different countries. My favorites were Austria and Germany.

A big part of my life in later years was our adventure of living in Mesa, Arizona, at the Good Life Resort Park during the cold Iowa winters. What fun we had, and what great friends were there sharing all that fun! We loved Arizona, the desert hikes, the many activities, and sharing many social events with good friends.

I leave behind my loving, caring husband Lee (Butch). We had been married 54 years. Also my three sons, Forrest (Kathy) of Urbandale, Iowa; Todd (Lisa) of Lakeville, Minnesota; and Lance (Cheri) of Maxwell, Iowa; my cherished, fantastic grandchildren: Kaitlyn, Caroline, and Marianne Aldrich of Urbandale, Iowa, and Ryan, Emily, Joshua, and Megan Aldrich of Lakeville, Minnesota; my two sisters, Gloria (Bob) Zangel of Las Vegas, Nevada and Alison (Sherman) McNeal of Cedar Falls, Iowa; brother Dale (Trese) Arends of rural Belmond, Iowa; and sister-in-law Judy Arends of Colorado Springs, Colorado.

How lucky I have been to have such wonderful siblings. I was also blessed to have so many dear nieces and nephews, and great, loving, and caring friends.

I was preceded in death by my parents, Hank and Marian Arends; father and mother-in-law, R.E. Lee, Jr. and Edna Aldrich; my brother, John Arends; niece, Gretchen Arends; and my beautiful infant daughter, Lorelei Ann Aldrich. I hope we are together again.

All of you reading this are still on the train, so enjoy the ride, and look out the window as often as possible. Ill greet you someday on the heavenly platform. Love to you all. I will miss you deeply.

Lynne Lavonne Arends Aldrich
Mary Ames

EDINA, Minn.  Former Forest City, Iowa, resident Mary Ames, 85, of Edina, MN, died on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016, at St. Therese of New Hope, MN, from complications of a stroke.

Mary was born on Oct. 28, 1930, in Nevada, IA, the daughter of Hollie and Irene (McCauley) Shaffer. She graduated from Swaledale High School and then attended what is now the University of Northern Iowa and North Iowa Area Community College. For a few years, Mary taught in primary schools in northern Iowa.

In the mid-1950s, she moved to Forest City. During the Forest City years, she worked for the family furniture store, the local high school and refugee settlement programs. Mostly, she was a strong and loving mother to her children and an optimistic and energetic presence in the lives of her many friends.

In the mid-1980s, Mary moved to the Twin Cities, where she was a long-time parishioner at St. Richards Catholic Church in Richfield. She worked for Medica for many years, retiring in 2008 at the age of 77.

While at Medica, Mary became known as the bunny lady. She cajoled and encouraged her colleagues to donate a toy bunny to be distributed to needy children during Easter time. She felt all kids needed a bunny to hug, even if their family couldnt provide one. For her efforts, she was featured on local TV news. The annual bunny drive is an ongoing effort at Medica and other local companies.

But it was Habitat for Humanity that fully activated Marys volunteerism gene. Through St. Richards parish, she raised money and organized several Habitat builds in the Twin Cities. She used her vacation time and money to build houses in Tennessee and Alabama (in the wake of Hurricane Katrina) and in Northern Ireland, Poland, Thailand and Botswana. In its 2006-07 Annual Report, the Twin Cities chapter recognized Marys devotion to the families sheltered by Habitat. Every kid needs a kitchen table where they can do homework.

Mary was proud of her Irish heritage. In 2005, she organized a family reunion in Dublin that attracted about 30 family members from eight U.S. states. A Mass was said for Mary at St. Andrews Church in Dublin City Center on Saturday.

Mary is survived by her son, Joe (Linda), of Irvine, CA; daughters Jean of New Hope, MN and Anne (Tom) of Minneapolis; grandchildren Tony (Sharayah), Callie, Mitchell, Shannon, Jack, Paul; great-grandson Carter and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Marvyl Cook.

Visitation will be on Monday, Oct. 24, from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Gill Brothers Funeral Home, 5801 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis. After the visitation, the family invites Marys friends to toast a life well lived at Houlihans, 6601 Lyndale Ave. S.

On Tuesday, Oct. 25, St. Richards Catholic Church, 7540 Penn Avenue S. in Richfield, will be open at 9:30 a.m. for visitation. The funeral Mass will begin at 10:30 a.m. with lunch to follow. Burial will be Tuesday, 4 p.m., at Elmwood-St. Josephs Cemetery, 1224 S. Washington Ave., Mason City, IA.

In lieu of flowers, Mary requested that all donations be made to the Twin Cities chapter of Habitat for Humanity. In a sealed envelope to her children to be opened upon her death, she left this message: Keep on Dancing.

Gill Brothers Funeral Chapels, Inc., 5801 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55419; 612-861-6088.
In everyone's high school class, there are success stories.

Maybe there's a mayor in your class.

Or a state senator.

Or an ex-class wiseacre who became a stock broker and now makes millions, owns a mansion in the Hamptons and flies his own jet to reunions.

Which brings us to Patsy Henderson.

A longtime Bloomington woman, a success story of her own as a speech and language therapist, the founder of an acclaimed outdoor learning center and a proud mother, too, Patsy also has kept up a close friendship for more than 60 years with an equally successful high school classmate.

In fact, in a couple weeks, she could be president of the United States.

"Hillary was one of those who everyone liked," says Patsy, Park Ridge (Ill.) Maine South High Class of '65, who in marriage became Patsy Bowles while Hillary Diane Rodham became a Clinton. "She was conscientious, smart and tons of fun. She also had a confidence that caused us all to pretty much figure she'd be a successful person. And I guess we were right. Can you imagine having a friend who becomes a first lady, a U.S. senator, secretary of state and then runs for president of United States?"

In a word, no.

And this friendship?

When Patsy's late husband, Jack Bowles, a patriarch of a well-known Twin City insurance agency, began doing final battle with a faltering heart a few years ago, one of the first to console, says Patsy, was her friend.

(Yes, out of the thousands of emails that are the subject of Clinton's private email server and headline news, Patsy is, no doubt, among them.)

Fifty-one years ago, when Patsy was crowned homecoming queen at Maine South, one of the first to congratulate her, she says, was Hillary.

Back in early grade school, when the two first met in Sunday school at First Methodist Church of Park Ridge, Hillarys mom, Dorothy, was their teacher.

And therein is what makes Patsys perspective interesting.

You know how it might offend you when you overhear a someone ripping into a good friend of yours? Consider Patsy. Theyve piled on so much about Hillary that, as a friend, naturally you get upset," she says. "Toxicity in this campaign has become so normalized and so accepted. It gets good ratings, but I think were losing something in the process  like simple kindness for one another.

It was more than 20 years ago, when Patsy first realized this life friendship of hers had suddenly taken an odd turn.

On a girls-weekend-out-retreat, she awakened in the middle of the night and opened her eyes to look up at the ceiling of the house where they were all sleeping to realize Abe Lincoln might have done that, too.

It was an over-nighter in the private quarters of the White House.

In eight years of the Bill Clinton presidency, there were occasional get-togethers, a dinner here and there, one year a costume party at the White House attended by several Maine South friends. That's when the president's costume was out of the 1950s, with greased-back hair, and Hillary wore a hoop skirt.

When the Clintons left the White House in 2001, Patsy considered the end to all that.

But then Hillary became a U.S. senator, ("I heard less from her ... as she got very busy") and then secretary of state ("I heard even less, as she was always busy") and now possibly president.

One assumes, if elected, this might be one of Clinton's busier gigs.

"Through the years, it has been interesting ... especially since so many in Bloomington-Normal are Republican and so many of my friends are Republican," says Patsy. "Heck, my own husband was a Republican. But good friends remain friends, even if you don't all share political viewpoints ..."

That, in turn, is where a bit of worry enters Patsy's mind.

"It's all gotten so nasty now ..."

In Philadelphia in July, Patsy was a Clinton delegate at the national convention. Eight other classmates from Maine South were there, too. They stay that close, she says. One classmate makes the jewelry that Hillary wears. Another writes books and dedicated one to Clinton. They've all been friends for so long, Patsy remembers going to class reunions in Park Ridge when Bill Clinton still needed to wear a name tag.

"It's a shame the world cannot see the Hillary that we (her high school pals) know," says Patsy. "She's a caring, loyal, devoted person who is constantly aware that part of our role here is to help others. Christianity has always been a center of her identity. That goes back to our days in Sunday school ... and it's so hurtful now to read and hear the nastiness that's out there."

That, of course, is probably not going to end, especially if Clinton emerges victorious on Nov. 8.

In the world in which Patsy and Hillary grew up, when they heard that old adage, usually spoken among boys  "Anyone can grow up to be president"  it is all rather surreal now, if not something else.

Like, maybe even true.
The Environmental Working Group is using this harvest season to solidify its reputation as the biggest not-for-profit policy organization American farmers love to hate.

The hatred took root in 1995 when EWG published  on something called the Internet  a 10-year, searchable database of U.S. Department of Agriculture payments to all American farm entities. Farmers, especially the Big Boys, were furious that the public was given a powerful telescope to peek into their back pockets.

No one, however, complained about the databases accuracy. (It continues to be updated today.) Indeed, it was the accuracy that complainers hated the most. Every penny of taxpayer money openly, and at times embarrassingly, glittered in the bright sunshine of public disclosure.

Which, of course, is a good thing unless the sunshine falls on, uh, you.

On Oct. 5, EWG fired a powerful, well-documented volley at the most sacred tenet in American agriculture, We Feed The World, and hit it smack in the face.

It must have hit right on the mouth because no one in the reflexively sensitive American ag community was either able or willing to respond to EWGs key finding: We cannot feed the world when, in fact, Less than 1 percent of American agricultural exports go to the 19 countries with the highest levels of undernourishment.

The 14-page analysis to support that conclusion is  like EWGs farm program payment database  clear, inarguable, and devastatingly accurate.

Its also very simple in its construction; to test its we dont feed the world thesis, EWG simply tracked where U.S. farm exports went. What it found, and what USDA data confirmed, was that most U.S. farm and food exports went to the richest, best-fed nations while little to any went to the poorest, most undernourished nations.

For example, In 2015, the top 20 importers of U.S. agricultural products  19 individual countries and the European Union  accounted for 86 percent ($114 billion) of the total value of U.S. agricultural exports. Only 14 percent went to the other 100-plus destinations tracked by USDA.

And Even though we provide almost half of all food aid to those countries, U.S. exports and food aid together constitute only 2.3 percent of their food supplies.

None of this should surprise anyone. If a nation, after all, has the money to buy food, well sell them the food. If the nation is too poor to pay for the groceries, well, well take our exports elsewhere.

This for-profit approach to ag exports isnt a bad thing. It does, however, allow us to transform our feel-good, we-feed-the-world belief into a moral imperative, suggests EWG.

That subtle shift then openly fuels (T)he collateral damage to natural resources, the environment, human health and ecosystems [to be accepted as] regrettable but unavoidable because, by golly, we have to feed the world.

This claim that U.S. agriculture feeds the world is not a harmless myth, the Des Moines Register declared Oct. 10 quoting the EWGs report, because It provides a moral justification for continuing practices that have harmed Iowas environment and led to low prices for farmers.

These results, however, are not native to only Iowa nor are they prescriptive. Moreover, the Register noted, they rest on another shaky premise.

A 2015 study by the Center for Food Integrity shows that only 25 percent of consumers surveyed believe The U.S. has a responsibility to provide food for the rest of the world. Respondents were more interested in access to healthful, affordable food.

What needs to happen now, suggested the newspaper, is for everyone in U.S. agriculture  farmers, ranchers, Big Agbiz, politicians, foodies and, yes, even the Environmental Working Group  to hold a vigorous debate on the most effective way to feed the world.

But, the Register immediately added, lets begin by setting aside myths
MANGOLD FORD, 1100 W. Center St., Eureka, is celebrating its 60th anniversary.

Activities include open houses from 4-7 p.m. Oct. 28 and 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 29, with food, prizes and giveaways.

Mangold Ford was founded in 1956 in downtown Eureka by the late Charlie Mangold. It moved to its current location on west U.S. 24 in 1976. It is owned by Mike Mangold.

ROANOKE MOTORS, 1313 W. Front St., Roanoke, has earned the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Customer First Award for Excellence.

The award recognized 124 Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram and Fiat dealerships as leaders in customer sales and service. The dealership is owned by Matt Gastman, Dennis Rocke and John Gastman.

SCHNUCKS donated $9,000 to schools, religious groups and nonprofit organizations in Bloomington-Normal in 2015 and 2016 through its My Schnucks Card program.

Beneficiaries included Unitarian Universalist Church, Corpus Christi Catholic School, Fairview Parent Teacher Organization, Kingsley Junior High School and the Humane Society of Central Illinois.

Schnucks has stores at 1701 E. Empire St., Bloomington, and 1750 Bradford Lane, Normal.

STOUT CHIROPRACTIC has moved to 208 Parkinson St., Normal, just a few blocks north of its former location off Linden Street. A grand opening to celebrate its 30 years of chiropractic care will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 28, featuring food, drawings, giveaways and office tours.

Phone 309-454-8622 or visit stoutchiropracticnormal.com.

A statewide partnership among ILLINOIS FARM BUREAU, COUNTY FARM BUREAUS, GROWMARK and FS companies will demonstrate and investigate 4R nutrient stewardship practices at the local level.

4R4U is a pilot program with hopes for a multi-year partnership to bring added use, awareness, and knowledge on nutrient stewardship. Pantagraph-area 4R4U partnerships include Evergreen FS Inc.

JUNE A. HARNACKE has been named president of First National Bank of Tremont, effective Jan. 1, succeeding James R. Shafer.
BLOOMINGTON  LaGondola Spaghetti House is celebrating its 15th year at 1501 E. Vernon Ave. as the family-owned chain marks its 35th year in Central Illinois.

Manager Kelly Tobin opened the Vernon location in 2001, signing paperwork just two days after the Sept. 11 terror attacks.

Dick LaHood of Washington owns all 13 LaGondola locations, including two in the Twin Cities; family members manage all but two of the sites.

"My dad worked for Dick shortly before I was born," Tobin said. "We've been friends with the family my whole life."

All LaGondola restaurants offer a family friendly menu of scratch-made pasta, pizza, salad and bread made daily by on-site bakers. The Vernon menu offers a few other specialty items and a wider variety of salads.

"We keep things simple and do things the best," Tobin said. "There's no alcohol, no TVs. Kids can color on their placemats. We cater to kids; let our family cook for yours."

Most LaGondola locations seat about a dozen people, but the Vernon store can seat 85. Diners also can come inside to order and carry out items, or use the drive-thru to pick up orders.

The restaurant also offers many weekly specials; catering; sack lunches for groups; and kids' meals.

LaGondola on Vernon is open 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. It is closed Sunday so the full- and part-time staff of 20 can spend time with their families.
Bloomington-Normal

Americana, The Homely Creek and American Evolution; through Nov. 27, Jan Brandt Gallery, 1106 W. Bell St., Bloomington; photography by Ted Diamond, paintings by Ann E. Coulter, colored pencil portraits by Ivonne Bess; viewing by appointment at janbrandtgallery@gmail.com.

Chicken Foot Gourd Bowls; through Dec. 9; Heartland Community College Joe McCauley Gallery, Instructional Commons Building Room 2507, 1500 W. Raab Road, Normal; ceramics by Danell Dvorak and drawings/paintings of them by John Cassidy; free; 309-268-8620. Artist reception: 4-5:30 p.m. Oct. 27.

Mickell Duncan; 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 8:30 a.m.-noon Sat., through Oct. 31, IAA Credit Union lobby, 808 IAA Drive, Bloomington; paintings; free.

ISU University Galleries; noon-4 p.m. Mon., 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Tue., 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Wed.-Fri., noon-4 p.m. Sat.-Sun., Uptown Station, 11 Uptown Circle, Normal; rotating exhibits in three galleries; free; 309-438-8321.

Strange Oscillations and Vibrations of Sympathy; Oct. 25-Dec. 18, ISU University Galleries, see above; works by contemporary female artists that acknowledge women writers. Related events: opening reception, 5-7 p.m. Oct. 25; artist lecture by Bethany Collins, noon Oct. 26; screenings of Dawn Roe's "The Sunshine Bores/The Daylights," Oct. 26-Dec. 18, Milner Library.

And There's the Humor of It: Shakespeare and the Four Humors; through Oct. 29, IWU Ames Library ground floor; six-panel touring exhibit exploring role of four humors in Shakespeare's work; free.

IWU Merwin and Wakeley Galleries; school hours, noon-4 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 1-4 p.m. Sat.-Sun., 7-9 p.m. Tue.; 302 E. Graham St., Bloomington; rotating exhibits; free; 309-556-3391.

Fences and Courts; through Nov. 3, IWU Wakeley Gallery, see above; paintings, collages and sculptures by Lloyd Ahern.

Chromatic Candela; through Nov. 3, IWU Merwin Gallery, see above; installation by Erin Taylor.

McLean County Arts Center; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Tue., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed.-Fri., noon-4 p.m. Sat.; 601 N. East St., Bloomington; rotating exhibits, sales, rentals, art classes and lectures; free; 309-829-0011.

McLean County Museum of History; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat. (until 9 p.m. Tue.), 200 N. Main St., Bloomington; permanent and rotating exhibits; adults $5, seniors $4, students, children under 12 and members free; 309-827-0428.

Challenges, Choices and Change: Making a Home; McLean County Museum of History, see above; new permanent exhibit exploring experiences of people from around the world who made McLean County their home.

Abraham Lincoln in McLean County; McLean County Museum of History, see above; new permanent exhibit on Lincoln's life in Bloomington.

Prairie Aviation Museum; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Thu.-Sat., noon-4 p.m. Sun., 2929 E. Empire St., Bloomington; permanent and rotating exhibits and displays with aerial history themes; adults $5, ages 6-11 $3, 5 and under free; 309-663-7632.

Central Illinois

U of I Krannert Art Museum; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Sat. (until 9 p.m. Thu. during fall and spring semesters), 2-5 p.m. Sun., 500 E. Peabody Drive, Champaign; paintings, porcelain, historical artifacts, traveling art exhibits; $3 donation suggested; 217-333-1861.

Borderline Collective: Northern Triangle; through Dec. 22, U of I Krannert Art Museum, see above; installation featuring art works and historical documents.

Amity Township Museum; 1-3 p.m. first Sun. of month or by appointment, 510 Main St., Cornell; displays and artifacts relating to history of Cornell and Amity Township; free; 815-358-2973.

Eureka College Burgess Hall Art Gallery; 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays and by appointment on weekends, third floor of Burgess Hall, Eureka College, Eureka; rotating exhibits; free; 309-467-6866.

Simpkins Military History Museum; 1-5 p.m. Tue., Thu., Sat., or by appointment; 605 E. Cole St., Heyworth; permanent and rotating military history exhibits; free (donations accepted); 309-473-3989.

The Vietnam War 50th Anniversary; through Nov. 30, Simpkins Military History Museum, see above.

Dickson Mounds Museum; 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, 10956 N. Dickson Mounds Road, Lewistown; displays, special exhibits; free; 309-547-3721.

Lincoln Heritage Museum; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 1-4 p.m. Sat., Lincoln Center at Lincoln College, 300 Keokuk St., Lincoln; Lincoln-era items, audio-visual displays, tours, exhibits, more; adults $7, children/tours $4; 217-735-7399.

Contemporary Art Center of Peoria; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Sat., Riverfront Arts Center, 305 S.W. Water, Peoria; rotating exhibits in two galleries; free; 309-674-6822.

Under, Above, Everywhere; through Oct. 28, Contemporary Art Center of Peoria, see above; paintings by Deborah Barlow, photographs by Kay Canavino, ceramics by Ramah Commanday.

Peoria Art Guild; Foster Arts Center, Harrison and Washington streets, Peoria; rotating exhibits, gift shop; free; 309-637-2787.

Peoria Riverfront Museum; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Wed. and Sat., 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thu.-Fri., noon-5 p.m. Sun., downtown riverfront Peoria; permanent and rotating exhibits, planetarium shows, Giant Screen Theater and events; $8-$11; 309-686-7000.

Museum of the Gilding Arts; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sun., April-Oct., and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon.-Sun., Nov.-March, 217 N. Mill St., Pontiac; displays, history and hands-on exhibits dedicated to the art of gilding and gold beating; free (donations welcome); 815-842-1848.

Pontiac Community Art Center; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat.-Sun., 103 W. Madison St., Pontiac; rotating exhibits; 815-844-5831.

Monsters Within; through Oct. 31, Pontiac Community Art Center, see above; group member show in various media with Halloween theme.

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sun., 212 N. Sixth St., Springfield; Lincoln-themed exhibits, historical displays, special events, more; adults $12, seniors and students $9, ages 5-15 $5, under 5 free; 217-558-8844.

Rare and Rarely Seen; through Jan. 29, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum, see above; rarely exhibited items from museum's permanent collection.
As the market for single-family homes in Bloomington-Normal has grown more strained, some new residents have expanded their prospects to the county's rural communities.
Constellation will seek extensions for its operating license for the Clinton Power Station until 2047 and two reactors at the Dresden Generating Station in Morris until 2049 and 2051.
DES MOINES | The Governor's STEM Advisory Council announced Google and Verizon will donate $40,000 toward an effort to introduce computer coding to students.

For the third year, Iowa schools will participate in Code Iowa and "Hour of Code," where students can learn basic coding principles from a specialized child-friendly website.

Last year, the council estimated 500 schools and 590,000 students participated.

The effort is linked to Seattle-based www.code.org's efforts to encourage computer science education in schools nationwide.

Iowa's Computer Science Education Week is Dec. 5 to 11. The council will award six $3,500 technology awards to schools across the state. The application deadline is Nov. 18.
The role of religion in the private lives of presidential candidates has long been the subject of scrutiny by American voters. Think back to the interest in Jimmy Carters identification as an evangelical, born-again Southern Baptist. Or, more recently, to Mitt Romneys Mormonism.

In the fall of 1955, in between his two presidential campaigns, Adlai E. Stevenson IIs dual church membership caused no little consternation among his friends and supporters.

Stevenson, who grew up in Bloomington, attended Sunday school at the local Unitarian Church (then located on the 200 block of North East Street in downtown Bloomington.) My mother was a Republican and a Unitarian, my father was a Democrat and a Presbyterian, Stevenson once said. I wound up in his party and her church, which seemed an expedient solution to the problem.

As a non-Trinitarian church, Unitarians claim no creedal adherence to mainstream Christian doctrine, even when it comes to the divinity of Christ. With roots in liberal Protestantism, Unitarians can include theists, agnostics, atheists and nearly the whole panoply of faiths, ancient and new age alike. Unitarian Universalists (as church members are known today) maintain that religious faith is a matter of personal experience, and thus each individual is best suited to explore the parameters of his or her faith.

Stevensons maternal great-grandfather was Jesse Fell, founder of the Town of Normal who also helped establish the Unitarian Church of Bloomington. Stevensons paternal grandfather, Adlai I, served as vice president in the Democratic administration of Grover Cleveland. And his maternal grandfather was Pantagraph publisher W.O. Davis. Its said, by way of family lore, that Adlai I, a Presbyterian, would rib the Unitarian Davis by telling him that his kind prayed to whom it may concern.

Adlai II left Bloomington for good in the mid-1920s to attend Northwestern University Law School, though he was careful to maintain ties to his hometown church. When visiting his sister Elizabeth Buffie Ives, for instance, he most always attended Sunday service.

Before he ran for president in 1952 and 1956, losing both times to Republican Dwight D. Eisenhower, Stevenson earned a national reputation as a reform-minded governor of perpetually corrupt Illinois. He took office on Jan. 10, 1949, with the Rev. Kenneth C. Walker, pastor of the Bloomington Unitarian Church, giving the inaugural invocation. Not long afterward, during a visit to Bloomington, Stevenson signed the Unitarian Church membership book, making his affiliation with the church a matter of record.

During his four years in the Executive Mansion there was no Unitarian church in Springfield, so Gov. Stevenson became a regular visitor to First Presbyterian Church. He sometimes sat in the Lincoln pew, becoming, he said, a devoted admirer of the Rev. Richard Graebels sermons.

In the 1952 presidential election, its thought Stevensons Unitarianism cost him some votes in the Bible Belt, and led some Catholics to leave their longtime home in the Democratic Party. Yet those suspected defections had no perceivable impact on the election, given the fact that Stevenson lost the popular vote by a nearly 11 percentage points!

In the fall of 1955, shortly after Stevenson declared his intention to seek his partys 1956 nomination, it came to light that he had recently become a member of First Presbyterian Church in Lake Forest (much like Springfield, there was no Unitarian church near his Lake County home in Libertyville, so he was drawn once more into the Presbyterian fold).

Despite this decision, Stevenson maintained he had no intention of leaving the Unitarian Church, and that the Bloomington congregation would remain his spiritual home. Be that as it may, Jane Dick, a close friend of Stevensons, believed Presbyterianism appealed to his growing feelings of obligation and guilt, as well as his attraction to the fatalism of predestination.

News of his Presbyterian membership first appeared in the Oct. 15 Chicago Tribune as a brief notice in the column Political Outlook. The item was then picked up across the nation, and soon newspapers were mistakenly describing Stevenson as a former Unitarian.

Understandably, some Unitarians took umbrage to this news, believing Stevenson had left their church for one more mainstream and hence politically palatable to party leaders and the American voter.

In Bloomington, the Rev. Walker wrote Stevenson asking for confirmation of the news. For his part, Stevenson found the whole affair exasperating, viewing it as a strictly private matter. I hope you will understand if I say to you now that my chief need as a human being is to have my friends understand this and not complicate my very complicated life with dogmatic controversy, he told Walker.

Nonetheless, in order to quiet growing concern over this church business, Stevenson agreed to an open letter, written and signed by four Unitarian and Presbyterian ministers (including Walker), pronouncing the dual membership as compatible to the teachings of both churches.

While we understand that you respect theologians, we know that doctrinal rigidity had never limited the comfort you find in Christian faith, worship and fellowship, read the Dec. 15, 1955, letter addressed to Stevenson. We understand and approve your feeling that there is no inconsistency with a broad religious outlook, in continuing to draw strength from your Unitarian heritage while worshiping with your Presbyterian friends and neighbors.

The letter did not assuage the concerns of everyone. A somewhat hot-under-the-collar E.E. Hurst, an elder in Bloomingtons Second Presbyterian Church, wrote the Rev. Robert Andrus, minister of the Lake Forest church (and another author of the public letter), telling him that Presbyterians were due a complete explanation of the entire affair.

Andrus replied that Stevenson was baptized and confessed his faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior (if true, this would have come as a shock to the Rev. Walker and other devoted Unitarians). Andrus also forwarded Hursts letter to Stevenson. I must confess I never knew it was so hard for a Protestant to attempt to practice Christianity wherever he may be, a curt Stevenson wrote to Hurst.

In the 1956 presidential election, Stevenson suffered an even greater defeat than the one four years earlier. He then served as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations under John F. Kennedy and then Lyndon B. Johnson.

On July 19, 1965, a fatal heart attack in London brought Stevensons life to a sudden and unexpected end. After lying in state in the Illinois Capitol Building in Springfield, Stevensons body was brought to Bloomington for burial at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery. A final memorial service was held at the Unitarian Church (by this time the church had relocated to its present site on the 1600 block of East Emerson Street). President Lyndon Johnson was there to pay his last respects, as were other luminaries. Dana McLean Greeley, president of the Unitarian Universalist Association, gave the eulogy.

Four years earlier, in 1961, Stevenson had sent a note wishing Greeley well after his election as the first president of the UU Association (the Unitarians had just merged with the like-minded Universalist Church of America). Congratulations on your election as president, Stevenson wrote. I know from hearsay how satisfying that can be.
13th Congressional District

If not for the presence of a few yards signs, residents of the 13th Congressional District may be wondering if there is a race going on.

The contest between incumbent Rodney Davis, a Republican from Taylorville, and Mark Wicklund, a Democrat from Decatur, has been a low-key affair. That's a huge change, considering more recent contests have benefited from an influx of cash from all over the country in an attempt to sway the balance of the House of Representatives.

Instead of attack ads, the candidates have focused on the issues. It's been a welcome change.

Both men agree on the primary talking points: health care, the economy, taxes, education/job training, U.S. involvement in the world, guns and energy. They disagree on the best way to address most of these issues.

For example, Davis continues to push for the unlikely repeal of the Affordable Care Act, while acknowledging the focus may have to shift to addressing some of the law's shortcomings. While not pushing for elimination of insurance companies, Wicklund would favor a public option similar to Medicare to assure that everyone is covered.

Wicklund made it into the race without the backing of party leaders, spurred on by his dealings with the Veterans Administration's during its treatment of his son, a disabled veteran. Wicklund is president of the Decatur-Macon County Opportunities Corp. board. He said this and his experience as a former Macon County Board member will prove beneficial.

Davis, who is seeking his third term, continues to grow as a representative and he shows a willingness to work across the aisle to make progress on important issues.

Amid all the calls for change, we think Davis has earned another term and should be re-elected.

18th Congressional District

The 18th Congressional District has been Republican for decades and we see no compelling reason for that to change.

U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood of Dunlap deserves election to his first full term, despite the earnest and thoughtful campaign of Democrat Junius Rodriguez, a professor at Eureka College.

LaHood, a former state senator, won a special election in 2015 to finish the term of Republican Aaron Schock, and then won a primary election for a spot on the November ballot. The former state and federal prosecutor is a conservative Republican interested in fighting opioid/heroin abuse, funding infrastructure and lighting a spark under a stagnant economy.

Those are traditional areas for any Republican, but LaHood also sponsored the bipartisan Congress of Tomorrow project that aims to make Congress more efficient, accountable and effective.

An early supporter of Texas Sen. Marco Rubio, LaHood says he supports Donald Trump as the Republican presidential nominee, but he also is willing to work with Hillary Clinton if she is elected.

He supports tax reform, says the Affordable Care Act needs to be reworked or it's "going to collapse under its own weight," wants more accessible college loans and self-regulation of state university costs, pointing to "five-star dorms" as an example; and supports more money for border patrol and an updated system for legalization.

Rodriguez is the best Democrat candidate in the 18th in recent memory, but LaHood has the edge on background, involvement in the district and months of relationship-building under his belt.

He deserves election to a full term.
"I am speechless, great success!" These were the words said by Teen Paralympian, Beatrice Vio after she courageously captures a selfie with President Barack Obama during the President's final state dinner at the White House last Tuesday night.

Beatrice took the spotlight last night during the star-studded event as she approached the President despite breaking the protocol. However, the President did not disappoint the paralympian's request.

In her Instagram post, Beatrice said these words, "It's not possible?!? I'm sorry, I don't understand these words."

The president seemed to be fine with it as he held the phone and took the selfie together with Beatrice.

She and her family were one of the guests of honor of the state dinner. The US hosted Italy's Prime Minister, Matteo Renzi and his wife, Agnese Landini.

Born on March 4, 1997, Beatrice "Bebe" Vio's journey as a paralympian athlete did not come easy. Back in 2008, 11-year old Beatrice was diagnosed with meningitis where she had to stay in the hospital for 100 days.

Due to this very unfortunate event in her life, she was only given a chance to live at the expense of losing all four of her limbs.

Fencing was always her passion. Because of her illness, she has settled competing with others while being seated in a wheelchair.

The 19-year old athlete is one of the youngest competitors. But her youth and illness did not stop her from pursuing her passion. Since 2012, she was considered as one of the most successful paralympians as she is a European champion in 2014 and 2016 and a World champion in 2015.

Beatrice just recently brought home the gold medal as she was the World champion during the Rio Olympics last August 2016.

The selfie could be the icing on the cake for Vio's successful year.
The Barrington Times, the publication Sorrentino sent his letter to, published his written message along with his street address. The protesters are planning to conduct the demonstration on Knapton Street where Sorrentino resides.

In the letter, Sorrentino reveals his abhorrence for "mature, adult" women who publicly wear yoga pants. According to him, yoga pants do not compliment women over the age of 20. He proceeds to ask women to "grow up," and "stop wearing them in public."

Female readers were quick to remind Sorrentino of their right to wear what they want in public. A Facebook Event named "Yoga Pants Parade" has been created as a response to Sorrentino's letter. As of writing, 410 women are participating, and more than a thousand have shown interest.

Jamie Patrice, the organizer of the protest, told Yahoo! Style she was surprised that the Barrington Times published such a letter shaming women for their choice of clothing. Eric Johnson, another parade organizer, also expressed her disappointment towards the Barrington Times for seeing the letter newsworthy.

Nonetheless, some people are defending Sorrentino for his letter. Twitter user Burgandian Travels replied to USA Today's twitter report saying:

@USATODAY Do you what sexist means? Those comments weren't sexist, they were commenting on a terrible fashion trend.  Burgundian Travels (@smtheburgundian) October 21, 2016

Another reply to the same report reads:

@USATODAY I'm a woman and this shouldn't make a head line. Do as you wish and stop calling for attention.  Ezinne AKA ZeeZee (@eharris076) October 21, 2016

A parade route released by Patrice begins in front of Hampden Meadows School. The women who are going to partake in the protest are asked to wear their yoga pants as they walk down Knapton Street from 2-3 in the afternoon on Sunday.

Editor Josh Bickford makes a case for the letter's publication saying they attempt to publish every letter they receive, "adhering to the standards for libel and ethical content." According to him, Sorrentino, in his letter did not attack any particular person or group.
A new kids' show from Randi Zuckerberg, the sister of Facebook co-founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg, aims to encourage young girls to embrace technology and help close the gender gap in the industry. "Dot" airs on NBC's Sprout, a popular children's channel and features an animated, gutsy girl as the titular character.

"Dot" is based on Zuckerberg's 2013 children's book of the same name. Dot is tech savvy, carries her tablet everywhere she goes and is curious about what the world has to offer, AdWeek reported.

Zuckerberg found it ironic that she spent ten years in Silicon Valley, a place renowned for pioneering innovation and forward-thinking, yet she can count the number of women and colored executives in one hand. True enough, a new report from non-profit organization Girls Who Code found that the number of women in the tech industry is falling. The report projected the number of women in tech to drop to 22 percent from 24 percent in the next decade, USA Today reported.

Major tech companies have low numbers of female employees. Only 18 percent of Google's employees are women, Facebook is at 16 percent, and Twitter only has 10 percent, The Huffington Post reported in Nov. 2015.

Zuckerberg told NPR that the tech industry's gender gap inspired her to "get more messages out into pop culture with female role models for young girls." She hopes that "Dot" will show how cool and exciting technology is to young girls and inspire them to be the next generation of leaders.

(1/2) Tune in tomorrow for TV Show Creation & Content in honor of Dot. premiering on @SproutChannel! @SIRIUSXM Bus. Ch 111 @ 9 PT/ 12 ET pic.twitter.com/G3Cj7MmZuC  Randi Zuckerberg (@randizuckerberg) October 18, 2016

On "Dot," the titular character goes on adventures with her best friend and a young boy of color named Hal, AdWeek further reported. Zuckerberg said that Dot and her pals don't look like the usual cast of characters because they display "all levels of diversity."

Dot and Hal rely on their gadgets to improve their journeys and experiences but the two also use high tech such as 3D-printing and experimenting on robots and drones, Yahoo! reported. Kids can also interact with Dot on Sprout's online site through an array of games and activities made by the TV channel.

The website has five main principles when it comes to teaching children how to use tech. Those are responsibility, respect, safety, kindness and patience.

What other options can pioneers do to increase the number of females in the tech industry? Tell us your ideas below.
Back in August Patently Apple posted a report titled "Germany and France Join the War on Encrypted Apps Demanding Tech Companies Comply with Court Orders." Yesterday we learned by way of a Wall Street Journal report that "Anti-terror prosecutors from four nations on the front line of Europe's fight against Islamic State made an urgent plea on Friday for new tools that would allow them to crack encrypted devices and communications."

At a joint press conference in Paris, prosecutors from France, Belgium, Spain and Morocco said jihadist groups such as Islamic State are increasingly using encrypted communications to recruit young people around the world.

'More and more, we see that these applications and new technologies allowing communication with the entire world, which is undeniable progress, are being used to isolate and manipulate fragile people,' said Paris Prosecutor Francois Molins.

Meanwhile, the inability to access data in encrypted phones is stifling probes and undermining efforts to prevent new attacks, they said. The four prosecutors have been cooperating closely on investigations launched after the Paris attacks of Nov. 13, aiming to disrupt jihadist networks that stretch across Europe to the Middle East and North Africa. 'It's a factor that has paralyzed some investigations,' Mr. Molins said.

The appeal is part of a running battle between law-enforcement officials around the world and the technology industry over encryption, ensnaring tech giants such as Apple Inc.

In France, officials have been particularly worried about a militant named Rachid Kassim, who authorities say has used Telegram to communicate with multiple people involved in terror plots over the summer. Authorities believe Mr. Kassim gave instructions to a group of women who planted a homemade car bomb next to Notre Dame last month.

Tech companies have resisted pressure to introduce backdoors for governments to read encrypted communications and devices. They argue that the rare instances their products are used to commit terror attacks don't justify creating a potentially significant loophole that could be used to compromise their customers' privacy.

The prosecutors said they need legal means to skirt encryption as part of counterterror investigations. Javier Zaragoza, Spain's national prosecutor stated that 'The privacy of communications is not an absolute right.'"

That admission is a very revealing tactic that these prosecutors are likely to use in crafting new legislation to justify the need to demand decryption tools from tech companies in the future.

While Apple was seen as winning the first round with the FBI and DOJ on this issue of encryption, it's assured that this issue is far from over with both sides digging in deeper and preparing for round two.

What's evident is that governments including China, India and now those within the EU are considering tougher measures on smartphone OEM's and messaging app companies regarding encryption. In March, it was noted in the UK that new laws are being drafted. Government documents revealed that internet service providers and technology giants will be obliged to build secret security flaws into their technology to allow them to be accessed by police and the security services on demand.





Everyone in government understands the absolute need for encryption for apps like Apple and Google Pay to safeguard the banking industry and consumers from major hacks. Everyone understands that encryption to safeguard key infrastructure facilities with high-end encryption. That's a no-brainer. No one is arguing the essential reality of using encryption for these purposes. But private communications is a weak point in the encryption argument.

This is why Javier Zaragoza, Spain's national prosecutor stated that 'The privacy of communications is not an absolute right.'" This is where the next encryption battle will be focused on by governments worldwide.

History tells us that tapping into enemy communications won World War II by being able to decrypt German codes and enabling England and their allies, especially the U.S., to intercept German plans and tactics that were effectively sinking important supply ships from reaching Europe. Wikipedia notes that "This was considered by western Supreme Allied Commander Dwight D. Eisenhower to have been "decisive" to the Allied victory.

The machine known as the 'Bombe' was designed to break the German's Enigma codes. This was highlighted in the 2014 film titled 'The Imitation Game.' We look back at that breakthrough as a major victory.

Wire tapping through court orders played a major role in convicting many organized crime activities over the last few decades. Breaking into communications has always been one of the top tools in law enforcement and encrypting communications now turns history of fighting an enemy on it's head.

Yet today it's all about individual freedoms and screw the consequences. Without encryption, Hillary Clinton had to bleach her 33,000 emails to hide her questionable activities from Congress. Encryption would have made it so much easier and less costly for her to hide those damming emails. Yes, and all criminals want this coveted right to block the government from accessing their email and exposing their illegal activities.

Sometimes the argument that technology companies are safeguarding our privacy just isn't true. Just think of the Yahoo hack. They couldn't save over a billion of their customers from this hack. And then they didn't even bother to tell their customers of the hack because they were afraid it could have affected their stock price. Now that the company is trying to sell itself it revealed this disaster. So it's funny that there's such disdain and distrust of the government (and rightfully so to a point) but not of tech companies who compromise our identity and private information every year.

For more proof of that just check out Fortune's report titled "Here's who's been hacked in the past two years," or another report that provides a quick and interactive means of checking out hack activities.

Though at the end of the day, no matter which side of the argument that you're on, once one world block, be it Asia, the EU or India decides to put their foot down to outlaw encrypted communication apps, it will be impossible to see how any tech company, especially Apple, could stand on principle alone and allow their shareholders to suffer losing 30% or more of their global value by not complying with new anti-encryption app laws.

With the EU thinking nothing of hammering Apple with the largest tax bill in history even with the US government warning them of retaliation, it's easy to see the EU singling out a few high tech firms including Apple and putting a legal gun to their head over encryption to make them comply.

Yet even Apple's Tim Cook has admitted that even though he views this issue to be a cancer, Apple will abide by the law at some point in time. More specifically, in February Tim Cook said at the end of an interview with ABC news, that if Congress were to pass clear new laws directing technology companies to assist the government in specific cases. then Apple would obey the law.

So it's really just a matter of time before this issue works itself through legislative bodies around the world and becomes the law of the land. This will give tech companies like Apple the ability to say to their customers that they fought the good fight but can no longer disobey the law.

About Making Comments on our Site: Patently Apple reserves the right to post, dismiss or edit any comments. Those using abusive language or behavior will result in being blacklisted on Disqus.




Kishanganj: Literary festivals of various hues have been creating a revolution of ideas across India in the last few years. However, most literary festivals take place in metro cities and resort towns. This is going to change with a new literary festival being launched in India by the people of the Seemanchal region of Bihar.

The Seemanchal International Literary Festival (SILF) is an international literary event organized by Kitaab International, Singapore, in collaboration with Insan School, Kishanganj, Bihar.

The first edition of SILF is scheduled to be held on 17-18 November, 2016 at Insan School campus in Kishanganj to coincide with the golden jubilee celebration of the Insan School, one of the well-known educational institutions in the region.

SILF is the brainchild of Singapore-based journalist, writer, publisher, and filmmaker, Zafar Anjum, who hails from Kishanganj.

"Most literary festivals take place in metro cities," said the festivals founder-director Anjum said. "Through this festival, we are attempting to bring literature to the grassroots. A large part of India still lives in the villages and small towns and with an effort like SILF, we are hoping to shape the hearts and minds of people in small town India," he said.

The birthplace of Maila Anchal and Maare Gaye Gulfam famed Hindi writer Phanishwar Nath Renu, Seemanchal has remained a much-neglected region of northeastern Bihar. Representing the multicultural ethos of the country, the 10 million people who live in this part of India profess many faiths and speak many languages and dialects.

"This annual literary festival celebrates the spirit of humanity through literature and is dedicated to the people of Seemanchal and the Northeastern part of India," Anjum said.

Besides Kitaab Singapore, the management and alumni of Insan School, and the book lovers of the region are putting the festival together. The British Council (Eastern India), Urdu Academy Bihar, and AP Foundation are also supporting the festival.

"SILF is also an effort to further the vision of Padmashri late Dr. Syed Hasan, an educationist and founder of INSAN mission", said Shefa Syed Hasan, Director of Insan School.

More than 20 writers from India and abroad have confirmed their participation in the two-day festival. Some eminent writers and speakers headlining the festival come from India, Singapore, UK and USA including Ziya Us Salam, Senior Deputy Editor of The Hindu-Frontline, Milee Ashwarya, Editor in Chief of Commercial and Business books at Penguin Random House India, Rheea Mukherjee, co- founder of Bangalore Writers Workshop and Write Leela Write, Singapore-based journalist P N Balji and Malay novelist and poet, Isa Kamari, UK-based Urdu poet Dr. Nadeem Zafar Jilani and Mumbai-based Urdu novelist Rahman Abbas, and USA based academic, writer and columnist Dr. Debotri Dhar.
Patna: The Bihar State Examination Board (BSEB) has decided to abandon the traditional three faculties in the Intermediate, namely Arts, Science, and Commerce, and instead allow the students to choose from a smorgasbord of different subjects of their choice.

At a meeting held by the Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) in Patna on Saturday, its Chairperson Anand Kishore said that the decision to change the system was taken back in 2007 but for some reason or another, the idea did not gain much traction at the time.

"Under the current system, students were forced to declare their faculty whether they intended to study science, arts, or commerce subjects. Students of science were not allowed to take subjects like history or geography. Similarly, students of arts were prohibited from studying physics, chemistry, biology etc. This system restricts the students from pursuing subjects of their choice," Kishore said.

The proposal is now being sent to the Nitish government and barring some extreme situation, it is expected to get the seal of approval so students taking admission in Class XI in 2017 would be able to choose three optional subjects, besides two language courses and a third elective subject, without any restriction, he said.
KLM Airlines resumes flights to Iran

10/23/16

Source: Press TV; photos by Mehdi Jafari. Islamic Republic News Agency

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, the flag carrier airline of the Netherlands, has officially resumed flights to Iran after a hiatus of over three years. The first flight of the company in its new Iran service period landed in Tehran's Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKIA) on Saturday evening, Iran's local media reported.





The Amsterdam-based company had suspended its flights to Iran since April 2013 in what its officials said was a result of "economic reasons".







KLM Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer Rene de Groot said that his company is set to establish four flights to Tehran each week.

He emphasized that his company is happy to resume flights to Iran, emphasizing that he hopes the sanctions against the Islamic Republic would never return.

"What we do is [that] we continue as long as we can," de Groot told IRIB News Service. "Of course, we hope that the sanctions will not come back and we can grow even with more frequencies."



KLM had in August announced that its Flight KL0433 will depart from Amsterdam to Tehran on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays as of late October 2016.

The flights will be operated with a Boeing 777-200 in a three-class configuration with 34 business seats, 40 seats in economy comfort and 242 seats in economy, it added.







Including the new flights to Tehran, KLM now offers 37 flights to nine destinations in the Middle East.

Several international airlines are resuming flights to Iran to tap into increasing opportunities in the country after the recent lifting of sanctions.







British Airways also resumed direct flights to Iranian capital Tehran from July. The airline now operates a six-time weekly service and will move to daily flights from winter 2016.
BELMOND  Young hunters had a chance to take aim with Four Seasons Pheasants Forever during a youth hunt in Belmond Saturday morning.

It was open to kids 17 and under. Close to 40 showed up.

The Pheasants Forever chapter bought the birds and set them out for the kids to hunt. Each young hunters was allowed to shoot one bird.

Back at the Possum Ranch Lodge, there were other activities  archery and trapshooting.

This really benefits the youth, said Travis Walrod of Pheasants Forever.

 Courtney Fiorini
Iran's President Criticizes US Presidential Candidates

10/23/16

Source: VOA

Several leaders around the world have taken the liberty to pass judgement about the presidential election in the United States.



Trumpinton: Depiction of U.S. Presidential candidates by Iranian magazine Jeem





Speaking Sunday in a televised speech in the city of Ark, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said he had no preference in the U.S. election and the choice offered to American citizens was between "bad and worse" referring to presidential race between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.

"Did you see the debate and the way of their speaking, accusing and mocking each other? Do we want such a democracy in our country? Do we want such elections in our country?" Rouhani asked.

He went on to comment the United States "claims it has had democracy for more than 200 years," but the present situation indicate that "the morality has no place" there.

Rouhani said during his September visit to the U.N. General Assembly, he was asked which of the candidates he preferred and replied "should I prefer bad to worse or worse to bad?"

Iran's state TV has broadcast two of the debates between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump in full. It has followed the campaign, often highlighting economic and social problems in the United States and the most confrontational debate segments.

Iran will hold its own presidential election in May 2017, and Rouhani is eligible to seek a second term. He faces an uphill battle against conservatives who dislike his overtures to the West and say the nuclear deal has failed to bring significant economic benefits to Iran.

Rouhani signed the nuclear accord last year with the United States and world powers that led to the lifting of sanctions and raised hopes that Iran would return to the international fold.

U.S. Republican Party candidate Donald Trump says he would "tear up" the nuclear agreement and Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has responded that he would happily "burn" the agreement if that was the case.

Tehran and Washington have not restored diplomatic ties that were cut after the 1979 Islamic Revolution and U.S. Embassy takeover, despite the nuclear deal.
The call woke Jess McLean about 2:30 a.m.

His boss wanted to know whether he could help with a fire, even though it was his day off.

Its a big one, Capt. Mark Loutzenhiser told McLean, Engine 57s fire engine operator.

McLean, always eager to help, turned to his wife, Karen.

Can I go? he asked.

If you want, she said.

Karen didnt worry. Her husband had tackled big fires before.

McLean told his wife he loved her. He figured hed be gone for two days.

The Esperanza Fire started at 1:11 a.m. Oct. 26, 2006, as a flicker near old tires and crumbling slabs of concrete scattered below an isolated hillside west of Cabazon.

Crowds gathered outside the Morongo Casino across Interstate 10 as Santa Ana winds pushed the flames up Cabazon Peak toward Highway 243 and a patchwork of San Jacinto Mountain communities.

The blaze soon reached 500 acres, and fire officials predicted it would grow to at least 50 times that.

At the fires origin, behind a low-wire fence, investigators that morning found the remnants of an arsonists crude handiwork: six wood matchsticks attached to a cigarette by a rubber band.

By 4 a.m., Loutzenhiser, McLean and three other members of Engine 57s crew  Jason McKay, Pablo Cerda and Daniel Hoover-Najera  had rendezvoused with four other U.S. Forest Service engines at the fire command post in Cabazon. They were assigned to help with evacuations and to protect homes in Twin Pines.

The Forest Service had not lost a firefighter in the Inland area in nearly four decades, despite the hundreds of blazes each year in and around the San Bernardino National Forest.

No one had any reason to think the hours-old Esperanza fire was going to be any different.

NEVER GOING TO BELIEVE THIS

Staci Burger, McKays fiancee, never brought her cellphone to bed with her. But the night before the fire broke out, she did.

That evening, the couple had watched a movie with a forgettable title. Then, they shopped for groceries at Stater Bros., which McKay loved to do because it made them feel like an old married couple.

About 10:30 p.m., McKay, 27, went to the Alandale fire station near Idyllwild. The couple chatted by phone while he drove. After they hung up, Staci crawled into bed and called him again.

I just wanted to tell you I loved you again, she said.

For days, hed had a feeling he would be called to a big arson fire. The station crews had responded to several smaller arson fires in recent months.

About 2:30 a.m., McKay called.

Hey, youre never going to believe this. We have a fire. It sounds like its arson, he said.

The couple exchanged I love yous before hanging up.

About the same time, Loutzenhiser told his wife, Maria, over the phone that he loved her. Maria told her husband, who didnt like fighting fires in Cabazon because of the terrain, to be careful.

Loutzenhiser had served 21 years with the Forest Service in and around Idyllwild.

After him, McLean, 27, was the crews most experienced firefighter, with seven years on the job. He was followed by McKay, a five-year Forest Service veteran, and Cerda and Hoover-Najera, both in their second fire seasons with the Forest Service.

Cerda, 23, had graduated from Riverside City Colleges fire academy in May and previously worked as a seasonal firefighter. His friends called him the mule because of his strength.

Hoover-Najera, 20, had thought about driving trucks for UPS but joined the Forest Service instead to fulfill a childhood dream.

THE OCTAGONAL HOUSE

By 5:15 a.m., Engines 52 and 57 had arrived at Highway 243 and Twin Pines Road. They then headed up Gorgonio View and Wonderview roads.

Engine 52 stopped to help an elderly woman evacuate her home.

Engine 57 checked on a tile-roof house under construction, found it empty and moved on. Engine 52 later stopped to protect the house.

The other three engines tried to make it down Wonderview Road about 5:40 a.m., but they were cut off by fire. They were directed to Gorgonio View Road, where they stopped at a blue double-wide mobile home.

About 6:20 a.m., a Cal Fire battalion chief met with Engine 57 at an octagonal house at the end of a steep dirt road off Gorgonio View Road to discuss what to do next.

Greg Koeller built the eight-sided dream home, located on a 3-acre hillside property and filled with natural light, in the late 1980s. Koeller was not home that morning.

Loutzenhiser and the battalion chief talked about the weather, terrain, locations of other firefighters and an area they could retreat to in case of trouble.

The crew set up a portable pump and hose at a pool next to the house. They also attached a hose to the back of the fire engine.

About 6:40 a.m., the battalion chief told fire commanders that the blaze was moving quickly toward Twin Pines Ranch Road. He recommended evacuations in Poppet Flats on the other side of Highway 243.

Minutes later, the fire skipped the highway and barreled toward that mountain community.

Esperanza was Hoover-Najeras first big fire. He called his girlfriend Whitney Lingafelters cellphone between 6:45 and 7 a.m.

Everything is fine, he said in a voicemail. He called twice more but didnt leave messages.

By then, 50-mph winds, steep terrain and plenty of dry brush had produced a firestorm with 90-foot flames and a column of smoke that reached 3 1/2 miles into the air.

About 7:10 a.m., a gully channeled the fires fury straight at Engine 57s crew and the octagonal house they guarded.

WITHOUT WARNING

A wave of fire swallowed the house and its surroundings in less than five seconds.

The heat that hit McLean and McKay is almost unimaginable: more than 1,600 degrees, based on the damage to the fire shelters they had no time to unfold.

Neither had a chance to run. Both fell were they stood, near the fire engine.

Hoover-Najera ran around the house, away from the fire. He crossed the yard, then down and off the driveway. He collapsed in some brush, leaving a rambling trail of footprints.

Loutzenhiser and Cerda, who were near the pool, made it to the driveway before collapsing.

About 500 yards away, a finger of fire swept over the tile-roof house where Engine 52 was parked. The crew took refuge in the engine and escaped injury.

The crews of the engines at the double-wide mobile home, as a last resort, began setting their own controlled fires as a strategy to create a safe zone, and they also survived.

The other firefighters strained to see through the thick smoke. They couldnt even tell if the sun was up. The wind pelted their faces with fiery debris as if they were in a cauldron of welders sparks.

Josh Spoon, a firefighter with Engine 54, covered his mouth with his gloved hands and dropped to the ground. He thought about his baby daughter and his wife. He wanted to go home, hold them and touch their cheeks.

Capt. Chris Fogle of Engine 52, Loutzenhisers best friend, got no response when he tried to reach Engine 57 by radio. It was still too dangerous to drive, so he and an EMT headed toward the octagonal house on foot.

I THINK THEYRE ALL DEAD

Capt. Richard Gearhart of Engine 51 beat them there. He saw Cerda and feared the worst.

Theyre dead  I think theyre all dead, he called out on the radio.

Cerda heard him, and moved his arm.

First responders radios began to crackle:

Firefighter down.

We need EMTs over here.

Fogle alerted fire dispatchers at 7:57 a.m.: Engine 57 burned over. Two severely injured. Three missing.

A minute later, he requested two ambulances. A minute after that, he called for four.

As paramedics checked Cerda, his eyes were open and he was alert, but he could not speak. His airway was badly burned.

Flames had charred 90 percent of Cerdas body. Some of his protective gear had burned all the way through, exposing deep wounds.

A few feet away, other firefighters performed CPR on Loutzenhiser. Burns covered 100 percent of his body.

Fogle tried to comfort his best friend. I held his hand and told him it would be OK.

At 8:04 a.m., Fogle radioed for a coroner. McLean, McKay and Hoover-Najera were dead.

One medical evacuation helicopter was unable to land because of the strong winds. Two others arrived at 8:22 and 8:35 a.m. to take Loutzenhiser and Cerda to the burn unit at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton.

IM WORRIED ABOUT YOU

Radio scanners in Idyllwild picked up the frantic calls. Within minutes, the town was abuzz trying to figure out which crew was involved.

In Beaumont, Karen, McLeans wife, got a call from her brother just after 8 a.m. John Clays, also a U.S. Forest Service firefighter, asked whether Jess had gone to work that day.

Engine 57 has burned over, he said.

McLeans wife, sister and mother planned to go to Loma Linda University Medical Center. But Clays called and told them to go to his house in Banning.

When they arrived, Clays came out of the house and broke the news to them.

About 20 miles away in Hemet, Staci, McKays fiancee, received a call at 10:30 a.m. from her aunt in Texas asking if she was OK.

Yeah, why? she said.

Theres been three firefighters who died, her aunt said. It was on television.

Staci turned on her TV. Worry set in, but she did not panic.

She called McKays cellphone. It went straight to voicemail.

Hey, Im worried about you. I just wanted to make sure youre OK, she said.

About 11:30 a.m., Staci called the Idyllwild station to get information. They confirmed the deaths came from that fire district but did not provide names.

She called again and learned that the dead were from Engine 57 but that two were still alive. Staci cried and hoped that her fiance survived.

Stacis parents also were calling around for news. Her mother found out that McKay was dead, and raced home to tell her daughter before she heard it on television. Instead, Stacis father arrived and told her about 12:30 p.m.

At the Loutzenhisers Idyllwild home that morning, Marias cellphone rang while she was in bed, but she did not answer it. Her boss and another employee left messages, urging her to call them back.

The phone rang again. It was her boss, asking whether she had heard about the fire and where Mark was.

Maria said her husband was on the fire. Her boss said he would be right over. A Forest Service official called and told Maria he wanted to talk to her. She knew instantly something bad had happened.

Maria found out that a firefighter on Engine 57 had died and others were missing. She later learned that her husband was still alive but badly burned.

She felt relief, then sadness for the other firefighters.

At Arrowheads burn unit, Maria desperately wanted to see her husband, but she couldnt. Mark was sedated and his airway burned, hospital staff told her.

As Maria talked on the phone with Marks 19-year-old son, Jake, who was in Santa Barbara, a group of people walked into the room. She knew the news was not going to be good.

Maria saw her husband after he died  she thought he looked OK, he looked like Mark.

She looked into his eyes.

He was alive to her. She hugged him and felt warmth from his chest.

THE INVESTIGATION

Family members continued to keep vigil over Cerda, who had been put in a medically induced coma.

The next day, as surgeons began the delicate task of removing his burned skin, investigators vowed to find the Esperanza fire arsonist and prosecute him for murder.

The countys $100,000 reward to anyone with information leading to a conviction quickly grew to more than a half-million dollars.

Hundreds of tips poured in. Some in Cabazon described a pair of men seen walking casually away from the place the fire started.

Some 40 Riverside County sheriffs detectives teamed with Cal Fire investigators and agents from the FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, who brought in an arson profiler and polygraph specialists.

Investigators worked to connect the Esperanza fire with the string of earlier fires.

Some shared common characteristics.

At a June 9 fire on the Morongo Indian Reservation, investigators found six wooden matchsticks attached to a cigarette. The next day, investigators found a cigarette with seven wood matchsticks at another fire on the reservation.

Investigators also reviewed surveillance footage from cameras installed atop utility poles on Mias Canyon Road in north Banning, another area that had been hit by arson blazes.

On Oct. 22, a fire broke out near Mias Canyon Road and Bluff Street. The cameras showed images of a Ford Taurus in the area around the time the fire began.

Investigators linked the car to a 36-year-old Beaumont mechanic named Raymond Lee Oyler, who had a lengthy criminal rap sheet and a history of failing to appear in court.

On Oct. 27, Oyler agreed to be questioned by investigators at the Riverside County sheriffs Cabazon station. He agreed to give a DNA swab.

AN ARREST

Cerdas family decided to take him off life support on Oct. 31. He died about 5 p.m.

Doctors had removed 77 percent of Cerdas burned skin in two operations. But the family declined to risk a third.

U.S. Forest Service supervisor Jeanne Wade Evans announced Cerdas death about 7 p.m. Shortly after Cerdas death became public, authorities announced Oylers arrest.

Earlier that afternoon, Oyler was arrested as a suspect in the two June fires. He was deemed a person of interest in the Esperanza fire. Arson investigators raided Oylers home.

Oyler was ordered held without bail after authorities presented key evidence to Judge Becky Dugan that night: DNA taken from the cigarettes used to light the June fires matched Oylers DNA; and devices found at the two June fires matched the matchstick-cigarette device found at the Esperanza fire.

The following afternoon, 30 investigators and prosecutors assembled to analyze the evidence.

They agreed unanimously: They had their man.

Prosecutors charged Oyler with five counts of murder. Besides the Esperanza fire, Oyler was charged initially with setting 10 other fires since June 2006; ultimately he was put on trial in 23 fires going back to May 2006.

Oylers attorney, Mark McDonald, maintained that his client was at home looking after his 7-month-old baby when the Esperanza fire broke out.

SACRED GROUND

A week and a half after the fire was contained, Roderick Rambayon and Gary Bicondova, among the first paramedics to the burnover site, returned to the scene.

Dried bouquets and firefighter uniform shirts marked the spots where each member of Engine 57s crew was found.

Counselors encouraged Rambayon and Bicondova to put their thoughts in journals. Rambayon said it helped.

Im not normally an emotional person, he said.

Bicondova said he was having trouble sleeping and he was more irritable.

Hoover-Najeras grandfather, Patrick Najera, and his aunt, Vivian Najera-Bauder, also visited the site.

Patrick Najera went to the spot his grandsons body was found. He dropped to the ground and began sifting the dirt for anything he could find.

He found a tiny swatch of charred material. It was from Hoover-Najeras yellow uniform.

The grandfather put the swatch in a plastic bag. He then collected dirt from the site and put it in another bag.

This is my babys dirt, Najera said. This is sacred dirt.

POSTSCRIPT

The Esperanza fire burned for five days before it was fully contained Oct. 30. It charred about 40,200 acres  almost 63 square miles  and destroyed 34 homes plus 20 other structures.

In addition to the five firefighters who were killed, 12 people were injured, only one seriously enough to require hospitalization.

The firefighters deaths sent the region, and the nation, into mourning. Grief overflowed at vigils, funerals and a public memorial service attended by thousands.

Memorials began to crop up, big and small  from lapel pins and bumper stickers that honored Engine 57 to parks and highways renamed for the hometown heroes.

Donations poured in: More than $1 million was raised, and state and federal lawmakers got involved to ensure the money was allowed to go to the families and wouldnt be taxed.

The fire also inspired a reconsideration of how much firefighters should risk to protect property. It brought efforts to limit new construction in the highest-risk areas, and new firefighting guidelines intended to send a strong message to firefighters: that no home is worth dying for.

State and federal agencies quickly began three separate investigations into the fatalities.

A joint Cal Fire-Forest Service probe resulted in a May 2007 report that said a series of risky decisions by firefighters and fire managers probably contributed to the firefighters deaths. It faulted a firefighting culture in which a aggression is emphasized and safety downplayed.

The second report, released by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration in July 2007, caused an even bigger jolt by directly blaming the crew of Engine 57.

It concluded that the firefighters disregarded an order from a Cal Fire battalion chief to evacuate before the flames raced up a hill and swept over them. Investigators who prepared the first report were not told that the battalion chief ordered the crew to leave.

The third report, not released until December 2009, determined that a combination of extreme fire conditions and an ill-advised decision by the crew to make a stand outside an unoccupied house was to blame for the deaths  but it found no misconduct on the fire line.

The U.S. Department of Agricultures Inspector Generals Office inquiry could have led to criminal charges against fire personnel. But ultimately, investigators found no wrongdoing on the part of the Forest Service or Cal Fire.

Some wondered whether the reports faulting the firefighters decisions could jeopardize the case against Oyler.

His trial began in January 2009 and lasted five weeks. Oylers defense attorneys had conceded he set at least 11 of the 23 fires he was charged with setting, but denied he started the Esperanza Fire.

On the fifth day of deliberations, jurors told the judge they couldnt come to a consensus. He urged them to keep trying, and the next day they reached a verdict:

Guilty on five counts of murder, 20 counts of arson and 17 of using an arson device.

Oyler was sent to death row, where he remains. But in an appeal filed this summer, his attorney is seeking to have his convictions overturned and a new trial ordered.

In tragedy, there is education, fire officials said on Esperanzas five-year anniversary.

Images of the fire and the location of Engine 57 are used to demonstrate to new firefighters how quickly fire can spread, Tom Harbour, the Forest Services director of fire and aviation management, said in a 2011 email. Officials also developed a pocket guide for firefighters to use in times of chaos.

The U.S. Forest Service is committed to learning from the Esperanza incident and to doing everything possible to prevent that kind of an accident from happening again, Harbour said.
The 10th anniversary of Jason McKays death will be especially hard on his sisters.

Their mother, Bonnie McKay, died of cancer June 5.

It will also be the first year Jasons youngest sister, Crystal Quigley, 31, doesnt gather with the families of the other four firefighters killed alongside Jason when an inferno engulfed them while fighting the Esperanza fire on Oct. 26, 2006.

After her mothers death, Crystal and husband Paul moved to North Dakota to be closer to her middle sister, Jody, 33. Both of them have two young daughters, and they wanted their girls to grow up together.

Since the tragedy, the families of other victims have banded together as one big family, offering support to each other, Crystal said recently in an online conversation.

We are here for each other. They helped a lot when my mom was sick, Quigley said.

The passage of time hasnt dulled the loss.

The pain is still as strong, as when I first found out, she wrote. I just learn to live with it.

This time of year also leaves Staci Hines shaken. A decade ago, she was Staci Burger, living in Hemet and engaged to the love of her life. They were talking about a wedding date, and Jason was having an engagement ring custom-made for her.

Staci  now married and living in northern Colorado  recalled that after Jasons sudden death, she went through all the stages of grieving.

It started with denial. She would awaken thinking Jason was still alive.

It was traumatic to say the least. I had a hard time getting out of bed for the first month, she recently by phone.

Staci said she was in the anger stage when the trial of arson suspect Raymond Lee Oyler began, and that time period exacerbated her great loss.

Both Staci and Crystal testified during the trial.

RELATED

THE ESPERANZA FIRE

How the Esperanza fire became a raging inferno that killed five firefighters

THE VICTIMS:

God and the community saved Mark Loutzenhisers wife

Double grief this year for Jason McKays sisters

Grief is always there for Jess McLeans mother

Ten years later, Daniel Hoover-Najeras name lives on

I miss him every day, says Pablo Cerdas sister

HONORING THE VICTIMS:

Inland baseball community goes to bat for Esperanza victims

I honestly dont like to think about it. I try to focus on the good memories, Crystal said. She prefers to think about how heroic her brother and the other firefighters were.

But she regards the trial  and the guilty verdict  as critical.

It was important for me that this didnt happen again to someone else, she said.

Jason was born in Minnesota, but the family moved to the High Desert of Southern California when he was 18 months old.

Their father left when Jason was 13, Crystal said. That pushed her brother to grow up quickly and be the man of the household, she said.

His mother, in an interview a year after Jasons death, remembered that years Christmas. Jason earned $500 for cleaning a construction site, and paid the months rent so his mother would have money for presents.

Jason started in a Fire Explorer Scout program when he was 14, and graduated from Victorvilles Goodwill High School early, Crystal said.

He attended the Fire Academy at Victor Valley College, where he earned an associate degree in fire technology, she said.

Staci and Jason met when she was 23. She worked part-time for the Forest Service as a recreation technician and Jason was a firefighter at the Forest Services Alandale station in Idyllwild.

After his his death, Staci also attended a fire academy. She said at the time, she wanted to become an arson investigator so she could take out (of circulation) whoever is doing this kind of stuff.

She met her future husband, Jarrod Hines, while working as a seasonal firefighter in San Diego, where he was stationed as well.

After a few years, however, Staci said she realized she didnt love being a firefighter  It wasnt my dream, it was Jasons.

She found work as a Riverside County probation officer, a field she loves.

Its very rewarding for me to see people get their lives back together, she said.

Staci married Jarrod in late 2009, and about two years ago, work took the couple to Colorado.

I will always be grateful to God for bringing Jason into my life. I am a better person today because of him, Staci said.

Contact the writer: jsteinberg@scng.com, @JamesDSteinberg on Twitter
Ten years after the Esperanza fire was set and seven years since Raymond Lee Oyler was sentenced to be executed for the deaths of the five U.S. Forest Service firefighters killed by a burnover, Oylers bid for a new trial has begun.

The court-appointed attorney for Oylers automatic appeal to the California Supreme Court this summer filed a 464-page, 133,899-word brief that asks that his convictions on five counts of first-degree murder, 20 counts of arson and 17 counts of using incendiary devices be overturned on grounds that include:

 The initial trial judge, Jeffrey Prevost, was replaced by W. Charles Morgan after Prevost, during the preliminary hearing, expressed doubts about the prosecution theory that a single arsonist set a series of fires in the San Gorgonio Pass in 2006, including the Oct. 26, 2006, Esperanza fire. (Prosecutors had DNA matches to Oyler on two of the ignition devices, neither of which started the Esperanza fire. They convinced jurors that Esperanza was the culmination of a single arsonists evolution and experimentation.)

 Extensive pretrial publicity.

 Morgans questioning of potential jurors, during which, according to Oylers appeal attorney, Michael Clough, Morgan rarely asked whether they were influenced by pretrial publicity. Morgan also ignored obvious bias and influences that could lead jurors to vote for guilt, Clough wrote.

 There was no direct or physical evidence that Oyler, a Beaumont mechanic, started the Esperanza fire.

 Mike Hestrin, who at the time was a Riverside County deputy district attorney and lead prosecutor on the case, pressured jurors to exact retribution with the death penalty.

Clough suggested in his brief that amid the publicity over the tragedy and the demand for justice, Oyler was a convenient suspect and other possible arsonists were ignored.

His prosecution was driven by the determination of law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and public officials to bring quick closure to one of the most publicized events in the history of Riverside County, Clough wrote.

Hestrin, now the county district attorney, said in a recent interview, I think we absolutely got the right guy.

The state Attorney Generals Office is writing its response to Cloughs brief, said a spokeswoman who declined to comment on its contents.

Oyler, now 46, has been at San Quentin State Prison since June 11, 2009.

Little is publicly known about Oylers thoughts since his conviction. During the trial, attorney Michael R. McDonald conceded that Oyler set some of the fires in the Pass that spring. But Oyler steadfastly maintained that he did not set the Esperanza fire.

He did not respond to a Press-Enterprise letter sent in October seeking an interview. None of his relatives could be reached for comment. Several had moved from homes in Banning and Beaumont.

Contact the writer: brokos@scng.com or 951-368-9569
Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah has begun a project dubbed the "JOB Summit" aimed at sensitizing the youth in the nation about the government's vision for the youth.



The event targets the youth and is to expose them to opportunities to develop entrepreneurial skills.



It is also to acquaint the youth with the 2016 Manifesto of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).



It involves direct engagements with students in Tertiary and Senior High Schools as well as youth groups.



The maiden event which climaxed the Chief of Staff's six-day campaign tour of the Brong Ahafo region took place at the Eusbert Hotel at Sunyani on Friday.



Key speakers included Deputy Communications Minister, Ato Sarpong, Emelia Arthur, a Presidential Staffer as they took turns to explain the good works of President John Dramani Mahama to the youth.



Madam Emelia Arthur noted that the President has committed himself to infrastructure expansion and development, adding that "there is evidence across all sectors of the economy where expanded infrastructure has created thousands of jobs through the construction stage to those formally employed after the completion of the projects."



She also made reference to several social intervention programmes like the YEA, YES, MASLOC, Vocational Skills training in institutions and other forms of financial support to small and medium-scale businesses.







The NDC Deputy Communications Minister, Ato Sarpong also explained to the youth that "President Mahama's resolve to expand infrastructure was a priority which is creating the enabling environment to attract not only investors but to create a conducive environment for all who want to start their own business."



He alluded to some industries including the Komenda Sugar Factory which has employed about 7000 people, the Kumasi Shoe Factory, the Shea Nut Factory at Buipe, the yet to be commissioned Ceramic Factory in the Free Zones Enclave in Sekondi among others; all supported by the Mahama administration to create jobs for the youth.



He further spoke extensively about the Green Revolution which is expected to make farming affordable and attractive, the Teacher First Policy and other key initiatives promised by the NDC.



Mr. Sarpong challenged the youth to take advantage of the opportunities.



The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, who was the main speaker led the participants through how to explore entrepreneurial skills.



The students, on their part, commended the Chief of Staff and the President for their vision for the country.



Present at the event were also members of the academia, entrepreneurs and party activists.

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The 2016 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has ended his 4-day campaign tour of the Ashanti Region.



Speaking at a gathering at the Sokoban Wood Village in the region, Nana Addo asked residents in the area to vote massively for him and the partys parliamentary candidates on December 7.



This years election is about Ghanas future. It is an election we cannot afford to joke with. Kumasi, Asanteman and Ghanaians should vote massively for the NPP, and send a strong signal that Ghanaians are ready and determined to change their circumstances of living, he said.



The NPP Flagbearer indicated that policies such as the 1-District-1-Factory policy; 1-Village-1-Dam policy; the diversification of the countrys agriculture; the effective implementation of the Free SHS policy; and the setting up of an Infrastructure for Poverty Eradication Programme (IPEP), which the party intends to introduce when it comes to power, will return Ghana onto the path of progress and prosperity.



NPP flagbearer further assured that the NPP will complete the 2nd phase of the wood village project when voted into power.



Just as Suame Magazine has become the artisanal/industrial hub in the Ashanti Region and in Ghana, my government will make sure that Sokoban becomes the hub of all issues relating to wood and its end products. All public contracts relating to the purchasing of wood or the manufacturing of wood related products will be done right here in Sokoban, he stressed.



Campaign in Volta Region



The NPP flagbearer will from Monday, October 24, begin a 5-day tour of the Volta Region.



This will be the 2nd time Nana Akufo-Addo will tour the region.



Nana Akufo-Addo is expected to visit some 15 constituencies.

Source: citifnonline









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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Pour one out, Sydney.

A massive property development deal seems set to finally carve out the heart of the Kings Cross nightlife scene, with 65 landowners hoping to see a massive parcel of land undergo total redevelopment.

The Daily Telegraph reports landowners have signed an agreement to jointly commit the area between Darlinghurst Road, Roslyn Street, Kellett Street and Bayswater Road for sale in the next three years, with the intention of totally razing the famous precinct.

If the move comes to fruition, the region which once included establishments like Beach Haus, Soho, and Trademark Hotel will undergo a complete and permanent overhaul.

via Google Earth.

Its believed a Hong Kong-based firm has already expressed interest in the parcel of land in the hopes of building two luxury apartment towers.

There is speculation the land alone is worth nearly $200 million, but the proposed construction of nearly 500 apartments at a starting price of $1 million could see the redevelopment surge north of $500 million in value.

Landowners are believed to have starting signing onto the deal shortly after the introduction of the citys lockout laws in 2014.

Charlie Saleh, who heads the group, said its a huge parcel of land that we think has great potential I think its the last great pocket of city land that hasnt been redeveloped and if its done the right way I think it could transform Sydney.

News of the move has already provoked serious outrage from those who dont want to see one of the citys cultural hubs irreparably gutted.

Keep Sydney Open have posted a brief response on its Facebook page, saying shoutout to our government and property developers who have ruined our city. Fuck all yall.

Well keep you updated on this issue as it develops.

Source: The Daily Telegraph.

Photo: Ian Waldie / Getty.
A sleep physician has warned there is an epidemic of sleeping disorders in Australian high school students, partly caused by the abuse or overuse of prescription medications as study aids.

Chris Seton of Westmead Childrens Hospital said hes observed a spike in cases of students misusing stimulants like Ritalin or wakefulness drugs like Modafinil in the lead-up to exam season.

The kids I see in year 12 at this time are in crisis, Seton said, adding that its apparent through their sleep deprivation, it is the spring time peak.



I hate the word epidemic, but I dont know what a better word is.

Conversely, hes also observed the increasing usage of the hormone melatonin, a naturally-occurring sleep aid.

Seton said students are now using melatonin to take the edge off prescription stimulants and energy drinks, an combination he likens to taking Panadol for a headache and hitting your head against the wall.

New research suggests rate of teens abusing prescription pharmaceuticals has jumped in recent years, with the National Drug Research Institute suggesting some users may be trying to get a sleep effect from using codeine.

Setons statements come after HSC students faced ridicule for a Facebook page which encourages users to vent about their exam stresses. He also described an over-representation of patients who attend expensive private schools.

All of this points to ever-increasing pressures placed upon young Aussies from a number of sources. As young guns nationwide continue their final exams, Seton urges anyone with a sleeping problem to seek help before resulting to rampant self-medication.

Source: Sydney Morning Herald / ABC.



If this story has raised any issues youd like to talk about, visit CounsellingOnline or give BeyondBlue a call on 1300 22 4636.
Following the announcement of a massive redevelopment proposal that could see the heart of Kings Cross nightlife district demolished to make way for two luxury apartment towers, a slew of concerned parties have voiced their unequivocal goddamn disapproval.

John Ibrahim, famed nightclub owner and legitimate Kings Cross mainstay, took to Twitter to deny rumours originally quoted in the Daily Telegraph that he supports the proposal:

I am personally glad that the sale of a whole chunk of Kings Cross did not go through. The media reporting was wrong.  John Ibrahim (@johnibrahimsyd) October 23, 2016

A change is needed in KX, but not something so dramatic. There is an oversupply of luxury apartments in Syd suburbs but there is only one KX  John Ibrahim (@johnibrahimsyd) October 23, 2016

Keep Sydney Open also issued a short response to the news on its Facebook page, saying the proposal is incredibly damaging and ultimately short-sighted:

Independent Sydney MP Alex Greenwich, who has previously expressed his support for the Keep Sydney Open and its calls to ease lockout laws, decried the proposal as damaging to the regions culture:

We should be supporting the vibrancy & diversity of Kings Cross, not replacing it with mega buildings in an already tightly populated area.  Alex Greenwich MP (@AlexGreenwich) October 23, 2016

Some have gone further by drawing a more explicit link between lockout laws and the redevelopment plans. Matt Barrie, who famously penned an essay encapsulating the business communitys opposition to the Baird governments lockout laws, thinks this was the plan all along:

This was always about property & money and never about health & safety #nswpol #auspol https://t.co/QL0erDf71c  Matt Barrie (@matt_barrie) October 23, 2016

That same sentiment has been echoed by others who are gobsmacked by the move:

If you live in Sydney & dont think the sell off of kings cross is the dirtiest deal in history then youre part of why this city is dying.  Danielle Rose ?? (@D_Rose_XO) October 23, 2016

Sad thing about Kings Cross development story is, if it goes ahead, itll result in a massive payday for some mega dirtbags #somuchforkarma  Bjorn (@BjornHund) October 23, 2016

Looking at Kings Cross. This country is so fucking corrupt. If you have enough money you can buy a premier and do whatever the fuck you want  Robert Elessar (@AsapRobE) October 23, 2016

How is the Kings Cross high rise deal not a blatant sign of corruption? And no one gives a shit. Aussies are apathetic as fuck.  Robert Elessar (@AsapRobE) October 23, 2016

If the plan moves ahead  and, judging by how legitimate the Daily Telegraph made it out to be, it will be  you can expect many more livid takes on the issue in the months to come.

Source: Twitter.

Photo: Brian Cor / Getty.
For one day only, Hogwarts was a suburb of Philadelphia.

Chestnut Hill left the Muggle world behind on Oct. 22, 2016 to host the 6th annual Harry Potter Festival. The event has grown astronomically over the past few years -- with only 1,000 attending when it started and an estimated 60,000 attending this year.

The festival featured a sorting hat, S.P.E.W rally, Defense Against the Dark Arts course and a Death Eaters dance. Fans could mingle with fellow Potterheads, most in some sort of cosplay get-up. They could also pose for photos with the festival's own Harry Potter, Dumbledore, Professor Umbridge and crew.

Can't see the gallery? Click here

Shops around Chestnut Hill got in on the action, transforming themselves into famous shops from the books, like Scribbles and Blots, Honeydukes and Ollivander's Wands.

You can get a taste of the festival in the gallery above or the video below.
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Optomap technology is a safe and effective tool to evaluate patient eye health and give important information on serious eye and health conditions, said Dr. James Aversa. As an experienced optometrist, I can share that optomap technology has allowed us improved capabilities of eye disease detection and eye health maintenance. This advanced scanning laser technology allows optometrists to examine the retina and capture a wide field digital image of eye structures and conditions. Optomap can be used safely and without discomfort on children and adults providing more information about a patients eye health. Early diagnosis helps patients and doctors work towards improved outcomes.

Dr. James Aversa, optometrist in Hasbrouck Heights at Heights Eye Center, serves eye care needs of residents of Hasbrouck Heights and the surrounding area. Patients can expect comprehensive vision and eye care combined with the latest optical technology for the entire family. Services include non-surgical vision correction, dry eye treatment, Miboflo lid treatment, digital retinal photography, BlephEx, computerized visual field testing, LASIK evaluations and Gems genetic testing.

Call (201) 288-1109 to learn about optomap technology or visit http://www.heightseyecenter.net/ for more details on their eye care services.
PITTSBURGH - With Donald Trump remaining coy about his willingness to accept an election outcome that doesn't include his winning, Democratic candidate for president, Hillary Clinton, is calling his stance a threat to American democracy and possibly a sign of worse things to come.

"Trump refused to say he would respect the result of this election," Clinton told a crowd here on Saturday.

"Make no mistake about it, folks: He is threatening our democracy."

Trump first refused to say whether he'd accept defeat at the polls in Wednesday's presidential debate, later explaining he suspects the election may be rigged by Democrats using voter fraud or vote rigging against him.

"I'll keep you in suspense," he quipped when posed the concession question by moderator Chris Wallace.

Since then, much has been made of his apparent unwillingness to accept any unfavorable outcome, with his critics calling the peaceful transition of power a hallmark of American democracy, and Trump's refusal to embrace it both un-American and despotic.

"I've lost elections and you don't feel very good the next day," Clinton said, picking up there. "But we know the difference in our country between leadership and dictatorship. ... Both Trump and I should be grateful for the opportunities our country has given us."

Clinton also pointed to Trump's vow to investigate and possibly jail her if elected, saying, "When Trump says he wants to jail his opponent, and that means me, I say to myself, 'We don't do that in America.' We actually have courts and laws and an independent judiciary."

Trump made the vow in another presidential debate, and took similar flack from critics who called the use of executive power to investigate and imprison a political opponent shocking and dictatorial.

But most of all, Clinton said Saturday that she was glad the debates which spawned all of these claims, vows and accusations were finally over.

"That was the third and last time I will ever have to debate Donald Trump," she said of Wednesday's showdown.

"I have now spent four-and-a-half hours on stage with Donald. Proving once again I have the stamina to be president."
PITTSBURGH -- With 17 days left before Election Day and a significant lead in her pocket, Hillary Clinton has turned her attention to coalition building, telling a Pittsburgh crowd on Saturday that electing Democrats to Congress in states like this one is crucial to ending political gridlock and achieving her goals as president, if elected.

Speaking with vice presidential candidate Tim Kaine at Pittsburgh's Taylor Allderdice High School, Clinton stressed one race in particular, that of U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania between Democrat Katie McGinty and incumbent Republican Pat Toomey.

Echoing television ads put out by a Super PAC supporting her campaign, and echoing comments made by McGinty herself, Clinton criticized Toomey for his failure to either explicitly condemn Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump or endorse him after a series of controversial statements and scandals engulfed the latter campaign.

This as Toomey continues to walk a fine line between trying not to alienate either Trump supporters or opponents across the state as he himself seeks reelection.

"Toomey still refuses to stand up to Trump and, you know, a lot of Republicans have and they have had the grit and the guts to say, 'He [Trump] does not represent me,'" Clinton said.

She continued: "But Pat Toomey heard Donald [Trump] attack a grieving gold star family. He heard Donald call Mexican immigrants [rapists]. And he's heard him say terrible things about women. He's also heard him spread lies that our first black president wasn't really born in the U.S. How much more does Pat Toomey need to hear? ... If he doesn't have the courage to stand up to Trump, how can you be sure he'll stand up for you when it counts?"

"We need people in Washington who put you first," she added.

"And that's why I hope you'll elect Katie McGinty. Katie will help us break the gridlock."

According to the Washington Post, this marked the "first time Clinton has devoted a substantial portion of her stump speech to not only boosting a Democratic candidate, in this case Katie McGinty, but also attacking her Republican opponent."

The Post also said Clinton has poured "$1 million into Indiana and Missouri in the campaign's final weeks -- not because the Democratic presidential nominee thinks she can carry those reliably Republican states, but because she believes that, with an extra push, Democrats can win the Senate and governors' races there."

In Pittsburgh, her calls were also echoed by McGinty's former Democratic opponent in the Senate race, Braddock Mayor John Fetterman.

Fetterman spoke before Clinton on Saturday, saying, "If we get Hillary a blue Senate, then we get the Supreme Court to defend all those things that are so important to Democrats, like environmental protections, a woman's right to choose and Obamacare. ... So much is riding on this."

Toomey's campaign issued the following response after the rally, saying: "Today is just further proof that hyper-partisan, ethically challenged Katie McGinty will be a rubber stamp for everything Hillary Clinton wants to do in Washington. Pat Toomey has been, and will continue to be, an independent leader in the Senate on issues ranging from gun safety to ending Wall Street bailouts."

In addition to Fetterman and Kaine, Clinton was also joined at Saturday's event by Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto, Congressman Mike Doyle (D-PA-14) and Steelers owners Pat and Dan Rooney who are supporting her campaign.

Encouraged by early voting numbers in states like Ohio and her poll position in Pennsylvania, Hillary Clinton has embarked on a swing state push, one meant to seize on momentum in these key territories with just 3 weeks left before Election Day.

Her swing state swing-through began in Cleveland on Friday, and continued with the visit to Pittsburgh on Saturday. Clinton and Kaine were also set to appear at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia on Saturday evening.

Now in the final phase of her campaign, Clinton can look to either turn back a tide of white, working class support for Republican Donald Trump in parts of Pennsylvania and Ohio, or counter it by ensuring enough opposing voters show up at the polls. So far, she appears to be attempting both.

On Saturday, while slamming Trump over the tone of his campaign, Clinton also expressed empathy for Trump's many supporters in the often struggling cities and towns that surround Pittsburgh.

"I want to be their president, too," she said. "There are a lot of people right here in Pennsylvania who have a lot of questions about how do we move forward and make a better future. ... But anger is not a plan."

And while a Reuters poll has Trump gaining on her after a week of "rigged election" invective, assurances of the likelihood of her victory continue to mount, leaving her campaign to fight a sense of complacency that may be settling in among some of her supporters.

"We've got to get the word out," she told the Pittsburgh crowd. "And we've got to tell everybody what we're doing and why this election is so critically important."

UPDATE: This article has been updated to include comment from Sen. Pat Toomey's (R-PA) campaign.
Donald Trump,Hillary Clinton

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, left, and Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton arrive for the third presidential debate at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2016, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci)

(Evan Vucci)

By Charlie Gerow

The bishop offering the invocation at the annual Al Smith Dinner, the night following the final presidential debate of 2016, summed up the feelings of many when he told the Almighty that Nov. 8 can't come fast enough.

Republican strategist Charlie Gerow (PennLive file)

The 2016 campaign has been one of the most acrimonious ever.The debates have highlighted the deep divide between the candidates. Unfortunately the divide has been personal and petty rather than substantive and about policy.

The final debate, while cementing Chris Wallace's position as the best interviewer in the business, didn't decrease the hostility.

Donald Trump had, for the most part, a decent night. For the first 30 minutes he calmly laid out positions designed to reinforce his base. But that wasn't his mission.

The Trump base is with him to the end. They're passionate and loyal. They can't wait to get out to vote for him on Election Day.

The problem is that there's simply not enough of them for Trump to win.

Trump has to expand his base to close a significant gap between himself and Clinton. Last Wednesday night was his final opportunity to do that in front of a national audience. He missed the opportunity.

Wednesday night was a microcosm of the campaign.

Trump did well reassuring his base. But he couldn't resist the temptation to take Hillary Clinton's bait.

He didn't consistently prosecute the case against her and for himself. As in previous debates, he started well enough, but didn't maintain his theme or sustain his focus. Instead he slowly began to fall into a pattern of interruptions and unforced errors.

Trump's biggest faux pas was his refusal to say that he would accept the results of the election.

The minute those words crossed his lips he guaranteed the story line for the day following their debate and the chatter in lunch rooms and around water coolers. That wasn't what he needed the conversation to be.

Trump had more pressure on him than Clinton because he's behind.

He needed to demonstrate, not merely say, that he has the temperament to be the leader of the free world and commander in chief of the most powerful military in the history of the world. He needed to give voters a comfort level about him.

The ultimate test for every presidential candidate is whether voters can envision him or her sitting in the Oval Office making decisions that effect the entire world. Providing that vision was job one for Donald Trump in the final debate.

Two key lines uttered by Trump didn't help him accomplish that goal.

The first was his refusal to promise to accept the results of the election.

While his surrogates tried to walk his comments back and Trump himself sought to clarify and qualify his remark the day after, the damage had already been done. A chorus of Republicans was as critical of the Trump position as the Democratic choir.

The second was his leaning into the microphone to intone, "such a nasty woman" in the middle of one of Clinton's responses. That didn't increase his support among suburban women, a group he must win.

Clinton didn't have an extraordinary night.

After all of her vaunted preparation, she was flat footed when asked to explain or defend her destruction of e-mails; using her family foundation as a conduit for funds from repressive foreign regimes, and her campaign recruiting thugs to disrupt Trump events by inciting violence.

Her policy answers were designed to appeal to the Bernie Sanders wing of her party, not the broader base of independents and undecided voters.

But Clinton didn't need to have an overwhelmingly impressive performance. She's sitting on a lead.

Trump needed to prevail with a performance reminiscent of Ronald Reagan's last debate of 1980. Reagan's ability to convince the American people that they could comfortably and confidently envision him as president allowed him to turn a significant deficit into a landslide victory.

The big difference between 1980 and 2016 is that Reagan's final debate was just 5 days before the election.

His closing argument to the electorate was highly successful and came immediately before the deliberations in the voting booth.

Trump's closing argument wasn't anywhere near as strong and it was delivered nearly three weeks before election day.

Reagan's success was rooted in his basic philosophy, his ability to articulate it and his personal charm. He was a warm, sincere and good-hearted man and it shone through when people took a close look.

And Reagan never made it about himself. Trump doesn't seem to be able to make it about anything but himself.

He consistently fails to see that if the election is about him, he loses. If it's about Hillary Clinton, he just might win.

For several weeks we've been saying that, while there is still time, the path for Trump is narrow and getting tighter.

Last week's debate didn't make his path easier. And the sand is now running through the hourglass with increasing speed.
Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel holds a press conference on the second day of the EU summit in Brussels, Friday, Oct. 21, 2016. The European Union was scrambling Friday to salvage a massive free trade deal with Canada that was being held up by a small region in Belgium. (AP Photo/Olivier Matthys)
Women's Resource Center adapts to meet rising domestic abuse concerns

With many victims unable to reach out during the pandemic, the Women's Resource Center had to find new ways to connect.
Petrobras CEO: Hot seat

Pedro Parente, the new chief executive officer of Brazil's national oil company, Petrobras, has what is arguably the toughest job in the industry. He has to fix the company's reputation, which was tarnished by the central role it played in the corruption scandal that helped bring down former President Dilma Rousseff. More important, he has to fix Petrobras's finances. Cheap oil, years of fuel subsidies, and huge amounts of debt blew a hole in its balance sheet. Petrobras owes $125 billion, the most of any oil company in the world. To cope, the company has slashed investments, cut production targets, and laid off more than 130,000 workers.

Parente says he wants to cut the company's leverage in half by 2018. To do so, he's planned the biggest asset sale in Petrobras's history$35 billion from 2015 to 2018, more than what BP unloaded after its Deepwater Horizon disaster.

Parente is also looking for international partners. In October, Brazil's congress scrapped a law that gave the company exclusive rights to some of the nation's most prized oil fields, opening them up to foreign investment.

Petrobras's stock price has almost doubled since Parente took the job in June, yet the company is worth only a third of its value in 2008. Next year, if he can cut costs and find foreign partners, that will go a long way toward restoring Brazil's most prominent company.

Sabrina Valle / BloombergBusinessweek / October 19, 2016
Lagniappe

Jessica Mendoza: What Republicans will do if Trump loses |

Linda Parker, a retiree and Donald Trump supporter, stands outside her home in Oildale, Calif., on Wednesday. Interviews with Republicans in California's Central Valley show frustration and  among some  a revolutionary fervor. But for most, Donald Trump's claims of a rigged election aren't an invitation to violence. KERN COUNTY, CALIF.  Barbara Gibbons never used to be passionate about politics. Then in 2008, the mother of six watched as President Obama won the White House amid allegations that he had ties to a controversial group accused of falsifying voter registration information. Four years later, a Pew Center report revealed that nearly 2 million dead people were still registered to vote in the United States. By the time Donald Trump announced his candidacy in 2015, Ms. Gibbons was convinced that the United States political system was corrupt and needed an overhaul. Today she sees in Mr. Trump the nation's last real hope for change.And should Trump lose on Nov. 8, Gibbons worries that drastic measures may be necessary to prevent further abuse of Americans' constitutional rights. If the situation continues the way that it's going, she says, it just might take another revolution. It just might take a civil war to get our country back. It's a statement that appears to bolster growing concerns about unrest over the results of the November presidential elections. In voicing unsubstantiated charges of election rigging at the final presidential debate Wednesday night, critics said, Trump not only cast a shadow on the very foundation of American democracy. Liberal commentators also raised the specter of intimidation at the polls and gave implicit consent to post-election turmoil. But interviews with voters in California's Kern County  a region in the Central Valley with deep roots in cultural and political conservatism  reveals a less militant response to Trump's remarks. By and large, residents agreed it would be disappointing, even upsetting, to see Hillary Clinton win the presidency. Yet few besides Gibbons said anything about responding with violence. It may be a possibility perhaps in some pockets of the country where we've seen anger at Trump rallies, says Jeanine Kraybill, an assistant professor of political science at California State University, Bakersfield, Kern County's largest city. But from my experience here, I don't think it'll get to a level of violence, she says. And I think there are definitely parallels with what is happening in the Central Valley with other states. California's Bible Belt Kern County sits at the southern tip of California's San Joaquin Valley, just about 100 miles north of Los Angeles. In terms of culture and politics, however, the place looks a lot more like the Bible Belt than Hollywood. Residents here have a firm tradition of conservatism  one that values smaller government, fewer regulations, and the Second Amendment. Severe drought throughout the 1930s forced millions of farmers and their families out of the Great Plains; by 1940, 200,000 of them had resettled in California. Today the descendants of those transplants give Kern County a distinct Republican streak among both working class whites and the scions of oil and agriculture  the region's two main industries. In economy and demographics, the region also shares much with the areas of the Midwest and the South that animated Trump support nationwide. The Great Recession, coupled with California's protracted drought, led to major cuts in manufacturing and agriculture in the region. Unemployment in Kern County remains nearly double the state rate. And while the area has  like the rest of California  gradually diversified over the past two decades, there's little interest in developing the cosmopolitan culture of Los Angeles and San Francisco, Professor Kraybill says. As Bakersfield resident Craig Buster Barnard puts it: We are in California, but we are not of California. Everybody puts this part of California down, he adds in his south Texas drawl, picked up from years spent there, where his grandfather grew up. We had to be taught to be self-reliant. So when Trump brings up allegations of a rigged system, that really causes [residents] to be suspicious, Kraybill says. Some of us might think, That's irresponsible and unprecedented to state.' [But] that resonates with them. Fear and hope For Gibbons, the mother of six, her support of Trump stems from a deep distrust of the current political establishment, which she calls the regime. She's horrified at what she sees as government encroachment on her constitutional rights. The only way to reverse the trend, she says, is to elect someone to office who is outside of that system. We need to rally together and make a change, she says, leaning out of the driver's side of her pickup, adorned with a Trump sticker and a miniature American flag. And should that effort fail? Violence is almost never the answer, she says, but there is genuine fear. At a pizza parlor in Bakersfield, members of the Kern County Young Republicans  a volunteer organization that helps local and national GOP campaigns  gathered to watch the final debate. For at least one person present, the notion of a Clinton victory was alarming. My parents call me a doomsayer, says Bryce Zaden, a member of the group director of sales for a local equipment leasing company. But I personally think we'll be at war soon enough, if [Hillary] wins. For others, Trump losing the election could be a reason to buy guns  but not to use them violently. I'd probably go buy some stock in a gun company, says Phillip Peters, the group's chairman. "It'll probably go through the roof, the way it did after Obama was elected . In Oildale, an unincorporated area just north of Bakersfield, the mood was more sullen than enraged. Residents outright refused to talk politics. When asked about their support for either candidate, many shrugged and said neither was worth voting for. Most, however, sounded like retiree Linda Parker: Sure, she says, if Hillary wins, I would be upset. But I don't know what I would do about it. Still, some held onto the hope that the nation would manage to overcome its differences, regardless who becomes president. If Trump wins, the people who hate him, they're going to come along, though they may not like it, says Dean Haddock, a clinical psychologist and chair of the Republican Party of Kern County. Jessica Mendoza/csm



'The best thing I love about the United States is we're able to exchange power and still we're going to be together,' says Dean Haddock, a clinical psychologist and chair of California's Kern County Republican Party If Hillary wins, the people are going to stay with it and they're going to support it because it's the will of the people, he says. The best thing I love about the United States is we're able to exchange power and still we're going to be together. Even Gibbons acknowledged the possibility. Look, if you can change my mind, please change my mind, she says. I'm willing to listen. And I'm always willing to learn.



Jessica Mendoza , is a staff writter at The Christian Science Monitor. Petroleumworld does not necessarily share these views. Editor's Note: This commentary was originally published by The Christian Science Monitor on Oct. 21, 2016. Link to original article . Petroleumworld reprint this article in the interest of our readers. All comments posted and published on Petroleumworld, do not reflect either for or against the opinion expressed in the comment as an endorsement of Petroleumworld. All comments expressed are private comments and do not necessary reflect the view of this website. All comments are posted and published without liability to Petroleumworld. Use Notice:This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of issues of environmental and humanitarian significance. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml.



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Petrobras to settle for four New York-based lawsuits

SAO PAULO

Petroleumworld.com 10 24 2016

Brazil's state-run oil company Petrobras said on Friday its board approved settlements for four lawsuits sought by investors in New York federal court and it currently estimates a provision of $353 million to cover the costs.

Petrobras said the settlements include lawsuits led by Allianz SE's Pimco Total Return Fund, Dodge & Cox International Stock Fund, Janus Overseas Fund and Al Shams Investments.

Investors are suing Petrobras in New York accusing it of covering up a sweeping graft scheme and publishing misleading accounts. They believe the corruption and mismanagement helped destroy nearly $200 billion of shareholder value in Petrobras since 2008.

Petrobras said on Friday it would include a provision for costs related to the settlements in its third-quarter earnings report due to be released soon.

There are still 23 other individual lawsuits and a class-action lawsuit at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The company did not say if it will seek settlements on those as well.

"At this moment, it is not possible for Petrobras to release a reliable estimate regarding the outcome of the class-action," said the company in a regulatory filing.

In a recent Reuters interview, Petrobras Chief Executive Officer Pedro Parente said the lawsuits in the United States would not overshadow the company's $74 billion, five-year plan to slash its crippling debt and refocus on its core business.

The oil company said Pimco is one of the largest holders of its bonds and that Dodge & Cox is one of its largest shareholders after the Brazilian government.

"These settlements, whose terms are confidential, do not constitute any recognition of responsibility by Petrobras, who will continue to defend itself in the remaining lawsuits," the Rio de Janeiro-based company said

Earlier on Friday, Moody's Investors Service upgraded Petrobras' senior unsecured and corporate debt family rating to B2 from B3 after "certain external factors also helped the company achieve some of its cash generation and asset sale goals for the year".

Debt in the B range is considered speculative and is subject to high credit risk, according to Moody's.








CHESAPEAKE, Va., Oct. 23, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Atlantic Chiropractic and Rehabilitation is pleased to announce that they are extending their patient appreciation special from one week (originally October 10-14) to a month-long celebration. This is an excellent opportunity for existing patients to receive care while also guiding family, friends and associates to the beneficial and healing services of Atlantic Chiropractic and Rehabilitation.

To show their appreciation to existing clients, the Chesapeake chiropractor will be offering 50 percent off a massage to anyone who refers someone new to the clinic. The new patient will receive 50 percent off their first exam and x-rays.

Those for whom it has been awhile since their last adjustment, or who have never had one, can experience the healing, therapeutic effects of Atlantic Chiropractic and Rehabilitation chiropractic care at a substantial savings. Clients can also introduce their family members and friends to the benefits of chiropractic care while helping them to save money.

The clients who refer others can then treat themselves to a therapeutic massage of their choice for 50 percent of the normal cost. This special is to show both existing and new clients just how much they are appreciated by offering them a substantial savings over normal chiropractic and massage prices.

Dr. Eric Santjer and the staff at Atlantic Chiropractic and Rehabilitation look forward to assisting even more Chesapeake area residents in enjoying a higher quality of life. At Atlantic Chiropractic and Rehabilitation, the professional staff emphasizes improving health by reducing the risk of illness, injury and pain before it happens.

For some, the techniques and processes offered at Atlantic Chiropractic and Rehabilitation will result in a rediscovery of health and wellness that had been lost or missing. For others, connecting with the Chesapeake chiropractor will bring a new level of health and wellness that was never experienced before.

Atlantic Chiropractic and Rehabilitation employs a holistic approach to chiropractic cares that offers an effective alternative to traditional medicine. Clients of Atlantic Chiropractic and Rehabilitation receive a specially tailored wellness program. The goal is to target health needs in the most effective ways that require the least invasive techniques and equipment.

Dr. Eric Santjer says, At Atlantic Chiropractic and Rehabilitation, our mission is to help clients connect with the ideal treatments to address current health issues and maintain a high quality of life going forward. We are happy to extend our patient appreciation special from just one week to an entire month.

Atlantic Chiropractic and Rehabilitation is located in Suite 1 at 115 Kempsville Road in Chesapeake, Virginia. Those who would like to take advantage of this offer and book an appointment may do so by calling (757) 320-0900. Additional information about the clinic is also available at their website at http://www.atlanticchiropracticandrehab.com/.
nookway wrote:

Source: GMATPrep Test 1

I would recommend not to attempt this if you have not taken the GMAT Prep Test 1 as familiarity with the questions may inflate your score when you actually take the test.



Introduced by Italian merchants resident in London during the sixteenth century, in England life insurance remained until the end of the seventeenth century a specialized contract between individual underwriters and their clients, typically being ship owners, overseas merchants, or professional moneylenders.



A. in England life insurance remained until the end of the seventeenth century a specialized contract between individual underwriters and their clients, typically being

B. in England life insurance had remained until the end of the seventeenth century a specialized contract between individual underwriters with their clients, who typically were

C. until the end of the seventeenth century life insurance in England had remained a specialized contract between individual underwriters and their clients, typically

D. life insurance in England remained until the end of the seventeenth century a specialized contract between individual underwriters and their clients, typically

E. life insurance remained until the end of the seventeenth century in England a specialized contract between individual underwriters with their clients, who typically were



Please do not respond by just saying the answer is __. Please try to provide a reason why a given choice is correct or incorrect.

being

Being is avoided by gmat

between individual underwriters with their clients

the correct structure is Between X and Y

had remained

The error is the past perfect

correct

the correct structure is Between X and Y

In the five cases the subject is life insurances, I think that is not a misplaced modified error.This is my analysis:A. in England life insurance remained until the end of the seventeenth century a specialized contract between individual underwriters and their clients, typicallyB. in England life insurance had remained until the end of the seventeenth century a specialized contract, who typically were -C. until the end of the seventeenth century life insurance in Englanda specialized contract between individual underwriters and their clients, typically -D. life insurance in England remained until the end of the seventeenth century a specialized contract between individual underwriters and their clients, typically -E. life insurance remained until the end of the seventeenth century in England a specialized contract between individual underwriters with their clients, who typically were -
getmba wrote:

Theater Critic : The play La Finestrina , now at Central Theater, was written in Italy in the eighteenth century. The director claims that this production is as similar to the original production as is possible in a modern theater. Although the actor who plays Harlequin the clown gives a performance very reminiscent of the twentieth-century American comedian Groucho Marx, Marxs comic style was very much within the comic acting tradition that had begun in sixteenth-century Italy.



The considerations given best serve as part of an argument that



(A) modern audiences would find it hard to tolerate certain characteristics of a historically accurate performance of an eighteenth-century play



(B) Groucho Marx once performed the part of the character Harlequin in La Finestrina



(C) in the United States the training of actors in the twentieth century is based on principles that do not differ radically from those that underlay the training of actors in eighteenth-century Italy



(D) the performance of the actor who plays Harlequin in La Finestrina does not serve as evidence against the directors claim



(E) the director of La Finestrina must have advised the actor who plays Harlequin to model his performance on comic performances of Groucho Marx

Solution

Passage Analysis

Gist of the passage

The play La Finestrina was originally written in the 18th century in Italy

A theater critic talks about a director who has produced a theatrical presentation of the same play and it is now playing in Central Theater.

This director claims that he has kept his theatrical production of the play as similar to the written version as it is possible to, when one is adapting a written play to modern-theater production

The play has a character called Harlequin, the clown.

The theater critic comments that the actor who enacts the role of Harlequin gives a performance that reminds one of the 20th century American comedian, Groucho Marx.

Though Marx was a 20th century actor, his comic style was very much in keeping with the comic acting style that had begun in the 16th century.

We can infer here that the actor who played Harlequin in the modern production actually used a comic style that had begun in the 16th century and was also used by Groucho in the 20th century.

Question stem analysis

The considerations given best serve as part of an argument that

Answer Choice Analysis

A

Understand the choice

Analyze in the context of the passage and the question stem

B

Understand the choice

Analyze in the context of the passage and the question stem

C

Understand the choice

Analyze in the context of the passage and the question stem

D

Understand the choice

Analyze in the context of the passage and the question stem

E

Understand the choice

Analyze in the context of the passage and the question stem

Theater Critic: The play La Finestrina, now at Central Theater,A theater critic says that the play La Finestrina, which is currently playing at Central Theater,was written in Italy in the eighteenth century.Was originally written in the 18th century in Italy.The director claims that this productionThe director of the play La Finestrina says that his theatrical productionis as similar to the original production as is possible in a modern theater.Is as similar to the original written play as is possible to produce a written play in the modern theater.Although the actor who plays Harlequin the clownIn spite of the fact that, the actor who plays the role of Harlequin, the clowngives a performance very reminiscent of the twentieth-century American comedian Groucho Marx,gives a performance that reminds one of the performance of the twentieth-century American comedian Groucho Marx,Marxs comic style was very much within the comic acting tradition that had begun in sixteenth-century Italy.Marx himself displayed a comic style that was in keeping with the comic acting style that had begun in 16th century Italy.The information given in the passage acts as the strongest logical support to which of the following options?The option talks about the reaction of the modern audiences viewing the modern production of a play written in the 18th century. It says that the audience would not find it easy to bear certain characteristics of the older century play.The passage talks about director's claim that in his theater production of the play he had adhered to the original play as much as was possible to when adapting a written play to a theater. Does the passage imply that the modern play was an absolutely accurate performance of an 18th-century play? No.The critic commented that the performance of an actor in the theatrical production reminded one of another comedian of the 20th century who had followed a 16th-century comic acting style. But does the critic talk at all about the reaction of the audience? No.Therefore, no comment can be made about the tolerance level of the audience.Hence this is not the correct answer.As per this option, Groucho Marx had earlier played the role of the character Harlequin in La FinestrinaThe passage only talks about the comic acting style of Groucho Marx who acted in the 20th century. He followed a style of comic acting that had begun in the 16th century. And the passage tells us that the actor who played the role of harlequin in the theater production of the play La Finestrina performed in such a way that he reminded one of Marx. But whether Marx had ever played that same part earlier or not cannot be concluded. Here we can infer that the style of the two actors might have been quite similar, but we cannot comment the same about the role played by the two.Hence this is not the correct option.This choice states that in the 20th century the actors in the U.S. were trained on the basis of principles that were not much different from the principles that lay behind the training of actors in 18th century Italy.The option means that actors in 18th century Italy and actors in the 20th century U.S. were both trained along the lines of similar principles of acting. The passage talks about Groucho, one comedian, who followed the comic style of acting that had begun in the 16th century. Whether he was trained or not, do we know? No. Was the comic acting style that had begun in the 16th century still followed in the 18th century or the 20th century? We dont really know except for Marx. One case cannot be representative of the general.Hence, this is not the correct option.The performance of the actor who plays Harlequin in the theater production La Finestrina, does not contradict the claim made by the director of the play.The critic commented that the performance of the actor who played Harlequin in the theatrical production reminded one of another comedian of the 20th century who had followed a 16th-century comic acting style. The director too claims to have adhered to the original 18th-century production as much as was possible. We, therefore, know that both the director and the actor followed the styles of an earlier period, and we can thus infer that some of the period and the prevalent style may have been common to both.Thus, we can say that the actors performance was not going against what the director had claimed. Rather it was in keeping with the claim.Hence, this is the correct option.The director of the play La Finestrina must have told the actor who played the part of harlequin to follow the comic style Groucho Marx.The director of the play wanted to keep his production as similar as possible to the original earlier version. He may have advised his actors to follow a certain school of acting or he may not. He may have told his actor playing Harlequin to follow Marx or he may not. Can we say this for sure? No. Marx might have been that actors role model and so he followed Marxwe dont really know.Hence, this is not the right answer choice._________________
2016 News Archive

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The Clinton campaign has weighed in on Donald Trumps speech in Gettysburg today. Hillary for America released a statement saying,

Today, in what was billed as a major closing argument speech, Trumps major new policy was to promise political and legal retribution against the women who have accused him of groping them. Like Trumps campaign, this speech gave us a troubling view as to what a Trump State of the Union would sound likerambling, unfocused, full of conspiracy theories and attacks on the media, and lacking in any real answers for American families.

Rambling, unfocused, and full of conspiracy theories  all much like Trumps campaign so far. So more of the same really. And not what America needs from the White House.

As the Wall Street Journals Michael Bender remarked in a tweet, Lincolns Gettysburg address was 2 mins about principles of equality. Trumps version spent about the same time threatening female accusers.

HFA was kind to call it legal retribution, because its really nothing more than revenge.

As Richard Branson has said, Trump has a bizarre obsession with revenge, and he demonstrated that again today in Gettysburg, promising to get even with women who said he did things he had already bragged about doing  on tape.

The mainstream media has already weighed in on Trumps speech, and Trump proved he is no Lincoln, who said in his Second Inaugural Address, With malice toward none, with charity for all. For Trump, it is with malice toward all, with charity for none.

Trumps closing argument speech was a closing argument after all, but not the closing argument any less self-obsessed and vengeful candidate would have made. The Clinton campaign is right. There were no answers there for American families, only for Trump himself.
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It is troubling that Republicans insist on projecting: making their problems a liberal or progressive problem. Like being blamed for Trump when it is beyond question that they built that without any help from us. All Donald Trump did was make even deplorable an already crude message.

Yet Daniel Payne writes at National Review that it is progressives who have a tendency to sentimentalize Republicans from years past. As opposed to the conservative tendency to lift them to sainthood, like Ronald Reagan.

Payne tells us that Dana Milbank writing at The Washington Post in March that Donald Trump makes me miss George W. Bush, is an example of this progressive tendency to sentimentalize. But Milbank isnt sentimentalizing; he is measuring a degree of awful. Bad as Bush was, Trump is worse.

By the same token, yes, at the time, Mitt Romney was the worst. And if we miss Romney now, it is only because Romney cant hold a candle to Trumps deplorable rhetoric. Payne is adept at making strawmen. He claims this year Romney is up for sainthood in the Church of Progressivism, but saying a candidate bragging about his imaginary search for competent women is preferable to a candidate who assaults them is not sentimentalizing.

It is a measure of how much worse the GOPs rhetoric  and candidates  get every year. It is conservatives who use past Republicans as a yardstick, particularly now that theyve gotten what they asked for in Trump. But there isnt a lot to measure up to. Ronald Reagan was no prize, in many ways more like Joe McCarthy than the Saint Ronald theyve conjured.

In fact, back at the start of the Commie scare of the late 40s, Reagan testified as a friendly witness before the House Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC),

Sir, I detest, I abhor their [alleged Communists in the Screen Actors Guild] philosophy, but I detest more than that their tactics, which are those of the fifth column, and are dishonest, but at the same time I never as a citizen want to see our country become urged, by either fear or resentment of this group that we ever compromise with any of our democratic principles through that fear or resentment. I still think that democracy can do it.

Reagan worried that this group would cause us to compromise with our democratic principles because of fear and resentment. We have a couple problems here for Republicans. Not only does Reagan seem to be condemning the Trump movement from the grave, given his place in Vladimir Putins pocket.

The future president also said,



I would hesitate to see any political party outlawed on the basis of its political ideologyHowever, if it is proven that an organization is an agent of a foreign power, or in any way not a legitimate political partythen that is another matter.

Talk about legitimate political parties was then, and is now, a slap at Democrats, who were considered then to be no different than communists and today no better than Islamic terrorists. The same can be said of the conservative attempt to delegitimize Islam as a religion, as though only Islam has a political component.

After all, the Religious Right made public their goal of taking over the Republican Party and have never failed to gloat at every success theyve enjoyed. They love the idea of banning Muslims, just like the conservative base of the 50s loved the idea of banning Communists.

The GOP has been working to delegitimize Democrats since the New Deal, and theyve tried to delegitimize those Christians who didnt go along with the Religious Rights foray into politics.

As Dara Lind wrote at Vox recently,

Then, in the 1980s, the Reagan administration caused a bit of an uproar (in Coxs words) when Congress found out it had been denying visas to communists on the grounds that it would hurt US foreign policy. In 1990, Congress passed an immigration law that significantly narrowed the reasons the US could deny a visa on ideological grounds. Furthermore, it declared the US couldnt use foreign policy as a reason to keep someone out simply based on his beliefs or associations.

Just substitute religious for ideological and Donald Trump sounds more like Saint Ronald than Trumps Republican detractors would care to admit. Ideological tests? Bring them on.

Believe me when I say this, that no Democratic sentimentalizes anything about the Republican Party since Abraham Lincolns assassination.

Conservatisms skewed view of the past, exemplified here by Payne, unravels when taken out of its fantasy context: he says liberals in 2012 claimed that Romney would be a disaster for women, and he would have been; but that was before we met Donald Trump as a candidate. Saying that one candidate is worse than another does not sentimentalize the other.

Payne protests that President Barack Obama accused Romney of wanting to take the United States back to policies more suited to the 1950s, but it was true then and it remains true now, notwithstanding Trumps despicable misogyny.

Conservatism is and has always been about maintenance of the status quo, of the good old days, while for liberals and progressives it is about change for the better. Trump is feeding on the desire of the Republican base to turn the clock back to 1950s style white privilege. Nothing has changed, except by degree.

In fact, Payne sounds a lot like Trump when he projects reactionary conservative behavior onto liberals, claiming liberal political philosophy exists less as a coherent and workable set of political and public-policy beliefs and more as a fanatical, oppositional vehicle for hysterics who shriek and faint whenever a new Republican walks onto the scene.

If that doesnt describe modern Republican politics to a tee, nothing does.

No, lets be clear here: Democrats Dont sentimentalize Republicans from years past. Its just that bad as past Republicans were, Republicans of today are even worse.
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Donald Trump held a rally in Cleveland, OH, his second appearance there, at the I-X Center with running mate Mike Pence and Rudy Giuliani, Saturday evening. He spoke in front of a very white crowd that cheered at the idea of being deplorables, as well as the ridiculous idea that the guy who gets his clothes made in Mexico and China was somehow going to bring jobs back to the United States.

Trump promised the crowd real change which puts America first, blaming job loss for which he is, in part, responsible for, on Democrats. He promised to make lives richer and better by cutting taxes for the 1 Percent, and by destroying a rigged system of which he has been a huge beneficiary.

Trump, as he has in earlier speeches, took the opportunity to double down on his usual lies about corruption and crime and the Affordable Care Act.

In 17 days we are going to drain the swamp of corruption in Washington, D.C., he said, promising to repeal and replace the total disaster known as Obamacare. He promised to repeal and replace it with something that is so much less expensive, a great healthcare system, a system you deserve.

No details, of course, what this great healthcare system might entail, or how it might work.

Trump dwelled on Wikileaks, claiming what all experts are saying is true of Trump, that he lacks the judgment and temperament to lead the country, is true instead of Hillary Clinton, repeating his claims that the system is rigged and that the purpose of her campaign is to keep the system rigged and to prevent change.

Remarkably, he claimed we dont want four more years of Obama even as Obamas popularity surges to new highs.

He went on to claim he would charge companies who move to another country a 35 percent tax when they want to ship their products back into the United States. You have to wonder if that includes his own products made in Mexico, China, and elsewhere.

Like these:

And no Trump rally would be complete without a whole boatload of lies about non-existent voter fraud, claiming 1.8 million dead people are registered to vote without admitted to the fact that there is no evidence of these dead people actually voting.

The crowd loved his talk about crime and open borders. You can get a good look at the crowd  and the reason why  in this photo from before Trump took the stage:

Trump claimed the murder rate in D.C. is up 50 percent, even though it has actually dropped in 2016. He promised again to build the wall and to make Mexico pay for it, and that along with Mexicans, he would keep radical Islamic terrorists out of our country.

According to Giuliani, anyone who doesnt support Trump, who isnt a deplorable, is a pinhead, which is apparently perfectly permissible even if deplorable is not. Amusingly, Giuliani also claimed Putin pushes us around, even though Trump says exactly what Putin wants him to say. The crowd proved they continue to love this imaginary reality.

Fantasy is more congenial to the Trump base than the cold hard facts.

For example, Giuliani told the crowd that his friend Mike Pence gave Indiana an improved bond rating, but as Politifact explains, that rating was attained before Pence became governor.

So the rule is to credit Republicans with good things that happened before they took office but blame Democrats for bad things that happened before they took office.

Pence said, once he was introduced, that Trump has a plan, but if he has a plan, it is nowhere in sight. Even when Trump spoke, he spoke in generalities, claims of what he would do without any explanation of how he would do it.

Trump had earlier in the day given what was supposed to be a major policy address in Gettysburg, PA, which amounted to a promise to sue the women who have accused him of sexual harassment. That speech, as noted by journalists, was light on substance and heavy on Trump.
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The chief strategist for Hillary Clintons campaign is calling out the Russian hacked Wikileaks emails for containing false information.

Video:

Transcript from ABCs This Week:



BENENSON: Well, first of all, Ill tell you something, I havent spent a lot of time reading through WikiLeaks e-mails.

But I will tell you this, what we know is that many are not authentic. We know that this is a hack, 17 of Russians  no, because these e-mails, we have no idea whether they are authentic or not or whether theyve been tampered with once the Russians, which 17 American intelligence agencies say are responsible for these hackings, have been manipulated. I have seen things  Im not going to go into details 

(CROSSTALK)

STEPHANOPOULOS: But youre not suggesting that those are 

BENENSON: They may well be. I dont know. I know Ive seen things that arent authentic, that we know arent authentic. And its not surprising. Whats ridiculous about this whole conversation is that 17 intelligence agencies have said the Russians are responsible for this. Donald Trump refuses to accept it, refuses to condemn them.

They are meddling in an American election for the first time in history, as far as we know, and we have a Republican nominee for president who refuses to acknowledge what the American intelligence agencies have confirmed or condemn the bad actors here, who happen to be the Russians.

It isnt difficult to put the pieces together. Russia hacked Democratic emails and passed them on to Wikileaks who leaked them to the media. Democrats have been warning for months that the emails contain false information that was placed there by the Russians. It has been independently proven that the emails contain fake information.

While not totally fake, the emails are highly likely to contain false information. In other words, the emails arent credible.

In a more contested campaign, it would be necessary for Clinton to push back on the emails, but the reality is that the media has reported on the emails, and voters dont care.

Clinton is winning, so there is no need to give the child of the Putin/Assange/Trump love triangle the attention that it so desperately craves, but understand that anyone who claims the Wikileaks emails are 100% accurate is pushing a lie.
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Hillary Clinton isnt just beating Donald Trump. She is destroying the Republican nominee on a level that hasnt been seen in more than thirty years.

Ryan Struyk of ABC News tweeted the margins of every October ABC News poll going back to 1984:

ABC poll: Clinton +12

2012: Obama +4

2008: Obama +7

2004: Bush +3

2000: Tie

1996: Clinton +8

1992: Clinton +6

1988: Bush +7

1984: Reagan +18  Ryan Struyk (@ryanstruyk) October 23, 2016

As Trump started to slide, the best case scenario for Republicans looked like it might be 2008. After the release of the 2005 tape where Trump bragged about sexual assault, the election began to look more like Bill Clintons rout of Bob Dole in 1996. After a terrible third debate claims that the election is rigged, and even more sexual assault allegations, Republicans are now looking at a potential defeat that is close to 1984 levels.

No one expects Hillary Clinton to carry 49 of 50 states like Ronald Reagan did in beating Walter Mondale. Clinton wont win the Electoral College 525-13, but Reagan won the popular vote that year by 18 points. It is the only double-digit win in a presidential election in the modern era of American politics. (With rounding up, one could say Reagan won by 10 in 1980, but regarding straight-up double digits, Reagan in 1984 is the only solid double-digit margin). Hillary Clinton is on pace to do something that hasnt been done in decades. She could run up a margin of victory that happens less than once a generation.

Many will blame her margin of victory on Trump, and while the Republican nominee has run one of the worst campaigns in history, it would be unfair to overlook how well managed the Clinton campaign. Hillary Clinton has run a very good campaign.

Trump being a bad candidate is one side of the equation, but to achieve a double-digit lead in October, Hillary Clinton had to be able to take advantage of Trumps implosion.

The history that Hillary Clinton may make wont just be tied to her gender. Clinton could also make history with a dominant victory on election day.
The newly released results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress, commonly known as the nations report card, showed South Carolina performed in line with the national average in most major academic benchmarks. Read moreOn national report card, SC holds steady while other states fall
All of us have local and national issues that we worry about: gender-related and race-related issues, education and social welfare issues, pump prices and what to do about Confederate monuments. Thats usually how we vote  whats worrying us at the moment. But older adults, of all people, may be capable of standing back from whats in our face to take a longer perspective on politics. Read moreAging for Amateurs: Elections make us get clear on priorities
EL Education CEO says a hotel employee recorded audio of an employee for the nonprofit that works in several SC school districts, mentioning both Lexington County and critical race theory, but someone spliced together the audio in a deceptive way to create a false political controversy. Read moreFox News used 'false and crudely edited' audio to target SC schools, nonprofit CEO says
Electric vehicles arent a panacea. They dont reduce traffic congestion or the need to spend billions of dollars repairing and expanding our highways, the way mass transit, ride sharing and more walkable and bicycleable communities can. To the contrary, they make it more difficult to pay for the necessary upgrades, because despite some modest steps, politicians here and elsewhere have been unwilling to change our tax laws to ensure that vehicles using little or no gasoline pay their fair share for those improvements. Read moreEditorial: SC electric vehicle expansion helps state in multiple ways
DRESBACH  Traffic across both spans of the new Dresbach bridge have been flowing since Aug. 11, but officials from Minnesota and Wisconsin took time Friday to celebrate the completion of the new Interstate 90 span over the Mississippi.

The new box-girder bridge stretches 2,593 feet  nearly half a mile  across the Mississippi River north of La Crescent to La Crosse, Wis. It cost $189 million and took four years to complete, said Minnesota Department of Transportation Commissioner Charlie Zelle.

"I'm really thrilled we'll have safe, reliable transportation here between Minnesota and Wisconsin," he said. The bridge handles about 28,000 vehicles a day, and the construction also made simpler connections to U.S. Highway 61/14 that run along the river bluffs north to Winona and south to La Crescent. Zelle said U.S. 61 carries an additional 20,000 vehicles a day in traffic.

The bridge consists of two spans  two lanes in each direction  with 18 feet of shoulder per bridge to help with safety, Zelle said. The new bridge replaces the old I-90 bridge built in 1967. In addition to the bridge and road work, both Minnesota and Wisconsin will have new rest stops and welcome centers on their sides of the bridge.

"We expect this structure to last at least 100 years," Zelle said. "We're doing it right."

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U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar said the bridge  along with bridges that have been or will be replaced or repaired in Stillwater, Winona and Red Wing  all started when Minnesota began inspecting its bridges after the Interstate 35 West bridge collapse in 2007 that killed 13 people.

"We need this river system with locks and dams, and we need bridges for commerce," Klobuchar said. She pointed out that the federal government, partnering with Minnesota and Wisconsin on the project, provided significant funding for the new bridge.

The federal government contributed $107 million to the project, according to MnDOT.

U.S. Rep. Tim Walz of Minnesota's First Congressional District commended the crews who worked through a rainy spring and summer this year to finish the job ahead of the original November deadline and on budget. He lauded the cooperation between public and private stakeholders.

"This could serve as the model of how these types of projects should be done," he said. "This was on budget and on time."
CANNON FALLS  A four-vehicle crash resulted in the death of a Rochester woman on Saturday morning.

Lori Hoefs, 55, of Oronoco, was driving west on County Road 88 at Minnesota Highway 56 and 292nd St. E Road about 10:24 a.m. According to Minnesota State Patrol reports, Hoefs failed to stop at a stop sign and broadsided a car driven by Glen Travis, 81, of Dodge Center, and his passenger Brenda Travis, 78, of Rochester.

The impact caused the Travis vehicle to go into the southbound lane of Highway 56, where a car driven by Erica Myking, 36, of Burnsville and her passenger Renee Piersas, 36, of Bloomington crashed into it while traveling southbound on the highway. Another car was damaged from the debris at the crash site.

Brenda Travis died at the scene, and Glen Travis had serious injuries and was transported over to Mayo ClinicSt. Marys Campus. He was seen and discharged, according to a hospital spokesman.

Hoefs and Myking didn't have any apparent injuries from the crash. Piersas sustained what was considered to be non-life threatening injuries and was transported to Fairview Ridges Hospital in Burnsville for treatment.

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A total of five people were involved in the incident, according to reports.

The Cannon Falls Police Department assisted on scene as well as the Dakota County Sheriff's Office.
Many users experienced trouble watching Netflix over the weekend. An attack on Friday attack caused short outages at websites that included Amazon, Twitter, Netflix, Spotify and SoundCloud, according to a report from Reuters. The target of the attack was the U.S. internet services company Dyn, which is headquartered in New Hampshire and handles domain name system (DNS) servers for many big-name internet companies around the globe.

DNS is an all-encompassing directory of domain names. A domain name is the string users type in to get to an internet destination  google.com, facebook.com, postguam.com, etc. But computers dont use that string to talk to each other. Every domain corresponds to a numerical IP address, and DNS translates that text into numbers.

According to an update on the Dyn website, the firm's engineers were successful in mitigating the attacks. The firm said that hackers had leveraged vulnerable IoT (Internet of Things) devices to mount the attacks. Security experts believe that hackers used the Mirai botnet, a source code which was recently made freely available to the public, to proliferate and conduct the cyberattacks. Botnets are large groups of computers infected with malware, and can be secretly controlled remotely.

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Mirai botnet

In September, a hacker going by the name Anna Senpai released the source code of the Mirai botnet on the underground hacking community called Hackforums. The Mirai botnet enslaves vulnerable IoT devices such as security cameras, DVRs and internet routers by infecting them with malware, thus creating a digital army of zombie-like devices that can be used in large Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack A DDoS attack is basically a massive swarm of computers that overwhelm a servers bandwidth with a stream of constant requests. A growing concern for security experts is more and more internet capable devices are being produced, Every Nest thermostat or Wi-Fi-enabled lightbulb offers another point of intrusion that can be used for cyberattacks, Reuters reported.

Last week Thursday and Friday, the Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense (OHS/OCD), in conjunction with Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX), hosted a series of Community Cybersecurity training opportunities at the OHS/OCD facility in Agana Heights. The first course, The Emergency Operation Centers (EOCs) Role in Community Cybersecurity was a non-technical course designed to provide organizations and communities with strategies and processes to increase cyber resilience. During the 12-hour course, participants analyzed cyber threats and initial and cascading impacts of cyber incidents; evaluated the process for developing a cyber preparedness program; examined the importance and challenges of cyber-related information shared and discovered low- to no-cost resources to help build cyber resilience.

The last day of training is today, Monday Oct. 24, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. focusing on Promoting Community Cybersecurity a six-hour discussion-based training providing an overview of cybersecurity topics, cyber threats, and types of attack.

Case studies

Using case studies, participants are to analyze how cyber resources can be improved in areas of awareness, information sharing, processes and planning. Participant will examine protections within the context of an organization and the broader community. Training is free and open to the public, those in the business sector, government sector or in emergency management are encouraged to attend.

The purpose of the training is to provide cybersecurity training to emergency management officials or anyone in the community of Guam, (and) to help to better recognize the threat that cyber issues can pose to the community, said Michael Sevier, cybersecurity instructor with TEEX.

Security tools

Common security tools such as anti-virus or anti-malware software is good to have but is not going to fully prevent a security breach, Sevier said. Its like a lock on your door, if somebody wants in, that lock is going to slow an attacker down. If they dont have the motivation or time theyre going to go to the next easier target, he said. If they want in, good hackers will get through.

Server firewalls are a great way to prevent people from accessing networks from the outside, Sevier said. Unfortunately, recent threats like ransomware, a type of malware opened from an email attachment, that infects a computer and spreads through the entire network locking the owner out of his or her files unless the hackers demands are met. Firewalls are ineffective from this threat because they are accessed internally from behind the firewall, Youve already opened the door, said Sevier. Opening unfamiliar email attachments or links may allow such ransomware and similar threats to enter a computer.

One overall message Sevier said he wants Guam to understand from the training is, A lot of times we are reactive, we dont like to plan, because in a lot of peoples minds we havent had the big event. Just because it hasnt happened in the community doesnt mean it cant happen. Sevier said.

For more information, contact Jenna Gaminde, public affairs officer of the Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense, at 489-2540 or via email at jenna.gaminde@ghs.guam.gov.
Retired Marine General James Cartwright pleaded guilty last week to lying to the FBI in its investigation of him for leaking classified information to a reporter. Drawing on Josh Rogins Washington Post column, I wrote briefly about the guilty plea in The case of General Cartwright.

Now former federal prosecutor Andrew McCarthy devotes his weekly NRO column to a comparison of the Clinton email investigation with the prosecution of General Cartwright. Its a superb exposition of the double standard operative in the Clinton case.

Its not funny, although it reads like satire. It certainly warrants his addition to Hillarys enemies list. If only we could get Slow Joe Biden to read it, he would want to invite Andy to meet him back behind the high school gym.

The video below places the Clinton email scandal in a musical setting. It takes us from James Comey to musical comedy. The video is aptly titled Hillary Clinton & James Comey  what difference does it make?
Europe is being roiled by a populist uprising against a gigantic wave of immigration from the Middle East. More than a million refugees, the vast majority of them young men, have swarmed into Europe from Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria and other Islamic countries. In days gone by, if large numbers of young men wanted to move into a foreign country, they had to be armed. No longer.

Most Europeans are unhappy about this mass migration, a fact that Europes elites find mysterious, if not sinister. Two recent news stories offer clues that may shed light on the mystery.

From Austria: Verdict on swimming pool rape case overturned.

An Iraqi refugee who was jailed after claiming it was a sexual emergency when he raped a boy in a swimming pool has had the sentence overturned. An appeal court accepted the defence lawyers claim that the lower court had not done enough to ascertain whether or not the rapist had realised the schoolboy was saying no.

The schoolboy was 10.

The attacker, identified as 20-year-old Iraqi migrant Amir A., had been treated to a trip to the Theresienbad pool in December 2015 as part of the integration process. He had also been provided with a 15-year-old helper and translator who was supposedly teaching him how to integrate into life in Vienna. At the pool, Amir A. dragged the schoolboy, aged ten, into the changing rooms where he locked the door and violently sexually assaulted him, leaving him in need of urgent treatment at a local childrens hospital. The boy is still plagued by massive post-traumatic stress disorder.

But Amir A. was not without a defense!

After the rape, Amir A. went back to the swimming pool and was enjoying himself on the diving board when police turned up. The ten-year-old had told a lifeguard he had been attacked, and he informed the police. Amir A., who had worked in Iraq as a taxi driver, was still clothed in swimwear when handcuffed. He confessed to the rape, saying he knew it was wrong but did it anyway because it was a sexual emergency as he had not had sex for four months.

The appellate court overturned Amir A.s six-year sentence on the ground that rape hadnt been proved: Amir might have thought the boy consented.

Austrians could be forgiven for thinking that the only people crazier than Amir A. are sitting on the Austrian Supreme Court, but in Europe if you have misgivings about immigration you are part of the far right.

The second story comes from Sweden: Swedish terror suspect planned airport attack.

Swedish national Osama Krayem, linked to the deadly attacks in Paris on November 13 and in Brussels on March 22, is now suspected of having plotted to attack also the Schiphol airport in the Netherlands. Twenty-four-year-old Krayem, from Malmo, in southern Sweden, was charged in Brussels earlier this year over his links to the terror cell that carried out the attacks in the French and Belgian capitals in 2015 and 2016 and in which 162 people were killed. On Thursday, a Belgian court ruled to extend Krayems detention by another two months. According to an anonymous judicial source cited by Swedish daily Sydsvenskan, the extended detention comes on the back of new findings suggesting the Swede, along with an accomplice, planned to attack the international Schiphol airport in the Netherlands.

Here is the Swede, posing with an ISIS flag in Syria:

Things have never been quite the same since they started naming Swedes Osama. Just dont let on that you notice, or you are part of the far right.

UPDATE: OK, here is one more. You cant make this stuff up: Migrant foster mum reveals her horror at discovering 12-year-old refugee in her care is actually a 21-year-old Jihadi.

Kind-hearted Rosie welcomed Jamal into her family after social workers said he was a 12-year-old orphan who had fled Afghanistan. But she became suspicious when she noticed how hairy he was, and how adept he was at firing a rifle.

It would be hilarious, if only

Jamal was rumbled when a dentist estimated he was a decade older than claimed. Taliban material and child abuse images were later found on his mobile.

Cultural suicide would be a charitable characterization.
It hasnt gotten much attention, but the embrace of China by the Philippines, and its renunciation of the United States, is the latest in the long, sorry series of major foreign policy setbacks we have suffered under President Obama. In a state visit to China, Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte announced his countrys military and economic separation from the United States. He stated:

America has lost now. Ive realigned myself in your ideological flow. And maybe I will also go to Russia to talk to Putin and tell him that there are three of us against the world: China, Philippines and Russia. Its the only way.

(Emphasis added)

On his return to Manila, Duterte explained that by separation, he doesnt mean cutting off diplomatic relations with the U.S. or reneging on treaty obligations. The people of my country are not not ready to accept going that far, he observed. What I was really saying was separation of a foreign policy.

Thus, according to a government statement, Dutertes China speech was an assertion that we are an independent and sovereign nation, now finding common ground with friendly neighbors with shared aspirations in the spirit of mutual respect, support and cooperation. China, of course, is the main friendly neighbor with whom the Philippine government is finding common ground.

The Philippine tilt towards China fits the pattern of the Obama years. The revisionist powers  Russia, Iran, and China  are on the rise and their neighbors have noticed. They thus turn away from us and find common ground with the ascendant power[s].

This trend has intensified as Obamas weakness and unwillingness to advance American interests become increasingly manifest. As Walter Russell Mead puts it:

[I]n the final days of Obamas presidency, Russia, Iran, and China are all stepping up their game. Putin has been humiliating and outfoxing Obama at one end of Eurasia; Iran has gone from routing Obama at the bargaining table to enabling its proxies in Yemen to fire on American ships. Xi now has a triumph of his own, with one of Americas oldest Asian allies [the Philippines] insulting Obama at official events. Clearly, Americas opponents (and some of our allies) have reached the conclusion that this particular American administration is unable or unwilling to respond forcefully to provocations.

Obamas apologists in the mainstream media want to blame Duterte, a somewhat flighty leader with authoritarian tendencies, for the Philippines tilt towards China. They miss (or ignore) the point.

The world is full of flighty leaders with authoritarian tendencies (or worse). We cant build our foreign policy around stable democrats alone. We must maintain strong relations with key allies like the Philippines even when they are led by unsavory characters.

I should also add that lack of trust and respect for the Obama-led U.S. isnt confined to flakes and authoritarians. Israel is a stable democracy led by a rational (if not always pleasant) democrat. Under Obama, U.S. relations with Israel have deteriorated sharply, and Netanyahu is becoming increasingly cozy with Russia.

Lets return to the authoritarians, though. Mead notes the difficulty of balanc[ing] a commitment to human rights and the niceties of American liberal ideology with a strong policy in defense of basic American security interests. Russia and China have an inherent advantage with rulers like Duterte, not to mention Assad, who want to trample on the rights of their citizens:

Death squads and extra-judicial executions on a large scale: the Americans will lecture you but China will still be your friend. Barrel bombing hospitals in Aleppo? The Russians wont just back you; they will help you to do it.

How can we counter this advantage while maintaining our values? The way we have traditionally done it  by being more powerful than the Chinas and the Russias, and by showing a willingness to exercise our power in opposition to them.

Thus, our next president (Mead seems to assume, as I do, that it will be Hillary Clinton) has her work cut out for her:

[H]er first and biggest job will be to stop and then reverse the deterioration in Americas global position that her predecessor permitted. She will have to convince both friends and foes that the President of the United States is no longer a punching bag, and that the United States of America is back on the stage. She will need, and she will deserve, the support of patriotic Americans in both political parties as she undertakes this necessary mission. President Obamas mismanagement of foreign affairs is creating a genuine international emergency; the White House and Congress will have to work together to restore American prestige and stop the slide toward chaos and war.

I agree that Clinton will deserve bipartisan support if she undertakes the mission Mead describes. But unlike Mead, I doubt she will undertake it.
Islamist militant group al-Shabaab on Sunday seized control of yet another town in central Somalia.

A militant spokesman and a local official said it is the third city to fall to insurgents this month.

On Sunday, an Ethiopian contingent abandoned the town of Halgan in the Hiran region, allowing the groups fighters to enter soon after, said Abdiasis Abu Musab, al-Shabaabs spokesman on military operations.

A military offensive launched in 2014 by AU forces and the Somali army pushed out of major strategic centres, but the insurgents, who once held sway over much of the Horn of Africa country, still control some settlements and rural areas.

The fall of Halgan was confirmed by Dahir Amin Jesow, a member of parliament from the region, who said residents were being subjected to reprisals at the hands of the insurgents.

Each day, civilians are being beheaded over suspicion that they are government supporters, he told journalists. We do not have a government that is effective enough to protect our civilians.

The reason for the peacekeepers withdrawal was not clear. However officials in Ethiopia were not immediately available for comment.

Reporters say Somalia has been convulsed by instability, conflict and lawlessness since the early 1990s following the toppling of military dictator Mohamed Siad Barre.

Propped up by the AU-mandated force known as AMISOM, Somalias military and central government have strengthened their grip on the country, but a relentless campaign of violence by al-Shabaab persists.

The group regularly attacks AMISOMs troops, which are made up of about 22,000 soldiers and police from African nations supporting Somalias government and army.

Reporters say al-Shabaab aims to drive out the peacekeepers, topple Somalias Western-backed government and impose a strict version of Islam.

(Reuters/NAN)
A 72-year-old retired soldier blew himself up in a park in the Japanese city of Utsunomiya, killing himself and injuring three other people in an apparent suicide.

A media report on Sunday in Utsunomiya said that a second explosion, separate from the blast that killed the former Self Defence Force member, caused a fire in a nearby parking lot.

It said the mans home 8 km (5 miles) from the park burnt to the ground.

Images made available by the media showed two burnt out cars, one of which belonged to the dead man, about 200 metres (650 feet) from the park and a charred broken bench at the edge of the park, where a folk art festival was underway.

The police in the city said they had discovered a suicide note written by the man and were investigating the three incidents, but did not give further details.

Experts report noted that suicide rates have declined in Japan in recent years, but remain among the highest in the world, with around 30,000 people a year taking their own lives.

They identified financial stress of surviving on small pensions as the reason for pushing some retired people to end their lives.

They recalled that in 2015, a 71-year-old man set himself on fire on a bullet train in an incident that also claimed the life of a 52 year-old woman travelling in the same carriage.

(Reuters/NAN)
Cairo Ojougboh was a member of the House of Representatives and later national vice chairman of the PDP, South-South zone, until the crisis in the party broke out last May. He teamed up with the Ali Modu Sheriff faction where he is the deputy national chairman.

Mr. Ojougboh, a medical doctor, led the faction to the recent reconciliation meeting in Abuja. He spoke with PREMIUM TIMES Festus Owete and Ebuka Onyeji on the reconciliation process.

PT: Recently, the two factions of the PDP announced that they have resolved to work together. What motivated that move to work together?

Ojougboh: Of course, everything must come to an end, not to talk of party crisis; and that is how it is. So, when it was time, the voice of reasoning had to prevail. The party elders, the founding fathers, everybody felt that the party was going astray and then they had to talk to the warring factions, and then the political warlords said enough is enough. Peace must prevail. Again, the economic crisis in the country and the need for a vibrant opposition to further democracy in the country also were some of the factors. Furthermore, you have to also understand that Makarfi and Sheriff are two big friends, and it became obvious to two of them that there might be a third party wanting to cause problem between the two leaders. So they have to look inwards. They never had cause to quarrel when they were in different parties and they are like brothers. They understood that there might be extraneous factors trying to separate them. So these are the things that they realized and said they have to come together to solve the problems.

PT: But from the looks of things, it appears the resolution to work together is not working?

Ojougboh: Why do you say so?

PT: Because there is no effort since then, weve not heard anything.

Ojougboh: No, you will not hear anything because there are factors working behind the scene to make sure that PDP will not have peace. They will also get the information and work on the information you get. Persons within the PDP family and the people causing this problem who want to hijack the party will also work against the information. This is a political movement; and so you dont have to see it on the pages of newspapers.

PT: So, you are saying even as youve resolved to work together, there are still some internal factors working against the party?

Ojougboh: Yes, there are internal factors within the party working against it. This issue of peace is a task that must be done and we are working on it and we dont sleep. We are working 24 hours. Today we had a meeting on this issue but we dont address the press on it.

PT: Can you throw more light on these internal factors, especially those personalities within the party that are working against it?

Ojougboh: You are a journalist; is it everything you must hear from my mouth? We are under obligation not to say anything that can deepen or widen the gulf of the crisis. Its like a surgical repair and we are stitching up the wound. So that is what we are doing methodologically and we are getting results.

PT: The setting up of a 24-member committee is also part of the process to ensure reconciliation?

Ojougboh: No, the 24-member committee has not been set up. If you say they have been set up, they would have got their letters, they would have been informed. There are two propositions that I can tell you. There is a proposal to have six persons in the committee with one from each political zone or to make it 12, with two persons from each political group to make it 24. Weve not agreed whether it will be 12 or 24. We are still working on it, I am just coming back from one of such meetings. That is what is ongoing.

PT: Do we take it that there will be no strange bedfellows in the PDP anymore by the time you get together?

Ojougboh: See, that is what we trying to preach; that we must return the party back to the people. Traditionally, the party used to be supreme. If you can recall the days of NPN, the party used to be supreme. If you are a governor, we are happy with you. We give you our manifesto; you go back to your state and execute the manifesto so as to retain the party. While you are governor of the state, you are not the leader of the party in the state. The leader of the party is the chairman of the party. Then at the federal level, the national chairman of the party is the leader of the party. And that is the idea of multi-party democracy. I remember the days of Ambrose Folorunso Alli (former Governor of the defunct Bendel State), the UPN days, the party chairman will sit down in his office and the governor would visit him in his office. And if the chairman visited the governor, it was a very big occasion. That is how it used to be. How can a party chairman visit the governor and stay in the waiting room? No, it doesnt happen and these are the things we are trying to address.

PT: Are we then looking at amendment to the partys constitution?

Ojougboh: No, it is the practice that turned the thing upside down. Again, it is because of poverty and penury. We want to address that practice. The governor claims that he who pays the piper dictates the tune. So he now treats the office of the state chairman as a department in his government. It cannot happen anymore.

PT: Are you thinking of a new national convention to elect new leaders?

Ojougboh: That is the whole issue. Let me tell you and quote me  Modu Sheriff has agreed and made it very clear that he is not interested in contesting for the chairmanship of the party. He has accepted that the chairmanship of the party should go to the south. Where the chairmanship will go in the south and the secretary will go to in the north are the things this reconciliation committee will now iron out and then fix a date for the convention. We will look at the state chapters that have problems, address them and then we have one united party and go for the convention.

PT: A major issue in the whole crisis is that some members view Mr. Sheriff as a stranger to the PDP and therefore he should not have anything to do with the party. What is your take on this?

Ojougboh: What party does the Speaker of House of Representatives belong? Is he a stranger to APC? The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, was in PDP. Is he a stranger to APC? Are you aware that Modu Sherriff contested for senate under PDP in the last election?

PT: So what could have informed this position they held?

Ojougboh: It is because Modu Sheriff does not conform to the upside down arrangement where the party is not supreme. All he asks for is for the party to be supreme. Of course, when you want to hang a dog you give it a bad name. See what you are bringing out. This is why we are told not to address the press on this matter because what we say in trying to defend Sheriff or not will deepen the crisis. So if you want to ask such questions we stop this interview. Let me tell you  the success of this reconciliation committee is paramount to my own political life and interest, and in fact, the political life of this country that PDP will come together and be one and function properly as an opposition party. 2019 is not even the issue. The issue is how do we now return the fraternity that normally flow in political party politics. That is why we dont want to talk to the press, because the press is a major problem we are having. That is why I like the law court. The law is like an axe. The judges cant give judgement against themselves. They cant give judgement that can cause problem. They cant give judgement that can cause war. They do not give judgement even when its clear what the judgement should be. If its going to cause problem, they wont give it. So also politicians should be mindful of what they do or say because it is the press that can make this peace move not to work. So I am appealing to the press to encourage the party, encourage the participants in this democratic dispensation, especially in the PDP and not to lure them into saying things that can cause crisis. The position I hold today, whatever I say people will say look, this is what Sheriff has said and they cannot separate it from my own personal opinion and it is quite a problem.

PT: Okay, what are you looking at by the time this crisis is over? What are your major goals as Nigerias main opposition party?

Ojougboh: First and foremost, we want to play true opposition party like they play it in advanced countries of the world like Britain and America. National interest is paramount. In America, for instance, they do not seek the downfall of government in power. They only wait for the next election and so when issues of national interest come to the fore, they seek for a bipartisan approach. These are things the PDP will to do with APC. We are not going to say because we are not in power we will disrupt government. We will keep the federation one and we will keep the country going, so that when we come to power we can have a country to rule over. Let me tell you, we are not going to do those things APC did before they came into power by insulting the president. We are hoping to be decent. Our criticism will be very constructive even when the country is in crisis. We are going to be part of the solution. We are going to control our members, control the opposition so that we will be in partnership with government.

PT: Ultimately, your target is to take over in 2019?

Ojougboh: That is the target of any political party and we are not shy to say what we intend to and that we can offer solutions to the problems in the country. We are going to tell the country what we intend to do. We are going to bring our manifesto. We are going to raise an economic team and tell the people, look if we are in position, this is what we would have done. So, when we are campaigning, we will tell the electorate this is what we are offering, this is our landmark when we left office and this is where we are today. Compare and tell us. Will you prefer where we were when we left government or where we are today? These are the things we want to present.

PT: In this peace process, are there areas of disagreements?

Ojougboh: No, we have a common meeting point

PT: APC functionaries and government officials have repeatedly blamed the PDP for the problems the country is facing and you have just raised a point now. Would you agree that it was the PDP that led the country into this mess?

Ojougboh: I tell you this, PDP always says this  government is a continuum. We left office on May 29, 2015. There are indices on the ground. So its your problem. When PDP took over in 1999, a barrel of petrol was $11 and the PDP didnt say look, Abdulsalami, you are the cause of our problem or Buhari or Babangida you are the cause of our problem. We managed what we met on the ground and luck came in. The price of crude improved. As we are speaking today, the price of petroleum is $50 per barrel. So it is improving. We didnt know where its going. So, at the end of the day it is you the steward that will be asked.

PT: So, What is your assessment of the APC administration?

Ojougboh: If you ask me to grade them in security I will give them A+. They have managed the crisis, especially Boko Haram better. In the Niger Delta crisis, I will give them B or C+. Other sectors like anti-corruption, I think they are doing better than we did in spite of the fact that people say the fight is not holistic, that they want it to be holistic. We are yet to assess them in other sectors. And then the management of the economy is a big problem. But I believe Buhari is running a closed government, he should open the space in government.

PT: Are you suggesting all-inclusive government?

Ojougboh: Yes. Let me tell you, the brains, the human resources in this country are still in the PDP. A lot of people who can contribute positively in governance, people who can make the change, they are in PDP. A lot of people in the APC have not been in government for a long time and so they have not been able to catch up with the current mode of doing things. So, a government of national unity would work better for the president. And he still needs to open up the horizon. And decision making is still slow and appointments should be made quicker.

PT: But in all the 16 years of PDP in power, you never toyed with the idea of a government of national unity?

Ojougboh: We did so. When Obasanjo came to office in 1999 he did so. He appointed people in AD and the then APP. He had an all-inclusive government.
A typical day for 13-year-old Abdulrahman Ismail, a resident of Samaru Zaria, starts at 5 a.m. After the Muslim morning prayers, Abdulrahman sets out for his daily menial job at the gate of the main campus of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

There, he, alongside other young boys, engages in helping students and staff of the institution carry their luggage to their hostels or homes for a fee.

The young stewards are popularly called Yaro boys in the institution.

Abdulrahman told PREMIUM TIMES that the job is organized  any new entrant must fill a form and wear a uniform approved by the school authorities.

I was introduced to this job by one Ubandaba, who gave me this uniform I am wearing, the teenager told PREMIUM TIMES in Hausa. Though I have not filled the registration form provided by the ABU school authorities, with this uniform, any Yaro boy can enter and move around the university premises without harassment by the university security.

Abdulrahman is a Junior class 3 student of Government Secondary School, Basawa. He said he does the Yaro boy job in the morning during holidays. But when his school is in session, he resumes after school hours at 2 p.m.

We normally convey students luggage from the universitys main gate to their respective hostels and we are paid N20, N30 or N50, depending on weight of the load.

The youngster said he does the job to help his poor parents.

In fact, the day I disclosed to them that I want to start this job, they prayed for me. I make up to N500 per day from the job. I use the money for transport fare to school, books and feeding; while my father who cultivates farm land for people, struggles for my school fees.

Typical day of a Yaro Boy

Investigation shows that both minors and adults are engaged in the menial jobs for students of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. But they are all called Yaro boys, irrespective of age.

The young boys are always in large numbers clustering around wheel barrows opposite the main gate of the university; while the adults, fewer in number, maintain their post at the schools north gate.

Speaking to PREMIUM TIMES, 15-year old Hassan Aminu said he started the job a year ago.

It is more lucrative and less stressful than my previous job, which is dumping of refuse.

Before joining the Yaro boys, Hassan said he first took to washing clothes and running errands for students in Suleiman Hall, a male hostel on the universitys main campus.

I used to go to the market to purchase food stuffs for them and also carry loads in and out of the campus. But now the school security has restricted our activities on the campus. They only allow us to convey luggage now.

Hassan said he makes up to N600 daily.

Enrollment

Muntari Sani, 19, has worked as Yaro boy for two years. A resident of Zaria, Muntari said he was introduced to the business by his brother.

I was able to secure this job through the help of my elder brother, Lawal, who is a friend of our union chairman, Sani. He filled a form for me containing my bio data and I attached my passport.

After his enrollment, a uniform with badge number 072 was issued to him, according to Muntari, by the universitys head of security.

The red uniform has Yaro Boy inscribed on the universitys logo and tagged Alex Hall, an indication of his job territory.

PREMIUM TIMES sought to speak with the universitys assistant security chief about the Yaro boys. But he said he could not grant an interview without authorization from the office of the Director of Public Affairs.

The public affairs office declined to grant the authorization and would not speak on the matter either.

However, the head of the schools security task force, identified only as Danladi O.C (or O.C Task Force), denied that the university authorities were involved in the enrolments of the Yaro boys.

In a brief telephone conversation with our reporter, Mr. Danladi said I have not seen anything like that yet. He declined further comments and hung up on the call.

But the chairman of the Students Representative Council, SRC, Musa Lawal, said Mr. Danladi was not truthful in his claim not to know about the activities of Yaro boys on the campus.

Mr. Musa, a 500-level student of Veterinary Medicine, told PREMIUM TIMES that the security task force and SRC were collaborating to monitor the operations of the Yaro boys.

This issue of Yaro Boys, I met it here even though when we came they were not registered. The university, through the security got these Yaro boys registered and got their parents to sign for them as referees. They were duly registered and given numbers.

After that, they registered with the SRC at the level of the hostel representatives in which, when you are to hire a Yaro boy, you have to go to your Hall Rep or the Hall governor.

The activities of the Yaro boys include washing clothes, plates, sweeping and running of errands generally for students. And at the school level, they carry loads from the school gates to the respective hostel of whoever desires their service, the student said.

The Yaro boys phenomenon is despite the Kaduna State government passing a law compelling education for all school age children and prohibiting engaging them in forced or paid labour, especially during school hours.

The Nigerian Child Rights Act also forbids the use of minors for labour.

According to the Article 3(1) of United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), 1989, and Section 1 of the UN Childs Rights Act (CRA), which the Nigerian National Assembly domesticated on July 31, 2003, and nomenclatured Child Rights Act provides that in every action concerning a child, whether undertaken by an individual, public or private body, institutions or service, court of law, or administrative or legislative authority, the best interest of the child shall be the primary consideration.

A lecturer at the universitys Department of Pharmacognosy and Drug Development, Umar Adam Kastayal, acknowledged that Yaro boys exist on the campus, even in the staff quarters of the university.

Mr. Kastayal, a former member of the House of Representatives, however, did not believe they go through formal recruitment in the university or that their activities constitute child labour or abuse.

It is a normal sight. I dont want to say they are children, but men of different ages, because you will even see old men helping and some of them are in the hostels and staff residential areas, the university teacher stated.

I think it is wrong to say (they are recruited), because a recruit has a process of employment, agreement and has terms and conditions. I think the word recruitment is wrong.

The don said he was not aware that some of the boys were underage.

I can say that claim (of recruitment) is totally wrong because I have never seen such underage boys referred to as Yaro boys being used to work either for students or for staff. If it exists, I have never seen it.

CIVIC GROUPS REACT

Some child rights activists have questioned how a university like ABU, the first university in Northern Nigeria, could allow something like the Yaro boys.

Hyp Egbune, head of the International Society of the Nigerian Child, condemned the act.

Well it is child labour, child abuse, the lawyer said. And for it to happen in an institution such as ABU is something that is condemnable.

In our constitution, its clear that any person below the age of 18 is a child and we have quite a lot of legislations both international and national.

We have the child right act, which applies to that; assuming the Kaduna State government has not domesticated it, that school being a federal institution has a duty to obey the provision of the child right act.

We also have the UN convention on the rights of the child which protects children from abuse and being subjected to manual labour.

In her reaction, Victoria Adeayo, the Executive Director, Refreshing Waters International, said, A child under 18 who has been exposed to menial jobs is considered a vulnerable child.

Every child under the age of 18 should be taken care of by their parents. So, I dont buy the idea of children feeding for themselves especially in such manner.
The All Progressives Congress in Akwa Ibom State has reacted to a recent controversial letter written by the embattled justice of the Supreme Court, Inyang Okoro, in which the judge accused some APC chieftains of attempting to bribe him over the Rivers and Akwa Ibom governorship election cases then pending in the apex court.

Mr. Okoro, whose letter was addressed to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mahmud Mohammed, specifically mentioned the former governor of Rivers, Rotimi Amaechi, and the APC governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom, Umana Umana, as separately making overtures to him with the intent to get favourable judgments for APC.

Both Mr. Amaechi and Mr. Umana have denied the allegations.

The APC in Akwa Ibom said Mr. Okoro, by his own letter, has only succeeded in shooting himself in the foot.

It is deeply saddening that a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria of Justice John Okoros standing, who is aware that Rule 1 (2) of the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers forbids judicial officers having any such social interaction with and/or opening his doors for persons known to be having ongoing cases before his court, can broadly announce to the world that he received interested parties in a legal disputation pending in his court into his residence, the party said in a statement issued, Saturday, by its spokesman, Ita Awak.

We cannot fathom what manner of thoughtlessness and recklessness are responsible for a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria venturing such an absurd self indictment.

The APC said it doubted if Mr. Okoro was the real author of the letter.

We express this doubt because we expect that Justice Okoro ought to have known that Mr. Umana Umana and Akwa Ibom State APC did not file any appeal at the Supreme Court.

As records will indeed confirm, the APC did not seek any relief from the Supreme Court except the affirmation of the concurrent findings of the two lower courts and a dismissal of the appeals by Mr. Udom Emmanuel and the Akwa Ibom State PDP.

If Justice Okoro is the true author of his letter, it is very possible that he is craftily mixing up issues by trying so inelegantly to cover up those who actually solicited for, promised paying him millions of Naira monthly if he cooperated and, indeed, got his concrete assistance in helping them win their Appeal in the Supreme Court.

The party said Mr. Amaechi and Mr. Umana never visited Mr. Okoro. It accused the judge of peddling vicious and malicious lies.

The party raised four questions which they said were unanswered in Mr. Okoros letter.

Exactly when or on which days, times and month did Messrs. Amaechi and Umana visit Justice Okoro and promised to be paying him millions of Naira if he cooperated?

Knowing that this was in breach of the law, why did Justice Okoro prefer to give the CJN an oral report of this crime instead of lodging official and written complaints of the two incidents?

If it is factual that Justice John Okoro orally reported to the Chief Justice of Nigeria on the 1st of February, 2016 that chieftains of a political party came to his house trying to bribe him to assist in perverting justice in a case pending in the Supreme Court, what official measures did the CJN take and where is the evidence that he informed the relevant authorities with a view of bringing the suspects to justice?

Why is it that absolutely nothing was heard or recorded of these purported attempts to bribe one of the Justices of our Supreme Court on or before the 1st of February, 2016 until the honourable Justice was arrested and questioned over corrupt practices in early October 2016?

The APC said if Mr. Okoros allegations were true, that the judge would have activated Section 23 of the Corrupt Practices And Other Related Offences Act, 2000 against Mr. Amaechi and Mr. Umana.

Section 23(i) of the Act says, Any public officer to whom any gratification is given, promised, or offered, in contravention of any provision of this Act, shall report such gift, promised or offer together with the name, if known, of the person who gave, promised or offered such gratification to him to the nearest officer of the commission or police officer.

The party said Mr. Okoro has brought shame to Akwa Ibom where he comes from.

He (Mr. Okoro) is the second Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria from Akwa Ibom State after the meritorious and exemplary career of late Justice Egbert Udo Udoma. We, therefore, naturally expected that Justice John I. Okoro will conduct himself with such decorum, dignity and integrity as late Justice Udoma did and thereby bring respect to himself and our people.

It is unfortunate what an unprincipled life and weakness of character has caused.
Sixteen years after member states of the African Union met in Nigerias Federal Capital, Abuja, and pledged to commit at least 15 per cent of their national budget to health, Nigeria is yet to comply with the declaration, popularly known as Abuja 2001 Declaration.

Health professionals in the country, who met on Thursday, during a workshop in Abuja, said Rwanda has allocated 18 per cent of it national budget to health, while Botswana and Malawi have allocated 17.8 per cent and 17.1 per cent respectively. Zambia is 16.4 per cent, while Burkina Faso is 15 per cent.

Meanwhile, Nigeria which hosted the Abuja Declaration, is still at 4.3 per cent, with no trajectory towards achieving the 15 per cent target, said the health professionals who met to assess the Medium Term Sector Strategy (MTSS), Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), and the budget process for health, as well as the role of civil society organisations.

The federal government allocated N250 billion to the ministry of health in the 2016 budget, out of the total budget sum of N6.6 trillion, while a little above that  N259 billion  was allocated to the ministry in 2015.

The participants at the one-day workshop, organised by the Federal Ministry of Health in collaboration with Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria-Partnership for Advocacy in Child and Family Health (PSN-PACFaH), called for the increase in the allocation, especially in capital expenditure, to the health sector in the 2017 budget.

The workshop recommended that not less than 1% of the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) stipulated by the National Health Act 2014 to fund the Basic Health Care Provision Package (BHCPP) should be included in the 2017 Federal Budget, and that the preparation for the 2018 budget should commence as early as March or April 2017.

The workshop said that the right to healthcare was one of the fundamental human rights, which the government of Nigeria is encouraged to prioritise, and added that government plans, policies and strategies on health should be made open and accessible in line with the Open Government Partnership Policy.

The workshop also recommended in-year, mid-year and end-year budget performance and audit reports should be made public to improve accountability, openness and transparency in the budget preparation and implementation process.

The representatives of development partners such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Clinton Health Access Initiative, and Society for Family Health were present at the workshop.
A former secretary to the federal government, Babagana Kingibe, on Saturday made touching remarks about his childhood, and his growing up as an orphan.

Mr. Kingibe spoke at a session organized by the Oladiran Adebutu Foundation on the theme Eradicate Poverty, Build Prosperous Communities' at Park Inn hotel, Abeokuta.

He said he lost his parents early as a child and had to be raised by a foster family.

I grew up as an orphan, but with difference, because I enjoyed the love of my foster parents who took me up when I lost my parents, he said.

I was following other children to school in the community, though not as a registered pupil, but standing beside the window to listen to classes.

And after the pupil finished I close with them, until one day a teacher who had been noticing me allowed me to start classes with others.

This is how I grew up to become what I am today. So, there is none of the vulnerable children or orphans who cannot grow.

Mr. Kingibe noted that about 40,000 children had been orphaned as a result of the activities of Boko Haram in the north-east.

About 40,000 children have become orphans due to insecurity in the North, he said. I am from Maiduguri, but what we are experiencing now is far better, there is no more bombing like before.

Mr. Kingibe commended the Buhari administration for the improved security situation, yet said there was need for more work to be done.

He appealed to corporate organisations and well meaning Nigerians to do more and support the effort in bringing succour to children who had been rendered orphans in the country.

Also speaking at the event, the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, called for more help for the needy in the society.

He expressed optimism that the beneficiaries of the foundation were destined to be important future leaders.

The monarch encouraged the children to be focused with assurance that they had a brighter future ahead.

The Chairman of the foundation, Oladiran Adebutu, in his speech, said the foundation had poverty alleviation at the forefront of its intervention.

With poverty alleviation at the forefront of our intervention, we are focus driven on particularly themed activities that can rapidly scale up and impact in the short, medium and long term, Mr. Adebutu said.

He added that the mission of the foundation was to support orphans, vulnerable children and women with increased access to quality education, primary healthcare, and others through sustainable development activities.

Mr. Adebutu said the foundation was a non-profit and non-political organisation registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission in 2014,and had been involved in philanthropic initiatives ranging from shelter, provision of clean water and others.

It is our mandate to give support to the vulnerable children and women in our host communities, he added.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has sent an open letter to Justice Mahmud Mohammed, Chief Justice of Nigeria, in his capacity as the Chairman of the National Judicial Council (NJC) seeking explanations on what he and the NJC knew or had reason to know regarding the report to them on 1st February, 2016 by Justice John Inyang Okoro, Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria on the alleged visit by Rotimi Amaechi, Minister of Transportation, to the official residence of Justice Okoro to allegedly discuss election appeals in respect of Rivers State, Akwa Ibom State and Abia State.

The letter dated October 21, 2016 and signed by SERAP executive director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, states that, We consider these allegations as constituting a serious threat to the independence, impartiality and accountability of the judiciary, and should in the ordinary course of duties, have prompted action from your Lordship and the NJC to wit: undertaking prompt, thorough and transparent investigations, and where there is prima-facie evidence of political interference in the judicial system, to report the matter to the appropriate anticorruption commissions and agencies for further investigation and possible prosecution.

The letter reads in part: SERAP strongly believes that the NJC has a responsibility to support judges in dealing with alleged corrupt inducements that are offered or the threats they receive, such as the allegations in this case.

In this respect, SERAP wishes to pose the following questions to your Lordship and the NJC: First, is it correct to suggest that Justice Okoro reported to you and the NJC on 1st February, 2016 his alleged meeting at his official residence with Mr. Rotimi Amaechi? Was Justice Okoros report documented by your Lordship and the NJC? If so, Nigerians would like to hear from your Lordship and the NJC whether Justice Okoros report was ever discussed, and what action, if any, was taken by your Lordship and the NJC to respond to the allegations raised in his report?

Second, is it fair to suggest that your Lordship and the NJC knew, or had reason to know, that the alleged visit by Mr. Amaechi to Justice Okoros official residence would constitute a case of political interference in the judicial system and a corruption offence under Nigerian laws and the UN Convention against Corruption to which Nigeria is a state party?

Third, after the alleged visit was brought to the attention of your Lordship and the NJC, did your Lordship and the NJC take any step to promptly and thoroughly investigate the matter further? Fourth, would your Lordship and the NJC agree that the alleged visit to Justice Okoros official residence to discuss election Appeals has seriously undermined the public trust and confidence in the judiciary, and the image of the judiciary as the last hope of the common man?

Fifth, is it correct to suggest that it is part of the inherent and implicit constitutional duties of the NJC to ensure that the judiciary as a whole does not lay itself open to the risk of political interference, manipulation and coercion to act in a certain way? Is it also correct to suggest that such duties require the NJC to promptly and thoroughly investigate allegations of political interference in the judicial system, that is, when those in political power allegedly use their influence to force or induce judges to act and rule according to their interests and not in accordance with the application of the law?

Sixth, would your Lordship and the NJC accept that the alleged visit by Mr. Amaechi to the official residence of Justice Okoro to allegedly discuss election Appeals was motivated, facilitated and encouraged by the apparent failure by the NJC to ensure, as part of its inherent and implicit constitutional duties: (1) that system was in place to ensure prompt and thorough investigation of allegations of political interference in the judicial system and where there is prima facie evidence, to refer such allegations to appropriate anticorruption commissions and agencies for further investigation and possible prosecution, in strict accordance with the standards of national laws and international law including the UN Convention against Corruption; (2) that any such system was operating in a continuous and effective manner?

Seventh, would your Lordship and the NJC proceed to establish a system to ensure prompt and thorough investigation of allegations of political interference in the judicial system, and then ensure that through such system the alleged visit of Mr Amaechi to Justice Okoros official residence is promptly and thoroughly investigated by the NJC, and where there is prima facie evidence of political interference, that the matter is promptly referred to appropriate anticorruption commissions and agencies for further investigation and possible prosecution?

Nigerians are eagerly awaiting clarifications from your Lordship and the NJC on the issues raised above.

According to reports, Justice Okoro in his recent letter to your Lordship stated that he reported to you the alleged visit by Mr Amaechi to his official residence to allegedly discuss how to win election Appeals in respect of Rivers State, Akwa Ibom State and Abia State. Justice Okoro also said that he told your Lordship about the visit of Mr. Umana Umana to his residence to allegedly make the same request of assistance to win the appeal at the Supreme Court.
The Peoples Democratic Party on Sunday said the controversial arrest of some senior judges for alleged corruption was orchestrated by President Buhari and members of his party, the APC.

In a statement signed and distributed by its spokesman, Dayo Adeyeye, the opposition party said Nigerians should see the recent clampdown on judges by the State Security Service as a vindictive measure taken by Mr. Buhari and the chairman of his party, John Oyegun.

Mr. Adeyeye said Mr. Buhari and Mr. Oyegun were desperate to avenge what they saw as unfair rulings handed down by some judges against them in the past.

Making specific reference to some past comments credited to Messrs. Buhari and Oyegun, the PDP said it is obvious that the judiciary can be said to have functioned appropriately only when they and their party win a case.

Mr. Adeyeye, speaking on behalf of the provisional national leadership of the PDP, said Mr. Buhari, earlier this year, allegedly decried the injustice meted out to him by some judges many years ago.

On the fight against corruption vis-a-vis the judiciary, Nigerians will be right to say that is my main headache for now.

In my first attempt in 2003, I ended up at the Supreme Court and for 13 months I was in court.

The second attempt in 2007, I was in court close to 20 months and in 2011, my third attempt, I was also in court for nine months.

All these cases went up to the Supreme Court until the fourth time in 2015, when God agreed that I will be President of Nigeria, the PDP quoted Mr. Buhari as saying in February 2016.

The PDP said the allegations by two Supreme Court judges that the Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, tried to induce them showed the depth of the administrations contempt towards the judiciary.

Consequently, we are not surprised with the mention of President Buhari in the statement by Justice Ngwuta because President Buhari has left no stone unturned to confirm the fact that he detests the judiciary and the rule of law as seen in his body language and actions since he assumed office, Mr. Adeyeye said.

The PDP also accused Mr. Oyegun of conniving with Mr. Buhari to derail our nascent democracy.

The party said Mr. Oyegun bemoaned the outcome of the Rivers State election petition appeal which affirmed the victory of Nyesom Wike and vowed grave consequences for the judges.

I still find the judgment on the Rivers State governorship election totally astonishing.

There is something fundamentally wrong in the judiciary. We have lost very important resource-rich states to the PDP.

No matter how crude oil prices have fallen, it is still the most important revenue earner for the country. There is obviously something fundamentally wrong in Rivers State which needs to be investigated and addressed, the PDP quoted the APC chairman as saying.

On this note, it has become clearer that the present ordeals of judges in the hands of President Buharis SSS are the fulfillment of a series of threats by President Buhari, Hon. Amaechi and Odigie-Oyegun, Mr. Adeyeye said.

Mr. Oyegun did not respond to PREMIUM TIMES request for comments Sunday night.

Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, said the presidency does not respond to PDP.

The PDP said Nigerias democracy is indeed in grave danger and called on civic organisations to rise and defend it.

Nigeria is sliding aggressively into anarchy and this must not be allowed, the party said.

The SSS accused the judges of corruption and said it recovered huge sums of questionable money in the October 7-8 raid.

The seven judges arrested have been released on bail but are yet to be charged to court.
As controversy continues to trail the crackdown on allegedly corrupt judges, the Muhammadu Buhari administration has commenced circulation of a document to educate Nigerians about the legality of measures taken.

The document, titled: Factsheet, is part of the administrations effort to contain the fallout of the assault on judges, which was coordinated by the State Security Service.

The factsheet was put together by the Presidential Advisory Committee against Corruption through different media channels.

An overnight operation between October 7 and 8 saw scores of masked SSS personnel swoop on the premises of seven judges across six states.

Supreme Court judges Inyang Okoro and Sylvester Ngwuta were arrested in Abuja. Federal High Court judge, Adeniyi Ademola, and his Court of Appeal counterpart, Mohammed Tsamiya, were also arrested in Abuja.

Others arrested included, Kabir Auta, Kano; Muazu Pindiga, Gombe; and Innocent Umezulike in Enugu.

The SSS said a huge stash of money was recovered from the judges homes.

The clampdown sent shockwaves through the polity, with supporters and antagonists of the SSS falling over themselves to offer opinions that support their respective stance.

The unprecedented action is part of radical measures the administration has resorted to in its fight to contain endemic corruption in the country.

Hours after the operation, Mr. Buhari told Nigerians that he was not waging a war against the judiciary as an institution but corrupt elements therein.

But the National Judicial Council, which traditionally exercised discretion over disciplinary action against serving judges, disagreed. The body, after a two-day deliberation, said the SSS action was an affront to the rule of law and the principle of separation of powers.

The NJC also said the tactics deployed by the SSS was reckless and could serve as an opening for armed bandits to raid their homes in future.

Earlier this week, the Itse Sagay-led presidential advisory committee enumerated relevant sections of Nigerian statutes to demonstrate that the raids were conducted in compliance with the law.

The committee members identified some of the major concerns Nigerians had with the arrests, and provided what they believe were the appropriate answers as follows:

CAN SSS ARREST FOR ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL CRIMES

Section 2(3) of the National Security Agencies Act 1986, State Security Service is charged with responsibility for 

(a)the prevention and detection within Nigeria of any crime against the internal security of Nigeria;

(b)the protection and preservation of all non-military classified matters concerning the internal security of Nigeria; and

(c)such other responsibilities affecting internal security within Nigeria as the National Assembly or the President, as the case may be, may deem necessary.

Section 315 (3) of the Constitution provides that:

Nothing in this Constitution shall invalidate the following enactments, that is to say ..

(c.) the National Security Agencies Act.

and the provisions of those enactments shall continue to apply and have full effect in accordance with their tenor and to the like extent as any other provisions forming part of this Constitution and shall not be altered or repealed except in accordance with the provisions of section 9 (2) of this Constitution.

WHO ISSUES A SEARCH WARRANT?

Section 143 of ACJA provides that a court or Justice of the Peace may issue a search warrant at any time authorising an officer of the court, member of the police force, or any other person named to search such building, ship, carriage, receptacle, motor vehicle, aircraft, etc. (Emphasis supplied).

Under the Criminal Procedure Law, section 109, it is a Magistrate who issues a search warrant; under section 75 of the Criminal Procedure Code, a search warrant is issued by a court or a Justice of the Peace.

WHEN AND HOW CAN SEARCH AND ARREST WARRANTS BE EXECUTED?

By section 148 ACJA, A search warrant may be issued and executed at any time on any day, including a Sunday and public holiday.

HOW SHOULD A SEARCH BE CONDUCTED

Section 149 ACJA provides that (1) Where any building or other thing or place liable to search is closed, a person residing in or being in charge of the building, thing or place shall, on demand of the police officer or other person executing the search warrant, allow him free and unhindered access to it and afford all reasonable facilities for its search.

(2) Where access into the building, thing or place cannot be so obtained, the police officer or other person executing the search warrant may proceed in the manner prescribed by sections 9, 10, 12 and 13 of this Act.

Sections 9, 10, 12 and 13 relate to the use of force in the search of a person arrested; inventory of items recovered in the search; entry of premises where a suspect to be arrested has entered into; and breaking open of any outer or inner door or window of any house or place whether that of the suspect to be arrested or any other person or otherwise effect entry into such house or place.

These provisions are similar to the provisions of sections 7 and 112 of the Criminal Procedure Law.

WHO ISSUES A WARRANT OF ARREST?

By section 36 (1) (c) ACJA, a warrant of arrest is issued by a Judge or a Magistrate. A warrant of arrest may be issued on any day, including a Sunday or public holiday. See section 38 ACJA.

Under the Criminal Procedure Code Law Cap. 41 Laws of Sokoto State of Nigeria 1996, Magistrates and Justices of the Peace have the power to issue warrants of arrest. See section 56 of the Law.

CAN ARREST BE EFFECTED IN THE ABSENCE OF AN ARREST WARRANT?

Section 44 provides that A warrant of arrest may be executed notwithstanding that it is not in the possession at the time of the person executing the warrant but the warrant shall, on the demand of the suspect, be shown to him as soon as practicable after his arrest. (Emphasis supplied).

By section 18 (1) (d) and (j) ACJA, a police officer may, without an order of court and without warrant, arrest a suspect in whose possession anything is found which may reasonably be suspected to be stolen property or who may reasonably be suspected of having committed an offence with reference to the thing; or for whose arrest a warrant has been issued or whom he is directed to arrest by a Judge, Magistrate, Justice of the Peace or superior police officer.

Section 149 ACJA is crystal clear that any person in whose name a search warrant is issued can execute the search. Also section 40 ACJA has conferred on the court the power to issue warrant of arrest to any other person as the court may decide.

The section provides that:

(1)A court issuing a warrant of arrest may, where its immediate execution is necessary and no police officer is immediately available, direct it to some other person or persons and the person or persons shall execute the same.

(2)A person, when executing a warrant of arrest directed to him, shall have all the powers, rights, privileges and protection given to or afforded by law to a police officer executing a warrant of arrest and shall conform with the requirement placed by law on a police officer.

It has already been settled that in the conduct of searches and arrests, staff of SSS are conferred with the powers of Superior Police Officers. Reference to police officers in any law in Nigeria, in relation to searches and arrests, also refer to staff of SSS.

WHAT IF THE SEARCHES AND OR ARRESTS WERE MADE ON IRREGULAR OR DEFECTIVE WARRANTS OR ADMINISTERED AT WRONG TIMES?

ACJA provides clear and categorical answers to these questions vide section 136. It states:

Where any defendant is before a court, whether voluntarily, or on summons, or after being arrested with or without warrant, or while in custody for the same or any other offence, the trial may be held notwithstanding:

A. any irregularity, defect, or error in the summons or warrant, or the issuing, service, or execution of the summons or warrant;

B. the want of any complaint upon oath; or C. any defect in the complaint, or any irregularity or illegality in the arrest or custody of the defendant.

ARE JUDGES/JUSTICES IMMUNE FROM ARREST/PROSECUTION?

Section 308 of the Constitution confers immunity from civil and criminal proceedings (within the set limits) on the President, Vice President, Governors and Deputy Governors. No other person, to my knowledge, in the executive, legislature or judiciary, enjoys similar cover.

IS DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDING BY THE NATIONAL JUDICIAL COUNCIL (NJC/COUNCIL) A MANDATORY PRECURSOR TO CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS IN ALLEGATIONS OF CORRUPTION AGAINST JUDGES/JUSTICES?

By the combined effect of sections 153 (1) (i), 158, 160 and 292 and paragraph 21, part I, Third Schedule of the Constitution, the NJC is an independent body that is not subject to the direction or control of any other authority or person and that makes rules to regulate the discharge of its functions. The Council, inter alia, exercises disciplinary control over judicial officers.

NJC is not a court; it is not a law enforcement agency. The functions of the Council are limited, in relation to misconduct by judicial officers, to internal administrative inquiry and recommendation of appropriate punishment of erring officer to the President or the Governor, as the case may be.

The disciplinary procedure by the Council cannot forestall any investigation that aims to uncover facts about allegations bordering on commission of crime by a judicial officer. Neither can criminal investigation stop the Council from discharging its constitutional duty to discipline its officers. The two processes can be sustained independent of each other.
The Nigeria Police Force on Sunday said there would be no cover-up in the case of the Assistant Commissioner of Police arrested with N2.7 million bribe money.

The Head, Compliant Response Unit, CRU, Abayomi Shogunle, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Abuja.

He said the police had taken all necessary actions provided in the Police Act and Regulations in respect of the case.

He added that I dont see anybody covering up this particular case because the necessary actions needed to be taken, the normal disciplinary procedure as provided under the Police Act and Regulations are being followed.

Mr. Shogunle, an assistant commissioner of police, said the officer in question had already been issued a query and a criminal investigation had been conducted by the X-squad.

The officer had since responded to the query and had faced the Force Disciplinary Committee (FDC), he said.

Mr. Shogunle added that the FDC had made its recommendations to the Inspector-General of Police, IG, which had been forwarded to the Police Service Commission, PSC, for ratification.

The processes needed have been done and all we are just waiting for is the recommendations of the PSC, he said.

He pointed out that it was when the Commission informed the IG on the matter that the CRU would in turn inform the public.

Mr. Shogunle said the IG had directed the unit to ensure that it discharged its responsibilities without impunity in line with its motto.

One of the things the I-G has tasked the CRU, which is no to impunity, is that the unit should ensure that it upholds that motto, he added.

It would be recalled that information about the recovery of the N2.7 million bribe money from the officer in question was made known in the third quarter report of the CRU, signed by Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police Abayomi Shogunle, Head of CRU in Abuja.

The report said the recovery followed a complaint made to the CRU through a telephone call.

On alleged preferential treatment for senior officers, Mr. Shogunle said the unit had taken up all cases against all police officers irrespective of their ranks.

Probably, we get more complaints against the junior ranks because they interact more with members of the public.

They are the ones that are always out on the streets. So it is possible you will get more complaints against them than the senior officers.

Mr. Shogunle assured that all complaints irrespective of the ranks of the persons would be treated based on merit, adding that the rule of law would always prevail.

The CRU head said that the inclusion of the X-squad unit of the police was yielding result.

One of the breakthroughs we have had as contained in the CRU third quarter report was actually done by the x-squad.

This is the kind of things the public should expect with the inclusion of the squad by the IG in the fight against corruption, he said.

He said there was cordial working relationship between the Nigeria Police Force through the CRU and human rights groups in the country.

As a matter of fact, we have a committee made up of these organisations to review policing operations nationwide.

We hear from them issues of policing and also give them feedback on their cases that were handled by the CRU, he said.

(NAN)
Night markets have resurfaced in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, nearly three years after they disappeared due to Boko Haram insurgents attacks, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

The markets disappeared in 2012 at the peak of the Boko Haram insurgency in the state.

The markets started resurfacing a few months ago, following the gradual return of peace and the removal of military checkpoints by authorities.

A NAN correspondent who went round the city on Saturday night found that there was large-scale trading in markets located in Bulumkutu, Wulari, Gomari, Gwange, Customs and other areas.

The commodities sold included fresh meat, fish, grains and other perishables.

Also, there were local tea sellers popularly called maishayi, bean cake sellers and even fried grasshopper sellers in some of the markets.

Traders interviewed expressed happiness at the return of the markets, describing it as good omen.

Ibrahim Yusuf, a meat seller at Customs night market, said the return of the market had brought great relief to his family.

He said we thank God that the markets have return; this allows us to operate here for some time in the evenings; it is a thing of joy for us who cannot afford to rent shops at the Monday market or Gamboru market.

Our customers are mainly labourers who earn daily wages who usually pass through this market to buy food items for their families before heading home.

He pointed out that the closure of the market created hardship to traders who had no other means of livelihood.

He added that honesty speaking, I had to beg to feed my family because things were difficult and I had nothing doing.

But now, I am very okay as I make ends meet at the market.

Ado Zaga, a trader in the Customs market, also said that the return of night markets had helped in boosting economic activities in the state.

He said most traders have returned to business since the markets reopened and residents are

happy now that they can stroll down to the markets and buy few things in the evenings.

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his sincerity and commitment toward ending the Boko Haram menace in the north-east.

He added that I think Buhari deserves commendation for his effort in the gradual return of peace in Borno and the North East.

We must commend him for chasing away the Boko Haram terrorists from Maiduguri, whether we like him or not.

Aji Kolo, a grain seller in Sabon-Layi, Gwange market, appealed to the state government to assist traders with soft loans to further boost economic activities in the state.

He said we wish to thank Gov. Kashim Shettima for his numerous support to victims of Boko Haram terrorism in the state.

However, we want him to extend this to local traders who have lost their business capital due to numerous attacks by the terrorists, by providing soft loans for them to begin again.

(NAN)
The North East Development Commission, set to commence operations soon, after the Senate passed its establishment bill on Thursday, will not succeed if it evolves a culture of settlement, a lawmaker has said.

Abdulazeez Nyako warned that the commission must not be handled the way the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, was; after it was set up to resolve the challenges and agitations in the oil producing region.

Its a question that keeps coming, Mr. Nyako, who represents Adamawa, said when PREMIUM TIMES asked him if the new commission would not go the way of the NDDC which is largely seen as corrupt and inefficient.

We were asked then by development partners and it was a question that kept on coming during the public hearing.

He said the North East had learnt from the NDDC.

From the beginning, we must ensure we come up with the right culture, not culture of what Nigerians call settlement.

If we create a culture where if senior stakeholders agitate, we call them and give them something to keep quiet; if youth agitate, we call them and give them something to keep quiet  without addressing the core grassroots problems  we are not going anywhere.

NDDC was created with the mandate of accelerating infrastructural and socio-economic development of the oil rich Niger Delta. But years on, and with huge budgetary vote annually, the project execution profile of NDDC is poor; the region remains volatile and the development crises that caused the agitations remain largely unchanged.

In 2013, NDDC got N315.8 billion in allocation; in 2014, it got N322.6 billion; in 2015, it got N300.1 billion; and N241 billion from initial N260 billion proposed in 2016.

Yet, it has over 7000 uncompleted projects, acting managing director, Ibim Seminitari, told the National Assembly in June.

For the North East, the development commission is canvassed to rebuild and rehabilitate the region devastated by Boko Haram insurgency that has displaced millions of citizens.

The success of this commission depends on six components: the Act establishing itself which must be sound; lean but effective board management and structure populated by people with the right attitude; programmes after comprehensive need assessment; budget; implementation; and oversight by the National Assembly, the Adamawa lawmaker who strongly supported the new bill said.

If any of these is not properly handled, God forbid it many not succeed.

On funding, three per cent of the Federal Governments share of the Value Added Tax, royalties from mining operations, and appropriations by the National Assembly will serve as sources for the commission, Mr. Nyako explained.

He, however, said the VAT clause would only be for ten years of the existence of the commission.

He added that there is a clause in the bill that says Federal Government can wind up the commission after ten years once the problems are addressed.

If we dont see impact of the commission after 10 years, what are we doing with it? We must do things differently.

Giving details of the structure proposed for the commission, Mr. Nyako said there would be board members from the six north-east states, and representatives from the other five zones. The representatives of the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Budget and National Planning will also be on the board.

He added that the commission would have three departments, including one on civil-military relations.
The Media Forum of Nigerias major Shiite group, IMN, has criticised Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State for banning the activities of the movement in the state.

In a statement issued to journalists on Sunday in Abuja, Ibrahim Musa, President of the Forum, accused Mr. Lalong of imitating Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State in banning the activities of the movement without recourse to law.

It is perplexing that the premise upon which Plateau State governor has placed his own ban was simply because of the ban in Kaduna State.

No recourse to the dictates of the law, reason or logic.

He is merely copying Kaduna State without basis. This is awkward to say the least, Mr. Musa said.

He noted that the ban on the activities of the movement in Plateau, like in Kaduna State, strips the citizens of the two states of their inalienable rights to practice their faith without molestation.

We believe Governor Lalong is fully aware of this and his limitation.

Mr. Musa said Plateau is the least state expected to copy Kaduna State in the infringement of the rights of its citizens.

He said: of all the myriad of crises bedevilling the state, IMN has never been implicated in any.

It therefore beats imagination why the state would target IMN for persecution.

Governor Lalong only seems to be playing to the gallery in making this ill-advised illegal and illogical move.

Mr. Musa appealed to the governor to rescind his decision to act like his counterpart in Kaduna State on matters concerning IMN.

We believe he (Lalong) should stand for justice, fairness and obedience to the rule of law.

We call on him to exercise his powers in ordering for the release of members of IMN in detention immediately, pay compensation to IMN members who lost properties in the state-sponsored terror attacks on IMN in his state.

We also expect him to prosecute those soldiers and thugs involved in the carnage during Ashura commemoration anniversary in Jos, Mr. Musa said.

(NAN)
The Kaduna State Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mohammad Abdullahi, on Saturday, alleged that the previous Peoples Democratic Party-led administration in the state spent N2.1billion on sweets, juice and food, annually.

Mr. Abdullahi made this known in Kaduna at a round table discussion on the Kaduna State 2017 budget proposal, organised by the Kaduna State chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ.

The commissioner also revealed that N500 million was spent, annually, on purchase of newspapers by the PDP administration.

He, however, stated that the All Progressives Congress-led administration had since decided to cut down on such expenses by channelling the funds to infrastructural development.

He noted that the adoption of the treasury single account and the zero base budget had assisted the state government in generating N38 billion to an open balance of 2016 budget.

We are borrowing the larger percentage to fund the 2017 budget but it is to be channelled to infrastructural development, he said.

Mr. Abdulahi called on the media to help in educating the members of public on the breakdown of the 2017 budget so as to ensure its successful implementation.

Earlier, Zhiroh Jatau, Acting chairman of the NUJ in the state, said the discussion had provided an opportunity for members of the press and public to be better informed on what the administration was providing for the overall development of the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Governor Nasir El-Rufai on October 12 sent a budget proposal of N215.9 billion for the 2017 financial year.

(NAN)
The Bayelsa Police Command, on Sunday said that it is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of an innocent person shot in error by police while responding to distress call.

Asinim Buswat, a deputy superintendent of police and spokesman told the News Agency of Nigeria in Yenagoa that one of the three people shot in error on Saturday died in hospital.

Mr. Asinim, who said that investigation into the incident had commenced, said the policeman who fired the shot was immediately identified and taken into custody.

On 22 October 2016, at about 1730 hours, policemen from the Special Anti-Robbery Squad responded to a distress call of cult attack at Ekeki village, Yenagoa.

The policemen were ambushed by the cultists.

Consequently, a police sergeant fired a bullet, it ricocheted and injured three persons who were unfortunately not among the cultists.

The victims were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa for treatment and one of them later died.

The sergeant who fired the shot has been detained. Investigation is ongoing, Mr. Buswat said.

(NAN)
The four suspects accused of kidnapping the traditional ruler of Iba, a Lagos community, will be arraigned before the Igbosere Division of the Lagos High Court on Monday.

Duba Furejo, Ododomo Isaiah, Reuben Anthony and Yerin Fresh will be brought before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo for offences of conspiracy to murder, murder, armed robbery and kidnapping.

In a statement issued by the Lagos State government on Sunday, the suspects would be arraigned on eight count charges relating to kidnapping of the monarch, as well as murder of the palace security guard, Sunday Okanlawon, and a commercial motorcycle rider, Joseph Okeke.

They would also be arraigned on attempted murder of the monarchs wife, Abosede Oseni, and armed robbery of Mrs. Osenis property, the statement added.

The suspects, on July 16, allegedly kidnapped Yishau Oseni, the Oniba of Iba, reportedly shooting five people in the process.

Mr. Oseni, 73, was released after three months in captivity.

The swift commencement of the trial of the suspects in the kidnap of the Oniba is a strong signal by the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode that it is not business as usual for criminals, said Adeniji Kazeem, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.

If you commit a crime, we will find you and prosecute you no matter how long it takes.

Mr. Kazeem said the state government would continue to support law enforcement agencies in the investigation and apprehension of all criminals, especially those involved in heinous crime of kidnapping, armed robbery and murder.

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode is committed to ensuring that Lagos state becomes a no-go area for criminals who target innocent citizens for kidnapping and collection of ransom, in an effort to get rich quick, he said.
When you announce at a young age that you want to have a career on Broadway, the statement can elicit some skepticism, surprise and criticism.

Luckily for Sara Wordsworth, she grew up in Linwood and Egg Harbor Township with two supportive parents who never gave her the idea Broadway was too lofty a dream.

Now, Wordsworth, 41, is preparing for the debut of her biggest project: In Transit, the first Broadway musical performed entirely a cappella. Performers will sing without instrumental accompaniment through the whole show.

Wordsworths musical, written alongside Kristen Anderson-Lopez, James-Allen Ford and Russ Kaplan, will premiere Nov. 10 in previews until the official opening day of the show Dec. 11.

The writers didnt set out for In Transit to be the first Broadway a cappella musical; it formed itself based on their own experiences. She describes the musical as a show about New Yorkers that is, of course, set in New York, but that everyone will be able to identify with through the characters and themes.

The scenes in it are really universal, and every person that comes to the show will find a piece of themselves in the show, she said. Its a traditional musical comedy, so youll find yourself laughing, and its just a really entertaining evening in the theater.

Wordsworths father was the Egg Harbor Township High School principal for 30 years. She graduated from there in 1993. Her mother was a musician and educator. Family trips were made to New York to see Broadway shows and other theater events.

Broadway has been my life. Im such a fangirl, said Wordsworth, who lives in New York with her husband and daughter. I kind of always wanted to work on Broadway in some capacity.

Wordsworth said she felt the call to theater in New York at a young age and she was thankful to grow up in relatively close proximity to the city.

As a kid I really wanted to branch out and do more work, and my parents felt the most important thing was to have a family life and an education, and then you can go out and do what you want to do, Wordsworth said.

She began doing community theater and various programs at churches, camps and her high school. Following her parents advice, she completed a theater degree at Fordham University and then began the grunt work of earning a name for herself in New York, which she admits, wasnt easy.

Wordsworth credits teachers in addition to her parents, who told her she should pursue the dream  support she said without which, she ultimately wouldnt have written her own show.

Wordsworth calls it lucky that not many people in her life told her no at such an impressionable time in her 20s in New York.

I was really fortunate, because Id call my parents on the phone and in my young post-college days and say, Oh, Im doing the fringe festival. And they never said to me, How much are you making from that? and they never suggested a more sensible career path, she said. With this show, if I hadnt had support and if I had people questioning, But do you make money doing this? I wouldnt have been able to.

Early on, she pictured herself performing on a Broadway stage, but that was due in part to the fact she wasnt aware of all of the ways she could have a career on Broadway.

When coming into the theater business, Wordsworth said most of the shows running on Broadway at the time were mostly by old British men and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Women, she continued, werent writing many shows.

The slow process of success in New York coupled with a lot of hard work was sometimes taxing for Wordsworth in the start of her career. Since there is no guidebook on how to be successful in theater or other careers in the city, trial and error and confidence came into play.

Wordsworth saw friends from her hometown hitting successful benchmarks in their own creative careers. As she and her friends got more creative and worked harder and harder, the success came.

Becoming friends with Kristen Anderson-Lopez in 1999 was something Wordsworth describes as a pivotal moment in her career. The pair, along with other musically minded people, gathered their talents while finding their way in the city and began to sing a cappella around New York.

Lopez and her husband, Robert Lopez, would go on to write the popular theme Let It Go for Disneys Frozen.

Kristen and Bobby won the Oscar for favorite song for Frozen. We became friends when we were all up and coming. Theyve been really supportive and are family to me now, Wordsworth said. It opened up things for me that Im really grateful for.

Wordsworth eventually got involved in the Frozen film as a writer and performer. She appeared as the voice of one of the trolls. At the time of the recording, Wordsworths daughter was 4 months old. Now shes 3, and Wordsworth said Let It Go is the soundtrack to her daughters life.

Wordsworth is still celebrating Frozen four years after first getting on board with the project. A live adaptation is set to premiere for the Disney Cruise Lines on Nov. 10, the same day In Transit opens.

In the late 90s and early 00s, Wordsworth and her group of friends moved from singing Madonna covers to creating original music. This led to the opening of a full-blown cabaret show made of all-original songs at a club called The Duplex in 2002.

After a while we thought, This is a piece of theater and wouldnt it be amazing if this was Broadways first a cappella show? We werent sure how wed get there, but through a series of really hard work, persistence and a lot of luck, the doors opened for us and we made it, Wordsworth said.

These days almost all of Wordsworths energy is allocated to In Transit. The musical is directed and choreographed by three-time Tony Award-winner Kathleen Marshall.

When I first heard about Kathleen directing my show I was like, Are you kidding me? Kathleen Marshall, does she even want to have a meeting with me? So every day when I go into work, Im in rehearsal, I feel I get to watch an acting class and that experience is not lost on me, Wordsworth said.

Wordsworth said the shows overarching theme is about being happy where you are on your journey and that everyone can use that message. She said with recent negative events political and otherwise in the country and throughout the world, its a good time for a strong message through theater.

She said the cast and crew are excited to debut the show that is the first of its kind, but that there is no telling of its success until the debut arrives. She promises and entertaining night at the theater for the entire audience.

I feel like theater has been a bright spot in times of trouble, and this show can be a bright spot right now with a positive message, Wordsworth said. Its going to be unlike anything that has ever been on Broadway before. Im so proud of it, and Im so excited. I cant wait to show it to the world.
Ocean City police said this month that the summers crackdown on people who feed gulls hadnt resulted in anyone getting a summons. Were glad.

In response to the intractable problem of gulls scavenging or even stealing food on the Boardwalk of Americas Greatest Family Resort, the city threatened those who feed the birds intentionally with up to a $500 fine and 90 days in jail if convicted. (We pause to imagine someone explaining that to fellow inmates.)

Turns out city officials and merchants were just trying to get peoples attention and get them to change their behavior as needed. The gulls surely arent going to change their behavior, which is set by instincts established over the eons.

The city seems to have done a good job of getting the word out. It used the public address system on the Boardwalk to warn people against feeding gulls and about the crackdown and potential punishments. Notices were also planned for the tourist welcome centers. The Press did its part by covering the crackdown and editorializing about it. If the city had made an example of a gull feeder or two, wed have helped make sure people got that message, too.

Wed prefer they didnt do that, probably for the same reason theyve limited enforcement to telling offenders about the ordinance and warning them not to do it again. This tourism region is all about making summer visitors feel welcomed, so getting them to comply with local practices should be done gently.

Many efforts to manage human/gull relations at the shore have begun well only to become ineffective. The city therefore might stress that, if necessary to get compliance, it will throw the book at somebody.

Look no farther to see why thats sometimes needed than Upper Township, where last month a car plowed into a group of gulls resting and warming themselves in a shopping center parking lot.

Two gulls were killed and others injured, prompting witnesses to call the police and the animal control service for the township. This week, the driver was fined $1,566 after his conviction on animal cruelty charges.

That sends a message that occasionally needs reinforcing  that intentionally harming or killing nongame animals is illegal and wont be tolerated by society, even if those animals sometimes are slightly annoying.

Gulls deserve better. When visitors see and hear them, they know theyre someplace special and different from back home. Thats why countless shore paintings, photos, illustrations, apparel and souvenirs include depictions of gulls.

People and gulls have gotten along for centuries at the Jersey Shore. With a little self-control on the part of the people and understanding of the gulls natural behavior, many centuries more are possible.
Gas tax deal unacceptable

On Oct. 7, elected N.J. representatives proved beyond all doubt that they have no interest in representing the residents who elected them. Government of the people, by the people and for the people has indeed perished in New Jersey. The problem is twofold: arrogance in Trenton and every local government, and apathy on the part of the people.

Having their constitutional rights stomped on isnt all. Residents pay excessive taxes, tolls, fees and assessments.

Finally Im hearing outrage. Maybe finally in November and in the future we will band together and remove everybody in Trenton that promoted this insidious law.

Scott Chilcote

Northfield

A.C. buyouts unaffordable

A city that is virtually bankrupt and has already borrowed excessively has proposed to buy out 162 workers, 107 who are police or firefighters. Does anyone really understand what that means?

The city would pay both the employees share and citys share of their pension for each year of service being bought back. For police and firefighters, this means 20 percent of their base salary for each year.

If a public safety officer is making $100,000, which I would guess many are, thats $20,000 per person. Times 107 equals $2,140,000. That doesnt include the other 55 workers.

The people or so called leaders who came up with this idea are idiots. Buying back a year or two is understandable but five or more is disgraceful. And this also severely impacts an already under-funded state pension system. Cant believe the state would OK this. Then again, its New Jersey.

Atlantic City has been trying worthless schemes for years and this is just another. The taxpayers of not just the city but the county and eventually the state will take the hit again.

Mike Iepson

Margate

Trump bringing GOPs demise

Atlantic County Republican Chairman Keith Davis said the pain of Donald Trumps bankruptcies 20 years ago would fade away. Really! I hear every day through the media how Trump screwed the casino contractors  even broke them. Now Trump demeaned women only 15 years ago.

This is the demise of the GOP, at least for the next 16 years.

This is the worst political event since George W. Bush stole the 2000 presidential election from Al Gore.

Anthony Platanella

Margate

Dislikes Trump, but issues require voting Republican

True conservatives have had serious problems with the Donald Trump candidacy. We have survived rude, crude presidents such as Andrew Jackson and Lyndon Johnson and unfaithful philanderers like John Kennedy and Bill Clinton (funny, they were all Democrats). But Trump is not conservative and not well grounded in his thinking and his opponent is a thoroughly incompetent, corrupt and dishonest insider.

Unfortunately, none of the above is not a serious choice. So the alternative is Trump or the end of the First Amendment rights of freedom of religion and free speech, total gutting of Second Amendment rights, obliteration of the 10th Amendment, open borders leading to erosion of U.S. culture, increasing recognition of Sharia law leading to subjugation of women and persecution of gays, lawless inner cities depriving minorities of safety and a proper education, increased racial tensions and increased political correctness that make open discussion of these problems impossible.

So I will hold my nose and vote for Trump and pray that the Republican Party comes to its senses before 2020.

Philip Blanch

Egg Harbor Township
Its an annual tradition each October.

A few dozen snowplow operators assemble at the Egg Harbor Township headquarters of Fresh Cut Lawn Care. Owner John Ferrie treats them to food and drink while they plan for the coming winter.

This years feast was a little lighter than usual, a reflection of last winters snow  or lack thereof.

Coincidentally, October is also when the long-range winter outlooks start coming out. Early forecasts suggest this winter will be closer to average in terms of cold and snow but also potentially active with frequent opportunities for rain, snow and coastal storms.

Last winter wasnt a good one for snowplow drivers, Ferrie said, because more than half the winter snow fell during one storm, Jonas. Then there was snow during the middle of spring cleanup in April, not to mention the incredibly warm December.

But Ferrie also knows no two winters are the same in South Jersey. And early forecasts suggest this one will be much different than last and likely closer to a normal winter.

To say this winter will be colder than last year is pretty much an easy slam dunk, said meteorologist Steve DiMartino, owner and founder of NY NJ PA Weather.

DiMartino spent the past 2 months devising his annual winter outlook. He predicts a more typical winter in terms of cold and snow and an active storm track.

Im expecting more of a front-loaded winter this year, with most of the cold and snow when we usually expect it from December through early February, DiMartino said.

Thats much different than the past three winters, which all featured significant snow late into March. According to DiMartino, that shouldnt be the case this year.

For the first time in a few years, we may actually have an early spring, he said.

While long-term forecasting is far from an exact science, there is support for NY NJ PA Weathers winter prediction.

On Oct. 20, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued its outlook for December, January and February.

According to NOAA, an average winter is forecast for South Jersey, both in terms of temperatures and precipitation.

NOAA also reissued a La Nina watch, after initially canceling it in September. Cooler-than-average ocean temperatures are expected in the eastern Pacific Ocean, a trademark sign of a La Nina.{span class=print_trim}(tncms-asset)f35ca410-c588-5384-9adc-b68da8a943b2(/tncms-asset)

{/span}

Last year, a record El Nino, the opposite of La Nina, was the primary cause for an overall warm and dry winter.

The numbers tell last winters strange story. December 2015 was the warmest December ever, according to the National Weather Service, including a record high of 71 degrees on Christmas.

The first snowflakes didnt occur until after the new year, and the first measurable snow didnt fall until Jan. 17.

After last years strange winter, average is good, Ferrie said.

DiMartino did express concern that the warmer-than-average ocean temperatures could lead to a few strong coastal storms and more coastal flooding, as well as trickier-than-normal snowfall forecasts.

Im going to have to buy a lot of coffee, as I doubt I will have one winter storm without having to figure out when and where snow will mix with sleet and rain, he said.{span class=print_trim}(tncms-asset)092da10c-47ac-506c-891a-f1a71c510ac8(/tncms-asset)

{/span}

Ferrie and his team of snowplow drivers will likely stock up on coffee for the winter, too.

Long-term forecasts are helpful, but regardless, we have to be ready by Nov. 1, Ferrie said.

Winter officially begins at 5:44 a.m. Dec. 21.

{child_tagline}

{/child_tagline}

{child_related_content}{child_related_content_item}{child_related_content_style}Bio Box{/child_related_content_style}{child_related_content_title}Winter of 2016-17 forecast highlights{/child_related_content_title}{child_related_content_content}

Temperatures: Slightly below average

Snowfall: Average for far South Jersey, but above average points north

Most cold and snow: Late December through early February

An early spring possible for the first time since 2012

Lots of rain/snow line issues, mixing with sleet and rain

Higher than usual coastal flooding and coastal storm concerns

-Winter forecast by Meteorologist Steve DiMartino, founder and owner of NY NJ PA Weather

{/child_related_content_content}{/child_related_content_item}{/child_related_content}
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.




DUBAI, UAE, October 23, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

CashBasha, a regional e-commerce technology firm founded by Jordanians, recently won the Startup Istanbul 2016 Challenge, coming in first place out of 2,700 startup companies who applied to be part of the event across Asia, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.

More than 5,000 people attended the event in Istanbul which brought together entrepreneurs, executives from tech and internet companies, and investors from across Asia and Europe.

The process for the award was extremely comprehensive; out of 2,700 startup applications from over 135 countries, 4,000 were shortlisted. Then a startup selection team interviewed and selected the most promising 100 startups who were physically present at the four-day event. Only 50 of them moved on to pitch to investors and competed to be one of 15 finalists that underwent another round of judging by a seasoned panel of experts and investors from firms like 500 Startups, Y Combinator, Abraaj Capital, and others.

Co-Founder of CashBasha, Fouad Jeryes, who received the award on behalf of the company, commented, "Representing the Middle East and Jordan in this global event for startups is truly a testament to the growing e-commerce sector in the region. By receiving this recognition, we hope to serve as an example for all the other Arab startups to continue pursuing their ambitions to solve the problems we face in our corner of the world and raising the innovation bar for the entire region."

Jeryes added, "When we established CashBasha, we set out to fill a specific need in the Middle East market and that was to build technologies to map the local and unbanked mentality to international sites so that customers could shop without the logistical hassles or unpredictability in pricing. Customers can pay for their orders in cash and get their items to their door as easily as if they were in the US."

CashBasha currently serves customers who are looking to shop from Amazon.com's entire US catalog and have it delivered to them in the region.

SOURCE CashBasha
CONCORD, N.H., Oct. 21, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Carrfields Primary Wool (New Zealand) is gearing up for increased expansion into the U.S. and Canada with the announcement that Krista Eliason is their new Managing Director, Carrfields Primary Wool, North America (CPW, NA).

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161021/431225LOGO

The position was created for Eliason to manage the projected growth into this market. Already underway is a joint venture with Carlisle Wide Plank Floors. "We see the JV with CPW as one of our main pillars of growth for Carlisle. Our values around sustainability and craftsmanship of fine heirloom quality product are completely in sync," said John Blaine, CEO of Carlisle.

Additional announcements on the venture from CPW, NA and Carlisle are expected next month.

Eliason comes to her new role with a rich background in the industry. She started out working within the industry as advertising and marketing manager for Wools of New Zealand in the late 1990s. She has deep roots in collaborating with wool growers of New Zealand - especially working with influential and respected growers such as Anabel Tripp, Howie Garner and Hamish de Lautour.

"Krista has been a passionate supporter of our wool cooperatives and the growers of New Zealand for many years. As we look to expand our footprint in North America, we are very excited to bring Krista to the helm," said Craig Carr, Director Carrfields Primary Wool, NZ. "She brings such a wealth of knowledge, creative ideas and an amazing track record of leadership to her new role with us, and we're very excited about future projects and products that will come out of this."

Most recently, Eliason served as President of International Design Guild (IDG), the luxury division of CCA Global Partners. She joined IDG in 1999, where she focused on differentiating the groups luxury position within the interiors community.

In addition, Eliason partnered with celebrity designer and social entrepreneur Mark Brunetz to launch Design for a Difference (DFAD); a cause-related marketing initiative that brings socially-conscious showrooms together with interior designers and other businesses to make over spaces at local charities.

"Design for a Difference is about building and strengthening communities from the ground up," says Mark Brunetz, North American Spokesperson for DFAD. "The success of the movement is a direct result of Krista's insight and prowess for bringing communities together through charitable partnerships." To date, DFAD has contributed nearly $2M in goods and services to charities in the U.S. and Canada.

Under her leadership, the division grew to 85 decorative showroom locations with sales of more than $500 million in aggregated sales.

Eliason was an early adopter of HRH The Prince of Wales, Campaign for Wool and has been fortunate to have had multiple invitations to meet with HRH to discuss the importance of wool as a sustainable, renewable resource.

"Krista has been a prime driver in introducing the Campaign for Wool in to the North American flooring sector. Her belief in and commitment to the fibre and her instant support for the educational marketing ambitions of the Prince's Campaign led to the launch of the Campaign's CEU programme for designers. Her inspiring collegiate approach enabled a swift outreach and created tangible opportunities for real wool at consumer level." Bridgette Kelly, Campaign for Wool.

Eliason and Kelly among other key leaders in the North American Wool Market have established the North American Wool Alliance. This organization will work in coordination with The Campaign for Wool, Growers, Manufacturers, Importers, Retailers, Trade Showrooms, Designers, Spinners and lovers of renewable products to educate, network and market wool in North American venues.

For more information on CPW, please go to http://www.cpwool.co.nz

About Carrfields Primary Wool

Carrfields Primary Wool is a 50% JV between Carrfields & Primary Wool Cooperative and handles over 40% of the New Zealand wool clip auction. With 11 wool stores across the North and South Islands, CP Wool trades locally and internationally, is a major shareholder in NZ Yarn and owns the international wool carpet brand Just Shorn. www.justshorn.com

Media Contact:

Liz Morgan, Liz Morgan PR

+1 904-608-3823 or [email protected]

Shelley Donnelly, Carrfields Primary Wool (New Zealand)

+64 274 333 343 or [email protected]

SOURCE Carrfields Primary Wool

Related Links

http://cpwool.co.nz


Name : php

Product : Fedora 24

Version : 5.6.27

Release : 1.fc24

URL : http://www.php.net/

Summary : PHP scripting language for creating dynamic web sites

Description :

PHP is an HTML-embedded scripting language. PHP attempts to make it

easy for developers to write dynamically generated web pages. PHP also

offers built-in database integration for several commercial and

non-commercial database management systems, so writing a

database-enabled webpage with PHP is fairly simple. The most common

use of PHP coding is probably as a replacement for CGI scripts.



The php package contains the module (often referred to as mod_php)

which adds support for the PHP language to Apache HTTP Server.



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-

Update Information:



13 Oct 2016 - **PHP version 5.6.27** **Core:** * Fixed bug php#73025 (Heap

Buffer Overflow in virtual_popen of zend_virtual_cwd.c). (cmb) * Fixed bug

php#73058 (crypt broken when salt is 'too' long). (Anatol) * Fixed bug

php#72703

(Out of bounds global memory read in BF_crypt triggered by password_verify).

(Anatol) * Fixed bug php#73189 (Memcpy negative size parameter

php_resolve_path). (Stas) * Fixed bug php#73147 (Use After Free in

unserialize()). (Stas) **BCmath:** * Fixed bug php#73190 (memcpy negative

parameter _bc_new_num_ex). (Stas) **DOM:** * Fixed bug php#73150 (missing

NULL

check in dom_document_save_html). (Stas) **Ereg:** * Fixed bug php#73284

(heap

overflow in php_ereg_replace function). (Stas) **Filter:** * Fixed bug

php#72972 (Bad filter for the flags FILTER_FLAG_NO_RES_RANGE and

FILTER_FLAG_NO_PRIV_RANGE). (julien) * Fixed bug php#67167 (Wrong return value

from FILTER_VALIDATE_BOOLEAN, FILTER_NULL_ON_FAILURE). (levim, cmb) * Fixed bug

php#73054 (default option ignored when object passed to int filter). (cmb)

**GD:** * Fixed bug php#67325 (imagetruecolortopalette: white is duplicated in

palette). (cmb) * Fixed bug php#50194 (imagettftext broken on transparent

background w/o alphablending). (cmb) * Fixed bug php#73003 (Integer Overflow in

gdImageWebpCtx of gd_webp.c). (trylab, cmb) * Fixed bug php#53504 (imagettfbbox

gives incorrect values for bounding box). (Mark Plomer, cmb) * Fixed bug

php#73157 (imagegd2() ignores 3rd param if 4 are given). (cmb) * Fixed bug

php#73155 (imagegd2() writes wrong chunk sizes on boundaries). (cmb) * Fixed

bug

php#73159 (imagegd2(): unrecognized formats may result in corrupted files).

(cmb) * Fixed bug php#73161 (imagecreatefromgd2() may leak memory). (cmb)

**Intl:** * Fixed bug php#73218 (add mitigation for ICU int overflow). (Stas)

**Imap:** * Fixed bug php#73208 (integer overflow in imap_8bit caused heap

corruption). (Stas) **Mbstring:** * Fixed bug php#72994 (mbc_to_code() out of

bounds read). (Laruence, cmb) * Fixed bug php#66964 (mb_convert_variables()

cannot detect recursion). (Yasuo) * Fixed bug php#72992

(mbstring.internal_encoding doesn't inherit default_charset). (Yasuo) *

Fixed

bug php#73082 (string length overflow in mb_encode_* function). (Stas)

**PCRE:** * Fixed bug php#73174 (heap overflow in php_pcre_replace_impl).

(Stas) **Opcache:** * Fixed bug php#72590 (Opcache restart with

kill_all_lockers does not work). (Keyur) (julien backport) **OpenSSL:** *

Fixed bug php#73072 (Invalid path SNI_server_certs causes segfault). (Jakub

Zelenka) * Fixed bug php#73275 (crash in openssl_encrypt function). (Stas) *

Fixed bug php#73276 (crash in openssl_random_pseudo_bytes function). (Stas)

**Session:** * Fixed bug php#68015 (Session does not report invalid uid for

files save handler). (Yasuo) * Fixed bug php#73100 (session_destroy null

dereference in ps_files_path_create). (cmb) **SimpleXML:** * Fixed bug

php#73293 (NULL pointer dereference in SimpleXMLElement::asXML()). (Stas)

**SPL:** * Fixed bug php#73073 (CachingIterator null dereference when convert

to string). (Stas) **Standard:** * Fixed bug php#73240 (Write out of bounds

at

number_format). (Stas) * Fixed bug php#73017 (memory corruption in wordwrap

function). (Stas) **Stream:** * Fixed bug php#73069 (readfile() mangles files

larger than 2G). (Laruence)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-



This update can be installed with the "yum" update program. Use

su -c 'yum update php' at the command line.

For more information, refer to "Managing Software with yum",

available at https://docs.fedoraproject.org/yum/.



All packages are signed with the Fedora Project GPG key. More details on the

GPG keys used by the Fedora Project can be found at

https://fedoraproject.org/keys

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-

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To unsubscribe send an email to package-announce-leave@lists.fedoraproject.org


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
London, Oct 23 : Britain can lead the way in efforts to address the plight of children caught up in the Syrian conflict, actress Carey Mulligan has said.

The Great Gatsby star joined the demonstration just opposite the gates to Downing Street, where teddy bears were later laid in a poignant message from campaigners about the human cost of the long-running conflict on Saturday.

A small light brown-coloured teddy belonging to her one-year-old daughter Evelyn was amongst the pile, and she told how becoming a parent has motivated her to raise awareness and to help.

She said: "I brought one of my daughter's teddy bears here today and ever since having my child -- I've worked with War Child for a couple of years now -- but since having my daughter, it just drives home even more how unimaginable it would be for her to be in any of these situations and to have to deal with any of this."

"It just really drives me to speak out and do more if I can."

She described the demonstration as the opportunity to "stand up and say that we need to do something real".

Mulligan, an ambassador for War Child, has previously spoken out saying that the inaction in Calais -- where many unaccompanied refugee children have become stranded in the so-called Jungle camp -- made her ashamed to be British. But she said the arrival of young refugees in Croydon in recent days helped restore some of her faith.

She added: "I feel very proud to be British in this regard. We have made a strong stance this week."

"I think we really can lead the way here and we can lead people and work with our international allies to come up with a robust plan to finally put this to an end," the Independent quoted her as saying.

She recalled the night-time ritual of putting her daughter to bed and told the gathered crowd: "I'm safe in the knowledge that when I put Evie down to bed she is safe."

She added: "The parents in Aleppo aren't. They don't know what the night will bring."

As well as the protest, a letter was delivered to Number 10 demanding Theresa May take action to help end the violence.

It comes after the Prime Minister on Friday insisted the EU must keep "all options" open if Russia continues to commit atrocities in the conflict zone.
Lucknow, Oct 23 : In a fresh twist in the ongoing dispute in the ruling Samajwadi Party, general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav on Sunday wrote a one-page letter to party workers saying the future of the SP lay in Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.

The letter addressed to "pyare saathiyon" (dear colleagues) said Ram Gopal's aim was to ensure that a state government was formed in the leadership of his nephew Akhilesh.

The Rajya Sabha member who was hitherto considered the think tank of the party has now thrown his lot behind Akhilesh and virtually crossed daggers with his cousins Mulayam Singh Yadav and Shivpal Singh Yadav.

In his letter Ram Gopal said that people with Akhilesh were those who have spilled blood for the party and made great sacrifices whereas those who "minted crores and misused power" were on the other side.

The national party general secretary said while their thinking was positive, others were of negative mindset.

The letter was released around 6.30 in the morning. He is understood to have written from Mumbai.

While no names have been taken, the political overtones in the letter suggest that he was alluring to the other side led by his elder brother Mulayam Singh Yadav.

The letter comes hours before a crucial meeting of party legislators called by Akhilesh at his official residence, where many feel, he could come out with his vision of the road ahead.

Speculation is rife here that the Chief Minister has thrown in the towel and now of the view that only his complete sway over the party decisions could alter the situation and salvage the SP's image, specially before the forthcoming state assembly polls which are just a few months away.

Party veterans led by Rajya Sabha members Reoti Raman Singh, Beni Prasad Verma, Naresh Agarawal and Kironmoy Nanda, who tried to broker truce between the warring father and son on Saturday, will meet the SP chief on Sunday around 11.

At the same time, the Chief Minister is going to meet the party legislators at his official 5, Kalidas Marg residence.

According to sources, neither Shivpal Singh Yadav, who is an MLA from Jaswantnagar, has been invited for the meeting nor many of the legislators who support him.

The sources said there was no official word in this regard. Shivpal, however, said he is going to attend the meeting if called.

Shivpal had personally gone to invite Akhilesh for the two-day district presidents' meet of the party which the Chief Minister chose to skip and instead called some of them to his official residence for a chat.

Political observers here feel that the infighting in the party has come to a situation of no return and that days to come would be turbulent, both for the party and the state.
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.
Washington, Oct 23 : US Democratic candidate for Vice President Tim Kaine said the US relations with Cuba, resumed under President Barack Obama, may progress faster or slower but "never go back" to what they were.

"The process will go forward, never backwards, but we need to work with Cuba on matters of importance, especially on human rights issues," the Spanish-speaking senator from Virginia said in an interview to Efe news.

"So we may have a fast or slow process, but we're not going back," Kaine said when asked about possible Republican obstacles to lifting the embargo on the island-country.

The senator, who has special ties with Latin America and the Hispanic community, spoke of the benefits that the new diplomacy with Havana means for the US.

"Our process with Cuba is helping the US in its relations with every country in the Americas...Hillary (Democratic presidential candidate) and I want to work with all the nations of the Americas," Kaine said.

"From the Yukon (Canada) to Patagonia (South America) we want to work in a different, special way with the nations of the Americas," the senator said.

Obama, who announced the renewal of relations with Cuba in December 2014, recently issued an executive order to make the process of normalising relations with Cuba as "irreversible."

However, the President continues to come up against major stumbling blocks in Congress with its Republican majority, where a strong group of lawmakers appears totally opposed to lifting the embargo on the island-country.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said if he wins the election, he will reverse the US opening towards Cuba promoted by Obama, unless religious and political freedoms are established on that country.
New York, Oct 23 : A week ahead of the launch of new MacOS-powered computers, Apple is investigating a claim that its latest device iPhone 7 overheated, caught fire and reportedly destroyed a car in Australia.

The incident comes at a time when South Korean giant Samsung is recuperating from the aftermath of the premium Galaxy Note 7 device failure, which has been in news for catching fire.

According to a report in technology website Fortune, Australian man Mat Jones left his iPhone 7 in his car while he was at a surfing lesson.

When Jones returned, he saw his vehicle filled with smoke and burned up in the same area where he had placed his iPhone 7.

Jones said his iPhone 7 was to blame and he shared images showing the molten remains of his Apple smartphone.

His pants, in which he had wrapped the iPhone 7 before heading to his lesson, were on fire when he got to his car, a report by Australia's 7 News noted.

"Ash was just coming from inside the pants, which then once you wrapped open the pants, the phone was just melting inside of it," Jones was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, an Apple spokesperson said the company is in contact with Jones and investigating the matter, Fortune reported.
New Delhi, Oct 23 : Creating a vibrant ecosystem for institutional arbitration is one of the foremost priorities of the government, which is committed to providing ease of doing business, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said here on Sunday.

"Creation of a vibrant ecosystem for institutional arbitration is one of the foremost priorities of our government. It has recently introduced major amendments to the Arbitration and Conciliation Act to ensure that the arbitration process is easy, timely and hassle-free," Modi said at the closing session of a three-day international conference on National Initiative Towards Strengthening Arbitration and Enforcement in India.

"These amendments have brought our arbitration process in tune with global best practices. This has given us an opportunity to emerge as a leading arbitration jurisdiction," he said.

Modi said that India should be promoted globally as an arbitration hub.

"India also has a large number of retired judges, engineers, and scientists who can function as competent arbitrators in various fields... There is need to develop specialised arbitration bar associations. We also need professionally run arbitral institutions which can deliver international standards of services at reasonable costs to businesses in India," he said.

Modi pointed out the challenges, which include availability of good quality, globally recognised arbitrators, observance of professional conduct, ensuring neutrality and timely completion of proceedings and cost effectiveness.

He said the availability of quality arbitration mechanisms is an integral component of ease of doing business.

"Hong Kong and Singapore have emerged as preferred arbitration destinations. As popular business hubs, they also rank high in the levels of ease of doing business. Thus, availability of quality arbitration mechanisms is an integral component of ease of doing business, to which our government is committed," he said.

He stressed the need to "simultaneously facilitate an ecosystem for alternate dispute resolution", including arbitration, mediation and conciliation.

"An enabling alternate dispute resolution ecosystem is a national priority for India," Modi said, adding that such resolution of disputes "preserve personal and business relationships that might otherwise be damaged by the adversarial process".

"This will provide additional comfort to investors and businesses. More importantly, it will also ease the case-load on Indian courts," he said.

Modi said there should be deliberations on ways and means to supplement the efforts of the judiciary and arbitration mechanisms.

"Mediation is one such mechanism, the potential of which has not been utilized much in the country," Modi said.
Lucknow, Oct 23 : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday ruled out any move to split the Samajwadi Party even as he called himself the rightful successor to his father and party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav.

The 43-year-old Chief Minister reportedly became emotional when he told his supporters that he would also be attending a meeting called on Monday by his father.

"Netaji is not only the leader of the party but also my father and I will always serve him," he said.

Akhilesh Yadav, however, openly targeted Rajya Sabha member Amar Singh for the first time, calling him a "dalal" who is out to break his family as well as the Samajwadi Party.

Legislators who attended the meeting said Akhilesh Yadav accused Amar Singh of acting at the behest of the BJP.

"Anybody who is close to Amar Singh or bats for him cannot be in my cabinet," he told the legislators gathered at his official residence while justifying his decision to sack Shivpal Yadav and three other ministers.

The sacked ministers are known to be ardent supporters of Shivpal Yadav, who is also the state Samajwadi Party chief and known to be close to Mulayam Singh.

Soon after he was shown the door, a second time in a little over a month, Shivpal Yadav dumped his government vehicle and started using his private car, an official said.

Shivpal Yadav then went to meet his elder brother, Mulayam Singh.

Shivpal Yadav is reported to be very livid over his sacking and has told Mulayam Singh that the "immaturity and arrogance" of Akhilesh Yadav cannot be tolerated any longer.

This is the second time in a month that Shivpal Yadav has been sacked by his nephew.

On the first occasion, he was shown the door on September 13 but was taken back after the party chief asked Akhilesh Yadav to revoke his decision.

Akhilesh Yadav, however, retained the PWD portfolio that Shivpal Yadav held earlier.

Soon after the four ministers were sacked on Sunday, senior party leaders rushed to meet both Mulayam Singh and Akhilesh Yadav.

Independent MLA and controversial minister Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias Raja Bhaiyya met the Chief Minister and later told reporters that people will have to accept the decision of Akhilesh Yadav.

He also urged party leaders and workers to refrain from making public comments against anyone.

In a related development, Transport Minister Gayatri Prajapati, known to be another bone of contention between the two camps, met Akhilesh Yadav twice in two hours.

A source told IANS that Mulayam Singh was cut up with his cousin and Rajya Sabha member Ram Gopal Yadav, who in a letter on Sunday morning stoked the fire in the family even further.

In his hand-written letter, timed 6 a.m. and datelined Mumbai, Ram Gopal Yadav has urged party workers to support Akhilesh Yadav as he was the one who would lead them to victory.

"Jahan Akhilesh hai, wahan vijay hai," he wrote.

Those who are opposing the Chief Minister were greedy, corrupt and characterless people and they would not even be able to see the Vidhan Sabha again, he wrote.

This is being seen as an attack on Mulayam Singh and Shivpal Yadav.

Ram Gopal also urged the Chief Minister to embark on his 'yatra' from November 3.
Lucknow, Oct 23 : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday asked Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav to prove his majority in the Uttar Pradesh assembly.

The BJP's demand came amid a deepening strife within the Samajwadi Party, with Akhilesh Yadav sacking four ministers and the Samajwadi leadership retaliating by ousting Ram Gopal Yadav, a senior leader.

State BJP chief Keshav Prasad Maurya told the media that the government had lost its majority and the time had come for the Chief Minister to prove he had the numbers in the house.

Maurya added that as the battle for supremacy in Uttar Pradesh's first family was unfolding, people's problems have been sidelined. "There is no one to hear the people, there is chaos all around."
New Delhi, Oct 23 : Swaraj India on Sunday flagged off its 'MCD - My Clean Delhi' campaign from Karawal Nagar here to rid Delhi of dirt and filth.

The campaign was launched by Swaraj India President Yogendra Yadav during a public meeting.

Addressing the meeting, Yadav said: "Information is pouring in from every corner of Delhi. Citizens are registering complaints, but the garbage is not being removed."

Yadav said that every Delhi neighbourhood has a corner converted into a heap of garbage. "Even the Supreme Court has expressed concern over the unhygienic condition of Delhi and the Aam Aadmi Party government and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) have already been reprimanded by the apex court."

Today, Delhi needs such a party, which can work for Delhi, one which considers Delhi its own, and not just a stepping stone or a launch pad, Yadav said.

"People of Delhi are disappointed to see the daily fights between PM Narendra Modi and the 'small Modi'. People have no hope from them. We need to take responsibilities in our own hands. We have to clean our Delhi," he said.

Swaraj India Spokesperson Anupam told IANS: "It is a matter of serious concern that Delhi, the face of India, is today sitting atop a heap of waste. The way Dengue and Chikungunya held Delhi to ransom is simply shocking."

Despite the numerous epidemics, the government is busy playing with statistics in a bid to save its own skin, ignoring unhygienic conditions in and around the national capital, Anupam said.

"If the government is unable to provide such basic amenity as cleanliness, then both its intention and competence are questionable," he added.
Mumbai, Oct 23 : Filmmaker Shoojit Sircar said on Sunday that every person has a right to protest, but taking the route of violence and scaring off people from watching a film with a green signal from the government is not the right way to go about it.

Sircar was speaking at a panel discussion at the "Jio MAMI 18th Mumbai Film Festival with Star" here.

He said: "Let us make the kind of films we want to make. If someone has any objection with it, come on a platform like this (a film festival), discuss it, but don't burn down halls. Don't stop the audience -- the film lovers, from going to the hall. If you have any problem, talk to us. We are ready to talk."

It wasn't long ago when a few activists raised an objection over the content of his film. His 2013 hit film "Madras Cafe", set against the Sri Lankan civil war, had come under the scanner after Tamil activists alleged that it portrayed the LTTE cadres as terrorists.

"'Madras Cafe' didn't release in Tamil Nadu. They had political issues regarding the film. There is a government which gives a censor certificate to release the film...for the people of India to watch the film.

"Somebody may have an individual issue with the film, but you should not stop film lovers, who want to watch the film. Don't smash the halls. Talk to the filmmaker, debate it out, discuss it and see who is right and wrong," Sircar told IANS here.

He also believes that if someone has an issue, he or she has the right to protest.

"I am not saying that I can't protest. But there is a way to protest. Use an open platform where we can have discussions. Talk it out. Violence is not going to solve anything for us," said the filmmaker, who has entertained the audience with movies like "Piku" and "Vicky Donor".

Asked about the problem in release of Karan Johar's "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil", which features Pakistani actor Fawad Khan, Sircar said: "I don't want to comment on that. I am not a political person who can comment on that."

The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) on Saturday allowed the release of "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" on October 28, but with a rider: all the producers who hired Pakistani artistes, must pay Rs 5 crore each to the Indian Army's welfare fund as atonement. Distributors and cinema owners have also come forward in support of the film.

Talking about film festivals, Sircar said that Delhi used to be the hub of such fests, where he used to learn how to make films.

(The writer is in Mumbai at the invitation of Jio MAMI 18th Mumbai Film Festival with Star. Natalia Ningthoujam can be contacted at natalia.n@ians.in)
Washington, Oct 24 : US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's campaign director Kellyanne Conway said on Sunday that "this election doesn't feel over", although she admitted that "we are behind" the real-estate magnate's Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.

Clinton "has some advantages," EFE news quoted Conway as telling to NBC's "Meet the Press", including "$66 million in ad buys just in the month of September, ... doubling her ad buys from August. ... She has a former President, who happens to be her husband (Bill Clinton), campaigning for her. The current President and First Lady (Barack and Michelle Obama), Vice President (Joe Biden), all much more popular than she can hope to be."

Conway said on the circuit of Sunday morning political discussion programmes that many media outlets say that a win by Clinton is virtually a foregone conclusion.

Because of Clinton's advantages, Conway said, Trump will invest more resources in the states considered to be crucial in winning the November 8 election, including Florida, Ohio, Iowa, North Carolina and Nevada.

She said that the campaign was not going to give up, adding that Trump can still win the election, despite being behind in the polls at present.

In all those key states, except Ohio, Clinton is ahead of Trump, but Conway said that the race is still close enough that it could turn in Trump's favour in the next two weeks.

Trump has redoubled his campaign efforts and in the coming days he will kick things up a notch with up to three rallies or other events per day in those states.

Between Sunday and Tuesday, the GOP candidate is scheduled to hold five rallies in Florida, the first one to take place on Sunday evening in the southwestern coastal city of Naples.
Nimbus PainPRO

InfuTronix, LLC, a global medical device manufacturer focused on developing the next generation ambulatory infusion pumps, is inviting visitors to explore the new website at http://www.nimbuspump.com for its Nimbus PainPRO product.

With a brand new design and feel, InfuTronixs website features innovation capabilities, a progressive user interface, and an efficient customer experience. Visitors are now able to make easier and more direct access to InfuTronixs Nimbus PainPRO product information and educational content through online browsing. Additionally, they will find press releases, links to recent conferences and trade shows that Nimbus PainPRO will be featured on the new website. The website has also been designed to be compatible with most types of browsers and mobile devices, enabling a more convenient user experience for its visitors.

"A streamlined, well working continuous block program takes a team of skilled healthcare providers, so we focused the new website to speak specifically to key stakeholders, each one an integral member of the clinical team, emphasizing what our customers are telling us about how the Nimbus PainPRO is improving the way they manage their patients, according to John LaFratta, Director of Sales and Business Development for InfuTronix.

The Nimbus PainPRO is a cutting-edge ambulatory infusion pump that provides patients with a safe, sleek, and simple infusion for superior analgesia. Being reusable or recyclable, Nimbus affords the sophistication of a high-end electronic pump designed and priced to compete in the disposable market. Its smart capabilities and enhanced mobility create a comfortable, seamless, and unobtrusive recuperation post-operative analgesia experience.

The new design of the website reflects InfuTronixs commitment to developing medical technologies that increase patient safety and streamline clinical workflow and further its commitment to helping healthcare providers raise the bar on improved patient outcomes.

About InfuTronix, LLC

Infutronix is a leading infusion pump company that provides a portfolio of ambulatory infusion pump products designed to increase customer satisfaction and enhance patient safety in a cost effective solution. InfuTronixs market focus is acute care pain management where there is a need for easy-to-use high-end electronic infusion pumps that have a high level of accuracy and flexibility for the unique needs of the ambulatory pump users. The mission of InfuTronix is to design forward-thinking devices that are capable of setting standards in the evolving pain management programs while understanding the current market needs. Infutronix is headquartered in Natick, Massachusetts. For more information, please visit http://www.nimbuspump.com.
Liberty Wear Apparel has joined the battle against breast cancer with Pink Ribbon Girls to raise money through Liberty Wears exclusive line of breast cancer awareness shirts. So far in 2016, Liberty Wear has donated close to $3,500 to Pink Ribbon Girls. The contribution comes from Liberty Wears sales in which $1.50 from the original sale price is given directly to Pink Ribbon Girls.

Curt Jackson, Owner of Liberty Wear Apparel, and Rod Smith, Director of Operations, along with fellow employees attended the 5th annual Ignite the Fight event at the University of Dayton Arena, September 17, 2016. The event had over 650 guests and managed to raise over $91,000 in the first ten minutes. A personal donation from Rod Smith and Curt Jackson was given at the event.

We as a company felt the need to do our fair share of help. We understand the importance of what Pink Ribbon Girls is doing and thought our uniquely designed apparel would be a great fit to raise the largest donation we could, said Curt Jackson.

Liberty Wear decided to keep their line of breast cancer awareness shirts available as a regular item so the extent of the donation would continue. This is a cause Liberty Wear supports wholeheartedly and looks forward to being involved in the future of Pink Ribbon Girls. Liberty Wear is located 217 South Pioneer Blvd, Suite B in Springboro, Ohio.
Mexican model Geraldine Mendez, who was reported missing after not coming home from a Bushwick party on October 15th, has been found.

A police spokesperson said that Mendez was found uninjured at a local hospital this morning and has been reunited with her family. Police couldn't say what hospital it was, but sources told NBC 4 that she was found in the psych ward at Bellevue. Police sources told the Post that Mendez was located at about 3 a.m. after a tipster saw her at the hospital and called police to let them know.
Christie, the global leader in helping customers create the worlds best shared experiences, today announced that Clark Williams has been appointed Executive Vice President in charge of a new Christie team, Content Management and Processing (CMP).

Building on the product and customer successes of Christies content management and image processing portfolios, CMP will unite Christies engineering and product management resources associated with its content management and processing products  including Christie Spyder, Christie Phoenix, Christie Brio and Christie Pandoras Box  under one team. The new team will deliver enhanced focus and alignment of Christies considerable human resources and capital investments associated with content management and processing, to meet growing customer needs and expectations for unified, application-specific solutions.

CMP engineering and product management staff in Kitchener, Ontario; Phoenix, Arizona and Cologne, Germany will be led by Williams, who is re-joining Christie following a successful consulting period. Prior to that, he was president of Vista Controls Systems, which was acquired by Christie in 2007 and which Williams headed for several years at Christie.

Also part of Williamss team is Victor Vettorello, who is well-known to the market for his tenures at Christie and Vista Controls Systems. He rejoins Christie as Senior Applications Specialist for the upcoming Christie Spyder X80 debut.

Our new group will enhance the worldwide reputation of Christie products as game-changers by offering decades of knowledge and hands-on experience with the project-specific solutions that customers demand, said Clark Williams. By expanding the types of applications customers can achieve with our existing products and our much-anticipated upcoming products, CMP will accelerate the number and range of customer applications for Christies renowned content management and processing tools. Im looking forward to leading my new team in delighting customers and growing Christies business.

About Christie

Christie Digital Systems USA, Inc. is a global visual and audio technologies company and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ushio, Inc., Japan, (JP:6925). Consistently setting the standards by being the first to market some of the worlds most advanced projectors and complete system displays, Christie is recognized as one of the most innovative visual technology companies in the world. From retail displays to Hollywood, mission critical command centers to classrooms and training simulators, Christie display solutions and projectors capture the attention of audiences around the world with dynamic and stunning images. Visit http://www.christiedigital.com.

Follow us:

Twitter.com/christiedigital

Facebook.com/christiedigital

Linkedin.com/company/christie-digital-systems

Youtube.com/christiedigital

Instagram.com/christiedigital

#christiedigital

Christie is a registered trademark of Christie Digital Systems USA, Inc. All other trademarks remain the property of their respective owners.
Police are looking for a man who allegedly assaulted a woman in Midtown East on Thursday night.

According to the NYPD, a 68-year-old woman and her 72-year-old husband were entering a cab on East 46th Street and 3rd Avenue, when a man grabbed the woman's shoulder. When her husband intervened, the assailant allegedly punched the 72-year-old man repeatedly in the head and stomach, causing him to fall to the ground. The victim suffered a broken thumb, nose, and finger as a result.

The man is described as being a 50-year-old male with gray hair and a goatee.

Anyone with information in regards to the incident 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 tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website here or by texting tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577.
I am offering the solution to a problem most Republicans don't know they have -- that they can be outmaneuvered and thrown on the defensive endlessly, on nearly any issue, because they accept as true Democrat lies about the Republican Party. To correct that misperception and to help the Republican Party get 'back to basics' is why I'm a man on a mission.

A few years ago, after one of my speeches, a man told me "Do you know what your problem is? You're too far ahead of your time!" My efforts to show Republicans how they would benefit from celebrating the heritage of our Grand Old Party have been arduous, but if this were easy someone else would have already done it.

Among my speech topics are Reconciling the Tea Party and the GOP; Barack Obama, the Worst President Ever; Socialism, the new Slavery; Appreciating the Heritage of our Grand Old Party; Returning to the Founding Principles of the United States; The Womens Rights Achievements of our Grand Old Party; Abraham Lincoln, Republican; Frederick Douglass, Republican; Martin Luther King and the Republican Civil Rights Legacy.
Major changes are confronting the Rock Island County circuit clerks office.

Incumbent Democrat Tammy Weikert and GOP challenger Jeff McKinley both say theyre best positioned to lead the migration to electronic filing in an office that handles records for traffic tickets, wills, civil cases, felony and criminal proceedings, divorces, child support and more, as well as to manage the reorganization of the office as it moves to a new court annex.

Ms. Weikert touts her lead role in the switch to electronic civil case filings in Illinois. As the fourth county to go online, RICo will play a key part as Illinois seeks to meet a Jan. 1, 2018, deadline for ALL Illinois civil cases to be e-filed. Under her direction, the office already has implemented e-plea and e-pay services.

Mr. McKinley also would make modernizing the office and e-filing a top priority. He tells voters the office is in dire need of change and is critical of Ms. Weikerts later-rescinded hiring of former clerk Lisa Biermans daughter shortly after Ms. Weikert was appointed to replace the mother. (We too criticized that initial hire, but lauded her quick action to rectify the mistake and to take steps to block political hiring in the office.)

A vote for him, Mr. McKinley said, is another step toward ending 50 years of one-party RICo rule. He also says hes the best qualified candidate, and cites his current job as an assistant states attorney handling childrens issues, child support and juvenile abuse and neglect cases, and his former one as an assistant attorney general. We believe he has what it takes to be an effective circuit clerk. We commend him for running and for his continuing effort to foster a stronger two-party system in our county.

But with her expertise in systems management, and her experience in the office, we believe Ms. Weikert is uniquely qualified to lead on challenging e-filing requirements that are only likely to accelerate. Shes also proven to be an effective and frugal manager, which will serve the county well as people and piles of documents are moved to their new digs.
The race to represent the Rock Island County Board's District 6 pits Democrat Luis Moreno and Republican Vance DeBruine. Both live in East Moline. They are running for the board seat held by Donald Jacobs, who next month is retiring from a long career in public office.

The seat is one of 12 on the 25-member board being filled this year.

Both candidates responded to questions from The Dispatch and The Rock Island Argus on prominent issues facing county government and why they wish to serve.

1. Why do you want to run for county board?

Mr. DeBruine: Change in government begins at the local level. A great place to for me to start is the RICo Board. Also, citizens of Rock Island County, myself included, are taxed enough and that needs to change. We have witnessed first-hand over the last seven to eight years that practicing Keynesian economics at the county board level, federal tax too, does not work.

Mr. Moreno: Since Don Jacobs decided to retire from the position he held for many years, I was approached by members of the community and asked to consider running for the position.

I want to help the county by reminding the board that everything they do should be for the good of all the Rock Island County residents. Working in higher education for the past 20 years, I have learned how to reduce budgets without affecting the students expectation of services. I can utilize these skills in helping find areas where we can curb spending or find more efficient alternatives. I believe we can keep the countys budget in line without going to the public for tax increases every time.

The county is going to be making tough choices in the next four years. As a public servant (and not a politician) I can make decisions that are best for the residents and not any further political reelections or political ambitions. I just want to help the county as best as I can while working with all members of the board.

2. The board in recent months hired a professional administrator, reduced the number of committees, recommended cutting itself from 25 to 15 members, banned managers from hiring relatives, among other reform efforts. Do you agree with those actions? What further steps should be taken?

Mr. DeBruine: No, the RICo Board should be downsized to only seven to nine members. I would be open to looking at making the county administrator a part-time position. If I recall, the country board chairman was a part-time position until the early to mid-1990s. Reducing the RICo Board committees from seven to four is a good start. Also, the practice of not hiring relatives should have been implemented decades ago. Term limits, which I believe in, might have prevented many of the problems facing the RICo Board. One-party rule just doesn't work, and conservative values are sorely need at every level of government today.

Mr. Moreno: I am in favor of the smaller sized county board. I have heard arguments from the pro- and anti-downsizing groups. There is absolutely no need to have a 25 member board working on behalf of the county, especially since the number of committees have already been reduced.

Over the years, I have been the chair of many search committees while working for Western Illinois University, Sauk Valley Community College, and now Black Hawk College. The integrity of any hiring agent is compromised when they hire a family member or a family member of a good friend. It screams of fraud or at the very least preferential treatment when this occurs. I have actually hired strangers over people I knew because I hired the best person for the job based on resume and interviews.

The county administrator went through a hiring process and hired Dave Ross based on many factors, one of which is ability to run an effective office. I am under the assumption he is doing what he has been hired to do and we must respect his decisions, so from that perspective, I agree with his decisions.

3. What should be board do to make Hope Creek Care Center solvent?

Mr. DeBruine: Hope Creek as a new administrator, Lynda Vogt, R.N. Give Lynda six months to turn Hope Creek around. If that doesn't happen, then it should be sold. Around 20 percent of all counties in Illinois have a county-run nursing home. Has anyone on the RICo Board contacted other county-run nursing homes to see what works and what doesn't work?

Mr. Moreno: We need to see where we can cut expenses. Are there other service providers that can provide services at a lower cost? Next I would look at the staffing of the center to see if we are at optimal staff of if there are areas that can be reduced when a position is vacated. I would also review their budget and expenditures to see where potential wasteful spending may be occurring.

4. Do you support the half-cent sales tax increase for public safety funding? Why or why not?

DeBruine: No, citizens of Rock Island County, as well as citizens of Illinois, have high enough property taxes, etc. Why does lack of planning and proper budgeting by various county departments always mean that the taxpayers have to pay for their mistakes?

Mr. Moreno: I know that voters tend to shy away from any tax increase and as a fiscal conservative, I tend to be skeptical of tax increases without first looking to see where we are able to make cuts that will not hurt services to the community. However, I know Gerry Bustos (Sheriff) and feel he is very trustworthy. I believe he has done his homework and tried to cut where he could. I dont think Gerry would be asking for this increase if it were not absolutely necessary. I have not looked over the sheriffs budget so without this, I can only go on his word.

The whole situation over the county court house is a mess and needs our full cooperation to do whatever it takes to make sure we bring our courtrooms up to code. If the half-cent sales tax helps us, then we need to do so before we face a lawsuit and waste taxpayers money defending the law suit.

5. What, if anything, should be done to improve management of Niabi zoo?

Mr. DeBruine: Niabi Zoo has a new director, Lee Jackson. If Lee can't turn the zoo around in six months, just like the time frame for Hope Creek, then it should be sold. I don't think that our county, or any county in Illinois for that matter, should be in the zoo business. Also, as of Oct. 11, there are six vacant positions at Niabi Zoo. I believe that speaks volumes about their current problems and/or issues.

Mr. Moreno: As a former summer employee of the zoo (college summer job), I am happy we have a zoo in our community. Moving the oversight of the zoo to a non-county committee would ensure we have stability for years to come. I prefer people on the committee that have a true understanding and passion for zoos and animals over someone who was elected and then told or volunteers to be on the zoo committee. This needs to be a working committee so I would like to see the committee work on writing grants and doing more fundraisers to help supplement the budget.

I am a strong believer in doing Strategic Planning to bring about strategic leadership. Strategic leadership is making decisions that bring the vision closer to reality, promote long-term sustainable advantages, account for environmental forces, and are consistent with organizational values. This would include getting input from various stakeholders, including the community. This would also include a S.W.O.T. analysis. A S.W.O.T. analysis stands for Strengths and Weaknesses which are internal to the organization, and Opportunities and Threats which relate to external factors. Carrying out this analysis will often be illuminating  both in terms of pointing out what needs to be done, and in putting problems into perspective.

I am not sure what exactly is going on with the staffing of the zoo, but I do see where many employees resigned recently. This needs to be looked into and see what the concerns of those employees were. Any additional comments on the management of the zoo would be presumptuous and premature since I have not had access to personnel issues.
1. Fill in your name or an alias. Do not leave blank or use the name 'guest' or 'anonymous'.

2. No Nivul Peh. Profanity will be deleted.
BAGHDAD (AP)  The Iraqi army pushed into a town near the Islamic State-held city of Mosul on Saturday, a day after dozens of IS militants stormed into the northern city of Kirkuk, setting off two days of clashes and killing at least 80 people, mostly security forces.

Here is a look at key developments on the sixth day of the Mosul offensive.

ARMY ADVANCES

The Iraqi army said the 9th Division has pushed into the town of Hamdaniyah, also known as Qaraqosh and Bakhdida, and raised the flag over its government compound, but the troops were likely still facing resistance in and around the town, which is some 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Mosul.

Hamdaniyah is believed to be largely uninhabited. IS has heavily mined the approaches to Mosul, and Iraqi forces have had to contend with roadside bombs, snipers and suicide truck bombs as they move closer to the city.

An Iraqi television journalist was shot and killed by a sniper south of Mosul, a day after another Iraqi TV reporter was shot dead while covering the clashes in Kirkuk.

KIRKUK ASSAULT CONTINUES

Some fighting continued in Kirkuk a day after the IS assault on the city, some 170 kilometers (100 miles) southeast of Mosul. The wave of attacks in and around Kirkuk appeared to be an attempt to divert attention from Mosul.

The Kirkuk police said at least 80 people were killed in the assault, mainly Kurdish security forces. Another 170 were wounded, and a sundown curfew has been imposed on the city. The police said they recovered the bodies of 56 militants who took part in the attack.

AIRSTRIKE ON FUNERAL PROCESSION

As the assault on Kirkuk was underway, an airstrike hit a funeral procession in the town of Daquq to the south, killing 17 people, mainly women and children, and wounding another 50, said Daquq Mayor Amir Khodakram. He said it was not clear who carried out the airstrike and that officials have launched an investigation.

The Russian Defense Ministry blamed the strike on the U.S.-led coalition, saying it had "all the signs of a war crime." The U.S. military in Baghdad did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

SULFUR PLANT FIRE

A burning sulfur plant south of Mosul that was torched by the Islamic State group is releasing large amounts of noxious gas into the atmosphere, draping towns in the area in toxic smoke.

The air has turned a greyish color as it mixes with smoke from earlier oil well fires set by the militants. The fumes make breathing difficult, and residents said they are suffering from coughing, headaches and nosebleeds from as far as 30 kilometers (18 miles) away.

US TRIES TO EASE TURKEY TENSIONS

U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter visited to discuss the offensive and to try to ease Iraqi-Turkish tensions over the presence of some 500 Turkish troops at a base near Mosul. Iraq wants the troops to withdraw, and Turkey has refused.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi insisted that Mosul is an "Iraqi battle" and that Iraq does not need Turkish help. Carter had met with Turkish leaders a day earlier and had told reporters of an "agreement in principle" for Turkey to play a role in the Mosul battle.
America the Beautiful, is now America the godless.

"I do not think I could, myself, be brought to support a man for office whom I knew to be an open enemy of, and scoffer of religion." A. Lincoln.

With the revelation of emails attributed to Hillary Clinton and her campaign staff criticizing Catholics and evangelicals, people of faith need to pray for guidance before voting next month.

If you consider yourself to be a person of faith, you need to prayerfully consider God's condemnation of abortion, homosexual marriage, men using women's restroom(s), clergy being forced to marry same sex couples, lying, and the corruption that permeates the current administration, including Hillary Clinton.

For those who refuse to even consider that the United States was founded on Judeo-Christian principles, or that our Founding Fathers and Mothers were religious people who believed in God, and used the Bible as their life's guide. I urge you to read "America's God And Country Encyclopedia Of Quotations" by William J. Federer.

As the political elite plunge our nation ever faster towards Sodom and Gomorrah, like Rome and Babylon, we'll reap the same fate unless we return to the God of the Bible, and reject the god of secular humanism before it's too late.

The Bible says, "Righteousness exalts a nation. But sin is a disgrace to any people. The king's favor is toward a servant who acts wisely. But his anger is towards him who acts shamefully." Proverbs 14: 34 - 35.

Choose wisely America.

Jim Dieterich,

Silvis
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German interactive teleshopping broadcaster 1-2-3.tv has extended its contract with global media services company MX1.

1-2-3.tv offers a wide range of products to consumers via its TV auction format. MX1s contract extension covers online streaming of the 1-2-3.tv channel, as well as SD transmission and HD preparation and transmission. MX1 , a subsidiary of satellite operator SES, was formed out of the merger of RR Media and SES Platform Services.We are very pleased that 1-2-3.tv has extended its contract with MX1, said Christoph Muhleib, vice president of sales and marketing for Deutschland, Oesterreich, Schweiz at SES . While SD is still very important in Germany, we are also able to help broadcasters like 1-2-3.tv boost their reach via HD and online streaming.Iris Ostermaier, CEO at 1-2-3.tv GmbH, added: We are happy about the continued cooperation. MX1 offers us maximum reach, providing us with SD and HD satellite transmission and hosting our online streaming service. This extended range of services and MX1s multiscreen expertise enables us to reach our viewers and customers on all screens.
The US premiere of Southwest of Salem: The Story of the San Antonio Four has broken Investigation Discoverys (ID) ratings record for best ID FILMS premiere.

The L+3 delivery came in at nearly one million viewers for the network Waging an ongoing fight for their exoneration, Southwest of Salem captures the nightmarish persecution and devastating impact of four Latina lesbians, better known as the San Antonio Four, and their families. Calling upon viewers to continue to the quest for the #FreeTheSA4 exoneration, ID will air an encore presentation of Southwest of Salem: The Story of the San Antonio Four on Sunday.In 1994, the women were wrongfully convicted of aggravated sexual assault and indecency against two young girls in San Antonio. In 2012 and 2013, after one of the accusers recanted and the forensic evidence used in the trial was debunked, Elizabeth Ramirez, Anna Vasquez, Kristie Mayhugh and Cassandra Rivera were released from prisonbut they are still without freedom. The Innocence Project has taken up the case and is questing for exoneration.The documentary presents an intense and maddening reinvestigation into the bizarre allegations waged against these women during the Satanic Panic of the 1980-90s, and examines the disturbing injustices by which they were targeted for their sexual identities.
On October 14, the outgoing Governor of Puerto Rico, Alejandro Garcia Padilla, who is not running for re-election next month, addressed the Oversight Board which is charged by Congress with addressing the disastrous finances of the insolvent government of Puerto Rico. In default on more than a billion dollars of its debt, with no prospects of repaying its debt in full, having run deficits for 15 straight years, and trapped in the U.S. dollar currency zone, the government has massively difficult problems ahead. So do its creditors and the Oversight Board.

Creation of the Oversight Board was a necessary step. Now its work has really begun. The Governor presented to it the government's draft fiscal plan for the next ten years-the opening gambit in what will unavoidably be complex and tense negotiations. The substance and the rhetoric of the presentation are instructive.

Garcia Padilla conceded that the accumulated debt and economic problems "are the culmination of decades of misguided and unscrupulous public policies in San Juan," a fair admission, but immediately adds that these unscrupulous public policies were also in "Wall Street and Washington." Surely somebody else is also to blame.

"Puerto Rican children and retirees are not to blame for careless decisions made here in New York by the rating agencies"-so it's the bond rating agencies' fault-"or the mistaken decisions made by Congress," such as ending tax subsidies to Puerto Rico. Of course, there are the "greedy lenders" who bought Puerto Rico's bonds.

The insolvent debtor, the Puerto Rican government, does make his list of the culpable, but only previous administrations. "Puerto Rican families and workers should not be bound by the irresponsibility of prior governments." This is a remarkable proposition in political theory: that the actions of a government in the past are not binding on the present.

Garcia Padilla offers reforms in government behavior: "We must create more disciplined financial decision making with improved budgetary controls and financial transparency." "We must rationalize expenditures and tax policies that promote efficiency. Agencies with overlapping functions should be consolidated." "Tax enforcement and administration should be improved to...reduce evasion." These are indeed needed reforms, but one should ask why they haven't been done already. They are required no matter what else happens, and it is among the responsibilities of the Oversight Board to make sure they are implemented.

Should government spending be reduced? "You [the Oversight Board] will soon realize that any reduction in spending...will further throw Puerto Rico into a death spiral." Extravagant language. It is true that when, like Greece and Puerto Rico, you cannot depreciate your exchange rate to address your uncompetitive costs, and you wish to avoid a steep internal deflation, your choices are more difficult.

"You [the Oversight Board] will soon agree that Puerto Rico requires...a meaningful partnership with the federal government." This means the "partner" needs to send money. "Our plan shows that, even if Puerto Rico and its creditors were to do their part, we need the assistance of the federal government to bring this economic and humanitarian crisis to an end." In shorter form, we need a bailout. How the bailout relates to the creditors is not defined. The Governor repeats: "We and the federal government must be partners."

Moreover, "We also have to safeguard Puerto Ricans' savings by ensuring the stability of the local credit union system." These institutions have huge losses from none other than buying the debt of the Puerto Rican government, so now they need a bailout, too. They do not participate in federal deposit insurance.

And we must "provide adequate funding for our public pension plans." At present these plans are almost entirely unfunded to the tune of about $44 billion. How unfunded pension obligations relate in seniority to the claims of bondholders in municipal insolvencies is hotly contentious. Garcia Padilla's address seems to assume that the pensions are simply senior.

As for the bonds, "We must adjust our debts to sustainable levels." Without doubt, that is true. But how much adjustment is that? Well, "The message should be clear: without a change in federal policy and without a change in trajectory of the island's economy toward real growth, there will be no money for any debt service at all." (my italics) Quite a shot across the bow.

In the details of the "Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Fiscal Plan," simultaneously published, page 10 has relevant projections. These might be taken to imply that if all goes well, including help from U.S. taxpayers, the average recovery of the bondholders could be in the vicinity 55% of the scheduled debt service over the next ten years. However, "The Plan does not provide a specific debt restructuring proposal." And "The Commonwealth believes that creditors should share in both the benefits and the risks of economic growth projections."

In sum, the Oversight Board has been formed and discussions with the government of Puerto Rico have started. The Puerto Rican financial drama has a long way yet to run.
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Ethics Complaint against Kirk Caldwell, Mayor, City and County of Honolulu

News Release from www.Djou.com

(October 21, 2016, Honolulu, Hawaii)-Today the Djou for Mayor campaign committee, filed the following complaint against Kirk Caldwell, Mayor, City and County of Honolulu (Caldwell) and request that the Ethics Commission of the City and County of Honolulu (the Ethics Commission) investigate Caldwell and take all appropriate actions.

On January 29, 2016, Caldwell filed his annual financial disclosure as required by City law. Under item 3, Ownership or Interests in Businesses in the State, Caldwell listed a beneficial interest in Territorial Bancorp Inc. (the Bank) as O- between $900,000-$999,999.[1] The Banks 2016 Annual Report, however, noted that Caldwell beneficially owned 72,997 Bank shares worth approximately $1.9 million at the time of Caldwells 2016 financial disclosure.[2] Today Caldwells holdings in the Banks stock are now worth at least $2.1 million. This discrepancy by Caldwell is a violation of the Citys ethics disclosure law.

Caldwell may note that a portion of his Bank stock holdings were in the form of stock options. It is important to note that under Internal Revenue Service Topic 427, stock options that are payment for services are recognized as taxable income, even if the stock options are not specifically exercised.[3] It should be further noted, that the City ethics law requires public officials disclose items that include, (1) any money; (2) thing of value; and (3) economic benefit conferred on or received by any person in return for services rendered.[4]

Clearly, even if a portion of Caldwells beneficial ownership in the Bank may have been in the form of stock options, such options are a thing of value and should be disclosed under both Federal tax and City ethics rules.

Furthermore, the Citys ethics law clearly states that elected officials are required to disclose any personal or private interests that may cause a reasonable member of the public to question the independence or objectivity of the official.[5] Stock holdings, whether in the form of direct ownership or as an option, worth millions of dollars should fall within this classification. Caldwells failure to fully disclose the true nature of his stock holdings runs afoul of this ethics provision.

If the Ethics Commission were to allow public officials, such as Caldwell, to not disclose the ownership of stock options, the commission would effectively legalize bribery in the City. A bad actor in the future, rather than offer an explicit bribe, could instead just grant an option to cash in at some unknown future date for a nefarious quid pro quo exchange to successfully avoid any public disclosure rules.

We also respectfully note, that Caldwells stock holdings in the Bank have dramatically increased under his term as mayor from roughly $300,000 to over $2 million via stock awards given by the Bank to Caldwell, while Caldwell served as mayor. According to the Banks annual reports, Caldwell owned 15,396 shares in the Bank worth approximately $323,000 in 2012 - the year before Caldwell became the mayor.[6] But today, due to stock awards given by the Bank to Caldwell while he served as mayor, his stock holdings in the Bank now reach at least $2.1 million. Caldwell stated to earn this massive financial interest he serves at the Bank approximately 1 to 2 hours per month.[7] The Bank disclosed that Caldwell was retained, not for any legal or banking expertise, but rather because he has significant understanding of the communities in which we operate.[8] The Bank even noted that Caldwell is uniquely positioned to advise the Bank on community and economic developments affecting the City.[9] In short, Caldwell was selected to serve on the Banks board of directors and receive his enormous multi-million dollar financial compensation and stock awards precisely because of his elected position and political connections.

Based on the foregoing, we respectfully request that the Ethics Commission promptly investigate Caldwell and take all necessary and appropriate action, including referral to the City Prosecutor for criminal action if warranted.

Filed by Charles K. Djou,

October 21, 2016.

# # #

PDF: From Mayor to Millionaire

PDF: Caldwell Financial Disclosure

SA: Djou files complaint over mayors stock assets

CB: Djou Says Caldwell Lied About Bank Compensation

HNN: Djou files ethics complaint against mayor over reported income
FILE - In this Sept. 16, 2015 file photo, Howard Stern attends the "America's Got Talent" finale post-show red carpet in New York. Stern doesn't plan to air old interviews with Donald Trump featuring the now Republican presidential candidate discussing his sexual exploits. The talk show host says he wouldn't dig into his archives because it would be a betrayal to any of his guests if he played them at a time when others are attacking him. (Photo by Ben Hider/Invision/AP, File)

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By The Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP)  Howard Stern doesn't plan to air old interviews with Donald Trump featuring the now Republican presidential candidate discussing his sexual exploits.

The talk show host said Monday on his SiriusXM show that he wouldn't dig into his archives to replay any of the about 50 interviews he's conducted with Trump over the years.

"I feel Donald Trump did the show in an effort to be entertaining and have fun with us," Stern said. "I feel like it would be a betrayal to any of our guests if I sat there and played them now (when) people are attacking him."

Stern, who has publicly supported Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, noted that his conversations with Trump were broadcast and not "done in private like the Billy Bush tapes."

"I knew I had a guy who loved to talk about sex," Stern said. "I had a guy who loved to evaluate women on a scale of 1 to 10. These are avenues I went down because I knew it would entertain the audience."

In past interviews with the shock jock, Trump has given Stern permission to call daughter Ivanka Trump a "piece of (expletive)," boasted about walking in on undressed contestants at his beauty pageants, bragged that he could have had sex with Diana, princess of Wales, and admitted to cheating on ex-wife Ivana Trump.

Stern dismissed Trump's comments to "Access Hollywood" host Billy Bush as "locker room talk." He said he has never been in a locker room when "someone has said 'grab them by the (expletive)."

___

Online:

https://www.howardstern.com
Image courtesy of Frank LaPena Artist Frank LaPena weaves together scenes of the North State and Wintu symbols in his work.

SHARE Image courtesy of Frank LaPena Frank LaPena's "Big Head" is on display in Dunsmuir in an exhibit of his work. Photo courtesy of William Miesse American Indian artist Frank LePena. Image courtesy of Frank LaPena Frank LaPena's "Mount Shasta" is on display in Dunsmuir in an exhibit of his work.

By Tim Holt Special To The Record Searchlight

This story starts with two people who made a connection through the world of art: Bill Miesse, the Mount Shasta art collector and local historian; and Frank LaPena, a Sacramento artist and Wintu tribe member with roots in Dunsmuir.

It all began 25 years ago when Miesse was doing research in the basement library of Sacramentos Crocker Art Gallery. He happened to spot, on a side wall, a display of LaPenas striking black-and-white prints, one of them a representation of Mount Shasta.

Miesse was instantly drawn to them, charmed by what he describes as their magic power. Scattered throughout the works were images important to the Wintus: tribal dancers and sacred fires, birds who deliver messages from the spirit world.

LaPenas art provided a window into a different way of seeing our region, Miesse says. He readily paid the $400 the gallery was asking for the limited edition prints and an accompanying art book by LaPena, The World Is A Gift.

For Miesse, the prints were an introduction to a world where animals have a spiritual role, where there is a story behind the mountains and lakes and other natural features in the Shasta region: Wintu legends tell of rocks that were once Indian maidens, of a line of rocks lying on the ground near Stillwater Creek that are the toppled remains of a tower reaching to heaven. And, of course, the biggest rock of all, Mount Shasta, home of the Wintus Creator, Olelbes (one who is up above).

In the Wintu culture, all of nature is tied together, or, as LaPena expresses it, The earth . . . is a living thing  its breath is the wind, its veins the rivers. And if we listen within ourselves we find similar sounds in all living things.

Miesse and LaPena would cross paths a number of times in the coming years, notably a few years after Miesse first discovered LaPenas artwork. In 1992 when Miesse gave a talk at the Crocker Gallery on the art of Mount Shasta, it was LaPena who introduced him.

All of the prints that Miesse purchased a quarter century ago, and LaPenas book, are on display for an indefinite period at the Siskiyou Arts Museum in Dunsmuir.

Its appropriate that the LaPena show is in Dunsmuir. Though he grew up in San Francisco, LaPena often visited his Wintu aunts, uncles and grandparents in and around Dunsmuir. One of them, an uncle, was the legendary mountain guide and Wintu shaman Grant Tauhindauli.

In the gallery show, LaPenas prints are displayed alongside his writing on Wintu culture and spiritual life, together with his vivid memories of the times he spent as a boy visiting his relatives in Dunsmuir and environs.

There are so many dimensions to the LaPena show, but I find his childhood memories especially charming, says the gallerys executive director, Lauri Sturdivant. And his artwork conveys a strong sense of historical and cultural continuity, of the Wintu traditions and legends passed on to him by his elders and his uncle, Grant Tauhindauli.

Tauhindauli may also have helped inspire his nephews career as an artist. Back in the late 19th century, the Upper Soda Springs Resort in North Dunsmuir, where Tauhindauli worked for many years as a handyman and guide, attracted a wealthy, high-class clientele, including a number of artists. It may well be that because of this influence Tauhindauli took up painting using Western-style rather than American Indian techniques. He became an accomplished artist whose work has been on display at Turtle Bay. According to Miesse, his paintings are still proudly displayed in the homes of American Indians in and around Dunsmuir.

Grant Tauhindauli gives a detailed account of some of the Wintu legends in Bag Of Bones, a book co-authored by Marcelle Masson and published by Naturegraph Press in 1966.

Tauhindauli Park in Dunsmuir is named after Grant, one of the last of a long line of Wintu shamans. Its on the site of the resort where he worked for many years.

Dorthea Schoenstein, an artist from McCloud, showed up for the mid-December opening of the LaPena show. She had met him 40 years ago when she was living in the Bay Area, had followed his career since then, and remembers him as someone with a tremendous feeling and aura about him.

Martin Hanley, a young man from the Mount Shasta area, gazed at the artwork on the walls and said quietly and thoughtfully: He says a lot with just a few lines.

The Siskiyou Arts Museum show gives a glimpse of the rich American Indian history and culture of our region. It should also be noted that the Wintus are still very much with us, one of the few remaining tribes who remain active in Northern California. They still hold coming-of-age ceremonies at Shasta Lake and are continuing their efforts to restore native (and, to them, sacred) salmon to the McCloud River.
Andreas Fuhrmann/Record Searchlight

Lance Hopkins of Yreka, the father of slain Modoc County sheriff's deputy Jack Hopkins, is consoled by a supporter Saturday before a procession left from Redding to Yreka. Hopkins was shot and killed Wednesday while responding to a domestic disturbance call outside of Alturas.

SHARE Andreas Fuhrmann/Record Searchlight People honor Modoc deputy Jack Hopkins as his body is taken Saturday from Redding to Yreka. The Modoc County sheriff's deputy was killed while on duty Wednesday. Andreas Fuhrmann/Record Searchlight People honor deputy Jack Hopkins as his body is taken Saturday from Redding to Yreka. The Modoc County sheriff's deputy was killed Wednesday outside of Alturas. Andreas Fuhrmann/Record Searchlight Lance and Carol Hopkins of Yreka talk to officials Saturday before a procession to honor their son, deputy Jack Hopkins, takes his body from Redding to Yreka.

By Amber Sandhu of the Redding Record Searchlight

Law enforcement vehicles lined up once more Saturday morning in Redding to honor fallen deputy Jack Hopkins of the Modoc County Sheriff's Department.

Both officers and residents stood by as Hopkins' body was taken from the Shasta County Coroner's Office to Yreka where his family is making funeral arrangements.

Officials with the California Highway Patrol in Redding posted on their Facebook page Friday night announcing the procession, and invited the public to show support along the route.

"Anytime there's a line-of-duty death  there's a huge impact on our entire community. And so it's not just about law enforcement, it's about all public servants," Redding CHP Lt. Kyle Foster said.

A number of law enforcement vehicles from various North State agencies were present, including the Modoc, Siskiyou and Shasta county sheriff's departments, Weed, Mount Shasta and Redding police departments, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and various other departments.

Prior to the procession, Hopkins' family members stood close to each other, holding and consoling one another, each wearing a blue ribbon in honor of law enforcement.

Foster said Hopkins, 31, will always be remembered as "a fun-loving person with friends and family."

"His loss is truly felt by not only the community, but all of law enforcement in the region, throughout the state, throughout the nation," he said.

Hopkins' death comes after a string of shootings against law enforcement officers this month  a Los Angeles County sheriff's sergeant was killed responding to a burglary Oct. 6, and two Palm Springs police officers were killed Oct. 8.

Not far from where the procession departed, Jake Lingle, 48, stood on Radio Lane with a few of his friends holding an American flag to honor Hopkins and law enforcement.

"It's the least we can do. It's a few moments of our day," he said.

Members of law enforcement and North State residents also were part of the first procession on Thursday when Hopkins' body was escorted from Alturas to the coroner's office in Redding.

Hopkins was shot and killed Wednesday while responding to a disturbance call south of Alturas.

Jack Lee Breiner is accused of fatally shooting the deputy. At last word he was taken to a Redding hospital Wednesday for treatment, authorities have said. Breiner is a 47-year-old convicted sex offender, authorities said.

Modoc County District Attorney Jordan Funk was in trial most of Friday, according to his office, and workers there said they had no information to share on when a criminal case might be filed against Breiner.

Click here for a video of Saturday's procession.
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When this miserable but revelatory election is finally over, the country's most serious need will not be national or economic security. It will be political: Repairing the near total erosion of public trust and confidence in American government and leadership.

The political sector of society has ignored or bungled this job since Watergate. But now, after Donald Trump, returning a modicum of dignity to government has become urgent. Sensible and forward-looking decisions on economic policy, national security, social welfare and public safety will be nearly impossible unless our political system can get itself out of the gutter.

This is a job so enormous it is invisible. It is a task so daunting that it is ignored.

The institutions assigned to this sort of project, the two political parties, are neither up to the task nor interested in it. They are bad guys in the story.

However, and this will seem starry-eyed, there may be a brief moment of epiphany and opportunity after the election if  and only if  members of the political class have been so traumatized by Trump that they are fearful for their careers and, maybe, their country.

After a steady decline since the Vietnam War and Watergate, the legitimacy of our government institutions crashed and burned this year in the public's view. Trust and confidence in other broad sectors also have eroded  big business, the news media, political parties, the clergy and law enforcement, to name just a few. This is a reality throughout American culture.

This year we have mistakenly pigeonholed profound political alienation into the "angry white voter" slot. Deep mistrust of government, however, is universal in America for all practical purposes.

If the dire and unlikely happens, if Trump wins, simmering alienation easily could boil over into full fracture and intensified civic war.

If virtue and justice triumph and Trump loses, we'll probably muddle through as we have. We will have a president in Hillary Clinton who doesn't have the credibility or temperament to tackle the amorphous and quixotic mission to improve political culture and systems.

Do not make the mistake of thinking that Trump did the country a favor by finally directing the full, justified fury of citizens on to "the system." Trump's mindless raves that the system is "rigged" are puerile excuses and revenge fantasies. They do, however, obscure real problems such as voter suppression, gerrymandering and the crazy length of campaigns. His false charges are acid poured on an old wound.

Also, do not make the mistake of thinking that this political and civic problem  this crisis of legitimacy  will be solved by a boom economy. Broadly speaking, Americans since the 1970s have enjoyed peace, prosperity, health, safety, expanding liberty and political stability almost unheard of in human history. Yes, many communities were left out and economic inequality grew to unprecedented and inexcusable levels. This is one of many causes of our political and cultural disenchantment.

A growing and fairer economy might be a necessary condition for improving our political situation, but it is not sufficient. We face a political problem that needs a political solution.

"Crisis of legitimacy" is a useful phrase in political theory classes but not political campaigns. Nonetheless, the campaign finance reforms of the 1970s were a genuine effort by Congress to repair the crisis of legitimacy brought on by Watergate. In the short term, they helped boost civic morale even if the Supreme Court would eventually dismantle them.

Jimmy Carter was probably the last sitting president to try to address this kind of political-existential question full frontal. But his 1979 "crisis of confidence" is now lampooned as the classic example of what happens to a president who gets too angsty and egg-headed. Presidents Clinton and Obama did both try to restore the reputation of government and government service after years of Republican attacks and aggressive small government ideology. Now it's time to tackle the bigger job. We've gotten a sharper taste of what can happen if public trust bottoms out: Trumpism.

But what to do?

Liberals and conservatives will have very different answers. Republicans of the old Burkean school, of which there a only a few roaming the land, are suspicious that political engineering  reforms, new laws, fresh party rules  can change attitudes and behavior in predictable, constructive ways: tradition, culture and leadership are what matter. I am inclined to agree, but this is a helpless, defeatist position.

Mainstream Republicans, if they still exist, have opposed political "reform" because they think it is code for anti-business and anti-GOP. On a deeper level, as free market worshippers, Republicans generally argue that a strong economy and constricted government are the best cures for any political illness.

Democrats, liberals and Sandersites still look at campaign finance as the holy grail of reform; tame big money and special interests, our elected representatives will do the right things and trust in government will return. Hillary Clinton, ironically, gives this lip service.

Continuing to ignore the vilification of government would be self-destructive, but individuals and organization do self-destructive things all the time. This is a slow-growing condition that became fully malignant in 2016. Trump got closer to the White House than any know-nothing demagogue or nut job in our history partly because so many Americans have believed for a long time the whole corrupt system needs to be blown up. Who knows what could come next?

One very practical consequence: too many smart, ambitious young people and successful professionals in their primes have avoided politics and government service. This will get worse and exacerbate a vicious cycle  the worse an institution's reputation, the worse the talent it can attract.

I have come to believe that campaign finance is the wrong target, more symptom than cause. I believe the starting point must be breaking the cycle of the "permanent campaign." This entails two herculean challenges: radically shortening primary and general campaigns to come in line with every other democracy; amending the Constitution to lengthen terms in the House to four years.

As a more realistic starting point, however, I'll settle for defeating Donald Trump on Nov. 8. After that, political reformation could be a perfect mission for former President Barack Obama.

Dick Meyer is Chief Washington Correspondent for the Scripps Washington Bureau and DecodeDC (www.newsnet5.com/decodedc). Readers may send him email at dick.meyer@scripps.com.
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Gun shows are frequent events and usually laid back, but the one staged on Aug. 20 at the former McClellan Air Force Base near Sacramento had a noticeably frenzied ambiance.

While many attendees just wandered from table to table, looking at firearms for sale, others were lined up five and six deep at a booth against the wall  one with hundreds of plastic cases, each filled with 500 or more rounds of ammunition and priced well under retail store prices.

It was not uncommon for customers to purchase a half-dozen or more, some using hand trucks to move the heavy boxes to their cars. And as they waited in line, their chatter left no doubt why.

The show was staged just weeks after Gov. Jerry Brown signed a half-dozen new gun control laws, including one requiring background checks for ammunition purchasers, similar to those already required for gun buyers.

California already had the nation's most restrictive gun laws before Brown signed the new bills. Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom's measure on the Nov. 8, ballot, Proposition 63, would go even further on regulation.

The McClellan show's buying frenzy was what happens after every new political effort to make it more difficult to acquire guns and ammunition: those who resent the hassle stock up.

"Every single time the politicians start talking about firearms or increasing regulation, folks start to realize this is a right that if I don't exercise it, I may lose it," Craig DeLuz of the California Association of Federal Firearms Licensees said last year as the state neared a record for gun sales. "It's not the sole motivator, but it's a significant motivator."

California  and national  gun sales have been on the rise ever since Barack Obama was elected president and made stronger gun control laws a goal.

California has relatively few gun owners, roughly 20 percent of its 39 million residents, but there are at least 20 million guns in the state. In 2015, Californians legally purchased 891,862 firearms, nearly three times as many as in 1996 and only slightly under the 2013 record level, the state Department of Justice reports.

Nationally, the Federal Bureau of Investigation processed a record 2.2 million firearms background checks  a proxy statistic for gun sales  in July. Meanwhile, stocks of U.S. gunmakers such as Smith & Wesson have been soaring because of record-high sales.

Now, with one new ammunition law on the books and another on the ballot and likely to pass, sales of cartridges are also exploding.

Firearms dealers, even such chains as Big 5 Sporting Goods, and online sellers are offering bulk sales of ammunition to Californians, knowing that there's a big demand, at least until Election Day.

The irony is that as Newsom seeks to crack down on buying guns and ammo, he also seeks, via Proposition 64, to make buying marijuana easier.

Government, its advocates contend, can't eradicate a recreational product, even a dangerous one, that substantial numbers of people want to enjoy.

There are, one should note, far more gun owners in California than devotees of pot.

Email Dan Walters at dwalters@sacbee.com.
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Public employees in California are not only much more likely to receive a pension than their counterparts in the private sector, but their pensions have an unusual degree of protection under law. Thanks to a doctrine called the California rule, pension benefits for current public employees may not be reduced after they've started work. Any change that lowers the value of one aspect of a pension has to be offset by improvements elsewhere that are worth at least as much.

In other words, the pension elevator can go up (even retroactively), but it cannot go down. And as a result of this inflexibility, numerous local governments around the state have struggled to cover the growing cost of the pensions they've promised.

At the California Public Employees' Retirement System, for example, the gap between the amount owed to current and future retirees and the amount set aside is about $100 billion. And because they couldn't legally reduce the pensions' value or cost, the only real options for government employers were to lay off staff, deny pay hikes or try to persuade their unions to accept less costly pension plans for new hires. Those moves have put a squeeze public services  and the employees who provided them.

Gov. Jerry Brown and state lawmakers responded four years ago with a pension reform law that reduced the maximum benefits for future state and local workers  those hired after Jan. 1, 2013. It also barred pension "spiking" -- the practice of lumping unused sick leave and vacation time, hours spent on call and other forms of compensation into the pay on which a pension is based  for all employees.

After the financially troubled Marin County Employees' Retirement Assn. implemented the ban on pension spiking, however, workers there sued, saying the new state law cut their benefits in violation of the state Constitution. A Superior Court judge upheld the ban, and in August a three-judge panel on the Court of Appeal agreed in a 40-page opinion that took direct aim at how courts have been interpreting the 1983 state Supreme Court decision that buttressed the California rule. The opinion, written by Justice James Richman, held that pension benefits that workers have not yet accrued can, in fact, be reduced. And those reductions do not have to be offset, Richman wrote, as long as the pensions are still "reasonable."

This is a fair reading of the law. The benefits workers have already accrued and that are promised by their current contracts should be sacrosanct; the ones they have not yet earned for work they have not yet performed should be subject to limited amendment if necessary to ensure the health of the pension fund. This can serve the employees' interests too  for example, they may prefer to increase their pension contributions to avoid layoffs or pay freezes. Nor is anyone served when local governments go bankrupt, raising the possibility of cutting benefits for current retirees too.

But it's not clear just how much latitude Richman's ruling gives governments. That's why the Supreme Court should agree to hear the Marin County employees' appeal and clarify what a "reasonable" pension means. State and local governments need more flexibility to tackle the enormous challenge that their pension obligations present. But there also need to be clear limits on how far governments can go in adjusting the benefits that current workers may accrue in the future.

This editorial originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.
SHARE Jennifer Francis Bacon Date of birth: Aug. 15, 1973 Vitals: 4 feet, 11 inches; 105 pounds; brown hair, hazel eyes Charge: Possession of a controlled substance for sale Bryan Blankenship Date of birth: July 17, 1981 Vitals: 5 feet, 10 inches; 180 pounds; red hair, hazel eyes Charge: Assault with a deadly weapon Robert Albertino Zacevich Date of birth: Dec. 10, 1989 Vitals: 6 feet, 2 inches; 180 pounds; brown hair, blue eyes Charge: Burglary Joan Marie Muncy Date of birth: Sept. 14, 1982 Vitals: 5 feet, 2 inches; 110 pounds; brown hair, brown eyes Charge: Vehicle theft

By Staff Reports

Shasta's Most Wanted, featured in the Record Searchlight in cooperation with local law enforcement agencies, targets people who have failed to show up in court for sentencing after being convicted.

As of Friday, a total of 712 arrests had been made through the Most Wanted program since it began in September 2013. Authorities say they have seen an increase in criminals failing to appear in court since the onset of Assembly Bill 109. Also known as prison realignment, the state program shifted certain state prison inmates to county supervision.

Redding Police Chief Robert Paoletti said court appearances have gone up since the rollout.

Five new people are added each week. Those caught will be held until at least their next court appearances. Shasta County Secret Witness is offering a reward of up to $250 for information leading to an arrest. Tips can be provided anonymously at 530-243-2319 or at www.scsecretwitness.com/home/submit-a-tip.

Anyone with information also can call SHASCOM at 245-6540. The feature appears Sundays in the Record Searchlight's Northern California section and on Redding.com.
Ruling Samajwadi Party appeared to be headed for a split on Sunday as Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and his party supremo and father Mulayam Singh were engaged in an open face-off, sacking each other's loyalists Shivpal Yadav and Ramgopal Yadav.

While Akhilesh sacked Shivpal, his uncle and party's state unit chief, along with three other "pro-Amar Singh" ministers from his Cabinet, his father hit back by dismissing Ramgopal, pro-CM cousin and SP's national general secretary, from the party for six years.

The fast-paced developments unfolded on Sunday morning when Akhilesh held a meeting of party legislators, a day ahead of a mega meeting of party MPs, MLAs, MLCs and ministers called by Mulayam where some more tough decisions were likely to be taken.

After the meeting, the chief minister recommended to Governor Ram Naik that Shivpal, Narad Rai and Om Prakash Singh(all Cabinet ministers) and Sayeda Shadab Fatima (MoS-Independent charge) be sacked from his ministry. This was accepted immediately.

While the meeting was underway, hundreds of Akhilesh's supporters collected outside his residence, raising slogans in his favour.

Significantly, before Akhilesh announced the sacking of Shivpal and three other ministers, Ramgopal issued a letter written to party workers, expressing support to the Chief Minister and warning those opposing him.

"Those who oppose Akhilesh won't be able to show their faces in the legislative assembly. Where Akhilesh is, victory follows," he said in the letter.

After his sacking, Shivpal met Mulayam at his residence, which is just nearby that of the CM's bungalow.

Hours later, he announced that the SP chief had expelled Ramgopal from the party for six years.

Shivpal told mediapersons that Ramgopal was colluding with BJP and had thrice met a senior leader of the saffron party to save himself and his son from a CBI probe in connection with alleged involvement in the Yadav Singh Noida scam probe.

He said he was not worried about being dropped from the government and declared that the state Assembly elections would be fought under leadership of Mulayam.

Launching a scathing attack on Ramgopal, Shivpal said he was tarnishing the image of SP by dabbling in corruption, colluding with BJP and weakening Mulayam's leadership.

"On Mulayam's directive, Ramgopal is being stripped of his posts of party spokesman and national general secretary and is being expelled from the party for six years," Shivpal said, giving rise to intense speculation about an imminent split.

The developments came at a time the Samajwadi Party was preparing for its silver jubilee celebration on November 5, an event which Akhilesh could give a miss as he is all set to embark on a 'rath yatra' on November 3.

Party legislators who met at the residence of the chief minister on Sunday were said to be in a belligerent mood, opposing any action that could sideline Akhilesh in the run-up to the assembly polls.

The tenor of the delegates was to crack the whip on supporters of Amar Singh, whose induction into the party two months ago had triggered a similar hullabaloo, according to party sources.

The developments came a day after Akhilesh skipped an important strategy meeting of SP district and city unit presidents called by Shivpal. The CM instead separately met the delegates later at his official residence.

SP old-timers Beni Prasad Verma and Reoti Raman Singh tried to mediate a thaw to the ongoing crisis, but their efforts did not yield any positive result.

The tussle in the party began last month when Mulayam replaced 43-year-old Akhilesh with his 61-year-old uncle Shivpal to the post of UP party chief, and also expelled several youth leaders seen as close to Akhilesh.

Shivpal's sacking came a day after a close aide of Akhilesh Yadav, MLC Udayveer Singh was expelled from the Samajwadi Party. Udayveer was sacked a few days after he shot off a stinging letter to Mulayam accusing his second wife of hatching a conspiracy against the Chief Minister.

The letter also mentions the use of black magic against Akhilesh by his step-mother.

While asking Mulayam to clarify on his political successor, Udayveer also demanded that Akhilesh be made the party's national president so that there was no room for speculation or doubt.

Udayveer had earlier this week announced that he along with other Akhilesh loyalists would boycott the SP's silver jubilee celebrations in protest protest the expulsion of many of their colleagues by Mulayam and Shivpal.

Shivpal on Saturday announced the new top office-bearers of the party's front organisations -- the Yuvajan Sabha, minority wing, Mulyam Singh Youth brigade and Lohia Vahini.

As crisis deepened in the ruling Samajwadi Party, opposition BJP sought to fish in troubled waters, saying the Governor should ask Akhilesh to prove his majority on the floor of the Assembly and till he did so, he should not take any policy decision.

"CM Akhilesh Yadav should resign or prove his majority on the floor of the assembly," UP BJP chief Keshav Prasad Maurya told reporters.

"A government reduced to minority should not take any policy decision," he said.

As the confrontation between Akhilesh and Mulayam appeared to have reached a point of no return, reports were already doing the rounds that the Chief Minister could launch a new party -- National Samajwadi Party or Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party with motorcycle as its symbol.

The main cause of friction between the father and the son has been re-appointment of Amar Singh as the party's national general secretary, almost six years after he was removed from the SP.

Along with it, trouble brewed in the party after Shivpal forced merger of a political outfit headed by former gangster Muqtar Ansari with SP. Akhilesh initially refused entry to the Qaumi Ekta Dal, but was later forced into submission by his father.

Shivpal calculated that the new affiliation would boost the Samajwadi Party's standing among Muslims, especially in eastern UP.

But, Akhilesh was convinced it would allow the opposition to accuse the party of teaming with a nefarious leader for political gain.

Incidentally, the developments have thrown cold water over the upcoming silver jubilee anniversary of the party on November 5, which could be given a miss by Akhilesh who has announced a 'rath yatra' from November 3.

Photographs: PTI Photo
Names and faces

Jonathan Tommerup has been promoted to field engineer at Information Systems of Montana. Tommerup has 12 years of experience in the information technology field. Since starting at ISM, he has obtained many certifications including CompTia A+, Server+, Apple Certified Macintosh Technician, Mac Management, Mac Integration, Lenovo desktop, laptop, and server certifications. Tommerup will be responsible for supporting Windows and Macintosh hardware and operating systems, cybersecurity, disaster recovery solutions, networks, remote access solution implementation, as well as system reviews and recommendations.

Information Systems of Montana has offices in Helena, Great Falls, and Missoula and has more than 35 years of experience in business systems, network infrastructure, and technology. ISM can be found at www.infosysmt.com or 406-996-1858.

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Lexie Bass, registered client associate and supervisory branch operations manager with D.A. Davidson & Co., has completed the course work required to earn a Registered Paraplanner designation. The program is designed to help her exceed client expectations regarding financial planning advice and solutions.

Bass joined D.A. Davidson in March 2013 and works out of the Helena branch. She holds a bachelors degree in finance and marketing from Northern Arizona University. Bass works with Trost Wealth Management, a service of D.A. Davidson & Co.

D.A. Davidson is part of D.A. Davidson Companies, a financial services holding company with more than 1,350 employees working in 23 states.

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Darryl Rensmon has joined Opportunity Bank of Montana as the vice president, chief information officer. Rensmon has more than 25 years of experience in technology-orientated work in the field of information systems with 13 years in leadership. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in business  information systems management. He is responsible for all facets of information systems and technology for Opportunity Bank including vision, leadership, oversight, planning, management and coordination.

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Helena native, Katie Chappell, FNP-C, RN, BSN has joined the Internal Medicine Department at St. Peters Medical Group Broadway. Chappell expects to graduate with a Doctorate in Nursing Practice from the University of Arizona, in Tucson, Ariz. in December. She received her Masters of Science in nursing, family nurse practitioner emphasis, from the University of Arizona in Tucson, Ariz. She obtained a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Ariz., and a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from The University of Montana in Missoula.

She is a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and serves on committees for the University of Arizonas College of Nursing Rural Health Professions Program and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.

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Donita Mariegard, FNP-C has joined St. Peters Hospital as a Family Nurse Practitioner Hospitalist. Procedures she performs include physical exams, diagnosing, treating, prescribing medications and providing education emphasizing health promotion and disease prevention. She also treats diabetes, hypertension, infections and thyroid disease.

Mariegard earned her Masters of Science in nursing, family nurse practitioner, from Maryville University, in St. Louis, Mo. She received her Bachelor of Science, registered nurse degree, from Carroll College graduating magna cum laude. She is certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.

Prior to joining St. Peters Hospital, Mariegard served as an RN, BSN with the Department of Veterans Affairs at Fort Harrison. She served on the Surgical Unit Practice Council and also served as a clinical instructor for Carroll College.

Mariegard is a Montana native.

***

Tanya McCullough, ANP-BC has joined St. Peters Hospital in the specialty of pain management. She works in conjunction with primary care providers to help monitor and maintain appropriate and safe chronic pain management.

Tanya earned her Master of Science in nursing, with an adult primary care nurse practitioner focus, from Northern Kentucky University, in Highland Heights, Ky. She received her Bachelor of Science, nursing degree, from Lourdes College, in Sylvania, Ohio, graduating summa cum laude.

She is certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as an adult nurse practitioner with prescriptive authority.

McCullough is originally from Billings.

***

The Helena Housing Authority (HHA) announces the hiring of its new executive director, Michael ONeil, and the board election of its new HHA Board of Commissioners Board leadership Chairperson Sherri Downing, and Vice-Chair Dan Sullivan.

Since 2001, ONeil worked at AWARE Inc., serving as its Program Officer for Housing, Facilities, and Services Development, developed housing, schools, community facilities and related services in communities across Montana. He founded and led the Montana Home Choice Coalition, a statewide coalition bringing together the housing and disability communities to create better housing choices for Montanans with disabilities and seniors. During his career, he also has served as a HOME Program Officer with the Montana Department of Commerce, led development efforts at the Golden Triangle Mental Health Center in Helena.

Downing and Sullivan join board members Judy Nielsen, Bruce Hodess, and Stacy Anderson on the Board of Commissioners helping guide the work of the HHA. The volunteer HHA Board of Commissioners is appointed by the mayor of Helena and the city commission.

***

News and notes

GarageExperts opens Helena office

Greg Snortland has opened GarageExperts of Montana, a leading, lifetime warranty, cabinet, floor coating, and organization company serving Helena, Missoula, Bozeman and beyond. Snortland brings with him more than 20 years of professional experience and a passion for creating both attractive and organized garages.

Snortland also spent more than 20 years as an information technology leader and knows what it takes to bring a project in on time, and get it done right.

GarageExperts is a national, vertically integrated provider of quality garage cabinets, epoxy floor coating systems and organizational products. Visit www.garageexperts.com to learn more.

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Disaster preparedness, response training

The Montana State Library is sponsoring a one-day free training, with online follow-up, for libraries and cultural institutions on disaster preparedness and response.

The training is set for Monday, Oct. 24, at the State Library in Helena. It will be conducted by faculty of the National Network of Libraries of Medicine/University of Virginia, which is the agency charged by FEMA to provide education on this important issue.

The outcome of the training and follow-up will be a one-page disaster response plan for the participating institutions that not only mitigates the effect of the disaster on the institution's facilities and staff, but also builds community resilience for preparing, responding to and recovering from disasters.

For more information or to register, contact Joann Flick, CE Coordinator, Montana State Library at jflick@mt.gov or 431-1081.

***

Guidelines

The IR welcomes reports of hiring, promotions, awards, recognition, learning opportunities and other news from local companies and nonprofits. We accept press releases and photos (digital images at 300 dpi or more are preferred, but we can also use regular photos; we dont guarantee return of these).

There is no charge for items appearing in the Business Briefcase. Items are run on a space-available basis, and we reserve the right to edit and use information as we see fit.

The deadline is Tuesday at noon to be considered for publication the following Sunday.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Phadnavis on Sunday faced more flak for "brokering the deal" with Maharashtra Navnirman Sena instead of enforcing law and order, amid the row around the release of Karan Johar's Ae Dil Hai Mushkil.

Fadanavis had on Saturday mediated a meeting between MNS chief Raj Thackarey and the makers of the film, at his residence 'Varsha' in Mumbai to cool tempers and facilitate the smooth release of the movie after MNS called off its agitation.

The angry reactions from political parties and noted celebrities came after Bollywood film producers announced that they will not engage with Pakistani artistes and will contribute Rs 5 crore to the Army welfare fund as demanded by Raj Thackeray-led MNS.





Shabana: 'What a sorry state of affairs!'

Veteran actress Shabana Azmi, in a series of posts on social networking platform Twitter, criticised Fadnavis, saying: "What a sorry state of affairs! CM brokers deal and buys patriotism for 5 crores! After Home minister had promised peaceful passage for #ADHM."

"Sangh Parivar speaks in different voices most blatant expression is CM MHRSTA brokering deal with MNS instead of enforcing law and order for ADHM release," Azmi, 66, wrote.

Further slamming MNS, Azmi said that the party of noone to decide people's patriotism.

"MNS will decide whether I am patriotic or not? I bow to the Indian Constitution, Raj Thackeray does not. Whose patriotism needs questioning?" Before the meeting with the CM, Bhatt and a representative from Dharma Productions, which has produced "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil", had met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who had assured a smooth release of the film.

"CM Fadnavis shows scant respect for Home Ministers assurance of safe passage for #ADHM. BJP better haul him up and demand explanation."

Uddhav: 'Yeh to Hona hi tha'



Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray poked fun at the meeting called by Fadanavis to resolve the imbroglio.

"I have not got details about the meeting. But I have news that all three (Fadnavis, Johar and Raj Thackeray) have decided to produce a movie. The name has also been finalised. It is titled 'Yeh to Hona hi Tha'," Thackeray told media persons in Mumbai.

Responding to a question, Thackeray said Shiv Sena did not participate in the protests alongside MNS as they (Sena) were gauging the situation.

"We decided to keep aloof and see who takes what stand on this issue," Thackeray said refusing to answer any further question on the controversy.

"Sometimes it is better not to answer a few questions," he said, adding "people are wise enough to judge the situation."

Congress: 'What kind of a CM is he?'

Congress demanded the dismissal of Fadnavis over the 'Ae Dil hai Mushkil' row, alleging that he had helped in "extortion" from the film industry.

Terming the development as shocking, Congress spokesman Tom Vadakkan told reporters that whether such "extortion" can be done by "blackmailing" the film industry.

"The chief minister, who should protect the film industry, himself presided over a meeting with the MNS chief in which the controversial deal was struck. What kind of Chief Minister he is. Is rule of law relevant in Maharashtra? Where is rule of law in the country? The Cinematography Act should be burnt," he said angrily.

He warned that "today such a thing has happened in Mumbai, tomorrow it could take place in Chennai and then in Kerala".

Taking a swipe at the Prime Minister, he said Narendra Modi "talks much about surgical strikes and so he should do surgery on Fadnavis by dismissing him".

Party's chief spokesman Randeep Surjewala also hit out Fadnavis.

"CM Fadnavis has demeaned his office & disregarded Constitution by playing vendor to diktats of MNS. Democracy shrugged for a BMC election deal," he said in a series of tweets.

He alleged that "self styled goons, compliant film makers bartering freedom of expression brokered by BJPs Mah. CM would now be Indias new Censor Board."

Earlier, he had wondered on the micro-blogging site as to "Why would our proud Indian Army accept donations forced by MNS goons from subservient filmmakers with profit motive?

Photograph: Shashank Parade/PTI Photo
Border Security Force jawan Gurnam Singh, who was injured in Saturdays attack by Pakistani forces at the international border in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir, succumbed to his injuries.

Singh, 26, who was undergoing treatment at the Government Medical College and Hospital in Jammu, died around 11.45 pm, police said.

He was injured on Saturday when Pakistani snipers targeted him as he was instrumental in foiling a major infiltration bid along the international border in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir.

Seven personnel of Pakistani Rangers, the border force of Pakistan, and a terrorist were killed when BSF retaliated against a ceasefire violation in which Gurnam was injured.

There have been multiple ceasefire violations by Pakistan since Indian soldiers crossed the Line of Control and targeted staging areas for terrorists in surgical strikes last month. These came days after Pakistani terrorists killed 19 soldiers at an army base in Uri in Kashmir.

Image: BSF jawan Gurnam Singh was instrumental in foiling a major infiltration bid along the international border in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir.
Subahani Haja Moideen, an Indian alleged to be an Islamic State operative, knew the terrorists who carried out the attack inside a theatre in Paris last November killing over 100 people but has feigned ignorance about the deadly plot, it has emerged from investigations.

Moideen was arrested from Tamil Nadu in a crackdown by the National Investigation Agency with the help of central security agencies and other state police, foiling the designs of IS operatives to target few judges of Kerala and foreign tourists visiting the coastal state.

The accused, picked up from Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu, was radicalised and recruited in IS through social media platforms and he had left India for Istanbul from Chennai in April last year on the pretext of performing 'Umrah', official sources said.

After reaching Istanbul, he crossed over along with other people who hailed from Pakistan and Afghanistan to Iraqi territory under control of IS.

That is the period during which Moideen claimed that he had met Paris bombers including Abdelhamid Abaaoud and Salah Abdeslam, the sources said.

While Abaaoud was killed in retaliatory fire during the Paris theatre attack in November last year, Abdelslam is in the custody of French police.

Moideen had returned to India in November and he said he came to know about the Paris attack through news and remembered his meetings with the accused in IS-controlled Iraq and Syria, the sources said.

The NIA has informed the French security officials and contacted its Embassy here, the sources said, adding this was done in case it would lend any help in their investigation.

They said that French officials could question him as well after getting the requisite court order.

According to the multi-country investigation into the French terror strikes, the accused involved in the gruesome killings were in IS-controlled areas at the same time when Moideen was there.

31-year-old Moideen was in Iraq from April 8, 2015 from where he was taken to Mosul and underwent detailed 'religious training' followed by combat training which included a course in automated weapons. After this, he was deputed to fight war for almost two weeks.

During the war, he told interrogators that he was paid $100 per month as an allowance by ISIS besides accommodation and food.

However, he told interrogators that he could not withstand the violence and war misery in Mosul and decided to leave especially after he saw two of his friends getting charred.

He was jailed by ISIS and produced before an Islamic judge who sent him to Syria. He claimed that he was allowed to cross over to Turkey from where he contacted his family with the help of the Indian consulate at Istanbul.

He arrived in Mumbai after a gap of six months in September last year on an emergency certificate and returned to his ancestral place where he was staying with his wife. He later managed to get a job at a jewellery shop at Kadayanallur in Tamil Nadu.

Image: Belgian-born Abdelhamid Abaaoud, the alleged mastermind of the Paris bombing. Photograph: Reuters
Following his expulsion on Sunday from the Samajwadi Party for six years, Ramgopal Yadav wrote an open letter to party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav in which he said that the latter was "surrounded by demonic forces".

In the letter, Ramgopal wrote: "Not sad that I have been expelled from the party but I am hurt because of the allegations that have been levelled against me. It is not a crime to meet leaders from any other political party in a democracy. Whether I am in SP or not I will continue to extend my support to Akhilesh Yadav till he becomes CM. Mulayam Singh Yadav is not just my elder brother but also my 'guru' in politics, currently is surrounded by evil powers."

Read the full text of the letter below:





Earlier in the day, Samajwadi Party state president Shivapal Yadav, who was sacked from the Cabinet by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, expelled Ramgopal while accusing him of being part of a conspiracy against the party.

"Ramgopal is involved with the BJP, he met BJP leaders thrice in the last few days. He is doing such things because his son Akshay Yadav and daughter-in-law are involved in a scam. To protect himself and his son they are planning conspiracy as per the direction of BJP," Shivpal told a press conference in Lucknow.

He said that Ramgopal is making the party weak, adding Akhilesh is not understanding the facts that who is with him and who is against him.

"They have created a group of goons, who trouble the people and create every kind of nuisance in the state. Ramgopal has always misused the name of Netaji. We had raised this issue at various party forums," he said.
Three Pakistani men, alleged to be 'spies' of India's external intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing, have been acquitted by an anti-terrorism court in Karachi citing lack of evidence in five cases relating to carrying explosives and illegal weapons, media reported on Sunday.

Tahir, alias Lamba, Junaid Khan and Imtiaz have been booked for allegedly carrying explosive materials and unlicensed weapons in a Malir locality in April last year, Dawn reported.

Police had alleged that the men belonged to Muttahida Qaumi Movement -- a Karachi-based political party claiming to represent Mohajirs (Urdu-speaking people of Sindh province) -- and were trained by the Research and Analysis Wing.

MQM is the single-largest party in Karachi and has dominated its political landscape for years, but since a "clean-up" operation began on the orders of the federal government, the political party has come under pressure.

Judge Abdul Naeem Memon of Anti-Terrorism Court-VI, who conducted the trial inside the central prison, exonerated the accused, saying the prosecution was unable to establish their cases against the accused beyond any shadow of the doubt, the report said.

There were glaring contradictions in the documentary evidence and in the testimonies of the prosecution witnesses, the court said adding that the police also conducted faulty investigations.

According to the prosecution, initially police arrested Tahir and Junaid and allegedly found explosives, weapons and hand-grenades in their custody.

They disclosed that Imtiaz, who was arrested by Rangers at MQM headquarters Nine-Zero in March 2015, had provided the explosives and asked them to keep them, it added.

Later, Imtiaz was also shown arrested in the main case of explosive material. Three explosives and two illicit weapons cases were registered against them.

The court directed the jail authorities to release the three men if they were not wanted in any other criminal case.

After the arrest of the accused, SSP-Malir Rao Anwar had claimed that they were MQM men and had been trained by R&AW in India to carry out terrorist activities in the city.

The officer had also urged the federal government to ban the MQM and termed it an "anti-state" organisation.

Police had not registered any case of anti-state offences against them.
United States President Barack Obama hosted the 14th and final formal State Arrival Ceremony and State Dinner on October 18. Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and his wife Agnese Landini were welcomed to the White House with a grand reception.

To mark this momentous occasion, Chief White House photographer decided to share glimpses from some of the other state dinners hosted by the Obama administration over the last eight years.

He says, To mark the occasion, Ive selected some photographs from these visits. In my edit, I focused mostly on the formal and behind-the-scenes situations from the ceremony and dinner rather than on the substantive meetings that also take place.

Take a look at some of the best moments.

>> India -- November 24, 2009

US First Lady Michelle Obama escorts Gursharan Kaur, as President Barack Obama escorts Kaurs husband, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India, at the conclusion of the State Arrival ceremony in the East Room of the White House, November 24, 2009. The Prime Ministers visit is the first official State Visit hosted by President Obama. Photograph: Pete Souza/Official White House Photo

The US President and First Lady wait for Prime Minister Singhs motorcade to depart at the conclusion of the first official state dinner for the Obama administration. Photograph: Pete Souza/Official White House Photo

>> Mexico -- May 19, 2010

US President Obama, with the First Lady, adjusts his tie in the Yellow Oval Room, following a private reception prior to a State Dinner in honour of President Felipe Calderon of Mexico and his wife, Margarita Zavala, May 19, 2010. Photograph: Pete Souza/Official White House Photo

President Obama, Mrs. Obama, President Calderon and Mrs Zavala ride a trolley to the State Dinner tent on the South Lawn. Photograph: Pete Souza/Official White House Photo

>> China -- January 19, 2011

Residence staff prepare for the State Dinner for President Hu Jintao of China in the Old Family Dining Room during the China State Visit, January 19, 2011. Photograph: Samantha Appleton/Official White House Photo

President Obama, President Hu, former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, and Vice President Joe Biden, listen to former President Jimmy Carter during a reception in the Yellow Oval Room. Photograph: Pete Souza/Official White House Photo

The President and First Lady introduce President Hu to daughters Sasha and Malia before the start of the State Dinner performance in the East Room. Photograph: Pete Souza/Official White House Photo

>> France -- February 11, 2014

A member of the colour guard holds a French flag as US President Obama listens to remarks by President Francois Hollande of France during the State Arrival Ceremony on the South Lawn, February 11, 2014. Photograph: Pete Souza/Official White House Photo

US President Obama helps the First Lady off the stage after her remarks at the State Dinner for President Hollande. Photograph: Pete Souza/Official White House Photo

>> Pope Francis -- September 23, 2015

US President Obama, the First Lady, daughters Sasha and Malia, Marian Robinson, Vice President Biden and Dr Jill Biden greet Pope Francis on his arrival at Joint Base Andrews, September 22, 2015. Photograph: Pete Souza/Official White House Photo

US President Obama, Pope Francis and the First Lady depart the State Arrival Ceremony. Photograph: David Lienemann/Official White House Photo

The President and Pope Francis conclude their meeting in the Oval Office. Photograph: Pete Souza/Official White House Photo

>> Canada -- March 10, 2016

US President Obama and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada take the stage as the First Lady and Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau stand together during the State Arrival ceremony on the South Lawn, March 10, 2016. Photograph: Pete Souza/Official White House Photo

Mrs. Obama and Mrs. Gregoire-Trudeau participate with students during a program to raise awareness for global girls education, at the United States Institute of Peace in Washington, DC. Photograph: Amanda Lucidon/Official White House Photo

The President shows Prime Minister Trudeau the Lincoln Bed Room of the White House prior to the State Dinner. Photograph: Pete Souza/Official White House Photo
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ambitious South Asian satellite project, announced two years ago, is likely to miss the December deadline as the Indian Space Research Organisation will launch GSLV Mark III that month.

"ISRO has been launching at least one satellite every month, so our calender is perennially packed and at this point of time it looks difficult to launch the South Asian satellite in December. It could get delayed by a month," a senior official said.

Launching of GSLV Mark III will be a crucial development in the country's space history. The Launch Vehicle is likely to be sent in the space by December end.

"Work on GSLV Mark III is in progress, but the date for the launch is yet to be arrived at. The project will help ISRO launch satellites weighing around four tonnes," ISRO chairman and Department of Space Secretary A S Kirankumar said.

ISRO currently has the capability of launching satellites weighing up to 2.2 tonnes.

It has launched two satellites in September, and it is expected that October will also see launch of two more satellites. On August 28, it conducted the first experimental mission of Scramjet Engine.

The delay in the South Asian satellite also comes at a time when the regional grouping's annual summit in Islamabad has been called off following escalation of tension between India and Pakistan, in the wake of the Uri terror attack.

"We are working on the South Asian satellite project, but no date for launch has been finalised," Kirankumar said.

Modi, during the regional bloc's 2014 Summit in Kathmandu, had announced launching of a SAARC Satellite as a 'gift' to its neighbours in order to expand information sharing and connectivity within the region.

SAARC had come into being on December 8, 1985 and the initial plan was to operationalise the satellite in December this year.

However, Pakistan opposed the move and demanded that the satellite be brought under the ambit of the grouping. This was unacceptable to India. The name was later changed to South Asian Satellite.

Barring Afghanistan and Pakistan, all other SAARC countries have given their go-ahead to the project.

Even as the political leadership of Afghanistan has given an in-principle nod to the project, there are some technical issues involved which are preventing Kabul to give its final consent and the "technical teams of two countries are sorting it out".

The delay in launching the project may also help bring Afghanistan on board, sources said.

Another reason for the delay in launching the South Asian satellite, was cancellation of SAARC Summit in Islamabad which was scheduled next month, a source said.

This has given ISRO the time to focus on GSLV Mark III launcher.

Sources said that once GSLV Mark III is launched, India will not have to depend on others for sending its heavy satellites in space, which it currently does from Guiana Space Centre near Kourou in French Guiana.

A good amount of money earned from the launch of light-weight foreign satellites with its Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle goes into hiring the launchpad in Kourou.

Representative Image
Drinking is a distinct part of our culture; however, many people dont know how the beer got into their glass. The process is quite technical, but the fine folks at the Lewis & Clark Brewery, the Butte Brewing Company, the Headframes Distillery, and Dylan Stompe, a homebrewer, helped explain the process.

It all starts with malted grains called malt. The malt is mixed with hot water to produce a wet oatmeal, dry porridge type consistency mix, said Sean Tobin of the Lewis & Clark Brewery.

This liquid-solid mix, called mash, undergoes a chemical transformation that breaks down the starch in the malt into sugars. After the starches and sugars are extracted from the malt, the liquid portions are extracted from the mash forming a sweet murky liquid called wort.

The wort is boiled with a mix of hops in stages. According to Stompe, hops added in early contribute to the bitterness, and hops added in later contribute to the flavor and aroma.

Another reason hops are added are for their preservative properties.

After the boil, the wort is filtered and cooled on its way to a fermentation tank. In the fermentation tank, the wort is mixed with yeast that transforms the sugar into alcohol. After the wort finishes fermenting, anywhere from a couple of days to a few weeks, the mixture can now be considered beer. From the fermentation tank, the beer is siphoned off to a storage tank for consumption and sometimes, secondary processing and flavoring.

By adjusting the durations of the above processes, as well as the additives, we can change the type of beer created.

The flavor of the beer all depends on your grain; we have come a long way with malting, said Jason Hands of the Butte Brewing Company.

Distilled spirits, or hard liquor, takes the fermented mixture and purifies the alcohol by removing diluting components, like water.

This process is usually completed in tanks by the batch, but the Headframes Distillery uses a continuous flow distillation system, said John McKee of Headframes Distillery.

The system uses large piped machinery that continuously extracts alcohol from the alcoholic fermented mixture, instead of by batch. This technology significantly increases their production volume.

John continued, We can produce four to five barrels a week, which equates to about 200-250 gallons.

After the hard liquor is extracted, it sits in a barrel to age until its ready for consumption.

Making alcohol is quite a technical feat, but the results are well worth it. The next time you have a local brew, appreciate all the work that went into the drink in your glass.
Helena Regional Airport is planning nearly $27.5 million of improvements in the coming years to providing more room for waiting passengers, as well as reconstruct and resurface the 9,000-foot runway.

This seven-year look at improvements -- some more noticeable than others -- for the airport is at the request of the Federal Aviation Administration, Jeff Wadekamper, the airport director, recently told members of the airport authority.

This is just our best plan at this point in time, he explained.

Some of the cost will come from the $4.50 charge thats added to each airline ticket. The FAA allows a passenger facility charge on each of the first three segments of a flight that might have a passenger stopping at multiple points before reaching a final destination.

Helena Regional Airport collects about $390,000 each year through this charge, Wadekamper said, and information provided to airport authority commissioners indicated the annual collection will provide a little more than $3.134 million during the seven-year outlook.

Each of the years is a fiscal year, starting July 1 and concluding June 30 of the subsequent year for which its named, instead of calendar years.

The federal funds the airport will use in paying for the work require a 10 percent local match.

The roughly $1.3 million that the airport receives annually through the FAAs Airport Improvement Program will also cover more than $9.125 million of the improvements.

Another part of the Airport Improvement Program, which makes competitive grants based on a priority ranking of projects, is also envisioned to carry perhaps $15.5 million of the financial load, according to a projection on how the work will be funded.

The airport authority is retiring debt on past terminal work and will no longer include this payment beginning in fiscal year 2018, which begins July 1 of 2017.

Work for fiscal 2017, which began July 1 of this year, includes $166,666 to either add on to a building where the airport stores sand for use on the runway or to construct a new building. Also slated for that year is about $171,000 toward designing an expansion for the terminal building.

A couple of factors are pushing the airport to expand its terminal, Wadekamper said, explaining that the ground-floor level where Alaska Airlines passengers wait before walking outside to board the airlines turboprop aircraft was designed for 40 people.

The 76-passenger aircraft that the airline uses leaves the passenger waiting area pretty crowded, Wadekamper said.

Theres also a need for tables and chairs and for restaurant space for the airlines passengers too, he added.

On the airports second level, other passengers wait for the Delta Air Lines and United Airlines jets. Alaska Airlines plans to switch to jets and would then use the second floor level for boarding of its passengers, the airport manager continued.

The result of moving the Alaska Airlines passengers to the second floor would be to further fill the limited space with even more people who are waiting for flights.

In addition to providing room on the second floor area for waiting passengers, the airport will need to install another jet bridge -- this is the enclosed walkway that links the terminal to arriving and departing flights -- to accommodate Alaska Airlines.

The two jet bridges currently serve three of the four departing aircraft, Wadekamper explained.

Another reason an additional jet bridge is needed is the airports interest in adding additional air service.

The airport authority was unsuccessful this year in obtaining funds through the U.S. Department of Transportations Small Community Air Service Development Program to use in enticing Alaska Airlines to restore its second flight to Seattle.

The federal grant and local funds would have helped guarantee the Alaska Airlines wouldnt lose money if it didnt sell enough seats on a second Seattle flight serving Helena.

Communities that proposed new routes were favored in the latest round of funding by the Small Community Air Service Development Program, Wadekamper said in August.

Since failing to receive the $500,000 Small Community Air Service Development Program grant, airport officials began looking at how to modify an application to make it more competitive.

Seeking an Alaska Airlines route to Portland, Oregon, which has become the second most popular destination for Helena travelers, with service to Seattle could create a more competitive grant application, Wadekamper noted previously.

If the airport obtains another flight, that too would add to the need for another jet bridge, airport authority commissioners were told.

Its time to make some of these changes, Wadekamper said.

The number of people departing from Helena is, year to date, 5 percent greater compared to 2015 at this time, an increase Wadekamper attributed to a second Alaska Airlines flight offered this summer and to larger capacity Delta Air Lines jets used to meet local demand this year.

Expanding the terminal to meet passenger needs should take a year, Wadekamper said.

With the terminal expansion completed, a $2.5 million improvement to the Rocky Mountain Emergency Services Training Center is scheduled for fiscal year 2019.

That facility started in 1996, Wadekamper said, so it will be time to update all of those systems.

The facility provides firefighting and rescue training for airport personnel, in addition to other emergency services programs.

Because the planned improvements are for the services needed by airport personnel, the nearly $2.6 million project is anticipated to be paid for through the airports annual federal allocation and the competitively awarded discretionary funds.

Rehabilitation work on aircraft parking areas on the airports south side is projected for fiscal year 2020, as are new taxiways for future hangar construction.

The airport leases land to those who build hangars, Wadekamper said.

Also included in that years nearly $5.9 million of work is planning for rebuilding and maintenance on the airports main runway -- a project slated for fiscal years 2021 and 2022.

The runway work is projected to cost $10.6 million and will initially involve rebuilding about 2,000 feet of each end of the 9,000-foot runway. The work will be scheduled so 7,000 feet of the runway remains available for air service.

The final phase of the work will be in fiscal year 2022 and involve the center 5,000 feet of the runway.

This part of the runway was previously rebuilt to remove a dip in the topography, and the anticipated work calls for the runway to be given a new surface, Wadekamper said.

Scheduling for this project has yet to be announced but could include work done at night, during the day in between flights and at times when the runway is closed to air traffic -- an option that could involve the days when the airport is least busy, Wadekamper said of the planning that will seek to minimize air traffic disruptions.

In the last year of the seven-year outlook, an area away from the terminal would be built where aircraft to go for de-icing prior to takeoff.

De-icing is currently done near the terminal and can be crowded on wintry mornings with four flights slated for departure. The addition of another flight would add to the crowding, Wadekamper explained.

Building a separate area for de-icing would allow two airplanes to be serviced at one time and for the collection of the fluid used in the process, he added.
Richard Allen, suspect in Delphi teen slayings, led unassuming life

Five and a half years after two teen girls were slain, Delphi, Indiana resident Richard Allen has been arrested in the case. His community is shocked.
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By Caitlin Richards, Special to the Reporter-News

COLLEGE STATION  With the world's population expected to reach more than 9 billion by 2050, the agriculture industry is not only concerned with how to increase the food supply but what that consumer looks like as well.

At the recent 62nd annual Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course, Senior Director of Protein for Performance Food Group Dr. Brad Morgan spoke to cattle producers about consumer trends for the beef industry.

"We change because of the consumer and what they want changes over the years," Dr. Jason Cleere, Texas A&M University associate professor and extension beef cattle specialist, said in introducing Morgan.

The three main consumer groups for beef in the future, Morgan said, are meat-lovers, millennials and moms. And beef producers should keep these groups in mind in developing their products and brands, he added.

"Millennials today are big fans of beef," Morgan said. "They just want a little bit more information about it and want you to tell the story a little bit."

Millennials and other consumers want to know where their food comes from, how it was raised, what it was fed, and where it was produced, he said.

The restaurants and brands that do this, Morgan explained, are the ones that have long lines to order food and products that are out of stock. It is important for the beef industry to take these industry bright spots and apply them to their business, as well.

"When we develop a product we are proud of, we have to stand up and talk about it," Morgan said. "We have to tell the truth and the brand tells the truth."

Meat-lovers will always be loyal customers of beef, according to Morgan. For this group, it is important for the beef industry to continue to produce a high quality and tasty product.

Moms, on the other hand, are harder to get buy-in from, but they are extremely important.

"They (moms) control the pocket book," Morgan said. "That is the group we need to target."

The public relations firm, Fleishman-Hillard, estimates that women will control two-thirds of consumer wealth in the next 10 years.

Therefore, women and moms need to be a top priority for the beef industry, Morgan said, adding what makes moms tricky though goes back again to transparency. "They want more information as well," Morgan said. "They want a safety net and we want to be able to say we have their back and here is how."

Food trends, Morgan said, don't change very quickly when compared to other types of products and services like technology. Morgan elaborated with a study showing what people eat hasn't changed all that much over the years. However, what Morgan said will change is who provides the food and services.

"Consumers will most likely follow those marketers that make their life easier and cost less," Morgan said. "What we were eating then is the same thing we are eating now. How consumers get it is what will change."

Morgan noted it is no surprise that drive-thru business is declining and delivery business is up. The research firm The NPD Group found that food delivery has grown by 69 million visits over the past four years, while drive-thru visits fell by 128 million.

This is apparent, Morgan explained, in the increase of food services like Blue Apron and UberEats over the past few years. With these businesses, food is delivered to the consumer's door either ready to prepare or ready to eat.

"I'm not saying this is for everybody," Morgan said. "But more and more people are a part of this and we (the beef industry) want to be a part of this. We want to be the ones providing the protein for their businesses."
Some of the awards Merideth has won over her 50 years as an Avon consultant sit on a shelf on display in her home.

SHARE Merideth shows off the sales awards and dolls she's won over the past 50 years as an Avon consultant. Thomas Metthe/Reporter-News Ida Merideth bags up Avon orders to be delivered the following day at her home on Tuesday. Merideth has been an Avon consultant for 50 years.

By Dan Carpenter, Special to the Reporter-News

When Ida Merideth started selling Avon Products, the first episode of Star Trek had just aired, Simon and Garfunkel had just released "Sounds of Silence," and "Dr. Zhivago" was a popular film.

Fifty years later, Merideth continues to provide for the makeup, jewelry and clothing needs of hundreds of customers every two weeks.

"My first introduction to selling Avon was from a lady who came into the cafe I was working at in Tuscola," said Merideth, who moved in Abilene in 1972. "I had ordered some products from her; she told me she was going to quit selling, and wanted to know if I wanted to take over Tuscola."

It was as simple as going to a meeting at the Windsor Hotel, signing up, and Merideth was on her way to making money selling Avon.

"My first order was probably 35 customers, and I think I passed out 100 brochures," she said. "Every two weeks, Avon would put out a new brochure, and it was a great way for me to meet people and make new friends."

Merideth continued to build her business after moving to Abilene. At its peak, she was delivering 600 brochures every two weeks, and taking and delivering orders to hundreds of customers.

"When I started, Avon was primarily a cologne and makeup company," she said. "We had a separate book for clothes, but eventually they merged it all into one brochure."

Avon was started in 1866 by David McConnell in New York City. McConnell was a traveling book salesperson who offered fragrances samples as an additional perk to his female customers. He saw that these women were more interested in the free perfume than the books. Since women had a passion for his products and loved networking with other women, McConnell was inspired to recruit them as sales representatives. From a small New York City office, McConnell himself mixed the company's first fragrances.

"The company really hasn't changed its model in the time I've been a representative," said Merideth, who has been a top producer for many years. Today, she is the No. 2 producer in her district, and in the top 10 in her division. "I like being out with people, and the money I earned helped with raising our kids, and buying the things we needed and wanted."

Alice Grice has been a customer of Merideth's for more than 20 years. She said she got introduced to Merideth when her previous employer moved into the First Financial Bank building.

"Ida is a very big inspiration to me, and I hope to look as good at 82 as she does," said Grice, who typically orders jewelry and lipstick from Merideth. "I'm glad to have her both as my Avon lady, and my friend."

Merideth said she has earned Avon's President's Club status every year since becoming a representative. To get that award, representatives must sell at least $10,500 worth of product over 12 months.

"The challenge is to stay current with everything," she said. "There are new products all the time, so I really look at the brochure when it comes out every two weeks. I also do my own research, and often have other Avon reps call me; they always tell me they call because they knew 'Ida would know.'"

Today, Merideth says she only works about two and a half days every two weeks. She distributes about 250 books, and services about 45 to 60 customer orders each time.

"I still do all my paperwork in spiral notebooks," said Merideth, smiling. "I'm too afraid of those computers, and this is the way I've always done it. I also have several customers who have been with me the entire 50 years. That's one of the great things about this business."
Nellie Doneva/Reporter-News Ian Nickerson (left) will be the new minister at Minda Street Church of Christ after the retirement of Tony Roach.

SHARE Nellie Doneva/Reporter-News Retiring minister Tony Roach, left, will leave the congregation in the hands of minister Ian Nickerson, right, at Minda Church of Christ.

By Loretta Fulton, Special to the Reporter-News

At the top of Tony Roach's "to do list" before stepping away from the pulpit at Minda Street Church of Christ is "passing on a legacy of leadership to the next generation."

Check that one off.

The process actually began the minute Roach and his wife, Candyce, founded the church in 1979, three years after they arrived in Abilene from Cleveland, Ohio, so that Roach could enroll in a master's degree program at Abilene Christian University.

Proof that the process worked will be evident Oct. 30 with an official Changing of the Guard observance at the church, 701 Minda St. That's when Roach will pass the torch to Ian Nickerson, a product of Roach's methodical development of leaders to carry on the work of the church.

The unbroken chain of leadership is so important to Roach that he wrote about it in a "Message From the Evangelist" in the church's 35-year history booklet.

"If we die in our generation without successfully navigating transitional leadership to the next generation," Roach wrote, "we become generational failures!"

Roach will not be considered a generational failure. His trained body of elders and deacons will pick up where he left off. They will be in a much better starting place than Tony and Candyce Roach were 37 years ago.

Nickerson will inherit a thriving multicultural congregation and debt-free property valued at $4.5 million. All of that came from practically nothing. In 1979, Tony and Candyce Roach obtained the old T&P Lane Church of Christ, located at the corner of T&P Lane and Minda Street.

The building had fallen into disrepair and the congregation had dwindled to a size that was no longer sustainable. Two white elders remained from the original congregation, and Minda Street Church of Christ was on its way to becoming the multicultural congregation it is today.

That came as a big surprise to Roach, who thought God was calling him to establish a "black church."

"I didn't know God had other plans," Roach said.

With the changing of the guard, Nickerson will become the resident evangelist and Roach will become minister emeritus. Nickerson earned a bachelor's degree in May from ACU, although he first came to Abilene in 1991 to attend Hardin-Simmons University.

He was introduced to Roach shortly after arriving in Abilene in 1991, started attending the Minda Street church, left Abilene, and then came back to continue his education at ACU.

Nickerson earned his bachelor's degree at age 43 and is continuing his education at ACU as he takes over as the lead minister at Minda Street. Nickerson credits his training under Roach with more than developing the leadership skills necessary to carry on the work of the church.

"It was about learning how to be a man," Nickerson said.

He is one of many who have been attracted to the church and stayed. Elders like Randy Jackson and Tim Evans praise Roach for his leadership development skills and his emphasis on strengthening the family.

"That will be one of the legacies he passes on," Jackson said. "The family dynamic is one of the greatest assets of this congregation."

Jackson, who works with at-risk youths in the Abilene Independent School District, was ordained an elder 11 years ago after years of training.

"There is a continual training development process," Jackson said.

Married men and their wives train together to serve as a team.

Evans has been a member of the church since 1992. He is program director for Disability in Action, a local nonprofit. His story is typical of how a number of people end up at Minda Street Church of Christ, and stay.

The church draws from local permanent residents, the five institutions of higher education, and Dyess Air Force Base. Evans was stationed at Dyess when he met his future wife, who was a member of Minda Street Church of Christ. He was ordained an elder two years ago.

The elders serve as the church's governing body, but they do much more.

"We help members of the church to grow spiritually," Evans said.

Evans credits the curriculum developed by Roach, called "God's Love Bank," with changing his life. And, he credits Roach's training of future leaders with the seamless passing of the torch to Ian Nickerson.

"His legacy will live on," Evans said.

The word "legacy" keeps popping up in any conversation with, or about, Tony Roach. That is why the name of the Oct. 30 service, "Changing of the Guard," is important. It implies that the church will continue as it has, only with a new leader.

That continuity is important to Roach as a black man as well as to Roach, the founder of the church. Historically, people didn't believe that blacks alone could sustain a church, he said, and he wanted to prove differently.

An elder, Jackson, who also is black, understands that significance. And that is why it is important to him and other elders and deacons at the church to ensure they carry on Roach's legacy and in turn pass it on to the next generation.

One way that Roach has instilled continuity is passing on the same teaching he got years ago. And, current and future church leaders are following the same path. It's called the Sound Doctrine Training Program. Roach trained under John S. Winston Sr., who trained under the founder of the program, George P. Bowser.

A part of the training is to memorize sections of the Bible, which practitioners can do with amazing accuracy. As a demonstration, Nickerson, the incoming resident evangelist, recited all of 2 Timothy 4:1-8 at Roach's prompting. The Sound Doctrine Training Program is based on that Scripture.

Nickerson obviously is an excellent student of the program, which is one reason he is a good choice to follow in Roach's footsteps, said Jackson, one of the elders.

"It makes him suited for this transition," Jackson said.

Even Abilenians who don't attend Minda Street Church of Christ are likely to know Tony Roach's name. He has been spoken of admiringly for years, but he became a household name in December 2010 when he was selected as one of 10 people vying nationally for a show on the Oprah Winfrey Network.

The program was titled, "Your OWN Show: Oprah's Search for the Next TV Star." Roach still is grateful for the opportunity and the experience. But he also has no regrets about withdrawing from the program in February 2011.

He didn't like the way contestants were treating one another and walked away, following his conscience.

"They were vicious," he said. "The would do anything to get that show."

But he wouldn't and left with his dignity and self-respect intact. That will be another part of Roach's legacy.

As rightfully proud as Roach is of the church that he and his wife, Candyce, started and the legacy that continues, he is careful not to take too much credit.

"This is God's church," Roach said. "I'm just thankful he let me be a part of it."
In a recent column explaining why she is running for a seat on the Montana Supreme Court, Kristen Juras states: " ... our current (Montana Supreme) court has a reputation for being inconsistent. ... In 2012 it was reversed twice by the U.S. Supreme Court within a span of a few months."

This is a vague reference to the U.S. Supreme Court's reversal of Montana's 100-year-old ban on corporate contributions to political campaigns that implies the Montana Supreme Court's position was wrong.

I suggest that Mrs. Juras' reference to this ruling was intentionally vague. Why? Because it is likely that the 75 percent of Montana voters who approved Initiative 166 would side with the Montana Supreme Court and would disagree with her and the U.S. Supreme Court's reversal of the popular 1912 Montana law.

So, as Mrs. Juras obliquely admits in her column, she supports the U.S. Supreme Court Citizens United ruling that most Montanans oppose. This tells me all I need to know about Mrs. Juras.

Bob Balhiser

Helena
SHARE Bonar Lawson Arrington

By Greg Jaklewicz of the Abilene Reporter News

Jodey Arrington has been preparing for his move to Washington, D.C., but there is one detail still to work out: He has not yet been elected.

Arrington in May won what started as a nine-candidate shootout for the Republican bid for the 19th Congressional District. The field was whittled to two for a runoff, in which Arrington, the former Bush administration staffer and later Texas Tech vice chancellor, bested outgoing Lubbock Mayor Glenn Robertson with 54 percent of the vote.

He has no Democratic challenger but on the Nov. 8 ballot are two candidates  Troy Bonar, a Libertarian from Abilene, and Mark Lawson, of Lubbock, who's a member of the Green Party.

Bonar is employed by Buffalo Gap Instrumentation & Electrical Co. Inc. Lawson is a diagnostic medical sonographer and owns Lubbock Ultrasound.

Neither has been on the ballot before. Both face an uphill battle to derail Arrington's bid as a Republican.

In 2014, incumbent Republican Randy Neugebauer easily won re-election with the Libertarian candidate, Chip Peterson, earning a mere 4.4 percent of the vote. Since Larry Combest, whom Neugebauer succeeded in June 2003, was elected in 1984, the district has gone Republican.

It would seem, then, that Arrington has a clear path to succeeding the retiring Neugebauer. His opponents know this.

Said Lawson, "I'm a realist. I have no chance to win. But like Bernie Sanders helped move Hillary, I hope I can do the same."

Despite working on plans to move from Lubbock to the nation's capital and making contacts with other Republicans, including two other Texas House members, Mac Thornberry (District 13) and Mike Conaway (District 11), Arrington said he still had a race to win and groundwork to lay.

"There is a balance, not being presumptive (of victory next month) and like an athlete, running through the tape," he said. He spent time in the district on a "thank-you tour. We wouldn't have won the primary runoff without the help of a lot of folks in 29 counties. Saying thank you was really important to me."

After declining a Brietbart Texas offer to tour the Texas-Mexico border during the primary, he did so after his win.

"It was eye-opening," he said. Border security was a hot issue last spring.

He also met with employers in the district and talked with other Republican candidates for Congress to get his name out in hopes of becoming a leader in the incoming freshman class.

"More Republicans in Congress would make my life easier," he said. "I want to represent (this district) in a leadership role, not as just a vote."

Arrington believes he won't be affected by a turbulent presidential election in which many in his own party have turned their backs on nominee Donald Trump.

"I didn't vote for him in the primary ... but unequivocally I will vote for him" in the general election, Arrington said. "I don't condone what that man has said in the past or tweeted during the campaign. I have the same concerns about his style and ego and the things he has said that are reprehensible.

"But the alternative of Hillary Clinton and four to eight more years of big government and socialist policies is unacceptable."

Arrington has vowed not to ignore the east end of the 19th District.

"Without a doubt," he said, adding that his leadership teams will include members from the Abilene area. Excluding Lubbock, where he lives, he said he spent as much time in Abilene as any other district city during the campaign.

Arrington cited the continued mission of Dyess Air Force Base  he is "focused like a laser," he said, on landing the next generation bomber here  and promoting the resources of the district  from energy resources to cotton as the next Farm Bill is developed  as two driving forces for this district's leadership. He has stated he would like to serve on the House Armed Services and Agriculture committees as a means to fulfill those goals.

Bonar calls himself a "fiscally conservative Libertarian." Originally from Michigan, he was an intelligence specialist in the Air Force, serving for 4 years before retiring after reassignment to Dyess.

"I can guarantee I am the best candidate West Texas folks have for regaining your freedom and protecting our great nation's diminishing rights," he says on his website.

Bonar called himself a former "die-hard Republican. Lawson, who moved to Lubbock 30 years ago from Dallas, said he also is a former Republican  GOP even before Republicans took control of leadership positions in Texas, from the statehouse to the county courthouse.

"I was Republican because my parents were; it wasn't an ideological forethought or decision," he previously told the Lubbock Avalanche -Journal. He said he chose the Green Party for two reasons  ballot access and because he truly believes money can be made while taking care of the environment.

He views job creation in the district as a primary goal. He wants to see $1 per pound cotton (instead of around 70 cents), accomplishing that by bringing the manufacturing of cotton products.

He would rather see investment in oil production for other industries  medical, for example  rather than just fueling automobiles. And he would welcome the day there were no abortions in the 19th because conditions were such that a woman would not need to consider that option.

Bonar called the Affordable Care Act a "disaster" that promotes price-gouging, would work for restoration of property rights and sees hemp as a moneymaker for Texans.

Bonar and Lawson are running frugal campaigns. Bonar used his own money to start his campaign.

"Jodey has, what, one million dollars and I've got next to nothing," Lawson said, laughing.

Both Bonar and Lawson tout the third-party option to Republicans and Democrats.

"The two-party Ruling Class is failing the American people," Bonar says on the website. "I can no longer sit down and watch as the government destroys our health care, education, economy, progress, spiritual journey, safety, security and global reputation. People are sick and tired of D.C., being out of touch with the people and playing two-party games with their taxes."

Lawson said third-party candidates put "individual views over platforms."

Arrington said he hears what frustrated voters are saying.

"Washington is broken. I am disappointed in both parties," he said. "It's not a reflection of the will of the people, and certainly not the culture and values of West Texas. We need to have the right kind of conservative leadership to change that course."

But, "there is no third-party option," he said. An elected third-party candidate would "marginalize the district even more. I am committed to making a difference. I want to set the right tone and do the things necessary to reflect the interest and values" of the district.
There are those of all political persuasions who'd believe a guy called the Safety Samurai could do wonders in Washington, D.C.

Enter the dragon himself  Troy Bonar, an Air Force veteran who retired in Abilene and today works for Buffalo Gap Instrumentation & Electrical Co. While his job focuses on safe construction and installation in the industrial electrical and instrumentation fields, he stepped out of his safe zone to run for U.S. Congress.

Bonar, the Libertarian Party candidate, faces Republican Jodey Arrington and Green Party hopeful Mark Lawson in his bid to succeed Randy Neugebauer as the representative of the 19th Congressional District.

It's his first bid for public office.

He ramped up his interest in politics about five years ago, he said, and when state Rep. Susan King announced she was stepping down to seek an open state Senate seat, Bonar considered a run for the state House. A friend, Democrat Pierce LoPachin, announced his intentions and Bonar backed off.

There was another seat coming open, that of congressional representative for a 29-county district. Bonar believed he was better suited for this run.

'And I'd have more impact in Congress than at the state level,' he said. 'I am very familiar with the oil and gas industry, and our highways. I've been through every single town in the district. This has been my stomping grounds the last 20 years.'

He also said there is another attraction: a member of Congress makes a decent living, much better than a state rep.

'I wanted to make this a 100-percent commitment,' he said.

Bonar was stationed both at Goodfellow and Dyess Air Force bases in this area. His field was intelligence, though he joked that his last duty at K.I. Sawyer AFB was that of cook. It was better than painting dorms his final 30 days.

His nickname? He teaches martial arts and students combined his day job with his part-time job. It works well when he gives safety talks. He was speaking this month at the National Safety Council Congress & Expo in Anaheim, California.

Bonar believes safety has a place in work and personal lives.

'It's a personal value, like honesty and integrity,' he said.

Getting into politics 'a big leap' for someone who had an interest but wanted to become more involved.

'How do we actually make a change, make a difference?' he wondered.

A self-described C-SPAN geek, he tired of politicians' 'grandstanding just to get their name out there. A lot of people are tired of our political system. It has gotten to the point it's disgraceful. Our political science programs are breeding this politicians. They understand the process.

'We need more normal people from the people to represent the people.'

He believes a Washington outsider would help get Congress thinking outside its box.

'We need to look at things from a different angle,' he said.

He is irked by bills weighed down by riders. So, he supports the one topic/one bill effort.

Education should be guided locally, not by Washington, he said.

As a veteran, he is strong on defense and veterans issues. He would work to bring the B-21 bomber to Dyess, he said.

Bonar believes it's time for third party to emerge. The Libertarian Party was founded in 1971 in reaction to the unstable political times then.

'We're experiencing exactly the same thing,' he said.

He supports privatization on government agencies.

'We rely too much on government,' he said.

He believes younger generations are tired of two-party politics. He also felt the need to 'bail,' he said.

Running for office and working has been tough, he said. He is getting his message out through a grass-roots effort.

'You never know what the future holds,' he said. 'I want to make a difference, to change something. I've met so many wonderful people and I've learned a lot about their true concerns.'
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Today in history: On Oct. 23, 1998, Dr. Barnett Slepian is shot to death at his home in Amherst, New York, by man professing to be anti-abortion. It's the fifth year that a doctor who performed abortions was targeted. He shot in the back after returning home from his synagogue with his family. James Charles Kopp, also known as "Atomic Dog," was a suspect. Four doctors who performed abortions in New York State quit practicing and other clinic staff quit their jobs.
Afghanistan's cultivation of opium poppy has risen by 10 percent in 2016, according to a new report released by the United Nations.

According to the key findings of its annual Afghanistan opium survey, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said the total area of land devoted to poppy cultivation had risen 10 percent in 2016 to 201,000 hectares.

The jump in cultivation is due to the favorable weather, the governments loosening grip on security, and a drop in international support for counternarcotics operation, the UN report said.

"The survey shows a worrying reversal in efforts to combat the persistent problem of illicit drugs and their impact on development, health and security," UNODC Executive Director Yury Fedotov said in a statement.

"Eradication has dropped precipitously to 355 hectares -- a fall of some 91 percent," Fedotov said.

The report also said cultivation was also spreading to new areas, as the number of poppy-free provinces fell to 13 from 14 out of a total of 34.

"It is very disturbing to see a considerable increase in poppy cultivation in the north, which may be linked with a deteriorating security situation in the region," said Andrey Avetisyan, head of UNODC in Afghanistan.

The UN also said there has been a 30 percent increase in the estimated yield from poppy cultivation.

Poppy farmers in Afghanistan are often taxed by the Taliban, which uses the money to fund their insurgency against the government and NATO forces.

General Mohammad Ahmadi, deputy interior minister for the counternarcotics police, said his forces had conducted 1,263 operations this year, in which they arrested 1,408 opium traffickers including government employees and foreigners, confiscated just over 238 tons of opium, and destroyed at least 35 labs across the country.

Billions of dollars have been spent on counternarcotics efforts in Afghanistan in the past decade, including programs encouraging farmers to switch to other cash crops like wheat, fruit, and saffron. But many of those efforts have failed.

Afghanistans cultivation of opium poppy is the worlds main source of heroin.

With reporting by AFP and Reuters
A gunman has been killed outside a NATO military training center near the Georgian capital, Tbilisi.

In a statement on October 23, the Georgian Defense Ministry said assailants, at least one of whom was armed, attempted to break into the NATO-Georgian Joint Training and Evaluation Center outside Tbilisi.

The assailants attacked a security guard outside the center, located at the Krtsanisi military facility.

A soldier who rushed to the scene shot and killed one of the assailants. The whereabouts of the other assailants was unclear.

Georgias military police have launched an investigation into the incident.

Investigators said the motive of the assailants was unclear.

The Joint Training and Evaluation Center was inaugurated in August 2015. NATO says the center provides advanced training opportunities for troops from Georgia and NATO, as well as other forces in the region.
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.
Iraqi and Kurdish forces have advanced toward Mosul as part of an operation to retake the northern city from the Islamic State (IS) extremist group.



Also on October 23, IS militants launched an attack on a town in Iraq's western Anbar Province in an attempt to divert attention from the offensive on Mosul, the last major IS stronghold in the country.



Kurdish Peshmerga forces launched fresh attacks to the northeast of Mosul, claiming to have recaptured the town of Bashiqa near Mosul from IS fighters.



Masud Barzani, president of the Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdish region, told U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter that the Kurds had succeeded in liberating Bashiqa.



The capture of Bashiqa, if confirmed, would mark the removal of one more obstacle on the road to Mosul.

The offensive to recapture Mosul began a week ago, with Peshmerga forces closing in from the north and east while Iraqi government forces approach the city from the south.

WATCH: Iraqi Forces Advance East Of Mosul

The top U.S. commander in Iraq, Army Lieutenant General Stephen Townsend, said his own information "suggests that President Barzani is right, that there has been a considerable success at Bashiqa."



Reuters video footage from Nawran, a town near Bashiqa, showed Kurdish fighters using a heavy mortar, a machine gun, and small arms as smoke rose over the area.

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said Turkish artillery was supporting the Peshmerga, according to CNN Turk.



"The Peshmerga have mobilized to cleanse the Bashiqa region from Daesh [IS]. They asked for help from our soldiers at the Bashiqa base. So we are helping the tanks with our artillery there," CNN Turk quoted Yildirim as saying.



The town of Bashiqa, seized by IS extremists in August 2014, is about 24 kilometers to the northeast of Mosul.

Nearby is the military base known as Camp Bashiqa where at least 500 and as many as 1,000 Turkish soldiers have been training Sunni Arab tribal militia fighters and Iraqi Kurdish Peshmerga troops for the fight against IS.

The Turkish soldiers were posted at Camp Bashiqa in in late 2015 at the invitation of Iraq's northern Kurdish autonomous region, but their presence is opposed Iraq's government in Baghdad -- which has repeatedly called on Turkey to withdraw the troops from Iraqi territory.

Ankara's latest involvement in northern Iraq could further increase tensions with Baghdad, which has rejected an offer from Turkey to take part in the Mosul offensive.

WATCH: Iraqi Army, Kurds Join Forces At Khazir Front Line

Meanwhile, IS militants' attack on Rutba, a town in the western Anbar Province, comes four months after government-backed forces recaptured the city, which had been occupied by IS militants since June 2014.

The mayor of Rutba, Imad Meshaal, described clashes in the city center between IS and security forces. He called on Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi to send military reinforcements.

Just a few days earlier, on October 21, Iraqi security forces repelled a major attack by IS militants on the oil-producing city of Kirkuk but at least 80 people, mainly security forces, were killed.

The attacks on Rutba and Kirkuk appear to be aimed at diverting attention from the ongoing assault on Mosul.

On a trip to Iraq to review the situation, Carter met with Prime Minister Abadi on October 22 and arrived in Irbil on October 23 to meet with Kurdish leader Barzani.

He will also likely discuss the role of Turkish troops in the region.

Turkish Prime Minister Yildirim said on October 22 that Turkey was ready to "take measures" in northern Iraq because Ankara is not satisfied with promises from the United States and Baghdad about the role of Kurdish militants and Shi'ite militia fighters in the battle for Mosul.

But the Turkish military presence has sparked a dispute with Iraq's Shi'ite-led government in Baghdad, which wants its forces to be at the forefront of the offensive and has repeatedly called for the Turkish troops to leave the country.

Washington has been urging Ankara and Baghdad to resolve the dispute.

Iraqi and Kurdish forces have been fighting IS militants since the start of the offensive on October 16 in a belt of mostly uninhabited towns and villages around Mosul.

More than 4,000 people have fled areas around the Iraqi city since the massive military operation to retake it began, the UN said on October 23.

UNICEF's Iraq representative, Peter Hawkins, said that at one refugee camp the conditions for children were "very, very poor."

More than 25,000 Iraqi ground forces and U.S.-led coalition aircraft and advisers are involved in the Mosul offensive, which is expected to take weeks, if not months.

Mosul is home to more than a million civilians and while Iraqi forces are now fighting in sparsely populated areas, aid groups fear the start of a huge exodus of people when forces approach the limits of the city.

With reporting by AP, AFP, BBC, and Reuters
Iraqi Army servicemen said on October 22 they were tightening the grip on the Islamic State (IS) militant group in the town of Hamdaniya, southeast of Mosul, the group's main stronghold in Iraq. Hamdaniya, also known under the alternative names Baghdida and Qaraqosh, was inhabited by the Christian, Shabak, and Kakai minorities before IS militants took control of it in August 2014. (RFE/RL's Radio Farda)
Named after the town of Khazir, the flank pushing into the Islamic State (IS) militant group's stronghold of Mosul from the northeast is jointly operated by Iraq's Counterterrorism Service and the Iraqi Kurdish Peshmerga forces. RFE/RL's Radio Farda visited the Iraqi military positions on October 22 and talked to Lieutenant General Abdul Wahhab al-Saidi, a commander in Iraq's Counterterrorism Service who led the operation to retake the city of Fallujah from IS militants in June. (RFE/RL's Radio Farda)
Russia resumed its military blockade of Ukrainian ports on October 30, halting the supply of grain supplies largely headed to low-income nations and reigniting fears of a spiral in global food prices.

The United States immediately criticized Russia's actions, accusing it of "weaponizing food" to gain leverage in its failing invasion of Ukraine.

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.

Russia announced a day earlier it would suspend its participation in a UN-brokered deal that allowed Ukraine, one of the world's breadbaskets, to export grain after accusing Kyiv of staging a drone attack against its Black Sea Fleet. Ukraine has rejected the accusations.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on October 30 that he was "deeply concerned" about Russia's decision to halt its participation in the July deal, which helped reverse skyrocketing food prices that threatened to put millions at risk of starvation.

Guterres said he would delay his departure for the Arab League summit in Algiers by one day to work on saving the grain deal.

Ukraine's Infrastructure Ministry reported on October 30 that 218 ships involved in grain exports are currently blocked -- 22 loaded and stuck at ports, 95 loaded and departed from ports, and 101 awaiting inspections.

Ukraine's grain exports are a key revenue source for the country, whose economy has been decimated by Russia's eight-month war. They are also a critical source of food for countries in Africa and Asia.

Earlier in the day, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Russia to resume its participation in the deal, warning it was "exacerbating" an already dire food crisis impacting largely poor countries.

"Any act by Russia to disrupt these critical grain exports is essentially a statement that people and families around the world should pay more for food or go hungry. In suspending this arrangement, Russia is again weaponizing food in the war it started," he said.

In a post on Twitter, European Union foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell also urged Russia to revert its decision.

The July deal allowed Ukraine to resume exports of grain, other foodstuffs, and fertilizer, including ammonia, through a safe maritime humanitarian corridor from three of its Black Sea ports.

To implement the deal, Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, and the UN set up a Joint Coordination Center (JCC) to inspect vessels headed to and from Ukraine traveling along the corridor. Turkey played a major role in brokering the agreement.

Russia on October 30 announced it was suspending its participation in the JCC, including inspecting ships off Istanbul. Earlier in the day, Turkey said the JCC would continue inspecting ships on October 30 and 31.

The JCC had inspected 11 shipments on October 30 with more than 100 waiting for clearance.

Analysts have been warning for the past two months that Russian President Vladimir Putin would look for an excuse to pull out of the deal to pressure the West over its continued military aid to Ukraine.

Kyiv has used that military aid with effectiveness, driving the Russians back in the northeast, east, and southeast since launching a counteroffensive in September.

"Given Ukraine's successful counterattack, the fighting there isn't going Russia's way. Putin, who is used to engaging in dialogue from a position of strength, finds he does not have so many ways of putting pressure on the West at his disposal. Threatening to torpedo the grain deal is one of his few remaining options," Aleksandra Prokopenko, an independent analyst, wrote in a September 16 note posted on the website of Washington-based think tank Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

In a video address after Russia's announcement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called the move "a completely transparent attempt by Russia to return to the threat of large-scale famine for Africa and Asia." Zelenskiy called for Russia to be expelled from the Group of 20 leading global economies (G20).

U.S. President Joe Biden called Moscow's decision "purely outrageous."

The July 22 grain deal was intended to last 120 days with the option for renewal on November 19 "if no party objects," the UN said on October 28.

Moscow has asked the UN Security Council to meet on October 31 to discuss the reported attack on its Black Sea Fleet at the Crimean port city of Sevastopol in the early hours of October 29.

Russia's Defense Ministry said drones were used in the attack and that one Russian ship, a minesweeper, was damaged.

Ukraine's Infrastructure Ministry said Kyiv would try to continue using the Black Sea shipping corridor as long as possible.

Russian Agriculture Minister Dmitry Patrushev said on Russian state television that Moscow was prepared to "supply up to 500,000 tons of grain to the poorest countries free of charge in the next four months."

With reporting by Reuters
September was National Suicide Prevention Month. Obviously Congressman Zinke forgot that when he launched his attack ad on Denise Juneau. Every 35 hours a Montanan takes his/her own life, giving Montana the highest suicide rate in the nation. It is the second leading cause of death for ages 10-44, and 460 Montana veterans killed themselves over 10 years.

Guns are used in 64 percent of those suicides. Among teens, suicide is often attempted within 10 minutes of the first impulse and they are unlikely to try again if they fail. But whereas other means afford time for rescue, guns are instantly lethal. The availability of a gun can be a greater risk for suicide than an underlying psychiatric disorder.

If Zinke cared, he would end his disgraceful and false attack on Denise and join her in trying to save 143 precious Montana lives a year.

As for me, Ill be voting for Denise Juneau, the candidate who sides with the 90 percent of Americans and Montanans who want common sense gun violence prevention laws, instead of the macho man that thinks you can settle every problem with an attack.

Colleen Grass

Helena
Russian police have killed two people suspected of carrying explosives in a vehicle after a shoot-out in the city of Nizhny Novgorod, according to Russian media reports.



Russian media reports said the shooting started on October 23 when police stopped a suspicious vehicle in Nizhny Novgorod, a city 400 kilometers east of Moscow.



The suspects opened fire and police shot back, the reports said. A third suspect was apprehended.



"Law enforcement officers stopped a car, two suspects resisted arrest and were liquidated on the spot. Explosives were found in the car," the TASS state news agency quoted a source as saying.



"They have shot dead two [people] suspected of terrorism," a law enforcement source told RIA Novosti.



Police carried out an operation in a residential area of the city for possible suspects. Police sources said the operation was now over.



The bomb allegedly found in the suspects' car was detonated by a robot. Two police suffered concussions in the explosion, the reports said.



A law enforcement source quoted by TASS named those killed as "members of illegal armed groups," a term used by officials to describe Islamist insurgents in Russias volatile North Caucasus.

Based on reporting by AFP, AP, TASS, and RIA Novosti
Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim says Turkey is ready to "take measures" in northern Iraq because Ankara is not satisfied with promises from the United States and Baghdad about the role of Kurdish militants and Shi'ite militia fighters in the battle for Mosul.

Yildirim made the remarks late on October 22 after Iraq's Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi rejected a call by U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter's for Baghdad to give Turkish forces a role in recapturing the northern Iraqi city from Islamic State (IS) militants.

Abadi said after meeting with Carter in Baghdad on October 22 that he knew Turkey wants to participate in the battle for Mosul.

"We tell them thank you, this is something the Iraqis will handle and the Iraqis will liberate Mosul and the rest of the territories," Abadi said.

Yildirim expressed concern about the way Shi'ite militia and fighters from Turkeys outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) might treat Sunni Arab residents of Mosul after the city is recaptured from IS militants.

Yildirim said Turkey's military has "made every preparation to take our measures because the promises given by the United States and Iraq about the PKK and Shi'ite militias not being part of operations has not satisfied us yet."

He added, "Turkey can never remain idle against massacres, potential refugee waves, and clashes along its border, and it will take action if necessary."

The U.S. defense secretary's talks with Abadi on October 22 came a day after Carter said he'd reached "an agreement in principle" with Ankara about a role for Turkey's military in the battle for Mosul.

Carter stressed that any final decision would be up to Baghdad, but also expressed hope that the Turks and Iraqis would be able to resolve their differences.

On October 22, Carter admitted to reporters that the issue of a Turkish role in the Mosul campaign was a difficult subject.

He said the United States had a role "to work with our partners in the coalition and the Iraqi government to try to resolve issues like this and make sure that we're all focused" on fighting against IS militants.

Turkey, a regional power with the second largest armed force in NATO, has at least 500 and as many as 1,000 soldiers stationed at a military camp near the town of Bashiqa in northern Iraq -- about 24 kilometers to the northeast of Mosul.

Posted there at the invitation of Iraq's northern Kurdish autonomous region, the Turkish forces have been training Sunni Muslim tribal fighters and Iraqi Kurdish Peshmerga at a military base known as Camp Bashiqa since late 2015 outside of the IS-controlled town of Bashiqa.

But the Turkish military presence has sparked a dispute with Iraq's Shi'ite-led government in Baghdad, which wants its forces to be at the forefront of the offensive and has repeatedly called for the Turkish troops to leave the country.

Washington has been urging Ankara and Baghdad to resolve the dispute.

It has said that any foreign forces in Iraq should be there with the approval of Iraq's government in Baghdad and should also fall under the umbrella of the U.S.-led coalition against IS.

While Turkey has been supporting Iraq's Kurdish Peshmerga fighters within the U.S.-led coalition, Ankara also been carrying out air strikes in northern Syria against U.S.-backed Syrian Kurds that also are part of the coalition -- the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) and its People's Protection Units (YPG).

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has vowed that he will not allow the PYD and YPG to create a Kurdish stronghold in northern Syria along Turkey's southern border, saying that it would bolster fighters from the outlawed PKK -- which both Ankara and Washington consider to be a terrorist group.

Erdogan alleges that there are links between the outlawed PKK in Turkey and the U.S.-backed PYD in northern Syria.

With reporting by Reuters, AP, AFP, and dpa
Henrico County-based Genworth Financial Inc. has agreed to be acquired by a China-based investment company for about $2.7 billion.

The deal means that Genworth, a Fortune 500 company and a major seller of home mortgage insurance and long-term care insurance, would become a subsidiary of China Oceanwide, a privately held, family-owned international financial holding company based in Beijing.

In addition to buying Genworth, China Oceanwide would make a cash infusion and debt reduction of $1.1 billion in Genworths U.S. life insurance businesses.

We believe that this transaction creates greater and more certain stockholder value than our current business plan or other strategic alternatives, and is in the best interests of Genworths stockholders, Thomas J. McInerney, Genworths president and CEO, said in a statement.

Genworth would cease to be a publicly traded company once the deal is completed. The deal was announced Sunday evening.

Representatives for Genworth said Sunday that the company will maintain its headquarters in Henrico.

Its management team also is expected to remain intact, and job cuts are not expected. Genworth reported 1,134 full-time equivalent employees in the Richmond area as of Jan. 1.

The proposed deal values Genworth at $5.43 per share in cash. Shares closed Friday at $5.21 per share, up 5 cents.

Shares have traded between $1.57 and $5.36 over the past 52 weeks.

The deal, which has been approved by both companies boards of directors, requires shareholder and regulatory approval. Genworth and China Oceanwide have initiated discussions with regulators in key jurisdictions, the companies said.

The transaction is expected to close by mid-2017.

In addition to the acquisition, Genworth said China Oceanwide has committed to contributing $600 million in cash to address Genworths debt maturing in 2018 as well as $525 million in cash to its U.S. life insurance businesses.

China Oceanwide is an ideal owner for Genworth going forward, McInerney said. They recognize the strength of our mortgage insurance platform and the importance of long-term care insurance in addressing an aging population. The capital commitment from China Oceanwide will strengthen our business and increase the likelihood of obtaining regulatory approval.

With the Genworth acquisition, China Oceanwide would have about 10,000 employees. The company has investment stakes or owns a portfolio of businesses in financial services, energy, culture and media, and real estate assets, including in the U.S.

Lu Zhiqiang, the chairman of China Oceanwide Group of Beijing, has been listed by Forbes magazine as one of Chinas richest businessmen, with an estimated net worth this year of $5.2 billion, ranking him at No. 298 among the worlds billionaires, according to Forbes.

The company has been adding to its portfolio of international holdings, including buying real estate in New York City in 2015.

The deal represents at least the third major investment by a Chinese company in Virginia.

Pork producer Smithfield Foods Inc. was acquired in a $4.7 billion acquisition in 2013 by Shuanghui International Holdings Ltd., which at the time marked the biggest purchase of an American firm by a Chinese company.

In Chesterfield County, Shandong Tranlin Paper Co. Ltd., a leading pulp and paper company in China, broke ground on a $2 billion paper manufacturing plant a year ago. It should be fully operational by 2020.

***

The deal with China Oceanwide comes as Genworth has been restructuring and selling some of its business units.

The companys financial results and stock value have been hurt by problems in its long-term care insurance business, which provides insurance for nursing home or at-home care.

Genworth has faced higher-than-expected claims in long-term care insurance, forcing it to set aside money for costs.

Genworth announced separately on Sunday that it expects to increase long-term care claim reserves by about $400 million to $450 million, pre-tax, resulting in an after-tax charge to earnings of $260 million to $300 million for its fiscal third quarter.

The company has faced problems since the housing market collapse and economic recession, which hurt its mortgage insurance business and sent the companys stock price tumbling.

While that business has been recovering, Genworths long-term care insurance division has struggled with losses resulting from a confluence of factors, including a low interest rate environment that has hurt returns for many insurers.

Long-term care insurance provides a tremendous value to individuals and families, McInerney said in an interview in June. He added that the company has paid more than $10 billion in claims over the years to policyholders suffering from illnesses  often dementia-related  that require them to have nursing care.

We are one of only about a dozen companies that still provide it, said McInerney, Genworths president and CEO since 2013. We are trying to fix the back books and change the regulatory model going forward, but I think we are very proud at Genworth that we help families buy homes and also help protect people as they age.

***

Genworth was created in 2004 as a spinoff from General Electric Co.

Although Genworth was born as a public company in 2004, its history is much older. The base of its family tree was Life of Virginia, an insurer that was founded in Richmond in 1871.

In 1996, General Electric acquired Life of Virginia and First Colony Life Insurance Co. for $1.8 billion and combined them into a subsidiary that became known as GE Financial Assurance.

A year later, GE moved the headquarters of the subsidiary from Stamford, Conn., to Henrico, and the business division added jobs during the next seven years.

Genworth instantly became one of the Richmond areas  and Virginias  biggest publicly traded corporations in 2004 when it was spun off from GE in a $2.8 billion initial public offering.
On Election Day you have the opportunity to improve the lives of thousands of Montanans.

I-182 is an accountable, responsible law that restores access to medical marijuana to patients. It removes the three-patient limit for providers imposed by the Legislature in 2011, leaving patients stranded without medication. It provides for licensing of dispensaries, inspections and product testing for safety.

Chronic pain, PTSD, nausea -- just some of the things many patients in Montana live with each day. I am one of them. Ten years ago I had to leave my dental practice forever, in part due to a hand tremor, nerve pain in my shoulder, numbness in my arms and intractable insomnia. Pharmaceuticals provided little help. Then in March, I discovered medical marijuana and have experienced tremendous relief.

Research has shown this medication to be effective for many debilitating illnesses and for some it is the only viable and safe alternative to addictive, dangerous opioids for pain relief. In the states and D.C. where medical marijuana is available, opioid deaths are down 24.8 percent.

Please say yes to patients everywhere in Montana. Your yes on I-182 means care will be restored to patients who depend on it.

Michael McGuire

Helena
Register for more free articles. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading.
The fires were started in two separate restrooms  one was put out with a fire extinguisher by an employee and the other spread to walls and countertops before being extinguished by the sprinkler system. The business shut down for two to three hours, Elmore said. No one was injured.
In a building where Henrico County trains fire recruits, classes are conducted from a 1-car garage. There are no showers and one toilet.

The space, Fire Chief Tony McDowell said, is completely inadequate for our needs.

Renovations to the training facility on Woodman Road are being called for as part of a $419.8 million bond referendum in Henrico that residents will vote on Nov. 8. The county is seeking voters permission to issue the bonds for 26 capital projects that would be funded throughout the next six years.

The projects are broken down into five spending categories and voters must approve or reject each category individually. They are: $272.6 million for school projects; $87.1 million for recreation and park projects; $24 million for library projects; $22.1 million for fire station and facilities projects; and $14 million for road projects.

In addition to renovating the training center on Woodman, the county is seeking to build two new fire stations  one near Staples Mill Road and Glenside Drive, the other near Nine Mile Road and Laburnum Avenue.

Growth in those areas has spurred more calls for service, McDowell said. National standards dictate that fire departments must be on the scene of 90 percent of structure fires within 6 minutes and 20 seconds.

In the areas where the new firehouses would be built, the department is hitting that benchmark just 60 percent of the time, McDowell said.

We expect that to become more and more of a challenge as  redevelopment, infill and density continue to occur in that area, he said.

Of the money that would be put toward schools, $168.1 million would be directed toward upgrading and renovating eight schools that were built in the mid-to-late 1950s or the 60s. J.R. Tucker High School would receive the most money  $55 million  for a face-lift.

The other schools are Tuckahoe Middle School and Jacob L. Adams, Pemberton, Chamberlayne, Skipwith, Seven Pines and Crestview Elementary schools.

You have schools that have needs throughout the county  East End, West End and in the middle, said Henrico schools spokesman Andy Jenks.

A new elementary school in the Brookland District also would be built to ease overcrowding and account for anticipated growth at Elizabeth Holladay, Charles M. Johnson and Dumbarton Elementary schools. Additionally, eight new classrooms are planned for Glen Allen Elementary School.

If passed, the entirety of the money for libraries would go toward replacing the Fairfield Area Library with a facility that more mirrors the size and offerings at the Libbie Mill and Varina Area libraries, said library Director Jerry McKenna.

The new library, which would sit on Laburnum Avenue near Watts Lane, would offer more than 100 public computers  2 times more than are currently available. It also would include a story time room and a dedicated area for teenagers.

The goal is to have the new library open by November 2019, McKenna said.

This is the first time since 2005 that Henrico has pursued a bond referendum. That $349.3 million referendum allowed the county to borrow money to pay for 31 projects including five new schools and renovations or additions to several more. It also funded fire station improvements, library and parks projects.

The construction contract for Fire Station 19  the only project from that referendum that hasnt been completed  will go in front of the Henrico Board of Supervisors next week for approval, said Brandon Hinton, deputy county manager for community services.

Given historically low interest rates on bonds and revenue from the countys meals tax that partly would pay for some of the school projects, Hinton called the impact on the countys finances minimal.
WATLINGTON, Anne Armistead, of Delray Beach, Fla., died on October 15, 2016. She was born in Richmond, Va., on November 14, 1955, to the late James E. Watlington and the late Martha D. Carr; and is survived by her loving husband, Kendall Ropp. She is also survived by her sister, Beth Marchant (Ry) of Richmond; her niece, Meg Marchant of New York City; nephew, Reilly Marchant (Lizzy) of Richmond; her aunt, Betsy Mebane; uncles, Everette Dunn (Patricia) and Jim Dunn (Rachel), all of North Carolina. Anne attended Collegiate School and Mt. Vernon College. Later, using her culinary skills, she began a business called "The Catery." Eventually she moved to Florida, where she put her artistic talents to work as "Watlington Artworks" and created many paintings and murals in the area. She met her husband Kenny in 2000, and they shared a wonderful life in Delray Beach for 16 years until her untimely death. Anne also loved her friends from high school and all of the dogs she had in her life. A memorial service will be held at the Palm Beach National Chapel in Lake Worth, Fla., at 3 p.m. on Saturday, October 29. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Richmond SPCA. Online condolences may be made at www.palmbeachnationalchapel.com.
The recent attack ads from out-of-state corporate interests against Judge Dirk Sandefur compel me to speak out against the dishonesty and disinformation they contain.

Firstly, I've been a prosecutor for over 16 years, 10 of them as a deputy Cascade County attorney, and the last six as an assistant attorney general traveling Montana to prosecute rapes and homicides in front of many different judges. I've conducted countless jury trials and hearings in front of Judge Sandefur in the last 14 years. I can attest with confidence that Judge Sandefur is widely and rightly considered one of the most professional, thoughtful, intelligent, fair and respected judges in the state.

Secondly, the attempt to paint Judge Sandefur as anything but tough on crime is absurd to any who know his true record. The cherry-picking of Judge Sandefur's 14-year record (something his opponent lacks altogether) produced a highly deceptive ad for three cases, which the Bozeman Daily Chronicle has stated contains "falsehoods." What should inform the Montana voter is that an attack ad could only come up with three dishonestly described cases out of the thousands Judge Sandefur has presided over. The weakness of the attack only shows the strength of Judge Sandefur's true record on the bench.

Third, prosecutors like myself put judges in impossible situations every day. We have our role, and the judiciary has theirs. Judges cannot generally tell us what charges to file or dismiss or amend. They do not micromanage plea agreements. We often present them with a choice between a bad outcome and a worse outcome, especially in difficult sexual assault cases. Judge Sandefur has never shied away from making the weighty and next-to-impossible decisions we present to our judges.

In my opinion, our state has an excellent opportunity to promote a tried and tested judge, widely respected, to the Montana Supreme Court. The out-of-state, dark money attacks are underway and will continue but should be rejected by Montana voters for what they are: dishonest propaganda from out-of-state interests who would far prefer a loyal corporate ideologue with no judicial experience to an actual fair arbiter of the law.

The best choice for Montana is Judge Dirk Sandefur.

Joel Thompson

Helena
Richmond faces many of the intractable problems that plague other American cities: underperforming schools, concentrated poverty, too much crime, not enough economic opportunities  especially in minority neighborhoods. These are complex, enduring, hard-to-solve challenges that have proved resistant to good intentions, committed communities and even capable leaders. The failures have endured, quite literally, for generations.

We dont want to sound too bleak. The city has made much progress in recent years, with a growing population, a reviving downtown, pockets of educational success, a long decline in crime rates, and significant improvements in race relations  especially when compared with the first two centuries of our history.

And yet.

There is a palpable sense of two cities here: One bustles with young professionals, trendy restaurants and breweries, a city of hope and progress. Sometimes only a few blocks away, public housing, unemployment, disappointing schools, business deserts and dangerous streets are the rule. There are no easy or obvious solutions.

We want a city that excels in services, that plans with the community on future improvements, that upgrades its schools so they will elevate students and attract new residents and businesses. And Richmond should expand on Mayor Dwight Jones laudable efforts to find new methods for attacking poverty.

So how can a city government that cannot keep track of the money it taxes and spends, cannot meet the most basic requirements of financial management, cannot fill the potholes, cannot send out bills, cannot issue timely permits  how can a locality marked by such regular and predictable ineptitude ever hope to address its deepest failings or lend a helping hand to its neediest citizens? It cannot, of course.

Despite the complexity of the problems, the test for choosing our next mayor is actually quite simple: Who possesses the skills and experience to transform the city into a competent, functioning municipality that can meet the basic needs of its citizens and respect the integrity of the money it collects from them? Who has the strength and will to reform the citys bureaucracy into one that works?

The answer is clear: Jack Berry.

Hes a former deputy city manager and budget director in Richmond, so he knows the process. After that, he served six years as the county administrator in Hanover, where he demonstrated that hes an effective executive. For the past 10 years, Berry has led Venture Richmond, a public/private partnership that promotes downtown and runs, among other things, the wildly successful Richmond Folk Festival. Hes a skillful and determined builder  of bridges and relationships, of high-functioning organizations, of progressive visions.

Berry isnt a great speechmaker, but he brings an informed intensity to his campaign that convinces us hes in it for the right reasons: to make Richmond a better place to live, work and learn. He is sharp but sincere. This matters.

Berry has been criticized about his past support for a baseball stadium in Shockoe Bottom  a stand that was not surprising for a promoter of downtown. He followed the lead of Mayor Jones on this issue. Berry no longer supports a stadium in the Bottom, and were persuaded that he has learned a lesson about the value of listening closely to the public, one that he will remember as mayor.
By Jim Kibler

Virginians are accustomed to the power of great ideas and the strong debate that surrounds them. Thomas Jefferson likened it to a good thunderstorm, clearing the air.

The Atlantic Coast Pipeline, a 594-mile artery that will provide low-cost, clean, American natural gas from West Virginia to Virginia and North Carolina, is a great idea that has attracted its share of debate.

The truth is, there are already more miles of gas pipeline in Virginia than interstate highways, and both of them are critical to economic expansion.

The Atlantic Coast Pipeline is the next generation of crucial infrastructure that is necessary to provide Virginia with a path to economic vitality. We have a choice between doing nothing or taking actions to meet our future energy needs. Our future depends on it.

***

As Virginias oldest corporation, Virginia Natural Gas has been serving the commonwealth since 1850, when we were chartered by the General Assembly to light the streets of Norfolk.

Since then, we have grown to serve an area stretching from the Richmond suburbs to North Carolina, and we are responsible for providing the heat, hot water and energy that more than 1 million Virginians and small businesses rely upon. We have invested billions of dollars in infrastructure in order to better serve the public.

Our statewide natural gas infrastructure  like the interstate highways that serve our motorists  is so stretched that our company had to shut off more than 100 employers during the Polar Vortex several years ago to ensure enough fuel for home heating.

If any major manufacturer seeks to locate east of Richmond, there is not enough pipeline capacity to serve them on a guaranteed basis. That represents jobs we cannot add, families whose futures are less bright, and communities that cannot grow. It is not the path to a viable economic future for the nations birthplace.

***

Dominion and the other companies behind the Atlantic Coast Pipeline have designed a path for the project that maximizes the positive benefits for our communities and places strong emphasis on the environment. It is strategically designed to foster economic opportunity and to minimize impacts. It is a very good plan.

Unlike many who have taken part in this debate, we have been here  and will be here  for the long haul, investing in Virginia. Our customers should know that we have signed up for service from the Atlantic Coast Pipeline and look forward to the opportunity to invest more in our system, to welcome new customers, and to ultimately give our region the economic opportunity it deserves.
Ive never been to Belize. I had a trip planned 11 and a half years ago. My wife and I had booked our plane tickets and lodging, had made arrangements to take a two-day scuba-diving course before exploring along the coast to Placencia, where we could try our luck at permit and bonefish on the fly.

We were looking forward to it  really looking forward to it. But life has a way of throwing wrenches into great plans, sometimes with even better ones. The trip to Belize quickly went to the back burner when we found out my wife was pregnant with our first child.

We canceled tickets and lodging, and got refunds where we could, shifting our excitement in a different direction, with the assurance that we would reschedule the trip to Belize in a year, maybe two at the most.

Last week we celebrated my sons 11th birthday. As you may have guessed already, my wife and I havent made it to Belize yet. We are still hopeful, though.

When I picture Belize, I imagine small, sleepy villages along the coast, hammocks strung between palms where any passerby might take a load off in the shade. I see shallow flats extending to the horizon where bonefish and permit tails poke through the waters surface as the sun sets on another perfect day.

I know, its probably not exactly like that. My expectations may be a little lofty, but I am willing to bet under the right circumstances, Im not too far off the mark.

Belize is known for its flats fishing for bonefish, tarpon and particularly permit. Over the past several decades, it has become a staple for traveling fly anglers from around the world.

Dr. Aaron Adams, director of science and conservation for the Bonefish and Tarpon Trust, said something is happening right now in Belize that could threaten the flats fishing, making some in the fly fishing community as nervous as a bonefish in skinny water, on a slack tide, with no wind.

The 104-acre Blackadore Caye is between mainland Belize and Ambergis Caye, a popular travel and fishing destination.

In 2005, actor Leonardo DiCaprio purchased the caye with Jeff Gram, owner of a luxury vacation island in Belize. DiCaprio joined forces with a New York developer, Paul Scialla, to develop the island into a luxury resort, referring to it as a restorative island, with plans to show how people can live in complete harmony with the natural world and act as stewards of the land all while enjoying the bounty and beauty that is this unique place, according to the Blackadore Caye website.

The flats around Blackadore Caye have long been popular waters for fly fishing guides and traveling anglers.

Now the developing company, Restorative Islands LLC, plans to build 20 or more two-story, over-the-water villas right on the flats surrounding the island. These structures will negatively impact the flats habitats, and thus the flats fishery.

While the resort claims on their website that if immediate action is not taken to save Blackadore, the valuable, yet declining habitat for tarpon, bonefish, and permit will continue to shrink at an alarming rate and eventually disappear, Dr. Adams doesnt agree.

I disagree with almost all the conservation science, Adams said, referring to the studies conducted by Blackadore Caye resort and Restorative Islands LLC. It doesnt hold water.

Adams referred to the advertising from Blackadore Caye as over the top greenwashing.

What bothers me the most is that it is being done by someone who stands up for conservation, Adams said, referring to DiCaprio, and now he invests his personal intellect and financing in something counter to that. It undermines the credibility of conservation. The disingenuousness is maddening.

DiCaprio formed the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation in 1998 with the mission of protecting the worlds last wild places and has spoken extensively about conservation around the world.

Adams is as worried about the precedent the Blackadore Caye development will set in Belize as much as anything, saying, It could put Belize down a bad path, noting that similar-style developments in the Indo-pacific have had major ecological damages.
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
Helen Marie Reynolds Dobyns, 87, of New Castle, went home to be with her Lord Thursday, October 20, 2016. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Mitchell Dobyns; parents, Lester D. and Kate Sizer Reynolds; brother and sister-in-law, Marshall and Virginia Lipes Reynolds; sisters and brothers-in-law, Virginia and Fulton Huffman, Frances and Charles McNiel.She is survived by niece, Dr. Jackie Reynolds Scruggs and Glenn W. Taylor; nephews, Jerry M. Reynolds and Yvonne Walker, David and Diane Reynolds, Don and Rhonda McNiel, Bruce McNiel, Chapman and Joyce Huffman; numerous nephews and nieces, step-daughters, Theda, (Larry) Gilmore and Diane, (Terry) Blair.Marie grew up on Sugar Maple Road. She lived in the family home that was built in 1850 and she passed away peacefully in the same home. Helen Marie Reynolds was born on June 24, 1929.She attended Maywood School and Radford Women's College, a subsidiary of VPI graduating in 1950. She taught at Radford High School for several years.When she left Radford High School she had a Ford Fellowship that led to her employment at Time Warner/Silver Burdette. She taught and trained many teachers across the United States. She led choirs, bands, orchestras, her Bethelites at Bethel United Methodist Church in New Castle, and private music students over the years.She taught in several school systems and started bands such as the Craig County High School Band. Her animated style just made the music so much fun that it stayed in people's minds for a long time. Recently she was playing for a funeral of a special friend at her church, and while sitting in the church we noticed that everyone in the church (which was filled) was listening to her play. She was a showmanship piano player and enjoyed every minute of it. Jazz or Opera were all great to her!Over the years she was a chorus director for American Legion Girls State and Boys State, and influenced many a young person to be the best they could be! She raised thousands of dollars to send students from Craig County to Boys and Girls State over the years. Many of them were very thankful to her for the change this brought to their lives.As a member of The Eastern Star, she was the pianist for Mountain Chapter #168 in New Castle, for many years. She was also a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Teachers Society for Teachers in the Educational System of our state and country. She was a lifetime member Old Bethel United Methodist Church, New Castle. Her husband, Tom, led The Virginia Tech Highty Tighties for many years and they entertained the group in their home as often as possible. He and she enjoyed these times very much.Marie was a Breast Cancer Survivor (1967-2016) and was very active in the Craig County Cancer Society Group. Many people were encouraged by her story and were helped by her concern.Thank you to her caregivers Christy, Val, Debbie, Brittany and many others over the years. Thanks also to the Craig County Sherriff's Department, Chuck and Marge Harris and Marge Lewter, The Rescue Squad, her Church, and neighbors.In lieu of Flowers, donations may be made to Old Bethel United Methodist Church, Simmonsville Fire Department, Craig County Rescue Squad, American Legion Boys and Girls State, or the charity of your choice.Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Monday, October 24, 2016 at Old Bethel United Methodist Church with Pastor Willie Guill officiating. Interment will follow at Old Dublin Cemetery in Dublin.The family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, October 23, 2016 at Paitsel Funeral Home, New Castle. www.paitselfh.com
It has been the custom in our politics to discard any verbal semblance of our real and perceived adversaries at the time of conflict. During World Wars I and II, one publication in 1918 said any language which produces a people of ruthless conquistadors such as now exist in Germany is not a fit language to teach clean and honest American boys and girls.

The American Defense League encouraged the public burning of German books and championed to change the name of cities, streets parks and schools in America that had German origins. Germantown, Nebraska, became Garland and Berlin, Iowa became Lincoln. Sauerkraut became liberty cabbage and hamburger became Salisbury steak. German-American churches were singled out as agents of German imperialism much like todays mosques are considered breeding grounds for radical Islam.

Fast forward to more recent times when the French would do something in their interest, not that of the U.S., and conservatives wanted French fries to be referred to as freedom fries.

So in accordance with the anti-Muslim (if not anti-immigrant) hysteria of today, I propose that a number of words and concepts be stricken to purify the American language and mind. Oops, Im sorry, America is named after an Italian mapmaker, Amerigo Vespucci.

During WWII, all Italians had to register for a certificate of identification. And people who were heard speaking Italian in public were often detained as spies. And then there was the matter of internment camps for U.S. citizens of Japanese origin. And Donald Trump today doesnt want to be judged by an Indiana-born American whose parents came from Mexico.

Nowadays it is not unheard of to see Arabs dressed in their garb to be arrested as terrorists. The only city that escapes this is Rochester, Minnesota where so many Saudis go as their government considers the Mayo Clinic as part of its health system. And heavens to Betsy, Arabic language newspapers are found in the international center!

Let us start with the concept of zero, which was developed by the Arabs, originally meaning nothing. Having zero made commerce so much easier; ever try adding MXIV to XXXV? And we would not have computers, for they operate on the basis of infinite permutations of binary numbers: zero and one. Love to search Google which is based on algorithms, self-contained step-by-step operations? That is made possible by another Muslim invention, this time by an Iranian no less, Al-Khwarizmi (780-850 AD).

But probably the Arab-invented mathematical concept of algebra is the most hated. We all struggled with it in 9th grade and we still struggle to understand something whose definition is reunion with broken parts. Before algebra, people had to solve equations by writing them longhand but now could use symbols and numbers. The most well known algebraic equation was developed by the German-born immigrant, Albert Einstein: E=mc.

Then we have to rename all kinds of foods. Orange comes from the Arabic word naranj and two of our favorite beverages would have to find new names, to wit, alcohol and coffee.

Perhaps we could rename anything alcoholic as an inebriate and coffee as a dark caffeinated beverage or in todays world of acronyms DCB. In agriculture we have alfalfa which could be renamed greenish digestive fiber for ruminants.

And for you gamesters, we have to do something with checkmate. Worse, that too, comes from Iran again and the meaning is the shah (check) is mat (dead).

But back to place names and the knowledge that Salem (a very popular place name in Virginia and throughout the U.S.) comes from the Arabic sallam (peace).

In sum, I therefore propose building a linguistic wall to forbid the immigration of Muslim words that may corrupt the American English lexicon until we know what is going on.
From the lovely prairies of the Great Plains to the sweeping heights of the Northern Rockies, Montanas landscapes make for an incredible place to raise kids. As a Big Sky mom who puts a high premium on a clean environment and a healthy job outlook for my children, I commend Gov. Steve Bullock for the forward-looking and ambitious energy blueprint he's devised for our beautiful state.

Besides pledging to reduce overall electricity usage by 10 percent by 2025 through both small- and large-scale projects to improve energy efficiency, Gov. Bullocks plan would bring much-needed support and vision to Montanas renewables industries, helping to fulfill the great potential of our states fertile wind and solar resources.

Wind energy has already brought more than 100 permanent jobs (and some 1,500 construction positions) to the state, along with $1.5 billion in investments. And besides answering the energy needs of Montanans, Big Sky-generated electricity finds a large and hungry market for clean energy on the West Coast  a market that's projected to grow significantly as states such as Oregon and California strive in the next few decades to meet half their energy needs through renewables.

As the news of the retirement of Units 1 and 2 at the Colstrip coal-fired power plant demonstrate, the fossil-fuel economy is a precarious one, particularly in the face of climate change. We must protect our economy against the volatility of the coal market by greatly expanding renewable energy, as Bullocks plan aims to do, will better protect the environment while ensuring more high-paying jobs for future generations  my children and their children included.

Living in a place where the waters clean to drink, the airs clean to breathe, and protected wildlands and other recreational havens lie near at hand  these are qualities that, as a Montana mother, I consider invaluable. The same goes for anticipating a future state economy thats healthy, sustainable, and rich in opportunity. These priorities mean I proudly join Montana Mountain Mamas and Moms Clean Air Force in supporting Gov. Bullocks energy plan for Montana.

Hannah Fisher

Helena
Easily one of the best initiatives undertaken by the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) of India, the Special Notified Zone (SNZ) at the India Diamond Trading Centre (IDTC) in the Bharat Diamond Bourse (BDB) premises is underutilized in some measures, according to a section of the Indian diamond industry members.

Way back in December, 2015, GJEPC launched the India Diamond Trading Centre and the SNZ in it, giving wings to the Indian Prime Minister, Shri. Narendra Modis vision of making India a global trading hub. This was a significant milestone in the PM Modis Make in India campaign, to boost and promote India as a global diamond-trading hub.

Obviously, this initiative by the GJEPC was received with much enthusiasm by the Indian diamond industry. It was also a great confidence booster to the Indian diamond industry members, especially the SMEs, who are currently hard hit by liquidity issues, as well as inability to receive finances from lending banks, which demand 100% collaterals from them.

The IDTC-SNZ at the BDB is spread across 4000 sq ft with 9 fully equipped viewing rooms as per international standards, a conference room, and state-of-the-art security systems as well as a strong room. Currently, this facility is utilized by major mining companies around the world, whenever they bring their rough diamonds for viewing at the SNZ.

The SNZ was mainly established to ensure regular availability of direct supply of roughs in India itself, which will not only save time and effort for the diamond manufacturers but also minimize middlemen commissions and eventually result in overall cost reductions.

By establishing the SNZ, it was GJEPCs endeavor to make India a major trading hub similar to Israel, the UAE and Belgium. The Indian SMEs, especially, had great expectations as they would be able to procure rough directly from mining companies. Will it happen in the near future? Doubtful, as some industry members feel that with the tax issues yet to be solved, it may take another two years or more before trading could begin at the zone.

Like most GJEPC initiatives, the SNZ in Mumbai was well planned and adequately equipped; and was expected to spawn many more similar SNZs. According to the GJEPC, it has plans to set up SNZs across the country, in association with various State governments. The State Government of Gujarat has already proposed to set up a gem bourse with a SNZ in it. The same concept will also be extended to coloured gemstones segment like Jaipur, where GJEPC has plans to set up a Gem Bourse.

Last December, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, Honble Minister of State for Commerce & Industry, Government of India, inaugurated the SNZ and promised to look into the hurdles like taxation issues, etc., as the diamond industry is an important sector, providing high employment and also accounting for 13% of the countrys exports.

Commenting on the SNZ and current tax structure, Vipul Shah, former Chairman of GJEPC and MD/CEO of Asian Star Pvt Ltd said: Changes in tax structure that favour trading will be beneficial to all concerned and boost effectiveness of this entire venture. GJEPC is in discussion with the Government to implement these measures and we are looking forward to a positive outcome.

Currently, India accounts for more than 65% of the world polished market by value; 90% by volume; and 94% in terms of number of pieces. For an industry of this stature, rough diamond requirement is enormous. Indias off-take of rough diamond accounts for a major share of total rough production worldwide. For 2016 it is expected to touch more than 150 mn carats of rough diamonds, valued at $20 bn.

At present, India imports 'rough' from the main trading centers in the EU, Israel and the UAE, with only a fraction of its procurement coming directly from rough producing countries like Australia, Russia, Canada and mining companies in Africa.

Having faced rough shortage for decades, the Indian diamond industry feels that it is now become important for a centre as large as India to source its roughs directly from producers. This will establish stability and continuity of supply to the industry as well as ensure strong economies by boosting the performance of the industry in a big way.

Giving his opinion about the SNZ in Mumbai, the GJEPC's Gujarat Regional Chairman, Dinesh Navadiya stressed the importance of change in tax structure in SNZ and said: It is very essential to introduce presumptive taxation in SNZ to avail the benefit of SNZ; and to compete in global markets, especially with other trading centres.

Despite being the largest cutting and polishing centre in the world, India is way behind countries such as Antwerp, Tel Aviv, Dubai, Hong Kong, Shanghai etc. These countries are flourishing as large trading hubs, because of support by their respective governments with favorable policies. Not surprising then that all the major diamond mining companies in the world are trading their 'rough' mainly through these trading centres.

Suggesting 'No tax or a fixed establishment tax' in SNZs, Rajesh R. Shah, Partner-Venus Jewel said: Most progressive countries where taxation is linked with promotion of trade aim to create zones to exempt such income that may accrue or arise within such specialized zones. In the case of the presently established SNZ, since the idea is to enable viewing and purchasing of goods by the Indian diamond companies in India, which otherwise they would have to travel overseas to purchase. Selling in this manner does not result in profits for the mining companies, since they would have sold goods at the same price overseas as they are being sold within the SNZ. Zoning creates an island, which is assumed to be out of India so far as taxation is concerned. Therefore, what is best for our manufacturers and our country is not to tax any sale made by diamond mining companies who take on the burden of bringing goods to SNZ to facilitate the Indian diamantaires. Else, the whole purpose of creating SNZ is defeated. It is, therefore, best if no tax of any sorts is levied, and if not possible, a fixed establishment tax may be recovered.



Similar opinions have come forth from most of the industry members, who are appreciative that the IDTC-SNZ has been set up, but would like it to be fully functional as soon as possible to benefit both the mining companies as well as the Indian diamantaires. Members of the Indian diamond industry also look forward to the much-needed support and encouragement from the Government of India by taking positive steps to set right the tax structure. Industry leaders are of the opinion that the government's positive steps will help the Indian diamond industry to grow its strengths; and in due course emerge as one of the largest diamond trading hubs in the world.

Aruna Gaitonde, Editor-in-Chief of Asian Bureau, Rough & Polished




The World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) represents the entire jewelry industry embracing a whole variety of companies, from those mining precious metals and gems to those, which are manufacturing and selling final products.

The confederation members are national jewelry associations from more than 40 countries, including Russia. In 2006, the CIBJO was the only organization granted the official status of a consultant to the UN Economic and Social Council on the development of the global jewelry industry.

Gaetano Cavalieri, President of CIBJO, has kindly agreed to give this interview to Rough&Polished and to talk about his vision of the situation in the diamond industry.

What are the main topics to be discussed at the CIBJO Congress in Yerevan?

I think it is first important to understand the structure of a CIBJO Congress. Like our organization, which mirrors the composition of the gemstone and jewellery industry, the congress is divided into a series of sessions, some of which relate to programmes involving all parts of the industry, and others which relate to specific sectors. Consequently, while there are more general sessions that deal with such issues as Corporate Social Responsibility, sustainability, ethics, education and marketing, there are others run by our commissions, concentrating specifically on product types, such as diamonds, coloured gemstones, pearls, coral, gem labs and precious metals. This means that a wide series of important topics will be discussed, each one of which has significance for our industry.

Consequently while in general session we will discuss subjects like the Kimberley Process, carbon neutrality, defending the chains of custody and means of creating sustainable economic opportunities in the developing countries in which we are active, in the sectorial sessions we cover such subjects as synthetic diamonds, the ethics involved in new rough diamond scanning technologies, inconsistencies in coloured gemstone grading reports, harmonisation of specific colour standards, a universal pearl grading system, new standards for the coral sector and more.

What are the CIBJOs plans for the nearest future?

A CIBJO Congress, which serves not only as a meeting place for our various sectorial commissions, is also as the place where all our office holders and General Assembly gathers. This provides the opportunity not only to address the pertinent challenges facing the gemstone and jewellery industries, but also to make certain that CIBJO is equipped to deal with those challenges. We will be doing that during the CIBJO Congress in Armenia in October.

We are a dynamic organisation, which has grown and evolved along with the industry we serve. The range of issues that we address has grown considerably over the years. Thus, whereas once we primarily addressed issued like the harmonisation of gemmological standards and nomenclature, today we also deal with CSR, sustainability and the industrys greater responsibility to its consumers, stakeholders and the societies in which they live. As you may know, since 2006 we have been the only body in the jewellery industry that has formal advisory status in the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

As I mentioned earlier, there are plans related directly to our general mission on behalf of the industry sectors, and this includes introducing new sets of standards for coral, for example, and new standards for other gems are also being considered. So is a guide for classifying natural and cultured pearls. This is only a sample of much broader programme being carried forward by our commissions.

Then there are the programmes that we are introducing for the industry on a whole. They already include a series of guides, which are downloadable from our website, free of charge for members of member organisations, and at a nominal fee for all others. Earlier this year we launched a six-part online course in CSR, at the end of which students will receive a Certificate of Accreditation (Level 1), issued by WJCEF, our educational foundation. We are about to launch an online system that will enable to all players to begin implementing chain of custody system, and we are broadening our carbon foot-printing and offsetting programme that was first introduced in 2013.

What concerns you and what pleases you?

That is a very broad question, so I think will provide a single answer for each category.

I am concerned about the position of smaller and medium-sized players in our industry. Over the long term jewellery sales are forecast to grow quite considerably, so I am not really worried about the overall health of our business. But there is definitely a consolidation taking place, with a larger companies taking a greater share of the pie, and smaller players get pushed to the side-lines. There are variety of factors responsible for this, and not all are inevitable or irreversible.

Consolidation is not a healthy development, for it robs the industry of vitality, flexibility and ability to innovate, and it also is a disincentive for young people to invest their future in our business. We need to find ways to reverse the trend.

But I am pleased by the growing awareness in our industry for the social and environmental issues that CIBJO has been promoting for 10 years. Our business community has proven its commitment to create and support defensive systems, like the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, which are designed to ensure the integrity of our products moving through the pipeline. But we are now also seeing growth in proactive social and environmental activities, benefitting the wellbeing of the countries and communities in which we are active. This underscores our belief that while we handle non-essential luxury products, as an economic entity we are essential.

How do you explain the overall decline in consumer demand for diamond jewellery?

There is no denying that the past year was disappointing, with De Beers recently reporting that after five years of uninterrupted growth in the value of diamond jewellery sales, demand fell by 2 percent from $81 billion in 2014 to $79 billion in 2015.

There were a number of reasons, including the slowdown in growth in the China and other emerging markets, the decline in sales in India, and particularly the strength of the U.S. dollar against other currencies. In fact, according to De Beers, at constant exchange rates, global demand for diamond jewellery grew by 2 percent in 2015.

How to ensure profitability in business?

Quite simply to be prudent in terms of supply and do what we can to promote demand. It sounds simple and straight-forward, of course, but is clearly is not.

But in the diamond business that means not buying rough at any price that it is offered, and over the past two years there definitely seems to have been some progress made in that respect. Rough prices did come down, at a rate greater than that of polished, but now that they have begun to climb once again it is important not to return to the situation that existed before.

In terms of demand, the programme of the Diamond Producers Association to reintroduce generic marketing hopefully will spur demand, especially among Millennial consumers, who we are told spent more than $25 billion on diamond jewellery in 2015 in the four largest consumer markets, buying more than any other generation. That is not surprising if you consider that they make up the overwhelming majority of people buying bridal jewellery.

Dont you think that synthetic diamonds are getting their part of the diamond market?

I tend to agree with the recent study by Morgan Stanley, which suggests that synthetics will have a moderate effect on prices in the melee sizes, but no real impact in larger goods. I also agree that even the effect in the melee sizes will be mitigated by the fact that synthetics will lead to an overall growth in the size of the market, as a result of the introduction of the new product category.

All this, however, is contingent on there being a clear distinction between natural and synthetic diamonds, and an absolute crackdown on the mixing of parcels of rough and polished diamonds. In terms of industry standard CIBJO has played its part, and has been supported by the new ISO standard, which is based on the CIBJO definition, which provides clear guidelines how synthetic goods need to be qualified.

The development of inexpensive and easy-to-use detection technologies is also important.

What would be your current appeal to the world diamond community?

The diamond industry is currently faced by a series of challenges, including low price margins, a shortage of bank financing, and ongoing attacks on its integrity. In terms of the first two, the industry must proceed with care and search for innovative solution, which means thinking outside of the box.

In terms of the latter challenge, which is to say integrity, it needs to be meticulous in the way in which it operates. CIBJO will do all that it can to support the diamond sector in this respect, seeking to define standards and terminologies that serve both its interests and the interests of its customers.

Alex Shishlo, Editor of the Rough&Polished European Bureau in Brussels




Christies Geneva Magnificent Jewels auction on 8 November Christies Geneva Magnificent Jewels auction on 8 November 2022 presents the very best in outstanding gemstones, alongside historic and modern jewels, led by The Fortune Pink (estimate: CHF25,000,000-35,000,000), an exceptional fancy vivid pink...

SUNLIGHT opens flagship in the legendary place of Old Arbat Jewelry chain No. 1 SUNLIGHT revives jewelry traditions by opening the doors of its flagship store in Old Arbat on the site of the elite boutique "Gems", known for having a separate entrance and a secret VIP room for the "Soviet nobility"...

Call for KPCS to commit to serious reforms The Kimberley Process Civil Society Coalition (KPCSC) has called on the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) to come to terms with the shortcomings of the certification scheme and to commit to serious reforms. A KPCS plenary...

Barrick Gold secures future of DRC mine with exploration success Barrick Gold says the ability of the Kibali mine, Africas largest gold mine to replace its reserves beyond depletion will secure its position as one of the companys tier-one assets well into the future. Company president and chief executive Mark Bristow...
I have always had the greatest respect for the FBI. I was sure it was one arm of our government that could not be corrupted. I was wrong.

Obama, the attorney general and the Clintons have made a laughing stock of what many are now calling the "Phony Bureau of Investigation."

There is no integrity in the White House or the Department of Justice. The attorney general meets with Bill Clinton in a private jet on a runway. Days later the FBI report comes out  indicating all kinds of misconduct by Secretary of State Clinton and her staff  but concluding that no charges would be filed.

And now we learn that at least five top Clinton aides were granted full immunity by the FBI for their testimony. If the person being investigated was John Q. Public and not Hillary Clinton, the investigation would have been handled "by the book" and the result would have been substantially different.

If Hillary Clinton wins the election, within the next 8 to 10 years, the United States will lose its super power status because Obama and Clinton have downgraded our military for the last 7-1/2 years and have now corrupted the FBI.

Tim Popp

East Helena
AT&T Inc. (T) announced a definitive agreement to acquire Time Warner Inc. (TWX) in a stock-and-cash transaction valued at $107.50 per share. The agreement has been approved unanimously by the boards of directors of both companies.

Time Warner shareholders will receive $53.75 per share in cash and $53.75 per share in AT&T stock. This purchase price implies a total equity value of $85.4 billion and a total transaction value of $108.7 billion, including Time Warner's net debt.

Post-transaction, Time Warner shareholders will own between 14.4% and 15.7% of AT&T shares on a fully-diluted basis.

AT&T expects the deal to be accretive in the first year after close on both an adjusted EPS and free cash flow per share basis.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

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In the race for Montana governor, we have a choice between a successful businessman and a current governor who answers to no one but his environmental handlers.

The environmental aspect is ironic because we have overcrowded forests, full of disease and going up like Roman candles every summer, taking your tax dollars with them. Yet no thinning -- which would help them.

Gov. Steve Bullock speaks of the "foreign outsourcing" done by Greg Gianforte. If you had a roof replaced or other construction done this summer, you likely employed a company that "outsourced" some of the work.

For all Bullock's talk of infrastructure, we have not seen much action. After the Bridger pipeline had broken under the Yellowstone River at Glendive, Bullock appeared, flanked by representatives of every government agency imaginable. The old water system was not able to handle the problems that arose.

As Dawson County had just been declared a disaster area, I asked if that meant Glendive would get some help with its aged water system. With a smirk and a verbal poke in the eye, he replied: No, but there would be money for more expert studies.

Instead of expanding jobs and opportunities in Montana, Bullock chose to expand Medicaid, putting the burden on the taxpayer.

He supposedly supports education but his policies are hamstringing the businesses that could employ these graduates.

And the $1 billion apparently missing from the Montana budget  "oops."

Between terrorist explosions in Europe, Bullock voiced his support of bringing these questionably vetted refugees into Montana.

With Montana seemingly entrenched at No. 48 in the nation for wages, it's become an inconvenient fact for Bullock -- he simply refuses to acknowledge it. We are resource rich, but leadership poor and the promises have worn thin. It is beyond time for a change.

Linda Prescott

Helena
AT&T Inc. (T) reported third quarter 2016 net income attributable of $3.3 billion, or $0.54 per share, compared to $3.0 billion, or $0.50 per share in the same period last year.

Adjusting for $0.20 of amortization, merger- and integration-related costs and other expenses, earnings per share $0.74, versus $0.74 in the year-ago quarter.

The company's 2016 third quarter results included 24 days of DIRECTV-related operations that were not reported in the comparable period in 2015, contributing to higher revenues and expenses when compared to the same period of the prior year.

Quarterly revenues were $40.9 billion, up 4.6 percent from the year-ago quarter, reflecting increased revenues primarily from its acquisition of DIRECTV.

AT&T also announced that its board has approved a 2.1% increase in its quarterly dividend to $0.49 per share.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
MISSOULA -- Republicans hope to gain majority control of the Montana Land Board for the first time in decades, arguing they would create more jobs through responsible development of state lands.

In turn, Democrats have touted their Land Board votes as proof they do not obstruct natural resource industries as the GOP often charges.

In addition to their primary duties, the governor, attorney general, superintendent of public instruction, auditor and secretary of state sit on the Montana Land Board. The group meets once a month to oversee the use, maintenance and sometimes sale of more than 5 million acres of state trust lands and more than 6 million acres of mineral rights.

While that is only a fraction of Montanas total 94.1 million acreage, the parcels checkerboard the state and are leased for farming, ranching, mining, timber harvest, oil and gas extraction, and public recreation, among other uses, to generate funding for public education. The group also provides final approval of other state land purchases and swaps, such as those for wildlife management areas handled by Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

If Republicans gain control of the Land Board, theres a possibility we could see a more proactive approach to trying to find ways to sustainably develop some of our natural resources, Attorney General Tim Fox, the only GOP member of the current board, said. Also, Republicans in general are committed to recreational access to public lands. I believe there would be a concerted effort to do more of that in a way thats sustainable.

Democrat Gov. Steve Bullock, who first joined the board as attorney general in 2008, said he is proud of the Land Boards work, downplaying GOP suggestions that Democrats have obstructed the lease of state lands. Like others, he noted that the majority of decisions reached by the board are unanimous.

I want to manage these lands in a way that the next generation will be able to get the value out of them, he said, noting the constitutional duty to generate education funding must be balanced with broader environmental and recreational priorities. This isnt just about dollars and cents.

Over the last year, as militants occupied the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon and others protested the conviction of a Butte-area man for building retaining ponds along a waterway, Montanans joined others across the nation in debating how well federal officials have managed public lands. Some conservatives have suggested federal lands should transferred to states for more local control. Some, like Republican gubernatorial candidate Greg Gianforte, have said federal leaders should keep ownership but contract with states for management. Add in concerns about the future of Montanas coal industry and increased competition from Canada on some timber harvests, and both political parties found themselves with fresh campaign material and renewed voter interest in lands management issues.

The Land Board has become a central focus in several statewide campaigns.

Twice this year, Republicans at the top of the state ticket have toured the states major cities together to talk about their land-board philosophies. Republican legislator Elsie Arntzen has argued that she would be more supportive of development than Democrat Denise Juneau, the current Superintendent of Public Instruction, who is running for the U.S. House.

State Senate Majority Leader Matt Rosendale frequently argues that his years in real estate development are a key reason voters should elect him to become state auditor. His Democrat opponent, Jesse Laslovich, says that experience is of limited value given the broad authority of the land board and adds that the Republican would not give adequate consideration to the environmental effects of some development projects.

Perhaps the most critical statewide race when it comes to the tone of the land board is that between Bullock and Gianforte.

The governor not only serves as the executive over the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, but serves as the chair of the Land Board, Trust Lands Division Manager Shawn Thomas said. The governor has a little more influence to set the direction.

Gianforte has campaigned on a promise to replace leaders at numerous state agencies with people who have expertise in or have worked within the industries regulated by them, which he hopes will lead to quicker permitting decisions and better customer service.

Weve let these environmental extremists dictate policy and our historical natural resource industries are going away, Gianforte said broadly of the states role managing lands and permitting development.

Bullock has criticized the pitch to replace agency leaders as evidence Gianforte would weaken necessary industry oversight, a claim the Republican denies.

Land board decisions also are shaped by other forces. The Legislature oversees laws that guide many decisions about permitting, lease rates and conservation. Conservation groups and a coalition of school leaders also have sued the state several times over management issues, resulting in rulings or settlements that set additional rules land board members must consider in votes.

Within that framework, the trust lands division handles the daily management, including inspections, applications and bidding as well as analyses of land productivity that identify parcels that might be sold so that more profitable properties can be purchased. Thomas said much of that work is routine and handled by experts with a clear sense of purpose and mission to generate maximum revenues for schools while following best practices of land management.

Since January 2004, there have been only 30 split votes out of more than 1,200 action items placed before the board, according to a Lee Newspapers analysis of minutes. In large part, candidates said this could be because of the professional set-up work done by the trust lands management division to vet and prepare projects, working out most of the kinks before the issues ever reach a land board vote. Others say the consensus is primarily because of Democrats' long-held majority.

The votes that have been divided, even on all-Democrat boards, reveal flashpoints about conservation, public access and natural resource development that might be handled differently should Republicans gain control of the board.

Juneau has been the sole opposition vote on some timber projects involving logging of old growth trees that have drawn criticism from conservationists. Years before that, conservationists had called for the board to halt timber sale decisions until DNRC could update relevant guidelines. Juneau also has stood alone in opposing easements for an oil pipeline and a mines railroad spur. Bullock, and sometimes Juneau and/or Auditor Monica Lindeen, have voted against land sales or swaps that involved parcels with existing public access. Lindeen once opposed new agricultural lease rates on the ground that the details needed tweaking. Fox has made one dissenting vote to oppose elements of new rules on the lease rates for cabin sites following a legal settlement with a coalition of schools.

All those measures nonetheless passed with majority approval.

The split vote most often highlighted in campaigns this year was the 3-2 decision in 2010 to lease Otter Creek tracts to ArchCoal for development. The company later filed for bankruptcy and never mined any coal there. Three Democrats -- then Gov. Brian Schweitzer, Secretary of State Linda McCulloch and Lindeen, who now is running to fill McCullochs post -- approved the lease while Bullock and Juneau dissented.

I felt this was the right thing for the state, Lindeen said. I understand how much money is generated through coal production for the state and everyone benefits. I was willing to lease that and if production had ever happened would have been working to make sure it was done in a responsible manner.

Bullock has defended his Otter Creek vote, noting that his opposition was not focused on environmental concerns but the fact that he thought the lease rate was too low and therefore would rob schools of reasonable additional funding.

Juneau has said her vote was influenced by the opposition of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe and other neighbors to the project site, who feared damage to one of the states most scenic areas.

That was a very difficult vote, Juneau said. Thats why I had to listen to the people in the area who opposed the development. I still stand by that vote.

Land board decisions have not drawn significant scrutiny or public attention in recent years. It is not clear what could spark future division among members.

Nonetheless, Montana Conservation Voters Executive Director Clayton Elliott encouraged voters to consider the land board when casting their ballots this fall -- even when making decisions about offices like superintendent whose primary duties do not focus on land management.

The organization that promotes public recreational access has endorsed every Democrat running for statewide office this election cycle except for attorney general candidate Larry Jent. Elliott said the group chose not to make any endorsement or spend any of its action fund money to influence that race.

In the last year or two there have not been as many major headline-grabbing issues, Elliott said of the land board. But through the course of time there could be more.
In the last 24 hours, India reported 1,326 new Covid-19 cases and eight cases, the Union Health Ministry said on Monday. ...


WEST GLACIER -- A Secretarial Order from Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell encouraging cooperative management opportunities between public land and water managers, and federally recognized Indian tribes, will have little effect on Glacier National Park, its superintendent says.

Quite honestly, I believe it will boil down to reporting requirements on what weve already got in place, Jeff Mow said Friday, the day the order was announced.

The park has conferred with local tribes on a range of issues for years, Mow said, including fisheries, grizzly bears and plant species.

Glacier is even working with its closest Native American neighbors, the Blackfeet, on that tribes efforts to reintroduce a wild bison herd that would likely roam inside and outside Glaciers borders.

The restoration of free-range wild bison is of huge mutual interest for agencies and tribes, Mow said. Between that and tribes and parks involvement with Crown of the Continent groups, there is collaboration on a variety of issues, the superintendent said.

Weve got a lot going, Mow said.

***

Jewell announced the order Friday in Fairbanks, Alaska, at the annual Alaska Federation of Natives Conference.

It sets out a framework to ensure that Native communities have the opportunity to assume meaningful and substantive roles in managing public lands that have special geographical, historical and cultural connections to the tribes, according to the Interior Department.

The order covers far more than national parks. In addition to the National Park Service, it applies to the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, and the Bureau of Reclamation.

This Secretarial Order reflects the Obama administrations deep commitment to strengthen respect between the United States government and Native American and Alaska Native leaders and communities, while boosting our efforts to increase tribal self-determination and self-governance, Jewell said in announcing the order.

This kind of collaboration with tribal nations, she added, will help ensure that were appropriately and genuinely integrating indigenous expertise, experience and perspective into the management of public lands.

***

According to the Interior Department, the order guides Interiors land and water management agencies to identify opportunities, consult with tribes, and implement cooperative management agreements or other collaborative partnerships that relate to:

 management of fish and wildlife resources,

 identification, protection, preservation and management of cultural sites,

 management of plant resources, including collection of plant material,

 delivery of specific programs and services,

 management and implementation of agency-related maintenance activities,

 managing public information related to tribal, cultural and education materials.

It does not address co-management situations where there is a specific legal basis requiring co-management of natural resources with tribes.

Neither did the announcement mention the National Bison Range at Moiese, where the Fish and Wildlife Service has offered to back legislation  which has not yet been introduced, and which a conservation group has sued to stop  to return the wildlife refuge to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes as long as it remains open to the public.

***

Not only does Glacier Park already collaborate with the Blackfeet and Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of Montana, Mow said  its even involved with First Nations in Canada concerning international transboundary issues.

Park officials have recently been in both Banff and Lethbridge for such meetings, according to the superintendent.

Jewells order could expand the topics the park confers with tribes on, Mow said.

Tourism is a big issue, he said. Here at Glacier, our cup runneth over. Glacier cant expand its boundaries, but we could develop a seamless boundary that helps local communities, including those on the Blackfeet Reservation, improve their economies.

People who stay at Glacier Park Lodge certainly feel like theyre in Glacier Park, he said, but the truth is it sits on the reservation. There may be other opportunities for a park-like experience outside Glaciers borders, Mow said.

The order could also provide a way for public land managers to share their best practices when it comes to involving Native Americans more fully in management decisions.

By being more systematic about how we all do it, well begin to share ideas, Mow said.

Deputy Secretary Michael L. Connor, a champion of collaborative management opportunities with indigenous communities, said Jewells order is guided by the Interior Departments federal trust responsibilities.

Cooperative management and other collaborative partnerships with tribes help ensure the protection of public lands and resources, guides appropriate development, and assists in better understanding and addressing the effects of climate change, Connor said.
Re: Coconut truck

I had to laugh when I saw the photo of M.E.S.C. vehicle in the paper. The question is what were they doing? And where was the driver heading to with the load of coconuts?

My answer will be that they might have been delivering coconuts to schools.

I think the school might have run out of money, pens and paper, so a mixture of old and new ways is in trial for today.

They have stopped students from bringing the fafaga (food for lunch) for teachers, now they have to chew and eat coconuts.

This is classic but so common in Samoa.

K.J.H
Top Gospel Reggae group, Christafari, is in Samoa.

With over half a million albums sold worldwide, the group is in the country for the Feast of Tabernacle Festival which ended last night at Sogi.

Samoa is the 70th country the group has visited.

The band uses the art of fusing gospel and reggae style music to share the message of Christ Jesus to their audiences.

For those who havent heard of the band, Mark Mohr who is the lead vocals and founder, told the Sunday Samoan a bit about themselves.

I started the band Christafari in 1989; I started it when I was 17 years old, he said.

I didnt have aspirations of doing it for the rest of my life; God put a new song in my heart. If you read Psalm 40 in many ways thats who I was; thats when I came out of the muck mired pit.

I was a drug addict, a drug dealer, a marijuana grower, I was all about the world and when God delivered me from that he put a new song in my heart, in my mouth and it was a hymn of praise. I just kept writing.

Mark said that so far, the tour has been a huge success for the band.

So far on this tour weve seen 29,100 decisions for Christ, he said. A hundred of those were from here and we are praying for an even greater harvest tonight (last night). It seems like its harder to get the churches mobilised.

I think that probably the older people are a little more traditional and may not get or understand what were doing. It really takes them telling their kids to go or taking their kids to the event for it to happen. So we are just praying that word of mouth from last night (Friday) spreads and we can get five times as many people and reach even more people.

In a culture where chances are you were dragged to church and maybe still are every Sunday; we know that its your grandmas faith or your grandpas faith but is it yours?

Is it yours personally? Have you put all your trust in Jesus? And thats our challenge; thats what were trying to do.

According to Mark, the trip to Samoa has been a dream of theirs for a long time and they are very excited.

Our trip to Samoa has just been a dream come true, he said. From the beginning weve had a dream of coming here; its been a long desire. I mean I live in the South Bay of Los Angeles, California right near Carson where I think there are more Samoans living there than there are here right now.

So I grew up with a lot of Samoans, Aside from Mexican culture which is obviously predominate throughout Southern California, its (Samoan) the second biggest culture that has influenced us.

Its (Samoa) always seems so far away and it became a reality just a few days ago when we arrived here.

The tour has taken the band to many Islands in the Pacific with Samoa being the last on the list.

We have been to Hawaii 15 times, weve done Melanesia three times now, Mark said.

Weve just came from Australia, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Fiji and now here. So weve been kind of going down. Weve saved the best for last though, it seems like it.

One of the main goals of the visit is to show that reggae and Jesus can go hand in hand.

The concerts that were doing, two nights in a row, Friday night and Saturday Night shows people that reggae and Jesus go together, Mark said.

Its to ultimately introduce people to Jesus that know him as a religion or as a tradition or as someone that we talk about on Sunday. (We want) to introduce them to Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior.

Marks final message for Samoa is to never lose that unique culture.

I guess the first thing that hit me is weve been to Hawaii about 15 times but this is so much better, he said.

In that this is how Hawaii would be if they kept their language, kept their culture and its just so incredible, such beautiful people, so hospitable, so kind, so loving and so welcoming.

Dont ever lose your beautiful culture, everything from your dancing; I have seen some pretty cool tattoos, your language and most importantly your love for God and your heart for mankind.
The downtown San Diego skyline got a temporary addition Saturday morning as the 10-deck Westerdam arrived at the B Street Pier.

Locals will be seeing a lot more of the 936-foot, 82,348-ton ship over the next few months, because its owner, Holland America, has increased its number of local dockings from two to 19 as part of an overall renewal of interest among cruisers in excursions along Mexicos west coast.

Marshall Merrifield, chair of the Port of San Diego, said Disney Cruise Lines will also increase its presence this year, doubling its home port calls from five to 10.

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In recent years Mexicos Pacific destinations, which are often called the Mexican Riviera, have seen reduced activity due to a surge in kidnapping and other violence there. The Great Recession also impacted travel plans.

Destination cities have worked to push their way back into the itineraries of the worlds big cruise lines. Merrifield said the local port has worked with popular destinations in Mexico to increase both ship-handling capabilities and security.

Over the last two years weve been working really hard. Mazatlan is back open and Ensenada is taking it to the next level. Cabo has always been wonderful so, on the Mexican Riviera, we feel like we have just a wonderful array of stops, Merrifield said.

The enhanced schedule was enough to lure Carol ONeill all the way from Las Cruces, N.M.

The long-time cruiser said she was excited to see one of Hollands Vista class ships popping up regularly in San Diego. Having made excursions on some of the lines smaller ships, ONeill said she has come to appreciate a larger layout.

Theyre just able to spread things out a bit more. I like that the library is nowhere near the casino, she said.

As to safety concerns in Mexico, she had none and never did.

I live an hour-and-45-minute drive from Mexico, so I drive over the border to go to the dentist. I kept cruising all through the recent stuff and never had a problem, ONeill said.

Overall, according to the Port of San Diego, the city saw 68 Mexican Riviera port calls during 2015-2016. The current season is expected to reach 102 calls overall. Total passenger volume across all lines is projected to jump from 200,000 to 250,000.

In all, 13 different cruise lines stop in San Diego, including Princess Cruise Lines, which has a major presence.

But Holland, with 10 different ships making 37 dockings this season, is San Diegos most consistent visitor. The Port Authority recently completed a survey that estimates $2 million in economic impact per visit. The increase in calls is expected to more than double the number of the lines passengers passing through San Diego from 42,500 to 86,600. In addition to Mexico, Holland uses the city as an embarkation point for Hawaii and the Panama Canal.

Each time it arrives for another one-week cruise, the Westerdam spends about $300,000 on food, working with local vendors to procure more than 23,000 eggs, 1,375 gallons of milk, and 147,550 pounds of fresh produce.

Holland estimates the total economic impact of its San Diego presence at $116 million, and that includes free shipboard fundraising lunches and donated cruises to local nonprofits, including the Girl Scouts of San Diego, San Diego Symphony, MANA de San Diego, Pacific Arts Movement, the Boys & Girls Club of San Diego and the San Diego Opera.

In order to encourage continued interest, the Port is adding a $1 million escalator to help passengers board ships more easily and a $1 million mooring platform to be built about 170 feet west of the B Street Pier. The structure, built of concrete pylons sunk into the bottom of the bay, will allow larger ships to dock in San Diego, from a current limit of 965 feet up to 1,135 feet.

Were doing what we can to make sure we have the capacity that we need, Merrifield said.

paul.sisson@sduniountribune.com

(619) 293-1850

Twitter: @paulsisson
The $128 million bond measure the Grossmont High School Union School District is putting forward Nov. 8 promises voters a lot.

Proposition BB will repair, upgrade, modernize, renovate and construct classrooms, labs, facilities and infrastructure on the districts 11 campuses, as well as improve safety and security for students, according to the district.

Critics say the project list totals nearly $700 million in estimated costs, and that nothing is prioritized or comes with an estimated start date.

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The nonprofit California Taxpayers Action Network has come out against the measure in part because of that lack of order. The group is recommending a no vote until a better bond is offered, one that does not allow pet projects to be built instead of necessary ones.

The measure has the support of the San Diego County Taxpayers Association, which wrote that the while the districts application lacks some information, (Grossmont) has demonstrated a real need for the proposed bond funds, and no reason has been found that would prevent the district from executing the proposed projects.

The district says it needs Proposition BB to make improvements it deems essential to its nearly 22,000 students and more than 3,000 staff members.

An ongoing investment in local school facilities is critical to give our students the same opportunities as others to compete for college and 21st century careers, Superintendent Tim Glover said in a release sent to district parents.

In an interview, he said, Given the age of so many of our buildings, the board of trustees (by a 4-1 vote in August) acted to ensure important repairs and renovations can be completed to support our students and communities.

He said the measure guarantees that all money stays local and provides for accountability for all funds spent.

At the heart of others opposition to the measure is the mention of a new high school for Alpine.

Although it is not in the districts 75-word ballot statement, the new school is part of Proposition BBs full language.

Previous measures, Proposition H, a $274 million bond from 2004, and Proposition U, a $417 million bond passed in 2008, have also promised a high school. Grossmont contends enrollment levels that would warrant building a high school in Alpine have not been reached.

An expensive legal battle has been fought in court since 2014 by the Grossmont district and two groups from Alpine that want a high school: the Alpine Taxpayers for Bond Accountability and Alpine Union School District.

They allege the Grossmont has misallocated millions of dollars of earmarked bond money, and that the district redirects bond funds to unauthorized projects not specified in either of the propositions.

Earlier this year, San Diego Superior Court Judge Joel Pressman ruled in favor of the Grossmont district, saying it did not have to keep banking millions of dollars toward building the school. The case is on appeal.

Sal Casamassima, chairman of the Alpine high school citizens committee, is also a member of the taxpayers group that is fighting Grossmont in court. He opposes Proposition BB.

If passed, this will be the third Grossmont bond measure that will contain a specific reference to build an Alpine/Blossom Valley high school, but will only result in higher property taxes and no high school, he said.

Scott Patterson, the districts deputy superintendent of business services, said if the measure passes, the authority to fund the Alpine high school will exist in both Proposition U and Measure BB.

A key difference, he said, is Proposition U has an enrollment requirement threshold and Proposition BB does not.

Attorney Kevin Carlin helped the San Diego Taxpayers Action Network craft its language on the ballot statement against the measure. He said he is concerned that the biggest financial contributors include companies and contractors, such as Gafcon, who stand to make money from construction, renovation and improvements on the campuses.

Grossmont selected Gafcon in 2007 and 2008 to upgrade educational technology, rehabilitate aging classrooms and facilities, improve safety and energy efficiency, and construct a new high school.
Funny how context changes things. Neil Simons Laughter on the 23rd Floor used to seem a nostalgic look backwards, a boisterous yet sentimental valentine to the playwrights early days writing for Sid Caesars Your Show of Shows. In this political year, in North Coast Repertory Theatres thoroughly entertaining new production, the 1993 joke-machine comedy also seems ominously predictive.

Dont get me wrong. All the old buoyancy and affection still lifts NCRTs well-cast and designed production, directed by Tom Markus. And at its center, theres a big, warm, stellar performance by NCRT chief David Ellenstein as the mighty, manic boss Max Prince, ever on the verge of a nervous breakdown. But the dark undercurrent of McCarthyism, that sense of fascism rising to the surface of the early 1950s lends ballast, not to mention relevance, that grounds the often-delirious laughter in Solana Beach.

Laughter on the 23rd Floor

When: 7 p.m. Wednesday, 8 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays. Through Nov. 20.

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Where: North Coast Repertory Theatre, Suite D, 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach

Tickets: $39-50 (discounts available)

Phone: (858) 481-1055 or (888) 776-6278

Online: northcoastrep.org

Newcomer Lucas (fresh-faced Brett Alters) serves as Simon stand-in and narrator of this memory play as one by one the seven writers gather in their nondescript office on 57th Street. Based to varying degrees on such comedy greats as Mel Brooks, Imogene Coca, Carl Reiner and Larry Gelbart, the varied gang shares a fear of their increasingly unhinged boss and an undisguised desire to please him. Hes a genius, after all.

For head writer Val, a Russian emigre, its like herding cats to get this team to work like one. But somehow, despite the teasing, competing, yelling and anxiety, they get the job done even when bad news arrives on this morning in 1953. Prince, closely based on Caesar, has called a couple of writers in the middle of the night, raging because NBC wants to cut their hit variety show from 90 to 60 minutes. Public taste is turning to Beat the Clock and Father Knows Best, away from their brand of sophisticated, wide-ranging sketch comedy.

And from the larger world, writer Carol reports that Sen. Joseph McCarthy has accused five-star General George C. Marshall of being a Communist. Maybe the phones are tapped, she says, shouting into a pencil holder. The play covers a seven-month period, at the end of which McCarthy is censured and Your Show of Shows gets cancelled  on the same day.

The political and corporate commentary creates just one dark thread loosely woven through the colorful action  mostly Simons otherwise engaged, manufacturing controlled mayhem from the clash of big talents around the table.

Phil Johnson plays Kenny, the shrewdest, most well-balanced of the team. Johnsons comic instincts are so true hes hilarious in deadpan and creates a perfect foil for actor Omri Schein as the ridiculously hypochondriacal Ira (purportedly based on Mel Brooks). Schein throws himself into the part of Ira physically, with lunatic glee. As the sartorially challenged Milt, Louis Lotorto minimizes the less appealing aspects of this philanderer. Christopher M. Williams plays the token Gentile, Brian, and as Val, Nicholas Mongiardo-Cooper delivers some of the shows weightier comments with a passion that aligns plausibly with Vals gallows humor.

Actor Amanda Sitton manages to make Carol attractive, despite writing that tends to turn her into a sermonizer. Ditto for Caroline Drage as Maxs secretary. Her sharply directed timing in the last act wrings all manner of humor from Simons one-note writing.

The shows a tour de force for Ellenstein. Whether his Max is punching an angry fist through a wall, slurring his words as tranquilizers and booze take hold, desperately plotting revenge, or nobly saving the jobs of his beloved writers, Ellenstein gives a big-hearted, generous, oddly loving performance.

And if youre old enough to remember the great sketches from Your Show of Shows flickering across your first black-and-white TV set, youll likely fear dying of laughter watching Ellenstein channel Sid Caesar channeling Marlon Brando playing a mumbling, mouth-twisting, grimacing Roman hero in a wickedly funny parody of Julius Caesar.

Welsh is a freelance writer.
The Los Angeles Police Department is searching for a suspect who shot and killed a man at a downtown apartment complex Saturday afternoon.

LAPD officers responded to a call of shots fired about 2:15 p.m. Saturday at the Gas Company Lofts building in the 800 block of South Flower Street, police said.

Officers found a 25-year-old man dead from a gunshot wound in a second-floor hallway, police Capt. Don Graham said.

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Police set up a perimeter around the block and officers from the departments Metropolitan Division searched the 14-story building for any suspects, he said.

After a 45-minute sweep of the building, investigators determined that the suspect had fled, Graham said. Police have talked to witnesses and are reviewing surveillance footage from the apartment building, he added.

The shooting remains under investigation, police said.

ben.poston@latimes.com

Follow @bposton on Twitter.

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7:46 p.m.: This article was updated with additional information about the search for the suspect.

This article was originally posted at 3:40 p.m.
An argument in downtown San Diego early Saturday resulted in one arrest and two trips to the hospital with non-life-threatening knife wounds, according to the San Diego Police Department.

Police arrested Larry Simpsion, 57, after he allegedly used a knife or box cutter to slash a man on the forehead three times and a second man once on the right arm during an argument at 9th Avenue and F Street about 2:40 a.m.

According to police, Simpson ran from the corner and was apprehended at a nearby apartment complex.

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paul.sisson@sduniountribune.com

(619) 293-1850

Twitter: @paulsisson
Many of them cant yet vote, but that doesnt stop them from paying attention, from speaking out and, most importantly, from organizing.

At the Youth Power Summit, where they were drawn Saturday by their shared interest in building community and smashing stereotypes, hundreds of young people doubled down on the gritty and critical work of promoting activism and civic engagement.

Job One, many teenagers and speakers said at the daylong summit staged on the Lincoln High School campus, is putting a stop to police brutality and right-sizing a criminal justice system that too often locks up the very people government is created to serve.

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We are talking about schools  not prison, said Nate Howard, a San Diego poet and founder of the Movement BE organization. Tell your story before someone else does.  We all are the stereotypes to the eyes that are blind.

Jointly sponsored by the nonprofit Mid-City Community Advocacy Center and the American Civil Liberties Union of San Diego and Imperial Counties, the summit was created and organized almost entirely by young people themselves, volunteers who serve on youth councils operated by Mid-City CAN and the ACLU.

The Youth Power Summit coincided with a national day of protest against abuse by law enforcement agencies toward communities of color, but was unrelated to those demonstrations.

The event featured a concert by the rapper M-1 and speakers who noted that the United States represents 5 percent of the global population but locks up 25 percent of the worlds prisoners.

Famo Musa, 26, who is a student at Grossmont College, poses as someone takes a picture of her next to a banner encouraging young people to register to vote during the Youth Power Summit at Lincoln High School in San Diego on Saturday. (Hayne Palmour IV/U-T )

It also hosted voter-registration drives and informational booths that promoted memberships to community groups and awareness of issues like restorative justice, which is the concept of rehabilitating offenders through reconciliation rather than incarceration.

Most notably, the summit included workshops where young people studied everything from how to exercise their personal rights and push for better food and transportation options to how they can prepare for college and a lifetime of community participation.

Even though weve had the era of civil rights, what you find is not enough has changed, said Diana Ross, the Mid-City CAN executive director. These kids are the San Diego of tomorrow. We need to prepare them.

At one workshop, young people were broken into groups of five or six and handed poetry written years before by other young people who struggled with identity, justice and purpose  many of the same themes confronting teenagers today.

They traded ideas about what the writers were saying and how those perspectives related to their own. Then they wrote down the most salient points and shared them with one another.

The exercise wasnt always comfortable, but it struck a common chord.

Its good at making kids feel better, said Arturo Cervantes, a senior at Otay Ranch High School in Chula Vista who attended the summit. A lot of programs do that but this one gives you the ability to feel proud, and to know there are a lot of other people who are the same.

Jennifer Martinez, a 15-year-old Lincoln High student, said the program helped her understand that many people face similar challenges and there are specific strategies to improving lives.

I want to make a change and I want to make a difference, she said during the lunch break. There are many ways to do that, and the first is by having our voices heard.

M-1, the New York artist who found fame with the socially conscious rap duo Dead Prez, was chatting with fans and posing for selfies before his afternoon concert.

He said the process of becoming an activist or change agent can be addictive, and his goal is to instill that desire in others through his words and music.

I want them to walk away being a part of something, M-1 said. I didnt come up with this. In Brooklyn, there was no Youth Power Summit.

jeff.mcdonald@sduniontribune.com

(619) 293-1708

Twitter: @sdutMcDonald
THE ISSUE: The Islamic State group seized swaths of land in Iraq and expanded its territory in Syria in a dramatic blitz in 2014, taking advantage of unrest in both countries. The militant group slaughtered civilians in its march to try to establish a radical caliphate, and has spawned a string of deadly attacks across Europe, the Middle East and the United States.

In response, the U.S. and a coalition of allies launched a sustained campaign of airstrikes in Iraq and Syria in 2014, and have been training, advising and supporting local forces in both countries. Recently, the U.S. added Libya to its airstrike targets to root out extremists at the request of the Libyan government. While still a potent force, IS militants have lost much of the territory they overran. Meantime. theyve stepped up attempts to inspire followers abroad to strike on their own, with some devastating results.

Clinton

Hillary Clinton, who was secretary of State from 2009 to 2013, has described a three-part strategy that involves crushing the Islamic State on its home turf in the Middle East, disrupting their infrastructure on the ground and online, and protecting America and its allies. All are current elements of the Obama administrations strategy, so its not clear what would change or if she would accelerate any portions of it.

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Shes vowed: We are not putting ground troops into Iraq ever again. And were not putting ground troops into Syria. Were going to defeat ISIS without committing American ground troops.

Trump

Donald Trump promises to bomb the hell out of the Islamic State, also known as ISIS, and level the oil facilities it controls. He has provided no details, including whether he would increase U.S. airstrikes or commit ground troops. And U.S. airstrikes have already been doing precision bombing of oil facilities for some time.

Trump has also said he believes in enhanced interrogation techniques, which can include waterboarding and other types of torture that are against the law and that many experts argue are ineffective.
THE ISSUE: The United States is the proud home of the mother of exiles, the Statue of Liberty. But of the millions of exiles from the Syrian war, only about 10,000 have reached U.S. shores.

Other countries are taking in more, though vast numbers of Syrians remains dispossessed. And even the limited number of Syrians coming to America is a source of hot contention in the presidential campaign as humanitarian impulses tangle with security worries in the debate.

Trump

Trump has repeatedly called for a moratorium on accepting Syrian refugees. His position is part of a broader stance on immigrants that has ranged from a complete ban on foreign Muslim immigrants entering the United States until we know what the hell is going on to extreme vetting and an ideological test for would-be immigrants from countries and regions plagued by extremism.

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Clinton

Clinton has said she would expand President Barack Obamas refugee program to accept about 65,000 Syrian refugees. This would be in addition to the tens of thousands of refugees accepted from around the world every year. Clinton said she would continue with the vetting currently in place, an effort that can take multiple years to complete.
MISSOULA -- A ballot initiative that would ban the trapping of animals on public lands in Montana appears headed for failure, according to a recent poll commissioned by Lee Newspapers.

The Mason-Dixon poll of more than 1,000 registered voters, conducted Oct. 10-12, found that 63 percent of Montanans who responded said they would vote no to reject I-177. Of those polled, 24 percent said they would vote yes on the measure and 13 percent were undecided.

The numbers are much different when gender is taken into account. A total of 73 percent of men said they intend to vote no, while only 18 percent said they would vote yes and 9 percent remain undecided. Of women, 53 percent say theyll vote the initiative down compared with 31 who will support it, with 16 percent undecided.

Trapping also appears to be a partisan issue. For Democrats, 45 percent say theyll support I-177, with 40 percent saying theyll vote no and 15 percent undecided. Among Republicans, 77 percent say theyll vote against it, 10 percent say theyll vote for it and 12 percent are undecided.

The question in the poll was phrased: Ballot initiative I-177 would ban trapping on public lands. If you were voting today, would you vote yes, no or undecided?

Exceptions included

A group called Montanans for Trap-Free Public Lands gathered enough signatures to get the measure on the Nov. 8 ballot. The ban, if it were passed, would include exceptions for protecting livestock, property and public health. It would not affect trapping on private land, which takes up more than two-thirds of Montana.

According to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, around 6,000 trappers harvest roughly 50,000 furbearing animals in the state every year. Most of those are muskrats and coyotes, but thousands of raccoons, beavers, red fox, bobcats, skunks, badgers, martens and mink are taken annually.

The Montana Trappers Association has come out strongly against the ballot initiative. State campaign finance records show that organization has received $47,530.13 from the end of June to late September in political contributions, including $5,000 each from the Alaska, Pennsylvania, Utah and Vermont trapping associations. Many individual contributions came in, both from out of state and from within Montana.

The MTA sent well over $12,000 to a political committee called Montanans For Wildlife and Public Lands Access, which is financing advertisements and flyers against I-177. That organization has received roughly $137,862 from late July to late September. The Ohio State Trappers Association gave $10,000, Republican gubernatorial candidate Greg Gianforte gave $10,000 and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation gave $25,000.

Montanans For Effective Wildlife Management, which lists the same treasurer as Montanans For Wildlife and Public Lands Access, also got $7,420 from the MTA.

A political committee that supports the initative called Montanans for Trap Free Public Lands -- Safe Public Lands For All Users, received more than $108,422 in contributions since May. Almost all of those came in the form of individual contributions, many of which appear to be from Montana residents. Alan Applebury, a veterinarian in Hamilton, donated $20,000, the largest contribution. The group spent large sums of money on hiring people for signature gathering.

'One of many lies'

Clare Beelman, a volunteer who is supporting I-177, accused political opponents of spreading misinformation and lies.

I would say to people who are undecided, I would urge them to go to our website yeson177.com and read the initiative, she said. Because if you spend a few minutes reading it, you will realize that much of what people have been saying is a complete lie.

Beelman said that opponents have been saying that banning trapping on public lands would remove the most effective means of wildlife management.

Thats just completely wrong because it allows FWP to undertake trapping on public land for management activities, she said. Thats just one of the many lies. This concept that predators are going to overrun the world? This allows for predator control. Just read the initiative. This concept that if it were to pass its going to cause rampant disease to spread everywhere and animals are going to come into town and people are going to have to put out poison because they cant trap anymore? You cant trap in town anyway, and you cant put poison in town anyway. Its completely false.

Beelman said shes extremely frustrated with the opposition.

Its because theyre essentially doing what weve always been accused of doing, and that is playing on peoples fears and emotions, she said. And in fact, thats what the political committee against this is now doing, is playing on fears and emotions. And were trying to say these are the facts as best we know. So the more you feel like you are correcting people, it feels like people dont want to listen.

Nancy Winslow of Missoula, who says she and her husband Doug Weber are avid bird hunters, say their dogs have been caught in traps five separate times. She says its unfair that she could get arrested for damaging a trap.

"I want to assure people that prohibiting trapping on public lands is not going to start the slippery slope of prohibiting hunting altogether," she said. "Hunting is well-regulated and does not involve personal profit and doesn't put one person's rights over another."

'Montana values'

Jim Buell, the treasurer of Montanans for Wildlife and Public Lands Access, said that the poll numbers haven't changed since the last time anti-trappers tried to get an initiative on the ballot.

"Folks that are Montanans still continue with Montana values," he said. "It's very good numbers for the sportsmen in Montana."

Buell is a lifelong trapper who for the past 18 years has run a youth education camp near Havre that aims to teach youngsters the basics of trapping ethics, safety and health.

Several other people connected to the Montana Trappers Association were contacted for comment for this story, but they either did not return a call or declined to comment. Toby Walrath, the president of the MTA, told the Missoulian last month that trapping is humane and safe, especially with the advent of new technology that eliminates nontarget capture.
THE ISSUE: Russia cannot be ignored. Since the end of the Cold War, Russia has never posed such a vexing problem to U.S. policymakers as it does now. From Eastern Europe to the Middle East and increasingly Asia and the Americas, Russia is making its voice heard and its presence felt.

After a brief period of looking inward during much of President Barack Obamas first term, Russia has returned to the international stage with zeal under Vladimir Putin. Russia is militarily involved in Syria, supports separatists in eastern Ukraine and areas of Georgia and has even been accused of trying to meddle in the U.S. presidential race. At the same time, the Obama administration has been forced to accept that working with Russia is probably the only way to achieve results on many complicated international issues. Thus, Russia was central in the Iran nuclear negotiations and is a player as well as negotiator in the Syria truce effort.

Trump

Trump advocates improved relations with Russia  Wouldnt it be nice if we actually got along with Russia? has been a standard line in his campaign speeches  and has been strikingly complimentary of Putins strong leadership style, contrasting it favorably with that of Obama. Some of Trumps current and former top advisers have been criticized for being too close to Putin, and Democrats have accused the businessman of pandering for Russian praise. Trump, however, is not the first politician to champion better U.S. ties with Russia.

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Clinton

One of Clintons first initiatives as secretary of state in 2009 was to reset relations with Moscow, an effort that produced decidedly mixed results.

The reset policy had some successes while Putin was taking a break from the Russian presidency. On Putins return, though, the reset began to unwind and Russia started to take positions directly opposed to the U.S., notably in support of President Bashar Assad in Syria and then in Ukraine. Clinton has had direct negotiating experience with Putin and his aides and that has left her wary of cooperating with Moscow. Her campaign says she will stand up to Vladimir Putin, 'deter Russian aggression in Europe and increase the costs to Putin for his actions.
Two measures on the Nov. 8 ballot would reshape San Diego city elections and appear likely, at least in the short term, to help Democrats and hurt Republicans.

Measures K and L would increase the importance of higher-turnout November elections, when the electorate is typically further to the left than lower-turnout June primaries.

Measure K would require November runoffs in all elections for City Council and mayor, while Measure L would prohibit votes on initiatives and referendums during June primaries unless the council OKs that.

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Supporters say the measures would allow more voters to weigh in on the citys most pressing decisions and make leaders more accountable.

In addition, they say the changes would align the city more with state and federal elections, and eliminate confusion created by calling an election a primary when voters are often making final decisions.

Opponents dont argue against higher turnout elections mattering more, but say there are better ways to get there, such as the ranked voting system used in San Francisco.

They also complain the city didnt seek enough public input, contending labor unions and the councils Democratic majority rushed the measures on to the ballot this summer to avoid a vetting and negotiation process that should have happened.

And they have questioned whether the changes would actually make much of a difference except in rare and isolated cases, or whether they would just increase city election costs and make already-crowded local ballots even longer.

Since 1989, the city has allowed candidates to clinch victory in primaries and avoid November runoffs if they receive more than 50 percent of the vote in June.

Measure K would amend the city charter to require November runoffs between the two candidates receiving the most votes in June, regardless of whether one of them gets more than 50 percent.

Measure L would amend the charter to require elections prompted by citizens initiatives, such as the Chargers stadium measure, and referendums, such as a failed effort in June to nullify the citys minimum wage increase, to take place in November.

The City Council, however, could schedule such elections during June primaries or call for a special election  if a majority of the council deems the matter urgent.

Supporters say the measures are as simple as letting the will of the public prevail, instead of allowing a small portion of the city to make crucial decisions in June primaries.

This is about accountability, the integrity of our decision-making and strengthening our democracy, said Andrea Guerrero of the Alliance San Diego Mobilization Fund, which co-sponsored both measures with the Independent Voter Project.

Guerrero said last week that the current system has allowed relatively small numbers of voters to decide some ballot measures, like the Proposition B pension cutbacks approved in June 2012, and some elections, like Mayor Kevin Faulconers re-election in June.

Statistics from the Registrar of Voters show that roughly half as many people vote in June primaries as November elections. But the numbers really spike for minorities, who vote at triple the rate in November, and young voters, who vote five times as much in the fall.

We dont want a handful of voters deciding the critical issues and who will lead the city, she said. These measures would make sure we are voting on the biggest decisions when the most people participate.

Councilman Chris Cate, a leading opponent of the two measures, doesnt dispute those stats or the importance of high turnout.

But he said last week that reform should be handled much differently.

When you are looking at changing the electoral system for the eighth largest city in the country, that is something that needs to be fully vetted and have significant public input, Cate said.

He said the measures were quickly placed on the ballot shortly after being introduced this summer, depriving the public a chance to discuss them and preventing attorneys for the city from making sure the measures dont violate state and federal voting rights laws.

Cate suggested the councils Democratic majority, which placed both measures on the ballot in 5-4 votes over the objections of their Republican colleagues including Cate, wanted to go quickly to avoid negotiation.

I have problems with how this all unfolded, he said. There was a rush to do this at the last minute for political reasons.

Ryan Clumpner, a local political consultant leading the campaign against the measures, said San Diego should have followed the lead of Los Angeles, which spent many months debating changes to its election system.

Los Angeles officials conducted outreach meetings in every party of the city, researched all the options available and then publicly culled the proposed changes for the ballot.

That was a long, transparent, consensus-oriented process, he said. Thats the way we should be doing things.

Clumpner said the proposed changes began with labor unions frustrated they couldnt find a strong Democratic opponent to run against Faulconer this June.

We should be very careful any time we are changing the rules of our democracy and we should never make those changes in backroom deals with special interests out of the public eye, and thats exactly what happened, he said.

Council President Sherri Lightner disagreed, noting that the proposals were presented at a Rules Committee meeting and two City Council meetings before being placed on the ballot.

It was not a backroom deal, she said. It followed the process we have set out for any citizens measure to be placed on the ballot.

Cate and Clumpner said a more robust city process would have included exploring ranked voting, which allows voters to select who they would vote for in a runoff that excludes their first choice in the race.

They contend that ranked voting has more bipartisan support than the changes on the ballot, making these likely to be incremental changes instead of permanent ones.

Lightner said, however, that its far from inevitable that San Diego will adopt ranked voting, noting that some places have struggled to implement it.

And she said increasing the importance of November turnout cant wait.

This is a very important change to make now, she said. Its about empowering and engaging the voters.

Clumpner also criticized Measure L for allowing the council to schedule ballot measures in June, but not citizens pursuing initiatives or referendums.

Its creating one standard for regular voters and another standard for the politicians, he said. Its coming from a perspective that they know better than the public, which is the same reason why this didnt get enough public input.

Some Republicans have also expressed doubt the changes will swing too many elections. Only two of the councils nine districts typically have close elections  north coastal District 1 and north central District 6  and those races typically go to November already.

Guerrero said even if Democrats benefit in some races in the next few years, Measures K and L are more about the long term.

Were not doing this to favor a party, were doing this because its whats right for the voters, she said, noting that independent voters are the fastest growing affiliation in the city.

Supporters have raised about $500,000, including $200,000 from the Open Society Policy Center led by billionaire George Soros, and have already spent most of it.

Opponents have raised about $200,000, including $50,000 each from the Lincoln Club and the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, but have spent very little so far.

david.garrick@sduniontribune.com (619) 269-8906 Twitter:@UTDavidGarrick
At first glance, the campaign mailer didnt seem out of the ordinary for an incumbent congressman.

There was a photo of President Barack Obama sitting at his desk apparently signing a document.

Superimposed on the photo was this comment:

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I am very pleased that President Obama has signed into law the Survivors Bill of Rights  legislation I co-sponsored to protect victims of sexual assault.

It would have been a routine mailer for a Democrat. But the quote was from Republican Darrell Issa and the mailer was sent out last week by his campaign.

That Issa is relying on the presidents help  without Obamas consent, of course  to get re-elected might say as much about his predicament as any poll.

This is the Darrell Issa who, as Phil Willon of the Los Angeles Times pointed out, once called Obama one of the most corrupt presidents in modern times. Issa led investigations into the administrations Internal Revenue Service, the bungled Fast and Furious gun trading-operation and how it handled the attack in Benghazi.

So, it is a political curiosity to say the least that Issa would put out such a mailer. That aside, the new law will expand legal protections for sexual assault victims, had bipartisan support and on its face clearly sounded like a good idea to many.

Just guessing here, but its probably something Trumps Democratic opponent, Doug Applegate, would have supported had he been in Congress. Issa did, however, promote the legislation just after the story surfaced that in a messy divorce Applegates ex-wife successfully petitioned for two restraining orders against him.

(They were eventually withdrawn and she has criticized the Issa campaign for making an issue out of them.)

Issa has built a nationwide image as a fierce partisan and Obama antagonist. Now hes pointing at the legislation and other actions he has taken to show that he has reached across the aisle and worked with Democrats on occasion.

Thats not something he has spent much time emphasizing in the past, and it remains to be seen if the effort to portray him as a bipartisan player sticks.

Issa has been a fixture in north San Diego County and southern Orange County for years. He has been so politically strong that he hasnt faced much of a re-election challenge, ever.

But redistricting has made the political demographics of the region less friendly for him, and his backing of GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump has been an anchor weighing him down.

The two parties have put out conflicting polls: the most recent Democratic survey shows Applegate with a slim lead; a Republican poll showed Issa with a comfortable lead, but not as big as in the survey they put out in early September.

Never mind those. Heres where the campaign is at about two weeks before the election: Democratic committees have bought more than $1 million in ad time on Applegates behalf with more on the way, and Issa is lauding President Obama.

Obamas final San Diego visit?

President Obama will attend two fundraisers in San Diego on a western swing for Democratic candidates in general and party presidential nominee Hillary Clinton in particular.

After campaigning in Nevada today, the president comes to town for a nighttime fundraiser in La Jolla for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, where he is expected to join House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and DCCC Chairman Ben Ray Lujan.

Then hes scheduled to attend a Hillary Victory Fund event here Monday morning before heading up to Los Angeles.

Expect to see a well-known congressman on the tarmac and at the fundraisers. That would be Rep. Scott Peters, rather than Obamas new-found friend, Darrell Issa.

Vote with a ballpoint pen!

Theres alarm that the two-page, double-sided ballots may be compromised by a design flaw. The fill-in bubbles on two ballot measures  one local, one statewide  line up directly with bubbles for two measures on the other side.

Officials and advocates have shown that markings on one side with a felt-tipped pen and other heavy-ink instruments can bleed through.

Specifically, someone voting yes on the San Diego city Measure E about the removal of officeholders could inadvertently be filling in the no bubble on the other side for the citys Measure K, which requires all city candidate elections to have November runoffs.

Similarly, people marking yes on Proposition 55 to extend a high-end state income tax increase could end up voting no on Proposition 60, which requires porn actors in California to use condoms.

County Registrar of Voters Michael Vu on Friday put out a statement reminding mail-ballot voters to use a ballpoint pen.

He added that All mail ballots are inspected by Registrars staff to ensure ink did not bleed through to the other side.

He said mail-ballot voters who use markers that bleed through can call the registrars office at (858) 565-5800 and request a new one.

Before his Friday announcement the Independent Voter Project asked Vu to take another step.

IVP attorneys in a letter to Vu said they appreciated his reaction so far but want him to mail an inconspicuous notice to all absentee voters, informing them of the flaw and the steps they must take to ensure every vote is registered accurately.

Tweet of the Week

Mark Z. Barabak (@markzbarabak) of the Los Angeles Times.

@latimes will donate to San Bernardino student journalists the money from Pulitzer Prize-winning coverage of December 2015 terrorist attack
A three-alarm fire caused heavy damage to a third-story condominium in Point Loma Saturday afternoon, authorities said.

The blaze was reported about 1:40 p.m. at the Point Loma Villas on West Point Loma Boulevard near Rialto Street, said city spokeswoman Monica Munoz.

Two 911 callers reported seeing smoke and flames coming from the third floor.

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One resident said she ran out of her unit and saw two neighbors with a fire extinguisher, banging on the door where the fire was. Smoke was pouring out the top and bottom of the door, and the neighbors yelled for the occupants to get out, said the witness, who didnt provide her name.

Two elderly residents lived inside. All residents of the 32-unit complex were able to evacuate on their own except for a person who was bedridden, authorities said.

Arriving crews couldnt access the fire through the hallway due to heavy smoke, so they used a ladder truck to reach the roof and cut a hole, said San Diego Fire-Rescue Assistant Chief Colin Stowell.

One of the units residents was treated for exhaustion and released, and a firefighter suffered a minor injury.

The blaze caused major damage to one unit and minor damage to others.

The cause of the fire was under investigation. The damage estimate was $750,000 to the structure and $250,000 to contents, Munoz said.

kristina.davis@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @kristinadavis
Two women crashed into each other on personal watercraft at Mission Bay Saturday and suffered serious injuries, San Diego police said.

The two, in their 20s, were riding Jet Ski-type craft off the Ski Beach area of the bay off Ingraham Street around 4:20 p.m. One craft hit the other broadside, police said.

One of the women suffered an open fracture to her leg and the other woman had neck and back injuries, Officer Robert Heims said.

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Paramedics took both women to a hospital. No update on their conditions was available.
Family members of people killed by law officers in San Diego County turned out for a rally and march in City Heights Saturday as part of a national day of protest against police brutality.

Similar protests were to be staged across the nation, from Washington, D.C., New York and South Carolina through Ohio and Iowa, Texas, and across California.

Nearly 150 supporters took part in the local protest, along with members of various organizations, including United Against Police Terror. Police said no one was arrested.

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They gathered about 6 p.m. at Officer Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park off Fairmount Avenue and Wightman Street.

The protest opened with Native American drummers and dancers from by Grupo Danza Azteca Quetzalhuitzilin, followed by brief speeches from families of those killed by officers.

Victoria Jones said she did not trust the police investigation into the death of her son, Lamontez Jones. He was shot and killed by San Diego police in October 2015 when he brandished a fake handgun during an encounter with two officers downtown.

The painting they used, Im here to tell you, it wasnt the complete picture, Jones told the crowd.

Scores of protests, some violent, have been staged after police killings across the nation, especially after unarmed black men were shot.

Locally, an El Cajon police officer shot and killed 38-year-old Alfred Olango on Sept. 27. He pulled a vaping device out of his pocket and aimed it at the officer from a short distance away.

Olangos sister, who watched the fatal encounter, had called police because he wasnt acting normally. His mother later said Olango was highly distraught over the recent death of his best friend.

Alfred Olango was just one victim. ... Many more families have been affected, said Catherine Mendonca, the events organizer with United Against Police Terror.

Some of those families shared their experiences with the crowd Saturday.

Jenny Baduas nephew, Simon Hubble, was fatally shot by sheriffs deputy after he left a treatment program, showed up suicidal at his parents Alpine home and armed himself with a screwdriver in May 2015.

A social worker called the sheriffs because he was suicidal, Badua said. They came out and killed him.

Maria Hoyt of San Diego said her nephew, Sergio Weick, was killed by sheriffs deputies in Vista in August after a pursuit and foot chase. Hoyt said the official versions of the event were inconsistent.

Some speakers became more fiery, using profanities to express anger at police. About half the crowd began a march about 8:15 p.m., circling the block, chanting, waving signs, and shouting at officers.

Law enforcement was out in force, with about 50 San Diego police cars and motorcycles parked nearby before the rally. Another two dozen California Highway Patrol vehicles staged near the Interstate 15 overpass at University Avenue, where marchers had expressed intentions to demonstrate.

The marchers returned to the park about 8:30 p.m. and dispersed within an hour.

On its website, an organization called The October 22 Coalition to Stop Police Brutality, Repression and the Criminalization of a Generation says it has mobilized a national day of protest every year since 1996. The site states that it is bringing together those under the gun and those not under the gun as a powerful voice to expose the epidemic of police brutality.

Research by the San Diego Union-Tribune tallied 383 fatal officer-involved shootings in San Diego County since 1980. No government entity has tracked every fatal law enforcement encounter.

Related:

pauline.repard@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @pdrepard
One of Indias top philanthropists is giving UC San Diego $70 million to explore ways to use a radically new way of editing genes to fight insect-borne diseases, make crops more resistant to drought and create better antibiotics.

The Tata Trusts of Mumbai announced Sunday that its investing in the field of active genet

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ics, also called gene drive, which enables scientists to rapidly and accurately introduce genetic changes in organisms instead of relying on the slow, less precise process of traditional Mendelian genetics.

UC San Diego researchers said they can use this technique to breed mosquitoes that dont spread malaria. The disease sickens millions of people and kills more than 500,000 around the globe each year, including about 30,000 in India, the worlds second-most populous country.

The university and UC Irvine have demonstrated in lab experiments that they can tweak mosquitoes this way, making them pioneers in the fast-growing branch of active genetics.

Its also possible that the technology could be used to improve agriculture and medicine, helping many nations deal with poverty and disease.

The $70 million gift will create the Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, which will be headquartered at UC San Diego. About half the money will be used locally for research and to train Indian scientists in active genetics.

Those scholars will return to India, where theyll aim to exploit the technology and explore the potential implications of releasing genetically altered animals, plants and microbes into the wild. They will receive the other $35 million of the new donation.

In a statement, Tata Trusts Chairman Ratan Tata said: UC San Diegos mission to advance society and drive economic impact aligns with our goals, as a country, to build a skilled scientific workforce and to grow the impact and scope of our research enterprise.

Together, we will promote bioscience research, discoveries and education that will benefit populations around the globe.

The $70 million is the largest foreign investment ever made in UC San Diego. The deal was brokered by Chancellor Pradeep Khosla, a prominent engineer who was born and raised in India.

(Tata) realizes that India does not have the capacity to absorb this (technology at the moment), Khosla said. And this is going to be transformational. He wants us to help train the scientists, postdocs, Ph.D. students who will then push the frontiers in India.

India has a lot of smart people  engineers, scientists, physicists. But it does not have people who are at the cutting edge of science in the same numbers that we have here. India doesnt have three Ethan Biers. It might have one.

Experimental success

Khosla was referring to UC San Diego biologist Ethan Bier, who has been pioneering active genetics with colleague Valentino Gantz.

Theyre developing techniques to edit genes in faster, easier and more directed and reliable ways.The editing is meant to accomplish specific goals, such as making a mosquito immune to malaria parasites. The process contrasts with more conventional genetics, in which changes are passively spread to offspring, often by chance.

For example, many animals inherit two sets of genes  one from each parent. If a parent has two varieties of a gene, the odds are about 50 percent whether one or the other variety will be passed to any offspring. But with the active genetics technology formulated by Bier and Gantz, an engineered gene variant will be inherited by nearly all offspring. That enables the variant to spread at an exponential rate.

Bier and Gantz first demonstrated the technology in fruit flies, in a paper published in spring 2015. They described how fruit flies that had inherited one recessive gene for the color yellow from one parent, but not from the other parent, grew up with two of the recessive genes, making them yellow. The experiment was done under very strict laboratory controls to stop any of the modified fruit flies from escaping.

The recessive gene had been constructed so the recessive trait would jump on its own to the same gene inherited from the other parent in a kind of automatic copy-and-paste process. This happened in the embryo, before the fruit fly pupated.

Moreover, this process of spreading the gene repeated itself when the modified fruit flies mated with unmodified ones. Its efficiency was greater than 95 percent, and no further intervention by the scientists was needed.

The technology was a novel feat, but didnt show anything of practical use.

Bier and Gantz then illustrated the potential of active genetics when they teamed up with insect-disease researcher Anthony James of UC Irvine. James had worked for decades on how to genetically modify mosquitoes to resist malaria, dengue fever and other diseases. If the mosquitoes could be made resistant, they wouldnt transmit those often crippling illnesses.

The three researchers collaborated to alter the genes of Anopheles stephensi, a mosquito species thats a main carrier of malaria in India.

They gave these mosquitoes DNA designed to attack the malaria parasite, propelled by active genetics. The lab experiment worked: The mosquitoes offspring did not pass the parasite on when they mated with mosquitoes that had not been genetically modified.

Scientists want to use the trailblazing technique broadly for things such as boosting the ability of crops to withstand drought and making antibiotic-resistant bacteria vulnerable again.

This is like Lewis and Clark crossing America; weve opened up to so many possibilities, Bier said during an interview in his lab. It will have applications across biology.

Seed of philanthropy

The $70 million contribution arose from a chain reaction that began last November when Khosla invited Ratan Tata to tour UC San Diego.

In philanthropic terms, Khosla was going after a whale. Tata is chairman of Tata Trusts, a charity that has donated billions of dollars, especially in the areas of science, health and education. The charity is part of Tata Group, a multinational conglomerate thats involved in everything from steel and energy to wireless communications, chemicals and real estate.

Theyve had the sort of impact on India that the Rockefellers and Carnegies have had on the U.S., Khosla said.

Tata accepted Khoslas invitation. About a week before he arrived, the chancellor read a story that highlighted the progress Bier was making in active genetics. Khosla quickly added Bier to the list of people he wanted Tata to meet.

There wasnt any guarantee that much would result from Tatas trip.

In 2010, he gave $50 million to Harvard University, where he had studied management. The donation triggered a lot of criticism from people who felt he should stay focused on India.

But Tata turned out to be fascinated with Biers work, and discussions about a major gift were soon underway. The talks culminated in the past week with Tatas figure of $70 million.

We showed him the things we were doing in areas like climate change, Khosla said. But you could tell right away that it was the opportunity to do something about things like malaria that really interested him.

Bier was beaming last week when Khosla visited his lab  a smile that vanished when the chancellor mentioned that Tata might come again to UC San Diego in mid-November.

Im going to be out of town on that date, Bier said, looking stressed. And Id really like to thank him.

gary.robbins@sduniontribune.com

bradley.fikes@sduniontribune.com
The debate over the death penalty usually hinges on this question: Is it ethical to take the life of a person who is found guilty of a heinous crime? If you dont think so, than obviously you should vote yes on Proposition 62, which would end the death penalty in California, and no on Proposition 66, which aims to streamline the appeals process to end ludicrous delays that have long angered crime-victim groups.

The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board doesnt share these ethical reservations about capital punishment. We recommend a yes vote on Proposition 62 and no on Proposition 66 for a different reason that is more practical than emotional: The branches of Californias government have for decades shown they dont like the death penalty and dont want it to be used. If Proposition 66 were enacted, history suggests its fixes would not be executed with good faith.

That history: In 1977, the Legislature reinstated the death penalty in California, a decision that was affirmed by voters in a 1978 initiative. Since then, more than 900 people have been sentenced to death. The state has only executed 13.

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Initially, the primary reason for this slow place was the California Supreme Court. In all of the first 60-plus death penalty appeals the state high court reviewed after the punishment was reinstated, the sentence was reduced. This led to state voters unprecedented 1986 recall of three justices, Rose Bird, Cruz Reynoso and Joseph Grodin, all of whom had moral objections to enforcing the law.

The key reason for the slow pace from 1986 to 2006, the last time the state executed anyone, was long delays in hearing appeals. Since 2006, executions have been on hold because of the states failure to come up with a legal method of execution.

Proposition 66 aims to change this picture by requiring appeals in state courts (but not federal courts) be completed within five years; by limiting habeas corpus appeals on ancillary issues (defense attorneys competence, for example) that werent the focus of the initial trial; by having lower courts handle some of the death-penalty duties now done by the state Supreme Court; by changing the rules to sharply increase the number of lawyers available to represent death row inmates; and by requiring the state corrections system to develop a method of execution that is legal under U.S. law within 90 days of the planned method being found illegal.

This sounds reasonable, but it needs the long-term cooperation of lawmakers to work. Eventually, Proposition 66 could save money by shortening appeals and lowering the cost of housing death-penalty convicts. But initially, as affected agencies gear up to clear the appeals backlog, they will need much more funding  probably tens of millions of dollars annually for many years, according to the Legislative Analysts Office. Why would Gov. Jerry Brown and the Legislature, which have long kept needed resources from existing death penalty-related programs, suddenly be inclined to be generous? Keep in mind that Brown and Attorney General Kamala Harris had to be forced by a lawsuit to come up with a new, legal method of execution.

RELATED OP-EDS

Yes on 62: Yes to death penalty: Problems can be fixed

No on 62: No to death penalty: Its unfair, unreliable

Given this implacable official resistance to the death penalty, the wise thing to do is to shut down death row and join the other states and nations that rely on life sentences without parole to punish the worst crimes. When it comes to the death penalty, the people running California dont want it to work. Thats why we recommend a yes vote on Proposition 62 and a no vote on Proposition 66.
Regarding Officers killed on duty declined in 2015 (Oct.19): Your choice of bold headline for this Page 2 article is misleading at best. Its not until well into the article that you find the current stats on law enforcement officers shot and killed in 2016 have already surpassed all of 2015 and more than 50 percent were ambushed.

Letters and commentary policy

The U-T welcomes and encourages community dialogue on important public matters. Please visit this page for more details on our letters and commentaries policy.

E-mail letters@sduniontribune.com

Mail: Andrew Kleske, Reader Outreach Editor San Diego Union-Tribune P.O. Box 120191 San Diego, CA 92112-0191.

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That gives a completely different look to this article and should have been highlighted instead of buried.

While there are incidents around the country involving questionable police behavior replayed over and over, these deaths get barely a notice and thats a real tragedy.

Monica Reed

Escondido

Theres nothing safe about electing Clinton

So Barry John Johnson (Debate showed a clear choice for president, Oct. 21) believes choosing a liar and a criminal for our president as a safe choice? God help us all with voters like this walking around.

Hillary Clintons faults have been bared? When? Where? Certainly not in the U-T. But we do know Donald Trumps have been bared day after day by the corrupt and biased media with the constant barrage of negative articles we are exposed to everyday. Fair and balanced?

By the way, nice article on Measures C and D (Vote no on measures C, D for a better deal, Oct. 21). Glad to see you were able to drill down to review these measures in such detail.

Now if you could prescribe that same determination to give that much attention to Clintons lies and crimes we would have nothing to complain about.

Gerry Simoni

Escondido

Getting a good look inside Trumps thinking

Donald Trump recently snorted that he will only accept the results of the upcoming election if he is declared the winner, implying that the election is somehow rigged against him. I dont recall him having a hissy fit after the Republican primary elections that resulted in his victory over his Republican opponents.

He pouted about the Emmy selection process when he was denied a TV Emmy for The Apprentice. So apparently the only good election is one where he wins. This is unprecedented for a candidate for president of the U.S. No wonder Trump is having a bromance with Putin. Thats how they roll in Russia.

Bill Loeber

Del Cerro

Will the public accept results of the election?

Great moderator question: Will you accept the election results? The question should be asked to the American people.

Hillary Clinton will not have an easy presidency, assuming she wins. The nation faces immense obstacles. The genie is out of the bottle. Americans see the corruption and incompetence at the highest levels of government.

Donald Trump, with all his faults, has brought to the forefront the real issues facing the country.

Clinton doesnt need to raise taxes, they are baked into the cake with Obamacare. The economy is likely to falter. Combined with all the other issues, Clinton may wish she didnt win and Trump will have dodged a bullet.

Jay Berger

San Diego

Be prepared for the worst if Trump loses

For many months Trump has been claiming that the election process is rigged. It seems that he is preparing an excuse for when he loses the election since he could never admit that the voters dont want him to be president.

Unfortunately, his phony excuse might well cause certain elements or our population, to whom he has been pandering, to resort to violence. I think we should be prepared for that eventuality.

Butch Newland

Jamul

Its time to do away with the death penalty

Regarding Death row exoneree speaks out in San Diego (Oct. 21): Dana Littlefield reports on a talk given Thursday by Juan Melendez, who spent more than 17 years on Floridas death row before being exonerated and released from custody.

There are many reasons to abolish the death penalty, but the most compelling reason is the growing list of individuals who have been found factually innocent after being placed on death row.

About 95 percent of all reported executions take place in only six countries: China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Iraq and the United States. That is not an enviable peer group.

Proposition 62 provides an opportunity for Californians to abolish the death penalty once and for all on Nov. 8.

Jerry Wallingford

San Diego

Want to see more letters that appear only online? Follow @UTLetters on Twitter and UTOpinion on Facebook.
MISSOULA -- Although a campus-wide rummage sale took place Saturday, dont get the wrong idea about the green price tags on many trees shading the University of Montana.

Student members of the Society of American Foresters hung tags as part of National Forest Products Week, demonstrating the value of urban forest species. For example, a Douglas fir tree by Stone Hall noted its size (83 feet), diameter (35 inches), potential products (plywood, tea for rheumatism cure) and value in environmental benefits ($13,954, based on storm water absorption, improved air quality and property value).

The week of celebrating and contemplating the state of Montanas forestry industry wrapped up with visit to an active logging project tucked into the side of Mount Sentinel.

Although work in the woods has been in decline for the past three decades, Montana remains one of the few states in the West with everything from loggers to lumber yards still in operation. According to Department of Natural Resources and Conservation figures, 7,749 people earn $319 million in annual wages from the forest products industry.

National Forest Products Week even generated a proclamation from President Barack Obama. In it, Obama noted benefits of fresh air, clean water, wildlife habitat, recreational activity and essential products such as paper, wood and packaging material. He also observed the increasing risks of wildfire, erosion, drought and climate change.

(W)e are exploring ways to help forestland owners respond to climate change, Obama wrote. Earlier this year, we released a roadmap for implementing key building blocks to achieve this goal, such as private forest growth and retention, stewardship of Federal forests, and promotion of wood products.

For Missoulians, the week culminated with a trip to the top of Pattee Canyon, where Kathy and Gary Kahl hosted a tour of a hazardous fuels reduction project on their property. A long driveway beyond the popular public trailhead, the Kahls overlooked a dense grove of trees on the steep slopes above Deer Creek Road.

We feel totally privileged to live up here, but were compromised by the fire danger, Kathy Kahl said. We dont want anybody dying trying to save us.

That was a real concern in 1985, when the Hellgate fire raced around Mount Sentinel and sent flames up the canyon in sight of the Kahls home. In the 33 years theyve lived there, Kathy said saplings she planted when they moved in are now blocking the view out her windows.

Thanks to a grant from the DNRC Forests in Focus program, the Kahls and two neighbors were able to hire a professional logging crew. The goal was to take most of the trees off the hillside, leaving old healthy Douglas fir, larch and pine trees about 20 feet apart. Thats the prescribed distance that keeps a wildfire from jumping from treetop to treetop in whats known as a crown fire.

Gary Kahl said the results mean more sunlight in the mornings and a view of the mountains to the east that he hadnt seen for years. It also means considerably less risk of a fire starting from the Deer Creek Road racing up the hillside to his home.

Because the properties bordered Deer Creek at the bottom of the canyon, the crew had to set up a high-line skidding machine to pull the cut trees to the top of the hill. That proved a challenge to maneuver a 110,000-pound line skidder to the top of Pattee Canyon.

Intermountain Forestry owner Ben Smith said that was actually easier on the landscape than more common ground-level skidding with bulldozers. His team expected to need about three weeks to remove 80,000 board-feet of logs and 40 tons of pulp from the six-acre parcel. The commercial value of the logs would pay for about half of the cost of the project. The Forests in Focus program of state dollars pays for the other half.

Its cool to see landowners wanting to manage their timber, Smith said. And a site like this is a lot of fun to work with.
Should reporters and editors donate to politicians? Do you think their objectivity would be damaged and would you distrust the reporting if they did? The Union-Tribune and other organizations would answer yes to both questions, and they have rules against the practice. Nevertheless, some people who associate with newsrooms donate to campaigns.

The investigative news organization Center for Public Integrity analyzed federal campaign financial reports and learned that some news employees contribute, despite the possible harm it could cause.

The piece by Dave Levinthal and Michael Beckel was posted Monday. In all, people identified in federal campaign finance filings as journalists, reporters, news editors or television news anchors  as well as other donors known to be working in journalism  have combined to give more than $396,000 to the presidential campaigns of Clinton and Trump, the story said.

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Nearly all of that money  more than 96 percent  has benefited Clinton: About 430 people who work in journalism have, through August, combined to give about $382,000 to the Democratic nominee. About 50 identifiable journalists have combined to give about $14,000 to Trump, the report said.

The U-Ts policy does not allow political donations.

This completely poisons the well, U-T Publisher and Editor Jeff Light said of donating. I thought the Center for Public Integrity story was an embarrassment for the entire industry.

How would a Republican regard a media outlet run by liberals? We all know the answer to that and vice versa. But the problem goes even deeper.

One of our great challenges is the difficulty of gaining access to and truly understanding different perspectives on the world we cover, Light said. You might think, well, all that is required in an open mind. But peoples tendency to read bias into anything that challenges their assumptions makes for a difficult dance on all sides. At our worst, the sources biases colors their willingness to be interviewed, the reporters bias colors the way the story is written, and the readers bias colors the way the story is read. Getting at the truth turns out to be a hard job. It takes training, experience and strength of character. Above all, it takes an absolute devotion to impartiality. Publicly participating in political advocacy undermines that altogether.

He feels there are no exceptions for nonpolitics writers and editors, such those covering arts or sports.

I would not exempt any of those roles, Light said. In our newsroom, I have a hard time thinking of anyone I would feel comfortable seeing on a list of Clinton or Trump donors. I cant imagine our readers would feel OK with that, either.

That said, we should acknowledge that political issues loom larger in some roles, and some donations are less troubling than others. Could a food critic contribute to the campaign of a sibling running for town council in a faraway state? Could a news clerk support a candidate in a local homeowners association election? The peril is small at that end of the scale. But this is an issue to be taken seriously, no matter your role.

In response to the Center for Public Integrity findings, Lauryn Schroeder of the U-Ts Data Watch team also looked at campaign finance reports with an eye out for contributions from U-T newsroom employees. She found one contributor from the U-T: a former photographer who donated $250 to Bernie Sanders this year.

Many news organizations do not allow political donations. The Center for Public Integritys report quoted the New York Times ethics handbook. Any political giving by a Times staff member would carry a great risk of feeding a false impression that the paper is taking sides.

Others the report also noted: The Associated Press, CNN, Dallas Morning News, Houston Chronicle, Los Angeles Times, National Public Radio, ProPublica, San Antonio Express-News, Seattle Times and Tampa Bay Times. The story added the Center for Public Integrity does not allow engaging in political advocacy or donating to political candidates at any level of government.

Scott Lewis, editor in chief of Voice of San Diego, acknowledges that reporters have personal views, and subjectivity comes into play in choosing and covering stories, but contributing to campaigns violates VOSD policy.

I believe that all reporters have values and are concerned about the communities in which they live  they have kids in schools, they drive on roads, they need water, power and fuel. They need affordable housing. And so I think we should be passionate about these things, and I think were better writers when we are.

That said, VOSD reporters should not participate as activists or donors in the political process. It is prohibited according to our Ethics and Standards policy: We do not give money to politicians or political initiatives, volunteer for campaigns or run for office.

Not all news organizations have such rules. Some might allow reporters or editors to donate if they are not involved in political stories. The Center for Public Integritys story included comments from a couple of newsroom employees  Santa Cruz Sentinel city editor Julie Copeland and Julie Lane, a reporter at the Shelter Island Reporter on Long Island, N.Y.  who gave to Clintons campaign. They reasoned that they cover local politics, so its fine to give to national candidates.

Stephen Goggin, a lecturer in political science at SDSU, said newsroom employees contributing to campaigns could undermine readers trust in the media, but banning donations might be a difficult standard to uphold. He believes that disclosure of donations would be enough to maintain credibility.

While acknowledging newsroom employees private lives and their right as citizens to contribute to campaigns, I believe the risk to their and their organizations credibility is too great, especially in this during this years presidential race, to donate.

The immaculate correction

A series of mistakes led to one of the worst things that can happen to a newspaper on Friday: An error on the front page. But thats not all: The error appeared in an item that was intended to correct a mistake elsewhere in the paper.

Heres what happened:

On Thursday afternoon, the U-T editorial board posted a transcript of an interview with a City Council candidate on the U-Ts Web site. Print publication was scheduled for Fridays newspaper.

One of the questions in the interview incorrectly stated that Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman had linked rising crime to the Black Lives Matter movement. Thats a big mistake, especially on the eve of Saturdays National Day of Protest against police brutality.

Editors were alerted to the error late Thursday evening, but it was too late. The editorial pages were already printed, and the A-section was about to go to press.

A correction was hurriedly prepared for the front page. But in the rush, no one checked the print version of the interview, which was an extract of the original. The offending sentences had not made it into the newspaper.

So the paper ended up with a rare front-page correction alerting readers to an error that did not exist.

Not the U-Ts finest hour.

adrian.vore@sduniontribune.com
The last week has been tumultuous to say the least. How dare the Government of Belize sign off on a seismic oil exploration study without public consultation? Even if ALL the multiple seismic studies predicting disasterous outcomes there are anecdotal as this OIL expert says in his interview with Channel 7 news, why explore if you dont plan to drill? Its taking an unnecessary risk with our fragile reef system, the entire tourism industry and our livelihoods.

But I thought Sunday might be a good day to post about some lighter subjects  though I remain on the war path  here is what I did yesterday. A sunny then cloudy then sunny and then cloudy October afternoon.

I stopped by the monthly Farmers Market at the Truck Stop and bought two boules (sunflower seed and cranberry/walnut) from Sue (she was amidst a frenzy for her bacon jam), some home-made dog biscuits from Heather of Caye to the Heart and some very VERY tasty muffins.

I also mentally signed on to attend tonights screening of Seismic Sea  that will be followed by a community discussion.

Off to town for a few stops

andthen it was time to get ready for a party. Blue Water Grill is one of my favorite restaurants  and 5 years ago, they held a Ten Year Birthday party that was the party of the year. It was also my first invitation as a blogger.

Also interesting to me is that is was the night of my 20th High School reunion in NJ. Last night was my 25th! But enough about me

BWG went even bigger and better this time!

Customized sunglasses for all

And thenafter lots of delicious food and drinkheadphones were handed out for the Silent Party. (Apparently this has been a trend starting in 2005! But DEFINITELY a new one for Belize) Everyone was plugged into the DJand watching them dance to no sound (I tried the headphones but didnt wear them) was good good times.

The place went wild.

Happy Happy 15th Blue Water Grill. Not only is the food and atmosphere at the restaurant fantastic but the owners, Kelly and Mukul, give back to the community in SO many ways.

Please, if you are not, become a Facebook fan and find out how you can participate in their amazing month charitable fundraisers.

Feliz Quinceanero!

And a quick post party snack that was DELICIOUS. Simple food made so so well at Brianas Deli on Back Street.

Salbutes.

Yum.
A new species of drywood termite has been described from tropical dry forests of Colombias Caribbean coast.

Discovered by termitologists from Germany, the United States and Colombia, the new termite has been officially named Proneotermes macondianus.

The species name honors Nobel laureate Gabriel Garcia Marquez and the fictional town Macondo in his novel One Hundred Years of Solitude, the scientists explained.

Macondiano(a) is also a Spanish world used in Colombia to describe an incredible, rare or surprising event that could only be compared with the fictional universe and magical realism of this novel.

Proneotermes macondianus may have been one of those characters playing in the novel during the destruction of Macondo, remaining unrecognized until today, added lead author Dr. Robin Casalla, from Freiburg University in Germany and the Universidad del Norte in Colombia.

The soldiers of Proneotermes macondianus have a characteristic elongated, rectangular heads, about 5  7 mm long, ranging in color from black (at the tip) to ferruginous orange (at the back).

The species lives in small colonies of about 20 individuals. It has a voracious appetite for drywood, especially thin branches of less than 2 cm in diameter.

Although few drywood termites are considered pests in some urban areas, this termite lives only in the wild and prefers tropical dry forests.

Proneotermes macondianus was found in tropical dry forests of the Colombian Caribbean near to coastal areas up to 25 km inland, Dr. Casalla and co-authors said.

The new species is just the third member of the genus Proneotermes known to date.

For more than a century, the drywood termite genus Proneotermes was represented by two species, Proneotermes latifrons from Venezuela and Proneotermes perezi from Costa Rica, the researchers said.

Research describing the new species is published online in the journal ZooKeys.

_____

Casalla R. et al. 2016. Proneotermes macondianus, a new drywood termite from Colombia and expanded distribution of Proneotermes in the Neotropics (Isoptera, Kalotermitidae). ZooKeys 623: 43-60; doi: 10.3897/zookeys.623.9677
News regarding oral cancer scattered when actor Michael Douglas blamed his throat cancer on oral sex. He claimed that the HPV-triggered his throat cancer. The arguments weather throat and mouth cancer can come from oral sex reach the experts. Now, a team of researchers conducted a study regarding the oral sex and how can it links to mouth and throat cancer.

In a report by Medical Daily, in the United Sates alone, 31,000 new cases of HPV-related oral cancers are diagnosed in women and 12,600 are diagnosed in men annually. Adults are most likely are in the risk of contracting the HPV, 80 percent of the people after five years of being sexually active tested positive for HPV infection. To be clear most people are infected but not affected.

HPV has over 100 strains, but only 15 of those are the high-risk type of HPV. Experts noted that in the cases where people have oral cancer the HPV did not cause it but rather triggered it. The virus becomes part of the genetic material that helps the cancer cells to grow.

In the case of the oral sex being linked to oral cancer, experts suggested that oral sex is the most common way of contracting the disease. The Canadian Cancer Society and Public Health Agency of Canada found rates of HPV throat and mouth in males are increasing. But,former studies show that the number one cause of the mouth and throat cancer is tobacco, according to The Sun.

However, sexual behavior is still linked with risk of oral cancers. For example, history of having oral sex, having oral sex with four or more people, and especially for men having sex at an early stage especially under 18. Sexually active men and women can be infected with at least one type of HPV at a point in their lives.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that "In most cases, the virus goes away and it does not lead to any health problems. There is no certain way to know which people infected with HPV will go on to develop cancer." The CDC also suggested that early prevention of HPV is very helpful, especially to kids before they become sexually active.
FLORENCE, S.C.  Black Jack Harley-Davidson is getting a new home.

Ground will be broken as soon as possible next to Monster Worldwides facility on Alex Lee Boulevard, said Matt Flintrop, who owns the dealership along with Charlie Cole. The idea is to be up and running early next fall with the hope that locating next to exit 170 off Interstate 95 will bring more visibility and allow for easier access, Flintrop said.

A new Riding Academy range will be part of the new setup and will provide instruction to those new to motorcycles.

Harley-Davidsons program is bar none better than anybody elses, Flintrop said. And well have more display area for inventory and more products.

Traffic flowing to the beach will stop at the full-service dealership, he thinks, whether it's everyday tourists or motorcycle enthusiasts headed to the Grand Strand for biker rallies. Flintrop, who grew up around motorcycles, is excited at the prospect of updating and modernizing and likely doubling his workforce.

It will allow us to refresh our image, said the 46-year-old Milwaukee native. Its exciting stuff.

Sidetracked

Flintrop is a self-described gearhead whose early years were spent watching his father's passion for fast cars and motorcycles and learning how it all works.

I love anything with a motor, he said.

From the 1930s in Milwaukee, his family owned a sporting goods shop that evolved into a Suzuki and gun dealership in the '60s. Flintrop was headed for engineering school at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside when a summer job in a machine shop working on race car motors sidetracked him from higher studies. When it was time to go back to school, he realized his new goal was to be his own boss one day and own a business. After a year spent putting together money and machines, Flintrop Speed Machine was born. Nitrous-powered snowmobiles, giant diesels and street and drag racing cars were all part of what he did for his clientele.

It was a ton of fun, he said.

Hed also taken time during this period to learn about building motorcycles from scratch. The late '90s were hot for motorcycles, and his work on Harley-Davidson replicas soon translated to working at a dealership from 1999 to 2012. He managed parts, service and e-sales. A year later, he and his wife, Julie, moved to Florence with their sons Luke and Ryan and daughter Ava, and in July 2013, he and Charlie Cole bought what was known as Dougs Harley-Davidson. Credit for picking the name Black Jack Harley-Davidson goes to Charlies wife, Terri.

On two wheels

At one point, the dealership was going to leave its TV Road spot and build a new location on North Irby Street, but Flintrop and Cole fell in love with property close to I-95 and decided to rethink their vision.

For our customers, this will be more convenient and well have more visits, Flintrop said.

The Harley-Davidson brand has been around since the early 1900s and representing a dominant and leading force in the industry is something that instills pride in Flintrop, he said.

It means very different things to different people. The folks that are drawn to it are unique, he said. When you think about motorcycles and you have a 3- or 4-year-old standing there so excited who can hardly stand still  youve never had to say, You should love motorcycles. Theyre just cool, they look fun and are absolutely interesting. Its easy to want to be involved and be around it.

Flintrops 2000 Custom Road King has 92,000 miles on it, and hes put four 1,000-mile days on it.

They really do last if you take care of it, he said.

Hes met riders who show up on bikes made by other companies and almost apologize because theyre not on a Harley-Davidson, he said, but hes stoked just to meet motorcycle enthusiasts, period.

If youre on two wheels, you already get it, he said.
Among our major problems as we approach this election is the loss of faith in government by such a large number of our citizens.

We need to take a big collective national breath and look for ways to make it work better. Some of the loudest voices we hear around us now are those saying that we must take our country back. Besides wondering from whom we are to take it back, I wonder in whose hands it would be after being taken back.

It appears to me that those so willing to make big changes have no idea what those changes would be if they succeeded. History is full of cases in which many favored and supported ouster of a form of government only to get one worse.

Looking back at a case when a congressional leader calls for his colleagues to band together and make a president a failure, then uses what they contend is his failure to advance their side politically, it seems to me one of the great problems we have now is that our government for the most part is being run by professional politicians.

The Founders, perhaps naively, seemed to expect when they set up our executive and legislative branches for public-spirited men (Im sure they were thinking only men at the time) to run for offices, serve a term or two and then return to their civilian families and live happily thereafter.

Unfortunately, now career politicians get into office, and instead of serving their country or state for a period and returning to their real lives, they seek continual advancement in politics and have no intention of leaving political office  unless the voters insist.

I never thought I would say it, always having felt that the people should have complete choice of whom they want to represent them, but Im convinced now that we should have term limits on members of Congress and probably the state legislature. If a continued political life were not offered them, perhaps more officeholders would put what they believe is better for their country or state ahead what is good for themselves and their parties. (Since things have changed over the centuries, too, we expect the political officeholders to include women.)

Limiting the terms of congressional members might make them more independent and able to follow their consciences rather than party dictates.

Then theres the money, and that brings us to Citizens United, the worst ruling ever by the U.S. Supreme Court. Both sides point their fingers at each other for seeking big donations while both of them do it. There is a vacancy on the court that could furnish the vote to overturn Citizens United, and the winner of this election will fill that vacancy. Many people will vote for whomever they think is most likely to make the right choice.

Citizens United helps clear the way for big money people to dump huge money into political campaigns and buy officeholders. It is incredible that otherwise sensible people would believe that money is speech. Everybody has the right to free speech, but buying key members of government is not speech. It is buying more influence than any rich person or big corporation is entitled to.

Which party is worse about letting big money make decisions that should be left to the people? Only the insiders would know for sure.

What we most need is pretty simple  just compromise, something foreign to the most dogmatic groups.

One of my sharpest memories is of a letter to a South Carolina newspaper several years ago condemning a S.C. senator. The letter raged, We didnt send him to Washington to compromise with the likes of Ted Kennedy! Actually, thats exactly what The Founders expected  compromise to get things worked out.

It would be the next thing to a miracle if it happened, but moderates need to form their own party or coalition or whatever we might call it between the extremes of our political culture and join one side or the other from time to time to find workable compromises.

Its fine to discourage government overspending but not to leave debt unpaid, fine to be religious but not to impose ones beliefs on others. Compromise is a wonderful thing.

Thom Anderson is a former editor of the Morning News. Email him at thidbit@aol.com.
BLOOMINGTON  Terry Fisk was 6 years old when he first realized his imagination and sense of curiosity appeared to be slightly different than other kids his age.

Fisk grew up in northern Wisconsin, and while roaming the woods one day, spotted a black panther.

"Nobody believed me because I was 6," he said. "Over the years, that memory intrigued me and then, I started seeing reports and newspaper articles where people found evidence of black panthers in Wisconsin."

That led to an interest in mysterious creatures such as Bigfoot, he said, and eventually, he became a cryptozoologist, an expert with the goal of identifying and describing beings from folklore and the fossil record.

Fisk discussed his experiences during a special presentation of "Mysterious Monsters of Illinois," at the Bloomington Public Library.

"One of my favorite topics is discussion on creatures who are out of place," he said. "Like a lion or a kangaroo, that normally wouldn't be in the wild in an area like Central Illinois, but people have seen them. We're talking about animals who are out of place and are here, with no understanding of how they got here."

"I came here with my cousin, but am kind of interested in some of the topics Terry talks about," said Bloomington resident William Gustavson. "The stories about Bigfoot are very interesting."

Fisk said he has gone on several searches for the mythical Bigfoot, but has yet to find the allusive creature. Fisk, as an investigator for "Unexplained Research," often gets calls from potential witnesses.

"We usually get there in the days, if not, hours, after the sighting and it's amazing to hear the stories and conduct a search," he said. "When you find claw marks on the back of a house or footprints in someone's yard, that is what makes the search so fascinating."

Others, such as Misty Reginold of Normal, said she enjoys Fisk's visits because of his knowledge of specific monsters, such as the Kickapoo Creek Monster that was said to live in the Kickapoo Creek or the Farmer City Monster which was said to have been seen in several parts of DeWitt County or near Heyworth.

"It can make the hair stand up on the back of your head sometimes," she said. "And there are so few people who know about these things. It's nice to be able to hear from someone who has done some research."

Fisk said talking with visitors is one of the more enjoyable aspects of his job.

"You never know who is going to come through the door or what story they might have," he said. "That's why these talks are so fascinating. People can learn about something they have an interest in or they have heard about, but it gives me more ideas on research topics as well."
"I feel for you" could be a literal statement. Behavioral neuroscientists from Oregon Health and Science University unintentionally discovered that mice in the lab can transfer pain to each other socially.

Professor Andrey Ryabinin and his colleagues didn't set out to put this idea to the test. Instead, they were actually looking at alcohol withdrawal in mice to find ways to help humans struggling with addiction. In humans, withdrawal usually produces generalized body pain so the team was trying to recreate that phenomenon in lab mice, Ryabinin explained to Science.

Their experiment setup does sound uncomfortable. The researchers started with two groups of mice located in the same room. One group of mice received as much ethanol and water solution as they wanted, which was then taken away to prompt withdrawal. A control group located in a separate cage a few feet away only got water. To test how both groups of mice responded to pain, the researchers did things like dip their tails in hot water, tickle their feet with fine hairs and inject an irritant into a paw.

Oddly enough, the control group seemed to behave as if they were also going through withdrawal. The two groups didn't show much difference in their hypersensitivity scores at all.

RELATED: Virtual Reality Kills Pain Like a Narcotic

Before throwing in the towel, the researchers decided to put the control group of mice in a different room. When, scientists repeated the tests that involved dipping tails in hot water, tickling feet and injecting irritants in the paws, the control group did not appear as hypersensitive. Their scores were much lower than the mice in pain.

The results were closer to expectations, but again, it raised more questions. Why did moving the control group to entirely different room reduce their sensitivity to pain? More experimentation began to provide a clue.

Ryabinin and his colleagues transferred bedding from the cage of the mice in pain to the cage of the control mice in the other room. Again, the researchers repeated the hypersensitivity tests and the scores from the control group nearly matched those of the mice in pain in the other room. Just smelling the bedding that had been used in the cage with mice in withdrawal seemed to heighten the pain sensitivity in the control group that only drank water, Science reported.

"We've shown for the first time that you don't need an injury or inflammation to develop a pain state," Ryabinin told New Scientist. "Pain can develop simply because of social cues."

The implications for humans aren't entirely clear at this point because smell might not be as much of a factor for us. However, the findings could change the way researchers design future lab experiments involving mice. And they may eventually help prevent heightened stress in those living with people who have chronic pain. Whether we like it or not, we really are all in this cage together.

WATCH VIDEO: How Many Different Types of Pain Are There?
For its small beginnings as a principality in Western Anatolia, the Ottoman Empire grew through conquest to be one of the largest, most durable empires in history. During its height, it covered more than 2 million square miles and 15 million people.

But like the laws of gravity, the Ottomans were subject to the immutable laws of political history: What goes up must come down. In this video, Seeker's Jules Suzdaltsev explains what caused the collapse of the Ottoman empire.

WATCH VIDEO: The Rise Of The Ottoman Empire

Perhaps the crowning achievement of the Ottomans was the conquest of Constantinople in 1453. What had been a Christian capital for more than 1,000 years fell into Muslim hands. With the expansion of the Ottomans came a challenge to the Christian nations of Europe that weren't about to stand by and let Islamic influence threaten Christian interests.

If the seizure of one Christian capital marked the height of the expansion of the Ottomans, the siege of another more than 200 years marked the beginnings of its retreat. In 1683, the Ottomans spent two months trying to take Vienna. The powerful Habsburg Empire, one of the most powerful rivals to the Ottomans in Europe, joined forces with the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and the Holy Roman Empire to repel the invading Ottomans.

Like the capture of Constantinople, the defeat of the Ottomans in 1683 marked a major turning point in history. After centuries of expansion, the Ottomans had begun its retreat, losing control of almost all of Hungary before the century was out. The Ottomans would never again expand into Europe, even if they would maintain a presence there for another couple of hundred years.

The next 200 years brought a series of military defeats for the Ottomans against the Habsburgs, the Russian empire and other foreign rivals that compelled the Turks into peace treaties that further eroded their territorial claims.

RELATED: Tomb of Suleiman the Magnificent Possibly Found

By the beginning of the 20th century, Ottoman territory in Europe and North Africa had largely eroded, and the empire was just a shell of its former self entering into World War I. Seeing the opportunity to regain some of its territorial claims, the Ottomans joined forces with the Central Powers against Britain, France, Russia and eventually the United States.

The end of World War I also essentially meant the end of the Ottomans, as the victorious allies carved up and divided the remaining territory of the empire, vanquishing a historic foe that spanned across seven centuries.

-- Talal Al-Khatib

Learn More:

BBC: Ottoman Empire (1301-1922)



History: Byzantine Empire



Britannica: Ottoman Empire



United States Holocaust Memorial Museum: World War I: Treaties And Reparations
DECATUR  Ottis Livingston has been a chaplain at the Macon County Jail for more than 15 years.

He has seen first-hand the situations police officers face on a daily basis. The country's recent negative reaction toward law enforcement has made the job even more sensitive.

Livingston also understands laws or further rules will not change that attitude.

It's going to take prayer and God. Legislation and laws won't change anything, he said. You can't legislate safety.

To show support for law enforcement, Livingston was joined by other police chaplains, officers and community members during the first local Law Enforcement Day of Prayer.

On Saturday morning, a group of about 50 people met outside of the Macon County Law Enforcement Center downtown to pray for the law enforcement officers who protect the community.

It's rough out there in the streets, Livingston said. And we've tried everything else.

Upon arriving on the east side of the building, each visitor was given a list of prayer requests from officers and staff. Safety, families, compassion and inmates were just a few of the topics on the list.

They are each specific to each department, said the Rev. Dan Watkins, Community Life Pastor at New Beginnings Church of Christ and police chaplain.

After an introduction and a short prayer, the crowd walked together around the building with the list of prayer requests.

Gini Smith walked around the block with the crowd to show her support.

I had to be here, she said.

Smith has utilized the services of local law enforcement during her activities with Macon County Honor Flight and Ageless Aviation Dreams Foundation. She was also employed by the sheriff's office for two years as a dispatcher.

I know what it's like to get that screaming call, 'I need help', she said. You never know what someone is going to do.

Smith said prayer can be done anywhere, but to understand what the officers go through one must walk their shoes.

They have families and want to go home safely, she said. They're just doing the job, to protect people.

The event was organized by Watkins and Macon County sheriff's Lt. Jon Butts as a way to show support for the local law enforcement.

After the deadly shootings of police officers in Dallas, Texas, Butts watched many people from the city come together at the main headquarters of the Dallas Police Department and begin praying.

Butts and Watkins began organizing a similar event shortly afterwards. We haven't had a tragedy like that here in Decatur, Butts said. But I think it would go a long way in our city if maybe we tried (a day of praying).

According to Watkins, the event isn't a political statement or a reaction to other police situations around the country.

It's just wanting to show our law enforcement men and women that we support them, he said. It's pretty simple; there's no agenda.

Both men encourage daily prayer for the officers patrolling the streets as well as others. The Law Enforcement Center houses approximately 220 other staff members, including court security, correctional officers, support staff, animal control and deputies.

It doesn't have to be for law enforcement, Butts said. We can pray for our community, children, state and federal leaders.

After the 30-minute observance, the group traveled to the Decatur Police Department on Southside Drive for a similar event for the police officers who work there. Deputy Police Chief David Dickerson welcomed the community's prayers, but also offered his gratitude for their support.

When it comes to solving crime, it takes the support of both police and community working together, he said.

He acknowledged the country's attitude towards police officers has become negative.

Sometimes, law enforcement does get a black eye, Dickerson said. You see one incident happen in the country, and it's linked to all police officers nationwide.

However, Dickerson has seen an outpouring of support in the past several months from community members and businesses. As well as the day of prayer, the police officers have accepted donations of meals and other food items.

This gives us a sense of comfort to see that there are people who do care about what we are doing, he said.
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The letter-slinging between Supervisors Scott Wiener and Jane Kim  both contenders for the District 11 state Senate seat  continues.

Last week, Kim called on Wiener to sign a pledge that would bar both campaigns from running defamatory advertisements. It came with a stipulation: Neither candidate could mention the others name.

Kim also asked Wiener to sign a Peoples Pledge modeled on the one Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and former Sen. Scott Brown signed in 2012 that limits outside spending on campaigns. That would include spending party money  considering Wiener has the Democratic Party endorsement, theres zero chance of that happening.

So Thursday, he asked Kim to sign a pledge to stop demanding gimmicky, self-serving pledges.

The candidates would refrain from feigned pretensions of shock, disappointment, offense and other expressions of mock moral superiority because such pledge ideas are, in fact, political stunts and gimmicks unworthy of the voters, his letter said.

Her campaign quickly responded.

This is a truly breathtaking statement, Kim spokeswoman Julie Edwards wrote. The Peoples Pledge has been shown to effectively limit the influence of big money donors and corporations on our elections. ... Now Scott Wiener is calling it a gimmick.

Wieners camp has yet to fire back a response or yet another pledge. We pledge to keep you informed.

 Lizzie Johnson

Naked in the park: Producers of Sense8, a popular Netflix show, were filming a scene at a San Francisco park when something went awry, as in someone accidentally got naked.

It was supposed to be a romantic scene set at the tree swing in Billy Goat Park. But producers got more than they bargained for: TV location manager Matthew Riutta was slapped with a $1,000 fine and must now pay a $10,000 security deposit for any future park filming permits.

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In a letter to the Board of Supervisors, his attorney called the backlash and fees ridiculous, saying there was a lack of transparency and process in relation to fees and policies.

The Parks Department appear to perceive filming as a nuisance to be limited, which has a dangerous chilling effect for future film, television and commercial productions, the letter stated.

They asked that the sanctions against Riutta be removed. So far, no response from the Recreation and Park Department.

 Lizzie Johnson

Email: cityinsider@sfchronicle.com, ljohnson@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @sfcityinsider @LizzieJohnsonnn
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Gov. Jerry Brown is getting an assist from everyone from Hustlers Larry Flynt to venture capitalist John Doerr in a fourth-quarter effort to pulverize Proposition 53  the state initiative aimed at stopping the multibillion-dollar high-speed rail and delta water tunnel projects in their tracks.

In recent weeks, labor unions, Indian tribes that run gaming operations and health and other business interests have ponied up $7 million to try to defeat the measure. Leading the way: $500,000 from Doerr, $500,000 from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians and $244,500 from the Kaiser Foundation.

Even Hustler Magazine founder Flynt kicked in $100,000.

The biggest contributor by far, however, is the usually tightfisted Brown himself. He has poured $4.1 million of his own political money into the TV ad campaign against Prop. 53.

It looks to me like hes seen some polling and hes getting worried, said Dean Cortopassi, the Stockton tomato magnate who put Prop. 53 on the ballot.

With 17 state ballot measures and a presidential election like never before, its hard to break through the noise, No on 53 spokesman Steve Maviglio said when we asked about the ad blitz.

Rich Pedroncelli/Associated Press

If passed, Prop. 53 would mandate statewide votes for any project financed with more than $2 billion in state revenue bonds.

Browns TV ads are pushing the argument that Prop. 53 would affect some local projects and force them onto the state ballot.

However, the independent Legislative Analysts Office said relatively few projects are likely to hit the $2 billion threshold, other than high-speed rail and the twin tunnels that Brown wants to build in the delta to send water to farms and cities in the southern half of the state. Brown considers both of those as his legacy projects.

Cortopassi spent about $4 million collecting the signatures to put Prop. 53 on the ballot, but he cant match Browns ad blitz.

Theres no more water in the well, he said.

Family shout-out: Political insiders got a bit of a chuckle over Hillary Clintons special shout-out to Supervisor Scott Wiener and everyone who worked on behalf of family leave during her recent fundraising rally at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium.

Wiener is in a neck-and-neck race with fellow Supervisor Jane Kim for the state Senate seat being vacated by termed-out Mark Leno.

It may be a coincidence, but Wiener has been solidly with Clinton  while Kim backed Bernie Sanders in the Democratic primary.

It may also be coincidence that Kim has been dating the estranged husband of Clinton adviser Ann OLeary  who happens to handle family issues, like family leave, for the campaign.

Whatever the case, it was special.

MICHAEL SHORT/NYT

Sugar shake: What started out as a David vs. Goliath battle over soda has turned into a $36 million Godzilla vs. Mothra knock-down, drag-out between the beverage industry and former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg  with Sen. Bernie Sanders caught in the middle.

Sanders found himself the unexpected star of the beverage industrys $24 million Bay Area TV ad campaign opposing penny-an-ounce soda taxes in San Francisco and Oakland after he came out against a similar tax in Philadelphia as regressive.

Sanders asked for the ads to be taken down  saying Philadelphias tax was three times higher than whats being proposed here.

The soda industry, having made its point  and not wanting to get into a fight with the nations leading progressive just weeks before the election  quickly agreed.

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The ad was already slated to come down, but we are going to respect the senators wishes, said beverage industry spokesman Joe Arellano.

But the fact of the matter is, he did say this about a similar tax in Philadelphia, Arellano said.

The antisugar forces, nonetheless, worked the Bernie back-off for all its worth.

Big Sodas campaign has been one big lie, just like Big Tobacco, said Dan Newman, spokesman for the San Francisco and Oakland initiatives.

Speaking of big  campaign finance records show that Bloomberg has put $12 million into the latest soda tax campaign, and he appears to be matching the industrys last-minute ad buys pretty much dollar for dollar.

And finally: Reader Richard Schulke sent us a snapshot of a sign at the Port of San Francisco telling riders of the Tiburon ferry to queue along the rail and riders of the Vallejo ferry to form a line along the wall.

Seems the fancy Tiburon crowd gets to queue up while the poor working-class folks have to get in line, he said. Classism at its worst.

S an 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
The huge cyberattack that crippled the Internet and disabled dozens of websites Friday appeared to be the biggest attack of its kind that the world has ever seen.

But it may not hold that title for for long.

What made last weeks Internet takedown so effective  and, some would say, sinister  was how the attackers weaponized everyday devices like security cameras, digital video recorders and baby monitors.

By exploiting the devices Web connections, hackers could infect them with malicious software and use them to paralyze huge portions of the Internet with a barrage of junk data in what is known as a distributed denial of service, or DDoS, attack.

For many, the breach was a stark demonstration of just how insecure the Internet remains. To some, it also felt like a call to action.

At a time when everything from televisions to refrigerators to kids toys are being equipped with an Internet connection, experts and legislators said, something ought to be done to ensure the security of these devices.

NATHANIEL BROOKS/NYT

Yet there is little consensus around who should bear that responsibility.

There arent just one or two types (of Internet of Things devices), there are tens of millions, said Jeremiah Grossman, SentinelOnes chief of security strategy. So what we can expect going forward is a lot more of the same. ... Look out election day. Look out Cyber Monday.

The Internet of Things encompasses a wide array of electronics: smart washing machines that will text you when your clothes are done, refrigerators that can order more groceries, wearable tech that can monitor your biorhythms, and talking toys that respond to words uttered by children.

Every year, more and more appliances are being made that connect to the Internet. Securing them is often an afterthought, experts said.

Many consumers, for instance, dont see the danger in leaving a default password on a smart microwave, said Brian White, the chief operating officer for security firm RedOwl Analytics.

This is the attitude hackers bank on. If they can crack into a device using an easy-to-guess password, they can turn an everyday DVR into a zombie device enslaved to malicious software that can be used in attacks such as Fridays assault.

We are putting an enormous amount of compute capability in the average home, and it is very difficult for the average consumer to ensure their home is securely networked and their devices are updated, White said.

Companies have long been held accountable for securing their own websites  banks, for instance, have security systems in place. But Internet of Things manufacturers are not required to guarantee a base level of security in the devices they create.

And when the priority is making the most inexpensive device possible, Grossman said, makers often skimp on things like security features.

Information security people have been screaming bloody murder about this for years, Grossman said. Everything from cameras to toasters, refrigerators, microwaves. And because theres no regulation, the manufacturers dont need to make sure these devices ship with any security whatsoever.

No single government agency oversees the devices or practices of the Internet of Things, though several have limited authority over parts of it.

Since Fridays Internet blitz, some legislators have begun calling for greater government intervention.

Not only does this kind of attack limit access to important information, delay financial transactions, and disrupt our nations commerce flows, but it also points to significant vulnerabilities in our national security, Rep. Jerry McNerney, D-Stockton, said in a statement Saturday.

Fridays attack targeted Dyn, an Internet infrastructure firm that, among other things, provides domain name services and online traffic management to hundreds of companies, including Amazon, CNN, GitHub, Twitter, Netflix, PayPal, Reddit, Zendesk and the New York Times, among many others.

In a DDoS attack, hackers typically deploy a botnet, or a network of compromised computers, to send phony traffic to a specific site or server with the intent of overwhelming it so it cannot respond to queries from real people.

What made the attack different was that it used a botnet seen only once before  last month in a record-size attack against cybersecurity journalist Brian Krebs website. The botnet, known as Mirai, used infected cameras spread across the world to send waves of traffic at Dyns DNS system at unprecedented rates.

Mirai continually scans the Internet for devices and then attempts to gain access to them by using a known default password or exploiting a weakness in outdated software.

Kyle York, Dyns chief strategy officer, said in a statement Saturday that the company was able to mitigate the first two waves in a matter of hours and fended off a third without customers seeing an impact.

But Dyns attackers may not have been using the full brunt of Mirais force.

Level 3 Communications, an Internet service provider based in Colorado, began monitoring the Mirai assault in the midst of its attack on Dyn. Level 3 reported that only about 10 percent of devices compromised by Mirai were deployed in Fridays attack.

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There needs to be a much greater awareness among the public, among manufacturers, White said. This may have been a wake-up moment, but as with most things in the cyber realm, it may take a few more times for it to sink in.

It has not yet been determined who was behind Fridays attack, which came at Dyn in several waves beginning about 4 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time. But because the code behind Mirai was leaked after the attack on Krebs, it could have been anyone.

Mirai is a DDoS-for-rent environment, Dale Drew, Level 3 Communications chief Internet security officer, said in a video posted on Periscope. Hackers charge others for access to compromised machines, making it hard to determine the actual force behind a given attack.

The Department of Homeland Security and the FBI continue to investigate Fridays cyberattack, though they have not yet identified a party responsible.

Activist hacker groups Anonymous and New World Hackers said they were responsible for the cyberassault on Dyn late Friday, telling several news organizations that it was an act of solidarity and retaliation over the Ecuadoran governments decision to cut off WikiLeaks founder Julian Assanges Internet connection.

Twitter was kind of the main target. It showed people who doubted us what we were capable of doing, plus we got the chance to see our capability, a New World Hacker member who identified himself as Prophet told the Associated Press on Saturday via a Twitter message.

The hacker said the groups next target would be the Russian government in response to the cyberattacks Russia has allegedly launched against the U.S. this year.

But security experts and U.S. officials said they had their doubts about the groups boasts.

No evidence over the weekend could link either group to the Dyn attacks, and both have taken credit for high-profile attacks in the past when they, in fact, were not involved.

If they were just trying to prove a point, they would have done it briefly, rather than kept a series of sustained attacks going a number of times throughout the day, Grossman said. I mean, its possible. But its not plausible.

Marissa Lang is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mlang@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Marissa_Jae
An Oakland man was shot to death in West Oakland, police said Saturday.

The Oakland Police Department identified the victim as Darrell Daniel, who investigators said died after being shot multiple times Friday night in the 1700 block of 11th Street.

Police, who did not specify the victims age, are investigating the incident as a homicide.

Police received a ShotSpotter report of gunshots fired at 9:12 p.m. Friday, they said. First-responders found Daniel with multiple gunshot wounds, and though they rendered aid at the scene, the victim was pronounced dead a short time later, police reported.

Anyone with information on the shooting can call police at (510) 238-3821.

Michael Bodley is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mbodley@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @michael_bodley
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Its hard to believe the Pet Shop Boys have been standing side-by-side for three decades. This year, the droll British synth-pop duo is celebrating the 30th anniversary of their platinum-selling debut album, 1986s Please. Some four dozen singles later  plus a couple of musicals, a ballet and silent-film score  Chris Lowe and Neil Tennant are still at it. (And yet, Lowe quips, I dont know much about the Pet Shop Boys.) Theyre on tour with a new album, Super, produced by Stuart Price, and a show that premiered at Londons Royal Opera House with a theatrical show designed by Es Devlin, who also staged the Rio Olympics opening ceremony. Lowe talked to us shortly before the band landed in North America.

Q: There was recently a symposium on the Pet Shop Boys at Edinburgh University. Did you learn anything new?

A: I probably would have learned something. ... A couple fans somehow made it backstage after a concert once and midway through the conversation they turned their backs on me and started talking amongst themselves. I simply didnt know enough about the band to make me worth talking to. I have a terrible memory.

Q: The new album has a heavy club influence. Do you still go out?

A: We dont go out clubbing much as we used to, but were still both interested in it. Its old-fashioned to want to be in a room with 2,000 people all going off on the same song together.

Q: Are we getting the same show you performed at Londons Royal Opera House, or do we have to suffer through the budget version?

A: Its basically the same show. Weve obviously had to make minor adjustments to tour it. We had about 50 dancers in inflatable suits, and we couldnt travel with them. We got most of it, though.

Q: Will you at least bring all of the headgear?

A: Of course. I like being faceless onstage. I would like to do the whole show behind a screen.

Q: After 30 years of doing this, is there a feeling that youve been through it?

A: Its not a great industry for longevity. We always assumed what we do is rather good and therefore there will be a market for it. The motivation was never fame. It was always writing songs and making records and putting a lot of effort in the stage production. We just carry on doing that.

Q: Theres a song on the new album called Dictator Decides where Neil Tennant imagines life as a not very good dictator. How is he as a real-life dictator?

A: Theres nothing Neil likes more than putting on a military uniform and boots. I think wed all like to be dictators in our own little way. Not that we advocate it  were a democratic band. But wouldnt we all want to run the world?

Aidin Vaziri is The San Francisco Chronicles pop music critic. E-mail: avaziri@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @MusicSF

Pet Shop Boys: 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27; Friday, Oct. 28. $49.50-$65. Fox Theater, 1807 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. www.ticketmaster.com

Listen to the new single, The Pop Kids: https://youtu.be/ 7JF3Gj8U0YA
Getty Images / /

Seven men were wounded in a chaotic East Oakland shooting that continued even after officers scrambled to the scene late Saturday, police said.

The violent clash prompted multiple police officers to move door to door through the neighborhood in search of possible suspects, said Officer Johnna Watson, an Oakland police spokeswoman.
SACRAMENTO  Wealthy Republican mega-donor Charles Munger continues to pour money into his ballot measure aimed at increasing public scrutiny of the state Legislature, even as his campaign is outspending its opposition nearly 400 to 1.

Munger added $150,000 last week to his $10.6 million campaign for Proposition 54, a ballot measure in the Nov. 8 election. The opposition campaign has raised $27,000.

Prop. 54 requires bills to be made public at least 72 hours before lawmakers can vote on them. The Legislature would have to videotape its hearings and publish those recordings online within 24 hours.

The measure also allows any person to make audio or video recordings of an open legislative hearing and allows the recording to be used for any purpose, such as a political ad.

The measure is supported by the California Chamber of Commerce, Bay Area Council and the California Republican Party.

Opponents include the California Democratic Party and the California Labor Federation, which warn voters that the ballot measure will give special-interest groups more time to influence lawmakers.

Democratic strategist Steve Maviglio, who is leading the opposition through his Californians for an Effective Legislature campaign committee, said the measure is a ploy by the Republican billionaire to slow down how many bills the majority Democratic party can pass in the Legislature.

The Democratic Party gave $27,000 to Californians for an Effective Legislature campaign committee in the past two months.

Maviglio said the ballot measure would mean every comma added into a bill would then restart the 72-hour clock, creating unnecessary delays.

I think it shackles legislators from doing their jobs when they really need to do it, like when they reach compromises unpalatable to special interests and dont want to be subject to arm twisting by lobbyists, he said.

Maviglio pointed to the 2014 water bond as an example of legislation that would not have passed under Prop. 54. Lawmakers had wrestled over the water bond for years before reaching a compromise that was quickly voted on so the secretary of state had time to print voter guides with the revised water bond. Voters overwhelmingly approved the bond in 2014.

With a 72-hour waiting period, Maviglio said, lawmakers would have been subject to additional pressures from lobbyists and special interests fighting for earmarks in the water bond.

Sausage making isnt pretty to watch, but this is what it takes to accomplish big things, Maviglio said.

Derek Cressman of the advocacy group California Common Cause said his organization supports the transparency required by the measure given the impact of laws created by the Legislature. He said it makes sense that lawmakers should be subject to the kind of transparency rules used by local governments.

There are a handful of bills at the end of every legislative session that lawmakers jam through with little public scrutiny in a process called gut-and-amend, where the contents of one bill are replaced with a new proposal. Sometimes, the first public viewing of the bills occurs as lawmakers are casting their votes.

For example, in 2014, Gov. Jerry Brown asked for a last-minute proposal to be added to the state budget. The proposal restricted how much money school districts could keep in budget reserves. Some Democrats who approved the bill said they didnt agree with or fully understand the proposal, which was sought by the California Teachers Association.

Critics said the proposal was a ploy to ensure more money was left on the bargaining table so teachers unions could negotiate higher salaries.

To me it makes sense that we require legislators to operate in the light of day, Cressman said. I find it hard to believe that many Californians disagree with that.

Cressman said hes not surprised a Republican is funding a ballot measure that would force the Democrats in power to be more transparent.

The interests who are out of power are always the ones bringing this reform forward because they are the ones completely shut out from these backroom negotiations, Cressman said. Its not a partisan bent  we find reform comes from outsiders no matter which party they are from.

Dee Dee Workman, vice president of public policy at the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, said the ballot measure will provide transparency and accountability in the Legislature.

Its completely routine in San Francisco to do the things that Prop. 54 asks for, Workman said. We are particularly interested because its our small business partners that are impacted by their inability to participate. You cant generally get away to go to an hours-long hearing.

Melody Gutierrez is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mgutierrez@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @MelodyGutierrez
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A flood of money from powerful interest groups is pouring into the tight state Senate race between San Francisco Supervisors Scott Wiener and Jane Kim in what has become this years showdown between the citys moderate and progressive camps.

On Wieners side: charter school associations, LGBT groups, and technology executives and companies. On Kims side: the Service Employees International Union, teachers and nurses associations, and tenants rights organizations funded in part by the soda industry.

The state Senate seat is a coveted position in San Franciscos cramped political universe, where ambitious politicians struggle to grab the few opportunities for higher office. The race also underscores the power struggle between the moderates and the progressives, who have clashed on how to respond to the citys housing and homeless crises.

Wiener, the moderate, has a more than 2-to-1 financial edge in direct contributions and heavy support from independent expenditure committees. Those committees, which cannot coordinate their efforts with candidates, can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money for political purposes. Technology investor Ron Conway, for example, has pumped $200,000 into an anti-Kim committee.

But if anything, the state Senate race shows just how difficult it can be to trace the source of political money. Major contributions are routinely filtered through two and three committees before the money is finally spent in the form of television ads, slate mailers or robocalls.

Its a way for people to hide their identities, and they know it, said Ann Ravel, former chairwoman of the Fair Political Practices Commission, the states campaign finance watchdog. And so thats the reason they are taking these very extreme avenues to do what we call the nesting dolls of campaign contributions, so you can never get to the original source.

Heres some of whats gone on in the race for the District 11 seat:

 The largest direct donors to Wieners campaign are building trade unions, real estate groups and police unions. Kims largest contributors are teachers and nurses groups.

 Wiener has raised more money locally than Kim. As of mid-October, roughly 68 percent of his campaign contributions had come from ZIP codes within District 11, compared with 41 percent for Kim. More out-of-state money is also flowing into Kims campaign than Wieners. Some of that comes from employees at the New York cosmetics company Kiss, where her father is chief financial officer.

 Independent expenditure committees have spent $1.5 million to support Wiener, more than five times the amount spent for Kim. Of the outside money backing Wiener, the easiest to trace is from Conway. Hes the main money behind the committee We Cant Trust Jane Kim for Senate, which has spent more than $173,000 on ads attacking Kim for her 2012 vote to reinstate former Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi after his domestic violence scandal.

Both campaigns have condemned their opponents various industry connections, but that tells only part of the story. Some of the biggest donors are hidden behind a web of committees.

Take the Equality California Political Action Committee, Wieners biggest financial backer and the outside committee spending the most in the race. As of Friday, it had put up $855,000 for canvassing, consulting, advertising and polling to help Wiener, according to state records.

The groups stated mission is to advocate for candidates who support full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Californians and allies, which would include the openly gay Wiener. The money behind Equality Californias political action committee tells a more nuanced story.

Its biggest contributor is the California Charter Schools Association Advocates, which  along with a sister organization, the Parent Teacher Alliance  has given more than $400,000 to the Equality California committee. Most of the Charter Schools Association Advocates money comes from a handful of billionaires, including former Los Angeles developer Eli Broad, media baron and former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and Netflix CEO Reed Hastings.

The link between the charter schools and Wiener is not accidental. The Parent Teacher Alliance also has its own independent expenditure committee, which has spent close to $380,000 supporting Wiener.

Richard Garcia, a spokesman for the Charter Schools Association Advocates, said the group believes Mr. Wiener has the greater ability to effect positive growth for students in San Francisco and not be a proponent of status quo agendas.

Equality Californias other top contributors are the California Dental PAC, the California Apartment Association and the California Association of Realtors  each gave more than $170,000.

The Realtors interest in the race reflects the political divide on the Board of Supervisors: Kim believes developers can and should rent a quarter of all new units at below-market prices. Wiener wants the city to do a study before committing to a percentage. He is more supportive of market-rate development to build up housing stock and bring down prices.

Rick Zbur, executive director of Equality California, said his group sought donations after making it clear that its priority is getting Wiener elected. Roughly 80 percent of the committees political contributions during this election cycle have gone toward this race.

We cast a broad net, and whoever is willing to support our effort we accept, Zbur said.

Wiener, meanwhile, has criticized Kim for ties to the American Beverage Association. The trade group has spent nearly $19 million to defeat a ballot measure that would impose a penny-per-ounce tax on soda and other sugary drinks in San Francisco.

While most of the American Beverage Associations money has gone toward television ads slamming the measure as a grocery tax, some of its money is winding its way to down-ballot races  much of it to Kims benefit. Kims political consultant, Eric Jaye, also advises the American Beverage Association.

Through a committee known as No on V, Enough is Enough: Dont Tax Our Groceries, the American Beverage Association has contributed $250,000 to the Affordable Housing Alliance and the San Francisco Tenants Union. Those groups in turn have spent that money on slate mailers, which urge a no vote on Proposition V  and prominently feature Kim as a champion of affordable housing.

Deepa Varma, executive director of the San Francisco Tenants Union, said: We dislike Big Soda, but we dislike regressive taxes more. Thats also Kims position and the reason she is opposed to Prop. Vs soda tax. Varma said her group decides what candidates and ballot measures to support or oppose, and then those campaigns and candidates send us money in order for us to produce mail or slate cards.

The soda group has no interest in who wins the state Senate race, Jaye said, noting that the association has also given $32,500 to committees that put out slate mailers backing Wiener.

While Kims campaign argues that the financial filings show that Wiener is beholden to special interests, thats not the way Wieners team sees it.

Both sides are benefiting from donations from tech, real estate development and other business interests, said Maggie Muir, a consultant for Wiener.

Joaquin Palomino and Emily Green are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: jpalomino@sfchronicle.com, egreen@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JoaquinPalomino, @emilytgreen
Dear Dr. Roach: I am a 66-year-old male in good health who was just informed by my doctor that the diameter of my aortic root has increased to 4.3 centimeters. Last year, the echocardiogram showed a number of 4.1. I have heard that running, which makes the heart rate go up, can contribute to the enlargement of the aortic root. Is there any truth to that? I hate to give up exercising.

 G.S.

A: Dilation of the aortic root is an early stage of an aortic aneurism. The larger it is, the more dangerous, as it becomes more prone to rupture. At the size yours is, regular surveillance is recommended. This is what your doctor is doing. If the aortic root enlarges to 5 cm or greater, elective repair usually is recommended. Yours seemed to grow 2 mm in one year, so in a few years you may need a repair. However, it is difficult to measure the aorta precisely, and it is possible that your rate of expansion is different from what was seen on the echocardiograms. A CT or MRI scan is likely to have more precise results, and it is recommended that people with an aortic root measuring between 3.5 and 4.5 cm get screened annually.

Exercise is a two-edged sword. On the one hand, it has many cardiovascular benefits. On the other, too-vigorous exercise, in theory, could accelerate the enlargement of the aortic root. One recommendation is to keep your exercising heart rate below 70 percent of your maximum heart rate. A stress test is the most precise way to find your maximum heart rate, but there are several formulas to predict it, the most accurate of which (for men) is 207 minus 70 percent of your age, which for you gives a target maximum heart rate of 113.

A high-quality exercise monitor would be a good purchase, and some have alarms if you go over your target heart rate. It may be that jogging (or even brisk walking), rather than running, will be your best exercise. Heavy lifting is not recommended.

Heart disease remains the No. 1 killer. The booklet on clogged heart arteries explains why they happen and what can be done to prevent clogging. Readers can obtain a copy by writing: Dr. Roach, Book No. 101, 628 Virginia Dr., Orlando, FL 32803. Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.75 with the recipient's printed name and address. Please allow four weeks for delivery.

Grated lemon

Dear Dr. Roach: I read somewhere that the daily consumption of a frozen grated lemon over cereal and salads can help prevent cancer. Is this just an old wives' tale, or is this, in fact, true?

 Anon.

A: I have learned respect for the wisdom of the ages, passed down mostly by women for generations; there often is a kernel (or more) of truth in them. In this case, while it is true that fruits and vegetables reduce cancer risk, the magnitude of benefit from the lemon is small, and the benefit from the salad (and possibly whole-grain cereal) probably is greater. Lemon juice (or frozen grated lemon) has no dramatic effect on preventing or curing cancer.

CLA, safflower

Dear Dr. Roach: I have seen internet articles claiming rapid weight loss while taking CLA safflower oil. Do you have any information regarding this oil or this claim?

 A.A.

A: CLA and safflower oil are not the same thing. Safflower oil is not a good source of conjugated linoleic acid. One study compared the two in overweight postmenopausal women with diabetes, but while the safflower oil group had some favorable changes in body composition, neither group showed rapid weight loss. Other studies have shown, at best, minimal weight loss. I don't recommend either CLA supplements or safflower oil for weight loss.
SPRINGFIELD  Money continues to flow freely into races for the Illinois General Assembly as Election Day draws ever closer.

In the third quarter, which ended Sept. 30, much of the campaign cash flowed through Illinois Republican Party, records filed last week with the Illinois State Board of Elections show.

The state GOP raised nearly five times as much as the Illinois Democratic Party, according to an analysis from the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, a nonpartisan group that tracks campaign spending. And of the nearly $16 million the Republican Party raised from July 1 through Sept. 30, $14.9 million came from Gov. Bruce Rauners campaign fund.

By comparison, the Democratic Party raised just $3.3 million during the same period, though individual Democratic candidates raised much more.

The money that Rauner, a wealthy former venture capitalist, brought with him into politics has shifted the landscape of campaign fundraising in Illinois, which has long been dominated by the Democrats whove also controlled the legislature.

Illinois Republicans newfound revenue stream certainly has increased the overall spending numbers, said Sarah Brune, executive director of Illinois Campaign for Political Reform.

Itll be interesting to look at the end of the election cycle and sort of compare apples to apples, Brune said, but I think theres been a consensus that this is an unprecedented year in both what the campaigns have taken in and what theyve spent.

A closer look at whats being raised and spent in individual legislative races bears that out.

For example, the most expensive general election campaign for the Illinois House prior to this year was the 2014 race in which now-state Rep. Terry Bryant, R-Murphysboro, defeated Democrat William Kilquist of Carbondale, according to records compiled by Kent Redfield, professor emeritus of political science the University of Illinois Springfield.

That race, which cost nearly $2.3 million, was one of three in 2014 that topped the previous record of just under $2.1 million, set in 2010.

Another of the record-breaking 2014 races was between state Rep. Mike Smiddy, D-Hillsdale, and Republican Jim Wozniak of East Moline. The race, which Smiddy won, totaled nearly $2.2 million.

While the final tally on whats being spent this year wont be available until mid-January, three House races have already brought in more than $2 million, according to the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, with the contest between state Rep. Daniel Beiser, D-Alton, and Republican Mike Babock of Bethalto bringing in a combined total of nearly $2.8 million.

Four others are approaching the $2 million mark, including the race between state Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion, and Republican Dave Severin of Benton, which has brought in more than $1.9 million.

The money has been moving so quickly and freely on both sides that one campaign finance expert has decided to let the dust settle before trying to total up the cost of this election.

Scott Kennedy, who runs the website Illinois Election Data, wrote last week that he wasnt going to provide a breakdown on third-quarter fundraising because so much money had already come in since Sept. 30 and because much of the activity thats taking place is actually money being transferred among the campaign funds of individuals and party committees.

He cited the example of the money Rauner contributed to the Republican Party, much of which was subsequently passed on to the GOPs House and Senate campaign committees. Those committees, in turn, spent some of that money on behalf of candidates and transferred some directly their individual campaign funds.

Similar transfers have been taking place on the Democratic side, although with the money coming in from a wider variety of sources.

The only way to correct for that is to pull up every expenditure for the quarter and go through them one by one to exclude the ones that were just transfers, a labor intensive and time consuming task thats a poor use of time in mid-October of an election year, Kennedy wrote, adding that he plans a final tabulation once fourth-quarter reports are filed in January.

Rauner and billionaire ally Ken Griffin, Illinois richest man, upped the ante late last week with combined donations totaling $14 million, state campaign disclosures show.

Whatever the final cost, the question that remains is whether all the money thats being spent on TV and radio ads, mailers, and other expenses will be enough to shift the balance of power toward the Republicans or to strengthen the Democrats supermajorities in the House and Senate, said Redfield, the UIS political scientist.
New Braunfels, TX (78130)

Today

Cloudy with rain developing after midnight. Low around 60F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Cloudy with rain developing after midnight. Low around 60F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%.
BAGHDAD  U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carters push for Iraq to let Turkey play a role in the Mosul battle encountered resistance Saturday from Iraqs prime minister, who said his countrys forces will oust Islamic State the militants from the northern city.

I know that the Turks want to participate, we tell them thank you, this is something the Iraqis will handle and the Iraqis will liberate Mosul and the rest of the territories, Haider al-Abadi said through a translator after meeting with the Pentagon chief in Baghdad.

Iraqi, Kurdish and other local forces will handle the battle for Mosul, al-Abadi said.

We dont have any problems, he said, adding that if help is needed, we will ask for it from Turkey or from other regional countries.

Carter, who arrived in Iraq on Saturday to meet with his commanders and assess the progress in the opening days of the Mosul operation, told reporters that the issue of a Turkish role in the military campaign is a difficult subject.

The U.S. role is to work with our partners in the coalition and the Iraqi government to try to resolve issues like this and make sure that were all focused on fighting the militants. I am confident that we can play a constructive role there.

One day earlier, Carter met with Turkish leaders in Ankara and said they had an agreement in principle for a Turkish role. Carter stressed at the time that any final decision would be up to the Iraqis, while expressing optimism the Turks and Iraqis could settle their differences.

His visit to Iraq came two days after a U.S. service member was killed outside Mosul, underscoring the risk that American troops are taking as they advise Iraqi forces in the fight.

Carter, who already has been to Iraq twice this year, has overseen the steady increase in the number of U.S. forces deployed to the fight and the growth of Americas effort to train and advise Iraqi troops. In his two earlier visits, Carter announced White House decisions to increase the U.S. troop level there. There was no such announcement Saturday, but Carter made it clear that the U.S. stands ready to do more.

Some 500 Turkish troops at a base north of Mosul have been training Sunni and Kurdish fighters since last December. The Iraqi government says the troops are there without permission and has called on them to withdraw. Turkey has refused, and insists it will play a role in liberating the city.

The U.S. service member killed this week was the fourth U.S. combat death in Iraq since the U.S. began military operations against militants in August 2014.
KHAZER, Iraq  Iraqi Kurdish forces pushed toward Mosul on Sunday, cordoning off eight villages and coming within 5 miles of the northern city held by the Islamic State group, which staged an attack in a western town hundreds of miles away in an apparent diversionary tactic.

The Kurdish forces, known as peshmerga, said the area they cordoned off measures around 38 square miles and that they also secured a significant stretch of highway. The statement said eight car bombs were destroyed in the operation, including three by U.S.-led coalition aircraft, and dozens of militants were killed.

The offensive near the town of Bashiqa came almost a week after Iraq announced the start of the long-awaited Mosul offensive. Iraqi and Kurdish forces are approaching from the north, east and south through a belt of mostly abandoned and heavily mined villages scattered across the Ninevah plain.

Maj. Gen. Haider Fadhi of Iraqs special forces said they also took part in the operation, and that Bashiqa was completely encircled.

Islamic State has put up stiff resistance in many areas and has carried out attacks further afield that appear aimed at diverting attention from the Mosul operation.

The militants stormed into Rutba, a town in far western Iraq, unleashing three suicide car bombs that exploded before hitting their targets, according to the spokesman for the Joint Military Command, Brig. Gen. Yahya Rasool.

He said some militants were killed, without giving an exact figure, and declined to say whether any civilians or Iraqi forces were killed. He said the militants did not seize any government buildings and that the situation is under control.

Islamic State carried out a large assault on the northern city of Kirkuk on Friday, in which more than 50 militants stormed government compounds and other targets, setting off more than 24 hours of heavy fighting and killing at least 80 people, mainly security forces.

The Mosul offensive involves more than 25,000 Iraqi ground forces as well as U.S.-led coalition aircraft and advisers. It is expected to take weeks, if not months, to drive Islamic State from Iraqs second-largest city, which is home to more than a million civilians.

Bashiqa is close to a military base of the same name where about 500 Turkish troops are training Sunni and Kurdish fighters for the Mosul offensive.

Turkeys prime minister, Binali Yildirim, said Sunday that Turkish tanks and artillery had begun aiding the Kurdish forces in the Bashiqa offensive.

The presence of the Turkish troops has angered Iraq, which says it never gave them permission to enter the country and has called on them to withdraw. Turkey has refused, insisting that it play a role in retaking Mosul.

The U.N. agency for children meanwhile expressed concern over the more than 4,000 people it says have fled from areas around Mosul since the operation began. UNICEFs Iraq representative, Peter Hawkins, said that in at least one refugee camp the conditions for children were very, very poor.
1 Derailed train: Authorities in Cameroon rushed more than 600 injured people to hospitals Saturday in an effort to save lives a day after an overcrowded train derailed, killing more than 70 people. The injured were being taken to hospitals in the capital, Yaounde, and the port city where the train was heading, Douala, as President Paul Biya declared Monday to be a national day of mourning. The cause of the crash is under investigation. The train had been carrying about 1,300 passengers, instead of its capacity of 600.

2 Helicopter crash: Russias aviation agency said Saturday that 19 people died when a helicopter carrying oil workers crashed. The Federal Air Transport Agency said 16 of the 19 passengers on board and all three crew members died in Fridays crash in northern Russia. The Mi-8 helicopter was traveling from Vankor to Staryi Urengoi in the Yamalo-Nenets region when it crashed. The agency said poor visibility and strong winds could have been factors.
FILM REVIEW

'Keeping Up with the Joneses'

1.5 stars (out of 4)

MPAA rating: PG-13 for sexual content, action/violence and brief strong language

Cast: Zach Galifianakis, Isla Fisher, Jon Hamm, Gal Gadot

Director: Greg Mottola

Run time: 105 minutes

"Keeping Up with the Joneses" is a reminder that the world doesn't need any more spy spoofs. My cup runneth over with spy spoofs. I have so many spy spoofs, they're piling up everywhere. If you say the words "spy spoof" enough, they cease to have meaning: Spy spoof, spy spoof, spy spoof, spy spoof.

The film is also a reminder that the world doesn't need any more light parodies of boring, Caucasian suburban life. My cup runneth over with light parodies of boring, Caucasian suburban life. Etc. Of course, "Keeping Up with the Joneses" is marrying the two ideas, so, theoretically, skullduggery and explosions can make boring, Caucasian suburbia more not boring. The unboringness never extends from the screen to the seats, however. To laugh at a movie is to appreciate its ambition, and bring it to life. To merely sit in front of a movie is to acknowledge it exists, and nothing more.

And here, I acknowledge "Keeping Up with the Joneses" does, indeed, exist. Maybe that's the faintest praise, but that's intentional. It stars Zach Galifianakis and Isla Fisher as Jeff and Karen Gaffney, who live in a pretty house with a nice lawn on Maple Circle, next to many other white people with pretty houses and nice lawns. It's only so very slightly Stepford, but very much in Atlanta, which I knew by reading the fire truck that eventually comes when one of the houses explodes - a byproduct of the spy stuff that disrupts the barbecues and hedge manicures.

Jeff is a dork with a bad haircut who works in human resources at an aerospace and defense company, where he's essentially a well-meaning high-school guidance counselor type who won't shut up about the importance of interpersonal communication. He likes to home brew in his spare time, and has a home-brew belly. Karen is a personality minus most of the person. That's the screenplay's fault, not her own. She's sweet, but a bit mousy, a freelance interior designer with a "Urinals of Brooklyn" reference guide on her desk - one of the only jokes in the movie that lands on its feet. The couple has just put their two sons on the bus to camp for a couple weeks, and they daydream about having such wild sex, they kick over candles and burn the house down. So they settle on a bowl of popcorn, TV and going to bed early.

Their new neighbors are all legs and chin: Gal Gadot, a Wonder Woman, and Jon Hamm, a Mad Man. Both of them appear to be 90 feet tall and carved out of marble. They aren't Mr. and Mrs. Smith, but they are Mr. and Mrs. Jones. Tim Jones says he's a travel writer who has seen the world. Natalie Jones says she's a social media consultant, food blogger and philanthropist. They have no problem making friends with short people like the Gaffneys, but there's an ulterior motive - the Joneses are spies, and if you think their assignment has anything to do with the aerospace and defense company, you're already two-thirds of the way into the plot.

I'm getting ahead of myself. Three minutes into the movie, a joke was delivered, followed by an awkward pause. The theater air conditioning hummed. In the distance, a windmill squeaked. Somewhere, a bird called for its mate. Suddenly, a shot rang out. It was the movie, putting one in its own foot. When a movie thinks it's funny and emphasizes that it thinks it's funny, more often than not, it's not funny. It's too busy trying to be funny instead of just being funny. Too often, the seams of effort are evidence of desperation.

Back to the plot. Happy to have a new pal, Jeff is blissfully unaware that Tim is getting him drunk on cobra wine at a back-alley Chinese "snake restaurant" to pump him for potentially classified information. Karen is suspicious, and tails Natalie to the mall, where they have an awkward encounter in the lingerie-shop dressing room, and end up participating in a Kegel workout. These are examples of "hijinks," wherein a number of goofy visual gags and dialogue exchanges provide a landing pad for a single plot point. If the hijinks are inspired, we don't mind. If not, it's called "cinematic loitering," and boredom sets in. The film attempts to distract us from its water-treading hijinks with a still-moving decapitated snake head and Gadot in lacy black almost-nothings, and despite all the promising imagery, I still felt like I was waiting for a bus that's running an hour late.

Eventually, the Joneses envelop the Gaffneys in the spy shenanigans, and, being bored suburbanites with stone-dead sex lives in need of goosing, they quickly overcome their fear of immediate death via shootouts and car chases. One of the most functional stabs at comedy is Jeff's sensitive-guy method of interrogation, which involves opening wide the lines of communication with suspected espionage artists instead of the usual waterboarding. But that laugh arrives late in the movie, which treads water in warm milk, metaphors I don't mix lightly or without significant intent. The jokes and situations are toothless, gumming on the same old comedy gruel you've seen before. The cast seems game, but if these likeable familiars were truly inspired, we'd be laughing more. Instead, the movie looks suspiciously like a group of actors, writers, directors, gaffers, set designers, best boys, runners, drivers, makeup artists, personal assistants, publicists, marketing wonks and producers getting paid.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Staten Islanders gathered together to celebrate El Dia de los Muertos, The Day of the Dead, a joyful celebration of remembering deceased loved ones instead of grieving their loss.

The Mexican tradition is a time for families to welcome the souls of deceased loved ones who are believed to return to visit the living. It is one of Mexico's most important holidays, with the celebrations dating back to before the Spanish arrived.

The annual free community event celebrated its 24th anniversary this year at Our Lady of Mount Carmel-St. Benedicta School in West Brighton. The event is hosted and organized each year by Irma Bohorquez-Geisler, the founder and program director of the festival.

"It's another way to learn about the Mexican community in Staten Island," Irma said. "We can share with them the way we celebrate death in a joyful way."

The festival began in the morning with the construction and decoration of two ofrendas (altars) to honor the dead. The public was able to bring in portraits of loved ones who passed and placed offerings such as their favorite foods and possessions.

A variety of food, flowers, candles and sugar skulls filled the altars. Bread, mole sauce, rice and chicken -- traditional foods for The Day of the Dead -- are always offered, Irma said. Orange marigold petals are laid on the table and on the ground, to help guide spirits from the doors to the ofrenda.

"We bring elements of the celebration to create the ofrenda (altar) for the people who pass away that come to visit us every year," Irma said. "It's an important value of the Mexican people to pass the tradition onto the next generations."

To show a variety of traditions for the day, the event highlights an altar from a different state of Mexico. This year, a family from Puebla created a regional ofrenda, which displayed rural traditions of their family and state.

The celebration continued throughout the rest of the day, with traditional live music and dancing, and craft workshops.

"It is important that people from other religions can come and celebrate in their own way," Irma said.

The craft table was run by Irma's daughter, Tamara Geisler, who said the table had a constant stream of kids hoping to make their own creation. Geisler explained the traditional history of each craft available for the kids to make.

Crafts created included paper marigold flowers, papel picado (detailed designs cut into paper) and memory cards where someone can write a happy memory about someone that died.

The day was sponsored in part by Con Edison and The Lois & Richard Nicotra Foundation. It was also made possible in part by The New State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature; a 2016 DCA Award from Staten Island Arts; and the New York Institute on Disability.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- He's been honored by the New York Yankees, but when he heard Cardinal Timothy Dolan was coming to town, to say Mass at his parish, no less, Sebastian Samartano insisted he had to be there.

So, Samartano, 95, a proud Navy veteran of World War II, made sure his family got him to the church on time, and a prime seat on the aisle when the cardinal came to celebrate Mass Saturday to mark the 50th anniversary of Holy Family R.C. Church, Westerleigh.

But Samartano didn't quite expect a shout-out from the cardinal.

"Is there a Sebastian Samartano here," Dolan called out from the pulpit, shortly before Mass got underway. "Are you 95?" the cardinal asked, as Samartano put up his hand and nodded.

"I knew it was you, when I was walking up the aisle and you said 'Hiya kiddo'," Dolan quipped.

After the Mass the two reconnected, and Dolan presented the veteran with a crystal crucifix and rosary, thanking him for his service to his country and parish.

Samartano filled in many times as an altar server at Mass, explained his sons, Salvatore and Joseph Samartano, who accompanied their father to mass, along with his daughter, Annette, and son-in-law Frank Cipriani, who picked him up at Clove Lakes Health Care and Rehabilitation Center, Castleton Corners, where he has resided since July.

"We're so happy that he was there for this wonderful occasion," his daughter said.

Samartano, who enlisted when he was 21, served in the Navy from July 28, 1942, to Dec. 18, 1945, in the Pacific Theater for two years.



"I was on a ship being commissioned out of Baltimore, then Norfolk, Va., and we left and went through the Panama Canal," he said.



"We performed emergency work on various ships. From there, it was to Manis Island, where we worked on big motors to small motors and prepared ships for invasion."



On Nov. 10, 1944, Sebastian's ship, the USS Mindanao, suffered severe damage during an explosion. Sebastian was thrown from the ship and landed in the water.



He was sent to a base hospital on Manis Island, where his wounds were treated before he returned to the ship.



A member of the International Ladies Garment Workers Union, Samartano worked as a ladies cutter in the garment industry.



His wife of 65 years, Paula, died four years ago.
Joe Borelli through the years5

Minority Leader Steven Matteo visits with Councilman Joseph Borelli and Joe Jr. as dad takes son to work in the City Council chamber.

(Staten Island Advance)

It is difficult to discuss the qualifications of a particular political candidate when that candidate is running with no opposition. After all, there is no debate highlighting differences during the entire campaign.

Unless, that is, we are discussing the esteemed Republican State Sen. John J. Marchi, who did enjoy endorsements from both Democrats and Republicans. The late Mr. Marchi was in a class by himself.

On Staten Island this election cycle, only Rep. Dan Donovan faces a Democratic challenger.

South Shore City Councilman Joe Borelli is among those Republicans with no challenger, and the subject of today's endorsement.

We suppose, given the overwhelming presidential campaign that has taken all the air from the room, local races would get scant attention anyway.

We do not hesitate endorsing Mr. Borelli, despite no opposition -- and despite his unwavering support for Donald Trump.

First elected in 2012 to replace the retiring but still popular Assemblyman Lou Tobacco, Mr. Borelli headed to the North Country to serve in the state Legislature. He had been chief of staff to then-Councilman Vincent Ignizio.

While in Albany, Mr. Borelli was voted by the Conservative Party as the most conservative member of the Legislature from New York City.

If you are a South Shore resident, that is a good thing.

Then, Mr. Ignizio decided to step down and Mr. Borelli won a special election to replace him in 2015.

Mr. Borelli, one of only three Republicans in the Council, is no stranger to City Hall. In addition to his work with Mr. Ignizio, he began his Council career as an intern with then-Councilman and now County Clerk Steve Fiala in 1999.

Mr. Borelli has taken on issues common in every Council district. He has joined with Borough President James Oddo in calling for new middle and high schools on the South Shore. He has put up significant funding from his Council allocation for drug treatment on the South Shore. He jumped on a 911 problem where Verizon 911 calls are somehow misdirected to New Jersey, depending on where you are calling from.

He even floated the idea of renewing the Staten Island secession movement, which made some headlines but got no traction.

Mr. Borelli is also very active politically on the national stage as well as the local stage.

During the last primary battle between Janine Materna and Ron Castorina for the South Shore Assembly seat, Mr. Borelli decided Mr. Castorina was the man for the job and worked vigorously against Ms. Materna to defeat her.

Mr. Castorina was victorious.

Most notably, Mr. Borelli has become something of a surrogate for Mr. Trump, appearing regularly on cable television news shows to support Trump's bid for the presidency, and serving as a district-level delegate to the 2016 Republican National Convention in support of Trump.

"It's a way for him to try to increase his stature among his fellow Republicans and he has to hope the electorate will say that's all well and good," Hank Sheinkopf, a Democratic political consultant, told us back in July.



On conservative Staten Island, especially his district, Mr. Borelli should have no fallout from his support for Trump, unless, Sheinkopf maintained, Trump does something crazy, then Borelli has to deal with "lunacy by association."

Mr. Borelli called Trump's sexual comments "awful" but it seems Trump has not yet reached the level of "lunacy" for Mr. Borelli.

Joe Borelli may be a product of the oft-discussed "Republican Old Boys Network" that has its roots in the Guy Molinari days, churning out conservative Republican males on demand, but he serves his district and Staten Island well, as most of them do. He deserves re-election.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- We wonder how may are aware that the community of Travis was once called Linoleumville because it was the site of one of our nation's first linoleum factories.

In 1873, the American Linoleum Company acquired 300 acres in the area to build the nation's first linoleum factory.

Many skilled English immigrants arrived to work in the factory, which employed 700 workers by the early 20th century, half the local population. When the plant closed in 1931 residents overwhelmingly chose to rename the community Travis, a name that was in keeping with the area's long history.

The community was also at one time known as Travisville, after Col. Jacob Travis, who resided there before the Civil War.

Other names, according to the New York Public Library Staten Island's Old Names, included Jersey Wharf, New Blazing Star Ferry, Long Neck and Deckertown. It also was the site of an Indian Village.

Today, Travis is probably most renowned for hosting the borough's popular Fourth of July Parade.

And the Encyclopedia of New York City tells us ferries ran in Travis from 1757 and was for decades part of the route between Philadelphia and New York via the Port Richmond Ferry.

Do you have vintage photos of Travis? If you do, kindly attach them in the comments section below or email them to benanti@siadvance.com.
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Lower taxes on patented inventions, extended patent protection and pooled intellectual property by universities are among a raft of proposals put forward to give biotechnology a boost as it continues to lag the global growth of the sector.

A detailed study by the McKell Institute, argues that despite the growth of the sector in Australia and the number of patents lodged by local researchers, the annual growth over the past decade of 3.1 per cent which, it argues, will rise to 4.4 per cent a year over the next five years, has seriously lagged the growth seen abroad. Worldwide, the industry has been growing at three times this rate and is not as robust as many think, especially once the role of CSL, the former government-owned group, is put to one side.

New policies are needed to help lift the role of the biotech sector. Credit:Louie Douvis

The report comes as the federal government is in the final stages of selecting fund managers for as much as $500 million to be invested in biotechnology research under the so-called Biotechnology Translation Fund. https://99.fairfax.com.au/cf#/etc/author-util.html?assetId=gs1hx4 Of the total, the government will be putting forward $250 million and private investors the balance.



"The Australian biotech industry has had to endure far too many piecemeal policies that together simply haven't added up to create significant impact," the McKell Institute's executive director Sam Crosby said.
U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson speaks with reporters on May 13 in Green Bay ahead of the Wisconsin Republican Party convention.
More than 100 low-paid cleaners who worked at Melbourne's Federation Square and Crown Casino had their wages illegally docked and their pay records falsified to cover up the corrupt practice.

The cleaners, many of whom were young workers and migrants, had so-called "administration fees" of about $25 taken out from their pay every week, while lesser amounts for "meal fees" were also regularly deducted.

Travis Bloms company supplied exploited staff to work as cleaners at Crown Casino. Credit:Justin McManus

Labour-hire firm Oz Staff Career Services made the unlawful deductions of $130,000 from the wages of 102 cleaners in Melbourne over two years from December 2011 to May 2013.

The scandal is the latest to draw attention to the seemingly rampant underpayment and exploitation of vulnerable, migrant workforces in Australia, who are often employed in low-paid jobs.
The tie-up of AT&T and Time Warner, bringing together one of the country's largest wireless and pay TV providers and cable networks like HBO, CNN and TBS, could kick off a new round of industry consolidation amid massive changes in how people watch TV.

Media content companies are having an increasingly difficult time as standalone entities, creating an opportunity for telecom, satellite and cable providers to make acquisitions, analysts say.

Media firms face pressure to access distribution as more younger viewers cut their cable cords and watch their favourite shows on mobile devices. Distribution companies, meanwhile, see acquiring content as a way to diversify revenue.

"The industry needs to consolidate," said Salvatore Muoio, whose firm invests in a number of media companies, including Time Warner. "You have a lot more competition from the likes of Netflix, Amazon and Hulu."
The arrest of two Sydney teenagers earlier this month for terrorism-related offences demonstrates how good our police and intelligence agencies are getting at disrupting alleged terror plots.

The arrests were an operational success for all agencies involved. No police or members of the public or offenders were harmed.

It's a pity that our post-arrest efforts to counter violent extremism aren't achieving the same levels of success as our investigations.

The media has reported that there was a cluster of extremist links surrounding the two Sydney boys involved in this latest alleged plot. As part of the investigation, authorities will be trying to determine if the boys had any links with people who support terrorism.
In criticising the Russian and Syrian operations in Aleppo, the US has set itself and the Iraqi government a near impossible task in the battle for Mosul: can they take the Iraqi city without civilian casualties?

US Secretary of State John Kerry set the standard for capturing cities in the Middle East at his joint press conference with UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson a week ago.

Doctors Without Borders is pleading for access to treat the wounded in the rebel-held part of Syria's Aleppo as government forces press ahead with an offensive that has killed hundreds of people in recent weeks. Credit:MSF/AP

He said he was deeply disturbed and outraged by what was happening in Aleppo. The siege and bombings were "a humanitarian disaster". They could stop tomorrow if Russia and the Assad regime behaved according to any norm or any standard of decency.

In their press briefings State Department officials had earlier outlined what was required with spokesman John Kirby saying on October 11 that civilians shouldn't have to leave Aleppo and they shouldn't be bombed by the Russians or the Syrian government.
Australia is no longer turning a shamefully blind eye to family violence. The issue is receiving unprecedented and long overdue attention at the highest levels of power. But if this attention is to translate into making the lives of victims better and reducing their numbers, we need to improve our understanding of the complexity of the problem.

Most of us would be familiar with the idea that family violence can take the form of physical, sexual, psychological and emotional abuse. But few of us, often including victims themselves, recognise that financial abuse is also a form of domestic violence.

Monopolising and keeping secret the family finances, overly scrutinising and criticising your partner's spending, forcing them to pay for expenses and running up large debts in their names is a way of controlling victims, robbing them of the self-esteem and the funds they need to escape abusive relationships.

And, as we report today, separation may offer no relief to these victims, who can be men but are most often women. Financial abuse can begin, continue and even get worse after victims leave the relationship, with partners dragged through costly court proceedings, paying for cars they no longer drive and houses they no longer live in, or deprived of child support they are owed. In some cases, so-called "Disney Dads" won't help pay for day-to-day expenses, depriving their own children of necessities, but open their wallets for treats when they have custody. This self-serving strategy to make the main caregiver look mean can be successful all too often.
Australia's biggest private colleges have received up to $264 million a year from taxpayers despite having completion rates as low as one in 10 students, new data reveals.

One college, which has since gone into administration, received $114 million from the government last year while achieving a minuscule completion rate of just 1.7 per cent.

Education Minister Simon Birmingham. Credit:Louise Kennerley

The figures, to be released by the Turnbull government on Monday, underline the stunning waste of taxpayer money that has occurred under the under the soon-to-be-scrapped VET FEE-HELP scheme.

They also show a surge in the number of disabled students accessing the scheme and a dramatic difference in fees between TAFEs and private providers.
Communications Minister Mitch Fifield says he will raise concerns with ABC Managing Director Michelle Guthrie about Four Corners' "odd" decision to reject an interview with Immigration Minister Peter Dutton following a controversial documentary on asylum seekers in Nauru.

Senator Fifield, the minister with portfolio responsibility for the ABC, said he was "troubled" the public broadcaster did not accept Mr Dutton's offer of a live interview during last Monday's program.

Mr Dutton has said he will lodge a formal complaint with the ABC over the program, which he described as "one-sided and slanted" and based "on emotions and lies" rather than facts.

"They've turned themselves into political operatives and it's unacceptable for the national broadcaster," he said last week.
Cabinet minister Christopher Pyne has admonished Human Rights Commissioner Gillian Triggs over her misleading claims to a Senate estimates hearing, advising her to "stay out of politics and stick with human rights".

He also offered a spirited defence of Turnbull government unity, dismissing ructions between Mr Turnbull and his predecessor Tony Abbott as "a storm in a teacup" and insisting they were "entirely united" on gun laws.

Both Mr Pyne and his fellow frontbencher Mitch Fifield refused to express confidence in Professor Triggs on Sunday, arguing it was a matter for Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Attorney-General George Brandis.
The federal government's primary arts funding body has defended its support to Australian books and authors, after figures showing Australia Council literature grants reached a five-year low last financial year.

Funding provided to symphony orchestras, operas, visual arts, theatre and dance dwarfed literature grants in 2015-16, with the sector receiving $4.6 million of a total $173.8 million.

The Australia Council has defended its funding to books and authors. Credit:Tanya Lake

Orchestras received $56.1 million, or 32.3 per cent, with opera funding at $23.7 million, or 13.7 per cent, in the same period.

Analysis of council figures showed literary funding in three areas managed and delivered for the federal government peaked in 2013-14 at $9 million, when overall grants totalled $199.2 million.
Many of the suggestions she makes absolutely miss the mark: that "either Mum or Dad's sister is in the spirit world" (neither has had a sister), that "your Mum [is] in the spirit world" (my mother is alive, and when I indicate this, Morgan then says she meant my dad's mother), that my children "haven't been to Canada as yet" (they've all been to where I'm from, and when I say so, she says she means "for a length of time"). I scrunch up my mouth. She circles back to my father's death. "I feel very distinctly with him, that " she speaks now as though he is speaking through her  " 'I would've liked to have travelled more  Because I would've liked to have seen more,' " she says. "Yes," I say, my voice gentler now. (My father died at 58, of a brain tumour, and he wished that he'd seen the Rocky Mountains before he died.) My shoulders slacken. I look down at my shoes. That Morgan keeps circling back to topics that elicit an emotional response from me is a classic "cold-reading" technique that psychics use in order to make a client believe they have contacted their dead loved ones, or know something about their future, says Tim Mendham, executive officer of the Australian Skeptics.

"It's the customer who's supplying all of the emotional response, and basically it's the fortune-teller, or whoever, picking and choosing what works, what hits with the client," and then focusing on that, he explains. Reflecting back, I see that the technique works. Again and again, Morgan launches into misses that make me um and ah, before abruptly asking me about something that has previously hit an emotional snag. "Now, all children love to colour in, and things like that, but one of your children loves books," she says, out of the blue, after some misses. My face lights up. "Because he sits," she says, referring to my dad  "and I can see him watching [your son reading]  and he's absorbing what's going on with this grandchild  he's just making me aware of this quite strongly, so he's saying, 'You're never alone.' " "Can I have a tissue, please?" I ask tearily, after some more Dad talk.

Do I think Morgan is actually communing with my late father? No. There is far too much misinformation. (She does explain that mediums are not "infallible", but then she also senses, among other wild misses, a "memory from the spirit world [of someone] who made candies at Christmas"  and we're Jewish and don't celebrate Christmas.) Not to mention those instances when she makes it seem as though my father has said something quite specific to her, but only after I've provided her with the information.For instance, after she asks  knowing I'm a journalist  who "writes" ("Is it you that writes? Who is it that writes? Or did he do writing?") and that I tell her that my father wrote a book, she asks me if I have it. When I say, "Yes," she shoots back: "Yes, that's right, because he's just said, 'She has it.' " She does get some details correct. But many are fairly easy to guess: that my father was "in a hospital, and unwell" before he died, that my husband and I have been talking about property (we're Sydneysiders), that, regarding my father, "There's a significant link with education." (My father was a teacher assistant late in life, but I think it is safe to bet that most parents value education.) So why did I cry? There is a huge comfort in someone recognising the sad fact of my father's early death. Because he died in Canada, few people knew him, and those who did bravely uttered his name in the 12 years since he died. The topic, I assume, is too uncomfortable for them.

So hearing Morgan speak about my father feeds a yearning to have him enter my life again. Is this why so many people still go to see psychics? Is it simply because they speak to us about matters that other people don't want to hear about? And what, I wondered, would a fortune-teller tell me, if I divulged my own personal struggles? Would he or she be anything like Priscilla Kelly Delmaro, the New York-based fortuneteller who made global headlines last year for bilking an online entrepreneur, Niall Rice, out of more than $730,000 by promising him, among other things, a bridge into another dimension to reunite him with a former girlfriend? Delmaro even continued the ruse after Rice discovered, through Facebook, that his former girlfriend died, by promising to reincarnate her spirit into the body of another woman. (Delmaro later served eight months in prison.) I visit fortune-teller Paris Debono, in inner-city Sydney. Sitting at his table in a dark corner by a window, I ask him: will a book that I'm writing be published?

And what should I do about my 18-yearlong struggle with periodic loneliness here in Australia? Should I stay? Or return to Canada, where I was born? Debono, a thin man with prominent cheekbones and delicate tapered fingers, asks me to randomly select 13 of 20 Greek mythology cards that he has made himself. The black-and-white figures of Greek gods are oddly saucy, with bulging groins and heaving breasts. Nevertheless, as he places the cards in rows, I can't stop tensing up. Holding my hands flat on my thighs, I feel like a schoolgirl waiting to be called into the principal's office. "You have Mars in your house of publishing," he says, pointing to a red card in the bottom row that features a pouting man with the six-pack of a Chippendales dancer. (The placement of each card corresponds to a particular "house", or area, of your life.) "Mars is a soldier, which means you have to work like a soldier to get this published. So I would say yes, you can get it published and you will, but it isn't going to get done by itself."

So far, so flattering. (And, regarding the hard work, bleeding obvious.) Debono is sensitive, though. When he points out that I've chosen Vesta, "The God of Investment" (bone corset, Dolly Parton cleavage), he says, after waffling a bit about property: "It could also mean that your time in Australia has been an investment. It's something you've learnt from, gained from, something you'll use in the future " I can't stop my brain from buzzing with the realisation that it would calm my frayed central nervous system to view my life this way more often. Still, other pronouncements go laughably wrong. Among them: "Are you single?" he asks me, after scanning the cards and noting that I have not chosen Venus, the Goddess of Love. "No! Very much not," I say, through laughter. Not only am I wearing wedding rings, but it's two weeks from my 15th wedding anniversary.

Will my palm reading be more convincing? "You have a very strong gap of independence," says Debono, staring down at my right hand. He is referring to the supposedly large gap between two of the horizontal lines (my "head line" and my "life line") that run across the middle of my palm. "It basically means that when you were younger, quite young, you were an independent thinker." He adds that my "heart line", which runs across my palm, near where my fingers meet it, has a "fork" in it, meaning, "You like to have your partner, but you like to do your own thing." It's difficult to believe someone has any particular intuition about your life or future, when what he has said would, I believe, appeal to most sentient beings. But a "Gypsy" deck of divination cards, says Debono, can help him predict the future. Which in my case means resolving a specific 18-year-long conundrum: in which country will I finally settle for good? He counts out the 20 cards I've selected, face-down, from the deck  they feature simple symbols, like a love heart, anchor and ring  and he lays them face-side up in four neat rows. The card in the top left-hand corner is a heart. "It's telling you to focus, to feel your way through, and go with your feeling, to go with what you love," Debono says.

The heart card has the number six printed on it, so he counts six cards over, to a card with a picture of a moon on it. The moon, he says, represents "revisiting the past". "So this is a bit of a clue about you going back home." The other clues, based on the cards he counts to next? "It's going to maybe depend on your relationship as well." (Thanks, "ring" card). "It's gonna take time, and the anchor can mean family roots, so that again has a Canadian feel about it." (Thanks, "anchor" card.) "You have to talk to your partner." (Thanks, "bird holding a letter in its beak" card.) Being told that the site of your future home will be determined by utterly commonsensical factors that would likely determine the outcome of virtually any conundrum makes you wonder: why are psychics so popular? "Often, people are moving away from traditional religion, and more into this idea of, 'I'm spiritual, but I'm not religious,' " says Leela Williams, publications officer with the Australian Psychics Association. "A psychic is a tool to discover your own spirituality." And fortune-tellers will always appeal to people experiencing a period of uncertainty, says the Australian Skeptics' Tim Mendham. "Life is random, and that's probably one of the biggest things that affects people all the time: like, shit happens," he says. "[So] they want to go to someone who can give them certainty about the future."
The number of Australians hospitalised every year after falling from a ladder has surged nearly 50 per cent over a decade, coinciding with the rise in popularity of do-it-yourself television programs, a review of medical data has found.

Nearly 5000 Australians are now admitted to hospital annually as a result of a ladder fall, according to a review of published data by the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health.

Molly Meldrum fell from a ladder at home in 2011. Credit:Simon Schluter

Some 41,092 people were hospitalised over the 10 years to June 2012, from 3374 in 2002-03 to 4945 in 2011-12  a jump of 47 per cent.

Significantly, work-related incidents accounted for just 20 per cent of falls with the rest considered non-occupational, a number that "increased significantly over the 10-year period".
Kings Cross land owners are banding together to try and sell the city's famous stretch of nightclubs and strip clubs to property developers, according to club owner Charlie Saleh.

Mr Saleh, the long-standing owner of the Saphire Lounge, says he has spent the past two years securing agreement from land owners along Darlinghurst Road to sell en-masse to a developer.

Land owners want to sell Darlinghurst Road, Kings Cross, to a major property developer. Credit:Steven Siewert

"In total there's almost 65 owners," said Mr Saleh. "They are happy to sign an option agreement with a developer. I represent all of them."

Mr Saleh said he hoped an eventual development could become a new "gateway" to Sydney, and suggested towers reaching beyond 300 metres could be erected on the site.
To the cries of "backflip Baird" and "we back the ban", hundreds of people from around the state have gathered to protest for the ban on greyhound racing to be reinstated.

The protest comes after NSW Premier Mike Baird overturned his initial decision to ban greyhound racing earlier this month after sustained industry backlash and political pressure, admitting he got the decision wrong.

Animal lovers and members of the public protesting the Baird government's backflip on greyhound racing. Credit:James Alcock

The industry has now been given once last chance under strict new regulations, including harsh animal cruelty controls and controlled breeding.

Addressing the crowd, NSW Greens MP Mehreen Faruqi said the reasons for why greyhound racing was banned "still remain as valid as they were two months ago".
Top Australian chefs are jumping on board to support Queensland's Great Barrier Beer, which offers people the chance to drink while helping to conserve one of the natural wonders of the world.

The beer is produced by the Good Beer Co, a social enterprise launched in late 2015 after raising about $37,000 through a crowdfunding campaign.

Good Beer Co. founder James Grugeon with a bottle of Great Barrier Beer.

Great Barrier Beer is brewed by the Bargara Brewing Company in Bundaberg and donates about 50 per cent of its profits to the Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS), which funds conservation projects along the Great Barrier Reef.

The idea was inspired and supported by the UK's Two Fingers Brewery and US brewer Finnegans, which donates money for prostate cancer and to feed the homeless respectively.
The first overseas passenger flight departed from the Darling Downs on Sunday morning, carrying about 200 passengers on a mission to strengthen business relations with China.

About 11am the specially-painted Qantas A330 aircraft took off from the Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport near Toowoomba with local business people hoping to establish strong connections with China.

The first international passenger flight takes off from the Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport. Credit:Andrew Coates (Supplied)

The flight to China was part of the AccessChina'16 conference, a five-day program aimed at creating more agricultural opportunities in Asia.

Wellcamp Airport spokeswoman Karen McKinley said the direct flight to Shanghai represented incredible opportunities for the Darling Downs region.
The increasingly bizarre United States presidential election features a serial philanderer who boasts in public about his penis size and in private about getting away with sexual assaults because of his celebrity status.

This man is also a braggart, who boasts that he is too smart to pay tax, and who insults and demonises Muslims, Mexicans, women, the disabled, the media, and especially anyone who has the temerity to disagree.

Where are the Christian leaders denouncing theTrump candidacy? Credit:Evan Vucci

Astoundingly, Donald Trump remains a serious possibility to become the 45th president.

Is there any group of people one might expect to repudiate his candidacy and what he stands for?
Melbourne's costly all-night public transport network may be even less popular than previously thought, says the state opposition.

The figures, obtained by the opposition under Freedom of Information and released by the state opposition, show fewer than 15,000 people touched on over one weekend earlier this year.

Myki touch-on details for Night Network travel on April 16 and 17 reveal about 10,000 people touched on in the train network; 3000 on trams and fewer than 500 on 21 all-night bus routes.

That's less than half the average weekend patronage of 35,000 recently published in Public Transport Victoria's 2015-2016 annual report.
The removal of 229 trees, scheduled to be felled to make way for a new school in Beaumaris, has been put on hold following a large protest on Monday morning.

More than 200 placard-waving protesters gathered at the school, in Melbourne's south-east, to stop the planned removal of the trees.

The state government has committed $20 million to build a co-educational high school on the site of Sandringham College's Beaumaris campus, which closed last year.

The new school, to be called called Beaumaris Secondary College, is due to open in 2018.
Tributes are flowing for two young children killed in Yanchep on Wednesday, with friends flocking to a vigil and piling funds into an online account to support their grieving mother.

Police forced entry to the children's Flight Vista home about 10.30pm on Thursday night to find the bodies of a three-year-old boy and his five-year-old sister.

They also found their critically injured father, Jason Headland, and on Saturday charged him with murder. He remains in serious but stable condition at Royal Perth Hospital.

Police have said the children's mother Anatoria, believed to be a fly-in-fly-out worker who was in Perth but not at the property at the time, is "very distressed" and is being watched over by a specialist police family liaison officer.
Beirut: The leader of Lebanon's Hezbollah movement, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, said on Sunday the door to electing a president was "wide open" and his members of parliament would vote for ally Michel Aoun at a parliamentary session at the end of October.

Although Christian leader Mr Aoun still faces opposition from some political figures and might not secure the two-thirds majority required to win a first round of voting, sources say he probably has enough support to win by a simple majority in a second round.

Michel Aoun looks set to become the next president of Lebanon in a deal that would end a 29-month presidential vacuum. Credit:AP

Lebanon has been without a president for more than two years, part of a political crisis that has resulted in a breakdown in many basic services and concerns about the country's stability.

Lebanon's former prime minister Saad al-Hariri said on Thursday he would back Mr Aoun to be president in an arrangement which is expected to result in Mr Hariri eventually being appointed prime minister again.
NSI started with two employees when West Bend Mutual Insurance Co. created the division in Madison in 1999.

Today, NSI has 207 employees, said John Reyzer, vice president of finance, and the company should be up to 220 by the time it moves into new offices in the Sauk Trails Plaza II building, 1255 Fourier Dr., in early 2018.

NSI offers property and casualty insurance for companies that are hard to insure, Reyzer said.

That includes businesses such as child care centers, beauty salons, tanning salons, sprinkler fitters, alarm installers, childrens camps, assisted living centers and social services organizations.

We have a niche market that standard insurers dont offer, Reyzer said.

The new offices will give NSI room to grow, with about 75,000 square feet, about 15,000 square feet bigger than NSIs current location, 8401 Greenway Blvd., Middleton.

Since we entered this (location) in 2005, we have doubled our revenue and associate count. We expect, probably in the next 15 to 16 years, to almost double again, Reyzer said. NSI projects $242 million in revenue this year.

West Bend Mutual Insurance, based in West Bend, Wisconsin, started in 1894 and reported $1 billion worth of premiums in 2015.
Baghdad: Islamic State militants on Sunday seized parts of a strategic western town in Iraq in an apparent response to an ongoing government campaign to recapture their main Iraqi stronghold, the northern city of Mosul.

Islamic State captured northern districts of the town of Rutbah, and local government offices in its centre, military officials said.

The attack on Rutbah, near a strategic junction where the highway west from Baghdad forks towards the Syrian and Jordanian borders, is typical of the group's tactic of launching a major assault elsewhere when it comes under military pressure.

It came as Kurdish troops advancing towards Mosul from the east and northeast claimed further gains against the extremist Sunni organisation.
Nairobi: Twenty-six Asian sailors freed after more than four years of captivity in a small fishing village in Somalia arrived in the Kenyan capital Nairobi on Sunday, ahead of flights home, a maritime expert said.

The crew from China, the Philippines, Cambodia, Indonesia, Vietnam and Taiwan were seized when their ship, the Omani-flagged FV Naham 3 was hijacked by Somali pirates close to the Seychelles in March 2012, when pirate attacks were common in the area.

Sailors who had been held hostage by pirates for more than four years smile as they arrive at the airport in Nairobi, Kenya on Sunday. Credit:AP

The pirates handed the group to authorities in the northern Somali town of Galkayo on Saturday morning.

"It is great to be here today and to bring them home and to hand them over to their embassies and their families," said John Steed, East Africa region manager for the Oceans Beyond Piracy group.
International and local experts come together to support entrepreneurs and business leaders!

GREAT BAY:--- On November 17-19, 2016, Foundation INFOBIZZ will be hosting the Second Annual DOMINATE 360. This three (3) experience brings entrepreneurial experts from the US, the Netherlands, around the Caribbean and St. Maarten to equip entrepreneurs and business leaders with best practices and cutting-edge tools to be 21st-century entrepreneurial leaders.

Foundation INFOBIZZ is a non-profit focused on business support services for start-ups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Since its revamp in 2013, INFOBIZZ has influenced more than 1000 entrepreneurs and 750 students through networking events and community enrichment programs.

Inspired by the Global Entrepreneurship Week, DOMINATE 360 is designed to attract both start-ups and executive teams in order to support them in successfully providing more innovative, sustainable, and competitive services and products. After the launch of DOMINATE 360 in 2015 and feedback from its constituents, the team of INFOBIZZ has included topics to help SMEs and executive teams to achieve unparalleled success.

Some of these topics include, 1)How to use Intellectual Property as a tool to achieve unparalleled success, 2) Innovate: How to Use Technology to Dominate in the 21st Century, 3) Your Dream Team: Partners in Success, and 4) Branding: My Brand, Creating A Business Identity. International speakers are arriving from the US, Netherlands, and around the Caribbean to share their best practices. These include highly acclaimed regional legal expert and attorney-at-law, Kayanne Anderson from Jamaica; eWTC Entrepreneur of the Year 2016, John Sandiford of Antonio Media, who is originally from St. Maarten and living in the Netherlands; Americas #1 P3 Strategist Dr. Vernet A. Joseph, and Forbes featured #1 Leadership Life Trainer in the US, who was named Best Motivational Speaker of 2015, Dr. Will Moreland.

DOMINATE 360 has attracted such partners as the Bureau for Intellectual Property, Simpson Bay Resort & Marina, Paradise Tours, Exquisite Designs, and Caribbean Organization for Small Medium Enterprises (COSME) to name a few. These partners have signed on to work together with INFOBIZZ to fulfill its mission of developing successful entrepreneurs and business leaders.
Romano Johnson shows up for an interview like a walking work of art  wearing a crisp haircut, the sharp zigzags and sculpted lines he shaved himself, a pair of creased white trousers, and a stylish black dress shirt he painted with broad strokes of color to make it one-of-a-kind.

One of his lifes dreams, he admits during the interview, is to be a barber.

But for now, Johnson has to settle for being one of the fastest-rising talents on the Midwestern art scene. Johnson, 37, is one of 40 artists to win a spot in the 2016 Wisconsin Triennial, a prestigious showcase of works by some of the most innovative artists working in the state today.

Three of Johnsons big, bold portraits  flowing with energy and color, textured with multiple layers of paint and rivers of glitter  nearly leap off the walls in the second-floor gallery space of the Wisconsin Triennial, a major show on display through Jan. 8 at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art.

The work is unabashedly original, brimming with detail. But when the canvases come back to Johnsons studio at ArtWorking, a nonprofit program on West Broadway that provides support to artists with cognitive disabilities, Johnson will likely tinker with them some more.

Even after a prestigious show, Hell bring (a painting) back here and continue to put finishing touches on it, said ArtWorking director Lance Owens.

The tinkering can happen over a period of years. Sometimes he just obliterates things and then starts them over.

Johnsons career, too, is growing more detailed and dazzling by the day. His inclusion in the Triennial is an honor: More than 600 artists applied to be in the show.

I just come up with my own ideas how it should look, Johnson said about his paintings, especially his recent portraits of angels, whose eyes look deep into the viewer.

God  hes the one that gave me this gift and I thank him for that, Johnson said. Its a blessing for God to see me drawing, something I love doing. I like to put more details in the drawings, more ideas.

Johnsons work appeared earlier this year at the nationally known John Michael Kohler Arts Center in Sheboygan; next year hell have a solo show at the Museum of Wisconsin Art in West Bend. Paintings, drawings and even printed greeting cards featuring his art will be on sale along with works by other artists with disabilities at ArtWorkings Holiday Pop-Up Shop at Hilldale Shopping Center Nov. 4-6.

Johnson plows the profits from sales of his art back into art supplies so he can create more. His larger paintings have fetched up to $2,300.

Hes gaining some serious traction around the state, MMOCA director Stephen Fleischman said, and soon, maybe beyond that.

A spiritual man

Johnson came to Madison at age 13. When his mother moved him and his siblings from Chicago in an effort to keep them safe, they first lived in a shelter, he said.

In his youth he loved to draw model cars. An art teacher in high school encouraged Johnsons talent, and even today he wears his East High class ring on his left hand.

Johnson  who pronounces his first name roe-MAY-no (and also goes by simply MAY-no)  exhibited art with VSA Wisconsin, the state organization on arts and disability. Ten years ago, he got a new system-wide case manager, Toni Gadke of Avenues to Community.

In 2006, he didnt have a job, he was supported by a different vocational agency, and his art was just something he did as a hobby, said Gadke, whose agency contracts with Dane County to manage services for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

So we got him connected with ArtWorking because art was his passion, it was his goal, Gadke said.

He wanted that to be his job. I think we all dreamed small, but he always had a bigger vision for himself. We just gave him the space to achieve what his vision was for his future.

Today, Johnson is pretty independent, and lives in a house on Madisons East Side with a roommate who has become a good friend, said Abram Herrero, Johnsons community support worker.

Herrero helps Johnson with day-to-day life, such as setting up transportation and appointments, and also volunteers at ArtWorking.

A week before the Triennial opening, Johnson gave Herrero a Mano haircut. And it was pretty wild, Herrero said. I surprised my wife with that one.

He calls Johnson a very spiritual, kind man.

I work a lot, and starting out my day with Mano is just something great  just talking about life, and appreciating things, and being aware and thankful for what we have, he said. Who doesnt like someone starting out the day singing a song that hes making up on the fly  about you?

And hes always praying, Herrero said. Hes praying for my car, praying for my cat, praying for my family. Sometimes I call to check up on him, and sometimes he calls me to check up on me  Hows your family doing? Hows your wife, hows your cat?

Johnson is one of the kindest and gentlest souls Ive ever known, Gadke agreed. He cares so much about people, and the people around him. Hes excited to share his successes and tell us about them, but hes just as excited to know about our lives.

National exposure

As a painter, Johnsons subjects vary from flashy motorcycles and pop stars like Michael Jackson, Tina Turner and Prince, to global figures such as Barack Obama and Martin Luther King. One of his latest paintings is the elaborate Jesus Cross Blue Angel, a portrait of Jesus filled with symbols of sacrifice, redemption and love.

Paint wraps around the sides of his unframed canvases. Johnson does not sign his paintings on the front, as most artists do, but spells out Romano in large letters in marker on the back. Next to his name he pens a title, such as Red Cloud Spaceship Blue Water or Summer Love Red Heart.

Johnsons work follows the tradition of expressionism, the idea of expressing the world from within, said MMOCAs Fleischman.

The way he embraces his subject reflects on his outlook on life, who his heroes are, and what motivates him  and I think the way he captures their portraits in bold forms, in bright expressive color, and in glitter to boot  really speaks toward that sense of self-expression, he said.

Johnson is now represented by the Portrait Society Gallery of Milwaukee, run by Debra Brehmer. Brehmer has featured Johnsons work in a solo show and several group shows, and this winter will take his paintings to New York for the Outsider Art Fair  a prestigious marketplace for art by self-taught artists.

Im so excited to introduce Romanos work to the national market, and give him that kind of exposure, Brehmer said.

When I first started showing his work, I was kind of amazed at how some of the most well-known contemporary artists in Milwaukee were really wowed by it. Painters respond to his work, painter to painter, she said.

Hes very inventive with the way he juggles those compositions, the way he handles that background information in his paintings. Often the paintings are dominated by one figure, but theres all this stuff going on in the background.

Its this beautifully rhythmic kind of pattern, she said. He is into music, and listens to music when hes at the studio, and I often wonder if that just seeps into his paintings.

Brehmer recalls the day when two of Milwaukees most important contemporary art collectors happened to stop in her gallery, and walked out with two of Johnsons top-priced paintings.

They had never heard of him. They had never seen his work, she said. They just had walked into the gallery and said, Oh! This guy is really good.
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EDGERTON  This weekends Harry Potter Festival in Edgerton was a reminder that fan is short for fanatic.

The city of around 5,500 people has hosted tens of thousands of Harry Potter fans since the three-day festival began on Friday, organizers said, although an exact number hadnt been tallied.

People from around the Midwest came to the citys second festival themed after the hugely popular book series by J.K. Rowling that was also turned into a film series.

Many festivalgoers sported colors of their Hogwarts house  one of four living and learning communities within the Hogwarts school where students are placed based on personality traits. Do-it-yourself costumes were worn alongside commercially licensed wizard robes and neckties.

The most popular colors were red and gold for Gryffindor, the house in which the series titular character resides during his years at the school.

Some Edgerton residents and business owners didnt fully understand the popularity of the series, although they supported the idea of children reading books.

Russ Veitch, owner of Edgerton Books and Art, decorated his shop for the event though he isnt a big Harry Potter fan. He was most surprised by the people he met who said they drove three or more hours to Edgerton for the weekend.

The draw has been very diverse, Veitch said. There are more crazy people than I thought.

Kristie Lesmeister of Chicago chimed in, We know were crazy.

Lesmeister has a relative with a cabin near Edgerton, so she gathered some friends who are also Potter fans to stay for the weekend.

Lesmeister said she was happy to drive from Chicago for the festival. She said people who dont understand the fanaticism most likely dont know a lot about the series.

People really love the sense of magic and the fantasy of it. Thats what brings people together, Lesmeister said.

Not all Edgerton locals were surprised by the people who came from hundreds of miles away dressed as book characters.

Im a Potter person, said Bonnie Jorstad, secretary of the local Lions Club. Were a little different kind of bird.

Jorstad said she would have been out roaming the festival if she werent serving food for the Lions Club.

Some event organizers also dressed up for the occasion.

Ted Casper, a retiree, was asked to dress as Hogwarts Headmaster Albus Dumbledore for last years festival. He hadnt read the books, so he picked up the first one to learn about the series. He said he read all seven in two weeks.

Casper reprised his role as Dumbledore this year.

I look forward to doing this as long as they let me, Casper said as festivalgoers kept coming up to take photos with him. (Taking photos) is the best part.

The Harry Potter Festival became special for a Davenport, Iowa, couple for another reason. Maisa Skaff and Marshall Popp got engaged there on Saturday.

Shes just such a huge, die-hard fan, Popp said. I love Harry Potter because she loves Harry Potter. I couldnt think of a better way to propose.

At a photo station with a photographer, Skaff was ready to pose when Popp got down on one knee.

Skaff said that easily became her favorite part of the weekend and there will definitely be Harry Potter themes at her wedding.
A robotic Orbital ATK Cygnus cargo ship arrives at the International Space Station on Oct. 23, 2016 to deliver 5,100 lbs. of supplies and science gear to the outpost's six-person crew.

A Cygnus cargo spacecraft arrived at the International Space Station on Sunday (Oct. 23), delivering science experiments and supplies for the station's six-person crew.

The Cygnus spacecraft was captured by the station's robotic arm at 7:28 a.m. EDT (1128 GMT) in order to be attached to an open berthing port later this morning The cargo ship is delivering more than 5,100 lbs. (2,300 kilograms) of supplies and science gear to the station. The ship is named the S.S. Alan Poindexter in honor other of the late NASA astronaut Alan Poindexter, who died in 2012.

Built by the aerospace company Orbital ATK, Cygnus spacecraft are not designed to independently dock with the station. Instead, astronauts and ground crew must use the station's robotic arm to grab the spacecraft and berth it with the station. Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi used the 57.7-foot-long (17.6 meters) Canadarm2 to grab Cyngus on Sunday morning, with American astronaut Kate Rubins backing him up. Later today, flight controllers at NASA's Mission Control center in Houston will remotely control the arm to install Cygnus on the Unity module, where it will remain for about one month. [Photos: Cygnus Launches Into Orbit on Antares Rocket]

See more

The Cygnus cargo ship launched from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia on Monday (Oct. 17). A second spacecraft, a Russian Soyuz, launched toward at the space station early Wednesday (Oct. 20) from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan. It arrived at the space station on Friday (Oct. 21).

Cygnus was launched atop an Antares rocket, also built by Orbital ATK. This was the first Antares launch in nearly two years; in 2014, an Antares rocket (which was also carrying a Cygnus craft to the station) exploded seconds after liftoff. Sunday's launch was not only a return to flight for Antares, but also the first flight of the upgraded Antares 230, which has two new engines in its first stage.

The Cygnus launch was pushed back repeatedly, and even though the spacecraft left Earth ahead of the crewed Soyuz vehicle, "mission managers decided to let the Cygnus take its time on orbit and let the new crewmembers arrive first," NASA officials said in a statement.

Follow Calla Cofield @callacofield. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com.
El Aaiun (Occupied Territories), October 23, 2016 (SPS)  The Committee of Gdeim Izik Prisoners Families condemned Saturday the expulsion of French activist Claude Mangin by Moroccan authorities, in a statement.

The Committee expressed its full support to the wife of Sahrawi political prisoner Naama Asfari, human rights activist Claude Mangin.

The statement stressed that her expulsion comes at a time the political prisoners of Gdeim Izik experience hard conditions isolated from the outside world, under strict procedures and racist practices by the prison administration.

The statement denounced all repressive and racist practices against the prisoners of Gdeim Izik and their families along the past years, especially following their transfer to Alargat prison in the outskirts of the Moroccan city of Sale. (SPS)

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Shaheed El Hafed, October 23, 2016 (SPS)  UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Herve Ladsous arrived Sunday in Sahrawi refugee camps in the framework of a working visit that led him to the parties to the conflict, the Polisario Front and Morocco.

The UN official who was received by Saharawi coordinator with MINURSO, M'hamed Khadad, held meetings with the Minister of National Defence, Abdelah Lahbib and Secretary of State for Documentation and Security, Ibrahim Ahmed Mahmoud.

In a statement to the media, Mr. M'hamed Khadad stressed that the meeting was an opportunity to notify the UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations on the position of the Polisario Front about Moroccan violation of the cease-fire (military agreement No. 1) in the region of Alguerguerat and escalation, reminding his guest of the main task of MINURSO, which is organizing a referendum in the region and the ceasefire agreement was only the first stage in order to carry out the process.

Mr. M'hamed Khadad indicated that the Polisario has accepted the engagement with the United Nations on the basis of a referendum, and when it make certain of the UN organization's failure to organize this referendum, it is willing to take any decision that would ensure the option of self-determination and independence. (SPS)

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In 1986, the first dog ever to be used by the Los Angeles Police Department for narcotics detection died of liver cancer at the age of 10. His name was Frog. During his eight years on the force he was credited with finding drug shipments worth more than $160 million.

I mention Frogs service because he was a pit bull  a dog that Montreal recently decided is such a threat to human safety that it doesnt belong within city limits. Under Montreals new ban, no resident can acquire or adopt a pit-bull-type dog. Those who currently own pets bearing this vague label will be subject to a number of complex licensing protocols. New residents to the area risk having their companions seized and put down. Unclaimed pit bulls in the citys animal shelters will be slated for euthanasia.

The ban, in a word, is stupid: Far from protecting the public, breed-based laws actually imperil it. They divert resources away from the individual animals causing real problems, focusing attention instead on dogs who look a certain way yet havent harmed anyone. The American Veterinary Medical Association, the National Animal Control Association, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Bar Association and even the White House have denounced this approach.

But Montreal is not alone in its folly. In the last three decades, several hundred U.S. cities and towns have passed breed-based laws like Montreals. (Madison dropped a proposal two years ago that would have required pit bulls older than 5 months to be spayed or neutered).

Laws of this type can be traced back to at least the late 19th century, when fluffy white spitz dogs were persecuted on the mistaken belief that they were uniquely susceptible to rabies. Soon after, Massachusetts banned bloodhounds and Great Danes on account of their supposed viciousness. And in the 1920s, a New York magistrate urged that German shepherds be regulated because they were bred from wolves. Each of these outcries reflected the media-driven hysterias of the age. Todays breed bans are no different. Only the targeted dogs have changed.

Frenzied media coverage follows dog-bite fatalities  at least if a pit bull is to blame. (In Montreals case, the dog that killed 55-year-old Christiane Vadnais in early June, triggering the latest panic, was registered as a boxer.) For whatever reason, incidents involving dogs from other breed groups dont inspire quite the same level of public outrage. Just a few days before Vadnais attack, for example, a 4-year-old girl was killed by a husky mix in the rural Canadian territory of Nunavut. No one in Canada clamored for a ban.

In fact, of the roughly 60 dog-bite deaths reported in Canada since 1964, pit bulls have been involved in only two, while sled dogs and huskies have been responsible for more than 25.

The most obvious problem with breed-specific legislation is that it is in no way specific. Like hound, the term pit bull denotes several breeds, not just one. Montreals new bylaw prohibits ownership of pedigreed American pit bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers and Staffordshire bull terriers. It also bans any mixed-breed dog thought to be related to one of those breeds and any dog that presents a physical characteristic of one of those breeds. It is unclear which canine characteristics will be most salient (having four legs and a tail happens to be a pit bull characteristic) and who, if anyone, is qualified to make that call.

The second issue is that these laws are notoriously ineffective. Denver banned pit bulls in 1989, yet according to data collected by the Coalition for Living Safely With Dogs, the rate of dog-bite-injury hospitalizations in Denver is now significantly higher than that of the surrounding areas, where no bans are in place. The United Kingdom banned pit bulls in 1991, yet serious dog-bite injuries there have also risen. Ontario banned pit bulls in 2005, but in Toronto, dog bites are up, not down.

Cynical politicians tend to frame the need for breed bans in zero-sum terms: Either you care about public safety, or you care about animal welfare. What gets lost in the divisive rhetoric is that theres a superior alternative: Ordinances that hold every dog owner to the same high standards of civic responsibility serve both interests equally.

In 1991, Multnomah County, Oregon, established a community-based animal control program aimed at reducing dog bites without targeting specific breeds. By imposing strict regulations on nuisance dogs before serious injuries occurred, the county decreased recidivism by 60 percent. The Canadian province of Calgary has also enjoyed great success with a similar program geared toward responsible pet ownership. A 2013 survey of 36 Canadian municipalities found that increased enforcement of breed-neutral regulations (such as leash- and containment laws) led to the most noticeable drop in dog-bite injuries.

In recognition of such facts, a Quebec Superior Court judge has put Montreals ban on hold  for now.

One can only hope that science, rather than fear, will determine what happens next. The lives of domestic dogs are shaped by the choices humans make for them. Its up to us to keep each other safe.
T he UK International Jewish Film Festival is coming to London on November 5, bringing a huge variety of films to the capital  from Hummus! The Movie, to A Queer Country, and The Diary of Anne Frank.

This year is the festivals 20th anniversary and will feature more than 80 films and documentaries, including 2016s The Diary of Anne Frank, from 18 countries at 13 different venues across the capital.

Hummus! The Movie promises to be an eclectic, appetising and touching documentary about foods power to unite us  and stars Aluf Abir who raps about it in Hebrew.

Besides raps about hummus, there is also Disturbing the Peace, focusing on Isreali-Palestinian collaboration in efforts to fight for peace and co-existence by the non-violent group Combatants for Peace.

Hummus! The Movie trailer

The documentary, also new this year and screening at the Odeon in Swiss Cottage on November 15, aims to show there is another, hopeful, way to end the conflict, and is the winner of Best Humanitarian Award.

Disturbing the Peace documentary trailer

Whos Gonna Love Me Now?, which won Best Documentary at the Berlin International Film Festival, follows a gay Isreali man on his journey to London as he tries to deal with a HIV positive diagnosis and finds hope in joining the Londons Gay Mens Chorus.

Who's Gonna Love Me Now? documentary trailer

Other highlights include a screening of London-based drama The Book of Gabrielle followed by a Q&A with the director Lisa Gornick, and the London premiere of Vincent Perezs Alone in Berlin starring Emma Thompson.

Festival organiser Michael Etherton told the Standard he expects the event to be a fantastic feast of outstanding British and international films that celebrate and reflect contemporary Jewish life.

He said: Our 20th anniversary festival is our largest ever and a key focus this year is on nurturing and supporting the next generation of cinema talent.

For the first year, we will also be presenting a Best Feature Film award with a starry jury, headed up by film broadcaster Jason Solomons.

The festival provides an opportunity to celebrate and explore Jewish life and culture through film, and to share and experience that with audiences right across London.

We are very much looking forward to welcoming Londoners to the 20th UKIJFF.

The UK International Jewish Film Festival runs from November 5 to 20 at various locations across London.
A three-day armed police stand-off with a man barricaded inside his home has ended after police stormed the building, the Met announced this evening.

Up to 80 people had not allowed back into their homes after Wood End Lane in Northolt was put on lockdown by armed police.

The man, who had locked himself inside the address since around 1am on Friday, was thought to be in possession of dangerous items including petrol and combustibles.

Police said this evening the man had been detained and the siege had ended safely.

He was arrested on suspicion of arrested on suspicion of cultivation of cannabis, affray and offences under the explosives act, the Met said.

Threat: The man is said to be surrounded by 'hazardous items' / PA

A spokesman for the Met said armed police, supported by the London Fire Brigade, had forced their way inside and apprehended the man shortly after 8pm.

Officers searched the building to make sure it was safe before residents were able to return to their homes.

Siege: Armed police had spent three days outside a home in Northolt where a man was reportedly surrounded by "hazardous" items / PA

Neighbour Aadesh Rathore watched as up to 12 police officers forced their way into the home.

He told the Standard: "There were at least between six to 12 officers that made their way in, and fire engines and ambulances turned up and were on standby.

"Once they were ready, police forced entry into the address.

He said: "There was quite a bit of noise.

"They used a bar to force entry through his door, he was then surrounded by officers and searched whilst shouting a little bit.

"He seemed very confused and in a very bad mental state. He was led to a police van and taken away quietly."

Mr Rathhore said the man's four Rottweiler dogs had also been taken by officers.

Chief Superintendent Paul Martin, in charge of policing in Ealing, said: I am really pleased that this incident has now ended, and importantly ended without anyone coming to harm.

Police still locked in Northolt stand-off amid fears of dangerous items

"Our key priority throughout this was to get the man out of the address safely as we had growing concerns about his well-being and believed him to be in crisis.

After attempts to negotiate over a number of days did not work we used specialist officers to work out how we could gain entry to the address as safely as we could. They did that this evening.

He went on: I would like to thank all the local residents, especially those who were hugely disrupted by not being able to return to their homes, for their patience and cooperation.

"We are continuing to search the property in North End Lane, which we are doing as quickly as can to make sure people get home.

Julian Bell, leader of Ealing Council, said he was "pleased and relieved" the incident had been brought to a "peaceful and safe conclusion".

He said: "I would like to thank Northolt residents for their patience throughout this difficult time.

"I hope the area can be returned to normal as quickly as possible so that people can return home and get back to their usual routines.

"I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all those officers, from all the emergency services and the council, who have worked around the clock throughout the weekend dealing with this incident."
A London Airbnb host returned from a holiday abroad to find guests had raided her flat and stolen 5,000 worth of electronics.

Tour guide Camelia said she cried non-stop when she returned to her two-bedroom flat in Islington to find the thieves had made off with items including her Apple TV, Macbook Pro, iPhones, iPad, laptop and even her perfume.

French-born Camelia, who did not want to give her second name, said: We came in the flat and for the first couple of minutes we thought everything was fine.

But we saw all our hard drives on the living room table and it was like, why are they here?

They were piled on the table. My partner was like, this is weird, these are in the cupboard. He had a look in the cupboard and started shouting, 'oh my god.'

Raided: The flat is on Upper Street in Islington.

Over the next 24 hours, the 29-year-old said she and her partner kept discovering more items had been taken from the Upper Street flat, near Islington Town Hall.

Among the missing possessions were hair straighteners, a hard driver, webcam, keyboard and computer monitor, a Nike sport bag and prescription sunglasses.

It was only the next day I wanted to put something on the speaker and we realised the speaker was missing, she told the Standard.

At that moment I was shocked. I cried for like two hours. My neighbours were there and telling me to breathe. I was crying non-stop that day, I was so upset.

The pair returned from their holiday on September 8 which is when they discovered the items stolen.

'Perfect': Reviews on the Airbnb listing praised host Camelia's flat.

Camelia had agreed to rent the flat  which costs 129 a night  to three people from September 5 to September 8 and the guests had given ID before booking.

She said after realising more things were missing, she realised the guests had rooted through all her personal property.

We have never had any bad experiences, she said.

I had hosted so many times. I had really great reviews, I really liked doing it. I liked the way of offering people a place to stay.

Since the incident was reported, Airbnb said they have removed the guest from their system.

But Camelia, who has lived in the UK for six years, said she was disappointed in Airbnb for the way they dealt with what happened and was ignored for more than two weeks.

It was only when she tweeted the company that they responded, she said.

She claimed they then responded with a "ridiculous" offer of money under the guarantee.

Some of the stuff we had bought a while ago but the total was 5,000, she said.

They finally got back to me but only offered 770. Even changing the locks cost us 200, plus all the stolen stuff.

They said when you signed the terms and conditions you agreed to be the sole decision maker for any dispute and so they are not providing details.

They are saying take it or leave it. The way they interact with the host once theres an issue, theres no support.

Airbnb have apologised to the host and admitted their initial response did not meet the high standards they set themselves.

An Airbnb spokeswoman said: We have zero tolerance for issues like these and have removed this guest from our platform.

We are providing the host with our support and are assisting the police with their investigations.

Over 100 million guests have stayed on Airbnb and problems for hosts and guests are incredibly rare."

A spokesman for the Met Police confirmed they were investigating the theft but said no arrests had been made so far.
T ube passengers were cleared from Moorgate station after the station was evacuated following a security alert.

Travellers told on social media how police had flooded the Northern line stop shortly after 2pm following the reported discovery of a suspicious package.

Pictures taken from the scene show at least six police vehicles raced to the station at the height of the scare.

Louis Goddard tweeted: Moorgate tube station evacuated. "Due to a reported emergency will all passengers leave the station immediately."

Emergency response: At least six police vehicles were spotted at Moorgate station (Adam Connon @TempleBarLDN ) / Adam Connon @TempleBarLDN

While another man added: Moorgate station evacuated, suspicious package on our Northern Line train.

Transport for London said the service has been suspended northbound between Kennington and Camden Town.

The line was reopened just after 3pm.

Witnesses suggested an unattended rucksack was at the centre of the security scare but this has not been confirmed.

The British Transport Police tweeted: "Item found at #Moorgate station has been looked at by officers and is not suspicious. Thank you to everyone for their patience."
A stand-off involving armed police and a man who has been barricaded inside a home surrounded by hazardous items today entered its third day.

Armed officers and negotiators have spent a second night at an address in Wood End Lane, Northolt and remain at the scene.

Around 80 people have been moved out of their homes because of the siege as a 200-metre exclusion zone was placed around the area.

Scotland Yard said today no developments had occurred overnight.

Siege: Armed police have spent more than 48 hours outside a home in Northolt where a man is surrounded by "hazardous" items / PA

Police were called to the address at around 1am on Friday after reports the man had locked himself inside and was surrounded by items considered dangerous.

Officers say they have not forced their way into the property due to concerns for the man's safety.

The Met said there was no indication the incident was terror-related and it was not linked to any other ongoing investigation.

A spokesman said: "The priority of the Metropolitan Police Service is to bring this incident to a safe conclusion."

Negotiation: Police are trying to talk to the man / EPA

Residents told how police had had taken over the car park of a nearby leisure centre as a sea of emergency vehicles flooded the area.

Dr Rekha Elaswarapu told the Standard: I was driving to the leisure centre at around 7.45am and I just saw police vans everywhere.

When I eventually got there, five vans were parked at the leisure centre. We dont know what is happening.

I have never seen anything like this on such a mass scale in Northolt."

Threat: The man is said to be surrounded by 'hazardous items' / PA

Ealing Council leader Julian Bell said the authority was prepared to help police while the siege continues to unfold.

He said: We are working closely with our colleagues in the police as they continue to deal with the ongoing incident in Northolt.

I've been kept appraised by the police throughout the incident and we have offered help to those residents who have had to leave their homes.

The safety of our residents is our top priority and council officers will continue to be on hand to give any necessary assistance until the incident has been resolved."

According to neighbours, the man at the centre of the stand-off in his 40s and has "aggressive, dangerous dogs", the BBC reported.

The presence of the dogs is believed to be one reason police are taking a cautious approach to the operation.
D onald Trump has vowed to sue the women who have accused him of sexual assault when the presidential election ends.

The Republican nominee made the claim during an outburst at his White House rival Hillary Clintons campaign and Democrats he alleged orchestrated a smear.

He said: Every one of these liars will be sued once the election is over. I look so forward to doing that.

Every woman lied when they came forward to hurt my campaign.

Mr Trump made the remarks during a speech in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania in which he outlined his agenda for his first 100 days in office should he defeat Mrs Clinton on November 8.

Eleven women have publicly accused the businessman of inappropriate sexual behaviour since lewd comments he made about women in 2005 resurfaced.

How does the US election work?

Mr Trump has denied all the allegations, insisting some of the women were not attractive enough for him to want to pursue.

He also reiterated claims the election is "rigged against him which prompted a response from President Barack Obama for him to stop whining.

Mrs Clinton, meanwhile, has made direct appeals to voters considering switching their allegiance from Mr Trump following the sexual assault allegations.

"I know you may still have questions for me. I respect that. I want to answer them. I want to earn your vote, she told an audience in Ohio.

Her campaign headquarters in New York was back up and running after an envelope containing a white powdery substance arrived on Friday, triggering an evacuation of the 11th floor.

Police said initial tests showed the substance was not harmful and Clinton spokesman Glen Caplin said four people who received a full medical examination reported no health issues and were released.
T he family of a Hampstead mum detained in Iran will tomorrow call on Boris Johnson to intervene in her jail sentence and secure her release.

Richard Ratcliffe, the husband of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, will be delivering a petition to Downing Street urging the Foreign Secretary to prioritise freeing her.

Charity worker Mrs Ratcliffe was sentenced to five years in prison last month following a conviction on unspecified "national security-related" offences.

The 37-year-old, who has lived in the UK for five years, was arrested in April by Irans Revolutionary Guard at Tehran airport.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe with her daughter Gabriella. / AFP/Getty Images

She had been visiting her parents with her then 22-month-old daughter Gabriella and when she went to check in at the airport, she was taken away for questioning.

Both their passports were seized. Gabriella, who is a British citizen, is now living with her grandparents, unable to leave Iran.

Happier times: Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Richard Ratcliffe on their wedding day in 2009 / Azadeh Fatehrad

Mr Ratcliff will be will take a 72,000-signature Amnesty petition to the Foreign Office on Monday on behalf of Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe's as well fellow UK-Iranian dual-national Kamal Foroughi.

He will be joined by Mr Foroughis son Kamran Foroughi.

Separated: She has been jailed for five years / Azadeh Feaehrad

Mr Foroughi, a 77-year-old oil and gas company consultant, is serving his sixth year of an eight-year jail sentence after being convicted of espionage and possessing alcohol.

He was originally detained in May 2011 and under Iranian law has long been eligible for conditional release after serving more than a third of his sentence.

Behind bars: Kamal Foroughi with his granddaughter before being jailed in Iran

Mr Foroughi will have spent exactly 2,000 days behind bars on Monday, and his son and supporters will also be handing in a Change.org petition to Downing Street calling on Theresa May to act on the case.

Amnesty International UK's Individuals At Risk campaign manager Kathy Voss said: "There's been a lot of talk recently about 'thawing relations' between the UK and Iran, but these two cases lend the lie to that.

"It looks very much like Nazanin and Kamal are being treated like pawns by the Iranian authorities and we'd like to see the UK seriously raising its game over securing proper justice for these British nationals.

"Boris Johnson needs to make sure these two cases are right near the top of his in-tray. We can't let this drop."
A huge-scale manhunt is underway in Haiti after 174 inmates escaped from a jail in Haiti following a riot in which a guard was killed.

The prison break took place in Arcahaie, a coastal town about 30 miles north of Haiti's capital Port-au-Prince, on Saturday when guards were overpowered.

One worker was killed and others were injured when the mostly barefoot prisoners stormed from the jail.

The escapees stole a cache of weapons with some exchanging gun battles with police during the chaotic breakout.

Breakout: A prison cell is empty after inmates escaped from the Civil Prison in the coastal town of Arcahaiea / AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery

Authorities say the riot broke out after inmates were released from a crammed holding pen to bathe.

Prisons in the Caribbean nation are notoriously overcrowded with many inmates spending years in pre-trial detention.

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It wasnt immediately clear how many escaped prisoners were convicted of serious crimes and how many were awaiting trial.

Residents were asked to follow authorities' instructions as a manhunt intensified on Saturday night.

The US embassy has advised all American citizens to avoid the area due to the escape.

Additional reporting by Associated Press
T he first wave of unaccompanied children without British ties has arrived in London from the Jungle migrant camp in Calais.

A total of 70 children have been brought to London under the Dubs amendment which means the UK has to accept the "most vulnerable" unaccompanied child refugees who do not necessarily have UK connections.

Their move to Britain comes as demolition teams prepare to move in and destroy the Jungle camp.

The Home Office erected privacy screens around the building in Croydon to keep the children hidden from view following suggestions that previous arrivals appeared to look much older than teenagers.

Sage haven: two young refugees in Croydon this week from the Jungle camp / PA

On the latest arrivals, Bishop Jonathan Clark, spokesman for Citizens UK, said: "It's great to see government acting on what Citizens UK have been calling for and transferring these children to Britain.

Refugees queue for buses out of Calais camp

"Not just children seeking to reunite with their families, but also the most vulnerable who are at last being transferred to Britain under the provisions of the Dubs amendment, including many young girls, who have arrived today.

"Of course this is just a very small proportion of the unaccompanied children out there and less than 1% of the total number of people in the Calais camp now, the vast majority of whom will be claiming asylum in France as they should."

Carey Mulligan: The Syrian conflict is at crisis point

The latest arrivals came as demolition teams prepare to move into "the Jungle" on Monday to clear the estimated 6,500 inhabitants who will be relocated to reception centres across France.

Jungle camp: Demolition of the camp will begin on Monday

Dover Conservative MP Charlie Elphicke said the camp must never be allowed to re-emerge.

He said: "The Jungle must be fully dismantled - never to return. This time they need to see it through. We must end the Calais migrant magnet."

Care4Calais founder Clare Moseley fears unofficial migrant camps will grow once the "Jungle" is cleared, leaving people without basic sanitary conditions as well as access to interpreters and legal advice.

Unicef UK's deputy executive director Lily Caprani said: "Once the demolition starts there are no second chances.

"If it results in a single child going missing, or forces them into the hands of smugglers and traffickers, then we will have failed them."
I TV debuted a very different take on the period drama last week with the arrival of Tutankhamun.

The historical adventure series charts how down-on-his-luck archaeologist Howard Carters made one of the most important discoveries of all time.

In the second instalment, Carter (played by Max Irons, son of Jeremy Irons) continues his search for the lost tomb, funded by eccentric aristocrat Lord Carnarvon (Sam Neill).

But with Carnarvon losing money at a rapid rate, Carters efforts face being cut short.

Tutankhamun, ITV: in pictures 1 /9 Tutankhamun, ITV: in pictures Tutankhamun ITV's new drama charts the story behind the discovery of the Egyptian pharaoh's tomb ITV Max Irons as Howard Carter ITV Sam Neill as Lord Carnarvon ITV Amy Wren as Lady Evelyn Carnarvon ITV Catherine Steadman as Maggie Lewis ITV Anthony Higgins as Theodore Davis ITV Jonathan Aris as Winlock ITV

Meanwhile, Carter faces romantic complications as a love triangle develops. Maggie Lewis of the New York Met Museum dig team returns to Egypt  but its Carnarvons daughter Evelyn who prove an even bigger distraction.

Howard and Evelyns bond could make or break the dig  and with their affair being kept a secret from her father, the truth could shatter the foundations of Carters search for Tutankhamun.

Viewers who have already found themselves hooked on this period adventure will be itching for the next episode in the closing minutes of this weeks instalment  when Carter and Carnarvon stumble upon a very important discovery.

ITV, 9pm
After Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia died this year, President Barack Obama went about nominating a successor, as required by the Constitution.

But Senate Republicans resisted, insisting the vacancy should be filled by the president chosen by voters in November. They invoked (or fabricated) a rule that a presidents right to have his Supreme Court nominees considered by the Senate lapses in an election year.

Now that Hillary Clinton seems likely to win the election, however, some Republicans are changing their tune. Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, last week promised that we will be united against any Supreme Court nominee that Hillary Clinton, if she were president, would put up. Huh?

It was a reminder of just how unprincipled Republicans have been in refusing to bring the court up to strength. This fight has been all about partisan advantage, and if that means the court must leave some important issues unresolved because of a 4-4 deadlock, so be it.

McCains outrageous threat also highlighted a longer-term problem: the bipartisan repudiation of the idea that the Senate should defer to a presidents choice of a Supreme Court justice so long as the nominee is well qualified, untarnished by accusations of personal wrongdoing and within the mainstream of legal thought.

In 2005, 22 Democratic senators voted against the confirmation of Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., regarded as a moderate conservative and rated well qualified by the American Bar Association. Among those voting no was Barack Obama, then a senator from Illinois. (Ironically, Roberts would go on to cast crucial votes to reject challenges to Obamas signature domestic proposal, the Affordable Care Act.) Almost five years later, 36 Republican senators, including McCain, voted against Obamas nomination of Elena Kagan, a moderately liberal jurist also rated well qualified by the ABA.

And now McCain threatens to oppose any Hillary Clinton nominee  though his spokeswoman later said that he would thoroughly examine the record of any Supreme Court nominee put before the Senate and vote for or against that individual based on their qualifications.

The Constitution does provide for a role for the Senate in the appointment of judges and justices. But senators abuse that authority when they reflexively reject or block a nominee from a president of the opposite party. Merrick Garland, an experienced federal appeals court judge who was nominated by Obama in March to replace Scalia, still hasnt been afforded even a hearing.

If Clinton wins and the voters also install a Democratic majority in the Senate, Republicans who decide to stonewall her Supreme Court nominations may find that their ultimate check on the president  the filibuster  will be taken away from them. Democrats went part of the way there in 2013, barring filibusters on other presidential nominations after Republicans blocked Obamas appointments to an important federal appeals court.

The Republicans obstructionism is wrong. It also could backfire by giving the next president an even freer hand in shaping the Supreme Court. Some might call that poetic justice.
I have learned the hard way not to put my personal life on the Internet. But suffice it to say that, God willing, things should be pretty much back to norm...

2 weeks ago
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President Obama should have named his health care law the Shock and Awe Care Act, because thats the annual reaction of hardworking American families as they face another year of steep cost increases.
Liberal leader Radu Campeanu was interred on Sunday, with military honours, at the Bellu Cemetery.

The funeral service started at 12.00 and was held in the Grand Chapel of the Bellu Cemetery, in the presence of family and friend, but also political figures that have met Radu Campeanu and who wished to bid farewell to him - Senate Speaker Calin Popescu-Tariceanu, National Liberal Party (PNL) chair Alina Gorghiu, Liberals Florin Alexe, Mihai Voicu, Gigel Stirbu, Teodor Atanasiu, Dan Motreanu, Ludovic Orban, Cristian Busoi, as well as Norica Nicolai and historian Dinu Zamfirescu.

At the end of the religious service, Speaker Calin Popescu-Tariceanu, PNL chair Alina Gorghiu and historian Dinu Zamfirescu delivered eulogies.

The event was not lacking in incidents, as one young serviceman fell ill in the chapel and was removed by his colleagues.

***

Liberal Radu Anton Campeanu was born on February 28, 1922, in Bucharest.

He graduated the Law School and Economic Sciences in Bucharest (1945). Radu Campeanu was the chairman of the National Liberal University Youth and the leader of the students' committee on the organisaiton of the last great anti-communist protest of November 8, 1945 - initiated and headed by students. In the period 1947-1956 he was a political prisoner.

After the release from prison, he worked in constructions in Bucharest. Through his family from France and Switzerland demarches', he left for Paris in exile, where he obtained political asylum on July 30,1973. There he worked with two big construction companies.

Back in Romania, on January 5, 1990, he re-established the National Liberal Party (PNL), and the next day he was elected secretary general of this political formation.

In the period March 31, 1990 - February 28, 1993, he was PNL chairman, and between Feb 9 - May 11, 1990, deputy chairman of the Provisional Council of National Union (CPUN).

He ran for Romania's president on PNL rolls in the elections of May 20, 1990, obtaining 10.64 percent of the valid votes. In the parliamentary elections of May 20, 1990, he was elected Senator of Bucharest (until October 14, 1992) and between June 9, 1990 and October 14, 1992 he was Senate Deputy Speaker.

On November 3, 1996, he ran again for Romania's president, on the rolls of the Liberal Ecologist National Alliance, obtaining 0.5 percent of the valid votes.

He was Senator of Bucharest of the National Liberal Party - Democratic Party Alliance, elected on November 28, 2004, until December 12, 2008.

Radu Campeanu was bestowed the 'Faithful Service' National Order, in rank of Knight, offered by Romania's Presidency (December 5, 2002).

In 2008, Radu Campeanu announced he decided to withdraw from Parliament and write his memoires.

agerpres.
Investing is getting cheaper and will get cheaper still.

Thats good news for investors. Its not good for brokers or the companies that manage mutual funds and their exchange-traded cousins.

Its rotten for workers at Scottrade, the discount brokerage based in Town and Country. Scottrade recently put itself on the sales block, and any likely buyer may be looking to cut its operating costs by 40 to 50 percent, according to one analysis. Much of that cutting would be in personnel.

The drive toward cheap is happening on many levels. Companies managing exchange-traded funds are chopping expense ratios to the microscopic. Theres a slow slog downward in mutual fund expenses.

Youre certainly seeing a race to the bottom, says Michael Guillemette, assistant professor of financial planning at the University of Missouri.

There is also a big change looming in the way brokerages get paid for advising people on their retirement investments, and thats likely to cut costs to clients, while possibly producing better advice.

The squeeze on fees comes in part because investors are smartening up. For years, theyve been listening to academics argue that cheap mutual funds that simply track stock indexes do better than most costlier funds run by active stock-pickers.

Investors have come to believe it. Theyve been yanking money out of actively managed funds and adding it to passive index funds, which have very low expenses. They pumped $166 billion into indexers last year, triple the level of three years earlier, according to the Investment Company Institute, the fund industrys trade association.

Nearly a third of all mutual fund money is in funds indexed to the S&P 500 index of big-company American stocks.

I think its great for the investor, says Guillemette. The most important thing is that its cheaper.

Exchange-traded funds are mainly indexers. Since funds following the same index are virtually identical, the only way they distinguish themselves is on costs.

BlackRock, the giant sponsor of iShares, set off the latest cost skirmish this month, cutting the expense ratio on 15 ETFs. Its iShares Core S&P 500 fund now charges expenses of just 0.04 percent, down from 0.07 percent. That means it charges 40 cents per year for each $1,000 invested.

Charles Schwab quickly followed suit. Fidelity and Vanguard had cut ETF expense ratios over the summer.

Meanwhile, expenses of mutual funds have been sinking slowly, from an average of 0.83 percent in 2000 to 0.68 last year, according to the Investment Company Institute. Some index mutual funds rival ETFs for cheapness. The giant Vanguard Index 500 fund charges 0.05 percent  or 50 cents per $1,000  for people with $10,000 invested.

Some brokerage houses such as Vanguard and Schwab waive commissions on customers buying their own house-brand ETFs. Some are waiving commissions on rival ETFs as well.

The result is a democratization of access, says Dennis Bowden, who studies the trend as managing director at Strategic Insight in New York. Little-guy investors can now buy funds at cost levels once available only to big institutions.

Part of the drive toward cheap comes from a slow change in the way that brokers get paid for the advice they give clients. More brokers are charging a flat fee  a set percentage of assets  rather than collecting commissions on every trade, notes Bowden.

Brokers, freed from the need to rack up commissions, are pushing more clients into low-cost index funds, Bowden notes.

Thats bad news for active-management fund companies that like to reward brokers with 5 percent commissions and backdoor kickbacks for sending lots of customers their way.

The slow trend toward flat fees will speed up next year when new federal rules will require brokers to act in their clients best interest when advising on retirement accounts. That makes it hard to justify putting a client in an expensive, commission-paying investment when a cheaper one is available.

Eventually, it will push the entire retirement advice industry into a flat-fee approach, predicts Michael Kitces, a Maryland financial planner and consultant who runs the Nerds Eye View blog for investment advisers.

Scottrade, the local discount broker, serves do-it-yourself investors by offering stock, bond and mutual fund trades at the low price of $7 per trade. Discounters generally dont give advice, although Scottrade has been tiptoeing in that direction recently.

Discount broker commission levels have been holding fairly steady, but some deeper cut-rate rivals are popping up.

Robinhood Financial, a California startup, is offering no-commission trades through a no-frills smartphone app. The firm says it makes its money by investing the cash in clients accounts and from interest on margin loans.

Motif, another startup, offers $4.95 trades for individual stocks, or $9.95 trades for an entire basket of stocks designed to mirror an investment theme.

Capital One, the giant banking company, offers $3.95 trades for customers who will invest on a regular schedule.

Scottrade is privately held and the firm hasnt discussed its motives for selling. Its 70-year-old founder and CEO, Rodger Riney, was diagnosed with cancer last year.

Discounters survive by driving high volume in trading and keeping costs under control. As one of the largest discounters, Scottrade has volume and that makes it a tempting purchase for rivals.

Purchasers chopped away 40 to 50 percent of operating costs after swallowing other discount brokers, note analysts at Wells Fargo Securities, who think a Scottrade purchase would yield similar savings.

Synergies of this magnitude are possible mainly due to technological and personnel redundancies, they wrote early this month. Thats not a pleasant thought for Scottrades 2,000 St. Louis-area employees.
In recent years, big U.S. airlines have touted their operational improvements to curb delays and make flight schedules more reliable.

Yet this crowing comes with a big caveat: Most of the monthly stats the large carriers report dont include their regional operations, mostly smaller, 50- to 90-seat jets that funnel travelers to and from hubs. Regional flying now constitutes almost half of U.S. domestic air routes  and when bad weather strikes, those flights are often the first to be canceled.

Starting next year, the U.S. Department of Transportation is closing that gaping hole by requiring performance information on flights operated by a half-dozen regional airlines. Regulators are aiming to make monthly performance at the major carriers reflect how well their regional operations did.

Monthly on-time rankings have a significant impact on a carriers image and brand identity, which in turn has a potential effect on the decision-making of many consumers when deciding to purchase air transportation, the Transportation Department said last week as it issued a final rule on the issue. The change also would more closely correlate the Big Threes domestic on-time performance metrics with Southwest Airlines, JetBlue Airways and Virgin America, which do nearly all their own flying. Unsurprisingly, not everyone is happy with this move toward greater transparency.

Regional airlines remain committed to delivering safe and high-quality air service to our customers  both our airline partners and our passengers  and caution against regulations imposing increased costs without a recognized public benefit, said Faye Black, the president of the Regional Airline Association, which represents 24 regional carriers.

The new mandate for a fuller picture of on-time performance encompasses carriers with at least 0.5 percent of domestic passenger revenue, instead of the prior 1 percent. This will cover six regional airlines that fly for the legacy carriers and Allegiant Travel Co., the Las Vegas-based ultra-low-cost carrier. The change to a 0.5 percent revenue threshold will cover 99.68 percent of flight performance data for scheduled domestic service, the government said. (Seven airlines  six of them regional  remain exempt.)

Historically, regulators havent required such data due to the time and cost of compiling and filing monthly records. But newer technology has largely rendered this concern moot, several interested parties told the department in comments about the rule.

As a result of the reporting gap, the Transportation Departments monthly Air Travel Consumer Report portrayed on-time data for only 38 percent to 55 percent of domestic flights last year, the department said. This monthly release shows a variety of airline performance metrics, such as mishandled bags, flight delays, passengers who were bumped due to oversold flights, and pet injuries.

Amid poor weather or other constraints at an airport, regional flights are typically the first a carrier will sacrifice when it comes to deciding which to operate.

One example cited by regulators: United Airlines on-time arrival rate at its San Francisco hub in July 2014 would have been 6 percent lower if code-share flights were included. Thats just one month and one airport  one in which fog and low clouds regularly befall numerous flights  but carried across the industry, this reporting change would likely dent the carriers current reliability measures. That also could pose some difficulties for the marketing at an airline such as Delta, which has been touting itself as The On-Time Machine given its strong performance in this metric relative to its large peers.

Robert Mann, an aviation consultant and former American Airlines executive, explained how regional airlines are often at a disadvantage when it comes to maintaining good on-time rates. The majors would move the larger mainline metal (accommodating more customers) and command the cancellation or delay of smaller regional departures (fewer customers affected), Mann said in an email on Wednesday. Because of this, mainline and regional airlines show a wide disparity when it comes to on-time arrivals and completion.

On the bright side, this regulatory maneuver could spur the type of improvements in regional operations that would benefit passengers and make a 10 p.m. regional flight out of Chicagos OHare potentially less dodgy for a business traveler desperate to get home.

Delta, the second-largest airline, says it has already begun addressing operational issues that can mar a regional carriers operations. In May, six airlines that fly under the Delta Connection brand achieved nearly eight days without a single flight cancellation, Delta said in a statement. The company also touted 60 brand perfect days in 2016, or days when neither Delta nor any of its regional carriers canceled a flight.

Brand perfect or not, thats just one airline, and it still pales beside the type of schedule reliability Delta has imposed on its mainline fleet of late. And theres good reason to think that regionals will still be canceled before a larger aircraft flight, simply because of the number of customers affected by the smaller jet being scrubbed.

Last year, Delta promised corporate customers that they would see travel credits if the airlines on-time and flight completion performance trailed its rivals, American and United. United followed with a similar pledge and included its United Express regional carriers.

American, which has been working to complete its merge with US Airways, hasnt made a similar pledge. The airline has also trailed Delta and United over the past 12 months, with only 79.6 percent of its flights arriving on time, compared with 86.5 percent at Delta and 82.2 percent at United.

A 2011 report by the Government Accountability Office found that the Transportation Department had insufficient data to make significant conclusions about flight delays. One finding: Smaller communities suffer far more flight delays and cancellations than their larger peers.
TD Ameritrade and Toronto-Dominion Bank are nearing a deal to buy Town and Country-based Scottrade Financial Services for $4 billion, financial news services reported Sunday, citing sources.

The deal to buy the discount brokerage, which employs more than 1,800 in the St. Louis area, is expected to be announced as early as Monday, both Bloomberg News and Reuters reported.

The deal would involve Omaha, Neb.-based TD Ameritrades buying Scottrades brokerage operations for about $2.7 billion in cash and stock, while Toronto-Dominion would acquire Scottrades banking operations for $1.3 billion in cash, according to the reports.

TD Ameritrade, Toronto-Dominion Bank and Scottrade declined to comment.

Toronto-Dominion Bank is the largest shareholder in TD Ameritrade.

The Toronto-based Canadian newspaper The Globe and Mail reported Thursday that the bank had agreed to join TD Ameritrade in a joint bid for Scottrade.

The deal would combine two of the largest online brokerages at a time when the industry is wrestling with sluggish revenue growth.

In March, credit rating agency Fitch said Scottrade was trying to move away from focusing on transactional trading revenues and evolve toward more fee-based investment management revenue.

Fee-based accounts yield more reliable income than commission-based trading accounts that rise and fall with clients interest in the markets.

Wealth managers in the United States are cutting fees, relying more on technology to give advice and reducing the minimum amounts clients can hold in their brokerage accounts, all in preparation for a new rule governing how they advise retirement savers.

Privately held Scottrade has not commented on the deal nor its motives for selling. However, company founder and CEO Rodger Riney, 70, was diagnosed with cancer last year.

Scottrade has about 500 branches and employs about 3,700 employees across the United States.

Scottrade is based at 700 Maryville Centre Drive. The company also is expanding its office space at 13075 Manchester Road in Des Peres. In addition to brokerage, its divisions include Scottrade Advisor Services, Scottrade Bank and Scottrade Investment Management.

Because the two companies have overlapping operations, job cuts are likely at Scottrade  and the Scottrade name may disappear. That would affect the naming rights at Scottrade Center, the home of the St. Louis Blues, in downtown St. Louis.

Scottrade bought the naming rights for the 22-year-old venue in 2006. It opened as the Kiel Center in 1994 and became the Savvis Center in 2000.
Internal emails from DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc. show the Denver-based company targeted some patients in a campaign to get them to buy insurance they didnt necessarily need, saying their monthly premiums would be paid by a nonprofit foundation.

DaVita, one of the nations largest dialysis providers, with a major presence in St. Louis, had a financial incentive to get certain Medicaid-eligible dialysis patients to enroll in private insurance. Medicaid, the government-run health insurance program for low-income Americans, pays significantly less than traditional commercial insurance for dialysis treatment.

Emily Bremer, a Clayton-based health insurance broker, said she first heard about kidney failure patients being targeted after one of her clients said he was encouraged by an employee of another dialysis-center company to enroll in a private insurance plan. Bremer said she was concerned because the plan described as best didnt include her clients current BJC HealthCare doctors and also had other limitations.

Prior to the Affordable Care Act, patients with end-stage renal disease were typically denied commercial insurance because of the high cost of care. Because those patients couldnt get coverage, the federal government decided to allow individuals with failing kidneys to qualify for Medicare  the health insurance plan for the elderly  at any age. Some of those patients also may qualify for Medicaid, the taxpayer-funded health care program for some low-income Americans.

In some cases, however, some patients with failing kidneys have not worked long enough to qualify for Medicare even with the grave diagnosis, leaving them eligible only for Medicaid. This was the population DaVita was targeting for commercial coverage, according to the companys emails, which were provided to the Post-Dispatch by an employee who asked not to be identified.

Private insurers can pay as much as $4,000 per treatment, while government plans such as Medicaid or Medicare pay $300, according to a lawsuit filed in federal court in Florida by the nations largest health insurer UnitedHealthcare against a separate dialysis chain, American Renal Associates. In Missouri, the Medicaid program pays dialysis centers $122.94 for each treatment, which does not include other monthly payments.

Dialysis filters out toxins from the blood, a normal function of healthy kidneys. Typically, patients receive dialysis treatments up to three times per week and each session can last hours.

There were about 662,000 cases of end-stage renal disease in the country at the end of 2013, according to the U.S. Renal Data System, and treatment costs averaged about $89,000 per patient each year, according to data from the Kidney Project at the University of California San Francisco.

Red flags

Sudden spikes in payments to dialysis centers raised red flags for major health insurers, and they complained to the federal government. It was a significant financial hit they were not expecting.

This is whats causing instability, and its whats raising prices for everyone, a spokeswoman for Americas Health Insurance Plans, an industry group, told the Post-Dispatch.

The effect on the private insurance market, including the exchanges, was obvious to public-policy experts.

If you suddenly shift these folks into private plans, youre moving cost increases to marketplace plans, said Jack Hoadley, a research professor at Georgetown Universitys Health Policy Institute.

Bremer, the Clayton insurance agent, agrees.

I understand the reasoning why different companies would want to manipulate the system, she said. But now youve basically dumped these catastrophic claims into the pool, and its very difficult to offset that with young healthy people.

Its a perfect example of one of the unintended consequences of the (Affordable Care Act), Bremer said.

DaVita adamantly denies that they pushed any patients toward commercial coverage; rather, they characterize their efforts as providing important patient education.

DaVita does not steer patients toward any particular insurance option or plan. DaVita educates its patients so that they are able to make informed decisions that are in their best interest, Philipp H. Stephanus, a company senior vice president, said in a statement provided to government officials in September.

A coordinated effort

Based on the companys internal emails, the difference between steering and educating is a subtle one. Those communications, sent during last years open enrollment period, outline a systematic approach to educate hundreds of area patients  and thousands across the country  about individual health plans.

Those emails show that patients were told by DaVita dialysis center employees  either social workers or insurance counselors  that the American Kidney Fund would pay their monthly health insurance premiums so they could gain coverage that is usually out of reach financially. The DaVita employees were instrumental in helping patients enroll by helping complete applications for the plans and for the American Kidney Funds health insurance premium assistance program. The initiative was referred to as the Medicaid Opportunity in internal emails.

In regulatory filings, DaVita says it contributes to the American Kidney Fund, but doesnt specify how much. In 2015, the fund provided about $255 million worth of patient assistance to 93,000 kidney failure patients, according to its most recent filing with the Internal Revenue Service.

DaVitas dialysis center employees were given information on which patients to target for the program. From there, they were supposed to engage Medicaid patients in a conversation about new coverage options and the employees progress was closely tracked.

Some advertising and brochure materials listed talking points for dialysis center employees. In bold large print, a brochure asked Medicaid patients: What could additional coverage do for you? The brochure went on to explain that the new coverage would improve access to transplants, to doctors that patients were unable to see today and to treatment when traveling out of state.

The brochure advertised the coverage as low to no cost and encouraged patients to reach out to social workers and insurance counselors to learn more.

The brochure boasted that patients may have access to an array of specialists if they opted for commercial coverage. The brochure included short testimonials from unnamed patients and workers, and included the statement: This insurance is excellent. I havent been denied anything, and it probably has saved my life.

The internal emails from last falls open enrollment tally each regions performance. The emails show regions were tracked by how many patients were interested in commercial coverage and the percentage of those that had been talked to by employees about their options.

Hooray! The Village has completed over 75% of interest conversations, and over 7,200 patients will receive enrollment education on the specific plans available in their market, an email said. (Village is the companys term for itself.)

The goal outlined in the emails was to hit 100 percent of interest conversations by late October.

However, disinterested patients were also tracked and their cases were reviewed by division vice presidents and regional operational directors, according to the emails.

The emails instructed that division leadership teams should conduct weekly or biweekly calls to discuss validation for patients who are not interested in this opportunity.

Anne Bailey, group vice president at DaVita, told the Post-Dispatch, We had to be super organized and systematic. She explained that employees were instructed to talk to all patients during open enrollment so they could be informed of all their insurance options.

Bailey said of their more than 3,000 patients in Missouri, less than 1 percent  or fewer than 30  enrolled in commercial plans.

Of those that were interested, the company also tracked who had completed the health insurance premium program (HIPP) application with the American Kidney Fund.

Continued communications encouraged employees to close the gap between the number of patients with a plan selected and those with an AKF check that has cleared to ensure coverage is not delayed because of payment issues.

U.S. expresses concern

The federal government is concerned about this type of practice. Earlier this year, the government sent out a request for information to gather more information about the practice and its prevalence.

Enrollment decisions should be made, without influence, by the consumer and based on their individual circumstances and health and financial needs, the letter posted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said.

In the letter, CMS warns that patients who are steered away from government-run coverage like Medicare and Medicaid could experience a disruption in care, changes in drug benefits, loss of dental care and changes in provider networks.

CMS said it is considering a slew of changes to address these harms, including imposing financial penalties on individuals and facilities for failing to provide correct coverage information to patients.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to clarify that insurance broker Emily Bremer's client was not a DaVita patient.
When youve got the right performers, just about anything goes well with the music of Ludwig van Beethoven. This weekend at Powell Symphony Hall, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra got it right.

The conductor was the understated but effective Cristian Macelaru, making a welcome return; the soloist was the equally welcome Orli Shaham, in her annual appearance with the orchestra. The program featured Russian Romantic music by Mily Balakirev and Serge Rachmaninoff, along with the second installment in the SLSOs season-long survey of the five Beethoven piano concertos.

Balakirev (1837-1910) is not a particularly well-known composer, but he taught several who are. His ideas on using Russian folk themes and exotic orchestrations helped to shape the work of bigger names such as Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov and Borodin.

His Islamey was composed as a fiendishly difficult work for solo piano, and is rarely heard. (This was its SLSO premiere.) The orchestral arrangement by composer Sergei Lyapunov (1859-1924) uses Balakirevs preferred style of colorful orchestration. Its a big, percussion-filled brass spectacular; while better on piano, it was still a lot of fun in the hands of Macelaru and the orchestra.

Beethoven needs no introduction, and no apologies; the Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major is a distinctive masterpiece that stands alone in his oeuvre.

Shaham took a sensitive, intelligent approach to the music that meshed well with her splendid technical facility. She brings a quiet intensity and an elegance that encloses strength in an appealing way, supporting her thoughtfulness with the score. Her cadenzas were particularly beautiful and well-played.

Macelaru and the orchestra were first-rate collaborators, supporting and joining the soloist sympathetically with good balance and strong playing. The performance earned the big ovation that greeted it.

In response, she offered a well-played encore that fit well with the rest of the evenings program: Rachmaninoffs Prelude in G-sharp minor, Op. 32, No. 12.

Rachmaninoffs final work, Symphonic Dances, was the sole focus of the second half. It received a fine reading from Macelaru and the full orchestra.

Macelaru shaped the first movements variety of moods well, with the particular help of alto saxophone Nathan Nabb, whose smooth tone added materially to the ensembles sound.

The brass section had a chance to show off in the second movement, and its members shone as they repeatedly got in the way of the slightly sinister waltz that is the main theme.

The third movement features the ancient Latin Dies irae, a part of the Requiem mass, and so often used by Rachmaninoff that it could have been his leitmotif. Here he presents it in cheery, jazzed-up form before moving on to assorted variations on that theme; this might well be the ultimate in Dies irae treatments.

It received a rousing performance, in a solid ending to a well-played evening of music.

Christian Macelaru, Orli Shaham and the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra: Music of Balakirev, Beethoven and Rachmaninoff




WATERLOO  A Sunday morning fire burned part of a brewery that opened in Waterloo earlier this year.

Waterloo Fire Chief Brett Wiegand said firefighters were called to the Hopskeller Brewing Company at about 7:50 a.m.

The brewery, at 116 East Third Street, is based in an antebellum home, but the fire originated near a wood fire pizza oven in the east wall of a new addition to the structure, Wiegand said.

The structure sustained significant smoke and water damage. The fire damaged the roof, and a commercial air conditioner fell through the ceiling.

"It's unfortunate for the brewery because it just opened in the last couple of months," Wiegand said. "A majority of the structure is still intact, but it will take months before it will reopen."

No one was inside the business when the fire started and there were no injuries to firefighters.

The cause of the fire has not been determined as of yet. The fire department was assisted by fire departments in Red Bud and Columbia.

Representatives of the brewery could not be immediately reached.
At the bottom of the long Nov. 8 Missouri ballot, voters will find seven questions: five proposed amendments to the state constitution, one proposed change to state law and a proposed tax increase in St. Louis city and St. Louis and St. Charles counties.

We have written separately about several of the ballot measures, but heres a look at of all of them, in the order they will appear on ballots, with our recommendations:

Statewide

Amendment 1: This is a renewal of the 1/10th-cent sales tax for soil and water conservation efforts and the state park system. It was first approved in 1984 and subsequently renewed three times. It was last renewed in 2006.

Agriculture is a vital part of the states economy; soil and water conservation efforts are critical to it. Missouris park system is annually ranked among the nations best and is a huge tourism draw. The system cant keep up with its needs, and the sales tax provides about three-quarters of the parks budget.

We recommend: Vote Yes on Amendment 1.

Amendment 2: This measure would reimpose limits on donations to state political candidates. As we have noted previously, big-money contributions are poisoning Missouris political culture and undermining democracy by diluting the influence of voters in the electoral and decision-making process.

We recommend: Vote Yes on Amendment 2.

Amendment 3: This is the first of two ballot questions asking voters to raise taxes on tobacco products. Amendment 3 would raise at least $263 million a year when fully implemented, with funds devoted to early childhood education. Missouris 17-cent tax on a pack of cigarettes is the lowest in the country. Thats scandalous. The low price of cigarettes encourages people to smoke, and ultimately we all pay for it by absorbing the higher cost of smokers health care. Good early childhood education has been shown to be a key indicator of later educational success and thus vital for individual social development and long-term economic development.

We recommend: Vote Yes on Amendment 3.

Amendment 4: This is a just-in-case proposal that would forbid the state from imposing new sales taxes on any service that is not currently taxed. Missouris sales tax generally covers goods, not services, but the proponents  led by the Missouri Association of Realtors  fear that someday, the Legislature might switch from income taxes to a consumption-tax system.

If that ever happens, they fear that services  everything from haircuts and manicures to five-figure real estate commissions  could become taxable. Anti-income-tax crusader Rex Sinquefield toyed with this idea in 2011, and another such campaign is not entirely out of the realm of possibility. But no current proposals are on the table, and the Legislature would be loath to broaden the sales tax and double or triple tax rates no matter how much money Sinquefield spends.

Many economists argue that consumption taxes are more rational than wealth taxes, which they claim sap incentive. Any debate over a more fair and rational tax system is worth having. But until that debate happens, voters should not foreclose their revenue options.

We recommend: Vote No on Amendment 4.

Amendment 6: This is the controversial photo ID proposal that would require Missouri voters to present government-issued photo identification before casting a ballot. As we have noted, fraud by voter impersonation is so rare as to be nonexistent. The measure would do nothing for the integrity of elections while disenfranchising as many as 225,000 Missourians who dont have photo ID or means to obtain it.

We recommend: Vote No on Amendment 6.

Proposition A: This is the second tobacco-tax proposal, a spoiler effort to undermine Amendment 3 led by the convenience store and off-brand cigarette industries. It would change state law to raise the 17-cent tax on a pack of cigarettes by 23 cents by 2021. It would raise about $100 million a year for transportation projects. If both Amendment 3 and Prop. A pass, the measure with the most votes would take effect.

Court challenges to whatever happens Nov. 8 are inevitable. Whatever can be done to discourage smoking is worthwhile, and a yes vote to both Prop. A and Amendment 3 would send a strong message that the state must take action to end the incentive posed by low-cost smoking.

We recommend: Vote Yes on Proposition A.

Local

Proposition S: City voters, along with those in St. Louis and St. Charles counties, will find a measure for a property tax increase of 5 cents per $100 of assessed valuation to support in-home services for people 60 and older. It would cost the owner of a home valued at $100,000 about $9.50 more a year.

Fifty-one Missouri counties already have adopted such a tax. County-level boards decide how to spend the money. It can help with things like nutrition, transportation, home maintenance, home care coordination, behavioral health, dental and vision health, and respite services.

Proponents say it will help keep older citizens living at home as long as possible. Opponents say the burden could fall heaviest on seniors with fixed incomes. They also question whether spending by local senior services boards will be monitored closely.

We say its worth a shot, but local governments must be held accountable.

We recommend: Vote Yes on Proposition S.
So my question is, if the department is defunded, and low pay continues, what will happen the next time the police are desperately needed and only a handful of them are available?
Missouri Cures and its coalition partners have deep concerns that the proposed tobacco tax initiative known as Amendment 3 will adversely affect patient care, medical research and innovation in our state.

Our coalition includes BioSTL, Missouri Biotechnology Association, Stowers Institute for Medical Research and Washington University and thousands of disease groups and patients.

Amendment 3 would raise taxes on tobacco products, and the money would be used to fund early childhood education programs. If passed, the financial gains for these programs will come at a grim price. Medical research into therapies and cures will lose its current explicit protections. This flawed ballot initiative, funded by the North Carolina-based owner of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., is not the appropriate vehicle to help our kids. Its a guise to undermine safeguards for cutting-edge medical research.

When Missouri voters passed the Missouri Stem Cell Amendment in 2006, it gave strong constitutional protections to stem cell research, therapies and cures, including provisions preventing it from being stigmatized or penalized. Those of us who worked on the 2006 campaign fought hard to ensure that cures and therapies could move forward in our state.

The current climate is safe for doctors and scientists who wish to participate in medical research. Anti-research legislation in the Legislature cannot threaten this freedom and cannot create a chilling effect in our research institutions, as it does in other states without the same constitutional protections in place. If passed, Amendment 3 would insert a new provision into Missouris Constitution that stigmatizes these activities.

At the very least, we anticipate passage of Amendment 3 would lead to new and more dangerous legislative battles, as well as expensive litigation over what is constitutionally permissible, all with unpredictable outcomes that threaten the otherwise welcoming environment for medical research and scientific inquiry in Missouri.

In addition to undermining stem cell research protections, Amendment 3 also prohibits funding of research on the harmful effects of tobacco and smoking, including the impact of such products on children. Why would a ballot measure which seeks funding for early childhood programs ban research on how tobacco affects children? The answer is chilling: Its because Big Tobacco, which has the most to gain from tobacco use, is paying for the campaign. RJR has spent $5.2 million and counting to fund the Amendment 3 campaign.

Another inconvenient truth is that Amendment 3 contains a public health gag order. Organizations or individuals that receive funding from this initiative are forbidden from advocating for further controls on tobacco products. This order includes those engaged in policy work in the public health area, such as city, county, and state health department officials. Again, this language was inserted at the insistence of the corporate tobacco interests.

Amendment 3 is opposed by a large and diverse set of organizations, and has brought together organizations that normally find themselves on opposite sides of issues.

Other opponents include: American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Heart Association, American Lung Association in Missouri, AFT Local 420, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Concerned Women for America of Missouri, Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City, Missouri Alliance for Freedom, Missouri Family Network, Missouri Association of Rural Education, Missouri National Education Association, Missouri Farmers coalition, Missouri Retired Teachers Association, Tobacco-Free Missouri, NARAL Prochoice Missouri, United for Missouri, and We Deserve Better. In addition, 112 state legislators oppose the initiative, along with both gubernatorial candidates.

Missourians deserve to know the facts about Amendment 3. If this passes in November, stem cell research protections will once again be called into question; research into the harmful effects of smoking will be banned; and our public health officers will be prohibited from advocating for further controls on tobacco. Voters should ask themselves how any of these outcomes supports and nurtures our most vulnerable population: our children.

We urge Missourians to get the facts and to join us in rejecting the dangerously flawed Amendment 3.
The hotel industry is celebrating a big win after the recent introduction of the Stop Online Booking Scams Act of 2016 in the Senate.

Its a good bill, says Rosanna Maietta, a spokeswoman for the American Hotel & Lodging Association, which has been pushing for the legislation. Shes right. Its a good bill  especially for the hotel industry.

The proposed law requires third-party booking sites to prominently notify users that they arent associated with a hotels website before charging their credit cards. A House version of the same bill was introduced earlier this year.

Third-party booking sites often provide legitimate reservation services, and selling a hotel stay through one is not against the law, but hotels dont like it because they lose money on reservations that arent made directly through the hotel. Complicating the issue, some third-party booking sites intentionally mimic hotel websites to charge prices higher than those charged by the actual hotel. And a small percentage of third-party booking sites have committed flat-out fraud, posing as hotels to sell consumers nonexistent reservations. Hotels claim that these practices affect some 15 million hotel bookings a year, creating $1.3 billion worth of what AHLA terms bad bookings  involving some flaw, as a result of which hotel guests are dissatisfied or inconvenienced.

Just one small problem: I havent received any recent complaints about fraudulent third-party bookings, and neither have any other advocates I know. But its no secret that hotels want to capture more market share through direct bookings.

Recent surveys by the social polling company Winq suggest that consumers worry about an entirely different set of issues  ones that the hotel industry seems to be uninterested in addressing legislatively. For example, almost 7 in 10 people surveyed said they believe that hotel resort fees should be illegal.

Even Consumer Watchdog, an advocacy organization based in Santa Monica, Calif., and one of the only consumer groups to support the Stop Online Booking Scams Act, says other issues are more important to hotel guests.

Id like to see something that does away with these outrageous resort fees, says John Simpson, the groups privacy project director. For consumers, thats a much more important issue.

Mandatory resort fees, which normally cover amenities that were previously included in the prices of hotel rooms, such as the use of an exercise facility or business center, have been a long-standing irritant for hotel guests. The average resort fee is $19.66 per night, up about 8 percent from the beginning of the year, according to the website Resortfeechecker.com. Since the beginning of 2016, the number of hotels charging a mandatory fee of $30 or more has ballooned from 142 properties to 172.

The Truth in Hotel Advertising Act of 2016, introduced earlier this year by Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., would prohibit hotels from advertising room rates that dont include all mandatory fees. The bill also gives the Federal Trade Commission the authority to enforce the prohibition, and state attorneys general the power to bring a civil action in federal court against violators. But faced with the opposition of powerful lodging industry interests that benefit from charging these fees, the fate of that legislation remains uncertain.

Of course, the issue of price disclosure is not limited to the hotel industry. In the airline industry, for example, legislators are pushing for clearer disclosure of all taxes, fees and extras. Sens. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Edward Markey, D-Mass., and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. recently asked the administration to clarify existing regulations and compel airlines to make the comparison process easier. Some airlines, they note, appear to be taking steps to restrict consumer access to fare and schedule information.

Travelers who shop online for hotels face similar obstacles and routinely complain about prices that arent fully disclosed until the final booking screen. There is no legislative effort underway to force transparency on the hotel industry, although guests would certainly benefit from it.

Winq surveys also indicate that 89 percent of users want the hotel industry to have a 24-hour refund rule, similar to the one that the Transportation Department mandated for airlines. Andy Abramson, a frequent traveler who runs a communication company in Los Angeles, thinks too many hotel guests find themselves trapped in reservations jail after booking a cheap rate online, only to learn that its nonrefundable. When they cancel, the hotel gets to keep their money, he says.

Abramson and other travelers who have contacted me to complain about this issue say the system could be fairer, offering an immediate refund within 24 hours of a reservation, a partial refund after that and a full refund if the room is resold. Theres no planned legislation on lodging-reservation refunds, but I receive plenty of complaints about refund policies that favor the hotel.

Bills that would kill resort fees, force properties to disclose all their fees upfront or offer no-questions-asked refunds within 24 hours of making a reservation are unlikely to sail through Congress, as they would cost the hotel industry real money. And so we have the Stop Online Booking Scams Act.

Maietta, the AHLA spokeswoman, says the law will do more good than Im giving it credit for. It would stop the consumer guessing game of if a hotel site is legitimate, she says.

If the bill passes, it will be a necessary first step in cleaning up the online hotel-reservation business. But theres more work to be done  much more.
By Harry Pearl

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia's largest ever private trade delegation is due to arrive in China on Sunday, just over a week after 18 employees from Australian gaming giant Crown Resorts Ltd were detained there for alleged gambling crimes.

More than 200 delegates, including Queensland state ministers, agricultural producers and exporters will be on the visit to Shanghai aimed at building on the A$160 billion ($120 billion) trade relationship between Australia and China.

"We have brought together businesses from banks to exporters and freight companies, Ben Lyons, the group's leader, said in a statement.

The 18 employees of Crown Resorts, Australia's top casino operator, including three Australians, have been held by Chinese authorities since last weekend.

As of Sunday, no charges had been laid, but the arrests have raised fears of a wider crackdown.

Among the high profile members of the "AccessChina" delegation are Qantas Airways Ltd and both National Australia Bank and Australia and New Zealand Bank's agribusiness units.

Qantas Freight, which is looking to expand capacity in Asia, is hosting a networking dinner that Lyons said would help "educate the Shanghai business community on our regional capability when combined with an international freight provider".

The group left from Wellcamp Airport, a new A$200 million privately built air freight facility in Queensland, which will begin weekly freight-only flights next month. Cathay Pacific <0293.HK> will operate the service from Wellcamp and Hong Kong.

Australia has been pushing to become the "delicatessen of Asia", tapping its favorable climate to send crates of produce such as figs and edible flowers to store shelves across the increasingly affluent region.

But finding space on flights has proven a headache for some Australian producers, who say freight export capabilities are not keeping up with growing demand for products from Asias middle class.

Industries represented on the AccessChina trip include health, aged care, agriculture, education, manufacturing and tourism. Delegates will tour sites including Alibaba Group Holding's (NYSE: BABA) Hangzhou Campus, Yangshan Deepwater Port, Baosteel and Shanghai Electric [SHEPG.UL].

(Reporting by Harry Pearl. Editing by Jane Wardell and)
NAIROBI (Reuters) - Police in Burundi arrested an American journalist and her Burundian fixer on Sunday, saying they had questioned both on suspicion of destroying criminal evidence before releasing only the journalist from custody.

Julia Steers, a fellow with the International Women's Media Foundation, and Gildas Yihundimpundu were arrested in the Mutakura district north of the capital Bujumbura, police spokesman Pierre Nkurikiye wrote on his Twitter account.

The media regulator "CNC and police interrogated them for attempting to destroy evidence of crimes committed by insurgents," the tweet said. The government often uses the term "insurgents" to describe protesters.

Mutakura was hit by protests at the height of the unrest last year when President Pierre Nkurunziza announced plans to run for a third term in office, sparking weeks of protests by the opposition who said his bid was unconstitutional.

Nkurikiye said the journalist has subsequently been released and handed to the U.S. embassy, but her fixer remained under custody for further investigation.

Opponents accuse the president of violating the constitution and a peace deal that ended a civil war in 2005. The government accuses opponents of fomenting unrest, and accuses them of backing rebel groups, which officials call "armed gangs".

At least 450 people have so far been killed in violence that first erupted right after Nkurunziza announced his re-election bid, rights groups say.

Western states have also criticized the government's clampdown on free media, including the shuttering of private radio stations.

Burundi briefly arrested British and French journalists earlier this year, while other foreign journalists were expelled prior to that.

(Reporting by Aaron Maasho; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky)
Editor's note: This is part of a series that analyzes the claims in campaign ads.

The ad: A 2009 video of Democratic Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick at a community event in Holbrook has resurfaced in a television ad released by John McCains Senate re-election campaign last month. The video flashes a photo of Kirkpatrick and a woman begins to speak.

Before proudly voting for Obamacare which devastated Arizona, liberal Ann Kirkpatrick refused to face her constituents. She walked away, the anonymous voice says. The video then cuts to Kirkpatrick walking through a crowd of people and then out toward a parking lot.

The facts: Raw video footage doesnt indicate what sorts of questions constituents were asking during Kirkpatrick's Aug. 6, 2009, event in Holbrook. The video does, however, touch on a time when Democratic legislators across the country were getting intense pressure from nascent Tea Party groups opposing Obamas healthcare reform as they returned to their home districts during summer recess. Kirkpatrick was one of many legislators targeted by conservative groups including the Koch Brothers-funded Americans for Prosperity as they organized against what would become the Affordable Care Act. Numerous lawmakers had their town meetings disrupted in a coordinated effort to set up confrontations that raised the profile of the opposition campaign.

Kirkpatricks Chat with Ann event at a Safeway in Holbrook was billed as a chance for constituents to meet one-on-one with her about congressional issues as well as any problems they were having with federal programs like Social Security or Medicare. It was also on a list of congressional town hall meetings on the website of Conservatives for Patients Rights.

In another July 30, 2009, post on the blog Intellectual Conservative Arizona, the Arizona director of Americans for Prosperity encouraged readers to focus activism activities on Kirkpatrick, as well as fellow Arizona Democrats Gabrielle Giffords and Harry Mitchell.

We need to make sure that Giffords, Kirkpatrick and Mitchell hear loud and clear from grassroots supporters of health care freedom! the post said.

The post included places where people could get talking points and policy updates and advertised statewide Code Blue protests against healthcare reform that were organized by Tea Party groups.

The meeting in Holbrook began with citizens lining up to talk individually with Kirkpatrick. But others in the back soon began yelling, then interrupting Kirkpatrick when she tried to respond, and she walked out. In a statement published later in the Daily Sun, she said, "I am disappointed that the event was disrupted by a small but vocal group. I grew up in Greater Arizona, and I remember the days when folks who disagreed would do so respectfully and were still able to work together on the important issues to find solutions."

Accuracy and context rating: The ad contains no footage of the disruption inside the Safeway nor does it mention the protests staged at town halls throughout the nation during the August 2009 congressional recess. By omitting that context, the ad is misleading in portraying Kirkpatrick as unresponsive to constitutents -- other than those attempting to disrupt a meeting.
So much ado about verbal pugilistics View(s):

Aiyo. Before linguistic purists direct their verbal barbs in this direction may I say in mitigation that it should be known by now that this word has gained international respectability. It has entered the prestigious Oxford dictionary which surely stamps the imprimatur of acceptability and passage into common usage.

How it got there and when it made the grade might be shrouded in some mystery just now. But then who cares how it got there as some politicians might say when money makes a sudden and surreptitious appearance.

There are claimants who vouch that the loquacious Wimal Weerawansa (who seems to have taken a vow of silence lately) should be credited with drawing the attention of the whole wide world to a word that even our grandmothers used to express consternation or sorrow or whatever emotional state called for its utterance.

So the word aiyo has been used in common parlance for decades, if not centuries, though it might have gained political currency when Weerawansa publicly called common candidate Maithripala Sirisena Aiyo Sirisena, in lamentation, disdain or pain who really knows.

Another whose mere appearance on TV or offering of regular desana to the media makes viewers swiftly change channels or tap their foreheads with a sigh of aiyo may find it a decisive blow to our pristine culture to learn that Sri Lankans are only part owners of the word which is in increasing usage these days at the very sight of politicians singing their praises to yahapalanaya or treating it with growing contempt.

It appears that it is in use in South India too and the irresistible retired screen queen and retiring politician Jayalalithaa Jeyaram is likely to claim that Tamil Nadu be declared sole owner of the word and would contest any attempt at attributing part-ownership to Sri Lanka.

It is bad enough that she wants the deserted islet of Kachchativu to be declared Indian territory and the right of Indian fishermen to chase shoals of fish trying to get away from the disgusting fishing habits of her Tamil Nadu citizens, to be allowed to pollute our waters.

She now wants to grab aiyo for herself when we have been using it for so long. Those better acquainted with the history and development of the Sinhala language would be able to say whether the story I heard the other day shortly after publishers of the Oxford dictionary did us the honour, is true or a mere racist remark a la Don Trump who seems to have been trumped by an equally undesirable presidential hopeful.

I would of course have consulted my Peradeniya contemporary and one-time ambassador to Thailand, Prof. J.B. Disanayake whether the story has any basis in fact. But the affable JB as he is called by most seems virtually an untouchable these days, if you get what I mean. Probably busy writing his 100th book or am I underestimating his publishing prowess which I came face to face with when we were together at our Bangkok embassy.

Anyway I was told that the word gained popular currency when personnel of the Task Force Illicit Immigration (TaFII) scanning our northern waters spotted boatloads or less of our South Indian brethren trying to make a Normandy-like landing especially on our north-western beaches some 50 years or so ago. Aiyo onne enawa I was told were commonly heard words.

It is said that our northern smugglers heading out of Velvettithurai to Indian shores to barter milk food and torch batteries for Indian sarees and the like probably carried the word across the Palk Strait. Aiyo, they said, each time the Indians raised the prices or made unacceptable demands as they are wont to do. That is probably how it came to be popularised in the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu and who cares what Jayalalithaa, Seeman and Vaiko have to say. N

ow I hear that the Chinese are also staking a claim to the use of the word arguing that it originated in the Middle Kingdom or wherever thus making aiyo a part of a linguistic chop suey. If this goes on much longer the Eskimos will also be doing the same though I am still to hear an Eskimo yelling aiyo each time a seal made a get away.

With the Oxford dictionary publishers trying to be fair in apportioning ownership it would be prudent to search for a word that has an authentic Sri Lankan ring to it and certainly its flavour. Should we not encourage our linguists to make a pitch for a genuine Sinhala word like ado. After all Prof. JB argued before an international conference (in South Korea I think) that Sinhala be included as one of the 16 oldest languages in the world and was successful in having it included.

Those who have sat attentively and long enough at the ringside of our political pugilism would know how much the word ado features in the daily give and take of our representatives and the hordes that keep their company.

In more recent years ado seems to have entered the parliamentary vocabulary as verbal clashes and occasional fisticuffs have helped expand the lexicon of the elected. Ado of course is one of the mildest and most melodious forms of address that has figured in what passes for parliamentary debate. But ado would be more meaningful if accompanied by pissa or thakkadiya or ali hora.

In days gone by ado was perhaps the highest form of insult flung by the sarong-hoisted village ruffian confronting an innocent passer-by or staggering down the village street with sufficient illicit brew inside to turn himself into a mobile incendiary device. In more recent times ado has become the least offensive of words employed by political thugs acting on behalf of their local masters who have no compunction about the verbal or physical abuse they hurl because they will be looked after.

Whether the word has had a trickle-down effect-first used by the politicians and then by his minions or had worked itself way up until it reached the abode at Diyawanna Oya is a subject for local researchers.

Those who thought that ado might be a more appropriate word to recommend for inclusion in the next revision of the dictionary because it seemed so genuinely Sri Lankan reflecting our social and political culture and behaviour had obviously not done their home work.

They forgot that Englands greatest bard had already upstaged them by a few centuries when he called one of his popular comedies Much Ado About Nothing. This might require a study of the etymology of the word used by us and by England of Shakespeares day. But the easy way out of such an arduous process and to justify our claim is to press ahead with that story told long years ago that Englands bard was really a chap called Williong Shakis Perera from somewhere around Moratuwa who was taken aboard a Portuguese ship at anchor, got so drunk on Portuguese wine and woke up only to find himself in mid- ocean sailing to Lisbon.

From there it was no great shakes to end up in Old Blighty. I mean in those days the Brits did not charge something like Rs. 25,000 just to apply for a visit visa. They had no visas either when they started coming to Ceylon in droves.

So old Willy is just one of our boys from Moratuwa who had developed a liking for the bottle and baila and that is how ado figured in the play. Actually he had originally titled it Mokada Ado Apita Bonde Neddha but had altered it on linguistic and probably legal advice or so the story goes.

Now if you believe that you will believe that it was the media that misinterpreted President Sirisenas recent controversial speech about being kept in the dark about investigations into bribery and corruption as claimed by ministers Samarasinghe and Senaratne. Cabinet spokesman Rajitha Senaratne who took time off from telling all the great things the cabinet did last week to lambast the media for misinterpreting a speech of such clarity, brushing off the objection of some journalists that they took their cue from the statement issued by the Presidents Media Division.

According to Senaratne they should have viewed the video of the speech. So we come down to this. Dont believe what the media division releases say. May be he could explain what the media should do if there is no video but only a release from the presidents media? I believe the minister in charge of mass media was by his side when Senaratne waded into the media. That has become the easy target for all the faults and frailties of government of whatever hue.

This is why I feel the real Sinhala word with a plethora of meanings that will cover the fun and frolic of our political world is koloppan and we should urge that this be included in the Oxford Dictionary.

MPs selling their duty-free vehicle permits, doctors demanding special schools for their children, political and police thugs attacking night clubs, are all kollopan that did not happen decades ago when politics was more respectable like aiyo.

Why, such is life today that even crocodiles barge into police stations and threaten the guardians of law and order when not too long ago it was politicians who went into police stations demanding their supporters be released from custody or hang policemen from the kaju pulang tree.

In fact shortly after last years parliamentary election a newly elected MP had entered a station demanding that his supporters be released and berating others there.

It is not yet established whether the crocodile went there looking for a politician or two who might have come to threaten the police. But sleuths from the CID, FCID and the Bribery Commission are on the job we hear.

The fact that the aforementioned crocodile which cannot be named for legal reasons, first entered the crime investigation room and then ventured elsewhere does suggest it was possibly looking for some law makers turned law breakers.

Now that is kollopan, but of one kind only. More of it will surface in the days to come.
The Yahapalana blues and Presidents right to sing it View(s):

No one really knows what made President Maithripala Sirisena give pubic expression to any private misgivings he may have had in the way the onslaught on corruption was carried out by the agencies assigned to that task and why he singled out the Bribery Commissioner for special mention.

Had his broadside, made last Tuesday, been to pull up these agencies for their incompetence, to complain over their long delays and to lambast their choice of priority in drawing in only the small fish that swum in shallow ponds whilst the sharks that lurked beyond the reef continued to freely roam the deep and even make oceanic crossings at will, the entire nation would have understood his frustration, shared his mounting anger and even sympathized with his plight.

After all, wasnt he the presidential candidate who had ridden to power on the crest of a wave of attacking corruption and bringing to justice those who had plundered the nations wealth and had rendered bare its coffers? His inability to deliver the rogues so far and acquit himself with honour by discharging the heavy burden of the election winning pledge he had made to the nation had caused a blot on his performance sheet and, no doubt, would have given him many a night of restless sleep, brooding on how best to spur the investigative agencies to action and goad them to produce results.

If Rajapaksas theme song had been to gloat over the war victory and set fire to Sinhala chauvinistic passions to burn at a new high, Sirisenas signature tune had been to float the dream of a new era he would dawn for Lanka where the mega corrupt would have no nook nor cranny to hide but would be brought before the nations courts to face judgment day. It would be done within a framework of just governance where all, irrespective of birth, status, rank, creed or wealth would be equal in the eyes of the law.

Rajapaksas future lay in his past achievements whereas Sirisenas future lay in his promises. Rajapaksas past deeds, however glorious it may have been, were water under the bridge; and having flowed for five long years had long ceased to excite the imagination of a people. They had seen enough of the debris it carried, the effluence of corruption and abuses of power that had poured from the river banks of decadence and were sick of it and were waiting to see the last of it.

What they yearned, instead, and what they chose in January last year, was to see clear waters lit by the rays of an unclouded sun flow again, a babbling river of pristine waters, clean and transparent and devoid of fungi that would ensure the reinvigoration of life, a life able to flourish in an environment free from toxic pollutants which had debauched the national stream.

PRESIDENT MAITHRIPALA SIRISENA: Duty to protect the armed forces

But the purification process is easier said than done for toxic germs dont give up their ghosts easily. Though some change colour and some mutate, some dig in and resist all attempts to unearth and expose them to light which is fatal to their existence. Only concerted cleaning up action exerted relentlessly offer any chance at all for its complete eradication. Due to these unexpected complications, the entire process had taken too long but still the people, having understood the intricacies involved in turning slimy waters pure, were content to tolerate the delay and remain grudgingly patient, provided the task launched with all fanfare was continued unto the end without any letup.

But yet when the President rose to speak at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute on October 11th in a ceremony held to give houses and lands to security personnel, it was not to rattle off the usual excuses of the complications involved in bringing the guilty to trial and then reaffirm his unbending will to pursue the task, no matter the obstacles.

Instead it was to give a public spanking to the FCID, the CID and a special six of the best to the Bribery Commissioner for being too arrest-happy and taking the former defence secretary and three former commanders of the navy to court without having an eye on the broader picture but bent more on giving effect to a political agenda. He took umbrage that he was not informed beforehand of such intended actions and thus, presumably, denied the opportunity to veto it, if he so desired, in the larger interest of the nation.

The action of herding the three navy commanders who had fought in the war to court was most despicable, he declared his displeasure with vehemence. There is a reason why independent commissions were established. Those in these commissions must know the special area that is required and relevant to their services. That is national security, the management of the armed forces. Those who are not aware of this, those who do not think of these correctly, those who do not have the ability to think about these, act wrongly with regard to these. As the defence minister and as the president, I express my revulsion and opprobrium that three former navy commanders were taken to court.

It was indeed an unexpected and unprecedented outburst from Maithripala Sirisena and the nations mind boggled as to what possibly could have sparked the bombshell: this bolt from the blue that surprised all and plunged the nation to suffer the Yahapalana blues.

Though many theories have been advanced to explain away his tirade, why the president chose to air his misgivings in public is a secret known to himself alone. But during the last 22 months he had been in office, he has also emerged as a master strategist with a cultivated sense of timing in the artful manner of a boxer who knows exactly the right moment to land his punch to floor his opponent or a comedienne who knows exactly when to drop his punch line to gain the maximum laughter. In this instance it was not to deliver a knockout blow to anyone in particular or to have the masses in stitches.

And yet, though those in the joint opposition feel emboldened by the Presidents remarks against the FCID, CID and the BC and welcome with relief that the heat may now be turned low and even off, still they harbour deep within, the nagging doubt what the president has up his sleeve, remembering full well the hot potato he timely dropped on the eve of the last general election when he suddenly pulled the rug under Mahindas feet and rained acid on the rebels polls parade and thus soured Rajapaksas prime ministerial hopes. No one who could crunch through so many hoppers with a dead pan expression and leave egg on host Mahinda Rajapaksas face the morning after, is to be underestimated.

The only clues left for theorists to glean from the presidents diatribe against the Bribery Chief, are how public officials should not forget the broader picture when taking action and how he will not allow positions to be used to serve political agendas. These two pointers may serve to reveal all and yet may reveal sweet nothings but be mere red herrings for others to fry while the real import of his tirade may lie elsewhere? That only Sirisena knows. As his able and loyal lieutenant, Minister Senaratne remarked this week, If the cap fits, let them wear it.

But one thing is certain. The President would not have sacrificed his Yahapalana image and appeared to be compromising on his Yahapalana principles and transgressing on his Yahapalana promises on which he rode to power merely to get Bribery Commissions Director General Dilrukshi Wickremesinghe to tender her resignation. Werent there other ways to skin a cat? More than one way to catch a fish? There was no need to burn Dilrukshi at the Yahapalana stake and see Yahapalanaya itself perish in the pyres flames.

Many Yahapalana followers were aghast to learn of the Presidents no-holds-barred full frontal attack on the investigative agencies; and some, morale sapped, even went so far as to describe it as the end of the Yahapalana dream and the beginning of the all too familiar Rajapaksa nightmare. They feared that Maithripala had betrayed the cause, caved into joint opposition demands to end  what the joint opposition termed  was a political witch hunt in order to pave the way to unite the splintered SLFP and make it a winning force to triumph the traditional foe, the UNP, at the next elections.

But were their fears groundless? Was it possible that, not having read the entire speech, they misunderstood the true import of what President Sirisenas speech contained? Had a single para, taken out of context, led them to think that the President, a month before the nation marks the first death anniversary of the most Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera which falls on November 8th, had thrown the Yahapalana baby with the bathwater? Could they countenance the thought that the man who had carried the torch of Yahapalanaya, first lit by Ven. Sobitha two years ago, would now extinguish its flame and, in the ensuing darkness, snuff out his own political existence as well?

Let us not forget that Maithripala Sirisena is the man who, after becoming president kept his promise to establish the Bribery Commission as an independent body along with 4 other bodies thus reversing the draconian step Mahinda Rajapaksa had taken to consolidate his power further and make it near absolute five years ago to bring them under his own direct purview through the 18th amendment which was repealed and replaced with Sirisenas 19th amendment last year.

Would a man who had run the gauntlet to see the liberating 19th Amendment introduced and approved by a two third majority in Parliament against all odds and in the midst of midnight feasts held in the Well of the House by the Rajapaksa rebels; and hailed by all as a most enlightening piece of legislation, now wish to see it traduced in the dust 18 months later? If he were to trample it in a fit of fury, would he not be dancing on his own political grave, too?

True, the production in court of three former navy commanders who had fought in the war, had irked him and he had spoken against the act not because he had any personal connection with them and batted for them but out of national interest. Hadnt the President who had guaranteed the right of free speech without fear and vowed to respect the opinions of all, the right to express his own opinion on the anti corruption drive he initiated without it being condemned as negating the principles enshrined in the Yahapalana philosophy?

As the President, in his speech, advised the investigative agencies not to forget the broader picture when executing their duties, does it not behove the rest to also consider the broader picture before rushing to criticise the Presidents comments?

To be fair to the President, his speech was devoted in the main to explain his duties as President. He said he was not elected by the people as president to make telephone calls to the courts, exert pressure on judges, to influence independent commissions, but to reform the whole system of government. Neither was he interested in sending people to jail. That, he said, was not his business.

As President of the country, as the Commander in Chief and the Defence Minister, he declared, I have a higher duty to protect the interest of the armed forces. It is my duty to ensure that the defence of the realm is maintained. To each of these independent commissions, though the constitutional council appoints members, the constitution has reserved the right to the President to appoint the Director General and the secretary. This is because the constitution has taken cognizance of the fact that there is a need for the President to take into consideration the stability of the government, its management, its responses to changing circumstances and act accordingly and give direction in that regard.

He said that as the elected President of the country he has been entrusted with many duties and responsibilities and one prime responsibility was to protect the armed forces. These are factors that also must be taken into consideration when heads of commissions seek to act. They should not take decisions as if their own area of responsibility was all that mattered and if the FCID, CID and the Bribery Commission act based on a political agenda then he will have to take a decision on them too.

Obviously the President sees himself as a conductor of a symphony orchestra. His role is not to draw the bow on the violin or pluck the viola or play a movement from a Bach suite on the cello. Neither is it to slap the strings on a double bass or blow the conch as a shell trumpet but to assemble the woodwinds, brass, percussion and strings and let the music play in unison.

As the President said in his speech, The people placed a great trust in me. As a result of that trust on January 8th 2015, the people elected me president not because they wanted food or clothing from me or to build roads but to bring many political reforms that had to be brought within the country. To safeguard the law and protect the peace. To guarantee the supremacy of the law. To guarantee freedoms, democracy human rights and fundamental rights. 

Thus it is clear that he regards his role as being one to create the ensemble of institutions that are needed to give practical effect to his vision and, in the manner of a conductor, to act as its unifier, to direct its performance and set the tempo and style of its activities. And should the flutist blow too hard and split the air and jar the tone or the cellist draw the bow too harshly upon the string and turn the musical score to a cacophony, he will wave his baton and call the errant to line to restore the symphonys harmony.

It may not only be a necessary interference with the individual cellists performance but also a duty to ensure no one swerves away from the musical composition and spoils the orchestras collective performance. In the manner the baton stops in the conductors hand and he must face the final music if he defaults so does the buck stop at the presidents table and the incumbent must meet the public rage if he is derelict in his duty to the nation.

It must also be acknowledged and appreciated that as Executive President, Maithripala Sirisena has many responsibilities and duties to bear upon his shoulders and he cannot concentrate solely upon one and discharge it effectively without paying due consideration to the impact his action in discharging one duty would have on his other onerous duties.

He said: As the President I have been entrusted with great many duties and it is my fundamental duty to protect national security. In order to guarantee the defence of the realm, I am bound to protect the Armed Forces, bound to safeguard their honour, bound to promote their welfare. These are things that any nation, any government, any head of state are bound to do. I will never work to weaken the Forces. Neither will I allow anyone to do so.

In such an instance, bound by duty as commander in chief, defence minister and as executive president, if he fears that there is a sinister campaign to undermine the good standing of the armed forces, isnt he duty bound to rise and raise the issue with a view to protecting the armed forces? Or do you expect him to throw the forces honour to the wolves and stay mute?

Rightly or wrongly, if, in President Sirisenas opinion  and it is only his opinion that matters, not every Tom, Dick or Harrys view for the people havent voted them as president  he considers that the investigative agencies have stepped out of line and are acting outside the scope of their brief, motivated by some political agenda  doesnt he have the right to express it and then seek to put the house in order?

Even Supreme Court judges the world over do not arrive at their judgments based on sterile law alone but often take into consideration public policy and the effect their decisions would have on society. For judges have a higher duty that transcends the merits or demerits of the case they are called upon to presently adjudicate. Even when the strict interpretation of the existing law demands the decision must undoubtedly be in favour of one litigant, supreme court judges may hold that it should not be so decided, if they determine that the effect of such a decision, however right in law, may be wrong to award for the social injustice it would create or the evil that would flow from setting such a precedent.

It is in this same manner, in the art of government, that the President too has to take account of factors external to the corruption crackdown and sound the alarm when he finds the investigators, wittingly or unwitting, have overshot their mark. That does not ring the death knell to the anti-corruption drive. Only steers it back to course.

This Wednesday, a 20-strong FCID team raided Joint Opposition member Kumar Welgamas Matugama estate in search of a bullet proof car and found none. The President called the action rather immature and warned that what would happen at the end is people would just laugh at such acts. Was it wrong of the President to have condemned it, does it negate his commitment to the crackdown on corruption? Likewise, if Wednesdays raid reduced the corruption crackdown to a mockery, would not evidence of a secret political hand deciding whom to charge or whom to clear taints its credibility?

For even as the rest of the nation has a right to indulge the Yahapalana despair so has its chief constructor have the right to swing its blues when he finds his masons, confused of speech and ignorant of anothers lingo, not sticking to the original design but piling on more bricks slipshod on this modern tower of Babel than the weak and shallow foundation can take.

Fall gal Dil DILRUKSHI DIAS WICKREMESINGHE: Resigns as Bribery Commissions Director General Dilrukshi Dias Wickremesinghe never wanted to be the Bribery Commissions Director General. She had steadily risen through the ranks at the Solicitor Generals office and was quite happy to be serving as the Deputy Solicitor General when she was handpicked by the new political masters just after the presidential poll last year for the job as the nations number one corruption hunter. It was one that would thrust her into the limelight and would win her many powerful enemies. It would also make her place her neck on the line, in the line of selfless public duty.

But then she had the personality, the verve and the force of a German Panzer. She also had the spirit which would fill a container ship and still brim over. And she never could resist a challenge. For nearly twenty two months she slogged away, overtaxed and under resourced, to track down the bribe takers: the corrupt men and women of Lanka. When the Bribery Commission filed charges against the former defence secretary and three former navy commanders and took them to court on Sept 1st for allegedly causing a Rs 11.4 billion loss to the government, it was the biggest case she had handled since assuming office. But following the Presidents speech last week, where a reference was made to the case, she decided to tender her resignation on Tuesday. She need not have done so. But she chose to go. It was accepted the following day. Thus the nation on Wednesday lost the services of Dilrukshi Dias Wickremesinghe, widely regarded as a strong, incorruptible, brave officer, a person whom the public had grown to trust, respect and adore. It is unfortunate she had to become the fall gal caught up in a political world not her own and it is sad to see her go.
Executive Presidency at the root of problem View(s):

The fallout from the Presidential bombshell ten days ago over the manner in which the Governments anti-corruption drive was being (mis)handled still reverberates. He lashed out that there was a political agenda being pursued and that he was kept out of the loop. The remarks opened a crack in the Government of National Unity  and in a move to backtrack, the Media, the usual scapegoat when leaders blunder, is being blamed for misreporting and misquoting the President.

The Bribery and Corruption Commission has been plagued with difficulties since its inception 15 years ago. It was never allowed to function properly. In the early years it became a joke when the state prosecutor assigned to it started investigating the Commissions Director General in an in-house turf battle. Then, the Commissioners themselves became victims of corruption allegations. This week, the incumbent Director General tendered her much anticipated, principled resignation even though her actions always have the imprimatur of the three Commissioners.

On both counts, i.e. the political agenda allegation and not ben kept informed, the President is on thin ice. On the one hand, if there is a political agenda his entire Government is to blame because it is they, en voce, who are beating the drum day in and day out, that the former Administration (of which the present President was a key office-bearer) is corrupt and how they will be taken to task. On the other hand, there is no need for the President to know (and therefore intervene) in ongoing investigations.

This is more so, particularly for a President who is fond of saying that interference in the Judiciary has now stopped (and indeed it is less now). There is no requirement that he be kept informed, nor need he give directions on how independent Commissions must act. His statement that autonomous Commissions, must keep him informed because he appoints the commissioners ought not be the case.

The fact of the matter is that the Bribery Commission  and the Police, involved in the anti-corruption drives past and present, dont work in a political vacuum. The real world is something else. Politicians love to control them. And those idealists who campaigned for this Government in January 2015 expecting a change in the political culture are deeply disappointed.

At the root of this socio-political dilemma this country has had to live with in recent years is the Executive Presidency.

The Executive Presidency had long been a suggestion of one of post-Independence Sri Lankas political giants, J.R. Jayewardene. He felt that the vagaries of electoral whims and fancies led to unstable Governments and Parliaments. This trend was not in the best interest of an economically developing country. He felt a strong Executive President not having to rely on shaky Parliaments was the answer. What it bred in the process, however, and largely due to those who held the job of Executive President, was a gallop towards authoritarianism with too much power in the hands of one individual. The checks and balances through the Separation of Powers as one finds in other countries that have an Executive President were slowly but surely done away with.

The Executive Presidency helped to a large extent in the armed conflict against a separate state, but the side-effects of one-man rule were too much for the country as the January 2015 results showed.

One would have preferred the incumbent President who sat on that seat due to the very cry to abolish the Executive Presidency (and the only President to be elected without a political party), to have opted for an apolitical role  the leader of the nation irrespective of partisan politics. And indeed he has acted as a Statesman, above political agendas on an instance or two. He took pride in whittling down some of his powers through the 19th Amendment to the Constitution but it turned out to be only a sop. Instead, he got sucked into the same old political cesspit, fighting to gain control of the party he leads de-jure  not de-facto.

His decisions are getting more and more coloured  from the anti-corruption drive to the postponement of Local Government elections; from saying the National Unity Government with the UNP will continue to saying in the same breath that he has given a blank cheque to the UPFA and SLFP secretaries to form an SLFP Government by itself.

It is this current dichotomy that has enslaved the current holder of the office of Executive President and keeping him from his otherwise good intentions of ushering Good Governance.

Landmark judgment by Supreme Court

A landmark judgment by an increasingly independent and liberal Supreme Court captured the headlines recently. It now needs to catch the attention of the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary as well.

The judgment relates to the case of a lady graduate teacher who went to the media to complain of sexual harassment at her school in violation of the Establishment Code because she had to say bad things about the school, the Department of Education, and the Government.

The Supreme Court said that though the teacher may have violated the Establishment Code, by speaking to the media and disclosing Government information in the process, the Court had to weigh the facts and circumstances. The Judges held that though freedom of expression is not unrestricted, it is an essential ingredient in a functioning democracy.

This thinking must be hailed without reservation. It is a reminder that old notions must be set aside. There was a time when public officers used to be terrified to speak to the media due to fetters laid on them under the Establishment Code. This resulted in offenders getting away lightly leading to the overall degeneration of the public service.

Information is the best disinfectant. It can clean corrupt state institutions and expose misdeeds. In this case, the Court, as the final arbiter of justice in this country gave relief to a harassed teacher despite a restrictive Government Code. It declared that it was more than convinced that the intolerable and unacceptable conduct and behaviour of the offenders caused the teacher to express her suffering and views quite freely in the hope of availing to herself the protection available under the law.

Sri Lanka has entered a progressive era with the enactment of the 2016 Right to Information Act and this judgment gives a refreshingly new direction on the way the courts of Sri Lanka will view sexual harassment in the workplace, out-of-date Government regulations and freedom of expression in this country.
Detained Ex-Maldivian Def. Min.s family calls for his release View(s):

Family members of former Maldivian Defence Minister Col (Rtd) Mohamed Nazim this week called on the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) and the international community to intervene and secure the release of Mr Nazim, who has been under house arrest for the past 20 months.

The family members-backed Human Rights (HR) activists and lawyers addressing a press conference in Colombo, said Mr Nazim was being held under what they called fabricated charges of possessing a pistol.

Adam Azim, brother of Mr Nazim said that, despite the availability of fresh evidence that the weapon did not belong to Nazim, the local courts there were not willing to consider the evidence.

Independent HR Consultant, Abbas Faiz, formerly a senior Amnesty International Researcher on South Asia, said there is a crackdown on opposition politicians in the Maldives by incumbent President Abdulla Yameen and his government.

He said they were appealing to the international community to bring pressure on the Maldivian government to release Mr Nazim, who is being held after an unfair trial.

Member of Parliament, Ali Hussain, said, despite using all local legal resources, they have not been successful and therefore, were now calling upon the international community to take up the case.

Mr Nazims family members and lawyers were also due to brief the diplomatic community about the detention.
Killing of Jaffna students: Five policemen remanded View(s):

Five policemen allegedly involved in the incident where two Jaffna University students were killed, were remanded until November 4 by Jaffna Magistrates Court yesterday as security was tightened in the Northern peninsula.

Security measures were stepped up around Jaffna town particularly the court complex and police headquarters to prevent any unrest or violence.

Jaffna Magistrate S. Satheeswaran instructed the police to produce the suspects in the courts tomorrow though they have been remanded in Anuradhapura Prisons till November 4.

Criminal Investigations Department (CID) detectives sent from Colombo are probing the incident by recording statements and collecting forensic evidence.

President Maithripala Sirisena while regretting the incident yesterday instructed the law enforcement authorities to carry out an impartial investigation and submit the report to courts as early as possible.He also ordered that compensation be given to the families of the victims. The two arts faculty students were killed in the incident on Thursday night after one of them was allegedly shot by policemen who were on night patrol.

According to a police report issued on Friday, the two youths who were travelling in a motorbike from Jaffna to Chunnakam ran off the road and crashed into nearby wall. They were taken to hospital by police at midnight but were pronounced dead on admission.

Later the Judicial Medical Officers report on these deaths concluded that the rider had a bullet wound in the chest while the pillion rider suffered head injuries after crashing into the wall.

A tense situation erupted at Jaffna Teaching Hospital on Friday with hundreds of university students demanding the release of the JMOs report.

The two students, Natarajan Kajan and Pounraj Sulakshan, were travelling from Kanthorodai, some six kilometres from the Jaffna town from where one of the victim hailed on their way to th euniversity hostel.

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA), while unequivocally condemning the incident, said it took up the issue with President Maithripala Sirisena on the sidelines of an event in Trincomalee on Friday and called for an impartial investigation.

TNA abd Opposition Leader R Sampanthan also spoke to Police Chief Pujith Jayasundara and expressed his concern over what had happened.

The CID probe was ordered after Police first claimed that the incident was an accident. But hours later the Governments Information Department said the the Post Mortem examination had been held five police officers had been arrested and immediately interdicted. All necessary steps have been taken to ensure that the law is properly implemented in this regard, it said in a statement.

This incident comes in the wake of a new police patrolling unit set up this week to bring under control the anti social activities and violence incidents which are on rise in the Jaffna district.

Police spokesperson Ajith Rohana told the Sunday Times that since the CID had taken over, a speedy investigation would be held and the truth revealed soon.

The funerals of the students are scheduled for today in Kilinochchi and tomorrow in Jaffna. Plans are underway by university community to organise protests in Jaffna tomorrow.
Meeting top leaders, but also having the common touch View(s):

Rudyard Kiplings immortal words of being able to walk with kings but not lose the common touch are portrayed in these pictures. On Thursday President Maithripala Sirisena went to Moneragala where he met the indigenous peoples leaders, soon after he returned from Goa where he met the leaders of several countries during the BIMSTEC summit.
Ministry overturns Cabinets award to State-owned Co. View(s):

A large portion of the Rs 90 million tender for the supply and delivery of fishing nets has been awarded to several private companies, contrary to Cabinet decision to award the tender solely, to a Treasury-owned company.

A joint Cabinet note was submitted to Cabinet by the Ministers of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Mahinda Amaraweera and Minister of Prison Reforms, Rehabilitation and Resettlement D.M. Swaminathan in August this year, as per a decision to purchase the fishnet products from the 100% Treasury-owned company, North Sea Ltd (NSL), for the benefit of the fishing sector.

However, this week, the Director General of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources announced that the Procurement Committee of the Dept has approved the awarding of the fishing nets tender to several private companies, with the State-owned company getting a minor portion.

NSL was awarded the tender to supply only to the value of around Rs 6.7 million, while four private companies were awarded the tender to provide the rest of the fishing net requirements.

Secretary to the Minority of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Mangalika Adikari said the tender for the supply of fishing nets had been called prior to the Cabinet decision to purchase the equipment from NSL.

Meanwhile, Chairman of NSL, T. Parmeshwaran said the State-owned company is in a position to supply the entire requirements of fishnets to the Dept of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

The locally manufactured nets are of a superior quality and they are affordable and reasonable, he said.

He said the NSL products were ISO certified in 2009 and the factories making the nets provide employment to over 300 persons, and could be further improved if the Government awards it a bigger share of the tender or, even the authority to be the sole provider.

NSL now operates under the Ministry of Prison Reforms, Rehabilitation and Resettlement.

(CK)
Motion in House to ensure UN 2030 goals are met View(s):

A motion signed by fourteen MPs for the setting up of a Select Committee of Parliament to look into and make recommendations to ensure that Sri Lanka achieves the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, will be introduced to Parliament on Tuesday.

The Motion will be moved by UPFA MP Duleep Wijesekera and has been signed by MPs Seyed Ali Zahir Moulana, Buddhika Pathirana, Lucky Jayawardana, Anura Sidney Jayarathne, S. M. Marikkar, Abdullah Mahrooff, Hector Appuhamy, Chandima Gamage, Mohamed Navavi, K. K. Piyadasa, ( Mrs.) Vijayakala Maheswaran, A. Aravindh Kumar, Dharmalingam Sithadthan and Lasantha Alagiyawanna.

The Motion states that Sri Lanka had endorsed UN Sustainable Development Goals which constitutes an interlinked framework fusing together economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development and as Parliament is at the forefront in realising these goals through their lawmaking, budgeting and oversight functions, there is the need that a Select Committee of Parliament be appointed.

The Committee, the Motion states, should be tasked with formulating National Policies and legislating laws in consultation with relevant line Ministries; allocating adequate domestic resources and finding international funding resources; coordinating among Government implementing Agencies and networking measures at National, Provincial and Local levels.

It also states that the Committee should work towards encouraging public-private partnership; obtaining the support of United Nations Agencies and civil society organisations; sharing expertise and experiences among countries at regional and international levels.
Navy increases patrols off Kalpitiya to deter illegal fishing practices View(s):

The Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) will increase its patrols in the seas off Kalpitiya to apprehend those using illegal fishing methods, Navy Spokesman Captain Akram Alavi stated. An increase in both day and night patrols in the area would be ffective immediately, he said.

While the Navy does arrest those engaged in illegal fishing, Captain Alavi said the SLN would enhance coordination with the Fisheries Ministry on sharing information related to illegal fishing. This should aid the Navy to be more effective in thwarting such attempts, he added.

The move follows days of tension in the Kalpitiya area between fishermen using illegal fishing methods and those opposed to them. The situation exploded into violence on Friday, leaving several people injured and extensive damage to property.

A subsequent meeting between the opposing groups and Fisheries Minister Mahinda Amaraweera failed to resolve the issue.

Fishermens associations say they are hoping to continue their appeals for authorities to amend existing laws to ensure that more stringent action can be taken against illegal fishing methods.

Following Fridays unrest, Police Headquarters yesterday transferred Pradeep Manjula Udumalagala, the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Kalpitiya Police, to Puttalam. A Chief Inspector has already taken over from him as the Acting OIC.

Meanwhile, several fishermen who blocked the Kalpitiya-Puttalam main road in protest against illegal fishing methods have been noticed to appear in the Puttalam High Court on November 3.

Police are yet to make any arrests in connection with the unrest. Police sources stated several persons linked to the clashes and acts of vandalism have been identified.

However, due to concerns that arresting individuals immediately would rekindle tensions in the area, police would instead submit a report to courts on November 3 with the names of suspects linked to the unrest.

Thereafter, police are hoping to obtain a court order to arrest them all.

Four motorcycles, a small lorry, and four boats moored to the Kalpitiya jetty were set on fire and destroyed during the clashes. A group of persons also hijacked a lorry belonging to a fish vendor and destroyed about 4000 kilos of fish that were inside. The businessman has lodged a complaint with the Kalpitiya police alleging that he had suffered a loss amounting to Rs.1.1 million as a result of the destruction.

Eleven persons were also injured in the clashes. Two of the injured were still being treated at the Kalpitiya Base Hospital last evening.

The situation had returned to normal by yesterday, with transport services operating as usual and people going about their day-to-day lives. However, a unit from the police riot squad continued to be stationed in the area.
To cater for New Zealands growing prison population the Government will invest in a further 1800 prisoner places at three exisiting facilities at a construction cost of about $1 billion, says Corrections Minister Judith Collins.

Next month ministers will consider the new Waikeria facilitys business case for formal approval. Waikeria is where most Bay of Plenty prisoners serve their sentences.

Corrections will also propose increasing the delivery of rehabilitation programmes at the prison, such as Drug Treatment Units, reintegration programmes, education and training programmes and Special Treatment Units to help address violent and sexual offending.

Judith says the new Waikeria facility will be operated by Corrections but built and maintained by a Public Private Partnership, similar to that being used by Corrections to build its new maximum security facility at Auckland Prison.

The construction of a new facility for around 1500 prisoners at Waikeria which could be delivered in two stages - would be a significant contribution to ensuring that Corrections can accommodate the forecast numbers of prisoners.

This week the Government approved an increase in double bunking in the Northland Region Corrections Facility at Ngawha by 80 beds, plus a new accommodation block to be built at Mt Eden Corrections Facility, adding 245 beds.

Judith says despite progress in reducing crime in New Zealand, the number of prisoners has increased faster than projected.

This is due to the numbers of offenders charged with serious crimes increasing, which means more people are being remanded in custody and serving more of their sentences in prison.

We have to respond through new investment or we will create unacceptable safety risks for staff, prisoners and the public, and be less effective at rehabilitating prisoners.

Were already adding 341 prisoner places through the use of double bunking and converting facilities to accommodate prisoner beds. This is part of the financial commitment we made in Budget 2016 to Phase One of the Prison Capacity Programme.

But as we look out over the next five years this will not be enough.

While most of the forecast demand is expected to come from the upper North Island, Waikeria is in a good location to serve this demand as it is close to the areas of need, which will reduce costs of operating the prison network and help keep prisoners close to family and support networks.

Judith says Phase Two of the prison programme is not just about bricks and mortar but will also be aimed at the drivers of crime, drug and alcohol abuse and domestic violence.

But NZ First Youth Affairs spokesperson Darroch Ball believes the $1b to be spent on more prison beds would not be necessary if the justice system stopped youth from going on to offend as adults.

Half of all adult prisoners have previously been convicted as a youth. But the youth justice system is failing, so the government announced spending of $1 billion for another 1800 new beds in adult prisons.

Instead of being the stopping point in a short life of crime the youth justice system is a breeding ground and conveyer belt for criminals.

Darroch says the vast majority of youth offenders are just being re-cycled around the system, getting warnings or diversion and continually reoffending.

We need investment to correct and address our youth system instead of throwing billions at the problem when its far too late.
Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges leaves for Singapore today to attend International Energy Week.

The global event brings together 28,000 representatives of the energy industry, Governments and non-government organisations from across the Asia-Pacific region and from around the world.

Discussions will focus on the future of energy supply and ensuring people across the region have access to reliable energy.

Mr Bridges will take part in panel discussions at the Singapore Energy Summit, the Energy Access Forum, the Asia Clean Energy Summit and the Gas Asia Summit.

Globally we are seeing low oil, gas and coal prices but at the same time we have to take significant steps to reduce our carbon emissions if we are to manage the impacts of climate change, Mr Bridges says.

For the Asia-Pacific region in particular, which contains many developing nations, this situation raises some big questions. It is important for New Zealand to take part in the debate.

With more than 80 per cent of our electricity coming from renewable sources, its an ideal opportunity to share our experience with renewable energy and promote our considerable expertise in renewable technologies.
Pharmac is asking Bay locals to help it make changes to how medicine and medical device funding applications are made.

The Government agency responsible for deciding which pharmaceuticals are publicly funded is holding a public forum at the Arataki Community Centre in Mount Maunganui on October 27.

Around 183,000 people in the Bay received funded medicines last year, so its important to have your say on how PHARMAC makes decisions, says Chief Executive Steffan Crausaz.

We want to make sure that were continuing to make the best decisions for New Zealanders, and to do that we need public feedback.

The changes have been proposed in order to meet New Zealands obligations under the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement and to make some other improvements.

These administrative changes would not change the heart of the PHARMAC model and would only take effect when the TPP comes in to effect for New Zealand, explains Steffan.

Pharmac is proposing a timeframe for considering certain funding applications and establishing a review process for those it declines. These changes would only apply to supplier applications for new medicines.

To support these changes, Pharmac is also suggesting some other changes to make it easier for people to submit an application and to know more about the agencys assessment. It would also apply to future applications for medical devices.

Feedback from a wide range of people is a really important part of our decision making process. Before we make any changes to our application process, we want to make sure that we first consider what people think about those changes.

Were visiting a number of communities across New Zealand to talk about our work and to also get feedback on these proposed changes to our funding application process.

The Pharmac Tauranga forum takes place in the Penguin Room at the Arataki Community Centre on Zambuck Way in Mount Maunganui on Thursday, October 27, from 9.30am-11:30am

To register either visit: www.pharmac.govt.nz/tpp-implementation or call 04 460 4990.

Written feedback can also be submitted online at: www.pharmac.govt.nz
A Tauranga designer has won bronze for his first ever lighting product.

Maker Furnitures Mat Macmillan was recognised in the Lighting category of the recent Designers Institute of New Zealand Best Design Awards.

Mats design, iO Lighting, is his first foray into the design field, and hes pleased to have fared so well against established designers.

David Trubridge took gold, and some other well established names were awarded silver, so we were up against some big guns.

Mat says the lights are selling very well all over New Zealand.

We recently supplied 30 units to a Fox Glacier hotel and are quoting for projects as far afield as Fiji at present.

A carpenter by trade, Mat set up his own workshop in a small shed on his familys lifestyle block in Welcome Bay. Initially it had no power supply, and just a dirt floor. But with the help from some friends, he dug a 40m trench to lay down a power cable, poured a concrete floor and fitted the place out with some machinery off Trade Me.

I made stuff for our home which I also used to try to promote my work via a Facebook page, he says.

Soon I began to try my hand at a lighting design that utilised my cabinet-making skills. The result was the iO range.

Being new to the industry, Mat says he had no idea about pricing the product, how to market it, or where to retail. However, at the beginning of 2016 he gained a business mentor via the Chamber of Commerce mentoring programme, which has been a massive help in getting him through the hurdles of developing the business and product.

Winning such a prestigious industry-recognised award is far more than I ever dreamed of, says Mat.

But it has confirmed for me perseverance and hard work really can pay off.

See Mats design, and the other winners, at https://bestawards.co.nz/product/lighting
Councils stand accused of spending nearly half a million dollars on propaganda branding exercises by the taxpayers union which is asking why ratepayers funds are being spent on social media propaganda.

Figures obtained by the Taxpayers Union show that $446,513.98 has been spent by councils on social media advertising in the 2015/16 financial year. Facebook advertising comprises more than 80% of that spend, with LinkedIn advertising making up the rest.

While Auckland Council alone splashed $187,870 on social media advertising in 12 months, Tauranga City Council is small fry, spending only $1,302.81 on facebook advertising over the year while Rotorua District Council splashed out nearly $29,000.

The Western Bay of Plenty district council spent only $500 of ratepayers money of Facebook advertising.

While no one would object to councils using Facebook to get public information to residents, such as how to vote in the local elections, these figures make it clear that councils are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on propaganda branding exercises. Ratepayers get absolutely no value for that, says executive director of the Taxpayers Union Jordan Williams.

Councils should be more concerned with delivering essential services like rubbish collection and local infrastructure in a cost-effective manner, not spending hundreds of thousands on increasing their Facebook reach and promoting pictures of politicians.

In addition to the out of pocket costs, ratepayers are paying spin doctors to sit on Facebook and monitor what people are saying about the Council. For example, the tertiary qualified Digital Media Co-ordinator at Taranaki Regional Council is being paid a generous salary to post articles about how families can save money on groceries. Is this really what we need local government to be concerned with?

RAW DATA:

Council Facebook Expenditure LinkedIn Expenditure Total

Ashburton District Council $32.00 $0.00 $32.00

Auckland Council $164,287.32 $23,582.96 $187,870.28

Central Otago District Council $1,927.41 $0.00 $1,927.41

Christchurch City Council $21,592.00 $4,919.00 $26,511.00

Clutha District Council $48.95 $0.00 $48.95

Dunedin City Council $65,292.00 $0.00 $65,292.00

Gisborne District Council $791.21 $0.00 $791.21

Gore District Council $497.51 $751.90 $1,249.41

Grey District Council $81.00 $0.00 $81.00

Hamilton City Council $15,902.37 $2,206.70 $18,109.07

Hastings District Council $747.07 $0.00 $747.07

Horowhenua District Council $1,492.85 $0.00 $1,492.85

Hurunui District Council $671.52 $0.00 $671.52

Hutt City Council $2,458.87 $0.00 $2,458.87

Invercargill City Council $1,296.06 $0.00 $1,296.06

Kaipara District Council $0.00 $452.00 $452.00

Kapiti Coast District Council $262.12 $0.00 $262.12

Kawerau District Council $407.26 $0.00 $407.26

Manawatu District Council $97.98 $1,291.95 $1,389.93

Marlborough District Council $0.00 $22.13 $22.13

Masterton District Council $3,176.51 $0.00 $3,176.51

Matamata-Piako District Council $123.11 $0.00 $123.11

Napier City Council $2,001.09 $0.00 $2,001.09

Nelson City Council $4,348.16 $5,865.95 $10,214.11

New Plymouth District Council $1,416.22 $2,116.65 $3,532.87

Opotiki District Council $0.00 $2,822.05 $2,822.05

Otorohanga District Council $30.00 $0.00 $30.00

Palmerston North City Council $177.10 $0.00 $177.10

Porirua City Council $3,486.62 $2,877.95 $6,364.57

Queenstown-Lakes District Council $1,036.61 $307.50 $1,344.11

Rotorua District Council $20,845.00 $8,010.00 $28,855.00

Ruapehu District Council $110.00 $0.00 $110.00

Selwyn District Council $2,398.47 $5,088.23 $7,486.70

South Taranaki District Council $11.39 $0.00 $11.39

Southland District Council $907.49 $1,263.60 $2,171.09

Stratford District Council $199.73 $0.00 $199.73

Tararua District Council $644.00 $0.00 $644.00

Taupo District Council $292.84 $0.00 $292.84

Tauranga City Council $1,302.81 $0.00 $1,302.81

Timaru District Council $0.00 $700.00 $700.00

Upper Hutt City Council $1,756.93 $0.00 $1,756.93

Waikato District Council $505.11 $3,811.40 $4,316.51

Waimakariri District Council $200.00 $750.00 $950.00

Waipa District Council $227.95 $0.00 $227.95

Wairoa District Council $0.00 $4,842.71 $4,842.71

Waitaki District Council $27.00 $0.00 $27.00

Waitomo District Council $258.41 $0.00 $258.41

Wanganui District Council $24,513.00 $0.00 $24,513.00

Wellington City Council $14,934.89 $3,197.35 $18,132.24

Western Bay of Plenty District Council $500.00 $0.00 $500.00

Whakatane District Council $1,145.69 $0.00 $1,145.69

Whangarei District Council $434.04 $6,738.28 $7,172.32

Total $364,895.67 $81,618.31 $446,513.98

The New Zealand Taxpayers Union is an independent and membership-driven activist group, dedicated to being the voice for Kiwi taxpayers in the corridors of power.

The Taxpayers Union operates a 24-hour media line for comment on taxpayer issues. Representatives are available on (04) 282 0302.
Its really just going with all the things that say: Live life to the fullest, and everybody says it  but not many people actually do it, says Sophie Stokes.

Her family is about to. Sophie and partner Carl Dickens are about to go travelling the world with their four children  Kasha, 12, Triton, 7, Ronin, 6, and Cove, 3  and a backpack each.

Yes, the Papamoa family-of-six has spent the last year saving, researching and planning to go on the trip of a lifetime to see the world and  ironically  spend time together.

We just decided there has to be more to life than working to pay bills and buying stuff we dont really need, and we wanted to find inner happiness.

We live and breathe for our kids  but we spend so much time rushing around that we dont actually have time for them.

So the family is departing New Zealand on December 7 and will not return for 12 months.

We thought to hell with how much this costs  it will be worth every penny, says Sophie. The kids were asking for our time  and what better way to give it to them than spending endless hours travelling and exploring the world together.

While some might find travelling with young children daunting, Sophie doesnt.

Im not that nervous because at the end of the day, what do they need? They need sleep and food. Well provide that. And whatever happens in between well just go with the flow.

Were pretty relaxed with our kids but our biggest thing is safety  and through all of our research we will be doing as best we can to keep our family as safe as possible.

The rest is just going to happen.

So what will they take with them? Obviously devices  were taking three iPads, a GoPro camera, a cellphone  to keep in touch with friends and family.

Plus travel sheets and towels, and fold-up clothes hangers  to wash and hang clothes overnight  because theyll each have one set of clothes on, a change, and a spare set, sneakers and jandals. Everything we take needs a function.

And as we go, anything we need well buy  and anything we dont need, well give away.

Hatching the travel idea, the kids thought it was a massive holiday of theme parks  but Sophie says the youngsters have done their research and will be immersed in so much more.

Now theyre more interested in seeing the Orangutans in Borneo, elephants in Sri Lanka, and seeing the floating market in the Mekong Delta.

Because theyll hit so many tourist spots they wont be able to afford everything. So well pick and choose things to do  and there will be a couple of treats along the way, like Legoland and Disneyland.

Sophie also wants to choose sustainable tourist activities. We dont want to support people exploiting animals or go to places cutting down forests.

We want to support businesses with sanctuaries  show the kids we dont go ride on elephants, we go watch them in the jungle in a sanctuary.

Sophie says the kids will be off the education grid for the trip  but will be learning as they travel and will keep up with English, reading and maths.

Their parents will be able to spend time helping them learn. That one-on-one with them will really help them and keep them up-to-date.

While travelling, Sophie will enforce some routine in their lives. Its a year of travel so we still need our family unit to work together  and we work best with routine.

Sophie says the extended family is finding it hard leading up to December. They are going to miss the kids hugely  but theyre hugely supportive as well.

Both sets of grandparents intend to meet up with Sophie and family twice at different locations around the globe.

Her advice to families thinking of ditching the daily grind to travel?

Were such a normal family  we dont have a huge amount of funds behind us  so what were doing anyone could do if they want to.

Once you get out of that mindset of this is what society thinks we should be doing because everyone else is doing it and it is expected  then really you can do whatever you want.

The Stokes have taken a second mortgage on their home, and Sophie has taken on part-time work, plus the family had cut down on expenses to finance the trip.

The familys hosting a garage sale at their home at 36 Oreti Crescent, Papamoa, on October 29, to help fund the trip too.

To follow the family around the globe, see: www.facebook.com/just6backpacks
Pale Green Stars

Pale Green Stars will perform a free show at Funk 'N Waffles Downtown on Saturday, October 29.

(Facebook)

As far as live music goes, this week in Upstate New York's a weird one, but I mean that in a good way. Many of the following acts are experimental in nature and many of them inhabit peculiar niches and subgenres.

Read on and you'll see exactly what I mean.

MC Chris with MC Lars and Mega Ran

MC Chris (often stylized as mc chris) is a nerdcore rapper, voice actor and comedian.

You're probably saying, "Hold up: What's a nerdcore rapper?" Well, it's just as it sounds. Nerdcore hip-hop is a real genre of music and, effectively, an entire community of MCs who rap about geek culture -- think video games, sci-fi movie franchises, "Dungeons and Dragons" and the like.

MC Chris, whose real name is Chris Ward, is the most prominent figure of the nerdcore hip-hop scene. The Illinois native started rapping about "Star Wars" and "wasting MCs like gasoline in Hummers" with members of the Jersey pop-punk band Dirt Bike Annie (as mc chris & The Lee Majors) in the early 2000s, single-handedly ushering in his ironic subgenre.

Ward is also known for his work on several Adult Swim cartoons as a voice performer, and as a theme tune composer for a few nerd-centric podcasts in filmmaker Kevin Smith's SModcast network.

Ward has self-released five albums and three EPs as his nerdcore alter ego. He put out his latest album, "mc chris Is Dreaming" just last month, after two years of inactivity. Its first single, "Freddy's Dead," is a tribute to the "A Nightmare on Elm Street" franchise.

MC Chris will be joined by fellow nerdcore rappers MC Lars and Mega Ran at Funk University tonight for what promises to be a one-of-a-kind show. On his Facebook page, MC Chris wrote, "SYRACUSE YOU INVENTED ROD SERLING AND THEREFORE YOU ARE THE TWILIGHT ZONE!! CAN'T WAIT FOR 10/23 WHEN ME AND MC LARS AND MEGA RAN FINALLY GET TO ZONE OUT!"

Doors at 7, tunes at 7:30.

When: 7:30 p.m. tonight

Where: Funk 'N Waffles University, 727 S Crouse Ave., Syracuse

Tickets: $16-$18

Siren's Image with Atsuko Chiba and Dracula's Drone Disco

It's another SPIT FAM Tapes show at The Vault, this time featuring rising Syracuse goth-prone post-punk group Siren's Image. The band's releasing brand new material and the underground's celebration is required. Montreal prog rockers Atsuko Chiba and locals Thomas Wardthird, Sam Hirsh and Jon Graham (as "Dracula's Drone Disco") are set to open. Artist Tom Ward III will be doing some live painting all night. Peak spooky may be reached. Doors at 7, tunes at 8.

When: 8 p.m. Tuesday, October 25

Where: The Vault, 451 S Warren St., Syracuse

Tickets: $5-$8

Turkuaz with The New Daze

Take nine Brooklyn hipsters with horns, synths, a dadaistic approach to songwriting and a collective sound of Sly & the Family Stone-meets-Talking Heads and you've got Turkuaz.

The colorful nontet calls itself a dance band at heart, but more specifically, Turkuaz is a "powerfunk army," and new fans are joining the ranks with each show.

Turkuaz has been gigging coast-to-coast since 2012, driving festival hippies and bored barflies alike berserk with its "high-energy, floor-shaking, visually appealing events." The band's latest release, last year's "Digitonium," boasts a career-high sense of accessibility -- these aren't so much weird funk songs anymore as they are playful pop tunes that align well with today's resurgence of '80s dance music.

Come to the historic Westcott Theater on Thursday to show Turkuaz some love. Syracuse reggae fusion favorites The New Daze are set to open. Doors at 8, tunes at 9.

When: 9 p.m. Thursday, October 27

Where: The Westcott Theater, 524 Westcott St., Syracuse

Tickets: $15

Mulberry Soul with Brendan Gosson

Not too long ago, Americana outfit Mulberry Soul formed at the Rochester Folk Art Guild, a craft-based community outside of Naples, New York. Now, the artsy sextet's hitting the road in support of a self-titled debut album, which dropped in May of this year. "Mulberry Soul" has a progressive bluegrass bite, but is indebted in equal measure to soulful folk and old time fiddle music. However you skew it, it's a stomping good time.

Band members Gabriel Schliffer (fiddle/cello), Scott Calpin (mandolin), Chris Machanoff (guitar), Aaron Oldweiler (bass) and Cordelia Hall (banjo) will visit Otro Cinco late Thursday night to do some picking. They'll be supported by Syracuse's own fiddling fiend Brendan Gosson (Boots N' Shorts, Grayak, Primo Ganso), making this an evening bluegrass fans should not miss. Food until 1 a.m., drinks all night. And as with any Otro show, there's no cover.

When: 10 p.m. Thursday, October 27

Where: Otro Cinco, 206 S Warren St., Syracuse

Tickets: Free

Kevin Griffin

Since 1995, Kevin Griffin has fronted New Orleans alt-rock band Better Than Ezra. This group is perhaps best known for its debut record, "Deluxe," which went double platinum thanks to the success of first single "Good."

Outside of Better Than Ezra, Griffin has produced, written and co-written albums and songs that have sold upwards of 30 million copies.

He's worked with artists such as Taylor Swift, Train, Sugarland, Barenaked Ladies, Christina Perri and James Blunt. In 2005, Griffin scored a No. 1 hit with Howie Day's "Collide," which could be heard on at least one episode of virtually every primetime hospital drama of the mid-2000s, plus a couple rom coms. Five years later, Sugarland's "Stuck Like Glue," also co-written by Griffin, became the 11th most downloaded country song of all time, according to Yahoo Music.

Kevin Griffin will be making his only stop in Upstate New York on Friday, when he performs at the Center for the Arts of Homer. Don't miss your chance to see this hit machine in action. Children under 18, as well as veterans and active military with ID, get in free.

When: 8 p.m. Friday, October 28

Where: Center for the Arts of Homer, 72 S Main St., Homer

Tickets: $28 general admission; $25 senior citizens; $23 students

Pale Green Stars

Every city should have an alt-country band, and Syracuse's is Pale Green Stars. The trio (which has seen a shifting lineup of bassists over the years) is marked by its anchors, vocalist-guitarist Jeff Jones and drummer Jeff Tripoli, who seem to intimately understand cowboy punk and how to elevate it.

Jones's songs are hooky, irreverent and soaked in booze. His guitar playing is distinctly American, drawing straight from the Chicago Delta at one moment, and from the schools of rockabilly and psychobilly the next. To boot, Tripoli's a human freight train with always-tight vocal harmonies. The band's aesthetic was perhaps best captured by Jeff Herrell of the South Bend Tribune: "Pale Green Stars redefine gut-bucket twang with a punkadelic cutting edge that's as sharp as a barbershop straight razor."

A free Pale Green Stars show on Halloweekend is almost a requirement. It all goes down at 11:30.

When: 11:30 p.m. Saturday, October 29

Where: Funk Downtown, 307 S Clinton St., Syracuse

Tickets: Free
Wednesday's third and final presidential debate produced some memorable moments. Republican nominee Donald Trump, when asked by moderator Chris Wallace whether he would abide by the will of the voters, said, "I'll keep you in suspense."

Trump also continued to do damage control after the previous week's revelations about sexually crude comments caught on a hot mic by the TV program "Access Hollywood."

This week, cartoonist Jeff Danziger of the Washington Post Writers Group joins the cartoon lineup. According ot the writer's group bio of him, Danziger is a Bronx native. He attended the University of Vermont and University of Denver. Danziger served in Vietnam as an intelligence officer. He has worked for the Rutland Herald, the New York Daily News and the Christian Science Monitor. The writer John le Carre describes him this way: "Jeff Danziger is everything a great political cartoonist should be in this over-reverential age: savage, merciless, ribald, and blessed with a lovely eye and hand."

Danziger takes aim at Trump's admiration of Vladimir Putin, Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton's overly optimistic view of her chances of winning Texas and the Las Vegas roulette wheel we are all about to spin.

And I think we can all agree with Tom Toles' poll of American voters: 100 percent of us are ready for this campaign to be over.
With an overall DxOMark Mobile score of 89, Pixel, the latest Google smartphone, is the highest-rated smartphone camera we have ever tested. Its image quality scores are impressive across the board

Photo Credit: DxOMark

Google Pixel's 12.3 MegaPixel autofocus camera at the back features Sony's most advanced IMX378 stacked mobile sensor paired with f/2.0 aperture that really boost the camera's ability to replicate colors and capture fine details even in conditions where there's little ambient light

a dedicated DRAM chip for its camera that helps move image data off the Sony sensor quickly

the device has a wire connecting the camera module to the hub for the accelerometer, the gyro, and the motion sensors, which makes it possible to have very accurate synchronization among these elements to compensate for shaking or hand movements while snapping images

it seems that what makes Google Pixel's camera truly shine is the imaging software and algorithms, which the company appears to be not that keen on discussing in great detail

My geeky friends are all raving about's camera -- and it's a bit odd because they haven't even tried it out yet."Have you seen sample shots taken using Pixel?" One bud asked me yesterday while we were havingat his pad and discussing the latest Android smartphone releases."Well, no, not yet. But let me check 'em out now," I answered.He enthusiastically replied, "Sure, go ahead! Visit. The have the best photos."I quickly jumped to the site on my mobile browser and this affirmative line about the handset greeted me:." ( source Apparently, the new Google smartphone has already beaten, andto become-- at least, according to this respected website.The sample shots, particularly the one below, appear to reinforce the claim.I was impressed by how well Google Pixel performed in all of their tests so as soon as I arrived home, I started reading more about the smartphone's camera specifications.Here's what I learned.In terms of hardware,Additionally, Pixel has, allowing instant post-processing.Although the shooter lacks optical image stabilization,, Android's Camera Engineering Manager, explains how Google Pixel uses lasers to deliver the finest shots possible:From what I've read,. Android Vice-President of Engineeringnonetheless shared thatInteresting, eh? It's really inspiring to see Google taking mobile imaging this seriously.As yet, I'm not sure if Google's partner network carriers in the Philippines are looking at offering the much-talked-about Pixel and Pixel XL to Pinoy consumers. But with all that I've learned so far about these releases, I sure hope thatis considering it.
Hacked Cameras, DVRs Powered Today's Massive Internet Outage At first, it was unclear who or what was behind the attack on Dyn. But over the past few hours, at least one computer security firm has come out saying the attack involved Mirai, the same malware strain that was used in the record 620 Gpbs attack on my site last month. At the end September 2016, the hacker responsible for creating the Mirai malware released the source code for it, effectively letting anyone build their own attack army using Mirai. Krebs on Security

Remembering PC Magazine founder David Bunnell We mourn the passing of the man who started PCMag, PC World, and many other publications after his start in computing working on the legendary Altair 8800. PCMag & FastCo

AMD drops prices on the Radeon RX 460 and RX 470 Nvidia's GeForce GTX 1050 and GTX 1050 Ti graphics cards don't start hitting store shelves until next Tuesday, but it seems AMD is already girding itself for a battle over budget and mainstream graphics superiority. Tech Report

AT&T Agrees to Buy Time Warner for Around $80 Billion AT&T has agreed to buy Time Warner for more than $80 billion, a person briefed on the matter said on Saturday, a move that would create a new colossus in the worlds of media and telecommunications. Putting together AT&T, a sprawling video and internet empire that encompasses cellphone and cable service along with DirecTV, and Time Warner's media holdings, which include HBO, CNN and the movie studio Warner Bros., would create a formidable new player and potentially spur even more deals. NYTimes

One day later, additional Nintendo Switch details dribble out "The dock is not the main console unit of Nintendo Switch": Nintendo confirmed to IGN that "the main unit of Nintendo Switch is the unit that has the LCD screen." The dock's main functions are TV output and power/charging, Nintendo said, which suggests the dock won't actually have much in the way of additional hardware to enable higher-fidelity play on an HDTV. Ars Technica

AMD beats Q3 expectations The company's revenues were up 23 percent year over year, primarily because of its record semi-custom SoC and higher GPU and mobile APU sales. ZDNet

LG Electronics to Eliminate 'Modules' for Its Next Smartphone (G6) LG Electronics is not going to apply modularized structure for its next strategic Smartphone called 'G6 (tentative)' that is expected to be released in 2017. It is basically withdrawing its strategy of modularization that was first introduced to G5 in just a year. ETNews

Pittsburgh's AI Traffic Signals Will Make Driving Less Boring Idling in rush-hour traffic can be mind-numbing. It also carries other costs. Traffic congestion costs the U.S. economy $121 billion a year, mostly due to lost productivity, and produces about 25 billion kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions, Carnegie Mellon University professor of robotics Stephen Smith told the audience at a White House Frontiers Conference last week. In urban areas, drivers spend 40 percent of their time idling in traffic, he added. IEEE

Google Has Quietly Dropped Ban on Personally Identifiable Web Tracking The practical result of the change is that the DoubleClick ads that follow people around on the web may now be customized to them based on your name and other information Google knows about you. It also means that Google could now, if it wished to, build a complete portrait of a user by name, based on everything they write in email, every website they visit and the searches they conduct. ProPublica
The list of places where Samsung's beleaguered Galaxy Note 7 is not welcome continues to increase, as the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, more popularly known as Amtrak, has banned the explosive device from its passenger railroad services.

The Galaxy Note 7 started off with a lot of promise after it was launched. However, there then came reports of units catching fire due to their batteries exploding. After a worldwide recall that saw the replacement devices still proving to be too hot to handle, Samsung has decided to end the production and sales of the Galaxy Note 7.

Shortly afterwards, the Department of Transportation issued an official ban on the smartphone from being taken on U.S. airline flights, which is a major escalation from the previous restriction that Galaxy Note 7 owners only needed to turn off the device before boarding airplanes.

The ban of the Galaxy Note 7 on airplanes, including being brought into aircraft as cargo, took effect on Oct. 15.

Unfortunately, there are still some customers who are still holding on to their Galaxy Note 7 smartphones. Whether that is by choice due to the impressive specs and features of the device or lack of knowledge on the recall of the Galaxy Note 7 despite the wide media coverage that it has received, there are still some units of the smartphone out there.

For Galaxy Note 7 owners looking to circumvent the airline ban by travelling through rail, Amtrak's issuance of its own ban eliminates that option as well.

Through the ban, the Galaxy Note 7 is no longer allowed from being brought into trains, platforms, stations and connecting buses. That is understandable given the damage that the smartphone can cause if it explodes while within a train, which could cause travel disruptions, passenger evacuations, and a lot of lost income.

It is not clear if other train operations around the world will enforce such a ban on the Galaxy Note 7. Samsung has placed exchange booths for the Galaxy Note 7 in airports across the globe so that owners can have their devices exchanged before boarding their flights, which is something that Samsung might do for entry points of other forms of transportation.

However, instead of further bans being applied against the smartphone and more exchange booths being put up, it would be much better if all the Galaxy Note 7 units still out in the wild would be replaced by owners as soon as possible.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The Google Pixel and Pixel XL hit the stores recently. Plenty of people have expressed their interest in both handhelds and most likely went on to grab their units when the devices got released a couple of days ago. However, a good chunk is still undecided.

While early reviews for the Pixel and Pixel XL are now out, they only detail the software experience and the surface of the hardware that the handhelds have. A deeper look into the hardware would require the smartphone to be taken apart.

iFixit did just that with its Google Pixel XL teardown.

Going In From the Top

Noting of the Google Pixel XL's design similarities to the iPhone, iFixit decided to open the device and expose its innards by first detaching the display. After a minute of heat, another minute for prying and a couple of screws, iFixit finally separated the screen from the rest of the phone.

"The OLED panel separated from the digitizer glass a little too easily for our liking. Super-thin components and no frame or bezel behind the display make it extra sketchy to remove," writes iFixit.

Further scrutiny reveals that the 5.5-inch AMOLED display is from Samsung, and the touch controller that comes attached to its back is a Synaptics ClearPad S3708.

The Midframe

With the display off, the midframe was exposed. iFixit comments that the slim magnesium frame is more bendy than expected and that it is clipped very firmly to the phone's body.

iFixit's Google Pixel XL teardown reveals that the midframe houses an earpiece speaker and a ribbon connector. With the frame off, the rest of the components, including the matte-black motherboard, are exposed.

Taking Out the Battery

While Google tags the Pixel and Pixel XL with a "Phone by Google" branding, it's not a secret that both handhelds came off HTC's assembly line. However, HTC did not leave any of its own branding aside from the one found on the 13.28 Wh battery.

The battery's cover has a perforated portion, which, when pulled, turns into convenient strip for taking out the battery.

The Motherboard And Modular Parts

After taking out the interconnect board, 3.5 mm headphone jack and 8-megapixel front-facing camera, iFixit got access to the motherboard but not before the fingerprint sensor cable was detached.

At the front, the motherboard has the Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 SoC, along with a 4 GB LPDDR4 mobile DRAM from Samsung. Qualcomm's power manager IC, Quick Charge 3.0 IC and LTE RF transceiver as well as the NXP audio amplifier, NFC controller and Wi-Fi controllers also take up some of the motherboard's front-side space.

At the mobo's back is a 32 GB UFS 2.0 chip from Samsung, the audio codec, antenna matching tuner, LTE RF transceiver and power amplifiers.

Attached to the motherboard, just beside the 12.3-megapixel rear camera that is also attached to the mobo, is a mini board that houses the microphone. The miniboard is also home to the rangefinder that the XL needs for its laser autofocus.

The Daughterboard And the Fingerprint Sensor

The fingerprint sensor is housed by the rear case and, as mentioned, is attached to the motherboard via a cable. Also in the rear case is the daughterboard, which is home to a microphone and the USB Type-C port.

"This is a pretty bare-bones part, which means cheap USB port replacements," iFixit writes in addition to its prior comment on how the daughterboard pops out with relative ease.

Repairability Score

The Google Pixel XL's repairability score is 6 out of 10. iFixit sees the modular components, the perforated cover that makes battery removal a breeze and the uniform T5 Torx screws of the handheld as its positive points. However, the sketchy removal of the display as well as the snug, fit notches that made the midframe removal laborious pulled the XL down in terms of repairability.

Note that the iPhone 7 Plus was awarded a 7 out of 10. Below is iFixit's teardown video for the Google Pixel XL.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
People who own Tesla cars won't be able to use their vehicles to earn money through ridesharing after the car maker banned the practice.

Tesla Motors announced on Thursday, Oct. 20, that it will not allow any of its luxury electric vehicles to be used to work for ridehailing companies such as Uber or Lyft.

While ridesharing among family and friends of Tesla drivers is still fine, the company made it clear that using its self-driving vehicles in this manner for revenue purposes will only be permitted through its Tesla Network.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk revealed in July that the company intends to create a network that would allow drivers to use Tesla's self-driving cars for ridesharing. However, Tesla hasn't provided any more details regarding this planned service as of late.

The company's decision to enter the ridehailing industry shouldn't come as a surprise as many other car manufacturers have already begun investing on mobility services.

Not only would this allow them to rake in some of the trillions of dollars that they could make through the sale of cars and on-demand services, but it would also let them eat into Uber's dominance over the industry.

So far, General Motors leads all other car manufacturers in investing in ridesharing, putting in $500 million of its money in Lyft back in January. Company executives said its new Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicle is specifically designed for car sharing.

Brian Johnson, a Wall Street analyst for Barclays, said that while the Tesla's planned ridesharing network could create significant buzz in the market over the company's potential earnings stream, it is still going to be a costly proposition.

"While we think ridesharing/hailing is the future of mass-market mobility, we have some financial concerns with the idea of an OEM-owned fleet," Johnson said.

Compared to General Motors or ridehailing leaders Uber and Lyft, Tesla doesn't have vast resources that it can use in order to secure market dominance at a particular region. Before Uber lost out to chief local rival Didi Chuxing in China, the company was said to have used up billions of dollars just to maintain its hold on the country.

Aside from banning the use Tesla vehicles for ridesharing, the company also announced on Thursday that future Model X and Model S electric cars will feature full self-driving capabilities. All existing Tesla EV vehicles, however, won't be able to upgrade to include this feature.

Once Tesla's software for self-driving becomes available, drivers will have to pay $8,000 to have their car's feature to be activated.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Nine out of 10 people are right-handed, but most animals don't seem to have a preference for using one hand (or paw) over the other when manipulating objects and doing tasks. Exactly how handedness came about remains a mystery, but new research claims to have dated this tendency in the dawn of human evolution, and it wasn't during the time of the Homo sapiens.

A Homo habilis who lived in the current region of Tanzania approximately 1.8 million years ago seems to have been right-handed, according to a new study.

The paper, published Oct. 20 in the Journal of Human Evolution, dismisses the previous findings that suggested the earliest right-handed specimen to have walked the earth was a Neanderthal, who lived approximately 430,000 years ago.

"This is an exciting paper because it strongly suggests right-handed tool use in early Homo around 1.8 million years ago," noted Debra Guatelli-Steinberg, an anthropologist at the Ohio State University, who was not part of the research.

By analyzing bones and the structures of their remains, scientists were able to gather evidence of handedness in early humans.

David Frayer, a paleoanthropologist and professor emeritus at the University of Kansas, observed abnormal scratches on the teeth of an H. habilis fossil approximately a decade ago. Most of these seem to have been done by a scratch from left to right, as if an object was dragged down across the teeth from the right side.

A closer investigation suggested that the marks were similar to the ones on mouth guards in experiments where people used their teeth while cutting meat or another strong material.

There is a scenario that comes along with this hypothesis: the early human supposedly used a tool to cut tough meat into smaller pieces that could be easily eaten. The human used his or her teeth to hold the meat and the left hand to pull it away. Then, with the right hand, a sharp tool was used to cut the meat near the mouth. When the hand slipped, the tool would then have scraped across the front teeth to create the marks.

A total of 559 striation were identified on the frontal teeth, with less than 50 percent of the marks being right striations (46.5 percent, accounting for 260 from the 559 striations), according to the study.

"While [this] specimen indicates right-handed tool use, we will need larger samples from early Homo to assess the frequency of handedness in these hominins - that is the more interesting question from the standpoint of understanding how far back the modern human predilection for right-hand use can be pushed back into time," agreed Guatelli-Steinberg.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
OnePlus has been gaining traction ever since it came on the market because of the release of decent-enough smartphones. The company has been slowly climbing up the ladder, but how will the OnePlus 4 stack up against the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S8?

Both phones are not out yet, and there isn't much official information to go by. However, rumors do tell a lot about what we could expect from these devices when they hit store shelves in 2017, and it makes us extremely excited.

OnePlus 4 Specs Rumors

Rumors suggest the handset is a major flagship that's capable of releasing alongside the Samsung Galaxy S8 and competing well. It's a bit difficult to believe the OnePlus 4 could survive against Samsung's next piece of awesomeness, unless the S8 catches fire like its predecessor.

The OnePlus 4 could boast a 5.5-inch display with a resolution of 1,440 x 2,560 pixels. The screen is expected to be Optic AMOLED, and should be able to display 4K content without a hitch. Furthermore, the display could support 3D video in an effort to enhance gaming and other video-based content.

Now, the previous OnePlus came with 6 GB of RAM, but this new device will take things a bit further. How would you like a smartphone with 8 GB of RAM? That's the rumored capacity of the OnePlus 4. In terms of the processor, Qualcomm might provide the smartphone with Snapdragon 830 as the main brain.

OnePlus 4 Camera

OnePlus isn't well known for having spectacular cameras. A lot of megapixels, yes, but the overall quality leaves a lot to be desired. However, it would seem the company wants to change things with the OnePlus 4.

Apparently, the new smartphone may come packed with a 23-megapixel rear shooter and an 8-megapixel camera at the front for taking selfies. The main camera is expected to be capable of taking 4K video, which isn't too surprising considering 4K is all the rage these days.

In terms of battery life, expect a meaty 4000 mAh battery to keep the device going.

Samsung Galaxy S8 Specs And Features

We loved the Samsung Galaxy S7, for in many ways, it had everything we wanted in a smartphone. Still, there is always room for improvements, and Samsung could highlight this with the Galaxy S8.

According to information from TechRadar, the Galaxy S8 could come with a 4K screen and 6 GB of RAM. At the heart of the device, we could see the Qualcomm Snapdragon 830 processor, and an improved camera for those special shots. Leaks suggest there will be two versions, one with a 5.1-inch display, and the other with a 5.5-inch display. Both will be curved, which is rather interesting if it turns out to be true.

Will it have the much talked-about explosion feature?

That wasn't popular with the Galaxy Note 7, so in order to move to a different direction, Samsung could decide to get the batteries for the Galaxy S8 elsewhere. We understand the company might decide to contract LG to provide the batteries, but for how long, we're not sure.

SamMobile made an interesting article recently where it claims Samsung will do away with the ARM-based GPU. The company could tap Nvidia or AMD to provide this important aspect of the smartphone, which could suggest Samsung is buffing up the device to deliver high-quality games and great 4K visuals.

Overall, both devices from the rumored specs are exciting, and we can't wait for the official information to trickle out come 2017.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Top 5 tech skills in demand with a pay over $120,000

According to researchers, more than 6.7 million Americans are employed in the tech industry today. Further, approximately 200,000 tech jobs were added in the year 2015.

What is so lucrative about these tech jobs? These tech jobs not only offer good fat salary but also lots of incentives.

If you have a rare tech skill and are an expert in the same, you will almost definitely be paid well. However, it may be difficult to get a job that requires that skill. Further, there may be skills that are required everywhere, but the number of people possessing those skills may be more. As a result, there would be a lot of competition for these jobs which in turn would offer lower salaries.

So, what right technical skills are required in order to not only get a job in the tech industry but also get paid decently well?

The best tech skills strike a balance: high enough in demand but also specialized enough to command decent pay.

Paysa, is a start-up that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to help people find out their market worth and advise them on which skills to learn to enhance their salaries. In order to find the most in-demand job skills in the tech industry, they recently carried out a research. For this purpose, they looked at the average salary and the number of jobs available for 248 skills in 569 cities, including 29 programming languages.

Based on this, they prepared a list of skills that are most in demand. Given below are the top 5 tech skills that are most in demand and also provide decent pay.

1. Perl

5% of the job listings that Paysa looked over, Perl emerged as the most popular programming language. Perl is not only an easy language to learn, but it is also good for all kinds of projects.

Average salary: $139,214

2. C++

One of the languages derived from C, C++ appeared in 7% of the job listings Paysa scanned. If you want to call yourself an expert coder, then C++ is considered as the essential language to learn.

Average Salary: $133,954

3. C

C is a programming language that popped up in 5% of the job listings Paysa scanned. The foundation for several other languages, C used to be a main component for a computer science education. However, with the availability of many languages those are easier to learn these days, there is some discussion among programmers whether is it still important to learn C. Many employers looks like do prefer their coders to know it.

Average Salary: $133,691

4. Java

Not to be confused with Javascript, Java appeared in 13% of the job listings scanned by Paysa.

Originally developed by Sun Microsystems, Java is an extremely popular language. Currently, Java is owned by Oracle who bought Sun.

Average Salary: $131,962

5: C#

The job listings scanned by Paysa showed that C# accounted for 7%. Developed by Microsoft, C# is a branch of C that has been made popular by programmers writing apps with Microsoft web programming tools.

Average Salary: $129,692

Source: Business Insider
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced Monday that he agreed with Brazilian President-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to resume the cooperation agenda between both nations. | Read More
A U.S. Senate campaign that has yet to excite the public hits the home stretch this weekend with the candidates trying to turn out their supporters for early voting, which begins Tuesday.

The five top candidates also are appealing to voters through TV ads.

One spot makes an effort to stand out: State Treasurer John Kennedys latest ad, on national security, ends with a video clip of a goat and the disclaimer that no goats were harmed during the commercials filming.

In the meantime, likely voters will be getting calls from phone banks and direct mail at home, all in an effort to get supporters to the polls during the six days of early voting.

Democratic candidates Foster Campbell and Caroline Fayard promoted early voting at Southern Universitys homecoming festivities on Saturday.

Campbell, a member of the Public Service Commission from Bossier Parish, is holding early voting events in Shreveport, Coushatta and Natchitoches on Monday.

Fayard, an attorney in New Orleans, will hold a second-line from a pizzeria in New Orleans on Tuesday to City Hall several blocks away. City Hall is one of the sites for early voting, which runs through Nov. 1 and includes Saturday, Oct. 29.

For those six days, early voting will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

State Sen. Regina Barrow, whose district includes the northern portion of East Baton Rouge Parish, said she is encouraging people to vote early because 16 of the 24 polling stations too badly damaged by the flooding to open on Election Day are in her district.

At the same time, Livingston Parish is opening a polling station at Juban Crossing to make it easier for early voting in that parish.

Were making phone calls, said Jason Dore, the executive director of the Louisiana Republican Party. The areas where we have particular concern are the areas that flooded.

As many as 1 in 5 ballots could be cast in Louisiana during the early voting period.

In 2012, 1,994,065 people voted in the presidential election  356,603 early, or 17.8 percent, according to the Secretary of States Office.

In 2015, 1,114,336 people voted in the gubernatorial election  234,772 early, or 21 percent.

Its too important to wait until Election Day, said Jay H. Banks, the political director of the Black Organization for Leadership Development, a New Orleans political group. On Election Day, the dog may get out of the yard, you may have a flat on your car, a pipe may burst in your home or your mother may have to go to the hairdresser.

The group is only one of the black organizations backing Campbell. All will be trying to get voters to the polls early.

Tuesday elections are difficult because a lot of people have to work, said state Sen. Troy Carter, D-New Orleans, whose group, Algiers Political Action Committee, will make a push for early voting on Saturday.

Carters group also is backing Campbell on its sample ballot, as are the Community Organization for Urban Politics and the Louisiana Independent Federation of Electors, two other veteran organizations.

Fayard will be emphasizing the early vote in her appearances next week, said campaign spokesman Beau Tidwell.

State Rep. Katrina Jackson, D-Monroe, said pastors in her area will be organizing caravans from their churches to vote early on Saturday.

Neither the Republican Party nor the Democratic Party nationally are putting anything other than small amounts into Louisiana, with Donald Trump expected to put the state once again in the Republican column.

Nor have outside super political action committees put much money into the Senate race, given the expectation that a Republican ultimately will prevail in the Dec. 10 runoff.

Theres very little money on the street, said Lambert Boissiere Jr., the constable of First City Court in New Orleans and the leader of the Community Organization for Urban Politics. Neither party is spending much. Its all on the candidates.

The jungle primary will be held on Nov. 8, the same day as the presidential election. The top two finishers, regardless of party, will advance to the runoff.

Campbell seems to hold the advantage over Fayard between the two Democrats vying for a runoff spot.

A poll released by Mason-Dixon on Thursday showed Campbell with 18.9 percent of the primary vote, compared with 12 percent for Fayard.

Campbell also holds a significant money advantage. He had $988,000 in cash on hand last week versus $199,000 for Fayard, according to Federal Election Commission records.

The Campbell campaign contends that Fayard has cut back on her television advertising in markets outside of Baton Rouge and New Orleans.

Were being strategic about moving things around, Tidwell said. The cost per point is much lower than when we reserved the space. Were reallocating the savings.

The campaign of U.S. Rep. John Fleming, a Republican from northwest Louisiana, is continuing to contact 40,000 to 60,000 people every week, said spokesman Matt Beynon.

The message is that the time for early voting has come, he said.

The campaign of U.S. Rep. Charles Boustany, a Republican from southwest Louisiana, is calling 50,000 to 55,000 voters per week.

We had the best week of any candidate, said spokesman Jack Pandol, citing newspaper endorsements from The Times-Picayune in New Orleans and The Daily Advertiser in Lafayette, and the decision by Abhay Patel, who barely registered in polls, to offer his support to Boustany as he dropped out of the race. Pandol also touted that The Hayride, a conservative website, gave Boustany the highest grade from Tuesday nights debate televised on Louisiana Public Broadcasting.

+2 Senate candidate Abhay Patel suspends race and endorses Charles Boustany The first of the two dozen candidates to suspend his campaign in Louisianas U.S. Senate is 

Fleming and Boustany are essentially tied with Fayard for third place in the Mason-Dixon poll with about 11 percent of the vote.

Kennedy, a Republican, led the field with 24.2 percent. In his latest television ad, he talks tough on national security and says anyone who joins the Islamic State group or al-Qaida signs their own death warrant. You hit us. Well hit you back twice as hard. And your buddies. And your goat.

Rob Maness, a Republican who is a favorite of the tea party crowd, condemned the ad in a written statement.

Any American warrior can tell you that while war is sometimes necessary, it is the most abhorrent human endeavor, said Maness, a retired Air Force colonel who registered 3.4 percent in the Mason-Dixon poll. As enemy lives are taken, we lose American heroes and innocent civilians. Only the most callous person could find humor in that. I offer to serve our troops again as your next U.S. senator to save them from this political hack.
One of those political intrigue programs that the British Broadcasting Corp. does so well began with a wing-nut looking in the mirror and contemplating during his morning shave.

A political nobody, Harry Perkins surprises the world and becomes prime minister. The show, A Very British Coup, is about his reign as the uncompromising socialist leader of the U.K. It ends, ambiguously, with Perkins shaving in front of the same mirror, which I took to mean that this was all a dream.

Troy Hebert says that each morning, when he shaves, he recalls an Iberia Parish saying hes fond of: Every now and then a blind squirrel finds an acorn.

Though the 50-year-old Hebert has been a police juror, a legislator and head of a state agency, he is one of the dozen and a half candidates running for the U.S. Senate in Louisiana who have been dismissed by the pollsters and the media  I'm included  as not worthy of attention.

This was supposed to be the year of the outsider, what with Donald Trumps success and an angry electorate not willing to take it anymore.

But in Louisiana, only six candidates have received any serious coverage. Though all six flout "outsider" credentials, four are millionaire white men in their 60s who, together, have close to a century of experience in elected office. The fifth has never held a government post, but is the millionaire daughter of friends to Bill and Hillary Clinton.

Hanging on the fringes, at least according to the poll released Thursday by Baton Rouges WAFB-TV and her sister stations, is David Duke. He rode to prominence 20 years ago as the chieftain in a Ku Klux Klan faction and still attracts a lot of interest, though little voter support.

The rest of the candidates are footnotes.

Republican Rob Maness polled 14 percent of the vote in the 2014 Senate contest by positioning himself as the alternative to the two mainstream candidates. But in Thursdays poll, he showed at 3.4 percent and wont get an invite to the Nov. 2 televised debate.

The same poll showed the remaining 17 candidates sharing 1.5 percent support among the 625 voters questioned before and after last weeks televised debate.

Top five Senate candidates to compete for voters' attention in Tuesday night forum televised statewide The top five candidates vying for the U.S. Senate will square off Tuesday night in the first

That number includes Hebert, easily the most charismatic candidate this cycle; New Orleans business consultant Abhay Patel, whom veteran political strategist Roy Fletcher called one of the most naturally gifted orators hes seen in a while; and Josh Pellerin, the 35-year-old biracial multimillionaire oilman. A former Lafayette Republican who had donated to former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorums ultraconservative presidential campaign, Pellerin is now a Democrat making his first run for public office because he says President Barack Obama encouraged him to do so.

It has been a heck of a learning experience for me, Patel said last week right before suspending his campaign and endorsing U.S. Rep. Charles Boustany, one of the leading Senate candidates.

+2 Senate candidate Abhay Patel suspends race and endorses Charles Boustany The first of the two dozen candidates to suspend his campaign in Louisianas U.S. Senate is 

Patel said he was under no illusions last summer when he set out across the political La Mancha to revive chivalry, undo wrongs, and bring justice to the world.

I saw a path, he said. It included attending forums, building momentum and securing a place in the televised debates, where his oratorical skills could win enough converts to propel him into the Dec. 10 runoff. It didnt quite work out. While he raised about $305,000, Patel couldnt get anywhere near the $1 million he felt necessary to be considered serious.

The race played out the way I envisioned it, except I dont think anybody could have predicted 24 candidates, one of whom was David Duke, he said.

Too many choices coupled with the weariness of being ping-ponged from crisis to crisis, has created a voting population that just doesnt seem that interested in who will replace David Vitter in the Senate.

Candidate Hebert translates apathy as voter disgust and that being the none of the above candidate is the route to victory for one of the legion of wannabes.

People are frustrated, and they think their votes dont really matter, Hebert said, noting that most polls show one of every four voters is undecided.

If those undecided voters turn out as they did for Maness in 2014 and pick Hebert or one of the others as the outsider, then in a field as large as this one, 14 percent could be enough to win a place in the runoff.

If people are as mad as theyre talking, then this isnt some crazy pipe dream, Hebert said. Its a long shot, true, but its realistic shot.
The state at this point hasn't property documented how it spent about a quarter of the federal hazard mitigation money allocated in the first half of 2016  and without better accounting for that $22.3 million, Louisiana could face withholding of future disaster relief funding.

But officials say that's an unlikely scenario, as it's just a matter of time before the records are assembled.

According to the Louisiana Legislative Auditor, the federal government can withhold future funding if a state spends irresponsibly. However, the auditor's office did not expect their recent findings to affect disaster relief funding for the August floods.

After a natural disaster, the federal government disburses money to states to perform work to lessen the chance of catastrophe striking again. That can include infrastructure projects, as well as helping people elevate their homes. Sometimes the government buys repeatedly flooded property and turns it into fields, wetlands and other uninhabited areas.

The state is still doling out money from past disasters such as hurricanes Rita, Gustav and Ike. Between January and June of this year, $91.4 million was distributed in Louisiana via the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. The New Orleans area received the most, though parishes around Baton Rouge, especially Livingston, received millions as well.

The legislative auditor went through GOHSEP's books and recently released a brief report announcing that the agency didn't have paperwork to justify $22.3 million of work.

"Those numbers are big, yes," said John Morehead, the state auditor's director of recovery assistance.

However, GOHSEP asked the auditor to look at their finances before they cut any checks to contractors, so the state still has time to prove the work was done legally. Morehead expects that most of the flagged expenditures can be justified, it will just be a matter of GOHSEP submitting all the reports and time sheets and other documents to prove the funds were spent as intended.

While the federal government can cut aid to a state if they believe recovery aid is being wasted, Morehead said it would take "outlandish and crazy" misappropriations by the state to trigger such a scenario.

Most of the recent issues were a result of GOHSEP failing to show that purchases and contracts followed proper laws surrounding bids and procurement. Nearly $12 million was not properly documented. Invoices, equipment logs, receipts, contracts, labor policies and other paperwork were similarly missing that would have proved that work was performed as billed and within the scope of the federally-funded projects.

In a letter to the legislative auditor, a GOHSEP official responded that the report will be shared with management to correct mistakes and train staff.

"We would also like to note that our review process necessitates that exceptions that management concurs with are require to be addressed before payment or project closeout," wrote Casey Tingle, assistant deputy director of hazard mitigation.
Even as the people of East Baton Rouge Parish focus on rebuilding what was destroyed by the August flood, they must select a new leader who can look to the horizon and implement strategies to blunt the damage caused by future storms.

There are several issues at play: a push for better forecasting and risk assessment, considering possible changes to building codes and choosing infrastructure projects to pursue.

Candidates to be the parish's next mayor-president have some inklings of policies they'd like to pursue to avoid disaster down the road. But they also are surrounded by unknowns, such as how much federal money the parish ultimately will receive to spend on reducing the likelihood that properties flood again. And calculating flood risk is a bedeviling process -- even scientists have confessed they don't totally understand the issue.

Assessing risk

Engineers have criticized federal flood maps as inaccurate and out of date. The maps are poor models of flood risk, they argue, though even critics admit they don't necessarily have anything better to offer. Federal Emergency Management Agency officials have said their maps are not intended to be used to assess risk and generally punt to local governments to establish rules to mitigate flooding.

Several mayoral candidates suggested the city-parish partner with local institutions to better understand this crucial issue for residents. Republican state Sen. Bodi White suggested the local builders association and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, while Darryl Gissel, who is not affiliated with a political party, pointed to LSU and the Water Institute of the Gulf, a new nonprofit research center, as natural partners.

Five of the leading candidates heading into the primary election on Nov. 8 roundly said a better understanding of local waterways and flooding issues will help the government craft better building ordinances and zoning rules.

"Going forward, you'd like to think that we'd change what we do," said Gissel, who is in the real estate business.

That doesn't just mean increasing standards and insurance in areas designated as low risk, he said. It also could mean loosening restrictions in areas now labeled as high risk that perhaps shouldn't be.

White, who also works in real estate, remarked that the local government can only try to determine an "acceptable risk"  the sweet spot between making reasonable preparation and over-regulation.

"You can't do anything in business where there isn't some risk," White said.

As a child, Republican Metro Councilman John Delgado grew up near Meadow Park in the Village St. George area. Where there used to be woods, a Winn-Dixie has been built. Development in the area has made it more susceptible to flooding from Ward Creek as concrete and asphalt paved over soil, he said.

Risk analysts have noted that new development changes watersheds and can increase flood risk. However, despite growth in East Baton Rouge Parish over the years, officials have said FEMA maps for some waterways, including the Amite and Comite rivers, haven't been updated in decades.

Delgado said it would not be reasonable to base policy on the recent flood, emphasizing that the torrential rains in August were abnormally intense. However, he said the parish would be wise to gather data and work with FEMA to better understand the parishs hydrology  the branch of science concerned with the movement of water.

Local academics, scientific researchers and professional engineers have met since the flood and expressed an interest in better understanding disaster risk and flood forecasting in the watershed around Baton Rouge, though efforts are still in the early stages and may require government funding to support.

Controversial, long-abandoned Darlington Reservoir gets renewed interest after historic flooding Scientists and engineers packed an LSU conference hall Wednesday for a post-mortem on the Au

Stricter building codes?

The goal is that by forming a more complete understanding of present flood risk, the government can either enact new rules for future development or educate the public so property owners can make their own informed decisions about what precautions to take.

Engineers have argued that local governments should enforce strict building ordinances to prevent flooding, though they also note that at some point, the cost of elevating houses outweighs the benefit, and restricting construction in floodplains can hamper a communitys growth.

The parish requires that new construction be built to 1 foot above FEMAs so-called 100-year floodplain. Some parishes and municipalities only require new buildings reach the 100-year level, the minimum requirement of communities that participate in the National Flood Insurance Program.

Following the August storm, the Metro Council relaxed its building standards for flooded homes, a decision supported by all the major candidates. However, the changes generally applied only to rebuilding efforts, not new construction.

Some East Baton Rouge homeowners will need to raze or raise their home East Baton Rouge building official Justin Dupuy is bracing to tell a lot of people they're g

FEMA officials already have said they do not intend to update their maps to account for the August flood, and White said it appears unlikely that the state will rewrite its building codes as happened after Hurricane Katrina.

Asked if the city-parish should pass new building ordinances to address flooding, Democratic state Rep. C. Denise Marcelle, like her competitors, said the issue needs more study.

"I don't want to jump to conclusions," she said.

The city-parish may look at updating its Unified Development Code for any necessary changes. Maybe it was accurate in the 1970s, but it could be due for an overhaul, she remarked.

Democrat Sharon Weston Broome, a former veteran legislator, addressed both sides of the issue. She pointed out that the local government needs to prevent new development from adding to flood problems down the road. At the same time, the city-parish can't "handcuff" developers with over-stringent requirements, she said.

She advocated for enforcing the current rules, which call for construction to be built 1 foot above the 100-year floodplain, while exploring whether new or different ordinances will be needed.

Delgado was resistant to adding new building constraints. Property owners should be allowed to make their own risk assessments, he said.

"I'm not going to interfere in the marketplace," he said.

However, if authorities are able to recommend higher standards down the road, people who still build to the minimum legal standards also shouldn't expect a bailout from the federal government, he added.

White called the city-parishs existing building standards pretty good but said the government should educate people on flood risk so property owners can decide if they should build higher than required. Ultimately, many decisions will come down to agencies like the planning and zoning commissions, not the Mayor-President's Office, he continued.

Gissel also advocated for spreading the word about flood risk so property owners can make better-informed decisions. The city-parish has a floodplain management office, but Gissel described it as tiny, sleepy and underutilized.

Mitigation requirements

For Gissel, addressing flood risk is not just a matter of making sure people build their houses to a certain elevation. When developers want to construct a new subdivision or business park, especially in a flood zone, they have to perform wetlands mitigation wherein they rehabilitate areas that may have once been farms or ranches and turn them into retention ponds or hand them back over to nature. The process is not just born out of ecological concerns; when construction crews pave over swamps, they change the water system. Mitigation is an attempt to offset the damage.

Gissel wondered if mitigation plans are being properly reviewed to make sure they fulfill their role. The issue may be one of the best ways for the local government to oversee flood control efforts, he said.

As a result of the flooding, Louisiana also stands to receive millions of dollars in federal money to pursue large-scale mitigation projects. Those efforts could include money for infrastructure like canals, as well as purchasing buildings that repeatedly have flooded from property owners to turn into fields and marshes or defraying the cost for people to elevate their homes.

Without knowing how much mitigation money will flow into East Baton Rouge Parish, mayoral candidates were uncertain how it might be best invested.

Broome has suggested locals look to other communities that recently have flooded, such as Columbia, South Carolina, to see if they have come up with any strategies to address natural disasters that might work in Baton Rouge. Shes also suggested the city-parish appoint a resiliency officer to oversee disaster preparedness and recovery.

White said if the money would make the difference in building the Comite River Diversion Canal, that project should be pursued first. Otherwise, he said he would like to see funding used to dredge local canals.

Since the flood, Delgado, as a member of the Metro Council, has agitated for the local government to do more to clear out smaller canals, bayous and other waterways in the parish. If elected, he said, he would dedicate more resources to keeping local channels free of debris.

"I think we've done a crappy job of maintaining the waterways in this parish," he remarked.

Marcelle said the local government must be more vigilant to ensure that new construction includes proper drainage systems. Too often, the city-parish rushes through developments with insufficient local drainage, which can cause flooding elsewhere in the watershed, she said.

Gissel noted the problem as well, pointing to bottlenecks where subdivision stormwater lines connect with larger bodies of water that can contribute to flooding. He also noted that many local canals are lined with concrete, preventing water from seeping into the earth.

Candidates in general were cautiously supportive of the government buying repeatedly flooded properties from landowners -- White mentioned his previous efforts around Willowwood, and Delgado singled out areas near Blackwater Bayou -- though all said they would proceed only with the owners' support.
In the words of one lawyer involved in the lengthy and costly litigation, it's "back to square one" in a dispute involving West Feliciana Parish and a local family that has claimed ownership of a piece of Mississippi River-front property in St. Francisville.

Parish port officials have expressed an interest in using the property as a riverboat docking facility. Lambert Gravel Co. and the heirs of Paul A. Lambert Sr. assert the land belongs to their family.

Port Commission OKs riverfront site appraisal ST. FRANCISVILLE  The West Feliciana Parish Port Commission voted Monday to move forward wi

A 2015 state district court ruling recognized the Lamberts' right to possess the 72 acres of property free of any further disturbance from the parish, but a recent state 1st Circuit Court of Appeal decision reversed that ruling and sent the case back to 20th Judicial District Judge Betsy Jones.

Judge rules in favor of the Lamberts in St. Francisville riverfront litigation ST. FRANCISVILLE  Twentieth Judicial District Court Judge Betsy Jones ruled Friday in favor

Neither Jones' ruling nor the 1st Circuit Court of Appeal's 4-1 decision resolved the central ownership issue of the acreage, which includes land between Bayou Sara and La. 10 adjacent to the boat launch at the old ferry landing in St. Francisville.

One of the Lamberts' attorneys, Len Kilgore, said last week his clients haven't decided whether to ask the state Supreme Court to review the 1st Circuit ruling.

"I don't know what the next step is," he said. "We're back in state court and we're back to square one."

But West Feliciana Parish Councilwoman Lea Williams, who has often disputed the Lamberts' right to ownership of the property, said she is thrilled with the appeals court decision because it gives the public renewed hope in gaining access to property.

"That's huge. That's the biggest part," she said Friday.

Council files appeal of Lambert suit decision ST. FRANCISVILLE  The West Feliciana Parish Council is appealing the summary judgment hande

In his dissenting opinion, 1st Circuit Judge Jewel "Duke" Welch said "the Lamberts met their burden of proof  that they were entitled to be maintained in possession of the property," including having title to the property. But four of his 1st Circuit colleagues  Chief Judge Vanessa Whipple and judges Ernest Drake, John Michael Guidry and William "Will" Crain  said on Sept. 20 that there are "genuine issues of material fact" to be resolved.

The legal fight over the riverfront property began after the John James Audubon Bridge opened in 2011 and the state Department of Transportation and Development transferred the old La. 10 to the parish.

The parish then constructed a concrete slab at the end of the road for use as a public boat launch. Since 1998, the parish had paid the Lamberts $1,000 a month for use of the property to accommodate visiting tour boats.

Paul A. Lambert Sr. died in 2010. The following year, one of his sons, Ricky Lambert, was elected to the police jury that became the West Feliciana Parish Council. To avoid a conflict of interest, the succession of Paul A. Lambert Sr. and Lambert Gravel terminated the lease agreement with the parish in 2012. That summer, Paul A. Lambert Jr. put up concrete barricades to block public access to and trespassing on the property, the 1st Circuit noted.

The parish then removed the barriers, and the Lamberts sued, claiming the parish trespassed when its workers removed the barriers.

The parish contends it has legal possession of the disputed property, that the Lamberts were never the legal possessors of the land, and that the public has the right to use the public land for passage, fishing, boating and other recreational activities.

The Lamberts counter that they possess title to the property.

According to Frank Willis, a professional civil engineer, land surveyor and environmental engineer, portions of the property in question, including the area surrounding the former ferry landing, boat launch and parking area, are classified as the bank of a navigable waterway, the 1st Circuit noted.

John Hashagen, former co-parish manager and later parish manager of West Feliciana, stated that based on his personal knowledge, the old ferry landing has been used by the public and maintained by the state since at least 1976, the appeals court added. Following the demobilizing of the ferry landing and transfer of interest in it from the state to the parish, he said, the parish had custody and control of the landing since January 2012 and had done nothing to suggest it intended to abandon its possession of the road or the former ferry landing site.

Hashagen also said the parish built the boat ramp at the old ferry landing site in mid-2012 to improve the public's ability to launch boats on the river, the appeals court noted. The parish removed the concrete barricades from the property after local residents complained that the Lamberts attempted to close off the parking area and prevent the public from accessing the former ferry landing site and boat launch for fishing and boating, he said.

The litigation has cost the parish more than $700,000.
A Houston man was sentenced to 50 years in prison after pleading guilty in 24th Judicial District Court last week to manslaughter and aggravat
If theres one thing the five candidates vying to finish out the remainder of the late Amos Cormier Jrs. term as Plaquemines Parish president
With Yenni rejecting calls to resign, this issue could become next battleground

With Mike Yenni rejecting calls to resign, this issue could become next battleground
It's time to get your spook on, Flagstaff.

The days leading up Halloween are filled with opportunities to rock your costume, get a scare or just collect some candy.

If you're looking for Flagstaff-area Halloween fun, look no further. Whatever your age or scare quotient, there's something for you:

Pumpkin Patch Festival: Daily, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Historic Hitchin' Post Stables, 4848 Lake Mary Road. Includes horse drawn hay rides, pumpkin patch picking, a hay maze, a petting zoo, a Fun House, games and food. Admission ($12, free for kids ages 2 and younger) includes: hay rides, petting zoo, carnival games, photo head boards for pictures and hay maze. Extra fee for: pumpkins, trail rides, Fun House and food. 774-1719.

Flagstaff Haunted Walking Tour: Oct. 28, and 29, 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Flagstaff Visitor Center, 1 E. Route 66. Meet Johnny Anaya, licensed tour guide and local historian, for downtown haunted walking tours. 853-0792. $10.

Freaky Flagstaff Foottours: Oct. 28, and 29, 8-9 p.m. Local historical walking tours with a haunted twist. Adults $12, students and military $10, children $7. 224-0518. freakyflagstafffoottours.com/.

Howly Growly Owly Festival: Oct. 23, 29 and 30, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Bearizona Wildlife Park, 1500 E. Route 66, Williams. Visitors are encouraged to dress up in costume. Those who dare can walk through our Growly bear cave (G-Rated) or our spooky haunted mine shaft (PG-13 Rated) and catch an Owly Raptor Show. More festivities taking place in the city of Williams during Alpine Harvest Festival, www.alpineharvestfestival.com. 635-2289. $20 adults $10 kids (Age 4-12). bearizona.com.

Celebraciones de la Gente: today, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Museum of Northern Arizona, 3101 N. Fort Valley Road. Buy fine art and unique crafts from award-winning folk and Spanish Colonial artists. Enjoy performances by Mariachi Sol Azteca, Ballet Folklorico de Colores, Los Matachines, and Martin Espino, as well as engaging Heritage Insights programs and colorful and elaborate ofrendas (altars). Kids will love Day of the Dead inspired arts and crafts, puppet shows and papel picado (cut paper) and sugar skull decorating workshops. 774-5213. Weekend pass: $18 adult, $12 youth. Daily admission: $12 adult (18+); $8 youth (10-17), student and American Indian (with ID); free for members and children under 10. musnaz.org.

Downtown Brew and View - "Night of the Living Dead": Monday, 8 p.m. The Orpheum Theater, 15 W. Aspen Ave. There is panic throughout the nation as the dead suddenly come back to life. The film follows a group of characters who barricade themselves in an old farmhouse in an attempt the remain safe from these flesh eating monsters. orpheumflagstaff.com/.

"The Bride of Frankenstein": Tuesday, 7-9:30 p.m. Cline Library Assembly Hall, NAU campus. Directed by James Whale and starring Boris Karloff. For Halloween we present one of the most acclaimed horror films of all time, in which Dr. Frankenstein creates the iconic mate for his monster. 1935. 75 minutes. Not rated. Free. 523-3892. http://nau.edu/CAL/Events/CAL-Film-Series/.

"Halloween": Tuesday, 7 p.m. Harkins Theatres' Tuesday Night Classics will screen the 1978 horror classic (R). $5.

Double Feature: "Nosferatu" and "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari": Wednesday, 7-11 p.m. NAU Liberal Arts, room 120, 705 S. Beaver St. "Nosferatu" is an early unauthorized adaptation of Bram Stoker's Dracula. Though a court ruled in favor of Stoker's heirs and ordered all copies of the film destroyed, this masterpiece of German expressionism went on to become one of the first cult films and is now considered one of the greatest films of all time. Dir. F.W. Murnau, Germany, 1922, 94 minutes. "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari," also a classic example of German expressionism, tells the tale of a hypnotist who uses a somnambulist to commit murders. More than a simple horror movie, this film is a political allegory and a reaction to the horrors of the First World War. Dir. Robert Wiene, Germany, 1920, 71 minutes. Visit http://nau.edu/parking-shuttle-services/ for parking information. Free. 523-4966. nau.edu/cal/events/international-film-series/.

Zombie Community Blood Drive and Fundraiser: Oct. 27 and 28, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Donors can get temporary tattoos, zombie makeovers and other zombie treats. Food, drinks and other giveaways. There will also be a Hand Drop Fundraiser with cash prizes. Proceeds to benefit the Flagstaff Family Food Center. For more fundraiser information, contact Cathy Flores at 607-4601.

NAU Hunted House - A Haunting at Knole's Manor: Oct. 27-29, 8-11 p.m. The NAU Union Extension. The haunted house follows the story of a family living in Flagstaff in the early 1900s. The family faces a tragedy when the patriarch of the family dies in a terrible mill accident. The young widow takes out her grief on her son and the unsuspecting community members who are attending a wake for her deceased husband at the family's home. 523-2941. Free. Teens and older.

Halloween at Lowell Observatory: Oct. 28 and 29, 5-10 p.m. Lowell Observatory, 1400 W. Mars Hill Road. Freaky Physics shows featuring spooky science demonstrations and experiments. Scary Astronomy presentations highlighting the mind-bending aspects of astronomy. Haunted observatory tours and telescope viewing. 233-3280. Lowell.edu.

See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil: dances for Halloween: Oct. 28 and 29, 7:30-9 p.m. Coconino High School mini auditorium, 2801 N. Izabel St. Dances, poems, and stories about things that scare us from Canyon Movement Company. 774-3937. $10/$6. canyonmovementcompany.org.

Rocky Horror Picture Show: Oct. 28, 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. Orpheum Theater, 15 W. Aspen Ave. $9. The film is a parody of B-movie, science fiction and horror films of the late 1940s through early 1970s. The film introduces Tim Curry and features Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick.

Halloween Party: Oct. 28, 8:30 p.m.-2 a.m. The Green Room, 15 N. Agassiz St. Live circus performances, dance music, adult Halloween themed games, sexiest and scariest costume contest. facebook.com/events/1815934385353361/.

Riordan Mansion Halloween Tours: Oct. 28, 29 and 340. 7-10 p.m. Tour through this beautiful historic house and hear tales of the fantastic and the factual. The tours are recommended for ages 12 and older. Tours begin on the hour at 7 p.m., 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. $12 advance ticket purchase is required. Call 779-4395 for reservations.

Dowelloween Dash: Oct. 29, 9 a.m. Buffalo Park, 2400 N. Gemini Dr. Family fun 1 mile and 5k run for all ages. Come run in you costume. $20/child $30/adult. All proceeds go to the Poore clinic, Flagstaff's free clinic. Register at alandowelldds.com.

Flagstaff City Scramble: Oct. 29, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Weatherford Hotel, 23 N. Leroux St. A scavenger hunt in the heart of Flagstaff. Join the fun as teams (2-4 persons per team) solve clues and find landmarks in downtown Flagstaff and NAU. Prizes for fastest team and best team costumes. Proceeds benefit the Artists' Coalition of Flagstaff. Register at http://flagstaff-arts.org. $15 per entrant.

Run for Your Life Haunted Trail: Oct. 29, 5 p.m. Fort Tuthill County Park. As Halloween draws near, the ghosts and ghouls are making their annual visit to the forests of Ft. Tuthill. The Mogollon Monster has come to reclaim the forest, and fears neither the living nor the dead. Walk if you dare, or run for your life! Costumes encouraged! Online registration: https://register.chronotrack.com/r/23556. $20, students $15, kids dash $5.

Halloween Kids Night Out: Oct. 29, 6-10 p.m. Summit Gymnastics & Children's Activity Center, 1926 N. Fourth St. Drop your kids off for a night of Halloween fun; for kids 4-12 years old. Come in your Halloween costumes for games, maze, trick or treating, costume contest and more. $20 for pre registration, $25 at the door. 526-0644.

In a Dark, Dark Library - An After-Hours Halloween Adventure: Oct. 29, 6:30-8 p.m. Flagstaff Public Library - Downtown, 300 W. Aspen. Join library staff after the library has closed for some spooky stories, Halloween games and a little ghost-hunting. Ages 8-12 only. Registration required. 606-9276. flagstaffpubliclibrary.org.

A Nightmare on Aspen Street 3: Oct. 29, 8 p.m. Orpheum Theater, 15 W. Aspen Ave. Circus Bacchus annual dirty, gritty, sexy, dark and scary show featuring aerials, acrobatics, juggling, murder, burlesque, contortion, partially decomposed clowns and more. Come in costume. $15.50.

Be Our Ghost: Oct. 30. Theatrikos Theatres Doris Harper- White Community Playhouse, 11 W. Cherry. Local legend has it that several ghosts have taken up residence at the theater and a family-friendly, interactive play will give you the chance to hear their stories. Performances at the top of every hour beginning at 3 p.m. The last performance begins at 6 p.m. $5 at the door. 699-1562.

Stories to Life: Stranger Things Have Happened: Oct. 30, 4 p.m. Coconino Center for the Arts, 2300 N. Fort Valley Road. Spoken word artists will perform scary stories and musicians Tony Norris and Bill Burke will play spooky music. Readings from Major Arandas Hand by Alfonso Reyes, the Open Window by Saki, and Roald Dahls Witches will be featured. This Halloween eve production is best for children and adults over the age of 8. Free. 779-2300. flagartscouncil.org.

"Bloody Border" Film Screening: Oct. 30, 8 p.m. Orpheum Theater, 15 W. Aspen Ave. What do you get when you mix two hit-men brothers, their cocky protege, a couple of injured illegal immigrants, border patrol agents and a few colorful townsfolk in the small border town of Bisbee, whose water supply has been contaminated with MDPV otherwise known as 'bath salts'? A wild night of chases, gun fights, zombies and heated arguments touching on the controversial issue, AZ's SB1070. $5.

Halloween Harvest: Oct. 31, 4-7 p.m. Heritage Square, downtown on Aspen between Leroux and San Francisco. The City of Flagstaff Recreation Services is hosting the annual festival. Festivities will include creepy carnival games, arts and crafts, a pumpkin patch, and spooky music. Little ghouls should bring their Halloween bags and visit local businesses for candy on our Downtown Trick or Treat Trail. All children's activities are free. There is plenty of parking at City Hall, Wheeler Park and the Phoenix parking lot. 213-2300. flagstaff.az.gov/recreation.

Halloween Carnival: Oct. 31, 5:30-7:30 p.m. The Peaks Senior Living Community, 3150 N. Winding Brook Road. Games, prizes, scary movies, refreshments, and of course trick-or-treating. All ages welcome. Free. 864-5139.

Disney Trick-or-Treat Trail: Oct. 31, 4-6 p.m. The Summit Center, 1485 N. Turquoise Dr. Explore Disney storylands and visit with some of Disney's favorite characters. Come dressed in costume and trick-or-treat indoors where it's safe and warm. 226-2936. Free.

Fall Celebration: Oct. 31, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Foresight Learning Center, 8245 Koch Field Road. We will play games, make a spooky art project, and enjoy some yummy treats. Costumes must be friendly in nature. RSVP at 527-8337. foresightlearningcenter.com.

Horizons Concert Series - "Faust I": Oct. 31, 7:30-9 p.m. Ashurst Auditorium, 624 S Knoles Dr., NAU campus. Jeffrey Swann will perform solo-piano music inspired by the disillusioned scholar Faust and his unholy pact with Mephistopheles. 523-5661. $20 adults, $12.50 seniors and NAU employees, free for children and NAU students with ID. nau.edu/cal/music/events/.

Masquerade Bash: Oct. 31, 9 p.m. Orpheum Theater, 15 W. Aspen Ave. Halloween party with Captain Squeegee. $5.
Testy barbs and a legal challenge over the veracity of one candidate's ads have roiled the two-woman race for a seat on the state's 4th Circui
Advocate staff photo by MATTHEW HINTON--New Orleans Inspector General Ed Quatrevaux listens during a press conference to announce the findings of an Office of Inspector General audit of New Orleans Police Department documenting and reporting of rapes in New Orleans, La. Wednesday, June 22, 2016.
This fact in itself has been under appreciated because, with Bob Day, Leyonhjelm had emerged as the more amenable of the Senate crossbenchers in the 44th Parliament and there seemed no reason to think this could not continue in the 45th.

No reason that is until Day called it a day on Monday, quitting the Senate as he faces what looks like impending bankruptcy after his home-building empire collapsed in debt.

Family First in South Australia will name a replacement eventually, but there is no guarantee of the newbie taking a similar supportive attitude to the ABCC or Coalition economic policy generally. Indeed, the signs suggest the replacement is more likely to take a militant state-first approach perhaps in the tradition of a Brian Harradine, or dare one suggest, a Nick Xenophon against whom the new FF senator would compete.

And now Leyonhjelm's goodwill has been pointlessly squandered. Not only dudded on gun liberalisation, but humiliated into the bargain. Despite his deal, sealed with an email from the office of Justice Minister Michael Keenan dated August 12, Abbott stated this week he never had any intention of lifting the ban given the security/terror threat.

Worse was to come when Abbott denied any deal had been made on behalf of his office. Then on Friday, a senior Liberal backbencher, Michael Sukkar, stated publicly that Leyonhjelm had extracted no more of a concession from the government than it had already decided on the matter.
Yvette Chauvire, French ballet star. In 1988, when the Ballet presented a gala in New York in honour of Rudolf Nureyev, its director at the time, he took his curtain call at the Metropolitan Opera House flanked by two ballerinas: Margot Fonteyn and Yvette Chauvire. Fonteyn was his long-time partner in Britain's Royal Ballet. Chauvire was the idol he admired from afar. After his defection from the Soviet Union in Paris in 1961, he asked if he could partner her in an appearance at the Paris Opera. The French government, however, bowed to Soviet protests and cancelled the performance. Undeterred, Chauvire often danced with Nureyev in Paris and London and on tour later in the 1960s. Chauvire achieved another form of international fame at 20 when she acted in La Mort du Cygne ("The Death of the Swan"), Jean Benoit-Levy's haunting 1937 feature film about backstage ballet intrigue. (It was released in the US in 1938 as Ballerina.) Her youthful beauty and the depth of her acting stunned a new generation of Americans when the film was rediscovered and screened in New York in 1998. Chauvire was on hand to discuss it. Chauvire studied at the Paris Opera Ballet's school, and for that reason she was often regarded as a product of specifically French training. Yet her performing career was actually moulded by Russian influences.

One was Lifar himself. A former star of Diaghilev's Ballets Russes, he was the Paris company's director, star dancer and choreographer from 1930 to 1945 and also choreographer in the 1950s. It was Lifar who encouraged Chauvire to retrain herself with two Russian emigre teachers, Victor Gsovsky and Boris Kniaseff, who softened the academic side of her schooling, gave her an elongated line and developed the lyricism that distinguished her style. Chauvire was born in Paris and entered the Paris Opera Ballet school in 1927. She was 13 when she joined the opera's ballet company in 1931. At 12, she had already come to notice in L'Eventail de Jeanne ("Jeanne's Fan"), a children's ballet that earned a lasting place in 20th-century music because of its score by 10 avant-garde French composers, including Ravel and Poulenc. Rising rapidly to principal dancer in 1937, Chauvire was named to the highest rank, etoile, in 1941, right after she astonished audiences with an 18-minute solo as a fertility goddess in Lifar's Istar. She was one of three ballerinas seen regularly in Lifar's premieres; the others were Solange Schwarz and Lycette Darsonval. In 1943, all three led his Suite en Blanc, a pioneering work in the neo-Classical genre being developed at the same time by George Balanchine in New York.

The third Lifar ballet always associated with her was Les Mirages, which had its premiere in 1947  the year Chauvire and Lifar returned to the company after leaving it, for different reasons, after World War II. Lifar had been accused of collaborating with the Germans and was ousted from the Paris Opera in 1945. Chauvire left voluntarily in 1946 to join Lifar in another company, the Nouveau Ballet de Monte-Carlo, where he created three ballets for her. The Paris Opera administration tried to fill a creative gap by inviting guest choreographers, including Balanchine for eight months. The dancers, however, petitioned for Lifar, and he was called back, initially as a choreographer. Chauvire, in the meantime, began to explore other opportunities. She appeared as a guest with Petit's Ballets des Champs-Elysees, where Gsovsky, her former teacher, choreographed a highly difficult showpiece for her, Grand Pas Classique, with which she later toured the world. The guest appearance led the Paris Opera to suspend her in a contract dispute over her desire to freelance, and in 1949 she left the company for the second time. But she returned in 1953, when a new administration gave her a more flexible contract permitting her to make guest appearances elsewhere. She went on to perform with major companies in Europe, the US, South Africa and Latin America.
George Sachs, a 47-year-old clinical child psychologist in New York, is attempting to gain a support system by co-parenting with strangers. He posted a profile on Modamily, a website founded in 2012 that helps match people interested in co-parenting but not necessarily looking for a romantic relationship. The site has 20,000 members worldwide, the majority in the United States. Many connections have been made, with at least 50 babies born. Sachs is hoping to co-parent with an educated woman or with a lesbian couple in New York because, he said, while he isn't against marriage, he doesn't see it as a prerequisite to having a child. "I see many divorced clients in my practice that struggled to find common ground on raising their child," Sachs said. "This co-parenting process removes many of the mysteries of how your child will be raised." Sachs wants to share custody with his co-parent 50-50, and he desires a friendly, respectful and communicative relationship.

While Sachs found a creative solution to the support dilemma, Mattes said it still might be tough. "It's really difficult to co-parent when you're madly in love with somebody, so it's more complicated when you don't have that bond," she said. But when time is running out biologically, it might be time to start thinking of alternative options. Mattes recommends that women begin considering the idea of single parenting by the time they're 32 or 33. "If you don't start around then, you're really up against a clock," she said. "A lot of women used to say that they wished they had done it earlier because they wanted two (kids). These days, a lot of women are doing exactly that." Mikki Morrissette was 35 when her relationship with the man she thought would be the father of her children ended.

"I had a well-paying job in New York City publishing, owned my own apartment there and was ready financially and emotionally to go ahead and have a child on my own, rather than wait to find a new partner and the X number of years before we might be ready to consider children," Morrissette said. "My daughter was born just after my 37th birthday." Her biggest fears, other than a one-night meltdown when she was in her first trimester, occurred after her daughter was born and included learning how to use a nappy disposal bin and how to give her a bath without breaking her. Losing regular contact with her single, childless friends and colleagues was daunting too, she said. And losing her job was another thing she did not expect. "My employer job eliminated me while I was on maternity leave, which was a major financial wrinkle that I did not anticipate," said Morrissette, who is the founder of Choicemoms.org and owner of Be-Mondo Publishing.

Morrissette transitioned into a more flexible lifestyle, decided to have a second child and relocated to Minneapolis. She now lives in a seven-bedroom house and makes extra income by renting out her spare bedrooms. But being a single parent of two isn't all rainbows and unicorns. "Compared to peers with a spouse, my self-employment life as a writer means I have a very precarious financial life," Morrissette said. "I wish I had a second wage earner and someone to help me with the upkeep of this large house." Nonetheless, she says, "my kids are doing great." Those who are on the fence about becoming a single parent need to talk to people on both sides, said Mary Casey Jacob, professor of psychiatry, obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. "Talk with single parents by choice; talk with childless single people," she said.
"Deleting social media was the best thing I did" Credit:Eddie Jim These days, Chloe is healthy and enjoying her first-year studies for a business degree. She credits a psychiatrist who specialises in eating disorders and family support for getting her back on track. She also found dropping out of all social media for six months was critical in breaking the pattern of constantly measuring herself against others. "I would follow all these food bloggers and fitness models on Instagram. I wanted to look and be like that. When I was sick I thought, 'I shouldn't be in hospital, they're not in hospital'. Deleting social media was the best thing I did." Christine Morgan, chief executive of the Butterfly Foundation, said perfectionism was one of the serious contributing risk factors for eating disorders. "We know that the adherence to both strict food rules and perfectionism can be characteristic of many individuals who have an eating disorder," she says, adding that prevention and early intervention are key to reducing the onset of eating disorders. Adolescent mental health expert Andrew Fuller says teens with unhelpful perfectionism typically see any mistake as a failure, and believe there is only one way to do things. He says while perfectionism affects both boys and girls, it is significantly more prevalent in girls.

Fuller says perfectionism thrives in highly competitive environments, and possible consequences include workaholism, rigidity, anxiety, being overly cautious and lacking spontaneity, body image problems and not trying out new things in case of failure. And perfectionism should not be confused with being a high-achiever. "Perfectionists, like high-achievers, tend to set high goals and work hard. However, a high-achiever can be satisfied with doing a great job and achieving excellence, even if their very high goals aren't completely met. Perfectionists will accept nothing less than perfection. Almost perfect is seen as failure." Ironically, perfectionists are typically disappointed and dissatisfied, and that may be compromising their academic success. Dr Tom Nehmy, a clinical psychologist, began to focus on perfectionism after seeing the condition in many teenagers with problems such as depression, anxiety and eating disorders, and concluding that it was "the common thread". He says there is a groundswell of interest in perfectionism because "people are joining the dots and understanding that it is a pervasive risk factor for many mental health problems".

He adds that schools tackling the problem most effectively are those where pastoral care encourages students to focus more on effort and personal growth rather than outcomes. "The challenge is to maintain a high achievement drive without seeing any mistake as a failure or being afraid to take a risk," he says. Nehmy, who runs a school-based program called Healthy Minds, says teenagers also need to be taught to be critical consumers of the media and of social media. "People are pressured to compare themselves more than ever before, and our society is more image-based. Teens are also comparing themselves to the very skewed image that people put up on social media." Gabrielle Stooke, director of pastoral care at Loreto Normanhurst, Sydney, says the school introduced Healthy Minds two years ago to tackle the growing problem of anxiety. Stooke says girls struggling with perfectionism can often become frozen, so worried about what others might think or whether they might appear foolish that they withdraw from peers and won't participate in activities.

She says warning signs include girls spending hours on a school task that warrants a few minutes, or becoming so fearful that people wouldn't like them they feel pressured to become someone else, for example through make-up and clothes. "We need our girls to learn about how their good mental health can be developed and kept," Stooke says. "We don't demonise achievement, but there are warning signs when it has gone too far." Australia's concern over perfectionism is part of a conversation that is taking place worldwide. In February, more than 900 delegates from 23 countries including a group from the Alliance of Girls' Schools Australasia, attended the Global Forum on Girls' Education in New York. One of the key sessions was titled The Myth of Effortless Perfection: How It Harms Girls and what Schools Can Do to Fight It. The session's presenters were the head of New York's The Hewitt School, Tara Christie Kinsey, and girls' education author and researcher Rachel Simmons, who looked at the pressure young girls and women place on themselves. They argued breaking down the myth should be an integral part of the curriculum for all girls' schools. Education activist Reshma Saujani also addresses the problem of perfectionism in her TED Talk, Teach Girls Bravery, not Perfection.
Imagine using the free wi-fi at the public library to launch your small business.

Finn Peacock did just that as he set up his business on a shoestring budget. Peacock founded SolarQuotes with $500 and a credit card for advertising. Today, it turns over about $3 million a year.

Finn Peacock's initial spend on Solar Quotes was $500.

"There is a lot of luck involved," says Peacock. "I got my start-up going in 2009 which was just when the solar industry was taking off. And that was just a fluke  it coincided with me getting fed up with my government job."

His initial spend of $500 went towards graphic design, coding and buying Google AdWords. "I put up the website, tested the concept and when it looked like it had legs, I started spending on the credit card."
More than a third of all Victoria Police officers who appealed dismissals or demotions in the past two years were disciplined because of predatory behaviour towards women, including family violence victims, colleagues, and women who were vulnerable or in care.

A senior constable was found to have preyed on five women, one officer exposed himself to staff, a 44-year-old had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl, and several officers, including a Police Academy trainer at graduation celebrations, vulgarly propositioned women.

Fresh details have been revealed about Victoria Police officers predatory behaviour towards women Credit:Paul Rovere

Almost exactly two years ago, former Chief Commissioner Ken Lay confronted troubling attitudes towards women within Victoria Police head-on when he announced a Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission independent review into the force.

But an analysis of Police Registration and Services Board review hearings shows the extent of this culture in stark detail.
An unlicensed driver six times over the blood alcohol limit has been found slumped over the steering wheel of an unregistered car after crashing into a parked car in Melbourne's west, police say.

The 36-year-old Tarneit man crashed in Truganina on Saturday night, police say.

He returned a breath alcohol reading of 0.314 per cent, does not have a licence and the car was unregistered, police say.

He was arrested on an outstanding warrant and charged with failing to appear on summons and traffic offences and will appear in Werribee Magistrate's Court on November 7.

Police also arrested a South Australian man who was driving a car on Saturday night with five passengers on the Apsley-Natimuk Road in Apsley, west of Horsham.
Violence has again erupted at the Malmsbury Youth Justice Facility on Saturday evening, when officers were confronted by about a dozen young offenders who are understood to have caused significant damage to the Deakin Unit.

The rampage began at about 7pm on Saturday and it took almost three hours for the Youth Justice Safety Emergency Response Team to regain control.

Prisoners riot at Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre in September. Credit:Channel Nine

It is understood the group ripped benches from their fittings and armed themselves with metal legs before taunting guards at the facility about 100km north-west of Melbourne.

A spokesman for the Department of Health and Human Services said the situation was resolved at about 9.50pm, without injuries to staff or the youths involved.
Residents of the quiet coastal village of Somers claim the "little person" is being priced out of Victoria's planning tribunal, after fees to face a hearing in a case against the local council skyrocketed at the last minute.

More than 300 members of the community of 1400 actively oppose the Mornington Pensinsula Shire Council's plan to pave a pathway through the village on the grounds that it would destroy vegetation, compromise habitat for wildlife  including koalas  and detract from the character of the village.

Members of the Somers community who were against the construction of a pathway. Credit:Jason South

Yet, a week before the start of the VCAT hearing on Monday, the applicants were notified that the process would cost more than double the fee they had originally been quoted.

Rather than $4098 for four days at VCAT, it would now cost the community $9407.
A man has fled after crashing a ute into a grandmother's home, but the owner of the vehicle says it wasn't him.

The driver ran off after the ute side-swiped a parked car, ploughed through two fences and smashed into the lounge room of a home in Beresford Road, Lilydale, in Melbourne's outer east.

The crashed ute, still at the scene in Lilydale. Credit:Channel Seven

An 81-year-old grandmother, who has lived in the home for three decades, managed to escape injury following the crash, which occurred at 4.40am on Sunday.

"It's kind of bewildering to try and understand how it happened - and how someone could have done that," the woman's son, John Dubois, told reporters at the scene.
Perth residents have praised the actions of a lone teenage rubbish ranger who spent her Saturday night cleaning up waste at Coogee Beach.

Weeks after WAtoday reported on a one-man campaign to rid South Beach Dog Beach of dog poo, another Perth resident spotted a teenage waste warrior operating at Coogee Beach.

Best friends Quinley Johnson-Begg and Kat Earle had gone to Coogee Beach for a walk on the jetty about 7.30pm on Saturday night when they saw a girl grab one of the public wheelie bins and take it to the beach.

Thinking her behaviour unusual, they stopped to watch, but the girl simply took the bin over to a pile of rubbish on the beach that she had obviously collected.
if the people of Biafra want Republic of Biafra, it will be a reality during my administration. ----Donald Trump Donald Trump I wi...
Monday 05 September, 2016 Reliable information reaching Biafra writers desk has it that the life of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indi...
Erik Princethe notorious former head of Blackwater, a military contracting firm blamed for the killing of Iraqi civiliansis all aboard the Trump Train.

Hes done several interviews on Breitbart News SiriusXM show over the past few months boosting the candidate, and newly released FEC filings from a pro-Trump super PAC show he made a generous contribution to their efforts. According to the Wall Street Journal, that PAC is helmed by Rebekah Mercer, the daughter of reclusive hedge fund billionaire Robert Mercer.

The September filings for the Make America Number 1 PAC, filed with the FEC on Oct, 20, disclose that one Erik Dean Prince of Middleburg, Va. gave $100,000 to the group on Sept. 21 of this year. Frontier Services Group, a security contracting company whose board he chairs, didnt respond to a request for comment on Prince, who the Washington Post notes is a part-time Middleburg resident. And its technically possible there are two Erik Dean Princes living in Middleburg (pop.: 751) who really love Trump. But, well, unlikely.

Only seven people cut checks to Make America Number 1 in September. Princes was the second-largest (Bernie Marcus, the co-founder of Home Depot, gave the largest, $2 million). His mom, Elsa Prince, also gave $50,000 in September.

Princes contribution is interesting because hes one of the most controversial figures of the Iraq Wara war that Trump now regularly repudiates on the stump. Prince founded Blackwater, a private security firm that contracted with the U.S. military in Iraq during the war there. In 2007, Blackwater employees were involved in a mass shooting there that left 17 civilians dead, including two boys, age 9 and 11. Nicholas Slatten, a former Blackwater employee involved in the shooting, was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced last year to life in prison. Three other former Blackwater employees were convicted of manslaughter, and received 30-year sentences. All four men are appealing their convictions. The shooting was one of the darkest moments of the war and changed the public debate over the U.S. militarys growing reliance on private contractors.

He previously gave the Mercers super PAC $50,000 on Aug. 21. The Center for Public Integrity notes that Kellyanne Conway, now Trumps campaign manager, oversaw the super PACs activities when it was called Keep the Promise 1 and boosted Ted Cruz. But when Cruz conceded defeat, the Mercers changed its name to Make America Number 1. Then Conway left the super PAC and David Bossieon leave from Citizens United and currently Trumps deputy campaign mangeroversaw it for a bit.

Make America Number 1 isnt the only pro-Trump, Mercer-affiliated outfit that Prince has a relationship with. Over the past few months, hes made numerous appearances on the Breitbarts SiriusXM radio show, praising Trump and sharing conspiracy theories about top Clinton aide Huma Abedin. Politico reported last year that Robert Mercer is a major investor in Breitbart News. And numerous outlets have reported that Rebekah Mercer is very close with Stephen Bannonformerly the head of Breitbart and currently Trumps campaign CEO.

Breitbart is now re-introducing Prince to a new generation of conservative media consumers. On a Sept. 8 appearance on Breitbarts SiriusXM morning radio show, Prince said Trumps idea to take Iraqs oil as repayment for deposing Saddam Hussein is not a bad one.

For Mr. Trump to say, Were going to take their oilcertainly were not going to lift it out of there and take it somewhere else, but putting it into production, and putting a tolling arrangement into place, to repay the American taxpayers for their efforts to remove Saddam and to stabilize the area, is doable, and very plausible, he said.

On an Aug. 10 appearance on the podcast of Milo Yiannopoulosa Breitbart writer who has praised racist alt-right writers as fearsomely intelligentPrince said that the fact some of Trumps companies have gone bankrupt is good.

I even like some of his projects that have gone bankrupt, because people that do things, and build things, and try things, sometimes fail at doing it, and thats the strength of the American capitalist system, he said.

Yiannopoulos also told Prince he has a large gay fanbase.

Ive been thinking with some friends recently that we should do a sort of high fashion shoot, basically in Blackwater-esque gear, with Trump militia on flags, he said.

Its worth noting that Prince is a vice president of his familys foundation, the Edgar and Elsa Prince Foundation, which gave more than $1.5 million to the Family Research Council from 2014 to 2014, one of the groups that has worked hardest to oppose gay rights.

And on an appearance on Breitbarts radio show on Sept. 8, Prince shared the conspiracy theory that Huma Abedin is a covert member of the Muslim Brotherhood.

Shed have a very difficult time passing any actual quality security background check on agents of influence, he said. Its extremely troubling, and its amazing for Hillary, that purports herself to be a feminist and a great supporter of womens rights, to at the same time have an adviser whose own view of the world is so anti-woman.

Hillary Clinton and her affiliated super PAC, Priorities USA, have wildly outraised Trump and his allied groups over the course of this election cycle. The Mercer familys support has played a major role in boosting Trumps drab electoral prospectsand Erik Prince has been a small part of that.
A niche site said it was only trying to comment on the presidential election when it posted massive Austin, Texas billboard encouraging undocumented immigrants to get sugar daddies before you get deported.

ArrangementFinders is one in a growing genre of sugar baby dating sites, which advertise benefactor-with-benefits relationships. The trend has been derided by some as exploitative, hailed by others as legitimate means of dating or sex work. But ArrangementFinders new ad campaign, which features a Latina woman in front of a Mexican flag, pushes even further.

Undocumented immigrant? the billboard, located on a South Austin highway asks. Before you get deported, get a sugar daddy. The last two words are emphasized in glittery font.

The punchline, the billboard implies, is that the presidential election has made a vulnerable population even more vulnerable to deportation, and more likely to turn to sex work as a means of security.

ArrangementFinders rented the billboard space in response to Donald Trump's promise to deport all 11 million of the nations undocumented immigrants, Jacob Webster, the companys CMO told CBS Austin.

ArrangementFinders.com skews heavily towards Hispanic women, with that demo making up over 31% of all the females on our site nationally and over 53% in Austin.

The billboard, set across a Mexican flag, was not intended to be racist, the company said.

But the towering advertisement glosses over the real challenges facing undocumented immigrants -- particularly those involved in sex work.

American immigration is not as simple as finding a wealthy internet benefactor and coasting into marriage and citizenship after President Trumps promised deportation force leaves town. Just ask Melania Trump, whose complicated immigration saga reveals the hurdles even an allegedly wealthy mans wife must clear to obtain a green card.

And if the ArrangmentFinders campaign is suggesting paid sex work, rather than a convenient marriage, its implications are even more dangerous for undocumented immigrants. Where a run-in with police could mean jail time for legal U.S. residents, undocumented sex workers also face deportation.

So tone deaf was the billboard that Texas resident Smith Getterman thought the ad was a dark joke when he passed it on a Friday drive through Austin.

Isn't it essentially advertising prostitution? It paints such a sad picture and seems needlessly cruel. I thought it was mocking Trump, he told The Daily Beast. But then I visited the website and found out that, sadly, it's very real.

A pro-Trump Austinite also told The Daily Beast she was scandalized -- but because the billboard appeared to promote immigration. I am appalled that those who already came here 'illegally' are being advised to marry to stay, the woman said Sunday. It's repugnant - good going ATX!

To a growing group of pro-Trump, anti-sex work Austinites, the billboard suggests their worst fears: that immigrants are coming to destroy the neighborhoods decency.So, its confirmed: liberals trying to show up Donald Trump are racist, sexist hypocrites, who are just fine with undermining the rule of law by urging women to find sugar daddies so they can get around it, the conservative blog Liberty Unyielding wrote. Nobody on the left really cares, unless Trump himself gets caught saying something like this. If that were to happen, wed never hear the end of it.

ArrangementFinder and its parent company Ruby did not respond to requests for comment on Sunday. (Nor did most Austin-area billboard rental companies, except for Lamar Advertising, which quickly clarified that they did not own the billboard in question.)

But even Ruby, which owns controversial dating sites like Ashley Madison, is distancing itself from ArrangementFinders immigrant-focused ad.

The billboard was created independently by an affiliate, Ruby told Fusion in a statement, adding that the billboard is completely unacceptable and does not reflect the views or vision of our company, so we have requested that they take it down immediately.
To hear Kellyanne Conway tell it, the Trump campaign is doing just fine.

The growing list of women who claim Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump sexually assaulted or harassed them are a non-issue. His decision to publicly say he might not accept the results of the election is no big deal. And his standing in the polls5.9 points behind Hillary Clinton, according to the Real Clear Politics averageis nothing to worry about, because, as she says, the race is not over.

Really, things are going great, if only the media would stop being so hard on her candidate.

On Sunday morning, Conway, who has served as Trumps campaign manager since August, made the rounds on the political talk shows sporting a toothy smile and red blouse. Her demeanor was as sunny as ever, and she did her best to convince viewers that despite all evidence to the contrary, Donald J. Trump will prevail.

On CNNs State of the Union, Conway deflected from the first question, about Trumps 15-minute tirade against his accusers distracting from the rest of his speech in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, by talking about his plan to create 25 million jobs. Conway blamed the media for not focusing on that, rather than Trumps stated plan to sue the women accusing him of wrongdoing after the election is over.

Every woman lied, Trump said at the rally on Saturday. All of these liars will be sued after the election is over, he promised the crowd.

Asked if she knew ahead of time that Trump planned to devote so much time to campaigning against the various women who claim they were groped, kissed, or otherwise improperly treated by him, Conway said, smiling, Well, he delivers his own speeches. This is his candidacy. Hes the guy whos running for the White House.

On NBCs Meet the Press, Conway admitted we are behind but said it was because Clinton has tremendous advantages, like her surrogates, former president Bill Clinton and First Lady Michelle Obama, who she said are, much more popular than she can hope to be. In other words, Trumps problems, and even potentially his eventual loss on Election Day, can be blamed on Clinton rather than his own behavior.

Our advantage going in, Conway said, is that Donald Trump is just going to continue to take the case directly to the people.

Conway then said Trump threatening to sue his accusers (which seems unlikely since it would require him to be subjected to a discovery process) is just a way to defend himself.

She also said that the real-estate mogul wont sue the women immediately because, We're busy winning the presidency. We're a little bit busy over here doing thatHe's just putting people on notice.

Recently, Conway has mystified her Twitter followers and the press by retweeting statements that were complimentary to her, but reflected negatively on Trump. When BuzzFeed reporter McKay Coppins tweeted a supporter had yelled at Trump to stay on the issues, Conway remarked, That was me! I was there... And during the presidential debate on Wednesday, Washington Post reporter Robert Costa tweeted, Bad Hombres = Trump being Trump. Trumps other answers = Conway-esque. Conway retweeted the comment with an added, --- >.

When host Chuck Todd asked Conway about her social-media behavior, she responded, "Just on those tweets, because I actually have a sense of humor that maybe some are lacking...as does my client here, Donald Trump, [who said], 'That's all good, we're having a great time here.'"

That same morning on Fox News Sunday, when host Chris Wallace asked Conway how she planned to fix Trumps collapse with only two weeks left before Election Day, she again stated that Trump was taking the case directly to the voters, something the campaign believes sets them apart from Clinton, because her events are smaller than his rallies, and she holds them with less frequency.

Asked if Trumps plans to sue his accusers step on his serious agenda, Conway said, Hes just trying to defend himself against, uh, false accusers, as he says.

Conway is the quintessential happy warrior, a much more reliable and eloquent spokesperson for Trump than the other talking heads who work on his behalf. Still, the alternate reality she presents on television is hard to reconcile with what Trump says himself, onstage at his rallies, and the apparent negative effect that has on his precious poll numbers.

If you see me sitting here as a campaign manager, then that's where my heart and my head are, Conway assured Wallace.

Oh, Kellyanne.
As the all-out offensive against the so-called Islamic State in its Iraqi capital of Mosul began early this week, Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook told reporters, We will see whether ISIL stands and fights, as if that were the perfect definition of victory.

But ISIS, as the group is more commonly known, may well have a different plan in mind: the jihadist tactic of hijra.

The word means migration, but for a jihadist it holds significance as a successful retreat and regrouping phase on the way to building a caliphate.

A full decade ago, Mary Habeck, an associate professor of strategic studies at Johns Hopkins University, explained that the jihadists war plans mirror the life of the Prophet Muhammad: First is Mecca: the creation of a vanguard of true believers. Second is Hijra: migration to safety and securing the land. Third is Medina: creating an Islamic state, jihad in the form of both defense and offense, conquest, and winning allies.

The erstwhile Islamic State of Iraqthe group that became ISISused hijra all too successfully. In 2007, the U.S. implemented a troop surge and the Awakening campaign to win over local Iraqis. The jihadists responded by going to other battlefields, including in Syria, only to return in 2014 to claim vast swathes of territory and declare a caliphatethe Medina part of picture. So, during or after the battle for Mosul, ISIS is likely to follow the pattern again.

Back in mid-August, American Lt. Gen. Sean MacFarland said, the enemy is in retreat on all fronts. But he clarified what this retreat looked like by saying, All I know is when we go someplace, its easier to go there now than it was a year ago. And the enemy doesnt put up as much of a fight.

A few weeks earlier, Iraqs defense minister, Khaled al-Obeidi, also reported that ISIS leaders were evacuating ahead of the Mosul attack. "Many Daesh families and leaders in Mosul have sold their property and sneaked out towards Syria, and a segment even tried to sneak out towards [Iraq's Kurdish] region," he said in an interview on state television.

If the conspiracies of Russian news are to be believed, even more ISIS fighters will be allowed to retreat across the Syrian border during the coming battle because of a supposed under-the-table deal the U.S. made to get them fighting Putins forces.

The actual truth probably relates to the borders unique role in this conflict.

ISIS currently controls a large portion of the Syrian border, which, by its lights, no longer exists. But the border does hem in Iraqi and allied military operations now, as in the past.

Abdel Bari Atwan explains in his book Islamic State: The Digital Caliphate that in the face of U.S.-led bombardment in Iraq in the mid-2000s, ISIS shifted its efforts towards Syria. Fighters in Iraq hid themselves in cities while battalions and sleeper cells in Syria were reactivated. The tactic was a chilling success. As a result, the group doubled the territory under its control in Syria between August 2014 and January 2015, Atwan says.

That is why ISIS wants us to call them IS: They ignore borders and exist beyond Iraq and Syria. Atwan points out that in the past, ISIS jihadists have joined the fight in many places, including Afghanistan, Chechnya, Bosnia, and Libya. Their jihad is global and they will make a hijra to wherever there is fighting.

Their military tactics reflect this even on a micro scale, Atwan says: Rather than fight to the death, [ISIS] brigades will slip away from battles they are clearly not going to win, regrouping in a more advantageous locationa tactic successfully employed for many years by the al Qaeda network.

The tactic of retreat not only allows ISIS to regroup elsewhere, but it also comes with a heavy price tag for their enemies. Pentagon spokesman and Capt. Jeff Davis says that in the current battle ISIS is "absolutely" using civilians as human shields. "They are being held there against their will," he told Washington reporters on Tuesday. "We have not seen any change in the last day of people leaving or fleeing."

ISIS is, however, retreating from the villages surrounding Mosul. They are leaving behind ransacked houses and an extensive tunnel system. Villagers are trying to salvage their homes in a scene which foreshadows the larger destruction to come. Meanwhile, the tunnel system shows that ISIS has worked carefully to build efficient supply lines while allowing for a safe escape route.

The damage left behind in reclaimed cities has so far been particularly foreboding. Much of Ramadi was completely reduced to rubble, and the Iraqi Prime Ministers office estimated that 90 percent of the city was contaminated with explosives during the battle. This includes unexploded ordnance from the fighting as well as explosives intentionally placed by ISIS in schools, homes, and hospitals.

A similar pattern occurs whenever a city is reclaimed, making an ISIS retreat very destructive indeed.

Through sabotage and by shielding themselves behind civilians, ISIS is virtually certain to produce a humanitarian disaster in the battle for Mosul. The Iraqi government and its American backers will win a victory (pyrrhic though it may be) because of what Mosul signifies: it is the second largest metropolis in Iraq and was, after all, the place where ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi first declared his caliphate.

Its not as if the U.S. military does not understand the problem. Lt. Gen. Sean MacFarland said flatly in August, Military success in Iraq and Syria will not necessarily mean the end of Daesh [ISIS]. We can expect the enemy to adapt, to morph into a true insurgent force and terrorist organization capable of horrific attacks like the one here on July 3 in Baghdad and those others weve seen around the world.

In other words, the jihadists will simply repeat the cycle as they have done in the past. The hijra as a call for jihadists to migrate to the Islamic State will be underway again. If ISIS is indeed prevented from re-entering Iraq, their jihadist fighters will go to other battlefields just as they have in North Africa, the Balkans and Central Asia.

The fight is not against the extremists who hole up in Mosul, finally. This is a war without borders.
Americas Dad, Tom Hanks, has a message for us. In the crazy, anxiety-inducing, pussy-grabbing fall that has dominated all of our conversations, he wants us to know that its all going to be alright. Because were all Hankses.

Sure, he says, on Saturday Night Live this weekend hosting for an astonishing ninth time and Lady GagaLady Gaga (!!!)as the musical guest, the country is getting darker. Were more diverse than ever. Also, he says, youre a lot gayer than you used to be. That is trill. That is fleek, whatever that means.

Its just what we needed, our daddy Tom Hanks appearing on SNL after the final presidential debate between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, reassuring us that, after a night of nasty women and bad hombresnot to mention the incendiary conversation those topics ignitedthings are going to be OK.

Are we Ready For Hillary? Do we want to Make America Great Again? No. What we needwhat weve always neededis HANKS.

Hanks played well-reviewed Fox News debate moderator Chris Wallace in this weekends cold open, because if anyone from Fox News is going to get raves, it will be Best Living Actor Tom Hanks to pull off the performance of a lifetime.

Its going to be a lot like the third Lord of the Rings movie, Hanks/Wallace said. You dont want to watch but, hey, youve come this far.

We have. And our reward, as weve come to expect, is some razor-sharp satire of the nonsense Saturday after 11:30 pm on Saturday Night Live. Praise McKinnon, we got it.

Tonight, I feast, joked Kate McKinnons Hillary Clinton in her opening statement opposite Alec Baldwins Donald Trump. She licked the butchers knife, ostensibly making this last debate Halloween-themed.

All of the major talking points from the final presidential debate were hit. Trumps attention-grabbing abortion position and graphic monologue about late-term termination was reduced to Baldwins: THEY ARE RIPPING BABIES OUT OF VAGINAS. His Trump then downplayed the bad hombres comment, reassuring that he has good relations with Mexico: Mr. Guacamole. Excuse me Senor Guacamole.

Hanks had a shining moment mocking the nationwide exhaustion over Clintons gloating about her 30 years of policy experience, complete with McKinnon rocking a Jason Derulo-style humble brag about taking down Osama Bin Laden. Then she used the nights buzziest momentTrumps crude dismissal of her as a nasty womanas the perfect opportunity to capitalize on controversy for hocking #nastywomen-branded merchandise.

In their closing statements, Baldwins Trump claimed that he was winning every poll taken outside of a Cracker Barrel, which, probably. And Hillary? While some Trump supporters might be giving her an F in debate performance, she reassures voters that, if elected, I promise to be a Stone Cold B. Which, definitely.

Naturally, however, the politics didnt end with the cold open. The popular sketch Black Jeopardy! followed with Hanks once again channeling Americas psyche and juxtaposition simultaneously playing Doug, a Trump supporter who is also popular among the black community.

If I can laugh and pray in 90 minutes, that is money well spent, Doug said, talking about Madea movies. And what can skinny do for you? Not a damn thing! Doug says, as Leslie Joness character cheers: That is my man right there! Go Doug, go Doug, go!

We used to think unity only happened around Clinton and her supporters. But then Madea, and Doug, set us straight.

Could Tom Hanks make us great again? It remains to be seen, but if his winning performance in Sully is any indication then Id say were truly stronger together. Us, and Tom Hanks. Wellus, Tom Hanks, and Lady Gaga. Of course. A-Yo, indeed.
Archaeologists have been abuzz with the news that hidden chambers had been discovered in the Great Pyramid of Giza. The 4,500-year-old monument, which is known as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, had been keeping secrets.

Scientists from the Scan Pyramids project used thermal imaging and radiography equipment to scan the monument and detect cavities in the structure. In a statement to the press, they announced, we are now able to confirm the existence of a void hidden behind the north face, that could have the form of at least one corridor going inside the Great Pyramid. What hidden secrets might be found in the Pyramid? Was there a hidden tomb?

Perhaps nothing. While the world rushed to the conclusion that the cavities in the structure were hidden chambers, representatives overseeing the project read the results as ambiguous. Speaking to Live Science, Zahi Hawass, the Egytpian antiquities minister, confessed that they arent sure that the voids in the pyramid are that sizeable.
The family behind Columbias innovative rum brand

Jim Powers partner and CEO of Parce Rum and master blender Arthur Fernandes Domecq talk about rum production in Columbia in the face of state monopoly

Jim Powers Parce Rum

Tell us a bit about the inception of Parce Rum; what it takes to produce a smooth blend and why you've wanted to create a spirit that gives back to its environment.

Jim Powers: Parce is the result of fortuitous timing and perhaps a bit of fate. About five years ago I was visiting Colombia for the first time and fell in love with the country. My brother Patrick had been living there for several years and another brother Brian had made trips before so they were already ahead of me. We were there at the same time and decided it was time for us to do something together that could be a conduit between this amazing country and the rest of the world. Our Dad, Ed Powers, had passed away a few months before our decision and he had often expressed interest in his sons working together on a project.

My background is in music, I own a record label and was an A&R scout for major labels previously, Brian was an ad executive at his own agency in Denver for several years, and Patrick was the general manager of our dads company, Powerseal. While we certainly each had varied interests, we have a solid appreciation for family, friends, different cultures, and great spirits. Creating an outstanding aged sipping rum that could benefit Colombia as well as our partners immediately captured our imagination, and our wallets.

It took a few years to make Parce a reality. Determining the best possible blend obtainable, meeting the right people to do business with locally, and getting through the juggernaut of Colombian regulations, took time and a lot of patience, but we are thrilled with the result and response to our Parce rums.

In addition to myself, my brothers Patrick and Brian, along with longtime family friend and Medellin partner Jaime Uribe all remain very involved in assisting with production in Colombia.

How did you come to work with master distillers Arthur Fernandes and Brojen Fernandes?

JP: Fellow founding partner Jaime Uribe, learned about Arthur and Brojen during our year long search for suitable master blenders throughout Colombia. A friend in Medellin told Jaime about their rum work in Bogota, and we met them in Bogota soon thereafter. As a father and son team, Arthur and Brojen of course are also a family based business and we felt an instant kinship with them upon meeting. We are very proud of the quality and outstanding character of the Parce rums they have blended for us. Arthur and Brojen oversee and approve each blended batch of Parce bottled.

What would you say is distinctive about Colombian made rums, in particular?

Arthur Fernandes: Colombian Rums fall into the broad category of Central American and Caribbean Rums that are distilled from a variety raw materials of cane origin such as cane juice, cane juice concentrates (miel virgen) and cane molasses. Distillation is carried out in pot stills or column stills between 65 GL to 94GL and aged in white oak barrels. Our rums are characteristic of sipping rums and are pleasant to the nose and palate.

You plant a tree with every bottle you sell to prevent deforestation in Columbia, is that right?

JP: Deforestation is a serious issue in Colombia, despite the country being home to much of the most rainforest in the world. A social agency we connected with there put us in touch with a village that had deforested so much their local water filtration system became contaminated by runoff. We agreed it would be our first effort for our One Bottle = One Tree program.

We are very proud that already over 20,000 native species trees have been planted in Colombia as a result of Parce customers purchasing our rum. Personally we love the very tangible, positive impact a Parce rum fan can have upon Colombia with this straightforward model of One Bottle=One tree.

Is it quite rare for Columbian rums to win awards? Why exactly?

AF: Colombia is a country that has a state monopoly for the production of cane distillates and rums that are basically for local consumption and have not been noted for catering and penetrating international markets.

How many Columbian rums would you say there are in Columbia, roughly?

AF: Roughly around 10 brands. Because of the state monopoly the larger and more powerful states have survived at the expense of the smaller states.

Which beverage brands or rum makers truly inspire you?

JP: Ed Hamiltons Hamilton line of rums are lauded, and weve learned a lot by listening to his thoughts on rum and the business of rum. Lost Spirits Navy Style rum has always tasted great to me. Cana Brava, Havana Club 7 year is a year round fave, Clement (particularly Canne Bleue). On the Cachaca tip Avua Cachaca is very impressive from juice to bottle, and their founder Nate Whitehouse is a great guy, doing things well.

Do you have any more rum products in the pipeline over the next few years?

JP: We are very pleased to soon introduce a Parce 3yr rum. It is in production currently, and will be available in January. 43% ABV, 1 litre. There are a couple of other products in the works for 2018 too.

What is unique about the way Parce Rum is produced exactly?

AF: We select distillates that when blended produce our unique profile. It is aged in used American oak barrels and our plant is located in coffee and cocoa country in the Quindio Province of Colombia. Every batch of Parce rum is crafted and personally approved of by the master blenders.

Do you imagine well see more rums coming out of Colombia over the next few years?

AF: As the government rum monopoly is winding down, we would expect there to be more privately own rums to start there. They will want to buckle up for the journey, and be 100% committed.

Have you seen any changes in the way rum is being distilled over the years? If so, how and at what stage exactly?

AF: Pot stills were traditionally built of copper. The advent of continuous column stills has moved to stainless steels but often still incorporate copper shavings in their condensers.

Do you think consumers are becoming more open to brands from lesser known rum producing countries?

AF: Yes. It seems to us that consumers of premium goods and experiences are interested in a yin/yang of both quality, and a sense of other.

Lastly, how do you like your rum - on the rocks, neat or cocktails?

JP: Ideally neat, or with one large rock. Of course I also love a well-crafted rum cocktail, and these days there are many folks doing some deliciously complex things with rum.

Pictured above: Parce Rum founders Jim, Bian and Pat Powers

Ledetta Asfa-Wossen, contributing writer, The Drinks Report

24 October 2016
Love old or unusual movies but never know when theyre on? Here are several I recommend:

The Blob (1958): So how long has it been since youve watched a movie about a giant space amoeba that devours the inhabitants of a small town? Well thats too long, pardner. Who could resist such a classic plot? In his very first starring role, Steve McQueen stars as a teenager whos making out with his girlfriend and notice a meteor plummeting to earth. I know, right? I hate it when that happens. From then on we get to watch the hapless small-town Pennsylvanians attempt to escape getting absorbed into the greenish-reddish amorphous killer from outer space!!! I also really like the 1988 remake.  Turner Classic Movies, 12:45 p.m. Saturday

Its Alive (1974): Theres only one thing wrong with the Davies baby ITS ALIVE! This classic horror shockfest made a big splash when it came out, and its a dopey guilty pleasure thats worth revisiting. It features some good actors, including John P. Ryan and Guy Stockwell, and while its not exactly Schindlers List, its a stupid fun way to spend ninety-one minutes. Directed by Larry Cohen, who made two other junky movies I really liked: Q, (about an ancient Aztec god who wakes up and causes unpleasantness in Manhattan) and The Stuff about killer yogurt.  Turner Classic Movies, 10 p.m. Saturday

Lo and Behold: Reveries of the Connected World (2016) Maverick filmmaker Werner Herzog makes beautiful documentaries. His newest is about how the internet has changed our lives. Its a series of separate stories, starting with the actual origins of the internet itself. Herzog travels the world and interviews the people who have created our digital world, and people who have been affected by our digital world. While much of the material is positive and optimistic, Herzog doesnt shy away from the more sinister aspects of the internet, such as cyber-bullying and internet addiction.  Now available on Amazon Instant Video.

Amanda Knox (2016): We were all riveted when a young American college student was accused of brutally murdering her English roommate in Perugia, Italy in 2007. Documentarians Rod Blackhurst and Brian McGinn have put together a very creepy film about Knox and her many-year legal ordeal after the murder. Did she kill her roommate? Is she merely an innocent victim of circumstance? You may or may not be sure after watching this interesting new movie. One things for sure, though: Amanda Knox is a bit of an odd duck. But does that make her a killer?  Now available on Netflix.

Trivia Question #656: Which of this weeks directors has written two movies that center around some form of telephone? What are the movies?

Answer to Trivia Question #654: Aerosmiths classic rock hit Walk This Way was inspired by the film Young Frankenstein.

Bryan native Ray Ivey is a writer and movie fan in Hollywood, Calif. He would love to hear from you at rayivey@ca.rr.com. You can also visit his blog at www.starkravingray.com.
The College Station City Council will have a new look after the Nov. 8 election. Two councilmen are vying for mayor and to do so they had to give up their council seats in order to run.

To fill those two seats, the council called special elections to be held concurrently with the Nov. 8 general election. Each of those races drew two candidates. The third position, Place 2, which was scheduled to be on the ballot this year, has one unopposed candidate.

That seat came open when Councilman Steve Aldrich ran for the Brazos County Commissioners Court.

The good news for College Station voters is that all the candidates are first-rate, ready and able to represent all residents well.

The Editorial Board interviewed all the contested College Station candidates, spending about an hour with each one. We got to know them and their position on issues of importance to the people of the city.

Unlike Bryan, which elects most of its council from single member districts, College Station council candidates run city-wide. The place numbers for each position are merely a housekeeping system.

Today, The Eagle makes its recommendations in the three contested council races. The candidates are listed in ballot order.

Our recommendations are but one source of information voters should use when making their decisions. Other sources could include news stories, advertising, campaign literature and friends and co-workers.

Mayor

Karl P. Mooney vs. John Nichols -- This will be a tough choice for College Station voters because both are qualified, experienced candidates. Either would make a fine mayor.

Mooney came to College Station in 1989 to become director of academic advising at Texas A&M University. He serves as president of the Texas Municipal League for Region 10.

Mooney says he is pro-growth for the city, but, he said, that growth must be "reasonably placed." He said the city plan for growth should be updated every five years

The candidate favors efforts to recruit more business for College Station, but the city must be ready with the necessary infrastructure -- water, sewer, electricity -- when those businesses come.

Mooney said that we also must have a trained workforce ready to go to work in those new businesses.

"We lack a solid workforce," Mooney said, adding, "workforce education could resolve that issue."

Nichols also has an A&M background, twice serving as head of the department of agriculture economics. He has a long record of service with the city and in the community at large, including stints on the board of the Brazos Valley Symphony Society and on the board of the Arts Council Brazos Valley. In 1995, Nichols was named to the city's commercial appearance committee, serving for a time as its chairman.

Then, he was appointed to the Parks Board, serving six years, the last three as chairman. He points with pride to the development of Veterans Park, which he calls a "signature" accomplishment during his time on the board.

In 2004, Nichols was appointed to the city's Planning & Zoning Commission, serving as chairman for several years. While on the commission, Nichols said he helped develop neighborhood plans and, in 2009, he worked on a "total rewrite and update" of the city's Comprehensive Plan.

Nichols said as mayor he would work for parks and neighborhood integrity and would seek competitive pay for city employees.

He agrees with Mooney in the need to have infrastructure in place when businesses comes to the community and for workforce training.

Both men are outstanding candidates and, unfortunately, one of them has to lose. We urge whoever doesn't win to continue to serve the city as he has in the past.

All that said, the Editorial Board must recommend one of the two candidates. Because of his length and breadth of service to the city and the community, The Eagle recommends John Nichols for College Station mayor.

Place 3, unexpired term

Linda Harvell vs. Jeremy Osborne -- This race is for the unexpired year of Councilman Karl Mooney's term. This just may be the toughest choice on the Nov. 8 ballot. Both candidates bring experience and knowledge to the race and either would make a good council member. Voters can't go wrong whomever they pick.

Harvell serves on the city's Zoning Board of Adjustments. Long a champion of neighborhoods and calling herself the "citizens' candidate," Harvell pledges to work to protect all the neighborhoods. "We can't let our older neighborhoods fall behind," she said.

But, Harvell, a small business owner, said, "I am not against developers, growth and real estate brokers." And she said the city and developers need to do a better job communicating with residents before construction starts. "They shouldn't surprise the neighbors."

She said she wants to help plan the city's "dynamic growth" during the next 10 years.

She said she favors economic development, adding, "We must attract the right type of business development."

Harvell formerly worked for several convention and visitors bureaus. She said the local Bryan-College Station Convention and Visitors Bureau must continue to look at different markets in an effort to bring more visitors to the community.

Asked about a replacement for the over-crowded city hall, "Harvell said, "We need a new city hall, but we need a new police department [headquarters] first, we need a conference center before we build a city hall."

Osborne has not served on any city boards or commissions -- which are excellent training grounds for future council candidates -- but he did serve on the Young Alumni Advisory Council of The Association of Former Students at Texas A&M. It isn't comparable, but it does show an ability to work with others for a common goal.

A 2004 graduate of Texas A&M University and 2007 magna cum laude graduate of Georgetown University Law Center, Osborne is a founder and chief legal officer of a company specializing in the natural gas compression industry. The company was founded in 2012 and now employs more than 80 people in four states, many of them in the College Station office.

He said he entered the council race because he "wants to make a difference and to give voters a choice of candidates."

If elected, Osborne said he would work for higher pay and greater advancement opportunities for police and fire fighters. He said the city needs to address infrastructure, some of which dates back to the birth of the city. Traffic needs to be addressed quickly as the city continues to grow.

When his company was relocating, Osborne said it had difficulty finding appropriate office space, and, he said the city must encourage developers of starter homes for its younger residents.

Osborne said the Bryan-College Station Convention and Visitors Bureau continue to bring in tourism dollars, putting "heads in beds" in the city's hotels.

Linda Harvell has the background to be a fine city council member. Her background is impressive.

We wish Osborne had a served on one or more city boards or commissions, but he brings a strong business background, an understanding of what it takes to start a business in today's College Station and a youthful zeal that could shake up a rather stodgy council.

The Eagle recommends a vote for Jeremy Osborne for the unexpired Place 3 seat on the College Station City Council.

Place 4, unexpired term

Joe R. Guerra Jr. vs. Barry Moore -- This race is for the unexpired two years of Councilman John Nichol's term.

Guerra has 27 years experience as a transportation planner, including five years -- from 2008 to 2013 -- as transportation planning coordinator with College Station's Planning and Development Services. He also worked 10 years with Texas Department of Transportation and now works as a transportation planning project manager for a consulting engineering firm in Katy. He assured the Editorial Board that is employment in Katy would not affect his ability to attend city meetings and represent the people of College Station. He is a certified city planner and a certified professional transportation planner.

He said, "College Station is starting to see traffic like Houston and Austin." He also said, "New development is starting to overwhelm water, wastewater and transportation infrastructure. ... We need to be smart about growth."

One of Guerra's priorities if elected is a major update to the city's Comprehensive Plan. "We need to look at some land uses and be willing to modify them if needed."

Guerra is vice president of the Castlegate Homeowners Association and said he would work to protect and promote the city's neighborhoods.

He said police and firefighters need to have benefits and salaries comparable to similar cities. And, he said, South College Station needs a police substation.

Addressing the lack of moderately priced homes, Guerra said the city owns 300 acres of land roughly behind the College Station Lowe's that could be sold to a developer planning to build starter homes.

Moore, a 2005 graduate of Texas A&M, serves on the city's Planning and Zoning Commission, an excellent training ground for council members. He is a partner in a commercial real estate firm.

"We are in a unique time in College Station," Moore said. "We are at the end of 10 years of incredible growth and at the start of 10 years of incredible growth."

If elected, Moore said he would work to balance the needs of developers and neighborhoods, saying that neighborhoods have to remain safe and attractive.

He said he supported the recently approved impact fees on new development as a needed way to help fund the city budget. Moore said infrastructure needs will be his main focus.

Moore said, "We need to find a place for businesses to land," adding that he is not opposed to tax abatements to attract new business, but he is opposed to them for retail businesses.

Moore expressed concerns about the Research Valley Partnership -- of which the city is funder -- saying that too much of the business it attracts goes to Bryan. "I want more to come to College Station," Moore said. To that point, Moore said, "The city needs to do a better job attracting basic jobs." The city needs to be a place that encourages private job creation.

Guerra has impressive credentials and experience, but transportation is only part of the agenda facing the city council.

Moore has a background as a businessman and experience on the Planning and Zoning Commission. He understands the needs of a rapidly growing city.

The Eagle recommends a vote for Barry Moore for Place 4 on the College Station City Council.
This year's presidential campaign makes us long for a "None of the Above" box on the ballot. Both major candidates -- Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump -- are so odious that we, along with much of the country, want neither.

That the Democrats and the Republicans -- who had a number of highly qualified candidates for the nation's highest office -- couldn't come up with better candidates is a mystery that never may be solved. The losers in this race are the American voters.

Like many Americans, we fervently wish that vice presidential running mates Tim Kaine and Mike Pence headed their respective tickets. They are good, decent people with plenty of experience who would better serve American than either Clinton or Trump.

To his credit, Trump was the only candidate in either party to fathom the great dissatisfaction with our government felt by many Americans. That unhappiness is easy to understand. After years of gridlock in Washington, many people believe that politics as usual no longer works. Americans often feel politicians care more about themselves rather than their constituents.

Americans are worried about our nation's safety, about sky-rocketing health care costs, about the $19 trillion debt that threatens to strangle this country, about the porousness of our nation's borders.

A potent brew of the lack of political courage, an inability of our leaders to work together, the increasing hostility between Americans of one group toward Americans of another has brought us to this point.

Into this unhappiness stepped Donald Trump, promising to "make America great again." Those are reassuring words to the many Americans who feel left behind, whose way of life is changing in ways they don't like, who fear the rise of minorities in a way that will make those Americans the minority in the not too distant future. They long for the time when life for them was good, before unemployment, rising taxes and declining neighborhoods beset their lives.

Unfortunately, those days are gone, America is, indeed, changing -- and we cannot go back to those times. Our only path is forward.

Trump says he will build a wall between the United States and Mexico, saying that Mexico happily will pay for it. Yet he has no explanation of how that will happen. He promises to deport everyone in America illegally, but he can't say how. Trump says he will keep us safe from terrorism with no discussion on how he would do that. Trump claims he knows more than America's generals, that only he fully understands ISIS. He says he will be the greatest president ever, which is a sad commentary of our past presidents.

He says "trust me" but gives us no reason to do so. He says "believe me" but doesn't say why we should.

Trump is notoriously thin-skinned, reacting to every perceived slight with vicious and hate-filled retaliation in person and through late-night Tweets. Americans have to ask how Trump would act if elected president. His volatile personality would endanger America's relations with our closest allies and could push our enemies to step up their assaults on this country.

Trump simply does not have the temperament to be our president.

Then there is Hillary Clinton, former first lady, former U.S. senator, former secretary of State, who apparently is more comfortable with lies of commission or omission, who has spent a lifetime trying to wiggle out of the tight spots of her own creation.

The controversy over her use of a private server for official and unofficial emails when she was secretary of State is well-deserved. How in the world could she have thought such a system ever could be acceptable? Surely someone in her State Department should have spoken up. Then, when her use of her own server came to light, she time and again dissembled in an effort to cover her rear.

Instead of saying up front that she was wrong to use her private server, she told America that no classified material was received by or sent from that server. When FBI Director James Comey said that wasn't true, Clinton dismissed it. Instead of turning the server over to the FBI when it came to light, as she should have, she destroyed 33,000 emails she said were personal in nature. We'll never know if they truly were private. She had aides take a hammer to her cell phones, making us wonder what was on them.

Then there are the questions that remain about the deaths of four Americans in Benghazi. Clinton suggests there is nothing she could have done, but it is possible we never will know the whole truth.

Rather than accept the consequences of her mistakes, every time she gets caught, Clinton points the finger at someone else or in a different direction.

It is exciting that more than 225 years after our nation was born we finally have a woman nominee for president on a major party ticket. Too bad she is Hillary Clinton.

Clinton does have years of experience, no question, and that experience would serve America well in the White House. Trump has vast experience as a businessman, but no government service. The Oval Office is not a place to learn.

Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson has shown himself unqualified to be president and Green Party candidate Jill Stein is not a factor in this election.

So, voters are left with two seriously flawed candidates. Neither one is the person we would want in the White House for the next four years, but they are the candidates we have.

Trump has only a glancing relationship with the truth: the election is rigged, Hillary Clinton was on drugs at the second debate, she doesn't have the stamina to be president. We don't believe him and most assuredly do not trust him.

We don't trust Clinton, either. In a government that must be as transparent as possible, she closes doors and shuts blinds to hide from Americans the actions she takes that may be detrimental to this country and the people who call it home.

But, the choice is not between who is better for America but who is worse. It is a choice we regret having to make, but make it we must.

Donald Trump is a loose cannon, a man whose shoot-from-the-lip style would be devastating for America. He is totally unqualified to be president.

Reluctantly, we must recommend Hillary Clinton because her government service makes her better qualified to occupy the Oval Office.

In the end, whoever wins on Nov. 8, the rest of us lose.

And that's a sad commentary on American politics today.
From colleagues at Concordia:



Background: Concordia University School of Law, located in Boise, Idaho, invites applications for a Director of Academic Success and law professor position beginning in the 2017-18 academic year. This is a full-time faculty position that may lead to long-term successive contracts. Our goal is to recruit a dynamic, bright, and highly motivated individual who is interested in making significant contributions to our law school and its students. Experience in academic support and bar exam support is preferred, and teaching experience is desirable. As a Lutheran institution of higher education, we seek candidates who will support our mission and promote Lutheran values.



Special Instructions to Applicants: Questions about the position can be directed to the Chair of the Committee. Applicants should submit a current Curriculum Vitae, a statement of faith, and a letter of interest to https://cu-portland.csod.com/ats/careersite/JobDetails.aspx?id=118. Please also provide the names and email addresses of three individuals prepared to speak to your professional qualifications for this position. Please note: these references will not be contacted immediately, but may be contacted at an appropriate later point in the review process. Additional materials related to teaching excellence and samples of scholarly publications may be emailed to the Victoria Haneman, Chair of the Committee, at vhaneman@cu-portland.edu. Review of applications will begin immediately and continued until the position is filled. Concordia University reserves the right to give preference in employment based upon religion in order to further the Lutheran objectives of the University and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
Grab a homebrew with these Burlington Makers of Beer

The Burlington M.O.B.  Makers of Beer  meets nearly every month to discuss and sample each other's beers.
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Independent record stores all over the globe Saturday will be celebrating Record Store Day, an annual event created to boost the record store business.

Indie and major labels press special, limited run vinyl LPs and singles just for the occasion, leading to long lines around stores, akin to Black Friday craziness in November. The vinyl format has been in a boom for nearly a decade.

All the talk about vinyl means that some of us begin thinking about the records we've collected over the years before cassettes, compact discs, MP3s and streaming tried to kill off each successive format.

Shows like "American Pickers" and "Pawn Stars" lead some of us to believe we might have a fortune in vinyl in a dusty box, but according to leading store owners in Houston you might just have junk.

Some seasoned record store owners break it down for us novices. As it turns out, older isn't always better.

According to Chuck Roast at Vinal Edge, 239 W. 19th, the Heights shop uses some straightforward considerations to decide what to buy from people who bring in vintage records.

"Is there a market for this stuff? Are the people with this taste long dead or downsizing? Does it fit our stores direction? Roast says.

If a record is what Roasts store is looking for, the staff then looks at its condition. The record itself and the sleeve should be in mint or near-mint condition.

We like to see collections where the covers are in plastic sleeves. It indicates a well cared for collection, Roast adds.

Common things that Roast and other store owners run into are water damage, mold, adhesive tape, mysterious stains and names. People used to love writing their names on their LPs and 45s. How else would you get your records back from a friend or an ex?

What records does he see on a near-daily basis?

I never need to see another Pablo Cruise record in my life. It is the cruise you dont need to ever take, Roast says.

Kurt Brennan of Sound Exchange, 1846 Richmond, does brisk business selling music from the underground, but says that shoppers are still looking for the same things to round out their collections.

The records most sought after have not really changed much in the past 40 years. Jazz, punk, soul and hard rock always top the list, Brennan says.

Theyve gotten plenty of calls from people thinking that theyve found gold at grandmas house only to have to let them down when they learn that those Glenn Miller or Elvis Presley records arent all that rare.

Regarding the notion that most people think all records are valuable, I can tell you that is all too true. The endless hyping of the return of vinyl records certainly isnt educating anyone either, Brennan says.

When I get the daily hyper-ventilating phone call from someone cleaning out grandmas house I always try to give the caller some perspective. That is, the number of records in existence is always going to be many thousands of times greater that the number of records people actually want to buy, Brennan says.

Quinn Bishop at Cactus Music, 2110 Portsmouth, says that hes seen a lot of baby boomers looking to unload their parents collections after theyve passed. That generation had a much different taste in music.

We are seeing those customers bringing in tons of light classical, post-WWII pop vocalists and easy listening records that have almost no value, Bishop says. We not-so-affectionately refer to these records as "parent music and it is sometimes difficult to find an organization who will accept them as a donation.

These are not the records that teens and twenty-somethings want to play on their new turntables.

The millennials who are driving vinyl sales just have no interest in these items. I'm not sure that anyone else does either, Bishop says.

Millennials these days are buying lots of Fleetwood Mac, if you can believe that. On a recent visit to Vinal Edge we saw a gaggle of collectors barely old enough to drink purchasing Macs Rumours as if it was the newest Taylor Swift release.

Boomers who are pruning their living spaces down after the kids have left the nest are also coming by with crates of records to sell.

The following seem to be in every box of records that is brought to us: Herb Alpert, Barbara Streisand, Sergio Mendes, Neil Diamond, The Carpenters, Dan Fogelberg and others, Bishop says.

That Alpert Whipped Cream & Other Delights LP cover is still a timeless gem, though.

The Moody Blues albums may have been making babies out there, because I suspect that the number of them being attempted to be sold back to record shops actually eclipse the number of those originally pressed, Bishop jokes.

What Bishop says he will take are blue chip classic rock records from Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, and David Bowie, plus timeless jazz records from the '50s through the '70s. Classic soul records are always welcome.

How does Bishop assess a personal collection?

We first evaluate content. Any parent music or titles like those listed above are culled out to leave titles which we would be likely to sell in our store for $4 or more, Bishop says. Any titles for which we are overstocked go into the former category as well.

As at Vinal Edge, condition is key.

Condition is everything as all of our records in the Record Ranch are in VG (very good) condition or better. We are often more forgiving for records of great rarity or unique pressings, Bishop says.

What does a dream haul look like for Cactus Music?

Ultra-esoteric rock and folk of the prog and psych variety. These type of records are easy to sell, interesting listening for our staff and excite our core customers. We've had a few buys that provided an educational experience for our buying staff, Bishop says.

If you cant unload Grandma or Grandpas ancient classical records, you can always make art out of them. You can melt them and mold them into bowls or cut them down to make nerdy coasters.
WASHINGTON, Conn.  For many fans, the fictional town of Stars Hollow came to life Saturday as actors who played its quirky residents roamed the real-life town that inspired the show Gilmore Girls.

Actors dressed in character mingled with fans at workshops and other events and posed for spontaneous photo opportunities during the second day of the Gilmore Girls Fan Festival, which drew a sold-out crowd of 1,200 fans.

The day culminated with a panel discussion with 13 cast members, who joked with each other and laughed as they reminisced about their time on the set.

Most recalled how Liz Torres and Sally Struthers, who played Miss Patty and Babette, entertained the cast during filming of long scenes by impersonating famous actresses. The cast also played a game where they would guess what was in Struthers purse, including a drivers license for her dog.

We were like Abbott and Costello, Torres told the audience.

Ted Rooney, who plays Morey, added, Sally and Liz would hold court. Theyre old-school Hollywood.

Gilmore Girls, which aired from 2000 to 2007, centered on two characters, Lorelai and Rory, a single mother raising her teenage daughter. The show gained a following that grew when the show went into syndication and got another boost when Netflix announced a four-episode revival, set to premiere Nov. 25.

It seems like the stars are equally excited to see the fans, said Jean McCrystal as she waited in line with her two daughters to meet Rose Abdoo, who plays Gypsy on the show.

Jackson Douglas, who played a farmer on the program, greeted fans in a plaid jacket near a produce stand, while Aris Alvarado, who played diner chef Caesar, helped out with a cooking demo from the new cookbook, Eat Like a Gilmore.

At one point Todd Lowe, who played a Stars Hollow character named Zach, gave a surprise concert with his band, Hep Alien, on the steps of the Bryan Memorial Town Hall to excited cheers from fans. He was joined by his fictional bandmates, Keiko Agena, who played Lane, and John Cabrera, who played Brian. They led the crowd in a singalong of the shows theme song.

During the morning, Anisha Gupta, 24, and Ashima Talwar, 25, waited in a line that wound through Hickory Stick Bookshop to meet Liz Torres, who played Miss Patty.

The friends grew up watching the show while living in Maryland, and were excited to meet the people who played the characters they loved to watch every week.

Theyre so down to earth, Talwar said. It seems like they really love the show. It doesnt feel like a convention.

In the nearby shop, Janet and Amber Speciale, a mother and daughter dressed in outfits like Lorelai and Rory wore in the show, gushed about the parallels between the show and their own lives: including their close relationship and the fact that Janet gave birth Amber when she was in high school and put her through college.

People kept telling us we had to watch the show because it was us, Amber Speciale said.

On Friday, a panel of six crew members shared behind-the-scenes stories about casting some of the characters, their wardrobes and the challenges they faced producing an episode with 80-plus pages of dialogue each week.

Sheila Lawrence, a writer and producer on the show, said everyone applauded after the table read of the revival script and no one wanted to be the first to leave.

Everyone just knew, Lawrence said. This doesnt just happen and you dont get to do it again.

The loudest applause of Friday nights panel came when the casting directors were asked which of Rorys boyfriends they liked best  a contentious issue among fansand Sean Gunn, who played Kirk, yelled out his characters name from the balcony of town hall.

Star Herrmann, the wife of the late Edward Herrmann, who played Rorys grandfather on the show, also received resounding applause as she spoke about her husbands love for the show and how much he would have loved this event.

That man loved this show, she said. He just loved it. He loved the people and he loved the cast.

kkoerting@newstimes.com; 203-731-3345; @kkoerting
WILTON  State Sen. Toni Boucher believes there needs to be a change in the state leadership majority, and she aims to do her part by defending her fifth term in the 26th state Senate District against Carolanne Curry of Westport in the upcoming general election on Nov. 8.

Currently, the Democrats hold majorities in both the Connecticute Senate and House of Representatives.

In my view, on her side of the aisle, her party has had tremendous amount of time to fix things and in the majority, they have failed to do so, Boucher said. And now its time for change and to let us take a leadership role to enact what we feel are better policies to turn the state around.

If re-elected, Boucher said her top priorities would focus on making Connecticut more affordable for businesses and individuals by reforming current tax and spending policies to encourage job growth, balance the state budget and improve roadways and transit systems.

Theyre all interrelated, she said. I really believe that the tax structure of our state is a major reason that jobs grow and people stay. And we can see that those bad policies that have been enacted are doing the opposite  we have people leaving and jobs decreasing.

Boucher said her extensive background in finance comes in handy when proposing solutions to remedy the states fiscal issues, especially when it comes to government spending in areas such as transportation.

We have to stop raiding our transportation fund and moving other things that its not designed to fund and spending in other areas that are taking up the priorities. That practice has got to stop, she said. If we take our general obligation funds and prioritize what we can do, we can almost gain a billion dollars extra.

As a ranking member of the Education Committee of the Connecticut General Assembly and a former member of Wiltons Board of Education, Boucher said she would also continue her efforts in closing the gap between high- and low-income individuals by changing the educational funding formula and reducing tuition hikes.

The best way to close the income gap is a higher education, she said. The vast majority of income is not necessarily from a trust fund, but people who have worked their way up the economic ladder by getting a higher educational degree.

Boucher said she would also do her best to prevent three things from moving forward: the mileage-based tax, the implementation of additional tolls and the regionalization of local municipalities  all of which, she claims, would layer on more taxes and financial burdens on Connecticuts population.

We have to focus on our affordability for our businesses and people and expanding Connecticuts tax base, Boucher said.

She said her 16 years in state government attests to her credibility and record of meeting her constituents needs, having served as the state representative of the 143rd Assembly District for 12 years prior to being elected as state senator in 2008.

I respond, I give them my phone number, personal cell, email  whatever we can do, she said. But in addition to that, we pursue their issues and problems. I have a folder called my bill folder and any good ideas they forward to me, Ill look through that to see all the things we could put forward.

SKim@hearstmediact.com; 203-354-1044; @stephaniehnkim
WILTON  Westport Democrat Carolanne Curry believes that the voters of the 26th state Senate District deserve a new leader, one that will further the fight for fair, common-sense legislation in a time of political divisiveness.

With a lengthy political resume and a willingness to go against the grain, Curry believes she is the best bet to usher in change than her opponent, Republican incumbent Toni Boucher.

What I want is fairness. Im not going to legislate on behalf of the special few, Im looking to secure a fair legislative future for everyone in the district, Curry said. Id like to pursue a return to fairness and morality in our political system for everyone.

Her experience, Curry said, is one of her greatest advantages in pursuing her goals. She has worked closely with legislators in Hartford, where she worked as an administrative assistant to the Connecticut State Senate president.

Currys no stranger to the municipal level either, having worked as the director of welfare for both New Haven and Bridgeport in the past, and now serving as an aide to Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim who coordinates the citywide effort to cleanup on illegal dumping and blight.

After seeing to the welfare of cities like New Haven and Bridgeport for years, Curry now wants to ensure the welfare of the state as a whole.

Right now, Curry said, the state is not doing enough to ensure fair-minded legislation. Curry points to the $22 million in financial aid that the Connecticut State Bond Commission awarded to Bridgewater as a prime example of the kind of special treatment that she would not tolerate if elected.

If we really need to look at how our money is being spent, well see that it is not being spent wisely. I want to be a part of the group who comes in and re-thinks how our tax money is spent in this state, Curry said. All were doing right now is putting Band-Aids where we should be restructuring.

While Curry acknowledges that a restructuring of the Legislatures finances wont be easy, opposition is nothing new to her. Curry, who is openly gay, believes that her unique blend of life and political experience will ultimately enable her to pursue what is right in the face of whatever resistance comes her way.

Although Curry admits that she and Boucher see eye-to-eye on a number of issues, such as the elimination of the business entity tax, there is a bit of a disparity in their views when it comes to some social issues.

Curry said that whereas Boucher voted against a recent medical marijuana bill or an act concerning services for individuals with intellectual disabilities, she would have voted for them.

There are also corporate loopholes that are being exploited by businesses much to the dismay of the people of Connecticut, Curry added. For one, if elected, Curry said she would aim to revise affordable housing legislation that allows a developer to ask the courts to override local zoning decisions in order to construct affordable housing for working class and low-income individuals.

My aim is to stop that abuse  to let the towns have affordable housing, offer diversity in housing, but not be locked in to these outrageous sizes that developers want to put in to the towns, Curry said.

These are just some of the goals, Curry said, that she will pursue if voters of the district, which consists of Westport, Wilton, Ridgefield, Redding and parts of Bethel, New Canaan and Weston, elect to replace Boucher with her.

ptomlinson@hearstmediact.com; 203-354-1046; @Tomlinson_PE
WASHINGTON  A specter is haunting academia, the specter of specters  ghosts, goblins and cultural appropriation through insensitive Halloween costumes. Institutions of higher education are engaged in the low comedy of avoiding the agonies of Yale.

Last October, the university was rocked to its 315-year-old foundations by the wife of a residential college master (a title subsequently expunged from Yales vocabulary lest it trigger traumas by reminding people that slavery once existed). In response to a university memorandum urging students to wear culturally sensitive costumes  e.g., no sombreros  she wrote an email saying it should be permissible for young people to be inappropriate, provocative or even offensive because the ability to tolerate offense is a hallmark of a free and open society.

After the dust settled from this, she and her husband left the residential college. And Yale had trampled in the dust the noble legacy of its 1975 Woodward Report.

Named for the chairman of the committee that produced it, historian C. Vann Woodward, the report was written after Yales awkward handling of some controversial speakers. Reaffirming freedom of expressions superior importance to other laudable principles and values, the report said:

Without sacrificing its central purpose, [a university] cannot make its primary and dominant value the fostering of friendship, solidarity, harmony, civility or mutual respect. ... It will never let these values, important as they are, override its central purpose.

That purpose, as Hanna Holborn Gray, a former president of the University of Chicago, once said, is not to make young adults comfortable, it is to make them think. Since 1975, however, universities have embraced the doctrine that speech that offends people actually harms them, mentally and even physically. The decision to treat young adults as fragile and perpetually vulnerable to victimization coincided with academias turn away from the world: Fifty years ago, student assertiveness concerned momentous issues of war and civil rights. Today, students have macro-tantrums about micro-aggressions (e.g., sombreros). Time was, students rebelled against universities acting in loco parentis. Today, they welcome having their sexual and other social interactions minutely subjected to government regulations administered by Pecksniffs with Ph.D.s.

Fortunately, The Chronicle of Higher Education reports that some schools are having second thoughts about their bias-response teams that spring into action when someone says that someone has said something offensive. These schools have noticed the obvious: When such teams elevate campus harmony to the supreme value, they become civility enforcers with a chilling effect on speech.

Americas great research universities are ornaments of Western civilization, so their descent into authoritarianism and infantilization matters. Because conservatives are largely absent from faculties, and conservative students are regarded as a rebarbative presence, many conservatives welcome academias marginalization of itself by behavior that invites ridicule. But universities are squandering the cultural patrimony that conservatism exists to conserve.

And what happens on campuses does not stay on campuses. According to the Pew Research Center, American millennials (ages 18 to 34), fresh from academia, are far more likely than older generations to say the government should be able to prevent people from saying offensive statements about minority groups. Forty percent of this cohort think government should be empowered to jettison much constitutional law concerning the First Amendment in order to censor speech offensive to minority groups.

Gerard Alexander, a University of Virginia political scientist, argues in National Affairs quarterly that a universitys permanent population, the faculty, is secure in the tenure system and maintains its monochrome intellectual culture by hiring from a Ph.D. pipeline that young conservatives are understandably reluctant to enter. He could have added that faculties ideological tendencies are reinforced by peer review of publications.

Schools, Alexander notes, have applied millions of hours of work to the priority of improving racial, ethnic and gender diversity. Viewpoint diversity could be elevated to similar prominence and urgency. This would improve scholarship, especially in the humanities and social sciences. Their research concerns economic behavior, the meaning and importance of classic literature, which social problems matter most and the evidence about ways of addressing them, how to evaluate different ethical positions and legal systems, and which aspects of history most merit study. Viewpoint diversity in faculties would, Alexander argues, at least pit one scholars susceptibility to confirmation bias  the tendency to seek, and be receptive to, evidence that buttresses ones beliefs  against anothers different bias.

Academia just now needs a reminder akin to Florence Nightingales terse axiom that whatever else hospitals might do, they should not spread disease. Universities, as the word suggests, have many missions, but becoming safe spaces for faculty and student juvenility is not among them.
WASHINGTON  The case against Hillary Clinton could have been written before the recent WikiLeaks and FBI disclosures. But these documents do provide hard textual backup.

The most sensational disclosure was the proposed deal between the State Department and the FBI in which the FBI would declassify a Hillary Clinton email and State would give the FBI more slots in overseas stations. What made it sensational was the rare appearance in an official account of the phrase quid pro quo, which is the currently agreed-upon dividing line between acceptable and unacceptable corruption.

This is nonetheless an odd choice for most egregious offense. First, it occurred several layers removed from the campaign and from Clinton. It involved a career State Department official (he occupied the same position under Condoleezza Rice) covering not just for Clinton but for his own department.

Second, its not clear which side originally offered the bargain. Third, nothing tangible was supposed to exchange hands. There was no proposed personal enrichment  a Rolex in return for your soul  which tends to be our standard for punishable misconduct.

And finally, it never actually happened. The FBI turned down the declassification request.

In sum, a warm gun but nonsmoking. Indeed, if the phrase quid pro quo hadnt appeared, it would have received little attention. Moreover, it obscures the real scandal  the bottomless cynicism of the campaign and of the candidate.

Among dozens of examples, the Qatari gambit. Qatar, one of the worst actors in the Middle East (having financially supported the Islamic State, for example), offered $1 million as a birthday gift to Bill Clinton in return for five minutes of his time. Who offers  who takes  $200,000 a minute? We dont know the quid here, but its got to be big.

In the final debate, Clinton ran and hid when asked about pay-for-play at the Clinton Foundation. And for good reason. The emails reveal how foundation donors were first in line for favors and contracts.

A governance review by an outside law firm reported that some donors may have an expectation of quid pro quo benefits in return for gifts. You need an outside law firm to tell you that? If your Sultanic heart bleeds for Haiti, why not give to Haiti directly? Because if you give through the Clintons, you have a claim on future favors.

The soullessness of this campaign  all ambition and entitlement  emerges almost poignantly in the emails, especially when aides keep asking what the campaign is about. In one largely overlooked passage, Clinton complains that her speechwriters have not given her any overall theme or rationale. Isnt that the candidates job? Asked one of her aides, Joel Benenson: Do we have any sense from her what she believes or wants her core message to be?

Its that emptiness at the core that makes every policy and position negotiable and politically calculable. Hence the embarrassing about-face on the Trans-Pacific Partnership after the popular winds swung decisively against free trade.

So too with financial regulation, as in Dodd-Frank. As she told a Goldman Sachs gathering, after the financial collapse there was a need to do something because, for political reasons ... you cant sit idly by and do nothing.

Giving the appearance that something had to be done. Thats not why Elizabeth Warren supported Dodd-Frank. Which is the difference between a conviction politician like Warren and a calculating machine like Clinton.

Of course, we knew all this. But we hadnt seen it so clearly laid out. Illicit and illegal as is WikiLeaks, it is the camera in the sausage factory. And what it reveals is surpassingly unpretty.

I didnt need the Wiki files to oppose Hillary Clinton. As a conservative, I have long disagreed with her worldview and the policies that flow from it. As for character, I have watched her long enough to find her deeply flawed, to the point of unfitness. But for those heretofore unpersuaded, the recent disclosures should close the case.

A case so strong that, against any of a dozen possible GOP candidates, voting for her opponent would be a no-brainer. Against Donald Trump, however, its a dilemma. I will not vote for Hillary Clinton. But, as Ive explained in these columns, I could never vote for Donald Trump.

The only question is whose name Im going to write in. With Albert Schweitzer doubly unavailable (noncitizen, dead), Im down to Paul Ryan or Ben Sasse. Two weeks to decide.
The Grand Island Area Economic Development Corp. (EDC) facilitates job growth through assisting in existing business expansion and new business recruitment. Our project leads can come through varies sources: the EDC website and the chat now feature; business retention and expansion (BRE) visits with Hall County businesses; outbound marketing trips, meetings, and trade shows; and the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. When companies look to expand, business execs look worldwide for the best fit for their company. The EDCs recruitment process is extremely confidential, lengthy, and competitive.

As we meet with clients to create customized proposals during the recruiting process, we are asked the three same basic questions, regardless of the size or scoop of project:

1. Where do you pull employees from? What skill set and education does your existing workforce have?

2. Does your city offer job creation, tax, and community incentives? Do you have land available to handle an expansion of operations?

3. Does your community have existing infrastructure (connectivity to interstate and highways, existing roads able to handle large loads, adequate bridges, utility capacities: electric, sewer, water, gas; access to fiber optic telecommunications, etc.) that are efficient and can handle daily operations of a new facility?

Grand Island is incredibly fortunate to have to tools in place for the EDC to aggressively market the community. Our ability to leverage LB840, shovel- ready industrial park land, and an industry- relevant workforce at Central Community College and Career Pathways Institute, allow Grand Island to compete in the international market for projects and businesses.

The last set of criteria needed in a proposal is a topic that the nation as a whole is struggling to answer. Deferred maintenance and underinvestment in city streets, highways, interstates, and bridges across the United States has had a negative impact on business development and city growth. Grand Island is no different.

The City is proposing to increase its sales tax to 2 cents (up from 1.5 cents), upon approval by a majority of voters. According to Nebraska law, a city is allowed to increase its sales tax base so long as the surplus goes toward improvements in infrastructure. In Grand Island, this increase is expected to bring in approximately $5.5 million in additional revenue every year. This revenue will be used for transportation improvement projects, as well as Grand Islands contribution towards projects receiving state and federal grant funding.

While taxes can be a deterrent when recruiting businesses to the area, the one-half cent sales tax, similar to the food and beverage tax, is a shared tax and does not negatively impact property taxes. The EDC Board of Trustees voted to support the half cent sales tax. We believe in order to remain competitive on a global scale; we must keep our infrastructure updated and resources readily available to our community businesses and citizens alike.
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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post)  Sat, October 22 2016

Words Yuliasri Perdani Photos Jerry adiguna

In a library of his serene yet unconventional house in the Bintaro neighborhood of Jakarta, Andra Matin, one of the most sought-after architects in Indonesia, sums up his spiritual view that, in many ways, shapes his design style.



I am a Muslim. I fast during Ramadhan and pray, though sometimes I skip them, he said with a smile. But, I am very fond of remembering God, of remembering that I am nothing.



I believe that the most beautiful creation is the one that approaches the characteristics of Gods creations. One of them would be unpredictability. The sky can suddenly turn cloudy and pour down with rain, he said, with a downpour outside.



Unpredictable architecture must be exciting because it is close to Gods creations.



The unpredictable element is clearly visible in Andras works. While other architects incorporate numerous colors and elements into their buildings, he finds his challenge in working with one material.



He made Balinese artisan bricks the main feature of Katamama boutique hotel in Bali. Using over 1.5 million handmade bricks, he created a dramatic look to the hotel.



Andra  real name Isandra Matin Ahmad  came into the spotlight with his innovative design for Potato Head Beach Club at Seminyak, Bali. The towering elliptical facade of mismatched teak wood shutters has in part contributed to making the beach club the hippest tourist attraction on the resort island.



The less material, the better. Because it challenges me to create a stronger design and to hone my sensitivity, he said.



The single-material approach is also visible in Kopi Manyar, Andras white-dominated cafe located a few steps away from his house and office that he initially built for coffee-loving employees.



God gives us millions of colors. And in each color, there are numerous shades. So, we just need to explore one.



Andra pointed out the white walls of the cafe. They are all the same white, but they morph into a different white because some walls get the sunlight, while the other do not.



In his career as an independent architect, he has won numerous awards, including the Indonesian Architects Association (IAI) Award for Le Bo Ye graphic design office, Gedung Dua8, Conrad wedding chapel and Komunitas Salihara complex.



His style is widely dubbed cinematic architecture for incorporating the elements of suspense into his design. It is like theres a mystery waiting to be revealed in every section of the buildings.



I like something simple but with depth. Hotels in Bali in 1980s often gave us a view to the ocean and pool as we entered the lobby. But for one resort that I designed, we had to walk through a corridor of a gravel path and a lobby before getting the best view.



And just like in a movie, every sequence arouses different kinds of emotions.



I like to play with space, rhythm and emotions. My designs may arouse a sense of fear through the use of narrow space in one part, and give a spacious space in another part.

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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post)  Sat, October 22 2016

With or without a gubernatorial race, Jakarta is heating up, literally. From year to year the citys temperature has steadily increased. Geologists estimate that the citys temperature is 1.4 degrees Celsius higher than it was a century ago, or double the world average, owing to a combination of global warming and proliferation of structures at the expense of green spaces.

With more construction under way  and more in the pipeline, the city is certainly bracing for an environmental disaster unless it shifts to green governance.

Jakartas commitment to environmental protection was put to test as soon as the House of Representatives ratified the Paris Agreement on Climate Change on Wednesday. The ratification requires the country, Jakarta included, to lower carbon emissions by 29 percent, from the business-as-usual level in 2030.

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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post)  Sat, October 22 2016

Narrowing gender gaps in RI science



Gender inequality is still considered a pervasive problem in society, especially in the sciences. The problem stems from a mixture of ignorant cultural perceptions of scientific research and a lack of local career opportunities for burgeoning scientists.



While it is considered normal for men in high-level scientific research positions to realize their dreams, women who do the equivalent are viewed as irresponsible mothers, according to Ines Atmosukarto, CEO and managing director of vaccine formulation company Lipotek.



She said there were stereotypes attached to women scientists.



As a scientist, we have to stand by during ongoing research. This has led to the stereotype that when women have families, we have to leave our research behind or vice versa, Ines said during the recent Manifesto for Women in Science to #ChangeTheNumber, organized by LOreal Indonesia.



Last year, the LOreal Foundation surveyed more than 5,000 Europeans in France, Great Britain, Germany, Spain and Italy on gender.



The foundation wrote in its report that Women apparently suffer the following shortcomings: a lack of perseverance, of rational thought, of practicality, of rigor, of a scientific spirit and an analytical mind.



This kind of widespread mentality has had negative effects on women in the sciences. According to data from UNESCO in 2015, women only make up 30 percent of all researchers in the world.



The numbers are no different in Indonesia. The same UNESCO data reveals that only 31 percent of women make up the researcher population. They also show that women in Indonesia make up 41 percent of doctoral students, despite being 52 percent of the countrys Bachelors degree holders.



Only a handful of women are brave enough to work as researchers. Its because this line of work is still viewed as an expensive profession that eats up time and is boring, said Arum Putri, a student at Sebelas Maret University.



Arum is a recipient of an LOreal Sorority in Science (LSIS) scholarship, a program that began in 2014 to support underprivileged female university students studying science.



Fenny Martha Dwivany, an associate professor of molecular biology at the Bandung Institute of Technology, said a lack of proper networking venues for scientists and researchers to get together and share the results of their research did not help prospective Indonesian scientists, regardless of gender.



Even when young students look for opportunities for Masters and doctoral degrees abroad, when they come back home after their studies, they find that there are no work opportunities for them here, she said.



Last year, LOreal Foundation launched an international campaign, called #ChangeTheNumbers, to change public perceptions of women in science. It serves as the latest international effort in the companys long-term For Women in Science (FWIS) program that it held in collaboration with UNESCO to support women in this field.

GALERIES LAFAYETTE HONORS INSPIRING WOMEN



Pacific Place, South Jakarta



Upmarket French lifestyle department store Galeries Lafayette recently launched a signature program that pays tribute to some of the Indonesian fashion industrys most accomplished women.



The program, titled Bravo Madame, is set to run until Nov. 6. Its list of Women of Influence includes Annisa Pohan, Mariko Tampi Budiman, Poppy Dharsono and Wulan Tilaar.



A collection of portraits by Nicoline Patricia Malina and Andry Susanto help bring the spirit of these influences to life inside the stores window displays.



Throughout the programs duration, Galeries Lafayette will deliver workshops, talk shows and fund-raisers to give customers added value when they visit the store during this special period.

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Linkedin Bree Fowler (Associated Press) New York  Sun, October 23, 2016

Could millions of connected cameras, thermostats and kids' toys bring the internet to its knees? It's beginning to look that way.

On Friday, epic cyberattacks crippled a major internet firm, repeatedly disrupting the availability of popular websites across the United States. The hacker group claiming responsibility says that the day's antics were just a dry run and that it has its sights set on a much bigger target. And the attackers now have a secret weapon in the increasing array of internet-enabled household devices they can subvert and use to wreak havoc.

Meet the fire hose

Manchester, New Hampshire-based Dyn Inc. said its server infrastructure was hit by distributed denial-of-service, or DDoS, attacks. These work by overwhelming targeted machines with junk data traffic  sort of like knocking someone over by blasting them with a fire hose. The attack temporarily blocked some access to popular websites from across America and Europe such as Twitter, Netflix and PayPal.

Jason Read, founder of the internet performance monitoring firm CloudHarmony, owned by Gartner Inc., said his company tracked a half-hour-long disruption early Friday affecting access to many sites from the East Coast. A second attack later in the day spread disruption to the West Coast as well as some users in Europe.

Members of a shadowy hacker group that calls itself New World Hackers claimed responsibility for the attack via Twitter, though that claim could not be verified. They said they organized networks of connected devices to create a massive botnet that threw a monstrous 1.2 trillion bits of data every second at Dyn's servers. Dyn officials wouldn't confirm the figure during a conference call later Friday with reporters.

Make that, many fire hoses

DDoS attacks have been growing in frequency and size in recent months. But if the hackers' claims are true, Friday's attacks take DDoS to a new level. According to a report from the cybersecurity firm Verisign, the largest DDoS attack perpetrated during the second quarter of this year peaked at just 256 billion bits per second.

A huge September attack that shut down of security journalist Brian Krebs' website clocked in at 620 billion bits per second. Research from the cybersecurity firm Flashpoint said Friday that the same kind of malware was used in the attacks against both Krebs and Dyn.

Lance Cottrell, chief scientist for the cybersecurity firm Ntrepid, said while DDoS attacks have been used for years, they've become very popular in recent months, thanks to the proliferation of "internet of things" devices ranging from connected thermostats to security cameras and smart TVs. Many of those devices feature little in the way of security, making them easy targets for hackers.

The power of this kind of cyberattack is limited by the number of devices an attacker can connect to. Just a few years ago, most attackers were limited to infecting and recruiting "zombie" home PCs. But the popularity of new internet-connected gadgets has vastly increased the pool of potential devices they can weaponize. The average North American home contains 13 internet-connected devices , according to the research firm IHS Markit.

Since the attacks usually don't harm the consumer electronics companies that build the devices, or the consumers that unwittingly use them, companies have little incentive to boost security, Cottrell said.

What's behind the attacks

Like with other online attacks, the motivation behind DDoS attacks is usually mischief or money. Attackers have shut down websites in the past to make political statements. DDoS attacks have also been used in extortion attempts, something that's been made easier by the advent of Bitcoin.

For its part, a member of New World Hackers who identified themselves as "Prophet" told an AP reporter via Twitter direct message exchange that collective isn't motivated by money and doesn't have anything personal against Dyn, Twitter or any of the other sites affected by the attacks. Instead, the hacker said, the attacks were merely a test, and claimed that the next target will be the Russian government for committing alleged cyberattacks against the US earlier this year.

"Twitter was kind of the main target. It showed people who doubted us what we were capable of doing, plus we got the chance to see our capability," said "Prophet." The claims couldn't be verified.

The collective has in the past claimed responsibility for similar attacks against sites including ESPNFantasySports.com in September and the BBC on Dec. 31. The attack on the BBC marshalled half the computing power of Friday's attacks.

A shifting global assault

Dyn said it first became aware of an attack around 7:00 a.m. local time, focused on data centers on the East Coast of the US Services were restored about two hours later. But then attackers shifted to offshore data centers, and the latest wave of problems continued until Friday evening Eastern time.

"Prophet" told the AP that his group actually had stopped its attacks by Friday afternoon, but that others, including members of the hacker collective known as Anonymous, had picked up where they left off. Anonymous didn't respond to a request for comment via Twitter.

The US Department of Homeland Security is monitoring the situation, White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters Friday. He said he had no information about who may be behind the disruption.

Cottrell noted that there are several firms that offer protection against DDoS attacks, by giving companies a way to divert the bad traffic and remain online in case of an attack. But monthly subscription fees for these services are generally equal to a typical DDoS extortion payment, giving companies little incentive to pay for them.

Meanwhile not much is required in the way of resources or skill to mount a botnet attack, he said, adding that would-be attackers can rent botnets for as little as $100. Cottrell said the long-term solution lies in improving the security of all internet-connected devices.
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Linkedin Dandy Koswaraputra (The Jakarta Post) Bogor  Sun, October 23, 2016

An Australian business delegation will meet Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita on Monday to discuss Indonesia's trade policy on meat, which had affected the Australia beef industry after the government started importing buffalo meat from India.

I will meet them and explain the background of our policy, Enggartiasto told The Jakarta Post on the sidelines of a seminar at the Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) in Bogor on Saturday.

Enggartiasto said the government had decided to import from India as an alternative to beef to stabilize meat prices, particularly for low and middle-income households.

He added that the Australian trade minister had offered Indonesia the opportunity to breed cows in Australia and fatten them in Indonesia, but the country preferred to develop local stockbreeding.

"I got a call from the Australian trade minister some days ago to offer stock breeding there, and I told him that our biggest problem was the high price. He said Australia was open to negotiations," Enggartiasto explained.

(Read also: Australia's Victoria state to invest in Indonesia's cold chain distribution)

In July, the Trade Ministry through the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) imported 10,000 tons of buffalo meat from India in an attempt to stabilize meat prices on the local market, which was currently around Rp 120,000 (US$9.20) a kilogram, compared with US$6 in Malaysia and Singapore.

The government, which has been importing beef from Australia and New Zealand for decades, has begun to import buffalo meat from disease-free zones in India to reduce Indonesias dependence on those two countries. (dan)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, October 23, 2016

The Indonesian Doctors Association (IDI) has called on doctors to commemorate the 66th IDI anniversary on Monday by taking part in a peaceful rally as part of doctors responsibility in health policy advocacy.

In a recent statement, IDI president Ilham Oetama Marsis pinpointed several points the association wanted to address, such as a new category on primary healthcare physicians (DLP) in the revision to the Medical Education Law.

We criticize the DLP in medical education because deliberation by the professional association and the Indonesian Doctors Council hasnt been completed, and yet the government is pushing for implementation, Ilham said in the statement.

The IDI also wanted the government to pay attention to rising medical school costs.

The association has advised on duty-doctors to skip the rally and urged others across the country to participate.

The central board of the IDI will arrange rallies at three points, which are the Office of the Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister, the State Palace and the Health Ministry, the statement said.

IDI president-elect Daeng Mohammad Faqih said as quoted by tempo.co that a rally would also be held at the National Monument in Central Jakarta.

Our main demand is about the DLP, he said. Daeng said the program was a waste of state money, prolonged the duration of medical education, marginalized existing general practitioners and created an unnecessary stratum among doctors, which could lead to conflict. (evi)
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Linkedin Liza Yosephine (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, October 23, 2016

The President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo administration has been urged to pay more attention to the of rice farmers in its efforts to maintain price stability, while at the same time boost the agriculture industry.

The government's decision to continue importing rice, reasoning that it was premium rice, could lead to an abundance of supply that could eventually hit farmers, as domestic rice production is deemed sufficient, Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (INDEF) economist Bhima Yudhistira Adhinegara said on Friday.

The government's focus lies in maintaining price stability, which is more beneficial for consumers. However, it is also necessary to pay attention to the farmers and strengthen their purchasing power as prices tend to rise, he said.

"Market distortions can be controlled, but farmers' prices have remained relatively unchanged. The government should be wise, the welfare of farmers must be considered as well," Bhima told The Jakarta Post.

Citing latest data as an example, Bhima said farmers' prices in East Nusa Tenggara had remained stagnant for the past two years. The average age of farmers nationwide is 47 years old, he continued, noting that the younger generation was hesitant to work in the industry in their pursuit of better opportunities.

The agricultural industry has a declining tendency in the long run as a result and self-sufficiency in food should not only benefit consumers, Bhima said. (rin)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, October 23, 2016

A 50-kilogram liquid petroleum gas (LPG) canister at a Pizza Hut Delivery (PHD) outlet in Jatimurni, Bekasi, West Java, exploded early Sunday morning, injuring two people and damaging four buildings.

The canister exploded inside the three-story PHD outlet, Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr Awi Setiyono said as reported by kompas.com. The explosion completely destroyed the PHD building and caused severe damage to three other buildings near it, including an Alfa Midi minimarket.

According to Alfa Midi employees, the explosion took place at 7:20 a.m., Awi said, adding that there were no fatalities.

Meanwhile, Pondok Cabe Police chief Comr. Sukadi said the police were investigating the cause of the explosion and had secured the scene. A fritter seller and a child in the vicinity were injured in the blast, he said.

"The fast food employees had returned home at 11 p.m. so the restaurant was empty. There were fatalities," he said. (rin)
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Linkedin Lita Aruperes (The Jakarta Post) Manado, North Sulawesi  Sun, October 23, 2016

The North Sulawesi Police have uncovered an alleged charging of illegal fees in the disbursement of compensation funds to former residents of East Timor (now Timor Leste).

The polices investigation team arrested a member of the National Committee for Ex-East Timor Political Victims (Kokpit), a 61-year-old man identified only with initials ML, during a raid on a branch office of state lender BNI on Jl. Datulolong Lasut, Manado, on Thursday.

North Sulawesi Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Marjuki claimed ML was caught attempting to take illegal fees from fund beneficiaries. ML [allegedly] claimed he could help process the disbursement of assistance funds to ex-East Timor residents. As compensation, the suspect [allegedly] asked Rp 1.5 million (US$114.92) from the total Rp 10 million the beneficiaries would receive, Marjuki said.

He said ML, who was a retired teacher, was arrested in the parking lot of the BNI branch office. The suspect was arrested when [he was allegedly] asking for Rp 1.5 million from a beneficiary, who just received the funds.

Police said the suspect was later found to have Rp 13 million in cash in his possession.

Police claim that during their investigation ML told them a syndicate had committed similar actions in several BNI branch offices across Manado.

The illegal fees were later handed over to AM, 52, who is a civil servant, said Marjuki. Police said they found AM with Rp 43 million they allege was collected from beneficiaries.

The government is providing compensation funds to former residents of East Timor who chose to remain Indonesian citizens. Under the program, ex-East Timor residents living outside East Nusa Tenggara receive Rp 10 million per person as compensation for any private assets they left behind. (ebf)
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Linkedin Fadli (The Jakarta Post) Batam  Sun, October 23, 2016

The Batam, Rempang and Galang (Barelang) Police recently raided a prostitution business posing as a spa and massage parlor and arrested seven people, including two Malaysian nationals allegedly involved in human trafficking.

The spa, Asmara 22 in the Nagoya Paradise area, Batam, provided sex services to customers, Barelang Police's criminal investigation unit deputy chief Adj. Comr. Herman Kelly said on Sunday. Police raided the site on Thursday based on a tip-off from local residents who reported suspicious activities taking place at the parlor, which was allegedly funded by the two Malaysians.

"The business had only been operating for several months according to them [the suspects]," Herman told The Jakarta Post on Sunday.

The Malaysian nationals were named as Bahtiar Bahtiar Effendy bin M. Amin and M. Yahya bin Ikhwan. Meanwhile, the five other suspects are Indonesians who operated the business, namely Rofinus Arifin, Soni Lobudi, Rony bin Zulkarnaen, Ahmad Sulehat and Dany Mustofa.

The police would charge them under the 2007 Human Trafficking Law, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years imprisonment, Herman added.

The Malaysian men were arrested for allegedly each investing Rp 150 million (US$11,491) in the business. Rofinus is suspected of managing the funds to recruit women as sex workers as well as rent the massage parlor space.

During the raid, police confiscated several pieces of evidence and cash believed to be from illicit transactions.

The suspected sex workers mostly came from Batam. The parlor charged between Rp 600,000 and Rp 1.5 million per meeting.

"They received a salary and commission from the transactions," Herman said regarding the alleged prostitutes, adding that Asmara 22 also offered services through social media. (rin)
Technically you can go trekking in Nepal at any time of the year. There are no restrictions. However, each season in Nepal will deliver a different looking landscape, environment and experience.





Trekkers in Spring enjoying Mustang

You'll also need to prepare a little bit differently depending on what month or season you planning to go trekking (don't worry we cover that here along with climate change issues).

The most popular times with optimal trekking experiences are divided into two peak seasons.



1) The first peak season of the year is between late February  March  April (Spring)

2) The second peak season of the year is between late September  October  November (Autumn)



The other seasons in Nepal include



 November  December  January  February (Winter)



 May  June (Summer)

 June  July - August  early September (Monsoon)

On this page we'll look at each of Nepal's main seasons (there are five) and what to expect in each one. There's also a monthly breakdown and histocital climate data for those curious about it!

What's it like to trek in Nepal during Spring? Spring is renown as Nepal's first peak season and it's one of the best times to go trekking in Nepal. Spring in Nepal is during March and April.

Spring in Upper Mustang is a great time to go Traditionally February is not included in the first peak season as normally it's a winter month. However, over the past few years the cold winter and snows have ended by the middle of February. Something to keep in mind. Likewise on the Annapurna side views below 4,000m can have cloud coverage on some days. Spring is the end of the dry winter season and the second best time of year to go

trekking (September is the start of the best peak season). Visibility in the mountains can be hazy at lower altitudes if there is a lot of dust in the air. But this is countered by blooming rhododendrons and other owers in the valleys. Trails are free from snow and it can start to get quite warm when the sun is shining. Above 3800 meters and the clouds will often be below you!

Temperatures (2000m avg) have highs around 25 degrees and can drop to around 6 degrees. Here's a look at what each month is like for trekking during Spring including the best treks:

 What's it like to trek in Nepal in March?  What's it like to trek in Nepal in April?

Summer in Nepal is usually between May and June though it can stretch into July with ease. This is Nepals hot season and it can get very warm indeed. Mountain views are now obscured by haze from the dust and later from monsoon clouds. The closer to the end of June trekking in the mountains can be hot, sticky and not very pleasant due a constant threat of heavy rain from the incoming monsoons.



Summer on the Annapurna Circuit is hot and hazy

There's rarely any water shortages along the treks but keeping covered from the sun is vital along with staying hydrated. Some people like to trek at this time of year due to lower prices on treks. However they are often disappointed by the poor views and uncomfortable trekking experience.



Temperatures (2000m avg) have highs around 30+ degrees and can drop to around 20 degrees.



 What's it like to trek in Nepal in May?

 What's it like to trek in Nepal in June?

Monsoon Season in Nepal is usually between July and August though it can start earlier and stretch into September. This is type of season is like Nepals hot season but with very heavy rains and high humidity. Thunder and lightning storms are frequent.



Monsoon rain on the Annapurna Circuit

Mountain views are are difficult at low altitude though up high they can be very clear when no cloud is around. The biggest issue is the heavy rain and high humidty which makes trekking difficult. There is also a very real threat of landslides during monsoon season in Nepal.



Temperatures (2000m avg) have highs around 30+ degrees and can drop to around 20 degrees with humidity making it feel much hotter.



 What's it like to trek in Nepal in July?

 What's it like to trek in Nepal in August?

The autumn months of mid-September, October and November are known for being Nepals peak and the best time to go trekking. The monsoon rains have cleared the sky of dust and the views are often spectacular. The valleys are still green and the weather is mild so trekking is far more enjoyable at this time of year.



Autumn is peak trekking season in Nepal

Traditionally September is known as being a peak trekking month, however in recent years the monsoon rains have hung on until mid-September. Likewise December was traditionally known as a winter month but the first half of December in recent years has been good for trekking while the latter half is very much a winter month.

The only downside to this time of year and trekking is that the popular treks also tend to be full of trekkers and tourists! Picking a less popular trek can help here if this annoys you.

For those trying to plan you might have issues with early September rains. In my estimation if you want to avoid the rain then it's best to plan a trip to Nepal after the middle of September. Likewise if you want to avoid the possibility of snow blocking trekking paths then it's best to have completed your trek by the middle of December.



Always keep in mind  it's the weather and it's often unpredictable, especially in the mountains.



Temperatures (2000m avg) have highs around 25+ degrees and can drop to around 0 degrees.

 What's it like to trek in Nepal in September?

 What's it like to trek in Nepal in October?

 What's it like to trek in Nepal in November?

December, January and February are the traditional winter months of Nepal which make up the winter season. Many years ago November used to be included, but it's rarely so cold in November these days. In winter the skies are clear but it can get very cold especially at night.



Winter in Nepal means frozen trails

Trekkers need to be well prepared for snow and the possibility of turning back due to paths being blocked. This is particularly true on the popular Annapurna Circuit and Everest Base Camp Treks.

Personally I've always enjoyed winter treks in Nepal. Though they've not been without incident. Blocked trail passes are a constant threat in late December and January. A blocked pass might mean you can't continue on or can't get back. Avoiding late December, January and February is best if you are stuck for time on treks with high passes or base camps.

Once again you can get lower off-peak prices for trekking during the winter in Nepal. However winter treks can be vastly more dangerous and can end abruptly due to trails being closed.



Temperatures (2000m avg) have highs around 18+ degrees and can drop well under 0 degrees.

 What's it like to trek in Nepal in December?

 What's it like to trek in Nepal in January?

 What's it like to trek in Nepal in February?

The best time to go trekking in Nepal is between late September  October  November (Autumn). If this is your trip of a lifetime then it's best to leave your trek until October or November so the weather stands the best chance at being great.

The next best period to go trekking in Nepal is between late February  March  April (Spring). There is a danger of snow still being on the passes in February. It can also rain (especially on the Annapurna side of the country) in March or April. The rain during this period usually lasts an hour or so. The great positive for trekking at this time of year is that there are fewer tourists and you do get a lot green valleys, wildlife and the same great mountain views.

 Get the right travel insurance: It's vitally important to get the right travel insurance for trekking in Nepal. Anything can and does happen in the mountains. The weather can change in a matter of minutes and leave you stranded. Do read my page on getting the best travel insurance for Nepal.

 Don't skimp on budget : If this is your trip of a lifetime that you are only going to do once, then make it count. Don't try to squeeze for the cheapest guide service in the country (don't get cheated either) as you'll come away with with a poor experience. It does really pay to have the right guide. Not only can they show you the best routes, wildlife, nature and mountains but they'll also know what to do in an emergency. Do read my article on how to choose a trekking guide in Nepal.



 Choose your trek carefully: Just because Everest Base Camp is the most widely known doesn't mean you have to do Everest. Short treks like Mardi Himal, or long epic treks like the Annapurna Circuit can offer so much as well. This is especially true if the weather is not great. Annapurna treks are easier to change around at the last minute than Everest treks! See my lists of treks in Nepal.

 Explore more: There's more to Nepal than just trekking. If possible add in some historical culture too. Or, try historical culture mixed with hikes like those around Dhulikhel. There's lots to do in Nepal so do check some out in online Nepal guide when planning out how long your want to stay in Nepal.

 Get the right guidebook: Lastly do get my trekking in Nepal guidebook below. It covers trekking better than any other guidebook out there. And well, you did reach this far online so just imagine how much better the book is! Better yet, get my complete Nepal guidebook which includes the whole trekking book as a section!

More information on Trekking in Nepal The above information should give you a brief outline and understanding about when to trekking in Nepal.

Are you ready to trek in Nepal? If so, then you'll love my trekking books!

These guidebooks are a hands on trekking guidebooks that are better than the rest. Yes, really!

The books contain day-by-day guides with accuracy using scalable maps, photographs and travel-tested up-to-date trekking information. Just like my other guidebooks these have been proven to be the best interactive, or paperback guidebooks to Nepal available anywhere today.

So what are you waiting for? Get your hands on these guidebooks and start trekking in Nepal today!

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How long will Coconino County voters go before they forgive a mistake, make up and move on?

That might sound like a personal question, but were at a loss to come up with a different explanation for why the Coconino Community College District cant get a majority of voters to help fund the college at anything close to what its mission calls for.

The mistake came 25 years ago at the beginning of the district when the founders  all well-intentioned civic leaders -- set an initial property tax rate that even at the time was too low. The first classes were in an abandoned shopping center and enrollment was 500 students  the idea was that if citizens wanted more courses and a physical campus, the state would chip in and local voters would agree to higher taxes.

Both of those things happened initially: Voters did approve bonds for the new Lone Tree Campus and the state continued to match the increase in enrollment with more funds. The latter was important because a subsequent Arizona law capped the rise in property tax collections to no more than 2 percent a year, no matter how low the initial base or how fast the county grew.

RECESSION BLUES

But the Great Recession of 2008-9 saw the Legislature slash state payments to community colleges and it soured hard-pressed voters, not surprisingly, on raising taxes. Two attempts to get voter approval for a tax hike have failed, and CCC, faced with the lowest property tax rate of the 12 college districts, had no choice but to raise tuition to the highest in the state while cutting dozens of certificate programs and laying off faculty.

Now that the economy is in full recovery and state revenues are nearly back to pre-recession levels, it was hoped the Legislature would restore community college funding, which is down from 40 percent of the budget to 11 percent. But no deal. The Republican majority has doubled down and cut off all funding to the two largest community college districts while holding CCC and the others flat.

So CCC leaders, responding to pleas by local businesses to restore technical and business courses, have little choice but to go back to voters a third time for a tax hike. This one, Prop. 410, would raise an extra $3 million starting in 2019 on a General Fund budget that this year is $17 million. Thats enough new money to make a significant difference, and here is some of what it would pay for, according to the district board and the president:

New programs:

--automotive repair

--manufacturing systems

Expanded programs:

--construction trades

--nursing

--veterans services

--dual high school/CCC enrollment

Revived programs:

--early childhood development

--continuing education by industry

--community and lifelong learning

RELATIVELY AFFORDABLE

Granted, todays board members cant bind those in office three years from now to that spending plan. But the delay will help to keep the tax hike relatively affordable by shifting tax dollars now going to pay off the Lone Tree campus bonds to the operating budget when the bonds are paid off in 2018. The only annual tax increase  about $1 million  will cost about $36 a year on a $250,000 house, and the entire $3 million expires in seven years.

Hindsight is always 20/20, and if the civic leaders who founded the CCC district 25 years ago had to do it over again, they would have set a more realistic tax rate to account for the financial rainy days ahead. The fact that they didnt, however, shouldnt be held against todays board, nor the colleges students and faculty. At a time when formal technical training and education beyond high school is expected by most employers and essential for career advancement, Coconino County is letting its young people down. Prop. 410 is a reasonable request to put CCC back on the path toward a responsive, full-service, and affordable community college  just as nearly every other county in Arizona enjoys. We urge county voters to look not at the past but toward a brighter future for CCC and vote Yes on Proposition 410.
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Phuket Law: Pitfalls of diligence and leases

As a general matter, real estate in Thailand can be an excellent investment. Unfortunately, however, horror stories are not rare enough. But if you adhere to our nine points, such tragedy can be avoided. Here are two key points to beware:

constructionland

By Jerrold Kippen

Sunday 23 October 2016, 11:00AM

Before inking any property contract in Thailand, have qualified legal counsel perform true due diligence on the property  and remember that what you lease, you do not own. Photo: GraphicStock

Do your due diligence

Due diligence means checking for any negative legal issues with the property you are planning to buy. Due diligence is a must anywhere in the world, but especially here in Thailand. Once youve bought the property youve also bought any legal liabilities it might have.

More than once we have heard a remorseful purchaser tell us they did have a due diligence done, with quotes such as, My lawyer got a copy of the deed from the land office and translated it. The deed showed that the seller was the owner and there was no mortgage on the property. That is not due diligence.

The minimum essential components of a real estate due diligence should include:

 A full check of the entire history and validity of the title deed. Just because the deed has been issued does not mean it was legally issued. A current title deed can later be found to be legally invalid. That can and does happen in a number of ways. (See here.)

 Verification that the property has legal access rights;

 If you are planning on building on the property, a full report on all land use laws and regulations governing construction on the land;

 If there is already a building on land, a villa perhaps, then a check into the legal validity of the structures building permit. Just because a building has a building permit does NOT make it legal and if it is not it can be ordered demolished. (See here and here.)

 If you are planning on purchasing a property that requires special licensing like a condominium or a unit in a building that will also function as a hotel, then verify that the project is planned or built to properly qualify for such licensing. This does happen even in very high-end projects were you would not expect it. For example in Phuket a project was market and sold as a seaside condominium development that won awards for best condominium project, only later it was discovered that its access was not wide enough to qualify for a condominium license. It is now a hotel; and

 if you are planning on buying a property by buying a company that owns such property (something that is generally not recommended) then a check of all corporate, accounting, and legal records of the company is required.

Do your due diligence.

A lease does not own

Because foreigners are generally restricted from owning land in Thailand they commonly enter into a lease for such property instead. It is important to understand that leasing a property is not the same as owning it. Leasing is renting something pursuant to the terms and conditions of an agreement or contract with the person who really owns it. If you break any terms of your lease agreement the real owner can terminate the agreement and evict you from the premises.

Hence, a lease is just a contract to use something in exchange for payment  but for how long? A peculiarity of Thai law is that real estate can be leased for a term of no longer than 30 years. Such a term can be renewed by means of a renewal clause in the lease contract. However, and crucially, if the real owner (the lessor) changes (that is: dies, goes out of business, sells the property, etc) during the lease, then the new real owner will not bound by the renewal clause.

This means common real estate leases with renewal clauses in Thailand are not a long-term secure investments. As a result many developments marketing to foreigners what they call a secured or collective lease. It is neither of those. (See here, here and here.)

If you do want to invest in a long-term lease, a better and completely legal and secure structure for your investment, renewal terms, and resale value is easy enough to arrange through experienced legal counsel.

Beware that what you lease, you do not own.

Stay tuned for more on the Dos and donts of real estate in Thailand in our next article in this series.

See also:

Running the real estate gauntlet: The Dos and Donts of real estate in Thailand (Click here)





DUENSING KIPPEN is an international law firm specialising in business transaction and dispute resolution matters, with offices in Bangkok and Phuket, Thailand and affiliated offices in 45 other countries. Visit them at: duensingkippen.com
Six arrested in Phuket anti-drug crackdown

PHUKET: Four men and two women were arrested in Phuket on October 18, 20 and 21 as part of polices ongoing anti-drug and crime campaign being carried out across the island.

crimedrugs

By Eakkapop Thongtub

Sunday 23 October 2016, 12:44PM

Thirawat Topngkert, 21, was found in possession of 7,000 amphetamine pills and over 500g of crystal meth. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

Phuket police arrested six people in four days who between them were found to be in possession of over 500 grams of crystal meth (ya ice) and over 7,140 methamphetamine pills (ya bah). On October 18, Yutthana Suksabai, 48, with 35 amphetamines pills.

On October 20, Kumpon Tonnum, 24, with 0.48g of crystal meth.

On October 20, Charin Innum, 25, with 1.08g of crystal meth and 110 amphetamine pills.

On October 20, Thirawat Topngkert, 21, with 7,000 amphetamine pills and 507.45g of crystal meth.

On October 21, Supawan Susasiha, 18, with two amphetamine pills.

On October 21, Prakaikeaw Tamthai, 30, with unspecified illegal drugs. All arrested will be charged with possession of category 1 drugs.
By PTI: Vadodara, Oct 22 (PTI) Fourteen Congress workers were today detained by the police from two locations for protesting against Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of his visit here.

"Congress members were detained after they shouted slogans against Modi and demanded that the newly-inaugurated integrated terminal of Vadodara International Airport be named after Sayajirao Gaekwad III, the ruler of the erstwhile Baroda state who is credited with taking several initiatives to develop the city," the police said.

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While seven Congress workers were detained from outside the airport at the Harni locality, just ahead of Modis visit to inaugurate the new integrated terminal building of the airport, an equal number of them were detained from the Sardarnagar area, the police said.

"We detained seven persons from outside the airport gate as they were protesting and shouting slogans. They were released a few hours later," an official of Harni police station said.

Fatehgunj police said they too detained seven persons and released them after the prime ministers programmes -- one of inaugurating the airport terminal and another of distributing assistive devices to Divyangs (differently-abled persons) -- were over and he left for Delhi.

Among those detained was Congress leader Narendra Ravat who had contested the 2014 Lok Sabha by-election and was defeated by BJPs Ranjanben Bhatt.

Ravat and other Congress members were demanding naming of the airport after Sayajirao Gaekwad III.

"If the BJP names the airport after Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay, we will protest against it through kar seva. Not to name the airport after Sayajirao Gaekwad is an insult to him and his contributions to the city," Ravat said. PTI KA PD NP RC RDS

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The victim was repeatedly raped by her father for four years between 2009 and 2013. The court accused the man of ruining his daughter's teenage years.

The court in Fresno sentenced a man to 1,503 years in prison for raping minor daughter for four years. (Photo for representation)

By AP: In one of the longest sentences in history, a 41-year-old man in Fresno, California, was sentenced to 1,503 years in prison for raping his daughter over a four-year period.

On Friday, the Fresno Superior Court announced possibly the longest-known prison sentence in the court's history, the Fresno Bee reported.

While announcing the punishment, Judge Edward Sarkisian Jr. told the man that he is a "serious danger to society" and noted that he had never shown remorse and has blamed his daughter for his predicament.

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ALSO READ: Argentina's Nirbhaya: Brutal rape and torture of 16-year-old girl sparks fury in Buenos Aires



DAUGHTER A PIECE OF PROPERTY

The man's daughter was first sexually abused by a family friend but instead of protecting her he turned her into "a piece of property," prosecutor Nicole Galstan said.

ALSO WATCH:



The victim was raped two to three times a week from May 2009 to May 2013. Subsequently, the girl gathered the courage to leave him, Galstan said.

ALSO READ: Man arrested over alleged rape inside UK parliament

A jury in September found him guilty of 186 felony counts of sexual assault, including dozens of counts of rape of a minor.

I HAD NO POWER, NO VOICE



"When my father abused me, I was young. I had no power, no voice. I was defenceless," said the daughter, who now is 23 years old. She also told the judge that her father never has shown remorse for her pain and suffering.

The man turned down two plea deals. Before his preliminary hearing, if he had admitted his guilt, prosecutors would have recommended 13 years in prison. He rejected the offer. Then before his trial, he was offered 22 years in prison if he admitted his guilt. He declined that offer, saying he should be released from jail for the time he already had served, the judge said before announcing the sentence.

ALSO READ: Woman allegedly lured on Facebook, gangraped near Eiffel Tower in Paris



"He ruined her teenage years and made her feel like it was her fault," Galstan said in arguing for the maximum sentence.

The sentencing is in stark contrast to a recent case in Montana where a man who raped his 12-year-old daughter was not sent to prison. Instead the judge handed down a 30-year suspended sentence after the man pleaded guilty to incest and ordered him to spend 60 days in jail, giving him credit for 17 days already served.

ALSO READ: Out of fear of rape, 17-year-old Yazidi girl burns herself to become undesirable

ALSO READ: Woman raped by co-workers at Artemis hospital in Gurgaon



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By PTI: Kathmandu, Oct 23 (PTI) Two Indian nationals were arrested here today for illegally posessing a huge cache of firecrackers ahead of Diwali festival.

The two persons have been identified as Sunil Sah (27) and Satrughna Kumar Sah (18), who are residing in different locations of Kathmandu Valley at present.

They were arrested from Kharibot in Kathmandu Municipality as they were in possession of a huge cache of the firecrackers of various brands, police said.

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It is illegal to import, transport and sale firecrackers within Nepal and those involved in trading the firecrackers face legal action.

Earlier on Friday, police had arrested three Nepalese nationals who were in possession of a huge cache of firecrackers from Sanepa of Lalitpur district, adjoining to Kathmandu. PTI SBP KJ AKJ KJ

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In a dramatic turn of events , UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday sacked four ministers including his uncle Shivpal Yadav. A letter in this regard has been sent to the governor Ram Naik. Those who have been sacked include Shivpal Yadav, Shadab Fatima, Narad Rai and Omprakash Singh. He has also removed cine-star turned politician Jaya Prada, close to Amar Singh, who headed the film division of UP. Sacking of Jaya Prada is being viewed as Akhileshs open animosity towards Amar Singh. Soon after the decision was intimated, Shivpal met party supremo Mualayam Singh Yadav at his residence.

The chief minister took this drastic decision at a meeting of legislators held at his official residence,5 Kalidas Road. More than 180 legislators were reportedly present. "Though he did not mention the name of his uncle Shivpal, Akhilesh made it clear that those attempting to weaken the party will not be spared," one of the MLAs present at the meeting told THE WEEK. MLAs supporting Shivpal were not invited.

The chief minister said that he was the real successor of his father Mulayam singh Yadav and he would make all efforts to stem the party's disintegration. Amidst these developments ,Mulayam Singh also held a conference with the senior leaders of the party at his residence.

The backdrop of this significant decision taken by the chief minister is an ongoing three month old feud going on with his uncle Shivpal Yadav. Last month, chief minister Akhilesh Yadav had stripped his uncle of some important portfolios in the government. In retaliation, when Shvipal became the state head of the party, he sacked seven youth leaders close to Akhilesh from the party.

After this decision of Akhilesh, which is being viewed as his efforts to assert his authority over the party and the government, the million dollar question that is being asked in the political circles was whether it would lead to disintegration of the party.

The immediate provocation to the chief minister was the expulsion of MLC Udayveer Singh, who is very close to Akhilesh, by the party head Shivpal Yadav. Udayveer had openly supported Akhilesh Yadav and wrote a bitter letter to Mulayam in this connection. Another major cause of tug of war between Akhilesh and his uncle Shivpal is MP Amar Singh. It is an open secret that Amar Singh is not in the good books of Akhilesh, who never really liked him
Ae Dil Hai Mushkil director Karan Johar said that with the dignity that Aishwarya brings to each character, there is no question about the supposed lack of decency.

By India Today Web Desk: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has opened up about her intimate scenes with Ranbir Kapoor in their upcoming film Ae Dil Hai Mushkil.

Aishwarya, whose sizzling on-screen chemistry with Ranbir became the talk of the town ever since the release of the film's trailer, said that it is not frivolous sensuality but portrayed in a classy manner.

ALSO READ: Ranbir-Aishwarya's relationship in ADHM has no rules



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SEE PICS: This hot photoshoot of Aishwarya and Ranbir is the best thing you'll see today

The Jazbaa actor revealed that she was not worried about the sensuous scenes, "It is about comfort level with my director. We know how the journey of the film would be. It wasn't (worrying). I know my character well. It is about how you approach a character. It is done in a classy way. It is not frivolous sensuality on screen."

Director Karan Johar also spoke about her sensuous scenes, "I knew the dignity that Aishwarya brings to every character. So, you don't look at it and question about supposed lack of decency as it's always elegant. There is no kissing scene or skin show. It is about the attitude. There was a news piece that the Censor Board has given some cuts on the Aishwarya track. There is no lip lock. It's just in the eyes and attitude."

The Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna director was all praise for Aishwarya's character, which he said was the strongest in the film. "She is a poetess in the film. She is a woman of substance in every which way. She knows her mind and heart. We were honest to the film and the story. What you see on screen is glimpse of that character," he said.









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Congress on Sunday hit out at Devendra Fadnavis for "brokering" a truce with MNS chief Raj Thackeray over the release of 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil', saying that the chief minister of Maharashtra would now be the country's "new censor board".

"Fadnavis has demeaned his office & disregarded Constitution by playing vendor to diktats of the MNS. Democracy shrugged for a BMC election deal," party's chief spokesman Randeep Surjewala said in a series of tweets.

He alleged that "self-styled goons and compliant film makers bartering freedom of expression brokered by BJP's Maha CM would now be India's new Censor Board."

Self styled goons, compliant film makers bartering freedom of expression brokered by BJP's Mah. CM would now be India's new Censor Board.  Randeep S Surjewala (@rssurjewala) October 23, 2016

Earlier, he had wondered on the micro-blogging site as to "Why would our proud Indian Army accept donations forced by MNS goons from subservient filmmakers with profit motive?"

Under pressure from political and other outfits, Bollywood film producers had yesterday announced that they would not engage with Pakistani artistes, clearing decks for the smooth release of Karan Johar's "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" as MNS withdrew its threat to stall the screening.

The movie had been embroiled in a controversy over the past few weeks after the MNS opposed the screening of movies featuring Pakistani actors after the Uri terror attack. The fate of the movie, slated for Diwali release on October 28, had been in limbo.

The movie features Pakistani actor Fawad Khan.
Eminent actor Shabana Azmi has lashed out at Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for 'brokering a deal' to make sure safe release for Karan Johar's film Ae Dil Hai Mushkil.

"What a sorry state of affairs!CM brokers deal n buys patriotism for 5 crores! After Home Minister had promised peaceful passage 4 ADHM" Azmi tweeted on Sunday.

She said Fadnavis had shown 'scant respect' to Home Minister Rajnath Singh's assurance of safe release for the film and urged the Bharatiya Janata Party to demand an explanation from him.

What a sorry state of affairs!CM brokers deal n buys patriotism for 5 crores!After Home minister had promised peaceful passage 4 #ADHM  Azmi Shabana (@AzmiShabana) October 23, 2016 CM Fadnavis shows scant respect for Home Ministers assurance of safe passage for #ADHM. BJP better haul him up and demand explanation  Azmi Shabana (@AzmiShabana) October 23, 2016

In another tweet, the actor hit out at Raj Thackeray and wondered if it was the MNS which would decide whether she was patriotic or not.

MNS will decide whether Im patriotic or not?I bow to d Indian Constitution Raj Thackeray does not.Whos patriotism needs questioning?  Azmi Shabana (@AzmiShabana) October 23, 2016

Fadnavis has been facing criticism since Saturday after he brokered 'truce' between ADHM producers and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray .

The producers agreed to pay Rs 5 crores to army welfare fund and promised that they would not hire Pakistani actors in future.

Congress has already criticised the chief minister for 'demeaning' the constitution, bowing to pressure by Raj Thackeray and acting as a new 'super censor board'.

Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray also lambasted the deal. Talking to reporters on the sidelines of his meeting with rebel Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh leader Subhash Velingkar, Uddhav said Indian Army had self respect and it didn't require extortion money.
Using the analogy of surgical strikes, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wondered what would have happened if the government had adopted similar strategy in the recent campaign against black money.

"We gave some time to those who had generated black money (to declare it). You will be happy to know that Rs 65,000 crore in black money came into mainstream with payment of tax and penalty.

"Now think, Rs 36,000 crore that was leaking has been stopped (by direct benefit transfer), and Rs 65,000 crore of black money is unearthed, together it is Rs 1,00,000 crore.

"And this Rs 1,00,000 crore crore has been brought back without launching surgical strikes," Modi said, invoking the term used for recent operation by Army against terror launch pads in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir.

"If we do surgical strikes (in this area), you can imagine what all will come out," the prime minister said.

Modi said he has put up a sustained fight against corruption since he took charge. "Against corruption, without much publicity I have put up a sustained fight. Government's assistance (now) goes directly in the bank accounts of beneficiaries, cutting out middlemen.

"Just by ensuring that right person gets the benefit and wrong persons cannot take it, we have saved Rs 36,000 crore, which used to leak in the form of (subsidies for) gas cylinders, scholarship, pension," Modi said.

Modi, speaking at a camp to distribute 'assistive devices' to over 8,000 `divyangs' (disabled persons) in Vadodara, also criticised past governments for not doing enough for the disabled.
All India Executive Council of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (Akhil Bharatiya Karyakari Mandal-ABKM) began in Hyderabad on Sunday. The three-day meet is expected to discuss a range of issues including Indian Army's surgical strikes across the LoC, Uniform Civil Code, Ayodhya temple and welfare of dalits.

Alleged violence against the RSS members in Kerala and West Bengal will also come up for discussion.

The meeting was inaugurated by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and chaired by general secretary Bhayyaji Joshi. Over 400 delegates, including heads of all regions and representatives of 38 organisations affiliated to the RSS, are attending the meeting being held at an RSS-run educational institution in Annojiguda on the city outskirts.

BJP president Amit Shah is likely to attend the meeting on Monday. The national executive meet is held every year before Diwali.

We will pass a resolution denouncing the political murders in Kerala targeting RSS activists, RSS joint general secretary Bhagaiah said. The meeting will also adopt a resolution condemning atrocities against dalits and other communities.

The RSS claimed that attacks on Hindus in West Bengal are occurring in districts close to the border with Bangladesh. Bhagaiah said a 17-year-old dalit girl died after being raped by a Muslim, but the police refused to register a case.

The Sangh is committed to ensure that the marginalised sections of the Hindu society, especially the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, receive the grants that are committed to them by the government, said a member. Sangh was actively working with other organisations who were working towards empowerment of SCs and Sts, he added.

RSS is currently conducting surveys in several states ensuring unrestricted access to temples, water bodies and cremation grounds to every Hindu irrespective of caste, claimed RSS media in-charge Dr Manmohan Vaidya. He also said that the organisation was stressing on Gram Vikas through cow-based farming, Kutumb Prabodhan (initiatives for instilling family values) and Samarasta (social harmony) in society.
US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump vowed on Saturday to sue the women who have accused him of sexual misconduct in the recent weeks.

"Every woman lied when they came forward to hurt my campaign," Trump said during remarks in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. "Total fabrication. The events never happened. Never. All of these liars will be sued after the election is over," CNN quoted Trump as saying.

He added that a "simple phone call" to major news outlets "gets them wall-to-wall coverage with virtually no fact-checking ever".

In the last two weeks, at least 10 women have come forward, accusing Trump of inappropriately touching them. Their allegations came after a 2005 videotape of Trump bragging about being able to grope women and get away with it surfaced.

Trump went on to suggest on Saturday that his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton's campaign was behind the women's allegations.

"It was probably the (Democratic National Committee) and Hillary's campaign who put forward these liars with their fabricated stories," he said. "But we'll probably find out later through litigation, which we're so looking forward to."

Earlier in October, he threatened to sue The New York Times when it published assault allegations against him, but nearly two weeks later, he has declined to follow through.
Iraqi army troops on Saturday stormed into a Christian region that has been under Islamic State control since 2014 as part of US-backed operations to clear the entrances to Mosul, the militants' last major city stronghold in Iraq.

The advance took place as US Defense Secretary Ash Carter met Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi in Baghdad to evaluate the campaign that began on Monday with air and ground support from the US-led coalition.

A military statement said Iraqi units entered the center of Qaraqosh, a mainly Christian town about 20km southeast of Mosul, and were carrying out mop-up operations across the town.

Further action was under way to seize a neighboring Christian village, Karamless, also known as Karemlash in the Syriac language. The region's population fled in the summer of 2014, when Islamic State swept in.

Earlier this week, Iraqi special units also captured Bartella, a Christian village north of Qaraqosh.

A US military official estimated there were fewer than a couple of hundred Islamic State fighters in Qaraqosh.

"I've seen berms in Qaraqosh. I anticipate there'll be trenches, there'll be passageways between different buildings," the official added, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Biggest battle since 2003

The offensive on Mosul is expected to become the biggest battle fought in Iraq since the US-led invasion in 2003 and it could require a massive humanitarian relief operation.

Some 1.5 million residents remain in the city and worst-case scenario forecasts see up to a million being uprooted, according to the United Nations. UN aid agencies said the fighting has so far forced about 6,000 to flee their homes.

The army is trying to advance from the south and the east while Kurdish Peshmerga fighters are holding fronts in the east and north.

Iraqi forces have advanced to 5km from Mosul and there are signs of revolt against the group, the interior minister of the Kurdish regional government, Karim Sinjar, said in an interview on Saturday in Erbil.

On the southern front, nearly 1,000 people were treated for breathing problems linked to toxic fumes from a sulfur plant that Islamic State militants are suspected to have set on fire on Thursday, said sources at the hospital of Qayyara, reporting no deaths at the medical facility itself.

The fumes prompted US forces at Iraq's Qayyara West airfield to put on protective masks.

A cloud of white smoke blanketed the region to the north, where the factory is located, mingling with black fumes from oil wells that the militants torched to cover their moves.

The Iraqi army's media office said about 50 villages had been taken from the militants since Monday in operations to prepare the main thrust into Mosul itself, where 5,000 to 6,000 IS fighters are dug in, according to Iraqi estimates.

Islamic State also controls parts of Syria.

The warring parties are not announcing casualties, with each claiming to have killed hundreds of enemy fighters since Monday.

Islamic State is relying mainly on suicide car bombs, roadside bombs, mines, sniper and mortar fire to counter the charge of the Iraqi units trained by the United States to deal specifically with this kind of warfare.

"The campaign is proceeding according to plan and the schedule that we've had," Carter said after meeting Abadi. The Iraqi prime minister, however, rejected any Turkish participation in the campaign.

Carter signaled during a visit to Ankara on Friday his support for a possible Turkish role and said there was an agreement in principle between Baghdad and Ankarapotentially ending a source of tension.

"I know that the Turks want to participate, we tell them thank you, this is something the Iraqis will handle," Abadi said after meeting with Carter. "If help is needed, we will ask for it from Turkey or from other regional countries."

Oil-rich Kirkuk retaken

Roughly 5,000 US personnel are in Iraq. More than 100 of them are embedded with Iraqi and Kurdish Peshmerga forces involved with the Mosul offensive, advising commanders and helping ensure coalition air power hits the right targets.

The militants retaliated to the advance of the Iraqi forces and the Kurdish fighters in Mosul by attacking on Friday Kirkuk, an oil city that lies east Hawija, a pocket they continue to control between Baghdad and Mosul.

Authorities in Kirkuk regained control of the city on Saturday and partially lifted a curfew declared after the militants stormed police stations and other buildings. The region's oil producing facilities were not damaged.

At least 50 people have been killed and 80 others wounded in clashes between security forces and the militants in Kirkuk, according to a hospital sources. Four Iranians doing maintenance work at a power station were among the dead, they said.

A senior US official estimated the number of the militants who attacked Kirkuk at about 80, nearly all of whom were killed or captured. They were mostly foreign fighters trained as commandos who may have received help from sleeper cells inside the city, he said.
Even as analysts are pondering over the political and social legacy of the 2016 US presidential elections, we look at some of the words that have become commonplace or assumed whole new meanings this season.

Polarised

This is the top election term. You cannot have a conversation in the US these days without hearing this word. Even the first time voters shake their heads gravely and say, Tch, it's so polarised! Polarised in this context means that both candidates have extreme stances on every subject, and there appears to be no meeting point.

It's not just the candidates. It's the general state of the US, too, lament Americans. Republican voter Ross Hector remembers a time when people had different opinions but were willing to talk and understand the other views. It's not like that anymore,'' he says.

So what are these polarising issues? Donald Trump is credited with raking up most of them, though it's said he uttered what people felt but were unwilling to articulate. Immigration and Islamic terror are the top polarising subjects. But everything else is polarised, too, whether it is taxes, abortion or foreign policy.

Rigging

This is a term Indian voters know only too well. It is part of the country's electoral process. However, a study in the US, which analysed over a billion votes cast between 2000 and 2012, revealed only 31 cases of traditional rigging.

Trump used it first, and also changed its interpretation several times. He first used it in a loose sense, against the Democrat campaign, but when faced with having to provide proof and confronted with studies showing the impossibility of rigging, he said letting 'Crooked Hillary' run for the race itself was rigging.

He's now called the accusations of sexual misconduct that nine women have made against him as another instance of rigging.

Trump apart, several others also allude to the term rigging to describe the unfairness of the election process. It's being used to describe how the election is run by the moneyed and how the working class have no say. It's an easy word to describe the unfairness of the electoral process.

Washington elite

It was used to critique Hillary. It basically means that little clique of people who've been in Washington (government) for years and who've become insular from the needs and understanding of the country. It means people who know the intrigues of Capitol Hill.

Both Trump and Bernie Sanders portrayed themselves as fresh faces, and that was part of their appeal. It is what has carried Trump along so far, his lack of experience being seen as freshness of approach.

A similar term is used in IndiaDilliwallah. PM Narendra Modi used it when he came to Delhi from Ahmedabad; so has Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, who insists he will not be tainted by the Dilliwallah tag.

Immigrants

For a country which was formed by immigration, this election cycle is interesting because it's made immigration a dirty word. Trump used it to rouse the blue collared white male, whose job has been taken away by migrants, specially from across the border. This led to further distinction, and just as the world talks about good terrorists and bad terrorists, Trump has created the distinction between quality migrant (like Indians) and the low end ones (basically Hispanics).

Clinton Foundation

No talk by Hillary is complete without her bringing up this word once. So much so that she had to be checked by the moderator that the presidential debate was not the forum for her to talk about it. Depending on who uses the word, it assumes different connotations. For Hillary, it is that magical creation which is helping underprivileged and doing great work in America. For the rival camp, it's the conduit for taking foreign funding and is a den of corruption. Everyone has heard of the Clinton Foundation, but ask the person on the street what it does, and chances are you won't be enlightened.
Despite several sackings in the state cabinet and the party throughout the day, CM Akhilesh Yadav denies any move to split Samajwadi Party.

By India Today Web Desk: The Samajwadi Party may be heading for a split but Akhilesh Yadav ruled out any move on his part to divide the party.

The Uttar Pradesh chief minister, however, called himself the rightful successor to his father and party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav.

The 43-year-old CM reportedly became emotional when he told his supporters that he would be attending a meeting called on his by father on Monday.

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"Netaji is not only the leader of the party but also my father and I will always serve him," he reportedly said.

Akhilesh has openly trained guns on Amar Singh and called him a dalal. (Source: PTI)

The leader, however, openly targeted Rajya Sabha member Amar Singh for the first time, calling him a "dalal" who is out to break his family as well as the Samajwadi Party.

"Anybody who is close to Amar Singh or bats for him cannot be in my cabinet," he told the legislators gathered at his official residence while justifying his decision to sack Shivpal Yadav and three other ministers.

Ram Gopal Yadav, an Akhilesh loyalist, was expelled from the party by Shivpal Yadav. (Source: PTI) Ram Gopal Yadav, an Akhilesh loyalist, was expelled from the party by Shivpal Yadav. (Source: PTI)

RAM GOPAL SPEAKS



Meanwhile, Ram Gopal, while speaking to the media, said that Mulayam Singh was like a mentor to him and that the SP supremo was surrounded by evil forces. He added that he will continue his support for CM Akhilesh Yadav.



"I am not upset about being expelled from the party but the allegations levelled against me are painful and baseless," said Ram Gopal. On being accused of colluding with the BJP, Ram Gopal said that it is not a crime to meet members of other political parties.

ALSO WATCH



BJP ASKS GOVERNMENT TO PROVE MAJORITY



Amid a round of sackings within the party and the state cabinet, the BJP today asked Akhilesh Yadav to prove his majority in the Uttar Pradesh assembly.

The BJP's demand came amid a deepening strife within the Samajwadi Party, with Akhilesh Yadav sacking four ministers and the Samajwadi leadership retaliating by ousting Ram Gopal Yadav, a senior leader.

The rift in the Samajwadi Party is out in the open. (Source: India Today)

State BJP chief Keshav Prasad Maurya told the media that the government had lost its majority and the time had come for the CM to prove he had the numbers in the house.

YADAV VERSUS YADAV

What looked like uncle-nephew one-upmanship between Shivpal Yadav and Akhilesh Yadav has actually transpired into a father-son battle between SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and his chief minister son over the future of the party. On Sunday, UP CM Akhilesh Yadav sacked Shivpal Yadav and three other ministers from the cabinet.

Akhilesh sacked uncle Shivpal Yadav from the state cabinet for a second time. (Photo: PTI) Akhilesh sacked uncle Shivpal Yadav from the state cabinet for a second time. (Photo: PTI)

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Battle-lines are clearly drawn Mulayam-Shivpal supporters are on one side while Akhilesh is flexing muscle with his associates on the other. The intellectual face of the party and Rajya Sabha MP Ram Gopal Yadav is solid behind the CM. Attempts to reach a compromise have failed till date and murmurs are getting louder that Samajwadi Party may split.

READ MORE: Ram Gopal expelled, Shivpal sacked: All you need to know about Akhilesh vs Mulayam PariWar



SHIVPAL SACKS RAM GOPAL YADAV



Hours after Akhilesh Yadav sacked his uncle Shivpal Singh Yadav as a senior minister, Shivpal sacked Ram Gopal Yadav, an Akhilesh loyalist.

Shivpal announced that Ram Gopal has been expelled from the Samajwadi Party and the post of the party general secretary for six years.

Accusing Ram Gopal of colluding with the BJP, Shivpal said, "Ram Gopal is involved with BJP, he met BJP leaders three times in the last few days which UP CM is not understanding".

"Ram Gopal has been conspiring against me, he has been involved with BJP to save his son," said Shivpal.



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READ MORE: UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav sacks uncle Shivpal again, declares war on Amar Singh

AKHILESH SHOWS THE DOOR TO UNCLE SHIVPAL



In a swift and sudden move, the Uttar Pradesh CM today sacked his uncle Shivpal Singh Yadav from the state cabinet for the second time. Three other ministers were also sacked from the cabinet.

Actor-turned-politician Jaya Prada was also sacked from the post of vice president of the UP Film Development Council.

Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav is holding a meeting with senior party leaders in Lucknow to chalk out a future course of action for the party.



READ MORE: Samajwadi crisis: Now, Shivpal Yadav sacks Akhilesh loyalist Ram Gopal Yadav



(with inputs from IANS)



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An international team has determined that the Syrian government carried out a third chemical attack in the conflict-wracked nation, according to a report released late Friday.

In August, the team from the United Nations and the chemical weapons watchdog blamed President Bashar Assads government for using chlorine gas in two attacks and Islamic State fighters for using mustard gas in one attack.

The team said at that time that three other attacks indicated possible government involvement.

In a report sent to the U.N. Security Council late Friday and seen by The Associated Press, the team said there was sufficient evidence to conclude that Syrian forces were responsible for one of the attacks in Qmenas in Idlib governorate on March 16, 2015.

It said a device, dropped from a high altitude, hit the ground and released the toxic substance that affected the population. Witnesses and hospital staff identified the smell and symptoms of chlorine gas.

The team concluded, however, that there wasnt enough evidence to determine responsibility for the two other attacks.

The experts said they couldnt confirm the use of barrel bombs in Kfar Zita in Hama governorate on April 18, 2014, because the remnants of the device allegedly used had been removed and couldnt be linked with certainty to the location.

They said additional witnesses corroborated that a canister with traces of chlorine was found in Binnish in Idlib governorate on March 24, 2015. But they said the exact time and location couldnt be established and the canister couldnt be linked to any of the incident locations.

The panel said it is crucial to hold those who use or intend to use chemicals as weapons accountable for their acts, as it is fundamental to deter all those who continue to believe that there is something to be gained in the use of toxic chemicals as weapons.

The United States, Britain and France want the U.N. Security Council to impose sanctions on the Assad regime for using chemical weapons. But Russia, Syrias closest ally, said the evidence presented in the August report was not conclusive, and Russias U.N. Ambassador Vitaly Churkin indicated that Moscow will oppose any sanctions.

The Security Council is expected to discuss the report on Thursday.

A year ago, the council established the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons-United Nations Joint Investigative Mechanism, known as the JIM, to identify those responsible for chemical attacks in Syria.

The JIM investigated nine cases in seven towns where an OPCW fact-finding mission found that chemical weapons had likely been used.

According to the August report, the JIM found the Syrian government responsible for two chlorine attacks in Idlib governorate  one in Talmenes on April 21, 2014, and one in Sarmin on March 16, 2015.

It also said the Islamic State group was the only entity with the ability, capability, motive and the means to use sulfur mustard gas in Marea in Aleppo governorate near the Turkish border on Aug. 21, 2015. At the time, Islamic State fighters were attacking rebels.

(AP)
Hillary Clintons campaign is increasingly preparing for the possibility that Donald Trump may never concede the presidential election should she win, a development that could enormously complicate the crucial early weeks of her preparations to take office.

Aiming to undermine any argument the Republican nominee may make about a rigged election, she hopes to roll up a large electoral vote margin in next months election. That could repudiate the New York billionaires message and project a governing mandate after the bitter, divisive presidential race.

Clintons team is also keeping a close eye on statements by national Republican leaders, predicting they could play an important role in how Trumps accusations of electoral fraud might be perceived. Thats according to several Clinton campaign aides, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss internal strategy.

Campaign officials stress they are not taking the outcome of the election for granted. But Clinton and her team have begun thinking about how to position their candidate during the postelection period. Long one of the countrys most polarizing political figures, Clinton has begun telling audiences shell need their help in healing the country.

Ive got to figure out how we heal these divides, she said in a Friday interview with a Tampa radio station WBTP. Weve got to get together. Maybe thats a role that is meant to be for my presidency if Im so fortunate to be there.

A refusal by Trump to accept the election results would not only upend a basic tenet of American democracy, but also force Clinton to create a new playbook for handling the transfer of power. And a narrow victory would make it more difficult for her to claim substantial political capital at the start of her administration.

Donald is still going to whine if he loses. But if the mandate is clear, I dont think many people will follow him, said Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, Clintons running mate, in an interview Thursday with CNNs New Day.

While Clintons campaign has long focused on maintaining pathways to cross the threshold of 270 electoral votes, its now looking to capture an expanded number of states that could also help determine control of the Senate  including Republican-leaning Arizona.

Polls indicate that Clinton has extended her advantage in several toss-up states during the three fall debates, giving her campaign more confidence. She has maintained stable leads in states such as Pennsylvania, Virginia and Colorado, as well as a narrow edge in Florida and North Carolina.

Theyre looking at it like this: Weve got these doors of opportunity open, lets make sure we go down all of them,' said Jeremy Bird, the national field director for President Barack Obamas 2012 campaign who is helping Clintons team.

If Clinton wins the White House, she will enter as one of the least popular first-term presidents in generations. While Trump has suffered from high unfavorable ratings, particularly among women, Clinton has been hampered by polls showing more than half of the public considers her to be untrustworthy.

Some Republicans are already preparing for Trumps defeat, downplaying the significance of a Clinton triumph.

On Nov 8, Clintons claims of a mandate will fly in the face of reality. She only won by not being Trump, tweeted conservative writer Erick Erickson. Rolling up a big victory in the Electoral College would let Clinton push back against that notion and assert that voters had rejected what she has called Trumps mean, divisive message.

In a race against Trump and independents Gary Johnson and Jill Stein, Clinton may struggle to reach 50 percent of the vote. But competing in states such as Arizona and pushing for Senate victories in Missouri and Indiana might help Democrats in their quest to recapture the Senate and give her a better chance of surpassing Obamas 332 electoral votes in the 2012 campaign.

Clintons campaign is making a significant push in Arizona, which offers 11 electoral votes and has stayed in the Republican column in all but one presidential election since 1952. Bill Clinton was the last Democrat to carry the state, in 1996.

First lady Michelle Obama courted voters in Phoenix on Thursday, following appearances by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and the Clintons daughter, Chelsea Clinton. The campaign is spending $2 million in advertising and toying with sending Clinton herself there before Election Day.

I think its clear that Hillary Clinton has a chance to win Arizona just like her husband did 20 years ago, said Rodd McLeod, a Phoenix-based Democratic strategist who helped Clintons campaign during the primary.

Two other Republican-leaning states could prove tempting.

Georgia, which has had an influx of diverse voters in the Atlanta area, is considered a future battleground state, with many Democrats comparing it to North Carolina.

Utah overwhelmingly supported Mitt Romney, the nations first Mormon presidential nominee, with more than 72 percent in 2012. But many of the states Republicans have abandoned Trump and polls show Clinton and Trump in a tight contest against independent Evan McMullin, a conservative former CIA officer who graduated from Brigham Young University.

If McMullin captures Utah, he will be the first independent presidential candidate to win electoral votes since George Wallace in 1968.

(AP)
By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for the Five Towns Jewish Times

The Mogain Avrohom (OC 664) explains that it is the minhag to stay up all night and learn Torah on the night of Hoshana Rabbah.

While it is true that the essential reason for this is because the entire world is judged on water, the Sfas Emes (Sukkos 5643) gives us an additional insight.

WATER = SOMETHING ELSE AS WELL

Rav Yehuda Aryeh Leib Alter (1847-1905), the Sfas Emes, explains that the essential Tefilah of the davening for water on Hoshana Rabbah refers to Torah being referred to as water. The first pasuk in Yishayahu (55:1) mentions water:

1 Ho, every one that thirsts, come ye for water, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

But the next two Psukim clearly indicate that this water refers to Torah.

2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your gain for that which does not satisfy? Hearken diligently unto Me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. 3 Incline your ear, and come unto Me; hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.

Therefore, one of the reasons that we Daven so urgently and that we stay up all night is because we are davening that Torah be a part of our lives.

It is not just physical water that we are blessed with  it is also spiritual water in which we receive blessing.

As an aside, why is tonight called Hoshana Rabbah? Below are three answers:

The Eliyahu Rabba (OC 664:1) cites the Mateh Moshe (957) as to why Hoshana Rabba is called with that name. The Holy One Blessed be He said to Avrohom Avinu: I am One in the world and you are one in your world (See Psachim 118a). In the future, I will grant your children a special day to atone for all their sins  this is the day of Hoshnana Rabbah (great salvation). I shall give them the 21 st day, which is My Name of Eheye whose gematria is 21.

day, which is My Name of Eheye whose gematria is 21. The Levush (664:1) states that it is called Hoshana Rabbah because we have many more Aravos, called Hoshanos, on this day  the 7 th day of Sukkos.

day of Sukkos. The Chayei Adam (153:2) explains that it is called Hoshana Rabbah because we recite more Hoshanos on this day  the 7th day of Sukkos.

The author can be reached at [email protected]
By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for the Five Towns Jewish Times

True, this is not quite Hamlets question, but it is one that is plaguing many a frum family.

One of the general differences between Litvaks (Misnagdim) and Chassidim lies in what they do on the holiday of Shmini Atzeres regarding eating in the Sukkah. Chassidim have traditionally taken a more lenient view than their Litvak counterparts on the issue. It should be noted that each of the two opinions should be respected. Rav Tzaddok HaKohen, in his work Maishiv Tzedek, writes that those who do not eat in the Sukkah on Shmini Atzeres do have a basis in the Gemorah and the Yerushalmi. In this article, an attempt will be made to explain the halachic basis of each of the two customs.

The Torah tells us that we must dwell in the Sukkah for seven days. The Torah further tells us that on the eighth day we have a new and different holiday. Thus Sukkos only lasts for seven days, according to the Torah and the eighth day is an additional holiday, in and of itself. By Rabbinic decree, of course, we add on a second day to each of the Yomim Tovim for those who dwell outside of the land of Israel. This creates a halachic problem for the holiday of Shmini Atzeres. Do we eat our meals in the Sukkah or do we eat them in the home? It is a subject that was disputed in the Talmud, may be a debate between the Yerushalmi and the Bavli, and the subject of sharp debate between Chassidim and Misnagdim to this day.

It is also interesting to note that while there may be debate in regard to the practice of eating in the Sukkah, all agree that we do not take a Lulav on Shmini Atzeres  even without a bracha. The Baalei Tosfos (47a Maisav) explain that since a Lulav would be Muktzah on Shmini Atzeres, it would clearly demonstrate that he is treating Shmini Atzeres like Chol, whereas, in regard to eating in a Sukkah, the act is not so noticeable because many people like eating in a Sukkah. As we will discuss later in this article, it is this Tosfos (and the Rosh) that may be the source for the leniency of the Chassidish world.

THE GEMORAH

The Gemorah (Sukkah 47a) cites a dispute between Rav Yochanan and others in the name of Rav as to what is done on the eighth day outside of Israel regarding eating in the Sukkah. There are two versions of the dispute, but the Gemorahs final conclusion is that we dwell in the Sukkah but we do not recite a blessing upon it.

THE THREE APPROACHES AND THE THREE SOURCES

The Rishonim approached this Gemorah in three different ways. It is not just this Gemorah, but the combination of three differing sources: This section of the Talmud Bavli, a Talmud Yerushalmi, and a Midrash Tanchuma. The Midrash Tanchuma (Parshas Pinchas #15) asks, Why did the sages permit leaving the Sukkah on the last day of the Yom Tov? Because the entire Yom Tov we pray for dew and on the last day we pray for rains  therefore, they leave the Sukkah on the last day of the Yom Tov so that they will be able to pray with a full heart. There is also a somewhat enigmatic Talmud Yerushalmi (Sukkah 4:5 and Brachos 6:6) that states, If someone enjoys his Sukkah, he may make kiddush on the last night of Yom Tov in his home and then arise and eat in his Sukkah.

MAINSTREAM APPROACH

The majority of Rishonim understand the Gemorah in the Bavli as mandating that both of the meals of Shmini Atzeres be eaten in the Sukkah. This is the view of Rashi (cited in Sefer HaPardes), the Raavya, Maharam MiRottenberg (See Tashbatz 147) Rabbeinu Chananel, the Sefer HaMinhagim, and the SMaK. This view is the one that has been codified in Shulchan Aruch (OC 668:1).

NOT AT NIGHT APPROACH

There are Rishonim, however, who did not eat in the Sukkah on Shmini Atzeres at night. Apprently, these Rishonim, assumed that the Yerushalmi was also referring to Chutz LaAretz, and attempted to resolve the Yerushalmi source and the Bavli source. This custom is mentioned in the Tur (OC 668), the Maharil (Hilchos Lulav), the Machzor Vitri (384), and the Orchos Chaim.

Why not at night? A good question. Perhaps, (as it may perhaps be suggested in Tosfos 47b Maisav) it is less comfortable at night than in the daytime and there is also a concern of fulfilling Vsamachta bchagecha in a more ideal manner on Shmini Atzeres as well.

The Bais Yoseph suggests a different answer  that at night the blessing of Shehecheyanu is recited on Shmini Atzeres because it is its own Yom Tov. Eating in the Sukkah would therefore highlight the inherent conflict between these two opposites. Eating on the next day, however, would not highlight the difference so much.

The Bach gives yet a different explanation. Indeed, he provides two different explanations. In OC 666 he writes that according to this view, if eating were to be permitted on the night of Shmini Atzeres it would appear as if one was adding to the Torah. The discontinuation at night resolves this perception. In OC 668 he provides, what seems to be an opposite explanation to the first one that he gave. He writes that since it is a Mitzvah to add onto Kodesh, if one were to eat on the night after the Torah obligation of Sukkosd, one would still require a blessing over the eating. In this manner, of discontinuing at night, this problem is resolved.

HALF OF THE MEAL APPROACH

Other Rishonim have the custom to eat half of the meal in the SUkkah and the other half in the home. This custom is mentioned in the addendum to the Sefer HaMinhagim and is cited in the TaZ. His father-in-law, the Bach, however, states that this custom is in direct violation of our Talmud (Sukkah 47a).

VIEW OF ACHRONIM

However, as mentioned earlier, the majority view is to eat all the meals in the Sukkah and that is how the Shulchan Aruch codified the Halacha. The Mishna Brurah also writes, And so have concluded all the Achronim, like the ruling of the Shulchan Aruch that the obligation is both at night and in the daytime. Who are these Achronim? They are the Mogen Avrohom, the Eliyahu Rabbah, the Mateh Ephraim, the Chayei Adam, Maamar Mordechai, Chasam Sofer (see Ksav Sofer Responsa #120). The Kaf HaChaim as well rules in the same manner as does the Mishna Brurah.

The Munkatcher Rebbe (Minchas Elazar IV #31), however, cites the aforementioned Tosfos (47a) as the source for being more lenient on Shmini Atzeres to eat in the home. He writes that, since it is colder in our countries (in Europe) it is more apparent that we would only be sitting in the Sukkah for the purpose of the Mitzvah and not merely because it would be pleasant. The Minchas Elazar would equate eating in the Sukkah on Shmini Atzeres in a colder climate with taking of the lulav on Shmini Atzeres. Both should not be done because it is apparent that one is doing it for the Mitzvah.

The Aruch HaShulchan also justifies the position of the Chassidim and writes (OC 660:5) that the Chachamim ordained that the eating be in such a way that it not be apparent that he is doing so only for the sake of the Mitzvah. He concludes, however, that ideally, one should only leave the Sukkah after the day meal.
The political chasm between father and son owes much to Shivpal, who is Mulayam Singh's brother and not Akhilesh Yadav's favourite uncle.

SP and Mulayam Singh have often claimed in the past that SP will never split till he is around. That boast will be put to a test in the days ahead.

By Rajat Rai: The rift between two stubbornly divided factions in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh's ruling party swallowed up half a dozen victims on Sunday as the war within the Yadav family threatens to consume it and break up the SP.

Also read: Ram Gopal expelled, Shivpal sacked: All you need to know about Akhilesh vs Mulayam PariWar



WHAT IS HAPPENING

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While Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav once again axed his uncle Shivpal Yadav as well as three of his close aides from the cabinet, party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav threw out cousin Ramgopal Yadav, a trusted adviser to the CM, for "colluding with the BJP".

Also read: Samajwadi crisis: Now, Shivpal Yadav sacks Akhilesh loyalist Ram Gopal Yadav



The crisis in the party deepened when Akhilesh held a meeting of its legislators in state capital Lucknow and recommended to governor Ram Naik that cabinet ministers Shivpal, Narad Rai and Om Prakash Singh as well as minister of state with independent charge Sayeda Shadab Fatima be sacked.

According to sources, the CM openly attacked Amar Singh- whom Mulayam appointed as a national general secretary recently, years after throwing him out of the party- and accused of him of trying to split the SP and create divisions between "father and son". "It is the chief minister's prerogative whom to keep in the cabinet," said senior party leader Azam Khan.

Also read: UP CM Akhilesh Yadav sacks uncle Shivpal again, declares war on Amar Singh



Hours later, Mulayam hit back by dismissing Ramgopal from the party for six years. The developments came a day after a close aide of the CM, MLC Udayveer Singh, was expelled from the Samajwadi Party.

Also read: Mulayam Singh praises Akhilesh govt but suspends CM's close aide Udayveer Singh for 6 years



Udayveer was sacked a few days after he shot off a stinging letter to Mulayam accusing his second wife of hatching a conspiracy against the chief minister. The letter also accused Akhilesh's stepmother of using "black magic" against him. Udayveer had this week announced that he along with other Akhilesh loyalists would boycott the SP's silver jubilee celebrations in protest over the expulsion of many of their colleagues by Mulayam and Shivpal.

Also read: Akhilesh's stepmother using black magic on him: Samajwadi Party MLC in letter to Mulayam



The political chasm between father and son owes much to Shivpal, who is Mulayam Singh's brother and not Akhilesh Yadav's favourite uncle. Ramgopal Yadav is Shivpal's long-time rival and has been championing Akhilesh as the "true and most popular leader" of the party. The chief minister's supporters have also blamed Amar Singh for the rift.

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Shivpal told the media that Ramgopal was colluding with the BJP and had thrice met a senior leader of the party in power at the Centre to save himself and his son from a CBI probe in connection with their alleged involvement in a corruption case. Next year's Assembly elections would be fought under Mulayam's leadership, he added.

Both camps went into a huddle on Sunday. Mulayam has also called a meeting of his MLAs and MLCs at his residence on Monday. "I will not give any reaction today," he told the press. You are all invited tomorrow (Monday) after the meeting and I will not disappoint you."

Also read: CM Akhilesh Yadav to attend tomorrow's meeting of party MLA, MLAs convened by MS Yadav



BATTLE LINES

Shivpal in recent months took a slew of controversial decisions that Akhilesh objected to, only to be overruled by his father. While the CM resisted his uncle's move to tie up with a fledgling party headed by a former gangster, Mulayam finally allowed it. Last month, Akhilesh was replaced by Shivpal as the party chief in Uttar Pradesh.

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As the battle rages on, reports have emerged that the chief minister could launch a new party - National Samajwadi Party or Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party - with the motorcycle as its symbol to take on the SP's bicycle. The opposition BJP attempted to fish in troubled waters, saying the governor should ask Akhilesh to prove his majority on the floor of the Assembly and until he does so, he should not take any policy decision.

Also read: Samajwadi crisis: Akhilesh Yadav rules out any move to split party, BJP demands a floor test



"The party has become a sinking ship which has failed on every front. Mafia raj prevailed during Akhilesh's tenure. He could not keep promises of providing roads, electricity and drinking water. Even healthcare is in doldrums," said BJP national secretary Shrikant Sharma in Delhi.

The Samajwadi party is fast hurtling towards a split and unless Mulayam Singh Yadav and his son Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav can resolve their differences right away, a formal split in the party appears inevitable. The signs are ominous as in a preemptive strike, the chief minister has sacked 4 senior ministers including his estranged uncle Shivpal Yadav from his government. The move comes on the heels of a meeting chief minister addressed on Sunday morning to MLAs loyal to him at his residence a while ago.

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WATCH: Samajwadi PariWar: Who is Prateek Yadav?



It is also being seen as a blowback for the expulsion of a number of the CM's associates and supporters. By sacking the powerful Shivpal Yadav and three of his supporters, the CM has thrown down the gauntlet and indicated willingness to part ways with his father. The CM's move was preceded by a series of events that were seen as steady deterioration in the relations between the father and the son and also between Akhilesh and his uncle Shivpal Yadav.

Differences first arose over the induction of Amar Singh in the party overriding strong opposition from the CM, Ram Gopal Yadav and Azam Khan. This was followed by differences over the merger of the Qaumi Ekta Dal with the SP and the unceremonious replacement of Akhilesh Yadav as the state President by Shivpal Yadav. In the past, every time there has been a crisis in the SP, Mulayam Singh Yadav managed to tide over it.

However, the current crisis in the part has also seen Akhilesh stand up to his father. Supported by Ramgopal Yadav and a large number of the current crop of party MLAs and MPs, the CM has now indicated that he is willing to part ways with even his father. The current crisis in the party could not have come at a more in opportune time for the SP.

Assembly elections are scheduled for early next year. In addition to the incumbency factor, a split in the SP will almost certainly make its hopes of regaining power all the more difficult. SP and Mulayam Singh have often claimed in the past that SP will never split till he is around. That boast will be put to a test in the days ahead.

Watch the video here

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Revolution Bars Group is doing all the right things. Serving exotically named cocktails and trendy food, it is growing at a steady clip.

Profits are rising, staff are motivated and customer feedback is extremely positive. The group is opening at least five new outlets a year, investing heavily in existing sites and has an ambitious expansion programme in place.

It all sounds like a recipe for success, but the stock market does not seem to think so. The company announced it was floating early last year, setting a price range of 200p to 240p a share.

Good taste: More than 60 per cent of Revolutions customers are women, happy to splash out on 9 cocktails

Initially, there were hopes that demand for the stock would take the price to the top of the range. In the end, Revolution managed to float at only 200p. That was in March 2015, since when the price has drifted to 175p.

This is too cheap. The firm has done everything it said it would and more in the past 18 months, so todays price almost certainly reflects its pre-float past more than its present state or future prospects. Looking ahead, the stock should rebound as Revolution delivers strong growth, rising profits and increased dividends.

The company started out as a chain of dimly lit late-night bars, opening in the evening only, serving no food and specialising in vodka. It spent five years on AIM as Inventive Leisure before being acquired by a private equity firm in 2005.

After a lacklustre few years, restaurant and bar specialist Mark McQuatar joined as chief executive in 2013. This set the wheels in motion for a comprehensive restructuring.

A dozen bars were sold and 10million was invested in the remaining 57 sites, turning them into brightly lit, all-day casual eateries, specialising in food ranging from burgers to Spanish tapas and cocktails from classic Mojitos to creations such as the Atomic Bongo.

Transformed: The group spent 1million a year to make sure staff could mix a mean Martini and deliver service with a smile

At the same time, the group focused on training, spending 1 million a year to make sure staff could mix a mean Martini and deliver service with a smile. It also developed a new brand, Revolucion de Cuba, specialising in rum-based drinks and Latin food.

The strategy has transformed Revolution. Profits have soared, around a third of customers come to eat as well as drink and the average spend per head is 30  much higher than in pubs and wine bars.

About 60 per cent of customers are women, many of whom are happy to splash out on cocktails at 9 a head and share six-shot selections at 13.50 a round. McQuatar has worked hard on the menu as well, hiring a head of food innovation to ensure new items are regularly introduced, such as lobster ravioli and superfood salad.

Classic: Revolution serves Mojitos but also creations such as the Atomic Bongo

The transformation contributed to an 11 per cent rise in profits to 9.2 million in the year to June 2016, while the dividend almost tripled to 4.8p. Analysts expect profits of at least 10.5 million next year, alongside a 5.4p dividend, with further growth pencilled in for 2018.

McQuatar has opened six new restaurants since the float, including one in Harrogate last week, so there are now 63 sites.

The aim is to take this up to 140, including 40 Revolucion de Cubas, over the next few years. Concerns have been raised about the impact of economic uncertainty on the company, but the group said this month that trading had been strong in the first 12 weeks of the new financial year and that the outlook was positive.

A six-week period around Christmas accounts for about 16 per cent of annual revenues and bookings are already up on last year. Revolution sites are larger than most bars and restaurants, so group bookings are popular.

Encouragingly too, the entire board bought shares after the recent figures, spending 236,000 of their own money on the stock.
Property group Palace Capital prides itself on being different to its peers. The company focuses on commercial property outside London, it is run by two men in their 70s and the aim is virtually to triple in size over the next three years.

Midas tipped the shares exactly two years ago, when they were 312p. Today, they are 345p and should rise considerably as the company continues to expand.

Founders Stanley Davis and Neil Sinclair have spent their entire working lives in the sector so they have a wealth of experience.

They have also built up a large network of contacts, so they try to buy property before it comes on to the market, when prices tend to be lower and transactions tend to complete more quickly.

In the picture: Palace tenants include the Vue cinema chain

Palace looks for properties in fast-growing towns and cities, such as York, Milton Keynes and Northampton. Formed in 2010, the business has amassed a portfolio of more than 50 properties, valued at 180 million. Over the next three years, Davis and Sinclair are keen to take this up to 500 million.

Having been through several downturns during their long careers, both are innately cautious. They are also canny, concluding many of their deals in August or around Christmas, for example, when vendors are keen to sell and most buyers are otherwise engaged.

Properties encompass office, leisure, industrial and retail sites in areas such as Leeds, Halifax and Manchester in the North, as well as Southampton and Bristol in the South.

In each case, Palace has identified assets that will appreciate in value but also deliver rising rental income from reputable organisations including the NHS, Pizza Express, the Vue cinema chain and the Bank of England. The group maintains regular contact with tenants to make sure they are happy, deal with issues if they are not and, ideally, build up long-term relationships.

Palace is an active owner too, refurbishing properties, converting offices to apartments when appropriate, bringing in new tenants, extending leases and selling extraneous sites.

The approach has served them well. In the year to March 2016, the groups properties increased in value by 69 per cent to almost 180million, while rental income rose 57 per cent to 13.5million.

Rising income allows Palace to pay generous dividends. In the year to March, the dividend rose 23 per cent to 16p and it is forecast to increase to 18p next year, putting the stock on a yield of more than 5 per cent.

The property sector has been adversely affected by Junes Brexit vote, as investors fret that economic conditions will deteriorate, hitting valuations and rental demand. To date, however, Palace sees no sign of any downturn. Interestingly too, overseas investors remain attracted to the UK, as sterlings weakness makes assets cheaper for them.

Midas verdict: Palace investors include top institutions such as Schroders, Henderson Global and Axa Investment Managers. The company is also run by two of the most experienced property veterans in the stock market.
It's set to be the biggest transatlantic merger in years and could create the worlds largest tobacco company.

But the success of the proposed buyout by British American Tobacco of Reynolds American may hinge not on tobacco sales, but on the booming market for e-cigarettes.

On Friday, Footsie-listed BAT, which owns the Dunhill, Kent, Lucky Strike, Pall Mall and Rothmans brands, made a takeover approach for Reynolds  the maker of Camel cigarettes.

Craving: Both BAT and Reynolds want a share of e-cigarette sales on the other side of the Atlantic

BAT already owns just over 42 per cent of Reynolds, but the deal would see BAT pay $47billion (38billion) to take full control.

The deal, BAT says, would allow the combined company to make cost savings of $400million a year, which has left some analysts wondering whether such a colossal deal is worth it for such relatively modest gains.

However, the logic of the deal lies as much in the new market for vaping and other non-traditional nicotine products, as it does in the traditional pack of 20 cigarettes.

Smoking is in decline across Britain, while the use of e-cigarettes is growing fast. Figures from Public Health England show a surge in vaping against a steady decline in smoking, a pattern expected to be replicated across the developed world.

While most major tobacco groups have developed e-cigarette brands, none has secured the kind of market dominance they are used to with traditional tobacco.

One adviser to the deal said so-called new generation products were a significant reason for the bid. He said: Both players are chasing the new generation market hard, putting in a lot of research and development and clearly its a big market opportunity.

At the moment its a pretty fragmented market, but its a growing one. So the two companies will be able to bring together their research and development, and sales capability, across the globe as a consequence of the merger.

In the e-cigarette market BAT has got nothing in the States, he added, while Reynolds has got nothing outside of the States.

Reynolds was one of the pioneers in the sector in the US, first launching an e-cigarette in the mid-1990s  albeit without much success. The recent boom in vaping is now looking a surer bet.

Nigel Driffield, professor of international business at Warwick Business School, said: They know their core business is declining and what they are looking to do is to find ways to diversify and protect their cash flow as best they can. Obviously cigarette-replacement products in whatever form are one of those.

Nicholas Hyett, equity analyst at financial services firm Hargreaves Lansdown, said the deal also brought two different types of e-cigarette technologies under the same roof.

While BAT has favoured forms of vaping where liquid nicotine is heated, Reynolds has gone down a route known as heat not burn, in which tobacco itself is heated but not set on fire.

Hyett said global leader Philip Morris (the maker of Marlboro) has favoured heat not burn while Imperial Brands (the maker of Lambert & Butler and Embassy, among others) have favoured vaping.

BATs leading next generation product is Vype, launched in 2013, which is by far its most popular e-cigarette, though the company does have a tobacco-heating product, the glo iFuse. Hyett said BAT had a 35 per cent share of the vaping market in the UK.

A BAT-Reynolds merger would allow both companies to push their respective e-cigarettes into new markets, which for BAT would mean getting its leading Vype brand into the lucrative US.

This would allow BAT to compete with Philip Morris directly, said Hyett.

Merger: BAT already owns just over 42 per cent of Reynolds, but the deal would see BAT pay $47billion (38billion) to take full control

BAT chief executive Nicandro Durante said: We have been a shareholder in Reynolds since its creation in 2014 and have benefited from its growth in the US market.

The proposed merger of our two companies is the logical progression in our relationship and offers all shareholders a stake in a stronger, truly global tobacco and next generation products company.

Meanwhile, Driffield said he believed the timing so soon after the Brexit vote was coincidental. He warned that while the deal, if successful, would create a global giant, it might not benefit the UK economy greatly.

He added: I think both firms are trying to consolidate themselves where they still have a significant presence, cut costs because they both have overcapacity, and then look to diversify away from tobacco while the cash from that is still coming in.

Reynolds has indicated that it is open to discussing BATs approach, but analysts believe the British company may yet have to raise its price.
Bank bosses have warned it would be folly for Britain to slash regulation in an attempt to keep business in London after Brexit.

Top international bankers based in London have rebuffed the argument that the UK can thrive as a low-regulation offshore haven for finance.

They insist that recent history suggests a move in this direction would be a foolhardy high-risk strategy.

Confusion: It is still not clear how global banks in London will be able to continue trading with European clients after Brexit

Speaking at the British Bankers Associations conference last week, Ludovic de Montille, UK chairman of French bank BNP Paribas, said: The future is not in reducing regulation or going back to a light touch. That proved to be a disaster.

Rob Rooney, chief executive of Morgan Stanley International, echoed the BNP bosss fears. He said: We are all pushing for global consistency around regulation. The UK stepping out of line would be highly unlikely and inadvisable.

The comments came amid confusion about how global banks in London will be able to continue trading with European clients after Brexit. Some are warning that they face a cliff-edge plunge in revenues.

City banks have been trying to persuade politicians to introduce a transitional plan to allow London-based banks to keep trading in Europe while long-term arrangements are negotiated.

Some banks are pushing for a simple extension of passporting  the rules that allow any EU-based financial firm to sell products across the union. An extension to passporting would allow London banks to keep that right for a period even after quitting the EU.

But some experts believe such a deal is implausible. Barney Reynolds, an expert on financial regulation and head of the financial institutions group at law firm Shearman & Sterling, said: I suspect it is unlikely there will be a meaningful transitional period.

He said he expected the UK to either agree a bespoke deal over financial services with the EU or to pursue a completely independent path and attract business by offering better and cheaper services.

So long as the UK takes back ownership of regulation and focuses on better regulation, the financial institutions will be better off in the UK than moving, he said.

Some argue that bank offices based in Britain will be able to continue to trade with European clients under so-called equivalence rules which would allow trade as long as UK regulation was deemed to match that in Europe. But critics warn this status can be withdrawn by the European Commission with just a months notice.
By PTI: From Achinta Borah

Budapest, Oct 23 (PTI) Apollo Tyres is setting up Europes largest greenfield plant in Hungary with an investment of 475 million euros to produce nearly 62 lakh tyres for passenger cars and heavy commercial vehicles per annum.

The facility at Gyongyoshalasz, located less than 100 km from here, will start production early next year and it will produce tyres to cater to the entire European market.

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"Construction of Apollo Tyres first European greenfield plant at Gyongyoshalasz has started on April 10, 2015 and we will start production in early 2017. It will be Europes largest greenfield tyres plant," Apollo Tyres (Hungary) KFT, Head - Project Controller, Amitabh Arya told PTI.

The Hungarian facility will be a state-of-the-art plant and once completed it will have a capacity to produce 5.5 million (55 lakh) passenger car and light truck (PCLT) tyres and 6,75,000 heavy commercial vehicle (HCV) tyres per annum.

The total investment in the facility will be 475 million euro (about Rs 3,460 crore) and the Hungarian government was very excited about the investment from a leading Indian company.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, at a joint press conference with visiting Indian Vice President Hamid Ansari last week, had specifically mentioned about the Apollo Tyres plant saying it was one of the largest foreign investments in Hungary.

The Gyongyoshalasz facility will produce both Apollo and Vredestein branded tyres and will cater to the entire European market.

Apollo Vredestein B.V. is part of Apollo Tyres Ltd and has its head office in Enschede, the Netherlands. It designs, manufactures and sells high-quality tyres under the Apollo and Vredestein brands in Europe and North America.

Onkar S Kanwar headed Apollo Tyres Ltd, with its corporate headquarters in Gurgaon, is in the business of manufacture and sale of tyres since its inception in 1972.

The company has grown manifold, establishing its footprint across the globe. It has manufacturing units in India and The Netherlands.

The company markets its products under its two global brands - Apollo and Vredestein, and its products are available in over 100 countries through a vast network of branded, exclusive and multi-product outlets.

At the end of its financial year on March 31, 2016, Apollo Tyres had clocked a turnover of USD 1.8 billion, backed by a global workforce of around 16,000 employees. PTI ACB SA ABM

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Heathrow boss John Holland-Kaye lived under the flight path in West London for 20 years so he knows all about aircraft noise. But with two days to go before a decision is made on airport expansion, he wants us to concentrate on the bigger picture.

We are at a critical point in our future as a country because the question is, are we going to emerge a winner in the post-Brexit world? he says.

So this decision is critical for our success in the world we find ourselves in now. Our plan absolutely fits with this Governments agenda. We have to make sure we have the best possible connections for our economy to flourish.

Ready for take-off: John Holland-Kaye says expansion of the airport is key to the economy

That means being better connected within the UK, better connected to emerging markets where our trade has to expand, and better connected to more international routes than ever before. We can give the UK the connections that the entire country needs so that everybody benefits from our expansion.

The expectation is that the Prime Minister will finally give the nod to Heathrow rather than Gatwick following a meeting of a special Cabinet sub-committee, which she chairs, this Tuesday  although a final decision will not be given until 2017-18.

We are up against the French and the Germans in the race to become Europes predominant airport hub and we must win it. Heathrow is this countrys biggest port. It exported 7.6 billion of goods to China last year, 48 billion in total. We need that more than ever now, says Holland-Kaye.

There are two projects on offer at Heathrow: Holland-Kayes plan for a third runway and the Heathrow Hub, which would simply extend the existing northern runway to allow aircraft to land and take off from the same runway at the same time, a proposal regarded by some as too radical to be given the go-ahead, albeit much cheaper at 9.7 billion.

Shipments: Heathrow is Britains biggest port with a major role exporting cargo

A decision in his favour would be good news for Heathrows ultimate owner, which is a consortium of foreign investors led by Spains Ferrovial Group, Qatar Holding and China Investment Corp, and others.

There is no goldmine here for our shareholders who are putting in significant amounts of money, taking a commercial risk for the benefit of the UK, he says. And themselves, of course.

We exported 7.6billion of goods to China last year and need that more than ever

Holland-Kaye is himself in line for an as yet unquantified bonus if his scheme wins approval on top of his basic pay of 855,000. Last year his pay reached 2.1 million after bonuses. So airport expansion would certainly be good for him.

His proposed third runway will cost 17.6 billion plus 5.7 billion of taxpayers money for road developments  the plan involves demolishing 800 homes and moving or burying the M25 in a tunnel to make space for the new runway.

There are also plans for a direct rail link to the airport from the Great Western mainline via a three- mile tunnel under the M4 and M25. Passenger numbers will increase from 73 million to 131 million by 2050.

We will pay our way, we will make a contribution as we have done in the past with the Piccadilly line to Heathrow, says Holland-Kaye.

This will be a very big private investment. Our investors have already invested billions to build Terminals 5 and 2. This will be a massive shot in the arm for the economy. This will be one of the worlds biggest infrastructure projects and it is a flagship scheme for them, he says.

Heathrow's third runaway proposal: It will cost 17.6billion plus 5.7billion of taxpayers money for road developments

But investors want a return on their investment and Willie Walsh, boss of British Airways owner IAG, has called Holland-Kayes scheme a rip-off. He claims the cost of the scheme will be passed on to airlines which will have to pass it on to passengers via higher ticket prices  he reckons it could be as much as 80 per passenger. Holland-Kaye says fares will not go up. An expanded Heathrow will be a massive benefit for passengers and prices will not be going up. The fees we charge, on average, will not go up, he says.

Opening the new runway will allow more airlines to operate from here so there will be competition from the likes of Flybe, easyJet and many others. So more choice for passengers.

Were up against the French and Germans in the race to be Europes hub and must win

There are heavyweight political opponents of Heathrow, notably Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and high-profile Tory MP Zac Goldsmith, who last week indicated he would resign as a Tory MP to stand as an independent if the decision is for Heathrow. There are no significant political objectors to Gatwick, which instead has the support of the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan.

But Holland-Kaye says not all politicians oppose his expansion plans.

Local MPs are not the only politicians we have to listen to: we actually have the support of many local MPs already who want the jobs for their constituents which expansion will bring. And we have the support of Labour MPs, hundreds of Tory MPs, the DUP and the SNP  who know we will boost flights within the UK, says Holland-Kaye.

Politicians can change their minds, too, says Holland-Kaye, who cites the example of Virendra Sharma, Labour MP for Southall, who resigned as parliamentary private secretary in 2009 in protest over plans to expand Heathrow, but who is now a keen supporter of the scheme.

Willie Walsh, boss of British Airways owner IAG, has called Holland-Kayes scheme a rip-off

He has changed his mind completely over our plans  we listened to his concerns about congestion and pollution. Where people have made their voices heard, we have listened, just as we have listened to local communities too and we have received feedback from Zac Goldsmith particularly in connection with night flights and we have listened, says Holland-Kaye.

Heathrow has promised to reduce night flights and curb noise and pollution if it wins permission to build a third runway.

Even after expansion fewer people will be impacted by noise as the planes are getting quieter and we are working to make sure we bring quieter planes in to the airport, says Holland-Kaye.

A Cambridge classics graduate and former operations director of builder Taylor Woodrow, Holland-Kaye now lives away from the flight path in Oxfordshire with his wife and two children.
Flagstaff City Council candidates have been given the chance to answer a weekly question in no more than 150 words. This weeks question: Why should Flagstaff voters trust you?

Mayor

CORAL EVANS

Hello Flagstaff, my name is Joe Ray and Ive owned Northland Upholstery, in Sunnyside, for close to 45 years. I am honored to share my thoughts on why Flagstaff should trust Coral Evans as their next Mayor. Coral has always stood up for the community. She entered electoral politics because she wanted a local government that listened to the people. Coral was instrumental in saving the Murdoch Center and turning it into the community center it is today. When developers tried to remove 50+ families from their homes to build student housing Coral stood with the families. Coral has lead initiatives to reduce crime, improve police-community relationships, build small businesses, and improve the health of residents city-wide. I trust Coral because I have seen first-hand her decades of work in our community. Coral is the leader Flagstaff needs and I believe she will be the best Mayor Flagstaff has seen.

JERRY NABOURS

Flagstaff voters should trust me because I have done what I said I would do. I first ran for Mayor promising I would stop foolish expenditures by the City. That has happened.

I do not make loose campaign promises and I do not have any obligations to any special groups. I do not take PAC money and I do not solicit endorsements. I have been consistent in my positions. When I do make a promise I carry through. For instance, with the Veterans assisted living facility I said I would work to get the state funds and I did.

The citizens trust me with millions of dollars in tax money. I look at every expense and ask is it necessary and is it appropriate?

You may not like every vote I make, but you can trust that it is based on principles and what is best for the city.

Council

JIM MCCARTHY

When our words and actions are consistent, we earn trust.

During my 26 years at Honeywell, I became a manager. That was possible because my directors and those I supervised trusted me, based on the experience of countless interactions. While at Learjet, I was entrusted to make critical decisions about aircraft safety. While on the Flagstaff Planning & Zoning Commission, the commissioners elected me chairperson, a show of respect and trust.

It is important that all people act honestly and show respect for each other, even if they have differences of opinion. Working together with earned trust is the only productive approach.

From the time I was a boy and an Eagle Scout, through my professional career, and during my volunteer service for the city, I have always earned the trust of my associates. If elected to council, I will work to earn your trust.

JEFF ORAVITS

Over the past four years I have lead the way on many initiatives that have made City Hall more transparent. This has earned me the endorsement of Flagstaff Liberty Alliance; "He is by far the most transparent elected official in Northern Arizona.

I successfully got all Council and Commission meetings broadcast and archived. I have given hundreds of Council updates on the radio, tv and online and hosted many community meetings around Flagstaff including town halls with State and Federal representatives. In the past 3 months alone Ive co-hosted 10 community meetings and if re-elected I will continue hosting meetings in neighborhoods around FLG to understand the needs and concerns of community members.

If re-elected, you can count on me to continue to publish all of my votes at Jeff4Flagstaff.com as well as continuing to find ways to make City Hall even more transparent.

JAMIE WHELAN

On Tuesday, I decided to ask the first 3 people I ran into to answer this question, here are their answers,

Jamie Whelan. I trust you implicitly I know that I can count on you. I know that through years of friendship and a professional relationship you have been holding a high standard of trust and reliability I can also count on you that you trust yourself to know your own limits and you dont overpromise and under deliver. That to me is the hallmark of someone I want to represent me in the Flagstaff City Council.  Sue Wright

You listen deeply and are guided by your passion to serve the community. Judy LeFevre

 I trust you because you are incredibly kind to your closest friends and perfect strangers, and back up that kindness by passionately helping anyone with whatever they may be going through.  Adam Tardio

KARLA BREWSTER

Trust is not accomplished immediately, but, usually after time and evaluation by the receiver of information. Trust is hard to evaluate as a process, as it is different with different people and different circumstances. When it comes to people that are involved in politics or are part of an organization that gets a lot of attention, trust is harder to accomplish with the end user of that information, One on one communication is an easier avenue to accomplish trust than in a bigger group, as there is a better connection with a one on one than with a group. People in areas of high profile are often targets of those who disagree with them and are the recipients of misinformation, and often lies to discredit them. That process often destroys the trust that the target person might have had with the citizens. Trust is a moving target, hard to find, hard to maintain, and hard to convince the skeptics.

CHARLIE ODEGAARD

Because they can. With Charlie Odegaard, what you see is what you get. My belief is that we do what we know is morally right. My wife and I each own a business in Flagstaff. Trust is the principal element of both of our business models. There have been times when I had to pay out of my pocket to make a business situation right for a customer, and I have never regretted doing so.

I believe trust is built on reputation and consistency. In November, Odegaards Sewing Center will celebrate its 47th year of doing business in Flagstaff. Im its third generation of owner operators, I m running for Flagstaff City Council because I see public service as a duty. Im a hard worker, and will do my very best to maintain the character of Flagstaff and represent all of you fairly and respectfully on the Flagstaff City Council.

ADAM SHIMONI
While listing governments as primary stakeholders, it also calls for shared responsibility with others including local governments and the private sector.

By Manjeet Negi: Modi Government is hosting the first Asian Ministerial Conference for Disaster Risk Reduction (AMCDRR). It is the first major agreement of the post-2015 development agenda and identifies targets and priority action areas towards reducing disaster risk - 'reducing the damage caused by natural hazards like earthquakes, floods, droughts and cyclones, through an ethic of prevention'.

While listing governments as primary stakeholders, it also calls for shared responsibility with others including local governments and the private sector.

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IMPLEMENTATION OF FRAMEWORK IN ASIAN REGION

The AMCDRR scheduled to be held from November 3-5 at the Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi will pave the way towards implementation of this Framework in the Asian region. It will also devise a mechanism for monitoring its progress.

Participating stakeholders, including governments, Non-Governmental Organisations, academia, civil society, volunteers, among others, would make actionable commitments arrived at through collaboration, consultation and partnership amongst all.

Also Read:Tokyo 2020 should be held in disaster zone: IOC President



FOCUS ON HOW TO LOCAL, NATIONAL LEVELS

The Conference will adopt the 'Asian Regional Plan for Implementation of the Sendai Framework'. Taking the Sendai Framework forward, which clarifies the 'What' that needs to be done at all levels to reduce disaster risk, this plan will focus on the 'How to' at national and local levels.

It will devise a longer term roadmap of cooperation and collaboration, spanning the 15-year horizon of the Sendai Framework, as well as a two-year action plan to further disaster risk reduction with specific, actionable activities.

Also Read: TN govt set ups advisory committee under disaster management



AIMED TOWARDS A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY



Other outcomes will include the New Delhi Declaration, which will spell out the commitment of participating governments towards preventing and reducing disaster risk, and strengthening the resilience of communities, nations and the Asian region.

Besides these, stakeholder groups will also come up with action statements aimed towards a 'shared responsibility' approach in implementation of the SFDRR.

Established in 2005, the AMCDRR is a biennial conference jointly organized by different Asian countries and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR).

Also Read: International Day for Disaster Reduction: All you need to know

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The following companies are subsidiares of Cummins: Anvl, Apollo FC Holdings Ltd., Atlantis Acquisitionco Canada Corporation, Atlantis Holdco UK Limited, Brammo, CIFC Worldwide Partner C.V., CMI Africa Holdings BV, CMI CGT Holdings LLC, CMI Canada Financing Ltd., CMI Canada LP, CMI Foreign Holdings B.V., CMI Global Equity Holdings B.V., CMI Global Equity Holdings C.V., CMI Global Holdings B.V., CMI Global Partner 2 C.V., CMI Global Partners B.V., CMI Group Holdings B.V., CMI Group Holdings Cooperatief U.A., CMI International Finance Partner 1 LLC, CMI International Finance Partner 2 LLC, CMI International Finance Partner 3 LLC, CMI International Finance Partner 4 LLC, CMI International Finance Partner 5 LLC, CMI Mexico LLC, CMI Netherlands Holdings B.V., CMI PGI Holdings LLC, CMI PGI International Holdings LLC, CMI Turkish Holdings B.V., CMI UK Finance LP, CMI UK Financing LP, Cherry Island Renewable Energy LLC, Consolidated Diesel Company, Consolidated Diesel Inc., Consolidated Diesel of North Carolina Inc., Cummins (China) Investment Co. Ltd., Cummins (Xiangyang) Machining Co. Ltd., Cummins Africa Middle East (Pty) Ltd., Cummins Afrique de l'Ouest, Cummins Americas Inc., Cummins Angola Lda., Cummins Argentina-Servicios Mineros S.A., Cummins Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Cummins Aust Technologies Pty. Ltd., Cummins BLR LLC, Cummins Battery Systems North America LLC, Cummins Belgium N.V., Cummins Botswana (Pty.) Ltd., Cummins Brasil Ltda., Cummins Burkina Faso SARL, Cummins CDC Holding Inc., Cummins CV Member LLC, Cummins Canada ULC, Cummins Caribbean LLC, Cummins Center of Excellence Singapore Pte. Ltd., Cummins Centroamerica Holding S.de R.L., Cummins Child Development Center Inc., Cummins Colombia S.A.S., Cummins Comercializadora S. de R.L. de C.V., Cummins Corporation, Cummins Cote d'Ivoire SARL, Cummins Czech Republic s.r.o., Cummins Deutschland GmbH, Cummins Diesel International Ltd., Cummins Distribution Holdco Inc., Cummins EMEA Holdings Limited, Cummins East Asia Research & Development Co. Ltd., Cummins Eastern Marine Inc., Cummins Electrified Power Europe Ltd., Cummins Electrified Power NA Inc., Cummins Emission Solutions (China) Co. Ltd., Cummins Emission Solutions Inc., Cummins Empresas Filantropicas, Cummins Energetica Ltda., Cummins Engine (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Cummins Engine (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Cummins Engine (Shanghai) Trading & Services Co. Ltd., Cummins Engine Holding Company Inc., Cummins Engine IP Inc., Cummins Engine Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Cummins Engine Venture Corporation, Cummins Enterprise LLC, Cummins Filtration (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Cummins Filtration GmbH, Cummins Filtration IP Inc., Cummins Filtration Inc., Cummins Filtration International Corp., Cummins Filtration Ltd., Cummins Filtration SARL, Cummins Filtration Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Cummins Filtros Ltda., Cummins Franchise Holdco LLC, Cummins Fuel Systems (Wuhan) Co. Ltd., Cummins Generator Technologies (China) Co. Ltd., Cummins Generator Technologies Americas Inc., Cummins Generator Technologies Germany GmbH, Cummins Generator Technologies India Private Ltd., Cummins Generator Technologies Italy SRL, Cummins Generator Technologies Limited, Cummins Generator Technologies Romania S.A., Cummins Generator Technologies Singapore Pte Ltd., Cummins Ghana Limited, Cummins Ghana Mining Limited, Cummins Global Financing LP, Cummins Global Technologies LLP, Cummins Grupo Comercial Y. de Servicios S. de R.L. de C.V., Cummins Grupo Industrial S. de R.L. de C.V., Cummins Holland B.V., Cummins Hong Kong Ltd., Cummins India Ltd., Cummins Intellectual Property Inc., Cummins International Finance LLC, Cummins International Holdings Cooperatief U.A., Cummins International Holdings LLC, Cummins Italia S.P.A., Cummins Japan Ltd., Cummins Korea Co. Ltd., Cummins LLC Member Inc., Cummins Ltd., Cummins Maroc SARL, Cummins Middle East FZE, Cummins Mining Services S. de R.L. de C.V., Cummins Mobility Services Inc., Cummins Mongolia Investment LLC, Cummins Mozambique Ltda., Cummins NV, Cummins Namibia Engine Sales and Service PTY LTD, Cummins Natural Gas Engines Inc., Cummins New Zealand Limited, Cummins Nigeria Ltd., Cummins Norte de Colombia S.A.S., Cummins North Africa Regional Office SARL, Cummins Norway AS, Cummins PGI Holdings Ltd., Cummins Power Generation (China) Co. Ltd., Cummins Power Generation (S) Pte. Ltd., Cummins Power Generation (U.K.) Limited, Cummins Power Generation Deutschland GmbH, Cummins Power Generation Inc., Cummins Power Generation Limited, Cummins PowerGen IP Inc., Cummins Research and Technology India Private Ltd., Cummins Romania Srl, Cummins S. de R.L. de C.V., Cummins Sales and Service Korea Co. Ltd., Cummins Sales and Service Philippines Inc., Cummins Sales and Service Private Limited, Cummins Sales and Service Sdn. Bhd., Cummins Sales and Service Singapore Pte. Ltd., Cummins Sinai ve Otomotiv Urunleri Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Cummins South Africa (Pty.) Ltd., Cummins South Pacific Pty. Limited, Cummins Southern Plains LLC, Cummins Spain S.L., Cummins Sweden AB, Cummins Technologies India, Cummins Trade Receivables LLC, Cummins Turbo Technologies Limited, Cummins Turkey Motor Guc Sistemleri Sats Servis Limited Sirketi, Cummins U.K. Holdings Ltd., Cummins U.K. Pension Plan Trustee Ltd., Cummins UK Global Holdings Ltd., Cummins UK Holdings LLC, Cummins Vendas e Servicos de Motores e Geradores Ltda., Cummins Venture Corporation, Cummins West Africa Limited, Cummins West Balkans d.o.o. Nova Pasova, Cummins XBorder Operations (Pty) Ltd, Cummins Zambia Ltd., Cummins Zimbabwe Pvt. Ltd., Distribuidora Cummins Centroamerica Costa Rica S.de R.L., Distribuidora Cummins Centroamerica El Salvador S.de R.L., Distribuidora Cummins Centroamerica Guatemala Ltda., Distribuidora Cummins Centroamerica Honduras S.de R.L., Distribuidora Cummins S.A., Distribuidora Cummins Sucursal Paraguay SRL, Distribuidora Cummins de Panama S. de R.L., Dynamo Insurance Company Inc., Efficient Drivetrains, Efficient Drivetrains (Beijing) New Power Technology Co. Ltd., Efficient Drivetrains (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Hilite International, Hydrogenics, Hydrogenics Corporation, Hydrogenics Europe N.V., Hydrogenics GmbH, Hydrogenics Holding GmbH, Hydrogenics USA Inc., Markon Engineering Company Ltd., Nelson Burgess Ltd., Nelson Industries, Newage Engineers GmbH, Newage Ltd. (U.K.), Newage Machine Tools Ltd., OOO Cummins, Petbow Limited, Power Group International (Overseas Holdings) B.V., Power Group International (Overseas Holdings) Ltd., Power Group International Ltd., Quickstart Energy Projects SpA, Shanghai Cummins Trade Co. Ltd., TOO Cummins, Taiwan Cummins Sales & Services Co. Ltd., Worldwide Partner CV Member LLC, Wuxi Cummins Turbo Technologies Co. Ltd., Wuxi New Energy Automotive Technologies Co. Ltd., and ZED Connect Inc..

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JPMorgan Chase & Co. is the 5th largest bank in the world and the largest in the U.S. The current company is the result of a series of mergers that began in the earliest days of American banking history and include more than 1,200 original banks. The oldest predecessor is The Bank Of The Manhattan Company which was founded in 1799 by Aaron Burr. At the time, The Bank Of The Manhattan Company was the 3rd oldest bank in the U.S. and the 31st oldest in the world. The Chase Manhattan Bank, a precursor to JPMorgan Chase, was later formed when The Bank Of Manhattan Company purchased Chase Bank which was established in 1877.

JPMorgan & Co came to life in 1895 in order to finance the United States Steel Corporation. Itself a result of merger, the company also financed other early American businesses as well as aided the federal government by backing a bond offering. It wasnt until the year 2000 and after several more mergers that JPMorgan Chase & Co was born. It will be four more years before the merger with Bank One which is notable because it brings CEO Jamie Dimon into the picture.

JPMorgan Chase & Co was instrumental in aiding the US government during the 2008 financial crisis. It backed the accounts of several major banks including Bear Stearns and eventually took over their operations. Today, JPMorgan Chase & Co operates as a financial services company worldwide with operations on every continent and in more than 60 countries.

JPMorgan Chase & Co operates through four segments that are Consumer & Community Banking (CCB), Corporate & Investment Bank (CIB), Commercial Banking (CB), and Asset & Wealth Management (AWM). Services are available in branches in 48 of the 50 US states and around the world. Services are available via ATM, online, mobile, and telephone.

The CCB segment offers traditional banking services to consumers that include but are not limited to deposits, loans, mortgages, and lines of credit. The CIB segment provides investment banking products and services to businesses, institutions, and governments that range from prime brokerage, insurance, corporate strategy, and access to capital markets, to lending, cross-border financing, and derivative instruments. The CB segment provides financial services for small, medium, and large businesses including commercial real estate banking of all types.

The AWM segment provides investment management solutions to institutional and retail investors. This segment also provides retirement products, brokerage, trusts and estates, and investment management products.
Freeport-McMoRan Inc. engages in the mining of mineral properties in North America, South America, and Indonesia. The company primarily explores for copper, gold, molybdenum, silver, and other metals, as well as oil and gas. Its assets include the Grasberg minerals district in Indonesia; Morenci, Bagdad, Safford, Sierrita, and Miami in Arizona; Tyrone and Chino in New Mexico; and Henderson and Climax in Colorado, North America, as well as Cerro Verde in Peru and El Abra in Chile. The company also operates a portfolio of oil and gas properties primarily located in offshore California and the Gulf of Mexico. As of December 31, 2021, it operated approximately 135 wells. The company was formerly known as Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. and changed its name to Freeport-McMoRan Inc. in July 2014. Freeport-McMoRan Inc. was incorporated in 1987 and is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona.
On a hot and humid August morning, Abedur Rahman gathers his worldly possessions-one tin sheet, four bamboo mats, a mattress, a couple of utensils, a plastic chair and some clothes-and packs them onto a small boat tethered on the shore of the vast expanse of the Brahmaputra. Clad in the ubiquitous blue checkered lungi, his bare torso bathed in sweat, he proffers a voter ID card that says he's 53 though he looks more like a septuagenarian. The card also says he's originally from Boko in Assam's Kamrup district but other voices in the crowd witnessing the scene rumble threateningly.

"Thanks to corrupt officials, these migrants can easily forge documents. Don't trust him, his identity is fake," says Jyoti Hazarika, a local member of the Prabajan Virodhi Manch (PVM). As it happens, Rahman can speak fluent Assamese but another companion of his, in his 30s, gestures to him to keep silent. Soon Rahman is on the small boat with his wife and two daughters, making his way to another bank of the river where the authorities have determined he can rebuild his life. For the moment.

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This small human drama, enacted on the shores of Assam's iconic river, was a set piece that is likely to play out repeatedly across the state in coming months.

Here, near the village of Hatimuria in Mayong, otherwise known for black magic, it has already transpired, after a short cycle of violence between the now-evicted settlers and the villagers on August 13.

In state capital Guwahati, a related drama was being enacted simultaneously in the state assembly as BJP MLA Ramakanta Deuri called his Congress colleague Sherman Ali 'Bangladeshi'. Ali was arguing that the alleged encroachers of government land might not always be illegal migrants from the neighbouring country. They should be properly rehabilitated, he suggested, instead of being indiscriminately evicted. It's worth mentioning that Ali, now accused by Deuri of being a foreigner, famously scored top marks in Assamese in his 10th board exam. But such nuances were lost in the heat of the unparliamentary clamour that consumed the assembly for the rest of the day.

A month later, on September 19, the district administration, backed by state finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, evicted 331 families, mostly Bengali-speaking Muslims, and cleared over 2,400 bighas of land in three villages-Banderdubi, Deuchurchang and Palkhowa-located on the fringes of the Kaziranga National Park. Though these villages housed several Assamese families too, including the ancestral home of a renowned editor in Assam, the move was seen as a drive against illegal Bangladeshi Muslims, and the BJP government was happy to play to the public perception. It's a different matter that the eviction was necessitated by a Gauhati High Court order in October 9, 2015, following a PIL admitted in 2012. The court order states that Deuchurchang was notified as a reserved forest in 1916, Banderdubi is not only social forestry land but also within a tiger reserve and animal corridor, and Palkhowa too is forest land. The same week, encroachers were driven out from the adjoining areas of Batadrava Than in Bordowa, the birthplace of Srimanta Shankardev, the 16th century ascetic who shaped the religious, cultural and social identities of the Assamese. "We have started police surveillance in 2,300 riverine areas spread over 800 km in the state," says Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal. "Because there was no police presence in these areas, they had become a hub of anti-social activities." A majority in Assam have welcomed this move, as settlers in these areas are perceived to be illegal migrants.

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While opposition parties, including the Congress, the All-India United Democratic Front and the Left accuse the government of targeting religious minorities, the BJP is projecting the evictions as the fulfilment of its election promise to free Assam of 'illegal immigrants'. "It's not a coincidence that most encroachers are Bengali-speaking Muslims," a senior BJP leader says in Assam. "We know that sending them back to Bangladesh will be difficult now, so we are trying to push them back to limited pockets. Their design is to spread across Assam and influence electoral results in every constituency. That is why they encroach land. We're putting an end to that."

In May 2016, the BJP came to power in Assam after an election campaign promising to protect the state's mati, bheti and jaati (land, home and community) from illegal settlers from Bangladesh. It was a canny platform, because for several decades now the perceived threat of a demographic deluge from Bangladesh-and implicitly, of Bengali Muslims-has been tom-tommed as an existential threat to the indigenous people of Assam.

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The coming together of the BJP, Asom Gana Parishad and Bodo People's Front who have all waged their own very distinct campaigns against the 'Bangladeshi threat' has rekindled a new enthusiasm among a broad section of Assamese voters for a permanent solution to the issue.

Thirty years ago now, the six-year-long Assam agitation, demanding detection and deportation of illegal immigrants, culminated in the Assam Accord, signed in 1985 by then prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, the All Assam Students' Union and the All-Assam Gana Sangram Parishad. It even laid down a formula for detection of illegal immigrants.

According to that accord, all Assam residents who had entered the state until January 1, 1966, would be deemed citizens. Those who came between 1966 and March 25, 1971, would be disenfranchised for 10 years. But foreigners who came to Assam on or after March 25, 1971, would be detected and deported, their names deleted from the voters' list. This special exception-granting citizenship to those who entered Assam between 1947 and 1971-was made only for Assam as Article 6 of the Constitution states that anybody from East or West Pakistan who enters India after July 19, 1948, must apply for citizenship. The Assam Accord also says that people whose names have appeared in the electoral lists from 1952 to 1971 are Indian citizens.

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The second exception was made in the process of detection. In other Indian states, it is governed by the Foreigners' Act, 1946, the Passport Act, 1952 and the Citizenship Act, 1956. For Assam, however, the Indira Gandhi government enacted the Illegal Migrants' (Determination by Tribunal) (IMDT) Act, 1983, which provided special protections against undue harassment to 'minorities' in Assam. IMDT put the onus of proving the illegality of a migrant on the complainant, while the Foreigners' Act requires the accused to prove their right to Indian citizenship.

Following a challenge by Sonowal, then the leader of AASU, a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court struck down the IMDT Act in 2005, saying it "has created the biggest hurdle and is the main impediment...in the identification and deportation of illegal migrants".

One of the first official estimates of the scale of the illegal migrant problem came from Indrajit Gupta (then the Unio minister for home) on May 6, 1997, when he told Parliament there were 10 million foreigners in India. On July 17 the same year, the Election Commission of India issued a circular directing the Assam government to remove those who did not have citizenship credentials from the electoral list. Known as Doubtful Voter (D voters), they were put on trial before the foreigners' tribunals set up under the Foreigner (Tribunal) Order, 1964. As on March 30, 2016, the tribunals have found 11,064 D voters to be illegal immigrants; 136,448 cases of D voters are still pending. There are hundreds of foreigners' tribunals in the state currently to settle D voter cases.

The Gauhati High Court on April 4, 2004, ordered D voters to be sent to detention camps till their cases were disposed of. Some 489 people-including 19 children-are now lodged in six detention centres in Goalpara, Kokrajhar, Silchar, Dibrugarh, Jorhat and Tezpur.

Women detainees at the Kokrajhar detention camp

A visit to the Kokrajhar detention centre, inside the premises of a district jail, the inadequacies of the state's response to illegal migration and some of its absurd and tragic consequences. Ramani Biswas, a 32-year-old woman from Mayong, has been languishing here since 2009 when she along with her husband Dilip Biswas, 40, and daughters Kalpana, 15, and Archana, 9, were picked up by the authorities. Her court records show the family ignored notices sent by the foreigners' tribunal, based on complaints about their citizenship. According to the court verdict, they will have to be deported out of India, but till the government can execute the order, they will stay in the detention centre. As the male and female detainees are kept apart, Dilip is in the Tezpur detention centre. What makes the case curious is that both Ramani and Dilip's parents are Indian citizens, as are their siblings. "What is my fault?" asks a distraught Kalpana. "Why have I been denied the right to education?" Her younger sister, along with five other children, is taken to a local primary school, escorted by two policemen. But as jailor P.K. Bharali explains, they take children to school only till they reach 10. "There is a risk of them fleeing when they grow up," he says. "We don't have enough manpower. Even to provide clothes and food for the detainees, we have to depend on public donations."

Giving Ramani company in the detention centre are Minara Begum, 32, from Udarband in Silchar; Momirunessa, 45, from Baghbar in Barpeta; Halima Khatun, 40, from Dhing in Nagaon; Gita Biswas, 50, from Shantipur in Baksa and Basanti Mahanta, 40, from Bongaigaon. These women are the only ones in their family who have been charged as or declared as illegal migrants. Their husbands, parents and siblings remain Indian citizens. Many of these poor, semi-educated or illiterate women seem to be paying the price for having failed to understand and respond to notices sent by the foreigners' tribunal. Two recent cases in the last two months have highlighted the legal loopholes in the process of detecting D voters. The high court has declared Moinal Mollah and Mihir Biswas, who had been put in detention centres as D voters, to be bona fide Indian citizens. They were fortunate because the NGO, Muslim Youth Forum Against Communalism, Terrorism and Sedition (MY-FACTS) took up their cases. A report by the National Minorities Commission in the first week of September has even questioned the parameters of detecting illegal citizens in the state.

Sonowal now pins his hopes on the completion of the National Register of Citizens (NRC). This is only the second time in the past 65 years that the citizens' register is being updated anywhere in the country. The 1951 NRC just replicated independent India's first census. Following a 2009 PIL by public organisation Assam Public Works (APW) demanding a clean-up of voters' lists in Assam, the Supreme Court is supervising the entire Central government-funded NRC update process. The importance of this process can be gauged from the fact that Sonowal drove straight to the NRC office after taking oath, even before going to his chief ministerial office.

While the existing rules, applicable across the country, provide for the preparation of the NRC strictly through house-to-house enumeration, the Citizenship Act rules have been amended for Assam. This is to enable the updating of the NRC by inviting claims from the direct descendants of those figuring in the 1951 NRC or the 1971 Assam electoral roll.

Of the 33 million people who have registered for NRC, a large number have fake or forged documents. In some cases, over 50 persons have applied as children of the same individual. Many women are found to have 'given birth' to multiple children within a few months. Most of these fake documents were found in the lower Assam districts. A large number of people in Barpeta district submitted birth certificates of Nagaland while many produced forged documents of the Board of Secondary Education, Assam. Interestingly, Barpeta has the highest number of D voters.

"To detect such forgery, we are creating a family tree, asking applicants to provide details of their siblings. This prevents unscrupulous elements from claiming ancestry based on forged documents," says IAS officer Prateek Hajela, NRC Assam's coordinator and the primary force behind formulating its entire mechanism. While Hajela is confident of preparing a transparent and flawless NRC, doubts have been raised about the final number of illegal immigrants it'll be able to detect. "In the end, not even 2 lakh illegal migrants may be detected. Did the people of Assam struggle for decades to be told there are only 2 lakh Bangladeshis in the state?" asks Abhijit Sarma, head of APW.

According to Supreme Court advocate and PVM convenor Upamanyu Hazarika, the changes made in the process of granting citizenship by birth in Assam have rendered the entire NRC update exercise futile. Citizenship by birth in the state factors in three time-frames. Anyone born between January 26, 1950, and July 1, 1987, will be an Indian citizen regardless of whether their parents are citizens or foreigners. Anyone born between July 1, 1987, and December 3, 2004, will be an Indian citizen if either parent is an Indian citizen. Anyone born after December 3, 2004, will not be an Indian citizen if either parent is an illegal immigrant. "It implies that while illegal immigrants who settled in Assam after March 25, 1971, will be considered foreigners, children born to them before 2004 could be declared Indian, resulting in lakhs of immigrants getting citizenship," says Hazarika, who was appointed by the Supreme Court in May 2015 as a one-man commission to prepare a report on the various issues related to illegal immigrants in Assam. Following the 53-page report he submitted on October 5, 2015, the apex court directed both the Central and Assam governments to respond on November 5, 2015. "Till date no action has been taken," he says.

Even as the process to update the NRC, taking March 25, 1971 as the cut-off date, continues, there has been a growing demand to expand the category of foreigners by using only the 1951 NRC and the 1952 voters' list. In 2012, Motiur Rahman, working president of the Asom Sanmilita Mahasangha (ASM), an umbrella body of different ethnic and indigenous organisations, filed a petition in the Supreme Court against making 1971 the cut-off year. ASM claims that using March 25, 1971, as the cut-off date would ensure that millions of foreigners, who entered Assam between 1951 and March 1971, will get citizenship, threatening the existence of indigenous people. This demand received fresh impetus just before the assembly elections, when Sarma endorsed the appeal to make 1951 the cut-off year. "I personally believe the cut-off year should be 1951 and I will raise my concern at the appropriate forums. But at the moment, I will go by what my party says and what the government has to do following rules and court orders," he says.

Though Hajela has already missed the initial January 31, 2016, Supreme Court deadline, he expects NRC's 'update process' to be completed by December this year. Not only does this sound ambitious, for Sonowal it could also prove to be a double-edged sword. If the number of foreigners turns out to be as 'disappointing' as suspected by APW's Sarma, he'll have to fight a huge perception battle, fuelled by Assamese sentiment against foreigners, often stoked by official statistics and census data. Between 1951 and 1961, the state's population leapt by 36 per cent, and by 35 per cent in the next decade. Between 2001 and 2011, India's Muslims grew from 13.4 per cent to 14.2 per cent while in Assam they grew from 30.9 per cent to 34.2 per cent. Fourteen of Assam's 27 districts have shown higher population growth than the state's average of 17 per cent; Muslims are a majority in nine of them (see graphic: Fear by Numbers).

On the other hand, if the numbers turn out to be close to the 4 million figure indigenous activists and organisations often tout, Sonowal's government will face an unprecedented humanitarian crisis with no clear roadmap on how to deal with such an enormous population of 'illegal migrants'. If detection of these foreigners has been a long, cumbersome process, deportation will be an unmanageably impossible task. Of the total 7,622 illegal migrants detected in the state from 2001 to October 2008 under the provisions of the Foreigners' Act, only 61 were deported. Similarly, of the total 2,643 illegal migrants detected from 2001 to July 19, 2005, under the provisions of the IMDT Act, only 54 were deported. "We should not bother about deportation. These illegal migrants must be deprived of all political rights so that indigenous people don't feel threatened. They should be given work permits," says finance minister Sarma. Hazarika, on his part, believes in addressing the root cause of the influx-land and resources. He finds support in Bishnoi who explains that most of the clashes in Assam, ethnic or communal, have been a consequence of encroachment of forest land. Over 3.3 lakh hectares forest land in Assam is currently in the hands of encroachers. "Illegal migration is driven by the need for land and work. So the only way to tackle this issue is by depriving the Bangladeshis of any stake in resources and by going back to 1951 records. Land and government jobs must be reserved for those listed in the 1951 NRC and their descendants," he says.

Others question the practicality of this approach. "I don't think it's a feasible idea. There would be ways and means to dodge such legislations as we can see even now," says Subimal Bhattacharya, a Hindu Bengali native of Assam and a former country head of defence firm General Dynamics. In fact, the reverse-land allocation to immigrants-seems to be happening in Assam, as an RTI query recently revealed: Illegal migrants occupied 77,420 bighas of state land in the Sipajhar area in Darrang district. Of this, 3,000 bighas was professional grazing reserves (PGR) where human habitation is disallowed. In 1994, the court ordered 199 families occupying grazing land to move out. Not only did they stay put, the government went on to build 12 schools on the land; it built two primary schools near Hatimuria village for settlers who came here in 1988.

Several BJP members even see a larger conspiracy in the All-India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) - which came into being to protect the minorities against legal harassment following the repeal of the IMDT Act in 2005 - targeting PGRs and village grazing reserves (VGR). "If you observe carefully, in the last five years, their MLAs have always asked questions about PGRs and VGRs in the assembly. They get the data and settle immigrants on these lands overnight. Later, such settlements get regularised," says a BJP MLA. AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal dismisses such allegations and claims his party has neither supported illegal infiltrators nor land encroachers. "The moment you detect an illegal immigrant, just shoot him. We have no sympathy for them. But the BJP is playing communal politics. They are targeting Muslims instead of Bangladeshis," he says.

There are many in Assam who advocate a socio-cultural solution to the issue rather than allowing politicians to use it as an election plank. In several riverine regions in lower Assam, often perceived as hubs of Bengali-speaking Muslim migrants, children go to Assamese-medium schools, even if only because government-run schools are all they can afford. "Ironically, they're the ones perhaps who're keeping the language alive, as well-off Assamese families send their children to English-medium schools," says political commentator Dileep Chandan.

When during the 2016 assembly election campaigns, India Today travelled to certain locations in Nagaon and Dhuburi districts, dominated by alleged immigrants, a telling cultural paradox was immediately apparent: The leaders were felicitated with Assamese gamochas, speeches were delivered in chaste Assamese, and posters were in Assamese, yet the locals spoke in a Mymensingh dialect of Bengali among themselves.

"There is no doubt that illegal migrants must be detected and stripped of political rights," says Assam's musical icon Zubeen Garg, "but we must also take a humanitarian approach. Constant cultural engagements will certainly build a greater Assamese society where our language and tradition will thrive like never before."

But naysayers point towards the glaring divide between the ethnic Assamese-dominated Brahmaputra valley and the Barak valley, inhabited largely by Bengali-speaking Hindus. "After seven decades of Independence, the assimilation of Bengali-speaking Hindus of Barak valley, who are bona fide citizens of Assam, into the socio-cultural process of Brahmaputra valley has not been possible. To think that the illegal migrants will accept Assamese culture is just naive. Once they reach significant numbers, they'll dump the Assamese language as the Bengalis in Barak valley have done," says Hazarika.

Given this inherent and enduring tension between Assamese and even Hindu Bengali identities, Sonowal faces another tough challenge: the Modi government introduced a bill on July 16 to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955 to provide citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan. Though the Bill covers refugees from three nations, it is primarily aimed at Bengali Hindu migrants from Bangladesh. The Bill has now been sent to a joint committee of Parliament, which includes 20 members from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha. The BJP's gameplan is simple-protecting the Hindu identity of Assam against the influx of Muslims from Bangladesh is more important than addressing the fear among the Assamese of the cultural hegemony of Hindu Bengalis. "Have you ever heard of Hindu Bengalis encroaching a Vaishnavite monastery of Assamese people, unleashing violent attacks on indigenous villagers,"counters finance minister Sarma. "It's in the interest of all indigenous groups in Assam to stand united against religious aggression by illegal immigrants."

The CM knows he doesn't have the support of even his best friend and AASU chief patron Samujjal Bhattacharya, or of coalition partner AGP on this issue. AASU has already staged protests across Assam against the Centre's bid to grant citizenship to Hindu Bangladeshi refugees. "We will start a full-fledged agitation against this move," says Samujjal.

The Congress too has opposed the move, though Tarun Gogoi had advocated granting refugee status to Hindu immigrants in 2011. Now, the former chief minister has threatened a legal battle to stall this constitutional amendment. Several intellectuals in the state have already warned of 'civil war' if Hindu Bangladeshis are given citizenship. What has made matters worse is that the joint parliamentary committee has held consultations with several Assam-based Bengali groups but ignored influential groups such as AASU and the Asom Sahitya Sabha. While the former claim that the inclusion of five lakh Hindu Bengalis will have little impact on the demography of the state, Assamese organisations refuse to buy the argument. "How do they know the exact number of illegal Hindu Bangladeshis in the state?" asks Samujjal. "The actual number could be much higher and has the potential to turn indigenous groups into minorities in the state."

At dusk, as the Brahmaputra begins to devour the evening sun, 28-year-old shopkeeper Bimal Saha (name changed), a Bengali Hindu and third-generation Assam resident, stares blankly at the horizon. Sitting atop a hillock on the outskirts of Hatimuria, he says he feels insecure about his identity for the first time in his life. He senses a new note of animosity in his Assamese friends.

Follow the writer on Twitter @KDscribe

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Bancolombia S.A. provides banking products and services in Colombia, Panama, Puerto Rico, El Salvador, Costa Rica, and Guatemala. The company operates through nine segments: Banking Colombia, Banking Panama, Banking El Salvador, Banking Guatemala, Trust, Investment Banking, Brokerage, International Banking, and All Other. It offers checking and savings accounts, fixed term deposits, and investment products; trade financing, loans funded by domestic development banks, working capital loans, credit cards, personal and vehicle loans, payroll loans, and overdrafts; financial support to real estate developers and mortgages for individuals and companies; factoring; and financial and operating leasing services. The company also provides hedging instruments, including futures, forwards, options, and swaps; and brokerage, investment advisory, and private banking services, including selling and distributing equities, futures, foreign currencies, fixed income securities, mutual funds, and structured products. In addition, it offers cash management services; foreign currency transaction services; life, auto, commercial, and homeowner's insurance products; and online and computer banking services. Further, the company provides project and acquisition finance, debt and equity capital markets, principal investments, M&A, hedging strategies, restructurings, and structured financing; money market accounts, mutual and pension funds, private equity funds, payment and corporate trust, and custody; internet-based trading platform; inter-bank lending and repurchase agreements; managing escrow accounts, and investment and real estate funds; and transportation, securities brokerage, maintenance and remodeling, and outsourcing services. As of December 31, 2021, it operated 1,015 branches; 28,676 banking correspondents; 529 PAMs; 210 kiosks in El Salvador and 187 in Colombia; and 6,094 ATMs. Bancolombia S.A. was incorporated in 1945 and is headquartered in Medellin, Colombia.
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By PTI: New Delhi, Oct 23 (PTI) With an increasing number of Indians opting for visa friendly destinations, Bhutan seems to be on top of peoples checklist, recording a 136.18 per cent increase in travel searches, according to a new study.

The survey by Skyscanner has taken into account the travel queries made by over 50 million monthly visitors to reveal the visa-friendly destinations favoured by Indian passport holders in the first half of 2016.

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According to it, destinations like Thailand, Indonesia, Mauritius, Maldives and Seychelles in the Asian and Indian Ocean neighbourhood have benefited from "drastic increases" in flight searches when compared with the same period in 2015.

"Neighbouring Bhutan has witnessed a whopping increase of 136 per cent in travel searches since last year owing to its no prior visa policy for citizens of India.

"Long-time favourite, Thailand takes the lions share of Indian searches in the first half of 2016 with 38 per cent of Indian travellers looking for a visa-friendly getaway opting for Thailand," the study said.

Seychelles ? where Indian travellers are granted a visa-on-arrival - recorded a 23 per cent soar in searches year over year, the largest increase among Indian Ocean destinations.

Flight searches to Mauritius and Maldives, which both allow Indian travellers a 90-day visa free stay, have jumped 19 per cent and 13 per cent respectively.

"In a short span of time, the repertoire of countries providing visa-friendly travel to Indians has grown immensely, giving more options to people to explore international destinations. It comes as no surprise we are seeing visa-friendly destinations grow in popularity," Reshmi Roy, Growth Manager at Skyscanner said.

Indonesia is also one of the popular alternatives with a 16 per cent spike in searches.

"Our data shows flight searches for Indonesia from across Indian have soared, thanks to its recently relaxed visa policy that now allows Indian passport holders a visa-free stay of 30 days," the study said.

Another destination that is a trending city for Indian travellers is Macau which has out-performed the all-time favourite Hong Kong.

"Perhaps benefiting from the James Bond effect or a 30-day visa-exemption, Macau has witnessed an increase of 17 per cent in travel searches," the survey said. PTI TRS BK CPS

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Brady Corporation manufactures and supplies identification solutions (IDS) and workplace safety (WPS) products to identify and protect premises, products, and people in the United States and internationally. It operates through two segments, IDS and WPS. The IDS segment offers materials, printing systems, RFID, and bar code scanners for product identification, brand protection labeling, work in process labeling, finished product identification, and industrial track and trace applications; safety signs, floor-marking tapes, pipe markers, labeling systems, spill control products, lockout/tagout device, and software and services for safety compliance auditing, procedure writing, and training; and hand-held printers, wire markers, sleeves, and tags for wire identification. Its products also comprise name tags, badges, lanyards, rigid card printing systems, and access control software for people identification; and wristbands, labels, printing systems, and other products for tracking and improving the safety of patients. This segment serves industrial and electronic manufacturing, healthcare, chemical, oil, gas, automotive, aerospace, governments, mass transit, electrical contractors, education, leisure and entertainment, telecommunications, and other industries through distributors, direct sales force, and digital channels. The WPS segment provides workplace safety, identification, and compliance products, such as safety and compliance signs, tags, labels, and markings; informational signage and markings; asset tracking labels; facility safety and personal protection equipment; first-aid products; and labor law and other compliance posters for process, government, education, construction, and utilities industries, as well as manufacturers through catalog and digital channels. It also offers stock and custom identification products; and sells related resale products. Brady Corporation was incorporated in 1914 and is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
SEACOR Holdings Inc. engages in transportation and logistics, risk management consultancy, and other businesses in the United States and internationally. The company operates through Ocean Transportation & Logistics Services, Inland Transportation & Logistics Services, Witt O'Brien's, and Other segments. The Ocean Transportation & Logistics Services segment owns and operates a fleet of bulk transportation, port and infrastructure, and logistics assets. It operates carriers for the United States coastwise for trade of crude oil, petroleum, and chemical products; and dry bulk vessels. This segment provides deep-sea vessels docking, ocean towing, and oil terminal support and bunkering services; liner, short-sea, rail car, and project cargo transportation and logistics solutions; door-to-door solutions; and technical ship management services, as well as operates pure car/truck carriers. The Inland Transportation & Logistics Services segment offers river transportation equipment for moving agricultural and industrial commodities and containers, and petroleum products; and owns and operates multi-modal terminal locations. It also provides management services related to barge and towboat operations. The Witt O'Brien's segment provides crisis and emergency management services for the public and private sectors. It serves markets in the areas of critical national infrastructure, including government, energy, transportation, healthcare, and education. The Other segment designs, develops, and maintains alternative energy and power solutions; and offers liquefied natural gas and compressed natural gas fuel supply and logistics to commercial, industrial, agricultural, and transportation customers. This segment also engages in the selling, storage, and maintenance of aviation; agricultural commodity trading and logistics businesses; and trading and merchandising of sugar and other commodities. SEACOR Holdings Inc. was incorporated in 1989 and is based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
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Ltd, Accenture Technology Solutions - Solucoes Informaticas Integradas S.A., Accenture Technology Solutions GmbH, Accenture Technology Solutions Oy, Accenture Technology Solutions Pty Ltd, Accenture Technology Solutions S.A. de C.V., Accenture Technology Solutions S.r.l., Accenture Technology Solutions SASU, Accenture Technology Solutions SRL, Accenture Technology Solutions Sdn Bhd, Accenture Technology Solutions Slovakia s.r.o., Accenture Technology Ventures B.V., Accenture Technology Ventures SPRL, Accenture Tecnologia Consultoria y Outsourcing S.A., Accenture Uruguay SRL, Accenture Vietnam Co. Limited, Accenture Zambia Limited, Accenture do Brasil Ltda, Accenture plc, Accenture s.r.o., Acceria, Acquity Group, Adaptly LLC, Adaptly UK Limited, AddVal Technology, Adqptly, Advantium Inc., Advoco, Agilex Technologies Inc., Alfa Consulting, Allen International, AlphaBeta Advisors, Altevie Technologies S.r.l., Altima, Altima (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Altima Asia Ltd, Altitude, Altitude LLC, Altius Consulting Limited, Altius Data Solutions Private Limited, Analytics 8 LP, Analytics 8 Pty Ltd, Analytics8, Aorui Advertising (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Apis, Apis Group Pty Ltd, Appaloosa Technology SASU, AppsPro, AppsPro, Arca, Arca Ingenieros y Consultoria S.L., Arca Telecom S.L., Ariba - BPO, Arismore, Artio People (Payroll) Pty Ltd, Artio People Pty Ltd, Aspiro Solutions (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Automation Partners Pty Ltd, Avanade (Guangzhou) Computer Technology Development Co. 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Ltd., Beijing Zhidao Future Consulting Co. Ltd, Benext, Berico Technologies LLC, Bionic, Bionic Solution LLC, Blue Horseshoe, Boomerang Pharmaceutical Communications, Bow & Arrow, Bow & Arrow Limited, Brand Learning, Brand Learning Group Limited, Brightstep AB, Byte Prophecy, Byte Prophecy Private Limited, CAS, CRMWaypoint, CS Technology (Australia) Pty Ltd, CS Technology (UK) Limited, CS Technology Group LLC, CS Technology LLC, CadenceQuest Inc., Callisto Integration Europe B.V., Callisto Integration Europe Limited, Callisto Integration LLC, Callisto Integration Ltd, Capgemini - North American health practice, Capital Consultancy Services Inc, Certus Solutions Consulting Services Limited, Certus Solutions Ltd, ChangeTrack Research Pty Ltd., Chaotic Moon Studios, Chengdu Mensa Advertising Co. Ltd., Cimation, Cirrus Connect Australia Pty Ltd, Cirrus Connect Limited, Cirruseo, Clarity Insights, ClearEdge Partners, Clearhead, Clearhead Group LLC, ClientHouse GmbH, Cloud Sherpas, Cloud Sherpas (GA) LLC, Cloud Sherpas Japan G.K., Cloud Sherpas New Zealand Limited, Cloudeasier SAS, Cloudpoint Limited, Cloudsherpas Inc, Cloudworks, Cloudworks Consulting Services Inc, Cloudworks Technology LLC, Computer Research and Telecommunications LLC, Concrete Desenvolvimento de Sistemas Ltda, Concrete Solutions, Concrete Solutions Ltda, Context Information Security, Context Information Security LLC, Context Information Security Limited, CoreCompete LLC, CoreCompete Limited, CoreCompete Private Limited, Corliant Inc., Creative Drive LLC, Creative Drive US LLC, CreativeDrive, CreativeDrive Digital Content Services (Shenzhen) Co Ltd., CreativeDrive EMEA Limited, CreativeDrive Singapore Pte Ltd, CreativeDrive UK Group Limited, Cutting Edge Solutions Limited, Cygni AB, Cygni Norrsken AB, Cygni Stockholm AB, Cygni Syd AB, Cygni Vast AB, Cygni Ost AB, Cygni Ostersund AB, DAZ Systems Inc, DAZ Systems LLC, DAZSI Systems (India) Pvt. Limited, DI Futures Corporation, Data Essential SARL, Davies Consulting, DayNine Consulting, DayNine Consulting (New Zealand) Limited, DayNine Consulting LLC, Declarative Holdings LLC, Decora Marketplace LLC, Decorado Marketplace Ltda-EPP, Defense Point Security, Deja vu Security, Design Strategy and Research de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Designaffairs LLC, Digiplug S.A.S., Digital Results Group LLC, Double Digit Limitada, Double Digit Pty SA, Droga5, Droga5 LLC, Droga5 Studios LLC, Droga5 UK Limited, Duck Creek Technologies, ESR Labs, ESR Labs AG, EdenOne Solutions Limited, Edenhouse ERP Holdings Limited, Edenhouse Solutions Limited, Enaxis Consulting, Enaxis Consulting LP, End to End Analytics LLC, End-to-End Analytics, Endorphin Medici (M) Sdn Bhd, Energuia Web S.A., Energy Management Brokers Limited, EnergyQuote JHA, Enimbos, Enimbos Global Services S.L., Enkitec, Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions LLC, Enterprise System Partners, Enterprise System Partners B.V., Enterprise System Partners Bilisim Danismanlik Ticaret Anonim Sirketi, Enterprise System Partners Global Corporation, Enterprise System Partners Limited, Enthusian Pty Ltd, Entropia, Entropia (M) Sdn Bhd, Entropia Holdings Pte Ltd, Entropia Intercraft Sdn Bhd, Epylon, Ergo, Espedia S.r.l., Ethica Consulting Group, Ethica Consulting S.p.A., Evopro Group, Exactside Limited, Experity, Exton Consulting, Exton Consulting Spain Strategy&Management S.L., Exton Germany GmbH, Exton International SAS, Exton Italia S.r.l., Exton SAS, FGM LLC, Fairway Technologies Inc, Farah BidCo Limited, Farah MidCo Limited, Farah Topco Limited, Filmproduction ApS, First Annapolis Consulting Inc., First Annapolis Consulting LLC, Fjord, Focus Group Europe, Formicary, Founders Intelligence, Fruendo S.r.l., FusionX, Future State Consulting LLC, FutureMove (Beijing) Automotive Technology Co. Ltd., FutureMove Automotive, FutureMove Automotive Co. Ltd., GRA Supply Chain Pty Ltd, Gagel Group S de R.L. de C.V., Gapso Servicos de Informatica Ltda, Gapso Servicos de Informatica Ltda., Genfour, George Group Consulting L.P., Gestalt LLC, Gevity, Gren utvikling AS, H.B. Maynard and Co. Inc., HRC Retail Advisory, Hagberg Consulting Group, Hahntel Ltda, Halo Partners LLC, Hamilton Holding Company S.A, Hangzhou Aiyunzhe Technology Co. Ltd., Happen, Happen GP Limited, Happen Limited, Headspring, Hjaltelin Stahl, Hjaltelin Stahl A/S, Hjaltelin Stahl K/S, Hytracc Consulting AS, Hytracc Consulting AS, Hytracc Consulting Malaysia Sdn Bhd, IBB Consulting, ICM.S S.r.l., IMJ Corp, IMJ Corporation, INSITUM, IQSP Consulting LLC, IT One Company Limited, ITBS Servicios Bancarios de Tecnologia de la Informacion SL, Icon Integration, Icon Integration (NZ) Limited, Icon Integration Pty Ltd, Imagine Broadband (USA) Limited, Imagine Broadband USA LLC, Imaginea Inc, Imaginea Technologies LLC, Industrie IT (Hong Kong) Ltd, Industrie IT (Singapore) Pte Ltd, Industrie IT Group Pty Ltd, Industrie IT Pty Ltd, Industrie&Co, Infinity Works Consulting Limited, Infinity Works Holdings Limited, Infinity Works Management Limited, Infinity Works Midco Limited, Informatica de Euskadi S.L., Innotec International EAD, Innotec International S.p. z.o.o., Innotec Marketing GmbH, Innotec Marketing International Ireland Limited, Innotec- Marketing Spain S.L, Insitum Consultoria Argentina SRL, Insitum Consultoria S.A. de C.V., International Biometric Group LLC, International Biometric Group UK Limited, Intrepid, Intrepid Futureworks Sdn Bhd, Intrigo Systems Inc, Intrigo Systems India Pvt. Limited, Intrigo Systems LLC, Inventor Technology Ltd, InvestTech, Investtech Systems Consulting LLC, ItSafer Continuity Services S.L., JKD Consulting LLC, Javelin Group, K Comms Group Limited, KSC Studio LLC, Kaper Communications Limited, Karma Communications Debtco Limited, Karma Communications Group Limited, Karma Communications Holdings Limited, Karmarama, Karmarama Comms Limited, Karmarama Limited, King James Group, Knowledge Rules Inc., Knowledgent, Knowledgent Group LLC, Kogentix, Kogentix LLC, Kogentix Limited, Kogentix Singapore Pte Ltd, Kogentix Technologies Private Limited, Kolle Rebbe, Kolle Rebbe GmbH, Kream Comms Limited, Kunstmaan, Kurt Salmon, Kurt Salmon Canada LTD, Kurt Salmon US LLC, LEXTA, LINKBYNET, LINKBYNET Indian Ocean (L.I.O) Ltd, LabAnswer, Lexta GmbH, Lexta UK Limited, Lien par le reseau Inc, Lien par le reseau infrastructures Inc, Lin Bo (Shanghai) Network Technology Co. Ltd., Link By Net SAS, Link By Net SRL, Link By Net Vietnam Company Limited, Linkbynet East Asia Ltd, Linkbynet Singapore Pte Ltd., Loud & Clear Creative Pty Ltd, Lumenup S.A., MAXIM Systems Inc., MCG US Holdings LLC, Mackevision CG Technology and Service (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Mackevision Japan Co. Ltd., Mackevision Korea Ltd, Mackevision LLC, Mackevision Medien Design, Mackevision Medien Design GmbH, Mackevision Singapore Pte Ltd, Mackevision UK Limited, Maglan, Maglan Information Defense Technologies Research Ltd, Maihiro, Matter, Maud Corp Pty Ltd, Maxamine International, Measuretek LLC, Media Audits Ltd., Media Hive, Mediasenz Pty Ltd., Meredith Specialty LLC, Meredith Xcelerated Marketing, Meredith Xcelerated Marketing LLC, Meridian Informed Purchasing Ltd., Mindtribe, Mistral Wind Operations  Servicos Empresariais Unipessoal Lda., MobGen, Mortgage Cadence LLC, Mortgage Cadence an Accenture Company, Most Champion Ltd, Mudano, Mudano Limited, Myrtle Consulting Group LLC, N3, N3 (Dalian) Business Consulting Co. Ltd., N3 Brazil Consultoria em Marketing Ltda, N3 Germany GmbH, N3 LLC, N3 North America LLC, N3 Results Australia Pty Ltd, N3 Results Ireland Limited, N3 Results Japan G.K., N3 Results Limited, N3 Results Malaysia Sdn Bhd, N3 Results Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., N3 Results S.A.S., N3 Results Singapore Pte Ltd, N3 Results Unipessoal Lda, NYTEC, Nanjing Demeng Advertising Co. Ltd., Nashco Consulting, NaviSys Inc., Nell'Armonia Israel Ltd, Nell'Armonia SAS, Nell'Participation SAS, NellArmonia, Neo Metrics Analytics S.L., Neo Metrics Chile S.A., New Content, New Content Editora e Produtora Ltda, New Energy Group, News Imaging LLC, NewsPage, NewsPage (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, NewsPage Pte Ltd, Northstream, Novetta Holdings LLC, Novetta LLC, Novetta Solutions LLC, Novetta Topco LLC, OCTO Technology, OPS Rules Management Consultants, Octagon Research Solutions Inc., Octo Technology Pty Ltd, Octo Technology SA, Odgaard ApS, Olikka, Olikka Pty Ltd, Olympus Systems Corporation, Openmind, Openmind S.r..l., Openminded, Openminded SAS, Operaciones Accenture S.A. de C.V., OpusLine, Orbium, Orbium AG, Orbium Consulting Limited, Orbium Inc., Orbium Ltd, Orbium Pte Ltd, Orbium Pty Ltd, Origin Digital, PCO Innovation, PLM Systems S.r.l, PRION GmbH, PT Accenture, PT Asta Catur Indra, PT Kogentix Teknologi Indonesia, PacificLink Group, Paja Finanssipalvelut Oy, Parker Fitzgerald Inc, Parker Fitzgerald International Limited, Parker Fitzgerald Limited, Parker Fitzgerald PTY Ltd, Parker Fitzgerald Services Limited, Parker Fitzgerald Solutions Limited, Pecaso Ltd., Pegasus Production A/S, Pegasus Production K/S, Phase One Consulting Group, Pillar Technology, Pollux, Pollux Automation Mexico S.A. de C.V., Pollux Canada Inc, Pollux S.A.S., Pollux USA LLC, Pragsis Bidoop, Pragsis Bidoop UK Limited, Pramati Technologies Europe Limited, Pramati Technologies Private Limited, Presence of IT Workforce Management North America LLC, PrimeQ, PrimeQ Australia Pty Ltd, PrimeQ Ltd, PrimeQ NZ Pty Limited, Procurian Inc., Prof. Homburg GmbH, Proquire LLC, PureApps Ltd., Qi Jie Beijing Information Technologies Co. Ltd., RBCP Fund 1-A Vapor Blocker LLC, RBCP Platform Vapor Blocker I LLC, REPL Consulting LLC, REPL Consulting Limited, REPL Digital Limited, REPL Group K.K., REPL Group Pty Ltd, REPL Group Worldwide Limited, REPL Pte Ltd, REPL Software Limited, REPL Technology Limited, Radiant Services LLC, Random Walk Computing Inc., Reactive Media Pty Ltd., Real Protect, Realworld OO Systems Ltd., Redcore, Redcore (New Zealand) Limited, Redcore Group Holdings Pty Ltd, Redcore Pty Ltd, Revolutionary Security, RiskControl, Root LLC, Rothco, Rothco Limited, S3 TV Technology Ltd., SALT Solutions GmbH, SEC Servizi, SOPIA Corp., Sagacious Consultants, Salt Solutions, Sandbox Studio LLC, Sapling Bidco Limited, Sapling Midco Limited, Sapling Topco Limited, Schlumberger Business Consulting, Seabury Aviation & Aerospace (UK) Limited, Seabury Consulting, Seabury Corporate Advisors LLC, Seabury Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Search Technologies BPO Inc, Search Technologies International LLC, Search Technologies LLC, Search Technologies Limited, Securiview SAS, Sentelis, Sentor Managed Secuirty Services AB, Servicios Tecnicos de Programacion Accenture S.C., Seven Seas Business Ventures LLC, Shackleton, Shackleton Chile S.A., Shackleton S.L.U., Shanghai Baiyue Advertising Co. Ltd., Shun Zhe Technology Development Co. Ltd., SigInt Technologies LLC, Silveo, Silveo Consulting India Private Limited, Simian Pty Ltd, SinnerSchrader, SinnerSchrader AG, SinnerSchrader Content GmbH, SinnerSchrader Deutschland GmbH, SinnerSchrader Praha s.r.o., Sirvart S.A., Sistemes Consulting S.L., Skylink SAS, Soltians Limited, Solutions IQ LLC, SolutionsIQ, SolutionsIQ India Consulting Services Private Limited, Somers Ventures Ireland Limited, Somers Ventures LLC, Spacelink SAS, Storm Digital, Structure Consulting Group LLC, Sutter Mills, Synership LLC, Systor AG, T.A. Cook, TXF LLC, Tambourine, TargetST8, Tech - Avanade Portugal Unipessoal Lda, Tecnilogica Ecosistemas S.A., Tecnilogica, The Brand Learning Partners Limited, The Callisto Integration Corporation, The Monkeys, The Monkeys Pty Ltd, The Myrtle Group, Total Logistics, Tquila, Trivadis, Trivadis AG, Trivadis Austria GmbH, Trivadis Denmark AS, Trivadis Germany GmbH, Trivadis Holding AG, Trivadis Partner AG, Trivadis Services AG, Trivadis Services SRL, Troop Studios Pty Ltd, VanBerlo, Vector Acquisition Company LLC, Vector Topco LLC, Verax Solutions, Vertical Retail Consulting (Shanghai) Ltd, Vertical Retail Consulting Ltd, Vivere Brasil Servicos e Solucoes SA, Vivere Brasil Solucoes De Credito Ltda., Wabion GmbH, WaveStrike LLC, White Cliffs Consulting LLC, Wire Stone, Wire Stone LLC, Wise Partners SAS, Wolox, Wolox Colombia S.A.S, Wolox LLC, Wolox Mexico S.R.L de C.V., Wolox S.A., Wolox SpA, Workforce Insight, Workforce Insight LLC, Yesler, Yesler LLC, Yesler Limited, Yesler Singapore Pte Ltd, Zag, Zag Australia Pty Ltd, Zag Limited, Zag USA LLC, Zebra Worldwide Australia Pty Ltd, Zebra Worldwide Group Limited, Zebra Worldwide Media Pty Ltd, Zenta, Zenta Global Philippines Inc, Zenta Mortgage Services LLC, Zenta Recoveries Inc, Zenta US Holdings Inc, Zestgroup, Zielpuls, Zielpuls (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Zielpuls GmbH, avVenta, designaffairs, designaffairs Business Consulting (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., designaffairs GmbH, designaffairs group China Co. Ltd., dgroup, i4C Analytics, iDefense, solid-serVision.com GmbH, and umlaut.

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India's performance at the Goa BRICS summit, which it chaired, has to be evaluated in the light of the realities of the grouping. BRICS, which began as a geo-political project, has failed to become more coherent internally. To achieve its objectives, especially the promotion of multipolarity, BRICS should have actively cultivated more internal solidarity at a time when the US had not recovered from its financial woes and domestic sentiment against further military entanglements abroad was growing, the Eurozone was in trouble and the EU itself was in some disarray after Brexit and the refugee crisis. On the contrary, divergences within BRICS have grown in critical areas, loosening further the mortar binding it together.

Kanwal Sibal

China has begun to openly oppose India in several sensitive areas, such as India's NSG membership and the issue of terrorism. China's position that India's non-NPT status makes it ineligible for NSG membership is intended to expose the limits of US accommodation of India on nuclear issues, besides keeping a strategic rein on India. China is also underlining that building Pakistan against India and denying India any diplomatic advantage over Pakistan in any forum is in China's national interest. Despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi raising the issue of our NSG membership with President Xi Jinping more than once, the Goa summit saw no change in China's position.

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China is shielding Pakistan from external pressure to act against terrorist groups targeting India. It is treating the terrorism issue between India and Pakistan as a bilateral one and not an international problem. Despite pressure by us, China did not feel diplomatically obliged to soften its obstructive stand on the issue in the UN Security Council. It could have taken cover under UN resolutions and the growing international consensus to combat terrorism collectively by agreeing to a formulation that could have given some satisfaction to India, but it chose not to do so. It obviously assumes that it can deal with political differences and economic ties on separate tracks, believing that India needs access to China's financial resources to fuel its growth.

The Goa Declaration is expansive on terrorism in other parts of the world or generically. Ironically, it speaks of "the relentless pursuit against terrorist groups so designated by the UN Security Council?" and mentions the "significant increase in terrorist activities in Afghanistan", but pointedly omits any reference to terrorism directed specifically at a BRICS member. Worse, it condemns "the recent several attacks, against some BRICS countries, including that in India", without labelling them as "terrorist" attacks. India's failure as host to get a better formulation points to China's sturdy opposition to recognising India as a victim of terrorism to prevent any finger-pointing at Pakistan.

The geopolitical differences within BRICS are illustrated by the absence in the Goa Declaration of any reference to OBOR-President Xi's flagship project that Russia supports-or the South China Sea issues on which, again, Russia is lending support to China's opposition to the Hague ruling. For India, clearly, both OBOR and South China Sea tensions are aspects of China's political, military and economic muscle-flexing that raise geopolitical concerns. India's greatly improving ties with the US at a time when US-Russia relations have plummeted and China confronting the US in the western Pacific add to the geopolitical confusion within BRICS. Russia's military overtures to Pakistan add to the muddle. The Goa Declaration once again avoids giving support to India's (and Brazil's) candidature for permanent membership of the UN Security Council. Once again, it is China's hand at work.

Prime Minister Modi was right in his unprecedented philippic against Pakistan (without naming it) at the BRICS summit-and at the BIMSTEC gathering-on its terrorist misdeeds. This message was addressed as much to China and Russia as to Pakistan that for India, terrorism is a core issue. The decision to invite BIMSTEC leaders to the BRICS summit was a diplomatic masterstroke to isolate Pakistan under China's nose and stimulate our Act East policy. The BIMSTEC outcome document is much more supportive of India's concerns on terrorism. The Goa Declaration has 109 paras compared with less than 75 at Fortaleza and Ufa. India organised 112 events as part of BRICS activities and took 24 key initiatives, many more than in the case of Brazil and Russia. If BRICS is to be judged by activities and not results, the grouping can claim success. That we organised a BRICS Wellness Forum says it all.

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The author is India's former foreign secretary

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The Boeing Company is the worlds largest manufacturer of airplanes and commands more than 50% of the market in some channels and categories. The company and its family of subsidiaries design, develops, manufacture, sell, service, and supports commercial jetliners, military aircraft, satellites, missile defense, human space flight, and related services worldwide. The company operates through four segments including Commercial Airplanes; Defense, Space & Security; Global Services; and Boeing Capital providing products and services to end-users in 150 countries.

Boeing got its start in 1910 when William E. Boeing developed a love for aircraft. Soon after he takes his first plane ride which leads him to build a hangar and begin construction of his first plane. The onset of WWI helped spur the companys growth but business was cut drastically in its wake. The start of WWII was another milestone for the company and one that led to its current position of dominance. The company was incorporated in 1916 and is based in Chicago, Illinois. Boeing employs over 140,000 people in 65 countries making it one of the most diverse employers on the planet.

The Commercial Airplanes segment is built around the iconic 7-series which includes the 737, 747, and 787. The segment provides commercial jet aircraft for passenger and cargo requirements, as well as fleet support services for regional, national, and international air carriers and logistics and freight companies. In terms of global volume, the company estimates about 90% of all air freight is carried aboard one of its jets. This segment also includes the Dreamliner family of planes. The Dreamliner is a game-changing airplane for many carriers as it opens up the potential for new one-stop destinations because of its capacity and range.

The Defense, Space & Security segment develops and manufactures a range of systems including manned and unmanned aircraft, missiles, missile defense systems, satellites, communications equipment, and intelligence systems for governments. Among the many iconic brands within this segment are the AH-64 Apache, Air Force One, B-52, C-17 Globemaster, Chinook, F/A-18, and the V-22 Osprey VTOL aircraft used by the Marines.

The Global Services segment offers a range of products and services that include supply chain and logistics management, engineering, maintenance, upgrades, conversions, spare parts, pilot and maintenance training, technical and maintenance documents, and data analytics to its commercial and defense customers.

Boeing is also a leader in innovation, leveraging its many decades and avenues of experience to further aerospace and defense technology. Among the many innovations is the MQ-25 Stingray which will be the worlds first autonomous aircraft. The Stingray is only one of many areas of research that also include drones and undersea vehicles.
Read this: "Forty-year-old Madvi Bajare was ill so he and his wife Subbi could not run away when the forces came. Bajare's two younger daughters, ten-year-old Bheeme and eight-year-old Mutti, were also at home, as was his elder daughter Kattam Kanni; she was visiting with her two-year-old son, Suresh.

"Everyone was dragged out of the house. The parents and their youngest daughter Mutti were stabbed and left by a mahua tree. The eldest, Kanni, was stripped, raped and then killed. In the process they also cut off three of her baby's fingers and put the crying baby on his dead mother's chest."

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The Burning Forest: Indias War in Bastar by Nandini Sundar

This description is one among several from The Burning Forest: India's War in Bastar by the sociologist and human rights activist Nandini Sundar, an acknowledged expert in the state-versus-Maoists-rebels-versus-the-people conflict in Chhattisgarh. Specifically, the deliberately under-developed and mineral-rich region of southern Chhattisgarh-erstwhile Bastar-today split into several districts of which Dantewada, Bastar, Bijapur and Sukma are most frequently in the news. Part of the so-called Dandakaranya region that includes parts of Maharashtra, Odisha and Telangana, it remains the biggest Maoist laboratory of social engineering and the rebels' largest active war zone and sanctuary. It's the most security force-saturated part of India besides Jammu & Kashmir and Northeast India.

The incident is from 2009, during the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government's second term in office running the central government. A second term, too, for Raman Singh of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the chief minister of Chhattisgarh.

And it was also the second term, as it were, of the continuation of the horror of Salwa Judum, or 'purification hunt' that formally began in mid-2005 as a state-sponsored vigilante counter to Maoist influence in Chhattisgarh. Largely tribal folk-some of them former Maoists or Maoist sympathisers, several minor-were conscripted and armed to assist and sometimes lead Chhattisgarh's police and central government paramilitaries in browbeating, terrorising and relocating tribal folk by the tens of thousands, into concentration camps. Entire villages were torched, foodstock destroyed, and innocents threatened, tortured, raped, maimed, killed-including disembowelment, burning alive, shooting in faked encounters with security forces. It was an exercise, like the incident recalled here, that would occupy a war crimes tribunal. It could include the names of some of the best-known businesses in India for complicity in human rights abuses, of funding conflict, for profit.

At any rate, Sundar and her colleagues, the historian Ramachandra Guha and E.A.S. Sarma, a former bureaucrat, were in 2007 able to take the matter to the Supreme Court, to claim state-sponsored vigilantism was unconstitutional, to expose atrocities and specific denial of justice. Four years later, in 2011, the court passed a stunning judgement that, besides commenting on the dangerous compact of politics and business, ordered the disbanding of Salwa Judum. Chhattisgarh's government circumvented the order by bureaucratic finessing to 'regularise' Salwa Judum recruits within the police superstructure. Five years on, into the third term of chief minister Singh now under the benevolent gaze of an appreciative BJP-led government in New Delhi, atrocities in the name of peace and prosperity continue. Tribal communities remain deeply broken, impoverished. This is a live, unsettling mirror of India's failings as a nation.

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The Burning Forest is a chronicle of the betrayal by government of the people it presumes to govern. It is a work of immense courage and energy that also flags the relative inattention of a country and its institutions to a raging war. Typically, the media have largely toed the government's line, declined to look deeper into the reasons for the Maoists' success and greatly diminished the plight of those caught between the state and the Maoists. Even the National Human Rights Commission is in Sundar's steely gaze guilty of papering over the very ills it is tasked to investigate-a commission of omission instead of one for protecting citizens.

Sundar is outstanding as she melds academic rigour with passion, as she conflates sociology of the tribal residents of Bastar; their exploitation, torture, execution and wilful destruction; the war that the state of Chhattisgarh, the Republic of India and Maoist rebels wage to claim their lands, lives and minds; and the tribals' near-impossible window to justice. Few in India possess Sundar's nuanced knowledge of this grotesque interlinked chain. Fewer have travelled her road, and so many times, from jungle tracks in Chhattisgarh-or anywhere else in India, for that matter-to the halls of the Supreme Court of India in an attempt to expose crimes of inhumanity, to seek investigation and justice, to seek rehabilitation for those who, since her days as a research scholar in Bastar in the early 1990s Sundar has considered her own. Our own, and that is her point.

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The Burning Forest will long count as among the most important works on the conflict in southern Chhattisgarh-among the most vexing, long-standing conflicts in India.

When Sundar moves away from this core, she takes minor missteps, as when she asks why Governors in "states with large populations of STs (Scheduled Tribes)...are mostly chosen from the police, intelligence or defence wings of the state? It must be because the STs are inherently seditious". Such sarcasm is petulant, and untenable on several counts, including geography and origin of conflict.

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Or, when she decries human rights cause clbres like Binayak Sen and Soni Sori, both accused of being Maoists by the government of Chhattisgarh, as diminishing the larger issues and tragedies that continue to consume the tribals of Bastar. Even though these cases, and numerous instances of pro-democracy, pro-human rights and pro-freedom of expression battles by activists and media persons have repeatedly highlighted nearly every ill Sundar addresses. Such diversions inject a my-way-is-better-than-your-way overtone.

Perhaps it is best to write it off to Sundar's self-confessed rage at seeing for nearly three decades the destruction, by a compact of government, business and realpolitik-of the state and Maoists alike-of people and places, of lives. Her rage at a country of so many doing so little to stand by what is clearly right, not blindingly right-wing. Her rage and despair as she writes: "Future historians will note the passing of a civilisation that understood the forest, and the rise of a society of middlemen, contractors, paramilitary forces, and of divisions induced by religion and political parties."

The Burning Forest is an emotive expansion of the painstakingly researched and documented 'public interest litigation' that she and her colleagues took to the Supreme Court, and a distillate of several years of presenting her questioning point of view at every available forum, from near-somnolent media to often-hostile seminar rooms. I am unabashedly her colleague in holding an 'alternative' opinion, insisting that 'micro' lives of people matter as much as 'macro' plans, that development, justice and accountability are internal security prerequisites.

When death, destruction and displacement become mainstream, and expectation of shared prosperity, peace and remedial action is considered alternative-even 'anti-national': that awful phrase so beloved of India's pseudo-rationalists in politics, government and media-it is of little surprise that India continues to be a battered democracy of hundreds of millions of battered citizens.

Sundar writes of the "signposts to democracy that is always in process, never achieved, but never abandoned". That is what we have, that is our reaffirmation of faith in an imperfect but ongoing process. It's a crime to have willed democracy in India and then not stand and fight for it as forcefully in Bastar as in Bengaluru. Sundar's searing, all-too-necessary book reminds us of it yet again.

Sudeep Chakravarti is the author of several books, including Red Sun: Travels in Naxalite Country and Clear Hold Build: Hard Lessons of Business and Human Rights in India

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CBI registered an FIR on October 18 and booked the man on charges of cheating, forgery of documents and using forged documents as genuine.

The court was told that accused Satyam Shivam Tiwari had called certain individuals and asked for `2 crore as extortion money.

By Sneha Agrawal: In a case of criminal impersonation, the identity of the CBI director became a tool for an individual to dupe people.

CBI NABS THE IMPOSTER

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has nabbed a man in his early 20s from Uttar Pradesh who tried to con a Bahujan Samaj Party leader through an extortion call in the name of CBI Director Anil Sinha. The court was told that accused Satyam Shivam Tiwari had called certain individuals and asked for `2 crore as extortion money.

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Also read: CBI recovers 31 gold bars from locker of arrested IAS officer



Also read: Real 'Special 26' cheat lands in CBI net for job fraud



CBI registered an FIR on October 18 and booked Tiwari on charges of cheating, forgery of documents and using forged documents as genuine. Interestingly, the phone number which was used to make the call was registered in the name of the CBI chief.

In the application form, he pasted a photo of Sinha and mentioned a nonexisting residential address in Chanakyapuri and a signature that read Anil. A fake voter ID card in the name of Anil Sinha was used to obtain the SIM card. The SIM card was issued to Tiwari in the name of Sinha on October 8. He was produced before the court on Friday and was sent on three days' police custody.

Tiwari told the court that he was provided with the documents and the SIM card by two individuals and made phone calls on their instructions. During investigation, several incriminating documents were obtained from Tiwari's residence in Balia pertaining to the identity of the CBI director. According to sources, the investigation is at an initial stage and more information would be gathered while Tiwari remains in custody.

ANOTHER IN BENGALURU

Similarly in January another 21-year-old youth was arrested in central Bengaluru for allegedly posing as a Special Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation. He attempted to extort money from many officials of state and Central governments by threatening corruption cases against them. He allegedly called several engineers and chief engineers of CPWD and introduced himself as a special director of the CBI.

He then, threatened them that the central agency would conduct raids in connection with corruption charges and the concerned files were with him. He demanded money to avoid the raid. Police claimed that he was a businessman and incurred huge losses.

He watched a YouTube video of a CBI team seizing illegal wealth worth more than `1,000 crores of a CPWD engineer in Uttar Pradesh last year. Inspired by this video, he hatched a plan to extort money from engineers of CPWD in Karnataka.

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Also read: Faridabad: CBI arrests Central Excise superintendent for bribery

Also read: Chit fund case: CBI arrests three persons for cheating, criminal misappropriation of public funds

Watch video here

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By William Lewis

It seems that the tendency has been in recent years to downplay the value of vice presidential candidates. At this time, however, vice presidents have given an added importance to the campaign.

In 1992 the elder George Bush picked Dan Quayle as his running mate. It was probably one of the reasons for his defeat that year because Quayle was so controversial with the voters.

In 1984 Walter Mondale was defeated in 49 of 50 states by Ronald Reagan. One reason may have been that he had Geraldine Ferraro as his vice presidential running mate. Ferraros campaign did not go over very well with the majority of the voters.

The debate we recently saw between Mike Pence and Tim Kaine will have an effect on the presidential campaign. Pence was generally considered the winner, which can help the Republican Party in the forthcoming election.

As we look at the recent vice presidential debate, both candidates have experience in state and federal government and both are good public speakers. But Kaine interrupted Pence a significant number of times and hurt his image somewhat. Pence maintained a quiet composure and did not get excited. This gave him a favorable impression with the voters. Both candidates covered their subjects well.

I would favor debates with all personal attacks eliminated and only the issues debated.

I have never seen a presidential race like this one with so many personal attacks. Hopefully, in the future this will be eliminated.

When we consider the first debate of 1960 between Vice President Richard Nixon and U.S. Sen. John Kennedy, it seems like there were no personal attacks at all and both candidates stuck to the issues. In fact, during the first debate, Kennedy did not mention Nixons name. The first Nixon-Kennedy debate could be called very formal.

Looking at the vice presidential candidates, President Dwight Eisenhower at some point was probably sorry he chose Nixon as his running mate in 1952 and 1956.

It could be said that the 1950s was the time that Richard Nixon was politically prevalent as vice president. As president he was forced out of office by the Nixon-Watergate scandal.

Vice President Lyndon Johnson, after he became president, at first was determined to pursue the Vietnam War. By 1968 he was trying to find ways of ending the Vietnam conflict. Vice presidents who become presidents rarely feel they are obligated to follow the policies of the president they replaced.

It is very important that the presidential candidate pick a strong vice presidential candidate. When we view the seven times during our political history that a vice president has become president due to the president dying of natural causes or being assassinated, with the one exception being Richard Nixon who resigned due to a scandal, we see how crucial the choice of a vice president can be.

If anything, more time and effort should be given to choosing a vice presidential candidate. The choice of a vice presidential candidate can be just as important as the choice of a presidential candidate.
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By Bill Parry

Mayor Bill de Blasio is urging Albany to pass a slate of reforms to allow same-day voter registration, early voting and the consolidation of primary elections. There are nearly two million individuals in New York state who are not registered to vote, and half of them live in the city, he said last week.

Conducting free and fair elections is a sacred duty of government, yet in New York state, the way we hold elections is outdated, underfunded and seems designed to discourage participation, de Blasio said. Were here to say that in New York City were fighting for every voice to be heard. We need to make our call loud and clear: our system needs to be fairer and more open if we want our democracy to be a representative one.

Other reforms include the use of electronic poll books to ease the voting process and mitigate long waits to vote, reformatting the way ballots to make them easier to use, and the pre-registration of 16- and 17-year-olds so they automatically become active on their 18th birthday.

De Blasios reforms were endorsed by several borough lawmakers.

As states across the country take action on electoral reforms to improve transparency and voter turnout, it is important that the conversation in New York continues not only during an election year, but all year round, Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (D-Flushing) said. It is clear that changes in the current system are needed to allow for greater inclusivity and access, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to determine the most effective measures that will benefit all New Yorkers.

The mayor is also calling for voter registration forms in more languages in addition to the four translations that are available. City agencies provide translations in Russian, Arabic, French and Italian, among others.

As a Council Member representing one of the most diverse districts in the nation, I am proud that the City has translated voter registration forms into 11 additional languages, beyond the five required by state law, City Councilman Daniel Dromm (D-Jackson Heights) said. Everyone should exercise their right to vote and have a say on who leads their government. This drive and push for reform will ensure that more voices are included in the process.
Q&A with PA-16 candidates Robert Matzie and Rico Elmore

Both Beaver County natives, Matzie and Elmore have expressed their interest in making Beaver County a better place in their own unique ways.
Torin Halsey/Times Record News Scott Caudill, of F.G. Haggerty, solders a joint in the plumbing of the Emergency Department renovation at United Regional Health Care System. The work is part of a three-phase project to expand and modernize the department. The work involves patient exam rooms and support spaces.

SHARE Torin Halsey/Times Record News The entrance to United Regional Health Care System's new Emergency Department was completed in Phase Two of a three-phase project. The final phase should be completed in January 2017 and will be a total renovation of the original Emergency Department and provide more patient exam rooms. Torin Halsey/Times Record News Rick Carpenter, left, vice president of facilities management for United Regional Health Care System, talks with Clint Higginbotham, of G.E. Johnson Construction, on Thursday morning. The third and final phase of the Emergency Department expansion and renovation is on track for completion in January.

By John Ingle of the Times Record News

The final phase of United Regional Health Care System's emergency room expansion and refitting is humming along as crews work to remodel the north side of the old facility on the 10th Street side.

The $28 million project includes a new, 20,000-square-feet addition and a gutted and remodeled ER. All work is expected to be complete in mid-January.

"This has been a very satisfying project, and it's one of the most rewarding," said Vice President of Facilities Management Rick Carpenter. "There're many things that have happened with this whole project that cured a lot of circulation issues, and it made the hospital look a lot nicer on the exterior, especially that (west) side, and the south side of the hospital looks better.

"It upgraded the facility a whole lot and it's been very satisfying to see that come together after all the planning that happened."

When all is said and done, the Emergency Department at the hospital will have 40 treatment and exam rooms; 10 clinical decision unit rooms; eight intake rooms; three critical care rooms; two trauma rooms and six results-are-pending rooms. In all, the Emergency Department will be about 50,000-square-feet, which is necessary space to handle the roughly 70,000 to 75,000 patients who are treated annually.

Also part of the final phase is completion of a parking lot on the west side of the facility that has been used for work site trailers.

Carpenter said an important aspect in the new emergency room is its universal rooms. He said that is by design and decreases the amount of variation in room setups and helps staff ensure the safety of patients and guests.

Phase II of the project, which was a gutting and remodeling of the south portion of the existing ED, included creating a corridor to allow guests to move from the emergency room entrance to the Bethania Building in an enclosed space. It also resulted in additional seating in the hospital's dining room as well as a remodeled main lobby for that building.

Carpenter said the functionality of the new design and flow of the ED is one that came from the minds of a variety of specialties, including physicians, nurses, midlevel providers, environmental specialists, administrative support and more.

"We did a good deal of homework on this and designed a building to suit a process that we wanted to try," he said. "We envisioned a different way to try and (provide) care for the Emergency Department and then designed a building that would work to that end. It seems to be doing well."

Carpenter said as with any new process, there have been some kinks, but things have greatly improved over time.

The final phase began at the beginning of September when remodeling work was finished on the 11th Street side of the old emergency room.

GE Johnson out of Oklahoma City is the company overseeing the project.
SHARE Ingle Santellana Mark Beauchamp Brown

By Claire Kowalick of the Times Record News

When Wichitans begin early voting Monday, it will be the first time in recent memory city government and school board races appear on the ballot with county, state, and federal races.

Normally, local elections are held in May, but both the Wichita Falls City Council and the Wichita Falls Independent School District decided to move their races to the Nov. 8 date, as now allowed by law.

Here are the local and county candidates who will appear on the Wichita County ballots:

City of Wichita Falls

Mayor

Tim Ingle

Tim Ingle is current city councilor for District 4 and mayor pro tem.

Ingle graduated from Midwestern State University with a master's degree in business administration. He is a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel and currently works as a civilian T-6 simulator instructor with the 80th Flying Training Wing at Sheppard Air Force Base.

Ingle has served on the city council for more than six years. During that time, he said, he has learned a great deal and made difficult decisions with the council.

Ingle served as acting mayor during a flooding in May 2015. He feels the city needs to invest in more long-term, quality job incentive programs. He said the city should make it easier and quicker to do business in Wichita Falls.

Ingle also said he values a downtown revitalization plan and values preserving the history and heritage of the city. He believes in giving incentives to private investors for people to move businesses downtown.

Ingle is married and has two adult daughters.

Stephen Santellana

Stephen Santellana is serving in his first term as city councilor for District 1.

He is a lifelong Wichita Falls resident and graduated from MSU in 1998.

Santellana, 41, works with his family's business, Lone Star Highway Products Inc., and has a long history of civic involvement. He points to economic growth as an issue that has plagued the city for several decades.

Downtown development and investing to attract in and retain millennials to Wichita Falls are projects he said the city should continue. Santellana said the city should work on a more systematic process for determining infrastructure needs.

Santellana is married and has three children.

Councilor District 4

Jesse Brown is running unopposed for councilor, District 4, the seat being vacated by Ingle.

Brown is an MSU graduate who served in several volunteer and leadership positions while in college. He will become the youngest Wichita Falls councilor in the city's history.

Councilor districts 3 & 5

Brian Hooker is running for re-election to City Council District 3, and Tom Quintero is running for another term in District 5.

Both are unopposed.

Wichita County Races

Precinct 1 Commissioner seat

Mark Beauchamp (R)

Republican candidate Mark Beauchamp has a long history of working for the area, having served as the city of Wichita Falls Traffic Department superintendent for 34 years.

He wants to try his hand at working for the county, he said, because he wants to help make a difference and shine a positive light on the area.

Beauchamp said championing a new jail is on top of his list. He hopes to create a larger yet more energy-efficient facility to meet the growing needs of the county. He brings to the table a history of maintaining and balancing a multimillion-dollar budget for the city, he said.

Beauchamp is a lifelong Wichita Falls resident, is married and has two adult children. The couple has also hosted many international exchange students.

Larry Donahoo (D)

The Times Record News could not contact Democrat Larry Donahoo for this story despite repeated attempts, but the League of Women Voters Guide shows Donahoo is 78 years old, and while he has never run for a political office, he thinks his life experience would prepare him to serve the county.

He grew up on a small farm in Perry Township Brown County, Ohio, and graduated from Fayetteville High School in 1956. He is an Army veteran and has lived in Kamay since 1983. He has three grown children and has been married for 49 years.

During his career, Donahoo worked as a driver for several moving businesses. If elected, Donahoo said he would focus attention on dealing with the Sheppard Air Force Base vs. wind generator farms issue and the criminal justice system.

Precinct 3 Commissioner seat

Gordon Griffith (D)

The Times Record News could not contact Griffith for this story despite repeated attempts, but from past TRN stories and the League of Women Voters Guide, Griffith, a Democrat is a former commissioner and last ran for the Precinct 3 seat in 2012. At the time, Griffith ran as a Republican against Democrat Barry Mahler.

Griffith served as a commissioner for 28 years as a Democrat before being defeated by Mahler in a 2008 party primary. Since then, both men have changed party allegiances.

Griffith is 78 years old and has a background in construction of commercial buildings, schools and hospitals - a background he told the LWV prepares him for serving the county's road and bridge needs.

Griffith told the Voters Guide editors the greatest challenge for the county is keeping up with mandates passed down from the state. In 2012, Griffith suggested a solution to the jail crowding problem would be to divide the day into three eight-hour periods. That way they could triple up prisoners in each bed, rotating them from the cell into a work program.

Barry Mahler, incumbent (R)

Barry Mahler has served on the Wichita County Commissioners Court for eight years.

He is a graduate of MSU, with a bachelor's degree in communications and a master's in business administration. Mahler is a lifelong Wichita County resident and has owned and operated several businesses in the area, been in farming and has worked as a television personality and advertising pitchman.

He said the county is facing an increasing list of problems, including increasing costs in a time of static property values. Renovating the jail or building a new facility is also a priority, given that the jail population continues to hover around 500 inmates each day, he said.

As a commissioner, Mahler said he has established a vigorous signage program in his precinct and maintain a regular mowing program.

Other races on the county ballot are uncontested.
TRN file photo Some 1,500 more Wichita County voters will be eligible to vote in the 2016 presidential election than were registered in 2012.

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Recent election seasons have found us giving a pass to presidential endorsements, focusing our attention on local candidates, local issues and local solutions. We've found in our editorial board discussions that we reach productive consensus when we address the concerns facing our own community.

This election finds our resolve the same.

Local:

When it comes to the local elections on Nov. 8, which include Wichita Falls Independent School District positions, Wichita Falls mayor and Wichita County commissioners, we feel excitement rather than election fatigue. This community has a chance to elect enthusiastic visionaries, dedicated public servants and champions of all that is Wichita Falls.

We salute anyone willing to enter the public arena. And while we believe  goodness, we hope  the election process in Wichita Falls isn't nearly as rancorous as beyond our city's boundaries, many of these callings seem to be thankless endeavors.

To everyone on next month's ballot, let us be one of the first to thank you for wanting to serve. May God bless you as you strive to serve us.

Mayor:

Wichita Falls will say goodbye to the effective mayor who saw us through one of the most devastating natural disasters any community would endure. Mayor Glenn Barham will vacate his office, thanks to term limits, and make room for a new face in the city's top elected spot.

Two city councilors vie for that spot, each bringing a different approach and demeanor to solving community concerns and creating economic opportunities. The Editorial Board appreciated the time we spent with both candidates and could sense in both an overwhelming desire to improve our lives.

Councilor Tim Ingle, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel who is now a flight simulator instructor at Sheppard Air Force Base, has spent more than six years on the council, representing District 4. Ingle can often be seen as the checks and balances of the council, the one more likely to question the status quo or a unanimous vote. Ingle does so without rancor or ill will, as he focuses on improving our workforce, revitalizing downtown and ensuring adequate drinking supply, among other concerns.

Ingle is capable in his efforts.

The Editorial Board, however, gives District 1 Councilor Stephen Santellana our endorsement for mayor.

In a relatively short period of time, Santellana has made his mark on Wichita Falls, bringing his infectious love of the community to a position for change. A native Wichitan whose family construction business gave him a fiscal knowledge critical in approaching effective governing, Santellana injects excitement into city government, not to mention every room he enters. He presents himself as a good steward of our tax dollars and would serve as a visionary ambassador for our community.

Both men would serve Wichita Falls effectively through different approaches, but we give Santellana the edge.

In the other council positions on the ballot, the candidates are running unopposed. Incumbents Brian Hooker, District 3, and Tom Quintero, District 5, join newcomer Jesse Brown, as obvious victors.

County Commissioners:

Mark Beauchamp unseated long-serving Precinct 1 Commissioner Ray Gonzalez in the Republican Primary. Beauchamp, who has been traffic department superintendent for Wichita Falls the past 34 years, received our endorsement in the spring, and we welcome the chance to see Beauchamp on the court. His opponent, Larry Donahoo, did not seek an audience with the Editorial Board and, incidentally, did not respond to a reporter's request for an interview.

Nonetheless, our endorsement of Beauchamp is not by default.

He would come to the court with an extraordinary knowledge of budgets, road maintenance logistics and employee relations. Beauchamp remains our pick.

For Precinct 3, Republican Barry Mahler faces a familiar candidate in county elections, former Commissioner Gordon Griffith, the Democrat. We commended Griffith in previous election cycles for his service to the county, and would extend that sentiment again.

Our endorsement remains with Mahler, who sets as one of his highest priorities a renovated jail or a new facility to accommodate the usual 500 inmates housed each day.

Convincing the voters to fund a new facility will be an uphill battle, one Mahler seems equipped to champion.

Wichita Falls Independent School District Board of Trustees:

Three board positions appear on the Nov. 4 ballot, one that includes a familiar face.

In District 4, you find Board President Dale Harvey and newcomer Dustin Nimz. With attorney Nimz, we found a potential politician with a wealth of knowledge focused on city government, with volunteer and appointed opportunities related to improving our city's quality of life and economic development. The Editorial Board even asked Nimz why he didn't choose the City Council as his entrance into public service. We would not be surprised to find his name on a future ballot.

Our endorsement goes to Harvey, a quiet man who surprised us with his passion for not only improved facilities, but in improving the lives of the less fortunate.

Harvey expertly detailed during our meeting the areas "that keep me up at night." He believes that the school board should get ahead of problems, saluting what he sees as the district's preference to "self report" issues rather than react to them.

Candidate Smith did not meet with the editorial board.

For District 5, our endorsement remains with Tom Bursey, who received our encouragement when he ran for county commissioner and later when he was appointed by the School Board to fill an open seat.

His opponent did not seek an interview with the board.

Two other seats in the race involve unopposed newcomers: District 2, Mike Rucker; and District 3, Adam Warren Groves.

In another race, we maintain our strong support of U.S. Rep. Mac Thornberry, who serves Wichita Falls and Sheppard Air Force Base diligently and effectively.

The Editorial Board consists of President/Publisher Dwayne Bivona, Editor Deanna Watson,Editorial Page Editor Frances Tate and four community volunteers:

Dr. David Hartman

Dr. Emerson Capps

Shirley Craft

Larry Petrash

Endorsements do not necessarily reflect a unanimous vote of the board for a particular candidate, but a consensus of opinion.

In the end, our endorsements should be seen as merely an emphatic suggestion, but even more as an enthusiastic encouragement to go out and vote.
By PTI: London, Oct 23 (PTI) Climate change may impair survival instincts of fish and can make them swim towards their predators, according to a new study which found that high levels of carbon dioxide disrupts their sense of smell, hearing and vision.

According to the scientists at University of Exeter in the UK, these abnormal behaviours have been linked to the effect of carbon dioxide (CO2) on how the brain processes signals from sensory organs.

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High CO2 levels can impair the way fish behave making them swim towards predator smells instead of away and even ignoring the sounds that normally deter them from risky habitats.

CO2 levels are predicted to be 2.5 times higher in the oceans by the end of this century, researchers said.

They believe that fish farms may be the key to establishing the long-term impact of CO2 on marine life.

In the study, researchers show that farmed fish often live in CO2 conditions 10 times higher than their wild cousins.

The scientists believe that further study of farmed fish - which already provides as much seafood for human consumption as that caught in the wild - may be crucial for understanding how aquatic species will evolve to climate change.

The captive fish farm populations living in high CO2 levels already amount to "a giant long-term laboratory experiment."

"Aquaculture may provide an accidental long-term experiment that can help climate-change predictions," said Robert Ellis, a climate-change marine biologist at Exeter.

"There is the enticing possibility that fish and shellfish previously grown in high CO2 aquaculture conditions over multiple generations can offer valuable insights regarding the potential for aquatic animals in the wild to adapt to the predicted further increases in CO2," Ellis said.

The aquaculture industry may also benefit from what the climate change scientists study too.

The abnormal behaviour seen in wild fish may not matter in farmed fish, as they are provided with abundant food and shelter and they have no predators to avoid.

However, while extremely high CO2 can reduce digestion efficiency in cod, recent research suggests that relatively small increases in CO2 may actually act as a growth stimulant in some fish.

The study was published in the journal Global Change Biology. PTI MHN SAR MHN

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Gary Johnson, Libertarian candidate for president, speaks at the University of Utah Student Union, Saturday, Aug. 6, 2016, in Salt Lake City. (Scott Sommerdorf/The Salt Lake Tribune via AP)

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Melissa Birk, Wichita Falls

For the past 18 months we have shaken our heads, rolled our eyes, and thrown up our hands as the media insists we have only two candidates to consider for president. Let's take a step back and consider that the answer to many, many prayers may be right in front of us if we are willing to look and listen.

Gary Johnson, a former Republican now representing the Libertarian party, served the state of New Mexico as governor for eight years. His common sense ideas and approach to government was not only well received  it worked.

If you are unsure about what the Libertarian party believes, as I was, take the time to go to the website which is Libertarian Party of Texas and find what they believe and support. Then go to Gary Johnson for President and learn who he is and what he has done in the state of New Mexico. His running mate William Weld is the former successful governor of Massachusetts. These men are experienced in the areas of leadership, business and politics.

We desperately need new strategies in the Federal government. To continue to do business as usual while expecting new and different results is the definition of insanity. One of the main themes of the Libertarian party is to return to the individual states the right of governing their people as they see fit. In so doing, a lot of the control that the federal government has imposed on us through regulations, rules and laws can be eliminated. Lives less stressed and less burdened sounds to me like a goal worth pursuing.

Johnson and Weld are on the ballot in all 50 states. Granted, when we vote for them it will take a bit more time to vote for the local and state races since it won't be voting a straight ticket. But isn't it worth a little time to possibly make a difference in our lives?

One last thought. Remember the lemmings? Those furry little creatures who will follow their leader right over the cliff? Let's not find ourselves called the Lemming Generation in years to come. Let's vote in an educated and intelligent manner on Nov. 8.
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You want a list of stuff that has people castigating Donald Trump? Here we go.

He keeps talking about making America great again as if it is not great right now. He has called Hillary Clinton hateful. He has been accused of sexual abuse. Trump University is said to have been a scam. He has said the media is rigged against him.

On top of the above, he thinks Saddam Hussein should have stayed in power in Iraq. He did not pay taxes he did not owe. He said the inner cities in this country are hell holes. He is against gun control. He wants to build a wall on the Mexican border. He once talked of punching protesters at a rally.

The thing about all of the above is that there are equivalents on the other side, the Democratic side, the leftist side. Let's review them.

In his first campaign, Bill Clinton also said let's make America great again. He didn't say it as often, but he said it and, as far as I know, went unscathed, maybe because a Republican was president.

The sexual abuse allegations are serious stuff, but not as serious as Bill Clinton being accused of the vicious rape of a woman who talked to a friend soon afterward about the horror she had endured. He is accused of groping another woman in the White House. He ended up paying $850,000 to settle a suit from still another woman who said he had exposed himself to her while encouraging sex.

The Monica Lewinsky affair was not just about sex, as even feminists often said on his behalf, although he did take advantage of this subordinate half his age by enjoying oral sex in the Oval Office. The affair was also about lying, obstruction of justice, perjury and disgracing the presidency. Clinton is charming and smart and a moral mess who is now his wife's top surrogate on the campaign trail and will play an important role in the administration if she is elected.

Trump has accused the press of prejudice and has threatened libel suits against newspapers. Some news outlets are in fact discarding normal standards to finish him off, and President Barack Obama has never been shy about taking on Fox News or talk radio. His administration has spied on The Associated Press, and one New York Times reporter has called him "the greatest enemy of press freedom in a generation." Hillary Clinton is so against free speech as interpreted by the Supreme Court that she wants to rewrite the First Amendment.

Saddam Hussein would have done more to quell terrorism than the U.S. war on Iraq if he had stayed in power, Trump says, to the anger of quivering critics. Don't almost all liberals say the same?

Trump's remarks about blacks in the inner cities living in hell holes have the left crucifying him even though that has been a leftist message for some time and still is in some quarters. He wants a wall on the Mexican border, which is far from as crazy as what Hillary Clinton once said about wanting open borders.

Trump has been thoroughly castigated for not paying taxes he did not owe, thereby enabling him to rebuild his businesses, while the Clintons once claimed deductions for old underwear. Which speaks loudest about being cheap and cheesy?

Clinton is for extending background checks for gun purchases. It would do no harm but the evidence is minimal it would do any good. She is against Trump's advocacy of stop-and-frisk, which took 34,000 guns off the streets of New York and, by the reckoning of some top analysts, helped save thousands of lives.

Trump once said something at a rally about punching protesters in the face. Hillary Clinton once said something in a meeting about droning Julian Assange of WikiLeaks fame. Those present say she did not seem to be joking.

None of this means Trump should be president, but if it is Hillary Clinton, we need a Republican Congress to check her.
Albany

A Guilderland man has been charged with raping a University at Albany student while she was sleeping in her campus residence, according to information University Police provided in emails to all faculty, staff and students.

Franklin Casatelli, 25, was charged with first-degree rape and second-degree burglary, both felonies, University Police said in the email.

Police said Casatelli, who is not a student, allegedly entered the Stuyvesant Tower residence of a female student around 4 a.m. Sunday and engaged in sexual intercourse with her without her consent.

There were no weapons used or displayed during the incident, police said.

University spokesman Joe Brennan said police will continue investigating how Casatelli allegedly gained access into the campus residence, which is locked 24 hours a day and requires a key card entry. There are surveillance cameras in the area that will help with the investigation, Brennan said.

He said police didn't believe the victim knew the suspect.

"University Police want to thank the university community," Brennan said Sunday afternoon. "They received a number of helpful tips that allowed them to move quickly and make this arrest."

University Police said the initial emailed notice was issued in compliance with the "Timely Notice" provisions of the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistic Act of 1998.

University Police said the campus community is reminded of the following to make the campus safer:

If you see something that might be suspicious, call 442-3131.

If someone appears to be checking doors to see if they are locked, do not challenge them, but call University Police as soon as possible. Always keep your room and suite doors locked.

Don't help others enter your residence hall without swiping. If someone does follow you in, or someone is asking to be let in, call police as soon as possible.

Consider putting the University Police's direct line in your phone. Emergency calls to 911 will be transferred to University Police, but dialing them directly enables a quicker response.

afries@timesunion.com  518-454-5353  @mandy_fries
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Bartella, Iraq

The Iraqi army pushed into a town near the Islamic State-held city of Mosul on Saturday, a day after dozens of IS militants stormed into the northern city of Kirkuk, setting off two days of clashes and killing at least 80 people, mostly security forces.

U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter meanwhile met with Iraq's prime minister and commanders in Baghdad to discuss the offensive to retake Mosul, which the U.S. is supporting with airstrikes and advisers on the ground.

The Iraqi army said the 9th Division has pushed into the town of Hamdaniyah, also known as Qaraqosh and Bakhdida, and raised the flag over its government compound, but the troops were likely still facing resistance in and around the town. Similar past announcements have often proved premature.

The town is around 12 miles from Mosul. Iraqi forces launched a wide-scale offensive earlier this week aimed at retaking Mosul, the country's second largest city, which fell to IS in 2014. Hamdaniyah is believed to be largely uninhabited. IS has mined the approaches to Mosul, and Iraqi forces have had to contend with roadside bombs, snipers and suicide truck bombs as they move closer to the city.

IS said it foiled an attack on Hamdaniyah and seized vehicles and weapons left by retreating Shiite militiamen. The claim, carried by the extremist group's Aamaq news agency, could not be confirmed.

An Iraqi television station says one of its reporters was shot dead near Mosul, the second journalist in as many days to be killed while covering the conflict.

Alsumaria TV says cameraman Ali Risan was shot in the chest by a sniper Saturday during a battle in the al-Shura area. Journalist Ahmet Haceroglu of Turkmeneli TV was shot dead by a militant sniper Friday, while covering the IS assault on Kirkuk.

Iraqi forces retook the town of Bartella, around nine miles east of Mosul, earlier this week, but are still facing pockets of resistance in the area.

In Kirkuk, meanwhile, some fighting continued a day after the IS assault on the city, some 100 miles southeast of Mosul. The wave of attacks in and around Kirkuk appeared to be an attempt to divert attention from Mosul.

Brig. Gen. Khattab Omer of the Kirkuk police said at least 80 people were killed in the assault, mainly Kurdish security forces. Another 170 were wounded, he said, adding that a sundown curfew has been imposed on the city.

Omer said Kurdish security forces recovered the bodies of 56 militants who took part in the attack. The Kurds assumed control of Kirkuk in 2014, when the Iraqi army and police crumbled in the face of a lightning IS advance across northern Iraq.
There's nothing actually wrong with the charter referendum that Albany County voters will consider on the ballot this year. The problem is that so much that could have been right was left out.

We are now four years into this torturous debate over the charter. Perhaps county legislators hope voters are so weary that they'll just vote yes and be done with it.

Don't let them get away with it. Don't reward them for their failure to deliver real reform.

This effort goes back to 2012, when the legislature appointed a Charter Review Commission to weigh changes to give Albany County a more cost-effective, better-functioning government.

More Information To comment: tuletters@timesunion.com or at http://blog.timesunion.com/opinion See More Collapse

The 11-member panel of unpaid volunteers found that, indeed, changes should be made. The 39-member County Legislature, the commission found, was the most bloated of its kind in the state. The county's laws and regulations were a confusing, sometimes conflicting mess. Its system of elected coroners was antiquated. Its politically controlled public defense system lacked independence. The county had been sued for civil rights violations every time it conducted a redistricting over the last three decades.

The final report in 2014 outlined a dozen reforms, including trimming the legislature to 25 members; implementing a nonpartisan redistricting process; replacing the four elected part-time coroners with one appointed, full-time, professional medical examiner; doing merit-based appointments of public defenders, and merging some agencies. The committee produced a cleaned-up charter, and recommended an administrative code to organize all the laws, rules and regulations. And more.

The legislature's answer was to dither for months with this in committee, where some tried to exploit charter reform as a chance to shift power from the county executive to the legislature. By the time the legislature was done with its machinations, the charter that went to voters last year took the power to cut the legislature away from the citizenry and gave it to the legislature, and created a redistricting process that was independent in name only. It was a sham, and voters wisely rejected it.

Now charter changes are before voters again, but the big changes are gone. The legislature would remain as large and expensive as ever. The partisan coroners remain. It's like a student handing in the first draft of an outline instead of the term paper he was assigned.

Sign up for The Knick  Get the latest news and features with our afternoon newsletter.

We know some lawmakers fought for true reform. We know that there are in some cases arguments that transcend petty politics. We recognize that minorities in particular are concerned about how a smaller legislature could affect their representation.

OK, so it's complex. That's no reason to give up and accept mediocrity.

Harmless as this cleanup proposal might seem, its passage would only allow lawmakers to pat themselves on the back for a job half-done.

Voting "no" just might give them the boot in the rear they need to go back and do it right.
By PTI: Srinagar, Oct 21 (PTI) Try to bring back to their homes the "local boys" who have joined militancy instead of them getting killed in encounters, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti urged police today amid unrest triggered by the death of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in a gun-battle with forces in July.

She also appealed to the police and security forces to refrain from using weapons like pellet guns while dealing with protests and instead "tolerate" stone-pelting as a "sacrifice".

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The Chief Minister said while the police had exhibited patience during the last three months of unrest in the Valley, there were some mistakes which warrant action.

She also underlined that "black laws" like AFSPA would be repealed from the state only when the situation improves.

"We all have to work together, heal the wounds of the people here. The children here are the responsibility of God first, then our police because it is they who see them every day, everywhere," she said.

"Those who have taken up arms or those who have not but are missing from their homes and want to join militancy, they are local boys. I request the police to try to bring them back to their homes. Instead of their being killed in encounters," she added.

Mehbooba, who has dealt with the unrest triggered by Wanis killing on July 8 in a tough manner, told the police, "such youth (who have taken to the gun) need hand-holding... If it is possible to bring them back, make them a part of the mainstream. Give them bats, balls and good education, instead of guns."

Her remarks at the Police Commemoration Day function at Armed Police Complex in Zewan on the outskirts of Srinagar came close on the heels of a fresh video surfacing which shows a group of local militants of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit displaying weapons. Earlier, similar videos of Wani and his associates used to surface in the Valley, before he was killed in an encounter.

Urging local youth to shun violence, Mehbooba said, "When the situation improves here, we will end the black laws. For that we have to create an atmosphere first. I know that today the situation is not such, but tomorrow, a year after... we have to repeal AFSPA as we cannot keep it in force forever."

While stressing that ending militancy and restoring peace were a pre-requisite for repealing AFSPA and for seeking start of dialogue process in the state, she said, "We cannot force anyone to have dialogue on gun-point, stones or by lathis."

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She said only when there is a "conducive" atmosphere, she can go to Delhi with her "head held high".

"How can I do it today? There is infiltration, there are encounters. We have to end militancy and create peace in Jammu and Kashmir so that we can repeal AFSPA from some areas here," she said.

She said the police should deal with militants but civilians should not be troubled. MORE PTI SSB MIJ RT AKK AKK AKK

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[October 23, 2016] Orbital ATK's Cygnus Spacecraft Completes Rendezvous and Berthing with International Space Station

Orbital ATK (News - Alert), Inc. (NYSE:OA), a global leader in aerospace and defense technologies, today announced that the S.S. Alan Poindexter CygnusTM spacecraft successfully completed its rendezvous and berthing procedures with the International Space Station earlier today. This marks the company's sixth successful berthing with the orbiting laboratory, and the fifth under NASA's Commercial Resupply Services (CRS-1) contract. An Orbital ATK AntaresTM medium-class rocket launched Cygnus into orbit on October 17, 2016 marking the return of flight operations to NASA Wallops Flight Facility in Wallops Island, Virginia. Over the past several days, Cygnus executed a series of thruster burns to raise its orbit and reach the space station. Once Cygnus was in close proximity to the station, crew members grappled Cygnus with the station's robotic arm at 7:28 a.m. (EDT). The spacecraft was then guided to its berthing port on the bottom of the Unity module of the station where installation concluded at 10:53 a.m. (EDT). "While all of our missions are important to us, the OA-5 mission is distinct and special to the entire Orbital ATK team," said Frank Culbertson, President of Orbital ATK's Space Systems Group. "It marked the return to our home base of operations at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport, where we launched our Cygnus spacecraft atop our upgraded Antares vehicle to deliver critical cargo to the International Space Station. Following our departure from the station, we will again use Cygnus as a platform to conduct scientific experiments for key customers." Culbertson added, "To mark so many milestones via one mission represents the tremendous accomplishments of our team. This mission is also special because we named it in honor of an outstanding astronaut, Alan Poindexter, who participated in the construction of the International Space Station on two separate missions." Cygnus arrived at the station with 5,300 pounds (2,400 kilograms) of cargo, including food, clothing, crew supplies, spareparts, packaging materials, laboratory equipment and scientific experiments. The crew will open the Cygnus hatch and make initial ingress into its cargo module as early as today or later in the week to begin the process of unloading the pressurized cargo. Cygnus will remain berthed at the station for approximately one month before departing with close to 4,000 pounds (1,800 kilograms) of disposable cargo.



For the OA-5 mission, Cygnus will conduct two secondary payload missions as part of its flight program, demonstrating its versatility in performing scientific experiments in space. Both payload experiments will be conducted following departure from the International Space Station. The Spacecraft Fire Experiment-II (Saffire-II) will study the behavior of large scale fires in microgravity. The payload will intentionally light a fire in the pressurized cargo module that will grow and advance until it burns itself out. Data from this experiment will be downloaded via telemetry. In addition, using a NanoRacks deployer, the S.S. Alan Poindexter will release several cubesats used for weather forecasting. Upon completion of these secondary payload missions, Cygnus will conduct a controlled, safe, destructive reentry over the Pacific Ocean. The Cygnus system consists of a common service module and pressurized cargo module. The service module was built and tested at Orbital ATK's manufacturing facility in Dulles, Virginia. The enhanced Cygnus also uses Orbital ATK's UltraFlexTM solar arrays, which are the latest in lightweight, space-qualified, electrical power technology. The arrays were manufactured at Orbital ATK's Goleta, California facility.

Under the CRS-1 contract with NASA, Orbital ATK will deliver approximately 66,000 pounds (30,000 kilograms) of cargo to the ISS over 10 missions through 2018. Upon completion, Orbital ATK will carry out a minimum of six initial cargo missions under NASA's CRS-2 contract. The partnership is cultivating a robust American commercial space industry, freeing NASA to focus on developing the next-generation rocket and spacecraft that will enable humans to conduct deep space exploration missions. B-roll and animation footage for the mission can be found here: http://www.orbitalatk.com/news-room/bmc/#. Please note that media will need to request a PIN for access. About Orbital ATK Orbital ATK is a global leader in aerospace and defense technologies. The company designs, builds and delivers space, defense and aviation systems for customers around the world, both as a prime contractor and merchant supplier. Its main products include launch vehicles and related propulsion systems; missile products, subsystems and defense electronics; precision weapons, armament systems and ammunition; satellites and associated space components and services; and advanced aerospace structures. Headquartered in Dulles, Virginia, Orbital ATK employs approximately 12,000 people in 18 states across the U.S. and in several international locations. For more information, visit www.orbitalatk.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161023005027/en/

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A woman is being threatened by a bully who plans to make public some private photos and videos of her if she does not "excite" him. But this is how the brave woman stood up to the cyberbully.

By India Today Web Desk: A brave woman decided not to bow down to a cyberbully. She is trying to spread the word about how a man who claims to know her is blackmailing her over emails and threatening to make public some private videos of the woman he has gained access to through hacking.



The bully wrote in an email to Taruna that the only way to make him keep quiet on this is to "excite" him.

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"I have access to your all your friends/social media and family and co-workers(NMS healthcare and heritage inc) contacts that you have and I think some will be happy and some embarrassed to see it but if you have a thick skin then it shouldn't worry you."

Also read: Indian kids worst victims of cyberbullying: Study



She shared the two emails and said that she has chosen to stand up to the bully so that "other women may take a lesson to stand up to bullies and low life's like this"(sic).

Here are the screenshots of the two emails:

Photo: Facebook/Taruna Aswani Photo: Facebook/Taruna Aswani





The photos and videos that the bully is threatening to make public were sent to Taruna's boyfriend but the brave woman has decided to not cower down to his requests and is seeking help in finding the bully.

You can read the full post here:



Also read: Malayalam actor Parvathy stands up against cyber bully, gives an apt reply

Netizens are coming together to support and help her.

A Twitter user tweeted the post seeking help, and it was redirected to Mumbai Police, who replied within minutes asking to file an official complaint.

According to Intel Security's "Teens, Tweens and Technology Study 2015", out of the 81% Indian respondents between eight and 16 that are active on social media, 22% have reported being bullied online - the highest in the four countries surveyed (Australia, USA and Singapore being the other three) reported Business Standard .

In fact, 52% children said that they had bullied people over social media and nearly 65% said that they had witnessed cruel behaviour online.

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A couple who abandoned baggage at Delhi airport and boarded another flight created furore at the airport.

By Kamaljit Kaur Sandhu: The last 24 hours have been a nightmare for Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) guarding the Delhi airport. The plot could be straight out of a movie.

A couple identified as Amit Rajaram Chavan (real name Karan Patel) and his wife Sheetal Amit Chavan (Megha Patel) were scheduled to travel from New Delhi to Munich and onward to Toronto via London and were to check in with two baggage at airline counter.

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But in an interesting twist, the couple did not return to collect their boarding cards from the Airliner sending CISF into a tizzy. Adding to the woes, the couple later disappeared without a trace.

CISF which is already on high alert rushed to the spot immediately. The force responded by alerting its entire team. They alerted their surveillance and CCTV teams .

Despite the efforts of CISF, the two passengers were not seen exiting the terminal building further fuelling suspicion.

BAGGAGE SCREENED EXPLOSIVES



The abandoned baggage were immediately screened to check for explosives. However, security checks revealed that the baggage was safe. Faced with the daunting task of reviewing over 3,000 CCTV cameras installed in the Terminal ,

CISF deployed its crack CCTV monitoring team in the Security Operations Control Centre, who scanned hours of footage to locate the two missing passenger entering a toilet but mysteriously exiting in a different attire .

The couple reportedly discarded their original itinerary instead proceeded to domestic departures by some domestic flight.

Also read: PM Modi inaugurates country's second green airport in Vadodara

Several CISF teams were dispatched on the ground to locate the exact flight and destination . After intensive scrutiny with the domestic Airlines, the field teams reported that the two were bound for Pune by S2 4351 but they were booked to fly as Karan Patel (26) and Megha Patel (31) both residents of Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

CISF immediately rushed to get them de-boarded from Pune flight but could not succeed as the flight was in late stages of departure. Undeterred by it, the quick thinking official of CISF , immediately alerted shared the details of the passenger with their counterparts at Pune Airport .

COUPLE INTERCEPTED BY CISF



The two passengers were intercepted by alert CISF team at Pune airport and admitted that their names were indeed Karan Patel and Megha Patel both resident of Ahmedabad. They further admitted that they were unmarried and they were trying to leave for Toronto, ostensibly to emigrate, using forged passport posing as a couple .

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They opted to travel back to Delhi from Pune instead of waiting for the arrival of investigating team from Delhi .

The other agencies were alerted by the CISF and on their arrival the two passenger were subsequently interrogated jointly by CISF, Delhi Police, IB and Immigration .

Also read: London City Airport evacuated amid fire alarm

The passengers further admitted that they had been aided and assisted with the forged documents and alternative domestic ticket by a agent namely Imran who was present in the terminal as a co-passenger inside the terminal. The alleged agent ditched the love struck couple had and offloaded himself and exited the Terminal building.

Both the passengers and all relevant footages etc including image of the suspected agent have been handed over to Immigration by CISF for further action.

Sources say the couple's families have been contacted. Their lawyer was present when last contacted. They will be booked for forging documents and forgery. Cops are lookout for travel agent.



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- The Vote From The Black Community Is Critical . . . Opposition to Blunt isn't very adamant and neither is support for Kander. This community skipping the vote will change the dynamic of the elections and it's a shame this community is being ignored. Not even Prez Obama is sure Black voters will turn out this election





- Are voters convinced MO SecState Kander is a "Blue Dog" Democrat . . . The claim would be easier to support if the wasn't a Hillary Clinton campaign chair.





- Sen. Roy Blunt's old school reputation hurts him . . . He really is the Insider establishment candidate here . . . But the mistake is thinking that Missouri Trump voters are change agents and not just typical reactionaries against Hillary.

Quick background for tonight . . .Missouri's race is really about Senate control with very little impact for voters at the grassroots level.A few fun items to ponder for voters who really want to drill down . . .Further reading . . .Developing . . .
"No matter what people think about the things technology can do for us, we need to understand what it won't do. Technology doesn't stand up for our rights unless there is human interaction and participation. The public has been forced to go out and gather information happening in our day to day life as citizen journalist.





"Saturday night, we as citizen journalist were shut down and censored by the Kansas City Police Department. As we pulled into Westport parking lot we saw a man on his knees and an emergency situation develop. All we had was a cell phone to grab video and as the situation was unfolding the KCPD ordered us to stop taking video or our phone would be confiscated."

Testimony from Kansas City citizen journalists after a ruckus in Westport last night.Take a look:You decide . . .
"A priest faces charges of strangling a four year old in a Kansas City suburb. His church supervisors and colleagues must aggressively reach out to others in KS, MO and NJ who may have seen, suspected or suffered other crimes by the cleric.





"All too often, when church staff and volunteers are arrested on criminal charges, their current and former church colleagues do nothing. All too often, corrupt church officials refuse to act and thus essentially protect criminals and endanger children. And all too often, secular officials with the power and duty to safeguard societys most vulnerable pursue ONLY church staff who COMMIT abuse and ignore church staff who CONCEAL abuse . . .





"Church members and employees in any place this priest has been have a moral and civic duty to help law enforcement investigate and prosecute him. Theyll be tempted, of course, to do nothing. But thats wrong. And their inaction might help enable the priest to exploit legal technicalities and escape punishment and hurt more kids."

This week in the Kansas City metro . . .Here's the aftermath and a reminder about the legacy of secrecy among some clerics by the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests . . .Deets:############You decide . . .
Four Turkish fighter jets and two CN-235 entered Athens FIR on Thursday without submitting flight plans. Greek authorities registered six violations of air traffic rules in the FIR which turned into 28 violations of national airspace in several parts of the Aegean.

Most of the violations were committed by one of the CN-235s. Two of the national airspace violations were committed by the Turkish coastguard aircraft which flew over the islet of Panagia of the Oinouses island complex at 3,400 feet at 03:39 and 05:32 respectively. According to the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, in all cases the Turkish aircraft were recognized and intercepted by Greek fighter jets. In two instances, the interception developed into a dogfight. The two Turkish aircraft were armed.

This is the third time that theres a dogfight between Greek and Turkish fighter jets since the failed coup attempt in Turkey.

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
An honorary consulate of Belarus opened in Thessaloniki, Greece, the press service of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs told BelTA.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to Bulgaria with concurrent accreditation to Greece Vladimir Voronkovich, a delegation of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, representatives of government agencies of Northern Greece, the regional business community, public organizations, and the diplomatic corps took part in the opening ceremony.

Belarus' adherence to bolstering and enhancing bilateral ties in all spheres of interest for cooperation between the two countries was noted during the opening ceremony. In Thessaloniki the Belarusian delegation met with representatives of the Greek private sector, who are interested in establishing and developing trade contacts with Belarus. An extensive presentation of Belarus, its export potential, and investment appeal was arranged. Members of the Belarusian delegation also met with a number of representatives of interested Greek companies.

Read full text at: http://eng.belta.by/politics/view/honorary-consulate-of-belarus-opened-in-thessaloniki-95627-2016/

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 Hellenic American Chamber of Commerce (HACC) honored the founder and chairwoman of Seleni, Nitzia Logothetis, during the organizations 68th annual gala in New York, Oct 21.

HACC was established over 70 years ago with the mission to promote and strengthen economic, social and cultural ties between the United States and Greece. Also this year the Hellenic American Chamber of Commerce supports the ELEPAP, an non-profit organization in Greece dedicated to providing support to children with physical disabilities.

The award was presented to Nitzia Logothetis for helping thousands of women through her work at Seleni, the only non-profit in the US dedicated to the wellbeing of mothers and mothers to be. The award was presented by HACC president Nancy Papaioannou, also the president of Atlantic Bank. The stunning gala took place in New York and included Greek live music for the evening.

The Story and Work of SELENI

Founded in 2011 by George and Nitzia Logothetis, a low-key, high-impact couple, the Seleni Institute has helped thousands of women. The first institute of its kind, SELENI aims to transform mental health and wellness for women by increasing the availability and accessibility of health professionals and wellness support for women and their families.

The organization also provides financial assistance to those who are unable to afford care, including pregnant and parenting teenagers. Seleni aims to increase the availability of professional training opportunities for mental health and health care providers to screen, treat, and/or refer women in distress and to promote knowledge and understanding of reproductive and maternal mental health through research funding.

Read more here.

RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
Thousands of people have taken part in Walk Together rallies across Australia in a gesture to welcome refugees and immigrants to the country

Thousands of people have taken part in Walk Together rallies across Australia in a gesture to welcome refugees and immigrants to the country. The rallies, organised by Welcome to Australia, took place in more than 25 cities and towns and aimed to celebrate cultural diversity while promoting compassion and unity.

Welcome to Australia chief executive and former refugee Mohammad Al-Khafaji said the Australian walks had this year gone global.

The walk is a loud declaration that thousands of Australians believe we are a nation known for our compassion, generosity and welcome, Mr Al-Khafaji said.

A community in Anchorage, Alaska, heard about Australias Walk Together celebration and they were really impressed with its symbolism and its power.

Those Alaskans are holding their own Walk Together event this October to tie in with our walks in Australia this weekend. Tasmanian Governor Kate Warner took part in the Hobart march and called on Australians to challenge the anti-Islamic views of One Nation senator, Pauline Hanson.

Professor Warner called on demonstrators to stand up and welcome refugees.

She [Pauline Hanson] declared that Australia was being swamped by Muslims and in which she reiterated a call for a ban on Muslim immigration, Professor Warner said.

I think its so important for Australians who oppose her views to stand up and be counted."

Source: ABC.net.au

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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

Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons Copyright: Marcin n License: CC-BY-SA
EU Parliament President Martin Schulz is to hold fresh talks with Canadas trade minister to salvage the trade deal.

EU Parliament President Martin Schulz is to hold fresh talks with Canadas trade minister to salvage the trade deal. On Friday, final negotiations between Europe and Canada broke down after opposition from Belgium.

EU Parliament President Martin Schultz said on Saturday that he hoped the EU would overcome protests from the Belgian region of Wallonia, which is holding up the signing of the CETA trade deal with Canada.

"I am very optimistic that we can solve the problems that we have within the European Union," Schulz said after meeting Canadian Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland on Saturday morning and before talks with Belgiums Walloon leader Paul Magnette.

Following his own 11th hour talks with Schulz, Belgiums Walloon leader Paul Magnette acknowledged that his devolved region still stands in the way of the deal but was cautiously optimistic that the standoff could be resolved within days.

"I think its worth taking a little more time," Magnette said, despite what he said were "some small difficulties."

Schulz appeared equally hopeful following his discussions with Magnette, saying that "none of the stumbling blocks ... are insurmountable."

Wallonia continued to block the landmark agreement on Friday, after its regional parliament voted against the free trade deal.

Compromise talks

Canadas Freeland postponed her planned return to Canada on Saturday to take part in compromise talks with Schulz. She said Canada was willing to "stop the clock" until the EU had solved its internal problems, Schultz told German broadcaster ARD.

"The ball is in Europes court. We hope that it is possible to find a solution," Freeland said upon arriving at the parliament building for Saturdays talks, Belga news agency reported.

On Friday, Freeland walked out of discussions in Brussels, declaring that the EU was incapable of sealing the deal. She said it was "impossible" to overcome opposition from Wallonia.

German Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel said he was also optimistic about negotiators being able to reach a deal. The Economy Ministry said on Saturday that Gabriel had played a role in convincing Freeland not to return to Canada as planned.

Gabriel added that Belgian politics should not be allowed to hold the entire trade deal hostage.

"This is a domestic European problem and a domestic Belgian problem and not a problem for Canada. CETA is an excellent deal and it cant fail because of Europes incompetence at finding a way to balance interests between regions," he said, according to his ministry.

All 28 EU governments support the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), but Belgium cannot give its assent without backing from its five sub-federal administrations, and French-speaking Wallonia has steadfastly opposed the trade deal.

Time running out

CETA is supposed to be signed at an EU-Canada summit next week in the presence of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

But unless the Belgian region gives its go-ahead to the deal, the country cannot approve it and neither the ceremony cannot nor the deal itself will proceed.

CETA is designed to ease the flow of goods by removing tariffs and trade barriers between Canada and EU member states. It is expected to increase trade by about 20 percent.

Wallonia continued to have concerns about the threat of surging pork and beef imports from Canada and an independent court system to settle disputes between states and foreign investors, which critics have said may be used by multinational corporations to dictate public policy

Many EU leaders also suspect the local government in Namur of using its devolved powers to play domestic politics.

Sources: dpa, Reuters

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Hong Kong Airlines has suspended all flights departing and arriving Hong Kong between 1000 on October 21 and 0200 on October 22. The cancellations come as tropical cyclone Haima is predicted to make landfall in Hong Kong on Friday (October 21) morning.

Hong Kong Airlines passengers can rebook their flights without charge by visiting the carriers website.

Meanwhile, budget carrier HK Express has cancelled numerous flights between Hong Kong and Chiang Mai, Danang, Fukuoka, Mandalay, Ningbo Osaka, Phuket, Seoul, Taichung, Tokyo Narita and Wuxi.

Numerous airlines, along with Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), have issued precautions to travellers warning of flight disruptions as a result of the typhoon. Cathay Pacific has said it expects significant disruptions, including cancellations and delays, for flights to/from Hong Kong from approximately 11:00am to 10:00pm on Friday, 21 October, according to its latest travel alert last updated at 1930 on Thursday, October 20 at the time of writing. Flights after 2200 on Friday are expected to also encounter delays due to air traffic restraints.

According to HKIAs arrivals/departures schedule, a number of flights arriving and departing Hong Kong between 0800 and 2200 on Friday have already been cancelled. Airlines affected include: AirAsia; Air Canada; All Nippon Airways; Asiana Airlines; Cebu Pacific Air; China Airlines; China Eastern Airlines; China Southern; Eva Air; Finnair; Jetstar Japan; Juneyao Airlines; Malindo Air; Mandarin Airlines; MIAT Mongolian Airlines; Qantas; Spring Airlines; Tigerair; United Airlines; Vanilla Air; Vietnam Airlines and Xiamen Airlines.

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In the late 1960s and early 1970s, 58,000 American soldiers were killed fighting communism in Vietnam. Yet today we do nothing about discouraging the communistic ideology from finding its way into our U.S. Congress and local governments. The agenda is clear: Destroy the U.S. Constitution and our republic, and turn America into another socialized country like Eastern Europe. The purpose is to establish control under the United Nations and one global order. America is the last of the free nations in the western world to fall.

These revealing facts were brought to the citizens of Flagstaff Oct. 10 in a two-hour documentary entitled "The Enemies Within." The program was submitted by internationally renowned author, speaker and researcher Trevor Loudon at the Doubletree Inn and Suites.

The objective was to inform the community of outside influences endangering the stability of the US Constitution, the future of our Republic and life in America as we know it. The fact remains, "dumbing down America" in the context of Agenda 21 is real. Vladimir Lenin said Give me four years to teach the children and the seed I have sown will never be uprooted. Hence, the marijuana proposal on the ballot in the coming election and Common Core. These destructive measures have worked in other states and now it's Arizonas turn to defend itself in the November election.

MERLE HENDERSON

Flagstaff
By PTI: New Delhi, Oct 21 (PTI) A depression in the Bay of Bengal will bring rainfall over the Andaman Islands in the next two days, even as the development is most likely to intensify into a "cyclonic storm", IMD said today.

According to the Cyclone Warning Division of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a depression is at present over central and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal.

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It is about 400 km west-northwest of Port Blair and 750 km west-southwest of Yangoon, it said.

"Rainfall at many places with heavy rainfall at isolated places is very likely to occur over Andaman Islands on October 22 and 23.

"Squally winds with a speed ranging between 45-55 kmph and 65 kmph would blow over Andaman Islands and adjoining sea areas during next 48 hours. The sea condition is very likely to be rough to very rough along and off Andaman Islands during the next 48 hours," the IMD said.

M Mohapatra, Head of Cyclone Warning Division said, "The depression will continue to move east-northeastwards and reach near Myanmar coast on October 23. Thereafter, it would recurve west-northwestwards towards northwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal," PTI PR SRY

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Ankara has not yet answered a German politicians request to visit soldiers in the Incirlik airbase

Ankara has not yet answered a German politicians request to visit soldiers in the Incirlik airbase. The denial could mean that Turkey intends to block visits to the camp, like it did some months ago.

Speaking to the weekly "Welt am Sonntag" newspaper, Left party external affairs spokesman Jan van Aken said he inquired with the Turkish authorities again about his request to visit the airbase but had not received a response.

"If there is a ban on visits again, then the plan to extend the Bundeswehrs stay [in Incirlik] must not be extended," van Aken told the paper in a report released ahead of Sundays publication.

Turkey banned German representatives from visiting the Incirlik airbase for several months after Berlin passed a resolution recognizing the genocide in Armenia earlier this year. Ankara allowed a delegation from the German Defense Ministry to visit the 250 soldiers only after Berlin said the resolution was not legally binding.

German leaders said at the time that if additional visits were blocked by Turkey, Berlin would consider not extending the stay of its soldiers in Incirlik.

Speaking to "Welt am Sonntag," the Green partys defense expert, Agnieszka Brugger, said it was unacceptable if the defense delegations visit was an exception and that Turkey allowed only those leaders it approved of to visit Incirlik.

The German parliament is due to decide in November whether it will keep its soldiers at the airbase. German Tornado jets are stationed in the area and fly reconnaissance missions to support the war against the "Islamic State" (IS) in Syria and Iraq. A German tanker airplane based in Incirlik also refuels aircraft belonging to the US-led coalition fighting against the terror group.

In the near future, Germany is planning to deploy soldiers in AWACS reconnaissance aircraft belonging to the NATO. These planes will take off from Konya in southern Turkey.

Source: dpa, Reuters

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Adeptio AD Investments SPC and Al Khair National for Stocks and Real Estate have announced the completion of the sale by Al Khair of all of its shares in Kuwait Food Company (Americana) to Adeptio at a price of KD2.65 ($8.74) per share.



Following completion and in accordance with the regulations of the Capital Market Authority and Stock Exchange in Kuwait, Adeptio will launch a mandatory tender offer to the remaining Americana shareholders to purchase their shares at the same price.



Adeptio bought a 66.79 percent stake in Americana through an auction process from Al Khair. The total value of the deal was earlier reported to be $2.36 billion.



A cash dividend of KD0.1 per share and an in specie dividend valued at KD0.13 per share was declared at the annual general assembly of Americana in April 2016.



Mohamed Ali Alabbar, chairman of Adeptio, said: We are looking forward to begin this new and exciting chapter in Americana and envision a very bright future for the company. We are confident that alongside Americanas strong management team, we are well equipped to drive the business forward into this new stage of growth and to deliver strong results.



We would like to extend a special thanks to the Al Kharafi family, Americanas management and employees, the transaction advisors and all parties whose efforts have led to the successful consummation of this transaction, he said.



Loay Jassim Al Kharafi said: We are delighted to have concluded this process which represents a significant milestone for the Al Kharafi family. We are confident that the Americana business will continue to prosper and flourish under the new ownership of Adeptio who will continue the legacy that we have established over 50 years. We would like to express our gratitude to Americana management, employees, and other key stakeholders in the business for the support they have provided over the years.



As a representative of the Al Kharafi family I would also like to extend our special thanks and appreciation to our advisors without whose support and persistence, we would not have achieved this successful outcome.



Goldman Sachs is acting as financial advisor and Allen & Overy is acting as legal counsel to Adeptio.



Rothschild is acting as financial advisor and Clifford Chance is acting as legal counsel to Al Khair.  TradeArabia News Service


Omans leading plastic pipe manufacturer Muna Noor is set to make its debut at the upcoming Big 5, a leading international building and construction show, to be held from November 21 to 24 in Dubai, UAE, with a showcase of its innovative products.



Muna Noor was established over 40 years ago and is one of Omans oldest companies. It is now a subsidiary of Kuwait-based Boubyan Petrochemical Company.



An ISO 9001:2008-certified company, Muna Noor manufactures Omans premium range of plastic pipes, valves, pumps, fittings and accessories required for water control projects in the Middle East.



The Omani company will be showcasing some of the worlds best-selling plastic pipe products for water control projects, including the multi-layer HDPE (high-density polyethylene) pipe at the event, besides celebrating the success of its newly-launched pipe and valve centre in Salalah.



Made of three co-extruded layers that become one during extrusion, the multi-layer HDPE pipe can be laid into excavated trenches without the need for expensive bedding material, said the company in a statement.



Additionally, these pipes can be lined with an abrasion-resistant layer for moving materials such as mining slurry or pumping sands during dredging, making it the ideal solution for water, gas and sewer applications in the hot and harsh grounds of the Middle East, it added.



Grant Phipps, the company's group general manager, said: "We are proud to pioneer new approaches for our company and Oman. The Salalah launch has been a massive landmark for Muna Noor and we look forward to launching more new centres in Oman and throughout the Middle East over the next year."



"Within the last few years, Muna Noor has grown exponentially and our aim is to maintain that momentum for growth and reach our target of becoming the go to company for large-scale and bespoke state-of-the-art piping solutions in the GCC region, whilst exploring new pipe solutions and applications in order to exceed industry expectations," he stated.



"The Big 5 certainly is the event for Muna Noor to showcase at and we look forward to offering expert technical advice whilst making new contacts and building strong relationships," remarked Phipps.



The Big 5 network has been growing for more than three decades throughout the Middle East, India and South East Asia and now supports over 300,000 construction businesses from 120 countries worldwide with large-scale exhibitions, educational events, certified training workshops and excellent networking opportunities.



Operated by dmg events Middle East, The Big 5 in Dubai will welcome over 75,000 participants and 3,100 exhibiting companies from 142 countries this year.-TradeArabia News Service
A high-level UN team from the International Trade Centre conducted meetings last week with Ithraa, Omans inward investment and export development agency, focused on the latter's export facilitation and investment services.



The meetings also reviewed Ithraa's overall operational and management capacity.



Exploring international best practices and benchmarking also formed part of the discussions.



Research shows that businesses who export have greater growth prospects, more durability and higher profitability than companies who do not. Exporting businesses generate an average growth of 30 per cent after exporting for just two years, a good reason to consider trading globally, said Ithraa.



International exports are bringing new dollars into Oman and are among the primary economic drivers propelling Omans economic fortune. Today, were exporting to 140 countries. However, to maintain and improve on this performance we have to ensure that were providing current as well as future Omani exporters with the right support and information. Thats why our discussions with ITC are so important, pointed out Nasima Al Balushi, Ithraas director general of export development.



Doing business overseas neednt be difficult, remarked Taleb Al Makhmari, Ithraas acting director general, marketing and media, adding: Whatever country youre considering, industry you're in or stage your business is at, Ithraa can help. Our team offers impartial export advice to help Omani firms understand international business practices and export market opportunities. Working with ITC will only help improve our offer to Omans business community. Its a win-win scenario. - TradeArabia News Service


US-based Swiftships has won a $14.59 million fixed price contract covering continuous lifecycle support for the Iraqi Navy.



The US Naval Sea Systems Command is the contracting entity.



Swiftships specialises in the construction of small to medium-sized watercraft built of steel, aluminum, and fiberglass. It also offers turn-key solutions for its clients. Swiftships has received several contracts in recent years to provide ships and maintenance to the Iraqi navy.



The firm based in Louisiana will provide technical expertise in preventative and planned maintenance, emergent repairs, and platform overhaul support services for Iraqi patrol boats, off-shore vessels, and defender boats.



The work, to be performed at Umm Qasr Naval Base in Iraq, is expected to be completed by March 2017.


The realm of Indian fashion and its designers is a constantly transforming social, cultural and economic phenomenon. Every few years a new dimension of complexity is added by upcoming generations of designers who, fresh from studies, internships and early career placements, seek to add their unique perspective to what Indian fashion is, could or should be. The recent Amazon India Fashion Week demonstrated the sheer diversity of Indian fashion, from sharply tailored suits to fluid saris, loose minimal garments to ornamented occasion wear.

Yet, since I began researching on Indian fashion in 2009, a set of troubling themes persists in how the industry looks inwards upon itself and its multi-layered generations of designers. A pervasive criticism is the question of pattern-cutting and whether Indian designers are able to hone the important skills of translating two dimensions into three.

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Phyllida Jay

Even a brief glance at Rahul Mishra's ethereal tailored pieces, Gaurav Gupta's tailored saris, industry stalwarts Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna's slick daywear or the sharply tailored menswear of Rajesh Pratap Singh and Troy Costa reveals that many Indian designers are, in fact, highly adept, if not exemplary, at pattern-cutting.

So why does this criticism inevitably come up in the popular perception of Indian fashion, and why is it a subject of gossip in the smoking spaces and lounges at fashion weeks? The fact this perennial perception persists demands further reflection.

This leads us to some of the unique aspects of Indian fashion, namely its unsurpassable heritage of handwoven cloth and the draping styles of uncut cloth such as the sari or dhoti. Handloom textiles were and are developed to be worn uncut and draped, often on the bias as in the sari. Historically, uncut cloth was part and parcel of Hindu beliefs in cosmology and the importance of ritual purity. In the Muslim traditional dress, stitched cloth was simply cut to allow for modesty and free movement.

With the advent of colonialism and then globalisation, these traditional practices have increasingly entwined with western traditions of cut and construction. This is also part and parcel of a tendency to see western fashion as somehow 'better' and aspirational, engendering a subliminal crisis of confidence in Indian fashion. Yet look at the way Indian designers, such as Rahul Mishra or Samant Chauhan, have worked with the technical qualities of handloom fabrics to adapt them for contemporary fashion aesthetics, which demand structured tailoring and even prosaic qualities such as washability and durability.

Other designers, such as Ruchika Sachdeva at Bodice or Gaurav Jai Gupta, take a different route. Sachdeva is most clearly influenced by indigenous Muslim traditions of stitched cloth, reinventing the kurta as the core of cool and minimal contemporary daywear for the modern woman. Gaurav Jai Gupta's work bridges the sari with contemporary blouses and styling, and textiles that take one's breath away. Indian designers are at their most interesting when they challenge or provoke new questions because of the heavy influence of western perceptions of beauty and style.

Consider another twist to this story: It was the sari's spiralling drapery that made it a key focus for early 20th century European designers such as Madeleine Vionnet and Madame Gres. They sought inspiration in the sari as a technical proposition for draping on the bias, and invested it with structured bodices and minimal stitching to provide a unique hybrid between Indian and western dress making skills. Renowned Japanese designer Yohji Yamamoto wrote a book on Vionnet, such was the influence of her on his own work. Yamamoto's influence has been immeasurable on western designers. It's fascinating to consider part of what Yamamoto drew upon was Vionnet's interpretations of the sari.

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Yamamoto's own work with the kimono and concepts such as wabi-sabi have had great influence on Indian designers, including Abraham and Thakore, Kallol Datta, Arjun Saluja, Payal Khandwala and Bodice, all of whom interpret this influence in richly divergent ways. That's common knowledge. But how many also know another Japanese designer-Issey Miyake-was greatly inspired by Rakesh Thakore's work with handloom and khadi in the 1980s? We need to acknowledge the influences Indian design has and can exert on global fashion-making.

Fashion always reaches into the past and frequently comes full circle. Perhaps, then we need to pay more attention to the unique legacies of Indian textile traditions and clothing to understand that 'western' pattern-cutting is only a small part of Indian fashion's heritage and future.

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The writer is an author and expert on contemporary Indian fashion

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Denmarks Haldor Topsoe, a global technology, catalyst and services vendor to the petrochemical and refining industry, has expressed interest to take part in projects to produce new petrochemical products in Iran, a senior official has said.



Marzieh Shahdaei, managing director of National Petrochemical Company, said she had discussed several areas for potential cooperation with top officials from Haldor Topsoe during a meeting on the sidelines of the K Trade Fair 2016 in Germany, a Press TV report said.



She said the company was specifically interested in supplying Irans petrochemical projects with technical licenses.



Further areas of cooperation between Irans NPC and the Danish firm include the construction of catalyst plants and also plants to produce methanol, urea and ammonia, it added.



Haldor Topsoe recently opened its offices in Tehran, Iran.



With the new office, Topsoe will reinforce its already strong ties with Iranian petrochemical and refining companies, the company said.



We are excited to open the new office and resume the great working relationship with Iran and the companies here. It means that we are close to our Iranian customers and partners so we can be the responsive and agile business partner they need, said Per K Bakkerud, executive vice president of Topsoes chemical business unit and the EMEA region.



Managing director Jens Ole Madsen heads Topsoes Tehran office and has spent several months in the country already. He said: Irans unique combination of abundant natural resources and highly skilled people holds enormous potential. In our recent deals within methanol and ammonia, it has been confirmed that Topsoes leading products and services can be very relevant in realizing this potential, in some cases combined with the financing services we offer through our joint venture Ferrostaal Topsoe Projects.



The event attracted a large number of top executives from the Iranian refining and petrochemical business, who listened to speeches by Hossein Alimorad, investment director of the National Petrochemical Company, and other prominent speakers.
Preparations are now under way in Dubai to create the ultimate showcase of jewellery that will present an opportunity for shoppers to purchase the worlds most unique pieces.



Returning to the Dubai World Trade Centre from December 7 to 10, the Dubai International Jewellery Week 2016 will gather the most diverse range of jewellery retailers spanning the globe. Boutiques and retailers from Singapore, Turkey, Italy, France, Hong Kong, Japan, Kazakhstan and Iran have already confirmed their participation to present their new collections alongside a host of popular UAE companies.



New retailers this year include Caratell from Singapore, Auri Tempore from Italy and Quais by Mehwish Allawala from Dubai, while boutiques such as Australian South Sea Pearls, Very Important Jewels Paris, Al Anwaar Golden Jewellers and Yoko By Euro Pearls will return once again launching new collections and designs.



Visitors to the show can expect to uncover a treasure trove of unique designs, bespoke collections and a range of precious stones from more than 300 of the worlds leading jewellery brands. The event will present unique pieces which will be sure to turn heads and put a sparkle in the eyes, said organisers.



This years show will offer a greater variety of designer jewellery, diamonds and gemstone collections than earlier. It will also have a series of engaging, interactive features to make the day of shopping fun and unforgettable with friends and family.

Once again, the popular Lifestyle and Beauty Hub will offer a sanctuary from the buzz of the floor, where guests can try new make-up techniques and understand the best ways to complement their jewellery, while the Style Workshops will be an interactive, engaging space with expert views and advice from fashionistas, stylists and popular bloggers of the UAE.



In addition to gathering a collection of the worlds leading brands, the event encourages the participation of independent jewellery designers, providing them with an opportunity to showcase their latest masterpieces to discerning customers in the UAE.



Admission to all visitors is free. The show is open from 2 pm to 10 pm daily, with the exception of December 9 (Friday) when doors open at 3 pm.  TradeArabia News Service


Batelco, Bahrains leading digital services provider, has signed a sponsorship agreement with the Bahrain Institute of Banking & Finance (BIBF) that will see the company play the role of communications partner for the upcoming Bahrain International Project Management Convention.

The programme will run throughout November at the BIBF campus in Juffair, under the patronage of the Central Bank of Bahrain.

The convention, which is an initiative coordinated by the BIBF and supported by the Project Management Institute  Arabian Gulf Chapter (PMI  AGC), is the first of its kind event to take place in the region.

The programme will include a series of training courses, workshops and fun corporate activities highlighting various topics related to the science and art of project management. It has been designed to promote further awareness about this discipline, with the ultimate goal of enhancing project deliverables in Bahrain.

The partnership agreement was signed by Batelcos human resources and corporate services general manager Suhaila Alnowakhda and BIBF deputy director Dr Ahmed Al-Shaikh at a meeting held at Batelcos headquarters in Hamala.

Batelco Bahrain CEO Eng Muna Al Hashemi, speaking following the signing of the agreement, said Batelco was delighted to support the BIBF to ensure the success of the month-long programme.

A number of Batelcos staff will have the opportunity to participate and benefit from the training delivered by industry leading professionals. The content rich programme will undoubtedly benefit all who participate, she added.

Alnowakhda said that training and development formed an essential part of Batelcos framework with its staff benefitting from a wide range of opportunities at the companys Hamala Training Centre.

Batelco also avails of external training opportunities and the Project Management Convention with its high calibre trainers and comprehensive range of programmes and workshops, promises to be a very worthwhile opportunity not to be missed.

Dr Al Shaikh extended his appreciation to Batelco on behalf of all concerned saying that the event will be a great opportunity for personnel from across different industries to learn and develop their skills, benefitting from the expertise of leading industry experts.

The convention will comprise 30 specialised workshops conducted by professional project management experts that covers all business sectors.

A competition in the project management field will be launched as part of the convention. The competition will be a practical implementation of project management principles that will help learners to apply and better understand the principles of project management, from beginning to the delivery of a product or result, the statement said.  TradeArabia News Service




The National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) and Singaporean Tru Marine recently signed an agreement of cooperation in technology and information sharing and repair of turbochargers for main engines and diesel ship generators, a report said.



The deal was signed on the sidelines of the 18th Marine Industries Exhibition, NITC Technical and Navigation Operations director Akbar Jebalameli was quoted as saying in the Iran Daily report, which cited Shana.



Azarpad Engineering & Procurement Company, as the representative of NITC, signed the contract with the Singaporean Tru Marine Company, Jebalameli said



The companies will also cooperate on technical and educational areas, he added




Malaysian firms have showed interest in investing in Iran's oil industry, Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh was quoted as saying in an Iran Daily report.



Zanganeh said during a meeting with Malaysia's Minister of International Trade and Industry Mustapa Mohamed that Iran welcomes Malaysian firms including Petronas Company which has had cooperation with Iran for years, the report said, citing Irna.



Small Malaysian companies are also willing to invest in Iran, he noted, adding that they should prove their financial capability.



He said the two countries will hold more talks and feasibility studies for the purpose.






Air Arabia, the Middle East and North Africas first and largest low-cost carrier, iss looking to expand its international route network with a new service to Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan.



Starting March 23, 2017, the airline will operate four weekly flights from its primary Sharjah International Airport hub. The launch of the new flights follows a joint cooperation between Air Arabia, Azerbajian Airlines and local authorities aimed at promoting the new route connecting Baku and Sharjah.



On Thursdays and Sundays, the flight will depart Sharjah at 07:55 and arrive at the Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku at 10:50 local time, with the return flight scheduled from Baku at 11:30 destined to reach Sharjah at 14:10 local time. On Tuesdays and Saturdays, the flight will depart from Sharjah at 14:55 to land in Baku at 17:50 local time, and make its return journey starting 18:50 at Baku and land at Sharjah International Airport at 21:30 local time.



Sitting on the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Azerbaijans largest city also serves as the countrys financial nerve centre. Baku invites business and leisure travellers to its unique urban setting where ancient stone mansions co-exist with newly developed skyscrapers and mosques that stand as architectural marvels.



Adel Al Ali, group chief executive officer, Air Arabia, said: Baku offers an exciting proposition as a gateway to witness the confluence of history and modern urbanism. By adding this emerging destination to our growing network, Air Arabia will facilitate greater trade and tourism between the two countries. We thank the local authorities in Azerbaijan for all their efforts and cooperation leading to the launch of the new service connecting Sharjah and Baku.



This move also gives regional travellers another getaway that is a short flight away; and the recent lifting of advance visa requirements is an impetus for GCC citizens to include Baku into their travel list.

Baku recently strengthened its presence on the global arena after playing host to the European Grand Prix. The city has also been named a host for the UEFA Euro 2020 tournament. - TradeArabia News Service
Marriott International has welcomed a new executive team for Sheraton Oman, which reopened recently following an extensive renovation of its guestrooms and public spaces.



With more than 30 years of experience with Sheraton, Thomas van Opstal will take the helm as general manager of Sheraton Oman. Opstal started his career with Sheraton Frankfurt and has previously held successful positions as food and beverage director, resident manager, general manager and area manager through a number of Starwood properties in Melbourne, Singapore, Riyadh, Doha, Abu Dhabi and Dubai.



Opstal is joined by a dynamic senior leadership team of world-class talent and experience:



Andrea Emmerling, hotel manager, boasts extensive experience with Starwood hotels, most recently as manager-Learning and Development in the Starwood office in Brussels.



Director of Finance Devraj Karnik joins the team after his previous stint as deputy director of Finance for the Four Points by Sheraton Complex in Dubai.



Marcus Ptok, director of Food and Beverage, has worked in the food and beverage industry for more than 15 years across countries such as South Africa, Seychelles, Russia, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Central Asia and Saudi Arabia.



Mai Nasser, director of sales, has worked extensively with the Sheraton brand, including Sheraton Luxor, Sheraton Heliopolis, Sheraton Cairo and Sheraton Abu Dhabi, with her most recent stint being at Le Royal Meridien Abu Dhabi.



Florian Wessel, director of Revenue, joined Starwood in 2011 with the Complex Reservations Team before he moved into revenue. His previous experience includes working in the Revenue Team of the Netherlands Complex, followed by the Central London Complex and his most recent stint at the W Hong Kong.



Jeremie Lennoy, director of Marketing, joins the team from the Starwood regional office in Dubai where he was senior manager Digital Marketing for the Middle East.



Rahma Al Shidhani, director of HR, has previously worked on two hotel openings before joining the team at Sheraton Oman.



Shan Sirajudheen, director of Engineering, comes on board after his most recent stint at Le Meridien Fisherman's Cove in the Seychelles.

Neeraj Pyaneeandee, executive chef, has spent years championing French cuisine. With his creative, innovative and modern style, Neeraj enjoys exploring new flavours while keeping a finger of the pulse of the all-time favourites.



Claudia Arnhardt, executive housekeeper has vast experience in the hospitality industry, across countries such as Hong Kong, Lebanon, Sudan, Jordan, Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Her most recent position was executive housekeeper at the Baur du Lac in Switzerland, classified as one of the top seven hotels in Europe.



Sheraton Omans new team comes with diverse hospitality experience and world-class talent. Since its opening in 1985, Sheraton Oman has had a history of bringing people together in the heart of Muscat with its imaginative and innovative range of guest experiences. Restoring the Omani tradition of hospitality, the hotel reopens its doors following a transformative renovation. The hotel features 230 modern and spacious rooms, including 27 suites with panoramic views of the Al Hajar mountain range and offers easy access to the Old Town. - TradeArabia News Service
By PTI: New York, Oct 23 (PTI) Scientists have found the earliest known evidence for right-handedness in 1.8-million-year-old fossils of the prehistoric human ancestors, Homo habilis.

"We already know that Homo habilis had brain lateralisation and was more like us than like apes. This extends it to handedness, which is key," said lead author David Frayer, professor at University of Kansas in the US.

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The researchers made the discovery after analysing small cut marks, or labial striations, which are the lip side of the anterior teeth in an intact upper jaw fossil, known as OH-65, found in a stream channel of the Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania.

Frayer said among the network of deep striations found only on the lip face of the upper front teeth most cut marks veered from left down to the right.

Analysis of the marks makes it likely they came from when OH-65 used a tool with its right hand to cut food it was holding in its mouth while pulling with the left hand.

The scratches can be seen with the naked eye, but a microscope was used to determine their alignment and to quantify their angulation.

"Experimental work has shown these scratches were most likely produced when a stone tool was used to process material gripped between the anterior teeth and the tool occasionally struck the labial face leaving a permanent mark on the tooths surface," Frayer said.

Based on the direction of the marks, it is evident the Homo habilis was right-handed. It is a sample of one, but because this is the first potential evidence of a dominant handed pre-Neanderthal, Frayer said, the study could lead to a search for the marks in other early Homo fossils.

"Handedness and language are controlled by different genetic systems, but there is a weak relationship between the two because both functions originate on the left side of the brain," Frayer said.

"One specimen does not make an incontrovertible case, but as more research is done and more discoveries are made, we predict that right-handedness, cortical reorganisation and language capacity will be shown to be important components in the origin of our genus," he said.

Multiple lines of research point to the likelihood that brain reorganisation, the use of tools and use of a dominant hand occurred early in the human lineage.

Today, researchers estimate that 90 per cent of humans are right-handed, and this differs from apes which are closer to a 50-50 ratio.

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Until now, no one looked for directionality of striations in the earliest specimens representing our evolutionary lineage.

"We think we have the evidence for brain lateralisation, handedness and possibly language, so maybe it all fits together in one picture," Frayer said.

The study was published in the Journal of Human Evolution. PTI NKS MHN SAR MHN

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Delhi police busted an illegal casino in Sainik Farms locality of the city and arrested 36 people in this connection.

By Tanseem Haider: A joint police team of Neb Sarai and Malviya Nagar of South Delhi district busted a Casino on Sunday and arrested 36 persons. Acting on a tip off, the police team conducted a raid at J-255, Sainik Farms.

The raiding party found that around two dozen people were playing Casino in the premises on five tables. The police seized 11 luxury vehicles, 23 bottles of liquor and chips worth Rs 1,36,45,000. 250 packets of playing cards were also seized from the casino.

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READ: Iconic Las Vegas casino, famous for mafia ties, demolished with dramatic purple explosion

Players, table attendants and proprietors are among the 36 arrested persons. Two separate cases under Delhi Gambling Act and Delhi Excise Act were registered at PS Neb Sarai.

However, main accused and owner of the premises Harender Kaushik and Kunal Chandra, one of the proprietors and partner of the Casino were yet to be arrested.

The Delhi police said that it would take steps to seal the property under the provisions of Delhi Gambling Act.



ALSO READ:

No new offshore casino allowed, only licence renewed: Goa CM





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Tribune News Service

Amritsar, October 22

The newly opened Amandeep College of Nursing, affiliated to Baba Farid University of Health Sciences and Indian Nursing College, has announced admissions for its BSc and GNM courses. The college has recently been opened by Amandeep Hospital and Clinics.

The college is also organising a two-day workshop: MERIT- Managing Emergencies by Rapid Intervention and Treatment on November 7 and 8. At a press conference here today, the founder of the hospital, Dr Avtar Singh, said Lisa Ellis, Senior Training and Development Officer from the United Kingdom, would conduct the workshop.

He added that Dr VK Gautam, former Liaison Dean at the London Deanery, University of London, would also be coming for a college visit. This will be a great opportunity for the students and trained nurses interaction and will serve as a great knowledge platform. He said the best faculty had been selected for this college, so that it could fulfil the aspirations of students and their parents.
Tribune News Service

Amritsar, October 23

Following the trend in metropolitan cities, the Municipal Corporation Amritsar has installed solar panels on traffic lights in the city. The solar panel-equipped lights on various locations have started functioning. Initially, the authorities have installed the solar panels only on single light poles.

The traffic lights are equipped with a battery. Solar panels installed on top of the pole convert sunlight into electrical power. The lights function for the whole day. It is worth mentioning here that the state government has been encouraging residents to adopt solar equipments to be used as renewable energy. Residents have welcomed the initiative of the Municipal Corporation.

Harjit Singh, a resident, said, It is a good initiative to instal solar panels on traffic signals. The solar-powered traffic signal system will encourage residents to adopt solar energy for their household tasks. The MC should also instal solar panels on streetlights to conserve energy.

The project will help save energy and ensure smooth vehicular movement. Solar power is an efficient alternative provided enough energy is stored. The MC should expand it to other chowks, said Ravi, another resident.
Tribune News Service

Amritsar, October 22

Even as supply of dry fruit from the Kashmir valley was restored after a prolonged spell of unrest, moderate response of customers during the festive season has become a cause of concern for traders.

The Federation of Dry Fruit and Karyana Merchants president, Anil Mehra, said dry fruit was arriving from the Kashmir valley at a slow pace in the local market. He said these items, including saffron, walnuts, almonds and others, were coming in short consignments. The festival market is yet to pick up, he added. He said the price of almonds had reduced as its supply exceeded demand in the market. The American variety of almonds is selling at Rs 600, which is down from Rs 800 per Kg. Similarly, the price of Pashori almond, which is imported from Afghanistan, has also reduced to Rs 750 from previous high of Rs 850 per kg, he added.

Businessmen of the Valley and the holy city have been trading in tea, green tea, dry fruit, fruit, textile, shawls, spices and other merchandise for centuries. Turmoil in the Kashmir valley hit trade on both sides.

Traders, especially, whole sellers dealing in textile, grains, spices and dry fruit had been keenly awaiting for the situation to turn normal so that they could resume business.

Another trader Harish Aggarwal said local dry fruit sellers competed in stable price of the market as barter trade was stopped in the POK Kashmir valley. He added that they imported merchandise after paying custom duty, but traders in the Valley were exempt from paying duty.

He opined that adverse trade scenario was frittering away advantageous geographical location of the holy city, which is strategically situated at the threshold of Central Asian countries. He said, Amritsar is well connected by road to Afghanistan via Pakistan.

Besides, Afghanistan is a Central Asian country, which shares boundary with three of the five other Central Asian nations, including Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Afghanistan also has its boundary with Iran and China, he added.

He said, Merchandise, especially, dry fruit can easily be traded between these countries.
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, October 23

Members of the Association of Active NGOs spread awareness among the public against the use of Chinese crackers here today. They carried banners at Fire Brigade Chowk urging the public to refrain from using Chinese crackers. The gathering was addressed by MLA Sarup Chand Singla. He also endorsed the lesser use of crackers this Diwali to minimise the pollution caused by crackers.

Sandeep Aggarwal of Jeewanjyoti Welfare Club said Chinese crackers cause a lot of health hazard and pollution. Members of the association informed the public about the Make in India campaign and urged them to use Indian-made crackers for celebrating the festival.
India is the world's fifth largest egg producer, however, neither the Centre nor state governments nor municipalities have bothered to regulate poultry farming.

By Baishali Adak: With the latest avian flu outbreak in Delhi, the unhygienic conditions under which India's poultry farming industry operates has come under the scanner of international organisations like the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). The animal welfare group will write to state governments and the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) citing a research done by it in 2008 that points out that packing chickens in battery cages - where they are bred, fed and defecate lifelong - creates cesspools of pathogens and helps viruses like H5N1 spread.

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Also read: Delhi bird flu update: Delhi zoo, Deer Park to be shut until normalcy returns

Also read: Bird flu scare: Gwalior Zoo closed after 17 storks die within a week



NO REGULATIONS IN POULTRY FARMING

Poultry is one of the fastest growing sectors in India, with Andhra Pradesh and Telangana being the largest producers. India is the world's fifth largest egg producer and 18th largest producer of broilers. However, neither the Centre nor state governments nor municipalities have bothered to regulate it.

Also read: Bird flu scare: AAP MLAs should clean Delhi garbage instead of taking pay hikes, says Supreme Court

Also read: Will bird flu outbreak in Delhi zoo hit chicken trade? Capital on alert



Nikunj Sharma, spokesperson and the government liaison officer for PETA in India, told Mail Today, "We had warned about this phenomenon even in year 2008. There is enough research material to prove that insanitary poultry farm conditions create gross breeding grounds for diseases. Even the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), USA, says that battery cages, which are basically the size of A4 sheets, are unhealthy.

"The cages are never cleaned. Lakhs of chicken are crammed in like this. Their feather and faeces keeps accumulating giving off ammonia fumes. Ultimately, this is where zoonotic diseases - the variety which transfers from animals and birds to humans - originate," he said.

Scientists also raised questions about the disposal of in consumable chicken parts like heads and intestines of chickens, besides carcasses of dead ones, which are thrown near the farms to be scavenged by dogs and cats. These also attract birds like the Cattle Egret, crows, Common Myna and Pied Myna, raising the danger of spread of avian flu.

PLIGHT IN GHAZIPUR

NG Jayasimha of the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), says, "Leave alone Andhra, when you look at Delhi the situation is horrible. The Ghazipur murgi mandi is rotting filthy; it is not cleaned in ages. Plus, there is the huge Ghazipur landfill in the backdrop and buzzing with flies. There are no veterinarians to check the health of the chickens, no proper bio-security measures and the litter is thrown anywhere."

"Unfortunately, the poultry industry is worth millions of rupees and some politicians also have stake in it. So even court guidelines, issued by the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the National Green Tribunal (NGT) previously, are not adhered to. All runs on God's will," he rued.

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Watch the video here



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TKA Nair

THE circumstances leading to the enactment of the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) and the subsequent developments, culminating in the face-off between the executive and the judiciary, are too recent to be recapitulated. Eminent jurists, academics, retired judges and the media have commented upon different aspects of the development. Viewed in the historical perspective of our constitutional law, the NJAC verdict is the latest manifestation of a simmering conflict between the judiciary on the one side and the executive and the legislature on the other.

Shrouded in the niceties of constitutional law as it has evolved over the years with judicial pronouncements made in different contexts, is the tussle for supremacy in the governance of the State. At the root of it is the very core of our parliamentary democracy: Where does the sovereign power of the State rest and which is the ultimate authority to decide it and exercise it.

We, the people of India  acting through the Constituent Assembly gave ourselves the Constitution which is the foundation of our parliamentary democracy. The Constitution lays down in detail the institutional mechanisms and processes for exercising the sovereign power of the State through the legislature, the executive and the judiciary. The division and separation of powers amongst these three pillars of the State is fundamental to our parliamentary democracy. Each one is supreme in its constitutionally defined domain but integral to the scheme of governance as provided in the Constitution.

Thus the duly elected legislature, representing the will of the people, exercises the power to lay down the laws of the land and the executive, accountable to the legislature, exercises the power of implementing them through appropriate institutions and mechanisms. The judiciary exercises the power to ensure that both the legislature and the executive function in accordance with the provisions in the Constitution and the laws laid down by the legislature.

Ever since the Constitution came into force, the governance of the country has been carried out in accordance with the scheme of separation of powers envisaged in it. From time to time, the Supreme Court, exercising its power of judicial oversight, has struck down as unconstitutional legislative enactments and executive decisions. Significantly, some of the enactments were aimed at breaking free from certain constraints imposed by judicial pronouncements. The latest and the most telling instance has been the NJAC verdict which negates a legislation passed by Parliament and ratified by state legislatures, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution itself. The impact of this verdict goes far beyond the NJAC to the very fundamentals of our parliamentary democracy.

The doctrine of the basic structure of the Constitution, enunciated by the apex court in the Kesavanand Bharati case, has been the most decisive turning point in our constitutional history. Without clearly defining what the basic structure is and spelling out what constitutes it, the apex court held it to be one of the inviolate cornerstones of the Constitution. Shorn of legal jugglery, the basic structure of the Constitution is in effect what the majority verdict of a Constitution bench of the apex court pronounces from time to time, the latest being the law of the land till it is modified or overruled by a larger bench of the Court.

The NJAC verdict sharply reflects this position, with its consequences going far beyond the crafting of a Memorandum of Procedure (MOP) for appointment of judges through a courtroom process. Over a period of time, the perception that through its interpretation and application of the doctrines of judicial review and basic structure, the apex court has positioned itself as the sole final arbiter of governance in our parliamentary democracy, has gained ground. The words of wisdom and caution of AK Ayar in the Constituent Assembly and Chief justice Kania in the AK Gopalan case have been obscured and rendered outdated. At the same time, with the steady decline in the standing of the legislature and the executive, the judiciary has emerged as the most credible and durable repository of the power of the State.

The legislature, the executive and the judiciary are equally fundamental to our constitutional framework of governance. Beyond courtroom battles, they are partners in sharing and exercising the sovereign power of the Indian State for pursuing the common objectives set forth in the Preamble to the Constitution and the Directive Principles. Differences of convictions and perceptions on issues of governance amongst them are inevitable and even welcome in the context or the incredible diversity of our country. Dissent, discussion and consensus constitute the very essence of democracy. Viewed in this perspective, wisdom lies in opening an informed national dialogue on all facets of the constitutional issues involved in the developments leading to the NJAC verdict. A comprehensive Presidential reference to the Supreme Court could trigger the process, hopefully leading to better appreciation of the spirit of the Constitution and its restoration in the functioning of the legislature, the executive and the judiciary. We the people of India look forward to it.

The writer is a former Principal Secretary and Adviser to the Prime Minister.
Aftab Alam

THE public interest litigation petition filed by a Muslim woman from Uttarakhand, Shayara Bano, before the Supreme Court, seeking the abolition of triple talaq, has brought the spotlight back on the Muslim Personal Law once again  after 30 years since the Shah Bano controversy. The political scenario is, however, different this time. While the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) yet again is seeking to defend triple talaq, the Union Government, led by the BJP, has taken a diametrically opposite view, asserting that triple talaq not only violates the fundamental rights as enshrined in the Constitution, but also did not form part of the essential religious practices in Islam. The AIMPLB has also decided to boycott the Law Commissions questionnaire on a uniform civil code.

Amidst the controversy, it is worth looking at the Quranic injunctions on divorce as they have not only been misunderstood by common Muslims, but also have been wrongly portrayed by even many Muslim clerics. At the outset, Islam does not encourage divorces and permits only in exceptional circumstances and it must be resorted to only when there is no alternative, and that to, in the most amicable manner. The question of triple talaq nonetheless assumes significance in the face of reports of its frequent misuse by Muslim men who are even using Facebook, Skype, Twitter and text messages for divorcing their spouses in utter disregard to the principles and procedures laid down in the Quran and Hadith (tradition of the Prophet).

The Quran is very unambiguous on the matter of divorce. In verse 4:35, it has been clearly stipulated that in the event of marital discord, before a divorce, arbitrators should be appointed, representing one from each side, for reconciliation. It is only after the failure of the reconciliatory efforts, the Quran  in verses 2:226-227  permits the pronouncement of the first talaq. Thereafter there is provision for a waiting period (normally three to four month) called iddat before the second talaq is pronounced and they can still reunite before teh third and final talaq is pronounced. Thereafter the marital bond is finally severed (verse 2.229). Thus the Quran lays down a clear and detailed procedure for divorce to ensure that it should take place only after careful consideration and not just a rash step taken in a fit of emotion. It also stipulates the stages of negotiation, conciliation and arbitration before reaching a final decision.

According to a Hadith narrated by Ibn Abbas found in Sahih Muslim, Rukanah ibn Abu Yazid had pronounced divorce to his wife three times on a single occasion, but later he felt very sorry and went to the Prophet (pbuh) for his advice. The Prophet asked him how he had divorced his wife. He replied that he had pronounced three divorces. The Prophet again asked, did you pronounce it in one sitting? He said yes. The Prophet then observed, All three count as only one and if you want you may revoke it. In yet another Hadith reported in Mishkat-ul-Masabih, when the Prohpet was informed about a man who had pronounced talaq thrice, at a time, he was so enraged that he said, Are you playing with the Book of Allah who is great and glorious while I am still amongst you?

Thus there is no sanction for the triple talaq either in the Quran or Hadith. In the Prophets lifetime and under the first Caliph, Abu Bakr, and during the early period of the second Caliph, Umar ibn al-Khattab, utterances of talaq thrice in one sitting was used to be considered as only one. It was only in the later part of the Umars caliphate that the triple divorce was allowed as lawful.

The decision of Caliph Umar to legalise triple divorce was purely temporary and taken in a particular context to discourage talaq in haste but his order no way changed the original position of the Shariah on divorce as prescribed in the Quran and the Sunnah. It was also never meant to be a permanent law to be followed for all times to come.

It is true that major schools of Islamic jurisprudence also subscribe to the Umars verdict on triple talaq. In their opinion, whether a divorce is pronounced thrice in one sitting or after a waiting period, in any case it does become effective, although the pronouncer commits an act of sin. The Hanfi School of jurisprudence, followed by a vast majority of the Muslims in the subcontinent, while it considers triple talaq as sinful and innovative, nevertheless it legalises it.

But there are many eminent Islamic jurists who differ with all four Imams on the question of triple divorce. Sai bin al-Musayyab, for instance, holds another extreme position and says that the divorce of the person who pronounces it thrice at one time does not take place at all. In the opinion of Taus and Ikrimah, if divorce is pronounced thrice at once it would amount to one divorce only. And according to Imam Taymiyyah, even if someone pronounces the word talaq thrice in one session it would be treated as one only. Many eminent jurists like Muhammad Muqatil, Hafiz Ibn Hajar, Sheikh Shaltut, Allama Rashid Rida and Shaikh Jamal al-Din al-Qasim have also held a similar view.

The AIMPLB should understand that its stand on triple talaq is not only regressive, but also completely ignores the family law reforms initiated in many Muslim countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkey, Tunisia, Syria, Egypt, Morocco, Iran, Iraq, Malaysia and Indonesia to bring them in conformity with the Quran and Sunnah and to suit the present-day conditions. Most of them have abolished triple talaq. It should also realise that there is ample scope of regulating talaq under Shariah and the prohibition on triple talaq, which is considered sinful act even by those who approve it, does not undermine the spirit of Islamic law on divorce. If the AIMPLB still insists on triple talaq, nothing explains its stance better than what was said half a century ago by noted jurist Syed Amir Ali in his book The Spirit of Islam: The Prophet inculcated the use of reason; his followers have made its exercise a sin.

The writer is a Professor of political science at Aligarh Muslim University
The medium of instruction will remain a debatable issue in a country as diverse as India till policymakers on education shift their focus to substance. Form should not be an issue. Linguists and pedagogues across the world agree that if a child receives primary education in mother tongue, her cognitive skills and ability to learn a second or third language are enhanced. Their findings are based on empirical evidence; nowhere do they talk of scrapping other languages. Therefore, the recommendations made by the RSS-affiliated Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas to the HRD Ministry that no foreign language should be offered as an alternative to Indian languages and that the medium of instruction should be mother tongue alone take a step backwards.

Maybe such noises about the monopoly of mother tongue and glorification of Indian culture, by exclusion of others perhaps, make good politics; they cannot translate into either providing jobs, or creating a rich pool of knowledge. They are not worth consideration for the new education policy currently under formulation. Atal Bihari Vajpayee Hindi Vishwavidyalaya, the Hindi-only university in Bhopal, received only three applications for its engineering courses. And despite their uproar against English and in favour of Konkani and Marathi in Goa, post-election, the BJP has gone soft on English-medium education.

The three-language formula followed in schools emphasises elementary learning in mother tongue only. Yet students are moving to English-medium schools to improve their chances of employment. India has been able to take advantage of call-centre jobs that require a workable knowledge of English. The insistence on mother tongue may deny Indians the sole advantage they enjoy over other Asians. Presumably, shakha members send their own children to English-medium schools; by putting a reverse gear on education they seek to check Indians out of the global job market. The NCERT suggests better pedagogy in teaching languages, including English, across schools to improve students employment potential in the global job market. Last week HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar insisted that the governments role must be of a facilitator and not a controller; he should reject these unenlightened recommendations and act on his own words.
Vishal Joshi

Tribune News Service

Kurukshetra, October 22

Gurukul and DAV College today organised a function to celebrate the 52nd birthday of BJP president Amit Shah in his presence here today.

The function was called Arya Yuva Maha Sammelan, which marked the 104th founders day of Gurukul. Students were made to sit in the sun for more than four hours during the function.

Instead of focusing on students, various speakers limited their speeches to praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shah.

President of DAV College Management Committee Punam Suri recited Vedic hymns to congratulate Shah on his birthday.

Earlier, Shah and other dignitaries participated in a yajna at the school. The BJP president talked about the achievements of the Modi government.

Himachal Pradesh Governor Acharya Dev Vrat, also a patron of Gurukul, called Shah a true nationalist. He lauded Modis political leadership for successfully combating trans-border terrorism through surgical strikes.

While admitting that the students were facing difficulty sitting in the sun, Dev Vrat said, It will provide you Vitamin D.

Shah said, Only the Vedas can bring universal peace and harmony. PM Modi is committed to making India a superpower without losing our traditional values, he said. Khattar urged private educational institutes to adopt government schools to improve academic standards.
Majid Jahangir

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, October 22

The fears have come true. Since the killing of young Hizb commander Burhan Wani on July 8, 54 youth have gone missing in different parts of Kashmir, of whom at least 43 are confirmed to have joined militant ranks.

This brings to 120 the total number of local active militants, besides 90 foreign militants operating in Kashmir.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

The highest number of missing youth (32) are from the south Kashmir districts of Anantnag, Kulgam, Shopian, Pulwama and the sub-district of Awantipora. These areas have witnessed street protests and clashes ever since Wanis killing. Kulgam leads with 10 youth missing.

Twentytwo have gone missing from north Kashmirs Baramulla, Bandipora and Kupwara districts and the sub-districts of Sopore and Handwara. A senior police officer admitted that 43 youth have joined militant ranks during the unrest; we are investigating about the others.

There has also been an increase in rifle snatching incidents in south Kashmir districts; at least 30 weapons have been snatched by militants to replenish their arsenal and arm the recruits.

Interestingly, no youth from Wanis native town has gone missing. In north Kashmir, of the 22 missing, eight are from the volatile Sopore belt, followed by six from Baramulla. Though Sopore has not witnessed any militant attack during the unrest, Baramulla town witnessed two major strikes, including an attack on an Army convoy.

In central Kashmir, comprising Srinagar, Ganderbal and Budgam districts, two youth have gone missing.
Tribune News Service

Jammu, October 23



The Border Security Force held a ceremony on Sunday to pay their tributes to the Jawan who was fatally shot in a ceasefire violation by Pakistan recently.

Gurnam Singh was wounded in a sniper attack in Bobiya area of Hira Nagar sector on Friday. He was admitted to Government Medical College, Jammu, but died late on Saturday night.

Singh belonged to Bhalesar village in Jammu's RS Pura.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

The BSF claimed it killed seven Pakistan Rangers and a militant in retaliatory firing on Friday.

(Read: Wont cry on sons martyrdom: Jawans mother)

Saturday witnessed heavy shelling on the international border after Pakistan resorted to unprovoked firing, forcing authorities to advise residents of border villages to stay indoors.

(Also read: Heavy border shelling a day after BSF strike)

There has been frequent shelling across the border since India conducted coordinated surgical strikes on September 28. (With agency inputs)
Tribune News Service

Jammu, October 23

Border Security Force Additional Director General, Western Frontier, Arun Kumar has said the BSF is prepared to give a befitting reply to any aggression from the Pakistan side on the international border. There is a lull on the international border for the past 24 hours but we have no doubt that this peace can take any turn any time and we are fully prepared. If Pakistan Rangers try to do anything, they will be given a befitting reply and we are fully prepared for that, the ADG said while talking to mediapersons after the wreath-laying ceremony of Constable Gurnam Singh.

Gurnam breathed his last at Government Medical College in Jammu last night after being critically injured in a sniper fire on the international border on Friday morning. On the intervening night of October 19 and 20, the BSF had foiled an infiltration attempt in the Hiranagar sector in which Gurnam had played an important role. On Friday morning when the constable was injured, the BSF in retaliatory fire killed seven Pakistan Rangers personnel and one militant.

The ADG said the BSF had information that the Rangers were building up across the international border. We are ready for any eventuality, he said.

On the killing of seven Rangers personnel, the ADG said: As far as the number of people killed is concerned, we cannot be fully sure. But as we have equipment with which we can see the other side, we have seen several people getting hit.
Sutanterpal Singh

Making a documentary is certainly not an easy task for any documentary

maker, as it requires a lot of effort and financial support. When Gurpreet Singh Cheema (24), who hails from Zira, Ferozepur district, decided to make

a documentary on Patialas Gurdwara Dukh Niwaran Sahib, he was well aware of its challenges and difficulties.

After crossing all obstacles, he has come up with a 25-minute documentary on the Gurdwara Dukh Niwarn Sahib. It took him almost two years in completing the history, rituals, emotions and association of the people with the gurdwara through his documentary, which he has done on his own without any support.

In the beginning, he had to fulfil all necessary formalities to shoot on the gurdwara premises. The first big task was to take permission for capturing moments of the gurdwara from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). He went through many hurdles while getting the permission. He met many officials of the committee, and it took him four months to get the permission.

Initially, I had to travel here and there for the permission and met many people in this regard. After struggling for one month, I started rethinking on my decision of making this documentary. But finally, after four months I got the permission, explained Gurpreet.

Throwing light on his journey, Gurpeet says, I feel being a media student and a Sikh, it is my responsibility to contribute to Sikhism through my art, so I took the initiative of collecting all untold facts about our gurus. I started making the documentary with limited equipment, but I was determined to come up with a documentary, which would help the people know about the gurdwara. I paid a number of visits to the gurdwara to capture all moments in my camera. While making the documentary, I especially took care of continuity. Whenever I missed any scene, I waited for two to three months to shoot the same scene again.

After completing his documentary, the big task in front of him was its release. He is planning to upload the documentary on his YouTube channel, before Diwali. He is also in touch with foreign Punjabi channels to broadcast his documentary.

I am very hopeful that the documentary will help people living outside Punjab or abroad, including younger generation to know about their gurus and religion, who made huge sacrifices for us. There are very less documentaries on the history of gurdwaras and in future I wish to continue doing efforts in this direction, expressed the young cinematographer.

Gurpreet, who has been working as a freelancer cinematograph in Mumbai, says despite lack of support and a shortage of equipment, he continued his efforts and after two years his efforts born fruit. Tejinder Sharma, producer at EMRC, Punjabi University Patiala, has written the script of the documentary. He has also given the voice for the documentary.

Gurpreet, who has done his Bachelor in Journalism and Mass Communication from Punjabi University, has worked on various Punjabi songs videos as an associate

cinematographer. He was also a part of Diljit Dosanjhs Sardaar Ji 2 for the Mumbai schedule where he was the associate cinematographer. Besides, he has also worked in two Marathi movies.
INS Viraat, which was commissioned to the Indian Navy in 1987, has towed for the last time today, and is waiting for its decommissioning.

By Manjeet Negi: INS Viraat, the world's oldest aircraft carrier, has sailed under tow for the very last time from Kochi and is being towed to Mumbai. Viraat now awaits orders for its decommissioning.

Viraat shares a special emotional bond with Kochi and Cochin Shipyard limited CSL, as it has been refitted here every time it needed repairs or periodic regular maintenance.



INS Viraat was commissioned into the Indian Navy on May 12, 1987.

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The ship operated Sea Harrier (White Tigers - fighter air crafts), Seaking 42B (Harpoons - Anti Submarine helicopters) and Seaking 42C (Commando Carrier helicopters) and Chetak(Angles - SAR helicopter) as its main air elements.

The Sea Harrier fleet was also recently decommissioned at Goa on May 16.

Also Read | Indian Navy's ageing giant INS Viraat sets sail for final voyage



ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT INS VIRAAT

Under the Indian flag, various aircraft have flown more than 22,034 hours from the decks of INS Viraat.

INS Viraat has spent nearly 2,250 days at sea sailing and traveled over 5,88,288 NM (10, 94,215 KM). This implies that Viraat has been at sea for over six years covering the entire globe about 27 times.

It played a major role in the Operation Jupiter in 1989 (Indian Peace Keeping operations in Sri Lanka) and Operation Vijay in the year 1999 (Kargil War).

The ship also participated in various international joint exercises like Malabar (with US Navy), Varuna (with French Navy), Naseem-Al-Bahar (with Oman Navy) and has been an integral element of all major naval exercises.

The last operational deployment of the ship was for participation in International Fleet Review (IFR-2016) at Visakhapatnam. Having served the country and the Navy for nearly three decades, INS Viraat handed over the mantle of carrier operations to INS Vikramaditya which was commissioned in the year 2013.



The second aircraft carrier of the country has spent 29 years under the Indian flag and 27 years with the Royal Navy (United Kingdom).

The ship holds the Guinness record for being the oldest serving warship.

INS Viraat is a Centaur-Class Aircraft Carrier and served in the Royal Navy as HMS Hermes, which was the flag ship of Royal Navy during the Falk Lands Campaign of 1982. It is commonly referred to as the 'Grand Old Lady' among the Naval community.

Also Read:

INS Viraat to set sail for the last time this week



--- ENDS ---
Mukesh Ranjan

Tribune News Service

Ahmedabad, October 23

An IAF Mi-17 helicopter in the Presidents fleet made an emergency landing in Vadodara on Sunday. It was on the way to Ahmedabad from Ankleshwar.

The helicopter was carrying presidential staff and Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Gujarat Assembly Shankarsinh Vaghela.

Because of the snag the President had to reschedule his visit to Shankersinh Vaghela Bapu Institute of Technology backed by Vaghela.

The President is scheduled to leave Ahmedabad at 7.40 pm and before that he will also visit Congress stalwart Madhav Singh Solanki at his residence here.
Jupinderjit Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 23

Admitting that talks were on with former BJP MP Navjot Singh Sidhu for a poll alliance in Punjab, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today said the partys chief ministerial candidate would be from among the elected MLAs.

In an interview with The Tribune on way to Ludhiana, Kejriwal, who is on a three-day Punjab visit, exuded confidence. It is wrong to say the popularity graph of our party has declined because of the recent controversies. On the contrary, we are winning 96 seats as per the latest survey conducted by us. I do not trust other surveys as these are rigged, he said.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

On the terms of alliance with Sidhu, he refused to say much. Let us see how the talks proceed. I have always said that I respect him, irrespective of whether he is with us or another party.

Kejriwal speaks to The Tribune, levelling charges against Chhotepur:

Claiming that his party had not veered off the track and that there was no lack of synergy between AAPs Delhi and Punjab teams, Kejriwal said they had several leaders from Punjab capable of holding the CMs post. Trashing reports that he planned to contest from Punjab as purely imaginary, he said: Neither me nor my wife will be contesting. I am not buying a house in Punjab. But I will be touring the state post-Diwali.

Pointing out the new-found love between Punjab Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh and the Badals, Kejriwal alleged the Akalis were pumping drug money into the Congress election campaign.
New Delhi, October 23

Subahani Haja Moideen, an Indian alleged to be an ISIS operative, knew the terrorists who carried out the attack inside a theatre in Paris last November killing over 100 people but has feigned ignorance about the deadly plot, it has emerged from investigations.

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Moideen was arrested from Tamil Nadu in a crackdown by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) with the help of central security agencies and other state police, foiling designs of ISIS operatives to target few judges of Kerala and foreign tourists visiting the coastal state.

The accused, picked up from Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu, was radicalised and recruited in ISIS through social media platforms and he had left India for Istanbul from Chennai in April last year on the pretext of performing 'Umrah', official sources said.

After reaching Istanbul, he crossed over along with other people who hailed from Pakistan and Afghanistan to Iraqi territory under control of ISIS.

That is the period during which Moideen claimed that he had met Paris bombers, including Abdelhamid Abaaoud and Salah Abdeslam, the sources said.

While Abaaoud was killed in retaliatory fire during the Paris theatre attack in November last year, Abdelslam is in the custody of French police.

Moideen had returned to India in November and he said he came to know about the Paris attack through news and remembered his meetings with the accused in ISIS controlled Iraq and Syria, the sources said.

The NIA has informed the French security officials and contacted its Embassy here, the sources said, adding this was done in case it would lend any help in their investigation.

They said that French officials could question him as well after getting the requisite court order.

According to the multi-country investigation into the French terror strikes, the accused involved in the gruesome killings were in ISIS-controlled areas at the same time when Moideen was there.

The 31-year-old was in Iraq from April 8, 2015, from where he was taken to Mosul and underwent detailed 'religious training' followed by combat training which included a course in automated weapons. After this, he was deputed to fight war for almost two weeks.

During the war, he told interrogators that he was paid USD 100 per month as an allowance by ISIS besides accommodation and food.

However, he told interrogators that he could not withstand the violence and war misery in Mosul and decided to leave especially after he saw two of his friends getting charred.

He was jailed by ISIS and produced before an Islamic judge who sent him to Syria. He claimed that he was allowed to cross over to Turkey from where he contacted his family with the help of the Indian consulate at Istanbul.

He arrived in Mumbai after a gap of six months in September last year on an emergency certificate and returned to his ancestral place where he was staying with his wife. He later managed to get a job at a jewellery shop at Kadayanallur in Tamil Nadu.  PTI
Jitendra K Shrivastava

At the recently held JD-Us two-day National Council conclave in Rajgir on October 16 and 17, the partys executive not only crowned Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar as national president, but also gave him more teeth to amend the partys constitution. In doing so, it seemed to have the Assembly poll in Uttar Pradesh on mind. Also, the party pitched the ground for its mission 2019, declaring Nitish Kumar as PM material, saying he deserved the post on merit.

A day after Nitish Kumar was crowned national chief, party leaders, including former chief Sharad Yadav, national spokesperson KC Tyagi, Rajya Sabha MP Pawan Verma and Nitish aide RCP Singh, Bihar state chief Bashishtha Narayan Singh and others, attended a closed-door meeting. They charted out the partys plans with an eye on the Assembly elections in UP and Punjab. They also strategised on how to halt the BJP in Uttar Pradesh where elections are due early next year.

In UP, the JD-U intends to set up and expand roots in all corners. It will be its endeavour to form a grand alliance and register a win or at least checkmate the BJP. We want Sangh-mukta and BJP-free UP at any cost, said KC Tyagi, partys national spokesperson.

In his presidential speech in Rajgir, Nitish said: We extend our support to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, if he promises to imposes prohibition in UP. Doing so will help him win the electoral battle. Family feud has gripped the Samajwadi Party and Akhilesh Yadav needs to come out of its shadow, if he is to win again.

On Mulayam Singh Yadav, he recalled: We had offered him the post of president of a reunited Janata Pariwar. We had also asked him to head the Pariwar in Parliament, but he spurned our offer. Now, he is grappling with family feud...

The BJP and its outfits have raised the issue of Ram Temple in Ayodhaya, even as the issue is pending before the Supreme Court. We will strive hard to foil attempts at dividing the society on communal lines. Slamming the BJP, Nitish said the debate should have been about Dalit atrocities, unemployment and farmers woes rather than Uniform Civil Code and triple talaq.

Nitishs key strategists

In JD-Us core team, the key strategists hail from Uttar Pradesh. KC Tyagi belongs to western UP, RSP Singh has serves as Fatehpur district magistrate and Pavan Kumar Verma, a former diplomat, hails from UP too. The latter is expected to play a major role in drawing the partys roadmap for the UP elections.

Nitish had succeeded in uniting the RJD and the Congress and had formed a grand alliance in Bihar last year. The experiment proved successful with the allies winning an overwhelming majority in the Bihar Assembly. JD-Us National Council believes Nitish should once again unite secular and anti-BJP forces on a single platform in order to checkmate the BJP in UP.

While spreading its feet everywhere, the JD-U is likely to focus on certain constituencies in Uttar Pradesh, such as Varanasi, Allahabad, Gorakhpur and Kanpur, as it lacks homogeneous support across the state, say sources.
New Delhi, October 23

Amid heightened tension on the border, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched a campaign through which people can send their Diwali greetings and messages to soldiers guarding the nation's frontiers to boost their morale.

People can send messages under the #Sandesh2Soldiers campaign on the Narendra Modi App, through MyGov.in, and also through All India Radio. Doordarshan shall also be mounting a programme to share people's emotions with the Armed Forces.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

The Prime Minister, who is leading the campaign, said in a tweet: "I sent my #Sandesh2Soldiers. You could also do the same. Your wishes will certainly make our forces very happy.

"This Diwali, let us remember our courageous armed forces who constantly protect our Nation. Jai Hind," he said.

"When 1.25 crore people stand with the soldiers, their power increases by 1.25 crore times," the Prime Minister said.

As part of the campaign, the Prime Minister has shared through social media, a special video, featuring his appeal to the people to send messages to the brave Armed Forces personnel.

Within hours, the video has generated tremendous interest on platforms such as Twitter and Facebook.The great respect and admiration that the nation has for our Armed Forces, will find expression this festive season, through the campaign being led by the Prime Minister, the PMO said in a release.

A special module has been launched on the Narendra Modi App, which enables people to send greetings or their hand-written messages to the Armed Forces.

The #Sandesh2Soldiers campaign is expected to generate increased interaction between the people and the Armed Forces.

The campaign comes against the backdrop of the surgical strikes carried out by the Army on terror launch pads in PoK and the heightened border tension.

Earlier this month, at an event in Bhopal, the Prime Minister had focused on the human element of the jawans. His appeal to people to applaud jawans when they meet them, has also created a buzz on social media.

This is not the first time that Modi is focusing on the armed forces. He spent his last two Diwalis as the Prime Minister with the Army.  PTI




Mukesh Ranjan

Tribune News Service

Ahmedabad, October 23

Delivering the inaugural adress at Ankleshwar in Bharuch district of Gujarat after uveiling two hospitals  Sardar Patel Heart Institute and Sevashram Hospital  President Pranab Mukherjee today reminded Mahatma Gandhis talisman of serving poorest of the poor.

Reminding people of the diversity of the country, the President asked, Do you know what binds this country? It is the Constitution, which is not just a book to guide administrators, rather provide the foundation of India and Indianess.

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Lauding the contribution of Sardar Patel, he said at the time of Independence India was scattered among 570 princely states, but it was the sole affort of the Iron Man that we have India of today with one Constitution, one national government and one set of law to rule us.

The President also lauded the efforts of Congress leader Ahmed Patel for building the hospital in Sardar Patels name. The fact that this event is happening days before Sardars birth anniversary on October 31 is heartening.

The President said it was essential for India to have good facilities for a modern and scientific healthcare system for its citizens as this was a must to enable the country to occupy its rightful place in the global grouping of nations.

We need to have and ensure access for all to the modern and scientific health care system, he said.

To compete globally, people of India need to be healthy, the President added.

Before this event, the President also visited the renovated Sevashram hospital in Bharuch and unveiled statues of Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The President is on a two-day tour to Gujarat after he arrived in Gandhinagar yesterday.

Later in the evening while addressing the students of Bapu Gujarat Knowledge Village and Samarpan College, the President exhorted the youth to make education meaningful by imbibing the teachings of Gandhi and Vivekanand.
Shiv Kumar

Tribune News Service

Mumbai, October 22

Raj Thackeray and his Maharashtra Navnirman Sena have called off the ban on Karan Johars Ae Dil Hai Mushkil after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis brokered a truce between the two this morning.

As per norms of the truce, the opening credits of the film will carry a message condoling the deaths of the Indian soldiers killed by Pakistan-based terrorists at Uri. Johar and other filmmakers who had cast Pakistani actors would also have to pay Rs 5 crore to the Army Welfare Fund as penance, Thackeray said at a press conference, calling off the ban on the film due to be released on Friday next.

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Thackeray said the film producers would have to give in writing that they would not cast Pakistani actors in their productions in future. While Pakistan bans Indian content, why do we give them a red carpet? asked Thackeray.

Earlier in the day, the Ae Dil Hai Mushkil team, led by Karan Johar, and Mukesh Bhatt of the Film Producers Guild met Fadnavis and promised not to work with Pakistani artistes in future. Thackeray was also present.

Later, Bhatt said the film would be released as per schedule. I shared the film industrys emotions regarding the entire issue. We are Indians first and then comes our business, he said.

Bhatt said the Producers Guild would soon call a meeting and pass a resolution on not working with Pakistanis.

While the Opposition hit out at Fadnavis for making the state bow before MNS, the Chief Minister said, I do not think what Thackeray was demanding and what the Producers Guild voluntarily offered was something different.
New Delhi, October 22

Senior Army officials and veterans were upset over the force being dragged into politics over films after the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) demanded that producers of movies employing Pakistani actors pay Rs 5 core to an Army welfare fund.

The controversy erupted after Karan Johars Ae Dil Hai Mushkil ran into a storm of protests led by MNS because Pakistani actor Fawad Khan has a role in it.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

The film has been allowed to be released after its producers met with three conditions put forward by MNS chief Raj Thackeray, including payment of Rs 5 crore to Army Welfare Fund.

A senior Army officer said the force was upset over being dragged into this politics.The Army is completely apolitical. It is wrong to drag the force into politics, another Army officer said. (We) would never support it, Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd), former military secretary, said when asked if he supports the move of the MNS.

Why should the armed forces be made a part of this extortion? By accepting this money they would become a receiver of tainted money, tweeted Air Vice Marshal Manmohan Bahadur (Retd).

Army sources said they had a system in place to check all contributions and could even reject a contribution made under duress or by any person whom the force did not want to be associated with.  PTI
Shahira Naim

Tribune News Service

Lucknow, October 23

In a tit-for-tat, Samajwadi Party general secretary and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav supporter Ramgopal Yadav was today expelled from the party for six years close on the heels of Akhilesh sacking his paternal uncle Shivpal Singh Yadav and three other ministers from his Cabinet.

Shivpal, the state party chief, accused Ramgopal of hatching a conspiracy to weaken the party and the government at BJPs behest. He claimed the expelled leaders son and Firozabad MP, Akshay Yadav, and his wife were involved in a corruption case being probed by the CBI. Therefore, Ramgopal had thrice met a senior BJP leader to save his sons skin.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

He also alleged that it was owing to pressure from Ramgopal that the party had to withdraw from Bihars grand alliance and that CM Akhilesh had unwittingly become a party to the conspiracy hatched by Ramgopal. Ramgopal is trying to weaken the party and undermine the Akhilesh government, which the CM should understand, but does not, Shivpal said, reiterating that the decision to expel Ramgopal was that of national president Mulayam Singh Yadav.

Sources said Mulayam was upset with Ramgopal for his provocative letter, warning him (Mulayam) that he would be solely responsible if the party won less than 100 seats in the coming Assembly elections. The people who worshipped you for forming and nurturing SP would now blame you for its downfall... History is heartless, it spares none, Ramgopal wrote.

In another one-page letter addressed to pyare saathiyon today, he asked them to ensure that the government remained under Akhileshs leadership, claiming those who had sacrificed for the party were with Akhilesh and those who had made crores and misused power were in the opposite camp.

Reacting to his expulsion, Ramgopal shot off yet another letter, accusing Mulayam of being in the grip of demonic forces. Describing the power struggle as dharma yudh, he claimed he would always stand by Akhilesh while reiterating his faith in Netaji, his guru. He denied his son was being probed by the CBI.

Meanwhile, the decision to dismiss Shivpal and his loyalists from the Cabinet was endorsed by MLAs at a meeting called by Akhilesh, who stressed that his father continued to be his leader. The CM, blaming Amar Singh for the crisis in the party, said anyone close to Amar Singh (read Shivpal) had no place in his government.
Minna Zutshi

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, October 23

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), in its 21-point manifesto for the industry released today, promised to revive sick units and make trade, industry and transport sectors corruption-free.

The manifesto promises to depoliticise the transport sector, dismantle the liquor mafia and end the inspector raj and goonda tax in the state.

The party said an SIT would be formed to probe the collection of goonda tax by influential political leaders.

AAP national convener and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, while releasing the manifesto, said the governments surgical strikes (income tax raids) on small traders and businessmen should stop.

Kejriwal said AAP in Delhi formulated policies concerning industry and other sectors after holding discussions with all stakeholders.

Talking to the media, Kejriwal alleged that the Akali Dal-BJP and the Congress had struck a deal to stop the march of AAP in Punjab.

Punjab Dialogue ommittee chairperson Kanwar Sandhu said the manifesto was aimed at the revival of various sectors of the industry, while ending goonda tax, inspector raj and corruption which were impeding the growth of the industry.

Senior party leaders Sanjay Singh, Jarnail Singh, HS Phoolka, Bhagwant Mann and Gurpreet Waraich were present.

Former Congress leader Jagmeet Brar called Kejriwal the messiah of 21st-century Indian politics. He said Kejriwal was the first leader after Mahatma Gandhi and Ram Manohar Lohia to challenge communal politics.
Joint Secratary G Bhagiah said "The governments in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and West Bengal are indulging in the appeasement of the minority communities, the Hindus in these states are being targeted but the government remains a mute spectator."

By Brijesh Pandey: Islamic terrorism is present in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, they are reportedly targeting Hindus along with RSS and BJP cadre. Before the 3 day RSS ABKM in Hyderabad, Joint Secretary of RSS, G Bhagaiah addressed the crowd.

He said "The governments in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and West Bengal are indulging in the appeasement of the minority communities, the Hindus in these states are being targeted but the government remains a mute spectator." He further added the government is torturing Hindus to appease minorities and are creating imbalance in society.

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POLITICS OF MURDER

G Bhagaiya said that the first political resolution in the 3-day RSS baithak will be the political murders committed in Kolkata. He said "Despite democracy, politics of murder is taking place. He further said " The barbaric murders of RSS workers in Kerala is abominable, political intolerance is at its height there".

Hitting out at government of West Bengal, he asserted that that not only a lot of atrocities are being committed against Hindus and Dalits but even news related to it are being brutally suppressed. When talking in detail about the Durga Puja episode, Bhagaiya said that due to the government trying to appease the minority community there was a ban on Durga Puja.

Hindus appealed before the SC and government was told to relax the curfew by 8:30. It also told the government should not appease minorities by infringing the rights of Hindus.

RAISE DIGNITY OF DALIT COMMUNITIES

Court also said that the government should not appease the minorities thereby infringing the rights of hindus. With an eye on the UP election, the Sangh has once again taken the samrasta route. Bhagaiya added " We are working for for the eradication of untouchability and raising the dignity of Valmiki, Safai Karamchari Dalit communities.

He emphasised that sarsanghchalak has been pursuing 3 points to ensure an equal society,

1) everybody should have right to enter temple,

2) Everyone should have right to cemetery

3) Everybody should be able to use water despite his or her caste.

Also Read: Triple talaq, Uniform Civil Code can be discussed if any member raises it: Manmohan Vaidya, RSS

--- ENDS ---
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, October 23

The AAP on Sunday promised to dismantle liquor mafia, end the raid-raj and introduce a slew of incentives to revive trade and industry in Punjab, including tax holidays for some sectors, if it was voted to power in the upcoming Assembly elections.

After its manifestoes for the youth and farmers, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal released its manifesto for trade, industry and transport sectors here and vowed to provide a transparent tax regime, "lower" tax rates and eliminate "sand mafia" in the state.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

A Special Investigation Team will be set up to investigate collection of "goonda tax" through Akali-BJP and Congress collusion, the AAP manifesto said.

AAP, which is eyeing to wrest power from SAD-BJP regime, also promised revival of sick units through a series of measures.

Its measures included a two-year tax holiday, special package to bring back industry that had "fled" the state, 10-year tax holiday for agro-based food processing industry and five-year tax holiday for women to encourage women entrepreneurs.

Mahila Congress staged a protest in the city against Kejriwal before his visit, but they were prevented from reaching the venue.

Alleged liquor mafia will be dismantled and replaced with an alternative system that provides equal opportunity and generates employment and control of politicians and their henchmen will be ended in the liquor business, it said.

Self-certification regime for all NOCs and consents in businesses will be implemented.

Tax regime will be simplified and made transparent while VAT and other taxes will be reduced on Delhi pattern. In five years, Punjab will have the lowest tax rate, one time settlement of pending tax related cases and VAT refund will be expedited, it said.

Punjab goes to polls early next year.

In order to end alleged harassment of rehriwalas and fariwallahs, spaces will be earmarked in every city for creation of rehri markets and week-end flea markets, it said.

Electricity tariff will be substantially reduced by nailing corruption and enabling optimum efficiency of systems while anti-Punjab power agreements with private power plants will be reviewed and those responsible for burdening the people of the state will be punished, manifesto said.

On transport sector, AAP said it will be depoliticised.

AAP government will snatch bus permits from the Badals, top politicians of the SAD-BJP, Congress and others who have (allegedly) procured them through fraudulent means and will be given to unemployed youth, ex-servicemen, handicapped persons, terrorist victims, and victims of 1984 anti-Sikh violence, it said.

AAP said there will be elimination of alleged Reta-Bajri (sand and gravel) mafia in Punjab and mining licences will be given to young entrepreneurs.  With PTI Inputs

Highlights of industry manifesto
Tribune News Service

Muktsar, October 23

A large number of contractual employees, working in different government departments, today blocked the Malout-Bathinda highway at Bharu Chowk in Gidderbaha demanding regular jobs.

The protesting employees, under the banner of Theka Mulazam Sangharsh Morcha, had earlier announced to lodge their protest at Lambi village. However, police personnel allegedly did not allow them to assemble there, uprooted their tents and also confiscated the public address system.

The protesters alleged that some of their activists, including Harjeet Singh Jeeda, Bhagat Singh Bhagta and Rattanjot Sharma, were detained by the police from Lambi village in the morning.

Virpal Kaur said The police did not even allow us to lodge a peaceful protest at Lambi village. A number of nakas were laid on the main roads and buses were frisked so that no protester reaches Lambi village. As we were not allowed to protest there, we have blocked the road here in Gidderbaha. We demand unconditional release of our activists at the earliest or the stir will be intensified, she added.

Notably, some farmer unions too have come out in support of the contractual employees

Meanwhile, Lambi SHO Buta Singh said The employees did not have permission to assemble or lodge protest at Lambi village, thus they were dispersed. No employee has been detained by us.

The protest, which had started around 1 pm, was lifted around 7.30 pm.
Vishav Bharti

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 23

Various political parties during a meeting with the central team of the Election Commission (EC) voiced their apprehension of politicisation of the civil and police administration calling it the biggest challenge for a free and fair elections in the state.

The EC team was led by Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi along with Election Commissioners Achal Kumar Jyoti and Om Prakash Rawat. The team, which is here on a three-day visit to review states preparedness for the Assembly elections due early next year, gave time to all national and regional parties.

Claiming total politicisation of the states administrative and law and order machinery, the state Congress urged the Election Commission to impose the code of conduct in the state.

A delegation of the PPCC led by its vice-president Dr Amar Singh demanded immediate imposition of the code of conduct claiming deteriorating political situation in the state. The delegation also sought swapping of administrative officials from the level of segment incharge to DCs, SSPs and SDMs to end the misuse of the state machinery by the Akali leadership.

They demanded an independent third party review and scrutiny of voter lists, which had been prepared and revised by Anganwadi workers and were replete with bogus voter names.

A delegation of the Aam Aadmi Party, which was led by partys spokesperson Himmat Singh Shergill, expressed apprehension that the ruling alliance could use money and muscle power in the elections.

We know the role played by the Punjab Police in the previous elections, so we have demanded the deployment of paramilitary forces, Shergill said.

Left parties, including the CPI and the CPM, also echoed similar apprehension. We have told the Election Commission that when the civil and police administration is highly politicised, one cant expect free and fair elections, said Hardev Arshi, state secretary, CPI.

Both the Left parties alleged that the Akali Dals system of governance was such that even SHOs were being appointed by local Akali leaders. When such kind of micro-management is being done by the ruling alliance, we can very well imagine what kind of role they will play in the elections, said Arshi.

The Shiromani Akali Dal delegation led by Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa claimed that PPCC president Captain Amarinder Singh was threatening officials and recently entered police stations and tried to hamper their official work.

Tirath Yatra attempt to woo voters

The opposition parties claimed that the government's recent decision to use 117 buses in all Assembly

constituencies for the Tirath Yatra was an attempt to win over voters. They demanded its cancellation with the intervention of the Election Commission.

20,000 POs, absconders elude police

The parties showed recent news items that appeared in The Tribune stating that more than 20,000 proclaimed offenders and absconders continued to elude the police and how 57 gangs were active in the state. The parties alleged that the government had recently made parole easy for prisoners so that they could be used in the elections.
The writer of the money market column in Capital gives an effective answer to critics of India's contribution towards the war by bringing in the Canadian analogy. He writes: Canada and Australia, where war loans have succeeded, do not occupy comparable positions. Canada has been given munition orders worth 100,000,000 sterling, and her export trade, in contract to India's is the largest on record. In the five years preceding war, when her military efficiency was working towards that perfection which made her early assistance so useful, India spent 100,000,000 on military purposes. What did Canada spend? What did Australia spend? Equal amounts! Assuredly not! Moreover, India's outlay was from taxation, and was based on the industry and sacrifice of an entire nation, even to the humblest.
On Saturday His Highness the Gaekwar of Baroda paid a visit to that excellent and well managed institution which owes so much to the public spirit and devotion of Lala Dev Raj and his coadjutors-the Kanya Mahavidyalya of Jullundur. His Highness who is already a generous supporter of the institution saw the whole institution at work and was pleased with what he saw. He advised the promoters to preserve in their noble task. In reply to an address presented by the girls, he said he was anxious to see every child in his State educated. For thirty years he had striven to carry out this ideal. So far as the people are concerned, they are aware that the Gaekwar has left no stone unturned to carry out this noble and far-reaching ideal, and the establishment of schools for the depressed classes under a special Inspector of Schools was one of the efforts he has made in this direction.
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 23

A three-day management development programme titled Project, People & Contract Management, organised by the centre for management development, University of Petroleum And Energy Studies (UPES), began on its Kandoli campus here today. The participants and beneficiaries of the programme included officers of the UJVNL, PTCUL, IOCL- corporate office, IOCL - R&D and HPCL.

Prof Neeraj Anand, head of the logistics and supply chain department, detailed out various aspects of the programme. SK Tyagi, consultant, IIT, Roorkee, while speaking on the topic of managing projects through excellence, explained in detail the critical parameters for successful hydropower projects in Uttarakhand. DK Jasuja, former ADB consultant to the UPCL, emphasised on management of costs for projects and the challenges therein.

Prof Vikas Kumar spoke on Scope Management- A Prelude to Project Execution. He explained the project life cycle stages and impact of change in scope on various stages. Ramankrishna from Tectonics, United Arab Emirates, in his address on smart budgeting for effective project management, explained the use of excel sheets in preparing budget and highlighted various components of project costs.

Ajay Vishwarkarma, associate vice-president of Technip, spoke on Project implementation and monitoring: Managing challenges. He threw light on identifying and mitigating risks in EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) projects.

The topic of BCK Mishra, director of the UJVNL, was public procurement practices as a backbone of contract management. He detailed out the various phases of contract management and also compared FIDIC guidelines and ICAI guidelines for hydropower projects. He also explained the significance of adjudication in contract management. Dr Neeraj Rawat, director of the centre for management development, UPES, proposed a vote of thanks.
Jotirmay Thapliyal

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 23

Gorakhpur village in Ramnagar, Nainital district, where a man-eater tigress was shot dead, appears to be the most ideal habitat for wildlife in the region and a hot spot for man-animal conflicts.

The tigress shot on Thursday was hiding in this non-descript village. A tiny hamlet, Gorakhpur, originally known as Bhawanipur, has thick vegetation and good availability of water. It is a small village with around sixty to seventy families mainly engaged in agricultural activities.

Munish Kumar, a local resident, who has been working for the betterment of the victims of man-animal conflicts in and around Corbett, says that feline family members, such as leopards and tigers, find Gorakhpur a suitable hideout due to the thick foliage and existence of a gadera, a nature spring, there. At some spots, the foliage is so dense that it looks dark even in the noon, he says.

Munish says at present, nearly four or five leopards have made Gorakhpur their habitat and stand in direct conflict with local residents. People of Ramnagar have been the worst suffers. He accuses the Forest Department and the local administration of adopting a callous approach towards the challenge.

He says even in the present case of the man-eater tigress, it was only after public pressure mounted that the administration and the forest staff strengthened their search operation and pressed into service a helicopter and drones to locate the big cat.

However, on the other hand, wildlife conservationist Dr Hem Singh Gehlot says a man-eater should be shot down, but the root cause of the problem is yet to be addressed. The Corbett region, including the territorial forests of Ramnagar, has witnessed rampant construction activities, resulting in pressure on forests. Under such conditions, the striped cat has been the ultimate suffer. There is a lot of pressure of human and anthropogenic activity in and around Corbett, which is bringing tigers in direct conflict with humans. This results in growing public pressure to declare tigers man-eaters after few incidents of conflict, he added.
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, October 23

Students of Pithoragarh and Champawat districts have strongly opposed the use of Chinese crackers and other decorative material being manufactured from China.

Students from Beer Sheba school held a rally in Pithoragarh raising slogans against the use of Chinese crackers and decorative materials. We have asked students to boycott Chinese goods and make our artisans self-sufficient in the manufacturing of goods which are needed at the time of festivals. Chinese goods have dominated our market and made our artisans strive for existence, said Bhawan Bhakuni, director of Beer Sheba.

Congress workers also held a demonstration giving call to boycott Chinese goods. They said the party would launch an awareness programme in the district so that people give up the use of Chinese goods.

China is strengthening anti-Indian powers at internationally and it cannot be allowed to destroy the Indian economy, said Bhuwan Pandey, a spokesperson of the district Congress.

Meanwhile, students of local PG College today organised a signature campaign against the use of Chinese goods and urged people to make use of local goods. On the first day, over 3,000 students pledged to boycott Chinese crackers and decorative materials, said Nitin Marakana, president of the students union at LSM, PG College.
Gurnam Singh (26) was injured on Saturday when Pakistani snipers targeted him as he was instrumental in foiling a major infiltration bid along the international border in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir.

Constable Gurnam Singh who suffered bullet injury was evacuated with the cover fire to GMC Jammu. He was admitted in a critical condition. Photo: PTI

By India Today Web Desk: BSF jawan, Gurnam Singh, who sustained grievous injuries in retaliatory firing against Pakistan on Friday, succumbed at Government medical college, Jammu.



Also read: BSF jawan injured as Pakistan violates ceasefire along IB in J-K's Hiranagar

Twenty-six -year-old Singh, who was undergoing treatment at the Government Medical College and Hospital in Jammu, died at around 11.45 pm, police said.

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Singh was injured on Saturday when Pakistani snipers targeted him as he was instrumental in foiling a major infiltration bid along the international border in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir.



He had given a befitting reply to a sniper attack initiated by Pakistani Rangers at 9:35 am in Hira Nagar.

Jammu: People pay tribute to Gurnam Singh, jawan who passed away after succumbing to injuries in cross border firing by Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/04PDQ03WcF ANI (@ANI_news) October 23, 2016

The BSF jawan was evacuated with the cover fire to GMC Jammu. He was admitted in a critical condition.

At least one Pakistani terrorist and seven rangers were shot dead in retaliatory firing by the Border Security Force (BSF) jawans in Hira Nagar sector of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday.

Also read: Jammu: 1 Pakistani terrorist, 7 Rangers killed in retaliatory firing by BSF



Watch the video here



--- ENDS ---
Cleveland (US), October 23

Indian-American Congressman from Silicon Valley Ami Bera has been endorsed by a prestigious newspaper for the third consecutive term, the elections for which would be held on November 8.

"Bera is a hardworking and thoughtful member of Congress who has shown that he is willing to find common ground with Republicans, to the extent possible in these partisan times. We recommend voters return the Elk Grove Democrat to Washington for a third term," Sacramento Bee wrote in its editorial section.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

The 51-year-old is the only Indian-American in the current Congress and is third ever elected to the House of Representatives after Dalip Singh Saund in 1950 and Bobby Jindal in 2000s.

If re-elected for the third term, Bera would equal the record of Dalip Singh Saund, who was elected to the House of Representatives from the 29th Congressional District of California from January 1957 to January 1963.

Jindal, who later went on to become the two-term Governor of Louisiana, was elected to the US House of Representatives twice in 2004 and 2006.

The Sacramento Bee in its editorial also pointed to Bera's record and expertise, given the problems officials will have to tackle in the next Congress.

"I am honoured to be endorsed by the Sacramento Bee. As a doctor, I have lived a life committed to service and would be honoured to continue serving the people of Sacramento County in Congress for another two years," Bera, who is contesting from the seventh Congressional District of California, said.

According to the daily, Bera can help focus attention on health care threats, including the spread of the Zika virus.

He has also served as an associate dean for admissions at UC Davis medical school, and intends to engage in efforts to curb the rising cost of college.

"Bera, the only member of Congress who is the son of immigrants from India, sits on the Foreign Affairs Committee, where he has focused on trade, which benefits the Central Valley," Sacramento Bee noted.

Bera is pitted against Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones for the upcoming elections.  PTI
SANAA, October 23

Warplanes from a Saudi-led coalition attacked targets in Sanaa at dawn on Sunday, hours after a three-day truce in Yemen's war expired, residents in the capital said.

The ceasefire, agreed in order to allow an increased flow of much-needed humanitarian aid, ended without renewal after a day of heavy fighting between the Saudi-led Arab alliance and the Iran-allied Houthi movement.

Each side accused the other of repeatedly violating the truce and UN attempts to extend it before it lapsed appeared to have failed.

Air strikes were reported over some military sites in Sanaa in the Hafa camp to the east and in the Nahdein area in the South. Radar positions were also targeted in the Houthi-controlled city of Hodeida, residents reported.

The strikes happened hours before the arrival in Sanaa of UN envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, who is expected to discuss options for a political solution with Houthi representatives.

The United Nations and diplomats had hoped a pause in the conflict would pave the way for talks to end a 19-month-old war which has killed at least 10,000 people in the Arabian Peninsula's poorest country.

The coalition has been fighting Houthi rebels and forces loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh in Yemen since March 2015 to try to restore to power the internationally backed President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who went into exile.  Reuters
Adam Cogan2 weeks ago

This is amazing but does the guitar/music sound out of time to one another? I think it might be the sound engineer adding extra delay to what was already there or maybe i'm just imagining things :P he's still a god though



jecoal1 week ago

Hi Adam, yes it was pretty out of sync as we couldn't get Ohmura's minus 1 tracks before he left Singapore, and it was recorded through direct channels so the initial sound was horrible, so I had to use his original tracks to mix in(which is slightly different in timing of 24fps from what I understand).



Sadly, the location didn't provide us with a mixer, so we could only record direct, if not the sound sync could be better.

Hopefully there will be another chance to provide Ohmura with a stage to play in Singapore again, and with better setup.



And the extra delay was probably my fault as I might have overmixed it in post. Hope you still like it though!

For more information on guitar clinics, please head to www.davisguitar.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/brasscollectiveWebsite: www.brasscollective.com Takayoshi Ohmura ESP Guitar Clinic FULL (Singapore)
Walking through the entrance into Tulsas Linde Oktoberfest is like traveling to another world, complete with lederhosen, alpine hats, impromptu chicken dances, various sausages and, of course, beer.

Unassuming white tents dot River West Festival Park for the three-day event. While the tents pallor may paint them as bland, pulling back the curtains reveals anything but.

Long wooden tables seating dozens span the insides. Live bands are playing music  normally polka  and red, blue and yellow streamers hang from the ceiling to offset the white, flapping walls.

Most people are clutching MassKrugs, mugs either about as large as ones head, or much larger, filled with amber liquid.

For Penni and Tom Aurilio, they found more than just beer inside those festival tents: They found a family tradition.

The couple were sitting at a wooden table Saturday afternoon inside the festivals largest tent, dubbed the Biergarten, alongside their daughter Sara Faith and her friend Sarah Waugh.

Over the chorus of polka music pulsing through the tent, Penni Aurilio, wearing beer beads, some adorned with chickens, explained how the tradition began and has spanned over two decades.

The couple started volunteering when Faith was a baby. That continued every year, with their kids eventually volunteering themselves as the festivals childrens tents.

Our goal was to make it until our youngest daughter turned 21, which happened two years ago. So we retired, Penni Aurilio said.

Now they come to the festival purely as spectators.

The family is more Italian and Irish than German, but Tom Aurilio, clad in an alpine hat covered with pins, said he doesnt care either way. This is his familys festival now.

We just belong here, he said. Its us. Weve taken ownership. This is our festival.

The festival is so important to the Aurilios because they watched their kids grow up there, and they have developed traditions. For instance, no matter what else they do, every year they have to eat bratwurst.

I get it with sauerkraut, Tom Aurilio said.

I get it without, Penni Aurilio said, without missing a beat.

Honestly, if you get a brat without sauerkraut, its almost sacrilegious, Tom Aurilio continued, joking that after 31 years of marriage he and his wife are still working out issues.

Another tradition for Tom Aurilio is giving a pin from his hat to festival newbies who finally take the plunge to get their own. He said its good luck.

Near the entrance of the festival, volunteer John Cock was manning the hat store along with several other volunteers.

He had been helping the swarm of customers at the tent to purchase appropriate festival headwear. He said he had seen some people buy upwards of five white, floppy chicken hats at a time.

He said the alpine hats were also popular sellers. Lederhosen and those hats, he said, are part of the festivals authentic attire.

For the serious festival-goers, wool alpine hats run about $40. The felt versions are about $15. Chicken hats go for $10.

Just outside the Beirgarten tent, Jacob Miller was standing near a sausage vendor. He was wearing a chicken hat, and he was kicking off his bachelor party.

For the party, his friends had only three items on the agenda: get Miller to Oktoberfest, get him drunk and have fun.

What better place to get drunk than Oktoberfest? And, of course, they insist I wear something ridiculous, so, of course, I got the chicken hat, Miller said.

Miller said he is not sure how the chicken hat tradition got started, but he thinks its an appropriate icon for the festival.

The hat is outlandish, ridiculous and silly, he said, which goes hand in hand with what he believes is the mission of Oktoberfest: being there, being excited and having fun.

Nobody has a bad time at Oktoberfest. Thats the biggest part of this place is you come here to have fun, and you cant help it, Miller said.
Before Jacob Black graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 2013 he had a general idea about where his life was headed.

After graduating summa cum laude with a bachelors degree in letters  an interdisciplinary major that includes studying ancient and modern language, history, philosophy and literature  he would go to law school.

He took the LSAT his senior year but felt burnt out. Black decided to skip the straight-to-grad-school plunge to work for a few years. He would then tackle school with a few extra bucks in his pocket, he thought at the time. That was the plan, at least.

Its been three years since graduation, and Black is at temporary job No. 4 and still thinking about law school.

First he delivered pizzas in Norman  making enough money to pay car insurance and cell phone bills  then worked as a program coordinator for a grant-funded project for one of his former professors. Later, he did inventory and shipped orders for a company specializing in making electronic parts.

When youre working a crappy job where youre just making enough to pay rent and pay for food and bills, you cant do anything else, he said. Youre basically just getting by, which is what I was doing in Norman.

He applied for more substantial jobs, but nothing panned out, he said. He needed a change.

After some introspection, he decided in May to move back in with his parents in Tulsa while he figures out his next move. Hes considering applying to law school at the University of Tulsa in the spring.

Hes not the only 20-something taking respite in the familial comfort of home, either.

About 32.1 percent of young people ages 18 to 34 were living with their parents in 2014, according to a Pew Research study. That percentage marks the first time in over 130 years that more young people were living with their parents than with a spouse or significant other.

In many ways, this is due to trends set by the Millennial generation.

Millennials, classified by Pew as people born after 1980, are marrying later in life, if at all.

More Millennial men and those without a college degree are living at home. By gender, 35 percent of men compared to 29 percent of women are at their childhood homes. Of the young adults without a degree, 36 percent are at home compared to 19 percent of those with a degree.

Still, experts look at the growing number of Millennials returning home  or the ones who never left  and see other contributing factors  a phenomenon increasingly called failure to launch.

The term made its way into popular culture after the release of Failure to Launch, a 2006 romantic comedy starring Matthew McConaughey who played a 30-something living at home with his parents, but it popped up in sociological research years earlier.

In 1989, sociologists Allan Schnaiberg and Sheldon Goldenberg published an article in the journal Social Problems, which is a scholarly publication of the The Society for the Study of Social Problems. The paper addressed the causes behind the incompletely launched young adults and returning young adult syndrome in middle-class American families.

Youve got to push them out of the nest

Dr. Gerard Clancy, the University of Tulsas dean of the Oxley College of Health Sciences and university president come January, has seen failure to launch first-hand. Hes observed and counseled families as their 22- to 26-year-old graduates struggle through what he calls their start-up years.

They leave the schedules, the housing, the food that comes with oftentimes college education, he said. There are some young adults who really struggle with that.

Young people who fail to launch often have independence issues despite their strong academic backgrounds and diverse knowledge of world and current events.

The issue isnt that they arent smart, Clancy said.

Its a lack of knowledge and skills of how to take that and put it to work as an adult, he said. It is the managing your day-to-day schedule. It is, How do I work with others in the environment where Im getting paid to produce something? It is, How do I take care of my budget? How do I get through a month of all these different responsibilities without the structure of the formal education system helping me?

The number of Millennials unable to answer those questions after college graduation brings with it an alarming realization. Somewhere in adolescence or in education  somewhere in growing up  something went awry.

Experts point to a variety of reasons, but Clancy, a psychiatrist, said two factors come to mind: Adversity and resilience.

Situations with too much adversity are stressful, and some people cant develop necessarily living skills because theyre overwhelmed. But, not enough adversity, and young people dont learn how to problem solve.

In many cases, young people arent challenged early on in life and not challenged enough. They need opportunities to develop those critical-thinking skills without parental guidance, Clancy said.

Whether its participating in sports, having an after-school job, volunteering, doing mission work or getting an internship, diverse adolescent experiences outside academic settings are crucial, Clancy said.

Youve got to push them out of the nest, he said. Its hard on the kids, its hard on the parents, but its important. Just as important as teaching a kid how to read is teaching a kid how to be self-sufficient.

A collision of cultures

Workforce Tulsa Executive Director Shelley Cadamy has navigated young people through a variety of job preparation courses. Some lessons are everyday, common-knowledge topics, like how to shake a hand.

The organization offers job training, resources for job seekers and partnerships with local employers for providing job candidates. The majority of the client pool is made up of a relatively small group of young people with significant hurdles, many without high school diplomas or who are in the criminal justice system, homeless or out of foster care.

However, Cadamy has seen Millennials without these hurdles equally as unprepared to walk into the workforce. In these cases, the candidates arent self-sufficient, problem solvers or critical thinkers, she said, and their parents are often to blame.

We hear from employers, it isnt standard but it isnt exceptional either, that people come to job interviews and their parents are with them, she said. Were talking about people who have finished college. I just cant imagine a scenario in which that is appropriate.

I also hear from a lot of employers that if they dont offer a young person a job, they will get a call from the parent asking why their child was not hired.

These may be extreme cases, but job-seeking Millennials and employers have increasingly found themselves at an impasse when it comes to conflicting wants and needs, Cadamy said.

Every generation brings pressure to change to the workplace, she said. The Baby Boomers did it, Gen X did it, and now Millennials are doing it.

Millennials seek meaning and flexibility in their jobs for a work-life balance, Cadamy said. She stresses to employers the importance of creating jobs incorporating those things.

We dont have enough skilled workers to fill the jobs that companies are creating and so, you cant say Those people are lazy and Im not going to hire them, because they represent a huge part of the population.

Millennials outnumber Baby Boomers, those born between 1946 to 1964, to form the countrys largest living generation, according to U.S. census data. In 2015, there were 75.4 million Millennials compared to 74.9 million Baby Boomers.

At a time when a generational shift is occurring in the workplace, there have to be adjustments, Cadamy said. At the same time, Millennials need to be prepared to offer employers valuable work.

They need people who will tackle a problem and access all their resources at hand before they go to their supervisor, she said. Unfortunately, what they see is that a lot of young people go to their supervisor first. Theres not a lot of value there.

The best advice she has for young people is to get work experience as early as possible  as early as high school.

You can tell a young person how important something is all day long, but until that young person experiences the workplace and until they are surrounded and experiencing those demands, they often dont quite get it, Cadamy said.

Educating for Success

Union Superintendent Kirt Hartzler understands his staff has a role to play in preparing students for independence and self sufficiency.

I think we have to say to ourselves, as school leaders, that failure to launch may be our failure as much as anybody elses, Hartzler said.

At the high school level, a well-rounded education doesnt simply mean gearing up for college or other vocational or technical schools. It means giving students responsibilities and opportunities to make mistakes.

Its a scary proposition to say to kids, especially to teenagers, lets give them a lot more flexibility with their schedules, but I think itd be more frightening to think what happens to our kids when they go out and havent been afforded the opportunity to self-regulate, he said.

Juniors and seniors at Union can tailor their schedules to fit their skills and interests, and thats a good thing, he said. Students learn the value of time management and get a taste of real-world independence. They are given the opportunity to choose virtual coursework, off-campus internships or service learning programs.

We are trying to treat them like young adults as opposed to what you might think of as a traditional high school student, Hartzler said. So much of what weve done in education is about control, and I laugh at that.

The 4-year-old academic flexibility model is relatively new. Since those students who first used it are recent graduates, administrators havent studied extensively the overall impact, but theyve already seen short-term results.

These kids are going to be better at regulating their time and managing their world of work and life because theyve had earlier exposure to it, he said.

Looking back on his high school experience, Jacob Black missed out on that school-sanctioned exploration. If there were opportunities to look into different careers in depth, he didnt know about them or take advantage of them, he said.

That experience might have helped him develop a clear sense of direction  something hes still missing today, he said.

I really wish I would have had a better practical sense of what different career paths look like, he said. You imagine them in your head and then you see them fictionalized in TV and books, but you dont actually know what they are like day to day. Its just unattainable until youre actually doing the job.
Today's ceasefire violation came within hours of warning by Additional Director General, BSF, Arun Kumar that Pakistan will have to face dire consequences if any BSF Jawan was targeted.

By Press Trust of India: Pakistan Rangers violated ceasefire twice on Sunday in R S Pura sector of International Border (IB), using mortar shells and firing small arms.

A Border Security Force (BSF) head constable Sushil Kumar died in the cross fire during force's "suitable reply".

A local resident of RS Pura and a BSF jawan also suffered injuries.



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Firing is still going on.

PAK RANGERS AT IT AGAIN

"Pakistan rangers resorted to first small arm fire at 1820 hours and few 82 mm mortar bombs were also fired at our positions at 2145 hours," a BSF spokesman said.

Pakistan Rangers resorted to mortar shelling in Abdullian and Korotana Khurd area of the sector, he said.

Earlier this evening, Pakistan violated the ceasefire along the IB, as Pakistani Rangers used small arm fire to target Indian posts, which was not retaliated by the BSF.

Also read: Pakistan summons India's Deputy High Commissioner for ceasefire violations at LoC

Also read: Pakistan violates ceasefire in J-K's Naushera sector, India hits back



Today's ceasefire violation came within hours of warning by Additional Director General, BSF, Arun Kumar that Pakistan will have to face dire consequences if any BSF Jawan was targeted.



BSF IS READY

He also said that the BSF was fully prepared to deal with any eventuality arising due to the buildup on the Pakistani side.

Kumar said that the lull along the border could take "any turn anytime".

Also read: Jammu: 1 Pakistani terrorist, 7 Rangers killed in retaliatory firing by BSF

Also read: BSF jawan injured as Pakistan violates ceasefire along IB in J-K's Hiranagar



On Friday night, Pakistan Rangers had targeted the border hamlets and border outposts (BoP) with mortar shells and opened fire from automatic weapons along the IB in the sector.

LATEST ATTACK



During the late night attack, which started around 11 PM and continued till Saturday morning, Pakistan Rangers had used 60 and 81 mm shells in the Korotana Khurd and Budhipur Jattan villages in the R S Pura sector.

Also read: Jammu: BSF jawan Gurnam Singh succumbs to injuries sustained in Pakistan firing



Seven Pakistan Rangers personnel and a terrorist were killed and three others seriously injured in a befitting retaliatory action by the BSF as the Pakistani troops had targeted six sectors in Jammu, Kathua, Samba, Poonch and Rajouri districts of Jammu and Kashmir.

Watch the video here



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--- ENDS ---
Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Saturday ruled out Turkish troops taking any part in the operation to retake Iraqs second city from Daesh.

However, speaking to journalists at a meeting of Justice and Development (AK) Party members in Afyonkarahisar, western Turkey, he said special forces could be used to support local fighters in the Mosul offensive.

The land operation must be conducted by [the Iraqi] national army instead of different groups. It is out of the question that Turkey or other countries join in the land operation, he said.

There are Peshmerga fighters that Turkey trained, there are Nineveh forces in there. If needed, our special forces can of course join to support the local fighters.

Turkey has a long-standing training mission based at Bashiqa, northeast of Mosul, where soldiers have mentored both Kurdish Peshmerga and Nineveh Guard fighters.

Cavusoglu added that Turkey is currently supporting the operation through our air force. He did not elaborate on the role of Turkish air power over Mosul.

His comments were reinforced by Prime Minister Binali Yildirim in an interview on state-run broadcaster TRT on Saturday night. Currently, there is no need for us to actively take part in the grand operation, he said. There are air and ground elements inside the coalition forces. Turkey will take part in the air elements.

He added that no member of the international anti-Daesh coalition was directly involved in the Mosul operation but said the U.S was providing logistic support.

On Tuesday, Yildirim said the coalition had agreed in principle that Turkish jets would participate. They will take part when necessary, he said. There is a consensus that they will be a part of the coalition in principle.

Turning to Syria, where Turkey launched Operation Euphrates Shield in August to clear Daesh from the region on Turkeys southern border, Cavusoglu warned that Turkey would do what is necessary if the PKK/PYD did not retreat and continued to attack the Turkey-backed Free Syrian Army.

What happened to the YPG are good, they fight against Daesh statements? Cavusoglu asked in an apparent reference to U.S. support for the PKK/PYDs armed wing. Why are they attacking Free Syrian Army and opposition forces? Because their aim is to dominate areas and build their own canton.

Anadolu Agency
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated his call for a terror-free zone in the northern part of war-torn Syria on Saturday.

Now, do not go to Al-Bab they say. We have to; we will go. Why? Because we need to prepare a terror-free zone there, Erdogan said, referring to Turkeys ongoing military operation called Euphrates Shield.

This operation -- launched in August -- has seen Free Syrian Army fighters backed by the Turkish military rid large parts of north Syria of Daesh. Al-Bab is a Daesh-held northern Syrian city.

The Turkish presidents comments came during an inauguration ceremony for an education facility in the northwestern province of Bursa.

If the coalition forces are ready to move together, we will do what is necessary against Daesh in Raqqa too. But not together with the PYD or YPG.

Erdogan said Turkey would not take terror organizations along with us.

The PKK and its Syrian offshoot the PYD are both listed as terrorist groups by Turkey although the U.S. and EU only view the PKK as a terrorist organization.

On Friday, U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter met Turkish leaders, reaffirmed the countries alliance and congratulated Turkey on successes against Daesh in Syria.

Carter thanked Erdogan for Turkey's resolve in the fight against terrorism and Turkeys critical support for the counter-ISIL campaign in Syria and Iraq, the Pentagon said in a statement which used an alternative acronym for Daesh.

Anadolu Agency
Communications Minister Mitch Fifield will discuss last weeks Four Corners report on Nauru with ABC managing director Michelle Guthrie, following complaints from conservative corners.

I was certainly troubled by the fact that Minister Dutton, who offered himself for a Live interview at the conclusion of the program, that that offer wasnt accepted, he told SKY News.

Theres no reason why that shouldnt have be accepted.

I did think it was odd Mr Duttons offer to give a Live interview wasnt taken up.

Despite sitting side by side with the ABC boss at the Senate Estimates hearing the day after the program, he added, I havent yet raised the issue with Michelle Guthrie but I certainly will be.

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton will also lodge a formal complaint with the ABC over the program, after it profiled the plight of refugee children on the Pacific island nation. He declined offers to appear on Lateline following the program and on AM the day after it aired. Amnesty International described Australias policy of holding refugees on Nauru indefinitely amounts to a systematic violation of human rights.

The Nauruan government also described the program as an embarrassment to journalism.

But ABC head of news Gaven Morris defended the program.

Four Corners relied on a range of sources for its footage, including hiring a freelance camera operator on Nauru, as is routinely done on many stories, he wrote.

The key interviews with the children were conducted remotely by our journalists.

We checked the veracity of all supplied footage used in the story through a number of sources.

Source: Fairfax.
Tabei, who was born in 1939 in Miharu, a hilly farming town in Fukushima prefecture about 230 kilometers north of Tokyo, died of cancer at a hospital outside of Tokyo, Japanese media reported.

In this November 1, 2005, file photo, Junko Tabei, the first woman summitter of Mount Everest, displays her certificate received from the Nepal Kathmandu Municipality official in Kathmandu 5. (Photo: Reuters/Gopal Chitrakar)

By AP: The first woman to climb Mount Everest didn't stop there. Japanese mountaineer Junko Tabei, who died Thursday at 77, devoted her adult life to scaling peaks, climbing the tallest mountains in more than 70 countries.

Her philosophy was to live life to the fullest. "I want to climb even more mountains," she said in a 1991 interview with The Associated Press, 16 years after conquering Everest.

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"To think, 'It was great,' and then die."

FOUNDED LADIES CLIMBING CLUB IN 1969



To do so required defying stereotypes, and a supportive husband, in a country that thought a woman's place was in the home. She founded the Ladies Climbing Club in 1969 with the slogan "Let's go on an overseas expedition by ourselves," and reached the summit of Everest on May 16, 1975, as the leader of the climbing party of an all-female Japanese team.

"Most Japanese men of my generation would expect the woman to stay at home and clean house," the mother of two said in the 1991 interview.

In 1992, she became the first woman to complete the "Seven Summits," reaching the highest peaks of the seven continents.

Tabei died of cancer at a hospital outside of Tokyo, Japanese media reported today.

She was born in 1939 in Miharu, a hilly farming town in Fukushima prefecture about 230 kilometers (140 miles) north of Tokyo. Her first summit was nearby Mount Nasu with her teacher in the fourth grade.

BECAME CONCERNED ABOUT THE DEGRADATION OF EVEREST



Later in life, she became concerned about the degradation of Everest, completing master's studies in 2000 at Kyushu University in southern Japan on the garbage problem as the famous mountain was opened to more climbers.

"Everest has become too crowded. It needs a rest now," she said at a 2003 parade in Nepal to mark the 50th anniversary of the first successful ascent of the peak by Sir Edmund Hillary.

She kept climbing even after being diagnosed with cancer four years ago, Japanese public broadcaster NHK said. Her goal was to climb the tallest mountain in all of the more than 190 countries of the world. She fell short, but ticked off four more as recently as 2015, according to her website, in Niger, Luxembourg, Belgium and Oman.

--- ENDS ---
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The arrest of the three led to the recovery of stolen electronic goods, gold and silver jewellery and house breaking instruments worth lakhs of rupees. Their arrest further solved 30 cases of burglary.

By Tanseem Haider: Delhi Police arrested three men for their involvement in a spate of burglaries at JNU Housing Complex. The accused, Gaurav, Mohit Kumar and Karan Yadav, are believed to have been involved in many cases.

The arrest of the three led to the recovery of stolen electronic goods, gold and silver jewellery and house breaking instruments worth lakhs of rupees. Their arrest further solved 30 cases of burglary.

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In the past, residents of JNU Housing Complex had reported laptops, mobile phones, I-Pods, cameras, jewellery worth a lot of money being stolen from their homes.

The three were arrested after the police received specific information about their movements in Madhu Vihar, Dwarka and Delhi. The police team laid a trap in Madhu Vihar and the burglars were caught.

During the interrogation, it was discovered that the accused committed the crimes mainly during the day by breaking the locks of the main doors, and that they were involved in a number of other thefts besides the one at JNU Housing Complex.

In the ongoing investigation, it emerged that the three had another accomplice, namely a Vikram Munna, who is a resident of Dakshinapuram. His role in the crimes is being probed, and it is learned that his father is working as a mess helper in Koena Hostel in JNU.

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New Delhi, Oct 23 (UNI) India and Bahrain are jointly working to further strengthen security and counter-terrorism cooperation between the two countries, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said today. Embarking on a three-day visit to Bahrain, Mr Singh said 'India and Bahrain enjoy excellent bilateral relations characterised by broad based political, economic and cultural contacts.' He said he looked forward to his visit to the Gulf nation on the invitation of Minister of Interior Lt. Gen Sheikh Rashid Bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, an official release here said. According to the minister, the signing of the agreement on cooperation in combating international terrorism, transnational organised crime and trafficking in illicit, drugs, narcotic and psychotropic substances and precursors chemicals during the visit of the Bahrain Interior Minister to New Delhi in December last year had laid strong foundation for bilateral security and counter-terrorism cooperation. Mr Singh made these comments during his meeting with the President of National Security Agency of Bahrain, Sheikh Talal bin Mohammed bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa who called on the union minister here on Friday. UNI SD SHS SNU 1717
Is Hillary Clinton's college plan really plausible? This is a question that still remains unanswered, because in an analysis by the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget (CRFB), it is found that Clinton's college plan for students would add $500 billion to the national debt, in contrary to Clinton's claim that she can make the plan materialize without adding a penny to the country's debt.

"I want to make college debt-free and for families making less than a hundred twenty five thousand dollars," said Clinton. "You will not get a tuition bill from a public college or a university if the plan that I worked on with Bernie Sanders is enacted."

Just this year, Clinton refused to embrace the proposal of her opponent Bernie Sanders about offering a free college plan, and now she has agreed on the Sanders plan, although hers does not exactly follow the outline of Sanders' project.

Clinton's plan proposes free public college education for students coming from families whose earnings are less than $85,000 yearly. She promised that the students who would want to avail of the free public education would not even need to apply for loans. However, it seems to be barely possible to make all of these happen without affecting the national debt.

During a debate last Wednesday, Trump said that the college plan of Clinton would only result to increasing the taxes of the Americans. "Her plan is going to raise taxes and even double your taxes," said Trump. "We will have a massive, massive tax increase under Hillary Clinton's plan," he added.

Robert Kelchen, assistant professor of higher education at Seton Hall University, doubts that the plan was even going to happen. "This plan probably won't end up happening," he said. "The tuition-free part, that's something that could end up encouraging up more students to go to college-but it could also potentially squeeze lower-class out of public colleges," he also added.
By PTI: From Shirish B Pradhan

Kathmandu, Oct 23 (PTI) Japanese mountaineer Junko Tabeis successful summit of Mount Everest, the first by a woman, was an important milestone in women empowerment, Nepals trekking community today said in its condolence message on her death.

Junko, 77, died on Thursday while undergoing treatment for cancer in abdomen, that was detected four years ago.

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Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) said it has been deeply shocked and saddened by Junkos demise.

Her Everest summit of May 1975 inspired many women across the world, including Nepali women, who are now actively involved with mountaineering sector, TAAN said in a statement.

"Before Tabeis successful summit, the mountaineering sector was regarded as a domain of men," it said and called her achievement "an important milestone in women empowerment."

"After her successful summit, Tabei actively involved in environment conservation and socio-economic development of remote mountain areas in different parts of Nepal.

"She was a real ambassador of the Nepali tourism industry, always encouraging others to visit Nepal. She always supported programmes and activities organised by the mountaineering fraternity of Nepal," the association said.

Junko had visited Nepal last year for an event related to mountaineering.

Born in 1939 in Miharu, she became the first woman to complete the "Seven Summits," reaching the highest peaks of the seven continents in 1992. PTI SBP ABH AKJ ABH

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Space agencies have recently revealed their Mars mission plans. SpaceX CEO and founder Elon Musk has admitted that he wants to have 1 million people colonize the red planet within 10 years. However, in order to have humans successfully (and safely) land on Mars, Musk and his company need to address the cause of the Falcon 9 rocket's explosion.

It was reported that the investigation on the crash of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket is continuing to develop. The feud between the space company of Elon Musk and its rival, the United Launch Alliance (ULA), a joint venture between Lockheed Martin and Boeing, took a strange turn this month when SpaceX officials asked to gain access to the roof of one of ULA's buildings.

Apparently, something suspicious happened during the launch and the officials wanted to check it out. SpaceX captured still images from the video that showed an odd shadow, then a white spot on the roof of a nearby building leased by ULA.

According to Seeking Alpha, a new thesis on the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket's explosion showed how the incident had an impact on its client, Iridium. The explosion has already had a negative effect on Iridium's launch schedule.

Iridium needs SpaceX back on the launching pad as soon as possible in order to put up the Iridium NEXT constellation before the existing constellation gets decommissioned. However, it was noted that even if Elon Musk's space company is able to resume launched by December, it may not provide enough time for the new constellation to be put up before the old one comes down.

In its official website, Iridium describes itself as "the world's only truly global mobile satellite communications company." It offers global voice and data communications coverage.

Seeking Alpha added that if SpaceX recognizes that its rockets have a design issue, then it would continue to delay launches for every customer, including Iridium. If it does, however, deem that it is an acceptable risk to fly without fixing the problem, another failure may delay its clients' schedule. Elon Musk's space company also takes the risk of damaging its clients' products, like Iridium's satellites.
Parents go above and beyond to ensure their children have better opportunities and a brighter future than they had. For Capt. Alejandro Magana's parents, this rang true as they illegally migrated into the United States from Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico with six young children when he was only seven years old. Despite the challenges they faced, they obtained their citizenship on September 11, 2001.

U.S. Army Capt. Alejandro Magana and his wife Rita Magana pose after a Folkloric Dance Performance during the 2014 Hispanic Heritage Month event hosted by 1st MSC EO Program. The beautiful couple delighted the audience with four dances. Two numbers from the state of Tamaulipas and two from the state of Jalisco; each representing their native origin from where they were born. (Courtesy photo provided through U.S. Army) Magana dedicated his high school years to the Junior ROTC program at PSJA North High School. It was then that he decided to join the military. I enjoyed the camaraderie one establishes as a young Soldier, said Magana. Even though this was not the real Army, I learned how to be disciplined and enjoyed being in leadership positions.



During his time in JROTC, Magana's experiences motivated him to become an officer and join the U.S. Army. A previous bad experience I had from high school with a retired sergeant first class made me pursue a commission to become an officer in the United States Army, expressed Magaa. I wanted to prove him wrong about the way he viewed me and show him that I could be someone in life that could help other people.



Magaa set out to earn a college degree and obtain his citizenship before joining the Army. During his quest, several events from the past and present propelled Magaa to join the U.S. Army earlier than expected. I obtained my citizenship on September 11, 2001, the same day New York was attacked by terrorists, said Magana. This did not make me change my mind about joining the Army, on the contrary, it motivated me to enroll in the ROTC program at the University of Texas Pan-American to achieve my goal of being a U.S. Army officer.



Magaa joined the simultaneous membership program (SMP) as a ROTC cadet in 2003 and eventually earned his commission into the U.S. Army Reserve in May of 2005. Magana was commissioned into the Adjutant General Officer Corps and is currently serving as the Assistant Human Resources Officer at the 1st Mission Support Command on Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico. He deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2009-2010 as the platoon leader for the 678th Human Resources Company (Postal).



Having the support of friends and family is paramount and sought after within the Hispanic culture. My parents have always supported me in my decisions, explained Magana. When I joined the Army they were a little concerned but very proud that I decided to pursue a new challenge. Magana also attributes his success and motivation to become a better Soldier, friend, and husband to his wife, Rita Magana. I am happily married to a beautiful and fabulous wife who supports me with my career and is always dedicated to helping me feel better after a long day of work."



Becoming a leader in the Army is no easy feat and Magaa has been able to take that role by continuously learning from his experiences and mentoring young Soldiers. I have learned that as a leader, one must always remain humble and treat Soldiers with respect, despite the rank you hold, explained Magaa. I found out that as we progress in ranks, we become role models to our younger Soldiers. Therefore we must always do the right thing and set the example by living the Army values.



Being a Soldier is not a job, but an honor, said Magaa. We serve the people of the United States and defend our way of life. Also, the learning experiences one attains from this profession are priceless and forever. By U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Christian Ferrer Rivera

Provided through DVIDS

Copyright 2016 Comment on this article
A Maharashtra resident does not want to see Karan Johar's Ae Dil Hai Mushkil but being a businessman, he could not help but feel sad about Karan Johar's losses. So, he sent Karan a cheque worth Rs 320 i.e the money for two tickets (assuming each ticket is charged Rs 160).

Karan Cheque (L) and photos of the letter and cheque by the businessman

By India Today Web Desk: Karan Johar's taped confession where he apologises and begs for a smooth screening of his upcoming film Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, prompted National Award-winning director Shyam Benegal to say that the apology from Karan was forced.





The video that hit the internet on October 18 and since then, much has changed in the course of events regarding ADHM. Following the Producers' Guild vowing to not hire Pakistani actors ever, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) agreed to stop all protests surrounding ADHM. As of now, both Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and Shah Rukh Khan's Dear Zindagi starring Pakistani actor Ali Zafar, also produced by Karan Johar, will get a hassle-free release.

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ALSO READ: ADHM censor certificate leaked, Anushka's kissing scenes cut by half, sexual innuendos deleted

ALSO READ: Aishwarya talks about hot scenes with Ranbir in ADHM, calls them classy

ALSO READ: ADHM vs Thugray's gundaraj, a day when democracy got screwed

However, a business from Akola, Maharashtra, Karan K Cheema sent Karan Johar a cheque of Rs 320 because he felt bad that the Karan would have to face losses if his film did not release. Ex-BJP volunteer Shilpi Tiwari tweeted a picture of the letter Cheema sent to Karan Johar along with a photo of the cheque.



Here is @karanjohar's namesake sending him ticket money but refusing to see movie. Fair as he only appealed abt loss of money & not abt art pic.twitter.com/ZnwoA08mPV shilpi tewari (@shilpitewari) October 20, 2016

In the letter, Cheema wrote that he came across Karan Johar's video on the internet after which he decided to express his grief to Karan because as a businessman, he felt sad for Karan's losses. Hence, he enclosed a cheque of Rs 320 (assuming that each ticket is Rs 160) to Karan Johar and added that "none of us are interested in watching your movie Ae Dil Hai Mushkil."

The letter and cheque sent by Karan K Cheema

Cheema also wrote that the thought of casting Pakistani actors for "some extra personal profits" made him squeamish. Shilpi Tiwari shared the photos of the letter and the cheque stating that Cheema's movie is fair enough as Karan Johar only expressed sadness over loss of money and not art.

ALSO READ: Need written assurance you won't work with Pak actors, Raj Thackeray tells producers

ALSO READ: Bollywood producers vow to not work with Pak artists, MNS calls off protests

Ae Dil Hai Mushkil starring Ranbir Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Anushka Sharma and Fawad Khan releases in theatres on October 28.

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Romania has reached an agreement with Canada on visa liberalization in 2017, President Klaus Iohannis announced on Friday.

Romanians will be able to travel to Canada without visas from December 2017, after an agreement struck this morning in Brussels between the two countries, Romanian media reported.

The deal with Canada is conditioned by the signing of the trade agreement between the European Union and Canada (CETA). Romania and Bulgaria, which had objections to this deal due to the visa issue, withdrew their opposition, but the Belgian region of Walloon also opposes CETA and may block the whole deal. Thus, it's up to the Walloons (French Belgians) now if Romanians will go to Canada without visas starting 2017.

The Romanians who previously had a visa for Canada will no longer need a visa to enter this country starting May 1, 2017, and this measure will apply to all Romanians starting December 1, 2017. The President made the announcement while attending the EU Summit in Brussels.

The announcement came one day after President Iohannis said that he had a talk with Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos about the Romanian-Canadian negotiations on visa liberalization for Romanians, and that the signs were good.

"There are negotiations and the signs are good. Sure, at this stage, is already depends more on the Canadian side to take a determined step to complete negotiations successfully. We remain reserved until then, but there are real chances to make progress in this direction," Iohannis said on Thursday.

The Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced earlier this week thatRomania couldn't support the steps taken towards the signing and the provisional application of the EU-Canada comprehensive economic and trade agreement (CETA). The decision was made because Canada didn't come with an offer for visa liberalization that Romania would accept.

The Romanian authorities didn't accept Canada's first offer, which provided that visas for Romanians traveling to Canada would be lifted in stages by 2018 at the latest.


For his newest cookbook, aptly titled Big American Cookbook, Mario Batali searched far and wide for outstanding recipes from all corners of the United States. Then, applying the same sense of excitement and passion for cooking he famously brings to regional Italian and Spanish fare, he created his own interpretations of some of our countrys most beloved dishes (Pictured: BBQ Oysters).

On Friday, Nov. 18, Batalis Las Vegas chefs  including Culinary Director Nicole Brisson and Executive Chef Brett Uniss  will select 10 of those recipes to come to life for a one night only dining event at B&B Ristorante at The Venetian.

The Big American Cookbook extravaganza will feature a multi-course dinner for just 40 guests. The dinner will begin at 7 p.m. with Batalis chefs explaining the inspiration behind each of the dishes and special tips and techniques. Each guest will also receive a signed copy of the cookbook and a special take-home surprise at the end of the event. This dinner is the only one of its kind being held to showcase Batalis newest collection of recipes.

Published by Grand Central Life & Style, Big American Cookbook features more than 250 of Americas best dishes, celebrating everything from the treasures of state fairs to shared dishes from church socials, as well as prized specialties from every ethnic group in the American melting pot. While Batali demonstrates reverence recipes passed down through the generations, he also incorporates his personal touches in each one.

The dinner will feature the following dishes with descriptions including anecdotes from the book:

Passed canapes

Oyster BBQ: In the book, Batali notes oysters will tell you when theyre ready to be taken off of the grill to pop open. For this hors doeuvre, the oysters will be served with lemon, butter and chipotle Tabasco.

Deviled Eggs: This official food for of picnics and potlucks is one that Batali likes on the spicy side with a squirt of Sriracha on half of these just because.

Clam Rolls: These rolls are served on hot dog buns that are toasted on the griddle with butter and streaks of tartar sauce with fried whole-belly steamer clams piled high.

Table bread

Corn Muffins: These muffins celebrate the sweetness of the corn, enhanced by sugar and honey, for a bread that is delectable as an accompaniment to nearly any dish.

First course (plated)

Pierogies: The noble pierogi with its cheesy mashed potatoes stuffed in pasta dough is a favorite in Cleveland and Pittsburgh.

Second course (plated)

Fishermans Wharf Cioppino: This San Francisco-style fish stew features clams, Dungeness crab, fish fillets and shrimp and is served in wide, shallow bowls to ensure each bowl has some of each kind of seafood.

Third course (family-style)

Bison Rib Eyes: Coffee is vital to this dish, bringing out a smoky, rich bitterness to the crust and transforming the meat into something almost brooding in its complexity.

Scalloped Potatoes: This dish features russet potatoes dotted with butter, drizzled with half-and-half then dusted with nutmeg, salt and pepper and baked until the inside is tender and the outside is golden brown.

Texas Caviar: In the 50s, Helen Corbitt moved from New York to Dallas to take a job as a chef at Neiman Marcus. She was asked to put together an all-Texas menu. With that, she created this black-eyed pea dish as a way to cover up the flavor of actual caviar.

Nopales Salad: The nopal is a Mexican cactus known for its pads and is a popular ingredient in Southwestern cooking. The nopales leaves feature a unique flavor that simultaneously evokes green beans, bell pepper and okra. The salad also includes onions, tomatoes and finely chopped jalapenos.

Dessert

Boston Cream Pie: This Massachusetts classics name originated in the 1800s when it was served at the Parker House Hotel. Known for not being a pie but a cake, this dessert would gain so much popularity that it would become the states official dessert.

Grape-Nuts Ice Cream: In the New England seaboard (especially Maine) and parts of the Caribbean, Grape-Nuts is a popular mix-in to desserts. With its crunch, it makes this ice cream taste as though the cone is built right in.

Take home surprise gift from the chefs!

This new cookbook features so many beloved classic dishes from all corners of the states. For this dinner, we carefully selected dishes from every region so that no matter where the guest is from, there is something familiar and something new to try, says Nicole Brisson, culinary director, Batali & Bastianich Restaurant Group Las Vegas.
What is the purpose of your visit to Vietnam and what potential do Dutch companies see here?

Dating back to 1632, when the Dutch established a trading post in Hoi An and soon afterwards in Pho Hien, trade has been one of the cornerstones of the excellent relations between our two countries. Today, the Netherlands considers Vietnam an invaluable trading partner, with its impressive economic growth rates, growing middle-class, and rising living standards.

Our visit to Vietnam comes at an opportune time. Vietnam continues to develop into a middle-income country and is increasingly valuing productivity and innovation. Furthermore, public and political attention on the consequences of climate change in Vietnam has never been higher. This offers opportunities for the innovative and high-tech Dutch business sector.

Following the recent establishment of a new cabinet in Vietnam, this is a timely opportunity to meet with my counterparts to discuss ways of strengthening our bilateral ties. It is therefore a great privilege for me to lead this business delegation to Vietnam and to promote Dutch innovation, trade, and development, to the mutual benefit of both Vietnam and the Netherlands.

In which fields do the visiting companies operate?

The Dutch delegation represents 35 companies and knowledge institutes from a wide range of sectors, including aviation, agri-food, renewable energy, and maritime infrastructure. Among them are renowned and internationally-established companies such as Damen Shipyards, Royal Boskalis, and Royal HaskoningDHV, as well as mid-sized companies that have started eyeing Vietnam as a potential market and investment destination.

Co-operation between Dutch and Vietnamese companies will further sustainable development in high-tech and environmentally-friendly fields

What are the areas you would suggest for co-operation between Dutch companies and Vietnam?

The Netherlands is the second-largest EU trade partner of Vietnam, and cumulatively the largest EU investor in Vietnam (2015). Last year the Vietnamese imported $691 million of goods and services from the Netherlands, and exported a total value of $4.7 billion to the Netherlands.

Over the past decades, Vietnam has made huge economic strides forward, achieving an average growth of 7 per cent, while also enjoying spectacular success in poverty reduction. As Vietnam continues to develop into a middle-income country, the importance of increased productivity and innovation becomes more apparent. These developments offer opportunities for Dutch solutions, as the strength of the Dutch business sector lies in innovation and technology.

The Netherlands is the worlds second-largest agricultural exporter because of that innovation and technology, and we are therefore well-placed to work with Vietnam on adding value to its agricultural export products. Other evident topics for co-operation, in which the Netherlands has very relevant and innovative expertise, are climate change adaptation and water management. These issues are increasingly high on the political and social agenda in Vietnam. Our countries share knowledge intensively, as we did for instance in the development of the Mekong Delta Plan, a long-term vision for the sustainable development of the Mekong Delta.

Dutch private parties and knowledge institutes are also well-equipped to help Vietnam tackle issues like wastewater management and coastal erosion, with state-of-the-art but affordable solutions. The exchange of Dutch expertise is enshrined in our strategic partnership with Vietnam in water management and climate change adaptation since 2010, and in sustainable agriculture and food security since 2014.

Business Delegation

- 2DO

- AB Consult / Solveigh

- Agriprom

- Avans University of Applied Siences

- Aweta G&P

- Basic Water Needs

- Boskalis International

- City of Oss

- Damen Shipyards

- Dijkma

- Ekro

- EVL Biologicals

- F. Wellink Lekkerkerk

- Holland Pig

- Kneppelhout & Korthals / DFDL

- LubriDutch

- MDF Training & Consulting

- NovoLanguage

- PartnersNetwork

- PMJ Duck Processing Technology

- Royal Joh. Enschede

- TaskHero

- Vionfood International

- VSO Nederland / NKX

- Wind Energy Solutions Dutch Aviation Vietnam Cluster

- Amsterdam University of Applied Siences

- Ciconia Aviation Services

- MovingDot

- NACO (Netherlands Airport Consultants)

- Royal HaskoningDHV Vietnam

- Stratagem Strategic Research

- Vanderlande

What is needed to increase trade and investment in Vietnam, and how can the Dutch contribute?

The Dutch believe that creating an environment in which businesses can thrive is elementary to economic development. We are convinced that the rule of law, good governance, and respect for human rights make a country economically more attractive, and help to attract foreign direct investment. Our approach is furthermore to ensure that the whole society benefits equitably from economic growth  in other words, that growth is inclusive  and that the development happens in a sustainable way, environmentally and otherwise. The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement includes these provisions, and will promote sustainable development and growth for both sides.

The Embassy of the Netherlands in Hanoi and the Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City are actively promoting sustainability. Last year, they launched the Tomorrow is Green campaign, a platform for sustainable business solutions in Vietnam. We are connecting Dutch and Vietnamese governments, companies, and academics, to be sustainable and keep this planet in good shape for ourselves and for future generations.

How will this visit help in pushing the realisation of these goals?

Our visit to Vietnam will showcase once again that the Netherlands possesses experience, expertise, and technology that can help a middle-income country like Vietnam to catalyse sustainable and inclusive development. The Netherlands has expertise, transferable skills, and financial instruments available to help Vietnamese businesses and to further develop the business climate. This approach is based on mutual benefits, as it allows both of our nations to trade on a higher level.

This visit will further build on a foundation of almost 400 years of trade relations, always with an eye on the future. I am proud to be here in Vietnam, to build together towards this future of free trade, sustainable development, and innovative, climate-smart solutions.
Mindful Eating: Slower Consumption for Better Health

With tight schedules and busy lives, sitting down to a meal free of distraction can be more of a luxury than the norm. Mindful eating gets pushed aside for many reasons. Taking a break to satisfy your hunger may also seem like the perfect opportunity to catch up on social
A Saudi-led coalition resumed airstrikes Sunday near Yemen's capital, Sana'a. The strikes came just hours after a 72-hour cease-fire expired.

U.N. special envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed said he had hoped the cease-fire would continue. "We would like to build on this and we aim for a wider outreach in the next few days," he said.

Both sides seemed to adhere to the cease-fire, Ahmed said, "despite reported violations from both sides in several areas."

Fighting in Yemen, with government forces and their Saudi-led allies battling Houthi rebels backed by Iran, raged from Friday into Saturday on the Saudi-Yemen border, despite the cease-fire that ended late Saturday.

Witnesses reported Saudi-led coalition airstrikes Saturday on Houthi missile launchers east of Sana'a.

All parties had agreed to honor the U.N.-backed truce as a means to allow critically needed supplies to reach civilians cut off from outside help.

Ahmed described the truce as an opportunity to establish a foundation for talks to end nearly two years of civil war in Yemen, which borders Saudi Arabia. Monitors say nearly 7,000 people  at least half of them civilians  have died since the uprising began.

On Friday, Ahmed described the truce as "fragile, but largely holding."

Late in the day he met in the Saudi capital with exiled Yemen Vice President Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, and said afterwards that Yemeni government forces were "exercising restraint" in the face of what he said were more than 400 truce violations by Shi'ite rebel fighters.

The cease-fire was the sixth formal attempt to end the fighting since the Saudi-led Sunni coalition of Gulf states intervened early last year to support the internationally recognized Sunni government of President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi.

Houthis launched their rebellion in 2014 after years of accusing the Sunni-led Sana'a government of widespread discrimination.
Fierce clashes broke out this weekend in the besieged Syrian city of Aleppo, hours after a three-day cease fire ended with Russian and Syrian government warplanes launching waves of airstrikes and rebel militias targeting western districts held by Assad government troops with Grad rockets newly supplied by Gulf backers.

While international attention focused on the unfolding offensive on Mosul, the Islamic States last major urban stronghold in Iraq, big battles are shaping up in northern Syria.

As fighting intensified Sunday in Syrias onetime commercial capital, just north of Aleppo Turkish-backed rebel militias, some also allied with the United States, launched an assault on the town of Tel Rifat in a bid to retake it from Western-aligned Kurdish fighters who ejected local Arabs when they overran the town last February.

The Kurdish-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces says it seized Tel Rifat and a clutch of neighboring villages to prevent them from falling into the hands of forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, during a blistering Russian-backed offensive. But the Kurdish fighters expelled Arabs and have refused to allow them to return, according to several refugees from Tel Rifat interviewed by VOA last month at a refugee camp in southern Turkey.

The seizure enraged rebel militias, who accused the Kurds of treachery and pledged to retaliate and take back Tel Rifat, historically an Arab town.

Civilian plight



The resumption of fighting in Aleppo and the clash between rebels and Kurds north of the city is worsening the already desperate plight of civilians warn U.N. officials. Relief agencies had hoped to get aid into the besieged rebel-held eastern districts of the city during a three-day unilateral pause in hostilities announced last week by Russia.

On Friday, U.N. officials said no aid got in, and because both warring parties refused to give security guarantees planned medical evacuations were cancelled.

Syrian state media and Russian authorities accused the rebels in the east of preventing civilians from leaving and of using them as human shields, an accusation strongly denied by rebel leaders, who say most civilians arent leaving because they mistrust the Assad government and fear what will happen to them after they leave.

Some who wanted to flee down a humanitarian corridor opened by Assad forces couldnt do so because of fighting. Nobody has left through the corridors," Zakaria Malahifji, a commander with a Free Syrian Army militia, says. Some who wanted to, couldnt leave because of shelling nearby, he added.

Up to 300,000 civilians are thought to be in eastern Aleppo. They have little food and woefully inadequate medical care, Syrian and Russian warplanes have repeatedly struck hospitals. No aid has entered Aleppo since July 7 and food rations will run out by the end of October, U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon warned Thursday.

French medical charity Doctors without Borders said Saturday the few medical supplies in eastern Aleppo are running out. Aleppos seven remaining hospitals cannot cope for much longer, it warned.

A monitoring group, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a British-based clearing house of information gathered by political activists in Syria, said the resumption of airstrikes Saturday came quickly after the cease-fire had ended. The United Nations had asked Moscow and Damascus to extend their pause in hostilities until Monday.

As warplanes struck, rebels retaliated with new arms supplies and launched Grad rocket attacks mainly targeting a military academy and al-Nayrab military airport southeast of Aleppo. But Grad attacks were also reported on civilian areas in the western parts of the city.

As airstrikes intensified overnight, the mother of seven-year-old Bana Alabed, the little girl whose tweets from inside eastern Aleppo that started to go viral earlier this month, tweeted: Bad night and day. Ceasefire ended, bombing started.

Both sides had used the pause in hostilities to re-order their forces. A senior Russian military official, Sergei Rudskoi, said Saturday, We are seeing them [the rebels] massing around Aleppo and preparing for another breakthrough into the citys western neighborhoods.

With new supplies of Grad rockets, the rebels are hoping to break the months-long encirclement by government forces of their eastern districts. Abdel Salam Abed, a spokesperson of the al-Zinki militia, said rebel brigades are preparing an offensive to break the siege.

The new phase in the battle for Aleppo may be the biggest and most significant battle of the Syrian war, says Robin Yassin-Kassab, the co-author of the book Burning Country: Syrians in Revolution and War.

If Assad forces backed by Russian airpower are able to overrun the eastern half of the city, it would amount to the biggest reversal of rebel fortunes in the five-year civil war, dealing a devastating symbolic and strategic blow to the rebellion.

But if the rebels can manage to hang on or break the encirclement, it would demonstrate that no amount of Russian firepower can subdue the insurgents, say analysts.
Karan Johar said that it is difficult to get two male actors to work together because of their ego clashes.

By India Today Web Desk: When Karan Johar announced his collaboration with Rohit Shetty for the remake of Subhash Ghai's 1989 superhit Ram Lakhan, film buffs were excited. From Shah Rukh Khan to Ranveer Singh, several names had cropped up for the lead roles.

Now, it looks like the film might shelved. Karan Johar, speaking at the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival, blamed it on the ego clashes between male stars. "Two heroes will not work together. The role of Lakhan will be considered as a larger part and the character of Ram will be insecure of Lakhan," he said.

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ALSO READ | Ram Lakhan remake: Shahid Kapoor to play Ranveer Singh's 'bade bhaiya' in the film?

He added, "Either make Ram or Lakhan. You can't make both. It's not the age to make multi-starrer films or two-hero films." Rohit Shetty had, in an earlier interview, talked about the same problem. "We approached a few actors for Lakhan but they wanted to make the film solo," he had said.

Karan Johar might feel this way, but his filmography largely consists of two-hero projects like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Kal Ho Na Ho, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, Dostana, Student of the Year and most recently Kapoor & Sons.

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Bundled up in jackets and surrounded by suitcases, migrants from Calais sprawling "Jungle" migrant camp lined up in the pre-dawn chill Monday for the next step in their European odyssey.

By mid-morning the first busload of mostly Sudanese migrants were bound for Burgundy, some shouting "Bye, bye Jungle, as their bus drove out of Frances largest slum. French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said that 2,318 migrants had been evacuated from the camp by day's end.

The evacuation in the northern port city is "for the moment taking place calmly and is under control, said French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve, who has described the operation as a humanitarian duty.

During the coming week, authorities hope to empty the Jungle, dispatching most of its roughly 6,000-8,000 residents to temporary shelters around the country. As of Tuesday, workers will begin dismantling the wood-and-tarp shanty town that has become symbolic of Europes larger migrant crisis.

Yet the governments plan for dealing with the migrants is proving controversial, dividing towns, charities and the migrants themselves.

Long term solution sought

We witnessed the dismantlement of Sangatte in 2002, and tent camps sprung up after because it wasnt a solution, Yannick le Bihan, operations director for French charity Medicins du Monde (Doctors of the World), of a previous migrant camp in the area.

Without a long-term plan and a concerted European response to the migrant crisis, he said, ... well face the same problem again.

That sentiment is shared by some Calais residents.

Weve had this migrant problem for 20 years here, said one Calais taxi driver, giving only his first name, Christophe. Nothing has been resolved.

Hailing from Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Eritrea or Iraq, many Jungle residents have remained in the squalid camp for months, after making perilous journeys by land or sea from their homelands. Many hoped to reach Britain, just across the Channel from Calais, where they have family or simply believe they may have a better future.

Now, they will be relocated to towns as far as southern France, housed in shelters equipped with toilets and heating, luxuries after months in the Jungles mud and cold. Those who choose can apply for asylum in France. If they fail to qualify or choose not to apply, they will be deported, officials say.

The hundreds of unaccompanied children living in the Jungle pose another problem. Britain has welcomed some of them, but charities fear for the safety of those remaining.

Britain further away

Even their short-term fate is uncertain, le Bihan said, with authorities sending them from one area to another at the start of the evacuation on Monday.

As the day wore on, Jungle residents hugged each other as they bid goodbye. Colored bands on their wrists attested to their ultimate location. They were given the choice of two places to settle around the country.

Im happy to stay in France, its a good country, a young man sporting a blue wristband told French TV.

Others expressed concern about the camps dismantlement. A local charity, Auberges des Migrants, estimated up to 2,000 residents do not want to leave the Calais area, still hoping to hijack rides by ferry or truck to Britain.

Sentiments are equally fractured in towns expected to host the migrants. In the Loire village of Saint-Denis-de-Cabanne, residents staged rival demonstrations for and against the newcomers in recent weeks.

These migrants are fighters. All of them, or almost all are here to wage Jihad, one resident told Frances Liberation newspaper.

Dispatching the Calais problem elsewhere in France is not the solution, says Rudy Vercuque, a Calais-based regional councilor for the far-right National Front party, which has been urging mayors around the country to resist taking in migrants. It will just create the same problem somewhere else.

But the western village of Naintre has offered a different response. Local officials took in 25 Afghans and Sudanese from the Jungle, weeks before the camps dismantlement, and despite some local resistance.

We wanted to help them, theyre humans, Naintres mayor Christine Piaulet told French radio. And too bad if were not reelected in 2020.



WATCH: Migrants arrive in Sicily
Democrat Hillary Clinton, confident of winning the U.S. presidency in next month's election, is now dismissive of Republican Donald Trump and making new efforts to elect more Democrats to Congress to support her legislative agenda.

"I don't even think about responding to him any more," Clinton said of Trump's taunts that she is corrupt and unfit to claim the White House.

The former U.S. secretary of state, looking to become the country's first female president, told reporters aboard her campaign plane late Saturday that in the last 16 days before the November 8 election she plans to emphasize "the importance of electing Democrats down the ballot" in an effort reclaim control of Congress, where Republicans now have a majority in both chambers.

Clinton, now given a 9-in-10 chance by polling analysts of winning the election, has redirected millions of dollars from her campaign to states normally won by Republican presidential candidates in an effort to expand her lead over Trump and help Democratic candidates running against incumbent Republican lawmakers. The analysts say Democrats could reclaim control of the Senate, but face an uphill fight in the House Representatives where Republicans currently hold a wide advantage.

Clinton surging

A collection of national polls compiled by several sources gives Clinton about six-percentage-point advantage over Trump, a brash real estate mogul making his first run for elected office. But a new ABC News poll Sunday said Clinton has surged in recent days to a 50-38 percent lead in the aftermath of controversies involving Trump's treatment of women and his reluctance to accept the outcome of the election unless he wins.

WATCH: Clinton on Trump's reluctance to respect election results

Trump's campaign chief, Kellyanne Conway, acknowledged to NBC News Sunday, "We are behind."

But she added, "We're not giving up. We know we can win this."

The ABC poll said Clinton has moved to a commanding 20-point edge among female voters, 55-35, and an even bigger lead among college-educated women, 62-30. ABC also said that for the first time in its polling during the long campaign, men also favor her candidacy, 44-41. Trump is leading among white voters, still a majority of U.S. voters but a declining share of the U.S. electorate, by four percentage points, but non-whites favor Clinton by a huge margin, 68-14.

In last week's third and final debate with Clinton, Trump's comment that Nobody has more respect for women than I do. Nobody" drew audible laughter from the audience. Later, he interrupted Clinton to call her "such a nasty woman," a taunt that immediately has been marketed on an array of T-shirts supporting her candidacy.



WATCH: Trump, Clinton pitch policy proposals

Trump's plunge in national polling and key battleground election states that will determine the outcome started more than two weeks ago when a 2005 tape surfaced in which he made lewd comments about women and boasted how he could grope them because he was a celebrity. Trump later apologized and dismissed the comments as "locker room talk," and denied he had actually made unwanted sexual advances on women.

But since then 11 women have recounted instances in which he made unexpected and unwanted advances on them over several decades, all of which he said were fabrications.

Trump's first 100 days

On Saturday, Trump said he would sue the women after the election for hurting his campaign, even as he outlined a variety of policy changes he would make in his first 100 days in office if he captures the presidency, overturning executive actions taken by President Barack Obama, cutting government regulations and imposing mandatory prison terms on immigrants who enter the United States illegally.

Clinton and her surrogates, including Obama, have in recent days questioned how some incumbent Republican lawmakers up for re-election could denounce Trump's comments on the tape and other controversial remarks he has made and yet have not rejected his candidacy.

Clinton, campaigning in the key eastern state of Pennsylvania on Saturday, mocked Senator Pat Toomey, locked in a tight battle in the state for re-election to another six-year term, saying, "If he doesn't have the courage to stand up to Donald Trump after all this, then can you be sure he'll stand up for you when it counts?" She delivered a similar attack Sunday against North Carolina Senator Richard Burr, facing a tough re-election fight in his mid-Atlantic state.

She adopted an optimistic outlook on the state of the country's affairs, attacking Trump's assessment that the United States in many ways is declining.

"I've listened to all his insults," Clinton said. "I don't recognize the country he's talking about."

In her comments on the airplane Saturday, Clinton, the wife of former President Bill Clinton, said she is looking past her race against Trump.

I debated him for four and a half hours," she said. He can say whatever he wants to. He can run his campaign however he wants to, he can go off on tangents, he can go to Gettysburg (Pennsylvania) and say hes gonna sue women whove made accusations against him. Im going to keep talking about what we want to do.

In his remarks Saturday, Trump said he would stem the flow of illegal immigrants into the U.S. by imposing a mandatory minimum prison sentence of two years for anyone who enters the country illegally. He also vowed to impose term limits on members of Congress, enact a freeze on federal hiring and ban White House and congressional officials from becoming lobbyists after leaving office.

"We will drain the swamp in Washington, D.C., and replace it with a new government by and of the people," Trump declared.
Scores of inmates from a Haitian prison escaped Saturday after killing an officer and stealing weapons, authorities said.



Judge Henry Claude Louis-Jean said others were injured in the prison break that occurred in Arcahaie, a coastal town about 50 kilometers north of Haiti's capital.



With the support of U.N. peacekeepers, a manhunt was launched to track down the 174 escaped inmates. Police set up checkpoints along roads near the prison.



Eleven inmates have been caught, but police are still searching for the other escapees.



"One guard was killed during the incident. Three prisoners were wounded, including one who died as a consequence of his wounds," Camille Edouard Junior, Haiti's minister of justice, told Reuters.



According to police, the inmates attacked officers after they were released from an overcrowded holding pen to bathe.



Edouard Junior said a prisoner died after he hit his head falling off a wall during the attack.



The guard's body was still at the prison in the aftermath of the attack, reports said.



The U.S. Embassy in Haiti has warned American citizens to avoid the Arcahaie area.



Reports say overpopulated Haitian prisons are common, and some people spend years in pre-trial detention.



Officials did not say how many escapees from the Haiti prison had been convicted of serious crimes and how many were awaiting trial.



Authorities asked residents of the area to obey police instructions as the search intensifies.
Several leaders around the world have taken the liberty to pass judgement about the presidential election in the United States. Iran's president is the latest.



Speaking Sunday in a televised speech in the city of Ark, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said he had no preference in the U.S. election and the choice offered to American citizens was between "bad and worse" referring to presidential race between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.



"Did you see the debate and the way of their speaking, accusing and mocking each other? Do we want such a democracy in our country? Do we want such elections in our country?" Rouhani asked.



He went on to comment the United States "claims it has had democracy for more than 200 years," but the present situation indicates that "the morality has no place" there.



Rouhani said during his September visit to the U.N. General Assembly, he was asked which of the candidates he preferred and replied "should I prefer bad to worse or worse to bad?"



Iran's state TV has broadcast two of the debates between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump in full. It has followed the campaign, often highlighting economic and social problems in the United States and the most confrontational debate segments.



Iran will hold its own presidential election in May 2017, and Rouhani is eligible to seek a second term. He faces an uphill battle against conservatives who dislike his overtures to the West and say the nuclear deal has failed to bring significant economic benefits to Iran.



Rouhani signed the nuclear accord last year with the United States and world powers that led to the lifting of sanctions and raised hopes that Iran would return to the international fold.



U.S. Republican Party candidate Donald Trump says he would "tear up" the nuclear agreement and Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has responded that he would happily "burn" the agreement if that was the case.



Tehran and Washington have not restored diplomatic ties that were cut after the 1979 Islamic Revolution and U.S. Embassy takeover, despite the nuclear deal.
Fugitive Afghan Taliban leaders are being increasingly pressured to relocate from Pakistan along with their families and businesses for refusing to join peace talks with Kabul, officials and insurgent sources told VOA in background interviews.



The squeeze is continuing on them [the Taliban] and some have already left, or [are] leaving the country, says a senior Pakistani official directly involved in matters related to the Afghan policy.



He did not want to be named because publicly the government has not yet acknowledged the crackdown, which is part of the policy to seek an early repatriation from Pakistan of nearly three million registered and undocumented Afghan refugees.



International pressure



Pakistan has been under pressure from international partners, particularly the U.S. to deny space to the Taliban and other groups waging the violent insurgency in Afghanistan. The country denies charges its spy agencys covertly supports the Taliban and its ally, the Haqqani Network, enabling them to prolong the Afghan war and expand influence of the insurgents after withdrawal of U.S.-led international combat forces.



The spike in violence has undermined efforts to improve bilateral relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has repeatedly accused Islamabad of not taking action against fugitive Taliban leaders. In turn, Pakistan alleges Afghan intelligence operatives are sheltering and supporting fugitives linked to the anti-state Pakistani Taliban.



Pakistani authorities earlier this month arrested several key Taliban leaders from areas in and around Quetta, the capital of the southwestern Baluchistan province, which borders Afghanistan. The detainees also include Ahmadullah Muti, commonly known as Mullah Nanai, Suleman Agha and Mullah Samad Sani.



All three held key positions in the insurgency and were arrested after they ignored requests to hold peace and reconciliation talks with the Afghan government, according to Pakistani and insurgent officials. Authorities have also raided and shut down some Islamic seminaries, or madrassas, for refugee children that are suspected of sheltering Taliban insurgents.



Taliban concerns



The crackdown has prompted the Taliban to send a high-level delegation to Islamabad from its Qatar-based political office to take up the issue with Pakistani officials.



Taliban delegates also plan to convey concerns over the way Afghan refugees are being treated, including their forceful eviction and deportations from Pakistan, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told VOA.



But he dismissed reports as misleading that Taliban political envoys have traveled to Pakistan to brief authorities there on the insurgent groups recent secret meetings with Afghan officials in Qatar. He said neither such meeting has taken place.



Islamabad Foreign Ministry officials have expressed ignorance about the Taliban visit.



But a Pakistani security official, requesting anonymity, has confirmed to VOA the presence of the Taliban delegation in the country, insisting they have come on their own, without any invitation. Kabul has objected to the visit, citing U.N. sanctions that bar Taliban leaders from undertaking foreign travel.



Some Afghan officials and politicians assert Pakistani authorities arrest or take action only against those Taliban leaders who want to negotiate peace directly with Kabul without any Pakistani influence.



The allegations are that we are not doing anything against the Taliban in the province of Baluchistan. And if you do and you try to apprehend some individuals over there, if it is the case in present scenario, then we are accused that you are sabotaging the peace process, complained Anwar-ul Haq, spokesman for the provincial government.



Speaking to VOA, he also rejected assertions Taliban insurgents are using Baluchistan as a training and launching paid for attacks in Afghanistan.



The Taliban probably do not need a space or territory outside Afghanistan to receive training, to plan and maneuver their attacks. The entire rural Afghanistan is, at least during the nights, is in their control. So, maligning Pakistan as we are complicit as a state for all those activities would be bit of exaggeration. Yes, there are movements between the borders, which is understandable when you have such a huge Afghan populous as refugees, they [militants] come and they mix up in that population, said Haq.



Calls for dialogue



Pakistani authorities point to critical challenges facing Pakistan to plug the nearly 2,600 kilometer mountainous Afghan border, saying the work is underway to secure it, but the country has not yet attained the stage to easily identify suspected cross-border movements.



But despite prevailing bilateral tensions some politicians in Afghanistan, like lawmaker Elay Ershad, believe in working together with Pakistan to build trust to bring an end to the Afghan conflict. She echoed Pakistani calls for a sustained dialogue to address mutual concerns, rather than conducting official policy through media and traditional rhetoric.



I say, let us start it again. Let us work on that mistrust and why would we blame each other for what happened in the past. Let us start a new beginning let us solve the problem and we are neighbor countries we cannot solve over problems by fighting with each other. We have to negotiate. We have to convince our people and we have to convince our media and people who make irresponsible comments, Ershad said.

Pakistan hosted a first round of peace talks between Taliban and Afghan government officials last year, but a scheduled second round was scuttled after it was revealed the insurgent group's founder and longtime leader, Mullah Omar, had been dead for two years. His successor, Mullah Akhtar Mansoor, was killed in U.S. drone strike in May this year in Baluchistan.

But the Taliban has intensified attacks and expanded influence to more Afghan province since its new chief Mullah Hibatulla Akhundzada has taken control, fueling concerns of more bloodshed in the years to come and prompting calls for renewing efforts to resume peace talks.


When Peshmerga soldiers cut off Islamic States supply route from Mosul to her village in Hawija, sugar prices suddenly shot up 30 times, according to Layla, a mother of three.

She had survived two years of airstrikes and despotic rule from Islamic State militants, but after a few months she ran out of food and money. She feared her children would starve. So, like many people in this crowded refugee camp, she paid an IS fighter $300 about two weeks ago to tell her where the mines surrounding the village were hidden, and look the other way while she escaped.



Recently, when IS catches someone trying to run away, they have beaten their feet until they were useless, she said. But despite the extreme poverty the offensive against IS has thrown her family into, she still supports the war. Allowing this kind of cruelty to go on would be worse, she said.





It would an even bigger disaster if IS continues, she explained.



Iraqi and Kurdish forces are continuing to re-capture villages in a week-old offensive meant to culminate in a battle for Mosul, Iraqs second largest city. But even as villages are taken IS continues to fight on new fronts, as battles in Kirkuk, a northern oil city, go into their third day.



Meanwhile families still in IS-controlled territories are becoming increasingly desperate, according to Fatima, who arrived a this camp 11 days ago.



Four of her 15 children are still in her village, she said, having been beaten when they tried to escape. In other areas, people have been beheaded, tortured or imprisoned for attempting to flee, she added.



There are still a lot of families, she pleaded, If they are not helped soon they will die. There is no medicine and people have diseases.





Children cut off



Layla also arrived at the camp less than two weeks ago, and as she leaned against the stone wall of a converted schoolhouse on Sunday, she said she was still waiting to move herself and her children into a tent for shelter. Even a pillow would be nice, she said.



More people are coming and we dont have enough water, she added. We are scared for our children.



But the 16,000 children in this camp are far better cared for than the more than half a million children still trapped in IS territories in Iraq, according to the U.N. children agencys Middle East regional manager Geert Cappelaere.





Among the massive influx of refugees expected to flee Mosul if or when the Iraqi and Kurdish forces clear their path, are 600,000 children that havent had access to humanitarian aid in more than two years, he said.



These children are children. They are victims. They havent done anything wrong, he continued, while touring the camp on Sunday. We have to allow them to live a normal life.



Other aid groups warn that a rapid influx of refugees may soon become a humanitarian disaster, despite rapid preparations by every organization on the ground.



Weve heard one million people will be displaced from their homes, said Rizgar Barzani, a camp manager with the Barzani Charity Foundation, outside a mass of tents being built Saturday in the desert surrounding the war zone.





We dont have enough room in the camps that we have, he added. We need more resources and more time.
Thousands of Cameroonians have been flooding hospitals in the country's political and economic capitals Yaounde and Douala in search of corpses and survivors after a train crash that left more than 70 people dead and 600 injured. The overloaded train was carrying about 1,300 passengers. It normally carries 600.



Forty-five-year-old Mustapha Abbo arrived at the mortuary of the Yaounde general hospital in search of the body of his younger sister who died in last Friday's train crash in Esseka, 120 kilometers west of the capital, Yaounde. He said his sister's husband, who survived the crash, confirmed she died.



He said he has no information on the whereabouts of his sister's corpse, so he has decided to go from one mortuary to the other in search of her body. He said he is surprised to hear his friends saying the corpse was taken from the accident site by the military and the government is taking care of it, yet there is no one to say with certainty where her body can be found.



After the accident, the government of Cameroon announced it had removed 55 bodies from the wreckage and sent them to mortuaries in Douala and Yaounde, as Esseka's mortuary has room for only 15 bodies.



Sixty-two-year old Nlend Prudence mourns at the Yaounde Military hospital mortuary where she has found the corpse of her fourth son who died in the crash. His elder brother 42-year old teacher Nlend Rigobert said they found the dead body in Yaounde after searching for it in vain in Douala.



He said a survivor who was travelling with his brother told him that no medical staff or rescue worker attended to him while he was trapped under the rubble for 24 hours before he died. He said he strongly believes his brother's life could have been saved if rescue workers arrived early enough.





Lack of equipment, transportation



The government of Cameroon deployed medical staff and rescue workers to the accident site, but they lacked the necessary equipment. The Eseka hospital barely has 60 beds.



Bad roads made it difficult to transport the victims to bigger hospitals by bus, so officials waited for 20 hours for railway workers to remove the wreckage from rail lines before trains could evacuate the injured travelers.





While waiting, Eseka villagers could only give first aid and local traditional treatment to the wounded.



Most of the victims are now receiving treatment in hospitals in Yaounde and Douala, but without their family members who do not know where precisely they are.



Government spokes person Issa Tchiroma said delegations have been dispatched to assist the victims while waiting for their family members.



"An inter-ministerial delegation has been dispatched on the field with the necessary means from the minister of defense, the minister of minister of public health, of civil protection and other security services were immediately mobilized to provide assistance and rescue to the victims."



After the accident, Cameroon president Paul Biya extended a message of condolence to the bereaved families and asked the government to assist all victims with what ever they need for their treatment.



Cameroon president Paul Biya has declared Monday a day of national morning in honor of the dead.
Islamic State leaders accept they will lose control of the city of Mosul but are planning to defend their last major urban stronghold in Iraq tenaciously, U.S. and Kurdish officials say, in much the same way they fought last year at Ramadi, leaving that town in ruins after months of seesaw, close-quarters fighting.

Heavily outnumbered on the battlefield, IS is using light weapons, suicide bombers, improvised explosive devices and commando-style attacks to try to slow coalition forces advancing toward Mosul. The terror group's fighters, many of them veteran, have been unable to deploy armor they captured from Iraqi forces because of punishing U.S.-led airstrikes.

Militants have set fire to sulphur stockpiles at a chemical plant near Qayyara, southeast of Mosul, and noxious fumes drifted Saturday over an airfield that is one of the main bases for the coalition assault on Mosul. The toxic, yellowish gas killed at least two local villagers and forced some Iraqi and U.S. troops to wear gas masks.

It was the latest jihadist maneuver aimed at disrupting the ground offensive by Iraqi troops and Kurdish peshmerga fighters. An IS attack Friday against targets in and around Kirkuk, 150 kilometers from Mosul, ended Saturday after heavy clashes and coalition airstrikes throughout the day and night.

Surprise raids

At least 80 people were killed and more than 170 were wounded in the fighting, said Brigadier General Khattab Omar of the Kirkuk police. He estimated at least 50 militants were killed while staging surprise attacks on multiple locations. U.S. war planners told VOA they expected more such attacks behind the main front lines by groups of IS fighters.

Idris Rafaat, a Kurdish security official in Kirkuk, said IS fighters had planned to blow up Kirkuk's oil wells and to free hundreds of extremists held in the town's prison.

Iraqi officials said it would take several days to extinguish the blaze at the chemical plant outside Qayyara. U.S. officials were monitoring air quality in the area.

"As weather patterns change, so will the direction of the smoke. Air samples have been sent to the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, and analysis is ongoing to determine what, if any, concerns may result from this incident," according to a statement by Colonel John Dorrian, a coalition spokesman.

Human shields killed

"This is yet another act that demonstrates Daesh's blatant disregard for the local population," Dorrian said, using another name for the Islamic State group.

U.S. and Kurdish officials said IS has been using civilians as human shields, rounding up men and boys, many of whom were then killed in the fighting. CNN reported Saturday that officials estimated at least 300 civilians had been killed in this way, mainly in southern districts of Mosul.

Despite fierce rear-guard resistance from militants involving suicide bombers and sustained sniper fire, anti-IS coalition forces maintained their methodical, dayslong advance on three fronts.

The Iraqi Joint Operations Command said armored units of the Iraqi security forces launched a large offensive early Saturday to recapture the largely Christian town of Hamdaniya, also known as Qaraqosh. "The Iraqi 9th Armored Division and associated forces are making advances to seize Hamdaniya district. They cleared the Hamdaniya general hospital and raised the Iraqi flag over it," the joint command said in a statement.

Qaraqosh lies 20 kilometers southeast of Mosul.

Long fight expected

Units with the ISF's 16th division were reported to be making progress Saturday at Tel Kayf, 12 kilometers north of Mosul, joining forces with up to 10,000 peshmerga militiamen.

Few officials believe the fight for Mosul will end quickly. Some still hold out hope that outnumbered IS fighters will simply flee, as they did at Fallujah in June; the terror group's leadership has been weakened by weeks of airstrikes and the loss of many top commanders.

The Kurdish interior minister, Karim Sinjari, doesn't think the fight for Mosul will end that easily, however. He expects that hand-to-hand combat in the city center lies ahead.

"If they [IS] resist in the city, especially in old Mosul, it will be a big fight," Sinjari said.

"The roads are very thin, very narrow. You can't have vehicles, you can't have tanks," he told a Reuters reporter. "I think [the fight for Mosul] will be longer than Fallujah and Tikrit. Mosul is a big city."

30 villages liberated

The coalition launched its long-awaited offensive on Mosul, the city where IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi announced his caliphate more than two years ago, on Monday. Since then, Kurdish forces have liberated 20 villages and the Iraqis another 10.

On Friday, the Iraqi air force again dropped millions of leaflets throughout the Nineveh region of northern Iraq, urging civilians to pass on intelligence about IS militants, pinpointing their locations and indicating what weapons they have.

Kurdish officials said they feared that some local Sunni Arabs were helping IS. Omar, the Kirkuk police chief, said the militants had most likely infiltrated groups of displaced civilians. General Hallo Najat, another Kurdish police official, estimated a third of local Arabs supported IS.

As Kurdish forces mopped up in Kirkuk, IS launched another raid nearby, an attempt to infiltrate the town of Laylan, 20 kilometers to the southeast. Nine militants were killed, according to the town's mayor, Mohammed Wais, and some Kurdish security force members were wounded in clashes.
Kurdish Peshmerga fighters backed by Turkish artillery on Sunday claimed major advances against Islamic State extremists outside Iraq's second largest city, Mosul, at one point claiming to have seized full control of the town of Bashiqa.

Peshmerga commanders outside the town told reporters their fighters had entered Bashiqa, which lies about 10 kilometers northeast of IS-occupied Mosul. However, journalists were not allowed entry, and the status of the town had not been confirmed by early Monday.

Carter visit

The latest Iraqi coalition advances occurred as visiting U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter held talks in nearby Irbil with Kurdish leader Massoud Barzani and key military commanders.

Carter was later quoted as saying "they [Peshmerga] fight extremely well. But because they're fighting hard, they suffer ... casualties."

After separate talks Saturday in Baghdad with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, Carter also said Washington is prepared to provide additional support for the Iraq-led coalition if requested by Iraq and U.S. commanders.

Turkey-Iraq feud

Carter, who met Friday with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is seeking to ease rising tensions between Ankara's Sunni leadership and Baghdad's Shi'ite government.

The two governments have been feuding over the presence of more than 1,000 Turkish fighters deployed near Bashiqa late last year to train Sunni and Kurdish fighters in the push against Islamic State. That Turkish force provided artillery cover for the Peshmerga advance on Sunday.



WATCH: Civilians Fleeing Mosul

The December 2015 deployment was also widely seen as an attempt by Turkey to ensure that its border with Iraq remains largely controlled by Sunnis and Iraqi Kurds rather than by Iran-backed Shi'ite militia currently fighting alongside Iraqi forces to retake Mosul.

For its part, the Baghdad government has repeatedly demanded the withdrawal of all Turkish forces from the country, a demand which Turkey has so far ignored.

The verbal standoff peaked Saturday, when Iraqi Prime Minister Abadi formally rejected a demand by Turkey to participate in the military push to recapture Mosul.
For weeks, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has been telling supporters that voter fraud could undermine the November 8 election and cause him to lose to Democrat Hillary Clinton.

"They even want to try to rig the election at polling booths where so many cities are corrupt and voter fraud is all too common," Trump has said.

His campaign cites a 2012 study by the Pew Charitable Trusts that looked at national voter rolls. The study found that nearly 2 million deceased people were still registered.

Pew blamed outdated voter rolls, however, and the report found that no ballots had been cast illegally.

There are more than 8,000 voting precincts spread across the United States, and each one has local elected officials who are required to regularly update their communities' rolls.

Dead people 'still voting'

Trump recently told supporters in Green Bay, Wisconsin, that "people who have died 10 years ago are still voting."

Researchers say voter fraud involving ballots cast on behalf of deceased voters is rare, according to FactCheck.org.

"This issue of dead people voting is just not substantiated," Lorraine Minnite, a professor at Rutgers University and author of The Myth of Voter Fraud, said in the FactCheck report.

Josh Douglas, a professor at the University of Kentucky College of Law specializing in election law and voting rights, said impersonating anyone, dead or alive, on the voting rolls is not only a federal crime but also hard to do.

"You'd have to go find someone who has died, find that they're still on the voter registration rolls, and go show up at the polls," Douglas said. "In states that don't have a strict voter ID requirement, you still show some sort of verification. ... Everywhere you need to show something or sign in, and your signature can be matched with the [one] you provided when you registered to vote.

"When I go to my precinct, I have to sign in to vote before I go to the machine. ... So, you'd need to have a mind-boggling ability to predict who hasn't shown up, whom you can sign for that's not going to come later in the day, [and] the ability to match your signature perfectly," he added.

Justin Levitt, deputy assistant attorney general in the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, authored a 2007 study by the New York University School of Law that stated, "There have been a handful of substantiated cases of individual ineligible voters attempting to defraud the election system. But by any measure, voter fraud is extraordinarily rare."

In 2014, a study, also authored by Levitt, found just 31 instances of voter fraud  out of nearly 1 billion ballots cast  between 2000 and 2014, CNET reported.

Campaign to root out fraud

The New York Times noted that an aggressive campaign against voter fraud by the administration of President George W. Bush brought 120 cases, with 86 convictions, out of 200 million votes cast.

After the study, Pew worked with several states to clean up voter registration rolls, which are affected each time people move, change their name or die.

The Electronic Registration Information Center was created and is used by 21 states and the District of Columbia, CNET reported. The system compares and analyzes data from the 22 entities regarding voter and motor vehicle registrations, U.S. Postal Service addresses and Social Security death records.

"People expect the government is going to be more efficient than it is," David Becker, who helped lead the Pew study and is now executive director of the Center for Election Innovation and Research, told CNET. "They don't realize they have to tell many different state and federal agencies about something like a move."

Trump also alleges at his campaign rallies that illegal immigrants are voting enough to swing the outcome of an election.

Registered to vote

Douglas said that only U.S. citizens can legally register to vote and that any names of noncitizens on the registry would most likely be few, and placed there by error.

"There's some suggestion that there may be some illegal immigrants on voter roles in some states  usually by mistake  and they don't even know they're there," he said. "Typically, [it might occur] when they are interacting with a government agency for something, and as part of that they automatically get registered to vote. There's [virtually no] evidence that these people, even if they are on the rolls, show up to vote.

"There's zero evidence that illegal immigrants are nefariously trying to infiltrate the U.S. election system by covertly registering and then going to vote," Douglas said.

He also said that because of the signature requirement, it also was not likely that a person could vote multiple times. What's more, he said, there are other safeguards. Someone trying to commit voter fraud would most likely be spotted by poll workers, who stay at the polling place all day.Trained political party officials and pro-voting groups also monitor the process.

Douglas said fraud could theoretically affect small local elections, where fewer voters are involved. It could include dishonest poll workers or the purchase or theft of absentee and mail-in ballots.

But he said there's no evidence of fraud on a large scale that could throw a state or national election.

Poll monitors

Trump has also called upon supporters to monitor polling places and be vigilant for voter fraud in areas such as in some inner cities. The statement raises the specter of voter intimidation at polling sites.

Most states make provisions for citizen observers, though they have to be credentialed ahead of the voting. They must also not interfere in the casting of any ballots or try to intimidate voters.

Douglas said voters who suspect fraud or have problems casting their ballots will have access to voter protection teams and lawyers at the voting sites.

Many state officials who oversee elections, including secretaries of state and governors, have come forward to say there will be no rigging. Thirty-one of 50 U.S. states are led by Republicans, including the swing states of North Carolina, Ohio, Wisconsin and Florida.
As per the Kollywood grapevine, director Karthik Subbaraj has approached the Hollywood legend Al Pacino for his upcoming film with Dhanush.

By India Today Web Desk: Be it Jigarthanda or Iraivi, director Karthik Subbaraj has proved his mettle and he's currently the most sought after director in Kollywood.

While it has been officially announced that Karthik will direct Dhanush in an upcoming yet-untitled film, reports say that the former has approached the Hollywood legend Al Pacino to star in the film.



ALSO READ: Baahubali 2 first look out- 5 answers the sequel will give us



ALSO READ: Baahubali 2 first look out- SS Rajamouli-Prabhas's film gives *goosebumps*



ALSO READ: Before Baahubali 2 first look- 5 things to look forward to in the sequel

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Speaking about Al Pacino's role, a source was quoted by The Times Of India as saying, "The makers of the film wanted a Hollywood actor. They have approached Al Pacino to play the part, and are negotiating the dates and other details. We are yet to know if he will be finalised - guess a formal announcement will be made soon. Also, a major portion of the film will be shot in the US, so they can get the Hollywood star to shoot there itself," says the source.

Meanwhile, Dhanush is awaiting the release of his political thriller Kodi, which is slated to release on October 28.

Dhanush, who is currently working with his directorial debut Power Paandi, will be next seen in director Gautham Menon's Ennai Nokki Payum Thotta.

He is also teaming with the National Award-winning director Vetrimaaran for the much-awaited gangster trilogy titled Vada Chennai.

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Several thousand women marched on the streets of Caracas, Venezuela Saturday to protest against the suspension of a referendum effort that could have led to the ouster of President Nicolas Maduro.



The protesters, led by Lilian Tintori and Patricia Gutierrez  wives of jailed political leaders and well-known voices against the current government  closed a lane of a major highway to show their dissatisfaction the administration of Maduro.



"We're here to demand respect for the constitution, for Venezuelans to have elections to escape dictatorship," human resource worker Nayiber Bracho said.



Venezuela's electoral officials put a stop to the referendum effort Thursday after nearly a year of opposition campaigning.



Officials alleged fraud had taken place in the signature-gathering process for a referendum on the socialist leader.





"We can't handle this anymore, there is no food, there is no medicine, there is no future for my grandchildren nor for any Venezuelans," 65-year-old Maria de Guevara said.



"Of course, they have the right to request for the referendum, but they are also forced to comply with the constitution and the law. And we have the right to defend brother Nicolas Maduro, because I voted for Maduro, and I want Maduro to finish his term," said Diosdado Cabello, a lawmaker with the United Socialist Party of Venezuela.



The official announcement came as a shock to referendum supporters who called the decision unconstitutional. The order came hours after Maduro left Venezuela on a multi-nation tour of the Middle East.



Former Venezuelan presidential candidate Henrique Capriles said he and seven opposition leaders have received a court order blocking them from leaving the country.





Capriles posted the document on Twitter and wrote "Once again they are wasting their time."



"What we saw yesterday [Thursday] was a coup," Capriles told reporters. "We'll remain peaceful but we will not be taken for fools."



Public opinion polls indicate that at least 80 percent of Venezuelans want Maduro out of office.



The electoral council said the decision to stop the referendum was based on Thursday's court ruling that found fraud in the initial steps of the petition drive.



Recalling Maduro would push the Socialist Party out of power and trigger an early presidential election.



"Under no circumstance are we going to let them overthrow the government," Socialist Party second-in-command Diosdado Cabello said during a news conference on Saturday.



The recall effort had run into opposition from the election board, which imposed restrictions early on and argued that it would take until 2017 to put the proper conditions in place.



The Democratic Unity coalition urged daily protests against "anti-constitutional" conditions by the board.



But Thursday's ruling was followed by another decision after the electoral council suspended for 6 months gubernatorial elections that were scheduled for later this year.



The socialist party decided to put off elections indefinitely.



"The recall referendum has to be in 2016, the country's conditions demand it," opposition supporter Joaquin Mendoza, a 68-year-old publicist, said earlier.



"Otherwise there will be more dead in the street, more hunger," he added, citing Venezuela's high murder rate.



Venezuelan officials blame the opposition for the timing, saying the coalition took three months to reach a consensus on the referendum and that fraud was committed in a preliminary signature drive.



Countries like the United States, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, Chile and Uruguay released statements expressing concerns over the government blocking the referendum and placing travel restrictions on opposition leaders.



These countries urged Venezuela to respect human rights, find measures to assure a peaceful dialogue, and aimed the Venezuelan government to reach for "long-standing solutions in favor of democracy and social stability.
Independent candidate Themba Mliswa has won the Norton parliamentary by-election, which featured a Zanu PF candidate whose campaign team included two vice presidents drawn from President Robert Mugabe's ruling Zanu PF party.

According to social media sites monitored by VOA Studio 7 from Washington, Mliswa beat the ruling party candidate Ronald Chinedza and David Choga of the National Constitutional Assembly led by Lovemore Madhuku in the highly contested poll to replace war veterans leader Christopher Mutsvangwa, who was axed from Zanu PF for allegedly undermining the authority of the president and First Lady Grace Mugabe.

Mliswa, whose supporters clashed with Zanu PF activists in the run up to the by-election, vowed to fight to the bitter end after he was unceremoniously kicked out of the party a year ago following claims that he teamed up with former Vice President Joice Mujuru and several other senior Zanu PF officials to overthrow Mr. Mugabe.

Mliswa was chairman of Zanu PFs Mashonaland West province and Member of Parliament for Hurungwe West before he was kicked out of the ruling party.

In the run up to the by-election, Zanu PF which appears to be currently devastated by factionalism, enlisted the services of vice presidents Emerson Mnangagwa and Phelekezela Mphoko, who allegedly belong to two different factions fighting over the succession of Zimbabwe's 92 year old leader.

Mnangagwa allegedly leads a Zanu PF group calling itself Lacoste and Mphoko is in a faction said to be led by Mrs. Mugabe known as Generation 40, featuring the partys national political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere, Higher Education Minister Professor Jonathan Moyo and some ruling party stalwarts.

Mnangagwa and Mrs. Mugabe allegedly habour presidential ambitions. They have dismissed these claimed as baseless.

Studio 7 will give you more details of the election results Sunday.
Leslie Jones discussed getting hacked this summer on last nights Weekend Update, a hilarious moment that was also ironically the most successful her hacker/s will ever be in their miserable, gutless lives. As you might recall, the SNL stars website was vandalized back in August with a Harambe meme and nude photos of Jones stolen from her own iCloud. If you want to hurt anybody these days, youre going to have to do way more than leak their nudes or call them names, the Ghostbusters actress declared, before recounting the most embarrassing moments of her life, including but not limited to being mistaken for Chris Rock  by Prince. Its an excellent bit that her hacker can enjoy again and again, someday hopefully from their jail cell.
Who wouldnt want an evening of light, late-night frivolity with Americas Dad? As it is in the film world, Tom Hanks is one the most revered and consistent guests on Saturday Night Live. From his first gig in the mid-80s to his eighth appearance in 2006, Hanks does a little bit of everything: impressions (e.g. Michael Caine), original characters (e.g. Mr. Short-Term Memory), and goofy, self-deprecating bits (e.g. his Celebrity Jeopardy! sketch). Even Hankss fifth landmark visit become its own sort of landmark: The 1990 Five-Timers Club sketch gets referenced and revisited whenever a new host hits the milestone. With a Hanks-led SNL, its not a question of whether the weeks sketches come together, but how well they will.

Donald Trump vs. Hillary Clinton Third-Debate Cold-Open

Along with a few broad strokes in this weeks open  Trump calling the Mexican president Mr. Guacamole, for example  there are a lot of astute takedowns. Trump goes from being what he calls sweet little baby Trump to a bloated gasbag in an instant; Hillary performs a perfectly calculated pivot to avoid talking about her emails; Trump spews foreign-policy nonsense and is relieved to be cut off; Hillary peddles Nasty Woman mugs immediately after Trump levels the insult at her. There are some nice, absurd flourishes here, as when Trump declares no one respects women more than he does, and the screen cuts away to the entire planet laughing. Alec Baldwin saying, Im winning in every poll taken outside of a Cracker Barrel, and Kate McKinnon crooning about Hillarys involvement in taking out Bin Laden are moments of pure bliss.

Tom Hanks Monologue

When Hanks dons his comfortable sweater and decides to assume the mantle of Americas Dad, the -ish gets serious. This monologue apes one of those cinematic father-son pep talks  when the dad looks his growing teenager in the face and gets real  but here Hanks addresses the nations fears about immigrants, homosexuality, guns, and the national debt. Its smartly done, though every line isnt a laugh line because its uncomfortably close to home. Some of the jabs are expected but still work, as when Hanks wraps things up with, Go show the world what else you can stuff inside a pizza crust.

Black Jeopardy

In this edition of the ongoing sketch, Hanks plays a Trump conservative named Doug, who seems doomed to fail against Keeley (Sasheer Zamata) and Shanice (Leslie Jones) in questions of black culture. Against all odds, however, Doug gets it: Elections are rigged, fingerprint technology is how they get you, and skinny girls are good for not a damn thing. Its surprising, very funny, and Hankss mumbly Midwesterner is really well done. Its also nice to see a Trump supporter portrayed in a basically decent way. This is my favorite Black Jeopardy sketch so far.

Halloween Block Party

This silly sketch features Hanks and Cecily Strong as a couple previewing their Halloween musical for neighbors. It features new lyrics to Journeys Dont Stop Believin, vampires and witches getting it on, and a love triangle with the couples daughter (Melissa Villasenor). Despite the fact that the play is awful, the neighbors ultimately decide that they love it. The couples self-serious tone works, but theres not much thats outright funny in the musical hodgepodge. Its fun to look at, but its one of the episodes clunkers.

Funny New Comedy

With comedies such as Transparent and Orange Is the New Black winning so many awards, CBS decides to create its own moody comedy, Broken. In this promo, a bunch of depressed adjunct professors are tired of being tired, sadly contemplate sex over the age of 50, and touch things in the living room for 30 gut-busting minutes. This is well-observed, and surely not far off from the pitches that major networks consider, but it isnt exactly hilarious. (You might lob the same criticism at Transparent and OITNB.)

Haunted Elevator

On this spooky Halloween ride, Beck Bennett and Kate McKinnon get repeatedly frightened by ghosts and ghouls  until they encounter David Pumpkins (Hanks, with a curly head of hair and a wacky, gourd-accented suit and tie.) Rather than making his customers scream, Pumpkins sings a ditty about himself and shakes it with his B-boy skeleton pals. The novelty factor makes this sketch worthwhile; its hard to imagine where else you might hear a dancing skeleton cry out, Ay, papi! Anyone who loved the FBI Simulator sketch featuring Larry David as day-glo weirdo Kevin Roberts will like this one  its the same sketch, tweaked a bit.

Weekend Update

The first half of Update digs into the debate and election topics, though with less success than the open. The most interesting perspective comes from Michael Che, who talks about how differently the media handles the candidates and how weird it is to have Trump whine about a rigged election. (There were 43 white-male presidents in a row, then one black guy and maybe a woman and now youre sensing a pattern of unfairness? [] An old white billionaire is on TV arguing that the system is rigged, and my black ass is arguing that its not.) Leslie Jones wheels in to talk about the computer hack she dealt with over the summer, and shows remarkable resilience while doing so. She tells the crowd she isnt shy  she keeps porn in a folder labeled porn  and wont let trolls get her down because shes already embarrassed herself by doing things like marrying El Debarge in a private bedroom ceremony. As usual, Joness energy is infectious and her body language is amazing.

Much of the second half is reserved for Cecily Strongs character, the Girl You Wish You Hadnt Started a Conversation With at a Party. Shes supposed to talk about the election, but devolves into self-righteous grousing about Jillian Assange and the injustice of women voters having to show our I.U.D. The malaprops and Strongs delivery are highlights. Even Drunk Girls interrupting polar bear joke is good.

Cockpit

It turns out that Captain Sully Sullenberger  who Hanks also played in this years film Sully  is a little full of himself. In this sketch, Sully is asked to play the co-pilot for another man (Alec Baldwin) and he cant just let it go. He interjects himself into the new captains cabin announcements and shamelessly spouts his big accomplishments. The setup suggests a fun rivalry between Hanks and Baldwin (another SNL star host), but its really just about Sully bragging about how he gets free Apple watches and knows Ellen Degeneres. Its cute, but the premise is better than the execution. Seems kind of a waste of Baldwin, too.

A Girls Halloween

This filmed sketch gives a succinct picture of a group of girlfriends Halloween night out, both in its giddy, chummy preamble and its drunken mess of a denouement. At 8:00 p.m., Aidy Bryant, Cecily Strong, and Vanessa Bayer are comparing techniques for painting on cat whiskers and even swearing they wont drink. Cut to 4:00 a.m., and the ladies are blotto, stumbling, tearing into each other, shamelessly flirting, and puking on pizzas. This piece is nicely filmed, well-structured, and offers some great sight gags. Anyone whos had a playful night out devolve into a Bacchanalian mess will recognize something of themselves in this.

Americas Funniest Pets

Ron Howard (Hanks) does kooky, Americas Funnieststyle voice-over while internet cat videos play because pet bloopers make me giggle. Then a pair of French ladies (McKinnon and Strong), who host a similar show in France, show up to give Howard a taste of how they do it across the pond. When a cat peers over the edge of a couch cushion, Strongs Frenchwoman says, This cat here is witnessing a violent murder, and In this moment, he learn he is a true coward. The bit continues along those lines, with silly accents and talk of pigs that dance not for joy but for sexual pleasure  a winning formula if there ever was one. The Ron Howard impression feels long and gratuitous, but once Strong and McKinnon arrive, it becomes one of the episodes funniest bits.

The stars aligned tonight, bringing together one of the all-time great hosts with strong political material and lots of clever, smaller sketches. Though his Ron Howard impression was pretty forgettable, Hanks brought it when creating new characters including a Trump supporter and freakazoid David S. Pumpkins. In addition, the cold-open delivered (another) great debate takedown. Even the Update monologues were solid. Total it up and Tom Hanks garners himself another night worthy of the SNL canon.
Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images

In late 2015, Taylor Swift countersued a Denver radio host for allegedly groping her during a backstage meet-and-greet at a 2013 concert. The host in question, Robert Jackson Mueller, sued Swift for slander a month prior to her countersuit, claiming Swifts security team accused him of sexually assaulting the pop star  as a result, he lost his job and was banned from future concerts. In his suit, Mueller says he does believe Swift was touched inappropriately at the meet-and-greet, but rather by his boss at the KYGO radio station, a man named Eddie Haskell. However, Swift has maintained her certainty over Mueller being the one who assaulted her, and now her newly released deposition sheds light onto the events that transpired that evening. (While her deposition is now publicly available, the judge and jury overseeing the case agreed that a photo of the alleged groping will be sealed and kept private; Swifts lawyer argued that the photo wouldve been shared for scandalous and prurient interests.)



Right as the moment came for us to pose for the photo, he took his hand and put it up my dress and grabbed onto my ass cheek and no matter how much I scooted over it was still there, Swift said, according to the records obtained by Billboard. It was completely intentional, Ive never been so sure of anything in my life. She continued to elaborate on how distressing the experience was for her. I remember being frantic, distressed, feeling violated in a way I had never experienced before, Swift said. A meet-and-greet is supposed to be a situation where youre thanking people for coming, youre supposed to be welcoming people into your home, which is the arena for that day, and for someone to violate that hospitality in that way, I was completely stunned.

The deposition was filed in the hopes that Swift would win the case, and would thus avoid going to trial. She has previously vowed to donate any money a jury might award her to charitable organizations that work to protect women from sexual assault.
Three policemen were suspended in Kerala today for allowing beedi tycoon Abdul Nisham to use phone in the prison.

By Revathi Rajeevan: Three policemen were suspended for allowing jailed business tycoon Abdul Nisham to use phone inside the prison. He had threatened his brother while being escorted by the police for investigation to Bangalore.

Abdul Nisham, who is jailed for murdering a security guard, reportedly called his brother Abdul Razak and abused him. The incident came to light after Razak filed a police complaint. Nisham allegedly abused Razak and threatened to kill his family.

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Also read: Kerala beedi tycoon, who killed security guard, makes threatening phone calls from jail



Nisham and his brother are partners in 'King beedi company' based in Thirunelveli, Tamil Nadu among many other businesses. After the incident came to light, the Kannur DPC ordered an enquiry into the allegations.

Nisham was convicted for life imprisonment in January this year, a year after murdering security guard Chandrabose with his Hummer SUV.

Also read: Kannur crime chart: Three murders in four days



Nisham, who returned drunk late night after a party also dragged and stamped Chandrabose for a delay in opening the gate. Chandrabose succumbed to the brutal assault in February 2015.

Also read: Another BJP worker attacked in Kerala's Thrissur; accused, victim have criminal past, say police

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AUSTIN, Texas (AP)  A newspaper analysis has found deep patterns of underrepresentation of Texas' fast-growing Hispanic population on city councils and county commissioners courts across the state.

The Austin American-Statesman (http://atxne.ws/2ewO5X7 ) reports that more than 1.3 million Hispanics in Texas live in cities or counties with no Hispanic representation on their city council or commissioners court. The disparities remain high even when accounting for noncitizens.

It's an imbalance that's especially acute at the highest levels of local government. In a state where Hispanics make up 38 percent of the population, only about 10 percent of Texas mayors and county judges are Hispanic.

In county government, Latino representation has largely stagnated during the past two decades. In 1994, Latinos made up 10 percent of county commissioner positions; today, the percentage has inched up to 13 percent  even though the state's Hispanic population nearly doubled during that time.

Lydia Camarillo, vice president of the Southwest Voter Registration Education Project, said that while some areas of the state  notably South Texas  have seen sharp rises in the number of Latinos elected to local office, the Statesman's findings show "there is still disparity in your face" across Texas.

Statewide election experts and Hispanic officeholders in some of the state's most underrepresented regions say the disparity defies easy explanation. They point out several factors: Texas laws that have made registering to vote more difficult; redistricting efforts designed to dilute Hispanic influence; and a virtual abandonment by statewide political parties. And even in districts with favorable demographics, Hispanics often turn out to vote in small numbers.

While the most glaring disparities are clustered in a largely rural swath of West Texas, through the High Plains region and into the Panhandle, the newspaper's analysis found similar patterns across the state.

Medina County, just outside San Antonio, has a 50 percent Latino population but no Hispanic county commissioners. Odessa, where 63 percent of city residents are Hispanic, has just one Hispanic city council member. In Central Texas, while Hispanics in Guadalupe and Gonzales counties make up about a third of eligible voters, neither county has a Latino commissioner.

The most underrepresented areas also tend to be heavily Republican, which observers say also limits the participation of Texas Hispanics, who more often vote Democratic. In Medina County, County Judge Chris Schuchart said he believes the lack of Hispanic elected officials is more attributable to party than to ethnicity. "The county votes Republican, and ... we generally have very few Democrats on the local ballot," he said.

Amado Morales is the lone Hispanic member of the commissioners court in Floyd County in northwestern Texas. Hispanics make up 53 percent of the population in the county.

The 64-year-old pumpkin farmer got involved in local politics more than 35 years ago.

Thanks in part to a lawsuit that forced officials to move from an at-large election system to single-member districts, he was elected to the Floydada City Council in 1980. After the Voting Rights Act was amended in 1975 to explicitly cover Latinos, advocates and lawyers filed hundreds of lawsuits throughout the state challenging voting procedures.

But once elected, Morales recalled, the cotton processors whom he did business with said his political ambitions were threatening to cost them customers in the conservative county. He said, "They told me, 'We need to get rid of this guy.''"

After five years as a council member, Morales moved to the school board, and then ultimately to the commissioners court, where he won election after three tries, including a disputed count that he sued over. "They don't want to share power," he said.

In the Panhandle city of Amarillo, Mercy Murguia was appointed in 2011 to fill an unexpired term on the Potter County Commissioners Court when she was 32. She has since won re-election twice.

Since joining the commissioners court, she has sought to expand the Latino vote in the Panhandle. "We know apathy is a big reason  we're not naive  but we also know that many Hispanics lack a basic understanding of where to vote, whether or not they're registered and so forth."

Murguia has also helped other Hispanics run for the school board. "The little things  just finding out how to run for school board, where to get the forms (to declare candidacy)  was difficult."

___

Information from: Austin American-Statesman, http://www.statesman.com
Republican officials representing the Waco area face Democratic and Libertarian challengers next month in their re-election bids.

U.S. Rep. Bill Flores, R-Bryan, is seeking a fourth two-year term to represent Texas 17th Congressional District, which includes Waco, Flores hometown of Bryan and stretches into Travis County.

Democrat William Matta, 65, a McLennan Community College department chairman, and Libertarian Clark Patterson, an Austin photographer, look to replace Flores, who is chairman of the Republican Study Committee, the largest caucus in Congress.

Theres a basic, philosophical difference between Democrats and Republicans, Matta said. Its no longer just our state government versus federal government control. Our government is big and it tends to grow, just as much under Republicans as under Democrats. The question is, what should our government be doing? Under Republicans, it tends to enrich the rich.

A U.S. Air Force veteran, Matta supports medical research, environmental regulations and infrastructure programs, including road improvements. Higher taxes on the richest Americans would fund such programs, Matta said.

I think if we restructure our tax system so it works as well as it did in the 50s and 60s and if we close the business loopholes so businesses stop going overseas and stop paying U.S. taxes, we can fund a lot of the infrastructure rebuilding that is so necessary to this country, which would do a great deal to stimulate the economy and provide better jobs for everybody, he said.

Matta, who has never run for office, said Donald Trumps name on the Republican ticket for president should help down-ballot Democrats.

Anybody who stands by Trump after all that he has done to define himself as clearly as possible, anybody who sticks by him is really not thinking, Matta said. They dont have the countrys best interest at heart.

Flores, 62, kept his endorsement for Trump after the presidential candidate was caught on tape in 2005 bragging about sexually assaulting women. The countrys direction and the future of the Supreme Court would be worse with Hillary Clinton as president, Flores said this month in Waco.

Patterson, 57, said he aligns with Libertarian ideals of limited constitutional government.

Im running because Im concerned about the future, the next generation, Patterson said. Right now, it looks like were going to be leaving them with $19 trillion in federal debt, and its rising.

In 2012, he ran as a Libertarian for Texas 1st Congressional District and received less than 2 percent of the vote, losing to Republican Louie Gohmert. Though Patterson lives in Austin, about 15 miles outside District 17, that does not prevent him from running, he said.

Patterson supports Libertarian Gary Johnson and opposes draft registration. He also holds liberal views on social issues.

Most of those restrictions, such as restrictions on gay rights, restrictions on transgender peoples rights, even restrictions on abortion, almost all of them come from a religious-based morality, which as an Ayn Rand objectivist, I dont share from the outset.

Flores is a former accountant and spent 30 years in the oil and gas business. He was raised in Stratford and resides in Bryan.

What Im focused on is making sure everybody knows about our new House agenda called, A Better Way, and the six principle policy elements of that: Tax reform, health care reform, economic reform, coming up with a new way to address poverty, national security and restoring congressional authority, Flores said. Thats what Ive principally been doing on the campaign trail.

District 17 includes all or part of McLennan, Bastrop, Brazos, Burleson, Falls, Freestone, Lee, Leon, Limestone, Milam, Robertson and Travis counties.

Flores defeated Republicans Ralph Patterson and Kaleb Sims in the March primary, receiving 72 percent of the vote.

Doc faces Deuvall

State Rep. Charles Doc Anderson, R-Waco, is seeking a seventh two-year term representing Texas House District 56. Anderson, a former veterinarian, is chairman of the Texas Legislative Rural Caucus and vice chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture & Livestock.

Im excited about it, Anderson, 71, said. I want to continue the program that Ive had since Ive been in the legislature, and that is trying to make sure we carry the conservative concerns and issues the good folks, the mom-and-pop folks in McLennan County, into state government, and make sure we keep Texas at the cutting edge in so many arenas, from taxation to any number of issues that we do here.

The district covers most of McLennan County.

Along with a balanced budget, Anderson said border security is a top issue.

It is one of our most important issues, human trafficking, he said. Youve seen where McLennan County with the Sheriff (Parnell McNamara) here and folks involved with Unbound have set the tone and notified folks, not just statewide but nationwide, of the problem human trafficking is. We want to make sure that we aid those good folks as we fight those battles, and thats all about the border.

Libertarian Clif Deuvall, 61, opposes Anderson. Deuvall ran against Anderson in 2014 and received more than 16 percent of the vote.

A longtime Waco resident and 2001-02 Waco ISD Teacher of the Year, Deuvall pushes for the legalization of medical cannabis and is founder and executive director of NORML of Waco Inc., a chapter of a nonprofit based in Washington, D.C., that pushes for reform of marijuana laws.

I started looking into the research and found out cannabis was one of the major non-prescribed drugs that is beneficial for 187 different ailments, Deuvall said. We know that now with the research over the last five decades, there are 45 major, critical illnesses that it is very palliative for, not only palliative but curative for.

Deuvall is a disabled Vietnam veteran who travels the country giving talks about veterans issues and medical cannabis.

Here in Texas, of course, we know that veterans care is a big issue, he said. Taxes are a big issue. We need to not find ways to create barriers but more ways to create bridges in our community. Thats become an issue.

Birdwell faces Collins

State Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, is seeking to continue representing Texas Senate District 22. In November 2010, he was elected to serve a full, four-year term. After a redistricting process in 2012, he was re-elected to serve a term ending next year.

In my original race when I won and got sworn in, I told the folks in Hill College in Hillsboro I was elected to a position of authority subordinate to you, Birdwell said. Im not in a position of authority over the people of Senate District 22 but subordinate to them to be their representative from the district in the state Senate that makes state decisions. Just like in serving in the military and enjoying wearing the uniform and being in service to folks, Im very much enjoying it.

The district covers McLennan, Bosque, Ellis, Falls, Hill, Hood, Johnson, Navarro and Somervell counties.

Birdwell, 54, was a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army and was awarded the Bronze Star for Exceptional Meritorious Achievement in 1990 for his work in Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm.

While he was a Department of the Army staffer in 2001, he was critically wounded and burned at the Pentagon on 9/11. He was awarded a Purple Heart and retired three years later.

His opponent, Democrat Michael Collins, 79, is a U.S. Army veteran who served in communist-controlled Hungary. He was later a campaign chairman for John F. Kennedys 1960 presidential run.

Collins, who lives in Granbury, has worked on Democratic campaigns and at a national bank. He has never run for office.

Immigration reform is a major issue, he said.

I believe we need to have some form of amnesty, Collins said. Im not saying the standard amnesty. But weve got 10 to 15 million people that have been here for years, and this whole idea of going from door to door, knocking on your door and seeing if anybodys in there who could be illegal and ship them back to wherever theyre from, Im totally opposed to that.

He also said women must be paid the same amount as men in comparable jobs. He also advocates for proper health care.

I am personally opposed to abortion, but Im not opposed to some health care that women may need, Collins said. They and their doctor know what needs to be done, and I just want to see these facilities kept open that did care for so many women, and not only women with money but the ones who didnt have money.

Birdwell wrote Texas Senate Bill 11, known as campus carry, which requires public universities to allow guns on parts of their campuses. Many private universities, including Baylor University, have opted out of the bill and continue prohibiting guns on campus.

He wants to see young people carry a loaded gun to school, Collins said. Im opposed to that.

Birdwell said he is proud of the legislation, which took effect this year at four-year public colleges and universities.

It protected your right as a citizen to be on public property, whether thats TSTC (Texas State Technical College), McLennan Community College, the University of Texas, pick a public university, he said. Government should not be leveraging your right against you to be on public property. The other thing I did was I protected the private universities ability to decide what will happen on their private property.
The hospitality industry continues to create jobs in Waco, which saw its September unemployment rate dip from August but rise from September of last year, according to figures released Friday by the Texas Workforce Commission and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The jobless rate for the Waco Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes McLennan and Falls counties, reached 4.3 percent last month, the ninth-lowest among 25 metropolitan areas in the state and well below the statewide average of 4.9 percent. Amarillo and Austin enjoyed the lowest jobless figure in Texas at 3.5 percent.

Though the area unemployment rate increased from 4.1 percent in September of 2015, the local economy created an estimated 2,500 new jobs within the past year, with 900 in the leisure and hospitality category that includes lodging establishments and restaurants, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said in its report.

Job seekers could see more opportunities in that field in the near future. A pair of commercial strips behind the In-N-Out Burger at 801 S. Fourth St. soon will welcome Jersey Mikes, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Smoothie King, Steel City Pops and Pie Five Pizza. Land clearing has begun along Cleveland Avenue between South 10th and South 11th streets for a pair of new hotels. A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place Thursday for a new Home2 Suites by Hilton at Bagby Avenue and South Valley Mills Drive.

Statewide, Texas added an estimated 38,300 nonfarm jobs in September and has seen job growth in 17 of the last 18 months, according to a Texas Workforce Commission press release.

Texas employers continue demonstrating their competitiveness by adding 38,300 jobs in September, for a total of 206,800 jobs added over the year, commission Chairman Andres Alcantar said in the press release. This continued growth in a diverse range of industries creates valuable opportunities for our states world-class workforce.

The state, like Waco, is seeking job growth in industries that provide dining options and rest for the evening.

Nearly 18,000 people went to work in the leisure and hospitality field during September, while professional and business services jumped by about 6,000 jobs.

The civilian labor force increased by an estimated 3,300 in the Waco MSA during the 12 months through September.

We have seen an uptick in people moving into this area because the job market is strong here, and people are coming back into the labor force who possibly had dropped out, said Kris Collins, senior vice president for economic development with the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce.

The increase in the jobless rate from 4.1 percent in September last year to September this year is not cause for alarm, Collins said.

These numbers fluctuate from month to month, and the change is typically small, she said. A major change would be something to worry about.

A small bump could actually serve the community as it would mean job seekers are available should a new business or industry come calling, Collins said.

Ashley Lunde, director of business retention and research for the chamber, chose to focus on changes between August and September in Fridays reports.

Lunde said the number of people employed increased by 300, and the jobless rate slipped from 4.4 to 4.3 percent.

Leisure and hospitality saw a 400-person jump, which I was glad to see. And transportation increased by 300, which is significant, she said.

Lunde said she regularly hears from employers who face challenges finding and keeping good people on the payroll.

Why is this the case? Our unemployment is so low, she said. People having jobs is good, but when the jobless rate gets this low, it can cause problems.

Besides leisure and hospitalitys 900-job increase the past 12 months, the Waco MSA has enjoyed growth in education and health services, with 600 new jobs; manufacturing, professional and business services, and trade, transportation and utilities, with 300 new jobs each; and construction and financial activities, with 100 new jobs each.

A 100-job loss was reported in information, while other services and government held between August and September.
Waco resident William O. Davis is a father. Hes a grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather. A retired teacher. A former soldier. A devoted husband. And he managed to accomplish all of this in less than a century.

Born in Beckville and raised near Carthage in East Texas, he grew up on a farm like many children during the Great Depression. He was attending Prairie View A&M University when he was drafted in 1942.

Davis, soon to be 98, went on to serve three years and six months in the U.S. Army during World War II.

He completed basic training near Fort Worth, followed by several stateside postings. He was in Seattle when he was transferred to Alaska where he worked in supply and cargo at Excursion Inlet (also the site of a German prisoner of war camp). In the summer it rained, Davis said, but he didnt waste time thinking about the cold weather. He just concentrated on doing his job.

In the Army, it doesnt make much difference wherever you are, he said.

After seven months in Alaska, Davis returned to the Lower 48 briefly before shipping out for England on what he recalls was a converted British liner. It was likely the RMS Queen Mary, which like many passenger ships of the era, was outfitted to transport large numbers of troops. The Queen Mary could carry over 15,000.

Keeping Company C rolling

Davis was stationed for several months in England before moving on to Rouen, France. He served with the Transportation Corps in Company C, which at the time was under the command of Gen. Omar Bradley, and briefly, Gen. George S. Patton. Davis coordinated and handled all transportation needs, doing everything from vehicle inventory to record-keeping.

Sometimes conditions were harsh in England as well as France, Davis said. Sleeping on the ground in two-man pup tents, he and the company of more than 250 soldiers were sometimes targeted by German bombers. Each man had his own foxhole for safety.

I could see the fires at night, Davis said. Sometimes they (Germans) dropped bombs and sometimes the Americans shot planes down. Our guards were shooting field artillery at night.

For a time, Davis had the additional duty of guarding imprisoned American soldiers who had committed minor offenses. After the war ended, he decided he didnt care too much for the military, even though everybody got along and people were, for the most part OK, he said. Its pretty tough.

He was unhappy that he never received a promotion. After returning stateside, he was honorably discharged while stationed in New Jersey in 1945.

Back in Texas, back to school

Davis returned home and back to school at Prairie View A&M, where he earned his masters degree in industrial arts. He started what would become a 32-year career, teaching throughout Texas, including at Wharton Junior College, Cotulla Junior High, Groesbeck High School, A.J. Moore High School and Richfield High School in Waco. In addition, he also taught at Paul Quinn College before retiring for good in 1981.

In 1952, he married Minnie (Kizzie) Davis, who passed away just over a year ago. They were together over 61 years and had four children, approximately a dozen grandchildren, a few great-grandchildren and one or two great-great grandchildren, Davis said.

The last remaining sibling in his family, Davis continues to firmly maintain an upbeat outlook on life and recommends that philosophy.

Youve got to have a positive attitude and deal with people fair and squarely, he said. Be a good neighbor and a good friend.

World War II was a terrible thing, he said. but WWII changed everything in America.

The war changed people in Carthage. Race relations were better. People were more respectful, he said. The world itself was overall a better place to live in afterward, he added.

Over the years hes been through both good times and bad. Its better today than it was then, he said.

And with almost a century of experience to draw upon, hes seen a lot more than most to reach that conclusion.

Voices of Valor, featuring stories about Central Texas veterans, publishes every Sunday in the Waco Trib. To suggest a story about a Central Texas veteran, email voicesofvalor@wacotrib.com. Voices of Valor is proudly sponsored by Johnson Roofing.
In the name of Army, there are people who are seeking votes and notes, Lalu Yadav said in a tweet slamming MNS chief Raj Thackeray.

By Rohit Kumar Singh: RJD President Lalu Prasad Yadav has slammed the BJP and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena for politicising Indian Army for the sake of votes and notes. Lalus attack particularly was made on MNS Chief Raj Thackarey who had a secret meeting with the Maharashtra CM Devender Fadnavis and filmmaker Karan Johar.

In this meeting, there was a compromise formula established by MNS for not stalling the release of Karan Johars upcoming film 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil'. According to MNS' terms, the producers casting Pakistani artists in their films would donate Rs 5 crore to the Indian Army Relief Fund.

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READ| Cows give us milk, not votes: Lalu on PM's belated condemnation of cow vigilantes



RAJ THACKERAY ON LALU'S RADAR



Slamming MNS chief Raj Thackeray, Lalu Yadav said, "In the name of Army, there are people who are seeking votes and notes."

Lalu also criticised the BJP for using the issue of surgical strikes for seeking votes ahead of the Uttar Pradesh elections, carried out by Indian Army on Pakistan occupied Kashmir.

READ| Lalu Prasad takes a dig at BJP, says after Bihar, it is UP's turn to defeat Modi's party

"STOP MILKING SURGICAL STRIKES"



The RJD supremo has categorically slammed the BJP for trying to milk the issue of surgical strikes for electoral gains in upcoming Uttar Pradesh polls.

Rightist gang is hell bent on destroying highly disciplined, courageous and apolitical credentials of Army. Dont drag army in your cheap politics. BJP should spare the army. Is BJPs hunger for votes not over in the name of Ram and beef??? Lalu tweeted.

READ| Lalu cuts long story short, says Rabri Devi forced them to cover up



--- ENDS ---
Considering political analysts last week were predicting Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton might win between 300 and 400 electoral votes  a decisive victory either way  one could sure understand some of the despair, dejection and even desperation at the McLennan County Republican Club luncheon Thursday. An uncharacteristic air of resignation hung over the large hall in a fiercely Republican stretch of Texas.

At one point, Congressman Bill Flores, speaking to a couple hundred, mostly graying folks in the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museums Knox Hall, wondered aloud how anyone could even get excited about the Democratic nominee, that the typical Clinton supporter is, after all, just sort of ho-hum. But Flores hadnt witnessed the excitement that local Democrats exuded in their own gathering days earlier. They smelled national victory.

By contrast, Thursdays Republican luncheon saw long faces amid gloomy prospects in an election once theirs to lose. They have had to hear talk of a once-great political party imploding in slow motion, way out of touch with millennials on social issues and in denial of fast-changing demographics.

When McLennan County Republican Party Chairman Jon Ker began talking up the GOP presidential nominee, he accidentally inserted the name Bush, then quickly corrected himself and cited Donald Trump. Understandable. The former name conjures happy times of when Republican George W. Bush served as president eight long years, maintained the Western White House at his ranch near Crawford and local folks proudly dubbed our area Bush Country.

That was before a virulent tea party movement and its scorching mix of purity tests and political extremism made Bush  by 2009 out of the White House  a co-conspirator of President Obama and the Democrats in all thats wrong with government, even in Bush Country. It also caused the Republican Party to veer off in crazy directions that neither Bush nor his father would tolerate. Over time, this transformation paved the way for anarchic Republicans such as reality TV star and casino magnate Donald Trump to take over the party and lead it down a path out of step with much of the nation, even judging by Fox News polls.

You just make mistakes now and then, Ker quipped of his blooper of mixing up Bush with Trump. Dont throw tomatoes.

Club President Wesley Lloyd, an attorney, did his best to keep spirits high. He wisely grasped the absurdity of running comical slides poking fun at Hillary Clinton, as he had to everyones amusement in months past. Instead he screened slides of Flores grandchildren and the congressman mixing with a Baylor mascot (both Flores and Lloyd are Aggies). And everyone sang Happy Birthday to Helen Quiram, 83, that ever-gracious and ebullient incarnation of sunnier times and everything that was good about the Republican Party, including her beloved Ronald Reagan.

Moody Mayor Ken Brown injected some levity while touting his towns Cotton Harvest Festival (including a hot dog-eating contest and a pet parade). He announced he had been shocked to see a Hillary Clinton sign in Moody. Only after the homeowner mowed his lawn did Brown realize the sign declared: Hillary for Prison.

I knew you were lying, Lloyd joked, as soon as you said a Clinton supporter mowed his yard.

But the mood turned somber when Rep. Flores said that the presidential election doesnt feel real good at this point, 19 days from Election Day. While the House of Representatives would likely remain under Republican control, he said, the Senate was absolutely in danger of falling into Democratic hands. He acknowledged what few dared mention  this months damaging release of a tape on which the Republican presidential nominee in 2005 bragged in crude ways of kissing, groping and trying to have sex with women awed by his immense star power.

When that tape came out with him on the bus, talking about women, that hurt us, Flores said.

Then the congressman reminded party faithful of the issues at risk, the need to look past Trumps failings and consider the bitter prospects of a Clinton presidency: Its not really so much about him, its about her.

One Republican asked, almost in desperation, certainly in anger, what they could do about media bias. Indeed, even traditionally Republican newspapers, one after another, have refused to endorse Trump and instead embraced the opposition. (Ironically, a March 2016 analysis estimated that Trump received $2 billion in free publicity, including from 24-hour news networks such as Fox that simply leveled cameras on Trump at rallies and let him ramble on in boasts, demagogy and outrageous falsehoods that eclipsed even those of the Clintons.)

To their great credit, disheartened Republicans didnt talk about their nominees latest destructive distraction  that the national election is rigged for Clinton. In fact, McLennan County Republican Womens Club President Vicky Kendig, in a prayer, patriotically asked that the upcoming election be fair and the will of the majority be honored.

Given that at least one electoral fix  the age-old art of gerrymandering  will likely help Republicans retain control of the House, talk of rigged elections is probably best discouraged in GOP circles. Once Republicans battle through grief or rage at what appears to be a crushing defeat on Nov. 8, they would do well to reconsider just how badly they lost their way  not just in this election season but over several chaotic and confounding years.
When my 18-year-old niece Olivia told me in April she would be enrolling this fall at Pepperdine University in Malibu, I was excited that Id finally have some family living near me on the West Coast.

Nashville born-and-raised Olivia has always exhibited a spirit of adventure. She told her parents that she preferred attending Pepperdine or the University of Hawaii to one of the Southern schools where most of her friends were headed.

Remembering my own college experience at Baylor University and the excitement of living on my own for the first time, I realized that if Id had an Uncle Bob living in Waco back then, he probably would not have been at the top of my speed-dial list  even if wed had such technological marvels back in the day.

After dinner with Olivia and her family the weekend she moved into her dorm, I realized the next time I would likely hear from her would be in four years when I received an invitation to attend her graduation ceremony.

Kokernot Hall

Anyone who has visited the campus of Pepperdine knows its not exactly your traditional college setting with ivy-covered red-brick walls set amidst a grove of stately evergreens. Pepperdine sits atop a picturesque hillside overlooking the Emerald-green Pacific Ocean where on a clear, sunny day you can see Santa Catalina Island.

So I should not have been surprised when Olivias mom casually mentioned her daughters dorm room had an ocean view. She must have noticed my reaction as I considered such a feature as a viable option in ones college housing choices. This sure didnt match my college experience upon arriving at Baylor many years ago and moving into creaky old Kokernot Hall. It offered all the charm and elegance of Schofield Barracks.

All downhill from here

Olivia showed me some photos of one classmates rooms, complete with outlandishly ornate headboards you might expect in a New Orleans bordello. A big-screen mounted TV adorned one of the walls with elaborate side-by-side desks adjacent to the twin beds. I was curious to know if the girls mothers had done the decorating or if they had hired an interior designer with the eccentric taste of the late Liberace.

Some dorm rooms at Pepperdine were designed as suites where two adjoining rooms share a common bathroom  a far cry from life in Kokernot Hall where we trudged down dimly lit halls to one public bathroom and shower facility that provided all the comfort and privacy of an Army draftee physical.

We would eventually discover that Kokernot Hall rivaled the Ritz-Carlton compared to some off-campus houses we rented in later years. Two of my classmates and I rented a small dilapidated house that offered our own kitchen and bathroom for the first time. I began to notice that I was walking downhill as I approached my bedroom. It quickly came to our attention that one side of the house was at least a foot lower than the other. We strategically placed a broom-stick handle against the outer wall to lend some much-needed support to the structure.

That particular winter brought some of the coldest weather to Central Texas in recent memory and I discovered that walking downhill to my bedroom was the least of my worries. It seems there were some significant gaps between the outside wooden wall panels as I awoke during my first night there  to find my hair blowing freely in icy breeze.

Ali McGraw on the wall

The following morning, I stuffed newspaper into the cavities of the aging wall and hung a very tasteful Ali MacGraw poster that I had bought after much careful consideration from K-Mart. (Only $2.98 While They Last!) It perfectly covered the exposed minor flaw in my otherwise immaculate bedroom and kept the temperature hovering somewhere just above the glacial icing stage.

Reflecting on the dramatic difference in our two college experiences has me toying with the idea of partaking in the good life at Pepperdine and enjoying the abundant spoils of todays college student. Perhaps Ill entertain the notion of enrolling in college again just like Rodney Dangerfield did in the 1986 movie Back to School. Im quite certain that my niece Olivia would be absolutely thrilled to have her Uncle Bob as a classmate. I thought about asking her opinion, but I think maybe Ill just surprise her when I show up next semester in her freshman English class.

Bob Vickreys columns appear in several Southwestern newspapers including the Houston Chronicle. He is a member of the Board of Contributors for the Waco Tribune-Herald and a regular contributor to the Boryana Books website. He lives in Pacific Palisades, California.
Listen. Do you hear it? Over all the madness? Womens voices are chiming in unison and bittersweet harmony all across this nation. And no one expressed it more passionately than first lady Michelle Obama in her recent speech about what is seemingly acceptable to some: sexual-predator language. I refuse to call it locker room talk.

I am deeply disturbed by this expose of another layer of Americas ugly underbelly, especially in hearing some women engaging in perverse disrespect by their dismissive stance on this subject. One of five women will fall victim to sexual assault. I bet those same women downplaying this kind of verbiage have never been such a statistic. Nor the men engaging in such talk. Nor their daughters, wives and mothers.

I happen to be a statistic. Its something I havent spoken much about. Thats a common thread among victims. We try to move on. But the event never moves from our memories. This isnt about politics; its about human rights.

You Republicans supporting Donald Trump must really feel squeezed out of the political machine. You embrace this outsider because youre tired of insider politics. Especially youre tired of the Clintons. Heck, you must be tired of your own past Washington heroes because those very heroes now publicly denounce and refuse to endorse their/your own partys nominee. Surely you know who they are. You once cheered them, partially for their decency, honor and integrity:

 George H.W. Bush (and Barbara)

 George W. Bush (and Laura)

 Condoleezza Rice

 Colin Powell

Rebels at heart? I doubt it. You followed the Pied Piper of Rage and Frantic Desperation. And the song he played on his flute will most likely cost your party the presidency. Dont blame Hillary Clinton or the Democrats for that. This is of your own doing. You couldve had your pick of respected and capable individuals vying for your partys nomination, but you instead chose a would-be demagogic demigod.

The irony is that, if by some astronomical chance Trump gets elected, he will be faced with trying to negotiate not only with elected Democrats but with the very leaders he has refused to listen to from his own party. The ones he publicly reviles at present. Hes the one who refused to embrace standards that any civilized government expects: Decorum. Dignity. Diplomacy. Protocol. And just plain good taste.

Hes done it his way, and his way only. Imagine the roadblocks he could face trying to implement all his Make America Great Again strategies (unknown and illusive as they are) with the governing body he has made enemies of. Hell be hated and mocked because he will be the first of his kind. He might know one person who could lend a sympathetic ear on how that felt. But I doubt former President Obama will lean in.

Linda Gilleland Stewart is retired from AT&T and lives in Crawford.
Step right up, folks, and get your tickets to this election years blockbuster movie, October Surprise XIV: Trumped. Produced by the Fourth Estate. Directed by Hillary Clinton and the DNC. Starring nine previously unknown women who suddenly remembered being sexually molested by Donald Trump, one more than 30 years after the alleged incident.

What prompted these ladies apparently suppressed memories to suddenly emerge? Some cynical cads might say it was dirty politics  the last, best hope to derail Trumps train that had been gathering steam. Other cynics might say it was the ladies opportunity for their 15 minutes of feminist fame  or 25 years worth as in Anita Hills case.

Whatever their motives, and whether the claims are true or false, it seems to have worked as intended. Trumps train has derailed, at least momentarily, and all nine ladies are being interviewed/idolized by the press and TV personalities including CNN anchor Anderson Cooper. AC? Its galling that a high-profile homosexual would publicly involve himself in scrutinizing another mans alleged sexual activities! People who live in glass houses . . . . Welcome to the 21st century where everyone who so chooses can live by the almost non-existent new rules of morality and decency.

Heres the bottom line, you hypocrites: Spare us the phony baloney sanctimony. The sexual indiscretions/assaults alleged against Trump, or any other person in the future, will not be an automatic impediment to attaining the office of the presidency  ever! That mythical bar was officially removed by the U.S. Senate in 1999 when it voted to not remove Bill Clinton from office after impeachment following even more scandalous acts of sexual impropriety.

Those acts involved Clintons illicit sexual behavior with a 22-year old intern in the White House while he was president. All 45 Democratic and 10 Republican senators voted against removing him from office. Clintons guilt or innocence seemingly did not matter in the end; only that the charges of perjury before a grand jury and obstruction of justice were apparently deemed insufficient to require his removal from office for high crimes and misdemeanors. Clintons illicit sexual behavior itself, in the White House, was not considered of sufficient import to even be included in the charges.

Democrats, news media, feminists and gutless RINOs, console and then stifle yourselves by thinking of the allegations against Trump in terms of the excuses and slurs employed in defending Bill Clinton by his enablers, including Hillary, against allegations by four other women of rape, sexual harassment (exposing himself) and a 12-year extramarital affair: Bimbo eruptions, trailer trash, tramps and its just about sex.

One things sure. Four years hence, the film will badly need an updated title  say, October Expectations: Dealing From The Bottom Of The Deck.

Sammy McLarty of Waco is a retired veterans benefits claims examiner.
In the third and last presidential debate on Wednesday night, Donald Trump again refused to say whether he would concede to Hillary Clinton if he is the loser of the Nov. 8 election. Americans must now contend with a candidate who casts doubts on the democratic process before the votes have been counted and who suggests that the election is rigged, without offering any evidence to back up his claim.

This is unprecedented. By contrast, consider the behavior of past presidential candidates who lost elections but who actually had reason to complain about the outcome, if not contest it. Their example tells us much about the conventions and expectations that, till now, have ensured the stability of the U.S. political system.

Take, for example, Andrew Jackson. He had genuine grounds for believing that the outcome had been rigged and the democratic process subverted when he first ran for president in 1824. And yet Jackson, a man who typically settled disputes with dueling pistols, nonetheless graciously stepped aside when it became clear that protest would damage the nations political institutions.

The election of 1824 featured no less than four candidates: the New Englander and former Secretary of State John Quincy Adams; Henry Clay of Kentucky; Secretary of the Treasury William Crawford from Georgia; and Jackson, a war hero.

With the possible exception of Jackson, these candidates had regional followings. On Election Day, Jackson decisively had the broadest and biggest level of support throughout the country, garnering 41.4 percent of the total vote, with Adams far behind in second place, at 30.9 percent. The other two candidates picked up only modest support. Jackson also accumulated the most electoral votes, 99, compared with 84 for Adams.

But Jackson had not won a majority of the electoral vote, only a plurality. According to the 12th Amendment to the Constitution, that meant the election would be decided in the House of Representatives. At this point, the politicking and scheming began, despite the fact that Jackson was obviously the peoples choice, as a growing number of newspapers dubbed him.

For his part, Jackson pointedly refused to participate in any machinations. He wrote a friend of the calm, deliberate rule I have prescribed to myself  I will not, have not, in the least interfered, and then added that I would feel myself degraded to be placed into that office but by the free unsolicited voice of the people  Intrigue may stalk around me but it cannot move me from my purpose.

Others werent so ethical. Although the details remain somewhat murky, it seems that Henry Clay, who had finished last in the race, cut a deal with Adams and his allies. If Clay could deliver the election to Adams, he wanted something in return: the position of secretary of state, then considered a stepping-stone to the presidency.

Clay was in a position to deliver the goods: He was speaker of the House of Representatives. Unfortunately for him, the legislature in his home state of Kentucky met and instructed its congressional delegation to vote for Jackson. Clay ignored these instructions and instead coerced the delegation to vote for Adams, even though Adams had not received a single popular vote in the entire state.

The outrage was immediate. Sen. Robert Hayne of South Carolina denounced the monstrous union between Clay & Adams, for the purpose of depriving Jackson of the votes of the Western States where nine tenths of the people are decidedly in his favor. Soon rumors emerged that Clay had bartered his states votes and the votes of other states to gain a coveted spot in the Adams administration.

This drama reached its sordid conclusion in February 1825, when after further backroom deals, the House voted to give the presidency to Adams. Jackson, historian Robert Remini concluded, had lost the election through the deliberate conniving of a handful of politicians.

Jackson was aghast but kept his displeasure private. In fact, on Feb. 10, he attended a reception to honor the incoming president. The inevitable happened: Jackson and Adams came face to face, surrounded by the expectant crowd of Washington insiders.

Jackson had shot men for far less than theft of the presidency, but here he remained magnanimous, extending his hand and declaring, How do you do, Mr. Adams? An onlooker applauded Jacksons manly style. In succeeding weeks, Jacksons calm demeanor attracted growing respect and Adams became the object of ridicule for seizing the presidency in an underhanded manner.

Clays reputation also sustained permanent damage when he accepted a position in the Adams cabinet. Jackson privately fumed that the Judas of the west has closed the contract and will receive the thirty pieces of silver. But in public he did nothing to damage the legitimacy of the Adams administration. Four years later, voters rewarded Jackson with the presidency.

Jacksons demeanor set a precedent that other disappointed office-seekers followed in every election, even those deprived by fraud and corrupt dealings. Samuel Tilden, for example, should have won the election of 1876, but victory was snatched away by an especially grotesque political deal that resulted in the end of Reconstruction and the removal of protections for black Americans. Yet Tilden did not tell his supporters to riot and revolt. Instead, he gave a measured concession speech in which he reassured his supporters: Be of good cheer. The Republic will live. The institutions of our fathers are not to expire in shame. The sovereignty of the people shall be rescued from this peril and be re-established.

Subsequent presidential candidates who lost under dubious circumstances  Richard Nixon in 1960 and Albert Gore in 2000  followed suit, graciously putting the stability of the country above their personal grievances.

Until Trump. Unlike any of these men, he hasnt a leg to stand on when it comes to claims of malfeasance. Rather, he looks likely to lose an election that, however ugly, is entirely fair and square. And yet he cannot muster the sort of selflessness and long-term interest in Americas political institutions that has become the norm for losing candidates, even those who had grounds for thinking they had been shortchanged.

Stephen Mihm is an associate professor of history at the University of Georgia. His books include A Nation of Counterfeiters: Capitalists, Con Men and the Making of the United States.
Early voting for the Nov. 8 election begins Monday in the state of Texas. Ill be in line at 8 a.m. this time, taking part in the early voting process for the first time. I want no part of the Election Day circus to decide Trump vs. Clinton.

Michael McDonald, founder of Elections Project, which tracks turnout, predicts early voting could account for up to 34 percent of voting totals this year, according to NPR. Id say thats a conservative estimate. Here in McLennan County, about half of us vote early in most elections already. That number could go much higher this election.

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has raised voter fraud as the centerpiece of his campaigns home-stretch strategy, casting doubts on the validity of election results and legitimacy of any president elected except him. Hes even called on supporters to volunteer as poll watchers and make sure his chief rival, Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, doesnt sneak in and rig election results and steal a victory.

Intimidation

Such antics now make Election Day security a genuine concern, especially in battleground states such as Pennsylvania, Ohio and Florida. Expect acts of voter intimidation to be more widespread in every battleground state than ever before.

Aside from Trumps call to arms, voter identification laws, such as the one in Texas, have been enacted, struck down, appealed and restricted so many times in the past few months, voters really dont know what to expect at the voting center. For the record, the Texas voter ID law is rolled back for the Nov. 8 election. A shell of the 2011 bill remains in place, but the most restrictive elements of it are shelved for this election. My suggestion? Bring everything youve got that could identify you and vote early, in case its not enough and you need to try again.

County Election Administrator Kathy Van Wolfe predicts about a 60 percent turnout  similar to the record voter turnout in 2008  here in McLennan County. That, too, may be a conservative number. Texas added almost 2 million people to voter registration rolls for this election, boosting the total count to 15.1 million. It wouldnt surprise me to see record turnout in Texas, given that recent polls show Trump leading Clinton here by a mere 3 percentage points.

Trump and Clinton have set high-water marks for unpopularity this election season. Both have unfavorable ratings above 50 percent and both are backed by supporters blind to their candidates flaws. The election comes at a time when emotions run dangerously high in this country. Never have we seen such visceral hatred for one candidate or the other.

Be nice to the workers

Im voting early so I can put this election behind me as soon as possible, a sentiment many people share. My personal stake in this campaign ends Monday. Ill leave Election Day madness to others. I advise readers to do the same. You can find a list of voting centers in todays paper or at WacoTrib.com. You can vote at any of them.

But when you vote, be respectful to the election workers you encounter. I come from a family of election workers. Ive heard my mom, aunt and grandmother tell stories of how people vent their frustration with the political process, the candidates, even their own lives, to the people whose job is to ensure the votes are counted properly and independently.

They dont get paid much money, and they take the job very seriously. A friend of mine from high school still volunteers as an election worker back home. She told me she kicked a voter out of the precinct during the primary election this summer for wearing a shirt emblazoned with his favorite candidate. Apparently the guy went straight to the local newspaper to cause a big stink after election workers told him to change his shirt before entering the polling place. After he finished making a public spectacle of himself, he returned to the voting precinct dressed in full camouflage gear, complete with combat boots.

Election workers signed him in and let him vote. Apparently he was protesting the war going on in America right now. Protest away, my friend said. As long as youre not electioneering.

Those are the kind of people who run our elections. Thank God for them.

The best way to raise a stink on Nov. 8 is to cast your vote. Since not everyones going to settle for that this time around, you now have two full weeks (including Saturday) to cast that vote early and instead get a tee-time for Nov. 8.

Ill be at Cottonwood Creek if you need me.
A joint venture of HAL and Safran Helicopter Engines France, the plant in addition to carrying out overhaul activities in Goa, will also provide support through certified maintenance centers located centrally at customer bases.

By Manjeet Negi: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today inaugurated a helicopter engines maintenance plant, a joint venture of HAL and Safran Helicopter Engines France at Sattari District, north Goa. The joint venture will provide maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services for Safran TM333 2B2 and HAL Shakti engines installed on HAL-built helicopters operated by the defence services.

The MRO centre plans to progressively support engines of international operators and other engines as mutually agreed between the partners. In addition to carrying out overhaul activities in Goa, the joint venture will also provide support through certified maintenance centers located centrally at customer bases.

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The centre will support helicopter engines operated by national and international operators from a 1,000 sqm office and a 3,800 sqm facility. It will have the capability of repairing 50 engines in the initial period and subsequently the number could reach 100. The centre's capabilities may be enlarged to include other engines as mutually agreed. Safran Helicopter Engines and HAL will provide their customers with world-class service including optimized engine availability.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Parrikar said this is a step towards creating employment opportunities with a corresponding boost to the economic activities in Goa.

"This is the right place for MRO activities related to helicopter engines. We have a local talent to meet the skill requirement for the project. There will be more expectations from all of us and we will progress," Parrikar said.

With a fleet of over 1,000 engines, including 250 TM333 and 250 Shakti, India's armed forces are one of the largest operators of Safran-designed helicopter engines. Shakti is the Indian designation for the Safran Ardiden 1H1, co-developed with HAL and produced under license.

Shakti is fitted to HAL's ALH/Dhruv and has been selected to power the HAL-designed Light Combat Helicopter (LCH). The Ardiden 1U variant powers the new Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), a three-ton single-engine aircraft that made its maiden flight in September 2016.

SAFRAN HELICOPTER ENGINES

Safran has maintained a presence in India for over 60 years in its three core markets - aerospace, defense and security. With a workforce of 2,500 domestic employees, its activities range from R&D to design, production and maintenance. Safran now powers and/or equips 65 per cent of Indian airplanes and helicopters, and is the chief supplier of key systems and equipment for the Rafale.

Besides helicopter engines, Safran has partnered with HAL over decades through local businesses such as Aircraft Engines (180-employee JV in Bangalore) and Electronics and Defense equipment (Inertial Navigation Systems and Automated Flight Control Systems).

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They say ("they" being the die-hard, pro-Imran Khan lot, the mixed bag of drawing room-cum-mess hall soothsayers and other government-bashers) that Nawaz Sharif is going to go, one way or the other, by the end of the year. A few paths are being paved by the push-him-outers (despite the government, parliament, media and the military coming together-a rarity in multi-polar Pakistan-to reject India's 'surgical strike'claims) for the third-time prime minister to exit from stage left.

But this lot depends too much on the improbable, on creativity-popular but impractical tactics among the Pakistani anti-system pace attack. But there's always a chance that some slippage-a case, a protest, violence-can give these notions some extra traction.

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Consider this. In late October, the highest courts will hear disqualification appeals about Sharif's Panama skeletons, at least the reported ones. Here, the PM's allies are giving bring-it-on signals. They know the courts, and expect the case to be heard, and trashed. But Pakistan's courts are populist, and always have their antennae up for what's hot. For many, it's hot to be anti-Sharif right now.

Then, at the end of October or early November, Khan, rejuvenated from a recent rally near Sharif's family estate in Raiwind, will march on Islamabad in a redux of his 2014 'dharna'-a 126-day sit-in that resulted in diminished returns and a tarnished reputation for him: Khan's own shotgun wedding after an affair with a journalist, a semi-storming of parliament and the state television station, and a strange partnership with a mysterious sect leader, Tahir-ul-Qadri (and an even stranger one, allegedly with a couple of spy chiefs, in and out of service at the time).

This time around, there are no partners or wives-to-be involved with Khan, at least not yet. And this time, he's not steaming in from the rigging end. He's bowling against corruption. Thus, the Panama leaks drip on.

The push in the capital may not become a putsch, but it is expected to be quick, even violent. Khan's public bid to "shut down Islamabad", just in case the courts let Nawaz off the hook (they've already called a disqualification petition against him "frivolous", so don't bet on a conviction) is dependent on how far and long his student and youth wings go. And it's already causing jitters in the federal capital (Islamabad police has started conducting riot drills). Khan has started a war fund too: Every member of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) must donate at least $1 for the campaign. Word is his sugar daddies-some in the PTI, some elsewhere-are also chipping in.

The adventurists attest that he will go for it-storming the PM's house is one option that might stir resignations, after staged or miscalculated violence. The pacifists think this is just net practice-less a bluff like 2014-for the 2018 elections. Still, Khan and his armchair warriors are counting on the war-gaming from some real soldiers. The traffic has been congested between Islamabad and Rawalpindi, the home of the army, more so after a story by Pakistan's finest daily, Dawn, which was obviously leaked from the prime minister's house last week.

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A quick summary of the scandal: The country's second most powerful general, the ISI's Rizwan Akhtar, was reportedly rebuked by the Sharif brothers in an 'orchestrated' meeting to force the intel agency to launch a crackdown on the Haqqani network, Jaish-e-Mohammed and the Lashkar-e-Taiba. The consequences: lots of gloating in India, a botched attempt by the government-only after it rejected and then re-rejected the story-to put the writer on a no-exit list, united condemnation by the local media for the government's high-handedness in shooting the messenger, and a perceived cover-up of the actual leaker. An investigation is on, and heads close to the PM are expected to roll.

While the soothsayers kick into hyperdrive, centrists and liberals see Nawaz and Raheel cruising through the coming unrest and their own transitions. Lawyer and columnist Babar Sattar thinks Imran may be brash, while the army chief will remain conservative in the coming critical weeks: "Khan is hoping to use this last shot at (Nawaz) Sharif's removal as best he can. If he loses it, expect Sharif to steamroll into power in 2018, unhindered. That makes Khan desperate. As for Raheel, he's always been conscious of his image. Any irregular behaviour at this stage by him would tarnish his reputation, and the army's, too."

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But Raza Rumi, consulting editor of the Friday Times, warns about the move by Khan, linking it with jehadist elements: "The November call by Imran will be a formidable challenge as he is likely to be joined by the Pakistan Defence Council, a motley crew of jehadists worth the street power that Khan's party lacks. The best course for Sharif would be to avoid confrontation, find a way to accommodate the competing interests, including that of the army."

ENTER THE ARMY

With a bombshell press release over last weekend, which was longer than the one rejecting India's 'surgical strike' narrative, the army GHQ has weighed in about the things to come. Citing all participants of the powerful Corps Commanders' Conference (which also features GHQ's principal staff officers) and not just the reportedly outgoing General Raheel Sharif, the message has made the believers think that Rawalpindi's gloves have come off. That the story was not leaked, but 'fed', that it was fed to be 'false and fabricated', that it was fed from the prime minister's house, and that it was a 'breach of national security'.

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Interestingly, the tough language was used by GHQ after a meeting between the only triad in town: Nawaz Sharif, Raheel Sharif and Rizwan Akhtar. There was another meeting after it too. The timing of this drama is immaculate: the countdown to General Sharif's exit-the end of a three-year term that has made him the most optically popular soldier in decades-has essentially begun.

Till now, the idea of an extension was floated, but not expected to be given, or taken. The new chiefs-to-be list features four, with the army gunning for one favourite-a go-getter from a not-so-regal regiment-and the PM still holding the decision close to his chest, like he did last time. All of that may yet change. If the variables above don't fire any anti-system cylinders, Nawaz might stay and Raheel might go, with Nawaz installing his choice in GHQ. That's option one. That's what was bound to happen, till the latest civil-military spat.

Given the new slippery slope his staffer/s have made for him with the leak, on orders or on their own, Nawaz might stay and Raheel might stay, too, on a compromise move by Nawaz to soothe the army. Or, given what Khan may force or what the courts may feel, Nawaz might go and the chief might go or stay, depending on the arrangement reached during or after the expected civilian leadership crisis.

For now, the latest civil-military hurricane-'Hurricane Cyril', as a general jokingly named it after the writer of the Dawn story-seems to be blowing in the military's favour, towards Islamabad. This means that regardless of what may or may not happen to Nawaz, the reportedly outgoing army chief may yet get his pick of who his successor is going to be. That's not an option Raheel's predecessor had. General Sharif's office still insists he's retiring (but certain important insiders still don't want to commit to it).

This is pure speculation, though. The truth is that Pakistan has two establishments, not one. If there's a Rawalpindi, then there's also a Raiwind. Both have influence over political parties. Both control huge chunks of the media. Both enjoy industrial and commercial patronage. Both can influence the judiciary. And both stand divided over India (though harping on about Kashmir, Nawaz has yet to utter the words 'Kulbushan Jadhav' in public, which continues to miff soldiers months after the alleged R&AW spy was apprehended). Importantly, both are staring transition in the face.

The questions are: Will the coming days force an irregular change in the PM house? Will a surprise entrant occupy GHQ? Or, will the incumbent resident of Army House stay on? Remember, October hasn't been kind to this prime minister, historically. October 12, 1999, the day he was ousted in a putsch, still looms large. Will the Raiwind establishment stand tall, or push back enough for a compromise?

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Le Marche Region Map & Travel Guide

For Intrepid Travelers, a Rich Trove of Rural and Renaissance Delights

Recently, large publications that send writers out to a particular foreign destination for a week every year or two have taken to the practice of calling Le Marche "the next Tuscany." It is hard to tell what they mean. It's not crowded with English speakers, the landscape is very different, the shutters are mostly brown instead of green. The food, the pasta shapes--all different. Even the sea is different.

If you like smaller towns and the slow rhythms of the rural life: Le Marche offers much to experience. The northern Marche can be "done" by a trip down the Metauro River Valley, passing towns like Mercatello, Urbino, and heading out to the Roman town of Fano on the Adriatic coast. You might do it in a week. You won't be bored if you take two or three.

Did you know? Le Marche was recently chosen by AARP as one of the worlds top destinations to retire to.

Getting Your Bearings

Le Marche is broken up into four provinces, named after the primary cities within them. In the north, the first province is called Pesaro and Urbino, Provincia di Pesaro e Urbino in Italian, which borders the state of San Marino. This is where the Metauro valley is.

The next province to the south is Ancona, then Macerata, then Ascoli Piceno. Each of these provincial capitals is marked with a black circle within a white one. If you click any of these 5 markers, a funny thing should happen. A series of concentric circles, each representing about 10 km of distance, appears centered on the town marker. The scale should give you a reasonable indication of how far that capital is from the other cities and towns. Click one and see. It's a small world, a small region. You won't have high gasoline (benzina in Italian) bills to see lots.

Map: How far apart are the cities and attractions of Le Marche?

Pictures of Typical Le Marche Scenes

Museum Art, history, territory -- Fiumi Sermattei Palace, Genga, Le Marche

Mountain Landscape near the Frasassi Caves

Ah, the slow life in Le Marche!

Select Cities and Attractions in Detail

If you haven't been to Le Marche before, you might want to check out our video introduction to the region: Introducing Le Marche

Grottammare is located on a stretch of the Adriatic Coast called the Riviera delle Palme, the Palm Riviera. But it's not just beach. The town has a fortress overlooking the sea. Delicious Italy has a good overview of Grottammare.

Le Marche is notable for its monasteries. Some are not open to visitors, but the best one to visit is Fonte Avellana Monastery founded in 980, one of the few with a scriptorium--a room where manuscripts were copied. You can eat in the restaurant, a very popular thing to do for the locals on Sunday.

If you are in Italy in October, and think you are going to miss all the truffle fairs, usually held in November when the celebrated winter white truffle is available, be aware that little Sant' Angelo in Vado has one of the earliest truffle fairs in Italy.

Do you get the best prosciutto in Parma? Lots of Italians prefer the product in the little Marche village of Carpegna, where you can find Prosciutto di Carpegna San Leo DOP.

Urbino is the Renaissance gem of this region. Want to see one of the most important collections of Renaissance paintings in Italy? Try the Ducal Palace of Urbino. Between Urbino, Faro and Guadara lies the little village of Carceto, known for its fabulous cheese and olive oil, as well as the friendly folks in the villages impressive piazza.

Urbania has been a center for handmade ceramics since the 15th century, and you can take a class or just buy a load of it to weigh down your suitcase. You can visit and sometimes see a performance in the cute Bramante Theater, built between 1857 to 1864--one of those old, intriguing, small-town theaters that gave small-town folks pleasure in the "olden" days.

Macerata is a medieval hill town with a university. Fred Plotkin, author of Italy for the Gourmet Traveler writes, "Macerata is now the place when people who have never been to Italy call me up and say, 'Fred, we want to go to a place where we will discover as much as we can of Italy in one town,' I send them there." He recommends the local vincigrassi, a lasagna made with chicken livers and other offal.

Sassoferrato, population 8000, is about one of the most interesting towns of that size you'll ever visit. There is a very important Roman town excavated on Sassoferrato's outskirts, there are 12 churches and a castle, a tiny prison that you have to see to believe and more. Read about Sassoferrato: Finding the Hidden Italy in Sassoferrato. Sassoferrato's most interesting lodging option is the Agriturismo Antico Muro that sits right atop the site of the important Battle of Sentinum won by the Romans and leading to their consolidation of central Italy. While there, be sure to try the region's celebrated Sourdough Pasta: Le Pincinelle Marchigiane. Head to the south on a short day trip to see the Museum of Roman Gilded Bronzes in Pergola.

Fabriano is another town just south of Sassoferrato you might consider visiting. See the Paper and Watermark Museum of Fabriano and the the Antica Farmacia Mazzolini Giuseppucci. If you have more time and like historic bicycles, see the Museo dei Mestieri Bicicletta. Wine lovers, especially those who'd like to taste some hand crafted sparkling wines with a history might like to visit Sbaffi.

Offida, a little town you've never heard of, has some of the most interesting sites and museums you wouldn't expect in such a small town. Click the link to learn about its secrets, which include lacemaking. Offida is only a short distance from Ascoli Piceno (see below), so it can be done as a long day trip from that beautiful city.

Tolentino - "If the draw of flying saints, Bonaparte and chronological puzzles are not enough, Tolentino boasts The International Museum of Caricature and Humour in Art in its new home, Palazzo Sangallo. Here you can see some 3,000 works by artists from across the world. The city also hosts the Biennial International Festival of Hunour in Art, one of the most prestigious events of its kind." ~ Guide to Tolentino.

Ascoli Piceno has some of the most beautiful piazze in Italy. For its size, it's one of the great bargains in great food and comfortable lodging. We stayed at the Antica Borgo Piceno just outside the gates of town; a fabulous, quite space, great breakfast, and a reasonable amount of parking. Ascoli's Piazza Del Popolo is shown below.

Mondavio

Our latest find was the coompact little gem of a town called Mondavio. It has a great view of its castle from the little piazza that is the core of village life. The Pizzeria has a great view of towns on the hill and is the place to go at sunset--and we found bargain lodging there. See Martha's Mondavio Travel Guide.

Weather and Climate: When to Go

For more on the weather near the sea in the northern Marche, see our Fano Weather and Historic Climate page.

Where to Stay

If you like to stay in a rural farm or bed and breakfast, Le Marche offers a unique opportunity. Marche Owners Direct can advise you of places to stay--Check out their facebook page.

We've also reviewed:

La Diligenza, restaurant with lodging in the evocative village of Borgo Pace, Metauro Valley.

Agriturismo Pieve del Colle, for searchers of the Balconies of Renaissance painter Piero della Francesca.

Planning a Trip? Here are some travel planning tools that are especially useful if you're planning your first or second trip to Italy. Travel Planning Timeline: Learn what you need to plan when.

What Will an Italy Vacation Cost?: Tools for budgeting your Italian vacation.

Unplanned Attractions: Save time for the good life in Italy.

Explore More on Wandering Italy
Way back when Winston Churchill gave his famous "We shall fight on the beaches" speech, the British Parliament was not wired for recording, and so the BBC asked him to come in to record it so it could be broadcast around the world. Churchill declined, as he was too busy trying to win the war, and simply said, "Get some actor chap to record it". And they did. He was a radio actor by the name of Norman Shelley, and it wasn't until the year 2000 that it was confirmed, after years of rumours, that the famous recording was actually Shelley's voice, just as he did many other Churchill speeches. "I don't like to boast," Shelley said before he died, "but I actually think I did Churchill better than Churchill." I agree. And don't you think Alec Baldwin does Donald Trump better than Donald Trump? Yes, I mean this as a serious point. Baldwin's version for Saturday Night Live had intelligence, humour, a sparkle! But Trump himself in that debate seemed merely an anodyne version of that  all belligerent bullying bluster, with nary an ounce of humanity.

For me, the true mystery is how, after everything that has been revealed, there is still 41 per cent of Americans who think that Trump is safe to put in the White House. If what has emerged so far is not enough to sway them, what, pray tell, would it take? An extremist walks into a bar ... TFF raved last year about how very enjoyable the 16th Chaser Inaugural Lecture at Sydney Town Hall was, a black-tie dinner where they featured the "Egyptian Letterman", Bassem Youssef, speaking on the travails of being a liberal voice of reason in a nation labouring under a culture of militant religious nutters. Something different! Something brand new! Something we hadn't heard before! This year's version is the Sesquicentennial Inaugural Chaser Lecture and Dinner, and it is on November 17, also in the Town Hall. The guest is Sakdiyah Ma'ruf, "the first Indonesian Muslim female stand-up comic", whose material includes talking about life as an Islamic woman, dealing with extremism, and human rights. Among other things, she received the Vaclav Havel Prize for Creative Dissent at the Oslo Freedom Forum last year. Something different! Something brand new! Something we haven't heard before.

See you there. All profits from the night go to the global freedom of expression charity Article 19. Joke of the week The Top Seven Rules of Life in Australia 1. The bigger the hat, the smaller the farm. 2. The shorter the nickname, the more they like you.

3. There is no food that cannot be improved by the application of tomato sauce. 4. If the guy next to you is drinking and swearing like a wharfie, he's probably a media billionaire. Or, on the other hand, he may be a wharfie. 5. On the beach, all Australians hide their keys and wallets by placing them inside their sandshoes. No thief has ever worked this out. 6. All our best heroes are losers. 7. The alpha male in any group is he who takes the barbecue tongs from the hands of the host and blithely begins turning the snags.

Twitter: Peter_Fitz They said it "America is deeply fractured. Nearly half of Clinton supporters don't know anyone backing Trump; nearly three-quarters of Trump backers know no or only a few Clinton backers." The Washington Post. "When we're talking about this issue, this is sexual assault. So we're accusing a man of sexual assault here. And I'm not going to debate who's telling the truth. But it is a 'she said, he said' situation."

Renee Ellmers, North Carolina Republican. "Just to correct you, I'm sorry  it's a 'he said, she said, she said, she said, she said, she said, she said, she said, she said' situation." Jake Tapper, chief Washington correspondent for CNN, in reply. "I'd advise Mr Trump to stop whining and go try make his case to get some votes." President Barack Obama's advice.

"Would you just like to be pompous for the whole day, or only for this question?" Senator Penny Wong to Senator George Brandis after he tried to correct her on a minor point. "The government of Australia's 'processing' of refugees and asylum-seekers on Nauru is a deliberate and systematic regime of neglect and cruelty, and amounts to torture under international law." From the Amnesty International report Island of Despair. "It's a 50-50 argument. I could go either way."

Senator David Leyonhjelm saying he'd vote for the government's industrial relations bill if the government offered him a deal over gun control. "You don't get to horse trade on matters of principle in the Parliament of Australia." Shadow Employment Minister Brendan O'Connor about Malcolm Turnbull doing deals with Senator Leyonhjelm. "Our tech critic says it's relatively mediocre, but at least it won't burst into flames." The New York Times reviews Google's first smartphone, the Pixel. Ouch.
Pamela Thomas was 51 when she was diagnosed with a deadly "one in a million" neurological disease, and told she had only weeks to live.

Her daughter Nicolle Ward nursed her "beautiful mum Pammy" for six weeks and three days, until she died in 2000.

Nicolle Ward with a picture of her mother Pamela Thomas, who died from Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in 2000. Credit:Justin McManus.

Nicolle, her family and friends created "Team Pammy" three years ago for The Sunday Age City2Sea, to bring her mother's fatal brain disease  Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease  out of the shadows.

"She was healthy as you or I, but then she began to lose her balance and her vision became blurred," Nicolle said.
It's something that hundreds of cyclists do every day.

Most of the time, it goes unnoticed.

But seasoned cyclist Laurie Duncan was shocked when he was slapped with a $152 fine for passing on the left of an unmoving car in Melbourne's CBD.

Mr Duncan, 65, said the car was stationary at the corner of Swanston Street and Flinders Lane.
By PTI: New Delhi, Oct 22 (PTI) There is a need to have a "second look" into the Arbitration and Conciliation Act to give it some flexibility and having provisions to monitor the performance of the arbitrator, former Chief Justice of India R C Lahoti said today.

"Some flexibility has to be there. We need to have a second look at the provisions of the Act and we must have some Indian version of this world class act," Lahoti said at a conference here on strengthening arbitration and enforcement in India.

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He said the performance of an arbitrator also needed to be monitored and if it is found that the performance or conduct is not upto the mark, the person should not be appointed as an arbitrator in future.

"There is a need for training at the stage of empanelment and look into the performance of an arbitrator," Lahoti said making a series of suggestions on the issue.

Speaking at the event, Tripura Governor Tathagata Roy said it was "regrettable that some times arbitrators are not quipped with necessary expertise" in field experience to deal with matters.

"It is important and I think the Act should have provided that at least one member of the arbitral panel should have expertise in field experience," he said.

Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi said to reform the arbitration process in India, "all elements of arbitration, be it good, bad or ugly, have to be in a harmony to make it a successful law".

He pointed out two problems -- lack of uniform approach and non-development of dedicated arbitration bar -- in the arbitration process here.

"In India, we have been obsessed with judge-centric arbitration process. In almost all matters, judges are appointed as arbitrators. In one way it is good also that we have faith in judges," Singhvi said.

He agreed with the view of Justice Lahoti that arbitration centres should be developed here.

"We need to develop arbitration centres. Infrastructure is there for the past 20 years but it is a ghost infrastructure. Operational reality is necessary," he said at the conference National initiative towards strengthening arbitration and enforcement in India. PTI SKV ABA RKS ARC

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Duke Energy Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an energy company in the United States. It operates through three segments: Electric Utilities and Infrastructure, Gas Utilities and Infrastructure, and Commercial Renewables. The Electric Utilities and Infrastructure segment generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electricity in the Carolinas, Florida, and the Midwest; and uses coal, hydroelectric, natural gas, oil, renewable generation, and nuclear fuel to generate electricity. It also engages in the wholesale of electricity to municipalities, electric cooperative utilities, and load-serving entities. This segment serves approximately 8.2 million customers in 6 states in the Southeast and Midwest regions of the United States covering a service territory of approximately 91,000 square miles; and owns approximately 50,259 megawatts (MW) of generation capacity. The Gas Utilities and Infrastructure segment distributes natural gas to residential, commercial, industrial, and power generation natural gas customers; and owns, operates, and invests in pipeline transmission and natural gas storage facilities. It has approximately 1.6 million customers, including 1.1 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee, as well as 550,000 customers in southwestern Ohio and northern Kentucky. The Commercial Renewables segment acquires, owns, develops, builds, and operates wind and solar renewable generation projects, including nonregulated renewable energy and energy storage services to utilities, electric cooperatives, municipalities, and corporate customers. It has 23 wind, 178 solar, and 2 battery storage facilities, as well as 71 fuel cell locations with a capacity of 3,554 MW across 22 states. The company was formerly known as Duke Energy Holding Corp. and changed its name to Duke Energy Corporation in April 2005. The company was founded in 1904 and is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina.
By PTI: From Shirish B Pradhan

Kathmandu, Oct 23 (PTI) An impeachment motion was today tabled in the Nepalese parliament against the chief of the countrys anti-corruption commission, four days after he was suspended amid accusations by lawmakers that he abused his position.

The discussion on the motion against Lokman Singh Karki was expected to begin on Tuesday.

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Karki headed the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) since 2013. But his installation remained controversial from the beginning as he had himself been the subject of graft inquiries, although he was never convicted.

In a meeting of House, Speaker Onsari Gharti Magar said the discussion on the motion would commence on Tuesday. After the deliberations in the House, the impeachment motion would be sent to the Impeachment Recommendation Committee (IRC).

As per the constitutional provision, the House would then put the motion to vote if IRC recommended further proceedings.

The impeachment motion against Karki was registered by 157 lawmakers from the main opposition CPN-UML and the ruling CPN (Maoist Centre) of Prime Minister Prachanda on Wednesday.

A parliamentary party meeting of CPN (Maoist Centre) today made the decision to this effect and its leader Agni Sapkota said party chairman Prachanda urged for a logical conclusion of the issue.

Nepali Congress, the largest party in the parliament, is yet to come up with its official position on the motion. The party would give its decision regarding the motion on Monday, according to the party sources.

Meanwhile, the acting chief CIAA Deep Basnyat said the constitutional body would not deviate from its duty. He said the commission would accept parliaments decision over the impeachment motion registered against Karki.

"The acting chief said there would not be any deviation in the effectiveness of its performance regarding the constitutional responsibilities due to a specific incident," CIAA spokesperson Ganesh Raj Karki said in a statement.

The motion states that Karki "seriously violated the constitution and laws and has not sincerely performed the duties of his position", reports said.

According to the motion, Karki used his role in the CIAA to put pressure on the national medical council to help a private medical college owned by his relatives, they said.

The commission has denied the allegations.

Corruption is rife in Nepal. Watchdog Transparency Internationals global corruption perception index ranked Nepal 130th out of 168 countries. PTI SBP ABH AKJ ABH

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Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, and markets biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers products for hematology, oncology, cardiovascular, immunology, fibrotic, neuroscience, and covid-19 diseases. The company's products include Revlimid, an oral immunomodulatory drug for the treatment of multiple myeloma; Eliquis, an oral inhibitor for reduction in risk of stroke/systemic embolism in NVAF, and for the treatment of DVT/PE; Opdivo for anti-cancer indications; Pomalyst/Imnovid indicated for patients with multiple myeloma; and Orencia for adult patients with active RA and psoriatic arthritis. It also provides Sprycel for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia; Yervoy for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma; Abraxane, a protein-bound chemotherapy product; Reblozyl for the treatment of anemia in adult patients with beta thalassemia; and Empliciti for the treatment of multiple myeloma. In addition, the company offers Zeposia to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis; Breyanzi, a CD19-directed genetically modified autologous T cell immunotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma; Inrebic, an oral kinase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of adult patients with myelofibrosis; and Onureg for the treatment of adult patients with AML. It sells products to wholesalers, distributors, pharmacies, retailers, hospitals, clinics, and government agencies. The company was formerly known as Bristol-Myers Company. The company was founded in 1887 and is headquartered in New York, New York.
Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the electric utility, banking, and renewable/sustainable infrastructure investment businesses in the state of Hawaii. It operates in three segments: Electric Utility, Bank, and Other. The Electric Utility segment engages in the production, purchase, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity in the islands of Oahu, Hawaii, Maui, Lanai, and Molokai. Its renewable energy sources and potential sources include wind, solar, photovoltaic, geothermal, wave, hydroelectric, municipal waste, and other biofuels. This segment serves suburban communities, resorts, the United States armed forces installations, and agricultural operations. The Bank segment operates a community bank that offers banking and other financial services to consumers and businesses, including savings and checking accounts; and loans comprising residential and commercial real estate, residential mortgage, construction and development, multifamily residential and commercial real estate, consumer, and commercial loans. This segment operates 42 branches, including 29 branches in Oahu, 6 branches in Maui, 4 branches in Hawaii, 2 branches in Kauai, and 1 branch in Molokai. The Other segment invests in non-regulated renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure in the State of Hawaii. Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc. was incorporated in 1891 and is headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaii.
The following companies are subsidiares of Illinois Tool Works: A V Co 1 Limited, A V Co 2 Limited, A V Co 3 Limited, ACCU-LUBE Manufacturing GmbH - Schmiermittel und -gerate -, AIP/BI Holdings Inc., Accessories Marketing Holding Corp., Advanced Molding Company Inc., Allen France SAS, Alpine Engineered Products, Alpine Systems Corporation, Anaerobicos S.r.l., AppliChem GmbH, Avery Berkel France, Avery India Limited, Avery Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Avery Weigh Tronix, Avery Weigh-Tronix Finance Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix International Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix LLC, Avery Weigh-Tronix Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix Properties Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix Suzhou Weighing Technology Co. Ltd., Azon Limited, B.C. Immo, Beijing Miller Electric Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Berkel Ireland Limited, Berrington UK, Brapenta Eletronica Ltda., Brooks Instrument B.V., Brooks Instrument GmbH, Brooks Instrument KFT, Brooks Instrument Korea Ltd., Brooks Instrument LLC, Brooks Instrument Shanghai Co. Ltd, Buell Industries Inc., CCI Realty Company, CFC Europe GmbH, CS Australia Pty Limited, CS Mexico Holding Company S DE RL DE CV, Calvia Spolka z Ograniczona Odpowiedzialnosci, Capital Ventures Australasia S.a r.l, Capmax Logistica S.A. de C.V., Celeste Industries Corporation, Coeur, Coeur Asia Limited, Coeur Holding Company, Coeur Inc., Coeur Shanghai Medical Appliance Trading Co. Ltd, Compagnie Hobart, Compagnie de Materiel et d'Equipements Techniques-Comet, Constructions Isothermiques Bontami C.I.B., Crane Carrier Company, Denison Mayes Group Limited, Despatch Industries, Diagraph Corporation Sdn. Bhd, Diagraph ITW Mexico S. de R.L. De C.V., Diagraph Mexico S.A. DE C.V., Dongguan Ark-Les Electric Components Co. Ltd., Dongguan CK Branding Co. Ltd., Duo Fast de Espana S.A.U., Duo-Fast Korea Co. Ltd., Duo-Fast LLC, E.C.S. d.o.o., E2M Production B.V.., E2M Technologies B.V.., E2M Technologies Inc.., ECS Cable Protection Sp. Zoo, ELRO Grosskuchen GmbH, ELRO Holding AG, ELRO-WERKE AG, Elro Group, Eltex-Elektrostatik-Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Envases Multipac S.A. de C.V., Eurotec Srl, Exhibit 21, FEG Investments L.L.C., Filtertek De Mexico Holding Inc., Filtertek De Mexico S.A. de C.V., Filtertek SAS, GC Financement SA, Gamko B.V., Gun Hwa Platech Taicang Co. Ltd., HOBART Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Hartness International, Hobart Andina S.A.S., Hobart Belgium B.V., Hobart Brothers International Chile Limitada, Hobart Brothers LLC, Hobart Dayton Mexicana S. de R.L. de C.V., Hobart Food Equipment Co. Ltd., Hobart International Singapore Pte. Ltd., Hobart Japan K.K., Hobart Korea LLC, Hobart LLC, Hobart Nederland B.V., Hobart Sales & Service Inc., Hobart Scandinavia ApS, Hobart Techniek B.V., Horis, ILC Investments Holdings Inc., ITW AEP LLC, ITW AOC LLC, ITW Aircraft Investments Inc., ITW Ampang Industries Philippines Inc., ITW Appliance Components EOOD, ITW Appliance Components S.A. de C.V., ITW Appliance Components S.r.l.a, ITW Appliance Components d.o.o., ITW Australia Holdings Pty Ltd, ITW Australia Property Holdings Pty Ltd., ITW Australia Pty Ltd, ITW Automotive Components Chongqing Co. Ltd., ITW Automotive Components Langfang Co. Ltd., ITW Automotive Japan K.K., ITW Automotive Korea LLC, ITW Automotive Parts Shanghai Co. Ltd, ITW Automotive Products GmbH, ITW Automotive Products Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Bailly Comte, ITW Befestigungssysteme GmbH, ITW Belgium B.V., ITW Brazilian Nominee L.L.C., ITW Building Components Group Inc., ITW CER, ITW CP Distribution Center Holland BV, ITW CS UK Ltd., ITW Canada Inc., ITW Celeste Inc., ITW Chemical Products Ltda, ITW Chemical Products Scandinavia ApS, ITW China Investment Company Limited, ITW Colombia S.A.S., ITW Construction Products AB, ITW Construction Products AS, ITW Construction Products ApS, ITW Construction Products CZ s.r.o., ITW Construction Products Italy Srl, ITW Construction Products OU, ITW Construction Products OY, ITW Construction Products Shanghai Co. Ltd., ITW Construction Products Singapore Pte. Ltd., ITW Construction Services Manila Inc., ITW Contamination Control B.V., ITW Contamination Control Wujiang Co. Ltd., ITW Covid Security Group Inc., ITW DS Investments Inc., ITW DelFast do Brasil Ltda., ITW Denmark ApS, ITW Deutschland GmbH, ITW Diagraph GmbH, ITW Dynatec, ITW Dynatec Adhesive Equipment Suzhou Co. Ltd., ITW Dynatec GmbH, ITW Dynatec Kabushiki Kaisha, ITW EAE B.V., ITW EAE Mexico S de RL de CV, ITW EF&C France SAS, ITW EF&C Selb GmbH, ITW EU Holdings Ltd., ITW Electronic Business Asia Co. Limited, ITW Electronic Components/Products Shanghai Co. Ltd., ITW Electronics Suzhou Co. Ltd., ITW Epsilon Sarl, ITW Espana S.L., ITW European Finance Co. Ltd., ITW European Finance II Co. Ltd., ITW European Finance III Co. Ltd., ITW FEG Hong Kong Limited, ITW FEG do Brasil Industria e Comercio Ltda., ITW Fastener Products GmbH, ITW Fluids and Hygiene Solutions Ltda., ITW Food Equipment Group LLC, ITW GH LLC, ITW GSE ApS, ITW GSE Inc., ITW Gamma Sarl, ITW German Management LLC, ITW Global Investments Holdings LLC, ITW Global Investments Holdings Y Compania Sociedad en Comandita por Acciones, ITW Global Investments Inc., ITW Global Tire Repair Europe GmbH, ITW Global Tire Repair Inc., ITW Global Tire Repair Japan K.K., ITW Graphics Asia Limited, ITW Graphics Thailand Ltd., ITW Great Britain Investment & Licensing Holding Company, ITW Group France Luxembourg S.ar.l., ITW HLP Thailand Co. Ltd., ITW Holding Quimica B.C. S.L. Sole Shareholder Company, ITW Holdings Australia L.P., ITW Holdings I Limited, ITW Holdings II Limited, ITW Holdings III Limited, ITW Holdings IV Limited, ITW Holdings IX Limited, ITW Holdings Inc., ITW Holdings V Limited, ITW Holdings VI Limited, ITW Holdings VII Limited, ITW Holdings VIII Limited, ITW Holdings X Limited, ITW Holdings XI Limited, ITW ILC Holdings I Inc., ITW IPG Investments LLC, ITW Imaden Industria e Comercio Ltda., ITW India Private Limited, ITW International Holdings LLC, ITW Invest Holding GmbH, ITW Ireland Holdings Unlimited Company, ITW Ireland Unlimited Company, ITW Italy Holding Srl, ITW Japan Ltd., ITW Korea LLC, ITW LLC & Co. KG, ITW Limited, ITW Lys Fusion S.r.l., ITW Materials Technology Shanghai Co. Ltd., ITW Meritex Sdn. Bhd., ITW Metal Fasteners S.L., ITW Mexico Holding Company S. De R.L. de C.V., ITW Mexico Holdings LLC, ITW Morlock GmbH, ITW Mortgage Investments II Inc., ITW Mortgage Investments III Inc., ITW Mortgage Investments IV Inc., ITW Netherlands Administration BV, ITW Netherlands Beta B.V., ITW Netherlands Finance Alpha BV, ITW New Universal LLC, ITW New Zealand, ITW Ningbo Components & Fastenings Systems Co. Ltd., ITW Novadan Sp. Z.o.o., ITW PPF Brasil Adesivos Ltda., ITW Packaging Technology China Co. Ltd., ITW Participations S.a r.l., ITW Pension Funds Trustee Company, ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids Japan Co. Ltd., ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids Korea Limited, ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids OOO, ITW Performance Polymers ApS, ITW Performance Polymers Wujiang Co. Ltd., ITW Performance Polymers and Fluids Group FZE, ITW Peru S.A.C., ITW Poly Mex S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Polymers Sealants North America Inc., ITW Pronovia s.r.o., ITW Pte. Ltd., ITW Qufu Automotive Cooling Systems Co. Ltd., ITW Real Estate Germany GmbH, ITW Residuals III L.L.C., ITW Residuals IV L.L.C., ITW Rivex, ITW SMPI, ITW SPG Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Simco-Ion Shenzhen Co. Ltd., ITW Slovakia s.r.o., ITW Spain Holdings S.L., ITW Specialty Film LLC, ITW Specialty Films France, ITW Specialty Materials Suzhou Co. Ltd., ITW Sverige AB, ITW Sweden Holding AB, ITW Test & Measurement Equipment Shanghai Co. Ltd, ITW Test & Measurement GmbH, ITW Test and Measurement Italia Srl, ITW Test and Measurement Services Industry and Trade Ltd., ITW Texwipe Philippines Inc., ITW Thermal Films Shanghai Co. Ltd., ITW UK, ITW UK Finance Beta Limited, ITW UK Finance Delta Limited, ITW UK Finance Gamma Limited, ITW UK Finance Limited, ITW UK Finance Zeta Ltd., ITW UK II Limited, ITW Universal II LLC, ITW Welding, ITW Welding AB, ITW Welding GmbH, ITW Welding Products B.V., ITW Welding Products Group FZE, ITW Welding Products Group S. DE R.L. De C.V., ITW Welding Products Italy Srl, ITW Welding Products Limited Liability Company, ITW Welding Produtos Para Solgdagem Ltda., ITW Welding Singapore Pte. Ltd., ITW de France, ITW do Brasil Industrial e Comercial Ltda., Illinois Tool Works Chile Limitada, Illinois Tool Works ITW Nederland B.V., Illinois Tool Works Inc., Impar Comercio E Representacoes Ltda., Industrie Plastic Elsasser GmbH, Inmobiliaria Cit. S.A. de C.F., Innova Temperlite Servicios S.A. de C.V., Innovacion y Transformacion Automotriz S.A. de C.V., Instron Brasil Equipamentos Cientificos Ltda., Instron Foreign Sales Corp. Limited, Instron France S.A.S., Instron GmbH, Instron Japan Company Ltd., Instron Korea LLC, Instron Shanghai Ltd., Instron Thailand Limited, International Leasing Company LLC, Isolenge - ITW Sistemas de Isolamento Termico Ltda., Itw Spraytec, KCPL Mauritius Holdings, Kester, Kleinmann GmbH, Krafft S.L., Loma Systems, Loma Systems BV, Loma Systems Canada Inc., Loma Systems sro, Lombard Pressings Limited, Lumex Inc., Lys Fusion Poland Sp. z.o.o., M&C Specialties Co., MAGNAFLUX GmbH, MEHB Holdings Limited, MGHG Property LLC, MTS 2 LLC., MTS 3 LLC., MTS China Holdings LLC, MTS Europe Holdings LLC, MTS Holdings France S.a.r.l., MTS Japan Ltd.., MTS Korea Inc.., MTS Systems China Co. Ltd., MTS Systems Corporation, MTS Systems Danmark ApS., MTS Systems Europe B.V., MTS Systems Finance C.V.., MTS Systems Germany GmbH, MTS Systems Holding B.V.., MTS Systems Hong Kong Incorporated, MTS Systems Limited, MTS Systems Norden Aktiebolag, MTS Systems S.r.l, MTS Systems., MTS Systems.., MTS Sytems Do Brazil, MTS Testing Solutions India Private Limited., MTS Testing Systems Canada Ltd., Manufacturing Avancee S.A., Meritex Technology Suzhou Co. Ltd., Meurer Verpackungssysteme GmbH, Miller Electric Mfg. LLC, Miller Insurance Ltd., NDT Holding LLC, NOVADAN APS, North Star Imaging Inc., Nova Chimica S.r.l., Orbitalum Tools GmbH, PENTA-91 OOO, PR. A. I. Srl, PT ITW Construction Products Indonesia, Pacific Concept Industries Limited Enping, Panreac Quimica S.L., Paslode Fasteners Shanghai Co. Ltd., Peerless Machinery Corp., Polyrey, Premark FEG L.L.C., Premark HII Holdings LLC, Premark International, Premark International LLC, Prolex Sociedad Anonima, QSA Global Inc., Quimica Industrial Mediterranea S.L., R&D Engineering A/S., R&D Prague s.r.o., R&D Steel ApS., R&D Test Systems A/S., R&D Tools and Structures A/S., RDGDK Engineering Private Limited, Ramset Fasteners Hong Kong Ltd., Rapid Cook LLC, Refrigeration France, S.E.E. Sistemas Industria E Comercio Ltda., ST Mexico Holdings LLC, Sealant Systems International Inc., Sentinel Asia Yuhan Hoesa, Shanghai ITW Plastic & Metal Co. Ltd, Simco Japan Inc., Simco Nederland B.V., Societe de Prospection et dInventions Techniques  SPIT, Speedline Holdings I Inc., Speedline Holdings I LLC, Speedline Technologies GmbH, Speedline Technologies Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Speedline Technologies Mexico Services S. de R.L. de C.V., Stokvis Celix Portugal Unipessoal LDA, Stokvis Danmark ApS, Stokvis Holdings S.A.R.L., Stokvis Promi s.r.o, Stokvis Prostick Tapes Private Limited, Stokvis Tapes B.V., Stokvis Tapes Benelux B.V., Stokvis Tapes Deutschland GmbH, Stokvis Tapes France, Stokvis Tapes Hong Kong Co. Limited, Stokvis Tapes Italia s.r.l., Stokvis Tapes Limited, Stokvis Tapes Limited Liability Company, Stokvis Tapes Norge AS, Stokvis Tapes Oy, Stokvis Tapes Polska Sp Z.O.O., Stokvis Tapes Shanghai Co. Ltd., Stokvis Tapes Sverige AB, Stokvis Tapes Taiwan Co. Ltd., Stokvis Tapes Tianjin Co. Ltd., Stolvis Holdings II S.A.R.L., Subsidiaries, Technopack Industria Comercio Consultoria e Representacoes Ltda., Teknek China Limited, Teknek Japan Limited, Teksaleco Ltd., The Miller Group Ltd, Thirode Grandes Cuisines Poligny, Tien Tai Electrode Co. Ltd., Tien Tai Electrode Kunshan Co. Ltd., Unichemicals Industria e Comercio Ltda., VR-Leasing Sarita GmbH & Co. Immobilien KG, VS European Holdco BV, Valeron Strength Films B.V., Veneta Decalcogomme S.r.l., Versachem Chile S.A., Vesta, Vesta Global Limited, Vesta Guangzhou Catering Equipment Co. Ltd, Viltronics Soltec, Vitronics Soltec B.V., Wachs Canada Ltd., Wachs Subsea LLC, Weigh-Tronix Canada ULC, Weigh-Tronix UK Limited, Wilsonart International Holdings LLC, Wynn Oil South Africa Pty Ltd., Wynn's Automotive France, Wynn's Belgium BVBA, Wynn's Italia Srl, Wynn's Mekuba India Pvt Ltd, and Zip-Pak International B.V..

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By Javed Anwer: The Pakistan government is seeking ban on the India Today website within the country and has asked local internet service providers (ISPs) and services that distribute Indian content on web to block indiatoday.intoday.in. This comes just weeks after Pakistan tried to give out the impression that it cares for freedom of press and free speech after it withdrew a similar attempt to block the India Today site, just a day after the website had become inaccessible to majority of web users in the country.

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The earlier ban, likely triggered by the India Today cover photo of Pakistan chief of army staff Raheel Sharif, came after a plea against the magazine was filed in a local court. But the current attempts to ban the Indian Today website seem more systematic with the Pakistan Telecom Authority, which is the nodal agency for blocking of websites in the country, spearheading the initiative.

For the last few months, and in the same manner the publication has done for years, India Today is highlighting the hypocrisy and double-talk of Pakistan when it comes to terrorism. Although it is not clear what led to the latest attempts by Pakistan to ban our website, it is possible that the government and Pakistan army, which doesn't like any criticism, is angry with India Today's latest cover on country.

Unlike in India, where the web traffic flows through several gateways, in Pakistan it is easier to block websites using block lists because almost all ISPs use Pakistan Internet Exchange. This makes it easier to filter websites using a blocked list. Freedom House, which publishes an annual report on the state of web censorship, has consistently labelled Pakistan as "Not Free". The Pakistan government also often asks web service providers like Google's YouTube or Amazon and CloudFlare, which run the content delivery networks, to restrict content or websites in the country.

Although earlier web service providers used to ignore or resist such demands, of late they have started complying with the local laws. While (in most cases) they don't stop serving the content, they do ensure that this content doesn't flow through their local - in this case Pakistani - servers and centres. A person familiar with the process said content delivery network providers, when they get a legitimate request from a government to block something, implement a custom map with the country requesting block removed from it. In case of India Today, the Pakistani users will still be able to access the site but content for that will be delivered using servers located outside Pakistan.

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While Pakistan does better at blocking websites than India - the government here too tries to block content in a non-transparent manner - it lacks the sort of web blocking capabilities that its friend China has built. So even if Pakistan blocks the indiatoday.intoday.in, tech savvy web users will still able to access the website using:

-- Proxy servers, because they change the location of the IP address a user from something based in Pakistan to an IP that is located outside.

-- VPN: This creates a virtual private tunnel between a proxy server and the user. It is secure and private and in most cases can be easily used to bypass website blocking. Nowadays, Opera browser has an inbuilt VPN.

-- Tor browsers: These will do the same thing that proxy servers do but in a multi-layered way. Firefox has an easy-to-use Tor bundle, although speed while browsing the web is slow.



--- ENDS ---
Graves County Sheriff identifies and is looking for truck theft suspects
By WestKyStar & Shawnee College Staff Oct. 20, 2016 | 06:25 PM | ULLIN, ILLINOIS

Harvest Owl Painting Class

October 26th, 5 - 7 pm

SCC Anna Extension Center

This beginning painting class will cover the basic steps of creating a paint palette, mixing, and working with mixed media and acrylic paints. Prepare your canvas and learn a variety of drawing techniques. All participants will leave with their very own ready-to-hang canvas. The class fee is $10 to be paid directly to the instructor, Sandra Montgomery. The limit is 10 participants.





Food Plot 101

October 27th, 6 - 8 pm

SCC Anna Extension Center

A food plot is a planted area set aside to act as a food source for wildlife. Food plots provide high nutritional value resulting in a diversity of animals thriving near the food source. Whether you are a hunter or wildlife photographer, participants will learn the benefits of food plots. The class fee is $10 and will be taught by SCC Agricultural Instructor, Ed Billingsley.





Registration is required one week prior to class date. Community education courses offered in November and December will be announced shortly.



Visit SCC online at www.shawneecc.edu to view all classes available for this fall semester.



For additional information or to register, please contact Stacy Simpson at 618-634-3266 or stacys@shawneecc.edu.



Shawnee Community College has released the Community Education Courses for the month of October. Classes are available at the SCC Anna Extension Center.
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By Jim Waters

Oct. 23, 2016 | LEXINGTON, KY

By Jim Waters Oct. 23, 2016 | 12:11 PM | LEXINGTON, KY

A recent S&P Global Ratings survey declares that the commonwealth where Lincoln was born now has the nation's worst pension crisis, a distinction previously held by neighboring Illinois, known as the Land of Lincoln.



The only ones who can ultimately apply the prescription needed to fix what S&P describes as a $31.2 billion shortfall will be the 138 members of the Kentucky General Assembly, which makes addressing the pension deficit the numero uno issue in the current political campaign.



Using S&P's numbers, eliminating the pension deficit today would require $7,349 dollars from the piggy banks of every single one of the 4.3 million men, women and children in Kentucky.



Yet while it's the greatest threat to Kentucky's economic vitality and jeopardizes funding of every other government program  as well as casting doubt on the availability of future retirement benefits themselves  most Kentuckians don't know much about the public-pension plans.



While current ongoing audits should reveal important information about how the Kentucky Employees' Retirement System  the largest of those plans  arrived at the point of near-insolvency, which should lead to ideas about possible solutions, more of the commonwealth's elected officials need a stronger level of commitment to transparency.



This government that Lincoln reminded is of, by and for the people cannot conduct its business behind a cloak of secrecy while entrenched in a culture that denies those very citizens access to information needed to hold their representatives accountable.



The consequences of creating such a culture includes quiet passage of several bills in recent decades allowing politicians to pad their costly pensions and ensure the healthiness of their own retirement system while revealing even less about personal benefits than state workers and teachers offer regarding the plans in which they are enrolled.



Some politicians have hypocritically called for even greater transparency from those other systems.



Unfortunately, too many of these calls have been about reaping political benefits from talking transparency rather than a rock-solid commitment to changing Frankfort's culture of secrecy.



Fortunately, an increasing number of state legislators and a healthy segment of candidates running for office this year are demonstrating genuine support for changing that culture by signing the Bluegrass Institute's pledge to support making the part-time politicians' pension system transparent.



This narrowly focused 67-word statement vows support for allowing access to the "name, status and projected actual retirement benefits and benefit payments" current lawmakers will get and their retired representatives already receive.



Knowing that transparency is not only sound policy but also politically popular, some incumbents agreed to sign the pledge when pressured by opposing candidates yet have failed to follow through.



For instance, Rep. Jeff Taylor, D-Hopkinsville, promised to sign when challenged by his Republican political opponent Walker Thomas  one of the 70 pledge-signers  but hasn't done so.



However, the pledge is more than just about good politics or the right vote on specific bills.



It's about making transparency Frankfort's default position so that Kentucky's tallest Goliaths  including its pension crisis  can be brought down.



House State Government Committee chairman Brent Yonts, D-Greenville, returned his unsigned pledge with a note claiming support for revealing current legislators' benefits but not for "making a pledge of my vote to issues until I see the issue presented in a bill which I read."



Again, the pledge isn't just about voting a certain way. It's about policymakers agreeing to lead in changing the current environment of state government from one of secrecy to openness and giving citizens a tool to hold them accountable.



If, as Scripture states, "the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God," then making decision-makers' benefits available represents the first pull of Kentucky's pension blinds, which have been closed for far too long.



Jim Waters is president of the Bluegrass Institute; Kentucky's free-market think tank. Reach him at jwaters@freedomkentucky.com. Read previously published columns at www.bipps.org.
Nalini, one of the seven convicted for assassinating Rajiv Gandhi, has written to NCW requesting release from prison.

This is Nalini's second letter to NCW in the past two months. (Photo: PTI)

By Pramod Madhav: Nalini Sriharan, convicted for the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi has written to National Commission for Women requesting her release from prison.

In a letter written to NCW chairperson yesterday, Nalini has said that she has spent 25 years in prison watching other women being released on special occasions.

READ| Rajiv Gandhi assassination case: Madras High Court rejects fresh plea to be set free by Nalini



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"No day passes without tears. I have almost become depressed. My only longing is whether I would be able to see my day who is abroad and whether I would be able to arrange her marriage in my lifetime," wrote Nalini.

THE ON-GOING LEGAL BATTLE



Nalini, one of the seven convicted for assassinating Rajiv Gandhi, has noted that she is eligible for release under various schemes in Tamil Nadu but all her hopes for release from prison have vanquished.

The Supreme Court commuted the death sentence to the seven convicts including Nalini Sriharan and instead sentenced them to life imprisonment in 2014.

Rajiv Gandhi assassination: Planned, precise, pulverising

READ| Diary of an assassin

Since then, an unending legal battle has pursued. Though Tamil Nadu government under Jayalalithaa is willing to release them, it requires Centre's nod to go ahead.

This is Nalini Sriharan's second letter to NCW in the past two months.

Nalini Sriharan is the longest serving women prisoner in India, locked in for 25 years.

READ| Nalini moves HC for 3 days leave to attend father's rites

--- ENDS ---
Joe Mourinhos return to Stamford Bridge as an opposition manager ended in humiliation for the former Chelsea boss, with his Manchester United team humbled by their hosts courtesy of a 4-0 battering.

Not surprisingly, the result piqued the interest of Einsteins throughout the world of social media, with one of Mourinhos former players, Icelandic attacker Eidur Gudjohnsen, posting a cheeky Tweet.

The afternoon got off to the worst possible start for Manchester United, with Pedro scoring within the first minute after making the most of some shoddy defending.

Gary Cahill put the hosts 2-0 up on 21 minutes as the Red Devils backline once again failed to impress.

In the second period, Eden Hazard and then NGolo Kante added two more as the visitors capitulated on an embarrassing afternoon for Mourinho and co.

After the game, the 38-year-old Gudjohnsen, who was a two-time Premier League winner under Mourinho at Chelsea, trolled the Blues with this cheeky Tweet

Jose still knows how to get the best out of @ChelseaFC #CHEMUN  Eidur Gudjohnsen (@Eidur22Official) October 23, 2016

Despite the major squad reinforcements this summer. United still look some way off being a credible title-challenging side, with the pressure sure to mount on Mourinho if his squad continue to underwhelm.

As for Antonio Conte and his Chelsea side, after defeats against Arsenal and Liverpool this season, they can revel in a big game victory which moves them up to fourth, just one point behind leaders Man City.
FESPA Asia 2017 is set to be the ASEAN region's largest and most comprehensive event for digital wide format, screen and textile printing in 2017. The ASEAN countries include Brunei Darussalam, Myanmar/Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and does not include China.



The exhibition, which takes place at the BITEC exhibition centre, Bangkok, Thailand from 15 to 17 February 2017, will feature more than 100 exhibiting companies, with many leading international brands already confirmed to participate, including dgen, EFI Reggiani, HP, KIP, Kornit Digital, Mimaki, Roland and Zund. To date 75% of the currently contracted space is taken by international technology and consumables brands.

FESPA's activity in Asia is actively championed by nine National Associations, in Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Republic of Korea, Japan, China, Philippines and Australia, who support a combined membership of more than 2,000 print service providers. The Associations made a strong case for FESPA to deliver a pan-Asian event, to meet escalating demand from the region's community of printers and signmakers who have been asking for a focused, major event of international calibre. Mustafa Kapadia, President of Indian Association, SPAI, comments: "By reinvesting in the print community and building demand for print, FESPA Asia is showing exemplary commitment to our local print industry. We believe that the exhibition will create and offer new initiatives for print suppliers and buyers across Asia."

Veerasamy Kumaran, President of the Sri Lankan Association (SLAP) adds: "FESPA Asia 2017 will serve as the platform for Asian printers to be empowered with the technological know-how and skills to elevate their businesses and enhance the processes enabling them to reach the global print community."

Bill Porteous of Australian Association SGIAA notes: "Consider the possibilities of knowing what is going on in your immediate market sector, of looking at products and services that have not reached your country yet, of networking with like-minded peers in a not so distant market. And, consider the possibilities of the likely expansion of your market. This is what FESPA Asia will offer in Bangkok."

FESPA Asia is also working closely with FESPA's local association, TSGA, and has the committed support of the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) to optimise the experience for exhibitors and visitors, as well as Bangkok-based AES Ltd (Asian Exhibition Services).

FESPA Divisional Director Roz McGuinness comments: "We're delighted to have such strong engagement from so many major international companies for FESPA Asia 2017 and such resounding endorsement from the regional associations. What is clear is that, while printers across Asia have access to small, local events, they are looking to FESPA to deliver a stand-out regional event where they can meet the leading international vendors under one roof, network with prominent PSPs from across the region and access high quality educational content that brings together the deepest sector expertise from around the world."

FESPA Asia 2017 will include a free seminar programme featuring notable speakers from Asia and beyond. Seminar sessions are free to attend.

The choice of Bangkok as the host city reflects the city's prominence and accessibility in the region, making FESPA Asia 2017 a logical destination event for printers across the ASEAN region (Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar (Burma) and Vietnam). FESPA Asia 2017 is also expected to attract leading printers from the Indian subcontinent, Australasia and the Middle East.

Bangkok itself has a population of 14 million in its Metropolitan Area, while the AEC (ASEAN Economic Community) represents a combined population of almost 700 million. In 2014, the AEC was collectively the third largest economy in Asia and the seventh largest in the world. Bangkok's status as the region's major hub means that air, road and rail links to the city are excellent, and visitors are well catered for with a vast selection of accommodation to suit all budgets.

Visitors can get free entry to the exhibition by registering to attend via the FESPA Asia 2017 website, quoting reference code: ASAM602.

FESPA Asia 2017

www.fespa-asia.com
By PTI: India

New Delhi, Oct 23 (PTI) Home Minister Rajnath Singh will raise the issue of Pakistans continuous support to cross border terrorism with the top leadership of Bahrain and seek their cooperation in tackling international terrorism during his three-day visit to the Gulf country beginning today.

Singh, who left for Manama today, will meet Bahrain King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Prime Minister Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and Interior Minister Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa and will discuss with them various bilateral issues.

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Pakistans continuous support to cross border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir is expected to be raised by the Home Minister in his meetings with the top leadership of Bahrain.

Singh is also likely to tell them that India cannot take at face any of the assurances that Pakistan provides in regard to stopping terrorism.

In a statement before his departure, Singh said India and Bahrain are working together to further strengthen security and counter terrorism cooperation between the two countries.

The Home Minister said India and Bahrain enjoy excellent bilateral relations characterised by broad-based political, economic and cultural contacts.

There will be extensive discussions on how to enhance bilateral cooperation with regard to tackling international terrorism, organised crime and each others fugitives at the meeting between Singh and his Bahrain counterpart Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, sources said.

Bahrain is a key member of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) in which Pakistan is also a member.

Singh will also address the Indian community in Bahrain during his trip.

On Friday, President of National Security Agency of Bahrain, Sheikh Talal bin Mohammed bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa, had called on the Home Minister here.

Singh then told him that his three-day visit to Bahrain will enhance bilateral ties with the Gulf nation and it grows from strength to strength.

The Home Minister had hoped for an expeditious and successful negotiation of the bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Defence Cooperation which is under active consideration of the Bahraini side.

Referrring to the buildup of ISIS in the West Asia-Gulf region and the rise of religious extremism, the Home Minister said its negative impact on the Muslim population around the world is of serious concern for India too.

On relations with Pakistan, Singh had said since there was no change in Pakistans approach of sponsoring terrorism, "we cannot take at face any of the assurances that Pakistan provides in regard to stopping terrorism". PTI ACB RG

--- ENDS ---

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The people in these photos are of interest to police and may be able to provide investigators with information about the offences. These images are released for identification purposes only. The people pictured may or may not be responsible for the crimes indicated. If you are able to identify anyone pictured, call Winnipeg Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS (204-786-8477), text TIP170 and your message to CRIMES (274637) or send a secure tip online at winnipegcrimestoppers.org.
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 23/10/2016 (2199 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It took Elaine Nystrom years to master her kitchen innovation: how to clean out food from the sink after washing dishes without adding more water.

As you let the water out, if you kind of wash the sides of the sink, it gets the water moving in like a tornado, Nystrom says, making circles in the air with her hand.

It sucks everything down with it as it goes, and then you dont have to use any more water.

Water is what keeps us alive, and we take it for granted, and we use it like theres always going to be a lot of it Elaine Nystrom

Nystrom, 36, used to just turn on the tap again, like other people do, letting the flow of water do the cleaning. But she says she felt bad for wasting water and figured there must be a better technique.

Its not that she thinks Winnipegs water supply is in jeopardy. So why bother?

If we all had that attitude, then wed wreak havoc on the Earth. We each have to take our own responsibility for what we use and what we do, Nystrom says.

No ones really doing that enough.

Shes determined to be proactive.

More than likely, whats going to happen is its going to become an issue, and then well do something about it, because thats what we do with everything, Nystrom says.

After Nestle outbid the Centre Wellington township in Ontario for a well last month, Premier Kathleen Wynne said the province would work to put the communitys needs first, The Canadian Press reported.

To target current issues such as this and to address future ones, the Council of Canadians says the country needs a national water policy. The policy would recognize the human right to water and outline the governments responsibility in protecting that right.

Until (Canadians) experience not having water, I think they continue to take it for granted, says Emma Lui, water campaigner with the Council of Canadians.

Having a national water policy would really, I think, turn peoples mind to how important it is to protect water.

Manitoba has more than 100,000 lakes, the provincial governments website states. Though a lack of water supply doesnt threaten the province yet, Manitoba has its own problems.

There have been 14 boil-water advisories on First Nations in the province this year, 10 of which are ongoing, Health Canada says. Winnipeg gets its water from Shoal Lake 40 First Nation in northwestern Ontario, which has been under a boil-water advisory for nearly 20 years because of a lack of adequate water treatment.

A national water policy would include creating a water-pollution strategy and establishing drinking-water standards.

Health Canada has drinking-water guidelines, but the standards vary between provinces and municipalities, Lui says.

One challenge in implementing a national water policy is getting the government to act. If it does, Lui says it would be important indigenous communities approve the policy.

Its not a matter of ifs, but its a matter of when, she says of an eventual water shortage.

In places where people do have access to water, it can only be a matter of time before they do not.

Lui gives the example of British Columbia, with its vast supply of water. The province has more than 20,000 lakes, according to the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC. Despite this, some communities experienced drought last year. Lui says it was a wake-up call, with people realizing there isnt an endless supply of water.

  

Gordon Goldsborough, a water scientist at the University of Manitoba, uses Lake Winnipeg as an example of what happens when we dont work to actively protect water.

When we go to the lake and we walk along the beach and theres this green scum washing up on shore, were partly responsible for that, Goldsborough says of algae blooms.

Water we use is treated, then goes into rivers, Goldsborough says, eventually making its way to Lake Winnipeg. The more water we use, the more its treated and the more contaminated the lake becomes.

He encourages people to conduct personal water audits, keeping track of how they use water each day. Water audits, available online, show what activities have people using the most water with and where they should reduce their use.

Nystroms kitchen sink innovation saves only millilitres at a time, but she conserves water other ways.

She doesnt fill the sink to the top while washing dishes. She showers only a couple of times a week and collects the shower water to clean out the bathtub.

She flushes the toilet only occasionally. She extends the time between laundry days by washing dirt off clothes as it comes rather than starting a load right away.

Water is what keeps us alive, and we take it for granted, and we use it like theres always going to be a lot of it, Nystrom says.

Theres not always going to be a lot of fresh water, and so we have to learn to live with not a lot of water.

Most people dont notice her water-conservation efforts, Nystrom says, though she notices their lack of effort.

Canada doesnt have to worry because were vast, and we have all these huge bodies of fresh water, she says. But were going to be a country that other countries are going to look at and say, What can we get from them?

I know this seems like doom and gloom, and it probably wont happen in our lifetime, but it will happen, and we have to be responsible for what we leave to the next generation or the generation after that.

Kaitlin Vitt is a senior journalism student in the creative communications program at Red River College. This article was the product of a feature-writing assignment.

@kaitlinvitt
Ever since a 13-year-old Jain girl died of cardiac arrest in the early hours of October 4, there has been an outcry by the media as well as child rights activists. It was assumed that Aradhana Samdariya, a deeply religious teenager who went on a ritual fast for 68 days, was forced or manipulated into fasting. It was even alleged that she fasted to help her father's business grow. The lack of grace by social activists and other liberal voices towards a family grieving the death of their child and the attitude of Jain religious leaders to perceive any interference with the spiritual practices of their community as a violation of the constitutional guarantee of religious freedom, exposes the urgent need for dialogue.

Enforcing laws to protect the well-being of minors and other members of a community must have priority over religious sentiments. Children in particular have to be protected from cultural or parental pressures to undertake religious rituals, or any activity for that matter that is potentially life-threatening. However, we also need to make an effort to understand some practices and beliefs of a community that seem removed from our modern world. Perhaps our secular perceptions are as self-righteous as those of some leading monks who deny outsiders any right to question matters of their community.

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Dr Katharina Poggendorf-Kakar

The current debate around rigorous fasting practices is not new to the Jain community. It was initially triggered in 2006 with the death of Kela Devi Hiravat (93) and Vimla Devi (61), two lay women, both terminally ill, who had chosen to practise sallekhana, a rare and highly respected ritual of fasting oneself to death, celebrated by thousands as the climax of a lived life that is coming to an end. Social activists criticised sallekhana as a cruel practice that had no place in modern society. The controversy around the legality of sallekhana came to a head when two lawyers filed a PIL in the high court of Rajasthan, claiming that sallekhana is a form of suicide, and thus illegal under Indian law. This led to a nationwide debate on euthanasia and bioethics. Jains would emphatically reject the idea of sallekhana being classified as suicide. They argue that a person who takes the vow of sallekhana, thus laying down his or her life intentionally, does not do this out of an emotional condition. If anything, sallekhana is considered to be a rational and conscious act of an advanced soul, while suicide is an outcome of emotional disturbances or unfavourable external circumstances, an act deeply reprehensible to the Jain community. Sallekhana and other fasting practicesare considered spiritual vows to conquer one's body and to surrender attachments.

It has to be remembered that Jainism is a religion of radical asceticism based on the principle of non-violence. It rejects the existence of god, though it does believe in a pluralistic system of souls. Without redemption through a divine power, the ultimate goal of life has to be self-realisation, which can only be achieved through one's own efforts. Here the practice of fasting comes into play. Fasting, together with meditation, is not just an act of 'thinning out' the body but 'thinning out' the passions, strictly speaking the five senses and four passions: anger, deceit, greed and pride.

But why are children encouraged to engage with spiritual matters, which also include fasting? The fostering of a child's self-discipline helps build inner strength, which will make the habit of fasting easier in later life. The readiness to sacrifice is of value and interest to the religious community and also helps produce monastic successors.

Without justifying the attitude of the parents and their community towards the fast 13-year-old Aradhana opted for, we then have to understand their perspective as well. For them, fasting is a core spiritual value linked to the mental state of equanimity. Thus, neither sallekhana nor the tragic and accidental death of the 13-year-old teenager is considered a form of suicide, or that they had abetted it.

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To effectively protect minors from harmful religious activity, the enactment of new laws will not be sufficient. A dialogue with the affected community needs to be fostered, health information on the dangers of prolonged fasting provided, the enforcement of solutions from within the community encouraged. The issue of reconciling core religious beliefs and universal human rights, especially of women and children, is a contentious one in all communities, not only the Jains. Perhaps, as a first step, we should start engaging more open-mindedly with other cultural models of living and dying.

Dr Katharina Poggendorf-Kakar is an anthropologist who works as a visual artist and writer in Goa

--- ENDS ---
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 23/10/2016 (2199 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Julian Assange might be forgiven for feeling paranoid. Shortly after WikiLeaks posted a transcript of a speech delivered by Hillary Clinton to Goldman Sachs, his Internet access at the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, where he has lived since 2012, went down. A few days later, a British bank suspended the bank accounts of RT, the Russian state-backed news outlet that has enthusiastically reported on WikiLeakss recent publications.

Assange immediately claimed shadowy forces were acting against the WikiLeaks founder and accused the U.S. government in a tweet of leaning on Ecuador to shut down his Internet access. Washington immediately denied the claim.

Denying Assange Internet access amounted to something of a slap on the wrist of Ecuadors moody boarder. But it also represents acknowledgement by Quito  Ecuadors capital  a shifting political and economic environment in Ecuador has turned Assange into a serious liability.

FRANK AUGSTEIN / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange holds a United Nations report as he speaks on the balcony of the Ecuadorean Embassy in London, England last winter.

In a time of high oil prices, protecting Assange represented a convenient way for the anti-American government in Quito to poke at Uncle Sam. But amid collapsing commodity prices and an implosion of the Latin American left, Ecuador is confronted with an unappetizing future: a potential Donald Trump presidency, ushered in by Assange, that may damage Quitos interests.

Russia may be rooting for Trump, but Ecuador knows its best interests would be served by a Clinton administration, Michael Shifter, president of the Inter-American Dialogue, a Washington think tank, said Wednesday.

In a statement confirming it had severed Assanges Internet, Ecuadors foreign ministry struck a regretful tone.

Ecuador respects the principle of non-intervention in the internal affairs of other states, a ministry statement issued Tuesday evening states. WikiLeaks published a wealth of documents, impacting on the U.S. election campaign. As a result, Ecuadorian diplomats exercised the nations sovereign right to limit Internet access.

The new stance represents a stunning evolution for a government whose provocations of Washington have, on occasion, risen to an art form. Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa, after all, once said Hugo Chavezs comparison of George W. Bush to Satan was unfair to the devil.

Correa rode Ecuadors oil boom to international prominence as part of a vanguard of 21st-century socialism in Latin America. But that movement, buoyed by high oil prices and sustained by a fervent anti-Americanism, is now collapsing. Oil prices have cratered. Chavez is dead and Venezuelas free-falling economy has dragged down Ecuadors exports. The Cuban revolutionaries who provided the intellectual base for this new brand of socialism have made peace with the United States.

Correa presides over an economy gripped by recession. If growth is going to return to Ecuador, it will likely be with the help of its main trading partner, the U.S. Ecuador has sent trade missions to the U.S. recently, Shifter said, and American officials travelling to Quito report a noticeably warmer reception.

While its unclear exactly what Washington can do to boost the Ecuadorian economy, Correa isnt confident about what Trump would do for the U.S. as president. If Correa were a U.S. citizen, he said in an interview earlier this month. hed vote for Hillary Clinton.

Correa also saw a silver lining to a Trump presidency.

I sincerely believe that it would be better for Latin America if Trump won, he said in the interview.

When did progressive governments come to power in Latin America? During the Bush administration. His primitive policies were rejected so much that it caused reaction in Latin America. Trump would do the same.

Experts said a Trump presidency might boost the budgets of Ecuador and its leftist, oil-producing allies  a far better payoff than sparking an ideological renaissance.

If Trumps policies created global instability, the oil price might rise, which would actually give Ecuador a big boost, said Dan Altman, a professor of economics at New York University.

Its unclear the degree to which Ecuador would suffer because of a Trump presidency. As it stands now, in a far weaker geopolitical position than years past, cutting Assanges Internet access may well be what Altman called a costless olive branch to a country  the U.S.  that might be able to boost the Ecuadorian economy.

Despite losing Internet access, Assange has continued his furious pace of publishing. On Wednesday, WikiLeaks released another batch of emails apparently belonging to Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta.

Ecuador has not completely abandoned Assange. In its statement, Ecuadors foreign ministry reiterated its intention to safeguard his life and physical integrity until he reaches a safe place.

Next year, Ecuadorians head to the polls to select a new candidate, and Correa will not be on the ballot. The governments favoured candidate is viewed as a more conciliatory figure than Correa, Shifter said.

If the opposition wins in February, relations with the U.S. are bound to improve, he added.

In short, Ecuador has accomplished a neat diplomatic trick. It can say it has acted to rein in Assange, while also continuing to shelter him. Perhaps that will build some goodwill with its most important economic partner even as it allows the cypher-punks work to continue.

 Foreign Policy
Saint Marys University students gave up their Saturday afternoon to do a little good in the Winona community and to honor a saint for the universitys annual Lasallian Day of Service.

Student volunteers from the university were tasked with raking leaves, clearing out flower beds, painting, cleaning and other fall chores through the campus ministry in an effort to not only get involved in their community but to spread the idea of volunteerism.

The day is one of the three days of service throughout the school year the university hosts. Brother Mark Engelmeyer said the Lasallian Day of Service pays special tribute to Saint John Baptist de La Salle, who started the religious order of Christian brothers and reformed Christian education.

A lot of it comes from that just being a follower of Christ, Engelmeyer said. You serve others; you help those who are in need service. (It) is an important aspect of our faith and mission here at the university.

According to Engelmeyer, the university is focused on ways that it can reach out to Winona because of its catholic Lasallian tradition.

We are called to serve our heritage. This is our way to serve Winona and our community,Engelmeyer said.

On Saturday, sophomore students Gloria Kranenberg and Alejandra Pina were one of the more than 22 groups of students volunteering in the community. The duo was raking leaves and clean out a flower bed at the home of Judy Sievers on Sanborn Street.

Kranenberg, a psychology student, is also part of the campus Volunteer Mentors, a club within the campus ministry that helps create volunteer opportunities for students.

Through events like the day of service and her club, Kranenberg is fulfilling her passion of providing a helping hand to anyone in need.

Volunteering has been something that Ive always done. I just really enjoy helping out, making a difference, Kranenberg said.

As part of the Volunteer Mentors club, Kranenberg helped at the day of service last year and noticed the connections volunteering can create not only within the community but with other volunteers as well.

Its great to see so many different people who maybe dont interact with each other ... come together to work to better the community, Kranenberg said. Its such a nice way to get to know different people too.

Kranenbergs partner, Pina, was participating in the day for the first time.

Pina, a public relations student, said in between raking different piles of leaves that the day of service was something she would like participate next year because of the significance of the impact she believes volunteering can have on people.

It benefits other people; its kind of our purpose to help others, Pina said. Its an important role to play at Saint Marys University. It should be something students do more.

And Sievers said she believes their participation as volunteers impacts her greatly. This is the fifth or sixth year the Saint Marys University students have provided help for her, Sievers said.

You dont know how much this is appreciated, Sievers told her volunteers. Its wonderful.
When lutefisk first came to Church Valley near Urne, (pronounced Ernie, like the puppet) about 150 years ago, people likely didnt think about diversity. Somehow, tasty lutefisk from far-away Norway got to the tiny community for Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations, and it is a staple at the annual meal at Lyster Congregation.

Lutefisk  cod fish  once was dried on tall racks on the shores of the North Sea.

After its dried, the cod looks like a fishy version of dried beef or venison. Through a process of adding lost water to the cod, lutefisk regains its former size and shape. The process is rather simple but remains mysterious. Most European countries visited by Vikings a thousand years ago have a cod fish delicacy processed and prepared much like lutefisk.

Back when, Norwegians didnt sit down with Americas first people like a reenactment of pilgrims and Native Americans at Americas first Thanksgiving. Now, after 20 years of modern lutefisk celebrations in Urne, the dinner has a diverse group. This diversity had not been considered 20 years ago when the dinner was reintroduced to the valley.

Much of todays fish for the dinner is prepared by Scandahoovians five and six generations removed from Norway. A Texan, with family ties to Mexico, was brought to the festival by a Norwegian; now she returns every year to help. Others in the valley with no previous ties to Lyster Congregation or to Norway are now part of the celebration. It has become a community project that makes for lasting friendships.

Most years students from around the world can be found helping host families serve traditional meals. I have granddaughters, ages 6 and 8, who were born in Korea. They wait much of the year anticipating the annual dinner. In September, Ivy, the 8-year-old, wrote a school report on lefse. She apparently likes it best with brown sugar and butter. My grandmother Olena, who made world-class lefse for more than a half a century, would approve.

The meal is served from noon until 7 p.m. By design, it has something for everyone. There are mashed potatoes, meatballs, and gravy to accompany the fish and lefse. There are side dishes. Rutabagas are a big favorite with some attending. Dessert of apple and pumpkin pie is included. They are followed by traditional Norwegian delicacies. The desserts alone are worth the ticket price.

The meal at Lyster, on Highway D between Nelson and Durand, is on Saturday, Nov. 5. Tickets can be purchased after noon Oct. 23 by calling Janice at 715-673-4232. There is no ticket scalping allowed. Anyone caught scalping a ticket will be baptized on the spot.

See you there.
Minnesotans, who have had to endure all of Donald Trumps fantasies and falsehoods in this election, should note the similarities in Minnesota Speaker Kurt Daudts recent comments around the state and in other media. Correcting all of its inaccuracies would require several pages.

Hundred of thousands of Minnesotans will not see actual health insurance increases of 50 percent or more, because many people, who buy their policies through MNsure, will receive federal tax credits that will significantly lower their costs. They will NOT have to spend hours on the phone with MNsure, because its customer service has improved greatly since a bad beginning.

And while it is true that the Minnesota Department of Commerce finally approved the health insurers rate increases and enrollment caps, that approval was required to prevent those companies from following Minnesota Blue Cross/Blue Shield and major insurers in other states from pulling entirely out of the individual market. Their departures are forcing some 2 million people in 32 other states to also find new coverage.

Let me say it again. Those rate increases and enrollment caps were required by insurance companies to continue offering individual policies in Minnesota. They are not the fault of MNsure. The rates and caps apply equally, whether individuals purchase their policies through MNsure or separately. And, again, the advantage for many people of buying their policies through MNsure is that the federal tax credits will lower those rate increases significantly. For middle-class Minnesotans, whose incomes are too high to qualify for federal aid, I support the approach proposed by House and Senate DFLers to provide help from the State.

As disturbing as the falsehoods is the hypocrisy of some Republican politicians, who are crying crocodile tears over problems with the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which they have prevented solving. Time after time, Republicans in Congress blocked changes to the ACA because they want to destroy the law, not improve it. They believe that the worse the ACAs current problems, the better their chances of re-election.

Here in Minnesota, many Republican legislators have the same goal. They know theyre wrong to blame MNsure for the rising costs of health insurance, but they do it anyway. Like their Congressional counterparts, they, too, want the federal law to fail, so they can return Minnesota to the good old days when people bought their own health insurance and took their chances on its actual coverage. After all, it is the Affordable Care Act, which protects people from denials due to their previous conditions, eliminates lifetime insurance limits, and covers dependents until age 26. They are also hoping that enough Minnesotans will believe their untruths to re-elect them and return them to majorities in the State House and Senate.

That would be tragic. The past year has shown us that divided government badly serves the best interests of the people of Minnesota.

House Republican leaders made a $100 million mistake in the tax bill, which prevented its enactment. A divided House and Senate could not agree on a Bonding Bill, which left unfunded very important improvements in state colleges and universities, parks and trails, and water quality all over Minnesota. There was also no agreement on the urgently needed transportation investments to repair and improve our states highways, roads, bridges, and public transit. One Republican legislator said, The problem is urgent, but its not that urgent.

When I was elected governor six years ago, I pledged A Better Minnesota. When asked what that meant, I said, progress.

Since then, we have made great progress in so many areas. Yet, with just two years left as governor, I believe that other improvements are urgent. They include funding a 10-year transportation plan; making a good early childhood education available to everyone; further upgrading our schools, colleges and universities; and making new investments in clean energy and water quality throughout our state.

If you support those initiatives, I ask you to vote Nov. 8 to make them possible. I ask you please to vote for legislators who will work with me, rather than against me. Legislators who want to build our state up, rather than tear it down. Legislators who understand that you, our citizens, dont want bigger government, but rather better government.

I ask you to vote for two years with DFL majorities in both the Minnesota House and Senate, in order to fulfill my pledge to you: A Better Minnesota.

I ask you to vote for two years with DFL majorities in both the Minnesota House and Senate, in order to fulfill my pledge to you: A Better Minnesota.
The issues relative to school finance are often rural versus metro, rather than issues between the political parties. In 1972 when the Minnesota Miracle was supposed to equalize funding across districts, millions of additional dollars had to be added under a program called Aid For Dependent Children or there would have been drastic cuts in funding for metropolitan schools. And Agriculture Credit had to be added for rural schools, or many farms would have been forfeited for failure to pay the school taxes.

For years the ability of the metro area to pass large excess operating referendums, because industry and retail paid most of the local levy rather than homeowners, was a big part of the difference in rural versus metro area per-student funding.

In recent years several funding sources have been instituted by the Legislature to reduce the funding inequity between rural and metro per pupil funding and Sen. Matt Schmit, DFL-Red Wing, has been a large part of that movement.

Sen. Schmit campaigned to repay a $1 billion school funding shift borrowed against our schools by previous legislatures when state budget times were tough, and he delivered on that promise.

While unproductive political battles have been waged for decades regarding recalibrating the school funding formula, Sen. Schmit and his rural colleagues focused on new approaches to school finance that target resources to our rural schools.

Facilities funding for aging and expensive school infrastructure, equity aid to help districts with limited property tax base, full funding for districts that choose to offer all-day, every-day kindergarten, and state-based property tax relief for farmers hit hard by school facility levies are just a few examples of this important work.

There is no stronger advocate for rural broadband access to rural families and students than Sen. Schmit. This work has been tremendously valuable to rural schools looking to extend the learning day; leverage technology and new approaches to learning; and make our rural students more competitive with their suburban peers.

I spent more than 30 years working with the Minnesota school finance system as a superintendent of schools in rural Minnesota and believe we should keep Sen. Schmit working for rural Minnesota in the Legislature.

Bruce Montplaisir,

Altura
Una Bonkrude lives in Dallas, Wisconsin. When she was a youngster, she would go to church with the family in a sleigh with heated rocks to keep them warm. That makes sense since Una is 107 years old.

With a sense of humor and wisdom, she says that the key to a long life is to behave yourself. Apparently, she did just that throughout her life, which was spent for the most part teaching elementary school children, playing organ in church and instructing piano students.

Now, her petite, aged form sits contentedly on a piano bench as she smiles through the reflections of her mind over the many years in which she witnessed dramatic changeschanges such as transportation developing from horse-drawn sleighs in the woods to rockets propelling to the moon and beyond and also changes in communication improving from land-line, wall-mounted phones weighing many pounds connecting houses and stores to four-ounce, hand-held cell phones connecting continents via satellites.

Growing into old age gracefully is an art form. It is not for the timid. Traditions throughout the ages and across the globe honor the elderly and look to them for wisdom and virtue.

For example, Noah is described as a righteous man, blameless in his generation. According to the Bible story in Genesis 6-9, he was the one who listened to God and took Gods words to heart to build an ark before there was a threat of rain on the horizon. So, he is ascribed the ripe old age of 950 years when he diednot that he actually lived that long, but that such an age was given him as a way to show the place he held in the heart of the tradition.

President John F. Kennedy had some insightful words to share with the nation in 1963: This increase in the life span and in the number of our senior citizens presents this nation with increased opportunities: the opportunity draw upon their skill and sagacityand the opportunity to provide the respect and recognition they have earned. It is not enough for a great nation merely to have added new years to lifeour objective must also be to add new life to those years.

Una Bonkrude is one who discovered new life to her years in her teaching school children, playing the organ in church (retiring from that position when she was 100), and instructing piano students.

Her advice to her young musicians was this: Never give up. She recalls one student who wanted to quit piano lessons. But, she worked with him and kept him as a student. Today he is a music teacher in Los Angeles and also plays in church.

Thats good advice for all of us. Never give up. Throughout all of ones yearshowever many or fewnever give up. One never knows just where ones talents and efforts may lead. To give up short-changes the future. We all have abilities and opportunities that, when given half-a-chance and a bit of determination, can blossom into a delightful future. Sometimes those very gifts dont flower until later in lifelike Grandma Moses who began her folk art painting in earnest at the age of 78 when arthritis effectively interfered with her embroidery work.

Take Unas advice to heart: Never give up. Your life can blossom in new ways throughout all the years. The more years you have the more opportunity you have to flower and bear fruit for your enjoyment and as a blessing to your family, the community and the world.
In June 2015, Donald Trump announced his candidacy for president of the United States. I wasnt voting for Trump then and now, 16 months later, I still am not voting for Trump. I am voting for the Republican Party.

If Republicans lose the White House in the upcoming election, we will lose a lot more than bragging rights on Election Night. We will lose much more. This could very well be the last stand in the war against the ongoing socialist progressive conversion of our country.

The next president already gets to pick a Supreme Court justice. With Justices Ruth Bader Ginsberg and Anthony Kennedy turning 84 and 81 years of age next year, two more picks assures Hillary Clinton a liberal leaning court for the next 30 years. When you consider how much things have changed in just the past eight years, imagine what a socialist progressive America will look like in 30.

The left of this country has been screaming foul ever since the highest court came down in favor of Citizens United, all while protecting the 1st Amendments guarantee of free speech. In this case, the McCain-Feingold Act was found unconstitutional after the Federal Election Commission ruled the law prohibited the organization from airing a film that was critical of Hillary Clinton during the 2008 primaries.

Feingolds law, the guy now known as Russ, prohibited people from essentially expressing their political views. Youll see the political bumper stickers that say, Corporations are not people but, oddly enough, non-profit corporations like CU are made of people who cannot afford to purchase national airtime all by themselves.

The left also wants to reintroduce the Fairness Doctrine. This gem of a law ended in the late 1980s, but they miss it. The reason it was killed by the Federal Communications Commission is Congress determined it might be a bad idea to have the government policing our airwaves for political thought while determining whether or not Rush Limbaughs radio show is too popular and unfair to Democrats.

Clintons pal Russ was fundraising in Palo Alto, California, last week when he said Clinton could use an executive order to enforce gun control. How do you suppose a liberal court with three of her appointments would side on that?

We also have the implosion of Obamacare. Insurance premiums are skyrocketing while insurers are backing out of the system. The author of HillaryCare is most certainly pulling out her signature legislative proposal for a single-payer system. If you think Medicare is awesome, wait until the government takes over the entire healthcare system.

I am not condoning Trumps words or actions 10 or 20 years ago, but I am condemning a woman who sold out our government while lining her own pockets. The Democratic standard bearer didnt get millions from foreign princes some 20 years ago she took the money just a few years ago and then handed these guys sweet weapons deals just before vacating her seat to run for even higher power.

The Trump tape, in which he is heard saying vulgar things about women in a conversation with a tabloid television reporter 10 years ago, and the allegations that have followed, has to leave you scratching your head. The guy who recorded the tape is a reporter for NBC, yet no one new about this tape 16 months ago? Why not take Trump out of the race with this information last November or even April?

Even more incredulous is that the women who now allege Trump acted inappropriately toward them said nothing until after this tape was brought to light. At least Bill Cosbys victims could point to secret settlements and a track record of misconduct.

This scandal pales in comparison to when Hillary Clintons husband was getting sexual favors under his desk from an intern while serving in the White House. If that became the new standard for acceptable conduct while serving in office, why are they now condemning filthy language by someone who had no clue he was even going to run for office 10 years ago?

What Trump said, and likely did, while serving as a private citizen was grossly inappropriate. However, Clinton sold out the country for financial gain.

Its not the next four years that matter, its the next 40; and I dont like either candidate. When I cast a ballot mark next to Trumps name, Ill simply remember I am voting for the Republicans.
Top Russian defense official said Russia is not just India's business partner, but its friend and ally who stood by the country in its darkest hours. He claimed that US or Europe could never give a strategic asset to India, but Moscow did.

By Press Trust of India: With deals over USD 12 billion in kitty this month, including leasing of a second nuclear submarine, Russia hopes to bag more projects as it termed itself as not just a business partner but an "ally" who stood by India in its "darkest hours".

Russia is eying the multi-billion dollar deal for P75-I project of India under which six conventional submarines are to be built with Air Independent Propulsion systems and the next aircraft carrier project besides the deal, to jointly develop a fifth generation fighter aircraft.

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Asserting that there is no limit to what India and Russia can do together, a top Russian defense official claimed the US and Europeans can never give what Moscow can and has offered.

Also Read: Russia, India sign defence deals worth Rs 43,000 crore

RUSSIA IS A FRIEND, AN ALLY

"We are ready not just to deliver most serious weapons, most important weapons but continue to give our state of art technology," Sergei Chemezov, CEO of Rostec State Corporation, an umbrella organisation of 700 hi-tech civilian and military firms, told PTI.

"Russia is a friend, an ally and not a business partner. Russia stood by India during its darkest hours. Next year will mark 70 years of our relationship. It is a long time," he said and noted that Russia had stood by India when it faced sanctions after the 1998 nuclear tests.

"Not so in the recent past, when India was under sanctions, we were pretty much the only partner for India."

"Russia has been a partner not only in every day military supplies but also most sensitive and most important supplies including a nuclear submarine which was rented to India for you to use," said Chemezov who is also a close aide of Russian President Vladmir Putin.

Also Read: Modi, Putin to sign $1 billion Kamov chopper deal during Goa BRICS summit

'CAN'T IMAGINE US OR EUROPE GIVING INDIA A STRATEGIC ASSET'

"Come to think about it, I would not imagine any other country to do that, he said. Not in the past or in the future. I cannot imagine US or Europe giving India such a strategic asset," he said when asked about the tough competition that US and Europe are giving to Russia in the Indian defence market.

Not only did Russia lease out a nuclear powered submarine, it actively helped in the building India's first indigenous nuclear weapon carrying capable submarine INS Arihant which has been inducted into the Indian Navy.

Chemezov said "it is a very special year for us and will be marked by major projects and things are starting already."

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He, however, admitted that from a third person's point of view, there might have been some decline in some areas of defense between the two countries. US and some European countries have managed to strike mega deals with India which the Russians were also competing for.

Also Read: India to acquire second Akula-class nuclear submarine from Russia for $2 billion

INDIA-RUSSIA TIES DEVELOPING

"It is not a linear sort of relationship. We feel that ties are definitely developing and increasing," he said.

Giving example of the deadly BrahMos missile, Chemezov said that not only has Russia delivered high value equipment but has also collaborated with India on developing strategic assets.

He pointed out that in late 1990s, Russia had transferred technology for Su30 MKI, India's frontline fighter aircraft.

"At that point of time, it was our most modern equipment, our most modern plane. When we had actually signed that agreement, Russia did not even equip its army with this. This was basically our newest highest technology. That shows and speaks about our relationship with India," he said.

He also gave the example of T90 tanks, saying they are "not in anyway less but in many way, modern than any advanced US or European technologies".

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He said there is scope for cooperation in the P75-I and the aircraft carrier project.

"There is definitely scope for both of those. There is pretty much no limit to what we could do together. Anything that is within our realm of things and possibilities, means it is the same with India," he said.

Chemezov said that Russia has already submitted its proposals for both projects.

Also Read:

India-Russia joint venture to end Army, IAF helicopter handicap

India, Russia commit to boost bilateral trade



--- ENDS ---
EnerSys provides various stored energy solutions for industrial applications worldwide. It operates in three segments: Energy Systems, Motive Power, and Specialty. The company offers uninterruptible power systems applications for computer and computer-controlled systems, as well as telecommunications systems; switchgear and electrical control systems used in industrial facilities and electric utilities, large-scale energy storage, and energy pipelines; integrated power solutions and services to broadband, telecom, renewable, and industrial customers; and thermally managed cabinets and enclosures for electronic equipment and batteries. It also provides motive power products that are used to provide power for electric industrial forklifts used in manufacturing, warehousing, and other material handling applications. In addition, the company offers mining equipment, diesel locomotive starting, and other rail equipment. Further, it provides specialty batteries for starting, lighting, and ignition applications in transportation; and energy solutions for satellites, military aircraft, submarines, ships, and other tactical vehicles, as well as medical and security systems. Additionally, the company offers battery chargers, power equipment, battery accessories, and outdoor cabinet enclosures, as well as related after-market and customer-support services for industrial batteries. The company sells its products through a network of distributors, independent representatives, and internal sales forces. The company was formerly known as Yuasa, Inc. and changed its name to EnerSys in January 2001. EnerSys was incorporated in 2000 and is headquartered in Reading, Pennsylvania.
The following companies are subsidiares of PepsiCo: Alimentos Quaker Oats y Compania Limitada, Alimentos del Istmo S.A., Amavale Agricola Ltda., Anderson Hill Insurance Limited, Asia Bottlers Limited, BAESA Capital Corporation Ltd., BFY Brands, BFY Brands LLC, BFY Brands Limited, BUG de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Balmoral Industries LLC, Bare Foods Co., Barrhead LLC, Be & Cheery, Beaman Bottling Company, Bebidas Sudamerica S.A., Beech Limited, Bell Taco Funding Syndicate, Bendler Investments II Ltd, Bendler Investments S.a r.l, Beverage Services Limited, Beverages Foods & Service Industries Inc., Bishkeksut OJSC, Blaue NC S. de R.L. de C.V., Blue Cloud Distribution Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Arizona Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Arkansas Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Colorado Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Florida Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Georgia Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Illinois Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Indiana Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Iowa Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Kentucky Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Louisiana Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Minnesota Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Mississippi Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Missouri Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Nebraska Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Nevada Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of North Carolina Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Ohio Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Oklahoma Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Pennsylvania Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of South Carolina Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Tennessee Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Texas Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Virginia Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Wisconsin Inc., Blue Ridge Sales LLC, Bluebird Foods Limited, Bluecan Holdings Unlimited Company, Bokomo Zambia Limited, Bolsherechensky Molkombinat JSC, Boquitas Fiestas LLC, Boquitas Fiestas S.R.L., Bottling Group Financing LLC, Bottling Group Holdings LLC, Bottling Group LLC, Bronte Industries Ltd, C & I Leasing Inc., CB Manufacturing Company Inc., CEME Holdings LLC, CMC Investment Company, Caroni Investments LLC, Centro-Mediterranea de Bebidas Carbonicas PepsiCo S.L., Ceres Fruit Juices Pty Ltd, ChampBev Inc., China Concentrate Holdings Hong Kong Limited, Chipsy International for Food Industries S.A.E., Chipsy for Food Industries S.A.E., Chitos Internacional y Cia Ltda, Cipa Industrial de Produtos Alimentares Ltda., Cipa Nordeste Industrial de Produtos Alimentares Ltda., Cocina Autentica Inc., Comercializadora CMC Investment y Compania Limitada, Comercializadora Nacional SAS Ltda., Comercializadora PepsiCo Mexico S de R.L. de C.V., Compania de Bebidas PepsiCo S.L., Concentrate Holding Uruguay Pte. Ltd., Concentrate Manufacturing Singapore Pte. Ltd., Confiteria Alegro S. de R.L. de C.V., Copella Fruit Juices Limited, Copper Beech International LLC, Corina Snacks Limited, Corporativo Internacional Mexicano S. de R.L. de C.V., CytoSport Holdings Inc., CytoSport Inc., Davlyn Realty Corporation, Defosto Holdings Limited, Desarrollo Inmobiliario Gamesa S. de R.L. de C.V., Dilexis S.A., Donon Holdings Limited, Drinkfinity USA Inc., Drinkstation Inc., Drinkstation Innovation Co. Ltd., Drinkstation Limited, Dutch Snacks Holding S.A. de C.V., Duyvis Production B.V., EPIC Enterprises Inc., Echo Bay Holdings Inc., Elaboradora Argentina de Cereales S.R.L., Enter Logistica LLC, Environ at Inverrary Partnership, Environ of Inverrary Inc., Eridanus Investments S.a r.l, Evercrisp Snack Productos de Chile S.A., FL Transportation Inc., FLI Andean LLC, FLI Colombia LLC, FLI Snacks Andean GP LLC, Fabrica PepsiCo Mexicali S. de R.L. de C.V., Fabrica de Productos Alimenticios Rene y Cia S.C.A., Fairlight International SRL, Far East Bottlers Hong Kong Limited, Food Concepts Pioneer Ltd., Forest Akers Nederland B.V., Forty-Six Peaks Holding Inc., Fovarosi Asvanyviz es Uditoipari Zartkoruen Mukodo Reszvenytarsasag, Freshwater International B.V., Frito Lay Gida Sanayi Ve Ticaret Anonim Sirketi, Frito Lay Poland Sp. z o.o., Frito Lay Sp. z o.o., Frito Lay de Guatemala y Compania Limitada, Frito-Lay Australia Holdings Pty Limited, Frito-Lay Dip Company Inc., Frito-Lay Dominicana S.A., Frito-Lay Global Investments B.V., Frito-Lay Inc., Frito-Lay Investments B.V., Frito-Lay Manufacturing LLC, Frito-Lay Netherlands Holding B.V., Frito-Lay North America Inc., Frito-Lay Sales Inc., Frito-Lay Trading Company Europe GmbH, Frito-Lay Trading Company GmbH, Frito-Lay Trading Company Poland GmbH, Frito-Lay Trinidad Unlimited, Fruko Mesrubat Sanayi Limited Sirketi, GB Czech LLC, GB International Inc., GB Russia LLC, GB Slovak LLC, GMP Manufacturing Inc., Gambrinus Investments Limited, Gamesa LLC, Gamesa S. de R.L. de C.V., Gas Natural de Merida S. A. de C. V., Gatorade Puerto Rico Company, General Bottlers of Hungary Inc., Golden Grain Company, Goveh S.R.L., Grayhawk Leasing LLC, Green Hemlock International LLC, Grupo Frito Lay y Compania Limitada, Grupo Gamesa S. de R.L. de C.V., Grupo Mabel, Grupo Sabritas S. de R.L. de C.V., Gulkevichskiy Maslozavod JSC, Hangzhou Baicaowei Corporate Management Consulting Co. Ltd., Hangzhou Haomusi Food Co, Hangzhou Haomusi Food Co. Ltd., Hangzhou Tao Dao Technology Co. Ltd., Health Warrior, Health Warrior Inc., Heathland LP, Helioscope Limited, Hillbrook Inc., Hillgrove Inc., Hillwood Bottling LLC, Hogganfield Limited Partnership, Holding Company "Opolie" JSC, Homefinding Company of Texas, Hudson Valley Insurance Company, IC Equities Inc., IZZE Beverage Co., Inmobiliaria Interamericana S.A. De C.V., Integrated Beverage Services Bangladesh Limited, Integrated Foods & Beverages Pvt. Ltd., International Bottlers Management Co. LLC, International KAS Aktiengesellschaft, Inversiones Borneo S.R.L., Inversiones PFI Chile Limitada, Inviting Foods Holdings Inc., Inviting Foods LLC, KAS Anorthosis S.a r.l, KAS S.L., KFC, Kevita Inc., Kinvara LLC, Kungursky Molkombinat JSC, Larragana S.L., Latin American Holdings Ltd., Latin American Snack Foods ApS, Latin Foods International LLC, Lebedyansky, Lebedyansky Holdings LLC, Lebedyansky LLC, Limited Liability Company "Sandora", Linkbay Limited, Lithuanian Snacks UAB, Mabel, Marbo Product d.o.o. Beograd, Marbo d.o.o. Laktasi, Matudis - Comercio de Produtos Alimentares Limitada, Matutano - Sociedade de Produtos Alimentares Lda., Mid-America Improvement Corporation, Mountainview Insurance Company Inc., Muscle Milk, NCJV LLC, New Bern Transport Corporation, New Century Beverage Company LLC, Noble Leasing LLC, Northeast Hot-Fill Co-op Inc., Office at Solyanka LLC, Onbiso Inversiones S.L., One World Enterprises LLC, One World Investors Inc., P-A Barbados Bottling Company LLC, P-A Bottlers Barbados SRL, P-Americas LLC, PAS Luxembourg S.a r.l, PAS Netherlands B.V., PBG Canada Holdings II LLC, PBG Canada Holdings Inc., PBG Cyprus Holdings Limited, PBG Investment Partnership, PBG Midwest Holdings S.a r.l, PBG Soda Can Holdings S.a r.l, PCBL LLC, PCNA Manufacturing Inc., PR Beverages Cyprus Holding Limited, PR Beverages Cyprus Russia Holding Limited, PRB Luxembourg S.a r.l, PRS Inc., PSAS Inversiones LLC, PSE Logistica S.R.L., PT Quaker Indonesia, Papas Chips S.A., Pei N.V., Pep Trade LLC, Pepsi B.V., Pepsi Beverages Holdings Inc., Pepsi Bottling Group Global Finance LLC, Pepsi Bottling Group GmbH, Pepsi Bottling Group Hoosiers B.V., Pepsi Bottling Holdings Inc., Pepsi Bugshan Investments S.A.E., Pepsi Cola Colombia Ltda, Pepsi Cola Egypt S.A.E., Pepsi Cola Panamericana S.R.L., Pepsi Cola Servis Ve Dagitim Limited Sirketi, Pepsi Cola Trading Ireland, Pepsi Logistics Company Inc., Pepsi Northwest Beverages LLC, Pepsi Overseas Investments Partnership, Pepsi Promotions Inc., Pepsi-Cola Advertising and Marketing Inc., Pepsi-Cola Bermuda Limited, Pepsi-Cola Bottlers Holding C.V., Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company Of St. Louis Inc., Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company of Ft. Lauderdale-Palm Beach LLC, Pepsi-Cola Company, Pepsi-Cola Ecuador Cia. Ltda., Pepsi-Cola Far East Trade Development Co. Inc., Pepsi-Cola Finance LLC, Pepsi-Cola General Bottlers Poland Sp. z o.o., Pepsi-Cola Industrial da Amazonia Ltda., Pepsi-Cola International Cork, Pepsi-Cola International LLC, Pepsi-Cola International Limited, Pepsi-Cola International Limited U.S.A., Pepsi-Cola International Private Limited, Pepsi-Cola Korea Co. Ltd., Pepsi-Cola Management and Administrative Services Inc., Pepsi-Cola Manufacturing Company Of Uruguay S.R.L., Pepsi-Cola Manufacturing International Limited, Pepsi-Cola Manufacturing Mediterranean Limited, Pepsi-Cola Marketing Corp. Of P.R. Inc., Pepsi-Cola Mediterranean Ltd., Pepsi-Cola Metropolitan Bottling Company Inc., Pepsi-Cola Mexicana Holdings LLC, Pepsi-Cola Mexicana S. de R.L. de C.V., Pepsi-Cola National Marketing LLC, Pepsi-Cola Operating Company Of Chesapeake And Indianapolis, Pepsi-Cola Sales and Distribution Inc., Pepsi-Cola Technical Operations Inc., Pepsi-Cola Thai Trading Co. Ltd., Pepsi-Cola de Honduras S.R.L., Pepsi-Cola of Corvallis Inc., PepsiAmericas Nemzetkozi Szolgaltato Korlatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, PepsiCo ANZ Holdings Pty Ltd, PepsiCo Alimentos Antioquia Ltda., PepsiCo Alimentos Colombia Ltda., PepsiCo Alimentos Ecuador Cia. Ltda., PepsiCo Alimentos Z.F. Ltda., PepsiCo Alimentos de Bolivia S.R.L., PepsiCo Amacoco Bebidas Do Brasil Ltda., PepsiCo Asia Research & Development Center Company Limited, PepsiCo Australia Financing Cyprus Limited, PepsiCo Australia Financing Limited Partnership, PepsiCo Australia Financing Partner 1 LLC, PepsiCo Australia Financing Partner 2 LLC, PepsiCo Australia Financing Pty Ltd, PepsiCo Australia Holdings Pty Limited, PepsiCo Australia International, PepsiCo Austria Services GmbH, PepsiCo Azerbaijan Limited Liability Company, PepsiCo BeLux BV, PepsiCo Beverage Sales LLC, PepsiCo Beverage Singapore Pty Ltd, PepsiCo Beverages Bermuda Limited, PepsiCo Beverages Hong Kong Limited, PepsiCo Beverages International Limited, PepsiCo Beverages Italia Societa' A Responsabilita' Limitata, PepsiCo Canada Finance LLC, PepsiCo Canada Holdings ULC, PepsiCo Canada Investment ULC, PepsiCo Canada ULC, PepsiCo Captive Holdings Inc., PepsiCo Caribbean Inc., PepsiCo China Limited, PepsiCo Consulting Polska Sp. z o.o., PepsiCo De Bolivia S.R.L., PepsiCo Del Paraguay S.R.L., PepsiCo Deutschland GmbH, PepsiCo Eesti AS, PepsiCo Euro Bermuda Limited, PepsiCo Euro Finance Antilles B.V., PepsiCo Europe Support Center S.L., PepsiCo Finance Americas Company, PepsiCo Finance Antilles A N.V., PepsiCo Finance Antilles B N.V., PepsiCo Finance South Africa Proprietary Limited, PepsiCo Financial Shared Services Inc., PepsiCo Food & Beverage Holdings Hong Kong Limited, PepsiCo Foods A.I.E., PepsiCo Foods China Company Limited, PepsiCo Foods Group Pty Ltd, PepsiCo Foods Guangdong Co. Ltd., PepsiCo Foods Nigeria Limited, PepsiCo Foods Private Limited, PepsiCo Foods Sichuan Co. Ltd., PepsiCo Foods Taiwan Co. Ltd., PepsiCo Foods Vietnam Company, PepsiCo France SAS, PepsiCo Global Business Services India LLP, PepsiCo Global Business Services Poland Sp. z o.o., PepsiCo Global Holdings Limited, PepsiCo Global Investments B.V., PepsiCo Global Investments S.a r.l, PepsiCo Global Mobility LLC, PepsiCo Global Real Estate Inc., PepsiCo Global Trading Solutions Unlimited Company, PepsiCo Golden Holdings Inc., PepsiCo Group Finance International B.V., PepsiCo Group Holdings International B.V., PepsiCo Group Spotswood Holdings S.a r.l, PepsiCo Gulf International FZE, PepsiCo Hellas Single Member Industrial and Commercial Societe Anonyme, PepsiCo Holding de Espana S.L., PepsiCo Holdings, PepsiCo Holdings LLC, PepsiCo Holdings Toshkent LLC, PepsiCo Hong Kong LLC, PepsiCo Iberia Servicios Centrales S.L., PepsiCo India Holdings Private Limited, PepsiCo India Sales Private Limited, PepsiCo Internacional Mexico S. de R. L. de C. V., PepsiCo International Hong Kong Limited, PepsiCo International Limited, PepsiCo International Pte Ltd., PepsiCo Investments Europe I B.V., PepsiCo Investments Ltd., PepsiCo Ireland Food & Beverages Unlimited Company, PepsiCo Japan Co. Ltd., PepsiCo Light B.V., PepsiCo Logistyka Sp. z o.o., PepsiCo Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., PepsiCo Management Services SAS, PepsiCo Manufacturing A.I.E., PepsiCo Max B.V., PepsiCo Mexico Holdings S. de R.L. de C.V., PepsiCo Nederland B.V., PepsiCo Nordic Denmark ApS, PepsiCo Nordic Finland Oy, PepsiCo Nordic Norway AS, PepsiCo Nutrition Trading DMCC, PepsiCo One B.V., PepsiCo Overseas Corporation, PepsiCo Overseas Financing Partnership, PepsiCo Panimex Inc, PepsiCo Products B.V., PepsiCo Products FLLC, PepsiCo Puerto Rico Inc., PepsiCo Sales Inc., PepsiCo Sales LLC, PepsiCo Services Asia Ltd., PepsiCo Services CZ s.r.o., PepsiCo Services LLC, PepsiCo Twist B.V., PepsiCo UK Pension Plan Trustee Limited, PepsiCo Ventures B.V., PepsiCo Wave Holdings LLC, PepsiCo World Trading Company Inc., PepsiCo Y LLC, PepsiCo de Argentina S.R.L., PepsiCo de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., PepsiCo do Brasil Industria e Comercio de Alimentos Ltda., PepsiCo do Brasil Ltda., PepsiCola Interamericana de Guatemala S.A., Pet Iberia S.L., Pete & Johnny Limited, Pine International LLC, Pine International Limited, Pinstripe Leasing LLC, Pioneer Food Group Pty Ltd, Pioneer Foods Groceries Pty Ltd, Pioneer Foods Group Ltd., Pioneer Foods Holdings Pty Ltd, Pioneer Foods Pty Ltd, Pioneer Foods UK Ltd, Pioneer Foods Wellingtons Pty Ltd, Pipers Crisps Limited, PlayCo Inc., Pop corners, PopCorners Holdings Inc., Portfolio Concentrate Solutions Unlimited Company, Premier Nutrition Trading L.L.C., Prestwick LLC, Prev PepsiCo Sociedade Previdenciaria, Productos Alimenticios Rene LLC, Productos S.A.S. C.V., Productos SAS Management B.V., Punch N.V., Punica Getranke GmbH, Q O Puerto Rico Inc., QFL OHQ Sdn. Bhd., QTG Development Inc., QTG Services Inc., Quadrant - Amroq Beverages S.R.L., Quaker Development B.V., Quaker European Beverages LLC, Quaker European Investments B.V., Quaker Foods, Quaker Global Investments B.V., Quaker Holdings UK Limited, Quaker Manufacturing LLC, Quaker Oats Asia Inc., Quaker Oats Australia Pty Ltd, Quaker Oats B.V., Quaker Oats Capital Corporation, Quaker Oats Europe Inc., Quaker Oats Europe LLC, Quaker Oats Limited, Quaker Sales & Distribution Inc, Raptas Finance S.a r.l., Rare Fare Foods LLC, Rare Fare Holdings Inc., Reading Industries Ltd, Real Estate Holdings LLC, Rockstar Energy Drink, Rolling Frito-Lay Sales LP, S & T of Mississippi Inc., SIH International LLC, SVC Logistics Inc., SVC Manufacturing Inc., SVE Russia Holdings GmbH, Sabritas LLC, Sabritas S. de R.L. de C.V., Sabritas Snacks America Latina de Nicaragua y Cia Ltda, Sabritas de Costa Rica S. de R.L., Sabritas y Cia. S en C de C.V., Sakata Rice Snacks Australia Pty Ltd, Sandora Holdings B.V., Saudi Snack Foods Company Limited, Sea Eagle International SRL, Seepoint Holdings Ltd., Senselet Food Processing PLC, Senselet Holding B.V., Servicios GBF Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada, Servicios GFLG y Compania Limitada, Servicios Gamesa Puerto Rico L.L.C., Servicios SYC S. de R.L. de C.V., Seven-Up Asia Inc., Seven-Up Light B.V., Seven-Up Nederland B.V., Shanghai PepsiCo Snack Company Limited, Shanghai YuHo Agricultural Development Co. Ltd, Shoebill LLC, Simba (Proprietary) Limited, Simba Proprietary Limited, Sitka Spruce, Smartfoods Inc., Smiles and Bites Holdings S.de R.L. de C.V., Smiths Crisps Limited, Snack Food Investments GmbH, Snack Food Investments II GmbH, Snack Food Investments Limited, Snack Food-Beverage Asia Products Limited, Snacks America Latina S.R.L., Snacks Guatemala Ltd., So Spark Ltd., Soda-Club CO2 Atlantic GmbH, Soda-Club CO2 GmbH, Soda-Club CO2 Ltd., Soda-Club Switzerland GmbH, Soda-Club Worldwide B.V., SodaStream, SodaStream Australia Pty Ltd, SodaStream CO2 SA, SodaStream Canada Ltd., SodaStream Enterprises N.V., SodaStream France SAS, SodaStream GmbH, SodaStream Iberia S.L., SodaStream Industries Ltd., SodaStream International B.V., SodaStream International Ltd., SodaStream Israel Ltd., SodaStream K.K., SodaStream New Zealand Ltd., SodaStream Nordics AB, SodaStream Poland Sp. z o.o., SodaStream SA Pty Ltd., SodaStream Switzerland GmbH, SodaStream USA Inc., SodaStream Osterreich GmbH, South Beach Beverage Company Inc., South Properties Inc., Spitz International Inc., Sportmex Internacional S.A. de C.V., Springboig Industries Ltd, Spruce Limited, Stacy's Pita Chip Company Incorporated, Star Foods E.M. S.R.L., Stokely-Van Camp Inc., Stratosphere Communications Pty Ltd, Stratosphere Holdings 2018 Limited, Streamfoods Ltd, TFL Holdings LLC, Tasman Finance S.a r.l, The Gatorade Company, The Good Carb Food Company Ltd., The Pepsi Bottling Group Canada ULC, The Quaker Oats Company, The Smith's Snackfood Company Pty Limited, Thomond Group Holdings Limited, Tobago Snack Holdings LLC, Tropicana Alvalle S.L., Tropicana Beverages Limited, Tropicana Europe N.V., Tropicana United Kingdom Limited, Troya-Ultra LLC, United Foods Companies Restaurantes S.A., V-Water, VentureCo Israel Ltd, Veurne Snack Foods BV, Vitamin Brands Ltd., Walkers Crisps Limited, Walkers Group Limited, Walkers Snack Foods Limited, Walkers Snacks Distribution Limited, Walkers Snacks Limited, Whitman Corporation, Whitman Insurance Co. Ltd., Wimm-Bill-Dann Beverages JSC, Wimm-Bill-Dann Brands Co. Ltd., Wimm-Bill-Dann Central Asia-Almaty LLP, Wimm-Bill-Dann Foods LLC, Wimm-Bill-Dann Georgia Ltd., Wimm-Bill-Dann JSC, and Wimm-Bill-Dann Ukraine PJSC.

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By PTI: From Fakir Hassen

Johannesburg, Oct 23 (PTI) South African bank FirstRand (FRB) has decided to scale down its Indian retail banking operations, but will continue to service its clients needs in the country.

The bank announced that a strategic review had shown that although the medium-term operations had been limited by Indias regulatory environment, but it remained confident that its retail and commercial franchises should be in a position to compete in the longer term.

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FRB Chief Executive Alan Pullinger said the bank would now focus its strategies on growing its businesses in South Africa and the rest of the African continent, which had huge untapped retail banking opportunities.

FRB had initiated its retail operation in India in 2012 with the intent of targeting the millions of unbanked citizens, following on its success in the preceding three years in corporate and investment banking amid the growing trade between India and South Africa.

"That (extension to retail banking) was off the back of a large population, a dynamic country with good growth prospects," Pullinger told the weekly Sunday Times.

"We had a sense that there were opportunities for us to get into retail banking. But the India operations contributed just 4 per cent to the groups profit before tax in the year ended June 2016," he added.

FRB had planned to secure growth through online banking and e-wallet services in India, but this had not materialised.

Pullinger explained that Indias banking regulations, which allowed foreign banks to hold only a 5 per cent stake in local banks and permitted foreign banks to operate only one retail branch did not make business sense for FRB.

"FirstRand remains fully committed to those business lines that remain as part of the India branch, particularly the corporate and investment banking," Pullinger confirmed as he expressed the hope that the Indian banking regulatory environment in the longer term would be more conducive to growth.

Bradley Preston, chief investment officer at Mergence Investment Managers, told the weekly that FRBs strategy to focus more attention on Africa was related to the size of the market.

"While there is a large unbanked market in India, the same is true for Africa. What is key is the level of competition and the ability to realistically build market share and maintain attractive returns on equity," Preston said. PTI FH KUN

--- ENDS ---
AbbVie Inc. discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells pharmaceuticals in the worldwide. The company offers HUMIRA, a therapy administered as an injection for autoimmune and intestinal Behcet's diseases; SKYRIZI to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults; RINVOQ, a JAK inhibitor for the treatment of moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis in adult patients; IMBRUVICA to treat adult patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), and VENCLEXTA, a BCL-2 inhibitor used to treat adults with CLL or SLL; and MAVYRET to treat patients with chronic HCV genotype 1-6 infection. It also provides CREON, a pancreatic enzyme therapy for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency; Synthroid used in the treatment of hypothyroidism; Linzess/Constella to treat irritable bowel syndrome with constipation and chronic idiopathic constipation; Lupron for the palliative treatment of advanced prostate cancer, endometriosis and central precocious puberty, and patients with anemia caused by uterine fibroids; and Botox therapeutic. In addition, the company offers ORILISSA, a nonpeptide small molecule gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist for women with moderate to severe endometriosis pain; Duopa and Duodopa, a levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel to treat Parkinson's disease; Lumigan/Ganfort, a bimatoprost ophthalmic solution for the reduction of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open angle glaucoma (OAG) or ocular hypertension; Ubrelvy to treat migraine with or without aura in adults; Alphagan/ Combigan, an alpha-adrenergic receptor agonist for the reduction of IOP in patients with OAG; and Restasis, a calcineurin inhibitor immunosuppressant to increase tear production, as well as other eye care products. AbbVie Inc. has a research collaboration with Dragonfly Therapeutics, Inc. The company was incorporated in 2012 and is headquartered in North Chicago, Illinois.
The first Weekend Ka Vaar episode featuring host Salman Khan was super-entertaining. Here's a recap in case you missed it.

By Anvita Singh: The first weekend episode of Bigg Boss Season 10 aired last night, and all people can think about is what all happened during the said episode. Twitter particularly is going crazy about the Weekend Ka Vaar episode.

Just like the previous seasons of Bigg Boss, Bollywood star Salman Khan was there to host the show in his inimitable style this weekend as well. Salman unleashed his series of questions on the housemates, and they tried their best to tackle them.

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In case you missed the show last night, here are some of the highlights to keep you up to speed



#1 Salman questions Manu Punjabi's sense of etiquette

The Bollywood actor called out on Manu's manners (or the lack of it) when he claimed that he didn't remember Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai actor Rohan Mehra's name.

During a conversation with Salman, Manu failed to remember the aforementioned celeb contestant's name, and Salman being Salman took up the issue with him and told him that he should have at least the decency to remember a person's name, especially when the said person has been living with him in the Bigg Boss house for a week.

#2 Priyanka Jagga is the "khalnayak" of the show

Host Salman asked the housemates to name a person who they thought was behind most of the drama and fights in the Bigg Boss house. Om Swami and Priyanka Jagga were the two names that were taken the most during the session.

Priyanka volunteered to sit on the 'khalnayak ki kursi'.

#3 Salman applauds the efforts of 'aam aadmi' contestants

Despite taking up certain issues with 'aam aadmi' contestants like Manu and Priyanka, the star didn't fail to acknowledge the efforts that all of them had put in to win the tasks. In fact, Salman even went as far as to say that the celeb contestants were not putting in their blood and sweat in the tasks that they were being given, unlike the 'aam aadmi' contestants.

Also read: REVEALED: This is how Navin Prakash got entry in Bigg Boss 10



#4 Om Swami defends himself

Om Swami left no stone unturned to defend himself as Salman raised the subject of his (Om Swami's) fight with Lopamudra Raut. When Salman asked Om Swami why he threatened Lopa, Swamiji claimed that he had high fever, and that had played havoc with his wisdom saying, "Main pagal ho gaya tha" (I had gone mad).

He then went on to profusely apologise for his behaviour on national television, and also swore that he would never repeat the same mistake again.

Salman told him that they would get to know if he (Swamiji) broke the promise.



#5 Salman imitates 'aam aadmi' contestant Lokesh Kumari

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One of the contestants who stayed out of all the drama that took place in the first week of the show was Lokesh Kumari. But she managed to grab a good bit of spotlight last night, thanks to host Salman Khan.

Salman said that Lokesh was one of the most entertaining BB10 contestants, and even went on to imitate her. A red-faced Lokesh couldn't open her mouth when the actor started to copy her unique style of speaking.

Well, we have to say that Salman's imitation act was point on.

#6 Nominations-who will leave the house?

And last but not the least, how can we not mention nominations, after all it was a Weekend Ka Vaar episode.

Manu Punjabi was declared safe, while Gaurav Chopra, Priyanka Jagga, and Mona Lisa are the three contestants who are still unsafe, and can get eliminated. Salman will reveal who will leave the show on tonight's episode, till then, we will all just have to wait.

Bigg Boss airs every Mon-Fri at 10:30 pm, and every Sat-Sun at 9 pm on ColorsTV.



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Allergan plc, a pharmaceutical company, develops, manufactures, and commercializes branded pharmaceutical, device, biologic, surgical, and regenerative medicine products worldwide. The company operates in three segments: US Specialized Therapeutics, US General Medicine, and International. It offers a portfolio of products in various therapeutic areas, including medical aesthetics and dermatology, eye care, neuroscience, urology, gastrointestinal, women's health, and anti-infective therapeutic products. The company also offers breast implants and tissue expanders; and RM-131 (relamorelin), a peptide ghrelin agonist for the treatment of diabetic gastroparesis. In addition, it develops medical and cosmetic treatments; therapies for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and other liver diseases; inhibitor for the treatment of psoriasis and other autoimmune disorders; atopic dermatitis drug candidate; peri-ocular rings for extended drug delivery and reducing elevated intraocular pressure in glaucoma patients; and treatments for neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease. Further, the company develops RST-001, a novel gene therapy for the treatment of retinitis pigmentosa; small molecule therapeutics for inflammatory and fibrotic diseases; topical medicines for fat reduction; and delivery system and botulinum toxin-based prescription products. It has collaboration, option, and license agreement with Lyndra, Inc.; and strategic alliance and option agreement with Editas Medicine, Inc. Allergan plc also has licensing agreements with Assembly Biosciences, Inc.; MedImmune; and Heptares Therapeutics, Ltd. The company was formerly known as Actavis plc and changed its name to Allergan plc in June 2015. Allergan plc was founded in 1983 and is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland.
The campaign gives every citizen an opportunity to spread happiness and cheer among the armed forces, who are guarding our nation's frontiers, far from their loved ones on Diwali.

By Reema Parashar: The great respect and admiration that the nation has for our armed forces, will find expression this festive season, through a unique campaign being led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The #Sandesh2Soldiers campaign gives every citizen an opportunity to spread happiness and cheer among the armed forces, who are guarding our nation's frontiers, far from their loved ones on Diwali.

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ALSO READ | Jammu: BSF jawan Gurnam Singh, succumbs to injuries sustained in Pakistan firing

This Diwali, let us remember our courageous armed forces who constantly protect our Nation. Jai Hind. pic.twitter.com/uXf6Or3xsQ&; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 22, 2016

A holistic campaign has been launched to urge and invite people to send letters and messages to the armed forces. Leading this effort, the prime minister shared through social media, a special video, featuring his appeal to the people to send messages to our brave armed forces personnel. Within hours, the video has generated tremendous interest on platforms such as Twitter and Facebook.

A TRIBUTE TO REAL HEROES



People can send messages to soldiers on the Narendra Modi App, through MyGov.in, and also through All India Radio. Doordarshan shall also be mounting a programme to share people's emotions with the armed forces.

??? ?? ????? ??????? ?? ??????? ?? ??? ???? ???? ??? ?? ???? ????? ??? ?? ????? ???? ??? ???? ???&; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 23, 2016

A special module has been launched on the Narendra Modi App, which enables people to send greetings or their hand-written messages to the armed forces.

The #Sandesh2Soldiers campaign is expected to generate increased interaction between the people and the armed forces. Earlier this month, at an event in Bhopal, the prime minister had focused on the human element of our brave jawans. His appeal to people to applaud jawans when they meet them, has also created a buzz on social media.

Since becoming Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has spent both Diwalis with the armed forces.

ALSO READ:

PM Modi draws surgical strikes analogy to fight corruption, black money



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By PTI: Hyderabad, Oct 22 (PTI) Saudi Arabias Ambassador to India, Saud Mohammed Alsati, today met Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and expressed interest to make investments in the state.

Observing that the cultural heritage of Hyderabad is linked to Saudi Arabia, Rao recalled that the sixth Nizam of Hyderabad Mahabub Ali Pasha built a rubaat (a home for stay) in Saudi for the benefit of Haj pilgrims from Telangana, a release from Chief Ministers office said.

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Rao requested that a Consulate of Saudi be set up in Hyderabad and the envoy said the matter is already being considered by them, it said.

Noting that Telangana government is ready to revive the old friendship with Saudi, he said industrial investments would help strengthen the ties.

The Ambassador responded positively on the matter, the release said.

Rao explained the state governments industrial policy and also the welfare and development schemes being implemented for minorities, it said.

The Saudi envoy said his country is giving 460 scholarships to Indian youth, irrespective of their religious identity, the release added. PTI SJR NP RG

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Healthy Schools National Quality Award For Wrexham Primary School

This article is old - Published: Sunday, Oct 23rd, 2016

A Wrexham primary school has achieved a prestigious national award which recognises their commitment to promoting health and wellbeing.

Ysgol Heulfan, in Gwersyllt, has been awarded the Healthy Schools National Quality Award, which demonstrates that they are implementing wellbeing initiatives to the very highest level.

To achieve the award two verifiers from Welsh Government spent an exhaustive two days observing practice in the school.

During their visit they met with members of the School Council, Eco Club, staff, governors and parents as well as visiting the schools breakfast & after school club, the school dining room and experiencing life within the school.

In order to be eligible for this award, the school had to evidence their active involvement in the Wrexham Healthy Schools Scheme over the last nine years.

The lead verifier John Elwyn Williams noted: The school aims to provide an inclusive culture with a happy, secure and stimulating child-centred environment, where pupils are challenged to achieve. It strives for continuous self- improvement for all, with every pupil valued as an individual and empowered to reach their own unique potential.

We found a great commitment to this culture from everyone we met at the school and to provide the highest standards for the pupils and many different learning opportunities.

The Headteacher provides vision, leadership and direction to all staff at the school and is well supported by the management team and school co-ordinators of the healthy schools scheme. There is also great support provided by a number of agencies that make a major contribution to the success of the school and includes governors, parents and the local community.

The highlight of the visit was the intensity of the opportunities that we viewed as well as experiencing the education provision at the school; we scarcely had an opportunity to draw breath during the visit.

Speaking about the achievement, Cllr Prince Lead Member said: This award recognises the dedication and hard work that continues within the school. The school have worked extremely hard to achieve this award, and we congratulate everyone involved for their commitment.

The Wrexham Healthy School Scheme now supports 74 schools alongside pre-school settings and is a Public Health Wales initiative.
Welsh Ambulance Service Launches Promises to Older People

This article is old - Published: Sunday, Oct 23rd, 2016

The Welsh Ambulance Service has launched a list of promises to older people who use its services.

Over the last few months members of the Trusts Patient Experience and Community Involvement team have engaged with hundreds of older people to find out how they would like to be treated.

Across Wales there are over 800,000 people aged 60 or over, which accounts for more than a quarter of our population.

This is expected to rise to over one million people in the next 20 years.

Our Promises to Older People was launched to coincide with International Day of Older Persons and includes pledges to treat older people with dignity and respect, provide good information and communication if a patient has sensory loss and to recognise the signs of people with dementia.

The Trust was recently shortlisted in the final of the Alzheimers Societys Dementia Friendly Awards for its work to help patients with dementia in the Swansea area.

Claire Bevan, Executive Director of Quality, Safety and Patient Experience for the Welsh Ambulance Service, said that the promises will help the Trust to focus on the individual care needs of older people across Wales.

She said: We know that a high number of older people use our services regularly, whether calling 999 in a medical emergency or using our Non-Emergency Patient Transport Service for hospital appointments.

We want to make sure that the services we provide meet individual needs of older people and to ensure that they have a good experience when in our care.

Our Promises to Older People are important to us, and we would like to thank everyone who took part in the consultation for their contribution to inform the development of Our Promises for Older People.

The list of promises has been hailed as an example of good practice by Older Peoples Commissioner for Wales, Sarah Rochira.

She said: Our Promises to Older People is an excellent example of how to communicate with older people and their families in a way that is both meaningful and relevant.

Setting out these commitments in such an accessible format, with a strong focus on values and outcomes, makes clear the high standards older people have a right to expect when accessing services provided by the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust.

I have written to the Cabinet Minister for Health to highlight Our Promises to Older People as an example of good practice and hope that other service providers across Wales will soon adopt similar approaches to communicate with those who use and rely upon their services.
It's an all-out war in the Samajwadi Party between Akhilesh Yadav and Mulayam Singh Yadav with speculation doing rounds that the two factions may split the party ahead of assembly elections.

By India Today Web Desk: What looked like uncle-nephew one-upmanship between Shivpal Yadav and Akhilesh Yadav has actually transpired into a father-son battle between SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and his chief minister son over the future of the party. On Sunday, UP CM Akhilesh Yadav sacked Shivpal Yadav and three other ministers from the cabinet.

In response to his sacking, Shivpal announced that Mulayam Singh expelled pro-Akhilesh leader Ram Gopal Yadav from the party for 'colluding with the BJP'. He also alleged that his son and daughter-in-law were involved in 'scams'.

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Battle-lines are clearly drawn Mulayam-Shivpal supporters are on one side while Akhilesh is flexing muscle with his associates on the other. The intellectual face of the party and Rajya Sabha MP Ram Gopal Yadav is solid behind the CM. Attempts to reach a compromise have failed till date and murmurs are getting louder that Samajwadi Party may split.

Here are the things to know about the PariWar:

DP YADAV EPISODE

In 2012 surfaced the first sign of rift between Akhilesh Yadav and Mulayam Singh, when the former objected to controversial leader DP Yadav's entry to SP. DP Yadav had the backing of Shivpal, Azam Khan and Mohan Singh apart from the party chief. But, Akhilesh stood his ground and others gave in.



READ: Did Mulayam just say son Akhilesh is not a CM candidate in UP polls?

MERGER OF QUAMI EKTA DAL

With Mulayam Singh's confidence, Shivpal Yadav worked hard for the merger of Quami Ekta Dal of gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari with the SP. Akhilesh Yadav overruled merger of QED. He approved it finally only recently.



SACKING AND RE-INDUCTION OF BALRAM YADAV

While merger of QED was being fought over, Akhilesh sacked Balram Yadav, a close associate of Shivpal. But, when the parliamentary board called off the merger, Balram Yadav was re-inducted.

READ: Has Mulayam lost confidence in Akhilesh as UP CM?



ROW OVER CHIEF SECRETARY

Deepak Singhal, considered close to Shivpal Yadav, was appointed the chief secretary of UP after Alok Ranjan's termed ended on June 30. But, Akhilesh Yadav removed him in just two months, after some 'nasty comments' made by Singhal at party hosted by SP leader Amar Singh.



SHIVPAL'S RESIGNATION THREAT

Finding it difficult to manage chief minister nephew, in August this year Shivpal threatened to quit alleging rampant corruption in Akhilesh government. Mulayam came out in open support of his brother warning Akhilesh that Shivpal's exit would 'hurt' party in the elections.

READ: SP on verge of split? Akhilesh to start UP campaign with Rath Yatra, likely to miss party's silver jubilee celebration



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CLEAN-UP BY AKHILESH

In September, Akhilesh removed Gayatri Prasad Prajapati and Raj Kishor Singh from his cabinet on the graft charges. Both were close to Shivpal and Mulayam Singh.



SHIPAL MADE UP SP CHIEF

Mulayam Singh Yadav responded to clean-up moves of the CM by empowering brother Shivpal, who replaced Akhilesh as the UP SP chief.



AKHILESH STRIKES BACK

While Mulayam and Shivpal worked to get their hold back on the Samajwadi Party ahead of assembly elections, Akhilesh Yadav stripped his uncle of all important ministerial portfolios.

READ: Is Akhilesh Yadav fighting Rahul Gandhi syndrome in Samajwadi Party?



SHIVPAL RESIGNS

By this time, Mulayam was actively trying to work out a compromise formula. But, Shivpal resigned from all posts in the party and the government. There emerged a threat of split as both uncle and the nephew refused to budge. Finally, a fragile compromise was reached according to which Shivpal got his ministries and Akhilesh was promised 'bigger role' in choosing candidates for the polls.



MULAYAM ON CM CANDIDATE

Meanwhile, Mulayam Singh said at a public meeting that the CM candidate of the party would be decided by the elected legislators hinting that Akhilesh might not the choice.



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AKHILESH'S RATH YATRA



Akhilesh Yadav informed Mulayam Singh about his rath yatra and announced that he would begin his statewide tour on November 3, two days ahead of the silver jubilee celebrations of the SP. Akhilesh's announcement made it clear that he would skip the function, which the old guards want to make it a big success.

READ: Akhilesh Yadav's stepmother using black magic on him: Samajwadi Party MLC in letter to Mulayam

UDAIVEER SINGH INCIDENT

MLC Udaiveer Singh, close associate of Akhilesh, wrote a letter to SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav demanding that Akhilesh be made national president of the party. Akhilesh does not distance himself from the views expressed. On Saturday, Udaiveer Singh was suspended from the party for six years.



ATTEMPT TO PACIFY AKHILESH

Mulayam Singh held three-hour long meeting with senior party leaders including Beni Prasad Verma. None of the family members attended the meeting held at Mulayam's residence in Lucknow. It was decided that the senior leaders would try to pacify Akhilesh. Attempts failed in the end.



RAM GOPAL'S LETTER

Even as Mulayam Singh and other party leaders tried to work out a compromise formula, Ram Gopal Yadav wrote an open letter to party workers. In his letter, Ram Gopal said that victory would be where Akhilesh went, giving rise to speculation that they might split the party.



SHIVPAL SACKED

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On Sunday, Akhilesh sacked Shivpal Yadav and three ministers. The decision was taken at a meeting called by Akhilesh Yadav. Shivpal was not invited to meeting.

RAM GOPAL EXPELLED

A couple of hours after Shivpal was sacked by Akhilesh from UP cabinet, Ram Gopal Yadav was expelled from the party. Shivpal said, "On the direction of SP president, party spokesperson and general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav has been expelled from the party for six years."

SP note on expulsion of Ram Gopal Yadav.

ALSO READ:Son still rising: UP CM Akhilesh leads popularity vote over father Mulayam by huge margin



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The woman used to target girls who were alone and requested them to make a phone call, citing an emergency.

By Tanseem Haider: The accused used a white Honda brio car to commit the thefts and mostly targeted students. The woman used to target girls who were alone and requested them to make a phone call, citing an emergency.



CHECKPOINTS SET

She with her accomplice, drives away with the phone before the victim can react. In some cases, the accused use to commit theft. Their operations took place in Model town, Mukherjee Nagar, Maurice Nagar and surrounding areas. The spate of incidents created panic in the area. In order to curb such incidents, the beat police setup checkpoints to check white cars.



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UNREGISTERED WHITE BRIO



On the night of October 22, the police team noticed a woman and man in a an unregistered white Honda Brio car. Suspecting something was amiss, the police questioned the occupant of the car. On sustained interrogation, the duo confessed to their crimes or having snatched mobile phones in Delhi University area.



They were identified as Ms. Sonam (name changed) (30)and Neeraj (30). They were found involved in 11 cases. As many as 10 different mobile phones were recovered from their possession besides the car involved in commission of the crime.



BACKGROUND OF ACCUSED

Sonam and Neeraj are both graduates from Delhi University, of which Sonam spoke fluent English and lured the victims.She and Neeraj both have strained relations with their respective spouses. They both have kids under the age of 10, Neeraj claims to supply toys and stationery to shopkeepers. Sonam and Neeraj committed crimes of this nature to meet their daily needs.



Any previous involvement of crime is yet to be verified.

Also Read: Theft accused flees from police lock-up

Shocking! Bigg Boss 10 contestant Omji Baba accused of bicycle theft, hoarding arms





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YAKIMA, Wash.  Two Wapato officers did not violate police department policies when they responded to a July incident that ended with the fata
Vehicles and Washington National Guard troops land at Jensen Point on Vashon Island during the Cascadia Rising exercise in June. They were simulating the delivery of supplies and troops if ferry terminals were destroyed during a huge earthquake. (ELLEN M. BANNER/The Seattle Times)
Sierra Hutton is a junior at Eisenhower High School and is a member of the Yakima Herald-Republics Unleashed program for teen journalists.
MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay - Supporters of a former Guantanamo prisoner who has been unhappy living in Uruguay say that another country has offered to accept him.

They say the offer prompted Syrian native Abu Wa'el Dhiab to drop a lengthy hunger strike to press his demands.

The group "Vigil for Dhiab" reports the offer on its Facebook page. Members confirmed its authenticity on Saturday.

It doesn't say which country made the offer and it's unclear if Dhiab has travel documents.
The Knesset's winter session will open in a fortnight with a controversial agenda item: Coalition Chairman David Bitan (Likud) will be supporting a new bill that would forbid Israelis from appearing before international bodies with operational authorities and also forbid calls against Israel and implementing sanctions on those who do.

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Bitan, trained as a lawyer, announced on Friday that he is considering revoking the citizenship of B'Tselem Executive Director Hagai El-Ad, following his speech last week before the UN Security Council in which he attacked Israeli policy and called on the council to take immediate action to end the occupation.

The MK emphasized that there is no current legal precedent to revoke El-Ad's citizenship, but added, "There is a legal way that I'm still looking into. I'll tell you bluntly, if I were the Interior Minister I would revoke his citizenship."

El-Ad addressing the UN

The bill, when it is presented to the Knesset, is likely to be controversial even inside the coalition itself. Bitan claims that it would not be a blow to freedom of expression, as opinions would be permitted at any other forum.

Members of the opposition has already condemned the bill. Yoel Hasson (Zionist Union) said on Friday evening, "David Bitan's laws will bring international sanctions on Israel. Likud MKs play around with wacky and marginal bills, most of which are bad jokesparliamentary farces. But Bitan advocates dangerous legislation that will undermine the democratic foundations of Israel and will result in sanctions and hostility from the free world towards it. It is unfortunate that we don't have a responsible prime minister who knows how to deal with the insanity seizing our government."
A woman succumbed to injuries on Sunday after she was gangraped by three men in Trichy.

By Pramod Madhav: In a shocking incident a woman was gangraped and brutally attacked in Trichy. The woman who was abducted on October 18 succumbed to grievous injuries. S

The woman, a resident of Thiruverumbur, worked as a canteen helper in a prominent institution. Her family members told the police that she went out with her children to buy snacks on October 18. However, her children returned alone raising their concerns.

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The deceased's sister began to searched her frantically but the woman could not be found. According to the family, at around 6 pm, a rickshaw dropped her near her home and sped immediately.

Also read: Two women fight off rape attempt at gun-point in a moving car in Gurgaon



The woman had complained of severe abdominal pain and fell unconscious and she was later rushed to the hospital. The victim was rushed to Keeranur government hospital and later to Trichy government hospital.

According to the family, the victim on Saturday told them that she will not survive. When they asked her what happened, she told them that three men abducted her and sexually assaulted her. The woman told the family that one of the

accused kicked at her private parts several times.

Imediately after her death, her family filed a complaint, with Navalpatu Police Station. The deceased's sister told the police that the doctors confirmed that the victims private parts were mutilated by the accused.

Also read: Delhi woman gangraped in Gurgaon while returning from party, one held





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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked his Italian counterpart Matteo Renzi on Saturday for his stance against a resolution adopted by UNESCO on Jerusalem.

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The UN cultural agency on Tuesday adopted an Arab-sponsored resolution condemning Israel's actions at a flashpoint holy site in East Jerusalem, deepening anger in the Jewish state.

Israel is furious that the resolution refers to the Old City site in Jerusalem by its Muslim name, Al-Aqsa or Al-Haram al-Sharif, rather than its Jewish name, the Temple Mount.

Netanyahu and Renzi meet in Rome (Photo: AFP)

On Friday, Renzi strongly criticized the resolution, saying that Romewhich had abstained in the votewould now oppose it.

"It is incomprehensible and unacceptable, a mistake. I specifically asked diplomats involved in such cases yesterday (Thursday) not to continue like thiswe cannot deny reality," Renzi told an Italian radio station.

"To say that the Jewish people has no connection to Jerusalem is like saying that the sun creates darkness."

"If we have to break European ranks on this issue, then so be it," Renzi said.

In a statement, Netanyahu's office said the two premiers spoke on Saturday and that the Israeli prime minister told Renzi that "even the theater of the absurd has limits."

The statement said Renzi told Netanyahu he "would work to influence the positions of other European countries" in similar votes in the future.

Tuesday's UNESCO resolution on "occupied Palestine" was endorsed by the agency's executive board at its headquarters in Paris, after being approved at the committee stage last week.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who on Friday celebrated his 67th birthday, will celebrate the occasion with his ministers on Sunday and is expected to receive quite a few giftsincluding a senior citizen card.

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The birthday celebration will be held at the Prime Minister's Office instead of at the weekly cabinet meeting.

Social Equality and Senior Citizens Minister Gila Gamliel will present the prime minister with the senior citizen card, which is given to every Israeli who reaches the age of 67.

Netanyahu's senior citizen card

"From now on, the prime minister will be in good company along with 800,000 other senior citizens," Gamliel said over the weekend.

With his senior citizen card, Netanyahu could enjoy discounted cinema tickets every Tuesday along with many other benefits.
Nineteen suspects were arrested overnight Saturday during a joint operation between the Israel Police and the Israel Border Police.

The suspects, five of whom are youths from East Jerusalem, are suspected of involvement in public disorder when they threw rocks and Molotov Cocktails, and blocked off roads with trash cans during the Jewish High Holy Days, particularly on Yom Kippur.

According to the police, the arrests were made based on accurate intelligence which was gathered by the police during operations in Silwan, Jabel Mukaber, Isawiya and Shuafat refugee camp in Jerusalem
Dozens of terrorists were killed overnight Saturday in Egyptian military air strikes on the cities of Rafah and Sheikh Zwede in the Sinai Peninsula, according to the Arabic-language version of Sky News.

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Egyptian military in Sinai

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The attacks were aimed at targets of the ISIS-Sinai Province branch of the international terrorist organization in the peninsula. Despite travel warnings, many Israelis were holidaying in the Sinai last week.

ISIS-SP targets

Security sources said that the attacks were focused on the city of Balaa west of Rafah and that some 70 terrorists were killed and another 70 injured. According to the Sky News Arabia report, the attack also destroyed vehicles used by ISIS-SP. Further, Egyptian Army forces reportedly thwarted an attempt to carry out a terrorist attack with four explosives in the northern Sinai.

The air strikes came several hours after Brigadier General Adel Rajaaie, an armored division commander who had served in the region, was shot dead outside his home on the outskirts of Cairo. A newly-emerged militant group calling itself Louwaa el Thawra, or the Revolution Brigade, claimed responsibility for the attack on a Twitter account that was suspended shortly after the claim.
Israels southern residents, living just minutes from the Gaza border, have become increasingly worried by the sight of rocket experiments conducted by Hamas which can be seen from their home windows.

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While the IDF is convinced that Hamas currently has little interest in the renewal of hostilities, and with Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman adamant that escalation is currently out of the question , the military also remains certain that the terrorist organization reigning in Gaza is preparing for a future round of violencea fact which it does virtually nothing to hide.

Hamas tests long-range missiles ( :   )

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Indeed, right before the eyes of the residents of Netiv HaAsara, which lies on the northern border with the Gaza Strip, Hamas conducted a exercises on Friday morning involving the use of long-range rockets, each of which left in their tracks plumes of white smoke as they darted across the sky.

One of the moshavs residents recorded from the window of his home the rockets being launched from the Hamas training facility, located next to al-Attatara, which was built upon the ruins of the Dugit community following Israels disengagement from Gaza in 2005.

Hamas routinely carries out such launches as part of their ongoing effort to improve their rockets stockpiles intended to land on Israeli towns during a future conflict with Israel. Additionally, Hamas carries out military drills designed to perfect their subterranean tunnel network, which was largelyalbeit not entirelycrippled by the IDF during Operation Protective Edge.

Hamas rocket darts across the sky for Israel' southern residents to view

During such drills, Hamas is careful to ensure that the rockets do not land inside Israeli territory and therefore aims them in the direction of the sea or in open fields within the strip.

Last Friday, residents of the moshav witnessed not only rocket fire tests, but also machine gun fire and the detonation of bombs. The ominous sounds of explosions and gunfire, combined with the sight of rockets cast into the skies, only serves to increase their sense of foreboding.

'Every time they are trying new weapons.'

Every time they are trying new weapons, explains one of Netiv HaAsara residents who viewed the rocket-fire from his window. But this kind of launching I am yet to have seen. It is extremely worrying. I know that the army is aware of these drills but is prevented from commenting so as not to disrupt the already fragile calm. It obviously cannot continue like this forever because such training has a purpose, at the end of the day.

Exacerbating matters for the residents in the region was the recent distribution of a letter informing them that the deployment of IDF footsoldiers on the ground would soon cease. The decisionwhich caused significant discontent from the residents who have had to bear the largest portion of the brunt of Hamas aggressionproved enough to trigger a protest.

Following the intervention of the regional mayors therefore, the IDF Southern Command reversed the decision, announcing that the situation would remain unchanged for the time being and that the IDF presence would continue.
Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit is expected to reject a proposal by coalition chairman David Bitan (Likud) to revoke the citizenship of B'Tselem Executive Director Hagai El-Ad over a highly critical speech the latter gave against the Israeli occupation at the UN Security Council.

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Bitan's initiative is not only unconstitutional, it is also populistic and sends the message of national weakness, hysteria, contempt towards freedom of speech, and an elementary lack of understanding of the democratic process.

Israeli law determines that one of the grounds on which citizenship can be revoked is if the citizen committed an act that constitutes a "breach of trust" towards the state. This violation is defined as an act of terrorism under the Prohibition on Terrorist Financing Law, an act of treason or an act of espionage under certain articles in the penal code or the acquisition of citizenship or permanent residence in an enemy state or in the Gaza Strip.

Coalition chairman David Bitan (Photo: Knesset Spokesman's Office)

El-Ad's remarks may be contentious, but are not criminal in nature. There are those who see his remarks as a model of good citizenship and concern for the future of the country, those who see it as defamation against the state, and those who have no views on the matter.

Bitan lives in a country that prides itself on its freedom of expression; the Supreme Court defined that freedom as a super-constitutional right. The beautiful thing about the freedom of expression is the great leeway it provides for citizens in exercising it, so long as they dont directly bring about violence.

B'Tselem Executive Director Hagai El-Ad speaking at the UN.

Even though the right to citizenship is not enshrined in Israel's basic laws, it is considered such a right because it serves as the basis for the right to vote, which is in fact a constitutional right.

And finally, for MK Bitan's information: Israel's Supreme Court rejected a petition seeking to revoke the citizenship of Yigal Amir, the murderer of prime minister Yizhak Rabin.
His golden hair twists into smelly, fly-infested excrement. In other cartoons, his trademark locks are shaped into a tongue or a wall. His silhouette also serves as Adolf Hitler's mustache.

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Donald Trump has been such a well of inspiration for cartoonists that a gallery is dedicated to the Republican presidential candidate at Mexico City's Caricature Museum.

The exhibit's title takes aim at Trump's threat to make Mexico pay for a giant barrier across the border: "Trump: A Wall of Cartoons."

Photo: AFP

By calling Mexican migrants criminals and rapists, and vowing to deport millions back to their homeland, he has inspired a plethora of cartoonists from Mexico and other nations who contributed to the exhibit.

Photo: AFP

Other Mexicans have vented their anger by bashing pinatas of his likeness or burning his effigy

Among the cartoonists, there are some recurring themes: the bouffant hair, brick walls, fresh feces and Nazi symbols.

Photo: AFP

One by the Mexican artist Antonio Rodriguez Garcia shows the Republican Party's symbola red and blue elephantdefecating dung shaped like Trump's unmistakable hairdo.

Another signed Rodriguez shows Trump as Uncle Sam pointing his finger, with the phrase "I hate you" instead of the famous "I want you" message of the military recruitment poster.

In a similar far-right vein, the Spanish cartoonist Jose Rubio Malagon drew Trump's hair into the shape of a hand doing a fascist salute.

Photo: AFP

Belgium's Luc Descheemaeker, or O-Sekoer, drew Hitler's own distinctive haircut and small mustache, which, if you look closer, is Trump's silhouette.

Others were less subtle, depicting Trump as a gorilla wearing a swastika armband or as a Hitler figure with blond hair.

'Involuntary comic character'

The cartoonist behind the exhibit is Arturo Kemchs, who as president of the Ibero-American Union of Graphic Humorists had requested contributions from his peers for a book on Trump a few months ago.

He received hundreds of cartoons and fit 350 of them in the book, of which 2,000 copies were sold. The idea for the exhibit, which began October 13, came after the book.

Photo: AFP

"It's a character who made our work easier," Kemchs, 57, told AFP. "He's an involuntarily comical character."

"This character has taken over spaces in the sense that some cartoonists no longer do caricatures of Mexican politicians. They go with the Donald Trump theme because he gives us a lot of material," he said.

Photo: AFP

Kemchs shows two of his Trump cartoons: one with a brick wall replacing Trump's hair, the other with his crest shaped like a tongue.

"I picked the tongue precisely because of his ability to talk and talk nonsense," he said.

'You build it'

The exhibit will go on tour in two other Mexican cities, Chicago, New York, Panama and Colombia. Meanwhile in Mexico City, locals and tourists marveled at the cartoons this week.

Photo: AFP

Saki Kameo, a 21-year-old woman from Kobe, Japan who is studying Spanish in Mexico, had her favorite: a Russian nesting doll of Trump over Hitler, North Korean strongman Kim Jong-Un and Italy's Benito Mussolini.

"There is a historic base for racism and that's why now there's Trump. It's not accidental that he has appeared," Kameo said.

Photo: AFP

Luis Antonio Engfui Amaya, a Mexican cashier at a sushi restaurant, liked a cartoon of a Mexican imagining himself whipping Trump as the real estate tycoon applies cement to a brick wall.

"It's as if the Mexican citizen is telling him, 'you want your wall, you build it,'" Engfui said with a smile.
Three Palestinians approached and touched the fence surrounding the settlement of Beit El located in the Binyamin region Sunday afternoon.

IDF soldiers present at the scene opened fire with rubber bullets, hitting one of the suspicious individuals in his leg.
A resident of eastern Jerusalem's Anata neighborhood was arrested on Saturday on suspicion he sexually assaulted a woman at the maternity ward of the Shaare Zedek Medical Center in the capital, police said Sunday morning.

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Hazem Rasheq, 29, is also suspected of stealing a cellphone from the hospital and attempting to rob a supermarket in southern Jerusalem.

Police launched an investigation after receiving a report from the medical center's security officer about the rape of a patient and also the theft of a cellphone.

The maternity ward at the Shaare Zedek Medical Center

The investigation found that Rasheq, who works at a supermarket in southern Jerusalem, entered a branch of the supermarket chain Shufersal on Friday and stole several items. When the owner noticed Rasheq stealing, however, the latter dropped the items and fled.

Later, the east Jerusalem resident entered the Shaare Zedek Medical Center's maternity ward, where he pretended to be a doctor and asked to examine three patients. He sexually attacked one of these patients, and then fled again.

Police sought to extend his remand by 10 days, citing a criminal record. The Jerusalem Magistrates' Court extended the remand by eight days, while determining there is a reasonable suspicion Rasheq committed the alleged offenses.
Israel's Teachers Association is threatening to announce a labor disputewhich could even result in a strikeimmediately after Sukkot over failure to pay employees in the education system their full salaries on time.

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In a letter to Education Minister Naftali Bennett on Thursday, Teachers Association leader Ran Erez rejected the minister's plan to establish a committee, headed by Education Ministry Director-General Michal Cohen, that would formulate a reform on the matter within a month.

"We've had enough with committees," Erez wrote. "The Education Ministry's director-general doesn't need a month to study the issue. Cohen is familiar with the recurring humiliating treatment of teachers."

Teachers protest over salary issues (Photo: Motti Kimchi)

Erez went on to note that after four years in her current role and many additional years of experience in the ministry, if the director-general was not aware of the problem, "then this is a very grave situation. If she knew and did nothing, that's even worse."

The Teachers Association leader said he turned to the ministry seeking solutions to the issue, but his overtures were met with no response.

"During a conference to launch your first school year as education minister, I said that the ministry's director-general is incapable of running the Education Ministry; that she has no 'compass' and that she needed your instructions and backing. Otherwise, she won't be able to manage such a big ministry," Erez wrote. "Since then, nothing has changed and the Education Ministry maintains its bad habits."

Education Minister Bennett, right, with ministry director-general Michal Cohen (Photo: Eli Mendelbaum)

In addition to complaints over pay, Erez detailed other issues he says the teachers are worried about. Among other things, he mentioned the two problematic reforms at six-year schools; pension problems for state employees; teachers who are not compensated for additional work, including English teachers, study track coordinators, and homeroom teachers; and the need to clearly define some teachers' responsibilities and authorities

"You promised open dialogue, and insisted that you would resolve at least some of the many existing issues. Unfortunately, you lacked the patience to even listen," Erez wrote. "All of the work meetings we had with the director-general and her team were futile. You don't need more than 10 minutes to understand the problem and make decisions that would resolve, once and for all, the problems with teachers' salary."

Teachers Association head Ran Erez (Photo: Yuval Chen)

Kindergarten teachers have also been experiencing unusual money deductions from their salary or unjustified salary reductions and have therefore hitched their wagon to the school teachers' protest.

The teachers' ad hoc headquarters has received numerous complaints of salary irregularities from kindergarten teachers, including new kindergarten teachers who complained they were not paid in September at all due to errors made by the Education Ministry's Economic and Finance Administration. Some of them were surprised to learn that their names did not appear in the ministry's salary system at all.

Teachers protest over salary issues (Photo: Motti Kimchi)

"Every year, there are issues with kindergarten teachers' September and October salaries," said Lily Pokmonski, the head of the kindergarten teachers' department at the Israel Teachers Union. "The kindergarten teachers never know how much they're going to get paid, and it's very sad that this is the way of things. It's enough for one digit of a kindergarten teacher's ID number to be typed wrong for her not to get paid, and unfortunately that happens a lot."

An Education Ministry official said that "over the past year, the ministry has led moves in an effort to significantly minimize the number of cases in which a teacher doesn't get paid in full.

Teachers protest over salary issues (Photo: Motti Kimchi)

"Among these actions were: Sending reminders to school principals regarding the assignment of teachers, text messages sent to educators whose details were not entered into the system, and developing a system that would open an online employee file to improve the integration of teachers."

"The ministry does not engage in smear campaigns," the official added. "Instead, it focuses its activity into providing solutions for the advancement of teachers and students in Israel. The Education Ministry is working to prepare the education system for the challenges of the 21st century, and we invite all of our partners to join us."
By PTI: Manama (Bahrain), Oct 23 (PTI) Terrorism is a global problem and the international community must join hands to root out the menace, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said here tonight as he began his three-day visit to the Gulf country.

Addressing the Indian community in Bahrain, Singh also said the Narendra Modi government has made several structural and procedural changes and that resulted in successfully reducing the "wholesale corruption" in the country.

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"Terrorism is a global problem and the entire international community has to come together to face the challenges posed by the menace," he said.

Highlighting various initiatives of the Modi government, the Home Minister said the NDA dispensation is creating an environment that will make every Indian "proud".

"India today is the fastest growing economy in the world and now it has become the most favorite destination for investments.

"India has attracted maximum FDI in one year which is more than even of the United States and China. India attracted USD 51 billion FDI in one year," he said.

Singh said that schemes like Jan Dhan Yojana, Skill India, Digital India, Make in India and others are having a positive impact on Indias economy.

"Our Prime Minister is very imaginative and extremely hard-working leader. He is working to minimise economic disparities in India," he said.

The Home Minister said Bahrain has started a "Little India in Bahrain" project and both the countries are coming closer on "emotional level" as well.

Earlier, upon his arrival, the Home Minister was received at the airport by Bahrains Interior Minister Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa.

Singh will meet Bahrain King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Prime Minister Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and the Interior Minister and will discuss with them various bilateral issues.

Pakistans continuous support to cross border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir is expected to be raised by the Home Minister in his meetings with the top leadership of Bahrain, official sources said.

There will be extensive discussions on how to enhance bilateral cooperation with regard to tackling terror and each others fugitives at the meeting between Singh and his Bahrain counterpart Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, sources said. PTI ACB PMS

--- ENDS ---
Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman has given a rare interview to al-Quds, the largest Palestinian newspaper in the West Bank, raising the ire of the Palestinians.

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The interview is due to be published on Monday, with the newspaper teasing the article on Sunday with a photo of Lieberman in his office with a copy of the Arabic-language newspaper on his desk.

The interview has drawn anger from Palestinians on social media, especially amongst those who identify with the Hamas and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) terror groups.

Avigdor Lieberman was interviewed by the leading Palestinian newspaper

They have been sending messages to the newspaper on Twitter using the hashtag "media of normalization" (I'alm al-tatbi'ah).

"The conflict with the enemy isn't only about power, it is also ideological, cultural, and natural. Therefore, any type of normalization with Israel must be forbidden," one commenter wrote.

Another added that "it's an embarrassment that we are hosting the murderer and war minister of the occupation in our media. No to normalization."

Lieberman reportedly said in the interview that if a new conflict between Israel and Hamas were to begin, "it will be the last."

The defense minister is also said to have laid out how a two-state solution could be achieved with the Palestinians, which would see land and population swaps, and would see Israel keeping the large settlement blocs.

Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), Maj. Gen. Yoav Mordechai reportedly worked behind the scenes to get the interview to happen.
KHAZER- Iraqi and Kurdish forces advanced on a town near Mosul on Sunday as part of an operation to retake the northern city from ISIS, which staged an assault in western Iraq that appeared to be another diversionary attack.

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The Kurdish forces, known as peshmerga, said they launched a dawn offensive on two fronts to the northeast of Mosul, near the town of Bashiqa.

Coalition snipers set up outside a village on the outskirts of Mosul (Photo: Reuters)

Maj. Gen. Haider Fadhil, of Iraq's Special Forces, said they had also launched an assault on Bashiqa, surrounding it and seizing parts of the town. He said the Kurds had captured two villages near Bashiqa and a small Shiite shrine in the area.

Over the last week, Iraqi and Kurdish forces have been battling ISIS in a belt of mostly uninhabited towns and villages around Mosul, contending with roadside bombs, snipers and suicide truck bombs.

In western Iraq, ISIS militants stormed into the town of Rutba, unleashing three suicide car bombs that were blown up before hitting their targets, according to the spokesman for the Joint Military Command, Brig. Gen. Yahya Rasool.

He said some militants were killed, without giving an exact figure, and declined to say whether any civilians or Iraqi forces were killed. He said the militants did not seize any government buildings and that the situation "is under control."

ISIS carried out a large assault on the northern city of Kirkuk on Friday, in which more than 50 militants stormed government compounds and other targets, setting off more than 24 hours of heavy fighting and killing at least 80 people, mainly security forces.

Fighting on the outskirts of Mosul (Photo: Reuters)

The ISIS-run Aamaq news agency had earlier said militants stormed the town from several directions.

Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend, the top US commander in Iraq, confirmed there had been a complex attack in Rutba and said he expects more such attacks as the militants try to divert attention from Mosul.

The Mosul offensive involves more than 25,000 Iraqi ground forces as well as US-led coalition aircraft and advisers. It is expected to take weeks, if not months, to drive ISIS from Mosul, which is home to more than a million civilians.

Bashiqa is close to a military base of the same name where some 500 Turkish troops are training Sunni and Kurdish fighters for the Mosul offensive.

The presence of the Turkish troops has angered Iraq, which says it never gave them permission to enter the country and has called on them to withdraw. Turkey has refused, insisting that it play a role in retaking Mosul from ISIS.

US Defense Secretary Ash Carter has visited both countries in recent days, and arrived in the Kurdish regional capital, Irbil on Sunday.

Soldiers take ime to eat as they fight ISIS outside of Mosul (Photo: Reuters)

After meeting with Turkey's leaders, Carter had announced an "agreement in principle" for Turkey to have a role in the operation. But Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi appeared to bat that idea down when he met with Carter on Saturday, insisting that Mosul was an "Iraqi battle."

"I know that the Turks want to participate, we tell them thank you, this is something the Iraqis will handle and the Iraqis will liberate Mosul and the rest of the territories," he said.

The forces taking part in the Mosul offensive include Iraqi troops, the peshmerga, Sunni tribal fighters and state-sanctioned Shiite militias.

Many fear the operation could heighten tensions between Iraq's different communities, which are allied against IS but divided over a host of other issues, including the fate of territories near mostly Sunni Mosul that are claimed by the largely autonomous Kurdish region and the central government.

Carter praised the peshmerga, saying they "fight extremely well," but also acknowledged that they had suffered casualties.

Brig. Gen. Halgord Hekmet, a spokesman for the Kurdish forces, told reporters that 25 of their troops have been killed since the battle to retake Mosul began and a "large number" had been wounded.

He said the peshmerga have had good coalition air support, but could use more armored vehicles and roadside bomb detectors. Most of the fallen peshmerga were riding in regular cars, he said.

Civilians flee fighting in Mosul (Photo: AFP)

The UN agency for children meanwhile expressed concern over the more than 4,000 people it says have fled from areas around Mosul since the operation began.

UNICEF's Iraq representative, Peter Hawkins, said that in at least one refugee camp the conditions for children were "very, very poor." He said UNICEF teams delivered water, sanitation and other supplies expected to last seven days.

They also provided immunizations against polio and measles, which he said had not been available during the more than two years that the people lived under IS rule. UNICEF has plans to assist more than 784,000 people, including up to 500,000 children.

Hawkins says children in and around Mosul are at risk of death or injury from the fighting, as well as sexual violence, kidnapping and recruitment by armed groups.
NAIROBI - Police in Burundi arrested an American journalist and her Burundian fixer on Sunday, saying they had questioned both on suspicion of destroying criminal evidence before releasing only the journalist from custody.

Julia Steers, a fellow with the International Women's Media Foundation, and Gildas Yihundimpundu were arrested in the Mutakura district north of the capital Bujumbura, police spokesman Pierre Nkurikiye wrote on his Twitter account.

The media regulator "CNC and police interrogated them for attempting to destroy evidence of crimes committed by insurgents," the tweet said. The government often uses the term "insurgents" to describe protesters.

Mutakura was hit by protests at the height of the unrest last year when President Pierre Nkurunziza announced plans to run for a third term in office, sparking weeks of protests by the opposition who said his bid was unconstitutional.
A baby named Walid Sha'ath was born last week in Rafah, Gaza, a place where a baby is born every 10 minutes.

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He is the 2 millionth official resident of the Strip, cementing Gaza's ranking as the most crowded piece of land in the world.

Along with the overpopulation, there's a 50% chance that you're unemployed if you live in Gaza. You don't have electricity for two thirds of the day  if you even have a house. You bathe in hard, salty water, and going abroad is only a dream. And if you're a Gazan with a problem, you can't go to the Palestinian Authority for help  you have to go to Hamas.

Walid Sha'ath, the two millionth resident of Gaza (Photo: AFP)

Hamas has been highly attentive to the needs of the people of Gaza, fearing that the population will rise up. So far, none of the people who have self immolated in the Strip have managed to spark popular protest. However, this doesn't mean it won't happen.

On the other hand, Hamas is the nation. Ismail Haniyeh, with all of his millions of dollars, still lives in the Shati refugee camp. He is a public figure who isn't disconnected from his electorate Compare this to when the Palestinian Authority controlled Gaza. They would drive around the impoverished strip in their fleets of Mercedes.

Ismail Haniyeh's house, destroyed in Operation Protective Edge

There's a reason that Hamas invests so heavily in teaching kindergarteners how great it is to be a shahid, holds extensive workshops for the military wing's reservists, and actively recruits young people. It's not because of any shortage in manpower or volunteers  but due to Hamas's understanding that it must completely merge with Palestinian society.

Cut off from Iran and Egypt

The Hamas internal elections are set to begin in December and continue for six months. The most interesting part of the elections are expected to be for the leadership and for who will be the new leader of the terror group.

Khaled Mashal, current political leader of Hamas, has announced that he won't stand for re-election.

However, one mustn't be mistaken  Mashal won't be sitting at home resting on his laurels. At only 60 years of age, and after two decades of being a leading member of Hamas, Mashal is looking for an even bigger role to play. He may become a high ranking figure in the Muslim Brotherhood, the international organization of which Hamas is a part. Or, he may run to be the next Palestinian president  if and when those elections are held.

Hamas leader Khaled Mashal with Turkish President Recip Tayyip Erdogan (Photo: EPA)

The Hamas of today is different than the Hamas of a decade ago. After all of the turmoil in the Middle East, Hamas today has no true patron. Hamas has always played the field - creating strong connections with Shia Iran and the Sunni Muslim Brotherhood.

However, Mashal was forced to choose a side as a result of the Arab Spring, and chose to side with the Sunnis.

Iran stopped supporting Hamas politically ever since, and is still waiting for Mashal to come to Tehran to personally apologize.

Neither have the Sunni countries welcomed Hamas with open arms. Saudi Arabia hasn't forgotten Hamas's close relations with Iran  Saudi Arabia's greatest enemy  and therefore hasn't opened up to the terror group.

Sunset in Gaza (Photo: EPA)

Hamas then tried being taken in by Cairo, but the Egyptian government hasn't been too kind to the Gaza based terror group. The Egyptians have been systematically flooding Hamas smuggling tunnels along its border and keeping the Rafah Border Crossing closed for the majority of the time.

However, along with trying to flatter the Egyptian government to mitigate that state's damage to the organization, Hamas also needs to keep good relations with ISIS in Sinai. This is because Hamas needs to keep what tunnels it has left going into Sinai operational. Hamas must also take into account the close familial relations between the people in Gaza and the Sunni extremists in Sinai. For example, the head of the Hamas Rafah Brigade, Mohammad Sha'abane, has a large portion of his family living in Sinai.

There are currently only two countries in the world which support Hamas; Turkey  which supports more in words than in deeds, and Qatar  which has turned into the terror group's largest financier, both in terms of rebuilding the Gaza Strip and in terms of funding the terror group.

Mashal understands that regional instability has caused Hamas to have to pay a heavy price.The organization preferred to stick to its principals instead of acting according to its interests. An example of this was seen when Hamas decided to turn its back on the Assad regime at the beginning of the Syrian civil war. The Hamas leadership left Damascus and scattered throughout the Arab world. On top of this, Hamas's connections with Hezbollah quickly came to an end  at least in the beginning of the war.

Surfing in Gaza (Photo: EPA)

Therefore, Hamas needs to build a foothold in the West Bank. To do this, Hamas has been organizing a civilian infrastructure in various Palestinian cities there. Hamas has been investing tens of millions of dollars to establish these infrastructures not only in the West Bank, but in east Jerusalem as well.

The money is being transferred via Palestinian businessmen who have permits to cross from Gaza to the West Bank, along with people who cross from Jordan into the West Bank via the Allenby Border Crossing outside of Jericho, amongst others ways.

This is why Mashal has been more moderate and realistic, and why he said in his latest speech  given in Qatar a month ago  that Hamas needs to cooperate with their political rivals (Fatah), and not attack them. He is trying to bequeath a less inflammatory situation to his successor.

Replacements and supporters

The deputy head of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, went to Saudi Arabia a little more than a month ago. The official reason for the trip was to go on Hajj to Mecca, but in reality, he was there to help build a base for his candidacy for the Hamas internal elections.

After Saudi Arabia, he flew to Qatar where he met Qatari Emir Yusuf al-Qardawi, one of the most senior Sharia arbitrators in the Sunni world, and one of the central figures in the Muslim Brotherhood.

Ismail Haniyeh and Yusuf al Qardawi in Qatar

Qardawi was photographed warmly shaking Haniyeh's hand as Mashal stood by his side  a picture which will undoubtedly help Haniyeh achieve the Hamas crown.

Haniyeh's trips - of which there are still more to come  are expected to give him major points in the race to the leadership. His victory will mark the point when Hamas completely bases itself in the Gaza Strip. He has the charisma and the ability to get a large number of people to follow him, and is building himself up to be the strongest person in the Strip.

.

Mousa Abu Marzook is one of the people running against Haniyeh, and has cultivated a strong working relationship with the Muslim Brotherhood leadership and various other Arab states over the past few decades. He is also the only one left in Hamas with relations with the Egyptian security and political establishment. Abu Marzook also believes that an effective Hamas leader needs to live outside of Gaza, and has attacked Haniya on this issue.

Musa abu Marzook (Photo: Reuters)

Despite the fact that Mashal was photographed with Haniyeh, it seems that he would rather see abu Marzook replace him as leader of Hamas, as a Hamas leader outside of Gaza will have an easier time holding onto power.

However, in the end it seems that Mashal may lend his final support to the leader of the Hamas military wing, Mohammad Deif . Deif is a man who wants to be more involved in politics, and would like to see the baton of power passed to the people he is close to. Deif and the people he surrounds himself with are already in their 50's, and would like to take part in political decision making.

The defense minister

Last week marked five years since Gilad Shalit was freed from Hamas captivity in a prisoner exchange which saw Israel release over 1,000 prisoners. Amongst those prisoners was Yehya Sinwar, one of the founders of the Hamas military wing.

After becoming part of the leadership's bureau four years ago, he was thought to be the most likely to succeed Mashal as the head of Hamas.

Sinwar has a lot of influence in Hamas, influence which will only continue to grow should Haniyeh be elected to be leader.

Yehya Sinwar represents the polar opposite to what Mashal is; he is part of a family of militants (his brother was one of the planners of the abduction of Gilad Shalit), he is an integral part of the military wing, ascetic, powerful, tough, and has a strong sense of self-discipline.

He stays away from the press, and is therefore relatively unknown to the Israeli public. However, he is a very key figure in Hamas.

Sinwar managed to create a position for himself in Hamas which didn't exist previously  a connection between the military and political wings of the terror group. For all intents and purposes, he established the position of "Hamas defense minister." Sinwar, as opposed to almost any other high ranking Hamas official today, has no problem viewing Mohammad Deif as an equal, as the two began their militant activities at around the same time.

Yehya Sinwar upon his release

He also subscribes to a school of thought which advocates renewing the alliance with Iran.

Ever since his release, Sinwar's and Mashal's relationship has been full of tension due to their radically different views and because Sinwar isn't afraid of being in open conflict with Mashal.

For example, Sinwar decided that a high ranking Hamas military wing official needed to be assassinated due to suspicions that he was transferring information to Israel regarding Deif's whereabouts during Operation Protective Edge. He decided this without consulting with Mashal first.

With Mashal out of the way, and if Haniyeh wins the elections, Sinwar will have a lot more influence over how the Hamas military wing operates, and will be able to have a hanfd in changing the face of the terror organization, much to the consternation of regional players - chief amongst them Israel.

The answer as to what direction Hamas is going in will come at the end of this year, when the next Hamas leader is elected. However, before they will be able to realize their political ambitions, Hamas's leadership must tend to the needs of its two million residents who are already beginning to boil over in anger. They must ensure that children like Walid Sha'ath don't feel like they were born into a huge, neglected, poor prison.
NAIROBI-The spokesman for Kenya's president says Kenya's cabinet has yet to make a decision on whether the country should withdraw from the International Criminal Court.

Manoah Esipisu said Sunday that parliament has twice before issued resolutions calling for Kenya's withdrawal from the tribunal, first in 2010 and again in 2013.

Esipisu says the ultimate decision on whether Kenya pulls out is subject to cabinet deliberation.
Arizona News

Phoenix, Arizona - A Romanian national wanted in France for sex trafficking young women and forcing them into prostitution was turned over to Romanian authorities Wednesday at Henri Coanda International Airport in Bucharest, Romania, by deportation officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Cosmin Diamant, 28, was transferred by ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) to the custody of the Romanian police. Diamants repatriation follows his arrest at his Phoenix residence in April by officers with ERO and ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). He was detained by ICE on administrative immigration violations after the agency learned through Interpol about an outstanding warrant issued by a French judge which charges him with human trafficking and forcing females into prostitution. In August, an immigration judge ordered Diamant removed from the U.S., paving the way for this weeks repatriation.

According to that French warrant, issued Oct. 21, 2013, Diamant was involved in a large-scale international network that trafficked Romanian women to France where they were forced into prostitution. Convicted of the charges in absentia, Diamant was sentenced to five years in prison.

Human traffickers who sexually exploit women for profit and believe they can evade justice by fleeing to the U.S. should heed this warning, youll find no refuge here, said Enrique Lucero, field office director for Phoenix. ICE continues to work tirelessly to identify and repatriate fugitives like this individual to ensure theyre made to answer for their alleged crimes.

Since Oct. 1, 2009, ERO has removed more than 1,700 foreign fugitives from the United States who were sought in their native countries for serious crimes, including kidnapping, rape and murder. ERO works with the HSIs Office of International Operations, foreign consular offices in the United States, and Interpol to identify foreign fugitives illegally present in the United States.

Members of the public who have information about foreign fugitives are urged to contact ICE by calling the ICE tip line at 1 (866) 347-2423 or internationally at 001-1802-872-6199. They can also file a tip online by completing ICEs online tip form.
Health News

Scottsdale, Arizona - You're not a kid anymore, so you don't have to worry about shots, right? Wrong. Find out how to stay on top of your vaccines.

What vaccines do adults need?

Vaccines for adults are recommended based on your age, prior vaccinations, health, lifestyle, occupation and travel destinations.

The schedule is updated every year, and changes range from the addition of a new vaccine to tweaks of current recommendations. To determine exactly which vaccines you need now and which vaccines are coming up, check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website.

What factors might affect my vaccine recommendations?

Several factors can affect whether you need certain vaccines. Be sure to tell your doctor if you:

Are planning to travel abroad

Have had your spleen removed

Work in certain occupations where exposures could occur

Are or might be pregnant

Are breast-feeding

Are moderately or severely ill or have a chronic illness

Have any severe allergies, including a serious allergic reaction to a previous dose of a vaccine

Have had a disorder in which your body's immune system attacks your nerves, such as Guillain-Barre syndrome

Have a weakened immune system or are being treated with an immunosuppressant

Have recently had another vaccine

Have recently had a transfusion or received other blood products

Have a personal or family history of seizures

Your doctor might also recommend certain vaccines based on your sexual activity. Vaccinations can protect you from hepatitis A and hepatitis B, serious liver infections that can spread through sexual contact. The HPV vaccine is recommended for men up to age 21 and women up to age 26.

Why are some vaccines particularly important for adults?

Adults of any age can benefit from vaccines. However, certain diseases, such as the flu, can be particularly serious for older adults or those living with certain chronic illnesses.

How can I keep track of my vaccines?

To gather information about your vaccination status, talk to your parents or other caregivers. Check with your doctor's office, as well as any previous doctors' offices, schools and employers. Some states also have registries that include adult immunizations. To check, contact your state health department.

If you can't find your records, talk to your doctor. He or she might be able to do blood tests to see if you are immune to certain diseases that can be prevented by vaccines. You might need to get some vaccines again.

To stay on top of your vaccines, ask your doctor for an immunization record form. Bring the form with you to all of your doctor visits and ask your provider to sign and date the form for each vaccine you receive.
Health News

Rochester, Minnesota - Inside a cancer cell, locked tightly within spools of genetic text, reside the origins of each malignancy. For some cancers, a few misprints here or there enabled them to grow out of control. For others, a new juxtaposition of disparate pieces of genetic code granted the cells immunity from this rapid, malignant growth.

The exact nature of the molecular abnormalities that set the course for cancer can determine how quickly a malignancy will grow, how aggressively it might invade other tissues and how likely it will respond to certain therapies.

The Biomarker Discovery Program at Mayo Clinic is tapping into this knowledge to help physicians stay one step ahead of cancer.

Most cancers are diagnosed using a number of relatively crude measures, such as the size of the tumor and whether it has spread to other parts of the body. Although those parameters have been helpful in predicting overall outcomes and as a consequence how people need to be treated, they dont address the underlying genetic differences from cancer to cancer and patient to patient that could determine whether a treatment is successful or even necessary.

Now that we are looking at those diseases more carefully, we see that patients can be very different at the molecular level, and biomarkers can tell us which way to go, says molecular biologist George Vasmatzis, Ph.D., co-director of the Biomarker Discovery Program in the Center for Individualized Medicine, and an expert in computational biology.

Biomarkers can answer a number of different questions, depending on the type of cancer, says Vasmatzis, of Mayo Clinics campus in Rochester, Minnesota. There are some cancers that you want to detect early, and there are some that you want to know how to treat. There are some cancers that you want to know if you should just leave them alone.

Finding biomarkers for rare non-Hodgkins lymphoma

Microscopic images of ALK-negative anaplastic large cell lymphomas from two patients. Genetic testing showed that the tumor on the left had an abnormality associated with a 90 percent chance of surviving five years and the tumor on the right had an abnormality associated with only a 17 percent chance.

Researchers at Mayo Clinic are spurring a bedside-to-bench movement that takes the issues physicians face in the clinic back to the laboratory in the hopes of discovering biomarkers to solve them.

Thoracic surgeon Dennis Wigle, M.D., Ph.D., urologist R. Jeffrey Karnes, M.D., and hematopathologist Andrew L. Feldman, M.D., all of Mayo Clinics campus in Rochester, are just a few of those harnessing the power of biomarkers to benefit their patients.

With so many differences from one cancer to the next, the big challenge comes in filtering out the real biomarkers that could impact a patients outcome from the otherwise irrelevant molecular noise. Still, Dr. Vasmatzis says the Center for Individualized Medicine is in a favorable position to go hunting for needles in a haystack.

Mayo Clinic began banking tumor samples long before most other institutions, and it now houses tens of thousands of these frozen snapshots, each with careful clinical annotations of when the cancer was diagnosed, how it was treated and if it recurred. And having this bank of frozen tumor samples has paid off.

Researchers can bring their most pressing clinical questions to Dr. Vasmatzis at the Biomarker Discovery Program, where they can design elaborate studies using these tumor samples to uncover molecular patterns that might predict the course of the disease. These studies have led Mayo Clinic researchers to dozens of discoveries of important molecular cancer biomarkers, including 32 in 2013 alone.

For example, Dr. Feldman wanted to dig up new information that he could use to better classify tumors from patients with an aggressive subtype of non-Hodgkins lymphoma known as peripheral T-cell lymphoma, a rare and poorly studied form of cancer. Because the disease is typically fast growing and has few therapeutic options, about two-thirds of those affected dont survive the first five years.

Most of the classifications we make are biologically accurate, but the patients are treated the same anyway, Dr. Feldman says. As a pathologist, I would like to see the diagnosis I am giving incorporate genetic data because it is so important and will obviously affect the outcome.

A few years ago, Dr. Feldman noticed the same genetic abnormality cropping up in the T-cell lymphoma tissues he was analyzing. The abnormality  a cutting and pasting together of genetic material known as a chromosomal translocation  had all the makings of a good biomarker for the disease. Yet as Dr. Feldman tried to figure out what specific gene or genes were being rearranged, he kept hitting technological roadblocks.

Thats when he enlisted the help of the Biomarker Discovery Program to apply a type of next-generation sequencing known as meet-the-pair sequencing to the problem.

We accomplished in two weeks what I had been struggling with for two years, Dr. Feldman says. That is the power of this technology.

Not only did the researchers uncover the genomic details of the translocation, but they also found that patients with this specific genetic abnormality actually had a very favorable prognosis.

Patients with aggressive peripheral T-cell lymphomas as determined from these biomarkers may benefit from more-intense therapies, such as stem cell transplantation. These treatments may cure patients, but they are more toxic than conventional therapy.

Biomarkers would identify patients most likely to benefit from these treatments and spare patients from toxic therapies if treatment would not benefit them.

Building on this initial success, the researchers sequenced more T-cell lymphomas for other recurrent abnormalities that might underlie the disease. They found a constellation of genetic abnormalities all related to TP53, a well-known tumor suppressor gene that encodes the p53 protein. Although half of most solid tumors have a mutation in the TP53 gene, only one-tenth of T-cell lymphomas contain p53 defects.

Dr. Feldmans findings suggest that T-cell lymphomas can be aggressive even without this powerful cancer-causing mutation because they contain associated defects, such as a mutation in the sister protein, p63.

Importantly, if you looked under the microscope you couldnt tell these things apart. Without genetics, you wouldnt have this information, Dr. Feldman explains.

The key to individualized medicine

Although molecular profiling can have a big impact on the management of rare cancers like T-cell lymphoma, profiling can also help clinicians treating more common cancers, like lung cancer.

The system used for staging most solid tumors is more than 25 years old, and despite many revisions it still lacks the granularity demanded for todays individualized medicine approach. For instance, 70 percent of people diagnosed with stage I lung cancer will be cured with surgery or radiation, but 30 percent wont survive.

As a thoracic surgeon, Dr. Wigle has been looking for biomarkers that can better guide the treatment of his own patients than does the staging system alone.

We need to stop treating everybody as though their disease fits in the same bucket when they dont, Dr. Wigle says. Any kind of label that could indicate whether the patient sitting in front of me has a high chance of being cured or not is critically important. That could change how we treat patients, from the kind of surgery we do, to whether they get chemotherapy afterward, to how closely we follow them.

Dr. Wigle, who was the lead author of one of the first studies to identify a molecular biomarker for lung cancer in 2000, admits to being alternatively frustrated and exhilarated by the pace of discovery in the biomarker field.

We are still doing things largely the same way we were doing them 25 years ago, he says. But we are also at the cusp of an incredible exponential increase in our understanding of lung cancer biology, and the potential for biomarker discovery means those big advances everybody has been predicting may be just around the corner.

One advance came from Dr. Wigles research team, which recently uncovered a new biomarker for identifying smoking-related lung cancer.

The researchers found that tumors with high levels of a protein called ASCL1 and a cancer-causing gene called RET had a poorer prognosis than did ASCL1 tumors with low levels of RET. The results point to new targets for treating smokers lung cancer and also suggest that future work in biomarker discovery should focus on specific biomarkers for specific niches of patients rather than one-size-fits-all approaches.

When surveillance of prostate cancer is better than treatment

Among patients receiving increased attention recently are those whose tumors might never progress. One example is the clinically indolent tumors that appear in the prostates of men as they age.

A urologist with a special interest in advanced prostate cancer, Dr. Karnes says because of increased screening triggered by the prostate specific antigen (PSA) test, many tumors that may have otherwise gone unnoticed are being picked up. PSA tests, however, dont delineate between how mild or aggressive the disease is. As a result, urologists may make decisions to treat patients unnecessarily.

Most prostate cancer diagnosed today is of lower risk disease, so the big question is whether there is a more aggressive cancer hiding in there that we arent seeing, Dr. Karnes says. If you can develop biomarkers to reassure a man he doesnt harbor aggressive cancer or to suggest he should be concerned about aggressive disease, it would be of value to a majority of men faced with a prostate cancer diagnosis.

Dr. Karnes has been working with the Biomarker Discovery Program to identify markers indicating when an active surveillance approach, rather than treatment, is the most appropriate for prostate cancer.

The researchers combed through a database of prostate tissue samples to find 50 recently preserved specimens of indolent tumors for their studies. They then compared the sequence of these growths with other, more aggressive tumors to find molecular signatures that suggest a tumor is destined to remain indolent.

The researchers have discovered a number of markers fitting the bill. These markers now need to be verified and validated before their clinical utility can be assessed. Having gone through this process before, Dr. Karnes knows that the vast majority of biomarkers never make it into the clinic. Most will be eliminated in further research trials from having any clinical application.

Still, there will be exceptions. A few of the biomarkers discovered in the lab will end up in the clinic. These will help physicians make more precise diagnoses, prescribe more effective treatment across a spectrum of diseases, and avoid unnecessary treatments.

Dr. Karnes credits the infrastructure, expertise and financial support provided by Mayo Clinic for making such successes possible. The sentiment is echoed by other researchers at Mayo Clinic who are eager to add biomarkers to their everyday arsenal in the fight against cancer.

I think the institution should be lauded for investing in biomarker discovery, Dr. Wigle says. There is a lot of amazing work happening at this institution, but without threads to bring it all together those connections dont always get made or people dont always combine their efforts to push the science forward. I think one of the strong byproducts of the Biomarker Discovery Program is that it has brought us together in a way that wasnt happening without that leadership, funding and resources.
Three patients and a Siddha doctor died in Tenkasi of Tamil Nadu after they consumed herbs meant to cure diabetes.

Spot were the four persons consumed the herbs.

By Pramod Madhav: Three men and a Sidha doctor ended up dead after consuming herbs to cure diabetes at Tenkasi of Tamil Nadu.

Muthupandi, age 54 was a well known Sidha practitioner from Tenkasi and his clinic was fequented with patients believing he could cure many diseases.

Irulandi, age 40, Balasubramaniam, age 30 and Soundarapandian, all from Alagapuri age 40 visited Muthupandi's clinic seeking treatment for diabetes and other conditions related to it.

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Muthupandi gave them a herbal tonic and asked them to take it saying it was the medicine.

But within a few minutes the patients began to vomit and lost consciousness. Muthupandi said that there was nothing wrong with the medicine and to prove, he consumed it as well. But unfortunately he fell unconscious as well.

They were rushed to Tenkasi government hospital. Doctors pronounced three of them were brought dead.

Hospital sources claim that the herbal tonic must have had a cardiac arrester the victims' had symptoms of vomit followed by cardiac arrest.

The state is facing a high number of deaths of patients treated by unqualified medical practitioners, especially in rural areas.

Also read:

Fearing honour killing, Tamil Nadu couple tries to commit suicide by consuming rat poison

Tamil Nadu: Jilted lover kills girl, attempts suicide later



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Health News

Tempe, Arizona - Mayo Clinic and Arizona State University have announced the launch of a comprehensive new model for health care education and research: the Mayo Clinic and Arizona State University Alliance for Health Care. The goal of the alliance is to innovate health care delivery to improve patient care, accelerate cutting-edge research discoveries, and transform medical education.

The alliance further links two of the Phoenix areas most recognizable institutions. ASU recently was named the nations No. 1 most innovative university by U.S. News & World Report. Mayo Clinic earned the No. 1 top ranking nationally on 2016 U.S. News & World Report's Honor Roll of America's Best Hospitals, as well as the No. 1 spots for top hospitals in Arizona and Phoenix, Minnesota and Florida. The formalized alliance provides cohesion to a collection of joint projects, which have evolved over the past decade and sets the stage for many more. This expansion promises growing impact and scale.

Evidence of the alliance soon will rise on land owned by ASU in northeast Phoenix adjacent to Mayo Clinic. ASU is planning to build a 150,000-square-foot Health Solutions Innovation Center to deliver a world-class learning environment. The leading-edge facility will feature a med-tech innovation accelerator, biomedical engineering and informatics research labs, and an education zone. The new facility is scheduled to break ground in 2017.

One key part of the collaboration involves developing highly skilled physicians who can not only provide the finest in medical care, but also help shape and improve our nations complicated health care system. The national Mayo Clinic School of Medicine, which is expanding to Mayos Arizona campus in 2017, has collaborated with ASU to develop a specialized curriculum and certification in the science of health care delivery jointly conferred with ASU, which students earn concurrent with their medical degree from Mayo Clinic. Students will have the option of continuing beyond the certification to pursue a masters degree in the science of health care delivery through ASU.

We are combining our strengths and forming a comprehensive hub for innovation in health sciences, medical education and health care delivery that is informed by real-world experience, says Michael Crow, Ph.D., president, ASU. We are developing new systems and new ways of thinking into a design that will produce positive health care outcomes for patients, not only in our community, but across the country.

For Mayo Clinic, the alliance spans activities in all three aspects of its mission  patient care, education and research  and is an example of public and private sector collaboration in the design, implementation and delivery of high-value health care.

This formal agreement paves the way for Mayo Clinic and ASU to strategically focus and deepen our mutual engagement across a full range of activities related to our relentless focus on innovation to create the future of health care, says Wyatt Decker, M.D., vice president, Mayo Clinic, and CEO, Mayo Clinic in Arizona It is emblematic of the great work weve been doing together for 15 years. Our organizations share similar values around serving our local, regional and national communities by delivering real-world solutions to meaningful challenges. Further, we share an enthusiasm for learning and discovery, and we are equally committed to transforming health and health care delivery.

Since 2003, leaders from ASU and Mayo Clinic have worked together on a series of strategic collaborations, including dual-degree programs, a nursing education program, collaborative joint research projects, and more than 80 joint faculty appointments and numerous joint intellectual property disclosures. Collaborative initiatives have expanded over the years to encompass business, technology and other components of health care, including education.

The Alliance has also caught the attention of leaders in Arizona.

There is a collaborative spirit in Arizona that sets us apart from the rest of the country, and there is no better example than what Mayo Clinic and ASU have accomplished," says Doug Ducey, Governor of Arizona. "The two organizations are complementary and they draw on each others strengths  their cooperation is truly an example for all who want to grow biosciences in Arizona.

Phoenix has made a deep commitment to support biomedicine, healthcare and innovation," says Greg Stanton, Mayor of Phoenix. "This Alliance between Mayo Clinic and ASU - two of the most innovative and respected institutions in the country  moves our region in exactly the direction we need to go. It will spur exciting new developments in healthcare education, research and biomedical technology.
Health News

Washington, DC - Achieving moderate reduction of new HIV infections among men who have sex with men (MSM) will depend on significantly increasing the percentage of HIV-infected MSM whose viral load is suppressed to undetectable levels, according to a new mathematical model based on data from Baltimore. Access and adherence to antiretroviral therapy are key to sustained HIV suppression, which dramatically reduces the risk of transmitting HIV to others.

Researchers from the National Institutes of Health (NIH)-supported HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) will present their results on Oct. 19 at the HIV Research for Prevention (HIVR4P) 2016 conference in Chicago. Scientists performed the modeling as part of a large clinical research study called HPTN 078, which is funded by NIHs National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). HPTN 078 began enrolling participants earlier this year to assess an HIV prevention strategy that includes identifying MSM living with HIV who are not virally suppressed, getting them into care, and helping them achieve and maintain viral suppression.

MSM in the United States are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS (link is external), and rates of viral suppression among MSM are quite low. Although MSM represent approximately 2 percent of the U.S. population, they accounted for 67 percent of newly diagnosed HIV infections in 2014, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. During 2013, 57 percent of MSM in the United States who had been living with diagnosed HIV for at least one year were receiving continuous HIV medical care, and 58 percent of MSM diagnosed with HIV were virally suppressed. HPTN 078 is enrolling HIV-infected MSM in Baltimore and three other U.S. cities with a high HIV burden  Atlanta, Birmingham and Boston.

Achieving and maintaining viral suppression is essential both for individual health and to reduce HIV transmission within the community, said NIAID Director Anthony S. Fauci, M.D. Developing and validating strategies to enhance the engagement of men who have sex with men living with HIV in care and treatment is essential for controlling the HIV epidemic in this critical population in the United States.

The new modeling focuses on the increase in viral suppression needed to reduce the occurrence of new HIV infections among MSM in Baltimore. In 2014, an estimated 30 percent of MSM in Baltimore were living with HIV, and according to data from 2013, only 37 percent of these men were virally suppressed. To reduce new infections by 20 percent after 5 years, the community would need to increase the level of viral suppression by 10 percentage points in five years. To reduce HIV incidence by 20 percent after 10 years, a smaller increase in viral suppression  8 percentage points over that period  would be needed.

The U.S. National HIV/AIDS Strategy calls for 90 percent of people living with HIV to be diagnosed, 90 percent of those diagnosed to be on antiretroviral treatment, and 90 percent of those in treatment to be virally suppressed by 2020. The new model predicts that meeting these 90-90-90 targets would require 75 percent of all HIV-infected MSM to be virally suppressed by 2020 and would lead to a 50 percent reduction in HIV incidence.

Turning the tide on HIV will require a combination of evidence-based approaches, said Dianne Rausch, Ph.D., director of the Division of AIDS Research at NIMH. We anticipate that the HPTN 078 study will provide important data to advance the evidence base on how to strengthen viral suppression in this community to save lives and prevent HIV infections.

HPTN 078 is testing a new strategy to find, engage, treat and retain MSM who are living with HIV and not virally suppressed. The study aims to recruit approximately 2,700 MSM aged 16 years and older. The investigators are assessing the ability of a peer-to-peer recruitment strategy to identify MSM who are not virally suppressed. In this strategy, a small group of well-connected MSM participants recruits their peers into the study. The newly recruited participants then refer other MSM they know, and the process repeats. Previous work has suggested that this type of process is effective in recruiting hard-to-reach populations.

Participants identified as not virally suppressed will be invited to be randomly assigned to either a case management intervention or to standard care. Participants assigned to the intervention will work with a trained case manager, who will assist them with navigating health care and supportive services and provide counseling for adherence to antiretroviral treatment. Participants in the case management group also will have the option to receive automated text, email and phone reminders to take their antiretroviral medications and attend appointments. After two years, the researchers will assess the effectiveness of the case management approach compared to standard care.

Mathematical modeling is a supporting component of the HPTN 078 study. Moving forward, HPTN researchers will use models to predict the effects of the case management intervention and the level of viral suppression achieved in the trial on new HIV infections within the population, among other goals.

HPTN 078 is led by protocol chair Chris Beyrer, M.D., M.P.H., of Johns Hopkins University and protocol co-chair Robert H. Remien, Ph.D., of Columbia University. More information about the study Enhancing Recruitment, Linkage to Care and Treatment for HIV-Infected Men Who Have Sex with Men in the United States (HPTN 078) is available on ClinicalTrials.gov under identifier NCT02223219.
Latest News

Fort Worth, Texas - A former high school teacher in North Texas pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of producing child pornography.

This guilty plea was announced U.S. Attorney John Parker, Northern District of Texas. This case is being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Tarrant County (Texas) District Attorneys Office, and the Macomb County (Michigan) Sheriffs Office.

Matthew Anthony Keller, 24, of Watauga, Texas, faces a statutory penalty of not less than 15 years and not more than 30 years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine and a lifetime of supervised release. Keller has been in custody since his arrest in July 2016 on a related federal complaint. He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 2, 2017, by U.S. District Judge Terry R Means. A according to police reports, Keller taught at Southwest High School in Fort Worth, Texas.

According to documents filed in the case, this investigation began when a parent of a 15-year-old child (MV1) discovered a relationship between MV1 and Keller and notified a police department in Macomb County, Michigan. The parent was further concerned because it was discovered that Keller planned to fly from Texas to Michigan and possibly meet with MV1 for a sexual encounter.

When a search warrant was conducted at Kellers residence in Watauga, law enforcement seized a computer from his bedroom. A forensic analysis of that computer revealed the presence of a sexually explicit video of the minor victim.

Assistant U.S. Attorney A. Saleem, Northern District of Texas, is in charge of the prosecution.

This investigation was conducted under HSIs Operation Predator, an international initiative to protect children from sexual predators. Since the launch of Operation Predator in 2003, HSI has arrested more than 14,000 individuals for crimes against children, including the production and distribution of online child pornography, traveling overseas for sex with minors, and sex trafficking of children. In fiscal year 2015, nearly 2,400 individuals were arrested by HSI special agents under this initiative and more than 1,000 victims identified or rescued.
Programmable NVIDIA GPUs are very inspiring to hardware geeks, proving that processors with an original, incompatible programming model can become widely used.

NVIDIA call their parallel programming model SIMT - "Single Instruction, Multiple Threads". Two other different, but related parallel programming models are SIMD - "Single Instruction, Multiple Data", and SMT - "Simultaneous Multithreading". Each model exploits a different source of parallelism:

In SIMD, elements of short vectors are processed in parallel.

In SMT, instructions of several threads are run in parallel.

SIMT is somewhere in between  an interesting hybrid between vector processing and hardware threading.

My presentation of SIMT is focused on hardware architecture and its implications on the trade-off between flexibility and efficiency. I'll describe how SIMT is different from SIMD and SMT, and why  what is gained (and lost) through these differences.

From a hardware design perspective, NVIDIA GPUs are at first glance really strange. The question I'll try to answer is "why would you want to build a processor that way?" I won't attempt to write a GPU programming tutorial, or quantitatively compare GPUs to other processors.

SIMD < SIMT < SMT

It can be said that SIMT is a more flexible SIMD, and SMT is in turn a more flexible SIMT. Less flexible models are generally more efficient  except when their lack of flexibility makes them useless for the task.

So in terms of flexibility, SIMD < SIMT < SMT. In terms of performance, SIMD > SIMT > SMT, but only when the models in question are flexible enough for your workload.

SIMT vs SIMD

SIMT and SIMD both approach parallelism through broadcasting the same instruction to multiple execution units. This way, you replicate the execution units, but they all share the same fetch/decode hardware.

If so, what's the difference between "single instruction, multiple data", and single instruction, multiple threads"? In NVIDIA's model, there are 3 key features that SIMD doesn't have:

Single instruction, multiple register sets Single instruction, multiple addresses Single instruction, multiple flow paths

We'll see how this lifts restrictions on the set of programs that are possible to parallelize, and at what cost.

Single instruction, multiple register sets

Suppose you want to add two vectors of numbers. There are many ways to spell this. C uses a loop spelling:

for(i=0;i<n;++i) a[i]=b[i]+c[i];

Matlab uses a vector spelling:

a=b+c;

SIMD uses a "short vector" spelling  the worst of both worlds. You break your data into short vectors, and your loop processes them using instructions with ugly names. An example using C intrinsic functions mapping to ARM NEON SIMD instructions:

void add(uint32_t *a, uint32_t *b, uint32_t *c, int n) { for(int i=0; i<n; i+=4) { //compute c[i], c[i+1], c[i+2], c[i+3] uint32x4_t a4 = vld1q_u32(a+i); uint32x4_t b4 = vld1q_u32(b+i); uint32x4_t c4 = vaddq_u32(a4,b4); vst1q_u32(c+i,c4); } }

SIMT uses a "scalar" spelling:

__global__ void add(float *a, float *b, float *c) { int i = blockIdx.x * blockDim.x + threadIdx.x; a[i]=b[i]+c[i]; //no loop! }

The weird __global__ keyword says that add() is a GPU thread entry point. blockIdx, blockDim and threadIdx are built-in thread-local variables keeping the thread's ID. We'll see later why a thread ID isn't just a single number; however, in this example we in fact convert it to a single number, and use it as the element index.

The idea is that the CPU spawns a thread per element, and the GPU then executes those threads. Not all of the thousands or millions of threads actually run in parallel, but many do. Specifically, an NVIDIA GPU contains several largely independent processors called "Streaming Multiprocessors" (SMs), each SM hosts several "cores", and each "core" runs a thread. For instance, Fermi has up to 16 SMs with 32 cores per SM  so up to 512 threads can run in parallel.

All threads running on the cores of an SM at a given cycle are executing the same instruction  hence Single Instruction, Multiple Threads. However, each thread has its own registers, so these instructions process different data.

Benefits

"Scalar spelling", where you write the code of a single thread using standard arithmetic operators, is arguably a better interface than SIMD loops with ugly assembly-like opcodes.

Syntax considerations aside, is this spelling more expressive  can it do things SIMD can't? Not by itself, but it dovetails nicely with other features that do make SIMT more expressive. We'll discuss those features shortly; in theory, they could be bolted on the SIMD model, but they never are.

Costs

From a hardware resources perspective, there are two costs to the SIMT way:

Registers spent to keep redundant data items. In our example, the pointers a, b, and c have the same value in all threads. The values of i are different across threads, but in a trivial way  for instance, 128, 129, 130 In SIMD, a, b, and c would be kept once in scalar registers  only short vectors such as a[i:i+4] would be kept in vector registers. The index i would also be kept once  several neighbor elements starting from i would be accessed without actually computing i+1, i+2, etc. Redundant computations both waste registers and needlessly consume power. Note, however, that a combination of compiler & hardware optimizations could eliminate the physical replication of redundant values. I don't know the extent to which it's done in reality.

In our example, the pointers a, b, and c have the same value in all threads. The values of i are different across threads, but in a trivial way  for instance, 128, 129, 130 In SIMD, a, b, and c would be kept once in scalar registers  only short vectors such as a[i:i+4] would be kept in vector registers. The index i would also be kept once  several neighbor elements starting from i would be accessed without actually computing i+1, i+2, etc. Redundant computations both waste registers and needlessly consume power. Note, however, that a combination of compiler & hardware optimizations could eliminate the physical replication of redundant values. I don't know the extent to which it's done in reality. Narrow data types are as costly as wide data types. A SIMD vector register keeping 4 32b integers can typically also be used to keep 8 16b integers, or 16 8b ones. Similarly, the same ALU hardware can be used for many narrow additions or fewer wide ones  so 16 byte pairs can be added in one cycle, or 4 32b integer pairs. In SIMT, a thread adds two items at a time, no matter what their width, wasting register bits and ALU circuitry.

It should be noted that SIMT can be easily amended with SIMD extensions for narrow types, so that each thread processes 4 bytes at a time using ugly assembly-like opcodes. AFAIK, NVIDIA refrains from this, presumably assuming that the ugliness is not worth the gain, with 32b float being the most popular data type in graphics anyway.

Single instruction, multiple addresses

Let's apply a function approximated by a look-up table to the elements of a vector:

__global__ void apply(short* a, short* b, short* lut) { int i = blockIdx.x * blockDim.x + threadIdx.x; a[i] = lut[b[i]]; //indirect memory access }

Here, i is again "redundant" in the sense that in parallel threads, the values of i are consecutive. However, each thread then accesses the address lut+b[i]  and these addresses are not consecutive.

Roughly, such parallel random access works for both loads and stores. Logically, stores are the trickier part because of conflicts. What if two or more threads attempt to, say, increment the same bin in a histogram? Different NVIDIA GPU generations provide different solutions that we won't dwell on.

Benefits

This feature lets you parallelize many programs you can't with SIMD. Some form of parallel random access is usually available on SIMD machines under the names "permutation", "shuffling", "table look-up", etc. However, it always works with registers, not with memory, so it's just not the same scale. You index into a table of 8, 16 or 32 elements, but not 16K.

As previously mentioned, in theory this feature can be bolted on the SIMD model: just compute your addresses (say, lut+b[i]) in vector registers, and add a rand_vec_load instruction. However, such an instruction would have a fairly high latency. As we'll see, the SIMT model naturally absorbs high latencies without hurting throughput; SIMD much less so.

Costs

GPU has many kinds of memory: external DRAM, L2 cache, texture memory, constant memory, shared memory We'll discuss the cost of random access in the context of two memories "at the extremes": DRAM and shared memory. DRAM is the farthest from the GPU cores, sitting outside the chip. Shared memory is the closest to the cores  it's local to an SM, and the cores of an SM can use it to share results with each other, or for their own temporary data.

With DRAM memory, random access is never efficient. In fact, the GPU hardware looks at all memory addresses that the running threads want to access at a given cycle, and attempts to coalesce them into a single DRAM access  in case they are not random. Effectively the contiguous range from i to i+#threads is reverse-engineered from the explicitly computed i,i+1,i+2  another cost of replicating the index in the first place. If the indexes are in fact random and can not be coalesced, the performance loss depends on "the degree of randomness". This loss results from the DRAM architecture quite directly, the GPU being unable to do much about it  similarly to any other processor.

In fact, the GPU hardware looks at all memory addresses that the running threads want to access at a given cycle, and attempts to coalesce them into a single DRAM access  in case they are not random. Effectively the contiguous range from i to i+#threads is reverse-engineered from the explicitly computed i,i+1,i+2  another cost of replicating the index in the first place. If the indexes are in fact random and can not be coalesced, the performance loss depends on "the degree of randomness". This loss results from the DRAM architecture quite directly, the GPU being unable to do much about it  similarly to any other processor. With shared memory, random access is slowed down by bank contentions. Generally, a hardware memory module will only service one access at a time. So shared memory is organized in independent banks; the number of banks for NVIDIA GPUs is 16. If x is a variable in shared memory, then it resides in bank number (&x/4)%16. In other words, if you traverse an array, the bank you hit changes every 4 bytes. Access throughput peaks if all addresses are in different banks  hardware contention detection logic always costs latency, but only actual contentions cost throughput. If there's a bank hosting 2 of the addresses, the throughput is 1/2 of the peak; if there's a bank pointed by 3 addresses, the throughput is 1/3 of the peak, etc., the worst slowdown being 1/16.

In theory, different mappings between banks and addresses are possible, each with its own shortcomings. For instance, with NVIDIA's mapping, accessing a contiguous array of floats gives peak throughput, but a contiguous array of bytes gives 1/4 of the throughput (since banks change every 4 bytes). Many of the GPU programming tricks aim at avoiding contentions.

For instance, with a byte array, you can frequently work with bytes at distance 4 from each other at every given step. Instead of accessing a[i] in your code, you access a[i*4], a[i*4+1], a[i*4+2] and a[i*4+3]  more code, but less contentions.

This sounds convoluted, but it's a relatively cheap way for the hardware to provide efficient random access. It also supports some very complicated access patterns with good average efficiency  by handling the frequent case of few contentions quickly, and the infrequent case of many contentions correctly.

Single instruction, multiple flow paths

Let's find the indexes of non-zero elements in a vector. This time, each thread will work on several elements instead of just one:

__global__ void find(int* vec, int len, int* ind, int* nfound, int nthreads) { int tid = blockIdx.x * blockDim.x + threadIdx.x; int last = 0; int* myind = ind + tid*len; for(int i=tid; i<len; i+=nthreads) { if(vec[i]) { //flow divergence myind[last] = i; last++; } } nfound[tid] = last; }

Each thread processes len/nthreads elements, starting at the index equal to its ID with a step of nthreads. We could make each thread responsible for a more natural contiguous range using a step of 1. The way we did it is better in that accesses to vec[i] by concurrent threads address neighbor elements, so we get coalescing.

The interesting bit is if(vec[i])  depending on vec[i], some threads execute the code saving the index, some don't. The control flow of different threads can thus diverge.

Benefits

Support for divergence further expands the set of parallelizable programs, especially when used together with parallel random access. SIMD has some support for conditional execution though vector "select" operations: select(flag,a,b) = if flag then a else b. However, select can't be used to suppress updates to values  the way myind[last] is never written by threads where vec[i] is 0.

SIMD instructions such as stores could be extended to suppress updates based on a boolean vector register. For this to be really useful, the machine probably also needs parallel random access (for instance, the find() example wouldn't work otherwise). Unless what seems like an unrealistically smart compiler arrives, this also gets more and more ugly, whereas the SIMT spelling remains clean and natural.

Costs

Only one flow path is executed at a time, and threads not running it must wait. Ultimately SIMT executes a single instruction in all the multiple threads it runs  threads share program memory and fetch / decode / execute logic. When the threads have the same flow  all run the if, nobody runs the else, for example  then they just all run the code in if at full throughput. However, when one or more threads have to run the else, they'll wait for the if threads. When the if threads are done, they'll in turn wait for the else threads. Divergence is handled correctly, but slowly. Deeply nested control structures effectively serialize execution and are not recommended.

Ultimately SIMT executes a single instruction in all the multiple threads it runs  threads share program memory and fetch / decode / execute logic. When the threads have the same flow  all run the if, nobody runs the else, for example  then they just all run the code in if at full throughput. However, when one or more threads have to run the else, they'll wait for the if threads. When the if threads are done, they'll in turn wait for the else threads. Divergence is handled correctly, but slowly. Deeply nested control structures effectively serialize execution and are not recommended. Divergence can further slow things down through "randomizing" memory access. In our example, all threads read vec[i], and the indexing is tweaked to avoid contentions. However, when myind[last] is written, different threads will have incremented the last counter a different number of times, depending on the flow. This might lead to contentions which also serialize execution to some extent. Whether the whole parallelization exercise is worth the trouble depends on the flow of the algorithm as well as the input data.

We've seen the differences between SIMT and its less flexible relative, SIMD. We'll now compare SIMT to SMT  the other related model, this time the more flexible one.

SIMT vs SMT

SIMT and SMT both use threads as a way to improve throughput despite high latencies. The problem they tackle is that any single thread can get stalled running a high-latency instruction. This leaves the processor with idle execution hardware.

One way around this is switching to another thread  which (hopefully) has an instruction ready to be executed  and then switch back. For this to work, context switching has to be instantaneous. To achieve that, you replicate register files so that each thread has its own registers, and they all share the same execution hardware.

But wait, doesn't SIMT already replicate registers, as a way to have a single instruction operate on different data items? It does  here, we're talking about a "second dimension" of register replication:

Several threads  a "warp" in NVIDIA terminology  run simultaneously. So each thread needs its own registers. Several warps, making up a "block", are mapped to an SM, and an SM instantaneously switches between the warps of a block. So each warp needs separate registers for each of its threads.

With this "two-dimensional" replication, how many registers we end up with? Well, a lot. A block can have up to 512 threads. And the registers of those threads can keep up to 16K of data.

How many register sets does a typical SMT processor have? Er, 2, sometimes 4

Why so few? One reason is diminishing returns. When you replicate registers, you pay a significant price, in the hope of being able to better occupy your execution hardware. However, with every thread you add, the chance of it being already occupied by all the other threads rises. Soon, the small throughput gain just isn't worth the price.

If SMT CPU designers stop at 2 or 4 threads, why did SIMT GPU designers go for 512?

With enough threads, high throughput is easy

SMT is an afterthought  an attempt to use idle time on a machine originally designed to not have a lot of idle time to begin with. The basic CPU design aims, first and foremost, to run a single thread fast. Splitting a process to several independent threads is not always possible. When it is possible, it's usually gnarly.

Even in server workloads, where there's naturally a lot of independent processing, single-threaded latency still matters. So few expensive, low-latency cores outperform many cheap, high-latency cores. As Google's Urs Holzle put it, "brawny cores beat wimpy cores". Serial code has to run fast.

Running a single thread fast means being able to issue instructions from the current thread as often as possible. To do that, CPU hardware works around every one of the many reasons to wait. Such diverse techniques as:

superscalar execution

out-of-order execution

register renaming

branch prediction

speculative execution

cache hierarchy

speculative prefetching

etc. etc.

are all there for the same basic purpose. They maximize the chances of an instruction to be issued without having to switch to another thread.

SMT is the last line of defense, attempting to fill stalls after all these other measures failed. And even that is considered a bad idea when it hurts the precious single-threaded performance. Which it usually does: each of the 2 threads will typically complete later then it would if it didn't have to share the hardware with the other. This is a key reason to keep the number of hardware threads low, even if there are still throughput gains to be made by adding threads.

However, for the GPUs, the use case is when you do have enough data parallelism to make use of plenty of threads. If so, why not build things the other way around? Threading could be our first stall-mitigating measure. If we have enough threads, we just keep switching between them, and the hardware always has something to do.

This saves a lot of hardware, and a lot of design effort, because you don't need most of the other methods anymore. Even caches and hardware prefetching are not used in much of the GPU memory traffic  rather, you access external memory directly. Why bother with caching and prefetching, if you don't have to sit idly until the data arrives from main memory  but instead just switch to a different warp? No heuristics, no speculation, no hurry  just keep yourself busy when waiting.

Furthermore, even the basic arithmetic pipeline is designed for a high latency, high throughput scenario. According to the paper "Demystifying GPU architecture through microbenchmarking", no operation takes less than 24 cycles to complete. However, the throughput of many operations is single-cycle.

The upshot is that counting on the availability of many threads allows the GPU to sustain a high throughput without having to sweat for low latencies. Hardware becomes simpler and cheaper in many areas as a result.

When latencies are high, registers are cheap

So plentiful threads make it easier to build high-throughput hardware. What about having to replicate all those registers though? 16K sounds like an insane amount of registers  how is this even affordable?

Well, it depends on what "register" means. The original meaning is the kind of storage with the smallest access latency. In CPUs, access to registers is faster than access to L1 caches, which in turn is faster than L2, etc. Small access latency means an expensive implementation, therefore there must be few registers.

However, in GPUs, access to "registers" can be quite slow. Because the GPU is always switching between warps, many cycles pass between two subsequent instructions of one warp. The reason registers must be fast in CPUs is because subsequent instructions communicate through them. In GPUs, they also communicate through registers  but the higher latency means there's no rush.

Therefore, GPU registers are only analogous to CPU registers in terms of instruction encoding. In machine code, "registers" are a small set of temporary variables that can be referenced with just a few bits of encoding  unlike memory, where you need a longer address to refer to a variable. In this and other ways, "registers" and "memory" are semantically different elements of encoding  both on CPUs and GPUs.

However, in terms of hardware implementation, GPU registers are actually more like memory than CPU registers. [Disclaimer: NVIDIA doesn't disclose implementation details, and I'm grossly oversimplifying, ignoring things like data forwarding, multiple access ports, and synthesizable vs custom design]. 16K of local RAM is a perfectly affordable amount. So while in a CPU, registers have to be expensive, they can be cheap in a high-latency, high-throughput design.

It's still a waste if 512 threads keep the same values in some of their registers  such as array base pointers in our examples above. However, many of the registers keep different values in different threads. In many cases register replication is not a waste at all  any processor would have to keep those values somewhere. So functionally, the plentiful GPU registers can be seen as a sort of a data cache.

Drawbacks

We've seen that:

Many threads enable cheap high-throughput, high-latency design

A high-throughput, high-latency design in turn enables a cheap implementation of threads' registers

This leads to a surprising conclusion that SIMT with its massive threading can actually be cheaper than SMT-style threading added to a classic CPU design. Not unexpectedly, these cost savings come at a price of reduced flexibility:

Low occupancy greatly reduces performance Flow divergence greatly reduces performance Synchronization options are very limited

Occupancy

"Occupancy" is NVIDIA's term for the utilization of threading. The more threads an SM runs, the higher its occupancy. Low occupancy obviously leads to low performance  without enough warps to switch between, the GPU won't be able to hide its high latencies. The whole point of massive threading is refusing to target anything but massively parallel workloads. SMT requires much less parallelism to be efficient.

Divergence

We've seen that flow divergence is handled correctly, but inefficiently in SIMT. SMT doesn't have this problem  it works quite well given unrelated threads with unrelated control flow.

There are two reasons why unrelated threads can't work well with SIMT:

SIMD-style instruction broadcasting  unrelated threads within a warp can't run fast.

 unrelated threads within a warp can't run fast. More massive threading than SMT  unrelated wraps would compete for shared resources such as instruction cache space. SMT also has this problem, but it's tolerable when you have few threads.

So both of SIMT's key ideas  SIMD-style instruction broadcasting and SMT-style massive threading  are incompatible with unrelated threads.

Related threads  those sharing code and some of the data  could work well with massive threading by itself despite divergence. It's instruction broadcasting that they fail to utilize, leaving execution hardware in idle state.

However, it seems that much of the time, related threads actually tend to have the same flow and no divergence. If this is true, a machine with massive threading but without instruction broadcasting would miss a lot of opportunities to execute its workload more efficiently.

Synchronization

In terms of programming model, SMT is an extension to a single-threaded, time-shared CPU. The same fairly rich set of inter-thread (and inter-device) synchronization and communication options is available with SMT as with "classic" single-threaded CPUs. This includes interrupts, message queues, events, semaphores, blocking and non-blocking system calls, etc. The underlying assumptions are:

There are quite many threads

Typically, each thread is doing something quite different from other threads

At any moment, most threads are waiting for an event, and a small subset can actually run

SMT stays within this basic time-sharing framework, adding an option to have more than one actually running threads. With SMT, as with a "classic" CPU, a thread will be very typically put "on hold" in order to wait for an event. This is implemented using context switching  saving registers to memory and, if a ready thread is found, restoring its registers from memory so that it can run.

SIMT doesn't like to put threads on hold, for several reasons:

Typically, there are many running, related threads. It would make the most sense to put them all on hold, so that another, unrelated, equally large group of threads can run. However, switching 16K of context is not affordable. In this sense, "registers" are expensive after all, even if they are actually memory.

SIMT performance depends greatly on there being many running threads. There's no point in supporting the case where most threads are waiting, because SIMT wouldn't run such workloads very well anyway. From the use case angle, a lot of waiting threads arise in "system"/"controller" kind of software, where threads wait for files, sockets, etc. SIMT is purely computational hardware that doesn't support such OS services. So the situation is both awkward for SIMT and shouldn't happen in its target workloads anyway.

Roughly, SIMT supports data parallelism  same code, different data. Data parallelism usually doesn't need complicated synchronization  all threads have to synchronize once a processing stage is done, and otherwise, they're independent. What requires complicated synchronization, where some threads run and some are put on hold due to data dependencies, is task parallelism  different code, different data. However, task parallelism implies divergence, and SIMT isn't good at that anyway  so why bother with complicated synchronization?

Therefore, SIMT roughly supports just one synchronization primitive  __syncthreads(). This creates a synchronization point for all the threads of a block. You know that if a thread runs code past this point, no thread runs code before this point. This way, threads can safely share results with each other. For instance, with matrix multiplication:

Each thread, based on its ID  x,y  reads 2 elements, A(x,y) and B(x,y), from external memory to the on-chip shared memory. (Of course large A and B won't fit into shared memory, so this will be done block-wise.) Threads sync  all threads can now safely access all of A and B. Each thread, depending on the ID, multiplies row y in A by column x in B.

//1. load A(x,y) and B(x,y) int x = threadIdx.x; int y = threadIdx.y; A[stride*y + x] = extA[ext_stride*y + x]; B[stride*y + x] = extB[ext_stride*y + x]; //2. sync __syncthreads(); //3. multiply row y in A by column x in B float prod = 0; for(int i=0; i<N; ++i) { prod += A[stride*y + i] * B[stride*i + x]; }

It's an incomplete example (we look at just one block and ignore blockIdx, among other thing), but it shows the point of syncing  and the point of these weird "multi-dimensional" thread IDs (IDs are x,y,z coordinates rather than just integers). It's just natural, with 2D and 3D arrays, to map threads and blocks to coordinates and sub-ranges of these arrays.

Summary of differences between SIMD, SIMT and SMT



SIMT is more flexible in SIMD in three areas:

Single instruction, multiple register sets Single instruction, multiple addresses Single instruction, multiple flow paths

SIMT is less flexible than SMT in three areas:

Low occupancy greatly reduces performance Flow divergence greatly reduces performance Synchronization options are very limited

The effect of flexibility on costs was discussed above. A wise programmer probably doesn't care about these costs  rather, he uses the most flexible (and easily accessible) device until he runs out of cycles, then moves on to utilize the next most flexible device. Costs are just a limit on how flexible a device that is available in a given situation can be.

"SIMT" should catch on

It's a beautiful idea, questioning many of the usual assumptions about hardware design, and arriving at an internally consistent answer with the different parts naturally complementing each other.

I don't know the history well enough to tell which parts are innovations by NVIDIA and which are borrowed from previous designs. However, I believe the term SIMT was coined by NVIDIA, and perhaps it's a shame that it (apparently) didn't catch, because the architecture "deserves a name"  not necessarily true of every "new paradigm" announced by marketing.

One person who took note is Andy Glew, one of Intel's P6 architects  in his awesome computer architecture wiki, as well as in his presentation regarding further development of the SIMT model.

The presentation talks about neat optimizations  "rejiggering threads", per-thread loop buffers/time pipelining  and generally praises SIMT superiority over SIMD. Some things I disagree with  such as the "vector lane crossing" issue  and some are very interesting, such as everything about improving utilization of divergent threads.

I think the presentation should be understandable after reading my oversimplified overview  and will show where my overview oversimplifies, among other things.

Peddling fairness

Throughout this overview, there's this recurring "fairness" idea: you can trade flexibility for performance, and you can choose your trade-off.

It makes for a good narrative, but I don't necessarily believe it. You might very well be able to get both flexibility and performance. More generally, you might get both A and B, where A vs B intuitively feels like "an inherent trade-off".

What you can't do is get A and B in a reasonably simple, straightforward way. This means that you can trade simplicity for almost everything  though you don't necessarily want to; perhaps it's a good subject for a separate post.
This US presidential election has been one of the most vitriolic. (Photo for representation: AP)

By Press Trust of India: A woman protester fed-up of the US election process has been arrested after she smeared peanut butter on 30 cars parked outside the venue of an environment groups meeting which she mistook for a pro-Donald Trump rally.

Christina Ferguson, 32, was arrested in Amherst Junction, Wisconsin, after interrupting what turned out to be a meeting of a local environmental organisation, Tomorrow River Conservation Club.

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MISTAKES CLUB MEETING FOR RALLY



She has been charged with disorderly conduct after allegedly smearing peanut butter on several vehicles parked outside the venue of the meeting which she mistakenly thought was a Donald Trump rally.

ALSO READ: Hillary Clinton's win would result in spread of ISIS, says Donald Trump



According to the complaint, Ferguson entered the meeting last Monday, which was being held in Amherst Junction, holding a jar of peanut butter and yelling at the club members about how much she hated the presidential candidate.

ALSO WATCH



Ferguson left the meeting after being asked to do so, but after a few minutes one of the members suggested they check the parking lot to "make sure she wasn't doing anything to their vehicles after leaving," the Stevens Point City-Times reported.

ALSO READ: Watch: Trump and Clinton sit one seat apart at gala, square of at roast



As they went outside, one man saw Ferguson spreading peanut butter on a vehicle. He yelled at her, according to the complaint, and watched her walk into a nearby apartment complex. The man then called the Portage County Sheriffs Office.

I HATE DONALD TRUMP



When deputies attempted to question Ferguson, a man at the apartment claimed she had been home all night and could not have been involved in the incident. Ferguson also claimed she had not left the apartment that night.

ALSO READ: 'Nasty woman, Putin puppet': Final Trump-Hillary face-off got dirty and personal



After being identified by a member of the conservation club, Ferguson then admitted to crashing the meeting and smearing vehicles with peanut butter.

When asked why she did it, Ferguson become "very emotional", according to the complaint, and talked about "how much she loved Hillary Clinton and hated Donald Trump."

She also said she had been "terrorised" by people who support Donald Trump.

ALSO READ: Melania Trump calls taped comments by Donald Trump 'boy talk'



"Peanut buttering is better than firebombing, and Trump plans on firebombing everybody in other countries," she said, according to the complaint.

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After the deputy explained to her that she had actually interrupted the meeting of a nonprofit conservation organisation, and that it was not a political meeting, she apologised and said she was "just fed up about the entire election."

According to the complaint, Ferguson smelled of alcohol and later admitted to drinking beer and blackberry brandy that night.

ALSO READ: US elections: Republican Party office firebombed, Trump blames animals representing Hillary

ALSO READ: Clinton takes near unbeatable lead over Trump reveals poll



--- ENDS ---
Thiruvananthapuram: As many as 10,000 lower primary and upper primary government schools in Kerala will start getting 2Mbps Wi-Fi broadband internet powered by BSNL from November 1 -- the state`s Foundation Day, official said on Sunday.

The IT@School Project has been providing broadband internet connection to close upto 5,000 high schools, higher secondary schools and educational offices from 2007 onwards, said K. Anvar Sadath, Director of the project by the state government.

"With the addition of broadband internet to primary section also, the state`s school broadband internet network will cover over 15,000 connections and this would be the largest and first of its kind in the country," Sadath added.

State Minister for Education C. Ravindranath said this step would be the starting point of ICT infrastructure upgradation in the primary section, and as a continuation to the high tech school programme announced by the government.

This enables all 8 to 12 classes to be upgraded using modern ICT tools.

"The lower primary schools would get the new ICT textbooks prepared on Edutainment platform titled `Kalipetti` (Play Box) in November.

The ICT training for all primary teachers is all set to commence from October 24. Along with this, IT@School would also provide a comprehensive Digital Content Collection, prepared on Free Software platform exclusively developed for the primary section," said the minister.

The scheme is being provided for a package of Rs 5,000 per year including service tax, which is the lowest rate in the country for unlimited usage of 2Mbps scheme.
New Delhi: Amid heightened tension on the border, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today launched a campaign through which people can send their Diwali greetings and messages to soldiers guarding the nation's frontiers to boost their morale.

People can send messages under the #Sandesh2Soldiers campaign on the Narendra Modi App, through MyGov.In, and also through All India Radio. Doordarshan shall also be mounting a programme to share people's emotions with the Armed Forces.

The Prime Minister, who is leading the campaign, said in a tweet, "I sent my #Sandesh2Soldiers. You could also do the same. Your wishes will certainly make our forces very happy.

"This Diwali, let us remember our courageous armed forces who constantly protect our Nation. Jai Hind," he said.

"When 1.25 crore people stand with the soldiers, their power increases by 1.25 crore times," the Prime Minister said.

As part of the campaign, the Prime Minister has shared through social media, a special video, featuring his appeal to the people to send messages to the brave Armed Forces personnel.

Within hours, the video has generated tremendous interest on platforms such as Twitter and Facebook.The great respect and admiration that the nation has for our Armed Forces, will find expression this festive season, through the campaign being led by the Prime Minister, the PMO said in a release.

A special module has been launched on the Narendra Modi App, which enables people to send greetings or their hand-written messages to the Armed Forces.

The #Sandesh2Soldiers campaign is expected to generate increased interaction between the people and the Armed Forces.

The campaign comes against the backdrop of the surgical strikes carried out by the Army on terror launch pads in PoK and the heightened border tension.

Earlier this month, at an event in Bhopal, the Prime Minister had focused on the human element of the jawans. His appeal to people to applaud jawans when they meet them, has also created a buzz on social media.

This is not the first time that Modi is focusing on the armed forces. He spent his last two Diwalis as the Prime Minister with the Army.
Raipur: The Chhattisgarh government on Sunday said it was ready to hold a dialogue with Naxals under the purview of democracy and constitution.

"Mutual dialogue is the foundation of democracy. The state government is ready for talk with any side, including Maoists, to solve the Naxal issue.

"Government's doors for talks with Naxals are always open provided that the dialogue must be under the purview of democracy and constitution," state's Home Minister Ramsewak Paikra said in a statement on sunday.

The Minister said Chief Minister Raman Singh had already said many a times in past that the government is ready for peace talk with naxals if they shun violence and arms.

Moreover, the Chief Minister had also said that the government was ready to embrace naxals, who want to surrender and join the mainstream, Paikra said.

The state government has formulated an attractive surrender and rehabilitation policy for Maoists who wish to surrender and lead a peaceful life, he said, adding that surrendered cadres are taking benefits of the policy.

"The government's policy and intention is clear for a permanent solution of the Maoist problem," he said.

The statement comes in the wake of media reports that the Supreme Court on Friday had asked the Centre and Chhattisgarh government to initiate peace talks to end Maoist violence in the state.
US has warned Pakistan that it will not hesitate to act alone, if required, to disrupt and destroy terror networks operating in the country.

By Press Trust of India: Asserting that Pakistan's powerful spy agency ISI is not taking action against all terror groups, the US has warned Pakistan that it will not hesitate to act alone, when necessary, to disrupt and destroy terror networks operating in the country.

"ISI REFUSES TO TAKE ACTION"



"The problem is that there are forces within the Pakistani government - specifically in Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence or ISI - that refuse to take similar steps against all the terrorist groups active in Pakistan, tolerating some groups - or even worse," Adam Szubin, Acting Under Secretary on Countering the Financing of Terrorism, told a Washington audience.

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READ| US asks Pakistan to act firm on terrorists, delegitimise all terror groups

"We continue to urge our partners in Pakistan to go after all terrorist networks operating in their country. We stand ready to help them. But there should be no doubt that while we remain committed to working with Pakistan to confront ongoing terrorist financing and operations, the US will not hesitate to act alone, when necessary, to disrupt and destroy these networks," Szubin warned.

Also read: If there was any surgical strike, Pakistan would have responded proportionately: Basit

PAKISTAN REMAINS A CRITICAL COUNTERTERRORISM PARTNER



In his remarks at the Paul H Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, Szubin said at the same time, Pakistan has been -- and remains -- a critical counterterrorism partner in many respects.

"Of course, Pakistanis are themselves often the victims of brutal terrorist attacks on schools, markets, and mosques, and the list unfortunately goes on. And in the face of such violence, Pakistan has in some ways pushed back," Szubin said.

READ| Pakistan must act against terror groups targeting its neighbours: US



"Pakistan has achieved success in its ongoing operations against traditional terrorist safe havens in northwest Pakistan. It has officially designated ISIL as a terrorist organisation. And it has gone after the funding and operational capabilities of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP," he said.

But the ISI problem of supporting terrorist groups continues, he said.

"This is a distinction we cannot stand for," Szubin asserted.

Also read: After Hafiz Saeed's comments, US warns Pakistan: Go after Mumbai attackers, shut terror shops

--- ENDS ---
New Delhi: Congress today hit out at Devendra Fadnavis for "brokering" a truce with MNS chief Raj Thackeray over the release of 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil', saying the Maharashtra Chief Minister would now be the country's "new Censor Board".

"CM Fadnavis has demeaned his office & disregarded Constitution by playing vendor to diktats of MNS. Democracy shrugged for a BMC election deal," party's chief spokesman Randeep Surjewala said in a series of tweets.

He alleged that "Self styled goons, compliant film makers bartering freedom of expression brokered by BJP's Maharashtra CM would now be India's new Censor Board."

Earlier, he had wondered on the micro-blogging site as to "Why would our proud IndianArmy accept donations forced by MNS goons from subservient filmmakers with profit motive?" ?

Under pressure from political and other outfits, Bollywood film producers had yesterday announced that they would not engage with Pakistani artistes, clearing decks for the smooth release of Karan Johar's "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" as MNS withdrew its threat to stall the screening.

The movie had been embroiled in a controversy over the past few weeks after the MNS opposed the screening of movies featuring Pakistani actors after the Uri terror attack, putting a question mark on the fate of movie, slated for Diwali release on October 28.

The movie features Pakistani actor Fawad Khan.
Bhubaneswar: Fishermen were on Sunday asked by the IMD to be cautions while venturing into sea along the Odisha coast in view of a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal, with the system likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm.

A depression over east-central Bay of Bengal moved east-north-eastwards, intensified into a deep depression today and lay centered over east-central Bay of Bengal, about 950 km east-southeast of Gopalpur, the MeT Department here said.

The system is most likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm in 24 hours and move north-eastwards to reach close to north Myanmar coast shortly.

Thereafter, it will recurve initially north-northwestwards skirting Myanmar coast and then north-westwards towards the of north-west Bay of Bengal, it said.

While sporadic rainfall may occur in 11 districts in the central and north Odisha on October 26 and 27, weather elsewhere in the state would be generally dry during the next 24 hours, but the sky would be cloudy, Director of the Meteorological Centre here, Sarat Chandra Sahu said.

However, Distant Cautionary Signal Number One (DC-I) has been hoisted at all ports in Odisha and fishermen are advised to be cautious while venturing into interior and distant sea along Odisha coast during the period.
Indore: Government on Sunday said it is planning to further relax the visa regime "shortly" to attract more tourists and businesses to the country.

"We plan to further liberalise our visa regime for tourism, business as well as other areas shortly," External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said at the valedictory session of the Global Investors Meet here.

She said visa was one of the areas of concern for foreigners and Indians living abroad.

The minister said the government has already taken steps to address these concerns.

In November 2014, government launched the e-visa scheme for over 100 countries. It was extended to 37 more countries this year, taking the total number to 150.

"With the launch of the e-visa scheme, tourist arrivals in India has steadily increased," she said, adding the 25 million strong Indian diaspora, comprising NRIs and PIOs, are a significant force for promoting India's interests abroad.

Realising this, she said the government has unveiled initiatives for roping them in India's mission of transforming the country.

The minister said that OCI and PIO cards have been merged and a system has been put in place for welfare and protection of Indian immigrant workers.

A portal has been launched to redress their grievances in a time-bound manner .

Talking about investments, she said FDI policy has been made more liberal, making India one of the most open countries in the world.

She informed the investors that the government has passed bankruptcy law and a clear cut roadmap for lowering corporate tax from 30 per cent to 25 per cent over the next four years has been laid down.

GST Act has been passed and so far 23 states have ratified it, she added.

Reform efforts and initiatives such as Make in India, Digital India, Start up India and Smart City Mission are all aimed at preparing India for the 21st century, she said.

She added that 100 per cent electrification of all villages, financial inclusion programme and LPG gas initiatives are all aimed at inclusive growth.

The jump in India's position across several indices like ease of doing business underlines the country's economic recovery, the minister, said adding FDI reached USD 55.5 billion in 2015-16, an increase of 53 percent.

Further, Swaraj said that the NDA government has completed about two-and-a-half years and during this time, India's foreign policy has touched new frontiers of scale and engagement.

The Prime Minister has made more than 40 visits and interacted with more than 125 world leaders and "I myself visited more than 40 countries," she said.

"In the coming months, we should be able to complete our mapping of the world," she added.

She also said that every country, no matter how small or big, is important for India and "we are determined to keep our 'sampark aur samvad' (engagement) ... With them".

She said that India has strong diplomatic and economic partnership with the partner countries of this meet, including Japan, Korea, UAE and the UK.

Further, she said over the last two years, government has emphasised on ease of doing business and has taken series of administrative reforms, including simplification of approval processes, online approvals through e-biz portal and streamlining of environmental clearance procedures.

These have significantly improved India's business environment, she added.

She also invited people to participate in the next Pravasi Bharatiya Divas function in Bengaluru in January.

"At a time when global economic growth is facing increasing downside risks, the IMF predicts that India will be the fastest growing major economy in 2016 -17 with an estimated GDP growth of 7.5 percent," she added.

The minister invited the investors to invest in Madhya Pradesh and particularly in Vidisha, which is her Lok Sabha constituency.
Puducherry: AIADMK legislators and workers today took out a procession with milk vessels on their heads and offered prayers at a temple for recovery of party supremo and hospitalised Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa.

AIADMK legislature party leader A Anbalagan and his colleagues in Assembly A Baskar and K A U Asana, the secretary of Puducherry state unit of AIADMK P Purushotham were among those who participated in the procession.

Most party workers also carried portraits of Jayalalithaa and special 'abishegams' were performed at a temple later, party sources said.
Brussels: Taking strong exception to the atrocities committed by the Pakistan authorities on the people of occupied Kashmir (PoK), United Kashmir People's National Party (UKPNP) leader Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri has said Kashmiris could die but won`t compromise on their motherland.

Delivering a tough message on `Black Day` on Saturday, the UKPNP leader said, "This day is very important for all those Kashmiris who do care for their own people and want them to be safe and secure; and this day is also a message to those who are committing atrocities, that Kashmiris can die, but they cannot compromise on their motherland."

"Today, on October 22, Jammu and Kashmir was attacked by Kabailis, who tried to capture our motherland and thousands of our young people, women, elderly and children were killed by them. Today is also a day to remember brave Kashmiri mujahids (people performing Jihad) Master Abdul Aziz and Maqbool Sherwani, who fought back Kabailis. And, it is the result of their struggle, that the people of Jammu and Kashmir even today remember them and hail their valour and deplore those who had started bloodshed in our country," he said.

He said, "The Pakistan government has claimed itself to be a well-wisher of the Kashmiri people, but instead, has launched an execrable conspiracy against us. On the one hand, they signed a standstill agreement with us and accepted the freedom and sovereignty of our state; while on the other hand, they launched a deplorable conspiracy in Peshawar and abducted Kashmiri women, killed children, and confined thousands to their homes and charred them."

This was the day when tribal hordes, with the connivance of the Pakistani state, devastated large parts of Jammu and Kashmir, violated the Standstill Agreement between Pakistan and the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in the death of thousands of innocent people, Hindus and Muslims alike, and resulted in the first Indo-Pak War in 1947-48 and subsequent wars thereof.
Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday ruled out any move to split the Samajwadi Party even as he called himself the rightful successor to his father and party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav.

The 43-year-old Chief Minister reportedly became emotional when he told his supporters that he would also be attending a meeting called on Monday by his father.

"Netaji is not only the leader of the party but also my father and I will always serve him," he said.

Akhilesh Yadav, however, openly targeted Rajya Sabha member Amar Singh for the first time, calling him a "dalal" who is out to break his family as well as the Samajwadi Party.

Legislators who attended the meeting said Akhilesh Yadav accused Amar Singh of acting at the behest of the BJP.

"Anybody who is close to Amar Singh or bats for him cannot be in my cabinet," he told the legislators gathered at his official residence while justifying his decision to sack Shivpal Yadav and three other ministers.

The sacked ministers are known to be ardent supporters of Shivpal Yadav, who is also the state Samajwadi Party chief and known to be close to Mulayam Singh.

Soon after he was shown the door, a second time in a little over a month, Shivpal Yadav dumped his government vehicle and started using his private car, an official said.

Shivpal Yadav then went to meet his elder brother, Mulayam Singh.

Shivpal Yadav is reported to be very livid over his sacking and has told Mulayam Singh that the "immaturity and arrogance" of Akhilesh Yadav cannot be tolerated any longer.

This is the second time in a month that Shivpal Yadav has been sacked by his nephew.

On the first occasion, he was shown the door on September 13 but was taken back after the party chief asked Akhilesh Yadav to revoke his decision.

Akhilesh Yadav, however, retained the PWD portfolio that Shivpal Yadav held earlier.

Soon after the four ministers were sacked on Sunday, senior party leaders rushed to meet both Mulayam Singh and Akhilesh Yadav.

Independent MLA and controversial minister Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias Raja Bhaiyya met the Chief Minister and later told reporters that people will have to accept the decision of Akhilesh Yadav.

He also urged party leaders and workers to refrain from making public comments against anyone.

In a related development, Transport Minister Gayatri Prajapati, known to be another bone of contention between the two camps, met Akhilesh Yadav twice in two hours.

A source told IANS that Mulayam Singh was cut up with his cousin and Rajya Sabha member Ram Gopal Yadav, who in a letter on Sunday morning stoked the fire in the family even further.

In his hand-written letter, timed 6 a.m. and datelined Mumbai, Ram Gopal Yadav has urged party workers to support Akhilesh Yadav as he was the one who would lead them to victory.

"Jahan Akhilesh hai, wahan vijay hai," he wrote.

Those who are opposing the Chief Minister were greedy, corrupt and characterless people and they would not even be able to see the Vidhan Sabha again, he wrote.

This is being seen as an attack on Mulayam Singh and Shivpal Yadav.

Ram Gopal also urged the Chief Minister to embark on his `yatra` from November 3.
New Delhi: Priyanka Gandhi will be a "force multiplier" for Congress in Rahul Gandhi's "forceful" campaign in Uttar Pradesh and people will reject any attempt by Bhartiye Janta Party to use army's surgical strikes across the LoC for political gains, Congress' Chief Ministerial candidate Sheila Dikshit has said.

The Congress veteran, who has been on a whirlwind tour of Uttar Pradesh where assembly polls are scheduled for early next year, also attacked the BJP for "trying to polarise" Uttar Pradesh on communal lines by ranking up the contentious issue of Uniform Civil Code.

78-year-old Dikshit said Rahul, the Congress vice president, has managed to enthuse party workers to a great extent through his Kisan Yatra and, if Priyanka decides to participate actively, it will work wonders for the party which is out of power in the politically crucial state for as many as 27 years.

Talking about Congress' preparations, she said the party was planning to have region-specific manifestos for the polls as different regions have different problems, adding there were signs of "clear revival" of the party across the state.

Claiming that no party will get an absolute majority in the polls, Dikshit said Congress will play a key role in formation of the next government and hinted that the party may not be averse to forging a post-poll alliance with either BSP or Samajwadi Party.

"We will take a call depending on the situation after the polls. But I am very confident that Congress will play a decisive role in formation of the next government," she said.

The three-time Delhi Chief Minister accused the BJP of "conspiring" to "polarise" the state on communal lines, asserting Congress will forcefully "expose such evil designs".

She also slammed BJP for planning to highlight the surgical strike during the campaign, saying never ever in India's history the valour of armed forces was used for political gains.

"Exploiting political gains out of (a) sensitive issue is very, very unfortunate. It reflects deterioration of our democratic culture. Army was never used for politics. This is reprehensible," she told PTI.

Dikshit claimed Rahul's Kisan Yatra was a "huge success" and if Priyanka hits the campaign trail, it will strengthen the party's position.

"People are yearning for Congress' comeback to power. Every section of the society there is fed up with successive governments. People of UP now want change," said Dikshit, adding Congress was trying to reach out to all communities including Dalits and Muslims.

She said Dalits and Muslims were feeling "insecure" under the Modi government at the Centre and termed the situation as alarming.

Dikshit was made Congress' Chief Ministerial candidate considering her Brahmin background as the party felt it will help it win back support of the community, which has a sizeable vote base in Uttar Pradesh.

Born into a Punjabi Khatri family, Dikshit is the daughter-in-law of Congress heavyweight from UP late Uma Shankar Dikshit, a tall Brahmin leader who had served as a Union minister and governor for a long time.

The Brahmin community, a traditional vote bank of Congress, had shifted allegiance to BJP in the aftermath of the Mandir-Mandal politics.

A large chunk of Brahmin votes had also gone to Mayawati's BSP in the past when she gave tickets to many candidates belonging to the community.

The community's support determines the poll outcome in several seats in central and eastern UP.
New Delhi: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday offered his condolences to the heartbroken family of Border Security Force (BSF) jawan Gurnam Singh, who succumbed to his injuries last night after he was shot in cross-border firing, and asserted that the slain soldier had given a shining example of sheer bravery.

"I am saddened by the demise of BSF jawan Gurnam Singh. He has given an example of bravery on the border and gave his life for the nation. I laud the sheer bravery and sacrifice of Gurnam Singh and offer my condolences to his grieving family," Rajnath said in a series of tweets.Gurnam Singh, succumbed to his injuries last night, after he was critically injured in an attack by Pakistani forces at border area in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday.

The 26 year old jawan was being treated at the Government Medical College and Hospital in Jammu.

The family of Gurnam Singh, on Saturday had demanded that the government take him abroad for better medical treatment to ensure his survival.

"Why is the government is still keeping him in the same hospital? Is there no other hospital in the country? The government can even send him to foreign (country), or a foreign doctor can be called. If ministers can go abroad for their treatment, then why can`t army men?" asked Singh`s sister, Gurjeet Kaur.

Still unaware about the actual condition of her brother, Kaur said that they had only got a call about the incident on afternoon Friday.Dr. Rajinder Thappa, Chief Medical Officer at the Government Medical College said that the jawan had breathed his last on Saturday night 11: 30 p.m.

"His parents wanted him to be shifted to AIIMS for better treatment. We were about to do that yesterday but unfortunately he passed away," Thapa told ANI.Meanwhile, the kin of Gurnam Singh are distraught and heartbroken at the loss, but have asserted that they are proud of their son`s sacrifice.

"He was brave. Our son has sacrificed his life for the nation. nobody is sad ,in fact we`re all happy," Kulbir Singh, father of Gurnam told ANI.Gurnam received a bullet injury to his head on Friday when a Pakistani Ranger fired on his outpost in the Hiranagar area of Jammu.

The BSF launched an aggressive offensive, killing a militant and seven Pakistani Rangers in retaliation.

Gurnam was evacuated immediately to the Jammu Government Medical College where his condition remained critical.
New Delhi: Home Minister Rajnath Singh will raise the issue of Pakistan's continuous support to cross-border terrorism with the top leadership of Bahrain and seek their cooperation in tackling international terrorism during his three-day visit to the Gulf country beginning on sunday.

Singh, who left for Manama today, will meet Bahrain King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Prime Minister Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and Interior Minister Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa and will discuss with them various bilateral issues.

Pakistan's continuous support to cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir is expected to be raised by the Home Minister in his meetings with the top leadership of Bahrain.

Singh is also likely to tell them that India cannot take at face any of the assurances that Pakistan provides in regard to stopping terrorism.

In a statement before his departure, Singh said India and Bahrain are working together to further strengthen security and counter-terrorism cooperation between the two countries.

The Home Minister said India and Bahrain enjoy excellent bilateral relations characterised by broad-based political, economic and cultural contacts.

There will be extensive discussions on how to enhance bilateral cooperation with regard to tackling international terrorism, organised crime and each other's fugitives at the meeting between Singh and his Bahrain counterpart Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, sources said.

Bahrain is a key member of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) in which Pakistan is also a member.

Singh will also address the Indian community in Bahrain during his trip.

On Friday, President of National Security Agency of Bahrain, Sheikh Talal bin Mohammed bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa, had called on the Home Minister here.

Singh then told him that his three-day visit to Bahrain will enhance bilateral ties with the Gulf nation and it grows from strength to strength.

The Home Minister had hoped for an expeditious and successful negotiation of the bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Defence Cooperation which is under active consideration of the Bahraini side.

Referrring to the buildup of ISIS in the West Asia-Gulf region and the rise of religious extremism, the Home Minister said its negative impact on the Muslim population around the world is of serious concern for India too.

On relations with Pakistan, Singh had said since there was no change in Pakistan's approach of sponsoring terrorism, "we cannot take at face any of the assurances that Pakistan provides in regard to stopping terrorism"
Washington: Environmental groups like Greenpeace and other international NGOs working in India had sought US government intervention after their funding came under increased scrutiny of the Modi government, according to emails released by the Wikileaks.

The emails hacked from the email account of John Podesta, who is the chairman of the Clinton Campaign also indicates the global funding links of these NGOs, including those environmental groups opposing a massive mining project in Australia being undertaken by the Adani Group.

"Adani is very close to (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi -- so this will be a delicate diplomatic challenge," Sergio Knaebel, grant director of the Sandler Foundation, wrote in an email to Podesta on May 27, 2015, months after he left the White House to be the Chairman of the Clinton Foundation.

Based out of San Francisco, the Sandler Foundation till 2015 had charitable grants of more than USD 750 million to various NGOs globally working in areas like environmental protection, labour, education, and human rights.

The Sandler Foundation among other things have funded the Sunrise Project, which is opposing Adani's USD 21.7 billion mine project in Australia.

"The situation for NGOs in Australia is also getting pretty serious. The Abbot government has set its sights on organisations fighting the expansion of coal and for protecting the reef -- and is looking to withdraw charitable status and out foreign donours in an effort to cast the NGO's work as foreign intervention.

"Same playbook as India (and Canada)," Knaebel wrote in an email to Podesta.

Podesta did not make any commitment, but forwarded to Knaebel a series of email exchanges he had with Karen Sack from Ocean Unite, another environmental group.

Sack is currently the managing director of Washington- based Ocean Unite.

Before joining Ocean Unite, she was senior director for International Oceans at The Pew Charitable Trusts where she helped initiate the Global Ocean Commission.

Before that, she was the Head of Greenpeace International's Political and Business Unit and the Head of their international oceans campaign.

"What's going on in India is concerning. There are some interesting linkages between the coal industry there and in Australia," Sack wrote on May 27, 2015.

"Adani the coal billionaire from India is the person who plans to invest in building a coal port just near the Great Barrier Reef which has people up in arms down under.

"The fascinating thing is that some of the big banks are refusing to invest in the port development project because of the potential risks to investors from the uncertainty," she told Podesta in the email.
The unusually hot October morning fails to dampen the spirit of the 20,000-odd strong crowd gathered at Rajpipla, a small princely town in south Gujarat. They have come to hear Vijay Rupani, 60, Gujarat's newly anointed chief minister, inducted by the BJP in the hope of turning things around for the party ahead of the 2017 Gujarat polls. Given the circumstances of his arrival on the scene-and given the profile of Gujarat as prime minister Narendra Modi's home state-it was never going to be easy for any incumbent. When Rupani was sworn in as chief minister on August 7, the BJP was on the back foot in the state, following the Patel agitation for reservations and then chief minister Anandiben Patel's inability to control the situation. There was also a public perception that corruption had suddenly shot up in the state administration towards the end of her tenure. Addressing the crowd in Gujarati, Rupani makes the point: "Anyone indulging in corruption, even if he is a big gun, will not be spared. Our new government is committed to this." Thunderous applause follows.

Rupani knows his words have to be backed by action. Since taking charge in August, most of his administrative decisions have been measured against his slogan of 'transparency, decisiveness and sensitivity'. He believes that transparency is as necessary at the bottom as at the top. Soon after taking over the reins of the administration, he carried out the most comprehensive reshuffle of the lower bureaucracy in Gujarat's revenue sector in the history of the state. His next move was just as decisive. Following serious allegations of corruption in the state police, he overhauled the department's top brass-21 senior IPS officers were replaced, including the police commissioners of Ahmedabad, Surat and Vadodara. This shake-up has helped to bolster the new administration's focus on running a clean government, but an overhaul of the lower ranks in the police is still pending.

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Also read:

Indecision leads to red-tapism and then corruption: Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani



Significantly, a major focus of the chief minister's reforms is the revenue department, which deals directly with the common man, on matters small and big, and is seen as the fountainhead of corruption. In this department, Rupani ordered the transfer of 3,400 workers, from patwaris to deputy collectors. He also changed some of the rules. The norms for conversion of 'new tenure' land to 'old tenure', for instance, were relaxed, allowing those who have owned new tenure land for 15 years or more to convert it without any additional fees. This is significant because new tenure land cannot be sold, while old tenure land can be sold. Steps such as these were aimed at reviving the BJP, which had found itself embattled towards the end of Anandiben's tenure.

In the urban development sector, Rupani has eased municipal building permissions for construction of homes that have an area of 125 square metres or less. Now, an architectural plan is considered sufficient documentation (along with an affidavit from the architect that all required approvals are in place). This is expected to free the lower middle class from the 'approval raj' of municipal officials. Rupani has also eased the revenue law for seeking non-agriculture land use permission, once those lands are covered under town planning. "Earlier there used to be 23 NOCs required to declare a [plot of] land non-agricultural, for development," he told journalists at an interview. "We eased that process."

Another reform on the anvil is the auctioning of road transport check posts on Gujarat's borders under the public-private partnership model. "We want to send a strong signal to the people that our intentions are clean," says Rupani

Closely linked to the RSS, Rupani reportedly got his first lesson in governance from an RSS leader, when, in 1987, he was offered his first administrative job as the chairman of the Rajkot Municipal Corporation Standing Committee. Apparently, Rupani was slightly nervous about being asked to take up the position at a relatively young age. The RSS leader told him that he should not hesitate in accepting even a top position, and that he should also bear in mind that he would succeed only if he did not compromise his honesty and took decisions keeping the end result in mind. Rupani owes the word 'sensitivity' in his slogan to this lesson.

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Rupani's style of functioning has some marked differences from his two immediate predecessors. For instance, when unable to entertain an applicant's request, Rupani drops a hint explaining why the request is difficult to fulfil, and then winds it up by saying he will "look into it". Anandiben was known to be blunt enough to say "No", sometimes phrasing the refusal in strong language. Modi, on the other hand, would remain non-committal.

Rupani's biggest asset is that he is able to balance both his administration and his party. His image as a sharp electoral planner who has fashioned many BJP victories comes in handy as well. Moreover, unlike Anandiben, Rupani enjoys the cooperation of his deputy chief minister, Nitin Patel-over whom Rupani was chosen in the larger interests of the party, and keeping the goal of winning the 2017 polls in mind.

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However, Rupani's road to victory in 2017 remains rocky. The Patel agitation may be weakening, and Hardik's call for Patels to stay united on their demand for reservations may be waning-as was evident from the relatively poor response to some of his recent exhortations-but he remains a threat. This was proved by the disruption by his associates of a BJP-Patel rally in Surat, attended by BJP chief Amit Shah and Rupani. The Congress, which won 23 of the 31 district panchayats in the November 2015 panchayat polls, cannot be written off either. "It's a tall-talking government that takes decisions and doesn't implement them. It is plagued with indecision. Plus, it is Amit Shah who is running the government, by proxy," says Gujarat Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi. "The change of guard that the BJP has made in Gujarat won't change the writing on the wall." And, there is a another complication to consider as well: Arvind Kejriwal, too, is trying to fish in Gujarat's political waters.

With just a year left before the assembly elections, Rupani knows that he has to play a hurricane innings. He has begun well and has the public's support. Nonetheless, the stakes are higher than ever. Modi would not like to lose his home state before the 2019 general elections.

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--- ENDS ---
Jammu: Border Security Force (BSF) jawan Gurnam Singh, who was injured in an attack by Pakistani forces at the international border in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, succumbed to his injuries.

26-year-old Singh, who was undergoing treatment at the Government Medical College and Hospital here, died at around 11.45 pm on Saturday, police said. He was admitted the hospital in a critical condition.

Singh was injured when Pakistani snipers targeted him as he was instrumental in foiling a major infiltration bid along the international border in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir.

Seven personnel of Pakistani Rangers, the border force of Pakistan, and a terrorist were killed when BSF retaliated against a ceasefire violation in which Gurnam was injured.

A befitting reply was given by the border-guarding force, the BSF had said in a statement which stressed it as an aggressive offensive.

The Pakistan army, however, denied any casualties on their side.
Panaji: Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday poked fun at the meeting called by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadanavis to resolve the imbroglio over the release of Karan Johar's "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil", which was facing threat by MNS over the casting of Pakistani actor Fawad Khan.

"I have not got details about the meeting. But I have news that all three (Fadnavis, Johar and Raj Thackeray) have decided to produce a movie. The name has also been finalised. It is titled 'Yeh to Hona hi Tha'," Thackeray told reporters here.

Yesterday, Fadanavis mediated a meeting between MNS chief Raj Thackarey and the makers of the film, at his residence 'Varsha' in Mumbai to cool tempers and facilitate the smooth release of the movie after MNS called off its agitation.

MNS had been vehemently protesting against the screening of movies featuring Pakistani actors and artists post the Uri terror attacks, which claimed the lives of 19 soldiers.

Responding to a question, Thackeray said Shiv Sena did not participate in the protests alongside MNS as they (Sena) were gauging the situation.

"We decided to keep aloof and see who takes what stand on this issue," Thackeray said refusing to answer any further question on the controversy.

"Sometimes it is better not to answer a few questions," he said, adding "people are wise enough to judge the situation."

Johar's "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" had been embroiled in a controversy over the past few weeks after the MNS raised a flag against it, thus putting a question mark on the fate of the movie, slated for a Diwali release on October 28.

The film starring Ranbir Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Anushka Sharma in lead roles will, however, release as per schedule after a truce was clinched. The producers gave some assurances such as that they would not work with Pakistani artists and technicians in their future projects, given the people's sentiments in the wake of the Pathankot and Uri terror strikes.
Erode: Two persons were arrested for alleged possession of 12 kilograms of explosive material in the district, police said on Sunday.

During a vehicle checking along Kadambur-Irrutipalayam forest ghat road last evening, the duo who came on a two-wheeler were intercepted and were found carrying 12 kilograms of explosives meant for use in quarrying operations, without a valid license, they said.

A case was registered under Explosives Act and both Ponnusamy (50) and his brother Chinnasamy (38) were arrested, police said adding, the explosive items were seized.
Thiruvananthapuram: Former Supreme Court judge Markandey Katju on Sunday said he would appear before the apex court on November 11 in the Soumya rape case, as directed by it.

In a Facebook post, he said "I will be appearing before the Supreme Court in the Soumya case on 11th November at 2 PM to explain why the judgement requires review and the death sentence be imposed on the accused Govindachamy."

He said he had received the notice given by the Supreme Court.

On October 17, the apex court had issued notice to Katju, asking him to appear in person before it on November 11 and participate in the proceedings as to whether the judgement and?order passed by the bench 'suffers from any fundamental flaw so as to require exercise of the review jurisdiction'.

Justice Katju had in a Facebook post had stated that the court's Sept 15 order needs to be reviewed in an open court hearing.

"Such a view coming from a retired Judge of this Court needs to be treated with the greatest of respect and consideration. Office to register a suo motu review petition," the bench had said in its order.

Justice Katju had last month stated that the Supreme Court had 'grievously erred by law' in the Soumya case, in which the death sentence of the accused Govindachamy was commuted.

The apex court had last month quashed Govindachamy's death penalty, but upheld life imprisonment for raping 23-year-old Soumya on February 1, 2011.

The death penalty had been imposed by a Fast Track Court in Thrissur,which was later upheld by Kerala High Court.

A review petition filed by the Kerala government and Soumya's mother is pending before the Apex Court.

Meanwhile, after her recent meeting with Justice Katju became controversial, Additional Director General of Police today said her visit had nothing to do with the Soumya case.

Advocate General C P Sudhakara Prasad had also expressed displeasure over the meeting.
New Delhi: In a major twist to the entire Samajwadi Party family tussle, Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday expelled state party president and uncle Shivpal Yadav from the Uttar Pradesh Cabinet.

As per the report, three other ministers were also sacked from the Cabinet today.

Mainpuri MLA Raju Yadav, who was among the expelled ministers, confirmed the report and said, "CM Akhilesh Yadav said in the meeting that whoever is close to Amar Singh cannot be in my Cabinet."

FLASH: UP CM Akhilesh Yadav sacks 4 ministers including Shivpal Yadav and OP Singh from the cabinet  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) October 23, 2016

CM said in the meeting that whoever is close to Amar Singh cannot be in my cabinet: Raju Yadav, Mainpuri MLA pic.twitter.com/cAwFsK69dM  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) October 23, 2016

According to sources, CM Akhilesh is likely to expel all other ministers who are said to be close to Shivpal and are in support of Amar Singh.

Meanwhile, Shivpal Yadav, who has been shown the door twice in two months by his nephew, rushed to party patriarch Mulayam Singh's New Delhi residence, minutes after reports of his expulsion from the Cabinet came in.

Earlier today, CM Akhilesh had called a meeting of MLAs and MLCs at his residence, however, legislators considered too close to state party chief Shivpal Yadav were not invited for the de-facto legislature party meeting. The announcement to sack ministers from the Cabinet came in after the meeting.

Also read: Samajwadi Party feud: Ram Gopal drops 'letter bomb', says future lies with Akhilesh; UP CM meets Mulayam ahead of key meet

According to sources, neither Shivpal Singh Yadav, who is an MLA from Jaswantnagar, was invited to the meeting nor many of the legislators who support him.

On Friday, Shivpal had personally gone to invite Akhilesh for the two-day district presidents' meet of the party which the Chief Minister chose to skip and instead called some of them to his official residence for a chat.

Political observers here feel that the infighting in the party has come to a situation of no return and that days to come would be turbulent, both for the party and the state.

In an another twist, Samajwadi Party general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav today wrote a one-page letter addressed to party workers saying the future of the ruling party lay in the hands of Akhilesh Yadav.

Ram Gopal, who wrote the letter to the party cadres, openly backed his nephew and CM Akhilesh and declared him as a clear worker. In the letter, he also urges his party workers to defeat Akhilesh's rivals.

"Jahan Akhilesh, Wahan Vijay (victory follows Akhilesh)," the SP supremo's cousin and party general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav's letter read while asking the party workers to 'tighten the screw of Akhilesh's rivals'.

The letter was released just a few hours ahead of the party meeting called by Akhilesh.

Yesterday, party veterans met SP veteran Mulayam Singh at his residence to find some solution in what is now becoming an unending feud in the party's top leadership.

However, sources claimed that they failed to pacify Mulayam Singh Yadav who is "extremely hurt" at the rebellion of his son Akhilesh and "crude protests" by his supporters.

Leaders who met Mulayam on Saturday -- Beni Prasad Verma, Reoti Raman Singh and Naresh Agarwal, later told mediapersons that any disrespect shown towards Mulayam will not be tolerated at any cost.

Hours later, Udayveer Singh, a party MLC was shown the door and expelled from the party for six years. Udayveer's expulsion from the party came after he accused Mulayam Singh`s second wife of being part of a conspiracy against Akhilesh Yadav.

Singh, who is a member of the legislative council, also attacked state Samajwadi Party chief and Mulayam Singh`s brother Shivpal Yadav for being the `political front` of the Chief Minister`s stepmother.

Singh's expulsion from the party aggravated the situation as most leaders close to Akhilesh have been thrown out of the party after Shivpal Yadav tookover as the state party chief in September this year.
Lucknow: Amidst high drama in Samajwadi Party on Sunday, Mulayam Singh Yadav sacked his cousin brother and the party's national general secretary Ram Gopal for six years on charges of anti-party activities.

This comes hours after Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav suspended several of his lawmakers, including his uncle Shivpal Singh Yadav from the Cabinet.

Shortly after the sacking of Ram Gopal, Shivpal Singh, who is party's UP chief, said that he betrayed the party in order to save his son and daughter-in-law from a CBI case.

He is involved with corrupt people. Ram Gopal has always misused the name of Netaji (Mulayam Yadav) at various party forums, Singh alleged.

Singh alleged that the former party national general secretary has been involved with the BJPto save his son.

"He met a senior BJP leader thrice and is trying to save his son Akshay and daughter-in-law from action by the CBI," he said.

He also said that when the earlier BSP government hounded the SP workers, Ram Gopal Yadav never came to their aid.

Referring to his suspension by Akhilesh, he said that the chief minister must understand who is with him and who is not.

Another minister Sayeda Shadab Fatima, who was also suspended by Akhilesh, said, It's his prerogative, he did what he thought was correct; not right to question it.
Lucknow: In yet another twist in the ongoing feud in the Samajwadi Party, general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav on Sunday wrote a one-page letter to party workers saying the future of the ruling party lay in the hands of Akhilesh Yadav.

Ram Gopal, who wrote the letter to the party cadres, openly backed his nephew and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh and declared him as a clear worker. In the latter, he also urges his party workers to defeat Akhilesh's rivals.

"Jahan Akhilesh, Wahan Vijay (victory follows Akhilesh)," the SP supremo's cousin and party general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav's letter read while asking the party workers to 'tighten the screw of Akhilesh's rivals'.

The letter was released just a few hours ahead of the party meeting called by Akhilesh Yadav.

In his letter, Ram Gopal said that people with Akhilesh were those who have spilled blood for the party and made great sacrifices whereas those who "minted crores and misused power" were on the other side.

The national party general secretary said while their thinking was positive, others were of a negative mindset. The letter was released around 6.30 in the morning. He is understood to have written from Mumbai.

While no names have been taken, the political overtones in the letter suggest that he was alluring to the other side led by his elder brother Mulayam Singh Yadav.

The letter comes hours before a crucial meeting of party legislators called by Akhilesh at his official residence, where many feel, he could come out with his vision of the road ahead.

Speculation is rife here that the Chief Minister has thrown in the towel and now of the view that only his complete sway over the party decisions could alter the situation and salvage the SP's image, specially before the forthcoming state assembly polls which are just a few months away.

Party veterans led by Rajya Sabha members Reoti Raman Singh, Beni Prasad Verma, Naresh Agarawal and Kironmoy Nanda, who tried to broker truce between the warring father and son on Saturday, will meet the Samajwadi Party patriarch on Sunday at around 10.30 am.

At the same time, the Chief Minister has called a meet with 175 party legislators at his official 5, Kalidas Marg residence at 11am today.

According to sources, neither Shivpal Singh Yadav, who is an MLA from Jaswantnagar, has been invited to the meeting nor many of the legislators who support him. CM Akhilesh, who has called the meeting today, has excluded an altogether 75 legislators, close to Shivpal Singh, from the meet.

The sources said there was no official word in this regard. Shivpal, however, said he is going to attend the meeting if called.

On Friday, Shivpal had personally gone to invite Akhilesh for the two-day district presidents' meet of the party which the Chief Minister chose to skip and instead called some of them to his official residence for a chat.

Political observers here feel that the infighting in the party has come to a situation of no return and that days to come would be turbulent, both for the party and the state.

(With agency inputs)
Dhaka: Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was on Sunday reelected unopposed as the ruling Awami League's president, asked cadres to reach out to the people to ensure that the party is returned to power for a third successive term.

Addressing the party's National Council, she said, "Awami League must come back to power to take the nation forward towards its goal of becoming a poverty-free nation."

The Awami League came to power in December 2008 polls and returned to power in the January 2014 polls for a second successive term.

Hasina, 69, began addressing the councillors' session by stressing on the next national elections.

"The polls are coming... For a third win, we need to reach out to the people and tell them about the development done during our tenure," she said. "We need to make the people realise that Awami League in power would ensure socio-economic development," she said.

Hasina said she wants "honesty" among party activists.

"As long as I am alive, I want to elect a leader to strengthen the party," she said. But that evoked a negative reaction from the councillors who said "No, no".

Hasina, who has been heading the Awami League since 1981, had said recently that she would be "happy" to retire given the opportunity and if the party manages to find a new leader.

Awami leaders, however, insist that there's no alternative to Hasina, bdnews24.Com reported.

She has made it clear that the council will elect the next batch of leaders, but party leaders are depending on her to make decisions.

Hasina said that the party is her family. "Awami League is family, my dearest one. I have not given as much time to my children as I have to the party."

Earlier, the Awami League re-elected Hasina as president while Obaidul Quader has been made the new general secretary for the next three years.

This was the eighth time Hasina, eldest daughter of Bangladesh's founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was elected as the Awami League chief as she became the longest serving president of the party founded in 1949.

Election Commissioner Yousuf Hossain Humayun declared her reelected as nobody contested. The councillors then went on to nominate the Presidium members.

"The next general election must be unquestionable," Hasina said referring to controversies over the last election which the opposition BNP boycotted.

The five-year term of the ruling Awami League will end in 2019. Despite being invited BNP leaders did not join the opening session of the League's two-day council yesterday but today its Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir welcomed Hasina and Quader as they were elected president and general secretary of the party.
Columbia: Hillary Clinton has soared to a 12-point lead over Donald Trump in the race for the White House, according to a new poll released Sunday, with the real estate magnate`s support tanking among key voter groups.

The Republican presidential nominee has seen dismal poll numbers since a string of women came forward earlier this month to accuse him of sexual assault or inappropriate behavior in the past.

He has also stirred controversy by refusing to say that he will accept the result of the November 8 election no matter what, calling the process "rigged."

Clinton, the Democratic former secretary of state, leads 50 percent to 38 percent in a four-way contest with two minor party candidates, according to a national ABC News poll.

It was up from Clinton`s four percentage point edge in an ABC News/Washington Post poll conducted 10 days ago.

Trump held a small 47-43 percent lead among white Americans, a group that Republican Mitt Romney won by 20 points in the 2012 election.

Republican candidates must have strong support from white voters if they want to win, with non-white voters overwhelmingly favoring Democratic candidates.

Clinton leads 55-35 percent among women, and has doubled her lead to 32 points among college-educated white women -- a group strongly critical of Trump`s response to allegations of inappropriate behavior.

The poll even showed Clinton leading for the first time among men, 44 to 41 percent -- although that lead is within the poll`s margin of error.

With just over two weeks to go before Election Day, the two White House hopefuls are targeting key battleground states like Florida, North Carolina, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Team Clinton is hoping for a landslide win, even holding out hope of taking back control of at least one of the two houses of Congress from the Republicans.

"We`re not taking anything for granted at all," campaign manager Robby Mook told Fox News Sunday.

"Secretary Clinton at the beginning of this campaign said she wanted to help all candidates up and down the ballot. So we`re running a coordinated campaign, working hard with gubernatorial, Senate and House candidates. But we`re not -- you know, this is not over yet."

Early voting has begun in several states, and the initial details were positive, Mook said.

"We feel very, very good about what we`ve seen so far... And we`re encouraged also by who is turning out."

Trump has tried to change the narrative, on Saturday outlining his plan for his first 100 days in office, including a pledge to create 25 million jobs and cut taxes for middle-class Americans.

"The fact is that this race is not over," Trump`s campaign manager Kellyanne Conway told Fox News on Sunday, outlining a plan to win crucial battleground states.

"He`s not -- we`re not giving up. We know we can win this."

Trump`s son Eric said polls don`t reflect the support of people who haven`t been on voter rolls for years but will turn out on Election Day to support the populist candidate.

"I`m so incredibly proud. He`s carried the weight of this country for the last 18 months. I happen to think we`re going to win," Eric Trump said on ABC.
Aleppo: Clashes and air strikes shook the Syrian city of Aleppo, a monitor said on Sunday, as heavy fighting resumed after the end of three-day truce declared by government ally Russia.

The unilateral truce ended without any evacuations by the UN, which had hoped to bring wounded civilians out of the rebel-held east and deliver aid after weeks of government bombardment and a three-month siege.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported heavy clashes overnight in several areas along the front line that divides the government-held west from the east.

The Britain-based monitor also reported the first air strikes since Moscow announced a temporary halt in the Syrian army's Russian-backed offensive to recapture the east of the city.

It said at least three people were wounded in artillery fire on the east of the city, while rebels fired a barrage of rockets and mortar shells on the government-held neighbourhood of Hamdaniyeh.

By this morning, the city was quiet, but it was unclear if there would be any renewal of the truce, which Moscow and Damascus said was intended to allow civilians and rebels to leave the east.

The army had opened eight corridors from the east, but only a handful of civilians were reported to have crossed through a single passage, with the rest remaining deserted.

Russian officials and Syrian state media accused rebels of preventing people from leaving and using civilians as "human shields".

Nearly 500 people have been killed and more then 2,000 wounded since the Syrian army launched a September 22 operation to recapture eastern Aleppo.

The UN had hoped to use the "humanitarian pause" to evacuate seriously wounded people and possibly deliver aid.

But a UN official said yesterday that the requisite security guarantees had once again not been received.

"You have various parties to the conflict and those with influence and they all have to be on the same page on this and they are not," said David Swanson, a spokesman for the UN humanitarian office.

The UN had drawn up a four-day plan that was to start with two days of medical evacuations to west Aleppo, rebel-held Idlib province, and Turkey, and continue with more evacuations as well as aid deliveries.

No aid has entered Aleppo since July 7 and UN chief Ban Ki-moon has warned food rations will run out by the end of the month.

The UN had asked Moscow to consider extending the pause until tomorrow evening, but there was no indication from Russia that it would.

Russia is a key ally of Syria's government and began a military intervention in support of President Bashar al-Assad last September.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview aired yesterday that the intervention was meant to "liberate" Syria and keep Assad in power.

"Either Assad is in Damascus, or Al-Nusra is," he said, referring to former Al-Qaeda affiliate the Fateh al-Sham Front. "There is no third option here."

In the hours before the truce expired, the Observatory said both sides appeared to be reinforcing their positions in preparation for renewed clashes.

"The regime and the rebels are both bolstering their forces, which raises fears of a massive military operation if the ceasefire fails," Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman said.

Elsewhere at least two people were wounded today when a bomb strapped to a motorbike exploded in Hasakeh, the Observatory said.

The blast in a Kurdish-controlled district is one of a series to have hit the northeastern city, most of them claimed by the Islamic State group.

More than 300,000 people have been killed in Syria since the conflict began in March 2011 with anti-government protests.

The White House condemned yesterday the regime's "defiance" of international law after UN experts said the army was responsible for a chemical weapons attack in March 2015.

It was the third chemical weapons attack the UN panel has attributed to government forces.

"We condemn in the strongest possible terms the Assad regime's defiance of the longstanding global norm against chemical weapons use," said National Security Council spokesman Ned Price.
By India Today Web Desk: Popular television actor Vijayendra Kumeria has just welcomed a new member to his family.



The Udann star reportedly being father to a daughter this morning and is believed to be immensely happy about this new development in his life.



According to TellyChakkar, both his wife Preeti Bhatia and the child are in perfect condition. Kumeria, who had on previous occasions expressed his excitement over adding a new dimension to his life met his wife Preeti when they were both employed at an Airline service--and as they say, rest is history.



Also Read: Congratulations! Karanvir Bohra, Teejay Sidhu have been blessed with twin daughters

The best thing happened to me yesterday ...held my angel in my hands for the first time...m on cloud 9 since then...???????????????? vijayendra kumeria (@veejay_k) October 22, 2016

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The actor shared his excitement with his Twitter fans and wrote,"The best thing happened to me yesterday..held my angel in my hands for the first time..m on cloud 9 since then.."



Kumeira who currently plays Suraj on Udann, has also appeared in shows like Pyaar Ka Dard Hai Meetha..,Tumhari Paaki, Shashtri Sisters and Twist Wala Love.



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Mogadishu: Twenty-six men held hostage by Somali pirates for nearly five years have been released, international mediators said on Saturday.

Their ship, the FV Naham 3, was seized south of the Seychelles in March 2012, the BBC reported.

The vessel and its crew were kept off the Somali coast, until it sank. The hostages -- from a number of East Asian countries -- were then brought ashore and held in the bushland.

They are believed to be some of the last remaining captives seized by Somali pirates in the mid-2000s.

Piracy off the coast of Somalia has reduced significantly in recent years.

The men are from Cambodia, China, Taiwan, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.

John Steed, who works with the Hostage Support Partnership, said information about the hostages' condition was limited to photos sent to prove the men were still alive.

"We won't know until I actually pick them up inside Somalia tomorrow," he told the BBC.

"The guys are pretty ragged, very thin, malnourished. Several of them had to see a doctor today because they were unwell."

He said he could not comment on whether any payment was made to secure the captives. However, he said the local community and tribal elders were involved in the "difficult situation".

"These are poor fishermen. The ship had no value, they had no insurance, and of course governments don't want to be involved in these sort of negotiations either," he said.
Washington: In a blunt message, the United State has warned Pakistan that it will not hesitate to act alone, when necessary, to disrupt and destroy terror networks as the country's powerful spy agency Inter- Services Intelligence was not acting against all terror groups operating on its soil.

"The problem is that there are forces within the Pakistani government ?- specifically in Pakistan's Inter- Services Intelligence or ISI -- that refuse to take similar steps against all the terrorist groups active in Pakistan, tolerating some groups -? or even worse," Adam Szubin, Acting Under Secretary on Countering the Financing of Terrorism, told a Washington audience.

"We continue to urge our partners in Pakistan to go after all terrorist networks operating in their country. We stand ready to help them. But there should be no doubt that while we remain committed to working with Pakistan to confront ongoing terrorist financing and operations, the US will not hesitate to act alone, when necessary, to disrupt and destroy these networks," Szubin warned.

In his remarks at the Paul H Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, Szubin said at the same time, Pakistan has been -- and remains -- a critical counterterrorism partner in many respects.

"Of course, Pakistanis are themselves often the victims of brutal terrorist attacks on schools, markets, and mosques, and the list unfortunately goes on. And in the face of such violence, Pakistan has in some ways pushed back," Szubin said.

"Pakistan has achieved success in its ongoing operations against traditional terrorist safe havens in northwest Pakistan. It has officially designated ISIL as a terrorist organisation. And it has gone after the funding and operational capabilities of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP," he said.

But the ISI problem of supporting terrorist groups continues, he said.

"This is a distinction we cannot stand for," Szubin asserted.

The US has been saying that Pakistan has not yet placed adequate pressure on the Haqqani Network of militants to prevent them from plotting deadly cross-border attacks in war- torn Afghanistan.

Afghan authorities allege leaders of the Haqqani group, which is fighting alongside the Taliban, are directing high- profile attacks, particularly in the capital, Kabul, from their sanctuaries on Pakistani soil, with the covert support of the country's intelligence operatives.

There is not adequate pressure being put on the Haqqanis" by the Pakistan government, The commander of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan, General John Nicholson had said last month.

"The Haqqanis operationally have been able to continue to conduct operations inside Afghanistan. They constitute the primary threat to Americans, to coalition members and to Afghans, especially in and around Kabul," he said.

Pakistani authorities routinely deny the presence of any sanctuaries and insist counter-terrorism military operations have targeted and uprooted all militant infrastructures on their side of the border.
Washington: The White House condemned the Assad regime's "defiance" of international norms after United Nations experts found the Syrian army had conducted three chemical weapons attacks against its own people in 2014 and 2015.

Of the nine alleged chemical attacks it is considering in its ongoing probe, the UN-led joint investigative mechanism has now attributed three to the Syrian government and one to the Islamic State group.

"We condemn in the strongest possible terms the Assad regime's defiance of the longstanding global norm against chemical weapons use and Syria's abrogation of its responsibilities under the Chemical Weapons Convention, which it joined in 2013," National Security Council spokesman Ned Price said in a statement.

"The Syrian regime has violated the Chemical Weapons Convention and UN Security Council Resolution 2118 by using industrial chlorine as a weapon against its own people."

He warned the United States was continuing to work with its allies to hold those responsible to account.

"We strongly urge all UN member states and parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention, including Russia and Iran, which continue to conduct military operations on behalf of the Assad regime, to unequivocally support these efforts and sustain our shared commitment to the international standard against chemical weapons use."

Washington and Moscow are in the midst of a major diplomatic spat over Russian support for the Assad regime, with relations reaching a new low not seen since the Cold War.

"Russian military and economic support to Syria enables the Assad regime to continue its military campaign against its own people, which it has done in violation of international law as demonstrated by the findings of this report," Price said.

"Together, we must send a strong signal that the use of weapons of mass destruction will not be tolerated by the international community."
New Delhi: With deals over USD 12 billion in kitty this month, including leasing of a second nuclear submarine, Russia hopes to bag more projects as it termed itself as not just a business partner but an "ally" who stood by India in its "darkest hours".

Russia is eying the multi-billion dollar deal for P75-I project of India under which six conventional submarines are to be built with Air Independent Propulsion systems and the next aircraft carrier project besides the deal to jointly develop a fifth generation fighter aircraft.

Asserting that there is no limit to what India and Russia can do together, a top Russian defense official claimed the US and Europeans can never give what Moscow can and has offered.

"We are ready not just to deliver most serious weapons, most important weapons but continue to give our state of art technology," Sergei Chemezov, CEO of Rostec State Corporation, an umbrella organisation of 700 hi-tech civilian and military firms, told PTI.

"Russia is a friend, an ally and not a business partner. Russia stood by India during its darkest hours. Next year will?mark 70 years of our relationship. It is a long time," he said and noted that Russia had stood by India when it faced sanctions after the 1998 nuclear tests.

"Not so in the recent past, when India was under sanctions, we were pretty much the only partner for India.

"Russia has been a partner not only in every day military supplies but also most sensitive and most important supplies including a nuclear submarine which was rented to India for you to use," said Chemezov who is also a close aide of Russian President Vladmir Putin.

"Come to think about it, I would not imagine any other country to do that, he said. Not in the past or in the future. I cannot imagine US or Europe giving India such a strategic asset," he said when asked about the tough competition that US and Europe are giving to Russia in the Indian defence market.

Not only did Russia lease out a nuclear powered submarine, it actively helped in the building India's first indigenous nuclear weapon carrying capable submarine INS Arihant which has been inducted into the Indian Navy.

Chemezov said "it is a very special year for us and will be marked by major projects and things are starting already."

He, however, admitted that from a third person's point of view, there might have been some decline in some areas of defense between the two countries. US and some European countries have managed to strike mega deals with India which the Russians were also competing for.

"It is not a linear sort of relationship. We feel that ties are definitely developing and increasing," he said.

Giving example of the deadly BrahMos missile, Chemezov said that not only has Russia delivered high value equipment but has also collaborated with India on developing strategic assets.

He pointed out that in late 1990s, Russia had transferred technology for Su30 MKI, India's frontline fighter aircraft.

"At that point of time, it was our most modern equipment, our most modern plane. When we had actually signed that agreement, Russia did not even equip its army with this.This was basically our newest highest technology. That shows and speaks about our relationship with India," he said.
By PTI: San Francisco, Oct 23 (PTI) Bicycle thieves beware! A new bicycle lock has been developed by a US firm that thwarts burglars by making them vomit uncontrollably when they try to cut through it.

San Francisco native Daniel Idzkowski, one of the inventors of SkunkLock, was fed up with having his bike stolen, so he set out to create a new kind of bicycle lock, one that would not just act as a deterrent but would actually stop would-be thieves in their tracks.

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With his co-inventor, Yves Perrenoud, Idzkowski created a U-shaped lock of carbon and steel with a hollow chamber to hold one of three pressurised gases of their own concoction, including one called formula D_1. When someone cuts about 30 per cent of the way into the lock, Idzkowski said, the gas erupts in the direction of the gash.

The company claims its "noxious chemical" is so disgusting it "induces vomit in the majority of cases."

Even better, the company claims, the gas causes "shortness of breathing" and impaired eyesight.

"Its pretty effective," said Idzkowski, who has exposed himself to each of the companys three proprietary formulas.

"The first time we exposed ourselves to it, we essentially started running away...It was far worse than we expected," he was quoted as saying by East Bay Times.

Idzkowski said the effects are temporary ? lasting between 20 minutes to several hours -- depending on the person and their level of exposure.

The non-toxic spray uses a mix of thiols -- a naturally occurring sulfur compound characterised by its foul smell -- and acids.

Some of the formulas also contain capsaicin, the chemical used in pepper spray. None of the formulas fall into any existing regulatory category, Idzkowski said, though he admitted the product may spur lawmakers to create one.

"Our formula irreversibly ruins the clothes worn by the thief or any of the protection they may be wearing," the company claims on its crowdfunding page.

SkunkLock is also already looking at selling the product in countries with high rates of bike theft -- including the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Denmark, Finland, Belgium, Sweden, and Japan, media reports said. PTI ASK AKJ CPS

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In a video, a police officer is seen administering a CPR to a 3-year-old boy in an attempt to revive him. The cop even won a lifesaving award for the heroic act.

By India Today Web Desk: It was a moment that 21-year-old Bethany had never imagined, her 3-year-old son had stopped breathing and neither she nor or her husband, John Geis, could bring the boy to respond to their attempts.

Brayden Geis, 3, had suffered from a febrile seizure due to a cold, according to ABC News.

While John was informing the 911 operator, Officer Chase Miller heard the distress call through EMS dispatcher radio and rushed to the scene knowing it was a nearby location.

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He was there even before the paramedics could arrive and administered CPR to the young boy.

A video captured at the scene was posted on YouTube by the city of Granbury, Texas, and it showed how Miller revived the young boy when he saw a sobbing mother and a panicked father.

Watch the video here :



He grabbed the child and lay his body on the ground where he gave him a CPR. He was calm the entire time and called the boy's father over to take over CPR while he brought a breathing mask.

After bringing the mask, Officer Miller continued performing CPR and soon Brayden began breathing. He was taken to a hospital so that he can recover from the seizure.



Officer Miller was given a lifesaving award for his heroic act in reviving the child. While Brayden gave a hug to the hero officer who saved his life, Miller gave the 3-year-old a toy police dog.

Officer Chase Miller shared a special moment tonight with the boy whose life he saved. Well done, Officer! pic.twitter.com/t0hNfrheU9 Granbury, Texas (@cityofgranbury) October 18, 2016

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The suspension of Avianca flights between Colombia and Venezuela affects two daily flights between Bogota and Caracas one daily flight between Caracas and Lima

Colombia's commercial carrier Avianca suspended flights to and from Venezuela on Saturday after a Venezuelan fighter jet caused a diplomatic incident by approaching one of its planes, the company said.

The warplane briefly approached the airliner flying from Madrid to Bogota on Friday, prompting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to order an investigation.

The measure "will continue indefinitely until we have explicit security guarantees for crossing Venezuelan airspace," a company spokesman told AFP.

The suspension affects two daily flights between Bogota and Caracas one daily flight between Caracas and Lima.

Flights from Europe will also be rerouted to avoid Venezuelan airspace.

The airline had previously reduced the frequency of its flights to crisis-wracked Venezuela.

The incident took place Friday night, when Avianca's Boeing Dreamliner carrying 150 passengers detected the Venezuelan warplane "at close range," where it remained four minutes, the Colombian government said on Saturday.

The fighter jet then turned north and roared away.

The incident prompted diplomatic discussions and Maduro's order for an investigation.

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, downplayed the incident on Saturday.

"The ministers have spoken and cleared it all up, everything is normal," he said. "There's no need to worry."

On the Venezuelan side, lawmaker Diosdado Cabello called it a "regrettable misunderstanding.

"I understand, to the best of my knowledge, there was a regrettable misunderstanding. It was nothing planned against Avianca in any way at all. It will be taken care of," said Cabello, who is also the number two in Maduro's administration.
Wallonia's socialist government head Paul Magnette (L) and European Parliament President Martin Schulz hold a joint press conference after their meeting regarding the EU-Canada Trade Agreement on October 22, 2016

Belgium's Wallonia region on Sunday dealt a fresh blow to a proposed EU-Canada trade deal, rejecting a 24-hour ultimatum from the bloc to end its objection to the agreement.

In an embarrassment for the 28-nation EU, Belgium has so far been the only member not to sign up to the CETA trade deal, blocked by French-speaking Wallonia, which has refused to endorse it.

The EU has warned that unless Belgium makes its position clear, it will cancel a summit on Thursday to sign the accord with Ottawa, and indicated that it expected Prime Minister Charles Michel to come up with an answer on Monday.

Paul Magnette, the leader of the Wallonia region, told the Belga news agency that an "ultimatum is not compatible with the exercise of democratic rights".

Magnette hit out at the EU, despite efforts by the bloc to provide reassurances to his government over investment protection -- one of the major sticking points in negotiations between Brussels and Wallonia.

One European diplomat said that the reassurances "responded to all of Mr Magnette's concerns".

A European source said European Council President Donald Tusk would call Michel on Monday afternoon or evening to see if the deal can be salvaged.

Tusk will ask Michel "one simple question: will Belgium be in a position to sign the agreement on Thursday, yes or no?" said the European source.

The EU Council chief will also call European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker "to share an assessment of where we are," and lastly Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau "to decide whether to maintain the summit".

"Regarding Thursday, if Belgium is not in a position to say that they guarantee they can sign, it's very clear for Tusk that it doesn't make sense to have a summit, and there will be no summit, and there will be no date set for a new summit," the source said.

The source added that any decision would be made jointly by Tusk and Trudeau.

Canada's trade minister Chrystia Freeland flew home from Brussels Saturday saying the ball was in the EU's court after talks on Friday failed to overcome the differences.

Story continues

- 'Stop bad trade treaties' -

The CETA -- or Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement -- would link the EU market of 500 million people with the world's tenth biggest economy.

The deal is opposed by anti-globalisation groups who say it is a test model to push through an even more controversial EU-US trade agreement called TTIP, talks on which have also stalled.

Sebastian Dullien, a senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, criticised the Commission for its role in the failure of negotiators to secure an agreement on the deal.

"The European Commission carries part of the blame because it didn't quickly seek a dialogue with doubters. And for this type of deal, you need a large consensus," he said.

Wallonia has some support for its position elsewhere in Europe.

On Saturday, 8,000 people including young people, farmers, union leaders and entrepreneurs joined a rally in Amsterdam in a show of solidarity, organisers said.

They held banners saying "Our world is not for sale" and "Stop these bad trade treaties".

Wallonia has also enjoyed support from activist groups like Greenpeace which charged that the deal risked satisfying "corporate greed" and trampling on people's rights and health standards on both sides of the Atlantic.

British Prime Minister Theresa May on Friday dismissed warnings that the EU-Canada deal raised serious questions about whether London could strike a similar agreement with the bloc after Brexit.
A placard reads 'Stop CETA - it's enough' during a protest against the CETA trade deal in front the Walloon parliament in Namur, Belgium on October 21, 2016

The European Union gave Belgium a barely 24-hour ultimatum Sunday to say whether it can back an EU-Canada trade deal, warning otherwise it will cancel a summit to sign the accord with Ottawa.

In an embarrassment for the 28-nation EU, Belgium has so far been unable to sign up to the CETA trade deal because of blockage by its French-speaking region of Wallonia.

Canada's trade minister Chrystia Freeland flew home from Brussels Saturday saying the ball was in the EU's court, after talks on Friday failed to overcome the differences.

She said she still hoped to be able to come back with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to sign the accord as planned at a summit in Brussels on Thursday.

On Sunday a European source said European Council President Donald Tusk would call Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel on Monday afternoon or evening, to see if the deal can be salvaged.

Tusk will ask Michel "one simple question: will Belgium be in a position to sign the agreement on Thursday, yes or no?" said the European source.

The EU Council chief will also call European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker "to share an assessment of where we are," and lastly Trudeau "to decide whether to maintain the summit."

"Regarding Thursday, if Belgium is not in a position to say that they guarantee they can sign, it's very clear for Tusk that it doesn't make sense to have a summit, and there will be no summit, and there will be no date set for a new summit," the source said.

The source added that any decision would be made jointly by Tusk and Trudeau.

"The decision will very much depend on what Michel tells Tusk," the source said.

- 'Stop bad trade treaties' -

The pact known as the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) would link the EU market of 500 million people with the world's tenth biggest economy.

The CETA is opposed by anti-globalisation groups who say it is a test model to push through an even more controversial EU-US trade deal called TTIP, talks on which have also stalled.

Story continues

And Wallonia has some support around Europe.

On Saturday, 8,000 people including young people, farmers, union leaders and entrepreneurs joined a rally in Amsterdam in a show of solidarity, organisers said.

They held banners saying "Our world is not for sale" and "Stop these bad trade treaties".

Wallonia?s government chief Paul Magnette told AFP on Friday that his Belgian region needed more time but that there was still scope for an agreement.

"Democracy takes a little time," Magnette said. "I wasn't asking for months, but you can't carry out a parliamentary process in two days."

He singled out a highly controversial investment protection scheme buried in the deal that has drawn the fury of activists.

Wallonia has also enjoyed support from activist groups like Greenpeace which charged that the deal risked satisfying "corporate greed" and trampling on people's rights and health standards on both sides of the Atlantic.

British Prime Minister Theresa May on Friday dismissed warnings that the EU-Canada deal raised serious questions about whether London could strike a similar agreement after BREXIT.
SUNDAY, Oct. 23, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- If you're having a tough time, the United States is a pretty good place to find some understanding, a new study contends.

The research found that America ranks seventh among nations in terms of empathy.

More than 104,000 people from 63 countries completed an online survey of empathy, which measured compassion for others and the ability to imagine other people's point of view.

Ecuador was ranked as the most empathetic country. It was followed by Saudi Arabia, Peru, Denmark, United Arab Emirates, Korea, the United States, Taiwan, Costa Rica and Kuwait, the study showed.

Seven of the 10 least empathetic countries were in Eastern Europe, and Lithuania was in last place.

The study did not distinguish between respondents' empathy toward people in their own nations and those in other countries.

While the U.S. placed seventh, that could change fairly soon because in recent decades Americans have become increasingly focused on themselves and less on others, said study lead author William Chopik.

"These changes might ultimately cause us to leave our close relationships behind," Chopik, an assistant professor of psychology at Michigan State University, said in a school news release.

"People are struggling more than ever to form meaningful close relationships. So, sure, the United States is seventh on the list, but we could see that position rise or fall depending on how our society changes in the next 20 to 50 years," he said.

Chopik noted that the study "only grabbed a snapshot of what empathy looks like at this very moment" and that cultures are constantly changing.

"This is particularly true of the United States, which has experienced really large changes in things like parenting practices and values," he said. "People may portray the United States as this empathetic and generous giant, but that might be changing."

More information

There is more on empathy at the Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley.
As of August 26th, 2021 Yahoo India will no longer be publishing content. Your Yahoo Account Mail and Search experiences will not be affected in any way and will operate as usual. We thank you for your support and readership. For more information on Yahoo India, please visit the FAQ
The Other Love Story by Roopa Rao has received a total of six nominations at New York City's Web Fest.

This Indian web series is making just the right kind of noise. Picture courtesy: Facebook/ The Other Love Story

By India Today Web Desk: With the world turning to online content creation, a certain Roopa Rao opted for the inception of something rather thoughtful and courageous.

In a country where homosexuality continues to be discussed in hushed tones, Rao decided to weave the love story of two Indian women who love each other.

And now, this celebration of same-sex love has reached all the way to New York.

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Roopa Rao's The Other Love Story has bagged six nominations at New York City's Web Fest that will be held from 10 to 12 November, 2016. Believed to be one of the most coveted festivals dedicated to the phenomenon of new media, the NYC Web Fest will take place at Pit Loft Theater in Manhattan.

Also Read: Set in the era of love letters and landline phones, this same-sex web series is special for many reasons

The Other Love Story traces the love story of two Bengaluru-based women whose lives are set in the 90s.

"When I made this series, I had no expectations about what I wanted from it or where it would go. I just wanted it to release and share the story, and hoped that people were engaged and entertained with each episode. I am thrilled that we have been noticed by a platform like this and that we are competing on a global level for some of the top awards at the festival," Roopa was quoted as telling The Times of India.

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Two women bouncers hired a cab on their way back home but they had to fight back to survive a rape attempt in a moving car.

By Tanseem Haider: Two women survived a rape attempt at gun-point in a moving car in Gurgaon on Saturday morning. The survivors were returning home after doing a night-shift at an event management company in Gurgaon.

Employed as bouncers in their company, the two women had hired a taxi on their way home at Dakshinpuri in Delhi.

READ: Gurgaon: How sex workers use autorickshaws to strike deals, avoid police

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THE HORRIFYING RIDE

The women took the taxi around 5 am from sector-45 on the MG Road, Gurgaon. When they sat in the cab, the driver was accompanied by a friend, who took out a pistol after some time.

They first tried to rob them of money and valuables but as the victims appeared subdued, one of the accused attempted to assault them sexually, the women told the police. They kept quiet and resigned to their fate until the accused attempted to assault them sexually.

ALSO WATCH:

THE FIGHTBACK

When the partner of the driver started touching them inappropriately, the women resisted and engaged the attacker in a fight. Their counter-attack unnerved the accused and the driver hit the road divider. The cab stopped there in the middle of the road.

The women came out of the car and raised an alarm. The passersby came to the spot and nabbed one of the accused, identified as Pawan. The cab driver managed to escape.



POLICE REGISTER CASE

After overpowering the accused, police was informed. Pawan was handed over to Gurgaon police, who later arrested the absconding driver, identified as Vikas.

Police registered a case of attempt rape and robbery under relevant sections of IPC and the Arms Act.



ALSO READ:



Prostitution racket busted in Gurgaon, 10 arrested



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The Democractic presidential candidate said that she will no longer respond to her Republican rival's comments and will let people to America decide.

By Indo-Asian News Service: Refusing to give any credence to Donald Trump's remarks, US Democractic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton said she will no longer respond to her Republican rival and instead dedicate the final stretch of her campaign to discuss her proposals for the upcoming November 8 elections.

"I do not even think about answering (Trump) any more," Clinton told the media on Saturday while travelling from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia as she made campaign stops in both cities located in Pennsylvania.

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GOING TO LET AMERICA DECIDE

The Democrat, who leads Trump in the polls, said she had already debated with her opponent for four and a half hours in the three presidential debates.

ALSO READ: Clinton takes near unbeatable lead over Trump reveals poll

"I'm going to let the American people decide between what he offers and what we offer. So he can say whatever he wants to," Efe news quoted Clinton as saying.

Trump's electoral offensive has been marked by attacks on Clinton, accusing her of being the media favourite and alleging the elections are "rigged".

CLINTON A NASTY WOMAN



On several occasions, the business mogul has reiterated that if elected, he intends to launch an investigation into Clinton over her use of a private server to send official emails while she was Secretary of State, warning that it could even spell a jail sentence for her.

In the final debate between the White House hopefuls in Las Vegas last week, he called Clinton "a nasty woman".

ALSO READ: In final face-off, Trump, Hillary clash on Russia, immigration | Highlights

The former first lady has stressed that Trump "can run his campaign however he wants to, he can go off on tangents", while she is determined to talk about "what we (Democrats) want to do".

In the two campaign events held on Saturday in Pennsylvania -- a key state for election victory -- Clinton was accompanied by her running mate Tim Kaine.

On Sunday, President Barack Obama will take part in a pro-Clinton rally in Nevada, another battleground state that could sway the final results of the hotly-contested election.

ALSO READ: Hillary Clinton's win would result in spread of ISIS, says Donald Trump

ALSO READ: Trump's views on women in video will disqualify him for job at a store: Obama



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the indispensable role played by the user and the deliberate nature of its intervention. The user mak

es an act of communication when it intervenes, in full knowledge of the consequences of its action, to give access to a protected work to its customers, and does so, in particular, where, in the absence of that intervention, its customers would not, in principle, be able to enjoy the ... work"

[para 35]
Most recently, the US Treasury Department announced that international banks would be permitted to conduct transactions with Iran in US dollars, provided that the transactions do not directly involve entities in the US. It also announced that transactions would be considered legal with any Iranian business in which currently-sanctioned individuals or groups are only minority shareholders.

These changes and the underlying controversy over White House policy were taken up in an editorial that appeared in the Canada Free Press on Wednesday. The author, an activist and supporter of regime change in Iran named Heshmat Alavi, suggested that the pattern of apparent concessions from Washington have been driven by unfounded optimism about the prospective effects of economic revitalization in the Islamic Republic.

Western supporters of rapprochement have tended to put forth a narrative whereby increased contact between Iran and Western countries would encourage a moderating trend inside the Islamic theocracy. But Alavi argues that this is virtually impossible, given the structure of political and economic interests in the country.

Alavi first claims that the Iranian economy is so sick that a few injections cannot bring it back to life. He goes on to blame this upon leaders who have systematically usurped the countrys wealth for the sake of personal enrichment. Dissident groups like the National Council of Resistance of Iran have repeatedly pointed out that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps controls the vast majority of Irans GDP. Meanwhile, much of the rest is indirectly owned by hardline authorities including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who controls such multi-sector organizations as SETAD, which is valued at approximately 100 billion dollars.

The implementation of the Iran nuclear deal, or Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action has demonstrated how difficult it is to wrest Irans economy from the hands of such hardline individuals and organizations. Despite blaming the US for making it difficult for them to reintegrate into the global economy, the Iranians have refused to make changes that would bring them into line with international banking standards, as by establishing protocols to prevent money laundering and the financing of terrorism.

At the same time, Tehran has left lingering questions about the profitability of that reintegration for would be foreign investors, regardless of the persistent threat of US-led sanctions. Long-anticipated oil contract templates were revealed last month, which failed to remove requirements that foreign investors partner with local entities that are generally controlled by the IRGC. This may further justify criticisms levied against the Obama administration regarding the possibility of sanctions relief and newfound investment being channeled into the IRGCs militant and terrorist proxies.

This criticism in turn raises questions about the value of sanctions relief from the perspective of Western interests. But the Free Press editorial puts more focus on the lack of value for the Iranian people, whom Alavi says are unlikely to see any of the increased wealth that is channeled into the hands of the leadership. Urging Western entities to pick a side in the conflict between the regimes and the peoples interests, Alavi says, No investor is successful as long as he ignores the people, who are the real owners of the country.

This sort of argument has become familiar in the 15 months since the conclusion of nuclear negotiations and especially in the 10 months since implementation of the JCPOA. But it has not stopped Western business and their government representatives from reaching out to the Islamic Republic. In fact, on Wednesday Customs Today reported that Danish exports to Iran had risen to a level two-thirds greater than the previous year, signifying mutual enjoyment of a more open trade environment after a number of European countries had expanded imports of Iranian oil.

The previous day, Hellenic Shipping News indicated that Portugal and Hungary had loaded their first shipments of Iranian oil, following suit with such nations as Greece, Spain, and Italy.

Meanwhile, at the same time that Tehran is accusing the US of standing in the way of open trade relations, some Europe-based businesses are successfully entering into collaborative arrangements with newfound Iranian partners. Previous reports have detailed such developments in the aviation and automobile industries. But now the Wall Street Journal has provided an example from the telecommunications sector, reporting that the UKs Vodafone had entered into a deal to help a local company provide additional internet service to Irans expanding market.

This potentially raises additional questions about the effects of Western investments in light of Irans widespread state control over economic interests. On one hand, expanded internet access could be a tool for helping to realize the promises that supporters of the nuclear deal put forward regarding improved contacts between the Iranian people and the West. But on the other hand, Iran attempts to maintain tight controls over the internet, and is still seeking to dramatically expand those plans by cutting off Iranian web service from the rest of the world.

Last week, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran published a report on the current status of the proposed National Information Network, into which the regime has poured billions of dollars over the years. Although still far from being complete or overtaking alternative sources of internet service, the governments plans remain as ambitious and ever. And in the meantime, hardline authorities continue to crack down on internet users and carry out sting operations against those accused of disseminating undesirable content.

It is not immediately clear from the Wall Street Journals report whether the Vodafone deal will present another challenge to the National Information Network, or whether it will provide state-affiliated entities with technologies and infrastructural development that could ultimately be used to further the regimes obstruction of public access to information.
Colombia's commercial carrier Avianca on Saturday briefly suspended flights to and from Venezuela after a Venezuelan fighter jet caused a diplomatic incident by approaching one of its planes, the company said. The warplane briefly approached the airliner flying from Madrid to Bogota on Friday, prompting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to order an investigation. The incident took place Friday night, when Avianca's Boeing Dreamliner carrying 150 passengers detected the Venezuelan warplane "at close range," where it remained four minutes, the Colombian government said on Saturday. The fighter jet then turned north and roared away. The incident prompted diplomatic discussions and Maduro's order for an investigation. But Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, downplayed the incident early Saturday. "The ministers have spoken and cleared it all up, everything is normal," he said. "There's no need to worry." On the Venezuelan side, lawmaker Diosdado Cabello later called it a "regrettable misunderstanding. "I understand, to the best of my knowledge, there was a regrettable misunderstanding. It was nothing planned against Avianca in any way at all. It will be taken care of," said Cabello, who is also the number two in Maduro's administration. In the end, the suspension of two daily flights between Bogota and Caracas one daily flight between Caracas and Lima never took effect. The flights are to run as normal on Sunday, Avianca said. The airline had previously reduced the frequency of its flights to crisis-wracked Venezuela. Analysts have warned of a risk of violent unrest in this country of 30 million people. Hit by the fall in crude oil prices, the Venezuelan economy has crashed. Food shortages have prompted looting in recent months. Opposition leaders in Caracas plan mass street protests for next week, accusing the socialist government of staging a coup by blocking efforts for a recall referendum against the unpopular Maduro. Riots in 2014 left 43 people dead.
Scuffles between supporters and opponents of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban disrupted a state commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the 1956 anti-Soviet uprising in Budapest Sunday. Orban's address to a crowd estimated by an AFP photographer at around 15,000 in front of parliament was met by the sound of whistles and air-horns from several hundred protestors gathered at the fringe of the event. As the protestors continued to make noise through the event, which was also addressed by Polish president Andrzej Duda, several scuffles broke out. A prominent Hungarian historian Krisztian Ungvary, who stood among the protestors, was struck in the face by an unknown assailant. The anniversary of the failed uprising against Soviet rule after which 200,000 Hungarian refugees fled the country has brought into focus criticism of Orban over his stance on refugees and migration. The 53-year-old premier, in power since 2010, has been one of the European Union's loudest critics of the bloc's immigration policy. Portraying himself as both a defender of Hungary and Europe against the influx into the EU of mostly Muslim migrants since 2015, Orban built razor-wire fences on the country's southern borders. During his speech Orban said Hungary's geographical position "pushes it from time to time in the current of decisive debates on Europe's future". "There was a time when we allowed the opening of borders so that Germans could meet with Germans, now in 2016 we had to close borders," he said. Orban also held a referendum last month over the EU's plan to redistribute refugees around the bloc, and has moved to include in the constitution a ban on the settlement of "alien population". On October 23 1956, the armed uprising against Soviet communist rule erupted after authorities opened fire on peaceful demonstrators. After a retreat by Soviet troops signalled an apparent victory by the rebels, the Soviets returned in early November dooming the revolt to a swift defeat. Hundreds were executed in its aftermath including Imre Nagy, a reform-minded communist leader who moved to withdraw Hungary from the Soviet bloc. Political demonstrations are often held on the October 23 anniversary. In 2006, the most serious street disturbances since 1956 broke out after right-wing protestors fought fierce battles with police.
As a small business owner, free time is probably not something you have a whole lot of. What you do have a lot of are tasks to accomplish and deadlines to meet. So how can you better accomplish these tasks in a shorter amount of time?

Below are 50 time saving tips to help you save time throughout your workday.

50 Time Saving Tips for Small Businesses

1. Set Goals

Each morning, write out a detailed to-do list of the things you want to accomplish that day.

2. Create a Plan

Figure out when and how youll accomplish each item on your daily list  will you need help, supplies, etc.?

3. Prioritize by Importance

Its inevitable that sometimes youll have to cut items off your to-do list, so decide early what the most important items are and prioritize.

4. Prioritize by Urgency

Youll need to get to those projects that have urgent deadlines so leave the ones that are due next week for later.

5. Break Down Large Tasks

If your list includes some overwhelming items, break them down into smaller, more manageable tasks.

6. Be Realistic

Dont expect to accomplish everything in an hour. Know your limitations and your abilities.

7. Track Your Time

In order to better understand how you really spend your time, take a few days and write down everything you do and how long it takes. Include breaks, email, social media and everything else, so that youll find out what your biggest time wasters are.

8. Set Deadlines

Need some motivation to complete a project? Set a deadline for yourself and tell others about it so they can help hold you accountable.

9. Keep One Eye on the Clock

You dont want to constantly obsess about time, but you also dont want to let the day get away from you because you werent paying attention. Stay on track.

See Also: 5 Tips for Building a Great Website for Your Business

10. Set Reminders

If you have a deadline or meeting coming up, set a reminder on your phone that will go off shortly before.

11. Schedule Breaks

Everyone needs to take breaks throughout the day, so make sure to account for them when scheduling your tasks for the day.

12. Schedule Time for Email and Social Media

Email and social media can be big time wasters. Dont respond to every email as it comes in and dont leave Facebook or Twitter open all day. Instead, schedule a short block or two throughout the day to accomplish these tasks.

13. Use a Central Social Media Management System

If you use social media for marketing purposes, you likely have more than one account. Using a central dashboard like HootSuite can help you avoid going back and forth between sites, and even allows you to schedule posts throughout the day so you dont need to constantly sign back on.

14. Avoid Distractions

Aside from social media and email, there are a number of other distractions that can cause you to waste time throughout the day. If you work at home, turn off the TV. If you work in an office, take a different route to the water cooler to avoid chatty co-workers.

15. Stick to One Task at a Time

Multi-tasking can sound like a time saver, but it isnt. Focus on one task, complete it and then move on.

16. Batch Tasks

It can be helpful to do similar tasks consecutively. For example, make all your phone calls for the day back-to-back.

17. Incentivize Tasks

When you have a really difficult task to complete, give yourself a reward for completing it. It can be as simple as taking a break.

18. Focus on Results

You should have an idea about why you are doing each task on your list. Ask yourself how each item will impact your company and focus on results.

19. Dont Stress Over Unimportant Details

If something doesnt have a big impact on your business, dont stress about it. Perfectionism can be a big time waster.

20. Create Good Habits

Create a habit of sorting files regularly, responding to emails in a timely manner and quickly accomplishing any other tasks that show up on your to-do list so that it quickly becomes routine.

21. Eliminate the Non-Essential

Remove items that no longer serve a purpose to your mission, both physically and electronically.

22. Use Email Filters and Archives

Use email filters and archives so that you dont spend hours looking for a particular message. Your email program most likely offers easy tools to keep all your communications organized, so make wise use of those features.

23. Limit Meetings

Meetings can be essential, but they can also turn into time wasters if they go on too long or happen too frequently. Accept and schedule only important meetings.

24. Hire a Virtual Assistant

Virtual assistants can help you with mundane daily tasks like email, bookkeeping, scheduling and research. Consider getting yourself some help if you need it.

25. Utilize a Project Management Platform

Services like Basecamp offer your team a way to communicate in groups, set deadlines and share and edit files without having to keep up with several different email threads.

26. Keep Projects in One Place

For both completed projects and those still in progress, have one folder or area where you know you can find them.

27. Avoid Rush Hour

If you commute or have to travel for meetings, take traffic and construction into account so as to not waste time en route.

28. Have Virtual Meetings

Avoid traveling when possible and instead consider the use of programs like Skype or GoToMeeting.

29. Automate Payroll

Rather than manually tracking hours and expenses, invest in a payroll system that will do all the work for you.

30. Take Notes

Keep a notebook with you at all times to jot down notes and ideas or use an app such as Evernote to store ideas, images and more so you dont spend time trying to think of them later.

31. Take Advantage of Technology

There are so many time saving and organizational apps and services available such as Dropbox, which lets you bring your photos, docs and videos anywhere . Find the ones that work for you.

32. Dont Get Carried Away

Attempting to master and utilize too many productivity applications and services at once can be a time waster. Dont use so many of them that you spend more time on them than you save.

33. Delegate

Ask your team to take on tasks that you dont have time for or those with which you know theyd do a good job.

34. Invest in Accounting Software

Keeping endless spreadsheets can lead to a lot of headaches and wasted time. Keep all your account information organized in one place.

35. Keep an Organized Workspace

Dont spend hours rifling through your desk looking for a particular document when you could just implement a filing system and find it in seconds.

36. Back Up Your Files

Whether by external hard drive, hard copies or online backup, create backups of all your important files in case of a computer meltdown. Consider an online service like Carbonite or Mozy for this purpose.

37. Keep Templates for Commonly-Used Forms

Dont spend time writing the same paragraphs over and over again when you could have a general template saved. Just go in and make a few updates each time you use it instead of starting from scratch.

38. Utilize Shortcuts

Use keyboard and browser shortcuts and keep all your commonly used programs in an easily accessible location on your desktop.

39. Automate Expenses

Make use of automatic bill pay services whenever possible to avoid late payments and time spent actually paying bills each month.

40. Use a Cloud-Based Calendar

Calendar apps can keep you updated on important meetings and deadlines and dont take long to update. Consider using Google Calendar for this purpose.

41. Have a Collaboration System

Whether you use a platform like Basecamp or Google Docs or stick to more traditional methods, you should have a set system for collaboration so that your team doesnt get confused and unorganized.

42. Say No

Dont take on tasks just because someone asks you to. If you dont have the time and it wont help your business, dont do it.

43. Make the Most of Down Time

Time spent in waiting rooms, on the subway or even on long elevator rides could be used to update your calendar, write notes or accomplish other simple tasks.

44. Clean Up Old Files

Ridding your computer of old files can not only keep you from having to wade through them while looking for more relevant files, but it can also speed up your computer and save you from a fate of endless loading pages.

45. Use Mobile Apps

There are mobile productivity apps, mobile calendar apps, mobile list apps  all of which can help you accomplish tasks and save time while not in front of a computer.

46. Know Your Habits

If youre an early bird, get your most important tasks out of the way early. If youre a night owl, dont force yourself to turn in big projects in the morning. Play to your strengths.

47. Shorten Your Workday

In a blog post on Freelance Folder, Lexi Rodrigo explains that cutting time off your workday will force you to accomplish more within the time allotted.

48. Leave Room for the Unexpected

Things you didnt plan for will come up throughout the day. Take this into account when making your to-do list.

49. Have Quiet Hours

If you work in an office, put a do not disturb sign on your door while youre working on an important task. If you work from home, silence your phone for that time. If distractions come up when youre in the zone, you can lose your concentration and end up spending way more time than necessary.

50. Dont Over-Schedule

You might be overly optimistic in the morning about how much you can get done that day. But creating a too-full list is only going to overwhelm you later in the day.

If you implement even just a few of the time saving tips listed above, you will start to notice a difference in your workday and your productivity  and you may even notice that you have a little more free time.
Fashionable women often feel like they have to choose between being stylish and being sustainable. There havent traditionally been a lot of options for environmentally and socially conscious clothing that work for real women. But thats exactly the problem that fashion startup Maven Women aims to solve.

Founder Rebecca Ballard said in an email interview with Small Business Trends, I entered fashion from the law and advocacy space and at that time I was a frustrated consumer seeking elegant clothing created in a socially conscious way. Over the past decade this vision has evolved into a company born out of my desire to make all of my consumptive choices in line with my values.

The company has six core values that it uses to drive every step of its process, from sourcing materials to photography. Those values are: supply chain awareness, global womens empowerment, connectivity and education, restorative justice, natural beauty and slow fashion.

More specifically, those values mean that Maven Women uses materials like organic cotton, baby alpaca, silk and tencel instead of synthetic materials that create waste and pollution.

But its not only about using sustainable materials. Maven Women strives to address a number of different issues that affect women. It does this through donating to causes, like domestic violence prevention in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and through involving actual women in its decision making process.

The company uses a co-creation process where customers can vote on their favorite clothing designs to move them into pre-sale. According to Ballard, this process really helps women become more connected to the clothing they purchase, rather than feeling completely disconnected from the fashion industry.

Overall, Ballard simply wants to create a different experience for women who want professional and elegant clothing without feeling like theyre contributing to the massive pollution and other negatives that are often associated with the fashion industry.

Ballard says, I view the purchasing power of each consumer as a form of advocacy to create a kinder, gentler world.
The incident came shortly after a Saudi-led airstrike killed 140 mourners at a funeral in Yemen, leading many to suspect that it was intended to punish Saudi Arabias traditional Western backers. But the Houthis had also previously attacked a United Arab Emirates commercial vessel, and their missile strikes against the supporters of exiled Yemeni President Abed Rabu Mansour Hadi have been penetrating deeper and deeper into Saudi territory.

The broader signs of expanding conflict between the Houthi and the Saudi-led Arab coalition help to highlight the underlying proxy war between Iran and Saudi Arabia. It is presumably in light of that fact that Japan Times quotes US Army General Joseph Votel, the head of operations in the Middle East, as saying that the established relationship between the Houthis and Tehran leads him to believe that the latter has some role in the attempted attacks on the US Navy.

Breaking Energy News published an article on Friday in which it considered some possible motives behind the attempted missile strikes. Naturally, one possibility is simply retaliation in the wake of the Saudi airstrikes, but another possibility cited by the article speculated about broader tactical goals based on the expectation of growing American involvement in the Yemeni Civil War. Yet the same article also presented the possibility that targeting the US was intended to create outrage that could possibly drag the superpower into the conflict, although Breaking Energy News also noted that it is not clear what the ultimate goal behind such an action would be.

However, that question is arguably less confounding when one considers such attacks as being directed by Iran, as opposed to by the Houthi themselves. An American military response or the threat of one would conceivably serve Iranian propaganda purposes, as evidenced by a number of speeches and state media broadcasts suggesting that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps is prepared to fight a war that it expects the US to initiate.

In this sense, the Houthi missile launches fit a pattern already established by the IRGC naval forces, which has initiated more than twice as many close encounters with US Navy vessels this year, as compared to the same period last year. Some of these incidents, involving small IRGC patrol boats approaching US warships at high rates of speed, may be intended to demonstrate, to a hardline Iranian audience, the swarm tactics that IRGC commanders have described as being capable of sinking larger and better-equipped American ships.

Although these incidents have yet to lead to serious, sustained escalation, spokespersons for the US Navy have warned of the danger of such brinksmanship  a message that the IRGC and hardline media could rather easily portray as an aggressive threat on the part of the US. At the same time, it is clear that by announcing, accurately or otherwise, the release of new domestically-made Iranian weapons, the IRGC is portraying itself as steadily preparing to meet such a threat.

It is difficult to imagine that Tehran wants to actually encourage the outbreak of war between Iran and the US. But the Iranian regime could benefit from the perception that such a war is possible but that the US is either unable or unwilling to seriously pursue it. And it may be fair to say that such unwillingness is indeed a feature of the current US government. Some reports on the Houthi missile attacks have indicated that the Obama administration was reluctant to launch a response, although the president did eventually order a strike on three radar sites believed to belong to the Houthi, which he took care to emphasize were isolated enough to eliminate the risk of human casualties.

Although Iran continues to deny involvement in the strike, its commentary on the American response has reflected the broader anti-American rhetoric that has apparently intensified since the conclusion of nuclear negotiations last year. Referring to accusations of Iranian involvement, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Bahram Qasemi said, The ambiguous and contradictory remarks by American officials in past days are wrong and inappropriate, showing their bewilderment in the Yemen conflict.

Qasemi went on to vaguely accuse the US of its own involvement in the Yemeni Civil War, saying that that involvement may be either direct or indirect through its support of Saudi Arabia. He also warned the US against becoming mired in a swamp by deepening its involvement. Such statements may be intended to encourage President Obamas apparent anxiety about the US becoming mired in another long Middle Eastern conflict.

Of course, Obamas opponents in the US Congress are concerned that his policies toward the Islamic Republic of Iran are only serving to further the instability of the region, by providing Iran with the means for greater regional influence and armament. On Friday a Reuters report threatened to further fuel those concerns by quoting one Iranian official as saying that the nuclear agreement, with its exchange of sanctions relief for modest cuts to the Iranian nuclear program, had given Iran the upper hand in its proxy conflict with Saudi Arabia.

That quotation came in the context of a report pointing out that both American and Iranian sources have indicated that Iran is stepping up its provision of arms and other support to the Houthi. The vast majority of that traffic is apparently being channeled through Yemens neighbor to the northeast, Oman. This fact highlights the threat of Iran securing an even larger foothold on the Arabian Peninsula, just outside the borders of its regional adversary.

But regardless of those effects, Reuters points out that the tightening bonds between Iran and the Houthi could exacerbate the security headache for the US that truly came into force with the attempted attacks on the USS Mason. Now it remains to be seen how the Obama administration will respond to that situation. This may in turn have some bearing on how the administration responds to the larger threat of Irans weapons smuggling and support of terrorism.

It is evident that until a clear response is given, Obamas Republican rivals will remain skeptical, as will some Democrats. Numerous editorials have previously accused the US president of neglecting Irans domestic weapons development and illicit activities in favor of keeping the nuclear agreement alive. One such editorial, first published by US News and World early this month, noted that the White House had permitted the removal of sanctions on two banks accused of financing the Iranian ballistic missile program.

The article concludes that this and other moves show the administration to not be serious about Irans missile development. In the present context of the Houthi strikes and the acknowledged weapons trafficking, this supposed lack of seriousness could have near-term consequences for the Yemeni Civil War and other conflicts in which Iran is either a direct or indirect participant.
Court Opinion Split on Phil Ivey's $9.6M Baccarat Win

October 23 2016 Katie Callahan

A federal judge has ruled that Phil Ivey did not commit fraud with his partner during a baccarat game at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City in April 2014, but that Ivey did breach casino contract, according to NorthJersey.com.

Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City filed a $9.6 million edge-sorting lawsuit in April, stating that Ivey exploited manufacturing laws in playing cards during four sessions at the casino in 2012. The card manufacturer, Gemaco Inc., and his partner, Cheng Yin Sun, were also named in the suit. Sun reportedly was at the table with Ivey and gave instructions to the dealer.

Ivey and Suns motion for summary judgment on Borgatas claims against them are granted on all claims except for Borgatas claims for breach of contract, the ruling stated, as reported to NorthJersey. Borgatas cross-motion for summary judgment in its favor is granted on its breach of contract claims, but denied as to all other claims.

The judge granted that within 20 days of the opinion, Borgata must submit a brief to resolve damages resulting from the players breach of contract and a proposed judgement, the ruling stated. The players will have the same amount of time to file a response to this brief.

Borgata claimed that the 10-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner used edge-sorting to create an unfair advantage. Ivey filed a countersuit in July 2015 stating that the lawsuit was frivolous and that the casino destroyed the deck of cards used during the game, cards essential to his defense.

"Plaintiff Borgata knew that those playing cards were critically material to Ivey and Sun's defense, and knew further that destruction of those playing cards would render the defendants irrevocably prejudice in defending against plaintiff's claims and in securing judgment against the plaintiff," the countersuit stated.

In 2012, Ivey reportedly requested for Borgata to use an eight-deck shoe of purple Gemaco playing cards, an automatic card shuffler and a private playing area. These requests were granted after Ivey posted $1 million with the casino. Sun also requested card turns from the dealer in Mandarin, reportedly allowing her to identify differences in cards and communicate to Ivey.

Borgata contends Ivey's edge-sorting strategy violates New Jersey gaming laws, but Ivey asserts it was simply the result of skill. Part of his deposition, which was filed in March of 2015, can be found here, but ranges in content from edge-sorting strategies to Borgatas tactics of plying him with free booze provided by pretty waitresses.

ESPN reported that a Borgata representative knew about cutting tolerances in playing cards, that Ivey never touched the cards and that it was not unusual for high rollers to be granted special requests.

Borgata responded to the counterclaims, asking the court to dismiss it and instead narrow the scope of the case to the legality of edge sorting.

"This issue is, and has always been a simple one: is edge sorting, as specifically admitted to and practiced by Mr. Ivey and Ms. Sun, cheating or unfair play?" the casino said in a statement. "The individual playing cards do not change the answer. Complimentary drinks do not change the answer. Cocktail servers do not change the answer."

Back in May of 2013, Ivey ran into similar claims and even admitted to using edge sorting at Crockfords Casino. He sued the casino for withholding his winnings, 7.8 million (about $12 million) he won playing Punto Banco, a form of baccarat.

He released a statement at the time explaining that the casino should have recognized it and that was not his fault.

At the time, I was given a receipt for my winnings but Crockfords subsequently withheld payment. I, therefore, feel I have no alternative but to take legal action, Ivey said in a statement in May 2013.

In this case, a London High Court ruled in favor of Crockfords in October 2014, allowing them to withhold Iveys money. Ivey, disappointed by the ruling, filed papers at the Court of Appeal in London in late 2014 to reconsider the decision that December.

"As I said in court, it's not in my nature to cheat  and I would never do anything to risk my reputation," Ivey said in a statement after the ruling.

Sharelines A federal judge rules Phil Ivey breached casino contract in 2012 baccarat game, where he won $9.6M.
District 1  Michelle Lujan Grisham, Democrat

Michelle Lujan Grisham, an Albuquerque Democrat, says she went to Washington with a mission to make lives better for people back home in New Mexico and across the country.

Her energy and passion have made her a hit in Washington. Never bashful about her concerns, she has made her opinions well known in the House of Representatives and in the dense bureaucracy.

Lujan Grishman earned her bachelors degree at the University of New Mexico and her law degree from the UNM School of Law.

Since Lujan Grisham took office in 2013, her agenda has focused on health care, womens and elderly issues, education, the economy and behavioral health. She is the ranking member of the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Subcommittee, and first chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.

A native New Mexican, Lujan Grisham is a former small-business owner, Bernalillo County commissioner, secretary of the state Department of Health, former secretary of the state Aging and Long-Term Services Department, and director of the state Agency on Aging.

To help create jobs, Lujan Grisham says Congress should approve long-term funding for transportation and infrastructure projects, create a regulatory system that encourages community banks and credit unions to lend money, and invest in anti-poverty programs.

She supports an immigration system that enhances border security and allows undocumented immigrants to earn citizenship. She is a staunch advocate for veterans and has been pushing for the Social Security Administration to address concerns over access at its new downtown Albuquerque location.

Lujan Grisham has worked in a bipartisan way with her colleagues and other members of the New Mexico delegation, and voters in the 1st Congressional District should send her back to Washington to continue her work.

District 2  Steve Pearce, Republican

When it comes to knowing your constituency  even one that spans a large portion of a large state  Republican Steve Pearce has mastered it. He has represented southern New Mexico in Washington for six terms, and in Santa Fe as a state representative for four years before that.

He earned his economics degree in Las Cruces at New Mexico State University, his MBA in Portales at Eastern New Mexico University, and was raised in and still calls Hobbs, where he ran an oil field services company with his wife, home.

And while his district leans Democratic in registration, Pearces pragmatic, less-is-more approach to government has appealed to its voters election after election. He took close to 65 percent of the vote in 2014.

Pearce understands how overbroad and overreaching regulation stifles business and supports smart, broad tax reform. His business education and experience informs his approach to the budget, keying on tackling fraud and poor prioritization as well as overspending.

He has a realistic take on border reform, with security and a guest-worker program at the helm.

In other areas, he wants to use the laws on the books, such as existing gun legislation, instead of passing feel-good measures that are politically expedient.

And his military service  combat pilot in the Vietnam War, the Distinguished Flying Cross, two Air Medals, seven other military medals and four exceptional service awards  means that unlike most members of Congress, Pearce has a personal understanding of the importance of foreign policy, national security, armed conflicts, and the missions of the states four military installations and three national labs.

He knows firsthand what its like to put yourself in harms way in defense of country, and firsthand how to meet a payroll.

U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce has served New Mexicos 2nd Congressional District well for six terms. The Journal recommends voters return him to D.C. for a seventh.

District 3  Ben Ray Lujan, Democrat

Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Lujan was elected to New Mexicos 3rd Congressional District seat in 2008 and continues to advance in leadership roles in Washington as he gains seniority.

The 3rd District covers most of northern New Mexico, including a small portion of Bernalillo County that includes part of Paradise Hills.

Lujans district also includes areas with major drug abuse problems, such as Rio Arriba County, and he has succeeded in pushing through the House improvements to substance abuse treatment programs for women who are pregnant or postpartum. He also has been involved in congressional efforts to boost spending to fight opioid addiction nationwide.

Lujans prominence nationally increased after he was appointed chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in November, with a goal of increasing the number of Democrats elected to Congress.

Before he was elected to Congress, Lujans positions in public service included a stint on the state Public Regulation Commission, as a deputy state treasurer and as a state Department of Cultural Affairs administrator. He received his bachelors degree in business administration from New Mexico Highlands University.

Though not a member of the majority party in the House, Lujan is starting to build seniority and has taken on greater leadership roles that could benefit his northern New Mexico district. The Journal recommends 3rd Congressional District voters return Ben Ray Lujan to Washington, D.C.

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.
RIO RANCHO  If ever there were a great place to spot a UFO, it might be the northern outskirts of this city, where the skies are wide open and far from the light pollution of Albuquerque.

So it makes sense that the New Mexico chapter of the Mutual UFO Network  a group that, according to its website, is dedicated to resolving the scientific enigma known collectively as unidentified flying objects  would host its third annual conference here at the V. Sue Cleveland High School.

By Saturday afternoon, nearly 300 people, 50 more than last year, were at the conference to hear from national experts on unidentified flying objects, declassified government files and extraterrestrial life.

Members of the audience, diverse in age and culture, debated one another between sessions and sometimes crowded around the speakers.

Guadalupe Sotelo even grabbed a quick photo with keynote speaker Stanton Friedman, who wore a tie with a solar system pattern. Sotelo said he wanted the shot because Friedman, a physicist whose work includes a documentary titled UFOs are real, is famous.

Part of the appeal of attending the conference is being among like-minded individuals, said Natalie Benavidez, a New Mexico resident who went to the conference with her son.

Of course, those attending know their beliefs might make some people laugh, but theyre largely unconcerned about the outside skepticism.

Theyre in denial, said Benavidez.

During her childhood in California, she spotted what she said was a UFO, a bright, glowing, flashing light outside her window. She has lived in New Mexico for 30 years and has yet to spot another one, but she still believes.

Mariah Taylan, 25, of Albuquerque said that, given the vastness of the universe, she is convinced that UFOs exist. She wears a T-shirt featuring Giorgio Tsoukalos, a TV personality perhaps equally famous for his belief in aliens and his shock of almost vertical-standing hair.

Theres nothing thats going to change my mind, Taylan said. The fact that I accept it is all that matters to me.

Conference speaker John Greenewald Jr., from California, runs the website theblackvault.com, a collection of declassified government documents, many of which deal with UFOs.

Its time consuming, he said, and he works two jobs to support what he calls his passion project. He said he is aware that some people might dismiss his work, but he added that people who say dont bother me with the facts are not my target audience.

Many of the believers interviewed Saturday said that definitive proof of UFOs would change everything. Benavidez said people would finally realize where technology comes from. And Greenewald said the one-two punch of encountering extraterrestrial life and the governments attempts to obfuscate that fact would send society reeling.

Taylan said the discovery would upend everything.

It questions everything we have known our entire lives, Taylan said. Knowing and confirming alien existence would not only rattle religion, but I think it would rattle us to our core as far as our beliefs and everyday activities. It wipes the slate clean for all of us.
SANTA FE  An influential New Mexico state senator strongly denies allegations that he sexually harassed a staffer with a national nonprofit group that were outlined in an email sent earlier this year by an outgoing legislative branch official to his boss.

The email, written by Ian Kleats, former deputy director of the Legislative Education Study Committee, said there were two separate 2015 incidents in which Sen. John Sapien, D-Corrales, allegedly sexually harassed the outside staffer by urging her to meet him alone for drinks after she asked to discuss committee business. The staffer interpreted the invitations as a sexual overture, the email claimed.

Sapien, the vice chairman of the LESC, called the allegations a fabrication, and said that he and Kleats had a contentious working relationship.

He definitely has an ax to grind, Sapien told the

Journal .

In response, Kleats said he was disappointed by Sapiens comments and insisted his email was not motivated by a personal grudge or political calculations. He also said he did not leak the email.

The email, which was obtained by the Journal, also claimed the staffer shared her story during a meeting with Kleats and former LESC Director Frances Maestas, who did not respond to a request for comment.

Kleats told the Journal that he and other LESC staffers did not raise the issue with Sapien, largely because the alleged victim did not want the incident to become public.

He said he never intended the email to be publicly released, but said he felt compelled  by both his conscience and potential liability concerns for the LESC  to report Sapiens alleged behavior after leaving his job.

Kleats sent the email to current LESC Director Rachel Gudgel in June, several weeks after he left the agency. It was also sent to two other legislative staffers, one of whom was Raul Burciaga, director of the Legislative Council Service.

In addition to the sexual harassment allegations, the email also includes an offer from Kleats to do work for the agency on a contract basis  he wrote that he charges a $60 hourly rate.

Sapien, in an interview, questioned why LESC officials, including Kleats, would not have taken action in response to the sexual harassment allegations for more than a year if they were true.

He also raised questions about the email being leaked, saying, Im aware in this election of my opponent and the Republican Party being willing to take whatever steps necessary to put me in a position to not win my race.

Sapien is a two-term senator who is seeking re-election to his Senate District 9 seat this year. His opponent in the general election is Republican Diego Espinoza of Rio Rancho.
Associated Press

SANTA FE  New Mexico election officials requested nearly $1 million on Friday to replace an online campaign finance information system that has been widely criticized for obscuring sources and destinations of political spending.

The current system cannot be adapted to meet public calls for transparency or new legal requirements approved in February, state Elections Director Kari Fresquez told lawmakers in Santa Fe.

We believe that to do the system right, its going to cost $985,000, Fresquez told a legislative committee on technology.

Spending less money to upgrade the existing system would leave barriers that make it difficult to track money from lobbyists, political committees and individual contributors, she said.

A decision on the one-time funding request is unlikely to be made until the Legislature reconvenes in January to draft a budget.

New Mexico state government is wrestling with a major decline in revenues linked to a sustained downturn in the oil and natural gas industry and a lagging state economy.

The state first switched in 2010 from a paper filing system for campaign finance disclosures to an online system that many now describe as obsolete.

Separately, the Secretary of States Office announced that online voter registration has gained popularity in New Mexico since the system was launched early this year.

About 108,000 people have gone online to register or update voter records in a state with about 2.1 million residents.

More than 49,000 of the people who have used the system were Democrats and nearly 30,000 were Republicans. Another 29,000 users were affiliated with other parties or none at all. The numbers roughly correspond with statewide party affiliation.

Fresquez described security features for online registration that include residency verification against records at the Motor Vehicle Division. Users also must supply a Social Security number, drivers license number and date of birth, and locally elected county clerks have final authority over each application.

Online registration is available in English and Spanish. About 44,000 people have registered online so far this year.

Thats 44,000 registrations where no one has to interpret someones handwriting and we dont have to worry about data-entry, said Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto, D-Albuquerque.

New Mexico officials seek money for campaign finance system
From its enactment in 2010, the Affordable Care Act was designed to achieve two goals that, while not necessarily contradictory, arent all that complementary either.

First, the ACA, or Obamacare, was intended to reduce the nations uninsured population. It would do this by outlawing the insurance industrys practice of denying coverage to people with pre-existing conditions, by setting standards for coverage and premium affordability and by ending price discrimination based on the health or sex of the customer. The ACA subsidized purchase of insurance for people below certain income levels when it was bought on a state or federal insurance exchange, and it provided federal money to states that are willing, as New Mexico was, to extend Medicaid to all low-income able-bodied working-age citizens.

Second, the ACA sought to preserve the private health insurance industry, despite the costly reforms it enacted to achieve its first goal. It imposed a financial penalty on most individuals who did not have coverage and most larger companies that did not offer coverage. It set up online shopping for health insurance to give insurers easier access to customers. It gave insurers temporary financial relief to overcome the short-term costs of adjusting to the new world.

The ACA has disappointed in many ways. A couple of weeks ago, no less a Democrat than former President Bill Clinton called the result the craziest thing in the world.

The law has resulted in people who are there busting it, sometimes 60 hours a week, (who) wind up with their premiums doubled and their coverage cut in half, Clinton said.

As for its two main goals, the law has been very good at extending coverage to millions of Americans and not so great at satisfying the insurance industry.

A big part of the problem is that insurers have never been very good at anticipating how much individual customers (as opposed to groups like those covered by employers) will cost when it comes time to pay health care bills. On top of that, health care costs in general continue to grow faster than the economy grows.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported last month that the percentage of our countrys population without health care coverage is at historic lows, down to 8.6 percent as of the first quarter of this year from 16 percent in 2010. CDC surveys found that 27.3 million more people are insured since ACA took effect.

The most recent data show that New Mexicos uninsured rate fell from a little more than 20 percent in 2010 to about 14.5 percent. That is largely due to a big jump in Medicaid enrollment, which offers coverage few private insurance customers would ever receive, let alone afford.

The bad news for insurers is that those 27.3 million people are mostly older and, therefore, presumably less healthy customers. The CDC found that, while the uninsured rate is down to 8.1 percent for people 45 to 64 years old, it is 13.7 percent for 18- to 24-year-olds, 15.9 percent for 25- to 34-year-olds, and 14.3 percent for 35- to 44-year-olds. Only 0.5 percent of our 65-and-older population is uninsured, thanks to Medicare coverage.

The ACA concept has always been that, with everyone forced into one large national insurance pool, insurers would be able to predict their costs with some accuracy and use the money they save on young and healthy customers to pay the costs of caring for older and sicker customers. The hope for a national pool would have been more easily achieved if insurance companies could sell their products across state lines. It is a rare state insurance regulator who will endorse that idea.

The pool still doesnt have enough young and healthy customers, and insurers are having a devil of a time pricing their products properly to recover costs. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico early in the life of the ACA insurance exchanges found it had to request huge premium increases to cover health care costs. Presbyterian Health Plan has announced it wont participate in the state insurance exchange in the coming plan year because of the cost.

Several large insurers have abandoned insurance exchanges around the country. Most recently, Aetna said it would drop coverage in two-thirds of the counties where it offered insurance on the exchanges. The company said it has lost more than $430 million since January 2014 on individual insurance products. What Aetna called individuals in need of high-cost care were sinking the plans. The ACA requires insurers to spend 80 percent of the premiums they collect on health care (state regulators require New Mexicos plans to spend up to 85 percent of premiums), and they cant charge more expensive patients higher premiums to offset their cost of care.

Insurance, popular opinion to the contrary, is not a very profitable business to begin with. Aetnas 2015 net profit margin was less than 4 percent. Compare that to the Coca-Cola Co.s almost 17 percent margin.

Even with the withdrawal of companies like Aetna and UnitedHealthcare, the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation says this doesnt mean the ACA is failing as a public policy. Writing in The Wall Street Journal, foundation CEO Drew Altman said, The (insurance exchanges) have a special role in health insurance, and they face real challenges, but they are a modest part of the overall insurance system. They are also only one part of the ACA  if an important part  and they are not having trouble in all states.

Penalties in 2016 for not having individual coverage might begin to solve insurers problems. Penalties can be as much as the national annual average premium of the cheapest category of plans sold on insurance exchanges. The hope is that individuals would rather buy insurance than pay the same money to Uncle Sam.

UpFront is a daily front-page news and opinion column. Comment directly to Winthrop Quigley at 823-3896 or wquigley@abqjournal.com. Go to www.abqjournal.com/letters/new to submit a letter to the editor.
Copyright  2016 Albuquerque Journal

Voters are being asked to approve an amendment to the state constitution to allow judges to hold defendants charged with serious crimes without bail before trial if they are found to be a threat to other people or to community safety.

The Legislature unanimously agreed this year during the regular legislative session to send the amendment to voters.

And the measure  which also provides that defendants should not be held in jail awaiting trial simply because they are broke  has wide political support, including that of Gov. Susana Martinez, the state Supreme Court with four Democratic justices and Albuquerque Mayor Richard J. Berry. Criminal defense lawyers are the most notable opponents.

As a practical matter, the first target of the amendment would be turnstile thugs  offenders who are jailed, only to post bail and commit more crimes while awaiting trial.

Proponents say the change is needed because the state constitution currently guarantees the right to get out of jail before trial to almost all defendants, no matter how dangerous, if they can post reasonable bail or pay a bondsman to post bail.

Getting busted for another serious crime while out on bail doesnt mean the first bail bond is revoked  only that another is needed for the new criminal charges. And many bail bondsmen accept a low down payment and carry the paper on the rest  particularly if a family member can pledge property or other security in case the defendant skips town.

Most defendants  with few exceptions, including in capital cases  are currently eligible for a reasonable bail, no matter the crime or criminal history.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Charles W. Daniels wrote in the Journal earlier this month that the amendment would give judges new authority to deny pretrial release altogether if the evidence shows that detention of an accused felon is necessary to protect the safety of any other person or the community.

State Sen. Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe, who sponsored the amendment, said: This proposed amendment fixes our broken bail system. By focusing on dangerous defendants, it will make us safer and save taxpayers money.

As Albuquerque has faced a surge in crime, Berry has spoken frequently in support of the amendment.

What we have now isnt working. I dont know that the amendment is perfect, but it will be better than what we have, so I am supporting its passage.

Berry has some reservations about the second part of the amendment.

That part of the proposal says defendants who are found to be neither a danger nor a flight risk cant be detained solely because they cant post a money or property bond.

County officials and defense lawyers pushed that provision, saying the release of defendants who pose no risk would help the county trim jail costs.

Bernalillo County reported that, as of last Nov. 25, it had 57 jail inmates who had bail set at $100 or less, but couldnt post it. Another 123 defendants were being held on bail of $101 to $500.

The second part of the amendment is the result of a compromise reached by lawmakers, the state Supreme Court, the bail industry and others.

Bail bondsman Gerald Madrid, who participated in the negotiations, said the bail bond industry supports the amendment and believes the changes would make the public safer.

The New Mexico Defense Lawyers Association opposes the compromise amendment.

We were in favor of the original draft of this amendment, which had much stronger protection for the poor, said Matt Coyte, head of the association.

Most money bonds are posted by bail bondsmen, who charge a defendant a fee equal to 10 percent of the bail.

The Journal reported at the time the amendment passed that the bail bond industry initially opposed the provision dealing with defendants who pose no risk, but agreed to support the proposed amendment after the provision was rewritten to make it possible for a judge to refuse a no-bail release to an indigent defendant if the defendant posed a flight risk.

Also, under the compromise, an indigent defendant who is neither a danger nor a flight risk may be required to file a court motion requesting relief from a requirement to post money bail.

Coyte said the amendment would place an impossible burden on the majority of people charged with crimes.

The state Supreme Court is considering new rules for state and local courts to standardize how judges reach decisions on setting bail or structuring a pretrial release for defendants.

Judges in the 2nd Judicial District have been working with experimental rules on pretrial release, partly to help lower the population of the Metropolitan Detention Center.
As more details of that payment emerged, lawmakers spoke with increasing conviction about the ransom payment violating long-established US policy of not paying for hostages. Much of this commentary warned that the West could now expect Tehran to be emboldened in taking additional hostages, as it has arguably done in the form of the Namazis, the recent San Diego State College graduate Robin Shahini, the Iranian-British mother and charitable program coordinator Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, and others.

On Wednesday, a report by the Washington Free Beacon lent credence to those concerns, noting that a number of Iranian officials had floated the idea of the American prisoners being exchanged for large sums of money. Iranian news outlets with close ties to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps have reportedly said that the US is expected to offer many billions of dollars for the release of Siamak Namazi and his 80-year-old father.

Regardless of such commentary by Iranian hardliners, the Obama administration continues to maintain that it has never paid ransom for American hostages, although it now acknowledges that the 400 million dollar cash delivery was used as leverage to make sure of the release of four Americans once this had been separately negotiated.

For many, the difference is trivial, and the White Houses claim was subjected to serious criticism on Thursday in the form of an editorial published at Hot Air. The article argued that it does not matter what the Obama administration thinks of the payment; all that matters is how it was received by Iran. And there had been previous reports of quotations from Iranian political and military officials saying that the money had been offered in exchange for the release of Washington Post correspondent Jason Rezaian and others.

The IRGCs comment about many billions of dollars underscores this perception and also gives strong evidence in favor of US congressmens belief that the perception of ransom would have an adverse effect on the cases of other Americans detained in the Islamic Republic.

But Iran News Update has pointed out in previous reports that there are other incentives for Iranian authorities to target Western nationals. Certainly, such arrests serve as part of the regimes crackdown on potential sources of dissent or challenges to the countrys enforced, hardline Islamic identity. But more than that, and particularly in the case of arrests of businessmen like Siamak Namazi, this trend serves to discourage Western investors from challenging the IRGCs control over the Iranian economy.

This latter issue was also mentioned by Hot Air, which indicated that the expectation of ransom money provides the IRGC and its affiliates with reason to hope that they can make money off of the West while simultaneously keeping Western economic and cultural influences at bay.
A man has died after two motorcyclists collided in Dublin tonight.

The accident happened at around 6.50pm on Hartstown Road in Blanchardstown this evening.

Two motorcyclists collided and one man in his early 20s was taken to Connolly Hospital where he died a short time later.

The second motorcyclist, also in his early 20s, escaped injury in the accident.

The Hartstown Road, at the Community College, is currently closed in both directions for a forensic examination.

Gardai are appealing for witnesses to contact them at Blanchardstown Garda Station on 01 - 6667000, The Garda Confidential Line 1800 666111 or any Garda Station.
Iran's president has criticised the US presidential candidates' behaviour during debates.

Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton is taking on Republican Donald Trump as they bid to lead the US and the pair have contested three televised debates, characterised by increasing animosity towards each other.

President Hassan Rouhani spoke to a crowd during a visit to the central Iranian city of Arak.

He said: "Did you see the debate and the way of their speaking, accusing and mocking each other?

"Do we want such a democracy and election in our country?"

Iran is holding presidential elections in May 2017.

In the second US debate, attention turned to the behaviour towards women of Mr Trump and Mrs Clinton's husband - former president Bill Clinton.

Nearly a dozen women have accused him of unwanted advances or sexual assault, causing Mr Trump to draw attention to allegations against Mr Clinton.

Mr Trump has vowed to sue the women who have accused him, branding them liars.

After the third clash, there has been much discussion of Mr Trump's suggestion that he would not concede if he lost the election. Mrs Clinton has said that is a "direct threat to our democracy", while her unrepentant rival continued to insist that the system was "rigged".

Mr Rouhani said that during his September visit to the UN General Assembly, he was asked which of the candidates he preferred.

"I said, what? Should I prefer bad to worse or worse to bad?" he said, in comments broadcast live by state television.

It marks his first public comments on the US election.
By Juan Wilson on 23 October 2016 for Island Breath -

Image above: Lego nuclear power plant workers photo illustration from 2008 article advocating mini-nuclear reactors be built over the next five years (by 2015). As if! From ( https://cleantechnica.com/2008/11/09/mini-nuclear-power-plants-for-your-neighborhood-in-five-years/ ).

A comment received for a recently blog post dealt with nuclear power.



One small modular, nuclear reactor (same as reactors in Navy ships at Pearl Harbor) in an underground facility on Schofield Barracks could power the entire island without the need for inter-island cables.



While the comment is easy for many to dismiss, it raises questions about the AES coal plant in Campbell Industrial Park that are worth exploring.



Legislative bills have been introduced at the State Legislature to get pass the Constitutional nuclear power hurdle, but they not have come close to passing.



Article XI, Section 8 of the Hawai`i State Constitution states, No nuclear fission power plant would be constructed or radioactive material disposed of in the state without the prior approval by two-thirds vote in each house of the legislature.

Nuclear power is literally a dead end. Fukushima is the poster child for the end of that technology. Japan will continue the intensification of radioactive poisoning of the Pacific Ocean for millennia.



Hawaii is and will be further damaged as a result.



There is no sustainable way to keep Oahu in the power it is accustomed to. Discretionary use of fossil fuels use for consumers is closing out over the next few decades as more important industrial use will have higher priority



There are no substitutes for fossil fuels. Even large scale wind farms are unlikely to be much of an alternative (see http://nawindpower.com/siemens-turbine-fails-at-sempras-auwahi-wind-complex and http://www.hawaiifreepress.com/ArticlesMain/tabid/56/ID/6350/Broken-promises-The-rusting-wind-turbines-of-Hawaii.aspx).



Solar power is the real alternative, but it will provide only a fraction of what we use today. Storage and distribution are big limitations - but life can go on.



Here on Kauai my wife and I cut of ties to KIUC (including them taking the meter and cutting their cable) and are heading into our second winter with nothing but solar and battery storage. Over several years installed over time seven small systems to take on specific (and partially overlapping) functions. Our largest system just barely takes care of our refrigerator and freezer.



We have only modest retirement incomes so it consequently took us almost 8 years for us to afford the system. About forty batteries and 40 panels are involved. Most of the batteries are deep cycle marine batteries from Walmart. We think we will be ale to replace them over time as long as they are available.



If we live long enough the panels will fail likely from either water corrosion or flying debris. As our power capability diminished over time we hope that we'll be accustomed to lower energy consumption end eventually live on rural Kauai like the Hawaiians did in the past.



Oahu is unsustainable. It's population will likely have to partially re-emigrate back to the Mainland and be distributed partially to Hawaii's outer islands. A rough estimate would be about doubling of population in Kauai, Maui and Hawaii counties.



It will be tight but with concentrated effort to provide food and water we may get through the upcoming bottleneck of economic failure and climate catastrophe with some kind future to look forward to.



It is critical no to move quickly and embrace a lower level of power consumption. It won't be comfy and it won't be suburban but it can be livable.

.

SUBHEAD: But one underground nuclear reactor at Schofield Barracks could power the entire island.We follow Henry Curtis' blog Ililani Media. A recent article asked whether a nuclear power generation plant on Oahu would be a good idea. See ( http://www.ililani.media/2016/10/would-nuclear-power-be-good-for-oahu.html ). The article opens with.The article demonstrates many of the problems associated with such an endeavor but does not breach the subject of learning to live without the dependence we have on fossil fuels or exploring a life on Oahu using less energy.I commented on the article with this:Having visited Oahu recently for a few weeks I must conclude that people there, for the most part, are living in an shiny bubble of media reinforcement that denies reality. And that's how they like it. Nuff said.
Porvorim (Goa)  Hailing the Armys surgical strikes across the Line of Control, Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray said on Saturday that such strikes must continue till Pakistan becomes Hindustan.

The recently conducted surgical strike must be the beginning and not the last one against Pakistan. The entire country is with you (the Army). India has the capacity to strike against Pakistan and crush it, the Shiv Sena chief said.

Thackeray was addressing party workers in the run-up to the 2017 Goa elections. Sena is looking to contest the Assembly polls in alliance with the Goa Suraksha Manch, led by rebel RSS leader Subhash Velingkar.

Drawing a parallel with the 1971-Bangladesh Liberation War, Thackeray said: Indira Gandhi had authorised an Army operation in Bangladesh. India must conduct (more) such operations against Pakistan so that it becomes Hindustan. They must start by taking Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir, he said.

Thackeray, however, took a dig at Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar for linking the strikes to RSS teachings and said the Centre must not use military operations for political purposes. No doubt the RSS has been working for Hindutva and I completely respect its contribution. But the actions of the soldiers in the surgical operation must not be discredited, he said.

He added: Those who said surgical strikes never happened must leave or be sent out of the country.

Source : Indian Express
A Pakistani tea seller with striking eyes who saw his life change overnight after a picture of him at work went viral, said Friday he was totally unaware of social media until recently, when boys and girls suddenly started thronging his tea stall to take selfies with him.

Arshad Khan, an 18-year-old with piercing light green eyes, initially became so nervous that he quit his job and went into hiding, fearing he might have done something wrong. But his fears quickly diminished after friends and relatives told him that it was his picture which made him popular and helped him become a model.

Sitting among his friends at tea stall in an Islamabad flea market where he worked until days ago, Khan said he had never dreamed he would become famous. But his life changed after a female freelance photographer, Javeria Ali, took his photo as he poured tea for a customer and shared it on Instagram, with a caption Hot Tea.

Overnight, Khan became an internet sensation in Pakistan and beyond, with his picture shared thousands of times on social media with the hashtag #ChaiWala  or tea seller.

It also prompted Islamabad-based clothing retail site Fitin.pk to contact him for his first modelling shoot. He now graces the sites home page modeling t-shirts.

Chai wala is no more chai wala, now he is fashion wala, the site said in a message accompanying his photos.

For Khan, one of 17 siblings from Pakistans conservative town of Mardan in the northwest, it has been a life-changer. For months he worked at the tea stall, getting paid $5 per day to serve customers from morning to sunset. He says he now hopes to work in TV and films.

I need money to help my family. I also want to do charity work across Pakistan, he said.

The 18-year-old has no phone and doesnt know how to read and write, but he has a dream: He wants to educate others.

I am not an educated person and cannot claim that I will become a doctor or a judge, he said.

All I want to say is that I will help those children who are deprived of education. If I get enough money, I will set up schools for children, he told The Associated Press, sitting at the same stall he had worked at for months.

Recalling the moment when Ali took his photo, Khan said he had been serving tea when a woman passing by suddenly stopped, took a snap and went away. Khan said he forgot the incident, but later realized that picture had made him famous. He said people had told him his green eyes were a top trending topic on social media.

I know I am handsome, but I also knew a poor person like me cannot become famous, he said.

Growing up, he had wanted to get an education, but poverty did not allow me. For years Khan sold fruit, vegetables, and used clothes at the capitals flea market, which is also frequented by foreigners.

I started working at this tea stall months ago and my mother often used to tell me that one day you will become a famous man, he said. I always thought it is a wish and nothing else. But now I feel it is due to my mothers prayers that I have become a model from a tea seller.



AP
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Johannesburg (AFP) - A senior official of South Africa's ruling party on Sunday urged its leadership to resign, including President Jacob Zuma, following divisions over charges faced by finance minister Pravin Gordhan.

Jackson Mthembu who is the African National Congress (ANC) chief whip in parliament said the party's poor performance in August local polls, factionalism and the recent fraud charges against Gordhan had motivated his decision.

"When I said the entire ANC leadership... I meant everybody, myself included, (and) President Zuma," Mthembu told eNCA television news channel.

Mthembu condemned Gordhan's prosecution, claiming the charges were politically motivated and raised questions about the direction in which the former liberation party was headed.

"In my view a minister is being pursued for political reasons and then charged with fraud," he said.

Gordhan will appear in court on November 2.

The charges against him date back to his time as head of the country's tax collection body.

He stands accused of acting corruptly in authorising the early retirement of one of his senior employees who was later reinstated in his job.

Gordhan has on several occasions spoken out against corruption in government, and also stood up to Zuma and alleged corrupt associates linked to the presidency.

Mthembu accused the ANC leadership of being "worse than the apartheid regime" saying "the apartheid regime never pursued its ministers the way we are pursuing Pravin Gordhan".

Gordhan's plight has sparked division among the ANC with top leaders such as deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa as well as several other ministers voicing support for him.

Mthembu's comments were rejected as populist by the youth wing of the ANC and Umkhonto Wesizwe, the association which brings together members of the now defunct armed wing of the ANC, both Zuma allies.
The iconic image of Gandhi is of a man of God steeped in austerity, sexually renunciate, meditating in his ashram, who the assassins bullet providentially transformed into a martyrall the available evidence, however, points to the real Gandhi as being very differentthe contrast between the icon and the blood-and-flesh individual is the result of selective memory (see Claude Markovits book The Un-Gandhian Gandhi: The Life and the Afterlife of the Mahatma).

NATHURAM VINAYAK GODSES LAST SPEECH: MAY IT PLEASE YOUR HONOUR

On 8 November 1948, Nathuram Godse (19 May 1910-15 November 1949) rose to make his statement in court. Reading quietly from a typed manuscript, he sought to explain why he had killed Gandhi. His thesis covered ninety-pages, and he was on his feet for five hours. Godse's statement, excerpted below, should be read by citizens and scholars in its entirely, for it provides an insight into his personality and his understanding of the concept of Indian nationhoodEditor]

Born in a devotional Brahmin family, I instinctively came to revere Hindu religion, Hindu history and Hindu culture. I had, therefore, been intensely proud of Hinduism as a whole. As I grew up I developed a tendency to free thinking unfettered by any superstitious allegiance to any isms, political or religious. That is why I worked actively for the eradication of untouchability and the caste system based on birth alone. I openly joined anti-caste movements and maintained that all Hindus are of equal status as to rights, social and religious, and should be considered high or low on merit alone and not through the accident of birth in a particular caste or profession.

I used publicly to take part in organized anti-caste dinners which thousands of Hindus, Brahmins, Vaishyas, Kshatriyas, Chamars and B-----s participated. We broke the caste rules and dined in the company of each other. I have read the speeches and writings of Dadabhai Naoroji, Vivekanand, Gokhale, Tilak, along with the books of ancient and modern history of India and some prominent countries like England, France, America and Russia. Moreover I studied the tenets of socialism and Marxism. But above all I studied very closely what Veer (brave) Savarkar and Gandhiji had written and spoken, as to my mind these two ideologies have contributed more to the moulding of the thought and action of the Indian people during the last thirty years or so, than any other factor has done.

All this thinking and reading led me to believe that it was my first duty to serve Hindudom and Hindus both as a patriot and as a world citizen. To secure the freedom and to safeguard the just interests of some thirty crores (three hundred million) of Hindus would automatically constitute the freedom and well-being of all India, one fifth of the human race. This conviction led me naturally to devote myself to the Hindu Sanatanist ideology and programme, which alone, I came to believe, could win and preserve the National Independence of Hindustan, my Motherland, and enable her to render true service to humanity as well. Since the year 1920, that is, after the demise of Lokmanya Tilak, Gandhi's influence in the Congress first increased and then became supreme.

His activities for public awakening were phenomenal in their intensity and were reinforced by the slogan of truth and non-violence, which he paraded ostentatiously before the country. No sensible or enlightened person could object to these slogans. In fact there is nothing new or original in them. They are implicit in every constitutional public movement. But it is nothing but a dream if you imagine the bulk of mankind is, or can ever become, capable of scrupulous adherence to these lofty principles in its normal life from day to day. In fact, honour, duty and love of one's own kith and kin and country might often compel us to disregard non-violence and to use force. I could never conceive that an armed resistance to an aggression is unjust.

I would consider it a religious and moral duty to resist and if possible, to overpower such an enemy by use of force. (In the Ramayana) Rama killed Ravana in a tumultuous fight and relieved Sita. (In the Mahabharata) Krishna killed Kansa to end his wickedness; and Arjuna had to fight and slay quite a number of his friends and relations, including the revered Bhishma, because the latter was on the side of the aggressor.

It is my firm belief that in dubbing Rama, Krishna and Arjuna as guilty of violence, the Mahatma betrayed the total ignorance of the springs of human action. In more recent history, it was the heroic fight put up by Chhatrapati Shivaji that first checked and eventually destroyed the Muslim tyranny in India. It was absolutely essential for Shivaji to overpower and kill an aggressive Afzal Khan, failing which he would have lost his own life. In condemning history's towering warriors like Shivaji, Rana Pratap and Guru Govind Singh as misguided patriots, Gandhi has merely exposed his self-conceit.

He was, paradoxical, as it may appear, a violent pacifist who brought untold calamities on the country in the name of truth and non-violence, while Rana Pratap, Shivaji and the Guru will remain enshrined in the hearts of their countrymen forever for the freedom they brought to them. The accumulating provocation of thirty-two years, culminating in his last pro-Muslim fast, at last goaded me to the conclusion that the existence of Gandhi should be brought to an end immediately. Gandhi had done very good work in South Africa to uphold the rights and well being of the Indian community there.

But when he finally returned to India, he developed a subjective mentality under which he alone was to be the final judge of what was right or wrong. If the country wanted his leadership, it had to accept his infallibility; if it did not, he would stand aloof from the Congress and carry on in his own way. Against such an attitude there can be no halfway house. Either Congress had to surrender its will to his and had to be content with playing second fiddle to all his eccentricity, whimsicality, metaphysics and primitive vision, or it had to carry on without him.

He alone was the judge of everyone and everything; he was the master brain guiding the Civil Disobedience movement; no other could know the technique of that movement. He alone knew when to begin it and when to withdraw it. The movement might succeed or fail, but that could make no difference to the Mahatma's infallibility. A Satyagrahi can never fail was his formula for his own infallibility and nobody except himself knew what a Satyagrahi is.

Thus the Mahatma became the judge and the jury in his own case. These childish insanities and obstinacies, coupled with a most severe austerity of life, ceaseless work and lofty character made Gandhi formidable and irresistible. Many people thought that his policies were irrational, but they had either to withdraw from the Congress or place their intelligence at his feet to do with as he liked.

In a position of such absolute irresponsibility, Gandhi was guilty of blunder after blunder, failure after failure, and disaster after disaster. Gandhi's pro-Muslim policy is blatantly illustrated in his perverse attitude on the question of the national language of India. It is quite obvious that Hindi has the most prior claim to be accepted as the premier language.

In the beginning of his career in India, Gandhi gave a great impetus to Hindi, but as he found that the Muslims did not like it, he became a champion of what is called Hindustani. Everybody in India knows that there is no language in India called Hindustani; it has no grammar; it has no vocabulary. It is a mere dialect; it is spoken, not written. It is a tongue and a crossbreed between Hindi and Urdu, and not even the Mahatma's sophistry could make it popular.

But in his desire to please the Muslims he insisted that Hindustani alone should be the national language of India. His blind followers, of course, supported him and the so-called hybrid language began to be used. The charm and the purity of the Hindi language were to be prostituted to please the Muslims. All his experiments were at the expense of the Hindus.

From August 1946 onwards, the private armies of the Muslim League began a massacre of Hindus. The then Viceroy, Lord Wavell, though distressed at what was happening, would not use his powers under the Government of India Act of 1935 to prevent the rape, murder and arson. The Hindu blood began to flow from Bengal to Karachi with little retaliation by the Hindus. The Interim Government formed in September was sabotaged by its Muslim League members right from its inception, but the more they became disloyal and treasonable to the government, of which they were a part, the greater was Gandhi's infatuation for them.

Lord Wavell had to resign as he could not bring about a settlement and was succeeded by Lord Mountbatten. King Stork followed King Log. The Congress, which had boasted of its nationalism and secularism, secretly accepted Pakistan literally at the point of the bayonet and abjectly surrendered to Jinnah. India was vivisected and one-third of the Indian Territory became foreign land to us from 15 August 1947. Lord Mountbatten came to be described in the Congress circles as the greatest Viceroy and Governor-General this country ever had.

The official date for the handing over of power was fixed for June 30, 1948, but Mountbatten with his ruthless surgery gave us a gift of vivisected India ten months in advance. This is what Gandhi had achieved after thirty years of undisputed dictatorship and this is what the Congress party calls freedom and peaceful transfer of power.

The Hindu-Muslim unity bubble was finally burst and a theocratic state was established with the consent of Nehru and his crowd and they have called it freedom won by them with sacrificewhose sacrifice? When top leaders of Congress, with the consent of Gandhi, divided and tore the countrywhich we considered a deity of worshipmy mind was filled with direful anger.

One of the conditions imposed by Gandhi for his breaking of the fast related to the mosques in Delhi occupied by the Hindu refugees. But when Hindus in Pakistan were subjected to violent attacks he did not so much as utter a single word to protest and censure the Pakistan Government or the Muslims concerned. Gandhi was shrewd enough to know that while undertaking a fast unto death, had he imposed some conditions on the Muslims in Pakistan, here would have been found hardly any Muslims who could have shown some grief if the fast had ended in his death. It was for this reason that he purposely avoided imposing any conditions on the Muslims.

He was fully aware from past experience that Jinnah was not at all perturbed or influenced by his fast and the Muslim League hardly attached any value to the inner voice of Gandhi. Gandhi is being referred to as the Father of the Nation. But if that is so, he has failed in his paternal duty in as much he has acted very treacherously to the nation by his consenting to the partitioning of it.

I stoutly maintain that Gandhi has failed in his duty. He has proved to be the Father of Pakistan. His inner-voice, his spiritual power, his doctrine of non-violence of which so much is made of, all crumbled against Jinnah's iron will and proved to be powerless.

Briefly speaking, I thought to myself and foresaw that I shall be totally ruined, and the only thing I could expect from the people would be nothing but hatred and that I shall have lost all my honour, even more valuable than my life, if I were to kill Gandhiji. But at the same time I thought that the Indian politics in the absence of Gandhiji would surely be practical, able to retaliate and would be powerful with the armed forces.

No doubt, my own future would be totally ruined, but the nation would be saved from the inroads of Pakistan. People may even call me or dub me as devoid of any sense or foolish, but the nation would be free to follow the course founded on the reason, which I consider necessary for sound nation-building.

After having fully considered the question, I took the final decision in the matter, but I did not speak about it to anyone whatsoever. I took courage in both my hands and I did fire the shots at Gandhiji on 30th January 1948, on the prayer-grounds in Birla House. I do say that my shots were fired at the person whose policy and action had brought rack and ruin and destruction to millions of Hindus.

There was no legal machinery by which such an offender could be brought to book and for this reason I fired those fatal shots. I bear no ill will towards anyone individually, but I do say that I had no respect for the present government owing to their policy, which was unfairly favourable towards the Muslims. But at the same time I could clearly see that the policy was entirely due to the presence of Gandhi.

I have to say with great regret that Prime Minister Nehru quite forgets that his preaching and deeds are at times at variance with each other when he talks about India as a secular state in season and out of season, because it is significant to note that Nehru has played a leading role in the theocratic state of Pakistan, and his job was made easier by Gandhi's persistent policy of appeasement towards the Muslims.

I now stand before the court to accept the full share of my responsibility for what I have done and the judge would, of course, pass against me such orders of sentence as may be considered proper. But I would like to add that I do not desire any mercy to be shown to me, nor do I wish that anyone should beg for mercy on my behalf.

My confidence about the moral side of my action has not been shaken even by the criticism levelled against it on all sides. I have no doubt that honest writers of history will weigh my act and find the true value thereof someday in future.

Nathuram Godse was hanged a year later, on 15 November 1949; as per his last wishes, his family and followers have preserved his ashes for immersion in the Indus River of a re-united India.

NATHURAM GODSES FATE

Nathuram Godse was hanged a year later, on 15 November 1949; as per his last wishes, his family and followers have preserved his ashes for immersion in the Indus River of a re-united India.

We shall return with Part 5, the concluding segment!

REFERENCES

Nathuram Godse. Why I Killed Gandhi? (Or Why I Assassinated Mahatma Gandhi?).

Nathram Godse Last Speech. Arise Bharat. Retrieved from https://arisebharat.com/tag/godse/
Abalak (Niger) (AFP) - For people living in the small city of Abalak in central Niger, the abduction of a longtime US aid worker over a week ago has left them angry and anxious.

Jeffery Woodke was no stranger here.

"We are furious and shocked by this kidnapping," said Ibrahim Adamou, a 16-year-old student, as he and neighbours of Woodke recalled the evening of October 14 when the American was seized at gunpoint from his home.

"Like every night, he was drinking tea" in the courtyard of his house, along with his guards, when "two armed men in turbans" stormed in and grabbed him, killing his bodyguard and a member of the national guard.

Woodke, reportedly in his 50s, "struggled" to break free from his captors.

"We cried and shouted for help but the gunmen just threw him into their vehicle," said Aicha, one of the neighbours.

A local official said they drove off "with no headlights on" taking the road that leads to Mali, where investigators have since tracked the kidnappers and believe Woodke is being held by the Al-Qaeda linked group, the Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa (Mujao).

A shopkeeper Mohamed said when he thought of Woodke, "I hear his laughter in my head".

The home in Abalak, Niger, of US aid worker Jeffery Woodke who was kidnapped by likely jihadists from the Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa

The American had become one of them after running the aid group JEMET there since 1992, helping the local Tuareg community. He speaks their language Tamasheq fluently as well as Fula and Arabic.

Jeff, as they call him, could be seen around town in a turban, leather sandals and a big boubou -- a flowing African tunic.

"He was with us through all the hardest times", said Abalak's mayor Ahmed Dilou -- the times of a food crisis, the droughts, the floods.

The Friday night of Jeff's abduction "was such a devastating shock that the whole city cried", he said.

Jeff 'wasn't afraid'

But apparently Woodke was not concerned about living in this unstable Tahoua region of Niger, close to the borders of Mali and Algeria. Western embassies have issued strong warnings to their nationals against venturing there.

A Nigerien official said he had "tried everything" to convince the American to leave the area but "he refused, insisting that he was not afraid".

Members of Niger's security forces stand guard outside the home of US aid worker Jeffery Woodke, who was kidnapped on October 14 by armed men in Abalak

Investigators have sealed off Woodke's house. In the courtyard shaded by thorn trees, some bricks can be seen piled up next to sacks of cement.

"He was rebuilding a wall that had collapsed after some heavy rains," explained Aicha.

Still, despite Woodke's popularity with the townspeople, a regional lawmaker said he believed the kidnappers "were helped by some locals".

According to Interior Minister Mohamed Bazoum, who visited Abalak, around 350 kilometres northeast of the capital Niamey, the kidnappers "went straight to his home, guided by a motorcyclist".

Last Sunday Bazoum said that Woodke -- the first American abducted in the west African country -- "was probably kidnapped by the Mujao or handed over to the Mujao".

"We have had no contact with the Mujao, which is a terrorist organisation," he added.

Niger's long, porous borders make it occasionally vulnerable to the armed violence in neighbouring countries.

No matter who is responsible, in Abalak, the mayor -- speaking for the distressed people of his city -- is categorical in his condemnation.

"The kidnapping of Jeff is wrong," he said.
The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP)'s Parliamentary candidate for Tamale central, Dr. Barhama Ibrahim Anyass has promised to deepen social auditing and accountability when elected as the Member of Parliament.

He demonstrated this by subjecting himself to scrutiny at a media encounter with some Journalists in Tamale.

Dr. Barhama Ibrahim Anyass assured the constituents of Tamale central that he would be in constant touch with them 24/7 should they elect him as their next MP.

As a Member of Parliament for the first time in the history of Tamale central there shall be a properly designated office called the office of the Member of Parliament for Tamale central and you can walk in there without worrying about walking into a party office that is not that your political party and that will be done within my first year in office.

His ultimate aim, he said is to improve accessibility to quality education, sanitation, agriculture, water and health services in the Tamale central constituency.

In the next four years I would be talking to you after the election is the fact that I would have provided early childhood facilities for each electoral area within the Tamale central and so every electoral area is going to have a free family day care centre under my leadership as Member of Parliament for Tamale central.

Every electoral area within Tamale central will stand to benefit from having a free family day care centre and the provision would not be for only NPP members.

On vocational educational education, he stated, I intend to establish a very modern education institute to provide skills training and jobs for all the young people within Tamale central.

He reiterated his promise to put up a scholarship fund to support needy but brilliant pupils in the Tamale central constituency.

I will lobby both local and international NGOs to support needy but brilliant pupils in Tamale central.

Dr. Barhama also pledged to establish a Business Advisory and Consultancy Centre to cater for loan facilities needed to boost the economic activities of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises operating in Tamale central.

The major pillar to our economic activities within the Tamale Metropolis has to do with retail and wholesale trade and so there shall be a Business Advisory and Consultancy Centre to deal with issues having to do with loans and credit facilities for all businesses.

Dr. Barhama pledged to revamp the agriculture as means of boosting food security and jobs creation.

As a Member of Parliament for Tamale central under the leadership of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo I believe that Tamale is going to see an upgrade and a transformation that has never happened in the history of Tamale, ever and one thing that is going to make this a reality is the attention that is going to be paid to agriculture.

One district one factory, one village one dam, a million Dollar one constituency and I believe that the funds already exist to make sure that I am able to partner Nana Akufo Addo to bring the relevant industries in Tamale that will support agriculture and the marketing of our produce.

He promised to create Information, Communication and Technology centers to augment ICT education.



By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has announced a scheduled interruption of power supply to some parts of Accra Today, Sunday 23rd October.

According to a communique released by ECG, the interruption is to enable the ECG maintenance team carry out annual major maintenance at the main stations at Mallam and Baatsona.

Areas to be affected include Weija, Kokrobite, Bortianor, Tokuse, Aplaku, Dunkonaa, Tetegu, McCarthy Hill, Kwashieman, Fadaman, Tabora, Abeka Lapaz, Santa Maria, Mallam, Korlebu, Awoshie, Dansoman, Odorkor, Ablekuma, Asofa, Anyaa , Ofankor and Sowutuom.

The rest are Tantra hills, Amranhia, Mayera, Oduman, Dome , Kasoa, Nsawam, Regimanuel estates, Teshie, Baatsona and all factories and residences on the Spintex road



By: citifmonline.com/Ghana
23.10.2016 LISTEN

Let us celebrate the occasion with wine and sweet words.- Plautus

In 2014, I can still remember vividly former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State celebrating his birthday, with pomp and pageantry, glitz and glamour. That day was his in Nigeria; shining as the most prominent political figure to be celebrated that very hour.

He was celebrating his 60th year birthday. I remember that day because it was the moment of the tense Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primaries campaign and the heat was on. On that day of his celebration, I was in my hotel room, when I penned down one of my most famous works to him, urging him to give Deltans a birthday gift by handing over power to the current governor, Senator Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa. I remember that day, because while others were watching the live streaming of Uduaghans birthday lectures, I chose to watch the historic cutting of tape of the Akwa Ibom Nest of Champion Stadium. It will ever be a day to remember.

Today, Uduaghan is 62 years. I sent people to the Newspaper stand to check how many pages of newspapers did prominent Deltans take just to congratulate him on his new age, and the outcome was not impressive. Unlike in the past when he was governor and political businessmen and Buccaneers buying almost all the pages of Vanguard Newspaper just to congratulate him; we saw none of such today. Who is this man Uduaghan?

My relationship with him happened after the general elections in Lagos State. From a distance, I judged him as a journalist and a critic. I scored him very low in his performance as a governor. But today, the score may be different, depending on the prism through which I look through it.

My privilege to be close to the corridors of power; the same seat Uduaghan sat on, has given me a different view of judging Nigeria leaders. Being close to a governor, I have come to understand the power of sycophancy, which envelopes almost all leaders and eventually consume those who cannot break free from it. Uduaghan was a victim of such sycophancy, surrounded by the worst persons that ever had access to power.

Out of government, we have built a strong bond of father and son, confidante and adviser. Our relationship has grown so deep that I have come to understand him more as a person than as a former governor, who did no good in my eyes. This relationship is built solely on trust and confidentiality, on fatherhood and sonship and not on any financial benefits.

This relationship is what has put me in a better position today to access Uduaghan at 62 as a person and not as a former governor. On this day that he celebrates, I am proud to say publicly that he meant well for Delta State and still means well for Delta State but is a victim of the recklessness of his political aides, who took his gentility for a ride and devoured our common patrimony. Without his full knowledge, they brought memos for him to sign, meaning well; and when he signed, they went back to implement another thing. I do not absolve him of the political mistakes, for the bulk stops at his table and should naturally bear the consequences, but Uduaghan is a good man.

My close knowledge of him reveals him to be very soft in heart, actions and words. His mien is simply that of peace and would rather let his personal desire and ambition fade away for the general peace of people. I have personally experienced it.

In 2016, I was under pressure by my wife to give her sister who has a First Class in Banking and Finance a job in Access Bank, after she made it to the last fifteen selected candidates. The only hurdle remaining was the task of sourcing for some amount of money for new accounts. I was not ready to stake my companys account for it due to the condition attached and had to look for alternative.

I thought of two names to use in crossing the hurdle; Uduaghan and Onofiok Luke who is Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly. I settled for Uduaghan and told him exactly what I want. Right in my presence, he made the phone call, that broke all protocols and today alongside the help of Sunny Onuesoke, my sister in-law is about rounding up her training as one of the best candidates of Access Bank School.

Few months after that, Secret Reporters did a negative report on him. Did he get angry? No. In his usual calm manner, he explained the real situations of things to me, which the reporter never looked into. That is Uduaghan for you, looking for peace than war; even though he has the capacity to wage a war and see it to finish, without probably losing it.

This can explain why we never had cases of militancy and insurgency during the eight years that he ruled; neither were there security challenges in any part of Delta. If given another chance to lead Delta again, Uduaghan at 62 will do things differently. He will leave better legacies like the Asaba Airport he built from scratch to finish. If given just one more term to govern again, I am very sure many of those he appointed wont even make it as his councilors.

At 62, life must have offered him new pair of eyes to see things objectively and open mind to accept what critics like us saw and criticized. At 62, Uduaghan has seen all in life and like he once told me; I never thought I was ever going to be a governor in my life, but providence handed him the position on a platter of gold and he deserve to celebrate yearly.

At 62, he has just eight years to the biblical age of living, and must be preparing to get his boarding pass home, BUT on this day while he lives; I owe a duty to tell him what he has done wrong to many political leaders and ordinary Deltans that they were not bold to tell him.

His Excellency current troubles are as a result of not keeping to promises. A promise is a debt hanging on your neck forever, which if not paid now to those you made it to, will be paid at the other world. This is his albatross and a heavy cross he must lift off his shoulders as he get very close to exiting this world to meet the creator.

At 62, he is still as fit as a fiddle and must be reflecting on his life. His political life as a governor will forever be his judgment. May the judgment of the unborn Deltans record him well in history book when roll calls of Deltans that touched lives are called. As he begins another journey of life, may more years to celebrate arrive his doorstep. May his name not be wiped away and his good deeds speak when it matters most.

Happy Birthday Asamaigor.

These little things matter

Fejiro Oliver is Editor In Chief of Secrets Reporters News, Investigative Journalist, Media Consultant and Human Rights Activist can be reached on +2348022050733 (SMS ONLY) or [email protected] . Engage him on twitter on @fejirooliver86.
Of course, there is nothing wrong for political parties to have party precincts or strongholds, for such praxes are acceptable in even most advanced democracies.

The distinction, though, is unlike the voters in developing countries, the vast majority of voters in the developed countries do not vote for voting sake. In other words, voters in the advanced democracies mostly vote on the issues that affect their lives.

It was against that backdrop that the vast majority of the UK Labour Party supporters in Scotland rightly voted against their party in the 2015 general elections for failing to live up to their expectations.

We should not also lose sight of the fact that election is a social contract that exists between a candidate and a voter. In hindsight, the candidate solicits for votes in exchange of provision of relevant human needs.

It is also worth mentioning that our contemporary authority or government came into being as a result of the emergence of social contract. It was based on such agreement that President Mahama entered into contract with Ghanaians prior to the 2008 and 2012 general elections.

If you may recall, President Mahama besought the electorates to give him the mandate and in return, President Mahama guaranteed everyone protection of life, property, provision of social infrastructure and amenities, better socio-economic standards of living and to a certain extent liberty.

If you may also remember, prior to the 2008 and 2012 general elections, President Mahama and his NDC Party gave a slew of Manifesto promises, including one-time NHIS premium, free SHS, making dumsor a thing of the past, putting money in Ghanaians pocket, creating more jobs for the jobless, stabilising the economy, protecting Ghanaians from the menaces of galamsey and Fulani herdsmen, bringing an end to dubious judgement debt payments, fighting the rampant sleaze and corruption, working with lean government etc.

I must, however, stress poignantly that we choose to exercise our democratic rights during elections in anticipation that our lives would be transformed positively. But then again, the all-important question is: have our lives been transformed positively under President Mahama and his NDC government?

No, the vast majority of Ghanaians have been worse off in terms of the socio-economic standards of living under President Mahamas administration as compared to Kufuor and the late Mills administrations. For, Mahama has been approaching his duty lackadaisically.

Succinctly put, President Mahama has disappointed the vast majority of Ghanaians, including the voters from NDC Partys World Bank-Volta Region.

Unsurprisingly, however, some noble Chiefs from Volta Region have been complaining bitterly about the harsh economic conditions that the NDC government has willfully imposed on innocent Ghanaians, including their subordinates.

Ironically, with all his promises, President Mahama has failed to end the dumsor, jobs arent readily available for the jobless, the economy is sinking deeper and deeper into the mire, he has reneged on his promise to keep lean government, Ghanaians are becoming poorer and poorer, sleaze and corruption have escalated to immeasurable proportions, endless borrowings etc.

It is, therefore, worth emphasising that even though President Mahama and his NDC Party promised prior to the 2008 and 2012 general elections that they were going to put money in Ghanaians pockets, they egregiously turned their back on the electorates after clasping the ultimate power.

Consequently, the impoverished Ghanaians rightly queried President Mahama over his failed promise. President Mahama then bizarrely turns round and replies: there is no president on this planet (earth) that will physically put cash in peoples pockets (See: No president will put money in your pocket-Mahama; atinkaonline.com/ghanaweb.com, 13/10/2016).

Dear reader, tell me, if this does not amount to dishonesty, what is it then? Since when did President Mahama and his NDC government realise that its not the government that will put money in peoples pockets?

Besides, President Mahama and his government failed abysmally to provide the youth of Ghana, including those in their World Bank (Volta Region) the jobs they promised in their 2008and 2012 Manifestos. The youth wondered why. His Excellency President Mahama then shockingly retorts: where are your employable skills and qualifications? So dont you lots know that you lack the requisite employable skills and qualifications?

Ironically, however, when the good people of Ghana, including those in the NDCs World Bank (Volta Region) decide to express their grievances over the never ending harsh economic conditions, President Mahama and his vociferous communicators would bizarrely retort: arent we transforming lives by building roads, hospitals, schools, toilets, water facilities and many other social infrastructural projects?

It is, therefore, important to point out that although the late President Millss tenure ended abruptly, he pragmatically started an all-important university in the NDCs stronghold-the Volta Region. That was laudable, so to speak.

It was also extremely admirable when former President Kufuor erected the Keta Sea Defence to ensure that the people of the Volta Region are safe from Tsunami or seismic sea waves. It was indeed a well-thought through project, I must admit.

In fact, the vast majority of Ghanaians, including the people from the NDCs stronghold (Volta Region) have benefited immensely from President Kufuor and his NPP governments pragmatic introduction of the free Maternal Care, the School Feeding Programme, the National Health Insurance Scheme, the Mass Transport System, the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP), the National Youth Employment Programme, now known as GYEDA, and many other social interventions.

My dearest reader, would you be sincere enough and name just a single social intervention that has been implemented by President Mahamas NDC government that prides itself as social democrat?

K. Badu, UK.
The 2016 National Muslim women conference which is an annual gathering by the leadership of Muslim women Students in the country took place in Tamale, the Northern regional capital with the aim of empowering Muslim women in Ghana and the world at large.

The event which was under the theme; "The empowered muslimah; a significant figure for national development" and heavily represented by women leadership from various institutions in the region was meant to inspire and motivate the future managers of homes in the area of entrepreneurship, education and leadership skills.

The participants who were taking through three lectures learnt how to become successful entrepreneurs, achieve higher education and become good managers at their various homes when married.

Delivering his lectures on how to become a successful entrepreneur and a good leader, the principal and general manager of Business College International (BCI), Ibrahim Shamsudeen Taimaku, said

being a woman doesn't prevent one from becoming a successful entrepreneur.

According to him, money is not needed to starting a successful business but what is needed is a vision and passion to be an entrepreneur.

Adding that, the Holy prophet Mohammed (SAW) and the wife Hadijah were all entrepreneurs and so the need for Muslims especially the muslimah or a Muslim woman should venture into setting up their own businesses.

This according to him, will help empower them financially and also offer them opportunity to serve humanity.

He tasked the women participants to learn leadership skills since most of them will soon be managers of their marital homes.

On her part, Hajia Rabiatu Mohammed, a teacher from Tamale Senior High School or Tamasco encouraged the students to take their education serious as an educated woman can contribute more to both the development of her house and the nation at large.

According her, when women are educated, it gives them social recognition and status which in return brings respect to her parents and husband.

Adding that, marriage shouldn't be a barrier for women to continue their education but rather a support for women to achieve higher education.

In his address, the National President of the Ghana Muslim Students Association (GMSA), Abdul Rahaman Alhassan thanked the students for taking interest in living an Islamic way of life.

And called on Muslim women to attend programs such as this nature since it will broaden their horizon about their religion.

And appealed to government and the opinion leaders to support the muslimah or the Muslim women to practice their religion without fear or hindrance.

He mentioned the troubles Muslim women go through both at the workplace and schools as a major challenge facing Muslim women today in the country.

Adding that, Muslims in Ghana especially the women still find it difficult dress islamically though Ghana is a Democratic country made up of variety of religions.

And appealed to the Muslim youths to desist from fomenting troubles during the 2016 general elections.

Present at the conference were; the National President, (Abdul Rahaman Alhassan), National women commissioner, Regional executives, representative of second circle institutions in the region, Imams ,the media among others.
23.10.2016 LISTEN

The flag bearer of the Progressive Peoples Party (PPP) Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom has urged Ghanaians to gather courage and reject president Mahama in the December 7 polls.

According to Dr Nduom the apparent deterioration in the lives of Ghanaians is ample evidence that the Mahama led government cannot be trusted with the destiny of the country.

The people of Ntranoa and Ghanaians in general, everywhere I go are crying that times are hard and that there are no jobs. So if with all this abundance of natural resources our lives are getting worse, then I urge you to help send Mahama home since he has demonstrated that he cannot deliver good things for the people and bring in Papa Kwesi Nduom to do the job.

He reminded the people of Ntranoa that the jobs they so much crave will only be delivered by a PPP government.

So when you go to the polls remember your future and vote accordingly. Remember Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom, he will be on the ballot with the glasses and the moustache and never take for granted your future in the December 7 election

OUR PARTY RESPECTS THE LAWS OF GHANA

The parliamentary candidate for the Komenda Edina Eguafo Abirem (KEEA) constituency, John Sterling urged PPP supporters to be steadfast and rest assured that come 7th December, Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom will be on the ballot paper.

We are a party of obedience that is why we took our issue to the courts to help right the wrong the EC is perpetrating. So on Tuesday we are confident the courts are going to right whatever wrong the EC has perpetrated against Dr Nduom and the PPP. Be rest assured that Dr Nduom will be on the ballot paper come December 7th so prepare to vote twice, that's for Nduom and John Sterling to help change your lives.

The chief of Ntranoa Nana Kweku Ntsin V thanked Dr Nduom for the numerous supports he has given to the KEEA and the Ntranoa township and asked the people to remember him accordingly come December 7.

I am very confident in the capabilities of Dr Nduom. If for nothing at all, he Dr Nduom gave us electricity when we were in the dark. He has done a lot for us in this area as a member of parliament and a businessman so I urge you all to remember that and support him, he reiterated.
A Chinese businessman is seeking security protection over alleged threats to him and others colleagues at Antoakrom in Amansie West of Ashanti.

Huang Shouneng also wants Ghana and China Chambers of Commerce to assist him to recover his $500, 000 of what he described as wasted investment.

He is accusing the Antoakromhene, Nana Okyere Darko Ampem II, of leading a local syndicate to reportedly to run down his business.

Mr Shouneng said he entered an agreement Antoakromhene for the release of lands for a small scale mining business with the chief being a partner.

He accused the chief of scheming and with his cronies to stifle a business partnership between them.

The disgruntled Chinese said Nana Darko hid behind the National Anti-Galamsey Taskforce to dupe him of a huge sum of foreign currency adding some fake military officers were sent by his business partner to harass and intimidate him.

Mr Shouneng who spoke through an interpreter says he feels cheated by the chief after losing an excavator in that regard.

"It got to a point that people dressed in military clothing will just come around, capture us and take us to the middle of the bush and try to intimidate or torture us.

I think its because I am a foreigner because this chief knows I cant speak good English and I cant speak the local dialect. So I cant even go to the police station and make my demands known to them, he said.

Nana Ampem Darko, however, denies all the allegations and rather accused Mr Shouneng of failing to honour his part of the agreement.

His spokesperson, Nana Aduse Opoku who is also Nkosuohene of Antoakrom said the seized excavator is being kept at a security zone outside the police station which is to be released to Mr Shouneng when he pays GH26,000; being Nana Darko's share of the business proceeds.
A trader was on Thursday granted bail by an Accra Circuit Court when she appeared before it for defrauding two persons of various sums of money.

Rebecca Brome was granted a self-recognisance bail by the court presided over by Mary N. A Aryee.

She is to deposit an amount of GH13,000.00 with the court registrar, her passport to the police and alert them anytime she intends to travel.

Brome was said to have defrauded one Theophilus Anyan of GH7,000.00 and Prosper Segbawu of GHa 6,250.00.

Prosecuting Superintendent of Police, Kweku Bempah told the court the complainant Theophilus is a trader living at Asamankese and Prosper is a carpenter living at Anloga, while the accused person is a pensioner living in the United Kingdom.

He said in 2013, the accused person collected the above-mentioned amounts from the complainants under the pretext of securing a United Kingdom visa for them at Odorkor.

Superintendent Bempah told the court that the accused person on receipt of the money failed to honour her promise and went back to the United Kingdom and a report was made to the police.

On September 30, the complainants spotted the accused in town and arrested her to the police.

The prosecution told the court that in her caution statement, Rebecca stated that she used part of the money in processing the forms for the complainants.
The Volta region will be the centre of political attraction this week as the NPP flagbearer Nana Akufo-Addo and the Chief of Staff Julius Debrah move their campaign teams there to canvass for votes.

The main opposition leaders team will be the first to hit the region largely touted as the NDC World Bank from Monday, October 24, and will pitch camp for five days. Mr. Debrahs delegation is expected to touch base Wednesday, October 26 a few days after his boss John Mahama wrapped up his campaign there.

This will be the second time this year that Nana Akufo-Addo will tour the region  a region for which the NPP has set an agenda of capturing at least three seats in parliament and 30% of the popular vote.

Nana Akufo-Addo will visit a total of 15 constituencies, which will include visits to South Dayi, Kpando, Krachi East, Nkwanta North, Hohoe, Ho Central, North Tongu, amongst others.

An official among the chief of staffs team said: We will appeal for a decorous campaign because this is a battle of issues and not war. Were ready to face them in our stronghold and at the end of the campaign Voltarians will give their verdict.

Nana Akufo-Addo

Mr. Debrahs team is made up of old and new generation political politicians consisting of Professor Kwamena Ahwoi, leading member of the NDC and a veteran political strategist and local governance expert, former Minister for National Security, Kofi Totobi Kwakye, Faustina Nelson, member NDC national Campaign team, NDC deputy General Secretary, Koku Anyidoho, NDC National Communication Officer, Solomon Nkansah, and his deputy, Presidential Staffers Adu Asare and Emilia Arthur.

Others are deputy Head of Research NDC National Headquarters, Peter Otukunor, deputy National Youth Organizer, Koby Balon, among others. The team just ended a one-week tour of the Brong Ahafo region.

Mr. Debrahs campaign strategy involves engagements with grassroots supporters, former DCEs and Ministers, cadres, CDRs, mobilization, members of June 4, Non Formal, former members of 31st December Womens Movement, veranda boys and girls and other NDC groups.

He will be joined by stalwarts in the region, regional executives and respected opinion leaders to iron out pockets of problems and challenges affecting NDCs campaign in the region and respond to some lies of the opposition, the official added.

Meanwhile, Akufo-Addo has ended a four-day tour of the Ashanti region with a clarion call on residents of the region to rally behind, and vote massively for him and the 47 NPP parliamentary candidates in this years elections.

This years election is about Ghanas future. It is an election we cannot afford to joke with. Kumasi, Asanteman and Ghanaians should vote massively for the NPP, and send a strong signal that Ghanaians are ready and determined to change their circumstances of living, he said.
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."
MARTINSVILLE -- Elementary students in Martinsville always look forward to time on the playground and they are enjoying the addition of new fitness equipment designed to increase their fitness and health.

The school celebrated the launch of its Project Fit America fitness program during a special assembly Tuesday. Martinsville is the fifth school in the area to be awarded a grant for the national public fitness program, which is funded by Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Foundation.

The fitness equipment was installed over the summer and has been in use at the school since September, according to a press release.

Its been fun watching our students who are working so diligently at bettering their physical fitness skills each day on the new equipment, said Victoria Norton, Martinsville Elementary School principal. The first month, you wouldnt know we had any other playground equipment at the school.

Norton recognized teachers, administrators, parents, and community members who all had a hand in bringing the national public fitness program to Martinsville.

This was seven years in the making and our perseverance paid off, Norton said. Recognizing a need to enhance the schools physical education curriculum, Norton was instrumental in applying for the grant each year. Im always looking for ways to make fitness fun and this program is helping us do just that, she said.

Students cheered as they ran through a tunnel formed by Martinsville band members and cheerleaders at the start of the assembly. Eastern Illinois Universitys Billy the Panther mascot, along with Martinsville firefighters and policemen, Clark County sheriff deputies, Sarah Bush Lincoln representatives, parents and community members were also on hand to help students celebrate.

Students demonstrated how to use seven fitness stations: a pole climb, parallel bars, step-ups, a vault, a horizontal ladder, pull-up bars, and a push-up and sit-up area. The school also received specialized hula-hoops and fitness cups for team-building exercises that could be conducted indoors.

While Kansas, Ill., was the charter Project Fit America school in this region, other schools receiving the equipment include Neoga Middle School, Casey-Westfield Jr. High and Lake Crest Elementary School in Oakland.

Included in the Project Fit America program are activities to address students' self-esteem, smoking intervention, fitness as fun and exercise among others. The goal for students is to take personal responsibility for their health. In addition, the program helps teachers diffuse restless behavior in children.

Physical activity provided during the school day helps children to be more inclined to sit, listen and learn in the classroom. Schools receive support from Project Fit for two-years with training sessions offered on site.

We know that by promoting healthy habits with our youth, we can make a lifelong difference in the health of our communities, said Laura Bollan, SBL Healthy Communities director. She added SBL is invested in changing the statistics that include approximately 9,000 children in its service area who are classified as overweight or obese.

For more information on Project Fit America, contact the SBL Healthy Communities office at 217-345-6827.
From: Amadu Kamil Sanah, GNA Special Correspondent, Quito, Ecuador, Courtesy MLG&RD/Zoomlion Ghana

Quito (Ecuador), Oct 23, GNA - Ghana's Exhibition booth at the just-ended United Nations (UN) Housing and Sustainable Development Conference (Habitat) III was the toast of many participants, exhibitors and visitors from Africa and beyond.

The exhibition booth displayed remarkable stories of Ghana's Urban Development projects, the Decentralisation system, the Democratic system, the country's Natural Resources, Policies, Programmes and Projects.

It also showcased a 360-degree-diagram, with the potential areas the country is seeking collaboration and partnerships to develop.

The patrons showed keen interest in learning and partnering in most of the sectors programmes.

Those from Kenya, Namibia, Senegal and Malawi, Sweden, the USA, France and Germany showed greater interest.

For a while, the Ghana Booth was the most attractive to both the exhibitors and the participants, especially the Ecuadorians, who trooped to savour the country's rich cocoa drink, which was prepared for the patrons as a gift.

There were also give-aways, such as souvenirs made from Kente, branded pens, key holders and card holders, a design of the map of Ghana highlighted on the globe, Ghana's Kingsbite Chocolate, as well as highly informative brochures of the projects, policies and programmes undertaken in Ghana,

The Chief Director of the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Charles K. Dondieu, who led the delegation, became 'the man of the moment' at two side events, as he wore his elegant smocks.

Many showed their admiration by requesting to take pictures with him, thus making him a good ambassador of Ghana's creative side in culture and fashion.

The United Nations (UN) Housing and Sustainable Development (Habitat III) Conference, which started on Monday, October 17, ended on Thursday, October, 20.

It adopted the New Urban Agenda, with a strong call for Sustainable Urban Development.

The New Urban Agenda is an inclusive, action-oriented and concise document intended to guide the next 20 years of sustainable and transformative urban development worldwide.

It has a strong focus on the inclusion and participation of a stakeholder group, civil society organisations and grassroots organisations.

Sub-national and local governments are to be supported as strategic and operational partners for implementation, along with national governments.

More than 30,000 participants from national, international and working staff from 167 countries were accredited for the conference.

The delegates participated in the eight plenary meetings, four assemblies, six high level and 16 roundtables, along with a wide variety of talks, presentations, press conferences and networking events.

GNA
By Iddi Yire, GNA

Accra, Oct. 23, GNA - Professor Joshua Alabi, the outgoing Vice Chancellor of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), has appealed to the Government for a clearance to recruit more administrative staff to meet the demand of the fast expanding University.

Prof Alabi made the appeal over the weekend in Accra at the 2016/2017 Academic Year matriculation, at which 3,216 students were admitted into the University.

The figure represents 46.25 per cent of the 6,954 applications received by the University.

At the Diploma level, 592 students were admitted, while undergraduates were 1,942; postgraduate students were 596, and professional level-79.

Prof Alabi said the student population had increased over the past years, as a result of the growing demand for university education.

"This has led to the need to recruit more lecturers," he stated.

He, therefore, lauded the Government for granting the UPSA the clearance to recruit 118 additional lecturers to augment its academic staff strength.

He said two new programmes - Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and Bachelor of Science Actuarial Science - had been added to the University's programmes portfolio this academic year.

He stated that other programmes such as the PhD Leadership and PhD Marketing were at different levels of the accreditation process and they would soon be rolled out when the required processes were completed.

The Vice Chancellor announced that the UPSA Council had given approval for the acquisition of 100 plots of land at Oyibi, near Accra, for the construction of staff bungalows.

"This initiative is within the context of Management's desire to motivate staff of the University, who have worked very hard over the past years to improve conditions at the University, and also to continue to give of their best, " he said.

He said one facility that the University was lacking was a big auditorium, stating that, "Thankfully this year, work is on-going on the construction of an auditorium with a seating capacity of 3,000."

He said work had also started on the construction of a Students' Centre, which when completed, would house shops, food courts and meeting rooms.

Prof Alabi commended the students and staff for their impressive support during his tenure as a Vice Chancellor, and urged them to do same for his successor.

To the Matriculants, the Vice Chancellor said: "You have come here mainly to improve yourselves academically. It, therefore, follows that you should develop a very serious approach toward your studies."

He advised them to develop their creative abilities, aim high and to pursue diligently their loftiest aspirations, so that their education would become all that it ought to be.

Mr Justice Nii Aryeetey, the Chairman of the UPSA Council, advised the matriculants not to try to live in the future that they wanted for themselves now, otherwise they would crash.

He urged them to study hard and come out with flying colours at the end of their programme.

GNA
The United State of America Embassy in Ghana has denied reports that Archbishop Duncan Williams has been banned from traveling to the U.S.

A tweet on the Embassy's twitter handle Sunday read:



Please be advised: Reports that Archbishop Duncan Williams has been banned from traveling to the United States are a complete fabrication.  US Embassy Ghana (@USEmbassyGhana) 23 October 2016

News about the respected Archbishop was trending on Social media on Sunday that he has been barred from entering the U.S by the Department of State.

According to the reports widely said to emanate from a USTODAY-TV website, the State Department is said to have condemned the founder of Action Chapel International, who has rebuked gay marriage and refused to officiate a gay marriage.

The Archbishop is said to have said gay marriage is "a sin against Bible teachings".

The report further noted that one of the couple, an American getting married to his same-sex partner who happens to a Ghanaian petitioned the United States Embassy of the Pastors refusal.

Marriages are meant for man and woman, not man and man. I do not officiate such marriages, Archbishop Williams is alleged to have told the United States Embassy when contacted.

Story by Ghana| Myjoyonline.com | Abubakar Ibrahim
The US Embassy has denied reports suggesting that the Founder of Action Chapel, Archbishop Duncan Williams has been banned from entering the US.

Earlier reports alleged that Archbishop had been barred from entering the US after he condemned and refused to officiate a gay wedding.

The Archbishop was quoted as saying gay marriage is a sin against Bible teachings.

The reports, further alleged that the State Department condemned him, following his stance.

But the US Embassy in a tweet said reports that Archbishop had been banned from travelling to the United States are a complete fabrication.



By: citifmonline.com/Ghana
The US Embassy has denied reports suggesting that the Founder of Action Chapel, Archbishop Duncan Williams has been banned from entering the US.

Earlier reports alleged that Archbishop had been banned from entering the US after he condemned and refused to officiate a gay wedding.

The Archbishop was quoted as saying gay marriage is a sin against Bible teachings.

The reports, further alleged that the State Department condemned him, following his stance.

But the US Embassy in a tweet said reports that Archbishop had been banned from travelling to the United States are a complete fabrication.



By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

Follow @EfeAnsah
By GNA Reporter

Accra, Oct 23, GNA - The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has advised the public to be cautious of the distribution and sale of a Liquid formulation called, Light Duty Cleaner (LDC) Concentrate.

A statement signed by Mr Hudu Mogtari, the Chief Executive Officer of the FDA, and copied to the Ghana News Agency said; 'The product is being sold as a medicinal product on the Ghanaian market for the following conditions; all skin infections, foot rot, wound dressing, bad breath, mouth wash, ring worm, odour, shaving rash, mildew, onycholysis and ladies' white.

The product is believed to have been formulated from the original LDC, a household cleaning solution, which is an GNLD product, according to the FDA.

It said the Northern Regional Office of the FDA, with the assistance of the Northern Regional Police, had effected the arrest of three Nigerian men in the matter and they were assisting the Police in their investigations.

'The Food and Drugs Authority will like to use this opportunity to advice consumers against the patronage of the said product and to beware of persons who come to them with will all manner of products purporting to have curative properties or the ability to manage one form of health condition or another,' it said.

'The FDA is assuring the public of its continuous resolve to protect public health and safety. Consequently, the FDA is appealing to the public to give information on any practice, which has the possibility of injuring public health and safety through any of the following contacts; 0244337235, 0244337251, 0299802932, 0299802933, or on the toll free line 0800151000 (free only on Airtel and Vodafone),' the statement said.

GNA
By Erica Apeatua Addo, GNA

Tarkwa (W/R), October 23, GNA - The Minister of Petroleum, Mr. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has cut the sod for work to start on the building for the School of Petroleum Studies at the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), in Tarkwa.

The 8.5 million United States dollars-project, which is expected to be completed in phases, has already received a donation of two million dollars from the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC).

Presenting the cheque, Mr. Buah said the donation was to honour a promise President John Dramani Mahama made in 2014 to the Management and students of UMaT to develop the University's Petroleum Engineering Department into a School of Petroleum Studies.

He said the role of the Government and the GNPC was to build the capacity of Ghanaians to fill the gaps in the oil and gas industry in the near future.

The Minister said to help Ghanaian engineers to be in the forefront of the industry, the Government would continue to extend such projects to other institutions as it had done in the Petroleum and Engineering Department at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.

He said the recently passed Exploration Petroleum Bill had a lot of provisions that would attract investments into the country.

The new law, Mr. Buah said, contained a local content fund, which was intended to support Ghanaian-owned small businesses, training and education programmes.

The Minister said, 'We believe that it is going to be good for our own local content aspiration and making sure Ghanaians are in the lead of the industry ultimately'.

The Corporate Affairs Manager of GNPC, Mrs. Carmen Bruce-Annan, said in the Western Region, the GNPC had invested huge sums of money in the area of education.

She said at the Junior High School level, the GNPC, through its Oil and Gas Foundation, had sponsored 520 brilliant, but needy students, whilst at the tertiary level, more than 200 students in Ghana and aboard had been sponsored to complete their Master's programmes in Oil and Gas and other related disciplines.

Mrs. Bruce-Annan assured Ghanaians that the GNPC would ensure that they had the right skills through their own people to enable them to add knowledge and help the oil and gas sector to grow.

The Vice Chancellor, Professor Jerry Kuma, who received the cheque, on behalf of UMaT, thanked the Government and GNPC for accepting to partner the University in terms of development.

Prof Kuma said for the first phase of the project, 1.375 million US dollars, which was equivalent to 5.5 million Ghana cedis, was expected to complete the building within 18 months.

GNA
23.10.2016 LISTEN

By Frederica Kyeremateng, GNA

Tamale, Oct 23, GNA - The Northern Regional Media Advisory Committee, set up by the National Media Commission (NMC), has held a forum for media practitioners on Responsible Journalism to promote peaceful co-existence in diversity towards nation building.

The forum, held at Tamale, was, therefore, to sensitise journalists on the need to deliver their mandate responsibly before, during and after the December Elections.

Presentations were thus made by participants on Ethical Journalism, the challenges involved and their respective solutions.

Togbe George Debrie, the Chairman of the Media Advisory Committee, stated that the media was seen as a powerful and credible source of information in society, therefore, it was critical for journalists to report the truth.

Togbe Debrie, who is also Deputy Registrar of the University for Development Studies, advised media practitioners to be circumspect in their reportage to ensure professionalism.

They should also guard against the temptation to be judges, he advised, saying, 'You should instead focus on your roles to educate, inform and entertain society.'

GNA
Ho, Oct 23, GNA - The Rotary Club in Ho has oganised a three-day free health screening for 11,000 women, men and children in 11 communities in the Ho and Hohoe Municipalities.

Last year, the event dubbed, 'Rotary Family Health Days' (RFHDs), exceeded its target of 10,000 in Ho.

Makafui Dzakpasu, the Chairman of the Steering Committee of RFHDs Ho, said Rotarians and Rotaractors collaborated with staff of the Municipal Health Directorate with the target of reaching one 1,000 persons per each site allocated for the screening.

Mr Cyril Fayose, the President of the Rotary Club of Ho, said the programme was conceived to address Africa's most challenging health problems, including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.

He said research had shown that most underprivileged families did not know their health status, leading to preventable deaths.

Dr Joseph Teye Nuertey, the Regional Director of Ghana Health Services, in a speech read on his behalf, said last year's event contributed positively in bringing health services to the doorstep of people in hard to reach communities.

He said the theme of a 'Healthy Families, Healthy Communities' was very relevant as it was only when parents were healthy that they could play better and meaningful roles as caregivers to their children.

Dr. Nuertey urged the Club to extend the outreach to communities outside Ho, especially to those in the northern part of the Region.

This is third year of RFHDs implementation in six regions and it is being held simultaneously in 50 communities.

Rotary, founded by Paul Harris, in 1905, in Chicago, United States of America, is a world-wide service club of professional volunteers, committed to better the lot of humanity.

GNA
Keta (V/R), Oct 23, GNA - The Keta Municipal Director of National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Mr. Godwin Agbenyo, has urged chiefs to work with the decentralised agencies to bring the needed development to their respective areas of jurisdiction.

Speaking at separate fora for development stakeholders and the citizens of Tegbi and Keta communities, Mr Agbenyo said chiefs, Assembly and Zonal Council Members, Opinion Leaders, and Development Unions must complement one another's efforts to enhance development.

Mr. Agbenyo educated the stakeholders that the only way development could come to their areas is when there was unity of purpose, understanding of one another's view and a common sense of direction among all the stakeholders in the communities.

He said Chiefs/Traditional Rulers had a major role to play in the decentralisation process.

He said chiefs, being the custodians of land within their areas of jurisdiction, it was important that Assembly Members, Unit Committee Members and zonal committee members worked with them to speed up the processes of development.

Mr Agbenyo said it would be wrong for any of the Zonal Council Members to think that it could work and develop their electoral areas without recourse to the support and help from their Chiefs.

The fora were organised by the NCCE, in partnership with the Ghana News Agency, with the support of the European Union (EU), to educate the citizenry and to strengthen their participation in local governance to ensure rapid development at the grassroots level.

Mr. Agbenyo explained that per the law, all Development Unions or Association must work in collaboration with the Unit Committee/Zonal Council.

He advised the stakeholders and the development unions to route all their dreams and aspirations for the development of the areas through the Unit Committee/Zonal Councils to the Assembly for approval.

Building a community is shared responsibility, which must be done in the atmosphere of mutual respect, understanding and the Rule of Law, he said.

He called on the people to go out in their numbers to elect both their presidential and parliamentary candidates on December 7.

GNA
CHARLESTON -- Like other Illinois school districts, Charleston has been battered by state funding reductions.

The school board has needed to eliminate some teaching posts, cut transportation money for extracurricular activities, and take other cost-saving steps to offset the funding shortfall.

Charleston resident Michelle Lassak, who has two children in school, said she is extremely concerned about dwindling education funding, so she is more focused on state-level elections than the presidential race.

However, Lassak said Illinois is not the only place where education quality varies from district to district based on local and state economic conditions. Lassak said she wants the presidential candidates to address ways to "level the playing field" among schools throughout the country.

"I feel like some students are not receiving the best education they could receive based on where they live," Lassak said.

Arthur resident Ariana Cherry, who has a daughter in high school, said she too would like to see how the candidates plan to equally fund school districts. She said some children have better access to education because of where they live.

"All children deserve a great education--- no matter what their ZIP codes are," Cherry said.

Jan Meadows, who retired after teaching for 36 years in Bloomington and Normal, said the disparity in education quality among school districts is a "civil rights issue," but she has heard little from Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump about this or other education issues.

Meadows said Clinton has offered familiar "rhetoric" about paying teachers more and starting education earlier for children. Meadows said Trump has emphasized charter and private schools, which she said would make U.S. education "lopsided" in favor of students who can attend these schools.

The U.S. government can't just "throw money at the problem" of how to provide equal education but should lead efforts to overhaul the way education is funded, Meadows said. For instance, she said Illinois schools are too dependent on property tax-based funding.

"The candidates have not really talked too much about education overall," said Amie Keeton, who has three children in the Bloomington school district.

Cherry said both Clinton and Trump worry her because of concerns about their trustworthiness and the "baggage" they bring with them. She said Clinton did have a good idea about providing chances for all children to learn computer science.

"Computers and advanced technology have become such a large part of our world in the workforce, and it is important that they have these skills as they grow into adults," Cherry said.

Lavonne Chaney, a retired middle school principal in Shelbyville, said she has some real concern whether Trump really understands the issues that are going on in education right now. She said Clinton has worked with education issues throughout her career, so she seems to have a better understanding.

Chaney said she is concerned about the large amount of time that is having to be spent preparing students for "high stakes tests" involving Common Core State Standards. She said cash-strapped school districts are dropping art, music, industrial arts, and other electives while focusing on these tests.

"I just think we are taking so many opportunities away for children to grow. We have to focus our curriculum to the test and put aside a lot of the curriculum that I think make our students well rounded," Chaney said.

Keeton said she is concerned about school districts having to meet state and federal mandates, such as preparing for Common Core and PARCC assessment tests, without having enough money allocated for these tasks.

With the prospect of having three children in college at the same time, Keeton said she knows firsthand that having affordable access to college is an important for issue for students and their parents.

Lassak, whose son is in high school, said many students have to fund their college education with loans and then spend years paying off this debt. Both Keeton and Lassak said they are interested in Clinton's proposal for debt-free college, but are unsure about how this idea would be implemented.

Meadows said a high school education no longer adequately prepares graduates for entering the modern workforce. She said students need a trade certification or college degree to succeed as professionals. She said a free junior college education should be part of the future of education.

During the presidential election season, Meadows said she has been unpleasantly surprised to see polled voters rank education issues as a low priority and the candidates not offer up a comprehensive education plan.

"People are concerned about the roads but not schools that are falling apart. I don't understand that," Meadows said.
By Kamara Osman Faisal, GNA

Nyankpala (NR), Oct 23, GNA - Professor Gabriel Ayum Teye, Vice-Chancellor of the University for Development Studies (UDS) has advised students to guard against potential manipulations by politicians for their selfish interest during the elections.

He, therefore, advised students to conduct themselves well, whiles on campus and take advantage of all opportunities available to them.

He warned that those who disregarded the University's regulations would not be spared.

Professor Teye gave the advice, in a speech read on his behalf, at UDS' 24th Matriculation at its Nyankpala Campus, near Tamale.

In all, a total 6,897 students were offered admission for the 2016/2017 Academic Year to pursue various degree and diploma programmes at UDS' four campuses, but only 3,136 registered for the courses.

The campuses are at Tamale, Nyankpala, Navrongo and Wa

Professor Teye advised students to set their priorities right to better plan their future because there was no better time than now.

He said the University's mandate was to train and equip students with the requisite skills for the world of work to help promote the growth and development of country and the world at large.

He, therefore, urged them to study hard to realise their dreams.

GNA
By Iddi Yire, GNA

Accra, Oct 23, GNA - Professor S. Kwame Offei, the Pro-Vice Chancellor, University of Ghana (UG), has called for better ways of educating and equipping Africa's future leaders in order to leapfrog the continent's socio-economic development.

Prof Offei, was speaking in Accra at a two-day international symposium for Harmonisation Initiative and Third General Meeting of the Turning Joint Africa-European Union (EU) Strategy in Higher Education.

He said the initiative was put together to address key areas of skills and competences for employability and transparency of curriculum, and to develop a common academic credit system.

He said teachings, learning and assessment related to the development of learning outcomes, quality assurance and enhance were also considered.

Prof Offei appealed to Africa's distinguished scholars and teachers to share their knowledge and experiences, and to also work on the implementation of new and revised degree programmes following the Turning methodology.

He also called for discussions on the computation of student workload and credit applied in member countries, and to attempt at developing a harmonised system.

The two-day meeting, which brought together 130 participants, was organised by the University of Ghana in collaboration with the Africa Union Commission (AUC) and the Association of African Universities (AAU), under the auspices of the EU.

The global objective of the work on higher education in the framework of the Joint Africa-EU Strategy is to contribute and support the harmonisation of higher education programmes and the creation of a revitalised, distinctive, attractive and globally competitive African higher education space, through enhanced intra-African collaboration.

Prof Offei said in upscaling the pilot on Harmonisation and Turning initiative, the project had sought to tag on the second element in Harmonisation, Quality and Accreditation.

"It is anticipated that by so doing, Africa Higher Education would have a harmonised accreditation, credit system and quality assurance mechanisms that would ultimately enhance student mobility and global competitiveness," he stated.

Mr William Hanna, the EU Ambassador to Ghana, said the EU was supporting the development of the Pan-African Framework for Quality Assurance and Accreditation in the next three years.

"We know that higher education requires a solid framework, which builds on institutional, national and regional specificities and at the same time provides a common language and understanding of each other's systems to build up mutual trust and transparency," he said.

Dr Beatrice Njenga, the Head of Education Division, AUC, said the Division sought to contribute towards revitalised, quality, relevant, and harmonised education systems responsive to the needs of Africa, taking into account Africa's aspiration and capacity in terms of human and material resources.

Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, a Deputy Minister of Education, in a speech read on his by Prof Mohammed Salifu, the Executive Secretary, National Council for Tertiary Education, said Africa needed to produce future leaders who would promote better governance and management in all sectors, and facilitate innovative solutions to society's problems.

"Universities are best placed to provide the trained labour force needed as the drive for knowledge-based economies takes hold on the continent," the Deputy Minister added.

GNA
Nairobi (AFP) - A group of 26 hostages freed from nearly five years in the hands of Somali pirates touched down in Kenya on Sunday, with both tears and smiles marking the end of their ordeal.

"Am so, so happy. Really, am so, so happy. For UN, for Mr John (negotiator), for all the world. Thanks to you all," said one of the hostages, Sudi Ahman.

The relief of the men was palpable, with some unable to hold back tears while others hugged each other and smiled broadly.

John Steed, coordinator of the Hostage Support Partners (HSP) who helped negotiate their release, had gone to the Somali city of Galkayo to fetch the crew of the Naham 3, who had been held hostage for longer than any other crew except one.

"We have been working on this for four-and-a-half years... it's great to bring them home and hand them over to their embassies and their families," said Steed.

A retired British colonel, Steed has made it his mission to rescue "forgotten hostages": poor fishermen with no insurance who are often left languishing the longest in the hands of pirates.

The crew were taken captive when their Omani-flagged vessel was seized in March 2012 south of the Seychelles.

The group of 26 freed hostages who arrived in Kenya on October 23, 2016 were the last remaining seafarers taken hostage at the height of Somali piracy

Pirates initially took 29 crew hostage, but one person died during the hijacking, and two more "succumbed to illness" during their captivity, said a statement from Oceans Beyond Piracy (OBP) on Saturday.

"We have achieved what we achieved today by getting elders, religious community and local leaders and regional government all involved to put pressure on these guys to release the hostages," said Steed.

The crew members are from China, Indonesia, Philippines, Cambodia and Taiwan and they were the last remaining seafarers taken hostage at the height of Somali piracy.

Only a crew of Thai fishermen, released in February last year after nearly five years in captivity, spent longer in the hands of Somali pirates.

Steed said the crew was malnourished and one of the hostages had a bullet wound in his foot, another had suffered a stroke and another had diabetes.

At the peak of the piracy epidemic in January 2011, Somali pirates held 736 hostages and 32 boats.

The 26 men who arrived in Kenya on October 23, 2016 after spending five years as Somali pirate hostages were from China, Indonesia, Philippines, Cambodia and Taiwan

According to the OBP, while overall numbers are down in the Western Indian Ocean, pirates in the region attacked at least 306 seafarers in 2015 .

While there has not been a successful attack on a commercial vessel since 2012, there have been several on fishing boats. There are still 10 Iranian hostages taken in 2015 and three Kenyan kidnap victims -- one a seriously ill, paralysed woman -- in the hands of pirates, said Steed.
The United State of America Embassy in Ghana has denied reports that Archbishop Duncan Williams has been banned from traveling to the U.S.

A tweet on the Embassys twitter handle Sunday read:

News about the respected Archbishop was trending on Social media on Sunday that he has been barred from entering the U.S by the Department of State.

According to the reports widely said to emanate from a USTODAY-TV website, the State Department is said to have condemned the founder of Action Chapel International, who has rebuked gay marriage and refused to officiate a gay marriage.

The Archbishop is said to have said gay marriage is a sin against Bible teachings.

The report further noted that one of the couple, an American getting married to his same-sex partner who happens to be a Ghanaian petitioned the United States Embassy of the Pastors refusal.

Marriages are meant for man and woman, not man and man. I do not officiate such marriages, Archbishop Williams is alleged to have told the United States Embassy when contacted.

-myjoyonline
- Primate Babatunde Ayodele called on Nigerians to pray hard to remove the curse on it

- The religious cleric said the murder of Tafawa Balewa was causing problem

- He also call on President Buhari and Bola Tinubu to mend their differences

Primate Elijah Babatunde Ayodele has said that Nigeria will never know peace due to the gruesome murder of Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa.

Balewa was the first prime minister in Nigeria but was assassinated in the first coup in January, 1966 by Igbo-dominated coup plotters.

READ ALSO: Buhari's end will not be good, it will troubleshoot'

Vanguard reports that the religious cleric said that Nigeria was going through problem due to the curse of killing the innocent man and warned that until prayers are rendered, the curse will remain.

Tafawa Balewa's death brought curse on Nigeria

Ayodele said he was not bothered when people call him fake as he has said many things in the past that came to pass.

He also called on President Muhammadu Buhari and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to med their differences as the All Progressives Congress would split if they fight which will give way to the Peoples Democratic Party.

He also called on Governor Adams Oshiomhole to be prayerful so that the Edo governor-elect, Godwin Obaseki would not give him problems.

He said:The bloodshed and challenges faced by the Buhari government to make Nigeria better are unfortunate, but the blood of the unjustly slain Nigerias first and only Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa is haunting Nigeria.

READ ALSO: In Christianity, our God fights for us - Apostle Suleman

The murder has placed a curse on Nigeria and that is why as much as the current government appears to be transparent and sincere people complain.

What Nigeria needs now is serious prayers; all religious groups in Nigeria should come together and pray in their respective ways for the curse placed on Nigeria by the gruesome murder of the innocent Tafawa Balewa to be removed.

The cleric took it hard on men of God across the country over their seeming silence as Christians are reportedly facing persecution in the country.

He specifically mentioned the Pastor Enoch Adeboye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Bishop David Oyedepo of the Living Faith Church and William Kumuyi of the Deeper Life Ministry of keeping quiet while Christians are facing tough times in the country.

Source: Legit.ng
Google Play Store will get another overhaul to its current rendition with 5.0.31 and 5.0.32. With the arrival of Android L, the vast majority of the Google Applications are getting attacked by the Material Outline dialect.

By: Pramg

Media Contact

Pramg

***@traidsoft.net

201065009638 Pramg201065009638

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-- Google Play Store will get another overhaul to its current rendition with 5.0.31 and 5.0.32. With the arrival of Android L, the vast majority of the Google Applications are getting attacked by the Material Outline dialect. Material Plan Idea is about paper impact. The UIs and screens resemble sheets of paper stacked or lying one next to the other. This overhaul brings the really far reaching update inside the Android's most recent material outline rules. The upgrade begins with the new "compliment"play store symbol and proceeds all through the application with the unfaltering hues, some solid activitys, huge pictures and better uses of shadows and shading.The application is being taken off in stages, so you may not be the first to get the overhaul yet. You can either open your play store now and again to be sufficiently fortunate catch the redesign or you can download and introduce all alone from related sites.In the wake of getting the redesign you will promptly see the new movements for the slide-in board and the recently related cheeseburger catch which changes to the way, the 'What's new' segment of the application posting is highlighted and legitimately shown. Application postings don't change themselves significantly, a ton of that has come in the last upgrade, however everything else like the list items and introduced applications list come up a great deal speedier.Aside from these masterful changes, upgraded play store feels somewhat rushed and still we have to see whatever other hacks, lulls or stacking screens. There is still an uncertainty whether this is the equitable movement trap or the genuine change, yet it feels absolutely better. 'What's new' segment is currently highlighted in green and once you tap on it, you are straightforwardly brought into the substance with no need to look down. It is a one-two punch capacity and plan which has energized us for the future Material outline overhauls of other Google applications.On the off chance that you are not seeing any upgrade of Google Play Store on your telephone, simply remain persistent. For the most part all the Google applications will be taken off for a couple of weeks in the wake of discharging. Give it a chance to come to you and you will soon get it and keep away from the issues in future by not having the weirdo rendition.What would you be able to expect later on?You can expect an immense deluge of Google applications being founded on this new type of innovation called Material Plan sooner rather than later. The attack may not simply stay to Google Applications.Surce: http://www.pramg.net/ 2016/04/Download- Market-Google- Play-...
We look forward to building on the legacy of the founding fathers of BPRS-NY has created since its inception in 1989.

By: Black Public Relations Society-New York

Phil Andrews BPRS-NY President

Contact

Black Public Relations Society-New York

***@gmail.com Black Public Relations Society-New York

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-- New York, New York  Phil Andrews takes the helm of Black Public Relations Society-New York. The Black Public Relations Society-New York is New York's Chief Image Maker and Strategist. BPRS-NY looks forward to continuing to be a pillar with the Urban Network in the Tri-State area fulfilling its mission of creating opportunities for multi-cultural professionals in the communication arena. Our goal is to continue to advocate for Black Professional in Public Relations, Corporate Communications, Investor Relations, Government Affairs, Community Relations, and other related fields."We look forward to building on the legacy of the founding fathers of BPRS-NY has created since its inception in 1989. We would like to give special acknowledgement to the Immediate Past President of BPRS-NY Kisha Barton; for we will be building on the mission, values, and goals they have entrusted to us in passing the torch of leadership to our newly established administration. We look forward to forming partnership with affiliate organizations, corporations and PR firms dedicated to diversity, and colleges and universities in New York." Phil Andrews, President BPRS-NY We look forward to hosting a variety of informative panels, workshop, and events geared towards opening the doors of access to more Black PR Professionals in the Public Relations Industry.President, Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, Inc. serving Nassau, Suffolk, Queens and Kings Counties.Phil Andrews is a two term Past President of the 100 Black Men of Long Island. Founded in 1974.serves as an international coalition focused on creating educational opportunities, promoting economic empowerment, addressing health disparities and creating positive mentoring relationships. As founder of P.A. Public Relations Company, Phil has been afforded the privilege to serve as Public Relations Director for a myriad of companies, community initiatives and professional organizations. Andrews' business acumen is often sought after by organizations that host major events, benefits and fundraisers.He has served on the Public Relations Committee for the Harlem Book Fair on Long Island {which attracted over 2000 participants in 2003), as Public Relations Committee Member of the New York Metro Black MBA Association and the 100 Black Men of Long Island. In 1995 and 1998, Mr. Andrews' excellence in his field garnered the Small Business Person of the Year award by two branches of the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce (Roosevelt and West Indian Chambers, respectivelHe has also received a number of proclamations and citations from notable political officials including former Nassau County Executive Thomas S. Gullotta, former Town of Hempstead Supervisor Richard Guardino and Assembly-woman Earlene Hooper Hill, 18th Assembly District of Long Island NY. In 2011, Phil Andrews was awarded the "Good Neighbor Award" by the Korean American Association of Greater New York.Phil's work has been featured in multi-platform publications includingHe is also featured ina book published by Mr. Robert Adams. Mr. Andrews is listed in Who's Who in Black America and International Who's Who. Prior to beginning his career in Public Relations, Phil was the Vice President and Marketing Director of the Haircut Hut franchise for more than ten years.Phil learned early on the importance of community and education. He was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York's Marcy Housing Development and attended Brooklyn Technical High School (one of the country's most recognized schools for academic excellence). After serving several years in the US Navy and Army Reserves, attendinghe graduated from paralegal school and began a nearly twenty year career in law enforcement. Community, Service and Education have been constant themes in his life.Andrews' drive is a profound concern for his community. This has led him to serve on several Boards of Directors includingthe Roosevelt Chamber of Commerce, Roosevelt Kiwanis and the West Indian Chamber of Commerce as the Public Relations Director. Mr. Andrews owns the Power Networking Business Seminar Series, a business network that builds viable connections between community and business. He continues to build networks in and across many an industry; but, none more important than that of the education and mentorship of young people. As a Certified Mentor, Phil Andrews' goals involve encouraging as many promising young men as possible by compelling them to serve with the very best of their minds and talents.For more information on the programs and activities of the Black Public Relations Society-New York or to request application for membership into BPRS-NY email us at bprsny@gmail.com. Visit us online at http://www.bprsny.wordpress.com
By: PR-BS Inc.

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-- DCOTA Invites Design Professionals & Design Enthusiasts to FALL MARKET 2016Thursday, November 10Celebrated Speakers at FREE Daylong Event Include Designers Tobi Fairley, Paula Grace Halewski& Daniel Pouzet(Dania Beach, FL  October 18, 2016) DCOTA today announced that the Design Center of the Americas is inviting design professionals and enthusiasts to FALL MARKET 2016, a full day of design demonstrations and discussions featuring top industry insiders. The FREE event will be held on Thursday, November 10, starting at 9 am.Showroom presentations at DCOTA's FALL MARKET 2016 will include:10 to 11 amDuralee  Suite C-100Keynote PresentationThe Business of Designwith Tobi FairleyWith a unique combination of colorful style and strong business acumen, Tobi Fairley has grown her brand to include consulting work and a series of various licensed collections in addition to running a full service design firm. Join us as she discusses the business of design, navigating the changing landscape of the industry and the process behind her new fabric collection with Duralee. Brunch to follow.11 am to NoonAdriana Hoyos  Suite C-350Tapas with TENAdriana Hoyos will introduce TEN, her newest collection. In addition to a product presentation, the showroom will offer attendees Tapas as snacks.Noon to 1 pmCentury Showroom  Suite B-228CEU PresentationHow to Build Strong Client Relationships for Your Success and Survivalwith Paula Grace HalewskiConsideration, patience, respect and trust are paramount in any professional relationshipyet can be challenging to gain and maintain. Paula Grace Halewski, an interior designer and consultant with Masters Degrees in both Clinical Social Work and Business Administration, will share tools to develop positive communication with clients, customers and colleagues. She will review touch points that are crucial to healthy, productive interactions. Understanding why a relationship derails and what can be done to prevent this, what's in our control and what's not and much more will be discussed in this dynamic, entertaining seminar.12:30 to 2 pmPPM Collections  Suite C-202Special 5-Course Lunch with Chef Corey CarrPPM Collections is hosting what has been described as the best lunch 15 years running at DCOTA with chef Corey Corr, who will astonish the culinary aptitude of attendees with a five-course menu plus adult beverages. Adapting to change is the hardest challenge in life, but PPM Collections has transformed the business as well as its showroom over the last three years. The company is a full service provider of lighting offering 70 lighting lines from recessed to landscaping. Offerings include furniture, linens and accessories. For more information, call 954.342.8004 or email: Paul@PPMCollections.com.2 to 3 pmDEDON  Suite C-120Keynote Presentation byDEDON's Nomadic Designer Daniel Pouzet3 to 4 pmCrestron Electronics, Inc.  Suite B-108CEU PresentationGet Your Shades On!3:30 pmDonghia  Suite C-250Hinson Truck Show4 to 5 pmTerrazzo and Surfaces  Suite A-124Organic Outdoor and TerrazzoExplore how to create Zen outdoor spaces with terrazzo, surfaces, pools, furniture and counters. Enjoy vegan appetizers and smoothies.Open House EventsAll day during FALL MARKET 2016, 13 key DCOTA showrooms will host an Open House for professional designers and design enthusiasts.9 am to 5 pmEdelman Leather  Suite C-272Kyle Bunting at Edelman LeatherJANUS et Cie  Suite A-123Entertaining CollectionsJoin JANUS et Cie for an open house showcasing their latest offerings for Fall and Winter. Shop the company's most popular furniture, textile and accessory collections, perfectly suited for entertaining and gifting this holiday season.J.D. Staron Galleries  Suite C-370Introducing J.D. Staron Galleries, Designers & Makers of Fine Carpets & Rugs in FloridaJeffrey Michaels  Suite A-168Come and see all the new arrivals, but give yourself plenty of time because there is so much to see. The showroom is cleaning out the closets and will be giving away free wallpaper remnants.Kravet  Suite B-180Kravet invites you to preview the latest collection from Canadian designer and television personality, Sarah Richardson. Featuring a beautiful array of patterns and bright, inviting colors, Richardson stays true to her signature aesthetic that perfectly blends classic influences with modern innovation for an overall luxurious experience.Lee Jofa/Brunschwig  Suite C-150The Shade Store  Suite C-158New Introductions at The Shade StoreTerrazzo and Surfaces  Suite A-124Mosaics and Terrazzo10 am to 5 pmAdriana Hoyos  Suite C-350Tapas with TENFALL MARKET participants are encouraged to stop by and view the newest collection TEN.11 am to 3 pmMichael Taylor Collections  Suite C-354Celebrate Luxury Living at its FinestCome and check out the newest collection of custom interior and exterior furniture, lighting, textile, wallcovering and fine accessories, while enjoying refreshments throughout the dayNoon to 5 pmJohn Rosselli & Associates  Suite A-128JASPER by Michael S. Smith1 to 5 pmBaker Furniture  Suite B-206Baker Introduces Jean-Louis DeniotIntroducing our new collection from famed French Designer Jean-Louis Deniot, exclusive to Baker Furniture. Attendees are invited to "Sit, Sip, Savor French Wines and accompanying Hors D 'Oeuvres."2 to 5 pmROMO  Suite C-162Kirkby Kouture: Fresh for FallAbout DCOTA:Available for Interview:Leia BoscoDCOTA Director of Marketing954.628.5613leia@dcota.comMedia Contact:Gary SchweikhartPR-BS, Inc.561.756.4298gary@pr-bs.net
Co-D Therapeutics, a University of Wisconsin-Madison spinoff, is developing a three-drug cocktail to battle a wide range of cancers. The first target for Co-D is angiosarcoma, a rare and lethal cancer that arises from blood vessels.

The company's submicroscopic package contains paclitaxel, a standard cancer drug, combined with two other drugs designed to reduce the resistance that often develops against chemotherapy drugs.

The triple-threat product was invented by two of Co-D's co-founders, chief scientific officer Glen Kwon, a professor of pharmaceutical science at UW-Madison, and chief medical officer Kevin Kozak, a radiation oncologist now at Mercy Health System in Janesville.

Kwon has been working on new drug carriers and combination cancer treatments for more than 20 years; Kozak is an expert on angioscarcoma.

Four patents on the candidate drug, called Triolimus, have been issued to the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF).

The Triolimus package is a double-layer structure called a micelle that is only 40 nanometers in diameter -- about 1/200 the diameter of a human hair. Each individual component of Triolimus has been tested in humans and several have Food and Drug Administration approval.

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Although paclitaxel and related cancer drugs derived from the Pacific yew tree are in widespread use, they usually require a toxic solvent that can cause dangerous anaphylactic shock in patients. The micelle technology eliminates the solvent and allows the simultaneous administration of other insoluble drugs.

If the product works against angiosarcoma, it could be used against breast, lung and other common cancers that are now treated with paclitaxel.

Chemotherapy drugs typically kill fast-dividing cells, and in recent years, they are combined with newer agents intended to moderate cancer's resistance.

The selection of agents in Triolimus followed this newer approach:

 The chemotherapy, paclitaxel, is a taxol drug that interferes with cell division and attacks fast-dividing cancer cells. The near-insolubility of taxol drugs in water has caused troublesome side effects and limited doses.  Rapamycin interferes with a signaling pathway that many cancers use to evade chemotherapy agents.  17-AAG is a candidate drug that inhibits drug resistance through a different mechanism.

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The result is a single, apparently safe package that can carry multiple drugs and, by eliminating the toxic solvents, allows for increased dosages.

The carrier technology is key to these benefits, Kwon says. "The micelle can safely deliver a really potent three-drug combination, even though all of them are insoluble in water."

To make the package containing its three-drug payload, "you simply mix the drugs with a solvent and water, remove the solvent under reduced pressure, and the micelles self-assemble," says Kwon. "You freeze-dry the product and when it's time to use it, you reconstitute it with water."

Kozak did research on angiosarcoma at the UW-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health. "I did postdoctoral research on blood vessel abnormalities in common cancers," he says. "This combined focus on blood vessels and cancer naturally led me to angiosarcoma."

In 2015, Co-D received FDA orphan drug designation for Triolimus, which will entitle the company to seven years of market exclusivity for treating angiosarcoma with it. Additional benefits include tax credits related to clinical trial expenses, potential exemption from the FDA user fee, and smaller trials than those required for standard new drug applications.

Research in an animal model of angioscarcoma showed a better outcome from the triple-drug Triolimus than for a micelle carrying paclitaxel alone. In both cases, the micelle permitted a paclitaxel dose three times above the standard dose.

Co-D is raising funds to complete preclinical studies and a phase I clinical trial with angiosarcoma patients. "We have a clear path to approval," says Abdalla Saad, company president and CEO. "Because of the rarity of angiosarcoma and the need of a more effective and safer treatment, we anticipate approval after phase II clinical trials."

Saad, who has a master's in biotechnology from UW-Madison, says, "Our research and development costs are low compared to costs for new chemical entities. The manufacturing method developed on campus will be transferred to a contract manufacturer for scale-up."

"There is no question that Triolimus will be effective, as it contains the most widely used anti-cancer agent in the history of man," says Kozak. "My expectation, based on the biochemistry and our preliminary data, is that it will significantly exceed the activity of paclitaxel. But even if it does not, the formulation reduces the need to give patients a toxic solvent, and that alone is a potential benefit."
A patient falling in a nursing home is considered a never event. It should never happen. But what if it does?

Its a big problem, said Paul Bauer, product manager for Lincoln startup Ocuvera. Medicare or Medicaid may not pay for care resulting from falls. Quality metrics may be impacted, bad things that can be really expensive.

Ocuvera is working to mitigate the risk of patient falls through software connected to a 3-D camera that alerts nurses when a patient is about to get out of bed. The system functions differently than other products that involve sensors in the bed itself.

Smart beds, by the time they go off, its too late to prevent a fall, Bauer said. They also have a lot of false alarms. Alarm fatigue is a big concern.

Instead of capturing conventional video, Ocuveras solution produces 3-D depth imaging, recording shapes of objects and movements.

Our software takes the signal from the camera and analyzes whats going on, Bauer said. Find the bed, find the patient, and consistently monitor 24/7.

Data collected during the monitoring process contribute to development of algorithms that can predict, with increasing accuracy, when a patient is about to get out of bed.

Our expertise is in the algorithms to try and predict when people are about to exit the bed, Bauer said. We can send an alarm to prevent something bad from happening.

The system does not require a staff person to be monitoring at a work station. Alarms are delivered directly to mobile devices carried by the nursing staff.

Right now, were providing the devices, Android phones, Bauer said. Long-term we want to integrate with existing systems. The fewer devices, the better.

Ocuvera is currently in product testing with hospitals in Nebraska.

Its about patients, nurses and their feedback, Bauer said. Were working with local hospitals around Nebraska to test and validate the product.

The feedback they have received so far has been positive.

Were really encouraged and excited by the initial results, Bauer said. At this point, its a matter of more patients, more nurses and more feedback to make it really useful.

Feedback is leading to some enhancements to the system.

There are always feature requests, Bauer said. Weve had to build out our customization. Were still refining that.

For example, feedback indicated that nurses want the ability to set patient-specific alarms depending on how concerned they are with a particular patient.

The software and algorithms are good enough, Bauer said. Its just making them work the way nurses need them to work with specific patients.

Ocuvera shares a platform and expertise with another Lincoln startup, EliteForm, a platform that provides real-time data analytics for athletes in the weight room. Both companies are part of the Nebraska Global portfolio.

A lot of people on this team built EliteForm, Bauer said. We all have pride in EliteForm, and we enjoy staying in touch with that product.

When does Ocuvera plan to go to market?

Our understanding of the road map in health care is first you do free pilots, then paid pilots, then to full sales of the system, Bauer said. Next year were hoping to move into the paid pilot phase.

Bauer said the Ocuvera team is undergoing some transitions to ensure the product gets deployed, used and is making a difference.

Weve identified a few people who have the aptitude for attention to detail that we can use to identify trends in feedback from hospitals, he said. Weve physically relocated some of our team members to another part of the office to reinforce the focus on being an external-facing employee.

Bauer hopes the product is important enough that it will gain traction once the team proves it can impact the problem.

If what we are doing works, if we can prevent a single fall, the system will have paid for itself, he said.
For the first time, an experiment has directly imaged electron orbits in a high-magnetic field, illuminating an unusual collective behavior in electrons and suggesting new ways of manipulating the charged particles.

The study, conducted by researchers at Princeton University and the University of Texas-Austin was published Oct. 21, in the journal Science. The study demonstrates that the electrons, when kept at very low temperatures where their quantum behaviors emerge, can spontaneously begin to travel in identical elliptical paths on the surface of a crystal of bismuth, forming a quantum fluid state. This behavior was anticipated theoretically during the past two decades by researchers from Princeton and other universities.

"This is the first visualization of a quantum fluid of electrons in which interactions between the electrons make them collectively choose orbits with these unusual shapes," said Ali Yazdani, the Class of 1909 Professor of Physics at Princeton, who led the research.

"The other big finding is that this is the first time the orbits of electrons moving in a magnetic field have been directly visualized," Yazdani said. "In fact, it is our ability to image these orbits that allowed us to detect the formation of this strange quantum liquid."

Fundamental explorations of materials may provide the basis for faster and more efficient electronic technologies. Today's electronic devices, from computers to cellphones, use processors made from silicon. With silicon reaching its maximum capacity for information processing, researchers are looking to other materials and mechanisms.

One area of progress has been in two-dimensional materials, which allow control of electron motion by breaking the particles away from the constraints of the underlying crystal lattice. This involves moving electrons among "pockets" or "valleys" of possible states created by the crystal. Some researchers are working on ways to apply this process in an emerging field of research known as "valleytronics."

In the current work, the strange elliptical orbits correspond to the electrons being in different "valleys" of states. This experiment demonstrates one of the rare situations where electrons spontaneously occupy one valley or another, the researchers said.

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The team at Princeton used a scanning tunneling microscope to visualize electrons on the surface of a bismuth crystal at extremely low temperatures where quantum behaviors can be observed. Because electrons are too small to be seen, the scanning tunneling microscope has a miniscule electrically charged needle that detects electrons as it scans the crystal surface.

Co-first authors Benjamin Feldman, an associate research scholar in Princeton's Department of Physics; Mallika Randeria, a graduate student in physics; and Andras Gyenis, a postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Electrical Engineering, conducted the experiments at Princeton. Huiwen Ji, a postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Chemistry, working with Robert Cava, Princeton's Russell Wellman Moore Professor of Chemistry, grew the exceptionally pure bismuth crystal.

Bismuth has relatively few electrons, which makes it ideal for watching what happens to a flow of electrons subjected to a high magnetic field. Despite its purity, the crystal Ji and Cava grew contained some defects. Roughly one atom was slightly out of place for every tens of thousands of atoms.

Normally, in the absence of the magnetic field, electrons in a crystal will flit from atom to atom. Applying a strong magnetic field perpendicular to the flow of electrons forces the electrons' paths to curve into orbit around a nearby defect in the crystal, like planets going around the sun. The researchers found that they could measure the properties, or wave functions, of these orbits, giving them an important tool for studying the two-dimensional soup of electrons on the surface of the crystal.

Due to the crystal's lattice structure, the researchers expected to see three differently shaped elliptical orbits. Instead the researchers found that all the electron orbits spontaneously lined up in the same direction, or "nematic" order. The researchers determined that this behavior occurred because the strong magnetic field caused electrons to interact with each other in ways that disrupted the symmetry of the underlying lattice.

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"It is as if spontaneously the electrons decided, 'It would lower our energy if we all picked one particular direction in the crystal and deformed our motion in that direction,'" Yazdani said.

"What was anticipated but never demonstrated is that we can turn the electron fluid into this nematic fluid, with a preferred orientation, by changing the interaction between electrons," he said. "By adjusting the strength of the magnetic field, you can force the electrons to interact strongly and actually see them break the symmetry of the surface of the crystal by choosing a particular orientation collectively."

Spontaneous broken symmetries are an active area of study thought to underlie physical properties such as high-temperature superconductivity, which enables electrons to flow without resistance.

Prior to directly imaging the behavior of these electrons in magnetic fields, researchers had hints of this behavior, which they call a nematic quantum Hall liquid, from other types of experiments, but the study is the first direct measurement.

"People have been looking at these states in a bunch of different contexts and this experiment represents a new way of observing them," said Allan MacDonald, a professor of physics at the University of Texas-Austin who contributed theoretical understanding to the study along with graduate student Fengcheng Wu, who is now at Argonne National Laboratory. "I'd done some work on a similar system together with former graduate students, Xiao Li, who is now at the University of Maryland, and Fan Zhang, now at the University of Texas-Dallas. When Yazdani's group showed me what they saw, I immediately recognized that they had identified a state that we had predicted, but in a completely unexpected way. It was quite a happy surprise."

The study gives experimental evidence for ideas predicted over the past two decades, including theoretical work by Princeton Professor of Physics Shivaji Sondhi and others.

Eduardo Fradkin, a professor of physics at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, contributed, along with Steven Kivelson, a professor of physics at Stanford University, to early predictions of this behavior in a paper published in Nature in 1998. "What Yazdani's experiments give us is a more quantitative test to explore the collective property of the electrons in this material," said Fradkin, who was not involved in the current study. "This is something we made arguments for, and only now has it been confirmed in this particular material. For me, this is very satisfying to see."
The following companies are subsidiares of Emerson Electric: A.P.M. Automation Solutions Ltd., AE Valves, AGI Mexicana S.A. de C.V., ALCO CONTROLS spol. s.r.o., APM Automation Solutions, ASC Investments Inc., ASCO (Japan) Company Limited, ASCO L.P., ASCO Numatics (India) Private Limited, ASCO Numatics Holding Inc., ASCO SAS, ASCO Valve (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., ASCO/JOUCOMATIC s.r.o., ATX SAS, Advanced Protection Technologies, Aegir Norge Holding AS, Alliance Compressors LLC, American Governor, Aperture, Apple JV Holding Corp., Appleton Electric LLC, Appleton Electric S.A. de C.V., Appleton Group, Appleton Group Canada Ltd., Appleton Grp LLC, Appleton Holding Corp., Appleton Holding Sarl, Artesyn Embedded Technologies, Artesyn Hungary Elektronikai Kft., Artesyn Technologies, Asco AB, Asco Controls AG, Asco Controls B.V., Asco Joucomatic Ltd., Asco Joucomatic ZA B.V., Asco Magnesszelep Kft., Asco Numatics GmbH, Asco Numatics S.A., Asco Numatics Sirai S.R.L., Asco Numatics Sp. z o.o., Ascomatica S.A. de C.V., Ascomation (NZ) Ltd., Ascomation Pty. 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OHG, Ridge Tool Manufacturing Company, Ridge Tool Pattern Company, Ridgid France SAS, Ridgid Italia S.R.L., Ridgid Online Inc., Ridgid Scandinavia A/S, Ridgid Werkzeuge AG, Rosemount China Inc., Rosemount Inc., Rosemount Measurement Limited, Rosemount Nuclear Instruments Inc., Rosemount Specialty Products LLC, Rosemount Tank Gauging India Pvt. Ltd., Rosemount Tank Gauging Middle East SPC, Rosemount Tank Gauging North America Inc., Rosemount Tank Radar AB, Rosemount Tank Radar Properties AB, Roxar, Roxar AS, Roxar Flow Measurement AS, Roxar Flow Measurement Sdn Bhd, Roxar Limited, Roxar Maximum Reservoir Performance W.L.L., Roxar Saudi Co., Roxar Services AS, Roxar Services OOO, Roxar Software Solutions AS, Roxar Technologies AS, Roxar Vietnam Company Ltd., Roxar de Venezuela C.A., Rutherfurd Acquisitions Limited, S.F.T. Group Ltd., SABO-Armaturen Service GmbH, Safety Systems UK Pte. 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BRUSSELSIf Belgium cannot break a deadlock over the European Unions landmark free deal with Canada by Monday night, EU leaders will consider cancelling a signing ceremony scheduled for later in the week, sources said Sunday.

Two officials with knowledge of the negotiations said Sunday that EU leaders plan to have telephone talks with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about cancelling the Thursday summit if Belgiums support for the deal isnt secured by the deadline.

The officials asked to remain anonymous because of the sensitivity of the talks

The deal needs unanimity among the 28 EU nations, and Belgium needs unanimity among its regions. The francophone region of Wallonia, population 3.5 million, has been the lone holdout and refused to approve the trade pact.

During the past week, Belgium missed two earlier deadlines and Canada briefly walked out of the trade talks before returning the next day.

Yet, if Trudeau is expected to sign at an official summit on Thursday, precious little time is left. Without the guarantee the EU is ready to finalize the deal, there would be no reason to have the summit, an EU official said.

The Belgian region of Wallonia has stood in the way of the CETA accord, short for Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement. The deal between over 500 million EU citizens and 35 million Canadians would eliminate almost all tariffs.

Politicians in Wallonia, which is smaller than the U.S. state of New Jersey, argue that the proposed deal would undermine labour, environment and consumer standards and allow multinationals to crush local companies. They have vowed to thwart a pact that the worlds biggest trading bloc and Canada are eager to secure.

New attempts were made to sway Wallonia leader Paul Magnette to sign on over the weekend.

Magnette said Wallonia still saw some small difficulties. A better deal would bolster EU standards and set a strong precedent for future trade talks between Europe and its trading partners, he said.

Canadas International Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland walked away from the talks Friday on the verge of tears, saying the EU appeared incapable of signing the deal. Yet, she came back for some discussions on Saturday.

EU leaders have warned that failure to clinch the deal with Canada could ruin the blocs credibility as a trade partner and make it more difficult to strike such agreements with the United States, Japan and other allies.

A similar free trade agreement being negotiated between the EU and the United States is facing far more opposition than the Canada pact. Progress on the American deal appears unlikely until a new U.S. president takes office in January.

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OTTAWAImagine Canada with a population of 100 million  roughly triple its current size.

For two of the most prominent voices inside the Trudeau governments influential council of economic advisers, its much more than a passing fancy.

Its a target.

The 14-member council was assembled by Finance Minister Bill Morneau to provide bold advice on how best to guide Canadas struggling economy out of its slow-growth rut.

One of their first recommendations, released last week, called for a gradual increase in permanent immigration to 450,000 people a year by 2021  with a focus on top business talent and international students. That would be a 50-per-cent hike from the current level of about 300,000.

The council members  along with many others, including Economic Development Minister Navdeep Bains  argue that opening Canadas doors to more newcomers is a crucial ingredient for expanding growth in the future.

They say its particularly important as more and more of the countrys baby boomers enter their golden years, which eats away at the workforce.

The conviction to bring in more immigrants is especially significant for at least two of the people around the advisory teams table.

Growth council chair Dominic Barton, the powerful global managing director of consulting firm McKinsey & Co., and Mark Wiseman, a senior managing director for investment management giant BlackRock Inc., are among the founders of a group dedicated to seeing the country responsibly expand its population as a way to help drive its economic potential.

The Century Initiative, a five-year-old effort by well-known Canadians, is focused on seeing the country of 36 million grow to 100 million by 2100.

Without significant policy changes on immigration, the current demographic trajectory has Canadas population on track to reach 53 million people by the end of the century, the group says on its website. That would place it outside the top 45 nations in population size, it says.

Barton believes the demographic challenge will make Canada increasingly irrelevant over time, particularly given its already-small population size.

Relevance is not just determined by your population, but its a factor given all the strengths we have, Barton, a sought-after expert who has consulted government and business leaders around the world, said in an interview.

Why wouldnt we make that a strength if our diversity and multiculturalism is a strength, but its winnowing away as were getting older? Why wouldnt we do the opposite and goose it?

He believes Canadas international influence would grow considerably with a bigger population. On top of that, Barton said the world would benefit from having a larger version of Canadas stable, diversified democracy and economy.

Its a big number  to me, its more of an aspirational number, he said when asked about the groups goal.

It would obviously change the country considerably. Its a different path ... But I dont think its crazy.

The discussions that eventually blossomed into Century Initiative began in 2011 during a weekend gathering of friends at Bartons cottage in Ontarios Muskoka region, north of Toronto.

Sitting near the edge of Lake of Bays, surrounded by the Canadian Shield, they started brainstorming about the best ways to shelter the countrys economy from the gathering, predictable demographic storm.

Barton said the first informal get-together was followed by a few other meetings, including two group treks into the High Arctic.

We were total nerds, basically, he said of their talks about the costs and benefits of increasing immigration.

The idea evolved and the group hired staffers and started funding research into the topic.

Barton sees a dovetail between some of the ideas behind the Century Initiative and the growth council, but he says they are separate.

In fact, behind the closed doors of the growth council meetings, Barton said the Century Initiatives 100-million goal didnt come up.

He did acknowledge that he and Wiseman were among the biggest proponents behind the immigration-boosting idea that the group presented to Morneau.

Probably because Mark and I have been in (Century Initiative) were obviously more naturally bullish towards it, said Barton, who also noted that there was a lot of debate on the scope of the immigration proposal.

Some people in the room wanted a more-aggressive approach, while others were nervous about moving too quickly, he added.

The Liberal government has committed to increasing immigration, but the cabinet minister in charge of the dossier has indicated that raising it to 450,000 in five years is likely too ambitious.

We have an aging population, we have labour shortages, but there are also constraints, John McCallum, who will announce Ottawas 2017 target on Nov. 1, said last week.

It costs a lot of money. If we have more immigrants, we want to integrate them well.

His cabinet colleague, Bains, recently told a policy conference that the government is encountering public pushback on its immigration plans from Canadians who fear for their jobs.

Bains urged the mostly business and academic crowd to help sell the idea of increasing immigration as a driver of prosperity and opportunity.

Barton said while theres still nearly a full century to hit the 100-million mark, he stressed the country needs get started soon.

You read about (former prime minister Wilfrid) Laurier  it was supposed to be Canadas century, Barton said of the 1900s.

Canada did pretty well, but I dont think we can say it was Canadas century.

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Porter Airlines CEO Robert Deluce is still holding on to the idea of flying CSeries jets one day, but knows its probably a far-off dream.

Weve kept our CSeries conditional order in place, leaving those deposits with Bombardier. Dont read too much into that, said Deluce, during an interview at his office at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport as his airline marks 10 years in business on Sunday.

On our part, were keeping all of our options open, he said, though he quickly adds there are no discussions under way to get jets at the island airport.

Well wait until there is a better climate to talk about CSeries in the future, if that opportunity presents itself, he said.

Thats a reference to whether there might some day be the political will  either at city hall or Ottawa  to allow jets and extend the runway at Torontos island airport.

In April 2013, Porter announced it wanted to move beyond regional flying by buying Bombardiers new CSeries jets, which would allow much longer ranges, as far as Vancouver or Los Angeles, from the downtown Toronto airport.

But after a series of public consultations and studies, stretching over years, the idea was quickly nixed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus government when it took office a year ago.

Within weeks, Transport Minister Marc Garneau made it clear, with an unusual nighttime tweet, that the Liberals would not reopen the tripartite agreement, which governs the airports operations. That meant Porters dream of jets was over.

Now, almost a year later, Deluce said the airline is focused on a different growth plan, centred on its Q400 turboprops.

It already owns 26 planes, outright, thanks to cash garnered in the sale of the terminal building last year. And it is buying three more planes, with two due to arrive in December and one in February.

But the airline wont be announcing new routes. Rather, using those planes will help improve frequency of some routes, during peak morning and afternoon flights, and offer flexibility for maintenance schedules or in the event of mechanical problems or weather woes.

Our growth now is in a different form, and it will work well, Deluce said. Its slower growth. But its good growth.

As a privately held company, Porter doesnt disclose its financials or how full its planes are, but Deluce said its load factors are higher this year than a year ago, crediting it in part to the pedestrian tunnel that opened in July 2015.

PortsToronto, which operates the island airport, said the chapter on jets is firmly closed, with attention now focused on other issues.

Spokesperson Deborah Wilson pointed to the resurfacing of the main runway, which was done at night during the summer, so commercial flights could still operate during the day.

Inch for inch it is exactly the same, Wilson said, adding work is getting underway for a new ground run-up enclosure facility.

PortsToronto has also just announced it has approved a 27,000-square-foot expansion of the passenger terminal, now owned by Nieuport Aviation Infrastructure Partners. That will include bigger lounges and room for more retail, including food and beverage, as well as one extra gate, which will be used when there are weather delays.

The lounges are bursting at the seams, especially on days when there are delays, Wilson said. You have passengers sitting on the floor.

Brian Iler, a spokesperson for CommunityAir, a citizens group, said PortsToronto did not inform area residents about the terminals expansion plans.

Its 27,000 square feet. Thats massive, he said. Whats shocking to me is that they give these consents to Porter without consideration to the public interest, Iler said.

The terminal renovations will also set aside room for U.S. customs, as the airport expects to get the go-ahead for preclearance in Canada, where passengers clear customs before departure, allowing planes to land at U.S. domestic airports.

Although the move was announced with much fanfare by both the previous Conservative government as well as during Trudeaus first trip to Washington earlier this year, implementation requires legislation by both governments.

Continued logjams at the U.S. Congress have not helped, and it is unclear whether this would be a top priority for lawmakers after the Nov. 8 general election.

If there was preclearance, it would open up a number of U.S. airports, and Porter could continue to expand to some degree, said Bill Morrison, associate professor of economics at Wilfrid Laurier University.

They could fly into U.S. domestic airports that dont have customs operations such as Washingtons Reagan airport, he said.

Although Porter flies to Washingtons Dulles airport, it is in the suburbs of Virginia. Similarly, Porter flies to Newark airport in New Jersey, but it would like to fly into New Yorks LaGuardia Airport, where both Air Canada and WestJet operate.

Flying into domestic airports could give Porter some additional routes, but Morrison said the airline is still limited by the range of the Q400.

Porter has begun flying into the Orlando Melbourne airport near Port Canaveral, Fla., but it has had to cap passengers at about 60, though the plane has room for 74 passengers.

Originally, Porter capped passengers at 50, but it has determined it can carry about 60 to Florida and 62 back to Toronto.

While that has worked with the Florida flights, and it might work in some markets, Deluce said its not the expansion answer.

When you have an airplane that is designed to carry 74 passengers, you should be attempting to carrying as close to the 74 passengers as possible, he said. Thats where your best economics are.

Deluce noted that the airport in Florida is a secondary airport. Flying fewer passengers per plane might not be viable at main airports like Orlando or Fort Lauderdale.

Rick Erickson, managing director of RP Erickson and Associates, admitted that a decade ago he  like other aviation analysts  was skeptical that Porter could succeed.

But the Toronto island airport is the one key variable in why it works. That model, you couldnt pick it up and make it work elsewhere, Erickson said. Its a very pronounced presence in the heart of the countrys largest city.

Robert Kokonis, president of aviation consultancy AirTrav Inc., said at Porters launch, its strength was the island airport. Now its their weakness, they have boxed themselves into a corner, he said.

While Porter could still take its CSeries jet order and operate a separate hub at Pearson airport or another city, it would face direct competition from Air Canada and WestJet.

It would not be pretty, and they wouldnt have the network or deep pockets to go head to head, Morrison said.

By contrast, Billy Bishop airport has limited slots, with the bulk going to Porter. Air Canada only holds 30 slots, flying only to Montreal.

Other analysts said if Porter does an initial public offering, as it tried previously and then abandoned, it could raise the necessary equity for a fight.

Deluce said he is still considering an IPO, but no work is underway, arguing the timing has to be right.

It isnt inconceivable at some point in the near future that we will look again at an IPO. Technically, we dont need the cash because we are sitting with (a) significant amount of cash on our balance sheet, he said.

It is a useful way of ensuring we have access to public financing for the future should we ever require it, he said.

Thats something well try to achieve at some point over the next while, he said, adding next while could be a year or longer or a couple of years.

While the jet dream may be on hold, analysts say the door could always be opened at some point if politicians could be swayed.

Im sure Porter will continue to press for it, to open that line of communication, said Wilfrid Lauriers Morrison, noting that the agreement that governs the airport is due to expire in 2033.

Conversations will open up again, he said, adding there would be lots of lobbying, especially from the airport, which is spending millions on renovations, to ensure it remains open.

Community Airs Iler argues PortsToronto should already be looking at other uses for the airport lands.

A public agency, steward of very significant public assets, that has the public interest in mind would surely be required to assess the alternatives, and do the planning, he said.

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Robert Motherwell was the youngest of the Abstract Expressionist painters, whose work overtook the art world in the 1950s. And Atavistic Presence is a painting from late in the life of the artist who died in 1991.

The 1977 painting, which isnt often shown, is now on view at the Sheldon Museum of Art, hung in a room by itself, inviting study and contemplation for one of the museums most notable holdings.

In the rooms wall label, Sheldon connects Atavistic Presence to Motherwells Iberia paintings, a series he began in 1958 after a visit to Spain. Those paintings largely revolved around bullfights, with imagery derived from bulls, usually in black, seen against tan sand.

In Atavistic Presence, the abstract image, which could easily be interpreted as bull-like, is of a dark brown -- only a few strokes of black are found on the canvas -- over a tan/ochre ground.

That palette is pure Motherwell -- I belong  to a family of black painters and earth color painters in masses, which would include Manet, Goya and Matisse, he once wrote.

And the execution of the piece is classic Motherwell as well -- thin, acrylic paint sent across the canvas with still visible, energy-filled brushstrokes.

A wall-sized work, Atavistic Presence has, sorry, the presence to dominate the room -- and the depth to warrant lengthy study.

The paintings title links it to Motherwells Elegy to a Spanish Republic series that he worked on for decades. In discussing that work with the New York Times in 1984, Motherwell said:

I think there's a real atavism because once, at the age of 20, when I was in Scotland with my father, we were driving up a hill and there was a herd of sheep in the way. And the shepherd then began to play his bagpipes. And the sheep began to move, or the dogs began to move them, and something went through me, hearing those bagpipes, like a primal ... I don't know.''

The implied throwback of the title likely sets the imagery in memory of his previous Spanish-themed work -- and in the eras that came well before he put brush to canvas in his Connecticut studio.

It is notable that Atavistic Presence cant be found in either of the catalogs of Sheldons painting collection. The painting, acquired from Motherwells Dedalus Foundation, came to the museum in 1994, after the publication of its comprehensive 1988 catalog. And Hotel Flora, a 1950 painting that also has links to the Elegy series, was chosen to represent Motherwell in 2014's selective Painting from the Collection of the Sheldon Museum of Art."

But it is a painting that needs to be seen and noted. As Motherwell told the Times, his late work was comparable to his earlier pieces -- and perhaps was even stronger:

''You can take some of the last paintings and put them with those at the beginning of my career. The pictures may have got bigger, and broader in execution, as happens with artists when they get older, but I think I have remained true to my nature of painting. I know that a work is good when I get from it the shock of recognition of my own feelings -- I have such a reputation for being an intellectual that it tends to be underestimated how my final judgments relate to feeling. All the arts have to do with the world of the senses, and it doesn't mean that they don't have ideas, but the ideas are never first.''
Berlin-based Robert Seethaler came on North Americas literary radar when his 2014 novella, A Whole Life, a bestseller in his native Austria, was shortlisted for the Man Booker International prize earlier this year. Now his previous novel, The Tobacconist, an even bigger bestseller, has been made available in translation. The two books are alike in being male coming-of-age stories whose fatherless protagonists are forced, due to unexpected circumstances, to leave home and make a life for themselves. Both are also innocents who get sideswiped by their first experience with love; neither relationship ends well.

Set in 1937, on the eve of Germanys annexing of Austria, The Tobacconist begins with 17-year-old Franz Huchel travelling by train to Vienna, his newly widowed mother having arranged for an apprenticeship with a former lover, a tobacconist and one-legged veteran of the previous war. Because Otto Trsnyek (who doesnt smoke) believes knowledge of world events to be key to his profession, Franzs main assignment is to read the shops newspapers cover to cover every day.

When a salty, gap-toothed stripper named Anezka leaves Franz deeply lovesick, he turns to the shops most distinguished customer, Sigmund Freud, for advice. Freud, at 82, is well into a cranky dotage, but his irritation slowly gives way to fondness for his hapless young admirer. Their gentle, funny interactions are The Tobacconists greatest asset.

Franzs seeming good fortune ends when Otto Trsnyek is taken away and killed by the Gestapo for serving Jews (making Franz, for a time, the de facto tobacconist). Disgusted with local displays of anti-Semitism and Fuhrer-mania, and fearful for his new-found friend and mentor, Franz takes enjoyment in small acts of defiance. One of these is posting his dreams  which he has been writing down at Freuds urging  daily in the shop window. When Freud and his daughter Anna announce that theyre leaving Austria for England, Franzs disillusionment deepens.

The novels meandering, non-committal plotline will be familiar to readers of A Whole Life, as will Seethalers tonal see-sawing between pathos and goofy humour. The latter is, there as here, a blessing and a curse. The Tobacconist is an amiable, sweet novel undermined, on occasion, by its own aspirations to profundity.

Emily Donaldson is the editor of Canadian Notes & Queries

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In a cavernous conference room one block from the White House, next door to the National Press Club, more than 200 people gathered together in the final minutes before the third presidential debate.

An overwhelming majority were women, most with plenty of gray hairs. A few wore velvet hats studded with feathers.

How is Mr. Darcy? one attendee asked another. The response came in the form of a quickly procured Facebook photo of a beloved dog named after a beloved, if fictional, man.

So it goes in the alternate universe taking over Pennsylvania Avenue this weekend. This is the Annual General Meeting of the Jane Austen Society of North America. Here, no dress is too high-waisted, no Colin Firth joke is left unsaid.

As the presidential debate got underway, the self-professed Janeites at Washingtons JW Marriott Hotel were glued to their seats for a presentation on the Folger Shakespeare Librarys current exhibit, Will & Jane. At least three audience members chose to knit as they listened, another strategically placed a soft pillow behind her back.

In Las Vegas, Chris Wallace was greeting the candidates. In the District, the floor was just being opened for pressing questions.

The first was this: Did you think of keeping the shirt wet? The shirt, of course, is the body-hugging white cotton number that Firth wore as he dreamily emerged from a lake in the 1995 BBC miniseries Pride and Prejudice.

Answer: There was talk of using a vegetable mister to keep the shirt damp, but it was deemed curatorially unsound, according to Janine Barchas, one of the exhibits two curators. She also requested that visitors who go to see the shirt please refrain from defacing its glass case with lipstick marks.

More than 850 Austen enthusiasts are expected to descend on Washington this weekend to celebrate their favourite author, who died 200 years ago next July. And it is not lost on the scholars in attendance that Austen is currently experiencing a revival of interest similar to the one Shakespeare saw 200 years after his death. That phenomenon greatly elevated his stature  and theyre hoping that this one will do the same for her.

Together, the Janeites are a happy, passionate bunch who look like English professors and retired court transcriptionists and react with great enthusiasm to statements like this: Librarians are awesomeness. They just are.

Debra Roush, co-ordinator of the event which has not taken place in Washington since 1990, attributes Austens sustained popularity to her understanding of the human psyche. She saw people for what they are  noble and good, foolish and useless, says Roush, who is in possession of the exacting elocution that one would expect of an Austen conference chairwoman.

Usually, the organization sees a spike in membership whenever a new Austen-inspired movie hits theatres. But in recent years, Roush says, interest in Austen has remained steadily high, prompting her to remark that were just very lucky to be living at this time. (Note to our international readers: This is not how most Americans feel at the present juncture.)

But Janeites are not most Americans. At least not this weekend, when, as Roush puts it, they have a chance to get away from all the hideousness.

Instead, the Janeites can focus on learning to make Elegant Cards for Every Occasion. Or they can participate in serious scholarly discussions of Emma, the novel picked to headline this years conference. They might practice set dances from the Regency period in preparation for Saturday nights ball. Or they could learn about the medicine practiced during Austens lifetime. (Its not pretty, Roush warns. They put leeches in some very intimate places.) They can shop for floor-length gowns or pick up a new bumper sticker encouraging fellow drivers to Read Jane Austen, Yall!

And perhaps most importantly, they can just be together, united by their shared Austenthusiasm.

Take Lena Ruth Yasutake, a teacher and theatre director from Bridgeport, Conn. She found out just two weeks ago that she was off the waiting list and would be able to attend the conference. I was hyperventilating, she says. My boss was right there. She was like, Are you okay? 

Yasutake, 33, has dyslexia, and as a child, she says, I hated reading. It was a huge struggle for me. But after seeing the movie Clueless, which takes its plot from Emma, she was determined to make her way through the original novel.

And by the time I finished it, I had discovered the joys of reading, she says. And Ive been in love with [Austen] ever since.

What keeps Yasutake coming back to the books are the human truths they seem to reveal. So many of the themes are universal. And yes, all of her characters have happy endings, and yes, all of her characters end up married. I know. But I feel like the focus of the stories is really on self-discovery, she says. Plus, I think she was the first feminist who really used humour. People were too busy enjoying the narrative and laughing at the characters to realize she was presenting these really complex heroines that werent wilting flowers and had rich minds and developed lives all on their own.

This is Yasutakes first Austen conference, but by Thursday morning, it already felt like home.

Ive always been kind of like a weird kid who dresses up in vintage clothing and period clothing and designs costumes and reads old French literature, she says. And meeting so many people who are just like me? Its so great.

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The array of sticky notes on the wall above the desk in Sandra Rechicos west end studio lay out what lies ahead in stark black letters on hot pink: MOVE, SELL, TOSS, STORE, HOME.

Everything here will be labelled with one or other, but the conspicuous absence of STAY is most important. On September 30, Rechico, along with a couple of dozen other tenants at 224 Wallace Ave, were given eviction notices by Bilnia Inc., the propertys owner, giving them 30 days to vacate. The reason: To make way for Ubisoft, the France-based video gaming corporation, to expand its footprint in the building.

Commercial spaces for people like us seem to be over in this city, shrugs Rechico, an artist and professor at the University of Guelph. Shes sitting here, amid the boxes and garbage bags in her soon-to-be-former studio, with a group of neighbours in the same boat: Mark Binks, a photographer; Roula Partheniou and Michael Antkowiak, both artists; and Gideon Naf, whose independent publishing operation sits in the studio next door. We have  literally  metric tonnes of equipment in there, says Naf, gloomily. Were too bulky to be a travelling circus.

Painful though it may be, Bilnias abrupt notice is perfectly legal (the company did not respond to a request for comment). According to the scant regulations governing commercial real estate, 30 days is the minimum requirement for notice to vacate. The landlord is under no legal onus to provide cause, and no regulation restricts the amount a property owner can charge for its spaces.

All of this makes 224 Wallace no more than the current chapter in the long-running story of the citys ongoing purge of grassroots creative enterprise. According to commercial real estate statistics provided by the Toronto Real Estate Board, commercial space in the citys west end has increased on average from $15.89 per square foot (annually) for spaces under 1,000 square feet in 2006 to $26.44 in the third quarter of this year.

For Ana Bailao, councillor for Ward 18, where the building sits, its a worrying trend. Its a hot topic right now, Bailao says. Of course we want to attract companies like Ubisoft, but how can we maintain that element of independent, creative operators, who made our neighbourhoods attractive in the first place?

Bailaos ward, which includes Queen, College, Dundas, Bloor and Dupont Sts. west of Dovercourt Rd., has been a flashpoint of such evictions of people and purpose for years, with many such episodes becoming fractious, highly public affairs. Most recently, a precipitous rent hike at 223 Sterling Rd. sent dozens of creative entrepreneurs scrambling just as the Museum of Contemporary Art finalized its plans to move in.

But the tremors began more than a decade ago here. In 2006, 48 Abell St., a 100,000-square-foot brick warehouse near Queen Street West and Dovercourt Rd , had housed hundreds of artists and other small creative enterprises for decades when its owner sold it for redevelopment.

It became a local cause celebre, energizing area residents into an activist group, Active 18, who lobbied for responsible development ward-wide. The end result was a workable compromise: A cratering of 48 Abell in favour of a condo tower, but one Active 18 was able to lever the citys Section 37 provision into including 70 permanent live-work spaces for various creative workers.

It was done under the management of Artscape, a not-for-profit developer that promotes ownership for such independent workers as artists and other culture industry workers. Ownership, however, is rarely an option for a group whose activities put them at the low-end of the economic ladder. According the Canada Council for the Arts, those describing themselves as artists make an average of $32,800 per year, 32 per cent less than the overall labour force.

Its a simple fact that makes rent a necessity for people in the sector. And in a place that has embraced the popular notion of creative city economics espoused by Richard Florida of the Martin Institute for Prosperity, skyrocketing commercial rents have had an unintended irony, having all but purged such workers from the core.

Provincial incentives that have lured businesses like Ubisoft into the city  under former premier Dalton McGuinty, in 2009 the province gave $263 million over 10 years to Ubisoft, a $2 billion corporation, to set up shop here  are non-existent for smaller operators, a fact they often decry.

What they dont seem to understand is that were businesses, too, said Partheniou, surrounded by stacks of boxes in her own studio. We have deadlines, we employ people, we contribute.

At the city government level, Bailao says, little can be done. Powerful tools like rent control, which protect residential tenants from sudden rent hikes, are managed at the provincial level. For commercial property, no such rent protections exist, leaving commercial tenants of all scales vulnerable to property owners determination of what they believe the market will bear.

Nonetheless, Bailao says, a recent motion by Ward 20 councillor Joe Cressy has broken the ice on what tools the city might have on hand to relieve some of that pressure.

Spurred by the sudden commercial gentrification of Kensington Market, which in the past decade has been shedding its long-time tenants of vegetable stands, butchers and fish stores for boutiques and cafes, Cressy asked city staff to study the possibility of introducing tax incentives for property owners to lease space to smaller, independent operators, not big-footprint corporate tenants.

Bailao has some hope that such an incentive, applied city-wide, might have some impact on the commercial real estate pressure-cooker her Ward has become. Can we look at incentivizing specific businesses? Thats the kind of thing were looking at, she says.

She points to a recent development application for 440 Dufferin St., a long, low-slung brick warehouse slated to become three condominium towers.

The city opposed the development, so the developer appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board. Through negotiation, the developer got what it wanted, but so did the city: An allowance for a permanent space in the new building for a small-scale manufacturing incubator on the first and second floors. Those buildings are packed with those kinds of people  small businesses, fabricators, artisans, artists, Bailao says. And were losing them. So the onus is really on us to create some kind of solution.

Back on Wallace Ave., any solution Bailao can nudge forward will come far too late, and Rechico resigns herself to the task at hand. I really thought we would have more time here. I guess I was putting my head in the sand, she says. Its the regulators, not the property owners, that have failed them here, she says. I dont fault Bilnia, she says. I just find it incredibly frustrating that theres nothing in place to provide small creatives some kind of security.

Nearby, Mark Binks, a photographer, contemplates his immediate future. We have to accept the fact that well be homeless for a while, he says, standing in the broad expanse of studio space with towering, brand-new windows, freshly-installed to be enjoyed by someone other than him. Ive given up on being in a cool neighbourhood. Pretty soon, there will be nowhere left to move to at all.

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Dreaming of a glamorous getaway worthy of Hollywood royalty? It doesnt get much better than Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burtons legendary love nest in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Known as Casa Kimberly, this luxury boutique hotel features nine suites spread among two casitas on a cobblestone hillside.

Storied suites

The intimate hotel offers spacious and elegant suites that overlook Banderas Bay and the colonial city of Puerto Vallarta. Rooms are designed to feel regal  each has been individually decorated and appointed with antiques, crystal chandeliers, hand-painted tiles and spacious patios with Jacuzzis and plunge pools. Several original and delightful details remain intact following the hotels extensive restoration, including a pink marble heart-shaped tub that had been commissioned by Taylor.

Alfresco dining

Casa Kimberlys open-air fine dining restaurant, The Iguana, features a blend of modern and traditional Mexican cuisine. Guests enjoy extraordinary views and the sea breeze, while a dozen crystal chandeliers gently chime overhead. Executive chef Eduardo Michaga Lucero has created a tempting menu that blends classic Mexican dishes with modern culinary influences, as well as fresh, local and seasonal ingredients. The restaurants understated elegant atmosphere has been inspired by traditional Colonial Mexican design and accented with sparks of Hollywood glamour.

Bottoms up

A petite tequila bar features an antique mirror bar back and a curated selection of dozens of highly regarded and rare tequilas and mezcals. A resident tequila expert is on hand to teach visitors the art of enjoying Mexicos most famous spirit. Scheduled tequila tasting classes are available for hotel guests and private sessions can also be arranged on request. A full bar, including cocktails made with local fruits and spices, and a wine list of renowned Mexican labels is also available.

Boutique spa

Across a grand terrace and tucked into a private corner on the property are two luxurious spa suites that each accommodate two guests and feature a private Jacuzzi. The CK Spas menu of luxurious spa treatments highlights the natural healing powers of agave and other locally sourced ingredients. Appointments can be customized for each guest and services include skin care, nail care, body treatments, and aromatherapy and specialty spa baths to soothe the body and calm the mind.

Puente del Amor

Early in their tumultuous love affair, Burton arranged for Taylor to stay in Casa Kimberly directly across the street from his own casita, and built a bridge connecting the two. Known as the Puente del Amor (Bridge of Love), the famous bridge has been restored to its former glory, a result of the hotels renovation. The bridge had originally been designed to be a replica of the Bridge of Sighs in Venice, and still connects the two villas that together make up Casa Kimberly.

Love story

Burton first visited the sleepy fishing village of Puerto Vallarta in 1962 to star in director John Hustons classic film The Night of the Iguana. Swept up in a whirlwind and scandalous romance with Taylor  married to Eddie Fisher at the time  the pair regularly escaped to Mexico together to evade the paparazzi. He gifted Casa Kimberly to Taylor for her 32nd birthday in 1964.

Today, the average nightly rate is $790 (Canadian).

Denise Dias (denisediasto@gmail.com ) is a Toronto writer.

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Two years after Canada was rocked by a lone gunmans attack on Parliament Hill, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the incident showed (him) yet again that our diversity and collective love of democracy are what make our country strong and our nation great.

Trudeau released a written statement Saturday, to mark the second anniversary of Michael Zehaf-Bibeaus assault on the National War Memorial and Parliaments Centre Block.

This vicious attack, at the very heart of our democracy, sought to frighten and divide Canadians, Trudeau wrote. Instead it had the exact opposite effect, drawing us closer together and making us stronger.

Trudeaus statement also mourned the loss of Cpl. Nathan Cirillo, the 24-year-old soldier from Hamilton, Ont., who was shot and killed by Zehaf-Bibeau while standing guard at the war memorial, and Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent, the 53-year-old soldier killed in an unrelated hit-and-run attack in Quebec just two days earlier.

Trudeau was far from the only Canadian marking the solemn anniversary.

Social media was awash Saturday with tributes to Cirillo and Vincent. On Twitter, Trudeau suggested Canadians honour the lives of Corporal Cirillo & Warrant Officer Vincent by defending the values they personified.

Stephen Harper, who was Prime Minister at the time of the shootings, posted a photo of him and his wife with heads bowed at the Canadian Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the site of the shooting that killed Cirillo.

Remembrances for Cirillo, Vincent

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Sexual health advocates are intent on making Canada the most permissive country in the world for a heavily regulated abortion pill expected to hit shelves next month.

Mifegymiso has been available elsewhere for nearly 30 years and is approved for use in more than 60 countries with varying restrictions.

In some cases, that includes the demand that only a doctor be allowed to hand the drug to the patient  rather than a pharmacist  and that the woman swallow the pill at a clinic in front of her physician, instead of privately in the comfort of her own home.

It appeared similar restrictions were imposed when Health Canada approved the drug, but ongoing pressure seems to be loosening several key conditions as its expected November debut approaches.

The federal regulator issued a clarification last week stressing that a woman does not need to ingest the drug in front of a doctor at a clinic, as is required in the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands and Sweden.

And the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia vowed to allow its pharmacists to dispense the drug, as is allowed in Australia under certain conditions. Pharmacists are not allowed to dispense the drug in the United States, U.K., France, the Netherlands or Sweden.

Meanwhile, a call-to-action led by the B.C. doctors and advocacy groups including the Ottawa-based Action Canada for Sexual Health & Rights is hammering away at other perceived hurdles to accessibility: including its $300 cost, certification requirements for the prescribing doctors, and limiting use to no more than seven weeks after a womans last period.

Why should abortion medication be subject to that scrutiny? It shouldnt be, executive director Sandeep Prasad said of the myriad restrictions on the drug, also known as RU-486.

Its only the case because it is abortion that were talking about and people have problems with that, people are against it and thats really the issue. Its a stigmatized service and thats really unfortunate.

A spokesman for Health Canada said guidelines are based on data provided by the drugs Canadian distributor, Celopharma Inc., and cannot be changed without a revised submission from the company.

For its part, Celopharma said its working on a revision that would increase the drugs recommended use to nine weeks after a womans last menstrual period. The United States currently permits use up to 10 weeks.

It also expressed intent to let pharmacists handle the drug themselves.

Mifegymiso should be treated like any other medication in so far as dispensing directly to the patient, president Paula Tenenbaum said by email. Pharmacy dispensing allows for greater minimization of risks, diminishes the gap between rural and urban access.

The company said its also including an explicit reference to the possibility of telemedicine as an option for medical supervision, since access to abortion services in rural and remote areas has been especially contentious.

Its not perfect, but its a step in the right direction, said Tenenbaum.

She said the company expects to submit the application later this month or early next month but that Health Canada has 300 days to review the changes.

Mifegymiso, which was approved by Health Canada on July 29, 2015, is a combination of two drugs taken on separate days.

Mifepristone is taken first to block the hormone progesterone, which helps prepare the lining of the uterus for pregnancy. This causes the lining to break down and shed. Then its followed 24 to 48 hours later by misoprostol, which causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy.

Outspoken critic Dr. Wendy Norman traced the hard-line approach to the drug back to France, 28 years ago, when concerns surrounded its safety and potential adverse reactions. But she said more is known about the drug today, while a pharmacists role has increased significantly in health-care teams.

I think there was no consideration for how things have advanced in that last 25 years and how important dispensing safety is now, said Norman.

The Vancouver doctor also expressed concern over the ability of women in rural and remote communities to access the drug.

If your own family doctor could do this as a reasonable addition to their practice and your own pharmacist and your own town could dispense it, that saves you having to leave your kids and leave your job and travel hours away to get to the big city centre for a normal reproductive health service, she said.

Health Canada said it wont stand in the way of the B.C. colleges decision to allow pharmacists to dispense directly to patients, acknowledging that its the provincial licensing bodies that regulate the practice of doctors and pharmacists.

Prasad said there are still outstanding issues, noting hed like to see the gestational limit expanded to 10 weeks from the current seven.

By the time someones discovering that they are pregnant  trying to decide what to do about that and then seeking appropriate services and surmounting many barriers that exist in Canada to accessing abortion services  those three weeks make a lot of difference, said Prasad, adding that only one in six Canadian hospitals provide abortion services.

The other issue is the drugs considerable cost.

Unless a person has access to the drug on a provincial formulary or they have access to drug benefits through their work theyre not going to have access, he said, adding that about a third of the population is not covered by either plan.

We see that as unjust and that will simply compel individuals in that group who are experiencing unwanted pregnancy to opt for a surgical abortion.

However, provincial coverage is also being examined, said the independent, not-for-profit organization responsible for providing health-care players with evidence to help make decisions.

The Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health said it is currently reviewing a submission from Celopharma to its common drug review, which advises every province except Quebec on which drugs to cover in provincial drug plans. The review typically takes up to six months.

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This might be tough. For the next few minutes of your life, or however long it takes you to finish reading this column, Im going to request that you refrain from thinking about the addictive madness across the border and focus instead on an event that occurred not so long ago in our own slightly less engrossing political landscape: the 2015 Canadian federal election.

I know its been a year and a few days since Justin Trudeau won the hearts of hair fetishists and the keys to the highest office in the nation. But it was only this week that Samara, a non-partisan independent research group, released a brand new study called Can You Hear Me Now? Young People and the 2015 Federal Election.

Samara collected information online from 2030 Canadian citizens in 10 provinces across the country, in the weeks after the election. The survey brings to light something far more engrossing, in my view, than simply Justins hair or life on the job: namely, the stark difference in the way older and younger Canadians talk about voting.

Its fairly common knowledge, for instance, that the 2015 federal election reversed a 20-year decline in voter turnout  which jumped to 68 per cent in 2015 from 61 per cent in 2011. But according to the Samara study, it wasnt famously politically engaged older Canadian voters (a.k.a. baby boomers) who talked most amongst themselves about their voting experiences, but in fact the youngest voting demographic, Canadians aged 18 to 29. The difference was almost double: 53 per cent of young Canadians (reported) talking about their voting experience with people they knew, while only 33 per cent of Canadians aged 56 or older did. I.e., older people didnt talk a lot about voting, while a majority of younger people did.

These patterns, Samara concludes, capture a generational shift in attitude, from voting as a private act of duty to voting as a shared social experience.

Well, of course, you might say, thats the answer right there: A shared social experience. Younger people have far more technological tools they use to talk to each other these days: Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat etc., whereas the 55-plus demo tends to rely on voice-to-voice and face-to-face communication.

Except youd be wrong. It turns out that the majority of younger voters talked about their experience at the ballot box not on social media at all, but in person or on the phone. Conversely, only 13 per cent of younger voters posted about their experience on Facebook, and only 12 per cent did so via text message.

Not only does this finding fly in the face of the rampant popular stereotype that young people are hyper-connected zombies incapable of carrying on a real-life conversation to save their lives; it flies in the face of the stereotype that they are apathetic.

In fact, Samaras research indicates that millennials are more likely than older Canadians to discuss politics in polite conversation.

Why then, dont politicians seem to want to discuss politics with millennials?

According to Samara, only 52 per cent of younger voters reported that political parties contacted them, compared with 82 per cent in the older cohort (56-plus).

Part of the explanation for the difference has to do with landlines: older people have them and younger people tend not to. Consequently, when parties try to reach younger people through traditional channels  which include not just campaign flyers, but cold phone calls  they connect less frequently. But Jane Hilderman, Samaras executive director, explains that cynicism is at play as well: parties often assume young people wont vote in large numbers and arent worth mobilizing as a result.

But, she says, Given the dramatic jump in turnout (in the last election), I think the calculus is shifting. In other words, young people may be worth it after all.

And political parties, fuelled by a combination of cynicism and ignorance, may be doing themselves a large disservice when they choose not to engage with a demographic that isnt merely interested in politics, but actually welcomes direct communication from policy-makers.

So heres a suggestion for federal political parties: Create a special, election-season chat room on your websites, staffed at least 12 hours a day by paid staffers or volunteers. A live chat room designed to answer voters questions about your respective plans for the nation. You will reach everyone you ever wanted to (and many you didnt.)

And while youre at it, please, please, stop sending those campaign flyers in the mail. No one in the history of time, baby boomer or millennial, has ever read them. And no one ever will.

Emma Teitel is a national affairs columnist.

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Frank Salerno has gone to work at Honest Eds almost every day for 57 years, but rarely has he had a welcome like the one he experienced Saturday.

Arriving at Torontos beloved bargain emporium before dawn, the 74-year-old hardware buyer found a queue of customers that stretched around the block.

I come in here around 6:15 a.m. and there were people lined up, Salerno said. (The store) opened at 8.

Honest Eds is selling off the last of its distinctive hand-painted signs, and shoppers staked out spots at Bathurst and Bloor Sts. as early as 2:30 a.m. for to buy the keepsakes, said store spokesperson Franca Longobardi.

Eds will close at the end of December, to be replaced by residential towers, restaurants, artists studios and retail space.

Staff said the three-day sale that began Saturday will be the final opportunity to buy the signs, each one painstakingly hand-lettered by just two men  Douglas Kerr, who has been painting Honest Eds signs for over 20 years, and Wayne Reuben, who has been painting them for nearly 50.

Its a lost art, you know . . . I have a huge appreciation for it, said James OMarra, as he sifted through bins full of the red and blue-lettered posters. Im trying to find ones that I can frame. Itll be something to talk about.

Longobardi said a steady stream of sign hunters  numbering in the thousands, she guessed  passed in and out of Honest Eds throughout Saturday.

Each one wanted something to remember the local landmark by.

Honest Eds is kind of like a Toronto icon. Its history, its kitsch . . . its like the epitome of Toronto, said Adrianne Kulling.

She already has one Honest Eds sign hanging in her kitchen and another in her bedroom. But she was back to pick up a few more small pieces of memorabilia.

Its sad that its closing, she said. But its nice that we can all have a chance to get a piece of it.

Raymond Chik was at the store with his wife Amy, searching for signs that reminded him of bargains he found at Honest Eds years ago, as a young student.

Were from Hong Kong (originally), but weve lived here 30 years, so we grew up with Honest Eds, Chik said. I bought stuff here so theres a piece of nostalgia.

Gabrielle Giroday snagged an aged, demure-looking sign more than a metre long, that read, Theres no business like shoe business. The sign, she said, spoke to my soul.

What makes Honest Eds great is it has a lot of character, and I worry in a city with increasingly skyrocketing prices for homes and space that independent businesses are going to be shut out, said Giroday.

The Honest Eds sign sale continues Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Monday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Also on offer are old Honest Eds flyers, staff uniforms and Honest Eds T-shirts.

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In 1906, before setting out for a business trip to Washington, Torontos first black city councillor, William Peyton Hubbard, needed a letter from mayor Emerson Coatsworth vouching for his character.

Michael Thompson, the only black member among Torontos current 44 city councillors, cited that historical nugget at the opening of a new city park named in Hubbards honour. Its a reminder, said Thompson, of how the world has changed in 110 years.

I dont have to ask the mayor for a letter to travel the world to sell Toronto, he said.

But it is equally important to recognize that not enough has been done to ensure opportunities are offered to those with similar aspirations as Hubbard to greatness.

Oftentimes, as the only black person on city council, I have to ask myself, What would Willy do?  he said.

Its important to understand that, while you are the only one, thats not enough. There needs to be many more because more voices will do greater things for our city.

Hubbard Park sits near the restored Don Jail building and Bridgepoint Active Healthcare on Gerrard St. near Broadview Ave., the street where Hubbard lived while serving as an alderman and acting mayor between 1894 and 1908.

About 16 members of the pioneering politicians family came to see a plaque unveiling on Saturday and hear about Hubbards fight to keep hydro under public control and his championing of the rights of other minority groups, including the citys Jewish community.

He was an exceptional advocate for fairness and an inclusive city, said Councillor Paula Fletcher (Ward 30, Toronto-Danforth), who oversaw the parks naming.

Hubbard was an innovator and an activist, from a community of about 1,000 black Torontonians in a city then of about 47,000 people, said Mayor John Tory.

Here we are more than 100 years later and we still have more people than we would like to admit, who are not feeling included, who dont have that sense of hope, who dont have that sense of being whoever they want to be in our city, said the mayor.

Hubbards 70-year-old great-granddaughter Barbara de Leeuw, who came from Rochester, N.Y., to celebrate the park opening, said that, for a long time, his family didnt really understand his contributions to Toronto. There are still questions about whether the man his family called W.P. or Cicero, in reference to his penchant for oratory, was a token, she said.

De Leeuw, a former teacher and worker with the American Civil Liberties Union, said she is optimistic even though Toronto still has only one black city councillor.

The reality is there is structural racism and unconscious bias. People are beginning to recognize that. Now that we can talk about it, things are going to change, she said.

Im thrilled people are recognizing the contributions of blacks, not only in Canada, but in the United States, said de Leeuw.

Everybody needs to have a vision and just do something every day that reaches along colour lines, ethnic lines. Toronto has done this better than many communities in the U.S.

The man they called Cicero

His family refers to him as W.P.  or Cicero, for his dining-room oratory.

Now William Peyton Hubbards name is commemorated in an east-end park that honours his achievements as the citys first black councillor (the title at that time was alderman).

He was popular with the press because he was frank. He was popular with the people because he fought for the needy, said Rosemary Sadlier, past president of the Ontario Black History Society, who offered up a brief history at the parks official opening on Saturday.

Born in 1842 to former slaves from Virginia, who came via the Underground Railroad to settle in an area of Toronto known as The Bush near what is Bathurst and Bloor streets, Hubbard trained as a baker at the Toronto Normal School, now the grounds of Ryerson University.

Until he was 90, he baked his own birthday cakes, according to his great-granddaughter Barbara de Leeuw.

Hubbard went on to become a driver in his uncles livery business and he became close friends with the first Canadian-born black doctor Anderson Abbott, as well as newspaper publisher George Brown, who encouraged him to pursue politics.

In 1893, when he was 51, Hubbard threw his hat in the ring. He lost by seven votes. He tried again the following year and won.

In 1898, Hubbard was appointed to the citys board of control, where he advocated those seats be elected rather than council appointed.

He is perhaps best known for successfully securing hydro as a public, rather than a private, supply of electric power. Whats more, when no one else in the city was interested because it was considered too far from Toronto, Hubbard fought for a gift of land that is now known as High Park.

In 1908, Hubbard ran again and lost. He lived to age 93 in his home at 660 Broadview Ave.

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Why did I choose Emily Carr to be part of this book? Why not Tom Thomson, Lawren Harris, or any other member of the Group of Seven pantheon, since they were recognized a decade before Carr and their work is equally well-known? These were all artists who wrenched the attention of Canadian art lovers away from pallid imitations of European art and focused them on the dramatic spaces of our own country.

I asked myself Why Carr? recently as I stood in front of one of her best-loved works, Scorned as Timber, Beloved of the Sky (1935), in the Vancouver Art Gallery, which now holds the bulk of her paintings. The canvas shows a lone, spindly tree, surrounded by brutally logged land, reaching up to a pearly pale sky painted with undulating circular strokes. The scorned tree could almost be a self-portrait for this defiant artist  her solitary, single-minded reach to self-fulfillment, while the landscape is desecrated around her.

Carr is here partly because she had a pioneers resolve to make this land hers and to become part of it herself. Thomson and the Group of Seven were evolving their nationalist mission with the support of each other and the new nations small cultural elite. Carr developed her vision in isolation, while on the other side of the country. Once she was discovered by the eastern establishment, her art and her national reputation exploded.

But shes also here because she tells Canadians, then and now, about far more than the awesome magnificence of Canadian space. By looking inward, she gave us an outward identity. She began with a terrain denser and wilder than anything seen in Algonquin Park; her forests were brooding and claustrophobic. In mid-career, she painted the carvings and cultural artifacts made by the Indigenous inhabitants of North America, who were ignored by the Group of Seven. In her later works, she infused her works with an erotic sensibility that few Canadian artists have equalled. And she captured not only the lush colours of the Pacific rainforest but also its despoliation by the logging industry. Carr never romanticized the wilderness, and she recorded how the resource industries  the basis of Canadas prosperity were already gobbling up the scenery.

In the 1990s, Emily Carrs depictions of coastal Indigenous culture were criticized as cultural appropriation. Marcia Crosby, a Haida/Tsimshian art critic, argued that Carr invested carved poles with a meaning that has to do with her national identity, not the national identity of the people who own the poles. . . . The colonization of images in order to create a new Canadian mythology is parasitic. But these days, scholars are more likely to point out that Carr had great empathy for dispossessed peoples, even if she romanticized their culture. Gerta Moray, a Carr scholar, points out that Carr championed First Nations in the face of Anglo-Canadian derision and asserted their honour, dignity and the coherence of their traditional way of life and beliefs.

Today, there is a certain ennui with our national wallpaper  a feeling that our obsession with landscape stifled any Canadian shift to the new kinds of art that Carr had seen in Paris in 1910 and 1911. Perhaps that is why no Canadian artists from the early 20th century ever established international reputations or foreign sales: while they were still painting landscapes, the art world moved on. It took a completely different group of artists  the Quebec intellectuals and artists, including Paul-Emile Borduas and Jean-Paul Riopelle, who in 1948 published Refus global  to launch surrealism and abstraction in Canada.

Yet Emily Carrs reputation has quietly grown. In 2012, a small selection of her work was included in Documenta XIII in Kassel, Germany, in an international exhibition of pioneering female modernists. In 2014, the first European solo exhibition of her work, mounted by Londons Dulwich Picture Gallery, was ecstatically reviewed: The best artist nobody knows, according to one British headline writer; Canadas very own Van Gogh, according to another. An exhibition entitled Mystical Landscapes, including works by Emily Carr, will open at the Art Gallery of Ontario in October, 2016 before moving to the Musee dOrsay in Paris in 2017.

As a child, Carr developed her artistic vision of this wonderful new land; today, her vision is recognized as richer and more complex than that of her contemporaries. By finding her place, she gave Canadians then and now a larger sense of ours.

Copyright 2016 by Charlotte Gray. From The Promise of Canada: 150 Years  People and Ideas That Have Shaped Our Country by Charlotte Gray, published by Simon & Schuster Canada. More info: PromiseOfCanada.ca

See Charlotte Gray at the International Festival of Authors in Toronto on Tuesday. www.ifoa.org/events

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Marylyn Felion stood outside the Nebraska State Penitentiary in 1994 watching the crowds gathered for Harold Lamont "Walkin' Wili" Otey's execution.

What she witnessed cemented her belief that the death penalty wasn't really about the person who had committed the heinous crime. It was more about the people gathered there that day and the society that allowed it.

The media called it a carnival atmosphere, with death penalty supporters and opponents separated by a snow fence.

On one side supporters held signs that read, "Fry Wili" and "Welcome to the Nebraska State Pen's First Annual Barbecue." They displayed swastikas. They shouted at opponents: "Why don't you sit on his lap?" They sang, "Hey, Hey Goodbye."

It was raucous, awful, hateful, Felion said.

"What it pulled out of the people on the other side of the fence was horrible," she said. "This was just proof of what the death penalty says about us."

The former nun, who spent 14 years with the Sisters of Mercy, leaving when she was 32, came to her conclusions more than 40 years ago.

"If we know that this person has killed, then that's on him or her. If we turn around and kill this person, then this speaks about us," she said. "It says that we, also, can kill."

That is shown on the death certificate of Robert Williams, executed in the state in 1997. The official cause of death is listed as homicide, she said.

Felion came to her anti-death penalty work after years of teaching children and social action.

After she left the Omaha convent, she taught in Omaha inner-city schools and traveled school-to-school working with kids with behavior problems.

But after traveling to Nicaragua in 1985 and witnessing the human rights violations and terrorist tactics of U.S.-backed and funded rebel groups, she returned to Nebraska, quit her job, sold her house and began working for peace.

Since last year, she has been one of the most active volunteers for Retain A Just Nebraska, campaigning to retain the 2015 law (LB268) that eliminated capital punishment in the state. Many days you can find her at the organization's Omaha office.

Just inside the Regency Parkway office entrance is a sign that asks, Retain A Just Nebraska? Visitors and volunteers have written their replies:

"If a person is already locked up, why do we have to kill him?"

"The death penalty is discriminatory. It does not apply to the wealthy."

"Save $."

"An eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind."

In rooms throughout the office are posters of Catholic popes' anti-death penalty teachings, bulletin boards with campaign notes and messages, and an artist's rendering of Williams, the last person executed in Nebraska.

The artist was Felion, who had developed a deep relationship with Williams in his waning years before his execution. Her drawing captured a peaceful smile on Williams' face, a smile she said she had witnessed that remained on his lips after his death in the electric chair. As his spiritual adviser, she knew he had been transformed, was remorseful, and ready to meet his fate.

Felion, now 79, had begun to question her own feelings about the death penalty when she was in her 30s.

She knew one issue that could condemn a person was the heinousness of the crime. And the death penalty, she said, should be for the most heinous.

"Well, but who decides?" she said. "And who draws the line? And where do you draw the line?"

How do you explain to parents that the murder of somebody else's loved one deserves the death penalty, but your child's murderer does not? she said.

Her mind was going in circles trying to figure out what she called a hierarchy of heinousness.

"And all of a sudden it was as if my perception, instead of being out there trying to establish a hierarchy, turned around and looked back at me," she said.

It was a startling moment when she realized it was not about hierarchies and murderers, but about the people who seek death as revenge or punishment, she said.

She thought about how judges, in determining heinousness, look at whether the murder was premeditated, whether it was cold blooded and ritualistic.

"Well, I want to tell you, there is nothing more premeditated and cold-blooded and ritualistic than an execution," she said.

If anyone else locked up a person and told him that on a specific date he was going to kill him, we would be horrified, she said. That's what the state does.

"Most murders are under the influence of drugs and alcohol and passion, right?" she said. "We do this stone-cold sober."

She says "we," she said, because in a democracy "we all have our finger on the button."

After the Legislature voted last year to eliminate the death penalty, Felion thought she could go home and put her feet up, and no longer worry about Nebraska prisoners being being put to death by the state.

But here she is again, she said, trying to ensure that Williams' execution be the state's last, as he prayed.

She understands there are people, including some victims' family members, who want revenge for heartbreaking murders.

"But our system of justice is not based on revenge," she said. "It's based on punishment and reparation, in so far as possible."

Nebraska surprised the world in 2015 with its vote to abolish the death penalty, she said, which made this conservative state appear to be one made up of positive, forward-looking people.

Nebraska voters must retain the law that eliminates the death penalty, she said.

"We've already done this. We've already moved into the future," Felion said."I think it's just going to be a shame if we step backwards."
REYKJIAVEK, ICELANDBirgitta Jonsdottir is a poet, a web developer and a former WikiLeaks activist. Shes also founder and leader of Icelands Pirate Party, which has been at or near the top of polls ahead of national elections Oct. 29.

Washington Post London Bureau Chief Griff Witte sat down with Jonsdottir for an interview at her office in Reykjavik on Oct. 19. The following are excerpts from their conversation.

Washington Post: Could you start by telling me what this party stands for, and what are its core beliefs? Its difficult to place on the ideological spectrum of left to right.

Birgitta Jonsdottir: The Pirate Party started in Sweden in 2006, and it only had one agenda: to change draconian copyright laws. But its changed and shifted primarily because the questions of human rights and cyber have become much more relevant. So if you want to place it somewhere on the spectrum, I would say its a party that has its roots in civilian rights. But we are not like many left parties that want to regulate citizens and create nanny states. We believe that regulation should be on the powerful, not the individuals.

WP: How much of the Pirate Partys success is attributable to the aftermath of the financial crisis?

BJ: Many people in Iceland woke up when this big earthquake hit us and we felt that everything we had put our trust in had failed us. Not only the banking sector. The politicians, the academia, the media, the supervisory institutions. So it meant that many people felt that they needed to do something. And we became aware that people could actually change things. It was the people that got the government to resign, the central bank manager to resign, and the financial supervisory board director to resign. So that was a huge wake-up call.

WP: If you are the top vote getter, and if you do lead the creation of the next government, what should be done about the E.U. membership application?

BJ: Trust the nation

WP: Hold a referendum?

BJ: Yeah, but its very important that if you do a referendum like this, we dont want to make the same mistakes that happened in Britain. You have to make sure that it is an informed campaign. People need to know what [membership] implies.

WP: You have said that Edward Snowden could have asylum in Iceland if he so desired. Is that something you see could happening if you win the election?

BJ: I have informed him and his lawyer that he should apply for citizenship because theres more protections against extradition for Icelandic citizens than there is if you are here with asylum. It is our policy, as a party, to grant him citizenship if he would apply for it.

WP: Will he be applying?

BJ: We will see. It would probably be symbolic unless you get the U.S. government to agree that it would be better for them to have him in a neutral country that doesnt have secret service and is not in a Cold War with them, or a new cyberwar. He has inspired changes and awareness which is very important in this day and age, and sometimes egos need to be set aside, even with powerful people, and we need to look at the full picture.

WP: You obviously see yourselves as the opposite of Trumpism and Le-Penism and Farage-ism and all of these right-wing populist movements. But there has also been a real left-wing populism, whether with Syriza in Greece or Podemos in Spain or Corbyn in Britain. Do you see any kinship with those movements?

BJ: I do see some kinship, and also with the Five Star Movement, leaning to the right in Italy. And I have worked with people from all these different groups. In a sense the Pirate Party is very similar to what happened for the Bernie Sanders campaign, where people felt inspired and they felt like they were having an impact, a big grass-roots-inspired movement, in particular with young people. The reason why I am spending time, just a few days before the election, speaking to the foreign press is that I feel it is important to point out that individuals can make a difference, that things that seem impossible one day might suddenly shift into a possibility the next day.

WP: Did you believe when you got started with the Pirate Party that you would be in a position to govern some today?

BJ: Well, not three years after we formed, no way.

WP: But now you are potentially topping the polls. What kind of statement would that make if the Pirate Party does finish at the top?

BJ: People want real changes, and they understand that we have to change the system. We have to modernize how we make laws. We have to make sure whenever you are dealing with big things like global warming, world security, refugees, the E.U. question, access to information, it needs to be done with an awareness that all of these things interconnect. We dont care where the policies come from, we dont care if they come from the governmental party or the opposition or from ourselves. We want to inspire others to be with us, but we want to support good stuff no matter where it comes from. Maybe [Iceland] could be sort of a testing ground for solutions because we are few and because we are really a tech-oriented nation. Everybody is a gadget freak. We spend a lot of time indoors.

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Q: Why do we only laugh when someone else tickles us? Why cant I tickle myself?

A: Heres what science has to say.

Our inability to tickle ourselves has to do with self-awareness. At all times, without even thinking about it, we are conscious of where our limbs are and what our body is doing. And that means no funny business.

Sarah-Jayne Blakemore, a neuroscientist at University College London, has hooked people up to fMRI machines and monitored how their response to a tickle from a scientist compared with attempts to tickle themselves. When being tickled by someone else, the participants somatosensory cortex (the part of the brain responsible for sense of touch) and anterior cingulate cortex (which deals with emotion, rewards and impulse control) light up like a Christmas tree. But when they try to tickle themselves, that area stays relatively dull while the cerebellum  which is involved in co-ordinating and regulating muscular activity  gets all the action.

This led her to conclude that the cerebellum is somehow involved in predicting the specific sensations of certain motion and tamping down the brains response ahead of time. In other words, the cerebellum knows where the hand is heading, determines, Thats gonna feel funny! Shut it down! and cuts off the somatosensory cortexs response before the participant even starts to giggle.

But why? To understand the reason for this response, you have to think about why humans are ticklish in the first place.

That question has a long history. Even Darwin wondered about it. Well start in 1897, when psychologists G. Stanley Hall and Arthur Allin coined the first technical terms for tickles. Theres knismesis, the prickly feeling you get when something lightly brushes across your skin. Then theres the far more mysterious gargalesis, the laughter-inducing sensation that only another person can cause.

It seems easy to imagine an evolutionary function for knismesis, Christine Harris, a psychologist at the University of California at San Diego, wrote in a book chapter on the subject. The annoying sensation prompts one to scratch or rub the tickled spot, thereby removing insects or parasites that might be crawling on ones body.

Lots of mammals exhibit this response to a light touch, but only primates are known to get gargalesis. Primatologist Marina Davila-Ross has conducted experiments in which she tickled young orangutans, gorillas, chimps and bonobos, and recorded laughter-like vocalizations. Chimps even display laugh faces, smiling with their teeth bared while playing. Ross believes that humans inherited our ability to laugh from our last common ancestor with great apes.

Interestingly, a 2000 study found that lab rats respond to being tickled by scientists with the same chirping noises they use while playing with each other.

Its not entirely clear what the evolutionary benefit of this sort of ticklishness might be. Some argue that laughter  including the ticklish kind  is linked to social intelligence. If youre an animal that has to live and work in groups, it pays to be able to pal around. Robert Provine, a neuroscientist at the University of Maryland, has suggested that tickling provides a means of communication between parents and infants before the babies are able to talk. Laughing in response to a playful touch could provide positive feedback for parents, making the adults more attentive and their babies more likely to survive.

Another theory suggests that ticklishness promotes protection of vulnerable areas  on the stomach, under the armpits, the soles of the feet  resulting in an adaptive advantage during hand-to-hand combat. (Harris pointed out that this theory doesnt explain why you should laugh and smile while someone tickles your belly.) Alternatively, perhaps tickling makes us both giggly and squeamish in order to encourage other people to tickle us while motivating us to defend ourselves. This would promote rough-and-tumble play that may help the development and acquisition of combat or other skills that have survival benefits, Harris wrote.

Harriss own research suggests that ticklishness is a low-level, automatic physiological response, a biological behaviour that we dont have conscious control over. In this, its a lot like being startled, she said  we cant control it or induce it, because if our brain knows whats coming based on signals about muscle movement in the cerebellum, it cuts off the physiological response. From an evolutionary standpoint, theres an obvious advantage to this system: It keeps us alert to possible predators but prevents us from wasting time being startled by our own movements, which arent going to do us harm.

But there are ways to get around it. In her studies on self-tickling, Blakemore has used machines to create a small delay between the movement of the participants hand and the actual tickling motion. The longer she delayed the reaction, the more tickly the participant felt. So it might be possible to tickle yourself, if you are willing to invest in a couple of robots, she wrote in Scientific American.

Monash University professor Jakob Hohwy has achieved the self-tickle by tricking participants into thinking they were in someone elses body (participants wore goggles hooked up to a camera on another persons head). Hes also found that people with schizophrenia are more likely to be able to tickle themselves.

This research sounds silly, but Hohwy says it helps scientists understand how humans make sense of the world. He believes that our brains are hypothesis testers that learn by comparing expectations about our environment to our actual perceptions.

Its a constant, ceaseless function  predictions being tested against what actually happens, and then error-corrected, Hohwy said in a statement. It may explain the basis of perception, learning and action, from birth onward.

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In spite of the fact that southern British Columbia sees it only on faraway mountaintops and no more than a couple of times a season, it would be safe to say that all Canadians are, at least for some portion of the year, fully obsessed by snow. They hate it when they are walkers and drivers, and they love it when they are skiers and bobsledders. They build snow forts and igloos and hotels out of it, and they make paths through it and angels in it. Some of them, who want their Christmases to be white, are comforted by the softly falling snow of December. Others are fond of quoting Voltaires assertion that when looked at in the cold light of day, Canada is nothing more than quelques arpents de neige. And each year a couple of Canadians drop dead of massive heart attacks while they are outside in the cold of January, trying to shovel this neige out of the way.

Beardmore, Ont., situated 200 kilometres north of Thunder Bay, has taken a positive attitude toward snow. After making the claim that it holds the title for Snow Capital of the World, this sparsely populated mining and lumber town, from which most of the miners and lumberjacks have fled, decided to celebrate its status by building a white wooden structure professing to be the worlds largest snowman. This particular Big-Thing-Along-the-Road is unusual even in such an unusual category, in that he is not only the biggest but also the longest lasting of his ilk. That is, if one defines his ilk as his fellow snowmen, and ignores the fact that he has been torn down and replaced at least once.

Over the years, the snowman has been both a tourist information booth and a temporary home for certain patrons of the Beardmore Lounge (who apparently have a key and are rumoured to sometimes sleep it off inside the snowman before going home to face the ire of their women). He has also changed somewhat in his latest incarnation, and now wears sunglasses day and night, winter and summer.

The snowman is not Beardmores only claim to fame. The town is also the home of one of Canadas most notorious archaeological finds.

During the 1930s, while Beardmore was coming into being, hundreds of prospectors, both amateur and professional (my father among them), were drawn to the region by news of the gold strike at Little Long Lac Gold Mine. One of these prospectors claimed to have found a different kind of gold when he was wandering through the forest: a broken sword and an axe-head that were clearly of ancient origin.

The Royal Ontario Museum became involved, and news of the Beardmore Relics, supposed evidence of a Viking settlement halfway between James Bay and Lake Superior, was made known to the public. Soon all Canadian schoolchildren knew the story: how the Vikings had sailed into Hudson Bay in their longboats; how they had proceeded through James Bay and along a complicated series of rivers, reaching the ancient site of Beardmore before the snowman had even been heard of.

Eventually unmasked as the hoaxes they were (the discoverer had Norwegian friends in Thunder Bay, and one of them had inherited the artefacts from a relative), the relics nevertheless had a profound effect on Canadas collective psyche. Scholars wrote papers, geographers mapped navigable rivers, and a couple of decades later, Farley Mowat, one of Canadas most popular writers, wrote a thrilling young adult novel called The Curse of the Viking Grave.

When all is said and done, however, the most important fact about Beardmore is that it is the birthplace of one of Canadas most distinguished painters, Norval Morrisseau (also known as Copper Thunderbird), an Anishinaabe artist from the nearby Sand Point First Nation. Using images from the natural world and from the mystical legends of his people, Morrisseau spent his life (March 14, 1932Dec. 4, 2007) creating bright, compelling paintings filled with colour and vitality. As his renown spread, these works of art became much sought after by collectors in the cities to the south, and the demand for his work grew to a sometimes unmanageable degree. In spite of this and a number of personal tragedies, Morrisseau remained focused on the beauty and spirituality of the birds and animals that he remembered from his childhood. All his paintings are warm, pulsing with life, and exuding natural purpose. There is not even a suggestion in them of the cold coming winter, and not a hint of snow.

Excerpt from: A Number of Things: Stories of Canada Told Through Fifty Objects by Jane Urquhart 2016. Illustrations by Scott McKowen 2016. Published by HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

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When Sherman Brown was convicted and imprisoned in the brutal killing of a 4-year-old Virginia boy, the Vietnam War was still raging and Watergate was just a hotel, not a scandal.

Then 22 years old, he maintained his innocence at the time and as each decade faded into the next. Now, after nearly a half-century behind bars, Brown is petitioning Virginias Supreme Court, saying DNA collected from newly recovered evidence indicates that he could not have committed the murder.

Justices now will have to weigh whether that genetic evidence is strong enough to warrant overturning his 1970 conviction in Albemarle County, Va.

If Brown, 69, is exonerated, he would be among the longest-serving prisoners to be cleared of a crime in the history of Virginia and the United States. It would be an extraordinary turnabout for a man who was initially sentenced to death before the sentence was reduced to life.

Recent DNA testing demonstrates by clear and convincing evidence what I have maintained for over 45 years: that I am innocent of this crime, Brown wrote in his writ of actual innocence filed in early October and first reported by the Richmond Times-Dispatch. The evidence against me at trial was deeply flawed.

Brown was convicted of first-degree murder after a vicious 1969 attack near Charlottesville, Va., during which a woman was beaten, stabbed and possibly raped in her home. The same man also fatally stabbed the womans 4-year-old son, leaving him face down on his bed.

The mother survived and identified Brown as her attacker. He was also linked to the crime via a type of fibre and hair analysis that the FBI in recent years has acknowledged is flawed, in part, after reporting by The Washington Post.

Brown writes in court filings that new tests ruled him out as the source of a partial male DNA profile found in a recently recovered slide containing a vaginal swab taken from the woman after the attack. Neither the woman nor her son are identified in recent court records.

The tests also showed a greater than 98 per cent chance that the material did not come from the womans husband, according to the filing. The woman recently told prosecutors she had a monogamous relationship with her husband, Browns attorneys said in the court papers. The attorneys argued that the DNA must have come from an unidentified third man who was the actual attacker.

Browns attorneys, who include lawyers from the Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project and New Yorks Innocence Project, said that the type of Y-chromosome DNA recovered from the swab cannot be matched against DNA samples of known perpetrators contained in state or federal databases.

Virginia Attorney General Mark Herrings office has not filed a response to Browns writ of actual innocence and another writ of habeas corpus claiming that prosecutors relied on the discredited hair and fibre analysis. Albemarle County prosecutors did not respond to a request for comment.

As with all such petitions, we will closely examine and consider the claims and evidence as we prepare a response for the Supreme Court, Michael Kelly, a spokesperson for the attorney generals office, wrote in an email.

Brown had recently returned from serving in the Vietnam War when the horrific events of Oct. 1, 1969, unfolded. Prosecutors said at trial that a man knocked on the door of the womans home that afternoon.

The woman went to the door with her 4-year-old son and opened it. The man asked for a drink of water. After a brief conversation, prosecutors said, the man propositioned the woman for sex and the woman repeatedly refused. Prosecutors said the man told her, Im so sexed up, I dont know what to do.

Soon after, the woman vaguely remembered receiving painful blows to her side and was knocked unconscious, prosecutors said.

Later that afternoon, the womans sister-in-law came to the house and found the woman beaten and stabbed. Her underwear had also been removed. The 4-year-old boy was found covered in blood on his bed, prosecutors said. He had been beaten and stabbed several times.

Prosecutors argued at trial that the suspect raped or tried to rape the woman and attacked her and killed her son to try to get rid of any witnesses. An analysis of the womans vaginal swab performed after the attack indicated the presence of sperm, according to Browns filing.

At trial, the woman was the sole eyewitness who identified Brown as her attacker. The woman testified that she had smoked a cigarette with him during a previous 15-minute encounter.

In his filings, Brown denies ever meeting the woman and said she might have misidentified him because they were of different races, among other factors. Brown is African-American; the woman is white.

At trial, an FBI agent testified that Browns hair was found on a sweatshirt that also contained fibres that matched a robe the woman was wearing during the attack, tying Brown to the crime.

The womans testimony and forensic evidence was enough for an all-white jury to convict Brown after a brief deliberation. He was sentenced to death.

Brown was on Virginias death row when the Supreme Court struck down the states death penalty in 1972. Brown was resentenced to life, before the death penalty was reinstated.

In 2008, the Innocence Project reached an agreement with the Albemarle County prosecutors office to begin DNA testing in the case. After an audit, the Justice Department also recently told Browns attorneys that the FBI agent erred in his analysis of the hairs found on the sweatshirt.

But the true break came last year, when members of the University of Virginias Innocence Project discovered the slide containing the vaginal swab at the schools Department of Pathology.

More than 40 people have been exonerated of crimes in Virginia, according to the National Registry of Exonerations. If exonerated, Brown would join Earl Washington Jr. as the only other person to have sat on death row in the state before being cleared of a crime, if the Supreme Court rules in his favour.

There are a number of steps before that could happen. The Virginia Supreme Court stayed the writ of actual innocence for 90 days so that additional testing can be done to try to conclusively exclude the womans husband as the contributor of the male DNA found in the vaginal swab.

The state must respond to Browns filing. Then, the Supreme Court will decide whether to hold oral arguments before rendering a decision. After 46 years, Brown will have to wait a bit longer for his claim of innocence to be decided once again.

Its very tragic to think someone has been in prison for four decades and he may actually be innocent of the crime, said Susan Friedman, an attorney with the Innocence Project.

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PHILADELPHIADonald Trump went to the site of one of Americas most inspiring pieces of presidential oratory and read bitter grievances from a teleprompter.

In his own Gettysburg address, one his campaign had touted as a major policy speech, the faltering Republican presidential candidate veered from talk of term limits and trade deals to issue two startling vows: to launch a lawsuit against every woman who has accused him of sexual assault and to take action against the companies that own CNN, NBC and the Washington Post, media entities he has called unfair.

Abraham Lincolns Civil War speech in Gettysburg in 1863 is remembered for lines like this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom. The most memorable sentence in Trumps speech: All of these liars will be sued after the election is over.

It was probably the (Democratic National Committee) and the Clinton campaign that put forwards these liars with their fabricated stories, he said, without any evidence, of his accusers. But well find out about their involvement at a later date through litigation. And I look so forward to doing that.

His threats offered yet another example of the darkness that has enveloped his campaign as Election Day approaches. With 17 days remaining and Democrat Hillary Clinton ahead by more than five points in national polls, Trump is spending precious time alleging implausible conspiracies, lashing out at his critics and threatening retribution.

His Pennsylvania discussion of media companies was more reminiscent of a diatribe from a foreign authoritarian than the bias-bashing typical of Republican politicians. He said he would try as president to reverse Comcasts acquisition of NBCs parent company, completed in 2013, because such deals destroy democracy.

Well look at breaking that deal up and other deals like that. This should never, ever have been approved in the first place. Theyre trying to poison the mind of the American voter, he said in a ballroom about seven kilometres from the cemetery where Lincoln spoke.

His words came three days after he alarmed politicians, scholars and much of the public by refusing to guarantee at the third debate that he would accept the result of the election. While saying Saturday that he wanted the country to look to Lincolns example to heal the divisions we are living through, he again complained of a rigged election.

Erica Frantz, a Michigan State University political science professor who studies dictators, said his remarks reminded her of Venezuelas late Hugo Chavez, who was democratically elected and then weakened democratic institutions like the press.

In the years after his assumption to power, he began implementing media restrictions, which he justified by accusing the media of being excessively partisan. This is exactly the type of language Trump used in his speech today, Frantz said.

Trumps campaign has been in free-fall since he scrapped to a near-tie in the polls before the first of the three debates. He lost all three, and he has been besieged by the assault allegations and the controversy over the leaked 2005 video in which he claims that he has kissed and groped women without their consent.

An 11th accuser came forward Saturday afternoon. Jessica Drake, a performer in adult films, said he kissed her without permission in 2006. Trump has denied accusations of non-consensual kissing from other women, including former People and Toronto Star journalist Natasha Stoynoff.

His numerous lawsuit threats often do not turn into actual lawsuits. Veteran lawyers, though, immediately vowed to defend anyone Trump sued for speaking out.

The declared purpose of Trumps speech was to announce a contract with the American voter, a set of commitments for his first 100 days in office, and he did get around to policy pledges.

Most of them, though, he had announced before: banning immigrants from terror-prone regions, seeking modifications to the North American Free Trade Agreement, rejecting the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, repealing Obamacare, banning election fundraising by foreign lobbyists.

The most notable policy statement was a curious change to his most famous existing platform plank: a giant wall on the border with Mexico, to be paid for by Mexico alone.

It is a staple of his raucous rallies: Trump asks who will be paying for the wall, the crowd bellows Mexico! On Saturday, for the first time, he said the wall would be built with American money  on the understanding that Mexico would provide reimbursement later.

Trump also pledged to authorize the Keystone XL oil pipeline from Alberta, and he did not mention any conditions. In the winter and spring, while boasting of his negotiating talents, he said he would require TransCanada Corp. to give the U.S. government as much as 25 per cent of the profits forever in exchange for his approval.

Trump proceeded to a rally in Virginia Beach, where he drew another adoring crowd of thousands. Clinton was also in critical Pennsylvania, campaigning with running mate Tim Kaine in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.

Clinton said that after three debates, she doesnt even think about responding to Trump anymore.

Speaking to reporters on her plane in Pittsburgh on Saturday, Clinton said that she was going to let the American people decide what he offers and what we offer.

She continued: He can say whatever he wants to. He can run his campaign however he wants to. He can go off on tangents.

Clinton said shell talk about what the next president should do and hopes voters make their choice based on that.

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WASHINGTONRepublican presidential candidate Donald Trump did three speeches on Saturday, Oct. 22: a formal address in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, then rallies in Virginia Beach and Cleveland. He made 20 false claims:

1. Falsely said Clevelands I-X Center, where he was speaking, once housed a company that left the country to operate abroad: As an example, this used to be a great plant. Thousands and thousands of people worked here. And they left. (The facility was a government-owned bomber-manufacturing plant during World War II. It was then turned into a tank-manufacturing plant. The government shut it down in 1972; it was later turned into an exhibition centre.)

2. Falsely said, The (Podesta) emails also show her staff saying she has no core. (Follow along the deception trail here. First, Republican operative Karl Rove wrote a newspaper column in which he argued that Clinton had no core message. Second, the column was included in an email newsletter to which a Clinton aide subscribed. Third, the aides emails were hacked and published by Wikileaks. Fourth, Trump appears to have turned no core message into simply no core  and falsely attributed it to the Clinton aide, who merely had the Rove column in his mailbox, rather than to Rove himself.)

3. Falsely said of the Daesh terror group, also known as the Islamic State, When they started  during her tenure as secretary of state  when they started, they started as a little groupwhy didnt she stop it in the first place? Why did she let it start? (ISIS started long before Clinton became secretary of state in 2009. The group was founded under a different name in 1999; it started using the name Islamic State of Iraq in 2006, under Bush.)

4. Falsely said, Wikileaks showed John Podesta said of Hillary, She has bad instincts. (It was Clinton ally Neera Tanden who called Clintons instincts suboptimal in the hacked Podesta emails, not Podesta himself.)

5. Falsely said, Hillarys plan includes an open border with the Middle East. (It does not.)

6. Falsely said, She is outspending our campaign in some ways by 50 to 1 in ads. We have markets where its 50 to 1. And were tied. Thats pretty good, right. (This Trump claim refers to Florida: an article in September said Clinton was on pace to outspend Trump 53 to 1 on ads there by Election Day. But that has not happened: Trump had spent $12 million to Clintons $43 million as of last week, CNN reported, not even 4-to-1. Also, he is losing by an average of four points in Florida, not tied.)

7. Falsely said, Homicides are up nearly 50 per cent in Washington D.C. and more than 60 per cent in Baltimore. (This was true last year, but not this year. Homicides are down in both cities in 2016, DCs by 13 per cent as of Friday.)

8. Falsely said, The murder rate in the United States is the highest its been in 45 years. (The increase in murders between 2014 and 2015, 11 per cent, was the highest in 45 years. But the number of murders was even lower than it was 45 years ago  even though the country had more than 100 million more people. The murder rate remains near a historic low.)

9. Falsely said, We have the first-ever endorsement from ICE and our Border Patrol officers. (ICE, a government agency whose full name is Immigration and Customs Enforcement, does not endorse candidates. Trump was endorsed by a union of ICE officers.)

10. Falsely said, She smears all of you as deplorable and irredeemable. (Clinton famously said half of Trump supporters are in a basket of deplorables and are irredeemable, not all of them.)

11. Falsely said, As secretary of state, Hillary Clinton allowed thousands (of illegal immigrants)  I mean, all of them, thousands  to be released because their home countries wouldnt take them back. Think of it. (A 2001 Supreme Court decision required these people to be released if their home countries wouldnt take them back. While some critics believe the Bush and Obama administration should have done more to pressure these countries, it wasnt Clintons optional decision to release them.)

12. Falsely said, Premiums are going up 60, 70, 80, 90 per cent. Next year its going to be worse. (Obamacare prices are jumping, but Trump greatly overstates the hikes. Writes the Washington Post: State-by-state weighted average increases range from just 1.3 per cent in Rhode Island to as high as 71 per cent in Oklahoma. But the most common plans in the marketplace will see an average increase of 9 per cent, according to the Kaiser Family Foundations July analysis.)

13. Falsely said the U.S. provided Iran $150 billion as part of the nuclear deal. (Estimates vary, but experts say it is about $100 billion in unfrozen Iranian assets, not $150 billion.)

14. Falsely said of inner cities: Theres no education. Theres no jobs. (This is a gross exaggeration; many inner cities are thriving, and there are educated and employed people even in poor neighbourhoods.)

15. Falsely said, Your taxes will go way, way down under a Trump administration, and Hillary Clinton is raising your taxes. (Clinton is only raising taxes on the highest earners. The Tax Policy Center says most residents below the top 1 per cent will receive minor tax cuts under her plan, and even most of the highest earners will not see a doubling. Meanwhile, experts say the overwhelming majority of Trumps cuts will go to the rich. Half are for the top 1 per cent, according to the Tax Policy Center, and some middle-class families will pay even more than they do now. Most families below the top 20 per cent of earners are expected to reap income gains of less than 1 per cent.)

16. Falsely said, in a separate speech, (My) largest tax reductions are for the middle class. (See above.)

17. Falsely said, We have nearly an $800 billion annual trade deficit with the world. (The trade deficit last year was $532 billion. It was $746 billion only when the count includes goods alone, excluding services. Trump sometimes specifies that he is talking about goods, but often does not.)

18. Falsely said he is in first place in three highly respected national polls. (While several definitions of highly respected could be offered, Trump is wrong to suggest these polls are held in high esteem by independent experts. One of them is the Los Angeles Times tracking poll whose methodology many analysts view with deep skepticism. Another is the Republican-leaning Rasmussen poll that gets a mere C+ in 538s pollster ratings; one study found it 24th in accuracy out of 28 pollsters in the 2012 election.)

19. Falsely said the country has two million criminal illegal immigrants. (This number is incorrect. It is taken from a study that found 1.9 million non-citizens who had been convicted of crimes  but many of them were legal immigrants. By one credible estimate, the number of illegal immigrants with convictions was 820,000.)

20. Falsely said, of Syrian refugees, We have no idea who they are. (The refugees are put through an extensive screening process.)

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ARCAHAIE, HAITIPolice officers were searching cars and boats for escaped prisoners on Sunday after recapturing at least a dozen of the 172 inmates who overpowered guards and escaped from a lock-up in central Haiti, the prisons director said.

The prison break occurred Saturday in Arcahaie, a coastal town about 30 miles (48 kilometres) north of Haitis capital. The community is far from the southwest area that was slammed by Hurricane Matthews eye earlier this month.

One guard was reported killed and others were injured. An inmate reportedly died following a bad fall while trying to scale a prison wall.

Haitian National Police officers set up numerous checkpoints along roads to search vehicles. Small boats in fishing towns around Arcahaie were also being checked.

Heurtelou Paul Colson, director of the Arcahaie Prison, said the lock-up housed 266 inmates.

Justice Minister Camille Edward Junior told Haitis biggest newspaper, The Nouvelliste, that the alleged mastermind of the escape, convicted kidnapper Yvener Carelus, was among the men captured after the prison break.

He planned the escape from the inside with a few accomplices, the minister was quoted as saying.

Prime Minister Enex Jean-Charles said the interim government has given clear instructions to the justice minister to take all necessary measures to remedy this unacceptable situation.

Judge Henry Claude Louis-Jean said Saturday that the escapees stole an unknown number of weapons and some exchanged gunfire with police during the chaotic breakout.

The inmates attacked after they were released from a crammed holding pen to bathe, according to provincial authorities.

After the escape, the body of the dead corrections officer was sprawled on the ground and bullet holes marked the prisons main door. Inside, the wrought iron cell doors had been thrown open and sandals and clothing were scattered about. Authorities held a prisoner who tried to flee.

Haitian prisons are notoriously overcrowded and many inmates spend years in pre-trial detention. It wasnt immediately clear how many of the escaped inmates in Arcahaie were convicted of serious crimes and how many were awaiting trial.

Police asked jittery residents of the coastal area to follow authorities instructions during the manhunt.

The U.S. Embassy advised all American citizens to avoid the area.

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Access to information laws have become an essential feature of modern democracy. They allow citizens to watch over their governments and hold them to account. So its deeply disturbing that Canadas access law, designed for a pre-digital world, and largely unchanged for three decades, is so profoundly broken.

Justin Trudeaus Liberals came to power promising to fix the problem, quickly setting up an all-party committee to review the law. The committee published its recommendations in June and the government vowed to reform the legislation later this year, or early in 2017. A long-overdue change seemed within view.

But last week Treasury Board President Scott Brison quietly backed off those timelines, indicating the government would implement initial changes later this year, but conduct a fuller review of the act starting in 2018. A concerned Information Commissioner Suzanne Legault told CBC News that she now doubts the legislation will be amended before the next election.

Thats a shame. In recent years, loopholes in the law have too often been used to keep politically inconvenient information secret. Federal officials have invoked so-called cabinet confidentiality with alarming frequency. In 2013-14, it was used a record 3,100 times  a 49-per-cent uptick over the previous year. As the information commissioner has argued, the law meant to ensure openness has metastasized into an effective shield against disclosure.

Many recommendations have been made over the years on how to improve the act, but three simple, widely supported changes in particular would do a great deal to foster more openness.

First, the loophole should be shrunk. Cabinet confidentiality is meant to protect the frank and open exchange among cabinet ministers. But it should not be used to prevent Canadians from having the facts and background information that informed their governments decisions.

Second, when an access request has been rejected on grounds of cabinet secrecy, the information commissioner should have the power to investigate that refusal. Currently, the commissioner isnt allowed to see the documents involved.

Finally, Ottawa should invest the commissioner with the authority to issue binding orders that would force government disclosures required by the act. Under the current system, she can overturn a government decision only by taking Ottawa to court.

The first two are long-standing recommendations of transparency advocates and the information commissioner, endorsed by the all-party parliamentary committee. The third was a Liberal campaign promise. Canadians should not be made to wait until after the next election to see them realized.

The trouble is that while democracy loves openness, governments quite often do not. Canada no doubt needs a modern access law that ensures transparency and a watchdog capable of enforcing it. The Liberals understood this in opposition. In government, the temptation to carry on in the dark will be strong, but promises were made, and democratic principle, not political expediency, should light the way.

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Somethings rotten in the region of York.

So impoverished are schools across the region that theyre asking parents to donate school supplies and tissue boxes. Yet, despite this, last month alone a number of trustees made taxpayer-funded trips to Europe for professional development, the Star has learned. Three trustees travelled to Finland in September, one for the second time, another for the third. Two other officials went to Holland.

The board could buy a lot of tissue boxes for that kind of money.

This isnt the first time York trustees have travelled into the realm of dubious spending. In 2012, the education ministry reprimanded the board after a parent discovered trustees had spent more than $130,000 on trips to Finland, New Zealand and London. The minister at the time imposed a six-month moratorium on international travel. Apparently the lesson was not learned.

Trustees are allocated $8,490 for professional development, including travel to other jurisdictions of interest, over their four-year term. Trips to places like Finland, which has among the best education systems in the world, may well be edifying and inform policy improvements. But at a time of restraint, when the board is asking parents to donate supplies, how can it justify multiple international trips for multiple trustees and their staffers?

Sadly, we have no idea. The public has been made aware of the junkets only because concerned board insiders decided to sound the alarm. Even some trustees are confused about the purpose of the travel. There is no follow up after the trip, or explanation as to why we are going, long-time trustee Susan Geller warned in an email to Markham residents, obtained by the Star. Asked for information on the trips, a spokesperson for the board refused even to confirm they took place.

Given the current fiscal context and trustees history of impropriety, that isnt good enough. The Toronto District School Board requires that all official trustee travel be approved by committee before it goes to a board meeting for a vote. Yorks board should adopt at least that measure of oversight and transparency, lest its claims of poverty start to look corrupt.

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Stromboli provides one of the most remarkable opportunities to watch volcanic eruptions from close: a natural ridge located 150 m above the active vents. A classic and all-time favorite tour by anyone interested in seeing active volcanoes!
Few people have approached the death penalty debate quite like Lincoln attorney Bob Evnen.

He has studied it, read court cases and appeals of death row inmates, and thought long and hard about the arguments.

Early in the campaign to overturn what the Nebraska Legislature voted to do in 2015 in repealing the death penalty, Evnen signed on to help establish the organized effort: Nebraskans for the Death Penalty.

But there was no taking a behind-the-scenes role for the studious former state Board of Education member. He jumped in quickly, taking on speaking engagements, panel presentations and public forums and hearings to help educate voters on why the death penalty should remain an option in Nebraska.

"It isn't like I set out in my life to be a champion and defender of the death penalty," he said. "I didn't consider this to be the alpha and omega of my existence. But I think that it's vitally important. And that's why I got involved in it."

He doesn't know of any instance in his family history of anyone being a victim of horrifying violence, he said.

But it's so important to him that he's taken time from his labor and employment law practice with the Woods & Aitken firm to travel the state. No one handed him talking points; he's done his own research, written his own speeches.

"I've spent countless hours in preparing talks and delivering them. And I do it all on a volunteer basis. I have been paid nothing for any of my time," he said.

The Nebraska unicameral made a terrible mistake in repealing the death penalty, he believes.

"I don't want to be critical of the members of the Legislature. They did what they saw fit. I don't have personal criticisms of these people," he said. "But they did make a very big mistake."

It was shocking to him that they came to the conclusion they did.

Senators said they voted to repeal the death penalty and override Gov. Pete Ricketts' veto through careful consideration of information and debate. Evnen questions whether the information provided to senators was accurate and complete, although he said he didn't listen to any of the hearings or debates as they unfolded in 2015.

If others are philosophical about the death penalty, Evnen is a pragmatist.

People exercise choice about how they behave, he says. And they should be held accountable for those choices.

Nebraska has been cautious and judicious in its use of the death penalty, reserving it for the worst crimes and the worst criminals, he said.

It always baffles him, he said, when anti-death penalty advocates include in their arguments that the state never carries out executions.

"Would they be happier if we had three hangings every Saturday? How often should we have it?" he said.

Death is an appropriate punishment for those most depraved crimes and criminals, he said. It's a matter of self defense for society.

And it's important to protect law enforcement.

"We expect members of law enforcement to go out and risk their lives to protect us every day," he said. "We ought to have their backs and protect them."

There is a lot of disagreement over whether the death penalty is a deterrent to murder. Both sides cite studies to shore up their argument.

Evnen believes there's evidence that it is a deterrent and that lives are saved when it's imposed and carried out.

"It seems to me that if there's a strong case to be made that innocent lives are saved by the existence of the death penalty, that we're actually morally compelled to have it in place," he said.

Those who want to retain the law have focused on the idea that state officials have been unable to carry out death sentences in Nebraska because they don't have the drugs or a workable means to execute an inmate. And it is unlikely it ever will.

Evnen believes the death penalty can work. And if the law is repealed, he said, he hopes senators will take seriously their duty to their constituents to solve the death penalty's problems.

"A lot of these problems have been created by people who just oppose the death penalty," he said. "The answer is not just to throw in the towel on a very important punishment. ... I'm confident that they're solvable because other states have solved them."

In his work as an attorney, he's had the opportunity to read death penalty cases, to see what defendants had done and how their cases were handled.

"I did that because I wanted to check my own sensibilities about this. Do I believe in this? Is this right?" he said. "I'm left with the conviction that it's the right thing."

The facts of the cases of death row inmates are so vicious and so depraved you will rarely hear them recited on TV or radio or see them in newspapers, he said.

"You have to work hard to get on death row."

Evnen is convinced his role in the death penalty debate isn't important. What's important, he said, is that people give consideration to the issue.

He asks: Are you morally justified to kill a person who intends to kill you or another person in your presence?

"If you feel like the answer is yes," he said, "then we're no longer talking about whether it's justified. Now we're talking about when, under what circumstances."
Creativity is one of the most misused terms in the lexicon. We assume that all artists are creative, and we assume that creativity is something wild, unfettered and liberating. But not every classical musician would agree. First, honing an interpretation of someone elses work is at the very least a different kind of creativity from making something new. Second, every successful artist, in any field, has to put in a lot of knuckle grease; creativity is, in general, the result of methodical hard work.

Exhibit A: Hilary Hahn. Now 36, a star of the violin world, returning to Washington for a concert at the Kennedy Center at the end of this month, Hahn is one of the most creative, illuminating violinists of our time  and one of the most methodical.

She was very studious, says the conductor Leonard Slatkin, a longtime collaborator and mentor, of his first time working with her, when Hahn was 16.

She was such a conscientious student, says composer Jennifer Higdon, who taught a course about contemporary composition when Hahn was an undergraduate at the Curtis Institute. Many years later, Higdon wrote her Violin Concerto for Hahn, with repeated encouragement, on Hahns part, to make the piece even harder. In truth, Higdon wrote in an email exchange, I think Hilarys playing is literally all strengths!

Hahn has taken the same calculated, inquisitive approach to exploring creativity  both through improvisation, which she has pursued for a number of years, and through new works.



The reason Ive been trying different things lately, she said last April, sitting in a conference room in her hotel the day after her recital at Strathmore, is Ive always been really interested in lots of different stuff, but most of it was outside music. The arts or in liberal arts, languages, literature, writing  nothing professional or serious, but just the creative spirit, I guess.

Working with composers, she added, I was realizing that there was a whole part of the musical creative process that I didnt have firsthand experience with. So I started kind of entering that realm, from different directions, just to understand a little bit more of how a composer gets to the final point of the piece that they write.

[Concerto on the fly: can classical musicians learn to improvise?]

Offstage and on, Hahn stands out for her directness. She wears her stardom like one of her concert gowns: something tailor-made for her that doesnt interfere with her freedom of motion or her down-to-earth approach. She is at once open, friendly and a little reserved. Having long lived in the public eye and long shared her life with her fans  for years, she published regular journal entries and postcards on her website, and she maintains an active social-media presence that includes a Twitter account nominally penned by her violin case  she has become firmer about keeping her private life private, not least because it now includes a husband and a baby daughter, born last year.

Hahns two concerts this year for Washington Performing Arts  the second is Oct. 28  are built around six solo pieces written for her by the Spanish composer Anton Garcia Abril. The commission grew out of Hahns project In 27 Pieces, commissions of encore-length works by living composers, a project inspired by Higdons class at Curtis, where Hahn was exposed to a huge variety of new music.

I started out asking people for recommendations, Hahn said. And then I realized that everyone had different people they were attached to, and some names kept coming up because they were very of the moment. And I realized that neither one  neither personal attachments nor current trends  was very representative of what I was trying to achieve. She branched out, looking up lists of living composers, trying out Pandora playlists to find new sounds. The resulting mix is eclectic and wide-ranging, both stylistically and geographically, from Higdon and David Lang to Lera Auerbach and Franghiz Ali-Zadeh. The project won Hahn her third Grammy award, in 2015.

When Hahn asked Garcia Abril to write her a piece for the 27 Pieces project, he sent a set of three, which initially embarrassed her, because she thought she must not have been clear enough in her request. It turned out he had just been inspired  and, in turn, his work spoke to her.

I realized that he had this way with polyphony for violin on its own, and it just seemed like it rang a bell for me, she says. I was at that time sort of considering how polyphony was developing in violin writing, because I play a lot of Bach. I was just thinking about the development of this technique and what it conveys emotionally, and the possibilities of it, and I was really curious where it could go. And when I saw what Anton was doing in that kind of realm without even thinking about it, I thought, I have to ask him to write a set of six.

The new works from Garcia Abril are an unmistakable reflection of her artistic personality, Simon Chin wrote in The Washington Post: serious, muscular, virtuosic but not ostentatious, inquisitive but not revolutionary.



[A lot riding on Hilary Hahns bow at Strathmore.]

Hahn isnt devoting herself entirely to contemporary music. For her last recording, she dove back into her childhood with the fourth violin concerto of Henri Vieuxtemps, a 19th-century Belgian violinist. This season, shell be playing the Tchaikovsky concerto with Slatkin in Lyon.

We have gone through a lot of repertory together, Slatkin said in a recent email exchange. What has changed over the years is that when it comes to the warhorses, she now exudes a great degree of flexibility.

Hahn is finding other ways of bringing inventiveness to bear on her performing life. Her appearances in Lyon are part of a four-week residency in which she is making efforts to connect with the community in unusual ways. During a recent residency with Viennas Konzerthaus, her performances included playing for a knitting group. I'm just experimenting with the way people listen to live music, she says. When you have live music in the background, people are usually talking over it. You dont actually get to listen to live music in your space all the time.

The one area of creativity that Hahn is not probing is writing music herself.

Ive never loved composing, she says, because I feel like other people do it better. . . . I do think, though, that I'm getting to a point where getting closer and closer to that, for myself, its part of that whole process of trying to understand how a composer creates. She adds, It could be really personally rewarding. Stay tuned.



Hilary Hahn and Robert Levin will appear on Oct. 28 at 8 p.m. in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall, presented by Washington Performing Arts.
As the worst of a nationwide opioid epidemic raged in Appalachia, DEA investigators went after companies distributing millions of highly addictive pills. Then, their cases ground to a halt. ( Lee Powell / The Washington Post)

For 10 years, the government waged a behind-the-scenes war against pharmaceutical companies that hardly anyone knows: wholesale distributors of prescription narcotics that ship drugs from manufacturers to consumers.

The Drug Enforcement Administration targeted these middlemen for a simple reason. If the agency could force the companies to police their own drug shipments, it could keep millions of pills out of the hands of abusers and dealers. That would be much more effective than fighting diversion of legal painkillers at each drugstore and pain clinic.

Many companies held back drugs and alerted the DEA to signs of illegal activity, as required by law. But others did not.

Collectively, 13 companies identified by The Washington Post knew or should have known that hundreds of millions of pills were ending up on the black market, according to court records, DEA documents and legal settlements in administrative cases, many of which are being reported here for the first time. Even when they were alerted to suspicious pain clinics or pharmacies by the DEA and their own employees, some distributors ignored the warnings and continued to send drugs.

Through the whole supply chain, I would venture to say no one was doing their job, said Joseph T. Rannazzisi, former head of the DEAs Office of Diversion Control, who led the effort against distributors from 2005 until shortly before his retirement in 2015. And because no one was doing their job, it just perpetuated the problem. Corporate America let their profits get in the way of public health.

A review of the DEAs campaign against distributors reveals the extent of the companies role in the diversion of opioids. It shows how drugs intended for millions of legitimate pain patients ended up feeding illegal users appetites for prescription narcotics. And it helps explain why there has been little progress in the U.S. opioid epidemic, despite the efforts of public-health and enforcement agencies to stop it.

At the peak of the crisis, the DEA retreated from the battle. A Post investigation published Sunday revealed that beginning in 2013, some officials at DEA headquarters began to block and delay enforcement actions against wholesale drug distributors and others, frustrating investigators in the field.

Several former DEA officials told The Post that the shift in approach undercut the cases against some of these distributors, who were ignoring signs that their customers were ordering suspicious quantities of narcotics.

We could not get these cases through headquarters, said Frank Younker, a DEA supervisor in the Cincinnati field office who retired in 2014 after a 30-year career. We were trying to shut off the flow, and we just couldnt do it.



Frank Younker, a retired DEA supervisor, said it became difficult to get the agencys headquarters to approve cases against distributors starting in 2013. (Matt McClain/The Washington Post)

The 13 companies include Fortune 25 giants McKesson, Cardinal Health and AmerisourceBergen, which together control about 85 percent of all pharmaceutical distribution in the United States. They also include regional wholesalers such as Miami-Luken and KeySource Medical, both based in Ohio, as well as Walgreens, the nations largest retail drugstore chain. Many of the distributors are tiny operations with just a few employees.

It is not clear how many other cases exist. Because the DEA handles its enforcement actions administratively, few details surface unless the agency or the company discloses them, or if one side appeals in civil court.

The DEA declined to disclose how many enforcement actions it has brought against distributors, requiring a Freedom of Information Act request that The Post filed in April. The request is pending. The DEA also would not make any officials available to discuss this article, but it provided a statement from acting administrator Chuck Rosenberg defending the agencys enforcement actions.

We now have good folks in place and are moving in the right direction, he said.

Some of the 13 companies have fought the DEAs enforcement efforts in court and in hearings before the agencys administrative law judges. Except in two pending cases, all have lost or settled. Using its civil authority, the DEA stopped the flow of narcotics from some company warehouses, and U.S. attorneys levied fines totaling more than $286 million.

Most of the 13wholesalers involved in these cases declined to be interviewed. In court filings and congressional testimony, they said they have developed large and sophisticated systems to help prevent drug diversion. They have complained that it is difficult to police the activities of far-flung drug dispensers and have noted that drugs could not be sold to illegal users without prescriptions written by corrupt doctors. They also criticized the DEAs past approach to the problem as punitive and its rules as vague and confusing.

But the problem is clearly ongoing. Prescription narcotics cause more overdose deaths every year than any street drug, including heroin. The painkiller epidemic has taken 165,000 lives since the turn of the century, with the number of deaths soaring from 3,785 in 2000 to 14,838 in 2014.

Opioid overdoses, mainly from prescription drugs, are also the leading cause of the recent unexpected rise in the mortality rate of middle-aged white Americans, particularly women in rural areas, after decades of steady decline.

But it is impossible to estimate how much of the opioid supply is siphoned away to illicit use.

No one knows, because its impossible to track what happens to an individual prescription once it leaves the pharmacist, said Susan Awad, director of advocacy and government relations for the American Society of Addiction Medicine.





One of the first wholesalers targeted by the DEA under its Distributor Initiative was Southwood Pharmaceuticals, a small company based in Lake Forest, Calif., that sent controlled substances to Internet pharmacies. Because these online businesses typically allowed people to obtain drugs without being seen by a doctor, they were ripe for abuse.

In 2005, for example, Southwood supplied one Florida online drugstore, Medipharm-Rx, with 8.6 million doses of hydrocodone  the opioid found in Vicodin and Lortab, according to the DEA.

But Southwood failed to file a single suspicious order report, even after the DEA warned the company in July 2006 about the growth in the volume of its shipments. The DEA had seen the trend in its own monitoring of drug-sales data.

Even after being advised by agency officials that its internet pharmacy customers were likely engaged in illegal activity, [Southwood] failed miserably to conduct adequate due diligence, Michele Leonhart, then the DEAs deputy administrator, wrote in a 2007 decision to revoke the companys license to distribute narcotics.

The direct and foreseeable consequence of the manner in which [Southwood] conducted its due diligence program was the likely diversion of millions of dosage units of hydrocodone, Leonhart wrote, adding that the company had reason to know that the 44 million doses of hydrocodone it distributed were probably being diverted.

That amount would provide a 30-day supply of narcotics for everyone in the city of Dallas, according to Express Scripts, a pharmacy benefit management company.

Southwood got out of the business of selling controlled substances and six years later lost its pharmacy license in California.

The companys president, John Sempre, recently told The Post that the company did not understand at first that it was supplying Internet pharmacies. He said it is very difficult for companies to monitor the sales of faraway retailers.

If companies like McKesson cant control it, what does that tell you? Sempre asked.

In 2008, McKesson, the nations largest drug distributor, settled a case that accused three of its U.S. warehouses of failing to report hundreds of suspicious orders from Internet pharmacies. As a result, millions of doses of controlled substances were diverted from legitimate channels of distribution, the Justice Department said in a news release. The company paid a $13 million fine to U.S. attorneys offices in Florida, Maryland, Colorado, Texas, Utah and California.

By failing to report suspicious orders for controlled substances that it received from rogue Internet pharmacies, the McKesson Corporation fueled the explosive prescription drug abuse problem we have in this country, Leonhart, then the acting DEA administrator, said in a statement at the time.

Seven years later, after being caught up in a second diversion case, McKesson agreed to pay a $150 million fine and accepted license suspensions at four warehouses, according to a company filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. No other details of that case have become public, and both the company and the DEA declined to discuss it.

A McKesson spokeswoman said in a statement to The Post, We welcome the ongoing dialogue with the DEA aimed at developing effective controlled substances monitoring programs and successfully mitigating prescription drug abuse and diversion.





AmerisourceBergen, another member of the so-called Big Three distributors, lost its license to send controlled substances from an Orlando warehouse on April 24, 2007, amid allegations that it was not controlling shipments of hydrocodone to Internet pharmacies. The facility was back in business by August of that year and did not pay a fine, according to a company spokeswoman.

Few details of the case have surfaced.

Cardinal, the third member of the Big Three, paid a $34 million fine in 2008 after seven of its warehouses across the country filled thousands of suspicious orders from Internet pharmacies without reporting them, despite an earlier warning from the DEA, according to a Justice Department news release.

On Oct. 5, 2010, when Cardinal investigator Vincent Moellering visited Gulf Coast Medical Pharmacy, a drugstore in Fort Myers, Fla., he found evidence of diversion everywhere, records show, including suspicious customers who came in groups to fill their prescriptions.

The pharmacys owner told Moellering that he could sell even more narcotics if Cardinal would supply them, according to Moellerings report, which the DEA introduced in a court proceeding.

Moellering labeled the drugstore high risk and wrote: I am not convinced that the owner is being forthright pertaining to his customers origin or residence. I have requested permission to contact DEA to resolve this issue.

But Cardinal didnt notify the agency or cut off Gulf Coasts drug supply, the DEA contends. Instead, the shipments kept going out. In 2011 alone, Cardinal sent more than 2 million doses of oxycodone to Gulf Coast. Cardinal typically shipped 65,000 doses of the opioid annually to comparable pharmacies, the DEA said.

Even as Cardinal was increasing its shipments to Gulf Coast, another wholesale drug distributor, H.D. Smith, was cutting off its supply of painkillers to the pharmacy. Smith took action after one of its compliance officers visited Gulf Coast and found impaired and lethargic customers with glassy eyes in November 2010, a few weeks after Moellerings visit, court records show.

The Smith inspector learned that the pharmacy filled 300 prescriptions a day, nearly half for controlled substances. Smith considered anything over 20 percent to be a red flag.

Gulf Coast owner Jeffrey R. Green and manager Karen S. Hebble sometimes waited after hours to sell narcotics, even without a pharmacist present, court records show.

Drug dealers said they brought groups of fake patients  known in the trade as spuds or skidoodies  to Gulf Coast to fill bogus prescriptions obtained from cooperating prescribers, court records state. They always paid cash.

One drug dealer would call ahead to make sure Gulf Coast had enough pills for his fake customers. Cardinal only stopped shipments to Gulf Coast in October 2011, shortly before the DEA demanded information from the distributor. The next month, Gulf Coast surrendered its license.

Green and Hebble were ultimately convicted in federal court of conspiracy and money-laundering charges.

Cardinal contended that volume of drug sales alone is not an accurate measure of lack of compliance. The company noted that Gulf Coast served a hospital complex and hundreds of physicians.

In 2012, Cardinal settled the administrative case, but no fine has been levied. Negotiations are ongoing, according to a federal prosecutor and the company.

In a statement to The Post, Brett Ludwig, Cardinals vice president of public relations, said the company deploys advanced analytics, technology, and teams of anti-diversion specialists and investigators who are embedded in our supply chain. This ensures that we are as effective and efficient as possible in constantly monitoring, identifying, and eliminating any outside criminal activity.



The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office raided a pain-management clinic in Tampa as part of a 2010 crackdown on pill mills. (Edward Linsmier/St. Petersburg Times via Zuma Press/Newscom)

At Walgreens, an employee at one of the 13 warehouses the drugstore chain operated in the United States grew suspicious of the large orders being sent to some of its pharmacies, court records show.

Kristine Atwell, who managed distribution of controlled substances for the companys warehouse in Jupiter, Fla., sent an email on Jan. 10, 2011, to corporate headquarters urging that some of the stores be required to justify their large quantity of orders.

I ran a query to see how many bottles we have sent to store #3836 and we have shipped them 3271 bottles between 12/1/10 and 1/10/11, Atwell wrote. [A bottle sent by a wholesaler generally contains 100 doses.] I dont know how they can even house this many bottle[s] to be honest. How do we go about checking the validity of these orders?

Walgreens never checked, the DEA said. Between April 2010 and February 2012, the Jupiter distribution center sent 13.7 million oxycodone doses to six Florida stores, records show  many times the norm, the DEA said.

In March 2011, the situation became so alarming at two Walgreens drugstores in the small town of Oviedo, Fla., that Police Chief Jeffrey Chudnow wrote to the companys top executives, Alan G. McNally, who was chairman; and Gregory D. Wasson, then the president and chief executive.

Chudnow asked that they prohibit Walgreens pharmacists from filling orders where the quantities of narcotics were split over two prescriptions.

These types of prescriptions overtly denote misuse and possible street sales of these drugs, Chudnow wrote. He said he never heard back from the executives.

In 2012, the DEA launched a six-month investigation of Walgreenss Jupiter facility. The probe found that Walgreens failed to maintain an effective system for detecting suspicious orders or reporting them to the DEA.

Even when suspicious orders were identified, the warehouse often shipped the drugs anyway, without making inquiries, the DEA said in court papers. A company spokesman said Walgreens would have no comment on the case.

Walgreens settled with the DEA in 2013, agreeing to pay an $80 million fine  a record for a diversion case at the time. The company acknowledged that its suspicious order reporting for distribution to certain pharmacies did not meet the standards identified by DEA.



Jim Geldhof, a former DEA diversion supervisor, said Ohio-based distributor Miami-Luken ignored DEA warnings about excessive sales of prescription opioids. (Nick Hagen/For The Washington Post)

In 2013, DEA officials at the agencys headquarters began requiring a higher burden of proof before investigators in the field could take enforcement action. One case that was underway became entangled in that shift, according to interviews and records.

Beginning in 2011, the DEA had repeatedly warned Miami-Luken, an Ohio-based distributor, about suspicious sales of opioids, according to Jim Geldhof, then the agencys program manager in Detroit.

We went to management of the company and told them they have to look at their sales. They are pretty extraordinary, said Geldhof, who retired in January after more than four decades with the agency. We spoke to them on multiple occasions, and we were pretty much ignored.

Yet investigators couldnt persuade lawyers at DEA headquarters to allow them to take action.

Geldhof said orders to show cause that he requested in 2013 were not issued until November 2015.

It sat there for two years. I dont know why there was a delay, Geldhof said. We went back and forth. The ball was always moving. We had all of this going on, overdose deaths, what part of this are we not getting them to understand. We said, You tell us what you want and well give it to you. 

Inside Miami-Luken headquarters, employees had also seen troubling signs. Two of them sent word up the chain. A pharmaceutical buyer and a customer-service representative were concerned about large oxycodone orders by a southern Ohio pain clinic.

The warnings reached senior company officials, including then-chief executive Anthony Rattini. But little changed.

Cindy Willet, the senior pharmaceutical buyer, told investigators in 2015 that she eventually stopped talking to [Rattini] about her concerns because he wasnt doing anything about it. It was as if it was falling on deaf ears. Tony never stopped an order.

The pain clinic, Unique Pain Management, was based in Wheelersburg, Ohio, a town of 6,500 at the epicenter of the opioid epidemic. The clinic was run by a father-daughter team of physicians, John and Margy Temponeras. Between December 2009 and June 2010, the clinics monthly orders of oxycodone rose from 67,800 doses to 104,400. Miami-Luken did not investigate the surge, according to the DEA.

Despite signs that something was amiss, Miami-Luken not only continued to ship Dr. [Margy] Temponeras oxycodone, but also shipped increased amounts, the DEA alleged.

But Margy Temponeras ordered so much OxyContin from Miami-Luken that in August 2010 she drew the attention of Purdue Pharma, the drugs manufacturer. Purdue cut Miami-Lukens OxyContin supply by 20 percent, prompting Miami-Luken to halt drug shipments to Temponeras, records show.

Last year, a federal grand jury indicted the Temponerases and a pharmacist on charges that they conspired to illegally sell medication, alleging that at least eight people had died of overdoses connected to the drugs.

Three of those people died while the clinic was receiving drugs from Miami-Luken between November 2008 and August 2010, according to the indictment and DEA records. It is unclear whether Margy Temponeras also purchased drugs from other distributors, or whether any of those who died consumed drugs distributed by Miami-Luken.

The Temponerases are scheduled to stand trial early next year. Their attorneys declined to comment. An attorney for the pharmacist, Raymond Fankell, who is also scheduled to stand trial next year, said Fankells involvement was limited to helping Margy Temponeras set up the dispensary in her office and to filling her prescriptions at his drugstore.

During one of their interviews with Rattini, DEA investigators asked how the company documented suspicious orders. Rattini pointed to his compliance officer, who put a finger to his head. Its all just up here, he said.

The agency is now attempting to revoke Miami-Lukens license. The company has asked for a hearing before a DEA administrative law judge and is battling the DEA in federal court over a subpoena for agency records.

Miami-Luken is one of two distributors identified by The Post whose cases are pending in civil court. Eleven other companies have agreed to settlements, taken corrective steps or given up their licenses to distribute controlled substances, records show.

Were taking this to a hearing because we strongly dispute the governments characterizations, said Richard H. Blake, an attorney for Miami-Luken.

The company said in court filings that it has purchased software to better identify suspicious orders and added staff to its compliance efforts. Its chairman, Joseph Mastandrea, intends to testify that he removed Rattini from his role supervising compliance as DEAs inquiries increased and that he realized that Mr. Rattini was not fulfilling the companys DEA compliance obligations, according to court filings.

Rattini did not return calls seeking comment. The chairman will accept responsibility for the companys past failings, the court documents state.

Alice Crites contributed to this report.


The site of the shuttered Southern Ohio Complete Pain Management in Portsmouth, a city at ground zero of the opioid crisis. (Bonnie Jo Mount/The Washington Post)

UNNATURAL CAUSES SICK AND DYING IN SMALL-TOWN AMERICA: Since the turn of this century, rates have risen for whites in midlife, particularly women. In this series, The Washington Post is exploring this trend and the forces driving it. Related: Wholesalers sent pills to drugstores that fueled the opioid epidemic

A decade ago, the Drug Enforcement Administration launched an aggressive campaign to curb a rising opioid epidemic that was claiming thousands of American lives each year. The DEA began to target wholesale companies that distributed hundreds of millions of highly addictive pills to the corrupt pharmacies and pill mills that illegally sold the drugs for street use.

Leading the campaign was the agencys Office of Diversion Control, whose investigators around the country began filing civil cases against the distributors, issuing orders to immediately suspend the flow of drugs and generating large fines.

But the industry fought back. Former DEA and Justice Department officials hired by drug companies began pressing for a softer approach. In early 2012, the deputy attorney general summoned the DEAs diversion chief to an unusual meeting over a case against two major drug companies.

[How Congress allied with drug company lobbyists to derail the DEAs war on opioids]

That meeting was to chastise me for going after industry, and thats all that meeting was about, recalled Joseph T. Rannazzisi, who ran the diversion office for a decade before he was removed from his position and retired in 2015.

Rannazzisi vowed after that meeting to continue the campaign. But soon officials at DEA headquarters began delaying and blocking enforcement actions, and the number of cases plummeted, according to on-the-record interviews with five former agency supervisors and internal records obtained by The Washington Post.

The judge who reviews the DEA diversion offices civil caseload noted the plunge.

There can be little doubt that the level of administrative Diversion enforcement remains stunningly low for a national program, Chief Administrative Law Judge John J. Mulrooney II wrote in a June 2014 quarterly report obtained under the Freedom of Information Act.

In fiscal 2011, civil case filings against distributors, manufacturers, pharmacies and doctors reached 131 before dropping to 40 in fiscal 2014, according to the Justice Department. The number of immediate suspension orders, the DEAs strongest weapon of enforcement, dropped from 65 to nine during the same period.

Things came to a grinding halt, said Frank Younker, a DEA supervisor in the Cincinnati field office who retired in 2014 after 30 years with the agency. I talked to my fellow supervisors, and we were all frustrated. It was ridiculous. I dont know how many lives could have been saved if the process was done quicker.

The slowdown began in 2013 after DEA lawyers started requiring a higher standard of proof before cases could move forward.

Top officials at the DEA and Justice declined to discuss the reasons behind the slowdown in the approval of enforcement cases. The DEA turned down requests by The Post to interview Mulrooney, acting DEA administrator Chuck Rosenberg, chief counsel Wendy H. Goggin and Rannazzisis replacement, Louis J. Milione.

The agency provided a statement from Rosenberg:

We combat the opioid crisis in many ways: criminally, civilly, administratively, and through robust demand reduction efforts.

We implemented new case intake and training procedures for our administrative cases, increased the number of enforcement teams focused on criminal and civil investigations, restarted a successful drug take back program, and improved outreach to  and education efforts with  our registrant community.

We have legacy stuff we need to fix, but we now have good folks in place and are moving in the right direction.

The Justice Department, which oversees the DEA, declined requests to interview Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch and Deputy Attorney General Sally Q. Yates.

The department issued a statement saying that the drop in diversion cases reflects a shift from crackdowns on ubiquitous pill mills toward a small group of doctors, pharmacists and companies that continues to violate the law.

Justice Department spokesman Peter Carr said diversion investigators are also increasingly using criminal procedures to force targets to surrender their licenses without administrative hearings.

Although these reasons largely account for the decline in administrative case filings, the department remains committed to eliminating the problem of opioid abuse, Carr said, pointing out that the diversion control chief had recently been elevated to a top leadership post.





But Justice statistics show that surrenders of licenses have remained relatively constant since 2011 before dropping by more than a third in the last fiscal year. Carr could not say how many were tied to DEA enforcement actions. The former agency supervisors said the majority of surrenders do not involve DEA enforcement actions.

The epidemic began in the late 1990s after the introduction of the powerful, long-acting opioid OxyContin and an aggressive marketing campaign by the drugs manufacturer, Purdue Pharma, to persuade doctors to prescribe it for all kinds of pain. A new philosophy of pain management resulted in a surge in demand and the U.S. addiction rate.





From 2000 to 2014, 165,000 people died of overdoses of prescription painkillers nationwide. The crisis has also fostered follow-on epidemics of heroin, which caused nearly 55,000 overdose deaths in the same period, and fentanyl, which has killed thousands more. The number of U.S. opioid prescriptions has risen from 112 million in 1992 to 249 million in 2015.

Several DEA officials on the front lines of the opioid war said they could not persuade headquarters to approve their cases at the peak of the epidemic. They said they confronted Clifford Lee Reeves II, a lawyer in charge of approving their cases, to no avail. Through a DEA spokesman, Reeves declined to comment for this report.





Jim Geldhof had been with the DEA for nearly four decades and was serving as the diversion program manager in the Detroit field office when Reeves took over at DEA headquarters in 2012.

It was like he was on their side, not ours, said Geldhof, who retired in January. I dont know what his motive was, but we had people dying. Youd think hed be more aggressive. We were in the throes of a major pill epidemic.

In the field, Younker and other DEA supervisors said they grew to distrust Reeves and became suspicious about what was taking place at headquarters.

We all had a feeling that someone put him there to purposely stonewall these cases, Younker said.

Kathy Chaney, who served as the DEAs group supervisor in Columbus, Ohio, saw the problem play out firsthand. She was responsible for 35 counties in Ohio and had overseen the agencys efforts to curb prescription painkiller abuse in cities such as Chillicothe and Portsmouth, both at ground zero of the opioid crisis.

She said one of her cases against a distributor languished for years without action. The experience was particularly difficult, Chaney said, because she had been meeting with parents of children who had died of overdoses of oxycodone and other painkillers.

We got so frustrated, I finally told my group, Were not going to send any cases up to headquarters,  said Chaney, who retired in 2013. In 25 years, I had never seen anything like it. It was one of the reasons I left. Morale was terrible. I couldnt get anything done. It was almost like being invisible.

***



Joseph Rannazzisi, shown at a Senate Judiciary subcommittee hearing in 2009, ran the DEA Office of Diversion Control for a decade before he was removed from his position and retired last year. (Haraz N. Ghanbari/Associated Press)

In 2004, the leaders of the DEAs diversion office became alarmed by the rising number of overdose deaths amid a growing supply of prescription painkillers. Online pharmacies were flourishing, making it easy to buy powerful painkillers such as oxycodone and hydrocodone. The death toll had hit 8,577, a 15 percent jump in one year.

Pain-management clinics began popping up around the country. DEA diversion investigators soon realized that they were playing a real-life game of Whac-a-Mole. As soon as they shut down one facility, another would appear.

People were dying, said William J. Walker, a 31-year DEA veteran who headed the diversion office in 2004 and 2005.

Walker set up tactical units around the country to investigate doctors, pharmacists, distributors and manufacturers.

We had a multilayered threat, and there was a tremendous sense of urgency, he said. I turned up the heat on the workforce, and we started getting after it.

Toward the end of 2005, Walker, a brigadier general in the National Guard, was called up for active duty and left the office. Taking his place was his top deputy, Joseph Rannazzisi, a street-smart New Yorker who held degrees in pharmacy and law. He had begun his career as a DEA street agent and then a supervisor in Detroit before working his way to the top of the diversion office at the agencys headquarters in Arlington, Va.

Rannazzisi decided to focus on the source of the pills: the wholesale distributors of pharmaceuticals.

Drugs are manufactured by high-profile corporations such as Purdue Pharma. They rely on a lesser-known network of distributors, some of which are also multinational corporations. The distributors serve as middlemen, sending billions of doses of opioid pain pills to pharmacists, hospitals, nursing homes and pain clinics. The U.S. prescription opioid market generates $10 billion in annual sales.

There are thousands of distributors among the 1.6 million people and companies that hold DEA licenses to dispense drugs, but three of them  McKesson, AmerisourceBergen and Cardinal Health  account for 85 percent of the drug shipments in the United States. These companies, which together collect about $400 billion in annual revenue, supply the corner pharmacist as well as giant medical centers.

For years, the DEA had taken a hands-off approach to the prescription drugs flowing out of the distributors. The companies had been reporting their drug sales inconsistently or not at all. They had been largely left alone as the DEA focused on doctors and pharmacies.

The distributors had been ignored for years and years and years, John J. Coleman, the third-ranking administrator at the DEA in the mid-1990s, said in a recent interview.

In 2005, the Office of Diversion Control, under Rannazzisi, launched its Distributor Initiative and briefed 76 companies about it. The new campaign pitted the DEA against an industry with close ties to lobbyists, lawyers and politicians in Washington.

On Sept. 27, 2006, the diversion office sent a letter to distributors across the country, reminding them that they were required by law to ensure that their drugs were not being diverted to the black market.

Given the extent of prescription drug abuse in the United States, along with the dangerous and potentially lethal consequences of such abuse, even just one distributor that uses its DEA registration to facilitate diversion can cause enormous harm, Rannazzisi wrote in the letter.

Five months later, D. Linden Barber, then-associate chief counsel for the DEA diversion office, wrote to DEA supervisors across the country, telling them to be vigilant. Abuse of prescription drugs, he said, had become greater than the abuse of cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine.

Under Rannazzisis initiative, distributors would have to monitor their sales in real time, withhold drug shipments if they detected suspicious activity and report those red flags to the DEA.

The diversion office deployed two weapons to ensure compliance. The first was an order to show cause, which permits investigators to begin a process to stop drug shipments from warehouses. The second was an immediate suspension order, which allows the DEA to instantly freeze shipments of narcotics from facilities where an imminent threat to public health exists. The immediate suspension order was especially dreaded by the distributors.

Younker, the former DEA supervisor in Cincinnati, said the agency had no other choice.

The distributors could have stopped what was going on, but they didnt, he said. They were doing the bare minimum. Why would you want to cut off a customer thats paying you $2 million a year? They have sales reps and sales quotas and bonus structures and employees of the month. Everyone was making a lot of money.



Palm Beach County Sheriffs Deputy David Moore and DEA agent Kevin Stanfill escort one of 16 suspects arrested in a 2013 pill-mill raid in Boynton Beach, Fla. (Allen Eyestone/Palm Beach Post via Zuma Press/Newscom)

The DEA diversion office started small. Investigators targeted Southwood Pharmaceuticals, a mom-and-pop distributor in Lake Forest, Calif., where shipments of hydrocodone had skyrocketed over nine months in 2005, from 7,000 doses per month to 3 million. Southwood eventually lost its license to dispense controlled substances.

In 2007, the DEA raised its sights, bringing an enforcement case against McKesson  now the nations largest drug distributor and the fifth-largest corporation in the country. The DEA accused the company of failing to report hundreds of suspicious orders from online pharmacies.

As a result, millions of dosage units of controlled substances were diverted from legitimate channels of distribution, a Justice Department news release said in 2008. Without admitting liability, McKesson eventually settled the case, agreeing to pay a $13 million fine.

That same year, the diversion office filed a case against Cardinal Health, another member of the Big Three wholesalers. DEA investigators alleged that the company was sending millions of doses of painkillers to online and retail pharmacies without alerting investigators to an obvious sign of illegal diversion.

Cardinal settled the allegations in 2008, paying a $34 million fine without acknowledging wrongdoing and promising to improve its monitoring of suspicious orders. Cardinals chief executive at the time said the company had spent $20 million to control diversion and took its responsibility very seriously.

Still, the painkiller crisis raged. In 2008, 13,149 people died of opioid overdoses.

The next year, a federal law made it illegal to distribute controlled substances online and required doctors to see their patients face-to-face before writing prescriptions.

By now, the DEAs campaign was broad and deep. Mulrooney, the agencys chief law judge, noted in an internal report that the agency had filed 115 charging documents in 2010, including 52 immediate suspension orders.

Progress, the chief judge wrote, noting that all pending cases were scheduled for hearings. This has not been true for as long as anyone here can remember.

In late 2011, Rannazzisis office filed warrants to yet again inspect the records of a Cardinal warehouse. Investigators alleged that the company was overlooking escalating oxycodone orders from pharmacies in Florida. The DEA was also targeting four drugstores supplied by Cardinal in the state, including two CVS pharmacies.

Rannazzisis office obtained an internal Cardinal email from 2010 showing that the companys own investigator had warned against selling narcotics to Gulf Coast Medical Pharmacy, an independent drugstore in Fort Myers, Fla., citing suspicions that the pills were winding up on the street.

Despite the warning, Cardinal hadnt notified the DEA or cut off the supply of drugs.

Instead, the company shipped increasing quantities of pain pills to Gulf Coast. In 2011 alone, Cardinal sent more than 2 million doses of oxycodone to Gulf Coast. The wholesaler typically shipped 65,000 doses annually to comparable pharmacies.



Joseph Rannazzisi, then-chief of the Office of Diversion Control, greets Sen. Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa) before a Senate Finance Committee hearing in 2007. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

I had the case of my dreams, Rannazzisi said.

About Thanksgiving in 2011, Rannazzisi said that he received an unexpected phone call.

It was from James H. Dinan, then-chief of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces program at the Justice Department. Dinan worked with then-Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole, the second-most-powerful Justice Department official after Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr.

Rannazzisi said Dinan told him: Were getting calls from attorneys, former Justice people, that are saying you guys are doing some enforcement action.

Rannazzisi said he told Dinan that warrants for Cardinal records had already been served.

Among the attorneys representing Cardinal at the time were two former deputy attorneys general, Jamie S. Gorelick, who served in the Clinton administration, and Craig S. Morford, who served in the George W. Bush administration. Both contacted the DEA, records show.

Gorelick did not respond to requests for an interview. Morford declined to comment. Instead, Cardinal referred questions to Barber, the former DEA associate chief counsel in charge of diversion litigation, who joined the law firm Quarles & Brady and is now representing distributors.

Barber told The Post that there was nothing unusual about Morford contacting the agency.

It was not anything other than wed like to sit down and have a discussion at an early stage of the investigation,  Barber said.

On Feb. 1, 2012, as Rannazzisi was preparing to sign off on immediate suspension orders against Cardinal and CVS, he said he received another call from Dinan.

Rannazzisi said Dinan told him that Cole, the deputy attorney general, known in the department as the DAG, was demanding a briefing before the suspension orders were executed.

The next morning, at 1:36 a.m., Dinan followed up with an email.

Please call me in the morning, he wrote, according to Rannazzisi. I want to make double sure nothing unreversible happens before the DAG is briefed as we talked about at Thanksgiving.

That morning, Rannazzisi went to the Justice Department in Washington to meet with a number of officials, including Cole; Dinan; Goggin, the DEAs top lawyer; and Stuart M. Goldberg, Coles chief of staff.

Rannazzisi said Goldberg did most of the talking.

He asked me a question about what my goals were in this case, and why I was going after these corporations, Rannazzisi said. I said, Before I answer that, Ive got to ask you: Ive done hundreds of these cases, and Ive never been called over to the Justice Department to explain myself. Im just curious why this case is so important. 

Rannazzisi said Cole interrupted.

Because Im the deputy attorney general of the United States, and I want to know about it, he recalled Cole saying.

Then I say, Well, that doesnt really answer the question,  Rannazzisi said.

The meeting went downhill from there.

It spiraled out of control, Rannazzisi said. It got very adversarial.

Cole, who is now a partner at the Washington law firm Sidley Austin, disputed Rannazzisis characterization of the meeting.

My conversation with Mr. Rannazzisi was simply to confirm whether or not he had refused to meet with Cardinal regarding a potential DEA action and, if so, share my view that it made good sense to listen to what Cardinal had to say, Cole said in a statement.

Hearing what Cardinal had to say could inform DEA of facts they may not have known. I did not tell Mr. Rannazzisi how to come out on the Cardinal matter and certainly did not discourage him from going after any company in violation of any statutes or regulations, he said.

Dinan, now the principal assistant U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, declined to comment through a spokesman. Goldberg and Holder did not respond to requests for an interview.

Rannazzisi said he left the meeting undeterred. The same day, his office filed the suspension order against Cardinal, and two days later, DEA investigators shut down the two CVS pharmacies. A week later, DEA officials said in court documents that Cardinals activities constituted an imminent danger to the public health or safety.

As the cases were pending, Goggin wrote to Rannazzisi to inform him that CVS was attempting to go around the agency by appealing to the office of the deputy attorney general, known as ODAG.

CVS lawyers (who used to work at DOJ) are trying to do an end run with ODAG, Goggin wrote, according to Rannazzisi. They want (1) to get the administrator to hold off issuing a final order until we are able (presumably) to try and work out a settlement.

In his statement, Cole said, I do not recall having any involvement with CVS matters while at DOJ.

Final orders make cases public because the decisions are published in the Federal Register. A final order was issued against CVS, which ultimately paid a $22 million fine.

In 2012, Cardinal also reached a settlement. A company spokesman recently told The Post that Cardinal uses state-of-the-art techniques, including advanced analytics, to combat diversion.

To date, the company has not been fined. A federal prosecutor and company officials said negotiations are continuing.

***



Jim Geldhof, a retired DEA diversion supervisor, said he grew increasingly frustrated by his inability to convince the agencys headquarters to approve cases at a time when opioid deaths were soaring. (Nick Hagen/For The Washington Post)

In December 2012, a new lawyer filled the position in charge of approving cases brought by the DEAs diversion office. A career employee of the Justice Department, Clifford Reeves had worked on the case against CVS. At first, diversion investigators were encouraged by the arrival of an experienced lawyer.

But soon, complaints arose in some of the DEAs field offices around the country. Under Reeves, DEA attorneys began demanding additional evidence before investigators could take action.

After Reeves arrived, everything became confrontational, Geldhof, the retired DEA diversion manager in Detroit, recalled in a recent interview. There were a lot of roadblocks all the time. Everything was an issue.

Before Reevess arrival, Geldhof said, investigators had to demonstrate that they had amassed a preponderance of evidence before moving forward with enforcement cases, which are administrative, not criminal. Under Reeves, Geldhof said, investigators had to establish that their evidence was beyond a reasonable doubt, a much higher standard used in criminal cases.

Geldhof said he repeatedly confronted Reeves about the languishing cases.

I said, Lee, whats going on?  Geldhof said.

He said Reeves simply told him about the new higher standard.

Barbara Heath, a DEA program manager in Atlanta, said she and her investigators were frustrated by the new policy in Washington.

It was the most significant change in my 20 years at the DEA, said Heath, who oversaw the agencys diversion efforts in Georgia, the Carolinas and Tennessee from 2006 until her retirement in December. It got to the point where they wanted the same evidence as criminal prosecutions. It was very difficult to prove intent.

In Washington, Mulrooney, the chief DEA judge, was documenting the falling caseload. In a June 24, 2013, quarterly report, Mulrooney wrote that there was a significant drop in the number of orders to show cause. Four months later, he noted a free fall in the numbers of charging documents. For the first time since records had been kept, he noted, no charging documents had been filed for an entire month.



Frank Younker, a retired DEA supervisor in Cincinnati, said he had trouble getting cases approved during the opioid epidemic. (Matt McClain/The Washington Post)

Younker, the retired DEA supervisor in Cincinnati, said he, too, called Reeves to complain.

Look, these cases are lingering here, theyre down in your shop for six to 12 months, Younker recalled telling Reeves. Theyre sending drugs out and people are dying, and this is like the emperor has no clothes on.

Younker said Reeves replied: Whos the emperor?

I said, Youre the emperor. You cant sit on these things like this. 

Seeing what was happening in the field, Rannazzisi said he became furious with Reeves.

At one point, I said: Ive lost all faith in the counsel, and youve become a hindrance and not a help, and all these people are dying,  Rannazzisi said.

Chaney, the former DEA supervisor in Columbus, said her office in 2011 began investigating an Ohio distributor that sent tens of millions of pain pills to doctors and pharmacies in Florida over three to four years.

Chaney said there was no reason to ship that many pills to Florida from Ohio, because the company already had a distribution facility in Florida. The DEA also had previously taken action against some of the doctors who were writing prescriptions for opioids filled by the Florida pharmacies.

It was a righteous case, she said.

But the lawyers at DEA headquarters disagreed. The original DEA attorney assigned to the case was removed and replaced by a lawyer who stalled the case at every turn, Chaney said.

It was never enough, she said. We could never satisfy them.

Chaney declined to identify the company because no legal action was taken.

At the end of 2013, she retired from the DEA.

We were all very dedicated, and we were all deeply disappointed that the program was being manipulated this way, she said.

Kathy Chaneys mother, Barbara Ann Bransford, became addicted to Percocet after a car accident and died of an accidental overdose in 1979. Thats the reason I got into this work, the former DEA diversion supervisor said. (Courtesy of Kathy Chaney)

Chaney said she had joined the DEA because of a personal loss: Her mother became addicted to Percocet after a car accident and died of an accidental overdose.

Thats the reason I got into this work, she said. To see this happening, it makes me want to cry.

In Washington, Mulrooney was becoming increasingly frustrated, his quarterly reports show. In a June 24, 2014, report, the judge wrote that the DEAs legal office had filed only seven show-cause orders and one immediate suspension order in the previous three months.

These numbers continue to reflect an alarmingly low rate of Agency Diversion enforcement activity on a national level relative to historical data, Mulrooney wrote.

He noted that the drop in cases coincided with a leadership transition in the legal office. He wrote that he couldnt determine who was to blame  the field offices or the lawyers at headquarters. Mulrooney divided the operating budget of the diversion office by the number of cases that were being approved. He found that each case was costing taxpayers nearly $11 million.

Assuming also that opioid-

related deaths remain at over 20,000 per year (2010-2011 levels), this would mean that the Agency is on course to institute one administrative enforcement action for every 625 fatalities, he wrote.

Three months later, Mulrooney reported that the diversion caseload was so low, his judges had little to do. He began permitting them to hear cases from other federal agencies, including the Bureau of Prisons and the Treasury Department.

In the summer of 2014, Rannazzisi said that he received an unusual request. To foster better relations with industry, the Justice Department wanted to meet with senior representatives of drug distributors and pharmacy chains.

Rannazzisi said he was appalled. Some of the companies were either under investigation or in the midst of settlement negotiations with the DEA diversion office, he said.

But Rannazzisi said that he objected and that the meeting did not take place.

***



Kathy Chaney, who retired from the DEA at the end of 2013, said one of her enforcement control cases against a distributor languished for years without action. (Andrew Spear/For The Washington Post)

That summer, lobbying by the pharmaceutical industry intensified on Capitol Hill. Several members of Congress, led by Reps. Tom Marino (R-Pa.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), were proposing a measure that critics said would undercut the DEAs ability to hold drug distributors accountable.

Four major players lobbied heavily in favor of the legislation, called the Ensuring Patient Access and Effective Drug Enforcement Act. Together, McKesson, AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal and the distributors association, the Healthcare Distribution Alliance, spent $13 million lobbying House and Senate members and their staffs on the legislation and other issues between 2014 and 2016, according a Post analysis of lobbying records.

In July 2014, Rannazzisi was asked to explain his opposition to the bill in a conference call with congressional staffers.

I said, This bill passes the way its written we wont be able to get immediate suspension orders, we wont be able to stop the hemorrhaging of these drugs out of these bad pharmacies and these bad corporations,  Rannazzisi recalled telling them.  What youre doing is filing a bill that will protect defendants in our cases. 

His remarks enraged Marino, the chairman of the House Judiciary subcommittee on regulatory reform.

In a Sept. 18, 2014, congressional hearing, Marino tore into then-DEA Administrator Michele Leonhart, Rannazzisis boss. By then, the legislation had passed the House; the bill was about to be introduced in the Senate.

It is my understanding that Joe Rannazzisi, a senior DEA official, has publicly accused we sponsors of the bill of, quote, supporting criminals, unquote, Marino said. This offends me immensely.

Rep. Tom Marino (R-Pa.) clashed with DEA diversion control chief Joseph Rannazzisi and demanded that he be investigated for trying to intimidate members of Congress. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Marino told Leonhart that Congress was sending the DEA a message: You should take a serious look at your regulatory culture and seek collaboration with legitimate companies that want to do the right thing.

Marino mentioned Holders desire to meet with representatives of the pharmaceutical industry. At a hearing, Marino said he was disappointed that DOJ staff has not made this a priority.

Seven days later, Marino and Blackburn, who represent districts in states that have been hit hard by the opioid epidemic, demanded that the Justice Departments inspector general investigate Rannazzisis remarks. They said he had tried to intimidate members of Congress. An investigation was launched. Rannazzisi was replaced in August 2015 and retired last October.

That led to his undoing, said Matthew Murphy, a DEA official who worked with Rannazzisi in the diversion office. Rannazzisi had very, very strong views on what was happening on the street, Murphy said. He wasnt going to change his opinion because of some heat.

Marino said the conflict boils down to one person  Rannazzisi.

We had a situation where it was just out of control because of [Rannazzisi], Marino said. . . . His only mission was to get big fines. He didnt want to [do] anything but put another notch in his belt.

The legislation passed in 2016. It raises the standard for the diversion office to obtain an immediate suspension order. Now the DEA must show an immediate rather than an imminent threat to the public, a nearly impossible burden to meet against distributors, according to former DEA supervisors and other critics. They said the new law gives the industry something it has desperately sought: protection from having its drugs locked up with little notice.

DEA officials, who declined to speak on the record, said the agency retains its power to issue immediate suspension orders under the new law.

Four months after Rannazzisi left, representatives from drug distributors and pharmacy chains got the meeting they had long wanted with key government officials, including Rosenberg, the acting DEA administrator, and Milione, Rannazzisis replacement.

Afterward, the DEA issued a news release declaring that it had established a new relationship with the companies.

The pharmaceutical industry has a vital role on the front lines of preventing drug misuse and abuse across America, as do we, Rosenberg said in the release, and we plan to work closely with them.

The new relationship had been in the making for years.

One longstanding Congressional criticism of DEAs diversion control division has been a lack of communication with its registrants, Carr, the Justice Department spokesman, said in the recent statement. Upon his arrival at DEA in May 2015, in response to these concerns, Acting Administrator Rosenberg made it a priority to improve communication with registrants and strengthen partnerships with the regulated industry.

John M. Gray, president and chief executive of the Healthcare Distribution Alliance, the wholesalers trade association, praised the new approach.

HDA is pleased with the willingness of the new leadership at the DEA to meet with and engage registrants, and is encouraged by the Administrations desire to reset the relationship with our industry,  Gray said in a recent statement to The Post.

Rannazzisi said he views the new relationship as a surrender to industry.

This idea that theyre going to say, Im sorry I violated the law, give me another chance and Ill make it right, without having some type of punishment, to me is outrageous, he said. Every time I talked to a parent who lost a kid, Im pretty sure they didnt want me to say, Oh, give them another chance because corporate America needs another chance. 

Steven Rich, David S. Fallis, Alice Crites and Josephine Peterson contributed to this report. Peterson is attached to The Posts investigative unit through a program at American University.
Dear Amy: Im a faithful reader of your column.

I am a housekeeper for the best family in the world. I know they love me, and we share mutual respect.

I am paid $400 per week. Im not starving, for sure. But the problem is that on holidays and my birthday, the gifts are mostly clothes from stores I will never go to.

I cannot afford to maintain these clothes  the dry cleaning is not cheap.

I do not need nor want a designer cashmere sweater, because its as if I had a Mercedes-Benz but couldnt afford the oil change!

Please tell your readers that I (and other domestic workers) would rather have cash. Cash will help me with savings and give me room to breathe.

I feel a weeks salary in cash would be the best bonus or gift I could ever receive.

Domestic Worker

Domestic Worker: Thank you so much for the honest recommendation. The holiday season will soon be upon us, and I hope that employers will pay close attention to your letter.

An extra weeks worth of pay would be a great gift, is about the same price of a fancy cashmere sweater and doesnt require special handling.

Dear Amy: In July my grandson married his girlfriend of four years (she is the mother of my great-grandson, who is 2).

My wife (his step-grandmother) and I were not invited to the wedding. We have no idea why we were excluded, as we thought we had a great relationship with them.

Even his mother was confused over this and told my wife that she would see to it that we got an invitation, but that didnt happen. We have not spoken to, heard from or seen them since the wedding and are very confused as to why.

My heart is breaking, as I would love to have a relationship with them but especially my great-grandson, Sammy.

Any advice you could give me would be greatly appreciated.

Heartbroken Great-grandfather

Heartbroken Great-grandfather: Im very sorry this has happened, and I assume you would respect an explanation for this exclusion  but having no explanation at all puts you in a tough spot.

You should contact your grandson and his wife by mail. Tell them, We are hurt that we werent invited to your wedding, but we are very happy for you and assume you had your own reasons for leaving us off the list. All the same, we wanted to congratulate you both; we hope to see you and Sammy very soon.

Send along a colorful board book or wooden toy for your great-grandson, and leave the door open for a reply.

Dear Amy: Thank you for advising your recent writer (Stuck at 17), and all your other readers, that it is never too late for a survivor of sexual assault to come forward.

There is help available, and sometimes there is even a chance for the police and prosecutors to get some justice and hold the criminal accountable.

In California recently, Gov. Jerry Brown wisely signed a law (SB 813) abolishing the statute of limitations for serious sexual-assault cases.

As a career prosecutor, I have been working for such a law for 16 years. And now we have it. It is prospective only; it doesnt apply to crimes occurring prior to Jan. 1, 2017. However, state laws vary, and depending on where a survivor lives, prosecution may be possible.

Even if prosecution is not an option, a survivor can access support such as counseling but only when they summon the courage to come forward.

Your answer encouraging them to do so was morally right and most welcome.

Jay B in California

Jay B in California: Thank you so much.

I am of the firm belief that someone who is brave enough to send a letter to me is already taking the first step toward healing.

I hope it gives assault survivors a boost to know that their bravery inspires countless unknown people who read their story and may choose to act on their own behalf.

Different states have different statutes of limitations, but there is no limitation on compassionate help. Even years later, trauma survivors can recover by telling their stories, by accepting assistance and by helping others.


Kyle Johnson sits in his apartment after coming home from his 5 a.m. shift. He recently graduated from the police academy college, where he learned what it might be like to be a black police officer in Baltimore. (Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post)

He had grown up in Baltimore, been arrested, been slammed to the ground by a police officer. And now, all he wanted was to be one.

So Kyle Johnson flipped through his mail. It was a Wednesday in July, and he had just come home from his 5 a.m. shift at the airport, where he spent eight hours moving baggage around planes. A safe job. The kind no one has an opinion about.

He found the envelope he was hoping wouldnt be there. It was from Morgan State Universitys police department, the first agency Kyle applied to after graduating from a community college police academy. If they had wanted to hire him, they would have called.

Okay, he told himself. On to the next.

The next, if he were being practical, would be his hometown Baltimore Police Department. They were hiring, and seeking minority candidates  actively recruiting locals, who would be familiar with the city and its problems.

But that day, BPD had been on the 12 oclock news again. Kyle saw it on the little TV in the airport break room. The charges against the officers accused in the case of Freddie Gray had just been dropped, meaning no one would be found responsible for the death of the Baltimore man who was 25  Kyles age  when he fell into a coma in the back of a police van. Two weeks later, the Justice Department would determine that the Baltimore police had been disproportionately targeting and using excessive force against black people.

Already, Kyles Facebook feed was full of opinions on this development in what seemed to be a never-ending story of never-ending conflict. More black men dead in Minnesota, in Baton Rouge; police officers slain in Baton Rouge, in Dallas. Each time, his friends and relatives fumed about injustice and fear. Kyle kept his opinions to himself. Rarely did anyone seem to have a solution. Except, he thought, the Dallas police chief, who gave a news conference to say: Were hiring.

Well help you resolve some of the problems youre protesting about, the chief, David Brown, had said.

Thats what Kyle wants: If the battle is between cops and black people, maybe the solution is to be both.



Kyle Johnson watches a local news story about a police-involved incident. Despite the flood of negative stories, he hopes to make a difference as a cop. (Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post)

Johnson at his police academy graduation with his fiancee, Tanniqua Nichols, and their son, Kacen. (Courtesy of Tanniqua Nichols)

This year, everything else in his life has been lining up. He moved out of his moms house to an apartment, with space for his 3-year-old son, Kacen, to have a race car bed. He proposed to his girlfriend, Tanniqua Nichols. He marched in uniform to accept his graduation certificate from the Anne Arundel Community College Police Academy, while Kacen stood on Tanniquas lap yelling Go, Daddy! Go, Daddy! Kyle didnt see it, but it had made Tanniqua cry.

He promised her that he will be the Good Cop. The academy taught him how. He just needs to follow his training and document everything. He learned that when there are bad apples in law enforcement, all the other apples can smell it. He has decided that hell be the one who reports them. Maybe hell be one of those officers who goes viral for having a dance-off with kids or buying a car seat for someone who cant afford it. If he does his job right, he told Tanniqua over and over, hell come home safe.

He wants to believe it is that simple. But she knows better.



Tanniqua Nichols fears what might happen to her fiance if he becomes a police officer. I never grew up to say, I hate cops, but I could have, from how I was treated, she said. (Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post)

Once, they broke the door frame as they busted in the house.

Once, an officer wrenched Tanniqua right out of the bathtub, without giving her a chance to put on clothes.

So many times, even when she was 11, when she was 7, when she was 4, they threatened to send her to jail if she didnt tell them where her mother was.

I never grew up to say, I hate cops, but I could have, from how I was treated, she said one fall afternoon in their new apartment. She had taken the day off from her job doing laundry at a retirement home so she could train for a second job as a legal secretary.

I tell Kyle these stories. He listens. He understands, she said.

They met in community college. On their dates to T.G.I. Fridays and Dennys, they learned each others histories.

He grew up in Northeast Baltimore, an only child with a schoolteacher mom and a warehouse-working dad. He learned about life through baseball, where his worth depended not on his race or familys income but on his skill and dedication and heart. He had lost a cousin to gun violence, had been evicted on the day of his high school graduation, had seen enough of the citys problems to know that he wanted to be a part of the solution.

But to her, he still seemed sheltered, naive. Tanniqua could rattle off all the run-down houses her mother had moved their family of five in and out of. Federal Street, Biddle Street, Eagle Street, Luzerne Avenue. At each one, her mothers tumultuous life would bring the cops to their door.

She knows Kyle wont treat people the way they treated her. She knows he will try to form the kind of trust between police and community that people always say is missing.

I always tell him, Put yourself in peoples shoes,  she said. The person stealing or dealing drugs might be doing it to help his little sisters, sitting at home, hungry.

This, she added quietly, is what her brother did for her.

When these officers come around here from different backgrounds, they judge, she said. They just think, Oh, that person is a criminal, without thinking about why.

But theres another side of the story, she knows. There are the people who do hate the cops. She imagines her Good Cop out there, being polite and responsible and open-minded  and somebody can take him for granted, and he can lose his life.

Tanniqua started talking faster. This was her big fear  the Ferguson Effect, they called it on the news. Officers fear being seen as the next Bad Cop, so they hesitate to use force, and then they become the victims.

Because some people just dont give a f--- at all, she said. He might be out there, meet that person and ask them what the problem is, and they pull out a gun because on that day, theyve had it.



Kyle and Tanniqua take their son, Kacen, to the National Zoo to celebrate his third birthday. (Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post)

The family peeks into the reptile exhibit during the birthday trip to the zoo. (Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post)

And what about the day that hes had it?, she wondered. The day he messes up and somebody pulls out a camera to record it.

I think cops are scared. I think that black people are scared, she said. Its a battle.

So she tries to prepare him. She acts out scenarios he might encounter: Shell pretend shes the driver who wont roll down her window when shes been pulled over. Or, at the grocery store, she tells him to imagine a customer throwing a fit and refusing to leave. When they watch the news together, she repeats the facts of the case as presented on TV. How would you handle it? she asks him.

I pray for Kyle, she said. I know thats what he wants to do, but, its so dangerous, in this society. . . . When he gets out there, Im going to toss and turn the whole night.

She imagines herself pacing in their kitchen, waiting for him to walk in the door. They decorated this room with apples: Apple napkin container, apple drying mat, apple sponge holder. They remind her of the country. One day, she said, thats where theyll all move together as a family.

Kyle knew why the first police department he applied to rejected him. At most departments, you cant have a criminal record. Three years ago, he got in a fight with a co-worker at the airport. He got probation for a second-degree assault, a misdemeanor.

It wont disqualify him forever, but he had to get his record expunged. Last year, he went through the process  hiring a lawyer, getting a letter of recommendation from his professor, all the paperwork. It was granted in May. He thought his record would be cleared by the time he submitted his first application in June.

It just takes awhile, I guess, he sighed.

He worked double shifts, waiting for the expungement to be processed and trying to save up for his wedding next year. He found discounts on a hall and the catering, but Tanniqua still needed to find her dress. Something with long sleeves, something they can afford after paying the lawyer, the rent, utilities, cellphone bills, car payments and Kacens day care.

Kyle would have had more saved up, but he spent $9,000 on the 10-month police academy. Sometimes, when he was hunched over his books studying late into the night, Tanniqua would ask him, Are you sure you dont want to do something else? Like firefighting?

They wondered whether friends or relatives would call him a sellout, or maybe an Uncle Tom. Kyle would repeat what his professors had told him:

This is the best time to be an officer, because there are changes being made.

If everything police are doing is wrong, how about you try to fix it?

Theres risk in every job.



Kyle Johnson straps Kacen into his car seat before they drive to their new apartment in Northeast Baltimore, not far from where Kyle was raised. (Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post)

He could stick with his airport job  waking up at 3:30 a.m., putting on his blue Southwest Airlines sweatshirt, getting paid $17 an hour with a raise every year. He could hang out in the break room and watch the news on the little TV:

Men who look like him getting shot by police. Men who look like him smashing windows.

Both of the presidential candidates declaring that relationships between the communities and police need to be fixed.

Kyle could deem it all too big and too complicated for him to make any real difference. And he might still.

But every time he sees the cops on TV, hell think of how it feels to have an officer slam you to the ground.

His first run-in with the police happened when he was 18. He came out of a nightclub to find his cousins Ford Taurus had been broken into, and other cars on the block with their windows smashed. When the cops arrived, Kyle tried to provide one officer with his license and registration. The cop started cursing at him.

I can see youre having a bad day, Kyle said, Ill just wait for another officer.

When he turned around, the officer tackled him, forced his head into the grass and put him in handcuffs.

As Kyle sat on the curb, another officer approached. He apologized for the first cops behavior. He explained that the officer had been having some anger issues, and he promised that he would make sure everything got worked out.

He followed through on that promise. Kyle had to go down to central booking that night, but eventually he left without being charged. And soon after, he started thinking about what it might be like to become a Good Cop.
Donald Trump appears on TV monitors in the media filing room at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas campus during the third presidential debate on Oct. 19. (Jim Urquhart/Reuters)

In the final pages of Richard Ben Cramers seminal book about presidential politics, What It Takes, Michael Dukakis looks around in wonderment at the scene outside his Massachusetts home less than 24 hours after his crushing 1988 loss to George H.W. Bush.

The barricades were gone. And the agents. And the cop cars, the van, the people  that block had been wall-to-wall demonstrations, Cramer wrote. No TV trucks, photographers, microphones. The only sound: birds.

Nobody, Dukakis says with relief to top aide John Sasso. And Sasso smiles and agrees: Yeah.

Its what happens to losing presidential candidates: Mitt Romney, Al Gore, the elder Bush himself in 1992, after his loss to Bill Clinton.

The blazing spotlight moves away. Its over.

That welcome relief from the madness, though, seems almost an impossibility if Donald Trump loses on Nov. 8. Trump wont want it to happen, and Im afraid that media will be equally reluctant to let go.

American news organizations may complain of Trump Fatigue.

But whether or not well admit it, we have a far worse condition: Trump Addiction. Combined with the candidates own need for attention, and his skill at keeping all eyes riveted on him, its going to be a hard habit to break.

Trump is catnip, especially to the cable news media. He is not going away, predicted Jane Hall, a former Fox News contributor and now a communications professor at American University. I doubt that he is going to let go of the adulation.

And she said, depending on how his supporters react to a loss, continuing coverage could well be valid.

Unfortunately, a lot of forces have been unleashed and they are going to deserve coverage, Hall said.

Dan Roberts, the Washington bureau chief of British news giant the Guardian, sees it differently.

The coverage of Trump himself will collapse. The minute the campaign is over, the value of that coverage drops, he said.

Roberts thinks that there may be some residual Trump coverage, which he characterizes as schadenfreude about the damage to his business and some interest in what hes doing next.

Essentially though, Donald Trump will be old news, he said, and wont be worthy of much attention.

But, he added, there is a larger subject that does deserve more coverage: We should continue paying attention to Trumpism, fueled by the angry and disenfranchised Americans who have put their weight behind the unlikely candidate and his populist message.

Roberts makes the point that news organizations largely missed a huge story months ago when they failed to understand what was driving Trumps support  millions of people who were very unhappy with the status quo.

BuzzFeeds political editor, Katherine Miller, says that postelection Trump coverage will depend heavily on what he does.

If he starts a media property, thats a point of actual news, she said. If he follows through on his threat to contest the election, thats a legitimate story, too.

But Miller would draw a line: Every stray comment he makes is no longer interesting. And like both Hall and Roberts, she sees a larger story that will deserve continuing attention: Trump has been divisive, and the divisions arent going to go away. But, she says, Trump himself doesnt seem all that interested in leading an ideological movement.

She notes, though, that Trump has always found a way to stay in the limelight, something hes been doing for decades in various ways: He is undeniably a captivating person and now represents the divide in the country.

In recent weeks, even as Trumps chances of winning have flagged, news coverage of him seems to have ramped up.

His threats  probably empty ones  of suing the New York Times and the women who have accused him of sexual misconduct are swamping everything else.

Trump coverage continues to overshadow anything involving Hillary Clinton, the woman who is almost certainly about to become president. It seems obsessive, and smacks of codependency.

So heres a modest proposal. If Trump loses on Nov. 8, lets avert our addicted gaze. Cold turkey may not be advisable, given legitimate Trump-related news that may demand attention. As Jane Hall puts it, there are gradations of coverage.

But the ratings-driven attention to Donald Trumps every outrageous word and deed should come to a screeching halt.

The ugly truth is that the Trump/media relationship has worked for both, while doing damage to the nation. Adulation for the narcissist. Vast audiences for those who direct the spotlight.

Gladys Knight wasnt thinking about 2016 politics when she sang, Neither one of us . . . wants to be the first to say goodbye. But she might have been.

For the sake of sanity, civility and democracy, somebody needs to show some discipline and break this thing off.

I say we go first.

For more by Margaret Sullivan visit wapo.st/sullivan
Dear Miss Manners: One of my girlfriends recently got engaged. I was very happy and excited for her, as she had waited for this proposal for what seemed a long time. When she texted me with a photo of the proposal taking place, I quickly texted back my congratulations. The next day, I then followed up with a phone call to again congratulate the happy couple and find out the details of the proposal.

Imagine my dismay when, a few days later, my friend discussed with me how disappointed she was in her friends response to her engagement! She proceeded to tell me that it really bothered her that none of her good friends took her out for Champagne to celebrate or for a manicure.

I sat there in silence as she talked about what she has done for her friends who have gotten engaged, but no one did it for her.

Am I a bad friend for not doing these things? I assumed there would be engagement parties, bridal showers and everything else that comes along with this engagement, so I never thought of doing something extra so quickly for her.

Is this something I should bring up with her as to why it bothered me that she came off as so self-centered?

First, a warning:

Do not agree to be a bridesmaid to this lady. If in the first flush of this happy time, her thoughts are not focused on her new life with her fiance, but on how others should pay her obeisance, it is only going to get worse.

Miss Manners next cautionary advice is not to get into a discussion of your friends fault or your own grievance. Rather, you should be leading her into talk about the virtues of the bridegroom and listening to tedious wedding details (should the tablecloths be pink or rose?). That is the duty of a good friend under such circumstances.

Dear Miss Manners: Today the granddaughter of someone I know asked me point blank if I think her grandmother is beautiful. Is this a proper or improper question?

It is a dangerous one, as the world seems to be full of literal-minded people who would rather state their blunt opinions than consider and react to the subtext that would lead someone to ask such a question.

In any case, the proper answer to the granddaughter is yes. Miss Manners assures you that all grandmothers, like all babies, are beautiful.

Dear Miss Manners: My friend of many years has become predictably rude, demanding and demeaning to wait staff when we lunch together, a ritual of many years. I find that I cannot abide her ill-mannered treatment of these people, plus it ruins my meal.

Recently, while in a restaurant together, I gently asked her to treat the wait staff nicely. She exploded in anger against me and walked out. Can this friendship be saved?

No. Not at lunchtime, at any rate.

New Miss Manners columns are posted Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays on washingtonpost.com/advice. You can send questions to Miss Manners at her website, missmanners.com.
An 87-year-old man was struck on his head by a small metallic projectile in a possible hunting accident Saturday as he was walking toward his house in upper Montgomery County, authorities said.

County police said the man was hit about 12:40 p.m. as he walked up a hill on his property in the 3700 block of Elton Farm Road in the Brookeville area.

Detectives thought that man might have been unintentionally struck by a projectile fired by a hunter, police said.

They noted that his property was next to public land in an area that is frequented by hunters.

Before being hit, police said, the man heard what sounded like a gunshot.

No detailed description of the projectile was available.

However, it appeared from accounts that it was more likely a shotgun pellet than a bullet.

Police described the mans injury as a graze wound.

County police said they searched the area of the incident along with officers from the Maryland Natural Resources Police.

However, they said, no one was located.

The Natural Resources Police, in a preliminary description on a Twitter feed, called the incident a hunting accident.

Elton Farm Road, where the mans property is located, lies just west of a tract of wooded parkland near the Triadelphia Reservoir.

The largely rural area is west of Georgia Avenue and north of Damascus Road.
A man was robbed on a street on Capitol Hill early Saturday in an incident that, like three others on the Hill last week, appeared to involve suspects in their teens or younger.

Cellphones were taken in three of the four incidents.

In Saturdays robbery, a phone was taken shortly after midnight in the 500 block of Third Street NE. Police said the victim described three robbers, ranging in age from 14 to 18.

The street, lined with rowhouses, is within a few blocks of the H Street corridor, Union Station and the Hart Senate Office Building.

On Friday night, less than four hours earlier, a woman told police that she had been assaulted and robbed of her phone on 10th Street SE, just off East Capitol Street and west of Lincoln Park. In that case, police said, witnesses intervened to chase off the robbers.

Police said three juveniles were arrested near the scene of the robbery. One had the victims cellphone, police said. They said the woman was not injured.

On Wednesday, just before sunset, a cellphone was snatched from a womans hand in the 600 block of D Street SE.

The street is about a block west of the Eastern Market Metro station.

Police said they arrested a 13-year-old boy. It was unclear what happened to the phone.

The same boy was allegedly involved in an attempt about a half-hour earlier Wednesday, and four blocks to the south, to take a womans purse in the 600 block of Ellen Wilson Place SE.

In that incident, the woman kept her purse, and the 13-year-old was charged with assault with intent to rob, police said.

They said they also arrested a second suspect in that incident. They said he was 12.
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Republican Robin Ficker delivers signed petitions to the Montgomery County executive's office in Rockville in August for his bid to place a charter amendment on the November ballot limiting officials to three terms in office. (Bill Turque/The Washington Post)

Jean Cavanaugh is a Silver Spring Democrat and environmental activist who says she respects the tough decisions elected officials in Marylands largest county must often make.

That places her about as far as possible, politically and temperamentally, from Robin Ficker, a Republican who has hammered the Montgomery County Council for years on taxes and spending and is the driving force behind a term-limits proposal on the ballot this November.

But Cavanaugh, too, has grown weary of the same old faces on the council  a manifestation, perhaps, of the anti-establishment sentiment that has swept the country this year, fueling the campaigns of outsider presidential candidates as starkly different as Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Republican nominee Donald Trump.

Cavanaugh, 56, is ready to vote for Question B, which would place a three-term cap on council members and the county executive.

Its the only way were going to get new people in office, she said. It just becomes incestuous to have the same people in office for so long.

[Has Donald Trump transformed America, or revealed it?]

She has joined an unlikely coalition that appears poised to do something unprecedented in the left-leaning county, a place filled with people who like government  including many make their living from it at the federal level  and expect much from it at the local level.

Unhappiness with a recent run of council decisions has reached a kind of critical mass among a swath of voters that includes union members, real estate developers, business leaders, members of neighborhood associations, and liberals and conservatives.

Many are reacting to a record property-tax increase this spring, a hike in the recordation tax for property sales, cuts in raises negotiated in collective bargaining agreements and  on the political right  the countys protective policies toward undocumented immigrants.

And just about no one liked the vote to raise council members salaries to more than $130,000 by the end of 2017.

If there was ever a time that the actions of the council would drive a term-limits initiative, this is probably the year, said Steve Silverman, a former council member and county economic development director who describes the breadth of support for Question B as a convergence of strange bedfellows.

The proposal has put some elected officials on edge. Council President Nancy Floreen (D-At Large), a four-term incumbent, predicted that Question B would lose next month. But she sounded exasperated and defensive in a short debate with Ficker that was broadcast Friday on NewsChannel 8.

Heres an idea. Why dont we have a rule against people running for office too frequently? Floreen asked, a not-so-subtle reference to Fickers many runs  at least six since 2000  for local or national office.

Were getting personal now, Ficker said, laughing.

How is this not personal? Floreen asked. Ive been elected four times successfully.

[Clinton shifts to new target: The House and Senate]

Some term-limits opponents say the stars seem aligned this time around, 16 years after voters rejected, 53.7 percent to 46.2 percent, a Ficker-driven proposal for a two-term limit. (A 2004 measure establishing a three-term cap lost by just four percentage points.)

I think, unfortunately, its going to pass overwhelmingly, said Jeffrey Slavin, the mayor of the town of Somerset, near the District boundary, and a vice chair of the state Democratic Party.

Third-term council member Roger Berliner (D-Potomac-Bethesda) said, The political environment today being so hostile to government makes term limits more appealing to people, even though I dont think it accomplishes its fundamental goals.

In the 1990s, 66 states and localities, including Montgomerys neighbor Prince Georges County, imposed some ceiling on tenure in office. Prince Georges voters have rejected repeated repeal efforts, and this year they will decide whether to add two at-large council seats that could be held by members who have served their permitted two terms as representatives of a district. Seven other Maryland counties  Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Harford, Howard and St. Marys  also have term limits.

But the benefits projected by champions of term limits  more electoral competition and candidate diversity, increased voter turnout, less legislative gridlock, and diminished influence of special interests  have never fully materialized.

Idaho, Massachusetts, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming have dropped limits, either by law or because of court rulings. Over the past decade, the number of term-limits initiatives adopted by voters has slowed to a trickle. There are none on statewide ballots in 2016, according to Josh Altic, ballot measures project director at Ballotpedia.

When term limits were on the ballot in Montgomery in 2000 and 2004, a high-profile, bipartisan coalition of labor, business and community leaders came together in opposition, led by then-County Executive Doug Duncan (D). Tens of thousands of dollars were raised to convince voters that they alone should be the ones to decide when a particular politician should leave office.

[Sample ballot in Prince Georges will be silent on adding council seats]

In 2016, the opposition seems far less urgent and substantial. A No on B committee, headed by former Rockville City Council member Tom Moore (D), is lightly supported, with much of its funding coming from council incumbents.

Business groups and unions seem ambivalent  frustrated by the council but also reluctant to weigh in too heavily, aware that regardless of the outcome, they must do business with this set of incumbents until the end of 2018.

I think the members have wanted to stay away from it, said Jennifer Russel, vice president of government and economic development for the Greater Bethesda Chamber of Commerce.

Weve taken no official position, said Ed Krauze, vice president for policy at the Greater Capital Area Association of Realtors. Maybe its fear of the council. Theres probably some of that.

Police, fire and non-uniform government employee unions were furious this year when the council voted to reduce pay increases they had negotiated with County Executive Isiah Leggett (D). Gino Renne, president of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1994, which represents about 5,000 county workers, spoke seriously about supporting Question B. But passions have given way to pragmatic politics.

Were going to keep our powder dry, Renne said, speaking for other union leaders as well. At the same time, he said, I have a membership population that quite frankly has no use for this council. There is a significant percentage of our members that will vote for it.

Term limits have some influential opponents. The county Democratic Central Committee is recommending no on the 240,000 sample ballots it will drop on doorsteps and hand out on Election Day, after its advisory panel on ballot issues cautioned about the risks of taking no position. The Montgomery County Education Association, which represents 12,000 classroom teachers, educators and support staff, also endorsed a no vote  despite having teacher raises pared from an average of 8 percent to 4.5 percent. The union will carry that recommendation on its Apple Ballot, which is mailed to Democratic voters and distributed at the polls.

Whether or not term-limits are approved, there will be significant turnover in county government in 2018. Leggett has said he will not seek a fourth term. Of the five council members who would be barred from seeking reelection if Question B passes, four are likely either to run for Leggetts job or to move on: Berliner, Marc Elrich (D-At Large), Floreen and George L. Leventhal (D-At Large).

The future of the fifth, Nancy Navarro (D-Mid-County) could hinge on what constitutes a term. Fickers Question B defines it as a complete four-year period or any portion of one, which would disqualify Navarro  who served a one-year partial term before being elected to two full terms  from running again.

A separate ballot measure sponsored by the council, Question C, would define a term as two years or more. If Questions B and C are both passed, it could be up to the courts to decide how long an elected official can serve.

But Navarro said she is confident that it will not come to that.

We have very sophisticated voters in Montgomery County, she said. The idea of term limits is one that voters have rejected, because every election is considered an opportunity for term limits.

Correction: Initial versions of this story incorrectly reported that the countys Democratic Central Committee opposed the term-limits measure even though an advisory panel cautioned against the risks of taking a position. The panel cautioned against the risks of taking no position. The article has been corrected.
Zerka Moreno, the widow of psychodrama and group therapy pioneer Jacob Moreno and who continued his work and practice after his death in 1974, died Sept. 19 at a nursing home in Rockville, Md. She was 99.

The cause was congestive heart failure, said a son, Jonathan Moreno.

Mrs. Moreno, 28 years younger than her husband, was a partner with him in a psychodrama and group therapy practice in Beacon, N.Y. They established the Psychodramatic Institute in 1942 and began publishing the journal Group Psychotherapy in 1947. They began working together soon after they met in 1941.

Psychodrama therapy is a form of treatment in which individuals participate in role plays of real-life experiences, often playing themselves, sometimes family members or friends who have been affected by their behavior.

Zerka Toeman was born in Amsterdam on June 13, 1917. She attended secondary school in the Netherlands and a technical school in London before settling in the United States in 1939. She had no college or medical degree.

She met Dr. Moreno while seeking psychiatric care for a sister. In 1948 he looked up from his work one day, according to their son, turned to Ms. Toeman and said, Lets get married. So they did. Then they went back to work.

Mrs. Moreno was co-founder of the International Association for Group Psychotherapy and the American Society of Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama. She was author of dozens of books and articles and a 2012 memoir, To Dream Again.

At the age of 40, Mrs. Moreno was diagnosed with cancer that led to an amputation of her right arm. But she continued to work up until just before her death.

She moved to Charlottesville in 1996 and in 2013 to the nursing home in Rockville. Having suffered a broken hip, she continued to see patients from her bed at the nursing home, her son said.

Besides her son, of Washington, survivors include a stepdaughter, Regina Moreno of Berkeley, Calif.; and two grandchildren.
Prince Georges County police officer Robert Mason stands on the platform of the Cheverly Metro station, which was among the 20 facing cuts under an earlier proposal. (Mark Gail/WASHINGTON POST)

Metro officials say a map of potential service cuts that appeared to disproportionately target communities of color was never a serious proposal. So why release it in the first place?

The move baffled  and angered  many in the region, including Metro board members, transit advocates and residents who would be affected by such cuts.

The idea, presented to Metros board earlier this month as a possible remedy for a projected $275 million budget shortfall, would close 20 of the least-used stations during midday periods and late evenings.

But riders and advocates were quick to notice that about half of the stations were in Northeast and Southeast Washington, and Prince Georges County  east of the Anacostia River, areas with large concentrations of poor and low-income residents. These residents, many of whom rely on public transportation, already have few transit options.

On Thursday, as Metro held a 9 1 /2-hour hearing on its plan to slash late-night service to give maintenance crews more time to perform needed repairs, much of the testimony centered instead on the possibility of the station closures. Residents were livid.

Things got so heated that Metro officials had to clarify the hearing was about late-night service cuts  not possible station closures.

You sit and you go . . . Really?  said D.C. resident Greg Rhett, a health insurance broker who lives in Ward 7 and attended the hearing. You had a management team, and you let this get out the door?

Following the backlash, Metro said the map was meant only to illustrate the transit agencys dire financial situation. But critics questioned the wisdom of circulating the idea if there was no formal proposal. Some said it was merely an attempt to threaten the District, Maryland and Virginia to contribute more money to close the budget gap.

It also was another example of what many describe as the agencys ongoing lack of transparency and problems communicating with its customers.

For example, following criticism from D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) and others that the agency had not made the case for why it needed more track time, General Manager Paul J. Wiedefeld conceded that he had not done a good job communicating the agencys position.

Thats what Ive got to work on, Wiedefeld said last week. So we will do that. Were going to be coming out with things that further support what were trying to do, why were proposing this.

Later, he added: Its complex  and Im not good at it  its complex to explain what we do.

[More and more of D.C.'s poorest are living east of the Anacostia]

Metro board Chairman Jack Evans applauded riders for taking a stand but said he had no problem with Wiedefelds decision to use the map as a way to illustrate the budget realities facing the troubled system.

What Paul is trying to do is say, Okay, if the jurisdictions dont put the money [to cover the budget shortfall] in, then we have to do service cuts,  Evans said. And what do service cuts mean? . . . It means no bus routes, it means no stopping trains at the lowest-attended stations. Thats service cuts. Service cuts are painful. Theyre not abstract.

Lessie Henderson, a transit advocate in Prince Georges County, called the proposed cuts disgraceful, referring, in part, to the station closures. And in a letter to Metro last week, Bowser said she was concerned by what she called a proposal to reduce operating hours at 20 stations.

[Metro riders, officials fear communities of color may be targeted in service cuts]

Thats not something we are taking through a public process right now, board member Leif Dormsjo told the speakers.

Dormsjo admitted that Metros decision to publicize possible station closures caught him off guard.

I found the map surprising at the time that it was introduced, and I think it contributes to peoples suspicion that Metro doesnt have peoples best interests in mind, he said. I think that was probably a good indication of how serious the reaction would be to such a concept, if it was something that management was recommending.

Wiedefeld is expected to release his budget proposal in November.

Dormsjos reaction was more tempered than those of other board members. Board member Malcolm Augustine said floating such proposals was dangerous.

They have a real chilling impact on people, without a doubt, Augustine said after a meeting where the idea was presented. I mean, this is serious  you cant just put information out there, something as serious as that, and not have some real numbers . . . [that say] this is what the impact is going to be. Thats what Im deeply concerned with.

[Metro late-night service hearing features scathing criticism, pleas and protests from riders, advocates]

Henderson said she would have preferred that Metro refrain from releasing ideas that dont rise to the level of formal proposals, thus leaving residents in the balance.

To me, the bottom line is that if this wasnt a real proposal then this is something that shouldnt have come out quite yet, she said. Its almost like, Hey, we dont care; this is what has to be done. Common sense should have said they would have gotten major pushback.

Martine Powers contributed to this report.


Nayely Lopez, 29, prepares to knock on the door of a registered voter in Woodbridge, Va. (Allison Shelley/For The Washington Post)

Unable to vote in the presidential election, a group of undocumented immigrants is knocking on doors in Northern Virginia in support of Hillary Clinton and other Democratic candidates, convinced that the outcome of the vote will determine whether they can secure a path to citizenship in the country they have known since childhood.

The vote-seekers are some of the 750,000 recipients of temporary legal status under the Obama administrations 2012 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. They are acutely aware that Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has pledged to deport the nations 11 million illegal immigrants and that under a GOP-controlled Congress, past attempts at immigration reform have failed.

All DACA recipients should take this on as an added responsibility, to change the power structure, said Luis Angel Aguilar, 28, who received his protected status in 2013 and is helping to coordinate the effort. Our voices need to be heard, he said.

Four years after the DACA program was launched, many of the beneficiaries are still in a kind of limbo, unsure about whether their status would be renewed under a President Trump and concerned that their family members could be deported.

The uncertainty was underscored earlier this year when the U.S. Supreme Court let stand a federal court injunction against an expanded version of DACA and Obamas Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents program, which could benefit an additional 4 million people.

The only way to resolve this is through the election, said Kim Propeack, political director of CASA In Action. Theres been a recent uptick of despair and energy around that 4-4 vote.



Jaime Contreras, area director for Service Employees International Union, welcomes people gathered at CASA of Virginia as they prepare to knock on doors to mobilize the immigrant vote for Hillary Clinton, in Woodbridge, Va. (Allison Shelley/For The Washington Post)

The Maryland-based group is behind the Virginia campaign and a similar one in central Pennsylvania. Similar efforts are underway in Arizona and other battleground states. The Clinton campaign launched a separate effort earlier this year, My Dream, Your Vote, in which young undocumented immigrants, many of them brought to this country as children, urged Latino voters in North Carolina, Nevada, Florida and elsewhere to cast ballots for the Democratic nominee.

[An immigration court that almost always says no]

In Virginia, where Clinton is leading by double digits, the group has turned its focus to the suddenly close race in the 10th Congressional District, where Republican incumbent Barbara Comstock (R-Va.) faces an aggressive challenge from Democrat LuAnn Bennett.

CASA is also targeting voters in Prince William County, where more immigrants live and where Trump also has more support.

In the 10th District, which stretches west from McLean, through Loudoun County, toward the West Virginia border, Comstock backed Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) in the states GOP primary. She has kept her distance from Trump and, after the revelation of a 2005 recording of the nominees remarks about women, she declared that he would not get her vote.

But Trumps history of controversial remarks about women, Mexican immigrants and Muslims have nonetheless weighed Comstock down among voters in the largely wealthy district that includes steadily growing Latino and Asian immigrant populations. Although the incumbent initially was favored, several political analysts have recently said the race is a toss-up.

The immigrant advocates who are working to take down Comstock are modeling their efforts after a largely successful campaign last year to stir up anti-Trump sentiments in Prince William County in favor of Jeremy McPike (D-Prince William), who beat Manassas Mayor Harold Hal Parrish II, a Republican, in a race for an open state Senate seat. Several of the people who knocked on doors last week also were involved in the earlier campaign.



Nayely Lopez, 29, center, speaks to Candice Diggs, 29, at her home in Woodbridge, Va., as Diggss son plays in the yard. (Allison Shelley/For The Washington Post)

Did you know Barbara Comstock compared immigrants to FedEx packages? Nayely Lopez, 29, asked a voter in Herndon, referring to a statement that the congresswoman made about a desire for tougher immigration laws while campaigning two years ago. Just put a label on us so they can track us.

The voter said she had not heard about the statement, and she took a Bennett flyer.

Like other DACA recipients, Lopez said she has become more confident in taking political stances as her life has improved.

A native of Mexico who arrived in Virginia when she was 13, Lopez grew up with fears of being deported. Although she was an A-student in high school, she said she had to turn down college scholarship offers because she was in the country illegally.

[This woman fought to keep others from being deported. Now, that is her fate.]

She found work answering phones inside a tax preparers office in Fredericksburg, Va., and worked her way up through several promotions. After receiving protected status under DACA in 2012, Lopez opened her own tax preparation office.

The single mother, who has a 12-year-old daughter, said she is concerned about relatives who are not protected under DACA and also worries that a more anti-immigrant administration could mean her work authorization, and her livelihood, gets stripped away.

I still have family that doesnt have legal status, she said. For me, this is very personal.

But, in a swing state where Trump has recently renewed efforts to win over voters, that does not guarantee sympathy. At a home in Herndon, Pat Blizard, 78, told Lopez that she already voted for Trump with an absentee ballot.



Nayely Lopez, 29, leaves campaign material at the home of a registered voter in Woodbridge, Va. (Allison Shelley/For The Washington Post)

Im sorry, Blizard said, noting that she was frustrated with the spread of Spanish-speaking residents throughout the region. Im originally from Spain. My father never let us speak Spanish. He said, You live here. 

Lopez thanked her and moved on. I understand people have other ideas, she said, noting that an aunt had married a U.S. citizen who also supports Trump. We discuss that a lot in my family.

Jennifer Romero, 19, thought about her own relatives as she hustled through a different Herndon neighborhood of quiet cul-de-sacs with large two-story houses. She and a younger brother received protected status under DACA in 2014. Her parents, from Mexico, remain undocumented and vulnerable to deportation.

Thats the fear, said Romero, who lives in Stafford. Its like theyd take away what little we have.

On a different afternoon in Woodbridge, the group tried to secure a few extra votes for Clinton and to get people to oppose a state constitutional amendment on the November ballot that would prohibit union organizing.

Aguilar scrolled through his smartphone to find likely Democratic voters through an online campaign database. At one stop, he encountered Mohammad Zoki Moqami, 44, whose family had recently arrived as refugees from Afghanistan.

I cannot vote, Moqami said apologetically.

I cant vote either, Aguilar said, before mentioning Trumps remarks about Muslims.

Handing Moqami a flyer, he urged: Tell all your friends who can vote.


Richard Watkins prepares to fill out an absentee ballot at Courthouse Plaza on Oct. 17 in Arlington. (Matt McClain/The Washington Post)

In an election one side claims is rigged as the other was apparently targeted by Russian hackers and Wikileaks, voters in the Washington region may be concerned that some entity will alter the results on Nov. 8.

Its possible, according to some local experts, although the likelihood of a significant attack on ballot boxes is exceedingly low.

Everything is hackable, said Jeremy Epstein, a senior computer scientist at SRI International, a nonprofit California-based think tank. Everything could have bugs in it.

[Can you rig a U.S. presidential election? Experts say its basically impossible.]

On one hand, the U.S. election system is hard to sabotage. Anyone trying to swing the electoral college would have to meddle with voting machines in jurisdictions from Alaska to Maine  or at least about a dozen swing states.

Youd have to be pretty good at microtargeting, said Jamil N. Jaffer, director of the Homeland and National Security Law Program at George Mason University. To have an impact, you would have to know where its going to be close.

And different voting technology means different weaknesses. The District, Maryland and many counties in Virginia use paper ballots  a gold standard for election-watchers. These ballots are scanned and counted electronically, leaving behind a hard copy of each voters preferences.

It seems old-school, but if you have good security practices and a good ballot chain of custody . . . its more indelible than bits and bytes in the ether, said Pamela Smith, president of the nonpartisan Verified Voting, a nonprofit that works for fair elections.

Cameron Sasnett, the general registrar for Fairfax County, said the countys election results are secured partly by pen and paper.

That is the record of our election and, at the end of the day, every voter gets to cast their ballot using that system, he said. There is an absolute, 100 percent record of what the voter wanted.

But others say machines, which are often used to count paper ballots, can malfunction. And even if computer voting results are backed up on paper, the backup is only worthwhile if results are audited  that is, if a statistically significant sample of ballots is double-checked to make sure machines have counted them correctly.

Such audits are performed by hand in the District, officials said. But in Maryland, the audit is performed by a separate computer system partly because election officials said human auditors can make mistakes.



Its just completely independent, said Nikki Charlson, deputy state administrator of the Maryland Board of Elections. You take a data file and you give it to someone else and youre saying, Count this. 

Meanwhile, Virginia doesnt perform audits, and some counties in the state dont use paper in voting  policies that have drawn criticism. Although some touch-screen voting machines that used wireless Internet were deemed vulnerable to hacking by the states board of elections and jettisoned this year, other touch-screen models may remain in operation in the state until 2020.

[Va. Board of Elections votes to decertify some voting machines]

Virginias Department of Elections commissioner, Edgardo Cortes, said voters shouldnt be concerned about sensational claims about election hacking.

None of the equipment in the state is connected to the Internet, he said. That removes cyberthreats from remote or foreign hackers tampering with the system. In order to tamper with the machines, they need physical access.

What if someone plans to tamper with Internet voting, offered by the District (and more than 30 states) for military and overseas residents even after the embarrassing hack of a test system in 2012, or tamper with voter registration  changing names, addresses or party affiliations? Such concerns also follow a warning from cybersecurity experts that Marylands online absentee-ballot system is dangerously vulnerable to tampering and privacy invasions.

David Dill, a professor of computer science at Stanford University and the founder of Verified Voting, pointed to registration system hacks in Arizona and Illinois, saying such attacks were his biggest concern.

[Maryland moves forward with online voting despite warnings from cyber-experts]

If people are able to modify voter registration records, it could cause serious problems, he said. It could cause chaos when someone shows up to vote.

The outcome some election experts fear most is the possibility that excessive worry about a hacked election will dissuade people from voting.

One way to be sure your vote isnt counted is not to show up, Smith said. We dont want voters to be terrified of voting.

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trumps claims about a rigged election could make this one of the most closely watched in American history. The Department of Homeland Security has met with officials in D.C. and 36 states, including Virginia, to discuss election security, local officials said.

Charlson, of Marylands election board, said it had devoted part of its website to rumor control.

There are hypothetical risks in any system, she said. But we live in the world where we have to implement these systems, so the hypothetical risks can really muddy the water.
CALIFORNIA

Report: Guardsmen told to repay bonuses

Nearly 10,000 California National Guard soldiers have been ordered to repay huge enlistment bonuses a decade after signing up to serve in Iraq and Afghanistan, a newspaper reported Saturday.

The Pentagon demanded the money back after audits revealed overpayments by the California Guard under pressure to fill ranks and hit enlistment goals. If soldiers refuse, they could face interest charges, wage garnishments and tax liens, the Los Angeles Times said.

Faced with a shortage of troops at the height of the two wars, California Guard officials offered bonuses of $15,000 or more for soldiers to reenlist.

A federal investigation in 2010 found thousands of bonuses and student loan payments were improperly doled out to California Guard soldiers. About 9,700 current and retired soldiers received notices to repay some or all of their bonuses with more than $22 million recovered so far.

Soldiers said they feel betrayed at having to repay the money.

These bonuses were used to keep people in, said Christopher Van Meter, a 42-year-old former Army captain and Iraq veteran who was awarded a Purple Heart. People like me just got screwed.

Van Meter said he refinanced his home mortgage to repay $25,000 in re-enlistment bonuses and $21,000 in student loan repayments that the military says was improperly given to him.

The California Guard said it has to follow the law and collect the money.

 Associated Press

OHIO

Jury selection begins in police shooting

Under tight courthouse security and close monitoring by local officials concerned about keeping the peace, jury selection begins Tuesday for the murder trial of a white university police officer charged with killing an unarmed black man during a traffic stop.

Ray Tensing, 26, fatally shot Sam DuBose, 43, last year after pulling him over for a missing front license plate near the University of Cincinnati. The Hamilton County prosecutor called Tensings actions asinine and senseless in announcing the officers indictment and releasing a police body camera video.

An outside review commissioned by the university said the now-fired university police officer showed poor police tactics in an entirely preventable fatal shooting.

Defense attorney Stewart Mathews has said Tensing feared getting dragged under DuBoses car as he tried to drive away. And legal experts say jurors often want to give police the benefit of the doubt in deadly force cases.

Its divided the community. But I think its a tough case for the prosecutor because juries have a difficult time convicting police officers, said attorney Mike Allen, a former prosecutor and also a former police officer, including for the university. They realize that police officers have to make split-second decisions sometimes.

To convict Tensing of murder, Allen said, jurors would have to find he purposely killed DuBose. He also is charged with voluntary manslaughter, which means killing during sudden passion or fit of rage.

 Associated Press

Protesters arrested in North Dakota: More than 80 people protesting the Dakota Access pipeline were arrested Saturday during a demonstration that gathered about 300 people at a construction site in North Dakota and prompted law enforcement officers to use pepper spray. Rob Keller, aA Morton County sheriffs office spokesman said authorities were called at 5:20 a.m. Saturday to a pipeline construction site about five miles from an area where protesters have been camping out for weeks near the confluence of the Missouri and Cannonball rivers. The confrontation between officers and protesters lasted five hours.

Ruptured Pa. pipeline causes little harm to water supply: There has been little effect to the water supply so far from a ruptured pipeline during a freak storm in Pennsylvania that sent nearly 55,000 gallons of gasoline into a creek tributary, officials said Saturday. But authorities are continuing to monitor the water supplies that serve thousands of residents around Williamsport.

 Associated Press
Nicole Guerin, 41, takes a break in a Burlington, Vt. cafe on Oct. 18. Guerin plans to write in former Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders over Hillary Clinton in the general election. (David Weigel/The Washington Post)

Nicole Guerin, 41, had some real trouble with the breakup. That was her term for the end of the Bernie Sanders campaign.

It was the first political cause she had thrown her body and soul into, and the senator had won the biggest landslide in the history of the Vermont presidential primary. When Sanders endorsed Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, Guerin could not follow.

One day, after plenty of misery, she walked out of her house and knocked on the door of a neighbor who, like most people in Burlington, had voted for Sanders.

I asked, Will you write in Bernie?  Guerin remembered over breakfast at a downtown Burlington cafe last week. And he said, Of course. There was that feeling, that optimistic feeling, Id been missing.

For weeks, Guerin became part of a loosely organized campaign to win Vermont for Sanders by writing him in. In most years, it would have been unthinkable  canvassing for a write-in campaign without the candidates go-ahead. According to the Federal Election Commission, just 136,040 write-in votes were cast and tabulated in the 2012 election.

Evan McMullin, a conservative independent presidential candidate, speaks at a town hall meeting in Logan, Utah, on Oct. 12. (Eli Lucero/AP)

But this year, that number could be much higher, with multiple campaigns underway to normalize the act of writing in a name. During this months scramble to back away from GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump, Republican senators including Kelly Ayotte (N.H.) and Rob Portman (Ohio) said they would write in the name of Indiana Gov. Mike Pence (R) for president, tacitly encouraging others to do the same. Evan McMullin, the independent conservative candidate who entered the race too late to appear on many ballots, will be an official write-in candidate in most of the country.

That means that in all but eight states, write-in votes  assuming they are spelled correctly and legible to vote-counters  will add to McMullins tally. Several fringe candidates have earned similar status, and some of Sanderss die-hard fans are spreading the word that many states will also count any ballot with his name scrawled across it, instead of Clintons.

Although Clintons favorability rating has ticked up in recent weeks, many voters are already casting ballots in an environment where both major presidential candidates are unpopular. McMullin  who has fought his way into a tie in Utah, where he is on the ballot  has benefited from that dynamic in write-in states.

We have volunteers who are evangelizing, he said in an interview recently in Salt Lake City, pointing out that Mormons who have done missionary work have built enviable door-to-door skills.

In Utah, hundreds of people have volunteered to canvass and call for McMullin. And in the states where he does not have time to campaign, there are McMullin clubs and write-in efforts. Before he goes to sleep, McMullin likes to peek below the hood on social media to find new activists on board.

In recent weeks, Google search-traffic data has showed his name surging in Ohio and Arizona, two states where he is a write-in candidate.

According to more data released by Google, searches for write-in have spiked ever since The Washington Posts release of a 2005 hot-mic recording of Trump, in which he boasted about forcing himself onto women. In six of the 10 states where write-in search intensity has been the highest, Sanders is the most frequently searched politician.

One problem: Write-in votes are not treated the same as filled-in ballots. In many states, the votes are not counted or reported at all. In others, a misspelling or an alternate name  say, Evan McMullen, or Bernie instead of Bernard Sanders  would not be tallied.

Another, bigger problem: Sanders does not want voters to write in his name. In interviews with The Post and other outlets, he has repeated a mantra: This is not the year for a protest vote. Ever since demonstrators at the Democratic National Convention hoisted Bernie or Bust signs, Sanders has asked the people who followed him to focus on giving Clinton a progressive, Democratic Senate.

Not every follower listened. Guerin, emboldened by the support she saw for Sanders, expanded her personal campaign and looked for allies. She found a few in Vermont  some in Burlington and some in Brattleboro.

She found more online, on the constellation of progressive websites that published the sort of news thirsty Sanders fans were craving. In September, a Sanders supporter named Dawn Papple told readers of Inquisitr.com that if Berniecrats decided to focus all of their energy phone banking, Facebanking, writing letters to the editor, and knocking on doors in a few targeted areas, Sanders could end up winning at least one state, maybe two.

Not long after, Indiana activist Michael Sparks, 43, published a story with the clickable premise that Sanders could become president with only 130,000 votes. All it would take, he wrote, was a guerrilla campaign in Vermont, and a victory there that would deny Clinton and Trump the 270 electoral votes needed to win the presidency. It was exactly what McMullin hoped to see in Utah.

If we relocate to Vermont for one month (something I am already making arrangements to do) then we would need to knock on 10,000 doors per day, he wrote. If each activist knocks on 300 doors per day then we would need 30 dedicated people to relocate to Vermont from early October through November 8.

Last week, Sparks was making his final preparations to drive himself and a half-dozen Sanders supporters to Vermont. The plan had changed somewhat  for him and Guerin.

Trumps collapsing, Sparks said. So our mission statement went from Lets get Bernie into a contest in the House of Representatives to Clinton having a lock on the presidency. What I want now, and am trying to sell to people, is: Lets just honor Bernie Sanders. Make him the president of Vermont.

It was ambitious: A campaign, organized online but backed by real-world organizing, to get 100,000 Vermont voters to write in Sanders. But it was quickly canceled. In text messages posted by Sparks, Guerin told him that she had broached the topic with Sanderss wife, Jane. On Twitter, the rumor grew quickly enough that Jane Sanders swatted it down.

I would never say not to support Bernie or tell ppl how to vote, the senators wife tweeted. I do think DT is dangerous & needs 2 b beaten.

By that point, Sparks had already aborted his idea of driving the 14 hours from Indianapolis to Vermont. A full-blown row had broken out among online activists debating what the best protest vote would be  whether writing in Bernie detracted from Green Party candidate Jill Stein, for example.

For Guerin, the end was merciful. I was hitting a wall, she admitted, as she finished her coffee. I kept hearing, This is like Ralph Nader, a wasted vote. I kept hearing no, from some of the best Bernie canvassers.

She did not rule out another round of door-knocking. She texted a friend, to see whether she might be up for it. But it was unlikely.

I dont want to put my heart and soul into something again and come out with nothing, she said.

James Hohmann in Salt Lake City contributed to this report.
If we are being honest, the presidential race between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump is effectively over. Which means that the big fight over the next 15 days is for control of the Senate, where Democrats need a net gain of four seats to retake control.

That prospect is looking more and more likely of late  thanks in large part to Trumps collapse at the top of the ticket, a fall that appears to be dragging down the likes of Richard Burr in North Carolina, Kelly Ayotte in New Hampshire and Joseph J. Heck in Nevada.

[Buoyed by rising polls, Clinton shifts to a new target: the House and Senate]

What few people talk about  but should  is that this could be a very short-lived majority for Senate Democrats, as the 2018 field is remarkably bad for them.

The numbers for that year are stunning: 25 Democratic or Democratic-affiliated independents are up for reelection, compared with just eight Republicans. Thats as lopsided an election cycle as you will ever see.

But a look inside the numbers makes the Democrats challenge in 2018 all the more daunting. Fully 20 percent of the 25 Democratic seats are in states that then-Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney carried in 2012 (and even Trump is likely to carry on Nov. 8): Indiana, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota and West Virginia.

All five Democratic incumbents in those states are expected to run for reelection, a prospect that gives Democrats a chance in each. But with 2018 looking almost certain to be the first midterm election of a Hillary Clinton presidency, its hard to see how her party avoids major losses in red states.

[The battle for the Senate is going down to the wire. Heres where we stand.]

Some important historical context: In the first midterm election of President Obamas term, in 2010, Democrats lost 63 House seats and six Senate seats. In Bill Clintons first midterm as president, in 1994, Democrats lost 54 House seats and eight Senate seats. George W. Bush was the exception, with his party gaining eight House seats and two Senate seats in 2002, although that election was heavily influenced by the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

While those five states are deeply endangered for Democrats in 2018, they are far from the only possible Republican targets. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) has said he plans to run for reelection, but retirement rumors still swirl. Even if he stays put, he could face a very competitive race. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) cruised to a victory in 2012, but the Buckeye States natural competitiveness suggests he will face a serious Republican opponent. Wisconsin, too, where Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D) is in her first term, could see a real race.

Then there is the wild card of Virginia. Sen. Tim Kaines likely ascension to the vice presidency will force Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) to appoint a replacement. That person will serve until November 2017, when he or she  Rep. Robert C. Bobby Scott is the leading name  will face a special election for the remaining year of Kaines term. Whoever wins that special election will have to run again for a full six-year term in November 2018.

[GOP braces for Trump loss, roiled by refusal to accept election results]

While Democratic problems are everywhere on the map, Democratic opportunities are few and far between. Sen. Dean Heller (R-Nev.) is an obvious target given the states competitiveness at the federal level. But after that, the pickings get very, very slim. Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) might be a Democratic opportunity, given the states increasing competitiveness in 2016. But Flake has been one of the most outspoken anti-Trump voices within his own party and will not be easily caricatured as a Trump Republican.

In short: Even if Democrats win the Senate in 2016, it could be a blink before they are back in the minority. Which means that a President Hillary Clinton will have two years to work with a friendly Senate before things get much, much tougher for her in Congress.
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(Clockwise from top left: S. Donald Sussman, J.B. Pritzker, Cheryl Saban, S. Daniel Abraham, Fred Eychaner, George Soros, Haim Saban and James Simons. )

It was a few weeks before Hillary Clinton would announce her 2016 presidential bid, and she was already worried about money.

Can we discuss the fundraising plans for first quarter? her top aide Huma Abedin wrote to other senior staffers in March 2015, noting that Clinton was concerned.

Is the issue that shes doing too much? Too little? asked campaign manager Robby Mook.

Abedins succinct reply: JEB BUSH.

At the time, donors to the former Florida governor were socking millions into a super PAC, pushing the limits of campaign-finance rules. The stockpiling of seven-figure checks before Bush even declared his candidacy spurred a flurry of anxious conversations between Clinton and her staff, according to hacked emails posted by WikiLeaks.

But the former secretary of state had her own financial weapon: a network of political backers that she and her husband, former president Bill Clinton, had methodically cultivated over 40 years.

Determined not to fall behind in the money race, Hillary Clinton ramped up her appeals to rich donors and shrugged off restrictions that President Obama had imposed on his fundraising team.

Even as her advisers fretted about the perception that she was too cozy with wealthy interests, they agreed to let lobbyists bundle checks for her campaign, including those representing some foreign governments, the emails show. Top aides wooed major donors for super PACs, taking advantage of the leeway that campaigns have to legally collaborate with the groups on fundraising.

The effort paid off. Together with the party and pro-Clinton super PACs, the Democratic nominee had amassed $1.14 billion to support her campaign by the end of September  on par with what Obama and his allies brought in for his 2012 reelection bid. GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump, who did not begin fundraising in earnest until the end of May, had collected $712 million, including $56 million of his own money.

Unlike Obama, Clinton fully embraced super PACs from the very beginning of her race, helping pull in larger checks from donors than the president did. An analysis by The Washington Post found that more than a fifth of the $1 billion donated to help her bid was given by just 100 wealthy individuals and labor unions  many with a long history of contributing to the Clintons. The analysis included contributions to her campaigns, joint fundraising committees, national parties, convention host committees and single-candidate super PACs.

[Inside the Clinton donor network]

The top five donors together contributed one out of every $17 for her 2016 run: hedge fund manager S. Donald Sussman ($20.6 million); Chicago venture capitalist J.B. Pritzker and his wife, M.K. ($16.7 million); Univision chairman Haim Saban and his wife, Cheryl ($11.9 million); hedge fund titan George Soros ($9.9 million); and SlimFast founder S. Daniel Abraham ($9.7 million).

Since modern-day campaign finance rules were put in place in the 1970s in the wake of the Watergate scandal, no president has ever been elected with the help of wealthy contributors who doled out such huge sums. The possibilities changed with the 2010 advent of super PACs, which can accept unlimited sums from individuals and corporations.

I would prefer if the limits were much smaller, but thats the way it is, Abraham, 92, said in an interview. He and his wife made 26 contributions to the Clintons campaigns between 1994 and 2008, which together totaled $461,000, according to a database built by The Post. This year, he has given nearly 21 times that amount.

Sussman, Clintons top backer, said his top priority is dismantling the big-money system that has flourished in the wake of the Supreme Courts Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission decision.

Its very odd to be giving millions when your objective is to actually get the money out of politics, Sussman said. I am a very strong supporter of publicly financed campaigns, and I think the only way to accomplish that is to get someone like Secretary Clinton, who is committed to cleaning up the unfortunate disaster created by the activist court in Citizens United.

Clinton has emerged as both one of the sharpest critics and biggest beneficiaries of the new campaign-finance landscape.

On the campaign trail, she has repeatedly called for an overhaul of how elections are financed and vowed to overturn the Citizens United ruling, which allowed corporations to spend money on independent political activity. She has also pledged to sign an executive order requiring federal contractors to disclose political spending and to create a matching system for small donors in federal races.

More than 2.6 million Americans have donated to this campaign because they know Hillary Clinton is the best candidate to bring us toward a more inclusive society with an economy that works for everyone, not just those at the top, said spokesman Josh Schwerin.

But Clinton would also enter the White House deeply indebted to a group of elite donors who have backed her and her husband for decades  helping raise $4 billion for their political and philanthropic causes over the years, according to an analysis by The Post.





An investigation by The Post last year found that the Clintons kept donors in their orbit for years by methodically wooing competing interest groups and balancing their liberal base with powerful business constituencies such as Wall Street and the tech sector.

Top allies have financed not only their political causes, but their legal needs and their philanthropy. About half of the money they have raised  more than $2 billion  went to the Clinton Foundation, which has financed access to HIV treatments around the world, promoted early literacy programs and trained African farmers on improving their crop yields. The foundations fundraising has also generated controversy in this years campaign, as critics have seized upon its acceptance of money from foreign governments while Hillary Clinton was secretary of state.

Seven countries, including three Persian Gulf states, donated millions of dollars to the Clinton Foundation when Hillary Clinton was secretary of state. (Bastien Inzaurralde/The Washington Post)

Separately, donors gave $888 million to support Bill Clintons two presidential runs, Hillary Clintons two Senate campaigns and her 2008 presidential bid, according to campaign

finance records.

As she ramped up her 2016 bid, Clintons advisers worried that her call for a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United  a long-shot policy goal  would not be enough to combat the view that she was closely aligned with wealthy interests.

In a May 2015 discussion about possible campaign finance proposals Clinton could endorse, Dan Schwerin, director of speechwriting, wrote that he was concerned about complaints of hypocrisy.

Policy alone wont make the cognitive dissonance go away, in fact it might heighten it, he added. But having her make the unilateral disarmament argument directly and maybe even some straight talk that cuts to the core of peoples concerns about her relationship with donors in general, might help.

At the same time, her campaign was contending with a new reality: The political world had changed since Clintons last run for office. Super PACs were now central players in campaigns. And many of her GOP rivals, including Bush and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, were pushing the bounds of the use of such groups.

[Its bold, but legal: How campaigns and their super PAC backers work together]

The Republicans aggressiveness  and the lack of response from regulators  alarmed Clinton. In early May 2015, she forwarded her advisers an article about the lack of enforcement by the polarized Federal Election Commission, which is charged with policing election rules.

What do you suggest we do? she asked.

I have no magic solutions other than execution, responded campaign chairman John Podesta, adding that the campaign needed to expand its network of fundraisers who bundle checks and get Priorities functional, a reference to Priorities USA Action, the main super PAC backing Clinton.

We should also ask BHO to do more in light of this, although they are kind of prissy about how they approach this, he added, referring to Obama.

Mook agreed: I think we focus hard on raising as much as we can and then throw the kitchen sink at everyone who we believe steps over the line, understanding that has limited impact.

The Clinton campaign has refused to confirm the authenticity of the emails posted by WikiLeaks, which were allegedly hacked from Podestas personal account. Government officials have already officially accused Russia of attempting to interfere in the U.S. election, including through a previous hack of the Democratic National Committee, and are investigating whether Russian intelligence services are behind the Podesta hack.

The emails show that Clinton decided to step up her own fundraising schedule that spring even if, as Adebin noted at one point, it made the schedule a little crazy.

And she decided to forgo some of the self-imposed limitations that Obama had put on his own fundraising. The campaign decided to not only let lobbyists bundle checks, but, after extensive internal debate, permitted some of those registered as representing foreign governments to raise money as well.

Mook explained to other top advisers that the campaigns outside attorney, Marc Elias, made a convincing case to me this am that these sorts of restrictions dont really get you anything . . . that Obama actually got judged MORE harshly as a result, he wrote. He convinced me. So . . . in a complete U-turn, Im ok just taking the money and dealing with any attacks. Are you guys ok with that?

Communications director Jennifer Palmieri responded: Take the money!!

Clinton and her aides also sent clear signals early on that they wanted supporters to back Priorities USA, which had originally formed to support Obamas reelection despite his objections to super PACs.

In an April 2015 memo, Elias laid out the ways that super PACs and the campaign could legally interact, noting that the campaign could share the names of prospective donors with Priorities  including how much they might be willing to give. Campaign officials could not explicitly tell the super PAC how much to ask for, he stressed. But they could say something like, Donor A works in financial services and has been a long-time contributor. I think shed be willing to do six figures for Priorities, he wrote.

Clinton also got a boost from another super PAC, Correct the Record, led by her ally David Brock, which coordinates directly with the campaign on opposition research, taking advantage of an exemption designed for bloggers.





To donors, the different groups were often presented as pieces of a unified enterprise.

Four days before Clinton officially jumped in the race, retired banker Herb Sandler got an email from a Washington fundraiser working for Priorities USA Action who introduced himself as the Finance Director for Hillary Clintons superpac, according a message Sandler forwarded to Podesta. Two months later, Sandler gave Priorities $1 million.

Podesta was recruited to pitch major donors to support both the campaign and Priorities as he traveled around the country, the emails show. After a trip to San Francisco in December 2015, Podesta reported back that Sandler was willing to give the maximum contribution to a joint fundraising committee between Clintons campaign and the Democratic Party.

He is also prepared to double down on his Priorities support as well, Podesta added.

Thanks, John!!!!! responded national finance director Dennis Cheng, punctuating his message with the hashtag #ChairmanCash.

[Univision chair, a Clinton donor, urged campaign to hit Trump on immigration]

The emails show that Clintons aides were intensely focused on locking up the support of labor unions  a source of cash and ground troops  and often agonized over how to keep them on board amid competing political interests.

In April 2015, after attending a gathering of major liberal donors, senior policy adviser Ann OLeary noted that a number of our friends  including the Service Employees International Union  wanted Clinton to back organized labors Fight for 15 campaign to raise the minimum wage.

Can we do something creative to support efforts without coming out for a number? she asked.

Two months later, Clinton garnered huge cheers when she called in to a convention of fast-food workers, telling them thank you for marching in the streets to get that living wage  stopping short of endorsing a specific figure for the minimum wage.

SEIU President Mary Kay Henry dashed off a note to Podesta with the subject line, It worked!

I looked around the stage and most fast food leaders had tears streaming down their face, she wrote, adding that the sentiment in the room was, Shes on our side.

Amazing, responded Abedin when a staffer forwarded her the note. Hope you shared with HRC!

SEIU officials said Henrys email was referring to the support Clinton has shown for working families on a variety of issues, adding that members of the union have felt even more energized by her candidacy as the election has drawn closer.

In the fall of 2015, the SEIU endorsed Clinton, who has since expressed support for a $15 minimum wage. The union donated $1 million to Priorities and is spending tens of millions on an independent field effort to turn out voters in battleground states.

Wealthy individuals supporting Clinton also frequently weighed in with requests and advice, the emails show.

One regular correspondent was Saban, a dual Israeli-American citizen who dispensed ideas about how to appeal to Latino and Jewish voters.

After Trump described Mexican immigrants as rapists and drug dealers in his speech announcing his run for president, Saban spurred the campaign to respond more forcefully. He urged Clinton aides to call Sen. Bernie Sanders (Vt.) on the fact that he had super PAC backing, like Clinton. And he encouraged the former secretary of state to differentiate herself from Obama on Israel.

It can easily be done w/o criticizing the President, he wrote in June 2015, adding that she should speak strongly against anti-Semitism, and boycott, reaffirm the US commitment to Israels security +anything else your research tells you the Jewish community is sensitive to.

This is NOT a NY or California issue,,,,it is a Florida one, he added. Pls LMK how I can help here.

The next year, when Clinton expanded her delegate lead over Sanders in the March 15 primaries, Saban sent Podesta, Mook and Abedin a jubilant message.

Cheryl and I are so very happy...... relieved....... And looking forward to continued success, he wrote. Onward and forward.

Thank YOU for making it possible!! Mook responded.

SHE is the one that made it happen with you guys and your teams by her side, Saban replied. Thank you for saying what you said about us but were just on the periphery.

Note: An earlier version of this story erroneously referred to the late wife of SlimFast founder S. Daniel Abraham. Abrahams wife is alive.
A burst of fighting in the flash-point Syrian city of Aleppo on Sunday appeared to shatter a unilateral Russian cease-fire, signaling a resumption of the governments offensive to seize rebel-held areas there.

Warplanes  either operated by Syrian President Bashar al-

Assads government or by Russia, an ally  targeted the opposition neighborhoods of eastern Aleppo on Saturday evening, residents and rebels said. And, they said, pro-government fighters resumed shelling and ground attacks on rebel positions overnight Saturday that continued until Sunday afternoon.

The attacks have started again, and they are so crazy, so intense, said Zakaria Malahifji, a member of the Fastaqim rebel unit, which is battling in the northern city.

He added that the rebels are preparing for a large-scale offense to break the siege of Aleppo.

Pro-government forces have besieged rebel districts for weeks, leaving the more than 200,000 people in those areas in increasingly desperate circumstances.

[U.S. abandons efforts to work with Russia on Syria]

Moscow announced a humanitarian pause and halted air raids last week to allow rebels and civilians to flee Aleppo. Since 2012, the city has been divided between opposition districts to the east and government-

controlled neighborhoods to the west.

Since Saturday, rebel forces have warned residents in the east to avoid front-line areas, apparently in anticipation of more attacks, including those by pro-

government militiamen from countries such as Iran, Lebanon and Iraq.

Before the pause, Russian and Syrian government warplanes had been targeting homes, hospitals and infrastructure in the citys east.

Russia recently signaled a major escalation in Syria, apparently dispatching warships, including an aircraft carrier that can hold as many as 40 planes. On Saturday, Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin, upped the ante by vowing that all of Syria had to be liberated by Assads forces.

Aleppo has become a key battleground in the conflict, which began in 2011 and has killed more than 400,000 people. Seizing the eastern districts of Aleppo  Syrias commercial hub before the war  would mark a major victory for Assad.

Fighting over the city, particularly pro-government attacks, has repeatedly torpedoed peacemaking efforts involving Washington and Moscow.

Forces aligned with Assad dramatically intensified attacks in recent weeks, throttling a cease-fire brokered for the city last month by Russia and the United States.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitoring group, said Saturday that more than 2,100 civilians, including 479 children, have been killed in Aleppo in the past six months.

On Friday, the top U.N. human rights official, Zeid Raad al-

Hussein, condemned the assaults on rebel areas of Aleppo as crimes of historic proportions.

Few, if any, of the estimated 200,000 residents in the war-

ravaged rebel neighborhoods took advantage of the Russian-led pause in fighting, choosing instead to stay put. U.N. officials attribute that to a lack of guarantees from the Assad government to help evacuate wounded and sick residents in opposition areas.

Government media accused rebel fighters  who rejected the cease-fire as political theater by Russia and the Syrian government  of preventing the sick and wounded from fleeing opposition areas. But residents of eastern Aleppo contacted by phone said people fear arrest and worse consequences if they leave.

They also have cited confusion about the parameters of the cease-fire. Text messages from the government said civilians had eight hours a day to leave rebel-held areas through designated corridors, but U.N. officials said Moscow informed them that it would last for 11.

Zakaria reported from Istanbul.

Read more:

Russian air defense raises stakes of U.S. confrontation in Syria

Incredible video shows Syrian boy dangling from wrecked building after airstrike in Aleppo

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

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French President Francois Hollande, center, speaks with Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico, right, while flanked by Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite during a European Union summit to discuss Syria, relations with Russia, trade and migration on Thursday in Brussels. (Stephane de Sakutin/AFP via Getty Images)

A long-awaited offensive to dislodge the Islamic State from its stronghold city of Mosul is fueling fears of renewed terrorist attacks, as European counterterrorism officials say more fighters are returning home after waging jihad in Syria and Iraq.

The security concerns are a major focus of European intelligence agencies as the Iraqi army and its partners press the assault on Mosul, which the Islamic State has used as a capital for planning and operations for more than two years. Attacks in Paris and Brussels in recent years have been conducted by locally born attackers who in some cases trained with the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, then returned home.

The threat underlines a central dilemma facing leaders of nations where the Islamic State has carried out terrorist attacks: Even as they support efforts to defeat the group on the ground, they risk dislodging its adherents and casting them elsewhere. Top officials say that they are raising their vigilance as thousands of people stream out of Mosul, which is under heavy bombardment in the largest operation for Iraqi security forces since they were formed after toppling Saddam Hussein.

[Amateur terror attacks may mark a new chapter in the ISIS war in Europe]

Counterterrorism officials say it is too early to know whether the Mosul operation will spark a new wave of fighters coming back to Europe. But they say that when the Islamic State has been dealt battlefield blows in the past year, more of its adherents have returned home.



Further military losses, further military pressure on them in the region, indeed might lead to an increased reflex response by the group in Europe, said Rob Wainwright, the head of Europol, the Pan-European policing agency that is coordinating efforts to combat the group inside European Union borders. Flows of returning fighters have slightly increased in recent months, he said. Not yet in high numbers. Maybe Mosul and Raqqa could change that, he said, referring to the Islamic States Syrian stronghold, which is the next major target after Mosul.

Between 4,000 and 5,000 European residents are estimated to have gone to Syria and Iraq to take part in the fight, which has raged since Arab Spring protests in Syria in 2011. A majority of the European fighters are said to be on the ground there, Wainwright said. About a third is estimated to have returned, with the remainder killed.

The trip has been made harder by Turkeys sealing of its border with Syria, a step that has significantly cut down on traffic in both directions. Turkish officials have said in recent days that they view fleeing Islamic State fighters as a significant domestic threat and that they are committed to bolstering security along the long border with Syria and Iraq. The Islamic State also has been known to kill disillusioned fighters who try to abandon the fight, further reducing return movement.

The group may also seek to pull off high-profile attacks as a way of proving its continued relevance. The flow of new European recruits to the fight has slowed to a trickle this year after posing a major challenge to authorities in recent years.

Still, some movement is possible, Wainwright said.

ISIL are in the business of getting their people back into Europe in increasingly sophisticated ways, he said, including paying organized crime groups for high-quality fake travel documents. In recent months, there has been some pickup in the rate of return, most noticeably to Britain, Sweden and Italy, he said.

E.U. counterterrorism officials have been warning for months that a string of setbacks for the Islamic State inside the territory it controls could create a threat as its supporters flee and as its leaders seek to prove their ongoing relevance. Repeated attacks on Paris last year, then the March attacks in Brussels, were the first warning sign of the groups new focus on Europe. Then this summer, a spate of Islamic State-inspired attacks that began on Bastille Day in Nice, France, showed just how little resources were necessary to perpetrate large-scale killings.

We have to be prepared, thats the point. Its a lot of people, E.U. Counterterrorism Coordinator Gilles de Kerchove said. We dont know whether it will be a massive return or whether it will be over a long period of time.

[Flow of foreign fighters plummets as Islamic State loses its edge]

Even if the group is forced to retreat significantly on the ground, he said he doubted the danger would evaporate for Europe.

Theyve shown agility in the past. I suspect those who were not killed or captured will try to reinvent it, de Kerchove said. One fear, he said, was that European citizens could take skills learned on the battlefield and apply them at home  a possibility that could encompass everything from chemical weapons to car bombs.

The complex threat has European officials carefully monitoring the offensive, which was launched Monday by Iraqi and Kurdish forces with Western air and ground support.

Hundreds of thousands, if not a million people might try to flee Mosul, French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said Thursday, adding that security forces need to check them all to make sure that Islamic State fighters are not escaping by blending into the crowds. He spoke after a conference in Paris devoted to the battle.

For now, the most immediate security concerns related to Mosul have to do with the protection of civilians in the city, which is said to have up to 1.5 million residents. The Islamic State has in the past used civilians as human shields, and any form of urban combat poses a challenge in separating civilian from fighter. If Islamic State combatants flee anywhere at all, the obvious first step is Raqqa, the groups bastion in neighboring Syria. Anti-Islamic State forces have declared that their next target.

Iraqi officials have warned Western leaders that while Iraq and Syria might be on the front line, the threat is also potent in Europe.

It is your enemy just as much as ours. It is a challenge for you as it is for us. And Daesh is trying to operate in your capitals, just as it is trying to operate in our capital, Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jafari told the European Parliament on Wednesday, using another name for the Islamic State, which is also known as ISIS and ISIL.

The deteriorating security situation in the Sinai region of Egypt and ongoing chaos in Libya provide a different escape route for Islamic State fighters, analysts say. Militants could either stay in those areas, further destabilizing an already volatile situation, or they could join the migrant flow northward across the Mediterranean into Italy. That route for migrants and asylum seekers has continued largely unimpeded this year even as traffic into Europe from the Western Balkans has halted because of a March deal with Turkey.

Counterterrorism analysts say that even if the Islamic State is dealt a major battlefield defeat, it would probably hold on to its ability to sow chaos across the region.

It is in the nature of these groups to find a way to bounce back, said Mohammad-Mahmoud Ould Mohamedou, deputy director of the Geneva Center for Security Policy.

What better way to indicate that theyre not losing ground than to stage a really spectacular operation?

Annabell Van den Berghe contributed to this report.

Read more

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Amid fears of Trump, Europe tries to make its security less dependent on the U.S.

Attacker in Nice is said to have radicalized very rapidly

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world
As rebel-held sections of Aleppo crumbled under Russian bombing this month, the Obama administration was secretly weighing plans to rush more firepower to CIA-backed units in Syria.

The proposal, which involved weapons that might help those forces defend themselves against Russian aircraft and artillery, made its way onto the agenda of a recent meeting President Obama held with his national security team.

And thats as far as it got. Neither approved nor rejected, the plan was left in a state of ambiguity that U.S. officials said reflects growing administration skepticism about escalating a covert CIA program that has trained and armed thousands of Syrian fighters over the past three years.

The operation has served as the centerpiece of the U.S. strategy to press Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to step aside. But U.S. officials said there are growing doubts that even an expanded version could achieve that outcome because of Moscows intervention. Obama, officials said, now seems inclined to leave the fate of the CIA program up to the next occupant of the White House.

[Washingtons foreign policy elite breaks with Obama over Syrian bloodshed]

If so, Obamas successor will inherit an array of unattractive options. Critics of the proposal to increase arms shipments warn that it would only worsen the violence in Syria without fundamentally changing the outcome. But inaction has its own risks  increasing the likelihood that Aleppo will fall, that tens of thousands of CIA-backed fighters will search for more-reliable allies, and that the United States will lose leverage over regional partners that until now have refrained from delivering more-dangerous arms to Assads opponents.

The proposed expansion of the agency program  dubbed Plan B because it was seen as a fallback for failed diplomatic efforts  still has supporters, including CIA Director John Brennan and Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter. But even former ardent proponents, including Secretary of State John F. Kerry, have voiced skepticism about any escalation at this point. He and others fear that the new weaponry could end up killing Russian military personnel, triggering a confrontation with Moscow.

One senior U.S. official said that it is time for a ruthless look at whether agency-supported fighters can still be considered moderate, and whether the program can accomplish anything beyond adding to the carnage in Syria.

The CIA units are not doing any better on the battlefield, theyre up against a more formidable adversary, and theyre increasingly dominated by extremists, said the U.S. official, who, like others, spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive operation. What has this program become, and how will history record this effort?

Backers of the program said that the CIA effort had succeeded in important aspects of its mission  building a politically moderate force that by last year posed a serious threat to Assad. A U.S. official said that the CIA-backed opposition  widely known as the Free Syrian Army  remains largely intact after a year of Russian pounding, and is the only force in Syria capable of prolonging the war and possibly pushing Moscow to abandon Assad as part of a political solution.

The FSA remains the only vehicle to pursue those goals, said a second U.S. official.

The White House and CIA declined to comment. Administration officials familiar with Obamas thinking said all options remain on the table, though the president has made clear his reluctance to use overt military force.

We continue to press for options that will decrease violence in Aleppo and alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people, a senior administration official said. We and our partners will continue to provide support to the opposition and Syrian civil society in a manner that advances those objectives.

[A wartime president struggles with the hard questions]

Neither Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton nor her Republican counterpart, Donald Trump, has publicly outlined a position on the widely known but nevertheless classified CIA operation in Syria.

In their final debate, Clinton struck a more hawkish tone, reiterating her support for carving out an area in northern Syria for civilians and moderate opposition elements where Syrian and Russian planes would not be allowed to fly. A no-fly zone can save lives and hasten the end of the conflict, Clinton said, adding that doing so would take a lot of negotiation. It would also take making it clear to the Russians and the Syrians that our purpose here was to provide safe zones on the ground.

Trump did not articulate specific plans for Syria, other than to describe the war as a disaster and declare that Aleppo  a major city with the largest concentration of opposition forces  is in his view already a lost cause.

U.S. officials said predictions of Aleppos imminent fall should be viewed with skepticism. It is more likely, they said, that the battle for Aleppo will drag on for months. Even if it were to fall, some in the administration hope that rebels can open new fronts against the regime in other parts of the country, forcing Russia to spread its air assets more widely.

Clinton was a backer of CIA intervention in Syria when the plan was first proposed in 2012 by then-CIA Director David H. Petraeus and she was serving as secretary of state. But Russia was not directly involved in the conflict at the time, and it is unclear whether Clinton would continue to favor an aggressive agency arms program given Moscows powerful presence there now.

Its a fine mess weve gotten ourselves into, said a former senior administration official who was directly involved in the early White House deliberations over the CIA program. Theres a huge risk here since the Russians entered. . . . The lesson out of this is that if you dont take action early on, you should almost expect the options to get worse and worse and worse.

The former official said that Obama now had understandable reason for caution but dismissed the White House argument that its inaction on Plan B shouldnt be interpreted as significant. The lack of a decision is a decision, the former official said.

Members of the Free Syrian Army and other U.S.-backed groups in Aleppo said they have gone long stretches without weapons deliveries but have stockpiled arms in large quantities since 2014, anticipating that the air bombardment would eventually give way to a ground assault.

Molham Ekaidi, deputy commander of an FSA unit in Aleppo, said in an online interview that the United States failure to deliver advanced antiaircraft weapons to aid in the defense of Aleppo amounted to a green light for Moscow to lay waste to the city.

U.S. intelligence officials say that the rebels have proved to be effective street fighters but that they arent sure how long they will be able to hold out given the extensive damage inflicted from the air. Ekaidi said street fighting would favor the rebel side.

They wont be able to solve Aleppo by military means, Ekaidi said. The regime is weak when it comes to street warfare. The air bombardment wont be effective enough.

Obama was always lukewarm in his enthusiasm for CIA intervention. In 2012, he commissioned a classified study of other cases of the agency backing rebel forces. In an interview with the New Yorker magazine, Obama said that he wanted examples of when that actually worked out well. And they couldnt come up with much.

When the deteriorating situation in Syria prompted Obama to authorize the CIA to begin vetting, training and arming moderate factions in 2013, he imposed constraints that frustrated agency operatives. Their goal in Syria would not be to enable rebels to win and seize power, according to officials accounts, but to push the conflict toward a stalemate and force various factions to negotiate Syrias future after Assad.

The CIA set up jointly run compounds in Jordan and Turkey, where officials said more than 10,000 rebels have gotten training and equipment over the past three years. Those vetted units are part of a constellation of opposition groups with 50,000 or more fighters that have gotten money and weapons from the CIA and regional partners including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey.

The terms required the partners to keep certain classes of weapons out of Syria, particularly MANPADs, highly portable surface-to-air missiles that Washington worried would fall into the hands of terrorist groups and be used to target civilian aircraft.

Rebels chafed at the restriction, complaining that it left them vulnerable to air attack by Assad and, more recently, Russia. The Plan B proposal envisioned a compromise in which the CIA and its partners would deliver truck-mounted antiaircraft weapons that could help rebel units but would be difficult for a terrorist group to conceal and use against civilian aircraft.

As the Russian pounding of Aleppo intensified, horrific images of injured children and destroyed hospitals put new pressure on Obama to authorize expanded weapons shipments to besieged opposition groups. Plan B was raised during a series of weekly White House meetings and was finally put to Obama during an Oct. 14 session with the National Security Council.

Carter has for months favored a doubling down of the CIA program, officials said, to inflict higher costs on Moscow for its intervention, while opposing using U.S. military force out of worry that it would divert resources from the campaign against the Islamic State.

But he and Brennan have been outnumbered by skeptics. White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough has been cautious about the operation from the outset. Kerry, a longtime supporter, has edged toward the camp of doubters, officials said, partly out of concern that any U.S. escalation at this time will only trigger an asymmetric response by Moscow.

The Russians have seized the initiative, said a second senior administration official involved in Syria discussions. You cant pretend you can go to war against Assad and not go to war against Russia.

The CIAs own assessments of the program have been viewed with suspicion by some at the White House, officials said. Does it make any sense that the people who are totally invested in this program . . . are the same people who are writing analyses of the Syrian opposition on which decisions are based on the future of that program? the first U.S. official said.

Amid the setbacks in Syria in recent months, key figures in the administration have advocated prioritizing the fight against the Islamic State, rather than against the Assad government. But agency officials disagree with this rationale, saying that the Islamic State cant be eradicated until a new government emerges capable of controlling the terrorist groups territory in Raqqa and elsewhere.

You cant defeat ISIL without removing Assad, the second U.S. official said, using an alternative name for the Islamic State. As long as there is a failed state in Syria, ISIL will have a homeland.

Obamas reluctance has frustrated the CIAs partners overseas who were expecting Plan B to be approved. U.S. officials said the ban on the most worrisome weapons remains intact. Key partners such as Turkey, with busy airports and a long border with Syria, are equally determined to keep MANPADs and other munitions out of extremists hands.

Still, a senior Turkish official said his government feels misled about U.S. intentions and would likely begin exploring unilateral arrangements to provide heavier arms to Turkey-backed groups.

They promised to give more support, the Turkish official said. But it now seems like nothing is going to happen. This coalition hasnt delivered. Its obsolete now. So were going to look at our options. If Aleppo falls, Assad wins.

Greg Jaffe contributed to this report.

Read more:

Russian air defense raises stakes of U.S. confrontation in Syria

Little consensus within administration on how to stop fall of Aleppo to Assad

U.N. envoy says eastern Aleppo may face total destruction
I just love old houses - this one, and every other one too. This one needed a roof when I bought it. There was a busted pipe under the house and the water heater did not work. either. There was very old wall paper and old carpet too. I needed a big stove and by today's standards, a small refrigerator. Of course, it was love at first sight, for me.As I write this, my son Tres is replacing the bathroom floor down to whatever a "floor joist" is. He started on Friday and should finish tomorrow. Kyle and Christian have helped him along, as well. We have had water at times-and at other times, not. There is a ceiling and another floor , to do next. I have been mowing all afternoon. We had "store-bought"chicken for Sunday dinner. This is why not to buy an old house, if you are a single woman and no "spring chicken", as well. One of Christians' friends recently said "you need a crew, to live here." He is about right.Finally, after making several "big productions"-my kids have inspired me to find a smaller and more practical rabbit patch. The problem is, every one I find goes with another old house-smaller, but old. I started out looking at big houses again, convinced It would come in handy on Christmas Eve -and Thanksgiving , too. Finally, I stopped that notion. I do not want my children to worry about me as they are busy building their lives. I have convinced myself to be sensible and downsize- when the repairs are done.I do not understand my love affair with old houses. Often, they are abandoned, neglected and dirty-but they have window seats and built in china cabinets too! The door ways may be arched and heirloom roses may grow by the windows. If, there are old trees, I fall head over heels with no recollection of busted pipes or windows that won't open. I know where the Christmas tree will go and where Christopher Robin will nap. By the time I leave, the walls are painted and curtains are hung.Heaven help me-and I know It will, find a little cottage on a rabbit patch, that doesn't need a roof.
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

Six years ago, I wrote a save-the-date column: Attention Lincoln: Aug. 21, 2017, will be here before we know it.

In case youve forgotten your reminder, next Aug. 21 marks the centurys first total solar eclipse and all over the country, people are making plans to put on funny glasses and look up.

Countdown clocks are ticking on sites like National Eclipse and Great American Eclipse and Eclipse 2017 NASA and Nebraska Eclipse 2017, which touts the viewing opportunities in a 467-mile-long, 67-mile-wide swath of our Grand Prairie Land.

Down in Gage County, they even have a slogan clever enough to make you see stars: Come get mooned in Beatrice.

Dont mind if I do, although its not my only sun-blotted option.

The five-day festival in Dannebrog looks tempting. Totality in Tryon? Sounds amazing. Mid-day twilight at Carhenge has some appeal, as does the fun-filled western-style week in Stapleton.

Out of all of the states, Nebraska is probably doing the best job promoting the eclipse at the local level, said Dave Clark, a Pennsylvania man behind nationaleclipse.com.

Clark isnt a scientist or an astronomer, just a guy who likes the night sky and put together a website offering visitors viewing tips, detailed maps of the eclipses path-of-darkness and state-by-state watch parties.

Lincoln isnt yet listed on the site, although we sit on the northern border of the path, giving us 84 seconds to experience the total eclipse (beginning at 1:02 p.m.) with a wide window of eerie light on either side, as the moon makes its way across the face of the sun.

Not bad, said Clark.

But for more time, youre going to want to go south on 77 and that will get you to the center line. (Then he pronounced a womans name, Bee-A-trice, but I knew the place.)

Being in the smack dab middle of the eclipses wave across the country means an extra minute of darkness in the Gage County seat and in dozens of other towns from Yaquina Bay, Oregon, to Charleston, South Carolina.

And the 2017 total eclipse will spend more time in Nebraska than it will in any other state as it rolls across 2,498 miles of the continental U.S. at 1,594 mph. (Thats 94 minutes from sea to sea.)

Im hoping it lives up to Annie Dillards description.

The second before the sun went out we saw a wall of dark shadow come speeding at us, the essayist wrote, describing the 1979 eclipse that clipped Oregon and Washington. We no sooner saw it than it was upon us, like thunder. It roared up the valley ... It was the monstrous swift shadow cone of the moon.

I hope every schoolkid and office worker and pizza tosser in town gets to go outside Aug. 21 and watch the moon make its shadow.

Theres a reason I wrote about the eclipse six years in advance. His name was Joseph Jochmans, a Lincoln man on a mission to get the city to market the celestial wonder.

I think we should celebrate it, Jochmans told me in August 2010. And if possible, make a little revenue on it.

The semi-retired researcher of ancient mysteries had some ideas about how to do that, which he shared with me and with the mayors office. Promote ourselves as the nations Eclipse Capital, he said. Design a logo. (His suggestion: a silhouette of the Capitol and a black sun sprouting solar flares.) Manufacture our own eclipse glasses, T-shirts and ballcaps. Market ourselves to European and Asian tourists, who would fill our hotel rooms and flood our restaurants.

The citys wide open Nebraska skies will offer a perfect panorama for the event, he said. (Although he did concede that Beatrice might have a leg up.)

And actually, they might.

Their rallying cry, Come get mooned in Beatrice, will appear on T-shirts and assorted memorabilia, said Lora Young, executive director of the Beatrice Area Chamber of Commerce and Gage County Tourism.

Hotel rooms in town are already filling with out-of-state visitors, she said. And she's heard similar reports from other Nebraska towns in the path of the eclipse, including word that a 100 German tourists will bunk down on private land in the Sandhills for a celestial party.

This phenomenon is not going to happen in our part of the country for another 300 or 400 years, Young said. Nebraska is lucky that we are in the dead center path.

Down in Beatrice, eclipse weekend plans include live music, outdoor movies, fun at Homestead National Monument and a host of local watch parties.

Weve been working on this for a couple of years, said Young, clearly over the moon about the upcoming eclipse.

I had a few ideas of my own for Lincoln back in 2010. (Such as: A concert with Bonnie Tyler belting out Total eclipse of the heart and Carly Simon singing Youre so vain. A community breakfast with Kiwanians serving eggs, sunny side up.)

Then, after writing about Jochmans and his starry-eyed ideas, I promptly forgot about the lunch hour twilight, which seemed light years away.

But last week, with a mere 303 days to make plans -- and hotel reservations -- I went in search of the forward-thinking Eclipse Lover, only to find he had died in 2013.

A series of strokes, said his widow.

But hed be pleased to know there will be a party, or two, in Lincoln come Aug. 21, 2017.

We might not be on Clarks website yet, but Hyde Memorial Observatory and the Prairie Astronomy Club are all over it, along with the citys Convention and Visitors Bureau, in partnership with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

A tentative weekends worth of activities, said Daniel Claes, chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy. Informative and fun talks, a science fair, portable sunspotter telescopes -- location TBA.

As for classes in his department that Monday? Outside, Everybody.

The rest of us should plan to do the same.

You've been sufficiently warned: Pick a spot.

And save the date.
Brazil's former president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, was surrounded by supporters as he campaigned for the reelection of Sao Paulo's mayor, Fernando Haddad, in late September. (Andre Penner/AP)

As samba drums beat a machine-gun rhythm, a few thousand people in a Rio square began singing an old campaign song for the man once hailed as the most beloved Brazilian politician in a generation.

Lula-la, a star shines, Lula-la, hope grows, the supporters sang at the nighttime rally last month in a drab outlying city neighborhood.

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, known as Lula, is a giant in modern Latin American politics. In eight years as president, he presided over an extraordinary economic boom while introducing welfare policies that helped lift 36 million people out of poverty. In 2009, President Obama called him the most popular politician on Earth.

Speaking at the recent rally, the gray-haired, 70-year-old Lula demonstrated his trademark charisma, drawing laughs and cheers as he reminded his audience of his successes.

We showed that when the poor are included in the economy, the country grows, he said, in a voice so gravelly it could pave a road.

But these days, Brazils leftist icon has been shorn of much of his political force.

Lula has been charged with corruption and money-laundering offenses in a multibillion-

dollar graft scheme at state-run oil giant Petrobras that has led to the indictments of hundreds of people  including former officials from his Workers Party. He faces similar charges in a separate investigation involving a construction giant also embroiled in the Petrobras probe.

Brazils economy has sunk into recession. Lulas hand-picked successor as president, Dilma Rousseff, was impeached in August for breaking budget laws. High-profile political candidates for whom Lula campaigned in municipal elections this month lost  including one of his sons  and his Workers Party won less than half the city halls it conquered four years ago.

Economy and corruption. These two things together were a very powerful cocktail that defeated this popularity that Lula had, said Mauricio Santoro, a professor of international relations at Rios State University.

[How Brazil, the darling of the developing world, came undone]

Yet Lula is far from finished as a politician. Recent polls even showed him as a front-runner for the 2018 presidential election, with as much as one-third of the vote, although they indicated he would tie or narrowly lose in most scenarios in a second runoff round.

He is the guy who most helped the country, said Thiago Oliveira, 32, a dance teacher attending the recent campaign rally for a leftist candidate in the blue-collar neighborhood of Bangu.

During Lulas two terms, from 2003 through 2010, Brazils economy flourished thanks to a global commodity boom and a surge in consumer spending. Millions of low-income families benefited from a novel welfare program that provided cash payments as long as parents ensured their children went to school and got medical care.

Even during those years, said Santoro, the political scientist, there were signs that things could go wrong.

The seeds of the problem were already there, he said. The issue of corruption, and his decision to make Dilma [Rousseff], a difficult person, his heir.

In 2005, Lulas first government was rocked by a scandal called the Mensalao, or big monthly payment, in which lawmakers from other parties were paid to vote for government measures.

With Brazils economy expanding, Lula was reelected a year later  but the controversy dented the reputation of the Workers Party, which had presented itself as a clean alternative to Brazils old politics.

This was the way Brazil was always governed. But for the left to have adopted these methods was a brutal mistake, said Tarso Genro, who held three ministerial posts under Lula and served as Workers Party president.

[Brazils economy tanks as multibillion-dollar corruption scandal expands]

Under Rousseff, government spending surged and the commodities boom ended. Her heavy-handed policy interventions, such as forcing utilities to cut electricity prices, eroded investor confidence. Politically, she was seen as authoritarian and inflexible. Some leftist Brazilians blame her for the harm done to Lulas legacy.

Dilma damaged much of what he did, said Sharllene Carmo, 27, who attended the recent rally.

Prosecutors have painted a far darker picture of Lula, however, alleging that he had a huge role in the Petrobras corruption scandal. They say he was the mastermind of an illegal scheme involving $26 million in kickbacks, payments and campaign donations, part of which was aimed at keeping his Workers Party in power.

Yet just weeks after prosecutors aired those allegations in a nationally televised news conference, a poll found that 34 percent of Brazilians would still vote for Lula in the 2018 elections. In addition, 43 percent said they liked him, while only 36 percent didnt. The rest had no opinion.

Renato Meirelles, president of Sao Paulos Locomotiva research institute, which examines trends and opinion among Brazils lower classes, acknowledged the paradox.

The image of Lula is in its worst shape ever, but he is still one of the strongest politicians in Brazil, he said.

Lulas popularity remains resilient in part because of his narrative as a president born into barefoot poverty  a rarity in a country of vast income inequality, whose leaders have come from privileged backgrounds.

Lula moved to Sao Paulo from the impoverished interior of Brazils northeast as a child. He became the leader of a powerful union and led several strikes during the last years of Brazils dictatorship before co-founding the Workers Party in 1980.

The party has aggressively fought the charges against Lula and Rousseff, arguing that they are politically motivated. That has galvanized the Brazilian left.

Prosecutors may have overplayed their hand at times, contributing to the doubts. The news conference last month accusing Lula of running a vast bribery scheme became the object of mockery after authorities failed to charge him with such sweeping crimes.

Still, the former presidents legal troubles are mounting. In July, Lula was accused of obstruction of justice in the Petrobras probe. In September, prosecutors charged him in connection with an apartment in the seaside resort of Guaruja they allege was renovated and given to him in return for favors by a company involved in the Petrobras case.

Lula has denied all the allegations and said he did not own the apartment. The benefits Lula is alleged to have received are worth $1.1 million, prosecutors said  far less than other politicians are accused of pocketing.

This month, Lula was also charged with crimes including corruption and money laundering in a separate investigation into contracts he allegedly obtained for a relative from a construction company. Lula denies the allegations.

At the recent rally, Lula railed against the prosecutors. But many of those attending were aware that he wont be able to compete in the 2018 election if he is convicted or jailed.

Even here, there was some skepticism about Lulas characterization of the charges.

It cant all be a lie, said Jose Augusto, 21, a student working for a local leftist politician.

Nor did Lulas campaigning help Jandira Feghali, the Communist Party candidate for mayor of Rio, who staged the rally.

She got just 3 percent of the vote.

Read more

How Brazils ruling Workers Party lost the workers

Brazils economy tanks as multibillion-dollar corruption scandal expands

Brazils new hero is a nerdy judge who is tough on official corruption

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world
Last week the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) unveiled its new rules for how Medicare compensates doctors for services. Under the guise of providing quality care, the new rules are part of a cost-cutting strategy that incentivizes doctors to ration care for patients.

In April of last year, President Obama signed the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) of 2015. The 2,400-page bill had support from both the Democrats and Republicans, reflecting the bipartisan nature of the attack on all remaining entitlement programs.

The bill phases out the fee for service system, in which doctors were paid based on the volume of services provided, replacing it with a payment structure that provides financial incentives for doctors to cut costs and reduce the volume and frequency of the health care services they provide.

MACRA was presented as a permanent fix to the 1997 law that tied doctors compensation to the sustainable growth rate (SGR), a formula that rarely kept up with rising health care costs and would have drastically cut their reimbursement rate. Since 2002, Congress intervened and raised physician payment rates 17 times to make up for the shortfall.

According to the new payment schedule, payments to doctors will increase 0.5 percent annually through 2019, then freeze for six years, followed by modest increases. However, starting in 2019 doctors will be eligible to receive larger reimbursements by participating in two new tracks or payment systems that provide financial incentives to provide quality care while reducing the volume of services.

CMS estimates that 70,000 to 120,000 clinical practitioners will be in a position to participate in Alternative Payment Models (APM) starting next year. By employing electronic medical records and reporting quality measurements to the government, doctors can earn financial rewards for meeting these standards, or lose money for failing to do so. Providers who are ready to or have already begun making quality-based changes can use this track.

In one example of an APM, health care providers and suppliers can voluntarily come together to coordinate health care at lower costs by forming accountable care organizations (ACOs). These will be rewarded for reducing costs while supposedly meeting performance standards on quality of care.

The goal is to eventually move all Medicare providers to the APM track.

In the meantime, an estimated 590,000 to 640,000 clinicians are expected to enroll in the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS), where doctors will have lower financial risks and rewards compared to APMs. The purpose of this track is to introduce clinical practitioners to quality-based programs, i.e., programs that reduce the quantity of medical services by supposedly improving them.

The performance of clinical practitioners will be rated based on quality standards, making improvements, and employing electronic medical records. In 2018, a cost category will be added to calculate doctors payment adjustment.

The first performance period begins on January 1, 2017 and closes at the end of the year. Physicians will then submit data on their practices by March 31, 2018. CMS will provide feedback on the doctors performance, which will determine the payment adjustments made starting January 1, 2019.

Payment adjustments can be increased or decreased by up to 4 percent, and the adjustments will increase annually until a potential maximum adjustment of 9 percent is reached in 2022.

The increase in payments to doctors will be funded by premium hikes to Medicare recipients based upon income.

Another 380,000 clinicians with smaller practices will be exempt from the MACRA because they care for fewer than 100 Medicare patients annually and bill Medicare less than $30,000 a year.

The performance of physicians is based upon the quality measures developed in the CMSs Quality Measure Development Plan (MDP). They include overuse measures such as the overuse of clinical tests and procedures.

The MDP claims that an underuse of services would be an unintended consequence of clinicians focusing on overuse measures. Actually, however, reducing use of services to the point that patients suffer is a deliberate goal of the policy.

The passage of the MACRA represents a major assault on Medicare. Republican House Speaker John Boehner, who along with Democratic representative Nancy Pelosi drafted the legislation, called the bill the first real entitlement reform in nearly two decades, since the abolition of cash welfare payments in 1996 by the Clinton administration. When the bill passed, the right-wing National Review praised the legislation in an article headlined, A Medicare Bill Conservatives Need to Embrace.

The Affordable Care Act, which aims to lower health care costs for the government and corporations by rationing care, is substantially reducing Medicare spending. The Congressional Budget Office estimated in 2013 that the ACA would reduce Medicare spending by $716 billion between 2013 and 2022. The ultimate aim of the ruling elite is to transform Medicare, which has improved the health and welfare of millions of seniors since its inception, it into a poverty program with minimal coveragewhether through means testing, some type of voucher program, or through outright privatization.

Medicare, signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on July 30, 1965, was the last major reform issued by the ruling class. Like the reforms pushed by the Roosevelt administration in the 1930s, such as the Social Security Act and the recognition of the industrial unions, Medicare was a concession by the ruling class in the face of major struggles by the working class. Ever since this time, the ruling class has sought to roll back and eliminate these popular programs, a process that has only intensified since the onset of the 2008 economic crisis.
A major theme of the 2016 US presidential campaign has been the campaign to depict Russia as intent on manipulating the election through cyber warfare.

Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton declared in this weeks final debate that the Russian government has engaged in espionage against Americans and given that information to WikiLeaks for the purpose of putting it on the Internet. She said the operation has come from Putin himself, in an effort to influence our election. She accused Republican candidate Donald Trump of being a puppet of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Clinton presented her accusations as incontrovertible facts, citing as supposed proof the October 7 declaration of James Clapper, the director of national intelligence, who declared that the US intelligence community was confident that the Russian government was responsible for hacking Democratic Party and Clinton campaign computers and passing on the information for publication by WikiLeaks.

No evidence has been presented to the public by the US government or any other source to substantiate the claims of Russian hacking. Clappers word is worthless. He is a perjurer, having lied under oath to the US Senate Judiciary Committee in March of 2013 when asked point blank whether the government was carrying out large-scale surveillance of private communications.

Clinton and her surrogates, including the New York Times, seem to think that the American people have forgotten the lying claims of the US intelligence community, promoted uncritically by the same media organizations that are retailing the anti-Russian narrative today, about Iraqi weapons of mass destruction in the run-up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

Ultimately, whether or not Russia is involved in the leaking of emails exposing the corruption and dishonesty of Clinton is a secondary question. Clinton, the Democratic Party and the media have seized on this story and made it central to the 2016 election campaign because it serves definite political ends.

First, the charge of Russian espionage has allowed the Clinton campaign, together with the great bulk of the corporate-controlled media, to downplay the highly compromising, if not incriminating, contents of the emails released by WikiLeaks. (Her groveling speeches to Wall Street, her campaigns connivance with the Democratic Party leadership to subvert the primary challenge by Bernie Sanders, the efforts to influence official investigations into her illicit use of a private email account for official State Department business, the corrupt relations between the Clinton Foundation and various organizations and governments, etc.).

It is a classic example of seeking to discredit the message by attacking the messenger.

But there are more fundamental issues involved in the Russia-baiting. Washington deems Russia to be an obstacle to its drive for hegemony over Eurasia. Moreover, the whipping up of tensions with Moscow serves to keep Americas allies in Western Europe lined up behind the geo-strategic and economic agenda of US imperialism. A major function of the Cold War was to maintain US political supremacy in Europe by cultivating an external threat on the European imperialist powers eastern flank. With the dissolution of the Soviet Union 25 years ago, this role has been transferred to capitalist Russiastill the second biggest nuclear power in the world.

It is worth noting that today marks the 54th anniversary of President John F. Kennedys speech announcing to the American people that the Soviet Union had stationed nuclear missiles in Cuba and that the US government had instituted an embargo to intercept and search all Russian ships heading for Cuba. The Cuban missile crisis was the closest that human civilization had come to nuclear destruction.

The reckless and incendiary war program of the United States has today brought the world closer to nuclear annihilation than at any time since those 13 days in 1962. The US proxy war for regime-change in Syria and other bloody interventions in the Middle East, and the US-led militarization of Eastern Europe, have once again brought Washington and Moscow perilously close to war. The current demonization of Putin by the presidential front-runner Clinton only heightens the danger.

The Cold War was accompanied by a fanatical anti-communist ideology that affected all aspects of American politics and society. The US obsession with the USSR was driven by the hatred and fear of the American ruling class for the legacy of revolutionary socialism expressed, in however distorted its form, by the continued existence of the Soviet Union. But the Cold War was also about securing the dominant position in the global geopolitical order of the United States, by means of NATO and other institutions, vis a vis Washingtons imperialist allies.

Following the dissolution of the USSR, the US proclaimed itself the only super-power and announced that it would tolerate no regional, much less global, challenge to its hegemony. The 25 years since the dissolution of the USSR, however, have seen a series of strategic disasters for the United States, undermining the basis of its preeminent global position. Its drive to reorganize the Middle East under its own domination, beginning with the first Gulf War in 1991, has, despite upending the state structures of the Middle East and turning the region into a slaughterhouse, failed to produce any clear strategic advantage for the United States.

Meanwhile the rise of China and other Asian economies, as well as the transformation of a unified Germany into the worlds largest capital exporter, has further undermined the supremacy of the United States in the global economy, even as the countrys economic life has become increasingly dominated by various forms of parasitism and speculation.

Under these conditions, the United States has confronted growing tensions with its closest NATO allies, which have erupted in a series of disputes over trade, taxation and military policy. These have included the breakdown of negotiations over the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership and the European Unions demand that Apple, the largest US corporation, pay $13 billion in back taxes.

The United States has hit back by demanding that Germanys ailing Deutsche Bank pay a $14 billion fine for its role in the 2008 financial crisis, in a move that one high-level German official said has the characteristics of an economic war. These economic tensions have been coupled by moves to turn the European Union into a military alliance to complement, or even supplant, the US-dominated NATO.

The United States constant military provocations against Russia, including the 2014 coup in Ukraine, the push for regime-change in Syria, and the NATO buildup on the Russian border, aim at creating a crisis atmosphere within which the countries of Western Europe, faced with the prospect of military retaliation by Russia, remain wedded to the military and economic alliance with the United States.

There is every indication that the military escalation against Russia will intensify during the next administration. Writing with unusual candor, the Washington Post reported Thursday, The Republicans and Democrats who make up the foreign policy elite are laying the groundwork for a more assertive American foreign policy, via a flurry of reports shaped by officials who are likely to play senior roles in a potential Clinton White House.

The Post noted that the bipartisan nature of the recent recommendations, coming at a time when the country has never been more polarized, reflects a remarkable consensus among the foreign policy elite for US escalation against Russia and Syria.

These developments represent the greatest danger to human civilization since the end of the Cold War. Over the past month, Russia has responded to the US escalation not only by directly threatening to shoot down US warplanes, but also by moving nuclear-capable missiles into Kaliningrad, its westernmost enclave, directly threatening the countries of Eastern Europe.

With every sign that the administration of front-runner Hillary Clinton would pursue a substantial escalation of Washingtons confrontation with Russia, there is a very real possibility of Washingtons brinkmanship resulting (as envisaged by a number of recent policy studies) in all-out conventional or nuclear war with Russia.

Despite this, the media and the entire political establishment have remained entirely silent on the threat of war. Only the World Socialist Web Site and the Socialist Equality Party are raising the alarm over the war danger. We call on readers of the World Socialist Web Site to attend the November 5 conference, Socialism vs Capitalism & War and to help build a working-class movement against war and the capitalist system that produces it.
The threat of the US military intervention in Iraq and Syria erupting into a far wider war has increased sharply in the wake of a series of Turkish air strikes against Syrian Kurdish militia forces that are aligned with Washington.

The Turkish government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has reported that Turkish war planes carried out 26 strikes against 18 separate targets in northern Syria this week, killing as many as 200 fighters of the Kurdish Peoples Protection Units, or YPG.

The Kurdish militia, however, said the number killed was 15, including civilians. The bombing raids, which began late Wednesday, continued throughout Thursday.

The air strikes were followed on Friday by an intense Turkish bombardment of Kurdish YPG positions in the northern Aleppo countryside. Kurdish sources reported that more than 150 rockets struck the area, which the YPG had previously taken from the Islamic State (ISIS).

Whatever the real death toll, these attacks mark a major escalation in the Turkish military intervention in Syria, begun in August with an invasion dubbed Operation Euphrates Shield.

The air strikes prompted an angry response from the Syrian government, which vowed to shoot down Turkish warplanes should they carry out more raids on Syrian territory. Any attempt to once again breach Syrian airspace by Turkish warplanes will be dealt with and they will be brought down by all means available, the Syrian army command warned in a statement Friday.

For his part, Erdogan has indicated that Turkey will continue the cross-border attacks. We will not wait for troubles to come knocking on our door, Erdogan declared in advance of the air strikes in Syria. We will see to it that the threats are destroyed, resolved at their source.

These developments have ratcheted up international tensions over the Syrian conflict to their highest level since last November, when Turkish warplanes ambushed and shot down a Russian jet carrying out operations against Al Qaeda-linked Islamist militias on the Syrian-Turkish border.

In the event that Syria were to begin shooting down Turkish planes, Ankara could invoke Article 5 of the NATO charter requiring the US and other members of NATO to come to Turkeys defense, unleashing an international war pitting NATO against not only Syria, but also its ally Russia, the worlds second-largest nuclear power.

At the heart of these tensions lie the fractious set of allies Washington has brought into the simultaneous interventions in both Iraq and Syria. While ostensibly these various state and non-state actors are united in a common struggle to defeat ISIS, in reality they are each pursuing their own mutually antagonistic interests.

US imperialism itself is seeking to carry out regime change in Syria, employing Islamist militias as proxy forces, while utilizing the anti-ISIS campaign in neighboring Iraq to consolidate its control of bases and secure the permanent deployment of US military forces in the oil-rich country.

At the same time, Washington has recruited the assistance of the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia as the main ground force in attacking ISIS positions in Syria. This has antagonized Turkey, which has intervened in Syria on the pretext of combating ISIS, but has directed its main fire against the Kurds.

This weeks attacks are aimed at dislodging Kurdish forces west of the Euphrates River and preventing the linking up of the Kurdish cantons of Afrin in the west and Kobani in the east, which would lay the basis for the creation of a Kurdish autonomous zone along Turkeys border. The Turkish government has expressed fear that territorial gains by the Syrian Kurdish forces will strengthen the demand of Turkeys own repressed Kurdish population for autonomy.

In the midst of the deadly combat between Washingtons supposed allies in the struggle against ISIS, US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter flew to Ankara on Friday for talks with the Turkish government on both Syria and Iraq. Carters remarks in Turkey appeared aimed at smoothing over tensions with Ankara, which have deepened since the abortive July 15 military coup against Erdogan, which many in Turkey believe was supported by the US. Washington, the US defense secretary said, would continue to stand side-by-side with our NATO ally against shared threats.

Carter also stated that there was an agreement in principle to allow Turkeys participation in the ongoing siege of Mosul in northern Iraq. Iraq understands that Turkey, as a member of the counter-ISIL [ISIS] coalition, will play a role in counter-ISIL operations in Iraq, and, secondly, that Turkey, since it neighbors the region of Mosul, has an interest [in] the ultimate outcome in Mosul, he said.

Erdogan has expressed Turkeys interest in Mosul by invoking century-old Turkish claims of sovereignty over the area.

Carters claim of an agreement was countered almost immediately by the Iraqi government, which had earlier indicated that it would attack any Turkish forces attempting to advance on the city. I am unable to comment on Carters statement as we are unaware of any agreement to allow Turkish troops on Iraqi soil until now, an Iraqi government spokesman said.

This is only one of the many conflicts that are surfacing in the offensive in Iraq, which has brought the mutually hostile forces of the Iraqi army, Shia sectarian militias, the Kurdish Peshmerga, Sunni tribal forces and Turkey onto the same battlefield. The ostensible objective is to drive ISIS out of the city.

There are increasing reports, however, that this is taking place, at least in part, through a deliberate funneling of the Islamist fighters into Syria, where they can be employed in the war for regime-change against the government of Bashar al-Assad. CNN reported that fighters, together with their families, have already begun arriving in the Syrian city of Raqqa.

It appears ever more likely that victory in Mosul, to be achieved by reducing the city to rubble and inflicting massive casualties on its civilian population, will only set the stage for a new and even more bitter conflict between the rival forces laying claim to northern Iraq and its oil wealth.

Washington and its allies are preparing for the slaughter with repeated warnings that ISIS is using the population of Mosul as human shields, thereby advancing an alibi for the mass murder of civilians in the bombardment of the city. The kinds of crimes that are being carried out was spelled out Friday with a report from northern Iraq that an air strike killed 15 women visiting a Shia shrine near the city of Kirkuk, which was the scene Friday of a series of terror attacks by ISIS. The US and its allies are the only ones carrying out bombing raids in the vicinity.

While the media parrots the line about human shields in Mosul and ignores the atrocities being carried out in the course of the offensive there, it adopts the exact opposite attitude toward events 300 miles to the west, in Aleppo. Denunciations of Syria and its ally Russia for war crimes in connection with the intense bombardment of eastern Aleppo, which is controlled by Al Qaeda-linked militias, continued even as a suspension of air strikes went into its second day on Friday and eight corridors were set up to allow civilians to leave the besieged neighborhoods.

Exceedingly few people have taken advantage of the opportunity to leave. Those that have report that the Islamist militias have used force, including live fire, to disperse those seeking to escape, and that 14 local officials who urged residents to flee were publicly executed. These reports have evoked no expression of indignation from the Western media, nor any suggestion that Washingtons proxy forces are exploiting the civilian population as human shields.
By Nov. 9, the votes will have been cast and counted, there will be a winner and a loser, and the country will begin a slow return to normal. Historians will have their say on the outcome, but all of us who have lived through this election will carry away indelible memories of a shocking year in American history: of a handful of ordinary people , swept up in the rush of history; of a series of moments on which the fate of the nation seemed, at least briefly, to turn; and of places on the map that became symbols of a divided nation. As we count down to Election Day, Yahoo News has identified 16 unforgettable people, moments and places.

For most of his life, Dr. Harold Bornstein practiced gastroenterology at a Park Avenue office that he shared with his father, Jacob Bornstein, who died in 2010. His sole brush with fame came in December 2015, when his patient, Donald Trump, released a one-page statement about his physical condition signed by Bornstein.

The letter, which for most of a year was the only information the world had about Trumps health, described an Adonis whose strength and physical stamina are extraordinary with extraordinarily excellent laboratory test results. It concluded with a statement that is the definition of uncheckable: If elected, Mr. Trump, I can state unequivocally, will be the healthiest individual ever elected to the presidency.

It didnt take long for commentators, including other physicians, to point out that Bornsteins language seemed to borrow more from the vocabulary of Trumps world of high-end real estate than that of medicine. His last physical exam showed only positive results, Bornstein wrote, a phrase that might work in a marketing brochure but is less than meaningless coming from a doctor; positive results typically means the patient tested positive for something he probably doesnt want to have.

Little more was heard about Bornstein until August, when Trumps health became a campaign issue in light of his insinuations that Hillary Clinton wasnt physically up to the presidency. In a brief but somewhat unsettling interview with NBC, Bornstein disclosed that he had written the letter in five minutes, while a messenger sent by Trump waited outside his office. His health is excellent, especially his mental health, Bornstein affirmed about Trump. Asked about his retroactive assessment of the health of the previous 43 presidents, Bornstein replied, unconvincingly: I like that sentence, to be quite honest with you, and all the rest of them are either sick or dead.

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In September, as pressure mounted on both candidates to be more forthcoming about their health, Bornstein released another letter, which Trump discussed with the television personality Dr. Oz. This gave additional details of Trumps condition, including his blood pressure (116/70), his LDL cholesterol (94) and his testosterone (441.6), but it raised some eyebrows by reporting his height as 63. Most other sources over the years have said hes 62. Folk wisdom, supported by a smattering of research, holds that the taller candidate usually wins the presidency, but Trump doesnt need an extra inch to be taller than Clinton.

He does, however, need it to bring his body-mass index, at a reported weight of 236, down to 29.5, which is just below the threshold for being considered obese. And we know how Trump feels about fat people.  By Jerry Adler

Donald Trump would be the healthiest individual ever elected to the presidency, his doctor says

Dr. Harold Bornstein  Trumps physician  issued a press release touting the Republican frontrunners extraordinary fitness and longevity. >>>

Heres what Donald Trump revealed about his health on Dr. Oz

On the show, Trump, who is 70 years old, handed show host Mehmet Oz two pieces of paper  one a report from his recent physical and the other a letter from Lenox Hill Hospital in New York. Those are all the tests that were just done last week, Trump said. >>>

Bornsteins press release on Trumps health

Over the past 39 years, I am pleased to report that Mr. Trump has had no significant medical problems. Click to read the full press release. >>>

Bornsteins letter on Trumps health and medical history

Mr. Trump is in excellent physical health. Click to read the full text of the letter. >>>

As a presidential candidate, I have instructed my long-time doctor to issue, within two weeks, a full medical report-it will show perfection  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2015
By Nov. 9, the votes will have been cast and counted, there will be a winner and a loser, and the country will begin a slow return to normal. Historians will have their say on the outcome, but all of us who have lived through this election will carry away indelible memories of a shocking year in American history: of a handful of ordinary people , swept up in the rush of history; of a series of moments on which the fate of the nation seemed, at least briefly, to turn; and of places on the map that became symbols of a divided nation. As we count down to Election Day, Yahoo News has identified 16 unforgettable people, moments and places.

In the course of 15 minutes last year, Julius Jones, a young Black Lives Matter activist from Massachusetts, did something that almost never happens in American politics: He engaged in a serious, intense but respectful dialogue with a major party presidential candidate on a matter of high principle and deeply felt emotion.

Millions of people have seen the video of the encounter among Clinton, Jones and his colleague Daunasia Yancey backstage at a campaign stop in Keene, N.H. The tape shows Clinton doing what she does best  listening and paying attention  but also shows why she has struggled in this campaign to connect to the young African-Americans whose votes she needs.

It begins with Yancey challenging Clinton on her responsibility, as first lady, senator and secretary of state, for the domestic and international war on drugs that have caused health and human services disasters in impoverished communities of color. Clinton gives the predictable answer  that times have changed and we have to look at what works now  to which Yancey tartly responds, Yeah, and I would offer that it didnt work then, either, which puts Clinton on notice that she would have to work to get out of that room in one piece. Then Jones has his say.

Theres a thing politicians do in situations like this, sometimes called grin-f***ing: You smile and shake your interlocutors hand, promise to consider his or her points, and move on to the next question. You can almost see this about to kick in with Clinton, and one of her aides helpfully interjects that time is running short. But Jones is as persistent as he is polite, and for whatever reason Clinton decides to engage with him. He presses her on the issue of mass incarceration as a consequence of policies advanced by the Bill Clinton administration:

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You know, I genuinely want to know  you and your family have been, in no uncertain way, partially responsible for this, more than most, right? Now, there may have been unintended consequences. But now that you understand the consequences, what in your heart has changed thats going to change the direction in this country? Like, what in you  like, not your platform, not what youre supposed to say  like, how do you actually feel thats different than you did before?

Julius Jones during an interview with Yahoo News. (Photo: Yahoo News)

The argument comes down to a question that can only be described as philosophical. Jones is arguing that racial progress requires a change in peoples hearts, a recognition by white America of its history of racism, while Clinton says its sufficient to just change the laws and policies. Give me a platform, she pleads with him, but he refuses; thats letting her, and by extension white America, off too easily. Its an extraordinary moment, and one that hopefully stuck with Clinton as it certainly did with Jones, who was unprepared for his sudden fame, which included appearances on The Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC and Larry Wilmores Nightly Show on Comedy Central.

As he tells Yahoo News Kaye Foley, his own life was in turmoil at the time: His mother had died a few months before, and he was being evicted from his apartment. The experience changed him, he says. He does feel differently about Clinton, but now believes, more strongly than ever, that she has an even greater responsibility for undoing the damage of mass incarceration. He has thought a lot about their disagreement, he says, and on reflection, he still thinks that confronting white prejudice has to take precedence:

Like when people feel better about homosexual people, and gay rights, then the laws change to reflect that. Thats a heart campaign, right, and then its reinforced and codified through the law. But to say that could have happened without changing hearts I think is not true. In the history of the United States and its relationship with black people, we have changed the laws in many iterations and theres still anti-black sentiment  and weve just gotten a new version of slavery every time.

I think that when you dont go after hearts, when you dont talk to people who have hate actively in their hearts, you directly get Donald Trump.  By Jerry Adler. Video produced by Kaye Foley .

Hillary Clinton has tough, candid meeting with Black Lives Matter activists

According to an aide, the discussion centered on the roles of police in communities, allocation of police resources in areas that need them the most, and violence against transgender Americans. >>>

Clinton faces #BlackLivesMatters

Two members of the Black Lives Matter movement tell Yahoo News and Finance anchor Bianna Golodryga that President Barack Obama and other presidents before him have failed the black community. >>>

Hillary Clinton meets with Black Lives Matter activists

After interrupting a Bernie Sanders campaign event in Seattle, Black Lives Matter activists met privately with Hillary Clinton in New Hampshire, confronting the Democratic frontrunner about her response to the movement and mass incarceration legislation passed during her husbands administration. >>>

Democrats get do-over on Black Lives Matter

Democratic presidential candidates got a pointed question Tuesday night that tested their response to an issue that has caused some of them headaches with the Black Lives Matter movement. >>>

We have to ask questions of every candidate. We have to keep asking how Clinton will dismantle the harm done by the other Clinton's policies  Brittany Packnett (@MsPackyetti) August 25, 2015

Hillary Clinton has an opportunity to propose a platform re: criminal justice and race that matches the urgency of her rhetoric.  deray mckesson (@deray) October 31, 2015
By Nov. 9, the votes will have been cast and counted, there will be a winner and a loser, and the country will begin a slow return to normal. Historians will have their say on the outcome, but all of us who have lived through this election will carry away indelible memories of a shocking year in American history: of a handful of ordinary people , swept up in the rush of history; of a series of moments on which the fate of the nation seemed, at least briefly, to turn; and of places on the map that became symbols of a divided nation. As we count down to Election Day, Yahoo News has identified 16 unforgettable people, moments and places.

Eleven-year-old Karla Ortiz met Hillary Clinton at a campaign event in Las Vegas in February, a closed meeting with a small group of mostly young Hispanics. She came with her mother, Francisca, and spoke haltingly of her fear that her parents, who are undocumented, will be thrown out of the country. Let me do the worrying, Clinton responded, hugging the girl  a moment that was captured on video and edited into a widely viewed campaign ad titled Brave.

Months later, Karla appeared, with her mother again, on the podium at the Democratic National Convention, to talk about being scared that at any moment my mom and my dad will be forced to leave, and I wonder what if I come home and find it empty. Karla, who was born in Las Vegas, is an American citizen; her parents are from Guatemala. As Karla told Clinton in February, they have received a deportation order; presumably they are appealing it, or may have other extenuating circumstances. Their situation would appear to be covered by the Obama administrations executive order of 2014, deferring deportation of immigrants who meet certain conditions, including having children who are U.S. citizens. That order, however, has been stayed by the courts  and a deadlocked Supreme Court, a month before the DNC, let the injunction stand.

Karlas speech  her mother spoke briefly afterward, in Spanish  was one of the emotional highlights of the convention, although Republicans were, predictably, unmoved. The headline on Breitbart.com read Democratic Party Discards Assimilation, Promotes Spanish-Speaking Illegals at Convention, and a commentator on one right-wing website pointed out that if her parents are deported and she stays here, THEYRE choosing to split up. Its easy to imagine that if Donald Trump becomes president, however long it takes to deport all 11 million (or so) illegal immigrants, the case of the family that appeared at the DNC to support Hillary Clinton will be high on the list.

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U.S.-born citizen11-year-old Karla Ortiz takes the stage with her mother, Francisca Ortiz, who is undocumented, at the Democratic National Convention. (Photo: Gary Cameron/Reuters)

In an interview with Brad Marshland of Yahoo News, Karla was asked if, given the events of the past year, she was more or less afraid that her parents would be sent away. She answered:

Im in the middle because  Donald Trump says that if he wins for president hes gonna deport everybody.  And so, Im kinda scared about that. But on the other side, Im very positive that Hillary Clintons gonna win to be president. Because shes a very nice person. And so, she will do everything she could to help us.

She was asked how her view of the United States had changed.

Its listening, she replied. Piece by piece, its listening more.  By Jerry Adler. Video produced by Brad Marshland.

11-year-old on DNC stage: Hillary Clinton eased my deportation fears

Karla Ortiz, an 11-year-old girl from Nevada, told the Democratic National Convention on Monday night that Hillary Clinton told her not to worry about her parents getting deported, because she would help. >>>

Clinton appeals to Nevada Latinos with emotional ad

The Clinton campaign released a heart-tugging ad Thursday morning in Nevada, featuring a 10-year-old girl who is worried her parents will be deported. >>>





Special moment today with @SenatorReid and 11-year-old Karla Ortiz, who spoke to #DemConvention earlier this week. pic.twitter.com/tbSVwcul2p  Nevada Dems (@nvdems) July 28, 2016

Emotional speech from Karla and Francisca Ortiz on immigration reform. this crowd was cheering for @HillaryClinton pic.twitter.com/IhumL4labW  Brigid Bergin (@brigidbergin) July 26, 2016
Lincoln Mayor Chris Beutler has appointed four new members of the city-county Planning Commission, a volunteer group responsible for initial reviews of zoning and land-use issues and that advises the City Council and Lancaster County Board.

The four people, representing different professional perspectives, are replacing three veteran board members who are retiring from the commission, and a neighborhood advocate who moved to the West Coast.

The appointees are Tracy Edgerton (replacing Jeanelle Lust); Deane Finnegan (replacing Michael Cornelius); Sandra Washington (replacing Cathy Beecham) and Thomas Beckius (replacing Lynn Sunderman).

Traditionally mayors have selected commission members in order to represent a diversity of perspectives and interests, according to David Cary, planning director.

The appointees must be confirmed by the Lincoln City Council and the Lancaster County Board. The council hearing for the Planning Commission appointees is tentatively scheduled for the Nov. 7 meeting.

Having four new appointments at the same time for the nine-member commission is unusual, Cary said. The six-year terms are staggered so that three seats routinely come up for reappointment or a new appointment every two years.

The four appointments are the result of a commission member moving from Lincoln and others who have served for a long time deciding not to seek reappointment, Cary said.

The commission is a voluntary post with no pay and no per diem. Members do get a membership to the American Planning Association and a subscription to a monthly magazine, Cary said.

The Planning Commission is an important advisory board. It is rare for the council to overturn a unanimous planning commission decision, said Leirion Gaylor Baird, who served almost six years on the commission before winning a seat on the City Council.

Zoning is a powerful tool. It helps protect the investment of homeowners and business owners, so owners know generally what they can expect to be built around their home or business, she said. The commission allows the wider community to have input into development and zoning issues, she said.

These are the new appointees:

* Sandra Washington is retired from the National Park Service, where she held various positions, including associate regional director for planning, compliance, cultural resources, construction, communication and legislative affairs.

Washington has bachelor's and master's degrees in planning issues. She is a board member with the Nebraska Trails Foundation and the Girl Scouts of Nebraska. She was previously a member of the Lincoln Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and a member at-large and vice president of the Homestead Girl Scout Council.

* Thomas Beckius, a real estate broker and developer, is a trustee for the Community Health Endowment, which manages proceeds from the sale of the former Lincoln General Hospital; and is on the Presidents Advisory Council for the University of Nebraska.

He has been active in many community groups including the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce board, the Lincolns Young Professionals Group and the Commission on Human Rights.

He is a managing member of Steppe Development and Maxon LLC, and an associate broker with KW Commercial.

* Tracy Edgerton, vice president for strategic giving at the Lincoln Community Foundation, is a member of the University of Nebraska Presidents Advisory Council, a Nebraska Partnership for Philanthropic Planning Board member, a Lincoln Estate Planning Council member and a Lincoln Literacy tutor.

Edgerton is an attorney with a law degree from the University of Iowa.

* Deane Finnegan was president and CEO of Leadership Lincoln until retiring last year after 25 years with the group, first as a board member then as staff. She was an aide to former Mayors Dale Young and Bill Harris and was executive director of the Nebraska Democratic Party in the early 1990s.
By Nov. 9, the votes will have been cast and counted, there will be a winner and a loser, and the country will begin a slow return to normal. Historians will have their say on the outcome, but all of us who have lived through this election will carry away indelible memories of a shocking year in American history: of a handful of ordinary people , swept up in the rush of history; of a series of moments on which the fate of the nation seemed, at least briefly, to turn; and of places on the map that became symbols of a divided nation. As we count down to Election Day, Yahoo News has identified 16 unforgettable people, moments and places.

He was a last-minute replacement for Ivanka Trumps rabbi, Haskel Lookstein, who withdrew from giving the opening prayer at the Republican National Convention when, as he explained in a letter to his congregation, the whole matter turned from rabbinic to political. Pastor Mark Burns, pastor of the Harvest Praise & Worship Center in Easley, N.C., who had already taken on the difficult role of being Donald Trumps emissary to the black community, had no problems with the political part of the assignment. After humbly promising a prayer for unity and love and coming together as a nation, the first words out of his mouth as he bounded onto the stage were Hello, Republicans! He then made it clear that the unity he meant was party unity: Republicans, we got to be united because our enemy is not other Republicans, but is Hillary Clinton and the Democratic Party!

His highly partisan prayer, and his eight-minute speech later in the convention, both delivered in a full-throated, arm-waving bellow, gave him a national platform, after years as a second-tier figure in the prosperity gospel world dominated by the likes of Joel Osteen and Creflo Dollar. This strain of evangelicalism, with its emphasis on the worldly goodies that Jesus can bestow on his followers, has an obvious affinity for a candidate like Trump. And Burns isnt one to hold back on the praise, comparing him, in an interview with Yahoo News and Finance Anchor Bianna Golodryga, to Winston Churchill. Its important for the president of the United States to be strong and dont let other people bully him, and thats one thing I love about Donald Trump, he declared.

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Pastor Mark Burns, co-founder and CEO of the NOW television network, delivers a speech on the fourth day of the Republican National Convention. (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Burns, like his patron, also got into trouble on Twitter, retweeting a cartoon of Hillary Clinton in blackface, a red flag to many African-Americans, no matter the context. And it turned out that his official biography misstated some facts about his background, most notably that he claimed a college degree he never received. Questioned about the discrepancies in a TV interview, he stalked out. But his message  that Democrats have failed African-Americans and only care about their votes, that black people need to get over what happened 400 years ago (i.e., slavery) and that police shootings are a greatly exaggerated problem (he led the convention delegates in a chant of All lives matter) unquestionably resonated with the Republican base. If his role was to bring black people into the Trump coalition, the polls, which show Trump in some cases within a margin of error of zero, suggest he hasnt moved the needle much. But even a pastor cant be expected to perform miracles.  By Jerry Adler



RNC breaks precedent with explicitly partisan prayer

The original Yahoo News story from Monday night of the Republican National Convention, where Pastor Burns offered the most explicitly partisan prayer heard at a major party convention in modern times. >>>

Trump surrogate Mark Burns defends GOP nominee after latest campaign-trail dustups

In an interview with Yahoo News Burns argued that Trump recognizes there is no such thing as the African-American community and speaks to voters as Americans instead of pandering. >>>





I'm so PROUD of @realDonaldTrump Our Prayer really Worked! #debate  Pastor Mark Burns (@pastormarkburns) October 10, 2016

Blacks for Trump is trending because there are more Blacks breaking free from #DEMS rule. We Black Americans are just AMERICANS.! #VoteTrump  Pastor Mark Burns (@pastormarkburns) October 13, 2016
By Nov. 9, the votes will have been cast and counted, there will be a winner and a loser, and the country will begin a slow return to normal. Historians will have their say on the outcome, but all of us who have lived through this election will carry away indelible memories of a shocking year in American history: of a handful of ordinary people , swept up in the rush of history; of a series of moments on which the fate of the nation seemed, at least briefly, to turn; and of places on the map that became symbols of a divided nation. As we count down to Election Day, Yahoo News has identified 16 unforgettable people, moments and places.

For many of the 23 million Americans who watched the first night of the Republican National Convention in July, the emotional climax was a five-minute speech by Pat Smith, the mother of Sean Smith, a Foreign Service information-technology officer who was killed, along with three other Americans, in the attack on the U.S. diplomatic outpost in Benghazi, Libya, on Sept. 11, 2012.

With a stricken expression, Pat Smith described her sons last communication to her, in which he expressed fear for his life over the lack of security at the mission. Then, growing angry, she lashed out at Hillary Clinton, secretary of state at the time, saying, I blame Hillary Clinton personally for the death of my son. Many in the hall seemed on the verge of tears; some shouted back at Smith: Hillary for prison! Smiths speech served as a keynote for one of the Trump campaigns favorite themes: Clinton was (and would be) weak in protecting America from terrorism.

Pat Smith, mother of Benghazi victim Sean Smith, speaks during the opening day of the Republican National Convention. (Photo: Mark J. Terrill/AP)

Smith did not explain what she meant by Clintons personal responsibility for the attack, an allegation backed by none of the numerous subsequent investigations. But a wrongful-death lawsuit filed by Smith and the father of CIA officer Tyrone Woods, who also died in Benghazi, a few weeks after the convention gave some details, tying the attack to Clintons use of a private email server. The suit alleges, The Benghazi attack was directly and proximately caused, at a minimum by defendant Clintons extreme carelessness in handling confidential and classified information, such as the deployment of State Department employees in Libya, hypothetically exposing them to attacks. In her speech, Smith conflated responsibility for the deaths with a claim that Clinton and other officials misled her about the circumstances of the attack. In Smiths account, officials first blamed it on a spontaneous anti-American demonstration in response to an offensive video. The political subtext was that a successful terror attack would have been embarrassing to Clinton and President Obama in the midst of a reelection campaign.

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Politifact investigated the claim and concluded, There simply is not enough concrete information in the public domain for anyone to claim as fact that Clinton did or did not lie to the Benghazi families. But that will probably settle nothing, for either side. Whatever the outcome of the election, Pat Smith will likely go down in history as the victim of a ghastly tragedy, who unflinchingly shared her pain with a whole nation  and did not shrink from using it for political ends.  By Jerry Adler. Video produced by Sarah Boxer and Brad Marshland.

Mother of Benghazi victim: I blame Hillary Clinton personally for the death of my son

Yahoo News original story from the Monday of the Republican National Convention, when Smith spoke about the death of her son and said that Hillary Clinton had lied to her and the families of other victims. >>>

Parents of 2 Americans killed in Benghazi attack sue Hillary Clinton

The parents of two Americans killed in the 2012 attack on a United States diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya, filed a lawsuit on Monday against Hillary Clinton, saying that her extreme carelessness in handling confidential and classified information while secretary of state contributed to the conditions that led to their sons deaths. >>>

Trump invites mother of Benghazi victim to next debate

Donald Trump invited Pat Smith, the mother of a State Department IT consultant who was killed in the 2012 Benghazi terrorist attacks, to sit in a prominent position at the next debate. >>>





"I blame Hillary Clinton personally for the death of my son," Pat Smith, mother of Benghazi victim Sean Smith, says at GOP convention  Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) July 19, 2016

LOTS of wiping away tears on the convention floor as Pat Smith speaks  Aar????n Blake (@AaronBlake) July 19, 2016
By Nov. 9, the votes will have been cast and counted, there will be a winner and a loser, and the country will begin a slow return to normal. Historians will have their say on the outcome, but all of us who have lived through this election will carry away indelible memories of a shocking year in American history: of a handful of ordinary people , swept up in the rush of history; of a series of moments on which the fate of the nation seemed, at least briefly, to turn; and of places on the map that became symbols of a divided nation. As we count down to Election Day, Yahoo News has identified 16 unforgettable people, moments and places.

It was an unforgettable moment in Donald Trumps remarkable presidential run  and in case you have forgotten it, the Clinton campaign is all too happy to remind you. At a rally in South Carolina last fall, Trump performed a crude, arm-flapping imitation of a New York Times reporter, Serge Kovaleski, who has a congenital disability affecting his right hand and wrist. The scene, replayed endlessly on television news and pro-Clinton commercials, has come to stand in for Trumps habit of mocking the looks and mannerisms of people he disagrees with.

The backstory to this episode involves a remark Trump had made at an earlier speech, in the context of his proposal to ban Muslims from entering the country: I watched when the World Trade Center came tumbling down, he said. And I watched in Jersey City, N.J., where thousands and thousands of people were cheering as that building was coming down. Thousands of people were cheering.

When journalists were unable to find any evidence to corroborate this story, the Trump campaign dug out an article by Kovaleski, then at the Washington Post, from shortly after the 9/11 attacks. One sentence, deep in the article, read: In Jersey City, within hours of two jetliners plowing into the World Trade Center, law enforcement authorities detained and questioned a number of people who were allegedly seen celebrating the attacks and holding tailgate-style parties on rooftops while they watched the devastation on the other side of the river.

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Kovaleski noted that this hardly supported Trumps account. I certainly do not remember anyone saying that thousands or even hundreds of people were celebrating, he said in a statement. That was not the case, as best as I can remember.

Trump interpreted this as Kovaleski confessing to a lapse of memory and refusing to stand by his reporting: Now, the poor guy, youve got to see this guy: Uh, I dont know what I said. Uh, I dont remember, hes going like I dont remember. Maybe thats what I said.

Kovaleski, who won a Pulitzer Prize for his work on an unrelated New York Times story, has not commented on the episode since. But it speaks for itself. A Bloomberg News poll in August asked people what bothered them most about Trump. The mockery of Kovaleski came in first by a wide margin.  By Jerry Adler

Donald Trump denies mocking disabled reporter in latest furor

Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump denied Thursday even knowing a disabled New York Times reporter whose jerking arm movements the bombastic billionaire seemed to make fun of in a campaign speech. >>>

Reporter mocked by Trump says the two knew each other well

Donald Trump said he couldnt have been making fun of a reporters disability because he doesnt know the man. Not so, says the reporter. >>>

Donald Trump says his mocking of New York Times reporter was misread

Responding to criticism over remarks he made on Tuesday, Donald J. Trump, the Republican presidential candidate and real estate developer, denied on Thursday that he was mocking the appearance of a reporter for The New York Times with a physical disability. >>>

I dispute Trump's claims in today's NYT.

Donald Trump Says His Mocking of New York Times Reporter Was Misread https://t.co/XHqkhfAyns  Serge Kovaleski (@sergenyt) November 27, 2015

I do not know the reporter for the @nytimes, or what he looks like. I was showing a person groveling to take back a statement made long ago!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 26, 2015
Syrian men carrying babies make their way through the rubble of destroyed buildings following a reported air strike on the rebel-held Salihin neighbourhood of the northern city of Aleppo, on September 11, 2016. (Photo: Ameer AlhalbiI/AFP/Getty Images)

By Nov. 9, the votes will have been cast and counted, there will be a winner and a loser, and the country will begin a slow return to normal. Historians will have their say on the outcome, but all of us who have lived through this election will carry away indelible memories of a shocking year in American history: of a handful of ordinary people , swept up in the rush of history; of a series of moments on which the fate of the nation seemed, at least briefly, to turn; and of places on the map that became symbols of a divided nation. As we count down to Election Day, Yahoo News has identified 16 unforgettable people, moments and places.

What is Aleppo?  Libertarian candidate for president Gary Johnson, in response to a question from MSNBCs Mike Barnicle, Sept. 8, 2016.

Johnsons ingenuous confession of ignorance about the city at the center of Syrias agonizing civil war will likely go down in political history as the punchline to a campaign that is ending as a joke  effectively abandoned even by running mate William Weld, a former governor of Massachusetts, who said his main focus now is to keep Donald Trump out of the White House. It was particularly startling, coming just weeks after the world was transfixed by the shell-shocked stare of a bloodied, dust-covered 5-year-old who was rescued after a bombing that killed his older brother.

But the question Johnson fumbled  what should the U.S. do in response to the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in northern Syria  continued to resonate as the Syrian government stepped up its war against the rebels who have held the eastern part of the city since 2012. The complexities of a battle pitting the brutal regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad and its unsavory allies (Russia, Iran and Hezbollah) against a fractured opposition that spans the political, ethnic and religious spectrum have stymied the U.S. throughout President Obamas second term, and will almost certainly confront his successor. A ceasefire painstakingly negotiated by Secretary of State John Kerry was announced in mid-September and fell apart in days.

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Syrian children play in the yard of their tent school in al-Rahma camp, a Syrain refugee camp in Beqaa Valley located east of Beirut, on the first day of the new school year on Oct. 4, 2016. (Photo: Ratib Al Safadi/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Syrians have continued to flee their country and seek asylum in Europe  or the U.S., if they can reach it, making a convenient target for Donald Trump, who described them as the great Trojan horse of all time. (Notwithstanding Trumps claim that we have no idea who they are, Syrians seeking to settle in the U.S. go through a vetting process that can take as long as two years.) The issue also came up during the vice presidential debate, when Republican Mike Pence said the U.S. should establish safe zones for civilians who have been targeted with shrapnel-filled barrel bombs and gas attacks, and also should be prepared to strike military targets of the Assad regime. It surfaced again during the second presidential debate, when Trump flatly contradicted Pences position, claiming, He and I havent spoken, and I disagree. Trump also essentially conceded Aleppo, and the 250,000 civilians holding out in the rebel-held eastern portion, to the government, saying, It basically has fallen. But the fighting wasnt over, and children were still dying.

The problem is staggeringly complex, but it can be boiled down to a choice of undesirable alternatives: allowing Assad to bomb the rebels into submission, followed most likely by a bloodbath of vengeance, or risking a war with Russia by enforcing a no-fly zone against Russian warplanes. Under those circumstances, Johnson could almost be forgiven for trying to forget the whole thing  if he werent running for president.  By Jerry Adler

Warplanes pound Aleppo  Dozens dead

On September 28, the United States threatened to suspend its engagement with Russia over the conflict in Syria following escalating attacks on rebel-held parts of Aleppo city, including strikes on two hospitals. >>>

Syrian refugees

Refugees streaming into Turkey from Syria say their home city, once bustling with 400,000 citizens, has become a ghost town, emptied of all people but a few thousand fighters trying to hold off an onslaught by Islamic militants. >>>

Syrias children caught in the crossfire of civil war

Children have paid the price of the countrys nearly five-year civil war. The overall death toll in the conflict is approaching 500,000, according to the most recent studies, and it is estimated that children account for about 20 percent of that total. >>>

New refugee proposals as photos of drowned Syrian boy shock world

European leaders, shocked by the horrifying image of a drowned Syrian child, rushed out new proposals Thursday to address the escalating migrant crisis despite deep divisions in the 28-member bloc. >>>

Donald Trump disagrees with running mate Mike Pences views on Syria

The Republican ticket was split with their debate answers over how to deal with Bashar al-Assad and the Syrian rebels. >>>

Gary Johnsons What is Aleppo moment

Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson stunned a Morning Joe interviewer on Thursday when he appeared to be unfamiliar with Aleppo, the most populous city in Syria and the epicenter of the long and violent conflict that has sparked a global refugee crisis. >>>





"Remember: many of these Syrian refugees are fleeing the same terrorists who threaten us." Hillary  Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) November 19, 2015
Democratic presidential candidate and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks at a campaign kickoff rally on the shores of Lake Champlain in Burlington, Vt., May 26, 2015. (Photo: Brian Snyder/Reuters)

By Nov. 9, the votes will have been cast and counted, there will be a winner and a loser, and the country will begin a slow return to normal. Historians will have their say on the outcome, but all of us who have lived through this election will carry away indelible memories of a shocking year in American history: of a handful of ordinary people , swept up in the rush of history; of a series of moments on which the fate of the nation seemed, at least briefly, to turn; and of places on the map that became symbols of a divided nation. As we count down to Election Day, Yahoo News has identified 16 unforgettable people, moments and places.

Bernie Sanders was born, unmistakably, in Brooklyn and still carries himself with a no-nonsense demeanor honed by a twice-daily struggle for the last seat in a crowded subway car. But he has lived most of his life in Burlington, Vt., a placid, picturesque city of 42,000 on the shore of Lake Champlain. If Burlington were a car, it would be a Volvo station wagon from the 1980s  smart, progressive and fuel-efficient  the first city in the U.S., according to PBS, to get its electricity entirely from renewable sources. The lone Republican on its 12-member City Council is outnumbered not just by four Democrats but by independents and members of the Progressive Party. It has an antiwar tradition that dates back to the War of 1812; its best-known product is Ben & Jerrys ice cream. And, as of 2010, the city was 87.3 percent non-Hispanic white, about the same as Montana.

Sanders fetched up here in 1968, with no money and not much in the way of a vocation, holing up in the hills, like Castro, to plot his revolution. Sanders, though, would be fought in the pages of free local newspapers, and with posters and folk songs and door-to-door canvassing. He joined the tiny Liberty Union Party, a Vermont institution whose 2016 platform declares WE must raise the standard of WORLD-WIDE human love and SOLIDARITY, but he left it to mount an independent run for mayor in 1980. A long shot against a five-term Democratic incumbent who was considered such a shoo-in that the Republicans didnt even nominate a candidate, Sanders mobilized students and professors at the University of Vermont, social workers and progressives to win by 10 votes.

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He governed as a classic sewer socialist, a term that originated in Milwaukee to describe reform-oriented, progressive politicians seeking incremental, concrete improvements in constituents lives. Re-elected twice as mayor, then to Congress and ultimately the Senate, he remained proudly independent, also describing himself as a democratic socialist, with the emphasis shifting over time from the noun to the adjective. One of his proudest achievements, and the thing he will probably be remembered for the longest in his adopted hometown, was the redevelopment of the lake waterfront into a mixed-use district of housing, parks and public spaces threaded by bicycle paths. And it was there, on a sunny day in May 2015, surrounded by strolling couples, families and dogs, against a backdrop of sailboats and kayaks, that he announced his audacious bid for president. If he was hoping to lock in the local vote, he succeeded: he won Vermont by a margin of 86 to 14.  By Jerry Adler

Bernie-mania! Sanders launches 2016 campaign in Burlington, Vt.

There were dogs and children playing, people singing, and bikes and beach balls rolling. There was plenty of Ben & Jerrys ice cream eating, and melting, down by the lake. Kayaks and sailboats floated by. In other words, it was a pretty typical late-spring day in Burlington, Vt., the largest city in the state with the second-smallest population  but an unusual setting for the first formal rally of a presidential campaign. >>>

The end of the tour? Hanging with Jane Sanders in the final days of the primary campaign

Chief National Correspondent Lisa Belkin gets a tour of Vermont and a look into the life of Jane Sanders in the waning days of the Bernie campaign. >>>

Bernie Sanders radical past: How the Vermont firebrand started wearing a suit and gave up on taking over big companies

A look at the Vermont senators evolution from the city halls of Burlington to the halls of the United States Capitol building. >>>




The City of Flint Water Plant is illuminated by moonlight. (Photo: Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)

By Nov. 9, the votes will have been cast and counted, there will be a winner and a loser, and the country will begin a slow return to normal. Historians will have their say on the outcome, but all of us who have lived through this election will carry away indelible memories of a shocking year in American history: of a handful of ordinary people , swept up in the rush of history; of a series of moments on which the fate of the nation seemed, at least briefly, to turn; and of places on the map that became symbols of a divided nation. As we count down to Election Day, Yahoo News has identified 16 unforgettable people, moments and places.

Lead contamination of the Flint, Mich., municipal water system was an issue that seemed tailor-made for Hillary Clinton. The families affected were overwhelmingly African-American, part of her core constituency. Those responsible were largely officials in the administration of Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, a Republican (although, inconveniently, at least one midlevel official in the federal Environmental Protection Agency was implicated as well). And there was no immediately obvious way for her primary rival, Sen. Bernie Sanders, to pin the problem on Wall Street banks or multinational corporations, although he certainly tried.

But it was Clinton who saw the potential in the issue and put it on the national agenda, in a rare instance of political campaigning by itself achieving some concrete good. That came at the end of the fourth Democratic primary debate, in January, when the moderator, Lester Holt, threw open the floor to the three candidates (Clinton, Sanders and former Maryland Gov. Martin OMalley) to bring up anything that you really wanted to say tonight that you havent gotten a chance to say.

Clinton jumped at the chance:

Hillary Clinton speaks at the House of Prayer Missionary Baptist Church in Flint, Mich. (Photo: Paul Sancya/AP)

Well, Lester, I spent a lot of time last week being outraged by whats happening in Flint, Mich., and I think every single American should be outraged. Weve had a city in the United States of America where the population, which is poor in many ways and majority African American, has been drinking and bathing in lead-contaminated water. And the governor of that state acted as though he didnt really care.

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From that point on, Clinton more or less owned the issue. She was endorsed shortly after by Flints mayor, Karen Weaver. The eighth primary debate was held, at Clintons request, in Flint itself, and the lead contamination  a result of cost-cutting moves by a state-appointed fiscal manager  dominated much of the discussion. Both Clinton and Sanders called for Snyder to step down, although they were careful to sidestep questions about possible criminality. The issue wasnt sufficient to carry Michigan for Clinton, but it may have held down Sanders margin of victory in the primary, held just two days later.

Republicans, meanwhile, didnt see much to be gained from criticizing a Republican governor over a problem that affected an overwhelmingly Democratic city; when questioned, both Donald Trump and Marco Rubio said they regarded water quality as a local concern. The issue resurfaced in September, as part of Trumps what have you got to lose effort to appeal to minorities, or at least demonstrate concern for them for the benefit of moderate swing voters. On a quick visit to Flint, he toured a water-treatment plant and then spoke at a small gathering at a black church. His denunciation of Clinton was interrupted by a gentle reminder from the pastor that he hadnt been invited to give a campaign speech. He also told a joke, which later gained a fair bit of Internet notoriety:

It used to be cars were made in Flint and you couldnt drink the water in Mexico. Now cars are made in Mexico and you cant drink the water in Flint.

Reporters who were there said it didnt get much of a laugh.  By Jerry Adler

Water crisis in Flint, Michigan

Images from Michigan to Washington, D.C., as the country attempted to deal with the poisoned water in Flint. >>>

Obama makes first visit to Flint since water crisis began

The president traveled to Michigan to address residents at a series of events in May. >>>

How the people of Flint ended up with contaminated drinking water

A timeline of the process that resulted in the crisis. >>>

The mothers of Flint: Very, very frightened for their kids

I worry about what the water quality was before  was it always safe? Now I second-guess a lot of my decisions that I made as a parent. I worry about my kids  and when I was pregnant, was I ingesting water that was safe for my babies? >>>

Poisoned by lead: Portraits that will haunt Flints parents

The parents of lead poisoning victims across the country tell their stories to Yahoo News Chief National Correspondent Lisa Belkin. >>>





Flint's water crisis is an example of the combined effects of intersecting issues that impact communities of color. pic.twitter.com/PMc9CfeoJj  Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) March 7, 2016

Republicans are once again turning their backs on the people of Flint who have waited far too long for help. It's wrong, unfair, and unjust. https://t.co/tj5l0UH6Lu  Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 23, 2016

Trump went to Flint to draw attention to the city's lead poisoning crisisbut he just made a spectacle of himself. https://t.co/Dw4KoVgrQ3  Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 17, 2016
People protest against the outsourcing of jobs by Carrier at a rally hosted by the United Steel Workers and the AFL-CIO at the Statehouse in Indianapolis. (Photo: Aaron P. Bernstein/Reuters)

By Nov. 9, the votes will have been cast and counted, there will be a winner and a loser, and the country will begin a slow return to normal. Historians will have their say on the outcome, but all of us who have lived through this election will carry away indelible memories of a shocking year in American history: of a handful of ordinary people , swept up in the rush of history; of a series of moments on which the fate of the nation seemed, at least briefly, to turn; and of places on the map that became symbols of a divided nation. As we count down to Election Day, Yahoo News has identified 16 unforgettable people, moments and places.

Feb. 10 was a bad day for Indianapolis, as Carrier Corp. announced it would move a large plant to Monterrey, Mexico, laying off 1,400 workers over the next several years, saving the difference between the $34 an hour, including benefits, that its union workforce earns in Indiana and the $6 that Mexican workers are paid.

But it presented an opportunity for Donald Trump to dramatize and personalize his campaign against free trade, which he claims is destroying American businesses and jobs. Within days he seized on the announcement to say it would never happen under his administration, elaborating at a rally in South Carolina:

Theyre gonna sell air conditioners. Theyre gonna make them in Mexico, sell them here  what do we get out of it? [I would tell them] when you sell your product, youre gonna pay a tax coming across the border.

During the campaign Trump returned again and again to the vicious decision to move the Carrier plant  which actually makes furnaces, not air conditioners  personalizing it by enacting an imaginary phone call to the company CEO:

I will say, I hope you enjoy your new building. I hope you enjoy Mexico. Heres the story, folks: Every single air-conditioning unit that you build and send across our border  youre going to pay a 35 percent tax on that unit.

The line was popular at his rallies, although it drew derision from some of his opponents, notably Ted Cruz, who said that punishing the company was the sort of thing big-government liberals do. It also raised eyebrows among economists, who noted it would violate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)  which Trump has denounced, in any case  and that there seemed no legal basis for singling out the products of one company for a punitive tariff. And it didnt even impress the head of the United Steelworkers of America local, which endorsed Bernie Sanders in the states Democratic primary. Interviewers  and opponents  occasionally reminded Trump that his own branded line of clothing is almost all imported from other countries, including China and Bangladesh, but Trump insists the situations are completely different. China and other countries, he says, manipulate their currency to make it impossible for domestic manufacturers to compete.

Story continues

Sanders, as it turned out, won his primary in Indiana. So, of course, did Trump.  By Jerry Adler

#Ever Trump? Indiana landslide knocks Cruz out of race

The report from early May when Donald Trump scored a landslide victory in Indianas Republican presidential primary, dealing a knockout blow to Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who abruptly ended his campaign, making the real estate mogul turned insurgent candidate the partys likely nominee. >>>

Men on a wire: Mike Pence is trying to pull off a political balancing act with Donald Trump

A feature from inside the Indiana governors vice presidential campaign as he crosses the country while dealing with conflicts with the top of his ticket. >>>

Donald Trump picks Indiana governor Mike Pence as running mate

After nearly 24 hours of drama and intrigue, Donald Trump announced on Twitter Friday morning that he had picked Indiana Gov. Mike Pence as his vice presidential running mate. The decision came after a wild day of rumors, in which multiple news organizations reported that Trump had picked Pence only to have campaign aides quickly deny. >>>




The Kremlin, in Moscow, overlooking the Moskva River to the south, Saint Basils Cathedral and Red Square to the east, and the Alexander Garden to the west. (Photo: Getty Images)

By Nov. 9, the votes will have been cast and counted, there will be a winner and a loser, and the country will begin a slow return to normal. Historians will have their say on the outcome, but all of us who have lived through this election will carry away indelible memories of a shocking year in American history: of a handful of ordinary people , swept up in the rush of history; of a series of moments on which the fate of the nation seemed, at least briefly, to turn; and of places on the map that became symbols of a divided nation. As we count down to Election Day, Yahoo News has identified 16 unforgettable people, moments and places.

Not since the darkest days of the Cold War has Moscow loomed so large in a U.S. election. In 2016, more than a quarter century after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Vladimir Putins Russia has improbably become a central issue. Ive stood up to Russia, Hillary Clinton boasted during the Oct. 9 presidential debate. Ive taken on Putin and others. And I would do the same as president. Trump, for his part, took a strikingly different tack, seeming to dismiss the Russian threat entirely. I notice anytime anything wrong happens, they like to say, the Russians

How did this happen? Most certainly, Putins increasing aggressiveness  seeking to restore Russia to what he views as its rightful place as a global superpower  is a major factor. In 2014, he annexed Crimea. In 2015, he dispatched bombers and military advisers to Syria to bolster the faltering dictatorship of Bashir Assad. Just this month, the U.S. intelligence community publicly blamed Russia for cyberattacks on U.S. political figures and organizations that were intended to interfere with the U.S. election; a trove of intercepted emails then showed up on WikiLeaks and other websites. Only Russias senior-most officials could have authorized these activities, U.S. intelligence officials concluded.

Whats Putin up to? Winston Churchill famously said Russia is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma. The riddle is just as baffling today. As Hillary Clinton would have it, Putin  who began his career as a Soviet KGB agent  wants to elect Trump as president. The claim has gotten credence due to multiple links between some of Trumps top advisers and Moscow. But Heather Conley, a former State Department official now with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, says that Russias cyberattacks  and other disinformation efforts  are part of a broader Russian information warfare strategy aimed at weakening potential adversaries by sowing doubt about their political systems and keeping everybody off balance. There are some Western intelligence experts who now believe that, to the extent that Russian officials might have at one point wanted to help Trump, they are now experiencing buyers remorse. But if Putins real goal was simply to create confusion, he may have succeeded beyond his ambitions.  By Michael Isikoff

Story continues

Suspected Russian hack of DNC widens  includes personal email of staffer researching Manafort

A July exclusive from Chief Investigative Correspondent Michael Isikoff about a Democratic National Committee consultant who got an alarming message when she logged into her personal Yahoo email account. >>>

Clinton says Putin wants a puppet like Trump

At the final presidential debate, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton again sparred over the GOP nominees friendly posture toward Russia, with Trump accusing Clinton of being outsmarted by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Clinton accusing Trump of being a puppet for the Kremlin. >>>

New clues link election hacks in U.S. to Russian intelligence

A top cybersecurity firm said in September it has found significant links between the hacks of two U.S. state election databases this summer and suspected Russian state-sponsored attacks against the ruling political party in Turkey and members of the Ukrainian Parliament. >>>





We don't know why Trump and Putin praise each other so much and share many foreign policies. We'll let you guess.https://t.co/N6ySNJ3zE5  Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) August 5, 2016

The new joke in town is that Russia leaked the disastrous DNC e-mails, which should never have been written (stupid), because Putin likes me  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 25, 2016
A law enforcement officer looks over the evidence near the remains of an SUV involved in the attack in San Bernardino, Calif. (Photo: Mario Anzuoni/Reuters)

By Nov. 9, the votes will have been cast and counted, there will be a winner and a loser, and the country will begin a slow return to normal. Historians will have their say on the outcome, but all of us who have lived through this election will carry away indelible memories of a shocking year in American history: of a handful of ordinary people , swept up in the rush of history; of a series of moments on which the fate of the nation seemed, at least briefly, to turn; and of places on the map that became symbols of a divided nation. As we count down to Election Day, Yahoo News has identified 16 unforgettable people, moments and places.

It was just the kind of setting that a terrorist might choose to attack for its very ordinariness: a conference-cum-holiday-lunch for the San Bernardino County health department, on the morning of Dec. 2, 2015. Syed Rizwan Farook, 28, an employee, left the meeting and returned with his wife, Tashfeen Malik, both in ski masks and armed with handguns and assault rifles. In less than four minutes they fired more than 80 rounds, killing 14 and seriously wounding about 20 others. They fled by car and were killed later that day in a shootout with police.

There were deadlier mass shootings before, and the toll would be exceeded some six months later at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, but something about this attack made it singularly unsettling  the cold-blooded way in which Farook, who had no known criminal record and no apparent evidence of mental illness, slaughtered people he had worked alongside for years, or the chilling detail that the couple left behind their 6-month-old daughter in the care of Farooks mother. And it fit a pattern that was becoming disturbingly familiar: Farook was an American citizen, born in Chicago to immigrants from Pakistan; Malik, whom he met on the Internet and married in Saudi Arabia in 2014, was a legal permanent resident. He was a devout Muslim but gave no indication of radical leanings  and although the couple was retroactively claimed by ISIS as soldiers of the caliphate, there was nothing to indicate they were acting under orders from ISIS or any other organization. This, apparently, was their own idea.

Story continues

This July 27, 2014, photo provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection shows Tashfeen Malik, left, and Syed Farook, as they passed through OHare International Airport, in Chicago. (Photo: U.S. Customs and Border Protection via AP)

The repercussions were swift, and took the bizarre form of a debate over what to call the attack. In only his third Oval Office address, President Obama declared the shootings an act of terrorism, designed to kill innocent people, and asserted that the two of them had gone down the dark path of radicalization, embracing a perverted interpretation of Islam that calls for war against America and the West. (Italics added.) He did not, however, use the specific phrase radical Islamic terrorism. Republicans ever since have cited this as a sign that Obama, and by extension Hillary Clinton, isnt really serious about protecting America.

These are radical Islamic terrorists and she wont even mention the word, and nor will President Obama. He wont use the term radical Islamic terrorism, Donald Trump said during the second presidential debate on Oct. 9. Now, to solve a problem, you have to be able to state what the problem is or at least say the name. She wont say the name, and President Obama wont say the name.

Clinton gave her opinion in an interview in June 2016, after the Orlando nightclub shooting. From my perspective, it matters what we do more than what we say. And it mattered we got bin Laden, not what name we called him. Whether you call it radical jihadism or radical Islamism, Im happy to say either. I think they mean the same thing.  By Jerry Adler

Shooting in San Bernardino, CA

Images in the wake of the attack at the Inland Regional Center, where 14 people were killed. >>>

Trumps Muslim ban draws extraordinary rebukes

Donald Trumps proposal to ban all Muslims from entering the United States sparked categorical rebukes from his rivals in the presidential race, from traditionally neutral figures in his own party, and from at least one national conservative Christian leader. >>>

Trump, Clinton talk terror and gun control in wake of San Bernardino attack

In the aftermath of the shooting the presidential candidates hit the Sunday morning talk show circuit, where the ideological divide on the topics of terrorism and gun control was in stark partisan relief. >>>

Trump has big plans for radical Islamic terrorists, 2016 and that communist Bernie Sanders

In an interview in November 2015 with Yahoo News National Correspondent Hunter Walker, Trump addressed heightened security measures to prevent terror attacks. When Yahoo News asked Trump whether this might require registering Muslims in a database or giving them a form of special identification that noted their religion. He wouldnt rule it out: Were going to have to  were going to have to look at a lot of things very closely. >>>

Live blog: Shooting in San Bernardino

The Yahoo News team minute-by-minute coverage from Dec. 2, 2015. >>>

The horrible shooting that took place in San Bernardino was an absolute act of terror that many people knew about. Why didnt they report?  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 4, 2015

Weapons of war like those used in Orlando and San Bernardino have no place on our streets.https://t.co/jTFExpjcPd  Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) June 13, 2016

Politicians react to shooting in San Bernardino, CA
Port-au-Prince (AFP) - At least 100 inmates, some of them armed, escaped a Haitian prison near the capital Port-au-Prince during a mutiny, killing at least one guard, a source close to the investigation said Sunday.

Local media, citing police, said 172 prisoners had fled the Arcahaie facility, located on the coast northwest of the capital Port-au-Prince.

A preliminary investigation indicates a guard forgot to lock a door Saturday as the inmates were eating. The prisoners left the cafeteria and armed themselves with police weapons, the source said on condition of anonymity.

During the ensuing firefight, the head prison guard was killed and two others were wounded.

Le Nouvelliste newspaper quoted Arcahaie prison manager Heurtelou Paul Colson as saying one prisoner climbed a wall and fell to his death, while two other detainees were wounded and in hospital.

Authorities refused to officially confirm the number of inmates involved or the death toll.

"Special police units are on site to secure the area and prevent those responsible from causing further harm," the office of interim prime minister Enex Jean-Charles, who also serves as defense minister, said in a statement.

Residents have been asked to cooperate with police, who have launched a manhunt for the escapees, the statement said.

"The government strongly condemns the incidents that took place at Arcahaie prison, targeted in a mutiny by heavily armed individuals."

The foreign, justice and interior ministers, along with top police officials, headed to the scene after the mutiny.

The US Embassy in Haiti advised all Americans to avoid the area following a "violent prison break."

Le Nouvelliste reported that the supposed mastermind of the prison break, who was serving time for kidnapping, was arrested, along with about 10 other prisoners.

Prisons in Haiti, the poorest country in the Americas, suffer from mass overcrowding. Earlier this year, the International Center for Prison Studies said they were at 450 percent of capacity.

A majority of Haitian prisoners are awaiting trial.
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By Josh Smith TORKHAM, Afghanistan (Reuters) - Perched on top of lumbering trucks overflowing with all their possessions, Afghan families are streaming back to their home country at unprecedented rates, leaving international organizations scrambling to provide aid as winter approaches. The flow of returnees from neighboring Iran and Pakistan this year, estimated by the United Nations to number more than half a million, is straining the capacity of the government and aid agencies, even as violence uproots more Afghans around the country. At Torkham, the busiest border crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan, nearly 170,000 Afghans have returned this year, according to the U.N., many of them citing harassment by Pakistani authorities as relations between the two countries have deteriorated. Islamabad has stepped up pressure to send people back and numbers have risen sharply in recent months as Afghan-Indian relations strengthened and those between India and Pakistan soured. Lines of colorfully decorated trucks pass through the border gate at Torkham, navigating the mountainous passes with returning refugees clinging to piles of household goods, sometimes with a family cow nearly buried in the back. A cluster of white tents only a few hundred meters from the border marks the first facility operated by the U.N., the Afghan government, and other aid agencies to provide aid for returnees before they look for a home in a country many have not seen in years. Here, and at other sites nearby, families are offered medical checkups, bundles of basic supplies and food. In September, the U.N. issued an appeal for millions of dollars of emergency funding to help returning refugees and other internally displaced people in Afghanistan, but so far the fundraising has yet to reach its goal, said Mark Bowden, the U.N.'s humanitarian coordinator in Afghanistan. "Out of the $150 million that we requested, we've only got $48 million so far, and our costs are certainly going to be running quite high over the winter period," he told Reuters. FREEZING TEMPERATURES While the winter is usually mild in the area of Nangarhar province where many returning refugees have at least temporarily settled, many others have headed further west to Kabul, where freezing temperatures may take a toll on anyone unable to find accommodation, Bowden said. Escalating friction between Afghanistan and Pakistan flared into brief clashes at the Torkham border crossing in June, the violence symptomatic of a wider decline in relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan that has prompted political and sometimes military confrontations. Both countries accuse the other of harboring hostile militant groups, and Pakistan has been wary of Afghanistan's deepening ties with India. But Pakistani officials deny there has been systematic harassment of Afghans living in Pakistan and say their country has demonstrated great generosity to the refugee population, despite severe economic problems of its own. While the challenges of helping the returning Afghan refugees requires immediate attention, the international community should work with Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran to try to solve the broader problems driving the crisis, said Tadamichi Yamamoto, head of the U.N. assistance mission in Afghanistan. "This could be a long-term issue, but I think the immediate attention now will define the magnitude of the problem that we have down the road," he said. "So we need to do it right at the start." (Reporting by Josh Smith; Editing by Ros Russell)
Paris (AFP) - A Texan couple who discovered their love for art during a trip to Paris in the 1970s are to donate the multi-million dollar collection they have amassed since to the French capital.

Businessman Spencer Hays and his wife Marlene were in the city Saturday to formalise the first instalment of their donation -- 187 works including pieces by Edgar Degas and Amedeo Modigliani worth around 173 million euros ($188 million) -- to the Musee d'Orsay.

"When Marlene and I grew up in a little town in Gainesville, Texas, even visiting France was far beyond our great expectations. But in 1971 we made our first trip to Paris, and our love affair with this wonderful country began," Hays told a crowd which included President Francois Hollande at the Elysee Palace.

"After our death, our collection will be gifted to the French people for the benefit of art lovers around the world. But, even more important to us, this collection is our legacy," he added.

The couple, who are both aged 80 and have been married for 60 years, have a collection of some 600 works from the late 19th and early 20th centuries worth 350 million euros -- and it continues to grow.

"The people who know you know your collection gets bigger around July 14 and December 7, because those are your birthdays. And this year, once again, Marlene, you gave Spencer a Matisse, and you, Spencer, gave Marlene a Modigliani... It wasn't easy to live up to that!" Hollande said.

The president added that the couple had given France not only their collection but also "access to culture for everyone".

"Your act, your donation, honours the French Republic," he said during a ceremony in which the couple received the distinction of commander of the Legion d'Honneur, one of the country's highest honours.
Ashley Graham just achieved a major career goal and proved body shamers wrong

If Ashley Graham was accepting applications for her #girlsquad we would for sure be first in line! Who wouldnt want to be best friends with a model that has a heart of gold? Throughout her career Graham has pushed back against critics when it comes to being confident in her skin. Not to mention, hello any person whose kitchen staples are fresh garlic, tahini and honey! On Monday she will be knocking it out the park again for us curvy girls with a new fashion spread with Fashion Unfiltered!

Graham posted a sneak peek picture onto her Instagram and we cannot WAIT until her spread comes out. The model is showcased in just a red wig staring into the camera.

And they said I wasn't an editorial girl.. | Sneak peek from my @fashionunfiltered story releasing Mon! | #slay #beautybeyondsize A photo posted by A S H L E Y G R A H A M (@theashleygraham) on Oct 21, 2016 at 6:59am PDT

And they said I wasnt an editorial girl The caption reads. Take that, haters!

The photo was taken by photographer and director Miguel Reveriego. If his name sounds familiar its because he just shot the October issue for Vogue Spain with Kendall Jenner on the cover! Her makeup was done by artist Vincent Oquendo, hair by Romina Manenti, and nails by Honey.

Also we cant get over that WIG! Is it just us, or is Ashley Graham channeling Leeloo from The Fifth Element?

leeloo

And thats not the only exciting Ashley news. Check out this recent post:

My 3rd essentials collection drops for Valentines Day! #ashleygrahamlingerie @additionelle #beautybeyondsize A photo posted by A S H L E Y G R A H A M (@theashleygraham) on Oct 22, 2016 at 1:59pm PDT

Also ladies start saving now, because Graham will be debuting her third essentials collection on Valentines Day! We are definitely pledging allegiance to #IAmSizeSexy!

The post Ashley Graham just achieved a major career goal and proved body shamers wrong appeared first on HelloGiggles.
By Harry Pearl SYDNEY (Reuters) - An Australian government minister criticized the human rights commissioner on Sunday for comments on the treatment of refugees and reproof of politicians, saying she had politicized her position and made "substantial errors of judgment". Under Australia's tough immigration policy, people trying to arrive by boat are intercepted and sent to camps on the South Pacific island nation of Nauru and on Papua New Guinea's Manus Island. They are never eligible for settlement in Australia. The head of the Human Rights Commission, Gillian Triggs, has had an uneasy relationship with the government since she released a critical report on the treatment of children in detention in 2015, and she has criticized politicians over the treatment of asylum seekers. Leader of the House Christopher Pyne on Saturday admonished Triggs in an interview with the ABC. "The human rights commissioner and her position, or his position, should be above politics, said Pyne, who is also minister for defense. "Gillian Triggs has made substantial errors of judgment in commenting on the political process and commenting on politicians. The Human Rights Commission is an independent body, which has statutory responsibility to investigate complaints and breaches of human rights laws and advise courts and the government on rights issues. On Saturday, thousands of people rallied in 25 towns and cities across Australia to welcome asylum seekers. Pyne said it was matter for the prime minister and the attorney general to say if they had confidence in Triggs. Neither Triggs nor her office was immediately available for comment. (Reporting by Harry Pearl; Editing by Robert Birsel)
A few things youre unlikely to read elsewhere: Donald Trumps presidential candidacy  and Americans ability to choose their next leader  is being destroyed by a sequence of events way too well orchestrated to be coincidental.

This is not about the billionaires qualifications or disqualifications to move into the Oval Office, his braggadocio, his awful manners, alleged sexual harassment, crass behavior, ostentatious wealth.

Americans have had unsavory political leaders before, most recently Hillary Clintons charming unfaithful hubby, who, among other things, received oral sex from an intern in that same revered office. And then lied about it to authorities.

This is about Americans being politically manipulated quite cleverly, something people do not appreciate, if theyre allowed to be aware of it. Recent events could be a movie called Wag the Dog  Again.

Lets consult the autumn timeline: A few days before the first presidential debate last month, The New York Times says it received anonymously some select pages of Trump tax returns from a generation ago.

Theyre extremely tempting for media exploitation because Trump has declined to release tax returns, which isnt required but has become routine. If you want media to chase anything, tell them they cant have it. Its like catnip; they cant help themselves.

These tax pages, which the newspaper claims arrived in an unmarked envelope, showed a huge Trump business loss. Yes, its illegal to release personal tax information. But recall the IRS selectively crippling conservative nonprofits during President Barack Obamas re-election bid in the 2012 cycle by stalling their applications.

The president professed outrage then to match public outcry. Investigations followed. The once-respected FBI said it was stumped, could not find anything worth prosecuting in a federal agency selectively going after a presidents political opponents in an election year. End of story.

So Trump taxes re-entered the media news stream.

Then, two days before the Oct. 9 debate an Access Hollywood tape gets leaked with awful audio of Trump boasting crudely about using his wealth and celebrity to successfully grope and kiss women at will.

This endlessly replayed tape, which relies on the thrice-married Trumps reputation for crudeness and affairs, caused widespread disgust and gave some Republicans cover to un-endorse the GOP nominee. All of which helps Clinton.

Now NBC, which employed Clintons daughter at a salary far beyond her experience or talents, has possessed this terrible tape since 2005. It was suppressed throughout Trumps highly successful run hosting 186 episodes of The Apprentice, which was on  Oh, look!  NBC.

The network that was so shocked over Trumps professed indiscretions has replaced Trump as Apprentice host with another media celebrity and adopted Republican politician, Arnold Schwarzenegger, who announced his gubernatorial candidacy on NBC. Schwarzenegger impregnated the family maid, causing a divorce from Maria Shriver, a prominent member of the Kennedy clan, who once worked for  Oh!  NBC.

Four days after the video leak, a growing string of women separately, but coincidentally, found the will and strength to break their sometimes decades-long silence to publicly declare they too had been groped and kissed by Trump.

Trump has vehemently denied these allegations. Hes apologized for his sexual boasts, which he claimed never really occurred. But that put him on defense, which he kept playing. And which the media kept covering.

All this continued to submerge Clintons own scandalous troubles. Using hacked information from an unidentified source, WikiLeaks released thousands of Clinton campaign emails. They revealed disdain for Roman Catholics, secret links with journalists, collusion with the family foundation and against other Democrats, duplicitous political positions, campaign infighting and devastating evaluations of Clintons talents by her own campaign chief.

Lets see, which story do you think would draw maximum interest  combing through thousands of pages of stolen documents revealing an unpopular, untrustworthy Democrat proving why shes unpopular and untrusted? Or obnoxious TV celebrity accused with perfect timing of sliding his hand up womens skirts, just as he had boasted on tape?

What this sordid chapter does address is a pattern of perfectly timed video embarrassments against Clinton opponents. Obama, now her staunch proponent, faced a series of leaked videos of his preachers racist, anti-Semitic sermons.

They did not derail his candidacy in 2008. This years version  about a onetime Clinton friend, donor and longtime Democrat turned Republican  seems likely to be more effective.
By Samia Nakhoul, Michael Georgy and Stephen Kalin ERBIL (Reuters) - It has taken two years of training a demoralized army, backed up by the air cover and special forces of the worlds greatest powers, for Iraq to mount an offensive to recapture Mosul from Islamic State. Almost week into the U.S.-led onslaught, many of those running the campaign say the battle to retake the city could be long and hard. But they have also identified what they think is a chink in the jihadists' armor. If local fighters in Mosul can be persuaded to drop their allegiance to Islamic State, there is a chance that the battle can be brought to a more speedy conclusion, and that could have major implications for the future of Iraq. Against a background of splits and rebellions in the Islamic State ranks in Mosul, some opposing commanders believe that a successful attempt to win over those local fighters could mean the battle lasts only weeks rather than months. Mosul, Iraq's second biggest city, is where IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared his Sunni caliphate in 2014, after his alliance between millenarian Islamists and veteran officers from the disbanded army of Saddam Hussein roared back into Iraq from bases they set up in the mayhem of Syria's war. Five Iraqi army divisions melted away before jihadis numbered in hundreds. Now the battle to retake Mosul pits an unwieldy coalition of a 30,000-strong Iraqi regular force backed by the US and Europeans, alongside Kurdish and Shiite militias, against jihadis who have exploited the Sunni communitys sense of dispossession in Iraq and betrayal in Syria. Not just its outcome but the political sensitivity with which this battle is handled could determine the future of Islamic State and Sunni extremism, as well as the shape of this part of the Middle East, which is being shattered into sectarian fragments. Islamic State fighters, estimated at between 4,000 and 8,000, have rigged the city with explosives, mined and booby-trapped roads, built oil-filled moats they can set alight, dug tunnels, and trenches and have shown every willingness to use Mosuls up to 1.5 million civilians as human shields. Islamic State would seem to have a plentiful supply of suicide bombers, launching them in scores of explosives-laden trucks against Kurdish peshmerga fighters converging on Mosul from the east and northeast, and Iraqi forces, spearheaded by counter-terrorism units, advancing from the south and southwest. "Mosul will be a multi-month endeavor. This is going to take a long time," a senior U.S. official said in Iraq. CALIPHATE Karim Sinjari, Interior Minister in the self-governing Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) of northern Iraq, said IS would put up a fierce fight because of Mosul's symbolic value as capital of its self-proclaimed Islamic caliphate. "If Mosul is finished the caliphate they announced is finished. If they lose in Mosul, they will have no place, just Raqqa (in Syria)," Sinjari said. Adept at exploiting divisions among its enemies, last Friday's dawn assault by IS on Kirkuk, for example, was not just an attempt to divert Iraqi and Kurdish forces and relieve pressure on the main front. It was also intended to galvanize Sunni Arab opinion against the Kurds, whose Iraqi peshmerga and Syrian Kurdish militia have fielded the most effective ground forces against IS. That is why many of those invested in the battle for Mosul stress the need to break the cohesion of IS and the allegiance it has won or coerced among alienated Sunni, in Mosul and beyond. The opportunity is there, they say. They believe that while foreign jihadis will fight to the finish to protect their last stronghold in Iraq, the Iraqi fighters, many from Mosul itself, may lay down their arms. Most of the (IS) fighters now are local tribal fighters. They have some foreign fighters, they have some people from other parts of Iraq and Syria, but the majority are local fighters, says a senior Kurdish military intelligence chief. If we can take this away from them, the liberation of Mosul is a job of a week or two weeks. FISSURES Fissures are widening inside the IS camp, with Iraqi, Kurdish and Western sources reporting resistance in Mosul and a spate of attacks on its leaders. Sinjari, also the KRG acting defense minister, says there is growing resentment against the group's brutality. There is information that many people are revolting and carrying out attacks against IS. A number of Daesh members were killed on the streets at night," Sinjari said. This was confirmed by the U.S. official but could not be independently verified. It fits with accounts of a recent abortive uprising against IS, led by a former aide to Baghdadi, that ended with the execution of 58 Daesh dissidents. Crucially, more than half ISs fighting strength comes from Sunni tribes initially relieved they were being freed from sectarian persecution by a Shiite dominated government in Baghdad and a corrupt and brutal army. Some strategists believe those tribes could turn against the brutality of IS rule  just as the Sunni tribal fighters of the Sahwa or Awakening turned against al-Qaeda in Iraq a decade ago  if Baghdad guarantees their lives and livelihoods. In Mosul, there are Iraqi tribal people in IS who pledged allegiance when the group arrived, a Kurdish intelligence chief said. If the Iraqis send a message and reassure these Sunni Iraqis that they will be given a second chance I think it is wise to do so, because if they put their weapons down you are definitely taking out 60 percent of their (IS) fighting force. The official emphasized the need for the US-led coalitions close involvement in Mosul, especially after the experience of the recapture of Falluja, Ramadi and Tikrit, IS-held cities where refugees and local Sunnis suffered at the hands of Shiite militias. In the battle for Mosul, it has supposedly been agreed that neither Shiite fighters nor Kurdish peshmerga will enter the city when it falls to avoid stoking a sectarian backlash. While the anti-IS coalition has gained momentum, military strategists and intelligence officials say the closer the Iraqi forces get to Mosul, the harder it will be. "If they decide to defend the city then it will be more difficult and the process will slow down," the intelligence chief said. Once inside Mosul, Iraqi special forces would have to go from street to street to clear explosives and booby traps set up by Islamic State. "The roads are very narrow. You cant use vehicles or tanks, so it will be a fight, person by person," Sinjari said. VILLAGES Until now, it has been easy for the coalition to hit IS positions in deserted villages around Mosul but the air strikes will slow down once Iraqi forces get into the city. Islamic State, Iraqi commanders say, have succeeded in the past in blocking army troops from moving against them by staging suicide attacks and rigging explosives. But they say that would no longer be an obstacle in Mosul as the Iraqi army has recently received an effective guided missile system that destroys explosives-packed vehicles. The Iraqi commanders say their tactic now would be to cut Islamic State fighters off from the hinterland of supporting villages then split the city into different neighborhoods. Brigadier Haider Abdul Muhsin al-Darraji, from the army 10th division, said military units would launch simultaneous attacks from multiple fronts on Mosul, divide the city into sectors to isolate IS fighters. And with coalition air strikes the jihadis will have little chance of getting reinforcements from the western side, which has been left open to encourage their departure towards Syria. The difficulty is how to hit IS targets inside Mosul without causing massive civilian casualties. "Its just like a tough surgery to remove a brain tumor," Darraji said. Colonel Mahdi Ameer from the 9th Iraqi army division fighting south of Mosul said Islamic State had "deliberately blocked residents from leaving the city to use them as human shields and prolong the battle". Islamic States enemies do not underestimate the groups strength, which depends on experienced former senior Baathist officers and Islamist radicals willing to blow themselves up to defend their Sunni heartland. "They are much more organized than the peshmerga and others. They have good administration, a good support system and enough weapons and ammunitions, said the Kurdish counter-terrorism official. The Mosul offensive will be the most important battle fought in Iraq since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003. What happens next will shape or break an already fractured Iraq. "There are growing concerns about fixing the political peace the day after liberating Mosul," said Hoshyar Zebari, a top Iraqi politician and former finance minister. "How will this multi-ethnic, multi-sectarian city ... be governed and run without communal conflict, without revenge killing, without a large displacement of people? That needs some political planning on how the city will be governed. It should have a strong representative governance in the city." But the battle against radical Islamists in the region will not end with the liberation of Mosul. "Mosul is not be the end of Islamic State or the end of extremism in this region. They will go back to more asymmetric warfare. We will see suicide attacks inside Kurdistan, inside Iraqi cities and elsewhere." (Additional reporting by Ahmed Rasheed; editing by Giles Elgood)
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders has joined the political opposition to AT&Ts proposed $85 billion acquisition of Time Warner. The deal would mean higher prices and fewer choices for the American people, Sanders said today (see his tweet below).

Earlier today on NBCs Meet the Press, Democratic vice presidential nominee and Virginia senator Tim Kaine said he had concerns and questions about the deal announced yesterday. Less concentration, I think, is generally helpful, especially in the media, Kaine told NBCs Chuck Todd.

Hillary Clintons spokesman Brian Fallon said Sunday that the Democratic presidential candidate certainly thinks regulators should scrutinize (the deal) closely, but that theres still a lot of information that needs to come out before any conclusions should be reached.

The proposed media mega-merger certainly is making for some unusual side-taking. Just yesterday, GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump said, if elected, he would kill the merger, insisting that deals like this destroy democracy.

As Deadline reported yesterday, the key terms of the AT&T-Time Warner deal has the telco agreeing to pay $107.50 a share, half cash and the other half in stock. That comes to $85.4 billion, or $108.7 billion if Time Warners debt in included. And though the companies said the perfect match would united the worlds best premium content with the networks to deliver it to every screen, they were vague about customer benefits.

Heres Sanders reaction:

The administration should kill the Time Warner/AT&T merger. This deal would mean higher prices and fewer choices for the American people. https://t.co/S8c4ldDqhi  Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) October 23, 2016

Minnesota Sen. Al Franken got the political ball rolling Saturday by saying the proposal raises some immediate flags.

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AT&T's reported proposal to acquire Time Warner for $80+ billion raises some immediate flags. Full statement here: https://t.co/YH7EdpvmOZ  Sen. Al Franken (@SenFranken) October 22, 2016

And on the non-political side, CNNs Reliable Sources host Brian Stelter reported today that AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson said in a phone call that CNNs possible new owner is fully appreciative and cognizant of the networks independence. I think you can begin to destroy a brand like CNN if you begin to meddle in its independence, Stelter quoted Stephenson.

AT&T CEO: "Ensuring the public that CNN remains independent from an editorial perspective is critical" https://t.co/Ei3pOxYCoP  Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) October 23, 2016

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Istanbul (AFP) - Minutes after fishermen tip him off that a ship is about to pass through Istanbul's Bosphorus, Yoruk Isik drops what he's doing and rushes to his favourite vantage point, camera in hand.

The vessel is not one of the dozens of cargo boats that pass through the strait between Europe and Asia every day. It is a Russian warship, in this case the landing ship Nikolai Filchenkov.

It makes stately progress through the strait towards the Sea of Marmara on a voyage that will eventually take it into the Mediterranean towards Tartus, Russia's naval base in Syria.

Isik clicks the shutter, capturing Russian sailors at the rails taking in the view. The Russians can be seen returning the favour, keeping a close eye on the shore-side observers.

Several Russian warships pass in both directions through the Bosphorus every week, transporting cargo for Moscow's military campaign in Syria, in a massive logistical effort known as the "Syrian Express".

Their passage through the densely-populated Turkish metropolis represents a unique chance to see close up a deployed Russian warship that would usually be kept well away from prying eyes.

And each time they come, a group of amateur but well-informed and hugely dedicated Turkish ship spotters are there to photograph them and share their work on social media where their following has shot up.

Their work rose to prominence in December last year when they spotted a Russian soldier aboard the Tsezar Kunikov warship with a MANPAD shoulder-launched missile aimed at the shore, in a gesture slammed as "provocation" by Ankara.

The pictures made headlines in Turkish media at a time of peak tensions between Russia and Turkey following the downing of one of Moscow's warplanes on the Syria border just 10 days earlier.

- 'They're saying hello!' -

Standing by the old Ottoman fortress of Rumeli Hisari on the European shore of the Bosphorus where the strait is at its narrowest, Isik has been waiting for this particular Russian warship for several days.

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Through his contacts and social media, he knows the vessel left Russia's Sevastopol base in Crimea -- the Ukrainian peninsula annexed by Moscow in 2014 -- several days before.

"That ship could have arrived as early as yesterday but it appears to have travelled slower because of bad weather in the Black Sea."

Isik says he can estimate the ship's arrival time soon after it leaves its base, but notes it might change depending on weather conditions or its tonnage.

"From Sevastopol to Istanbul, it is approximately 300 nautical miles. But the vessel may not always pass through the congested Bosphorus strait directly."

As the nose of the vessel emerges, he cracks a big smile, reminiscent of a small child opening a Christmas gift.

"Look, someone on the ship is saying hello to me," he says, pointing out armed Russian soldiers on board through the camera lens.

Like a nautical dictionary, Isik knows all of the technical specifications of this Tapir class tank-carrying landing ship -- when it was built, where it was used, how many military tanks it can carry.

- An exceptional location -

An international relations specialist by profession, Isik is a passionate ship spotter, and only occasionally earns small amounts from the copyright of the pictures he takes.

"This is not a smart way to make money," smiles Alper Boler, another prominent ship spotter who has also enjoyed visibility after photographing Russian soldiers last December.

Boler usually takes pictures from his home in Uskudar, which has a beautiful view of the Bosphorus from the Asian side of the city.

Asked why he has been photographing ships for three years, his answer is simple: "Curiosity."

There was even a time when he would rush to shoot a passing ship during short breaks between business meetings.

"We are witness to whatever passes through the Bosphorus," says Boler who designs furniture and other products.

While it struck many outsiders as astonishing that Russian warships were passing unchallenged through the Bosphorus at the height of the 2015-2016 crisis between Turkey and Russia, it is a right enshrined in the 1936 Montreux Convention.

This gives the warships of Moscow -- and other Black Sea littoral states -- the right to pass so long as they are not at war with Turkey.

"It's not exceptional to see Russian ships for someone who grew up and who lives in Istanbul," Isik says.

"This is an exceptional location passing through a mega city, a narrow passage all the ships have to pass through, there's no other way around," he says, pointing to the Bosphorus.

- Sign of the times -

Isik says the movement of warships through the Bosphorus is itself a sign of shifting international relations.

"Likewise, the presence of NATO ships here was a part of Europe's involvement in Ukraine-related developments with Russia."

But the traffic of Russian warships through the strait en route to Moscow's base in the Syrian port city of Tartus has dramatically increased in recent years, he says, especially since the Kremlin launched its military operation there a year ago.

"We predicted from August last year -- by merely doing ship spotting -- that Russia would launch an operation in Syria," he says.

But apart from all the war and politics, Isik says the Bosphorus is the place where he finds himself.

"Away from the reality of daily life, traffic, your child's school fees, that's the place I listen to myself."
This bridal party is freaking out in this viral photo for a very good reason!

Weve seen it all  dog weddings, themed weddings, traditional weddings  and each ceremony trying to top the next can be a bit exhausting for observers. And while we were just thinking that we needed a little something to organically shake things up, we werent quite expecting this bridal partys photo to do the trick.

What appeared to be yet another post-nuptial photo shoot for the bridal party, almost ended up in a dramatic ride to the hospital for Birmingham, Alabama photographer Leslie Hollingsworth. While she was going above and beyond to deliver the most elegant bridal photos to the newlyweds, Hollingsworth almost got pummeled by a passing car  and she captured the partys reactions on camera!

Look closely, the bridal party is completely freaking out!

The look on the bridesmaids' faces when a car almost runs me down.. But at least the bride and groom look happy!!! Posted by Leslie Dennis Hollingsworth on Monday, October 3, 2016

The looks on the bridesmaids faces as Hollingsworth was just steps away from becoming one with the road are priceless! And the newlyweds being able to keep their composure during the fiasco says a lot to us about how theyll handle obstacles in the future  in complete composed solidarity.

Hollingsworth told the local Birmingham news station WBRC that she thought it was hysterical, showing that shes a pro when it comes to keeping it cool during really scary times. Were so glad shes OK!

We cant say that we wouldve handled the event as casually as she did.

The post This bridal party is freaking out in this viral photo for a very good reason! appeared first on HelloGiggles.
London (AFP) - Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon warned Monday she would not watch her country "driven off a hard Brexit cliff" as she voiced frustration at her latest talks with British Prime Minister Theresa May.

"Large parts of the meeting were deeply frustrating," she said after talks with May and the first ministers of the UK's other devolved administrations, Wales and Northern Ireland, in Downing Street.

"I don't know any more now about the UK government's approach to the EU negotiations than I did before I went in to the meeting," she told Sky News.

The nationalist leader has threatened a second vote on independence for Scotland if it does not have continued access to Europe's single market after Britain leaves the European Union.

Sturgeon said she would "try to be reasonable" but warned: "What I'm not prepared to do is to stand back and watch Scotland thrown off a hard Brexit cliff edge."

- 'Truly gigantic challenge' -

May has promised EU leaders that she will start the formal negotiations on Brexit by the end of March, but has refused to set out her strategy beyond saying she would prioritise cutting immigration.

There are fears that this would inevitably mean leaving the single market, a move opposed by businesses and the government in Scotland, where a majority voted in the June referendum to stay in the EU.

Earlier, May's spokeswoman said she was determined to secure a "united approach" to Brexit and rejected the idea of a separate arrangement for Scotland.

"A single UK position is vital to protect the UK's interests as a whole. We need to be sure we are not putting up barriers to trade within the UK," the spokeswoman said.

After Scottish ministers visited Brussels to try to secure support for their case, the spokeswoman warned against working to "undermine" Britain's strategy.

But Sturgeon retorted: "I can't undermine something that doesn't exist. It doesn't appear to me that there is a negotiating strategy."

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Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones dismissed the idea of a separate deal for Scotland, but he is also pressing for continued access to the single market for all of the UK.

"The scale of the challenge is truly gigantic. Nobody has any details yet as to what happens next," he said.

The first ministers are also pushing for each of the devolved parliaments to vote on the government's plans.

May has refused to allow the British parliament a vote before she triggers Article 50 of the EU's Lisbon treaty, starting a two-year countdown to withdrawal.

However, MPs are likely to vote on the final deal.

In a statement after the two-hour meeting, May said: "The country is facing a negotiation of tremendous importance and it is imperative that the devolved administrations play their part in making it work."

Monday's talks were also attended by First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, who share power in Northern Ireland.

Many in the province -- which like Scotland voted to stay in the EU, unlike England and Wales -- fear the effect of Brexit on the fragile peace process, notably the introduction of a hard border with EU member Ireland.
Jezebel

Today, the Supreme Court is hearing arguments that will likely result in its overturning of affirmative action in education. The plaintiffs allege that race-conscious school admissions are a form of discrimination against White and Asian students. Its bad! But there are actually two separate arguments today about the constitutionality about affirmative action, because Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson recused herself from one due to a potential conflict of interest. Justice Clarence Thomas is seein
OUAGADOUGOU (Reuters) - Burkina Faso's police chief said on Sunday that his forces shot dead a jihadist overnight in Ouagadougou and were searching for two others in the latest sign of growing insecurity in the West African country. The incident was the first deadly clash with Islamist militants in the capital since an attack on the Splendid Hotel in January that killed 30 people and was claimed by al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). Witnesses said there was a brief exchange of gunfire between police and a group of men early on Sunday morning in the northwestern suburb of Kilwin. "The group were Burkinabe and our forces killed one jihadist," said police chief Lazare Tarpaga, adding that police were still seeking at least two other missing men. He said that the group was suspected of recruiting for Islamist militant groups operating in the north of the country or elsewhere in the Sahel region, without naming a specific organization. Public prosecutor Maiza Compaore said an investigation into the recruitment networks had been opened and that important clues had already been found, including several telephones. Burkina Faso shares its western border with Mali, whose lawless desert north serves as a base for range of secular militias, al Qaeda-linked groups and a new body pledging allegiance to the Islamic State. President Roch Marc Christian Kabore, elected in November after order was restored following a six-day coup attempt, is facing a rising number of attacks in remote border areas. In a further sign of fragility, a group of about 30 ex-members of the elite presidential guard attempted to mount a coup earlier this month but were thwarted, Interior Minister Simon Compaore said on Friday. (Reporting by Mathieu Bonkoungou and Nadoun Coulibaly; Writing by Emma Farge; Editing by Andrew Roche)
Nairobi (AFP) - Burundi police said Sunday they had briefly arrested an American freelance journalist along with a local reporter working with her, who was still being held.

Police spokesman Pierre Nkurikiye said on his Twitter timeline that journalist Julia Steers and Gildas Yihundimpundu were arrested on suspicion of "trying to destroy evidence of crimes by insurgents."

Steers, who had official accreditation, was released, but her colleague was still being interrogated and her driver detained.

"Many thanks for concerns -- I'm safe but remain extremely concerned for my Burundian colleague Gildas Yihundimpundu and our driver Pascal," Steers tweeted after her release.

The pair are the latest in a long line of journalists arrested by Burundi authorities in a crackdown on the media since a crisis prompted by President Pierre Nkurunziza's disputed run for a third term in office in April 2015.

Marked by assassinations on both sides, attacks against the police and summary executions, the violence has left more than 500 people dead and forced more than 270,000 Burundians to flee the country, according to the UN.

Burundi's government has silenced independent journalists at home and regularly lashes out at the international media, accusing the press of being part of a "conspiracy" to overthrow it.

The US-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) estimates 100 journalists have been forced into exile since the violence erupted.

The CPJ this week urged Burundi's national intelligence service to release radio journalist Salvador Nahimana, detained since October 2.

Another journalist, Jean Bigirimana, of the independent Iwacu newspaper, has been missing since July 22.
NAIROBI (Reuters) - Police in Burundi arrested an American journalist and her Burundian fixer on Sunday, saying they had questioned both on suspicion of destroying criminal evidence before releasing only the journalist from custody. Julia Steers, a fellow with the International Women's Media Foundation, and Gildas Yihundimpundu were arrested in the Mutakura district north of the capital Bujumbura, police spokesman Pierre Nkurikiye wrote on his Twitter account. The media regulator "CNC and police interrogated them for attempting to destroy evidence of crimes committed by insurgents," the tweet said. The government often uses the term "insurgents" to describe protesters. Mutakura was hit by protests at the height of the unrest last year when President Pierre Nkurunziza announced plans to run for a third term in office, sparking weeks of protests by the opposition who said his bid was unconstitutional. Nkurikiye said the journalist has subsequently been released and handed to the U.S. embassy, but her fixer remained under custody for further investigation. Opponents accuse the president of violating the constitution and a peace deal that ended a civil war in 2005. The government accuses opponents of fomenting unrest, and accuses them of backing rebel groups, which officials call "armed gangs". At least 450 people have so far been killed in violence that first erupted right after Nkurunziza announced his re-election bid, rights groups say. Western states have also criticized the government's clampdown on free media, including the shuttering of private radio stations. Burundi briefly arrested British and French journalists earlier this year, while other foreign journalists were expelled prior to that. (Reporting by Aaron Maasho; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky)
YAOUNDE (Reuters) - Cameroon's President Paul Biya on Sunday pledged to investigate the causes of a rail crash that killed at least 75 people, as rescue workers scoured wreckage for more bodies. The packed passenger train carrying more than 1,400 people between the capital Yaounde and the central African country's port city of Douala derailed on Friday near the town of Eseka, causing carriages to flip over at high speed. Two days later, some were still seeking news of friends and family members on hand-written lists of passengers pinned up outside medical centers in the two cities. On Sunday, the government appealed for additional blood donations to assist with the treatment of some 600 people who suffered injuries. "I have ordered an in-depth inquiry into the causes of this accident," Biya told state TV in French on returning to Cameroon on Sunday afternoon after a trip in Europe. "I have ordered for victims' (medical) costs to be paid for by the state," he added. Operator Camrail, a unit of French industrial group Bollore, said on Sunday it had set up a special train service to fetch bodies from the crash site. Witnesses said that before the crash extra carriages had been added to the train to accommodate exceptionally high demand for the service, due partly to the collapse of a portion of the main road linking the two cities after heavy rain. It was not clear if that had played a role in the accident. Camrail said on Sunday it had received permission from the command post managing the lines before commencing its journey. Technicians from the firm have been made to help police with their enquiries and psychological support is being offered to victims, the firm added. "A crisis unit was immediately created in the train stations of Yaounde and Douala," Camrail's Hamadou Sali told reporters. A day of mourning is planned for Monday and in parts of the capital religious leaders from both the Christian and Muslim communities led additional prayer services. Several African leaders including Senegal's Macky Sall and Niger's Mahamadou Issoufou expressed their condolences on social media. (Reporting by Sylvain Andzongo; Writing by Emma Farge; Editing by Andrew Roche)
Washington (AFP) - The collapse of free trade talks between Canada and the European Union is yet another sign of increasingly stiff resistance to economic globalization.

Despite seven years of talks between Ottawa and Brussels, the CETA Treaty crashed into a wall Friday after being rejected by the Belgian region of Wallonia, making it impossible for the European Union to approve the deal.

That was an ominous sign for another ambitious treaty, the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership between the United States and the EU, which also faces strident opposition on both sides of the Atlantic.

And one huge deal already struck, the Trans Pacific Partnership between the United States and 11 other Pacific Rim countries, is foundering because of the refusal so far of the US Congress to ratify it.

And now, both candidates for the White House, Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump, say they do not support the treaty.

It is a sharp reversal of a quarter-century since the fall of the Berlin Wall of support in the world's leading economies for freer trade and globalization. Now, the enthusiasm for breaking down borders appears to be fizzling out.

"We are seeing the results of several decades of failures by political leaders to take the concerns over trade seriously," said Edward Alden of the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington.

For many years accusations have mounted that the progressive breaking down of trade barriers and removal of import duties in advanced economies has caused deindustrialization and huge job losses to developing countries.

"We're seeing a backlash caused by that neglect for the losers from trade," said Alden, author of the book "Failure to Adjust: How Americans Got Left Behind in the Global Economy."

Debra Steger, a former Canadian negotiator at the World Trade Organization, sees a rising tendency to blame a country's economic problems on foreigners.

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"People are blaming it all on immigrants or goods coming into the country," she told AFP.

"They want to blame it on something that's coming from outside, not on technological changes or on bad national policies."

Frightened by Britain's vote in June to withdraw from the European Union and the success of Donald Trump's protectionist speeches, the world's economic leaders have in recent months sought to blunt the attack on globalization.

Meeting in Washington earlier this month, the finance ministers of the G20 leading economies admitted as a group that economic growth has not been "equitable" and that more needs to be done to spread the benefits of lowered borders.

A different kind of globalization is needed than the one of the recent past, they said.

It's not clear if their message is going to convince European and US opponents of TTIP. Europeans especially say the proposed treaty will erode environmental and health standards to the benefit of multinational businesses.

Another key issue is that the trade deals -- TTIP, TPP, CETA -- all propose to include an extraterritorial dispute settlement mechanism for companies to litigate complaints against countries where they invest.

That was a particular complaint in the CETA case. Wallonia enjoyed support in fighting the deal from activist groups like Greenpeace which charged that the deal risked satisfying "corporate greed" and trampling on people's rights and health standards on both sides of the Atlantic.

Another problem is that the proposed treaties -- which gained momentum after the most recent round of global free trade talks under the WTO failed -- have been carried out with little transparency for the hugely important and complex issues involved.

For TPP and TTIP, talks were to produce a final deal without interference before the details were revealed for ratification as a whole.

"There's been a lack of transparency, a lack of explanation, and a lack of consultation with the public," said Steger, now a economics professor at the University of Ottawa.

She said the process often leaves legislators and the public with a fait accompli.

"At the end of the negotiations, when the agreement is all finished, that's the first time that the public is told: 'oh, we have an agreement. It's 2,000 pages long and you have to approve it.'"

"It can't work this way," she said.
At least two explosions rocked the area near Utsunomiya Castle Ruins Park in Utsunomiya, Japan, on October 23, killing one person and injuring three.

Police suspect the explosion was caused by a 72-year-old former Self-Defense Force member who blew himself up in a park in the city of Utsunomiya, according to NHK World.

These videos show the smoke rising up from the parking lot explosion, bystanders gathering, and police trying to keep people away from the scene. Credit: Kitashima Taiki
Santiago (AFP) - Chile's opposition is leading with a razor-thin margin in local elections that could deal a disappointment to embattled President Michelle Bachelet by returning conservatives to power.

Seen as a litmus test for her ruling center-left coalition one year before her term ends, with 95.79 percent of the vote counted, a conservative coalition Chile Vamos (Let's go Chile) was leading with 38.53 percent against 37.07 percent for the ruling New Majority coalition.

Opinion polls had given Bachelet's center-left coalition a razor-thin lead before polls opened.

"We've got to do things better. That's what the people are asking for," Bachelet said on Sunday after learning the results.

The local polls are the last vote before general elections in 2017 that will decide the Socialist leader's successor, at a time when the left in Chile -- as in much of Latin America -- is struggling.

In the elections, which serve as the unofficial opening of the 2017 campaign season, some 14 million voters are choosing 346 mayors, plus city councils.

The vote came as Bachelet, Chile's first woman president, has been sideswiped by a corruption scandal involving her son and is struggling to deliver on the reform agenda that got her elected by a landslide in 2013.

After testing political waters in the local polls, the country's parties will nominate presidential candidates and launch their campaigns.

The 65-year-old Bachelet -- serving for a second time as the South American country's president -- urged people to participate in the election, amid fears Sunday's polls would be marred by low turnout.

- Looking ahead to 2017 -

Bachelet is one of the last remaining leaders from a "pink tide" of left-wing governments that swept Latin America in the last decade.

She served a first term from 2006 to 2010, and -- constitutionally barred from immediate re-election -- returned in 2014.

But her popularity has plunged since accusations emerged last year that her son and his wife used political influence and inside information to make $5 million on a shady real estate deal.

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A separate campaign-finance scandal involving some of the country's biggest firms and political parties has also been damaging.

Bachelet herself has not been implicated in either scandal, although they have hurt her image as a squeaky clean reformer.

Elected with 66 percent of the vote, her popularity now stands at just 23 percent.

The top name on the left currently being floated for a presidential run is Isabel Allende -- not to be confused with her distant relative of the same name who is a best-selling novelist.

She is a senator and the daughter of former president Salvador Allende, who was overthrown by late dictator Augusto Pinochet in a 1973 coup.

Journalist and independent Senator Alejandro Guillier also scores well in opinion polls, while former president Ricardo Lagos (2000-2006) has thrown his hat in the ring, too.

On the right, former president Sebastian Pinera (2010-2014) is tipped as the likely nominee, but has yet to declare his candidacy.

The local polls come amid an economic slowdown in Chile, hit hard -- like much of the region -- by the plunge in global commodity prices.

Chile, the world's top copper producer, will see economic growth of just 1.75 percent this year, before a pickup of 2.25 percent in 2017, the government forecasts.
Im at a loss in understanding why Gov. Pete Ricketts is so determined in wanting to raise the citizens of Nebraska taxes. Creighton University Economics Professor Ernie Goss estimated that continuing to have the death penalty in Nebraska is costing our taxpayers over $14 million dollars annually (" Death penalty a key issue ," Oct. 9). The Governors office has rebutted this estimate as inflated and exaggerated but has not provided its own estimate of the cost of capital punishment.

Lets assume for the sake of argument that Professor Goss is off the mark, say way off the mark and put the price tag at only 50 percent of his estimation at a mere $7 million dollars annually. What Nebraskan is willing to pay $7 million dollars every year for a program that doesnt work? Case in point, Carey Dean Moore has been sitting in his cell waiting for the State to carry out his sentence from 36 years ago! As the Governor heaps more and more of his own personal finances into reinstating capital punishment ("Ricketts further funds death penalty effort," Oct. 15), Im beginning to wonder if his motivation is more about proving he can get his way in the Legislature rather than trying to reduce the cost of state government for the average Nebraskan.
Chrissy Teigen wouldn't mind adding Prince William and Princess Kate to her list of celebrity friends.

The 30-year-old model confessed that she wants to "hang out" with the Duke and Dutchess of Cambridge, but she's not exactly sure how to get in touch with them.

EXCLUSIVE: Chrissy Teigen Brings Baby Luna to Work on 'Lip Sync Battle' Set

"How do I make an appointment to hang out with Prince William and Kate Middleton," Chrissy tweeted on Friday adding, "Is there a sign up sheet?"

Meeting the royal family might take a while, what with their busy schedules and all. Besides their royal tour of Canada earlier this month, the couple welcomed BBC Radio 1's "Teen Heroes of 2016" to Kensington Palace on Tuesday. The group of teens were recognized for their inspiring work in several areas, including mental health and volunteering.

MORE: Chrissy Teigen Goes on Twitter Rant After She's Accused of Holding Baby Luna Wrong

Lucky for Chrissy, she has plenty of famous friends to hang out with until she gets that phone call, like new pal Aly Raisman, not to mention the quality time she's spending with husband John Legend and their 6-month-old daughter, Luna.

As for Kate, she surprised a group of passengers on a commercial flight back from the Netherlands recently. Find out more in the video below.

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Washington (AFP) - Hillary Clinton has soared to a 12-point lead over Donald Trump in the race for the White House, according to a new poll released Sunday, with the real estate magnate's support tanking among key voter groups.

The Republican presidential nominee has seen dismal poll numbers since a string of women came forward earlier this month to accuse him of sexual assault or inappropriate behavior in the past.

He has also stirred controversy by refusing to say that he will accept the result of the November 8 election no matter what, calling the process "rigged."

Clinton, the Democratic former secretary of state, leads 50 percent to 38 percent in a four-way contest with two minor party candidates, according to a national ABC News poll.

It was up from Clinton's four percentage point edge in an ABC News/Washington Post poll conducted 10 days ago.

Trump held a small 47-43 percent lead among white Americans, a group that Republican Mitt Romney won by 20 points in the 2012 election.

Republican candidates must have strong support from white voters if they want to win, with non-white voters overwhelmingly favoring Democratic candidates.

Clinton leads 55-35 percent among women, and has doubled her lead to 32 points among college-educated white women -- a group strongly critical of Trump's response to allegations of inappropriate behavior.

The poll even showed Clinton leading for the first time among men, 44 to 41 percent -- although that lead is within the poll's margin of error.

With just over two weeks to go before Election Day, the two White House hopefuls are targeting key battleground states like Florida, North Carolina, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Team Clinton is hoping for a landslide win, even holding out hope of taking back control of at least one of the two houses of Congress from the Republicans.

"We're not taking anything for granted at all," campaign manager Robby Mook told Fox News Sunday.

Story continues

"Secretary Clinton at the beginning of this campaign said she wanted to help all candidates up and down the ballot. So we're running a coordinated campaign, working hard with gubernatorial, Senate and House candidates. But we're not -- you know, this is not over yet."

Early voting has begun in several states, and the initial details were positive, Mook said.

"We feel very, very good about what we've seen so far... And we're encouraged also by who is turning out."

Trump has tried to change the narrative, on Saturday outlining his plan for his first 100 days in office, including a pledge to create 25 million jobs and cut taxes for middle-class Americans.

"The fact is that this race is not over," Trump's campaign manager Kellyanne Conway told Fox News on Sunday, outlining a plan to win crucial battleground states.

"He's not -- we're not giving up. We know we can win this."

Trump's son Eric said polls don't reflect the support of people who haven't been on voter rolls for years but will turn out on Election Day to support the populist candidate.

"I'm so incredibly proud. He's carried the weight of this country for the last 18 months. I happen to think we're going to win," Eric Trump said on ABC.
This Immigrant Doctor Is Reimagining Health in the American City

One of the weekly specials at the soft opening of the Renaissance Community Co-op in Greensboro, North Carolina, was on whole chicken68 cents a pound. The distributor hooked up the fledgling store with what it considered a sufficient number of birds.

We literally sold out in about four hours, said cooperative organizer Dave Reed of the nonprofit group Fund for Democratic Communities, who helped Renaissance Community Co-op organize and is also a co-op member. That was a real good price, he said.

Low price paired with high need caused birds to fly the co-op refrigerator case. The East Greensboro neighborhood had been without a grocery store since Winn-Dixie closed in 1998. The effects have been significant. In 2015, the USDA designated 24 census tracts in Guilford County food deserts. That year, the GreensboroHigh Point metro area ranked first nationally in a Gallup poll that measured what percentage of the total population was food insecure.

Now, the formerly abandoned shopping center on Phillips Avenue is home to a 10,530-square-foot grocery store envisioned, built, and owned by more than 900 community members. Through loans and grants, including a $250,000 grant from the city, the co-op secured $2.45 million in financing to open the store.

Inside, the cooperative spirit runs high. The co-op is considering special display tags to highlight other cooperatively owned brands within the store, including Equal Exchange, a worker-owned coffee cooperative that supports fair trade with its farmer partners. The general manager worked to make sure the price for a small cup would be competitive with that of gas stations nearby99 cents.

Price and pay have been some of the co-ops priorities from the beginning. They wanted to offer the staff at least $10 an hour, a goal they were able to meet. The states minimum wage is $7.25 per hour.

Most of the stores employees live in the immediate neighborhood. Full-time employees outnumber part-time employees and will be eligible for health care benefits that should start up in the next several months, Reed said. The soft opening has given the staff the chance to smooth out the bumps of running a functional store, including troubleshooting the credit card machine and memorizing which aisle the ketchup is on.

Story continues

Folks are really happy with the staff and the way that the staff is relating to them, Reed said. Thats been something that theyve brought up several times.

Nonprofit groups in the area have expressed interest in running nutrition and cooking classes in the stores community room, which could close the gap on what researchers say is as important in a food desert as the supermarket itself: education.

Plopping down a grocery store is not a silver bullet, Mari Gallagher, a Chicago-based consultant, told The Wall Street Journal this week.

Theres all these variables, said Roger Thurow, senior fellow at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. Its not as simple as putting a grocery store or farmers market or some shop with fresh food available there.

Arguments that stress the importance of education frustrate Reedits not that people dont know how to prepare or eat healthy foods; its that they cannot access or afford them.

The notion that [argument] gets down to is, Well, people are just stupid, and thats why they eat crap,' and thats just not true, he said. There are big socioeconomic reasons why people are able to consume whatever they consume.

In addition to greaterthanminimum wage pay, the co-op got other items on its wish list, including a full-service meat department with a butcher and a cutter, a rarity in a store this size, Reed said, or in stores twice the size. To keep costs low in an industry with notoriously slim margins, many grocery stores since the early aughts have done away with their in-store butchers in favor of selling case-ready meat cut, processed, and packaged at a centralized facility.

With this co-op, the profit line wasnt the primary considerationthe benefit to the community was the primary motivation, Reed said. People wanted to go in and know their butcher.

Take the Pledge: Let's Put an End to Food Waste

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 Co-op Meets Food Desert: Cash-Strapped Volunteers Get a Discount on Groceries

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Original article from TakePart
On October 23, 1987, the United States Senate held one of the most-controversial votes on a Supreme Court nominee in its history, when it rejected Robert Borks appointment.

Two weeks earlier, the Senate Judiciary committee, led by then-Senator Joseph Biden, decided to send Borks nomination to the floor with a recommendation that it be rejected  if brought to a full vote in the Senate. Bork, then a judge on the federal appeals court in the District of Columbia, demanded a full vote on the Senate floor, too.

How the Bork nomination made it to that point was a saga in itself. Born in Pittsburgh, Bork had a considerable reputation as a conservative law scholar and a proponent of originalism, the legal theory that the Constitution should be interpreted as written by the Founders.

Bork also taught at Yale University, which wasnt exactly a hotbed for conservative legal scholars. Among his Yale Law students were Bill Clinton and Hillary Rodham Clinton. In 1973, Bork accepted an invitation from the Nixon Administration to join the Justice Department as Solicitor General. The Senate confirmed Borks appointment in March 1973, but only after an intense hearing that touched on legal opinions that would again surface in 1987.

The former academic and attorney then wound up as the acting head of the Justice Department in October 1973 after Attorney General Elliot Richardson and Deputy Attorney General William Ruckelshaus refused to fire Watergate Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox under orders from President Nixon. Bork as Solicitor General ordered the firing, which averted a further constitutional crisis.

Ruckelshaus later told the Los Angeles Times that he was glad that Bork acted. We were frankly worried about the stability of the government, he said.

Bork returned to private life in 1977, but then he was appointed by President Ronald Reagan to the U.S. Appeals Court for the District of Columbia in 1982, where he was again confirmed by the Senate.

Story continues

Five years later, President Reagan nominated Bork for the Supreme Court on July 1, 1987, to replace a retiring Lewis Powell. Senator Ted Kennedy reacted with a public statement that quickly drew political battle lines over Borks nomination.

Robert Borks America is a land in which women would be forced into back-alley abortions, blacks would sit at segregated lunch counters, rogue police could break down citizens doors in midnight raids, schoolchildren could not be taught about evolution, writers and artists would be censored at the whim of government, and the doors of the federal courts would be shut on the fingers of millions of citizens for whom the judiciary is often the only protector of the individual rights that are the heart of our democracy, he said. (Bork later stated he felt ever word in the statement was false.)

Senate Democrats brought up legal writings from Bork dating back in 1963, when he wrote a New Republic article about public accommodations and the proposed 1964 Civil Rights Act. Borks opponents were critical of his opinions about the Supreme Courts Roe v. Wade decision. Borks testimony was also broadcast on live television.

After the Judiciary Committee declined to recommend Bork in a full Senate vote, the nominee voiced his frustrations of what he though was a nomination process that had turned into a political litmus test for the Supreme Court.

Federal judges are not appointed to decide cases according to the latest opinion polls, he said, adding that if judicial candidates are treated as political candidates the effect will be to erode public confidence and endanger the independence of the judiciary.

When the full Senate debated Borks nomination, 54 Senators in the Democrat-controlled chamber had already said they would not approve Bork. The final vote on October 23 of 58-42 against Bork confirmed that outcome.

President Reagan followed Borks rejection with the nomination of another federal judge, Douglas Ginsburg. But Ginsburg withdrew after allegations arose about his personal marijuana use. Reagan then nominated a federal judge from California, Anthony Kennedy, who was seen as a mainstream conservative. In November, the Senate confirmed Kennedy in a 97-0 vote.

Bork then retired from the federal court, returned to teaching and wrote several bestselling books. Late in life, Bork became an adviser to presidential candidate Mitt Romney until he passed away at the age of 85 in 2012.

In addition to his legal legacy, Bork also has a word named for him in the Oxford English Dictionary. The verb bork is used as slang, to defame or vilify (a person) systematically, esp. in the mass media, usually with the aim of preventing his or her appointment to public office; to obstruct or thwart (a person) in this way.

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Photo: arnayr via Instagram

This week in international body-shaming: Miss Iceland 2015 Arna Yr Jonsdottir decided shes had enough of contests following a pageant owners instructions that she lose weight. As reported in the Iceland Monitor, the owner of the Miss Grand International beauty contest sent Jonsdottir a message advising her to stop eating breakfast, eat just salad for lunch and drink water every evening until the contest.

From the judging interview yesterday  #missgrandinternational #missgrandiceland #mgi2016 #missgrandinternational2016 A photo posted by Arna Yr Jonsdottir (@arnayr) on Oct 20, 2016 at 4:04pm PDT

Naturally Jonsdottir was taken aback by the advice, which came via spokespeople on behalf of the pageant owner, Thai television personality Nawat Itsaragrisil.

If the owner of the contest really wants me to lose weight and doesnt like me the way I am, then he doesnt deserve to have me in the top 10, Jonsdottir told the Iceland Monitor.

Jonsdottir, who is 20 years old and hails from Reykjavik, Iceland, was crowned Miss Iceland in September 2015. She participated in gymnastics for 10 years and has competed in track and field, earning a spot on the Icelandic national team as a pole vaulter when she was 15 years old.

A woman who walks in purpose doesn't have to chase people or opportunities. Her light causes people and opportunities to pursue her. A photo posted by Arna Yr Jonsdottir (@arnayr) on Oct 23, 2016 at 5:27am PDT

Miss Grand International notes on its website that is one of the top five beauty pageants in the world, along with Miss Universe, Miss World, Miss International, and Miss Supranational, and that it is under the corporation and sponsorship from governments and organizations that will make a stand for the betterment of humanity. According to its website, the organizations ideal objective is an end to all forms of violence and hostility. For the sake of our children and the generations to follow, it is our duty domestically and internationally to rid the world of conflict and focus our efforts on improving the quality of life for all humanity. The 2016 Miss Grand International beauty pageant will take place on Oct. 25 in Las Vegas.

This should be a familiar refrain by now, whether its the infamous former owner of the Miss Universe pageant, aka Donald Trump, publicly telling pageant winner Alicia Machado back in the 1990s that she needs to lose weight, or more recently, the body-shaming of a Miss Italy runner-up for her size 14 frame. Apparently, many pageant owners and spectators believe that when women take to the stage to compete, that means they can be judged beyond the rules of the competition. One wonders if that will ever cease.

As for Jonsdottir, she reacted to the so-called pageant advice by announcing that shell stop competing. I no longer have any interest in doing my best in this competition after receiving that message, she said. This is definitely the last contest I shall be taking part in.
While Barack Obama was being sworn in in January of 2009, conservative legislators were publicly stating that they would block any legislation that he brought to the table. They trampled on any bill that the president submitted that would benefit the majority of the American people. Then, they had the audacity to say he was a do-nothing president. In addition, they vetoed a bill that would have provided the Benghazi embassy with three hundred million dollars for beefed up security and, in effect, killed four Americans.
The Las Vegas Review-Journal has endorsed Donald Trump for president, becoming the first major newspaper to do so in the general election.

The paper, owned by casino magnate and major GOP donor Sheldon Adelson, said Clinton will cuddle up to the ways and perks of Washington like she would to a cozy old blanket.

Mr. Trump instead brings a corporate sensibility and a steadfast determination to an ossified Beltway culture, the editorial argued. He advocates for lower taxes and a simplified tax code, in contrast to his opponents plan to extract another $1 trillion from the private economy in order to enlarge the bureaucracy. Mr. Trump understands and appreciates the conditions that lead to prosperity and job creation and would be a friend to small business and entrepreneurship. Mrs. Clinton has spent most of her adult life on the public payroll.

The Review-Journal endorsement pivots from other major U.S. newspapers, most of which have backed Hillary Clinton. Several newspaper that have traditionally endorsed Republican candidates support Clinton, including The Arizona Republic, The Houston Chronicle and The Columbus Dispatch.
Donald Trump

The Las Vegas Review-Journal endorsed Donald Trump for president on Saturday, giving the Republican his first nod from a major newspaper.

The newspaper praised Trump's "corporate sensibility" and argued the businessman could give a much-needed jolt to Washington politics.

"Mr. Trump represents neither the danger his critics claim nor the magic elixir many of his supporters crave," the newspaper's editorial board wrote.

"But he promises to be a source of disruption and discomfort to the privileged, back-scratching political elites for whom the nation's strength and solvency have become subservient to power's pursuit and preservation."

The board argued that Hillary Clinton, Trump's Democratic challenger, would "cuddle up to the ways and perks of Washington like she would to a cozy old blanket." The Second Amendment would be a "likely casualty" under a President Clinton, it said, along with other amendments that guarantee privacy.

The Review-Journal, which is owned by billionaire Republican megadonor Sheldon Adelson, is the most widely circulated newspaper in Nevada.

Trump thanked the paper in a tweet on Sunday.

The endorsement marks the first major newspaper to back Trump. At least three small newspapers have endorsed the Manhattan businessman: the Santa Barbara News-Press in California, the St. Joseph News-Press in Missouri, and the Waxahachie Daily Light in Texas.

Several conservative-leaning newspapers that traditionally endorse Republican candidates have broken with history this election. Some have endorsed Clinton or Libertarian nominee Gary Johnson, while others have focused solely on opposing Trump or have withheld an endorsement altogether.

Clinton has racked up more than 100 newspaper endorsements, and Johnson has earned six.

NOW WATCH: Trump says 'every poll' shows he won the second debate, but scientific polls suggest he lost





More From Business Insider


While Hillary Clinton is leading Donald Trump among likely voters, many of the Republican nominees supporters agree with his repeated claims that the presidential election will be rigged, according to a new poll.

Clinton is beating Trump, 44% to 40%, according to a Reuters/Ipsos online poll conducted between Oct. 14 and Oct 20. That represents a closer margin than last week, when she led 44% to 37%.

The RealClear Politics polling average shows Clinton defeating Trump, 48% to 42%.

Trump has recently ramped up accusations that the presidential election will be rigged in Clintons favor, presenting without evidence a claim that undermines the legitimacy of the democratic process. Election officials and members of both parties have condemned and dismissed Trump's claims.

But nearly 70% of Republicans surveyed in the Reuters/Ipsos poll said a victory by Clinton would be the result of illegal voting or vote rigging. The poll also found that just half of Republicans said they would accept Clinton as their president.

The poll, conducted online, surveyed 1,640 people.

See original article on Fortune.com

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(PHOTO: Yahoo Newsroom)

A 46-year-old man fell to his death from a Novena Suites condominium block on Saturday (22 October) night, while a 44-year-old woman believed to be the mans wife was found dead in a residential unit within the same block.

The Singapore Police Force and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said they were alerted to an incident at 200 Moulmein Road  the condominiums address  at about 7pm.

SCDF responders found the man, identified in local media reports as Wang Chan Foo, sitting on a balcony ledge when they arrived. He fell while SCDF officers were setting up a safety life air pack.

The woman, identified as Ng Soo San, was found in the apartment after SCDF officers entered the unit. She is said to have been found with multiple stab wounds to her upper body.

Reports said that the couple, who have a seven-year-old son and 13-year-old daughter, were undergoing divorce proceedings at the time of their death.

Police are investigating the unnatural deaths and no arrests were made.
MANILA (Reuters) - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte expressed hope on Sunday that fishermen would be able to return to the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea in the next few days. Duterte confirmed on Saturday that the Scarborough Shoal was discussed during his four-day trip to China which was aimed at paving the way for what he calls a new commercial alliance as relations with longtime ally the United States deteriorate. "Let us just wait for a few more days, maybe we could return to Scarborough Shoal," Duterte said in a speech in Tuguegarao City, north of the capital, where he helped deliver aid to victims of a recent typhoon. It was not immediately clear if that meant China had given an indication it would end its four-year blockade of the shoal. "I'm not sure if they will fulfill (what was discussed)," Duterte said. Two Chinese sources with ties to the leadership told Reuters last week China would consider giving Philippine fishermen conditional access to disputed waters in the South China Sea after a meeting between the presidents of the two countries. [nL4N1CP1QW] China seized the Scarborough Shoal in 2012, denying Philippine fishermen access to its fishing grounds. The seizure formed part of a case the Philippines took to the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague, which in July rejected China's territorial claims over much of the South China Sea, including its assertion of a 200-mile (320 km) exclusive economic zone around the disputed Spratly Islands. China immediately declared the ruling "null and void" but said it was time for talks again between the countries directly involved in the territorial disputes to reach a peaceful resolution. "China said it is theirs. I also told them it is ours," Duterte said. China claims most of the South China Sea, through which about $5 trillion in trade passes every year. Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims to parts of it. Duterte's efforts to engage China mark a reversal in Philippine foreign policy since he took office on June 30. While building China ties, Duterte has denounced the United States, apparently after being infuriated by U.S. criticism of his bloody war on drugs. He has called U.S. President Barack Obama a "son of a bitch", told him to "go to hell" and thrown long-standing military ties into question. On Thursday, while in China, Duterte provoked fresh diplomatic alarm by announcing his "separation" from the United States. He struck a more conciliatory tone as he arrived home on Friday. (Reporting by Karen Lema)
Analysts at Cantor Fitzgerald have upgraded shares of equity REIT EastGroup Properties Inc (NYSE: EGP) due to attractive industrial fundamentals.

Cantor Fitzgerald has upgraded shares from a Sell rating to a Hold, citing attractive industrial real estate fundamentals in the company's top markets outside of Houston.

Analysts remain cautious regarding the company's Houston exposure, which is 18 percent of the company, as that market continues to underperform.

Related Link: EastGroup Properties Reports Q3 FFO .04 Vs. Est. .04.

View more earnings on EGP

Cantor analysts also were seeing positive producing yields compared with market cap rates, high occupancy and positive rent growth as key catalysts for the upgrade.

Cantor Fitzgerald also raised its price target on the company from $63.00 to $71.00.

Full ratings data available on Benzinga Pro.

Do you have ideas for articles/interviews you'd like to see more of on Benzinga? Please email feedback@benzinga.com with your best article ideas. One person will be randomly selected to win a $20 Amazon gift card!

Latest Ratings for EGP

Oct 2016 Cantor Fitzgerald Upgrades Sell Hold Sep 2016 Mizuho Initiates Coverage on Buy Sep 2016 Morgan Stanley Assumes Underweight

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 2016 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
The Daily Beast

STRINGER/ReutersVideo footage shows pedestrians attempting to sway an Indian suspension bridge in the moments before it catastrophically collapsed, leaving at least 141 people dead as of Monday.Rescuers expect the death toll to continue to rise after the bridge fell apart in the western state of Gujarat on Sunday. The majority of those killed were women, children, or elderly people, a local official told the BBC. Almost 180 people were successfully rescued, however, in an overnight operation inv
I'm rarely on the same page as Councilman Roy Christensen but I think he has a valid point about movie theater complexes in Lincoln and the restrictions on sites other than downtown ("Analysis: Theater policy beneficial," Oct. 14). The time has come when the downtown area no longer needs to offer attractive lures. Our downtown is often crowded during most days and hours and while ancillary businesses such as restaurants and bars gain profits from movie-goers, so do the city coffers insofar as parking fees are concerned, free parking for Grand patrons at the Centrum garage notwithstanding.

Even though I live closest to the Grand, I rarely attend movies there because of the paucity and inconvenience of parking. Moreover, many of the films I most wish to see, the current one being "Queen of Katwe," are maddeningly shown only at the Grand. While I can see the appeal of movie complexes on the southeastern edges of the city, what about a theater close to the growing Fallbrook and Highlands neighborhoods? If admission prices are pegged as "slightly above average," how might one label the mafia-inspired pricing of popcorn, soda, and pizzas at Marcus Theatres?

Cinematically, downtown movie needs have been met with the Grand. Councilman Christensen is right that these restrictions are no longer needed nor valid. Yes, I'll admit to my downtown cinema choice as The Ross. That's our true cinematic treasure.

Jim Hejduk, Lincoln
By Alexandra Ulmer and Deisy Buitrago CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela's opposition-led National Assembly in a rowdy session on Sunday pressed to put Nicolas Maduro on trial for violating democracy, days after authorities nixed a recall referendum against the unpopular leftist president. The measure is unlikely to get traction as the government and the Supreme Court have systematically undermined the legislature on grounds it is illegitimate until it removes three lawmakers accused of vote-buying. But it marked a further escalation of political tensions in the crisis-hit OPEC nation. "It is a political and legal trial against President Nicolas Maduro to see what responsibility he has in the constitutional rupture that has broken democracy, human rights, and the future of the country," said opposition majority leader Julio Borges during a special congressional meeting. The session was briefly interrupted when around 100 apparently pro-government protesters stormed in, brandishing Socialist Party signs and shouting "The Assembly will fall!" before officials herded them out. Opposition lawmakers said there were injuries and tweeted photos of two men receiving care after alleged blows to the head. There were also reports some journalists had been robbed of their camera and flak jackets. "The Socialist Party is showing what it has left. There are no ideas or arguments, only violence!" said opposition leader and two-time presidential candidate Henrique Capriles. The opposition coalition, seeking to end 17 years of socialism in the South American nation, says Thursday's suspension of its drive for a plebiscite against Maduro shows Venezuela has abandoned democracy. Ruling party officials accuse the opposition of fraud in their signature drive and say the coalition is seeking a coup to gain control of Venezuela's vast crude reserves, the world's largest. Despite that oil wealth, Venezuela has plunged into an unprecedented economic crisis, with many people skipping meals due to shortages and soaring prices. Many Venezuelans fear preventing the referendum increases chances of social unrest in the already volatile and violent country. The opposition coalition has called for a major peaceful protest on Wednesday, dubbed "The takeover of Venezuela". 'PEOPLE ARE HUNGRY!' In Sunday's raucous session, lawmakers also traded barbs, with ruling party politicians showing photos of late leader Hugo Chavez while opposition congressmen chanted "The people are hungry and want a recall!" Likening Maduro to former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet and Peru's authoritarian ex-president Alberto Fujimori, opposition lawmakers also vowed to replace deans at the electoral council and judges on the Supreme Court, though that too is unlikely to see the light of day. Congress concluded the session by declaring that Maduro's government had staged a coup by axing the referendum. And lawmakers unearthed an old accusation, that Maduro was actually Colombian and so is ineligible to be president, though they had yet to offer any proof. "Stop being ridiculous," said ruling party lawmaker Hector Rodriguez, slamming the session as a "bad circus". "What you want to do is stage a coup, like in Paraguay, like in Honduras, and like in Brazil. We're not Honduras, nor Paraguay, nor Brazil." It was not immediately clear how Congress, which will hold another special session on Tuesday, might seek to put Maduro on trial. The opposition had indeed largely rejoiced when the senate of neighboring Brazil ousted leftist leader Dilma Rousseff last month. Recent shifts to the right in Argentina and Peru have also given the opposition hope of piling regional pressure on Maduro. Maduro, a former bus driver and union leader, is currently on a four-day foreign trip to seek consensus on supporting oil prices. He has seen his popularity tumble as the recession worsens three years on from the death of his mentor Chavez. Even former 'Chavista' strongholds in the slums have turned against Maduro, and the opposition frequently claims discontent runs deep among some in the top brass. "None of you brought even a single photo of Maduro!" opposition lawmaker Luis Emilio Rondon taunted, as his peers chanted "You don't love Maduro!" (Additional reporting by Marco Bello and Liamar Ramos; Writing by Alexandra Ulmer; Editing by Sandra Maler and Mary Milliken)
By Alexandra Ulmer and Deisy Buitrago CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela's opposition-led National Assembly on Sunday vowed to put Nicolas Maduro on trial for violating democracy, days after authorities nixed a recall referendum against the unpopular leftist president. The measure is unlikely to get traction given the government and a compliant Supreme Court have systematically undermined the legislature, but it marked a further escalation of political tensions in the crisis-hit OPEC nation. "It is a political and legal trial against President Nicolas Maduro to see what responsibility he has in the constitutional rupture that has broken democracy, human rights, and the future of the country," said opposition majority leader Julio Borges during a special congressional session. The opposition coalition, seeking to end 17 years of socialism in the South American nation, says Thursday's suspension of its drive for a plebiscite against Maduro shows Venezuela has abandoned democracy. Ruling party officials accuse the opposition of fraud in their signature drive and say the coalition is seeking a coup to gain control of Venezuela's vast crude reserves, the world's largest. Despite that oil wealth, Venezuela has plunged into an unprecedented economic crisis, with many people skipping meals due to shortages and soaring prices. Many Venezuelans fear preventing the referendum increases chances of social unrest in the already volatile and violent country. The opposition coalition has called for a major peaceful protest on Wednesday, dubbed "The takeover of Venezuela". 'PEOPLE ARE HUNGRY!' In Sunday's raucous session, lawmakers traded barbs, with ruling party politicians showing up in t-shirts adorned with late leader Hugo Chavez's eyes while opposition congressmen chanted "The people are hungry and want a recall!" Likening Maduro to former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet and Peru's authoritarian ex-president Alberto Fujimori, opposition lawmakers also vowed to replace deans at the electoral council and judges on the Supreme Court, though that too is unlikely to see the light. And lawmakers unearthed an old accusation, that Maduro was actually born in neighboring Colombia and so is ineligible to be president, though they had yet to offer proof. "Today we're going to hear of everything in the right-wing's reality show," said ruling party lawmaker Tania Diaz, who brought a picture of Chavez to the podium. Meanwhile, Maduro, who was seen his popularity tumble as the recession worsens, was on a four-day tour of oil-producing countries to push for an OPEC deal. "None of you brought even a single photo of Maduro!" opposition lawmaker Luis Emilio Rondon taunted, as his peers chanted "You don't love Maduro!" (Writing by Alexandra Ulmer; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne and Mary Milliken)
Brussels (AFP) - Belgium's Wallonia region on Sunday dealt a fresh blow to a proposed EU-Canada trade deal, rejecting a 24-hour ultimatum from the bloc to end its objection to the agreement.

In an embarrassment for the 28-nation EU, Belgium has so far been the only member not to sign up to the CETA trade deal, blocked by French-speaking Wallonia, which has refused to endorse it.

The EU has warned that unless Belgium makes its position clear, it will cancel a summit on Thursday to sign the accord with Ottawa, and indicated that it expected Prime Minister Charles Michel to come up with an answer on Monday.

Paul Magnette, the leader of the Wallonia region, told the Belga news agency that an "ultimatum is not compatible with the exercise of democratic rights".

Magnette hit out at the EU, despite efforts by the bloc to provide reassurances to his government over investment protection -- one of the major sticking points in negotiations between Brussels and Wallonia.

One European diplomat said that the reassurances "responded to all of Mr Magnette's concerns".

A European source said European Council President Donald Tusk would call Michel on Monday afternoon or evening to see if the deal can be salvaged.

Tusk will ask Michel "one simple question: will Belgium be in a position to sign the agreement on Thursday, yes or no?" said the European source.

The EU Council chief will also call European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker "to share an assessment of where we are," and lastly Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau "to decide whether to maintain the summit".

"Regarding Thursday, if Belgium is not in a position to say that they guarantee they can sign, it's very clear for Tusk that it doesn't make sense to have a summit, and there will be no summit, and there will be no date set for a new summit," the source said.

The source added that any decision would be made jointly by Tusk and Trudeau.

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Canada's trade minister Chrystia Freeland flew home from Brussels Saturday saying the ball was in the EU's court after talks on Friday failed to overcome the differences.

- 'Stop bad trade treaties' -

The CETA -- or Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement -- would link the EU market of 500 million people with the world's tenth biggest economy.

The deal is opposed by anti-globalisation groups who say it is a test model to push through an even more controversial EU-US trade agreement called TTIP, talks on which have also stalled.

Sebastian Dullien, a senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, criticised the Commission for its role in the failure of negotiators to secure an agreement on the deal.

"The European Commission carries part of the blame because it didn't quickly seek a dialogue with doubters. And for this type of deal, you need a large consensus," he said.

Wallonia has some support for its position elsewhere in Europe.

On Saturday, 8,000 people including young people, farmers, union leaders and entrepreneurs joined a rally in Amsterdam in a show of solidarity, organisers said.

They held banners saying "Our world is not for sale" and "Stop these bad trade treaties".

Wallonia has also enjoyed support from activist groups like Greenpeace which charged that the deal risked satisfying "corporate greed" and trampling on people's rights and health standards on both sides of the Atlantic.

British Prime Minister Theresa May on Friday dismissed warnings that the EU-Canada deal raised serious questions about whether London could strike a similar agreement with the bloc after Brexit.
By Alastair Macdonald and Philip Blenkinsop BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union has given Belgium until late on Monday to overcome opposition to a free trade deal with Canada from its French-speaking region or a summit to sign the pact that could boost both economies is off, EU sources said on Sunday. EU trade negotiators are rushing to assuage the Walloon government's concerns before the Monday deadline set by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to decide whether to fly to Brussels, according sources familiar with the matter. "The Commission has been working 24/7 to find a solution," EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom tweeted on Sunday. "We now hope that Belgium will bring this matter to a successful close." Canada, the EU's 12th-largest trading partner, says it is ready to sign the pact as planned on Thursday and years-long negotiations were over, with trade minister Chrystia Freeland saying "the ball is in the EU court." All 28 EU governments back the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which supporters say could increase trade by 20 percent, but Belgium cannot give assent without backing from its five sub-federal administrations. French-speaking Wallonia has steadfastly opposed it, saying the deal is bad for Europe's farmers and gives too much power to global corporate interests. Walloon premier Paul Magnette has said the summit should be delayed to allow more time to deliberate. "An ultimatum is not compatible with the exercise of democracy," he was cited by Belgian public broadcaster RTBF as saying on Sunday. Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel will meet with the country's regions on Monday afternoon, RTBF reported. In a last ditch bid to secure Walloon backing, EU trade officials are offering to tweak a political declaration appended to the treaty, an EU source said. A source with the European Commission, which is apparently keen to avoid issuing a deadline that could irk Walloon leaders, said the EU executive "understands that Belgium needs a bit of time". DOMESTIC POLITICS Many EU leaders suspect the local government in Namur is using its devolved powers to play domestic politics. "This is first of all an inner-Belgian matter," an EU source said. Walloon Socialist leader Elio Di Rupo, one of the most vocal opponents of the deal, cast doubt a deal could be reached next week. "They took years to negotiate #CETA and we are refused a few weeks," Di Rupo, a former Belgian prime minister, tweeted on Sunday. "Will we reach a solution? All depends on the contents. If it doesn't change enough, we will maintain our opposition." European Council President Donald Tusk, who chairs the collective body of the EU's leaders, will speak to Michel by late on Monday, EU sources said, before informing Trudeau's government of the state of play. "If Michel says he is not in a position to confirm that Belgium will be able to sign on Thursday, then we won't have the summit," a source said. If postponed, no new summit date will be set, although the source said neither the EU nor Canada is willing to give up on a free trade pact that has been years in the making. Deadlock over what would be the EU's first with a Group of Seven country, overshadows prospects of completing similar deals with the United States or Japan and undermines a bloc already battered by Britain's vote to leave. German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel blamed the deadlock on a failure by the EU executive and Belgian federal government to allay the fears of some regions. "Canada, Germany, and France had sought more contact with the Walloon government than those supposedly responsible in Brussels," he told Handelsblatt newspaper. "The reasons for the Walloon protest lie in Brussels and not in Berlin." Supporters say the trade deal could boost the EU economy by 12 billion euros ($13 billion) a year and Canada's by C$12 billion ($9 billion). (Additional reporting by Alissa de Carbonnel in Brussels and Joseph Nasr in Berlin; editing by Toby Chopra and Susan Thomas)
Shailene Woodley's passionate defense of environmental issues has gotten the young star noticed for more than her acting roles, and on Saturday night she was honored by the Environmental Media Association for her activism.

ET's Courtney Tezeno caught up with the Snowden star at the awards show, held in Burbank, California, where she opened up about her fearless support of the environment.

WATCH: Shailene Woodley Pleads Not Guilty to All Charges in Dakota Access Pipeline Arrest

"I don't know if I'm fearless, but I'm definitely one of those [people] who looks fear in the face," the 24-year-old actress tells ET. "We are an environmental issue! Right? We are the environment. We are the soil, we come from the earth. In order to survive we need oxygen."

Woodley's passion stems from the recognition that action is direly needed now. "For me, it's not about helping the environment or saving the environment. It's about recognizing that if I want my children to know a world where Manhattan isn't all the way under water -- because guess what, ladies and gentlemen, that world is not too distant and it's a reality that we must start facing and waking up to -- [then] we've gotta work our asses off now to make that happen," she explained. "And I'm down for that cause because I love this Earth. I love humanity."

She also gave a heartfelt acceptance speech during the event, receiving a standing ovation in response. "Thousands of people are committed to fighting and winning a battle against corporate greed with nothing but love and compassion," she said. "Live a more compassionate life, because the ripple effect of that is what is going to save our oceans, our planet, and our race."

There was also a sweet moment on the red carpet between Woodley and firiend Nikki Reed, with the two hugging and sharing a few words. Reed, who was at the event with her husband Ian Somerhalder, dished to ET about the adorable moment.

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"Listen, I'm [Shailene's] biggest fan," she said. "Shay is -- I've said it before, I'll say it again -- she's my soul sister, and I love what she stands for. I hope she brings some much needed attention to what's going on right now."

Woodley was arrested earlier this month in North Dakota for criminal trespassing and engaging in a riot at a protest against a planned oil pipeline, charges to which she pleaded not guilty.

Also honored at the EMA Awards were Jaden Smith and Moby, while Nicole Richie hosted the event and opened up the night with a humorous speech calling for attendees to "make America green again."

NEWS: Shailene Woodley Breaks Her Silence After Being Arrested While Protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline

"I am calling for a total and complete ban on climate change deniers," Richie said in her speech. "Nobody loves the environment more than Richie does. I was one of the first Young Hollywood board members. Before me, no one drove a Prius, no one took their bags to the market. In fact, I'm pretty sure I invented the concept of smoking weed out of a pen. That's why nobody has a better relationship with the greens than I do."

Find out more about Shailene's arrest and the Dakota Access Pipeline protests in this video.

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TOKYO (Reuters) - A 72 year-old retired soldier blew himself up in a park in the Japanese city of Utsunomiya, killing himself and injuring three other people in an apparent suicide, state broadcaster NHK reported. A second explosion, separate from the blast that killed the former Self Defence Force member, caused a fire in a nearby parking lot, while the man's home 8 km (5 miles) from the park burnt to the ground, the report said. The police in the city, which is about 100 km (62 miles)north of Tokyo, said they had discovered a suicide note written by the man and were investigating the three incidents, but did not give further details. Images broadcast by NHK showed two burnt out cars, one of which belonged to the dead man, about 200 meters (650 feet) from the park and a charred broken bench at the edge of the park, where a folk art festival was underway. The explosion in the park injured two men aged 64 and 58, who were being treated for shrapnel wounds. The third victim was a 14 year-old school boy, NHK said. Witnesses told the broadcaster they heard a series of loud explosions. Suicide rates have declined in Japan in recent years, but remain among the highest in the world, with around 30,000 people a year taking their own lives. Experts have pointed to the financial stress of surviving on small pensions for pushing some retired people to end their lives. In 2015, a 71 year-old man set himself on fire on a bullet train in an incident that also claimed the life of a 52 year-old woman traveling in the same carriage. (Reporting by Tim Kelly; Editing by Richard Pullin)
Oplenac (Serbia) (AFP) - At the wedding of his grandfather, King Aleksandar I of Yugoslavia, nearly a century ago, more than 100,000 people thronged Belgrade's streets in heavy rain to celebrate.

Prince Mihajlo Karadjordjevic's wedding on Sunday was a somewhat lower profile event -- covered by the tabloids but largely ignored by other media, leaving some Serbians completely unaware of the first "royal" wedding in decades.

The 30-year-old prince married Ljubica Ljubisavljevic, a Belgrade-born pharmacist, at the Orthodox Church of St George at Oplenac in central Serbia, where members of the Karadjordjevic dynasty are buried.

Just 150 or so royalists gathered outside the service, which was attended by about 300 guests.

Among them were children in traditional Serbian dress, foreign dignitaries and other members of the royal family including Crown Prince Aleksandar II, claimant to Serbia's abolished throne.

The Karadjordjevic dynasty was founded by Djordje Petrovic, known as Karadjordje ("Black George"), who came from a family of pig farmers but led the first Serbian uprising against Ottoman rule in the early 19th century.

Aside from a cousin's ceremony 20 years ago, the last royal wedding in Serbia was the celebrated Belgrade marriage of King Aleksandar I and Princess Maria of Romania in June 1922, considered an important Balkan political union.

Aleksandar was later assassinated in the French city of Marseille and succeeded by his son Petar II, who fled the Nazi occupation of his country just days after being proclaimed monarch at the age of 17.

He spent the remainder of World War II in Britain but was prevented from returning to Yugoslavia by the communist regime of Josip Broz Tito, which abolished the monarchy.

Petar died in the United States and his family was allowed to return to Serbia by the post-communist authorities in the early 2000s, but today the royals struggle to stay relevant among citizens of the republic.

Mihajlo, son of Petar's younger brother Tomislav, was born in London and returned to live in Serbia in his twenties.

His Serbian wedding follows a civil ceremony in London, and he told local media this month that he and his bride "would like to live near Belgrade, so that we can breed horses and always be surrounded by nature".
Vilnius (AFP) - Lithuanians fed up with low wages and a labour exodus voted for major changes in Sunday's general election, handing victory to a farmers' party that previously held just one seat in parliament.

The centrist Lithuanian Peasants and Green Union party (LGPU) won 54 seats in the 141-member parliament, while the conservative Homeland Union took 31 and outgoing ruling Social Democrats 17, the state election commission told AFP Sunday, citing full results.

Three other small parties also entered parliament.

Lithuanians voted overwhelmingly for change, Ramunas Vilpisauskas, director of the Institute of International Relations and Political Science in Vilnius, told AFP.

"The LPGU will spearhead the coalition. This result means that people really want new faces in politics," he said, adding candidly that he "didn't expect it."

He also said that on the foreign policy front, the LPGU would keep Lithuania firmly rooted in the EU, the eurozone and NATO.

"We will forge a rational coalition government and we'll chose people who want to bring about changes," Saulius Skvernelis, a popular former national police chief who ran as the LPGU's candidate for prime minister said on national TV as the results rolled in.

He said the party was opening coalition talks with both the Homeland Union and the Social Democrats of outgoing Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevcius.

"We'll bring transparent and responsible policies," said Skvernelis, who is widely respected for tackling corruption in the police force during his term as commander.

- 'Grand coalition'? -

Popular in the countryside, the LPGU's official leader is Ramunas Karbauskis, a billionaire industrial farmer and land baron.

He has raised the idea of a "grand coalition" of all parties in parliament creating a technocratic government focused on economic growth.

Wage growth and job creation were key election issues the country of 2.9 million people, plagued by an exodus of workers seeking higher wages abroad.

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Since Lithuania joined the European Union in 2004, an estimated 370,000 people have left -- nearly half to Britain, where concern over immigration from eastern Europe was a key factor in June's shock referendum vote to leave the bloc.

Sunday's result effectively dashed the chances of Homeland Union leader Gabrielius Landsbergis becoming prime minister.

Analysts had tipped him as a favourite after his party finished narrowly ahead of the LPGU in round one of the election on October 9.

The 34-year-old grandson of Lithuanian independence icon Vytautas Landsbergis had vowed to fight emigration by creating jobs, reforming education, boosting exports and foreign investment.

Outgoing Prime Minister Butkevicius -- who lost his seat on Sunday -- had promised further increases to the minimum wage and public sector salaries.

But analysts said a new labour law making it easier to hire and fire employees, coupled with allegations of political corruption, have alienated voters already bitter over low wages and the brain drain to western Europe.

- Tough on corruption -

Lithuania's economy shrank by nearly 15 percent during the 2008-9 global financial crisis but quickly recovered and is forecast to expand by 2.5 percent this year.

But the average wage of just over 600 euros ($670) per month after tax remains one of the lowest in the EU, and inequality and poverty remain comparatively high.

Skvernelis's hard line on corruption and the LPGU's promise to revamp the economy won over voter Galina Aleksejeva, a 50-year-old seamstress.

"They'll introduce fresh economic policy," she told AFP after voting in Vilnius, adding that she wants to see the LPGU in coalition with Butkevicius' Social Democrats.

Russia's deployment earlier this month of nuclear-capable Iskander missiles to its Kaliningrad exclave two weeks ago rattled nerves in Lithuania which shares a border with the Kremlin-controlled territory.

But reassurance provided by NATO's beefed up regional presence -- a move that all major parties approve -- means that voters are more worried about their wallets than security.

Lithuania's election commission tallied turnout at 38 percent of the 2.5 million eligible voters.
Indias FDI chapter was opened in 1991, when then Prime Minister Narasimha Rao eased regulations to allow foreign players to invest in India. From then till now, FDI has come a long way in the country. But, the journey has been choppy overall, peppered with setbacks. Norms have been relaxed to various degrees across sectors such as defence, pharmaceuticals, civil aviation, stock exchanges, state-owned oil refineries, telecom and retail to the most recent Other Financial Services carried out by Non-Banking Financial Corporations (NBFC). Yet, measured against advanced open economies, India is still work in progress.

To understand why, heres a recap of two foreign retail brands journey in India which pretty much epitomise the FDI story in the retail sector that has been a political hot potato of sorts for long.

IKEA  the Swedish Furniture Brand

Simple figures first: In single-brand retail, the governments green signal to Swedish furniture purveyor IKEA, is slated to bring in investments of over Rs.100 billion to India. IKEA plans to inaugurate its first store in Hyderabad by 2017-end, post which it wishes to open another 25 across cities in India by 2025. Each of the stores would employ anywhere between 500 to 700 people, and also generate job opportunities for 1,500 people, indirectly. Further, the company, which has been sourcing many products from India for more than 25 years now, plans to double it by 2020.

Winning approval, however, was fraught with difficulties. IKEA on Indian soil almost didnt happen. Seven years back, in 2009, the global furniture behemoth, shelved its plans to invest in India. At that point in time, India allowed 51 per cent FDI in single-brand retail. But there was a hitch. Norms required the remaining 49 percent to be invested by a local partner. IKEAs characteristic spacious showrooms, which require high investments, saw none in India willing to put in capital in what they perceived then as a high risk bet. Conditions were also placed on the kind of goods that could be sold. After many rounds of parleys, frustrated with the situation, IKEA decided to wait till norms became more conducive. It felt the nation was not yet ready for big retailers.

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This brought about a severe backlash from the media and other quarters, which felt the episode would send out a wrong message about the business environment in the country, thereby deterring other big ticket investments. It would lead to missed opportunities vis-a-vis skill transfers, doing business with a global brands and employment generation.

Under pressure, the Indian government relaxed norms. In 2012 it allowed 100 percent FDI in single-brand retail from an earlier 51 percent. After hectic lobbying, IKEA was given permission to open home furnishing stores in India in 2013. Considered as one the biggest foreign investment in retail segment, it was also allowed to run cafes and restaurants within its single brand stores in India. But it still isnt allowed to sell packed food items  something that continues till date.

It was an epic journey to approval  a ray of light for other international brands wanting to test the Indian waters. Since then, many single-brand retailers have set up shop in India.

Wal-Mart  the American Multinational Retail Corporation

No other brand has had a tougher journey in India, than perhaps Walmart. This is partly because of the governments misgivings against FDI in multi-brand retail and partly because of the international retail giants shady deals to gain a foothold in India and other countries.

Wal-Mart forayed into the Indian market in 2007, by forging partnership with Sunil Mittal-led Bharti Enterprises for wholesale cash-and-carry and back-end supply chain management operations in India, as per norms. The business-to-business model was meant to serve kirana stores, fruit and vegetable resellers, restaurants and other business owners. By supplying them a wide array of quality products at competitive wholesale prices, it was supposed to be profitable for both the seller and buyers. Down the line, in 2012, 51 percent FDI in multi-brand retail was finally allowed in India after a dramatic battle. A bunch of conditions, however, were attached to it. Wal-Mart, the retailing giant, tried its luck, but drew a blank eventually. Multi-brand retail has been a bone of contention in India for long as many feel it would hurt the 250 million plus eking out a living through mom-and-pop retail stores.

Meanwhile, Wal-Mart also got embroiled in legal issues. An investigation was launched to find out if the US retailer broke rules by investing in the Indian retail sector via Cedar investment, before the market was opened to global players. The events happened like this: In 2007 Bharti group formed Bharti Retail Holdings Ltd, which in turn owned a subsidiary called Bharti Retail Ltd that operated supermarkets and hypermarkets. Curiously, in 2009, Bharti Retail Holdings officially declared itself as a consulting services and not a retailer anymore. Just about a month later, which was next year, it changed its name to Cedar. The change in name and business, generated suspicion, because when Wal-Mart invested in Cedar in March 2010, foreign companies could legally own 100 percent of an Indian consulting firm but not retail. Doubts were raised into whether Wal-Marts money was actually being used in the retail business.

There was more trouble brewing. Wal-Marts disclosure to the US authorities that it had spent around USD 25 million on its various lobbying activities, which also included money spent on gaining increased access to the Indian market, since 2008, raised doubts again. Lobbying, legally permitted in US is disallowed in India. A three-year-long probe by the US government revealed that Wal-Mart had in fact paid bribes to local officials in India to help move goods through customs or obtain real estate permits. They were mostly below $200, and some were as low as $5. But, they totalled to millions of dollars. Those opposed to FDI in India, lapped up the opportunity to protest against opening up of the Indian market.

All such controversies dogging Wal-Mart, took a toll on its partnership with Bharti Enterprises in 2013. Today, Wal-Mart operates 21 wholesale outlets in the country, which is about a fourth of the number of stores it owns and operates in tiny Honduras. But theres a silver lining  the Modi-government has recently sprung a surprise by allowing 100 percent FDI in multi-brand processed food retailing.
By Abdiqani Hassan and Abdi Sheikh MOGADISHU (Reuters) - At least seven people were killed in weekend fighting between soldiers from two semi-autonomous regions of Somalia, officials from both sides said on Sunday, sparking fears of wider conflict. The clashes which broke out on Saturday pitted forces from Puntland with those of Galmudug, the latest flare-up over a disputed area straddling their border. The two sides are fighting in the town of Galkayo, which is divided between clan militias loyal to the different regions. Hirsi Yusuf Barre, the mayor of Galkayo south, accused soldiers from Puntland of launching attacks first on Saturday. "We lost three soldiers and 11 others were injured. We burned three vehicles belonging to Puntland," he told Reuters on Sunday. Major Mohamed Ibrahim, a military officer in Puntland, said four soldiers were killed on their side and seven others were injured. "We have repulsed them," he said. Residents in the area said Galkayo was calm on Sunday but soldiers from both factions were seen reorganizing themselves for more clashes. Earlier this month, the United Nations said the conflict could worsen and clashes had already displaced around 50,000 people. Somalia has been at civil war for 25 years and clashes between the clan-based militias who control much of the country are common. In the south, forces loyal to the weak U.N.-backed government are also battling Islamist insurgents. (Writing by Aaron Maasho Editing by Ruth Pitchford)
BEATRICE -- Jen Gilman thought her 1996 high school class ring was gone forever after losing it in a Beatrice church parking lot 18 years ago.

I chalked it up to a loss, she said.

My great-grandmother Katie bought me that class ring a year or two before she passed away, Gilman said. My parents I was living with couldnt afford to get me one, so she bought it for me. ... I never thought Id see that ring again in my life.

At age 20, Gilman and her then-boyfriend got into an argument and he threw the ring across the Centenary United Methodist Church parking lot, she explained.

Earl Lyons, the church custodian at the time, found the ring. Using the school name, class year and initials J.W. on the ring, he went to Southern High School in Wymore and looked through the yearbook with the principal. But they couldnt figure out what J.W. graduated in 1996.

I had quit school for a while, and then graduated in 1997, Gilman said, explaining how the mystery lived on for nearly two decades.

Lyons moved from Beatrice to Iowa in 2006, and he took the ring with him. During a recent visit from his daughter, Lisa Milke, Lyons got out his own class ring to give to her. He showed her the other class ring, too.

Milke suspected her fathers recent leukemia diagnosis prompted the gift, and launched a second search to find the mystery class rings owner.

Milke wrote in the Facebook group, Beatrice Neighborhood Watch, that she recently acquired the ring, with a brief description, and asked anyone who might be missing it to message her with a more detailed description. Milke said that within an hour somebody posted that they might know the owner.

I had come home from work and had a text from Jodi Wagner, who was a year ahead of me in school, Gilman said. She sent me a screenshot from the website and asked me if that was my ring.

Other high school classmates also tagged Gilman in the post, recognizing her initials.

Milke handed over the ring the next day.

She was in complete shock and was just so happy, Milke said of Gilman. She kept saying, God Bless your dad for keeping this ring for all these years.

Gilman shared the news on her Facebook page, thanked Lyons and asked her friends, family and the public to pray for Lyons in his fight with leukemia.

That is a damn good man, she said.
Mexicos Film Tank has signed with Italys Indigo Film to co-produce Casi el paraiso (Almost Paradise), the return to filmmaking of Gaz Alazraki, co-creator of Netflix series Club de Cuervos, which will be distributed in all the American continent by 20th Century Fox.

Indigo Films credits include Paolo Sorrentinos This Must Be the Place and the Academy Award-winning The Great Beauty, Film Tanks the Golden Globe-nominated The Maid and immigration dramedy Norteado.

In a powerful combination that is increasingly common on the top-of-their-class movie projects coming out of Latin America, Fox International Pictures, U.S.-based Ivanhoe Pictures and Mexicos Imcine film institute will also produce Almost Paradise.

Announced Sunday out of Romes Mia Cinema Co-Production Market  where a Sunday morning press conference confirmed that Italy would be joining Ibermedia, the most powerful pan-regional film-TV aid program for Latin America, Spain and Portugal  the new co-production deal sees Indigo boarding the second feature by Alazraki. His debut, riches-to-rags comedy The Noble Family, grossed $26.25 million in Mexico in 2012, establishing him from the get-go as a filmmaker with a broad audience sense and ability to touch a social nerve.

Written by Edgar San Juan, a partner at Film Tank, Almost Paradise is based on Mexicos first best-seller, penned by Luis Spota, the enfant terrible of Mexican journalism, and a prolific and highly popular social satirist. Set in the 1950s, Almost Paradise turns on an Italian con-man who flees to Mexico City, poses as an Italian prince and dazzles Mexicos high society  especially its political class born out of the Mexican Revolution but avid for old world aristocracy to the point of paying for his upkeep or promising a daughter in marriage.

Spotas novel mocks deliciously well a Mexican upper-crusts search for validation from an outside world which is a clear indication of a lack of national identity and pride, Alazraki said, announcing Almost Paradise late last year.

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Alazraki also said that there is a deeper study of an imposter who is shunned by society in Italy but embraced with wide open arms in Mexico probably out of the fact he is blond-ish.

Almost Paradise will shoot on location in Acapulco, Mexico City, Rome, Naples and Capri.

I am sure that with Indigo Films help, Almost Paradise the film will be at the height of one of the fundamental novels in Mexican literature, San Juan said.

Imcines investment in Almost Paradise will be channeled through its Fidecine film investment initiative. The film is also backed by Italys Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

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London (AFP) - Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur all dropped points as Chelsea ensured an uncomfortable return to Stamford Bridge for Jose Mourinho with a 4-0 rout of Manchester United.

Here are five things we learned from the Premier League this weekend:

Back to drawing board for Mourinho

After a run of six matches without defeat in all competitions, Jose Mourinho appeared to be turning a corner with Manchester United, who had lost three games in succession in September. But his team's recovery came crashing to the ground at Stamford Bridge, home of his former club Chelsea, as United fell to a scarring defeat. A team who appeared to be growing in confidence suddenly looked entirely bereft of it, Chris Smalling and Daley Blind producing error-strewn performances in defence, Paul Pogba turning in a completely anonymous midfield display and Zlatan Ibrahimovic going a sixth league game without finding the net. Compounding matters, centre-back Eric Bailly was forced off with what could be a serious knee ligament injury. Changes could now follow, with club captain Wayne Rooney and under-used new signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan among those pressing for inclusion in the starting XI.

No Vardy, no problem for Leicester

Following eight games without a goal, and having been dogged by a groin complaint during the week, Jamie Vardy was left on the bench for Leicester City's home game with Crystal Palace. Benching Vardy, emblem of last season's fairytale title win, was a gamble by manager Claudio Ranieri, whose side had gone three league matches without victory. But it paid off as goals from Ahmed Musa and Shinji Okazaki, plus a scorching late Christian Fuchs strike, secured a 3-1 win. Vardy entered the fray as a second-half substitute, but by that point his team-mates had demonstrated that they are perfectly capable of scoring, and winning, without him.

Stones error sign of the times

It appears Manchester City fans may have to get used to the kind of mistake that saw England defender John Stones set up Southampton's goal in the Premier League leaders' 1-1 draw when his careless backpass across the face of goal was seized on by Nathan Redmond. With City manager Pep Guardiola determined to play a passing game and the ball-playing Stones often lauded for all aspects of his game except his actual defending, merely clearing the danger will no longer cut it at Eastlands. As Redmond told Sky Sports: "From watching them in preparation we knew they would give us chances, they only play three at the back."

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Sturridge faces winter of discontent

There was a conspicuous absence as Liverpool's forwards celebrated the second of their goals in a 2-1 home win over West Bromwich Albion. After volleying in Roberto Firmino's cross to put Liverpool in front, Sadio Mane freed Philippe Coutinho to double the hosts' advantage. Mane, Coutinho and Firmino, grins as wide as the River Mersey, celebrated the second goal with a lighthearted dance. Daniel Sturridge's goal-celebration wiggle used to be a regular sight at Anfield, but he was dropped to the bench as manager Jurgen Klopp recalled the fit-again Adam Lallana to his starting XI. Klopp appears to prefer Firmino to lead the line and when he turned to his bench for extra firepower in stoppage time it was Divock Origi who was told to get ready. Not for the first time, television cameras caught Sturridge looking nonplussed. A long winter beckons for the England striker.

Arsenal lapse a worry for Wenger

Arsene Wenger's 67th birthday proved a damp squib as Arsenal were held to a 0-0 draw by struggling Middlesbrough. Wenger was hoping to toast his birthday by watching Arsenal extend their winning streak in all competitions to eight matches. But there was no celebratory drink for the manager. "When you win, you deserve it (a drink); when you don't, you need it," Wenger said. Following their swaggering midweek rout of Ludogorets in the Champions League, Wenger had warned his players to stay humble, but this lethargic effort was typical of the stumbles that cost Arsenal any chance of winning the title in recent seasons.
Montevideo (AFP) - A former Guantanamo inmate resettled in Uruguay who went on hunger strike to demand relocation to another country has dropped his protest after receiving an offer, activists said Saturday.

Syrian Jihad Diyab, who began his hunger strike more than two months ago, ended his protest and will travel to a new country, the group Vigilia por Diyab (Diyab Watch) announced, without specifying which country.

"After 68 days on hunger strike, Jihan Diyab's quest for his right to family reunification has reached a middle stage... with his health now a very serious issue, he received an offer to travel," the group said in a statement, adding that the 45-year-old is now on limited feeding.

"This doesn't solve his family situation problem, but it is a big step," the group added.

Diyab is one of six former Guantanamo inmates resettled in Uruguay as refugees in 2014, part of a deal with the United States to help close the controversial prison set up in the wake of the September 11 attacks.

The men have repeatedly clashed with the Uruguayan authorities over their living allowances and housing, and complain of feeling isolated in the Spanish-speaking country, which has virtually no Muslim population.

Diyab is asking to be transferred elsewhere and reunited with his family, saying he does not have the means to support them in Uruguay.

He began his hunger strike in August in a Venezuelan prison, where he was detained after leaving Uruguay undetected and showing up at the Uruguayan consulate in Caracas, demanding to be taken to Turkey.

Diyab earlier requested a copy of Uruguay's agreement with the United States on his resettlement.

Uruguay, which has not published the deal, says that he has the right to travel like any other resident.
DOHA (Reuters) - Qatar's former emir, Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad al-Thani died on Sunday, aged 84, Qatar's state news agency QNA reported. He ruled Qatar from 1972 until 1995 when he was deposed in a bloodless palace coup by his son Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, the father of Qatar's current emir Sheikh Tamim. Sheikh Hamad handed power in 2013 to Sheikh Tamim in a rare abdication by a hereditary Gulf Arab ruler to try to ensure a smooth succession. The U.S.-allied state is small, with 2.5 million people, but is the world's largest exporter of liquefied natural gas, a global investment powerhouse and heavy hitter in Middle East diplomacy and international media. Qatar will observe three days of mourning for Sheikh Khalifa, QNA said. (Reporting by Tom Finn; Editing by Ruth Pitchford)
Nizip (Turkey) (AFP) - France's foreign minister urged the international community to "do everything" to end the "massacre" in the Syrian city of Aleppo on Sunday after fighting resumed following a 72-hour truce declared by Damascus ally Russia.

Speaking in the southeastern province of Gaziantep, Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said: "We're 150 km (93 miles) -- perhaps no further -- from Aleppo. And right now bombing, artillery continue to destroy this city and massacre the population."

For Syrian refugees to have the chance to return to their country, "we must do everything to stop this massacre" and resume negotiations to reach a political agreement.

"We cannot come to a negotiation under the bombs... The total war solution is not a solution," Ayrault added as the city was again hit by air strikes and heavy clashes overnight, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Ayrault said the urgency must be to stop the bombing and provide access to humanitarian aid for the first time since July 7.

Outgoing UN chief Ban Ki-moon has said food rations will run out by the end of the month in Aleppo, where 500 people have been killed since the regime last month launched an operation to recapture eastern Aleppo.

During a visit later to a refugee camp in Nizip, southeastern Turkey, the minister reiterated a demand for a UN Security Council resolution condemning the use of chemical weapons in Syria and "sanctions" against the perpetrators.

"We hope that this resolution is not hampered by the use of the veto. If that were the case, it would be a form of complicity with what is happening ... in Syria," he said, indirectly addressing Russia.

Ayrault had called for a UN resolution on Saturday after UN experts said in a report that the Syrian army had attacked a village with chemical weapons last year.

Moscow is one of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's strongest backers, providing military support to the regime.

The French minister will meet with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu in the capital Ankara on Monday to discuss both Syria and the battle against the Islamic State (IS) group, French officials told AFP.

He will also discuss migration and Iraq, where a major offensive began last week to clear IS from Mosul, the country's second biggest city.
- Japanese teenager Shoma Uno, who earlier this year became the first skater to land a quadruple flip in international competition, won the men's short program at Skate America on Saturday. Uno, 18, was last year's Skate America runner-up in his senior-level Grand Prix debut and third in last season's Grand Prix Final at Barcelona. Reigning US champion Adam Rippon was second on 87.32 with 2015 American champion Jason Brown third on 85.75. Chicago hometown favorite Brown missed most of last season with a back injury and was unable to defend his crown earlier this year.

AFP
Police arrested a North Carolina grandma who opened fire in a Walmart parking lot in broad daylight over a custody battle, according to reports.

A judge granted custody of a 2-year-old child to its father instead of the grandmother Thursday morning, reports said.

Read: Pregnant Through Rape, Women Are Forced To Share Child Custody With Their Attackers

When the two met in Walmart to hand off the child, the granny pulled out a gun and tried to shoot the dad, according to Fox 8.

She, however, ended up shooting herself in the foot, and the dad wasnt injured, the report said.

Read: Why a Court Battle Is Looming For Couple Who Streamed Son's Birth on Facebook

Sheila Marie Nougier, 42, was charged with first-degree murder, two counts of assault by pointing a gun, one count of discharging a firearm in city limits and one count injury to personal property.

The child is reportedly safe with its grandfather.

Watch: College Student Gives $10,000 Prize To Grandma Who Saved Her From Foster Care

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ATHENS (Reuters) - Greece's power utility PPC (DEHr.AT) confirmed on Sunday it has received two binding bids for a 24 percent stake in power grid operator ADMIE.

The terms of Greece's international bailout require PPC, which is 51 percent state-owned, to either sell its stake in ADMIE or fully privatise the grid by next year.

PPC said it was examining bids submitted by the Italian power grid Terna (TRN.MI) jointly with infrastructure fund F2i and by China's State Grid International Development (STGRD.UL).

The deadline for the submission of bids expired on Friday. An energy ministry source told Reuters on Friday that PPC had received two bids for ADMIE.

French power grid operator RTE, a unit of state-owned utility EDF, (EDF.PA) which was initially among the short-listed investors, had not made a bid.

Under a timetable approved by parliament, a preferred bidder for ADMIE has to be chosen by Oct. 31 and the deal is expected to be concluded in the first three months of 2017.

(Reporting by Renee Maltezou; Editing by Ruth Pitchford)
By John O'Brien SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Angelique Kerber was forced to dig deep in her WTA Finals opener before the German world number one battled past Dominika Cibulkova 7-6(5) 2-6 6-3 in a high-class baseline slugfest at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Sunday. Earlier, Simona Halep got her campaign off to a perfect start when the Romanian world number four dominated an erratic Madison Keys to kick off round-robin play in the elite eight-woman, season-ending event with a 6-2 6-4 victory. First-time finalist Cibulkova opened with a double fault and Kerber, who won two grand slam titles in 2016, took advantage of her opponent's nervy start to grab an immediate break without having to do much more than get the ball over the net. By contrast, the German found her rhythm right away as she located the corners with ease and used her brilliant retrieving skills to make Cibulkova always play an extra shot when it appeared the point had already been won. The Slovakian, who won her third title of the year in Linz earlier this month, slowly worked her way back into the set with her high-intensity game and pressured Kerber enough to make her cough up two double faults to tie things up at 4-4. The pair were now slugging it out on the baseline and after both held serve through to a tiebreaker, Kerber kept her nerve in the face of some tremendous pressure to edge ahead in the thrilling encounter. Undeterred, Cibulkova made a fast start to the second set as Kerber wavered, breaking her opponent twice in a row to race into a 4-0 lead and, while the German threatened to mount a comeback, the seventh seed drew level with a forehand winner. DOMINANT HALEP With exhaustion kicking in and the points growing shorter, Kerber recovered after suffering an early break and showed the class befitting the world's top-ranked player to reel off four straight games on her way to a hard-fought victory. "I was trying to stay focused in the third set, trying to play my game and be aggressive. That was my plan and it worked well... it was a really close and really tough match," Kerber said. In the opening Red Group match, diminutive Romanian Halep drew first blood in the third game, putting pressure on Keys's backhand side with pinpoint accuracy and converting her fourth break point when the American plonked a weak drive into the net. Buoyed up by the early breakthrough, Halep went for the kill and rattled off the next 11 points on her way to a decisive 5-1 lead as Keys's game unraveled, riddled with unforced errors. Keys, on her first visit to Singapore, continued to mix winners with mistakes and, after trading breaks midway through the second set, a fired-up Halep broke again in the ninth game before serving out the contest in a little more than an hour. "It's always the same with Madison... she's very strong and hits the ball hard so it's tough to match her power," said Halep. "So I have to adjust, be strong with my legs and make the most of my chances." Defending champion Agnieszka Radwanska opens her campaign against Russia's Svetlana Kuznetsova on Monday with Garbine Muguruza and Karolina Pliskova completing the White Group. (Editing by Nick Mulvenney and Clare Fallon)
As the battle against Islamic State militants in Mosul intensified, large numbers of displaced Iraqis arrived at the al-Hol refugee camp in the Kurdish controlled city of Hasaka in northeast Syria, according to a video shared by a pro-opposition media group on October 22. The UNHCR said the agency was providing support to 5,512 Iraqis, 912 of whom were newly arrived.

Plans were in place to extend the refugee camp as the number of Iraqi refugees increased, Kurdish media reported.

These videos were shared by a pro-opposition media group and described as showing the conditions of Iraqis and Syrian refugees in al-Hol camp in Hasaka. Credit: Qasioun Agency
jan brewer

Former Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer, one of the most prominent early Donald Trump supporters, asserted that the Republican presidential nominee was being unfairly "waterboarded" by women accusing Trump of sexual assault.

During a roundtable panel on "State of the Union," the former governor dismissed the 12 women who have accused Trump of sexual assault.

"He's been waterboarded by these issues. It seems like it's really been a put-up oppression of Donald Trump by all these people lining up. It's just unbelievable. And anyone who has been under those kinds of assaults wants to defend themselves," Brewer said.

Panelist Bakari Sellers, a Hillary Clinton supporter, quickly shot back, arguing that during a 2005 exchange with former NBC television personality Billy Bush, Trump himself bragged about kissing and groping women without their permission.

"This waterboarding that the governor is talking about  Donald Trump literally said these things on a tape with Billy Bush, and now they're coming back and people are saying he actually committed those acts," Sellers said.

The Trump campaign has repeatedly pushed back against the allegations of sexual assault.

During a rally on Saturday, the real-estate magnate declared that after the election concluded, he would sue the women who have come forward with allegations against him.

During an interview on "This Week" on Sunday, the Republican presidential nominee's son Eric Trump asserted that his father was a "great fighter" who defends himself against accusations he claims are false.

"Where were these women before? He's one of the most known people in the world," Trump said. "My father's a guy who will fight. He will fight for this country, and he will fight for himself," he added.

NOW WATCH: Golf legend Greg Norman reveals the truth behind President Bill Clinton's late-night 1997 injury





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Jakarta (AFP) - Apple is battling to gain a foothold in Indonesia after nationalistic regulations hit the US tech giant's efforts to compete in the booming emerging market against Samsung and other rivals.

The iPhone 6S and 7 are yet to be released in Southeast Asia's largest economy as Apple struggles to fulfil requirements that phone makers must have 20 percent "local content" for 4G handsets sold in the country.

South Korea's Samsung has been able to meet the demands and gain a share of the market in Indonesia -- a country of 255 million people, with an army of young consumers -- more than 25 times bigger than Apple.

Officials say the regulations that came into force this year are aimed at supporting the growth of the local manufacturing industry, which lags behind its Asian peers, and plan to raise the local content requirement to 30 percent at the start of next year.

But to critics, it is just the latest example of misguided nationalistic rules that hamper rather than help business in Indonesia, which is ranked 109th on the World Bank's ease of doing business index.

The new rules "force companies to rethink the entire supply chain and that is expensive for them to do," Sudev Bangah of International Data Corporation (IDC), a consumer technology market research firm, told AFP.

Apple has encountered problems in other emerging markets, notably India where the Silicon Valley giant is facing roadblocks in its quest to open stores instead of selling products through third-party retailers.

The Indian government reportedly refused in May to exempt Apple from rules stating foreign single-brand retailers must buy at least 30 percent of their parts locally to open their own outlets.

- Local content rules -

In Indonesia meeting the local content rules has been easier for Samsung, as it already had factories in the country, and has added assembly lines to the plants to carry out the final stages of production.

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Other competitors, including Asus, Lenovo, Oppo and Blackberry -- which used to dominate in Indonesia but has seen its market share obliterated -- have also taken steps to fulfil the government's demands.

However officials admit that so far the rules are not boosting Indonesia's phone manufacturing industry as they had hoped. Firms have met the demands by getting local vendors to supply simple parts, such as boxes, manuals and chargers, and hi-tech components are still being imported.

But Apple, which makes most of its handsets in China, has not yet met the requirements. Its iPhone 6S was never released in Indonesia while the 7, currently being rolled out globally, seems unlikely to hit the country's shops any time soon.

Even before the new rules came into effect, things were not easy for Apple in Indonesia.

The iPhone 6 made it into the local market in early 2015, but it was the last country in the world where the model was released as the firm had a tough time getting import licences, according to a source close to the matter.

An Apple spokeswoman refused to comment when contacted by AFP.

Still, government officials pushing the new scheme appear unfazed.

"With the local content requirement, we hope the component industry can grow," Dini Hanggandari, an official overseeing communications technology at the industry ministry, told AFP, adding that smartphone imports had in recent years contributed to Indonesia's negative trade balance.

- Throwing up barriers -

Indonesia is attractive for phone makers and more than 30 million handsets are expected to be shipped to the country this year, according to IDC, but Apple's share of the smartphone market has been languishing at under one percent.

Nevertheless the tech giant is not ready to give up, recently pledging an investment of $45 million to open app development centres in several Indonesian cities in a bid to meet the requirements, according to a proposal submitted to the government by Apple and seen by AFP.

In July the industry ministry relaxed the rules to allow software, such as apps, to be classified as "local content", senior official I Gusti Putu Suryawirawan said.

But the plan has met resistance, highlighting divisions within the government over how to deal with foreign investment.

The barriers being thrown up to smartphone makers fly in the face of President Joko Widodo's own avowed aim to transform Indonesia into Southeast Asia's biggest "digital economy" by 2020, by attracting foreign investment in the tech sector and boosting e-commerce.

"On the one hand you talk about the digital economy, on the other hand, all the regulations cancel out those intentions," John Riady of major conglomerate Lippo Group said at a recent forum in Jakarta.
Arbil (Iraq) (AFP) - Iraqi forces battled on Sunday through booby-traps, sniper fire and suicide car bombs to tighten the noose around Mosul, while also hunting Islamic State group jihadists behind attacks elsewhere in the country.

Kurdish forces announced a new push at dawn on Bashiqa, northeast of Mosul, where some 10,000 fighters are engaged in a huge assault to take the IS-held town.

Turkey's Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said the peshmerga had requested and received Turkish military assistance.

"They (Peshmerga) asked for help from our soldiers at Bashiqa base. We are providing support with artillery, tanks and howitzers," Yildirim told reporters in western Turkey on Sunday.

Ankara's claim came a day after Baghdad turned down a suggestion by visiting US Defence chief Ashton Carter -- who met Kurdish leader Massud Barzani on Sunday -- that Turkey be given a part in the battle.

Launched last Monday, the assault aims to reclaim the last major Iraqi city under IS control, dealing another setback to the jihadists' self-declared "caliphate" in Iraq and neighbouring Syria.

Carter said on Sunday that the idea of simultaneous operations against Mosul and Raqa in Syria "has been part of our planning for quite a while".

He also said destroying IS's external operations capabilities was "our highest priority".

The jihadists on Friday staged a surprise assault on Iraq's Kurdish-controlled city of Kirkuk, and two days later security forces were still tracking down IS fighters there.

The dozens of attackers, including several suicide bombers, failed to seize key government buildings but sowed chaos in the large oil-rich and ethnically mixed city.

At least 51 of the jihadists have been killed, including three more on Sunday, local security officials said.

At least 46 people, most of them in the security forces, were also killed in the raid and ensuing clashes, which had almost completely ceased by late Sunday.

Story continues

Life was returning to normal in some parts of Kirkuk, but security forces in southern neighbourhoods were still hunting for several gunmen.

IS also attacked Rutba, a remote town near the Jordanian border in the western province of Anbar, with five suicide car bombs, the area's top army commander said on Sunday.

The attackers briefly seized the mayor's office but security forces quickly regained the upper hand, he said.

- Fierce IS resistance -

The spectacular attack in Kirkuk, of a type observers warned could happen more often as IS loses territory and reverts to a traditional insurgency, temporarily drew attention away from Mosul.

But there was no sign it had any significant impact on the offensive to retake the city, Iraq's largest military operation in years.

Tens of thousands of fighters, including Iraqi federal troops and Kurdish peshmerga, are taking part in the assault.

Engaged on the northern and eastern fronts, the peshmerga are expected to stop along a line at an average of 20 kilometres (12 miles) from the boundaries of the city proper.

"They are pretty much there," a US military official said on Saturday, adding that the lines "will be solidified in the next day or two".

The peshmerga announced they had secured eight villages near Bashiqa, an IS-held town northeast of Mosul and one of the main Kurdish targets in the offensive.

Elite federal forces were also fighting to retake control of Qaraqosh just east of Mosul. It used to be Iraq's largest Christian town.

Lieutenant General Stephen Townsend, commander of the US-led coalition, said Saturday that jihadist resistance was stiff.

"It's pretty significant, we are talking about enemy indirect fire, multiple IEDs (improvised explosive devices), multiple VBIED (vehicle-borne IEDs) each day, even some anti-tank guided missiles," he said in Baghdad.

Iraqi Kurdish and federal forces rarely release casualty figures, but hospitals behind Kurdish lines were overwhelmed by the number of wounded, an AFP reporter said.

- Heavy casualties -

"We have a shortage of human resources, medical equipment, medicine and specialised doctors," Lawand Meran, a doctor at Arbil West hospital, said.

"Soon, if we have 1,000 casualties, our capacity will not be enough."

US military officials have revised their estimate slightly upward for the number of IS fighters in and around Mosul.

They believe IS is defending Mosul, where the "caliphate" was proclaimed in June 2014, with 3,000 to 5,000 fighters inside the city and 1,000 to 2,000 in the outskirts.

There is deep concern for an estimated 1.2 million civilians still believed to be in the city.

Several thousand civilians fleeing the fighting and the jihadists who ruled them for two years have escaped to camps for the displaced south of Mosul.

"Over 5,000 people are currently displaced and in need of humanitarian assistance," the United Nations said in an update on Sunday.

"Population movements are fluctuating as the front lines move, including people returning to their homes following improved security conditions in the immediate area," it said in a statement.

Iraqi forces are now fighting in sparsely populated areas but when they near the limits of the city itself aid groups fear the start of a huge exodus.

A million people could be displaced, sparking an unprecedented humanitarian emergency in a country where more than three million people have already been forced from their homes since the start of 2014.
Voters will decide Nov. 8 whether they want the state to keep the death penalty or to do away with it and substitute life in prison as punishment for first-degree murder, as a majority of senators in 2015 voted to do in passing a law to repeal capital punishment.

But be aware. The wording of the question on the ballot is confusing. The key question on the ballot is: Do you want to retain the law (LB268) passed by the Legislature on a 32-15 vote that replaces the death penalty with life in prison, or do you want to repeal that law?

If you want to do away with the death penalty, you darken the oval next to "Retain." If you want to keep the death penalty, you vote to "Repeal."

Representatives on both sides of the issue will debate at the University of Nebraska College of Law on Thursday.

Proponents of retaining the repeal, State Sen. Colby Coash and University of Nebraska-Lincoln political science professor Ari Kohen, will face off against advocates for reinstating capital punishment, including former Speaker of the Legislature Mike Flood and Lincoln attorney Bob Evnen.

The 75-minute event, which is free and open to the public, is set for noon Thursday, at the College of Laws Ross McCollum Auditorium, 1875 N. 42nd St.

Advocates on both sides of the issue will have the opportunity to address questions about the systems risk of error, the legality and safety of lethal injection drugs, alleged racial bias in our capital punishment system and more.
The Iraqi army on Saturday, October 22, said its 9th Division had taken the town of Hamdaniyah, also known as Qaraqosh and Bakhdida, about 12 miles from Mosul, the AP reported. Iraqs defense ministry said it raised the flag over its government compound, but forces still faced resistance in and around the town from Islamic State fighters.

This footage, posted on Sunday, October 23, by the defense ministry, shows a number of scenes of operations and combat, some narrated, some natsound. In accompanying text, the defense ministry said at least 100 IS fighters were killed in the operation to retake the city. Credit: YouTube/Iraqi Ministry of Defense
By Saif Hameed and Babak Dehghanpisheh ERBIL (Reuters) - Kurdish fighters said they had taken the town of Bashiqa near Mosul from Islamic State on Sunday as coalition forces pressed their offensive against the jihadists' last stronghold in Iraq. Masoud Barzani, President of the Iraqi Kurdish region, told U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter that the Kurds had succeeded in liberating Bashiqa from Islamic State. Kurdish Peshmerga fighters told reporters at the scene that they had entered Bashiqa. Journalists were not being allowed into the town, which lies 12 km (8 miles) northeast of Mosul. The offensive to take Mosul, by Iraqi and Kurdish forces backed by a U.S.-led coalition, is expected to become the biggest battle in the country since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003. The capture of Bashiqa, if confirmed, would mark the removal of one more obstacle on the road to the northern city. The top U.S. commander in Iraq, Army Lieutenant General Stephen Townsend, said his own information - while limited - "suggests that President Barzani is right, that there has been a considerable success at Bashiqa". But he added: "I have not received a report that says every house has been cleared, every Daesh (Islamic State fighter) has been killed and every IED (roadside bomb) has been removed." Townsend told journalists that Bashiqa was one of the villages outside Mosul that Islamic State had emptied of civilians and fortified over the past two years. Reuters television footage from Nawran, a town near Bashiqa, showed Kurdish fighters using a heavy mortar, a machine gun and small arms as smoke rose over the area. As Peshmerga forces moved though the area, armored vehicles moved along a road and a helicopter flew overhead. The Peshmerga are also using tanks, rocket launchers and snipers. A Reuters photographer saw the fighters destroy at least three suicide car bombs dispatched against their forces. Turkish artillery is supporting the Peshmerga, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim was quoted as saying by CNN Turk and other media outlets. "The Peshmerga have mobilized to cleanse the Bashiqa region from Daesh. They asked for help from our soldiers at the Bashiqa base. So we are helping the tanks with our artillery there," CNN Turk quoted him as saying. Turkey has troops at a base in the area where it has been helping to train Iraqi Kurdish fighters. The artillery support could further strain relations between Ankara and the Baghdad central government, coming a day after Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declined an offer from Turkey to take part in the Mosul campaign. MOSUL DRIVE The offensive to capture Mosul started on Monday. Coalition forces have advanced to within 5 km (3 miles) of the city at the closest point, the interior minister of the Kurdish regional government has said. An Iraqi force of about 30,000, joined by U.S. special forces and under American, French and British air cover, is ready to push into Mosul after recapturing Falluja and Ramadi, west of Baghdad, and seizing the Sunni stronghold of Tikrit in central Iraq. Islamic State have staged attacks apparently aimed at distracting the advancing forces. They hit the city of Kirkuk on Friday and on Sunday they attacked Rutba, a town 360 km (225 miles) west of Baghdad, where they killed at least seven policemen, according to a police source. The mayor, Imad al-Dulaimi, said the insurgents attacked during the night and gained entry to the town by coordinating with sleeper cells there. About 30 insurgents skirmished with tribal fighters and security forces before vanishing. Townsend said Islamic State had staged what he called a complex attack in Rutba, which was being dealt with by Iraqi forces. The attack was intended "to try to draw our attention from Mosul", he said. In an attempt to repel the offensive against Mosul, Islamic State also set fire to a sulfur plant near the city. Up to 1,000 people were treated in hospital after inhaling toxic fumes. EXPLOSIVES Coalition officials have said the offensive is going well, but that it will take a long time to recapture Mosul, which has a civilian population of 1.5 million. Between 4,000 and 8,000 Islamic State fighters have rigged the city with explosives, built oil-filled moats, dug tunnels, and trenches and are feared to be ready to use civilians as human shields. Carter sounded optimistic about the campaign to take Mosul during a trip to Erbil as he praised the Kurdish region's Peshmerga fighters. "I'm here to commend you and your forces. Im encouraged by what I see," Carter told Barzani during talks. Peshmerga spokesman Brigadier General Halgord Hekmet told reporters that 25 Kurdish forces had been killed so far. "There (are) a lot of wounded," Hekmet said, speaking through a translator. He spoke positively about air support his forces were receiving from the coalition but said more military assistance was needed, starting with armored vehicles and equipment to detect roadside bombs. "Most of our Peshmerga got killed because they were riding in regular cars, not armored," Hekmet said. During the meeting, Barzani said the Mosul operation had started successfully and cited good progress over the past three days. He thanked the United States and the coalition for their support. In Rome, Pope Francis said he was close to the Iraqi people and in particular to the citizens of Mosul. "Our souls are shaken by the brutal acts of violence that for too long have been carried out against innocent citizens, be they Muslim, Christian or from other ethnic and religious groups." He had been saddened by reports that numerous people, including many children, had been "killed in cold blood". (Additional reporting by Phil Stewart, Bushra Shakhshir, Silvia Aloisi, Yesim Dikmen and Tuvan Gumrukcu; Writing by Giles Elgood; Editing by Pravin Char)
Italys Guardia Costiera dispatched 20 operations to rescue almost 2,400 migrants over the weekend. Reports said that the Italian Coast Guard recovered seven dead bodies on Friday and another seven the next day.

These videos show two different rescue operations; the second depicts an event recounted in this report, in which a rubber dinghy with dozens of refugees in it was discovered in the middle of another rescue operation. Credit: YouTube/Guardia Costiera
* Deficit must grow to cope with migrants: finance minister

* Taking the "Hungarian way" would bring disaster

* Brussels must recognise Rome's efforts in crisis-Renzi (Adds Renzi's comments)

By Silvia Aloisi

MILAN, Oct 23 (Reuters) - The European Union must choose between letting Rome hike its budget deficit to cope with the costs of migrants and an earthquake, or siding with the "Hungarian way" of building barriers, Italy's economy minister said.

The Italian government has been stepping up anti-Brussels rhetoric after announcing an expansionary 2017 budget plan on Oct. 15 ahead of a referendum on constitutional reform that may decide Prime Minister Matteo Renzi's political future.

"Europe must choose which side to take. They can accept the fact that our deficit goes up from 2 percent to 2.3 percent (of gross domestic product) to tackle the earthquake and the migrant emergencies," Pier Carlo Padoan told la Repubblica daily in an interview on Sunday.

"Or they can choose the Hungarian way, which puts up walls against the migrants and must be rejected. That would be the beginning of the end."

The budget raised previously agreed targets for the budget deficit and the public debt, with Rome insisting it needs leeway to deal with the migrant crisis on its Mediterranean borders and reconstruction after the August earthquake.

The European Commission is considering sending Rome a letter warning against breaking the bloc's budget rules, officials have said. Italian newspapers said the letter could arrive on Monday.

Fitch Ratings agency cut its outlook for Italy on Friday, saying weak growth, high debt and the uncertain outcome of the Dec. 4 referendum posed risks to the euro zone's third-largest economy. Fitch said Italy's track record of "repeated delay and back-loading of fiscal consolidation reduces credibility."

Padoan said Italy had spent more money than any other European state on migrants and refugees.

"So far no one has recognised our financial commitment ... It's a political problem, that concerns the future of the continent," he said.

Story continues

In an interview with state television, Renzi said Italy was not arguing with Europe over a few decimal points of budget deficit but wanted Brussels to sanction eastern European countries who rejected migrants.

"Italy today contributes 20 billion euros to the EU budget and gets back 12 billion euros. What we are saying to our European friends is: can we at least make sure that the countries who take the money also take in the migrants?

"We help rescue people at sea, while eastern countries who had walls and the iron curtain, who were rescued by Europe, now shut the door and put up walls... this for me is unacceptable, and it applies to Hungary as well as many others."

Shrugging off the threat of a formal European Commission warning, he said the budget plan would be submitted to parliament this week, after opposition parties complained of a delay.

Renzi was even more defiant on Friday, saying he will not be swayed by EU "technocracy" and will not change the budget law.

Opinion polls suggest Renzi may lose the referendum on his plan to reduce the role of the Senate and centralise decision making. But he has packed the budget with potentially vote-winning measures.

(Reporting by Silvia Aloisi; Editing by Ros Russell/Rut Pitchford)
MILAN, Oct 23 (Reuters) - Italy's economy minister said on Sunday the European Union must choose between allowing Rome to raise its deficit to cope with a recent earthquake and the migrant crisis, or the "Hungarian way" of putting up barriers, which he said would spell doom for the bloc.

"Europe must choose which side to take. They can accept the fact that our deficit goes up from 2 percent to 2.3 percent (of gross domestic product) to tackle the earthquake and the migrant emergencies," Pier Carlo Padoan told la Repubblica daily in an interview.

"Or they can choose the Hungarian way, which puts up walls against the migrants and must be rejected. That would be the beginning of the end."

The Italian government has been stepping up an anti-Brussels rhetoric after unveiling an expansionary 2017 budget plan last week ahead of a referendum on constitutional reform that may decide Prime Minister Matteo Renzi's political future.

The budget hiked previously agreed targets for the budget deficit and the public debt, with Rome insisting it needs fiscal leeway to deal with the migrant crisis on its Mediterranean borders and reconstruction after a huge earthquake in August.

The European Commission has numerous concerns about the plan and is considering sending Rome a warning letter, officials have said.

In a further blow for the government, Fitch Ratings agency cut its outlook for Italy on Friday, saying weak growth, high debt and the uncertain outcome of the Dec. 4 referendum posed risks to the euro zone's third-largest economy. Fitch said Italy's track record of "repeated delay and back-loading of fiscal consolidation reduces credibility."

Padoan said Italy had spent more money than any other European state to deal with the inflow of migrants and refugees.

"So far no one has recognised our financial commitment ... It's a political problem, that concerns the future of the continent," he said.

Renzi was even more defiant on Friday, saying he will not be swayed by the EU and will not change the budget law. "We want to address the needs of Italian citizens, not Brussels technocracy," he said.

Opinion polls suggest Renzi may lose the referendum on his plan to reduce the role of the Senate and centralise decision making. But he has packed the budget with potentially vote-winning measures.

(Reporting by Silvia Aloisi; Editing by Ros Russell)
Prior to the 2017 Grammy Awards, Jack White will be celebrated for his "accomplishments and ongoing support for the art and craft of recorded music," a statement from the Record Academy announces.

White is set to be honored as part of the Recording Academy's annual Producers and Engineers Wing event on Feb. 8, 2017 in West Los Angeles.

"For years, we've marveled at Jack White's prodigious musicianship and have revered him as a guitar-playing mastermind, but we think it's important to recognize his significant contributions 'behind the glass' as well. There seems to be no limit to Jack's pioneering creativity and unbridled passion, and it's those qualities that embody the spirit of all of our Producers & Engineers Wing members. It's with great pride that we honor such a talent who is committed to working diligently to ensure that the quality and integrity of recorded music are captured and preserved," Neil Portnow, the Recording Academy's president and CEO, says.

The Producers & Engineers Wing was established for producers, engineers and other professionals in the recording industry. Past honorees include T Bone Burnett, Jimmy Iovine, Quincy Jones, Rick Rubin, Neil Young and more.

The Grammys air on Feb. 12, 2017 at 8 p.m. on CBS. Nominations will be announced on Dec. 6.
Japanese teenager Shoma Uno landed three quadruple jumps to capture the Skate America men's title by winning Sunday's free skate at the ISU Grand Prix season opener.

The 18-year-old from Nagoya took his second career Grand Prix title after last year in France with 279.34 points to defeat 2015 American champion Jason Brown by 10.96 with reigning US champion Adam Rippon third on 261.43.

Uno, the youngest Skate America champion since France's Brian Joubert in 2002, became the fourth Japanese men's winner in the past five Skate Americas. The title has gone to a Japanese man in nine of 12 years.

Uno, who won Saturday's short program as well, took the free skate with 190.19 points with Brown, who missed most of last season with a back injury, second on 182.63 and Rippon third on 174.11.

"My warmup didn't feel so good but I was still able to pull it out and I'm satisfied with that," Uno said. "The first half of my program was great. I missed a combination near the end and I regret that."

Uno was last year's Skate America runner-up in his senior-level Grand Prix debut and third in last season's Grand Prix Final at Barcelona.

Brown was ruled not to have landed a quadruple jump by the technical committee but came close enough to feel he had achieved the feat.

"I've trained so hard for this moment," he said. "I've dreamed about it. Today it just hit."

Rippon, 26, was happy with his finish given he had only finalized his free skate routine 10 days earlier. He said he intends to be a contender at the 2018 Olympics.

"I'm older. I'm wiser. I'm in the best shape," he said. "And I think in 16 months I'll be in better shape, not just to go to the Olympics but to make a mark."

Siblings Maria and Alex Shibutani, the reigning US champions, won the free dance to capture the ice dance crown with 185.75 points. Another US duo, Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue, was second on 175.77 with Russia's Ekaterina Bobrova and Dmitri Soloview third, another point adrift.
Whats the endgame for a business? Is it to enrich investors? Is it to crush competitors? Is it to maximize profits?

For insiders, high stock prices, crippled competition, and fat profits sound great. But for outsiders, including customers and clients of those businesses, none of those ends are very comforting. Indeed, unsavory incentives encourage corporate misbehavior. Consider the recent scandal plaguing Wells Fargo (WFC), where employees were pressured to sell customers products that they didnt want or need.

A business ceases to be without customers. So its critical for businesses to telegraph to their customers that theyre not in the business of screwing people.

In recent weeks, weve heard Warren Buffett, Jamie Dimon and Jeff Bezos talk about managing their businesses. Respectively, theyre the CEOs of Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-A, BRK-B), JPMorgan Chase (JPM) and Amazon.com (AMZN). These are three very different companies, but all are regarded highly and all are worth hundreds of billions of dollars.

Whats their secret?

Customer first

In their recent talks, all three of these giants of business emphasized one thing: customer first.

At the Economic Club of Washington DC in September, JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon discussed what eventually led to his ouster from Citigroup in 1998. At the time, top brass were creating an organizational structure that Dimon was convinced would create chaos at the banking conglomerate. But they followed through because, according to Dimon, It worked for them.

It doesnt matter if it works for you, Dimon said of business executives. When you hear a CEO say, It works for me, you should question their intelligence. Because its not the way you should look at business. Its what works for the client, ultimately.

JPMorgan Chase is the largest bank in America.

Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase

Amazon.com CEO Jeff Bezos echoed this priority during the Vanity Fair New Establishment Summit last week.

The core of the company is customer-obsession as opposed to competitor-obsession, Bezos said. Customers are always dissatisfied and they always want more. So they pull you along. If youre trying to serve them, they pull you along.

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In other words, customers force you to evolve. And by definition, theyre also the best source of feedback regarding the customer.

If you want to be pioneering, if you want to be inventive and if you want a culture thats experimental, then you want to be customer-obsessed, he said.

Amazon.com is the 800lb gorilla in online retail, which has supplanted the brick-and-mortar retail business model.

Warren Buffett

Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett refined this not-so-secret secret to success at Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses event in July.

Tomorrow morning when you look in the mirror after youve gotten up, just write  or just put it in lipstick or whatever you want  delight my customer not satisfy my customer. Delight my customer, he said.

Buffett explained that an investment in delighting a customer can have a lucrative multiplier effect.

Any business that has delighted customers has a salesforce out there that you dont have to pay. You dont see them, but they are talking to people all the time, he added.

This customer-first mindset may seem obvious. But it becomes challenging to execute in a business environment riddled with incentives slanted toward short-term goals, which can often come at the cost of the customer.

Perhaps now is a good time for managers and shareholders to consider the success of folks like Bezos, Dimon and Buffett, who have built their fortunes and the fortunes of their shareholders by putting the customer first.



Sam Ro is managing editor at Yahoo Finance.

Read more:

A gut-wrenching lesson to novice investors

How a bad story can cripple the economy

Warren Buffett: The foundation of every market bubble is a sound premise
Jim Steinle and Liz Sullivan lost their daughter, Kate Steinle, after she was shot and killed while walking with her father on a San Francisco pier. Her alleged murderer is an illegal immigrant who had seven felony convictions and was deported to Mexico five times. Donald Trump has seized on this issue throughout his campaign, inviting relatives of people killed by illegal immigrants on stage at rallies and at the RNC. See more at yahoo.com/16in2016.
Joe Biden found two quarters and weve never seen anyone so excited about free money

The world of professional psychology better listen up because there is a whole new level of happiness, and it is called Joe Biden-finding-two-quarters-on-the-ground style happiness. The countrys Vice President was recently in Burlington, Vermont to speak about cancer research when he serendipitously stumbled upon his glorious find.

Weve never seen someone get so extremely excited over what feels like such a normal thing.

Sure, fifty cents is a lot more than, say, a mere penny. But we never thought it could be something to get so stoked over. Until, of course, we saw the VPs joy and realized we werent enjoying enough of the little things in life.

my goals are to be as happy as Joe Biden finding two quarters pic.twitter.com/zna1A2sD5q  shelboob (@iwannapettadog) October 22, 2016

It happened in the way it does for so many of us  leaving a restaurant, watching your step on the way out and then you see it. Theres some slightly rusted loose change sitting on the pavement, just waiting to be picked up. And everything in the world gets a little better in that moment.

While fifty cents will make absolutely no impact on the larger issues Biden constantly deals with in his position, its nice to see that such a small denomination can have such a great effect on his mental health.

Plus, the infectious photos of Bidens reaction have been wonderful for the Twitterverse.

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national debt before:

$19,000,000,000

national debt after:

$18,999,999,999.50https://t.co/9UGFjy5Vyw  SUCH a nasty woman (@alexnoga) October 22, 2016

I hope to find a girl that's as excited to find me as Joe Biden is to find 2 quarters pic.twitter.com/JCNiYmqZM6  Carlitos  (@Vagabondster) October 23, 2016

Joe Biden personally reduces national deficit everyday by scrounging around for quarters between couch cushions & in restaurant parking lots pic.twitter.com/NFXjq2aIgX  Not Sure (@Bostonofgregg) October 22, 2016

Finally. Some good news in politics.https://t.co/phpD1rXi09  spooklewski (@OMGodlewski) October 22, 2016

We have no idea how hell spend it, of course. There are so many possibilities with two whole quarters! Maybe hell buy a banana at the bodega or get charitable and pay someones meter. Based on his delighted reaction, the world is his oyster right now and literally anything is possible.

The post Joe Biden found two quarters and weve never seen anyone so excited about free money appeared first on HelloGiggles.
Mrs. Frances Scott of 3900 N. Main St. celebrated her 95th birthday Oct. 21 with the Racine International Folk Dancers at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, and Oct. 22 at a dinner with her children and grandchildren.

The former Frances DAcquisto was born on Oct. 22, 1921, in Solanto, Sicily, Italy. She moved to the United States with her parents as an infant.

Frances married Roman Scott on Aug. 4, 1951, at Holy Communion Lutheran Church. He died Sept. 25, 2003.

Mrs. Scott served in World War II in the Womens Army Corps (WAC). Upon returning to Racine, she was a special education teacher for the Racine Unified School District in the early 1950s until leaving to raise her family. In the 1970s she was a typist for the Racine Unified School District directors. Later she worked with her husband in their family-owned and operated business, Sheridan Auto Sales and Service. Mrs. Scott retired when her daughters took over the business in 1982.

Mrs. Scotts greatest joy is folk dancing and she rarely missed a Friday night with the Racine International Folk Dancers since the group started more than 45 years ago. She credits her good health and agility to folk dancing. Even though she is the oldest member of the group, Mrs. Scott is the only person who never sits out a dance all evening long. She is full of love and is a role model to many who know her.

Mrs. Scott enjoys music and regularly attends the First Presbyterian Church Music & More series, as well as the Friday noon concerts on Monument Square. She enjoys an active and curious mind, and loves to attend lectures at the library or at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside.

Mrs. Scott has been a lifelong social activist, focusing on peace and unity among nations, and received the Don Thompson Award for International Peace. She regularly attends the Racine Interfaith Coalition prayer vigils. Mrs. Scott volunteered for the Parents Helpline for 15 years, and also volunteered with St. Lukes Hospice program from its inception.

Mrs. Scott has been a member of Olympia Brown Unitarian Universalist Church since 1963.

She has four children: Alan (Deidre) of Chicago, and Andrea Scott, Lisa Scott (Gerald) Ptacek and Maria Scott, all of Racine. Mrs. Scott has five grandchildren.
Joe Giudice may be in prison serving a 41-month term after pleading guilty to multiple counts of bankruptcy fraud, but that doesn't stop him from being a doting husband. The Real Housewives of New Jersey star sent his wife, Teresa Giudice, two beautiful flower arrangements to celebrate their 17th anniversary on Sunday.

WATCH: Teresa Giudice Opens Up About Husband Joe's Life in Prison: 'He Looks Really Good'

"What a surprise got these beautiful roses from Joe for our Anniversary today October 23, 1999," Teresa captioned a photo of a huge bouquet of red roses via Instagram. "I spent 17 years married with man that I know my whole life pretty amazing adore and love him."

What a surprise got these beautiful roses from Joe for our Anniversary today October 23, 1999. I spent 17 years married with man that I know my whole life pretty amazing adore and love him.  A photo posted by Teresa Giudice (@teresagiudice) on Oct 23, 2016 at 6:10am PDT

Joe didn't stop there. A few hours later, another bouquet arrived for Teresa. The brightly colored arrangement was filled with orchids, roses and other assorted flowers and included a card reading, "Happy anniversary. Love you with all my heart. Joe."

"I also just got more flowers for our 17 Year Wedding Anniversary!!! Love my honey #grateful #love #soulmate," the 44-year-old reality star wrote on Instagram.

I also just got more flowers for our 17 Year Wedding Anniversary!!! Love my honey  #grateful #love #soulmate A photo posted by Teresa Giudice (@teresagiudice) on Oct 23, 2016 at 6:41am PDT

A source close to the couple says they're not sure if Joe sent the flowers from jail himself or if he had someone do it for him. Regardless, he is said to be doing well in prison. "As you know, he had a rough start adjusting to being away from his family in the beginning, but he's in a really good place right now," the source told ET.

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NEWS: Teresa Giudice Won't Say the Word 'Criminal': 'I Don't Consider Myself That

"He calls home multiple times per day to talk to Teresa and the girls, just like she did when she was away," they added. "He misses the girls so much and cannot wait to get home, but Joe will get through this, just like Teresa did. They have to."

Teresa served an 11-month sentence for her part in the crime last year. The court allowed the couple to serve their sentences at different times so that one parent could stay home to look after their four daughters.

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Calais (France) (AFP) - French authorities will on Monday begin moving thousands of people out of the notorious Calais Jungle before demolishing the camp that has served as a launchpad for attempts to sneak into Britain.

A major three-day operation is planned to clear the sprawling shanty town near Calais port -- a symbol of Europes failure to resolve its migrant crisis -- of its estimated 6,000-8,000 occupants.

More than 1,200 police officers will be deployed to prevent any unrest as the migrants are directed to buses that will take them to temporary shelters nationwide where they can seek asylum.

The closure of the squalid camp is aimed at relieving tensions in the Calais area, where clashes between police and migrants trying to climb onto trucks heading to Britain are an almost nightly occurrence.

As officials and charity workers spread out across the Jungle on Sunday distributing flyers about the camp's impending demolition, some were still clinging to hopes of a new life across the Channel.

"They'll have to force us to leave. We want to go to Britain," said Karhazi, a young Afghan among many of the migrants who had their hearts set on Britain, believing it to offer better prospects.

"We have yet to convince some people to accept accommodation and give up their dream of Britain. That's the hardest part," Didier Leschi, head of the French immigration office OFII told AFP.

Aid agencies have warned that some migrants could try resist being relocated.

There were riots when French authorities razed the southern half of the settlement in March.

A Syrian man named Sam who spent 13 months in the Jungle told AFP he had fled the camp on Saturday night to an undisclosed location about 12 kilometres (seven miles) away where he said "dozens" of migrants were hiding out to avoid being moved.

But as winter sets in and the rain turns part of the Jungle into a swamp, some residents have cautiously welcomed the chance of a warm bed.

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"The officials say tomorrow is the beginning of something better. Let's hope this is true," Faisal al-Ajab, a 39-year-old Sudanese man who has already applied for asylum in France but is still waiting for housing, said.

- The Jungle is 'over' -

The flyers distributed on Sunday instructed the migrants in Arabic, Tigrinya, Pashto and other languages to show up at a hangar next to the camp from 8:00 am on Monday (0600 GMT) with their luggage.

There they will be separated into four groups for families, single men, unaccompanied minors and other people considered vulnerable before boarding one of 60 buses that will take them to nearly 300 shelters nationwide.

British officials have been racing to process child refugees seeking to be transferred to Britain before they become scattered throughout France.

By Saturday, the number of minors given a one-way ticket to Britain under a fast-tracked process for children launched a week ago stood at 194, according to France Terre d'Asile, a charity helping in the process.

Most have relatives across the Channel but 53 girls without family in Britain also departed France at the weekend.

A spokesman for Britain's interior ministry confirmed it had "now started the process of taking in those children without close family links".

Adult migrants with relatives in Britain have complained about being left out in the cold. Some have vowed to keep trying to stow away on a truck or to jump onto a train entering the Channel Tunnel.

Dozens of migrants have died in such attempts.

The dire security and humanitarian situation in the Jungle  situated on a former rubbish dump where migrants first established a camp in the early 2000s  has long been a bone of contention between France and Britain.

The centre-right front-runner in next year's French presidential election, Alain Juppe, has called for Britain's border with France, which was extended to Calais under a 2003 accord, to be moved back to British soil.
Calais (France) (AFP) - With only hours to go before workers begin to demolish France's "Jungle" migrant camp Monday, officials are racing to process as many young people as possible to be transferred to Britain.

As a result, the pace is brisk at the camp outside Calais: young migrants are shown into a shipping container where British Home Office officials have set up shop, their photos are taken quickly, and they then undergo a short interview to decide their fate.

"We have conducted 600 interviews in all, and this week 194 minors will have left Calais for Britain," said Pierre Henry, the head of France Terre D'Asile (FTDA), a charity involved in helping process the children on behalf of the French government.

The aim is to deal with as many cases as they can, out of the around 1,300 minors identified in the camp, including 500 with links to Britain -- and then to convince London to accept as many as possible.

It is unclear how many Britain will take. "An aim of 600 transfers at least was given," said an official familiar with the talks.

On Sunday a first group of children -- around 70 in all -- with no pre-existing connection to Britain arrived in the country, the UK Home Office said.

The issue of transfers is sensitive. A French official source described the negotiations with London as "very tough" and said: "We would like to go further."

Only 70 children were transferred between the start of the year and early October, before plans to tear down the camp swung into high gear.

Britain was accused of dragging its feet but France too was accused of holding up the process, by failing to present enough cases for consideration.

- Enlarged family -

As the demolition date loomed, the pace had to be stepped up: a list of minors was presented to Britain, which dispatched 17 officials from the Home Office to help carry out interviews, alongside around a dozen staff from France Terre d'Asile, with support from the UN refugee agency, the UNHCR.

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In the packed container, adolescents are invited to give more details -- in languages including Arabic and Pashto -- about their identity and what family ties they have in Britain.

In many cases, the relatives are uncles or cousins.

"It is rare that they have a mother or father there," said Henry.

"I don't have a family, I've crossed Europe on my own," said Maharawi, a slender 17-year-old Afghan waiting in line Saturday with his friend Anwar, who has a brother in Britain.

"I gave his telephone number, they are going to call him. After that I hope to leave," he said.

It is up to the British to decide whether they are indeed minors, what their family ties are and if they should be transferred under an EU law known as the Dublin Regulation for asylum seekers enabling reunification with relatives.

"If we can take all the minors who have the right under the Dublin procedure, we will do so," said a diplomatic source.

- Vulnerable -

But what happens to children with no family ties? This is where the matter becomes complicated.

For them one option is to apply under a British legislative amendment that allows a limited number of vulnerable child refugees into the country, even if they do not have family in Britain.

The so-called Dubs amendment passed in May was tabled by Alfred Dubs, an 83-year-old member of Britain's House of Lords who argued that the country should be more compassionate, citing his own story of fleeing the Nazis as a child in 1939.

But deciding who is most vulnerable is tricky.

"It's more complicated because you have to determine if the child can meet the criteria for a refugee," said a diplomatic source.

On Saturday, 53 girls were among the first "Dubs kids" to enter Britain under the amendment, Henry of France Terre d'Asile said.

The French are hoping more will follow.

"The British have to move on Dubs," a French official said.

Minors who were passed over this week will see their chances of being admitted legally to Britain dwindle once the Jungle is razed in a major operation due to start Monday.

They will be accommodated in containers at the site for two weeks and then moved to shelters around France.

Conscious of the urgency, young men hoping to be among the chosen few repeatedly pressed up against at the fence surrounding the area where the interviews were taking place this weekend.
By Julia Edwards and Diane Bartz

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - AT&T Inc's (T.N) proposed $85 billion takeover of Time Warner Inc (TWX.N) generated skepticism among both Democrats and Republicans on Sunday, making it more likely that regulators will closely scrutinize the effort to create a new telecommunications and media giant.

The biggest deal of the year, announced just over two weeks before the Nov. 8 U.S. election, is a gamble on a victory for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and a continuation of the status quo on anti-trust and regulatory enforcement.

The Republican candidate Donald Trump, who is trailing Clinton in the polls, has said he would block the takeover.

The billionaire businessman has railed against the media's role in what he has described as a "rigged" election and he believes the acquisition of Time Warner, which owns CNN and Warner Bros, Hollywood's largest film and television studio, would concentrate too much power in one organization.

"AT&T, the original and abusive 'Ma Bell' telephone monopoly, is now trying to buy Time Warner and thus the wildly anti-Trump CNN. Donald Trump would never approve such a deal because it concentrates too much power in the hands of the too and powerful few," Trump economic advisor Peter Navarro said in a statement on Sunday.

Clinton, who has expressed misgivings about other corporate mega mergers, has not yet commented on the takeover.

But Senator Bernie Sanders, Clinton's former rival for the Democratic party's nomination, said on Twitter that the administration should "kill" the Time Warner takeover because it would mean higher prices and fewer choices for consumers.

Sanders' comments carry weight because Clinton needs Sanders' coalition of young and left-leaning voters to propel her to the presidency.

Clinton spokesman Brian Fallon told reporters on Sunday there were "a number of questions and concerns" about the deal "but there's still a lot of information that needs to come out before any conclusions should be reached."

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The Senate subcommittee on antitrust will hold a hearing on the acquisition sometime in November, said subcommittee chair Senator Mike Lee, a Republican, and the ranking Democrat, Senator Amy Klobuchar.

Tim Kaine, Clinton's running mate and a senator from Virginia, said lawmakers and regulators would have to review the deal and "get to the bottom" of questions over whether the merger would decrease competition.

"Less concentration, I think, is generally helpful especially in the media," Kaine said on NBC's "Meet the Press."

The U.S. Justice Department, not the president, has the power to reject such a deal if it violates antitrust laws. AT&T said it is unclear if the Federal Communications Commission will also have jurisdiction to review the deal.

A spokesman for the Justice Department declined to comment.

AT&T has described the deal as a "vertical merger" because there is no overlap between the two companies and hopes that such a tie-up will get the regulatory green light by the end of 2017.

In the modern history of the media and the Internet, the U.S. government has always approved vertical mergers like ours, because they benefit consumers, strengthen competition, and, in our case, encourage innovation and investment, David McAtee, AT&T senior executive vice president and general counsel, said in a statement on Sunday.

The Time Warner takeover mirrors the 2013 $30 billion purchase of NBCUniversal by its rival Comcast (CMCSA.O), a deal which was cleared after regulators imposed concessions on the cable operator.

COMPETITORS ENVISION 'CLOSE' SCRUTINY

The cash and stock deal brings together two very different companies -- one a telecoms company that traces its heritage back to Alexander Graham Bell, the other an entertainment company founded in the Hollywood of the 1920s.

But the tie-up, which is designed to boost the content AT&T can stream over its network, raises concerns that AT&T might try to limit distribution of Time Warner material.

Competitors such as NBCUniversal, Twenty-First Century Fox Inc (FOXA.O) and the Walt Disney Co. (DIS.N) could find that their content could be put at a disadvantage, some consumer advocacy groups suggested.

"A transaction of this magnitude obviously warrants very close regulatory scrutiny," said Zenia Mucha, chief communications officer for Disney.

NBC Universal, which is owned by Comcast Corp and Fox declined to comment on the merger.

Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos, speaking on Saturday at the Institute on Entertainment Law and Business conference at the University of Southern California, said he expected a close examination of the deal by regulators.

CONGRESSIONAL EXAMINATION

Senators Lee and Klobuchar said their subcommittee would "carefully review" the merger to make sure it does not harm consumers.

Lawmakers may pursue inquiries into the merger and build support for or against it, but it is ultimately up to the Justice Department to approve, block or place conditions on the deal.

Two of the biggest congressional critics of the mega-mergers among media companies and elsewhere in the U.S. economy said late on Saturday that they would take a hard look at this deal.Senator Richard Blumenthal, who is on the Senate Judiciary Committee, noted the proposed acquisition would combine a wireless company, a pay-TV provider and a studio."I will be looking closely at what this merger means for consumers and their pocketbooks and whether it stands up to the rigorous review standards set by the Department of Justice's antitrust division in the last few years," he said.Senator Al Franken, who is also on the Judiciary Committee, said that the deal raised "immediate flags.""I'm skeptical of huge media mergers because they can lead to higher costs, fewer choices, and even worse service for consumers," he said. "And regulators often agree, like when Comcast unsuccessfully tried to buy Time Warner Cable, a deal that I fiercely opposed."

(Additional reporting by David Shepardson in Washington and Jessica Toonkel in New York.; Editing by Bill Trott and Mary Milliken)
These ladies were born before women had the right to vote, and now theyre voting for Hillary Clinton

No matter what side of the political rift you stand on, this presidential election has been a particularly tough one. The outcome of it will basically determine the future of our country and young people have been more involved than ever. In fact, earlier this week Chelsea Clinton herself spoke with us about her mothers plans for helping women.

But its not young people alone who could change history.

There are women who were born before women could even vote who now plan on voting for the first female presidential nominee.

Now thats just amazing.

It all began with this post by the granddaughter of Estelle Schultz:

Estelle Schultz

I'm posting this on the request of my 98-year-old grandma, who doesn't use computers. In her words: "Estelle L. Schultz,... Posted by Sarah Benor on Thursday, October 6, 2016

The Facebook post received a huge response, and the granddaughters friend suggested that they should collect and publish stories similar to her Estelles. The two friends and feminists created the website I Waited 96 Years!

Geraldine Emmett

Geraldine "Jerry" Emmett, 102Prescott, Arizona I believe Hillary will do an excellent job http://www.iwaited96years.com/geraldine Posted by I Waited 96 Years on Saturday, October 22, 2016

In Geraldines words: I am looking forward to the 1st Female U.S. President. I believe Hillary will do an excellent job as President not because she is a woman but because she is most qualified.

Rose Rak

Rose Rak, age 95Derby, Connecticut"At first I was surprised to have a woman run for president. After listening to her,... Posted by I Waited 96 Years on Saturday, October 22, 2016

Rose said, At first I was surprised to have a woman run for president. After listening to her, I really think that Hillary is sincere and she will be good for the country. I am hoping she will work for the working man. Even though I am not 96 yet, I think 95 years is long enough to wait.

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Sylvia Schulman

She's 99, and she finally got to vote for a woman for president. Sylvia says, "We as women can do anything we want." http://www.iwaited96years.com Posted by I Waited 96 Years on Friday, October 21, 2016

Its true. We can be anything we want.

Alyse Laemmle

Centenarian shares her voting story: Alyse, 100, born before the 19th Amendment was ratified, will cast her vote the first woman president. http://www.iwaited96years.com/alyse Posted by I Waited 96 Years on Friday, October 21, 2016

I think Hillary Clinton is an outstanding human being. I am not voting for her because she is a woman, but because she is an outstanding human being, said Alyse.

Alice Siegel

Alice, 96, born before women could vote, now voting for a woman president: I can t say how proud I am to get to vote for her . http://www.iwaited96years.com/alice Posted by I Waited 96 Years on Friday, October 21, 2016

Alice said, I have been voting for as long as I can remember, but it is unusually wonderful because this time we are voting for a lady candidate. She is so intelligent and has such wonderful experience. I cant say how proud I am to get to vote for her. Also we have to have her win. You know why.

Notice how these women all point out they arent just voting for Hillary because shes a woman. They truly find her inspirational. To read about more of these amazing women, check out the I Waited 96 Years! website.

The post These ladies were born before women had the right to vote, and now theyre voting for Hillary Clinton appeared first on HelloGiggles.
VILNIUS (Reuters) - Lithuanians began voting on Sunday in an election run-off in the European Union member state with the center-right opposition likely to oust the current coalition which has failed to rejuvenate the country's sluggish economy. The opposition Homeland Union party and Lithuanian Peasants and Greens parties won 40 seats between them in the first round of the election and are projected to end up with 60 to 102 seats in the 141-member parliament after regional run-offs, data on the state election commission's website showed. "I think there is a 70 percent (probability) that we will be in opposition", Social Democrat prime minister Algirdas Butkevicius told reporters after casting his vote on Sunday. The opposition says it will boost foreign investment in the former Soviet republic and tackle emigration to wealthier parts of the European Union. Lithuania's population has shrunk to 2.9 million from 3.3 million a decade ago. The first round of the election determined around half the seats in parliament based on proportional representation. The second round, which elects the second half of the parliament, is a regional run-off between the top two candidates in regions where no candidate got above 50 percent of the vote. The center-left Social Democrat party, which leads the current government, is on course to be the third largest party in the new parliament, paying the price for failing to breathe life into an economy that has struggled to catch up with the richer countries in Europe, analysts said. The Lithuanian Peasants and Greens party, also-rans in past elections, has attracted large numbers of protest votes while the Homeland Union was ejected from power in the previous national election in 2012 after implementing unpopular austerity measures. (Reporting By Andrius Sytas; Editing by Ros Russell)
Vilnius (AFP) - Lithuania's left-wing government was fighting for survival Sunday in a run-off election clouded by an exodus of workers that has fuelled a demographic crisis in the Baltic eurozone state.

Official results expected later on Sunday were forecast to hand victory to either the conservative Homeland Union or the centrist Lithuanian Peasants and Green Union party (LPGU).

No exit polls were issued after the close of voting at 1700 GMT. Lithuania's election commission tallied turnout at 38 percent of the 2.5 million eligible voters.

Both main opposition parties scored just over 21 percent of the vote in round one of the election on October 9, while Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevicius's Social Democrats trailed in third with just 14.42 percent.

Three other small political parties entered parliament after the first round, signalling that complicated coalition talks lie ahead in the coming days.

Tipped as the next prime minister, Homeland Union leader Gabrielius Landsbergis has presented himself as the face of change.

The 34-year-old grandson of Lithuanian independence icon Vytautas Landsbergis has vowed to fight emigration by creating jobs, reforming education, boosting exports and foreign investment.

Landsbergis has said he is keen to forge a coalition with the LPGU but has ruled out a deal with the Social Democrats.

Wage growth and job creation have been key issues for candidates in the country of 2.9 million people, plagued by an exodus of workers seeking higher wages abroad.

Since Lithuania joined the European Union in 2004, an estimated 370,000 people have left -- nearly half to Britain, where concern over immigration from eastern Europe was a key factor in June's shock referendum vote to leave the bloc.

- 'I want change' -

Landsbergis has won support among disillusioned voters like Vilnius businessman Linas Bagiusis.

"I want change. We need new ideas and new energy, especially to curb emigration and stop all the young people from fleeing," he told AFP on Sunday outside a polling station in central Vilnius.

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Prime Minister Butkevicius has promised further increases to the minimum wage and public sector salaries.

But analysts say a new labour law making it easier to hire and fire employees, coupled with allegations of political corruption, have alienated voters already bitter over low wages and the brain drain to western Europe.

Lithuania's economy shrank by nearly 15 percent during the 2008-9 global financial crisis but quickly recovered and is forecast to expand by 2.5 percent this year.

But Lithuania's average wage of just over 600 euros ($670) per month after tax remains one of the lowest in the EU, and inequality and poverty remain comparatively high.

- Neck-and-neck -

Analysts have tipped the farmer-backed LPGU -- led by popular former national police chief Saulius Skvernelis -- as kingmakers after the vote.

Skvernelis, 46, has said his party was open to coalition talks with both the conservatives and the Social Democrats.

His hardline on corruption and the party's promise to revamp the economy won over Galina Aleksejeva, a 50-year-old seamstress.

"They'll introduce fresh economic policy," she told AFP after voting in Vilnius, adding that she wants to see the LPGU in coalition with Butkevicius' Social Democrats.

With the Homeland Union and LPGU expected to stay neck-and-neck in round two, Vilnius University analyst Mazvydas Jastramskis said a stalemate could be just around the corner.

"It won't be good if both parties win equal voter support. Both will want to spearhead talks" to lead the next government, he told AFP.

But he added that non-aligned President Dalia Grybauskaite could "invite certain party leaders she would like to see in the coalition to the negotiating table."

Grybauskaite has criticised Butkevicius while making it known she favours "changes".

Russia's deployment earlier this month of nuclear-capable Iskander missiles to its Kaliningrad exclave two weeks ago rattled nerves in Lithuania which shares a border with the Kremlin-controlled territory.

But reassurance provided by NATO's beefed up regional presence -- a move that all major parties approve -- means that voters are more worried about their wallets than security.
Louis C.K. Pays Tribute to the Late Kevin Meaney

Louis C.K. paid a heartfelt tribute to the late comedian Kevin Meaney, who died on Friday at the age of 60, with a remembrance sent to subscribers of his email list on Sunday.

In the note, C.K. touted comedian Barry Crimmins new stand-up special on his website, and recalled coming up in the Boston comedy scene. He wrote that Crimmins and Meaney were two guys from upstate New York who came to Boston and, among other guys, were the ones who made all of this happen. He went on to say that Meaney was the gravity that pulled me into the scene.

Kevin was the most naturally funny comedian I ever saw, C.K. wrote. Every word he said was insanely hilarious. He had a funny voice, face and rhythm to his speech. But he had a childish courage that was goddamn inspiring. Whenever Kevin would bomb, and sometimes he would, he would start to sing a song I dont care! I dont care! My jokes dont go over I dont care! I dont care! I dont care! IIII DOOONT CAAARE! I dont care! I dont care! and he would sing this song, in Ethyl Mirmans voice, for sometimes 30 minutes. The crowd would be FURIOUS. I and any other comedian in the room would be literally on the floor, laughing, crying, gasping for air.

C.K. recalled when Meaney was invited to do a set on The Tonight Show With Johnny Carson, the first of more than a dozen appearances Meaney would go on to have on the show. We were so proud of him, he said.

I loved every comedian in Boston, C.K. went on. I really did. I still do. But Barry, for me, created the idea that comedy could be great and mean something. And Kevin used to hurt my stomach and he made me believe there was NOTHING you couldnt do on stage if you have the SKILL. He was outrageous and obnoxious stupid and childish and it all worked because he was blindingly good and musical and smooth and perfect and joyful in every show he did.

Where Barry taught us that there was a smart, profound integrity to be mined in comedy  that you could speak truth and be funny. That Standup was an art, that it was a form of literature and political and social insurgence and still be just goddamn funnny and sound like that guy you love listening to at the end of the bar you go to after work. Kevin taught us that you can reach down into your very babyhood and just be as silly and insane as you want, that you can smash the structure and just talk like your mother and sing Wayne Newton and scream and sing and if you carry that off with confidence and skill, the audience will follow you everywhere.

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After the tribute, C.K. added that he found out about Meaneys death through Crimmins, also a good friend of the late comedian. Describing himself as shocked and heartbroken, C.K. said he and Crimmins thought about delaying the release of Crimmins special. C.K. decided, however, to release it on time, as Crimmins said Meaney was excited about the special. He was excited for Barry and for people to finally see his friend in all his glory, C.K. concluded.

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"How are you going to celebrate tonight?" "I'll probably have a Jagermeister." pic.twitter.com/z63V2kxekm  Kenny Ducey (@KennyDucey) October 23, 2016

The Chicago Cubs are going to the World Series. Thats a weird sentence to read, as the Cubs havent won the Pennant since 1945, while the teams famous World Series drought goes back to 1908.

But on Saturday night, the Cubs roughed up Clayton Kershaw en route to a 5-0 win and a 4-2 series victory in the NLCS. They will travel to Cleveland to take on the American League champs on Tuesday (which, total aside, its so weird that the team that wins the World Series will be either the Cubs or the Indians, but thats neither here nor there). But before then, this elderly woman is going to celebrate the Cubbies accomplishment with some liquor.

Dorothy is a Cubs fan who got interviewed by Ken Rosenthal after the team won. She seems like a wonderfully pleasant old woman, so when Rosenthal asked how she would celebrate, no one expected to hear her say Ill probably have a Jagermeister. The FS1 crew was so incredibly happy because, well, an elderly woman just said she was going to celebrate the Cubs winning the Pennant by throwing back some Jager.

On the scale of celebratory alcoholic beverages, Jager is pretty high. This leads us to believe that if Chicago wins the World Series, this fan will go all out with a bottle of champagne to celebrate. Or some Fireball. That works, too.
Malala wants to be Pakistans Prime Minister and we totally support her goal

Malala Yousafzai, best known as simply Malala, wants to be Pakistans Prime Minister, and we couldnt be more supportive. ICYMI, two years ago, she won the Nobel Peace Prize, becoming the youngest person to ever do so at the age of 17.

The girls education activist spoke at the Investing in the Future conference in Sharjah on October 19. The theme of this years conference was Building the Resilience of Women and Girls in the Arab Region, reported the Federation of Arab News Agencies.

What better a person to speak to that theme, right?

I saw Benazir Bhutto as a woman leader [who was] twice the prime minister of Pakistan, Malala said at the conference, reported Gulf News. I heard about women athletes, women astronauts, women artists, women entrepreneurs  It allowed me to recognise the potential that I had, and that I can have as a woman, to achieve anything in my life. And my dream changed from becoming a doctor to becoming the prime minister of Pakistan, [for] fixing all the issues in bringing education [to all].

Hear, hear!

clapping

Of course, advocating for womens rights is nothing new to Malala  shes been doing it since she was 11 (!), when she began promoting the importance of education for young women. And when she was 15, a Taliban assassin shot her in the head while on her school bus in Pakistan. After several surgeries and a long recovery, Malala was back on her feet and back to business. Time and time again, she proves that shes unstoppable, and we love her for it.

Malala has become a renowned figure, endlessly advocating for the equality of women in restrictive regimes. In her speech at the Investing in the Future conference, she also spoke about continuing her mission for girls education and empowerment through the Malala Fund.

Since it seems Malala can do anything that she sets her mind to, were rooting for her for prime minister, too: #MalalaForPrimeMinister.

Want even more inspiration? You can check out Malalas speech here.

The post Malala wants to be Pakistans Prime Minister and we totally support her goal appeared first on HelloGiggles.
London (AFP) - Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho expressed concern Eric Bailly had sustained a "really bad" injury after he was forced off during his side's 4-0 loss at Chelsea on Sunday.

Ivorian centre-back Bailly, a close-season signing from Villarreal, limped off early in the second half at Stamford Bridge, with Marcos Rojo coming on to take his place.

"He is injured and I'm afraid he's badly injured," Mourinho said in his post-match press conference.

"In his knee, in the ligament area, he feels that is really bad."

Bailly, 22, joined United from Spanish side Villarreal in June for a reported fee of 30 million pounds ($36.7 million, 33.7 million euros).

The Ivory Coast international has been a virtual ever-present to date this season, starting all 12 of United's Premier League and Europa League games and only sitting out a League Cup tie.
ARCAHAIE, Haiti (Reuters) - Dozens of inmates broke out of a northern Haitian prison on Saturday after killing a guard and stealing firearms, authorities said, as they launched a manhunt with support from U.N. peacekeepers for the 174 fugitives. Haiti's Minister Of Justice, Camille Edouard Junior, said one prisoner died after falling off a wall and hitting his head during the escape from the Arcahaie prison in northern Haiti. One policeman was killed killing the incident," Edouard Junior told Reuters. "Three prisoner were wounded, including one who died as a consequence of his wounds." (Editing by David Gregorio)
Matthew McConaughey will receive the Caldwell Vineyards Maverick Actor Tribute at the 6th annual Napa Valley Film Festival, the festival organization has announced. The award honors outstanding contributions to the art of acting and cinematic story-telling.

Along with the tribute, McConaugheys upcoming film Gold, directed by Stephen Gaghan (Traffic, Syriana), is set for a private VIP screening Thursday, November 10 at 9:00 AM at the Cameo Cinema in St. Helena. The screening will be open only to members of the festivals Patron Circle and Vintner Circle. Deadlines Mike Fleming will host and moderate a post-screening conversation with McConaughey.

From Dimension Films, the film is based on a true story and follows an unlucky prospector (McConaughey) on a desperate search for gold in Indonesia. Edgar Ramirez co-stars, with the film seeing wide release Christmas day.

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London (AFP) - Prime Minister Theresa May is to meet with the first ministers from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to plot the path towards Brexit, her office said Sunday.

May will host the first meeting of the Joint Ministerial Committee (JMC) since December 2014 on Monday.

They will "discuss how the administrations can work together to get the best deal for the UK and seize the opportunities that exiting the EU will bring", her Downing Street office said.

She will call on the devolved administrations to commit to working fully with the British government in a bid to enhance prosperity and security, Downing Street said in a statement.

May will meet with Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Welsh FM Carwyn Jones and Northern Irish FM Arlene Foster and her deputy Martin McGuinness.

While a majority in England and Wales voted for Britain to leave the European Union in the June referendum, a majority in Scotland and Northern Ireland voted for Britain's continued membership.

May wants to build "a new industrial strategy for the whole of the UK, to spread wealth, jobs and opportunity more evenly", Downing Street said.

"The UK government is resolute in its commitment to strengthening the union further and making a success of the opportunities ahead."

Downing Street said the committee, if it agrees, would meet at least once every 12 months and FMs would be invited to help build an industrial strategy that would spread wealth and jobs more evenly around the UK.

"Far more than mere geography brings us together -- and we are much more than the sum of our parts," said May.

"As we move into this new chapter, we must seize the opportunities ahead, as we will achieve far more together than we could ever do apart.

"I want Monday's meeting to be the start of a new grown up relationship between the devolved administrations and the UK government -- one in which we all work together to forge the future for everyone in the United Kingdom."

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May intends to trigger Article 50, which sets a two-year clock ticking on Britain's departure from the EU, between the New Year and the end of March.

Heading into the JMC, the Scottish government's Brexit spokesman said Edinburgh should be treated as an equal partner in the EU exit negotiations.

"We have yet to see a proposal from the UK government on how the views of people in Scotland will be taken into account," he said.

Sturgeon's left-wing secessionist Scottish National Party, which runs a minority devolved government in Scotland, has drawn up draft legislation for a second referendum on independence.

Scots voted to stay in the UK in 2014 but the Sturgeon suggests Scots should have the option to reconsider the issue in light of the Brexit vote.
Bryan, 38, found himself sitting in the seat Steve Bartman made famous 13 years ago. (Kevin Kaduk/Yahoo Sports)

CHICAGO  By the time the ticketholder for Aisle 4, Row 8, Seat 113 showed up to his seat at Wrigley Field on Saturday, there was a small media contingent waiting for him.

Six reporters and one photographer, to be precise.

The ticketholder gave his first name as Bryan but said he preferred not to give his last. Hes 38 and was there with his wife after securing a babysitter for their eight-month-old baby.

Asked if he knew what he was in for, Bryan just laughed.

I was made aware, yes, he said, also declining to how he acquired the tickets.

Bryans seat, after all, has become somewhat of a ballpark attraction after Steve Bartman became infamous for getting tangled up with Moises Alou during the eighth inning of Game 6 of the 2003 NLCS. With Saturdays contest being the first NLCS Game 6 since that night, there was a natural curiosity to see whod be sitting there.

Bryan said he had no plans to go after a souvenir, much less open the floodgates for the type of eight-running inning that the Florida Marlins used to slingshot their way past the Cubs in Games 6 and 7 of that 2003 World Series.

Im just excited to be here, Bryan said. Im excited for tonight.

IMG_2937

Bryans path to Cubs fandom was a typical one. A native of Michigan, he had just moved to Chicago in 2003 and remembers watching Game 6 and the fallout. Over the course of the next decade, he naturally gravitated towards the Cubs and their North Side ballpark.

One nearby fan  maybe jokingly, maybe not?  told Bryan not to interfere with any ball hit by the Dodgers or else. Nancy Mazzone, another fan sitting along the left field, gave better feedback.

I sat in the seat when I got here, Mazzone said. I only felt good vibes. No bad ones tonight.
Miley Cyrus wore a giant blue bow and fuzzy hat while campaigning for Hillary Clinton and we cannot look away

Miley Cyrus is our hero. She stormed a Virginia college to campaign for Hillary Clinton while wearing a giant blue bow halter top, fuzzy blue bolero, red and white striped sparkly wrap skirt and a pink fuzzy hat.

With only three weeks before election day (thank God), Miley Cyrus brought some much-needed levity, joy, and humor, in the form of her wacky, wonderful outfit, and usual vibrant personality to George Mason University to join some student Clinton campaigners.

Earlier this week, Miley Cyrus announced that she would visit the campus to speak with Millennial voters about the importance of voting.

Reporters and students around campus shot video and photos of Cyrus surprising her fans and getting all political up in there, The Washington Post reports.

One of the male students in Piedmont Hall tells her Youll be proud to know Ive already voted for Hillary, Zartman told her, and Miley high-fives him. We would die.

The Washington Post also reported that hundreds of GMU students not lucky enough to live in Piedmont had to wait outside, where they chanted: We want Miley! We want Miley! and sang her songs.

Campaigned for @hillaryclinton today in GMU in VA encouraging young people to volunteer and vote!!!! A photo posted by Miley Cyrus (@mileycyrus) on Oct 22, 2016 at 2:20pm PDT

Having felt the Bern back in April, tweeting her support for Bernie Sanders, The Voice judge skipped over to the Clinton campaign after the primaries.

And we love that she did it in an outfit thats giving us Dr. Seuss flashbacks!

cathat

Miley knows shes got a voice, and shes gonna use it to stand up for what she believes. Umm, #rolemodel much? #yass

The post Miley Cyrus wore a giant blue bow and fuzzy hat while campaigning for Hillary Clinton and we cannot look away appeared first on HelloGiggles.
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It is time for yoga pants  tight, comfortable, sometimes very colorful yoga pants  to get the respect they deserve.

Rhode Island resident Alan Sorrentino recently sent a letter to The Barrington Times claiming that women shouldn't wear yoga pants. Many local women were offended by the letter, so they did what any woman would do in that situation: they organized a yoga pants parade.

SEE ALSO: Watch Miley Cyrus give Jimmy Fallon a very awkward yoga lesson

On Sunday, more than 300 people braved the fall air and hit the cold, hard streets of Barrington, Rhode Island, wearing yoga pants of every size, shape and color. People marched proudly in the yoga pants of their choice.

Huge crowd at the yoga pants parade in Barrington. About to hit the road. pic.twitter.com/NhRLixlpZQ  Kyle J. Silva (@Kyle_J_Silva) October 23, 2016

The original letter appeared to have touched more than a few nerves.

"Not since the mini-skirt has there been something worn by so many women who should never have it on in the first place," Sorrentino wrote in The Barrington Times. "Yoga pants can be adorable on children and young women who have the benefit of nature's blessing of youth. However, on mature, adult women there is something bizarre and disturbing about the appearance they make in public."

Took a break from cooking to walk in solidarity with @bethdog and a few hundred other women and supportive men to assert our rights to dress as we please and not be controlled. #yogapantsparade #peacefulpantsparty #womensrights #iwearwhatiwant A photo posted by Jennifer Costanza (@rooted.life) on Oct 23, 2016 at 11:21am PDT

positive sunday #yogapantsparade A photo posted by Brenna (@brennerboo) on Oct 23, 2016 at 1:09pm PDT

Jamie Burke!! And her Peaceful Yoga Pants Parade! So proud of you Jamie! A beautiful day, hundreds of paraders in yoga pants, and a peaceful positive message! #yogapantsparty #yogapantsparade @loisgriffin8 A video posted by jen long (@accordionprincess) on Oct 23, 2016 at 12:18pm PDT

Sorrentino warned yoga pants may be part of a slippery slope in fashion.

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"What's next? Wearing a 'Speedo' to the supermarket? Imagine if men did that. Yuck! To all yoga pant wearers, I struggle with my own physicality as I age. I don't want to struggle with yours, he wrote.

On Saturday, however, Sorrentino told WPRO-AM that the entire letter was meant to be a joke and a respite from the election. Sorrentino says that, since publishing a letter, he's received threatening emails and voicemails.

"Its vicious and intimidating, Sorrentino told the station. The fact that this is seen as an appropriate reaction to something I wrote in the paper is really disgusting."

From threats to outright intimidation, none of this is in the spirit of yoga pants.

BONUS: Watch 'Stranger Things' with hamsters


On October 22, activists gathered at the City Heights in San Diego as part of a national day of protest against police brutality.

The protests were organized by the Coalition to Stop Police Brutality, Repression and the Criminalization of a Generation, which has been mobilizing annually since 1996 for a national day of protest on October 22. The protest consisted of a large coalition of groups, according to the event organizers on Facebook.

In these videos, uploaded on October 23, crowd members can be heard chanting, jail killer cops. Some protesters can also be heard paying tribute to Alfred Olango, an unarmed man who was shot multiple times by a San Diego police officer on September 27.

Some demonstrators can be seen shouting at police, although no arrests were reported. Credit: Instagram/Robert Camacho
Abalak (Niger) (AFP) - For people living in the small city of Abalak in central Niger, the abduction of a longtime US aid worker over a week ago has left them angry and anxious.

Jeffery Woodke was no stranger here.

"We are furious and shocked by this kidnapping," said Ibrahim Adamou, a 16-year-old student, as he and neighbours of Woodke recalled the evening of October 14 when the American was seized at gunpoint from his home.

"Like every night, he was drinking tea" in the courtyard of his house, along with his guards, when "two armed men in turbans" stormed in and grabbed him, killing his bodyguard and a member of the national guard.

Woodke, reportedly in his 50s, "struggled" to break free from his captors.

"We cried and shouted for help but the gunmen just threw him into their vehicle," said Aicha, one of the neighbours.

A local official said they drove off "with no headlights on" taking the road that leads to Mali, where investigators have since tracked the kidnappers and believe Woodke is being held by the Al-Qaeda linked group, the Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa (Mujao).

A shopkeeper Mohamed said when he thought of Woodke, "I hear his laughter in my head".

The American had become one of them after running the aid group JEMET there since 1992, helping the local Tuareg community. He speaks their language Tamasheq fluently as well as Fula and Arabic.

Jeff, as they call him, could be seen around town in a turban, leather sandals and a big boubou -- a flowing African tunic.

"He was with us through all the hardest times", said Abalak's mayor Ahmed Dilou -- the times of a food crisis, the droughts, the floods.

The Friday night of Jeff's abduction "was such a devastating shock that the whole city cried", he said.

- Jeff 'wasn't afraid' -

But apparently Woodke was not concerned about living in this unstable Tahoua region of Niger, close to the borders of Mali and Algeria. Western embassies have issued strong warnings to their nationals against venturing there.

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A Nigerien official said he had "tried everything" to convince the American to leave the area but "he refused, insisting that he was not afraid".

Investigators have sealed off Woodke's house. In the courtyard shaded by thorn trees, some bricks can be seen piled up next to sacks of cement.

"He was rebuilding a wall that had collapsed after some heavy rains," explained Aicha.

Still, despite Woodke's popularity with the townspeople, a regional lawmaker said he believed the kidnappers "were helped by some locals".

According to Interior Minister Mohamed Bazoum, who visited Abalak, around 350 kilometres northeast of the capital Niamey, the kidnappers "went straight to his home, guided by a motorcyclist".

Last Sunday Bazoum said that Woodke -- the first American abducted in the west African country -- "was probably kidnapped by the Mujao or handed over to the Mujao".

"We have had no contact with the Mujao, which is a terrorist organisation," he added.

Niger's long, porous borders make it occasionally vulnerable to the armed violence in neighbouring countries.

No matter who is responsible, in Abalak, the mayor -- speaking for the distressed people of his city -- is categorical in his condemnation.

"The kidnapping of Jeff is wrong," he said.
Lagos (AFP) - Nigerian troops have thwarted an attempted hijack of a vessel in the restive Niger Delta and separately arrested five pipeline vandals, a spokesman said on Sunda.

"Troops of Operation Base 2 repelled a hijack of a vessel (MT VAJARA) by heavily armed bandits in Ramos River, around Agge area of Delta state," Lieutenant Commander Thomas Otuji said in a statement.

He said the pirates were repelled last week after a fierce exchange of fire with government troops.

Ship hijackings have become more frequent since President Muhammadu Buhari last year announced he was winding down an amnesty to former militants in the oil-rich Niger delta region.

Otuji also said five people were arrested on October 17 and 18 near oil wellheads around the port city of Warri.

"Five suspected vandals were arrested and they confessed to their plan to vandalise the wellheads," he said, adding that two boats were recovered during the operation.

He said the military was committed to making the entire Niger Delta and the waterways safe for oil firms, vessels and their crew.

He said the military also recently responded to distress calls by travellers who were attacked by pirates in the southern states of Cross River and Rivers, adding that the troops had killed the criminals and rescued the travellers.

Last week, seven suspected pirates and militants were killed in crossfire during a rescue operation while a group of hostages was freed unhurt.

Nigeria has deployed troops to end renewed insurgency in the region.

Since the start of the year, several militant groups have attacked oil facilities, slashing Nigeria's output and hammering revenue.

The militant groups claim to be seeking a fairer share of Nigeria's multi-billion-dollar oil wealth for residents of the oil region as well as political autonomy

The Nigerian government has urged the oil rebels to embrace peace talks to end the unrest.

MEND, the most high-profile group blamed for devastating oil attacks in the region before it accepted a government amnesty in 2000s, said in a statement on Sunday it had always been ready for talks.

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"The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger delta hereby welcomes and endorses the forthcoming meeting aimed at finding solutions to the current Niger delta crisis," it said.

It said the talks would be held on October 31 between government representatives and the region's prominent leaders.

Oil-dependent Nigeria is struggling to emerge from a recession following falling oil prices and foreign exchange shortages that have led to a massive devaluation of the naira.
Riyadh (AFP) - Saudi Oil Minister Khalid al-Falih said on Sunday that the current cycle of falling crude prices is close to an end as market fundamentals improve.

Oil prices are currently hovering at around $50 per barrel after hitting a 10-year low of less than $30 in January, down from a peak of more than $100 in mid-2014.

"The current down cycle is nearing an end," Falih told a joint press conference with his Russian counterpart Alexander Novak on Sunday after a Gulf ministerial meeting in Riyadh.

"Market fundamentals, in terms of supply and demand, have begun to improve," Falih said, adding: "We are optimistic that oil prices will continue to improve in the future."

Qatar's energy minister, Mohammed al-Sada, whose country holds the rotating presidency of the OPEC oil exporting cartel, also said the "difficult phase is over".

"Although the market is heading to being balanced, it needs our joint effort, and we all agreed that we need to take measures to bring back this balance," he said.

Novak said he and his Gulf counterparts had discussed ways to "develop the best mechanism to solve the issue of stabilisation".

"We have reached an unprecedented level in our relations and cooperation" with Saudi Arabia, he told reporters, adding that he agreed with Falih "to continue to work and remain in continuous contact to achieve... concrete mechanisms".

OPEC has invited Russia and key non-members to a meeting later this month as the cartel and Moscow seek to tighten cooperation to boost historically low crude prices.

The invitation was announced after a meeting between top OPEC energy ministers and Novak in Istanbul, aimed at advancing joint efforts to bolster oil prices whose lows have hurt the highly dependent economies of crude producers.

The cartel and Russia will meet on Monday, ahead of the OPEC technical meeting in Vienna on October 28-29, to which Russia and others have been invited.

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Last month at a meeting in Algiers, the cartel agreed its first production cut in eight years, although it remains to be seen how this will be complied with and implemented.

President Nicolas Maduro of OPEC member Venezuela was in Riyadh Sunday for talks a day after calling in Iran for increased cooperation between oil-rich nations to stabilise prices.

Maduro, who is also due to visit Qatar on a Middle East tour, currently faces an economic and political crisis at home, compounded by the collapsing price of oil.
Tyson Gay hopes that his daughter's tragic death will be a lesson to others.

The Olympic runner gave a moving speech at his daughter, Trinity's, funeral at the Southland Christian Church in Lexington, Kentucky, on Saturday.

RELATED: Olympic Runner Tyson Gay's 15-Year-Old Daughter Shot and Killed In Kentucky

"This is our community that we need to take back," he said, addressing the nearly 1,0000 people gathered to mourn his daughter and only child. "A lot of kids are followers now. We need to be there for each other but I need everyone's help from the mayor to the police to all of you to allow her legacy to keep moving."

Tyson Gay and family were greeted by Lexington Mayor and Chief of Police as they walked into Trinity's visitation around 10:30 at Southland pic.twitter.com/SKULnryP7j  Evan Gorman (@EGormanWLEX) October 22, 2016

Hundreds of people are filing into @southlandcc to say goodbye to Trinity Gay, a victim of gun violence. Funeral is set to start at noon pic.twitter.com/CJpHjLEeh0  Evan Gorman (@EGormanWLEX) October 22, 2016

Inside Trinity Gay's celebration of life pic.twitter.com/UeVHz3ds6a  Evan Gorman (@EGormanWLEX) October 22, 2016

WATCH: Reality Star Toya Wright's Brothers Reportedly Gunned Down and Killed in New Orleans

15-year-old Trinity was shot and killed while out with friends at Lexington's Cook Out restaurant early Sunday morning. A shooting erupted at around 4 a.m. in the restaurant's parking lot. Four men have been arrested in relation to the shooting.

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Tyson touched more on the importance of his daughter's legacy in a statement to ET.

"Last Sunday morning, I was awakened by the worst news a parent can hear," he said. "The death of my daughter as an innocent bystander is devastating, but I am determined that it not be senseless. We must come together as a community to protect each other, giving our young people the tools they need to resolve their conflicts and lead successful lives -- the kind that Trinity was well on her way to living."

"In that spirit -- and to follow in the footsteps of those who kept me on the right path as a teenager when I easily could have gone the other way -- in the coming weeks we will be exploring ways to help mentor and support the youth of Lexington over the long term, so that the spirit of Trinity will sprint on long after we say goodbye to her this weekend," he concluded.

A candle-light vigil was held in Trinity's honor on Monday night.

Olympic sprinter Tyson Gay and Shoshana Boyd, mourn the loss of their daughter Trinity Gay during a candlelight vigil. @heraldleader pic.twitter.com/FXCbjjQcPb  Mark Cornelison (@markcornelison) October 18, 2016

Hundreds gather to remember Lafayette student Trinity Gay at Ishmael Stadium @heraldleader @HLpublicsafety pic.twitter.com/rr3ho2dXXI  Matt Goins (@MattGoinsHL) October 18, 2016

Tribute to Trinity Gay at Ishmael Stadium where she ran track for Lafayette @heraldleader @HLpublicsafety pic.twitter.com/XUfBwbhL27  Matt Goins (@MattGoinsHL) October 18, 2016

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* Projections for Singapore Inc's 2017 profits significantly cut

* Weak oil, financial services sectors, slow trade hit profits

* More monetary and fiscal stimulus may be needed - economists

* Various industries see protracted period of low growth

By Anshuman Daga and Marius Zaharia

SINGAPORE, Oct 24 (Reuters) - During Singapore's full moon festival last month, employer John Kong was focused more on cost-cutting than celebrating.

Not sending his clients traditional mooncake gift packages saved him S$14,000 ($10,000), and his 60 workers at building materials supplier M Metal Pte Ltd didn't get a pay rise either.

Having grown at a break-neck pace that transformed what half a century ago was a seedy colonial port into an Asian Manhattan, Singapore is now bracing for a prolonged period of low growth, darkening the outlook for the city-state's deeply indebted firms.

"When you talk to building infrastructure groups, it sounds depressing," said Kong, who faces a 10-15 percent sales drop this year, the firm's first in its five-year history.

"Everyone seems to be asking 'what's going to happen to me in three months?' Companies are not getting the orders, there are fixed overheads, so the first thing they do is slash marketing budgets and the next thing is they cut the number of people."

As a regional centre for trade, oil services and wealth management, Singapore's $300 billion economy punches above its weight and serves as a barometer for Asia's other export dependent economies.

China's slowdown has hit the city-state's manufacturers and shippers, the slump in commodity markets is weighing on its oil and gas sector, while a rise in bad debts and a regulatory crackdown has hurt its financial services industry.

The result: earnings forecasts for Singapore-listed companies are falling at among the fastest rates in the world.

Projections for next year's net income have come off by 4 percent on average over the past three months versus a 0.2 percent fall for the rest of Asia Pacific, according to data from Thomson Reuters.

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Companies are also struggling with debt burdens that have ballooned since the financial crisis, even as bottom lines have shrunk.

While net incomes are down almost 40 percent since June 2008, net debt has more than doubled, according to Thomson Reuters data, as commodity markets boomed and companies took advantage of cheap credit.

STIMULUS NEEDED?

Analysts have cut earnings projections for the likes of commodity firms Wilmar International and Noble , and offshore marine heavyweights Sembcorp Marine and Ezion Holdings.

The profitability and asset quality of banks such as top lenders DBS Group Holdings and Oversea Chinese Banking Corp have also come under pressure because of their loans to those troubled sectors.

In addition, the spillover from a money laundering scandal involving Malaysia's state fund 1MDB has weighed on the financial industry, with banks forced to spend hefty sums on compliance, which is not generating revenue. And a tax amnesty in neighbouring Indonesia has triggered large outflows from the wealth management industry.

The problems extend beyond larger listed companies.

The head of the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, which represents 12,000 companies, says firms are not expecting a swift recovery like that which followed the financial crisis.

"This is not '08-'09, it's not a V-shape. It's a sustained, deep-end plateau," said president Kurt Wee. "Industrial support industries or building contractors and oil and gas are very badly affected and that has a broad based effect on everything else on the ground."

Economists say the deteriorating earnings outlook raises the prospect that Singapore's economy performs worse than policymakers expect, requiring further fiscal or monetary stimulus.

The central bank has prepared investors for a protracted period of subdued growth, unexpectedly introducing forward guidance in its latest policy statement.

The government is "prepared to consider introducing a range of contingency measures, which could include broad-based as well as sector-specific measures," Lim Hng Kiang, Singapore's minister for trade and industry told parliament.

Data earlier this month showed a shock 4.1 percent contraction in the third quarter.

DEPRESSED CONSUMERS

To be sure, Singapore is better placed than many to weather a slowdown. It is one of the most politically stable countries in the world, with hefty reserves and a top ranking in the World Bank's ease of doing business index.

Even so, Singapore is showing signs its first recession in seven years is likely.

Entire floors at central shopping malls are empty, tourists are cutting spending and some property developers are taking on projects at a loss to keep business going.

A Mastercard survey showed Singapore posted one of the biggest drops in consumer confidence among 17 Asia-Pacific nations in the first half of 2016, notching up its lowest reading since June 2009.

Key factors dragging it down were perceptions about the quality of life, regular income and employment.

Jessica, a 39-year-old who only gave her first name and recently lost her job as an audit supervisor, can relate.

"I've definitely cut down on spending," she said as she left a job fair.

"I explain to my kids that we can't buy things as often as before because of the poor economy and thankfully they understand." ($1 = 1.3940 Singapore dollars) (Additional reporting by Gaurav Dogra in BANGALORE and Masayuki Kitano, Nicole Nee and Jongwoo Cheon in SINGAPORE; Editing by Lincoln Feast)
Ankara (AFP) - Turkey has arrested more than 35,000 people over alleged links to the group run by the US-based preacher Fethullah Gulen, who is blamed for the failed July coup, local media reported Sunday.

Turkish Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag said the suspects had been placed under arrest since the attempted putsch that fell apart within hours, quoted by NTV broadcaster.

Another 3,907 suspects were still being sought while nearly 26,000 people had been released into "judicial control", he said.

Some 82,000 individuals had been investigated in total since the coup bid, he told the audience on Saturday at a ruling Justice and Development Party conference in Afyonkarahisar, western Turkey.

Tens of thousands of people have been suspended, sacked or detained in the military, judiciary, police, education sector and media in connection with the July 15 attempted putsch blamed on Gulen and his Hizmet (Service) movement.

The unprecedented purge has come under heavy criticism from Turkey's Western allies, including the European Union. Brussels has urged Ankara to act within the rule of law, which Turkey insists it is.

Ankara accuses Gulen of masterminding the coup, during which a rogue military faction tried to oust President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Gulen -- who has lived in self-imposed exile since 1999 in Pennsylvania -- strongly denies the charges.
Arbil (Iraq) (AFP) - US defence chief Ashton Carter said Sunday that an operation to isolate the Islamic State group in Syria's Raqa should begin in conjunction with the assault on the jihadists' Iraqi bastion Mosul.

"We want to see an isolation operation begin around Raqa as soon as possible," Carter said during a visit to Iraq's autonomous region of Kurdistan to review an ongoing offensive to retake Mosul from IS.

"We are working with our partners there (in Syria) to do that," the US secretary of defence said, adding: "There will be some simultaneity to these two operations."

Iraqi forces launched a huge operation last week to retake Mosul, the last major city in Iraq under IS control.

The United States leads a 60-nation coalition that has provided key support in the form of thousands of air strikes, training to Iraqi forces and advisers on the ground.

The loss of Mosul would leave Raqa -- the de facto capital of the jihadists' self-declared "caliphate" -- the only major city still under IS control.

Carter said the idea of simultaneous operations against Mosul and Raqa "has been part of our planning for quite a while".

He also said that destroying IS's external operations capabilities was "our highest priority".

"We are getting better and better and better at that.

"Mosul will help us with that, even as all the other territories we have taken."

The gathering of more intelligence information would also provide "new opportunities to attack external plotters", Carter said.

In Iraq, the coalition is allied with both federal forces and Kurdish peshmerga fighters in the Mosul battle.

But in Syria, the issue of which ground forces would be involved in an operation to retake Raqa would be far more complicated.

The United States has given support to Syrian rebels and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces who have battled IS.

But President Bashar al-Assad's forces, backed by Russia and Iran, are also fighting the jihadists.
The Pentagon is demanding that soldiers repay bonuses of $15,000 or more given to them as an incentive to reenlist and go to war in the mid-2000s.

The California National Guard gave the bonuses to nearly 10,000 soldiers as part of a recruitment method to meet enlistment goals, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The order came after a federal investigation revealed that lack of oversight within the California National Guard had led to fraud and overpayment, the Times reported. Bonuses were given to soldiers who did not qualify for them, the investigation found.

Soldiers have since been ordered to repay their bonuses, prompting many to accuse the military of wrongly punishing them with a financial burden.

[Los Angeles Times]

See original article on Fortune.com

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Pear-shaped diamond ring

The average American spends $5,871 on an engagement ring according to The Knot's 2015 Real Weddings Study.

The sales team at Ritani, an online diamond retailer that specializes in engagement rings, dove deeper into the statistics to find the average price paid for an engagement ring in each state.

According to their team, Nevada, Montana, and Washington are at the top of the list, forking over $9,000 to $10,500 for one ring on average.

"About 65-70% of our customer base is the millennial male, and the second segment is a middle-aged male, which I would dub [as this may be] their second [marriage]," Mark Keeney, Ritani's vice president of marketing, told Business Insider during a recent visit to the brand's Manhattan diamond factory.

"But [these two customers] share similar characteristics, just as you're older, you have a little more disposable income, so you're willing to spend a little more," he said.

Since Nevada has the highest divorce rates in the country, Keeney's hunch about the "second marriage" could hold some truth.

South Dakota and Vermont come in at the bottom of the list, averaging up to $2,999.

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LONDON (Reuters) - Representatives of the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish governments will get a chance to tell Brexit minister David Davis how they hope Britain's future relationship with the EU will work, under plans the government announced on Monday. At a meeting on Monday, Prime Minister Theresa May will offer the leaders of the three devolved governments, which have varying degrees of autonomy, formal discussions on Brexit at least twice before the end of the year, her office said. "The country is facing a negotiation of tremendous importance and it is imperative that the devolved administrations play their part in making it work," May said in a statement her office released before the meeting. "The new forum I am offering will be the chance for them all to put forward their proposals on how to seize the opportunities presented by Brexit and deliver the democratic decision expressed by the people of the U.K." Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, leader of the Scottish National Party, has said her government is preparing for all possibilities including independence after Britain leaves the EU. Scots voted by a large margin to remain in the bloc and Sturgeon has said Scotland wants to keep as many of the advantages of membership of the EU's single market as it can and is looking for a bespoke deal to do so. The British government has said it will negotiate a one-size-fits-all Brexit deal on behalf of the whole United Kingdom. May, who has dismissed labels such as "hard Brexit" and "soft Brexit" for describing how clean a break Britain makes with the EU, will also tell the devolved leaders no final decisions have been taken on the EU exit strategy, and that how Britain leaves the bloc will not boil down to a binary choice. (Reporting by Kylie MacLellan, Editing by Ruth Pitchford)
Susan Traherne, the heroine of David Hares 1978 drama Plenty, is hard to love. She has a tendency to pop off on matters of social and political delicacy, an inconvenient trait for the wife of a British diplomat in the years following World War II. She exudes disappointment in a proscribed life with a weak man, neither of which can ever live up to the excitement and promise she felt as a courier in the Resistance during the war.

That disappointment has driven her to profligacy and madness. I had forgotten until the revival that has opened at the Public Theater  where the play was introduced to New York audiences in 1982 before moving to Broadway  how perilously close Susan comes to losing our sympathy. Like so many smart, gifted people whose lives are defined by failure, she leaves a trail of human wreckage in the wake of her ineluctable misery.

Rachel Weisz, currently starring as Holocaust historian Deborah Lipstadt in Denial (screenplay by Hare) has the challenge not only of making Susan more than a bonkers harridan, but of doing so in the shadow Kate Nelligan, who created the role in London and New York, and Meryl Streep, who played her in Fred Schepisis 1985 film. Neither Weisz nor her director David Leveaux meets that challenge in this revival, which in both her character and in the sense of overall emotional impact is somewhat chilly. Last seen in a Broadway revival of Harold Pinters Betrayal staged by Mike Nichols, Weisz is an actor whose skills include warmth and openness even when the women shes playing are not (as in her recent film, Complete Unknown, and in The Constant Gardner, for which she won an Oscar).

Plenty begins at the end of the story (like Betrayal, oddly enough) before quickly flashing back to its beginning. Susan is turning over her flat to her best friend Alice (Emily Bergl) as her husband Raymond (Corey Stoll) lies drugged and naked on the floor. Instantly the scene shifts to the French countryside in 1943, where Susan in the dark of night encounters a British comrade, Codename Lazar (Ken Barnett) while awaiting a small-arms drop. The risk is high; German troops are certainly nearby.

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The connection they make is at once palpable and ephemeral, as is clear in the next scene, four years later. At the British embassy in Brussells, mid-level diplomat Raymond Brock (Stoll) introduces Susan to the Ambassador, ironically named Darwin (Byron Jennings), for help arranging the return of a body to London. Darwin is told it is her husband; Brock knows the situation is more delicate; the man was Susans married lover, another former fighter from the war. Susan eventually settles into marriage with Brock as Darwin carries on stiff-upper-lipidly waving the flag for the shrinking empire.

Hares gift for interweaving personal and political events was evident from the outset, in this play that takes as its pivot the 1956 Suez disaster that resulted in the humiliation of Prime Minister Anthony Eden and the confirmation of the U.S. and Russia as the ruling global powers. That leaves Darwin scandalized (Jennings, a great actor, has never been better than he is here, expressing horror and personal shame as much over having been deceived in the Suez matter as in the fiasco itself) and Brock consigned to irrelevance.

Susan ends up in a sexless marriage and a job she cant stand. She takes lovers, tries to conceive a child by one (the terrific LeRoy McClain), and even has a rendez-vous with Lazar. But the wars end and its promise of plenty has proven to be as illusory as peace itself.

Leveaux seems in touch with none of this; instead of a textured reading, the production glosses the content and is as chilly Mike Brittons set, a series of walls that clumsily reconfigure to suggest different locales, lit somewhat mercilessly by David Weiner. Stoll is unable to convey Brocks sullen mediocrity (though his unaccountable devotion to Susan despite her emotional savagery comes through).

Least well served is Weisz. Her high-pitched, rapid-fire line readings conspire to keep Susan from getting under our skin. The final scene, returning us to Susans sun-drenched hillside encounter with a French farmer at the wars end, should be devastating, exposing how thoroughly her life-force optimism would be fractured into a thousand shards of disappointment. And yet I left the theater not so much emotionally wrung out as merely shaking my head, wishing shed just snap out of it.

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Credit: Arun Nevader/WireImage

Pam Ling and Judd Winick from the 1994 season of The Real World set in San Francisco have just celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary. That's right--these two found true love amid all the drama that comes with the MTV series.

Ling and Winick were two of the seven strangers who were thrown together 22 years ago for the third season of the long-running reality show--which just began airing its 32nd season earlier this month, making all the '90s kids out there feel ancient.





Happy 15th anniversary to my favorite person Pam. We met in the weirdest way. But sometimes the planets do align. pic.twitter.com/RjDYjPxYzN

-- (((Judd Winick))) (@JuddWinick) August 26, 2016



RELATED: 10 Actors Who Married Their Co-Stars



So what's the secret behind this couple who emerged from such strange beginnings?



Winick attributes their success to not actually getting together until after they were far away from the cameras, telling The New York Times: "I can't imagine you're completely you when you're on camera. It's when the camera stops that you finally get to assess."



What brought this duo together--out of the dreaded friend zone--was their mutual love for all things geeky. "She's kind of shockingly nerdy," Winick noted. A big interest for them early on was Star Wars and, as Winick explains, they "still love and get obsessive about things together."





@RealWorldMTV

SAN FRANCISCO 1994#TBT pic.twitter.com/5X5j4pxtqr

-- (((Judd Winick))) (@JuddWinick) July 7, 2016



RELATED: Hollywood's Longest Lasting Celebrity Marriages



It's Ling who offers up the best advice for all of us: "Celebrate your common joys."



These days the couple--who were married on September 9, 2001--have two children together. Ling, a doctor, is a professor of medicine at the University of California in San Francisco, and Winick writes comic books and graphic novels.



Here's to many more years of happiness for these two!
Nawaran (Irak) (AFP) - At a field hospital out in the open, a few kilometres (miles) from newly carved front lines in northern Iraq, Kurdish doctors and foreign soldiers mill around a stretcher on the ground.

A Kurdish peshmerga fighter lies writhing in pain, his face swollen and spattered with blood from a car bomb blast, a favoured tactic of Islamic State (IS) group jihadists in the crosshairs of an offensive to recapture the city of Mosul.

The peshmerga is hurriedly connected to a drip, covered with a blanket and whisked away in an ambulance.

Casualty figures for the US-backed offensive launched last Monday by Iraqi federal and Kurdish forces are hard to come by, in an apparent effort not to damage morale.

In the Kurdish capital of Arbil, just one hospital has the facilities to treat wounded fighters evacuated from the field hospitals dotting the rocky plains where the early rounds in the battle for Mosul are being waged.

Arbil West hospital is the only one with emergency services and a serious burns unit.

Apart from the regular cases from across Arbil province, more than 100 wounded peshmerga have been brought in over three days, hospital director Dr Lawand Meran told AFP, warning that its capacity is already being stretched.

"We have a shortage of human resources, medical equipment, medicine and specialised doctors," he said. "Soon, if we have 1,000 casualties, our capacity will not be enough."

Aiming to slow an advance on Mosul expected to take weeks, the jihadists have been launching several suicide bombings a day.

Back at the field hospital, Dr Ahmed Mezouri said he welcomes the assistance of British and Canadian military doctors conscripted under the US-led coalition's support for the Kurds in the faceoff with IS.

Shunning attention, the foreign doctors themselves keep their distance from the media.

The white-shirted and thick-glassed Mezouri, who has worked with the peshmerga since 2004, has been on duty round-the-clock for the past week heading a team of six doctors and around 50 nurses and ambulance drivers.

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- Casualties expected to increase -

Most of the casualties are victims of "suicide bombers who blow themselves up or who drive booby-trapped cars", he said as two new casualties were brought in to a makeshift ward of eight beds covered in white sheets.

As the battle draws closer to Mosul itself, casualties are expected to multiply with fighting at close quarters.

Among those treated at Arbil West, Mourad and Zahed have already had a close encounter with jihadists who launched a surprise diversionary attack on Kurdish and federal forces in the northern oil city of Kirkuk.

They were both victims of sniper fire during street fighting in the multi-ethnic city.

"We didn't see them coming... A sniper caught me by surprise and shot me four times in the back, once in the leg and another in the hand," Zahed said from his hospital bed.

Mourad's hand was pierced by a bullet and he was also hit in the eye by shrapnel.

"Doctors have warned me I need treatment abroad or else I'll lose my eye. There's nobody who can perform this kind of surgery in Iraq," he said.
Bank loans jump over five-fold

The banking sector witnessed over five-fold jump in credit issuance in the first two months of the current fiscal year over the same period a year ago, as demand for loans surged following normalisation in the supply situation after the trade blockade imposed by India was lifted.
SANAA (Reuters) - Warplanes from a Saudi-led coalition attacked targets in Sanaa at dawn on Sunday, hours after a three-day truce in Yemen's war expired, residents in the capital said. The ceasefire, agreed to allow for an increased flow of humanitarian aid, ended without renewal after a day of heavy fighting between the Saudi-led Arab coalition and the Iran-allied Houthi movement. Each side accused the other of repeatedly violating the truce and U.N. attempts to extend it before it lapsed appeared to have failed. "The (Houthi) coup militias deliberately thwarted the truce and that further convinced our military and political leadership of their unwillingness to accept a peace," the government's army chief of staff Mohammed Ali al-Miqdashi said on Saturday. Air strikes were reported over some military sites in Sanaa in the Hafa camp to the east and in the Nahdein area in the south. Radar positions were also targeted in the Houthi-controlled city of Hodeida and in the contested southwestern city of Taiz, residents reported. Houthi-run TV channel al-Masirah said that pro-Houthi fighters had launched an artillery attack on government forces near Taiz. A Saudi civil defense spokesman told state news agency SPA that missiles launched by the Houthis from inside Yemen destroyed two houses in the southern Saudi province of Jazan early on Sunday. The air strikes happened hours before the arrival in Sanaa of U.N. envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed on Sunday who told reporters at Sanaa airport he would discuss options for a political solution with Houthi representatives and try to secure another ceasefire. The United Nations and diplomats had hoped a pause in the conflict would pave the way for talks to end a 19-month-old war which has killed at least 10,000 people in the Arabian Peninsula's poorest country. The coalition has been fighting Houthi rebels and forces loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh in Yemen since March 2015 to try to restore to power the internationally backed President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who went into exile. (Reporting by Mohammed Ghobari; Writing by Maha El Dahan; Editing by Jon Boyle and Raissa Kasolowsky)
By Rania El Gamal and Reem Shamseddine

RIYADH (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said on Sunday he had invited his Russian counterpart Alexander Novak to meet Gulf Arab energy ministers in Riyadh as part of efforts to cooperate with non-OPEC members to stabilise the oil market.

"Russia is one of the world's biggest oil producers ... and is one of the influential parties in the stability of the oil market," Falih said at the opening session of the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Falih said Novak had welcomed the invitation, "as a clear indication of sincere desire to continue cooperation and coordination with the oil producing and exporting countries for more stability in the market."

Novak had said on Friday he would take "some" proposals to the meeting in Riyadh.

Last month in Algiers, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries agreed modest oil output cuts. The goal is to cut production to a range of 32.50-33.0 million barrels per day (bpd).

"The Algeria meeting last month was successful in pushing the path of cooperation between oil producing and consuming countries and included important talks between experts from OPEC countries and outside of OPEC about oil markets," Falih said calling on his Gulf energy counterparts to work together as a bloc.

Falih also said that the low oil price environment had led to a decrease in investments which could lead to a shortage in supply in the future and have a negative effect on the global economy.

(Reporting By Rania El Gamal and Reem Shamseddine; Writing By Maha El Dahan. Editing by Jane Merriman)
By Rania El Gamal and Reem Shamseddine

RIYADH (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said on Sunday he had invited his Russian counterpart Alexander Novak to meet Gulf Arab energy ministers in Riyadh as part of efforts to cooperate with non-OPEC members to stabilize the oil market.

"Russia is one of the world's biggest oil producers ... and is one of the influential parties in the stability of the oil market," Falih said at the opening session of the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Falih said Novak had welcomed the invitation, "as a clear indication of sincere desire to continue cooperation and coordination with the oil producing and exporting countries for more stability in the market."

Novak had said on Friday he would take "some" proposals to the meeting in Riyadh.

Last month in Algiers, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries agreed modest oil output cuts. The goal is to cut production to a range of 32.50-33.0 million barrels per day (bpd).

"The Algeria meeting last month was successful in pushing the path of cooperation between oil producing and consuming countries and included important talks between experts from OPEC countries and outside of OPEC about oil markets," Falih said calling on his Gulf energy counterparts to work together as a bloc.

Falih also said that the low oil price environment had led to a decrease in investments which could lead to a shortage in supply in the future and have a negative effect on the global economy.

(Reporting By Rania El Gamal and Reem Shamseddine; Writing By Maha El Dahan. Editing by Jane Merriman)
DOHA (Reuters) - The king of Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter, met Venezuela's president on Sunday in Riyadh and discussed ways to stabilise global oil prices, state news SPA reported.

King Salman and President Maduro "reviewed areas of bilateral cooperation... and the latest developments including cooperation for the stability of oil markets," SPA said.

Saudi Arabian Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said earlier on Sunday that the views of the kingdom and Russia, the world's top oil producer, on the need to stabilise the market "are getting closer".

"We have managed today... through a common meeting to reach a common notion to what we can reach in November," Falih said, referring to an OPEC meeting in Vienna on Nov. 30, when the exporting group is set to finalise a production cut agreement.

Novak, who is in Saudi Arabia on his first official visit as minister, earlier met the energy ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) which included key Gulf OPEC producers Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

President Maduro was quoted on Saturday as saying that OPEC and non-OPEC nations were "very close" to an agreement on oil production curbs, Azerbaijan's state news agency Azertag reported.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) agreed in Algiers on Sept. 28 to reduce production to a range of 32.5 million to 33.0 million barrels per day, which would be its first output cut since 2008.

(Reporting by Reem Shamseddine; Writing by Tom Finn; Editing by Ruth Pitchford)
Budapest (AFP) - Scuffles between supporters and opponents of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban disrupted a state commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the 1956 anti-Soviet uprising in Budapest Sunday.

Orban's address to a crowd estimated by an AFP photographer at around 15,000 in front of parliament was met by the sound of whistles and air-horns from several hundred protestors gathered at the fringe of the event.

As the protestors continued to make noise through the event, which was also addressed by Polish president Andrzej Duda, several scuffles broke out.

A prominent Hungarian historian Krisztian Ungvary, who stood among the protestors, was struck in the face by an unknown assailant.

The anniversary of the failed uprising against Soviet rule after which 200,000 Hungarian refugees fled the country has brought into focus criticism of Orban over his stance on refugees and migration.

The 53-year-old premier, in power since 2010, has been one of the European Union's loudest critics of the bloc's immigration policy.

Portraying himself as both a defender of Hungary and Europe against the influx into the EU of mostly Muslim migrants since 2015, Orban built razor-wire fences on the country's southern borders.

During his speech Orban said Hungary's geographical position "pushes it from time to time in the current of decisive debates on Europe's future".

"There was a time when we allowed the opening of borders so that Germans could meet with Germans, now in 2016 we had to close borders," he said.

Orban also held a referendum last month over the EU's plan to redistribute refugees around the bloc, and has moved to include in the constitution a ban on the settlement of "alien population".

On October 23 1956, the armed uprising against Soviet communist rule erupted after authorities opened fire on peaceful demonstrators.

After a retreat by Soviet troops signalled an apparent victory by the rebels, the Soviets returned in early November dooming the revolt to a swift defeat.

Story continues

Hundreds were executed in its aftermath including Imre Nagy, a reform-minded communist leader who moved to withdraw Hungary from the Soviet bloc.

Political demonstrations are often held on the October 23 anniversary.

In 2006, the most serious street disturbances since 1956 broke out after right-wing protestors fought fierce battles with police.
BRB sees threat against secularism, federalism

Naya Shakti Nepal coordinator Baburam Bhattarai said on Saturday conspiracies were being hatched against republicanism, federalism and secularism that have been enshrined in the new constitution.
CAIRO (Reuters) - A senior Egyptian military official was shot dead on Saturday outside his home on the outskirts of Cairo, security sources and his wife said Gunmen opened fire on Brigadier General Adel Rajaaie, an armoured division commander who had served in troubled northern Sinai, as he left his home in Obour city to go to work, his wife told Reuters. "Minutes after he left the house I heard gunfire, I went out to find him covered in blood ... he received a lot of bullets .. He died instantly," said Samia Zain El Abedeen. She said neighbours told her the assailants had automatic weapons and fled in a car. A newly-emerged militant group calling itself Louwaa el Thawra, or the Revolution Brigade, claimed responsibility for the attack on a Twitter account that was suspended shortly after the claim. Rajaaie, 52, is the most senior military official to be assassinated since the toppling of Islamist President Mohamed Mursi in mid-2013 by general-turned-president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. A military funeral will be held at Field Marshal Mohammed Hussein Tantawi Mosque, in Cairo, the same mosque where Egypt's top public prosecutor, Hisham Barakat, was given a military funeral after being killed by a car bomb in June 2015. He was the most senior state official to die at the hands of militants in recent years. Egypt faces an Islamist insurgency led by Islamic State's branch in North Sinai, where hundreds of soldiers and police have been killed. There have also been attacks in Cairo and other cities. Judges and other senior officials have increasingly been targeted by radical Islamists angered by hefty prison sentences imposed on members of the now-outlawed Muslim Brotherhood. The Brotherhood, which says it is a peaceful organisation, won Egypt's first free elections after the 2011 uprising that ended Hosni Mubarak's 30-year rule. Since the Brotherhood's candidate, Mursi, was deposed after mass protests against his rule, Sisi has overseen a crackdown in which hundreds of Brotherhood supporters have been killed and thousands jailed or sentenced to death. An Egyptian court confirmed a 20-year prison sentence on Mursi on Saturday on charges arising from the killing of protesters during demonstrations in 2012, judicial sources told Reuters. Another recently emerged militant group called Hasm Movement, the Arabic word for decisiveness, has claimed responsibility for five attacks since July, including an assassination attempt on Zakaria Abdel Aziza, a senior Egyptian prosecutor. The group said the attack was in revenge for death sentences handed to thousands of convicts. (Reporting Yusry Mohamed and Omar Fahmy; Writing by Amina Ismail, Editing by Angus MacSwan and Adrian Croft)
By Stella Mapenzauswa JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - A senior member of South Africa's ruling ANC urged its top leaders including President Jacob Zuma to quit on Sunday, saying fraud charges against Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan reflected an abuse of power to settle political scores within the party. ANC parliamentary chief whip Jackson Mthembu's comments come a week after Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa publicly expressed support for Gordhan, saying the case against him should not be allowed to undermine his efforts to revive the economy. Prosecutors have ordered Gordhan to appear in court on Nov. 2, in what his supporters and analysts say is an attempt to muzzle the Treasury over its criticism of the undue political influence exerted by a wealthy family close to Zuma. "In my view, a minister is being pursued for political reasons, and then charged with fraud. That's why I've then said, perhaps we are not the leadership that can take the ANC forward under these conditions," Mthembu said on ENCA television. "President Jacob Zuma is the president of the ANC. When I said the entire ANC leadership that has already taken collective responsibility must take the fall, I meant everybody, myself included, including President Zuma," he said. South African media has reported growing rifts within the African National Congress since the liberation movement of Nelson Mandela, which has been in power since 1994, suffered its worst electoral performance in August. Unemployment, economic stagnation and scandals around Zuma led voters to punish the ANC in the local government vote, changing the outlook for national elections in 2019. Publicly, Gordhan has said that he still enjoys a good relationship with Zuma, and that he is hard at work preparing a budget policy speech to be delivered next week. But investors fear his prosecution on charges of committing fraud while running the tax agency could see Gordhan removed as finance minister, opening South Africa to possibly losing its investment grade credit rating. Business leaders and rights groups have also voiced their support for Gordhan, and on Sunday the think-tanks Freedom Under Law and the Helen Suzman Foundation said they had filed an urgent court application to have the charges against him set aside. "The application by FUL and the HSF does not seek to protect particular individuals, or to take any side in factional battles," they said in a statement. "It is about protecting the machinery of the state from being undermined for malign purposes, thereby also preventing further damage to our fragile economy at a sensitive time." (Editing by Toby Chopra)
Alec Baldwins Donald Trump is proving to be as potent a political impersonation as Tina Feys Sarah Palin was during 2008 presidential election.

It is certainly getting noticed by Trump. After Alec Baldwins portrayal of Donald Trump on Saturday Night Live last week, the Republican presidential candidate tweeted his displeasure. Time to retire the boring and unfunny show. Alec Baldwin portrayal stinks. Media rigging election!

He isnt likely to feel much different this week.

On Saturday, SNLs opening sketch once again skewered Trump, this time taking aim at his claims of a media conspiracy and a rigged election, often using Trumps own words.

The skit, focused on the third and final presidential debate, featured Kate McKinnon once more as an unnaturally unflappable Hillary Clinton, and Tom Hanks as Fox News Chris Wallace, the moderator of the debate. Alluding to the fact that most polls have shown Clinton won the debates, McKinnons Clinton began by gleefully saying, In the first debate I set the table, in the second debate I fired up the grill, and tonight, I feast.

Just as the real third debate began with the blustering Trump speaking very calmly and quietly, Baldwins Trump began by speaking softly. Chris, I'm going to start this debate in the quietest voice possible, he said, calling himself a "sweet little baby Trump.

But, of course, the discourse between the two quickly degenerates.

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The show takes some digs at Hillary Clinton. When Hanks Wallace asked McKinnons Clinton about the WikiLeaks disclosures of her emails, the McKinnons Clinton goes off on a tangent. You're never going to answer a question about your emails," Hanks Wallace said.

"No, but it was very cute to watch you try, said McKinnons Clinton.

But while SNL gently ribbed Clinton, the skit depicted Trump as a buffoon.

The real Trump has repeatedly responded to the unearthing of infamous hot-mic comments (in which he boasted of sexually assaulting women) and allegations by several women that hes groped them, by saying, Nobody has more respect for women than I do. In the SNL skit, when Baldwins Trump delivered the same line, the camera showed the audience, and then the entire world, howling in laughter.

Hank's Wallace also later said to Baldwins Trump: It has become very clear that you're probably going to lose.

Baldwins Trump said, Correct!

Hanks moderator then asked if he will accept the results. "I will look at it at the time because frankly this is whole thing is rigged, said Baldwins Trump.

Will Trump accept the results of the election? #HanksOnSNL pic.twitter.com/niukwR1n4Y  Saturday Night Live (@nbcsnl) October 23, 2016

Donald Trump has repeatedly made this claim, without providing any substantial evidence. His claims of a rigged election have also been debunked by state election officials, some of them from the Republican party.

In the SNL skit, though, Baldwins Trump said he knows the election is rigged because every day I turn on the news, and all of the newscasters are making me look so bad. And how are we doing that? Hanks Wallace asked.

"By taking all of the things I say and all of the things I do and putting them on TV."

This, of course, is what Tina Fey did so effectively with former VP candidate Sarah Palin eight years ago. Back then, Feys portrayal came at a turning point and helped to change public perception of Palin to that of a lightweight unworthy of the vice presidency.

Baldwins Trump, on the other hand, is more of a pile on, coming at a time when Trump has already been under siege. The depiction is not likely to change any voters minds--especially not Donald Trumps, who has complained bitterly that the media is biased against him.

See original article on Fortune.com

More from Fortune.com
Following this past weeks final Presidential debate, Alec Baldwin returned as Donald Trump on Saturday Night Live for one last parody debate with Kate McKinnons Hillary Clinton. Baldwins performance sent Trump into a raging tweet storm about his depiction on SNL earlier this week, so the duos final debate had quite a lot to live up to.

Host Tom Hanks took on the role of FOX News anchor Chris Wallace, musing over the trilogy of debates. Tonight is gonna be like the third Lord of the Rings movie. You dont want to watch, but hey, youve gotten this far.

If you do want to watch this parody, though, you can do so above.

Baldwin went in on Trumps worst comments about women and not meeting with the Mexican President. He continued going after Trumps countless sniffles, and his confusion over foreign policy, going on a tangent about Iraq and Iran. Iran should write us a letter of thank you because Iran is taking Iraq and were going to Mosul and Irans going to write us a letter of, listen. Aleppo is a disaster and Iran is Iraq  sniff and ISIS 

Also Read: 'SNL': Tom Hanks and Kenan Thompson play 'Black Jeopardy'

Hanks Wallace interjected, stopping Baldwins Trump, who said: I dont know if you can tell, but I was really spinning out of control.

McKinnons Clinton was played with her usual over-the-top stoic meets bubbly attitude, cracking delightfully on Baldwins Trump as someone whose face looked like birth control. McKinnons Clinton also avoided e-mails, calling Hanks Wallace cute for trying to ask.

Also Read: 'SNL': Leslie Jones Lays It All Out There In Rant about Hack

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To Trumps comments on having respect for women, the camera panned out to entire planet laughing in unison. Settle down, settle down, entire planet, settle down, said Hanks Wallace. Baldwin took a sharp shot at his own brother after Stephen Baldwin expressed disappointment over Alec Baldwins performance.

Also Read: Watch 'SNL' Mock The 'Second And Worst Ever' Presidential Debate (Video)

The skit closed out with Baldwins Trump blaming the media for portraying him dishonestly, and Hillary Clinton asking America: Who do you want in the White House? A Republican, or Donald Trump?

Saturday Night Live airs at 11:30pm on NBC.

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No, that wasnt just a perfect illusion: Tom Hanks and Lady Gaga actually presided over a near-perfect 90 minutes of Saturday Night Live.

VIDEOSSNL Lampoons Third and Final Debate

Hanks, who has previously hosted SNL eight times, returned to Studio 8H in support of new film Inferno. And though he hasnt hosted since May 2006, the versatile actor was at the top of his game, thanks in part to an episode where just about every cast member and every sketch was firing on all cylinders. Similarly, Gaga wowed with the one-two punch of A-Yo and Million Reasons.

Hanks energy never wavered, even during the few less-than-stellar sketches that called on him to reprise his role as Captain Sully Sullenberger and impersonate frequent collaborator Ron Howard. On that note, were doing away with our tradition of picking the best and worst sketches, and simply highlighting our faves.

RELATEDBenedict Cumberbatch to Host SNL

BEST: FUNNY NEW COMEDY

This commercial  which served as both an indictment of the Television Academy, and a satire of the dramedy genre  was absolute gold. It consistently served up belly laughs as it mocked the decision to keep nominating shows like Transparent for Outstanding Comedy, and CBS for its failure to produce more cutting edge half-hours. While we doubt well see Broken, a series about a family of adjunct professors all diagnosed with depression on the air anytime soon, we wouldnt put it past one of the broadcast networks to develop something similar in an effort to rain on Transparents award season parade.

BEST: WEEKEND UPDATE

Were still on the fence about Colin Jost and Michael Che as anchors, but theres little doubt that Leslie Jones and Cecily Strong did some of their best-ever work this week behind the Update desk. Jones monologue on cyber security and her own nightmarish hacking scandal was equal parts funny and courageous; Strongs Girl You Wish You Hadnt Started a Conversation With At a Party had us ROFL-ing as she barked at Che about how Kevin Can Wait, but Syrian referees cant. (Watch and discuss Jones segment here.)

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BEST: HAUNTED ELEVATOR

If you loved Larry Davids Kevin Roberts (Can a bitch get a donut?), you probably enjoyed Hanks David S. Pumpkins, the least scary attraction at 100 Floors of Flights. Its the type of sketch that requires you to turn off your brain, but if you do, you can easily appreciate a man in a tuxedo covered in jack-o-lanterns doing his own thang with two B-Boy skeletons. Its juvenility is what makes it great.

BEST: BLACK JEOPARDY

Hanks was perfect as a Trump supporter who, instead of being nervous about being the only white contestant, wound up doing better than his African-American competitors  that is until it came time for Final Jeopardy. The category? Lives That Matter.

BEST: PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE NO. 3

Unlike most hosts, Hanks was present even before his opening monologue, turning up as Chris Wallace in the third and final presidential debate sketch. Though admittedly not as strong as the previous three cold opens to feature Alec Baldwin, we continued to be tickled by his performance as he embellished on The Donalds bad hombres and nasty woman gaffes, and went meta when naming his favorite Baldwin brother. (Watch and discuss the sketch here.)

What were your favorite sketches of the night? And what missed the mark? Grade the episode via our poll, then hit the comments and make your picks.

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Saturday Night Live this evening brought together Alec Baldwins Donald Trump and Kate McKinnons Hillary Clinton, possibly for the last time.

RELATEDSNL Featuring Tom Hanks, Lady Gaga: Watch Video of the Best Sketches

The comedy all stars faced off in SNLs parody of the third and final presidential debate, which began with Trump declaring hed be quieter this time around before quickly becoming unhinged when asked about abortion and womens rights. He later launched into a rant about meeting with the Mexican president, Mr. Guacamole, and got a big laugh from the audience when he claimed after multiple sexual assault allegations that he has more respect for women than anyone else.

Clinton, on the other hand, completed a Trump bingo card she allegedly began at the start of her opponents campaign. Later, she launched into a regurgitation of her accomplishments from the last 30 years.

VIDEOSSNLs Leslie Jones Riffs on Getting Hacked in Weekend Update Segment

Tom Hanks, who portrayed moderator Chris Wallace, remarked that much like the third Lord of the Rings film, audiences wouldnt want to watch this debate but had come this far.

What did you think of SNLs take of Debate No. 3? And of the four cold opens Alec Baldwins Trump has appeared, which has been your fave? Drop your thoughts in a comment below.

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SNL Featuring Tom Hanks, Lady Gaga: Watch Video of the Best Sketches
snl third and final debate tom hanks alec baldwin nbc

This week's "Saturday Night Live" guest host, Tom Hanks, joined Alec Baldwin and and Kate McKinnon to spoof the third and final presidential debate.

Playing moderator, Fox News' Chris Wallace, Hanks opened the debate.

"Tonight is going to be a lot like the third 'Lord of the Rings' movie," the "Forrest Gump" actor said. "You don't want to watch, but hey, you've come this far."

To set the tone for the debate, McKinnon's Hillary Clinton explained her plan for this head-to-head.

"In the first debate, I set the table," she said. "In the second debate, I fired up the grill. And tonight, I feast."

Baldwin's Donald Trump promised to remain calm for this debate, but that lasted for not even a minute. Hanks' Wallace asked about women's rights and "Trump" yelled, "They're ripping babies out of vaginas!"

During a question about immigration, "Clinton" yelled bingo after "Trump" said his now-infamous reference to Mexican immigrants as "bad hombres."

"I've been playing all year and I got it," "Clinton" explained, while holding up a bingo card and pointing at phrases Trump has said during the election. "'Bad Hombres,' 'rapists,' 'Miss Piggy,' 'they're all living in hell,' and 'if she wasn't my daughter.'"

In regard to the growing group of women accusing Trump of sexual misconduct, Baldwin repeated the real estate mogul's statement that "no one has more respect for women than I do."

As a result of all the laughing, Hanks' Wallace turned to the audience and said, "Settle down, Settle down, entire planet."

"SNL" ended the sketch with Trump's brazen refusal to say that he'd accept the election results amid claims that the election is rigged and the media is making him look bad.

When "Wallace" asked how the media is doing that, Baldwin's Trump answered, "By taking all of the things I say and all of the things I do and putting them on TV."

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Watch the whole sketch below:

NOW WATCH: 'Mr. Trump, would my son have a place in your America?': Watch Clinton's new emotional ad featuring Khizr Khan





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Tom Hanks returned to SNL for the ninth time this week, and his opening monologue came in the form of a talk with his metaphorical son: America.

Hanks, reflecting on the current political tension and social media of our age, sat down to address the audience, clad in a knit sweater, as though it were his teenage son moving into adolescence. You can watch the full speech up above.

Hey buddy. Theres my big growing nation. How ya doin, champ? Hanks started, then went on to talk about how America is changing, how its complexion is getting a little darker, and a lot gayer than we used to be. Hanks then asked about our financial situation.

Also Read: 'SNL': Tom Hanks and Kenan Thompson play 'Black Jeopardy'

How ya doin? You okay with money? asked Hanks, clad in his best Mister Rogers sweater, saying that he couldnt help us out of this mess. I dont have $19 trillion dollars, I have $230 million dollars.

I actually feel better about America after hearing @tomhanks give us a fatherly pep talk. Great monologue on @nbcsnl #HanksOnSNL  Dana Steer (@DanaSteer) October 23, 2016

Despite our apparent massive gun collection and the scent of weed in the air, Hanks brushed off all of Americas faults, focusing instead on where weve done well and what we have to look forward to. Hanks monologue was peppered with modern teenage jargon, with attempts at words like trill and fleek failing in an endearing manner that only Hanks could deliver.

Also Read: 'SNL': Alec Baldwin's Trump and Kate McKinnon's Clinton Go Head to Head in Final Debate Parody

.@tomhanks as Americas Dad just brought tears to my eyes. I don't know if that says more about the state of me or the state of our country.  Deena Nyer (@deenatypedthis) October 23, 2016

In the fact of Americas shortcomings, Hanks reassured the country that he believed in us. Youre going to make the right choices, Hanks reassured the audience, wrapping up his heartfelt monologue as Americas Dad.

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Hanks continues to climb the ranks of what is known as the Five or More club, the group of entertainers who have hosted at least five episodes of SNL. Hanks ranks below other actors such as Alec Baldwin, who has hosted 13 episodes, and Steve Martin, who currently holds the record with fourteen hosted episodes of SNL.

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By Abdi Sheikh and Feisal Omar MOGADISHU (Reuters) - Islamist militant group al Shabaab on Sunday seized control of yet another town in central Somalia after it was abandoned by African Union peacekeepers, a militant spokesman and a local official said, the third to fall to insurgents this month. On Sunday, an Ethiopian contingent abandoned the town of Halgan in the Hiran region, allowing the group's fighters to enter soon after, said Abdiasis Abu Musab, al Shabaab's spokesman on military operations. A military offensive launched in 2014 by AU forces and the Somali army pushed out of major strategic centers, but the insurgents, who once held sway over much of the Horn of Africa country, still control some settlements and rural areas. The fall of Halgan was confirmed by Dahir Amin Jesow, a member of parliament from the region, who said residents are being subjected to reprisals at the hands of the insurgents. "Each day, civilians are being beheaded over suspicion that they are government supporters," he told Reuters. "We do not have a government that is effective enough to protect our civilians." The reason for the peacekeepers' withdrawal was not clear. Officials in Ethiopia were not immediately available for comment. Somalia has been convulsed by instability, conflict and lawlessness since the early 1990s following the toppling of military dictator Mohamed Siad Barre. Propped up by the African Union-mandated force known as AMISOM, Somalia's military and central government have strengthened their grip on the country but a relentless campaign of violence by al Shabaab persists. The group regularly attacks AMISOM's troops, which is made up of about 22,000 soldiers and police from African nations supporting Somalia's government and army. Al Shabaab aims to drive out the peacekeepers, topple Somalia's Western-backed government and impose a strict version of Islam. (Writing by Aaron Maasho; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky)
Call to tap into natural resources in Mustang

Mustang consists of barren land and mountains of sand, gravels and boulders, which, if utilised for the extraction of construction materials, can generate huge revenues
By Alastair Macdonald BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Britain will "continue to play a full role until we leave", Prime Minister Theresa May told fellow leaders at her first EU summit; but for many Britons in Brussels that is a forlorn hope. Formally, yes, the heads of European Union institutions say Britain and its citizens will keep seats at council tables and in Parliament or go on with EU civil service careers in the two to three years left before it quits the 28-nation bloc. In reality, say British lawmakers and officials in Brussels - some of whom were offered trauma counseling by employers after the Brexit referendum four months ago to the day - they are already being sidelined, and expect further isolation. "Why should anyone listen to us?" said a British member of the European Parliament who forecast a December mid-term reshuffle of posts such as committee chairs will see many compatriots lose out. "People are polite, sympathetic," the MEP told Reuters. "But in the end, of course, we are leaving." Although May cautioned fellow leaders not to bind Britain by decisions taken without her, as at last month's summit of 27 in Bratislava, they insist the EU must move on and are annoyed, for example, by London trying to thwart more EU defense cooperation. The leader of German Chancellor Angela Merkel's center-right bloc in the European Parliament took to the BBC's flagship news show during last week's summit to warn Britons that such awkward tactics risk poisoning May's efforts to cut the kind of divorce deal she wants, keeping trade ties while curbing immigration. "That is creating a lot of anger," Manfred Weber said of British opposition to new plans for EU defense cooperation that London says might hamper NATO. "Please don't block it because that would have a lot of impact on the Brexit negotiations." Acknowledging Britain retains veto powers and votes in the EU for now, Weber said: "It's a question of behavior, whether you respect each other, not a question of rights." "WHY ARE YOU STILL HERE?" Most British MEPs, including most of May's Conservatives, opposed Brexit. There has been anger at those who did not; EU chief executive Jean-Claude Juncker demanded of UKIP leader Nigel Farage in the chamber in June: "Why are you still here?" A German MEP, speaking anonymously since parties have yet to take positions on December's jobs round, sees a rout of British influence: "The mid-term changes may reflect the new balance of powers, with UK MEPs probably being removed from positions." But despite some pressure from fellow MEPs to exclude the British now, lawyers advise that the 73 Britons in the 751-seat chamber must stay - and be able to vote, even on laws that may not affect Britain, or indeed those such as the form of the final divorce that affect it very particularly. Few expect the British to take part in the 2019 EU elections, however. British officials representing London in the many councils of the European Union in Brussels say they are aware of the delicacy of their position but must defend the national interest on a range of issues - from fishing quotas to budget amendments - that have immediate impacts, before Britain leaves. Yet as negotiators on both sides are preparing for formal talks to start by March in which continental and British diplomats will find themselves on opposite sides of the table, Britain's backroom envoys in Brussels are avoiding taking too much of a role in discussions on longer-term policy issues. That would be "a bit weird", one acknowledged. So far, British officials say, attitudes to them in meetings have not changed hugely, as long as they get "the tone right". PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE Britons are keeping especially active in discussions on issues where there will continue to be close cooperation post-Brexit, such as foreign and defense policy - as May herself did during summit talks on Syria, Russia and migration. May's predecessor David Cameron even appointed a new British member to Juncker's European Commission to replace an ally who, like Cameron, resigned after the Brexit vote; Julian King is now running security policy for the EU executive. British civil servants in Brussels have been assured by Juncker that for now their jobs are safe. But as non-EU citizens they will need special dispensations to work for the Union and many are considering their options. One EU job not so far open to them, and unlikely to be, is that of Brexit negotiator. Former French foreign minister Michel Barnier, the man Juncker has appointed to run the talks, and his German deputy have not appointed any Britons to their team. People familiar with the new operation say security will be tight, including to prevent leaks to London, and Barnier has told colleagues he would like negotiations to be held in French - though he denied on Friday being set on the idea. Britons near retirement are expected to stay on. Of others, some have dual nationality and can switch their official passport. Many in mid-career are looking at the private sector - or at what many expect to be a major expansion in parts of Whitehall, the British government's administration. One mid-ranking EU official said he had seen at least one fellow Briton passed over for what, pre-referendum, had seemed a certain promotion: "It's clear we have no future here," he said. "Leaving sooner rather than later may make sense." (Reporting by Alastair Macdonald; @macdonaldrtr; Editing by Pravin Char)
LONDON (Reuters) - Sunderland became the first top-flight club in more than 100 years to fail to register a win in any of their first nine league games in two successive seasons when they suffered a 1-0 defeat by West Ham United on Saturday. Winston Reid's goal deep into stoppage time was the latest blow for Davis Moyes's side who have managed just two draws from their opening nine matches. Bury, in 1906, were the last club to suffer two such dreadful starts to a top-flight season. Sunderland can take heart in the fact that Bury escaped relegation, but so far there is precious little evidence to suggest they can pull off the sort of recovery they managed last season when Sam Allardyce was installed as manager in January. Defeat was cruel on Sunderland at the London Stadium, according to Moyes who is coming under increasing pressure. "It was a very harsh way to lose a game," Moyes, whose side face leaders Arsenal next week, told the club's website. "I was pleased with a lot of what the players did today. It was always going to be a tough game. "I thought we competed and did quite well. We are disappointed, the players worked so hard and we've dropped a point in the end." Jermain Defoe's 15 goals proved the catalyst for Sunderland's escape last year but the former England striker had no service on Saturday against his old club. Official statistics showed he touched the ball once in the West Ham penalty area and Sunderland never looked in danger of adding to their meagre haul of six goals so far this season. (Reporting by Martyn Herman, editing by Pritha Sarkar)
Geneva (AFP) - Swiss customs authorities have slapped a billionaire with a $4 million fine for failing to properly declare some 200 artworks imported into Switzerland, according to media reports confirmed by officials Sunday.

Financier Urs Schwarzenbach has for years been bringing precious artworks by the likes of Yves Klein and Giovanno Segantini into Switzerland without declaring them to customs officials, or reporting their worth at far below their actual value, several Swiss media outlets reported.

Suspecting the billionaire of importing artwork illegally, Swiss customs authorities opened an investigation in 2012.

The probe concluded earlier this month that he had effectively dodged duties worth 10 million Swiss francs ($10 million, 9.2 million euros), which he was ordered to repay, along with a four million franc fine, the NZZ am Sonntag, Sonntagszeitung and Le Matin Dimanche weeklies reported.

Swiss finance ministry spokesman Daniel Saameli confirmed the content of the reports to AFP.

According to the papers, Schwarzenbach has agreed to pay back the 10 million francs, but is contesting the fine.

The 68-year-old's lawyers in London told the papers he denied any intentional wrongdoing, and wanted to present his side of the story to the district court in Zurich to clear his name.

Schwarzenbach, who is based in Britain and is reportedly a good friend of Prince Charles, had brought at least 123 works of art into Switzerland without declaring them, with some ending up on the walls of his luxury Zurich Dolder Grand hotel, the papers said.

- Fake receipts -

In one case detailed in Sunday's articles, he purchased a Giovanno Segantini painting, "Le due madri", for 1.4 million Swiss francs at a Christie's auction in Geneva in 2011, and quickly flew it to Britain, thus avoiding Swiss taxation.

But the painting reportedly reemerged in his luxurious Villa Meridiana in St. Moritz in the Swiss Alps, without him ever paying duties on it.

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Other artworks reportedly brought in under the radar include a painting by Russian geometric abstract artist Kazimir Malevich, valued at 16 million francs, and Yves Klein's MG41 (L'age d'or), the papers said.

When he did declare artwork, Schwarzenbach, whose fortune was valued last year by Swiss financial magazine Bilanz at 1.25 billion Swiss francs, sometimes reportedly presented fake receipts for amounts far lower than what he had actually paid.

On June 16, 2012 he is alleged to have presented Gottardo Segantini's "Paysage alpin" to Swiss customs officials along with a receipt for just 10,000 francs.

That is less than a tenth of the 105,000 euros he actually paid for the piece, the papers reported.

In all, the case concerns more than 200 works of art, with a combined value of at least 130 million francs, they said.
Hasakeh (Syria) (AFP) - On a dusty road in northeast Syria, a woman and her four children stand beside a freshly erected green sign for Joldara, the Kurdish name of her village known for decades as Shajra.

As part of an ambitious project by Kurdish authorities, hundreds of towns and villages in northern Syria are shedding Arabised names adopted in the 1960s in favour of their traditional Kurdish ones.

In Joldara, 70-year-old Abdulrahman Hawas Hamo recounts the history of his village's name as he fixes an old white truck in his yard.

"Joldara in Kurdish means a plain covered in trees," he says.

"This was the name of the village before it was Arabised by the Syrian government in 1962 and changed to Shajra," which means tree in Arabic, he explains.

A handful of modest one-room mud houses make up the village, which lies in Syria's arid Hasakeh province against a backdrop of dry hills.

The roads into and out of Joldara are lined with new signs bearing the Kurdish names of nearby villages in both Arabic and Latin script.

Syria's Kurds, who number about three million, have been denied basic rights for decades by the ruling Baath party.

The community was banned from speaking or teaching the Kurdish language and celebrating Kurdish feast days, and some were barred from holding Syrian nationality.

The names of hundreds of villages and towns were also Arabised in the government's official registers -- but Kurdish authorities are now reversing the procedure.

- 'Original, historical names' -

Soon after Syria's uprising erupted in 2011, President Bashar al-Assad granted citizenship to thousands of Kurds and regime troops withdrew from Kurdish-majority areas in 2012.

Since then, Kurds have erected a parallel system of institutions, complete with schools and police units, to govern swathes of the country's north.

"We are not renaming towns and villages -- we are returning to their original, historical names," says Joseph Lahdo, co-chair of the autonomous municipalities commission in Hasakeh.

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Local committees are being consulted on the original Kurdish name of their hometowns.

"The autonomous administration then uses these names in its records and communication," Lahdo says.

"Maps will include the original Kurdish name with the Arabised name in parentheses."

The process is not recognised by the central government in Damascus, which has preserved the Arabised names in its own registers.

Researcher Zohrab Qado says the Arabisation of town and village names accelerated when Syria's Baathist regime came to power in the 1960s, but had begun the previous decade under the short-lived United Arab Republic of Syria and Egypt.

Between 1978 and 1998 alone, Qado says, the names of more than 500 villages in Hasakeh province were Arabised, as well as other towns like Kobane, which became known as Ain al-Arab.

"These procedures weren't innocent -- the Arabisation was planned," Qado tells AFP in his office, surrounded by history books in Kurdish and Arabic.

The town of Derek "was changed to Al-Malikiyah in 1957 in a formal decree in memory of Adnan al-Maliki", the founder of Syria's modern army.

- 'A victory' -

An employee at the government's civil register in Amuda, also in Hasakeh province, says place names were officially Arabised "in a formal letter from the ministry of interior".

"Even newborns had to have their names approved and Arabised by security agencies," says the employee who requested anonymity.

According to Qado, Syria's government even distributed land around Kurdish villages to Arab farmers coming from the nearby province of Raqa in a bid to transform the demographic composition of northern Syria.

Among these, Ahmad al-Abduli's family travelled as part of this government programme to a village now identified by its Kurdish name of Himo.

"We came from Raqa in the 1970s, and the village name was changed at the time to Hanadi. But today it has gotten its older name back," the 45-year-old says.

Kurdish families saw the land distributions and renamings as an attempt to erase their identity.

Sheikhmous Rasho, a Kurdish farmer in his 60s, gestures excitedly in his hometown, which several weeks ago regained its original name of Girsor.

"Our village is... more than 200 years old," he says.

"But they changed the Kurdish names to Arabic, so they could say these were Arab villages and distance us from our Kurdish nationality and language."

Residents of Amuda were thrilled after the municipality announced they could add Kurdish-language signs outside their shops.

Outside the store where he sells roasted cashews and other nuts, Adnan Hoshi carefully writes out "Emise Hejar" -- Kurdish for "Nut shop".

"It's a victory for us to be able to write the name of our shops in Kurdish," he says with a grin.
By Greg Roumeliotis and Jessica Toonkel

NEW YORK (Reuters) - AT&T Inc said on Saturday it agreed to buy Time Warner Inc for $85.4 billion, the boldest move yet by a telecommunications company to acquire content to stream over its network to attract a growing number of online viewers.

The biggest deal in the world this year will, if approved by regulators, give AT&T control of cable TV channels HBO and CNN, film studio Warner Bros and other coveted media assets. The tie-up will likely face intense scrutiny by U.S. antitrust enforcers worried that AT&T might try to limit distribution of Time Warner material.

AT&T will pay $107.50 per Time Warner share, half in cash and half in stock, worth $85.4 billion overall, according to a company statement. AT&T said it expected to close the deal by the end of 2017.

Dallas-based AT&T said the U.S. Department of Justice would review the deal and that the companies were determining which Federal Communications Commission licenses, if any, would be transferred to AT&T in the deal.

U.S. lawmakers were already worried about cable company Comcast Corp's $30 billion acquisition of NBCUniversal, and several argued for close regulatory scrutiny of the AT&T deal.

"Such a massive consolidation in this industry requires rigorous evaluation and serious scrutiny," said U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, Senate Judiciary Committee member and former attorney general of Connecticut. "I will be looking closely at what this merger means for consumers and their pocketbooks."

U.S. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump said at a rally he would block any AT&T-Time Warner deal if he wins the Nov. 8 election. Trump has complained about media coverage of his campaign, especially by Time Warner's CNN.

"It's too much concentration of power in the hands of too few," said Trump.

Representatives of his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

CONTENT PLUS DELIVERY

AT&T, whose main wireless phone and broadband service business is showing signs of slowing, has already made moves to turn itself into a media powerhouse. It bought satellite TV provider DirecTV last year for $48.5 billion.

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It had about 142 million North American wireless subscribers as of June 30, and about 38 million video subscribers through DirecTV and its U-verse service.

New York-based Time Warner is a major force in movies, TV and video games. Its assets include the HBO, CNN, TBS and TNT networks as well as the Warner Bros film studio, producer of the Batman and Harry Potter film franchises. The company also owns a 10 percent stake in video streaming site Hulu. The HBO network alone has more than 130 million subscribers.

AT&T Chief Executive Officer Randall Stephenson told reporters on a conference call that owning Time Warner and all its content will provide a greater competitive advantage than just continuing to license it.

Talks between Stephenson and Time Warner CEO Jeff Bewkes began in August, they said. "Jeff and I both had a vision that if you put these two together, you could innovate much faster," said Stephenson.

Bewkes, who rejected an $80 billion offer from Twenty-First Century Fox Inc in 2014, will stay on for an open-ended period of time to help with the integration.

Stephenson called the deal "vertical" rather than "horizontal" and played down regulatory hurdles.

"There's no competitor being removed from the marketplace, there's no competitive harm that is being rendered by putting these two companies together," said Stephenson. "So any concerns by the regulators, we believe, will be adequately addressed by conditions, that's our anticipation."

Time Warner must pay AT&T $1.725 billion if it finds a different buyer. If regulators block the deal, AT&T must pay Time Warner $500 million, according to people familiar with the deal.

The telecom and media sectors have been consolidating. In addition to Comcast's purchase of NBCUniversal, AT&T's wireless rival Verizon Communications Inc is in the process of buying internet company Yahoo Inc for about $4.8 billion.

FINANCING

AT&T said it would finance the cash portion of the purchase with new debt and cash on its balance sheet. AT&T said it has an 18-month commitment for an unsecured bridge term facility for $40 billion.

AT&T has only $7.2 billion in cash on hand. Further borrowing could pressure its credit rating as it already had $120 billion in net debt as of June 30, according to Moody's.

AT&T said the deal would add to earnings per share in the first year after closing. It said it expected $1 billion in annual run-rate cost savings within three years of closing, chiefly driven by lower corporate and procurement spending.

Shortly after the deal was announced, AT&T reported third-quarter adjusted earnings per share of 74 cents, the same as in the year-ago period and matching Wall Street's average estimate, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. It hiked its quarterly dividend by a penny to 49 cents per share.

Time Warner said its third-quarter earnings, which have not yet been announced, would show growth in revenue and operating income at each division and double-digit earnings growth.

5G IS COMING

Owning more content gives cable and telecom companies bargaining leverage with other content companies as customers demand smaller, hand-picked cable offerings or switch to watching online. New mobile technology including next-generation 5G networks could make a content tie-up especially attractive for wireless providers.

"We think 5G mobile is coming, we think 5G mobile is an epic game-changer," Rich Tullo, director of research at Albert Fried & Co, said in a research note, adding that mobile providers would be in position to disrupt traditional pay-TV services.

A previous Time Warner blockbuster deal, its 2000 merger with AOL, is considered one of the most ill-advised corporate marriages on record.

Perella Weinberg Partners LP, Bank of America Corp and JPMorgan Chase & Co were financial advisers to AT&T, with Bank of America and JPMorgan also offering bridge financing, while Sullivan & Cromwell LLP and Arnold & Porter LLP provided legal advice.

Allen & Co LLC, Citigroup Inc and Morgan Stanley acted as financial advisers to Time Warner, while Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP was its legal adviser.

(Additional reporting by David Shepardson, Liana Baker, Malathi Nayak and Diane Bartz; Writing by Bill Rigby; Editing by David Gregorio)
AT&T has clinched an $85.4 billion agreement to acquire Time Warner in a stock and cash deal that values the media giant at $107.50 per share, capping a whirlwind few days of negotiations that promise to turn AT&T into one of the entertainment industrys largest players.

AT&T chairman Randall Stephenson and Time Warner CEO Jeffrey Bewkes held a hastily assembled conference call on Saturday night to unveil the deal that unites AT&Ts DirecTV, high-speed Internet and wireless telco services with the vast film, TV and digital operations at Warner Bros., HBO and Turner. The CEOs emphasized that the agreement came together quickly because they saw the unique potential of marrying their assets.

Stephenson said the deal came together quickly because he and Bewkes realized after a conversation about a year ago that they were in sync in their vision for what both companies needed to remain competitive. At first, Bewkes made it really clear to me he wasnt selling his company, Stephenson said. But the more they compared notes, they more both realized this might be unique enough to make it worth investigating, Stephenson said.

We have a very common view of the world, Stephenson continued. From the first time Jeff and I had a conversation this thing just had what I would call gravity and it moved along on its own very natural process.

Bewkes acknowledged that he will eventually step down from the combined entity, but not for some time as the deal will undoubtedly face a long regulatory approval process. Stephenson stressed that he wanted Bewkes to remain closely involved with the company regardless of his position. And Bewkes said he expected that senior creative and business executives at Time Warners various divisions to go on for many years given the lack of overlap with AT&Ts existing management.

Bewkes touted the mergers potential to enhance the ability of Warner Bros, HBO and Turner to invest in content because of AT&Ts diversified portfolio.

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The merger will super-charge our capabilities and give the company more financial heft, Bewkes said.

With the fast-changing business landscape that MVPDs and content companies are facing, Bewkes and Stephenson realized that by joining forces they could both better lead the charge in adapting to the multiplatform era.

Thats how we got to the view that this would be really game-changing, Bewkes said. Were both in the business of evolving our industries faster, not slower.

Stephenson vowed that the combined company will be an innovator in the delivery of programming and advertising, a vital step for any media giant at a time of upheaval for traditional pay TV providers. Bewkes said that spirit of innovation would be a talent magnet for the content creation side.

The goal is to evolve the existing eco-system that audiences have used to watch television, and also to move into new capabilities for the way people can access video that go beyond traditional business models, Bewkes said.

Including Time Warners roughly $24 billion in debt, the transaction value is pegged $108.7 billion. The deal calls for AT&T to pay Time Warner shareholders $53.75 per share in cash and $53.75 in AT&T stock. Time Warner shareholders will own between 14.4% and 15.7% of the combined company after the deal closes. Time Warner will account for about 15% of the companys revenue.

The deal was approved unanimously by the boards of both companies on Saturday. AT&T projected that the deal will close before the end of 2017.

AT&T emphasized the transaction as a marriage of video, content and mobile services. The future of video is mobile and the future of mobile is video, AT&T declared in announcing the deal. AT&T predicted it would realize $1 billion on cost savings through the combination of the companies within the three years of the deal closing.

The deal marks a transformational play by Stephenson, one that will leave the telco giant with a debt load of nearly $200 billion. It comes just 15 months after AT&T absorbed the DirecTV satellite service in a $48 billion acquisition.

Related Content AT&T-Time Warner Questions: Whats the Price Tag and Why Now?

For Time Warner, the union with AT&T comes 16 years after the companys fortunes were badly damaged in the ill-timed merger with AOL at the apex of the first wave of dot-com mania, and some 26 years after the merger of Time Inc. and Warner Bros. set the template for the modern diversified and vertically integrated media conglomerate.

But Bewkes has spent his eight-year tenure at the top paring down the company to three core units  HBO, Warner Bros., and Turner  squarely focused on film and TV content. The Time Warner Cable and AOL units were spun off in 2009, followed in 2014 by the Time Inc. publishing division. That streamlining process made the company more easily acquired by another sizable industry player and also made it easier for TW to command a premium for its blue-chip assets.

The pact with AT&T, assuming it wins approval by regulators, is a victory for Bewkes, who beat back an unsolicited takeover bid two years ago from 21st Century Fox that valued Time Warner at $85 a share. At the time, Bewkes said the offer was too low to consider. But after Time Warner shares fell below the $70 mark amid the broader industry volatility of the past two years, some questioned his quick dismissal of Foxs bid.

The AT&T deal is viewed as a better option by Time Warner insiders because it is not as expected to produce as much upheaval  at least immediately  for the rank-and-file as compared to a takeover by Fox or another media conglom with duplicate management structures for similar businesses.

The AT&T deal will wind up paying a TW shareholders a premium of about 35% over the stocks recent trading price. After Bloomberg News reported the first word of the AT&T-Time Warner talks on Thursday afternoon, TW shares spiked more than 10%, closing Friday at $89.48.

Although Stephenson downplayed it, AT&Ts pursuit of Time Warner was hurried along by the rumblings in the marketplace that Apple was ready to approach Time Warner with a rich offer. Apple is known to have flirted with a Time Warner deal in the not-so-distant past.

AT&T aims to enhance its DirecTV business, high-speed Internet and wireless offerings by bringing Time Warners top-tier content  from HBO and the Turner cable networks to Warner Bros. vast film and TV operations  into the fold. Because AT&T owns the industrys largest MVPD in DirecTV and is a player in Internet access, the deal will face an arduous regulatory review process in an uncertain political environment for media mega-mergers.

Stephenson stressed that the scale of the enlarged AT&T would benefit consumers by making it easier and more seamless for people to discover and view content on their own timetables across any device. Those talking points are surely advance material for the pitch to Washington to come.

Stephenson acknowledged that the regulators would likely impose conditions on the transaction  standard operating procedure in mega mergers. But he noted that because the operations of the companies represent a vertical rather than horizontal combination it should not raise anti-trust concerns. AT&Ts effort to buy smaller wireless competitor T-Mobile was nixed by regulators in 2011, but the situation is different this time around.

No competitor is being removed from the marketplace, Stephenson said.

On Saturday, even before the formal announcement, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump said he would block the AT&T-Time Warner deal if he is elected president.

In a sign of how hotly a contested subject the deal will be, the American Cable Association trade group representing smaller operators was quick to raise concerns about the market power that a combined AT&T-Time Warner would wield.

As the FCC has found in past mergers, combining valuable content with pay-TV distribution causes harm to consumers and competition in the pay-TV market, the ACA said in a statement issued before the announcement. If an AT&T/Time Warner deal is forged as reported, the vertical integration of the merged company must be an issue that regulators closely examine.

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By David Shepardson and Jessica Toonkel

WASHINGTON/NEW YORK (Reuters) - The tie-up of AT&T Inc (T.N) and Time Warner Inc (TWX.N), bringing together one of the country's largest wireless and pay TV providers and cable networks like HBO, CNN and TBS, could kick off a new round of industry consolidation amid massive changes in how people watch TV.

Stocks of some programmers that could attract interest rose sharply on Friday as the deal of the year came together. Discovery Communications Inc (DISCA.O) gained 3.6 percent, AMC Networks Inc (AMCX.O) rose 3.9 percent and Scripps Networks Interactive Inc (SNI.O) jumped 5.6 percent.

Media content companies are having an increasingly difficult time as standalone entities, creating an opportunity for telecom, satellite and cable providers to make acquisitions, analysts say.

Media firms face pressure to access distribution as more younger viewers cut their cable cords and watch their favorite shows on mobile devices. Distribution companies, meanwhile, see acquiring content as a way to diversify revenue.

"The industry needs to consolidate," said Salvatore Muoio, whose firm invests in a number of media companies, including Time Warner. "You have a lot more competition from the likes of Netflix, Amazon and Hulu."

AT&T said late Saturday it will buy Time Warner for $85.4 billion in a combination of cash and stock, forging the biggest deal in the world this year. It expects to close the acquisition by the end of 2017.

AT&T chief executive Randall Stephenson said the deal "is a perfect match of two companies with complementary strengths who can bring a fresh approach to how the media and communications industry works for customers, content creators, distributors and advertisers."

Owning content will help AT&T "innovate on new advertising options, which, combined with subscriptions, will help pay for the cost of content creation," the company said Saturday.

But the deal and others will need to pass the scrutiny of regulators, who have raised increasing concerns about media mergers.

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'SIGNIFICANT STRESS'

Shares of Walt Disney Co (DIS.N), often thought of as a leader in content, are down 16 percent for the past year, noted Richard Greenfield, analyst at BTIG, who said the industry is under "significant stress."

Earlier this month, Disney Chief Executive Robert Iger highlighted the growing importance of distribution for content companies.

"The biggest thing that we're trying to do now is figure out what technology's role is in distributing the great content we have," Iger told attendees at a luncheon held by the Boston College Chief Executives Club.

Former Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Julius Genachowski, a partner at the Carlyle Group, said a AT&T-Time Warner deal "and other big potential deals reflect the landscape that's changing dramatically from wired to wireless with big changes in consumption of video particularly among millennials," he said.

The deal will face serious opposition.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on Saturday vowed flatly to block a deal if elected.

"As an example of the power structure I'm fighting, AT&T is buying Time Warner and thus CNN, a deal we will not approve in my administration because it's too much concentration of power in the hands of too few," Trump said.

Senator Edward Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat, also raised serious concerns.

"In the telecommunications market, we need more competition, not more consolidation. We need a telecommunications market where pay-TV gatekeepers dont favor their own content providers," Markey said. "Less competition has historically resulted in fewer choices and higher prices for consumers, and this deal should be assessed with consumers, competition and choice in mind."

AT&T said the Justice Department will review the deal but said it is unclear if the FCC will also have to approve the deal since the companies haven't decided "which FCC licenses, if any, will be transferred to AT&T in connection with the transaction."

CONSOLIDATION TREND

Barclays analyst Amir Rozwadowski said distributors could increasingly look to buy content. "Companies that traditionally ran their businesses in 'siloed' environments are now expanding their reach into tangential markets in order to seek out new growth and bundling services in order to reduce churn," he said.

Cable company Comcast Corp (CMCSA.O) kicked off the trend with its acquisitions of NBCUniversal in 2011 and more recently of DreamWorks Animation in a bid to become a massive force that controls how television shows and movies are made and delivered to viewers.

Comcast's acquisition was in part aimed at diversifying its business out of cable.

AT&T has already made moves to turn itself into a media powerhouse, buying satellite TV provider DirecTV last year for $48.5 billion.

It also entered into a joint venture, Otter Media, with the Chernin Group in 2014. The venture invests in media businesses and has rolled out video streaming services targeted at millennials.

Meanwhile, Verizon Communications Inc (VZ.N), has made a number of content acquisitions, including AOL. It has announced plans to buy internet company Yahoo Inc (YHOO.O) but has indicated it may renegotiate following a breach of Yahoo user email accounts.

As its bread-and-butter wireless operations struggle in a saturated phone market, Verizon had said in July it would buy Yahoo's core business for $4.83 billion to drive growth in advertising and media.

But some analysts said questions persist about the success of big vertical deals. U.S. regulators will insist on significant conditions as part of any approval that would limit the synergies from any deal, they said, noting that in 2011 Comcast was forced to give up day-to-day control of video website Hulu in order to buy NBC, and that it had to make NBC programs available to other streaming services.

"Vertical integration between programming and distribution in particular raises a number of issues: DirecTV, for instance, might favor Time Warner content, crowding out or refusing to carry alternative and independent programming that viewers might prefer," said John Bergmayer, senior counsel at advocacy group Public Knowledge.

Stephenson told reporters Saturday that the deal "is a vertical merger in its pure sense. Time Warner is a supplier to AT&T and we are combining with a supplier."

As a result, he added, "there's no competitor being removed from the marketplace, there's no competitive harm that is being rendered by putting these two companies together. So any concerns by the regulators, we believe will be adequately addressed by conditions, that's our anticipation."

(Reporting by David Shepardson, Malathi Nayak and Diane Bartz in Washington, Jessical Toonkel in New York and Subrat Patnaik in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Henderson, Meredith Mazzilli and Mary Milliken)
Touring pop artist Hana Pestle wasnt born in Billings, but she lived here for more than a dozen years and still considers it her hometown.

Pestle, who now performs as Hana, is touring the world with some new friends, including Grimes and Purity Ring. She recently completed tours with Lana Del Rey and Florence and the Machine.

When Pestle saw the tour date pop up in Billings at the Babcock Theatre Monday night, she made sure she got on the bill as the opening act for Purity Ring.

The concert is all-ages and general admission and it starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance and $28 at the door.

Her parents are flying in from Los Angeles and her younger sister, Skylar, is coming from Portland, for a Pestle family reunion.

This is definitely the hometown tour. I am just so excited to come home and play this music that I am super proud of," Pestle said in a phone interview from a tour stop in Vancouver, Canada. "I want to see my old house and go on a hike. Im excited to see Billings and how its developed.

Pestle has been singing most of her life, and some folks in Billings may remember her roles at Billings Studio Theatre and the former Venture Theatre, where she performed in Seussical Jr. as a bluesy kangaroo. She also hit open mic nights at local coffee shops, was featured in several shows at Yellowstone Valley Brewing Co.s Garage Pub, and performed in concerts and plays at West High School.

Now 26, Pestle looks back on the last 12 years as a performer with much reflection. She was discovered by Los Angeles writers and producers when she was still in high school, and spent her last two years of high school traveling between Montana and L.A. to work on her debut album. She hit the college circuit hard after her 2009 album came out, This Way, including a 2012 show at Montana State University Billings.

It was a chaotic life for a young woman, and eventually she lost her connection to the music and became unhappy with the direction her music was going. Pestle said she yearned for a deeper connection to music, so she sold her touring van three years ago and taught herself how to produce her own music. A songwriter with a crisp, warm voice, Pestle set out to write music that fit the theme of her life and reflected a fresh approach to pop.

Her poppy, atmospheric single, Clay, surfaced on Soundcloud in 2015 and immediately started drawing attention from people like Grimes and Lorde.

Pestle said the five songs that make up her newest EP, HANA, which was released in March, capture the pain of breaking up and the thrill of moving on.

In an effort to clean her slate, Pestle removed her old music from the internet and rebranded herself. She feels that her new music is more honest and she is proud to share it with the world.

Lyrically, Pestle shares her darkest and most angry moments on her songs, which helped her get over a breakup after a five-year relationship.

In every day life, Im a pretty bubbly person. With art and music, its my outlet for more serious emotions, Pestle said.

Pestle has performed with Grimes and also sang backup vocals for Celine Dion on her Taking Chances album.

But shes happy being on stage by herself, no guitar, no band, just Pestle with electronic equipment that allows her to play a drum pad.

My music has a beat and some hooks there, and some people say its electro pop, but really to me, Im a pop purist.
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Skinny bundle, we hardly knew ya: AT&Ts plan to acquire Time Warner will likely spoil efforts to sell consumers smaller and cheaper TV subscriptions.

Some consumers have long advocated for the ability to buy TV channels a la carte, or at least get more flexibility to not pay for some of the networks they dont watch. The latter idea has gotten some traction in the industry under the skinny bundle moniker, with TV providers arguing that they could slow the growth of cord-cutting if theyd be able to sell consumers cheaper alternatives to the $100 cable bundle.

Some TV providers have started to experiment with various forms of skinny bundles, often offering consumers access to local broadcast channels like ABC, CBS and NBC, plus a limited line-up of basic cable channels, and the option to add HBO for half the price of their typical cable bundle.

Dishs Sling TV has taken the idea one step further, and is actually offering small network TV bundles over the internet for as little as $20 a month. Many others, including Googles YouTube, have looked to also go skinny. Hulu, which plans to launch a live TV streaming service next year, has yet to reveal how skinny it wants that service to be. (Coincidentally, Time Warner does own 10 percent of Hulu.)

Theres only one problem with these cheaper plans: TV networks dont like them. Media companies like Viacom and Disney would prefer to keep selling their networks the way they have always done  with a take-it or leave-it approach that forces operators to sell a dozen little-watched channels in order to get the one or two that consumers care about.

Skinny bundles have long been a point of contention between operators and TV networks. In fact, Disney even took Verizon to court over the operators attempts to sell cheap TV plans without ESPN. Verizon CEO blamed the TV networks for not being able to sell skinnier bundles during a recent appearance at the Internet Associations Virtuous Cycle conference, saying that the company would sell skinny bundles exclusively if it could.

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Not all operators are that obsessed with trimming the fat. AT&T, for its part, isnt looking to go skinny when it starts selling its DirecTV Now streaming service later this year, and AT&Ts SVP of strategy and business development Tony Goncalves told Variety earlier this year that he doesnt think skinny bundles are going to last. Skinny will turn to fat sooner or later, he said, arguing that the economics for skinny bundles simply dont work.

By acquiring Time Warner, its all but certain that AT&T wont change its mind on this point, and continue to advocate for big bundles. In fact, it could lead to a kind of power shift in the industry.

Comcast already owns NBC Universal, a marriage that has effectively turned the TV operator into a media company that also owns the pipes for its content, and has little interest in others disrupting either of those two businesses. AT&Ts acquisition of Time Warner would likely lead to a similar transformation  and in turn make it harder for anyone trying to chip away on the status quo.

In other words: As media companies are getting bigger, chances are fizzling that consumers TV service bills are going to get smaller.

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Scattered in the crowd at Taylor Swift's only concert performance of 2016 were plenty of signs from fans attesting to how far they'd traveled to be in Austin on Saturday night. Plenty belonged to residents of far eastern or Pacific states, but the one that verified a trip from Honduras (approx. distance: 1,270 miles) to see Swift live was a pretty stark testament to the level of star power in play.

What the estimated 80,000 fans gathered from all compass points at the Circuit of The Americas race track got was an emphatic statement of why Swift is the recipient of such loyalty from fans all over the globe.



From the moment Swift emerged from jets of colored fog to the drum snap of "New Romantics," she commanded the huge festival-sized stage in front of her and projected every stalking step, shimmy and perfectly timed wink or hair flip out to the tens of thousands of fans gathered acres away on lawn seating.

Early on Swift acknowledged that the Austin show was her only 2016 after spending much of the year prior on the world-spanning tour in support of the 1989 album, and that she was looking forward to reconnecting with fans despite recovering from a cold that could have some impact on her vocals.



Roger Ho for Rolling Stone

However, she persevered throughout much the night, even delivering an extra oomph whenever a song needed an emotional blast and a real soaring vocal.



That was on display for her turn with an acoustic guitar for early-career material "You Belong To Me," and "Fifteen," sharing with the audience how much she's enjoyed her decade-plus of opening her diary and pouring her emotions and romantic mishaps out in front of them.

Swift's past history of October even-year releases had many speculating that Saturday's show might feature new material as a way to build toward her next artistic move, but she stuck to her well-known catalog instead. The only exception came during her three-song turn behind a sparkling white grand piano when she delivered her first-ever live performance of "This Is What You Came For," the hit she helped pen for her ex beau Calvin Harris and Rihanna.



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Now 10 years and a whole lot of well-publicized breakups into her career, Swift appeared to have not just moved on from those stumbles but taken full ownership of them, turning songs like "Blank Space" and "I Knew You Were Trouble" into anthems of experience from a woman proud to be living life fearlessly.

Roger Ho for Rolling Stone

By the time the closing fireworks on the undeniable dance party of "Shake It Off" signaled the night's close 80 minutes later, Swift bid farewell as a smiling and thankful conquering hero. Saturday's show might have been her sole public concert for the entire year, but with a crowd that ranks as one of her largest ever, it showed no drop off or rust from a star determined to remain one of the biggest names in music for a long time to come.

Setlist:

"New Romantics"

"22"

"Blank Space"

"I Knew You Were Trouble"

"Style"

"You Belong To Me"

"Fifteen"

"Holy Ground"

"We Are Never Getting Back Together"

"Love Story"

"This Is What You Came For"

"Sparks Fly"

"Wildest Dreams"

"Out Of The Woods"

"Shake It Off"

Related Content:
Taylor Swift gives her only concert of 2016 so far, during the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas. (Photo: Getty Images)

Taylor Swift is back onstage. On Saturday, the star headed to Austin, Texas, to perform at the U.S. Grand Prix. And though to some, her look that night was just a cute ensemble, for hardcore Swifties, it was a sign of things to come.

While the Grand Prix also hosted other performances by Usher and the Roots, Swifts stage act was her first since the conclusion of her last tour. Accordingly, anticipation was at an all-time high.

For the performance, she whipped out songs like her popular Bad Blood and Love Story as well as Holy Ground and wore a shimmering black romper complete with a choker, her signature bangs, and a red lip. The pop star with country roots paired it all with a high-heeled black bootie. Sure, it was a lot darker than the pricey bridal romper we saw a few weeks ago, but it was a sexy look indeed.

Taylor Swift performs at the U.S. Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, on Saturday. (Photo: Getty Images)

On Twitter, though, fans started pointing out the choker in particular. Taylor is wearing a choker as part of her outfit! tweeted fans in Manila and New Zealand.

Victoria Willis riffed on a well-known Mean Girls quote, tweeting, One time I saw @taylorswift13 wearing a choker so I bought a choker.

One time I saw @taylorswift13 wearing a choker so I bought a choker. #meangirls but really now I need one pic.twitter.com/5HCfBipAB7  Victoria Willis (@VCWillis) October 23, 2016

But why was that accessory causing a minor pandemonium?

Fans of Taylor Swift in Austin, Texas. (Photo: Getty Images)

Yahoo Style tweeted about it to a fan, who immediately responded: She usually changes her fashion every time she releases her music, and shes never worn [a choker] before, user Swiftsjai wrote. While Tay-Tay has worn a choker in a variety of street-style photos, we havent been able to find a picture of her ever wearing one for a performance.

Every album means a new Taylor Swift era, and the 1989 era has just finished and a new one is hopefully about to start! Swiftsjai wrote. Could it be? Is the world ready for another Swift era? Only time will tell.
A group of 26 hostages freed from nearly five years in the hands of Somali pirates touched down in Kenya on Sunday, with both tears and smiles marking the end of their ordeal.

"Am so, so happy. Really, am so, so happy. For UN, for Mr John (negotiator), for all the world. Thanks to you all," said one of the hostages, Sudi Ahman.

The relief of the men was palpable, with some unable to hold back tears while others hugged each other and smiled broadly.

John Steed, coordinator of the Hostage Support Partners (HSP) who helped negotiate their release, had gone to the Somali city of Galkayo to fetch the crew of the Naham 3, who had been held hostage for longer than any other crew except one.

"We have been working on this for four-and-a-half years... it's great to bring them home and hand them over to their embassies and their families," said Steed.

A retired British colonel, Steed has made it his mission to rescue "forgotten hostages": poor fishermen with no insurance who are often left languishing the longest in the hands of pirates.

The crew were taken captive when their Omani-flagged vessel was seized in March 2012 south of the Seychelles.

Pirates initially took 29 crew hostage, but one person died during the hijacking, and two more "succumbed to illness" during their captivity, said a statement from Oceans Beyond Piracy (OBP) on Saturday.

"We have achieved what we achieved today by getting elders, religious community and local leaders and regional government all involved to put pressure on these guys to release the hostages," said Steed.

The crew members are from China, Indonesia, Philippines, Cambodia and Taiwan and they were the last remaining seafarers taken hostage at the height of Somali piracy.

Only a crew of Thai fishermen, released in February last year after nearly five years in captivity, spent longer in the hands of Somali pirates.

Steed said the crew was malnourished and one of the hostages had a bullet wound in his foot, another had suffered a stroke and another had diabetes.

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At the peak of the piracy epidemic in January 2011, Somali pirates held 736 hostages and 32 boats.

According to the OBP, while overall numbers are down in the Western Indian Ocean, pirates in the region attacked at least 306 seafarers in 2015 .

While there has not been a successful attack on a commercial vessel since 2012, there have been several on fishing boats. There are still 10 Iranian hostages taken in 2015 and three Kenyan kidnap victims -- one a seriously ill, paralysed woman -- in the hands of pirates, said Steed.
SANTIAGO (Reuters) - Chile's electoral service has mistakenly listed hundreds of thousands of voters as living in towns far away from their actual place of residence, casting a minor pall over Sunday's local elections. According to the government, about 475,000 voters in the country of 17.6 million people have been placed on the wrong voter roll. While some voters are listed as living in nearby municipalities and thus may be able to vote with some added inconvenience, many are listed as living far from their actual home. Among them is Guillermo Ponce, a civil engineer living in the Santiago neighborhood of Nunoa, who found out recently that the electoral service had changed his residence to Chilean Antarctica, a largely unpopulated province well over 2,000 miles (3,219 km) southward. "I don't know Antarctica, I've never been there, I've never done any administrative dealings there," Ponce said. "So, all the explanations that (the government) offers, that two addresses could have gotten mixed up during an administrative process or a transaction at the Civil Registry that caused this address to be assigned, none of that is valid in my case." On Thursday, Chilean Justice Minister Javiera Blanco resigned among calls by lawmakers that she be sacked due to the registering errors. In Chile's local elections for mayors and councilors, the right is set to make gains against President Michelle Bachelet's center-left governing coalition, potentially providing conservatives with a boost going into next year's presidential and parliamentary elections. (This version of the story has been refiled removing extraneous "Sunday" in the lead) (Reporting by Reuters TV; Writing by Gram Slattery; Editing by Sandra Maler)
A retired soldier was killed and several people injured by twin blasts at a Japanese park on Sunday in what may have been a bizarre suicide, police and reports said.

A festival was under way at the park when the 72-year-old former member of Japan's Self Defense Forces apparently set off an explosive device that killed him and left three people injured including two seriously, Kyodo News reported, citing police.

"One person was found dead," a local fire department spokesman told AFP without elaborating.

Around noon police found pensioner Toshikatsu Kurihara at the park in the city of Utsunomiya, some 100 kilometres (60 miles) north of Tokyo, after receiving a call about a person engulfed in flames following what sounded liked a blast, reports said.

Police suspect that Kurihara killed himself and a suicide note with his name on it was found inside a sock he was wearing, Kyodo said.

"I pay with my life," the note reportedly said, expressing concerns about family issues.

A 64-and 58-year-old man were seriously injured in the blast while a 14-year-old junior high school student was left with minor injuries.

Several cars, including Kurihara's, were found burning in a nearby parking lot at around 11:30 am local time (0230 GMT), following reports of blasts there. No one was injured in those explosions, Kyodo said.

One man told public broadcaster NHK that he "smelled gunpowder in the area" after the explosions.

The festival was called off following the blasts, the paper added.

Meanwhile, Kurihara's house in the city, where he reportedly lived alone, was burnt to the ground Sunday morning.

Explosions of this kind are rare in Japan, although small pipe bomb blasts linked to extreme leftists occasionally hit near US military bases.

In November last year a homemade pipe bomb exploded at a controversial Tokyo war shrine, damaging the toilets at the facility. No one was hurt.

A South Korean man was later arrested and sentenced to four years in prison after admitting detonating the bomb at the Yasukuni shrine. It has been targeted by activists who see it as a symbol of Japan's militaristic past.
tim kaine

Sen. Tim Kaine (D - Virginia) said he was looking skeptically AT&T's $85 billion purchase of Time Warner, which owns properties like CNN and HBO.

In an interview with NBC's Chuck Todd that aired on Sunday, Hillary Clinton's running mate said that he agreed with Sen. Al Franken's concerns that the merger may lead to "higher costs, fewer choices, and even worse service for consumers."

"I share those concerns and questions," We've got to get to the bottom of them," Kaine said. "Generally pro-competition. And less concentration I think is generally helpful, especially in the media. But this has just been announced, and I haven't had a chance to dig into the details. But those are the kinds of questions that we need to be asking."

Kaine isn't the only figure on the presidential ballot this year who appears skeptical of the deal, which will likely face intense regulatory scrutiny.

During a speech on Saturday, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump pledged to block the acquisition on the grounds that it would give AT&T too much control of the telecom and media landscape.

"As an example of the power structure I'm fighting, AT&T is buying Time Warner and thus CNN, a deal we will not approve in my administration because it's too much concentration of power in the hands of too few," Trump said.

For AT&T, the acquisition would allow the company to be both the creator and distributor of media on television and the web, and would give the company the rights to popular properties including "Harry Potter," HBO's "Game of Thrones," and the DC comic universe.

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Darchula reeling under food deficit

Even as 24,618 families cultivate crops in Darchula district, there has been food shortage each year with as many as 22,118 families not having enough to eat. According to the District Agriculture Development Office (DADO), food that the farmers have been producing food would only last three to six months.
Time Warner employees have long expected that the company behind Warner Bros., HBO, and CNN would one day be sold. After all, Jeff Bewkes had spent much of his time as CEO shrinking Time Warner, spinning off Time Warner Cable, shedding AOL, and casting aside its Time Inc. publishing unit. All of those moves made Time Warner more easily digestible.

So the announcement this week that AT&T was swooping in to buy the company for $85.4 billion wasnt exactly a surprise. Around the companys Burbank lot and New York corporate offices, most employees are cautiously optimistic that the sale to the telecom giant is the best possible outcome. Thats largely because AT&T has been busy providing wireless services instead of creating content.

There are fewer redundancies, and likely fewer job cuts, than if Time Warner had been purchased by 21st Century Fox or even Google, insiders reason. That had been one of the major concerns when Foxs Rupert Murdoch launched an unsolicited takeover bid for Time Warner two years ago. Had Murdoch been successful, there would likely have been a wave of job cuts across the film and television divisions, setting up a Darwinian struggle to survive.

To get a sense of the mood following the blockbuster deal announcement, Variety surveyed more than a half-dozen Time Warner executives, as well as several industry insiders, all of whom asked to remain anonymous. Many top executives werent even formally told that a merger was in the works until Saturday afternoon. Bewkes broke the silence in a video taped message to Time Warners 23,000 worldwide employees, in which he suggested that the company would continue to operate with autonomy as a subsidiary of AT&T.

Importantly, the driving force for the transaction is not cost savings, its growth opportunities, Bewkes said in the four-minute video.

He went on to argue that the union of the two companies will make them both stronger competitors in a fast-changing video landscape.

Story continues

Well be in an even stronger position to go where our audiences are going, Bewkes said. The deal envisions a world of ubiquitous video on demand across all platforms and all devices. Joining forces with AT&T gets us there faster and better than either of us can do on our own.

Time Warner employees were heartened by statements made by AT&T chairman-CEO Randall Stephenson over the weekend that hinted that he was eager to retain the management teams at HBO, Warner Bros., and Turner. On a conference call with press, Stephenson stressed that he had made it clear to Bewkes that the talent that he had assembled is a really important part of this deal and that it is going to be really critical that he make sure that we have continuity of the team that he has built.

Another Warner Bros. employee did not discount the idea that a management review, down the road, could lead to staff reductions. But that prospect seems less worrisome than under some other acquirers.

I dont think they are buying it to dismantle it, said the employee. I think they are buying it to mine it and to grow it as best they can.

For long-serving Time Warner employees holding stock in the company, news of the AT&T deal was cause for celebration  assuming the deal closes. AT&Ts $107.50 a share offer is a roughly 36% premium over the stocks recent trading price prior to its run-up on merger speculation last week. Those who have had options granted at a lower price are poised for an even bigger windfall.

All of that comes as sweet relief for longstanding employees who suffered through the AOL merger 15 years ago. The stock that topped $100 early on wound up plunging as low as $8, rendering employee grants and options worthless.

One source noted that there would also be potential for new opportunities for Time Warner employees now that AT&Ts DirecTV, wireless and high-speed Internet services are coming under the same roof. The feeling among mid-level insiders is that AT&T is a real company with real earnings and not a gamble on future promise as was the case with AOL.

Even though some employees may be eyeing a financial windfall, there are broader industry concerns. Filmmakers and showrunners who have projects lined up at Time Warner are worried that things could be delayed or put on hold while the deal waits for regulatory approval. Theyre eager to get assurances that their films and programs will move forward, as they did when NBCUniversal waited for the government to give its blessing to its sale to Comcast.

There are already some signs that the pact with AT&T could draw a lot of Beltway attention. Donald Trump has said that he opposes the merger and Democratic vice-presidential nominee Tim Kaine also expressed concerns. One Time Warner executive said he doubted the sale will be a regulatory lay-up and joked that hes not ready to change his Verizon account to AT&T just yet.

Debra Birnbaum, James Rainey, and Claudia Eller contributed to this report.

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Time Warner to Pay AT&T $1.73 Billion Breakup Fee If Merger Is Pulled

Warner Bros. Chief Tells Employees to 'Stay Focused' During Time Warner Sale to AT&T

3 Ways AT&T-Time Warner Will Shake Up the Media Business (Guest Column)
kiva confections marijuana edible chocolate

Less than 10 years ago, unlabeled, Saran-wrapped pot brownies dominated shelves at marijuana dispensaries. Patients rarely knew how much of the drug they were eating until the high hit.

"Every one of us has a story about taking too many edibles," says Brandon Siddall, head budtender at Caliva, a top marijuana dispensary located in San Jose, California.

New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd's story takes place in a Colorado hotel room, after biting off more of a caramel-chocolate candy bar than she could handle. Mine was on a plane.

Siddall says there's one item at Caliva that could transform the future of marijuana edibles and help reduce the frequency of these nightmare experiences. And they're selling like hotcakes.

Kiva Terra Bites by Oakland-based edibles maker Kiva Confections are M&M-sized candies coated in milk and white chocolate infused with marijuana extract. Each treat provides a low dose of five milligrams of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive ingredient in weed.

The bites, launched in 2013, come in dark-chocolate espresso beans and milk-chocolate blueberries. A tin averages $18, and contains 24 servings.

It's a conservative dose for adults who don't know their tolerance or are consuming for recreational, rather than medical, purposes. Plus, the five-milligram increments make it easy to scale bit by bit and customize your dose depending on the occasion, Siddall explains.

Story continues

"They can see how much they're comfortable with, and they never have to go over that point," Siddall says.

While there are no recorded cases of people fatally overdosing on marijuana, it can make patients incredibly uncomfortable. Their heart starts to race and, sometimes, anxiety strikes.

Five states will vote to legalize recreational marijuana this November, while medical marijuana is up for consideration in four more states. This election gives the industry a chance to double the states that tax and regulate adult-use weed  and bring a new wave of users into the mix.

Terra Bites by Kiva Confections! A photo posted by Terra by Kiva Confections (@terrabites) on May 10, 2014 at 1:22pm PDT on May 10, 2014 at 1:22pm PDT

Products like Kiva Terra Bites could bring a level of predictability to marijuana consumption.

Kristi Knoblich, cofounder and COO of Kiva Confections, tells Business Insider that "microdosing" is absolutely the direction the legal marijuana market is heading in.

"We don't buy Everclear, right? You buy a beer," Knoblich says.

While Kiva Confections would not disclose sales numbers, the company (which also sells higher dose chocolate bars) is on track to reach double-digit millions in revenue this year. The Kiva Terra Bites are their most popular product.

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McDonald's is America's ultimate fast-food chain  the home of the ubiquitous Big Mac and McNuggets.

But like any other business, it had humble beginnings.

We made a timeline below to highlight some of the most crucial moments in the history of McDonald's, covering the good, the bad, and the burgers from the rise of the Golden Arches to the triumph of all-day breakfast.

BI Graphic_McDonald's Timeline

Dylan Roach contributed to reporting on a previous version of this article.

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In the past few weeks, a conflict between Ankara and Baghdad over Turkeys role in the liberation of Mosul has precipitated an alarming burst of Turkish irredentism. On two separate occasions, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized the Treaty of Lausanne, which created the borders of modern Turkey, for leaving the country too small. He spoke of the countrys interest in the fate of Turkish minorities living beyond these borders, as well as its historic claims to the Iraqi city of Mosul, near which Turkey has a small military base. And, alongside news of Turkish jets bombing Kurdish forces in Syria and engaging in mock dogfights with Greek planes over the Aegean Sea, Turkeys pro-government media have shown a newfound interest in a series of imprecise, even crudely drawn, maps of Turkey with new and improved borders.

Turkey wont be annexing part of Iraq anytime soon, but this combination of irredentist cartography and rhetoric nonetheless offers some insight into Turkeys current foreign and domestic policies and Ankaras self-image. The maps, in particular, reveal the continued relevance of Turkish nationalism, a long-standing element of the countrys statecraft, now reinvigorated with some revised history and an added dose of religion. But if the past is any indication, the military interventions and confrontational rhetoric this nationalism inspires may worsen Turkeys security and regional standing.

At first glance, the maps of Turkey appearing on Turkish TV recently resemble similar irredentist maps put out by proponents of greater Greece, greater Macedonia, greater Bulgaria, greater Armenia, greater Azerbaijan, and greater Syria. That is to say, they arent maps of the Ottoman Empire, which was substantially larger, or the entire Muslim world or the Turkic world. They are maps of Turkey, just a little bigger.

But the specific history behind the borders they envision provides the first indication of whats new and what isnt about Erdogans brand of nationalism. These maps purport to show the borders laid out in Turkeys National Pact, a document Erdogan recently suggested the prime minister of Iraq should read to understand his countrys interest in Mosul. Signed in 1920, after the Ottoman Empires defeat in World War I, the National Pact identified those parts of the empire that the government was prepared to fight for. Specifically, it claimed those territories that were still held by the Ottoman army in October 1918 when Constantinople signed an armistice with the allied powers. On Turkeys southern border, this line ran from north of Aleppo in what is now Syria to Kirkuk in what is now Iraq.

When the allies made it clear they planned to leave the empire with a lot less than it held in 1918, it led to renewed fighting in which troops under Mustafa Kemal Ataturk defeated European forces to establish Turkey as it exists today. For the better part of the past century, Turkeys official history lauded Ataturk for essentially realizing the borders envisioned by the National Pact (minus Mosul, of course), as recognized with the Treaty of Lausanne. It was an exaggerated claim, given the parts of the pact that were left out, but also an eminently practical one, intended to prevent a new and precarious Turkish republic from losing what it had achieved in pursuit of unrealistic territorial ambitions. Indeed, while countries like Germany, Italy, Bulgaria, and Hungary brought disaster on themselves by trying to forcibly rewrite their postwar borders, Turkey  under Ataturk and his successor  wisely resisted this urge.

Erdogan, by contrast, has given voice to an alternative narrative in which Ataturks willingness in the Treaty of Lausanne to abandon territories such as Mosul and the now-Greek islands in the Aegean was not an act of eminent pragmatism but rather a betrayal. The suggestion, against all evidence, is that better statesmen, or perhaps a more patriotic one, could have gotten more.

Among other things, Erdogans reinterpretation of history shows the ironies behind the widespread talk in the United States of his supposed neo-Ottomanism. A decade ago, Erdogans enthusiasm for all things Ottoman appeared to be part of an effective strategy for improving relations with the Muslim Middle East, a policy that some U.S. critics saw as a challenge to their countrys role in the region. But refashioning the National Pact as a justification for irredentism rather than a rebuke of it has not been popular among Turkeys neighbors. Criticism of Erdogans neo-Ottoman foreign policy is now as likely to come from the Arab world as anywhere else.

Erdogans use of the National Pact also demonstrates how successfully Turkeys Islamists have reappropriated, rather than rejected, elements of the countrys secular nationalist historical narrative. Government rhetoric has been quick to invoke the heroism of Turkeys war of independence in describing the popular resistance to the countrys July 15 coup attempt. And alongside the Ottomans, Erdogan routinely references the Seljuks, a Turkic group that preceded the Ottomans in the Middle East by several centuries, and even found a place for more obscure pre-Islamic Turkic peoples like the Gokturks, Avars, and Karakhanids that first gained fame in Ataturks 1930s propaganda.

Similarly, in Syria and Iraq, Erdogan is aiming to achieve a long-standing national goal, the defeat of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), by building on the traditional nationalist tools of Turkish foreign policy  namely, the leveraging of Turkish minorities in neighboring countries. The Sultan Murad Brigade, comprising predominantly ethnic Turkmens, has been one of Ankaras military assets inside Syria against both Bashar al-Assads regime and the PKK. Meanwhile, the Turkmen population living around Mosul and its surrounding area has been a concern and an asset for Ankara in Iraq. Turkish special forces have worked with the Iraqi Turkmen Front since at least 2003 in order to expand Turkish influence and counter the PKK in northern Iraq.

Over the past century, the Turkish minorities in northern Greece and Cyprus have played a similar role. That is, their well-being has been a subject of genuine concern for Turkish nationalists but also a potential point of leverage with Athens to be used as needed. (Greece, of course, has behaved similarly with regard to the Greek minority in Turkey. Not surprisingly, both populations have often suffered reciprocally as a result.) In the case of Cyprus, for example, Turkeys 1974 invasion was as much about defending its strategic position as it was about protecting the islands Turkish community. Following his statements about Lausanne, Erdogan further upset Greece by stating, Turkey cannot disregard its kinsmen in Western Thrace, Cyprus, Crimea, and anywhere else. Yet Athens might take comfort from the case of the Crimean Tatars, which reveals the extent to which geopolitics can lead Turkey to do just this: Although Ankara raised concerns over the status of the Crimean Tatars after Russia seized the peninsula, it seems to have subsequently concluded that improved relations with Moscow take precedence over ethnic affinities.

But Erdogan has also emphasized a new element to Turkeys communitarian foreign-policy agenda: Sunni sectarianism. In speaking about Mosul, he recently declared that Turkey would not betray its Turkmen brothers or its Sunni Arab brothers. Like secular Turkish nationalism, this strain of Sunni sectarianism has an undeniable domestic appeal, and Erdogan has shown it can also be invoked selectively in keeping with Turkeys foreign-policy needs. Erdogans new sectarianism is evident in Mosul, where Turkey has warned of the risks to Sunnis should Shiite militias take control of the city. But the policys influence is clearest in Syria, where Turkey has been supporting Sunni rebels aiming to topple the Assad regime (including those now struggling to hold the city of Aleppo). In both Iraq and Syria, however, Turkeys sectarianism has not been allowed to trump pragmatism. Ankara has been keen to maintain a mutually beneficial economic relationship with Iran despite backing opposite sides in Syria and in the past year has also expressed its willingness to make peace with Assad if circumstances require it.

More broadly, Turkeys current interventionism in Syria and Iraq fits within an established pattern. Not only do countries regularly find themselves sucked into civil wars on their doorstep, but the points at which Turkey has proved susceptible to irredentism in the past have all come at moments of change and uncertainty similar to what the Middle East is experiencing today. In 1939, Ankara annexed the province of Hatay, then under French control, by taking advantage of the crisis in Europe on the eve of World War II. Then, after that war, Syrias newfound independence prompted some in the Turkish media to cast a glance at Aleppo, and the transfer of the Dodecanese Islands from Italy to Greece also piqued some interest in acquiring them for Turkey. Similarly, Ankara paid little attention to Cyprus when it was firmly under British control, but when talk of the islands independence began, Turkey started to show its concern. Subsequently, it was only when it appeared Greece might annex the island that Turkey invaded to prevent this change in the status quo. In this light, Turkeys recent rhetoric is perhaps less surprising following several years in which events and commentators have repeatedly suggested that the entire political order of the modern Middle East is crumbling.

More specifically, though, Turkish policy in the Middle East is driven by an urgent concern stemming from its conflict with the PKK, which has been exacerbated by the groups gains in northern Syria. The PKK has long shaped Turkeys relations with its southeastern neighbors. Most notably, Turkey nearly invaded Syria in 1998 in an ultimately successful effort to force Damascus to stop sheltering the groups leader. Similarly, Turkey has kept military forces in the area of Mosul for the better part of two decades, in order to conduct operations against the PKK. Ankara has always portrayed this intervention, with little controversy in Turkey, as a matter of national security and self-defense. Today, self-defense remains Turkeys main justification for its activities in Iraq, with Erdogan repeatedly emphasizing that the presence of Turkish forces there acts as insurance against terrorist attacks targeting Turkey. As long as the PKK maintains an open presence in Iraq, this is also the most compelling justification, domestically and internationally, for military involvement beyond its borders.

Indeed, to all the specific ethnic, sectarian, and historical rationales he has offered for Turkeys interest in Mosul, Erdogan has been quick to attach one additional argument: The United States and Russia continue to play an outsized role in the region despite lacking any of these connections to it. Erdogan noted that some countries were telling Turkey, which shares a 220-mile border with Iraq, to stay out. Yet, despite not having history in the region or connection to it, these same countries were coming and going. Did Saddam [Hussein] tell the United States to come to Iraq 14 years ago? he added.

Behind the history, in other words, Ankara is all too aware of the fact that the power to do so remains the only rationale for foreign intervention that matters. In this regard, the legitimacy of Turkeys plans for Mosul remains to be seen.

Photo credit: Hurrem Atayer, published by Bakis Kutuphanesi (1956)
Turns out theres a genetic reason why you drink so much coffee

Many people cannot function properly without copious amounts of caffeine in their system on the daily basis. They drink cup after cup of coffee to open their eyes wider and wire up their systems. And after that coffee wears off and the dreaded 2PM slump hits, everyone knows its time for a second round. Coffee has become a life source for many folks and science has now found a genetic reason why we all drink so much coffee.

A recent study found that a gene variation called PDSS2 makes people metabolize coffee slower  meaning they need less of it.

This gene variation is responsible for both lowering your caffeine cravings and making the coffee stay in your system for a prolonged time. People without the variation metabolize coffee at a normal/speedy rate  which means that are running for that second cup as you still ride the energy wave from the first.

amazing

To even further blow your mind with cool science stuff, study author Nicola Piratsu told Time that people with that gene variation need less coffee to get the same effect as those who drink more.

giphy (9)

Maybe they are just more sensitive to the chemicals inside of coffee, which would explain why those lucky people evolved to not need liquid gold. Oh, what we wouldnt do to naturally wake ourselves up in the morning.

preach

The study was conducted on 1,200 people from Italy and then replicated in a follow-up study in the Netherlands. All results point to people with the gene variation PDSS2 drinking significantly less coffee every day compared to those who dont have the variation. While coffee consumption studies are not uncommon, finding a result like this pretty rare. Hopefully, in the future, we can be genetically modified to avoid that third or fourth cup in the office.

The post Turns out theres a genetic reason why you drink so much coffee appeared first on HelloGiggles.
Democracy in America

An election in a democracy is never driven by reason alone; there is always the emotion factor
LONDON (Reuters) - Two senior members of Britain's anti-European Union UK Independence Party said on Sunday they would run to become its next leader, days after the previous frontrunner quit the race and resigned from the troubled party. UKIP, which played a key role in securing a June 23 vote to leave the EU, has been plunged into chaos since, with high-profile party leader Nigel Farage stepping down after the Brexit vote and his successor Diane James quitting after just 18 days. On Monday the frontrunner to take over, Steven Woolfe -- who was this month hospitalized following an "altercation" with a colleague -- said he was withdrawing from the race and resigning from the party, describing it as "ungovernable". The party's deputy leader Paul Nuttall and former deputy chairwoman Suzanne Evans both said on Sunday they would be standing in the leadership contest, which is due to be decided in late November. "I want to stand on a platform of being the unity candidate. UKIP needs to come together ... UKIP at the moment is looking over the edge of a political cliff, it will either step off or it will step back," Nuttall, who is a UKIP member of the European Parliament, told BBC TV. Bookmaker Ladbrokes put Nuttall as the favorite. Evans, who was temporarily suspended from the party earlier this year for publicly criticizing a UKIP candidate, said she could "pour oil on troubled waters" in a party which had at times been too dominated by testosterone. "Nothing breeds unity faster than success, and with me at the helm I am absolutely confident that we will be able to reach out to voters on both the left and the right of politics," she told the BBC. But in a sign of the divisions facing the party, she said rival candidate Raheem Kassam, a former senior advisor to Farage who has the support of influential party donor Arron Banks, would shift UKIP to the "far right". "I invite Suzanne Evans to meet with me at her earliest convenience to discuss her concerns, and how I think this party should be uniting to fight for Brexit, border control and more, and not attacking one another," Kassam said in a statement. (Reporting by Kylie MacLellan; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky)
Moscow (AFP) - Russian security forces shot dead two suspected "terrorists" during a security operation in the city of Nizhny Novgorod, Russian news agencies reported on Sunday, citing law enforcement sources.

An explosion during the operation injured two officers from the special police and a third suspect was detained alive, reports said.

"Law enforcement officers stopped a car, two suspects resisted arrest and were liquidated on the spot. Explosives were found in the car," TASS state news agency quoted a source as saying.

A law enforcement source told RIA Novosti that those killed were "suspected of terrorism."

The special operation reportedly took place in a residential area of Nizhny Novgorod, an industrial city of more than one million people on the banks of the Volga River, around 400 kilometres (250 miles) east of Moscow.

Russia's NTV television quoted a source as saying the suspects were members of the Islamic State jihadist group who had come to the city to prepare a terror attack and were renting a flat in the suburb of Tsvety.

Local residents told news agencies that security forces told them to stay calm and not leave their homes and blocked roads leading into the area.

Local media posted photographs from social networking sites apparently showing two bodies lying on the ground close to a car with doors open, as vehicles and security officers blocked the nearby road.

The photographs also showed a device identified by media as an anti-mine robot, which TASS reported was used to neutralise an explosive device in the car.

The special operation wound up on Sunday evening but there was a heightened police presence on city roads, including ID checks on drivers and passengers, TASS reported.

There was no immediate official confirmation of the operation and state television reported that details of the incident would only be released on Monday.

The regional branch of the FSB security service told Interfax news agency that it planned to release a statement after the immediate investigation was completed.

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Such special operations are frequent in Russia's volatile North Caucasus against Islamist insurgents but are rare in the central region where most Russians live.

A law enforcement source quoted by TASS named those killed as "members of illegal armed groups," a term also used by officials to describe insurgents in the North Caucasus.

In August, Russian special forces raided an apartment building in the second largest city of Saint Petersburg in an operation targeting North Caucasus militants, killing four suspects.
(Adds detail)

By Kylie MacLellan

LONDON, Oct 23 (Reuters) - Britain could slash corporation tax to 10 percent if the European Union refuses to agree a post-Brexit free trade deal or blocks UK-based banks from accessing its market, the Sunday Times reported, citing an unidentified source.

The newspaper said the idea of halving the headline rate from 20 percent had been put forward by Prime Minister Theresa May's advisers amid growing fears other EU member states will take a hard line in Brexit negotiations.

The tax cut would be used to try and persuade the EU to grant "passporting" rights for financial services firms to continue operating across the EU, the newspaper said, in a sign of the likely animosity of the upcoming divorce talks.

At a Brussels summit last week EU leaders were clear they would not allow Britain to "cherry pick" things such as free access to the market for certain sectors without taking on the full responsibilities of EU membership.

"People say we have not got any cards," the newspaper quoted an unidentified source familiar with the British government's thinking as saying.

"We have some quite good cards we can play if they start getting difficult with us. If they're saying no passporting and high trade tariffs we can cut corporation tax to 10 percent," the newspaper quoted an anonymous source as saying," the source was quoted as saying.

Cutting corporation tax could attract companies away from the EU to Britain, boosting its economy and challenging Ireland's preeminence as Europe's low tax home for large international companies.

EU leaders have warned that if Britain places limits on the free movement people it will lose its preferential access to the single market, leaving London-based international banks worried they could lose their right to sell services across Europe.

Writing in the Observer newspaper, the chief executive of the British Bankers' Association said the uncertainty over Britain's future relationship with the EU meant most international banks were already looking at which operations they would need to move out of the UK.

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"Their hands are quivering over the relocate button. Many smaller banks plan to start relocations before Christmas; bigger banks are expected to start in the first quarter of next year," Anthony Browne wrote.

Japanese carmaker Nissan, whose Chief Executive Carlos Ghosn met May this month to discuss his concerns over Brexit, on Sunday denied a story in the Telegraph newspaper that it had decided to make its new Qashqai model in Britain.

Nissan's CEO has warned he could scrap potential new investment in Britain's biggest car plant unless the government pledges compensation for any increased tax costs resulting from Brexit.

"No decision has yet been taken. That decision making process concludes next month," a spokesman at Nissan told Reuters.

(Additional reporting by Costas Pitas; editing by Guy Faulconbridge)
Ankara (Turkey) (AFP) - The United States has warned its citizens of the potential risk of terror attack or attempted kidnapping of foreigners in Istanbul, which has been rocked by several bombings this year.

The consulate in Istanbul said in a message late Saturday that extremist groups continued their "aggressive efforts" to attack Americans and other foreigners in the city.

"These attacks may be pre-planned or could occur with little or no warning, and include, but are not limited to: armed attack, attempted kidnapping, bombing, or other violent acts," it said in an online notice.

The consulate did not specify which group was believed to be plotting such acts, but in the past year the city has suffered multiple bombings by the Islamic State group (IS) and Kurdish militants.

In June, 47 people were killed in a triple suicide bombing and gun attack at Istanbul's Ataturk airport, which authorities blamed on IS.

Those visiting Istanbul or living in the city were advised to "review and update their personal security practices" when frequenting areas popular with Westerners or where they may live, the consulate said.

It is the latest warning from the US after the consulate in southern Adana province warned of a potential security threat targeting US-branded hotels in southern Turkey in late September.

In the same month, the US embassy warned of the risk of a terror attack on businesses, including Starbucks, used by Westerners in Gaziantep, close to the Syrian border.

That warning came after a deadly suicide bombing in Gaziantep blamed on jihadists linked to IS in August. The attack on a wedding left 57 dead including 34 children.

In the latest message, the consulate also told its citizens to avoid travelling to southeastern Turkey and to stay away from large crowds -- especially in popular tourist destinations -- as well as political gatherings and rallies.
Caracas (AFP) - Thousands of women marched in Caracas Saturday against leftist President Nicolas Maduro's decision to block opposition-led efforts for a recall referendum.

"Brave Venezuela, you will be set free!" chanted the women, most of whom dressed in white.

The escalating standoff between the unpopular government and the powerful but fractured opposition is destabilizing the oil-rich South American state, stricken by food shortages and violent crime.

"We're all in!" read a sign carried by protesting 65 year-old grandmother Maria de Guevara.

"We can't handle this anymore, there is no food, there is no medicine, there is no future for my grandchildren nor for any Venezuelans," she said.

Protest organizer Lilian Tintori, wife of prominent jailed opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez, said the women will go to the streets "and fight for the recall."

The authorities on Thursday quashed the opposition's plan to remove Maduro through a referendum by annulling a key stage in the process. The government also banned opposition leaders from leaving Venezuela.

The following day, Henrique Capriles, a leading figure with the opposition MUD coalition, said the move violates Venezuela's constitution, accusing the Socialist government of staging "a coup d'etat."

The coalition called for nationwide demonstrations starting next Wednesday.

Former National Assembly speaker Diosdado Cabello, the second most powerful government figure after Maduro, told a news conference on Saturday that the protests are linked to plans for a coup d'etat.

He pointed to an unspecified plan "of subversive character" found on the mobile phone of opposition councilman Jose Vicente Garcia, who was arrested for possessing two grenades and two tear gas canisters, according to the government.

That could give the authorities legal reasons to arrest opposition leaders, Cabello said. "Under no circumstance are we going to let ourselves be toppled," he said.

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Nevertheless, he added that the government was ready to talk with international mediators currently in Caracas, even though the referendum against Maduro was not "in negotiation."

Opposition leaders have also agreed to meet with the team of mediators, led by former Spanish prime minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero.

- Maduro lacks 'legitimacy' -

In Washington, Organization of American States chief Luis Almagro on Saturday blasted Maduro's move as undemocratic.

"Only dictatorships deprive their citizens of rights, ignore the legislature and hold political prisoners," he wrote in a statement.

Maduro has lost "all of his legitimacy... after leaving the people of Venezuela without electoral rights," he said.

He urged using mediators that have "the trust of everyone" to help resolve the crisis.

Fearing mass chaos, 12 OAS members issued a statement urging Venezuela to work toward peacefully overcoming the crisis.

The countries -- including Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Canada and the United States -- expressed "deep concern" over Maduro's decisions in a joint statement issued by Argentina's foreign ministry.

The measures affect the chances that talks would lead to "a peaceful exit to the critical situation" in Venezuela, the statement read.

It called on "all political actors" in Venezuela to engage in negotiations aimed at reaching "long-lasting solutions in favor of democracy and social stability," urging the "full respect for human rights."
Everest's first woman climber Junko Tabei dies at 77

The first woman to ascend Everest, Japanese climber Junko Tabei, has died aged 77, her family say.
Native Americans who were part of a little-known Mormon program from 1947 to the mid-1990s share much of the same story. Year after year, missionaries or other members of the Church of Jesus-Christ of Latter-day Saints approached these families and invited their children into Mormon foster homes. As part of the Mormon Indian Student Placement Program, Native American children would live with Mormon families during the school year, an experience designed to provide educational, spiritual, social, and cultural opportunities in non-Indian community life, according to the Church. Typically, the Mormon foster families were white and financially stable. Native American children who werent already Mormon were baptized. And some of them now claim they were sexually abused.

They knew there were things going on. They just turned around and closed their eyes to it, said BN, a former participant of the program who has filed a sexual-abuse lawsuit against the LDS Church, and who remains anonymous in court documents, in an interview. So far, three sexual-abuse lawsuits involving four past participants have been filed in Navajo Nation District Court. No criminal charges have been brought against the defendants, who are also anonymous in all pleadings. The alleged victims include a brother and sister who were both in the program. The brother, referred to in court documents as RJ, claims in the lawsuit that he was not only sexually abused, but physically and emotionally abused, and forcibly had his mouth washed out with soap whenever he spoke Navajo to the other placement children in the home, according to court documents. A fourth lawsuit is pending, according to their lawyer, Craig Vernon.

The LDS Church maintains that the plaintiffs allegations are just thatallegations, according to David Jordan, its lawyer. While many of the perpetrators named in the suits are dead, I can tell you that the surviving family members of the alleged abusers with whom we have been able to speak do not believe the allegations, Jordan claimed. I also want to emphasize that the Church would have had absolutely no motive to send a child back into an abusive environment if a report of improper conduct had been made by any of the plaintiffs. The Church has not answered the allegations other than to challenge the jurisdiction of Navajo court, and has asked a federal judge to prevent the cases from going forward in tribal court.

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The LDS Church teaches that Native Americans are descendants of the Lamanites, a group of people who, according to the Book of Mormon, left Israel in 600 B.C. and settled in the Americas. In the Book of Mormon, the Lamanites are predominately a wicked people, cursed by God with a skin of blackness as punishment for turning against him. Although the Lamanites briefly walk in truth and uprightness, they destroyed their generally more righteous rivals, known as the Nephites, after Jesus Christ visited the Americas. The rehabilitation of the Lamanites is a sign of the second coming of Christ.

The LDS Church believed it was responsible for guiding Native Americans toward a more righteous path, which meant there were stiff requirements to participate in the program. Rather than focus on improving conditions on the reservation, the LDS Church asked that Native American children abandon their surroundings and assimilate to the way its white members lived. Some Church leaders interpreted the Book of Mormon literally and expected that Native American childrens skin would turn lighter as they grew closer to God. Although the program was started with good intentions, its heavy demands and allegedly lax oversight may have left some of the participants vulnerableincluding, plaintiffs say, to sexual abuse.

These lawsuits fit into a larger pattern of sexual-abuse allegations against religious institutions. Like the victims of abuse in the Roman Catholic Church, for examplewhose perpetrators were largely Church officials and clergy who claimed sexual-abuse victims all over the worldNative American victims claim Mormon leaders can and should have done more to prevent the abuse. Roughly 50,000 children participated in the Mormon Indian Student Placement Program, according to Matthew Garrett, a professor at Bakersfield College.

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Beyond damages, the alleged Native American victims are seeking a written apology, help for other participants of the program who were abused, and changes to the LDS Churchs sex-abuse policy. The alleged victims claim the Church still does more to protect its leaders than its children: The Church instructs those who learn about sexual abuse to call a Mormon help line instead of immediately alerting the police or other outside authorities. Eric Hawkins, a Church spokesperson, said the help line exists because reporting requirements vary from state to state, and the purpose of the conversation is to help ensure that it does occur in the right waythe way that cares for the victim and stops the abuse. For example, in some cases there may be questions about providing a safe place for the victim to live following reporting, Hawkins said.

A 16-year-old Native American girl named Helen John was the inspiration for the Indian Student Placement Program, said Garrett. John and her family were farm laborers in Richfield, Utah. In 1947, according to Church tradition, John asked to stay with a local Mormon family so that she could receive a better education. The program grew informally from there and became an official Church-sponsored program in 1954.

These lawsuits fit into a larger pattern of sexual-abuse allegations against religious institutions.

The children who participated in the Mormon foster program were often poor with few educational opportunities. Although the LDS Church reached out to dozens of Indian tribes, most participants families lived within the Navajo Nation, a region that stretches into parts of Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico. At the time, many of the boarding schools run by the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs and schools on Indian reservations had little to offer, according to scholars and former members of the program. As in Johns case, the Native American families who signed up for the program frequently said they had their kids education in mind, as did many of the Mormon foster families who were willing to temporarily adopt the children.

Once the program began, there were all sorts of really questionable tactics used to bring in participants, said Garrett, who wrote Making Lamanites: Mormons, Native Americans, and the Indian Student Placement Program, 1947-2000. He said there are conflicting accounts about whether it was even Johns idea or desire to live with a Mormon family. Because some missionaries were eager to grow Church membership through the program, Garrett said, they sometimes failed to be completely transparent with the children they were recruiting: Occasionally missionaries acted as if the children were simply embarking on some kind of field trip.

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Spencer W. Kimball, a former president and apostle of the Church, was one of the first proponents of the Indian Student Placement Program. Kimball believed the program fit into the Churchs overall mandate to help Native Americans. The Lord bless the Lamanite people. They are a great people. They are intelligent, and I repeat my theme song: The difference between them and us is opportunity, Kimball said in 1953 at the Churchs general conference. Kimball seemed to take the Book of Mormon literally, believing that, as the children in the program grew closer to God, the curse associated with a skin of blackness would slowly disappear. Speaking at the Churchs general conference in 1960, Kimball explained:

The children in the home-placement program in Utah are often lighter than their brothers and sisters in the hogans [traditional Navajo dwellings] on the reservation. At one meeting a father and mother and their 16-year-old daughter were present, the little member girl16sitting between the dark father and mother, and it was evident she was several shades lighter than her parentson the same reservation, in the same hogan, subject to the same sun and wind and weather. There was the doctor in a Utah city who for two years had an Indian boy in his home who stated that he was some shades lighter than the younger brother just coming into the program from the reservation. These young members of the Church are changing to whiteness and to delightsomeness.

Today, many people would consider these views racist: They suggest that lighter skin is a sign of righteousness. But Clarence Bishop, the director of the program from 1964 to 1968 and executive director from 1968 to 1973, argued that the program was never meant to undermine Native American culture. He said he and others were aware of concerns about the program and sensitive to the indigenous way of life. We did everything we could to help them in their Indian identity and still have the benefit and knowledge of living in a good home and going to a public school, Bishop said. No Indian student was ever kept in a home where they were not happy.

In addition to the claims of damage done by sexual abuse, the lawsuits involving the Indian Student Placement Program assert that the culture of the Navajo Nation was irreparably harmed by the LDS Churchs continuous and systematic assimilation efforts. Although the last student in the Indian Student Placement Program graduated in 2000, plaintiffs are asking the Church to do all it can to enhance and restore Navajo culture and create a taskforce for that purpose.The plaintiffs lawyer said many Mormons continue to mislead Native Americans about their origins.

Arguably, Mormons often looked at Native Americans in the same way the rest of the world does. Mormon people are not unique in how they see Native people, said Elise Boxer, a history professor at the University of South Dakota. Many believe assimilation is key to their racial uplift as a people. Boxer said some Native Americans who convert to Mormonism even embrace the Lamanite story.

And theres no question that many program participants viewed their experiences positively. When Cal Neznow a 58-year-old resident of Sandy, Utahwas a child, he was raised by his Navajo grandmother. During that time, Nez was placed with two different Mormon foster families, and while his initial experience was not entirely positive, he said, living with his second foster family was absolutely the most magnificent experience. Nez excelled in school, and in high school was voted both student of the year and most popular. He also said the Lamanite story found in the Book of Mormon made him feel better about himself. Of all the religions, the only religion that really gave me an identity of where I come from was the LDS Church. And it was so powerful, Nez said. Nez credits the Indian Student Placement Program with his continued success today as a graphic designer and a small-business owner.

In 1976, the Association of Administrators of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Childrena non-government group that monitors foster placements across state lines sent surveys to 50 Native American families who had participated in the program. The results were mostly positive: 93 percent believed their children would receive a better education as a result of the program, and 70 percent said they felt their children's foster family helped them understand and identify with their Indian heritage. In 2014, Jessie Embry, a former history professor now retired from Brigham Young University, conducted an oral-history project that focused on the foster parents in the program. I found that the host families in the Placement Program articulated a genuine love for the Indian people and a desire to help them, she wrote, after receiving responses from nearly 200 foster families. Many of the foster families, Embry said in a recent interview, felt the Book of Mormon gave them an assignment to be able to help the Native Americans.

But some of the foster families Embry contacted admitted there were problems, including sexual abuse, although the foster family wasnt always responsible for the alleged wrongdoing. One interviewee spoke about a placement student abusing one of his biological children. This person also expressed frustration with a lack of response from the Mormon caseworker and discovered that the placement student had abused other children in previous homes.

One interviewee spoke about a placement student abusing one of his biological children.

BN, one of the plaintiffs involved in the sexual-abuse lawsuits against the Church, has also alleged in her lawsuit that her Mormon caseworker did not respond to her complaints. (She requested not to be named in this story. Her name is also not included in the lawsuit, because of the sensitive nature of her claims.) In a recent interview, she said her father wanted her to be part of the program so that she could attend high school outside of the reservation and graduate from college. She joined the program in 1964 and quickly regretted it, she said. So many times I wanted to tell my dad, No, BN said. I wanted to say, but I didnt. I just kind of held everything in.

BNs first year in the program passed without incident. But the following year, BN lived with a different Mormon family in River Heights, Utah. There, according to the lawsuit, she was sexually abused by her foster father. She also claims that years later, while living with a different foster family, a foster brother raped her. She alleged in her lawsuit that she told her foster parents and a caseworker, who is anonymous in the suit, about what had happened, but the abuse continued. To save face in the Church and out of anger, he just told me what happens in this house, stays in this house, BN said, referring to her foster father. There was nothing that was done. It just fell on deaf ears.

One former caseworker in the program who is not involved in the suit, 85-year-old Dale L. Shumway of Orem, Utah, said in all his years of service he remembers only one student coming to him about a foster familys inappropriate behavior. These families were quite carefully selected, Shumway said. It was not a haphazard program. Shumway said he visited foster families on a monthly basis and that students would have had ample opportunity to report any abuse to caseworkers or other Church leaders. But he also said that he and others were assigned large caseloads, sometimes tracking 80 to 90 families. Jordan, the Churchs lawyer, maintained that participants in the Indian Student Placement Program met regularly with caseworkers and would have had the opportunity to raise any concerns they might have.

Vernon, the lawyer representing BN and others, grew up Mormon. He said he expects there will be additional sexual-abuse lawsuits involving the Indian Student Placement Program. BN, for example, had not previously filed suit against the Church or her alleged abusers; Vernon said she only had the courage to bring a case after someone else in the program did so first.I think this is the tip of the iceberg, he said. (Efforts to reach the alleged abusers and their families were unsuccessful; in the suits, they are often identified only by a first initial and town name. Lawyers for the Church refused to provide further information about the alleged abusers.)

The location where the cases are litigated will prove crucial. These lawsuits have been filed in Navajo Nation District Court in Window Rock, Arizona. But the LDS Church is fighting to have the lawsuits dismissed on jurisdictional grounds, arguing the alleged abuse took place outside the reservation. The Navajo Nation allows alleged sexual-abuse victims to bring claims up to two years from the time when the harm of their abuse is discovered, accounting for the time it can take for people to realize the nature of their injuries. Other jurisdictions have stricter statutes of limitations to ensure claims are brought in a timely manner. In Utahs civil courts, the statute of limitations for child sex abuse was recently eliminated, but only when the case is brought against the alleged perpetrator personally. The recent change in Utah law would not benefit those in the Indian Student Placement Program because the LDS Church is named as a defendant, and many, if not all, of the perpetrators are deceased. If the lawsuits were refiled in Utah, or one of many other states with a shorter statute of limitations, they would likely be dismissed.

David Clohessy, the national director of the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, an organization dedicated to helping victims of sexual abuse, said it often takes years for those affected by abuse to talk about it. The more isolated and powerlessness victims  feel, the longer it takes for them to come forward, Clohessy said. And even if they had the smarts to understand they were being hurt, the courage to report it, given how many whites felt about Native Americans, many would find these boys and girls not particularly credible  This particular program is a predators dream.

In recent years, Mormons have begun to reassess their relationship with Native Americans. Church leaders have changed some of the language in the Book of Mormon that many find problematic, arguing that passages that seem to refer to skin color were never meant to be taken literally. For example, in 1981, a passage referring to the Lamanites as becoming a white and a delightsome people was changed to read pure and delightsome. The Church also now admits that not all Native Americans are descendants of the Israelites, or Lamanites, as described in the Book of Mormon.

However, the continued fallout from the Indian Student Placement Program indicates that some Native Americans feel the LDS Church has not done enough to correct past misconceptions about indigenous people. In fact, the LDS Church maintains that one sign of the Second Coming can be found among the descendents of the Lamanites: when Native Americans once again become a righteous people and blossom as the rose.

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This article was originally published on The Atlantic.
Brexit



By Kevin Mahn, CIO, Hennion & Walsh Asset Management

Did the Market Already Forget About Brexit?

Markets raced downward following the surprising vote by Great Britain to leave the European Union (EU) on June 23, 2016. A lot of the trading activity that took place was attributed to traders reversing their positions following the leave vote, which came in after believing that Great Britain was going to vote to stay within the EU  a position that then Prime Minister David Cameron was championing.

However, since the proximate days following this historic vote, the markets have essentially shrugged off this event, making us believe that the market may have already forgotten about Brexit. This would be a mistake in our view, as this vote will likely have both short and long term implications on worldwide stock markets as well as the economies of Great Britain and the eurozone as a whole.

From an investment viewpoint, trade and economic growth are at the heart of the potential implications of the leave referendum vote in England. As a result of Brexit, Great Britain will have more control over the negotiation of their own trade agreements and immigration policies, and they will also be able to redeploy the eventual savings of their EU membership to other areas of their economy that they feel would be more beneficial to their own citizens.

It remains to be seen how other European countries will treat England from a trade and diplomatic relations standpoint following this vote. According to BBC.com, approximately 28% of what is produced in Great Britain is sold abroad. Interestingly, while about half of this overseas trade in the United Kingdom (UK) is conducted with the EU, England imports more overall than it exports to the EU. Hence EU country members need Great Britain as much (and perhaps more) as Great Britain needs the EU from a trading relations standpoint.

As we move closer to the date of the actual Brexit date and the market starts to focus on potential Brexit implications again, we believe that there will be a great deal of uncertainty, and potential volatility, as the world tries to come to terms with how this very public divorce will take place, and if any of the other 27 remaining EU countries will look to follow suit and leave the EU themselves.

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It is important to remember that although Great Britain was a member of the EU, it did not use the euro. Nine other countries that are members of the EU also do not use the euro as their currency (Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Sweden). A lot of the Brexit talk may not start to intensify for quite some time though, as current Prime Minister Theresa May has recently said that she will trigger Article 50 of the 2007 Treaty of Lisbon (the official step to begin the two year timer for orchestrating the exit) by the end of March 2017. This would mean that Britain would likely be on schedule to leave the EU by March of 2019.

Profiting as the actual Brexit nears

While the days of international market and foreign currency volatility are not behind us, I do believe that as more clarity is provided around how, and when, Brexit will play outcoupled with continued measures of stimulus on the part of Mario Draghi and the European Central Bank (ECB)it will create opportunities for investors in the years ahead as part of a globally diversified portfolio strategy.

In this regard, many international markets have lower valuations than US stocks presently and could be in a position to outperform in the years to comesimilar to how they did from 2001  2007. During this seven year stretch, the S&P 500 Index (^GSPC) returned 3.3% per year. But, over the same time period, developed international markets, as measured by the MSCI EAFE Index, achieved an 8.8% annualized gain, and emerging market stocks, as measured by the MSCI EM Index, gained 24% annualized.
Turkish helmer Yesim Ustaoglus powerful, complex portrait of two women struggling to escape unhappy lives, Clair-Obscur, was the big winner at the 53rd Antalya Intl Film Festival, taking home the awards for best picture and best director at the closing ceremony Sunday night.

Ustaoglus sixth feature was the unanimous choice of an international jury headed by Hugh Hudson, who praised the films unflinching look at domestic violence, which he said affected women around the world.

Lead Ecem Uzun won best actress honors in both the international and national competitions for her gut-wrenching portrayal of a young woman trapped in an oppressive marriage that finally pushes her over the brink.

The award for best actor went to Tamer Nafar, for his role as a Palestinian rapper using music to fight back against Israeli oppression in the musical drama Junction 48.

In a ceremony that frequently invoked the lives lost during a failed coup attempt in July, there was a feeling of resilience among those in attendance. Tributes were paid to the victims of the ongoing war in neighboring Syria, with Turkish thesp Menderes Samancilar (My Fathers Wings) dedicating his award for best actor in the national competition to Syrians, urging them, We will always hope for tomorrow.

For a festival that might have seemed in doubt just three months ago, the ceremony was the culmination of a triumphant week. Ustaoglus victory was part of a wider celebration of Turkish cinema, capped with Umit Korekens feature debut Mavi Bisiklet (Blue Bicycle) winning the Golden Orange for best film in the national competition, along with best director and screenplay awards.

Accepting a lifetime achievement award, Harvey Keitel urged young Turks to remain unbowed in the face of their current challenges, telling audiences watching at home, We need your stories.

Iranian helmer Asghar Farhadi was also given a lifetime achievement award Sunday night. The audience award went to Spanish dramedy The Open Door, which also won best screenplay for scripter Marina Seresesky. A special jury award went to the Georgian helmer Rusudan Glurjidzes powerful debut, House of Others.

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In the creators awards handed out Saturday night, Babamn Kanatlar (My Fathers Wings) won the best first feature award for director Kvanc Sezer, as well as the Dr. Avni Tolunay special jury award.

The Behlul Dal special jury award went to Mete Gumurhans documentary Genc Pehlivanlar (Young Wrestlers), about the students at an elite boarding school hoping to find glory on the wrestling mat. It was also awarded for best editing.

Vividly lensed in the rugged hinterlands of eastern Turkey, Rauf, Soner Caner and Bars Kayas feature debut, took home awards for art director Devrim Omer Unal and cinematographer Vedat Ozdemir.

The Antalya Film Forum also wrapped with a ceremony Saturday night, awarding a number of Turkish films currently in production.

The Villa Kurt Berlin artistic support award went to Anadolu Leopar (Anatolian Leopard), by producer Olena Yershova Yldz and director Emre Kays.

The TRT award went to Sahmerdan (MNK Boy), by producer Zeynep Askn Korkmaz and director Mete Gumurhan.

First prize in the pitching platform went to Kz Kardesler (Sisters), by producer Nadir Operli and director Emin Alper. Second prize went to Guven (Trust), by producer Serkan Acar and director Sefa Ozturk Colak.

The AFF Work in Progress award went to Mr. Gay Suriye (Mr. Gay Syria), by producers Ekin Calsr, Antoine Simkine, and Christine Kiauk, and director Ayse Toprak.

The Work in Progress  Digiflame Coloring and Visual Effects award went to Daha (More), by producer Ziya Cemre Kutluay and director Onur Saylak.

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Aden (AFP) - The pro-government Arab coalition Sunday stepped up air strikes on Iran-backed rebels in Yemen and clashes raged on the ground as warring parties ignored a UN call to renew a fragile ceasefire.

The 72-hour ceasefire took effect just before midnight (2100 GMT) Wednesday to allow aid deliveries in Yemen, whose war has killed thousands of people and left millions homeless and hungry. It officially ended at midnight Saturday.

UN special envoy to Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, had appealed for a renewal of the ceasefire, saying humanitarian aid had during the truce reached areas that were earlier inaccessible.

But Yemeni Foreign Minister Abdulmalek al-Mekhlafi shrugged off the call as "useless", accusing the rebels of ignoring the ceasefire.

The truce was the sixth attempt since the Saudi-led coalition intervened in March last year to support the government of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi after Huthi rebels and their allies overran much of the impoverished country.

Ahmed urged "all parties to agree to its extension for at least another renewable 72 hours", in a statement posted on the envoy's Facebook page shortly before it expired.

The ceasefire was "largely holding despite reported violations from both sides in several areas", he said.

"We noted over the last days that food and humanitarian supplies were provided to several affected neighbourhoods and that UN personnel were able to reach areas that were previously inaccessible. We would like to build on this and we aim for a wider outreach in the next few days," he added.

- Cross-border shelling -

But shortly after the appeal, coalition warplanes on Sunday pounded positions in Sanaa of the Shiite rebels and their allies, renegade troops loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, military officials and rebel media said.

Rebel-controlled sabanews.net website counted nine air strikes on the capital Sunday.

The dawn raids also hit positions in Marib, east of the rebel-held capital, and the southwestern province of Taez, the officials said.

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The intensity of air raids by the Saudi-led coalition had eased during the ceasefire.

"An extension (of the truce) would be useless, because even if we accept it, the other party does not make any commitment to respect the ceasefire," Mekhlafi told AFP.

"We respect the UN envoy's call for an extension, but in effect, there was no truce due to the violations" by the rebels, the foreign minister said.

Fighting on the ground was showing no signs of abating.

Fierce clashes raged in northern regions along the borders with Saudi Arabia over the weekend, killing at least 10 rebels and four Yemeni soldiers, military officials said.

Saudi civil defence also reported cross-border bombing which wounded a Yemeni resident of the southwestern city if Najran.

Later on Sunday, it said that more shelling from Yemen damaged two homes in the kingdom's Jazan region without causing casualties.

The UN envoy said Friday he was liaising with the parties in an attempt to extend the ceasefire in order "to create a conducive environment for a long-lasting peace" in Yemen.

Nearly 6,900 people have been killed in the conflict, more than half of them civilians, while an additional three million are displaced and millions more need food aid.

Hadi's government said on Sunday that nine people had died of cholera in second city Aden as the infectious disease spread across the war-torn country.

The last ceasefire attempt began in April and collapsed as UN-brokered peace talks hosted by Kuwait broke down in August.
By Mohammed Ghobari and Katie Paul SANAA/NAJRAN, Saudi Arabia (Reuters) - A supposed ceasefire in the Yemen conflict expired a minute before midnight on Saturday after a day of heavy fighting between Saudi-backed forces and the Iran-allied Houthi movement. Each side accused the other of repeatedly violating the three-day truce and U.N. attempts to extend it before it lapsed appeared to have failed. Ground fighting raged largely unabated despite the ceasefire, but air attacks on the capital, Sanaa, stopped and there were fewer Houthi missile strikes on Saudi Arabia, residents and local officials said. The U.N. and diplomats had hoped a pause in the conflict would pave the way for talks to end a 19-month-old war which has killed at least 10,000 people in the Arabian Peninsula's poorest country, and would allow badly needed aid to be delivered. A Saudi-led coalition backing the exiled government accused the Houthis of violating the ceasefire almost 1,000 times in the last 24 hours by launching mortar and armed attacks along Yemen's border with the kingdom and in several Yemeni provinces. General Ahmed al-Asseri, commander of the Saudi 4th Brigade on the border in the Saudi province of Najran, told Reuters his forces were repelling a sustained Houthi ground attack. "The violation of the truce was not from our side. It was from the other side. We are continuing to thwart them," Asseri said, speaking at a military outpost in the arid mountains separating the two countries. "In the last 48 hours there was an enormous push by the enemy against our territory ... large numbers of fighters were moving towards the border." Asseri said coalition forces did conduct an air strike inside Yemen against missiles and launchers that threatened Saudi civilians. "The presence of missiles next to the border, we must deal with it with decisiveness. We must." Houthi-run channel al-Masira said its forces had attacked Saudi positions in Najran on Friday and launched rockets into the neighbouring Saudi province of Jizan. The network said Houthi fighters had repelled government advances backed up by Saudi-led air strikes toward the capital Sanaa from several directions. Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, the exiled vice president and a powerful military leader, said in a statement that U.N. envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed had asked for the truce to be extended for another 72 hours on Friday. Government sources told Reuters that foreign diplomats had lobbied both sides to prolong the ceasefire, but neither the government nor the Houthis appeared to have complied. Along the border, trust was in short supply. "By God, there is a truce, but it doesnt work with these people," said Hussein al-Abdali, 63, whose home in Jizan - in the shadow of Yemen's mountains - was damaged by a Houthi rocket on Thursday. "Theyre devils. I swear, they can only be stopped by fire and steel." (Writing by Noah Browning; editing by Andrew Roche)
Impact of impeachment

You can take away corruption from politics, but you cannot take away politics from corruption
By Julia Edwards and Diane Bartz WASHINGTON (Reuters) - AT&T Inc's proposed $85 billion takeover of Time Warner Inc generated skepticism among both Democrats and Republicans on Sunday, making it more likely that regulators will closely scrutinize the effort to create a new telecommunications and media giant. The biggest deal of the year, announced just over two weeks before the Nov. 8 U.S. election, is a gamble on a victory for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and a continuation of the status quo on anti-trust and regulatory enforcement. The Republican candidate Donald Trump, who is trailing Clinton in the polls, has said he would block the takeover. The billionaire businessman has railed against the media's role in what he has described as a "rigged" election and he believes the acquisition of Time Warner, which owns CNN and Warner Bros, Hollywood's largest film and television studio, would concentrate too much power in one organization. "AT&T, the original and abusive 'Ma Bell' telephone monopoly, is now trying to buy Time Warner and thus the wildly anti-Trump CNN. Donald Trump would never approve such a deal because it concentrates too much power in the hands of the too and powerful few," Trump economic advisor Peter Navarro said in a statement on Sunday. Clinton, who has expressed misgivings about other corporate mega mergers, has not yet commented on the takeover. But Senator Bernie Sanders, Clinton's former rival for the Democratic party's nomination, said on Twitter that the administration should "kill" the Time Warner takeover because it would mean higher prices and fewer choices for consumers. Sanders' comments carry weight because Clinton needs Sanders' coalition of young and left-leaning voters to propel her to the presidency. Clinton spokesman Brian Fallon told reporters on Sunday there were "a number of questions and concerns" about the deal "but there's still a lot of information that needs to come out before any conclusions should be reached." The Senate subcommittee on antitrust will hold a hearing on the acquisition sometime in November, said subcommittee chair Senator Mike Lee, a Republican, and the ranking Democrat, Senator Amy Klobuchar. Tim Kaine, Clinton's running mate and a senator from Virginia, said lawmakers and regulators would have to review the deal and "get to the bottom" of questions over whether the merger would decrease competition. "Less concentration, I think, is generally helpful especially in the media," Kaine said on NBC's "Meet the Press." The U.S. Justice Department, not the president, has the power to reject such a deal if it violates antitrust laws. AT&T said it is unclear if the Federal Communications Commission will also have jurisdiction to review the deal. A spokesman for the Justice Department declined to comment. AT&T has described the deal as a "vertical merger" because there is no overlap between the two companies and hopes that such a tie-up will get the regulatory green light by the end of 2017. In the modern history of the media and the Internet, the U.S. government has always approved vertical mergers like ours, because they benefit consumers, strengthen competition, and, in our case, encourage innovation and investment, David McAtee, AT&T senior executive vice president and general counsel, said in a statement on Sunday. The Time Warner takeover mirrors the 2013 $30 billion purchase of NBCUniversal by its rival Comcast , a deal which was cleared after regulators imposed concessions on the cable operator. COMPETITORS ENVISION 'CLOSE' SCRUTINY The cash and stock deal brings together two very different companies -- one a telecoms company that traces its heritage back to Alexander Graham Bell, the other an entertainment company founded in the Hollywood of the 1920s. But the tie-up, which is designed to boost the content AT&T can stream over its network, raises concerns that AT&T might try to limit distribution of Time Warner material. Competitors such as NBCUniversal, Twenty-First Century Fox Inc and the Walt Disney Co. could find that their content could be put at a disadvantage, some consumer advocacy groups suggested. "A transaction of this magnitude obviously warrants very close regulatory scrutiny," said Zenia Mucha, chief communications officer for Disney. NBC Universal, which is owned by Comcast Corp and Fox declined to comment on the merger. Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos, speaking on Saturday at the Institute on Entertainment Law and Business conference at the University of Southern California, said he expected a close examination of the deal by regulators. CONGRESSIONAL EXAMINATION Senators Lee and Klobuchar said their subcommittee would "carefully review" the merger to make sure it does not harm consumers. Lawmakers may pursue inquiries into the merger and build support for or against it, but it is ultimately up to the Justice Department to approve, block or place conditions on the deal. Two of the biggest congressional critics of the mega-mergers among media companies and elsewhere in the U.S. economy said late on Saturday that they would take a hard look at this deal.Senator Richard Blumenthal, who is on the Senate Judiciary Committee, noted the proposed acquisition would combine a wireless company, a pay-TV provider and a studio."I will be looking closely at what this merger means for consumers and their pocketbooks and whether it stands up to the rigorous review standards set by the Department of Justice's antitrust division in the last few years," he said.Senator Al Franken, who is also on the Judiciary Committee, said that the deal raised "immediate flags.""I'm skeptical of huge media mergers because they can lead to higher costs, fewer choices, and even worse service for consumers," he said. "And regulators often agree, like when Comcast unsuccessfully tried to buy Time Warner Cable, a deal that I fiercely opposed." (Additional reporting by David Shepardson in Washington and Jessica Toonkel in New York.; Editing by Bill Trott and Mary Milliken)
MarketWatch

If you really want to rev up your retirement savings and minimize income taxes, the best thing to be is a late-career professional in private practice. When youre making a lot of money and are close to retirement age, you have savings options that go way beyond the levels of the typical workplace 401(k) plan. As long as you can handle a little extra paperwork and some fees, you can set up a solo retirement plan and enjoy higher limits than most employees.
Overshadowed amidst AT&Ts Saturday announcement of its deal to buy , the carrier also reported third quarter results for its current businesses.

AT&Ts wireless business has been suffering for some time. Once an engine of growth, total revenue in the mobility business declined 1% to $18.2 billion. Still, with the boost from last years DirecTV acquisition, overall revenue at increased almost 5% to $40.9 billion. Wall Street had expected $41.2 billion.

Get Data Sheet, Fortunes technology newsletter.

The big headline from Saturday nights AT&T announcement, however, was the deal to buy Time Warner, the home of popular cable channels like HBO, CNN and TNT along with the Warner Brothers TV and movie studio. AT&T agreed to pay $85 billion for Time Warner and assume $22 billion in net debt, putting the total cost of the deal at over $107 billion. The acquisition dramatically diversifies AT&Ts business but comes at a high cost and also faces a significant regulatory review.

Looking at third quarter results for AT&T within its wireless unit, the carrier yet again lost one of the most valuable types of customers. AT&T lost a net 268,000 regular, monthly phone subscribers, also known as postpaid phone customers. The losses came as rival Sprint and T-Mobile ramped up the competitive pressure, rolling out new, cheaper unlimited data plans. AT&T offers only a more expensive unlimited plan that is only sold to DirecTV customers and didnt match its rivals new plans.

The pressure was also evident in Verizons results last week, as the largest wireless carrier reported a net loss of 36,000 postpaid phone customers. And Sprint , benefitting from its new unlimited offering, said it added 347,000 postpaid phone customers in the third quarter. T-Mobile is scheduled to report its third quarter results on Monday.

The arrival of Apples new iPhone 7 late in the quarter doesnt appear to have helped AT&Ts phone sales much, either. Smartphone sales were down 7% from the same period a year earlier, BTIG Research analyst Walter Piecyk noted.

On the video side, the results were somewhat better. AT&T added 323,000 customers for DirecTV while losing 326,000 from its wired U-Verse cable TV service that it has de-emphasized in some markets. The net loss of only 3,000 video customers was the best result since before the DirecTV acquisition. And the average bill per video customer rose 3% to $118.09 per month.

One rationale for the Time Warner deal is that it will add new revenue streams as the wireless market tails off. Another reason for the deal is to make AT&Ts video service - whether delivered via satellite, cable or Internet streaming - more attractive. As the third quarter results indicate, both segments could use the help.
Most people can go a day without the Internet. But what about a month? Or longer?

Its something most of us never think about, because the Internet is always there, like the water that comes out of the tap or the lights that flick on when we hit a switch. But maybe we should think about it, and pay alert attention to the sporadic Internet outage that hit many parts of the country on October 21.

Unknown hackers bombarding one key node of the Internets backbone were able to disrupt huge sites such as Twitter, Netflix, SoundCloud, the New York Times and many others, in an attack that began on the East Coast but spread throughout the United States. The FBI and Dept. of Homeland Security are investigating, suggesting that the U.S. government sees the disruption as a national-security threat posed by an unseen enemy, possibly backed by Russia or China.

Temporarily losing access to online movies, music, shopping or social media sites is an inconvenience. Nothing more. But the Internet is now so integral to our lives that a longer or deeper disruption would threaten our ability to access money, purchase goods and get around. At some point it could easily threaten public safety. Combined with other attacks on infrastructuresuch as the electrical grida deliberate Internet outage could even constitute a form of asymmetric warfare meant to cause chaos and bollix up American society.

While researching my 2015 book Liberty for All: A Manifesto for Reclaiming Political and Financial Freedom, I spent time with some disaster preppers in the New York City area, learning about people who prepare for the worst. Preppers have become a staple of cable TV, thanks to shows such as Doomsday Preppers and Running Wild with Bear Grylls. Some preppers are wacky, apocalyptic types who think end days are nigh. But some are thoughtful people concerned about what might happen if, well, the Internet went out, the electrical grid blinked off or some other event strained or broke societys ability to cope with disaster.

Story continues

The New York preppers I hung out with had all experienced Hurricane Sandy, the 2012 superstorm that flooded lower Manhattan, wrecked dozens of communities and left millions without power for days. In my own area, prolonged power outages meant gas stations couldnt operate, and I ran out of gas in my own car after a few days. When you live in the suburbs, as I do, you rely on your car and assume youll always be able to hit the road and bug out if necessary. But I couldnt. Had there been some sort of second strike, if you will, following Sandy, I would have had no choice but to stay and deal with it.

As research for Liberty for All, I participated in a Tough Preppers Bug-Out Weekend in the Catskill Mountains, about 130 miles north or New York City. We basically camped in the woods for a couple of days, practicing how to use survival gear and rehearsing scenarios in which all the familiar resourcesInternet access, cell phones, electricity, water, medical care and even fire or police protectionare cut off. I considered myself pretty resourceful at the timeand the preppers proved me wrong. I brought the wrong clothes, spent half the weekend freezing, and got too wrapped up in fancy survivalist gizmos peddled on outdoorsy Web sites. While struggling to start a fire with some kind of flint device, one of the preppers walked over to me and said, here, try thisand handed me a Bic lighter. I now have a bunch stored around my house.

The ubiquitous Bic lighter.

The Internet and the electrical grid are inextricably linked. The Internet, obviously, doesnt work without power, so a power outage is the most likely way to experience a full-blown Internet outage. During Sandy, power outages were patchy, and many people who lost power had friends or family members who still had power. We leaned heavily on them to charge our cell phones, warm upand log into the Internet.

When Internet access is shut off, the first thing you notice is the trouble you have getting basic informationlike the weather forecast and news about whats going on around you. TV and radio stations are an old-fashioned backup, provided theres power and theyre operating. You cant send email, but you can still communicate with people, as long as the cellular networks are up and running, your devices are charged and you can call people.

A deeper, longer Internet outage would make things dicier. Many financial transactions these days require Internet access at some point, since a lot of businesses connect to the financial system through an Internet provider instead of using a telephone landline, as they did a decade or two ago. If some financial transactions get scuttled, the problem is bound to cascade, since everything in the financial system is tightly linked these days. Imagine direct-deposit paychecks not being deposited, online payments not going through, and all sorts of imbalances piling up. Its not a good idea to keep a lot of cash around the house, but many preppers anticipate the breakdown of the electronic financial system and keep cash and other tradeable valuables strategically stashed in places strangers arent likely to find them.

The nations logistical system is heavily reliant upon the Internet, as well. Logistics sounds terribly boring, until goods you rely on stop showing up in conveniently located stores. If merchants cant place orders or pay bills, suppliers arent likely to simply show up with free goods for anybody who needs them. Commerce in the United States is remarkably efficient, with food, clothing, sundries and all sorts of other things arriving in stores just as theyre needed, with minimal physical inventory sitting in the basement of malls or grocery stores. Disrupt that for a few days or longer, and the problem will promptly become apparent as stores shelves empty.

How bad could it possibly get? The worst-case scenario is probably a prolonged outage of the Internet, the electrical grid and phone service all at once, which could truly leave individuals reliant upon their own wits and their ability to band together as communities pooling their resources and looking out for each other. The preppers I spent time with were concerned enough about widespread disruption to anticipate scenarios such as the need to cross the Hudson Riverwhich separates New York City from mainland Americain an inflatable raft, assuming all bridge and tunnel access were cut off. Some of them had contingency plans with friends and relatives for how to hopscotch from house to house, based on the best and worst places to be. Others learned how to use two-way radios to communicate over long distances, in the event theres no other way to reach people. Many had weapons and were well-trained in how to use them.

A lot of Americans have purchased generators during the last several years, just in case theres a prolonged power outage caused by a storm, hacking attack or who knows what. Heres what a lot of those people dont know: First, you cant assume fuel to power the generators will be available if the power goes out, since gas stations require power to pump gas and dont always have backup power. It might make sense to keep some gasoline or diesel fuel on hand, but guess what: It becomes unstable after a few months and needs to be replaced. And you cant just pour 20 or 50 gallons of gas down the drain, unless youre comfortable violating every law governing the disposal of toxic liquids. So if you really want to be prepared, you need to have a generator AND a [legal] means of storing fuel that will be safe and effective on short notice. It can be done. But it takes effort.

What are the odds of any of this actually happening? Probably low. But not zero, and also probably rising. National-security officials say obliquely that they have detected at least a couple significant efforts to cripple elements of the U.S. infrastructure system, without giving specifics. The Wall Street Journal has run several important stories on a series of mysterious attacks on electrical substations in California that left government officials deeply worried about the possibility of a coordinated attack on the grid that could darken whole cities or regions. And now, weve just seen the largest known effort to shut down the Internet. Maybe its nothing. But maybe its something.

Rick Newman is the author of four books, including Rebounders: How Winners Pivot from Setback to Success. Follow him on Twitter: @rickjnewman.
Islamic State: Militants fight back in western Iraqi town

Forces of so-called Islamic State have launched an attack in Iraq on a town in western Anbar province in an apparent attempt to divert attention from the government's offensive on Mosul.
Migratory birds start arriving in Koshi Tappu

As monsoon retreats and the sky gets clear, migratory birds from as far away as China, Mongolia and Siberia have started arriving in the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve in eastern Nepal, one of the best bird habitats in the region, to spend the upcoming winter season.
Narayangadh-Muglin road widening works over 29 percent in 18 months

The Narayangadh-Muglin Road Project has completed only 29 percent of construction works in the past 18 months. In this period, half of the road-widening should have been over.
Nepali team to visit China in Nov first week

A Nepali delegation is visiting China in the first week of November to hold talks on a draft protocol on Transit Transport Agreement (TTA).
October octaves

The day Deuba was ousted by the king marked a dark point in our quest for democracy
Vi Hills sprinkled flour on the counter in the kitchen at American Lutheran Church on Saturday morning, then plopped a mound of dough on it to make a type of Norwegian cookie called Syrups Kage.

That one is rolled out very, very thin, Hills, a member of the Sons of Norway, said. It looks like a ginger snap but its very thin and crispy.

She propelled a rolling pin back and forth across the dough to achieve the proper thickness. Hills, who lives in Laurel, sliced it one direction, then another, creating diamond-shaped cookies that she placed on a baking sheet.

After drizzling sliced almonds on the top of each, she placed the sheet in the oven. Soon, the aroma of cinnamon and cloves filled the kitchen. When she retrieved the cookies a few minutes later, they were a perfect golden brown.

Hills, a member of Jotunheimen Lodge of the Sons of Norway, worked with a handful of other volunteers making several kinds of Norwegian cookies for next Saturdays annual Torsk & Meatball Dinner. She hoped to make several hundred cookies to be served with dinner and sold separately.

Thora Aldrich, president of the Billings chapter of the fraternal organization, said it isnt just for people of Norwegian descent. The club is for anyone who wants to learn more about the Scandinavian country.

Even if a Swede comes in the group, we ask them to join us, she said, laughing.

Members meet the second Friday of the month at the Billings Community Center, when an aspect of Norways culture is explained and foods may be sampled, as well. Aldrich, who lives in Billings, has been part of Sons of Norway for about 15 years.

I enjoy learning about Norway and all of the interesting programs, she said. But this is also such a wonderful group of people who are very nice to work with.

Aldrichs grandparents came to the United States from Norway. Her father cooked lutefisk, a type of fish, and lefse, a traditional soft Norwegian flatbread.

We went to a friends for cookies, she said. I like them all.

Many people in the Billings area are familiar with the Sons of Norway because of the group's annual presence at MontanaFair. At a booth on the fairway, they sell fan favorites, Vikings (meatballs) on a stick and Norskies (fried bread).

Next weeks dinner, open to the public, is all a thank-you to all of the fans and to the groups volunteers.

Anybody thats interested in Norway is welcome to join us, Aldrich said said.

On Saturday, she stood over a deep-fat fryer, dipping her rosette iron into batter and then into the hot oil for 25 to 30 seconds. Once the rosette was a golden color, she pulled it out and placed it on a piece of paper towel to drain.

Rosettes can either be dipped in granulated sugar or dusted with powdered sugar. They are light and crispy, sweet and virtually melt in the mouth.

At first, Aldrichs rosettes were a little too airy. So Hills suggested she add some flour.

A lot of these recipes say 2 to 2-1/2 cups of flour, Hills said. Well, thats a pretty good variation, and a lot depends on the size of your eggs and temperature.

With any of the cookies you always have flubs at the beginning, she said. But they are tasty flubs, she said.

Volunteer Karen Honnold made Kram Kage (translated Crum Cake), using an iron passed down to Hills from her grandmother. The interior has a series of intricate designs that transfer onto the cookie.

Honnold put a large spoonful of the batter in the iron, and after it browned on one side, she turned the iron over so the other side would brown. Then she gently removed the cookie and folded it over.

Other helpers made Sandbakkels, where the dough is placed in small tins and baked, and Fattigmanns, which is also rolled out thin and shaped into a knot and then deep-fat fried.

Many of the cookie recipes share similarities, Hills said.

It seems like every cookie in Scandinavia is made with eggs, butter, sugar, flour and maybe a little cream, she said. But how they all turn out differently is always amazing to me.

Flavors such as almond or vanilla are common in the cookies. Most of them are also fairly labor-intensive.

And with cookies like Sandbakkels requiring two cups of butter, we dont talk calories, Hills said.

The cookies are also not exclusively Norwegian. Many of the recipes are also Swedish or Danish. A friend of Hills whose ancestry is Russian said her culture has a cookie much like the Fattigmann.

With Hill's mother growing up in Norway and her father in Sweden, she grew up making these recipes.

Dad participated right alongside Mom, and of course the kids were all nibbling, she said. Its beautiful for that reason. Its something nice to do as a group.
Timber crisis affecting housing reconstruction

Earthquake survivors in Ramechhap district are facing a hard time rebuilding their houses due to shortage of timber.
Transparency International welcomes impeachment motion against Karki

Transparency International, a global civil society organisation fighting against corruption, has welcomed the impeachment motion registered at Parliament against CIAA Chief Commissioner Lokman Singh Karki.
Voters to get right to reject candidates

In an unprecedented electoral practice in the country, voters will be able to reject all the candidates beginning with the next elections if the bill proposed by the Election Commission is passed by Parliament.
Over the past week, The Billings Gazette has presented diverse viewpoints from readers and candidates in the Nov. 8 election. Continuing a longstanding practice at our newspaper and many other American newspapers, The Gazette editorial board also weighed in with recommendations on statewide races.

The Gazette takes seriously the responsibility of a community newspaper to be part of constructive conversations about public issues. Thats why members of the editorial board met face to face with every Republican and Democratic candidate for statewide office, along with candidates in the contested nonpartisan Supreme Court race. We appreciate the candidates time and the opportunity to sit down for a discussion about public service through state and federal elected offices. We dont always agree about policy, but we are impressed that all the candidates we met truly want to serve Montana.

With tens of thousands of early ballots already cast and Election Day still two weeks away, The Gazette recaps its recommendations for the consideration of voters who are still mulling their choices.

For president of the United States, Hilary Clintons election will prevent the certain disaster that would befall our nation with the ill-tempered, thin-skinned Donald Trump whose ignorance of foreign and domestic issues is matched by his disdain for Americas election process. With all her flaws, Clinton remains a moderate who has worked with Republicans and Democrats to forge agreements that benefit all Americans.

election will prevent the certain disaster that would befall our nation with the ill-tempered, thin-skinned Donald Trump whose ignorance of foreign and domestic issues is matched by his disdain for Americas election process. With all her flaws, Clinton remains a moderate who has worked with Republicans and Democrats to forge agreements that benefit all Americans. Lets keep Rep. Ryan Zinke as Montanas congressman for a second term. Zinke has demonstrated a pragmatic approach to getting things done for Montana, and he doesnt simply follow the national party line on issues of great importance to Montanans, such as keeping our federal public lands public.

as Montanas congressman for a second term. Zinke has demonstrated a pragmatic approach to getting things done for Montana, and he doesnt simply follow the national party line on issues of great importance to Montanans, such as keeping our federal public lands public. For governor of Montana, we recommend a second term for Gov. Steve Bullock . Bullock achieved significant legislative successes by working with moderate Republicans, cutting equipment taxes the most for small businesses and extending Medicaid coverage to Montanas poorest residents.

. Bullock achieved significant legislative successes by working with moderate Republicans, cutting equipment taxes the most for small businesses and extending Medicaid coverage to Montanas poorest residents. Attorney General Tim Fox deserves a second term, too. The state crime labs services have significantly improved on Foxs watch and he achieved legislative reforms by working with members of both parties.

deserves a second term, too. The state crime labs services have significantly improved on Foxs watch and he achieved legislative reforms by working with members of both parties. For state auditor, we find Jesse Laslovich to be by far the most qualified candidate to lead the Montana office that regulates insurance and securities. Laslovich, an attorney and former state lawmaker, has worked in the Montana State Auditors Office for the past seven years, and now serves as its chief legal counsel. He has worked on legislation to prevent insurance and securities fraud and helped Montana victims recover money that had been lost to fraud.

to be by far the most qualified candidate to lead the Montana office that regulates insurance and securities. Laslovich, an attorney and former state lawmaker, has worked in the Montana State Auditors Office for the past seven years, and now serves as its chief legal counsel. He has worked on legislation to prevent insurance and securities fraud and helped Montana victims recover money that had been lost to fraud. Montana public schools have a strong, eloquent advocate in Melissa Romano , an award-winning Helena teacher, specializing in elementary math and science. If voters elect Romano superintendent of public instruction, local schools will have a dedicated partner to fight in Helena for the best interests of public school students across our state.

, an award-winning Helena teacher, specializing in elementary math and science. If voters elect Romano superintendent of public instruction, local schools will have a dedicated partner to fight in Helena for the best interests of public school students across our state. For secretary of state, The Gazette endorses Corey Stapleton , a Billings financial adviser, former Montana legislator and Senate minority leader.

, a Billings financial adviser, former Montana legislator and Senate minority leader. For Montana Supreme Court, we recommend the most experienced candidate: District Judge Dirk Sandefur, who has been elected three times by Cascade County voters, and has previous experience as a deputy county attorney and Havre police officer.

Editorial board members certainly dont expect all readers to agree with these recommendations. But we hope our take on the elections will make readers think about and research their choices. As always, our strongest recommendation is to vote: Mark your ballot for the candidates of your choice. Exercise your precious right to participate in your government.
It is important for Montanas wildlife and our public lands to vote no on I-177, a sweeping and radical initiative that would outlaw trapping on all public lands in Montana.

Whether you are a trapper or not, a broad-brush ban like I-177 will create more problems for Montanans, our wildlife, and our public lands. The ban will be expensive, it will worsen conflicts among public land user groups, and it sets a terrible precedent. At a time when we should be coming together to protect our public lands, I-177 would push Montanans further apart.

Responsible trapping is a traditional, sustainable use of Montanas wildlife resources. It is also an important wildlife management tool. You might not be a trapper, you might not even know any trappers, but you depend on trapping more than you know. A ban wont make the need for trapping go away, it will just make it more expensive for cash-strapped land and wildlife managers.

Like all wildlife management activities, trapping rules and seasons are set by the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, based on science, under the public supervision of the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission, and within the statutory framework set by the Montana Legislature. Its a system that protects the public interest and ensures that decisions are based on science, not politics.

In recent years, trappers and other wildlife conservationists have supported sensible new rules to reduce trapping conflicts. Trappers led the effort to institute mandatory trapper education in 2011, a proven strategy for reducing conflicts, only to see the bill they worked so hard for die on the Senate floor. Unfortunately, their efforts were met with indifference by some legislators and hostility from activists who would rather outlaw trapping altogether. Anti-trappers condemn trapping for being unsafe and then fight against efforts to make it safer. Their rhetoric also ignores decades of improvements in trap technology that reduce stress and suffering of any animal caught in traps.

Of course, there are times when trapping  like hunting, shooting, biking, camping, fishing, and every other outdoor activity  is inappropriate in a particular area of public land. In those situations, public land managers can, and do, exercise their judgment, consult with the public, and make appropriate decisions to protect public land users. Public land managers can close specific areas to trapping whenever it is necessary, and they do.

I-177 would shortcut good public land decision-making and responsible wildlife management. Instead of working to prevent conflicts and find common ground, the measure would simply outlaw trapping on every single inch of federal, state, county, and local public lands. This absolute approach is an irresponsible way to address complex problems.

At a time when our public lands are under attack, we should be careful about making ballot box decisions that arbitrarily favor one set of public land users over another. When we do that, we lose not only that activity, but yet another set of public land advocates. Trappers have a right to use public lands, just like hikers, bikers, hunters, anglers, cowboys, sheepherders, rock climbers and every other American. When we start using the ballot box to kick user groups off of public land, who is next?

With so many assaults on our public lands, we need to bring different user groups together. This includes ethical trappers who love a sunrise looking over the Bob Marshall as much as any hiker or elk hunter. We should be working to resolve problems and unite diverse interests together to defend our public lands, not selectively outlawing certain user groups. Montanans should vote against I-177.
North Korea's state radio station resumed broadcasting mysterious numbers Sunday after a nine-day break that could be some kind of coded message to its agents operating in South Korea.

An announcer at Radio Pyongyang, started reading a series of messages shortly after midnight (Seoul time), calling out a series of numbers.

The announcer said she is "giving review work in metal engineering to No. 21 expedition agents." The content was the same as those transmitted in the early hours of Oct. 9.

Since June 24, North Korea has sent out a total of 10 encrypted numbers broadcasts, with three being broadcast this month alone.

Broadcasts of mysterious numbers are a kind of book cipher that was often used by North Korea to give missions to spies operating in South Korea during the Cold War era. Spies could decode numbers to get orders by using a reference book, although many intelligence officials believe this form of sending orders to be totally outdated. Many have said the broadcast may be some sort of deception strategy aimed at sparking confusion within South Korea.

Pyongyang had initially suspended such broadcasts in 2000, when the two Koreas held their first historic summit.

Tensions are already running high on the divided peninsula after North Korea carried out its fifth nuclear test on Sept. 9 and the unsuccessful launching of two Musudan intermediate-range ballistic missile in recent weeks. (Yonhap)
BUTTE  A prominent Bozeman lawyer has questioned the process of state university officials pushing through a $5.7 million research grant from the controversial Koch Foundation designed to create a research center at Montana State University.

Lawyer James H. Goetz said MSU has bypassed the standard public review process and public input. He pointed out that the regents have yet to approve the center  even though a signed agreement between the Koch Foundation and the university lists an initial payment of $793,380 made "on or about Sept. 15, 2016."

Im concerned about our wonderful university being hijacked by right-wing money," Goetz said Friday. "The Koches preach the gospel of academic freedom, but common sense tells me otherwise.

In a letter to Commissioner of Higher Education Clay Christian and the regents dated Sept. 14, Goetz wrote, This grant literally screams out for transparency  not the hurried, furtive approach that is now apparent.

In an earlier letter, MSU President Waded Cruzado assured Goetz that Nothing in the grant allows them to leapfrog the established process and timeline for center review by the BOR (Board of Regents).

MSU announced in August that the Charles Koch Foundation gave the $5.7 million award to economics professors Vince Smith and Wendy Stock to study the impacts of government policies and regulations on society.

Smith and Stock plan to use the money to create a new center focusing on the impact of regulations and government policies in many areas, from agriculture to health care and technology, the Bozeman Chronicle reported in August.

MSU expects the regents to be a rubber stamp, said Goetz. But the regents havent technically approved it. So MSU has signed a contract where theyre taking money. I guess they think it will sail through.

Four more installments are planned, through Aug. 1, 2020.

Cruzado said at the earliest, Smith and Stock will present their detailed plans to the MSU Faculty Senate in March 2017.

In an Oct. 7 response to Goetz, Christian rebuts the lawyers concern that the Kochs will be allowed to vet faculty hires and dictate curriculum. Christian said:

Creating a center will receive all the normal campus vetting and Regents review.

Having a center, among other benefits, enables a campus to apply for other types of funding and attract students.

In answer to Goetzs concern that the Koch grant includes language that commits Montana taxpayers to paying for the faculty positions after the agreements term ends, Christian replied:

In fact, the Koch Foundation attorney has assured us that the creation of a center is not contingent on receipt or return of any money. I cannot overemphasize that the proposal to create a center was entirely a MSU faculty-driven idea.

In her letter to Goetz, Cruzado also says that the details of the new center's creation will come from the professors, not the Koch Foundation.

Goetz contends that Christians assurances do not hold water. The whole tone of Christian's letter is to defend, in my view, what has already taken place, he said Friday.

Goetz accuses MSU of taking the Kochs' money without due attention to possible serious academic freedom concerns. He expressed concern that the Kochs could advance an anti-regulation agenda in introductory economics courses. Similarly, at Florida State University, the Koch Foundation gave $1.5 million for positions in the FSU economics department in 2011. Students criticized the gift, saying it gave the billionaire brothers a say on faculty hires and leverage to push for anti-regulation curricula.

As a Montana taxpayer I object to this commitment of my tax monies in this way, wrote Goetz on Aug. 31 in an initial letter to the regents and Cruzado. As an interested citizen, I am offended by MSUs sell-out of its academic prerogatives. This should never happen.

Cruzado also assured Goetz that the Koch name will not be part of the name of the new center. The grant agreement between MSU and the Kansas-based Charles Koch Foundation names the "Center for Regulation and Applied Economic Analysis." The Chronicle reported that it would be located in Linfield Hall.

Cruzado reiterated the contract language, which reads: the Universitys decision of whether or not to provide tenure or to reappoint the individuals holding faculty positions affiliated with the Center will be considered independently of any funding provided by the Center.

Cruzado told Goetz that safeguards for academic integrity and faculty publishing will remain in place without Koch influence. Typical scrutiny from peer-reviewed publications will continue, she said.

Oilmen Charles and David Koch are controversial figures in the political realm. They fund Republican, conservative and libertarian causes and candidates. Allegedly, they spend millions to influence elections through groups like Americans for Prosperity.

Goetz is a member of the MSU Association of Centennial Alumni and a member of the MSU Foundation Leadership Council fundraising campaign. He and his wife have donated scholarships to MSU.

A 1965 MSU graduate, Goetz said he plans to bring up his concerns to the regents next time they meet  Nov. 17-18 in Missoula  or whenever they place the issue on their agenda.

Ive talked to some people who are pretty upset about this," Goetz said, "but as far as I know, theres no organized opposition yet.
HOUSTON, Minn.  A year after they started Carlson Roasting Co. in downtown Houston, Bob and Mimi Carlson plan to continue growing their coffee roasting business  in a new, much larger downtown location.

Carlson Roasting opened last November at 214 E. Cedar St., and so far is wholesaling its roasted coffee beans to six grocery stores  in Houston (at the Root River Market), Winona (at Hy-Vee and the Bluff Country Co-op), Rochester and Rushford, Minn. It also offers online direct sales, coffee for fundraisers with the fundraising organizations custom label, and custom private label coffee.

Also, Carlson Roasting coffee is served at two eateries, in Whalan and Rochester, Minn.

Bob Carlson hopes to have Carlson Roasting coffee in La Crosse retail stores by the end of this year.

He and his wife recently bought the former Cross Roads Cafe at 101 W. Cedar St., at the corner of Hwys. 16 and 76 in Houston.

Carlson said they plan to open a tasting room with retail sales of coffee beans in the former cafe within a month, and to eventually move their entire coffee business there  probably sometime next year.

The tasting room probably will be open only on Saturdays, he said. People will be able to try different types of coffee there, he said.

Carlson also operates Coffee House Real Estate from the couples rural Houston home. He started that business in 2005, a year after he and Mimi moved to the area from the Twin Cities.

Before starting his own real estate agency, Carlson was a real estate agent with Edina Realty of Edina, Minn., for three years.

He is an Edina native. Mimi was raised on a farm near Wadena, Iowa.

Mimi also works full time as an information technology project manager for Accenture, a global professional services firm.

The Carlsons met at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, where Bob received a bachelors degree in management and Mimi received a bachelors degree in management information systems and accounting. She also has a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

The Carlsons have five children, ages 2 to 16.

We wanted to be halfway between Wadena and Edina, Bob Carlson said of the couples decision to move to Houston from Edina. And we wanted to live in the country, near a small town. We really enjoy Houston. Its a very nice community, and its very welcoming to people who move in from the outside.

The Carlsons opened A Little Looney in 2005 in the former Skiftons Department Store in Houston and later moved it to 110 N. Grant St.  the current location of Baristas Coffee House. A Little Looney sold a variety of coffee drinks, natural fruit smoothies, toys, art, paint-your-own pottery and bicycle rentals.

The Carlsons sold A Little Looney in 2008 and the new owners renamed it Baristas Coffee House.

Bob Carlson had been roasting coffee beans (for personal use) at home for eight years before he and his wife started Carlson Roasting Co. He was using a small roaster that Mimi had bought for him as a Christmas gift.

He thought for several years about starting a coffee roasting business.

This building became available, he said of the current location, so he and Mimi bought and renovated it, purchased a small commercial roaster and started Carlson Roasting.

I enjoy taking a coffee and discovering the perfect way to roast it, Carlson said. I have a process for finding out how to get there. Theres a lot of experimentation. Roasting in small batches allows him to bring out the potential of each batch, he said.

The Carlsons roaster can roast about 12 pounds of coffee an hour, and Bob Carlson usually roasts coffee two or three days a week. Sales continue to grow and Carlson Roasting roasted about 250 pounds of coffee beans in September.

Were not huge  not yet, Bob Carlson said. Were not Folgers at this point. But he plans to have Carlson Roasting coffee in more grocery stores, coffee houses, cafes and restaurants in the future.

Carlson Roasting gets its coffee beans from Papa New Guinea, Colombia, Peru, Mexico and the Indonesian island of Sumatra. Sumatran coffee is our biggest seller, Bob Carlson said.

By the end of this month, all of Carlson Roastings coffee will be both fair trade and organic.
Jolene Quinn has started Oles Pizza Co., a catering business that also serves its pizza and other food at public events.

Quinn had a professional mobile kitchen built for her business. The kitchen trailer made its debut at the North Side Festgrounds during Oktoberfest. Oles Pizza is based at the Coulee Region Business Center (also known as the small business incubator) at 1100 Kane St.

The new business is best known for its pizzas, especially Jos Taco Pizza, which are made by Dave Olson, former owner of Happy Joes Pizza and Ice Cream restaurants in La Crosse and Onalaska. Ole is his nickname.

Since last November, Olson also has been making pizzas for Oles Pizza nights on Wednesdays at Premier Catering at 1906 Ward Ave.

Besides a large variety of pizzas, Oles Pizza catering menu also includes calzones, oven-baked pastas, wraps and other sandwiches, salads, soups, appetizers and desserts.

Quinn said she retired in July after 39 years with Xcel Energy. She also has many years of experience operating restaurants and another catering business.

For more information, call 608-782-2202 or visit www.olespizzacompany.com or the firms Facebook page.

Revolution Coffee & Wine Bar at 38 Main St. in downtown Black River Falls will have a soft opening during the annual downtown Christkindl Festival on Dec. 3.

James and Andrea Hoffman recently created Revitalize Our Hometown, LLC, which bought the downtown building Sept. 29. Dan Moen and his The Artisan Preservation Co. are renovating it for the Hoffmans as the general contractor.

The Hoffmans friend, Carrie Timp, is leasing the building and will own and operate the coffee and wine bar. Carrie and I share a passion for great conversation and friendship over coffee, and yummy baked goods, Andrea Hoffman said.

Revolution Coffee & Wine Bar will feature coffee products, light breakfasts, baked goods, lunch, soups, appetizers and a wine bar, James Hoffman said. There will also be special events with local music talents and other activities.

Andrea has a desire to revitalize the downtown in Black River Falls, he said of his wife. The Hoffmans are looking for additional entrepreneurs with a business plan who want to locate in downtown Black River Falls, he said.

Cindy and Jeff Waughtal plan to open JCs Pizza & Pub soon in the former Dueces Bar & Grill at N378 Hwy. 108, three miles south of Melrose.

The Waughtals operated JCs Pizza & Pub in downtown Melrose from 2000 to 2007.

We are shooting for a Nov. 1 opening but will open when we finish what we need to get done, Cindy Waughtal said last week. She and her husband are updating the kitchen and bar areas.

Waughtal said she and her husband purchased the Dueces location Sept. 2. Dueces opened in January in what previously was the HiWay Inn.

JCs Pizza & Pub will serve many other items besides pizza and will have a full bar, Cindy said. We both agreed I needed something to do and the opportunity came along at the right time, she said of the couples decision to open the pizza restaurant and pub.

Journey Active fitness studio will open Oct. 31 at 1245 Badger St., on the second floor of the new Aguilera building in La Crosse. The entrance is on the east side of the building.

That whole week (Oct. 31 to Nov. 4) will be our free week where people can come in and try their first class for free, said Devan Weis, who her husband Kevin owns the new business.

The studio will focus on group classes when it opens, and there also will be open gym hours. We will also be phasing in small group training, personal training and online training, Devan Weis said.

The studio also will have monthly seminars/educational sessions where people can learn more about all aspects of wellness, she said. Information about those will be on Journey Actives website under health explorations.

The class schedule is available at www.journeyactive.com and the business also is on Facebook. Journey Actives telephone number is 608-433-2406.

Paul and Monica Tiffany opened the McGregor Mercantile paint and hardware store on Sept. 30 at 258 Main St. in downtown McGregor, Iowa.

The Tiffanys also own Preferred Painters painting service. They bought the downtown building last December to use for that business, and later decided to also open a retail paint and hardware store there.

When we bought the building we were just going to use it for our shop to store ladders, sprayers, equipment, etc., Monica said. We then partnered with Benjamin Moore in order to be able to tint and shake our own paint on site. Then we figured since we have everything here, why not use the front part of the building for retail space for people who decide to do their own painting.

The Tiffanys renovated the building, which was constructed in 1879.

The new store sells Benjamin Moore paint, American Paint Co. chalk paint, painting accessories, stains, hardware and small tools. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and closed Sunday. The stores telephone number is 563-873-2006. The business also is on Facebook.

The Starbucks coffee chain opened its new Tomah store on Sept. 30 at 224 Buan St. on the citys North Side.

The new store has about 30 employees. Starbucks has more than 24,000 stores around the world. For more information, visit www.starbucks.com.
Due to her fathers job with the Boy Scouts of America, the family moved often and Sue attended various schools. She attended and received her Bachelors and Masters degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, where she met and married Terrance Auger. Sue and Terry then moved to Illinois, where they adopted their daughter, Tonya from South Korea. They then moved to Green Bay, Wis., where Sue worked various jobs and received an Associate degree. Sue and Terry then divorced. She met Jack Jennerjahn in a singles group. They later married and lived together with Jacks four children. Jacks new position at Western Technical College brought the family to La Crosse. Sue also worked at Western Technical College from where she and Jack both retired.
Student, parents, family members and their nominating teacher, Karen Wrolson, were guests at the Club's Wednesday meeting on Oct. 12. Schieffer was recognized as part of the club's ongoing Student of the Month award program, where students are recommended for their positive signs of personal growth. Each student and their guests met with the clubs membership for breakfast, receive recognition, along with a simultaneous acknowledgement, written in Russian from the Optimist' sister Club in Dubna, Russia. All students honored are invited to share a little about themselves and their achievements.
ROCHESTER, Minn. (AP)  Elisa Skjordal was a 27-year-old mother of two young girls when she died as a patient at the Rochester State Hospital.

A white wooden cross was erected over her gravesite with a simple notation on it: 4344. It was her hospital case number. But her name was not included. Mental illness was viewed as such a shameful stigma at the time that patients were buried anonymously, their secret carried even into death.

For more than a century, Skjordals remains have rested, as time and encroaching vegetation all but obliterated the state hospital cemetery at Quarry Hill Park, as well as the memories of Skjordal and the more than 2,000 people who came to be buried there.

Until now.

Thanks to a decade-long grave marker project and the work of genealogists, the memory of Skjordal and hundreds of other patients buried there is being resurrected. Along with their names and the cemetery, a part of Rochesters history is being restored.

If you go to any old cemetery, you see tombstones and gravestones that are just filled with history, said Buff Hennessey, executive director of The Arc of Southeastern Minnesota, a disability advocacy organization. And here it was kind of absences.

That void now has been filled with row upon row of granite markers. Each marker, 18 inches by 30 inches, bears the persons name, date of birth and date of death. The project cost more than $400,000 to complete. Most of the money came from the state Legislature but also included local dollars.

Its been a labor of love, said Beth Thompson, a Rochester genealogist and volunteer who, along with her husband, John, have used state hospital records to retrieve the identities of the people buried at the cemetery.

A dedication celebration was held Sunday to mark the restoration of the cemetery, located at the Ninth Street Northeast entrance to the park.

And in the process, a glimpse is being afforded into the lives of these one-time patients  the people who, because of mental illness or depression, disability or chronic inebriation, found themselves housed at the Rochester State Hospital.

The Rochester State Hospital opened in 1879. And until its closure in 1981, it represented a societal attitude toward the mentally ill and disabled that called for their segregation and separation from society.

It became a community within a community. Some were admitted against their will. Others voluntarily admitted themselves. But once inside, none had rights that need be respected.

The state hospital could be a place of despair. Some patients ended their lives there by hanging themselves or jumping out of third-floor windows. In one case, a man jumped into a furnace. But it also could be a self-contained society, with its own mini-economy, where patients farmed and harvested their food and canned their own vegetables.

If patients died there, oftentimes their bodies were retrieved by family members and buried in their home cemetery plots. But a fraction, whether due to disconnection from family or cost, were buried in the sloped hospital cemetery nearby. They were placed in wooden caskets made by patients. In winter, when the ground was too frozen for digging, the caskets would be placed in a mortuary cave at the top of the cemetery hill until spring thaw made the burial possible. That practice ended in the 1950s.

A rediscovered life

What we know about the life of Elisa Skjordal, one of the patients buried there, has been pieced together by the work of Beth Thompson and her husband, John. Their research is based on state records available at the Olmsted County History Center and Minnesota Historical Library.

Skjordal was born Elisa Karoline Olsdotter in Norway on July 20, 1869. Her life, one gets the sense from the historical record, was not an easy one.

At age 8, she lost both her mother and father within days of each other. She married Olaf Skjordal, and in 1895, Skjordal, her husband and the couples 4-year-old daughter set sail for the U.S. to become immigrants in a new land. Skjordal was four months pregnant at the time of her journey.

The family settled in Austin and took up farming. But soon after giving birth to her second child, Skjordal began to suffer symptoms associated with postpartum depression. She was brought to the state hospital by a sheriffs deputy.

Skjordal was described as quiet. She spoke no English. She complained frequently of headaches and was treated with massages, electrical treatment and eggnog twice a day. She worked in the hospital dining room, and her condition improved. She was visited by her husband. Ten months after her arrival, Skjordal returned home with her husband, deemed to be quite normal mentally and in good physical condition.

But three months later, she was back at the state hospital, physically ill, running a fever and in declining condition. Skjordal died a week later, the listed cause of death being meningitis.

Without a wife or family support system to fall back on, Olaf put his two young daughters in an Iowa orphanage. He moved to South Dakota and farmed there, eventually bringing back his daughters as they got older.

A forgotten place

Many of the early patients to die at the state hospital were immigrants. The early graves were marked with a wooden cross with a number on it. When the crosses began to deteriorate and rot away, they were replaced by cement can markers.

By 2004, the state hospital cemetery  the resting place of Skjordal and more than 2,000 patients  was no longer recognizable as such. Overrun by trees and long grass, the cemetery had returned to a meadow-like state. Sledders used the sloped cemetery in winter to glide over the graves. The only thing that identified it as a cemetery were a dozen tombstones poking out of the long grass laid by family members. It had become a forgotten place.

But that was about to change.

Beth Thompson and her husband, John, were hiking at Quarry Hill one day in 2004 when they stumbled across an assortment of can markers. Each was stamped with a number. The markers had been pushed out of the ground by the frost, and city workers had tossed them aside when their mowers bumped into them.

We werent sure at first what they were, and then determined them to be the grave markers for the state hospital, Beth Thompson recalled. I was just aghast that these markers were piled in the woods, discarded. A number was all that these people were given to remember them by.

Their discovery was part of an alignment of events that would lead to the cemeterys restoration. Through the years, efforts had been made to restore the cemetery, but lack of funding had proven to be the biggest obstacle.

In 2003, Jim Behrends, now director of Olmsted County Adult and Family Service, arrived in Rochester from St. Peter, where he had worked at the old state hospital there. He was aware of state dollars that could be tapped for cemetery restoration because St. Peter was doing the same thing there.

I wasnt even thinking that might be an issue here, until I took a walk out there and realized, Oh, my gosh, weve got the same issue here, Behrends said.

Working through the disability advocacy group Advocating Change Together and its Remembering with Dignity project, dollars began to pour in to make the cemetery project a reality.

Officials say the final piece of the project is to complete a kiosk at the cemetery entrance. It will provide a history of the cemetery as well as a directory to help those searching for a gravesite.

Thompson said the project has been a dream of Rochester leaders and others going back decades.

Those people really wanted this cemetery marked. That was their desire years and years ago, Thompson said. They all had a dream to mark the cemetery with names.
Kathie Giorgio knows firsthand that inspiration can strike at the most inconvenient of times. Deep in relaxation during a hot stone massage, a string of words flashed across her closed eyelids: Cooley never expected to cry when her mother died.

I said, Oh, shoot! and ran home to write, Giorgio said of the line that would inspire her second novel, Learning To Tell (a Life)Time. My ideas mostly come out of nowhere. I might overhear a conversation or read a newspaper article that sets a fire. I can hear the opening lines in my head.

The award-winning Waukesha, Wis., author, 56, has been writing since she could read and recalls rewriting the stories in her picture books as a young child. In 1975, at the age of 15, she became a published author with a 1970s-themed retelling of the story of Christ.

Making Christ sound like a 70s hipster was really kind of fun, Giorgio laughed.

Giorgio has three novels, two short story collections and a book of poetry under her belt, and while she likens choosing a favorite work to picking a favorite child, she is especially proud of Rise From the River. The novel, which took 20 years to complete, tackles the sensitive topics of rape and abortion.

I would stop and start. I wasnt brave enough yet to say things, Giorgio said of the books long road to publication. I wanted to reach people about what rape does to a woman, especially if she becomes pregnant, and what goes through her mind and her heart. I expected it to be polarizing.

Giorgios goal is always to reach people as well as entertain, and says many readers have thanked her for her words.

I like to think I strike a chord with them, Giorgio said. Maybe Ive written about something they experienced and arent sure how to get out of, and they see how the character got through it.

Giorgio revels in meeting her fans and gathering feedback, typically visiting half a dozen book clubs around the state with each release. She will make her sixth appearance at Creekside book club in La Crosse on Wednesday to discuss her latest work, Oddities and Endings: The Collected Stories of Kathie Giorgio.

Theyre a group of very intelligent women, Giorgio enthused of the group, who welcome her with themed meals and desserts. Its so nice to sit down with people whove read every wordits such an intoxicating experience. Its nice to know what readers get out of the book and see their perspective.

Its so much fun to talk to the the actual author and ask about the process, agreed club member Alice Benson, a former student of Giorgios at All Writers Workplace & Workshop. The topics she chooses are very timely...social justice, rape, body image  hard topics but not hard to read. There is always some sort of redemption.

A published author herself, Benson says Giorgio inspires her to perfect her craft.

Kathies writing provides something to reach for, Benson said. The characters are so well developed.

Giorgio will be making public appearances this week as well, with a book reading and question and answer session on Friday, and a visual and literary arts workshop, The Labyrinth and the Creative Spirit, on Saturday. Both will be held at SUTRA Imports in Dakota, Minn.

Im really excited to come back, enthused Giorgio, who is always looking to encourage endeavoring authors.

Its a long road for aspiring writers, but dont give up  its worth it, Giorgio said. Fiction is my first love.
If anyone is rigging the election against Donald Trump, its Donald Trump  by disempowering his own voters.

Yes, Trump once (accidentally, presumably) told rally-goers to make sure you get out and vote Nov. 28, which would be 20 days after the polls close. But that isolated goof isnt what will do him in. Instead, its the fact that he has told his supporters, repeatedly, that the election is rigged by a vast global conspiracy that will never let him win  i.e., his own supporters might as well stay home even if they do know the correct election date.

In other words, his claims that hes doomed to lose could become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

At Wednesdays debate and over several previous weeks  not just coincidentally, corresponding with his downward slide in the polls  Trump has repeatedly suggested that the election results will be less than kosher.

The exact nature of this tref-ness varies. He has argued that an international pan-media-banker-Democratic-FBI-elite alliance is behind unspecified improprieties. At other times he has claimed that Mexican nationals are pouring over the border to illegally cast ballots for Hillary Clinton, and that her most loyal voter base might just be dead people.

Such charges will rile up some of his base, including those who want to monitor the polls so they can intimidate anyone resembling, as one acolyte put it, Mexicans. Syrians. People who cant speak American. These hardly seem like idle threats; data from the World Values Survey show a correlation between belief that election officials are unfair and violence at the polls.

But however motivating this rhetoric may be for a handful of die-hard Trump thugs, the larger effect will probably be to depress turnout among more marginal voters  who disproportionately comprise Trumps base.

Several recent social science studies find that belief in government corruption seems to discourage voting. An Innovations for Poverty Action field experiment in Mexico found that telling residents about the incumbent partys record of corruption depressed their turnout rates.

They stayed home because they were fed up with the system, said Alberto Chong, a Georgia State University professor who co-wrote the paper.

A second study, from scholars at Swedens University of Gothenburg, used a multiple-country analysis to show that perceptions of government malfeasance negatively affect turnout. This is true, however, only in countries with low to medium levels of corruption (like, say, the United States).

In another experiment, this time in the U.S., researchers tested different messages shown to people Googling information about voter registration. Language saying the system is rigged was less effective at getting clicks than registering is quick, easy, and free.

The voters most likely to be turned off by rhetoric about a rigged system are those least engaged in politics and most on the fence, said Adam S. Levine, a Cornell University professor and co-author of the third paper.

Levine says that Trumps claims of political and electoral system corruption are most likely to be seen as credible and convincing by Trumps own followers, the very constituency he should be trying to convince of its political efficacy.

Indeed, Trump supporters are already much less likely to believe that their votes will be counted accurately than are Clintons backers.

An August poll from the Pew Research Center found that only 11 percent of registered voters who said they supported Trump were very confident that vote tallies nationwide would be counted accurately; this is about one-fifth of the share of Clinton voters who said the same.

As for whether their own votes would be counted accurately, 38 percent of Trump voters said they were very confident this would happen. In 2008, nearly twice as many John McCain voters (65 percent) had great faith that their votes would be counted accurately.

Many demographics  women, Muslims, immigrants, Hispanics, African-Americans, people with disabilities  have been harmed by Trump this campaign. But perhaps his greatest betrayal has been to his own supporters, the economically anxious working-class voters who he says have been forsaken by the rest of the political class. He alone can help them, he asserts.

Trump has made cruel promises that he cannot keep, about reopened factories and mines; he has sown fear and mistrust among these constituents and their neighbors. And now he is hell-bent on convincing them the system is so rigged, so broken, that they no longer have any political agency in choosing their president or anyone else who might be on the ballot next month.

Rather than motivating his supporters to make sure their voices are heard, he is leading them into silence.
History has demonstrated that science and technology are potent powers for rapidly shaping culture.

Weve used science to solve medical problems and improve lives by developing vaccines for polio, influenza, yellow fever and many other diseases. Magnetic Resonance Imaging was the result of research and development out of the Department of Energys premier particle physics laboratory, Fermilab, in Illinois. At the heart of MRI technology are powerful magnets made of superconducting wire and cable first developed in the 1970s to build Fermilabs Tevatron. These two scientific achievements alone have greatly improved the lives of citizens across the world.

Weve also used advances in science for ill. Nuclear weapons leveled cities in Japan in World War II. The powerful insecticide DDT devastated songbird and raptor populations when birds ingested the chemical, resulting in thinner egg shells and the failure to produce young. DDT was banned in the United States in 1972. Looking at science with a wider lens, its clear that it powerfully affects many political decisions, including those about space exploration, opioids, water, transportation, food production, ocean health, energy production, medical research and the internet.

Nearly every political issue has an underlying scientific component, including immigration, a contentious topic in the 2016 election. Research has demonstrated that employers face challenges filling positions in science, technology, engineering and math from the domestic labor pool. If you were the president, a senator or a representative, would you support any changes in immigration policy regarding scientists and engineers who receive their graduate degree at an American university but are not U.S. citizens? Conversely, what is your opinion of recent controversy over employment and the H1-B Visa program? What are the benefits and drawbacks to expansion of H1-B for the fields of science, technology, engineering and math? A discussion of questions similar to these by our political candidates would most certainly benefit voters.

Another area of questioning could surround the carbon tax introduced in 2008 in British Columbia, Canada to tackle climate change. In 2008, British Columbia introduced a tax on carbon dioxide of $10 (Canadian dollars) per ton, which rose to $30 by 2012. It covers all major fuels, including natural gas, coal and gasoline. To make the tax politically palatable  even popular  the provincial government cut business and personal income tax rates and provided tax credits for many low-income residents. By 2012, British Columbia had the lowest personal income tax rate and one of the lowest corporate income tax rates in Canada.

The environmental results were striking. Over the period 2008 to 2013, per capita carbon emissions plummeted 13 percent compared to the baseline period 2000 to 2007. That drop was 3.5 times greater than the reduction across the rest of Canada. British Columbia is home to one of the greatest carbon tax success stories. Our U.S. candidates for office should all be asked: Would you support a carbon tax similar to the one in British Columbia? and What would be the benefits and drawbacks of implementing such a carbon tax in the U.S.? Answers to these questions are vital.

Youll hear many politicians limit themselves to issues they think will sway voters, a practice that explains why U.S. presidential candidates never say much about science, research and innovation on the campaign trail. This is quite striking because science and engineering have been responsible for over half of the growth of the U.S. economy since WWII. This perennial silence frustrates scientists, who feel that citizens deserve to know where the candidates stand on issues ranging from climate change to food production. It falls to citizens to research, question and advocate for science in political debates. Answers to ScienceDebates 20 questions by our presidential candidates can be found at www.sciencedebate.org/20answers.

Without more pressure on these crucial issues we cant expect our policy leaders and elected officials to take them more seriously. Its paramount that citizens, political candidates and legislators research, understand and actively engage with the science behind the issues. This will have a strong, direct and lasting impact on the health of the planet and its people.

Without more pressure on these crucial issues we cant expect our policy leaders and elected officials to take them more seriously.
Hillary Clintons tack to win Wisconsin has been to stay far away and count on her supporters here  and a historically unpopular opponent  to carry the day.

Increasingly favorable poll numbers suggest its working. Clintons campaign says it is confident it is closing the sale with Badger State voters, and now is counting on its ground game to get those voters to the polls by Nov. 8.

Clintons fortunes here havent always been high. She consistently has been viewed unfavorably by a majority of Wisconsin voters and has lost two Democratic primaries in the state  this April to U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders and in 2008 to President Barack Obama.

But this is a general election, and Clintons current opponent, Republican Donald Trump, is even more disliked.

Recent polls show Clinton leads Trump by about 7 percent in Wisconsin in a four-way race including Libertarian Gary Johnson and the Green Partys Jill Stein. Those figures are from the most recent Marquette Law School Poll and from the Real Clear Politics average of recent polls in Wisconsin.

Clinton has yet to visit Wisconsin during the general election, as Obama did often in the home stretch of the 2012 campaign. Nor has Clintons campaign done a TV ad blitz in the state such as the one recently launched by Trump.

Instead, Clintons campaign has held events with surrogates such as her husband, former President Bill Clinton, and Sanders, I-Vt., and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. Clintons daughter, Chelsea Clinton, is scheduled to visit Madison, La Crosse and Stevens Point on Tuesday.

The linchpin of Clintons campaign in Wisconsin is its infrastructure of paid staffers and volunteers, which is integrated with the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, according to Clintons Wisconsin spokeswoman, Gillian Drummond. For months the staffers and volunteers have focused on contacting voters through phone banking and door-to-door canvassing. Now its about getting them to the polls  ideally, to vote early, Drummond said.

Wisconsin Democrats also must guard against their voters getting complacent or entertaining third-party options if it becomes apparent Clinton will cruise to victory here, Democratic operatives in the state said.

If people think this is in the bag, what is the impact? said Sachin Chheda, Milwaukee Democratic political consultant and volunteer fundraiser for Clintons campaign. Thats why were keeping the pedal down.

Meanwhile, Trump has held large rallies in Waukesha and Green Bay during the past month.

Trumps Wisconsin spokesman, Matthew Schuck, said Republicans in the state are fully mobilized, adding that Trump and Wisconsin Republicans have the resources we need to win in November.

Some liabilities remain

For Clinton, the liabilities that dogged her during Wisconsins Democratic primary have not fully vanished.

In the most recent Marquette poll, Clinton continued to be viewed unfavorably by a majority  54 percent  of likely voters, with 42 percent viewing her favorably.

But three debate performances in which public polls showed Clinton victorious, coupled with continued stumbles by Trump, have contributed to her current standing. Trumps favorability numbers in the latest Marquette poll were worse than Clintons, at 33 percent favorable to 61 percent unfavorable.

Arnold Shober, a professor of government at Lawrence University, said Trump is hurt by his lack of cohesion with Wisconsin GOP elected officials such as Ryan or Gov. Scott Walker or U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson.

All three have endorsed Trump but have declined to campaign with him in the state, and they have emphasized different themes and issues while on the stump.

Chheda said the Clinton campaign must ensure voters whose support for her is not ironclad dont defect to Anderson or Stein  or decide not to vote  if they judge that Clinton has Wisconsin sewn up.

Shober agreed that if Clintons polling lead in Wisconsin holds steady or increases, it could create an environment in which staunchly liberal voters, in particular, feel its safe to cast a protest vote for Johnson or Stein. That may not be enough to tilt the race toward Trump, Shober said, but could make the race tighter than expected  and perhaps hurt Democrats down the ballot.

Clinton has not made a public stop in Wisconsin since before its April 5 primary.

Obama was a frequent Badger State visitor in the final weeks of the 2012 campaign. He came to Milwaukee in late September 2012 and to UW-Madisons Bascom Hill about a month before the 2012 election.

Obama returned to Wisconsin for three stops in the campaigns final week, capped by another Madison visit on election eve with rock legend Bruce Springsteen.

Still, far from being a problem, Clintons supporters say her absence from Wisconsin shows her strength here.

That means that we have done our work in this state, said Patrick Guarasci, a Milwaukee Democratic strategist.

Clinton also has yet to saturate Wisconsin TV airwaves since the primary campaign.

The primary super PAC supporting Clinton, Priorities USA, also has not spent money in Wisconsin.

Instead the campaign is relying on its organizational prowess.

Just since Aug. 1, campaign staffers and volunteers have made nearly 2 million phone calls in the state.

On calls and doorsteps and at campaign events, the campaign has hammered home the importance of voting early.

The ground game is really the focus and what has been the central part of our campaign, Drummond said.

Heather Colburn, a Democratic consultant who led Clintons Wisconsin delegation to the Democratic National Convention, said the campaign has shifted from persuading voters to mobilizing them in the final weeks before Election Day.

We know what we need to do, Colburn said. Now we have to close.
RIVERTON  Pickups and the odd tanker-truck pound along Federal Boulevard on the way out of Riverton. The road carries them south over the Big Wind River toward Lander, 30 minutes away.

Despite living literally a stones throw from the Wind River Indian Reservation, for many non-Indians in Riverton, the drive to Lander is the only time they enter the reservation.

According to Wind River Hotel and Casino CEO Jim Conrad, the reluctance to cross south of the river and onto the reservation stems from discomfort. The casino is along the road from Riverton to Lander.

Theyre afraid, Conrad said.

Afraid of crime. Afraid they wont be welcome. Afraid of cultural barriers.

White residents of the town and nearby farms have long taken comfort in the geographic barrier offered by the Wind River delineating tribal land from the state of Wyoming.

The city of Riverton is not on the reservation, is how Mayor Lars Baker puts it.

But he knows that statement is as imprecise as the meandering route of the river, which runs from north of Dubois in an arcing U through the reservation to Shoshoni. Baker acknowledges the city is surrounded by the reservation  or at least that its difficult to get out of town without crossing the reservation.

But technically, see, technically, Baker says, Riverton isnt part of Indian Country.

The mayor has good reason to believe Riverton, despite its placement within the original boundaries of the Wind River reservation, is not on the reservation: For over a century, Wyoming has treated much of the land north of the Wind River as belonging to the state.

When an enrolled Northern Arapaho or Eastern Shoshone member applies for a drivers license in Fremont County, the form asks them whether they live north or south of the river. Those living north are subject to state taxes from which reservation residents are exempt.

But all that may be about to change.

***

In the spring of 1904 an Indian Inspector named James McLaughlin traveled to the Wind River Indian Reservation. When the federal government wanted to make a change to the reservation, they sent McLaughlin, and he had been there before: in 1891 and 1893.

This time he went at the behest of U.S. House Rep. Frank Mondell of Wyoming, who wanted to open a wide swath of the reservation  that area north of the Wind River  to homesteading and mining.

Mondell introduced a bill in Congress, and McLaughlin was sent to see if the tribes would amend their treaty and open part of their land to private settlement.

There was precedent for selling reservation land to the federal government. In 1874 and again in 1897 the tribes had agreed to sell reservation land outright. The federal government paid the Shoshone and Arapaho a negotiated price, and the two tribes relinquished sovereignty over the areas.

But the deal McLaughlin presented in 1904, to which the tribes agreed, was different. Instead of a single lump-sum payment, the federal government would facilitate the sale of plots north of the Wind River to homesteaders: If the allotments were purchased, the money would be passed along to the tribes.

Plots that werent purchased would return to tribal control.

Sale of the allotments was cut short in 1913 after less than 9 percent of the land had been turned over to private hands.

Whether the 1904 deal with McLaughlin, approved by Congress the following year, meant the Wind River tribes relinquished sovereignty over reservation land north of the river is still an open question.

***

Any day now the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver is expected to determine the boundary of the reservation after 112 years of uncertainty.

The case pits the state of Wyoming against the Shoshone, Arapaho and federal government.

It started in 2008 when the Shoshone and Arapaho jointly requested Treatment as a State from the Environmental Protection Agency. Approval would qualify the tribes for federal funding, like that offered to states, to monitor air quality on the reservation.

It is a relatively standard request from Indian nations around the United States. Even Baker, the Riverton mayor, said it made sense that the tribes wanted funding for a single reservation entity to monitor environmental quality in the area.

Baker used to work for Fremont County Weed and Pest and described the complexity of monitoring irrigation ditches.

My crew goes from private land to Indian-owned land to trust land to jointly owned land, Baker recalled. You do that every 50 feet. If you have to write a separate work order for each of those parcels  the administrative headache would be overwhelming.

But the application posed a question: If the tribes were to be approved for Treatment as a State, what would the border of that state be?

The EPA asked the Department of the Interior what the borders of the reservation were, and after reviewing legal precedent Interior attorney Hilary Tompkins said that the 1905 transaction didnt change the original reservation borders.

Jason Baldes of the Wind River Native Advocacy Center said that decision is what set people off.

The state of Wyoming, city of Riverton and adjacent areas kind of blew the whole situation out of proportion because of its implications as to what could be deemed Indian Country, Baldes said.

What he means is that the state of Wyoming and Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation sued the EPA.

[T]he EPAs determination that the Disputed Area is within the reservation significantly burdens the administration of state and local governments over an area that has retained a predominantly non-Indian character for over 100 years, Gina Cannan and Steven Lechner, lawyers for the farm federation, argued in documents filed with the 10th Circuit.

There is no disputing that Riverton is strikingly different from towns on the reservation. With about 11,000 people  around 12 percent are Indian  Riverton is the largest town within the reservations footprint. There are strip malls, a Wal-Mart and an older downtown as is common in small cities across the West.

By contrast, Ethete and Fort Washakie, where the tribal headquarters are based, are composed of small clusters of civic buildings and one gas station each.

But Baldes said that no matter where the reservation boundary lies, the tribes have no interest in changing the lives of non-Indians in Riverton or elsewhere.

Its not in the best interest of the tribes to remove anybody or change their day-to-day lives, Baldes said.

He said any changes would center on environmental regulations  a notable if limited impact in a region where agriculture and energy dominate the economy. Disputed land holdings might also be affected, but the city and county governments would continue to operate largely as they have been.

Tribal members living in Riverton would become subject to the reservation legal code, but Riverton mayor Baker said that wouldnt make a big difference.

Baker said he worked as a police officer in Polson, Montana, on the Flat River Indian Reservation. Tribal members could refuse to recognize Bakers authority under Montana law, but the town found an easy loophole: Baker and his colleagues were given jurisdiction on the reservation as federal agents.

All you had to do is say, Im a special officer for the Bureau of Indian Affairs ... so give me your drivers license, Baker said with a laugh.

While Riverton joined the lawsuit against the EPA, Baker said even if the city loses the case, things wont change much. Baker said the city already navigates county, state and federal regulations.

Were already involved in all these layers, Baker said. Its just another layer.

But no matter what Baker thinks, the question of where tribes have sovereignty will resonate far beyond Fremont County. Ten states from Idaho to Alabama filed briefs supporting Wyoming.

Mountain States Legal Foundation, a prominent conservative public-interest law firm, is representing the farm bureau.

In other words, the case is a big deal. If land that Indian nations agreed to let the federal government sell to non-Indians is still subject to tribal sovereignty, that could have far-reaching implications around the country.

States fail, or dont like, to recognize tribal authority and sovereignty when it comes to disputes on land and resources, Baldes said.

In a similar case, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled last spring that a non-Indian town in Nebraska remained within the boundaries of the Omaha Indian Reservation. Baldes hopes  and many other legal watchers expect  that the 10th Circuit will follow the Supreme Courts lead and find that Riverton, too, has not escaped the bounds of the reservation.

Arguments in the case concluded in March, and a ruling out of Denver is expected at any time. Whatever the outcome, Baldes said the boundary question is one that desperately needs to be resolved.

The county and the state have been taking and taking from the reservation and chipping away at the sovereign status of the tribes ever since the reservation was established, Baldes said. This is an issue that needs to be resolved.
Millennials get a bad rap. Theyre labeled narcissistic, self-absorbed and apathetic. (Just look at their nicknames: the selfie generation, generation me, the unemployables.)

And theyre the least likely generation to turn up at the polls this November.

However, many young Americans do care about politics. They may just show it differently than their parents.

At a recent Black and Brown Vote event at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, many of the attendees were active in student politics and protest movements. L. Malik Anderson, a 21-year-old journalism and communications arts major, helped organize the Oct. 12 panel discussion to encourage people his age to register and vote.

A lot of (young) people are feeling hopeless, like this election wont make a difference in their lives, Anderson said.

Sean Medlin, a 23-year-old recent graduate of UW-Madison who hails from Arizona, said that as an African-American, he is motivated to vote in November  mostly out of fear.

I think that the presidential race is terrifying, Medlin said, adding that he believes both major party presidential candidates, Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton, harbor some measure of racism.

I feel compromised, he said. I dont want to not vote, and I dont want Trump to win. So Im voting for Hillary.

Jessica Franco-Morales, a 21-year-old student activist from Green Bay, expressed a similar sentiment: I would say people are not enthused about the presidential election  more like agitated and motivated to vote.

A self-described older millennial, panelist Matthew Braunginn, 31, urged the audience to get over your apathy and vote in the upcoming election.

Yall almost got Bernie Sanders  a quasi-socialist, lets get real about that  nominated, said Braunginn, a student engagement specialist with the Middleton-Cross Plains School District. We (millennials) have a lot of power to really push things in a direction. It takes being involved. It takes voting.

U.S. Census Bureau figures bear that out. As of April, there were an estimated 69.2 million millennials, roughly defined as Americans age 18 to 35, in the U.S. electorate, according to a Pew Research Center study. This group makes up about a third of the voting-age population, matching the baby boomers.

But millennials consistently have the lowest election turnout among all generations. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, only 17.1 percent of 18- to-24-year-olds voted in 2014, compared with 59.4 percent of those 65 and older.

Among likely Wisconsin voters ages 18 to 29, the Oct. 12 Marquette Law School Poll found 46 percent planned to vote for Clinton and 33 percent for Trump but were more likely than other age groups to support third-party candidates. Twelve percent said they planned to vote for neither candidate. Another 6 percent said they planned to vote for Independent Gary Johnson, while 3 percent remained undecided with the election one month away.

Clayton Causey, 30, of Madison, said he is turned off by the negative tenor of the presidential campaign and is not sure whether he will vote. Causey said people his age appear to be turning away from the two-party system, and he expects some will vote for Johnson or Green Party candidate Jill Stein.

While millennials have the potential to influence upcoming elections  even the fate of political parties  the question is, will they? Heres what you need to know about millennials and voting.

Millennials are different socially and politically

Millennials are more diverse than any generation before them. According to 2014 census data, 44 percent of them identify as nonwhite.

Elli Denison, director of research for the Center for Generational Kinetics, a Texas-based consulting firm that specializes in generational research, said millennials have grown up with diversity and celebrate it.

Mike Hais, co-author of the book Millennial Majority: How a New Coalition is Remaking American Politics, agreed. He said this diversity has led to the generation being more accepting, which affects their political views.

They tend to be the most socially tolerant generation in America, Hais said. Immigration, gay rights and the like, for all these reasons, their attitudes tend to be progressive and tolerant. They really are, in that sense, a very distinctive generation.

Those distinctions dont always correlate along party lines, either. According to a 2016 Gallup poll, 44 percent of millennials identify as independents, while 28 percent identify as Democrats and 19 percent Republicans.

Hais also called the millennials the most female-driven generation in American history thanks to high enrollment numbers for women in college. In 2015, about 11.5 million women were expected to attend colleges and universities, compared with 8.7 million men, according to the National Center for Educational Statistics.

Joan Kuhl, founder of the site WhyMillennialsMatter.com, said the millennial generation is the most educated generation yet.

On the personal front, millennials are waiting the longest of any of the grown generations to get married and have their own home. According to a 2016 Pew Research Center study and census data on millennials, 32.1 percent lived with their parents, and 57 percent were married by age 30. In comparison, in 1975, 90 percent of 30-year-olds lived on their own, and 89 percent had married.

They vote less often than other generations

Why do so few millennials vote? Some experts on the generation said one of the most prevalent reasons is that millennials tend to move around  a lot.

At some point in their lives, 51 percent of millennials moved for employment, 46 percent moved for or to find a romantic partner, and 44 percent had moved for family, according to a study of 1,000 people between the ages of 18 and 35 from the moving company Mayflower.

This constant moving around often means re-registering to vote or requesting absentee ballots. However, the 50 states and thousands of counties have different rules, which can lead to confusion.

Some states also passed legislation that seems to target millennials, said Russell Dalton, a political science professor at University of California-Irvine, and author of the book The Good Citizen: How a Younger Generation is Reshaping American Politics. This includes forcing people to register in person the first time, shortening registration windows, refusing to accept student ID cards or rejecting certain documents as proof of residency.

There is a whole set of institutional reforms that if politicians wanted to get young people to vote, they could, Dalton said. But politicians are happy with the status quo.

However, even when states and jurisdictions do make it easy to register and vote, it doesnt necessarily mean millennials will make it to the polls. Millennials often describe themselves as disillusioned and distrustful of the political system.

According to a 2016 poll by the Harvard University Institute of Politics, 47 percent of millennials feel that America is heading on the wrong track, and 48 percent agree that politics today are no longer able to meet the challenges our country is facing.

Millennials also lack faith in the traditional two-party system, which is why so many are independent.

Political strategist Luke Macias, CEO of Macias Strategies LLC, said millennials just arent as connected to local governments as older generations, so they dont see the value in voting. But, said Macias, Baby boomers were apathetic at 18 too, and he predicted their involvement will grow as they age.

They care about a wide range of issues

Because millennials tend to distrust politicians, they often pay more attention and spend their time on issues rather than parties. Maurice Forbes, the youth vote director for NextGen Climate in Nevada, said he sees this trend with college students.

I hear a lot from theses campuses across Nevada that I care about these specific issues that are going to be affecting me and less so about a particular candidate that is expressing their views on that,  Forbes said.

But its not just two or three main issues that stand out to millennials. They feel passionate about a wide range of issues.

Millennials dont necessarily consume news and information the same way previous generations did  from the nightly broadcast news or the daily newspaper. But that doesnt mean millennials dont care about the world, according to a study by the Media Insight Project.

In fact, the study suggested that millennials access to technology and social-media platforms has actually widened their awareness of issues.

Nevertheless, recent national polls have indicated millennials often care most about the same issues other generations do: No. 1 being the economy, including jobs, minimum wage and paid leave, according to a USA Today/Rock the Vote poll.

Money issues also play a big role in their lives, and college affordability and student debt was the second most popular answer. Other top issues included foreign policy and terrorism, health care, guns and climate change, according to the poll.

They can change American politics

Historically, millennials have not shown up to vote. But that does not mean the generation hasnt influenced political institutions.

The millennial population overtook baby boomers as the largest generation in 2015, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. In Utah, the millennial generation has been larger since at least 2000, according to the Utah Foundation, a public policy research firm.

Salt Lake City is home to the second-highest percentage of 25- to 34-year-olds in the country among major cities  second only to Austin, Texas. And the citys politics reflect its young population.

The city has long been a left-leaning island in the middle of historically conservative Utah, but the citys politics are becoming even more progressive  and election data show the liberalism is slowly spreading to nearby counties.

Last year, Salt Lake City elected an openly lesbian mayor, Jackie Biskupski. And this year, the city rallied around Bernie Sanders.

Experts said these changes would not have happened without millennials.

The place has just become increasingly more progressive, as people from outside of Utah move to Utah, said Pamela Perlich, the director of demographic research at the University of Utahs Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute.

Millennials define citizenship not as voting, but being concerned about other people, Dalton said. And they often show that concern by volunteering.

Millennials are probably the most involved generation in history in causes and nonprofit endeavors and community involvement, Hais said.

He predicted that when millennials begin to take office, the hyper-partisan nature of politics will shift to something more compromise driven.

What we see now is terrible gridlock because of that baby boomer division, Hais said. They cant see eye to eye, but millennials will be different. Millennial Democrats and millennial Republicans are closer together.

Sean Holstege of News21 and Dee J. Hall and Alexandra Arriaga of the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism contributed to this report. This report is part of a project on voting rights in America produced by the Carnegie-Knight News21 program. The Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism distributed this report. For more from this collaborative series, see http://wisconsinwatch.org/series/voting-wars-by-news21/
Western Technical Colleges food club is hosting a pie sale from until Nov. 11. Pumpkin is available for $11, apple streusel for $12 and pecan for $14.

Only advance, pre-paid orders are accepted and can be placed by contacting klugd@westerntec.edu.

Pickup is on Nov. 23 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Kumm Center at 400 6th St. N., La Crosse.

For each sold, $1 will be donated to Westerns Cavalier Cupboard. Remaining proceeds will fund club members trip to the Wisconsin Restaurant Association Foods Show.
A Billings County cowboy had numerous sobriquets, including "Buffalo Bill of the Missouri Slopes," "Rattlesnake Pete, the Terror of the Plains" and "Bad Lands Pete."

Pete Pelissier was a showman who ran a successful wild west show, managed a large horse ranch and served as the sheriff of one of the most challenging counties in North Dakota.

In 1884, Pete, along with his older brother, George, left their Jamestown home to search for employment as ranch hands. They were hired by the manager of the Little Missouri Horse Company to work at the HT Ranch, "the world's largest horse outfit." The owner of the company, A.C. Huidekoper, was impressed with Pete Pelissier and considered him a quick learner. In describing his young hired hand, Huidekoper wrote that Pelissier was "the best-natured man in the world." In 1886, Huidekoper promoted him to foreman/manager of the HT Ranch.

Another ranch close to the HT was the Custer Trail Ranch, which Huidekoper co-owned with the Eaton Brothers. Pelissier was attracted to Harriet Eaton, the Eaton brothers' sister, and she married Pelissier in December 1887. Earlier that spring, the Eaton brothers had dissolved their partnership with Huidekoper and relocated to ranches in Montana and Wyoming. Huidekoper named Pelissier manager of the Custer Trail Ranch and also provided financial assistance for the newlyweds to build a ranch south of Medora. Each spring, Pelissier journeyed to what is now southwestern North Dakota to gather wild horses. After the horses were broken and tamed, they were transported to Minnesota to be sold.

Despite his busy work schedule and great responsibility of tending to the ranches, Pelissier found time to get involved in politics. In 1896, he was elected sheriff of Billings County. The job was extremely challenging. At the time, Billings County was four times its current size, also encompassing the present-day counties of Bowman, Slope and Golden Valley. It contained most of the North Dakota badlands, the most rugged area in the state, which could only be traveled by horseback or on foot.

In 1897, Pelissier organized a wild west show that employed 30 to 40 of the best cowboys to be found in the two Dakotas, Montana and Idaho.

Pelissier did not run for re-election of sheriff in 1900. His successor was his good friend and wild west co-owner, James W. Follis, a fellow rancher who was known as "King of the Cowboys."

In 1903, many cattle became ill in western North Dakota. That December, Gov. Frank White and the chief state veterinarian appointed Pelissier as a deputy veterinarian "to inspect and report on the extent of scabies or any other disease found among the cattle" in northwestern North Dakota.

Pelissier was a devoted father to his three children, Willis, Elsie and Mary. As they grew older, Pelissier believed their educational opportunities were limited by living on a ranch in rural Billings County. In 1908, he dissolved his wild west show and moved to Dickinson in Stark County. Pelissier turned over the running of the ranches to his foreman.

In 1910, Pelissier ran as an Independent for sheriff of Stark County, but was defeated. In 1912, he sold his ranch and moved to Sheridan, Wyo., where he worked for the police department. Peter Pelissier died on Dec. 1, 1924, and was inducted into the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2012.
Sunday, October 23, 2016

New York Times (Oct. 18, 2016): A Complex Case Tests New York States Expanded Definition of Parenthood, by Sharon Otterman:

New York has had an expanded definition of parenthood since August. The new test is whether a couple intended to have and raise a child together. It was meant "to provide equality for same-sex parents and the opportunity for their children to have the love and support of two committed parents. Now the new test is being applied in a difficult case involving a lesbian couple's break-up and the boy whom one of the women legally adopted.

Circe Hamilton applied to adopt a boy from Ethiopia in 2009. Her partner Kelly Gunn intended to adopt the boy as a second parent. Before the adoption was finalized in 2011, however, the couple broke up but remained friends. Hamilton, overwhelmed by the challenges of motherhood, called upon Gunn to help her with childcare, shelter and even employment. Now that Hamilton wants Gunn out of her and her son's lives, Gunn is arguing that the adoption would never have happened without the couple's mutual efforts. Hamilton, however, is arguing that she intended to parent alone.

The judge in the case must decide whether the involvement of Gunn in the boy's life amounts to parentage or just the benevolence of a trusted friend. Several questions are guiding the proceedings, now before the Supreme Court in New York County: "How formalized was the relationship between Ms. Gunn and [the boy]? What did he think Ms. Gunns role was? Did Ms. Gunn assume the duties of a parent? What would be the impact on[the boy] if their relationship ended?"

The case is particularly fraught because now Hamilton wants to move to London with the boy. For now, the court has ordered the boy's passport confiscated so that Hamilton does not abscond with him.

https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/reproductive_rights/2016/10/new-yorks-highest-court-expands-definition-of-parenthood.html
Some Facebook users can now order food and buy tickets on the social media site.

The new service launched in the United States this week. Facebook designed it as a new way to connect users with local business.

This idea is not new. There are many smart phone applications that already let users to search, order and buy many different products and services.

But, Facebooks service is a little different. It lets users share information about their favorite places and things with family and friends. Facebook says its new tool makes it easier for users to organize their friends favorite places and things in one place.

When users write Facebook posts seeking advice on local places or services, they can choose whether to turn on the new feature, called Recommendations. If a user turns this on, Facebook friends can then comment on those posts and give suggestions.

Users can also go directly to a Recommendations bookmark on Facebook to ask a new question or to offer help to their friends.

The new service lets people order food directly from the Facebook pages of some restaurants. Users can also purchase tickets to movies, music events or other activities. They can also make appointments for personal services, such as getting a haircut.

Facebook is testing the service in the United States. It plans to offer it to international users in the future.

The new service is part of recent efforts by Facebook to expand its offerings and get people to spend more time using the social media app.

A few weeks ago the company launched a feature called Marketplace, which allows people to locally buy and sell things. It also announced the start of Facebook at Work, which helps people connect in the workplace.

This week, the company also gave users the chance to officially endorse a political candidate on the app. Facebook users can show approval for presidential candidates as well as those running for Congress or local office.

Users can choose which Facebook friends can see their endorsements. If users make their choices public, political candidates are permitted to make the endorsement visible on their own Facebook page.

The 2016 U.S. elections are on November 8.

Im Bryan Lynn.

Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.

________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

feature  n. an interesting or important part

recommendation  n. a piece of advice about what to do

bookmark  n. internet address used to quickly find things on a regular basis

endorse  v. to say publicly that you support a person or action
Houston, Texas has the largest community of Vietnamese in the United States outside of California.

Only a few hundred Vietnamese were living in Houston in 1975, at the end of the Vietnam War. Today, the city is home to more than 100,000 Vietnamese-Americans.

The population growth comes from births, immigrants from Vietnam and from Vietnamese moving to Houston from California.

Many of those arriving from California are seeking jobs and a lower cost of living. Housing, food and transportation can be very costly in the state.

Some Vietnamese have been able to sell homes they have owned for a long time in the Los Angeles area for several hundred thousand dollars. They are then able to buy a new, larger home in Houston for much less. They use the money they save to start a business or pay for a childs education.

Many Vietnamese in Houston work to strengthen their culture.

Recently, thousands of Vietnamese and Vietnamese-Americans gathered for an event designed to raise money for a local church and charitable groups. The performers and the food were almost all Vietnamese.

This 18-year-old woman was in the crowd.



You still can have Vietnamese food, Vietnamese activities like church and charities. So, just come (to) Houston.



Vietnamese come to Houston because of the warm weather, among other things. This young man recently moved to the United States from Vietnam. He spent some time in a few northern U.S. states before coming to Texas.

Houston has the weather like Vietnam, so I think I can live here easier.



Keith Robinson Nguyen is a lawyer. He says Vietnamese living in Houston can easily find others who speak their language.



You have Vietnamese doctors, Vietnamese teachers, Vietnamese lawyers, so we can help them from A to Z without having to use an interpreter.

Nguyen was raised by an American family in New Jersey. He never learned to speak the Vietnamese language. He moved to Houston to study in the 1990s and returned there to live in 2006. He said he felt like an outsider when he first entered the Vietnamese community.

I couldnt interact with the Vietnamese people here cause I didnt know the language, I didnt know the culture. Even though I look Vietnamese, even though I am Vietnamese, I was at a disadvantage.



Nguyen is now able to communicate in Vietnamese and continues to learn more from community leaders like Kim Nguyen.



We all get involved to help each other.



She says many older adults speak very little English and many younger people do not speak Vietnamese. But they all strengthen their culture by attending events that bring them together.

Even (if) they dont understand much (of) the language, but they choose (to) go to (a) Vietnamese church because they want to show the people that I am a Vietnamese.

Im Christopher Jones-Cruise.

VOA Correspondent Greg Flakus reported this story from Houston. 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.

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Words in This Story

cost of living  n. the amount of money that is required in a particular area or society to pay for the basic things that people need (such as food, clothing, and housing)

charitable  adj. done or designed to help people who are poor, sick, etc.

from A to Z  n. expression including everything

interpreter  n. a person who translates the words that someone is speaking into a different language

interact  v. to talk or do things with other people

disadvantage  n. something that causes difficulty; something that makes someone or something worse or less likely to succeed than others
By Ginger Gibson and Alana Wise

| WASHINGTON

WASHINGTON Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump will "100 percent" accept the results of the U.S. election if it is fair, his son Eric Trump said on Sunday.I think what my father is saying is, 'I want a fair election, Eric Trump said on ABC's "This Week." If its a fair outcome, he will absolutely accept it. Theres no question about that."With national opinion polls showing Clinton with an increasing lead over Trump ahead of the Nov. 8 election, Donald Trump has repeatedly said the election is being "rigged" against him. He has not offered evidence and numerous studies have shown that the U.S. election system, which is decentralized and run by the states, is sound.At last week's debate with Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, Trump challenged a cornerstone of American democracy by refusing to commit to honoring the result of the U.S. election.

"What I'm saying is that I will tell you at the time. I'll keep you in suspense. OK?" Trump said.In the aftermath of the debate, Trump said he would accept the election outcome "if I win." Trump's campaign manager, Kellyanne Conway, also was pressed on Sunday on CNN's "State of the Union" on whether Trump would accept the election results.

The system is rigged, especially against the little guy, said Conway without directly responding to the question. She spoke of any challenges to the election results as "hypothetical."The efforts by members of Trump's inner circle to downplay his remarks about the integrity of the election indicate he would come under significant pressure to accept the result if he were to lose.

Republican Party Chairman Reince Priebus said that by asking Trump to agree to concede, the media was making an extraordinary request. He said Trump would only fight if the election were close and is not trying to dispute a fair election. "Thats not quite what hes saying. What hes saying is he wants to reserve all options and if there is ground for a recount Ill reserve all options," Priebus said on CBS's "Face The Nation." Clinton and Trump will campaign on Sunday in the key swing states of Florida and North Carolina, where the latest polls show they are within only a few points of each other. (Reporting by Ginger Gibson and Alana Wise; Editing by Bill Trott)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
New Delhi: Senior Army officials and veterans were "upset" over the force being dragged into "politics" over films after the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) demanded that producers of movies employing Pakistani actors pay Rs 5 core to an army welfare fund.

The controversy erupted after Karan Johar's Ae Dil Hai Mushkil ran into a storm of protests led by MNS because Pakistani actor Fawad Khan has a role in it.

The film has been allowed to be released after its producers met with three conditions put forward by MNS chief Raj Thackeray, including payment of Rs 5 crore to Army Welfare Fund.

"All contributions (to welfare fund) are to be voluntary. Extortion is not allowed. We would want people to contribute on their own rather than under any coercion," a senior army official said on Sunday.

He said the army is "upset" over being dragged into this politics.

"The army is completely apolitical. It is wrong to drag the force into politics," another army official said.

"(We) would never support it," Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd), former military secretary, said when asked if he supports the move of the MNS.

"Why should the armed forces be made a part of this extortion? By accepting this money they would become a 'receiver' of tainted money," tweeted Air Vice-Marshal Manmohan Bahadur (Retd).

Army sources said that they have a system in place to check all contributions and can even reject a contribution made under duress or by any person whom the force does not want to be associated with.
Jammu: Border Security Force (BSF) trooper injured in Pakistan sniper firing on Friday on the international border in Kathua district, succumbed to critical injuries in the hospital on Sunday.

Police said the BSF constable, Gurnam Singh, who was injured in Pakistan sniper fire in Bobiya area of Hira Nagar sector of the international border on Friday, succumbed in the wee hours of Sunday morning at the Government Medical College Hospital in Jammu city.

Following the sniper injury to their trooper, the BSF had launched an offensive in which, it claimed, seven Pakistan Rangers and a militant were killed on Friday.

Gurnam Singh belonged to Bhalesar village of RS Pura in Jammu district.

Mandeep Singh and Gurjeet Kour, brother and sister of the deceased trooper have alleged that despite a critical head injury, their brother was not shifted for specialised treatment to a neurological facility outside the state.

The BSF had said it was prepared to provide all assistance to its trooper and his family, but would go by medical advice regarding the shifting of the injured trooper to a hospital outside J&K.

Jammu: Wreath laying ceremony of BSF jawan #GurnamSingh who passed away after being injured in cross border firing by Pakistan pic.twitter.com/2PwiJSBwwc  ANI (@ANI_news) October 23, 2016

Hundreds of villagers in Bhalesar village had been praying for recovery of the injured BSF trooper.
Area businesses have come together to feed active military and veterans from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Nov. 10 at the Bismarck/Mandan Elks Club. This event is a turkey dinner with all the trimmings.

All veterans, active duty and guard reserves, as well as police, EMS and firefighters are welcome to show proof of service and pick up a ticket for themselves and for a guest.

Tickets are limited and available through Nov. 4 at Schwan Buick GMC Cadillac, Comfort Inn & Suites, Action Movers, Capital R.V. Centers, Wells Fargo and Northwest Contracting.
New Delhi: Amid growing strain in Indo-Pak ties, government is planning to fast-track four projects in Indus river basin to increase irrigation area in Jammu and Kashmir by nearly 2.05 lakh acres, weeks after India decided to "exploit to the maximum" the water of Pakistan-controlled rivers, including Jhelum, as per Indus Water Treaty (IWT).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had last month chaired a meeting to review the 56-year-old IWT in the aftermath of the Uri attack, asserting that "blood and water cannot flow together."

Of these four projects, three  Tral Irrigation Project in Pulwama, Prakachik Khows Canal in Kargil and restoration and modernisation of main Ravi Canal in Jammu's Sambha and Kathua  are expected to be completed by this fiscal. The fourth project of Rajpora Lift Irrigation is planned to be completed by December 2019.

While the first three projects will help irrigate around 1.45 lakh acres of land. The Rajpora Lift Irrigation is expected to help irrigat around 59,305 acres of land.

All these works are expected to cost Rs 117 crore for which money will be raised by National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).

"Until now, as per the J&K records, seven lakh acres of land is irrigated in the state. This is a very small number. So, the government is trying to complete work on these projects to increase the size of total irrigated area in the state," sources said.

The sources said technically India can irrigate up to 13 lakh acres of land in Jammu and Kashmir. This target, they said, can be achieved when optimum storage capacity is achieved in the state.

"The projects are being developed well within rights of India and in no way will affect flow of water to Pakistan,"

they said.

Taking a tough stand in the aftermath of Uri attack by Pakistan-based terrorists, the government had on September 27 decided to "exploit to the maximum" water of Pakistan-controlled three Western rivers  Indus, Chenab and Jhelum  as per the IWT at the review meeting headed by Modi.

It was also decided to set up an inter-ministerial task forces to go into the details and working of the Treaty with a "sense of urgency" apart from agreeing to review the "unilateral suspension" of 1987 Tulbul navigation project in 2007 by India.

However, sources maintained that the projects were part of government's efforts to irrigate larger swaths across the country by completing small/medium 99 irrigation projects under ambitious Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKYS) and Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) and have nothing to do with the Uri incident and aggression along LoC.

"These (projects) were already worked out. But we do want to bring optimum land under irrigated area as per the deadlines worked out," they said.

Asked if the tense situation in the state, especially after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani and ensuing protests, has affected pace of the works, the sources said, "The deadline may vary here and there a little. But the government hopes to complete the project works on time."

The Union Government had launched the PMKYS last year with an aim to enhance physical access to water on farm and expand cultivable area under assured irrigation, improve on-farm water use efficiency, introduce sustainable water conservation practices, etc through major and minor irrigation projects.

The AIBP was launched in 1996-97 to provide central assistance to major/minor irrigation projects in the country with an objective to accelerate implementation of such programmes. Since its inception, 143 projects have been completed under AIBP.
Kolkata: Suspicious signals in coded Bengali and Urdu languages along the India-Bangladesh border in past few months have raised suspicion over extremists using this unconventional mode of communication, prompting authorities to deploy Ham radio operators on round-the-clock duty.

The incident first came into light in June after amateur Ham radio operators picked suspicious radio signals and unauthorised radio communications in coded Bengali and Urdu in Basirhat and Sunderbans region.

Alarmed over the incident, the operators informed the Centre following which they were called to an international monitoring centre (Radio) and asked to track the signals.

A team of 23 Ham radio operators are now on round-the- clock duty trying to track the exact location of radio signals.

"The incident is highly suspicious and threat to security. Because whenever we tried to converse with them, they have stopped talking. Again after certain point of time they start their communication in coded Bengali and Urdu language," said Ambarish Nag Biswas, secretary of Bengal Amateur Radio Club.

"Those who were communicating on the radio frequencies had a distinct Bangladeshi accent. I alerted my radio club members and they too received such conversations. This kind of communication started in June and was going on till Durga Puja," he told PTI.

Biswas said after the incident came into fore they had written to the Union Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, highlighting the strange signals and the suspicious mode of coded communication.

"After the letter was sent to the Union ministry, we were called for a meeting by the officials of the international monitoring station in Kolkata, where other senior officials were also present. We submitted details of our findings. We were asked to continue monitoring and try to locate the source of the communication," he said.

After days of toil, Biswas and his team found out the location of the radio communications to be Basirhat area in North 24 Parganas and Sunderbans in South 24 Parganas.

"Such communications take place at night and the source is the bordering Indo-Bangla areas," he said.

The Ham or amateur radio operators are under the Union Ministry of Communications and are licenced card holders to conduct such communication under specific radio frequencies.

When asked how he found the communications suspicious, Biswas said during 2002-03 too he had overhead such communication and later on police after tracking the signals had arrested six extremists from Gangasagar in South 24 Parganas.

"At that point of time too I had overheard such suspicious conversation in coded language. I had approached the then Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya, who instructed police officials to get in touch with me. After tracking those signals, police arrested six extremists from Gangasagar," he said.

State IB officials, however, didn't rule out terror outfits using such frequencies to communicate among themselves, as mobile networks can come under surveillance.

"The border of India-Bangladesh near West Bengal is porous. Smugglers and extremists try to exploit it fully. It is not unnatural for extremists groups to communicate through these Ham radio frequencies as this mode is quite unconventional, unlike mobile networks or emails, which can come under surveillance. We will look into it," a senior IB official said.
Chandigarh: AAP and Congress leaders on Sunday separately met the visiting team of Election Commission in Chandigarh and expressed apprehension about misuse of state machinery in Punjab Assembly polls, with Congress seeking immediate imposition of model code to ensure a free and fair election.

A delegation of the state unit of Congress, led by Vice President Amar Singh, met the nine-member EC team, headed by Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi, which arrived in Chandigarh on Sunday on a three-day visit to review election preparations.

They urged EC to immediately impose the Code of Conduct in Punjab to ensure a free and fair election, citing "total politicisation of the state's administrative and law and order machinery".

Conveying their "apprehensions" to the EC, the Congress leaders called for immediate imposition of the Code of Conduct to bring the "deteriorating" political situation in the state under some control.

The model code of conduct comes into force immediately with the announcement of election.

The delegation also asked the EC to take measures to ensure there is no "misuse" of the state machinery by the Siromani Akali Dal (SAD) leadership.

They also demanded an independent third-party review and scrutiny of the voter lists, which had been prepared and revised by Anganwadi workers and were "replete with bogus voter names".

The Congress leaders also highlighted to the EC the issue of "politicisation of the media".

AAP asks EC to disallow symbols similar to broom

Meanwhile, a delegation of AAP led by its legal cell head Himmat Singh Shergill met the EC team, alleging rampant use of money and muscle power during elections.

"It is a track record in Punjab elections that there is a rampant use of money and muscle power to win elections. And the government machinery is also misused for the distribution of cash to voters near elections," Shergill alleged.

"We have urged the Commission to deploy paramilitary forces in strength before elections in the state in order to stop this illegal practice for ensuring free and fair polls," he said.

AAP, which is eyeing to wrest power from SAD-Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) regime, urged the EC not to allot an election symbol to any party which is similar to its own symbol  "broom".

"We have sought that any symbol which looks similar to our symbol "broom" like a torch and others should not be issued to any party," he said.

The EC team will tomorrow have a meeting with Deputy Commissioners, SSPs, nodal officers of narcotic control bureau, state narcotic control bureau, income tax and excise and taxation department.

On the last day of its visit on 25 October, the team will meet Chief Secretary, Director General of Police Punjab and other senior officials and is expected to hold media interaction later that day.

AAP is making its electoral debut in Punjab making the polls a triangular contest with Congress and BJP-SAD alliance already locked in a tight battle for political supremacy.

SAD wants less waiting period

Meanwhile, a delegation of SAD also met the EC here and urged it to minimise the period between the announcement of election and date of polling as well as the period extending from day of polling to the declaration of results.

"Where as the longer duration of code of conduct unnecessary affects the developmental activity of the state and long delays in declaration of results creates a period of uncertainty which is not good for state of Punjab," said the delegation comprising SAD Secretary General Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and Party Secretary and spokesman Daljit Singh Cheema.

The SAD urged the EC to curb "the menace of paid news" with a firm hand which is being misused by many parties in the elections.

They also asked the Commission to increase the limit of carrying cash during the period of code of conduct, saying it has been seen in the previous elections that ordinary businessmen faced "harassment" due to the lower limit fixed by the EC at the time of election. "It adversely affected business activity in the state," they said.

They demanded that procedure of taking NOC (no objection certificate) for organising election rallies and other meetings should be simplified so that candidates do not face harassment during election campaign.

The party also brought to the notice of the commission that "certain leaders" of various political parties are indulging in false and malicious campaign amounting to

character assassination of ruling party leaders which should be curbed with firm hands.

The delegation complained about the "threats" being issued by state Congress chief Amarinder Singh to the police officials and other government functionaries with an intention to insult and demoralise them and demanded strict action to stop this without any delay.

The party told the visiting EC team that it will fully cooperate with the Commission in conduct of free and fair elections.
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In the four-page letter to the party supremo earlier this week, Udayveer had said, "SP state president Shivpal Yadav and other members of his family have misled you (Mulayam) and hatched a conspiracy against CM Akhilesh, who should be made party national president and given all the powers." Udayveer, whose association with Akhilesh is over three decades old, with both studying in school together, had reportedly also made some comments about Mulayam's second wife and Chief Minister's step mother, which angered the SP's first family.

The decision to expel Udayveer was taken after the inaugural meeting of the executive committee of SP's Uttar Pradesh unit adopted a resolution seeking action against him for his "derogatory" comments against Mulayam.

Speculations are that Mulayam will remove Akhilesh as the chief minister and annoint himself as the chief ministerial candidate for the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.

Mulayam, as reported by News18, cannot stand the fact that his party is divided in two halves. Akhilesh, on the other hand, wants to be the sole leader of the party. CNN-News18 executive editor Bhupendra Chaubey said that Mulayam had strictly told Akhilesh not to precipitate a situation where the party stands divided. Akhilesh, who has been very clear on his stand towards Shivpal and his closeness to Amar Singh, told Mulayam that he needs to take some tough decisions as the leader of the party.

Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav is reportedly livid with the recent developments that have everyone talking of a divided Samajwadi Party. According to sources who spoke to News18, Mulayam is apparently mulling replacing Akhilesh as the chief minister.

The fast-paced developments came a day ahead of a mega meeting of party MPs, MLAs, MLCs and ministers convened by Mulayam where some tough decisions are likely to be taken.

Following the extreme action against supporters of Rajya Sabha MP Amar Singh, the Mulayam-camp followers got into a huddle at the residence of the SP supremo at a stone's throw distance from the CM's bungalow to decide the next course of action.

The trouble in SP hit a new low on Sunday morning with the chief minister convening a meeting of party legislators here and recommending to Governor Ram Naik that Shivpal, Narad Rai and Om Prakash Singh (all Cabinet ministers) and Sayeda Shadab Fatima (MoS - Independent charge) be sacked from his ministry.

"They have created a group of goons who trouble people and create every kind of nuisance in the state. He (Ram Gopal) has been conspiring against me, he has been involved with BJP to save his son," Shivpal said.

Addressing the media, party national president Shivpal Yadav said that Ram Gopal has been working for BJP and created groups inside the Samajwadi Party to divide the party.

According to CNN-News18, Akhilesh Yadav is set to be sacked from the Samajwadi Party. Uttar Pradesh will be in a constitutional crisis if that happens.

"I will stop those who conspire against me," Akhilesh said. "One of my responsibilities is to act out against any conspiracies against me. That is why I did not ask anyone else about the removals from the cabinet," he added.

"I have told the entire cabinet that this is your party," said CM Akhilesh Yadav, as he tried shifting the focus to the development work done by the state government instead of talking about the feud within the party.

Will act against conspiracy against me, says Akhilesh as he rejects rumours of a new party

News reports said that Akhilesh almost broke down while giving his speech. His voice choked at various points during his emotional and intense speech.

Akhilesh also targeted Amar Singh without naming him as he said that there were some people were trying to create a rift within the party.

"I would have resigned if Netaji had wanted me to," said an emotional CM Akhilesh Yadav as he addressed SP workers.

"I have been an SP worker before Akhilesh was born...which CM order did I not follow? I followed every order given by the Chief Minister," Shivpal said.

"Did I work less than the Chief Minister? Did our department work less than the Chief Minister?" Shivpal Yadav said.

"I have been working for SP since 1972," he said. "Do I get no credit for building the party to what it is today?" Shivpal said.

"Indiscipline will not be tolerated in this party. This party has reached such heights only because of Netaji," Shivpal Yadav said as he addressed the party workers.

Did I work less than the CM? says Shivpal as he lashes out at Akhilesh

"I want to say this in front of Netaji that when I went to meet the CM, the CM had said that he will form a new party," said Shivpal Yadav. "I give you my word that the Chief Minister had said this," he said.

CM had told me that he will form a new party: Shivpal

"We will not tolerate people who do dalali!" he further said.

"There are so many liars in the party!" Shivpal said. "Nobody has made Mukhtar Ansari join the party...and you (Akhilesh) take the name of Mukhtar Ansari?"

The feud within the party and the fight between Akhilesh and Shivpal is clearly out in the open now.

"Akhilesh has conspired against the SP," Shivpal said, as he attacked the CM.

"Only those who work for the poor and the farmers will work for the Samajwadi Party. Dalali (brokering deals) will not do," Shivpal said as he addressed SP workers in Lucknow.

"I want to say: First find out properly about your responsibilities," Shivpal said, clearly referring to Akhilesh.

"The people hates looteras and dalals. We will never win elections through them," he further said.

"One of the agendas for this meeting was to decide a strategy for 2017 polls. And now look what this meeting has been reduced to," Shivpal said. "Netaji, please give me permission to throw away all those spreading lies within the party."

"Everyone in SP needs to dedicate themselves to winning the 2017 UP elections," ANI quoted Shivpal as saying.

"Such kind of people need to be thrown out of the party," Shivpal said. Shivpal also backed Amar Singh after Akhilesh's attack on the leader. "The critics of Amar Singh are not worth the dust on his feet," said a dramatic Shivpal.

"We will work against those who try to weaken and break the Samajwadi Party," Shivpal said. "This party has been formed by the hard work of Netaji...not by people who raise slogans," he added.

"I gave tickets to youth...no one else did," the SP chief said. According to CNN-News18, Mulayam also read out the Riot Act to Akhilesh's supporters.

"Those talking about weaknesses are your friends," Mulayam said, in a message for Akhilesh. "Some ministers are just sycophants. And people who can't think big can't be a minister" he added.

"I braved lathis and jail to bring party to this level...Jo bahut ucchal rahein hai agar baat aayi to ek laathi bhi nahin seh paaenge," he said. "But I have not been weakened by whatever has happened in the party so far," he further said, adding that there was a need to remove weaknesses in the party.

"We worked really hard to form SP," he further said. "If you get criticised, and you feel the criticism is right, implement the change. Otherwise, if you cannot take criticism, you cannot be a leader," Mulayam said.

"I am sad with the rift in the party," Mulayam Singh Yadav said. "We are facing a difficult situation," he added.

"Shivpal is a people's leader," Mulayam said, adding that the Ansari family was a reputed family. "We must fight enemies, not each other."

"Amar Singh is like my brother," said SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, adding that Amar Singh had done a lot for the party.

Mulayam Singh has called another meeting to find a solution to the raging dispute between brother Shivpal and son Akhilesh at 5.30 pm on Monday. This will be the third in a single day between the family members, who are trying to end the fued.

Shivpal Yadav sacks ten SP office bearers, thought to be close to CM Akhilesh Yadav, for booing him in a retaliatory move, reported Times Now.

The news channel also said that the comeback of Udayveer and Ram Gopal, who had been sacked from Samajwadi Party, was unlikely.

According to CNN-News18, sources said that a peace had been brokered between Akhilesh Yadav and his uncle Shivpal and the Chief Minister was going to re-instate all the three sacked ministers.

"Now, I have no restrictions on me. I am not in the party anymore. I will say whatever is in my heart," he said.

"If our leaders cannot understand that parties cannot be successful solely on the basis of money, it is really unfortunate," the expelled leader said. "These leaders of the SP are criminals in the eyes of the people. You will see this in the days to come."

"Amar Singh had abused Netaji so much after leaving the party. When he went to other parties, other leaders  who are smarter than the leaders from our party  did not take him into their parties," Ram Gopal Yadav also said.

Ram Gopal Yadav also said that Mulayam was jealous because Akhilesh was a more popular leader than him. "Mulayam's statements were nonsensical," he said.

"The patience of Akhilesh Yadav was always tested but he did not give in," Ram Gopal Yadav, expelled SP leader, said. "So these magicians have hoodwinked Netaji."

The Uttar Pradesh rath yatra planned by CM Akhilesh Yadav and the 5 November yatra by Mulayam Singh will be attended by all, reports CNN-News18.

Ram Gopal Yadav will no longer be an Rajya Sabha SP leader, the post might likely go to Beni Prasad Verma, reports CNN-News18. Meanwhile, Akhilesh and Shivpal reach Mulayam's residence.

Yes its true that the majority was in my name (in 2012), we made Akhilesh CM. Now its upto him to carry out responsibilities: Mulayam Singh pic.twitter.com/QgfSvLr5pO

The other important takeaway from the press conference is for the first time Mulayam, who always has given priority to the party, said that crucial decisions will be taken by the legislative party. Hence, leaving major decisions with the Chief Minister.

Mulayam Singh Yadav denies that there's no rift in the party even thought the rift is huge. While brother and recently-reinstated minister Shivpal was by Mulayam's side, son and chief minister Akhilesh Yadav was conspicuously missing.

I will not give even a single controversial answer, no matter how many controversial questions you may ask: Mulayam Singh

Q: Theres a proposition that you should be CM & all problems will be solved Mulayam Singh: Only 2 months left for polls, why think this now?

Even today, during the media briefing Mulayam told a journalist not to "bring Amar Singh into everything." What we understand is that Mulayam is in no mood to entertain Akhilesh's demand of no-Amar Singh in the UP government. Mulayam knows he cannot win the elections just with Akhilesh, he will definitely need Amar Singh and Shivpal to win the crucial elections

Akhilesh since the very beginning has despised Amar Singh's closeness with Shivpal and Mulayam. But Mulayam has always maintained that Amar Singh is a good human being and "like a brother to me." Even in his yesterday's briefing, Akhilesh said that the rift within SP is because of Amar Singh.

Mulayam won't change the CM now, but his message to Akhilesh is pretty clear

SP & BSP are out of league in upcoming UP elections, they should take an example of BJP & learn something: Keshav Prasad Maurya, BJP UP Pres pic.twitter.com/siNiPXdRy9

The Samajwadi Party chief is said to have brokered peace between his son, Chief Minisrter Akhilesh Yadav and the party's Uttar Pradesh unit president Shivpal Yadav.

Asked if Shivpal Yadav and other ministers sacked by Akhilesh Yadav would be reinstated, Mulayam Singh said he would leave this decision to the Chief Minister.

"Our family is united, the party is united... We stand united with full strength," Mulayam Singh said in his first media conference after Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav sacked his uncle Shivpal Yadav from the cabinet.

Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav on Tuesday asserted that there were no differences within the family or in Uttar Pradesh's ruling party and all were "united", signalling an end to days of bitter infighting.

Speaking to Network18, Chief Minister Akhilesh said, "I will not let my party break at any cost. I am going to attend netaji's meeting that will be conducted at his office on Monday. Netaji will always be my leader,"

The next 24 hours is crucial for the party's dynamics and Shivpal's role in the government. Mulayam is convening a meeting on Monday where, reports allege, that a solution to the ongoing impasse will be found. In the past, Mulayam has been an ardent supporter of his 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 had added.

Akhilesh sacking Shivpal is thus, as has been repeated many times, a show of strength - telling Mulayam that Akhilesh is the person in-charge of the government and he will not tolerate dissent or insubordination.

It's interesting to note though that Akhilesh did not sack Gayatri Prajapati, a tainted minister, who was accused of being involved in illegal mining and land grabbing. Prajapati took oath of the office and secrecy for the fourth time in the past three years.

#EXCLUSIVE | Will not break the party at any cost. I will not spare anyone who is close to Amar Singh: UP CM Akhilesh Yadav to Network18

Udayveer Singh, a Samajwadi Party MLC and one of the closest aides of Akhilesh Yadav, was on Saturday expelled from the party for "undignified" conduct days after he wrote to SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav suggesting him to elevate the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister as the party's national president. A decision to expel Singh was taken after the inaugural meeting of the executive committee of SP's Uttar Pradesh unit adopted a resolution seeking action against him for his "derogatory" comments against Mulayam.

"Udayveer Singh has been expelled from the party for six years for his undignified and indisciplined behaviour," state party spokesman Ambika Chaudhary said.

"The party will not tolerate undignified behaviour and indiscipline. It has reached where it is in 25 years because of discipline," Chaudhary said.

In the four-page letter to the party supremo earlier this week, Singh had said, "SP state president Shivpal Yadav and other members of his family have misled you (Mulayam) and hatched a conspiracy against CM Akhilesh, who should be made party national president and given all the powers."

Singh, whose association with Akhilesh is over three decades hold, with both studying in school together, had reportedly also made some comments about Mulayam's second wife and Chief Minister's step mother, which angered the SP's first family.

Reacting to the development, Singh said he had only put before Mulayam his thoughts about the "conspiracy" against the Chief Minister.

Asked to comment on his expulsion, he said, "I will give my version only after getting the letter."

Maintaining that he had no regrets about the points raised by him in the letter, Singh said,"Netaji is the patron of the party. I am confident that he will do justice to me and the chief minister."

"Those who used foul language against the party chief are still in the party, but those who are the real well wishers and wrote letters are being expelled," Singh said.

Gaurav Bhatia, SP spokesman, said Singh had crossed the "Lakshman Rekha" in choosing the words he wrote in his letter to Mulayam which also hurt party workers.

"Questioning the leadership of Mulayam Singh Yadav, who is an elected president of the party, was wrong. An MLC cannot dictate who the party president will be. Anybody committing an act of indiscipline has to be punished and this is what has happened," he said.

On Singh's claim that a conspiracy has been hatched against Akhilesh, Bhatia said," These are unsubstantiated allegations".

Meanwhile, in yet another indication of continuing infighting within the party Akhilesh on Friday skipped a crucial party meeting convened by Shivpal Akhilesh did not attend the meeting of district presidents of the Samajwadi Party, even though Shivpal drove down to his residence on Friday to invite him personally for the event. He also announced that his Rath Yatra will start from 3 November and that he would inform the district chiefs, whose region the yatra passes, about the detailed programme.

The meeting was called to discuss the 2017 assembly elections and to prepare for a silver jubilee function of the ruling party scheduled for 5 November.

Informed sources said the Chief Minister was in no mood to compromise on his stated opposition to entry of criminals and re-entry of ministers accused of graft into the SP and demand for complete say in deciding tickets for the assembly elections.

Reacting to the recent developments in the party, old war horse Beni Prasad Verma, who returned to the party fold from Congress recently, said,"Netaji (Mulayam) is deeply pained. What has happened (Singh's letter to Mulayam) hurt Mulayam Singh's prestige.

"I would request Akhilesh to get things sorted out. It is time to close ranks (with assembly polls just months away)... there is little time."

Singh's explusion came a day after Akhilesh Yadav skipped a crucial meeting called by state party chief Shivpal Yadav to strategise for the assembly polls due early next year where the latter declared him the party's chief ministerial face.

Though Shivpal, the younger brother of SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav, had met Akhilesh to personally invite him to a meeting of SP district and city units presidents, the Chief Minister kept away, indicating all was not well in the party despite repeated claims by its senior leaders to the contrary. These delegates had later met Akhilesh separately.

Akhilesh, with whom Shivpal is engaged in a running feud over the last few months, had recently made it clear in a letter to Mulayam that he would be proceeding on his 'rath yatra' on November 3 to highlight the development work done by his government, in a clear indication that he would skip that event too.

With the tense stand-off between Akhilesh and Shivpal continuing, speculations about a possible split in the party are rife.

As a crisis-like situation obtained in the party, several top leaders including Beni Prasad Verma, Naresh Agarwal and state Assembly Speaker Mata Prasad Pandey met Mulayam earlier in the day. They were later closeted with Akhilesh in order to bring about rapprochement in the SP's first family.

Meanwhile, in a move that could further widen the divide between Akhilesh and Shivpal, the latter, who is the state president of the Samajwadi Party, has appointed chiefs of various youth fronts of the party.

The development came amid demands for reinstating the expelled presidents of these youth fronts who were considered close to the Chief Minister.

According to a party release, Abhishek Singh Ashu has been made president of Samajwadi Yuvjan Sabha, Farhat Hasan Khan state president of SP Minorities sabha, Anil Verma state president of Mulayam Singh Yadav Youth Brigade, Vijay Yadav president of Lohia Vahini, Abhishek Tripathi general secretary of Lohia Vahini and Ashfiqur Rehman general secretary of Yuvjan Sabha.

With inputs from PTI
Thomas Tom Franklin Lowry, Bucyrus, Kan., passed away suddenly in Bismarck, Oct. 10, 2016. Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, at Holiness Church of the Nazarene, Stilwell, Kan. Burial was in Evergreen Cemetery, Backus, Minn.

He was born Dec. 1, 1931, in Jamestown, to Henry and Ruth Lowry. Tom graduated from Laurel High School in Laurel, Mont., and then went to Wessington Springs College in Wessington Springs, S.D., where he earned an A.A. degree. Tom earned a B.A. in religion from Northwest Nazarene College, Nampa, Idaho; an M.A. in counseling from Bemidji State College, Bemidji, Minn.; and a Ph.D. in counseling from University of North Dakota, Grand Forks.

Tom and his wife, Ethel, pastored in Wyoming, Idaho, Minnesota and North Dakota. They were also missionaries for the Church of the Nazarene in Malawi and Kenya, Africa. Tom had a counseling practice in Bismarck for several years.

Tom was a godly, loving husband and father, a faithful pastor and missionary. He will be greatly missed, but his legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him, both here in the U.S. and in Africa.

Tom is survived by his wife, Ethel; his daughters, Genice (David) Cone and Cheryl (Michael) Fetting; his son, Dwight (Pamela) Lowry; his grandchildren: Byron, Rebekah, Glenn Edward, and Nathan Gilreath, Rachel and Andrew Fetting; a brother, Steve (Coral) Lowry; a son-in-law, Glenn Gilreath; and our African family in Zimbabwe, Malawi, Kenya and other countries and many friends around the U.S., especially in Backus, Minn., Bismarck, and the Kansas City area.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Ruth Lowry; and sister, Patricia.

A Memorial Fund has been established for Bibles and other critical needs in Africa and may be sent to Holiness Church of the Nazarene, P.O. Box 457, Stilwell, KS 66085. (Kline Funeral Home, Pine River, Minn.)
PARIS Socialist party leader Jean-Christophe Cambadelis has said that on current trends none of the Socialist candidates will be able to win France's 2017 presidential election or even make it into the second round.French President Francois Hollande's chances of being re-elected next May are seen as increasingly remote following recent revelations in a book written by two Le Monde journalists about remarks on secret matters, Islam and judges.The Socialist Party is divided and Hollande has not yet declared he will seek a second term. An opinion poll early in October put him in 12th place among voters looking at presidential possibles."At this stage no putative candidate, whoever he is, seems unable to beat the right. And even pass the first round," Cambadelis said in an interview with French newspaper La Nouvelle Republique.Opinion polls suggest that the winner of the Republican party primary vote will win the presidential election in April, most likely in a run-off against far-right National Front leader Marine Le Pen.Francois Hollande's approval rating fell 1 percentage point to 14 percent in October, its lowest since June, according to a poll conducted by Ifop for Sunday's edition of the weekly Journal du Dimanche.

Prime Minister Manuel Valls appealed for unity at a party rally on Saturday. "I know what our debates are, but in the end, what brings us together?" he said. "The fact that we governed together with the president and values of the Republic".

Vall's approval rating rose by 2 percentage points to 26 percent in October, its highest since March, the poll showed.Cambadelis called for his party members to support one candidate who would be chosen during primaries."I think it is necessary that we should be united despite disagreements. We have the primaries to overcome all this," Cambadelis added.

Valls said the aim should be to get to the second round of elections. "We must act, act quickly ... act now in order not to die tomorrow," he said. (Reporting by Maya Nikolaeva and Simon Carraud; Editing by Andrew Roche)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Cleveland (US): A confident Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton said on Saturday that she does not want to respond to the remarks of her Republican rival Donald Trump anymore as she has had enough of debates with him.

"I debated him for four and a half hours. I do not even think about responding to him anymore," Clinton, 68, told reporters travelling with her in Pennsylvania.

"So he can say whatever he wants to. He can run his campaign the way he wants to. He can go off on tangents, he can go to Gettysburg and say he is gonna sue women you have made accusations against him," she said.

"As we are travelling in these last 17 days, we are going to be emphasising the importance of electing Democrats down the ballot," the former secretary of state said.

Clinton, who is leading in polls, claimed that she won the third presidential debate by defeating Trump, 70.

"Well, I will tell you that was the third and last time I will ever have to debate Donald Trump. I mean, think about this. I have now spent four and a half hours on stage with Donald, proving once again I have the stamina to be president and commander-in-chief," she told her supporters in Pittsburg.

"And after every one of those debates, people have said, How did you do that? And, really, you just have to be of good cheer when you find yourself in a situation like that. You are in front of 50, 60, 70, 80 million people. And so, no matter what he was saying, I just kept thinking of all the people I have met throughout this campaign," Clinton said.

The former first lady called Trump's recent refusal to commit to accept the results of the election unacceptable, saying "We know in our country the difference between leadership and dictatorship, right? The peaceful transition of power is one of those things that sets us apart. And whether you support me or you support my opponent, together we must show that we support American democracy".

Democratic vice presidential nominee Senator Tim Kaine slammed Trump for him praising authoritarian leaders, using Chinese steel and aluminium instead of American-made metals and attacking on the US military even though he paid no federal income taxes for years to support it.

Kaine also reflected on why Clinton's historic candidacy resonates with him personally, saying "I would not have gotten very far  in fact, I would not have gotten into my first office  without a whole lot of really amazing women who have lent me their strength along the way so that I could be the candidate... that is why I am just so proud to be a strong man supporting a strong woman who will be the next president of the US".
By Gul Yusufzai

| QUETTA, Pakistan

QUETTA, Pakistan Two Pakistan Coast Guard officers were gunned down in the southwestern province of Balochistan on Sunday in a district that is key to a Chinese-funded transport and energy project opposed by separatist militants, police said.No one had claimed responsibility for the attack in the port district of Gwadar by late Sunday night.Police official Chakar Khan Baloch said the attack was in the seaside town of Jiwani near the Iranian border."Two people on a motorcycle targeted Pakistan Coast Gard personnel when they were patrolling in the bazaar of the coastal town," Baloch said.

Two civilians were wounded and hospitalised, he added.Baloch said the two men were working the intelligence unit of the coast guard in Jiwani, about 80 km (50 miles) west of the Gwadar deepwater port.

It was not clear whether the attack was connected to the port or the $46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)project, a network of roads, railways and energy pipelines aiming to connect western Chinese cities to the sea port in Gwadar.Resource-rich Baluchistan has decades-old ethnic Baluch separatist movements that are battling the central Pakistani government and oppose the CPEC as bringing little benefit to local residents.

Militants trying to disrupt the CPEC project have killed 44 workers since 2014, an official said on Thursday, a rising toll likely to reinforce Chinese worry about the project's security. (Writing by Kay Johnson; Editing by Ros Russell)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Kathy Fletcher and David Simpson have a son named Santi, who went to Washington, D.C., public schools. Santi had a friend who sometimes went to school hungry. So Santi invited him to occasionally eat and sleep at his house.

That friend had a friend and that friend had a friend, and now when you go to dinner at Kathy and Davids house on Thursday night there might be 15 to 20 teenagers crammed around the table, and later there will be groups of them crashing in the basement or in the few small bedrooms upstairs.

The kids who show up at Kathy and Davids have endured the ordeals of modern poverty: homelessness, hunger, abuse, sexual assault. Almost all have seen death firsthand  to a sibling, friend or parent.

Its anomalous for them to have a bed at home. One 21-year-old woman came to dinner recently and said this was the first time shed been around a family table since she was 11.

And yet by some miracle, hostile soil has produced charismatic flowers. Thursday dinner is the big social occasion of the week. Kids come from around the city. Spicy chicken and black rice are served. Cellphones are banned (Be in the now, Kathy says).

The kids call Kathy and David Momma and Dad, are unfailingly polite, clear the dishes, turn toward one anothers love like plants toward the sun and burst with big glowing personalities. Birthdays and graduations are celebrated. Songs are performed.

I started going to dinner there about two years ago, hungry for something beyond food. Each meal we go around the table, and everybody has to say something nobody else knows about them.

Each meal we demonstrate our commitment to care for one another. I took my daughter once and on the way out she said, Thats the warmest place I can ever imagine.

During this election season of viciousness, vulgarity and depravity, Thursdays at Kathy and Davids has been a weekly uplift, and their home a place to be reminded of what is beautiful about our country and what we can do to bring out its loveliness.

The kids need what all adolescents need: bikes, laptops and a listening heart. Thank you for seeing the light in me, one young woman told Kathy after a cry on the couch. David and Kathy have set up a charitable organization called AOK, for All Our Kids, to help each of the kids come into his or her own fullness. Four started college this year, and one joined City Year, the national service organization.

Poverty up close is so much more intricate and unpredictable than the picture of poverty you get from the grand national debates. The kids can project total self-confidence one minute and then slide into utter lostness the next.

The college application process often seems like a shapeless fog to them; nobodys taught them the concrete steps to move along the way. One young woman lied on her financial aid forms because she didnt want to admit that her father was dead, her mother was on drugs  how messed up her home life actually was.

Theres no margin for error for these kids, and she would have lost her college dreams if not for a squad of adults ready to mobilize around her.

The adults in this community give the kids the chance to present their gifts. At my first dinner, Edd read a poem from his cracked flip phone that I first thought was from Langston Hughes, but it turned out to be his own. Kesari has a voice that somehow emerged from New Orleans jazz from the 1920s. Madeline and Thalya practice friendship as if it were the highest art form. Jamel loses self-consciousness when he talks of engine repair.

They give us a gift  complete intolerance of social distance. When I first met Edd, I held out my hand to shake his. He looked at it and said, We hug here, and weve been hugging and hanging off each other since.

Bill Milliken, a veteran youth activist, is often asked which programs turn around kids lives. I still havent seen one program change one kids life, he says. What changes people is relationships. Somebody willing to walk through the shadow of the valley of adolescence with them.

Souls are not saved in bundles. Love is the necessary force.

The problems facing this country are deeper than the labor participation rate and ISIS. Its a crisis of solidarity, a crisis of segmentation, spiritual degradation and intimacy.

Throughout this ugly year, AOK has been my visit to a better future, more powerful than any political tract about what we need next.

Sometimes Kathy and David are asked how they ended up with so many kids flowing through their house. They look at how many kids are out there, and respond, How is it possible you dont?
Laura Baxter was planting flowers outside her Alta Drive home on May 17, 1992, when her 2- and 5-year-old daughters asked if they could walk with their baby brother.

Dont turn toward the road, Baxter recalls telling them.

Before they left, Jordan Bashline, 2, ran up to her mom, touched her face and said, I love you.

Baxter didnt think about her children going toward the Perrine Coulee, where it passed behind the cul-de-sac on Morningside Drive. But 60 seconds later, Jordan was gone. Her body was found floating in the coulee a few blocks away, 14 minutes after Baxter called 911.

At the time, the mother in the midst of a divorce didnt know what the next decade would bring  that she would oversee the installation of 10 stretches of fencing along the coulee and nearby laterals to prevent more drownings.

Nearly 25 years later, those projects still mostly stand.

Rain drizzled onto Jordans grave Sept. 21, just feet from the Perrine Coulee as it passes through Sunset Memorial Park. Her grandparents lie buried nearby.

That afternoon, Baxter recalled how, two weeks after her daughters death, she sat in a swing as dusk fell at the cemetery. It was a life-changing moment. Baxter knew she couldnt go on the way she was.

It came down to a choice: She could stay angry at herself, or she could be strong.

I just needed to do something, Baxter said.

So she did. Over the course of the next 10 years, Baxter did her research, got the permissions and raised more than $25,000 for fencing along the Perrine Coulee. These 3- or 5-foot fences are scattered along areas where children play, near neighborhoods and parks.

I know Ive saved lives, Baxter said, recalling how she pulled a child out of the coulee while overseeing one of those projects.

Baxter also advocated for a city ordinance making it a misdemeanor for anyone to play in irrigation canals  including recreational swimming, wading, floating and diving. The ordinance, passed by the City Council in August 1992, applies to any channel, coulee, ditch, lateral and reservoir in the city.

After a while, the fencing, the door-to-door community education and the advocacy began to take their toll on her.

I had just to stop, Baxter said.

The issue of fence maintenance was never addressed when Baxter did her fundraising. Although most of the fencing has held up, some sections have been pushed over and children can easily slip through.

Twin Falls Canal Co. isnt responsible for maintaining those or any other fences along the coulee. Nor do employees necessarily think more fences are needed, though large sections of the coulee remain exposed.

They make maintenance (of the coulee) more difficult, General Manager Brian Olmstead said. They can complicate access for machinery or excavators, making it harder to mow or to remove trees that sprout up in the right of way.

Of course, the reason for the fences is public safety: preventing children from getting too close to the weeds on either bank.

The banks are really straight up and down, Baxter said, pointing to an area not far from where its believed Jordan fell in. They dont look like it. You walk to the edge, you dont know where there is an edge.

But canal company Field Supervisor Jay Barlogi isnt sure of fencings effectiveness.

Everyone agrees that if you put a fence up, the young ones are still going to get around that fence, he said. A fence really only works to keep a toddler out. It will not keep a 5-year-old boy out, or a 10-year-old boy.

Piping the coulee might be more effective for security, Olmstead said, but the problem is extraordinary cost. A property owner would need to install a 10-foot culvert to accommodate the coulee during storms, when runoff rainwater swells its size.

Still, Baxter wants to see what can be done to repair the fences. The canal company would be willing to discuss maintenance, Olmstead said, but it has to be careful not to open the door for having to improve all fences along the coulee.

Baxter has other plans, too. The daughter of a pool owner, she started her own pool supply business at age 23 and has been invited to join a committee for a national drowning prevention program. She hopes to bring the program to Twin Falls.

Shed also like to continue raising awareness of irrigation canals in Idaho, and she thinks she can raise money for more fencing around the Perrine Coulee  if property owners agree.

Driving her car through the rain Sept. 21, Baxter was amazed to rediscover all her fencing projects. And her eyes lit up with inspiration as she pointed out other areas along the coulee  near apartment complexes, businesses and busy roads  where fencing could go.

Im ready, Baxter said, to go back out again and see what we can do.

Heather Kennison
Melvin George Todd and Sarah Colleen (Coley) Todd recently celebrated their 70th Wedding Anniversary. They were married on September 14th, 1946 in Elko, Nevada. They have lived in Buhl, Idaho since before they were married. They met as youth when their parents were friends.

They enjoyed traveling around the world. Hawaii, Ireland and England were among their favorite places. They have fond memories of camping, fishing and hunting trips over the years. They also enjoy their weekly card group. Both of them are very hard workers. Melvin retired after 37 years from Sego/Pet Milk Company. Sarah Colleen retired after 43 years at Green Giant/Seneca Company.

Their Anniversary Celebration started in August. They visited their daughter and her families. The highlight of that trip was attending the Price Is Right Show and dinner at a Pirate Show. Following that adventure; in September they spent 10 days on their annual hunting trip with their sons and their wives. They finished their Celebration by going with Sarah Colleens sister, Ranae and her family to McCall staying at their niece and nephews vacation home on Payette Lake for 4 days.

They were blessed with 3 children: Danny (Maryann) from Gooding, Idaho; Terry Drennen (Craig) from Visalia, California and Rickie or Rick (Diane) from Buhl, Idaho. They have 12 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren and 4 great, great grandchildren.
TWIN FALLS COUNTY

FELONY SENTENCINGS

David Alan Higbee, 70, lewd conduct with a child under 16 years old $545.50 costs, $100 DNA, 15 years penitentiary, three determinate, 12 indeterminate, 165 days credited. Two other charges lewd conduct with a child under 16 years old dismissed.

Robert James Shell, 33, Twin Falls; domestic battery or assault in the presence of a child, $275.50 costs, $500 public defender, $100 DNA, five years penitentiary, two determinate, three indeterminate, 127 credited, 365 days retained jurisdiction, sentence to run concurrently with 2015 case.

Robert James Shell, 33, Twin Falls; $285.50 costs, $100 DNA, $662.91 restitution, seven years penitentiary, three indeterminate, four indeterminate, 99 days credited, 365 days retained jurisdiction, sentence to run consecutively to other 2016 case.

Aubrey Dawn Heinzelman, 30, Twin Falls; possession of a controlled substance, $285.50 costs, $500 public defender, $100 DNA, $60 public defender, $500 public defender, three years penitentiary, one year determinate, two indeterminate, credit for time served, sentence suspended.

Charles Joseph Lee, 38, aggravated battery, $245.50 credited, $500 public defender, seven years penitentiary, three determinate, four indeterminate, 65 days credit, sentence suspended, 120 days jail, four years supervised probation.

Michael Anthony Romero, $290.50 costs, $500 public defender, $100 DNA, $500 victim restitution, seven years penitentiary, three years determinate, four indeterminate, 365 days retained jurisdiction, one year drivers license suspension with two years interlock device to follow release from suspension.

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE SENTENCINGS

Brendan Jacob Vansickle, 23, Buhl; DUI, $500 fine, $300 suspended, $202.50 costs, $75 public defender, 90 days jail, 88 suspended, one day credit, eight hours work detail, 180 days restricted drivers license suspension, 12 months probation, with six months to be supervised, attend victim impact panel and court alcohol school.

Christopher J. Patterson, 21, Twin Falls; DUI, $500 fine, $300 suspended, $202.50 costs, 90 days jail, 88 suspended, one day credited, guilty withheld judgment, eight hours work detail, 120 days restricted drivers license, 12 months supervised probation with six to be supervised, attend victim impact panel and court alcohol school.

Christopher David Gomez, 29, Filer; $500 fine, $300 suspended, $202.50 costs, $75 public defender, 180 days jail, 170 suspended, one day credited, 365 days drivers license suspension, 24 months supervised, one year interlock devise, attend court alcohol school and victim impact panel.

DIVORCE CIVIL PROCEEDINGS

Patrick Fenderson v. Melissa Fenderson

Diana Zamora v. Efrain Zamora

Daisy Emmett v. Joshua Emmett

Sabrina Bowman v. John Bowman

David Elwin v. Jamie Elwin

Mark Wright v. Breena Wright

Rachel Phelps v. Kenny Phelps

Stephanie Olson v. Rene Cooksey-Olson
1. What three issues are most important to you and what would you like to see done about them?

When youve knocked on thousands of doors as have I during this campaign, you understand Twin Falls issues. Without exception, funding education adequately to meet the needs of our children, families, workers and businesses is top priority. That includes attracting high quality teachers and supporting higher education pathways for our workforce. Maintaining access to public lands is vital, smart business for our communities and preserving our heritage and legacy. Voters want transparency and accountability from legislators. I trust local government to make sensible decisions in their best interests. Voters want representatives who will communicate with Twin Falls voters, not Boise special interests who expect favors for their campaign contributions.

2. There is a good chance the Legislature will be discussing the possibility of cutting taxes again in 2017. What is your stance there? Do you favor or oppose cutting income taxes, and if you favor it, how would you like to see it done? And do you think the grocery tax and tax credit should be modified, repealed, or left as is?

Id maintain taxes where they are for now, and absolutely believe an across- the- board tax evaluation is necessary to make smarter decisions about resources and priorities.

Id use taxes for programs that work and fix what doesnt. Heres what isnt working---tax cuts for the sake of political rhetoric. Idahos Office of Performance Evaluation says tax cuts alone wont bring economic growth. We sabotage our quality of life when we dont focus spending on whats necessary to maintain our infrastructure, including roads, bridges and education that commerce and healthy communities depend upon. Paying huge legal fees to challenge unconstitutional laws passed by Boise politicians isnt smart. This includes the for-profit prison system fraud, unconstitutional ag-gag penalties, program cuts for the developmentally disabled, illegal anti-labor law, $2 million wolf-control board duplicating existing state and federal management, $30 million on the state treasurers investment fiasco, $22,000 for excluding a political party from primary election billboards, $2 million for voter suppression in a closed primary, wrongful whistleblower termination suits, untold millions in broadband contract illegalities, and wistful public lands takeover challenges. Wheres the outrage over this tax waste?

When Idahos state tax pie decreases, your homeowner taxes often go up. Look at levies and bonds that Twin Falls voters generously support to make up for missing state ed funding. Thats not cutting taxes.

Currently Idaho has 27 categories of tax credits, including some good ones: grocery, housing, educational, health insurance, earned income, home owners and children. The theory is money given back will be offset in increased spending, but all tax credits should be part of a periodic evaluation.

3. The Legislature will also likely be discussing health coverage for people in the gap population and the possibility of Medicaid expansion. What is your stance on that? What, if anything, should be done to extend health coverage to people in the Medicaid gap?

Healthy Idahoans constitute healthy families, workers and citizens: why not promote good health? Our 78,000 Idahoans in the GAP population are workers in food service, construction, child care, hospitality, ag, personal care and business support. They dont have incomes to qualify for Medicare and cant afford to buy insurance. Twin Falls County has 4000 citizens falling into the GAP  9 % of the population.

Those in GAP dont seek medical attention until theres an emergency; by then health issues can be critical. St Lukes Magic Valley saw 44,000 emergency room visits last year. Currently county taxpayers pay $3.3 million for indigent care for patients unable to afford needed medical services. St. Lukes is hit with $17.4 million yearly bill for patients unable to pay. Extending health care isnt an entitlement program, its a savings program. Expansion of health care would add $600 million to the economy from new jobs, improved health and reduced lost workforce productivity. That investment is a $2 billion return.

Its only fair to mention that Idaho legislators call themselves full-time state employees for part time jobs so they qualify for generous health care insurance. 86% of the legislature has you, the taxpayer, picking up the $12,240 yearly tab-over $1000 a month-for each legislators health insurance  over $1 million dollars of tax money on health insurance for those unwilling to offer benefits to others.

4. What are views on education funding, both K-12 and college? Should it be increased again? Cut? Remain the same? And are there any areas in particular where you think the state needs to increase funding, change policy or place a greater emphasis?

Idaho must deal with its educational challenges. Thats one reason Im running for the legislature. Three things most important to me include: highly qualified teachers in every classroom, quality literacy programs, small classroom size.

Ive helped thousands of high school kids, families, including single moms and at-risk kids improve literacy, stay in school, graduate from high school and consider further education. Ive spent my professional life helping people raise themselves by their own efforts through education to become productive members of society.

I understand how education works. We know teachers with experience, knowledge and on-going professional development give our kids better success. Twin Falls School District had 14 teacher openings two weeks before school started  this unacceptable. Our university education programs must attract bright young people, and we do that by elevating our teachers. 36,000 Idaho children are below literacy proficiency. State Educational Superintendent Sherri Ybarra is researching why more kids arent making the mark. We know 3rd grade can be the tilting point for later school success. Classroom size makes a difference in the success of children.

People I meet at their doors tell me education must be Idahos top priority, reflected by business people emphasizing education as key for Idahos economic viability. As business demands 60% of working adults have a certificate, degree or apprenticeship, we need to look at flexible ways our schools can deliver education opportunities for better jobs and lives. Higher education took a huge funding hit over the past. Eleven years ago students paid 32% of their college costs; today students pay almost 50% of college costs.

Im for fully funding education to the current date. 2009 funding isnt adequate when we have 18,000 more students. We need look at practical, creative funding solutions. The legislature has three fully funded rainy-day educational accounts accumulating interest. Why not utilize some of these assets? What if we evaluated sales tax exemptions every five years, instead of giving a forever benefit to the long list of those who dont pay sales tax. Those exemptions exceed Idahos entire education funding. What if we instituted online sales tax? Education is the great equalizer. If we want a thriving Idaho, we make education #1.

5. There is a work group meeting now to discuss whether to amend the law that exempts parents from prosecution in cases where their children are sickened or die and the parents decline to seek conventional medical care due to their religious beliefs. Do you think this law needs to be modified? Why or why not? And if yes, how should it be changed?

First Rule  do a child no harm. The welfare of the child must come first. All children deserve to be medically treated to prevent their harm, neglect, suffering or death.

Parents must be held accountable and responsible. Constitutional rights of religious freedom shouldnt allow harm to a child as a legal defense. Idahos current debate is an educational opportunity for the public, healthcare providers and parents to understand how to put children first.

6. Who are you voting for for president, and why?

I thought my vote was confidential. To be transparent though, I ask who would I want in my childs classroom? An experienced, qualified person, or a lone wolf with a record of verbally abusing and belittling people? Ill take a person with experience, able to work in a team environment hands down. Hillary has my vote.
1. Why are you interested in the position?

When Justice Scalia spoke to my Constitutional Law class at Georgetown University, I first dreamed of serving on the judiciary. I just didnt know if I'd ever get the opportunity to realize that dream. But when Justice Jones retired from the Idaho Supreme Court, I grabbed the rare opportunity to run for an open seat on the court. I believe in the importance of public service, and I think my long and diverse legal career will serve Idaho well if Im elected to the bench.

2. Describe how you campaign and what youve been telling voters. The judiciary is different from most other elected offices in that you cant really make promises about what youre going to do if youre elected. So how do you convince voters that youre the best choice?

I will apply the Constitution as written, which is the most important criteria for selecting a Supreme Court Justice. I have a strong academic background, broad legal experience, and a long record of public service. I also have strong support from organizations rooted in Idaho commerce, agriculture, and communities, including the Professional Firefighters of Idaho, the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry, the Idaho Associated General Contractors, the Idaho Farm Bureau, Idaho Chooses Life, the NRA, and the Idaho Association of Realtors.

3. What would your philosophy on the bench be, if elected?

I will apply the Constitution as written. I believe in the principles of textualism and originalism as described by the late-Justice Antonin Scalia. Justices should apply the text of the Constitution and statutes as written without imposing their own preferences. When interpreting words, Justices should apply the commonly understood meaning at the time the law was ratified.

4. Tell us about some previous jobs or experiences that, you think, have prepared you to be a Supreme Court judge.

I can relate to those who come before the court, because I have such a broad work experience. I have prosecuted criminals on behalf of the State and defended those charged with crimes. Ive worked at firms of hundreds of attorneys and Ive had my own law practice. My wide-range of legal experiences helps me be fair and impartial to all. It is also an asset to have a background in the legislature, because I understand firsthand the separation of powers that protects our individual liberties.
1. What are three issues that are most important to you, and what would you like to see done about them?

Right to Life- I would like to see life protected from conception to natural death.

Bill of Rights- I would like to see the federal government defending the rights of Americans, especially those outlined in the Bill of Rights. I will fight to protect all of our rights and will hold the federal government to the Constitution and Bill of Rights. I will work to repeal laws that infringe upon our 1st and 2nd amendment rights, as well as defending the liberties promised in the 3rd through 10th amendments. As part of this, I will work to reducing the size and power of the federal government.

National Debt- I would like to see the end of deficit spending and working towards eliminating our enormous national debt.

2. Immigration reform will almost certainly be a topic of discussion in the next Congress. What are your views on the immigration policy proposals coming from Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, and what are your own views on the topic? If you could author a comprehensive immigration reform package crafted the way you would like, what would be in it? Particularly, what do you think should be done about people who are already living in the country illegally?

When it comes to immigration, I am not a fan of either of the proposals offered by Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump. I do not support 'blanket amnesty' and I am also opposed to mass deportation. I believe both options would be fiscally irresponsible. We need to increase our border protection by using the U.S. Military to guard our borders. We need to properly enforce the laws in place for employment eligibility and eliminate other benefits for illegal immigrants, making an environment where they will return to their country of origin at their own will.

3. What are your views on the refugee resettlement program and on accepting refugees from the Middle East, and from Syria in particular? Do you support making any changes to the program or the vetting process? Should we be letting in more refugees? Fewer refugees?

I do not believe the Constitution authorizes the use of government funds to provide for refugee resettlement of any kind, with one exception being for political asylum during a military endeavor. I do believe that private organizations, such as churches, can provide for refugee resettlement, as long as the refugees are properly vetted and the organizations take full responsibility for these individuals.

4. Do you support continued federal management of public lands in the West? Do you think some of those lands should be transferred to state management or ownership?

I believe that public lands should be managed at the state level. I would encourage any pilot programs that work towards this goal and ensuring that it can legitimately can be done.

5. Do you support any changes to current gun laws at the federal level, either to make them more or less restrictive? And do you support legislation to stop people on the terror watch list from buying guns?

I support making firearms laws at the federal level less restrictive, repealing acts such as the 1990 Gun-free School Zones act, as it is redundant to many state laws. I would support restrictions of firearms purchase of anyone legally convicted of a violent crime.

6. Who are you voting for for president, and why? What are your opinions on Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton?

I will likely be voting for the Constitution Party candidate, Scott Copeland. I feel that he has a genuine desire to do the right things by the Constitution for America and will stand for our troops. I believe that Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are products of a harmful duopoly in American politics. I believe that neither of these candidates has a full understanding of the Constitution or a desire to fully follow the law as laid out in the Constitution.
1. What three issues are most important to you and what would you like to see done about them?

1. Education Funding and Career Ladder: Continue increased education funding as state revenues grow and fund the Career Ladder program for teachers.

2. Health Care Reform: Evaluate all of the options available to Idaho citizens for effective health care.

3. Make certain businesses have the opportunity to be successful without excessive regulations, red tape and government overreach.

2. There is a good chance the Legislature will be discussing the possibility of cutting taxes again in 2017. What is your stance there? Do you favor or oppose cutting income taxes, and if you favor it, how would you like to see it done? And do you think the grocery tax and tax credit should be modified, repealed, or left as is?

Im in favor of carefully reviewing potential tax cuts. Both personal and corporate income tax cuts are on the table. The grocery tax and tax credit should be left as is.

3. The Legislature will also likely be discussing health coverage for people in the gap population and the possibility of Medicaid expansion. What is your stance on that?

If Medicaid is expanded, Idaho veterans in this gap population should be covered first. What, if anything, should be done to extend health coverage to people in the Medicaid gap? A waiver, from the federal government, may allow for limited expansion. I am very concerned that the Affordable Care Act is not sustainable due to higher premiums, higher deductibles, insurance companies pulling out, doctors no longer taking new patients and young people not signing up for insurance. The result is that even those on Medicaid may not be able to receive quality health care!

4. What are views on education funding, both K-12 and college? Should it be increased again? Cut? Remain the same?

I support increased education funding for both K-12 and college. As state revenues grow, a portion of the increase should be added to both. And are there any areas in particular where you think the state needs to increase funding, change policy or place a greater emphasis? Emphasis should be placed on the K-3 literacy program, because at those ages children learn to read. After third grade, they read to learn. I also encourage a strong private business mentoring program in high schools. Students could work part time at a business and be ready to enter the workforce after graduation.

5. There is a work group meeting now to discuss whether to amend the law that exempts parents from prosecution in cases where their children are sickened or die and the parents decline to seek conventional medical care due to their religious beliefs. Do you think this law needs to be modified? Why or why not? And if yes, how should it be changed?

The law should not be changed. Parents should be allowed to make their decisions based upon religious beliefs.

6. Who are you voting for for president, and why?

Donald Trump. He is a dynamic leader who will include exceptionally skilled advisers in his cabinet and as agency directors. Additionally, he will help re-establish our nation as a world leader.
1. What three issues are most important to you and what would you like to see done about them?

I have been knocking on doors of Twin Falls voters since May of this year. My goal of knocking on 5000 doors myself is with in reach. My priorities are the priorities I heard from the people of the district.

A. Voters are well aware of the shortage of teachers and the salary gap between educators in Idaho and the surrounding states. They are aware of the lackluster outcomes from the system. And they are aware of the very low funding level the state is providing. We must work to find a long term solution to the teacher shortage as well as improving our system of education at all levels. Parents, teachers and students are taking responsibility and working hard as shown by our graduation rates. The legislature must step up and find long term solutions including pre-K through college.

B. I hear over and over the concern for access to public lands. My own family heritage of hunting and fishing drives my determination to protect our public lands not just for our enjoyment and use, but for future generations. Public lands in public hands. The state should not attempt to take federal lands. Our state is not equipped to pay for the associated costs, example cost of forest fires.

C. Coverage of the 78,000 people in the gap population is a priority. This would save money at the state and county level. It is also the right thing to do for the working poor. I have met a number of citizens in the gap population while door knocking. We have a means to help these folks and it is past time to take action. The legislature is literally playing politics with people's lives by not expanding medicaid.

2. There is a good chance the Legislature will be discussing the possibility of cutting taxes again in 2017. What is your stance there? Do you favor or oppose cutting income taxes, and if you favor it, how would you like to see it done? And do you think the grocery tax and tax credit should be modified, repealed, or left as is?

I have been a Certified Public Accountant for over 35 years. I have worked with individuals and small business and I understand how tax policies impact Idaho families. My conversations with seniors, both clients and at the doors, makes me well aware of their concern with the removal of the cost of living adjustment to the homeowner's exemption. This is a tax increase to homeowners. People on fixed incomes are worried about rising property taxes.

There is discussion in the legislature about cutting the top income tax rate again to 6.9%.

Fifteen years ago, the top tax rate was 8.2%. That tax rate has been lowered to 7.4%. Idaho's tax burden (state and local taxes  income, property and sales) is 10th lowest in the country and lowest in the intermountain west. Our taxes per person is ranked second lowest in the country. Correspondingly, Idaho's funding of education is ranked 50th by some measures and has been 50th for five years. I have been asking voters at the doors if they think we should lower taxes or increase funding to education. With very few exceptions, most have advocated increasing funding to education. I share that opinion.

A priority of mine is a systematic and on going review of sales tax exemptions, tax credits and deductions. Are they accomplishing what they were designed to do and should we continue them? Sales tax on groceries should be removed which would end the need for a grocery tax credit.

3. The Legislature will also likely be discussing health coverage for people in the gap population and the possibility of Medicaid expansion. What is your stance on that? What, if anything, should be done to extend health coverage to people in the Medicaid gap?

See above.

4. What are views on education funding, both K-12 and college? Should it be increased again? Cut? Remain the same? And are there any areas in particular where you think the state needs to increase funding, change policy or place a greater emphasis?

See above.

5. There is a work group meeting now to discuss whether to amend the law that exempts parents from prosecution in cases where their children are sickened or die and the parents decline to seek conventional medical care due to their religious beliefs. Do you think this law needs to be modified? Why or why not? And if yes, how should it be changed?

I am in favor of removing the exemption for faith healing. We have the right to practice our faith, but we have the responsibility to not harm others in its practice. This exemption only came into being in 1972. It is time for its removal.

6. Who are you voting for for president, and why?

I will be voting for the Democratic candidate. I believe Secretary Clinton's experience as first lady, senator and secretary of state has prepared her for the presidency. My extended family includes three active duty military and the security of our country is my first concern. Her calm and steady temperament makes her the most qualified to be commander in chief.
1. What three issues are most important to you and what would you like to see done about them?

See below, plus:

Relative to the federal land within our state, two years ago a task force traveled the entire state asking the citizens their views on this subject. Most people in Idaho as well as the Legislature and the governor, believe that the state should not own the land, but should manage the land for the federal government. As a state we would be more proactive in thinning the forests, clearing underbrush, and preventing large fires from destroying our beautiful forests in Idaho.

2. There is a good chance the Legislature will be discussing the possibility of cutting taxes again in 2017. What is your stance there? Do you favor or oppose cutting income taxes, and if you favor it, how would you like to see it done? And do you think the grocery tax and tax credit should be modified, repealed, or left as is?

I believe the state has done a great job of balancing the budget. Obviously I'm a conservative who has always believed in putting some money aside for those years when income shortfalls come along. That is simply good government. Idaho has prospered because we save or cut spending during the lean years and spend more when times and tax revenues are good.

3. The Legislature will also likely be discussing health coverage for people in the gap population and the possibility of Medicaid expansion. What is your stance on that? What, if anything, should be done to extend health coverage to people in the Medicaid gap?

I'm on the front line of Medicaid expansion because of my chairmanship. There has been no agreement on the part of the state Legislature to expand Medicaid. Three bills were brought forward last session and none of them made it through the process. Having said that, I am very concerned about the gap in coverage, created by the implementation of Obamacare. It created a gap in coverage between those who could afford medical coverage and those who could not. We have several programs to help those in need. There are community health centers in many areas, such as Kimberly, who provides services to those who cannot afford their care. We authorized money last session for a behavioral health center here in Twin Falls which is currently being remodeled and will be open soon. We have $40 million set aside for doctors throughout the state to set up a patient centered medical home, wherein they care for the needs of all those in their system, especially in the rural areas of our state. We have done a great deal to help those in need, but at the same time realize more needs to be done in this next session,

4. What are views on education funding, both K-12 and college? Should it be increased again? Cut? Remain the same? And are there any areas in particular where you think the state needs to increase funding, change policy or place a greater emphasis?

Education has been allocated 52 percent of the entire state budget. Teachers start at $30,000 and are on a career ladder to boost their pay every year. Education of young people in Idaho is one of my top, if not the top priority in the state budget every single year. All of us realize that we will need more tenured teachers in the future, and that is a priority in every school, college and university in the state. My goal is to ensure each student in Idaho has the best educational opportunity possible.

5. There is a work group meeting now to discuss whether to amend the law that exempts parents from prosecution in cases where their children are sickened or die and the parents decline to seek conventional medical care due to their religious beliefs. Do you think this law needs to be modified? Why or why not? And if yes, how should it be changed?

The working group will either bring a bill next session or not, we'll have to wait and see what they decide. How the bill is written will determine how each of us will vote. Several issues are at stake here. First: Where do religion and the freedom thereof, as guaranteed in the First Amendment to the Constitution, come into play. Second: Do we target one group of people over others. That being said, I believe everyone should seek medical attention when necessary for themselves and their children. All of these issues will be debated in the next session, unless the interim committee chooses not to draft a proposal. Citizens must realize that all issues that are discussed in the Legislature are brought by events happening in our great state. Citizens choose to send those of us to Boise each year to debate and vote on the issues that come before us in the way of written bills. How those bills are written will determine our votes. Not our ideas, likes, dislikes, personalities and so on. What a bill says determines how each of us vote.

6. Who are you voting for for president, and why?

I love being your Twin Falls Republican Senator. My conservative values represent the majority of Twin Falls citizens. I will always listen to any citizen's perspectives on the issues before the Legislature and will do my best to choose wisely.

As to who I will vote for, I am a REPUBLICAN and will vote for the Republican candidate. I believe in the conservative agenda. I do not believe in DEBT in any form. Twenty trillion dollars sounds like bankruptcy to me. I pray our country, the greatest on earth, will rise to the occasion to keep us from the slavery of debt.

Thank you so much for your support Twin Falls, I love living here and representing you.
1. What are three issues that are most important to you, and what would you like to see done about them?

My top three priorities are improving Idaho education, protecting Idaho public lands and creating economic opportunity for all Idahoans. In my business career I have learned what it takes to ensure Idaho working families and businesses succeed.

For education, I would bring more funding, eliminate top-down mandates and ensure more local control over how education dollars are spent.

With regard to public lands, I would block legislation that threatens their transfer to state or private interests.

When it comes to economic development, I would increase funding for INL, encourage and facilitate smart management of our states natural resources, promote entrepreneurship, foster job creation and otherwise increase economic opportunity for all Idahoans.

2. Immigration reform will almost certainly be a topic of discussion in the next Congress. What are your views on the immigration policy proposals coming from Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, and what are your own views on the topic? If you could author a comprehensive immigration reform package crafted the way you would like, what would be in it? Particularly, what do you think should be done about people who are already living in the country illegally?

Immigration is not the issue. Most immigrants come here looking for safety and an opportunity for their families. Our country has from its beginning been a beacon and magnet. Right or wrong, the "American Dream" still burns bright in minds around the world.

Immigrants have fueled our economy and continue to do so (just ask dairymen and food manufacturers in the Magic Valley). As population grows and newcomers participate in our economy  earning, spending and paying taxes  we all do better. The Trump-induced fears of immigrants and immigration are politically-motivated.

Improvements in our immigration laws should not focus on throwing good people and their families out of our country. Our focus should be on keeping bad people from entering and providing reasonable pathways to citizenship for good and productive people already here.

3. What are your views on the refugee resettlement program and on accepting refugees from the Middle East, and from Syria in particular? Do you support making any changes to the program or the vetting process? Should we be letting in more refugees? Fewer refugees?

As it stands, our refugee resettlement program has a stringent and rigorous process to ensure our security and safety are not compromised. Most individuals who apply for refugee status wait for a period of two years while they are vetted before coming to the U.S. If we ensure this program continues to be effective in maintaining our safety, there should not be an issue with accepting refugees.

4. Do you support continued federal management of public lands in the West? Do you think some of those lands should be transferred to state management or ownership?

I support continued federal management of our public lands. With collective ownership comes collective responsibility for the costs of management. By selling off public lands to states, we expose the states to the burdens of management, including the dramatic costs of fighting wildfires. Hunting, fishing, and recreating in our public lands is a way of life for Idahoans. Selling our public lands puts this way of life at risk.

5. Do you support any changes to current gun laws at the federal level, either to make them more or less restrictive? And do you support legislation to stop people on the terror watch list from buying guns?

I respect and support our 2nd Amendment. We have many gun laws on the books as it is. Rather than creating more gun laws, we should focus on the effective enforcement of existing laws to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people, while respecting our Constitutional right to carry firearms. My views align with the majority of Americans on the subject of restricting gun purchases for suspected terrorists. We should not allow dangerous individuals to get their hands on guns, particularly those suspected of terrorism.

I respect and support our 2nd Amendment. We have many gun laws on the books as it is. Rather than creating more gun laws, we should focus on the effective enforcement of existing laws to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people, while respecting our Constitutional right to carry firearms. My views align with the majority of Americans on the subject of restricting gun purchases for suspected terrorists. We should not allow dangerous individuals to get their hands on guns, particularly those suspected of terrorism.

6. Who are you voting for president, and why? What are your opinions on Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton?

I will support my partys presidential nominee. Most importantly, I value our right as Americans to voice our opinion at the ballot box. I will be a voice for all Idahoans in the Senate, regardless of party affiliation. No matter who is elected as our next President, I will work across party lines to find solutions for Idahos working families. While I do not agree with Donald Trump on most things, I do agree with him on this: our government is broken and we need new people who will work hard and work together. Money, greed and partisanship have eclipsed the cause of government, to serve the people. I am ready to work with members of both parties to find smart solutions that advance the quality of life for all Idaho working families.
Measure 3 on the November ballot calls for inserting a series of victim rights, called Marsys Law, into the state's constitution.

Financed by California billionaire Henry T. Nicholas III, the North Dakota effort is chaired by Kathleen Wrigley. Both have had bitter personal experiences with their lack of standing to monitor and intervene in the normal criminal justice processes.

Opponents of Measure 3 have been making an issue out of a nonresident billionaire throwing money into a state measure campaign. This is nothing new.

Billionaires have been using their wealth to exploit state initiative and referendum procedures all across the country. In fact, the Koch brothers are now dumping several million dollars to kill an election reform measure in South Dakota.

To clarify the debate over Marsys Law we should understand where the various constituencies are coming from.

First, there are the state's attorneys whose job it is prosecute criminal behavior. Under Marsys Law, a victim would have the right to be informed about bail provisions, plea agreements and trial delays.

For the part-time state's attorneys in rural counties, this intervention would take time away from their private practice. If fewer plea agreements and more trials resulted from Marsys Law, this could burden their prosecutorial load and distract from their private casework.

Next, we have the defense attorneys who are beneficiaries of a cumbersome system that is under the radar when it comes to accountability. They like to game the criminal justice system by stalling for time until the system goes soft and clients get a plea deal. Under Marsys Law, someone could monitor cozy settlements.

On the other side, we have some law enforcement folks. They are supporting Marsys Law because they invest a lot of time and personal risk apprehending wrongdoers who, if convicted, would spend years behind bars. Instead, a plea agreement comes out with probation or suspended sentences.

After this happens a few times, they become disillusioned and start to feel that their efforts are being washed down the drain with plea deals. They see Marsys Law as putting more teeth in the process.

Opponents of Measure 3 argue that Marsys Law is going to attract thousands of victims and cost a lot of money. San Francisco Public Defender Jeff Adachi says that, at most, 20 percent of crime victims have used Marsys Law in California.

The cost of Marsys Law will crop up randomly across the state in a variety of venues and will be absorbed by the existing criminal justice system. There will be no special appropriations.

In summary, Marsys Law proposes new levels of accountability and transparency in the criminal justice process. But there is one problem. Measure 3 is based on skimpy anecdotal information supplied by a handful of victims.

How many plea deals are letting wrongdoers off easy? We have no study to give us an answer.

How often do state's attorneys avoid prosecution to save the county the cost of a trial or to cut down on their workloads? We dont know.

How often does the state parole board release risky wrongdoers?

How well does the limited parole and probation staff monitor wrongdoers under their supervision?

In other words, do voters have enough information to pass judgment on a criminal justice system about which they know little?

In the absence of research, voters will be forced to cast their ballots on the basis of their general impressions. The bottom line question is this: Does the North Dakota criminal justice system need more accountability and transparency to protect victims, or is it sufficiently accountable and transparent as it stands?

Most of us dont know.
1. What are three issues that are most important to you, and what would you like to see done about them?

(1) Beat back the ever-increasing debt and deficit, stop government's out-of-control growth and intrusion into our lives and fight to restore the Constitution, individual liberty and responsibility.

(2) Maximize economic growth and get people back to work by decreasing taxes, federal spending and regulations that burden our economy.

(3) Work for commonsense solutions to protect and properly manage our natural resource heritage.

Failure to address our nearly $20 trillion national debt and to enact pro-growth tax reform, threatens not only our economy and fiscal future, but crowds out resources to support our national defense and domestic discretionary programs. As one of its members, I voted for the Bowles-Simpson Commission comprehensive fiscal plan to control our national debt and provide stronger job growth in our economy. The proposal would have reduced our projected national debt by $4 trillion over nine years. This plan recommended spending controls and reforms on all parts of our federal budget and included among other provisions: (1) statutory spending caps on the entire discretionary budget; (2) reforms of mandatory (entitlement) spending programs resulting in efficiencies and fiscal savings; (3) reforms making Social Security solvent for 75 years; and (4) reform of our broken tax code by making it flatter, greatly reducing its complexity and its compliance costs, greatly reducing income tax rates, and significantly increasing our global competitiveness.

2. Immigration reform will almost certainly be a topic of discussion in the next Congress. What are your views on the immigration policy proposals coming from Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, and what are your own views on the topic? If you could author a comprehensive immigration reform package crafted the way you would like, what would be in it? Particularly, what do you think should be done about people who are already living in the country illegally?

We have a stable political and economic system because we respect the rule of law that maintains the peace and prosperity we enjoy. I have consistently supported an immigration policy built on these principles: The United States must commit the resources necessary to have the strongest border enforcement realistically possible. Preservation of the border integrity is essential to national security and a sensible guest worker program. Our immigration system must not grant amnesty to those who enter illegally. No one who enters the U.S. illegally should get any benefit toward permanent legal residency or citizenship. Any guest worker programs must ensure that American citizens have the first right to access available jobs. An efficient, workable guest worker program must be established. Such a guest worker program should provide employers with a reliable, viable and legal system to identify guest workers.

3. What are your views on the refugee resettlement program and on accepting refugees from the Middle East, and from Syria in particular? Do you support making any changes to the program or the vetting process? Should we be letting in more refugees? Fewer refugees?

These issues represent a serious national security concern and an immediate threat to the safety of our citizens. The American people deserve and expect the screening process to be improved to satisfy these concerns. I support Governor Otters call for more local engagement in the decision to place refugees and a suspension of the Syrian refugee program until the screening process can be improved. At a security conference in September, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said the Islamic State seeks to infiltrate operatives among the refugees. FBI Director James Comey added in congressional testimony that risks remain that Syrian refugees are extremely hard to vet given the chaos in the Middle East. Because of these challenges we must be clear-eyed and fully cognizant about the severity of this threat and without further delay must straighten out the national policy and be aggressive in the application of our best intelligence assets to address these problems.

4. Do you support continued federal management of public lands in the West? Do you think some of those lands should be transferred to state management or ownership?

Public lands should remain public. Their values should be preserved and enhanced, and all Idahoans should be able to use and enjoy reasonable access to them. However, the federal government is not doing a good job in too many cases of managing lands under its ownership, and many Idahoans can point to specific examples they have personally experienced or witnessed. Laws and processes relating to both state and federal lands too often drives us to conflict and litigation. These should be reformed to allow more participation in and influence over management decisions by those closest to the land. State government, local officials and private stakeholders should be empowered to more meaningfully participate in the decision-making processes pertaining to our public lands. Outcomes from this collaborative, consensus building approach will be better for both the environment and the natural resource based economies of Idaho. These outcomes can result in administrative and/or legislative action on the public land in question. The Owhyee Initiative is an example of the kind of collaborative approach we should take to achieve win-win solutions for our public lands in Idaho.

5. Do you support any changes to current gun laws at the federal level, either to make them more or less restrictive? And do you support legislation to stop people on the terror watch list from buying guns?

In June, I voted to create a process aimed at preventing terrorists from buying firearms, while allowing law-abiding Americans who are wrongly put on a watch list to be removed. I strongly support the Second Amendment and we as Americans must protect and preserve our constitutional right to bear arms. Terrorists should be prevented from purchasing firearms, but we must not allow any legislative or administrative actions aimed at accomplishing this goal to impede law-abiding citizens from exercising their Second Amendment rights. I am rated A+ by the NRA for my voting record and advocacy for protection of the Second Amendment right to bear arms.

6. Who are you voting for for president, and why? What are your opinions on Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton?

I cannot and will not vote for Hillary Clinton. I am more committed than ever to the conservative principles by which this country should be governed and, therefore, deeply concerned about the future composition of the Supreme Court. For example, imagine what a Clinton Supreme Court would do to the Second Amendment, protecting the life of the unborn and immigration policy. If elected, she will nominate activist judges that would tip the balance of the Supreme Court in a direction that would be disastrous for our countrys future. I am committed to the principle that the Supreme Court be of a strict constitutional constructionist philosophy, not an activist one. We simply cannot allow appointees who will manipulate and reinvent the Constitution to an activist agenda. Further, Hillary Clinton would increase spending, drive up our national debt, make the government bigger, increase government control over our economy and take this country in the wrong direction.
TWIN FALLS  As a dental hygienist, Brianda Sanchez has polished teeth and helped create temporary crowns.

She can now add bed building and sanding to her resume.

Sanchez was one of about 15 volunteers from the community and local businesses who helped build 11 bunk beds Saturday at the Sleep in Heavenly Peace bed build day in Kimberly. Thirty volunteers showed up for the nonprofits build day Friday night.

Founder Luke Michelson said many of the volunteers are new, which is good, because that means the groups message is spreading.

Sleep in Heavenly Peace was formed in 2012 to build beds for children who sleep with their parents, on the couch or the floor.

Its an experience for everybody, Michelson said. We had a lady last night who had never used a drill. No mater what their skills, they can still get involved.

Mike McLimans of Twin Falls read about the build day in the Times-News and decided to help out. McLimans said he was immediately impressed by the organization of the bed construction.

It sounded like a good project, McLimans said. They know what they are doing.

Sanchez learned about the build day from her employer Travis Shepherd, owner of Infinity Dental in Kimberly.

Shepherd presented the idea to his five employees and they all showed up Saturday wearing pink Infinity Dental T-shirts.

Shepherd bought the dental practice in December and heard of Sleep in Heavenly Peace Beds before he even moved to the area.

The fact they help kids, to us, is a big thing, Shepherd said. Kids have a special place in our heart. I think these guys do great things.

More than 15 beds were built during the two-day build. The group used to build and deliver beds only during the holiday season. Now the nonprofit works year-round to keep up the need.

In 2014, the group made 37 bunk beds. In 2015, they made 77. Michelson estimates they will build more than 125 bunk beds this year.

There are Sleep in Heavenly Peace chapters serving Boise and Pocatello. The group has also held build days in Utah. The nonprofit averages 15 applications a month between the Boise and Twin Falls chapters.

Its a basic thing that you think everyone has, said Vanessa Kortright, Infinity Dentals receptionist. We dont think of people not having beds or blankets, and this charity brings it home.

For more information, or to fill out an application, go to sleepinheavenlypeace.org.
While waiting in a bank this month, I happened to overhear a broker from one of the countrys largest firms try to explain to his client why the Labor Departments new fiduciary rule was so terrible. It was an unpersuasive exercise in self-interest, and the client was having none of it.

Why cant you put my best interests first?, he asked.

The fiduciary rule, which requires financial advisers to place the interests of clients with retirement-saving accounts ahead of their own, will be implemented sometime next year, assuming there are no additional delays. That also assumes that Donald Trump  now polling on average about 7 percent behind Hillary Clinton  doesnt win the presidential election.

But if he does win, one of the voices that might be the loudest in opposition to the fiduciary rule would be that of Anthony Scaramucci, an economic adviser to Trump.

Scaramucci is a managing partner at Skybridge Capital, which according to its website specializes in funds of hedge funds. He believes the rule, according to an article in Investment News, is an example of government overreach. I disagree.

I believe the best policy is always to put clients interests first. No conflicts, much easier compliance, portfolios do better, everyone wins.

Why did the Labor Department, which sets the rules governing retirement accounts, shift to the so-called fiduciary standard? One reason is that the U.S. is poised for a financial retirement crisis. The math is inescapable: We have failed individually and collectively to save enough money for our golden years. This will be a huge issue during the next few decades.

The problem with the present system is that advisers dont have to put clients interest first. They are perfectly free to recommend investments that pay them the highest commissions provided they are considered suitable for the investor. By some estimates, this deprives retirement savers of as much as $17 billion a year. And given the scale of the gap between how much America and Americans have in retirement savings versus how much retirees will need to survive, every little bit helps.

Of course, the $17 billion is money that isnt going to the financial industry, which goes a long way toward explaining the fervor of the opposition.

But with Trump trailing by a wide margin in the polls, you might wonder, why bring this up now? For the answer, lets turn to what Scaramucci was quoted as saying at the Securities Enforcement Forum last week in Washington  that the rule could be the dumbest decision to come out of the U.S. government in the last 50 to 60 yearsIts about like the Dred Scott decision.

Instead of getting worked up, Im going to give Scaramucci the benefit of the doubt when he compares the fiduciary rule to the 1857 Supreme Court ruling which held that African-Americans were property, not U.S. citizens. The case has gone down in the history books as one of the worst Supreme Court rulings ever. Among law school graduates  Scaramucci went to Harvard Law  Dred Scott is shorthand for terrible decision-making. I suspect this was an artless attempt by Scaramucci to describe what he sees as bureaucratic intrusion into the financial markets, and that his intention wasnt to compare it to the crime against humanity that is slavery.

Much of Trumps campaign has veered off course into tropes that seem to appeal to racists, misogynists or antisemites. Theres not much doubt about it, since he repeats the same themes over and over in his campaign rallies. I am certain that wasnt the case here. Those of us who write for public consumption are always looking for punchy ways to communicate dry or complex topics. But you have to be aware of how your words will be not only interpreted but misinterpreted. If it were me, I would apologize and move on.

The fiduciary rule is coming. It will have a big impact on retirement savings, mostly for the good. Thirty years from now, when its effects are felt in trillions of dollars in additional retirement savings, no one will remember how it came about  or the ill-considered words of one financier.
This appeared in Saturdays Washington Post.

--

This is having nothing to do with me but having to do with the future of our country, Donald Trump said Thursday. That statement could have been the punchline to a self-deprecating joke at that nights Al Smith charity dinner; Trumps ego and thin skin have been defining elements of his campaign. In fact, Trump spoke these words at a rally earlier in the day, attempting to explain his inexplicable refusal to commit to abiding by next months election results.

In a way, he was right. Trump is threatening to damage much more than his campaign by mocking the peaceful transition of power. I will totally accept the results of this great and historic presidential election  if I win, he declared, before saying that he reserves the right to challenge questionable results. Trump would, of course, define questionable.

Thus has Trump issued yet another challenge to those Republicans who aspire to play key roles in the nations political life after the election. The Posts Philip Rucker and Robert Costa report: The immediate responses from GOP officials were divergent and vague, with no clear strategy on how to handle Trumps threat. How about telling the truth?

Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus, among others, attempted to play down Trumps conspiracy-mongering, insisting that the GOP nominee is simply reserving the right to a recount in a close result. Not so: As if to correct Priebus, Trump declared Friday that the whole deal is rigged. Former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani offered a taste of the accusations that would emanate from the Trump camp, insisting without evidence that Philadelphia Democrats will steal a lot more than 50 votes in Philadelphia. I guarantee you of that. And Ill tell you how they will do it  theyll bus people in who will vote dead peoples names four, five, six times.

A number of Republican National Committee members, meanwhile, have hyped the notion that the election will be riddled with fraud, repeating, for example, unsubstantiated claims that illegals will vote in droves.

House Speaker Paul Ryans office has said he is fully confident the states will carry out this election with integrity, and Politico reported that Ryan, R-Wisconsin, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, would likely step in after the election should Trump refuse to accept the results. But their nominee is doing damage now; polls show the vast majority of Republicans believe a Hillary Clinton victory would be due to fraud. Their leaders must tell them otherwise, with much more force.

A few Republicans have found their way to the right tone. Sen. John McCain (Arizona) said, I didnt like the outcome of the 2008 election. But I had a duty to concede. Sens. Kelly Ayotte (New Hampshire), Patrick Toomey (Pennsylvania) and Ron Johnson (Wisconsin) have each issued criticisms of varying severity.

But the condemnation should not be isolated. It should be deafening. Any Republican who wants to emerge from this election with a shred of integrity must speak up.
The Twin Falls School District took unprecedented steps this summer to keep a secret from the taxpayers who fund the district. It accepted the retirement of Clara Allred, one of its top administrators, meeting on the Fourth of July when the public wasnt likely to be paying attention, and signed an agreement with Allred that paid her $94,000 to immediately leave the district.

The district quickly issued a statement saying Allred had retired, but it kept her payout a secret. It took a Times-News investigation and a lawsuit to bring the payment to light.

But the real sin wasnt necessarily the payout  although plenty of questions still remain about that. The real sin for the district was agreeing to a clause in the deal that barred either party from explaining, well, anything. Language in the agreement even went so far as to say how the parties would spin the deal, outlining that the district and school board wont state or in any manner imply that there was any form of a pay-off in order to obtain Allreds retirement.

At face value, it appears thats exactly what happened. Either the district or Allred or both did something terribly wrong  why else pay an employee such a large sum to leave?

The district, of course, isnt saying, citing the confidentially clause in the arrangement.

For as much as the district boasts about its transparency, this deal smacks of the opposite. By agreeing not to speak about the separation, the district immediately became complicit in a cover-up that legally allows it to skirt any accountability to the public.

The day before the Times-News story broke about the arrangement, the district issued another statement seeking to do some damage control. Officials said they agreed to the arrangement after a cost-benefit analysis and said they agreed to the confidentiality clause to protect Allreds and other employees rights to privacy.

On July Fourth, the school board rubber-stamped the deal, even though the nature of the arrangement was so unusual, district officials said they couldnt remember ever signing anything like it.

But what about the publics right to know? After all, this is public money were talking about.

Did the district catch Allred doing something wrong and pay her out to avoid a scandal? Was Allred holding something over the district and got hush money to keep quiet? Or is the district now suddenly offering massive payouts to employees who truly do retire?

Without any explanation, the public is left to wonder.

The move is already eroding public trust in the district, which, its worth noting, has been supported by voters time and time again whenever it has asked to raise taxes to pay for bonds. Parents near the new schools are now wondering how the district claims it couldnt afford to put in sidewalks at the same time it paid Allred to retire. That money could also have been used to pay teachers more or buy new supplies or for any number of programs that actually help students.

Instead, its in Allreds bank account. And we may never know why.

If the district hasnt already realized its mistake, lets make it clear now: Hiding the payout was wrong; the community deserves to know why and how its public money is being spent; and it should never agree in the future to keep secrets from taxpayers.

While administrators and lawyers engineered the separation agreement, the school board is ultimately responsible. As elected officials, theyre supposed to be looking out for us, not the administrators and not the employees. If weve learned anything in the fallout from the YMCA scandal, in which the Y board was in the dark while the center hemorrhaged cash, its that boards of directors exist to keep organizations in check, not to pad its members resumes or rubber-stamp things at the request of administrators.

In this case, the school board let us down. Remember that at election time.
I enthusiastically support Stephen Hartgen for reelection to the House of Representatives. I have been privileged to know Steve since he became my cousin by marriage to Linda Wright Hartgen. Both Stephen and Linda have been dedicated to serve the citizens of Twin Falls and the state of Idaho for many years. Stephen's life activity is based on a strong moral foundation and he ability to provide leadership on the basis of god common sense.

There is not enough room to list all the ways Stephen has served all of us, not only as our representative in the Statehouse, but also as an excellent editor and publisher of the Times-News. One of the best of his desires is for he rights of the citizens of Idaho. Of particular importance is his dedication to the agricultural community. He has been named "Friend of Agriculture" by the Idaho Farm Bureau four years in a row, for his "dedicated support of Idaho agriculture." He has been endorsed by many organizations, especially those related to agriculture.

One of Stephen's major interests is the correct management of public lands in our state, including water rights. He understands the vital importance of water in a state where agriculture is so important. He is a strong supporter of property rights, Second Amendment rights, pro-life and limitations on government spending.

Stephen is a man who thinks, and is more than willing to listen to any citizen who agrees or disagrees with his beliefs. I recommend him as a man who has the good of the citizens of Idaho first. Please vote for Stephen Hartgen.

John Beer

Twin Falls
BOWMAN -- Weather modification is the agricultural communitys version of politics and religion -- a subject they dont talk about.

But come Election Day, residents of Bowman County are going to make a decision whether or not they want to continue with the practice.

When our income for our year depends on how our crop, how our livestock, how our hayground produces, Tess Palczewski said. And if you have somebody interrupting the weather program based on a scientific theory and we dont see the payout, its very hard not to raise a voice and say I dont want you to do this anymore because youre affecting our way of life.

The Palczewskis are farmers and ranchers near Scranton who started a petition, which received 358 signatures, to let the people of Bowman County decided whether or not they want to abolish the Cloud Modification Project program.

John Palczewski said he wanted to do the petition for awhile because he would rather see Mother Nature be and not have planes seeding clouds to help determine weather. He believes that other farmers and ranchers in the area feel the same way.

When you need rain bad and theyre up seeding clouds and you see the clouds disappear, its pretty disheartening when you got tons of thousands of crops sitting out there, he said.

The Cloud Modification Project is a program that seeds clouds for hail damage reduction and rain enhancement in western North Dakota. Counties currently participating in the program are Bowman, Burke, McKenzie, Mountrail, Ward, Williams and part of Slope.

The program began in the 1950s when Bowman County farmer-rancher Wilbur Brewer came together with pilot neighbors Bill Fisher and Bill Mazaros to form Weather Modification Inc., the state's first all-airborne commercial cloud-seeding company, which is now based out of Fargo. When cloud seeding began, it was originally just for a few townships. However, it later expanded to encompass entire counties throughout much of North Dakota. At the time, the program was entirely locally sponsored.

Bowman County currently splits costs for the program with the state, with each putting in approximately $96,000.

Darin Langerud director of the North Dakota Atmospheric Resource Board said there have been many studies over the years that have looked at the program. He said, in regard to rainfall, the studies show a 5 to 10 percent increase in precipitation from the seeding program.

As far as hail goes, studies show that the program was able to reduce crop hail losses by about 45 percent, Langerud said.

Does it really work?

Bowman County received far less rainfall than normal this year, even with the program in place.

Recently, the U.S. Department of Agriculture designated Bowman County as a primary natural disaster area due to losses caused by a recent drought.

Langerud said they often get questions about whether or not the cloud seeding affects weather downwind where the clouds arent seeded. But, Langerud said there is no scientific evidence that shows cloud seeding, which enhances rainfall in one area, produces dry conditions downwind.

The evaluations of the program here and other places where cloud seeding is done -- and its done in many other places in the U.S. and around the world -- those evaluations show that the seeding effect persists for a while downwind and actually those areas downwind will also receive additional precipitation until the seeding effect wears out, Langerud said.

But, John Palczewski believes thats just not the case and he says hes not alone.

He said many neighboring farmers and ranchers want to see the program leave, as well as many of the older farmers who were around during the early years of the program.

Tess Palczewski said she didnt grow up on a farm, but has watched clouds grow and dissipate near their home on several occasions.

The biggest thing for us is we cannot prove what theyre doing works or doesnt work, just as much as they cant prove if they didnt fly the cloud, we would have got anymore or less moisture, she said. So thats the hardest part, because thats what so controversial is no body can hands down, 100 percent prove what theyre doing.

During an informational meeting Wednesday at the Bowman City Hall, many farmers and ranchers expressed their opinions about the program.

Some in attendance, like Palczewski, said while they believe the program does suppress the hail, they believe the seeding dissipates the amount of rain that comes from the clouds.

However, others at the meeting said they believe in the program and said while it doesnt always stop the hail, it does reduce the damage caused by it. Many mentioned they remember times when crops would get hailed out nearly every year and said that doesnt happen anymore because of the program.

Bowman County farmer Ernest Schober said he visits with older farmers in his neighborhood about weather modification.

They used to get hailed out one of every three years and we still get hail, but its not that severe, Bowman County farmer Ernest Schober said.

Schober added that North Dakota is located in area that doesnt get as much rain in general and that can also affect whether or not a growing season is good or not.

Others also expressed concern about whether or not leaving the program would affect the Bowman radar program. However, Langerud said that is not really the case.

If Bowman County were to pull out of the weather modification program, the eight surrounding counties that utilize the radar would have to come up with an additional $14,000 combined to run the radar during the summer months when the State Water Commission was paying for its use for the seeding program.

The last available county count on weather modification from the State Water Commission is from 1976. At that time, there were 17 counties involved in the program -- many in the eastern half of the state, including Barnes, Benson, Eddy, Foster, Griggs, Kidder, Nelson, Sergeant and Wells counties.

However, all of those counties dropped out of the program by 1981. While the reasons for the dramatic dropoff are not exactly clear, Langerud said part of the reason is due to cuts in state assistance during that time and claims that the eastern half of the state gets slightly more rain and a little less hail.

Dealing with Mother Nature

Langerud claims that since the weather modification program reduces hail damage, it can help to increase crop production by $12 million to $20 million combined for the counties involved in the program.

Thats a significant impact locally for the producers, he said. Theyre gaining a little bit extra yield.

Langerud said ultimately, even from a statistical standpoint, its difficult to prove either way. But he added they collect as much data as they can over varying lengths of time and never take credit for individual storms producing more rain or less hail.

Theres no way to eliminate hail at this point, he said. That would be a very, very difficult thing to conceive of -- even in the future -- how that might happen. But, one of the ways I think a lot the producers look at this program in North Dakota is its another tool they have to manage their risk.

Hans Ahlness, vice president of operations of Weather Modification Inc., the company that is contracted to fly the clouds for the Atmospheric Resource Board, said he knows it can sometimes be difficult for farmers to be able to tell what theyre going to get from the program, especially since the results arent exactly tangible.

You cant hand them a check at the end of the year and say, Well, heres the money you made because of the cloud-seeding project, he said. You cant give them a truckload of wheat and say, Heres the extra wheat you were able to grow because of the rain that you got during the growing season.  If we could do that itd be a lot easier to give people something tangible.

John Palczewski said he would much rather just buy hail insurance and have Mother Nature be in control of whether or not he suffers a loss or a gain because of storms and rainfall.

We can financially risk our operation with hail insurance, John Palczewski said. You cannot insure yourself for lack of moisture.

He added that he didnt set out to make people angry or make anyone upset. He just wants to give people a chance to let their voices be heard and do what he thinks is best for his land and family.

We just would rather see Mother Nature be and not have someone up seeding clouds to try and control the luck we have, he said.
Moroccos King Mohammed VI and Rwandas Paul Kagame have voiced their shared determination to build up a strong partnership between their two countries, based on the promotion of South-South cooperation and consolidation of inter-African solidarity.

A joint statement made public Sunday at the end of the Moroccan Kings state visit to Rwanda pointed out President Kagame commended the Moroccan Kings leadership and his contribution to promoting peace, stability and development in Africa.

President Kagame underlined, in this regard, the dynamism of the Kingdoms African policy, which combines political involvement, development of economic relations, promotion of human ties and security cooperation, the joint statement said, adding that the Rwandan President also paid tribute to Moroccos key role in promoting sustainable development.

He expressed support for Moroccos efforts to make of COP22 a successful event, the document stated.

King Mohammed VI on his part expressed his appreciation for the active role played by Rwanda at the regional and continental levels, and congratulated President Paul Kagame for his commitment to peace and stability in Africa, the statement said.

At the bilateral level, the two heads of state welcomed the new strong impetus given to the two countries political relations and agreed on concrete actions to boost a diversified and mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation.

The two leaders, who have converging visions on socio-economic development, voiced resolve to endeavor for the establishment of a strong partnership, based on South-South cooperation and on experience and expertise sharing, the joint statement said.

The document added that the Moroccan Kings official visit crowns the positive development of bilateral relations witnessed in recent years, and illustrates the two leaders determination to strengthen ties of friendship between the two countries and at the same time promote regional integration and the African continents Renaissance.

During his state visit, the first of its kind in Rwanda, King Mohammed VI expressed his countrys determination to upgrade its cooperation with Rwanda to the highest level, to diversify its partnerships in the continent, to be more open towards East Africa, and to extend to this region the model of South-South cooperation that the kingdom has developed with its African traditional partners, states the joint statement.

The two leaders, who also agree on the role of the private sector in promoting bilateral relations, have urged economic operators of both countries to set up win-win partnerships.

They likewise convened to endeavor so that the two states defend their mutual interests at regional, continental and international levels, the joint statement says.

After his visit to Rwanda, King Mohammed VI arrived on Sunday in Tanzania, second leg of his current African tour that will also take him to Ethiopia.

As was the case in Rwanda where the Sovereign chaired over the signing ceremonies of some 23 agreements and MoUs, the trip to Tanzania will highlight by the signing of several cooperation agreements in the fields of finance, agriculture, tourism, training, investments and electrification.
King Mohammed VI of Morocco wound up his state visit to Rwanda on Sunday and flew to Tanzania, the second leg in his eastern African tour, which adds a new milestone to the Kingdoms Africa-oriented strategy by fostering political and economic ties with English speaking African countries.

The visit to Kigali, described by commentators as successful, climaxed by the conclusion of 23 partnership agreements covering various sectors such as agriculture, housing, vocational training, finance, tax and banking, new technologies, air transport, tourism and renewable energy.

These agreements, involving both the public and private sectors, set the legal framework to govern Moroccan-Rwandan relations and will contribute to boosting bilateral cooperation and facilitate experience and expertise sharing between the two countries.

One of the major agreements signed during the visit seeks to make Rwanda benefit from the ambitious Moroccan Green Plan, launched in April 2008. The plan, aimed at turning the Agricultural sector into an important lever for socio-economic development, actually contributed to increasing the income of thousands of small farmers and improving their living conditions.

The agricultural agreement also seeks to promote technical cooperation in the fields of irrigation infrastructure and animal health and to help Rwandan farmers benefit from the expertize of Moroccos groupe Credit agricole, the Mutuelle Agricole Marocaine dAssurances (MAMDA) and OCP group regarding, respectively, the integration of small farmers in systems of funding, and of multi-risk insurance and the setting up of a database on soil fertility (fertility card).

The OCP group and the Rwandan Ministry of Agriculture also agreed to set up a fertilizer plant that will produce fertilizers adapted to Rwandan soil and crops.

Another outstanding MoU was signed by the Mohammed VI Foundation for Sustainable Development and the Imbuto Foundation, establishing deeper cooperation between the two institutions in the areas of health, education, youth capacity building and promotion of income generating activities.

The MoU falls in line with the Moroccan Kings resolve to give priority to the promotion of the human element in all his endeavors to bolster a South-South cooperation underpinned by solidarity values.

Under the accord, the Moroccan foundation will donate the Imbuto Foundation 1.0 million. The donation will finance two projects in the areas of health and education.

And as was the case with the visit to Rwanda, King Mohammed VIs trip to Tanzania will highlight by the signing of several cooperation agreements in the fields of finance, agriculture, tourism, training and investments.

In this vein, Dar es-Salam hosted, on the eve of the sovereigns visit to Tanzania, the first edition of the Moroccan-Tanzanian Forum on Trade and Investment.

Addressing the forum, Tanzanias Vice-President, Mrs. Samia Suluhu Hassan, invited Moroccan economic operators and investors to invest in her country.

She underlined that Tanzanias economy is booming and that the country has made tremendous progress in easing business and attracting foreign investments, particularly in the sectors of agriculture, energy, oil and gas, infrastructure and mining.

Tanzania, with its political stability and prospering economy, offers tremendous opportunities to Moroccan investors, and its membership in the Eastern African Community will also open a market of 140 million inhabitants to Moroccan companies.
A pheasant fee-hunting company in Regent has proved that working cooperatively can last for the long haul.

The Cannonball Co. started in 1992 with the idea that by throwing their acres together and marketing packaged hunts, landowners could be rewarded for creating better habitat and get out from under managing hunting demand from their farmyards and phones.

The concept is celebrating its 25th year and manager Nicole Haase said its looking like this will be another strong year for the company, with total hunts  measured by days hunting per individual  will meet last years total of 1,992 with slightly more than 5,000 birds killed.

Thats not the all-time high, but its a solid benchmark and a considerable move from the 247 hunts booked that first year of business.

People come back because of the product theyre getting. Theres good hunting, and the people in the community become like family, she said. A lot of them walk in and book for next year right away.

The company published a commemorative anniversary book in which founder Louis Witte explains it wasnt a smooth start and the idea split the community between those against fee hunting and those who wanted to give the idea a chance.

An early group put together a plan for landowners, including lodging, fees, guides and a marketing strategy, formed an incorporation and established shareholders and investors. Then, they took the idea to the field.

Today, 62 landowners provide access to 45,000 acres and the company offers 21 guides, 32 hunting dogs and eight lodging providers. A deluxe hunt with guides, dogs, lodging, meals, bird cleaning and ammunition is $550 a day. A basic package with guide, dog and lodging is $400 a day.

It is certain that the hunters return year after year (about 90 percent) for the birds. But they also come back because of the people," Witte said.

Mike Allegretti, from California, is in his 19th year of returning to the Cannonball Co. for fall pheasant hunting. He said its about the experience, not the bird count, though zero success might not make the trip worthwhile.

We try to keep this a secret. Its exceptional  the accommodations, the food, the people  you cant compare it to anything. For us, its not about just killing birds; thats almost secondary. Its a great value, Allegretti said.

Wayne Strand, of south Regent, has had land in the company since the startup.

It works out good. If I want it for my own use, I just let them know. The guides keep track of what tracts of land they hunt and how many birds are taken, said Strand, who is paid about $35 per bird. Thats more than fair. Its probably around $5,000 for a good year, and we usually take a trip with that. Its nice to have a little extra money.

He prefers having the company manage the hunting rather than dealing with it himself.

Before this, I would have 10 cars out in the yard, he said.

Morgan Kouba has land in the company, too, and, while most is crop land, he does have a nice area around a stock dugout where birds typically congregate, though not so much this year. He said hes going to invest in some tree plantings there to improve habitat.

I hope to make it a hot spot again, he said.

Doug Bolte is a guide and also a landowner in the company. In his best year, hunters killed 700 birds on his acreage, which resulted in a nice check. But he also puts a lot of that money back into his land, spending a couple thousand on food plots to sustain pheasants and deer.

Bolte, 65, works with a 3-year-old German short-hair named C.J.

Ill go as long as the dog goes, he said, though thats certainly not the anticipated lifespan of the Cannonball Co. Its very possible the company will go another 25 years."
@NewsbySmiley @PatriciaMazzei

For months, Joe Garcia and national Democrats have relentlessly cast Miami Rep. Carlos Curbelo as a Donald Trump Republican  or worse  arguing that votes the freshman Curbelo has taken with the House GOP caucus make his actions more serious than Trumps words.

In a debate televised Sunday, Curbelo tried to turn the tables  and compared Garcia to Trump.

I respect women, and you dont, Curbelo shot at Garcia, pointing a finger at him during WPLG-ABC 10s This Week in South Florida.

At issue was a secretly recorded tape last month that caught Garcia characterizing Hillary Clinton as sexually unappealing  which host Michael Putney played on air. That tape came out nearly a month before The Washington Post released a 2005 Access Hollywood recording showing Trump bragging about forcing himself on women.

I said something stupid, Garcia conceded. But, he added about Curbelo: Everything he just said is completely false.

More here.
@amysherman1

Hillary Clinton will campaign in Broward County Tuesday, the most left-leaning county in Florida.

She will hold an early voting rally at Broward College North Campus, 1000 Coconut Creek Boulevard, Coconut Creek at 2:15 p.m. Doors open to the public at 11:45 a.m. and the public can RSVP here. Clinton is scheduled to attend her final fundraiser in Florida Tuesday at the Pinecrest home of Chris Korge. Sen. Tim Kaine will hold a rally at Florida International University at 11:30 a.m. Monday -- the public can RSVP here.

Donald Trump also plans a swing through Florida starting Sunday night.

Early voting begins in Broward and Miami-Dade counties on Monday.


@PatriciaMazzei

Miami's veterans of the Bay of Pigs invasion saluted Donald Trump picking him as the group's first-ever presidential endorsement. Now Trump is preparing to return the favor.

Trump plans to visit the 2506 Assault Brigade museum and library on Tuesday, the Miami Herald has learned. The Brigade emailed its members over the weekend to inform them that "we were contacted by his campaign to coordinate a visit...to discuss the Cuba issue."

Brigade 2506's executive board voted unanimously 10 days ago to back Trump. The group had never before made a presidential pick in its 55-year history. The endorsement came after Newsweek reported that Trump's casino company had violated the U.S. trade embargo against Cuba in 1998, when it paid a consultant to explore business opportunities on the communist island.

Days before that revelation, Trump the presidential candidate had pledged in Miami to espouse a hard line on Cuba policy, reversing President Barack Obama's approach.

Trump had said in a 1999 speech to the Bay of Pigs veterans that Fidel Castro has "been a killer." "He's a criminal, and I don't think you should reward people who have done what he has done," Trump said. The crowd cheered, "Viva Donald Trump!"

His local backers have pointed to that speech and a Herald op-ed at the time to evidence that Trump -- even if he did spend money in violation of the embargo -- changed his mind about it later.

"The Brigade's board is very proud about Mr. Trump's statements about canceling and reversing all the concessions made by President B. Obama to the dictatorship of the tyrants to our Homeland, trying to guarantee that they remain in power," reads the Brigade's email about Trump's visit to the group's "house." The museum is located at 1821 SW 9th St.

Recent polls show Trump splitting or only narrowly defeating Clinton among Florida and Miami-Dade County Cuban Americans, a sign that he has been unable to shore up support like his Republican predecessors have. Cuban Americans make up more than 70 percent of Miami-Dade's registered Republicans.

Trump's public schedule lists him holding a rally at 3 p.m. Tuesday in Sanford. He's been in Florida since late Saturday night, ahead of three days of campaigning in what for him is a must-win state against Hillary Clinton.

Photo credit: Tim Chapman, Miami Herald file
Garrison Keillor has used a number of George Bilgere's poems on "The Writer's Almanac" and I've used several in this column, and it seems neither of us can get quite enough of this writer's clear, honest and moving work. This poem is from a recent issue of "River Styx." Bilgere lives near Lake Erie and his most recent book is "Imperial" from The University of Pittsburgh Press.

The Forge

I remember watching my father stop

halfway up the driveway because my tricycle

was blocking the way to the garage,

and how he solved the problem

by picking up the tricycle by the handlebars

and smashing it through the windshield

of our brand new family station wagon,

his face red with scotch, his black tie

and jacket flapping with effort, the tricycle

making its way a little farther with each blow

into the roomy interior of the latest model

as the safety glass relented, the tricycle

and the windshield both praiseworthy

in their toughness, the struggle between them

somehow making perfect sense

in midday on our quiet suburban street,

the windshield the anvil, the trike the hammer,

the marriage the forge, and failure

glowing in the heat, beaten

and tempered, slowly taking shape.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Doug Burgum is facing off against Democratic state Rep. Marvin Nelson of Rolla and Libertarian Party candidate Marty Riske. Candidates answered questions submitted by the Tribune on the race for an office that the Republicans have held since 1992.

Question: What role should the state play in oversight of pipeline protests?

Burgum: One of the things that makes our country so special is the right of free speech and the right to peacefully protest. Also, I have tremendous respect for the important role our dedicated North Dakota law enforcement officers have played in maintaining public safety and supporting the rule of law. The state should continue to request that the federal government uphold their responsibility for maintaining peace and order on federal land. Going forward, we need to remember that disagreement can exist alongside mutual respect, listening and dialogue as we work together towards a peaceful, constructive resolution.

Nelson: The primary responsibility at this point is safety of everyone. Next comes protecting a legal business activity. The state will need to be responsible for the extraordinary costs precipitated by the protests. One big aspect is the state should really work to prevent such situations. It seems to me in siting proceedings, there should be a public advocate appointed by the PSC to bring forward potential problems and check on the quality of the application.

Riske: The state should play the role of arbitrator in bringing the various parties together to find common ground. Those that oppose any project at all should not be given much say in the matter, but those that simply want a project that protects everyone should work on finding that common ground.

Q: Should corporate farming have a place in North Dakota agriculture?

Burgum: Agriculture is a globally competitive business, and it is vital farmers and ag producers in North Dakota have the same access to capital as other businesses.

Nelson: The people have just voted on this issue, and they have soundly rejected an expansion of corporate farming past the family corporation. That should settle it.

Riske: Yes, if for no other reason than it protects family farms by avoiding the estate tax, and it makes probate planning much easier when everyone knows what share of the operation the children get when the parents are gone.

Q: Should medical marijuana be available to residents in North Dakota?

Burgum: Yes, if properly regulated.

Nelson: Yes, I believe the benefits outweigh the problems.

Riske: Yes, and I am a co-sponsor of Measure 5 to do just that. Prohibition has failed to protect our young.

Q: What is your viewpoint on enacting Marsy's Law?

Burgum: Like all measures that change our constitution, I encourage voters to thoroughly familiarize themselves with the pros and cons. I will support the will of the people.

Nelson: I just cannot figure out how we would really be able to handle a system where one person is presumed innocent and the other is presumed a victim at the same time. The constitutional right to refuse a deposition, while supposedly not infringing on the constitutional rights of the accused, seems to me an impossibility.

Riske: I oppose Measure #3, Marsys Law because it will drastically increase costs to the judicial system. While there may be areas to improve victim rights, a constitutional amendment with a blank check is not the way to do it.

Q: What future do you see for fossil fuels and renewable power?

Burgum: North Dakota has been blessed with an abundance of God-given natural resources including oil, natural gas, coal, water and wind. We have an opportunity to successfully pursue an all of the above energy strategy, at the same time we dedicate ourselves to protecting and preserving our environment for future generations.

Nelson: It is pretty clear that what are called renewable energies are going to play a greater role in the future in our energy mix. At the same time, I really do believe that technological advances will allow for cleaner, more efficient use of fossil fuels. Energy drives our economy, and we must be careful not to drive ourselves off an economic cliff.

Riske: Our energy policy must allow for an evolution to cleaning fuels without making our current fuel sources arbitrarily more expensive through regulation and taxation.

Q: What are your top three priorities in balancing the state budget?

Burgum: The most immediate challenge facing the state is the budget, and working together with the legislature we will reduce spending and fund our priorities without raising taxes. Going forward, we can enhance the budgeting process with more accurate forecasting, zero-based budgeting and revenue risk management. Additionally we need to reinvent the delivery of government services to increase efficiency and improve outcomes in education, health care and corrections.

Nelson: 1. Not push the spending to the local level and property taxes. 2. Infrastructure. While clearly there is going to be a significant reduction in infrastructure spending, we have to be careful not to panic. With roads, we cannot afford to not spend the money to maintain what we have. 3. We need to be strategic with cuts. Some cuts, such as some services to the elderly, can cost more after you cut them because if the alternative is the nursing home.

Riske: Number one in priority would be to establish a tradition of independent audits of all agencies and departments of our state government. Number two would be to see to it that industrial hemp would be available to all farmers to grow at will. Number 3 would be to guide North Dakota through the extreme deflation our state will go through for the next several years.

Q: What do you think is the correct level of taxation for tobacco products?

Burgum: Im always skeptical about raising taxes as a solution to any problem.

Nelson: Ideally, it would stop people from starting to smoke but not be too harsh on current smokers who are not going to quit because of some tax. I'm not sure there is a "correct" level of tobacco taxes.

Riske: The tax on tobacco should be at a level that is quantifiably equal to the drain on state resources due to the impact of smoking itself. That does not mean creating a new bureaucracy with a special purpose, nor does it mean a 400 percent tax increase overnight on smokers who tend to be lower income. As such, I oppose Measure #4. Private enterprise has done an excellent job of self-policing for more than nine years.

Q: When should the Legacy Fund be accessed?

Burgum: The Legacy Fund is an endowment for our future, and I will fight to preserve the principal. The interest and earnings from the Legacy Fund provide an incredible opportunity for us to create something lasting and exceptional. The Legacy Fund should not be raided as another rainy day fund to cover revenue shortfalls.

Nelson: I would say the goal of spending 25 percent of earnings and reinvesting 75 percent is a good idea. I would also say though that those should be more long-term goals because even the earnings from the Legacy Fund are unlikely to be stable and it probably wouldn't work to just take the same percentage year after year.

Riske: I would like to see the Legacy Fund continue to build to the point where it is North Dakotas own Sovereign Wealth Fund and to the point where the interest generated off the fund can permanently replace major tax revenue sources, such as the income tax, property taxes or college tuition for North Dakota high school graduates. I would oppose even touching the fund until it has about $10 billion or can safely and consistently generate enough interest income to offset one or more of the other major revenue sources.

Q: What would be your management style as governor?

Burgum: In the private sector, my management style is to listen, collaborate and empower teams and leaders. As governor, my team and I will work with the Legislature and each agency to inspire new ideas and new approaches that make government more efficient while delivering better results.

Nelson: Respect of the employees and their professionalism and a respect of the public with a willingness to listen to all, not just certain groups. Much like the budget is made up of many smaller decisions, we (also) need to dissect the Administrative Code piece by piece to question why and what our priorities really should be. Administrative rules just keep growing and that creates problems.

Riske: As a non-conformist in the workplace, I can succeed in many areas as long it doesnt involve too much humdrum routine. I like pilot projects that test my ingenuity. My experience starting and running more than a dozen enterprises shows I am skilled at engineering human relationships and human systems. I quickly grasp the politics of institutions and I always want to understand the people within the system rather than tell them what to do.

Q: What would you hope to have been able to have accomplished during a first term as governor?

Burgum: My running mate, Mayor Brent Sanford and I, along with the legislature, will have balanced the budget and funded our priorities without increasing taxes. We will have supported our entrepreneurs and innovators to diversify our economy. Our communities will have smart infrastructure and vibrant main streets, which will help retain and attract top talent in North Dakota.

Nelson: The state would be moving forward without panic in the budget situation, employee morale would be improved and the people of North Dakota could feel less intimidated and more trusting of state government. A significant increase in the availability of quality, affordable child care with an improvement in the state supervision.

Riske: First, we must balance the budget and make significant cuts to reverse the overspending of the last decade without tax increases and without raiding trust funds designed to provide income to the state while eliminating a tax. Secondly, I would find ways to untether North Dakota from the federal government by rejecting unfunded mandates and challenging the federal governments interference with state business under the 10th Amendment.

Q: Would you have handled this years budget shortfall in the August special session as Gov. Dalrymple did? If not, how would you have structured the budget fix and why?

Burgum: Gov. Dalrymple and the Legislature took the prudent and necessary steps to address the budget shortfall that gets us to the next legislative session. There is little value in looking back; we are focused on the tremendous opportunities ahead. 

Nelson: It should have been handled more strategically. It was only a slight modification from across-the-board cuts. Sen. Matthern's proposal to restore some cuts would have been a great improvement.

Riske: I would have called for a special session in February 2016 when the first round of allotments came down. The across-the-board cuts did not represent a management of the budget, but rather a reaction to the revenue shortfall.

Q: Should marijuana be legalized in North Dakota? Why or why not?

Burgum: No response.

Nelson: I would not favor full legalization. Other states have gone that route and I would like to watch them for awhile. If we fully legalize, I don't believe there is any going back, so we should take it slow. I do believe the current penalties in law are too high and note that law enforcement and the courts have for practical purposes already lowered them.

Riske: Yes. North Dakota is missing out on the frontier of new medicines extracted from cannabis sativa. Already, several states have entrepreneurs developing new strains and delivery methods. The vision I share is one of opportunity.
Escape the cold and warm up with a free feature film when the library hosts its Wednesday Afternoon Matinee series with a movie screening at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Large Meeting Room.

This weeks movie is about the man once known as Tarzan, who left the jungles of Africa behind for a gentrified life as Lord Greystoke. Now, he has been invited back to the Congo to serve as a trade emissary of Parliament, unaware that he is a pawn in a deadly convergence of greed and revenge.

Call the library at 721-2665 to find out the title of this film.

MakerSpace offers film-to-digital image converter

If you have stacks of old 35mm photo slides sitting around and collecting dust, you can now digitize them at your local library. Thats because MPLs MakerSpace recently acquired a film-to-digital converter that can convert 35mm, 126, and 110 slides/negatives, as well as Super 8 movies, into high-quality digital images. These images can then be transferred to a USB memory stick, or burned onto recordable CDs and DVDs.

To learn how to use the image converter, patrons can stop by the MakerSpace during open hours, or call 317-2667 to set up a time to learn how to use the machine. Patrons should also be aware that the conversion process is not automated, and requires patrons to feed slides into the machine one picture at a time.

MakerSpace wreath building class coming in November

Get crafty for the holidays when MPLs MakerSpace hosts the upcoming class Fall Wreath Building: Painted Faux Succulents from Pinecones noon-2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1.

Interested participants should bring their own grape vine wreath base to the class. All other supplies will be provided. Space for this class is limited to six people, and online registration is required. Register online at tinyurl.com/mplfallwreathbuilding.

We Have It: Staff Reviews

The Gallery of Regrettable Food by James Lileks (Crown Publishers, New York, 2001). Call Number: Staff Picks 641.502 Lileks

If youre looking for a cookbook with great recipes, then this is not the book for you. The Gallery of Regrettable Food is not so much a cookbook as a roast (pun intended) of the culinary lifestyles of the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, and the underlying culture that gave rise to them.

Trigger warning: this book contains adult language and politically incorrect comments. Still with me? Good.

While most of the content consists of pictures from classic cookbooks and tongue-in-cheek remarks, there are actually a few recipes to be found in the pages. Here are a handful of them that I personally wouldnt care to sample: Ketchup-Pistachio Cake, Marshmallow-Stuffed Baked Peppers, Creamed Brains on Toast, and pretty much anything containing the word aspic. But hey, if you want to try them out, more power to you. Just dont invite me over for dinner.

All kidding aside, this is a fun read and I recommend it.

Reviewed by Laura Cote

Hot Happenings

MakerSpace offerings

Computer Electronics: 3-6 p.m. Monday and Thursday.

Have an interest in Arduino, Raspberry Pi, or littleBits? Come in and try out these various electronics platforms during Computer Electronics time. We hope to have participants from all skill levels, from absolute beginners to electronics enthusiasts, working on projects.

Open Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday.

Open Hours allows visitors to explore the resources of the MakerSpace, learn how to use its equipment, or to work on a project of their choice.

Community Creative Writing Workshop: 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Open, drop-in environment focusing on the creative writing workshop process.

Watercolor Painting Class: Noon-2 p.m. Friday.

Drop-in watercolor painting class for any level, featuring an individual approach for skill, and a group focus for subject and compositional techniques. Open to those ages 18 and up.

Computer Classes

Intro to Email: 6-7 p.m. Monday.

Learn the basics of creating an email account, including writing a message, adding attachments, and sending messages.

Easy Steps to eBooks: 12:30-1:30 p.m. Wednesday

This class is an introduction and overview of the eBook resources available at the library. The instructor will cover how to use various eReaders to access the librarys collection. Attendees are encouraged to bring their eReaders to class.

Registration is required to attend MPLs computer classes. Call 721-2665 to secure your spot.
Reaching its first fundraising goal, the Foundation for Missoula Public Library is ramping up efforts before Election Day, encouraging voters to pass its bond for a new library building.

The foundations All Under One Roof Capital Campaign announced Wednesday it reached the $2 million mark, out of a $5 million goal, almost two weeks shy of its deadline.

With the final push, a $4,000 pledge from a longtime volunteer, the group reached its first goal, to demonstrate to voters the breadth of support for improving public library access and services now and for future generations, the release said.

We reached it even earlier than we thought we would, the foundation's Karl Olson said. Theres a hard-core network of support here.

For now, Olson said, foundation members are meeting nonstop with large-scale donors. That will continue until early 2017, when theyll shift their focus to community fundraising events, although people can donate on the foundation's website anytime.

According to Frank Scariano, the capital campaign chair and owner of Scariano Construction, the first donation the foundation received was a $20 bill from an anonymous donor. The largest single donation theyve received so far was $750,000, according to the campaigns release.

The privately raised $5 million will supplement the $30 million bond, as long as it passes, to fund the four-story building, catching Missoula up to the rest of the state. The library here is the busiest one in Montana after all, with 1,500 visitors a day.

Missoulas the last community in Montana to get a 21st century library, Olson said.

The campaign has started sending out flyers: Your public library has run out of space," says one. Another  Because one in four Missoulians doesnt have access to a utility called the internet."

Absentee ballots were mailed out last week, with the library proposal the only voter-approved bond on the ballot this year.

It would mean a $2.34 monthly increase for the owner of a home valued at the average of $200,000, according to the campaigns release.
I have spent my entire legal career as a prosecutor. Judge Dirk Sandefur presided over many of my most significant cases. He possesses a brilliant legal mind and a work ethic no one can match.

Now unscrupulous political operatives backed by dark money are attacking him using half-truths and lies. I wholeheartedly endorse Sandefur for the Montana Supreme Court and I will set the record straight. Sandefur has rock-solid credentials on criminal justice issues.

Sandefur imposes tough sanctions on criminals who truly deserve them. A man killed his girlfriends 3-year-old daughter and Sandefur sentenced him to 100 years in prison. Another man brutally raped and beat a young Native American woman. Sandefur told him how dehumanizing his actions were and imposed 100 years. For a domestic violence arson in a multi-unit apartment building, Sandefur imposed 70 years.

When a man killed his brother-in-law and stole his van, Sandefur sentenced that killer to 100 years. When a racist pipe bomber from Virginia tried to kill seven local law enforcement officersdeputy sheriffs and Highway Patrol troopersSandefur imposed life without parole. When another criminal, high on meth, killed a deputy sheriff in Cascade County, Sandefur once again did his job and imposed life without parole.

Sandefur presided over the jury trials in all these cases and more. His opponent has never been a judge and therefore never presided over a single speeding ticket. Sandefur has handled hundreds if not thousands of child protection hearings in abuse and neglect cases. He has been not only a judge, but also a police officer and a deputy county attorney. He has criminal justice credentials few people in Montana can match. His opponent shows little interest in criminal law cases. The idea that political operatives backed by out-of-state corporate dollars are qualified to comment on Sandefurs record, yet alone distort it, is ludicrous.

As voters, we can now elect a truly extraordinary judge as our next Montana Supreme Court justice. In doing so, we can once again defeat dark money, irresponsible innuendo and lies. When you get your ballot, mark the oval next to Judge Dirk Sandefurs name. He will make a profound difference for the people of Montana.
A few weeks ago I wrote to U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke requesting that he oppose weapons sales to Saudi Arabia. I did so because it is evident that these weapons would be used in indiscriminate attacks, primarily on Yemen, in ongoing attempts to eliminate Shia Islam from that desperately poor country.

As a recent article in the New York Times illustrates, Saudis have bombed schools, civilian neighborhoods and Doctors Without Borders hospitals with the weapons that we have sold to the Saudis in the past. Just this month a Saudi attack on a funeral in Yemen (using U.S.-made weapons) killed at least 100 civilians and injured more than 500.

Zinkes response was essentially that, as a former Navy SEAL who has served in the Middle East, he understands that region, and that Saudi Arabia is an important ally in the fight against ISIS and Al Qaeda.

He seems not to realize that ISIS and Al Qaeda are products of the radical Wahabi version of Sunni Islam that is dominant in Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, in Yemen and elsewhere, the Saudis actually provide support for ISIS and Al Qaeda in order to promote their anti-Shia agenda. He blindly supports Saudi Arabia's actions, even when they are clearly war crimes.

I am disturbed that Zinke uses his service record to camouflage his lack of knowledge of an area that he professes to understand. I fear that in other fields his knowledge and understanding are equally shallow. This is not the person by whom I wish to be represented in Congress.

Sam Neff,

Whitefish
On Friday, Oct. 14, members of the Salish people were participating in their Trail of Tears walk while nearing lunch time with a torrent of rain coming down on them. Plans were to have lunch at a wide spot on the highway between Missoula and Lolo. Seeing the conditions, alternative plans were made at the last minute.

When asked if the Lorens Carpet and Freds Appliance stores could be used as a shelter during the lunch break, both managers, without hesitation, said yes. These stores provided a warm and dry place out of the rain. Lorens Carpets and Freds Appliance's generosity was welcome by all the participants. These gave the walkers a place to bandage their blisters and fill their reservoirs for the weather that would hit them for the rest of the days walk.

Chris Mosted came out and personally welcomed the walkers and welcomed them into the break room of the stores.

Thanks to Lorens Carpet and Freds Appliance for supporting the Salish walkers and for being a great neighbors.

Tom Facey,

Missoula
BILLINGS  A mother was sentenced Friday to five years for abducting her two children from a supervised visit, causing law enforcement to issue an Amber Alert for the kids.

Maria Christianna Sandoval, 34, was sentenced for felony custodial interference to five years with the Department of Corrections for masterminding and executing the abduction of her two kids.

Sandoval's parental rights were terminated by Yellowstone County District Court Judge Ingrid Gustafson. Sandoval had filed an appeal of that decision.

At sentencing, Sandoval said she took the children because she believed they were being abused at their foster home.

"I will accept for every action that led up to that, continue to fight for my children within the boundaries of the law," Sandoval said.

The Department of Family Services removed the children from Sandoval's custody after she neglected the children and abused illegal substances while they were in her care, Yellowstone County Deputy Chief of Criminal Litigation Ed Zink said. DFS has also removed several other children from Sandoval's care in the past, Zink said.

"For her to claim to be a shining example of what a mother should do is frankly astonishing," Zink said.

Yellowstone County District Court Judge Rod Souza called Sandoval's statement at sentencing concerning. He noted her four prior felony convictions, three for possession of dangerous drugs and one for intent to distribute dangerous drugs.

"What you did was alarming," Souza said. "Your remedy when your kids are not in your custody is not to take them."

Souza recommended Sandoval be placed at Passages, a women's community-based correctional facility in Billings, for her five-year commitment.

According to court documents, Sandoval was scheduled for a supervised visit with her two children, a 4-month-old and a 2-year-old, at the Center for Children and Families on Oct. 26, 2015. When an aide left the room to get some paperwork, Sandoval allegedly took the children from the center. According to another worker at the center, the children's father, Donald Ira Stratton, 35, was waiting in a car outside.

The aide did not see if Sandoval and the kids got into the car with Stratton.

An Amber Alert was issued as part of the effort to recover the children.

The Kia was found abandoned at the parking area of Zimmerman Park, just off Highway 2.

Authorties later found Sandoval in Vaughn, a town a short distance northwest of Great Falls.

Cascade County Authorities said Stratton and Sandoval took a 1994 GMC Suburban to Vaughn and had the children in the car with them.

Stratton was sentenced earlier this week to a three-year deferred sentence.
Paris is known as the city of love, but one Butte resident is proving that love can be found in the Mining City as well as abroad.

In September Anthony Blacklock opened Blacklock Block Manufacturing: a cement- and paver-manufacturing company in the Montana Connections Business Development Park, located on Rick Jones Way, 9 miles west of Butte.

But Blacklock didnt always intend on opening a manufacturing company in the windswept industrial park.

In the early 2000s he was living in his native Scotland, going about his life as the owner of a fireproofing company, when he decided to posted a YouTube video of himself giving a monologue on Scottish independence.

Meanwhile, 4,200 miles away in the Mining City, Blacklocks future wife Whitney  a Butte girl born and bred, said Blacklock  was browsing Scottish YouTube videos because, as Blacklock tells the story, she liked the accents.

This is where the plot thickens, Blacklock said.

Whitney left a comment on the YouTube video, and before the two knew it, they were corresponding regularly in a slurry of video chats.

Eventually Whitney traveled to Scotland to meet him, which was the first of several meetings that would lead to the Scottish native moving to Butte and the two getting married a few weeks later in 2009.

However, Blacklock didnt decide to open a cement and paver manufacturing company out of the blue  he has experience in the trade.

At age 16 he had an apprenticeship, where he learned the ins and outs of cement.

After he moved to the Mining City, he worked at Les Schwab for about five years until he decided to put his expertise to use by opening the cement company.

With the help of Buttes Tax Increment Financing Industrial District, which is loaning space to Blacklock, he was able to set up shop in the SepticNET building, at 119920 Rick Jones Way.

SepticNET, which has been in Butte as early as 2006, recently built the Rick-Jones facility, and both businesses held a ribbon cutting Sept. 30 during a celebration for the 30-year anniversary of the nearby Port of Montana.

Blacklock said his company offers pavers of all types  including decorative ones used in landscaping  along with curbstones for parking lots. He said one of Blacklocks curbstones is 100-percent porous, which makes them good for preventing water accumulation in structures like parking garages and storage facilities.

But perhaps one of the more interesting products that Blacklock plans to offer is one still in development.

He said he hopes to use Anaconda slag as a strengthening agent in one of his products.

Blacklock said he came up with the idea after taking time off from Les Schwab due to an injury. During his recovery, he had some free time on his hands, so he often went fishing at Georgetown Lake.

Along the way he would drive past the slag dunes of Anaconda.

I always passed the black slag and I thought, there must be a use for this. said Blacklock. I looked into it, and it turns out it strengthens concrete.

He said the curing process for cement containing slag is longer than that for a product containing traditional agents, but to him the extra time is worth it.

It would be nice to have a product with that application Blacklock said, noting that his facility is capable of producing 20,000 bricks in eight hours, and that each would be made up of 45 percent slag.

Youre going to get through a lot of it very fast, he said.

Blacklock added that slag contains some unsavory compounds like arsenic, but that the bricks will be safe because the cement encapsulates the slag, which is also inert.

Aside from strengthening the cement, Blacklock said he believes the slag will also alter the color for decorative effect.

However, he wont know how the bricks will turn out until hes tested the process for making them. He said he plans to collaborate with Montana Tech, whose officials will test the bricks for strength.

When asked how Butte compares to other parts of the world hes visited, Blacklock said he appreciates residents genuine, straight-forward style.

What you see is what you get with the people, said Blacklock.

As for his home country Scotland, Blacklock said Scottish independence continues to be near and dear to his heart.

For me, the most passionate thing in my life is for Scotland to get its independence, said Blacklock, adding that his passion for Scottish freedom helps him appreciate his new life in wide open spaces.

The freedom that you have  God, in Montana  is unbelievable. I mean, it must be the freest place on earth.

He said that on that very last flight from Scotland to Butte he bought a book at the airport: President Barack Obamas "The Audacity of Hope.''

That gave me an understanding of what was possible here, said Blacklock.

For Blacklock, Montana might very well be the last best place.

Im so grateful, He added. Ive got five beautiful children (and) got this finally up and running.
Sheridans Ruby Valley Hospital and Medical Center is getting a new $13 million facility, hospital officials told The Montana Standard Wednesday.

A groundbreaking for the facility is slated for Oct. 26, and when all is said and done the new hospital will consist of a health-care clinic, physical-therapy and radiology departments, three emergency rooms, a helipad and additional space for specialists, administration and hospital rooms.

The hospital will be 28,000-square feet  a marked upgrade from the current facilitys combined square footage of 12,950.

The hospital will be built on land adjacent to the current building at 220 E. Crofoot St. in Sheridan.

Nomdi Harrington, development director for the Ruby Valley Healthcare Foundation, and Les Gilman, the foundations chairman, said the project is nearly 10 years in the making.

In the early 2000s, Gilman said, the hospitals administrative board began looking for options to replace or upgrade Rubys current building.

The current facility has served the community since the 1960s, said Gilman.

Both Gilman and Harrington said the old hospital was beginning to run out of space.

The CT scanner, they said, resided in a separate building from the main hospital, which meant patients had to be led outside to get a scan, while the physical therapy department sometimes needed to use hallways when space became scarce.

The two also said the old facility made transporting patients via helicopter difficult, as the helipad resided in a vacant parking lot, where the fire department provided lighting for incoming helicopters at night.

Ultimately the board decided starting from scratch was the most cost-effective option, said Gilman.

The hospital received a $10 million USDA loan for the project, but with strings attached.

The loan required the hospital to put up a matching percentage of the total cost.

For the Ruby Valley Hospital, that meant officials needed to raise $2.5 million.

The Ruby Valley Healthcare Foundation kicked off a capital campaign in November, which reached its fundraising goal in August.

The campaign receive donations from local businesses, landowners and residents, among others, said Harrington.

From $5 to $500,000, said Gilman. We had tremendous support from the community for the project.

Notable donors include, among others, Robert and Coralene Walsh and their children, who own Ruby Valley National Bank, to the tune of $250,000.

The hospital also applied for and received grants, including a $400,000 grant from the Helmsley Charitable Trust, based out of New York, for a new 32-slice CT scanner.

Harrington said the new hospital will be an asset to Sheridan and the Ruby Valley in more ways than one.

Its vitally important to the health of our community, she said, noting that some patients have to travel to other communities like Butte and Bozeman to get the services they need.

This can be especially burdensome, Harrington said, for those elderly patients who dont drive, and downright hazardous during winter weather driving.

She added that the new emergency rooms will be particularly beneficial for improving the healthcare in the Ruby Valley as patients can be triaged immediately.

Gilman, meanwhile, said improved healthcare can also lead to economic development.

Both he and Harrington said access to healthcare can make Sheridan and surrounding communities more attractive to businesses looking to relocate or set up shop for the first time, while having a modern facility can help retain and attract medical staff.

The two added that construction on the new hospital is expected to be complete in spring 2018.
In a project befitting the ingrained cowboy culture in Dillon, a group of Montana filmmakers has rounded up a gritty five-part Western film series.

Location filming for the independent Big Muddy Western series by Helena-based director Chris Hoffert wraps up this weekend  perhaps to the dismay of the cast and crew, a close bunch of creativity rustlers.

The best thing I can say about this whole project is the people involved, said special effects and wardrobe assistant Karlee Shank of Dillon. Its a group effort, a family effort.

Indeed. Hoffert wrote the script with his father, Martin Hoffert, also the lead actor. The elder Hoffert had no previous acting or writing experience, but his self-taught filmmaker son was willing to toss him into the fray after their gunslinger plot took shape.

My dad is a big-time Western guy, said Chris. Its his favorite genre films to watch. Hes a big fan of John Wayne and Clint Eastwood.

A maintenance manager at a Bozeman motel, Martin Hofferts love for the genre meshed well with his sons. Their script launched the first short film, Sins of the Past, which gradually solidified into a locked-in cast and crew.

Martin Hoffert plays William Sachett, the protagonist.

Other than him having an affinity and a love for Westerns, he had never done any of that, Chris added about his dad, who became his co-writer for the series starting in 2015.

Originally, Chris wrote the Sins of the Past screenplay for a mid-term student film project for the Academy of Art University, a distance-learning bachelors program.

The series chronicles the Sackett family in the late 1800s as the nation struggles to recover from the Civil War and the rampant lawlessness in western boom towns.

William Sackett, the single father of two, cashes in on skills he acquired during the Civil War for both criminal and just causes as he transitions from a notorious gang member to a professional bounty hunter.

After a job goes sour and he accidentally shoots an innocent kid, Sackett uproots his family and moves to Montana from Wyoming to take up farming. That is, until his past catches up with him; thats where the Hofferts story begins.

Staying true to historical context of the Old West, the story appeals to the average Joe and his family while enduring hardship with grace in a turbulent world.

Its an era that people have always been fascinated about because it is wrapped in emotional content with plenty of action, romance and lore, said Chris Hoffert. The plot, characters  including villains  and locale represent what he calls true historical people and places.

In keeping with a recent film he debuted at the inaugural Covellite Film Festival in Butte, Hoffert pays close attention to historical detail. In Contested Ground, he tells a narrative drama in documentary style to deliver a refreshing perspective on the story of the Battle of Little Bighorn and Custers Last Stand.

History buffs and fictional Western film buffs most likely will appreciate Hofferts style and love for staying true to the times.

Its definitely become a large part of what I do, said Costume Supervisor, Designer and lead actress AnnellaJo Perry, who worked on both "The Big Muddy'' and "Contested Ground.'' We try to get things as accurate as we could.

Perry helped write the final script, Savage Winter, in The Big Muddy series because of her expertise in Native American history.

With it being a culturally sensitive installment, I wanted to make sure that what we say and show was as authentic and accurate as possible, said Chris Hoffert. So she helped write the Native American aspects of some of the characters.

Hoffert first latched onto film-making as a hobby while serving in the U.S. Army in the Middle East. He was a Blackhawk helicopter crew chief who needed to fulfill his creativity when off-duty.

It helped to fill in some of those empty blocks of time, he said. I enjoy being productive, and I have a natural creative talent; my brain is more creative than others.

He started performing and working for a film production company while stationed in Hawaii in 2004. He also trained actors in martial arts.

On his first tour to Iraq, he began making what he calls moral videos.

I taught myself cinematography and editing, then started making my own projects, he said. The guys in my unit got used to me sticking a camera in their faces all the time. Eventually, that grew into my narrative film-making.

By 2009, he was writing his own scripts and creating plot-driven videos.

Upon returning home and working in the Montana National Guard, Hoffert enrolled in film school. Eventually, hell earn a bachelors degree.

Going into school with all my experience helped a lot, he said. I was light years ahead, as I tend to be a self-learner and I like to be hands-on.

While The Big Muddy series is separate from his college curriculum, each aids the other.

Ive used my schooling to refine my technique and build on that foundation that was already there, said Hoffert. I polish it and work on my craft and technique so I can be a better storyteller.

Drawing like-minded, creative cast and crew, he has formed a dedicated group of mostly Dillon-based folks who relish long hours on the set.

Stan Smith, a long-time Dillon resident who offers his property at Stone Creek, 18 miles from Dillon, for many location shoots, plays James "Blackjack" Garnett in Money, Blood, and Tombstones, the second installation. Hes also a producer, stunt coordinator, casting director, extra and everyman.

The family atmosphere on the set resonates with Smith, too. Even his grandkids are extras.

Many of our cast and crew are friends of mine from Dillon, Virginia City, Ennis, Bozeman, Butte and Helena, he said. Throughout the production, we have become a big extended family.

The Big Muddy is proof that a shoestring budget can bring such an independent project to life.

A $20,000 Kickstarter campaign and numerable volunteers have allowed The Big Muddy series to come to life, said Hoffert.

I supply all the cameras and sound equipment that I own  worth about $60,000 studio package, he added. That way, all the money we raise for the budget goes for gas money, lodging, food, things we give to the people who help out.

Fashioned as stand-alone films, the five shorts add up to about the length of a typical feature film: 2 hours.

Other titles include Indian Gold and Family Ties. Several scenes were also filmed in Bannack.

The series will be unveiled at a premiere at the Big Sky Cinema movie theater in Dillon in January.

Hoffert, 33, likens creating a film series from scratch to that of building a house from the foundation up. Its hard work, but obviously his unexpected passion.

I kinda fell into filmmaking by accident, said Chris Hoffert. Its an addictive hobby.
MISSOULA  Montanas Senate delegation co-signed a letter to President Barack Obama asking for continued pressure to get a new Softwood Lumber Agreement with Canada.

We are disappointed that Canada appears reluctant to follow through on this commitment, which has significantly undermined (the U.S. Trade Representatives) efforts to reach a final agreement, Sens. Steve Daines and Jon Tester wrote on Friday, in a bipartisan message joined by 24 fellow senators.

The Softwood Lumber Agreement was originally signed in 2006 and set limits for Canadian lumber imports to the United States. It expired in 2015, but had a one-year stand-still clause allowing time to negotiate a new deal. That expired on Oct. 13.

The United States has proposed that Canadian imports be limited to an agreed share of the U.S. lumber market. Canadian counter-proposals have suggested setting a duty charge on imports crossing the border, but not a quota for how much wood can be sent over.

Hundreds of thousands of U.S. jobs and thousands of U.S. rural communities depend on fairness in trade in softwood lumber, the senators wrote. That is why we will continue to urge you, and any future Administration, to seek a fair, effective, and sustainable agreement with Canada on softwood lumber trade, and in the absence of such an agreement, to fully enforce U.S. trade laws.

U.S. negotiators maintain the Canadian timber industry benefits from government subsidies that give an uncompetitive advantage to cutting trees on Canadian provincial and federal land. The Canadians have successfully argued in international trade court that the U.S. import limits violate free-trade agreements.

Senators Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, and Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, authored the letter.
Robert James Bengtson; beloved husband, father, "papa", brother, uncle and friend, passed away Thursday October 20, 2016 surrounded by family after a long courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

"Bobby", as his friends called him, was a very good friend to many, many people throughout his life. He was a kind soul who never met anyone he wouldnt help. He was his little sisters protector. He was the extra set of hands when his friends needed help. He was inspiration and comfort for anyone who came to him sad, hurt or confused. He gave hope to others when all seemed lost in their life. Some of the last words he spoke were "O.K. whats the next thing on the list to do (He wanted to make sure he had left his family taken care of). Everyone who knew Bobby knew he never missed an opportunity to pull a practical joke or to make someone laugh. He said, once, "Sometimes all you can do is bring a smile to someones face."

He loved his motorcycle days. When he became a father, he transferred his passion to motor homes. He loved to save motor homes by fixing everything broken. Then he'd use them for family camping sell them, and buy another one to fix, use it and start over again. He learned Tae Kwon Do in Okinawa Japan and shared his knowledge in a martial arts school in Butte. By far, his favorite pastime was spending time with his family. lf he said, "I have an idea" we knew fun would follow. He will be sadly missed by us all.

Robert James Bengtson was born on May 11, 1952 to Betty Jane Ramey and Knute Bengtson. He attended Webster Garfield Elementary and Butte High School, and then graduated from Sentinel High School in Missoula. He was drafted into the Marine Corps on June 20, 1972 and was stationed in Okinawa Japan. When he returned from the Vietnam war he studied criminal psychology in Sutter, California. He worked for Avco Finance, then Sears. He finished his working career with the U.S. Postal Service.

Bob has gone to heaven to join his grandmother, Juanita Ramey, mother, Betty Jane Ramey, father Knute Bengtson, brother, Gary Bengtson, and close cousin Dan Lawrence.

Bob is survived by wife, Barbara Bengtson, son, Cory (Amanda) Bengtson, daughter, Caesy Bengtson, granddaughters, Ciala Rae, Isla Mae, and Raymee Jane Bengtson, sister, Linda Bengtson, special nieces and nephews Gary, Kim, Randy, Ryan, Ashley, Anna, Taylor, Joshua, Randy, Danny, Ava, Myla, Carsyn, and many more nieces and nephews, and life time friend Greg Sadoski.

We will miss you Bobby.

Friends are asked to join the family on Tuesday at 11:00 am in the Duggan Dolan Mortuary Chapel. Entombment will follow in Mountain View Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please send your donations to any cancer research.

Express condolences at www.mtstandard.com.
Butte is fortunate. We have two fine candidates running for Butte-Silver Bow chief executive.

That said, we believe there is a clear choice. We endorse the incumbent, Matt Vincent, in his quest for a second term.

Vincent has had a sometimes tumultuous relationship with the Council of Commissioners  and it shows in the opposition of several commissioners to his reelection. Thats a tension that is built into our form of government, and until and unless we wish to contemplate an appointed professional city manager to run the executive branch rather than an elected chief executive  an intriguing concept, but not the one before us now  that tension will be there.

The interesting thing is that when you get down to the issues, very little separates Vincent from Dave Palmer, a commissioner who has given the last two decades to public service here in Butte.

From the Superfund cleanup to fixing the streets to enticing new business to town, the candidates differ more in approach than philosophy. Palmer himself made the point early in the campaign that he is more laid-back than Vincent. I like to sit back and listen. I am a person of compromise, he said. Matt is more vocal.

We agree. But we think theres plenty to be vocal about.

Vincents style is to grab issues by the shoulders and push. We need that.

We need a coordinated approach on economic development  and its well under way with the welcome leadership of Pam Haxby-Cote at Butte Local Development Corporation and a motivated Vincent, who is an inexhaustible cheerleader for the town.

We need continued efforts on public works, particularly roads, and on blight  without forgetting the importance of historic preservation.

We need to follow through with the fabulous Stodden Park makeover, with the revitalized airport, with the Copper Mountain project and, we hope, a subsequent effort to bring the Copper Kings back to town.

We need new initiatives to encourage the development of Butte as a center of creativity and the arts.

And we need strong collaboration between Butte-Silver Bow and Montana Tech.

Vincent and Palmer agree on much of this. But Vincent has provided motive force in all of these areas.

Perhaps most of all, we need informed, energetic, responsible action on Superfund to ensure that Butte gets the cleanup it deserves. While the candidates are again in substantial agreement, Vincents leadership on this is evident. His Montana Tech education and experience in environmental reclamation and restoration are huge factors.

The cleanup, above all, speaks to the need for continuity. Butte-Silver Bow has recently sharpened its approach, advocating more strongly for the removal of the Parrot tailings and for more transparency in the cleanup. We believe strongly in both, and would like Butte-Silver Bow to be partners in our effort, with the Silver Bow Creek Coalition, to open the Superfund negotiating process to the public. Both candidates have expressed their support, for which we are grateful, but Vincent deserves credit for steering the county in a more assertive course on the cleanup.

Every generation, Butte faces new challenges and is presented with new opportunities. Now, this magical place is reinventing itself once again. Whether this is one of the most important times in its rich history is of course debatable. But without question it is our time, and we must do everything we can to be good stewards of the city  to brighten the days ahead. Dave Palmer is a good leader and Butte owes him a lot. But we feel Matt Vincents energy and leadership are well-placed as we all work together to fashion Buttes future.
As the November elections approach, Republican legislators have been trying to convince the public that the states budget, and its economy, are in a shambles, and that its all Governor Steve Bullocks fault. But as legislators who voted alongside our Republican colleagues in support of the budget during the last legislative session, we think Montanans deserve the truth rather than election year rhetoric.

The truth is that we are working with a budget that was put together by a Republican-controlled Legislature. As with any budget, expenditures had to match estimated revenues, and it was a Republican senator, Fred Thomas, who presided over the committee that estimated what revenues would be. In this process there was always the possibility that we would get the revenue numbers wrong, and recognizing that, Governor Bullock insisted that we keep a healthy balance in the bank to meet any unforeseen shortfalls.

As it happens, we did get the revenue number wrong, we did have to dip into that rainy day reserve, and we are all fortunate that the governor had the foresight to insist that reserves were there to dip into. Otherwise we would have been forced to roll back needed spending on schools, roads, health care and other vital services. The fact that our reserves are dwindling is not a sign of fiscal mismanagement, but of fiscal prudence. We were prepared for a rainy day.

It is particularly ironic that Republican legislators go after the governor for fiscal mismanagement when, if they had gotten their way, the situation today would be a lot worse. Throughout the last legislative session Republicans sent tax cut measures to the governor that would truly have busted the budget. They also proposed spending cash reserves on infrastructure. The governor resisted these measures forcefully, and in the end, that turned out to be exactly the right thing to do. Voters should be very wary of politicians, like Greg Gianforte, who promise to be fiscally responsible in one breath, and to slash taxes for the wealthy in the next.

Our Republican colleagues also argue that our current budget challenges are the result of declining production in oil and gas, coal, and other natural resource industries, and again, try to pin that decline on Governor Bullock. But the governor of Montana has no control over the forces that are shaping and shaking the natural resource and energy markets. Try as we might, we cannot raise the price of oil or keep cheap natural gas from displacing coal.

Faced with the boom and bust cycle in natural resource markets, the smart thing to do is to keep cash reserves on hand to make up for flagging revenue, and to foster a diversified and adaptable economy. Thats what governor Bullock has been doing. There are more Montanans working now than ever. Unemployment rates are below, and wages are rising faster than, national averages. And unlike other states that are less diverse and more dependent on natural resources, weve been able to weather the inevitable ups and downs in the energy industry.

Despite what Republican legislators might say in an attempt to distract us from the truth and elect Greg Gianforte, Montanas economic and fiscal state is strong and resilient. Under Governor Bullocks leadership, we are well prepared for what comes our way.

-- Sen. Jon Sesso, Butte; Sen. Dick Barrett, Missoula; Sen. Mary McNally, Billings; Rep. Janet Ellis, Helena; and Re. Tom Woods, Bozeman
BILLINGS  A Billings candidate for state Legislature is being accused of racism by his former classmates at a conservative Christian university.

Republican Robert Saunders is being accused of telling a black college peer at Patrick Henry College that at an earlier point in Americas history, he would have owned her. Another peer said Saunders once said President Barack Obama and his family should be sent back to the fields to pick cotton.

The comments, including a video of Saunders's female accuser, were posted on the Democratic gossip blog Montana Cowgirl.

Through interviews and email inspections, The Gazette confirmed Saunders's classmates were the source of the allegations.

Saunders said there was no truth to the allegations, calling his former classmates not credible.

At the end of the day, Im not a racist. I have never been a racist, I will never be a racist, Saunders said. My relationships with a number of people will demonstrate that Im not a racist.

Patrick Henry College is a Washington, D.C.-area school founded in 2000 with a vision to restore America by educating the best and brightest Christian students to take their place as future leaders of the nation and its culture, according to its website. Its alumni are encouraged to run for public office.

But when former classmates Stewart Lundy and Erin Eskew learned of Saunders's campaign to represent north central Billings in the Montana Legislature, they objected.

Lundy got word to Saunders's opponent, Democratic Rep. Jessica Karjala, that comments allegedly made by Saunders at Patrick Henry deserved looking into. Karjala turned the emails over to attorney Gene Jarussi, who contacted Lundy, who recalled Saunders's making the comments about President Obama.

This years HD 48 race has been a battle. Last month, Saunders's attorney wrote Karjala a warning letter accusing her of attempting to damage his reputation by suggesting he believes only rich people should vote. The allegation was based on an online survey response Saunders filled out.

Saunders earlier told The Gazette that Karjala is misinterpreting what he wrote. Likewise, Karjala is accusing Saunders of misrepresenting her record by telling constituents she voted to give herself a pay raise, which she didnt.

Speaking to Jarussi, Lundy, a Virginia farmer, also suggested the attorney contact Erin Eskew, one of only a couple of black students in Patrick Henrys student body of 300 during Saunders time at the school.

Eskew recalled being in dining hall discussion with Saunders during their freshman year in college that ended with a racist remark toward her.

I can remember being in the old dining hall during lunch and the particulars of the conversation surrounding, I dont remember all that led up to the comment, but he made the statement that about 100 years ago, I would have owned you, Eskew told Jarussi, who video recorded the conversation.

Jarussi, his wife, Karen, and Eskew met in San Antonio, where the Jarussis were visiting Karens brother at a managed care facility last month. They had been trying to contact Eskew via Facebook to verify what Lundy had told them.

When they reached Eskew and learned she had a Texas phone number, they called. Eskews husband is in the military. The couple recently relocated to Texas.

Eskew, like many of Patrick Henrys Christian alumni, is Republican. She told The Gazette the choice to come forward wasnt easy, but she reasoned that this years presidential candidates would be different had the people who knew Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump spoken up years earlier. She said she didnt hate Saunders.

I dont personally hold any ongoing malice toward him because honestly I feel like racism stems from either a place of ignorance or malice, and that with either one of those things its a reflection that theres something going on in his life or his heart that I dont envy, Eskew said.

Eskew said Saunders never apologized for the remark and that she avoided him for her next three years of school. With only 300 students, Patrick Henry attendees knew each other, knew each others majors. It was hard not to, Eskew said.

Saunders said he maybe spoke with Eskew once, during freshman orientation, but never again. The conversation Eskew references, never happened, he said.

The fact is, I really dont know either of these two people. I dont know if I spoke to this Stewart Lundy guy. He was like three years ahead of me, Saunders said. I met Erin maybe once.

I dont remember saying that. Thats not something I would have said. One hundred years ago? That would have been 1910. So, I wouldnt have said that. Maybe she misunderstood me. Maybe thats why she happens to hate my guts now, but I wouldnt have said that.
BILLINGS  For the first time, methamphetamine outpaced marijuana as the most common drug found in addition to alcohol in DUI samples sent to the state crime lab last year.

Meth has also been detected more often in other cases that the crime lab's toxicology division handles, according to a summary report from the Montana Department of Justice's Forensic Science Division.

I think thats the real take-home of this summary, is the massive increase in methamphetamine, said Scott Larson, toxicology supervisor at the crime lab.

Alcohol remains the most prevalent substance found in DUI toxicology cases.

In 2015, alcohol was the only detected substance in 2,277 cases. There were 3,380 total DUI cases tested that year.

The lab had 294 DUI cases involving meth, and the concentration of the drug increased 123 percent. Thats up from 2011, when state toxicologists processed 73 DUI samples that were positive for meth.

Marijuana used to be the most common substance after alcohol found in DUI blood tests. In 2015, meth became more common in DUI blood tests, according to the lab.

The toxicology section of the state crime lab in Missoula also does postmortem drug screens for medical examiners and analyzes drug and alcohol tests for cases that involve drug-endangered children. The lab also analyzes urine tests for the Department of Corrections  inmates and those on probation.

The lab tests for a range of different drugs  like marijuana, prescription narcotics, hallucinogens and inhalants. The overall number of positive drug findings has decreased over the years.

DUIs make up the largest caseload, accounting for more than half of the 6,139 cases handled last year. In the majority of DUI tests, alcohol is the only substance present in the blood sample.

But meth has increased in other test areas. They include postmortem drug screens, where the lab had 20 positive cases for meth in 2011. That jumped to 73 in 2015, though the lab handled 801 total cases.

Urinalysis tests conducted on probationers and parolees have turned up more meth as well. No other drug has spiked in the same way.

Chris Evans, deputy chief for the Billings region of Montana Probation and Parole, said that there was certainly an increase in violations for meth use since 2011. He said that when officers spoke to the offenders, they heard it was often an easy drug to get.

"The availability of methamphetamine during that time was a lot greater," he said. "There was just more of it around."

Of the 1,192 urinalysis cases handled by the lab in 2015, more than 550 turned up positive for meth. There were fewer than 200 in 2011.

In DUI, urine and postmortem samples, meth was the only drug other than alcohol that has steadily become more common.

Other institutions, including the court system, have seen the effects of increased meth use. A February report by The Gazette found that the number of felony drug possession charges in Yellowstone County has significantly increased over the years. Most of them involved meth.

Other findings

The report also tallied tests from traffic fatalities. In more than a third of fatal crashes cases in 2015, no drugs or alcohol were found in the victims.

The report didn't distinguish between drivers and passengers in its data on fatal crash victims.

The most common drug present in fatal crashes in 2015 were central nervous system depressants, which cover a range of prescription medications. Larson said they can be drugs that treat anxiety and depression, or they could be sleeping pills.

"This is a big problem in terms of DUI cases," Larson said.

The numbers are still relatively low, however. There were 14 cases in which the depressants, but no alcohol, were found. Fewer than 20 cases involved those types of depressants and alcohol. The lab studied 213 fatal crash cases in 2015.

The presence of marijuana decreased in urinalysis and DUI cases over five years, the report showed.

One bright spot in the report, Larson said, was the decrease in the presence of hydrocodone in cases like DUIs. The prescription narcotic was once the most common in its class.

But another drug, oxycodone, has gradually increased in tests over the years, nearly replacing the hydrocodone.

The overall caseload for the toxicology section of the crime lab has also steadily increased over the years. There were fewer than 4,000 total cases in 2010, but in 2015 it topped 6,000.

A second state crime lab opened in Billings this year, but it won't house a toxicology section. Its purpose is to process physical drug evidence, a caseload that has grown alongside the number of possession cases in court.

Phil Kinsey, crime lab administrative director, said that there are no plans to expand the Eastern Montana lab for toxicology.
MISSOULA  The Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation is donating $3.5 million to a statewide math readiness program based at the University of Montana  on top of $2.4 million it donated in 2014  because students are showing progress, according to the UM Foundation.

The five-year grant goes to the Montana Digital Academy for its EdReady Montana program helping college-bound students avoid remedial math classes.

"The first three studies tracking more than a thousand students who completed the EdReady program clearly show faster and higher math achievement gains than any other tutoring tool," said Roberta Evans, dean of the Phyllis J. Washington College of Education and Human Sciences, in a statement.

"We must remember that each data point represents a real Montana student who has overcome the barrier of previous math struggles to advance successfully and with newfound confidence toward his or her dreams."

EdReady is running in more than 290 Montana schools, including higher education and adult learning centers, according to the UM Foundation. Some 45 percent of middle schools, more than 50 percent of Montana high schools, two-year colleges, universities, tribal colleges and adult education centers use EdReady.

An estimated 52,000 students have enrolled in the program since it started, and data show it's working, said Bob Currie, executive director of the Montana Digital Academy.

"The remediation problem for college students across the country, including here in Montana, is pretty significant," Currie said.

Students lose time and money taking remedial math classes in college because they don't get credit for those courses, he said. Fully funded by the Washington Foundation, the EdReady program is addressing that problem, he said.

Students take an exam that identifies their problem areas in math, and then the students work on those specific challenges. Then, they test again.

"From the initial pilot ... 86 percent of those students raised their placement test score by at least a point on a five-point scale," Currie said.

One result of the bump is that students who used EdReady were able to eliminate the need for remedial classes or shorten their time in those classes, he said.

Also, he said, a comparison of students who took college math courses after EdReady versus those who took college math after a remedial class showed the former outperformed the latter.

"Almost completely across the board, the students that had used EdReady cumulatively had a higher grade point average in all but one of the 10 freshman math classes that were offered," Currie said.

The program is a benefit to students across Montana and a credit to the Washington Foundation, he said.

"We are very proud of the fact that they felt that our work in the first three years was worthy of an additional five years to expand this to more students and people across the state of Montana," Currie said. "And we are the first in the nation to offer this on a statewide basis."

In the next nine to 12 months, EdReady will unroll a program aimed at improving English and writing skills, he said. Down the road in possibly five years, the academy plans to offer JobReady, designed to identify and close gaps in people's job-related math skills so they can "hit the ground running" at work.

In a statement, Washington Foundation executive director Mike Halligan said the expansion of EdReady is "a bridge that connects our entire education system to careers and job creators helping to increase the pool of qualified employees for employers across the state."

Currie said other states are looking to Montana as a model for EdReady, and UM has conducted training in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Denver. In the future, UM might host trainings here for people from other states.

"The EdReady program was primarily designed by the National Repository of Online Courses, with the financial backing of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation," according to the UM Foundation.
DES MOINES  Whether Iowas state government spends the next two years operating under split party control or Republicans take complete control depends largely on the outcomes of roughly a handful of legislative races on this falls ballot.

The majority party sets the agenda in the chambers of the Iowa Legislature. Going into the election, Republicans control the Iowa House and Democrats the Iowa Senate.

That split party control, which has been the case for the past six years, means Republicans and Democrats have been forced to agree with each other on many pieces of legislation, including the state budget, before they can become law.

Democrats hold a slim majority in the Senate. If, during the election, Republicans win enough races to take the Senate majority, the GOP  for at least the next two years  would have control of the Senate, House and governors office. That would give the party unfettered control over the states agenda.

Going into the election, the 50-seat Senate has 25 Democrats, 23 Republicans and one independent senator, a former Republican who changed his party affiliation in protest of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.

There also is one vacant seat in the Senate, created by the death of Sen. Joe Seng, a Democrat from Davenport. A special election for that seat, in a heavily Democratic district, will be held on Dec. 27.

Assuming that seat stays in Democrats hands, Republicans will have to hold their seats and flip three Democratic seats in order to achieve a majority in the Senate.

The following are the Senate races most likely to be competitive and impact which party emerges from the election with control of the chamber. To get a sense of these key races, included in this analysis are a party breakdown of each districts active registered voters, and the result of the 2012 presidential vote in each district, which helps show the tendency of its no-party voters.

Both parties have reason to be encouraged. In each of these competitive districts where the Democrat is the incumbent, there are more active registered Republican voters than Democrats, according to data from the Iowa Secretary of State, as of Oct. 1. However, Democratic president Barack Obama won all of these districts the last time they were on the ballot, according to election results compiled by Daily Kos.

DISTRICT 46

Counties: Muscatine, Scott

Incumbent: Democrat Chris Brase, Muscatine

Challenger: Republican Mark Lofgren, Muscatine

Registered Democrats: 11,841

Registered Republicans: 12,168

Registered no-party: 15,330

2012 presidential result: Obama won by 13 percentage points

Brase in 2012 won his first election to the Senate by 6.5 points, and now must face Lofgren, who served two terms in the Iowa House from 2011 to 2014.

During the three-month campaign fundraising period that just concluded, the two parties spent a combined half-million dollars on this race, and Brase raised an impressive $130,000 for his campaign, much of it coming from labor unions.

DISTRICT 26

Counties: Cerro Gordo, Chickasaw, Floyd, Howard, Mitchell, Winneshiek, Worth

Incumbent: Democrat Mary Jo Wilhelm, Cresco

Challenger: Republican Waylon Brown, St. Ansgar

Registered Democrats: 11,170

Registered Republicans: 11,974

Registered no-party: 16,505

2012 presidential result: Obama won by 13 points

Wilhelm is finishing her second term in the Senate. Highlighting the importance of this race to the election, Wilhelm was targeted with advertising by a conservative issues advocacy group during the 2016 legislative session. The ads pressed Wilhelm to support a proposal to couple state tax laws with changes to federal tax laws, thus creating expected savings for some Iowans, including farmers, who purchased business supplies. Wilhelm voted in favor of the legislation.

Wilhelm won her 2012 election by just 126 votes, or .4 percent. Meantime, Republicans have added more than 800 registered voters in the district since the beginning of the year, while the number of Democrats has remained stagnant and no-party voters have receded.

DISTRICT 32

Counties: Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Fayette

Incumbent: Democrat Brian Schoenjahn, Arlington

Challenger: Republican Craig Johnson, Independence

Registered Democrats: 10,486

Registered Republicans: 11,405

Registered no-party: 17,018

2012 presidential result: Obama won by 9 points

Schoenjahn has served three terms in the Senate and chairs the education budget subcommittee.

The two parties combined to spend more than a half-million dollars on this race in the recent three-month fundraising period. Republicans spent more on this race  roughly $314,000  than any other.

DISTRICT 34

Counties: Linn

Incumbent: Democrat Liz Mathis, Cedar Rapids

Challenger: Republican Rene Gadelha, Marion

Registered Democrats: 12,575

Registered Republicans: 13,162

Registered no-party: 14,725

2012 presidential result: Obama won by 5 points

Republicans spent far more in this district than Democrats during the recent fundraising period  $242,000 compared to just $44,000  a signal the GOP perhaps is more optimistic about its chances for a pickup here than Democrats.

Mathis won her 2012 election by 22 points, is well-known in the district as a former TV news personality, and has been a prominent face in Democrats criticism of the decision by Republican Gov. Terry Branstads administration to shift management of the states $5 billion Medicaid program to three private health-care companies.

DISTRICT 36

Counties: Black Hawk, Marshall, Tama

Incumbent: Democrat Steve Sodders, State Center

Challenger: Republican Jeff Edler, State Center

Registered Democrats: 10,838

Registered Republicans: 11,623

Registered no-party: 14,165

2012 presidential result: Obama won by 8 points

Sodders is finishing his second term in the Senate and chairs the chambers Judiciary Committee.

Republicans say this is one of the statehouse districts, along with Browns, where they think their ground game will swing the election their way.

DISTRICT 8

Counties: Pottawattamie

Incumbent: Democrat Mike Gronstal, Council Bluffs

Challenger: Republican Dan Dawson, Council Bluffs

Registered Democrats: 10,439

Registered Republicans: 10,036

Registered no-party: 11,767

2012 presidential result: Obama won by 10 points

It may seem unlikely that Gronstal, the most powerful Democrat in the Iowa statehouse, could be considered in a battleground election, but the districts makeup allows for competition and Republicans are making a legitimate effort to unseat the point man for stopping their unfettered legislative agenda.

The GOP spent roughly $319,000  more than on any other race in the state  to support Dawsons campaign to defeat Gronstal.

Gronstal won his 2012 election by 10 points.

DISTRICT 28

Counties: Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette, Winneshiek

Incumbent: Republican Michael Breitbach, Strawberry Point

Challengers: Democrat Jan Heikes, Decorah; Libertarian Troy Hageman, Calmar

Registered Democrats: 10,748

Registered Republicans: 13,853

Registered no-party: 13,504

2012 presidential result: Obama won by 9 points

This is the best opportunity for Democrats to swing a Republican seat in their direction. Obama won the district in 2012, and Breitbach won his first election to the Senate by a microscopic 17 votes.

The addition of a third candidate creates a wild-card for the race.
GRAFTON -- A $32 million grant from the North Dakota State Water Commission will help pay for a multimillion-dollar project that leaders say will prevent flooding in Grafton.

The grant for the citys $47 million flood risk reduction project is a major step in moving Grafton out of the 100-year flood plain, Grafton Mayor Chris West said. After meeting with state officials in Bismarck, the city secured the grant along with a 1.5 percent interest loan for $3 million.

It was a great day in Bismarck for us to come back with some money for our town, he said.

The two sources of funds cover the lions share of the project, and the remaining $12 million will be covered by a half-percent sales tax voters approved last year. That doesnt have a sunset clause, but it should last for about 30 years, West estimated.

The project will see dirt moved on a 3.2-mile diversion channel and back levee options, taking water from the Park River around Grafton. The back levee would be about 12 to 13 miles long and feature about 4-foot-high earthen mounds to protect Grafton from overland flooding.

Grafton has been working on a way to prevent flooding for decades, West said, with leaders reviewing multiple projects. The current plan has been in the works for about six years.

Grafton faces some form of flooding almost every year, whether it be from the Park River, overland flooding or runoff.

The move on the current plan should help provide drainage for farmers in the area as well as help residents with insurance, West said.

Itll be a great win for the community that way, he said. Its just a good project overall.

The city is waiting on several federal permits before it can bid out the project, which West hopes will happen this winter. Construction could begin as early as spring.

A final plan should be made available after the city receives final approval through obtaining federal permits.
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WILLISTON  Tshala Kadima and five of her friends were working at a meat processing factory in Illinois when they heard about the money to be made in western North Dakota. In search of higher wages and a fresh start, the group jumped into a car and drove to Williston last week.

Three days after their arrival, the six were well-acquainted with the Command Center downtown, hoping to land temporary employment and, eventually, full-time work.

"We came for a job and they pay much better than what they pay back there," Kadima, 25, said of hourly rates in Illinois.

She and her friends are among those who are still coming to Williston to work, despite reports that there are few jobs left after oil prices plummeted. National media have proclaimed Williston a ghost town and have aired grim suppositions about city leaders' pre-downturn investment decisions, but still, barely a day passes without at least a small handful of newcomers arriving at the Command Center ready to file a resume, the Williston Herald reported.

Kyle Tennessen, the facility's manager, greets about three to six new jobseekers daily.

The people that he's seeing know that there's an oil industry downturn, but are willing to take a risk.

"There's nothing better in their town, and they have the glimmer of hope," Tennessen said.

There are jobs to fuel that hope, although the bulk of current work is not in the oil field.

Now, only about 10 percent of the jobs that come into the Command Center are with oil and gas companies.

Most of the demand is in construction, but there is administrative work as well, along with labor opportunities in warehouses, housekeeping and on farms.

In Watford City, which some real estate experts said is on pace to surpass Williston's population in coming years, the story is much the same.

Oil and gas work has dropped sharply, but other industries are picking up and people are still coming.

"I rarely ever have any oilfield jobs now. Most of it is construction jobs, and we have some in hotels and moving," Jesse Maynard of the Watford City Command Center said. "I am seeing new people, some say they came up a month ago, others say they got here two weeks ago."

The steady flow of new people seems to be a constant in northwest North Dakota, staffing agencies said.

"It's people from all over, coming in and trying to land on their feet," Becci Warren of the Dickinson Command Center said.

North Dakota Job Services estimates there are about 1,000 jobs in the Williston area.

As the downturn continues, people who live outside Williston often file resumes online with the center and wait for calls from employers, but others, like Kossi Adayi, still prefer to make the trip first.

Adayi, 33, came to Williston last month from Chicago. He'd had jobs working in factories, but grew tired of the lack of career opportunities there.

"My cousin told me about this place to come and get a job," he said.

Adayi hopes to open his own taxi business, but so far, hasn't had much luck getting in touch with local cab companies.

"If somebody can just give me 10 minutes and tell me how they got started," he said on a rainy morning in late September.

He'd worked just one four-hour shift in a field during his first two weeks here, but is determined to persist.

"You've gotta try," Adayi said. "I just hope I get something soon."

Many newcomers wind up seeking help before finding stability. Lynea Geinert runs Community Connections, a Williston nonprofit that often serves as a resource for people who are new to town. Although demand for assistance has dropped from the peaks of about two years ago, Geinert still sees about 20 people a week, many of whom are from out of state or other countries.

"There are people arriving here all the time, they think they can just come in and get a job and have housing," she said. "We know that it's not like that, it takes time to find a job and start a job."

On a recent Monday, four out of her five clients that day had arrived over the weekend in Williston.

"They're desperate people, and they want to help their families," Geinert said. "It's still out there that we've got jobs."

Still, few seem to expect the same frenetic hiring climate that existed several years ago. Most recent arrivals have high school diplomas, and job seekers with college degrees aren't uncommon.

In late 2013, when Williston's Command Center was processing up to 50 new applications and deploying 250 people a day, most of those workers either had very few skills, or years of experience.

Now, the spectrum seems to have shrunk.

"It's more middle ground," Tennessen said. "There are a lot of families (coming) as opposed to single workers, and a lot less rotation work, with more demand on more skilled individuals."

Bill Schwartz drove to Williston last week after he was laid off from a job hauling crude oil in Colorado.

His luck in the energy field mirrored the price of oil  for 10 years he owned and operated a trucking business before the work ran out this summer.

Schwartz, 64, follows openings on websites such as Craigslist, and said in 2014 there were three times as many jobs across North Dakota. The number dipped to a low this spring, but now is starting to climb.

"It seems that when things slow down they lay off, then hire more experienced drivers for less pay," he said.

Despite that, Schwartz is optimistic. He's been to Williston before during slow periods out west, and knows there's work to be had hauling sugar beets and potatoes in the fall.

"I just got here a few days ago and I've been put to work several times," he said. "Day to day it's a lot better than the rest of the country."

For now, Schwartz is content as a transient worker. He lives in his truck, and doesn't mind working temporary jobs.

Others, though, came to Williston with the intention of finding a new home.

Adayi hopes to bring his family here after he is settled, and Kadima and her friends have relatives in Africa who they want to bring to the United States.

"Some of us have already thought it out, and we are going to stay," Kadima said.
Many of South Africas top companies and CEOs have committed to Do the right thing; Stand by what is right; and Reject what is wrong as part of the CEO Initiative Pledge.

Since the National Prosecuting Authority announced its charges against the Minister of Finance in the public arena we consider it our right and duty to respond in public, the group said in advertisements in the Sunday Papers.

We stand as one for the rule of law and against the decision to prosecute the Minister of Finance on charges that are according to the preponderance of expert legal opinion without factual or legal foundation and not in the public interest.

We stand against the damage this has caused to our economy and to the people of South Africa ESPECIALLY the poor.

The CEOs and business leaders which support the initiative include Telkom CEO Sipho Maseko, Blue Label Telecoms CEO Brett Levy, and Dimension Data executive Grant Bodley.

Other noteworthy leaders include Barclays Africa CEO Maria Ramos, Discovery CEO Adrian Gore, Naspers CEO Bob van Dijk, and Investec CEO Stephen Koseff.

The initiative calls on South Africans to join the fight on social media, using the hashtag #CEOPledgeSA.

What the CEO Initiative Pledge stands for

Our Constitution and Bill of Rights which guarantee the independence of our courts and the impartiality of our prosecuting authority and which create the institutions strengthening constitutional democracy in our country such as the Office of the Public Protector

Good Governance by which we mean transparent rational and evidence-based policymaking in the national interest; diligent and honest delivery of public goods and services; and a private sector that holds itself  and is held  to the highest standards of corporate citizenship corporate governance and ethics

A vibrant democracy including the rights to freedom of expression and to protest peacefully under the equal protection of the law

Fast and inclusive economic growth and job creation enabled by a stable and predictable regulatory framework for business

Social justice and transformation so that South Africa truly becomes a country that belongs to all who live in it

Procedural and substantive justice for all

Inclusive growth and a prosperous South Africa for all.

What the CEO Initiative Pledge stands against

Injustice including failures to investigate and prosecute prima facie wrongdoing and any selective malicious or politically motivated prosecutions that cannot satisfy the public interest test

Corruption graft and waste in both private and public sectors

Threats of violence and violent protest

The damage to growth job creation and transformation caused by policy uncertainty and by self-seeking behaviour in both the private and public sectors

Persistent unfairness and inequity in the economy

CEO Initiative Pledge Signatories
Private universities will save South Africa millions each year, according to Piet Mouton, CEO of PSG  which holds a 58% stake in private school operator Curro.

According to a report by the Sunday Times, Curro plans to expand its higher-education drive, following turmoil at South Africas public universities in recent months over fees protests.

PSG, through Curro, plans to invest in more private higher education institutions, stated the report.

Curro already plays in the higher education field, with a teacher training college in KwaZulu-Natal, Embury, for 3,000 students.

In 2017, two new Curro higher education institutions will open  one for 1,600 students in Midrand and one for 1,000 students in Pretoria.

An institution in the Western Cape for over 3,000 students will open in the next 2-3 years, stated the report.

Curro is busy designing courses and degrees and getting them accredited, a process that will take two years.

Grow private universities

Curro CEO Chris van der Merwe said they aim to grow private higher education in the country, as there are 50,000 eligible students who cannot find places in public universities.

Van der Merwe said degrees at Curro institutions would be accredited as public university degrees are, and would cost around R40,000.

Curro universities will not receive government subsidies, he said.

He added that if private universities are not allowed, children of wealthy parents would leave South Africa.

Curros private higher education institutions will not be as recognised as UCT or Stellenbosch initially, but work will be done to ensure their degrees fit the needs of corporate South Africa.

Van der Merwe added that 30,000 of the 42,000 pupils at Curros private schools are black  and their universities will not be predominantly white institutions.

Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande has stated that the government is against private universities in SA, as he said they will increase the cost of higher education, lead to academics being poached, and result in wealthy students leaving public universities.

The full report is in the Sunday Times of 23 October 2016.
MANILA, Philippines  The bodies terrified Betchie Salvador, because she always knew her husband could be next.

They had begun turning up in cities all over the Philippines ever since President Rodrigo Duterte launched a controversial war on drugs this year  so many that one local newspaper had to create a Kill List just to keep track.

Dealers and addicts were being shot by police or slain by unidentified gunmen in mysterious, gangland-style murders. Their bodies ended up dumped on highways in the rain, curled in pools of blood in the slums. Some were found tied up, with masking tape plastered across their faces. Some were draped with cardboard signs that warned, Im a pusher. Dont Be Like Me.

With each new death, Betchie imagined losing the man she had loved for a decade  a proud father of three who was also an addict.

We talked about it a lot, she said. I told him, Please dont go out at night.

Dont worry, Marcelo always told her. Its gonna be OK.

___

MARCH 15: When I become president, Ill order the police and the military to find these people and kill them. The funeral parlors will be packed.

 Duterte at a rally in the northern city of Lingayen, detailing plans to fight the drug trade.

THE LURE OF SHABU

Marcelos addiction began when he was working as a driver in the eastern province of Bicol. And all it took was one hit.

A colleague introduced him to a potent methamphetamine known in the Philippines as shabu, saying it helped him stay awake at night. The drug was ubiquitous and easy to get. It could also be smoked, snorted, or injected for as little as one dollar.

When the couple moved to Manila last year, hoping for better work prospects, they settled in a busy central district called Las Pinas. Marcelo found a new job driving a tricycle  a rickshaw with a motorcycle attached that is used as a taxi. He earned about $10 per day ferrying customers around the city, just enough to support their two boys, ages 6 and 7, and a newborn baby girl.

He also found a new group of friends who were into shabu, and his year-old drug habit did not let up.

Shortly after Marcelo arrived, a police officer caught him with methamphetamines. But there would be no jail time or court case to face, no drug rehabilitation program to go through.

Marcelo bribed the officer to destroy his case file and let him go.

___

MAY 7: All of you who are into drugs, you sons of bitches, I will really kill you. I have no patience, I have no middle ground.

 Duterte on the final day of campaigning for presidential elections.

THE PUNISHER

Duterte called it a life-or-death threat to the nation, and the nation believed him.

The Philippines was at risk of becoming a narco state, he said. And a weary electorate, exasperated by decades of crime and corruption, agreed.

Something had to be done.

It didnt matter that statistics from the governments Dangerous Drugs Board showed the estimated rate of methamphetamine use had dropped from 6.7 million in 2004 to 1.7 million today. It didnt matter that this rate  an estimated 2 percent of Filipinos  was no higher than that of other countries like the United States or Australia in recent years, according to United Nations figures. It didnt matter that drug wars mounted in countries like Thailand or Colombia or America had miserably failed.

What mattered was that drugs were still a problem, and this was a cause the nation could rally around.

With prisons already crowded and a justice system so broken that drug cases could take a decade, Duterte argued successfully for another, quicker way. It was modeled in part on a brutal anti-crime campaign he spearheaded while mayor of the southern city of Davao, where he rode a Harley-Davidson and cultivated a New Sheriff in Town image that earned him nicknames like Duterte Harry and The Punisher.

The campaign was fought not just by state security forces, but by motorcycle-riding assassins known as the Davao Death Squads who massacred more than 1,000 people. Human Rights Watch says the grim wave of extrajudicial killing was directed by active duty police and former officers. Only a handful of perpetrators were convicted.

After Duterte was sworn into office June 30, he directed police to launch a massive new anti-drug operation nationwide.

It was called Double Barrel.

___

JUNE 30: They say that my methods are unorthodox and verge on the illegal ... The fight will be relentless and it will be sustained.

 Duterte speaking about the impending drug war during his inauguration speech.

PLEASE DONT GO OUT AT NIGHT

In Marcelos neighborhood, the mood shifted quickly.

While security forces carried out raids and rounded up drug suspects, police drew up watch-lists of suspected addicts and dealers, aided by local officials, civil society leaders and vigilant residents.

Drug suspects were called out. Just a couple hundred meters (yards) from Marcelos home, residents demanded authorities evict a couple they accused of selling drugs. On July 12, the pair was found murdered in their rickshaw, where they had apparently tried to spend the night after being chased from their house, according to Filipino media.

On July 18, another body turned up in Las Pinas, this time of a man with his neck slashed, found beside a placard labeling him an addict and a thief.

By then, Marcelos mother, Betty Soriano, had decided to start accompanying her son on his nightly tricycle shifts. The family believed he would be safer, and her presence would discourage him from spending time with the drug users he always ran across.

Marcelo then made his wife an extraordinary promise: He was quitting shabu. It had become too dangerous.

Betchie felt he had to do more, and convinced him to work day shifts. But the competition was too tough, the money too little, and Marcelo reverted to working nights. He told Betchie she didnt have to worry because Im not using drugs anymore.

At one point, a government official approached Marcelo at his tricycle stand, and told him he needed to turn himself in, a process called surrendering that has drawn about 700,000 drug users so far. Most have been released after acknowledging their crimes, giving up the names of others involved in the narcotics trade, and pledging never to use again.

Marcelo waved the man off, saying it wasnt necessary. He had already quit.

___

AUG. 6: My order is shoot to kill you. I dont care about human rights, you better believe me.

 Duterte warning drug dealers during a press conference in Davao City after visiting a police officer who had been shot in the chest.

AN UNPRECENTED SURGE OF KILLINGS

The police statistics show an astounding rise in the number of drug suspects shot dead by security forces: just 68 in the first half of the year, compared to 1,578 since Duterte took office.

Vigilantes, though, appear to have killed significantly more: as many as 2,151 murders police have either linked to the drug trade or classified as unexplained. At least 864 of them were carried out by motorcycle-riding gunmen  a favored tactic employed by vigilantes against drug suspects.

Jose Luis Martin Chito Gascon, director of the independent Commission on Human Rights, described them as extrajudicial killings, and said the phenomenon has plagued the country at least since late dictator Ferdinand Marcos was ousted in a people power revolt in 1986.

The latest upsurge is unprecedented, he said, because of the scale, the large number ... over a fairly short period of time.

There is no shortage of theories about who the vigilantes are: drug syndicates killing their own, rogue police offing informants, state-sponsored death squads like the ones in Davao.

Regardless, human rights groups say Duterte bears much of the blame. In nationally televised speeches and press conferences he has repeatedly encouraged both the police and the public to eliminate drug suspects, dismissing the need for due process. The rhetoric is ironic in a country that banned the death penalty a decade ago, and it has left many aghast.

What I dont understand is, how can  it boggles my mind  how can you actually propose that to address the problem of injustice, you perpetuate more injustice? Gascon said.

One reason may be that many Filipinos feel there is no other way to fight drugs beyond brute force. Another may be that Dutertes campaign has had an immediate effect. Police say crime has fallen in some areas by nearly half, and neighborhoods once overrun with drug dealers are safer than theyve been in years.

___

AUG. 26:

Id like to be frank with you, are they (drug users) humans? What is your definition of a human being? Tell me.

 Duterte addressing soldiers at an army camp on Aug. 26.

GUNSHOTS IN THE DARK

On the night of Sept. 5, Marcelo parked his rickshaw at a small roadside kiosk, where he had stopped to buy essentials for the morning  coffee for his family, chocolate drinking powder for his kids.

When Malvin Balingatan, who worked at the shop, leaned forward to hand him change, shots rang out, according to a copy of the police report obtained by The Associated Press.

It was 10:05 p.m.

As Balingatan ducked out of the way, he caught a glimpse of the killers receding into the darkness: two men in black on a motorcycle, helmets covering their faces.

Marcelo managed to run 10 or 15 meters (yards) to the corner, where more shots were fired before he collapsed on the pavement.

His mother, who had dutifully accompanied him that night and was cowering in the back of the tricycle, screamed out.

My son! My son!

At their family home, a five-minute walk away, Soriano broke the news to Betchie. Marcelos children appeared, woken by the chaos and the crying.

Wheres Daddy? one of them asked. Wheres Daddy?

Hes gone, Betchie replied, tears streaming down her cheeks.

By the time Betchie got to the scene, Marcelo  her Marcelo  was sprawled face-down in a pool of blood, his body lit by a halo of light from a bank of television cameras.

A crowd had gathered, held back just behind a strip of yellow police tape that blocked the road. They stared silently at Marcelos closed eyes, the blood stain on the back of his yellow shirt, the 13 numbered signs investigators had placed in the road beside each spent bullet.

Just beside Marcelos limp fingertips was a small translucent packet of white methamphetamines.

___

SEPT. 5: Everybody has a terrible record of extrajudicial killings. Why make an issue about fighting crime?

 Duterte at a press briefing in Davao City.

WE DONT WANT ANY TROUBLE

Three days after the shooting, Betchies boys are home playing video games on a cellphone beside the open casket that holds Marcelo.

Betchie is thinking about their life together. She is trying not to cry.

I keep wondering what will happen to me, to my children, she says, explaining that her 39-year-old husband was their familys sole breadwinner. All we can do now is pray.

Her mother-in-law insists the drugs found at Marcelos fingertips werent his  and werent there when he died. She doesnt know who put them there, or why.

Everything he had been holding  the coffee, the chocolate powder  had scattered across the ground when the first shots rang out. If he was running for his life, how could he have held on to shabu, she asks, but dropped the rest?

She wont bring it up with the police, though, because we dont want any trouble, she says. Whats the point? What for?

There is a certain shame that hangs over the families of slain drug users here, and most dont know where to turn for help. Few trust the countrys notoriously corrupt police. Pointing fingers at killers who are still at large would also carry great risk.

Betchie says she still hopes they find who did this. But her voice is tinged with resignation. She is looking down, eyes half closed.

The vast majority of vigilante murders in the Philippines remain unsolved, and police say this case is no different. They have no leads.

Outside on the street, Marcelos rickshaw is parked on the curb, empty and quiet. A pair of red and blue wrist bands are wrapped around its headlight and speedometer, propaganda from the election campaign.

Each is inscribed with seven white letters: D U T E R T E.
BAGHDAD (AP)  The Iraqi army pushed into a town near the Islamic State-held city of Mosul on Saturday, a day after dozens of IS militants stormed into the northern city of Kirkuk, setting off two days of clashes and killing at least 80 people, mostly security forces.

Here is a look at key developments on the sixth day of the Mosul offensive.

ARMY ADVANCES





The Iraqi army said the 9th Division has pushed into the town of Hamdaniyah, also known as Qaraqosh and Bakhdida, and raised the flag over its government compound, but the troops were likely still facing resistance in and around the town, which is some 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Mosul.

Hamdaniyah is believed to be largely uninhabited. IS has heavily mined the approaches to Mosul, and Iraqi forces have had to contend with roadside bombs, snipers and suicide truck bombs as they move closer to the city.

An Iraqi television journalist was shot and killed by a sniper south of Mosul, a day after another Iraqi TV reporter was shot dead while covering the clashes in Kirkuk.

KIRKUK ASSAULT CONTINUES





Some fighting continued in Kirkuk a day after the IS assault on the city, some 170 kilometers (100 miles) southeast of Mosul. The wave of attacks in and around Kirkuk appeared to be an attempt to divert attention from Mosul.

The Kirkuk police said at least 80 people were killed in the assault, mainly Kurdish security forces. Another 170 were wounded, and a sundown curfew has been imposed on the city. The police said they recovered the bodies of 56 militants who took part in the attack.

AIRSTRIKE ON FUNERAL PROCESSION

As the assault on Kirkuk was underway, an airstrike hit a funeral procession in the town of Daquq to the south, killing 17 people, mainly women and children, and wounding another 50, said Daquq Mayor Amir Khodakram. He said it was not clear who carried out the airstrike and that officials have launched an investigation.

The Russian Defense Ministry blamed the strike on the U.S.-led coalition, saying it had all the signs of a war crime. The U.S. military in Baghdad did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Wandering around the Napa County Library on Saturday was like hitting the Im feeling lucky button on Google  you didnt know exactly what you were going to get, but you were going to learn something new.

It was the librarys 2nd annual How-To Festival and it featured workshops in everything from jewelry making to foraging for food, writing a resume and how to make no-bake dog treats.

The workshops, which lasted about an hour each, took place in four different areas of the library and were organized so that there would be something for everybody during each session. Although knowledge hungry adults attended the classes on navigating the mortgage process and being an informed voter, it was the family-friendly and craft workshops that really stole the show.

Between 11 a.m. and noon, for example, the childrens area was full of kids and families making 3D paper fish, some sticking dozens of eyes on their pseudo-swimmers.

It was fun, said Bella Timm, 12. Bella and her friend Alannie Villanueva, 12, stayed for several of the most popular classes, including how to make earrings and how to make buttons.

I liked the buttons a lot, Alannie said. Jewelry making was fun, too, she said, but it was more difficult.

The earrings class, taught by library associate and longtime jewelry maker Elizabeth Sabee, was more hardcore than it sounds, requiring crafters to use wire cutters and two different kinds of pliers. Sabee taught the newcomers a simple technique used to make basic beaded dangle earrings.

After giving a demonstration on how to make an earrings, Sabee had the students pick out an assortment of colorful beads and charms, some resembling snowflakes, others skulls.

You can really create your own art, she said. I encourage you to be creative.

By 1 p.m., each person had their own unique pair of earrings to wear home with them.

We loved it, said Rosa Calderon who was participating in the workshop with her 7-year-old daughter, Alondra. It was our first time making earrings.

Can we see whats next? Alondra asked her mom.

The next crafting workshop was button-making during which students could pick out their own picture or design from books and create a button out of it. Other artsy workshops covered drawing, yarn weaving, and cartooning as well as other jewelry and paper crafts.

The hands-on crafts and family friendly stuff is most popular, said Teen Librarian Melinda Mathis, who coordinated the event this year. The library provides fun and free family-friendly programs because thats what families are looking for, Mathis said. We want to provide different opportunities for all ages, but craft projects allow for creativity with the added bonus of improved dexterity, she said.

We are more than books, Mathis said of the Napa County Library. We are about information and skill-building. We want to help people figure out tough things like getting money for college or housing.

The How-To Festival will be back again next year, Mathis said, with the hope of expanding it to the American Canyon, Yountville and Calistoga branches.
The welcome mat is definitely not out at one Browns Valley vacation rental.

On Friday morning, Napa County Superior Court Judge Diane Price ordered homeowner Stephanie Duhau and resident Goya (Sean) Sheen to stop operating an unpermitted short-term vacation home at 3366 Linda Mesa Way.

Find a legal place if you want to host overnight guests, Judge Price said.

Since at least April, Sheen has advertised the home for rent on sites like VRBO and Airbnb for as much as $2,550 a night. The home does not have a city vacation rental permit.

Neighbors have complained for months about a steady flow of overnight visitors, noise and traffic at the single family home. The city continues to issue citations with fines of $1,090.50 per day for un-permitted lodging and food service activities. The fines now top $40,000.

I dont understand what is going on, said Sheen, who appeared in court Friday morning without an attorney. Sheen said that he has suffered from two strokes, is taking numerous medications and has other medical problems.

He said the situation was a misunderstanding and that the city of Napa is singling me out when hundreds are doing what I may be doing. In addition, the police department is harassing my guests.

Sheen said the home is now being rented for free and he plans to give any donations from his visitors to a non-profit to benefit the homeless.

I just want to live my life and provide fine dining and lodging, he said.

This court does not agree with your interpretation, said Price. She told Sheen to stop advertising and hospitality operations in exchange for money or any other value, including so-called donations.

If Sheen continues any hospitality operation, he could face jail time, she warned him.

Then Ill probably go to jail, Sheen said.

After listening to Sheen, Napa city attorney David Jones noted that Mr. Sheen has admitted hes hosting and providing food service. Even advertising such an offer is a violation, noted the attorney.

Duhaus attorney, speaking via phone during the court session, said his client would comply.

In court documents, Duhau said she is not in possession of the property. It is controlled by Sheen, she asserted. Over her objections, Sheen continues to operate a hospitality business on the property, she said.

Neighbors say the home has been the scene of loud parties, illegal cooking, speeding cars and too many short-term guests.

In an affidavit, neighbor Bruce Chinberg said that due to the vacation rental, conditions on the street have become intolerable.

The disruption is ruining our neighborhood, he said.

Guests at the property speed dangerously on our quiet street, neighbor Elizabeth Silva said in an affidavit.

The police have been called to the property more than a dozen times for disturbing the peace, parties and animal control issues. Rabbits and chickens from the home were let loose in the neighborhood.

According to the neighbors, the overnight guests have become belligerent to neighbors who questioned their use of the rental.

We feel like we have a party/frat house next door, wrote one neighbor, whose name on an earlier complaint was redacted by the city. Stop this out of control activity, the writer implored the city.

One neighbor cited increased traffic, parked cars and excessive noise.

This is a quiet, residential street, wrote one neighbor. Please put a stop to this madness.

Advertised on Airbnb as a million dollar home in one of the best neighborhoods, the house offers 15 beds, a studio, five super large and fancy tents/gazebos outside with real queens and king beds, including a TV/fridge/heat/ceiling fan in each one. A pool, spa and outdoor showers and outdoor sauna/massage table were also advertised.

A guest who stayed at the home in September left a comment about the house on Airbnb.

This house seriously has everything you need  The whole backyard area gave a farm to fork living style. A bunny and chickens will keep you company while you enjoy your wine and relax. Definitely worth every penny!

Sean was a fantastic host, and the home was large, spacious, and great for group activities, wrote another guest, who stayed at the home in August.

As of Friday, the home was still listed on Airbnb.

Free no charge Expansive Chef Home near Downtown! read the listing.

All suggested donations for any of our services including lodging is 100% for the support of the non-profitable organization of the MOGTLN association.

A nonprofit by the name MOGTLN association was not found on the IRS list of organizations that are eligible to receive tax deductible charitable contributions.

In court on Friday, Sheen said he was still in the process of setting up his nonprofit.

In a letter circulated around the neighborhood in past weeks, Sheen wrote that my guests could care less that they are staying in a home that has been cited as an illegal short term rental.

The town code need(s) to be adjusted and rectified! he wrote.

Sheen described himself as a renowned chef that speaks four languages and can also recite poetry while playing musical instruments.

There is no wrongdoing of any sorts going on at the property, he wrote.

Sheen has filed numerous appeals of the citations. As required by the city, each appeal was accompanied by a deposit for the total amount of fines due. As of September, 23 checks had been sent to the city, totaling $24,005.54. A hearing about those appeals is scheduled for mid-November.

According to Jaina French, Napa city public information officer, if Duhau or Sheen ignore the courts order, the matter would be referred to the DAs office as a criminal offense.

The city will pursue recovery for all fines, attorney fees and costs associated with this case, said French.

Its very important to the city that were protecting this community and making sure our neighborhoods continue to be safe for our residents, said French.
Three local cities are passing some of their unused state water allocations to a district serving the bustling South Bay.

Napa on Tuesday approved the exchange of 7,000 acre-feet of water to the Santa Clara Valley Water District, earning the city $1.4 million for its own water system. Meanwhile, American Canyon authorized a 759-acre-foot transfer to the district, which covers Santa Clara County, for $150,000, while a third deal by Calistoga will produce $100,000 for 500 acre-feet.

All of the agreements involve carry-over water supplies, unused yearly allotments cities receive from the State Water Project channeling Sierra Nevada snowmelt to reservoirs and communities across California. The state allows cities to carry over only a certain amount of their allocations from one year to the next, leading some water agencies to offer their surplus to other cities that have maxed out their allowances and must get more water rights from beyond their borders.

The deal with the Santa Clara Valley district is a partial exchange rather than a full sale because Napa, American Canyon and Calistoga will receive half of the water shares back within 10 years, according to city officials.

State law allows local water agencies to carry over no more than 35 percent of their maximum allotments from the State Water Project, according to Phillip Miller, engineer with the Napa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District. The district contracts with the state for Sierra Nevada water and passes it on to local cities.

Napa will use the money from its use-it-or-lose-it exchange to bolster a reserve account to make up some of its revenue losses from reduced water sales, according to Michael Hether, senior engineer in the city Water Division. Revenues have dropped along with consumption during the five-year California drought, which led to mandatory statewide usage cuts and monthly water-consumption monitoring from 2014 until earlier this year.

After selling most of its carry-over water, Napa will keep 4,300 acre-feet of its state share, which Hether said is enough to bolster the local supply even if California provides the city 30 percent or less of its annual allotment over the next three years.

The State Water Project is giving Napa and other towns north of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta 75 percent of their full shares for 2016, an amount buttressed by near-normal rain totals well above the historically low figures of a year earlier.

In Napa, ample reserves at two local reservoirs have reduced the citys reliance on the State Water Project, which entitles it to 11,300 acre-feet this year. (An acre-foot, the amount of water that can cover an acre to a one-foot depth, equals about 325,851 gallons.) Lake Hennessey, the larger of the citys reservoirs, was at 83 percent of capacity Oct. 1 compared to its 10-year average of 75 percent on that date, according to Hether.

Jason Holley, public works director for American Canyon, emphasized the swaps involve only water that is unlikely to be available to cities, and that such deals are not a sign that shortages are in the past.

The message isnt that the drought is over, he said Wednesday. The next winter could be very dry and we could be swinging back to 5 or 10 percent (state) allocations again.
Mark Essig was settling into his puddle-jumper flight from Charlotte to Asheville, N.C., on Monday when he noticed an unusual passenger boarding the plane.

It was a duck. Making his way down the aisle.

Wearing red shoes. And a Captain America diaper.

The duck's human introduced him to their fellow, now-amused passengers: This was Daniel Turducken Stinkerbutt, or Daniel for short. He is a 4 1/2-year-old Indian Runner duck and is her emotional support animal, she explained.

"I heard a few maybe semi-critical mutterings, like, 'Now I've seen everything,' " Essig told The Washington Post. "But most everybody was delighted to have a duck on a plane. As they should be."

Like many other passengers, Essig snapped a few photos while Daniel and his human were boarding. After takeoff, Essig tried to concentrate on light reading during the flight, but he kept inadvertently glancing toward the duck, just a row ahead and to the right of him.

When he saw the duck staring out the window, he couldn't resist taking one more picture.

After the flight, Essig posted his photos on Twitter.

"My seatmate, [from] CLT [to] AVL, is this handsome duck named Daniel," Essig tweeted first. "His gentle quacking eases the sadness of leaving #SFA16," the Southern Foodways Alliance conference in Mississippi.

"I was expecting that this might amuse a couple of my friends," he said. What he didn't anticipate was that the photos would go viral.

It turned out that a duck wearing shoes and a diaper on a plane was too much for the Internet to handle.

Essig posted two more photos and a video: one of Daniel in his full red-shoed, diapered glory, and another of the duck wagging his tail while his owner explains that it means that Daniel is happy. Both tweets were shared thousands of times.

The most popular one, however, was a picture of Daniel as the duck seemed to stare forlornly out the airplane window: "Daniel, the duck on my flight, likes to look at the clouds," Essig stated simply. That photo had more than 5,000 retweets and more than 11,000 likes.

"A duck head is a very recognizable shape, and the shape of an airline window is a very recognizable shape, too," Essig said. "So you've got two very recognizable shapes that don't normally go together . . . it caught people's eye."

The encounter amused Essig but also piqued his curiosity about ducks as support animals -- he happens to be the author of "Lesser Beasts," a book about humans' complicated relationship with pigs. After the flight, he looked up Daniel's breed and discovered that Indian Runner ducks do not fly.

"My guess was that he was gazing out the window, looking at the clouds, and the sight triggered a deep ancestral memory of what it was like to fly himself," Essig said, laughing. "I'm almost certain that's [what] he was thinking."

Within two days of Essig's tweets, Daniel had become an Internet sensation, getting featured on BuzzFeed, ABC News and Cosmopolitan, among many other sites.

The attention surprised Daniel's owner, Carla Fitzgerald of Wisconsin, "because to me, having an emotional support duck is normal - it's my new normal."

Fitzgerald adopted Daniel in 2012, when he was two days old, she told The Post in a phone interview Wednesday. Less than a year later, Fitzgerald, a former horse-and-carriage driver in Milwaukee, was involved in a serious accident.

"Someone who was paying more attention to the phone than the road hit me from behind, with enough force to bust up the carriage," she said. Her horse was badly injured, and the crash sent Fitzgerald hurtling toward a metal-grated drawbridge. For months, she was immobile.

"It took them four months to teach me how to walk again," Fitzgerald said. Along with the physical pain, she suffered post-traumatic stress disorder, something she describes as "hell."

After the accident, Daniel knew things were different - and responded without ever having been trained.

"He would notice something wrong, whether it be my pain or my PTSD," Fitzgerald said. "He would come and lay on me and [give me] lots of hugging and lots of kisses. And if he notices that I'm going to have a panic attack, he would give me a cue to lay down by trying to climb me."

At home, Fitzgerald says Daniel communicates with her in other ways: If he needs a new diaper, he walks to his changing table. If he wants food, he walks to the refrigerator or to his feed bowl. Outside of bedtime, he always wears shoes and a diaper, she said, because he is so used to carpet and linoleum.

He apparently enjoys movies, but only "super G-rated" ones. (Daniel responded well to "The Peanuts Movie" but got upset during a chase scene in "The Good Dinosaur," Fitzgerald said.)

"He doesn't identify with other ducks because he's imprinted on humans," Fitzgerald said. "As far as he's concerned, he thinks he's people with feathers."

Her living room is full of toddler toys that Daniel enjoys, particularly anything that has a button to push or makes a sound, such as keyboards and music boxes.

"And God forbid one of the batteries runs out," Fitzgerald said. "He stomps his feet, he raises his hackles, he huffs and he gives you stink-eye. And if you don't change those batteries right now, he gets snippy. He can also tell you when he needs a new diaper."

Since the accident, Daniel has accompanied Fitzgerald everywhere, mostly car rides. Monday had been Daniel's first time flying on a plane (or flying, period). She provided a note to the airline from her doctor, who has said it is in Fitzgerald's best interest to have Daniel around for support, but otherwise had a smooth trip. The crew on their first leg, before their connecting flight to Asheville, even insisted on posing for pictures with Daniel and presenting him with a "Certificate of First Flight."

The Transportation Department is debating new rules regarding accommodations for disabled people on airplanes, including reviewing rules for emotional-support animals, USA Today reported. The department began allowing emotional-support animals on planes, but the practice of bringing them on board has offended some passengers.

"Here's the thing. Who are we to say what is and what isn't an emotional support animal or what can and cannot be a pet?" Fitzgerald said. "Or what they can do for people who have PTSD like I do? Having it is hell."

For the time being, Fitzgerald does not have any other immediate travel plans but said that Daniel will no doubt accompany her on her next trip. She said she thinks that people responded positively to Daniel because he's unique - but also because he keeps to himself.

"He is obedient and he wears a diaper harness, " she said. " I make sure before he goes in public that he has a shower, so there's no smell to him. W hen he's in public, he behaves. He's not flapping and running around and chasing people."

However, Fitzgerald might be a little more prepared next time since, as her friends put it, "Daniel broke the Internet" after his first plane ride.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  The clamor for change fueling Republican Donald Trumps presidential campaign may help a little-known Democrat upset a powerful GOP senator in red-state Missouri on Election Day. And with just a handful of competitive races around the country, the outcome in Missouri could help determine control of the Senate.

The contest between Missouris secretary of state, Democrat Jason Kander, and Sen. Roy Blunt did not start out high on either partys list of competitive Senate races in a state Trump is likely to win. But Kander, a 35-year-old veteran, has proved to be a smart and aggressive campaigner, challenging Blunts attempts to brand him a liberal by running an ad in which he assembles an AR-15 rifle blindfolded and describes his combat service.

Kander also has sought, unapologetically, to exploit the outsider mood thats propelled Trump to the fore, criticizing the 66-year-old Blunt as a Washington insider who is part of a failed system.

Really Donald Trumps entire message is that people like Sen. Blunt are the problem, Kander said before a recent rally in Kansas City where Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren appeared on his behalf.

Washingtons broken and were not going to change Washington until we change the people we send there, Kander added, and here in Missouri folks recognize that and theyre looking for a new generation of leadership.

Missouri is one of three GOP-friendly states, along with North Carolina and Indiana, that have emerged as top battlegrounds as Democrats fight to gain a Senate majority. Democrats need to pick up five seats to accomplish that, or four if they hang onto control of the White House, because the vice president casts tie-breaking votes in the Senate.

Trumps slide in the polls has sparked growing fears among Republicans that he could cost them majorities in the Senate and even the House. Yet operatives on both sides say the top Senate races remain very close, and thus far, at least, GOP candidates have not cratered in the polls as a result of Trumps problems.

Blunt counters Kanders attacks by tying the Democrat to Hillary Clinton, who is highly unpopular in the state, and painting him as too liberal. Blunts ads describe the Clinton-Kander agenda and they hit Kander for supporting President Barack Obamas health care law and policies on immigration and taxes.

An ad released Saturday in support of Blunts campaign goes even further, portraying Clinton and Kander as identical on issues such as liberal Supreme Court justices. The ad by the Senate Leadership Fund acknowledges Clinton is likely to be elected, and argues: One Hillary in Washington would be bad enough. Reject Jason Kander.

An ad on the air for GOP Sen. Kelly Ayotte in New Hampshire contains a similar message. The strategy of arguing in favor of GOP congressional candidates as a check against a President Clinton may become widespread if Trumps loss looks inevitable.

This is really an important time. You look at how much is at stake, Blunt, who backs Trump, said at a rally in the St. Louis suburb of OFallon. Were going to live with this for a long time.

Blunt served seven terms in the House before his election to the Senate in 2010, and hes a member of the Senate GOP leadership. Yet he seemed to be caught unawares in a volatile election year in which Missouri voters also nominated a Republican candidate for governor whos a young outsider with little political experience.

In recent weeks Blunts sagging poll numbers have forced GOP campaign committees to start spending millions to bail him out, to the annoyance of some Republicans. And now Blunt is talking like hes the underdog.

It is not easy in our state, Blunt said. Were in a fight. Its one we can win but nobody needs to take anything for granted here.

Republicans have tried all year to insulate their Senate candidates from disruptions at the top of the ticket, running races focused on local issues and trying to avoid getting drawn into the controversy of the day with Trump. But as Trumps poll numbers worsen with the election just over two weeks away, the limits of that strategy may start to show.

Democrats have a financial advantage going into the end stretch and intend to use it in part by running more ads that tie GOP incumbents and candidates to Trump. As Clinton pulls away from Trump nationally, that is freeing up even more money for Democratic candidates in the top Senate races: New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Indiana, Missouri and Nevada. Republicans have essentially given up on incumbents in Illinois and Wisconsin, while GOP Sens. John McCain in Arizona and Rob Portman in Ohio are considered to be safe.

Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida is also looking strong, though for him and other Republicans there is probably a limit to how far they can outrun Trump if the mogul goes down to a major loss.

Most concerning to Republicans of late is Trumps rhetoric about the election being rigged, which some fear could keep GOP voters from coming out to the polls.

If his supporters actually think the election is rigged than you have to wonder if they will think its worth coming out to vote, said Brian Walsh a GOP consultant and former official at the National Republican Senatorial Committee. And that could have real consequences down ballot because we need everyone on the GOP side to vote.
The League of Women Voters of California is a nonpartisan political organization committed to encouraging informed and active participation in government and increasing understanding of major public policy issues that affect all the residents in the state. That is why we, and a broad and diverse coalition of supporters, recommend a yes vote on California Proposition 54 on Nov. 8.

Passage of Proposition 54 will provide voters a stronger voice at the state Capitol through greater transparency. Its three common-sense changes to the California Constitution will help improve the way business is done in Sacramento, curbing practices that give insiders and special interests the upper hand over ordinary Californians.

First, it requires that every bill be in print and posted online for at least 72 hours before its final vote in either house of the legislature. Too many bills are worked out in closed-door deals and taken to a vote before our legislators, much less the public, have time to scrutinize and give input on them. Prop. 54 will put an end to the rushing through of last-minute gut-and-amends in which the entire content of a bill is removed and replaced with something unrelated.

Prop. 54 also requires that all open legislative meetings be video recorded and posted on the internet within 24 hours, so people can see what is happening with proposed new laws and have time to weigh in if they wish. And these recordings must be available online for 20 years. Currently, the Legislature does not record and broadcast every public meeting, much to the detriment of those who cant travel to Sacramento to monitor or participate in legislative proceedings. Prop. 54 also gives everyone the right to record and share videos of public legislative proceedings for any legitimate purposea long overdue reform that allows the use of common, modern technology.

California already requires open meeting laws for local governments and for state boards and commissions. Moreover, some 69 California cities representing 15 million people, and 37 county boards of supervisors representing 27 million people, already post recordings of their meetings online. It is time for our state legislature to operate under the same transparency rules we require of our local governments and state agencies.

Supporters of Prop. 54 include groups and individuals who dont always agree on issues, but have come together because they believe that Californians have a right to know what is going on at the state Capitol. Prop. 54 supporters include the League of Women Voters of California, the First Amendment Coalition, California Common Cause, the California NAACP, the League of California Cities, the Planning and Conservation League, the California Senior Advocates League, the Latin Business Association, the National Federation of Independent Business/CA, the California Chamber of Commerce, and Democrats and Republicans, among many others.

Proposition 54 furthers the critical goals of transparency and accountability in government, and finally provides timely access to policy information to California voters. Prop. 54 deserves a yes vote on Nov. 8.

Joyce Kingery, President

League of Women Voters of Napa County
I am pleased to write this letter in support of Mariko Yamada, who is a candidate for the state Senate in District 3. I've followed her activities in the Assembly and have been impressed by her consistent advocacy for improvement of working conditions for farm workers. Also she has demonstrated a clear understanding of the need to protect water quality in the Delta and in our area generally.

In the Assembly she was a senior member of the Assembly Committees on Agriculture and Water. She opposes the Delta tunnels which potentially would be a disaster for the Delta and also negatively impact other northern California water needs.

Unlike her opponent, Mariko has consistently voted to support overtime compensation and wage protection for farm workers. Farm workers have historically been excluded from receiving additional pay for overtime work. As recently as this year her opponent voted against such a bill. Recently Governor Brown signed that bill into law.

Mariko, a life-long Democrat, is not a voice for corporate interests such as oil, Monsanto and pharmaceutical companies. Her legislative service has focused on elder care, justice for workers and care for the environment. I urge you to join me in voting for Mariko Yamada for our state Senate.

Evie Treventhen

Napa
IMF forecasts $1 trillion unforeseen profit for oil exporter

Lavrov and Cavusoglu discuss recent developments in Caucasus

Seoul and Warsaw sign key agreements on nuclear energy development in Poland

Statement by leaders of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan on results of meeting in Sochi

Saudi Arabia and UAE defend OPEC decision

Putin: Russia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan agree on joint statement

U.S. wants EU to impose export restrictions against China

Thunberg calls UN conference place for lies and fraud

Putin, Pashinyan and Aliyev hold trilateral talks

Russian businessman Artem Aslanyan commits suicide in Moscow

Head of the Ministry of Finance: Sweden's economic outlook is gloomy and we're heading for a tough winter

Norway to raise level of army combat readiness in response to Ukraine war

Putin and Aliyev talks in Sochi are over

Moldova expels Russian embassy employee after incident with falling rocket parts

Estonia to expand by 30 times protected zone on border with Russia

Serzh Sargsyan receives Garo Paylan

Inflation hits new record in 19 eurozone countries

Shoigu and Akar discuss Russia's decision to suspend participation in grain deal

Head of Armenian Armed Forces General Staff: Azerbaijan refuses to allow evacuation of Armenian soldiers' bodies

Inflation in Poland breaks the record of 25 years ago

Head of General Staff of Armenian Armed Forces explains why Azerbaijanis 'trapped' were not captured

Chief of General Staff of Armenian Armed Forces confirms loss of positions as result of Azerbaijani aggression

Central Bank: Inflation in Armenia reaches 9.9%

Edvard Asryan: The operational situation in the eastern and southeastern directions is relatively stable

Iran arrests 6 suspects in attack on Shiraz mausoleum

Aliyev: Baku put forward five main principles to normalize relations with Yerevan

Putin: The goal of the trilateral talks is the implementation of all agreements of 2020 and 2021

Talks between presidents of Russia and Azerbaijan start in Sochi

Six people detained in Belarus for hanging Ukrainian flag

NBC News: Biden lost his temper on the phone with Zelenskyy

European Parliament lawmakers arriving in Armenia on fact-finding mission

Cavusoglu: Europe weakening runs counter to Ankara's economic interests

Non-resident organizations providing online services in Armenia declare 1bn drams of VAT in 3 quarters

October oil production in Russia falls

Storm warning issued in Sochi due to tornadoes

Putin and Pashinyan hold 1-hour talks in Sochi

Pashinyan to visit Tehran on November 1

Over AMD 76 billion will be assigned to Armenian police in 2023

Provincial governor of Armenias Tavush, France envoy discuss future cooperation (PHOTOS)

South Korea and the U.S. begin large-scale air force exercise

Dollar, euro continue falling in Armenia

Pashinyan says issue of Armenian captives is unresolved, despite discussions with Putin

Iranian parliament chair to visit Azerbaijan

Pashinyan: Communications passing through Armenia should be under Yerevan's full control

Pashinyan: Russia's clear position on moving Azerbaijani soldiers to their initial positions is important

World wheat prices up

Putin urges to ensure peace in Karabakh and unblock transport infrastructure

Pashinyan calls Russia's approaches to establishing Armenia-Azerbaijan relations acceptable

State budget spending on Armenia emergency ministry needs to increase considerably in 2023

Pashinyan says he wants to discuss regional security issues with Putin

Putin hopes for progress in Karabakh settlement during summit

Putin: We have to end the Karabakh conflict

80% of Kyiv remains without water supply after morning strikes, mayor claims

China accuses US of violating trade rules

Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan meets Russian President Vladimir Putin

Peskov: We will inform if documents are agreed as result of Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan leaders meeting

Kremlin says Russia continues contacts with Turkey and UN on 'grain deal'

Masis Abrahamyan, head of ANC - Netherlands office, files lawsuit against Armenian National Security Service

Bloomberg names world's richest families

Central Bank: About 86% of banks' profits in Armenia come from currency sale/purchase, exchange fees

Head of Central Bank of Armenia: Economic growth in 2023 will be lower than 7% forecasted by government

Armenia civil servants salaries to increase but bonuses to reduce

Armenia finance minister: Salaries to increase almost twice as much more than bonuses have become salaries

Finance ministry: Armenia inflation would have been higher if national currency had not increased in value

Alen Simonyan to Erin Elizabeth McKee: Armenia is interested in deeper engagement by US

Central Bank of Armenia: U.S. financial authorities complicate U.S. dollar turnover worldwide

Kyiv: 12 vessels with grain leave Ukrainian ports

France is working on a land route for grain export from Ukraine

Amount of Armenia financial assistance to Karabakh to not change in 2023

International Rescue Committee: Blockade of Ukrainian grain may lead to disaster

Erdogan: Turkey will continue to solve the food issue despite Russia's hesitation

Armenia's budget deficit in 2023 will be 3.1% of GDP

PACE MPs initiate resolution on political prisoners cases increase in Azerbaijan

EU studying issue of recognizing Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as terrorist organization

Finance minister: Armenia tax revenues projected to be about 3.7% of GDP in 2023

Armenia opposition MP: No final document will be signed in Russias Sochi

Opposition MP: When Armenia PM says he is in Russian proposals favor, has no value unless he says he rejects US option

Employee of Karabakh permanent representation in Armenia is charged with high treason

Kyiv mayor claims damage to energy facility that supplies power to 350,000 apartments

Blinken has phone talks with China's FM

Artsakh strategic issues discussed at We Are Our Mountains agency first meeting

Death toll in Indian bridge collapse rises to 141

Armenia 2023 state budget draft: Capital expenditure to increase significantly

Armenia national debt against GDP is planned to be reduced

Iranian Foreign Ministry: Presence of foreign forces doesn't contribute to peace in Caucasus

Alen Simonyan, Garo Paylan discuss prospects for reopening of Armenia-Turkey border

Aliyev arrives in Sochi

Iran detains second suicide bomber in Shiraz mausoleum

Iranian and Azerbaijani FMs discuss situation in region

2023 expenses of Armenian defense sector will make AMD 506bln, a growth of 35%

Armenias Pashinyan arrives in Russias Sochi (PHOTOS)

UN agrees with Turkey and Ukraine on transportation of Ukrainian grain

Armenia parliament standing committees kick off joint session, debating on 2023 state budget draft

Lula da Silva wins Brazil presidential election

Oil prices go down

Gold prices show weak growth

Armenia renowned stage director, ex-MP Vahe Shahverdyan dead at 77

Turkey plans to open 100 oil, natural gas wells on land in 2023

Copper falls in price

USAID delegation arriving in Armenia
 1995 - 2019





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Even if Anthony had a year to analyze and dissect each piece...(he couldn't tell if it would)... stand the harsh light of public exposure.

WUWT insider Willis Eschenbach tells you all you need to know about Anthony Watts and his blog, WattsUpWithThat (WUWT). As part of his scathing commentary , Wondering Willis accuses Anthony Watts of being clueless about the blog articles he posts. To paraphrase: Click here to read more.
Abbas through his lawyer moved a pre-arrest bail application before an Additional District and Sessions Judge (central), who granted it against a surety bond of 50,000 Pakistani rupees, Dawn online reported.

The reporter Saima Kanwal had lodged a complaint against the Frontier Constabulary guard for allegedly slapping her in the face during the recording of a television show on Thursday, after a video clip that showed the FC guard slapping the reporter went viral on social media.

On the same day, the police had registered a "counter-case" against the said reporter on the complaint of a National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) official for creating "hindrances in official work", Dawn online added.

The FIR against the Kanwal and her team members carried the sections of the Pakistan Penal Code defining punishment for those who created hindrance in official work and challenged the writ of the state.

The unsavoury episode has triggered a debate about media ethics, code of conduct for journalists and the behaviour of broadcast journalists. It also kicked off discussions about the need for training of security officials performing duties at public places.

--IANS lok/

( 236 Words)

2016-10-23-03:10:07 (IANS)
US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump in Pennsylvania reiterated that he will build a wall on the Mexican border which would be financed by the US and "reimbursed" by Mexico. The New York billionaire also emphasised that he will suspend immigration from regions known for terrorism, Efe news reported. As the business magnate had put forward his plans for the first 100 days of his presidency during a speech at Gettysburg town on Saturday, he confirmed that his law to put an end to illegal immigration would include financing for the wall, with the complete understanding that Mexico would "reimburse" the US. Trump also referred to his controversial idea of banning immigration from regions known for terrorism, but he gave no details about how this ruling would be applied. Gettysburg is a place in American history where Abraham Lincoln in 1863 gave one of his most famous speeches during the Civil War. Trump noted that he will cancel the "billions" of dollars being paid to the UN for climate-change programmes. Most of his proposals echoed previous announcements, such as his intention to withdraw the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). He also criticised the excessive number of regulations, particularly in matters of climate change, imposed by the Obama government. He attacked his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton by charging her with defending the same old Washington policies. "Clinton is not running against me," Trump said. "She's running against change and she's running against all of the American people and all of the voters." As the US electoral campaign enters its final stage before the November 8 election, Trump seeks to gain back some of the ground he has lost in the polls following the scandals dogging him in recent weeks. --IANS ss/py/ ( 313 Words) 2016-10-23-11:10:07 (IANS)
The France-based Safran group, which provides supplies to Rafale fighter jet manufacturers, has been asked to set up a facility in Goa to produce small components of the company's import requirement, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said on Sunday. Speaking during the inauguration of a helicopter maintenance and repair centre in Sattari, set up following a joint venture between the Bengaluru-based Hindustan Aueronautics Ltd and the Safran Group, Parrikar said he hoped to see the Centre develop from a copter repair and maintenance operation to an helicopter engine manufacturing facility. "Flacma, also a part of the Safran group, are 20-25 per cent suppliers to Rafale. So I told them why don't you come with a small component of your requirement of importing from India into Goa," Parrikar said. He said that out of the total value of Rs 59,000 crore Rafale fighter jet deal, nearly Rs 30,000 crore dealt with procurement of equipment for the manufacture of the jets. Parrikar said the helicopter maintenance and repair facility in Goa was vital as far as the military facilities in western India are concerned. "In western region, engines could be directly sent here so that they do not have to struggle at the base depot. This is first phase," the Defence Minister said. "From there it will slowly expand to make some parts and components and we wish we can go for engine manufacturing," he said. "If HAL is to maintain engines, then they should tie up Safran and come out with Make in India for manufacturing of engines. We are going to require between 6,000 and 10,000 engines in next eight to 10 years, which is a big enough quantity and most of them are Safran engines," he said. He added that the Goa government was willing to provide land to facilitate the project. --IANS maya/py/mr ( 316 Words) 2016-10-23-14:18:09 (IANS)
Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Imad Fakhoury appreciated the aid as timely and said it will help support Jordan's budget and reduce pressure caused by nearly 1.4 million Syrian refugees in Jordan displaced by war, Xinhua news agency reported.

Around $100 million will be dedicated to support the Red-Dead Canal project, a major water project that will make fresh water available in Jordan and help protect the Dead Sea, said Fakhoury.

He added that the grants will also be allocated to fund projects in health, education, environment and law and governance sectors.

Of the total grants, $479 million will be transferred in cash to Jordan before the end of the year, Fakhoury said.

The US provided $463 million military aid to Jordan this year, bringing the total economic and military aid to over $1.2 billion, he said.

--IANS vgu/bg

( 181 Words)

2016-10-23-21:02:13 (IANS)
The results may open up new avenues for vaccine development.

In the course of an infection or upon vaccination, specialized cells of our immune system, so-called B cells, produce antibodies that bind viruses and inactivate them.

In the context of chronic viral infections such as HIV or hepatitis C virus, however, antibody production by B cells is quantitatively inadequate and starts too late.

A team of scientists headed by Daniel Pinschewer reported that the inadequate antibody response to chronic viral diseases is due to the strong inflammatory reaction upon infection.

While most pronounced at the onset of an infection, inflammation can persist for decades, especially in HIV/AIDS.

Hasty immune response lasts short-term:

Under the influence of inflammatory messengers, so called interferons, B cells produce as many antibodies as they possibly can.

Unfortunately, this hasty response occurs at the expense of sustainability.

B cells that turn on antibody production too quickly lose their potential to proliferate and die shortly thereafter.

As a consequence, the immune response takes an impetuous start but subsides rapidly.

The scientists assume that this panic reaction of B cells reflects a mechanism ensuring an optimized response to acute life threatening infections.

In the context of chronic infections, however, the battle is not decided within a matter of days but rather only after months or years.

Under these circumstances, the hasty reaction of our body seems inappropriate and may actually favor the virus.

Cornerstone for new vaccines: For viral diseases such as HIV or hepatitis C protective vaccines remain unavailable.

The scientists are hopeful that the discovery of this fundamental mechanism may provide a basis to improve vaccination strategies against chronic viral diseases.

The study was published in Immunol.1 journal. (ANI)
During the visit, Singh will have bilateral talks with Bahrain's Interior Minister Lt. Gen. Sheikh Rashed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa and also interact with the Indian community.

Singh will be accompanied by senior home ministry and external affairs ministry officials. (ANI)
The committee will oversee the daily incidences of H5 Avian Influenza in National Zoological Park and other Zoos of the country and submit a daily report to the Environment Minister.

It will be headed by Member Secretary Central Zoo Authority, and will have as its member convenor Director National Zoological Park. Deputy Inspector General of Forest (WL) will be the third member.

There has been no mortality among the free-ranging birds of the National Zoological Park today. However, to control the disease, the government has decided to take certain actions.

The authorities have been directed to do active surveillance continues in the zoo, which is being screened regularly for any dead bird. Bio-security measures continue.

Meanwhile, the Zoo remains closed for the safety of visitors and to control the disease. A team of doctors from Animal Husbandry Department visited Delhi Zoo for monitoring.

The Delhi government had said that it was regularly monitoring the situation and urged the people not to panic over the issue.

Delhi Development Minister Gopal Rai said the government had sent letters to Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana Governments to take preventive measures and direct the officials concerned to check flu-related incidents.UNI NAZ-RBE RJ 0002

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After serving the nation for nearly six decades, India's aircraft carrier INS Viraat today sailed out for the very last time from Kochi, where it made a visit for necessary overhaul before the scheduled decommissioning. The mighty aircraft carrier, which entered into the service after its predecessor INS Vikrant was retired, is being taken to Mumbai for a formal decommissioning at the end of the year. INS Viraat was given a tearful adieu by the staff of Cochin Shipyard limited, which imparted finishing touches to the ship to make fit for converting it into a static museum. INS Viraat shares a special emotional bond with Kochi and Cochin Shipyard limited CSL as the floating airfield turned up there every time it needed repairs or periodic regular maintenance etc. During its last stay at the CSL, all valuable equipment on board like engines, radars, guns will be dismantled to prepare the vessel for the decommissioning. The India's only aircraft carrier for over a decade before INS Vikrmaditya joined the Navy, now awaits a proposal to develop it into an adventure tourism centre or a museum. The Defence Ministry has offered to convert it into the museum with proposals sent to all the coastal states for the purpose. In the run-up to the decommissioning of the world's oldest aircraft carrier, the de-induction ceremony of its aircraft fleet of Sea Harriers was in held in May this year. The mighty Sea Harriers fighter aircraft flew for the last time from the flying deck of INS Viraat and two days later, the fleet was given a farewell at INS Hansa in Goa. Sea Harriers served from INS Viraat as well as INS Vikrant. After the retirement of INS Viraat, the Navy would be left with one aircraft carrier with the indigenously built INS Vikrant still undergoing the sea trial phase. UNI MK PS RSA 1216 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0421-990728.Xml
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has this Diwali chosen a unique way of bringing extra cheer to the jawans guarding the nation's frontiers far from their loved ones --- launching a campaign to urge and invite people to send letters and messages to the Armed Forces on occasion. The Prime Minister is leading the #Sandesh2Soldiers campaign by sharing through social media a special video featuring his appeal to the people. ''When 1.25 billion people stand in solidarity with jawans, the strength of our armed forces multiplies by 1.25 billion times,'' he said Within hours, the video has generated tremendous interest on platforms such as Twitter and Facebook. People can send messages to soldiers on the Narendra Modi App, through MyGov.in, and also through All India Radio. Doordarshan will also be mounting a programme to share people's emotions with the Armed Forces. A special module has been launched on the Narendra Modi App, which enables people to send greetings or their hand-written messages to the Armed Forces. The #Sandesh2Soldiers campaign is expected to generate increased interaction between the people and the Armed Forces. Earlier this month, at an event in Bhopal, the Prime Minister had focussed on the human element of the brave jawans. His appeal to people to applaud jawans when they meet them, has also created a buzz on social media. Since becoming Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has spent both Diwalis with the Armed Forces. UNI NAZ RSA 1116 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0432-990662.Xml
Karan Johar and the film producers guild's assurance not to work with Pakistani actors in future may have ensured a peaceful release for 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' on Diwali but the issue of boycotting actors from across the border continues to witness a sharp divide within the film industry. In fact the Film and Television producers Guild's announcing that it would not work with Pakistani actors in future and would contribute Rs 5 crore towards the Army Welfare Fund has evoked criticism from several quarters. Reacting on the issue, filmmaker Ashoke Pandit said, "Asking producers who have Pakistani actors in their films to donate Rs 5 crore is unreasonable. Donation has to be from the heart. When forced, it's extortion.''Pandit had earlier criticised the decision of the exhibitors of not screening films featuring Pakistani actors. "They (Pakistan) have continuously attacked us. It's the inferiority complex in which some of our producers have and are suffering now,''he said. Actor Tara Deshpande also slammed the MNS demand and said, "To openly extort money in the name of one of the world's largest Armies and to call it 'atonement' belies all my imaginative power". Actor and filmmaker Pooja Bhatt also sharply reacted and tweeted "It is neither nationalism nor blackmail. It is schoolyard bullying at its best and worst''. Another actor to strike a discordant note on the issue of banning Pakistani actors from working in Indian films is Abhay Deol. Speaking during the Jio MAMI Film Festival 2016, Abhay Deol, who recently made a comeback with the film 'Happy Bhag Jayegi', was asked about his views on the ongoing debate, to which he said, "I will support it if you think banning anything to do with Pakistan is going to help our jawans. If you want to ban anything to do with Pakistan, then go the distance. Do not just ban filmmakers, ban imports, exports etc. When you do half a job, no one is going to take you seriously. I don't take the government seriously." Bollywood actress Renuka Shahane was another celebrity to question the MNS threat to ban Pakistani actors and its tirade against Bollywood producer-director Karan Johar. Questioning MNS idea of patriotism, Renuka Shahane, in a Facebook post, pointed out that while MNS protested against the casting of a Pakistani actor in "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" in solidarity with the martyred jawans of the horrendous Uri attack, it did not launch any protests in the wake of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks and the attack on the Pathankot air base.More UNI AR PS RSA 1140 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0432-990689.Xml
Conservation activists in the region areperturbed that in the cacophony surrounding the Cauvery issue, theecological requirements of wildlife that includes nearly 2,200 to2,500 elephants in the Bandipur-Kabini-Nagarahole belt have been ignored. The depleting water level at Kabini, which is the main source ofwater for animals, may hasten drought-like conditions resulting inextreme water stress from December escalating conflict situationsin the region. The issue was first raised by organic farmer Vivek Cariappa, whopointed out that people in and around H.D. Kote risk the prospectsof escalation of conflicts due to water stress. For, there are about150 villages surrounding Bandipur and as many around Nagarahole,which support a cattle population of nearly 3 lakh will be bereftof fodder and water by early February. 'It is guaranteed that there will be pressure on the ForestDepartment from the local MLAs to allow cattle to graze in forests,'according to Mr. Cariappa. This will directly impact the food supply of herbivores, whichare the prey for carnivores and lack of adequate fodder forherbivores due to competition from the domestic cattle can upset thefood chain forcing the animals out of the jungles escalatingconflict situation, explained D. Rajkumar of Wildlife Conservation Foundation. Though cattle grazing are officially banned inside national parksand wildlife sanctuaries, they do take place surreptitiously and theincidents may increase during drought. Hence, mitigation measures like maintenance of elephant prooftrenches, solar fences besides deployment of the conflict responseteam are imperative to manage the emerging situation. Activists pointed out that the elephant migratory pattern in theregion has changed ever since the Kabini dam was constructed in theearly 1970s. The backwater is not only a source of water duringsummer but supports fresh sprout of green grass when it is dry andthe herbivores feed on the new shoot. But given the current scenario and depletion of water from theKabini Reservoir, the backwater may dry up sooner than ever anddisrupt the migratory pattern of elephants that tend to converge atthe backwaters during summer. In the absence of fodder and water,elephants may move out of the forests escalating conflictsituations, which could become acute in the run up to the summer.UNI BSP CS 1151 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0285-990711.Xml
There was no curfew or restrictions on assembly of people anywhere in entire Kashmir, but normal life remains affected for the 107th day today due to the unrest that has left 86 civilians dead and over 10,000 others injured in the valley. However, the Sunday market in Srinagar witnessed relatively high number of vendors thought the number of customers continued to remain less. Curfew like restrictions, which were imposed in parts of civil lines in Srinagar yesterday, were lifted following improvement in situation after Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik was shifted to S K Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS). Restrictions were imposed yesterday afternoon after a group of people, mostly women, took to streets at Budshah Chowk, demanding proper treatment of Malik, who is not feeling well in jail. Police said that there was no curfew or restrictions in any part of the valley, including summer capital, Srinagar. However, all gates leading to historic Jamia Masjid, where no Friday prayers could be offered for the past 15 weeks, remained closed and a large number of security forces remained deployed to prevent people from entering the area. Additional paramilitary forces, rushed from different parts of the country in view of the unrest since July 9, a day after the death of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) commander Burhan Wani and two other militants in an encounter in Anantnag, remained deployed across the valley to maintain peace. Both the factions of the Hurriyat Conference (HC) and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), spearheading the agitation since July 9, have already extended the strike till October 27, demanding right to self determination. Today is the last day of three-day programme in which the separatist had asked people to assembly near the houses of MLAs for their failure to raise the human rights violation allegedly by the security forces in Kashmir valley.More UNI ABS RSA 1228 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0433-990734.Xml
Uttar Pradesh's ruling Samajwadi Party appeared headed for a split after Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday sacked his uncle Shivpal Yadav and three other ministers from the cabinet. The dramatic decision followed a meeting of Akhilesh Yadav with party legislators and looked like a tit-for-tat for the earlier dismissal of Akhilesh supporters from the party by Shivpal Yadav. Besides senior minister Shivpal Yadav, recently named the state chief of the Samajwadi Party, the other ministers ousted from the cabinet are Narad Rai, Om Prakash and Shadab Fatima. The development comes as a blow to frantic efforts by those in the party who wanted a patch-up between Akhilesh Yadav and his father and party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav. On Sunday, Akhilesh Yadav openly blamed party MP and Mulayam Singh loyalist Amar Singh as the villain behind the unprecedented rift in the Samajwadi Party but said he had the highest regards for his father. The Akhilesh Yadav camp also announced the expulsion of Jaya Prada, an actress-turned-politician considered close to Amar Singh, from the Uttar Pradesh Film Development Council. Legislators who attended the meeting with the Chief Minister said Akhilesh Yadav made it clear that anyone close to Amar Singh cannot find a place in his government. Akhilesh Yadav also described himself as the political successor to Mulayam Singh Yadav, the founder leader of the Samajwadi Party and one of the country's most experienced politicians. Raju Yadav, a legislator from Mainpuri, quoted the Chief Minister as saying that he was not intending to split the Samajwadi Party as it belonged to "Netaji" -- as Mulayam Singh is popularly known. Akhilesh Yadav also said he would attend on November 5 the Silver Jubilee function of the party, which has a brute majority in the 403-member assembly. The legislators also told the media that Akhilesh Yadav got emotional while talking about his relations with his father and said anyone coming in between them would not be spared. Soon after the meeting ended, the legislators trooped out shouting slogans hailing Akhilesh Yadav and denouncing Amar Singh. Amar Singh was openly referred to as a "dalal" (broker). One insider said all efforts to bring peace in the Samajwadi Party were effectively over now and that the party may he headed for a vertical split between the two generations. "This 'dalal' is responsible for all that has happened in the party," fumed an angry young supporter of Akhilesh Yadav outside the Chief Minister's residence, referring to Amar Singh. "Right from day one we knew who was behind all the problems in the party, who was creating a rift between Shivpalji and Akhileshji," he added. Sunday's sacking of ministers comes a day before Mulayam Singh meets party legislators in Lucknow. After being ousted from the cabinet, Shivpal Yadav went to meet Mulayam Singh, who in the past has described Amar Singh as a confidant who had stood by him when all others deserted him. Akhilesh Yadav had earlier refused to attend party meetings called by Shivpal Yadav on Friday and Saturday. Instead, he met the district party chiefs separately. On Saturday, party leaders Beni Prasad Verma, Reoti Raman Singh and Naresh Agarwal said that any disrespect shown towards Mulayam Singh would not be tolerated. Hours later, Udayveer Singh, an MLC considered close to Akhilesh Yadav, was expelled from the party for six years for asking Mulayam Singh to step down and hand over the party baton to his son. And on Saturday evening, Shivpal Yadav filled up the vacancies of presidents in the party's frontal wings and filled it with men known to be his followers. Uttar Pradesh goes to the assembly polls early next year. --IANS md/mr/sar/ ( 620 Words) 2016-10-23-13:12:08 (IANS)
Heads have started rolling in the Samajwadi Party's ongoing tussle with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today sacking four ministers, including his uncle Shivpal Singh Yadav. There is also a report of sacking of Bollywood actor Jaya Prada, who is the vice-chairperson of the UP Film Development Corporation with a Minister of State status which was not confirmed yet. An emotional Chief Minister said Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav was his leader and his father, adding thathe will attend tomorrow's meeting of senior leaders at the SP headquarters and the silver jubilee foundation function of the party on November 5. "I will do anything to strengthen the party but whoever tries to damage us and create dispute, would not be spared," he said. A resolution was also passed to sack senior party leader and Rajya Sabha member from Uttar Pradesh Amar Singh from the party. The legislators, addressing reporters, also said that the CM was emotional while speaking on the dispute within the family." I don't want to do anything which annoys my father but I am hurt with the incidents which took place, forcing me to leave the house and staying with my wife in the CM residence." Mr Yadav announced the decision about sacking of the ministers to the legislators during his meeting with the MLAs. But he did not name them. UP Governor Ram Naik has accepted the recommendation of the Chief Minister to sack four ministers, according to a a Raj Bhawan statement. The ministers sacked are irrigation minister Shivpal Singh Yadav, Tourism minister Om Prakash Singh, Minister of State (independent charge) for Women Welfare Shadab Fatima and Science and Technology Minister Narad Rai. There was also a report of two more ministers-- Gayatri Prasad Prajapati and Madan Chauhan being sacked but it has not been confirmed yet. The CM in his brief address to the legislators said that any ministers associated with Amar Singh would not stay in the ministry. A resolution was also passed to inaugurate the Lucknow - Agra Expressway on the birthday of party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav on November 21. In the inaugural function, the party patriarch will cut the ribbon. The legislature party meeting, which hardly went for around 30 minutes, also resolved that the party was united and the SP would retain the power in the 2017 elections. Outside the CM's residence, amid heavy security arrangement, supporters of Mr Akhilesh Yadav raised slogans in his support and some of them tore posters of Amar Singh. On the other hand, senior SP leaders were closeted with Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav at his residence where they discussed the political fallout after the Prof Ram Gopal Yadav's letter and sacking of the ministers, including Shivpal Singh Yadav. Shivpal ,who is also in the meeting with Mulayam, was unable for comment on his sacking from the ministry. Other sacked ministers too refused to comment.UNI MB RSA 1355 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0196-990841.Xml
Dhamdaha Deputy Police Superintendent M H Fakhari said that outlaws entered into Ram-Janaki Thakurwadi and stole 10 antique idols including those of Ram, Sita, Lakshman, Hanuman, Radha and Krishna from the temple late last night.

An FIR had been lodged against four local people on the statement of members of Thakurwadi management committee.

A massive manhunt has been launched to nab culprits, police added.UNI XC DH RN PS RSA 1358

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Police said here that mishap took place when girls were digging mud for giving fresh coats of mud to walls of their houses on the occasion of forthcoming Diwali festival. A woman identified as Sunita Devi (26) was seriously injured in the incident.

The deceased were identified as Pooja Kumari (19), Neha Kumari (16) and Sunita Kumari (18).

The injured woman was rushed to Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital in critical condition. Bodies have been sent to local Sadar Hospital for autopsy. UNI XC DH RN PS RSA 1400

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Restoring priceless objects to their rightful owners. A typical middle class gesture.





In the 1950s most films using the new anamorphic widescreen format called Cinemascope were produced in exotic locales. Hollywood was in stiff competition with TV and had to get people away from the living room and back into the cinemas. These films combined adventure, travel, and romance with beautiful scenery that would make anyone wanna abandon the idiot box for 2 hours. Director Jean Negulesco utilizes the Cinemascope format beautifully in showcasing the Greek Isles and with introducing an Italian actress to an American audience in Boy on a Dolphin.

On the Greek isle of Hydra sponge diver Phaedra (Sophia Loren) spends her days diving with her boyfriend Rhif and tending a windmill with her younger brother Niko. During one dive Phaedra sees an ancient statue of a boy riding a dolphin. Following the drunken advice of a local doctor, Phaedra goes to Athens to seek a rich man to buy it from her. Lunching on the Acropolis, she spots Dr. James Calder (Alan Ladd) an American archeologist projecting smug cynicism every time a Greek wants to sell him a treasure. Phaedra runs into shady art dealer Victor Parmalee (Clifton Webb) and spills the beans on her treasure. Parmalee claims that hell will make her rich with the sale of the statue while Calder would rather see it in a museum. (Sound familiar, Dr. Jones?) Under Parmalees instruction Phaedra misleads Calder in order for the statue to be moved without the archaeologist knowing. Phaedra slowly falls in love with Calder and is caught in a dilemma of having love or riches.

Okay, lets get the obvious out of the way first. Sophia Lorens opening scene in this film sent a generation of young men into puberty back in 1957. Springing out of the water in a clingy wet shirt like a Venus on a half-shell Sophia pushed aside The Production Code and supplanted herself as a sex symbol for decades to come. Like Jacqueline Bisset in The Deep, Boy on a Dolphin is unfortunately remembered for this singular moment. However, Lorens Phaedra does more than just look ravishing out of the water. A sincere and devout woman, she cares about her island family and is willing to even strut into the fanciest restaurant in Athens if it means getting a rich American to buy her sunken statue. Phaedras confidence and humor keep us rooting for her even when she struggles to handle Calder and Parmalee. Ive seen some of Lorens later work and even though her acting chops arent up to par in this film, its great to see that such a talent wasnt wasted on a wet shirt.

Co-star Alan Ladd comes off as completely wooden and lacking any chemistry during his scenes with Loren. I know much has been written about his casting and attitude towards co-stars, but on the screen it really shows. Phaedra throws herself at Calder and he reacts as passionately as Ward Cleaver would in the situation. His delivery of the line, You meet me at the taverna and if you're a real good girl Ill buy you a drink sounds less like flirting and more like a punishment. Calder is the straight man in this film. Calm, collected, academic, and keeping everyone at length. His nemesis Victor Parmalee played by Clifton Webb is the polar opposite. Charming and laid back, Parmalee responds to an out of control Sophia Loren with Uncoil, my dear. Uncoil. like a smooth operator. His highly extralegal enterprise of obtaining artifacts around the world has taught him to do his research about local laws and how to imprison a woman on his yacht for a few days without causing a ruckus.

Boy on a Dolphin benefits mostly from its beautiful photography thanks to cinematographer Milton Krasner. Krasner is best know for shooting How the West Was Won, An Affair to Remember, and Beneath the Planet of the Apes. That last one is great, right? Kinos 4k scan makes the opening sequences of the film look simply gorgeous with vivid colors and fine detail. The camera slides across rocky coasts, gleaming waters, and rests upon the small island of Hydra making the distinct impression that a narration from Sir David Attenborough should begin at any moment.

Boy on a Dolphin isnt a film that needs deep thought or analysis. Its a breezy gentlemens adventure drama with gorgeous locations and an engaging plot you settle into for 2 hours.

Director Jean Negulesco handles the film with confidence allowing the narrative to develop easily while carefully fitting in humor and some light social commentary. Between the photography and the memorable performance of Sophia Loren, Boy on a Dolphin is worth rediscovering during a lazy afternoon.

The Blu-ray: Vital Disc Stats



Kino Lorber finally brings Boy on a Dolphin to Blu-ray pressed into a BD25 disc housed in a standard keepcase. The Region A Blu-ray loads directly to a static Main Menu screen.
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar today urged all concerned to think over the proposal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hold state assembly elections and general elections together to reduce poll related expenditure and massive administrative exercise. Releasing the book penned down by Former Joint Chief Electoral Officer (JCEO) of Tripura Hrinmoy Chakraborty here, Sarkar said that several proposals of electoral reforms have been proposed in India in recent years to ensure free, fair and effective elections. The effort are being made as part of reform by Election Commission of India (ECI) but still civil society members, intellectuals and academicians have been demanding more reform for vibrant democracy in India. The holding elections together and state-funded election was long-debated issues of reform, which have gained ground recently. "I feel there is not much problem in holding two or more elections together but it need consensus of political parties. More debates and discussions at various levels on the issue and other proposals of electoral reform become necessary before reaching into final decision," Mr Sarkar stated. The representatives of the Trinamool Congress, Congress and civil society members expressed that there was a need for massive reform in ECI and also demanded a separate all India cadre like other services in ECI to hold free and fair elections. "ECI doesn't have any manpower and always hired them from respective state governments for holding elections in that state. As a result, misuse of administration by the party in power for holding elections in it's favour is quite common in the states. We want dedicated manpower for election who will work under the disposal of ECI only all the times," proposed Trinamool Congress leader Sushanta Choudhury. Representative of the National Election Watch and ADR, Krishna Keshab Roy argued reform in political parties is prerequisite for electoral reform. Unless ECI is not empowered sufficiently with it's own machinery, free and fair election is not possible in India. "Being a politician, I feel a large section of society have started dishonouring politics and hardly good people are showing interest, which is a bad omen for Indian democracy. I appeal to the politicians to shoulder the responsibility to take necessary steps to correct the commoners' beliefs," said CPI-M MP in Lok Sabha Shankar Prasad Datta. Writer of the book Chakraborty said, "In 1970, the then Chief Election Commissioner Shyama Prasanna Sen Varma had suggested to the government to hold election with state funding and also to set up a separate infrastructure for election in the country". Varma had made three specific recommendations to the government state level employees of election department should be under control of ECI and transferred across the country, there should be at least one voter registration personnel in each Panchayat who is responsible for updating the list of voters under direct supervision of ECI and there should be a standard model of election campaign for all the parties at the finance of ECI. He questioned if Bangladesh could hold election and counting in a day why India cannot? Supplementing the argument Chakraborty pointed out that every month in a year there was an election in either part of the country where ECI mobilised persons from different state government department. As a result, neutrality of officials involved in the process was always there and there were possibility of bias towards the ruling government, which virtually frustrates the ultimate aim of election.UNI BB RN SNU 1414 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0311-990838.Xml
Jawans of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)`s Cobra battalion arrested a dreaded naxalite under Salaiya police station area in the district today. Police said here that the nabbed extremist was identified as Dwarika Yadav aka Vidhayak Ji, Zonal Commander of outlawed CPI (Maoist). He was wanted in a number of subversive activities and was booked under the Arms Act and Explosives Act for triggering explosions at Madanpur and Gurua in the district. He is a native of Kosdiha village in the district. An intensive interrogation of outlaw is on to nab other members of the naxal outfit. UNI DH RN RSA 1405 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0311-990839.Xml
Criminals kidnapped the son of a prominent jeweller near Madhuaha bridge under Rajepur police station area in East Champaran district.Police said here that the jeweller Bhola Sah and his son Deepak were returning to their native Jhitkahia village on a motorcycle after closing their shop at Rajepur Bazar late last night, when criminals intercepted them near Madhuaha bridge and abducted Deepak on gun point.Criminals also thrashed father-son duo when they resisted move of the criminals. An FIR had been lodged at the police station concerned against unidentified criminals on the statement of the jeweller. A massive manhunt is on to nab outlaws, police added. UNI XC DH RN RSA 1406 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0311-990859.Xml
The famous Sunday Market witnessed relatively high number of vendors today though the number of customers continued to remain less in Srinagar, where normal life remained crippled for 107th day today due to strike called by the separatists, demanding right to self-determination. The 3-km-long market from Radio Kashmir, Srinagar, crossing to Hari Singh High Street including historic Lal Chowk, Regal Chowk and Amira Kadal used to attract thousands of customers every Sunday from different parts of the Kashmir Valley. However, the market was closed for over three months since July 9, a day after Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) commander Burhan Wani and two other militants were killed in an encounter in Anantnag. But, ignoring the strike called by the separatists, the market was again opened on October 9 though the number of vendors and customers were considerably less as compared to normal Sundays. More than 200 vendors, selling items from a simple needle to carpets, have put up their stalls in the Sunday market from RKS crossing to Polo View crossing only. "The number of vendors have gone up considerably though it was still very less as compared to normal Sundays," Tariq Rasool, a carpet seller said, adding the number of customers was not encouraging as people from districts and other parts of the Valley could not come due to non-availability of transport following 'hartal.'Both the factions of the Hurriyat Conference (HC) and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), spearheading the agitation since July 9, have already extended strike till October 27. There will be relaxation in the strike from 1700 hrs today till 0600 hrs tomorrow morning. Shops and business establishments remained closed today in Srinagar, where hectic activities were witnessed last evening during the relaxation period. Traffic was also off the roads though some people had come in their private cars and two wheelers to the market. The killing of Burhan triggered massive protests across the Valley during which 86 persons, mostly youths, were killed in security force and police action since July 9 in the Valley, where about 10,000 alleged stone-pelters were arrested.UNI ABS ASM SHS SNU 1426 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0433-990870.Xml
As the Festival of Lights approaches, there is no respite from cross border firing and shelling by Pakistan in the forward villages along International Border and the Line of Control. Border dwellers are keeping their fingers crossed as they do not want to be out of their homes like in 2015 when they celebrate Deepawali on 30th October. It may not be festivity time for residents in Jammu, Samba and Kathua sectors. "Last year we celebrated the Deepawali festival in camps. '' Pakistan may play spoilsport again by firing heavily in forward villages,'' Santokh Kumar, 62, a villager from Hiranagar Sector, told UNI. He asserted that no doubt the district administration made elaborate arrangements to celebrate the festival in the temporary camps established at safer locations but the festive mood cannot be the same as at home. ''Last year we were provided candles, sweets were distributed, children celebrated with crackers but enthusiasm was very low. ''It was not like the way we celebrate the festival in our homes by offering prayers and extending greetings to each other,'' he said. ''We celebrated Karva Chauth and the Festival of Lights last year in camps,'' Vidya Devi of village Bobiya said. She said that women as per tradition assembled in the ground of a school where the camp was set up to celebrate 'karva chauth' but with moist eyes. ''We are praying to God that 2015 is not repeated this year. We want to celebrate Deepawali in our homes with love, affection and traditional fervour,'' Angrez Chand, a teacher asserted. He accused Pakistan of spoiling the festivities along the borders. Tensions betweem India and Pakistan spiked after 18 soldiers were martyred on September 18 in Uri followed by cross-LoC surgical strikes on terrorist launching pads by the Indian Army . Besides, Pakistan heavily shelled the border villages. On October 21, retaliatory firing by the Border Security Force killed seven Pakistani Rangers.UNI VBH RP1557 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0329-990959.Xml
One Naga underground cadre was killed and another injured in an encounter with the Assam Rifles troops in early hours today. The PRO of the Inspector General of Assam Rifles (North) Col Amitabh told UNI that the encounter took place along the Assam-Nagaland border area, from where the details of the encounter is yet to reach the headquarters. He, however confirm that one of the underground cadre was killed and another injured during the encounter and the Assam Rifles troops recovered six weapons, including two of AK series. The PRO informed that the details of the encounter are still awaited. UNI AS AKM VS SNU 1704 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0213-991062.Xml
Punjab Congress President Captain Amarinder Singh has dismissed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's promises to the industry as another theatrical gimmick. Singh said, the AAP industry manifesto for Punjab lacked in substance and was silent on several key issues. Bereft of any real understanding of the issues faced by state industry, which has been plunged into an all-time low under the Badal regime, Mr Kejriwal has simply picked up some of the promises already made by the Punjab Congress, while ignoring certain vital issues, said Captain Amarinder. "From reduction in power tariff to VAT reduction and simplification, revival of sick units, new industrial township in Ropar and end to Mafia raj, our party has already promised relief to trade and industry. What Mr Kejriwal has done, he had simply picked up these points and packaged them in his industry manifesto for Punjab," said Captain Amarinder, adding that even the promise to end the power purchase agreements with private players is an old commitment of the Congress. Pointing out that one needs intelligence to even copy well, Captain Amarinder said that the Delhi CM had, in his hurry to ape the Congress, forgotten to mention some key issues in his manifesto. One such issue relates to the small-scale industrial units that the Badal Government has decided to shift out, on which Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) manifesto is completely silent. On the other hand, the manifesto promises regularisation of the unauthorised colonies, which is clearly nothing more than an election gimmick, as it has no correlation with the industrial revival urgently required by the state, the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president noted. With respect to some of the major promises made by Mr Kejriwal to the industry, Captain Amarinder pointed out that the Congress had already promised to bring down the industrial power tariff to a competitive rate. If the state can sell power to the national grid at just Rs 3.40 per unit, why can't it provide the same to the industries, he asked, asserting his commitment to lower the power tariff to make the industries more competitive. The announcement by AAP on the development of an industrial hub in Ropar is another promise that is a straight lift from the Congress promise of developing the Kandi Belt Area (Rupnagar-Gurdaspur) as an industrial belt on priority basis, said Captain Amarinder, adding that virtually each of the 21 promises contained in the AAP manifesto could be linked to some or the other promise of the Punjab Congress to the industry. Pointing out that the Farm and Youth manifestos released earlier by the AAP leader had also been nothing more than duplication of Congress promises to the people, Captain Amarinder said Mr Kejriwal had taken this strategy a bit too far with the launch of a Congress type Farm Debt Waiver campaign. The campaign is the last straw for him, as he has now been thoroughly exposed in the eyes of the people of Punjab, the PPCC president said. The people of Punjab are not going to be fooled by such blatantly farcical tactics on part of Kejriwal & Co., said Captain Amarinder, adding that the voters were mature enough to know whom to trust.UNI JS SHS SNU 1632 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0293-990963.Xml
India and Bahrain are jointly working to further strengthen security and counter-terrorism cooperation between the two countries, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said today. Embarking on a three-day visit to Bahrain, Mr Singh said ''India and Bahrain enjoy excellent bilateral relations characterised by broad based political, economic and cultural contacts.'' He said he looked forward to his visit to the Gulf nation on the invitation of Minister of Interior Lt. Gen Sheikh Rashid Bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, an official release here said. According to the minister, the signing of the agreement on cooperation in combating international terrorism, transnational organised crime and trafficking in illicit, drugs, narcotic and psychotropic substances and precursors chemicals during the visit of the Bahrain Interior Minister to New Delhi in December last year had laid strong foundation for bilateral security and counter-terrorism cooperation. Mr Singh made these comments during his meeting with the President of National Security Agency of Bahrain, Sheikh Talal bin Mohammed bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa who called on the union minister here on Friday. UNI SD SHS SNU 1717 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0005-991123.Xml
Asserting that the industry in Punjab did not want to go the Delhi way, the Punjab Congress today reacted to Arvind Kejriwal's promise to promote the industry in the election-bound state `on the pattern of Delhi' by listing out his government's failures in the national capital. If the AAP Government's track record in Delhi was anything to go by, trade and industry in Punjab had a lot to worry about, the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) said in a statement issued here, asking Kejriwal to set his own house in order before setting his sights on Punjab. It was ironical, said the PPCC, that AAP had described its Punjab industry manifesto as "A promise to promote honest business in Punjab like AAP Government doing in Delhi." "If they are really planning to do in Punjab what they are doing in Delhi then there is really no hope for trade and industry in this state," said the Punjab Congress leaders. Along with virtually all sectors of economic growth, industries in Delhi are struggling to survive under the AAP regime, said Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPC) leaders Rana Gurjit Singh, Kewal Singh Dhillon and OP Soni in a statement issued here. They described AAP's promise of ending inspector raj a joke, given the fact that during its 49-day rule in Delhi in 2014, the AAP Government had led 151 raids a clear manifestation of its `inspector raj' mentality. The promise of reduced VAT is another farce played on by AAP on Delhi, and which Kejriwal is now planning to do in Punjab, said the PPCC leaders, pointing out that not only had his government in Delhi brought at least 11 products under VAT, but he had also allowed VAT rates up to 30% in Delhi, going a step ahead to hike VAT on petrol and diesel by at least 2% in 2016. On the AAP manifesto's promise to simplify tax procedures and VAT filing, the PPCC leaders pointed out that the Delhi precedent was hardly conducive to a simplified regime. The Delhi Sugam-1 (DS-1) form brought in by AAP Government mandates every trader to submit 17 kinds of details in a prescribed format for each invoice. Apart from creating compliance hurdles, this has also adversely affected interstate movement of goods. Further, for all his claims about lowering electricity tariffs in Punjab, Kejriwal should explain why the power tariffs for industries in Delhi stand at Rs 9.02- 9.92 per unit -- higher than neighbouring Haryana, and higher than even the rate for small scale power in Punjab. The PPCC leaders asked Kejriwal to explain his broken promise of regularisation of all unauthorised colonies within a year of coming to power in Delhi. Before promising revival of the real estate sector in Punjab, Kejriwal should answer why Delhi-NCR had the highest number of unsold units in the first quarter of 2016-2017, with as many as 2.65 lakh houses unsold, the PPCC leaders demanded know, asking what steps the AAP Government had taken to arrest the housing sector slump in Delhi. The AAP promise of depoliticising the transport sector in Punjab also came under scanner by the PPCC leaders, who pointed out that Kejriwal's own ex-transport minister Gopal Rai had been caught in a transport scam in Delhi. Another Rs. 100-crore transport scam involved Rajendra Kumar, secretary to the Delhi CM, they pointed out, asking how such a dispensation could be trusted to clean up the transport mafia in Punjab. While he is speaking of lowering taxes in Punjab, the fact is that transporters in Delhi are suffering a double blow from green tax and enhanced toll taxes under his regime. Eradication of the liquor mafia is another promise which has no feet to stand on, said the PPCC leaders, pointing to the fact that the Delhi government had granted license to nearly 400 liquor shops without taking public consent. On the tourism sector another area of Kerjriwal's Punjab industry manifesto focus, the Punjab Congress leaders said as of March 2016, 94% of the money allocated by his government in Delhi for the tourism sector in Budget 2015-16 had remained unspent. Further, said the PPCC leaders, not only had the Kejriwal Government failed to implement Street Vendors Act but 5 lakh rehri-pattri walahs had been facing harassment and forceful evictions in Delhi, triggering strong protests by the hawkers there. Even in terms of tackling unemployment, the AAP Government in Delhi was way behind its target of 8 lakh jobs, having given only 1417 jobs till date. The list of Kejriwal's anti-industry moves in Delhi is a long one, which only goes to show that AAP is in no way capable of resolving Punjab's industrial problems, which have already assumed grave proportions under the Badal rule, said the PPCC leaders. They warned the trading and industrial community in Punjab to be wary of Kejriwal's false and misleading promises in their own interest, and in the interest of the progress of Punjab. The party dismissed Kejriwal's tall claims in the manifesto as a big bundle of lies, which will put the industries in Punjab, already reeling under severe de-growth under the Badal regime, on the path to irretrievable damage.UNI JS SDR SNU 1830 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0293-991237.Xml
The Border Security Force is currently monitoring the situation.

In the intervening night of October 19-20, BSF troops foiled an infiltration bid in Bobiyan village of Hira Nagar Sector in Jammu, in which one militant was killed; whereas, in the same area, Pakistani Rangers today targeted the BSF domination along the International Boundary, in which one BSF Constable Gurnam Singh received a bullet injury.

The Constable was evacuated to the Jammu Government Medical College with the cover fire, however, he succumbed to his injuries.

Early on Thursday morning, Pakistan had resorted to ceasefire violation in Bhimer Gali(BG) sector of Rajouri and in Hiranagar sector of Kathua district.

This comes after a spree of ceasefire violations last week by Pakistan after the surgical strikes conducted by the Indian Army on 29 September to destroy terror launchpads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Ever since, Pakistan has stepped up cross-border firing and has violated the Line of Control ceasefire at least 20 times. (ANI)
In a day where Hollywood looks for sure financial success via endless strings of remakes, needless reboots and braindead franchises, it's great to get a historical drama that tells an amazing, worth-learning-about true story. There are so many barely-known noteworthy stories within this world's history that it's refreshing to see a studio hire a strong new filmmaker and a solid cast to bring one to light. Set in Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia during World War II, 'Anthropoid' tells the story of Allied-backed rebels tasked with the impossible: assassinating Adolf Hitler's heavily-guarded third-in-command leader. Like 'Bridge of Spies,' 'Anthropoid' tells a fully engaging tale of defiance and espionage.

In September 1938, Hitler threatened the surrounding Allied nations that if they didn't willingly hand over Czechoslovakia, that he would declare war on all of them. They complied, but one year later, when Hitler's army unexpectedly invaded Poland, Allied forces in turn declared war on him. That's when World War II officially started. Before long, the Czech people had had enough of the Nazi occupation. Production from Czech factories went down considerably, so Hilter sent his third-in-command, Reinhard Heydrich, to make an example of the rebels and get factory output back to acceptable levels. Upon arrival, he immediately ordered his forces on a killing spree. The body count was so high that he quickly earned the nickname "The Butcher of Prague."

Although Czechoslovakia wasn't part of the Allied pact, Allied forces erred on the side of humanity and did what they collectively could to help the hurting nation. 'Anthropoid' kicks off with two Czech rebels (Cillian Murphy and Jamie Dornan) parachuting into the wooded mountains outside Prague. Following training in London, they were sent on a very specific mission: Operation Anthropoid. The purpose was to assassinate the highly-guarded Butcher of Prague by any means necessary.

Thanks to two aspects of the film, upon watching it, 'Anthropoid' immediately caught my attention. First, a lot of historical dramas have known outcomes, placing the mantle of keeping an audience interested on the writing of the story. Having not heard of Heydrich or the rebel plan to take him out, I was immediately excited to see where this one went. Second, the opening of the film does something that immediately shows you the danger and high stakes in this game. It's made very obvious that no one is safe because of everpresent and unpredictable Nazi army. This out-of-the-gate sense is critical in the grand scheme of the film's structure.

'Anthropoid' plays out like a two-part slow-burner. The first half establishes the terrifying social climate, the characters and their assassination plans. The tension slowly builds over this period up to the anxiety-enducing first-half climax. I'll refrain from spoiling the outcome of their attempt, but either way, it results in a Nazi shut-down of Prague. The second rising part of the film takes place while the Nazi manhunt to find the surviving rebels responsible begins. With so much heat in Prague, these characters know that they must escape the city before more Nazi forces arrive to assist in the manhunt. Tensions build once again as these characters hide out and plan their escape. Just as the first half did, the second half results in unnerving suspense.

'Anthropoid' isn't an action-packed war film, but it's just as impactful and tense as one. The little-known story that it tells is worthy of being in history books. The film telling of the story is extremely well-written and superbly executed. The period production value is top-notch, especially for a small picture shot with a production budget of just $9 million. The central characters could have been fleshed out more, but Murphy, Dornan and their supporting cast of foreign actors do an excellent job of bringing them life and making you care for their outcomes.

For reasons unknown, Universal gave 'Anthropoid' a quiet theatrical release with hardly any marketing. After seeing it, it's surprising that it wasn't given a stronger release and a whole lot more backing. There's absolutely no reason why it should be overlooked. If you're craving an interesting and well-made film to check out, look no further.

The Blu-ray: Vital Disc Stats

Universal has given 'Anthropoid' a combo pack release that places a BD-50, a DVD and a redemption code for Ultraviolet and iTunes digital copies in a two-disc blue Elite keepcase that slides vertically into an embossed cardboard slipcase. When you pop the disc into your player, following an unskippable Universal reel, "fresh trailers from the internet" will be streamed. If you pass over them, you'll be taken directly to the static, score-set main menu.
Reiterating that SAD-BJP is having nexus with Congress to contest the forthcoming Assembly elections in Punjab, Delhi Chief Minister and National Convenor of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Arvind Kejriwal today said that money power to be used in election by these parties would be largely of drug money."It is learnt that SAD is ready with trucks loaded with money, earned out of supply of drugs, to be spent in election to woo voters,'' Mr Kejriwal said, adding that even SAD has decided to fund Congress, which is in lurch of money because of being out of power for the last 10 years, to stop the AAP from coming to power. The way PPCC Chief Captain Amarinder Singh saved Punjab Minister Bikram Singh Majithia from the CBI inquiry into his (Majithia's) involvement in the multi-crore drug racket, it seems that SAD has made up its mind to oblige the Congress by sharing the money earned out of the drug business with Captain Amarinder for contesting the election, Mr Kejriwal alleged. ''The upcoming polls in Punjab would be AAP versus SAD-BJP-Congress combine, which could be evident from the recent withdrawal of corruption case against Captain Amarinder by Akalis,'' the Delhi CM said, while addressing a press conference here."Why the case against Captain Amarinder only was withdrawn by Akalis, why not the same was done in the thousands of false cases registered against the agitating employees, teachers and youth?," Mr Kejriwal quipped.He claimed that AAP is all set to attain power in Punjab with a massive victory and committed to serve the people in a determined way.On his way to Mandi Gobindgarh, the Delhi Chief Minister made a sudden visit to Khanna Mandi to take stock of the on-going procurement of paddy. Some of the businessmen expressed concerns over the lack of social security of tax payers and asked Mr Kejriwal the agenda of AAP on this issue, who revealed that AAP has promised to provide social security for the tax-paying small and medium businessmen and traders, who suffer losses and face insolvency.UNI XC SHS RJ 2052 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0293-991336.Xml
Security force today burst teargas shells to disperse demonstrators protesting against alleged vandalism of residential houses during a raid to arrest 'stone pelters' in uptown Srinagar.Scores of protestors took to streets at Barzulla in uptown Srinagar against alleged vandalism of residential houses last night.Shouting anti-forces and 'pro-freedom' slogans, the protesters demanded immediate action against the accused security forces responsible for damaged private property, including Laptops, TVs, refrigerators, during a raid last night to arrest alleged stone pelters."Security forces barged into our houses and vandalized anything and everything they could get their hands on. It is ironic that the government on one hand seeks ours support to normalize situation and on the other hand let security force to damage our property," agitated protesters alleged.They further alleged that security forces even took gold and other items belonging to a girl, who is scheduled to get married in a week's time. However, when the protestors were moving towards the Barzulla main road, security forces burst teargas shells to disperse the demonstrators, who were regrouping and pelting stones.UNI ABS ASM SHS RJ PR2100 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0433-991272.Xml
The students started their protest from the Administrative Block of the campus in the form of a human chain and proceeded to Kumar's house within the university.

The students want the university to play a more active role to trace Najeeb Ahmed and take appropriate action against alleged ABVP members who assaulted him before he disappeared on the night of October 14.

"We are protesting against the disingenuous stance adopted by the VC. He is not serious about the whole affair and hiding behind technicalities. Even the missing complaint was filed by Najeeb's parents," Birsa Ambedkar Phule Student Association (BAPSA) President Bhupali Magare told IANS.

"We want the VC to first bring to book the students who were part of the mob that attacked Najeeb," she added.

Ahmed went missing from a university hostel after a brawl with suspected ABVP students.

The findings of an inquiry launched by the JNU administration are likely to be revealed on Monday, Magare told IANS.

The Vice Chancellor took to Twitter to ask the students to call off their agitation.

"Tracing Najeeb is the job of Police. I will meet Police Commissioner tomorrow. Please stop this and come forward to find Najeeb," he tweeted.

Kumar said he was doing all he could to trace Najeeb.

--IANS vn/nir/mr

( 253 Words)

2016-10-23-21:28:49 (IANS)
The Ganjam police today arrested four foreigners belonged to Philippines from a ship five km off the coast from Gopalpur port while they were talking in a banned satellite phone with United Arab Emirates SIM card to a number of Afghanistan. Police have identified them as Bsutista Jesceltone, Eduarfos Gruspe, Librafo P Jemina and Nathaniel A Fajs. The police also seized one satellite phone from their possession and their passports", said IIC Chamakhandi police station Ashok Parida. He said " we have registered a case under Wireless and Telegraph Act against them. The four Philippines were interrogated in Chamakhandi police station and later forwarded to the SDJM court Chatrapur,the IIC said. All the four reached Gopalpur port on October 17 last .The ship had arrived from China and was scheduled to leave Gopalpur port today with the illuminate of Orissa Sands Complex (OSCOM), a division of Indian Rare Earths Limited (IREL).UNI XC DP SDR RJ PR2214 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0431-991685.Xml
Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray today said that if the party was voted to power, it would ensure that people do not have to leave the state in search of jobs. Addressing a press conference at a hotel near the city, he said if the party was voted to power, ''we will ensure that people don't have to leave the coastal state in search of jobs''. He said he had met the Bharatiya Bhasha Suraksha Manch (BBSM) Convenor yesterday and they had a healthy and lengthy talk. ''I met Subhash Velingkar for the first time on Saturday. We had a healthy and lengthy discussion and as of now, we find ourselves on the same page on many fronts like Marathi language as Medium of Instruction at primary level, developmental issues, Hindutva, employment for the youth, good governance and so on. ''Although there are some minor discussions on technical issues like seat-sharing and other modalities, but as I will frequently visit to Goa, all these aspects will be resolved,'' he said. Mr Thackeray said the party was yet to speak to the stakeholders on the issues of casino, mining, migration and prostitution and once that took place, a firm stand on the issues would be taken. He said though the party had Hindutva ideology, but that did not mean that it hated other religions. ''Our principle of Hindutva is supportive of the persons, who are patriotic in their views and actions,'' he added. Stating that the party was serious about contesting the Assembly elections and would not repeat the mistakes (of depending on BJP and MGP), the Shiv Sena chief said the party would launch its manifesto for the polls after Diwali and also share details about seat-sharing. Mr Thackeray was on a two-day visit to the state, during which he addressed party workers and held a meeting with Mr Velingkar, former Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh (RSS) Goa unit chief and convenor ofBBSM, which is championing for the cause of making Marathi and Konkani, the medium of instruction in government-aided primary schools. UNI AKM RJ 2346 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0171-991624.Xml
According to a statement issued by the PRO of the Inspector General of Assam Rifles (North), the troops of 28th Assam Rifles had launched an operation last night, based on the intelligence reports about the movement of large number of armed underground cadre near Okotso village.

As the search commenced this morning, presence of large number of underground cadres in uniform with weapons was detected in the suspected camp, about three km away from Okotso village.

The statement said on being warned and asked to surrender, the cadres opened indiscriminate fire on the security forces, injuring one of the Assam Rifles soldier and tried to flee from the spot.

In the ensuing gun battle, one underground cadre was neutralised and another was injured.

The injured cadre was evacuated to civil hospital of Wokha and handed over to the police.

The rebel later confirmed that they belonged to the NSCN (KN) faction.

The ceasefire ground rules clearly prohibit factions from carrying arms outside their designated camp.

The Assam Rifles troops also recovered a cache from the operation, including two AK-47 rifles, one 12 Bore rifle, one point 303 rifle, one G3 rifle and one point 22 mm rifle with large quantity of ammunition, the statement added. UNI AS BM RJ 2314

-- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0214-991632.Xml
A key Taliban commander and close aide to former Taliban founder and leader Mullah Omar has asked the group's present chief Mawlavi Haibatullah Akhundzada to break all ties with Pakistan. The top Taliban leader, Syed Mohammad Tayyab Agha, reportedly in a letter asked Akhundzada to cut ties with Pakistan, reports Khaama Press. "How can the Taliban leadership, now camped in Pakistan, demand that people in Afghanistan or elsewhere pledge allegiance to them?" he wrote, confirming that the insurgent movement's leaders still operate from safe havens in Pakistan. "Can we consider such acts in accordance with Islam?" Agha, who relinquished his position as head of the Taliban's political office in Qatar last year, has sharply questioned key Taliban ideological tenets. In the letter, he also urges Akhundzada to give up the title of Amir al-Muminin or Leader of The Faithful and to drop the Taliban's formal name, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. "It will be better to employ the term 'movement' instead of 'emirate'," he wrote, arguing that without either control over most of the country including Kabul or recognition as a legitimate government it is impossible for the Taliban to pose as Afghanistan's legitimate government. "A reliance on media propaganda and forming [shadow] government institutions, control of rural territories, and most of the movement's leadership being in a foreign country [Pakistan] doesn't amount to a [legitimate] government in our country," he wrote. "Instead of Amir al-Muminin, you should call yourself The Amir or leader." Questioning the Taliban's current strategy, which mainly relies on overrunning rural territories and complex urban attacks that often result in a high number of civilian casualties, Agha urged Akhundzada, "You should give up using violence and intimidation to force people to pledge their allegiance to you as the commander of the faithful until you can meet all the requirements [outlined in Islamic Shari'a law]." "All the mujahedin fighters should be ordered to cease killing our opponents inside mosques and stop killing prisoners. Stop killing people under suspicion traveling on roads. Stop bombing bridges, roads, and other similar places. Stop killing aid and construction workers who are helping our nation and building our homeland," he wrote. This comes as first contact after the breakdown of talks backed by Islamabad between Kabul and the Taliban in May. A three-member delegation from the Taliban's Qatar office is currently in Pakistan to meet authorities over talks linked to the Afghan peace process. The visit comes days after Taliban leaders reportedly held informal meetings with Afghan and the US officials in Qatar. (ANI)
According to a statement by the Helmand media, the Taliban have received the drones from outside intelligence agencies and are using these for operational purposes, reports Tolo News.

In June 2016, the National Unity Government (NUG) banned the use of camera drones in Afghanistan due to security issues, a move that was met with mixed reaction.

The Afghan media slammed the government for the ban on use of camera drones during media coverage of events in the country, terming the move a violation of the mass media law.

They also said it is an attempt to restrict media activities.

Daesh militants have, however, used the hi-tech devices to film their own rocket attacks for propaganda videos in Iraq. (ANI)
The seven commanders and other insurgents, who had earlier handed over their weapons to authorities and renounced violence, said this while meeting media representatives at the Sibi Scouts headquarters, reports the Express Tribune.

Former commander of the banned outfit Lal Khan Bugti said that he and his colleagues supported Brahamdagh but, "when he [Brahamdagh] applied for political asylum in India, we decided to part ways with him. We are loyal to Pakistan and will remain loyal till our last breath."

Another commander, Qaiser Khan Bugti, said that they remained loyal to Brahamdagh for 10 years and carried out subversion activities including bomb blasts, target killing and attacks on security forces in Dear Bugti, Chatter, Phulaji and others areas of the province.

"The main reason to disassociate with Brahamdagh is his application to the Indian government seeking political asylum," he said.

They added that after they announced their decision, militants loyal to BRA attacked their houses in Chatter and Phulaji.

MNA Mir Dostain Khan Domki said that the government would not abandon the ones, who were renouncing violence.

"The government will provide all facilities including education, health, water to the families and children of the militants who have surrendered," he said.

Self-exiled Baloch leader Brahamdagh Bugti has been staying in Afghanistan and Europe ever since his grandfather Nawab Akbar Bugti was killed in a military raid nine years ago for leading a guerrilla resistance.

Bugti and other Baloch leaders and activists have regularly voiced their criticism against Pakistan for carrying out extensive human rights violation in Balochistan. (ANI)
Islamist militant group al Shabaab today seized control of yet another town in central Somalia after it was abandoned by African Union peacekeepers, a militant spokesman and a local official said, the third to fall to insurgents this month.Today, an Ethiopian contingent abandoned the town of Halgan in the Hiran region, allowing the group's fighters to enter soon after, said Abdiasis Abu Musab, al Shabaab's spokesman on military operations.A military offensive launched in 2014 by AU forces and the Somali army pushed out of major strategic centres, but the insurgents, who once held sway over much of the Horn of Africa country, still control some settlements and rural areas.The fall of Halgan was confirmed by Dahir Amin Jesow, a member of parliament from the region, who said residents are being subjected to reprisals at the hands of the insurgents.\"Each day, civilians are being beheaded over suspicion that they are government supporters,\" he told Reuters. \"We do not have a government that is effective enough to protect our civilians.\"The reason for the peacekeepers' withdrawal was not clear. Officials in Ethiopia were not immediately available for comment.Somalia has been convulsed by instability, conflict and lawlessness since the early 1990s following the toppling of military dictator Mohamed Siad Barre.Propped up by the African Union-mandated force known as AMISOM, Somalia's military and central government have strengthened their grip on the country but a relentless campaign of violence by al Shabaab persists.The group regularly attacks AMISOM's troops, which is made up of about 22,000 soldiers and police from African nations supporting Somalia's government and army.Al Shabaab aims to drive out the peacekeepers, topple Somalia's Western-backed government and impose a strict version of Islam.REUTERS VS PR1844 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0440-991348.Xml
The Nightmare Machine is an MIT project to use machine learning image-processing to make imagery for Hallowe'en.



The Face Generator isn't quite as successful as the filters that make scariness out of existing photos, but you can help train it. I suppose it's just a matter of time until someone adds the NSFW filter to these.

Since centuries, across geographies, religions, and cultures people try to innovate ways of scaring each other. Creating a visceral emotion such a fear remains one of the cornerstones of human creativity. This challenge is especially important in a time where we wonder what the limits of Artificial Intelligence are: Can machines learn to scare us? Towards this goal, we present you Haunted Faces and Haunted Places: computer generated scary imagery powered by deep learning algorithms and evil spirits!

NIGHTMARE MACHINE [MIT]





(via Dan Hon)
Turkish artillery is lending support to Kurdish Peshmerga fighters battling Islamic State militants near the Bashiqa camp in Iraq, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim was quoted as saying by CNN Turk and other media outlets today. "The Peshmerga have mobilised to cleanse the Bashiqa region from Daesh. They asked for help from our soldiers at the Bashiqa base. So we are helping the tanks with our artillery there," CNN Turk quoted him as saying. Kurdish fighters said they had taken the town of Bashiqa near Mosul from Islamic State today as coalition forces pressed their offensive against the jihadists' last stronghold in Iraq. Turkey has troops at the base in Bashiqa, north of Mosul, where they have been helping to train Iraqi Kurdish Peshmerga and Sunni fighters. REUTERS SDR BL2030 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0431-991602.Xml
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was re-elected unopposed as the president of the ruling Awami League for the eighth consecutive time on the closing day of the 20th National Council of the party. Road, Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader was elected as party general secretary for the first time. The two were elected by the councillors of the Awami League, the oldest political party of the country, unanimously in its 20th council as there were no other candidates for the two top party posts, reports Dhaka Tribune. Earlier, Hasina's name for the post of party president was proposed by the Awami League leader Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, whereas Obaidul Quader's name as general secretary was proposed by Syed Ashraful Islam. Ashraf's proposal was seconded by party leader Jahangir Kabir Nanak. Hasina had first become the Awami League president in its council in 1981. Quader had been a former president of Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student associate body of Awami League, and served as the presidium member of the ruling party in its last committee. Earlier in the day, councillors had passed the amendments to the party constitution which was presented by Dr Abdur Razzak, convener of constitution sub-committee of the council. According to the amendment, the size of national committee has been increased to 180 in place of the existing 170. The meeting of the committee will now be held once a year instead of every six months. But if the party president desires the meeting will be held more than once a year. As per the amendments, the number of presidium members will be increased to 19, including party president and general secretary, from the existing 15 whereas that of joint secretaries to 4 from the existing three. Besides, there will be 8 organising secretaries in place of seven. Local Government Nomination Board consisting of 19-member will be there for party nomination in the local government bodies. (ANI)
At least seven people were killed in weekend fighting between soldiers from two semi-autonomous regions of Somalia, officials from both sides said today, sparking fears of wider conflict. The clashes which broke out yesterday pitted forces from Puntland with those of Galmudug, the latest flare-up over a disputed area straddling their border. The two sides are fighting in the town of Galkayo, which is divided between clan militias loyal to the different regions. Hirsi Yusuf Barre, the mayor of Galkayo south, accused soldiers from Puntland of launching attacks first yesterday. "We lost three soldiers and 11 others were injured. We burnt three vehicles belonging to Puntland," he told Reuters today. Major Mohamed Ibrahim, a military officer in Puntland, said four soldiers were killed on their side and seven others were injured. "We have repulsed them," he said. Residents in the area said Galkayo was calm today but soldiers from both factions were seen reorganising themselves for more clashes. Earlier this month, the United Nations said the conflict could worsen and clashes had already displaced around 50,000 people. Somalia has been at civil war for 25 years and clashes between the clan-based militias who control much of the country are common. In the south, forces loyal to the weak UN-backed government are also battling Islamist insurgents. REUTERS SDR BL2135 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0431-991662.Xml
Passengers wait outside London City Airport after it was reopened following an evacuation due to a suspected chemical incident, in London, Britain on Oct. 21, 2016. The London City Airport has reopened after 27 people were treated and two taken to hospital in a "chemical incident". (Xinhua/Tim Ireland)

LONDON, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) -- The London City Airport has reopened after 27 people were treated and two taken to hospital in a "chemical incident".

London Fire Brigade said firefighters and police wearing protective equipment carried out two complete sweeps of the airport building.

A spokesman said that the incident was declared over as: "No elevated readings were found and the building was ventilated, searched and declared safe."

The airport tweeted: "Airport has now reopened. We thank passengers for their patience, access to terminal will be staggered and disruption to flights expected."

The Sky news channel said quoted London Ambulance's Assistant Director of Operations Paul Gibson as saying: "We were called at 4.11 pm to reports of an incident at London City Airport."

"We sent a number of resources to the scene including two single responders in cars, four ambulance crews, an incident response officer and our Hazardous Area Response Team (medics specially trained to treat people in hazardous situations)," said Gibson.

"We are treating ... patients at the scene for difficulty breathing, two patients have been taken to hospital," according to Gibson.

The report said that the cause of the apparent breathing difficulties is still not known.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- If you are uncertain how much time your kids can spend in front of a screen, you may refer to new recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the nation's largest group of pediatricians.

In new screen time guidelines released this week, the AAP said children younger than 18 months old should avoid use of any screen media with the exception of video-chatting to maintain family ties.

For children 18 and 24 months old, parents should choose high-quality programming, and watch it with their children to help them understand what they're seeing.

For children two to five years old, it urged limiting screen use to one hour per day of high-quality programs and said parents should watch with their children to help them understand what they are seeing and apply it to the world around them.

The guidelines also recommended banning digital media use an hour before bed, turning off devices when not in use and keeping bedrooms, mealtimes and parent-child playtime screen free.

"Digital media has become an inevitable part of childhood for many infants, toddlers and preschoolers, but research is limited on how this affects their development," said Jenny Radesky of the University of Michigan, one of the authors of the AAP statement for children younger than five years old.

Radesky said that in children over three, the research is solid that high-quality programs like Sesame Street can teach kids new ideas.

"However, under three, toddlers' immature brains have a hard time transferring what they see on a screen to real-life knowledge," she said in a statement. "We don't yet know if interactivity helps or hinders that process."

"What we do know is that early childhood is a time of rapid brain development, when children need time to play, sleep, learn to handle emotions, and build relationships. Research still suggests that excessive media use can get in the way of these important activities."

Although there are specific instances when using digital media as a soothing tool is helpful, such as on airplanes or during medical procedures, parents should also avoid using media as the only way to calm down children, authors noted.

According to Radesky, using devices as a common soothing strategy may limit children's ability to regulate their own emotions.

In addition, for children aged six and older, the AAP said the idea is to balance media use with other healthy behaviors.

For example, parents should "place consistent limits on the time spent using media, and the types of media, and make sure media does not take the place of adequate sleep, physical activity and other behaviors essential to health."

The group also said parents should designate media-free times, such as dinner or driving, as well as media-free locations at home, such as bedrooms, for school-aged children and adolescents.

"Parents play an important role in helping children and teens navigate media, which can have both positive and negative effects," said Megan Moreno, lead author of the policy statement on media use in school-aged children and teens.

"Parents can set expectations and boundaries to make sure their children's media experience is a positive one. The key is mindful use of media within a family," Moreno said.
GAZA, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is to visit Turkey and Qatar, Palestinian official sources said Saturday.

The sources said that Abbas will arrive in Turkey on Sunday and stay for two days, and meet his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other Turkish leaders.

Abbas will discuss with the Turkish leadership the situation in the Palestinian territories and the internal reconciliation with Islamic Hamas movement, which has been ruling the Gaza Strip since 2007.

The sources also said that on next Wednesday, Abbas will fly to Qatar to meet with Qatari leaders. It didn't rule out that Abbas may hold talks with Hamas leaders in Doha.

Hamas and Abbas Fatah Party leaders held rounds of dialogue to end their division and implementing reconciliation understandings. However, the two rivals had so far failed to end their division.

Meanwhile, earlier on Saturday, dozens of Palestinians demonstrated in both Gaza and Ramallah calling on Hamas and Fatah to end the internal division.

In Gaza City Square of the Unknown Soldier and Ramallah al-Manarah Square, demonstrators waved Palestinian flags and chanted slogans that called for Palestinian unity.

Ali Aamer, the coordinator of the campaign, told Xinhua that the aim of demonstrating in both Gaza and the West Bank was to push the two rivals to achieve unity.

The internal division started when Hamas movement violently seized control of the Gaza Strip in 2007, routed Abbas security forces and cracked down on his Fatah Party.

"It is time to take the initiative and start practicing all types of peaceful, popular and democratic struggle in order to end division and be united to confront all the coming challenges," said Jamil Majdalawi, coordinator of the campaign in Gaza.
by Mahmoud Fouly, Wang Xue

ABU SIMBEL, Egypt, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- Many Chinese tourists this year joined the long queues of thousands of people who gathered on Saturday early morning outside Abu Simbel temple in Upper Egypt's Aswan province to watch the sun illuminating the temple's inner sanctuary and shining the face of ancient Egyptian King Ramses II.

They all looked so attentive and excited while waiting for the extraordinary solar event that takes place twice a year, on Oct. 22 and Feb. 22, as an evidence of the advancement of Egypt's Pharaohs in the field of astronomy thousands of years ago.

Ren Wei, a 20-year-old Chinese visitor, was curiously talking with her friend about the magnificence of Pharaonic drawings on one of the walls of the huge temple, stressing the whole atmosphere was "magical and attractive" to her.

"I have always been curious about those Egyptian legends, magical stories and ancient sites since I was little. I read many books and watched many movies about Egypt. So, like many Chinese people, I always hoped to come here to see the ancient history of the country," the young woman told Xinhua.

Egypt has been suffering tourism recession over the past few years due to political turmoil and relevant security issues, yet the Chinese visitors expressed their feeling of safety in the country amid adequate security presence and deployment all around.

"We really feel safe here, although as a girl I am still a little reluctant to walk alone in the street," Ren remarked, expressing her impression about Egypt as "a country with huge potentials and fruitful tourism resources that just needs more development."

The number of Chinese visitors to Egypt increased from 65,000 to 135,000 in 2015, and the tourism ministry has been targeting to multiply the number in 2016.

Egypt's Tourism Minister Yehia Rashed, who attended the Pharaonic solar phenomenon with a number of other officials, noticed more Chinese tourists this year compared to previous ones, stressing Chinese tourism is on top of Egypt's marketing agenda.

"Among thousands of tourists, I see more Chinese faces today, and I believe the tourism from China is growing and we need to grow it more and more," the minister told Xinhua outside the temple after watching the sunrays on the face of King Ramses II along with fellow officials.

"We like the Chinese people very much and we're going to focus more on the Chinese market to improve the flow of Chinese tourists to Egypt," the minister continued, noting that the ministry has recently initiated tourism promotion activities targeting Chinese visitors.

During the unique solar event, tourists have been allowed to get inside the sanctuary in groups to take a look at the king's illuminated face and return from the other side of the same passage but mostly sticking to the wall and sometimes bending so as not to block the sunrays.

"It is the first time for me and my family to come to Egypt, and the only word to describe the temple is that it is breathtaking!" said Pan Hongyan, a lady in her 40s from the Chinese capital city of Beijing, who was taking pictures for her husband and son at the gate of the temple.

The lady added that she and her family visited many European and Asian countries for vacation and they preferred to come to Egypt this year to see its different culture and lifestyle, noting both China and Egypt are ancient civilizations.

"Egypt is no longer a remote, unreachable country for Chinese visitors. Egypt is unique, and we're lucky to meet a nice Egyptian tour guide who speaks very good Chinese. So we have really enjoyed the trip," Pan told Xinhua.

As for Li Jianfang, 50s, she said she came from northern Hebei Province in China along with some friends to see the solar festivity and the ancient Egyptian antiquities, saying the Egyptian government is doing a good job in the protection of such "priceless" sites.

She referred to China's further economic cooperation as one of the reasons for the growing numbers of Chinese visitors to Egyptian tourist attractions.

"The cultural and touristic sites here in Egypt deserve to be visited by more people around the world," Li told Xinhua.

Egyptian Culture Minister Helmi al-Nimnim said the festivity is very important to Egypt as it attracts thousands of tourists every year, praising the efforts done by the officials of Aswan province and various ministries for the success of such an "international event."

"This is our culture and our historical heritage. We will and we must continue promoting them and we welcome people from all over the world to come and visit, especially the Chinese tourists," the minister told Xinhua.
ZAGREB, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- It was unnecessary at the moment to install the barriers on the border preventing a possible new migrant wave, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said on Saturday.

There were other ways to protect the border, he said, after neighboring Slovenia erected fences in two main border crossings with Croatia.

At the moment, Plenkovic said he did not see any reason to put up barriers, but Croatia would protect its border and police have been on alert along all the border.

Croatia would cooperate with neighboring countries on border protection mechanisms, he added.

The information showed currently the number of people moving along the Balkan route was 98 percent less, so there was no large influx of migrants, Plenkovic said.

Earlier, Slovenia has put up metal fence panels on border crossings at Bregana and Macelj sites bordering Croatia, according to Slovenia's interior ministry. Enditem
BAKU, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- "We will continue to work on resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict," Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group U.S. Co-Chair James Warlick told news conference here on Saturday.

According to the mediator, the US, France and Russia are working together to achieve a peaceful solution and further discussions will focus on work aimed at finding a solution to the conflict.

"Recently we discussed this issue with Russian FM Sergey Lavrov in Moscow. We remain committed to a common efforts for a comprehensive settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict," Warlick said.

"It is imperative for the parties to be committed to further work towards achieving a peaceful solution to the conflict. I know that the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev is ready to work on negotiations and proposals which are already on the table, and is also ready for further discussions with the Armenian leader," he pointed out.

"We would like to follow the commitments made in Vienna and Saint Petersburg, while there remain a few more issues that we should address. All this we will discuss during the next meeting of the Presidents," Warlick said without specifying the date of the upcoming meeting.

"No agreement on the status of Nagorno-Karabakh will be adopted without the return of the occupied territories of Azerbaijan or without negotiations," he emphasized, adding that the "status quo is precarious and it is necessary to work effectively and continue to find ways of peaceful settlement."

The Co-chair expressed hope that the foreign ministers of both countries will meet in the OSCE Ministerial Council in Hamburg.

Ex-Soviet states Azerbaijan and Armenia fought a war over the Nagorno-Karabakh region in the early 1990s in which thousands were killed on both sides and hundreds of thousands displaced.

In more than 25 years since the ceasefire, everyday gunfire has resulted in periodic deaths of border guards on both sides.

April 2016 saw the worst escalation of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict since the mid-1990s.

Nagorno-Karabakh has run its own affairs with heavy military and financial backing from Armenia. Armenian-backed forces also hold seven Azerbaijani districts surrounding the region.

A permanent settlement has not been reached yet despite mediation led by France, Russia and the United States.
KHARTOUM, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- Sudan welcomed the U.S. officials' recent statements which reflected positive stances towards the war-torn country.

On Saturday, the U.S. envoy for Sudan and South Sudan Donald Booth, who is currently visiting Sudan's Darfur region, told reporters that "war and arms are no longer the appropriate way to resolve Sudan's issues."

He explained that Washington has asked the Chief African Mediator Thabo Mbeki to put pressure on the Sudanese armed groups and reject opposition forces to join Sudan's national dialogue.

Booth's statements came contrary to previous U.S. stances that regarded the national dialogue conference, which recently concluded, as not leading to resolving Sudan's issues because key players did not participate in it.

On Oct. 10, the national dialogue conference concluded its sessions and approved the dialogue's national document which is to be the base for the country's permanent constitution.

However, major armed movements have refused to participate in the conference, including the Revolutionary Front Alliance, which brings together the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM)/northern sector and the major Darfur armed movements, besides major political parties, top of them the opposition National Umma Party.

The second U.S. stance was represented in a statement attributed to Mark Toner, U.S. deputy spokesperson of the State Department, which was widely reported by local Sudanese media Saturday and in which he urged South Sudan government to stop supporting Sudanese armed groups.

"The United States calls on the Government of the Republic of South Sudan to comply with its commitments to cease harboring or providing support for Sudanese armed opposition groups, as required by UN Security Council Resolution 2046," said Toner in the statement.

Sudan's foreign ministry welcomed the stance of the U.S. State Department and regarded it as a "positive stance."

The ministry reiterated in a press release the importance for the South Sudanese government to fulfil its commitments recently signed with Sudan to expel the Sudanese armed groups and preventing them from launching any armed act from its territories against Sudan in accordance with the security arrangements agreement signed by the two countries.

In a related development, the Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on Friday availed South Sudan until the end of current year to implement the agreements signed between the two sides.

In September 2012, Sudan and South Sudan signed a cooperation agreement in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa under the patronage of the African Union.

The agreement included a package of understandings related to security, citizens' status, border and economic issues and others related to oil and trade. However, the signed agreements did not tackle the issues of Abyei and border demarcation.

The border issue is the biggest obstacle to the settlement of differences between Sudan and South Sudan.

Khartoum repeatedly accuses Juba of supporting and sheltering the rebels of Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM)/northern sector, which are fighting the government at South Kordofan and Blue Nile areas, besides the armed groups which are fighting in Sudan's Darfur region.

The Sudan-U.S. ties have been characterized by continued tension where the U.S. has been imposing sanctions on Sudan since 1997 and putting it on its list of countries sponsoring terrorism.

Since then, Washington has been renewing its sanctions on Sudan due to the continuing war in Darfur, Blue Nile and South Kordofan regions besides a number of outstanding issues with South Sudan, including the disputed oil-rich area of Abyei.

However, in February 2015, the U.S. Department of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced that it had decided to loosen the sanctions on Sudan via allowing exports of personal communications hardware and software, including smart phones and laptops.

It said the move aimed at helping the Sudanese citizens integrate into the global digital community.

In October last year, Washington also expressed readiness to cooperate with Sudan in the field of counter-terrorism.

According to economic reports, Sudan's losses due to the U.S. sanctions amounted to over four billion U.S. dollars annually.

Sudan has also been witnessing an escalating economic crisis since the secession of South Sudan in 2011, which has greatly affected the Sudanese economy as the country lost around 70 percent of its oil revenues.